worth insight spring 2015

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Spring 2015 INSIGHT Pages 4 & 5 Crate mates Juniors throw themselves into the Wider Curriculum Worth School magazine Subiaco launches Pages 12 & 13 Pages 14 & 15 Girls playing up The rise of girls’ sport at Worth

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The magazine of Worth School, Sussex

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Page 1: Worth Insight Spring 2015

Spring 2015

INSIGHTWorth School enizagamWorth School enizagamWorth School enizagam

Worth School enizagamWorth School enizagamWorth School enizagam

Pages 4 & 5

Crate matesJuniors throw themselves into the Wider Curriculum

Worth School magazine

Subiaco launchesPages 12 & 13

Pages 14 & 15

Girls playing upThe rise of girls’ sport

at Worth

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Motoring on MarsScience was top of the agenda in early March when Worth hosted over 40 students in Years 7 and 8 from around Sussex, competing to build a machine that could land an egg and rover module in safety.The rover then had to drive around a ‘Martian’ landscape.

Working with a variety of bottles, paper, bubble wrap, balloons, cardboard, elastic bands and dustbin liners, the creativity and understanding of scientific principles was impressive. The landers were loaded with an ‘eggstronaut’ – an egg which had to survive the impact of the 18.5 metre drop from Worth’s iconic Clock Tower. Nine landers were dropped in total and six survived with their eggs intact so that the rover component could fight it out in the next round. However, the simulated undulations of Mars (left) seemed to be a challenge too far for the rovers and none could complete the whole course, despite some magnificent attempts.

The event was organised by Worth’s Head of Physics, Mr Chris Smith who said: “I wanted to run an event that made Science really practical and fun, allowing students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. Today has been a great success and I’d like to thank the Technicians here at Worth and all the visiting Heads of Science who put in every effort to ensure that their students got the most from the day.”

PREP SCHOOLS COME TO WORTH FOR EXCITING SCIENCE DAY

Ready to fly A lighter moment with Mr Smith

The moment of truth as a lander passes the clock face on the way to the concrete

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Octavia and Evie stop climbing and start flying

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On a late February day that felt almost like Spring, the Worth minibuses took off for the short drive to Blacklands Farm which is a regular venue for Wednesday afternoon activities for the Juniors.

Under the watchful eye of instructor Nick, a group of Year 7 and 8 students prepared for the Crate Challenge. After a safety talk and the checking of hats and harnesses, the students were put in pairs and the Challenge began. The winners would be the pair who climbed the highest before the stacks of crates crashed.

One pair was climbing, another pair was building up the crates and two pairs were anchoring the safety harnesses for the inevitable moment when the climbers lost their footing and the crates crashed.

Each team had six minutes and it was a time of intense concentration, laughter and some ironic calls for “Mummy”. Anthony, a veteran of the Crate Challenge, worked initially with Angelo. He had tried the Challenge before as a solo climber and decided that “doing it with one person is easier, but two is much more fun”.

The prize for the best screaming went to Lauren and Georgiana – but as soon as it was all over Georgiana announced that “I want to do it again!”. The winners on the day who reached up to 12 crates before they all tumbled down were Jessie and Hareem. Jessie attributed their success to “not being afraid of heights”. “And we’re pretty good with balance too,” added Hareem.

Other Wider Curriculum activities at Blacklands Farm include archery, abseiling, climbing, nightline (a sensory trail which pupils complete blindfolded), Zipwire and kayaking.

Crate mates

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Let’s hang on … Anthony and Angelo

The sure-footed winners Jessie and Hareem

Just for the fun of it – Ben and Anthony

ACTIVE CHALLENGES HELP TO TEACH SKILLS AND TEAMWORK

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On 22nd – 24th January, the PAC was transformed into a 1950s reimagining of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Accompanied by Jack O’Hea and India Walden on piano and harp respectively, the timeless comedy was acted out by a capable cast including Calum Goring and Helena Purle, who had impeccable chemistry as the leading couple of Orlando and Rosalind. However, they weren’t the only pairing to be enjoyed by the audience; the two dukes, Frederick and Senior, provided an interesting dramatic contrast as they seemed polar opposites, helped by the stellar performances of Sebastian Gilling-Ulph and Oliver Bunn. The masque at the end of the play provided a rounding point which left all in the audience and backstage satisfied.

How we like it

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ALEX BRAMMER WAS OUR MAN AT THE THEATRE

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View of the South Elevation of The Dutch Barn showing the conversion to a new Art Department

New two storey infill with Mezzanine floor insertion

The things that get teachers excited!MR ANDREW LAVIS, HEAD OF GEOGRAPHY, RESPONDS TO THE WORK UNDERWAY AS PART OF THE ‘HEART OF CAMPUS’ DEVELOPMENT

My university friend Chris works in marketing. However, he volunteers for an hour each Monday morning at the school his children attend to teach computing as the school is otherwise unable to provide this facility. His views on the world of teaching from someone in another profession are therefore interesting. He thought it would be news to me that boys don’t listen to

instructions and have to be told what to do repeatedly! Chris also made the observation that teachers are excited by what might be to other people dispiriting experiences. A teacher may spend hours preparing some work only for it to make a noticeable difference to one student with a particular problem. Chris was very taken by the act that a teacher in this circumstance would be joyful in having made a difference

to just one person even if the hours involved to achieve this success wouldn’t be considered efficient in another industry.

It is in light of this different professional world view that teachers have that you must indulge me in stating that I am extremely excited by the school’s new infrastructural developments. It is not the case that these developments are small scale. The opposite is true. It is just that I would imagine many people

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View of the South Elevation of The Dutch Barn showing the conversion to a new Art Department

New two storey infill with Mezzanine floor insertion

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would consider it odd that it would be possible to be excited by building works! The next stage of building alterations will see the following developments:

• Converting the Dutch Barn opposite the day houses into an Arts Facility Building

• The creation of a second girls’ day house (St Catherine’s)

• Converting the current Chaplaincy into new classrooms and a new co-educational Austin House for Years 7 & 8

• Moving the Chaplaincy to a more central location

• The creation of a new and larger Staff Common Room

Selfishly, members of my department are excited at the acquisition of a third teaching room. All of the full-time staff will be able to have their own room and

will be able to fill their own room with images, models and other items that make them enthuse about our subject. Being able to impart our own individual reasons for loving our subject into our work space is a genuine joy.

Speaking with members of the Art department they are excited by the opportunities that having greater space and a contiguous nature to the Art department’s rooms will present with younger Year Groups being able to learn from and be inspired by the outstanding and award-winning art produced by the older students.

I hope that it doesn’t sound patronising of me to say that I am impressed by the imagination and creativity of the thinking that is seeing existing buildings being adapted to create more space and better facilities but at a lower cost than would be incurred by constructing completely new buildings. Moreover, it is a more logical decision to have the Chaplaincy move to a central point as a reflection of the school’s fundamental ethos.

East elevation of the existing Junior School Art and Chaplaincy building showing the proposed conversion works to form four Classrooms and Austin House

New roof dormers and fully glazed replacement metal window assemblies

View from the south west of the Junior School Art and Chaplaincy building showing the proposed conversion works to four Classrooms and Austin House

New external staircase up to Day House common room with new entrance link to Classrooms

Artist’s impression of the stunning new art facility

The stable block will house the newly co-educational Austin House

upstairs, with new classrooms on the ground floor

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The letters EPQ loom in the qualification sections of university prospectuses and towards the end of A Level option forms. When signing up for the qualification – although I had a vague understanding that a dissertation would be required – I was clueless. Now that I am coming to the end of the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) it has led me to reflect on the skills I’ve harnessed, the things I have experienced and the wide range of subjects I’ve learnt about.

Counting as half an A Level, the EPQ allows you to research any passion you might have and present it in almost any way you want.

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EPQ is more than a TLADANIEL MONTAGU

Emily Johnson To what extent does the ‘tortured artist’ create the greatest art?

Maddy Man To what extent is self-efficacy the most important aspect in helping athletes consistently perform to a

high level in sport?Frances Oesterlin The ethics of the meat and dairy industry

Mia Wilcox Social mobility in Denmark: should the UK adopt a similar model?

Cian O’Mara The extent to which Keynesian policies are relevant to today’s economy

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Whilst normally a dissertation, the EPQ output can take the form of a play script or even a musical piece.

However, I would argue it is in the lesser-known areas surrounding the main dissertation where I’ve developed the most skills. These include creating mind maps to formulate ideas in the first place, creating surveys to gauge public opinion and collect primary research, and creating presentations to explain my ideas to the rest of the group.

Two processes with which all EPQ students come to have a love-hate relationship are self-review and peer review; this is when you must critique each stage of your own work and

another’s work. The feedback received and research collected is all incorporated into your extended essay. It is only when doing your final draft – and looking back at your first draft – that you see the shocking impact of all the other components of the process on improving the calibre of your dissertation.

There are also specific benefits to the EPQ that become evident later on. From a purely pragmatic perspective, universities love applicants who have done the EPQ, especially if it is related to their proposed course. Universities also recognise that the EPQ gives you a head start insofar as you are already coming packed with guaranteed skills, including the ability

to write elongated essays, research effectively for these essays, the ability to present your ideas fluently, the ability to manage your project time effectively and many, many more. Overall, the EPQ makes you far more marketable and competitive against other candidates in this extremely competitive global market, not to mention providing a unique talking point for interviews and personal statements that lets you stand out from the crowd.

I hope it is apparent that I thoroughly enjoyed the overall EPQ experience and would recommend it to anyone who has a passion that they want to follow.

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Cameron Dent The greatest film of all time

Michael Shi Migrant workers in the UK – an inter-disciplinary perspective

Daniel Montagu How to reduce the risk of developing schizophrenia for the genetically vulnerable

James Thompson Geography’s effect on humanity: which has been the most influential – Human or Physical impacts?

Alice Robinson The impacts of lifestyle on oral health

William Foldes Increasing London and the South of England’s aircraft handling capacity

Kingsley Tang What is the importance of water treatment and management in developing countries?

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Friends with each other, becoming friends

with Christ

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A STUDENT-LED INITIATIVE CALLED SUBIACO WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS TERM, WITH EACH STUDENT INVITED TO JOIN A FRIENDSHIP GROUP.

THE YEAR 12 CHAPLAINCY REPS TOOK TIME OUT ON THEIR FORMATION WEEKEND TO TELL

INSIGHT HOW IT’S GOING…

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If there is one message we all need to hear in our lives it is this: ‘God loves you’.

The whole message of the Christian faith is that out of love, God wants us to have life in its fullness – not life which is a bit good, or life which is alright most of the time, but a life which is full to the brim. The way we get to do that is by getting to know him, as friends, and following the example of Jesus, who shows us what this life is like.

In the Emmaus story, two friends encounter Christ in the midst of their friendship. Despite the fact they are in some way downhearted and are full of questions, Jesus comes to meet them with the news of his Resurrection.

All of us are at different places in our faith journey. At times some might have

felt they have no faith in God. Some of us might think they’d like to have faith but aren’t sure what it’s about. Some of us might be curious to know more about the things of God and some of us might be committed followers of Christ. All of this is OK, all these questions are OK; they are all part of the journey as a community.

Subiaco is a project which wants to make this Emmaus experience a reality in all our lives at Worth. By creating micro communities of students who become friends with one another and with Christ, we will try to journey together and come to know, and show, the love of the risen Jesus in our lives.

As Subiaco communities we meet each week to catch up and spend time together but also to spend some time in Lectio and discussing questions

that are important to us concerning faith and life. Some of the questions we have chosen for this year are, ‘What does it mean to be friends with Christ?’, ‘How does God help us when we are struggling?’ and ‘What exactly is faith anyway?’.

Almost 100 students expressed an interest when we launched Subiaco in January, and no less than 70 have been meeting in their groups since the beginning of February. This ‘project’ is something which is starting small, and even if it stays small it is still something significant in the life of our School. Subiaco is about strengthening the bonds of community and friendship across the School, discovering what faith means for us and, hopefully, encountering Jesus in a really special way; through each other.

Time for tea: Isabella Lee, Max Tew, Grace Riminton and Elikem Logan

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Girls playing upBRYONY MAXWELL LOOKS AT JUST HOW FAR GIRLS’ SPORT AT WORTH HAS COME IN THE LAST SIX YEARS

2008 – 9• Joey Hall-Palmer appointed Head of

Girls’ Games and PE• Girls join Worth for first time ever in

Sixth Form• First girls Worth hockey, netball and

tennis teams established

2009 – 10• 1st team hockey • 1st and 2nd team netball• Senior tennis team

2010 – 11• Siobhan Aherne appointed Teacher

of Girls’ Games and PE• First girls in Lower School arrive• 15 girls in Year 7• 25 girls in Year 9• 1st team hockey, 1st and 2nd team

netball and Senior team tennis• U15 a+b hockey and netball and

U15 tennis• U13 a+b hockey and netball

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In the six or so years since girls joined the Worth community, girls’ sport has progressed beyond all recognition. From the modest beginnings of a sports team in 2008, there are now 178 girls through Years 7 to 13, who make up the 19 teams representing the School in hockey, netball and tennis.

Over the past year these squads have all had a huge amount of success. Highlights have been the 1st VII netball team coming second in the Sussex ‘Fastnet’ tournament, the U18 indoor hockey team being named County Champions, and the girls’ first fencing squad winning clean sweeps against several nearby fencing clubs. Team performances have not been the only success. Jo Barnes, Head of Netball, said: “More Worth girls than ever represent a number of clubs and county sides, which has contributed considerably to the increase in quality and good sportsmanship shown by our girls.” This year also marked the first ‘Worth Girls Can’ week; a campaign for girls and female

members of staff, aligned with the national campaign ‘This Girl Can’ to encourage all women to ‘prove that judgement is a barrier that can be overcome’ in the sporting world.

Activities organised by Head of Girls’ Games Samantha Clark included Latin ballroom dancing lessons, various competitive gym challenges, and a chance to take each other on in a handball tournament.

This year’s Sport’s Prefect, Madeleine Man, said: “It has been incredible to see the progression of girls’ sport at Worth during my five years here. I have witnessed some outstanding performances this year, which have not only surprised rival schools, but have made history at Worth. I am in no doubt that in future years girls’ sport here will continue to go from strength to strength.”

2011 – 12• Sam Clark appointed Head of Girls’

Sport and PE• Jo Barnes appointed as netball

specialist• Completion of first astropitch• 1st team hockey and 1st and 2nd

team netball and Senior tennis• U15 a+b hockey and netball and

U15 tennis• U13 a+b hockey and netball

2012 – 13• First year full cohort of girls

Years 7 to 13• 1st and 2nd team hockey, netball

and Senior tennis• U15 a-c hockey and netball,

U15 tennis • U13 a+b hockey and netball• Tennis/netball courts resurfaced• Club link established with East

Grinstead Hockey Club• Runners-up in Brambletye Prep

Schools’ Hockey Tournament

2013 – 14• Simon Faulkner appointed Hockey

Development Officer• 1st and 2nd team hockey and

1st, 2nd and 3rd team netball, Senior tennis

• U15 a-d hockey and netball, U15 tennis

• U13 a+b hockey and netball• Finalists U18 Fastnet Netball

Tournament• Inaugural Worth Prep Schools’

Hockey Tournament, won by Worth• 178 girls in whole school (Years 7-13)• 1st and 2nd team hockey and 1st-3rd

team netball and Senior tennis• U15 a-d netball and hockey and

U15 tennis• U13 a+b netball and hockey• County U18 indoor hockey

champions and represent Sussex in Regional Finals

• 1st season competing in SISNA Netball Tournament

• First girls fencing squad with a clean sweep vs Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club and St Leonards Mayfield

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Join me on FacebookSince Worth School’s Facebook went live in December 2014, it has attracted over 360 people who ‘Like’ the School’s page and made social media stars of the Worth sheep. The video of ‘Ram-bo’ (left) trying to force his way into St Bede’s has been seen by just over 9,500 people, followed by a popular photo of a mass sheep incursion onto the monastery lawns. Also on the ‘hot list’ were the New Year message and seasonal images of the spectacular Worth grounds.

The Facebook page was established as an extra means of communication with the Worth family, as well as being useful for prospective families by giving a detailed insight into life at Worth. While not everyone is enamoured of social media, there is clearly an active body of Facebook users among parents who have welcomed this initiative with open arms. There have been comments on the page from parents, alumni, staff, Fr Mark and even from Australia, courtesy of the mother of one of the gap students. So, if you haven’t taken a look so far, then please do. The page is updated regularly with School news and events, student achievements and some lighter moments as well.

Once you’ve joined Facebook, it will deliver news into your personal feed based on the information that you most choose to engage with, so it pays to be discerning. If you keep engaging with Worth – reading the

posts, liking the page and leaving comments – then you are more likely to have future Worth news items appear in your timeline. Remember to not only ‘Like’ individual posts but crucially to ‘Like’ the page when you first visit.

As well as Facebook, the School now also has a Twitter account and active LinkedIn profile. Each social media channel has its own personality, but the look and feel of the School brand across the channels is consistent. Twitter allows a snippet of news to be relayed in a maximum of 140 characters, while LinkedIn is targeted at professionals who like to network.

Breathing life into Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is one of the main responsibilities for Worth’s Digital Marketing Manager, Sylvie Wootton, who says: “Social media is an important step forward for the School to engage in a more informal but equally valid way with its audiences. The response from the entire breadth of the School and its community has been great. This is an era when it’s about engaging with others and starting a ‘conversation’ as part of the communications mix – and our social media channels are the way to do this.”

If you have an item to suggest for social media, or have any difficulty accessing any of the accounts, please contact Sylvie Wootton − [email protected] or Catherine Forrester, Marketing Manager − [email protected].

Facebook.com/Worth School

Twitter.com/@worthschool

Linkedin.com/Worth School

Worth School

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The importance of Christian – Muslim dialogue

LAURA CHOW

Christian and Muslim dialogue is an important issue in today’s society. In order to give a greater insight into this fascinating topic, I interviewed Noor Ahmedi, a local Muslim in the Crawley area and later Father Martin McGee from Worth Abbey who has written a book on the subject entitled Dialogue of the Heart: Stories of Christian –Muslim Encounter.

Why do you think Christian – Muslim dialogue is important?

NA: It is important to understand the other different points of view, especially as there is so much negative media portrayal at the moment. For example, when the three Muslims were killed in the USA quite recently, there was little media attention and it was not until a Twitter campaign was started that people began to start taking notice. This is an example of where the media tends to take one particular side and stereotypes negatively, creating a greater sense of division than there actually is. Dialogue is important because it helps to combat this information and highlights the similarities between Christianity and Islam.

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FrM: Together Christians and Muslims make up approximately 55% of the world’s population so good relationships between them are vital for world peace. Secondly, Christian and Muslims share a lot of common beliefs. Both believe in the one God; respect the Blessed Virgin Mary; emphasise the importance of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage, hospitality; believe in the resurrection of the dead and final judgement, obedience and submission to God’s will and trust in Providence. Of course, Christians and Muslims will, in some cases, interpret these practices differently in the light of their respective scriptures, the Bible and the Qur’an.

Faced with a growing indifference to religious belief and an attempt to banish it from public life in the developed world, I would argue that our natural allies are to be found among the moderate majority of practising Muslims. As Mohammed Talbi, a Tunisian Muslim, puts it so well, it is no longer “different concepts of God and the way in which to serve him” which divide followers of different faiths. The division lies rather between those who “are striving to attain man’s destiny without God, and those who can conceive of man’s future in and through God.”

What are churches and mosques doing at the moment to create dialogue and harmony between the two communities?

NA: Church groups in Crawley are very good and make a lot of effort to create dialogue. In some Mosques, there are events held to which we welcome people of other faiths to partake and, in fact, the Abbot of Worth has attended events at the Mosque before. Interfaith events create harmony as the two faiths begin to learn more about each other in the process and feel more connected.

FrM: There are basically four different ways of engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths. Firstly, there is the dialogue of life where people get to know each other

as neighbours. Secondly, there is a dialogue of action where people of different faiths co-operate for the common good of society through, for example, running a home for people with disabilities. Thirdly, there is the dialogue of theological exchange where suitably qualified theologians seek to deepen their understanding and appreciation of each other’s faith. Finally, there is the dialogue of religious experience where people ‘share their spiritual riches’, or their common search for God.

While various bodies appointed by the Vatican or the World Council of Churches are involved in regular high-level meetings with Muslim theologians, the key arena for dialogue occurs at the local level where people befriend each other. It is through sharing their common humanity and search for God that Christians and Muslims overcome prejudice and grow in mutual understanding and respect.

Do you think that there is enough being done?

NA: I don’t feel that dialogue between Muslims and Christians is good, however it is not just between Muslims and Christians that this dialogue needs to be taking place but also in society in general as people do not tend to hear the Muslim point of view as often. I believe that things are certainly getting better, however.

FrM: The short answer is ‘no’. Unfortunately, many believers in both faiths harbour suspicion and prejudice towards each other and are unwilling, or perhaps afraid, to make the effort to get to know each other. Real progress will be made when the local imam and priest become friends and encourage their congregations to do likewise.

What do you think causes extremism in some communities and how do you think this could be dissipated?

NA: There tends to be a disconnect for many young Muslims between their home life and life in the Mosque. This can be extremely confusing

as one part of them feels a need to fit in with their friends who are perhaps not Muslims whereas in the Mosque there is much more of a traditional approach, creating conflict and making it hard to follow the faith. On top of this, many of these young people feel a need of purpose and so are more vulnerable to the seduction of extremism, with many of these extremists recognising the vulnerability in these people and perhaps their confused attitude to the faith and preying on it.

To combat this, I believe that a focus on integration and perhaps teaching English to new immigrants is very important. The more people who can engage in the discussion and communicate with each other through a common language will improve the situation. I also think that teaching some form of religious education in schools creates an environment where people can engage with different faiths and talk to people about what they believe.

FrM: I think that there are two key reasons for extremism. Firstly, there is the sense of injustice among many young Muslims especially with regard to America’s apparently unconditional support of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians. Also in a time of rapid cultural change many people seek reassurance and security in traditional beliefs which they tend to interpret in a rigid manner leaving no room for disagreement. We can see this phenomenon in extreme Islamism and in some fundamentalist evangelical communities. The two best ways of combatting this extremism are through friendship and dialogue at the local level and through working to remove injustice.

Fr Martin’s new book, ‘Dialogue of the Heart: Stories of Christian-Muslim Encounter’ is being published by Veritas in April.

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The CrucibleThe School enjoyed a second drama production this term when Mrs Webster made her directorial debut in charge of a cast drawn from Years 8 – 12, tackling one of the great canons of American drama. Based on the Salem witch trials of 1662, The Crucible deals with dark areas of the human psyche. The cast responded with immensely mature performances, led by Benedict Wishart as an excellent John Proctor.

Katie Abbott as Mary Warren with William Adams as Reverend Hale

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The Crucible

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Steve of the tall treesAt Worth, our grounds are the focus of many Identity and Insight front covers, but we should spare a thought for the hard work that goes into their maintenance. This is the important duty of dedicated Grounds Manager, Steve Turner, who has worked at the School since 1995. His is a dedication largely born of a lifelong love for trees; “They’re not just like any other plant,” he muses, “It’s the way they react to wounds, fungi and general damage that really interests me. When I go out to a public park and see a dead tree, I’m usually at the bottom of it trying to work out how it died, so I suppose you could say that I bring my work home with me!” This love finds a focus in Worth’s tall trees, such as a vast Austrian pine by Gervase House which is his pride and joy. “In 1998 it was a county champion; the last time it was measured accurately was in 2004 and it was 33 metres tall. It’s in extremely good shape.”

However, in recent years Steve has moved away a little from the outside and into the office. “One of my main duties is managing contractors but I’m also the contact person for anyone with an issue about the grounds and gardens. In a typical day, I could go from dealing with a mole problem to landscaping to ordering Christmas trees. The work is a little more physical in the winter, especially with salting and snow clearing.”

The School uses external contractors Nurture Landscapes to help with grass cutting, gardening, hedges, hard surfaces, roadways and some pitch preparation. Contractors may also occasionally be used for specialist jobs as well, such as scanning the inside of trees for signs of decay. “We couldn’t do without

the contractors,” says Steve, “but sometimes it feels like I’m running a small business rather than being a grounds manager!”

One of the things Steve is most proud of in recent years is the planting he designed and executed around St Bede’s and St Mary’s. Next in the pipeline is a planting scheme to finish off the gardens around Gervase, introducing a few smaller trees “to provide a gradient, feathering it in so that the building feels a little more naturally placed.”

However, the job doesn’t always provide immediate gratification, because the greatest satisfaction comes from patience and seeing plants grow over a period of years. “St Bede’s is going to look at its best in another three years,” reckons Steve. “The bio-diversity in just the small area around St Bede’s is amazing. There are bluebells, primroses, wood anemones, green woodpeckers, deer and rabbits, just for starters, and we think we’ve found another natural spring.”

Other than his main duties, Steve also has a couple of personal projects. He takes great pride in looking after the 1st XI cricket pitch and also in looking after some wild green winged orchids at the side of Mallus Avenue that appeared one year when the snow couldn’t be cleared in time. “These beautiful purple orchids flowered that year only because they weren’t mown as they usually were, so they had the opportunity to bloom. Ever since then, they’ve been my own little pet project. It’s good that I’m able to leave my mark on the School.” I’m sure we’d all agree with that.

ALEX BRAMMER TALKS TO STEVE TURNER, GROUNDS MANAGER, ABOUT TAKING CARE OF WORTH’S AMAZING ESTATE AND AMENITIES

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Page 24: Worth Insight Spring 2015

Printed on environmentally friendly paper made from raw materials sourced from managed and sustainable forests.

Insight Editorial TeamAlex Brammer (Year 13)Oliver Campbell (Year 13)Laura Chow (Year 13)Simon FisherCatherine ForresterAndrew LavisBryony Maxwell (Year 13)Daniel Montagu (Year 13)

For the latest Worth School news and events, please visit www.worthschool.co.ukFurther news and views from around the Worth community can be found at www.worthschoolvoices.co.uk.Worth School, Paddockhurst Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex RH10 4SDt: 01342 710200 e: [email protected]

Registered charity number 1093914Company registration number 4476558

PhotographyFront cover and girls’ sport – Ady Kerry at akpictures, crate mates, Mars, The Crucible and Steve Turner – Emma Duggan Photography, ‘As You Like It’ – Robbie Jack Photography, ram – Sylvie Wootton, Subiaco – Sebastian Emmins (Year 11), back cover – Stephen D. Lawrence Photography (www.snapitnow.co.uk)

Anish Padalkar in Year 7 was named Under 11 Player of the Year for Northern Knights by Sussex County Cricket Club (SCCC). Described as a “stylish opening batsman” by Raj Chaudhuri, Head of Cricket at Worth, Anish is seen here receiving his award from Sussex opener Luke Wells.

U11 Cricketer of the Year

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