British Schoolgirl Ski Races
Friday, February 05, 2010
Many congratulations to the College Ski Team who achieved great results at the British Schoolgirl Ski Races in Flaine, France at the end of January. The A and B Teams won 1st and 2nd places in both the Giant Slalom and the Combined whilst Annabel Lawrence won first 1st place in the Individual Slalom (Child 1 Age Group). Around 142 girls, in 46 teams, competed at the Races, with 28 teams in the British based non-registered skiers category in which the College ski teams competed.
On 22nd January two teams and one reserve, consisting of Daphne Parayre, Ophelia Taylor, Rebecca Walker, Isabella Robinson, Amabel Clark, Annabel Lawrence and Emily Parker set off to Flaine in France for the British Schoolgirls’ Races. This year we were very fortunate to be accompanied by Mrs Poll and our coach from Gloucester dry slope, Chantelle Goddard-Jones, who also coaches the slalom team at Gloucester. We arrived in Flaine at about 6pm and settled in to the two apartments which we would occupy for the next week.
Our first two days were taken up by rigorous training in order to prepare for the races in the coming days. Chantelle was brilliant; her expertise was greatly welcomed by all of us. We had the opportunity to practise both slalom and giant slalom on the race hills and, although exhausting, we made huge progress and began to feel much more confident for the races.
On Monday we woke up at a painful hour in order to be out for a course inspection at 8am. Feeling apprehensive about the race, we set off behind Chantelle, who assured us that we would have no problems, having tackled much tougher courses previously. In no time at all, it was race time, and one by one we blitzed the course to record some very decent times, most of which were beaten by even more impressive second runs, an excellent start to the racing. That afternoon was the parallel slalom, by far our favourite race as it involves the whole team participating in a relay knockout competition. The first round saw both the A and B teams put through to the next round after some fantastic skiing. Unfortunately, we were then pooled against the Aiglon A and B teams, a school based in Switzerland who train and race almost every day. However, as six very competitive skiers, we welcomed the challenge. Both teams put in gutsy performances and our potential as a school came off when we very narrowly lost by the length of a ski boot in both races - a nail biting finish.
On Tuesday, we woke up a little later for our final, and toughest, day of racing. Once again the course inspection for the slalom proved successful and despite a few too many verticales, we were confident of our ability to complete it. The practice had definitely paid off with every member of the two teams speeding to complete the first run in under a minute; a very impressive achievement and a good set up for the second run. Unfortunately, we suffered a disqualification in the B team, and a quick hike up the hill in the A team in the second run but this did little damage to our results as a team and there were a number of very notable performances.
The awards ceremony concluded our spectacular results with Annabel Lawrence finishing as first Children 1 skier in the non-club, unregistered skiers category, winning a weeks’ training with the DHO, a famous ski club, in half term. The A team got onto the podium, winning a silver medal for the combined unregistered team, a first for College. Daphne missed out on a podium place by three tenths of a second in the slalom, a fantastic accomplishment.
We enjoyed celebratory crepes and an ice skating session in the evening, together with two hours of hilariously unsuccessful snowboarding in the morning to finish off an incredible week, and the best collective set of results we have ever had.
Rebecca Walker SFC2
As a result of their successes at the Races, Daphne has been invited by the English Schools’ Ski Association (Esskia) to attend a training camp in Geilo, Norway and Annabel has been given a week of training with the DHO (Downhill Only) during half term.
Alternative Energy Competition
Friday, February 05, 2010
Mrs Annette Johnston, a former pupil of CLC, very generously donated a prize fund for a newly created alternative energy speaking competition: The Stella Award. On Saturday 23rd January, we were very privileged to welcome to College Sir John Beddington, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government, in attendance to judge the finalists’ presentations.
Stephanie Payne, SFC1 and one of the three finalists, said, “The competition was a fantastic learning opportunity, allowing me to incorporate my passion for sport with challenging modern ideas, without simply having to think within the lines of a subject syllabus. I thought that it might be an idea to look at the concept of generating electricity via exercise, using our own power to fuel our energy consumption rather than guzzling up the world’s resources. When it came to the final, it was nerve-racking but a brilliant experience and a real confidence booster. It was great to see other girls’ interpretations of the alternative energy topic; Rachel Ngobi gave a thought-provoking speech about the international and political side of all our energy problems and Emily Stacey gave a fantastic talk on ‘the dark side’ of solar panels. The encouraging staff and supportive sponsors made it an exciting and worthwhile experience and I hope that many girls get involved next year.”
All three finalists produced fabulously interesting presentations and the winner was judged to be Emily Stacey for her talk about ‘the Dark Side of Solar Energy’.
The SFC1 and SFC2 girls were then treated to a lecture from Professor Beddington, in which he clearly outlined the many issues that we face in the next twenty years, from rising population to increased risk of tropical diseases. His talk was thought-provoking and, at times, concerning. The girls asked him some tough questions at the end of the session and all agreed that something positive must be done if we are to cope with the many challenges of the next two decades.
Mr J Lawford, Head of Geography and Dr D Gamblin, Head of Chemistry
Jessica will represent Australia
Monday, February 01, 2010
In January 2010, I was so excited to learn that I had been given permission by the Australian Equestrian Federation to represent Australia at international dressage competitions in Junior Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) tests.
To ride in Junior International Dressage competitions, you must be 18 years or under, and at the age of 13, I am the youngest ever Australian to be selected to represent my country. I am also the only junior rider Australia now has on the International Tour. It makes me very proud to know that I have opened the door for other Australian juniors to do the same as me in the future.
I have been riding since I was three years old and have always dreamt of riding internationally but never imagined it would happen so soon in my life. My mum, Thekla Blackmore, competed at National FEI level dressage in Australia for many years, and trained me from the time I started riding until we moved to England. I now train at the Talland School of Equitation with Pammy Hutton, Justine Sole and Richard Preston.
After starting at CLC when we moved from Australia to England in 2008, I manage my time with the assistance of my mother who helps me a lot by tacking up my horses for me after school, and working them for me when I am very busy so that I have plenty of time to concentrate on school work as well as riding. College also helps me by giving me field afternoons off to ride, and allowing me to take some time off for competitions. My friends are very supportive of me and are understanding about my lack of time outside of school.
I currently have two horses, Don Romeo and Ventoux-W. Romeo is 11, and is my current international horse. We have owned him since he was 5 and brought him to England from Australia about 10 months ago. I have only actually competed him twice so far, at Advanced Medium and Junior FEI level, and have won or been placed in both the competitions. Ventoux is 7 and I am currently competing him at Elementary level.
In preparation for the International Dressage Competition in April 2010, I am riding both horses every afternoon after school, and also on weekends. I also have competitions every weekend for quite a few weeks in order to improve my test riding and to get used to competing on Romeo before the international.
Jessica Blackmore LC3
InfoBuzz Talk
Friday, January 29, 2010
In one of our Saturday activities we were fortunate enough to be introduced to the charity InfoBuzz, which provides young people with the necessary information to allow a smooth transition into adulthood. The talk we attended was focused around drugs and alcohol and their effects on individuals and generally on society. This was an informative talk and at the same time casual. Everyone felt free to bring up any queries they had and Dave Rose achieved a successful balance between the information he delivered and the students’ contribution. At the beginning we gave suggestions of the areas where we had less understanding and this formed the basis of the discussion we had. Along with the many constructive statistics and ideas we discussed during the meeting, we were introduced to the relevance drug taking has in our lives and where to go if we need to seek help. Most people found that the time we spent talking about it flew by.
Madison Briggs UC5
East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
When Miss Delaney emailed all students asking whether anyone would be interested in the technical side of school performances, I immediately volunteered. Doing Drama as a GCSE subject means I am very interested in Theatre, but over the last few years I have become equally, if not more, interested in how a performance is made more effective through the use of set, costume, sound and lighting. Therefore, when I was asked to help with the LC1 production, “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”, I was delighted.
I went to one Sunday rehearsal in the Autumn term and then to the technical and dress rehearsals a couple of weeks into the Spring term, just before the performances on the 18th and 19th January. I was allocated to lighting, and therefore Mr Dunn, the Technical Manager, led me through what was needed. I visited the new sound and lighting box in the Parabola Arts Centre, walked across the ‘grid’ over the auditorium, which was even more nerve-racking than lighting the production, and learnt about how to make the lighting cues for the show. Overall, I had a really enjoyable experience and I will definitely volunteer next year, as I am keen to learn more about the technical aspects of theatre.
Nicole Evans UC5
Principal’s Lecture Series 2009-10
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Spring Term lecture in the Principal’s Lecture Series 2009-10 will be given by Patsy Rodenburg, Director of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her talk entitled “Voice and Power of Presence’’ will take place in the Princess Hall on Saturday 6th February at 11.20am.
The lecture will start promptly at 11.20am and will be followed with a question and answer session and light refreshments. Staff and friends are most welcome to attend. Please contact Mrs L Guy by email guyl@cheltladiescollege.org if you wish to attend.
Snow at College
Thursday, January 07, 2010
College remains open and the girls are enjoying the snow
Eventing Successes for Evie Paterson
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
At the end of November I was told that my application for a Talented Athlete Scholarship Support (TASS) scholarship had been successful. TASS is a government funded scheme to support financially talented athletes still in education to the sum of £3500. It was a real honour to be selected, particularly because I had heard that TASS were reducing the number of awards given to Eventers this year. I also found out that Direct Supreme has been selected for the Equine Pathway, which aims to pick out potential Olympic horses for the future, keep track of their progress and help them maximize their potential. The Equine Pathway offers free support and training with the Olympic trainers.
This year has been my most successful year of Eventing to date. On Direct Opposition, a bay thoroughbred gelding, I won two junior trials for the British Junior Team when I came third in the U21 trial at Lincoln in March and first at the under 21 trial at Weston Park in April. The following month, again on Direct Opposition, I came fourth at the U18 British Junior Championships at Houghton Hall in Norfolk. At the final trial for the Junior Team, I achieved fifth on Direct Opposition and eighth on Direct Supreme, after which I was selected to represent the British Junior Team on Direct Opposition and to join the few named reserve riders on Direct Supreme. I also achieved fourth in the intermediate at Aston le Walls in Northamptonshire on Direct Supreme in August and qualified for the National Novice Championships on him after winning two novice classes and coming third in a regional final.
At the three day Junior European Championships in Waregem, Belgium in September, and for the second year running, I was a member of the team of four, finishing second best in 12th place, jumping a double clear. The team was fourth by only two points but we suffered very bad luck with one horse going lame. If this horse had jumped clear we would certainly have won gold. I was absolutely thrilled to finish in the top 12 and to be in the top five in all my trials this year. I am also very pleased with how well Direct Supreme, who is only seven, has progressed because I have produced him myself.
The last competition of the season was the U21 Championships at Weston Park in October when I took part in my first two star competition on Direct Opposition and finished 2nd. Direct Supreme came 15th in the one star.
Next season I will be aiming Direct Supreme at his first Two Star and at the British Junior Team for the Junior European Championships. I also plan to do my first advanced class on Direct Opposition and a Two Star on Blair Castle. However, I frequently have to remind myself that anything can happen when horses are involved.
Evie Paterson SFC2
The Christmas Cake Decorating Competition
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
On 4th December at Bayshill Dining Room the judging of a new competition took place. Each house was given a cake that had been made by the Catering Department at College and asked to decorate it for Christmas. In my house, Glenlee, Charlotte Buckley, Molly Fleming, Ella Halliday, Annabel Dudley and Emily Parker decorated the cake with the help of one of our matrons, Mrs Davis. I went down to the judging with my housemistress, Mrs Coull.
The judges were Mrs Tuck, Principal, Mrs Poll, Teacher of Food Technology and Mrs O’ Mahony, Front of House Manager at Main College. All the houses took part so there were 14 different cakes all decorated with a Christmas theme but with variations. One was Santa going down a chimney, another was a snowman and yet another was a blue and white Christmas tree, which was decorated by Beale. After much deliberation the judges announced that Beale had come first, Glenlee second and Sidney Lodge third. There was an amazing trophy awarded for first place as well as tea for four at the Hotel du Vin.
The whole event was a lot of fun and I hope it happens again next year.
Claire Mitchell LC3
Top Photo: Girls with Rose Bennett, Kitchen Assistant and Andy Taylorson, Executive Chef
Bottom Photo: Beale girls with the winning cake
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
On 2nd December, a production of the world’s most famous love story, performed by an all female cast, took place in the brand new Parabola Arts Centre. Girls from Year 8 through to Year 13 took part in the production over three nights.
Dr Joanna Bratten, Director of the Extra-Curricular, Enrichment and External Programmes and Teacher of English, started work on the production in June and girls have rehearsed for twelve weeks since the beginning of term in September. Antonia Tootill and Hannah Beer, who played Romeo and Juliet, rehearsed for nearly 150 hours in preparation for the production. They were supported by a cast of 36 other girls, a crew of five and a stage manager.
The production was minimalistic and stylised: not set in any particular historical period but not modern either. The exciting technical possibilities at the Parabola Arts Centre allowed for the creation of a moody and dramatic lighting design. Thanks to the intimate space of the auditorium, the audience had an intense experience.
‘A Shakespeare play with a single-sex cast is always interesting because it is reminiscent of the original performance conditions, but challenging because audiences of today find it harder to engage with’, said Dr Bratten. ‘The girls in the production have worked incredibly hard and achieved something very special with this production. They have been incredibly generous and creative throughout the process which has made directing this production a great deal of fun. I always love directing Shakespeare because of the sheer brilliance of the language and the satisfaction that comes from making words that are over 400 years old seem so fresh’.
News
Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles
Please see the links below for the latest Telegraph articles written by Vicky Tuck. 05 February 2010, 11 January 2010, 11 December 2009, 12 November...
British Schoolgirl Ski Races
Many congratulations to the College Ski Team who achieved great results at the British Schoolgirl Ski Races in Flaine, France at the end of January. ...
Alternative Energy Competition
Mrs Annette Johnston, a former pupil of CLC, very generously donated a prize fund for a newly created alternative energy speaking competition: The Ste...
Jessica will represent Australia
In January 2010, I was so excited to learn that I had been given permission by the Australian Equestrian Federation to represent Australia at internat...
InfoBuzz Talk
In one of our Saturday activities we were fortunate enough to be introduced to the charity InfoBuzz, which provides young people with the necessary in...
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