Geography Conference for A-level Students: Warming Cold Environments

On 25 November, ten Sixth Form Geographers attended a day conference on Cold Environments at Wellington College in Berkshire. After a welcome by the Head of Geography, we heard from the Master of Wellington College, Dr Anthony Seldon. He interestingly conjectured that over the next ten years international air flights are expected to become as socially unpopular as smoking has become over the last ten years! During the course of the day we were fortunate to hear some fascinating lectures. Perhaps the best of these was by Professor Andrew Goudie from Oxford University, who spoke about the human impact on the environment. This examined the implications of the 4-6 degree centigrade temperature increase Britain is expected to undergo by 2099. In addition to the better-known effects of melting ice sheets and valley glaciers on rising sea levels, these implications included altering the regime and shape of water courses, increasingly changing weather patterns and shifting vegetation such as the Boreal forest in Canada. Another highlight of the day was a talk by Dr David Anderson of Eton College and Oxford University on Quaternary Britain: Past Perspectives on our Climate Future. This gave our students a thorough insight into the characteristic features of different geological time periods and an understanding of the ongoing natural cycles of climate change. Regarding possible glacial fieldwork studies, we were inspired by the presentation given by the students from Wellington College on the findings of a Geography research expedition to the French Alps. Besides being both interesting and relevant, attending the conference was an opportunity not be missed as it fitted in so well with where we are in the syllabus.

Thanks to Mr Matthews who booked us on the conference and to Mr Orme who accompanied the students.

Sport Report

Year 9 Borough Badminton U14 team of Bobby Gardiner, Arjun Puri, Tom Deacon and Oscar Smyth won the Borough finals beating Nower Hill 6–0, Salvatorian 6-0 and drawing with Park High 3–3. JLS Senior Tennis team of Hassain Mohammed, Michael Hoy, Yura Bolatov and Matthew Lee beat Watford Grammar School 6-0 in a regional league fixture on Wednesday 3 December.

The 1st XI football team produced a tremendous performance to hold on to 2-2 draw against the experience and guile of the Corinthian Casuals and a narrow and very respectable 1-0 defeat away to Hampton. On Tuesday 9 December, the U15s played in the quarter-finals of the ISFA Rensburg Sheppard’s. The U15s played the much fancied Bolton School at Sudbury. Bolton, who had started their trip in the worst possible way leaving their kitbag at their school, started the match by scoring within 90 seconds of kick-off. JLS didn’t let their heads drop and pulled back an equaliser halfway through the first half with Anthony Jeffrey putting a free kick just out of reach of the Bolton goalkeeper from about 25 yards from goal. JLS played the better football. However, the game remained competitive due to the physicality of the Bolton team. After half-time, JLS were unable to continue where they left off but Bolton were unable to capitalise on some sloppy play. JLS were able to get a grip of the game halfway through the second half with Anthony Jeffrey hitting the crossbar after a fine run and moments later the team scored a great team goal with Tunde Adelekan finding Kevin Lee-Simione at the back post to bundle home. The team stayed strong and held out for a fine victory putting them into the semi-finals.

The 2nd XI football team played Highgate in the quarter-finals of the Middlesex Cup. After losing heavily to Highgate earlier on in the season, JLS put in a strong performance but conceded a goal two minutes from time, losing the match 1-0

The traditional Boxing Day fixture v Old Lyonians will take place at Pinner View.

Jack Abelson, PE Department

Headmaster’s Extra

Last weekend I attended the International Confederation of Principals Council in Windsor, Berkshire not Ontario! It is always good to meet fellow Principals from all over the world and exchange views. It has to be said too, that staying in Windsor Castle was an attraction for Council members! Judy Hanna from New Zealand had told her primary school children she was staying at the Queen’s house. At school we are looking forward to a busy end of term; I look forward to seeing many of you at the PFA Quiz on Friday 5 December. If you haven’t got your tickets yet do contact Nick Marten - it’s proving popular!

Kevin Riley

JLS X-Factor

On Friday 14 November, The John Lyon School hosted the JLS X-Factor. This was an evening of performances with a winner announced after the final presentation. The event did not just consist of this one evening, auditions had been taking place throughout the weeks prior to it and the finalists had been chosen from those heats. With a bright and lively audience in anticipation, the evening kicked off with a video compilation of all the auditions, including a rather over dramatic performance from Mr Roy. As the performers showed their vocal talents, the three judges, Anna 'Danni' Wilby, James 'Simon' Caldecourt and Harry 'Louis' Thatcher, were carefully watching them. With funny and light-hearted jokes from the panel of judges, the evening was in full flow. The staff performances were a highlight of the evening, many thanks to them for taking part. A few performers to be mentioned are Lakoda for a crowd warming group performance, Kwasi Yeboah who was the ladies man for the evening singing Ordinary People by John Legend and finally the winner of the charity event Daniel Villamil with a fantastic rendition of Let it be. An event like this does not just fall into place and with a great deal of hard work we managed to raise just over £600 for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Many thanks to all involved, the audience for their support and most of all to Anna Wilby who organised the whole event and made it a great success.

Harry Thatcher, Upper Sixth

Autumn Concert

Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is currently our chosen charity, also benefited from a collection at the end of the Autumn Concert on Tuesday 18 November. We are delighted to report that this raised £568.92. Thank you to all who gave for your generous contributions.

Chamber Concert

The Music Department will be holding a Chamber Concert on Tuesday 2 December at 7.30pm in the Music School. There will be performances from several groups and ensembles which rehearse each week in the Music Department plus a variety of music from pupils performing solo pieces. I do hope you will be able to attend the concert as it will be a wonderful opportunity to hear live music. Tickets are not required for this free event and refreshments will be available. We look forward to welcoming you.

Wendy Constantine

Life-Drawing Classes

Sixth Form Art students have been taking part in weekly life-drawing classes alongside students from Northwood College, exploring the human form to develop their drawing skills. They have worked with both nude and clothed models, producing a variety of studies. This work will be exhibited in the New Year in our exciting new Mall Gallery space. The life classes continue for the rest of the Autumn Term.

Year 11 Artists visit the Saatchi Gallery

On Monday 10 November the Year 11 Art groups visited the new Saatchi gallery in Chelsea, with Ms Hope, Ms Holmqvist, Ms Tizzoni and Mr Miles who was eager to embrace his artistic side. The exhibition was entitled 'Chinese Cultural Revolution 1966-1976' and provided pupils with an insight into contemporary Chinese art, including paintings, prints and installations; this is to be linked to their current project which is exploring the environment around them. To further enhance their research of environments they explored the Kings Road, the highs and lows! The exhibition allowed pupils to explore unusual ways of working, approaching the theme from a new direction and considering a variety of media to work with. Since returning to school they have all produced a book documenting the day, for which a prize will be given to the most exciting presentation. Hopefully we will see influences in the work to come. A big thank you to the accompanying staff for their expertise on the day.

Sport Report

The U13 and U14 Basketball teams have started to compete in the Borough Basketball competition. The U14s enjoyed a win against Hatch End and a respectable loss to Harrow High. The U13s have had a rough baptism but are learning and improving rapidly. In the first round of the Borough championship, the U14s Badminton team beat Whitmore 5-1 and Hatch End 6-0. The U19s enjoyed success against Haileybury winning 6-4. The Year 7 and 8 swimming teams performed well in a Gala hosted by the School. Both teams finishing top of their groups with all members of the team contributing to the victory. Recent football fixtures against Hampton provided a mixed bag of results against a school renowned for their football. The 1st XI narrowly lost 1-0 in a very competitive match but the boys should be pleased with their performance. The U14 As and Bs put in good performances winning 5-3 and 3-1 respectively. The 2nd XI advanced into the quarter finals of the County Cup where they will play Highgate. To get to the quarter finals JLS beat Harrow College. In an exciting game, JLS took the lead and were 1-0 up at half-time. Harrow College equalised making the score 1-1 at full-time. The score stayed the same at the end of extra-time. JLS held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties. On Tuesday 9 December the U15s will play in the quarter finals of the ISFA Rensburg Sheppards. The U15s have enjoyed an exciting run to this stage of the competition with a penalty shoot-out win against Aldenham and an extra-time victory over Westminster.

Jack Abelson, PE Department

Headmaster’s Extra

November 4, 2008 will be a date always remembered. However, while the United States was electing Barack Obama, the Governors were making a momentous decision of their own. I am delighted that Katherine Haynes will be the next Head of JLS and the first female Head of an all boys HMC school. I have worked with her while inspecting other schools and know she will strengthen and develop the school. For the boys though, the victory of the U15s over Westminster (3-2 in extra time) in the ISFA cup to progress to the last 8 was probably the highlight of the week.

Kevin Riley