Walking along a black volcanic beach to see magnificent cliffs, caves and posing next to basalt columns were amazing experiences for 28 of our Year 13 (MVI) students, who spent a breathtaking weekend in Iceland as part of our annual Geography Field Trip. They toured the capital, Reykjavik; impressive waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Gullfoss; and visited the stunning site of Geysir - the no longer spouting hot spring that gave its name to the world's geysers. The group did see its neighbour, Strokkur, spout every 10-15 minutes reaching up to 30m. They walked along Solheimajokull -the 'sun house glacier' and finished off with a dip in the geothermal pool at the Blue Lagoon. A school trip to remember.

The second Bronze D of E practice expedition, this time with year nine (Removes) girls. Although a bit drier, still bleak, cold and damp. Navigation was a challenge along the muddy Essex Way, but our intrepid girls persevered and made it fun.

Training for the Bronze D of E award is extremely challenging for students who have no experience whatsoever in map reading and camping out - especially when the weather is typical English springtime - cold, damp, wet and grey. So well done to all our Bronze award students, starting with the Year Nine (Removes) boys who have completed their training along the Essex Way (nr. Chelmsford and The Rodings).

During the Easter break, D of E expeditions started off with Silver canoe training and practice. First, two days at Fairlop Waters, where a dozen year tens did well managing difficult paddling conditions in force 3 gusting to 5 winds. In the second half, they paddled the River Stort starting at Spellbrook Lock (nr. Bishop Stortford), camping at Harlow Outdoors Centre and finishing with water rescue skills to prepare for the qualifying expedition this June. Head of Outdoor pursuits, Andy Bewick said "The group did extremely well considering they were novices in very strong winds."

Chigwell joined more than 1000 schools across the country to be part of BBC School Report News Day 2018. Twenty year-sevens and eights, created a forty-minute news programme that reflected their interest in: growing food underground; the UK’S readiness for electric cars; the wisdom of investing in Bit Coins, the consequences of illegal video streaming; the dangers of laser pointers on aircraft and on our eyes; how the Internet has transformed job recruitment in the 21st century and a unique weather forecast from the top of Olympic Park’s ‘Orbit’ in Stratford. A big thank you to the parents, staff, sixth formers, mentors, and the BBC’s Josh Cheetham, (an old Chig), who helped train, support and edit our reporting team. See for yourself: https://gateway.chigwell-school.org/bbc-school-report/2018

Twenty art teachers from Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk joined Mrs Tilbrook in the Junior Art Room for a wonderful day making ‘Fabulous Fish.’ Local artist and designer, Emma Collins, ran the course, using recycled plastic. The teachers will not only share making these creations with their own students, but Mrs. Tilbrook hopes they will also teach pupils about the need to save our oceans and sea life from the environmental damage plastics have caused.

Parents and staff, along with year sevens, watched the IIIrd form Prom Concert in New Hall. Mr. Ebden said the quality of the music was superb.

For the second annual International Festival of the Foreign Word, students chose a piece of literature from each of three languages, performed in front of staff and students. They were judged on fluency, delivery and intonation. @chigwellschool.

Three Year 12 chemists took part in the Royal Society of Chemists Analyst Competition at Queen Mary College, University of London. Chemistry teacher, Mr. Andrew Long, said Poppy, Catherine and Arjinder, worked impressively and professionally as a team on a 3-hour practical that included degree level chemistry.

Congratulations to the fine musicians in our Chapel Choir, who performed at Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank. Rotary in London chose Chigwell School’s Chapel Choir to perform in their annual ‘Youth Makes Music’ concert at the RFH. Choir director, Howard Ebden, conducted the group through an extended set that included works by Charles Wood, James Curnow and John Rutter. The choir performed magnificently in the packed hall, to resounding applause. Even the stage sound technicians for the London Philharmonic Orchestra commented on how brilliant the choir sounded. For the first time our organist, Simon Winters, was allowed to play the Royal Festival Hall’s magnificent organ and said it was a thrilling experience. Oliver Jackson’s solo permeated the Hall in Rutter’s ‘Rise up Shepherd and Follow.’ Besides performing with the chapel choir, Year 8 chorister, Krish Gupta gave an exhilarating performance of rock classics including Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water.’ BBC presenter, Ellie Crisell, remarked that Krish performed as if he had been plucked out of the West End production of ‘School of Rock.’ In addition to our own ensemble, six of our orchestral musicians played with the Redbridge Symphony Orchestra, including Yasmin Antoniou as principal violinist, in Bernstein’s ‘West Story Suite.’ Chigwell School have a proud tradition of music and these young musicians made the most of this opportunity to show their high-quality musicianship.

Summer ball 🎩

mr morse's maths men

The end of an era ❤️🎉🥂

在学期末尾遥想当年混过的日子🙃🙃🙃

Summer Ball ✨

And in two years we went from nobodys to family ❤️ #summerball #2k17

The dream team ❤️

Taking this little number out for a spin, 8 years on from my own Leavers Ball. Lovely to wear it again #slightlymoresnug

summer ballin'

Summer Ball💕

Look Mum, I have friends™

My little Nutella - so grown up and beautiful at her leavers ball 🖤

Prom Date 🖤

Crashin' @ellafroud Summer Ball

🎩🖤 love my sister @ellafroud