News
The Autumn Term has seen a host of co-curricular events taking place alongside our ongoing activities programme and Mill Hill has been overflowing with enthusiasm and competitive spirit.
Since September the Hockey and Rugby pitches have been buzzing with activity, the Music School has been playing a constant tune with both voice and instrument and the Theatre has been jam packed full of dramatics, costumes and song in the lead up to this term’s production: Margret’s Marvellous Mind. The Fourth Form Martlet programme has seen pupils learning new skills and delving into Mill Hill life in preparation for their move into the Combine Cadet Force in January. Similarly, the Removes have enjoyed a term of Leadership Activities where they have debated current events, made Christmas cards, created business ideas, undertaken Science research projects and much more.
The Activities Programme has been engaging pupils across all years and only looks to entice more pupils in the Spring Term. As well as bringing in over 15 new activities, we are introducing Scholars activities to further develop our Academic Scholars’ subject knowledge, and expose them to topics outside the curriculum. Spring Term sign up will take place in the week commencing Monday 9 January 2023 during tutor period.
A few highlights from the Autumn Term include:
Inter-House Spelling Bee – Daniel Bingham
This term has seen the long overdue reboot of the Inter-House Spelling Bee. Last featuring in 2010 this competition is still in its early stages but there have already been plenty of thrills and spills. Two Sixth Form pupils and two Lower School pupils represent each House and the competition has been fierce as our wordsmiths have gone to battle. Already having cemented places in the Quarter Finals are McClure, Murray, Cedars and Winfield. However, the undoubted stars of the tournament thus far have been Macgregor House. Their team, made up of four girls for whom English is not their first language, so nearly overcame a strong Cedars team. A spellbinding performance!
Inter-House Music – Kevin Kyle
House Music was a roaring success this year! Alongside the eight Mill Hill School day houses, and the four boarding houses, we also welcomed first-time participants Oak House – the Mill Hill International day house. Alongside the Solo and Ensemble competitions, we also had a great time with costumes, props, and choreography in the Massed Items, which lit up the stage (sometimes literally!) Everyone brought their all and our biggest congratulations goo to the overall Winner – Priestley House – and to all the House Music Captains, who oversaw their Houses’ efforts.
Inter-House Hockey 2022. Kwane Brown
The Boarders Team retained the Inter-House trophy with a close final against Atkinson. It was a fantastic day with representatives from all Houses and year groups. It was particularly encouraging seeing a Fourth Form pupil, Martina (Cedars), win the award for Most Valuable Player nominated by the coaches. The players were well supported by their peers, and this only added to the success and enjoyment of the day.
Individual Awards nominated by the coaches:
Top Goal Scorer: Emily Schultze Enden (9 goals)
MVP: Martina Brechner
Team Spirit: Cedars
Individual Spirit: Celia Krikler
Mr Browne
Inter-House Debating, Second Round and Final, Andy Berg:
Inter-House Debating came back to Mill Hill this year with a BANG! All Houses competed with some outstanding arguments and interesting motions. I feel that every team learnt so much from taking part including skills in public speaking but also analytical and critical thinking skills. The final saw Murray and Atkinson square off in front of their entire houses in the Chapel and it was an outstanding event and was an incredible debate. In the end Murray were triumphant, but only by one point! House Debating is definitely back on the Mill Hill map to stay and as the pupils get more experienced I am confident that the standard of debating in all Houses will go from strength to strength.
Remove Leadership Option: Business Enterprise, Mr Dweck
The innovation and enterprise Remove Leadership group took part in a competition to design and market their very own rollercoaster ride.
When designing their rides, they were encouraged to think about the theme, design, and target audience. They were then asked to produce a 5-minute pitch to market and sell their ride to potential investors. They needed to consider how best to communicate with their audience and were focusing not just on the quality of the idea but how they were able to relay this to their target audience.
The teams produced a range of different concepts from adrenaline filled Top Gun themed fighter jet dogfights to Harry Potter rides set in Miami to creepy enclosed spaces being chased by zombies needing to peddle to freedom.
The ultimate winner was the ride ‘Kill switch’ proposed by Samuel (McClure) and Samuel C (McClure). Their concept of creating an app to book a place to avoid queues, their snappy high-quality presentation, which matched the theme, the marketing material and frightening video sequence, gave the audience a real insight into what their ride would be like and persuaded the judges to select them as overall winners. (See poster image below)
A big congratulations to Sam and Sam. We look forward seeing how you do in the Tenner challenge next term.
Rugby – Jim Bloxham
What a year! With more than 2200 points scored in over 100 fixtures, only conceding 1200 points and having over 300 pupils pulling on the MHS jersey, it’s safe to say we have had a successful year. From the U14E to the 1st XV, the commitment and dedication from players and coaches have made this season one to remember. Mill Hill Rugby began the season hosting U16 and Senior preseason festivals, with 12 schools in attendance, making it a competitive start to the year for all involved. An enhanced fixture list this season, with the additions of St Georges Harpenden, Weybridge and Felsted, would ensure Mill Hill Rugby would have the most competitive season for many years.
A massive part of a rugby season is making memories; Mr Suter has always ensured they are captured through his outstanding photography; thank you for taking the time to take and organise so many photographs. Memories this year include the Girls’ Team continuing to grow as a team with a 1st XV training game against Oaklands College, U14E first fixture against Bedford, 1st XV victory, in the pouring rain, under Friday night lights against St Benedict’s, the U16A successful season, culminating in winning the Middlesex Cup, an undefeated season for the U14B and the record number of Mill Rugby player’s playing representative rugby; 5 London Irish U14, 2 Saracens U14, 2 London Irish U15, 1 Saracens U15, 7 London Irish U16, 1 London Irish U17, 1 London Irish U18, 1 Saracens U18, 4 Middlesex U17 and 3 Middlesex U18, congratulations to all those players.
I would like to thank Senior 1st XV Captain George W for setting an exemplary example all season of what a Mill Hill Rugby player should be, leading the way for all future captains in our younger age groups and leaving the shirt in a better place.
Fives – Gwydion Wiseman
It has been great to see the Mill Hill Fives Courts look so busy throughout this advent term. The courts have been open four lunchtimes per week for all year groups to play and mix in together. Throughout this first half term we had already over 200 boys and girls from Mill Hill School at the Fives Courts during games and Martlet lessons with roughly 50 boys and girls attending club sessions during lunch sessions; 30 of these players representing the School.
Mill Hill Dives squad have played fixtures against Harrow, St Olaves Grammar School, Queen Elizabeth Boys School, Aldenham, Westminster, Berkhamstead and Highgate School this term, managing to come away triumphant in various year groups. Many of our players have played in the Summers Cup, Individual tournaments and the Open London’s Championships where they have been exposed top quality fives from Fives players who have left school and play competitively on a regular basis. With more and more players coming up from the large Belmont squad, the ever-growing Mill Hill Fives Team are training for the Schools Nationals held at Shrewsbury school at the end of March.
Imogen Wong
Head of Games and Activities Co-ordinator
