Private School News

Canfordian in prestigious Roche Court Articulation Prize final

Becca Dyson, a sixth former at Canford School, Wimborne reached the final of the Roche Court Articulation Prize held at Cambridge University on the 6th March. The highly prestigious prize was formerly the Kenneth Clarke Art History Award held at Winchester College, but has now been expanded to a national level.

It involves writing and delivering a presentation on any subject based around the theme of art or art history. Becca delivered hers on the recent, much publicised Tate Modern installation “How It Is” By Miroslaw Balka. Becca made insightful comparisons between Balka’s work and Malevich’s Black Square paintings, James Turrell’s light installations and cave painting!

She did extremely well to win the regional heat where she competed against students from Winchester, Goldophin and Sherborne amongst many others. Going on to the final to compete against the winners of all other heats, she finished a very creditable second overall. The final was judged by prolific British artist Antony Gormley (Angel of the North, One and Other on Trafalgar Square’s ‘fourth plinth’.) Becca said “At the start of the day I was feeling a bit apprehensive, but to be honest I think everyone was, and luckily I didn’t have to go first! Just be be part of it, and to meet Anthoy Gormley was a great experience, and to come second was a surprise that I hadn’t really expected.”

Becca spent the day at Cambridge and was shown around the college art collection by current art history students. For coming runner-up she received a cheque for £150 and was presented with a signed book.

While her achievement alone is exceptional it is made even more so by the fact she was competing against students who currently study Art History at A level, whereas Becca studies Fine Art A level. Headmaster John Lever said “It takes a lot of courage even to attempt this. We are really proud of her both for that and for getting so far in such a major national competition”

All at Canford are immensely proud of her achievement.

Photo: Far right – Becca, centre – Antony Gormley.

Canford Concert 2010 – Lighthouse

The biennial musical extravaganza that is Canford’s major concert in Poole’s arts centre, ‘Lighthouse’, took place on Sunday 10th February. 138 pupils took part, performing in the orchestra, senior strings, wind bands and choirs.

Sibelius’ ‘Karelia Suite’ opened the programme. Under the baton of David Warwick, the musicians produced a compelling performance: the brass climaxes were thrilling, and the ensemble were united in their attention to detail.

Fiona McKinley then directed the Senior Strings in Elgar’s ‘Serenade’. This was beautifully lyrical playing, with the cello section in particular on commendably good form, and in pleasing contrast to the fireworks we then experienced from the Symphonic Wind Orchestra. Frank Bridge’s ‘The Pageant of London’ evoked a wonderful array of images of the city. With Ruth Partington conducting, they then joined forces with the Concert Band to perform the title theme from ‘Rocky’. With 90 performers this was a powerful rendition with the opening brass fanfare especially rousing.

The second half of the programme brought together the combined singing forces of the Chapel Choir, Cantabile Choir and Choral Society to perform Handel’s ‘Dixit Dominus’. Much hard work had gone into learning this tricky, and at times, virtuosic work, and the choirs rose to the occasion, with some magnificent singing. Once again, the soloists were drawn from amongst the pupils and Rosie Walker, Zara Aiken, Alice Toynton, Harry Anstee and Joe Judson all performed with panache and professionalism.

At the end of any of our concerts I am always struck by the musical standards achieved by our pupils: they work hard, of course, but reap the rewards of resultant musical success. I doubt they realise quite how well they play and how well earned are the congratulations we readily heap upon them. It occurs that our next concert in Poole will be Lighthouse 2012 – perhaps we should have an Olympic theme with gold medals for all involved!

Chris Sparkhall, Director of Music

Charterhouse Outclassed by Canford: Boarding Schools Cup

Charterhouse outclassed by Canford

Boys’ Hockey – Boarding Schools Cup

Charterhouse 0 Canford 7

Goal scorers Simon Hanley, 5 Tom Darby 2

Canford’s entire team played very well, especially after only one practice game. The bad weather over the past few weeks may have caused postponements of all the warm-up matches, but this has allowed the players to improve on their fitness levels.

The team was captained superbly by Simon Hanley who managed to score five of the seven goals, with Tom Darby adding the other two. Charterhouse pupils and parents were also a credit to their school, applauding the display of hockey the Canford players had shown. However, as our players will know, the score could and should have been into double figures, so there is still work to do on the practice field.

Charterhouse School’s match report:

Charterhouse tumbled to their worst ever home defeat against another school on Tuesday 19th January. It would be reasonable to point to a total lack of pre-season practice plus the loss of Charterhouse’s lynch-pin midfielder, Alex Rozier-Pamplin, after only a few minutes play as some form of explanation, but the simple truth is that Canford were a very slick unit who dominated the game from start to finish and who might well have scored even more than the seven goals they achieved.

The visitors pressed from the opening minute and only an outstanding display of goalkeeping from Joshua Doble kept them at bay. It was ironic, therefore, that a slip by the Charterhouse keeper should allow Canford to open the scoring after just seven minutes. The barrage continued throughout the half and it was remarkable that Doble was able to keep his goal intact. Then, in the 28th minute, Charterhouse finally got into the game: a quick break found Oliver Greenhalgh in front of goal and a cynical foul on him gave Charterhouse a penalty stroke. The thought of drawing level after such a bettering was evidently too much for the home side and James Kinsey’s feeble effort gave the Canford ‘keeper little trouble.

Just when it looked like Charterhouse might get to half time just one goal down, the opposition scored from a short corner two minutes before the break and doubled their lead. Ian Hamilton, the Charterhouse coach, exhorted greater efforts from his men and they came out after half time in determined mood. They came close to scoring, too, earning three short corners but were unable to convert any of them. Canford, on the other hand, had a whole variety of possibilities and the second half became little more than a chance for the visitors to go through the full range of their routines.

It says much for Doble’s goalkeeping that all the goals scored in the second half came from short corners, for Canford certainly created enough chances in open play to have scored more.

In the end, Charterhouse had been taught a lesson by a team which was not only a very efficient unit but which also displayed the vital ability to keep the ball and to pass it on with pace, while harrying like terriers when they lost possession. They are likely to go a long way in this year’s competition.

British Rowing Junior Trials

Anastasia Chitty and Alex Wilding took part in the Junior Rowing Trials on the Great Ouse, Lincolnshire in snowy conditions.

Anastasia sculled well in a highly competitive field of 56.
The Canford girl set out to achieve a place in the top ten so coming home in 6th more than fulfilled her ambitions for the day.

The following day Anastasia joined pair partner Sarah Lonergan to row the 5 kilometre course coming home in fine style in 2nd place. This is an encouraging performance for the sixteen year old who has carved a niche for herself amongst her older rivals for a place on this year’s British rowing teams.

Alex Wilding, one of Canford’s top boys, came home richer for the experience finishing 40th in single sculls and 36th in the coxless pair.

A Midsummer Nights Dream

This fabulous performance was a testament to the directorship of Mrs Amanda Graham who has provided us with yet another show that had us laughing and laughing as well as watching a perfectly cast and visually stunning performance. So many ‘thank you’s’ are due for this, from Mr Alan Wicks who provided stage, lights and sound, to Mrs Pam Hooper and Mrs Helen Dominey for costumes, Mrs Anne Marie Williams for music, Mrs Melissa Whittaker for stage art and programme, Mrs Linda Stillman for continuity (prompting!) and Miss Sarah Lambert for help during rehearsals… and of course thank you to the girls who were the undisputed stars we have always thought they are.