View The Bristol Grammar School Newsletter Winter 2010 Issue 16
Arctic adventure
Runaway success
Outward bound
Macbeth
three weeks in the wilderness
for our girls in the Sixth Form
gets a makeover
with the Juniors
Best Foot Forward Family fun
as we welcome Reception
in the Biathlon
Speaking out for Student Voice
Magic at Maths • Lit Quiz • Flying High • House Plays • Sports Tour
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View Winter ‘10 Issue 16
From the Headmaster
W
hat a successful start to the school year! Before term even began we celebrated some of our best-ever GCSE and ‘A’ level results, the latter holding our students in excellent stead as they move on to pursue a wide range of educational opportunities and career ambitions. We have welcomed many new students of all ages into our School community, including our first Reception class into BGS Infants, which has moved, as the School has expanded, into Elton Road. There has hardly been a week when we haven’t been entertained by a House or School music or drama production. We are celebrating high levels of participation in sport which has translated into winning performances on the field, extending from our Junior competitors right the way through to our elite athletes and School First teams. Our students have been participating in a rich range of events and competitions outside School. It is delightful to be able to report the success of students of all years in
events such as the ‘Maths Challenge’ and the 'Kids' Lit Quiz’ to name just a couple. They have been out and about on mountain tops, dining in Berlin, visiting Leyhill Prison and touring London theatres and galleries. In November we welcomed schools across the country to our Student Voice Conference, the first such event dedicated to this subject, bringing together students and teachers to discuss how young people can be motivated by playing a greater role in the running of their schools.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our success: our enthusiastic teaching staff, our parents, many of whom have been cheering us on the sports fields, and our students who at our open events and many other occasions are always excellent ambassadors for this School. I hope you all have a peaceful and very happy Christmas.
Roderick MacKinnon
News
Excellence
Celebrating academic
Sixty-four students this term took part in an investiture ceremony to welcome them into the School Honours Programme, an initiative designed to recognise and support individual students with outstanding ability.
Students who perform exceptionally well in the entrance assessments are invited to take part, as are those already within the School who make outstanding progress. Rebecca originally an Honours Student in languages, this year became one of just two Upper Sixth Psychology students to join the Honours programme. Says Rebecca, “There are many ways in which being an Honours Student provides you with exceptional support. You enjoy a different, more equal, relationship with your teacher, and get extra help to take your learning further, which at this stage in my career is good preparation for university. In some
subjects there are also some unique social and cultural events, opportunities to mix with students who share a passion for your subject from other year-groups. It’s made me feel more confident and respected and that alone is encouragement to go on and set myself even higher goals.”
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News
Open Evening success Record numbers of prospective students and their families packed into the Great Hall in October for what was one of the busiest‑ever Open Evenings at BGS.
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great deal of buzz was created by students across all the year-groups, who succeeded in entertaining guests with their usual enthusiasm. They bounced into action in the Sports Hall, helped guests create music in the new music facilities and even engaged many in the slightly more challenging activity of dissecting a rat. Entrance tests for students joining in September 2011 will be held on Saturday 15 January for Year 7 and Saturday 22 January for Years 7–10. The second assessment date for children joining BGS Infants and Juniors is Saturday 29 January.
Top grade GCSE students double at BGS
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ight students – Lorena , Annie , Bea , Hannah , James S , Luke Raviram and Yongqi – achieved ten A* grades in subjects as diverse as Russian and DT Electronic Products. Said Headmaster Rod MacKinnon, “Every student should be very pleased with all they have achieved. 69% of all GCSE passes were an A or A* and 90% of all results were an A*, A or B, a reflection of the hard work and
Students at BGS celebrated record GCSE success as almost double the previous year’s number secured an A* or A grade in ten or more subjects. In all, 45 students were awarded straight As or A*s in every subject, equivalent to 32% of the year-group. commitment of every single one of our students and their teachers.” For Lucy , Elizabeth and Ruth the GCSEs were a double celebration. All three not only gained an A* for their GCSEs in Design Technology but also were chosen to receive prestigious Arkwright Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to 15 and 16-year-old students selected from applicants from across the UK who can demonstrate they have both the talent and commitment to
become young engineers of the future. Each received £500 as part of the scholarship programme. They will also get the support of an industrial sponsor to help them achieve their goals, which they hope will be a career in design or engineering.
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View Summer ‘10 Issue 15
News Inspirational science
Right to the line at Kids' Lit Quiz Two teams of four Honours students took off to the regional heats of the 2010 Kids' Lit Quiz in Cardiff in November, one team reaching new heights. Pitched against fierce competition (22 teams) and after three hours of questioning, Jack (Year 7) and Year 8 students Rose , Elisabeth and Tej faced a sudden‑death, best-of-three round after drawing with one other school for first place. Says Rose, “It was so tense. We answered the first question right, then the other team answered their question correctly, so it was down to the last question. The tension in the air was tangible.Then Elisabeth got it right – and it was the most exhilarating thing ever!"
That right answer took the team to a first-ever place for BGS in the UK finals, held in a packed Oxford Town Hall with thirteen teams, thirty-one authors and one mayor in attendance. Our excellent team faced another best-of-three play off for the winning spot. Although pipped at the post to second pace, they took the title of 2010 England Champions and a place in the world Kids’ Lit Quiz finals, to be held in New Zealand in summer 2011. What a fantastic achievement!
New Year 9
scholarship scheme Worth 25% remission on fees currently more than £2,500 per year for the duration of each student’s attendance at the School, six new scholarships will be offered for students joining or moving into Year 9. Four are for academic performance and a further two celebrate potential in sport and in the creative and performing arts.
These are in addition to the fifteen scholarships introduced last year for students in Year 7, recognising children who are gifted and talented in many spheres. The School’s Scholarship Programme is offered in addition to the BGS bursary schemes, directly providing support for families of children of all abilities.
This summer has seen the start of the School’s investment in the refurbishment of the science facilities, a project funded in honour of Noble Prize Laureate in Quantum Chemistry, John Pople, OB. Two new large science laboratories have been created, principally for Chemistry and Biology, one experimental and one for teaching. The sixteen dedicated laboratories now available for students reflect the standing of science education within the School. Feedback from students enjoying the facilities this year is that they feel inspired by their new surroundings. The full redevelopment of the three-storey science building will be completed over the next three to four years. Part of the refurbishment will include a new entrance area which will be used to commemorate Sir John Pople’s extraordinary scientific achievements.
Fresh focus for Food Technology A new dedicated Food Technology suite opened as part of the DT facility in the Senior School this September. Purpose-built and contemporary, it provides modern facilities for food preparation for twenty-four students in twelve individual kitchen locations. A real enhancement for our Activities Programme and already in use every afternoon for Cookery Club, the new suite is a key part of the preparation for introducing GCSE in Food Technology over the next few years.
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News
Magic at MAths BGS students have been topping the tables in Maths this term, winning the West of England Final of the Year 10 and 11 Team Maths Challenge in a competition that involves top mathematicians from schools across the region. Two Year 10 and 11 teams entered the initial Bristol heat in October, the BGS ‘A’ team dropping only 3 out of 135 points to qualify for the final. The BGS ‘B’ team – Kevin , Michael , George and Qays – just pipped host team QEH to second place, beating QEH ‘A’ by one point. Congratulations to the 'A' team Gavin and Kevin (Year 11) and Jonathan and Jae Been (Year 10), who then took BGS to victory in the final. Talented Year 11 students Alice , Gavin and Kevin also competed alongside Sixth-formers Rachel and Jagvir to win first place in the Bristol inter-school Sixth‑form Maths competition earlier in the term.
Balloons
raise
Recognised in the recent OFSTED report for outstanding pastoral care, BGS is continuing to develop support for students with the launch of a student counselling service.
Probability of success Meanwhile BGS Mathematics teacher Graham Iwi has received recognition for his probability simulation Math’s resource. Awarded the title of Resource of the Week in October by the TES 'Connect' website, Mr Iwi’s Plane Race is a live race that lets students update the probabilities and bookies’ odds for each participant winning at any stage. Says Mr Iwi, “Plane Race is really useful for supporting probability work, for a single die and sum of two dice. Although it’s about gambling, it’s also pretty useful for discouraging betting – as students get the chance to witness first-hand how odds get shortened in bookies’ favour.”
the target
Sixth-form students had their eyes on the skies for this term’s Charity Week, releasing brightly coloured balloons in a fundraising balloon race, one of a series of events organised by pupils to raise money for charity. Raising money for Chhahari Schools, an organisation providing early education for Nepalese village children, our students were once again galvanised into making cakes, hunting for treasure, transforming into human fruit machines and, most importantly, seeing who could shout the loudest in the Library.
New student counselling service
Our target for fundraising this term is a cracking £3,000, including the contribution from the Christmas markets.
Counsellor and Youth Worker James Hennah will be on site to talk to students by appointment every Monday and Thursday afternoon with a drop‑in service at lunchtime on those days. James, who has been involved in pastoral work with young people for more than ten years, is impressed by the culture of positive communication he has identified at BGS, which augurs well for the success of the counselling service as a further support mechanism for students. Explains James, “This is a ‘talking school’, welcoming and supportive, a great foundation for this service. We all sometimes find life a bit stressful. As teenagers we balance studies and social life; relationships with parents, teachers and friends have their ups and downs; and all the while hormones are sending emotions all over the place. There are already good support structures in place at the School, so many students might not choose this service. For those who do, however, it will provide independent, confidential one-to‑one support which we think will be of real value.” Students wanting to talk to Mr Hennah can e‑mail from the Sharepoint pages of the intranet or use the appointments box outside the Counselling Room next to the Student Help Desk.
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News
GIVING STUDENTS A VOICE
Star performances as students make the grade
This autumn Bristol Grammar School was host to the first national conference to address the increasingly influential role pupils and students can play in their own education. Working in collaboration with other state and independent schools, the Student Voice Conference involved both students and their teachers, giving both the opportunity to highlight pioneering practice in a range of different schools. Eight schools, along with BGS, presented to more than 146 teacher and student delegates who attended the event. Bristol Grammar School shared its success with its own Student Academic Council, which brings together representatives from each year-group to review provision across all subjects, influencing teaching and learning throughout the School. Other presentations came from the School Nutrition Action Group at St Katherine’s School in Pill, in which students work with staff, caterers and health professionals to review and expand the range of food and drink on offer; the Student Researcher initiative at Priory Community School, Weston‑super-Mare which aims to involve students more directly in the teaching and learning process; and the Sixth‑form Officer structure operated by Wellsway School, Keynsham. Keynote addresses were given by Sir John Jones, former Headteacher of schools in Lancashire and Liverpool, knighted for services to education in 2003, and Dr John Morgan, of the Bristol University School of Education, who has completed a four-year research
and development project on how schools and teachers can give students more control over the content and processes of learning. Examining the importance of the event, Headmaster Rod MacKinnon explained: “This conference is the first opportunity to share and discuss some of the excellent ideas and initiatives for student voice that are emerging from schools and students across the country. At Bristol Grammar School we feel invigorated by the part generations of young men and women are encouraged to play in the running of our School. We are enriched by our students’ participation in the many activities and the strong sense of community. This event has enabled us all to investigate examples of best practice to see how we can extend and develop this participation.”
We thoroughly enjoyed the conference; it was inspiring, invigorating and informative. We came away enthused, with numerous ideas about how to implement more effective Student Voice in our School. Head of English at St Swithun’s School
Students at BGS celebrated record ‘A’ level successes, more than 41% achieving at least one of the new top rating A* grades. For some, the results were particularly outstanding; Sunoo gained an A* grade in every one of her six ‘A’ level subjects; three students achieved four A* grades, and another six matched three A*s with a fourth A. Overall more than a fifth of the total cohort were awarded an A* grade. 148 BGS Sixth-form leavers have been accepted by more than forty universities, twelve securing their first‑choice places at Oxbridge, thirteen heading off to UCL London, eleven to Nottingham and twelve to Leeds. Alongside the eleven students who have chosen to read medicine or law, BGS leavers are contributing to a wealth of different avenues from music and modern languages to criminology and computer studies.
Stiff upper lip Some twenty-five gentlemen on the BGS staff raised more than £1,000 towards tackling prostate cancer this term, ditching their usual impeccable smoothness and each growing a moustache as part of the worldwide “Movember” movement. The Headmaster sportingly removed his beard and grew a moustache, raising well over £200 in the process. Thanks to all the staff, students, families and friends who donated money.
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We’ve arrived It’s been a fast and furious first term for our many new joiners who have been busy making friends and getting to grips with a world of new experiences at BGS.
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“On Tuesday afternoons everyone does an Activity with the rest of their House. The first term we did cooking and the food actually tasted nice.” 2
“I look forward to Tuesday afternoons when I can catch up with the other people in my House.” 3
“I’ve really enjoyed House Singing, Latin and Maths because they are full of things you would never expect.” 4
“Even the smallest things make all the difference, like people lending pens or rulers when I forgot them. They always included me in everything.”
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ouse parties, House Singing, House Concerts and House Sport have helped all our Year 7s and Year 9s find their feet and settle in. It’s been a term of new subjects and skills. Year 9 explored life under canvas, forging new bonds and testing their team-building talents at Year 9 camp. Firm friendships were quickly established among Year 7 in that great BGS tradition, a noisy game of Beetle. Others have been cemented among class and House members in our weekly programme of Activities.
Top tips from Year 7
Just be yourself and you will definitely find friends who like you
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“Everyone has been really nice and friendly, helping me settle in and find my way round. I’ve really enjoyed my first term. PS – you have to say that your own House is the best, even if it isn’t!” 6
“I've had great fun playing sports, especially Rugby and football and making new friends.” 7
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“Team-building was fun. It’s a great way to get settled in and make new friends.”
Be ready to try new things and always be on time for lessons
It doesn’t matter if you get a question wrong, you can always learn – that’s what teachers are for
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Infants
family fun as we welcome Reception.
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family fun day in October was a chance for parents and grandparents to join in a celebration of the opening of the School’s new Reception class this term, which expands our provision for early learners. Children as young as four are joining the School for the first time in the School’s 500‑year history. The children built nests in the garden, cooked up chocolate nests in the kitchen, created their own Noah’s Ark and made Noddy masks, all part of their focus on learning about the letter ‘n’.
A helping hand
For two whole weeks children in BGS Infants celebrated ‘Our Helpful Friends’, an appreciation of all the many people who support us. They enjoyed a visit from PC Jon Derrick, who told us how he helps others in his job as a policeman, although most exciting for the children was his uniform, body armour, baton and handcuffs. Thank you to all our parents who came to share their work experiences. You inspired the children to make some lovely collages.
Says Headmistress, Dr Alison Primrose, “We’ve had a very exciting few first terms with our new infants, who have proved to be some of the most enthusiastic and energetic members of the School. Our new Reception class completes the picture; it means we can provide continuity and support from the very earliest age for those families who want their children to discover an early love of learning at the heart of our historic School.”
Autumn
colour
Autumn has been fun both inside and outside the classroom. Children in Year 1 have been busy collecting leaves, conkers and twigs for Maths work, collage and printing. At Failand, Year 2 children made a garden for our owl, ‘Twitch’. Children have also been using our wonderful space at Failand to explore patterns in nature. The results are some truly fantastic photographic images which bode well for the annual School wildlife photography competition next summer.
Putting pen to paper
Our writers of the future, children in Year 2 have been busy creating story boards before producing their own stories, red hot prose inspired by our topic books: Handa’s Surprise, Give me my yam and Lima’s Red Hot Chilli.
Sounds like fun Reception children have been busy investigating and exploring new sounds, each week focusing on a new letter. Finding things that started with the letter ‘i’, they had fun experimenting with ice cubes and hiding them all around the School – some of which they still haven’t found!
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We go
Bananas…
BGS Infants combined old with new to give their traditional harvest festival a Twenty-first Century twist.
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s well as gathering and giving seasonal local foods and vegetables, Year 2 children acted out the journey of a banana, learning how it gets from the plantation to the supermarket, adding an international perspective to our traditional service of thanksgiving for the harvest and their food. Says teacher Ben Whitehead, “Our Harvest Festival was a chance to discover all the many things that have to happen before we can sink our teeth into a kiwi‑fruit or banana, in fact so many of the items we take for granted as part of our everyday food.” As well as peeling back the life story of a banana, the children performed the story of Handa’s Surprise and Dingle Dangle Scarecrow remained on the menu as a firm festival favourite.
Education for Life
Children from both BGS Infants and Juniors were treated to a visit from Harold the Giraffe and the Life Education Bus. They learnt all about their bodies and how to keep fit and healthy. Although they found it fascinating a few infants were perplexed that the bus didn’t move; ‘Where are we going?’ ‘Hasn’t this bus got a driver?’
Fresh & fruity Year 1 children have been looking at tropical fruit from the story Handa’s Surprise. The children wrote recipes and made a fruit salad. They especially enjoyed tasting it – delicious!
Infants on the move
The rapid expansion and success of BGS Infants, which opened in January 2010 in the Lodge, has been the catalyst for a move to new more expansive facilities in a dedicated site in Elton Road, now home to 42 enthusiastic young learners. The children have more space for their busy programme of activities and their own very popular back-garden.
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Outward bound at BGS Juniors
Children from right across the Junior School have been out and about this term, making the most of the sunshine, their enthusiasm and the crisp autumn weather.
Animal adventure at Avon Valley
F allow deer, wallabies, llamas, Shire horses, Soay and Jacob’s sheep and a few grumpy goats were just some of the four-legged friends welcoming Year 3 to the Avon Valley Country Park in September.
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hey enjoyed an action-packed day as their two-mile riverside walk was transformed into a two‑hour adventure thanks to the superbly designed Junior Assault Course along the way. Tackling the adventure playground with gusto in the afternoon, they hung around for some time on the rope bridges, climbing towers and the ever-popular zip wire, and they still managed to fit in an exploration of the whole park as well. Thanks to the sunshine, and some great support from our mums, everyone had a truly excellent day.
Fun in the Forest
As part of BGS Infants' and Juniors' development with the Forest Education Initiative, Year 3 spent a day in the woods at Failand accompanied by an unusual assortment of animals. No bears at this picnic but a couple of dragons, Puff and Kevin, as well as a Fonzie, a very large dog. The lucky trio were lavished with the undivided attention of 33 very excited children, who spent the morning constructing shelters from the wind and rain, preparing a banquet (fit for both dragon and dog) and then entertaining the pampered pets with some magnificent drumming and singing. Says Deputy Head Veryan Rookes, “The shelters were magnificent, freestanding structures, some with patios, screens to protect them from the wind, and even one with a climbing frame. The banquets included a lot of leaf kebabs and drinks made from squashed berries. “It was wonderful to see how much the children learned on their Forest School morning from the woodland and the environment around them. It was great fun to see them working together out of the classroom where different skills were needed, and they really came to the fore.”
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Juniors
Wet and wild at Hillcrest
Year 4 zipped into action this term with a two-night stay at Hillcrest, near Ross-on-Wye. They built their confidence and co‑ordination trying out an exciting range of new activities, some of which left them ever‑so‑slightly wet. They raced into quad biking, leapt on to the high trapeze and, for some, took a first foray into fencing as well as enjoying the thrill of Hillcrest’s infamous zip wire. (It was a proper zip wire! We had to climb a tree and jump off a wooden platform. You feel like you might fall but then you zoom across the wire, the breeze blows in your face and you’re flying.) Out on the water they were taught the not-so-basics of kayaking (we all
Mud in the Mendips Year 6 headed off for several days of mud and mayhem at the Mendip Outdoor Pursuits activity centre, learning all about teamwork, developing skills and having stacks of messy fun. Words by Clarisa . This exciting place tests your brain and sees how clever you can be. 1 Yes, you do get muddy, but that’s the fun of it! 2 There are lots of fun challenges and new games. 3 You’ve got to be able to work well and communicate and co-operate with other people, but especially your group. 4 If you do everything you can to support someone with something that seems a little tricky, you’ll have more chance of completing the task. This also shows that you are very clever and brilliant at helping people to solve a difficult task.
had a stick with a metal thing like a big spatula) made none the easier by having to perform a version of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes with a jumping bit while standing in the boat. (You had to jump as high as you could in the kayak. We all swam in the freezing cold water, although you didn’t have to, and we had to find our spare clothes.) Sausages and chips, fruit and syrupy waffles helped maintain the energy and enthusiasm that kept them going right through to the disco on the last night. It was the best trip ever! Thank you to Imogen for her report.
In the swing at Liddington
Year 5 were the first group of BGS Juniors to visit the brand new purpose‑built facility at PGL Liddington, which opened near Swindon this year. They spent two days making the most of the great outdoors, a 150-acre site with extensive woodland, perfect for an evening game of team ambush. For some, arriving for the first time, the facilities and the building were so expansive that the first challenge was to find their way out. When they did, they soon got into the swing of things, getting to grips with their first activity which, for Charlotte and Sophie , was the great leap on to the trapeze. “We put on harnesses and helmets and then had to jump from a terrifying height on to a bar. Actually it was amazing fun and we all got two goes.”
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Maths masters
Maths wizards Emma and Emma were clear winners in the Bristol and Avon Year 6 Maths Challenge this year, nineteen points ahead of their nearest rivals, taking the title with a fantastic 214 points. Ned and Jamie were second in their section and Oscar and Sevven finished tenth. Congratulations to all six who completed the same three-part challenge, a mental test, a simulation of the Countdown number game and some tricky problem solving. Together they made this by far our most successful Maths Challenge outing.
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Exploration
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fter months of preparation, including several training sessions in the Peak District ahead of the more challenging conditions in the wild, two groups of BGS students arrived on Sorfjorden in July, where they began by developing their kayaking skills and practising ‘rescues’. Then began five days on the water and five nights camping in the wilderness. They quickly adjusted to life without the luxury of showers or toilets. Water was collected from the nearest flowing freshwater stream and the students acclimatised to 24‑hour daylight, trying to sleep when it simply never got dark. They proved to be resourceful and self-sufficient as Rhiannon , Upper Sixth explains, “Using our kayaks as a fishing base, we were able to rustle up fresh fish for the dinner menu most evenings. As well as the fish, we came across some spectacular wildlife. Everyone marvelled at the porpoises and sea eagles and the Year 11 team enjoyed a special encounter with Orca, the killer whales.” Reaching the base of the Jokelfjord glacier, the students parted with their kayaks and donned their mountaineering kit ready for the big climb. Adds Rhiannon, “Climbing the glacier was a mesmerising experience that involved a tremendous amount of team work; we learned how to walk with crampons and how to use an ice‑axe to save ourselves from falling.” The students climbed to around 1,200m, with all their food and equipment, and pitched camp for the night on the side of the glacier.
Arctic
adventure Two teams of fourteen students completed a three‑week wilderness journey through Arctic Norway this summer. Carrying all their equipment and provisions, they travelled by sea kayak deep into the fjordlands, camped in the wilderness and ultimately completed a final challenge, climbing high on to the remote glaciers of the Arctic Circle.
Phase three of the expedition took the teams trekking along Nordkapp, heading to Europe’s northernmost point and an opportunity for some more wild camping, spectacular scenery and regular reindeer and other wildlife spotting. Head of Leadership Development, Dr Andrew Dimberline, set out with the Year 11 team, witnessing their commitment and achievements. He said, “It was a true test of determination and stamina. There were times when we were all pushed to our limits, but it was an incredibly exciting trip, a unique opportunity to see some untouched wilderness, and for all these students to discover just how much they could achieve both individually and working together as a team.” For Bea (Year 12), the experience was hugely exhilarating. “It was such an amazing opportunity,
worth all the hard work, the training, which was pretty hard and the running, which is not something I’d normally do,” said Bea. “It was a chance to push myself to do something different and then to be able to share all those amazing experiences with some great friends.”
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Exploration
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o be honest, we were unsure whether St. Petersburg’s gilded palaces, world-renowned museums and neurotically symmetrical gardens could ever live up to the constant rain and worn out tracky bottoms that so fill our lives in Bristol. We were, however, pleasantly surprised, as the only thing that could compete with the warmth of our reception was the 40‑degree heat. Everywhere we went we were made to feel like celebrities, not least because of the talents of one of the exchange parents – capturing our every move on camera. Two‑and‑a‑half hours of “best bits” are available now.
From the outset we were bombarded with culture. Russian history is as varied as the supply of hot water and we were extremely lucky to have a fantastic tour guide who explained everything from the decadent Tsarist era (one can never own too many ornamental urns) to the grim reality of life as a political prisoner in the St Peter & St Paul Fortress. This year’s cohort were given the rare opportunity to visit the presidential residence at the Konstantin Palace. The contemporary interior and its role as a regular venue for events such as the G8 Summit made this an interesting contrast to the other palaces we
had visited, which today serve only as tourist attractions. The most informative part of the trip was, however, the time spent with our Russian families. Whether it was engaging tales of the lives of their great‑grandparents, or learning useful Russian phrases such as “no more borsch”, it was at home that we could really get our teeth into the language and the culture of a society that is so different to our own. Thank you to all the fantastic staff, brave enough to take us across three time zones, via two aeroplanes, losing only four suitcases on the way.
Warm welcome to Russia
Twenty-six students from Years 10–Lower Sixth swapped summer in Bristol for twelve days of babushka dolls and borsch and discovered a hotspot of camaraderie and culture. Ali and Tiffany (both in Upper Sixth) report.
Roving Romans
Caerleon, once the site of one of only three permanent Roman Legionary Fortresses, was the destination for history‑hungry Year 8 explorers this Autumn, heading out to get a flavour of Roman military life. They visited the Roman fortress where sections of the wall still survive, exploring the barracks area, working out the whereabouts of the cooking facilities and the latrines. In the amphitheatre they practised their detective skills, looking for evidence of where gladiators entered, where the shrine of Nemesis – at which gladiators would pray before every fight, and where animals might have been kept – would have been situated. They also visited the Baths, with a swimming pool where soldiers might have practised fording rivers, something they did in full armour. After lunch in the museum garden they visited the museum and chose the most interesting artefacts to use in a short story. Much fun was had in the reconstructed barracks where students got their hands and their heads on replica helmets and breastplates.
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Exploration Best of
Berlin
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oetry in motion Year 12 English students took poetry to Hardy country and Hardy to their hearts, visiting the homes and haunts of their chosen English novelist in a three-day adventure to Hardy’s Wessex. Hardy’s poems played an integral part in the trip, each student being equipped with a well-stocked booklet, enabling full participation in a wide range of readings selected for their association with each individual place of interest. At Max Gate, Hardy’s house after 1862, choices for discussion included The Voice and Beeney Cliff, both of which were written here and refer to the death of Emma, Hardy’s first wife. ‘Kingsbere’ parish church was the scene for an entertainingly re-enacted passage from the end of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, the focus of the group’s ‘Prose Study’ coursework. Almost full participation left the group wanting for parts, and the successful creation of more secondary roles such as a very convincing grandfather clock, a wagon and coat stand. The ‘Tess tour’ also included visits to Talbothays dairy and the Talbothays weir, both apparently largely unchanged from their descriptions in the novel. The students took in Cerne Abbey, cream teas and Lulworth Cove, where they reflected on a landscape that had so inspired both Hardy and Keats – while avoiding being blown off the cliff. Finally a visit to East Coker for a reading of Eliot’s poem, the aptly‑named East Coker, where goodbyes were said and our itinerant poets headed for home. Altogether a fabulous tour of Hardy’s heartland, so called perhaps because his heart, and just his heart, is buried here at Stinsford church, which was also on the students’ itinerary.
tudents from Year 9 enjoyed three exciting days at half-term practising the German they have just started to learn, and discovering why Berlin achieved runner-up in a Guardian readers’ poll of ‘best cities’ (after Tokyo). From the top of the TV-Tower, the tallest structure in Western Europe, they witnessed the scale of the city, now the second biggest in Europe (after London), and took in the views from the glass dome of the Reichstag. A visit to the 1934 Olympic Stadium and the Jewish Quarter presented poignant reminders of the Nazi period and the post‑war chill of the Cold War was still palpable at Checkpoint Charlie and in the GDR Museum with its emphasis on everyday life under a Communist hegemony. The students were visibly moved by photos displayed on a preserved stretch of the old wall, showing just some of those who lost their lives trying to cross over from East to West. Along with the sightseeing, there was time for some shopping, a 3D film at the IMAX cinema and impromptu football outside the Olympic Stadium. Students shared three wonderful meals together, German specialities as well as the Asian cuisine for which multicultural Berlin is also famous. The most memorable meal was perhaps that in Nocti Vagus, where, served by teams of visually impaired waiters, they enjoyed dinner in total darkness.
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Music / Performing Arts Another Classic production In as much as one of Euripides’ s bleakest plays can be described as pleasant, the production of Hippolytus by the Sixth-form classicists, which offers almost no consolation in its vision of the human condition, was nevertheless immensely rewarding. It was made even more so by the real passion for the Classics evident from the cast and directors Matt and Naomi .
From the coldly regal appearance of Annie ’s Cypris (Aphrodite) in the prologue, it was clear that this was no run‑of‑the‑mill production. Naomi captured all the pathos of Phaedra as she is meant to be, wracked with pain and guilt, hunted and in Aphrodite’s cruel grip, self-pitying but proud. Her pride, along with that of Hippolytus, played with all the necessary narcissistic preening by Craig was central to the tragedy of the play. Duncan ’s Theseus was nicely judged and Lauren ’s Artemis ended the play with the distance needed to show how alone we humans really are in the world. Added to this were Alex ’s crisp sound and lighting, the understated costumes and the quiet pathos of Rex ’s messenger speech: all made for a truly inspiring evening.
Macbeth gets a makeover
Students from Years 8 and 9 got their first taste of performing Shakespeare this term as part of the national youth drama festival, Shakespeare in Schools.
Challenged to perform a thirty-minute version of a Shakespeare classic, they entertained their Tobacco Factory audience by combining a flavour of High School Musical with the treachery of Macbeth. In a performance with cheerleaders, gym Jocks as murderers and Goths as witches, the 21-strong cast combined old with new, keeping the richness of Shakespeare’s language but replacing Seventeenth‑century letters with Twenty-first century texts. Explains Banquo, Year 9’s John , “People say performing Shakespeare can be daunting because of all the weird language but when you bring it to life, it all falls into place. The biggest challenge has been how to reduce Macbeth into just thirty minutes and still make something of each character. We used mime, which we think had a really powerful effect.”
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern revived
With their own very distinctive take on Tom Stoppard’s tragicomedy, eighteen performers have been working on a production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for the School play. With the action set in gangland 1920 our two anti-heroes, Rosencrantz, played by Ali and Guildenstern, played by Dory , bounce from situation to situation, avoiding the opportunity to make and take their own decisions, arriving inevitably (or could it have perhaps been avoided?) at their own joint deaths. Explains Drama teacher Jenny Harbour, “The pair are probably not so different from many of us who find it hard to make decisions in life, although these characters find it hard to make decisions all the time. It’s their inability to act over an instruction to execute childhood friend Hamlet that causes their ultimate downfall. Instead Hamlet finds the incriminating letter and replaces it with another, sealing their fate.” The sense of displacement in the minds of the key characters is augmented by the changing scenery. Directors Jenny Harbour and Bea (Lower Sixth) use projection to good effect to move Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from place to place, leaving the two frequently left wondering quite how they got there. With excellent performances from the whole cast and especially Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and the Player (Helly ), this production makes performers and audience alike question their own ability to exercise free will. Explains Dory , “This is an ambitious play, quite different to some of our recent productions. I’m really pleased to have been involved with something this exciting in my final year. We hope it is as stimulating for our audience as it has been for the cast.”
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That's entertainment The Autumn term has been one of music, magic and occasional mayhem as four Houses have presented a marvellous mix of talent.
Catchpole's
Keen's
Keen’s House Concert brought together students from Year 7 right the way through to the Sixth Form. It included Isabel 's (Year 8) electric violin, great teamwork by Miss Nicholsby and the Year 7 girls and some wonderful singing from the senior girls, including four fantastic performances by members of the Upper Sixth. Rowan Atkinson’s sketch “Welcome to Hell” was performed hilariously by Nikhil ; Sam displayed his talents on the piano, Naomi played two different recorders (though not at the same time!) and Mike delivered a show-stopping Mr Cellophane.
Catchpole’s House Concert proved to be a musical mêlée of old and new with some inspired instrumentalists, stunning vocals and pure magic, the latter delivered by Jack (Year 7) in his début magic show. Two young performers, Connie and Maddie started proceedings, Connie singing and Maddie effortlessly playing the violin. Grace performing her own hauntingly beautiful composition. The programme was highlighted by a number of skits and sketches including the Year 11 girls’ version of Would I Lie to You? which revealed Mr Holman’s near-miss with Prince William.
Scott's
Gunawardana's Representatives from every school year took part in the design, production and performance of Gunawardana’s House Concert. Year 8’s Angus and Henry stepped up for a short stint as compères, followed by the House Prefects, who also presented some hilarious improvisation games. The Year 10 girls shone in brilliant self-choreographed dance routines. Pete and Ed stood out for their excellent piano and guitar solos, Grace for her Chinese violin and
Scott’s entertainment evening mixed seasoned pros like Blair and Ross and new acts like the Year 9 Yeo Valley Rappers and Fiona (Year 9) performing dance. Ella sang her own compositions, this year accompanying herself on guitar. Olivia and Rachel and Nancy and Ellie flew the flag for our talented Scott’s families. The evening was hosted by Alexander and Joe and finished off in style by the House Prefects.
Tom
, Jaryd , Callum and Freddie got the crowd going with their version of Knights of Cydonia. There was vocal talent from Jasmine Amy Lucy , Alice , Rosie and Beki and some excellent jazz improvisation from Ben and Yongqi . There were laughs from Griff singing his own composition, Ollie and Anna and Jono . The whole evening was compèred flawlessly by Matt and Helly
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House Plays Perfect harmony
Six-week success Edwards’s House Play, Funny Money by Ray Cooney, was a classic farce based around the accidental swapping of identical briefcases between Perkins, a plodding suburban everyman, and a vicious criminal. While the former’s contains nothing more noteworthy than a cheese and pickle sandwich, the latter’s holds £375,000 of ill-gotten cash. In a fast-paced series of mix-ups, mistakes and near disasters, our newly rich hero tries to escape the grind of daily life (and the money-hunting criminals) for a life in the sun.
Ollie was excellent in the role of Henry, as was Rosie , as his increasingly drunk wife. While the cameos of Sam and Ollie almost stole the show, Tiff and Tom were equally good as Betty and Bill Johnson, as were Bea and Ellie as the investigating police. With just six weeks to stage the show, Directors Henry and Nancy showed excellent leadership and almost endless patience when it came to the line-learning of some of the cast. A triumph.
Jakobek’s Juniors shine Two short plays by the Juniors in Jakobek’s showcased American writer Jonathan Mayer. Directed and performed by Adi and Charlie (Year 8) Underwater presented the short life of two sea worms (Ali and Charlie) reflecting on the high points of their three-day existence. Jakobek’s Junior girls chose Mayer’s A Night Without TV, Music and Gossiping, documenting a sleepover. The girls, Ava and Selina (Year 8), and
Jasmin and Hayley (Year 9), are beguiled by the lady next door, beautifully played by Alec in Year 9. As well as working his magic on the audience, Alec cast a spell on proceedings, forcing the girls to discuss their problems. Congratulations to the girls who also directed this production.
House Singing continues to be one of the most popular events in the School calendar and this term’s competition was no exception, once again producing a wonderful demonstration of House and School spirit. House staff, prefects and students of all ages combined together putting tremendous effort, verve, vitality and voice into the production of top quality performances. Someone had to win, and after a rigorous rehearsal regime, Keen's hard work paid off. Their winning “mash‑up” rendition of Video Killed the Radio Star and Radio Gaga was devised and orchestrated by Mike and Ali . Says Ali, “We practised regularly. Our confidence and volume slowly increased as the mix of these two songs started to make a lot of sense. Lucy worked amazingly hard with the choreography and it all came together beautifully.”
Seniors choose ‘Mediocrity’ Jakobek’s seniors proved far from average with their production of Mediocrity by Anton Krueger; director Holly achieved a real comic success. Says Holly, “There’s always a fear that no one will laugh and the audience won’t find what I find amusing, funny, but in every rehearsal the cast have created new things to do or say to keep it lively and interesting. They really worked amazingly well to make this play the best it could be. “Thanks also to the Juniors for learning their lines in an absolute record time, for being so very hilarious and actually rather cute!”
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Sixth form Talking the talk
Our students have enjoyed a fascinating array of Monday morning talks from visiting speakers this term, covering everything from camels in the Gobi to the ABCs of self-defence.
Another Geography high point Chamonix, with its glorious glaciers and dramatic
peaks, never fails to inspire the Geography students who make this spectacular trip to the Alps to put theory into practice.
Welcomed by a thunderstorm that lit up the valley and the surrounding peaks, in an action-packed two days the group visited the Mer de Glace and explored the inside of the glacier through a constructed tunnel system. Explains Upper-Sixth Geographer, Rachael , “There’s no better way to experience the epic proportions of a glacier than from the inside. You can see the layers of ice as well as the
occasional World War II aircraft, spat out by the glacier over recent years.” A high point of the visit continues to be the cable‑car climb to 3,842m to Aguille de Midi, a snowy peak by the side of Mont Blanc. A trip to Montroc, a small town struck by an avalanche in 1999, enabled the group to grasp the enormous power of the elements and the sheer scale of the disaster.
No sitting on the fence
Asked to take sides between St George and the dragon, Callum has chosen to favour his Celtic roots, fencing for Wales despite being half English. This autumn Callum represented Wales in the UK School Games, one of only fifteen students to take part. Having fenced for ten years, Callum has really found his feet, enjoying competition in a national and international arena. Says Callum, “Fencing for Wales may not always put you first on the podium, but we definitely have the most fun. If the test were one of fencing team spirit the Welsh would definitely win it.”
DC Sim Cryer from Avon and Somerset Constabulary began this year’s series with his talk on Marathons, Mayhem and Murder, proving a tough act to follow. Sim had his audience enthralled, successfully translating his experiences into ideas that everyone could relate to. He talked about how we can all maximise our individual potential, pointing out that it wasn’t until he had the opportunity to evolve his analytical skills with a specialist telecommunications team that he found his niche. He highlighted the importance of communication, describing his frustrations at once failing to explain technical evidence to a Jury and vowing never to be in that situation again.
“Make the most of the many activities outside academic study that you are offered,”
A keen marathon runner, Sim also stressed the importance of striking the right ‘work / life balance’. “Make the most of the many activities outside academic study that you are offered,” suggested Sim. “Don’t be swamped by studies. There are real benefits to be gained from looking after both yourself and the people you are close to.” The event provoked many questions and excellent feedback. Many thanks to DC Cryer who we hope will find time to visit us again.
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Bass line success Freddie can be deeply satisfied with his Grade 8 exam for bass guitar, passing with 83% and a merit. Says Freddie, “There’s an instrument out there for everybody, but the bass guitar is hugely underestimated and always needed. I think everyone should learn the bass.” With so much passion for his chosen instrument, we hope Freddie’s achievement will go a long way in helping him achieve his aim of studying Music at a university in London.
Inside
Upper-sixth Psychology students took themselves out on a visit to the inside this autumn, enjoying a tour of Leyhill Prison, the only minimum security prison in the South West. Leyhill is unusual in preparing life‑sentence prisoners for release, supporting them with external training and work placements as a stepping stone. Our students were given a talk by the Prison Manager including a discussion about the impact of drugs on behaviour in the prison, home to 532 inmates including 110 with life sentences. The trip was particularly pertinent for Psychology Honours student, Nicola , providing insights to support her chosen Extended Project investigation into juvenile crime and re-offending. Said Nicola, “The environment was particularly unexpected, more like a university campus than what you might expect for a prison. We learnt a lot about the role of the psychological assessment unit. Rather than prisoner welfare, they are tasked with deciding if and when prisoners are ready to leave the prison. It’s a lot of responsibility.” The day included an encounter with some less well‑known members of Leyhill’s working community, a demonstration of accuracy by the prison’s narcotics‑detecting dog team.
outing
Bass line success
Set on
success Four young sportswomen, each performing at the top of their field, are among more than forty‑five new faces who made the switch to BGS Sixth Form in September.
A
thlete and runner Olivia England hockey player Abi Tae Kwondo Second Dan black belt Alysia and synchronised swimmer Anastasija have all successfully made the transition. Despite their busy sporting diaries they have been getting to grips with the many social, sporting and academic activities that first attracted them to the School. Sporting commitments kept Anastasija and Olivia away from the induction day, a low-ropes challenge at Failand, which, although it took Abi out of her comfort zone, was, she admits, a brilliant way to make new friends. Missing the induction did leave Olivia a little unsure arriving on the first day. “That didn’t last for long though and it’s a distant memory now,” she says. All the girls have been involved in House Activities this term, Anastasija
and Abi experimenting in the Harmony Group for House Singing, Alysia tackling Britney Spears in the same event and Olivia entering and winning House Cross Country. Both Anastasia and Alysia are very positive about their first experiences of Volunteering, Anastasija at a Nursery School, Alysia training to support children and adults at the Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled. Olivia is involved in Amnesty International and is planning to get stuck into a DofE Gold Award. Abi recently finished the England U16 hockey development programme and is enjoying playing for the BGS First team. “We’re doing really well and I think a lot of that is down to the atmosphere and team spirit, not feeling under pressure. It’s really paying off.” “To be honest I never expected to fit in quite so quickly,” says Anastasija. “It seems like just a matter of weeks before you feel like you are part of the School.” For all the girls the ability to perform at a consistently high level in their chosen sport requires dedication and sacrifice and the challenge of balancing both their academic ambitions and social life. Explains Olivia, “Running is really addictive: you know that if you miss training you will lose fitness.” Despite the difficulties, all are enjoying the academic challenge at BGS. “To be honest I think it’s good for me”, says Abi. “There is more emphasis on learning than I had before but, to balance out the expectation, we have loads of encouragement and support.” As well as studying for AS levels, Abi will continue her development with England hockey. Anastasija is competing in the Scottish Nationals and British Championships. Alysia, who has reached instructor level in Tae Kwondo, is working to maintain her fitness and Olivia has a full programme of national and international fixtures as well as having her eye on the BGS trip to America. Adds Alysia “It’s going to a busy year, but we’re all feeling supported, happy and confident. Moving schools has been brilliant. Bring it on!”
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Sport
Best foot forward
Sports Tour South Africa is the destination for the 2011 BGS sports tour, a hugely popular event organised approximately every three years and scheduled for July next year. Sixty-six students from the School’s senior Rugby, Girls’ hockey and netball sides have signed up to take part in a trip that will take them in and around Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Cape. Students, parents and friends are hard at work to raise money for the tour. Key fundraising opportunities include opening the School car park to shoppers, bag packing in supermarkets and three high‑profile social events, the Sportsman’s Dinner in February, a Golf Day and a summer ball. The School is also gathering donations for an online auction. This year organisers have created opportunities for four main corporate sponsors whose branding will be reflected on 600 items of kit plus every piece of literature and promotional material associated with the tour fund‑raising events. To find out more contact Mark Wilson mrw@macarthurwilson.com While students pay their own travel expenses, the money raised funds gifts for host schools and families and tour kit. BGS is linking with a South African charity working to help rural children out of poverty, and a percentage of funds raised will be donated to this cause. Says Director of Sport at BGS, Rick Sellers, “Not only does this tour afford our students some excellent sporting opportunities, it is also a fantastic learning experience that will give them great confidence.”
in Biathlon
Flying
high Acrobatic gymnast Katrina (Year 5) has been in training for the British Championships this term, competing in events around the country. It’s a sport that’s both physically and psychologically demanding, involving strong teamwork, skills in balance and dynamic elements, requiring the artistry of a dancer and the courage of an acrobat. Katrina and her team took a gold medal in the South West competition in age‑group 11–16, just three months after she and her team began training.
Alongside competitors from more than thirty schools from across the region, twenty-one BGS students took part in the first round of the British Schools' Modern Biathlon Competition, a tough test of both running and swimming. Students from as young as Year 5 right through to Year 10 put themselves forward to complete the challenge, against strong competition. Everyone from BGS benefited from the fantastic support from parents and friends who turned up to cheer on a chilly Sunday in November. Six young runners and swimmers from BGS were in the first six for their group, qualifying for a place in the semi-finals, scheduled for January: Sam (Year 5), took second place; Emma (Year 6) was fourth; Ben , (Year 7) snatched a fantastic first place; David and Louise (Year 9) took fourth places and Matt , (Year 10) qualified in second place. Meanwhile Matt , Frazer and Jono will compete in the semi-final of the Year 10 team event with Ben , Oliver and George through for Year 7.
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Sport
Rugby reports
In a season where there have been impressive numbers of students participating in all sports at Failand, BGS Rugby is once again on a roll. Leading the way, the First XV have had a hugely successful second half of the term, topping the score five games in a row including wins against local rivals Clifton College and QEH, which are always very satisfactory. BGS Second XV has won all but one game.
Clean sweep for U12s
Year 7 Rugby got of to a rocketing start this season, the U12 ‘A’ team being unbeaten, conceding only ten points and two tries in their first six matches. Along with some great individual successes such as the hat-trick of tries against Monmouth from George , the excellent two tries by Andrew against Clifton College and great leadership by Captain James , there was plenty of outstanding team play and some superb team tries including the best of the season, finished by Max against Monmouth.
Just as good in the Juniors
The U11 ‘A’ and U10 ‘A’ Rugby teams have also delivered many impressive, and in the case of the U11s, muchimproved performances of late. At the King Edward’s Festival at the end of November the teams between them scored eighteen tries and conceded only four throughout the afternoon.
High‑performance
hockey In the National Schools Girls’ Hockey Championship BGS First team have recently competed in the regional West of England finals. They played against schools from nine counties for a coveted place in the National Final. After a long day of competition the final result saw BGS placed 4th. Says teacher Fran Ripley, “This is the first time we have progressed quite so far in this completion and it’s a really fantastic achievement for the girls.”
Memorial match
BGS and Clifton College came together for a special Rugby match this term in memory of Clifton student Ryan Bresnahan who died, aged sixteen, earlier this year. With an audience of more than a thousand, BGS were just pipped in a game full of ebb and flow, losing 25–33. This was of minor importance compared to this celebration of the life of a keen young sportsman. The trophy was presented by former England and British Lion Mark Regan MBE. www.ryanbresnahan.org
Sporting snippets Congratulations to: Junior fencers Tom and Ben who won the Under 10 category and Under 12 category repectively in the Gloucestershire Amateur Fencing Union Junior Foil Championships in Thornbury Leisure Centre. Olivia (Lower Sixth) who took a silver medal at the Sainsbury’s UK School Games in the 1,500m. It proved to be a close finish, Olivia leaving it to the last 100m to pull out a fantastic sprint finish and earn her place on the podium, finishing in 4:33:88 minutes.
Coach David Harris from Firebrands has certainly helped invigorate Junior Girls’ hockey this season. In a sport where every one of the girls is playing for School teams, the Under 11 ‘A’ team has won all but one of their regular matches, drawing the other. They came third in the tournament hosted by King Edward’s School. Making the play-off in their regional finals puts them as our most successful U11 team ever.
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Literary events Seal Skin and Reindeer Hide and Michael Wood Historian and presenter Michael Wood visited Bristol Grammar School in October, unearthing his personal insights into the project behind this Autumn’s enthralling new book and six-part history series Story of England (Penguin and BBC 4), at a public event hosted by the History Department and organised by the School.
he book brings to life the history of England through the story of one small village in central England. With the help of the local people of Kibworth in Leicestershire, Michael used archaeology, landscape, oral testimony, documents and DNA to uncover the lost history of the first thousand years of the village, from the first Roman civilisations right up to the Second World War. He gave the BGS audience insights into the making of the BBC 4 series which involved everyone in the village from the local football team, to the pub landlord and the school children of Kibworth. Together they traced the story of Kibworth, whose inhabitants have variously fought alongside Simon de Montfort and rallied to support the Lollard movement and, more recently, the Suffragettes, showing how local events segue with the national picture. This was the second visit to Bristol for the writer and historian who first visited the School in 2007 to talk about an earlier book, The Story of India. Says Lucy Shepherd, Literary Events Co-ordinator, “The visits have been equally memorable and we were all enthralled by the story unfolding in his latest venture.”
Francis Kay at the Tart Café In a joint venture between BGS and Picador books, début novelist Francis Kay was joined by Ali (U6) in Gloucester Road’s Tart Café as they entertained their audience with extracts from Micka, Kay’s astounding, gritty, adult book about two feral ten‑year‑olds. At an event attended by staff, BGS students and former students, the presence of other local authors and guests from neighbouring schools led to an electric atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Acclaimed children’s author Michelle Paver arrived at BGS hot on the heels of winning the 2010 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize in October. Michelle shared the secrets behind her Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series and the final book Ghost Hunter, whose storytelling captured the imagination of the authors who voted for her to win this year’s Guardian Prize accolade. She takes the reader back six thousand years to the time of clan-dwelling hunter gatherers, not a fantasy world but one that is very real for Paver, one she has researched in meticulous detail. Explains Mrs Jooles Whitehead, who was among the enthralled audience, “There was a palpable buzz in the Hall as Michelle Paver explained how, while undertaking research in Lapland and during many encounters with bears and sharks, she discovered that the tribes‑people do not waste any part of the animal they kill. She invited us to name a body part, a macabre idea but one which thrilled the younger listeners. We learnt that the brain can be used to cure the hide of the dead animal, the gut for clothing and that eyeballs are a particular delicacy, one often reserved for grandmothers with a lack of teeth because of their ‘squidginess’." It was an inspirational evening and Michelle’s many fans flocked to the signing queue. They’ll be glad to learn that it won’t be long before they hear from Paver’s ‘new voices’ as she embarks upon another series, again pre-history, allowing time for more exciting research trips.
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Old Bristolians BGS sponsors
Michael Morpurgo The highlight of this year’s Bath Festival of Children’s Literature was the Sunday afternoon event with Michael Morpurgo, sponsored by BGS.
Richard Canon
Lucy Shepherd introduced Michael to an audience of 350 in Bath’s sumptuous Guild Hall. Spellbound, young and old alike listened to Michael giving the background to some of his many books and reading from his two latest titles, Shadow and An Elephant in the Garden. He has that rare ability, as both performer and story-teller, to make you laugh, cry and think profoundly – sometimes simultaneously! He talked directly to his audience and utterly captivated us all. The applause at the end was deafening – we all wanted more Morpurgo!
Welcome to Chile Former BGS PE teacher, Kez Trump, reports from Chile, where she took up a new opportunity at St John’s School in Concepcion at the start of the year. "Being woken up in the small hours by an 8.8 earthquake after only eight days in the country was a different form of ‘welcome to Chile’ than I expected! However, post looting and military curfews, I’m settling in nicely. Nine months in, the Spanish is developing well and I feel right at home in this beautiful country. St John's is a delightful school. I am teaching a variety of sports, but mainly hockey, which we enjoy playing at all hours on our new artificial pitch. Now I’m really looking forward to the arrival of Sophi Gorvett, a former U6 tutee, who is coming to teach English in the Junior School as well as assisting me in Games and after school clubs. She will
Networking
at Lords Ten Sixth formers joined members of the OB society for a visit and tour to Lord’s Cricket Ground in October followed by a buffet and networking session. The tour, which included a visit to the pavilion and the museum, ended in the facility’s strikingly modern media centre where student Naomi gave an inspirational speech about the ethos of Bristol Grammar School. Katie was one of the students attending. Said Katie, “At first I found it a little bit daunting meeting lots of new faces, but the Old Bristolians were so friendly and we soon found ourselves engaging in intense conversation. Overall the evening was an invaluable experience and we would like to thank the School and the OBs for offering it to us.”
be posted with a host family, so will have a fantastic opportunity to improve her linguistic skills (although the Chileans speak terrible Spanish) and get to know the culture. Chile is a wonderful country with a lot to offer. The people are inviting, warm, affectionate, always keen to have a BBQ. Living in a foreign country (and not speaking the language) is a sure‑fire way of shrinking your comfort zone and making you stronger in ways you never imagined. Every day is a learning curve and I can honestly say I have no regrets and would strongly urge anyone, who can, to do it."
OB Lunch Club
Three members of the Sixth‑form Arctic Expedition team entertained guests attending the OB Lunch Club, a biennial event, this year held at Redland Tennis Club. Rhiannon , Sam and Nick shared what were life‑changing experiences, telling the story of their three‑week expedition to Arctic Norway in July. There were many questions ranging from the delights of expedition food to a comparison with school trips on offer during the OBs' time at BGS. Along with the considerable praise for the students and their sense of adventure, all enjoyed a great sense of community and this special link between former BGS students and those of today.
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Diary dates January Saturday 15 January: Entrance Exam (Years 7–10), Great Hall Monday 17 January: Literary Event, children’s author
Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR Upper School 0117 973 6006 Junior School 0117 973 6109 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk
Forthcoming literary events
graphic artist Lorenzo join Year 7 for an activity afternoon
Rob Young, Editor at Large of The Wire magazine, arguably knows more about the history of English folk music in the 20th century than almost anyone. His book, Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music is a 664 page exploration tracing the fascinating origins of folk music back to the 19th century and delving deep into the late 1960s and 70s, when folk‑rock groups had names such as Fotheringay and Fushia. Rob will be in conversation with folk aficionado Chris Hamlett. A fantastic evening for all, promising both musical insights and entertainment. ‘in association with The Bristol Festival of Ideas’ Tickets (£8/£6) including refreshments.
February
Pride of Place
Cathy Hopkins visit to Year 7 and Year 8 Wednesday 19 January: External Sixth-form interviews, Sixth Form Centre, 4.00–8.00pm Saturday 22 January: Entrance Exam (Years 7–10), Great Hall Monday 24 January: Headmaster’s Lecture, author of teenage novels, Bali Rai Tuesday 25 January: The Etherington Brothers, author Robin and
Saturday 5 February: Sports Tour Dinner, Great Hall Monday 7–Friday 11 February: Charity Week Saturday 12 February: Old Bristolians’ Society Oxford Dinner, St Anne’s College Tuesday 15 February: School Concert, Great Hall Wednesday 16 February: Literary event, in conjunction with Bristol Festival of Ideas, Rob Young, Great Hall / JCR, 7.00 for 7.30pm Friday 18 February: Inset Day Monday 21–Friday 25 February: Half Term
March Sunday 6 March: Modern United Nations, Bath Friday 18 March: Whole School Open Morning, JJR Saturday 19 March: Charter Day, Bristol Cathedral, 10.00 am Saturday 19 March: Old Bristolians’ Society Annual Dinner, 6.15 for 7.15 pm Wednesday 30 March: School Concert, St. Georges
April Tueday 5 April: Term Ends
Editorial: Jo Foster, Wide Blue Yonder Design: adartdesign.co.uk Printed on 100% recycled stock using vegetable inks
for Christmas
Pride of Place, A Modern History of Bristol Grammar School was published this month, a fascinating reflection on the role and development of the School and an insight into the people and events that shaped its history over the Twentieth Century. Written by Keith Robbins (OB 1949– 58), historian, author and former Vice Chancellor, Pride of Place is a substantial commentary on the modern history of English education. It is of course a compelling read for everyone associated with the School, illustrated with an historic archive of photos from the ranks of excited boys waving their caps to welcome His Majesty King George VI in 1940 to our first girls’ Rugby team in 1993. In his review of the book, historian Robert Lacey (OB 1951–62) describes ‘a cavalcade of memorable characters who take us by the hand, through classrooms, playing fields and into the Headmaster’s study as that hallowed sanctum has evolved over the years’. Launched at a special Christmas 2010 introductory price of £20.00 (RRP £30.00), Pride of Place is a perfect seasonal stocking‑filler. Purchase on line at www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk or contact the Bursar’s office.
Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity No. 1104425