Head's Newsletter 11 February 2022

In other areas of school life, the sporting programme has continued apace with the final block fixtures of rugby. Many of the teams have performed extremely well this year and there have been some exceptional results. You can read about who was selected for our rugby team of the year, chosen by all the coaches. I ’ m also delighted that our first girls ’ rugby fixtures of the season have begun and our girls ’ rugby team has recorded some very strong victories over leading opposition. Exam classes in particular are working hard, and focused on what we hope will be a normal season of exams. Year 13 students have been receiving university offers over the last couple of months, and we share in their excitement as they consider their futures, whichever path they decide to go down. In particular I ’ m very pleased to report that we have had another record year of Oxbridge offers, with over 30 year 13 students being offered a place at Oxford or Cambridge. Congratulations to all students receiving offers at the moment. I wish all Tiffin students and their families a restful half term and look forward to seeing everyone again when we return on the 21st of February. Yours, Mr M D Gascoigne, Headteacher

Dear Parents, We are already half - way through the Spring Term and I am pleased to say that we have managed to reach half term with minimal disruption from Covid, and the number of infections remaining low. It has been wonderful to once again put on a full stage production. We have not been able to do this for two years and there has been a palpable sense of excitement, as well as a return to normality, with the Guys and Dolls production this week. I ’ m delighted that I was able to view both casts on different nights through the hosting of our two special guest nights. One of these involved alumni who have subsequently gone into the world of film, TV, or acting. Needless to say, they were highly impressed by the extraordinary standard of both the acting and singing, as well as the quality of the huge orchestra. It really has been a remarkable effort to successfully put on such an ambitious production. Thanks go to Mr O ’ Malley and Dr Selig on the music front, to Mr Emerson, Mr Palmer and Mr Pereira on the stage, Mrs Brittain as choreographer, and Ms Langton on wardrobe. Most of all, we thank our fantastic Director, Ms Hughes, whose ambition and leadership has brought it all together. I ’ m sure the students involved will always remember this terrific experience from their time at Tiffin.

IMPORTANT DATES

Students back after Half Term, normal start.

Monday 21 February

Y7 Parents ’ Consultations 2pm online: school finishes at 12.30 for Yr10 - 13 and 1.20 for Yr 7 - 9. Y8 Parents ’ Consultations 2pm online: school finishes at 12.30 for Yr7 - 9 and 1.20 for Yr 10 - 13.

Wednesday 23 February

Thursday 3 March

PDD Day. No students in School

Friday 4 March

CLASSICS TALK BY ESTEEMED CLASSICIST

ENGLISH TRIP TO HAMLET

One Friday in January, Tiffin Classics had the opportunity to watch a live talk by esteemed classicist Professor Mary Beard. Professor Beard has long been a champion of Classics in schools and seems to have enjoyed the opportunity to appear, albeit virtually, before our students via Google meet. In the absence of any trips recently due to covid, the session was a great opportunity for our students to hear someone external speak about Classics. The talk was attended by years 11 - 13; Classicists and members of Tiffin ’ s FemSoc. Professor Beard tackling topics such as the enduring appeal of Rome and its relevance to modern politics, Cicero's consulship, and a feminist interpretation of Euripides' Bacchae.

Tuesday, 1 st Feb, the English cohort went to see Hamlet at the Sam Wanamaker playhouse. We somehow managed to all get there on time, and when we arrived it proved to be a great experience. The staging was amazing, and it was an interesting interpretation of the text that completely subverted my expectations of it. It seemed to have helped a lot of people start to gain an understanding of the plot too, although a first watch of a Shakespeare play is always a little confusing! The company did the text justice, mixing older traditions like candlelight staging with more modern elements such as the costumes and graffiti, which I thought was cool too. Overall, we had a great trip, and I'm excited to start studying the text :) (Nina Thyr)

TIFFINOMICS ESSAY COMPETTION RESULTS

ASTRONOMY SOCIETY

The Tiffin Astronomy Society hosted an online lecture from Dr Jeoffrey Briggs, ex Tiffinian with a long - time career in physics. Dr Briggs attended Tiffin School between 1951 and 1958. After Tiffin he was an undergraduate at Durham University in the Physics Department, obtaining his BSc in 1962 and 4 years later a PhD in High Energy Physics. His brilliant career in physics included working at Caltech ’ s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and at NASA as Director of the Solar System Exploration Program. The talk, “ The Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life ”, had Mars as its centre, detailing the NASA and the China Space Agency robotic landed missions ongoing on the red planet. Dr Briggs discussed the future of sample return in the coming years, including issues with Planetary Protection needing coordination between the Agencies. Dr Briggs kindly donated to the school his books “ Journey into deep space: The inner solar system ” and “ Journey into deep space: Outer solar system & beyond ”, outlining humanity ’ s latest efforts in the exploration of space. The Tiffin Astronomy Society and the many students present at the lecture are immensely grateful to Dr Briggs for this fantastic opportunity.

Tiffinomics ran two separate law and philosophy essay competitions this term. The questions were based around the theme of diversity with the Law question being ‘ Should positive discrimination be legalised as a way to increase diversity within the judiciary? ’ and our Philosophy choices being ‘ should Infinitely wise and benevolent rulers have infinite power? ’ OR ‘ Was Ujamaa philosophy a beneficial ideology to Tanzania? ’. The competition was tough and the winners hard to pick. However, after some consideration we decided that Harish Narasimhan won the Philosophy competition and Farah Shaheen, the Law competition. Both won £10 Waterstones gift vouchers. Click here to read the winning submissions . If you are interested in the political sciences do head over to explore the Tiffinomics website.

LGBT + HISTORY MONTH

Tiffin is proud to be marking an important aspect of history by celebrating LGBT+ History Month this February. LGBT+ History Month was started in 2005 by the UK LGBT+ charity Schools OUT to bring queer history to light after a long period where school children grew up hearing nothing positive about LGBT+ people and their lives, largely due to a policy called Section 28. Section 28 was made law in 1988 and enforced until 2000 in Scotland and 2003 in England and Wales and prevented teachers from talking about same - sex relationships in schools, forcing teachers back into the closet or out of their jobs, and scarred a generation of LGBT+ people all at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, causing more hurt to an already marginalised community. Here at Tiffin we are celebrating with form time discussions, assemblies, and a book display in the LRC with the aim of raising the visibility of LGBT+ people and raising awareness of significant historical events in the LGBT+ community's fight for equal rights, while also highlighting the current progress and challenges facing the LGBT+ community today.

On the day, we left for St Paul ’ s Girls ’ School after a final practice ahead of the debate. Armed with a few pages of notes, we entered our first debate ready to face our opponents. My partner and I channelled our inner revolutionaries, arguing against the notion of a monarchy - an apt topic for a French debating competition. Secondly, we immersed ourselves in K - Pop, explaining why the genre ’ s success had caused more good than harm to society. Lastly, we moved on to our final debate of the evening, in which we emphasised our moral responsibility towards the environment. Refreshments followed, during which the results were announced: despite the vehement arguments of all three Tiffin teams, we unfortunately were unable to secure a place in the next round. Nevertheless, the competition was both enriching and entertaining, and it was undoubtedly an evening well spent! James Maloney 12MB. BREAKING NEWS! Tiffin Dance Company won the London Youth Games Dance competition yesterday. Here is the winning team.

FRENCH DEBATING TRIP

Not since the fiery debates of France ’ s 18th century revolutionaries has the French language been wielded with such zeal as during a recent French debating competition. Now, whilst this may be a slight exaggeration, it does give a fitting image of the competition ( Les Joutes Oratoires ) in which six Tiffin French students participated, on Tuesday 1 February. Translated into English as ‘ The Oratory Jousts ’, the debates comprised four initial speeches followed by four minutes of lutte acharnée (literally ‘ fierce combat ’ during which the two teams lock horns) and were concluded by a short summary speech from each side. The debating competition takes place each year, pitting sixth form students from across the UK against each other in topical debates, to provide an excellent opportunity to engage with other Francophile students but also to improve French fluency and spontaneity. Having formed three pairs to take part in the competition, we prepared and practised our arguments for the motions we were to debate on 1 February.

TIFFIN DANCE COMPANY RICHMOND COLLEGE THEATRE

In the past few weeks, a group of 10 Key Stage 3 individuals including myself have rehearsed a choreographed piece based on the tensions of lockdown that Mrs Brittain and James Aidan Kay from Traceworks Dance, a professional dancer, brought to life. We had the opportunity to represent Tiffin in the Kingston Borough Dance Competition of which we won, and attend a workshop at the Brit School. We have been involved in many ambitious endeavours, but this one was by far the most exhilarating.

We arrived at the Richmond College early in the morning to have a technical rehearsal. At the time of the rehearsal, we did not have the energy of the crowd to boost our adrenaline, but a certain ambiance could be felt in the air and we were already excited. There was a long wait for our performance after this rehearsal, and this was occupied with a lot of fun in which we took turns playing on a Nintendo Switch and indulging ourselves in miscellaneous activities.

We were all in playful moods, and the plight of what we were about to do only seemed to hit us a few minutes before it was our go. We were about to perform for the first time on a stage with a live audience, after so much waiting -- not only during the day, but throughout the whole pandemic and lockdown. We were called down to the ground floor and were all fidgeting around, not of fear but of mass exhilaration. Soon after, it was our go. I clearly remember walking out onto stage, in the pitch darkness. I did not anticipate the crowd, nor the darkness when the spotlights had gone off. Not able to see our formations clearly, a wave of confusion set over me and the rest of the troop, but somehow we found our

formations and once the spotlights had turned on and the music started, our weeks of practice paid off. Each and every one of us put the most energy we could muster into the performance and with the ambiance present in the atmosphere, I enjoyed myself greatly. Then, the spotlights turned off and a huge roar of applause was heard from the crowd. Richmond College Theatre was an experience to remember!

TIFFIN DANCE COMPANY BRIT SCHOOL TRIP

On Thursday the 20th of January, the Tiffin Dance Company travelled to the renowned Brit School! A school in which celebrities like Tom Holland had attended when they were students. A school, home to professional students, who were already masters of the performing arts.

At first glance, the school looked quite impressive and the statues of the Brit award present throughout the main entrance was a clear highlight that the place meant business. We started the day with a dance workshop, in which we were given the privilege to work with Brit school Dance students who were all phenomenal, and who specialise in different styles of Dance. It was an incredible experience to work with them, and eventually we all picked up a few moves here and there! After the workshop, we settled into our allocated seats ready for a performance by the Brit School students and we did not anticipate how good they would be. The performance given to us by all means had the attributes one might see on stage by professionals. Dry ice wafted through the stage and lights of all different colours shone while the dancers danced to different beats. Some, predominantly the raps, were sung by us and the rest of the audience. By the end of the performance, I was blown away by the energy of the dancers and their respective choreographies. Saahil Karthikeyan 9MRL

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM TRIP

Year 12’ s first school trip in who knows how long was a resounding success, at the University of Birmingham. Having started off the day with a talk about the day ’ s itinerary and some university mythbusters, which helped to ease in an excited year group, we went for a thorough campus tour. This helped us to gain a better understanding of the structure of university life, the sheer size of the campus and the many opportunities to participate in the numerous societies on offer. Our tour guides were extremely helpful and knowledgeable, allowing us to maximise the information we could take back home and dwell on.

After lunch, we had our first taste of the teaching style that those of us going to university would have to get accustomed to, and it ’ s safe to say that it didn ’ t disappoint. We were given the option to attend one of two lectures and the one I chose, given by the fascinating Tom Dunkley - Jones on our world ’ s climate and how it can help us study our climate future, was both highly

entertaining and informative. At the end, a few students attending the university answered our queries in a very helpful manner and allowed us to gain as much as possible from the trip.

I got a lot out of the trip because it further cemented my ambition to go to university, answered any burning questions I had about university life and allowed me to explore the very pleasant campus atmosphere at the university. Deniz Korkmaz (Year 12)

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM TRIP

We started bright and early, eager for the first long coach ride of sixth form. Once we arrived, we saw the huge variety in architecture on campus, as an art student it was fascinating. We were ushered into a lecture theatre, where we were given a talk on university life as a whole, widening our knowledge on what we can expect from university. We then had an intriguing talk from Dr Jagbir Jhutti - Johal on The Sikh Experience, race, hate crime and mistaken identity. This talk truly delved deep into the struggles faced by the Sikh community post 9/11, focusing on experiences faced by the Sikh diaspora. It allowed us to have a taste of what a lecture would be like at university. We got to ask questions, sparking a debate across the whole lecture theatre.

It was fascinating to hear how my peers from different backgrounds had viewed their own racial identity growing up. After this, we got to go on a tour with a current first year student, allowing us to explore the campus of this Russell Group university in a casual way. As most open events are virtual in this day and age, this was a very valuable experience.

We got to find out about student life at Birmingham, specifically on how to have a work life balance. Upon returning to the lecture theatre, we got to interview a variety of students at Birmingham, who were at different stages in their academic lives, which truly helped us gauge what we have to look forward to at university. Overall, this trip was extremely valuable, clearing up the mystery that surrounds life at Russell Group unis and also allowing us to have a fascinating conversation on race.

Avan Majumdar (Year 12)

GUYS AND DOLLS

This year ’ s whole - school production of Guys and Dolls has been Tiffin ’ s most popular show in over five years and marks a momentous return to shows . With two separate casts made up of students from Year 7 up to Year 13, at least 50 students acted or danced in the show. Miss Hughes ’ and Mr Emerson ’ s astute direction

ensured that these talented performers were on their A - game for each of the four nights. These two teachers gave up countless lunchtimes and stayed late after school for weeks in order to make the performances the best they could be. They feel fortunate that Tiffin Drama can draw from such a varied pool of incredibly gifted young actors and singers.

Mr Palmer ’ s production skills ensured that the technical and logistical conundrum of organising a show was continuously and smoothly solved. His weekly reminders to buy tickets, demonstrated that these efforts paid off. Drama is also hugely grateful for the efforts of the stage crew, including but not limited to our assistant stage manager Maitri Nori and sound operator Austin Lee, both of whom were imperative to the show ’ s success.

Mr Pereira ’ s design technology skills were invaluable in a crew otherwise bereft of DIY knowledge. Constructing his huge rotating 5 - sided dice was no simple undertaking, but once in place on stage they made for excellent centrepieces.

Drama would like to thank Mr O ’ Malley and Dr Selig for their outstanding musical efforts with the Orchestra. Both gave up much of their free time and helped provide a musical arrangement impressive enough that a paying audience would have gladly attended their concert alone. The orchestra operated like a well - oiled machine and made the Main Hall feel like a space double its size.

Finally, thank you to Olivia in Year 13 and Mrs Brittain for their excellent choreography . The standard of their dance numbers looked truly professional. Thank you to all involved and those who came to watch. We hope to see you next year!

CHESS ROUND UP This half term has seen continuing successes for Tiffin ’ s Chess teams both online and finally, after a couple of years ’ hiatus, over the board.. A record 4 teams qualified for the knockout stages of the National Schools Chess Challenge. The A team, led by Ron, enjoyed an early win against King ’ s Wimbledon ’ s U13 team. Ron Usharovsky and Sagnik Chatterjee, both opted to sac the exchange early on to get their opponents out of prep before outplaying their less experienced opponents in the complications and converting rook endgames. Isaac Lam, in Magnesian fashion, ground his way through a drawish bishop

endgame to emerge with a full point when his opponent eventually blundered, meanwhile Samvrit Subin won a sharp, tactical shootout in the French. Lastly Anixton Linton ensured the 6 - 0 whitewash (board 6 was defaulted) winning a king and pawn endgame 2 pawns up and avoiding the stalemate traps. They now face old rivals Hampton in round two. Tiffin were then able to host their first over the board classical fixtures in two years. The C team played against Eton ’ s A team and Tiffin ’ s winning easy appeared to be continuing after Fardeen playing his beloved Caro Kann, defended competently on board 3 and emerged up a piece, victorious. However it was not meant to be. The more experienced Eton players won nice games on boards 1 (puzzle above), 2, 4 and 5 though Ivan Kuzmin did hold, finding the right coordination of his king and pawns to prevent the black king from infiltrating. The next day, the D team played host to St. Paul ’ s Girls ’ school. Despite losing 6 - 0, the boys played well, particularly the year 7s. Vanya Smolyakov was holding a double rook endgame for a long time (puzzle 3) and Shriyans Muddana survived 76 moves against one of the top junior girls in the world. The B team ’ s fixture was forfeit by Guildford County school so they join the A ’ s in round two, though they are facing RGS Guildford ’ s A team. In the Ivan Gromov Online league, Tiffin continues to excel. Our A and B teams both have 9 points and sit at 1st and 3rd only separated by chess ’ equivalent of goal difference. The week after the A ’ s beat the B ’ s 6 - 0, Tiffin ’ s A team beat Wilson ’ s B 5.5 - 0.5. Ron Usharovsky is now +4 in the competition with 5 wins and a solitary loss. Tong Wu also played a lovely positional game in a closed position to win a monster game that lasted over two and a half hours. Meanwhile the B ’ s beat Eton C ’ s 3.5 v 2.5, the clutch draw coming at the very end as Jack Spicer demonstrated everything Ron has taught him about king and pawn endgames. Tiffin ’ s strong U13 team set off to King ’ s College Wimbledon for the JTCC. Samvrit Subin, Johan Mathew, David Varghese, Shriyans Muddana and Yichen Wu battled through the likes of JAGS (3 - 1), KCS C (4 - 0), KCS B (2 - 2) and St Paul ’ s (3.5 - 0.5) to be in pole position after 4 rounds. However at this point they came up against KCS A, who, in spite of Samvrit ’ s win on board 1, beat us 3 - 1. In the final round, as a result of their quick start to the tournament, they faced Wilson ’ s A. Shriyans played a fantastic game against the two knights Caro but it was in vain as Tiffin lost 3 - 1 in the end. Tiffin finished up 4th behind St. Paul ’ s, Wilson ’ s A and KCS A but still a great result as all of the boys scored at least 50% in a field containing 15 of the top hundred u13 players in the country (3 of whom are at Tiffin)

well in an all but team winning year 7 side, drawing with the winners on 30 points , a brilliant result. The crowning glory of the day was a Maiden victory in the secondary school section at the first attempt by Thomas Whorton. Having been patient in recovering from covid earlier in the season he put in a dominant performance to clinch the title, a fitting first finale to the season.

TIFFIN SUCCESS FOR KINGSTON AT COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

WIMBLEDON BALL BOYS SELECTED!

Reigate Priory was the venue, as usual, for the Kingston Borough team's foray to the County Cross country championships. The seniors had the imperious pretorian guard of Alistair Brendon contesting his final Kingston appearance who placed well in the top half of a strong senior section. Connor Foley managed an impressive 3rd place in the intermediate section to clinch selection to the English schools championships. This was no mean feat in what is, traditionally, the toughest county championship in the Country. Andrew Tian put in an impressive year young performance in this section and so did Eric Bertheussae in the junior boys. The team performances of the smallest Borough at the championships placed us 7th 8th and 4th in the respective team sections. The most impressive section was where unsurprisingly the School's presence was most strong. The year 7s had Daniel Cummings and Mattias Poeizi featuring

Eight students were all successful at Wimbledon ’ s trial and have been selected to be ball boys at this summer's Championships. They have worked extremely hard attending weekly, early morning sessions for the past few months and demonstrating tireless commitment to the training process. This is also a great outcome for Tiffin, having all eight candidates that we put forward, selected for the Championships. What an excellent achievement!

GIRLS’ U18 RUGBY

The Tiffin 1st XV girls ’ team (fondly known as the Three Fishettes) started their 2021/22 season with a mixed training session and “ pre - season ” practice game with Reigate College and Reigate Grammar back in November. Neither school quite knew what to expect, but our first taste of competitive rugby was invaluable even though the game itself unfortunately ended in a draw after two breakaway tries from Freya (Yr13) and Talia (Yr12). However, the Fishettes came back fighting after the Christmas break and went to play Dartford

Grammar for their first full game of 15s. Unbeknown to the Fishettes, Dartford Grammar are the reigning Kent 7s champions, a well - established squad and had been unbeaten this season. Nevertheless, Tiffin showed immense focus, competitiveness and applied their excellent structure on both sides of the ball to score their first try within the first 5 minutes. Tiffin were relentless and kept the opposition in their own half for the remainder of the game. This resulted in 5 more tries including a further 3 tries for Freya (Yr13), another for No.8 Lexi (Yr13) and an interception try for Anna (Yr12) for a resounding final score of 32 - 0 to Tiffin. A week later, the Fishettes played a triangular tournament against Trinity School and a mixed Reigate side. Trinity took on Tiffin first and caught our girls cold with a quick try off a recovered kick - off. Tiffin responded well though, controlling the remainder of the game and using the space well with 2 beautifully worked tries for Anna (Yr12) and fullback Caitlin (Yr12), ending the match with a score of 10 - 5. Reigate were next but quickly conceded 2 Tiffin tries. Tiffin ’ s speedy backs won them 3 more tries, and when the final whistle blew the score was 25 - 10 with an astute pick & go try from captain and scrum - half Lia (Yr13), another try for Anna (Yr12), a powerful run from Maya (Yr12) and two pacey runs from winger Talia (Yr12).

The girls closed out this half - term ’ s work with a full fixture away to Trinity School again – arch rivals of Tiffin School. The Fishettes were caught cold however and they gave away two tries early in the game. After some fighting talk from Trinity, the Tiffin girls focused on their fundamentals and once again reinstated control of the game responding with six unanswered tries. The Fishettes have been unbeaten so far this season, and look to continue this form in their last remaining 15s fixtures against Reading Oratory and a home game against Robert Clack on 23rd March, as well as their upcoming 7s season. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the coaching and support from Mr. Brown, and the whole P.E. department, who helped to create a formidable team out of complete beginners. A special last mention should go to fly - half Anna Johnstone (Yr12) for her selection to the Middlesex U18 team. The first of many of our girls

to play at a higher level I am sure. Lia Leonard, Girls 1st XV Captain

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

After two strong victories against Glyn School and Reigate College the Tiffin 1st XV faced their biggest challenge of the season in the form of a side Tiffin haven ’ t beaten in over a decade, John Fisher 1st XV. However Tiffin were not fazed by the weight of the challenge in front of them, and started the brighter of the two sides, with Alex C running in unopposed after a beautifully executed strike move from a Tiffin scrum inside the Fisher 22. Alex C then converted the extras and gave Tiffin a 7 - 0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Tiffin continued to force mistakes from their quality opposition and kept them penned inside their own half through a combination of structured attack and tactical kicking from fly half Kai. This pressure was awarded with a penalty conversion from Alex C to give Tiffin a 10 point buffer. The game continued in a similar fashion and after some hard running in the outside channel from captain Tom, scrum half Finley played a lovely disguised ball backinside to Tiffins bulldozer flanker Riccardo who fought his way over the tryline to add another 5 points to Tiffin's total. A fight back from John Fisher was inevitable and despite Tiffins dominant and brave tackles against a much larger opposition, John Fisher eventually found their way over the whitewash and added the extras to bring the score back to 15 - 7. Half time followed and gave everyone a chance to breathe. The second half was a much more attritional affair with both sides showing great commitment, however in the end no points were scored from either teams and Tiffin finished the victors for the first time in 12 years. A fantastic achievement for all the players and staff!

Tiffin Rugby Team of the Year

Following this performance Tiffin faced Latymer Upper School at Grists in a Wednesday fixture with staff fearing that the huge emotional and physical toll of the last match would show. However Tiffin showed their class and ran out 40 - 0 winners against an opposition with fantastic work rate. In the next game against St George's School the toll of the quantity and physicality of the previous matches finally caught up with Tiffin. With a depleted squad through injuries and illness Tiffin faced a very strong structured side who were too much for a tired Tiffin, running out 31 - 0. The final game of the season now came with Mr Blackburn fielding an U17s team against Harrodian School, both sides played some fantastic rugby with the future looking very bright for Tiffin Rugby as the boys ran out comfortable winners. A special mention must go to all of the Year 13 students who have played their last game for the school over the past couple of weeks. The staff would like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and hard work over the past years, whichever team you represent next will be adding a quality rugby player and person to their team. TEAM OF THE YEAR 2021-2022 SEASON With the season coming to an end we thought it right to celebrate some of the standout individuals from each year group. This Team of the Year has been decided by all of the rugby coaches and celebrates individuals who have contributed significantly to their team. In truth it was very difficult to select as there is so much talent throughout each year group. Congratulations to everyone selected! (see below)