Pro-School by Christ's

In this Episode, Jonathan and Mr Payne interview Grace and Elena, two of three year tens who recently when on an art department excursion to St Paul's for a very special art workshop and master class with renowned artist Chloe Briggs. They discuss what they did, what they achieved and what they've taken away from the experience.

Chloe Briggs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drawingisfree_org/?hl=en

'Drawing is Free': Chloe Briggs' Project: https://drawingisfree.org/

Chloe Briggs' Website: https://www.chloebriggs.com/Biography

For this episode of the Pro-School Podcast, Mr Payne and Jonathan talk to special guest Mr Shepherd about maths and there is a cameo by Ms Campa (a Camp-eo?!) to share the success of the recent and forthcoming Spanish trips. Mr Payne also advertises the upcoming PSA quiz (already in the past by the date of release - fat lot of good that did!), this year's musical, Legally Blonde (ditto), and the great trips the English department goes on (third time's the charm...). There is also a surprise visit from Mr Coates! Listen to find out what gossip he has to share from the Eco Group.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Ms Harris and Mr Heitzman, two icons of Christ's school. They discuss the values of leftovers, how to make an authentic guacamole and, more importantly, the strengths of our history department and the amazing opportunities on offer at Christ's school 6th Form. The episode finishes with an excerpt from the string group's performance at the recent at home concert.

In this episode the hosts welcome three special guests. First, Ms Thom comes on to discuss how rehearsals for the production of 'Legally Blonde' are going with star of the show Scarlett. Then, Ms Hawksworth joins them for the next new staff introduction in which they discuss teaching, literature and some more new year's resolutions.

Series 2 Episode 7 has a 'New Year' theme, with some discussion of last term's achievements, new year's resolutions, upcoming events and new staff introductions. Mr George and Mr Kepply join the hosts for a lovely, heart-warming chat about how things have been in school so far, their new roles, and some of what is coming up this year.

In this episode of the Pro School Podcast Mr Payne, Jonathan and guest Ms Williams chat about all things Christmas and how nice the 2 week break will be. They also talk a bit more about the Christsmas Carol service and Jonathan's performance in the recent collective worship. They give their opinions on the Muppets Christmas Carol and Planet Earth Three, ending with a positive message about Christ's at this time of year. Merry Christmas from everyone on the podcast team!

In this episode Mr Payne and Jonathan talk all things music: Christ's school superstars The Pyrotechnics come in for an exclusive interview and the hosts deliver some exciting live reportage from the Christmas carol concert, hearing from students and staff alike. What did they staff sing? Who plays bass?! Listen to find out.

In this Episode, we respectfully acknowledge the departure of one of our co-hosts to focus on his studies, discuss the sixth form opportunities available at Christ's, the upcoming musical production and 'At Home' concert as well as promoting participation in PSA events. We welcome back a special guest (who could it be?!) and are joined by Ms Thom to give us the low-down on all things drama.

Sport sport sport is on the agenda in this week's episode. Mr Weightman joins Mr Payne and Jonathan as they watch a Year 8 Boys football match live, and discuss all the many sporting opportunities on offer at Christ's. They celebrate successes on the pitch and in the development of sports and teams, as well as offering a few opinions on the rugby world cup and the importance of sport in general.

Teaser question: which teacher is a competitive modern pentathlete?

In this episode the hosts talk careers: although Pepper is not that forthcoming in her opinion on the purpose of education, there are incredibly interesting conversations about it. The hosts are joined by Ms Banner and Ms Britton who share the stories of their careers so far, and Mr Payne grills Jonathan on his GCSE choices. Who worked for Nurofen? Who lived in Uganda? Listen to find out.

Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/10/what-you-do-in-life-is-a-decision-you-might-make-more-than-once-its-ok-not-to-know#:~:text=Whatever%20choice%20you%20make%20about,you%20will%20only%20make%20once.

A great start to the podcast this year with Mr Payne, Mr Coates, Jonathan and Daniel as they chat about the new school year. Mr Coates and Mr Payne have a debate about the merits of  Bromcom and they discuss climate change linked with the hot weather.  Mr Payne also talks about Christ's school's successes in the GCSEs and A Levels this summer, wishing his co-hosts good luck in their own upcoming exams. 

Brain teaser: What is the name of the person who started Christ's school?    

In this episode, Mr Payne introduces one of the new co-hosts who is joining the team for series 2 as well as a very special guest who joins them to look back on this term and this year. They celebrate the PE team for the incredible success of sports day as well as discussing all the many varied trips which have gone out this term. Who speaks the best French? What farm animal did a group accidentally release during Duke of Edinburgh? Which teacher is held up as a paragon of virtue? Listen to find out.

In this episode Mr Payne and his co-host are joined by two of the school's governors to discuss their part in school life as well as the end of year rituals that have been going on lately for year 11s and 13s. Whose speech caused a scandal among staff? What was so special about Mr Bird's? Who made fun of Alex in theirs? Listen to find out.

In this episode, Mr Payne is joined by Ms Hopgood to discuss pride month, what it means to them and what's been going on in school to celebrate. The discussion ranges from the history of pride to all the activities planned throughout June in our school. They are also joined by a year 10 member of the LGBTU society who shares some great stories and a really interesting perspective. Who was Marsha P Johnson? What was Stonewall? What vehicular impression makes Ms Hopgood snort with laughter? Listen to find out.

In the final episode of this half term the hosts talk exams, meal deals and coffee shops. Perhaps their most rambling chat ever, it is replete with recommendations and anecdotes and lots of mention of fun things happening in and around school.

In this episode, the hosts reunite after a brief hiatus during a busy time of exam preparation and disruption in school. They discuss the forthcoming public exams with Mr Payne sharing a couple of stories from his own experience in school, as well as celebrating various other recent school events. There are shout outs to the Spanish and French trips which went to Europe last term as well as our under 14 basketball team's huge win to become national champions! Apologies for some technical issues with the sound which I cannot explain, having very carefully checked all the connections and settings; fortunately both the hosts still come through more or less loud and clear.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by two actors from the recent (amazing!) production of 'High School Musical'. Unfortunately the student who played the role of Gabriella couldn't be with us in the end, but we were delighted to have the guys who gave their Alex Scott and Troy Bolton on to discuss how the performances went and what they got out of being in the production. They reflect on the enjoyment and challenges of the theatre, speculate on what productions may be to come in the future, and show their appreciation for all the efforts of the drama and music departments in making this performance possible. Enjoy!

In this Episode, the hosts are joined by Ms Tierney and several members of the Key Stage 3 art club, followed by Mr Bird and members of his arcade games club. Both groups share an insight into what they've been up to and the hosts are, of course, extremely impressed by the creativity and industriousness on display. Thanks very much to Mr Hordern (friend of the pod) for recommending we have them on - this was a really fun chat which ranged from the technical aspects of bar-top arcade building to questions about the very nature of art itself! 

In this episode our hosts catch up to reflect on the podcast so far and share their excitement about the upcoming PSA Quiz and Christ's School's production of the hit show, High School Musical (tickets available now on Scopay!). We get an insight into the rehearsal process and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what preparations have been like. Unfortunately the two stars of the show were unable to join us but we nevertheless hear a lot about how it's going. Thank you all for listening and have a brilliant half term! 

In this episode, Mr Payne is joined by Ms Ward (who he embarrassingly calls "Ms Bond-Webster" at one point as a result of an off-mic chat. He would like to assure you he did know it was Ms Ward and this not an indication of a lack of care!) and several students from the Year 9 netball team to celebrate their recent success. They take the chance to quiz Mr Payne on his netball knowledge and express their gratitude to their coaches too. Mr Payne also took some time to chat to Ms Ward about her own sporting endeavours, some current debates in the sporting world and the future of women's sport at Christ's school. If you would like to share your own celebration, praise or gratitude please write to jpayne@christs.school.  

Happy New Year! Mr Payne and his co-host ring in the new year with a discussion of the staff band's performance and pantomime before the holidays, their holidays and New Years Resolutions. They are keen to hear from you so please do write in with your own reviews of the staff's performances in December or your resolutions! They also touch on their ambitions for the new year and the recently advertised Camps International trip to Peru. Please write in to jpayne@christs.school with your thoughts! 

In this episode, the hosts welcome Ms Banner,  the school chaplain, for a special Christmas edition of the podcast. They discuss Christmas traditions old and new and we hear about Ms Banner's storied career to date as well as the usual update on some happenings around Christs: a year 11 trip to LSE, a charity football match and the upcoming carol concert. Everyone at the podcast wishes you a very merry Christmas!

In this episode of the Pro-School Podcast Mr Payne finds himself bereft of his usual co-host and instead is accompanied by several members of his year group as well as Mr Coates. The episode features a celebration of excellent basketball success for year 9 students in both the London Youth Games and the National Premiership and discussion of geography, sustainability and the Eco Group as well as a small apology from the host after some technical difficulties. If you would like to get in touch with a comment, question, celebration or thank you, please write to jpayne@christs.school. 

In this Episode our hosts return after an extremely enriching half term and they discuss many of the brilliant enrichment activities on offer at Christ's. From Bonfire Night to Sixth Form Open evening (not strictly enrichment but still interesting we promise!), they share their experiences expanding their cultural horizons in the hope that you will find it interesting and maybe even inspire you to engage in enrichment here at Christs. Want to share your own stories of enrichment activities? Write to jpayne@christs.school.  

In this Episode, the hosts welcome some member of the Modern Foreign Languages team to discuss International Languages Day and all the joys of studying French or Spanish at GCSE and A Level. They also celebrate the staff's incredible, magnificent, glorious win against the Sixth Form and are joined by Miss Show for a chat about Black History Month. If you would like to get in touch to share an opinion or comment, ask a question or suggest a topic or guest, please write to jpayne@christs.school. 

In this episode Mr Payne has his tail between his legs after a technical hitch which lost them the first version of the recording. In the resultant scramble he was nonetheless able to have some great conversations with Mr Hordern, Mr Capon, Mr Smith and some students about Christ's School's sporting prowess and how Year 11 are getting along.

The first episode of our new Pro-School Podcast, hosted by Mr Payne and one of our Year 11 students is now available for you to enjoy. In this episode, the hosts reunite after the summer break to celebrate our brilliant results, share their excitement about being back in school and look ahead hopefully towards what we're sure will be a brilliant year.