Private School News

Peterborough High School Announces Expansion of its Co-educational Provision

Following year’s of outstanding success, Peterborough High School will be expanding from September 2010 to allow the admission of boys into Years 7 and 12, becoming the City’s only independent co-educational school for pupils aged 4 to 18.

To reflect this, the School’s name will also change so that, from next September, the School will become known as ‘The Peterborough School’.

This development comes from the School being in a position of strength; recruitment is good and pupil numbers are consistent. As a registered charity, the School is required to generate a surplus to allow for re-investment in facilities and this has been achieved in the last nine years. This has allowed the Governors to plan for the future development and growth of the School and to secure future investment in facilities and in curriculum development.

At the same time, the School has been petitioned by current and prospective parents to extend the current co-educational Preparatory provision into the Senior School. Currently there is no independent provision for boys in the City and this decision is taken in response to that need.

Boys who are already at the School will progress from Year 6 into the Senior School, along with the girls who have traditionally moved through in the same way. External applicants for Year 7 – both boys and girls – will sit the Entrance Examinations in January 2010. All pupils, whether current or prospective, who wish to be considered for Academic, Music or Art Scholarships, will need to sit the Scholarship papers and/or audition on January 22nd .

Current Year 11 boys and girls wishing to enter the Sixth Form at Year 12 will be offered places depending on their predicted GCSE grades following registration.

The School’s key strength lies in its ability to nurture pupils through its strong pastoral care, small class sizes and dedicated staff and the School will retain this commitment. Although pupil numbers are expected to increase, Peterborough High School will still remain a small school with class sizes staying at around 15 pupils and the maximum form size being 20 pupils.

It is accepted that one key aspect of successful co-educational provision lies in the scope and quality of the sports offering for both boys and girls and significant developments will take place at the School in the near future both in terms of new staff and new facilities.

This exciting development will also allow significant curriculum enhancement, which will be phased over the next five years and which will involve a greater array of subjects on offer and the increased provision of associated facilities and staff.

The news has been welcomed by current parents, particularly those currently with girls in the Senior School and boys in the Preparatory Department: “We chose Peterborough High School for our children because of the quality of education it offers. We were not specifically looking for a girls only school after the age of 11! This development means that our son can now benefit from the same excellent education that our daughter has received and to have them both in the same place is a huge bonus. We are very pleased that Toby will not now need to change schools”.

Headmaster, Adrian Meadows commented: “We are delighted to be developing from such a position of strength since we are so frequently asked to provide education for both boys and girls post-11. We are confident of a very stimulating and exciting future and our Group Charity, Woodard Schools, supports us wholeheartedly in this change”.

For further information please contact Liz Hodgkinson, Marketing Manager, Peterborough High School, Thorpe Road, Petrborough PE3 6JF. 01733 343357 or email lho@peterboroughhigh.co.uk

SURBITON HIGH SCHOOL ACROBATS REPRESENT GREAT BRITIAN AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, Vila de Condo, PORTUGAL

Five elite gymnasts from Surbiton High School, were selected to represent Great Britain at the Acrobatic European Championships held in Portugal.
The venue at Vila de Condo was of Olympic proportions and 25 different countries competed for the title of European Champion.
Great Britain sent two competitors for each category, knowing that only one competitor from each country could proceed to the final, regardless of the score. Although this was an extremely disappointing for some gymnasts, it did mean that other countries new to the sport had a chance of competing in a final.
The 11 – 16 competition was dominated by Russia and Great Britain, with Russia winning 3 gold medals and Great Britain winning 2 gold medals. Abigail Ralph and Amy Mackenzie competed as the 11-16 womens’ pair and despite finishing in joint second position with Russia, they were narrowly beaten by the other the other GB pair, and so did not compete in the final.
Similarly, Anne-Marie Seabourne in Year 7 fell foul of the new ruling and she too, although finishing third in the rounds, were beaten by Great Britain team mates. The girls should be so proud of their performances and the fact that they helped the Great Britain team to come second overall.
Kim Hunter and Katie Axten had a very successful competition, with Kim winning a bronze medal for her tempo routine and a silver medal for her combined routine and Katie winning a bronze medal in all three finals.

Surbiton High School Win British Schools’ Ski Championships for Second Consecutive Year

On Sunday 15th November Surbiton High School sent two ski teams to Pontypool in Wales to compete at the British Schools’ Ski Championships.

The girls were competing against approximately 400 racers but were well prepared following recent successes in previous races in the series.

All girls skied admirably despite the torrential rain and after the first run both teams were within reach of podium positions. The team consisting of Isabel Linacre, Alice MacAulay, Darcie Mead and Caroline Croft gave a terrific performance and won the Championship. Surbiton’s other team of Emily Pocock, Hannah Bilgore, Evie Kock and Mary Denning made fourth position in the Championship.

As well as team success, there were plenty of individual medals. Congratulations to Alice MacAulay who gained 2nd and Emily Pocock who won 3rd in their separate categories. Isabel Linacre did phenomenally well coming 1st in her age group and 2nd overall. Thanks must go to the girl’s parents and to Mrs Wilkey Head of PE, for all her support in the race and throughout the skiing season. Thanks also to Surbiton’s ski coaches Marc and Paul Telling who have helped Surbiton Ski Team win two successive British Championships!

£100,000 BOARDING INVESTMENT AT FLEETWOOD SCHOOL

A £100,000 investment at one of the region’s top independent schools has resulted in new facilities for boarders and day pupils and has been completed as another phase of the five year development programme of the school’s Fleetwood campus facilities.

Co-educational Rossall School has upgraded another of its Grade 2 listed buildings to provide improved study areas and accommodation for boarders and day pupils in the School’s ‘Spread Eagle’ house. The refurbishment follows recent investments in other areas of the school, totalling £1.5 million in the last two years, all with an aim to restore many of Rossall’s listed buildings to their former glory. Three houses have been modernised in the period, bringing the accommodation and student study facilities up to hotel standards of comfort, whilst retaining the character of the buildings and the unique atmosphere of the campus.

In the latest phase, six single and occupancy bedsits have been created, together with a number of dormitories of two to three occupancy and improved day/ prep rooms for around 20 pupils. As part of the project, upgraded fire systems, and wiring systems for the school’s new computer network have been installed. Custom-made furniture and co-ordinated furnishings have completed the interior works, whilst external refurbishment has involved work on stone transoms and mullions in compliance with Grade 2 specifications. The buildings, dating back to the mid-19th Century, are also undergoing re-pointing: a major component of any work at Rossall where the school’s coastal plot bears the brunt of weather fronts from the Irish Sea.

The latest project has been completed in two months and on budget. Commenting, Rossall’s Facilities Manager, Paul King said: “With 160 acres and so many listed buildings on campus our refurbishment programme is a little like that of the Forth Bridge and our proximity to the sea means that the elements play their part in ensuring that it’s a constant programme. But this current development plan is not simply about maintaining our building stock, because we’re refurbishing our accommodation, house prep and study areas to a very high standard and the changes have been warmly welcomed by our students, both overseas and local. The work is part of a much wider programme of improvements covering, academic, leisure and boarding facilities on campus to ensure that we provide an educational experience of the highest standard possible.”

Hannah Coakley appointed as Youth Advisor to Trustees of UNICEF UK

Hannah Coakley,(18, from Radyr) has been selected as one of two Youth Advisors to the Board of Trustees of UNICEF UK following an application and interview process. This is the first time that young people have sat on the board and played such an influential role in the organisation.

Hannah, who attended Howell’s School, Llandaff and is now in her first year studying Medicine has been involved with UNICEF since 2006, holding the position of a Youth
Champion for the UK. She has advised and consulted on the involvement of young people in the organisation. Hannah has also travelled to Jamaica to see the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people on a youth field trip and was selected to attend the Junior version of the G8 Summit, the J8, in Japan in 2008.

In support of the cause, Hannah has helped organise and deliver peer education workshops across the UK and has spoken at high profile events including the Manchester United Gala Dinner and the Private Equity Investors Awards at the Victoria and Albert Museum. There is little doubt that we shall be hearing more of her!

Hurst Lodge School – green bins for recycling classroom waste.

Hurst Lodge School, Ascot encourages environmental awareness through their Green Team of form representatives. They seek to intergrate environmental and sustainability issues in every decision made.

The Green Team recently challenged each class to make their own bin for recycling classroom waste paper. The design had to be practical and fun. The competitive buzz that surrounded this event surprised and delighted Mrs. Hooker, the teacher in charge. Lunchtimes and breaks were given up to meet the deadline. It was particularly good to see the team spirit that resulted. When asked who had done most of the work Year 5 responded very earnestly ‘We all did it’. Year 11, determined not to be outdone, took time out from coursework and astonished themselves with their enthusiasm.

The next challenge is to produce an outfit from recycled materials. If the models look as glamorous as the green bins, the fashion show should be an impressive event.

The eventual aim is that by initially involving the children, the school, the community, and the environment will all feel the benefit.

ST JOSEPH’S, READING, TO BECOME CO-EDUCATIONAL FROM 2010

The Governors of St Joseph’s Convent School in Reading have made the landmark decision to move from being a predominantly girls school, to becoming a co-educational school, with the first intake of boys to take place in September 2010. St Joseph’s currently takes boys from 3-7 years old and girls from 3-18.

As from September 2010, St Joseph’s will start to introduce co-education into the senior school by welcoming boys into Year 7 (that is, at age 11) and also into Year 12 (the first year of Sixth Form). The Preparatory Department, which currently takes boys to the age of 7, will take boys and girls throughout. By introducing a new co-educational group each year at Years 7 and 12, the school will become fully co-educational from September 2014.

St Joseph’s has enjoyed a range of successes in recent months and this summer, students gained the highest GCSE and A Level results the school has achieved in recent years, with 100% pass rates throughout and 71% A*-A’s at GCSE level and 62% A-B at A Level. The School was also awarded an ‘Outstanding’ grade in the Diocesan Validation Report* in December 2008, as well as being judged to deliver an outstanding quality of care of pupils, alongside a high quality of education, governance and management in June 2009 by the Independent Schools Inspectorate**. The Governors and Senior Management at St Joseph’s would now like to build on these successes to expand and invest further in the school, developing facilities and resources for the benefit of all pupils in the future.

Whilst adding to the availability of independent co-education in Reading, the move will also give boys the chance to attend an independent Catholic senior school for the first time since the closure of Presentation College in 2004. St Joseph’s will naturally continue to accept pupils of all denominations and faiths.

The School is fortunate that the site on Upper Redlands Road already has the capacity within its buildings and grounds to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers and the requirements of co-education. It has ICT, Technology and Science Laboratories, Music Rooms, an Annexe and Drama Halls. Within the grounds, the School offers excellent sporting facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, astro-turf sports pitches, a gymnasium and large playing fields. St Joseph’s also regularly makes use of the sporting facilities at Reading University and nearby Palmer Park Athletics Stadium.

Maureen Sheridan, Headmistress of St Joseph’s, said: “This is an exciting time for St Joseph’s. As a school which is selective but not highly selective, we are especially delighted with the individual performance of each girl against her ability. This focus on the individual needs and achievements of pupils is recognised in the Inspection Report. There could not be a better time for extending our first-class educational opportunities to the brothers of our pupils. This can only add to the family feel of the school and the quality of the preparation for the world of University and work into which our students will move. It seems wholly appropriate that as the School celebrates its centenary anniversary on the Upper Redlands site, it should be asserting its forward-looking mission in a way that recognises the needs of today’s world”.

In its new co-educational status, the name of the Senior School will change to become St Joseph’s College, Reading, and the junior section will continue to be called St Joseph’s Preparatory School.

St Joseph’s has already started planning the changes that will need to be made to accommodate boys, including sporting opportunities and facilities, training of staff where necessary, curriculum offered and cloakroom facilities. The majority of staff have already taught in co-educational schools, including the Headmistress Maureen Sheridan. Deputy Head and Head of Sixth Form Nick Crean has extensive experience of teaching in a boys school.

Parents are welcome to call Registrar Debbie Kendrick on 0118 966 1000 to arrange an individual visit to the school, at a time convenient to them.

BMS Win Five Events at Upper Thames Small Boats Head

Bedford Modern School students from Years 10 to 13 took part in the Upper Thames Small Boats Head on Sunday 1st November, in extremely windy and wet conditions. Crews from around the country competed on the famous Henley Royal Regatta course over 3,000 metres.

BMS won the U18 Coxed Fours (Greg Edwards, Alex Robertson, James Powell and Andrew Taylor), U18 Coxless Fours (Jack Pooley, Lewis Cleaver, Matthew Harris and Matthew Bowman), Senior Three Quadruple Sculls (Greg Edwards, Alex Robertson, Edward Munno and James Powell) and Coxed Fours (William Gale, Matthew Bowman, Tom Sweeting and Andrew Taylor) as well as Junior 18 Pairs (Lewis Cleaver and Robert Bell).

Alistair Brown, BMS Director of Rowing said, “It was a successful day for the School rowers although very cold and wet for the BMS parents supporting. Congratulations to all BMS rowers on producing a very strong set of results at the Upper Thames Small Boats Head.”

The next main event that Bedford Modern School rowers will take part in is the Fullers Fours Head of the River taking place on the River Thames in London on 14th November. The new Year 9 rowers are looking forward to their next competitive race at the Star Head in Bedford on 22nd November and spectators are most welcome.

Photo: Senior Coxed Four (l-r Cox: Callum Mackay, Matthew Bowman, Andrew Taylor, William Gale and Tom Sweeting)

World Masters Games Sydney 2009

Kate Nimmo, Second in Department and Head of Swimming at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, competed in five swimming events at the World Masters Games in Sydney during the week of 10th October 2009. She won five gold medals.

Kate trained with the Cheltenham Swimming Club and the Gloucester Masters, in order to boost her fitness levels for the distance events. During the build up to the Games, she recorded a couple of life-time bests and came very close to breaking the British Record on the 400m Freestyle in the 30-34 year age group. Kate started the series of swimming races on 10th October with the 800m Freestyle followed by the 400m and 200m Freestyle and a 50m Backstroke later in the week. The final test was the 400m Individual Medley which involved swimming 100m on each of the strokes starting with Butterfly.

‘Competing in the Games has been an amazing experience, one that I will certainly look back on fondly and not just because of my success,’ said Kate. ‘Being one of over 28,000 athletes competing in 28 different sports at the largest multi-sports event in the world, bigger even than the Olympics, makes you feel very much part of something very big. Each morning the train going to the Olympic Park is full of competitors from a huge array of sports and countries and everyone is so friendly. The support of the ten other team-mates from my club and from College has been overwhelming.’

Kate is now training for the World Masters Swimming Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in July 2010.

Photo: Kate Nimmo, Head of Swimming

MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE

600 delegates from 31 schools convened at Cheadle Hulme School, Manchester, for the Model United Nations Conference. This is a multi-centred debating exercise in which teams from schools represent the delegations of a particular country convened as a ‘Model’ United Nations in session. The aim is for students to learn about key international issues, co-operate with other students in order to promote their delegation’s policies and to enjoy creating alliances and common goals.

Malvern St James sent three delegations of 5 girls, representing Madagascar, Columbia and Nicaragua. Each delegation then sent girls to five or six different committees where they put forward resolutions, amendments, points of information and spoke for and against the resolutions. Our girls did incredibly well: Lucy Darling was nominated guest chair of the Economic Committee, Liana Beesley Peck was awarded Best Young Delegate in the Youth Committee and Emma Leese was awarded Highly Commended Delegate in the Human Rights Council.
Sophie Coombes Roberts, Jackie Koh and Emma Leese presented in front of all 600 delegates at the General Assembly and several girls had their resolutions and amendments discussed in their committees.

Lizzie Utting, Year 13 Ambassador for Columbia, reports ‘MUNCH had a fabulous relaxed atmosphere, which encouraged even the very nervous to take the floor and debate their country’s point of view. The Political Committee was so fired up by one topic that it lasted for a record 2 hours! Overall it was a brilliant introduction to MUN for all the new members and a gently ease back into the swing of things for the more experienced.’
Rosie Baker, first time delegate, agrees ‘MUNCH introduced me and other fellow first-time delegates to important issues beyond those that most experience within school life. All in all, the weekend was fantastic fun and absolutely exhausting! Thank you so much to Miss Mann, Mrs Huntley and Miss Kopsch for taking us and giving up their weekend.’

Malvern St James girls win first prize in Prestigious National Competition

Girls from Malvern St James are celebrating having won the Challenge the Chancellor Competition for the third time.

The ‘Challenge the Chancellor’ competition gives students the chance to decide how and why they would spend government money and was hailed as a great initiative on its launch a number of years ago.

The students have to use their skill and imagination to devise a tax policy, explaining how the tax would be calculated, who would pay it and what benefits the tax would bring about. This year’s team proposed a tax regime to promote healthier eating by discouraging the addition of salt to processed and snack foods. They were assessed on their originality and on the depth and quality of their reasoning.

The team, consisting of Mandy Lee, Shin Ong, Jaclyn Chow and Ziyi He, was invited to a reception in London where their prizes were presented by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. The girls won one hundred pounds each in prize money and were awarded the Champion’s shield. In addition to the individual students’ prizes their teacher, Mrs Sally Bennett, was happy to receive a cheque for one thousand pounds on behalf of Malvern St James, which is to be spent in the Business and Economics department of the school.

The girls were taken on a tour of the Treasury and are pictured with William Gladstone’s original red box which dates from the middle of the 19th century. This box has been famously used by most Chancellors to carry details of their budget from 11 Downing Street to the Houses of Parliament on Budget day.

The girls’ Economics teacher, Mrs Sally Bennett, said, ‘The students have thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Treasury and were proud to have been complimented by the Minister on their detailed and thoughtful tax proposal.’

‘Air miles’ make African mission a reality for Derbyshire teacher

Pupils at a Derbyshire school have gone to great lengths to help one of their teachers take off on a cultural exchange trip to Africa.

Youngsters at Balborough Hall School bought hundreds of special ‘air miles’ flight vouchers to help send deputy head teacher Dave Wilson on a visit to Makumbi Primary School and Orphanage in Zimbabwe.

Maths and Technology teacher Dave will fly out to Makumbi today (October 23) for the week-long trip teaching pupils and exchanging ideas with the school’s 15 teachers.

Barlborough has been linked with Makumbi since 2003 as part of the Jesuit Missions’ Companions Programme, which links Jesuit schools in England with deprived schools in Africa.

Over the last five years, Barlborough pupils have exchanged pictures, stories, news and letters with fellow students in Zimbabwe.

Dave will take out a suitcase full of 30 clockwork engines for a technology project, special water filters, medication, clothes, gifts and letters and pictures from the teachers and pupils at Barlborough.

He explains: “Our relationship with Makumbi has grown over the years and the kids have really taken ownership of the exchange project. It’s wonderful how involved the pupils have chosen to be and they have learned a great deal about a very different way of life. My trip will help to make it more personal and real.

“They have been extremely busy, selling cakes, buying ‘air miles’ for my flight, holding raffles and other fundraising activities to raise money for this special trip and I am so grateful.

“We are all hoping that this cultural exchange visit is the first of many and that we can welcome teachers from Makumbi to Barlborough in the future.”

Over the last five years, Barlborough has funded a number of improvements projects for Mukumbi including the installation of perimeter fencing and windows and doors.

The school has also donated towards the local village’s food voucher scheme, bought educational books and paid teachers wages for a year.

Wanda Parkinson, Barlborough Hall Headteacher, said: “The Companions Programme is a fantastic initiative and the schools involved are united by the Jesuit ethos of ‘men and women for and with others’.

“It is a great opportunity to listen and to learn from others across the world and to share a common spiritual inheritance.”

Photo:(L-R)Niamh Woodmass from Wickersley, Rotherham, Dave Wilson, Alexandra Eastwood and Jasmine Wallis-Leach, both from Barlborough.

BMS APPOINT NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND ADMISSIONS

Bedford Modern School are delighted to announce that Michelle Upton has been appointed Director of Marketing and Admissions at the School.

Before joining BMS on Monday 19th October, Michelle was previously employed as Marketing Manager at St Margaret’s School, a day and boarding school for girls in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

Michelle Upton commented, “Coming from a single sex, traditional educational environment, I’m really looking forward to working in such a contemporary, thriving, co-educational school. Bedford Modern School has the ideal mixture of a modern, exciting education with a proud tradition and strong links with the local community.”

Photo: Michelle Upton, new Director of Marketing and Admissions at BMS

Sam outruns the field

More than 360 children from 22 schools across the north of England enjoyed the autumn sunshine at the 2009 Malsis Cross Country in October and a ‘home win’ was recorded by Malsis pupil Sam Stewart of Addingham Moorside who came first in the field of 100 runners in the U11 boys category, adding a gold medal to the silver he won at the 2008 event.

Parents and coaches cheered on Under 11 and Under 13 Girls and Boys and teams from Kildwick, Glusburn and Ilkley raced against those who had travelled from as far afield as Windermere and Yarm to this prestigious schools’ event.

Andrew Raikes, Co-ordinator of Sport at Malsis, said “we were delighted to see so many children at our cross country this year. As the first cross country event of the school year the Malsis Run is always much anticipated by all of the schools, both local and those from further afield, independent and maintained.“

Cross Country is just one of the many sports on offer at Malsis – as well as playing rugby, hockey, netball and cricket, the children are able to participate in sports and activities from Abseiling to Yoga and to make use of the wide range of facilities at the school including an indoor swimming pool, astro-turf pitch and 3km mountain bike trail.

If you would like to find out more about the sporting and many other opportunities available to your child at Malsis, please contact Marcus Peel at head@malsis.com or call 01535 633027 for an informal initial discussion.

Results : Malsis Cross Country 2009
Individual Results :Under 11 Boys – Sam Stewart, Malsis
Under 11 Girls – Tassy Heslop, Moorfield
Under 13 Boys – Tom Blanchard, Ermysted’s Grammar School
Under 13 Girls – Abby Parkinson, Bradford Grammar School

Team Results:Under 11 Boys – Giggleswick
Under 11 Girls – Moorfield
Under 13 Boys – Ermysted’s Grammar School
Under 13 Girls – Skipton Girls’ High

Pictured:
Sam Stewart, U11 Boys winner

Anti Bullying week – staying safe in cyberspace

Anti Bullying week, which runs from 16-21 November, is this year urging children to stay safe in cyberspace. The focus comes as we witness an increase in the worrying – and growing – trend that is cyberbullying.

Staff and pupils at Highclare School will be taking part in Anti Bullying week and using it to reinforce the work we have already achieved in the field of E Safety.

Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of information and communication technologies – so via text messages, emails, phone calls, instant messaging and social networking sites. Of course, today’s young people have grown up using computers and mobile phones to organise all elements of their lives, from their education, social events and even relationships.

Internet and video games are very popular with children and young people and can offer a range of opportunities for fun, learning and development. The internet and new technologies also offer great benefits and learning opportunities in schools. It is important that pupils learn how to be safe when they are using these new technologies such as social networking sites, which are becoming an essential aspect of creative social learning.

While children are confident with the technology, they are still developing critical evaluation skills and need our help to make wise decisions. In relation to the internet we need a shared culture of responsibility between school, families, government and third parties to reduce the availability of potentially harmful material, increase children’s resilience and restrict access to it.

Schools have the opportunity to transform education, help pupils fulfil their potential and raise standards with the use of ICT. Highclare School equips its students with the skills and knowledge they need to use technology safely and and to manage the risks, wherever and whenever they go online. We have had a very successful year working with our students, their families and the community police to promote safe and responsible behaviours in using technology both at school, in the home and beyond.

Children and young people need to be empowered to keep themselves safe – this isn’t just about a top-down approach. Children will be children – pushing boundaries and taking risks. At a public swimming pool we have gates, put up signs, have lifeguards and shallow ends, but we also teach children how to swim.

NATIONAL SUCCESS FOR YOUNG NOTTINGHAM MUSICIANS

Success beckons for Nottingham High School pupil, Jake Hinson, age 14, as he prepares to battle it out in the final of the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year, a national competition being held at the Djanogly Recital Hall, Lakeside Arts Centre, University of Nottingham on Sunday 8 November.

Jake, who plays clarinet, secured his place in the final after winning the woodwind class in the competition. He then went on to win the semi final, beating over 115 of the most accomplished musicians of all ages from across the region in the process. Jake will be the only woodwind player competing in the final for the national title of Nottingham Musician of the Year.

“I am really looking forward to taking part in the final, said Jake. “I came third in the competition two years ago and I hope to do even better this year.”

In addition, fellow Nottingham High School pupil Matt Glendening, age 11, secured a place in the semi final in the same competition by winning the junior piano category.

“These are fantastic achievements for Jake and Matt – they are both excellent musicians,” said Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School. “We are all very proud of them here at the school and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Jake the very best of luck for the final.”

The biannual competition is broken down into three age groups – junior, intermediate and senior, and its categories include, brass, woodwind, piano, voice and strings.

Matt is also to be awarded the Nellie Greenhill Memorial Prize by the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music after achieving the highest scoring distinction at grade seven piano taken in Nottingham in the last 12 months.

“It’s a cutting-edge education”

Only the country’s top 100 independent preparatory schools make it into the Tatler’s Schools Guide. This is Bilton Grange’s second consecutive appearance in the annual publication.

•“It’s a cutting-edge education”

•“Bilton Grange has bagged 33 (Scholarships) in the past three years, which is impressive”

•“The school is determined to push constantly to remain at the forefront of technological advances in education”

•“Really fantastic outdoors facilities too, like a nine-hole golf course and a shooting range”

•“Natty electronic whiteboards in all the classrooms and interactive noticeboards in the corridors”

•“Faith is not forgotten; every morning starts with a service in the school’s remarkable Pugin chapel”

If you would like to arrange an individual visit to see the school, please contact Mr Jonathan Hewat in the Admissions Office; Telephone or email jhewat@biltongrange.co.uk

RGS Worcester BC welcomes back Cambridge cox in triple boat launch

RGS Worcester Boat Club marked the arrival of new Chief Coach Joe Lyons with a row-past and a boat-naming ceremony on Saturday, in which three boats were given the traditional treatment. Former Alice Ottley pupil and Cambridge cox Carole Burton was top-of-the-bill, spectacularly smashing a bottle of bubbly over the bows of the coxed quad which bears her name.
Earlier in the day, fifteen boats ranging from VIIIs, through coxed and coxless quads to single sculls rowed past the RGS and Worcester RC boat-houses; the flotilla was led off by the Year 9 beginners group in an Octuple, and the final boat was a single scull manned by ex-RGS pupil Tom Clark, who won a Bronze medal racing in the Great Britain U23 VIII at the World Championships in the summer.
Tom’s mother Sarah later named the new state-of-the-art single scull after him, and a coxless pair was then named in recognition of Roger Tarry, who coached for 20 years at RGS with great success; this time it was Roger’s wife Jenny who did the honours. Finally Carole Burton, who made history in 1986 by becoming the first girl to cox a Cambridge Boat Race crew, spoke of how she learned to row at Evesham Rowing Club as there was no rowing at the Alice Ottley School; she was impressed to see some thirty RGS girls were now able to enjoy the sport of rowing and compete at a high level.
Back inside the boat house the Club welcomed new Teacher i/c Rowing Joe Lyons who took over at the beginning of the month from Mike Vetch after a twenty-two year stint in charge. Joe was an international canoeist who represented Great Britain in many different disciplines; he then had huge success as chief coach at Canford School in Dorset: he led them to many national triumphs and several boys and girls achieved international vests under his tutelage. In a brief address, Joe spoke of the huge commitment required by rowers who wanted to succeed, offset by the rewards that come to the dedicated.

Unbeaten Sports Teams

The girls’ and boys’ sports teams have started the new academic year with some tremendous results.

The Bilton Grange estate offers outstanding facilities for sport and recreation, whether in the traditional team games or in more individual pursuits. Team games for both boys and girls are an important part of the daily programme, and we have a nation-wide reputation for the excellent standards we achieve in our games and for the spirit in which they are played.

Our aim is to ensure that all our pupils, whatever their interests or ability, are given the opportunity to develop their talents in activities of interest to them, which are outside the formal taught curriculum. To this end the working day is structured to give ample time for relaxation and recreation, at whatever level appropriate to each individual pupil. In this way, we hope that they maintain a healthy balance between work and play, which will stay with them as they go through life.

In addition to the formal classes of Physical Education, which all pupils are given, there is a wide variety of opportunities for them to take part in, with team and individual sports, coached by specialist men and women teachers. The range of sports on offer to the children is extensive and includes rugby, netball, hockey, rounders and cricket as the major games and children also have opportunities to take part in swimming, tennis, athletics, soccer, cross country running, squash, riding, polo, badminton, table tennis and snooker.

Bilton Grange’s facilities include extensive grounds, a large indoor sports centre with two squash courts, a golf course, indoor rifle range as well as a modern, 25 metre, indoor swimming pool. There is an extensive, all weather surface which accommodates hockey and netball in winter and eight tennis courts in summer.

“I’m a shoebox! GET ME OUT OF HERE”

Mr Ian Morris and Bilton Grange’s very own ‘Ant and Dec’: (left to right) Will Jeffrey, Mr Ian Morris and Mani the Boa and Dylan Churchill

From leg waxing to boa constrictors, a recent assembly at Bilton Grange Preparatory School was a little different. Every year, Bilton Grange, like many schools across the country, participates in ‘Operation Christmas Child’ – the UK’s largest children’s Christmas appeal. School children in the UK fill shoe boxes with gifts and sweets, and these are then delivered to children in need in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, regardless of their background or beliefs.

To launch this year’s efforts at Bilton Grange Preparatory School, Mr Ian Morris, Head of Drama, together with many pupils, changed a Wednesday assembly (known as WoW – Worship on Wednesday) into ‘I’m a shoebox, get me out of here.’

Taking the role of the Good Shepherd, Mr Morris, and with help from two pupils as Ant and Dec, undertook several ‘bush tucker trials’ to highlight what needs to go into the gift boxes. For example – for hair bobble, combs and brushes to go into the box, the Good Shepherd had to lose some of his hair – in the form of a leg wax; for a bag of boiled sweets to go into the box, the Shepherd had to eat a crunchy grasshopper and finally, for a cuddly toy to go into the box, the Shepherd had to ‘cuddle’ an 8 ft boa constrictor! Pupils and staff looked on in disbelief as the 8ft snake called Mani (courtesy of Elite Pets) wrapped himself round their drama teacher.

Every WoW (‘Worship on Wednesday’) assembly takes a different theme, and is often created by the children. ‘I’m a shoebox, get me out of here’ is probably going to be the first and last time we see a teacher getting his legs waxed, frozen peas poured down his trousers and a boa constrictor all on the same stage! It was an unexpected yet thought provoking way to get everyone thinking about what they put in their gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child.