One student, Megan Moore, achieved an astonishing five A* grades to confirm her place at Cambridge while Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Sophia Barros-Curtis, Holly Thomas, Lan Luo and Michelle Ma achieved all of their grades at A or above.
Megan was photographed (right) here at the end of term when the Upper Sixth students dressed up to show their future career paths.

Exceptional results were gained in Mathematics and Further Maths and Geography, History and Religious Studies.
The Principal, Mr Bernie Routledge, said that the results reflected the fantastic ability and also the hard work that the girls had put into their studies, and he was absolutely delighted that the dedication of students and staff had been rewarded with such a wonderful set of results.

The largest ever cohort of 139 students in the Upper Sixth Form at Caterham School achieved an outstanding performance in this year’s A-Level examinations breaking all the School’s previous records.

~ 9 students achieved three or more A*
~ 28 students achieved four or more passes at A*/A grade
- of which 8 achieved 5 and 1 achieved 6
~ 25% of the grades were A*
~ 66% of the grades were A/A* up from 60% ‘A’ grades last year
~ 92% of the grades were A*/A/B up from 85% ‘A/B’ grades last year
~ 100% pass rate at grades ‘A – E’

Headmaster Julian Thomas said ’’I am thrilled that all the hard work by this year’s Upper Sixth students has enabled them to achieve the best A Level results ever recorded by Caterham School. With university places at a premium this year, it was more important than ever to achieve strong results, and I am delighted that the students and teachers rose magnificently to the challenge.’’

Mr Thomas added ‘’Whilst we can celebrate the successes of the exam results today I would not want to lose sight of the fact that these pupils have also made an outstanding contribution outside the classroom. This is a very important aspect of their education. We believe that a truly excellent education is about more than academic achievement alone and we seek to ensure that our students leave with a breadth and depth of experiences that will have helped to prepare them for life at university and beyond.’

Photo: (L-R)Alex Clark, Matthew Fenton, Headmaster Julian Thomas, Hannah Wright, Emma O’Brien
The four students all achieved 4A* grades

GCSE records were smashed at the King’s School Ely where 59 per cent of all exams were given the top A* and A marks and 99% of pupils achieved five or more passes graded A*-C.

The East Anglian region’s oldest independent school prides itself on developing the best in pupils from a broad range of abilities and backgrounds

The Head of King’s, Mrs Sue Freestone, said: “We are so proud of these young people. It is a real pleasure to know that they have done themselves and their teachers justice.”

Twenty-one students passed in GCSEs in ten subjects all graded A* or A.

At A-level, one in nine students achieved straight A* or A grades. Among five who got A* or A grades in four subjects was David Wallis who celebrated his 18th birthday on results day and whose results confirmed his place to read chemistry at Exeter College, Oxford. Overall, 89% of A-level results were graded A*-C in a total of 31 subjects, and the overall pass rate was 98%.

The results cap a year in which King’s Ely has achieved the prestigious Challenge Award from the National Association for Able Children in Education – the first independent school in Cambridgeshire to receive the award.

The Head, Sue Freestone, said: “These results bear testimony to the hard work and commitment of the young people concerned and the staff who have taught them.”

Photo: from left, Oliver Diss, Isaac Oliver, Bradley Fulford, Sally Cheng, Joshua Townson, Rebecca Rowson, Noah Von Heimendahl, Theo Ogier; front left, Lydia Crussell and Beth Rowson

A and B grades are up again to 51%, with 35% securing A* and A grades.

Leading the way were Head Boy and Head Girl James Proudfoot and Victoria Coe with 1 A* and 2 As and 3As respectively. James, 18, has already secured his place at Durham to read law and Victoria, 18, is about to embark on a gap year and confirm her intention to perhaps read medicine.

Eighteen-year-old Naseem Sharif, Deputy Head Boy at Mount St Mary’s, said: “I got two As in Maths and Biology and two A* grades in Physics and Chemistry and now I’ll be off to study medicine at the University of Manchester.”

Deputy Head Boy, Richard Duggan, 18, achieved an A* grade in Religious Studies, an A in English and B in History. He said: “I’m really pleased and I want to say thank you to the school because it has been a great pleasure to come here and they have really helped me to achieve my grades. I am going to go off to Newcastle to do law and hopefully go on to be a barrister.”

With three As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, Deputy Head Girl Frances Oliver, 18, said: “I am hoping to take a gap year and then study veterinary medicine in 2011. I have loved being at Mount St Mary’s, the teachers are brilliant and I have had the best seven years of my life so far.”

Laurence McKell, Headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Congratulations to all our pupils on a truly outstanding set of A-level results. We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for the hard work they have put in and the excellent attitude they have shown to study and learning.

“Credit must also go to our talented staff team for the support they have shown preparing and guiding students over the last two years. Although we are a non-selective school, these results demonstrate how we continue to achieve high standards and help pupils to fulfil their potential.

“At Mount St Mary’s, our ethos is focused on developing well rounded young men and women, and these results reflect our commitment to ensuring they leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

Photo: (L-R) Mount St Mary’s A-levels pupils Frances Oliver, Naseem Shariff and Victoria Coe celebrate their results.

Daniel was put forward to take part in the prestigious event, for which places are highly competitive and selective, by his Physics teacher Peter Hortor, after he achieved excellent AS results, and demonstrated a superb attitude towards his physics studies. He also took an online maths and physics test.

The challenge consisted of a range of lectures, practical lab activities and ‘life in Cambridge’ experiences such as punting. Daniel also met top physics students from around the country.

“Only top physics pupils from around the country are eligible to take part in the five day event” says Peter Hortor “and Daniel thoroughly deserved his place in this select group.”
The Senior Physics Challenge, SPC, is a university access initiative directed at AS physics students, or equivalent, in schools across the UK. It aims to demystify and make physics more accessible to a wider range of students.

High heels, floor length dresses and tuxedos were the order of the day at the Prior Park College Palladian Ball.

The Ball is held annually in July to celebrate the achievements and bid farewell to the year’s upper sixth form. Students, parents and teachers dressed for the occasion and danced until dawn at the prestigious Assembly Rooms in Bath. Attendees included Professor Eatwell, Dean of Faculty, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bath and David Medlock, Pro-Chancellor of Bath University.

Prior Park College is the only school in Bath able to hold its Ball at the Assembly Rooms and always makes for a special evening.

The hundreds of pounds raised from the Ball raffle have been donated to the charity, ‘Crohn’s and Colitis UK’.

Prior Park College Headmaster, James Murphy-O’Connor, comments:

“The Palladian Ball is always such an enjoyable evening, with lots of laughs, good food and plenty of dancing. We are very privileged to have access to the beautiful Assembly Rooms for our special event. We wish the upper sixth students well in their future endeavours, we’re sure they will go far.”

For the day, he was the most famous sportsman in the world.

Golfer Louis Oosthuizen had just won the British Open at St Andrews, witnessed by millions across the world.

But the South African was still able to take the time only hours after his triumph to chat to and be pictured with a budding Edinburgh youngster hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Talented golfer, David Li Ferguson had already impressed onlookers at St Andrews with his natural ability before meeting the South African.

It was already shaping up to be a memorable day for five-year-old David Li Ferguson, whose father David Snr was covering the event for Chinese media.

David Li Ferguson was then invited to participate in the prestigious Loretto School Golf Camp.

Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School said, “Loretto School’s Golf Academy were so impressed with his credentials they have asked for David to join them at the next Golf Camp. Loretto Golf Academy is recognized as the top Golf School in the U.K. What better place for David to have his obvious talent nurtured. ”

David’s father said, “It would be great. I know they have a very good golf school at Loretto and he is at the stage where he would certainly benefit from a bit of quality coaching.”

Photo: Five year old David Li Ferguson with Open Championship winner, Louis Oosthuizen

Bedford Modern School Year 12 student, Charlotte Cook and her doubles partner, Lucy Burgess from Runcorn Rowing Club won Gold in the Under 23 Double Sculls and Bronze in the Elite Womens’ Double Sculls at the Great Britain National Rowing Championships held in Strathclyde Park, Scotland over the weekend of 16th to 18th July.

17 year old Charlotte Cook and 16 year old Lucy Burgess led the Under 23 race from the first stroke to the last, winning comfortably ahead of their much older opposition. They then had less than three hours before they took to the water again – this time securing a Bronze Medal just three seconds off clinching another Gold Medal.

As a result of their achievements at the Championship the girls are now off to the Home International Regatta held in Cork, Ireland to represent England at Senior Level before departing for Hazewinkel, Belgium to represent Great Britain at Junior Level in the forthcoming Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Tristan Mayglothling, Head of Girls’ Rowing at Bedford Modern School said: “Charlotte has consistently proven herself against other athletes her own age but has again stepped up a level by taking on and defeating much older and stronger opposition. This highlights the talent Charlotte possesses whilst also giving an indication of the potential for her future rowing.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 12 student Charlotte Cook (left) who won Gold at the Great Britain National Rowing Championships

The Independent Schools Inspectorate has given one of the area’s leading independent schools the thumbs up in its latest inspection and cited its unique community culture for the excellent development of its pupils.

The Inspectorate, the independent schools’ equivalent of Ofsted, has praised Rossall School in Fleetwood for its delivery of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, an enquiry based alternative learning programme for junior pupils, and described teaching at the school as “exceptional.” Also singled out for praise was the School’s boarding tradition, which it said: “helped to provide a good quality of educational experience and contributed to the pupils’ ability to develop good relationships.” The report also cited the genuine establishment of a family feeling on campus, as a result of the permanent boarding community, as one of the key reasons why day pupils also thrived. The pastoral care, out of hours’ activities, and the boarding house system, it reported, “provided the key to the family unit.” Children at the School were also singled out for praise for their “outstanding behaviour both in and out of class.” Incidents of bullying, the report added, “were rare.”

Rossall’s GCSE achievements were also highlighted as being high in relation to national norms. The School actually topped the Lancashire league tables last year, yet, despite its academic achievements at the higher end, it also won praise from inspectors for its support of children with learning difficulties.

According to the report, inspectors noted that “a striking aspect of the school was the understanding for different cultures, fostered by the cosmopolitan campus, and also the quality of personal development of pupils of all ages, who exhibited confidence in relationships with children and adults alike and relished responsibility.”

Also coming in for praise was the School’s leadership team, led by headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley. The inspectors noted that Rossall’s leadership has been strong and well-directed since the appointment of the new head in 2008, which drew comment from Dr Winkley: “Although I’m not a great believer in league tables as a measure of a school’s qualities I do feel that the findings of a thorough inspection are more meaningful in judging what a school has to offer.

“I’m obviously delighted that we’ve had such a positive report by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate, but not surprised, given the quality of our teaching staff and house parents, and their dedication to the children, who must also be singled out for praise.

“As a school, we are only as good as the children we turn out, so in that sense we are a resounding success, with or without the findings of an inspection. The School is such a special place to be, not because of one aspect, but because of its component parts, which is why it’s been so rewarding to see the quality of teaching and pupils here since my arrival in 2008.

“The inspectors alluded to a special feeling on campus…a strong sense of community and responsibility and exceptional children, which is why Rossall is different to many other schools, even those with boarding communities. It really is a place with a unique sense of identity.”

More good news for the School comes in the form of increased numbers of boarders for 2010/2011 school year. The recruitment figures have bucked the UK national trend, and the School’s successful recruitment campaign has resulted in a flurry of summer activity on campus as additional boarding facilities are built to cope with the influx of new pupils.

Photo: Headmaster Dr Stephen Winkley

Sixth-form pupils from a Derbyshire school have launched a new charitable venture, for children with disabilities and special learning needs.

Mount St Mary’s College, invited local children from Chesterfield charity Home-Based and support group Fairplay, also based in Chesterfield, to come and use the facilities on offer at the College, and enjoy a stay at the Mount’s boarding accommodation.

During the new Children’s Holiday Week, the children had the opportunity to go swimming in the school pool, decorate biscuits in the refectory, take part in a treasure hunt and enjoy an Olympic Games event on the school’s Olympic standard athletics track.
They also participated in a celebration Mass in the school chapel.
Helen McKell, the teacher in charge of the event, said: “This was a really worthwhile experience for all our sixth-formers. They impressed the visiting staff with their enthusiasm, their willingness to get involved, and the work they had put into preparing a range of exciting activities and experiences for the children who participated.”

The Children’s Holiday Week is a new venture for Mount St Mary’s, created to help give sixth formers the opportunity to be of service to others.
The holiday week will now become an annual event, taking place in the last week of the summer term.

Photo: Emma Taylor, head girl of Year 7 at Mount St Mary’s College with Elliot Gaskin, from Home-Based charity

The team of sixth formers from RGS actually took the early lead in the race, showing good speed from the grid and in the corners. They only relinquished the lead to Chipping Sodbury School during a change of drivers in the pits, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the team as they finished third overall.

Team leader, student Doug Wilkie explained more. “We were racing against teams that have been doing this competition for five years or more, so for us to take the lead and finish on the podium was more than we’d hoped for. We used three drivers in total during the race, as we wanted to give track experience to our complete crew. The winners used a single driver, so this certainly made a difference. We now understand the areas in which we need to make adjustments to improve our performance even more.”

The Greenpower Challenge takes place over a series of five races, with a constructor’s title up for grabs. The competition culminates in the National Final on October 17th.

RGS has been strongly supported by Blackpole based Superform Aluminium and it was a tribute to this partnership that saw them win the award from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, for the ‘Best Engineered Car’. This crowned a spectacular day for the whole team.

At the ceremony, on the campus of Rossall School, Fleetwood, the cadet contingent will receive the honour to mark the 150th anniversary of the School’s CCF, which makes it the oldest in Britain, even pre-dating that of Prime Minister, David Cameron’s old school, Eton.

A chapel service, conducted by school chaplain, Revd Steve McMahon, during which the Queen’s Colour will be consecrated, will be followed by the presentation, and parading of the Colour by the full brigade and band, during which the Lord-Lieutenant, representing Her Majesty The Queen, will take the official salute in the imposing main square at the heart of Rossall’s 160-acre campus.

The honour recognizes the role of the CCF in preparing young people for life in Britain’s Armed Forces and is testament to the part its former members have played in every major military conflict since The Boer War and of the sacrifices of hundreds of former pupils who have given their lives in defence of the nation since the reign of Queen Victoria.

Among those in attendance will be senior figures from The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, with which Rossall School Combined Cadet Force is affiliated, together with several mayors from local borough councils, leading business figures, Old Rossallians, former cadet members and parents of children currently attending the School. It is anticipated that around 1,000 people will witness the march-past and parade of the Colour in the school square; marking what will be a memorable day in the distinguished history of the 166-year old co-educational independent school.

Commenting on the honour, Rossall School headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley said: “It is particularly pleasing that the School should receive this honour as we celebrate 150 years of cadet service, and doubly so because we have always enjoyed close links with the Armed Forces, and have, since our creation in 1844, been a school with a good proportion of pupils drawn from the families of serving military personnel.

“To be the Country’s first, ahead of the likes of Eton, is a source of immense pride for the School, as it should be also for the North West region, because thousands of our former pupils have gone on to enjoy distinguished military careers and made a valuable contribution to the country’s military history.”

Despite its original military origins, not all members of the Tri-Service Combined Cadet Force go on to serve in Britain’s Armed Forces and many pupils join simply to enjoy the range of activities, outdoor pursuits and sports on offer through the Service, which also administers the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Following the award of the Queen’s Colour, Rossall School’s CCF will now be one of the select few brigades or regiments allowed to incorporate the royal colours alongside brigade insignia. This will be a major coup for the School, which attracts pupils from over 35 countries to its coastal campus in Lancashire.

Children from Nursery to Year 2 delved into the fascinating world of maths. Each had the chance to take part in a variety of fun and hands-on challenges, many of which took place in the playground. They ranged from Sudoku to building a metre cube, from measuring a snake to playing giant snakes and ladders.

As part of the special week, guest Mathemagician Andrew Jeffrey entertained each year group with his ‘Magic of Maths’ show. The show had been carefully designed to change children’s attitudes to maths, encouraging mathematical language and thinking. During the show Andrew’s book, Magic for Kids, was on sale, raising £54 for the charity Barnardos.

The final segment of the week required pupils and teachers to put their ‘thinking caps on’ as they were asked to design and make a ‘Thinking Hat for Maths’. Each hat was then modelled at a spectacular hat parade during Lower School assembly.

Mrs Carol Donnelly, Maths teacher, Year 2 coordinator and organiser of Maths Week commented;
“This week has given pupils the opportunity to explore maths, as well as encouraging them to work in teams and with different year groups.

“Maths has played an even more important role in the curriculum than usual and many other subjects carried a maths theme, pushing it to the forefront of people’s minds. We are delighted with the children’s response to this hugely successful event.”

Originally built by Sir Francis Rodes in the 16th Century, Barlborough Hall became a school in 1940.

The party provided an opportunity to commemorate the seven decades with guests enjoying some of the 320-acre estate of protected countryside Barlborough Hall School is situated in.

Current and former pupils, staff and friends came together to enjoy the occasion – which featured a jazz band and hog roast lunch.

Guests were also invited to walk around the school building to relive school-day memories. Pictures spanning the seven decades and diaries of former headmasters were displayed to illustrate how the school has changed throughout its fascinating history.

The day finished with a friendly cricket match between the ‘Parents’ and the ‘Old Boys’, and experience showed as the Parents won a closely-fought match.

Pupils at Barlborough Hall School, a Jesuit preparatory school, still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms and use the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, headteacher at Barlborough Hall School for 12 years, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who attended for making this very special celebration an event that will live long in the memory.

“We appreciate how fortunate we are to have a school with such a rich history, and everyone is looking forward to writing the next chapter in the Barlborough Hall story.”

Barlborough hall is the preparatory school for Mount St Mary’s College and today close links are established between the two schools, providing a shared vision of education for children from the age of 3 – 18.

Photo: 70th Anniversary garden party at Barlborough Hall School

Strathallan pupil Andrew Glover and friends handed over a cheque for over £1,000 to Dorothy Rodger from Cancer Research UK this week.

This sum was raised when Andrew and fellow pupils Oliver Beetschen and Jamie Parker organised an inter-house Guitar Hero competition at the School in April.

Andrew said “We held a smaller event last year, but this being our last term at the School we wanted to organise something much bigger and felt it was a good idea to support a charitable cause. The event was entirely pupil organised and we are very pleased to have raised so much for Cancer Research UK.”

Accepting the generous donation Dorothy Rodger from Cancer Research UK said “This was a fabulous and innovative way to support Cancer research UK and I would like to thank everyone who was involved.”

Marist students were continuing in The Marist Senior School’s strong tradition of creative writing when they entered the Young Times’ Writers competition, ‘The Claws of Macra’. The girls responded enthusiastically to the newspaper’s challenge: to write a winning Dr Who story which was spotted by Mrs Barnard the Schools Librarian.

Lucy Farrell in Year 9 beat readers all over the UK and online readers worldwide to see her story published in The Times.

Her story sees the doctor and Amy confront giant crustaceans, or Macra, in a gas refinery, with Amy turning into a crustacean herself. The Doctor needs to get her into the Tardis before she transforms completely.

Miss Lydia Spoors, English Teacher at the Marist, runs the creative writing club and encouraged the girls to enter the competition. She is delighted that Lucy Farrell’s story won, “this is a fantastic achievement for Lucy and our creative writing club which has gone from strength to strength this year. The girls have vivid imaginations and are very gifted when it comes to expressing themselves with originality and flair. ”

Not only will Lucy see her work in print but she will also receive a pass to the Dr Who Exhibition in Cardiff, Dr Who books and a treasured Sonic Screwdriver!

Photo: Lucy Farrell with her story in print in The Times (this Mondays edition)

Three pupils – Susannah Carr, Johanna Hockmann and Paula Hubner – scored 43 points, while 12 scored 40 or more. 40 points equates to 5 A grades at A Level on the UCAS points tariff. Twenty eight out of the 44 candidates scored 36 points or more.

In addition, the results of the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay sections of the Diploma were excellent – 30 candidates out of 44 scored 2 or 3 of the 3 points available.

The Master of Haileybury, Joe Davies, says: “These are excellent results and reflect tremendous credit on the ability and determination of the candidates in the demanding IB Diploma Programme, which they have studied over the past two years. These results also show the dedication of the teaching staff who have guided and supported the pupils in their studies.”

Maths and fun were combined when ‘Murderous Mathematician’ Kjartan Poskitt visited the Royal Alexandra and Albert School on the 1st and 2nd of July. Pupils aged 9 to 13 took a break from lessons so see how maths could be viewed in a totally different, and very entertaining, way.

Over 370 Royal Alexandra and Albert School students attended the event which was held in the School’s chapel. Pupils from other local schools (Warwick, Reigate, and Oakwood) were also invited to the event, and around 100 attended.

Kjartan entertained his audience by using a number of maths tricks and activities, some of them were, ‘How to get rich using a chess board’, ‘making a ball from two hexagons’, ‘the mystery of the number 1089’ and ‘how the number 3 was invented’. The talk lasted an hour but his young audience were completely captivated by his numerical dexterity and lively presenting style. Kjartan Poskitt mixed maths and fun and he really did make it work.

After attending the performance, one 10 year old pupil commented “It was the funniest show I have ever seen, it was amazing”

Emma Moran (Head of Maths) comments “Kjartan is so enthusiastic, you can’t help but be amazed by the maths tricks he performs! It was great to see the students enjoying themselves and I hope that we can repeat the experience next year with even more students from our area being able to participate. Kjartan’s presentation was a big success as it educated pupils and they had fun at the same time.”

Headmaster Paul D Spencer Ellis commented “As the Lead School for Gifted and Talented in the area, we are always seeking innovative ways to encourage learning. Kjartan’s visit has inspired pupils, and his enthusiasm and energy are infectious. I am pleased that so many children from local schools were able to join us to benefit from his unusual approach to delivering mathematics.”

Photo: ‘Murderous Mathematician’ Kjartan Poskitt

Four students at Caterham School have been awarded Gliding Scholarships by the RAF. The four students are part of the School’s Combined Cadet Force RAF contingent. The scholarships are awarded to cadets who have shown appropriate interest and talent. Each cadet will have about 40 launches in a glider until they are judged capable of flying solo.

The four students are:
~ Sam Thompson, (Lower Sixth), who has already completed the course with 615VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) at RAF Kenley.
~ Ashley Goulding, (Lower Sixth), with train in summer with 624 VGS Chivenor, Barnstaple.
~ Andrew Ramsdale, (Fifth Year), with train in summer with 642 VGS RAF Linton on Ouse, York.
~ Joanna Odling, (Lower Sixth), will train in summer with 643 VGS RAF Syerston, Newark.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ‘’I am delighted for these four pupils. This is quite an achievement for each of them. The Combined Cadet Force is one of many co-curricular activities that we offer to pupils as a way of developing their talents and interests outside the classroom. This is an integral part of fulfilling our intention of developing the potential of each and every pupil thereby helping to prepare them for their life at university and beyond.’’

Photo: Cpl Odling, Cpl Goulding, Sgt Thompson

After only 18 months in a new sport, Worcester Canoe Club member Dan Staines is making rapid progress in the canoe world, but his hopes of future success depend upon securing sponsorship for a kayak, which can support his weight and decrease drag in the water.
Dan, who is a sixth former at RGS Worcester, has made tremendous strides, competing in the top half of national marathon kayak races as well as in individual and team sprint events around the country. But if the course becomes wavy, his current kayak ships water with obvious drastic consequences. In short, he’s a 90kg athlete in a kayak built for only 85kg.
It all started in January 2009 when Dan was selected by Canoe England as part of the Talent Identification scheme to match talented sportsmen to sports that fitted their physical attributes. Since then, Dan has been coached by Nick Fowler, who represented Great Britain for 10 years as a canoeist, and he sees huge potential in his protégé.
“Dan has tremendous promise,” said Mr Fowler. “I sometimes forget that he’s only been in the sport 18 months. As an old philosopher used to say ‘if you shoot for the moon but miss, you still land amongst the stars!’ and this really applies to Dan. There are no limits to his ability in this sport, he will be as good as he wants to be. An immediate goal is to compete at the U23 Championships in 2012.”
Dan trains for 1-1.5 hours on the water everyday, whatever the weather, which means layers and layers of clothing during the worst of the winter. Off the water, he develops stamina through running and puts in tough gym work 3 or 4 times a week at the RGS fitness suite.
“We build strength and endurance during winter and put it into boat speed during spring,” said Dan. “Paddling in the winter can be very difficult as ice builds up on the boat in very cold conditions. But it is worth it as I climb the national rankings. There is the added bonus of warm weather training this summer in Hungary.”
Dan is hopeful that he can raise sufficient funds from sponsors to purchase a more suitable kayak, as he approaches key races, the National Marathon Championships in July and the National Sprint Regatta in September. He needs to find sponsors if he is to maximise his potential and would be delighted to talk to anyone who can help him. Please check out his website to find out more.

A major celebration of one of our finest tenors on Tuesday 22 June with
Nick Prettejohn, Chairman of the Britten-Pears Foundation as guest speaker

“Lancing was a very heaven: the beauty of its site, the country around, the Downs in all their glory and this marvellous chapel and an atmosphere which was filled with art – the arts – and love”. – Peter Pears

Sir Peter Pears was educated at Lancing and sang in the choir here. He remained devoted to the school throughout his life, and a great supporter of its musical tradition. Pears and Benjamin Britten were regular visitors to the College, which a number of OLs (former pupils) remember vividly. Through Pears’s influence, Britten was commissioned to compose the Saint Nicolas Cantata for the centenary of the College.

At the celebration on Tuesday 22 June, guests included former pupils, some of whom are now professional musicians, and former winners of the College’s Sir Peter Pears Music Prize, such as His Honour Judge Peter Birts, who won the first award in 1964.

A service in the famous Chapel at 12 noon featured Lancing’s celebrated choir, and performances of sacred and secular music, sung by the school’s Music Scholars. Lancing’s Director of Chapel Music, Neil Cox, conducted Britten’s Te Deum and Jubilate in C, and God moves in a mysterious way from Saint Nicolas.

At the beginning of the service a single white rose was placed on Pears’ choir seat which bears the inscription “Hic olim sederat Peter Pears princeps cantatorum” (Here, once upon a time sat Peter Pears, a prince among singers). College Registrar, Jeremy Tomlinson who remembers meeting Pears during one of his last visits to the Chapel, spoke of the great influence that Lancing had had on the singer’s life. He quoted Peter Pears’ own words: “Lancing was a very heaven: the beauty of its site, the country around, the Downs in all their glory and this marvellous chapel and an atmosphere which was filled with art – the arts – and love”.

In his speech after lunch, Nick Prettejohn, Chairman of the Britten-Pears Foundation, addressed guests, staff and pupils. He was delighted to have been invited to Lancing and was enormously impressed with the quality of singing by the choir of Lancing College Chapel and its former pupils. He spoke of the wonderful legacy of Britten and Pears and how the Foundation is proud to be the custodian of such a national treasure. The Foundation is used for research purposes by people all over the world and continues to fund talented musicians of the future.

Lancing College Music Scholars sang a very moving selection of Britten’s folk songs to round off the occasion accompanied on the piano by Adrian West, a piano teacher at Lancing, an old boy of the school and a former winner of the Pears Music Prize.

The impressive sum is an accumulation of over seven years of dedicated fund-raising with valued help from parents, pupils and staff members. Every event has played its part in contributing to the minibus fund – from the Summer and Christmas Fayres, to sports’ days, fireworks evenings and drama productions, to one-off raffles and plant and cake sales.

Adding to the final total were funds from this year’s Summer Fayre, held on Saturday 12 June, which raised a cool £2,500. With a Wild, Wild West theme, guests were treated to more than 30 stalls and an array of activities to suit everyone’s tastes. They ranged from panning for gold to horseshoe throwing, barn dancing to a fancy dress parade.

The annual summer term event was opened by Clint Theophilus, Chairman of the school’s fund-raising body, Friends of Staines Prep, who also presented Headmaster Mr Peter Roberts with the grand cheque for £24,000.

Mr Roberts said: “I am overwhelmed by the efforts made by all those involved in raising this huge sum. The minibus will be a real asset to the whole school, providing pupils with many more field trip opportunities, in keeping with our new Staines Prep Challenge Award scheme.

He continued: “We are already putting it to good use and it was particularly useful on the recent Year 6 Field Trip to the Peak District.”

Photo: left to right:
Pauline Shilston, Mark Pilkington, Jenny Field-King, Viv King, Headmaster Mr Peter Roberts, Emma Poole, Johanna Pursey, Pat Ndebele, Helen Pearson – proudly showing off new minibus and cheque for £24,000

Bedford Modern School students participated in Channel 4’s Dispatches Pre-Budget television show – “How to Save £100 Billion – Live” in London on Monday 21st June.

Dispatches set out controversial cuts that could save Britain £100 billion. Krishnan Guru-Murthy presented a team of experts who believed their radical proposals could get Britain’s budget back in shape but can the nation take such swinging cuts or tax increases?
Ideas such as placing VAT on food and children’s clothing, reducing the pay of public service workers and closing down final salary pension schemes were discussed with a studio of 600 people voting for or against these cuts.
Stuart Baker, Head of Politics at Bedford Modern School said: “It was great for the BMS students to be able to participate in a live television debate on the eve of the Budget. Hearing experts argue over which solutions would be best to cut the deficit will simulate a great deal of discussion in class.”

Photo: BMS students attended the Channel 4 live pre-Budget television show

The Blue Man proved to be a real crowd pleaser at the Exhibition at RGS Worcester. Its creator, sixth form student Thomas Hill, made it by covering his friend Grove Sykes from head to toe – including his clothes – to create the striking figure. The material is called Modroc, which is exactly the same gauze, impregnated with Plaster of Paris, which is wrapped around a broken arm or leg.

The work took over three months to complete, as Tom ensured that every detail was true to life. His inspiration came from artist Antony Gormley, who designed the famous Angel of the North landmark.

The Blue Man was one of almost a thousand exhibits, which made up the show from GCSE and A Level art students at RGS, and represents their project work from the entire year.

“The Blue Man is a striking artwork, which shows great technical skill and took a huge amount of patience to complete,” said Emma Dukes, Head of Art at RGS. “Many other pieces in the show are also of an extremely high standard, and would grace non-school exhibitions. This continues the strong tradition of creativity and talent among our art students.”

Photo: Thomas Hill with his friend, the Blue Man

On Monday 21st June, King’s School, Bruton held its annual careers convention. Alumni, parents and friends and many from leading blue chip companies such as Credit Suisse and JP Morgan, national firms such as von Essen Hotels and the charity Walk the Walk, as well as notable area businesses like Knight Frank, Earlcoate Construction and Wessex Grain, came back to Bruton to give seminars and careers advice to over 80 members of the School’s Lower Sixth Form just ahead of them making their applications to university. Students gained valuable insights into a wide range of professions including law, medicine, business management, teaching and engineering. Critical to the success of the event was the low average age of the seminar leaders: the School’s students found it all the easier to ask searching questions and explore their interests in particular professions further. All the speakers provided the Sixth Form with their email addresses and telephone numbers and have committed to providing them with on-going support.

In a lively discussion, the girls’ knowledge of recycling building materials and efficient energy use was expanded until they appreciated the features commercial properties need to achieve the ‘very good’ BREEAM* rating that this attractive and contemporary business park now has (*Building Research Establishment Assessment Method). The talk was followed by a quick tour of the park to highlight its variety of tenants and the different types of buildings on the park, from industrial units and artisan studios to the pure office space in Queen’s Square.

Hurst Lodge School has a tradition of awakening the curiosity and creativity of children through practical projects. They are currently setting up a small holding on their 20 acre site in Ascot and the first clutch of chicks are about to hatch. The aim is to make a closer connection with the natural world and to give students the opportunity to make decisions and manage resources through a small holder’s council. Hurst Lodge is collaborating with the award-winning Eden project in Cornwall to implement a carbon and waste reduction programme. The visit to the Ascot Business Park fitted in well with the school’s ethos and new direction.

Merchant Taylors’ Amber Anirah will be jetting off France in September having gained a place at the prestigious University of London Institute in Paris. Studying a three year BA in French, she will be based right in the heart of the cultural capital (with a view of the Eiffel Tower from her window) and will be able to enjoy world-class academic teaching alongside the best art galleries, museums and, of course, food, that Europe has to offer.

The University will provide Amber, who is also studying History and English for A-Level, with further insight into the language as well as critical approaches to literature and visual arts, and social, political and cultural issues. There will also be an opportunity to further specialize in her third year, which Amber may take in order to combine her love of French with some of her other interests such as video editing or writing.

Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, Yvonne Whalley said: “Amber is very talented and I’m delighted she has chosen to continue to study French. The London Institute is the ideal place for learning about French culture as well as the language and I have no doubt that she will flourish in such a challenging environment.”

Rejecting more traditional language career paths, the Sixth Former, who is originally from Bootle, cannot see herself going into teaching or translating. “I’d love to work in marketing or PR. A job that allowed me to travel would be amazing but after three years in Paris I think I’d like to return to Britain for a while.”

She said: “I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in French culture, meeting new people, eating amazing food and perfecting the language!”

A BBC actress returned to her old school in Bromsgrove on Tuesday (29th June).

Charlie Clemmow, who left Bromsgrove School in 2004, is currently starring in the BBC One daytime show ‘Doctors’. Charlie, now 23, spoke to current pupils about drama school, her time on the show and her acting ambitions. Eager pupils posed interesting questions and many of Charlie’s former teachers were also keen to hear what she had been up to since leaving the School.

Charlie was recently nominated for a British Soap Award and stole the show in a Julien Macdonald dress but many Bromsgrovians remember how it all started: in Routh Hall at Bromsgrove School on stage as the Lion from Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.

Mr Philip Bowen, Deputy Headmaster, says “We are extremely grateful to Charlie for taking time out of her busy filming schedule to revisit her old School and spend time with current pupils sharing her experiences and answering questions about acting on television. We have fond memories of her performances at School. We are very proud of Charlie and will follow her career with keen interest in the years to come”.

Photo: Charlie Clemmow and current Bromsgrove Pupils

Bedford Modern School’s First VIII won the Marlow Regatta at Dorney Lake on Saturday 19th June. This is the first time that BMS has won this event and the crews have shown a huge improvement in their performances since the National Schools Regatta.

Members of the winning First VIII included Robert Bell, Edward Munno, Alex Robertson, William Gale, James Powell, Thomas Sweeting, Matthew Bowman, Greg Edwards and Alistair Redman.

Alistair Brown, Director of Rowing at Bedford Modern School said: “After some disappointment at the National Schools Regatta, it is good to see that BMS confidence is sky high just a week before the Henley Regatta.”

The School competed in a number of other events at the Marlow Regatta on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, with students ranging from Year 9 to Year 13.

Photo: BMS First VIII win Marlow Regatta

Children from King’s Acremont, the Pre-Prep of the King’s School Ely, stood at the west door of Ely Cathedral this afternoon (16 June) and waved flags to greet soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment as they arrived for a homecoming service.

As they marched to the cathedral, the soldiers would have seen the flowerbed beside the west door of the Cathedral, planted in the regimental colours.

The 200 plants – red and gold French marigolds and light blue lobelia – were sponsored by the school and the children helped with the planting, under the direction of cathedral gardener, Àine Rodrigo.

The Head of King’s Acremont, Dr Lynda Brereton, said: “The children are all very excited to be making this contribution towards the regiment’s homecoming and they were looking forward to waving their flags outside the cathedral on the day of the service.”

The 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment – known as the Vikings – have been on tour in Afghanistan. Hundreds turned out to cheer them as they marched through the city’s streets.

The cathedral service was an occasion to give thanks for their return but also an occasion for reflection and especially to remember the five soldiers who died during the tour of duty.

Photo: Some of the King’s Acremont pupils who greeted the Royal Anglian Regiment.

On Tuesday (15 June), pupils and staff from St Hugh’s School, the Prep school for St Edmund’s College, played in their own special World Cup match. A team of Year 6 boys (aged 10 years) played against a team of male and female teachers. In the end it was youth and agility that won the game, with the pupils winning six goals to two.

The whole school came out to watch the game dressed in various World Cup kits, hats, flags and even the odd vuvuzela!

Mr Blom, the Head of St Hugh’s said: “All the children enjoyed the match whether they were playing or spectating and it was great to celebrate the World Cup right here at St Hugh’s. “

Former Bedford Modern School student and newly elected Conservative MP for Bedford, Richard Fuller visited Bedford Modern School on Friday 18th June to work with the School’s Year 12 Politics students before addressing an Assembly for students in Years 7 to 9.

“I am enormously proud to be an OBM and grateful for my education at Bedford Modern School and all the opportunities this has provided me with in my life. I always felt, at all times, that the BMS teaching staff had my, and all the students’, interests at heart.

“Bedford is a wonderful town and I want to see the town fulfil its true potential. Always keep an open heart to the things you want to do in your life, and open to other people. I will keep my town at the centre of my heart too,” said Richard Fuller.

With a passion for his home town, particularly the diversity of its people, the beauty of its river and parks and the strengths of its schools and colleges, Richard wants to see Bedford achieve its full potential and is determined to use his parliamentary term to promote business and to bring back jobs to Bedford, making it an even better place for families to live.

Stuart Baker, Head of Politics at Bedford Modern School said: “It was fantastic to welcome Richard back to BMS as the new MP. For Politics students, Richard’s reflections on the campaign were an interesting way to finish their AS studies.”

Photo: Former BMS student and new Bedford MP, Richard Fuller (left) with Stuart Baker, Head of Politics at BMS

The book has been published as part of the school’s celebrations for its 150th birthday this year.

The book, entitled Howell’s School, Llandaff: A Legacy Fulfilled, traces the origins of the school, the oldest in South Wales (and with its sister school in Denbigh, the oldest in Wales), from the Tudor merchant Thomas Howell, whose legacy led to the founding of both schools, through to its opening in 1860, and continues the story right up to the present day. In 150 years, the school has had only nine Headmistresses, and the contribution of each to its development is discussed. The book places the school in the context of national educational developments, particularly those relating to girls’ education, and shows how opportunities for women have grown during the period. The book is fully illustrated and includes anecdotes and reminiscences of many past pupils.

The author is Mrs Janet Sully, who has taught at the school since 1978. A former Head of the History Department and Head of Sixth Form, she is now semi-retired and manages the school’s archives. The book is result of her passionate interest in the school’s history and we thank her for her dedication to this exciting project. We all look forward to reading it!
Available to purchase for £20.

Photo: Janet Sully

Bedford Modern School Year 7 students took part in a Mediaeval Day at the School on Wednesday 9th June. The event, which was organised by the School’s History Department, was led by Arriere-ban Historic Enterprises Ltd.

Arriere-ban Historic Enterprises Ltd., visited BMS last year re-creating activities for Year 7 studies and the day was such as success that it was decided to host another event.

Sarah Wright, Head of History at Bedford Modern School said: “Last year, the Arriere-ban team were excellent, and both knowledgeable and entertaining. The students learnt lots of interesting details about the mediaeval period that cannot be covered in lessons. It was a great day for all involved and something we wanted to repeat in 2010.”

Students were able to take part in practical activities such as building a trebuchet, archery, jousting and weaponry.

Arriere-ban Historic Enterprises Ltd., are a team of professional living history interpreters who specialise in visiting schools and museums to enhance knowledge and a better understanding of history. More information can be found at www.arriere-ban.co.uk/

Photo: Mediaeval Day at Bedford Modern School

Not satisfied with being National Netball Champions and qualifying for the National Cross Country Finals earlier this year, Bromsgrove School’s Senior Girls have now completed a hat-trick and reached the Field and Track National Athletics Finals where they will represent the Midlands.

After comfortably winning the first round of the English Schools Track and Field competition before half term, the intermediate girls went into the Midlands finals feeling quietly confident. All girls competed extremely well, demonstrated great support and encouragement for each other and pulled together well as a team. By amassing a superb 416 points Bromsgrove beat strong competition from Edgbaston High School for Girls, Loughborough High School, Rugby High School, Shrewsbury High School, Arden School, Stratford upon Avon Grammar School for Girls and RGS Worcester.

Mrs Emma Buckingham, Head of Girls’ Games says “Well done to the team which consisted of Libby Thornton, Simone Thompson-Smith, Jenny Moore, Rachel Elt, Megan Humphreys, Pascale Massey, Sarah Hawkley, Rebecca Straw, Hannah Trow, Tara Thorpe, Lydia Trow, Ellen Lockhart and Georgia Meredith. We now look forward to the National Finals up in Gateshead at the beginning of July.”

Photo: Winning athletics team

Two girls representing Worcester Rowing Club swept to victory in the Under 14 double sculls competition at Stratford upon Avon Regatta at the weekend.

Grace Baker and Izzy Friedlander (both aged 13) attend RGS Worcester and achieved their success in only their third event together.

They beat Gloucester Rowing Club in the first round, then Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club in the semi-final before overcoming stiff opposition from Evesham Rowing Club in the final to win by a hard-fought one length.

The Peter Chadwick Memorial Cup was presented to them by Nadhim Zahawi, the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon.

Photo: Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford upon Avon presents the cup to Grace and Izzy.

Watched by families and friends, five pupils of the King’s School Ely have been formally admitted as members of Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir and welcomed as the newest members of the Cathedral Foundation.

The five, Oona Gradwell, Georgia Schneider, Anna-Rose Sliwinski, Anna Hamilton and Emma Jones were presented to the Dean, the Very Rev Dr Michael Chandler, by the director of the Girls’ Choir, Louise Reid.

The Girls’ Choir was established in September 2006 following the appointment in 2004 of musician, Sue Freestone, as the first female head of King’s, East Anglia’s oldest independent boarding school.
Girl choristers, aged 13-18, are all boarding pupils in the Senior School. The school funds the girls’ choral bursaries and all associated staffing costs so there is no drain on the cathedral’s resources.

Photo: The Dean, the Very Rev Dr Michael Chandler, and the Head of the King’s School Ely, Mrs Sue Freestone, with from left, Oona Gradwell, Georgia Schneider, Anna-Rose Sliwinski, Girls’ Choir Director Louise Reid, Anna Hamilton and Emma Jones

The 18-year-old is a talented flautist and passed his grade 8 flute exams while he was studying for GCSE.

Now, in the midst of A-level exams, he has heard he has been successful at diploma level – something usually achieved after the first year of study at university.

Luke was awarded his diploma by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is now entitled to write Dip ABRSM after his name.

Fellow sixth former and flautist Charlotte Sivier was also awarded a recital diploma by Trinity College London and is entitled to write Dip ATCL after her name.

Luke is head of King’s Barbers, the close harmony group of ex-choristers, and is taking music, chemistry and biology at A-level. He plans a gap year before going to university.

Charlotte, who head of King’s Concert Band, is also taking music as well as drama and dance at A-level. She has a place on an executive PA course in Oxford.

Photo: Charlotte Sivier

We also plan to make our own charcoal, using specially designed charcoal burners which will be fed by wood from the older trees which have been removed. Pupils at the school will be involved in this process, particularly as the barbecue season approaches!

Daisy Gibbs, a pupil at St Swithun’s School, Winchester, has passed Grade 8 on both viola and piano with distinction in addition to gaining distinction in Grade 6 Theory. Not content with this, Daisy also entered a national music essay competition run by Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and was awarded a Commended Certificate.

To achieve all of this whilst also preparing for her AS level exams was tremendous effort by Daisy who, in her own words, had this to say “There are very few places where the music teachers use their free time to let pupils have umpteen extra lessons and rehearsals, and are always willing to talk to you when you begin to have serious second thoughts about what you’ve let yourself in for. St Swithun’s is definitely one of those places.”

Bedford Modern Junior School Year 5 pupils took part in an exciting Djembe Drum Workshop on Wednesday 9th June. The workshop was held in the Christopher Fry Hall under the expert guidance of Chris Puleston.

Chris Puleston has been playing drums and percussion for over 45 years. He has played in over 30 musical projects and bands in genres as diverse as jazz, rock, progressive, blues, classical, experimental and world music.

He sings and plays a diverse array of instruments including guitar, zither, tamboura, kalimba, tabla, djembe, didgeridoo, flutes, balafon, darabuka, various tuned percussion instruments and drum kit. The interactive Djembe Drum Workshop at Bedford Modern Junior School enabled pupils to try something they would not normally have an opportunity to do, whilst also having fun. Chris frequently leads drum, percussion and didgeridoo workshops around the country.

The Djembe, that originates from West Africa, is a skin-covered hand-drum shaped like a large goblet that literally means “everyone come together”. The Year 5 pupils also had an opportunity to try their hand at playing the Didgeridoo, which is a wind instrument of the indigenous Australians usually made from hardwood such as eucalyptus.

Hazel Farrow, Bedford Modern Junior School Music Teacher said: “We’ve always been inspired by Chris’ fresh and down-to-earth approach. He communicates directly with the musician in each and every one of us.”

Photo: Some of the Year 5 pupils taking part in the Djembe Drum Workshop

Bedford Modern School Year 9 students took part in an Academic Enrichment programme at the School on Thursday 17th June learning more about the Victorians. The programme was designed to go beyond the confines of the curriculum and build connections between topics. Students were encouraged to work together as a team, develop their presentation skills and combine learning with having fun.

After an introductory session by Dawn Costello, BMS Academic Enrichment Co-Ordinator looking at “What the Victorians did for us”, students were split into different groups to undertake research into various aspects of Victorian life.

The Victorian period was described as a particularly exciting part of history with so many innovative ideas that have now helped shape our society including electricity, communication systems and transport.

Sessions covered included Music Hall, Crime, Literature, Photography and the role of Women/Fashion in the Victorian era. Students discovered more about the Victorians by listening to expert speakers within their groups, undertaking research on the internet in order to plan short presentations to deliver to the rest of the year group later in the morning.

Students attending the “Marie Lloyd Group” looked at what the Music Hall was all about and learnt the words to a typical song from the Victorian era. Marie Lloyd was a famous music hall act.

Another session, entitled “Sweeney Todd Group” concentrated on Victorian melodrama proving that the 19th century was the age of the great actor rather than the great dramatist. Melodramas thrilled their audiences with lurid tales against a backdrop of ruined abbeys, dark dungeons and mysterious temples. But melodramas touched more and more upon the lives of ordinary people of all classes in contemporary England.

Dawn Costello commented: ‘All of our Year 9 students entered into the spirit of the morning and demonstrated the strength of their research skills in producing a series of professional presentations in a short space of time. They worked effectively in teams to pass on the information that they had assimilated to the rest of the year group, resulting in a variety of interesting and engaging presentations.’

Photo: Left to right, BMS Year 9 students, Samantha Prentice, Vicky Shacklock, Tania Fulford and Sophie Rowe.

Yesterday Farnborough Hill Sixth Formers Sophie Crisp and Anna Nicholas, both 17 from Farnham, organised a very special charity event in aid of local charity Disability Challengers. The Farnborough Hill Challenge was a sponsored event where participants walked, jogged or ran a distance of 5km in the school’s beautiful parkland. The whole school was off timetable for the afternoon so that everyone was able to join in the fun and take part. The participants were blessed with good weather and the atmosphere was tremendous. Everyone threw themselves into the spirit of the event, but perhaps the most notable participant was Lauren Dockerty, of Aldershot, a student in Year 9, who currently needs a wheelchair. She completed the course and Sophie said ‘Everyone was really supportive of Lauren and walked alongside her to the finish line.’

Disability Challengers is a local children’s charity passionate about delivering vital play and leisure opportunities to disabled children, young people and their families. Through their two full-time centres in Farnham and Guildford, and satellite schemes across the region, every year they give over 1000 children a place to be creative, make friends and challenge their impairments through play. The charity is close to Sophie and Anna’s hearts because they both used to volunteer there and Sophie now works for Disability Challengers on Saturdays and in the holidays.

At the time of going to press the money is still rolling in but we hope to raise a substantial amount for this very worthwhile cause. Anna herself has raised £1300 but we will wait to see whether she wins the individual prize awarded to the person gaining the most sponsorship money. The Headmistress has promised that the class raising the highest amount will be treated to a bouncy castle in school for a day.

Anna and Sophie loved organising the event, even though it was time consuming and hard work. Anna commented that it was tricky fitting in their AS level exams at the same time! Sophie said ‘it was a huge success and everyone seemed to have a lovely afternoon. So many people helped us out and we would like to thank them all very much.’

Photo: Lucy Sharma (Disability Challengers), Dee Andrews (Biology teacher who helped with the organisation), Anna Nicholas, Sophie Crisp, Jessica Klepacz (Disability Challengers) and Headmistress Sarah Buckle.

Kundai fun run

Pupils of all ages at Stonyhurst College have been raising money to help a physically disabled boy in Zimbabwe receive the medical care he needs. A fun-run this week has finally achieved their target of £5,000.

14 year old Kundai Mangoma suffers from a rare disease which has caused a huge tumour on the right hand side of his face; this has left him with breathing difficulties and blindness in one eye. He is in much pain from the disfiguration of his jaw and facial bones and finds it difficult to eat and speak. Kundai’s parents lost all their life savings in Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil and are therefore unable to pay any of the medical bills which could improve their son’s condition.

Sixth formers, Sophie Le Breton and Natalie Crouch met Kundai when they visited Zimbabwe this year, visiting a Jesuit school with which Stonyhurst has a long-standing partnership. They were so moved by his bravery that they were determined to raise £5,000 for surgery which could change his life: they met a surgeon who told them about the major operation which should fully restore his sight, ease his breathing and discomfort and significantly change his appearance. The operation is scheduled to take place in Harare in late August so they had no time to lose!

“Kundai was lovely, very shy and uncomplaining,” said Sophie. “We were really moved to hear that his sister had died quite recently from the same condition and realised that the medical care we take for granted just isn’t available in Zimbabwe. We were determined to help and as soon as we got back to school, started a campaign to raise the money.”

A ‘Kundai Committee’ was formed immediately, with representatives from all year groups putting up posters throughout the school and organising fund-raising activities. Kundai T shirts, a ‘Home Clothes Day’, weekly cake stalls, an art competition, charity dinners and finally, a fun-run, have together achieved the target!

Photographs shows Natalie Crouch, Sophie Le Breton, Mrs Crossley and Mr Warrilow, teachers at Stonyhurst College meeting Kundai and his family.

Students in fancy dress, taking part in the fun-run. ]]> http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/students-take-action-for-zimbabwean-boy/feed/ 0 http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/highclare%e2%80%99s-got-style-and-raises-money-for-their-charity/ http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/highclare%e2%80%99s-got-style-and-raises-money-for-their-charity/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:03:45 +0000 school http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/?p=3763
The pupils and sixth formers at Highclare School have been working hard to stage their own amazing fashion show to raise money for their school charity “The Kampala Children’s Centre”, which helps provide homes and education for the vunerable young orphaned children in Uganda.

The fashion show was a great success, taking place on Friday 7th May at the Ramada Hotel, Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield. With the help of local businesses, parents, staff and friends, the pupils have raised a staggering £3,500 for their charity.

The charity are so appreciative of their efforts that they are sending a member of the charity to be presented with a cheque at school assembly on Friday 18th June at 9.00 am.

Senior Prefect, Becky Soen, who has already had a number of professional modelling assignments herself, said “We all wanted to do something that would raise much needed funds for these children. There is such a big difference in their lifestyle to ours, so we are using our talents to help them as much as we can. We are thrilled that our efforts have raised such a worthwhile sum”.

The 18-year-old is a talented flautist and passed his grade 8 flute exams while he was studying for GCSE.

Now, in the midst of A-level exams, he has heard he has been successful at diploma level – something usually achieved after the first year of study at university.

Luke was awarded his diploma by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is now entitled to write Dip ABRSM after his name.

Fellow sixth former and flautist Charlotte Sivier was also awarded a recital diploma by Trinity College London and is entitled to write Dip ATCL after her name.

Luke is head of King’s Barbers, the close harmony group of ex-choristers, and is taking music, chemistry and biology at A-level. He plans a gap year before going to university.

Charlotte, who head of King’s Concert Band, is also taking music as well as drama and dance at A-level. She has a place on an executive PA course in Oxford.

Photo: Charlotte Sivier

Former King’s School Ely student, Frank Thorogood is in line for a prize worth £50,000 for his invention that could change the way cricket is practised the world over.

He was a keen cricketer during his years at King’s in the 1990s and has created a simple throwing device that recreates the style of a professional bowler.

With endorsements from some famous names, it’s now ready for production.

Frank has entered the device – named Sidearm – in Barclays Business Take One Small Step competition which aims to find people with ambition, passion, and, most importantly, a great business idea.

The winner will be decided by an on-line vote. Frank, an eastern region contender and already in the top three, is rallying support for his invention. Votes must be cast by 15 July.

“My dream is to change the way in which cricket is practised the world over,” he says.

He revealed he had been working on the idea for about 15 months, but it was only when he took it down to Essex CCC at the start of April and Graham Gooch and Grant Flower both gave it rave reviews that he plucked up the courage to invest the money needed to get it into production.

Frank’s day jobs are running a horse feed delivery company and an indoor cricket school as well as working on the family farm during the summer.

You can check out the Sidearm in action and vote for Frank by logging onto

https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/2065

As well as being given tours of each school and the Mount St Mary’s boarding houses, the journalists met with boarding students and the Mount head boy and girl.

The fact finding visit was designed to promote awareness and develop a greater understanding of the UK boarding schools experience among potential Russian students and their parents.

The published journalists’ work will be included as part of the Education UK Exhibition promotion campaign in Russia.

Wessel DuRandt, head of boarding at Mount St Mary’s, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our Russian friends to the Mount and hopefully it will encourage pupils from other countries to consider boarding school options in the UK.

“We pride ourselves on offering one of the best boarding experiences in the country and we are always looking for more pupils to sample this experience.”

Mount St Mary’s recently invested £500,000 in its boarding facilities. Hopkins House, for girls and Loyola House, for boys, provide shared and single rooms with en suite facilities, desk, study space, wi-fi, common room and kitchen area. ]]> http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/russian-journalists-visit-derbyshire-school-for-boarding-best-practice/feed/ 0 http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/kings-bruton-celebrates-its-491st-birthday/ http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/kings-bruton-celebrates-its-491st-birthday/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:51:44 +0000 school http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/?p=3748 Founded in 1519, King’s Bruton is one of the country’s oldest public schools and so it is with great pride that, every year, it celebrates its commemoration. Pupils, staff and governors process to church where they use the same order of service as followed by their predecessors centuries before. This year the preacher was The Rev. Jonathan Fletcher from Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon. After the service, the celebrations continued with drinks in the Memorial Hall and luncheon in the dining hall.

The two students, members of the BMS Ski Team beat the Olympic star, Kwami Na, known as the “Snow Leopard”, who skied for Ghana in the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It crowned a great couple of weeks for Marek who is in his final year at Bedford Modern School, before he gets down to the serious business of preparing for his A Level examinations.

In the British Indoor Grand Prix ski race on 9th May, also held at Milton Keynes Xscape, Marek gained Gold in his age group and finished 2nd overall behind former GB star, Georgie Hunt. In this week’s race Marek was again in the medals gaining Silver.

Not to be out done, following a first ever podium finish in the recent British Indoor Grand Prix Series Ski Race, also held on 9th May at Milton Keynes Xscape, up-and-coming star and Bedford Modern Junior School Year 3 pupil, Dominic Barton achieved a second Bronze medal finish in Sunday’s race.

Further fine performances by Bedford Modern School students came from Year 7 student, Daniel Barton, and Year 9 students, Joe Gee and Oliver Chalkley.

Photo: Marek Behnke

In 2009, 56 pupils from Bromham Lower School visited Bedford Modern School over the course of two days, spending time in the Design Technology Workshop undertaking practical projects. Due to the success of last year’s Technology Days, BMS decided to extend the Technology Days into a Technology Week this year.

Paul Kennington, Head of Design and Technology at Bedford Modern School said: “Bedford Modern School are always keen to forge better links in the community and, in particular, with local schools. By extending our Technology Days into a Technology Week, we hope to enable more pupils from nearby schools to be able to participate in our workshop and learn new skills, whilst also having fun.”

Bromham Lower School Year 3 pupils visited BMS for three days during the Technology Week whilst Castle Lower School visited for two days with their Year 4 pupils. Pupils gained workshop experience manufacturing a key fob, mainly involving hand-tool skills but additionally some supervised work with the Laser Cutter. Pupils were also able to watch demonstrations of other machinery such as the CNC Router.

Bedford Modern School are intending to invite local lower schools to take part in technology workshops on a regular basis and this is something that will be repeated again next year.

Photo: Bedford Modern School hosts “Technology Week” for local lower schools

Nathan Morgan, 31, who won the long jump gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, is holding regular workshops with lucky pupils at Mount St Mary’s College.

The first two hour workshop was a practical session focusing on strength and conditioning exercises that Nathan uses everyday as part of his own training regime.

Nathan, a former British record holder and third on the all time long jump list, also stressed the importance of getting this conditioning right before starting any sporting activity.

Nathan will be visiting the school once a month to continue the sessions, which take place on Mondays in the pavilion.

Paul Scott, director of Sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The whole workshop was of great benefit to both athletes and coaches and stressed the need for basic strength and conditioning to safeguard the development of young athletes.

“Unsurprisingly the session was extremely well-attended and I’m sure this trend will continue for the upcoming workshops.

“Everyone is very grateful to Nathan for giving up his time and it is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn from one of the best long-jumpers this country has ever seen.”

Three little helpers from RGS The Grange are assisting in the re-launch of a Bretforton based business, which has fallen foul of the might of a multi-national company who claimed exclusive rights over the use of the word ‘naked’.
Emma Heathcote-James is the owner of the business, which produces a luxury organic hand-made soap from local sources. She’s marking the change of name, from Naked Soap Company, to Little Soap Company, at a Summer Fair held the primary school in Claines.

Having built up business over the past 18 months via internet sales, trade shows and winning contracts to supply local Waitrose and Warner’s Budgen’s stores, she was devastated when she learnt she would have to relinquish the name.
“The costs of what would have been a lengthy legal battle were prohibitive so I simply decided to draw a line, put Naked behind me and move forward. I still make the same soaps, the packaging and online shop is all the same – only the name has changed…” said
Ms Heathcote-James. “Having the pupils from The Grange help make my first batch of soap under the new company name was a lovely way to look to the future and build on the company’s rapid growth over the last eighteen months.”

Ellie Carey, Ben Hughes and Will Reading, all aged 10, bought rosemary and lavender from their school garden having infused it in Extra Virgin Olive Oil to add to the mixing pot. They were taken through the entire soap-making process and even designed their own bespoke RGS soap. They learned not only how to make soap, but also the maths behind the recipes, the art of creating a brand, the creativity of designing the differing flavours, the benefits of
the essential oils and aromatherapy as well as the greener issues of recycling, and how a thorough approach to environmental issues, is so imperative to being a business winner.

“Instead of using tap water, we added collected rainwater to the recipe,” said Ellie. “The moulds that we poured the soap mixture into came from bits of reclaimed wood used to make the Hamlet set at the theatre in Stratford, which amazed us. I never thought it would
be so much fun to make soap.”

The company’s name change will be celebrated in style among many other local suppliers at The Grange’s Summer Fair on Saturday 3rd July, where the Lavender soap made by the pupils will be on sale.

To coincide with England’s bid for World Cup glory, a Lancashire junior school teacher has penned a personal musical tribute to England’s football heroes, which he hopes will score big for Britain’s injured armed forces’ heroes returning from Afghanistan.

With the help of pupils at Rossall School in Fleetwood, Lancashire, sports teacher and aspiring musician, Lawrence Condon has released a World Cup song, with the title: ‘England, My England’, in a bid to highlight the sacrifices being made by the nation’s soldiers abroad and to raise valuable funds for the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity.

Lawrence’s pupils were the inspiration for the song and urged him to write one for the last World Cup. Four years on and just in time for South Africa 2010, ‘England my England’ has been created in a collaboration with British folk, rock band ‘Steeleye Span’ guitarist, Ken Nicol, who produced the song from its raw acoustic version, adding orchestra, drums and chorus. He hopes the song will become an anthem and find its way onto the football terraces of South Africa, but if not, he’ll be more than happy if the public buys the song and it generates cash for Britain’s injured heroes, returning from conflict in Afghanistan.

To help promote the single, a DVD featuring Lawrence and his pupils has been produced by children at Rossall, one of the North West’s oldest independent schools, with some help from the School’s IT department. The backing track features melodies from the early 1960’s hit ‘Telstar’, giving it its infectious chorus that would make an excellent football chant during the current World Cup. And, the children at the school provide a seventy-strong choral backing when the song is played live for visitors to the 166-year-old campus.

Commenting on the launch, Lawrence Condon said: “The children cajoled me into doing something for the World Cup, even though I’m not a professional musician. The result might not be likely to hit the heights of Frank Skinner’s ‘Three Lions’, but if there’s a chance that the public like it and want to support our lads in South Africa then they’ll also be making a valuable contribution to the lives of our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, so hopefully we score either way.”

DVD’s will be on sale at Rossall School from this week with all proceeds from the strictly not for profit song going straight to Help for Heroes.

Photo: Lawrence Condon with some of Rossall School Juniors

Pupils at Sibford School will be eating their way round the world over the next four weeks.

In celebration of the World Cup, catering staff at the school near Banbury will be selecting a match of the day and serving up traditional food from the countries playing.

Kicking off the lunchtime fixtures on Friday will be South Africa v Mexico … with tasty treats including Sopa de Pollo, Bobotie and Enchiladas, followed by Melktert for dessert.

Other footy feasts include Gazpacho, Toriniku (Chicken) Teriyaki and Capirotada (a Mexican version of Bread Pudding). Flying the flag for England will be battered haddock.

Chef Mark Higgins said: “We’ve had great fun planning the meals for the initial matches and are looking forward to a winning menu. We’ll be following the tournament through until the end, and, as we’re not at school on Sunday, will be serving up a champion’s feast on Monday 12 July.”

Photo: Getting into the World Cup spirit are: Chris Stones, Darren Hobbs, Matt Cross, Danny Holman and Kath Morris.

Celebrations at Rendcomb College.
Rendcomb College celebrated its ninety birthday with a celebratory Founder’s Day programme attended by well over 500 guests, including trustees, governors, parents, staff and pupils. Founded in 1920 by Noel Wills, the college still enjoys the generous support of its current trustees who are investing substantial funds this summer which will see a major internal refurbishment of boarding and day houses, as well as additional classrooms in the expanding junior school, which is also ten years old this September. The day also included displays of pupils’ work and exhibitions, two concerts performed to packed audiences and a falconry display organised by Mr James Stutchbury Head of Biology.

Guest speaker, The Rev’d Dr Ralph Waller, Director of The Farmington Institute for Christian Studies and Principal of Harris Manchester College, Oxford encouraged the pupils to continue to stretch their intellectual horizons and never take learning for granted. Highlights of the day also included reviews from the Head boys and head girls from the junior and senior school.

Gerry Holden
Headmaster

Photo: From left to right: Rev’d Ralph Waller, Sophie Musgrave , Oliver Heneghan, Eleanor Brealy and George Ord.

Pupils, teachers and leaders at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Glos, have been praised in one of the first of a new-style report by independent schools inspectors.

The inspectors found that the school was successful in meeting its aims. From the Early Years provision, described as “effective” and “outstanding” right through to sixth form, inspectors found reasons to commend the College.

In the Prep School the inspectors reported that “the quality of the education is good” while pupils in the Senior School “make good progress and achieve well, with some outstanding performances. This results from good teaching…and pupils’ well-developed learning skills.”

As well as academic progress, inspectors found that the “personal development of pupils is good, with a number of outstanding aspects” in the Senior School and reported that “links with parents, carers and guardians are outstanding.” In the Prep School, “the personal development of pupils of all ages is excellent” and “pupils’ personal qualities are outstanding and strongly fostered by the school’s open, friendly atmosphere.”

The inspectors found that “almost all parents are extremely pleased with most aspects of college life.”

In noting significant recent progress, the inspectors praised Wycliffe’s management which had “resulted in many improvements from which pupils benefit. The college has higher quality facilities and both senior and middle leaders have a better understanding of their roles than at the time of the last inspection.” The Prep School is “well led; leadership has a number of particularly strong features.”

Head Margie Burnet Ward said; “I am very pleased that the progress we have made has been recognised, as has the clear vision for the future that has been forged over recent years. As expected, there are recommendations to implement, but it is reassuring to know that these are all things we had identified through our annual self-evaluation and for which plans are already under way to bring about even greater improvements.”

Head of Wycliffe Prep School, Adrian Palmer said, “We are delighted that this report has reflected the progress the school has made since the last inspection.”
The inspectors were impressed by the College’s development plans saying, “The future direction is clear and all are striving to make the college the school of choice in the local community and further afield.”

A full copy of the report is available on the school’s website www.wycliffe.co.uk.

Photo: children finding inspiration in Stonyhurst’s woodland., following Gerard Manly Hopkins’ footsteps.

A 14 year-old Worcester schoolgirl has realised a sporting ambition, following selection for the full England under 16 Hockey Team.

Sally-Anne Smith, who attends the Royal Grammar School Worcester, has been chosen to play in goal against Scotland, following a rapid climb up the hockey ladder. In only 12 months Sally-Anne has gone from playing local club hockey to reaching the giddy heights of representing her country, in a story that reads like a Hollywood script.

Her first love was football and she has spent the last three years playing in the Kidderminster Harriers Centre of Excellence Academy. At her primary school, RGS The Grange, she used to be an outfield player for her school hockey side. As no-one was keen to play in goal, she filled in for a school match. Following an exceptional performance, Liz Bussey, her coach of the time, immediately saw real potential and started to help develop her goalkeeping skills.

From those early days Sally-Anne has enjoyed a meteoric rise, winning entry to the County’s Junior Development Centre at Nunnery Wood, playing for Dudley Hockey Club and latterly Stourport Hockey Club.

In May 2009 Sally-Anne was selected to attend the U15 Junior Performance Centre, which selects hockey players nationwide. From here the players were whittled down to the best eight goalkeepers in the country. They attended a Hi-Performance weekend camp at Leeds University last October, under the exacting eyes of the England selectors.

In May 2010 Sally-Anne received an invitation to train with the U16 England Team, even though she’s still only 14. “It was nerve-racking when I attended the training session at Lilleshall, because I was the youngest there,” explains Sally-Anne. “But I put my whole heart into it and during the day I played well and became more confident. I received an email three days later to say I’d made the team and I was over the moon. I feel privileged to represent my country in a sport I love.”

Stuart Davis, Head of Hockey at RGS Worcester put her achievement into perspective. “Many people don’t appreciate the deep pool of talent in girls’ hockey, which Sally-Anne has battled through to reach the highest level. Her progress has been staggering. I wish her further success in the future and we all look forward to seeing her play against Scotland at the end of June.”

“I’m delighted that the Arts Council has recognised Nottingham High Junior School’s dynamic arts education programme,” said Ed Jones, Deputy Head at Nottingham High Junior School. “Our pupils have really enjoyed working in art, drama, dance and music activities and I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work in achieving this award.”

“Artsmark is more than simply a mark of distinction to us; taking part in the scheme has enabled us to develop our arts provision and see the pupils who take part become more self confident, engaged and excited about learning. Our focus is on creating well rounded individuals, so we view the arts as just as important as sports and other academic subjects,” added Ed Jones.

Alan Davey, chief executive, Arts Council England, said: “Arts Council England believes that the earlier children are creatively inspired, the more likely they are to have a lifelong engagement with art – something that can transform lives and give young people a voice for their thoughts and feelings.”

“Artsmark, now nationally recognised as a prestigious and coveted award, sets the standard for an outstanding arts provision in schools and it’s great to see so many new schools attaining the Artsmark Award this year. This award recognises Nottingham High Junior School’s commitment to providing exciting art experiences and their belief in the power of creativity.”

Bedford Modern School repeated the success of last year by reaching the Final of the ESSA (English Schools’ Swimming Association) U16 Waterpolo Plate Competition recently and went one better this year by winning the competition and becoming Champions.

In a revamped format there were six teams from around the country competing at the Final. Two leagues of three were played out to find the semi-finalist and then the competition changed to a straight knockout. In the League, Bedford Modern School finished second having to come from behind in both games to secure draws. With 40 seconds left in the second game against Monmouth School, BMS were two goals down and out of the reckoning until Bedford Modern School Year 10 students, Jason Attwood and Sam Lourensz both scored excellent goals.

The Semi-Final was against the winners of the other League, Canon Slade School from Bolton. They boasted the England U16 goalkeeper but without a decent defence he was no match for the BMS shooters and the School quickly raced into a four goal lead and ran out comfortable winners 8-4.

The Final proved to be a re-match of the opening game against City of London School. This time Bedford Modern School scored first to settle the nerves and although City pulled level, BMS turned round 3-1 courtesy of goals from student, Darren Norman (Year 11) and a sweet penalty from Jason Attwood. By the last minute, City were back in it with scores level at four apiece. Thankfully both Jason and Darren were on target again and Bedford Modern School deservedly won 6-4.

Jason who top scored with hat-tricks in two of the four games is currently in the England Youth Academy squad whilst goalkeeper, Ruaidhri Meghen (Year 10) has been selected to represent Ireland at Youth level.

Photo: Bedford Modern School’s winning U16 Waterpolo Boys’ Team: William Lowerson (Captain), Robert Lowerson, Andrew Turner, William Simpson, William Stupple, Lawrence Kedward, Howard Friman, Jason Attwood, Sam Lourensz, Darren Norman and Ruaidhri Meghen.

Bedford Modern School’s Cricket Captain, George Thurstance, has been selected to play for the county against Buckinghamshire. This is fairly unique and the last Bedford Modern School student to achieve this feat was Monty Panesar, who later went on to play for England.
18 year old George, who lives in Silsoe, has been in great form this season, scoring two unbeaten centuries and taking wickets with his leg spin.
Nigel Chinneck, Bedford Modern School Master in Charge of the First XI said: “As a School we are delighted for George who thoroughly deserves his chance as he has worked very hard to achieve this high level of performance, also it is pleasing to see the selectors are putting faith in the county’s younger players.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School’s Cricket Captain, George Thurstance, who has been selected for Bedfordshire

Strathallan School has been awarded the prestigious Healthyliving Award plus following the commitment of caterers Sodexho to supporting healthier eating.
Strathallan is the first school in Scotland to receive this award which has been gained by only five other operations.
Catering Manager Gordon Stewart said “We are really delighted to receive this award as we have always supported healthy eating here at the School. We have a dedicated team and it is great to have their achievements recognised is this way. ”
In order to qualify for the plus award, the School has increased the proportion of healthy options on the menus and places a greater emphasis on the marketing and promotion of healthier food choices to all the pupils and staff.

Photo: The Strathallan Catering Team

A jolly good audience had a ripping time watching a workshop production of the play ‘Daisy pulls it off!’ by Denise Deegan, at Stonyhurst College. Daisy Meredith, the plucky scholarship gal at Grangewood School for Young Ladies, was played by Madeleine O’Dwyer and Trixie Martin, her good-egg friend, was played by Mary Flanagan, both in Year 9 at Stonyhurst. Between them they overcame the wealthier pupils’ rotten pranks, found missing treasure and Daisy’s long-lost father. Spiffing!

Photo: the cast of ‘Daisy pulls it off!’ In the front row are, second from left, Madeleine O’Dwyer (Daisy), and Mary Flanagan (Trixie) centre.

Students from Polam Hall School in Darlington have been using their linguistic skills to promote businesses in the Tees Valley as part of an educational exercise, designed to show the importance of learning foreign languages.

Pupils took part in the ‘Eurolinks’ project, organised by the Polam Hall languages department alongside the Routes into Languages North East Consortium and supported by students from Newcastle University.

For part of the event, students were asked to imagine themselves as an employee of a company seeking to promote the North East region at an international trade fair, using their language skills to promote the products of local businesses.

The students were also asked to receive and deal with a telephone enquiry from a European company interested in exploring the possibilities of future investment in Darlington.

Local business owners were also involved in the Eurolinks event asking the pupils to use their skills to create product advertisements for their businesses in different languages.

Involved in the event were staff from The Bannatyne Hotel Darlington, who allowed the school to use the conference facilities, Durham University, Wood Pohl, Cooks and Kitchens, HSBC Bank, and Catherine Hart Millinery.

Christine Harvey, Head of Modern Languages at Polam Hall School said: “Foreign languages play an extremely important part in education as they can open the door to many future opportunities.

“Eurolinks is a fantastic event, which showcases the knowledge of our pupils and the involvement of local businesses helps to highlight the increasing need for linguistic education.

“I would like to thank all those who were involved in making Eurolinks such a fantastic event.”

Support for the event also came from Darlington Tourist Information Office who provided the materials.

Ellie Scarff, a local girl from Colwyn Bay has hit the big time with a personal invitation from the Lawn Tennis Association to join their training camp this week and potentially start a future as a serious British contender in tennis. Nick Lawrence, a North Wales Performance Manager for the Welsh National Tennis Centre recently described her as “one of the emerging young talents in North Wales”. Her coach for three years Martyn Lewis , who is an LTA professional says of Ellie “She is No 1 ranked player in Under 12 in North Wales and is very likely to be a Welsh Finalist this year”.

From joining Rydal Penrhos Prep school from the age of three Ellie has been a keen tennis player and swimmer. At four she added ballet and tap to her portfolio and then at six progressed to hockey and netball. At present Ellie puts around 16 hours a week into training, which is supported in school and through outside organisations.

Ellie has been with the junior academy of the Colwyn Bay Hockey club for three years and regularly plays for the girls u11 team and the boys u11 team (as they are allowed two girls to play). Indeed last year she was voted best u10 girl for the season by her coaches.

It was in 2007 when at the age of just seven the Rydal Penrhos Prep girl started to take tennis to a new level when she was asked to play both singles and doubles for the U10 North Wales girls team. She started to win and got a taste for competitive sport. By 2008 Ellie played for the county again and started to play for the Rydal Penrhos Senior girls tennis team despite the fact she was only eight. By 2009 Ellie was ranked no 1 player for North Wales County team 10U.

Ellie says “My sports are a huge part of my everyday life, and I am at my happiest when I am out on court or on the sports field.” Ellie’s mum goes on to say “She is a lovely bubbly girl who tries hard at everything she sets out to do. She balances her sport with academic studies and I am delighted to say she had straight A’s across all subjects in her last school report.”

Ellie who is the head girl at the Rydal Penrhos Prep school at present has just won a sports scholarship to Rydal Penrhos senior school and sets her ambitions high. This year she would like to move up the GB and Welsh rankings at 12U level and feels with the continued support of both the school and the LTA coaches Martyn Lewis and Nick Lawrence with whom she is working very closely that she can continue to improve and develop as a player.

When students enter the sixth form in Rydal Penrhos School they have the unique option of studying for A levels or of studying for the IB diploma and the split is about half and half. This choice means that students can tailor their academic education to fit their university and career choices for the future.

Students studying the IB Diploma must take six subjects (3 at Higher and 3 at Standard Level) plus they write a 4,000 word extended essay, complete a course in theory of knowledge, and complete a number of creativity, action and service projects. The six subjects must include a study of their own language, a foreign language, mathematics, a science, a humanity and their sixth subject can be another language, science, humanity or it can be art, music or drama. In this way students study a balanced curriculum but have the opportunity to specialize.

Chris Jelfs, from the Anglesey area and who is in upper sixth at present says “ My sister had done IB, and had successfully achieved a very high score and continued on to do Languages at Durham, this influenced me when I came to decide between A levels and IB.” Chris who is a talented musician was able to keep doing his music as one of his six subjects at a higher level, which was important to him also.

Jenny Southern, from Ellesmere who is also in upper sixth, and who has been offered a place to read medicine at Brasenose College, Oxford goes on to say “I think the IB really prepares you for university life as it demands that you learn to manage your time well. It involves you in lots of differing activities and requires organization and dedication.”
The IB is a not-for-profit organization which operates in 138 countries with 738,000 students worldwide and 55,000 graduates each year.The IB Diploma has an outstanding reputation for academic rigour and high-quality education which it has sustained for over 40 years, and it is growing fast in the UK. The number of UK schools offering the IB Diploma has doubled over the last few years and on current projections this expansion will quicken over the next two years. This rapid expansion has increased awareness of the IB at UK universities and this is what Durham University recently said about the IB diploma: “Our academic departments have noted the excellent preparation that the IB Diploma provides for university study, and we value the depth and breadth of study that it offers.” In fact its excellent international reputation means that students have access to the top universities worldwide.
Tom Carr, a pupil from Colwyn Bay sites his reasons for picking the IB as “wanting to keep my options open for as long as possible, as I am still undecided in the career that I wish to pursue”. Tom is thinking about medicine or law and is one of the school’s great debating team.
Emily Wynn, from Colwyn Bay and Sarah White from Tremerchion are both lower sixth girls and have been studying the IB since September. Emily achieved 8 A*, 1A and 1B for GCSE and is loving the IB course, she is also interested in doing medicine and wanted to keep her skill level as wide as possible to compete for places when it comes to university entry. Sarah also wanted to keep her options open, but says “One of the best aspects of the IB for me is meeting lots of new friends from all different cultures. I have lots of international friends now and feel well equipped to go out and work in the world. With an interest in studying Management and Finance at the London school of Economics this really would be advantageous.
The IB encourages a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn. An element of community service is encouraged because the IB recognizes that there is more to learning than academic studies alone. Lauretta Leung, from Anglesey said “I love the community work, it makes me feel part of a bigger world and one in which we contribute”. This ethos fits well within the Rydal Penrhos School community and extends across the whole sixth form.

27 Speech and Drama students from Rydal Penrhos School went recently to perform at Chester Drama Festival, which was held at Queen’s Park High School, Chester.

The standard was exceptionally high with schools from around the region battling for places. Rydal Penrhos pupils had to compete with schools including: Moreton Hall, Howell’s, Wrekin, Queen’s and The King’s School.

The pupils all performed exceptionally well, had great fun and showed a strong team spirit. They almost without exception were commended or received merits or 1st prizes. Mention should be given to Will Lunt who won first prize in both the solo drama and the solo Shakespeare categories, both very competitive and hard fought for sections.

“We have such a rich history of drama in the school starting in 1887 right through to the present day and we teach it as a subject in the school at GCSE level and A Level.” Says Director of Drama Mr Dennis Lavin.

Indeed Rydal Penrhos has had pupils who go onto perform everywhere from the West End to the Festival fringes and from the Royal Court to the Rovers Return, William Roache is just one of the old boys who has made a career in acting. Pupils such as Matt Gosart, Laurie Brumitt, Andrew McDonald, Alex Bickerton, Lucy Xie, Alannah Jack and Imogen Long who all went on at the Drama festival to win First prize for their devised drama are part of this history.

Two key members of the drama department at Rydal Penrhos, Christina Bloomfield and Gemma Campbell who both have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the acting world accompanied all the pupils to Chester where they were adjudicated by either examiners from leading Drama schools or recognisable faces from screen or stage and they gave very constructive criticism and advice on how to improve pieces for the LAMDA examinations in June. Younger pupils were also involved from years 7 and 8 and 1st prizes won by John Marston for poetry recital, Scarlett Salisbury and Anjalina Mitra for improvisation.

“We teach acting and stage management, set building and sound, lighting and costumes, everything in fact needed for a great performance. Not every student wants to be in the spotlight but their contribution is equally as important,” Leah Cunnah, English and drama teacher at the school goes on to say.

All the pupils did extremely well and enjoyed their chance in the spotlight and now look forward to the visit of one of the schools famous dramatic former pupils Duncan Kenworthy, OBE who following Christ College Cambridge, where he achieved a first class degree in English went on to become a producer starting on programmes such as Sesame street and Fraggle Rock in America. Following this he moved on to work on three of the most successful British films ever ‘Four weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Notting Hill’.” Duncan is returning to the school on May 29th for the Anniversary Celebration week, when the school is celebrating its founding 130 years ago in 1880 to be the guest speaker at the School Speech Day and Prize Giving.

Up and coming ski talent Ella Ward capped a fantastic team performance by Rydal Penrhos School with a third place at the British Inter-Schools Skiing Championships in France last week.

Ella, 11 was joined on the prize-winners’ podium by younger sister Olivia, 9, who came home in fifth place, while the Rydal Penrhos team as a whole finished a hugely impressive eighth out of the 140 schools taking part.

The annual championships, which take place in Les Houches near Chamonix, feature more than 350 of the best young British skiers from across the UK, France and Switzerland.

Rydal Penrhos team coach Craig Bonnington, who has raced internationally for the RAF, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Ella, Olivia and the whole team. The competition is incredibly tough because a lot of skiers at the top end of the field are based permanently in the Alps for the ski season.

“Meantime Rydal Penrhos manages one training session a week on the John Nike Leisuresport artificial slope in Llandudno. It’s a great facility to have on the doorstep and the instructors there are very supportive of the team, but it’s not quite the same as race training day in day out on the real stuff all winter.

“Ella’s third place, Olivia’s fifth and the team’s eighth places are a tribute to a lot of hard work and no little talent.”

The team immediately dedicated their result to Rydal Penrhos teacher Ken Jones, who organised the trip. Mr Jones broke his leg in an accident at the end of the first day’s racing and is still in hospital in France recovering.

Mr Bonnington added: “It’s such a shame for him. He’s been organising the team all year and getting ready for this competition. We’re all thinking of him and looking forward to seeing back home soon.”

Polam Hall has joined forces with four students from the University of Durham’s Geology Department.

Their remit is to produce an interactive Geological Walk around Darlington Town Centre. At the initial meeting several girls from M5 and L6 had a brainstorming session and provided some innovative ideas which the Geology students took away to develop.

Rock investigations

Within six weeks the four intrepid geologists returned to trial their practical ideas with a group of U4 students (year 8, KS3). Now all that remains is for the self-guiding pamphlet to be produced and then the M5 and L6 students will take to the streets of Darlington to “road test” it prior to publication.

Copies of the Walk will be located in Darlington Library and the Tourist Information Centre where it can be accessed by anyone wanting to discover a little of Darlington’s geological history.

Perhaps this brief article will inspire you to rock in the streets of Darlington!

Twenty children from Rydal Penrhos Preparatory School travelled to Warrington to play in the Mega-Final, which is the Quarter-Final Stage of this national competition. Each child had to play six matches and win 4 points out of 6 to qualify for the next stage. The most Rydal Penrhos have ever had do this in the past is six. This year we have smashed that record. With Savanna Dickens winning first place in the Under 7 Girls tournament and Ziraili Ulfin claiming second. Hannah Mew-McAdam won second place in the Under 8 Girls Tournament and Imogen Turvery-Cross won joint first place in the Under 9 Girls tournament. All four girls have qualified for the next stage called the Giga-Final and will be joined by eight other children including Adam Lee-Browne, Ethan Hill, Rafeez Mortuza, Rohan Ingley, Ben Subkovas, William Sissons, Solomon Dickens, Jack Sissons.
The Prep School Chess Club is going from strength to strength with pupils winning championships from county to British level, and new players being welcomed and encouraged to play, irrespective of age or experience.
Teacher and keen chess player, Andy Camp, took over the chess club two years ago and has introduced new, fun initiatives including a ‘Learn to play’ session and a knockout tournament to encourage new players, and to give them experience of playing competitively.
This year has witnessed a fantastic increase in club members, both in numbers and in ability. Thirteen pre-prep pupils (aged 6) have now started playing regularly and have the enthusiasm to challenge the older girls and boys to pick up new skills and confidence.
Chess offers many benefits to the pupils, and has even helped their academic studies, with some parents noting a marked improvement in their children’s concentration and in their work. However, some of the fathers who could once beat their children at chess now jokingly plead for Mr Camp to stop teaching them new skills!
The club meets twice a week with each session featuring an interactive whiteboard to examine particular openings or try to solve a chess-related puzzle. The children then flock to the boards to try out the ideas on each other. It certainly seems to be working.

Bedford Modern School’s first Grandparents’ Day was held in 2006. The aim of the event was to involve grandparents in the academic and pastoral lives of their grandchildren. The response to the event was outstanding and, as such, it was decided to make Grandparents’ Day a bi-annual event.

This year, Grandparents’ Days took place on Friday 14th and Friday 21st May and the School once again welcomed large numbers of grandparents.

Grandparents participated in lessons with their grandchildren before having a school lunch in the Refectory. This was followed by entertainment in the Christopher Fry Hall presented by the pupils, a tour of the Junior School or a trip to the Sports Field to watch their grandchildren in action and finally a Question and Answer session with the Head of Bedford Modern Junior School.

Grandparents’ Days at BMS are an ideal way for grandparents and their grandchildren to spend some quality time together at BMS and have fun.

Nick Yelland, Head of Bedford Modern Junior School said: “These days more and more grandparents are involved in the everyday lives of their grandchildren. A day like today gives them a chance to do more than simply deliver or collect them on behalf of busy parents. It gives them a chance to sample the excitement and variety of a day at Bedford Modern Junior School.”

Photo: Grandparent’s Day at Bedford Modern School

A general election involving all the main political parties at a Derbyshire school has produced a clear winner – unlike the real thing!

Mount St Mary’s College pupils engaged in some last minute electioneering as representatives from the Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP parties attempted to get ‘elected.’

As part of the mock election, each candidate made an impassioned three-minute speech to put across their party’s main policies.

After the speeches, the candidates then had the opportunity to reply to any points and encourage the electorate to vote for them in a one minute summary.

Pupils were finally able to vote for their chosen candidate and the surprise winner was UKIP, represented by George Freeman, with 111 votes followed by the Conservatives with 65 and the Green Party with 30.

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, so we couldn’t resist an election of our own to see how it compared with the real thing.

“It was a brilliant way for pupils to practise valuable skills like public speaking and forming convincing arguments as well as an opportunity to recognise the role they play in the democratic process.

“I’m pleased to say that, however controversial the issue, all the pupils conducted themselves in a professional and courteous manner!”

Photo: Richard Duggan who represented the Conservatives and George Freeman who represented UKIP

The award, established by Bath & North East Somerset Council, aims to encourage schools in the Bath area to use more sustainable methods of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport.

To achieve the award, the College met with B&NES Council to discuss plans, supplied travel surveys to staff and pupils and submitted a travel plan document to the Council. As part of the College’s ‘Eco Prior’ initiative, teachers have been raising awareness of the plan in assemblies, encouraging pupils to use more eco-friendly methods of travel to and from school.

The College currently runs a total of eight bus services and has recently implemented a new evening service for its Trowbridge route next term.

Headmaster, James Murphy O’Connor, comments:
“Receiving the award is testament to the dedication that the College staff and pupils have devoted to this cause. However, the hard work doesn’t stop here. We are looking to the future and hope to continue raising awareness and encouraging even more pupils and parents to walk, cycle and subscribe to our bus services. We would like to take this opportunity to thank B&NES Council for their help in achieving this recognition.”

A pioneering programme that enables American pupils to study at a traditional British independent school whilst satisfying the demands of an American curriculum, has received resounding approval. Cotswold-based Kingham Hill School is waving both the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes as it celebrates making history as the first British school to receive coveted NEASC accreditation.
NEASC (The New England Association of Schools and Colleges) is the oldest of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. The list of institutions accredited by NEASC includes Harvard, Yale and other prestigious institutions, 2000 schools in the US and 175 American schools and colleges in 68 countries around the world. Kingham Hill is the first British day and boarding school to be accredited by NEASC.
Kingham Hill was approached by the US Department of State in the Autumn of 2006 with a request to help, following the shock announcement that an American school on the edge of London catering for the children of US families living abroad was to close. After careful thought and the appointment of several American educators, a number of American pupils joined the school in the September of the following year.
An American Studies Program was launched and has been modified and improved during the past three years. Its growing success springs from the smooth transition experienced by American pupils in and out of a British school. They can arrive from an American curriculum school, experience education at a traditional British school and then transfer to other American schools elsewhere in the world. All this happens without the pupils missing out or falling behind. In addition, they benefit from being immersed in British culture and experiencing British traditions. They also make friends with the majority British pupils and a smattering of other nationalities.
One exciting and significant spin-off is that non-Americans can access the American Studies Program. If carefully configured, courses offered through the program complement A-Level courses in such a way as to make an application by pupils of all nationalities to an American college as straightforward as an application to a British university. Kingham Hill has a dedicated ‘guidance counselor’ who can offer expert advice on American colleges and the application process.
Headmaster, Nick Seward (39), is delighted by the inspection report: “I was mightily impressed with the professionalism of the inspecting team. The process was very comprehensive, yet sensitively executed. The team quickly grasped the school’s unique qualities. It was also very pleasing that it warmly acknowledged the quality work by our faculty in making a success of our American Studies Program and embracing American pupils into our community.”
Assistant Head Academic and Director of American Studies, Kim Raccio, deserves much credit for developing the program and overseeing the preparation for the recent inspection. She has been at the sharp end of explaining the American Studies Program to American families arriving in the UK. “NEASC accreditation will really help families as they encounter what is a unique program. This project has now come of age and is a tremendously positive option for many American families posted to the UK. The access that this gives non-Americans to American universities is also really unique in British education.”

If American pupils complete their high school career at Kingham Hill they graduate with their American high school diploma. It has been pleasing to see a smattering of graduating American pupils resplendent in their academic gowns at a very traditional British independent school speech day. It is typical of the camaraderie and global outlook that characterises Kingham Hill School in 2010.

Wrekin College English Teacher Andy Brennan has set himself the challenge of cycling 500 miles in 50 hours to raise money for the Wrekin College Orphanage in Malawi.

Andy’s aim is to raise at least £1000 specifically for food for the Amao Orphanage in Mtunthama, Malawi. He was shocked that the 50 children living in the orphanage did not have breakfast. Their first meal of the day is lunch. It costs just 90p per day to feed a child but securing regular funding is always a challenge.

He plans to cycle 500 miles in 50 hours, starting and finishing at Wrekin College. Starting Wednesday 18th August to Friday 20th August 2010

If you like to support Andy please donate through the Just Giving website: www.justgiving.com/medicmalawi-breakfastboost. Every penny donated goes to the Orpahange.

More information about the orphanage can be found on the Medic Malawi Website www.medicmalawi.org or from Wrekin College T: 01952 265604 E: info@wrekincollege.com

Bedford Modern School students made up the winning team in the regional Maths Challenge competition held at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge recently.

The successful BMS team comprised Year 9 students, Alexander Jeacocke, who is 13 years old and Matthew Wrigley, who is 14 years old together with Year 8 students, Sam Hosegood, who is 13 years old and Simon Whitaker, who is also 13 years old.

The regional Maths Challenge competition involved 30 schools from the area and consisted of five rounds including a Mathematical Relay, a Cross-number and a Head to Head round.

The team was led by Bedford Modern School Maths Teacher, Andrew Grounds, and the four successful students will take part in the National Final of the Team Maths Challenge to be held in London on Monday 21st June.

Nick Shackleton, Head of Mathematics at Bedford Modern School said: “The boys performed exceptionally well and deserved to win the event. They are only the second team from BMS to reach the National Finals and we look forward to seeing them take on the other regional final winners in London.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School students, Simon Whitaker, Matthew Wrigley and Alexander Jeacocke, who are part of the BMS team through to the National Final of the Maths Challenge

Bedford Modern School Head Boy and Year 13 student, Segun Akinola, has been offered a place at the Birmingham Conservatoire to read music composition. The Birmingham Conservatoire is an international conservatoire that is a full faculty of Birmingham City University and a major concert venue based in the heart of the city centre.

Having obtained 10 GCSEs, Segun is currently studying for his English Literature and Language, Economics and Music A Levels. “I joined Bedford Modern School in September 2003 and have had a passion for music since playing the piano at the age of five. I began drum kit lessons at BMS when I joined the School in Year 7,” said Segun.

Segun, who has a Distinction in Grade 8 Drum Kit, has also played in the School Concert, Jazz and Dance Bands, as well as the School Orchestra, and was one of ten national finalists who competed in the 2009 Young Drummer of the Year Competition. Earlier this year, Segun won the School Prize for Composition at the Senior Music Prizes.

“The music technology facilities at Bedford Modern School are second to none and I would encourage younger pupils at the School to get behind an instrument and be creative. The difference between BMS and many other schools is that BMS uses industry standard music software. By this I mean software that is used by top recording artists such as Lily Allen and The Killers,” said Segun.

Segun is looking forward to taking up his place in September. “I will be studying Music Composition with a view to being a film composer. After watching the Transformers film, I was attracted to the music and this encouraged me to investigate film music and film composers, eventually sparking an interest in classical orchestral music.”

The Music Composition course will last for four years and is very much a practical course. “I intend to obtain experience in writing for different ensembles, different styles, and have the opportunity to experiment with manipulating different ensembles to create different effects, ultimately writing music for Hollywood films,” added Segun.

“I have been very proud to serve as Head Boy at Bedford Modern School and my time at the School has been filled with numerous opportunities. I can honestly say that at BMS students can try everything and will be supported by staff in whatever choices they make,” said Segun.

John Mower, Director of Music at BMS said: “Segun has made a huge contribution to the life of the School and I know he will enjoy his time at the Birmingham Conservatoire.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School’s Head Boy, Segun Akinola

Mary Irish from The Noah’s Ark Trust went into RGS Worcester to receive a cheque for £2,600 from the students who raised the money at their recent Fashion Show.
The proceeds of the school fashion show ‘Behind the Seams’ was given to the charity that helps support young people who have had to cope with bereavement.

“We’re so grateful to the girls for their hard work and wonderful result in raising this sum,” said Mrs Irish. “Donations like this mean that we can help offer support to more young people and even cover the cost of a residential adventure for a number children who receive help through the charity. The fashion show was a triumph of success and the hard work of everyone involved at RGS.”

Photo: Mary Irish of The Noah’s Ark Trust, receives a cheque for £2,600 from RGS Worcester Fashion Show students.

The largest building development in Bromsgrove School’s 500 year history has just received planning approval. On the back of a 2010 OFSTED verdict of “outstanding”, the School is embarking on a multi-million pound transformation of the area closest to the Worcester Road entrance. New sporting, academic, boarding and hospitality facilities will be approached from a redesigned driveway and car park so that visitors will experience a first impression that does justice to the stunning architecture at the heart the School.

Among the projects are a spectacular new indoor sports venue and satellite buildings that will be available for community as well as School use. The architecture of all the new structures will offer a 21st century foretaste of the beautiful buildings that lie beyond, and enhance past all recognition the current site around the sports hall, swimming pool and car park.

As planning permission was being sought, local residents were invited to the School to offer their ideas. As a result of this consultative process, the final plans took into account the needs of neighbours, and unanimous consent was duly achieved. No objections were taken to the final meeting, and the council then voted fourteen to nil in favour of the developments.

Headmaster, Chris Edwards, said: “By listening to and working with residents, the School and its architects were able to move swiftly and smoothly towards a green, state of the art masterplan. This magnificent development will benefit beyond measure the School and wider community. We are thrilled.”

41 pupils and 6 staff enjoyed a fantastic week on Oswestry School’s annual snowsport trip to the Aosta valley in NW Italy.

Throughout the week snow conditions were perfect for beginners, intermediate, advanced skiers and boarders alike. The 4* Hotel Norden Palace was a welcome haven for rest and recuperation for tired bodies at the end of each day and it provided excellent silver service restaurant facilities. A busy après-ski programme was enjoyed by everyone, highlights being ice-skating, bowling and the ever popular disco.

Two year 12 pupils have been selected to attend the Interski Scholarship selection day at Chill Factor, Trafford Park, with the possibility of going on to take an instructors’ course.

A former Prior Park student has had her paintings recognised by the prestigious Bath Society of Artists.

Two of Marina Gardiner’s paintings, called ‘Kleftiko, Milos’ and ‘Landscape From a Dream’ are currently on display at the society’s summer exhibition.

Marina comments:
“To have my paintings on display at the exhibition feels like a massive achievement. I have entered many competitions and this is the first time I’ve been noticed. I’ve just finished my first year at Edinburgh University, studying architecture. An education in art, such as one from Prior Park College, has allowed me to take an artistic approach in the presentation of my projects, using a wide range of materials and techniques to present proposals. During my time at the College, I felt constantly supported; the art department is a nurturing environment and enjoying art is central to producing good pieces.”

Prior Park Headteacher, James Murphy O’Connor, comments:
“Congratulations to Marina on some stunning pieces of work. To be picked by such a prestigious art society above many other talented individuals is extremely impressive. We look forward to hearing all about Marina’s future endeavours and wish her all the luck for her architecture degree. Onwards and upwards.”

The exhibition is being held at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath until 19th June.

Contact us at Prior Park College on 01225 831000. To find out more about the College, visit www.priorparkschools.co.uk.

Pupils at Staines Prep witnessed the wonder of the natural world during science lessons this week. Studies of animal life-cycles culminated in the emergence of several beautiful creatures which charmed and amazed the children.

Year 1 pupils were thrilled to see the newly hatched chicks, whose eggs they had been observing for the last three weeks in their incubator. Both have been fondly named Poppy and Pansy.

Head of Lower School Mrs Williams said “The chicks have toured the Lower School to the delight of all the children. Many of the parents have been for a visit and it has been a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience new life and growth first hand.”

Meanwhile, Year 4 pupils went out into the school’s environmental area to release painted lady butterflies. The children had followed their development from tiny caterpillars through to chrysalises, until they finally emerged as fully-grown adult butterflies.

Science teacher Derek Heath said “This has been a wonderful last few weeks. It’s a joy to see the children working out in the fresh air and building up a real interest and respect for creatures who they previously may not have even noticed.”

Photo: Simran Sohal aged 8 releasing a Painted Lady butterfly

Last Friday Year 8 students at the Marist Senior School, Sunninghill experienced a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) day. This was facilitated by the charity Smallpeice and it was aimed at introducing engineering to women as a future career option. The girls embraced the tasks and challenges with enthusiasm and designed highly commendable models of working wind turbines.

Louise Duncan, course leader from the charity set the girls construction challenges which required problem solving skills and lateral thinking. Lynn Trainor, Science teacher said “I was extremely impressed by how diligently the girls worked together to address the assigned tasks.” Throughout the day the girls were competing to design and market an operational wind turbine. Groups were assessed for aesthetics, efficiency (ie highest voltage), cost, stability and teamwork. Most teams successfully completed all elements of the task and some students were refining design details towards the end of the afternoon

Mr Mark McCloskey, Headteacher of the Marist remarked that “Science, technology and maths are high priority, corner-stone subjects in the Marist curriculum. The introduction on an engineering component with team work and thinking skills was a refreshing initiative which was well received by all.”

Kayla Spitzer, a year 13 student in the Marist has been offered an unconditional offer at Villanova University in America to study Engineering. She selected this course because it combines Maths and Science and gives her so much scope for her future professional career development.

Head of Science at the Senior School, Ann Royston, was delighted by the response of the girls during the day and commented, “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. It was very hands on learning for the girls, and it introduced them to the practical applications of science in our world.”

Further to this highly successful day, the Marist School has been given the opportunity to offer six free places on a residential engineering course at Portsmouth University in July. Competition for places amongst the girls is likely to be very high.

Parkside School, based in Stoke D’Abernon, has regained the Epsom College Super Teams trophy for the 10th year in a row. The school entered teams in the U9, U11 and U13 age categories with all boys performing extremely well, notching up points in the swimming, football, hockey, distance running, sprints, basketball and gym tests. Parkside took 1st place in the U9 and U11 age groups, 2nd place in a competitive U13 age group and finished in 1st place in the overall competition.

Further success came as Parkside won the Seven Schools trophy this year with a strong performance by the entire athletics team. The school took the title after five years of dominance from Frensham based school Edgeborough.

Eight individual winners and wins in the U10 and U12 relays ensured Parkside finished top of all competing schools at the event, held at The Spectrum Centre in Guildford. Aldro School was 2nd and Edgeborough took 3rd place.

Congratulations goes to Parkside’s winners: Harry Thursfield, U10 600m, Alfie Bloomfield, U10 Cricket Ball Throw, Sergui Celebidachi, U10 High Jump, Charlie Kerslake, U12 Shot Put, James Odunsi, U12 70m Hurdles, Oscar Newson-Smith, U14 Triple Jump and 800m.

Nick Embling also took 1st place in the 1500m, breaking the Spectrum record which was set in 1984!

The boys put in another exceptional performance at this year’s IAPS National Swimming Championships held at the K2 Centre in Crawley last month. Ian Stamp, director of sports at Parkside said, “We had more Parkside boys taking part in individual races at this national event than ever before, which demonstrates the depth of swimmers the school now has.” All Parkside boys swim every week in the school’s indoor swimming pool under the instruction of top class coaches.

Congratulations to the U12 team who came third overall to clinch the bronze medal in the Freestyle relay and Max Herne who took the bronze medal in the 25m Freestyle.
Parkside’s Tennis teams have also been outclassing their rivals with the U9 team through to the Surrey Schools League semi finals and the U10’s beating all opponents in their path to reach the finals at the end of June. The school’s U11 team will play Kings School later on this month to see who makes it to the final.

Parkside, renowned for its excellent sporting reputation, has also been hosting its own tennis tournament – ‘Road to Wimbledon’ which has seen boys taking part in matches during their break and lunchtimes. The final will see brothers, Ben and Jack Draper, go head to head. The winner will represent Parkside at county level.

Photo: Parkside School’s swimming team took part in the IAPS National Swimming Championships held at the K2 Centre Crawley last month.

On Sunday 16th of May, a team of students and teachers from Caterham School dressed as their favourite superheroes and went to Brighton to join over 1500 runners in the annual charitable event, the Heroes Run.

The students and teachers will be going to Tanzania in Summer to visit Lerang’wa Primary School, as part of an ongoing charitable project. The purpose of the run was to raise money for Lerang’wa School and to test their fitness for the challenging climb of Mount Meru, which is also part of their itinerary.

Every member of the team completed the run with Tom Ganley and Lisa Mill winning the men’s and women’s 5km events.

The funds raised for Lerang’wa Primary in previous years has provided money for books, desks, accommodation for teachers, solar panel electricity and food. The current building project is the new kitchen to be followed by a dining area. The Caterham School teachers and students will undertake practical tasks around the school, teach some English, play sport with the pupils and learn about the Maasai culture. The teaching staff will also assist with training the teachers and examine future possibilities for the project. So far the team have raised over £6,500 this year.

Headmaster Julian Thomas, who is one of the team going to Lerang’wa School this year and who took part in the 10K run, said ‘’I was so proud to see the Caterham Superheroes in action. I am always impressed by the time, effort and energy that our students will freely commit to charitable causes.’’

Oswestry School pupils put their culinary skills to the test in a live cookery competition organised by the School’s award-winning catering company, Chartwells.

The ‘On your marks, get set, cook!’ competition, overseen by professional chef Darren Tinkler, saw two teams of three pupils and one teacher go head-to-head in a bid to create the tastiest and healthiest dish possible from a selection of mystery ingredients which included chicken, pasta, chick peas, basmati rice and a selection of seasonal vegetables.

After 15 minutes of frenzied cooking, the girls’ red team produced a delicious dish of chicken fillet in a tomato ragout sauce, served with pasta and wilted greens, while the boys’ green team served up a mouth-watering balti of chick peas, peppers and spices with basmati rice and wilted spinach.
It was a close contest, but the excited audience of pupils and staff eventually voted for the red team’s repast.

The prize for the winners was to see the School’s catering team replicate the winning recipe and serve it for lunch for the whole school to enjoy.

Two budding journalists from Prior Park have bagged the title of ‘Tamezin’s Young Journalist of the Year Award 2010’.

This year’s theme was ‘Inspirational Interviews’, for which winners Tony Heaton, 14, and Emma Clague, 15, interviewed an individual with a fascinating story and wrote it up into an article. Tony Heaton interviewed Polish war hero, Lieutenant Witold Brocki, whilst Emma Clague spoke to Polly Bates, a paediatric oncology doctor who treats under 18 leukaemia and cancer sufferers.

The students were picked out of a large number of young writers across Britain. Toby Heaton won First Prize in the junior category and Emma Clague won First Prize in the senior section. Both winners were awarded certificates, cash prizes and Emma Clague has also won a work experience opportunity for this summer.

This annual competition is run by Tamezin, a national lifestyle magazine and aims to encourage the young writers of tomorrow. The Award Ceremony took place earlier this month at the Kensington Close Hotel and was presented by Cassandra Jardine of the Daily Telegraph and freelance writer Greg Watts.

Headmaster, James Murphy O’Connor, comments:
“The students were encouraged to enter the competition by our Head of English, Nigel Tattersfield, as we want them to develop their existing writing skills. Emma and Toby chose and interviewed two inspirational people and told their story compassionately; congratulations to them for their efforts. We hear that Emma may be going to BBC News 24 for work experience this summer, which is a great foot in the door, and we look forward to hearing all about it.”
 

A Worcester primary school choir has battled through the Regional Heats of BBC Radio 3s Choir of the Year competition to qualify for the next round.

RGS Springfield, which is situated in Britannia Square in the city, won through following auditions at the Warwick Arts Centre. They were entered in the children’s round and were competing against other local choirs.

The singers performed Pirate for a Day, Go Down Moses, and Chang McTang McQuarter Cat. The judges said that: “Springfield sang with great enthusiasm and their ensemble work was very tidy!”

The Springfield choir is made up of girls and boys aged 7-11 and they had been practising for the event for many weeks. After the competition, all of the pupils took part in a workshop put on by the Warwick Arts Centre.

“I’m really proud of all the children, “ said Liz McCabe music teacher at Springfield. “They have rehearsed with so much eagerness, so I’m delighted that it has all paid off. The day was very exciting for them and we’re looking forward to the next round now.”

On Monday 10 May, Simon Singh MBE visited Caterham School to deliver a lecture on Science in the Media. His presentation explored the difficulty the media can experience in seeking to report scientific studies and gave an insight into how the media can, through omission or exaggeration, misrepresent these scientific achievements.

Simon Singh is a scientist and mathematician who is a leading author, documentary filmmaker and journalist. He attended Imperial College London, where he studied Physics and then he completed a PhD in Particle Physics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and at CERN, Geneva. He has worked for the BBC on programmes such as Tomorrow’s World and Horizon. In 1996, he directed Fermat’s Last Theorem, a BAFTA award-winning documentary about the world’s most notorious mathematical problem. He has also presented The Science of Secrecy, a five part series for Channel 4. He has also written several books including Fermat’s Last Theorem, The Code Book, Big Bang and Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ‘’Simon has established a well-deserved reputation for presenting scientific and mathematical topics in an accessible and entertaining way. He also explained that scientists can sometimes be hesitant about publishing scientific facts for fear of litigation by large organisations and corporations. His lecture was witty and thought provoking. I think the audience will have taken the message that we should be sceptics about claims for scientific achievement until all the facts have been established.’’

A new generation of residents has arrived at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School. The school’s flock of Dorking hens has produced three lively chicks and pupils have been helping to care for them. The chicks, two girls and a boy are three days old, are fit and healthy and the females are destined to be the egg-layers of the future. The male is likely to be used for showing.

Chickens arrived at the school a year ago and have been providing a steady supply of eggs as part of the Countryside and Environment BTEC course. Younger pupils have also helped look after the chickens and there are many enthusiastic members of Chicken Club which takes place after school.

Dorking hens are a local breed with royal connections as their eggs were favoured by Queen Victoria. On a recent visit to the School, the Duchess of Gloucester was presented with eggs from the flock. The breed has distinctive plumage and is unusual in having an extra toe (most chickens have 4)

The chicks were hatched in an incubator but will join the rest of the flock in a few weeks time. Teacher, Mr Greenhalgh comments “The animals that are raised at this school are important element in the curriculum for the BTEC. Pupils learn how to look after them and also how to ensure that they are commercially viable. Our chickens have been very successful and the new chicks will be a welcome addition to the flock.”

Photo: A junior pupil with one of the Dorking chicks

On Friday 14th May 22 King’s Bruton pupils took part in 7 different categories of the Trinity Guildhall performance examinations, including Group Drama, Performing Text and, as a new discipline this year, Shakespeare. 50% of those students gained Distinctions, with UCAS points achieved for candidates in both 4th form and Lower Sixth. The range of material chosen and presented by the students included extracts from plays by Shaw, Sophocles and South African playwright Athol Fugard, a sonnet by the 16th century poet Michael Drayton, and an extract from President Obama’s Inauguration Speech.

The performances also involved required students to incorporate various skills such as commedia dell’Arte, improvisation, and showing their thorough knowledge of the text by answering questions in role. Congratulations to all involved.

Bedford Modern Junior School has been home to a large Teddy Bear wearing a BMS boy’s school uniform for the past ten years. The bear is known to Junior School pupils as “Mr McIver”, as he was presented to the School by Ian McIver, a committee member of the OBM (Old Bedford Modernians’) Club.

As Bedford Modern School is a fully co-educational school, the bear has now been joined by another Teddy Bear dressed in a BMS girl’s uniform. This new bear was bought at Peacocks Auction Centre in Bedford recently, and is a gift to the school from the OBM Club. School uniforms for both bears have been made by Mrs Leonie Zdziarski, a dressmaker and former BMS parent.

Richard Wildman, Bedford Modern School Archivist and OBM Club Secretary said: “Knowing that Mr Yelland, Headmaster of Bedford Modern Junior School was keen to add a teddy bear in BMS girl’s uniform to accompany “Mr McIver”, the OBM Club was very glad to donate the new bear. The Club is grateful to Mrs Zdziarski, a very skilled dressmaker, for making the uniform.”

Photo: A selection of Bedford Modern Junior School Year 3 pupils with the Teddy Bears wearing school uniform

Three hens are the latest arrivals at King’s Acremont, the Pre-Prep of the King’s School Ely.

They have been given to the school by Year 2 teacher, Mrs Anna Wynn who keeps over 100 hens and other livestock on the family smallholding.

Each class was given the task of naming one of the hens. Reception chose Flower and Year 2 decided on Midnight.

Year 1’s choice was Princess Leia, after the fictional Star Wars character, but everyone decided that it might be more appropriate to call her Princess Layer. All three hens are proving to be prolific layers and the children look forward to eating the eggs.

The hen house and run have been set up in a corner of the huge garden at the back of the school and each class is taking it in weekly turns to be ‘hen keepers’.

Head of King’s Acremont, Dr Lynda Brereton, said: “We have our own vegetable garden so this is another extension of the work we do with the children to encourage them to take an interest in the world around them; the food they eat, where it comes from and how it is produced.

“The hens have proved a big hit and no doubt there will be plenty of volunteers to look after them during the holidays.”

Strathallan pupil Duncan Scott achieved outstanding results at the Scottish National Age-Group Championships at Tollcross winning eight individual medals and three relay medals.

Duncan who is pictured here with coach Elaine Johnston also achieved six personal best times and was Scottish National Age-Group Champion in the 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 individual medley for 11/12 age group.

“Duncan swam extremely well over the four day meet and his hard work continues to produce excellent results” said Strathallan swim team coach Elaine Johnston

Bedford Modern School Year 13 students Greg Edwards and James Powell, who are part of the School’s 1st VIII crew, were selected to represent Great Britain at the Munich European Regatta that took place over the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May.

For 18 year old James, this was the first time he had represented Great Britain. Greg and James won Gold in the VIII in a closely fought race against Spain on Saturday. They also won on the Sunday, in a Coxless Four, against strong European competition.

Whilst Greg and James were competing in Munich, Bedford Modern School Year 12 student Charlotte Cook was selected to compete in the Ghent Regatta in Belgium. 17 year old Charlotte managed to scoop two Golds on consecutive days’ rowing in the Women’s Junior Quad.

All three BMS students are now very much looking forward to competing in the 147th Bedford Regatta taking place on Saturday 15th May and, more importantly, the National Schools’ Regatta held in Nottingham at the end of the month.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, James Powell, with his Gold Medal from the Munich Regatta

Students from a Derbyshire school were on song at the UK’s biggest amateur choral competition.

The Combined Choir at Mount St Mary’s College performed in the first round of the BBC Choir of the Year event at The Anvil concert hall, in Basingstoke.

Pupils aged between seven and 13 years old sang ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’, from Guys and Dolls, which featured a solo from student Alex Allt.

Lucy Kitchener, director of music at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The bi-annual BBC Choir of the Year is one of the most prestigious national choral competitions so we were thrilled to represent the school and test ourselves against some of the best choirs in the country. We sang very well and had excellent feedback from the judges.”

Mount St Mary’s College Choir was featured on Songs of Praise last year after impressing the judges with its entry for the BBC TV show’s Choir of the Year contest.

Its Junior Choir was also awarded the Voices Foundation Junior Choirs Award for Excellence at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham in 2009.

Lucy added: “The choir continues to go from strength to strength and, as the standard improves, we’re keen to take part in more national festivals.”

The competition followed a performance by Mount St Mary’s jazz band at the prestigious black tie snooker event, the Sheffield Cue Ball.

Talented musicians got their big break playing to a high profile crowd which included John Parrott and Dennis Taylor in the city’s Winter Gardens for the charity event, which marked the beginning of the World Snooker Championship.

Strathallan Equestrian Teams excelled at the annual Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships at Gleneagles.

The Intermediate Team of Jenny Summersgill, Emma Cheape, Rosie Williams and Sarah Cheape won the dressage and show jumping events and were overall winners.

In the Senior Section Heather Larson, Corrie Stewart, Flora Hay and Olivia Woodes-Rogers won the Show jumping event and came overall second.

Worcestershire’s Rose Bank Vineyard has a local school’s Summer Fair to thank for signing up a pub as a customer for its award-winning wine.

In 2009, vineyard owner Richard Tomkinson exhibited at the Summer Fair held at RGS The Grange, a junior school only a few miles away in Claines. Whilst attending the Fair, Jim Godwin who owns the White Hart in Fernhill Heath, sampled the wine and began to sell it at his pub.

Richard Tomkinson started the Rose Bank Vineyard with his wife Rita in 2003. “Last year gave us an ideal opportunity to introduce our wine and demonstrate that good wine can be grown in Fernhill Heath.
“The fair at The Grange was excellent with the variety of stalls attracting a lot of interest,” said Mr Tomkinson. “We were able to provide wine tasting and this directly resulted in our meeting Jim Godwin from The White Hart Pub in Fernhill Heath. He subsequently now stocks our wine, which thanks to the Grange’s summer fair, has brought two local businesses together.”

“I couldn’t be more delighted at the outcome,” said Gareth Hughes, Headmaster of The Grange. “We love to invite local businesses to come and support the event, so we were pleased that Rose Bank Vineyard had a stand. To actually see an outcome like this is tremendous.”

Rose Bank Vineyard is obviously hopeful of repeating this success as the company is exhibiting at this year’s Fair, which takes place on Saturday 3 July. There are many other local companies attending, with products ranging from hand-made soap to custom jewellery, as well as lots of children’s entertainment on offer.

Photo: From left to right as viewed: Richard Tomkinson (Rose Bank Vineyard), Gareth Hughes (The Grange) and Jim Godwin (The White Hart).

Ruth Miskin, one of the UK’s leading authorities on teaching children to read and to write, will be presenting her thoughts to Headteachers at St Joseph’s College Ipswich on Thursday 20th May 2010.

Over forty Headteachers from across Suffolk and North Essex have been invited to a conference to hear Ruth discuss her Read Write Inc. programme which she has developed over the past ten years. These are published by Oxford University Press and used extensively both in the UK and around the world to improve literacy standards. Ruth contributed to the Rose Review, and has been an adviser to the Government on literacy, including Letters and Sounds. She frequently writes in the national press and her work has been widely featured by the BBC and Channel 4.

This conference aimed at headteachers, will involve learning about “The Big Literacy Picture: Listening and Reading, Speaking and Writing”.

Around 100 girls and boys from Bedford Modern School took part in the Bedford Regatta on Saturday 15th May. The support from staff and parents was outstanding and definitely contributed towards some great BMS performances.

The result of the day came from the Year 9 BMS boys competing in the U14 Octuple who, against tough competition, made it through to the Final to race against Bedford School. The Final was watched by a very interested Bedford community and saw Bedford Modern School winning in style. The U14 Octuple comprised Owen Thornton, Joe Bennison, James Berry, Nick Clark, Adam Dingley, Josh Webley, Henk Kroon, Connor Hayward and Gavin McWilliams (cox), coached by Doug Barrell.

This is the first ever win for the Year 9 boys who were ecstatic at their victory and hence, as a rowing tradition, threw their cox through the air into the River Great Ouse.

Other notable Bedford Modern School victories came from the Year 10 boys in a Coxed Quad who fought very well against tough competition. The Coxed Quad consisted of Jack Lundgren, Matthew Smith, Glenn Tamkin and Robin Harvey and David Sillars (cox), coached by Alex Chetwynd. “I would also like to draw attention to the number of BMS girls competing at the Bedford Regatta. The atmosphere was amazing and it was a great day for BMS Rowing”, said Alistair Brown, Director of Rowing at the School.

The support at 3.00pm for the BMS versus Eton race in Junior 18 VIIIs was incredible and it was a real boost for all the Bedford Modern School squads. The BMS squad consisted of Greg Edwards (Year 13), Matthew Bowman (Year 12), Thomas Sweeting (Year 11), James Powell (Year 13), William Gale (Year 12), Edward Munno (Year 11), Andy Taylor (Year 11), Robert Bell (Year 12) and cox, Alistair Redman (Year 12). “This was one of the most anticipated races of the day and this win took Bedford Modern School through to the Final. Thank you to all supporters,” added Alistair Brown.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 9 squad who competed in the U14 Octuple (L-R: Owen Thornton, Joe Bennison, James Berry, Nick Clark, Adam Dingley, Josh Webley, Henk Kroon, Connor Hayward and Gavin McWilliams (cox)

Former Bedford Modern School student, Alex Hoppenbrouwers, has successfully climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Alex reached the summit via the Machame route as opposed to the easier Marangu route.

“I landed at Kilimanjaro airport and was taken to Moshi, a small town in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. The next day, after being taken to the Machame gate at the bottom of Kilimanjaro, I started my ascent to Machame Camp. As it was the rainy season, there was torrential rain for the majority of the day but it is far less busy in the rainy season, with approximately 3% of those people who climb at high season,” said Alex.

The ascent to the first camp took six hours through the rainforest before reaching Machame Camp at 3,000m and sleeping in tents. By the end of the second day, Alex had managed to climb above the cloud level thereby no longer being affected by the rain but sacrificing an absence of rain for a considerable drop in temperatures.

On the third day, Alex began the ascent to Lava Tower at 4,600 metres before descending to the camp at Baranco which stands at 3,940 metres. It is important to ascend and then descend as this aids acclimatisation to prevent altitude sickness.

Day four saw an ascent through the alpine desert to Barafu Camp at 4,600m which was an extremely barren and cold landscape solely comprised of rocks. Later that night there were a few hours of sleep before beginning the final ascent to the summit. “When we started the ascent it was the hardest thing of all and took every ounce of strength. A colleague compared it to walking on the moon as you struggle to take every breath and your pace is terribly slow”, said Alex.

“We finally reached the summit which was a great feeling of elation at 6.50am to see the sunrise which was an awe inspiring sight. From the summit at Uhuru peak you could clearly see the whole of Mount Meru which is 45 miles away from Mount Kilimanjaro. I would highly recommend climbing Mount Kilimanjaro but certainly do not underestimate it!” added Alex.

Alex completed the climb in six days and, so far, has managed to raise approximately £1,000.00 for Help For Heroes. If you would like to assist Alex in supporting the charity please visit the JustGiving website at www.justgiving.com/alexhoppy

The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was raised by Alex himself whilst working as a waiter earlier this year which means that all funds raised will go direct to the Help For Heroes charity. Alex has been offered a place at University College London to read Pharmacology that he will take up later this year.

Photo: Former Bedford Modern School student Alex Hoppenbrouwers who successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity

Sixteen-year-old Chris Aniskowicz set a record when he scored the fastest 100 in the history of King’s School Ely cricket.

In a 1st XI home match against Kimbolton School, he scored a brilliant 129 off 43 balls, the second 50 off just 17 balls. The innings included ten sixes and 13 fours.

Chris’ record-breaking performance wasn’t quite enough to seal with match which Kimbolton won by four wickets.

King’s coach, Kevin Shaw, said: “Despite losing it was a great game to start the season and a fantastic performance by Chris who batted at number six.

“It followed a very successful pre-season tour to the Serious Cricket Centre in Basingstoke and Lord’s where the lads received video analysis from the Hawkeye technology used in Test matches.”

King’s scored 254 for 8 in 35 overs and Kimbolton 258 for 6 (33.5 overs).

Photo: King’s School Ely record-breaking batsman, Chris Aniskowicz.

King’s School Ely pupils won ten medals at the Cambridgeshire Club Athletics Championships at St Ives Outdoor Centre. It was the school’s best ever medal performance at the championships.

Star of the day was double gold medallist Joe Lines who took first place in two under-17 throws events, winning the discus final with 32m 13cm and the javelin with 35m. Fellow King’s javelin prospect, Michael Burnford, took the under-17 bronze medal with a 31m 13cm throw.

Flavia Kumar was also a double medal winner. She won gold in the under-17 triple jump with 9m 37cm and bronze in the under-17 javelin with a 20metre 68cm throw.

There were also silver medals in the under-17 100m hurdles final for Robert West who came second on 16.8 seconds and for Hugo Bryan in the under-20 110metre hurdles final coming second in 20.3 seconds.

Three of the medals were won by promising King’s Junior School athletes. Thirteen-year-old Gemma Gow, competing against older girls in under-15 events, won a silver medal in the under-15 long jump with 4metres 21 centimetres.

There was also a silver medal for Alice Harris who came second in the under-13 70m hurdles final in 14.9 seconds and India Baynes who won a bronze medal in the under-13 800 metres final in 2.49.3.

Photo:: King’s School Ely double gold medallist Joe Lines.

A theatrical performance devised and performed entirely by sixth form students has just been presented at Stonyhurst College. A level Theatre Studies students performed an adaptation of ‘The Little Matchstick Girl’ for their practical exam, for which the group also wrote and composed songs which were performed live throughout the piece.It was a highly engaging and moving performance, showcasing the students’ many and diverse talents to an appreciative audience.

Photo: Conal Mackenzie, 18, from Blackburn and Helena Bold-Davies, 17, from St Albans who has just gained a place at the National Youth Theatre.

Two local pupils emerged from a strong field to win the J14 Double Sculls event at last weekend’s Worcester Regatta.

Ben Collins and Harry Turner, who attend RGS Worcester, beat rivals from Stourport Boat Club in a pulsating final, winning by just half a length at the finishing line.

RGS had tasted earlier success with Andy Dowty and Robin Hearn dominating the J17 Double Sculls event and comfortably winning their final.

In the afternoon, Alex Brockington and Angus Wiltshire overcame all opposition to set up an all-RGS final of the Boys J16 Single Sculls; it was Brockington who ran out the winner, by a margin of one and a half lengths.
At Shrewsbury a week earlier, the same situation arose in the final of J14 sculls, where Richard Stevens beat Ben Collins in an all-RGS final.
The Boat Club’s squads are out in force this weekend at the National Schools Regatta in Nottingham, where the School is entering four VIIIs, five Coxed Fours, a Coxless Pair and a Single Scull.

Photo: The winning RGS J14 Pair, Harry Turner and Ben Collins, being presented with their trophies by Bob Pritchard, Chairman of Worcester Rowing Club.

Three Stonyhurst students have been awarded places at the National Youth Theatre. Catriona Graffius, Jordan Riley and Helena Bold-Davies are all sixth formers at Stonyhurst College, taking Theatre Studies A Level. “Competition for places with the NYT is very high,” said Stonyhurst Head of Drama, Miss Johanna Egar, “so they have done really well to get in.”
Stonyhurst has an excellent track record for getting students into the National Youth Theatre, with 12 places being awarded over the past 6 consecutive years.

Photo: left to right: Catriona Graffius, Jordan Riley and Helena Bold-Davies.

Four Stonyhurst College hockey players have been selected to play for Lancashire. Jessica Pye was selected for the U17s, Clare Lupton for the U16s, and Emily Smith and Helen Finn for the U15s.
Emily and Helen played in the Lancashire U15 1st team on Sunday 2nd May, and won the North of England County Tournament. The team scored a total of 36 goals, conceding only 3; they beat Yorkshire 7-0 in the final game and may now go forward to play the winners of the Southern County Tournament, watched by National coaches.

Photo: Jessica Pye

A year 13 pupils is quoted in the report saying, ‘…staff and pupils form a family. We can turn to almost anyone for support….this openness to people’s differences allows people to flourish in what they want to do in a comfortable and loving environment.’

All UK independent schools have a full inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate every six years. Inspections cover the full range of a school’s educational provision, and the inspectors form judgements on nine different aspects according to an objective set of criteria.

Below are some quotations from the reports.

“The College’s most distinctive feature is an outstanding, all-pervasive spirituality, which promotes reflective self-awareness and increased moral fibre, leading many pupils to relish opportunities to turn their faith into action.”

“A broad curriculum, flexibly adapted to enable pupils to achieve their full potential, makes an excellent contribution to pupils’ achievements and learning…”

“Extra-curricular success is exceptional.”

“The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent…”

“The pastoral care of the pupils and arrangements for their welfare, health and safety are excellent.”

To read the report, please follow the link: http://www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/uploads/std2904_report_stonyhurst_final_04_2010.pdf

Jonathan in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Christ College Young Musician of the Year, Jonathan Robinson, has been cast as the lead role of Count Heinrich in the forthcoming production by WNO MAX of Judith Weir’s opera The Black Spider, directed by Rhian Hutchings. Invited to audition for the role after having participated in workshops run by the WNO, Jonathan will now have the chance to perform in front of the composer in July.

Christ College’s Director of Music, Richard West, commented, “This is a very fine achievement; it will be a fantastic opportunity for Jonathan to experience authentic operatic rehearsal processes and be a part of such an exciting venture.”

The opera is a work that incorporates both horror and comedy. Count Heinrich has ordered the people in his village to move the trees nearer to his estate in order to provide a shady walk for him on a sunny day. However, this task is not easy and the villagers obviously struggle!

Following this order, a mysterious being in the form of a green man appears and offers to move the trees in exchange for a young lady from the village that he will make his wife. A young, feisty villager named Christina steps up and offers her hand but, as she is set to marry a fellow villager (Carl), she has no intention of going through with the marriage to the green man.

The green man is fully aware of her deceit and kisses her hand. The consequences include the birth of the black spider out of Christina’s hand and the villagers’ attempt to kill the spider that is causing ill health and death and the demise of the village.

Christ College pupils welcome home 2RW
Christ College pupils were part of a sizeable gathering that welcomed home soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment on Saturday 1st May which marked A Company 2nd Battalion’s official return from Afghanistan.

Following a church service in the morning, the soldiers marched through Brecon at midday, led by The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh.

The Lord Lieutenant of Powys and a governor of Christ College, Shan Legge-Bourke, presented operational medals and accepted the honorary citizenship of the town on behalf of the Royal Welsh from Lord Mayor of Brecon, Councillor Ieuan Williams.

Brigadier Russ Wardle, head of the Army in Wales, said the Army had a “proud heritage” in Brecon.

He said: “The Royal Welsh, in its previous guises, has been proud to be honoured with the freedom of Brecon and are delighted to be granted this privilege once again.

“Brecon has a significant link to the Army, not only in an historical context over the course of the last century, but as a training ground for the modern-day soldier, and as the headquarters of the Army in Wales.”

Christ College pupil Josceline Beaumont is being tipped for the top in the sport of shooting, and is setting her sights on Commonwealth Games glory in 2014.

Josceline has been fast-tracked as a future British Olympian after being hand-picked to join the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative. Josceline will receive a cash injection of £1000 towards training and competing after being selected as one of only 270 youngsters from across the UK.

Josceline attended the Cardiff launch of the initiative at the Welsh Institute of Sport earlier this month where she received a masterclass from former British Olympians Iwan Thomas and Leon Taylor.

Josceline said: “Last year I shot for Great Britain twice, against South Africa and Germany, and I am hoping to represent Great Britain again this year. If I do, it would be great to have some success against the best shooters around.”

She added: “Initially I’m looking at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as being a major possibility for me.”

The funding from the Local Heroes Initiative will help Josceline with equipment costs, accommodation and travel and is designed to ensure that more talent reaches the top whilst easing the financial burden placed on parents.

Iwan Thomas, one of Wales’ most recognisable sporting personalities said:”The funding from Lloyds TSB will be a great boost for athletes like Josceline and it will hopefully help them to achieve their true potential.”

The Lloyds TSB initiative in partnership with SportsAid provides support and funding to Great Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond.

More than 200 past and present pupils, current and former staff members, parents and governors attended a weekend of celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Staines Prep.

They shared memories and paid tribute to the school at festivities that began on Friday 7th May with a picnic on the lawn, highlighted by a balloon release.

The main event, an ‘open house’ on Saturday 8th, began with a delicious buffet luncheon prepared by Chartwells and followed with a welcoming address from Chairman of Governors Mike Bannister and Headmaster Peter Roberts.

Guests were later invited to tour the school while enjoying this rare opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues. An impressive display of photographs and memorabilia spanning the 75 years brought back many fond memories.

Among the guests was the much-respected, former Headmaster Peter Monger who flew in from Canada to attend the event. Mr Monger began his career as a teacher at the school in 1972. He served as headmaster from 1988 to 1998 before returning to teaching until his retirement in 2002.

Headmaster Peter Roberts, said: “It was wonderful to see so many generations of the Staines Prep family gathering together to share their stories. It was clear everyone had a great affection for the school and it was good for them to see how things have continued to develop since they were last here.”

Staines Preparatory School was founded in 1935 by Mr Burges and Miss Hanson, who later married. Miss Hanson was a well respected local figure and County Councillor for many years.

The scheduled opening of the school was delayed for two days, until Wednesday 8th May 1935, because Miss Hanson received a special invitation to attend the 6th May Silver Jubilee of King George V.

Originally Staines Prep was a boys’ school. When it opened there were just eleven pupils. It started to accept girls during World War II. It is now the longest-standing, co-educational, independent school in the area.

In 1987 Mrs Burges set up the Staines Preparatory School Trust to secure the school’s future. Today Staines Prep sees high numbers of grammar school entries and has a strong sporting tradition.

Lottie Van-Praag, Year 10, and Sophie Coombes-Roberts, Year 11, represented Wales in the Women’s U19 Lacrosse Home International Championship at Cardiff University in March. The girls both played extremely well, resulting in their selection to play for the Wales Senior Women’s B Team at the Home Internationals in Edinburgh on the 17th and 18th April. Sophie scored twice against England and they both achieved hat-tricks against Ireland. Lottie won 80% of the centre draws in both matches. The girls were the youngest ever to represent Wales in a Senior International game.

Head of Sports, Mrs Karen Bevan, said, ‘Both Sophie and Lottie have exceeded all expectations in their first full season competing at this very high level. We are very proud of their achievements so far and look forward to following and supporting their progress in the future’.

In one of the highlights of their sporting year, RGS Worcester defeated five schools, including Eton College, in a major fixture at Nunnery Wood athletics complex.

Throughout a seesaw competition, RGS and Eton dominated proceedings during the afternoon. Eton secured strong wins in the 200m, 400m and long jump. But RGS took seven events in total and proved irresistible in winning all but one of the field events. This included a double for Adam Damadzic in the shot and discus, which was capped by a throw of over 50 metres in the discus.

Toby Wilkinson kept up the RGS momentum in the javelin with a superb throw of 50.65 metres, Steve Ndumbe won the triple jump with an impressive 13.74 metres and Laurie Greenway took the high jump. The RGS relay rounded things off with victory in the 4 x100m, which saw them, home 290 points to 268.

“It’s always daunting to face Eton. With over 1,300 boys they are almost double our size and we know that competition throughout all the events will be extremely tough, “ said the RGS Head of Athletics Mike Ridout. “This was a real team effort, with some excellent performances and I’m tremendously proud of the whole team.”

During the same afternoon, the RGS girl’s teams swept the board in the U15, U17 and Senior competitions, beating schools from Cheltenham, Malvern and Solihull in the process.

Photo: Laurie Greenway from RGS Worcester wins the high jump.

Giving blood is one of the most worthwhile things we can do, and one Year 13 student from Trent College in Long Eaton has made it her goal to get as many of her teachers and peers involved in blood donation as possible.

Katie Schwarz, 18, who is coming to the end of her A Level studies at the School, organised a ‘blood bus’ from the National Blood Service to come into Trent College on Wednesday 12th May. She was encouraged to take up the challenge following an inspiring talk during a PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) lesson. Keith Sudbury came in to talk to students about his son Adrian, who died of Leukaemia last year. Adrian, a talented journalist, was famous for setting up ‘Baldy’s Blog’, through which he shared his experiences during his illness, and which has now been turned into a book. He also wanted to educate the public about bone marrow donation, even taking his campaign to Downing Street.
Katie says: ‘Mr Sudbury told us that when his son was dying, his last wish was to try and encourage as many young people as possible to donate blood and bone marrow. After the lecture, lots of people were really interested but due to our busy lifestyle at school, many people would probably not have the time to find somewhere to go and donate. Head of Sixth Form, Miss Matthews, mentioned that there are mobile buses that visit different places so I thought it would be really great if we could get one to come into School.’
It was no mean feat; Katie had to liaise with the National Blood Service, complete health and safety assessments, ensure that appropriate facilities were in place and gain enough interest for the bus to visit the School. ‘I’m really pleased that we had such a great response; everyone has been very enthusiastic and supportive about this cause. I already give blood whenever I can and it’s something I feel quite strongly about. I realise the importance of it as my Granddad had Leukaemia, and I know it requires many blood transfusions. Apart from encouraging as many people as possible to give blood now and in the future, an important outcome of the day will be making younger students aware of what is happening, so they might consider giving blood when they are old enough.’

Cadets with the Royal Artillery
 
Last week, forty of Christ College’s CCF cadets witnessed at first hand the firepower of the Royal Artillery.

The SSI of the Christ College CCF, WO1 Bill Dowling MBE, recently received a visit from Captain Rick Groves of 137 (Java) Battery of 40 Regt Royal Artillery. During their meeting, Captain Groves invited the Christ College CCF to visit the Sennybridge Training Area (SENTA) and to join the Royal Artillery at their gun positions and to witness a ‘live firing’ excercise.

The CO of 40 Regt kindly sanctioned the event and forty CCF cadets from Form 3 were taken to the batteries positions on SENTA. Once on the gun line, the cadets were spilt into 4 groups, taking it in turns to stand by the 105mm light guns whilst they were firing. They also visited the command post controlling the gun fire.

WO1 Dowling said: “We are grateful to the Royal Artillery for giving our cadets a chance to witness this demonstration of fire power.”

Congratulations to Elizabeth Lewis (Year 13) and Jodie Coates (Year 10) who successfully auditioned in Birmingham during the Easter holidays for the National Youth Theatre. Over 4000 students competed for places in 34 audition centres throughout the UK. Jodie and Elizabeth performed a workshop based audition as well as an individual audition.
They will both be heading off this summer for two weeks in London, where they will take part in the highly prestigious National Youth Theatre acting course. During that time, up to thirty young people on each course improvise, devise and perform under the guidance of a professional director and specialist tutors, developing an understanding of performance and learning skills and disciplines which will serve them in the future. The courses culminate in a performance which is presented to other course members.Having completed the course, as National Youth Theatre members, the girls will be invited to audition for National Youth Theatre productions in subsequent years until they reach the upper age limit.

Founded in 1956, by Michael Croft, National Youth Theatre is described as ‘Europe’s foremost youth theatre’ and has gained a reputation for excellence and dynamism.
The girls will be joining an impressive list of former National Youth Theatre members which includes many well-established names in British theatre, film and television. Alumni include Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Derek Jacobi, Kate Adie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Ben Kingsley, and more recently, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Catherine Tate and Orlando Bloom.

Mrs Fisher, Head of Drama, said, ‘The auditions were nerve racking for both girls, with a four hour drama workshop in the morning, followed by performance of an audition piece to one of the workshop directors in the afternoon. This is an exceptional achievement’.

Well done to both drama students.

A Derbyshire pupil is following in the footsteps of some of the most renowned fencers from the past 20 years after winning a prestigious regional prize.

James Proudfoot, head boy at Mount St Mary’s College, fought off stiff competition to take home the winner’s shield in the Lancashire Schools Boys’ Under 20 Foil.

James, who won gold in the Senior Students Fencing competition at Stonyhurst school in Lancashire last term, adds his name to a list of illustrious previous winners of the shield who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the sport.

Fellow pupil 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.

Pupils at Mount St Mary’s have enthusiastically embraced fencing, and the performances in Lancashire are the latest in a series of impressive displays from school representatives.

Nina Zimmerman produced a spirited display against high calibre opposition including several national fencers in the Girls’ Under 16 Foil at the recent British Youth Fencing Championships.

Nina, a year 10 pupil at the Mount, qualified for the competition after fighting her way to a bronze in the Girls Under 16 Foil at the Yorkshire Youth Championships in March.
Mount St Mary’s coach Adam Blight, who has experience of coaching nine British fencing champions, said: “Congratulations to James for an excellent display of fencing. Many esteemed fencers have won the shield in the past, and hopefully James can use this success as a springboard to take his fencing to the next level.

“Our pupils have secured some outstanding results recently. They have all displayed an exemplary coolness and professionalism in competition which will continue to serve them well in the future.”

Photo: Lancashire Schools Boys’ Under 20 Foil winner James Proudfoot

Babies and toddlers had a fun-packed morning at Howell’s School, Llandaff, on Tuesday 11th May as Stay and Play celebrated its first birthday. Mums and grandparents enjoyed coffee and celebration cakes as their little ones played in the stimulating, bright and fun-filled environment.
They made party hats, sang songs and danced together to celebrate being part of a very successful venture. The children were delighted to take home a balloon at the end of the celebrations and the adults were full of praise for this group that meets weekly on a Tuesday in term time at the school from 10.45 – 11.15am.

Howell’s School is 150 years old this year but far from being rooted in a bygone age, its range of activities is constantly changing to meet the needs of the present day. One of its main aims is to serve the needs of the local community and the school frequently opens its doors to children from other schools and to other groups which can benefit from its facilities. If you would like to sample the activities available at Stay and Play, do come for a taster session.

Six Strathallan pupils enjoyed a successful tournament at the annual Glenalmond Mixed Doubles Tournament winning the overall trophy.

Ruairidh Watson and Lea Gill won all matches in their group and the Group A Trophy while Christian Kolb and Anastasiya Veretennikova won the Group B Trophy.

Strathallan Tennis Academy Coach Tommy Ogilvie said “I am delighted with the result. The team have a really positive attitude and have worked hard this year to produce this result.”

Photo: winning team

Drama students from Caterham School performed at the 2010 Leatherhead Drama Festival in May and were delighted to collect the Richard Houghton Award for Outstanding Contribution. The award, which was for the opening sequence; the visual effect, movement and make-up, was presented to the Sixth Form students by Sir Michael Caine CBE at the Awards night on Saturday 15th May.

The play that they performed was “Silent Scream” which was written and devised by the students for their A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies coursework. They were naturally delighted that their work was also nominated for the “New Writing” Award.

The students who performed were Rebecca Ward, Hannah Spence, Anjali Bhat, Emma O’Brien and Imogen Ware.

The Leatherhead Drama Festival is the largest of its kind in the UK and takes place at Leatherhead Theatre over two weeks with three different groups performing each night.

Head of Drama at Caterham, Lisa McMullin said, “I am absolutely delighted with the students’ achievement. This is the second year running that this group of students has returned from the festival with an award and all credit goes to them for their commitment and creativity in producing a piece of innovative theatre.”

After much deliberation, Harry Nickless from Springmead School and Mollie Fresle-McLaren from Norman Court Preparatory School were awarded the titles ‘Young Writer of the Year’. William Mallard from Chapmanslade Primary and Madeleine Meyjes from Prior Park College were runners up. The Best School Awards went to Corsham Primary School and St Francis School for overall success.

Book tokens, certificates and trophies were presented to winners and runners up at the Awards Ceremony held at Prior Park College on 4th May.

This year’s theme was ‘Peace’ and entries were judged by Prior Park’s Head of English, Nigel Tattersfield.

Headteacher, James Murphy O’Connor, who presented the awards, comments:

“Choosing the winners was a tough decision as we were inundated with inspiring pieces of writing. Well done to all who entered and warmest congratulations to the winners. Next year’s event is set to be just as hotly contested, with the word ‘Time’ as the theme.”

Contact us at Prior Park College on 01225 831000 or info@priorpark.co.uk. To find out more about the College, visit www.priorparkschools.co.uk.

Photo: Corsham Primary School with trophy

RGS crews in action at Evesham Regatta – first ever wins for Rachel and Grace

Fourteen boats from all age-groups raced at Evesham Regatta last Saturday, and RGS Worcester came away with two wins and several other encouraging performances. Twenty more boats would have raced on the Sunday as well, but heavy overnight rain caused the Sprint regatta to be cancelled.
The Senior RGS Girls raced well in Coxed Fours; the more experienced boat competed in WJ18 Fours, losing out narrowly to a Pangbourne College Four in a hard-fought final. The younger crew (Lucy Sidwell, Michaela Belham, Julia Davies, Rachel Turner, coxed by Grace Jones) raced in an adult category, beating two club crews to take the trophy. This was a first ever win for Rachel and Grace.
The RGS Senior Girls eight also won their event in fine style. The winning crew was Lucy Sidwell, Michaela Belham, Catherine Field, Rachel Turner, Ros Goldrick, Sophie Stevens, Julia Davies, Patsi Walton and cox Luke Thomas.
The Boys’ J15s raced in two different VIIIs categories; in the adult Novice event they were inevitably a little out of their depth, but against their counterparts from Cheltenham College they competed strongly, only to miss out in the final stages.
The Senior Boys also had to contend with strong Pangbourne crews: the Coxed Four lost a straight final, whilst the VIII produced a powerful performance in the Semi-final to beat Monmouth School by several lengths, only to succumb to Pangbourne’s top boat in the final.

Photo; The winning RGS Coxed Fours – Lucy Sidwell, Michaela Belham, Julia Davies, Rachel Turner, coxed by Grace Jones.

King’s hotly contested annual Fen Brainage competition was won today (25 March) by a team representing Osmond House.

Each of the school’s houses fielded a team of five to answer general knowledge questions in the style of BBC TV’s University Challenge.

Osmond’s winning team was Ollie Kenzie, Oliver Moses, Eliot Koopowitz, David Scott and Liam German.

An individual competition in the style of TV’s Mastermind was won by Oliver Hill, a 16-year-old Year 11 pupil, who won the Clark Rooney Cup.

Photo: Winners of Fen Brainage, from left, Liam German, Oliver Moses, David Scott, Eliot Koopowitz and Osmond team captain Ollie Kenzie.

School pupils these days usually receive their hard-won certificates shortly after winning them, but on 12th May at Howell’s School, Llandaff, a group of ex-pupils returned to receive those gained either by themselves or by family members who were at school back in the 1930s and 1940s. While organising the archives, Mrs Janet Sully, the school’s archivist, and Mrs Maggie Fletcher, the Deputy Chairman of the Governors, found a pile of certificates in an envelope which had never found their way to those named on them. Mrs Sully said, “We thought it would be a nice idea to try to find the owners and to invite them to school for a little ceremony, especially in this year of our 150th anniversary celebrations.”

Detective work led to the addresses of some 75 of the certificate winners being found. The majority now live outside the area but those living locally were contacted. The certificates presented included Higher School Certificates, School Certificates, Life-Saving awards and even a Greek dancing certificate! The oldest to accept the invitation was 89-year-old Mrs Joyce Chapman. As well as receiving their certificates, the guests enjoyed tea and refreshments while reminiscing about old times.

Names of people on photo:
(Left to right)
Top: Mrs Barbara Jones, Mrs Heulwen Ashcroft, Mrs Karen Fullerton
Bottom: Mrs Joyce Chapman, Mrs Judith Horning, Mrs Iris Jones

One of the world’s most highly acclaimed choirs gave a concert at Stonyhurst College. London’s Westminster Cathedral Choir made its second visit to the Ribble Valley College and sang to a capacity audience drawn from all over the North West in Stonyhurst’s St Peter’s Church.
The programme began with choral music for Lent, then Easter, and finished with music for St George, including music by Palestrina, Taverner, the contemporary composer James MacMillan and Elgar’s Give unto the Lord. The conductor was Martin Baker and the organist was Edward Tambling.
Before the concert, the choristers, aged between 7 and 12, had a wonderful time exploring the banks of the River Hodder, playing tennis and filling their lungs with fresh Lancashire air!

Photo: The Westminster Cathedral Choir in full voice at Stonyhurst.

Barrow Hills’ pupil, Molly Howard has recently achieved exceptional success with her ballet. Molly, who has been dancing since the age of four at Barrow Hills has just competed at the Ealing Festival where she won not only the ballet solo but also the duet and the duet trophy. At the end of the festival Molly was invited to take part in the prestigious Stella Mason Memorial Award. This is presented to the best dancer across all the categories, including, ballet, tap, modern and jazz and it is a tribute to her tremendous talent that Molly was the proud recipient of this award.
From this, all in the same week, she went on to the Aldershot Festival where she came second in the duet and again won the solo. Not only did she win, but she was awarded the highest mark for all the ballet solos. This achievement means that Molly now goes forward to the regional finals of the All England which will take place next year. At only 10 years old she really is a star in the making!
Ballet teacher, Anna Holford said, “Barrow Hills places a strong emphasis on the performing arts and we are delighted to see Molly doing so well. She really is an inspiration to all the pupils and we are all very proud of her.”

On Wednesday 12th May, Year 4 pupils from Staines Prep visited the Verulamium Museum at St Albans as part of their History topic, ‘Invaders and Settlers’.

Verulamium was reportedly one of the largest towns in Roman Britain. The museum houses an interesting array of Roman finds excavated from the site, including some magnificent mosaics.

When they arrived at St Albans, pupils and teachers headed for the mosaic house to view the hypocaust, originally an under-floor heating space. The children enjoyed exploring the museum and completed their treasure hunt worksheets enthusiastically.

They had an opportunity to get close to artefacts during a handling session led by one of the museum’s curators. During this session the children examined items from Roman homes, including building materials, fragments of mosaics and pottery, as well as some more unusual objects such as ear scoops.

The Headmaster, Peter Roberts, said: “The school is proud of its regular programme of trips and visits designed to complement the curriculum. It reinforces what is learnt in the classroom in a fun and informative way.”

Photo l to r: Zulfiquar Lodhi (9), Megan Graham (8), Sam Hase (9) and Aviraj Riar (9) discovering first hand the intricate detail of Roman mosaics.

On Thursday 29 April Caterham School Kit Car Club released the Caterham Seven that they had built over the past 18 months and took delivery of another collection of parts that will become the next car.

The Kit Car Club is one of over thirty five clubs and societies that Caterham School offer as part of their co-curricular activities.

The Caterham Seven is supplied by Caterham Cars. The Seven is the original British lightweight sports car which was created by Colin Chapman as the Lotus 7 in 1957. Caterham Cars has been selling the Seven since the late 1950’s and in 1973 purchased the rights to manufacture the car. One of the ways in which the car is sold to enthusiasts is in kit form so that they can assemble it themselves. The car built by Caterham School pupils will be checked for road worthiness and then sold by Caterham Cars.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ‘‘Whilst Caterham School has a reputation for high academic standards, we take the concept of all round education very seriously. The funding for the first car was provided by the Parents’ Association, which enabled us to add the Kit Car Club to our wide range of clubs and societies. Co-curricular activity is an integral part of our programme of enrichment which develops the potential of each and every pupil thereby helping to prepare them for their life at university and beyond.’’

PHOTO: New kit car being unloaded with the Caterham 7 that has been built.

A highly respected karate coach has created a little piece of history with a 100% yellow belt pass rate at a local school.

In all,16 pupils from RGS Springfield, based at Britannia Square in Worcester, passed their yellow belt karate test with flying colours. This is only the second time to have happened during the long career of karate coach Tony Johnson. One pupil, Jasmine Randle, has progressed so well she achieved a double-grading and passed the orange belt test!

“Their 100% pass rate is extremely rare – in fact only twice in the 30 years that I’ve taught karate,” said Tony Johnson, who is a Karate Sixth Dan Grand Master (6th Dan Kong Sudo, 6th Dan Ko Am and UK Instructor).

“I have to say a huge well done to the children at Springfield. They all have the ability to go right through to becoming black belts, which says a great deal about their application. They are a pleasure to teach and I look forward to every session. In fact, their learning rate is so fast that I may have to re-think my syllabus!”

The ages of the children ranges from 6-11 and they all started with no karate experience whatsoever. The club runs as an after school activity and was introduced by the school to give pupils a taster of some of the less well-known sports.

“I love doing Karate with Master Johnson because he makes it so much fun” says Niamh Colclough.

“When I got my Yellow belt I was very excited and wanted to learn more” says Tessa Wareing.

“Karate is a fun sport, especially when you get up to a higher level” says Kezia Jordan.

Six schools from across Gloucestershire took part in the Engineering Development Trust’s ‘First Edition’ Science Challenge at the CLC Sports Centre on the morning of Thursday 13 May. First Edition is part of the Widening Participation programme which aims to encourage pupils who will be ‘first in family’, to consider higher education and courses and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Ro Kaye, Community Links Co-ordinator and Physics Teacher at Cheltenham Ladies’ College arranged the morning of activities in conjunction with Engineering Development Trust’s First Edition Days. 105 Year 7 students participated in a series of hands-on activities which encouraged aspiration, creativity and innovation. Boys and girls developed team building, problem solving and communication skills by working in teams of five or six. They undertook two challenges involving wind powered cars and rockets which developed their designing, building and experimenting skills. The pupils were also introduced to the wide choice of careers available to engineering graduates and discussed the different aspects of an Engineer’s job. At the end of the day everyone was presented with certificates.

Ro Kaye said, “This was a wonderful opportunity for boys and girls from a range of schools to work together to provide a fun hands-on programme where they gained insights into Science and Engineering. I am confident that events such as this really help them consider future careers in science and engineering. ”

Schools who attended: The Archway School, Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Christ College, Cirencester Deer Park School and Winchcombe School

Photo: Back (l-r) Wesley Kaine and Cara Ainsley-Bridger, Cirencester Deer Park School. Middle (l-r) Chloe Burton-Tranter, Amy Rees and John Galpin, Winchcombe School. Front (l-r) Lucy Stephenson, Cirencester Deer Park School, Lily Stapleton, Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Conor Towle, Winchcombe School

Bedford Modern School Year 10 student, Raeshan Downer, has been selected as a member of the England Handball Association’s National Youth Squad’s programme. Raeshan will be involved in a preparation camp on 5th June in Warrington in readiness for the Olympic Solidarity Training Camp and Partille Cup, taking place in Sweden from Sunday 27th June until Monday 12th July.

The Partille Cup is the World’s largest Youth Handball Tournament. Preparation camps also allow members of the England National Youth Squad to train with other young players from as far away as China and Brazil.

“Handball is a mixture of four different sports including hockey, basketball, football and rugby. It is played on a court either indoors or outdoors. The hockey element is with the goal, the basketball element is in the dribbling, rugby brings the contact aspect and football brings the skill to the game,” said Raeshan.

Raeshan trains with the Bedford Hawks every Saturday morning and at Cranfield University on Sunday mornings. “Games last an hour and are split into two half-hour segments. At student level, matches are usually played over 25 minutes each way. A handball team consists of seven players; six outfield and one goalkeeper. Teams pass a ball to throw it into the goal of their opponent’s team. I really like the speed and adrenaline rush that comes from taking part in each handball game,” added Raeshan.

Patrick Jerram, Director of Sport at Bedford Modern School said, “Representing your country is a great honour and I am delighted for Raeshan. Whilst handball is not one of our bigger team sports in this country, it is very popular around the world and hopefully Raeshan will get the opportunity to compete on this international stage.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 10 student Raeshan Downer

Choral music and croissants made a fine start to the May bank holiday at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire and a large audience gathered for an 8am start in the ‘Top Ref.’ Schola Cantorum sang a varied programme, which included Benedictus from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man Mass, Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine, concluding with a very lively version of Hail Holy Queen from the film Sister Act!

Photo: Yoann Belon (16, from Isle of Wight) conducts Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine.

St Edmund’s College, England’s oldest Catholic School, held its Senior Prize Giving evening on Thursday 29 April 2010, where the Guest of Honour was His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ Matthew Festing, The Prince and Grand Master, Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta.

The evening began with an address by the Chairman of Governors, Mr Jeremy Gillham, followed by a wonderful music recital by the College’s Music School. Chris Long, Headmaster then gave his Report, in which he outlined some of the numerous achievements made by the students over the past year and despite the difficult economic and political climate, he shared his optimistic vision for the year ahead.

It was then onto the serious business of presenting over 150 prizes to students from Syntax to Rhetoric (Years 10-13), for Academic, Music and Sporting achievements. These included the coveted ‘Headmaster‘s Cup for Progress’ which was awarded to Dominic Muncaster; the ‘Governors Plate for Academic Endeavour’ which went to Kittinun Phatpanichot the ‘Royal Society of St George Award’, which was awarded to Charlotte Watts (for personal achievement) and to Marta Wesierska (for overcoming adversity); the ‘Patrick Cullinan Salver for Contribution to Sport’ which was awarded to Aliabbas Azim-Naqvi; and the’ DJK Walters International Prize’ that went to Marta Wesierska.

Chris Long, Headmaster commented: “It was a wonderful, positive and uplifting evening for both our students and parents and we were extremely privileged to have Fra’ Matthew Festing as our Guest of Honour. Our students were extremely interested to hear about The Order of St John of Jerusalem – the oldest charitable institution of Western and Christian civilisation and its commitment to serving the poor and the sick across the world.“

The U14 Rugby team enjoyed a very successful Easter tour to Italy, staying at Lido di Jesolo, near Venice. Training sessions on the beach paid off as they won 3 of their 4 games.
The tour also included cultural visits to Venice, the chance to watch some professional rugby at a match between Treviso and Viadana and a trip to the Gardaland theme park. Everyone enjoyed the excellent hospitality of the Italian rugby clubs and huge thanks go to Mr Thomas and Mr McGinnis for organising the tour, and to Mr Ansell for acting as translator!

Results:
Stonyhurst vs Montebelluna RFC- won 17-14
Stonyhurst vs Valdobbiadane RFC- won 26-10
Stonyhurst vs Piave RFC- lost 12-21
Stonyhurst vs Paese RFC- won 38-14

Photo: The Stonyhurst and Valdobbiadane teams

Marist Year 7 Students become published authors!

Twelve Year 7 students at the Marist Senior School, Sunninghill have had their stories selected for publication following success in the latest Young Writers’ creative writing competition, Mini Sagas.

Students were challenged to write a fifty word story that would either be thrilling, thought-provoking or amusing.

A copy of the book, Mini Marvels, published by Forward Press, will be kept at the British Library and further libraries across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, providing a lasting record of their achievement.

The editorial team selected the stories for publication based on “imagination, perception, expression and creative use of language.” Twelve Marist Senior School students were selected for the book, and Miss Spoors English teacher at the Marist school is delighted with the girls success, “We have a strong year of creative writers in Year 7 and it is very exciting for them to have their stories published at the ages of 11 and 12. Fingers crossed we may in due course have the overall winner amongst our girls!”

Winners, Olivia Johnson, Melissa Fry, Olivia Smith, Catriona Wood, Rumneeq Dhaliwal, Amy Ghandi, Charlotte Phillips, Olivia Coleman, Roberta Cipolletta, Elika Bedroud, Ruth Weaver and Alice Karsten (front to back in photograph) are looking forward to the next stage of the judging process, where the editorial team will award a £1,000 prize for ‘the best story’ once the book has been published later this summer.

Photo: (front to back in photograph) Olivia Johnson, Melissa Fry, Olivia Smith, Catriona Wood, Rumneeq Dhaliwal, Amy Ghandi, Charlotte Phillips, Olivia Coleman, Roberta Cipolletta, Elika Bedroud, Ruth Weaver and Alice Karsten.

Last week children in Years 3, 4 and 8 at Farlington School performed in an impressive operatic production of Prince Caspian by CS Lewis, commissioned by Opera Brava. What made this such an extraordinary event was the fact that until one week before, none of the participants had seen a script or heard any music – they literally started from scratch on Monday morning. With rehearsals all day, every day during that week (with time out to make masks and costumes), it was full-steam ahead to learn script, songs and choreography under the expert tuition of the Opera Brava team, ably aided by members of the Prep School Staff and the Maintenance team.

The final performance was staged on Friday afternoon, during which members of the audience were immediately set to work to learn a song so that they could be part of King Miraz’s nasty army. Three Opera Brava artists took the parts of the Narrator (Amanda Buckland), King Miraz (Daniel Meades), and Aslan (Geoffrey Moses) and the performance started with Peter (Amy Rowlinson), Susan (Amy Milne), Edmund (Abbey Marsden) and Lucy (Olivia Middleton) on the train on the way back to school. The train was evoked very strongly with the whole company spreading into the audience down the aisles singing “Chugga Chugga WooWoo”.

What was so impressive was the way all the girls coped with the variety of songs and techniques. Many girls had solo lines to sing, and their confidence and ability was quite remarkable.

Opera Brava is to be congratulated for its obvious dedication, talent, organisation, professionalism and enthusiasm which resulted in such a wonderful experience on the Friday. The production was also very rewarding in that it provided girls from the Prep School and Senior School with a unique opportunity to work together and get to know each other until, by the end of the week, the whole company was working as a team.

For many of the girls this was their first taste of opera and they are extremely lucky to have had such an amazing opportunity to work with such professionals. It is a memory that they will cherish for many years to come.

Ultimately experience tells us that children who are happy at school learn better and face the future with optimism and, for parents, their children’s happiness plays a large part in their own.

We believe too that the challenges of the next 50 years will demand the best of us and that C. S. Lewis’s phrase; “while science may lead us to truth only the imagination can lead us to meaning”, is an important insight.
So…at Hurst Lodge we seek to inspire curiosity and imagination and encourage our children to experience a rich cultural life, encompassing creative and performance arts, science and citizenship, developing leadership and teamwork skills and instilling in them a joy of education which we hope will be sustained throughout their lives.

We also believe in the importance of underpinning this by making the connection between ourselves and the natural world real. This is why the Hurst Lodge community of staff and pupils will together embark on a journey of exploration by undertaking a programme of integrating the school’s operations into the learning experience.

We will be collaborating in this with the award-winning Eden Project in Cornwall, with whom we will be implementing a carbon and waste reduction programme with special emphasis on reducing and replacing our reliance on fossil fuels and looking at alternative technologies and managing these ourselves. We also intend to trial growing some of our own food and establishing a smallholding, to give our young people a greater understanding of the things so many take for granted. The children have already placed some fertile chicken eggs in an incubator and during the 21 days incubation process the chicken house will be constructed. Bee hives have been ordered and the bees are ready and waiting to occupy their new homes.

We are holding our first ever Saturday Open Day on June 12th from 10.30 to 14.30.

www.hurstlodge.co.uk

Thirteen-year-old King’s School Ely pupil Zach Binge has been selected by the Independent Schools Football Association to attend an ISFA under-14 development camp at Bradfield School in July.

His selection follows an outstanding performance at an ISFA development camp at Repton during the Easter holidays when 42 under-14 players from independent schools all over the country were selected to play matches against Football League clubs.

Zach was goalkeeper in a match against Derby County development squad players and put up an impressive performance which helped the ISFA team to a 5-2 victory.

*Two King’s sixth formers, Sam Hulme and Jacob O’Connor, were among 21 ‘young leaders’ from eight different schools who attended the first ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp held at St Bede’s School in Sussex. They attended sessions on 5-11 coaching, refereeing and organisation with tutors provided by the Football Association.

Top shoe designer Rupert Sanderson returned to Ely as guest of honour at the King’s School’s Senior School prizegiving in Ely Cathedral on Saturday 8 May.
He was a pupil at King’s for ten years, leaving in 1985 to study geography at Royal Holloway, London University. He told the audience of parents and pupils that his first love had always been art and he had been delighted to see the school’s newly opened £3.5m arts complex.
After graduating he carved out a successful career in advertising but as the 1990s wound down he decided to drop out of the rat race and enrolled himself in the shoemaking course at London’s Cordwainer’s College. He went on to work in Italy and in 2001 founded his own brand and now has shops in London, Hong Kong and Paris as well as a factory in Italy.
His shoes are now the footwear of choice of film stars, fashionistas and celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Lily Allen, Cheryl Cole and Samantha Cameron.
His stellar position in the fashion firmament was confirmed in 2008 when he was named British Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, invited to design shoes for Karl Lagerfeld’s 2009 autumn collection and most recently shod the cast of Aida at the Royal Opera House.
Welcoming him, the Chairman of Governors, Richard Slogrove, who is also an Old Elean, said the school roll was a record 980 pupils and 160 in the sixth form was an all-time high.
The Head of King’s, Sue Freestone, augmented her speech with contributions from the Heads of School, Claire Martin and Matthew Ixer. One of the Deputy Heads of School, Oliver Kenzie, gave a vote of thanks to Rupert Sanderson.

Photo: Rupert Sanderson with Heads of School Claire Martin and Matthew Ixer

A Worcester school’s Young Enterprise team, with their unique Aromatherapy Fan, has been judged ‘Best Overall Company’ at the county finals and will now represent Hereford & Worcestershire at the West Midlands Regional Finals in June.

Led by 17 year-old Managing Director, Becky Walker, their company is called Inspired and is made up of students from the sixth form at RGS Worcester.

Following a brainstorming session last September, they discarded ideas such as a Dayglo Keyhole Illuminator (because it would help burglars as much as home-owners) and brightly coloured kettles (possibility of electrocution), and devised a neat product to fill a gap in the aromatherapy market.

Their product allows you to place aromatherapy oils into the unit, which distributes calming vapours via a super-quiet fan. Several have been sold to the public and Inspired now has three units on trial at a Worcester shop.

They won the award for Best Product due to their innovative idea and the fact that they had manufactured it from scratch, which included vacuum forming, laser cutting and electronic assembly.

“None of us had any DT skills, so it has been an incredible learning process for us all,” said MD Becky Walker. “In addition to this technical aspect, Young Enterprise has taught me the value of working to the strengths of each team member. I’ve also found out that I have less patience than I previously thought! I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to test themselves in learning new skills.”

Photo: Charles London, Becky Walker, Ritesh Patel, Katie Stephens and Stewart Smith

On Friday 30 April, Caterham School held a celebration dinner which was attended by 120 students, teachers and parents.

The ‘black tie’ dinner was held to celebrate an excellent year of sport and the guest speaker was Holly McGarvie who is one of the world’s leading lacrosse players and winner of a World Cup Gold Medal with the USA team in 2009. Holly is coaching in the in the UK at the moment.

The two other speakers were students Ben Lewis and Loulou Rowlands.

Awards were given to Chris Kendell (rugby player of the season), James Hutchings (hockey player of the season), Joe McLaren (clubman of the year), Michela Scarpa (netball player of the season), Hannah Wright (Anne Collins Lacrosse Trophy), Loulou Rowlands (club woman of the year)

Director of Sport Rob Clarke said: ‘It was thrilling for all of us to hear a speech by one of the world’s top sportswomen. She is a fantastic role model for all our sports players having been to Princeton University and being voted the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2006 and then the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2009. No one could fail to be impressed by her consistency and commitment. I am sure that she will have inspired all of those attending.’

PHOTO: Sophie Colman, Hannah Wright, Loulou Rowlands and Holly McGarvie

To celebrate our 150th Anniversary we’re having a Grand Reunion Picnic on Saturday 19 June between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Former and current pupils, staff and governors are warmly invited to attend. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic and join friends from their old year groups. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available in the Marquee during the day. A short service will be held in the School Chapel at the end of the day for those who wish to attend. If you would like to come please ring Maggi Shellard on 01235 524658 or email office@olab.org.uk We’d love to see you.

Talented student, actor and singer, Alex, joined Bedford Modern School in Year 12 and has had lead roles in the School’s recent productions of West Side Story and Blood Wedding. Alex, who has nine GCSE’s is studying Theatre Studies, English Literature and History A Levels. “Without a doubt, the Theatre Studies course at Bedford Modern School has improved my performing and I have received tremendous support from the School’s Faculty of Performing Arts. The Theatre Studies course has provided me with more discipline and understanding of what is required by the professional world of actors,” said Alex.

Obtaining a place at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts came about by accident for Alex. “I had auditioned for the Old Vic and several other major U.K. Drama Schools, and after speaking to my grandmother, she gave me the website address for The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. In some ways, being offered a place at The New York Conservatory will be like going home again, as I was born in America,” added Alex.

The New York Conservatory accepts foreign students into its programme providing they can prove they are academically capable of dealing with the course. Alex’s admission interview took place at the London Renaissance Fair Hotel in Chancery Court, Holborn during the Easter holidays. “My audition was conducted by Joan See, Artistic Director of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I performed two monologues, namely “Equus” by Peter Shaffer and “Another Country” by Julian Mitchell. The Americans have a different way of auditioning and although it was quite relaxed, the entire interview process was very purposeful.”

Alex had a two week wait before receiving a phone call on Wednesday 28th April offering him a place at The New York Conservatory starting in August 2010. “In some ways I will be sad to leave the U.K. but New York is the centre of the acting world and I am delighted to have such an opportunity to make a career for myself, hopefully leading to professional television and film work,” said Alex.

The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts have offered Alex an interim grant of $5,000 dollars to assist with transitional costs as schooling in America is quite expensive. Alex’s course runs for two years and Alex will be living in accommodation in Manhattan.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 13 student, Alex Bloch, who has been offered a place at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

Sophia Hall, a Year 8 student at the Marist Senior School in Sunninghill has been selected for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Sophia is a highly talented musician instrumentally and chorally. In addition to her prowess on the saxophone she sings with Taplow choir. They who were recently chosen to represent the UK in the National Choir Competition. Sophia is understandably delighted with her success and Sophia’s teachers share in her delight.

Jocelyn Slocombe, Head of Music at the Marist Senior School, was so impressed by Sophia’s talent, she recommended to her parents at Parents Evening in March that Sophia should consider auditioning for the National Youth Jazz orchestra at a later date.

Not being one to delay, that very evening Sophia researched the orchestra, and promptly presented for an audition with the orchestra as well as performing solos. Her final audition was with a famous Jazz Musician who was very delighted to invite Sophia to join the Orchestra.

At 13 Years of age, Sophia is the youngest musician in the orchestra. The second youngest is 15 and the other numbers are significantly older.

Sophia started to play the Saxophone at the age of 7. She only recently started taking grade exams and she is already on grade 7. She practises every evening and every Saturday with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The Marist Senior School are extremely proud of Sophia’s accomplishment. Miss Slocombe adds, “It is an outstanding achievement and we are very proud of Sophias individual success and the wider musical life of the Marist school.”

Photo: Sophia Hall with her Saxophone

Haileybury, a co-educational independent boarding school in Hertfordshire, is to host eight tennis players from Eastern Africa next week. The students are from Malezi School in Kenya, and are making history as the first from the
region to travel on a tennis exchange with schools in the United Kingdom.

This maiden trip, which will be the first of many, is sponsored by Virgin
Atlantic and SKAL, and will see the Malezi School team visit and play
against UK’s top tennis schools as part of developing new partnerships
between top tennis schools in England and Malezi School.

The school has topped Kenyan tennis for the past 11 years and most
of its former players (like former junior champions Rahab Mbugua,
Maurice Wamukowa and Terry and Joab Odera) are studying in the US on
tennis scholarships. One of the visitors to the UK, Azisa Butoyi, is the reigning KCB Kenya Open ladies singles champion, while the rest of the team comprises the top players in Kenya.

“This exciting trip will also have players participate in the Wimbledon
Junior Tennis Initiative as well as touring the National Tennis Centre at
Roehampton and the Wimbledon Tennis Museum,” explains Dr Liz Odera, the team’s coach.

The visitors will take on Haileybury’s top players on Saturday, 15 May between 10 am and 12 noon at the Hailey Lane tennis courts.

Prior Park College pupils have been pitching their ideas to the ‘Dragons’ at McCann Erickson in Bristol as part of a school media module.

Four groups of Year Nine students presented ideas for a new brand of cereal for children to a panel of Prior Park teachers and McCann Erickson professionals, including Managing Director Fraser Bradshaw. The students were judged on product originality, design and the quality of their pitch.

The winning group, with cereal ‘Pirate Plunder’, included Harriet Gallegos, 14, Thomas Morrison, 14, and Alex Clarke, 13. The name and slogan “Make every day one big adventure” made for an inspired combination – the very depiction of escapism.

The team worked hard on inventing the ‘lucky dip’ theme, where the consumer picks one of seven different cereals from the box at random. The judges were also impressed by the eye-catching packaging and the quality of educational activities and games included on the box. The children were also tasked with ensuring that the product was fun whilst also being nutritional.

McCann Erickson Managing Director, Fraser Bradshaw, comments:

“I was impressed by the slick nature of all the pitches and the mature manner in which the students presented their work. Some of the ideas I’m sure would stand up against the work of established professionals. Congratulations to the winners – we really enjoyed watching your pitch.”

Headmaster, James Murphy O’Connor, comments:

“This initiative has been a great opportunity for the children to gain some invaluable life skills and experience of the working world. Some of the students who took part have already enquired about work experience at McCann Erickson so this served as a good ‘foot in the door’ exercise for them. The students were placed in a real-life situation and were treated like adults; using their imagination and intellect to plan how to spend a £1million budget. As the scheme has been so successful and we have received lots of positive feedback from students, the English department hopes to run it on an annual basis.”

Contact us at Prior Park College on 01225 831000 or info@priorpark.co.uk. To find out more about the College, visit www.priorparkschools.co.uk.

Outstanding educational facilities at a Derbyshire school will be on show to prospective pupils and their parents at an open evening this month.

Mount St Mary’s College will open its doors to families for the event on Tuesday May, 18 from 7pm until 9pm.

It will provide visitors with the chance to enjoy an informal look around the classrooms and boarding accommodation, find out more about the school’s academic programmes and meet pupils, staff and the head teacher Mr Laurence McKell.

The co-educational, boarding and day school, is set in beautiful surroundings at Spinkhill, near Sheffield.

Mount St Mary’s College is the senior school to Barlborough Hall School, which also caters for boys and girls. Both are Catholic schools but welcome students from other traditions. They combine to offer the highest quality educational provision for three to 18 year olds in an environment that ensures the perfect start in life.

To book your place, or for additional information, please contact Lucy Stirling or Mrs Sarah Birks in the Admissions Office on 01246 439317 or email lstirling@msmcollege.com.

As part of the Sixth Form Lecture Programme, St Marys’ Calne was delighted to welcome TV Cook and countryside campaigner Clarissa Dickson Wright. Clarissa wowed an audience of girls and parents with tales of her illustrious career and life as one of TV’s famous ‘Two Fat Ladies’.

Advising girls to keep an open mind when it came to choosing a career and to ‘go and do it if it appeals to you’, she recounted her time as the youngest ever person called to the Bar and a career which was marred by her problems with alcoholism.

Recalling her time as a barrister, she joked: ‘It’s the perfect job for an alcoholic. I got to wear strange clothes, be rude to people and I was good at it.’

Clarissa, who famously spent a huge fortune she inherited in her twenties, told the girls her drinking got out of hand after her mother died and she was grief-stricken.
She turned to cooking to make some much-needed cash, briefly went back into the law after she stopped drinking and then got her lucky break while working in a cookery bookshop ‘by accident’ and meeting BBC producer Patricia Llewellyn who dreamt up ‘Two Fat Ladies’.

She joked: ‘Patricia dreamt up ‘Two Fat Ladies’ and ‘The Naked Chef’. My only resentment is that we both lived up to the title but Jamie Oliver never took his clothes off!’

Clarissa entertained the audience with hilarious tales from the filming of ‘Two Fat Ladies’ which went on to become a global hit with 70 million worldwide viewers, such as the time Jennifer Paterson lost control of their famous motorbike and sidecar, wrote off a £60k camera and nearly crashed into three flagpoles.
She said: ‘I prayed to myself ‘Dear God, please don’t let me die under the American flag!’’

On a serious note, Clarissa, who campaigns tirelessly for the rights of the countryside, pleaded with her audience to try and change the way food is sold in this country by only buying genuine local produce and avoiding food flown in from around the globe and dubbed ‘British’ because part of the processing was done in the UK.

She said: ‘Try and do your best to buy genuine local British food. By the time you are my age, our farmers could then be feeding this country otherwise the countryside will just be one giant building site, theme park and golf course.’

Asked who her ideal dinner party guests were, Clarissa said she would love to have dined with a young Henry VIII – ‘gorgeous, witty, intelligent, musical, with good legs and a good appetite’ and Oscar Wilde, and a present day favourite would be Stephen Fry, while cold watercress soup, lobster and roast beef would be on her all-time favourite menus.

Bedford Modern School students and brothers, George and Harry Thurstance have reason to celebrate after they both scored undefeated centuries in the School’s cricket match away at Haileybury School on Saturday 24th April.

Year 13 student, George who joined the School in Year 4, plays for Bedford Modern School’s 1st XI Cricket Team. “”Scoring 133 not out was my highest ever score for the BMS 1st Team. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at BMS, especially the sports and would recommend other students to try all the sports available and see what suits them most,” said George.

15 year old brother, Harry, scored 100 not out and plays for the BMS U15 Cricket Team. Harry, who is in Year 10, joined the School in Year 3, and in 2008 was awarded the Tour Award for Batting whilst taking part in the School’s U13 Cricket Tour to Dublin.

Paul Woodroffe, Director of Cricket at Bedford Modern School commented, “This event is unique in my experience. George and Harry have worked really hard over the winter on their batting and hopefully this is just the start of a fantastic summer for them both.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School’s budding cricketers, Harry (left) and George (right) Thurstance

At the end of April, Esme and Ellie, two Year 8 girls from St Mary’s Calne, took on the challenge of a 20 mile sponsored walk. They mapped out their route and planned to walk, unaccompanied, along the Ridge Way in Wiltshire and then, the following day, complete their trek along the White Horse Trail.

They walked to raise money for Molly’s Fund, a charity set up in memory of Molly Lane Fox who very sadly died aged five of a type of brain tumour known as a Diffuse Pontine Glioma. The money they raised will go towards building the first ever, and desperately needed, dedicated Brain Tumour Unit at the National Hospital in London.

They had set a target of raising £2000 and, to date, have raised an impressive £3490.

Following the release of the Requiem on the Regent label in February, the Chamber Choir made its Radio 3 debut as part of the Aled Jones programme – The Choir – in March. Two tracks from the CD were played – Let all the world and Libera me from the Requiem. The CD has received excellent reviews from Classic FM Magazine and many other publications, and a number of musical celebrities such as Sir Tim Rice, Phyllida Lloyd and Seb Hunter have commented on how much they have enjoyed the recording.

At the end of the Spring Term, St Mary’s Chamber Choir enjoyed a six-day tour to Tuscany. Familiar music by Purcell, Mozart and David Bednall was complemented by new music for the season of Lent by Pergolesi, Haydn, Tavener and a brand new piece: Ave Maris Stella by Philip Moore. This is the latest piece to be commissioned on the Choir’s behalf, and is a haunting and demanding work for unaccompanied voices and solo violin. It sounded wonderful in the reverberant Italian churches, and the violin part was superbly played by Charlotte from UVI Form.

As well as performing in San Gimignano, Montecatini, Lucca and Florence, the girls were able to explore these beautiful towns and to soak up the atmosphere and culture. They also had time to climb the leaning tower of Pisa and, once the final musical engagement in Florence was completed on Palm Sunday, to spend the final day of the tour relaxing and sightseeing in Sienna.

The choir’s performances were enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, and of course by the faithful parental fan-club! The six days went past very quickly, and, as is always the case with tours, not only did the group greatly enjoy each other’s company but the demands of a daily rehearsal and performance schedule took the standard of the singing to new heights.

Tim Abbey, a student in his final year at King’s School, Bruton, has won The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers’ School Prize in Art. Tim received his prize at the Company’s annual prize-giving in London on 23 April. His work, A Triptych of Rheanna, drew praise from many who attended the ceremony and accompanying exhibition, including the Company’s guest speaker, Iwona Blazwick, Director of The Whitechapel Gallery.

The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers makes awards to students at schools and art colleges across the country. King’s School, Bruton was the only senior school in the West Country to be recognised by the Company this year.

Padworth College Sixth form students visited the ICMA Centre at Henley Business School, University of Reading to find out more about courses and careers in finance and investment and to participate in a practical share dealing session in the brand new state-of-the-art Dealing room.

The group of 10 students from Padworth College, who are all studying Business Studies and Economics A Level, attended two lectures during the afternoon. The first was given by Dr Adrian Bell, Director of Teaching and Learning who spoke about the role of the ICMA centre and the Finance and Investment Banking course at the University of Reading followed by an interesting talk from Graham Philpott, Deputy Director about the range of careers which former graduates had forged after the course. Mr Philpott also gave the students some useful tips on preparing a successful CV.

The students were then given a tour of the Dealing room and shown how to operate the sophisticated dealing system. Economics student, Alma Pereira said, “It was so interesting – not only did we gain the fundamentals of the share market but we actually applied them in the simulation exercise. At the end, some of us made huge profits while others ended up with equally huge deficits – we all found this an exhilarating experience”.

The ICMA Centre has the most extensive non-investment bank dealing room facilities in the world and was established with funding from the ICMA. The Centre is equipped with all the latest trading technology giving it the feel of a real trading floor and it is sponsored by Thomson Reuters.

Head of Economics, Michael Laizans said, “This trip has given our students a real insight into the world of banking and share dealing – the hands-on experience in the Dealing Room was extremely useful and I think will really help their understanding of investment and banking practices. We are very grateful to Reading University for giving our students this opportunity”.

Oswestry School pupils have raised £600 for charity by staging a non-uniform day with a purple theme.
Each pupil paid £2 for the privilege of wearing their own clothes on a normal school day. The money raised was donated to the Rotary Club’s ‘Thanks for Life’ project for polio eradication and the Charlotte Hartey Foundation to support local charities.
The day was organized by the School Interact Club in partnership with Oswestry Rotary Club.
Why purple?
When children in developing world countries are vaccinated against polio, they have a purple stamp put on one of their little fingers. In this way the immunisation team knows who has received the medication.
Each purple pinkie brings us closer to making polio history.

Photo: Some of Oswestry School’s purple-clad pupils

A Derbyshire/Spinkhill pupil will compete alongside some of the finest young fencers in the country at a prestigious national championship this weekend.

Nina Zimmerman, a year 10 boarding student at Mount St Mary’s College, will represent her school at the British Youth Fencing Championships to be held at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield.

The event, which takes place from May 1-3, will showcase the very best young swordsmen and women in Great Britain, with national and county fencers among those taking part.

Nina qualified for the competition after fighting her way to a bronze in the Girls Under 16 Foil at the Yorkshire Youth Championships in March.

Mount St Mary’s coach Adam Blight, who has experience of coaching nine British fencing champions, said: “To qualify for such a prominent competition is a fantastic achievement for Nina and I’m sure she will relish testing herself against some very strong fencers.

“Nina has a lot of talent and this experience will be another big step in her development. We all wish her the very best of luck in the championships.”
Fencers at the Mount are beginning to make their mark at regional and national level, and a strong performance at the Lancashire Schools Foil saw the school pick up four medals in its first ever regional competition.

Photo: Nina with her bronze medal after the Yorkshire Youth Championships

Bedford Modern School Year 13 student Matthew Wong has been selected for this year’s International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) and shortlisted for the Sir John Thompson Memorial Sword where a Sword Award is presented to the best CCF (RAF) Cadet. “I will be attending IACE in July flying to Hong Kong and China as an Ambassador for the Air Cadet Organisation in the UK and would ultimately like to train as a fast Jet Pilot,” said Matthew.

The aim is for ambassadors from the UK Air Cadets to travel abroad to places such as Israel, Canada, New Zealand, Ghana, Turkey and Hong Kong to encourage better relations with cadets. BMS student, Matthew will be joined by cadets from other nations, so will be with Americans, French, Belgians, Germans, Australians, Singaporeans and others. Cadets will spend two weeks visiting local sights, military bases and studying aviation-related matters.

During his last five years in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Bedford Modern School, Matthew has attended various cadet camps at RAF bases both home and abroad including Rheindahlen and Ramstein in Germany and Akrotiri in Cyprus. In 2009, the RAF awarded Matthew a Sixth Form Scholarship.

Matthew, who intends to join the Royal Air Force in October, has already obtained a Distinction in his Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAFC Cranwell, in addition to completing an Officer Selection Regiment Course at RAF Honington and a Drill Instructor course at RAF Brize Norton.

“Bedford Modern School Combined Cadet Force has been very supportive throughout my time in the Corps, giving me numerous opportunities, as they do with all the cadets and I fully encourage all Year 9 students at BMS to join the Combined Cadet Force.

Steve Harvey, Contingent Commander with Bedford Modern School’s Combined Cadet Force said: “Matthew has been an exceptional CCF Air Cadet from his very first day in the Section. He has shown excellent leadership ability and taken over as senior RAF Cadet this year. He richly deserves his Sixth Form Scholarship and International Air Cadet Exchange place – both of which show the great opportunities open to all cadets within the CCF.”

Photo: Bedford Modern School Cadet Matthew Wong

The OFSTED boarding inspection gave the Prep and Senior Schools the summative verdict of “outstanding” (the highest OFSTED can award) and, remarkably, every single subcategory bar one was also deemed “outstanding”. This is a stunning assessment.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate do not give a one word overall assessment but grade key areas using “excellent” as the highest award. Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior School received only “excellent” and “good” in the numerous categories, with “excellent” dominant. Not a single aspect of the Schools was even deemed average. Among the key areas graded “excellent” were leadership, governance and management.

The Senior School also came top of the academic Value Added league tables for Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire as used and promulgated by the BBC and DCSF. These tables include all state as well as independent schools in these counties.

Headmaster, Chris Edwards, said: “We have just emerged from the most intense period of external scrutiny we have ever experienced. I am delighted to report that on a national scale we are eminent and, in some areas, pre-eminent. It is a humbling privilege to be at the helm of one of Britain’s finest schools.”

The full reports can be accessed via the school’s website.

If you would like further details or comment about the reports please contact:
Sara Bussey,
Marketing Co-ordinator.
Telephone 01527 579679 ext 265
Email sbussey@bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Pupils at Oswestry School have the chance to learn a new sport, thanks to a partnership with the Oswestry Fencing Club.

Club coaches Bridie Lloyd and Tom Gulliver visit the school on Thursday afternoons to teach the skills of fencing to a group of 16 pupils, as part of their out of hours learning programme.

‘The club has proved very popular and we have a waiting list of pupils who want to join,’ said Oswestry School Director of Sport, Darren Hollingsworth. ‘We are very pleased that we have the opportunity to offer fencing as part of the alternative sports curriculum and we are glad that we can work with the Oswestry Fencing Club in this way.’

The inspection of the Royal Hospital School, a coeducational boarding and day school for approximately 680 11 to 18 years olds set in 200 acres overlooking the River Stour at Holbrook, took place over two days in February and three days in March. It was conducted by an experienced team of Heads and teachers from other ISC (Independent School’s Council) accredited schools across the country. The objective of the inspection is to assess whether the School is meeting its stated aims and to ensure that standards are maintained and that relevant legal requirements are complied with.

Headmaster, Mr. Howard Blackett, who has been in post since 2004, explains that the School’s aims are “to provide a civilised, caring, Christian community where pupils are helped to develop their full potential and encouraged to develop qualities such as personal responsibility, honesty, reliability, truthfulness, integrity, independence, adaptability, perseverance, initiative and self confidence.” He was therefore delighted at the findings of the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) report which state that that “pupils have outstandingly well-developed personal qualities: they are ready to become active, responsible citizens who will contribute to society in a positive manner, exercise good judgment and show tolerance, courtesy and respect for others. They are friendly, confident and outgoing and loyal to their house and school. The school very successfully fulfils its aims concerning the development of values and personal qualities.”

The report is divided into specific sections and, in each one, the conclusions made were “overall extremely pleasant reading” according to Mr. Blackett. Comments such as ‘standards are high. Pupils are well educated in accordance with the school’s aims. They are articulate, confident and capable of independent thought. Results in GCSE and A Level examinations over the last three years, for which nationally comparable data is available, have been high’ were received and Mr. Blackett goes on to say, “we are dedicated to further improving on these high academic standards and results, not least through our new Gifted and Talented programme which has been put in place to support and extend pupils who are more able in specific subject areas”.

The ISI Inspection team recognised that the School has been through a period of enormous structural change and development under Mr Blackett’s leadership and the positive feedback and recommended actions reflected this. Not least, the £18 million house-refurbishment which the inspection team believed has created ‘first class accommodation which is both warm and welcoming’ and they praised the pastoral care and support provided by the House system by saying ‘the Houses are the heart of the school community; their friendly, family ethos fosters the pupil’s loyalty and respect’.

The full report can be read at www.royalhospitalschool.org and the School can viewed on Saturday 8th May when an Open Morning will be held from 9am.

Howell’s School, Llandaff Student Art Exhibition at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff Official Opening on 29th April 2010.

The Art and Design Department of Howell’s School, Llandaff has organised an exhibition of GCSE, AS and A2 work hosted by the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff. The exhibition of artwork is a demonstration of the talents and ambition of students studying Art and Design at Howell’s. The exhibitors, all aged between 15 and 18 years, are studying or have studied GCSE or A level Art. The official opening of work will be on Thursday 29th April at 6:30pm and the exhibition closes on Wednesday 26th May.

The work on display is representative of the inspirations and themes which pre-occupy students when completing their examination courses. The wide scope of subject matter ranges from portraiture exploring expression and identity sometimes through different cultures as well as our own to natural forms. Some of the young artists even move beyond conventional representation towards abstraction.

A feature of all the work is the crafted handling of a variety of creative techniques and media ranging from large-scale oil paintings, three-dimensional ceramics and graphic design. Of course, this work could not have been produced without a teaching programme offering students the freedom to explore media and techniques best suited to the expression of their intentions.

Bedford Modern School Year 8 student Jordan Semmens recently had her cut to raise money for charity. Up until a few weeks ago, Jordan had considerably long hair before taking the drastic decision to have 22 inches cut off for charity.

“My mother saw a feature on GMTV informing viewers that hair donations were welcome by the Little Princess Trust and this made me think about having my hair cut. Having had long hair for so long, I felt ready for a change without being too drastic and settled on a shoulder-length haircut at a Toni and Guy salon in Stevenage. My hair was tied in a pony-tail before it was cut and then bagged up ready to be sent off to be made into a wig to help those suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment”, said Jordan.

Generally, hair needs to be at least ten inches long before it can be used in making a wig and around 12oz hair is required for each wig. “I think that by donating my hair in this way, it is part of an ongoing legacy as a small part of me will be going someway to helping someone else,” added Jordan.

Photo: Bedford Modern School Year 8 student Jordan Semmens who undertook a charity haircut

Election fever has gripped Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and parliamentary campaigns are being mounted by pupil-candidates to capture the votes of their peers. Posters, rosettes, competitions and campaigning feature throughout the school, and when the country goes to the polls, Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall will too, with the Tolkien Library becoming the polling station for the day. This is not being taken as just a bit of fun either. All the candidates take their roles very seriously and are fully aware of all parts of their manifestos, a fact which was amply demonstrated recently in front of the school and the actual candidates for the Ribble Valley constituency. Nigel Evans MP was so impressed with the speeches that he stood to congratulate the junior candidates on their performances!

Photo: Edward Johnson(12), the Liberal Democrat candidate.

A Derbyshire school will be transformed into a miniature House of Commons when its pupils meet for a Westminster-style debate about the upcoming general election.

The senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s College, in Derbyshire, will meet on Friday 30 April to discuss one of the most prominent issues surrounding this election – the leader’s televised debates.

Pupils have chosen to debate the motion “This house believes that the smoke and mirrors of TV debating is good for modern politics.”

They will discuss the effect the TV debates have had on this election and the role they play in deciding the identity of the next man in ten Downing Street.

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, so we couldn’t resist a feisty political discussion with the election just around the corner.

“The debates are great fun and a brilliant way for pupils to practise valuable skills like public speaking and forming convincing arguments.

“I’m pleased to say that, however controversial the issue, all the pupils always conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner – in fact some MPs could probably learn a thing or two from them!”

Following its success last year, the Warriors Charity Challenge (Worcester Warriors Staff v Worcestershire Teachers) will take place on the main pitch at Sixways on Tuesday, 11 May 2010, KO 7pm.

All proceeds will be donated to The Matt Hampson Trust.

Come along and cheer on our teachers and hope they can even the series.

Messrs Hughes, Moffatt, Bee, Friend and Taylor will be representing RGS and will be joining senior and primary school teachers from around Worcestershire for the charity match

Tickets are only £3 and are on sale from Mrs Sturdy in Whiteladies on 01905 613391. Tickets are also available from the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183.

Parking is available at Sixways for £2 per car, payable as you drive in.

Corporate boxes are available at a price of £20 per head which will include a 1 course meal, great viewing point and a current 1stXV player who will act as the host.

Last year’s game was hugely entertaining so we hope to see as many of you there as possible this year for a really fun evening.
Please book quickly to avoid disappointment and support two great charities.

Rugby Background / RGS Teachers –

Gareth Hughes (Fly Half) – ex Saracens
Jon Moffatt (Back) – ex Northampton
Jonathon Friend (Back Row) – ex Bath
Ben Taylor (Back Row) – ex Bedford
Simon Bee (Hooker) – ex Broad Plain Bristol

A Fashion Show with a recycling theme entertained 600 visitors at RGS Worcester and raised £2,600 for charity.

Some 110 Royal Grammar School students, aged from 13-18, took part in the show, which featured more than twenty collections with an Eco Fashion theme. The students produced garments with ethical slogans, recycled fabrics in innovative ways and moved away from fast (disposable) fashion toward items with a long life.

Among the clothes shown was a dress made out of old ties, dungarees from recycled denim and belts, a fancy dress fairy costume with three different options and a wetsuit given a new lease of life as daywear. One collection consisted of clothes from the Age Concern shop in Worcester. They were updated and renewed into stunning new designs.

“Many of the collections were aimed at delivering an ‘Eco’ message whether it was through using slogans on ‘hoodies’, recycling garments, or products designed to have a multi-purpose,” said Jo Dutfield, Head of Textiles at RGS. “Our students are becoming even more environmentally aware and are hopefully having a positive impact as young designers. Many of our students go on to have careers within the fashion industry, whether researching new industrial processes or working as fashion designers. This show is an excellent way for them to start on the ladder.”

There was also a special appearance from A Level Art Student Hannah Evans. Under the guidance of Head of Art Emma Dukes, Hannah created and produced her dress made entirely from glow-sticks, an inspirational design which caused a buzz of excitement when the lights dimmed.

The proceeds of the show are being given to The Noah’s Ark Trust, which supports children who may have experienced the bereavement of a close relative or friend.

Photo: Josie Jackson in her dress, made entirely from recycled ties.

The last opportunity for electioneering at a Worcester school was grabbed by candidates representing nine political parties.

Each candidate was allotted a three-minute slot to win over voters from The Royal Grammar School Worcester, who go to the polls alongside the rest of the country on 6 May. Candidates ranged in age from 13 -18 and each looked to secure votes with winning policies.

“All the candidates had clearly put lots of time and thought into their policies, not just copying the published manifestos,” said Joe Lyons, Head of the RGS Politics Department. “This is an excellent platform for pupils with an interest in the election to become involved and has sparked off some sensible debating among the students around the school.”

The parties represented were:
Labour
Liberal Democrat
Conservative
Communist
Plaid Cmyru<