Enrichment W eek
and Founder ’ s Day
Clockwise from above:
The Gun Run; students speak
at Founder’s Day; Year 10
Shakespeare Day; Orlando
project at Knole.
Enrichment Week was reimagined this year by
Mark Beverley and Theresa Homewood, supported by
Libby Boulianne, Rachel McQuillin and Matt Edwards.
With an eye on fostering our seven learning values
– Independent Learning, Critical Thinking, Creativity,
International Understanding, Social Responsibility,
Collaboration and Self Awareness – the team
developed an innovative and inspirational programme
of activities, a chance for our students to get their
teeth into cross-curricular projects.
Above and inset:
Art installation and puppet-
making inspired by Beowulf.
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The buzz of excitement and activity from both staff
and pupils was palpable. The Archive Project involved
using a host of resources, including the town library
and museums. Interviews were conducted with elderly
people with long associations with the school, in order
to produce a timeline of the history of Sevenoaks
School. Another group was introduced to the concept
of social entrepreneurship followed by a visit to
ACADEMIC REVIEW
Toys R Us. There they explored the effect of various
disabilities on children’s interaction with toys. Their
brief was then to develop a new toy, cost, brand and
package it – The Apprentice in action!
The English, Drama and Art departments used the
Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf as a creative stimulus
for other art forms including a piece of drama, filmed
poetry, a documentary movie and puppet-making, and
an installation was created in The Space. There was
debating; a ‘Save Knole Park’ project which examined
the meaning and significance of Knole Park from
scientific, geographical and historical perspectives;
Kit Car design and racing; electronic music-making;
a ‘Who do you think you are?’ team that explored the
way science and literature can make different sense
of gender issues; and a group which simply explored,
in the words of the physicist Richard Feynman, ‘the
pleasure of finding things out’.
The enrichment theme continued into Founder’s Day
when parents and students had the opportunity to
view displays of these and other activities, including
a stunning SSC Art exhibition. The presentations
and prize-giving featured six students, Max Murray,
Sophie Rayment, Louisa Webb, Martha Tipper, Oliver
Lee and Andrei Golovanov, who reflected personally
on their experiences during the year. Their articulate,
interesting and impressive talks were matched by the
sublime performances of Oblivion and Libertango
(Astor Piazzolla) played by Aria Baker and Anna
Power (flutes) and Madeleine Brown (piano). This was
followed by the ever-popular Gun Run, this year won
by the Army section, and a delicious picnic lunch.
Arabella Stuart
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2016-2017
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