Welcome from Candy & Emmy
We have had a wonderful week of interviewing Lower Sixth students for a place on the Dukes Renaissance Symposium to be held at Verbier International School in the first week of June. We met with 10 students who had done exceptionally well in their first term of A-levels. It was hard to choose, but Addi, Aden, Alex and Lola were finally selected. They will join 30 other students from Dukes’ colleges in workshops and talks for three days in the alpine resort of Verbier.
This week’s Enrichment Talk
On Tuesday, successful photographer and director, Benjamin Lennox, gave a really interesting talk about his route into a photographic career and the importance now of making Motion part of a photographer’s portfolio of skills. He also emphasised the need for soft skills such as networking and adaptability. He showed many images including some of his stunning motion advertising work for Nike using K-Pop stars.
The Evolutionary Benefits of Bet-hedging
On Thursday, Larry gave his cross-curricular talk, titled “The Evolutionary Benefits of Bet-hedging”. It covers the results from a chapter of his PhD – Life survives the unknown not by being perfect, but by being different. He showed how cells intentionally scramble their chromosomes to “Hedge their bets” against disaster, proving that in an unpredictable world, diversity is nature’s insurance policy.
Bank Holiday Monday
A reminder that the college will be closed next Monday because of the bank holiday. We wish all students and families a restful and enjoyable long weekend.
Adult Study Trip to Rome
We are pleased to offer a four-day adult study trip to Rome (29 September – 2 October), exploring the art and architecture of the Baroque period, with a focus on Caravaggio and Bernini. The programme includes guided visits to major sites, museums and gardens, alongside accommodation in a four-star hotel, providing a rich and immersive cultural experience.
Places are limited to 10 so early booking is essential. To secure your place or for more information, please email fin.hart@hampsteadfinearts.com
Next week’s Enrichment Talk
Next Tuesday, our Enrichment speaker will be Francesca Murialdo, lecturer in Interior Architecture and Design at Middlesex University and Professor at Politecnico di Milano. She will talk about the two university courses, routes into the interiors industry and her life in design.
Year 9 and 10 PSHE Talk
Next Wednesday, Shirldon Barthelmy from the Brook Euston clinic is coming to do workshops with Years 9 & 10 on contraception, the effective use of condoms and negotiating safer sex. Shirldon has been delivering our Relationship and Sexual Education (RSE) guest talks for 25 years and brings a wealth of understanding and experience to the role.
Congratulations to music student, Odinn
This week, Year 13 student Odinn had the exciting opportunity to have his A-Level compositions professionally performed and recorded by the renowned FAME’S Studio Orchestra. The two pieces, Etude for Strings and Allegretto, were captured in a live studio session.
Alumna, Dr Colette Olive – teaching at the University of Leeds
We are delighted to highlight alumna Dr Colette Olive, who is now a Teaching Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Leeds. After her A-levels at Fine Arts (2015 – 2017), she completed her PhD at King’s College London. She has taught at leading institutions including University of Cambridge, and her research focuses on philosophy of art, ethics and modern European thought. Her work explores how art shapes our understanding of the world, reflecting an impressive academic career built on both intellectual depth and creative inquiry.
