Scissorum - MTS Historians recognised by Oxford and Cambridge - Issue 274
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Scissorum
Issue 274
Merchant Taylors’ School
MTS Historians recognised
by Oxford and Cambridge
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
From the
Head Master
It has been a week of considerable similar recognition for their work I am delighted to see the photos
success on the academic front. before finding success in their full of boys kayaking on their trip with
After last week's news of Willem Oxbridge applications. Mr Williams and Mrs Omert. As
Redman being announced as one we start to open up the school
of the winners of the Vellacott In Classics, Lower Sixth Former on the co-curricular front, it
History Essay Competition, Neel Gokal was then awarded is important to offer the boys
we have also heard that fellow first place in the StudyClassics opportunities wherever we can.
historians Joe Morgan and Zain-Ul Essay Competition. His essay, The boys have been magnificent
Haq have been commended in entitled “Is Aristophanes’ speech so far - industrious, kind and
Oxford University's Julia Wood in Plato’s Symposium plausible?”, good-humoured - and I look
Essay Competition. This is a was all the more impressive as forward to seeing them continue
tribute to the boys' scholarship The Symposium is a challenging to thrive after such a long time
and discipline. It is also the result text that is not currently studied away from Sandy Lodge.
of the wonderful work of our at school and is therefore a
History Department who have most pleasing reward for Neel's
helped a significant number of willingness to go well beyond the
boys over the past few years gain curriculum.
Boys get back into their kayaks
02 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
The Merchant Taylors'
Open Morning video
Premiere
Saturday 26th September 10.00am
www.mtsn.org.uk
03 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Upper Sixth Former wins
Cambridge History Essay Prize
Peterhouse, Cambridge, hold a achievement to be recognised by such an esteemed institution, and the
prestigious essay competition History Department would like to congratulate Willem for his tremendous
each year called the Peterhouse success.
Vellacott History Prize. It has long
Mr M W S Hale, Head of History
been a tradition that promising
historians from Merchant Taylors’
pen an original and ambitious essay
on a question of their choice for "It has long been a tradition that
submission. In the past five years
George Solomou, Yasar Cohen-
promising historians from Merchant
Shah, and Joey Ricciardiello have Taylors’ pen an original and
all been commended for their
compositions by Peterhouse, from
ambitious essay on a question of
a huge field of entries. their choice for submission."
This year Willem Redman joins
that illustrious company and has
been commended for his essay
‘“The ‘Father of Parliament’:
What motives lay behind Simon
de Montfort’s leadership of the
baronial opposition against the rule
of King Henry III from 1263-65?”
Willem suggested that numerous
interconnected motives lay behind
Montfort’s stance against Henry
III. He resented Henry’s rule from
an individualistic perspective as
well as one of the realm and held a
personal desire for a more fruitful
future for his dynasty. In addition,
he possessed an honourable
commitment to both faith and his
followers alongside a revolutionary
vision of what Parliament could
become, which led Montfort to
take an unprecedented stance
against the king. This commitment
ensured that Montfort cemented
his reputation as the ‘Father of
Parliament’. It is a magnificent
04 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
To read Willem’s essay please click on the link below:
https://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/MTSN/_Publications/Scissorum/Vellacott_History_Prize_-_Willem_
Redman.pdf
writes Willem Redman (U6th):
The argument I put forward in my essay was that it was a combination of a commitment to pursuing the common
good, a lust for personal gain, and a desire to uphold both chivalric and religious expectations which led Simon de
Montfort to take his bold stance in opposition to King Henry III from 1263-65.
Montfort, in the brief period where he ruled England having captured Henry III, called the January Parliament of
1265. The occasion saw the realisation of Montfort’s revolutionary vision: to turn Parliament – an event which
had previously been reserved for solely the sovereign and social elite – into an occasion attended and influenced
by a cross-section of all strata of society. Through such an initiative, Montfort established himself as one of the
key protagonists in the evolution of representative governance with many considering him to be the ‘Father of
Parliament’.
I chose to write my essay on this topic due to a personal interest in Medieval British history, specifically from
the 12th century – which marked the commencement of the influential and multifaceted Plantagenet dynasty
- to the 15th century. The period was transformative as, through the passing of unprecedented legislation and
establishment, albeit in embryo, of various key constitutional vessels, the previously unquestionably autocratic
monarchy was increasingly obliged to pursue a conciliar form of governance; a most significant change to the
power dynamics of the Middle Ages.
I must take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the MTS History department who have nurtured my passion
for the subject throughout my time at the school; their insightful and distinguished teaching played a crucial role in
the attainment of this accolade.
"The period was transformative as, through the passing
of unprecedented legislation and establishment, albeit
in embryo, of various key constitutional vessels, the
previously unquestionably autocratic monarchy was
increasingly obliged to pursue a conciliar form of
governance; a most significant change to the power
dynamics of the Middle Ages."
05 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Two Sixth Formers commended
in Oxford History Essay Prize
Zain-Ul Haq and Joseph Morgan have both received Commendations from the judges of the Julia Wood History
Prize, an essay competition held annually by St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Their success means that this is the
third year in a row that historians from Merchant Taylors’ have been recognised in the competition. Both essays
demonstrated an impressive level of conceptual sophistication and intellectual ambition.
Zain’s essay sought to critique Benedict Anderson’s famous contention that the combination of the Catholic
Church, the status of Latin as a ‘truth language’, and the structures of dynastic authority made the development
of nationalism impossible in the medieval world. The essay drew a fine distinction between nationalism and
national identity to argue that whilst ‘medieval ideals of nationhood were much different to those of the modern
day, it is clear that there are some similarities, such as the reconstruction of an immemorial past through
Arthurian legend or the role of Parliament and common law in cementing the nation as one.’
Joseph’s essay, meanwhile, examined the influence of printing on the political culture of early modern Britain,
thereby examining the rise of the ‘public sphere’ in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The essay traced
the increasingly prominent and influential role of printing through the pamphlets of Elizabeth’s reign to the
emergence of the newspaper after the lapsing of the Licensing Act of 1695 and argued that although printing
played a vital role in creating a truly national political culture, the path by which it did so was far from linear.
Mr P A Hoyle, Master of History
06 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
writes Joe Morgan (U6th):
I considered the impact of print on political culture in early modern Britain. I argued that between the arrival of print in
Britain in 1476 and the end of the eighteenth century, print had a transformative impact on political culture. In particular,
print facilitated the emergence of the public sphere, of a political culture where a significant proportion of the population
was aware of political issues thanks to the spread of newspapers and where popular political views were, in turn,
expected to regularly influence political outcomes. I rebut historians who overemphasise the importance of print prior to
the Glorious Revolution, after which print was permanently freed from the shackles of censorship; and who argue that
the public sphere, too, emerged prior to the Glorious Revolution.
"I rebut historians who overemphasise the
importance of print prior to the Glorious Revolution,
after which print was permanently freed from the
shackles of censorship"
Please follow this link to view Joe’s essay: https://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/MTSN/_Publications/Scissorum/
Scissorum_Julia_Wood_History_Prize_Entry__Joseph_Edward_Morgan_.pdf
writes Zain-Ul Haq (U6th):
Benedict Anderson’s “Imagined Communities” is one of the most influential works in the study of nationalism and ideas
of national-identity, particularly in the modern era. He argues that sentiments of national-identity can be traced back
to the decline of the medieval world, through the waning influence of the Universal Church, the decline of the truth-
language Latin, and the receding authority of dynastic structures. A distinction here must be drawn with Anderson’s
theory pertaining to nations and nationalism, where he outlines the nation as ‘an imagined political community’ with a
claim to sovereignty rather than a sense of consciously shared identity which constitutes national-identity. With regards
to ‘Medieval England’, the focus of this essay was the 14th Century, particularly the latter half, considering the widely
acknowledged role which Anglo-French conflict, and subsequently the initiatives of Edward III played in solidifying a
sense of rudimentary national consciousness. Throughout this essay the Anderson thesis was critiqued and engaged
with, in regards to the three conditions expounded above, ultimately concluding that some semblance of national-
identity was present in 14th Century England, cultivated largely through the various policies of Edward III in an era
where the bonds between monarch and 'nation' were increasingly solidified.
"Throughout this essay the Anderson thesis was
critiqued and engaged with ... ultimately concluding
that some semblance of national-identity was present
in 14th Century England"
Please follow this link to view Zain’s essay: https://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/MTSN/_Publications/
Scissorum/Scissorum_Zain-Ul_Haq__Julia_Wood_2020_-Entry___Cover_Sheet.pdf
07 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Fifth Former wins Study Classics
Essay Competition
Neel Gokal (L6th) has been Neel’s essay looked past the surface studied at school, which makes
announced as the overall winner implausibility of this tale, arguing Neel’s attention to the ambiguities
of the Study Classics Essay that Aristophanes’ speech stresses and complexities of this text,
Competition. His essay assessed the yearning and reciprocity of charming and thought-provoking
the plausibility of Aristophanes’ love and therefore accords with in equal measure, all the more
argument in Plato’s Symposium, a human experience better than other impressive.
4th-century work on the nature of accounts of love in the text. This
love. Aristophanes’ speech takes as yearning suggests a further point To read Neel's essay please click on
its starting point a fable that humans to be taken seriously: that it is this link
were once two-bodied, until they in human nature to strive for
were split in half by Zeus because https://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/
wholeness, unity, and self-realization,
of their arrogance. From that point, content/MTSN/_Publications/
and love is to be understood in
humans have each sought their Scissorum/Scissorum_Classics_
relation to this natural end.
‘other half’. Love therefore brings Essay_Competition-_Neel_Gokal_1.
us closest to our original nature. The Symposium is not currently pdf
"Neel’s essay
looked past
the surface
implausibility
of this tale,
arguing that
Aristophanes’
speech stresses
the yearning
and reciprocity
of love and
therefore accords
with human
experience
better than other
accounts of love
in the text."
08 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Charity Drive
writes Harry Bridgewater (L6th):
Last Sunday, three Lower Sixth boys (Harry
Bridgewater, Ryan Wilkins and Henry Wareing) biked
40 miles each to raise money for Young Harrow
Foundation, The Harrow Club and Shaftesbury
Enterprise. Half of this money will be donated to YNF
who support disadvantaged young people, who have
been made particularly vulnerable due to the COVID
pandemic. The other two quarters will each be given
to Shaftesbury Enterprise and The Harrow Club, both
focusing on enhancing life opportunities for Harrow
and West London’s youth. After setting a target of
£500, we have smashed this and raised a total of £770
so far. After 40 miles of sweaty riding up and down
hills, from Harrow to Chalfont and back, we finished in
under 3 and a half hours. If you would like to sponsor
us, please follow this link:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/
showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=MTSBoysandTeam&
isTeam=true
09 September 29 2017
Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Biology
Upper Sixth students make the most of the sunny morning and the school grounds with some ecology practical
work in Biology.
10 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
This Week
Drama on the pitches
11 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
House
Blue sky thinking!
Clive Lower School engage in some cloud spotting with the Cloud Appreciation Society founder via Ted.com
12 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Outdoor Education
MTS Kayak Club
On Sunday 13th September four advanced members of the MTS Kayak Club returned to the Nene White Water Centre.
Despite a long-enforced break during lockdown, there were no signs of skill fade as they attacked the course from the
top and survived the first run without mishap.
The next three hours saw all four boys testing their skills on every wave available, seeing as much from below the
waterline as above. Thom Haynes deserves particular mention for performing five successful white-water rolls in quick
succession as he tried to surf the biggest wave on the course. Siddharth Pillai listened carefully to the coach’s warning
about dropping sideways from the top of the waterfall, but decided to test the theory for himself, with inevitable results.
Cian Omert and Tom Smart paddled with style and finesse all afternoon, confirming the team’s readiness for the Lee
Valley Legacy assessment as soon as the course reopens.
Thanks to Mr Williams for coaching and to Mrs Omert for not only providing the essential first aid and safeguarding
cover, but also for agreeing to join the team for her first white water experience.
13 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Outdoor Education
14 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Outdoor Education
15 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Outdoor Education
16 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Sport
MTS 1st XI play MCC
After a disappointing summer the on, looked much easier to bat on. Burnell (Loughborough), Rohan
2020 MTS 1st XI finally got some A rearguard action from the lower Day (Internship), Samir Sardana
cricket with the much-anticipated order saw the MCC claw their way (Cambridge), Jolan Baxter (Kent)
game against the Marylebone back from a batting collapse to an and Sachin Shah (Warwick) all
Cricket Club (MCC) at Eastcote excellent score of 225/8 from their leaving the School this summer.
Cricket Club. After losing the 45 overs. Before the game OMT Cricket Cup
toss against a talented MCC side Management addressed the boys
In reply, MTS got off to an excellent
which featured two OMTs (Jawwad who would be leaving the School
start with Gugan Muralitharan (39)
Rasheed and Ravi Patel), MCC about the unique alumni they are
and Samir Sardana (28) helping
asked MTS to bowl first. In helpful now part of. Philip Newfield esq.
the side to 75/1 before a terrible
conditions David Justus (L6th) Tony Booth esq, Ravi Patel and
batting collapse saw 5 wickets fall
and Rohan Day bowled beautifully Jawaad Rasheed spoke individually
for 15 runs in an awesome spell of
putting early pressure on the MCC about what their experiences
spin bowling from ex-professional
and restricting them to 35/4 from
and OMT Ravi Patel! A show of through cricket have given to them.
11 overs. There was little respite for
defiance, including 7 x 4s and 3 x Having played for the 1st XI they
the MCC when spin was introduced
6s typical of most Jolan Baxter (64) now qualify for selection for the
with some excellent spells of
innings kept the game alive, until OMT Cricketer Cup side which
bowling from Sardana and Shah in
he was dismissed with the score on plays in a national competition
their last game. At drinks the MCC
172/8. The 1st XI finished 27 runs every year against the top 32
were on only 78/5 and a long way
short on 200ao. Schools in England.
short of a par total. After drinks the
sun came out and the pitch, which The match saw the end of an era Director of Cricket, Mr McGowan
earlier looked very tricky to bat for five of the 1st XI with David said: “In their time at the School
17 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Sport
‘the five’ have been a part of school with a bit of advice about the game, ‘You get out what you
some excellent teams that have school life or a quick tip about put in to school cricket’.
been extremely successful on the their game. My favourite memories
A significant part of the boys' success
pitch. These boys have won two of the five boys leaving us this
with cricket has been the fantastic
South of England Championships season include the long winters in
support of their parents. Those early
during their time in the Fourths the indoor cricket nets, listening to
morning drop-offs, the reassurances
and Divisions and represented the Jolan’s questionable music. I look
after a couple of low scores and
1st XI at the National Finals Day back so fondly on the overnight
the endless taxiing to training and
twice. Outside of the classroom trips away at Kings College,
matches. To Tony and Debbie (David),
‘the five’ have been outstanding Somerset, at Millfield School and
Jas and Surinder (Samir), Milan
role models for the School and in the Eastbourne Festival as well
and Komal (Rohan), Sunil and Rina
worked exceptionally hard in the as those 7.30am starts in the gym
(Sachin) and Trevor and Sheila (Jolan)
classroom. People won’t have seen before School on Tuesday and
a heartfelt thank you."
the numerous hours they spent in Friday mornings and those less
the indoor nets helping the younger brutal yoga sessions after school. Ian McGowan
pupils at lunchtimes and after Rohan summed it up perfectly after Director of Cricket
18 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Notices
Geographical Magazine 2020-21
We’re looking for any
photos, articles or interviews for our
newest edition, Rivers!
D E A D
Stuck L
for IN E
ideas? E X T E N D E D !
Here are some to get you started!
AS(the
PL- ECulture S U B M IT IN
E Nile, the Mississippi etc.) T H E N E XT
T
- Structure (source W O
to mouth, W EEKS!
landforms, flooding)
- Trade (ports, canals)
- Borders (geopolitics)
- Transport Hubs (cities)
- Rivers of ice (glacial rivers)
Ever been to see a
famous river on
holiday? Or just love
Submissions are open for rivers in general?
ALL YEAR GROUPS Tell us about it!
Your submissions must be emailed
to elemoine@mtsn.org.uk or
18CWaddington@mtsn.org.uk by
Monday 28th September 2020
19 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Notices
AUTUMN TENNIS
COACHING PROGRAMME
STARTING IN
SEPTEMBER 2020...
TENNIS GROUPS FOR ALL!
Based at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, HA6 2HT
ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
• Indoor Junior Mini Tennis Programme for players 4-8 years with indoor mini
blue and red tennis - all year round!
• Junior Programme for players 8-18 years for all standards and abilities
• Adult Group Programme for beginners, intermediates, improvers and those
more advanced level players
• Calendar of tournaments, competitions and events to suit all levels
• Holiday Camps and multisport activities during all the school holidays
• Tennis Parties organised for all ages
• Six Floodlit Courts allowing all year round play, coaching and competition
• Individual Tuition for beginners to National Level players, daytime/evenings
and weekends to suit your specific requirements
• Corporate Cardio Tennis for those companies who want to get their staff
back together in a safe, fun and friendly environment - thus great for team
building and to enhancing fitness at the same time!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
contact@youradvantage-tennisacademy.co.uk
Tel: 07733 326142
youradvantage-tennisacademy.co.uk
20 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Notices
MTS Festival of Cricket Day
Saturday 26th September 2020
Some pupils have been selected to take part in the MTS Festival of Cricket Day. The event has been
designed to best understand the pupils’ skill sets to help inform Winter Training plans and teams for
next Summer.
Programme for the Day
Meet: 9.45am
Start: 10.30am
Format: 30 overs
Lunch: In between innings in the dining hall – split timings
Finish: 3.30/4pm
All games to be played on our wonderful pitches with professional umpires.
Match Day Protocol
• Players to bring their own hand sanitiser. We will also supply a large bottle of sanitiser (be
aware of adverse skin reactions) and anti-microbial wipes if required.
• In line with ECB guidance we will have a 'hygiene break' every six overs or twenty minutes to
wash hands
• There will be a player zone for players and coaches only.
• Parents are welcome to come and watch but they must observe the government's guidelines
on social distancing. More information can be found
here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-
distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing-after-4-july.
• Reserved parking in the main school car park or behind the 1st XI pavilion.
• Parent toilets by main School Pavilion
Specific information will be sent directly to the selected pupils by Mr McGowan, Director of Cricket.
21 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
Merchant Taylors’
Notices
Junior Cricket for boys aged
from 6 to 17 years.
We provide:
- Excellent playing facilities.
- Indoor training facilities.
- First class coaching.
- Fun and engaging sessions.
Please contact
omtcolts@gmail.com
for more details.
www.omtcolts.com
OMT Colts #omtcolts @OmtColts
www.themadpeople.com
22 September 29 2017Weekly Newsletter 18 September 2020
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