Private School News

Medal haul for Mount St Mary’s fencers

Fencers from Mount St Mary’s College made a point by sweeping the board in their first ever regional competition.

Members of the senior team proved how mighty their swords are by winning a total of four medals at the Lancashire Schools Foil.

James Proudfoot, head boy at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, in Derbyshire, won gold in the under 20s boys competition.

Thomas Cotterill, winner of the Mount St Mary’s Senior Fencing Trophy for 2009, secured silver and Thomas Voice won bronze in the same event, while Benedikt Gers reached the quarter finals of the boys under 17 category.

There was success too for the girls, with Phoebe Lui winning a bronze medal in the under 20 class.

The senior team were competing as guests at the Stonyhurst College competition, led by newly appointed Mount St Mary’s coach Mr Adam Blight.

Adam has 15 years experience in the sport and has worked with some of the finest fencers in the country including nine British champions in various age groups and the player ranked number three in the world.

Adam said: “Congratulations to the fencers for their outstanding performances in what was the senior team’s first external competition.

“The results are a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by the pupils in preparation for this event and the coaching support from fencing master Mr Jenkins.

“Fencing has been a popular games option for many years at the school this set of results places us in a really strong position to qualify for the British Youth Championships and the Independent Schools Championships in March.”

Photo: Mr Steven Jenkins (third from the left), long-time fencing master and former head of English at Mount St Mary’s, with members of the school’s senior fencing team.

Jack hits the right note!

A ten-year-old boy from a Derbyshire school has been chosen to sing in the prestigious Northern Cathedral Choir.

Jack Wilkins, in Year Six at Barlborough Hall School, was selected for the 200-strong choir after impressing during a tough audition in Harrogate.

Jack, who is a treble, has been part of the school choirs since he was five and regularly sings solos. He also performs with his local Church of St James choir in Barlborough and recently received a Bronze singing award from the Bishop of Derby.

Later this year, Jack will travel to cathedrals and churches across the North of England with the Northern Cathedral Choir, including venues in Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle.

The choir, which is made up of pupils from various schools, spends much of the days rehearsing before singing in evensong performances.

Elizabeth Savage, Head of Music at Barlborough Hall School, said: “Jack is a very talented boy and everyone at Barlborough is delighted he has been selected for the Northern Cathedral Choir.

“This is a wonderful achievement and it will be an absolutely fantastic experience for Jack to be part of one of the finest choirs in the country.

“We know he will do the school proud when he performs.”

Photo: Choirboy Jack Wilkins

Old Mountaineer presented with prestigious White House prize

A former student at Mount St Mary’s College has been presented a prestigious White House award for his outstanding contribution to the American world of science.

Dr Craig Brown, who was educated at the Derbyshire school in the 1980s, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

It is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers

Dr Brown, originally from Sheffield, is an instrument scientist for the Disk Chopper Spectrometer at the NIST Centre for Neutron Research (NCNR) in Maryland, where he researches science underlying future energy technologies.

President Obama announced his name amongst a list of more than 100 other early researchers who were presented with the award at a special White House ceremony, which he attended with his wife Yamali and children Nicole and Luisa.

Dr Brown said: “It was a wonderful occasion and the award is recognition of the support I have benefited from whilst working at the NCNR. It reflects upon the creativity and abilities of all of my collaborators as well as the education received at Mount St Mary’s.

“We started the day with a tour of the White House East-wing before the actual ceremony, which was hosted by Dr John Holdren, Science Advisor to the President, who presented me with a certificate and letter of congratulations signed by the President.

“After the reception, the award recipients were whisked off to the White House to meet the President. It was inspirational to hear him speak about his support for education, science and technology.”

Dr Brown excelled in sciences during his time at Mount St Mary’s and went on to read Natural Science at the University of Cambridge. He will return this year to meet staff and students and to give a talk on his career successes.

Mr Laurence McKell, headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, said: “Craig’s success is a tremendous example of how, at Mount St Mary’s, we help each student to develop their talents both in and outside the classroom. Everyone at the school is hugely proud of his achievements. Craig is a fantastic role model and we look forward to welcoming him back to Mount St Mary’s later this year.”

Mount St Mary’s College is an 11- 18, co-educational, boarding and day school, which is proudly non-academically selective and sees many of its students go on to top universities.

Photo:(L-R)Dr John Holdren, Science Advisor to the President (Office of Science and Technology Policy), Dr Craig Brown, and Dr Patrick Gallagher, Director, NIST, Department of Commerce.

School’s musical maestro completes instrumental hat-trick

A Derbyshire school’s musical prodigy looks set for a harmonious career after successfully mastering the highest possible grade for three different instruments.

Kris Garfitt, 18, who attends Mount St Mary’s College, has achieved a grade 8 distinction for the piano, the euphonium and the trombone.

After taking up the piano aged six, he started learning the euphonium at nine and moved on to the trombone when he was 12.

A school captain, Kris plays in the City of Sheffield youth orchestra and features in the school’s jazz band, brass band, choir, concert band, madrigal group and male voice choir.

Kris, from Sothall, Sheffield, hopes to go on to study trombone at The Royal Northern College of Music and is well on the way to reaching his goal of becoming a professional freelance musician.

But music is not the only field in which Kris is blessed with talent – he has also won several golf competitions, playing off a handicap of just six.

Mount St Mary’s headteacher, Laurence McKell, said: “Kris is clearly a supremely talented young man, because to achieve a grade 8 distinction for one instrument, let alone three, is a truly remarkable achievement.

“We are very fortunate to have a pupil like Kris here, he is very involved in the life of the school and his music is an absolute pleasure to listen to.

“We know he will continue to be a superb ambassador for Mount St Mary’s in the future, whatever career path he chooses.”

Question time for Derbyshire MP

A Derbyshire MP has survived one of her toughest interviews yet after being grilled by pupils at a local school.

Natascha Engel, the MP for North East Derbyshire, visited Mount St Mary’s College to discuss a number of important issues with the school’s senior debating society.

Pupils used the opportunity to find out as much as possible about Natascha’s politics and about her experience of life in Parliament.

She was also quizzed on a variety of issues, including the whip system, the Iraq war and whether Gordon Brown will continue as Labour party leader.

Natascha, who actively encourages young people to get involved in politics, said: “It was a pleasure to spend time with the pupils at Mount St Mary’s – even if they did ask me some tricky questions!

“To meet pupils with such an awareness of political issues is always very enjoyable, and I was very impressed with their knowledge.

“Young people should be encouraged to discuss political issues with their peers and the Mount St Mary’s senior debating society is a fantastic example of this.”

Helen McKell, head of the senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Our pupils enjoy debating a wide variety of topics and have a real interest in current affairs.

“They appreciated the opportunity to speak with an MP and were very grateful to Natascha Engel for giving up her time. They were also impressed by how down to earth Natascha was.”

Photo: Natascha Engel MP with (L-R) Amer Qaiyum, Charlotta Lorenz and Naseem Sharif from Mount St Mary’s senior debating society

Oxbridge experience for top performing pupils

Top performing pupils at Mount St Mary’s College spent a day in Oxford learning more about life at one of the world’s leading universities.

The group, mostly from Year 12 at the Derbyshire school, visited the University of Oxford as guests of the Catholic Chaplaincy, which is run by the Jesuits.

Pupils enjoyed a tour of Oxford’s Christchurch College led by a current student followed by a trip to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The highlight of the day was a session led by Fr John Moffat SJ, who introduced the pupils to the concept of the Oxford tutorial using a power point presentation, a cricket bat and the Chair of Doom.

Along with pupils from fellow Jesuit school Wimbledon College and the Ursuline High School, students were asked to consider the nature of rules – then sit in the Chair to defend their points.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for some of our pupils and chance to get a flavour of further education.

“Our students gained an enormous amount from the visit and everyone agreed it was an inspiring introduction to life at a top university.”

Mount St Mary’s College is an 11- 18, co-educational Jesuit boarding and day school, which is proudly non-selective and sees many of its students go on to top universities.

Photo: Pupils from Mount St Mary’s College outside the University of Oxford.

School’s Christmas water scheme to aid African students

Deprived children living in an African village are to get access to clean water every day thanks to an aqua aid scheme set up by staff and pupils at a Derbyshire school.

Kind hearted teachers and children at Barlborough Hall School are raising £2,000 to pay for a new water tank at Makumbi Mission, in Zimbabwe, by swapping presents for charity vouchers this Christmas.

Barlborough is paired with Makumbi through the Jesuits’ Companion Programme, which was set up to link Jesuit schools in different parts of the world.

The water tank project has been developed following a cultural exchange trip to Makumbi by Barlborough’s deputy headmaster Mr Dave Wilson.

Makumbi Mission includes a senior school with a large boarding community, an orphanage for more than 80 children, a church and accommodation for the Jesuit community, Primary school, a small convent and basic, rural hospital.

During his week-long stay, Mr Wilson taught lessons to the pupils at the Mission’s primary school, delivered letters written by pupils, and brought back post from Makumbi for Barlborough pupils, helping the children to learn more about life in different parts of the world.

The water vouchers would pay for a 6,000-gallon tank guaranteeing the 600 children of Makumbi daily access to clean water.

Last Christmas, Barlborough Hall School completed a similar project with pupils buying food vouchers for Makumbi instead of Christmas presents for staff.

Mr Wilson said: “During the visit, I learnt a great deal about the mission, the Primary school and the needs of the community. I was greatly moved by the kindness, spirit and humanity of the people there and the enormous gratitude they have shown for all we have been able to do, which is why on my return we decided to set up the water tank voucher project.

“Fr Herbert Mueller SJ, who heads up Makumbi, and the other two priests who are both in their 70s and 80s, devote themselves tirelessly to the mission. They are doing everything possible to protect the community as far as they are able to, but it has been severely hit by the economic crisis. It is a much improved situation since last year for those who can afford it but many of the homes are poor and in need of repair, food is in short supply and some children and families have just one meal of porridge a day.”

Mr Wilson’s visit to Makumbi was paid for by pupils who purchased special school ‘air miles’ flight vouchers. He took out suitcase full of 30 clockwork engines for a technology project, water filters, medication, clothes, gifts and letters and pictures from Barlborough

Mr Wilson added: “It was only due to the exceeding generosity of parents and children that I was able to visit Makumbi in the first place. The huge contributions made by Barlborough families over the last four years have been of real importance to the school and especially the children who have benefitted in so many ways.

“The charitable work of Barlborough pupils and their families has already brought improvements to the lives of many at Makumbi and the cultural exchange has enriched our own children and provided a wonderful learning experience which will continue indefinitely.”

Snow rest for Mount St Mary’s students!

It was business as usual for staff and students at Mount St Mary’s College today (Tuesday, January 5).

Despite snowy conditions, the Spinkhill school stayed open and pictured (from left) in their snow uniforms are pupils Matthew Woodcock Fowles (Thorpe Salvin, Worksop), Robert Pattison (Hasland, Chesterfield) and James Sharpe (Hasland, Chesterfield).

Messiah performance marks anniversary of sacred masterpiece

It is 250 years since the death of George Frideric Handel but his most well-known piece of work is still proving a hit with pupils past and present at Mount St Mary’s College.

More than 100 singers from the Senior Choir joined with former members, current and former staff, parents and family friends to perform the famous oratorio Messiah at a special festive concert.

Soloists included former pupils Kathy Tang, who studied music at Cardiff and has sung with the BBC National Choir of Wales and the Welsh National Opera, and Octavia McGlashan, in her second year studying music at Trinity College London.

Professional harpsichord player Martin Haywood, who is Mount St Mary’s regular accompanist and is also involved with the Royal Northern College of Music, played the harpsichord continuo alongside the semi-professional orchestra.

Highlights of the evening, which took place in the Memorial Chapel, were the famous Hallelujah Chorus, and the powerful intertwining phrases of the final Amen chorus. The dramatic pause four bars before the end allowed the sound to resound around the chapel, before the choir drew breath for the final dramatic chords.

Lucy Kitchener, director of music at Mount St Mary’s, which is based at Spinkhill, Derbyshire, said: “Our Senior, Chamber and Junior Choirs have achieved much success in local and national festivals in 2009 and this performance was a wonderful way to round off the 2009.”

The concert formed part of a weekend of celebrations to mark 100 years of the Mount Association, which is open to all former pupils, parents and staff. The Association’s Centenary Fund was established in 1942 and awards grants for further education, voluntary work and scholarships.

Photo: Mount St Mary’s Senior Choir performing Handel’s Messiah.

School’s charities week supports St Wilfrid’s

Kind hearted pupils and staff at Mount St Mary’s College have raised hundreds of pounds for a charity which supports homeless and vulnerable people in the city.

Teachers and students at the Derbyshire school collected £500 for the St Wilfrid’s Centre by organising a host of activities as part of its annual charities week.

Fundraising activities included an X-Box Challenge, the ever-popular karaoke, a staff and pupil rowing competition and a sixth-form cake bake.

Over the last few weeks pupils have also been collecting toiletries which they presented to the St Wilfred’s Centre, on Queens Road, in Sheffield.

St Wilfrid’s Centre supports the homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded in Sheffield by creating a caring community based on Christian values.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s College, at Spinkhill, said: “Our annual charities week provides pupils with lots of opportunities to show they are ‘men and women for others’, the Jesuit ethos we follow here at Mount St Mary’s.

“We are very proud of their fundraising achievements and delighted that the money will be going towards such a worthy local cause.”

Fine art on display for launch of new school facility

Music from the String Ensemble at Mount St Mary’s College greeted guests at the opening of the school’s stunning new Art and Design department.

Visitors enjoyed refreshments at the launch before watching a performance of Yasmina Reza’s ‘Art’ by three members of Mount St Mary’s Senior Drama Society.

The new department, officially opened by headmaster Mr Laurence McKell, features light-filled studios designed to inspire pupils to engage in a wide range of artistic endeavours including fine art, textiles, 3D design and photography.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher of the Derbyshire school, said: “It was wonderful to see our three creative arts departments combining for a wonderful evening showcasing the wealth of artistic talent at Mount St Mary’s.

“As well as studying art and design as exam subjects, pupils are encouraged to explore their artistic talents through the many activities run by members of the department.

“This means that all pupils can continue to enjoy art even if they have chosen other subjects at GCSE or A Level. Former pupils have gone on to a variety of careers in the design world, often after studying for art degrees at college and university.”

Photo: (L-R) Art and design technology teachers Mrs Clare White, Mrs Penny Woodhouse and Mrs Lynn Lovatt-Jones.

Old Mountaineers down under!

A Derbyshire school has set up a new educational partnership in Australia providing sixth form pupils with the chance to head ‘down under’.

Mount St Mary’s College has developed an exchange programme with St Aloysius School, in Sydney, whereby every year two leavers can travel to Australia for a gap year.

As part of the exchange programme, Mount St Mary’s will also be welcoming gap students from St Aloysius.

Daniel Westmoreland, Mount St Mary’s Head Boy from 2007-08, was one of the first pupils to benefit from the schools’ links with St Aloysius – spending his gap year at the Jesuit grammar school.

Murray Happ, St Aloysius’ director of development, recently visited Mount St Mary’s for a tour and to meet and answer questions from some of the hopeful candidates.

Mount St Mary’s headmaster, Laurence McKell said: “We are delighted to be able to formalise this arrangement, as the Australia gap year experience is a wonderful way for our pupils to take a worthwhile year out between school and university.

“We are proud of our connections with other Jesuit schools and committed to developing similar links with schools from around the world. Daniel spent a thoroughly enjoyable year in Australia and we hope many more pupils can benefit from this exchange in the future.”

Daniel was not the only Old Mountaineer to enjoy an exciting adventure abroad courtesy of the school’s international connections.

Adam Gaskell, last year’s Head Boy, spent the summer in Hong Kong where he gained valuable work experience working for Old Mountaineer Geoffrey Chan – a lawyer in a major firm.

Adam said: “The work placement was the experience of a lifetime and I am very grateful to Mr Chan for giving me this opportunity.”

Mr McKell added said: “Both boys had wonderful experiences and we look forward to maintaining and strengthening our international connections so all our pupils can have the opportunities Adam and Daniel did.”

Photo:(L-R) Mount St Mary’s pupils James Proudfoot, Abbie Shearstone and Frances Clarke with Murray Happ, St Aloysius director of development.

Arty students star in West End comedy

A hit West End comedy has been brought to the stage in Derbyshire by arty students at Mount St Mary’s College.

Three members of the Spinkhill school’s Senior Drama Society starred in the performance of ‘Art’, by Yasmina Reza (translated by Christopher Hampton).

The play explored art and the friendship of characters, Serge, Marc and Yvan played by sixth form students Richard Duggan, Edward Massarella and Alex Allt

Art has enjoyed a long and successful run in the West End with the roles played by many noted actors and comedians such as Albert Finney, Tome Courtney, Frank Skinner and Roger Lloyd-Pack.

Jack Murphy, head of English and Drama at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The students performed with a real energy and commitment which kept the pace of the play at a high level.

“It is a real challenge when three actors have to maintain an audience’s interest for 75 minutes without an interval. But the students brought out the comic interplay really well, with good comic timing and characterisation.

“I was also pleased that the students captured the more serious side of the play showing that the characters are motivated by their fondness for each other and not simply by irritability. The audience response was wholehearted – it was an evening of laughter and good cheer and the students earned their thunderous reception at the curtain call.”

Photo:(L-R) Alex Allt of Rotherham, Richard Duggan of Barlborough and Edward Massarella of Brookhouse, Sheffield.

Prestigious White House award for Old Mountaineer

A former student at Mount St Mary’s College is to receive a prestigious White House award for his outstanding contribution to the American world of science.

Dr Craig Brown, who was educated at the Derbyshire school in the 1980s, will be given a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

He is an instrument scientist for the Disk Chopper Spectrometer at the NIST Centre for Neutron Research (NCNR) in Maryland, where he researches science underlying future energy technologies.

Dr Brown, originally from Sheffield, first learnt of the good news when President Obama announced his name amongst a list of more than 100 other early researchers and recipients who also will be presented with the award at a special White House ceremony.

The prize is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Dr Brown said: “The award is quite an amazing recognition of the environment and support I have benefited from whilst working at the NCNR and reflects upon the creativity and abilities of all of my collaborators.

“I am a product of the education of Mount St Mary’s and I have really fond memories of the students and teachers from my time there.”

Dr Brown excelled in sciences during his time at Mount St Mary’s and went on to read Natural Science at the University of Cambridge. He will return next year to meet staff and students and to give a talk on his career successes.

Mr Laurence McKell, headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, said: “Craig’s success is an inspiration to our budding scientists and we look forward to him visiting the school in the coming year.

“We aim to help each student develop their talents both in and outside the classroom and it will be wonderful for our students to hear from Craig about the significant part that science plays in all our lives.”

Cadets lead memorial service to mark Remembrance Day

Young cadets at Mount St Mary’s College have marched to remember fallen war heroes at a special memorial service to mark Remembrance Day.

On Wednesday, November 11, at exactly 11am, students and staff gathered in the school’s Memorial Chapel for a service of remembrance.

The last post was sounded to mark the start of a two minute silence, followed by the reveille and prayers were led by Fr Michael Beattie SJ.

Uninformed members of Mount St Mary’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) read poems and an extract from a letter written by an Old Mountaineer who died in World War One, before taking part in a parade march to the churchyard war memorial to lay wreaths at war graves.

The names of former students who gave their lives in the war are displayed on the walls of the ante-chapel, which is a registered war memorial site.

Head teacher of the Derbyshire school Mr Laurence McKell said: “At Mount St Mary’s we place great store on Remembrance Day and show respect for those who have died in combat for this country and their families.

“Our ethos is about developing men and women for others which is why we feel it is so important to remember the sacrifices that others have made for others, and continue to make.”

The CCF has two sections, Army and RAF, for Year 10 and 11 students, although many opt to continue in to Sixth Form, where they can be promoted up the ranks.

Photo: Mount St Mary’s cadets march to remember fallen war heroes.

‘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.

First class sports staff head for Derbyshire school

A Derbyshire school is on its marks for another successful sporting year after appointing two games teachers with experience of coaching at the highest level.

Mount St Mary’s College has appointed a fencing coach with 15 years experience and a rugby coach who worked with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The school’s Head of Boys’ Games, Richard Wareham, has also been chosen as the forward coach for England’s Under 16 rugby side. Richard, who also teaches Physics, is already Head Coach for the North of England Under 16 team.

Adam Blight joins with a wealth of experience coaching the finest fencers in the country. He has coached nine British champions in various age groups including the player ranked number three in the world.

Fencing has been a popular games option for many years at the school and Adam will now coach Mount St Mary’s senior fencers.

Under his tutelage, Adam is confident the school can qualify for the British Youth Championships and the Independent schools Championships in March.

Andrew Axelby has been appointed as a rugby coach and History teacher. Andrew, a level three qualified RFU coach, worked for three years with the RFU and has coached rugby at county and school level in Northumberland.

Paul Scott, director of Sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Adam and Andrew have hugely impressive coaching records and their appointment is a real boost for the school.

“Richard’s appointment to the England under 16 set-up is a superb personal achievement for him. We are delighted his coaching ability continues to be recognised at the highest level.

“The three appointments reflect the school’s commitment to ensuring we have a first-class sports department with an unrivalled staff. We are sure their appointments will be of great benefit to our pupils and will allow the school to sustain and improve our impressive sporting record.”

Photo: (L-R) New staff Andrew Axelby and Adam Blight with Head of Boys’ Games Richard Wareham

Derbyshire school pays tribute to former head teacher

Teachers and staff at Mount St Mary’s College have paid tribute to former head teacher Fr John Grumitt SJ who has died aged 79.

Fr Grumitt, who was head at the Spinkhill school from 1976 to 1990, is remembered with affection by long-serving staff.

The last Jesuit head at Mount St Mary’s, Fr Grumitt was renowned locally for his unique and eccentric teaching style and character.

During meetings with staff about school issues, teachers would emerge having listened to what was on Fr Grumitt’s mind – and forgetting what had been on theirs!

He drove a well-loved RS2 Cosworth Turbo car – an unusual choice for a priest but indicative of Fr Grumitt’s great passion for technology.

In the Jesuit spirit of ‘men and women for others’, he was generous with the money he had inherited through a family trust fund, installing a television studio and an electronic notice board at the school to display sports match results and pupils’ birthdays.

He indulged his love of gadgets at Mount St Mary’s, installing a filming tower on the middle rugby flats, which meant matches could be filmed then edited in school, an unusual feature for a school in the eighties.

It was not only technology that fascinated Fr Grumitt. ‘Hawk Mews’, at the top of the Mount’s St Mary’s distinctive Pineapple Tower, is named after the bird that Fr Grumitt kept at the Tower.

‘Grumbo’, as he was known, was loved for his little acts of kindness, even driving to a nearby town to buy a replacement projector bulb so a teacher’s lesson could go ahead as planned.

Laurence McKell, head teacher of Mount St Mary’s, said: “The affection in which Fr Grumitt was held by all who knew him during his time as headmaster is obvious from the phone calls and emails we have received from former teachers, pupils and parents since news of his sudden death was announced.

“He had a great love for the school and took a real interest in developing talents. He was a truly unique character and he will be sadly missed by many.”

William the Conkerer!

Pupils at Barlborough Hall School are having a smashing time reviving a traditional school ground game.

Conkers is proving very popular at Barlborough with children regularly competing to see who has the winning weapon.

Wanda Parkinson, head teacher at Barlborough, said: “It is wonderful that our pupils can still play traditional games at school.

“Children have a natural interest in nature and we’re delighted that the old fashioned activities are still so popular. The pupils are even using all the tricks that parents will remember from their childhood, for example soaking their chestnuts in vinegar in the hope they will be victorious!”

Photo: (L-R) William (the conkerer) Gladwin from Whitwell and Jack Ellingham from Barlborough

Pupils have a ball as Strictly fever hits Barlborough

Strictly fever is sweeping Barlborough Hall School where youngsters are putting their best feet forward with a former world dance champion.

Pupils at the Derbyshire school are waltzing their way to become the next Darren Bennett or Lilia Kopylova by taking part in ballroom dancing lessons.

The children are taught by two-time World Amateur Ballroom Dance Champion Gill Eakins, from Killamarsh.

Wanda Parkinson, head teacher at Barlborough, said: “Ballroom dancing is really popular at Barlborough, but especially now with the new series of Strictly Come Dancing back on TV.

“It a great way of encouraging physical activity and just one of the many different extra-curricular activities that make school life so varied and enriching.”

Dancing is one of the key elements of the Department of Health’s Be Active, Be Healthy scheme set up to support the Government’s target to get two million more people active by 2012 and achieve improvements in health.

Photo:(L-R) World Amateur Ballroom Dance Champion Gill Eakins passes on her skills to Barlborough pupils Molly Carruthers, from Woodsetts, and Beatrice Fomin, from Chesterfield.