Private School News

RENOWNED TELEVISION AND FILM WRITER JOURNEYS BACK TO SCHOOL

Pupils and staff at Bishop’s Stortford College were delighted to welcome back Old Stortfordian Dick Clement who, in partnership with Ian Le Frenais, is one of the leading TV and film scriptwriters of the 20th century. Following a chance meeting in the 1960s whilst Clement was working at the BBC, the pair began working together, building their reputation primarily on four iconic TV series The Likely Lads, Whatever happened to the Likely Lads?, Porridge and Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

Their list of credits is impressive and includes films such as The Rock (with Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage), The Commitments, Goal! and Flushed Away. With four films out in the past four years, the dynamic partnership shows no sign of slowing down. As Le Frenais puts it, they are “Hollywood’s most successful couple!”

Clement has also written many film versions of some of their television successes, which he often directed too. He is now commonly known as the Hollywood “script doctor”, working on series such as The Tracey Ullman Show and films like Never Say Never Again. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2007 birthday honours list.

As well as sharing stories from his career during his lecture at Bishop’s Stortford College, Clement also recalled some favourite memories of his time as a boarder at the Hertfordshire-based independent school in the 1950s, including being taught and influenced by artist and linguist, Walter Strachan, a teacher he claimed “he learnt a great deal from that wasn’t on the syllabus”. He described his time at the College overall as time well spent, “sneaking down to the cinema” and “becoming involved in drama”, which strongly influenced his career path.

As a leading scriptwriter for over 40 years, he is loved and known for his interest in portraying ordinary people, his ability in capturing everyday speech and relationships and his distinctive regional accents. It was a great honour to have such a significant, yet modest, role model return to Bishop’s Stortford College to inspire another generation of writers and directors.

Marist School raises £1846.89 for the NSPCC

Marist School raises £1846.89 for the NSPCC in a ‘Number Day’ Challenge
Students pit their wits to raise money for charity

Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, February 9, 2009: The Marist Senior School has raised £1846.89 for the NSPCC’s Childline charity from sponsoring a maths challenge ‘Number Day’ which took place in December. Mrs Annabel Hill from the NSPCC visited the school today to collect the donation and to speak to students about the current work of the NSPCC during a special assembly.
The NSPCC runs a Number Day challenge for schools every two years. The Marist Senior School has been participating for quite a few years but this is the highest amount of money the school has ever raised for the charity which has delighted its students and teachers. 240 girls participated altogether in raising the donation.
During the challenge, students in years 7-10 worked in teams on maths puzzles and games. The Number Day ran in place of normal lessons with teams aiming to get as many questions right as possible in 50 minutes as their correct answers were sponsored. Puzzles covered all areas of the academic curriculum and included number, algebra and spatial topics. Basic number work and problem solving were included posing questions such as ‘The Tardis disappears at 9:00am Monday morning and reappears a million seconds later. On which day of the week does it reappear?’ Questions were graded for each age group including easy to more challenging questions which made the Number Day accessible for all students and provided a fun way to learn. The girls were sponsored by friends and family.

The work of the NSPCC is discussed during school assemblies and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) at the Marist enabling students to understand the charity and the essential support it provides for children at risk. This year, the collection was for ‘ChildLine’ part of the NSPCC charity the students and teachers were very keen to support.

Mrs Annabel Hill from the NSPCC said “The impact of the recession means that the NSPCC’s work relies on the kindness and generosity of supporters more than ever. The money raised by The Marist Senior School will help the NSPCC keep its vital services open, so we can reach as many children as possible in 2009, by being there for them when they desperately need help.”

Mrs Sheila Heard who is Head of Mathematics at the Marist Senior School said “Working with the NSPCC cements what the girls learn in PSHE lessons and enables them to extend their knowledge of the supportive charities that exist. We are very proud to support the NSPCC. The Marist Maths Department is always delighted to enable charitable giving and it supports the ways in which the NSPCC brings the subject to life for children. The girls enjoy competitions and a lot of maths takes place in a vibrant and engaging manner. The atmosphere in the classroom just buzzes and the girls not only learn about maths but teamwork and social responsibility as well.”

Photo: Olivia Chilton and Victoria Palmer, Marist students who helped raise the donation, with Mrs Annabel Hill (NSPCC) and Mrs Sheila Heard, Head of Mathematics at the Marist Senior School.

ORGAN SCHOLAR

Talented teenager Alice Salmon, a Sixth Form Music Scholar at Farnborough Hill, has just secured an organ scholarship at St Michael’s Church Sandhurst. Alice, 16, says, ‘This is a really good opportunity. I’m looking forward to it and it will be great experience for me.’

Alice has been playing the organ for less than 18 months. When she started in September 2007, she was already an accomplished pianist. She has recently achieved a distinction in Grade 7 Piano and hopes to sit Grade 7 Organ later this year. Alice fits her extensive musical activities around her studies for AS levels in Music, History, English and Religious Studies, and an active social life. Her ambition is to gain an organ scholarship at Cambridge University.

St Michael’s Church learned of Alice’s talent from Farnborough Hill Director of Music, Karen Phillips. Their regular organist has gone on sabbatical until October 2009. Alice will be paid for her work, although she says, ‘We haven’t discussed that yet!’ St Michael’s have a substantial choir and Alice’s services will be required on Thursday evenings for rehearsal, Sundays at the 9.30 Morning Service and monthly for Evensong.

Staff, students and visitors to Farnborough Hill have the privilege of hearing Alice play the organ frequently. As Alice says ‘I love playing the organ because it’s great being able to make so much noise! I enjoy it so much that I spend a vast amount of my free time in the organ loft of the school chapel practising.’ Alice also accompanies the senior school choirs, the orchestra and various other music groups in school and will be travelling to Tuscany in July as the accompanist for Farnborough Hill’s concert tour in Italy. When not playing the organ or piano, Alice is happy playing the clarinet in the school swing band!

Legendary theatre director works with Stonyhurst pupils

STONYHURST pupils currently taking AS and A2 theatre studies, have received some expert coaching from a top theatre director, Max Stafford-Clark.

Following a very enjoyable visit to the Library Theatre in Manchester to see his touring production of ‘The Convict’s Opera’, Stafford-Clark led an afternoon workshop for the pupils at the College.

Max Stafford-Clark is a major contributor to British theatre. His artistic direction of the Traverse and Royal Court Theatres (he was the longest serving artistic director of the Royal Court), and of the Joint Stock and Out of Joint theatre companies has enabled him to make a major contribution to modern British theatre, particularly in the area of new writing. He has also directed plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre.

He has been called ‘the most distinguished director of new work that the British theatre still has.’

Pupils enjoyed the workshop where they learnt a wide range of performance techniques, held in the college’s own theatre, the Academy Room.

Johanna Egar, Head of Theatre Studies at Stonyhurst, said: ‘We are enormously grateful to Max Stafford-Clark and his assistant, Stella Feehily, for spending time with us. It was a tremendous opportunity for the students to work with such a distinguished theatre director, who gave very generously of both his time and advice.’

Max Stafford-Clark’s Out of Joint theatre company performs The Convict’s Opera at Library Theatre until February 7th before continuing on tour to Oxford, Southampton, Leeds, Coventry, Liverpool and Kingston.

CAPTION: Max Stafford-Clark (with walking stick) teaching Stonyhurst pupils.

STONYHURST MEDAL SUCCESS AT BRITISH PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

THREE Stonyhurst pupils have won gold, silver and bronze medals at the British Physics Olympiad (Round Two AS Level), which makes them the highest achieving physics students in the country.

The gold medal was awarded to Joe Lea (17) from Hurst Green, currently in Year 13. His medal success was described as ‘a significant achievement’ by the British Physics Olympiad committee, as only the top 5% of the 1047 competitors achieve the required marks. Last year Joe was selected to attend the Senior Physics Challenge Summer School at the prestigious Cavendish Laboratories at Cambridge University. Joe also has a conditional offer to study mathematics at Oxford University.

The silver medal went to James Chui (18) Year 13, from Hong Kong. James is no stranger to medals as he has previously won gold medals in the GCSE and AS Level Olympiads. He intends to read engineering at Imperial College London upon completion of his studies at Stonyhurst.

Padraig Alton (18) from the Ribble Valley, currently in Year 13, was awarded the bronze medal. Padraig has a conditional place to read Natural Sciences (Physics) at Cambridge.

In addition to the three medals, Lucy Wang (16) Year 13, from Shanghai, was awarded a commendation. Lucy has also been offered a conditional place at Oxford University, even though she is only 16.

For the competition, all the pupils had to sit an examination paper at the school; 50 successful candidates from this round will be asked to move on to round three, 15 of whom will be offered places at a training camp before selection for the British team in the Physics Olympiad.

“To gain even a silver or bronze 1 is an outstanding achievement (our best performance in recent years at this level was a silver in 2004) so Joe really has excelled in winning a gold; only 48 have been awarded out of 1047 entries. Joe is now invited to compete in the final round for a place on the UK physics team of five,” said Mrs Lucinda Fisher, Head of Science at Stonyhurst College.

Picture caption:
The medal winners with Head of Science, Mrs Lucinda Fisher on the left and Stonyhurst Headmaster Mr Andrew Johnson on the right.

Marist U18 Netball team win Ascot Schools Championship

Marist Senior School Girls celebrate second year of success

Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, 24 September, 2008: The Marist Senior School U18 Netball Team has won the Ascot Senior Schools Championships. The team also won the event as U16’s last year.
The girls played exceptionally well and were unbeaten in all nine games against other schools during the tournament which took place on 18th September. The scores in each game were:

7-0 against The Abbey School
2-0 against Charters School A team
6-1 against Charters School B team
3-0 against Licensed Victuallers School
4-1 against Langley Grammar School
4-1 against St Mary’s School, Ascot
10-0 against Brigidine School, Windsor
6-3 against St George’s School, Ascot
2-0 against Gordon’s School

The school has a reputation for excellent netball with Years 7–9 and Year 11 teams all having won the Ascot Schools Netball Tournaments last year. Sophia Candappa, 16, is also a member of both the England Under 17 and Under 21 Netball squads.

Mrs Jen Bishopp, head of PE at the Marist Senior School said “the girls played exceptionally well and showed outstanding team work. The scores they achieved were all the more impressive given that each match was only 5 minutes long! I’m very proud of them to have won the tournament again. We look forward to defending the title next year.”

Playing in the Marist School team were:

Sophie Alder
Ruby Reynolds
Trisha Rocco
Maddie Gale
Emily Gale
Ece Bakici
Gabby Rowney
Kayla Spitzer
Sophia Candappa

Independent school toughs it out

In a week when local authorities and thousands of schools have been criticised for closing in the face of slippery playgrounds, students at Kingham hill School in the Cotswolds built igloos and slept in them overnight.

Although some day students were unable to reach the rural boarding school near Stow-in-the-Wold, those that did and all the boarders went about school life as usual. However, when lessons were over, and with the help of one of the house masters, Paul Parmenter, they built an igloo village.

Sixteen 11, 12 and 13-year olds wrapped up warm, slid into their sleeping bags and made the most of an opportunity only possible at an independent school.

Not all stuck with the plan until the morning. However, most got a good few hours sleep and there was much banter and bragging at breakfast. Toby, who had to be coaxed out as morning arrived, claimed: “It was definitely a bit cold but it was brilliant fun!”

Headmaster, Nick Seward, commented: “This is precisely the sort of thing that a school like Kingham Hill can offer – genuine adventure, albeit it carefully supervised. This is the sort of experience that these lads will learn from and talk about for years to come.”

And spare a thought for the plucky housemaster who spent the night sleeping in the open to keep an eye on his charges!

21st century ‘Duke Box’

Nottingham High School pupil, Sam Duke, 17 has invented an award-winning media extender, the ‘Duke Box’, as part of his Design & Technology AS Level coursework.

The Duke Box will stream video and audio from any attached computer wirelessly to the user’s television. Whilst existing products need a wireless network to attach to, Sam has incorporated his own wireless technology into the device. This means that a user only needs to install the software Sam has written on to their PC to be up and running, greatly simplifying the process for the average home user.

Sam has so far raked in three awards for his invention; The Young Engineer for Britain’s Midlands Region award for the best Integration and Application of Electronics, The Sir William Siemens Medal for the most innovative Design Technology project, and a Crest Gold Award.

Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School said, “Sam’s invention is fantastic and richly deserves the awards and recognition it has received. We are all extremely proud of Sam and know that this is the start of a promising career in engineering for him.”

Sam is now hoping for a national prize at the final of the Young Engineers competition in London in March. In the meantime he is developing his next invention and looking forward to taking up his place at Cambridge next year to study engineering.

SCOTTISH SCHOOLS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

The Scottish Schools Swimming Championships took place at Tollcross Leisure Centre, Glasgow, on Saturday 31st January 2009. Strathallan School were represented by 9 swimmers over the course of the finals which resulted in 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal.

Joe Lipworth followed his success earlier in the month with an outstanding win by over 5 seconds in the boys 15/16 200IM. Joe recorded a time of 2.14.96 a personal best time. Later in the day Joe swam in the boys 15/16 100 backstroke where he finished in Silver position with another personal best time of 1.03.11.

One of Strathallans youngest swimmers Duncan Scott was fastest qualifier for the final of the boys 12 & under 50 butterfly and carried on to win Gold in a personal best time of 33.14. Duncan also competed with Andrew Young, Angus Gibson and Mark McGuire in the boys 12 & under 4 x 50 front crawl relay where they finished a credible 7th and all swimmers recorded personal best times.

Also swimming for Strathallan were Roy Cameron, 17-19 200IM finished 6th, Maggie Luck 15/16 200IM finished 14th , 15/16 100 freestyle finshed 14th and Craig Rintoull, 13/14 100 breastroke finished 13th all three swimmers had excellent swims.

Photo: Ian Macnicol Photography

CALENDAR SUPPORTS HOSPICE

Two teachers at Farnborough Hill, Gill Chapman and Lin Walker, have produced a calendar for 2009 featuring views of the beautiful school throughout the seasons. The past year has been one of great sadness for the school community, as two colleagues lost their battle against cancer: Fahrat Soakell and Jackie Ison. The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham looked after both teachers, helping them to end their days with dignity. Gill and Lin wanted to raise money as a way of showing the school’s appreciation for the work done by the hospice and the idea of a calendar was born.

The photographs in the calendar were all taken by staff and the painting is by the Head of Art, Rosie Byrne. The project was a bigger hit than anyone had dreamt, with current students, parents, staff and old girls, buying 700 copies which raised over £2500 for the hospice. Gill Chapman says ‘I am delighted that the calendar was so well received. The result of our hard work is really beautiful and we are very pleased with it, particularly as it is raising so much money for such a good cause.’

Local children see Oliver! at Howell’s School, Llandaff

More than two hundred pupils from the following schools: Llandaff City Primary School, Rhydypennau Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary School, Bryn Deri, Radnor Road Primary School, Cefn Onn Primary School were invited to the dress rehearsal for Oliver! by the students at Howell’s School, Llandaff.

The Howell’s students from years 5 – 13 auditioned in the summer term and started rehearsal for this big production in the autumn term. This musical performance which has a full orchestra (with many of the music students having the opportunity to perform) will be running for four nights from Wednesday 4th February until Saturday 7th February. There are a few tickets left, if you wish to come along, please contact: Mrs Scourfield on 029 2056 2019.

It has been a very exciting time for the cast and crew and they have enjoyed the experience.

Here are some of the comments from the main characters:

Michaela Melia, aged 12
– Oliver
“I was thrilled to be given the part of
Oliver and have enjoyed every moment
of it. I have got to know many new
people and will remember this for ever!”

Harry Brooks, aged 17
– Fagin
“During the rehearsals, I have got to
know the people in my year as well as
the years below. I have enjoyed getting
to know the teachers and giving
something back to the school.”

Ellie Campbell, aged 16
– Nancy
“I was extremely happy to be given the
opportunity to play the part of Nancy.
I have had a brilliant time rehearsing
and working with new people. I hope
everyone enjoys the show!”

Morgan Jones, aged 17
– Artful Dodger
“It has been my first big production
and I have thoroughly enjoyed the
experience. I hope the skills I have
learned through drama are going to be
useful later in life.”

Megan Fairclough, aged 14
– Noah Claypole
“It was great working with other people
of different ages across the school.
I’d love to participate in another
production in the future.”

National Youth Choir of Great Britain Success for David Jones

After a successful audition, David Jones has been appointed to the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. David, a pupil in the Upper Sixth at Prior Park is thrilled to have been selected and commented “This is a great opportunity, life is pretty hectic at the moment and I am really looking forward to the National Youth Choir tour to LA”.

Roland Robertson, Director of Music is delighted for David and said “High tenors are a rare and precious resource for any choir and I am not surprised that the audition panel recognised the natural quality and promise of David’s voice. However, his recent success is an endorsement of the time and commitment he has put into his singing over the years. We wish him an exciting and rewarding career with the NYCGB and look forward to watching his progress.”

It is a busy final year for David, who plays rugby for Prior (Full Colours 1st XV – 2008 season’s awards), performed in the College’s production of The Marriage of Figaro as well as being a significant figure in the school’s choirs and Bath Abbey Choir. He took part in a BBC live broadcast with the National Youth Choir last week.

FARNBOROUGH HILL’S SPORTING STAR

Alex Danson, a member of the Team GB hockey squad at the Beijing Olympics came to Farnborough Hill to talk to students today. Alex is an Old Girl of the school, having left after her A level studies in 2003. Her talk to a capacity audience was inspirational, appealing not only to sporting enthusiasts but to anyone wanting to achieve their dream in any field. Alex described her time in Beijing as ‘the most incredible time of my life, my biggest dream was to reach the Olympic Games.’

A former BBC Young Sports Person of the Year nominee, Alex is now 23 and has been playing hockey for 17 years, having started in the back garden of her home. She said that it was while at Farnborough Hill, in Year 8, that she was encouraged to join a hockey club and further her ambition. She described Farnborough Hill as ‘a brilliant school where I had all the support I needed.’

At 16, she was one of the youngest ever England internationals, making her debut against Germany in October 2001. She now has 106 caps for England & Great Britain to her name. Her GB debut came in January 2007 in the 2 – 1 win over South Africa in Stellenbosch. Alex has Bronze Medals from the 2006 Commonwealth Games and two European Cups, including last summer in Manchester when she was part of the England squad that secured Olympic qualification. She was also a member of the winning team at the 2002 Champions Challenge and 2005 KT Cup.

Alex impressed on the girls that if you have a passion, there are no limits to what you can achieve if you give your all. She admitted that she has had incredible opportunities but that in order to make the most of those opportunities she had to believe that she could achieve, and she had to be totally committed. Alex lives to play hockey and has to make difficult decisions, often missing out on social events, in order to be at the peak of her performance. Always at the back of her mind is ‘will this action make me a better player’. She suggested setting small goals, saying ‘if you don’t grasp opportunities you can’t expect to be really successful: small things can make a huge difference’. Alex said that there had been setbacks, times when things had gone wrong, but these are character-building and define you as a person. Alex’s personal motto is ‘leave no stone unturned’. She believes in living without having regrets.

Asked why she has chosen to compete at the highest level, she said ‘I love the game with a passion, have real ambition and love winning medals!’ However she thinks that what makes her job so special is being a member of a team: ‘I play because of the people around me.’ She warned against feeding your own ego and pointed out that this is not what makes a good team player. Alex completed her talk by showing the Farnborough Hill girls a fascinating behind-the-scenes video of the Beijing games.

Picture: Alex Danson with the Barbados Tour team at Farnborough Hill

A Question of Knowledge

Marist Pupils put the fun into learning

Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, October 22, 2008: Pupils at the Marist Preparatory School tested their general knowledge by holding an inter-house general knowledge quiz.
Junior pupils in years 3-6 were all involved in the event. Thirty general knowledge questions suited to each age group were handed out to all students in a preliminary round and correct answers totted up by the teachers. The highest scoring girls – four from each year, each representing their school house (St Bernadette, St Elizabeth Ann, St Catherine and St Teresa) – then won the opportunity to participate in the main competition, supported by the entire school who had made banners and were holding mascots to support their house champions. Six enjoyable rounds of questions, geared towards specific age groups, were then offered to each girl sitting in each house team. Questions relating to English, History, Geography, Science, Maths and General Knowledge were included such as:

‘Who do we remember on Remembrance Day?’
‘What is the opposite of expand?’
‘What must be added to 154 to make 180?’

After a very enjoyable afternoon, the girls in St Bernadette’s House were celebrating their success with blue ribbons tied to their quiz champion’s cup. Year 4 teacher, Mrs Teresa Stolagiewicz, who had prepared the questions said, “The girls enjoyed the competition very much. It was an enjoyable way to get the whole school involved in a collaborative activity that also gave the girls the chance to demonstrate their knowledge and some of what they had learnt in class.” Mrs Jenny Peachey, headteacher added, “We listen to the suggestions the girls make via their school council and one of the activities they enjoy each year is the quiz. A house competition like this is a super way to involve the whole school in an enjoyable learning activity.”

Marist pupil is the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastics Champion

Emily Gale, A level student at the Marist and national squad aerobic gymnast from Bulmershe gymnastics in Woodley is the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastics Champion

BULMERSHE GRABS 42 GOLD MEDALS AT THE 2008 BRITISH AEROBIC GYMNASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Aerobic gymnastics is THE hottest ticket in British gymnastics today. Bulmershe in Woodley continues its remarkable surge as this country’s standard bearer for a sport that is now perceived as the most dynamic and energetic of all gymnastic disciplines.

At the 2008 British Championships held at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent the 3-5th October, gymnasts from Bulmershe were on fire. They amassed 42 Gold, 18 Silver and 7 Bronze medals in an exceptional display of prowess in individual, trio and six team competition. Of the 17 British Titles available, Bulmershe claimed an outstanding tally of 11, including the top prize in the elite Senior FIG (over 18 group). It was a fantastic weekend and the best ever record of results for this club. Medals around necks were on display across every category, including the elite FIG (Federation International de Gymnastique), Foundation and NAC (National Aerobic Code.)

In a stunning demonstration of grace and power, Emily Gale, unseated the defending Senior Individual female champ to become the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastic Champion. This followed her success at qualifying for the final at the French Open Grande Prix last May where she achieved the highest score ever awarded to a Senior British Aerobic gymnast abroad and came in 7th.

And throughout the weekend of the British Championships, medals for Bulmershe just kept on coming. Sebastian De Verteuil, reigning European, French and 2007 British champion easily retained his title. He wowed the assembled and inspired the over 300 gymnasts who participated. Chloe Farrance, in the 15-17 age group, was in top form as she powered through three routines – individual, trio and six team. taking gold in each. Her trio mates are Seb De Verteuil and Ellie Spooner. Chloe’s sister Olivia, competing in the 12-14 age group, repeated her hat trick from the French Open and like her sister, took gold in all three of the events in which she competed. Team mate Georgia Mackie was right behind her and took silver in the individual category. Then, Olivia’s trio, along with Hannah Owen and Robyn Irvine saw off tough competition to claim gold before her six team along with Hannah and Robyn, as well as Ella Augier, Conor Glancy and Kayleigh Silva from Martines Action Pack in Cardiff took gold, edging out the other Bulmershe six team of Emily Boyce, Angharad Callaghan, Georgia Mackie, Myfi Mountford, Darcy Tyler and Stella Vinet who took second place honors with a silver.

In other FIG action, Rebekah Galpin struck gold in the under 12 National Development comp while Katie Boyce scooped her silver in the Foundation under 10’s. Marvin Gordon and Joshua Lockwood took top honors in the individual male Foundation and National Development categories.

In NAC, Shelby Tyler, competing in the 15-17 age group was awarded a silver medal in her individual as well as silver in her trio with Joanna Carrick and Eve Burns. Next, Rebecca Hughes took silver in the 12-14 as well as a gold for her trio, along with team mates Daisy Walters and Alyson Gale. Lastly, Jessica Kirkpatrick,in the under 12’s, brought home bronze in a tightly contested NAC battle and her. trio, along with Kate Wilson and Amy Watts took top honors at the podium with another gold. Credit for getting these gymnasts to such excellent levels of attainment goes to their dedicated coaches, Gemma Kirkham, Kerry Scotts, Katie Richards and Holly Lowe.

In the next few years, when the UK along with the other 124 world members of the FIG are successful and aerobic gymnastics is finally designated as an Olympic sport, we will look back with pride on these dramatic achievements out of Bulmershe. The successes of these brilliantly talented gymnasts will have been pivotal in making such an accession possible.

The Choir of Lancing College, directed by Neil Cox, present: SURREXIT 500 Years of Choral Music for the Church’s Year

Lancing College Choir:
There is a long tradition of excellence in choral singing at Lancing College. Major composers have written music for the choir: Benjamin Britten composed his cantata Saint Nicolas for Lancing’s centenary in 1948, and the College celebrated its 150th anniversary by commissioning Arvo Pärt to write a piece marking the event. The Choir gave the first performance of this new work, Triodion, in Westminster Abbey in April 1998.

Lancing College Choir, which consists of around fifty boys and girls, includes former cathedral choristers in its ranks. A number of young singers have been trained in the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St George’s Chapel, Salisbury Cathedral and Chichester Cathedral. The Choir has sung in concerts and services in major continental churches and cathedrals. In Italy, for example, they sang in St. Mark’s Basilica (Venice), and the Frari Church and St Anthony’s Basilica (Padua).

Many young musicians from Lancing have gone on to take up choral and organ scholarships at the universities of Cambridge (King’s College and St John’s College), Oxford (Magdalen College and Merton College) and London (Royal Holloway College and King’s College), as well as Gloucester Cathedral and Truro Cathedral.

The Chapel:
The famous Chapel at Lancing, the largest and one of the finest school chapels in the world, is home to the Choir. It is a magnificent neo-Gothic, Grade I listed building and is an impressive Sussex landmark. Over 90 foot in height, its internal vaults are matched in England only by those at Westminster Abbey and York Minster. It houses three fine organs, the Elliott chamber organ, the “two manual” Frobenius organ and the “four manual” Walker organ. Neil Cox oversaw the design and installation of the Walker and Frobenius organs in the Chapel in 1986.

Neil Cox, Director of Music of Lancing College Chapel:
Neil Cox has been Director of Music of Lancing College Chapel since 1978, and is responsible for the exceptional standard of the Choir today. Neil is also a composer and his compositions for O Maria, vernans rosa and Magnificat are featured on this CD.

The CD includes 50 minutes of unaccompanied choral singing – a feat rarely achieved by a school choir. This is a tribute to the students, to their previous training (many have been members of cathedral choirs from the age of and, of course, to the inspiration and dedication of Neil Cox.

Neil Cox is supported in his work by colleagues Nikki Dragonetti (a former chorister of Salisbury Cathedral), Damian Kerney (a former Head Chorister of St Paul’s Cathedral) and by singing teacher Martin Elliot (Westminster Abbey and Christ Church Oxford).

The CD: SURREXIT 500 Years of Choral Music for the Church’s Year:
The tracks on this CD represent the music that is sung in the College Chapel through the Church’s year. It features works by Tallis, Pratorius, Guerrero, Morales, Victoria and Michael Haller, and 20th century composers Vaughan Williams, Durufle, Elizabeth Poston, John Joubert, Richard Lloyd and Neil Cox.

The selection focuses on the wealth of a cappella, or unaccompanied music, from the great flowering of European sacred polyphony in the 16th century and on up, to present day. Interspersed are chorale preludes based on seasonal hymns, played on the Chapel’s Frobenius organ by Neil Cox, Edward Dean (Upper VI form, Organ Scholar) and Joseph Wicks (a 4th form Music Scholar).

Twenty students in the Choir on this recording have passed Grade 8 in singing. Edward Dean will take up a place at the Royal College of Music and Joseph Wicks, who is just 14 years old, was a ‘boy bishop’ at Salisbury Cathedral. Singers Tom Stockwell (Bass)and Ewan Stockwell (Tenor) are now singing at Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals.

The recordings on this CD were made in Lancing College Chapel and Boxgrove Priory, West Sussex.

Copies of the CD may be purchased from the Lancing College website, http://www.lancingcollege.co.uk at a cost of £.. (postage and packing)

Music at Lancing College:
At Lancing, all pupils enjoy a wide range of experiences and opportunities beyond the national curriculum. They are encouraged to embrace new interests in the spirit of self discovery: cultural, sporting, and practical activities all feature in the weekly timetable.

The Choir is one of these opportunities. Many youngsters at Lancing are very “contemporary” and a number of enthusiastic members of the Choir combine it with a range of very different activities, such as football or drama.

Music and Organ Scholarships:
Scholarships are available for new entrants to the Third and Sixth Forms, with special proficiency in music. In addition, Lancing College is keen to encourage talented young organists and there is one organ scholarship for the Sixth Form.

For further information on these scholarships, please contact Beverley Allen:baa@lancing.org.uk 01273 465968

LATEST EXHIBITION ‘LIGHTS UP’ VINER GALLERY

Guests who came along to the Viner Gallery this week were able to take a closer look at the work of a renowned local artist – who also happens to be a teacher at WGS.
Out of Darkness was an exhibition of work by Mr James Millichamp who has been a member of WGS’s art department since 2001. This latest exhibition follows his highly successful summer show at Wolverhampton’s Eagle Works Gallery in 2008.
As well as students, staff and parents, representatives from Wolverhampton’s arts and business communities also came along to enjoy the show.
“ As a teacher I am always looking to develop the talent of my students, and a professional exhibition held in such an incredible venue as the Viner Gallery may help to encourage and perhaps inspire students,” explains James. “It may also help students develop their own critical appraisals – but that’s a risk any artist has to take when showing their work!”
The title of his exhibition – Out of Darkness, is taken from the motto of Wolverhampton, a city in which James has lived and worked for most of his life, and it is this environment which has shaped and informed much of his work.
“This is one of a series of exhibitions that are being staged at the Viner Gallery throughout 2009,” comments John Perkins, head of art at WGS. “There is a wealth of artistic talent associated with this school which we can now properly showcase in what is a superb, professional facility.”
Out of Darkness is on at The Viner Gallery until Friday February 6th. Anyone wishing to see the exhibition should email Mark Hand on mark@wgs-sch.net.

WGS CELEBRATES HIGH LEAGUE TABLE PLACING

Wolverhampton Grammar School is once again celebrating its placing in the annual league tables which were published on Thursday.

The school consolidated its position as one of the highest performing in the region following record GCSE and A Level results in the summer.

“It is extremely encouraging to see that we remain so high in the league tables,” comments Head of WGS, Vincent Darby. “With 100 per cent pass rate at GSCE we are clearly achieving far above government recommendations and at A Level there are few schools who do better than WGS in the entire West Midlands.”

Wolverhampton Grammar School offers one of the widest range of subject choices at both GCSE and A Level. And with subject specialists teaching in all areas of the curriculum, the school continues to produce outstanding results.

WGS is one of only seven schools in the West Midlands which saw 100 per cent of its GCSE students achieve at least five A* – C grades, including passes in both English and Maths. At A Level, a 100 per cent pass rate (including a record 80 per cent at A & B), resulted in a points per pupil score of over 986 – one of the highest in the region.

“We are proud of the consistently high academic standards we achieve here at WGS,” continues Vincent Darby. “Just as we are proud that as Wolverhampton’s grammar school we are helping to ensure the city’s standing in the national league tables continues to progress.

“There is always room to improve however and everyone here – staff and students alike – will be working hard to ensure next year’s league tables reflect the continued progress of Wolverhampton Grammar School as one of the top schools in the region.”

To view Wolverhampton Grammar School’s 2008 GSCE and A Level results in detail, please go to: www.wolverhamptongrammarschool.com/pages/prospective/results

LAUREN HITS THE RIGHT NOTE WITH NATIONAL GIRLS CHOIR

Life for one Wolverhampton Grammar School student is on song after gaining a place in a prestigious national choir.

Lauren Dennis aged 13, was awarded one of just 60 places in the National Youth Girls Choir after a London audition in which she had to sing and perform vocal exercises to a panel of judges. The letter telling her she had been accepted finally came this week after a nervous month long wait for Lauren and her family.

“My Mum had been encouraging me to try out for the choir for quite a while, so in November I applied through the National Youth Choir website.” states Lauren who lives in Tettenhall. “I was called for an audition at the beginning of December and after that it seemed a long time to wait for the news, but it was worth it when I got the letter telling me I had been accepted.”

Lauren, a Year 9 student at Wolverhampton Grammar School (WGS) already has an impressive track record when it comes to singing. A member of the school choir, Lauren also sings in the city’s St Peter’s church choir. She has been a member of the Stagecoach performing arts company since the age of five.

Director of Music at WGS, Mr Andy Proverbs is pleased that Lauren’s talents have been recognised at such a high level. “Lauren is an outstanding singer who is actively involved in the wide range of musical activities on offer here at WGS. I am thrilled that she has won a place in such a prestigious choir and that she is able to show her talents on a national stage.”

A keen netballer who is hoping to be a barrister, Lauren is looking forward to taking part in her first course with the National Youth Choir which is taking place in Oxford during April.

The National Youth Girl’s choir is open to girls aged 11 – 16 and Lauren is hoping to progress to the senior National Youth Choir once she reaches 16.

Wolverhampton Grammar School is one of the leading independent schools in the region. Its music department offers all its students the opportunity to work with dedicated instrumental specialists in order to develop an appreciation of, and skills in, all aspects of music.

Bishop’s Stortford College science student selected to represent the UK

A sixth former from Bishop’s Stortford College is one of just five students chosen to represent the United Kingdom at the 2009 Professor Harry Messel International Science School at the University of Sydney, Australia from Saturday 12 – Saturday 25 July 2009.

Selected from over 100 high calibre applicants UK wide, Paul Bramley had to demonstrate his academic excellence, his ability to act as an ambassador for his country and his profound interest in contemporary scientific developments during the rigorous selection process.

Paul will attend lectures on some of the most exciting developments in science given by leading experts in those fields and visit various research groups in the Science School. There will also be a variety of social activities designed to promote long term friendships within the group.

The theme of the Science School will be ‘Genes to Galaxies’. During his two weeks in Sydney Paul will work with students from ten countries including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States of America to further develop his considerable interest in the pursuit of a science career. On his return to Bishop’s Stortford he will disseminate the impact of his experiences through a formal report, an article in Education in Science and through personal presentations.

Paul is currently studying A Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Economics at the Hertfordshire-based independent school for 4-18 year olds. “I was ecstatic when I heard I had been accepted,” he said. “To be given this chance of a lifetime is amazing.”

Photograph: Paul Bramley pictured by one of the mirror displays in the Bishop’s Stortford College Science Action Centre (see below).

About the Science Action Centre:
Opened in 2006, the Science Action Centre is a hands-on facility with over 40 interactive displays designed to intrigue, inspire and engage pupils of all ages about science. To our knowledge, it is the only facility of its kind in a UK school. Used on a regular basis by Bishop’s Stortford College pupils, the centre is also open to other schools, with over 2000 pupils visiting from schools based in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire.