Private School News

Bedford Modern School Year 3 pupils experience Egyptian Life

Bedford Modern Junior School Year 3 pupils learnt about life in Ancient Egypt through a variety of workshop activities and role plays that took place at the School on Thursday 25th February.

Pupils were visited by “History Off The Page”, who are a team of specialist teachers who travel from school to school. History Off the Page was started in 1996 by Peter Cornwell and more information can be found at www.historyoffthepage.co.uk.

History Off The Page have visited Bedford Modern Junior School for many years and previous Egyptian Days have included pupils dressing in Ancient Egyptian costumes and taking part in workshops including claywork, carving, jewellery-making, scribes and perfume-cone making.
Phil Cook from History Off The Page said: “The Bedford Modern School pupils have been delightful and worked very hard and hopefully will now have an experience of what life was like three and a half thousand years ago.”
BMS Year 3 pupil Grace Thornton thoroughly enjoyed the Egyptian Day. “I have tried lots of activities including soap carving and the Egyptian Day was a fun and exciting way of learning new things about Ancient Egypt.”
Tim Evans, another Year 3 pupil added, “I enjoyed dressing up in Egyptian costumes and have learnt more about Egyptian life whilst also having fun. I have been moulding clay into scarab charms and later in the day we will be having an Egyptian Feast.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 3 pupil, Seth Jayalath, enjoying the Egyptian Day

Bedford Modern School “Bees” are aiming to spell success

In 2009 The Times Spelling Bee arranged for students to compete against others to become the country’s spelling champion. This year, Microsoft is the official sponsor of the Spelling Bee, teaming up with The Times.

The 2010 Spelling Bee Championships are open to any student who will be 12 years old between 1st September 2009 and 31st August 2010 and Bedford Modern School have put together a team of Year 7 students keen to take part.

Johanna Ware, Head of Key Stage 3 English at Bedford Modern School said: “The BMS team consists of Bayley Hockham, Tope Fisayo, Samuel Butler and Jaffer Zaidi and they will take part in the Regional Heat of The Times Spelling Bee competition at Aspects Leisure Park in Bedford on Wednesday 10th March.”

Students will be pitched against two other teams and have to undertake two types of spelling test on the day. In the spelling play-off students must spell their words correctly to gain two points for their team. In the first round, students will not be eliminated if they get a word wrong. In the second round, however, the eliminations will begin!

The other part of the day will consist of the Quick Fire Challenge in which the team will have to spell as many words correctly as possible. Students can choose the difficulty level they wish with higher levels of difficulty attracting more points.

“Currently our students are practising on The Times’ website where there are lots of activities and tasks for them to hone their spelling skills before the competition begins,” added Johanna Ware.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 7 students (l-r: Tope Fisayo, Samuel Butler, Bayley Hockham and Jaffer Zaidi) preparing for The Times Spelling Bee Competition

Bedford Modern School Politics students visit Edinburgh as part of Devolution studies

21 Bedford Modern School AS Politics students attended a three day trip to Scotland as part of their studies into Devolution and the operation of the Scottish Parliament.

During the trip the students went to the University of Edinburgh to hear Dr E. Hepburn on Devolution and also Dr Swanson on studying Politics at University – both excellent talks and the students were able to ask lots of questions.

After a tour of the Parliament, students had a series of meetings with MSP representing Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats plus the SNP who are in government. Each speaker provided valuable information on the current state of Scottish Politics and their plans for the forthcoming UK General Election. Students were also able to ask questions directed at each politician.

The BMS students were also able to attend a Committee Hearing on Scotland’s response to the Lisbon Treaty and their relations with the E.U. In the evening students went on a Ghost Walk of Edinburgh and explored the hidden side of the city.

Stuart Baker, Head of Politics at BMS said: “It was a fantastic trip for the students who learnt a great deal in a very busy programme of events.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School AS Politics students visit Edinburgh Parliament

Former BMS pupil, Professor Stephen Wildman talks at Ruskin Society

Professor Stephen Wildman, OBM 1960-69, Director of the Ruskin Library and Research Centre at Lancaster University, was the guest speaker at the Ruskin Society’s Birthday Dinner at The Athenaeum in London on Monday 8th February.

Stephen’s talk, entitled Black Wind and White Fire: Ruskin’s visit to Sicily in 1874, was illustrated with letters and drawings by Ruskin and others, as well as photos taken by Stephen in Sicily last September.

Sicily was the furthest place ever visited by the great art critic, John Ruskin (1819-1900), who was born on 8th February, although he saw only Palermo, Monreale and Taormina in the north and east of the island. He was invited to Palermo by the family of Sir Henry Yule, a retired army officer and colonial administrator, whose vivacious daughter Amy, 33 years Ruskin’s junior, not only acted as Ruskin’s guide but corresponded with him and wrote about their friendship after his death in long footnotes in books about her father. At the time Ruskin was hoping to marry the ailing Rose La Touche, but, as Stephen was able to show in his talk, there is evidence that strong mutual affection may have existed between Ruskin and his “little Sicilian witch” (as he called her in other letters).

Only fragments of Amy’s and Ruskin’s correspondence have survived, but from these and other sources Stephen has reconstructed their friendship, focused on the 1874 visit, during which Ruskin commented on a “black wind” from the north, and observed the “white fire” of the volcano Mount Etna. He made drawings of the tomb of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II in Palermo Cathedral, with its fusion of Classical and Gothic styles, and admired the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale.

Amy, who never married, eventually moved to Scotland and became a supporter of the revival of Gaelic, prior to her death in 1916. So far no photograph or other picture of her has come to light.

Professor Stephen Wildman is the brother of Richard Wildman OBM, Bedford Modern School Archivist and OBM Club Secretary. The BMS archives include records of the School’s pupils and history, including over 2,000 photographs since about 1860. It is Richard’s task to sequence, conserve and interpret the material – a mine of historical information – to current staff and students, as well as to OBM’s and their descendants.

Notes: OBM = Old Bedford Modernian

Photo: Former Bedford Modern School pupil, Professor Stephen Wildman

West Side Story comes to Bedford Modern School – March 2010

Bedford Modern School students will be performing West Side Story at the School on Monday 8th March, Tuesday 9th March and from Thursday 11th March to Saturday 13th March 2010.

Set in New York in the mid-1950′s, West Side Story explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. When young American Tony falls in love with Puerto Rican immigrant, Maria, a tragic chain of events is set in motion that will rip apart their worlds forever.

This musical re-telling of Romeo and Juliet features some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century including Something’s Coming, Maria, America, Somewhere, Tonight, I Feel Pretty and Cool.

Tickets for the production are on general release priced at £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for concessions. To book, or for more information about this and other productions at BMS including Bugsy Malone and the Strawberries and Cream Concert, please contact the Bedford Modern School Box Office on 01234 332664.

Bedford Modern School Table Tennis players to represent their country

Four Bedford Modern School students and talented Table Tennis stars have been selected by The English Schools’ Table Tennis Association (ESTTA) to represent their country at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) World Schools’ Table Tennis Championships to be held in the Czech Republic between 25th and 31st March.
Bedford Modern School’s Table Tennis Team includes Year 11 student Alex Farmer, Year 10 student Joshua Robinson, Year 9 student Nishanth Narayanan and Year 11 student Harpreet Rupal.

Paul Birch, Bedford Modern School Table Tennis Coach said: “This is only the second time in the School’s history that BMS has been invited to take part in the ISF World Schools’ Table Tennis Championships. The last time the School competed was in 1995 and to be picked again this year is absolutely fantastic.
“This generation of BMS table tennis players can now experience the honour of representing their country and Alex, Joshua, Nishanth and Harpreet have all worked very hard to get where they are today.”
The Bedford Modern School squad will compete in the initial stages of the Tournament by playing teams from Ireland, Poland, Malta and Slovakia. The BMS team will be led by No. 1 player Joshua Robinson.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Table Tennis Team who will be representing their country (l-r: Alex Farmer, Joshua Robinson, Nishanth Narayanan and Harpreet Rupal)

Bedford Modern School student is part of International Youth Project

Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, Garry Hendry, has been chosen to join an International Youth Project as part of the E.U. Youth in Action initiative. The programme will involve Garry spending a week in Spain, learning how to organise, market and recruit for voluntary organisations.

“I have been involved with the International Youth Project, working with YouthCast for the last two years,” said Garry. YouthCast is something that Garry initially helped set up through the Youth Action network, with the purpose of providing new media skills training for young people in Bedfordshire. The training takes places at external organisations, recent examples being Connexions and Luton Council Groundworks.

“My role is that of general adviser and media trainer. I create, plan and edit audio and video podcasts. I have always been interested in the media and was delighted to be able to combine this with my youth action work. I first joined the School’s Youth Action programme when I was in Year 10,” he added.

Between 1st and 7th March, Garry will be travelling to Isla Cristina, in Spain along with representatives from several other organisations across Europe. “The invitation to take part in the EU Youth Scheme really came off the back of my Twitter marketing on YouthCast. Everyone participating in the European scheme will come together at this event to discuss issues affecting young people and how it affects them.

“Problems may include poverty, drugs and homelessness and we will be looking at ways to solve these issues through media solutions. Media solutions apply through advertising, marketing and giving people the tools they need to express themselves. This is an exciting opportunity to meet young volunteers from all over Europe and is sure to assist my personal development,” said Garry.

Whilst at Bedford Modern School, Garry has also been involved in re-developing the School’s Outreach website and designing a new website for the Development Office. After taking his A Levels this summer, Garry intends to study Advertising and Marketing at Bournemouth University.

Dr Andrew Rowley, Community Service Organiser at BMS and School Chaplain said, “Garry has worked very hard for Youth Action at Bedford Modern School over a number of years. He has made a commendable contribution in a number of ways, including inspiring and supporting younger students in their voluntary work. This project sounds made for him.”

In 2005, Garry also launched his own radio station. This is a small on-line community station that operates during half-term and school holidays. The station provides a blend of music, chat and general discussion topics and can be accessed at http://radio.gazzainc.co.uk/

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, Garry Hendry

Bedford Modern School students are “Going Green”

Gary Jones, Head of Faculty – Art Design Information Technology at Bedford Modern School together with the school’s Academic Enrichment Co-ordinator, Dawn Costello, arranged for 25 BMS Year 9 students to take part in a session designing and constructing wind turbines as part of their Science, Maths and Technology syllabus. Students were selected based on their performance and potential in at least two of the three disciplines.

The event, known as a Smallpeice STEM day, took place on Thursday 11th February. Smallpeice Trust STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) days provide short introductory sessions for students to enhance their understanding of, and aptitude for, problem solving, creativity, design and engineering.

Following an introductory session from the Smallpeice Trust, students were invited to design and construct a wind turbine to produce the greatest amount of energy. The Trust was set up by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a self-taught engineer and founder of the Trust promoting. “Big things happen with the Smallpeice Trust including simplicity in design and economy in production.”

As part of the project, students learnt about renewable energy, wind power and wind turbines, electricity and circuits, structures and forces. The session concluded with the testing of each team’s model. A winning team was then selected based on points awarded for product performance, team working, aesthetics, cost and marketing. Members of the winning team won a small prize with two lucky BMS students gaining places on a Smallpeice Trust residential course at the University of Portsmouth.

“We are always looking for ways in which we can bring the curriculum to life. Experiences like the ones offered by the Smallpeice Trust and Network Rail are exactly what, as educationalists, we need. We are very pleased to be able to offer BMS students the opportunity to experience real world challenges, especially when they contextualise critical issues like sustainability and energy production. They also reinforce the cross-curricular nature of education, which the Faculty structure within Bedford Modern School was established to facilitate and promote,” said Gary Jones.

Maddie Reece, Year 9 student said, “The wind turbine session was enjoyable and presented a good challenge. We learnt the importance of teamwork and being able to compromise on ideas sometimes when working on projects.”

Edward Handford, another Year 9 student said, “We worked in small groups in order to pool our ideas. I have learnt the importance of going green to help the environment.”

Photo: Some of the Bedford Modern School Year 9 students constructing their wind turbines

BEDFORD MODERN SCHOOL’s CAPTAIN BRIAN SIMPSON BECOMES FORCES HERO

Bedford Modern School Staff Instructor (SSI) Captain Brian Simpson is a volunteer Caseworker for The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help. SSAFA have been serving the Armed Forces and their families for well over a 100 years and last year alone provided a reliable, caring and trusting service to more than 50,000 people.

Captain Brian Simpson has six medals for Army and CCF Services lasting over 40 years, as well as being a recipient of the Malaysian People’s Medal for chivalry, gallantry and sacrifice. Bedford Modern School has one of the oldest Combined Cadet Forces in the country, having been formed in 1863. Brian began his role at BMS as the S.S.I. (Corps RSM) and was commissioned in 2003. His role now, although still S.S.I., is more as the Adjutant with responsibility for the Army section.

SSAFA’s reputation has been built on the excellent work carried out by their professional staff and trained volunteers working with both the serving and ex-service communities they make a real difference to people’s lives. From the provision of Health and Social services, to supporting the ex-Service community, from running a confidential support line, to delivering holidays to children with additional needs, SSAFA cover a very broad spectrum of issues.

Captain Brian Simpson first started volunteering as a Caseworker for SSAFA in 2006. “Being an ex-member of the Forces I was very aware of SSAFA and the good work the organisation does. Prior to 2006, I was Secretary of a Working Men’s Club in Bedford and wanted to continue my voluntary work by giving something back to society whilst also undertaking a fresh challenge,” said Brian.

After completing a three day course at SSAFA’s Headquarters in London, Brian was qualified to become a SSAFA Caseworker and now routinely makes home visits to applicants in Bedford and the surrounding area. Home visits follow a set criterion that involves completing a comprehensive analysis about the candidate and their request for financial assistance. Typically, an initial home visit will last for 1 ½ to 2 hours. An applicant’s request for financial assistance may include “brown goods” such as furniture, carpets, curtains, mobile phones, bicycles or “white goods” such as cookers, or fridges that will be purchased through an approved list of suppliers.

“Some of the purchasing power is conducted through other organisations. For example, if an applicant was ex-Army and previously employed as a printer, SSAFA may approach the Printers Union for initial assistance in addition to the relevant unit that the applicant served in within the Military e.g. The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund. The biggest donators to the SSAFA cause are the Royal British Legion and I may spend anything between two weeks to two months working on an individual case,” said Captain Brian Simpson.

“Being a Caseworker with SSAFA brings me a great deal of satisfaction both in terms of personal and professional satisfaction. I get a real buzz out of trying to make a difference to someone’s life and for a lot of people SSAFA is their lifeline. Each case I investigate is different; no two cases are ever the same because all personalities are different and I get to meet some real characters,” added Brian.

A Caseworker does not necessarily have to have served in the military and SSAFA frequently advertise for volunteers in a variety of national newspapers. For more information about SSAFA please visit www.ssafa.org.uk

Photo: Bedford Modern School’s Captain Brian Simpson

“Oarsome” success for BMS rowers at Hampton Head

Approximately 70 Bedford Modern School students took part in the Hampton Head races on the River Thames, by Hampton Court, on Saturday 6th February. The BMS squads ranged from the Junior 14s up to the Junior 18s, with a strong support team to match.
From the amount of red and black that was present at the event, it was clear that Bedford Modern School meant business; even the new Headmaster, Mr Michael Hall, came to support the day’s events.
At Hampton Head, for the first time in Bedford Modern School history, there were almost an equal number of girls to boys, with the J14 Girls achieving commendable success at their first away event.

With Hampton Head being the first major event of 2010, the BMS 1st VIII had a superb win, beating Hampton School by five seconds. Well done to Todd Cartwright (cox), Will Gale, Alex Robertson, Greg Edwards, James Powell, Andy Taylor, Tom Sweeting, Matt Bowman and Ed Munno.
This sets the BMS squad in good stead for future events. With the season not even halfway through, this promises to be an “oarsome” season for Bedford Modern School.
Alistair Brown, Director of Rowing at Bedford Modern School said, “For me, the real success was not just winning the Hampton Head, but also making School history by entering the first BMS Girls’ Octuple at the Hampton Head.

Photo: The winning BMS 1st VIII

Bedford Modern School former student wins European Short Film Competition at Angers Film Festival

Former Bedford Modern School student and up-coming London-based film producer, Michael Berliner, with Director, Fyzal Boulifa, has just won the Grand Prix du Jury in the European Short Film Competition at the prestigious Angers Film Festival in France.

The Angers Film Festival took place between 22nd and 31st January. Michael’s award-winning film, “Whore” runs for 10 minutes and the prize for winning the European Short Film category was 1,500 euros offered by Scania.

Michael, who attended Bedford Modern School between 1995 and 2004 directed his first short film ‘Thief’ as a 14 year-old student at BMS, casting the then-headmaster in a cameo role alongside school mates.

He began his professional career in film while a student at Oxford University. “I began by helping out as a runner on big screen movies during my university holidays but when I graduated in 2007 it gave me the time that I needed to move into producing.

“Alongside my job as Projects and Development Assistant at arts agency, B3 Media (www.b3media.net) in London, I am now a serial short film producer. I am currently planning my debut micro-budget feature film, a psychological drama called Christie, which I hope to be shooting in October.”

Winning the Grand Prix means a higher profile, more opportunities to work with talented directors, and more exposure to my existing portfolio of work. All of this will hopefully help me make the jump into feature film-making!

“ I’m ecstatic about winning this prize. The Angers Film Festival is one of the oldest and most highly regarded of all the international film festivals. Even to get your film picked for showing there is and honour. But to go on and to win the Grand Prix when you are competing against high quality films from all over the world is incredible.”

“Whore” (www.b3media.net/whore) is a gritty, urban drama set in a London school. My director, Fyzal, cast unknown young actors in the leading roles playing a young couple unable to communicate properly. I cast my mother, Wendy Berliner, a former BMS governor, in the role of a teacher!

Michael is no stranger to awards. The first film he produced professionally, “The Beachcombers”, won the ITV Local/Film London Best of Boroughs Viewers’ Choice Award in 2008. His second film “Looking for Marilyn”, was shown on TV as a Channel 4 Three Minute Wonder after winning the Straight 8 short film making competition, and “Whore” was selected for the 2008 “Life is Short” UK Film Council Talent DVD, and has also screened at Gijon, Warsaw, Cork and Bangkok film festivals. “In Passing”, which he produced last year, is a WWII drama starring Lesley Sharp, Sean Pertwee and Russell Tovey, which has been picked up by BBC HD for exhibition on the HD channel and on iPlayer in HD. Michael also has two brand new UK Film Council Digital Shorts out, Big Tingz and My Dad the Communist, which recently premiered at London Short Film Festival and have both been picked for the 2009 “Life is Short” UK Film Council Talent DVD – a selection of ten of the best UK Film Council funded shorts.

Photo: Michael Berliner, winner of the Grand Prix du Jury in the European Short Film Competition at the prestigious Angers Film Festival

Bedford Modern School swimmer Adam Ingledew storms to victory

Competing for the first time in 2010 at the Burns Meet in Sheffield, Bedford Modern School Year 12 student, Adam Ingledew took convincing wins in his age group (Males 15/16yrs) in 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle, together with a 4th place in 100m Butterfly – all in personal best times.

In addition Adam’s 100m Freestyle time was a qualifying time for the British Championships and Commonwealth Trials to be held at the end of March.

The Burns Meet was held at Ponds Forge Pool, Sheffield and took place over the weekend of Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January. The event was a preparation meet for the Commonwealth Trials.

“Last weekend’s result was a big confidence boost and I am looking forward to swimming even faster in March at the British Championships and Commonwealth Trials,” said Adam.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 12 student Adam Ingledew

Bedford Modern School Waterpolo players continue to make waves

Bedford Modern School Year 10 students, Jason Attwood and Ruaidhri Meghen are following on from last year’s waterpolo success by having been selected for the England Talent Group for Boys born in 1995 and 1996.
Jason, along with Year 12 students, Matt Leydon and Ben Jarman, represented the East Region in the National Division 2 Championships recently. All played well with Ben Jarman managing to net twice in the Tournament and Matt Leydon making a string of fine saves in the goal. The Region finished 4th, winning one and losing three games. BMS Master in Charge, Tim Whitwham, was the Team Manager.
The Girls’ Waterpolo Competition will be taking place over the weekend of 13th and 14th February. The Region’s team boast three Bedford Modern School girls in Year 10 students, Billie Scholten, Holly Rooney and Ros Latham and two former students in Amy and Rebecca Ennion who learnt to play waterpolo at BMS. Tim Whitwham has been invited to coach the team.
All the players have been, or are presently involved in, the National Development Programme run through the Regional Training Centres. Bedford Modern School hosts one for the Region and the scheme is part of the build up to and legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games

Photo: Some of the BMS Waterpolo players who have been making waves

Bedford Modern School student, Hannah Hurley, wins Robert Luff Medical Scholarship

Bedford Modern School Year 12 student, Hannah Hurley, is delighted to have been awarded this year’s Robert Luff Medical Scholarship. Overall nine students from Bedford Modern School entered the competition with Year 12 students, Susannah Odell and Christien Fortune, finishing as runners-up.

The Scholarship, which offers £1,000 per year remission of fees in the Sixth Form, was set up by former pupil, the late Robert Luff CBE. It is open to any BMS student in Year 12 intending to pursue a career in medicine or an allied discipline at University and is decided by an essay competition. Hannah’s winning entry, entitled “The Next Great Plague”, was set and marked by Mr Crispin Southgate. Mr Southgate is a Consultant Surgeon and attended BMS 30 years ago.

Winning entrant Hannah, who only joined BMS in September 2009 said, “We had to prepare a 1,500 word essay on one of three subjects. I chose The Next Great Plague as this seemed a more scientific option as opposed to the other two options which were “If I could cure just one disease” or “What would Aneurin Bevan think of his health service today?”

“As part of my composition I considered the possibilities of what the next plague might be including a flu pandemic, a malaria pandemic or an HIV pandemic. My essay discussed the likelihood of each eventuality, how serious each pandemic might be and the projected death rates.”

Hannah says that in order to prepare for her winning essay she spent months reading various scientific journals and periodicals to compile a good research base. “I was really excited when my name was announced as the winner of the 2010 Robert Luff Medical Scholarship, as I didn’t expect to win and it still hasn’t sunk in,” she said

Ultimately, Hannah would like to go on and study Medicine at Cambridge University.

Photo: Bedford Modern School student, Hannah Hurley, winner of this year’s Robert Luff Medical Scholarship

Bedford Modern Junior School pupils raise funds for Haiti Earthquake Appeal

Bedford Modern Junior School pupils wanted to try and do something to help the people of Haiti after the recent earthquake that struck the country on 12th January 2010. The devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 16 miles from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti causing a humanitarian crisis. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and more than half of the country’s 9.6 million people are under the age of 21.

Junior School pupils decided to spend the weekend of 16th and 17th January raising money for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal by offering to undertake a variety of jobs around the home.

Several Junior School pupils explained what it meant to them to be helping raise money for the people of Haiti. Year 3 pupil, Maisie McIntyre said, “I offered to wash up after dinner and did lots of housework. I raised £10.00 and it felt good to have helped.”

Year 3 pupil, Edward Forrester said, “I donated my £5.00 pocket money to the Haiti Appeal and my Mum matched this amount. I also earned £10.00 by doing some jobs at home over the weekend.”

Claudia Johnson, a Year 6 pupil commented, “I helped by changing the beds at home and putting on new sheets. It was good to get some sponsorship money and put this in the envelope to send to someone who is struggling.”

Year 6 pupil, Talis Harris added, “I did lots of jobs including cleaning my room, emptying the dishwasher and walking the dogs. I was very proud to be able to help people who are not so lucky.”

Alice Inskip, Year 5 pupil, raised money for the Haiti Appeal by washing all seven of the family cats whilst Year 6 pupil, Rohan Kumar tidied his room and carried out some gardening tasks.

Bedford Modern Junior School are extremely proud of their pupils who managed to raise the sum of £1,014.42. The money raised will be distributed through the SOS Children in Haiti / Haiti Emergency Relief Appeal as they are a well established charity in Haiti.

Photo: Bedford Modern Junior School pupils who have raised money for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal

Bedford Modern School student prepares for American adventure at Harvard

Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, Greg Edwards, was delighted to receive a letter from the Dean of Admissions at Harvard College, USA, stating that a “formal letter of admission to the Class of 2010 would be issued to him on 1st April”.

Such an early positive indication to join Harvard College is only issued to outstanding applicants. “The opinion of the Admissions Committee is not merely that Greg’s accomplishments – academic, extracurricular and personal – are impressive, but also that Greg would be a good match for the opportunities and challenges at Harvard”, said the Dean of Admissions, Harvard College.

“The main reason that I thought about applying to Harvard was that after my A Levels I did not want to take a GAP year but did want to try and see a bit of the world and this seemed to combine the two options. I will be taking a Liberal Arts Degree, over four years, majoring in Physical Sciences. As part of my Liberal Arts Degree I will be studying Maths, Physics and the History of Sciences,” said Greg.

“During my first week at Harvard I will be able to attend any class in order to decide my likes and dislikes. Majoring is made up by taking different classes, for example, it would be possible to take a language whilst also studying physics. The American university system seems more diverse than the U.K. system.”

Greg Edwards will join Harvard College at the end of August reading for the beginning of the Fall Term on 2nd September. Initially, Greg will be known as a “Freshman” and be housed by the college in Freshman’s Yard. “Freshman’s Yard is a lovely tall red brick building built around a quad with a park in the middle. Harvard is located in Cambridge, which is part of Boston, and similar to the layout of Oxford and Cambridge in the U.K.

“There will be lots to see and do in Cambridge and Boston and I intend to watch some baseball games and maybe American football. Another thing I am looking forward to is seeing New England in the Fall,” he added.

At the end of the four year degree, Greg intends to return to the U.K. “Although I am excited about attending Harvard College and think that it will be a great experience and adventure, I intend to return to England. After Harvard I would like to study a Graduate course in the U.K. before embarking on a career in the City.

“Although it was my choice to apply to a college in America, I have been supported by staff at Bedford Modern School in making my application,” he added.

Photo: Bedford Modern School student, Greg Edwards, who will be embarking on an American adventure at Harvard College later this year

Bedford Modern School win Gold at British Schoolboys’ Skiing Races

Bedford Modern School Year 13 student Marek Behnke won a Gold Medal in the Giant Slalom whilst competing in the British Schoolboys’ Skiing Races held in Meiringen, Switzerland from 24th to 26th January.

Marek has also been selected by the British Skier Cross co-ordinator to ski Europa Cup this season which is a great honour. Europa Cup is the level below the World Cup that is seen on television and is the first step to getting into the GB Squad for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Another success for the School was BMS Year 10 student Edmund Fenton Fowler who took second place in one of the two Giant Slalom races in his age group. Amazingly, his run was so fast that he was sixth fastest overall beating all but four of the junior category racers (aged 15-18) who were racing the same course. Those he bettered included one already in the National Squad, so in his first outing in a European Alpine Competition, Edmund has certainly proved his talent.

David Orton, Head of Games at Bedford Modern School said, “I was delighted by Marek and Edmund’s personal successes, as both of them are totally committed to their sport. However, it was also a wonderful experience for all the BMS boys who competed and I was very proud of them, as the poor visibility and persistent snow made for very difficult conditions.”

Photo: Edmund Fenton Fowler in action

BMS skiers prepare for British Schoolboys International Races

Bedford Modern School’s Year 10 student, Edmund Fenton Fowler will be watching the action in the Winter Olympics closely next month. Ed spent last winter training with the prestigious Red Mountain Racers Ski Racing Academy in British Columbia and came home with a clutch of medals, including winning the 2009 British Columbia U15 Male Ski Cross Championship and reaching the quarter finals of the Western Canada U15 Male Ski Cross Championships.
However ski cross, a new sport in the Winter Olympics for the first time this year, was just a fun distraction for Ed who had never tried it before. Ed, whose favourite alpine skiing disciplines are Giant Slalom and Super G, trains locally at Xscape Milton Keynes with the Bedford Modern Ski Club and the SkiMK Race Team and in the Alps with a former England children’s team coach and selector and he has a busy schedule of competitions lined up this winter in Europe with the aim of qualifying for selection to the England Alpine Team.
Ed and his colleagues in the Bedford Modern Ski Team are heading for the mountains of Switzerland this weekend to compete in the British Schoolboys International Races in Meiringen. Ed will be racing in the English Championships in Italy over the half-term break hoping for some excellent results to lead into the British Championships in France in April.
Patrick Jerram, Director of Sport at Bedford Modern School said, “Edmund has worked really hard over the past 12 months which is starting to pay dividends. I am confident he will be able to transfer his recent good form into success both for the School next week and in his personal quest to make the national team. I wish him and all our excellent young skiers at BMS the best of luck in Meiringen next week.”

Photo: Edmund Fenton Fowler in action in Canada doing speed training

Six BMS students gain Oxbridge offers whilst Greg Edwards is heading to Harvard University

Bedford Modern School is delighted to announce that six of their Sixth Form students have been offered places at Oxbridge Colleges for 2010 entry. Additionally, BMS Sixth Form student Greg Edwards has been offered a place at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Peter Hall (Engineering at Robinson), Rachel Cullum (Archaeology / Anthropology at Emmanuel); Lawrence Smith (Veterinary Medicine at Emmanuel); Rosie Keep (English & Education at Homerton); Calantha Coulton (Classics at Murray Edwards) were successful in their application to Cambridge Colleges.

EmilyRose Scott has been successful in being offered a place at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford to study History.

Greg Edwards will be studying Physical Sciences at Harvard University. He said, “I will actually be taking a Liberal Arts Degree but majoring in Physical Sciences. Being offered a place at Harvard University is really exciting; I wanted to see a bit of the world but did not want to take a GAP year and studying at Harvard seemed an ideal way to combine the two.

“The application process for Harvard was different to the UK system and I had to sit the American Standard Aptitude Test (S.A.T.). I sat my exams at The American School in London and I am sure that being part of Harvard University will be a great adventure”, said Greg.

John White, Director of Sixth Form at Bedford Modern School said, “As an institution we are always extremely proud of the number of students who achieve their first choice university, clearly gaining Oxbridge entry is very special particularly in such competitive times; congratulations to all.”

Photo: L-R BMS Sixth Form students, Peter Hall, Rosie Keep, EmilyRose Scott and Lawrence Smith

Year 9 County Badminton Champions

A large snowman stood at the entrance to Cranfield University sports hall to greet the Year 9 badminton squad as they embarked on their quest to become county champions for the second successive year.

He may well have had cold feet but the Upper 4 girls remained undaunted and warmed to their task in a flurry of activity as they took on Stopsley and Stratton.

Hana Staddon showed the value of hitting long and hitting down in her singles matches. She moved her opponents around the court to good effect and had two impressive singles wins.

Alice Devaney made good use of the drop shot in her doubles matches and punished the short clearance with unerring regularity. They were well supported by Harry Elston, Georgina Hind and Louisa Cocksedge as they ran out 5-0 winners against Stopsley and 3-2 victors against Stratton.

Congratulations to all the girls on becoming COUNTY CHAMPIONS for 2010!

They will now represent Bedfordshire in the Regional Round on 5 March in Cambridgeshire.