Hall School Wimbledon achieved another outstanding set of GCSE results in 2011. Below are some of our pupils from the ‘R’ year group who did particularly well. We also invited parents to comment on their child’s success.
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Michael Abbott, 9A*s and 1 A
Michael joined Hall School Wimbledon in Year 7. He enjoyed an action packed five years at the school during which he played piano and alto saxophone, achieved his Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, visited Wales, France and the Lake District on school field trips and participated in the school’s German Exchange Programme. He also played squash at Wimbledon Racquets Club and was a member of Wimbledon RFC’s Youth team.
Being fluent in German, Michael took his German GCSE in 2009 and achieved an A*. He then went on to obtain a further 10 GCSEs – 8A*s and 1 A grade. Michael is now studying A Levels at Esher College and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
Michael’s father comments:
“Our choice of HSW, five years ago, was not so much based on the expectation of academic excellence but rather on the expectation of a good education combined with fun school years. After all, one only has one childhood. We liked the staff. They listened to our questions and were candid with their answers. We liked the ethos. We liked the idea of a small, mixed-ability school where teachers would actually know our child and would be able to talk to us about his progress. Of course we had other options, but none quite matched up to this. Also, we had spoken to the parents of former pupils who told us that their children had emerged with a terrific, all-round education which exceeded their expectations at the time.
For us, the choice of the Hall School Wimbledon was easy – it was the very best option and our child did have a fantastic five years with some seriously amazing school trips (which fortunately did not cost a fortune). But what is not lost on us now is that all those years ago our son did not even get a sniff of the waiting lists for the super grammar schools which everyone hopes their child will get into, yet came out of HSW with better GCSE results than the vast majority of their pupils of the same age. More importantly though, we now have a well-educated young adult who can hold his own in any company; who is confident and intelligent in conversation and who has made life-long friends. Also, he had a great childhood.
But the big surprise for us when it came to choosing where to go for Sixth Form was that the colleges and schools called us, not just because of the academic results, but also because they really wanted HSW children. And that was something we never knew when we were thinking about senior schools.”
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Alice Birch, 8A*s and 2As
Alice joined Hall School Wimbledon in Year 7, following in the footsteps of her older brother and sister, Henry and Charlotte, who were part of the ‘M’ year group. Henry went on to King’s College School, Wimbledon, and then graduated with a First Class Degree from King’s College London. Charlotte went on to The Tiffin Girls’ School and has just graduated from Nottingham University with a History degree (2:1).
Whilst at HSW, Alice participated in a number of field trips – on which she became known for her good cooking skills – and was the only girl in her year group to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award. She also played the piano and sang in our chamber choir, which achieved second place at the Croydon Music Festival. For the last two years, Alice was the ‘morning secretary’ at The Downs, manning the office, answering the telephone and dealing with queries until Mrs Starke, the school secretary, arrived at 8.30am.
Alice achieved 8A*s and 2As in her GCSEs and is now studying A Levels at The Tiffin Girls’ School.
Alice’s mother comments:
“I am delighted with Alice’s GCSE results. She is my third child to have achieved straight A*s and As at HSW and I believe that this can be attributed to her hard work and determination to succeed as well as the teaching and support provided by the school. HSW has excellent pastoral care and a very friendly atmosphere. All three of my children have fond memories of the school.”
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Taichi Hobbs, 7A*s, 3As and 1B
Taichi joined Hall School Wimbledon’s Nursery in 1997. He is the youngest of three children, and one of five of the Headmaster’s nieces and nephews, to attend the school. Taichi’s older sister, Hannah, studied A Levels at Eastbourne College and is now in her final year reading Anatomy at Bristol University, while his older brother, Kohei, moved on to Hampton School to study A Levels.
During his time at HSW, Taichi participated in all school field trips and achieved the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award. An accomplished tennis and badminton player, Taichi won both the Merton Doubles Tennis Tournament and the Merton Team Badminton Tournament. He was also a runner up in the Surrey and London Team Badminton Tournament. Taichi gained his love of rugby at HSW with many successes over the years. He also played for Wimbledon Rugby Club’s Youth team.
Fluent in Japanese, Taichi took his Japanese GCSE early, gaining an A grade, and then took Japanese AS Level at which he also gained an A grade (100%). In the summer of 2011, Taichi obtained a further 10 GCSEs – 7A*s, 3As and a B grade. He is now studying A Levels at Tiffin School.
Taichi’s father comments:
“The end of summer term, 2011, was a sad day as the last of our three children finished his time at HSW. All started at age 3 and so it was 17 years from the first starting to the last leaving! All have done well since leaving HSW with a total of 13 A*s, 16 As and 4 Bs at GCSE between them.
They loved all aspects of their time at HSW; from early morning circuit training which seemed to settle the boys for lessons and, with the wide variety of sports, left them fit and accomplished in their favourites (netball and rugby trials for Surrey), great food, great friendships (HSW alumni 21st parties are now dominating our eldest’s social life), school outings, foreign exchange trips, field trips (not only enjoyed but usefully assisting in cutting the parental umbilical), DofE expeditions, netball and rugby tours to New Zealand (life-changing experiences), the easy availability of kind teachers, the flint system enabling us to follow progress and highly preferable to the dreaded “homework”, birthday cakes… one could go on! The lessons were obviously good as well! We also made great friends amongst the children’s friends’ parents, many of whom comment on how sociable HSW parents are.
Criticisms? The four Bs (!); all would have preferred to stay on for 6th form at HSW; only one managed any Latin, none any Greek; old school ties to remember the school by; but apart from that nothing much could have been improved upon.
What have they left HSW with? Confidence, definitely, great results, certainly, an enthusiasm for learning, friendships which will clearly last a lifetime, rounded individuals, yes. Although none showed any particular aptitude in Art or Music, they all had a go and participated fully in various end of term shows, carol services and of course they all love sport. But I guess above all they were extremely happy at HSW and leave with very happy memories of their schooling. A parent could not ask for more; the best days of their lives, to quote an old cliche, very possibly. Many thanks to all staff at HSW. All five of us will miss HSW and shall follow the school’s progress with interest and affection.”
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Seigo Masuda, 8A*s, 3As and 1B
Seigo joined Hall School Wimbledon in 2005 when his family moved over to the UK from Japan.
Seigo is a very talented squash player who began playing at Hall School Wimbledon and has represented England. In 2005, Seigo was Surrey’s Junior Open Squash Champion and participated in the London Youth Games in 2008 (runner up) and 2009 (winner). In 2010, he was selected to play in the World Junior Open Squash Championships and came 36th out of 64. Seigo currently retains the title of Surrey’s Open Squash Champion for both U17s and U19s.
Seigo also played the violin and was a member of the school orchestra.
Seigo took Japanese GCSE early and achieved an A*. He then went on to obtain a further 7A*s, 3As and a B in his GCSEs last summer. In each Science GCSE, Seigo scored 100%. He won an ‘Outstanding Talents’ scholarship to Harrow School where he is now studying A Levels.
Seigo’s mother comments:
“First of all we must thank Mr Hobbs and all the teachers and staff at Hall School Wimbledon. Seigo was offered places at several good public schools and he chose to go to Harrow School on an ‘Outstanding Talents’ Scholarship.
Seigo received fantastic support from his Hall School Wimbledon ‘family’ throughout his time at the school, not only for his academic achievements but also for his competitive squash. He could not have had such a well balanced school life without this support.
His HSW experiences have proved very useful at Harrow already. The Flint system has prepared him well and Seigo feels comfortable in allocating his time and managing his new schedule.
Hall School Wimbledon was the school that Seigo himself chose when we moved to the UK six years ago. His GCSE results and the development of his talent have proved that Seigo chose very well.”
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Owen Neve, 8A*s, 2As and 1B
Owen joined Hall School Wimbledon in the Reception class in 1998. He attended all field trips with the school and achieved the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.
Owen’s talents cross the creative arts and sporting spheres. He was the 2009 Merton Borough Badminton Champion as well as Merton Borough Singles and Doubles Tennis Champion. He is a talented artist and musician; he plays the piano and is also a member of a band in which he plays guitar, bass guitar and drums. He also achieved LAMDA grades 1, 2 and 3 at HSW.
Owen achieved 8A*s, 2As and 1B in his GCSEs and is now studying A Levels at Latymer Upper School.
Owen’s parents comment:
“The key to Owen’s life at HSW was that he was happy. If you’re happy, you can do anything. And children learn best when they are happy and in a stimulating environment. His friends gave him a sense of camaraderie and his teachers gave him a sense of his own worth. From nervous beginnings, he developed into a 16-year-old who was entirely at ease with himself, who enjoyed the work and the life of the school, and enjoyed doing well.
What we liked about Hall School Wimbledon was its ethos – which is liberal, idealistic and high-spirited and resulted in Owen’s good-natured and cheerful individualism. Many schools claim that they are interested in the individual but HSW really is. Anything a child wants to be can be achieved. We always felt that HSW enabled Owen to fulfill his potential, especially academically. The teachers were invariably good, civilised people who encouraged Owen’s interest in their subjects. This was ultimately rewarded by his achieving excellent results in all 11 GCSEs.
Owen is now happily settled at Latymer school, where he continues to be a successful and happy student.”