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Contents Activities

Aquarium Society 79 Art Club 79 Bridge 79 Chess 81 Community Service 82 Debating Society 81 Games Club 83 Mock European Elections 84 Model United Nations 85 Photographic Society 80

Art 37 Charity 9 Debating 27 Drama 19 Duke of Edinburgh Awards 61 leT 86 Learning 55 Leavers' Destinations 6 Memorial Library 89 Monitors and Prefects 58 Music 15 New Staff 12

Lyonian 1999

The John Lyon School Magaz ne

Old Lyonians' Association 108 Outward Bound 77 Parents' Association 90 Picture Parade 53 Reading and Recitation Speeches 3 Sport

Archery 107 Athletics 104 Badminton 101 Basketball 105 Cricket 98 Cross Country 102 Football 91 Karate 107 Swimming 103 Tennis 105 Volleyball 107

Staff 2 Trips & Travels 65 Valete 7 Yellow Pages 29 Young Enterprise 87

The editors would like to thank Dennis Shearman, Priory Publications, for his keen personal interest in the production of The Lyonian and for his patience and unfailingly sound advice.

Staff

GOVERNORS The Governors of Harrow School

Committee of Management: Professor M.M. EDWARDS].P.(Chairman)

BJ LENON, The Head Master of Harrow School. WD. ASHCROFT (O.L.) • Dr RJA.I. CATTO • T. KIRKLEY Dr. Owain ARvVEL HUGHES • MJ AMES (O.L.) • M.D. PAYNE (O.L.) • .J.S. KETTLE • N.W STUART CB

The Rev. T./. GOSDEN • Dr. A.B. COOKE OBE • Mrs. B.W CONNOLLY • Mrs. S.c. HARGREAVES AJF. STEBBINGS (Clerk to the Governors)

Headmaster: The Rev. TJ WRIGHT, B.D., A.K.C. (London) Second Master:]. BARNARD, M.A. (Cambridge), F.RC.O. (CHM), (O.L.)

LE. WHYBROW, B.A. (London), English, Head of Sixth Form MJ SADLER, B.A. (Bristol), Head of Classics, Registrar P. SANDERS, B.se. (London), Head of Chemistry, Head of Science D.L. PHILPOTT, Cert.Ed.(West London Institute), Physics B.K. SIMMONS, B.Se. (London), Head of Mathematics B. HOLGATE, B.Se. (Coventry), C. Phys., M. Inst. P., Head of Physics RV. FRENCH, B.Se. (Henfordshire), C.Bio!., M. Inst. BioI., Biology, Head of Outdoor Education P.N.B. PERDUE, Cert.Ed. (Brunei), Head of Design and Technology .J.L. IRVINE, M.A. (Glasgow), Head of Modern Languages RA. SHAW, B.Se. (London), M.A. (London) Head of Geography S.S. McMINN, M.A. (Glasgow), B.A. (Strathclyde) English Mrs . .J.M. PERDUE, Cert.Ed. (London), Science D.A. RIMMER, B.Se. (London), M.Se. (London), Mathematics, Head of Middle School RL. COBB, B.Ed. (Birmingham), B.A. (O.U.), Head of Economics D.F. 'A'EEDON, M.A. (Oxford), Chemistry, Head of Careers CJ .JONES, Cert.Ed. (West London Institute), Director of Physical Education LR READ, Dip. A.D. (Manchester), A.T.e. (Sussex) Head of Art Ms. P. WALDRON, B.A. (Reading), Modern Languages, Head of Lower School N.H. PARSONS, B.A. (Nottingham), Head of English I.R. PARKER, B.Se. (Loughborough), PE and Geography, Head of Cricket L.D. BUDD, BA (Wales), M.A. (Wales), English P.M. CLARKE, B.A. (Newcastle), M.Se. (London), Head of Learning Strategies S.N. HILLIER, B.A. (London), French RI. McNAE, B.Se. (Birmingham), C. Phys., M. Inst. P., Physics, Director of Studies GJ RYDER, B.Se. (London), M.A. (London), Head of Biology Y.A. WHEATON, B.Se., A.K.C. (London), M.Se. (Lancaster), Mathematics N.M. PANKHURST, B.A. (Wales), Head of Drama T. MAHON, BA (Surrey), B.Se. (London), MA (London), Physics and Chemistry Ms.].M. ROWLEY.J0NES, B. Mus. (Manchester), Music P. Le BERRE, B.A. (Toulouse), M.A. (Toulouse), French S. MILES, B.Mus. (London), ARCO, ARCM, A.Mus., LCM, Director of Music Mrs. I. SASSAROLI, B.A. (Ostrava), Mathematics Ms. H.L. BLATeH, B.A. (Oxford), Mathematics Mrs. C.A. SMITH, BA (St. Martins), Art Mrs. L.S. PLUMMER, B.A. (Middlesex), Religious Studies D.D. VIRGO, B.Se. (Sussex), Mathematics ].G. ANDERSON, M.A. (Cambridge), Modern Languages P. NIMMO, BA (London), English CH. SAVILL, B.A. (Durham), History A.S. 'A'ESTIAKE, BA (Southampton), BA (Bristol), Religious Studies D.P. BULLOCK, BA. (Brunei), Sport Studies with English M. DUNN, MA (Edinburgh), History P.A. FIANAGAN, B.A. (Norwich), Economics and History RA. FREEBORN, B.Se. (London), M.Se.(Herts) Head of Information Technology .J.R PRESTON, B.Se. (Exeter), Geography Ms. E.K. SIGSTON, B.A. (Sheffield Hallam), Design and Technology

Head of Library and Learning Resources: Mrs . .J. da SILVA, B.A. (Madras) Bursar: N.A. SHRYANE, M.B.E. Assistant Bursar: Headmaster's Secretary: Mrs . .JJ HORN Masters'Secretary:

C.M. EASTLAND Mrs. S.L. HUGGINS

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Saturday, 10th July 1999

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Speeches

If you believe Charles Dickens, some schoolmasters got away with murder a century ago. In recent years we school teachers have been called to account, not so much to eliminate malpractice

but more to ensure that the highest standards prevail in our schools.

So it was that John Lyon was host to eleven inspectors last November. To say that the staff had been in a lather of anxiety would be an exaggeration but one was aware of a tinge of apprehension - mainly because of the bureaucratic nature of the exercise. In fact the main photocopier in the school which was a young two year old a year ago went through adolescence and adulthood in a matter of months so that it is now in advanced old age as a result of the work it did for the Inspection.

At least our documentation focused our attention on what we were doing in the school and provided the inspectors with a clear idea of how the school works.

The Inspection

The week itself progressed rather successfully - the result presumably of our thorough planning - and although most of you have read the summary report and although I was told not to quote parts of it arbitrarily I cannot resist reading out the main finding of those eleven inspectors - just two sentences:

'The John Lyon School provides a very good education for its pupils, combining high academic achievement with wide opportunities for other interests such as sports, drama, music and adventure activities, in a strongly supportive framework of pastoral care and an atmosphere of mutual respect. John Lyon is a happy school."

Excellent Relationships and High Standards

This conclusion was reached after the eleven inspectors had observed 137 lessons and held 90 meetings with staff, boys, parents and Governors. We were praised for our academic record, the good behaviour of the pupils, the excellent relationships throughout the school and the high standard of resources and accommodation.

The whole staff of the school and the boys were magnificent over this period and we all felt part of a very supportive community. The staff and boys deserve our warm gratitude for what they did then but also generally for all that they do for the school through the year.

One of the inspectors had a story of a colleague whose task it was to check on Health and Safety and he was looking at the fire regulations for a certain school.

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Speeches

Contrary to the usual instruction to leave the building without delay in this school boys were told to make every effort to put the fire out before escaping. When he was challenged about this the headmaster replied angrily, "What then do you expect us to do? Let the building burn down?" Our facilities are important to us, but not as important as that.

The Recommendations

Since the Inspection, we have fastened on to the recommendations and some of them have already been implemented. We have, for instance, scrutinised our arrangements for the sixth form and made plans for September for more continuous pastoral care for our sixth formers and a range of common room accommodation.

And already our sixth formers have the freedom to observe a dress code rather than school uniform. Many of them are now dressed as young businessmen and impressively smart in their fashionable suits and individual styles. I was not the only member of staff who found himself buying dark-coloured shirts to keep up appearances, much to my wife's surprise.

We are also considering our curriculum, aware that major changes are inevitable in September 2000 as a result of government proposals for A-levels. It looks as though from September 2000, boys in the Lower Sixth will take four su~jects to AS Level and, in the following year, three subjects to A Level.

And thirdly, we are making a large investment in Information and Communication Technology so that the school has the best facilities for learning through I.C.T. A new network of computers and a network which can be accessed from various points in the school will be the first phase to be complete in the autumn. We will also welcome a new Head of 1.c.T. in September.

I can see John Lyon being both an exciting high­tech school but still one where relationships are valued highly and where extra-curricular activities thrive.

The Drama Studio

Boys will always find time for exciting creative subjects - especially when they have enthusiastic teachers and good facilities. Our Drama Department illustrates this. The new Drama Studio which is as well equipped as some professional little theatres has been the venue for some superb productions during the past nine months. It was this year that I f(mnd myself at one of our junior plays sat next to a woman who decided to sing the praises of the school knowing that I was the Head. She told me that she was the mother of a certain boy and

gave me his name. I replied, "Oh yes, of course, and is he in the play tonight?" and she said, "Oh no, he left three years ago!" And then when I was interviewing a boy for a place at 11 + I asked if he had done any acting. He replied, "I was once a fairy in Cinderella but my tutu fell off." (Embarrassing enough to be cast as a fairy in the first place but especially to have a loose tutu). It is no coincidence that this year we have been entertained by our A-Level Theatre Studies class who use the Drama Studio so effectively.

So, our academic year has reached its end but not before we say a formal and sad goodbye to four members of our staff - four young members of our staff who move on to other schools to widen their experience. Perhaps I might say something briefly about each one and then we can show our thanks to them together, at the end.

Teaching Staff who are leaving us

First, Miss Kathy Wicks, who joined our Geography Department in September 1997, having completed her PGCE. Not only as a geographer but also as a sportswoman - badminton, tennis and as a football referee and in her enthusiasm for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, she has greatly enriched the life of the school.

Secondly, Mr. Chris McKie, a historian who passes on his enthusiasm for the subject to his pupils and who has been one of those behind the wonderful success of the school's History Society, he has also given his time to coaching cricket and helping with soccer. Mr. McKie leaves us to take up a second teaching post at Wolverhampton Grammar School.

And Mr. Carl Gavin. Mr. Gavin came to teaching rather later than many after a career as a test engineer in the RAF but he brought with him a knowledge of electronics which was particularly useful to our Design and Technology Department. In his five years with us he has been prominent, supporting school activities especially on the sporting side and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We shall miss his bouncy energy and his quick one liners.

And finally, from our Economics Department we are losing Mr. Joe Carr-Hill who has been another highly enthusiastic schoolmaster involved in tennis, volleyball and the running of Young Enterprise. He has worked phenomenally hard and in a variety of ways. His most individual achievement over and above his fine teaching of Economics was to introduce AS Politics in four lessons a week in just one year and to attract some of our most able boys so that A grades were the norm and, as a spin off, to create a buzz in the school about politics generally. In fact the school, as a result of his

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prodding, was able to hold a mock European election a few weeks ago with a 49% turn out. When you compare that with the 23% turnout in the country as a whole, you have a measure of Mr. Carr-Hill's achievement and the enthusiasm which he generates.

All four have given the school a lot and surely have a very successful career ahead of them. We thank them all very much and wish them the best of luck.

Looking Ahead

This has been one of the best years in the school's history and yet, I am convinced, when I reflect on the talents and abilities of boys in our junior forms that there are greater academic results and achievements to come in the future.

We are trying to build our bursary and scholarship funds to offer places to able boys whose parents may not be able to afford our fees and we have been generously given two full bursaries each year by one of our Governors, Mr. Peter Beckwith. I am delighted that Mr. Beckwith is here with us today and that I can thank him publicly for his generosity.

I am also pleased that Liam Halligan is our guest speaker today. Liam's scholarship to the school was well deserved and he made great use of it becoming my first Head Boy and then gaining success after success as an academic moving amongst our politicians and as a sharply focused journalist in the media. I recently read Liam's full profile of Mr. Peter Lilley in the Financial Times - the result of a lunch together at Simpsons in the Strand - very readable and enjoyable. Rose Macaulay once said, "You should always believe all you read in the newspaper as this makes them more interesting."

We at the school have to be as sharply focused as a good journalist. Boys who are rapidly changing from children to men need lots of care and encouragement as well as high standards to aim at. The pastoral work of the school is as important as the academic and the extra­curricular. In a good school all three are linked together.

Today then, we can celebrate and perhaps, pat ourselves modestly on the back for such a good year.

Our Thanks I would like to thank our Upper Sixth boys who are leaving today. Headed by Daniel Connolly, James Glass and the ten other Monitors, they have been a most responsible and supportive group. I thank them for all that they have given us.

And finally, to you the parents and especially the Parents Association and to the Committee of Management, your trust in us encourages us in the school greatly and we shall look to next year for more and more successes.

The Revmnd T.J. Wright

Speeches

Daniel Connelly, Head Boy, at Speeches

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Further Education

UPPER SIXTH LEAVERS' DESTINATIONS 1999

R Adatia P Akhbari MAli RK Banerjee MA Chamberlain R Chaso RHC Claxton DP Connolly H Dedhia AJ Depala RV Dhanaratne CB Doe S Dutta K Elkiner DAW Forman JM Glass J Henderson JR Hunt NJ Jago S Jivraj o Karim KA Karseras SR Lawrence L-C Lee Foo Pin P Majithia K Mistry J O'Connell NKS Ooi Rakesh Patel Sachin Patel Sailesh Pate I Vivek Patel REW Pickford MA Rahman T J Reichardt Drijen Shah Vishal Shah PK Sharma N Shingadia DS Singer A Smith PST Straughen K Tah RV Tanna I Thancanamootoo D Tivers MBWillis DM Young

JS Caley MP Constable TAD Pratchett

Applicants from previous years A Babber N Munif S Solanki

University of Portsmouth Kings College London University of Portsmouth City University Manchester Victoria University of Manchester Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University of Exeter University College London University College London Kings College London University of Exeter UMIST University of Warwick Kings College London University of Leeds University of Durham Cambridge, Trinity Hall University of Reading Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University College London St Catherine's Oxford University of Leeds School of Oriental and African Studies University of Sussex University of Keele University of Leicester Brunei University Leicester (De Montfort) Kings College London UMIST University of Kingston University of Reading London School of Economics University of Birmingham London School of Economics University of Manchester Imperial College London City University UMIST University of Reading University of Edinburgh University of Aston University of Reading Lancashire University University of Warwick University of Nottingham University of Birmingham

Hammersmith College

University of Dundee University of Bristol Kings College London

Pharmacy Medicine European Business Studies Economics/Accountancy Computer Sciences Accounting/Finance Law History Economics Mathematics Maths/Management Studies German Computer Sciences Computer Systems Engineering History Cambridge Business/Finance Physics History Geography French/Management Studies Statistics/Languages Geography Management Studies Law Law Ancient History English American Studies Computer Sciences Medicine Mechanical Engineering Computer Science Ancient History Accountancy History Economics Economics Medicine Maths/Computer Sciences Computer Sciences Economics Engineering (Architectural) Accountancy Accountancy/Finance Accountancy/Finance Film/TV Engineering/French Engineering/Commerce

Retail Management Carpentry course and Interior Design Journalism

Medicine Economics/Social History Nutrition

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Kathy Wicks

John Lyon said goodbye to Miss Wicks in the summer, when she left us for a new adventure in Malaysia. She is

now teaching Geography to boys and girls at an international school in Kuala Lumpur. Field courses must be spectacular as the jungle is not far away. Just over the back fence in fact.

During her time at the school, Miss Wicks taught Geography to all years and the students appreciated her enthusiasm for the subject and her wide knowledge of it. She would often be found after school giving extra lessons and advice on coursework projects to help the boys achieve the highest grades possible. Her assistance with field courses at GCSE and A Level was also much appreciated.

Away from the classroom, Miss Wicks was an accomplished sportswoman who excelled in many sports and badminton in particular, playing for a local club and also helping many of our students to raise their standards with practices before and after school.

The school will miss her friendliness, energy and enthusiasm but travel is in her blood and she felt the need to broaden her horizons. No doubt in a few years' time, we shall learn that her next school is in the Antarctic or the Sahara Desert.

We wish her well and hope that her new adventure lives up to her expectation.

R.A. Shaw

Valete

Carl Gavin

Has anyone seen Mr. Gavin this term? No, he's not in the cricket nets, nor in the Geography Department, or

even in the Computer Room. He has in fact left the school and the country and can now be found, probably, in Kuala Lumpur.

His new post is as a teacher of Design and Technology in an International school, teaching all aspects of technology to boys and girls aged eleven to sixteen. All aspects include cooking and textiles as well as the traditional skills. Are the students ready for pie, chips and beans, washed down with a pint or two of lager?

Being a person who likes to keep busy, Mr. Gavin has already set up his own operating centre for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, in his school. Expeditions in the jungle should be interesting! Where do you put the checkpoints, and do candidates fail if they get eaten by wild animals? Will Mr. Gavin follow the groups by elephant rather than by car?

The lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur is very rough. Mr. Gavin has to make do with a three-bedroom apartment in a condominium, with swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis and squash courts and sauna. Oh, and Sky TV, so he doesn't miss the cricket or rugby matches.

Mr. Gavin gave much to John Lyon in his time here. Apart from his teaching skills in Design and Technology, he was involved in the sporting life of the school, especially cricket, and gave up much of his time to umpire and referee matches. He was very enthusiastic about all outdoor activities and helped to organise the Outward Bound and many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

The school will miss him, not only for his piercing whistle or the unusual names he had for the students, but also for his drive, enthusiasm and genuine friendliness. I am sure we all wish him well in his new adventure, and hope he does not get eaten in the jungle.

P.N.B. Perdue

P.S. Who said he took part of the Geography Department with him?

Valete

Joseph Carr-HiII

J oe Carr-Hill came to the school in September 1993. He made an immediate impact on both staff and boys who quickly

came to appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm he brought to every aspect of school life he encountered. It did not matter whether he was teaching Economics, Politics, Mathematics or History or coaching a football, tennis or volleyball team; he displayed the same energy and flair. Latterly, as a Housemaster, he guided Norwood to an excellent performance in the Cock House Cup.

Joe will of course be remembered for his major contribution to the Economics Department. Among many of his innovations was the weekly 'David Smith' lesson, based on a column in the Sunday Times, which successfully encouraged his students to make use of the Financial Times and other relevant broad­sheets. Behind his every idea was the belief that the boys should see the subject as connected to real life issues and that formal study of the subject is only one of the paths to understanding.

His contribution was based on many qualities beyond his enthusiasm. He has a superb grasp of the subject and a remarkable awareness of what each student requires to reach his potential. Members of Norwood House applying for university places benefited greatly from his intuitive understanding. He worked tirelessly for the Young Enterprise Scheme over a six year period and, in his final year at John Lyon, set up the Politics Department, which immediately caught the imagination of the students. He will be much missed and we wish him every success in his new post at Merchant Taylors' School.

R.L. Cobb

Dolores Conway-Ladds

M rs Conway-Ladds joined the school as Head of Library and Learning Resources in 1996. At this

point the Memorial Library was simply a shell and the huge task of turning it into a resource centre lay before her. Within an astonishingly short space of time books were in place, systems were up and running and an invaluable asset established.

However, her skills as a librarian are not all we have to thank her for. She has directed a Tom Stoppard play, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, she has been a stalwart of the annual Charity Karaoke and she has been a generous and unselfish colleague. Boys and staff alike greatly appreciate her efforts on our behalf and the enormous energy she has committed to the task of creating a brand new library for us.

She leaves us to move north to train as a teacher at Sheffield Hallam University where she will be, inevitably, very successful. With her go her husband, Alan and her daughter, Kerry, and we wish them all well in their new lives.

N.H. Parsons

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The support and effort given to the John Lyon charity effort never ceases to amaze me. The enthusiasm from some

people is almost superhuman. The chosen charity for the 1998/1999 drive was the Richard House Trust, the aim of which is to build London's first children's hospice to care for and offer support to terminally ill chil­dren. Based in Docklands in East London, construction will be well under way by the time you read this. I felt this charity was ideal for John Lyon as it was local and provides for children of the same age as John Lyon boys. My feelings were echoed when the charity won comfortably in the school-wide vote.

Once Richard House had been chosen, the money started pouring in immediately. Indeed there was so much, to count it looked as if we would have a backlog even larger than the passport office! But help was always at hand and there was always somebody willing to assist.

The way in which the money was raised varied from the traditional to the unconventional. After consider­able debate and even more coercion of faint-hearted members of staff, we made the bold decision to hold another Staff Karaoke. The event proved to be a fantastic success

Charity Lyonian

which raised well over £500 and I doubt anyone present will ever forget Mr. Virgo's and Mrs. Plummer's win­ning rendition of Summer Lovin'. But this was only the tip of the ice­berg. Countless other events were organised such as cake sales, car washes, sponsored runs, head shav­ing, and a sponsored fast. One of the high points of the charity drive was the charity auction organised by Mrs. Perdue, which raised over £2,000.

Although this year saw a great improvement from the Middle School and the Sixth Form, the stars of the show were again Oldfield whose grand total of £3,000 accounted for a considerable proportion of the final total.

Thus, when the collecting was complete, it was hardly surprising that due to the large number of events the school record had been comfortably beaten with a grand total of well over £12,000. This amazing figure would not have been possible without the support of so many peo­ple who are too numerous to be mentioned here. To all of you who helped I would like to extend my deepest thanks. I must offer special thanks to Miss Rowley Jones who provided continual help and support for which I will be forever indebted. I am also very grateful to the Head Boy, Daniel Connolly, who somehow managed to offer considerable assis­tance even though he had countless other responsibilities.

The cheque was collected by the Richard House representative, Sue Meiners, who was genuinely amazed by the size of the total figure. She brought with her ex-QPR goalkeeper, Peter Hucker, who treated us to a very poignant and appreciative speech. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who made this year's chari­ty effort the astounding success that it was, and I hope that this enthusi­asm continues into the twenty first century's charity efforts at John Lyon.

T.J. Reichardt

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This year we welcome several teachers to

John Lyon. Craftily playing on the fact that

the new teachers had never met them before, several of the Lyonian

team's minions sneakily managed to prise some information from our

new staff . ..

NEW ARRIVALS

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Ms. Nicola Guano joins John Lyon as Manager of the Sports Centre. Ms. Guano's favourite TV show is Friends, but this is probably her only sedentary hobby; she enjoys all outdoor pursuits, particularly sports or "anything with a competitive edge". She says that if she were to describe herself in one word, it would have to be "energetic".

Since leaving Notting Hill and Ealing School, she has had many brushes with fame, including singing The Birdie Song with none other than Lionel Blair, and a serious crush on Richard Gere.

Educated at The Perse School in Cambridge, the same place as John Lyon veteran, Mr Michael Sadler, you would be right to expect something special from new History and Politics teacher, Mr. Michael Dunn. In spite of his most terrifying moment "being stuck on a mountain in Wales realising I couldn't go up or down" and losing his cousin's Land Rover keys by bungee jumping with them in his pocket, Mr. Dunn is also a lover of the outdoor life. He enjoys skiing, climbing and rugby - rugby being his sport of choice - and like most of us, if he won the lottery, he would retire.

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New Geography teacher Mr. Jeremy Preston is not only a Geography teacher but also a keen sportsman and sports fan. His passions include rugby, football and cricket. He's not afraid to take up a challenge, either -previous exploits include white-water rafting and a 12,000 ft. parachute dive!

An education at Gravesend Grammar School for Boys, followed by a degree from Exeter University has fuelled an interest in Geography which dates from childhood. Nowas a teacher of his subject, Mr. Preston aims to pass on his enthusiasms to his department.

things you didn't know about Mr. Preston:

• His pet hates include rude people and smokers.

• Favourite drink: a pint of Caffrey's.

• He would most like to be stuck in a lift with ... the Brazilian women's beach volleyball team.

• His childhood idols were lan Botham and David Gower.

• Favourite film: The Great Escape.

The departure of Mr. Gavin last year left a big gap in our CDT Department which Ms. Elaine Sigston was more than happy to fill. A graduate of no less than three institutes of design and technology, including Sheffield Hallam University, she has been recognised for her talents in the design field, when her work was once exhibited at the Industrial Design Centre.

Ms. Sigston's adventurous personality was evident from her love for scuba diving - in fact she has dived in the Red Sea five times, and also has dreams of skiing, parachuting and bunjee jumping. It is quite fitting then, that she thinks her epitaph would read: 'Live for the Moment'!

things you didn't know about Ms. Sigston:

• Pet hates: Smokers and people who drive on the outside lane at 50mph and Male Chauvinist Pigs.

• Her favourite food is Italian -Salmon Cannelloni.

• She would most like to be stuck in a lift with ... Rob Andrew, the rugby fly-half

• Favourite TV programme: Cold Feet

• If she won the lottery she'd go out and buy a new car ... and a yacht!

Staff

Having taught at Bury Lawn School, Milton Keynes, and Clifton College, Bristol, Mr. Paul Flanagan has now taken on our very own Economics and History Departments at John Lyon.

A cricket enthusiast, Mr. Flanagan's greatest claim to fame is that he once "hit Phil Tufnell for two successive sixes". When not reading and avoiding horror films on TV, he coaches our U 14 footballers, and is ambitiously aiming for an "unbeaten season" this year. His dream is to find himself trapped in a lift with Sophia Loren.

things you didn't know about Mr. Flanagan:

• His most embarrassing moment was being locked out of a hotel in Brighton - naked!

• His favourite film is The Italian Job.

• Mr. Flanagan's favourite food is Italian.

• Favourite TV programme: Only Fools and Horses.

• Unfortunately, his pet hate is interviews ...

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Staff .-,------------------------

Mrs. Janaki da Silva takes over from Mrs Conway-Ladds as Head of Library and Learning Resources. She comes originally from Sri Lanka and studied at the universities of Madras and North London. Much of her life outside school is taken up with her family and her church activities but when she has time she loves to travel.

Before she came to John Lyon, she was the Librarian at Willesden High School. She is keen to introduce a wide variety of innovations into the Memorial Library and already we can see evidence of considerable change. Both pupils and staff have benefited from improved facilities and book stock and from the continuing refinements to the look and feel of the library. We wish her well in her new post.

things you didn't know about Mrs da Silva:

• Favourite food: devilled king prawns.

• She enjoys classical and soul music.

• Her heroes include Jesus and her mother.

• An ideal night out would be dinner in China Town.

• She'd like her epitaph to be: 'Here lies the world's best wife, mother and school librarian.'

If you ever needed reminding of the definition of multi-talented, go and have a chat with new PE teacher Mr. David Bullock. His studying at university was split between English and sports, with a BA at West London University, and a PGCE at Loughborough. To say that sport is a big part of Mr. Bullock's life is an understatement. He's been running aOOm and 1500m races since he

things you didn't know about Mr. Bullock:

• Biggest influences: idols -legendary British athlete, Sebastian Coe and his PE teacher at school, Mr. McKew.

• His favourite films include American Pie, the Weird Science trilogy and Star Wars.

• Greatest song of all time: "MC Rob Bass & DJ Easy Rock - It Takes Two" - an old house tune. Mr. B said, "It's just. .. wicked - used to be a bit of an anthem when I was younger."

• If his house caught fire he'd save his Armani shirt, his Lacoste boots, and his Robbie Williams album.

• If he won the lottery: "You'd never see me again. I'd take all my closest mates to Tenerife with me and I would pay for it all. "We'd 'go on a large one:"

was 12. He has run at the highest levels, and is currently representing Great Britain. Last year he competed in an AAA match and he still trains regularly. And that's not all- he has played football, basketball, tennis and cricket, all at county level.

Mr. Bullock is also an English teacher, and hopes to be teaching A­level in a few years. He's even written plays, and a few poems - we managed to get this little gem out of him:

"/ used to think nurses were women, I used to think police were men; I used to think teachers were boring -Until I became one of them. 11

Interviews conducted by Andrew Silke and Jaamit Durrani

-

From the Director's

Chair Relaxing before helping at a school concert in Harrow Speech Room.

It has been another busy year for the Music Department with a blend of established activities and new departures. You will find in this section

reviews of major concerts and events which have taken place through the year. Despite the relatively small size of the school, there have been two concerts involving large numbers of players and singers. Links with Harrow School, Northwood College and Aldenham School have enabled us to perform repertoire from the top drawer, and the benefits of schools combining include the opportunity to perform high quality music.

Our internal concerts have been exciting events. In the autumn, performances by the junior orchestra, motet choir, jazz band, wind band and first form choir filled the Boyd Campbell Hall. In concerts like these, where Handel sits side by side with Miles Davis on the programme, the range of the groups who rehearse week by week in the department is revealed.

The Inter-House music competition in the autumn drew large numbers of competitors and the results are recorded in this section of the

Music

magazine. It is an event on which the emphasis is placed on performance rather than competition. A prize-winners concert, given in the evening, at which all participants are present, helps to cultivate this.

Our carol concerts this year were at St. John's Greenhill. The involvement of all the first-years ensured a packed church. The aim was to celebrate Christmas in a range of traditional readings and carols with seasonal poetry and music. The church was lit by hundreds of candles and proved a magical atmosphere in which to end the term.

Mr. McMinn's review of the principal concert of the year on 23rd March 1999 appears elsewhere, but this event required a considerable amount of organisation and co­operation. The Head Boy and his helpers ensured a smooth-running concert, and the Music Department is very grateful to them.

Additionally, we welcome the following new staff to our department: Mr. Huw Clemens-Evans, GRNCH, PPRNCM, to teach oboe, and Mr. Andrew Potts, BSc PGCE, to teach saxophone.

s. Miles

Music .-.,"------------------

First Form Choir

Throughout the Autumn Term, the entire first year assembled every Wednesday lunchtime for first form choir.

Many of the boys had done very little singing in their junior schools, and the first couple of rehearsals were approached rather tentatively. By the end of September, however, under the dynamic direction of Miss Rowley Jones, a selection of songs by Irving Berlin and others were coming together very nicely. Three numbers were performed with great success at the Autumn Concert.

Mr. Barnard took over in the lead-up to Christmas, and the boys learnt several of his own carols, The performance of these in the Christmas Carol Concert was one of the highlights of the event.

S. Miles

Wind Band

This year was a very exciting one for the Wind Band, which performed in more concerts than ever before. At

the end of the Christmas term the band performed 'Winter Wonderland' for the first time at a Carol Concert at St. John's, Greenhill. This short but festive piece was as usual extremely impressive.

The Spring Term saw yet another breakthrough. The Wind Band had the pleasure of uniting with Aldenham School and Northwood College to perform 'Rondeau' from Abdelazer by Purcell and the much renowned March Slav by Tchaikovsky. This was an exhilarating performance, bringing much talent under one roof at The Harrow School Speech Room.

The final Summer concert on 11th May saw the band performing two well known pieces, 'I'll be there for You', the Friends theme tune by Michael Skloff and 'Hey Hey We're the Monkees' by Michael Sweeney. Both performances were excellent after many lunchtime rehearsals attended by all members.

Finally, many thanks must go to Miss Rowley-Jones, without whose effort and immense dedication the Wind Band would not be what it is today.

Vivek Patel

Charity Concert

The annual Charity Concert given in conjunction with Harrow School is part of the commemorative weekend for

John Lyon and gives the best musicians from both schools the opportunity to come together on limited rehearsal and perform a full­length orchestral concert.

An ambitious programme 'is always selected and it is a tradition that a boy from one of the schools performs a concerto. This is a very special opportunity for any young musician, particularly in a venue as good as the Speech Room, Vladimir Kara-Murza from John Lyon was selected to play the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. This popular work is one of the composer's greatest utterances - intense musical argument, quicksilver wit and achingly beautiful melody. Vladimir's performance was a triumph - he captured the ebb and flow of the score to perfection and, considering that he was in the first few weeks of the Lower Sixth, this was some achievement.

In the same concert a member of the Harrow School music staff performed the Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn, another work from the classical Hall of Fame. Mr. Dimitar Burov played with real aplomb and virtuoso technique. Many John Lyon boys in the orchestra held principal posts, especially in the music by Gordon Jacob and a selection of ballet music by Aram Khachaturian completed the programme. A sum of £975 was raised for a hospital in Bristol, which treats disabled children.

S. Miles

>

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Autumn Concert Thursday, 12th November 1998

This year's Autumn Concert served to remind us of the depth of musical talent in our school across all of the age

groups. From the first form choir to members of the Upper Sixth, all performed in front of a packed Boyd Campbell hall.

The Junior Orchestra made its final appearance tonight, as it has since become junior wind and string groups. The orchestra played 'Yellow Submarine' and 'I Dreamed a Dream' and the resulting sound brought promise that the school has a lot of music to come in future years.

The Motet Choir then sang a selection of pieces, which outlined the versatility of the group. Opening with a haunting ballad, 'The Water of Tyne' they went on to sing Gershwin's 'S'Wonderful', a spiritual, 'This Train', and a seriously groovy arrangement of 'Ain't Misbehavin" by our very own Mr. Miles.

The Jazz Band was next on the programme and, as always, greatly impressed the audience. 'An Oscar for Oscar', 'Footprints' and finally Miles Davis' 'Four' made up the group's set list. The inclusion of several new members to the band showed that the Jazz Band is going to be around for years to come.

The entire first form then entertained us with their collective voice by singing the old favourites 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', 'Somewhere' and 'California Dreaming'.

The Wind Band rounded off the evening with an exciting performance of a medley from 'Grease', leaving the audience begging for more.

Thanks must go to Mr. Miles, Miss Rowley-Jones and Mr. Grey for organizing all of the ensembles on show in this concert.

R.J. Bartsch

Christmas Carol Concert

Thursday, 17th December1998

As usual, a most fitting concert retold the story of the Nativity and gave the

congregation at St. John's, Greenhill, the opportunity to exercise their voices once again. The concert opened with a flute aria played by Jiten Halai, three organ pieces played by Jonathon Artus, George Kelly and Josh Dmochowski and a trumpet fanfare played by Richard Bartsch.

Between the carols, sung by the enthusiastic congregation, the choir sang such traditional works as 'Adam lay y-bounden', and between Bible readings by various members of the school, poems were read by members of staff. Also on show were three short works, written by our very own Mr. John Barnard, sung by the first form choir.

To end such a wonderful tribute to the Christmas story, the Wind Band played a selection of Christmas favourites including 'Winter Wonderland'. The congregation left the church full of Christmas cheer not to mention mince pies, hot drinks and mulled wine, provided by members of the parish to whom we extend our warmest thanks for their great hospitality. Thanks also go to Mr. Miles for directing the choir and to Mr. Westlake for training all of the readers.

R.J. Bartsch

Music

Choral/Orchestral Concert

Harrow School Speech Room, Thursday. 23rd March 1999

This joint concert involving Aldenham, John Lyon, and Northwood College opened with a splendid array of young wind

players in arrangements of music by Puree\! and Tchaikovsky. The tune which Britten used as the theme for his Young Persons Guide Variations works well with such numbers of instrumentalists, but in March Slave one missed Tchiakovsky's flair for orchestration. He used a succession of folk tunes in this march and it is notoriously difficult to handle such material without merely repeating it in different combinations of colour. The original is masterly but here, without the benefit of strings, the piece's structural deficiencies were highlighted. However, Mr. Williams of Northwood College drew spirited playing from his young forces.

With a smaller orchestra underpinned by more mature, professional players, Mr. Miles could present Sibelius' wonderful Karelia Suite without compromise. The Karelians from the far south-east of Finland are a fun loving, spontaneous people, and in tribute to them, the work has a light, deft texture and a rippling forward impetus which puts a smile on the face and reminds us that the old Northern master had his less austere moments. Our conductor's body language exactly re-enacted the Suite's dancing rhythms and fluent continuity of phrasing and his musicians responded with the most finished and involved playing of the evening.

It is easy to find on CD a performance of Mozart's sublime Requiem which is both polished and intense and to forget that such a performance is beyond amateur musicians. Mr. Wyatt of Aldenham rightly settled for 'going at' the music with a will, carrying his choir and orchestra across the difficult stretches by sheer energy and leaving us to hear in our mind's ear the subtleties which only a top ensemble can capture. It was an especial pleasure to note among the distinguished visiting soloists the tenor, lan Caley, a John Lyon parent, and an artist with a highly distinguished career.

Congratulations are due to all the many participants in this stimulating evening.

5.5. McMinn

Music [1W@[jj)Off][jj) .-.. ----~----------------

i

Pt

Inter-House Music Competition The Inter-House Music Competition took place on the 24th November 1998. The adjudicator was Mr John Wyatt, Director of Music at Aldenham School.

Results Vaughan 64 Moore 52 Butler 44 Norwood 19

Junior Piano Runner·Up Joshua Sasto (Vaughan) Winner Josh Dmochowski (Vaughan)

Junior Strings Runner-Up David Delameillieure (Butler) Winner Josh Dmochowski (Vaughan)

Junior Woodwind Runner·Up Owen Bennett (Butler) Winner Jiten Halai (Moore)

Junior Brass Runner-Up Robert Palmer (Norwood) Winner Gregory Dillon (Moore)

Senior Piano Runner-Up Richard Bartsch (Butler) Winner David Franklyn (Moore)

Senior Strings Runner·Up Kyriacos Karseras (Moore) Winner: Paul Straughen (Vaughan)

Senior Brass Highly CommendedJeremy Rose

(Norwood) Runner-Up Darren Jenkins (Moore) Winner Richard Bartsch (Butler)

Senior Woodwind Highly CommendedJustin Powell

(Vaughan) Nicholas Matthews (Norwood)

Runner-Up Michael Chamberlain (Butler) Winner Vladimir Kara·Murza

(Vaughan) s. Miles

Associated Board Music Exams Practical Results Spring Term 1998 Vladimir Kara-Murza Clarinet 8 Jiten Halai Flute 4 Christopher Cashman Flute 5 Jason Choy Piano 4 Philip Johnson Clarinet 2 Christopher Davies Piano 6

Practical Results Summer Term 1998 Gregory Dillon Trumpet Grade 1 William Deacon Saxophone Grade 1 Owen Bennett Clarinet Grade 1 Jason Powell Clarinet Grade 2 Jeremy Rose Trumpet Grade 4 Paul Choy Clarinet Grade 2 Alexander Hargreaves Clarinet Grade 5 Philip Smith Clarinet Grade 6

Theory Results Summer Term 1998 David Jones Grade 5 Neel Panchal Grade 5 Alexander Hargreaves Grade 5

Autumn Term 1998 James Lancaster Adam Street Gregory Dillon Richard Bartsch Pratheesh Gurunathan

Spring Term 1999 Charles de Haan Owen Bennett Oliver Turnbull Andrew Nash Christopher Lam William Deacon Jonathon Artus

Saxophone 4 Clarinet 6 Trumpet 2 Piano 8 Flute 2

Clarinet 1 Clarinet 2 Clarinet 1 Bassoon 6 Saxophone 2 Saxophone 2 Organ 6

126 Merit 113 114 106 125 Merit 120 Merit

128 Merit 130 Distinction 122 Merit 126 Merit 133 Distinction 116 127 Merit 122 Merit

70 81 68

104 118 130 Distinction 122 Merit 118

121 Merit 113 120 Merit 116 134 Distinction 120 Merit 138 Distinction

Stephen Greek Peter Amakye Pouya Akhbari Jiten Halai Alexander Hargreaves

Piano 4 Piano 4 Piano 7 Flute 5 Clarinet 6

107 110 109 123 Merit 116

Practical Results Summer Term 1999 David Franklyn Trumpet 7 133 Distinction Martin Thompson Distinction Lech Handzel Manjit Chita Josh Dmochowski Gregory Dillon Josh Dmochowski Neel Panchal Daniel Hooper Daniel Rosenblatt Adam Street Paul Straughen Robin Turner Michael Len Adam Sharp Vaden Sanassy

Trombone 139

Piano 5 131 Distinction Clarinet 1 137 Distinction Practical Musicianship 5Pass with Merit Trumpet 4 127 Merit Organ 4 130 Distinction Trumpet 6 124 Merit Guitar 1 110 Piano 1 128 Merit Clarinet 7 121 Merit Violin 8 115 Piano 3 115 Guitar 1 112 Guitar 1 123 Merit Viola 117

Theory Results Summer Term 1999 Gregory Dillon Grade 5 David Delameillieure Grade 5 Jiten Halai Grade 5 Vivek Patel Grade 5 Anish Mehta Grade 5 Martin Masser Grade 5 Christopher Cash man Grade 5

083 083 094 078 070 088 078

Maximum mark 100 • Passmark 66 Distinction 90+

hi

The Drama Studio

The move of CDT to the old Gym underneath the new Maths Centre left an empty cavern below the Biology

Department. This was to be where the Drama Department would be based after some quite major adjustments. The abandoned area had to be changed into a luxurious Drama Suite which would not only include a drama studio, where practical lessons as well as shows would take place, but also a classroom area for teaching of an academic nature, essential for A-level Theatre Studies. The new Drama Suite would also include a dressing room and Box Office. Unknown to the majority of the school a hive of activity persisted underneath Biology to turn the desolate area left by CDT into the majesty of a brand new purpose-built drama centre.

By August 1998, everything was finished. It was time for the move! Mr. Pankhurst's makeshift office backstage at the Boyd Campbell Hall, known affectionately as 'The Bat­Cave', had to be moved to the brand new office. Then the technical facilities had to be installed. These included a new lighting board, Tannoy speakers, graphic equaliser and a paging and relay system. Everything was in place by September to welcome, not only a brand new member of staff into the department, Mr. Nimmo, but also a brand new course in the form of A­Level Theatre Studies.

Richard Pacey

Scenic Collection

The first production staged in the new studio was performed by those Lower Sixth formers taking the new

Theatre Studies course. 'Scenic Collection' was an evening of various speeches and scenes from modern plays. As part of the A-level course those members of the group wishing to take acting as their individual project would have to perform a monologue and duologue. This evening allowed the group, not only to familiarise itself with the various texts which might be used in the exam, but also to give them practice at performing in front of a live audience in this new space. The Drama Studio gave the actors the experience of really intimate theatre, as the audience was no less than two metres away. Having only given performances in the Hall, it was interesting not to have to project your voice so that the person at the back could hear you.

Under the organisation and supervision of Mr. Paul Nimmo the acting was of a consistently high standard. The evening included scenes from the main school show, which is also an A-level text, Our Country's Good by TImberlake Wertenbaker. The pieces being offered were varied and incorporated many famous dramatists such as Steven Berkoff, Bertolt Brecht and Harold Pinter as well as scenes from shows such as Amadeus by Peter Shaffer and Art by Yasmina Reza.

Richard Pacey

Drama

Jason and the Argonauts

The high level of interest and talent in the sphere of performing arts was demonstrated in the First and

Second year production. Jason and the Argonauts was written and directed by Mr. Pankhurst and based on the myth of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece and was performed 'in the round'. It was cleverly directed with Brecht a clear influence as there was both a narrator, ably characterised by Richard Jago, and also a certain amount of doubling of roles. This gave the actors the opportunity to show a contrast of characters.

Many of the sixteen strong cast had little or no experience of performing in front of a live audience and they coped well. The humour within the play was cleverly brought out by some memorable performances from the likes of Jonathan Bullock as Argus and Jonny Kann as Medea. The acting was enhanced by the music which was chosen by Matthew Dodd. The actors captivated the audience of both nights and all those involved can be very proud of their achievement.

Richard Pacey

1J@

._,, ____ l1;_W_®_ITO_D_®_ITO __ D_r_a_m_a ________ _

--

Will Shakespeare Save Us!

The next production in the Drama Studio was the third year presenting Will Shakespeare Save Us/,

written and directed by Mr. Paul Nimmo. The play, described as 'chunks of Shakespeare wrapped up in a bit of fun', is about a King who is bored and wishes to be amused by his players, or he will execute them. They decide to perform sketches and scenes from plays by William Shakespeare - hence the pun. The play culminates in the sword fight scene from Hamlet. Although many of the cast had never been in a play before, everyone gave full commitment and an enjoyable two nights were had by all. Excellent performances came from Edward Swain, Andrew Karim, Jamie Furer, Rhodri James and Charles Booth and special thanks must go to James Taylor and Richard Pacey for taking care of the technical side of the production.

Mark Gettleson

The Lower Sixth Production

The audience was entertained by two one-act plays. The first was The Fourth Prisoner by David Henry Wilson which

was written specially for the University of Konstanz in Germany. The second play is much more famous. The Zoo Story by Edward Albee is a black comedy set in Central Park, New York.

The first starred, in particular, Chris Jago, Paul Coney and Daniel Berko. It is set in a prison and deals with the relationship of those incarcerated. The first night was particularly unnerving. One of the cast forgot his lines and there was a couple of minutes of silence. The technicians in the control room, unable to help their colleagues nervously waited for the next line. The audience however felt as though the pause was intentional and gave those involved an experience of improvising their way out of any situation.

The Zoo Story featured a

marathon monologue of nearly twenty minutes. This was performed by the talented Mark Joseph. Alongside him was Lech Handzel who played Peter, a man expecting a quiet afternoon on a park bench but who, instead, gets Mark's character, Jerry.

Both of the plays were self­directed by those involved. Richard Pacey designed the set, lighting and sound. Special thanks must go to Andrew Madden, our technical assistant, as well as Steven Bull for his help painting the set.

Richard Pacey

1 \

Drama Lyonian

OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD by TImberlake Wertenbaker

Having seen the Royal Court's premiere of this play in 1988, I was keen to see how school-age actors would respond to what is an excellent but very challenging

modern script. As a newcomer to John Lyon, I also had the added interest of seeing what the standard of drama here was like. I was delighted to find myself watching a production of wonderful clarity, considerable theatricality and a surprisingly powerful emotional impact. Its tale of convicts putting on a play in Australia over two hundred years ago creates marked contrasts between the

almost inhuman brutality of so-called 'civilised' officers and the increasingly humane behaviour of the convicts themselves. These contrasts were well pointed, not only by the stark difference in costumes, but equally by the detailed acting and uncomplicated direction.

Mark Joseph played Ralph, the officer responsible for the play within the play, with sensitivity and great comic timing. He was especially funny when dealing with the recalcitrant

female convicts and traced his character's emotional journey very clearly for the audience. Lech Handzel, new to the Sixth Form, presided over the officers as Governor Phillips with dignity and

compassion. His diction was disappointing but he made the most of his strong presence on stage.

Daniel Deacon and Richard Adams created a fine comedy double-act as two Scottish

officers; the playwright's skill in bringing out the cruelty of these characters was well served in their performances. Other officers were played with appropriate gravitas

by Paul Coney, Richard Pacey, Thomas Pratchett, Christopher Gardner, David Franklyn and James Rosen.

Harry Brewer's possessiveness, his drinking

and his descent into mental illness were all expressed with

great conviction and ~ commitment by Chris Jago.

,1(' '_~\,' Another convict forced to work

for the officers is Ketch Freeman, the hangman; Steven Geller brought out the

1,/ character's reluctance well. Daniel Berko was relaxed but fully

committed as Arscott and I enjoyed Nick Jago's understated Wisehammer because his

-

Drama

acting had enough subtlety to convey the thoughtfulness of the character. Jeremy Rose, as Sideway, tackled a tricky mixture of comedy and pathos with considerable success. The clarity and poise of Adam Adrien-Kirby's two roles (Black Caesar and the Aborigine) characterised the high standard of all the male acting.

This standard was matched and often slightly bettered by the four girls in the cast. Aisling Collins as Liz Morden was powerful when required, showing an intelligent ability to portray her character's dramatic career through the course of the play. Miriam L6pez De La Nieta as Duckling and Helen Ashton as Mary Brenham, displayed fine judgement and attention to detail, both creating highly individualised performances. Teresa Stone supported them with strong comic touches as Dabby Bryant.

The teamwork amongst the cast was just as evident amongst the crew. Stage management was organised with mature precision by Andrew Madden and Richard Pacey (when the latter was not on stage!). David Virgo's lighting design deftly accommodated the required contrasts between, for example, a hot day in the open bush and the cool intimacy of Ralph's quarters. Colours, gobos and single spotlights were used subtlely to help create the Antipodean atmosphere and to highlight, for example, the Aborigine. The projected shadows of the flogging as well as the lighting of the play within the play all worked admirably. David was assisted by

Drama Lyonian

Jonathon Artus and Ben Clarke, while the sound effects and music were carefully

organised and controlled by Chris Edwards and Andrew Nash. The crescendo of

Beethoven's Eroica symphony which closed the play was particularly

effective. The production's design was

simple but extremely effective. Large calico

drapes adorned with aboriginal-style designs

were hung to form an enclosed semi-circular

acting space on the stage. Upstage centre, beyond the drapes, the space in front of the cyclorama was used for the flogging at the start of the play and for the performance of The Recruiting Officer at the end, in which the officers who could be seen as an audience watching Farquhar's play

mirrored us, the real audience,

watching Our Country's Good. An

apron stage on a slightly lower level and

ingenious combinations and re-combinations of

crates and planks for different scenes completed

the overall design, which had been skilfully created by Kate

and lan Read. Make-up and the hired costumes were organised by

Sue Huggins and Judith Perdue. A final word must be reserved for Neil

Pankhurst, whose direction brought all the above elements so successfully together.

With an eye for bold theatrical images and the experience and sensitivity to coax committed,

detailed performances from the cast, Neil made a script that is superficially very remote from our own experiences,

communicate powerfully and memorably. Paul Nimmo

lyonian Drama .-., ..... ----

5

Tales of Murder Mystery and Imagination The fol/owing review was inadvertently omitted from the 1998 Lyonian and we happily include it now with our apologies to Mr Clarke and his actors.

This production was organised by Mr. Clarke and was adapted from a selection of ghost stories. The scene was

set as the production began with a hanging. The excellent lighting really made the opening haunting and it played on the audience's minds throughout the first short story. The story was very dark and it was able to make us think about the nature of justice and friendship. Andrew Raperport was excellent as the rich passer-by whilst the locals, especially Oliver Hymans, were very convincing in their portrayal of a close-knit rural community. However, it was the disturbing revelation that concluded the piece that set up the right sort of atmosphere for the next pieces. The hanged man was not guilty of the crime for which he was punished but he had been unwilling to speak up for his innocence because he believed that his friend who was the perpetrator of the crime would admit his own guilt.

The Monkey's Paw gave us a feeling of the great weight which comes hand-in-hand with the power to do whatever one wishes - the paw is an artefact brought home by an Australian uncle played by Alex Hargreaves. The paw is cursed. It has the power to grant three wishes but the normal course of events is altered to make the wish come true. The Uncle speaks of it almost as if it

were evil and at the end of the piece we realise that he too must have been faced with some terrible choice when he used the paw. The youngest of three brothers dies because they wish for money. The money in turn duly arrives in the form of life insurance. We realise at the end that the story is teaching us something about our ability to believe someone's warnings. The boys steal the paw and use it and in turn suffer the consequences.

The final story was the darkest of them all. It opened with the foul murder of a man in his bed for no reason whatsoever, played by Oliver Hymans who brought across to us the fear of the innocent but doomed man. This was why the story seemed so shocking, the killing was meaningless. The killer, played by Steven Geller, neatly packs away the parts of the dead man, but as the police arrive the heart of the dead man can be heard by the killer, an eerie red glow coming from its hiding place. Eventually, although no evidence is found, the killer breaks down and admits to his crime. The play closes with the inspector's discovery of the still beating heart and our doubts about the supernatural nature of the story are over - the man was not guilty but haunted in a very real sense by acts that he had perpetrated.

This excellent production, that ran

Drama

for two nights, was successful in captivating its audiences utterly and in creating a real sense of fear. We were really able to believe the performances from the haunting of a man wrongly hanged for murder to the confession of a cold-blooded killer.

Congratulations to all the cast and production crew, especially Mr. Clarke for organising and directing; Mrs. Perdue for the costumes; Mr. Virgo for the lighting and Mr. Pankhurst for general assistance in organising the production. A thoroughly enjoyable and successful production by both boys and staff.

P.M. Hooles

Mr. P.M. Clarke

[1W@llilOcmJO Drama .-, .... --~:..:=~--=-=-~------

Senior House Drama Competition

This year's offerings from the 6th Form were split between classical and modern texts. The former pieces came from

Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, performed by Butler and Chekhov's Swansong, performed by Norwood, while the modern plays were both penned by the same author, Harold Pinter. Here Moore offered No Man's Land and Vaughan, The Dwarfs.

Moore took to the stage first with Mark Joseph and Chris and Nick Jago. There were some nice, subtle touches to the acting and direction, and the nuances of tone of voice and body positioning allowed the power game that the characters play with each other to be made clear. Even the lighting added to this impression as Mark's more dominant character was lit more brightly than the others. The early section of this ten minute piece managed to time the humour very precisely. This was a very adequate, if not exceptional, piece.

Butler's attempt at the Bard's work had elements of excellent staging combined with poor memory. While several actors read some of their lines from a script, albeit well disguised, the production values in the piece were very high and good use of Nazi costumes, emotional music and atmospheric lighting gave a clear over-view of the issues the group were trying to pursue. It was a good and obvious modernisation of the mistrust and misuse of one race towards another. The verse was well spoken and for all its faults had a good sense of ensemble playing and conviction.

The Dwarfs is not a play about short people but the audience would have appreciated if this piece had been shorter. Although only twenty­five minutes, the various scenes, long scene changes and apparent endings made it seem much lengthier. However, in the early sections there were some interesting portrayals of the characters by Lech Handzel and Nicholas Smart. But as the piece

progressed, the former's speech pattern was so quick it was hard to hear and therefore difficult to follow. This neurotic and manic approach by Lech did contrast well with the relaxed attitude Nicholas had adopted. Unfortunately, the play was ultimately let down by its staging which gave it little focus and did not allow it to develop.

To Contrast with this, Norwood's fifteen minutes worth of Swansang was highly focussed and vocally clear and precise. Although using two actors, it was mostly an interrupted monologue impressively delivered by David Palmer. His acting partner was supposedly the theatre stage manager who has to take on the role of whomever this old stager requests. In this role Timothy Reichardt accomplished a tricky role with compassion and thought - he was at his best as the fool to Robert's King Lear. Although only two actors were required, the piece was competently directed by Richard Pacey who kept the piece tight and the story rolling along. Joint 1st Norwood and Butler, 3rd Moore, 4th Vaughan

N.M. Pankhurst

Junior House Drama

The first taster for the first and second year to sample this year came from Act V of Hamlet. The two

gravediggers are the only light relief that Shakespeare gives us in his longest work and for that we have to wait until almost the end. Norwood, however, were going first. A good use of the space created the grave from the front edge of the stage and the two clowns, themselves, although unsure in the first few lines, were quite lively and witty. However, ultimately, Jonathan Bullock's inability to really deliver the lines as he would if he knew them fully, meant this difficult piece could never take off.

Moore's Lord of the Flies goes from Comedy to menace and thriller all in the space of ten minutes. The

airy voiced Richard Jago's inability to make a sound come from the conch shell at the beginning contrasted with the brutality of these boys' turning savage at the end where they want to "kill the pig". Some of this big group's staging needed some refining - and after all their director's insistence on creating something other than a straight line during rehearsals, I'm afraid that's what he got. The use of space was improved when the pig came out of the trees and the boys were preparing to hunt.

Butler's play was unique in that it was written for the group by the brother of the lead actor and had stemmed from work done in the drama classroom a year before. William Deacon played Tony as a caricature but in so doing made the character more universal. For Tony, his whole life is lived putting on a show and hiding behind the fa~ade of happiness. The way Owen Bennett, as the narrator, was brought into the story and the humorous portrayal of the tout by Stephen Braiden were just two examples of the good ensemble playing by this big cast.

This piece was the most theatrical and made good use of several Brechtian effects such as the use of a narrator, his active involvement and interference in the story and the use of the freeze. Although it needed a more effective and efficient way of scene changing as they were long and noisy, having been written for the event, it was the only entire play and one which had an interesting message about friendship.

A scene from Unman, Wittering and Ziga was what Vaughan House finally offered. Although this piece suffered from the actors' lack of familiarity with the lines, there were some reasonable performances in this production. However, the pupils themselves were never lively enough ever to pose a real threat to a debonair Joshua Sasto as John Ebony.

Although the final decision, as ever, was difficult, Butler was awarded first place, second Moore, third, Vaughan and fourth, Norwood.

N.M. Pankhurst

...

This year's competition was won by Daniel Bennett of 4L 10 who narrowly pipped the redoubtable J-J. Wilks

(same form) to the winning post. Daniel read an extract from Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals in which the appalling snobbery and rudeness of Larry (soon to be a celebrated novelist) is suffered patiently by his mother and younger brother. In a resonant, clearly articulated voice, Daniel represented the narrator's mild and ironic manner quite brilliantly, dealing fluidly with all manner or complexities of vocabulary and syntax.

I very much admired J-J.'s bite into Rushdie's Midnight's Children. This witty and demanding novel includes among its cast of colourful characters, a woman built like a wrestler who disconcertingly tightens her musculature, just in case the narrator tries anything fancy. J-J.

made her and a number of other speakers spring to differentiated life and there was complete confidence in his handling of Rushdie's sinuous prose. What drew the line between this performance and Daniel's was that J-J. chose to go for something a little too understated.

Others in the competition who deserve mention are Jeffrey Leach who took on a couple of characters from Journey's End and just failed to find the cut-glass accent of Stanhope, and the Jago brothers. Nick and Chris are clearly fans of Ben Elton and chose to read (vigorously and unblushingly) two hair-raisingly filthy extracts from Popcorn. Nick produced a couple of accents out of Tennessee Williams and Chris found an Oz drawl that made Crocodile Dundee sound like a sissy. And honestly, they both look as though butter wouldn't melt.

I.E. Whybrow

Drama [1W@DllOOODll ---------.-::...------...

Senior House Debating Competition 2nd March 1999

Two lively and vigorous discussions developed in the Senior House Debating Competition in the Music

School on 2nd March 1999. The first debate was a battle

between Butler and Norwood and the motion was 'England would be better off as the 51st state of America than a state of Europe'. Richard Coleman, as the main speaker for the proposition, put forward a very balanced argument for an economic, political and social union between North America and Britain, while his seconder, Julian Alahakoon, spoke fervently about America and Britain as being the Lands of Hope and Glory. David Palmer, as the speaker for the opposition, argued that the relationship between England and the European Union offered superior advantages for our country. William Ryan followed this up with an image of England becoming no more than a military outback for the USA. Both teams were able to field their questions from the audience in a coherent and humorous manner.

The second debate granted Moore and Vaughan the chance to consider the motion, 'In a parliamentary democracy, it is never justified to take the law into your own hands'. Both teams offered a variety of styles of oration, each of which were commendable to their cause. Julian Hunt gave a very energetic performance while arguing that it was paramount to adhere to the law because the alternative was mob-rule. In a more calm and reasoned manner, Vladimir Kara-Murza disputed the wording of the motion and argued that never (Never ... Never!) to feel justified in taking the law into one's own hands could have dismal consequences for the people of a democratic country. One example quoted was the incidence of the Poll Tax riots where people were able, through the action of protest, to change Mrs Thatcher and her government's decisions. Ron Bannerjee and Vivek Pate I were adept seconders - each putting forward their own arguments and reinforcing those of the main speakers.

[bW®llilOE1lllil Or'ama .-:.:------------------

-

The debates were judged on the abilities of each team to argue logically, relevantly, clearly and fluently for or against the motion. The speakers needed to be aware of their audience and be capable of fielding questions from them. Vladimir and Vivek displayed these requirements competently as well as having a coherent team argument and it was for this reason that Vaughan House were placed first.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Vaughan Moore Norwood Butler

Mrs ConwaY-Ladds

Junior Debating Competition Wednesday, 30th June, 1999

The topic for the first debate, between Moore and Vaughan, was, 'It is better to be brought up in the cOuntry

than the town'. To avoid falling into bandying merely random aspects of town and country life, teams needed to focus on the question of being 'brought up' in town or country, and this discussion suffered a little from not doing so. But everyone had prepared carefully and offered thoughtful contributions.

Julian Bennett and John Breakell of Moore might have shared their ideas better, rather than cover the same ground twice, but Julian supported his arguments well by referring to authoritative source materials, while John's use of rhetorical question was a fine way of involving his aUdience. Had both boys not read out their scripts, such communication would have been even better.

Vaughan's Samit Mapara thought on his feet, referred to points made by his opponents and had nice touches of humour. Nervous, perhaps, he rather rattled off his

speech, but there was a lively intelligence at work here.

Seconding for Vaughan, Daniel Hooper had the courage not to use notes. He kept a grip of his argument, used natural hand gestures to re-enforce his point and nicely complemented his partner. A fine start to the competition.

The second motion was 'It is better to be born as boy than a girl'. If this seemed beforehand a more challenging topic, in the event the level of argument was even higher than in the earlier debate. William Deacon of Butler, had an ideal platform manner, confident and focused on his topic, and uniquely, referred to both the historical and cultural dimension of his subject. There was humour and effortless communication with his audience -he woke them up, stimulated and convinced them. Supporting him, Oliver Turnbull blended in perfectly his arguments and adopted a clear, alert delivery which carried authority. Altogether, a most impressive team performance.

Bhavin Shah of Norwood, in reply, had perhaps over-prepared and rather lost his way amongst his plethora of notes but Jonathan Bullock took hold and retrieved his side. His strong voice and air of authority went with a sophisticated grasp of language and argument - his analysis of the improved status of women in our time was excellent. What he could not do was to counter William's point about the larger context in which the argument could be examined.

Congratulations to all the speakers and to those boys in the First and Second Forms whose contributions from the floor were both responsible and insightful.

Result: 1. Butler; 2. Norwood; 3. Vaughan; 4. Moore

5.5. McMinn

Junior Reading Competition 9th June, 1999

What constitutes a good performance in this competition? First, delivery must be clear,

precisely articulated and in accents appropriate to the passage. Phrases should be well-supported by the breath, and stresses apt for bringing out the meaning. There should be a feeling for where the climax is to be found and a sense of when to relax the tension.

Secondly, the passage chosen should suit the reader, stretch him and be fully encompassed, intellectually and dramatically. It should offer varied challenges in terms of narrative, characterisation and mood.

Finally, given several performances which more or less meet those demands, there should be something special: a spark of individuality, to lift the winner clear of the rest, something memorable which makes the listener smile with pleasure or satisfaction, something not merely competent but charismatic.

Believe it or not, I found all of this among our competitors this year. Of the 15 boys who participated, none was less than able and I might happily have awarded the prize to anyone of half a dozen.

Honourable mentions to Robin Turner, James Backer, Robert Palmer, Benjamin Wilks and William Deacon of the older boys, who were drawn mainly to narrative passages of growing tension and seriousness, and to Oliver Turnbull, Jonathan Bullock and Clive Keene from Form One.

The winner was Christopher Gooder, 1J2, whose reading of the poem 'Go-Kart' by Michael Rosen had those very star-qualities of sparkle and personality which I had been hoping for. I can't remember a better standard in this competition.

S.S. McMinn

W()UL()~'T IT E~ ~IC~ •••

Wouldn't it be nice if there was no war? Wouldn't it be nice if people weren't poor? Wouldn't it be nice if there was more peace? Wouldn't it be nice if there was enough food for a

feast?

Wouldn't it be nice if there was more money? Enough to make lives more sunny. Wouldn't it be nice if there was more food? Wouldn't it be nice if people weren't so rude?

Wouldn't it be nice if there was no pollution? Wouldn't that be a good solution?

Samit Mapara

Crawls like a tiny ocean,

Arriving at a far away place.

Touches the leaf with care.

Every contact is love.

Repeatedly moves its little legs,

Purposely arches then straight.

Innocent but not for long.

Leans and lingers and falls below.

Lazy but holds a natural class,

Away from the cares of the world.

Ravishingly red - now a butterfly.

A ntony Singer

THE YELLOW PAGES

Actors like wrestlers, Grappling with the script; Confident, poised, ready, Prowling round the stage, Hunting some approval, Thinking, plotting, seeking. The audience like God on the judgement day; Observing, noting, omnipotent.

I step forward, Displaying my being, half

bare, Anxious, worried,

enthused, I boast the

words, Illuminat­

ing their essence,

Spit and mucus, Tasting like raw blood, I feel drained. My form is lost, Flowing out with my

sweat, I scramble for the line. They're watching me, Seeing my mistakes, I feel their thoughts.

Anon

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Lyonian

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Some roads are very bad in Africa, Very bad, The drivers are even worse. Pot holes and ditches, No brakes in the vans. Some roads are very bad in Africa, Very bad.

Flit';···

We had two punctures, a broken roof, No lock on the rear door. Our driver, Asmadi was his name, A hundred miles an hotlr he drove, Over ditches, the wrong side of the road. Stop talking .

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Stop laughing. 'Close those windows!' he shouted. Never did he listen to our pleas to stop. Scared? We were very scared. He drove us close to a lioness. Next we were alongside the largest elephant. All alone, no other van for miles. Scared? Wouldn't you be ?

With a driver like A~madi. We were lucky to get out alive.

Gregory Dillon

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I am powerful, strong and anger fills me. But I can be destroyed And none understands my rage.

Why, for example, I destroy anything in my path And engulf the land in a forest blaze. I do not destroy just for fun.

I do not boast about my many victories because All of them end in bitter defeat. You people make me annihilate.

Why do they put me out When they started me? Ijust don't understand the human race.

I am the core of the world. I control the sun. I am ruler of the world.

I am cocked like a gun. If you annoy me Be prepared to incur my wrath.

I have only one foe. The sea is my arch nemesis. If it weren't for her, I could stay on top of the world forever.

I wish someone could understand my dilemma But nobody does And they could never control my anger.

Sunjit Kamboj

Slimy shampoo in my hair Slippery soap in my eyes Big bouncing bubbles, wavy water And a rubber duck. Then soaking showers shoot And I am clean again Time to go till tomorrow

Bhavish Mahtani

THE YELLOW PAGES

I am hot, big, triple-coloured Unfortunately I can kill But that is what I am like.

I don't want to murder But sometimes people wake me up For absolutely no reason,

But I am glad to be woken When needed For cooking or burning scrap.

People don't understand that Lack of oxygen can kill me Just like it kills them.

What can I do to prevent this? Except Burn and kill for my own safety.

Chetan Gagoo

The sea ripples against the sun,

-

lyonian '

Like silk rippling against the touch of a hand. The sea shimmers so brightly, Like a mirror reflecting its rays. The sea is so clear and so colourless, Like a window made out of water. The sea is so vast and so spacious, Even a million islands could not fill it up. The sea is so full of life and joy, The little fishes play in their schools. And when at last the end is nigh, I wonder ... Is anything else here?

Christopher Lam

", '",,1---

Lyonian THE YELLOW PAGES

---------

I am strong, cooling and invisible. I am with you all the time, Everywhere you go.

Stronger than any force, I break and destroy The path I choose.

Depending on my mood I can also help you, Blowing off fires

And lifting kites Which most take for granted Which is not very nice.

I t makes me angry And then I go wild. I'll blow off hats,

Shake trees, topple cars. I'm stronger than you think So do not underestimate my power.

Bhavish Mahtani

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Bump, bump, bump, bump, How many times can a schoolboy jump?

Flip, flip, flip, flip, How many times can a schoolgirl slip?

Smirk, smirk, smirk, smirk, How many times can a monkey work?

One, two, three, four, Can you stop knocking on the door?

A,B,C,D, Look behind you! It's a tree!

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, How many crisps can a schoolgirl munch?

Dipesh Patel

Lying on the sand Of the baking beach, Sucking a lollipop,

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Skin turning slowly brown From a light complexion of peach, Dreaming about a waterslide With an eighty foot drop. Feeling so bored, I drift to sleep. I wake up.

Samit Mapara

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I throw a pebble at a window's edge Hoping that he hears me. The window opens, A face peers out. Moments later we're outside already plotting our mischief. \Ve scare a cat walking down the street and roll in the mud in our bare feet. This is our life. No one can take it away from us. We are happy.

5jamit Mapara

.", ()U A\l?~ .. .• .• You are a blank sheet of paper, Clean and pure and innocent, You tell no lies, you reveal all, You can easily be impressed upon.

You are a piece of coal, Retired and old, a has-been Once the guardian of civilisation, Now confined to obsolescence.

You are a small key, Seemingly insignificant, Until you are needed To play your part in the lock of the world.

You are a grain of sand, By yourself a mere nothing, But when you meet others, You create a great desert.

Mark Gettleson

THE YELLOW PAGES

The night sky is pitch and moonless, The soft floor is full of a darkness, The objects are outlined and colourless.

But that is not all we find in the room. There is more than meets the eye,

lyonian

For there is no top, no toe, only terrible darkness.

Beasts lurk in the darkest spots, Waiting, Waiting.

Pouya Akhbari

Whatever wind blows, It brings the same feeling of Death in the winter.

The best thing about The days and weeks of winter, Is Christmas half way.

The Christmas spirit. It warms one inside the chest, Like a warm shiver.

A chest lies unfound, Buried somewhere underground, Treasures not rescued.

Underground there are Plenty of different creatures, That scurry around.

Now a mole burrows, To find its dinner in worms, What an adverse life!

The winter creatures, Shelter themselves from the wind, Shivering and cold.

Craig Heasman

Lyonian .-:.,' .... _---

Abstruse Mysterious

THE YELLOW PAGES

As blue as a lake, or As a bunch of roses, Complex

Samit Unadkat

Lunchtime! Fried sellotape, Dinosaur teeth and chips. Smelly sock salad and ink soup. Yum yum!

Samit Unadkat

My gran has a head like an old vase, Cracked and worn, Her face like a lake, a sea rough and endless, Her body like a matchstick model, Her memory like a train, comes and goes, Her kindness though, is as sweet as chocolate, Wrapped in sugar.

jonathan Childs

12~~f3A A tall man's hunger Was steadily but surely Catching up with him

Life goes on for hare His fate not decided In his nasty world

Yet this man's hunger May decide the hare's dark fate In the hare's sad life

The man's large hunger Led him to commit a sin And end a hare's life

But the hare's quickness Has saved him a sudden death Man's hunger goes on

Rehan Chaudary

I race down the mountain, As rapid and quick as light, Slithering and sliding in and out of rocks, Trying to keep up with the others.

I chase and chase to keep up, And flow gently as I go on. The animals around come to me, And take it in turns to drink from my treasure.

The wind helps me on my journey, As I hang and crash against the banks. The colours around me are forever changing, With different smells in different places.

I am ahsorhed hy the sun into a cloud, And spat out when the time is right, Like a machine gun firing fast, And I am once more reunited with the others.

Samik Patri

J

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One wimpy wizard wished for witches and wolves, Two terrifYing tarantulas trashed the television, Three thick thinkers threw their things away, Four fit farmers fiercely fought for freedom, Five frosty freezers fried fish for food, Six stingy sailors started singing stupid songs, Seven serrated saucers summoned scrumptious

sausages, Eight enormous elephants enjoyed eating Easter eggs, Nine normal Normans knew naughty names, Ten troublesome twins tore the Taj Mahal to tatters.

SajjadJuma

He needs A body like an enormous, dark feathered, oval-shaped

bowl, Claws like butchers' knives, Feathers like the golden sun, Wings flapping magnificently with might,. His stomach is exploding with muscles, Beak-like a gold ingot, Eyes glowing in the dark, And his majesty flying in the sky.

Kishan Patel

THE YELLOW PAGES

A body like a big brown overcoat, Paws like proud pom-poms, Claws as sharp as daggers, A nose as long as a road, Eyes like big, brown marbles, Walks like a drunken man, As big as a Sumo wrestler.

Stephen Rhodes

lyonian

He needs a long neck which is like a crane, Long legs, which are like stilts, A tail like a broom, brushing everything away, A tongue, which is like rubber, You can't pierce it, Eyes which can see for miles and miles on end.

Boblly Sethi

It needs, Legs that are powerful, Like turbo-charged pillars, Fur that's white as a swan, And as thick as a rug, A nose as black as soil, And sensitive to acres of snow, ice and frost, In the world's largest freezer.

R.ehan Chaudary

Thoughtful in his work,

Even through lunchtime.

Asks for little help.

Condemns every naughty child.

He drinks coffee in the staffroom.

Every moment he gets,

Reserved for thought.

Suresh Joshi

--_ .........

.....

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lyonian' THE YELLOW PAGES .~: .. :'-----

....

It scurries across the floor, Like a tiny ball of tumbleweed, Eyes like obsidian beads, Ears like minute water jugs, A mouth, an extension to its nose, Feet like lotus buds, Whiskers like silver grass, Growing off its nose, A tail like a silken cord, Its life a frantic loiter.

Mark Gettleson

Is a trainspotter a man Who paints polka dots on trains?

Is a cricket bat an animal Which is half flying mammal, half-insect?

And is a venetian blind, A man from Venice who is blind?

Is a red herring a sea or a freshwater fish? Does it go well with chips?

Mark Gettleson

walking down the Road;

I turned left.

Jaamit Durrani

We've been here before (haven't we?) Same sofa, same music, same telly

same dreams. Always dreaming - never moving ...

"Let's climb Everest!" we declare amongst awkward silences;

And for that instant a glint in the eye, a crack in the doorway

We rise to our feet -

But then, thank God, we realise. How stupid of us! Just think -We could have been killed! (besides, this couch is so soft ... )

Thus conscience makes cowards of us all, And so we continue to

exist.

While a rolling stone gathers no moss, At least it reaches the bottom of the hill.

Jaamit Durrani

Some call him strange. His eyes are glued to the screen, No matter what TV comes first. He moves a muscle a day. But when the signal fails, His duty is destroyed. Off he goes faster than the speed of sound. In his basement Televisions grow 20-inch, 30-inch, 40-inch, 50-inch. Without the widest screen He will never be satisfied. Some may call him abnormal. No-one knows his real name. We don't know much about him But one thing we do know. Nothing can break his trance, Not the biggest breath or blow.

Nikul Gore

J.

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Marcus Bocock

William Nunn

Umut Vamac

Nader Amir-Alikhani

Darren Hidalgo

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Andrew Leong

Nader Amir-Alikhani

Jonathan Murray Parin Shah

Lyonian Art .-:.: .•. '~--

Jonathan Murray

Jamie Robins

Hunched over another desk A cool breeze from the frosted windows, There's chaos, it seems, as different worlds align And greet each other. Then suddenly the screech of chairs As they stand to attention. The gradual deterioration of noisy footsteps outside As temporary homes are found And order is restored. A cloudy taste of smoky breath While heart-beats calm and books are found. Soon the orders are given and heads bow, Work has begun.

.foel Bubbers

THE YELLOW PAGES

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Forever.

The beat is always there, you know­lying dormant

waiting to be needed

and all You have to do is smile, or cry, or think.

The beat, the rhythm; it's lonely, you know-You could be surrounded by a thousand people, a

thousand friends

But this beat, this inner beat, is forever lonely .

There's a beat inside my head, you know­it's my counsellor, my

thought bubble. I fit a beat to all things in life, and as i wander into mine ...

I know I won't outgrow the beat; the Beat will simply grow.

jaamit Durrani

THE YELLOW PAGES

On the whole, I think my parents are very generous and just very good parents. They supply me with all the essentials when I need them. They are pleasant to me and

pay equal attention to me and my brothers so I don't feel left out nor that they are being spoilt.

One way in which I think they could improve is by not forcing us to go places we don't want to, and then making us feel guilty with their facial expressions. Another thing they could improve on is letting me stay up a bit longer. They make sure, most of the time, that we are in bed by the time set. Even five minutes later is too much.

Sometimes I wish to buy things, which they consider to be a waste and unnecessary so they refuse even when I offer to pay for it. So I think that they should allow me to buy things I want, when I want. Despite these comments, my parents are very good at their job.

Raheem Jivraj

I think my parents are quite good. However there are a few things that they could change. Firstly I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed more pocket money. An increase of SOp or £1 would be fine.

My dad says he can't afford it but I think that is complete rubbish. My sister has recently gone to university and she got £10 a week. I only get £2 a week so when he says he can't afford it, it is untrue.

Secondly my parents make me go to concerts I don't want to go to. They say it is good for me to learn the oboe but I find them really boring. They ask me in the morning if I want to go. I usually say no but they still make me go.

Lastly I don't see why I shouldn't be able to have Sky 1V. My parents say I watch too much 1V already but I only want to have the sports channels so I can watch the football matches! I am hoping that one day they will give in but at the moment I think it is very unlikely.

Christopher Farrant

They say that no one's perfect and it's true! It even applies to your own Mum and Dad! Although they cook your dinner, buy your clothes, give you shelter and countless other

wonderful things, there are also many downsides! For instance, how long is it since you were cruelly deprived of your favourite things, and not allowed out of the house? Not a very long time ago, was it?

There is also the matter of how unfairly you are treated compared with your little brother or sister. It's true that no matter what they do, they always get little more than a week's grounding, and even then they are let off early, but when you do something far less trivial, such as being sarcastic, you get double the grounding and you are not let off early! I have also found that if you are in a huge shopping centre with your mum, she always wants to Just look into a shop' for two minutes, and when three hours later, you ask if she could hurry up, you get a huge telling off for 'putting too much pressure on her'!

I think that it would be a lot fairer if you were allowed to stay up until you felt like going to bed. That way, you wouldn't have to spend hours lying still, trying to get to sleep, and I have a strong opinion that my pocket money should be slightly raised! Going back to the idea of my little sister, I would like to raise this point: When I was young, I had less pocket money than I do today. Surely this means that my little sister, two years younger than me should get less pocket money and go to bed earlier than me? Think again! Would you call this fair? I think my parents could do something about this, yet they have not, and aren't planning to!

There is one more aspect that I find truly exasperating - homework! Why on Earth do I have to get it finished before I even start thinking about doing my own things? I mean, it's bad enough having homework each night anyway!

I suppose all these problems will never stop. I will just have to live with them for another 6 years!

Anon

THE YELLOW PAGES lyonian

I think that my parents right now are as good as can be. They help me through everything and get me anything that I really want. They only have a few minor blemishes. These are things

that I don't really mind about but they could be put right.

I think that my dad should be a lot less emotional when it comes to sport because it sometimes embarrasses me in front of everyone. For example, when I play football he only shouts at me and does not give support to the rest of the team. I think this is mainly to do with the fact that he is not very good with names. When I am at home and my dad's watching the telly, working or reading the newspaper he acts as if he is deaf when I ask him a question. He then at last answers, "Pardon?" after about the tenth time of asking. This is really frustrating when it is a very important question!

My mum is extremely helpful and does practically everything in the house. She walks the dogs but she can improve by going on longer routes with them because short walks usually mean that the dogs don't really get a chance to fulfil their obligations. When my mum goes shopping she says she'll only be about 30 minutes but it turns out to be one hour. I think she should just tell me truthfully how long it is going to take. She also buys me things that I want but when I look at them they are a lot different than you see on telly.

I think that both my parents should let me stay up a bit longer because I'm growing up and I don't want to be treated like a child anymore. Other than that I think they are brilliant parents to have!

Michael Len

---,';"".

Lyonian THE YELLOW PAGES .-.:----

b.ms

7::0() t\M

The alarm shrieks, Another day, A numb body, Eyes opening with a creak, Vision is a cloud, A tangy mouth, The remnants of an evening Meal, Head thumping, The residue of a late night, In the corner of the eye, A pile of unfinished homework, Looming malevolently, The smell of the sheets, The warmth of the bed, An immense desire to stay. A dread of the looming day.

Mark Gettleson

One minute till the bell goes, My mind I swear is going to blow. All of my fingers are itching, To pack up and leave this room. This room is hurting and

pounding, My head into a ball of dust.

Tick tock.

Thirty whole seconds till I'm released,

My heart beating faster and faster. 'Come on'. I can feel, taste, smell my luscious

sandwich, My mouth, biting and munching

into it.

Tick tock, tick tock.

Nearly there, I'm SO near, 'Hurry up!'. Yes, yes, ten seconds and I'm gone.

, Bringgg!'

'Yes now I am free, Free as a bird. I can go and run, breathe - move!

David Kattan

,

Walking along West Hill, Going up to games. The noise of birds, quietly rustling, And the crunchy autumn leaves, Makes you feel relaxed.

Walking along West Hill, Going up to games. There is peace and tranquillity

along the roads, A hint of excitement and a touch

of nervousness, As the run draws near.

Walking along West Hill, Going up to games. The noise of the high street and

the cars, Makes everyone frightened of

crossing the road, Some children run, some walk but

others come by car.

Walking along West Hill, Going up to games, The smell of exhaust fume, Wafting

to your nose. The long trek down the hill causes

problems all round, Some go fast, some go slowly and

others don't go at all.

Walking along West Hill, Going to games, Everyone is pleased that the day

has nearly come to an end, Only three periods left! There is

only one line of my poem left, And that is to say thank you for

reading it!!!

Shiv Tailor

(j::()i()

I yawn, Weary of the day behind me. Yet I still have work to do. I reluctantly extract my pen From my pocket, And begin to write ...

I hear a shout. It's my mum calling me down for

tea. I race down stairs Like a bull that's

seen red, And a wolf that's seen prey, And sit down in front of the TV.

I finish. It is beginning to get dark And my homework is still not

finished! I curse, And tiredly trundle up to my

room.

At last! I am free to do my own thing! The Simpsons will soon be on. I turn on my telly and pick up a

magazine To keep me occupied ...

Anon

Its methods no longer work, My heart speeds, my brain stops. A prompt, I hear a prompt. My s.o.s. has been received. The play continues, no big deal. I'll do better next time, Tomorrow, fresh start, New beginning.

Charles Booth

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THE YELLOW PAGES Ly 0 n i ~ n.:~,

It's 5 o'clock, It's time for dinner, Heavenly warm smells, Straight from the oven and, Coming from the pan.

From the oven, I can see some steam, Smell the pizza, The pleasing pizza,

The pleasure finishing the Monday night homework

Is a delight. I slap on my skates, Tightening the grips, Smelling the fresh, cold night air. I skate out of the door, Slamming it behind me.

Its crunchy texture tastes good. I decide what to do The whole road -Half the road -

Chocolate warmth, Chasing from the oven, Chocolate cake, It must be, From the lovely smell.

When I saw the Chewy chocolate cake, My mouth watered from, The tender smell, Of the chocolate cake.

Now it is washing up time, The feel of the Warm water, Running across, My hands.

Ben Ward

7 o'clock I've done my homework, Just in time. Mum comes home, It's time for dinner.

Dad's cooked again, We always have carrots, And chicken marinated In some special wine.

Mother comes in, 'What a hard day at work! And what is that?' Your head is killing you!"

Or a quarter road race? Maybe grinding, stunts, Seeing the sights! Hearing the skates roll across the

pavement. Hearing the sounds of nutters in

their cars, Skidding down the road, Driving into the fence, That's 8 o'clock.

Seamas Cassidy

Ifl[lI~1' VI'V~1: We rustle and bustle And talk about school Then all goes quiet, As we start to eat.

The food is bad, But I put on a smile Just to please Dad, Who keeps on grinning!

He doesn't stop grinning, Perhaps it's poisoned, Dad wouldn't do that, Or would he?

Jonathan Bullock

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The earth drifting silently in space, Around us never-ending darkness, With a faint twinkle of star or

planet, Shooting stars flying past.

The hole in the ozone closing up, My sister, breaking a cup, Happiness echoing through the

street, Everyone is discreet.

A zooming car passes by, It's out of the road, Like a dog, Chasing a bone.

The sky, as dark as a disused well, Mysterious, enlightening, Like a harlequin, With an ever-changing mask.

In the midst, Vibrations from two hearts meet. A couple, Eye to eye, Hand in hand, Profess their love.

Samit Unadkat

, ,

lyonian THE YELLOW PAGES

The bathing bath, All empty for me, I turn the taps, Soon the water Is up to the tub tops, And the bubbbling bubbles form.

My freezing feet dip in the water, I shiver seizingly, The rest follows, The rubber duck ducking, The submarines sinking,

And OOPS!

The plucking plug is undone, The whirling water Goes d

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The bathing bath, All empty for me.

Rishi Patel

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The spoon goes into the mouth and I hear it hit the teeth.

The sip of a drink, Like a snake slithering. Then the fork and knife come face to face As they tackle the fried chip, , I hear them touch the plate. I hear crunching of food from both the sides, And the cutting of French bread. I hear a stomach rumbling, wanting more food, Till at last the supper time is over, The food has all gone, And the question was raised for what was to be eaten

at supper time tomorrow!

Sarneer Karimbhai

I am hot, burning all over. My tongue can sting, My body can hurt and can help.

I can appear big or small. I can fight, I am a fierce weapon.

Do not abuse me for I can burn. I am strong. Stronger than wood, metal and even you.

Do not touch me or feel me. The anger in me will rise. I will punish, With a bright hot flame from my heart.

I feed on air and fuel. I destroy all around me, Unless you tame me I can live.

My enemy is running,

His name is water. He can drown and destroy me so save me Now ... shshsh!

Craig Walker

ANI) "~ti~~ T ti~ UV()W~ ~~ C()'"~~

The man is clothed in black, Leaves fall from his limbs, And animals leave him too. He brings gloom and despair.

He is silent, His eyes are ice blue, He has a pale face, It's as if he has no life.

Each breath he makes, Brings coldness, Dampness, Darkness and especially Sadness.

He makes streets empty, and fills them with Frost and absolute coldness, He brings a depression, He does not give, he takes.

People cannot wait for him to die To take away all that he has brought And then wait for the arrival of the Green Man.

Moinuddin Kapadia

S:11 A poem in tribute to the passengers on the Great Western and ThamesLink trains involved in the Paddington train crash.

The train travels. The tannoy starts to announce the arrival at

Paddington. The arrival that will never be. People pick up their bags or sit reading their

newspapers or look out of the window idly. The commuter's eyes glaze over in horror. A terrified young driver stares at oblivion. A bang. People and belongings go flying everywhere. Screams of pain and terror appear. The commuters are trapped in a coffin of fire. A tragedy that should never have happened, never have happened.

Kevin Larkin

THE YELLOW PAGES

It was sitting there on the shelf all alone. A glistening technicolour Box.

I picked it up and paid for it. I felt controllably excited.

As I peeled off the wrapper, I felt more and more Excited.

lyonian

I could smell the card, the wrapper was sticking to my hands,

I could almost taste the adrenaline.

When I used the contents of this box, I was dead to the world,

My hearing had completely shut down. And when I get another game, I will feel this all over again.

My feet scatter the raindrops, Dodge multi-pronged tridents of lightning, Take me away from the battleground, Into the bunker. We're safe in here. Drip, drip, drip. Oh no! The roofs caved in. Got to move. I'm not safe here, Back into the battleground, Again dodging tridents of lightening. I see a door. It looks familiar. I seem to have a key. Home sweet home. Away from the blood-soaked fields, Into more pleasant surroundings. Drip, drip, drip?

David Sellly

Hard Changing Tangible Patterned Smooth Glistening Delicate Precious Natural Polished

rough on the outside Evolved Heavy

glistening speckled shiny carved beautiful exquisite transforming expensive

Alykhan Kassam

. -

Lyon'ian ( THE YELLOW PAGES ·-:.' ... : •. ---

Strapped up ready to go, Higher than heaven, Tension building, One step, Two step, Jump!

Michael Murdoch

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Fear erased like chalk on a black board,

Wind rushing through hair, Plummeting down, Down, Down,

Neil Shah

Up to feel the rush again, And halting to catch your lunch.

Sunil Pithwa

Jamie Robins

Picture Parade Lyonian __ --r ......

Above: Sports Day: trackside concentration.

Right: At work in Computer Room 2. (Photo: Andrew Silke).

(Photo: G. J. Ryder)

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Lyonian Picture Parade .-:.:~'.---

Mr Liam Halligan, guest speaker at Speeches. (Photo: Sue Huggins)

One of Mrs Huggins' patients in Reception.

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(Photo: Andrew Silke)

Above and below: The Junior Disco held at North London Collegiate School. (Photographs: S.N. Hillier)

Photograph: A.L. Silke

Learning Strategies Lyonian

The Art of Learning

Our school is evolving. You may not think so at the moment; in fact you probably think the only nearby sign of

evolution is in one of the pies in Cloisters - but from September 1999, a

number of changes have been made that will probably affect the way you, and future generations, study and learn. Mr. Clarke is at the centre of one of these changes: he is no longer Head of I.T.; he is now Head of Learning Strategies. "You wot?," I hear you ask? That's exactly what I thought, so we popped down to his trendy, colourful new office -at the foot of the stairs that lead to the CDT Department - and asked him a few questions ...

From the beginning of this year, you've started up a new

department as Head of Learning Strategies. A lot of people,

I'm sure, have no idea what that is all about - so what

exactly is Learning Strategies? Organisational skills. Motivational techniques. Generally study skills.

There are always boys who have problems in organising themselves, or getting homework in on time; Learning Strategies (LS) are ideas to help them overcome this. It

also encompasses boys with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. I like to

work from the point of view of giving them ideas and strategies.

So how does this work. Is it actually part of the school curriculum, or is it separate? On the whole it's a separate

thing. I'm available at lunchtimes, when people can

come into the LS room, or they can arrange a specific time. There's an after­

school session running on Wednesdays at the moment; there may be more of that in the future. I also run a psychology group for the 6th Form, which encompasses some of this.

Why do you think the school needs to worry about LS? I think there's been a gap in terms of support for special needs, but it's also using the skills and interests which I've developed over the years. There are alternative ways of dealing with problems: if someone's always done something a certain way, and it's not working very well, it's logical to try something different. I see myself as having a 'bag of tricks' for people to tryout and see if they work.

Is there any sort of pupil who would benefit from this more than anyone else? Is LS geared towards any particular kind of John Lyon boy? I don't think it is, necessarily. I mean, I've recently had a sixth-former coming in asking about learning a vast mass of vocabulary for German; and this is someone who is 'academically bright'; so I think anyone can get ideas of how to learn how to study.

Imagine a boy - let's call him Humphrey -came into your office one day. Humphrey is a naturally intelligent boy, but over the past several months his grades have really been slipping. He tells you he just can't motivate or organise himself to do his homework any more, and that he often finds himself spending more time worrying about his workload than he does actually working. I would think Humphrey probably has quite a common problem; what would you say to him and how could you help? I think it's important to think of the end product, rather than how he's going to get there. If there's a definite, realistic goal or grade that he wants to attain - even in a single piece of work - the key is to think of the end result. Also little things like timing are important; giving yourself a specific time to do a piece of work, rather than 'all evening'. And one of my favourite ones is actually choosing to do the work: a lot of people think they have to do it or ought to do it or should do it; you just use the words, "I'm choosing to do it", and things change.

--_ .. , .......

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Lyonian Learning Strategies

You were talking before about helping people with learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyspraxia; I tend to think, and I'm sure a lot of other people would think, that there aren't many people with dyslexia in the school - so is it really a worthwhile thing to do? Well there are always several. There are various levels, actually - there are quite a lot of people who can be mildly dyslexic. But for me dyslexia is just a different way of thinking; it's a pictorial way of thinking.

So you don't see it as a 'problem'? No, actually I think it's a very positive thing. The difficulty for dyslexics is dealing with lots of words. For example taking notes at speed, because they're having to translate the pictures into words, which is very complex. Einstein was dyslexic, so was Wait Disney - in fact Wait Disney is one of my favourite dyslexics, because somehow he had to be dyslexic; who else would have the imagination to do what he did? This room was designed by a dyslexic ... they often have the ability to see 'the whole' straightaway.

What do you mean by 'see the whole'? They can imagine the colour scheme, and how the room is going to look, etc. For example dyslexic people often become architects. I know there's one firm that will only employ dyslexics. Take, for example, an airport: with all the planes landing and taking off, the trains going through, and the people coming in and out ... dyslexic people can see that whole picture in their mind,

clearly. Non-dyslexics find this kind of thing very difficult. So because dyslexic people can often see the end product very quickly, they get very frustrated when it takes them longer than the average time to get there by traditional means.

What is dyspraxia? Dyspraxia is different to dyslexia; it's basically a mild co-ordination problem which can be exaggerated when it comes to writing. Often, dyspraxic boys are better off using computers­palmtops, laptops, etc., and that's

beginning to happen in the school. For example there are several boys using the Psion organisers now, even in lessons.

So you've got methods to help them then. Yes; you have to apply different methods to different people. Some boys' dyslexia, for example, can be problems to do with short term memory. Richard Branson is dyslexic, and he has that particular problem.

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I guess that applies to Learning Strategies as a whole; there's no single strategy for everyone, you have to apply different strategies in different cases. Yes, you have to adapt the strategies to different people. If something doesn't work, you drop it and find something else. That's why I talked about the 'bag of tricks', because you try different tricks until you find one which works.

MelllQ.t:y Techniques

Tips for learning vocabulary B ........ ---

Psychology of Study

6th form

General Studies

Groups

Brain Gym

Exercises to get the brain workingl

Learning Strategies [bW®ODDffllJO ------~==~~~~~~~------~----------~~~

Do you have any plans for the future of the LS dept, such as integrating it as part of the curriculum? So, for example, parents who are thinking of sending their children here are aware of the existence of LS, and boys are informed about it from the First Form? I would like at some point to do something like 'Learning Skills' in the First Year - maybe one lesson a week - to get some of these ideas across at an early age. I also very much believe, and this comes from my computing days as well, in boys helping one another. I'd like to see older boys who have learned and applied some of these ideas to then teach them to others. So the ideas can spread faster that way. Although it's still early days at the

Study Skills

Organisational Skills Tips for better motivation Rapid reading techniques

Mind Maps

Advice available at lunchtimes in the Learning Strategies Room.

After school discussion groups.

moment, I think that's already started.

At the end of the year, what would need to have happened in the department for you to say to yourself, "I've made a success of this"? An awareness that there are strategies there for people to use. Everyone has problems in motivation and organisation now and again. I don't believe there are these super­motivated and organised people who are like that all the time. We all need such techniques, and the more we've got, the more we can call upon when we need them. The idea is to spread these ideas so that more people use them.

J. Durrani and A. Silke

Specific Learning Difficulties

Dyslexia

Dyspraxia

Strategies for coping in the normal classroom environment.

Self Esteem building exercises

After School Club

Exercises for the mind. Relaxation to improve study.

Visualisation. Motivational Skills

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Prefects and Monitors .-: .. ,.,,~,-------------=-~'=":::-=----

Monitors Head Boy Deputy Head Boy Oldfield Monitor Deputy Oldfield Monitor Charity Computer Monitor Cars Social Service Cloisters Jago Library Music School & Concerts Fire & Safety Tours of School Parents' Evenings

House Captains Butler Moore Norwood Vaughan

Oldfield Prefects

1998-1999

Daniel Connolly James Glass Kyriacos Karseras Stephen Moroukian Timothy Reichardt Christopher Gardner Hasit Dedhia James Glass Hasit Dedhia and Nicholas

Matthew Willis Robert Pickford Andrew Smith Julian Hunt Robert Pickford and Andrew Smith

James Glass Nicholas Jago Stephen Moroukian Matthew Willis

Pouya Akhbari, Sharif Hamuda, Sami Hassan, Loon-Chin Lee Foo Pin, Punit Majithia, Hemal Mavani, Nicholas Ooi Jonathan O'Connell, Sailesh Patel, Metul Sachania, Vish~1 Shah, Puneet Sharma, Jorone Taylor-Lewis.

Middle School Prefects

3M7 (Butler)

3MS (Moore)

3L5

James Caley

lan Hunt

(Monitor) (Tutor)

James Glass KJW

Nicholas Jago PMC

(Norwood) Shakeel Jivraj 3LB

Stephen Moroukian CDM

(Vaughan) Kalpesh Mistry Matthew Willis CPG

4R1 Richard Chaso Julian Hunt MJS 4L4 David Henderson Christopher GardnerPNBP 4L 10 Vivek Patel Timothy Reichardt JLI 4MB Ranjeev Saluja PS

Paul Straughen 504 5M6 502 5L 1

Library

Andrew Smith Robert Pickford Hasit Dedhia Daniel Connolly

Ronojit Banerjee, George Kelly, Sachin Patel, Daigoro Tivers, David Young.

Computer Room Richard Claxton, Christopher Doe, Kaya Elkiner,

JMP RVF JMRJ LDB

David Forman, lan Hunt, Martin Lyne, Rajiv Patel, Thomas Pratchett, Mohammad Rahman, David Singer.

Newsletter Prefects Philip Hooles, Michael Chamberlain.

Cloisters Break; and lunchtime from 12.40 - 1.10 Monday Amit Depala, Roshan Dhanaratne,

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday Friday

Ikraj Thancanamootoo Mohammed AIi, Matthew Constable,

Stuart Lawrence Sukhvinder Chana, Sumit Dutta, Rakesh Patel Drijen Shah, Kirran Tah, Rajiv Tanna Rishi Adatia, Ovais Karim, Nishil

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Prefects and Monitors [LW@UDO®UD __________________________________ ~ ____________ ~·v

The Monitors Back: S.L. Moroukian, N.J. Jago, R.E.w. Pickford, M.B. Willis, A.M. Smith, H.R. Dedhia, K.A. Karseras.

Front: C.M. Gardner, D.P. Connolly, Revd. T.J. Wright, J.M. Glass, T.J. Reichardt

Oldfield Prefects Left to right: L-C Lee Foo Pin, M. Sachania,V. Shah, N. Ooi, K. Karseras, S. Pate!, Ms. P. Waldron, J. O'Connell,

S. Moroukian, J. Taylor-Lewis, P. Majithia, S. Hassan, H. Mavani, P. Akhbari, P. Sharma

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH

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Photographs: G.J. Ryder

Duke of Edinburgh Awards [LW@[]i)OEm:ro ~~~~-=~----~------------~----------~~

As a part of the extra curricular activities at the school, we all had the option to try and achieve

the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It was surprising just how many people in the year took part. In all there were about 50 candidates for the award which is separated into four sections which all have to be completed to achieve it. These sections were Physical Recreation, Service, Skill and Expedition.

Physical Recreation Most people completed this in the first term. It involved a circuit training course of press ups, sit ups, running, ball bouncing, squat thrusts etc. Each of these events had to be done to a certain standard to achieve the award. Although this might sound dull, it was not. Over the weeks before the events we had a choice of playing various sports such as indoor football or basketball. The assessment at the end turned out to be fairly easy and despite previous nervous anticipation, it turned out that nobody failed. Candidates also had the option to undergo the physical recreation outside school at a sports club.

Service We all had a choice of undergoing a first aid course, a police course or a life saving course. All of these courses took place after school hours and all hopefully taught and prepared candidates for problems which might occur one day in which these skills may be needed. At the end of each course, an assessment took place to make sure everybody had learnt something from the course.

Skill This section of the award provided a much wider selection of activities. A skill could be anything from snooker to dancing. This section had to be completed independently of school. We were permitted to improve on a skill and activity that we had enjoyed

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I1W@[]iJotf)[]iJ Duke of Edinburgh Awards : ..... :.-... :<e----~-----------=----

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over a few weeks with a fixed number of hours to be completed.

Expedition After a few practice expeditions and lots of training, we were finally able to complete the dreaded walking expedition. The expedition took place in the Chiltern Hills. This involved camping overnight at a campsite. Although on the day of the expedition the weather was dry and warm, the night proved to be one of the coldest many of us had ever experienced. In the morning frost had appeared on the tents and on the ground.

It had also turned out to be the night that Arsenal had played Manchester United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Many of us had brought along our personal stereos to listen to the match. After a long and tense match it was the Manchester United supporters who were cheering throughout the evening and it was the Arsenal supporters who were sulking. After a long two days, we finally completed the expedition and were glad to be on the train back to Harrow.

Overall, the Duke of Edinburgh Award was very enjoyable and allowed us to improve our teamwork skills. It was an interesting experience for us all and I should like to thank all the members of staff who have devoted so much of their time to us and especially Mr. Sanders for his overall supervision and help.

Sameer Kotecha

:'---'.

From past experience, thoughts that spring to mind about a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition include getting a shock from

an electric fence, running through a field full of bulls, and landing up on a shooting range. Having done the Bronze expedition, everyone said that they would never do another expedition again. Then came the expedition at Loch Eil in Scotland. Once again, the same words were muttered throughout the journey. Two months later, ten of us found ourselves at Harrow Weald station, ready for yet another expedition. So what is it that makes us want to subject ourselves to these expeditions? Perhaps the fact that teamwork is required to get through them, or maybe it is the great feeling afterwards when you realise what you have achieved, or perhaps you are just someone who is a sucker for punishment. One thing is for sure: you have to participate in these expeditions to understand them completely, and an expedition is definitely a trip you won't forget in a hurry.

Getting to the train station in the South Downs was an expedition in itself. We did not get the start we had originally hoped for. Having missed two trains due to lack of platform information, the expedition started two hours later than originally planned. However, eventually when we got to Hassocks Station in the South Downs, the group was in high spirits and we set off to our first checkpoint, Holmbush Farm. Before we left, we were initially told to wait at a bridge which was halfway to the checkpoint. This was to ensure that the bridge, where we were going to cross over the main road, was really there.

On the first leg, we had to climb over the gate. Unfortunately, I stepped into some mud and sank, and sank and sank. I was stuck. However in the traditional team spirit of The John Lyon School students, my group, my comrades, my friends, stood there and ... laughed. Once calmed down, they were more sympathetic and decided to take a photo but looking back now, even I find it funny. Eventually, one of my team, Alex Burnley, laid a solid platform of wood on the mud and pulled me out. After that experience,

the group morale was high and the rest of the day's journey seemed to run smoothly.

Before long we reached our campsite. Doing the expedition in the winter has its disadvantages: the cold, the rain, and the short hours of daylight. On this expedition, we were fortunate, however, to have good weather for most of the time. It was extremely difficult to put the tents up because of the dark and the odd broken pole. However, we survived.

Day one could be said to be the day of the wetland. Before our last checkpoint of the day, we had to cross land next to a river which was completely waterlogged - it looked like a lake. We attempted going around the "lake", but we still got our boots and socks wet. After a long walk along the river, we eventually made it to Harwoods Farm campsite. We all had an early night because we had had a tough day. We knew that the following day was also going to be as tough, and the dark made it feel later than it actually was.

We awoke the next day and planned for an 8.00 a.m. start. Breakfast was to be a formality for the next three days: potato and beans, and a cup of hot chocolate. Once the tents had been packed away, we were on our way. On leaving the campsite, the group morale was high. Our first checkpoint was a place called Washington. The checkpoint was quite far away and involved a walk of about 9km. By taking a few breaks along the way, the group was able to stay together.

Conversation was a way of surviving the expedition. Time seemed to pass by very quickly, and the walk did not seem as far. However, the next checkpoint of the day was not to be as enjoyable. We knew that the path ahead of us rose steeply, and steep height gains, after walking on relatively flat terrain, are not the most enjoyable part of the expedition - especially with a huge ruck sack on the shoulders. Sheer determination is what is required and the belief that you are ever nearer the peak of the hill. After a while, when you think you have seen the peak and you have nearly reached it, joy can be seen on everyone's face. That is until you get there, and realise that you have not yet reached the top.

Eventually, we made it to our next

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checkpoint. On the way, we saw the other group and stopped and had a chat for a while to discuss the routes ahead. As we approached the checkpoint, disaster struck. A member of our group had picked up an injury and was unable to proceed. After a phone call to the teachers on the mobile, he was escorted away. He later discovered that he was unable to carry on with the expedition because his shoes had been against his heel. This was quite a blow for the group as a whole because it meant that only four of us remained, the minimum number allowed in a group. Therefore, if another member of the group were to pick up an injury, the expedition would have to be cancelled.

The campsite for the second night was in the fields of Lancing College. Once again the tents were pitched in the dark. Fortunately the water supply was much closer this time, and the ground was flat. After a dinner of Lancashire Hotpot and chocolate pudding, we went to sleep, in the hope that our sleeping bags and tent would protect us from the cold, windy weather outside. The rattling of the sides of the tents made the wind seem more violent than it actually was. Inside the expedition tents, the drizzle of rain sounded like a thunderstorm.

Day three had two parts to it. The tiring first half of the day and the enjoyable second half of the day. Had we only been doing the Silver Qualifier expedition, this would have been our last day. But this was also our Gold practice expedition, so two days remained. Our first checkpoint of the day was Bedding Hill. This was to be the hardest part of the day both mentally and physically. As we saw a car drive past us and zoom off up the hill, mentally it tired us and slowed our pace down. The knowledge that this was the hardest part of the day helped in our perseverance to reach the top.

As we had expected, the rest of the day seemed to be comparatively easy. The route to the campsite in navigation terms was supposed to be easy, as it involved walking straight along a footpath and then straight along a minor road. As ever on Duke of Edinburgh, nothing can be presumed to be easy. This time was no exception. The map had not taken into account that the footpath was

~D~u~k~e~o:..:.f....:E:.:d::i::n::b:.:u:.:r...:g~h.:-=-A.:..::w:...::..:.:.a-=--rd_s __ ~_!{j::....®_O _OU_O®_' OU ___ ......

now someone's back yard with a brick wall blocking it. We therefore found ourselves clinging to the wall before attempting to lunge ourselves over.

The laughter once again supplied by myself kept the group morale up. This time it occurred as we neared the campsite. At the minor road we took a rest, and it was a few seconds later that I wished we hadn't. Of all the places I could have dropped my rucksack, I managed to choose a pile of dog leavings which I only discovered after I picked my ruck sack up. The group burst out in laughter, and this helped us on our way to the campsite; especially myself. The smell made me walk increasingly faster. At the campsite, we pitched our tents and prepared dinner. A few minutes after our arrival, the other group arrived. We sat in the lodge, telling each other what had happened on the journeys and after a long conversation, we went to sleep.

The last day had finally arrived. The last day is always the shortest, because everyone walks a step faster, realising that they are ever nearer the end and the bags are lighter without the food eaten on the journey. We reached the train station with only a few minutes before the next train left. Everyone raced for a ticket and as a consequence, someone either left their wallet behind or their map case. As the train departed we could see an old lady running along the platform in hope of returning these items, but to no avail. Special thanks must go to Mr. French, Mr. Gavin, Miss Wicks, Mr. Horn and all the participants of the Silver Qualifier, for making the expedition what it was.

H.S. Rabinowitz

@@[UQ) Qualifying Expedition

During Easter 1999, thirteen boys, of whom six were direct gold entrants, set off to Wales for their Gold

Qualifying Expedition. We left Watford Junction apprehensive about the week ahead, but full of energy and enthusiasm. The journey to Dyffryn Ardudwy passed quickly with jokes and card games. After arriving at the station, we were met with our first challenge, making our way to the base camp. We found our way there easily with no problems while adjusting to the weight of our heavy rucksacks. Here we were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Perdue and Mrs. Horn who showed us to a nearby field where we set up camp. This was to be our home for the next week.

Over the following two days we acclimatised to the terrain and our full day walking packs. On the first day we split into two groups, with the direct gold entrants accompanied by Mr. Perdue. We set off on a day's walk around the Welsh mountains with the two groups meeting in the middle. This first day went well with the morale of both groups high. The second day we split into our expedition groups and undertook another route unaccompanied by a member of staff. Here we learnt the strengths of our group and how we would work together over the next few days.

The night before our expedition we packed our rucksacks ready for the challenging days ahead of us. We had a good meal of pizza made by Mrs. Perdue and had an early night so that we were all charged up for the day ahead of us.

We awoke in the morning to find it

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[1,w®ouDillou Duke of Edinburgh Awards .~'."::~--------------------""':'------

very misty. Once we had finished packing, the two groups said their good-byes and set off on our expedition routes. It was extremely difficult to navigate as the mist had come down and we only had a visibility of 10-15 metres in front of us but this soon cleared up.

After lunch, we set off for our next checkpoint. Unfortunately the mist came down again and while climbing a mountain, we soon lost our way. We were faced with the decision of turning back or continuing on our way. However if we had turned backed, we would have been uncertain about finding our way back. We persevered and luckily found the path we should have been on. The group were overjoyed to find the staff waiting for us at the checkpoint. Before reaching the campsite, we crossed a footbridge which provided us with a change of scenery from the rest of the day. We continued to the campsite, having to set up our tents in the dark.

The second day held another big challenge for us. We had to navigate across a large open valley. After being warned several times about this part of the expedition by the teachers, we were keen to make no mistakes. The day was clear and sunny so the visibility was better than the day before. We did well and found our way across this boggy terrain, trying to avoid the large ditches in the thick bramble. Several times, members of the group got their legs trapped in the ditches which provided moments of

amusement to the others in the group. We took this opportunity to take a break in the bramble fields, which provided us with some soft backing to relax on. Finally we made our way to the next checkpoint and then onto the campsite, where we met up with the second group again.

Day three was to be the most testing day of all. We were to climb Aran Ridge. We awoke in the morning to find the sun shining and we looked forward to the challenging day ahead. After leaving the campsite and saying our goodbyes to the other group, we began our ascent up the mountain. We gradually made our way up, stopping for short breaks along the way to catch our breath. Once we reached the top, we took in the beautiful views of the surrounding scenery. We didn't stop for long, for fear of being blown away by the force of the wind.

The steep descent down was fairly easy. At the bottom we met Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Perdue, who congratulated us on completing Aran Ridge. Here we stopped for lunch. Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Perdue were about to leave us, but their car did not start! We were roped into giving them a push up and down the hill but still the car did not start! Finally after numerous phone calls on their mobile phone, they were rescued by a local farmer who gave them a jump start from his jeep! They were finally on their way again. Shortly afterwards we arrived at our campsite just before a strong storm set in.

The fourth day was to be our last and we were looking forward to getting back to the base camp. We awoke to find heavy rain and our tents blown out of position. It was going to be a long day! After packing our tents and rucksacks away for the final time, we set off in the rain. The day was hard and long but after reaching the base camp we were proud of our accomplishment and glad to relieve ourselves of our heavy rucksacks. Having learnt that the other group had also completed the expedition we spent the evening talking to each other about our experiences and enjoyed a good, well deserved pub supper.

Finally, our thanks go to Mr. and Mrs. Perdue and Mrs. Horn for their time, support and encouragement throughout the expedition.

Pretesh Mistry

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Fifth Form GCSE

Geography Field Trips

21st to 28th October 1998

Forty-three students were split into two parties for fieldwork undertaken at the FSC centres in Orielton, Pembrokeshire and

Nettlecombe Court, Somerset. In spite of poor weather this week, the boys completed successfully their coursework investigations in varied upland and coastal environments.

Good morale and excellent results were to underpin some fine projects which yielded good GCSE grades.

The tradition of outstanding fieldwork from John Lyon students was maintained and once again earned fulsome praise from the Examination Board. Thanks must go to the accompanying staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and full benefit of the course: Mr. Shaw, Mr. Parker, Miss Wicks and Mrs. Perdue.

R.A. Shaw

Travels Lyonian

Vladimir Kara-Murza meets the former Russian Prime Minister,

Sergei Kirienko

Lower Sixth Trip

The Russian Parliament

---.' ....

On 27th March 1999, John Lyon's Lower Sixth Politics Class sent me to Moscow to represent our school at

the emergency session of the State Duma (Lower House of the Russian Parliament). On that chilly Saturday morning, Russian MPs reluctantly left their luxury country residences to attend the emergency debate over the Yugoslavian crisis in Kosovo. Three days earlier NATO began its air strikes against Yugoslavia, which provoked anger and mass protest in Russia, and Duma members felt it their duty it discuss the matter in an emergency session, even at the expense of their weekend.

I was lucky enough to get a place at the Press Gallery that overlooks the parliamentary chamber. This gave me a great opportunity to examine more closely those who are supposed to represent our interests in Parliament, and also to take

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Lyonian Travels

photographs. The chamber was packed - a very unlikely event in itself - with almost all of the 450 MPs attending the debate. The Prime Minister, Yevgeni Primakov, and the Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, were also invited to attend. The Prime Minister's

Foreign Minister in 1990-96 and now an independent liberal MP for the City of Murmansk - openly supported the air strikes, but was immediately heckled and had his microphone switched off by the Speaker. Some radical MPs even called for an

immediate seat is directly below the Press Gallery, so I was able to see Mr

"The debate itself proved to be extremely heated, with passions running high on

both sides of the House. "

declaration of war on the West and a pre-emptive nuclear strike. Even though

Primakov's head just a few metres below my own chair.

The debate itself proved to be extremely heated, with passions running high on both sides of the House. An overwhelming majority of Duma members were categorically opposed to NATO's action in Yugoslavia. In fact, only one parliamentarian - Andrei Kozyrev,

such demands were in a minority, the Communists (the largest group in the Duma) have tabled a motion strongly condemning NATO action and calling on the Russian Government to consider supplying arms to Yugoslavia and breaking diplomatic relations with Britain and the USA. In the end, thanks to fine diplomatic skills and careful negotiation tactics

of Prime Minister Primakov and Foreign Minister Ivanov, the MPs agreed to water down the motion; and after a four hour debate, the amended resolution, still condemning NATO but free of the war rhetoric, was passed by the State Duma by 349 votes to 4.

My political weekend in Moscow continued the next day, when I met not one, but two former Prime Ministers: Yegor Gaider (PM in 1992) and Sergei Kirienko (1998). Both men, who had been instrumental in introducing and strengthening the free market economy in Russia, now lead the Centre-Right Coalition that is contesting the parliamentary election on 19th December 1999. C\,

V. K~ra-Murza

The Russian State Duma in session, 25th March 1999

l

L6 Field Trip

North Norfolk

We set off for this weekend of fieldwork from Harrow promptly after the end of school

on Friday 19th March, together with our luggage and the required equipment. Myself, five other sixth formers, Miss Wicks and Mrs. Parker set off for Norfolk. Our destination was a lovely holiday home owned by Miss Wicks' parents in the small seaside town of Mundesley. We arrived at approximately 9.30 p.m. in the dark, and were only able to truly see how close we were to the sea the next morning. That evening, after the usual fight for beds, we settled in for the weekend of study ahead of us.

The next morning we rose and set about collecting the necessary equipment for the day ahead. The first stop that day was Sheringham, a popular Victorian seaside resort. Here we studied the coastal upgrade scheme in progress. We also made a study of the businesses along the sea front and high street. We then left for Cley-Next-The-Sea in order to observe the natural shingle ridge that spans the beach. We calculated an accurate beach profile with the use of the equipment that was to become commonly known as javelins (ranging poles), telescopes (clinometers) and discuses (tape measures). We then left for Blackney, the site of a spit and both freshwater and saltwater

marshes. We studied how man was protecting the area and the issues involved. One boy demonstrated his knowledge when asked the difference between a hydrosere (freshwater environment) and halosere (saltwater environment) by replying that one was nice looking and the other not. We returned to Mundesley and wrote up our findings and then relaxed by watching the international rugby. That evening we conducted an urban study of Mundesley and returned back for a well-deserved meal and night's sleep.

On Sunday we rose and left for Overstrandt, the site of a large cliff slump, and we identified the defences in place to prevent a repeat. We then went to Cromer to study the sea defences at work there. We also made an analysis of the local land use in order to tabulate this in contrast to other such investigations during the trip. Finally we walked down the beach at Mundesley to perform a cliff study and we analysed the processes at work on the beach. After a lovely meal we left for our return journey to Harrow. We were tired but in high sprits, whilst we listened to the Cup Final on the radio.

The trip was very useful for the course and highly enjoyable. I would like to thank Miss Wicks on the behalf of the Lower Sixth for letting us use her house and for her tuition, and Mrs. Parker for her cooking. Thanks should also go to Mr. Parker and Mr. Gavin.

P. Coney

Travels

First Form Trip

Rouen and Paris It was a very early start,

Day 1 as we had to be at school at 6 a.m., ready

to load the coach and leave for the port of Dover. The two and a half hour coach journey to Dover was spent playing cards and listening to Walkmans.

The ferry crossing over the English Channel was not a pleasant one. While some of us looked around the shops, others unfortunately spent most of the crossing up on deck, feeling a little unwell. I am very glad to say that I was not one of these people!

The last part of our journey, from Calais to Rouen, was far more enjoyable and pleasant for everyone concerned. Most of us spent this last leg of the journey asleep, due to the early start. When we finally reached Rouen and our Hotel Videotel, everybody was very eager and excited to see which room they had been allocated and in which they would be spending the next four days.

Having spent our hour of free time exploring the shopping mall next door, we took the tram into the centre of Rouen to eat our evening meal at Jumbo, a brilliant self-service restaurant that we used quite often throughout our holiday.

I think that everybody was glad to climb into bed that night, as it had been a very long, tiring day!

The morning of the Day 2 second day was spent

sight-seeing in Rouen. This is something that I particularly enjoyed, as we got to visit the many great churches of Rouen including Rouen Cathedral itself.

After having lunch in Jumbo and having spent free time wandering around the city centre, we were driven by coach to an amazing indoor swimming pool that was equipped with slides, chutes, and particularly high diving boards. I found myself diving off the highest of the boards and to my amazement I actually enjoyed it so much so that I went back for more. This event seemed to be enjoyed by everyone.

The evening was spent quietly in our rooms, and we went to bed slightly earlier than usual in

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[bW®ITOornITO Travels ."-' .. , .. ,'.t--_.....;;..... ___________ _

preparation for the busy schedule that lay ahead of us the following day.

Today started very early Day 3 for our day trip to Paris,

which everybody was looking forward to. Unfortunately there was a problem: it was pouring with rain.

The first stop of our very wet and windy tour of the capital city was the Arc de Triomphe. This is an amazing monument and we were able to climb to the top and look down on the chaos of the French traffic.

For the next part of the trip we had to travel on the Metro. We visited the church of Sacre Coeur in

all went on a boat trip down the river Seine, before travelling back to the hotel for the evening. Despite the rain it was still a memorable experience, one I will never forget.

On our last day and for Day 4 the first time in the

holiday, the sun came out. Before we left Rouen there was a bit of time for last minute shopping, which enabled us to spend our last few francs.

After having loaded our bags onto the coach we set off to Nausicaa, the aquatic museum in Boulogne. This was a great way to break up the journey and end the holiday. The visit to the museum was very interesting

Montmartre. I found this to be one of the highlights of the day. However the

"I am r:ertain that I speak Jar all the boys when I say that was a truly

very enjoyable holiday"

and the sea lion show was particularly fascinating due to the

sunshine would have made it complete and would have meant that the artists would have been out in force and doing caracatures and portraits on the streets.

After lunch at McDonald's we travelled to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Unfortunately it was still raining at this point and to make matters worse the front of the Cathedral was totally covered in scaffolding due to the cleaning work being carried out. Just our luck!

To finish our day trip to Paris, we

different places it could be viewed from.

I am certain that I speak for all the boys in the first year who came on the French trip when I say that this was truly a very enjoyable holiday. On behalf of all the boys I would like to thank Mr. Barnard, Mr. Hillier, Mr. Westlake and Mr. Bullock for all the hard work they put in to making this trip a total success. I would also like to thank the prefects who came and put up with 40 members of the first year for four days!

C.D. Gooder

Lower Sixth A-Level

Geography Field Course

It was early on Saturday June 27th when the 'keen' geographers departed from John Lyon School. Accompanied for

the week by Mr. Shaw and ex-head of geography Mr. Reed. Trying a new, experimental route, we made excellent progress to Blencathra, our field centre in the heart of the Lake District. There was an instant impact felt from the great natural beauty of the area.

Once at the field centre we were all happy to be able to dispose of our luggage and spend time familiarising ourselves with the pool table and the table tennis facilities. The accommodation was good, and the staff seemed very friendly. We were soon in our first evening lesson, instructed on the 'do's and don'ts' by Rob Lucas, the field centre warden. The harsh realisation of the demands of the course began to dawn on us.

Our first day involved studies of river velocity and width, and despite a cold and wet start, gradually improved. The fact that there was no rain, and that we were all wearing waterproofs, did not stop the majority of us from being completely soaked (and almost being carried away) by the increasing force and depth of the river. Upon returning to the field centre, we discussed the relevance of our results as well as more trivial matters, such as the use of oranges as accurate gauges of river velocity.

The second day was dedicated to soils and vegetation at Lonscale. Working in groups, morale was high, and all of us kept the incentive through to the evening.

The third day was 'glaciation day'. Although it involved a gruelling walk up some very steep hills, the breathtaking beauty of sites, such as Stickle Tarn made the experience worthwhile. The day also provided a good opportunity to experience first hand the many glacial features we had studied in class. By the end of the day all of us were fairly eager to return to the centre and put our feet up.

Day four saw us visiting local upland farmer Willie Tyson, who displayed incredible knowledge

regarding EU policies, and the effect that they will have on his farm.

Day five left us with the mighty challenge of tackling recreational management on the Catbells. Despite not being as long a walk as some other days, the steepness of the hillside more than made up for this. Many of us pondered why there had to be so many hills in the Lake District. Our last meal at the centre was thoroughly enjoyed, as were the late night celebrations.

Waking up slightly earlier than usual on Friday, we packed the minibus with our luggage, said our last goodbyes and left the centre. Before returning home we made two stops. We visited the eerily silent coastal resort of St Bees, and then travelled a few miles down the road to Sellafield nuclear waste disposal facility. Finally returning home, all the boys seemed happy, after what had been an extremely long and tiresome trip. Our thanks go to Mr. Shaw, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Rob Lucas (whom we were extremely fortunate to have) for making the trip as enjoyable as it was, and providing an experience that will surely prove extremely beneficial for our A-Level studies.

N. Amir-Alikhani

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"';4

Fourth Year History

Battlefields Study Visit

The aim of this trip was to gain a greater understanding of the First World War and in particular understand why

there was a great stalemate between the allied forces, the British and Commonwealth, French and Belgian forces and the German forces. The knowledge gained would help us in our GCSE coursework.

After gathering at Whitmore Road at approximately 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning, historians of all kinds - teachers and students - soon left on the coach for the white cliffs of Dover. Taking the ferry to Calais, we left a surprisingly hot and sunny England behind us and we had the good fortune of enjoying the same weather through France on the way to Belgium.

On this journey, we managed to catch an English radio station and were anxious not to hear that the England cricket team was going through another fatal collapse. However, the innings by Tudor was quite magnificent and if Henman could finally beat Sampras everything would have been fine. Unfortunately it was not to be.

Entering our third country of the day, Belgium, we soon stopped at our first museum of the trip, the Hooge Crater Museum, which contained many artefacts from the Great War. After seeing a small cemetery we had lunch and were soon on the way to Passchendaele,

where the third battle of Ypres had taken place. Here lay the Tyne Cot British Cemetery, the largest British cemetery in the world with 11,908 graves. Although the cemetery contained so may dead, it was a gleaming and bright place more like an English garden, at the end of which was a great piece of architecture acting as a memorial to the Commonwealth dead who have no grave and who died just after the offensive.

We then saw the German Langemarck cemetery, which was quite different from the one at Tyne Cot and all other British cemeteries in that it was much more dark and sombre. Indeed, one grave contained 24,917 men. Seeing so many dead revealed to many of us how loss of life can be so terrible and futile.

Arriving at our hostel in Kortrijk, we had supper. There was a great cheer when Mr. Savill told us that we were going to have dinner in a restaurant the next day, and we were then given a brief talk about what we would be doing the next day. We were left to our own devices, playing inside the hostel or playing 15-a-side football on the small pitch outside.

The next day the group travelled to France and the area of the Somme, where the Western Front had taken place, and where the most fierce fighting of the war took place. Soon we had our first glimpse of trench warfare at Vimy Ridge, where

Travels [bW®[]i)~ill[]i) .-: .. _.:',.....---....:;....----------------

we visited a Canadian war memorial which was fantastic. We saw a short film at a nearby museum and after having lunch we visited the Delville Wood. The wood stood at the turning point in the southern part of the British front, and today with two special memorials it commemorates the South African men who had taken it 'at all costs' and all the South African men who had died in the war.

Our next stop was the Newfoundland Park site; the park is a memorial to the 1st Newfoundland Regiment. In this area the first Somme offensive took place and owing to the mass deaths it proved to be the worst day in British military history. After seeing more trenches we left for Thiepval, a tall and impressive building, a feat of British architecture, dedicated to those missing in the Somme offensive.

Having had dinner at the restaurant, we went to Menin Gate and heard the 'Last Post' ceremony which has been held nightly since 1929. Uniformed men played the 'Last Post' on bugles in absolute silence to commemorate the fallen and the suffering during the war.

Next came a 5-a-side football competition back at the hostel, though unfortunately it was called off, much to our disappointment, during the first match because of heavy rain. The next day we visited the 'In Flanders' museum in Ypres, which was very up to date with touch-sensitive computers. The highlight of the trip was probably visiting Sanctuary Wood, where there were trenches and in particular underground tunnels which many of us ran through in the dark. Finally, we had some free time and many of us opted to buy some chocolate from the local specialist store.

Our trip came to an end and we travelled back to Harrow. Some of us fell asleep on the coach and if we had not done so then we did while watching the film, Cromwell, although some managed to stay up to watch the most bizarre death of Rasputin.

Special thanks go to Mr. Irvine, Mr. Le Berre, Mr. Gavin who supervised us and especially to Mr. McKie and Mr. Savill who organised and arranged a very interesting and educational trip.

M. Kapadia

Oldfield Expeditions Day

Waterskiing

At eight thirty in the morning we left the playground in the school minibus. We got stuck in a fair amount of

traffic but eventually we arrived at Thorpe Ski and after a short space of time found ourselves in wetsuits. After a quick lesson, we were off. Everyone started on kneeboards and then the more advanced among us went onto skis, waterboards and monoskis.

Mr. Jones, after mastering the skis, had a go on the monoski but for some reason could not get far from the jetty! Fortunately no one noticed.

All in all it was a wonderful day and we would like to thank Mr. Jones and Ms. Guano for organising such an exciting day out for us.

J. Kann 2J6

Paintballing The morning of Expeditions Day found us gathering excitedly at Whitmore Road. The coaches were late but that only added to the excitement. The chosen activity this year was paintballing and a couple of boys had turned up in full army uniform. The thought of paint hitting me all over my body didn't strike me as brilliant to begin with but little did we know ...

We arrived at Welwyn Garden Frontiers at about 9.20 am. We were all allowed to stretch our legs and soon all were crowding around the entrance. We were given overalls so as not to get our clothes dirty. Everyone clambered into his suit and then put on a Darth Vader-style mask which was surprisingly comfortable.

After safety procedures had been explained, we were divided into four teams which were again divided into a one versus two, three versus four kind of set-up. We picked up our guns and loaded them. We were allowed a practice shot. When I did it, the feel of a paintball being fired out of the gun at over 100 mph. gave me a rush of adrenaline.

Next we went out onto the battlefield and cries of 'Get back!' and 'I'm hit!' could be heard all over. We loved it! However it was very tiring and with the sun beating down on us and the heat of the overalls most people were seriously sweating. Some of us were relieved to get back on the coach. We had been hit so often, we couldn't take it any more.

However, I know for a fact that everybody enjoyed the experience enormously and on behalf of all of us I'd like to say thank you to all the teachers and especially to Ms. Waldron for taking us.

Andrew Bird

Paintballing: if only they could concentrate like this in class.

Lords On Friday 25th June, first and second year boys from Oldfield House set off for Harrow on the Hill Station on our way to Lords Cricket Ground, the home of English cricket.

There were about twenty boys altogether, four from the second year and the remainder from the first year. We were all excited at the amazing journey we were about to make.

We waited in anticipation until we got our seats and then we decided what to do next. We had several possibilities; we could go to the museum, the shop and many other places as well.

The game between Oxford and Cambridge proved to be a very exciting and high-scoring game and we all felt that we had had a very exciting and worthwhile day. To top everything we saw Nasser Hussain being interviewed for Sky Sport. Some of us got his autograph and shook hands with him. Some of us were even interviewed ourselves.

Finally, on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank Mr. Parker and John, the 1st XI umpire, for taking us and for their patience.

Philip Johnson

Third Form French Trip

La Rochelle

We left Whitmore Road at 5.30pm on 31st May en route for Dover. Near Heathrow, we had an

unexpected bonus - one of the coach's tyres blew out and we stood for an hour and a half behind the crash barrier on the hard shoulder with dramatic views of the M25! The night was spent on the coach, which did not turn out to be quite as luxurious as the brochure had promised!

We arrived in La Rochelle in time for lunch. The rooms at the Centre Lafayette had very good facilities, with a bathroom and kitchen and most had a balcony. There was also an outdoor pool. Later in the afternoon, we went into the centre of La Rochelle and enjoyed some shopping in the old part of the town.

The next day was Saintes and Cognac. First, we visited the Roman Amphitheatre and then had time for more shopping in Saintes. Our

destination in Cognac was the Hennessy distillery. We learned how brandy is produced, there was a sip to sample and typically, we ended up making more purchases in the gift shop.

The Thursday was the most eagerly awaited day of the trip, and we had high expectations of Futuroscope. First, after a formal group photo we were shown an introductory video with 3-D images. A pity it was in French! Then we set off on our own adventures. We found that some of the attractions were not as stimulating as they might have been - the long-awaited 'Magic Carpet' tuned out to be nothing more than pictures of butterflies at our feet! But we had fun on the water cycles and playing the free arcades. Overall it was a brilliant day, despite certain J.L. pupils delaying our departure. Apparently they had trouble telling the time.

On the final day we were blessed with the pleasure of riding on French buses - our own coach was unavailable to us because of EU regulations.

We visited the aquarium in La Rochelle where we saw a large variety of sea creatures, some of which bore a strange resemblance to some of the members of staff! After browsing in the gift shop, we had our packed lunch in the rain - it was not the warmest of days, and certainly not the driest! Then free time in La Rochelle, although it was more a matter of seeking shelter in shops from the rain and the cold! We returned to the Centre to sample another rare French dish for supper -the food there had certainly been the

Travels

highlight of the trip. The return journey seemed to

pass more quickly than the outward journey, and we were back at John Lyon by mid morning on the Saturday.

We would like to thank Mr. Le Berre for organising the trip, and Mr. Hillier, Ms. Waldron, Mr. Irvine and Mr. and Mrs. Sadler for coming along and putting up with us.

Mark Gettleson

First Form Visit

Aldbury On Friday 11th June, the first form

boarded the coaches which would take them to the quiet rural village of Aldbury in the Chiltern Hills. Each group of seven or eight boys was given a base map of the village and a series of questions to tackle about each of the sites we were to visit.

As the village still retains the whipping post, the duck pond and many old houses, it was a very interesting visit. We were able to learn about village life and also recognise the different styles of houses built over the centuries.

Other activities greatly enjoyed by the boys were the purchases obtained from the village shop and the epic 1J2 v 1J1 football match at lunchtime. All in all it was a fantastic day and thanks must go to Mr. Shaw for arranging the trip, not to forget that the day would not have been possible without the presence of Mrs. Perdue, Miss Wicks, a number of parents and former Head of Geography, Mr. C.A. Reed.

Matthew Dodd

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4th Form

Biology Field Days

Two days of fieldwork were carried out at Epping Forest Field Centre this summer by forty-eight fourth form pupils.

The first day took place in May and provided familiarisation with collection techniques, species recognition and data handling. It was very time-intensive but gave everyone enough confidence to begin planning his individual investigation.

The second day was in June. Many boys had returned from the History Department's battlefields visit the night before and so were a bit shattered the next morning at 8 am when we departed for Epping. When

we arrived the pupils were divided into groups for the purpose of data collection and sampling. Their brief was to study the effects of pollution on the River Roding and its tributaries. It was hard work and it took until 5 pm to visit all the sites and record all results. Suffice to say that the coaches were very subdued on the way back to John Lyon!

My thanks, as usual, to Mr. French, Mrs. Perdue and Mr. Perdue for their active participation in these field days. We now look forward (sic) to the marking of the final reports!

G.J. Ryder

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Photograph: Andrew Silke

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L6 French Work Experience

Brittany

On arrival in Kergoual, Brittany, our hosts Heleme and Alan Line immediately struck us as people who

were very keen on hair. Helen sported the longest and straightest brown hair in Plumelin, and Alan hid behind a beard that would make Mr. Sadler blush - though no one could see him do so, of course. Their house, a converted mill, was awesome - and being entirely of wood construction, we were immediately warned not to light any fires within the walls of the lodging. You could almost see Nicholas Smart gasp for air; he'd have to save his

petards for London. It had taken two days of travelling

to finally arrive at this tiny village in the French countryside. The previous days had seen the L6 French do many amazing things: stumble half­asleep onto the Eurostar; co-ordinate the allocation of beds in the Paris hotel which, unfortunately for some, ended up with two lads having to share a double bed and wander lost through the back streets of Paris.

After a light meal and a heavy sleep, we were woken early in order to eat a traditional French breakfast before bravely visiting our work placements for the first time.

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Vladimir Kara-Murza was pencilled in at the sous-prefecture, a regional administrative centre, Stephen Greek at the mairie at Locmine, the Town Hall. I was at the mairie in Plumelin, Richard Pacey at the liketsport, a children's day-care centre, and Nicholas Smart, Steven Bull and Abidali Alibhai were all posted in different centre areres in the area.

One by one, the Lines' mini-buses dropped off students at their places of work. Wishes of good luck were whispered along rows of passengers as the complement slowly diminished.

Waking Asian, the Lines' dog with whom Steven Bull struck up a 'special' friendship, L6 French students eagerly scraped their wooden chairs along the floor around what soon established itself as our favourite part of the Lines' house­the dining room table. Anecdotes detailing the first day at work bounced from one side of the table to the other, and a surprising air of excitement and happiness buzzed around the kitchen. We were actually enjoying working - and in French to boot. In fact, the only thing that managed to plug the constant flow of stories and exchange of newly-learnt French ruderies was the Lines' superlative cooking - I put on half a stone whilst living with them.

The week passed quickly and smoothly, each night progressively earlier to bed than the previous one as we slowly adjusted to the pace of working in a second language - with the exception of the Thursday evening during which the group,

including Mr. Le Berre, managed to convince Steven Bull that our isolated mill was in fact haunted - much to his horror. Friday saw the whole group treated to a traditional Breton meal at a local creperie, accompanied by cider and followed by the habitual games of pool and table-tennis - and as much as sixth formers hate to admit it, there was a certain feeling of regret that the week was drawing to a close.

Rocking rhythmically from side to side on the TGV the next morning, watching various students flicking through magazines and newspapers written in French and still sprinkling their conversation with new found

Nick Smart and French friends

French expletives, I felt grateful for the foreign language and life experience that the trip provided us all with. Monsieur Le Berre did a sterling job moving seven moody adolescents so many hundreds of miles so very efficiently, and even though they were showered with gratitude on our departure, the Lines still deserve a mention for being even better hosts than we could have hoped for. Even Stephen Greek and Richard agreed that it had been a worthwhile week - despite the trauma of the 'bed incident' in Paris.

by Andrew Silke, still eating baguettes

Lower Sixth Biology Trip to Orielton (Photograph: G.J. Ryder)

Second Form Biology

Fieldwork Day in Epping Forest

As we all packed into the two coaches, I thought to myself, 'wow! This is brilliant! We're going to see

nature at her finest! Mother Nature here we come!' Every year the Second Year heads off into the wilderness to boldly go where no one has gone before. Well, not exactly. Anyway this was a chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat, and to help us with our studies.

When we reached Epping Forest, the first thing we did was to get to know the tutor. After this, work began immediately. The subject we were studying that day was the freshwater pond. During the morning we broke up into small groups and began collecting samples of invertebrates from the pond near the buildings using our nets. Some of the invertebrates we caught were protected species such as the newt and had to be carefully replaced. We took invertebrates from different microhabitats in the pond - in open water, among the weeds and at the bottom. These organisms were taken back to the laboratory, our temporary classroom, separated from the

samples and identified. We did this by using the keys our tutor gave us. We also made observations concerning the type of feeding habits the organisms displayed. Some information about the foods available were also given to us by our tutor.

I

Travels Lyonian

After washing our hands, we munched away at our sandwiches happily, after a long morning. Once this was done, each class set off into the forest to sample three different large ponds. The work was again carried out in small groups, although the results of each group were reported to the class to improve the validity of the data. This time the numbers of each species collected were counted, or if the population was in thousands, estimated. The results were recorded on our sheets and on returning to the laboratory, food chains and webs were drawn. When the data were recorded, the organisms were placed into their trophic levels or feeding groups. Pyramids of numbers and biomass were also drawn. The laboratories were cleared up and we all got back into the coaches. The day had gone so quickly and pleasantly that I was sad to leave.

A big thank you to Mr. Ryder for organising the trip and to Mr. French and Mr. and Mrs. Perdue for also accompanying us.

Christopher Lam, 2J5

Photographs: G.J. Ryder

Travels

Middle School Trip

Austria

One July Monday, at the ludicrously early hour of 4.30 a.m., a group of bleary-eyed yet excited

pupils assembled at school to board a coach on our way to Stansted Airport. A sleepy flight quickly took us to a rain-soaked region of Austria called, we were informed, Treviso. Another coach ride later, amid spectacular views over and under the Alps, we arrived at our hostel in Villach. We dumped our luggage in our rooms which were, in my opinion, excellent - they had an ensuite bathroom with shower and sink and headed for the dining room for a well-deserved late lunch. Items on the menu included rabbit burgers and a mysterious orange-coloured drink, whose origin I refuse to think about, but on the whole the food was enjoyed by all. The rest of the day was spent looking around the town.

The next day saw the first of many trips up the chairlift to Gerlitzen, where we were shown 'dramatic views of the Alpine

landscape'. In the afternoon, some people went on Lake Ossiachersee, either on the launch or on pedalos, and others went swimming. Despite repeated warnings from Mr. Barnard, one or two third-formers got badly sunburnt especially Giles Matthews, who turned into a lobster!.

On Wednesday, we travelled to Dreiliindereck, the point where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet. A bus took us to Arnoldstein, then we walked up through the forest to the chairlift, which we took to the top of the mountain where the border lay. Once again we found ourselves admiring the 'dramatic views of Alpine landscape' and the Slovenian Dolomites. Unfortunately the way back turned out to be more dramatic than expected - we were caught in torrential rain which seemed to appear from nowhere.

Once we had fully recovered, our beloved coach was waiting to take us to Slovenia - which most of us hadn't even heard of! An underground train took us to the wonderful rock formations in the caves at Postonja, where we ate. Our next stop was Lake Bled, via the capital Ljubjana. When I first saw the lake, I was amazed at how clear

the water was - and it wasn't long before we were crossing the water in a large gondola to reach the island in the centre. Here we found a church and a cafe, where most of us rewarded ourselves with an ice­cream.

Our adventures continued to unravel over the next few days. There was much chairlifting, and, of course, many more dramatic Alpine views, as well as a trip to Hochosterwitz Castle, a walk amongst the clouds at the summit of Mount Goldeck, and even a toboggan run in Afritz-Verditz. On our last day we had five hours to spend in Venice. It was absolutely amazing -with its fine architecture, souvenir stalls and the pigeons.

Sadly, just as bad things seem to go on forever, all good things must come to an end. We were all sorry to leave - this holiday had been thoroughly enjoyed by one and all.

On behalf of everyone who went on this trip, I would like to thank Mr. Barnard, Mr. Pankhurst, Miss Lesley Halperin and Chris Davies for organising, leading and putting up with all of us.

Mark Gettleson

+

.,'

As the train crossed the border and the driver, who was obviously Scottish, welcomed us to his

homeland over the relay system, there were two things that worried me. Firstly, it's the only country in the world whose national dress includes a concealed knife in a sock - there's a clue there surely.

,jI ......... -......i\ Secondly, the weather has the P't" ..... ~~~.Il reputation of being less than

. d'~~~~"~":;' favourable and we would have to ~ camp out in it!

r' Eventually arriving at the Outward

Bound Centre by coach from Glasgow Central, we were split into

i different

Outward Bound

exercises that allowed us to grasp concepts such as communication, encouragement and co-operation. Each activity required a certain skill thus allowing each member in turn to take the lead and guide the clan through the problem. Such team building activities included the Wall, Jacob's Ladder and raft building. Not only did we have to design and build our raft but also we had to make a presentation to our instructors who were posing as prospective customers to whom we had to sell the raft. We also had to think of a name for our craft. 'Spartacus' was eventually chosen, along with the marketing phrase, 'The raft in front is the Spartacus' - apologies to Toyota.

Friday saw us setting out on the expedition that was the crowning glory of the course. Unfortunately it didn't go exactly as planned. We had

been warned 'clans'. I found myself in Cameron Clan with an over enthusiastic

"The course was an enjoyable experience and one that I

will never forget"

about the weather before we left the centre. However, as

instructor called Jamie Miller. His broad Scottish accent made amusing listening for the majority of the nine­member clan. From the start, his unique way of telling jokes filled me with the feeling that this was going to be an enjoyable and extraordinary week.

By the time we had eaten a filling dinner and were ready for our first activity, it had started to rain. However, Jamie seemed oblivious to the fact that Londoners shelter from the rain, and avoid activities like the Para-Jump. This involved walking off a platform 30 feet up in the air while attached to a parachute harness. It is very difficult to describe exactly how I felt as I stood 30 feet in the air, in darkness, with rain bouncing off my helmet.

The following day the rain had ceased but was it was bitterly cold. We were scheduled to go rock climbing and abseiling on Glen Nevis, Ben Nevis' sister mountain. Being on an exposed rock face on a mountain is not a great place to be when there is a fierce wind blowing bringing the wind chill down to -10°C. But that is where we found ourselves. Despite the chill, I felt that this was one of my favourite activities.

The week centred on team

we set out the sun was shining. As predicted though, the conditions deteriorated. It rained throughout the night, and the following morning Jamie said that we should 'bin' the expedition. He was worried about the worsening weather conditions and didn't want to be

!}f}

--

I1W®uoo0uo Outward Bound .... :,.----.;:...------=--=:.....:...=.:.:.=.._--

stranded. This was a great disappointment for the group. I had actually grown quite fond of the persistence of the Scottish rain.

On the final evening we had to produce a ten-minute presentation about what we had done and learnt over the week. Needless to say we threw ourselves into this activity and we witnessed many acts including 'The David Palmer Show', a mick­take of the Jerry Springer Show, David's favourite programme.

Monday saw the Lower Sixth leave the centre. Many were happy

to be returning to a drier climate but I felt a touch of sadness at having to leave. On the way to Glasgow Central, before we had even got to the halfway point, one of the coaches broke down. It was of course the one that I was in. We were in the middle of nowhere and the only way we were going to get to Glasgow and catch our train was for one of the group to hitch a lift to the stopping point and alert the first coach. I was chosen to go and so I hitched a lift from a couple from Hertfordshire. I will never forget the look of astonishment on Mr. Gavin's face as he rushed out of the service station, having seen me exit from a white Ford Escort. The party was soon together again, and on our way towards Glasgow and London.

It was an excellent week that I would recommend to anyone and gladly do again if I had the opportunity. I would like to finish by thanking the staff at Loch Eil, especially our tutor Jamie who, I felt, made the course such an enjoyable experience and one that I will never forget. I would also like to thank the John Lyon staff - Mr. Gavin, Mr. Carr­Hill and Simon Horn - who accompanied us and put up with us for a week.

R. Pacey

ART CLUB

It has been a quiet year in terms of visits to galleries but the Monet exhibition proved to be a major event for many people. The

Wednesday Ceramics Club started well with one or two good ideas produced. Unfortunately, technical difficulties meant that no pots were produced and the dry clay was returned to the recycle bin.

With the problems solved, the new school year should produce the usual steady stream of work. The examination groups are going to St. Ives in Cornwall in the spring and hopefully, this will provide inspiration for future works. The Monday evening Parents' Class continues to thrive and an exhibition is planned for next year.

Next September will see the introduction of an inter-house art competition which will provide the basis of an exhibition in the Mall before Christmas 2000.

IR. Read

After Hours [bW@CiOOillCiO --------------~-----,-.

BRIDGE

Bridge Club has been meeting for two lunchtime sessions and on one evening session after school.

Last year the bridge team was fairly successful, ranking high in the London Schools Bridge League, and coming third in the London heat of the Schools' Cup National Bridge competition, narrowly missing a place in the final.

Owing to half of the members leaving last year, the Bridge Club has been significantly reduced in size, starting this year with only four boys regularly attending. However, owing to a change in venue the club has picked up four new boys from Oldfield House who regularly attend, bringing the numbers up to eight, enough for two teams, with a few other boys turning up on occasion. While we acknowledge that one team is lacking in experience, we know that their early grounding in the fundamentals of the game will lead to a very strong team in the future. The two teams will compete in the London Schools' Bridge League and two pairs will compete in the Under 19 Pairs competition in London.

We look forward to watching the bridge team grow in experience and strength this year. Many thanks to Mr. Virgo for all his help and supervision throughout the year.

Adam Crawford

AQUARIUM SOCIETY

It has been an excellent year for the society which has gained new members from the first year and higher up the school as well.

This year's members are Chris Coney, Craig Heasman, Kyle Kensett and Bobby Ho.

Every morning we come in at eight o'clock to feed the fish and sometimes we top up the tanks and carry out maintenance work. Some of the members also keep fish at home too. They come to the society to gain more experience and knowledge from older members.

Our collection of fishes has increased enormously this year. Currently, we have clown loaches, flying foxes, kissing, dwarf and golden gouramis, two varieties of platys, swordtails, guppies, black widow and neon tetras and two species of plecos. Mr. Ryder and Michael Len have kindly donated most of these fish.

Sadly, however, we saw the departure of our kribs. We had grown these into adults from fry. They proved unbreedable because they were all male! Also this year, our plant collection has increased. We now have at least ten different varieties of plants which make a much better display than the original two!

Next year the society is hoping to set up a new tank. In it we hope to create yet another biotope set-up and breed more fish. Although the society takes place every morning and the tanks are on display in JBL2, many boys in school are unaware of our existence and so publicity is certainly one thing we need to work on next year.

Bobby Ho

After Hours I1W®UOOfflUO ." ..... :".._----.;;..---------------------

THE HILL l\EWS STORE

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

ThiS has been a very good year for the photographic society with the membership having increased

considerably. Photography is a recognised skill and activity of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and some boys join to add this skill to their portfolio. The results of their work can be seen in the foyer of the Biology Department. Special projects run by the society included capturing the character and people of Harrow­on-the-Hill on film.

The darkroom is well equipped with four enlargers that are well used during the lunch breaks and sixth form General Studies periods. Black and white photographs are surprisingly simple to produce and provide a good sense of achievement. Once the techniques have been mastered, students are able to experiment and create their own dramatic and original prints.

Mr. Ryder's guidance and leadership have given many boys the chance to learn and develop their interest in photography. New members are always welcome and I strongly encourage you to give photography a try next term.

Hussain S. Khan

After Hours I1W®ODOillOD --------------------"-,

DEBATING SOCIETY

Under the guidance of Mr. lan Whybrow, the Sixth Form Debating Society has thrived. Debates are

fascinating and enjoyable and attract more and more people from different I

year groups. Amongst the first motions debated by the Society this year were 'Should President Yeltsin resign?' (outcome: No). 'NATO is wrong to bomb Yugoslavia' (Yes). 'Cannabis should be legalised' (No). 'Monarchy should be abolished' (No). and many others. The turnout has always been good, averaging twenty

''Debates are fascinating and enjoyable, and attract more and more people from

different year groups"

five people, both boys and members of staff.

This year the best debaters from all houses crossed swords in the Senior Debating Competition, which

was won by Vaughan House. The winning team of Vivek Patel and myself, opposed the motion, put forward by Moore represented by Julian Hunt and Ronojit Banerjee, which was: 'It is never justifiable to break the law'. Overall. Moore came second, Norwood with David Palmer and William Ryan, third and Butler with Richard Coleman and Julian Alahakoon, fourth.

Mr. Whybrow proposed merging the Sixth Form and Lower School debating societies in order to increase attendance and improve the quality of I

debates. As an experiment. we held ' a debating session between Mark Gettleson and myself from the third year. The motion was 'NATO is wrong to bomb Yugoslavia', and I won in an extremely close vote of 10 to 9. Most people thought this was a good idea, and Mr. Whybrow now plans a permanent merger to create the John Lyon School Debating Society.

11. Kara-Murza

CHESS CHESS CLUB

Chess Club benefited from the contributions of a number of new, talented first year boys and from the

continued support of established regulars.

THE TIMES COMPETITION Isleworth & Sion (B) 1 John Lyon 5 John Lyon 0 Hampton 6

The victory was pleasing with impressive debuts by Nobrega (lJ3). Caiden (lJ3) and Dodd (lJ2). However, Hampton (reigning champions) were too strong.

HOUSE COMPETITION House matches were fiercely contested with all four houses finishing level on points. The result of the competition remained undecided until the finish of the last game.

Match Results Norwood 3 Butler 3 Norwood 4 Vaughan 2 Moore 3.5 Norwood 2.5 Moore 3 Butler 3 Vaughan 4 Moore 2 Butler 3 Vaughan 3

Final Table P W D L Pts. H.Pts.

Butler 3 0 3 0 1.5 1.5 Moore 3 1 1 1 1.5 1.5 Norwood 3 1.5 1.5 Vaughan 3 1.5 1.5

II.A. Wheaton

After Hours [1W@[]iJOEi][]iJ ., ....• :"...---------------------------

COMMUNITY SERVICE

M embers of the Lower Sixth received fulsome praise for their efforts in helping those less

fortunate than themselves over the past year. Special mention must be made of Nader Amir-Alikhani, whose involvement with adults with learning difficulties at Harrow Activity Centre went far beyond the norm. Staff there have repeatedly communicated their delight at the outstanding contribution he has made, and how exceptionally well he has related to both clients and staff. Howard Rabinowitz also gave valued help.

Another new

199K e~ iZ'~ I<n Se«UPte~

Everybody should look in on this annual event at least once; it's a wonderful experience. If you arrive at

about 9.30 in the morning, you'll meet a vast crowd of astonishingly cheerful mums who are happy -without making any fuss about it -just to spend three or fours hours sorting out the mountain of food that has turned up, to present it attractively on plates, and generally to get the engine room ship-shape. There's a stream of traffic down to Waitrose for doilies, doggy bags and extra milk. Half an hour later, a bunch of willing Monitors turn up and

start dragging venture has been with the Sunshine School for the Blind, run by the RNIB at a delightful location in Northwood. Mrs.

''All that's missing is the guests. That's where things become rather hair-raising. "

tables and chairs out of all the neighbouring classrooms, then get on with decorating the Hall.

Carol Aries normally does voluntary work there, but while she was standing in at John Lyon to cover a colleague's maternity leave, some of our pupils went to help with the art and craft afternoon she would have been supervising.

Most of the children there are not only partially-sighted but suffer additional disabilities. With other volunteer mums the staff-pupil ratio was very low and our students looked after one child each. It was quite an education all round! Our sixth-formers proved themselves very patient, adaptable and good­humoured. Mrs. Aries reports that they were reckoned to be the best student helpers that the Sunshine School had had. Well done Alex Burnley, Charanjit Milkhu, Jatish Mistry and Kevin Somaratne.

D.L. Philpott

By about one o'clock things are

more or less ready. The tea-urn's bubbling. Hundreds of presents (all supplied by our tremendously generous parents) are piled high, the tables decorated, the musicians ready; Mr. Barnard's arrived to tickle the ivories, the Bingo caller's sorted out. All that's missing is the guests. That's where things become rather hair-raising. We never seem to have quite enough volunteers to collect our guests (from all over the borough) and deliver them to the Boyd Campbell Hall for a 2 o'clock kick-off.

Never mind! By 3 o'clock everyone who's been invited has arrived (about 100 people) along with another twenty we weren't expecting, though they're very welcome. The Hall is buzzing with chatter and song. Small boys and sixth formers, teachers and pensioners, mums and minders are

having a lovely quirky, caky, mickey­taky time - mucking about and having a laugh. It's marvellous.

James Glass was the Monitor in Charge of this year's do. It was he who had the inspired thought that local supermarkets might be persuaded to contribute - and so they did! I'm especially grateful to him for his energy, good humour and hard graft.

Come and join us next time and catch a whiff of the good old­fashioned spirit of Christmas. And double Brownie Points if you're a driver!

I.E. Whybrow

School Web Site

While off school for a time last year, I managed to rebuild the school web site

with the help of James Devine. The new layout is simple to use, not to mention easy on the eye, and is frequently maintained. New photographs are constantly being added to keep the site up to date, and visitors even have the opportunity to search the site for a topic of interest. or send feedback to a dedicated e-mail address. We look forward to information, particularly from Old Lyonians who feel they have information which might prove useful to those who use the site.

Many thanks go to James Devine, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Sadler for all their help in polishing up the web site. I am assured that Mr. Freeborne will maintain the site when I leave John Lyon in the new millennium - if our PCs survive it, of course. If you wish to visit the John Lyon School Web Site, type this address into your browser: http://www.johnlyon.cc

A.L. Silke

p -After Hours

After Hours lbW®Ci05®ou -.:-:;r'----.:::;:..::..:.--------------------

Con. Party

1st year 33 2nd year 21 3rd year 8 4th year 13 5th year 1 Lower sixth 3 Upper Sixth 0 Staff 8 TOTAL 87

% 31.6

1999

Following the popularity of the Mock General Election in 1997, it was decided that we should hold one this year on

the day of the European Election, Thursday 10th June. The majority of the candidates came from the Lower Sixth AS Politics set, although a very brave third former also took part. Most of the main political parties were represented. The candidates were as follows:

Richard Coleman (Conservative Party) Vladimir Kara-Murza (Labour Party) Mark Gettleson (Liberal Democrats) Stephen Greek (Pro-Euro Conservatives) David Palmer (UK Independence Party)

It was decided early

Middle School assemblies to state their case. Richard Coleman emphasised William Hague's message: 'In Europe, but not run by Europe' within a very eloquent speech. Vladimir Kara-Murza did an excellent impression of Tony Blair himself, whilst managing to stick to the issues within the content of his speech. Mark Gettleson made a rousing speech with the song: 'Things can only get better' in the background; an ironic touch given that this was Blair's signature tune in the run up to the actual 1997 election. Stephen Greek's speech was a little negative, although he did state his case clearly. David Palmer

gave the on that voting should take place in M1 rather than during registration. In the Mock General Election of 1997, everybody voted,

"The turnout at 49% traditionalist's point of view, rejecting the UK's links with the European Union altogether and

was more than double the real thing"

and so it was not really taken as seriously as it should have been. If the electorate were forced to take time out of their lunch hour to attend a polling booth, then perhaps only those who felt strongly about the issues involved, would vote.

The campaign began before the May half-term. In the main it consisted of numerous posters that gave accurate representations of the parties' views on various European issues. As with the national campaigns, much of its emphasis was on the issue of the single currency. There was the occasional poster that strayed from the issues (Vote VI ad !) but the election observer, Mr. Carr-Hill, soon put a stop to that!

On the final two days of the campaign, each party was allowed one minute in both the Oldfield and

suggesting that an economic link with the USA might be beneficial.

The turnout on the day was very pleasing; at 49% it was more than double that of the real thing! The turnout averaged 70% for the first three forms. It was unsurprisingly low in the fifth and upper sixth forms due to the fact that most of the boys were at home revising for their examinations! The results are given in the table below. See if you can spot which of the candidates was from the third form!

The Labour Party formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and the Pro-Euro Conservative Party, giving them 52% of the vote; enough to form a government. Vladimir Kara­Murza was made Prime Minister, Stephen Greek Chancellor and Mark Gettleson Foreign Secretary!

J. Carr-Hill

The Voting: 1999 Mock Elections Labour Liberal Dem_ ProEuro Con UK Ind. Spoilt Ballot Turnout Party Party Party Party Papers (%)

6 3 1 5 0 75 12 4 3 2 1 66 8 42 0 3 1 69 11 4 4 7 7 55 3 0 0 1 0 6 15 0 3 6 5 53 4 2 1 1 0 12 11 5 1 6 0 63 70 60 13 31 14 49 25.5 21.8 4.7 11.3 5.1

I

I

I

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After Hours

". . . took questions from the floor and dealt with them with

the skill and knowledge of a seasoned politician. "

Just before the Easter break, on the weekend of the 20th and 21st March, Westminster School held their fourth Model

United Nations at their impressive site behind Westminster Abbey. Each school that attended was representing a country. Schools from all over the England came to represent over thirty countries. The John Lyon School represented the Russian Federation, the choice of country possibly having something to do with the head of the delegation, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Security Council member!

There were five other members of the delegation: Neil Brown sat on the Economic and Technical Committee, Sam Foster on the Peacekeeping and Disarmament Committee and Richard Coleman on the Political Committee. Mark Gettleson and Kevin Larkman were late replacements on the Environmental Committee and the Human Rights Committee respectively; a daunting task for two third formers up against some of the brightest sixth formers in England!

Delegates had to prepare resolutions that would be debated in each of the committees. On arrival at Westminster School, delegates had to "lobby" other countries for support. Their resolutions had to be 'co­submitted' by at least two other countries. This was excellent experience in terms of communicating with others, especially for Mark Gettleson and Kevin Larkin, who had to argue their point and win over 'A' level students three or four years their senior!

The Opening Ceremony consisted of each country giving a one minute speech outlining the aims of their delegation. Vladimir Kara-Murza represented our boys. He was tempted to give his speech in

Russian, as had been done in the past, but decided to give an address that the other delegates might understand!

Then it was into the committee rooms to debate the resolutions. The chairperson of each committee followed the strict rules that are used in the actual chambers in New York. Amendments could be made, but each one had to be debated and then voted upon. The whole resolution would finally be voted upon. If more that 50% were in favour in the committee, then it would be passed on to be debated in the General Assembly, at which all delegates would be present, towards the end of the second day.

The Russian Federation managed to get a number of their resolutions through to the General Assembly. In particular, Vladimir Kara-Murza passed resolutions condemning the undemocratic actions of the President of Belarus, and, rather prophetically, one condemning the USA for their threats of military force in Kosovo and their need for UN approval. This was before the bombing began. I, personally, will never forget the moment when Mark Gettleson defended his resolution on carbon dioxide emissions on the floor of the General Assembly. Rather than simply make his speech in favour of his resolution and leave the platform quickly, knowing full well that the chamber was packed with Oxbridge standard 'A' level geographers, he decided to 'yield to Points of Information' which meant that he took questions from the floor and dealt with them with the skill and knowledge of a seasoned politician! A feat indeed for a fourteen year old third former!

J. Carr-Hill

•

[1,W®ODOfflOD leT ", .... ,'1"---_________________________ _

Mr. Roger Freeborn

(Phase 1 Summer 1999)

Photograph: Andrew Silke

~

f ~

Our ICT provision has undergone a major upgrade. In this first phase, the Computer Room, Library

and Geography Department, have been networked with a total of 50 outlets, although not all have workstations fitted. The main Computer Room and Office, have been fitted with 27 workstations and the Library has 7 existing workstations, now networked.

All computers on the new network have access to the Internet, E-mail and networked CD-roms and a number of monochrome and colour laser printers. This now means that all staff and pupils have Internet access and E-mail accounts.

The contractor used was Viglen who are making some most energetic and innovative inroads into Educational Computing and with whom we, and now Harrow School have established good relations. Th'e installation has gone very smoothly with only a few problems still to resolve.

Future plans include the networking of many departments around the school and further use of ICT in administration. To this end we have ensured that the basic networking hardware is very robust and capable of sustaining a large network. It is also hoped to be able to offer IT and Computer Science courses.

R. Freeborn

[?@u U[}o@@@

D[]JC~@u@@;~@@J DllU

@CQ)@©offO@tsJ'lsU@ITO@

PRIMARY DOMAIN CONTROLLER (or Main file serverl.

Pentium III 500mhz processor with 256 Mb RAM and 45 Gb SCSI drive implemented as a raid 5 running NT4. Apart from the Raid disc, backup is using an array of 5 OAT tapes.

BACKUP DOMAIN CONTROLLER (or backup server including Internet gateway).

Pentium III 450mhz processor and 12Smb RAM and 1Sgb hard disc configured as Raid 1 (disc mirroringl. This is based on NT4 with Microsoft Exchange and Proxy Server software and acts as our gateway to the Internet.

INTERNET

12Sk ISDN filtered connection to Edex. The ISDN is provided by the government's Internet Caller Scheme allowing unlimited use during school days from 8 am. until 6 pm.

CD ROM SERVER

Avantis Nexus Class CD SERVE capable of supplying between 28 and 50 CD-ROMs at a speed in excess of modern stand-alone CD· ROM drives.

WORKSTATIONS

Pentium III 450 MHz with 128mb RAM.

NETWORK

Cat3 100mbps. The basic layout is a series of hubs linked to an Ethernet switch into which the servers are directly fed.

SOFTWARE

Office 2000 Professional and Corel Draw VS with Sophos Anti-virus software.

I

I 1

WOUNG ENTERPRIS~

1998-1999

ELITE

Young Enterprise

Although the words Young Enterprise probably ring a bell with quite a few John Lyon pupils, I doubt that

very many would actually know exactly what is involved. After all, the typical amount of YE exposure to a boy in the Middle School or Oldfield amounts to the odd mumbled announcement during assembly, and a couple of 6th Formers trying desperately to get them to part with their money in exchange for a CD clock at lunchtime. But for the Lower Sixth boys actively involved in the scheme, and in particular the company directors, Young Enterprise is among the most difficult, scary­and rewarding - experiences of their school lives.

YE is a business experience scheme in

Y UU1ll:? EnterprISe

presentations, trade stands and a written company report. Oh, and there's also the small matter of A Levels to worry about on top. It's certainly not easy.

Over the years the money-making schemes have ranged from the

refreshingly innovative to which up to

twenty-five Lower 6th formers are invited to start their

"Those that put in the effort learned lessons that will stay with them for

the rest of their lives"

the downright dull. I was Managing Director of last year's YE

own company. They have to elect a board of directors, sell their own shares for capital, and invent, produce, market and sell their own range of products. Their performance is then judged against companies from other schools all over Harrow through

company, Elite, and I

think we had a bit of a mixture between the two: admittedly our idea to sell engraved dog-tags was ... well, poor - but our piece de resistance, Teacher Trumps, more than redeemed us. A card game involving teachers' caricatures and their students' opinions on their dress sense, fear factor, detention rate and handwriting would probably go down well in any school; and ours was no exception. And, of course, we threw in the inevitable CD and record clocks - while not the most original idea, a tried and tested formula which proved as popular as ever.

Very soon the company directors realised what an uphill struggle they faced. The main problem, and one I am told recurs every year, was that the vast majority of the 'employees' weren't really bothered enough to make an effort to put our sometimes inspirational ideas into practice. So the net result was that we six or seven directors had all the responsibility and pressure on our shoulders, and we worked our socks off. It may sound strange, but looking back, the greatest thing Elite did was to make mistakes because that is the best, and I would say only, way to learn. From suffering

[1W@CiDDtmru Young Enterprise .<,','1""-----.....;..----------------------

from very suspect marketing directors, to being relieved of £125 by McDonald's, we gradually clambered out of the pit we had dug from innocent error and came out shining, Gradually, we improved communication, strategic planning, discipline (through our infamous fining system!) and motivation,

By the end of the year we had evolved into a company with at least some semblance of structure and efficiency; managers were delegating jobs to others, departments had learned to communicate regularly with each other, and meetings were even becoming concise and less rowdy. To cap it all at the end of the ordeal, we made an impressive profit, and were able to give our shareholders a generous dividend. We submitted a professional company report worthy of, in our opinion, an established business; and we gave a blinding presentation at

Harrow Civic Centre which impressed representatives from other companies from all over Harrow. So we were left shocked and disheartened at the

"we made an impressive profit, and were able to give our shareholders a

generous dividend"

end of it all to have only been judged third place out of the 20 or so companies present. Having said that, the standard of competition was so high that the winning company went on to be judged as one of the top ten

in the U.K. In fact Mr. Carr-Hill, the now departed Young Enterprise expert, said we were the best company he had seen in years.

So at the end of it all, Elite was a huge success - it was certainly a case of you got out as much as you put in, but those who did put in the effort and brace the executive stress, learned lessons about the business world, themselves and other people which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The Young Enterprise

slogan is 'Learning by Doing' -that's exactly what we did.

Special thanks go to all the Elite directors - Pretesh Mistry, Neil De Zoysa, Kajen Mohanadas, Lavan Manmatharajah, Neil Brown and Charanjit Milkhu for all their hard

work, and of course to all the rest of the Elite gang. Also many thanks to Mr. Carr-HiII, Ms. Karen Lincoln of London Underground and Mr. Steve Pearce of Kodak Ltd.

J.Durrani

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well-resourced, userjriendly and vibrant

It is a tribute to the success and popularity of the spacious, well­resourced, user-friendly and vibrant atmosphere of the New

Memorial Library, that it precipitated quite a few sensational and exciting changes this academic year, which is also a result of an ongoing vision of the school itself.

Within this calendar year alone, we have increased our stock by a further 2500 new books of which 1000 have been new fiction titles. These have already proven to be extremely popular, as half of these books are already on loan and in constant circulation.

Although the Oldfield Library exclusively provides only fiction for the lower school boys, the main Library has also been freshly refurbished with fiction for 11 to 14 year olds, in order to encourage the younger boys to use the main library. This has proved to be a successful venture as almost every single boy in the First and Second Year has registered with the main library and uses it either to borrow books, use the IT facilities or for after school homework.

Our greatest achievement however has been to extend the library's provision to include Internet and e­mail facilities, available on all the computer terminals in the library. In addition to this, most of the CD Roms have also been networked and are freely available to boys on all the terminals. This has not only released library staff from manually lending out CD Roms, but the same CD Rom title is now available on all the terminals in the library and in the IT room, thus allowing the boys to access the same information at the same time without queuing for a single copy of a CD Rom.

Boys are now able to use reference texts in the library alongside information from CD ~.

Roms and Internet research tools to

The New Memorial Library

complete coursework on the PC, seated at one terminal. Further redevelopment plans to extend computer terminals and study provision is presently being considered and a bid for financial provision in this area has already been submitted and approved.

Subscriptions to more exciting academic and leisure journals and magazines have been increased and old copies of these are in popular demand by pupils. We are also in the process of extending educational audio-visual facilities, especially in English Literature, Drama, Sports, Art and Music. Consequently, additional video and cassette stands will soon display the materials we will have in stock. Presently, a number of audio­visual materials on Modern Languages, careers and universities are available for loan and are very popular with the Sixth Form.

The Library will soon be able to provide local, national and international newspaper cuttings categorised by subjects of interest. Research in this area is presently being carried out. Two additional subject areas of widespread interest are being presently created. These are 'Environmental Issues', which incorporate texts from Sociology, Biology and Geography and 'Issues of

the Nineties' which would

include

controversial topics such as, drugs, abortion, suicide, eating disorders, divorce, single parenthood, bereavement, disability, racism and sexism to name but a few.

The Careers Library has been given a complete face-lift. Books, magazines and audio-visual materials on almost every aspect of 'life after school' has been expanded and displayed more creatively. Comfortable seating areas have been provided for Sixth Form boys to browse through all the available information on university prospectuses, courses, open days, UCAS forms, sponsorships, gap year opportunities, expeditions, job opportunities and career prospects.

The books in the library have been reorganised to create a new 'Reference Corner' to include new additions of dictionaries, directories, atlases, bibles, thesauruses and subject encyclopaedias.

In the meantime Library Induction programmes for first form boys and the new third form boys have been successfully carried out. The Library Monitor and Library Prefects have been given training in all areas of library supervision, book-circulation and in using the Internet and e-mail facilities. All of them are carrying out their duties diligently and efficiently. We have a parent helper, Mrs. Ann Dillon who comes in for two full days a week to help with the cataloguing, withdrawal, processing and reorganisation of the books and bookshelves, without whose invaluable contribution we would not be able to provide the excellent service that is available to the boys and staff.

Our aim is to provide a stimulating and studious environment, encouraging the boys in the school to develop their own interests and shape their own experience of education; to cultivate a habit of in­depth reading and as a result advance their ability to write

excellently; to expand their research skills and to help

sustain intellectual curiosity. The New Memorial Library at The John Lyon School is now fully established to achieve just that.

Mrs J. da Si/va Head of Library and Learning Resources

Parents' Association .... :_.:.'r' __________________________ _

--

Mr. John Barnard with some members of the Parents' Association

Since September last year we have held four very successful events starting with the customary New

Parents' Cheese and Wine Evening. In November we arranged a Quiz Night with the proceeds going to the charity nominated by the boys. We had nearly two hundred people on the night and thanks to the excellent quiz master, everyone had a very enjoyable time which helped us to raise £1,400 for St Luke's Hospice.

A Line Dance was organised in the Spring Term with the help of lan Hunt who gave a demonstration of how it can be done. The hall was full of people moving (often in unison but not always!) under the expert tuition of Graham and Lynda West who came all the way down from Cambridge for the evening. So many people enjoyed this event that we will hold another one soon.

Our fourth and final event of the year was a barbecue which we held at the Sudbury playing fields. The theme was a Family Day with cricket matches for those who wished to play. There were enough players to make up two matches during the afternoon. The fathers versus boys match swung in favour of the boys (most of whom were from Oldfield) when two members of the school 1st XI joined the game at a critical point! Our thanks to the Jazz Band who played their hearts out on the balcony of the paVilion from five until after eight in the evening.

As always both Mr. Barnard and Mr. Simmons have helped us in so many ways throughout the year with arrangements, tickets and resolving the unexpected at short notice. Our sincere thanks to both of them and

At the Parents' Association Spring Fair

to the many other members of staff, especially Mr. Parker who gave us a lot of additional help with the barbecue event.

The proceeds from the functions we held this year, with the exception of the Charity Quiz, have gone towards funding new technology equipment for the Music Department.

This year we are not losing any members of the existing committee and we welcomed Lewis Farrugia during the year as part of the team.

We look forward to seeing many of you supporting the events we put on in the future.

Tony Jago

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Football

1st XI Played: 22 Won: 6 Drawn: 3 Lost: 13

The 1st X1 squad has been a mixture of youth and inexperience this season which can make things very

difficult at this very competitive level. Strangely, however, the earlier part of the season was by far the most productive, with the long season eventually taking its toll and making most of the second term a difficult time.

Back to September then, with an early exit from the ISFA competition in Chester, but a liking for other cup competitions which kept our interest in the Middlesex Cup lasting long into the term. The most notable early season result was a creditable draw against the perennial County champions, St Ignatius. The Squad showed resilience and skill to earn the draw with a rare but very welcome goal from James Caley.

Soon followed possibly the performance of the season with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory against Enfield in the Brigg Cup with the result a testimony to quality of the play on the day. Nick Jago was beginning to add poise and control to his vibrant enthusiasm and the enigmatic Constable showed that with the required concentration he could be a match for anyone. The relatively new pairing of forwards in Nick Smart and Justin Powell also began to gel into what became a formidable unit.

In mid field Robert Pickford was his usual enigmatic self - mixing sublime moments of skill with periods of inertia. He was assisted admirably in the engine room by Daniel

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BADMINTON 101 CROSS COUNTRY 102

SWIMMING 103 ATHLETICS 104

TENNIS 105 ARCHERY 107

BASKETBALL 105 KARATE 107

McDonough and Michael Garcia who both displayed immense energy especially Garcia who showed a willingness and determination make things work in his role as the wide player on the left of mid-field.

Tom Alibone was another whose immense energy provided great stability and also proved a fruitful source of attack on the right hand side. Once Tom adds a little more composure to his game, I am sure he will be a real force at this level. Paul Coney also took his chances to show that he could more than compete at this level.

Andrew Smith alternating from mid field to defence, again showed glimpses of high skill but as with many of the squad this year, the lack of any consistency marred their overall performance.

The second half term proved a barren time with wins against Greenhill virtually the only highlight and a loss to Fortismere signalled the end of our involvement in the Middlesex Cups in November.

Perhaps the most galling of results was against Clement Danes, where the school contrived to create a myriad of chances throughout the game, failing to capitalise on any of them, whilst conceding two in a quite unbelievable 2-0 defeat and again after doing more than enough to win the game against Dray ton Manor contriving to finish up on the wrong side of a 5-4 scoreline.

In the second term, the school always looked capable of competing against the very best but on too many occasions, fell short when it really mattered. Another fine win against Enfield in the return fixture, with Caley again scoring, started the second term and the school won their share of games against the likes of

Isleworth as well as with a battling draw against a very aggressive UCS team. Their performance in the ISFA 6-a-side competition again reflected the overall season with promising moments spoiled by poor concentration and lack of real edge in their play.

The season then proved more beneficial as a training ground for the many young and inexperienced players rather than one rich in results. But this in itself is not necessarily a bad thing and I look forward to next year with renewed optimism following the many encouraging signs of improvement from the likes of Powell, Smart, Garcia, McDonough and Packianathan as well as Lemmon, who spent much of this season in the doldrums but still looks capable of fulfilling the promise he showed in the year if he can shake off both injury and occasional bouts of lethargy.

Nick Jago more than deserved his promotion to the Middlesex FA Under 19 'A' Squad and his performances at the Schools Festival at Lowestoft, were reported as excellent in a successful county side.

Neil Packianathan gained invaluable experience playing in an immensely talented Middlesex Under 16 squad which I hope will bring his own play on considerably next season.

Team from: J. O'Connell, P.R. Coney, N.J. Jago (Capt.), N.S. Smart, T.L. Alibone, D.C. Connolly, M. Garcia, D.G. Lemmon, A. Smith, H. Mavani, J.D. Powell, R. Pickford, N. Packianathan, M. Constable, D.R. McDonough

C.J. Jones

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2nd XI Played: 27 Won: 6 Lost: 20 For: 36 Against: 84

The loss of most of the 1st XI squad, including five fifth formers meant a major rebuilding job for both senior teams. In particular, the 2nd XI was starting almost from scratch and tough early season fixtures highlighted the fact that many boys had not played at this level. The first four games resulted in four narrow defeats but highlighted a major weakness, the lack of a natural goalscorer. In fact, we did not find the net until the opening minutes of the fifth game.

As the season unfolded the shape and style of play improved and many players made important contributions. James Glass and Hemel Mavani formed a useful defensive partnership and when teamed up with Daniel Sasto and Bhavesh Pate I formed a good back four. Unfortunately, they were rarely together due to first team call ups and injuries.

Daniel Deacon worked tirelessly in mid-field or defence and his will to succeed was an example to many of the senior players. A good midfield was formed with Daniel, Paul Coney and Adam Lewis but unfortunately Adam missed much of the season with a broken leg.

Chris Jago and Terence Madden played at full back or mid field players as required and both gained experience from a full season at this level. Their commitment matched that of Chirag Ghelani who demonstrated that size is not everything when producing energetic and determined performances.

Many combinations were tried until a striking partnership of Daniel Connolly and Luxshan Thiagarajah became established. Daniel, always fully committed, was top scorer with 10 goals followed by Luxshan with 9.

In goal, the duties were shared between Richard Adams and Richard Bartsch. Both improved considerably and have a further two years a senior level. They will be pressed by Sam Singh, the U15 keeper, who performed well when introduced at the end of the season.

There were others who made regular contributions namely Neil Shah, Adam Kings and Tim Reichardt.

The highlight of the season was

provided by James Glass, the captain and most consistent performer. A loose cross-field pass from James was intercepted on the half-way line by a talented Weald striker, who raced towards the goal. James set off in pursuit and after a 30 yard chase made a tremendous recovery tackle as the forward rounded our keeper. For that moment alone he would have been in line for Player of the Year; combined with his performances throughout the season he deservedly achieved that distinction.

Daniel Deacon received the Most Improved Player Award.

In summary, the season proved to be difficult, demanding but ultimately rewarding. The prospects for next season are bright and senior soccer appears to be back on an upward trend.

Team from: R.L. Adams, D.F. Sasto, H. Mevani, S.P. Hamuda, P.R. Coney, C.D. Jago, NA Shah, D.R. Deacon, J.M. Glass (Captain), B. Patel, T. Reichardt, R.J. Bartsch, L. Thiagarajah, A.J. Lewis, T. Madden, C.V. Ghelani, D.P. Connolly, N. Selvamanoharan, A.D.T. Kings. Also played. R. Adatia, F.I.I. Therese, J.R. Harris, N. Tanna, L.J. Handzel

D.A. Rimmer

U15 XI The most pleasing aspect of the season has been the excellent attitude and commitment from a number of boys. During our final four or five games the boys developed a wonderful team spirit and there were some notable performances.

Trailing 2-0 at half time against a strong Whitmore High School team, we played with confidence and enthusiasm in one of the performances of the season and scored five goals in eleven minutes. Vikas Tah proved to be a difficult player to stop in and around the opponents' box. We eventually ran out easy winners, 6-3.

Another excellent victory against University College SchoOl, 3-2, showed the strong commitment of the team and a superb penalty save by Sam Singh really inspired his team-mates.

A good draw against a very strong Enfield side, provided the boys with excellent motivation to succeed. A

narrow 1-0 defeat against eventual easy Harrow cup-winners, Rooks Heath, clearly illustrated the team's battling and combative spirit. This was never more evident than in the midfield play of Daniel Bennett and player of the season, Jason Choy, who made the left back position his own, with excellent tackling and distribution.

Team from: C.S. Singh (Capt.), P.K. Amakye, D.S. Bennett, D. Balarajah, F. Chowdry, J.J.-W. Choy, M.F.G. Evans, Z. Jivraj. D.C.C. Jones. M. Lassman, W. Nunn, FA Sheikh, V.G. Tah

D.P. Bullock

U14 XI The season was a mixture of stylish 'sexy' football and moments of breaches of belief and concentration. The result was matches where the team played creatively, constantly threatening the opposition, but conceding goals during crucial periods of play. The final scores and lack of victories gave the impression that the team were not performing as well as they obviously were, as witnessed by anyone who turned out to see them play.

Ryan Dale, although valuable as a goal-scorer, was brought back into a mid field position and given the role as a playmaker. On many occasions the combination of Dale and Rhodri James in the centre of the park meant that we dominated the mid field and this in turn gave the remaining forwards, Joel Lassman and Andrew Karim, more opportunities to score. Both Tom Banyard and Lawrence Bloom also contributed well to the mid field.

Although too many goals were conceded during the season, the defence were a resilient bunch. Ludovic Aldersley in goal meant that many dangerous situations were not converted and the team had a determination to take the game to the opposition.

Team from: L.T. Aldersley, P.M.J.W. Choy, J.S. Lassman, D.J. Stock, E.M. Ali, C.J. Barbaric, S.T. Coleman, E. Connolly, T. Cook, A.P. Pasquino, M. Hassan, A. Karim, J.M.H. Silvester, E. Swain, T. Banyard, R. Dale (Capt), R.T. James, A.K. Ofosu­Adjei, R.D. Palmer, R.D.R. Turner.

N.M. Pankhurst

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U13 XI Played: 18 Won: 2 Lost: 16 Goals for: 31 Goals against: 136

On paper, a disappointing season, but there were many bright points that are worth noting. The dismal statistics above mask a rather promising home record: we won two of the three home games and scored 13 goals against 10.

These three games on the hallowed cabbage patch are worthy of mention. The first was in October against Cardinal Wiseman. The 5-2 winning score line was fully justified. Daniel Hansen put in the first of many excellent performances, scoring his first goal, and he was ably supported with goals from Richard Samuels, James Narine, Philip Johnson and Jason Powell.

The second, the very next game after half-term, was against Hampton. This was probably the most exciting game of the season, with the lead swinging both ways on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, we lost 4-5 in the last minute to an excellent volleyed goal. Our four scorers were the same as for the previous game, except for Hansen, and again the team as a whole performed well above expectations.

The final home game was against East Barnet towards the end of the season in March. Another very exciting game and another victory! This 4-3 win was particularly satisfying given the fact that the same team had beaten us 10-1 in December! Narine was inspirational scoring all four goals. He had essential support from Samuels, often putting in the penetrative cross, and from Hansen and Johnson from midfield.

I think that the team would rather that I did not dwell on any of the other games. As the season went on, the team grew stronger and tended to put up a braver fight, but more often than not the teams that they faced were bigger, stronger and therefore odds-on favourites before the kick off. A symptom of the age­old John Lyon problem of facing schools that have twice as many boys from which to select a team.

Special mention must go to Daniel Hansen and Grant Morris, who were both awarded school colours. Hansen was the real heart of the team, both

in terms of his aggression and ball winning skills and determination to win. He also scored many goals from midfield. Morris never gave up in goal and made many excellent saves. Without him the team would not have won their two games and some of the other losses would have been embarrassingly large.

I think the team would agree with me when I say that I should rather remember those three famous performances on the cabbage patch, where the boys genuinely played as a team and showed that they do have a real will to win. They must take those experiences with them to their third year. The boys have the skill; if they can show the heart that they did at home this year then they should be able to genuinely compete next year. Good luck boys!

Team from: G.D. Morris, J. Mott, P.B. De-Alwis, D.M. Hansen, H.R. Patel, O.M. Bennett, W.J. Deacon, P.R. Johnson, AA Sod ha, R.A. Samuels, J.A Narine, R. Stevens, J.A. Powell, AK. Paul, J.L. Sasto, M.S. Pate I, AS. Bird. Scorers: J.A Narine 10, D.M. Hansen 8, RA Samuels 7, P.R. Johnson 2, J.A. Powell 2, O.M. Bennett 1, J.L. Sasto 1.

The 'B' team played only three matches. Their best effort was a narrow 1-2 defeat at Orley Farm, a thoroughly enjoyable match that could have gone either way. There was some real potential in the team and those who work hard next year should be knocking on the door of the 'A' team.

Team from: D.E. Selby, R. Stevens, J.1. Kann, S.P. Braiden, B. Mahtani, S.U. Tailor, AA Sod ha, A. Bhardwaj, AK. Paul, J. Blue, A.S. Newman, A.G. Breyer, S.B. Singh, M.S. Patel, J. PateL

J. Carr-Hill

U 12 6-a-side The 6-a-side format, introduced to the John Lyon 1st year two years ago, continues to grow in popularity and is now being introduced to other schools. However, the majority of matches are still played at Sudbury. The trials in early September once again proved very popular, with over two thirds of the first year in attendance from which we had the task of selecting four 6-a-side teams.

Sport

The first matches saw a number of changes made to the line-up as boys moved between the teams, and the results improved as the teams settled. Wins over Cardinal Wiseman, Orley Farm and a draw with Hampton showed the character of the squads. Two narrow defeats were recorded against Clement Danes and Latymer Edmonton, traditionally strong opposition.

The highlight of the term was the performance in the Middlesex Cup. In their first ll-a-side game, the combined A and B teams played at Thomas More School in Tottenham. Rather than being intimidated by the opposition and the spectators, the team defended and battled hard, creating some good chances. However, a last minute goal robbed the team of what would have been a memorable draw.

After Christmas, the performances continued to improve - a narrow defeat by Isleworth was followed by victories over Latymer Upper and East Barnet, a team we lost to earlier in the season. Within the four teams there have been notable individual performances. In the 'P\ team there was good goalkeeping from D. Choy and D. Hooper. S. Cassidy and V. Broderick also showed steady improvement. S. Bhatnager and C. Gooder performed well in the 'B' team. N. Rughani, M. De Zoysa and R. Jivraj stood out in the 'C' team and B. Wood, and U. Anjum and J. Bhatti in the 'D' team performed well over the two terms.

I hope the boys feel that they have improved over the season and will continue with the same effort and enthusiasm next year. I would like to thank Mr. Gavin and Miss Wicks for refereeing and the parents who turned out every Saturday to support.

'A' Team Squad: V.S. Broderick, S.K. Bhatnager, S.M. Cassidy, D. J-H. Choy, E.C. De Haan, T. Hinton. '8' Team Squad: C.M. Farrant, C.D. Gooder, DAJ. Hooper, S. Khadra, M.P. Len, N. Roghani, Y. Salmasi, A.H. Somani. 'C' Team Squad: J. Bhatti, M.K. De Zoysa, R. Jivraj, A. Radia, N.M. Shah, B. Vaidya. '0' Team Squad: U. Anjum, B.L.C. Heasman, S.H. Juma, J.E. Lloyd, S. Rhodes, B.K. Shah, K. Sor.igra, A. Turner, B.J.M. Ward.

I.R. Parker

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Cricket 1st XI Played: 19 Won: 7 Drawn: 8 Lost: 4

It has been a season of mixed emotion with some boys in the Upper Sixth and Fifth Year showing tremendous loyalty

whilst others did not commit themselves to the team causing resentment and upset for the boys that played. N.J. Jago, J.M. Glass and D.P. Connolly from the Upper Sixth played throughout, being the main run scorers and the only boys to make Wisden, as a result, for their batting.

The bowling was dominated by boys who played throughout with D.P. Connolly, N.S. Smart, N. Tanna and N.J. Jago taking the majority of the wickets and helped by R. Bartsch behind the stumps who improved steadily during the season, finishing the season in style with his batting and scoring a rapid 56 against the Staff XI.

The first game against Hampton was abandoned after tea, with D.P. Connolly taking 3-40. N. Robinson

then scored a quick 43 not out before the rain arrived. A win followed over Isleworth, who were all out for 33 with N. Tanna, 2-0, N. Selvamanoharan,2-3, N.S. Smart, 2-10 and R. Tanna, 3-13, taking the wickets. A draw against a strong M.C.C. side with J.M. Glass scoring 79 was followed by defeat at Chigwell in a rain-affected match. A return to winning ways came with a 7 wicket win over St. Ignatius who were bowled out for 99. Glass took 2-8, Packianathan, 2-11, R. Tanna, 2-18 then N.J. Jago, 55 making sure the total was reached within 15 overs. There followed a good per­formance against Enfield with John Lyon scoring 174-7. D.P. Connolly scored 66 not out and with Enfield on 123-6, N. Jago took 3-26.

The next part of the season brought disappointment, and broke the unity of the team from which it never recovered. Due to the unavailability of a number of players, a weakened side played Haber­dashers' and was comprehensively beaten. The same weakened side managed to hold on for a draw against St. Benedict's. In between

1st XI Averages Batting

Inns N/D Runs HIS Av. J.M. Glass 17 4 347 79 26.69 B. Patel 3 52 24 26.00 RJ. Bartsch 4 1 65 56 21.66

N.J. Jago 19 1 353 55 19.61 N. Packianathan 12 3 142 40 15.77

D.P. Connolly 14 3 172 66* 15.63

N. Tanna 13 6 99 18* 14.14

R. Tanna 7 2 63 19 12.60

J.R. Harris 15 1 141 29 10.84

N. Selvamanoharan 5 1 43 23* 10.75

N. Robinson 14 1 123 43* 9.46

N.S. Smart 10 5 42 10* 8.40

Bowling Dvers Mdn Runs Wkts Av.

D.P. Connolly 69.5 12 254 16 15.87

S. Hassan 16 2 84 5 16.80

N.S. Smart 87 16 307 18 17.05

N. Robinson 29 6 108 6 18.00

N. Packianathan 61 10 247 12 20.58

N. Tanna 104.3 19 386 16 24.12

R Tanna 52 6 223 9 24.77

N.J. Jago 95.2 19 405 16 25.31

N. Selvamanoharan 51 4 238 5 47.6

Also bowled: R Khan 18 2 62 4 15.5

J.M. Glass 10 1 62 3 20.66

Catches 15: N.J. Jago; 8: R.J. Bartsch (4 stumpings); 5: J.M. Glass; 3: B. Patel; 2: N.J. Robinson, D.P. Connolly, J.R. Harris, N. Tanna, P. Virdi, A.D.T. Kings, R Khan, S. Singh, A. Smith, N.S. Smart, N. Packianathan

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this both 1 st XI and 2nd XI fixtu res against Q.E. Barnet had to be cancelled, as did matches against Aldenham. I find it hard to believe that pupils cannot prepare for examinations without taking time off from matches from 16th May to the 26th June; particularly when the majority are involved in G.C.S.E examinations. I think this reflects a lack of effort on their part over the two year course and does not encourage me to believe they are suitable for A levels, if they cannot cope at G.C.S.E level. I can assure boys involved that Aldenham, Haberdashers', Q.E. Barnet and St. Benedict's felt badly let down by John Lyon. It was embarrassing for me to let these schools down as well as boys at John Lyon who wanted to play.

Following the enforced break the team never gelled as before the examinations. There was a win over St. Edmunds, Ware, with N. Smart taking 4-19, a draw against Huerskool Pionier from Natal, a heavy defeat by Berkhamsted and then Mill Hill in the final of the Middlesex Cup with only James Glass batting well and scoring 59.

In previous rounds, there were wins over Richmond, Isleworth, with Connolly taking 1-4 from 4 avers and Jago scoring 50 not out and Hounslow where Smart took 5-11 had taken us to the final.

The final week saw a win over Christ College by 4 wickets and a draw against the Staff XI, with R. Bartsch scoring 56. The final week saw a number of boys unavailable. would like to see a greater commitment from all boys; it is unfair on those who do play and on opposing teams and staff who all put in their own time.

I would like to thank all the ladies for helping with the cricket teas, John Jarvis for umpiring the 1 st XI matches, other members of staff for giving up their time and our grou ndsmen, Andy and Lee for prod ucing such good wickets.

Team from: N.J. Jago (Captain), J.M. Glass (Vice-Captain). R.J. Bartsch, D.P. Connolly, J.R. Harris, S. Hassan, R. Khan, A.D.T. Kings, N. Packianathan, B. Patel, N. Robinson, N. Selvamanoharan, C.S. Singh, N.S. Smart, A. Smith, N. Tanna, R Tanna, P.A.E. Virdi.

f.R. Parker

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2nd XI Played: 9 Won: 4 Drawn: 2 Lost: 1 Abandoned: 2

It has been a successful season, the result of a strong squad of players, all capable of putting in match­winning performances. The season's opening game was against a very strong 2nd XI Hampton School side. Hampton batted first and scored 179 and John Lyon held on for a draw.

In the next match against St Ignatius, the 2nd XI batted first scoring 176-4 dec. Chirag Mehta scored 50 not out. In reply, St Ignatius were dismissed for 34, a winning margin of 142 runs with Adatia taking 4 wickets, Mavani 3 And N. Tanna 3. A draw followed against Enfield Grammar School with B. Pate I 52 not out, from a total of 161-6 dec. and Enfield 53-8. Mavani took 4-16.

The match against Haberdashers' Aske's School was abandoned and was followed by a victory over St. Benedict's School. John Lyon 2nd XI made 130 all out. St. Benedict's scored 99 all out and won by 31 runs. B. Patel took 5-15. A win against St. Edmunds School, by a margin of 78 runs Ware, followed with Rishi Adatia taking 5-40. The only defeat of the season occurred against Berkhamsted School and the next day saw the team defeat Mill Hill School with John Lyon 2nd XI scoring 157-5. O. Karim scored 87 not out with Mill Hill bowled out cheaply.

And so to sum up, it has been a positive season, only disrupted by a number of players being unavailable during the exam period. Also, with so many boys leaving the Sixth Form the way has been left open for this year's U 15s to move up to senior cricket.

Many thanks, then, to Mr Gavin for running the 2nd XI team so successfully over a number of years. We wish him well in his new school.

Team from: H. Mavani (Capt.), R. Adatia, R.K. Banerjee, R.S. Coleman, N.K. De Zoysa, S. Hassan, O. Karim, AD.T. Kings, D.G. Lemmon, C. Mehta, B. Pate I, N. Selvarmanoharan, J.M. Shere, AD.C. Swain, M. Thakrar, L. Thiagarajah, PAE. Virdi.

C.P. Gavin

U15 XI Played: 12 Won: 3 Drawn: 4 Lost: 5

The season did not start well due to some adverse weather conditions. Two games had to be abandoned when we were in a strong position to win which was disappointing. Although we only lost five matches all season, we drew far too many games while in a winning position.

The three matches we won against Drayton Manor, Teddington and the Old Lyonians were comprehensive victories. At times, during the season, we performed wonderfully well with Sam Singh outstanding with the bat as well as picking up some strong captaincy skills. He was well supported by Zahed Jivraj and Daniel Bennett with the new ball, although our batting could have been more successful if we had managed to concentrate for longer periods of time.

Towards the end of the season, we performed very well, culminating in our best performance against the Old Lyonians with a 107 run victory. Sam Singh scored 80. Although the season promised so much, we really failed to achieve the tremendous potential we have as a team.

Team from: C.S. Singh (Capt.). D.S, Bennett (Vice Capt.), N. Panchal, D.C.C. Jones(Wkt). C. Amin, Z. Jivraj. T.S. Bahra, A Pankhania, C. Mendel, N. Patel, S. Chudasama, C. Cashman, J.I. Aryasena

D.P. Bullock

-:'}./""" }

Sport

U14 XI Played: 14 Won: 4 Drawn: 3 Lost: 7

The above record does not accurately reflect the potential of this team. Unfortunately during the course of the season a number of key players were unavailable for selection, mostly due to commitments elsewhere. Nonetheless, the team played well after a poor start. In fact, when it is borne in mind that the first five games resulted in defeat this gives a good idea of the progress that was achieved.

At the beginning of the season we lost heavily against a very strong Hampton side, who were later to become convincing winners of the Middlesex Cup. Though we also suffered defeat against Haber-dashers', we performed creditably against both Isleworth and Haydon, the latter narrowly defeating us in the Middlesex Cup. In these early games the contributions of James Silvester, Ryan Dale and Rhodri James proved valuable. James Silvester scored a brave 37 runs against Hampton and an impressive 41 in the match against Isleworth. Ryan Dale pitched in with 27 and 39 in the fixtures against Haydon and Isleworth. Rhodri James bowled with accuracy in the early fixtures but he kept his most impressive performances for the second half of the season.

The team learnt much from these early setbacks performing well in most of the remaining fixtures. Solid batting ensured a draw against Berkhamsted, though there were

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some naive field placings allowing the opposition's strongest batsman to dominate the strike. Another drawn match followed against Highgate thanks mainly to some impressive batting from Nikhil Patel but most particularly James Silvester (31 not out) and Rhodri James (51 not out). The latter's partnership was notable for the accumulation of some quick Singles and generally impressive running between the wickets.

The Highgate match gave the team renewed confidence going into the first round of the Plate Competition against Hatch End which resulted in the first victory of the season. Ryan Dale top scored with an aggressive 40 and was ably backed up by the tight bowling of Nikhil Patel, James Silvester and Edward Swain. We secured a comfortable victory by 40 runs, bowling out the opposition for only 61.

Against a strong O.E. Barnet side we batted solidly at the death, to secure a brave draw. By this stage of the season we were beginning to play more aggressive and professional cricket, proving much more difficult to defeat.

A pulsating match against Wembley High in the Plate was won by six wickets with only two balls to spare thanks largely to some level-headed batting by Rhodri James. The early platform was laid by the bowlers who maintained a good line and length. Nikhil Patel even managed to secure a hat-trick, taking 3-5 in his 4 overs.

This took us through to face Preston Manor in the semi-final on a very green and uneven track. We bowled the opposition out for only 43 runs, with Nikhil Pate I again prominent, taking 3-9. Sunny Popat also bowled accurately ending with the excellent figures of 3-4. Victory was ensured with 4 wickets to spare

'[]@@

after some very sticky moments. James Silvester batted bravely to Score 16 runs in very trying ci rcu msta nces.

Confidence was high for the Plate final against Latymer (Edmonton) which was played at the picturesque surroundings of Harrow C.C. The big occasion brought the brought the best out of our players. We got off to a superb start with Rhodri

James taking two early wickets. Ryan Dale bowled with pace and accuracy to finish with figures of 3-21 in his 6 overs. Latymer were restricted to only 106-9 in their 30 overs. After the loss of an early wicket, some excellent batting by James Silvester (33 not out) and man-of-the-match Ryan Dale (54 not out) secured a nine wicket victory in only 20 overs.

Winning the Plate Competition proved a fitting finale to the season and confirmed the potential of the team. The fielding throughout the season was often inspirational, particularly the catching. Rhodri James should be given a lot of credit for this since he proved to be a very capable captain, able to encourage the other players to perform to their capabilities Rhodri was also given the honour of captaining the South of England side and narrowly failed to break into the full England squad after a trial at Trent Bridge. I am sure his leg-break bowling and accomplished batting will figure prominently in future John Lyon cricket teams. The likes of James Silvester, Edward Swain, Nikhil Pate I and Ryan Dale indicate that this year group is well blessed with talented cricketers. Many very able players have not received a mention but the whole squad can feel justifiably proud of their achievements this season after such a shaky start. I fully expect next year's U 15s to have a very successful season.

Team from: R. Dale, R.T. James, K.P. Radia, A Patel, Neer Patel, AA Sarkar, J.M.H. Silvester, E. Swain, L.T. Aldersley, P.M.JW. Choy, AK. Ferguson, Nikhil Patel, N.MA Shorts, E.M. Ali, E.F. Connolly, T. Cook, T.K. Katira, S.N. Popat, S.N. Unadkat.

c.o. McKie

Under 13 Played: 14 Won: 5 Drawn: 1 Lost: 8

Best Bowling Performances: Mapara 4-4 vs St John's Sodha 4-20 vs Teddington Vasa 4-31 vs Enfield

Best Batting Performances: Bennett 35 vs Latymer Morris 32* vs St John's Mapara 28 vs Enfield

Best Batting Average: Mapara 10.8 Morris 10.8 Bennett 8.1

A large number of players attended nets and continued throughout the summer. This enthusiasm dictated the rotation system of team selection. The intention was to ensure that every boy represented the school. Unfortunately, the weather spoilt the scheme but the majority represented the school at least once.

At the start of the season, the boys displayed more enthusiasm than ability and the batting was always vulnerable throughout the season. On the plus side, the bowling and fielding improved and towards the end of the season the hard work brought about a number of fine wins which took the team within one game of the plate final.

Samit Mapara captained the side and quickly discovered the need to balance a positive approach with the needs of the players. He became increasingly astute at field placement and his own bowling improved. His batting shows real promise and when he uses his feet he will become a batsman of force in the future. Grant Morris is developing into a good opening bat with a number of scores in the thirties. I expect him to be regularly scoring half centuries next season. Owen Bennett is developing into a good all-rounder and was the most improved player of the season. Philip Johnson was, towards the end of the season, one of the best bowlers in Middlesex, at least judging by the teams we played against. Had his early season form been good he would have been selected for Middlesex. Chetan Gagoo bowled good line and length without the success his ability deserved and he will be one to watch for the future. Anand Sodha and Kunal Vasa were

the pick of the support bowlers and could usually be relied upon to pick up wickets and keep the runs down.

Many boys made good contributions to the team without being stars but their one hundred per cent attitude made the difference between success and failure towards the end. Amarasinghe, when he learns to stop dancing, will be a fine batsman and H. Pate I showed promise before he decided not to play anymore. Joshua Sasto contributed well but could not commit himself to away fixtures on Saturdays. David Selby and Rishi Patel will be very good U14 players next year and the whole squad should provide a strong enthusiastic base for future development.

Many thanks to the ladies who provided the wonderful teas and a special thank you to Andy, the groundsman who provided wonderful wickets - something we really appreciated when we travelled away and were able to make comparisons. A final thank you to Mr Gavin for his enthusiasm and expertise on Fridays and at games I could not attend and to Mr Parker for his support and encouragement.

Team from: S. Mapara (Capt.), P.M. Amarasinghe, G.D. Morris, H.R. Patel, K. Vasa, P.B. De-Alwis, O.M. Bennett, D. Patel, R. Pate I (2J4), AA Sodha, P.R. Johnson, J.L. Sasto, C. Gagoo, S. Thancanamootoo, D.E. Selby, R.B. Daba, M.S. Patel, N. Gore, A. Patel, R. Patel (2J5)' V.J. Mistry, P. Gurunathan, R.D. Jago, R.L. Stevens, N.P. Mehta

(.R. Read

U12 XI Played: 10 Won: 2 Drawn: 4 Lost: 4

The U12 cricket team enjoyed their cricket this year shown by their resilience in coming back after some disappointing performances midway through the season. They never gave up and on a number of occasions were prepared to graft in order to save a game.

The team were ably led by Niraj Rughani whose knowledge of the game helped him to set imaginative field placings. The team fielded well throughout the season taking some excellent catches in the field and always keeping the opposition tentative about taking the quick single.

The bowling was led by Rughani and Mahesh De Zoysa ably supported by Sami Quraishy. AIi Somani looks a good spin bowler for the future if he pitches the ball up more. The batting was more disappointing as the innings was prone to collapse 'England style' once the top order was exposed. Rughani and De Zoysa both scored a fifty, a considerable achievement at this level.

Overall, I was impressed by the progress made by the team playing against sides with more experience. I am confident the team will improve on these results next year.

Team from: N. Rughani (Capt.), M.K. De Zoysa, T. Hinton, S.H. Juma, M.S. Quraishy, D.J-H. Choy, M. Mistry, Y.S. Broderick, E.M. De Haan, A. Radia, AH. Somani, S.K. Bhatnagar, R. Kale, B. Vaidya, C.D. Gooder, C.M. Farrant, N.M.Shah, A.R. Thakrar

C.H. Savill

Sport

Badminton

U19

With a team in which only one of the players was over 16, John Lyon expected a tough

season. We did well in the qualifying league games to record five wins out of six, although only four of the matches were actually played. Two sixth form college teams had to concede games for fielding players who were over 19. We finished level on points with Weald College and so both teams qualified for the League Final for which City of London joined us. John Lyon started slowly and fell behind in the opening rounds. We eventually lost 7-2 to City of London and 6-3 to Weald College to finish third overall in Middlesex. This was good experience for the John Lyon team and a creditable result.

V. Gami won the W. Podmore Singles Cup this year. In the final against R.J. Bartsch, he was able to use his strength and experience to overcome his spirited opponent.

The following represented the school in one or more U 19 matches: V. Gami (Captain), R.J. Bartsch, J.D.N. Artus, C.V. Ghelani, D.R. McDonough, M.J. Murdoch, J.R. Harris, and AS. Bird.

J.L. ((vine

U16 The 1998/9 season was one of mixed fortunes for the under 16's squad and team. With fifth formers holding three out of the four team places, they had a strong chance of doing well in the schools Badminton Association of Middlesex Under 16's League. Prior to the matches, the squad attended practice and worked on their technique and tactics of the game. Some useful work was done in preparation.

The team consisted of Richard Bartsch, who was made captain after demonstrating his determination to win, Jonathan Artus, Chirag Ghelani, Daniel McDonough and Andrew Bird, a second former. Within the League they had to play Park High School, City of London A & B teams and University College School A & B teams.

Richard and Andrew played the two singles games in each match and

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saw some pleasing results. Richard's determination and motivation helped him during his games but he will need to develop his 'touch-game' and footwork in order to fare well at under 19 level as from next year. Andrew played some outstanding badminton and proved to be a pleasure to watch when things were going his way. Contrary to that he has to work on his temperament learn to cope with pressure that he puts himself in order to win. Andrew still is eligible to play at this age group for three more years so I am sure that he will soon be a force to be reckoned with, both at doubles as well as singles. Jonathan, Chirag and occasionally Daniel teamed up with the two singles boys to play the doubles matches. Jonathan perfected his backhand serve and the art of attacking his opponents' service but will need to be sensitive to advice in the future. His footwork and tactics need to be developed as he approaches the adult game. Chirag struggled this year but held the fourth place in the team. Chirag has a good eye for the shuttle but became increasingly frustrated when he couldn't perform the shots as he intended. He must serve with the new and correct grip and continue to work on his footwork and stance. Daniel showed great improvement throughout the year and was a highly motivated reserve.

Overall the team played 8, won 5 and lost 3. This placed them 3rd in the league of 6 teams. This was rather disappointing but it has shown the boys that they may be very useful players at John Lyon but they still have to practise hard and be more tactically aware. They must learn to adapt to the different styles of players from other school and not try to continue in the same vein. A season to learn from.

K.J. Wicks

ESBA Scheme This year 19 boys from the 3rd, 4th, 5th and Lower Vith signed up to the English Schools Badminton Award Scheme. They committed themselves to two training sessions a week. During these times they followed a structured programme which focused on warming up, safety, technique, etiquette, tactics, competition, rules and scoring. Each boy kept a file of all the lessons and had to keep up with the pace of coaching. They all should be commended for their motivation, commitment and enthusiasm.

After completing the course, the boys undertook a series of exams in order to secure the awards (First, Intermediate, Bronze, Silver and Gold). I am pleased to announce that all 19 boys achieved some of the awards. Particular credit goes to Visesh Gami who achieved the Gold Award at Key Stage level which is the highest achievable. He is working towards a 'Supreme' version of this award now. The boys who achieved silver deserve much praise as do those very dedicated and determined third formers.

Well done to all those who took part. Hopefully, the scheme will continue next year, for these boys and others.

Achievements First Award Nishil Pate I

Bronze Award (Key Stage 3) Samit Unadkat, Vinal Savla, David Delameillieure, Hemal Shah

Bronze Award (Key Stage 4) Alex Hutton, Abbas Khaku, Chirag Ghelani, Richard Bartsch

Silver Award (Key Stage 3) Rhodri James, Aneek Sarkar

Silver Award (Key Stage 4) Jonathon Artus, Daniel McDonough,Sa~ayLad

Gold Award (Key Stage 4) Visesh Gami

Kathy Wicks

Cross Country

The season has been very similar to that of last year with a number of good individual performances but not the necessary strength or depth to do

well in team events. I find this aspect disappointing as there are a number of talented athletes in the school who are not willing to accept the challenge of cross country as it is a sport that a number of our boys fear, yet they could achieve success with determination and hard work.

The first event in October was the Harrow Schools Challenge. The U16s finished 6th out of 12, N. Selvamanoharan finishing 13th and J. Barnett 18th. The U14s finished 6th out of 13 with strong performances from R. James and R. Dale. The U13s finished 8th from 22, D. Hansen finishing 12th of 102 runners. The U12s finished 12th of 22 teams, and in the U12 Harrow Borough Qualifying Run, D. Choy finished 7th from 64, thus qualifying to represent Harrow in the Middlesex Championships.

" some very good seniors and improving juniors. "

Immediately after Christmas, there were a number of mainly junior races, the first being at Harrow School to qualify for the County Championships. The U14s finished 6th out of 14 schools with R. James 14th and D. Hansen 17th out of 100 runners. The next junior event was the Ellis U13 at Highgate. Hansen was again our strongest runner, finishing 14th out of 115 -the team finishing 8th out of 14. At St. Martin's in the Road Relay, Hansen finished 2nd from 54 and the team was 4th of 9, and again at Belmont Hansen finished 2nd out of 50 and the team 4th out of 8.

Although most of the events during the Spring Term are for junior runners, a number of events took place at senior level too. At Harrow in the U 19s Pickford finished 2nd out of 23 with Coney 3rd and Garcia 10th. In the U14s event the team beat Harrow School with Hansen winning the race and James finished 2nd. In the final race of the season at Highgate the Seniors finished 3rd with exceptional performances from Jago, Alibone and Coney.

There is the potential for cross country to develop in the school with some very good seniors and improving juniors. However, in the U15s and U16s boys who have ability have not really tried this year. I hope boys will take practice a little more seriously next year and give support to those runners who have enjoyed success this year.

f.R. Parker

sd

Swimming

This academic year the school entered the Bazuka National Swimming Championships for secondary schools. We

entered teams at Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 levels in what proved to be the most competitive gala the school has entered for a long time.

The main

was not bogged down and still managed to show his talent as one of the best swimmers at the gala. He was well supported by a solid performance from Captain, N. Matthews, but the remainder of the team managed only average times as we watched the side slump - in one case from 1st to 2nd to last. However, I say average times, but we must remember at this level the

average times are difficulty was the age of the squads - our junior and senior squads both being the youngest possible age for their

" an excellent challenge against some oJ the stronger schools. "

of such a high standard that it really requires exceptional swimming to win.

particular category. Nonetheless thanks to great team spirit and fine coaching, the boys managed to put up an excellent challenge against some of the stronger schools.

The junior team, consisting of two very strong swimmers, S. Colwill and A. Karim, and the developing youngsters R. Jago, M. De Zoysa and J. Dmochowski, had mixed fortune in their campaign. A disappointing medley relay resulted in a 7th place heat, due to being overcome by the standard of the older swimmers. Colwill and Karim battled on to give the team 10th place timing overall which was well deserved considering the opposition. However, the well rounded freestyle relay side, managed 4th overall, the Colwill and Karim combo swimming out of their skins and recording the two fastest junior split times of the day. The excellent result in the freestyle relay was a consolation for the tough opposition and the junior boys proved that they have much potential for future galas.

The Intermediates probably had the strongest team in the school, based on form. This included the school's most talented swimmer M. Tsang, the School Captain, N. Matthews and two relatively new swimmers to the school side but nonetheless very talented, A. Madden and K. Thakrar. Sadly, the results on the day did not really reflect this strength. Both relays resulted in a last place in both heats; overall the lads came 12th and 10th in medley and freestyle relays respectively. The intermediates were outclassed on a general level, as other schools boasted sides with more depth and speed, often faster than their senior teams! In spite of this, M. Tsang

The senior team consisted of veterans swimmers C. Jago and N. De Zoysa, a super improved N. Alikhani and the hard-as-nails, J. Shere. As with our sides at other levels they were outclassed. However, it was the Seniors who particularly felt the brunt of the stronger schools. On average the other senior swimmers were two seconds faster, two feet taller, and one year older, which dented the usually triumphant morale. The comparatively average times were evidence of a talented but out of form senior side. The 'seasoned veterans' in particular had been absent from club swimming for an extended period which showed as it could have been possible to match the times of even our fastest competitors had they been in form.

However, this is not a full excuse for coming 13th and 8th in the medley and freestyle relays, respectively. The main problem was that all other teams had teams which were all fast at all strokes hence the medley relay result. I heard that the fastest senior swimmer recorded a time of 22 seconds for 50m freestyle! The Seniors performed admirably considering that they were out of form, N. Alikhani and C. Jago showed good times which were simply overshadowed by our opposition's strength.

Overall, the squad has learned the value of training and what is expected at national level galas. What was so difficult to understand is that a mixed team of Seniors and Intermediates had been winning the same National galas in past years. I hope next year, when this side will be reunited, the Juniors will have

Sport

matured and we can all put up a better challenge and compete to win. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Phesse, formerly Miss Derby, for her efforts and success in laying the foundations for what I'm sure will become an extremely strong John Lyon swimming team in years to come.

Juniors F/S Relay 4x50m Colwill, Simon Jago, Richard Karim, Andrew

limes

De Zoysa, Mahesh Total

Medley Relay 4x50mTime BC Colwill, Simon

Split Time 29.10 37.28 29.38 37.59 2.13.81

Split

BS Dmochowski, Joshua 32.23 41.68 34.21 36.28 2.27.51

FLY Karim, Andrew FC Jago, Richard Total

Intermediates F/S Relay 4x50m Tsang, Michael Madden, Andrew Thakrar, Kunal Matthews, Nick Total Medley Relay 4x50mTime BC Matthews, Nick BS Madden, Andrew FLY Tsang, Michael FC Thakrar, Kunal Total

Seniors F/S Relay 4x50m Jago, Christopher Amir-Alikhani, Nader De Zoysa, Nilantha Shere, Jeremy Total

Medley Relay 4x50mTime BC Jago, Christopher BS Shere, Jeremy

Split Time 26.20 32.24 33.28 30.06 2.02.71

Split

33.38 42.18 30.16 32.40 2.19.44

Split Time 29.20 30.12 29.58 32.30 2.02.10

Split

FLY Amir-Alikhani, Nader

33.28 41.61 34.01 29.40 2.20.02

FC De Zoysa, Nilantha Total

C.J. Jones

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[bW®ITODcmJO Sport ,.,.;-._--------------------------

Swimming Gala 1999 As always, the House Swimming Gala proved to be an important and exciting event and this year's was one of the best for some years. In the junior category, the competition was evenly matched with a large number of boys giving a very creditable performance although nothing could stop Vaughan running away with first place.

The Colts competition brought out some tough individual battles. Simon Colwill who broke the broke the I. M. record by 1 second and Andrew Karim, both displayed their strength and stamina and Giles Matthews turned in several good performances.

The senior category this year provided the most closely fought contests. Virtually every record set the previous year was broken! The veteran swimmers really managed to show all their skill. Michael Tsang reinforced his supremacy in the I.M. and Chris Jago had two excellent swims in the Butterfly and Front Crawl events. Nicholas Matthews showed his talent for the backstroke by breaking the school record and Nilantha De Zoyza and Nadir Amir­Alikhani also performed well.

The number of talented swimmers coming into the school bodes well for the future and, with luck, the standard of our galas will keep on improving.

Nadir Amir-Alikhani

Athletics

The athletics season proved to be a fruitful, one unearthing new talent throughout the season. The Dr Challoners

relays, the opening event of the season was played out in semi­torrential rain although this did not dampen the sense of optimism throughout the squads.

The Juniors, with boys from year 7 competing at the bottom end of the age group, showed real promise. Seam as Cassidy was to be the outstanding athlete of the season and in tandem with Garth Burn produced two blistering legs to help the squad to 3rd in the final of the 4 x 100metres in a time of 58.9secs. The same two were also prominent in the 4 x 400 metres, ably assisted by Daniel Hansen and Richard Samuels who both also had good seasons. The squad finished 2nd in a respectable 4m39secs. Despite lacking the strength to compete on even terms in the longer 3 x 800 metres relay, the whole squad can be proud of their performances in this competitive event

The Intermediate squad found the competition very difficult, with Rhodri James, James Silvester and Alex Ofosu-Adjei all competing in the bottom half of the age group, and gave away a lot of strength although they were not found wanting in their determination, which augurs well for the future.

The Seniors, many of whom had thought that their best athletics days

were already behind them, proved to be star turns by producing excellent performances in all three events. An excellent time of 48.9 secs to finish second by the sprint squad who were really made up of middle distance runners, with the exception of Andrew Smith and Garcia, set the tone. This momentum was carried on through the 4x 400metres with a third place in 4m.04secs and a fine 6m.38secs to again finish third in the longer 3 x 800 metres.

Squads Juniors: S. Cassidy, D. Hansen, P. Johnson, G. Burn, G. Salmasi, V. Samuels, A. Bhardwaj, A Sodha Intermediates: R. James, A. Ofosu­Adjei, J. Sylvester, S. Colwill, R. Turner, D. Tyndale, V. Balarajah. Seniors: P. Coney, T. Alibone, K. Mohanadas, A. Smith, M. Garcia, D. McDonough

Involvement in both the Harrow League meetings and the Harrow Championships saw the emergence of some excellent athletes throughout the lower half of the school.

Seamas Cassidy must take pride of place, for whilst displaying real promise throughout the school season without really producing the fireworks he appeared capable of, he exploded in the latter half of the season with his club, Harrow AC. In the national youth cup final in Stoke he jumped 5m.76cms in the long jump, which although wind-assisted was a United Kingdom all comers age group record by some 12 cms. This is by far the most impressive single athletic performance from a John Lyon boy for some considerable time.

Not far behind him in the junior section was Garth Burn who also showed in the sprint events a real athletic talent. This was borne out in his sports day performance earning the outstanding performance of the day for his efforts in wining both the 100 and 200 metres sprints as well as producing a blistering last leg in the 4 x 100 metres relay.

David Choy of year 7 also showed real promise. His battling performances to finish 2nd in the Harrow League meetings at 1500 metres were the highlight of the evening's races and with David a year younger than most of this opponents there is obviously much more still to come.

Daniel Hansen also produced fine

performances to win both the 400metre races at the league meetings and was narrowly beaten into 2nd place in the Harrow Championships.

Alex Ofosu-Adjei produced excellent performances to win both Harrow League meetings and also jumped an outstanding 11m.18cms in the triple jump to win the Harrow title.

Michael Garcia again won the Intermediate javelin at the Harrow Championship but failed to find his form from last year, throwing well short of his 40metre throw in 1998.

Paul Coney and Tom Alibone carried the flag for the Seniors in the middle distance events. Paul's second place in the 800 metres earned him a place in the Harrow team for the Middlesex Championships, where he ran the race of his life to finish third, just pipped on the line for second place in a courageous and gutsy committed run in a lifetime best time of 2m.08secs.

The Inter-House Athletics Championships again produced an exciting afternoon's competition. The junior section was particularly interesting to see the match up between Messrs Cassidy and Burn in the sprint final. In the event Burn's greater strength showed in a winning time of 12.69secs, a very respectable time on Harrow's slow track, backed up by 27.40secs to win the 200 metres completing the sprint double.

Seamas Cassidy comfortably won the long jump with a distance of 4m.80, recording a massive winning margin, although the distance was made to look second rate later in the season, with his record breaking 5m.76cms.

Liam Moore sprang a pleasant surprise in winning the high jump in a respectable 1 m.29 and Rabeha Daba completed a solid win double in the field events winning both the javelin and discus.

David Choy emphasised his potential with a comfortable win in the 1500metres, winning by 23 seconds in a time of 5m.25secs a fine time in what was in essence a solo run. Daniel Hansen also showed real strength to complete the very difficult double of 400 and 800 metres with his 2m.37secs perhaps the most impressive time of the two.

The team event finished: 1st Vaughan 147 2nd Norwood 138 3rd Butler 105 4th Moore 102

In the Colts, Sam Singh completed a field event double, winning both the discus and javelin in 23.10 for the discus and a modest 27.80 in the javelin. Simon Colwill emphasised his improvement in his athletics by winning the200 metres in 27.47secs and there were good wins for the improving Daly Tyndale in the 400 metres and Vickna Balarajah in the 800metres. Alex Ofosu-Adjei confirmed his progress in the triple jump with a fine leap of 11.28 metres but the team event finished in a resounding win for Butler.

Final placings 1st Butler 171.5 2nd Norwood 132 3rd Vaughan 128 4th Moore 104.5

The Seniors on the whole produced some excellent competition with a real edge to many of the races. Nicholas Smart won the sprint double with two respectable times of 12.09 for the 100m and 25.58secs for the 200 metres narrowly beating Andrew Smith into second place on both occasions. Paul Coney was a comfortable winner of the 800 metres with unfortunately not enough real competition to push him to a more respectable time. Tom Alibone won the 3000 metres in probably the race of the afternoon with Chris Jago failing only in the last few strides to stay with Tom all the way and unfortunately sustaining a serious knee injury in the process.

The field events were a little disappointing in quality although Michael Garcia did manage 32.50 metres in the javelin. This is an area which, with luck, the younger athletes will help to rejuvenate over the next few years with the likes of Ofosu-Adjei, Cassidy, Burn, Garcia and Singh all capable, with sustained practice, of making a real impact.

I would just like to finish by thanking all the staff who helped make sports day such an enjoyable with their slick officiating and the efficiency of Ms. Waldron and her team in producing the full set of results almost as soon as the event had finished

G.J. Jones

Sport

Basketball

Basketball at school is very much going through a transitional phase. Whilst it remains a most popular

activity recreationally, there is not always the dedication required to produce sufficiently well prepared squads to compete against the very talented local squads at other high schools or sixth form colleges.

The Seniors had plenty of ability and the quality of the inter house competitions was a testimony to that but either through too few boys trying to take part in too many activities or a lack of commitment the school squad was not in a position to take up the league place this year.

Ironically, Jorone Taylor-Lewis had, through intense interest and practice both at school and at club level, turned into one of the most effective players we have had for some time. George Kelly also possessed the natural ability to make a player but could never manage to find the time to make the necessary practice required to turn potential into real ability. Tushar Kotecha and James Caley of the Upper Sixth, displayed a good understanding of the basics, but the most committed work came from the Lower Sixth and fifth formers who showed real enthusiasm. The likes of Prathapan Shankar, Nicholas Smart, Nikhil Shah, Zoheir Esmail, Luxshan Thiagarajah and Matthew Sarkis, offer real cause for optimism for next season.

The intermediate players with Ludovic Aldersley, Muizill Hussan and Alexander Ofosu-Adjei all to the fore, should be able to contribute more productively next season.

G.J. Jones

Tennis Senior It has been an enthusiastic if unsuccessful year for the senior team. It was, though, a young team and one that sorely missed the presence of last year's captain, James Bartlett.

Some of their better results came at the start of the season. They drew 3-3 with Watford Grammar, with Daniel Sasto and Daniel Berko winning both their singles and

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doubles matches. This was followed by a narrow 2-4 defeat at Mill Hill.

In the Glanvill Cup, they faced an exceptionally strong Simon Balle School losing 1-5. At Eton, there were some very tight singles matches taking

Results A team Orley Farm B Watford Cardinal Wiseman Wyford B Greenford

Semi Final Orley Farm B

place until the heavens opened and we played host to one of the heaviest storms we had ever seen in England! It lasted for over half an hour and turned the courts into large paddling pools!

After the examinations we lost to Harrow, Weald and Haberdashers' and then went to the end of year Youll Cup tournament at Eton School. We had a bye in the first round and then faced a strong St. George's in the second, losing easily. In the plate competition, we faced Marlborough School in a much closer contest. Our second pair of Adam Kings and Daniel Sasto lost quite easily, but our first pair of Jamie Rosen and Richard Chaso won their doubles match in three sets. A deciding set of singles then had to be played. Jamie Rosen had to take on a much fresher opponent who had been watching events from the side. A tired Rosen, who was playing his sixth set of the day, unsurprisingly lost.

Overall, a slightly disappointing season, but there is much promise for the future. James Silvester and Garth Burn from the third and second year respectively played an important part in the team and will keep improving and Rosen is still only a fifth former. Thanks must also go to Richard Chaso, Daniel Sasto, Daniel Berko, James Lazarus, Jonathan Murray, Adam Kings and Martin Larkman.

J. Carr-Hill

Junior The Junior tennis team has been a pleasure to run this year. Those boys who have been involved have been extremely enthusiastic, dedicated and keen to practice. The A-team comprised Garth Burn, a newcomer to John Lyon, from South Africa, Nathaniel Caideu (1 st). Joshua Sasto (2nd). Kunal Vasa (2nd) and Thomas Hunton. The B-team comprised Jonny Kann, Sukkraj Singh, Kirai

Bteam W 6-0 Orley Farm A L 6-0 W 5-1 Latymer L 6-0 W 4-2 Drayton Manor D 3-3 W 6-0 TwyfordA W 6-0 walkover Drayton Manor L 5-1

Acton L 5-1

L 4-0

Chauhan, Baiju Vaidya and Owen Bennett.

John Lyon entered two teams into the National Midland Bank Tournament. Four players each play singles, and then combine to play two doubles games. Garth proved himself as a force to be reckoned with, with his sheer pace and ability. I was most impressed with his attitude towards sport in general, as well as all the tales of South Africa that he would tell me on return from all the away matches. Nathaniel is a most impressive addition to the first year. His tennis style is most advanced for his years and he always played to the best of his ability. Josh and Kunal found A team tennis a tough challenge. Josh worked hard to inject power into his game and, when he had the confidence to do so, his left handed forehand was awesome. Kunal struggled to keep his A team place but if he continues to practise and preserve he could become a stylish player in the future.

The A team played very well to manage to complete their local group matches and to go through as top of their group. Then they met the Orley Farm A team in the semi-final of the local area. Unfortunately, they were outclassed and struggled to deal with the low bounce, the soggy conditions of the Astroturf, and the torrential rainfall. They all have a lot to learn from their last tournament, but they should be proud of their achievements.

The B team had little success in terms of the scores but each player tried hard and gave their all. All of the players gained valuable match play experience and improved markedly.

I would like to thank all the players for their commitment and motivation during the season. Well done to them all.

J. Carr-Hill

Inter-House The inter-house tennis competition was a competitive affair. Each House fielded three players for each of the three age groups (Juniors, Colts and Seniors). One of the players played each of the other houses in one set of singles and the other two played doubles in a similar fashion. The points were distributed 3, 2, 1,0 in each age group and then totalled to give a final overall result, which was as follows:

Seniors Butler Norwood Vaughan Moore

Won Lost Points

Colts Vaughan Norwood Butler Moore

Juniors Butler Norwood Moore Vaughan

Overall

5 5 2 0

6 4 1

4 4 3 1

Juniors

1 1 1 6

o 2 5 5

2 2 3 5

Colts

2fi 2fi 2fi 0

3 2 fi fi

2fi 2fi 1 9

Seniors Pts Norwood 2fi 2 2fi 7 Butler 2fi fi 2fi 5fi Vaughan 0 3 1 4 Moore 1 fi 0 1fi

J. Carr-Hill

Colts As in the last few years, our Colts teams spend the summer concentrating on their league matches in the Midland Bank Competition. The Ealing and Harrow area had enough teams to form two groups and the top two teams from each would play in semi-finals and then a final, the winner of which would enter the London finals.

The U 15 'A: team consisted of James Silvester, Daniel Stock, Sameer Kotecha and Carl Mendel. The U15 'B' team was taken from Paul Lappas, Zahed Jivraj. Robin Turner, Antony Singer and Marco Evans.

The 'A' team was very successful. They won all of their group matches. They beat Twyford 'B' 6-0, Whitmore 4-2 and Cardinal Wiseman 4-2. They qualified for the semi-finals where they played a strong Acton team.

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Their number one was a county player and yet Silvester gave him an excellent run for his money, losing narrowly 6-4. Kotecha played a measured match to win 6-3, but overall the opposition was too strong and the team lost 4-2 in the end.

The 'B' team competed well but did not qualify. They beat Watford 5-1, but lost all their other games, mainly because of the unusual way in which the groups were organised, whereby all '/l: teams played 'B' teams, and vice versa. This will not be happening next year! They played a very good match against Latymer Upper, the eventual winners in the Ealing and Harrow area, losing only 4-2.

John Lyon entered two pairs into the Thomas Bowl. The final tournament included all public schools in the competition at Eton School at the end of term. Sameer Kotecha and Paul Lappas struggled in what was a very strong competition, losing 6-3,6-1 to King's Macclesfield, and then 6-2, 6-1 to Harrow School in the plate competition. James Silvester and Garth Burn performed very well indeed. They beat St. George's in the first round, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, Marlborough in the second, 6-3, 6-2, and then in the last 16 they played the number one seeds, Repton. Up against national players who were also nearly two years older, the boys did extremely well to even win a game! They lost 6-1, 6-1, but should be a force to be reckoned with in the same competition next year.

S. Huggins

Archery

It has been a successful year for the John Lyon Archery team in both the Silver Arrow and the London Youth Games. John Lyon once again kept hold of

the silver arrow after a well fought competition with Harrow school. Congratulations go to Brian Demosthenous, Kaya Elkiner, David Henderson and Adam Crawford for good performances, each walking away with either a team or a scoring award. Particular congratulations go to Jeremy Shere, who gained the highest recorded score ever in the Silver Arrow - 500 out of 540! Well done also to Harrow School! Will

you be able to steal the silver arrow from us next year?

Two of the John Lyon team, Jeremy Shere and Adam Crawford, also shot in the London Youth Games with three other boys, showing a remarkable improvement over last year. John Lyon came fourth out of over twenty boroughs. This was an excellent performance, showing the quality of archer that The John Lyon School creates.

Adam Crawford

Volleyball

The enthusiasm for Volleyball of this year's seniors was not quite as intense as in previous years, but there

was much interest in the House competition as usual. None of the Houses stood out as the favourites to win and so it was no surprise that we had the closest competition for years. Normally all the matches are won in straight sets, but this year all but one of the matches went to a deciding third set - very exciting!

Here are the results: Moore beat Butler by two sets to one Moore beat Vaughan by two sets to

one Moore beat Norwood by two sets to

one Vaughan beat Butler by two sets to

one Vaughan beat Norwood by two sets

to love Norwood beat Butler by two sets to

one

Final table: Won Lost Pts

1st Moore 3 0 3 2nd Vaughan 2 1 2 3rd Norwood 1 2 1 4th Butler 0 3 0

Once again it was very difficult to find fixtures for the Senior volleyball team, but they did have a match with a team drawn from the John Lyon Colts. There are very few sports, if any, in which the Colts can compete with the Seniors. Not only was this the case, but the Colts came back from a set down to win in three close sets. Congratulations to the Colts team, made up of Jason Choy, Paul Choy, Marco Evans, Marcus Bocock, Adam Street and Vickna Balarajah.

J. Carr-Hill

Sport

Karate

This year has been a quiet year for The John Lyon Karate club, with exams taking first place. It has been

encouraging to see more boys at the club but still the John Lyon boys are outnumbered by the boys coming from outside. Despite this, we have had some successes.

Earlier this year the Karate Club, along with our sister club, Fudo Kai in Greenford, participated at the SKKIF championships at Crystal Palace Stadium in London. Our Kata team lead by our very own Sensei Wise, became national champions winning the Senior Kata event. The Junior Kata team finished third and we also won the women's event. In Kumite or fighting. We swept the awards by coming first and second in the women's Kumite and winning the men's competition.

In April this year our 9th Dan Grand master, Sensei Shihan Kanasawa was asked to become a member of the International Olympic Committee so, unfortunately, could not attend the grading at The John Lyon School that month. However, with Sensei Kanasawa in the International Olympic Committee, Karate will probably become an Olympic sport by the 2004 games in Athens.

With the new syllabuses, Karate can be used as part of GCSE PE, as well as part ofthe physical achievement segment of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We look forward to the new year with optimism, in the hope that more boys will attend the club so that we can attend and win championships with our own team.

This year our club Sensei, Brenda Wise, successfully graded for her 4th Dan black belt. A remarkable achievement by anybody's standards. We are very fortunate to have such a qualified instructor and we are very grateful for her tireless support and enthusiasm since the club began. Mr Sadler also had been a very staunch supporter of the club and we thank him for his encouragement.

Charanjit Milkhu

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THE OLD LYONIAN

ASSOCIATION

What is it? Where is it?

What does it do?

Who are the members? How do you make contact?

What else would you like it to do?

The Association is open to all ex-pupils of the John Lyon School. Under the current arrangements, all boys who leave the school are automatically life members and therefore, there is a complete mix of

Old Lyonians from 18 years to 80 years plus. The Association is based at its clubhouse and sports

ground at 74 Pinner View, Harrow, HA1 4QF and is a contact forum for Old Lyonians and groups of Old Lyonians. It runs leavers' nights, year group reunions, an annual dinner, teams for Association Day and a newsletter. It was most gratifying, in fact, that this year, there was a full table of recent leavers at the dinner, all of whom seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

Under the auspices of the Old Lyonian Sports and Social Club, at the Pinner View club house, the following sports are available: archery on Fridays, badminton on Wednesdays, cricket on Saturday and Sunday, football on Saturday and Sunday, and petanque which is available most of the time. There is also a licensed bar and when this is open, darts, putting, billiards and snooker are also available. Various social events are organised by the sports sections throughout the year from curry nights to full medieval feasts.

The members are YOU or potentially YOU. Parents are also most welcome to visit Pinner View.

To contact us you can phone me, Colin Nunn, President, on 0181428 9439 le: colinn@hgca.comL lan Macaulay, Secretary, on 0181 4273035 le: ian.macaulay@Bull.co.ukL or Jack Baron, Treasurer, on 01814281332. You can contact any of the sports sections by writing to the section secretaries at the Pinner View address. By far the best method, however, is to come and see us on site. Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday lunch times are popular times and there is usually a good crowd in the bar. As chairman of the archery section I am around most Friday evenings so please make yourself known to me.

What to do next. The Association is a living organism. It is your club and potentially, your network. Let us know what you want and we will try to provide it for you. As we approach the millennium there will be an Old Lyonian website and e-mail address which we hope will keep our members better informed about what is going on and what we have to offer. If you have any questions, then do please ask.

Colin M. Nunn President of the Old Lyonian Association

Our website: http://www. oldlyonians. demon.co.uk

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