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Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
 

The Giovan Battista Viotti International Music Competition

Year 13 pianist Yumeka Nakagawa has been selected to take part in the prestigious G.B. Viotti International Music Competition in Vercelli. The competition, which is celebrating its 70th year, will run from 9th to 19th October. We wish Yumeka every success.
 

A Level Art Exhibition

An exhibition of art work and sculptures from A Level students is on display in the Jubilee Room of the Bushey Museum. The exhibition will run until Sunday 8th December, and the Museum is on Rudolph Road, Bushey WD23 3HW.
 

Art Department Trip

This week Year 9 students walked in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explored the wonders of the Wizarding World on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. The Making of Harry Potter trip gave students the opportunity to observe and sketch the different costumes, sets and props that are so reminiscent of the award-winning films. Students (and staff!) had a magical time.
 

Senior Student BBQ

On Saturday the houses of Gardner and Graham hosted a barbecue for the senior students on the School field. Not only were the boarders treated to a delicious array of grilled delights, but they also got to play all manner of lawn games and topped off the evening with roasted marshmallows.
 

Evgeny Kissin

Purcell alumnus Evgeny Kissin’s compositions have been published by G Henle Verlag music publishers. The Russian pianist has been writing music since early childhood, and returned to composition intensively a few years ago, having taken a break from it due to his international performing career. Henle has initially published three works by Kissin; Four Piano Pieces (Op 1), comprising ‘Meditation’, ‘Dodecaphonic Tango’, ‘Intermezzo’ and ‘Toccata’; a single-movement cello sonata (Op 2) with fingerings and bowings by Steven Isserlis; and a string quartet (Op 3).
 

Julius Drake

Alumnus Julius Drake is Artist in Residence at the upcoming Life Victoria Festival in Barcelona. Drake will be performing with acclaimed singers across multiple dates during the festival. The festival is dedicated to the great Catalan soprano, Victoria de Los Angeles, who Drake performed with in the late 1990s. For more information, please visit the festival website here.
 

Catrin Finch

Harpist and alumna Catrin Finch, together with kora player Seckou Keita, will be appearing at next year’s Womad 2020 festival in New Zealand. Finch has said that the pair are ‘looking forward to making our NZ debut as a duo at Womad NZ’. This news follows the duos nominations for three BBC Radio 2 Folk awards.
 

National Youth Choirs of Great Britain Auditions

The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB) are holding auditions for their National Youth Boys’, Girls’ and Training Choirs of Great Britain throughout November at various locations across the country. To book an audition please visit the NYCGB website here, and be aware that audition booking closes on 25th October 2019.
 

CEM Testing

CEM testing for some students will take place next week, from 1st to 3rd October. CEM is the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring which provides computer adaptive assessments. Students in Years 7 and 8, and new students in Year 9, will sit MidYis tests. Students in Year 10 will sit Yellis tests, and students in Year 12 will sit Alis tests.

No preparation or revision is required for these tests.

MidYIS is for students aged 11 to 14 and provides information to help identify their strengths and weaknesses. MidYIS assesses four key areas which research shows are linked to later academic outcomes:
1. Vocabulary – word fluency and understanding
2. Mathematics – logical thinking, manipulating numbers and numerical concepts
3. Non-verbal ability – recognising shapes, matching patterns, applying spatial awareness and visual intuition
4. Skills – such as proofreading, perceptual speed and accuracy

Yellis is for students aged 14-16. It can highlight where they need support as they prepare for their GCSEs. Yellis assesses three key areas of learning:
1. Vocabulary – word fluency and understanding
2. Mathematics – logical thinking, manipulating numbers and numerical concepts
3. Non-verbal ability – ability to match patterns, reflections and rotations and apply visual intuition

Alis is for students aged 16 to 18. It provides information to help identify students’ strengths and weaknesses. Yellis results show how students are likely to perform at A Level. Alis assesses three key areas which research shows are linked to later academic outcomes:
1. Vocabulary – word fluency and understanding
2. Mathematics – logical thinking, manipulating numbers and numerical concepts
3. Non-verbal ability – ability to recognise shapes, match patterns, apply spatial awareness and visual intuition.