the albanian 2014

THE ALBANIAN December 2014

THE ALBANIAN2014

December 2014 Volume 28 Number 18

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Contents

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Albanian Editorial Team

Editor Noel CassidyDeputyEditor Julia GrievesonStudentEditors Declan Houten Sam Machell Naveen MorrisIllustrator Sam Machell

StAlbansSchoolAbbeyGatewayStAlbansAL34HB

Tel:01727855521Fax:01727843447

Publicationsemail:[email protected]:www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

Contents

3 EditorialArestafteranewbuildingpermonth

4 Ins&OutsWelcomesandfarewells

14 PrizegivingAcademicandotherprizes

20 CreativeArtGCSEandALevelartfromtheendofyearexhibition

26 MusicArangeofconcertsandatourtoSpain

38 CreativeDesignStoragesolutions,furniture,displaysandmore

42 EnrichmentFurtheringeducationbeyondtheclassroom

48 CommunityConnectionswithlocalschoolsandorganisations

50 DukesExpeditionshitherandthither

55 DramaCyranoandotherhighlightsofthestage

61 HousesFinalresultsandhousemusicphotos

63 CreativeWritingShortstoriesandpoems

69 FeaturesFormula1andthehistoryoftheSchoolthroughitsbenefactors

75 CCFAnotherbusyyearincamouflage

82 Sport

Teamandindividualgloryforplayersandathletes

106 AFinalWordExtractfrominterviewwithAndrewGrant

St Albans School is a company limited by guarantee.Registered in England No. 4400125 Charity No. 1092932 Registered Office: Abbey Gateway, St Albans, Herts. AL3 4HB

ThecoverforthiseditionofThe AlbanianwascreatedbyJoeRedwood.

TheideaoftherelayhandoverisanappropriateoneforJoe,reflectingbothformerHeadmas-terAndrewGrant’sandhisowninterestinrunning.JoehasbeenanimportantmemberoftheSchool’striumphantcrosscountryteamssincehisarrivalintheSchool.

Joeisnowusinghisartisticandmathematicalskillsincombination,studyingarchitectureatSheffieldUniversity.Heisprobablyrunning,too.

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EditorialThiseditionofThe Albanianispublishedatakeypoint–itformsarecordofthelastyearofAndrewGrant’stenureastheHeadmasterofStAlbansSchool,atenurethathaslasted21yearsandhasseentheSchool’sfortunesrisesignificantly.AsPatTaylorsaysinhistributeonp.7,theSchool’spositionandreputationareunrecognisablefromtheestablishmenthetookoverin1993.

HehasnotonlyoverseensuchdevelopmentsasNewPlace,Woollams,theSportsCentreandAquisCourt.Theconfidenceexpressedinthewiderangeofactivitiesandachievementsrecordedinthesepages,fromsportstotheCadetForce,frommountaineeringDukestotheHawkingsciencelecture,allowetheirvitalitytoAndrewGrant’senergyanddrive.

HehaslefttheSchoolinaverygoodstateandwewelcomeournewHeadmaster,JonathanGillespie,verywarmly.Ashehimselfsays,hehastakenoveraverystrongschoolandhiswatchwordsare‘evolutionratherthanrevolution.’Assuggestedinastudentinterviewonp.5,theSchoolcanlookforwardwithconfidenceunderhiswiseandcarefulleadershipinthecomingyears.

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FirstForm

AHMED,SameerALAO,TobiALOZIE,KelechiOANDERSON,DanielANNIS,MatthewTBALOGUN,DominicBARBER,TristanJBENEDICT,JesseJBENNETT,SebastianEBLACKMORE,EliotGBURGESS,OliverJCOOK,CiaranBCOSGROVE,CallumJDAJANI,WafaDHULASHIA,NikhilDOWNEY,CharlieSDUNGARWALLA,MustafaMEASTHAM,NathanTEAVES,DanielOFELTON,TorinBFRIAR,JackWFUELL,NathanielJGAY,DevaughanCGRANT,CharlesGHANNAH,EliotFHARDEN,FrancisSHOUGIE,JacobSHOULAHAN,FrederickLHUBBARD,FrederickHUGHES,ThomasJONES,NathanKATECHIA,ArjunNKUMAR,VishaalMACGOVERN,AidanMACKIE,OliverAMANIVANNAN,TharunMARLOW,TobySMARTIN-FLAVEN,AlbertJMCDONALD,SamuelJMCLOUGHLIN,WilliamBMOORE,JamesJOGUNSEYE,OluwatamiloreOGUNSEYE,OluwatobilobaOYENUGA,AdemideOPAGE,WilliamDPATEL,NeilPAZZI-AXWORTHY,FrederickJPEACOCK,EthanJPENNY,GeorgeJPERRIN,StevenTPLATTS,ThomasCPOUND,SebastianKPUNG,NicholasYREFSON,BenjaminJREYNOLDS,BenjaminAROBINSON,ConnorJSCRAGG,JosephASHAH,AryanSHERGILL,AmanSSIMPSON,Alex

SINGH,ShaanSONG-LI,HenrySURESH,KouthamanKTAHERI,ArmanUJEYAH,JeremyUMASSUDAN,VikhneshVANCE,JosephGWALKEYMORAIS,JoshuaSWHITE,FergusPWILKINSON,AlexandreCWRIGHT,NathanRZHANG,ShukaiZHIVANOVICH,AleksandarJ

SecondForm

BURDETT,TaylorJ

ThirdForm

ADAMJEE,RaiyanBALLARD,JackOBARTON,AdamDBATEY,AshwinBERGER,HarrisonBOY,LukeABROWN,WilliamJBUCKLAND,HugoWCHAMAY,DimitriLCHARLTON,AlexJCOUCHMAN,HenryJDAVIS,WilliamJDEANS,MarcusDDREW,BenjaminDUTHIE,OliverZESSES,BrunoFARLOW,ThomasRFROST,SamuelJGALLAGHER,LawrenceHAWKINS,GeorgeGHILLMAN,ThomasAHOLDEN,JamesAHOSKING,BenjaminJHOWARD,LouisCHOWE,AlexanderGHURLEY,GregoryAINNES,ToranMJARMAN,SamuelHJOANNOU,MarcusJOLLY,NeilKERR,JoshuaRLARSSON,OliverWLAZARI,AngelosLECOUILLIARD,CharlesOLOUCAIDES,EdwardGMARSH,MichaelJMARTIN,RyanWMCAREE,JamesM’CAW,JoshMCKEE,ArteMILLER,MadocM

MISTRY,KaviNMULHOLLAND,KrishnanSNDUMU,KamauAONANUGA,AdebowaleDREED,CiaranCRHYDDERCH,LouisSROSSI,LorenzoESARGESON,RobinASKINNER,BenjaminASTERN,SamSTEWART,JackASTOCKBRIDGE,GeorgePTAYLOR,AlasdairGTAYLOR,LouisGTHAPAR,RahilKWALTER,ThomasSWALTERS,OliverBWARREN,BrendanWWEST,OliverAWILKS,ArchieGYUCELT,AlpayYURKWICH,BenE

FourthForm

KHAWAJA,SafwaanS

SixthForm

ALLEN,JenniferCHILDS,EmilyCHMURZYNSKA,DominikaCLAYDEN,LouisCOOK,AmeliaGCOUDERT,TessaJDIXON,SaraHGEORGIOU,ElizabethMGOLDIE,JessicaJHUDSON,RosieSJACKMAN,CharlotteKEENAN,AmyJKELSEY,GeorgiaHLORETI,MatthewLU,RichardMACGREGOR,AnnabelEMAXTED,HarrietMENDOZA,MayaING,KingTNISSEN,CharlotteRPLOUTARHOU,TheoCPOTTINGER,JemimaAPRICE,JosephinaRPRITCHARDElenaROBERTSON,ImogenLSEECHURN,JamieSHOBEIRY,JasmineSHREEVES,KatieSINFIELD,EleanorCTAYLOR,AngusCVICKERSTAFF,AlexandraM

NewEntrantstotheSchoolSeptember2014

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NewTeachersArrivalsintheCommonRoomSeptember2014

JonathanGillespieHeadmaster

ItisalmostayearsinceJonathanGillespiewasan-nouncedasStAlbansSchool’snewHeadmaster,followingAndrewGrant’svenerable21yeartenureasHead.ReplacingMrGrantwasalwaysgoingtobeadauntingprospect,butMrGillespieseemstohavehitthegroundrunning,bringingtheperfectblendofen-thusiasmandexperiencetothejob.HavingbeenborninLutonandeducatedatBedfordModernSchool(wherehestillremembersplayingcricketagainstStAlbans),MrGillespiehassometiestothearea,butitwastheschool’sreputationandwarmfeelthatpersuadedhimtotakeuptherole.Heisadamantthatdespitetheirpatentimportance,examqualificationsshouldn’tbethebe-allandend-allforschools,andthatcommunityandspiritareequallyimportant.

Despitebothofhisparentsbeingteachers,MrGillespieinitiallyhadambitionsofjoiningthearmywhenheleftBedfordforSelwynCollege,Cambridge,wherehereadModernandMedievalLanguages.Aftercompletinghisdegree,hedecidedtoembarkonacareerofteaching,firstlyatHighgateSchool,wherehetaughtFrenchandGerman,beforehisappointmentasHeadofModernLanguagesatFettesCollege,Edinburgh.

Heacceptsthattheschoolisinatransitionalphaseandiswaryofmakinganyhastychangesbeforesettlingin,preferringamantraof‘evolu-tionratherthanrevolution’,therebyacknowledgingtheadmirablesitu-ationtheschoolisalreadyin.Althoughheiskeentomakeagoodfirstimpression,healsoiskeentolookaheadtothefutureandthebiggerpicture–whattheexcitingnext10or15yearsmightholdforStAlbansSchool.

MelodyJonesDeputyHead

TakinguptheroleofSecondMaster,MsJonesat-tendedDurhamUniversityandhasspentsixteenyearsteachinginanumberofleadingindependentschools,mostrecentlyMagdaleneCollegeSchoolinOxford.Havingbeenattractedtotheschoolbythenewrole,impressivegroundsandsimilarsetuptoMagdaleneCollegeSchool,shehasbeenimpressedbytheprofessionalappearanceofthepupils.AlongsideherdutiesasSecondMaster,MsJonesteachesPhysicsandCriticalThinking,whilstalsobeingakeenrunnerandtraveller.

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Sofia Charalambous is another addition to the Languages Department from St Margaret’s, Bushey – teaching both French and Spanish, as well as being fluent in Finnish. Having studied a joint degree in both French and Music at the Royal Holloway University of London, Surrey she also has an interest in singing, and has already joined the choir. She has found that the Languages Department is very strong - and has been impressed with the passion of the pupils here. which is clearly apparent through the number of students studying languages to a higher level. Her introduction to teaching came as a student while teaching English to French people in Leon, where she found that she had a natural flair as well as a interest in the profession.

Jordan Blaxill comes to us after studying Drama at Exeter University followed by teaching Drama in schools including Ashlyns in Berkhamsted. He is very passionate about his subject and believes it provides a great way of telling stories and using your imagination. His first impressions of the school were very positive, in particu-lar the sense of history and tradition along with a pleasing attitude and work ethic. His other interests include play writing/acting and he is a season ticket holder at the Emirates.

Hailing from New Zealand, Jeremy Walmsley arrives at the PE department having been to Essex University gaining a degree in Sports Studies. He’s also been player/coach at Essex Rugby Union and Canterbury Rugby Club among others. He says the most interesting part about teaching PE is the interactive nature of the subject. He’s found life enjoyable at the school so far, describing it as ‘mind-blowing’. As well as rugby he enjoys all kinds of sport such as climbing, swimming and ultimate frisbee.

Christine Malacrida joins St Albans School as the new Head of Religious Studies, with an MA in Philosophy from Edinburgh. Her first impressions have been good so far, despite getting lost a few times. Beyond RS her interests include jogging and cooking, as she held a weekly ‘Come Dine with Me’ style cake competition at her previous school, where she was known as the ‘fun one.’ She chose to teach at St Albans because of the setting combined with the staff room biscuits – and thinks RS is important because it enables pupils to think for themselves, and develop a greater understanding of the world.

Allison Puranik joins the English department after a career in radio journalism, and having previously worked at a number of girls schools. She sees some parallels between the worlds of journalism and teaching, and firmly believes in the power of investigative journalism. Once she has settled in, Ms Puranik would like to set up a journalism club encouraging pupils to find out their own stories and report on global affairs. From a literary perspective, she enjoyed reading as a child, and has a particular soft spot for the works of Robert Frost. She lives in the area and hopes to be an influential and committed member of the English department.

Melanie Rennie joins us as one of two new language teachers from Beaumont School where she said she was known as ‘nice and a little witty.’ After having gained her degree from Exeter in Spanish and French she also worked in finance. She was attracted to teach at St Albans School because of its values and in order to become a part of the community. From her perspective she makes lessons fun by keeping them relevant, as well as including games. Languages are important to her because they provide a great opportunity to meet new people, and her ideal school would be ‘a St Albans school where her young daughters could go.’

After gaining a mathematics degree from Leeds University, Corinna Rogers spent nine years teaching in Yorkshire before moving south, taking on a number of roles in local schools. Having taught at both Tring and St Columba’s Schools, Mrs Rogers is taking on a part time role to allow her to deal with the pressures of an ad-dition to the family. She is greatly impressed by the school, stating that the pupils are ‘polite and hardworking’. In what little spare time she now has, Mrs Rogers enjoys yoga, walking and gardening.

Joining the Physics department this year, Geoffrey Spencer took up teaching four years ago at St George’s, having previously been in electronic engineering. His first impressions of the school have been ‘awesome’, as he looks forward to exploring new opportunities at the school. As well as physics, Mr Spencer takes a keen interest in history, swimming and hiking, assisting with the Silver Duke Of Edinburgh award this year.

Paul Newman studied English Literature and Drama at Exeter University and comes to the English depart-ment for a year as cover for Dr Brereton who is on maternity leave. Before becoming Head of Drama at several schools, such as Mill Hill and Watford Grammar, he’s appeared in several West End musicals, over 600 TV shows and has been chosen to appear on the Royal Variety Show twice. His love of drama and literature has stayed with him through his career and says he feels privileged to be part of a beautiful school with such a magnificent history.


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StaffFarewells

Abarelyfortyyear-oldAndrewGrantsteppedontothestageofhisnewschoolforhisfirstassemblyatatroubledtimeforStAlbansSchool.TheinterveningyearshaveensuredthatIcan’trecallmuchoftheassembly,butwhatIdorememberisAndrew’sstatementtothestaffandpupils:‘Thisisagoodschool.Intheyearstocome,IwantyoutobeproudtosaythatyouattendedStAlbansSchool’.Atthetimesuchastatementseemedalittleodd,atvariancewiththemoodandethosoftheplace;butnow,twentyoneyearson,itseemsentirelynatural:formerpupilsofStAlbansSchoolareproudoftheiralma mater.

Inmanywaystwenty-oneyearsisameretickofaclockinaschoolofathousandyears,butthechangesthatAndrewGrantwroughtwillcontinueforgenerations.Withjustovereighthundredpupilscurrentlyontheschoolroll,theimprovementinnumbersisobvious,butasformerChairmanofGovernorsIanJenningscommentedrecently,‘Inindustryitispossibletoincreasethequantityofproductsmade;anditispossibletoimprovethequalityofproductsmade–butrarelyarethetwothingsdonesimultaneously’.Nowwhilsttheanalogyofmanufacturingisnotdirectlyapplicabletoeducation,theunderlyingtruthofthatstate-mentholdstrue.Andrewnotonlyoversawanincreaseinnumbers,butalsoachargeuptheleaguetables.Andrew’scontemporariesacknowledgedhisachievementsbyelectinghimtothechairmanshipoftheHMC,apostheheldfortheyear2009-10,whilstmoreapocry-phallyhewasvoted‘mostintimidat-ingHeadtofaceatinterview’byaMastersDegreegroupatBucking-hamUniversity.

Andrew’sachievementsindevel-opingtheSchool’sfacilitieswerealsonotable.FromthepurchaseofCheapsideFarmandthedevelop-mentthereoftheWoollamplayingfields,throughthepurchaseandconversionofNewPlaceintoasuperbdramacentre,tothemodernisationofthesciencelabs,Andrew’splaceinSchoolhistory

astheprogenitorofasubstantialexpansionseemedassured,evenbeforethelatefloweringasoneprojectfollowedontheheelsofanother:TheSportsCentre,theacquisitionandconversionoftheAquisCourtbuildingsintoadedicatedSixthFormareaandArtFacility,andabrandnewRefectorystandingonthefootprintoftherathertiredGymthatprecededit.

Alwayssureofwherehisvisionfortheschoolwastakinghim,Andrewcouldbecombativeindiscussion,andnevermoresothanwhenfacedbywhathesawtobeflawedarguments.Theexperiencecouldbebruising,butoftentherewasasenseoffunatplay;andheneverboreagrudge.

Remarkably,giventhedemandsof‘headmastering’,Andrewmaintainedacompetitiveinterestinsport.Asteadfastandenthusiasticpres-enceonthesidelineandboundary,hewasalsoakeensquashplayer,whilsthisvigorousroad-cyclingregimesawhimcoveraround5000mileseachyear.ManyweretheMondaymorningswhenhebreezedin,revellinginupdatingusonthe150mileshehadknockedoffthedaybefore.Hewas,andI’msurewillcontinuetobe,foundintheleadgrouponlocal‘sportive’cyclingevents.Buthewaspreparedtoputinthehardgrind,too:aspartofasuccessfulcombinedSchoolstaffandstudentteam,hecomplet-edtheThreePeaksridefromWalestoScotlandthatincludedhisusingice-axeandcramponsforthefirsttimewhilstascendingSnowdon.

Andrew’sloveoflanguagewasevident;andnevermoresothanonthebigoccasions.HerejuvenatedtheratherdustyrecitationofthelistofbenefactorsonFounders’Day,injectingwarmthandempha-sisingthehumanelementsintheSchool’shistory.Hewasacarefulreaderofliteraturetoo:whenherecitedtheopeninglinesofTSEliot’sThe Journey of the MagiinthedyingafternoonlightoftheCarolService(‘Acoldcomingwehadofit’)onecouldfeeltheicinessofthejourneythewisemenhadsuffered.Andhewrotewell:hisletterto

MajorMontague-Jones,whichhereadatRemembranceDay2013,wasasustainedandimpressivepoem,acommunicationfromoneHeadmastertoanotheracrossacentury.OnecouldalsoseeinitAndrew’saffectionfortheschoolthatbothmencouldjustlycalltheirs.

Schoolsarealwayschanging;whatwasnewoneyeariscommonplacethenext,andsoforanewpupilarrivingthistermitwillbeasiftheschoolhasalwaysbeenlikethis.Butforthosewhohavebeenherelonger,weknowwhatfundamentaldifferencesAndrewmadetotheSchool;andhistorywillplacehimamongstthosefewheadmasters–notleasttheotherlong-serving20thcenturyones–who,withthebestinterestsoftheirpupilsatheart,revolutionisedStAlbansSchool.

PWT

AndrewGrant

DavidMcCord

RoseHardy

SincefirstjoiningStAlbansSchoolin1970,DavidMcCordestablishedhimselfasoneofthemostpopularandinfluentialmembersofstaffinthehistoryoftheschool.Anicontotheseveralthou-sandpupilsheencounteredduringhistime,OAsareforeverreminiscingabouttimestheyspentwiththeinimitable‘DKM’.

Davidwasanoutstandingschoolmasterinthetruestsenseofthewords;aSixthFormtutorandDeputyHeadofSixthFormformanyyears,hepossessedararetalentforcommunicatingwithyoungadults.Addedtohistotalprofessionalism,hisunflappablemanner–whenfacingthemanyteenagecrisesarisinginhistutorgroups–hashadacalminginfluenceonthecountlessstudentshementored.Thiscontinuedfrom1970to2014wherehiscompanywasfoughtoverwhilstontourinSpain,andhisapprovalsoughtconstantlybytheyoungchoristerswhereverwetravelled.Davidhasalwayshadtimeforanythingrequiredofhimbybothstudentsandcolleaguesalike.

Intheclassroom,David’sgentleEdinburghbroguedriftedintotheearsofmanybuddingmusicians,inspiringavastcohortofSASboysandgirlsintothemusicindustrywheretheynowappearasperformers,managersorcreatorsinthefieldsofopera,popandrock.Alwaysattheforefrontofmusiceducation,DavidservedasChiefExaminerofMusicforAQA,atime-consumingposthetookveryseriously,alwaysfightingformoreattentiontomusicianshipthanfactsandbox-ticking.

Inhisownmusicianship,Davidwasanexceptionalbaritone,spendingseveralyearssingingatGlyndebourneandbeingaregularconcertsoloist.Itwasagreatshamethathecalledanendtohisperformingdayssoyoung.Davidcontinuestobethemostthoughtfulandsupportiveofmentorstome;hisinvaluableadvicehasalwaysbeenavailable,andneverforced.Inhismanyyearsofservice,hehasproventobetheepitomeofourschoolmotto:Non Nobis Nati –‘Bornnotforourselves’.

MRS

RosearrivedatStAlbansSchoolelevenyearsagowithawealthofexperienceandayoungandgrowingfamily.Shehadalready,inthefirsteightyearsofherteachingcareer,experiencedthedifferingchallengesofthreeschoolsandhadmostrecentlybeenappointedHeadofDepartmentatFrancisHollandSchool.However,thecontinuingadditionstothefamilyandadesiretomovemorecloselytoherrootspromptedapauseinhercareerprogressionandawillingnesstoreturntothecoalfaceasaclassroomteacher.ThisshedidinSeptember2003.

StAlbansSchoolwaswellknowntoRose,beingalocalgirlandhavingfamilytiestoitfromearlierdays.Theempathyshehadwiththeschoolethosandherexceptionalabilitiesasaclassroomteachermadeherstandoutrightfromthestart.Althoughshebemoanedthefactthatthestudentsnolongerstudiedherpoliticalheroesfrom19thcenturyBritishHistory,sheembracedthediversityofthehistorycurriculumandbroughtintoitherhis-toricalacuityandflair.OfcoursehersneakingadmirationforthemoreflamboyantDisraelioverthedourGladstone,althoughplainlymisguidedonsomanylevels,wasclearlymoreofanindicatorofherowncharacter.Flamboyance,energyandintellectallcombinedoverthenextfewyearstopropelhercareerfurther.HeadofGeneralStudieswassoonfol-lowedbyfirstthedeputyheadshipandthenthejointheadshipofarapidlyenlargingSixthForm.HelpingtomanagetheswitchtoAquisCourtstrengthenedfurtherherleadershipcredentialsandallowedhertogainexperienceofthedisciplinary,pastoralandacademicrolesrequiredtomovetothenextlevel.AlreadyanMA,itwasatthispointsheaddedtoheracademicqualificationsbycompletingaMastersinEducationalManagementattheUniversityofBuckingham.ElevationtothepostofSecondMasterquicklyfollowed.

BeingthefirstfemaleSecondMastertobeappointedtotheschoolwasalwaysgoingtobebothadepartureandachallenge,towhichsherosemagnificently.Althoughhertenurewasbrief,itwasbothsuccessfulandenergetic.AstheSchoolembarkedonoverseasdevelop-mentandthetenureoftheincumbentheadwasdrawingtoaclose,Roseheldfasttothereinsandkepttheschoolmovinginaforwarddirection.Nothingwastoomuchtroubleandeveryissuewasconfrontedheadonandwithasmile.Moreover,theextraspaceavailableinSchoolHousebroughtsomethinghithertounseenintherole:namelytheperfectstorageopportunitytoshowcaseherimpressive,colourfulandgrowingshoecollection.Brightgreensandpurplesjoinedthesartorialpantheonofsharpsuitsandsilktiesmuchbelovedbypreviousoccupiersoftherole.

Havinghelpedtoshepherdoneheadmasterthroughvariousfarewells,timecametomoveon.StMargaret’sSchoolhavegainedanoutstandingHeadmistressandRoseleaveswithourthanksandbestwishesforfuturesuccessandhappinessinhernewrole.

TJM


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AndrewFord

CeliaBoltonhasalwaysbeenawarmandsupportivecolleague,alwaysreadytoshareherexperienceandteachingresources,andaninspiringEnglishteacherherefortwenty-nineyears,combiningimaginative,enthusiasticteachingwithathoroughandorderlyapproachtoherwork.(Itisagreatassettobeabletocombinebothdifferentbutessentialsetsofquali-ties.)ShehasbeenaboontotheModernLanguagesDepartmentasaFrenchteacher–notleastbecauseofherloveofFrenchLiteratureandespeciallyFrenchLanguagefilm,aswellastravellinginFrance,allofwhichshewillhavetimetoexperiencefurtherinthecomingyears.

IknowCeliawilltakewithhermanyhappymemoriesofhervaluedyearsasaLowerSchoolFormtutor,especiallythevisitstoPenArthur,withtheirsenseofadventureandcamaraderie,eveninthemoreprimitiveconditionsthatthenobtained.

Celiausedhercoachingandorganisationalskillstogreateffectasasuccessfulcoachandorganiseroftheschool’sswimmingformanyyears,includingmastermindingtheSchool’sswimmingsportsandmanyeveningCountySwimmingGalas,whereherswimmersshowedskillandaboveallgoodsportsmanship.

Thekeytohersuccessasateacherhasbeenherunsentimentalbutgenerousviewofchil-dren.Sheisnotinterestedinseeingthemasangels,whoseeveryclumsymisuseofEnglishisinfactreallyanincrediblycreativeuseoflanguage;nordoessheseethemasdevilswhowilldoanythingtoavoidworkingortreatingotherpeoplekindly.Shehastreatedherpupilsasintelligentandimpressionablepeopletowhomshehaspaidthecomplimentofprovidingimpressionsworthhavingandimpressionsthatwillremain.

MAP

AndyFordjoinedtheReligiousStudiesDepartmentofStAlbansSchoolin2005asanNQTandquicklyestablishedhimselfasanoutstandingclassroomteacher.Hisknowledgeofthesubjectandhisenthusiasmforteachingensuredthathislessonswerebothengagingandchallenging,andIknowthatstudentsofallagesandabilitiesbenefitedfromhisdesiretobringthebestoutofeachoneofthem.HewasadiligentandeffectiveTutorofbothThirdandSixthFormers,enjoyinganeasyrapportwithhisstudentsaswellastheirrespect.

AndybroughtthesameskillandcommitmenttootheraspectsoflifeatStAlbansSchool.Atalentedsportsmanhimself,hecoachedawiderangeofsuccessfulrugbyandfootballteams,playedfortheOAsandtrainedasarugbyreferee.Healsogaveuphistimetoaccompanynumeroussportstours.HebecameHeadofabeleagueredHawkingHouseandthroughhisorganisationandencouragementledthemtomemorablevictoriesintheHousecompeti-tion.HavingbeenachoristeratElyCathedral,AndybecameanintegralpartoftheSchoolChoirandperformedatvariousSchoolcabaretsandconcerts,perhapsmostmemorablyasarhinoceros.

TheSchool’sDukeofEdinburghSchemeowesahugedebtofgratitudetoAndy.Formostofustheawardisprimarilyabouttheexpedition,buttheorganisationbehindthescenesrequiredtoensurestudentshavearrangedandcompletedallelementsoftheawardincludingservice,skillsandresidentialsectionsandhavesubmittedtherelevantpaperworkisimmense.Andyundertookallofthiswithgoodhumouranditwasarealpleasuretoac-companyhimonexpeditionsintheBrecons,PeaksandDowns.

TheRSDepartment,andindeedthewholeSchoolcommunityshallmissanoutstandingcolleagueandaclosefriend,buthetakesourgoodwishesforeverysuccess(exceptwhenplayingusatsport)inhisnewpostofHeadofRSandPhilosophyatBerkhamstedSchool.

CDP

CeliaBolton

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ChrisBhantoa

CameronPalmer

DavidMurphy

AfterfourverysuccessfulyearsatStAlbansSchool,DavidMurphyleavesustotakethepostofHeadofGermanandAcademicHeadofKS4atKing’sCollegeinMadrid.

DavidhascontributedtotheSchoolinmanyways,buthismaincontribution,andhismainpassion,hasbeentheteachingofmodernlanguages.Davidisextremelyintelligentandcul-turedandhehasalwayssoughttoinspireourpupilstoachievetheirverybest.HissupportandadviceforOxbridgelinguistshasbeeninvaluableanditisnocoincidencethathistimewithushasalsoseenamarkedincreaseinsuccessfulOxbridgeapplicationsformodernlan-guages.Hisliteratureclub,thewonderfulChansonandLiederevening,studytripstoParis,FrenchdebatingcompetitionsandthejointmodernlanguageresearchprojectwithNorthLondonCollegiateSchoolhaveallinspiredourpupils.

DavidhaswornanumberofhatsoverthelastfouryearsandaswellasbeingasuccessfulMiddleSchooltutor,hehasalsobeenAssistantExaminationOfficerforthepasttwoyears.David’sexperienceandskillasaformerprofessionaloperasingerhavebeenputtogooduseintheschoolchoirandwealllovedhearinghimsingSchubert’ssettingofGoethe’sWanderersNachtlied IIattheModernLanguagesLiederevening.OurlossisKing’sCollege’sgainandwewishhimwellforhisfuture.

JRR

AfterfiveyearsasHeadofFrench,CameronleavesustotakeupthepostofHeadofLanguagesatForestSchool,wherehewashimselfapupil.Itisclearthat,underCameron’sleadership,theFrenchDepartmenthasgonefromstrengthtostrengthbothintermsofnumbersofpupilsoptingforthesubject,examinationresultsandculturalactivities.

WhenCamerontookthepostofHeadofFrenchin2009,hewaspresentedwithanumberofchallenges.TheresultingsuccessspeaksforitselfandCameron’sinfluenceontheFrenchdepartmentwillbefeltforyearstocomeandhewillbefondlyrememberedbypupilsandteachersalike.CameronhasbeenbothanenthusiasticandsuccessfulteacherofFrenchandSpanishandacalmandwiseheadofdepartmentandmentor.Hewillbegreatlymissedbyusall.

CameronhasbeenadevotedSixthFormandMiddleSchooltutor,beeninvolvedintheteachingofgames,withhisspecialitybeingathletics,andhehasbeenheavilyinvolvedintheschoolexchangeprogrammeandculturalactivities.Heisalsoaverytalenteddancer,havingperformedattheclosingceremonyoftheLondonOlympicsinAugust2012.

CameronwillberememberednotonlyforeverythingthathehasdoneforStAlbansSchool,butforhavingdoneitwithstyle.

JRR

ChrisBhantoajoinedtheDramadepartmentin2012toprovideshort-termcoverandwithinweekshehadbecomepartofthefurniture.Hewasalreadywellknowntomanyofthestaffattheschoolhavingbeenapupil,leavingin1995.Hequicklymadehismarkwiththequalityofhisteachingandhisgregariousnature.

ChristrainedattheLondonAcademyofMusicandDramaticArt.Followingaspellasanactorandstand-upcomic,dramateachingcamenaturallytohimwithhiswideexperienceandextensivesubjectknowledge.Hishumourandfriendlynaturehelpedtodrivethedepartmentforwardseveninthebusiestoftimes.

ChrisBhantoahasrealtalentasadirectorandhisproductionsofA Midsummer Night’s DreamandtheepicstagingofLes Misérablesweretwoofthebestschoolshowsthathavebeenputon.HecarriedonactingwhenhecouldandIwasluckyenoughtodirecthiminThe Best Manduringthesummerof2013.

Itisn’tjusttheDramadepartmentthatwillmissChris;hewasgenerouswithhistimeacrossthewholeschool,volunteeringfortrips,coveringtutorgroupsandrunningtheU13footballteam.In2013hesignedupfortheGraduateTrainingSchemeandbecameafullyqualifiedteacherinthesummerof2014.IamsurethatUCSwillenjoybothhistalentsasateacher/directorandhiscompanyasmuchaswehave.Heisagenerouspersonandhastheenviableskilloflinkingdifferentpeopletogether,keepingconversationflowingwithhisbizarreflightsoffancy.Thestaffcommonroomwillneverbequitethesameagain.

DJS


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11

HigherEducationDestinationsofOldAlbanians2014MatthewAdrian Oxford SpanishandLinguistics(4years)AkintundeAkin-Agunbiade Nottingham IndustrialEconomicsOluwatomisinAkinyemi Brighton ArchitectureShahirAli StGeorge’s(London) BiomedicalScienceRyanAllen Nottingham ElectricalEngineeringandRenewableEnergySystemsMaxwellAndrew KCL LawAlexanderAndronikou Birmingham LawBenjaminAppleyard Manchester FrenchandSpanishPhillippaBabayode Newcastle ModernLanguagesArjanBains Warwick FrenchandHistory(4yearsincludingyearabroad)WilliamBaker Southampton Medicine(5year)JamesBarber Bath SportandExerciseScienceRoryBarlow Durham AccountingandFinanceWilliamBarnes Oxford Mathematics(3or4years)JordanBayer-Goldman City InvestmentandFinancialRiskManagementIsaacBedi Newcastle LawJoshuaBenson Newcastle PoliticsLukeDanielBevis Leeds ManagementWilliamBeynon Oxford LawKamilBhoola Warwick EconomicsAronDanielBlair SheffieldHallam BusinessandMarketingLucyBonner Bristol HistoryJeremyBosatta Oxford FrenchandGerman(4years)AidanBracebridge Durham EnglishLiteratureAnnaBromfield Exeter HistoryandSpanishHannahBrown Edinburgh FrenchandHistoryFergusBrowne Nottingham HistoryElizabethBurley Sheffield Biology(3years)DanielBurnley Bath AccountingandFinance(withprofessionalplacement)MeganBurr Durham CriminologyCharlieBurrell Oxford LawSophieButterworth Bath Int.ManagementandModernLanguages-FrenchGeorginaCallender Durham AnthropologyTrudyCammack OxfordBrookes BusinessManagement/PublishingMediaDavidCartwright Oxford EconomicsandManagementThomasChapman Exeter InternationalRelationsHeidiChiu Kingston ArchitectureThomasClarke Nottingham ManagementKatieClifford Birmingham HistoryMckenzieColfer Nottingham AncientHistoryRebeccaCousins Nottingham ManagementBenjaminCrampton Bristol EconomicsandEconometricsEmilyCutler Leeds BiologicalSciencesWilliamDawson Sheffield ComputerScience(3years)LucydeVaux-Balbirnie Bristol HistoryDilanDhulashia Bath IntegratedMechanicalandElectricalEngineeringMichaelaDiamondi Nottingham American&LatinAmer.Studies(BeginnersSpanish)EleanorDuncan Exeter EnglishandFrench(4years)JosephEastham Sheffield PoliticsJudithEaston Edinburgh GeographyandEconomicsEricEdmond Oxford MedicineMylesEkanem Hertfordshire PsychologyDariusFaiz-Mahdavi Nottingham IndustrialEconomicsWilliamFloyd UCL EuropeanSocialandPoliticalStudies(4years)ThomasFoxton Oxford LawMillyGarnett Oxford HistoryandEconomicsRobertGlew Cambridge Engineering(4years)RobertGoldstone Durham LawDanielGott Oxford Engineering(4years)WilliamGreen Exeter ZoologywithStudyAbroad(4years)ConorGrovestock Bristol EconomicsHammadHakim QueenMary(London) BiomedicalSciencesHaroonHakim StMary’s(Twickenham) Law

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JamesHepher Manchester Politics,PhilosophyandEconomicsNicholasHill Birmingham ChemicalEngineeringIsobelHindmarsh Brighton Nursing(Adult)ChristopherHodges Nottingham AccountancyMuhammadAbdus-SalaamHosein StGeorge’s(London) BiomedicalScienceEleanorHunt deferredElenaJarman Oxford ChemistryAlexanderJohnson Durham EconomicsThomasKelly Oxford EconomicsandManagementAdamKelman Birmingham LawOliverKennedy Sheffield MechanicalEngineering(4years)JackKillen Birmingham ArchaeologyandAncientHistoryAlexanderKirsch Durham CombinedHonoursinSocialSciencesGoharKhodadoost Kings,London Bio-MedicalSciencesHarryLampert Durham NaturalSciencesAndrewLay Lancaster HistoryThomasLee Warwick HistoryCharlesLeslie Newcastle EconomicsandBusinessManagementKaineLevy UniversityofWestLondon PracticalFilmmaking(MetFilmSchool)TimothyLynch Warwick EconomicsIslaMartin York PhilosophyGeorgeMaxted LSE ManagementSarah-JaneMcGaw Bristol BiochemistryEuanMcGonagle Leeds NaturalSciencesHamishMills Bristol AerospaceEngineeringCharlesMinashi Exeter KPMGSchoolLeavers’ProgrammeLilianMoran CanterburyChristChurch ParamedicScienceKatherineMoss UEA BiologicalSciencesDanielMountford Leeds PhysicsKiesarNahami Birmingham BusinessManagement(YearinIndustry)(4years)ImogenNolan Durham AnthropologyandSociologyDanielOdie Birmingham BiologicalSciences(Genetics)SeanO’Flynn Durham GeneralEngineeringJamesOliver Southampton MarineBiologywithOceanographyUfedo-OjoOmale Glasgow History(Med./ModernorMed./Modern/Scottish)MariaOrthodoxou UCL ModernLanguages(4years)StephanieParrott Exeter EnglishMarkPearce Birmingham LiberalArtsandSciencesMichaelPearson PennsylvaniaUSAShaunPhilip Exeter MedicalSciencesHenryPottinger Bath ComputerScience(Placement)KrishanPugh Warwick HistoryHugoRawlinson Birmingham AncientHistoryEdwardRazzell Lancaster LawandPoliticsJosephRedwood Sheffield ArchitectureEmiliaRiant Loughborough HistoryBenjaminRose Edinburgh EnglishLiteratureAlessandroRossi StAndrews InternationalRelationsGeorgeRossouw Loughborough AeronauticalEngineeringIsobelRyan-Dalton Exeter PoliticswithStudyAbroad(4years)RebeccaSandler RoyalHolloway(London) DramaandTheatreStudiesGeorgeScott Leeds Geography.HarrisonSheppard Sheffield GeographyMichaelSlater Durham Sport,ExerciseandPhysicalActivityPatrickStewart Bath Economics(withplacement)NicholasStride Cambridge Engineering(4years)OliverTasker Bristol ClassicsTobyTaylor Durham PoliticswithYearAbroadJosephThomas Manchester PhilosophyIsobelThompson SheffieldHallam SportandExerciseScienceMichaelThorpe Manchester PhysicsFraserTitchen Nottingham Finance,AccountingandManagementCharlesTrollope Leicester Medicine


Outs

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MollyVickers Nottingham HistoryChristopherWharton Oxford Philosophy,PoliticsandEconomicsKatieWhite Nottingham VeterinaryMedicineChristopherWilliams Cambridge MedicineThomasWillis Imperial MedicineJamesWiltshire Liverpool AerospaceEngineeringEdmundWrigley Oxford BiologicalSciencesJakeYeboa Leicester EconomicsJosephZacaroli Oxford Engineering(4years)

The excitement of Graduation

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Prizegiving2014TheHeadmaster’sAddressItisalmostexactlyoneyear,MrChairman,sinceIreceivedyourphonecallinvitingmetobecomethenextHeadmasterofthisgreatschool.ItwasanofferthatIwasdelightedtoreceive,foralthoughIknewitwouldtakeaspecialplacetotemptmeawayfrommypreviouscommission,IsensedthatStAlbansSchoolisaveryspecialplace.Soafteraratherimpatientwaitonmypart,itisverygoodtonowbehereandtobegettingstarted.IfeelhonouredtohavebeenchosentosucceedAndrewGrant:onthis,myfirstmajorschooloccasion,IthereforewishtopaytributetohimonthestrengthandspiritoftheSchoolthathehashandedoverattheendofhislonganddistinguishedheadship,aswellastothankhimwarmlyforalltheassistanceheaffordedmewiththehandoverprocess.

Similarlygratefulthanksareex-tendedtoallthosewhohavebeensowarminwelcomingCarolineandmeintothisSchoolcommunity.

ItisaparticularpleasuretohaveSirMartinandLadySmithwithusthiseveningasourguestsofhonour.ThefirstStAlbansSchooleventthatIattendedasHeadmas-terelectwasthewonderfulrecep-tionhostedbySirMartininhiseponymouscentreattheScienceMuseuminFebruarytolaunchtheUnlocking Potentialcampaign,andIamdelightedthatSirMartinandLadySmithhavekindlyagreedtobewithusthisevening–thankyou.

SothisnewHeadmaster,whatdoeshebelievein?

Well,Ibelievethatacademicdevel-opmentandintellectualformationlieattheheartofagoodeducation,butIseeagoodeducationasbeingsomuchmorethanjustgradesonanexaminationcertificate.Thosegradesare,ofcourse,important,butexamsareameanstoanend,anecessaryevilperhaps,andcertainlynotanendintheirownright.Justasimportantaretheper-sonalqualitiesoftheschoolleaverholdingthatexaminationcertificate.Whilsttopgradesarenecessaryforentrytotheeliteuniversities,unlessthefledglingundergradu-atecanthinkforhimorherself,isself-motivated,self-confident(but

certainlynotarrogant),hasintegrityineverythingtheydo,andunder-standsthetruismthatthegreatestrewardsinlifearetobefoundinservicetoothers,theywillstruggletothriveintheiruniversitystudiesandintheiryoungadultlives.

Formeitisvitallyimportantthataschoolseesitsproductsashumanbeingsratherthanasexamdata.BythatImeanthatwemustdevelopthoseskillsandqualities,intellectualandpersonal,thattheschoolleaverneeds.Aschoolmustgiveitspupilsbeliefintheirownabilitiesandtheself-confidencetobethemselves;thereisnoplace,forme,fortheacademichothouseinwhichpres-sureisappliedtotheindividualwithlittleornopersonalconcernsavethatofservingleague-tableaspirationsorprotectingleague-tableexpectations.

Pleasedon’tgetmewrong-Ibelieveunashamedlyinthepursuitofexcellence,butIvalueexcellenceasbotharelativeandanabsolute.TheachievementsofthecandidatewhogainsstraightA*gradesare

The address given by the new

Headmaster, Jonathan Gillespie, at the Prizegiving Ceremony on 16 September 2014

Formeitisvitallyimportantthataschoolseesitsproductsashumanbeingsratherthanas

examdata.

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rightlytobepraised,butsoarethoseofhisorherpeerwhohasworkedlikeaTrojantoturnalikelyAgradeintoanA*,toturnaBgradeintoanA.Thedeterminationandindustryshownbythatcandi-dateispartofthevitalskillsetforadultlife.Similarlytheachievementofnationalrepresentativehonoursinsportbyonepupilistobecelebrated,asistheachievementofthepupilwho,bydintoftrainingandapplication,isselectedforanAteamforthefirsttime.Likewiseinmusic,whereapassatgrade5foroneisassignificantapersonalachievementasadistinctionatgrade8foranother.

SothereisonlyonethingIrequireofeverypupilintheschool,whichisthattheytrytheirhardestateverythingtheydo.Anythingmorethanthatistoasktheimpossible,butanythinglessthanthatistosellyourselfshort,andthatissimplynotgoodenough.Somymaximis“bethebestyoucanbe”:asIsaidtotheSchoolinthefirstassemblyofthisyear,ifyouputthatadviceintopractice,youwon’tgofarwrong.

Thiseveningisasplendidoccasioninmarkingandcelebratingexcel-lence.Mywarmcongratulationsgotoalltheprizewinnersontheirtremendousachievements;andthoseofyouforwhomthiseveningisthefinaleofyourStAlbansSchoolcareer,youhaveourverybestwishesforeveryhappinessandsuccessatuniversityandbeyond.

ThiseveningisalsoanopportunitytocelebratethesuccessoftheSchoolduringthelastyear,theparticularhighlightsofwhicharetherecordentryintoOxfordandCambridgeuniversitiesandtherecordA*%atGCSEof57%.Butlet’snotforgetothernoteworthyheadlinefigures–atAlevel25%A*gradeswith64%atA*-Aand91%A*-B.Over40%ofthecohortreceivedatleastoneA*grade,andmorethan10%achievedthreeormoreA*s.AtGCSE85%ofgradeswereA*Aand97%A*-B.Morethanonequarterofcandidatesachievedatleast8A*grades,and12boyswereawardedstraightA*grades.

Manycongratulationstolastyear’sFifthandUpperSixthFormerson

theseexcellentresults.Con-gratulationstootoyourparentsontheverysignificantroletheyhaveplayedinyoursuccess.Andcongratulationsalsototheteach-ingstaff:Iknowthatsuchstrongexaminationresultsonlycomeaboutbydintofexcellentteach-ing,determinedcommitmentby

staffandthewillingnesstogotheextramileandmoretohelppupilsachievetheirpotential.

Thatthesefineexaminationresultswereachievedattheendofanacademicyearwhichsawsignificantsuccessesintheextra-curricularlifeoftheschool–onthesportspitches,intheconcerthall,onthestage,onschooltrips–speaksvolumesforthequalityoftheStAlbansSchoolexperience.

Education,commentedAlbertEinstein, is what is left when you have forgotten everything you were taught.

Youhaveforgottenwhatyouweretaught,whenwhatyouweretaughthasbecomepartofwhatyouknowalongsideeverythingelseyouhavelearned.Soattheheartofagoodeducationisinstillingintellectualcuriosity,aloveoflearningthatleadstotherealisationthatthemoreoneknows,themoreonerealisesjusthowmuchonedoesn’tknow.

Ibelievethatstrongpastoralcareoftheindividualpupilisalsoanessentialcomponentofagoodeducation.Thatinterestin,andconcernfor,theindividualenablestheschooltobringthebestoutofeachpupil,toencouragethemto“bethebesttheycanbe”andtosupportthemwhenthegoinggetstough.Itisavitalpartofwhatwedoinschoolstoallowpupilstomakemistakes,forthereinliesanimportantpreparationforthetrialsandtribulationsofadultlife.Thesafetynetmust,however,beposi-

tionedcloseunderneathtoensurethatamistakeisturnedquicklyintoalearningopportunity.

Influencesonmyeducationalthinkingrangefromtheclassicstothemodernage.Iofferyoutwobriefexamples,thefirstofwhichcomeswithapologiestothosewhoaremorelearnedinclassicsthanIforwhatisnodoubtanimperfectsummary.IadmireinAristotlehisfocusoneducationasaprepara-tionforlifeinsociety,hisconcernfortheethicalandthepolitical,hisemphasisonall-roundandbalanceddevelopmentwithplay,physicaltraining,musicandstudyallhavingtheirplaceintheformingofmind,bodyandsoul,hisemphasisonlearningasalife-longoccupation,andontheroleofhabitaswellasreasonineducation,inotherwordsthatwelearnthingsbypractisingthemaswellasbyunderstandingthem.Tomethisissignificantinthedevelopmentofpersonalqualities–forexample,welearntobejustbyactingjustly;welearntobekindbydoingkindthings.

AndsecondlyanexamplefromtheScottishEnlightenment.EarlierthisyearIreadafascinatingbookwiththatverytitle-The Scottish Enlightenment - whichinpartcaughtmyeyeasanantidotetomuchofthecontentofthereferendumcampaigning.Inoneofthechap-tersofhisanalysissubtitledthe Scots’ invention of the modern worldtheAmericanacademicProfes-sorArthurHermanwritesaboutthephilosopherAdamSmith,theauthorofWealth of Nations,whoinhisearlierworkTheory of Moral Sentiments commentedonouroriginaldesiretopleaseandouraversiontooffend.HermanwritesthataccordingtoSmithbeingamoralbeingis also about being accountable to ourselves as well as to others. … the approval of others is not enough by itself. We also need to meet the approval of our own inner judging self, which understands when we really are what we approve in other people: honest, trustworthy, generous, compassionate. It is this capacity for self-judgement that, Smith argued, makes us ‘really fit’ for society.

SoinsummaryIbelievethattheessenceofagoodschoolisto

all-roundandbalanceddevelopmentwithplay,physicaltraining,musicandstudyall

havingtheirplaceintheformingofmind,bodyandsoul

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makeitspupils‘reallyfit’forsociety,andIknowthatintakingontheleadershipofStAlbansSchool,Idosoofaninstitutionwhoseethosisinaccordwithmine.

SothisnewHeadmaster,whatishegoingtodo?

OneofmyfirstmainprioritiesistogettoknowtheSchoolanditsvariousconstituenciesindetail.Thatwilltakemostofmyfirstyear–anydecisionsmadebeforeIhavemadegoodheadwayintothattaskwouldbepremature,andinthemeantimethereistheimportantbusinessofensuringthatwearereadyforthenewAlevelswhichwillbetaughtinseveralsubjectsfromSeptember2015,aboutwhichmoreanon.

Istronglybelieve,andmyexperi-enceofheadshiptodatehasfurthertaughtme,thatgoodschoolleadershipisaboutconstantevalu-ationofeveryaspectofprovisionandhavingtheconfidencetomakechangeswhereimprovementscanbemadebutalsohavingthecouragenottomakechangeswherethingsareworkingattheiroptimumandwherechangemightriskunderminingstrength.ThatisclearlytheprocesswherebytheSchoolhasreacheditscurrentstandingunderAndrewGrant’sleadership.Soitwillbeevolu-tionnotrevolutionfromme,andthesignonthegatenowreads,metaphoricallyatleast:under new leadership – business as usual.

EvenwithbusinessasusualinAL3thenext12monthspotentiallybringaperiodofsubstantialchange.ThisweekseesareferendumnorthoftheborderwhichmaybringanendtotheparliamentaryunionofEnglandandScotlandthathaslastedforover300years.AndtheninMay2015therewillbeageneralelectioninwhichsomeofyouwillbeoldenoughtovoteforthefirsttime.

ItseemstomethatweliveinanagewhenGrouchoMarx’sdefini-tionofpoliticsisalltooapposite,especiallyasfarasthosepoliticianswhoconsiderthemselvesqualifiedtodeterminethefuturedirectionofeducationandassessmentareconcerned,presumablybythelogic

thattheyoncewenttoschoolthemselves.

AccordingtoGrouchoMarxpolitics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.

Whichremindsmeofthebignewsofrecentmonthsfromtheworldofeducation–Govehasgone.Forme,IheardthenewsofGove’s“promotion”(Ithinkthatwasthespinheputonit)totheWhips’Officewithmixedfeelings.Iadmiredhissenseofconvictionandhisno-nonsenseapproachtogettingthingsdone,notleastinre-introducingrigourincertainquarters.Butthegreatsadnessofcourseisthatitshouldn’tbeforapoliticiantohavetoinsistonthat.Rigourshouldcomefromtheschoolanditsstaff,asexemplifiedhere,notfromthepolitician.

HemayhavedisappearedfromtheworldofeducationbuttheGovianlegacyliveson–newAlevelsandGCSEsaretobebroughtinforfirstteachinginmanysubjectsfrom

September2015.OurmovetoadoptingIGCSEsinmanysub-jectslikemanysimilaracademicschools(becauseIGCSEstendtoprovidemorestretchandchal-lengefortheableandareabetterpreparationforAlevel)hasmostlyprotectedusfromthevagariesofnewqualificationsatGCSElevel.Itwillalsoguaranteethatweretainforanumberofyearsaheadthathallmarkofasuccessfulacademicschool,namely0%ofourpupilsgaining5ormoreA*-CgradesatGCSEsincludingEnglishandMathematicsinthegovernment’slistings.Ittookmeafewyearsinmypreviousschooltoachievethislandmark,andIwaspleasedtonotethatmypredecessorherewassimilarlydelightedtohavereachedthoseheights.AndallforthereasonthattheDepartmentforEducationrefusestorecognise

InternationalGCSEqualifications.StAlbansSchool’srecordofA*gradesthisyear–justover56%ofallentriesreceivedthetopgrade–makesaninterestingcomparisonwiththenationalA*rateof6.7%.InterestinglytheDfEhasdeclinedonceagainthisyeartopublishtheseparateoverallexamresultsofthemaintainedandindepend-entsectors.Iwonderwhy?Theindependentsector’soverallA*%of33%beingaccountedforwithinthenationalrateof6.7%demonstratesthatGove’sreformsstillhavealongwaytogoinachievingtheirdesiredeffectofraisingstandards.

MichaelGove’sproblemwasofcoursethathemadeahabitofalienatingkeyeducationalconstitu-encies,nottheleastofwhichbeingtheteachingprofessionatlarge.WiselyhewantedacademicsatRussellGroupuniversitiesinvolvedagaininthesettingofAlevelexams,butthenhedecidednottolistentotheirwishtoretainASlevelexamsasahalf-waypoint.CambridgeUni-versity,forexample,hasconductedsignificantresearchoveranumberofyearswhichshowsthecorrela-tionbetweenASresultsanddegreeclassoutcome,sounderstandablytheyarekeentouseASmarksasakeycriteriaintheiradmissions’process.WehavemadethedecisiontoretainthetakingofASexamina-tionsattheendoftheLowerSixthyearthroughthisperiodofsig-nificantchangeinordertoensureourpupilshavethebestpossiblebackgroundtoinformandsupporttheiruniversityapplications.Underthenewarrangementstheywillbeastand-alonequalificationratherthanhalfofthefullAlevel,butweseethemasimportantnonetheless.

MichaelGoveisn’taneducational-istbutapolitician,andguesswhat?Politiciansdon’tknoweverything.Solet’shopehissuccessor,NickyMorgan,ismoreinterestedinlisteningtotheadviceofeducation-alistsandexpertpractitionersindeterminingfuturedevelopments.Earlyindicationsareencouraging,buttimewilltell.

Themajorproblemtheeducationalsysteminthiscountryfacesisthatofthe5-yearpoliticalcycle.Educa-tionbecomesafootballforpolitical

thesignonthegatenowreads,metaphoricallyatleast:under new leadership – business as

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17

goalscoring.Labour(neworold,orperhapswhateverthenewoldis:retroperhaps?)hasindicatedtheywillreversesomeofGove’sreformsifelectednextMaysowepotentiallyfaceanotherturbulent5-yearcycle.TherearemanydetailsaboutthenewAlevelsthatwedonotyetknow.MostspecificationshaveyettobeapprovedbyOfqualanditisalreadyverylateintheday–lessthanoneyearbeforethesecourseswillbetaught–tobemakingsuchsignificantchanges,butofcoursethekeytimescaleforthepoliticiansisnotwhatisinpupils’bestinterestsbutwhatisintheirs:namelythegeneralelectionnextMay.Moreonthatsubjectinamoment.Educationisfartooim-portanttobesubjecttothewhimsofpoliticians.Theideaofaninstitu-tionsimilartotheBankofEnglandtooverseethiscountry’seduca-tionalprovisionandtoallowittothrive,takingthebestofthepoliti-cians’andeducationalists’ideas,andresistingtheworst,andmostimportantlyensuringsufficienttimeforchangestobeimplementedhasmyfullsupport.

WithageneralelectionloomingIthereforeofferyouthiscautionarytale:

WhilewalkingdownthestreetonedayaMemberofParliamentistragicallyhitbyatruckanddies.HissoularrivesinheavenandismetbyStPeterattheentrance.

‘Welcometoheaven,’saysStPeter.‘Beforeyousettlein,itseemsthereisaproblem.Weseldomseeahighofficialaroundtheseparts,yousee,sowe’renotsurewhattodowithyou.’

‘Noproblem,justletmein,’saystheman.

‘Well,I’dliketo,saidStPeter,butIhaveordersfromhigherup.What

we’lldoishaveyouspendonedayinhellandoneinheaven.Thenyoucanchoosewheretospendeternity.’

‘Really,I’vemadeupmymind.Iwanttobeinheaven,’saystheMP.

ButStPeterwasinsistent:‘I’msorry,butwehaveourrules.’

Andwiththat,StPeterescortshimtotheelevatorandhegoesdown,down,downtohell.Thedoorsopenandhefindshimselfin

themiddleofagreengolfcourse.Inthedistanceisaclubhouseandstandinginfrontofitareallhisfriendsandotherpoliticianswhohadworkedwithhim.Theyruntogreethim,shakehishand,andremi-nisceaboutthegoodtimes.

Theyplayafriendlygameofgolfandthendineonlobster,caviarandchampagne.Alsopresentisthedevil,whoreallyisaveryfriendlyandniceguywhohasagoodtimedancingandtellingjokes.Theyarehavingsuchagoodtimethatbeforeherealisesit,itistimetogo.Every-onegiveshimaheartyfarewellandwaveswhiletheliftrises....

Itgoesup,up,upandthedoorreopensonheavenwhereStPeteriswaitingforhim.‘Nowit’stimetovisitheaven.’

So,24hourspasswiththerecently-departedMPjoiningagroupofcontentedsoulsmovingfromcloudtocloud,playingtheharpandsinging.Theyhaveagoodtimeand,beforeherealisesit,the24hourshavegonebyandStPeterreturns.

‘Well,then,you’vespentadayinhellandanotherinheaven.Nowchooseyoureternity’saysStPeter.

TheMPreflectsforaminute,thenheanswers:‘Well,Iwouldneverhavesaiditbefore,Imeanheavenhasbeendelightful,butIthinkIwouldbebetteroffinhell.’

SoStPeterescortshimtotheelevatorandhegoesdown,down,downtohell.Nowthedoorsoftheelevatoropenandhe’sinthemiddleofabarrenwastelandcoveredwithrubbish.

Heseesallhisfriends,dressedinrags,pickingupthetrashandputtingitinblackbagsasmorerubbishfallsfromabove.

Thedevilcomesovertohimandputsaconsolingarmaroundhisshoulder.

‘ButIdon’tunderstand,’stam-merstheMP.‘YesterdayIwashereandtherewasagolfcourseandclubhouse,andweatelobsterandcaviar,drankchampagne,anddancedandhadagreattime.Nowthere’sjustawastelandfullofrubbishandmyfriendslookmiser-able.Whathappened?’

Thedevillooksathim,smilesknowinglyandsays,“Ahwellyousee:yesterday,wewerecampaign-ing…...Today,youhavevoted.”

Don’ttellmeIdidn’twarnyou!WhateverpoliticalfutureliesaheadofusIamsurethatStAlbansSchoolwillcontinuetorelishitsindependentstatuswhichisvitalinallowingittofocusprimarilyontheneedsofitspupils.

Iamprivilegedtohavebeenap-pointedtotheheadshipofthisgreatschool.Iwillbedoingmyutmosttoensurethatitcontinuestogofromstrengthtostrengthovertheyearsahead.

Educationisfartooimportanttobesubjecttothewhimsof

politicians.

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FirstFormPrizes

AchievementAwards

MatthewRaynerMiraiBamgboyeConnorMcCabeJamesLiuScottBriceRonakParikh

SecondFormPrizes

AchievementAwards

OwenTyleyOliverGatesSebastianAdolphMatthewKaltsoyannisWilliamPayneJamesDaniel

FourthFormSubjectPrizes

English WilliamStewartMathematics JoshuaOliverArt JordanSweenyBiology JoshuaOliverEconomicsandBusinessStudiesSpencerYasotharanChemistry ThomasGoldstoneDrama MichaelDaviesDT-ElectronicProducts VeerShahDT-GraphicProducts SamuelFreemanDT-ResistantMaterials JacobVialou-ClarkFrench JoshuaOliverGeography AmitWangoo&DarshShahGerman LarsTuinemaGreek OliverNeustenHistory SeanKelleher&MunishChopraLatin JamesFreemanMusic ThomasDilleyPhysicalEducation JonathanCattermolePhysics JoshuaOliverReligiousStudies RossFerreiraSpanish JamesFreeman

FifthFormSubjectPrizes

EnglishLanguage BenjaminHemsiEnglishLiterature AlexanderJenningsMathematics SahilModiArt TobiasBarnesBiology HarryManningBusinessStudies SahilModiChemistry AlexanderCook*Drama AlecMcQuarrie*DT-ElectronicProducts JakeSahotaDT-GraphicProducts OmeizaHarunaDT-ResistantMaterials ThomasBoonFrench TomasHillLopez-MencheroGeography NicholasYap*German BenjaminHemsiGreek AlecMcQuarrie*History StanislavKudryashovLatin AlexanderCook*Music PeterGoslingPhysicalEducation AlexanderCook*Physics OliverCohenReligiousStudies EdwardHunt*Spanish JamesHalstead&DanielMetcalf*SwinsonPrizeforServicestoDrama JamesSmillie

*Governors’Award

ProgressPrizes

EdwardBealBenjaminCurtisNicholasSwan

ProgressPrizes

StephenOluwatunmiseSamiAliRalphaelObadiaru

ProgressPrizes

ConorNormanJordanCollingwoodJackBerglasAngusPotterMaxFryerEashanGandhi

Prizewinners2014

ThirdFormPrizes

AchievementAwards

OliverBarratt-JohnsonMorganWynneTimothyBagnallJamesScraggBenjaminCraigJamieIrani

FourthFormPrizes

ProgressPrizes

AlexanderGilbertBenDaviesJackLarssonAlexanderDinesSamuelAlexander

FifthFormPrizes

ProgressPrizes

BenjaminHarveySamuelWrightLukeBannermanAlexanderIsittAlexanderZonneveldOliverLaws-Mather


19

FifthFormGovernors’Awards

ThomasAlexanderJamesKirschOwenPearceCemBalciCharlesOliverJohnSaundersJamesdelaHuntyWilliamPaveyRobertWilliams

LowerSixthSubjectPrizes

EnglishLiterature LaurenRoweMathematics RachelHoffman CamillaHoffman OluwaseunAdekoyaFurtherMathematics GuyHolden PatrickSemarkAncientHistory NicholasHarveyArt KyriacosMouzourisBiology RachelHoffmanChemistry RachelHoffmanDT-Electronics JoshuaSouthworthDT-GraphicProducts GaneshChauhanDT-ResistantMaterials AkshayPadkiDrama ClaireLeithEconomics BenHarleyFrench KirstyMitchellGeography JoelRabinowitzGreek NoahLipschitzHistory DavidSous NicholasHarveyLatin RobertTominey- NevadoPhysicalEducation MichaelKossifosPhysics OluwaseunAdekoyaPolitics PhilippaEnglishReligiousStudies BenedictAnthoneySpanish HarrySampson

*UpperSixthGovernors’Awards

ChristianBevanHarryLampertDavidCartwrightMichaelThorpeMillyGarnettCharlesTrollopeNicholasHillMichaelPearsonEleanorHuntChristopherWartonAlexanderJohnson

UpperSixthSubjectPrizes

EnglishLiterature AidanBracebridge*Mathematics EricEdmond* ElenaJarman*Mathematics(JohnGodfreyPrize)WilliamBarnes*FurtherMathematics JosephZacaroli* NicholasStride*AncientHistory AidanBracebridge*Art JosephRedwoodBiology EdmundWrigley*Chemistry(GeorgeWishartPrize) ChristopherWilliams*DT-Electronics RobertGlew*DT-GraphicProducts PalakornConstableDT-ResistantMaterials DanielGott*Drama MollyVickersDrama-Performance(OAMasonicPrize) JosephEasthamEconomics RobertGoldstoneFrench EleanorDuncanGeography CharlesMinashiGerman (EPDebenhamPrize) JemBosatta*GovernmentandPolitics AlessandroRossiGreek WilliamBeynonHistory(ArchibaldJohnEastcottPrize) TimothyLynch*Languages(SGFScasePrize) KaineLevyLatin ChristopherWilliams*Music KaineLevyPhysicalEducation JamesBarber*Physics WilliamBarnes*ReligiousStudies MeganBurrSpanish MatthewAdrian

*Governors’Awards

SpecialAwards

ContributiontoParnershipPrize MagdaleneDorlingCommunityLinkPrize RosalindBennettJoshHandel(Charities)Cup HarryLampertExtendedProjectPrize MarkPearceHighsteadCup RobertGoldstonePowell-DaviesServicePrize RobertGlewPrefects’LeavingPrize NicholasStride EmmaFerreiraHeadPrefect’sPrize JosephZacaroli

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A2ArtworkSculpture by Joe Redwood

opposite page:P J Constable

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AS&GCSEArtworkFacesclockwise from top left:Toby Barnes (GCSE), Kyri Mouzouris, Ben Harley, Matt Russellopposite page:Lara Superfine


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AS&A2ArtworkColourandMonochromeTom Clarke (A2)Kyri Mouzouris (AS)(opposite) Matt Russell (AS)


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Thisprovedtobeanexcitingandadventurouseveningofmusicalentertainment,whichfeaturedandcelebratedthemusicaltalentsofthefullagerangeofpupilsintheSchool.Thearrayofdifferentensemblesandtherangeofmusicalgenreswereimpressive.AstheconcerttookplaceinDecember,therewasalsomorethanahintoftheforthcomingfestiveseasoninseveraloftheitemsplayedandsung.

Thebrassandsaxophoneensem-blestendedtofavourjazz,swingandshownumbers,asdidtheConcertBandandtheStringOr-chestra.TheSaxophoneEnsembleopenedtheeveningwithCarnivalbyKarenStreet,asprightly,perky

number,whichexploitedthefullrangeoftonesaffordedbythesaxophonists.Themelodiousandmorefamil-iarAll Through the NightarrangedbyJSimmonsprovidedanef-fectivecontrast.TheThirdFormBrassEnsemblegaveastirringandspiritedren-ditionofEntry of the GladiatorsbyJFucikandthePercussionEnsemblepro-videdanexcitingperformanceofcoordinateddrummingwithJuggernautbyAClarke.TheStringOrches-tragavetwocontrastingperformances:thehauntingTheme from the

GodfatherbyNRota,enhancedbythesubtleandpurestringsofaharp,andthenAmerica from West Side StorybyLeonardBernstein.Thisrousingnumberwasplayedwithrealpanacheanddrive.TheConcertBand,introducedandconductedbytheentertainingMrPhilCraig,tooktheeveningintoshowtimewithaperformanceofLion King MedleybyEJohnandHZimmer.Thezestfulopeningsectionsettheaudience’sfeettappingbeforechangingtoaslowertempo,whichthendevelopedintoaresonantmarch.Afurtherperform-anceofEntry of the GladiatorsbyJFucikwasgivenadifferentandequallyenjoyableflavourwithafullrangeofinstruments.TheSinfoni-ettagaveastirringinterpretationoftheTheme from Star WarsbyJWilliams,whichfullyexploitedthepowerandresonanceofbothwindandbrasssections.

Classicalmusicenthusiastsalsofoundmuchtodelighttheear.TheClarinetEnsembleprovided

astatelyperformanceofGrazioso from Winter, Four SeasonsbyVivaldi,underliningitssubtletyandbaroqueelegance.TheSeniorChamberGroupperformedafurtherpiecebyVivaldi,theFirst Movement from Recorder Concerto in A Minor,whichfeaturedpureandcrispprecisionfromallinvolvedandanexqui-siteperformanceonrecorderfromHarryLampert.TheAndante from Piano Trio in G Major K564byMozartwasconfidentlyanddelightfullyperformedbyTheoGillonviolin,IanDavidsononcelloandMrYoungonpiano.AhighlightoftheeveningwasundoubtedlythesublimeWaltz of the Flowers from The NutcrackerbyTchaiko-vsky,charminglyperformedbytheSymphonyOrchestrawithstrings,includingharp,andhornstothefore.SASSingersgaveamovingperformanceofBobChilcott’sMy Heart is Like a Singing Bird,thepurevoicesoftheyoungtreblesfromtheChoirreinforcedbysomeofourSixthFormgirls.

Thisvariedconcertclosedwithskilful,oftenhumorousperform-ancesofarangeofnumbersfromtheJazzBandwithvocals,featur-ingsomeoftheSixthFormgirls.ApresageofwhatwastocomehadalreadybeenheardwiththeperformancebytheBarbershopofGabriel’s MessagearrangedbyJAshleyHallandthen12 Days of Christmas.ThelatterincorporatedaparodyofvariousmusicalstylesandincludedarenditionofToto in Africainteralia.TheJazzbanddeliveredthebigbandsoundsofThe OpenerbyCStrommen,whichwasfollowedbyadramaticrendi-tionfromBeccaSandlerofFeverbyJDavenportandECooleywithitscool,edgy,finger-clickingopening.TwoChristmasnumbersfollowed.CarolineMaggsgaveafine,verycuteperformanceofSanta BabybyJJavitsandPStringer.TheJazzBanddeliveredafinalmelangeofcarolmelodiesinA Big Band ChristmasarrangedbyCStrommenwithrealoomph,featuringsoloinstrumental-istsJoeZacaroliandSeanBracebri-dge.Thisconcertprovidedastylishfinishtoalongtermandafinepreparationfortheendoftheyearfestivities.

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Instruments,VoicesandCarolsAutumnconcert

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Craig Terry, Managing Director of Steinway & Sons, hands over the commemorative

plaque to Headmaster Andrew Grant before the concert at Steinway Hall


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StAlbansSchoolofficiallybecameanAll-SteinwaySchoolon23January,anoccasionmarkedbyaconcertbypupilsandstaffintheprestigiousSteinwayHallitself.Beforetheconcert,ManagingDirec-torCraigTerrywelcomedStAlbanstothegroupofmorethan160schoolsanduniversitiesworldwidethathaveachievedAll-Steinwaystatus,handingoveracommemorativeplaquetoHeadmasterAndrewGrant.

TheperformerstravelledtoLondonduringthedayandspenttheafternoonplayingthecollectionofpianosintheSteinwayHallofFame,overlookedbyportraitsoffamouspianists.Theythoroughlyenjoyedtheprivilegeasapreparationforplayingtheconcertgrandpianointheevening’sconcert.Sevenstudents,fromtheThirdFormtotheUpperSixth,aswellasMrMickStoutandMrTomYoung,playedpiecesasdiverseasChopinandScottJoplin,foranaudienceofparents.

All-SteinwaySchoolsdemonstrateacommitmenttoexcellencebyprovidingtheirstudentsandMusicDepartmentswiththebestequipmentpossibleforthestudyofmusic.

All-SteinwayStatusAmusicalpartnership

Steinwayinnumbers:

•1853:theyearwhenSteinway&Sonsbegantomaketheirfinepianos.

•1,400:theconcertpian-istsworldwidewhochooseSteinwayastheirperformanceinstrument.

•12,000:thenumberofsinglepieceswhichmakeupaStein-waygrandpiano.

•2:placeswheretheinstrumentsarehandcrafted:NewYorkandHamburg.

•1:theyearittakestobuildaSteinway.

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TheKoos/GillrecitalinthelibrarywasoneofthemostincredibleconcertsourSchoolhasseen.HusbandandwifeTimGillandJoelyKoosastoundedtheaudiencewithawiderangeofmusicspanningover200yearsandthreeinstruments.Theconcert,whichwasbilledasacellorecital,includedworksbyHandel,BrittenandStevieWonder,whichgaveJoelyachancetoalsoshowoffherskillsbothonthepianoandasavocalist.

TheconcertopenedwithapiecebyPaganiniforcelloandpiano.TheentirepieceisplayedontheAstring

ofthecelloandincludesmomentswherethemelodyissohighthatfalseharmonicshavetobeusedtocoercethe

instrumentintoplayingthenotes.TheperformancebyTimGillwasvirtuosicandshowedoffthefullrangeofwhatthecellocould

do.FollowingthePaganiniwasJoelyplayingBritten’sCello

Suite No. 1forsolocello.Thepiecewasveryemotionalandheavy;itsmodernstyle,withpizzicatoandglissandi,madethemusicquitechillingattimesandboughtoutmixedresponsesfromtheaudience.JoelythenbroughtthefirsthalftoanamazingendwithapiecebyStevieWonderwhichsheplayedonthecellowhilstalso

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AgroupofyoungmusiciansfromtheSchoolbroughtrelieffromrainandhighwindsonadreadfulFebruarydaybygivingoneofaseriesoflunchtimeconcertsatStPeter’sChurch.Theeventwasverywellattendedandtheaudiencewasdelightedbytherangeofmusicperformed,rangingfromStevieWondertoMozart,filmmusictoaHandelSonata.Theconcertfea-turedsingers,pianists,stringplayers,brassandwind,alldrawnfrompupilsbelowtheSixthForm.

WilliamDrake’sperformanceofamovementfromMozart’sClarinet Concerto wasaparticularpleas-ure,whiletwopotentiallyloud

instruments,thetrumpetandhorn,wereplayedwithskillanddelicacybySeanBracebridgeandThomasDilley,whohandledthemutedpassagesofArutiunian’sAriaandBusser’sCantecorwithrealfinesse.TheoGillplayedamovementfromtheHandelViolin Sonata in D minorwithadelicatetouchbeforePeterGoslingbroughtproceedings,andnearlythepiano,toanendwitharousingrenditionofthethemefromPirates of the Caribbean.

TheseriesofconcertsatStPeter’sChurchraisesfundsforGroveHouseHospiceandtheSchoolisverypleasedtosupportthisworthycause.

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LunchtimeRefugeStPeter’sConcert

singing,demonstratingstunningvocalskillsalongsidehertechnicalability.Singingwithacellopressedagainstyouatthesametimemustbeverydemanding.

TimGillopenedthesecondhalfwithaSteveReichpiecewrittenforsolocellowitharecordedbackingtrackofanothersevencellos.Theresultwaslikeclock-workandsoundedveryhypnotic.Thiswasfollowedbyanarrange-mentoftheHandel-HalvorsenPassacaglia,originallyforviolinandviola,whichwaskeptatitsoriginalpitch,resultinginsometechnicallychallengingnotes.Thesewere,ofcourse,playedwitheasebybothperformerswhohaddecidedtonotonlyarrangethepieceforcellosbuttoswitchpartsoccasion-allysotheycouldbothplaythemelody.Thepiecewasoutstand-inglyperformedandevenwhenitseemedasifthefinalpieceintheconcertcouldn’tliveuptothepre-viousperformance,JoelyandTimsurprisedtheaudienceagain.TheyfinishedtheconcertwithaslightlyalteredversionofOld McDonald,singingaboutOldMickStout(whichdidn’tseemtoimpresshim)buthadtheaudienceinhystericsandwasthoroughlyenjoyable.

Theconcertwastremendous.Theplayingwasspectacular,whichwastobeexpectedwhentheperform-ershaveplayedinmanyoftheleadingorchestrasinthecountry.TimGillisprincipalcellistintheRoyalLondonPhilharmonicandtheLondonSinfonietta,whileJoelyKooshasbeenguestprincipalattheBBCScottishSymphony,theRoyalLiverpoolPhilharmonicandtheBBCConcertOrchestra.TheaudiencewasleftemotionallydrainedattheendfromthemusicandwehopethatbothJoelyandTimwillreturnatsomepointtoperformagainattheschool.

Harry Lampert and Ian Davidson

William Drake played an extract from Mozart’s ClarinetConcerto

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Fromsultrytoswing,sassytobrassy,theJazzEveninghadsomanyhighlights.Whatwasthehighpoint?TheBracebridge/ZacarolipianochoreographyorBeccaSan-dler’svoice?Thebigsoundofthefulljazzbandorthedelicacyofsolopiano?SurelyitwasPhilCraig’sdefttouchontheshaker?

Itwasaneveningwhichbeganwithaslickfoursome,theBarnesbroth-ers,JoeZacaroliandKaineLevy.Levy’sharddrummingandWillBarnes’thumpingbassprovidedtheenergyandtherhythmwhileZac-aroli’spianoandTobyBarnes’guitarwandereddelicatelythroughthemixin101 Eastbound.Itwasagreatwaytostartoff,givingthenightitsinitialimpetus.

Thestudentcontributionsincludedarangeofsingers,ImogenNolangivingusColePorterandBenCammackcrooningthroughBeyond the Sea.BeccaSandlerwasgiventwoslots,justifiably,takingtothemicrophonewithheraccustomedpoise.My Funny ValentineandBewitched, Bothered and Bewildereddemonstratedherfullvocalrange–attimeshervoicecaressedthewholehall,atothershernotes

FromFinessetoFunkFullrangeattheJazzEvening

Atatimewhenitseemedasifthedismaldelugesofrainwouldnevercease,parents,pupilsandmusicianswereabletoventureforthonadryeveningforamostenjoyablerecitalfromourmusicexamina-tionstudents.Performerscamefrompupilsatalllevels:GCSE,ASandA2.Thisrecitalthen,demon-stratedthewiderangeofskillswhichtheyhavedevelopedwhileatSchool,whetheroninstrumentssuchasviolin,cello,piano,trumpet,percussion,guitar,orvocally.Somestudentsperformedmorethanonceondifferentinstrumentsoronaninstrumentandalsovoice.Alltheevening’sperformanceswererecordedforexaminationsubmis-sion.

AidanMoylanonviolinopenedproceedingswithtwocontrastsintempo:acarefulrenditionofthestately Minuetto from Sonata in DbyStamitzandthenafreer,muchmoresprightlyHungarian DancebyBrahms.Thistestoftechniquewascarefullydelivered.Agentle,flowingperformanceoftheCanon in DbyPachelbelfollowedwithAidan,JoshDaviesandMichaelMiltiadousonviolinandIanDavidsononcello.ThispiecewasreprisedlaterwithAngusCrossreplacingAidan.Ian,SeanBracebridgeandWilliamMaynardthenperformedthetra-ditionalfolksongBushes and BriarsarrangedbyVaughanWilliamswithgreatcharm,latertobedelightfullyreprisedwithNicholasSpringth-orpereplacingWilliam.Theintervalwasprecededbytwofineperform-ancesondrumsfromKaineLevyandGeorgeRossouwwithpiecesbythebandPeriphery,enhancedwithappropriatelighting.

AreturntocalmerwaterswasheraldedbySeanBracebridge’s

splendidperformanceofAndante fromHaydn’s Trumpet Concerto:thiswasoneofthehighlightsoftheevening.Twoviolinistsgavecontrastingindividualperformancesonviolin:AngusCrosswithTheme from Pride and PrejudiceandJoshuaDavieswiththetraditionalSong of the Ghetto.IanDavidsonreturnedtogiveasedate,clean,butquitestunningperformanceofCourante from Cello Suite No 1 in G MajorbyBach,impressingwithhisskillanddexterity.AnthonyGeorgiouonguitardazzledhisaudiencewithhisskilfulrenditionofthecheerfulanddelightfulPolaccabyMertz.Vocally,WilliamMaynardsangAmarilli Mia BellabyCacciniwithconfidence,latertobefollowedbyanequallyconfidentandrichperformancefromNicholasSpringthorpeofTränenregenbySchubert.

PianistsPeterGosling,DarrenLaiandMichaelMiltiadousgaveveryconfidentperformances,exploringthefullrangeoftheinstrument.PetergaveapowerfulrenditionofthechallengingMorceaux de Fantasie No 4 PolichinellebyRachmaninov,Darrenexecutedafineperform-anceofBarcarollebyTchaikovskyandMichaeldeliveredthesprightlyVendettabyElissaMilne.DarrenandPeteralsoperformedthepianoduetKindermarschbySchubertwithgreatpanache.

Thiswasafascinatingevening;performersweretestedtwicebyperforminginfrontofanapprecia-tiveaudience,whileknowingtheirperformancewasbeingrecordedforexaminationassessment.Theeveningprovidedaninsightintothemusicalstandardsandtechniquesrequiredatexaminationlevel.

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VirtuosoPerformancesExampiecesshowvariety


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FromFinessetoFunkFullrangeattheJazzEvening

filledoutwithroom-shakingvibrato.Inthelatternumberpar-ticularlyshecreatedarealsenseofcomplicitywiththeaudience,withaflickerofateasingeyebrowhereandanarchsmilethere.

SeanBracebridgetooshowedrealconfidenceandaflexiblevoiceasheshiftedthroughtheregistersinGeorgia On My Mind,butperhapsevenmoreimpressivewashisshiftfrommicrophonetosharingthepianowithJoeZacaroli,takingoverthekeystoallowJoetoriseandgiveusahauntingtrumpetsolo.ThesameneatmoveinreverseallowedSeantoreturntothemiketofinishthenumber.

Thefulljazzbandpackedquiteapunch,includingnofewerthansixtrumpetsamongstthemassedbrass.Theirfirstnumberwasjauntyandvigorous,withLevy’sbeatingofthekitverymuchtothefore,whileCome Rain Or Shinewasmorelanguorous,thetonebeingsetbyZacaroli’sandBracebridge’strumpetsolos.ThebandfinisheditsfirstforaywithC Jam Blues,relishingthebigbrassysoundwithsomestrongworkfromMichaelRoche’strombone.ThepiecewasdrivenbyJamesLear’sinsistentpianoandrhythmicallyunderpinnedbytheBarnesbass.

Theband,havinghadabreather,returnedtoendthefisthalfasbackingforJemmaAttarandCarolineMaggsonvocals.Bothhadtreatedtheaudiencetonumbersearlierintheeveningbackedbylesserforces,whichgavetheirvoicesmorechancetoshine–JemmagaveaparticularlysoulfulversionofCry Me a River.Attimes

theystruggledtobalanceagainstthebigband,buttheyattackedtheirsongswithvigour.

ThesecondhalfoftheeveningunleashedHarmless Funk,someofwhoseseparatemembershadap-pearedasaccompanistsinthefirsthalf.Combined,theywereaforcetobereckonedwith.WithJamieSalisbury’skeyboardsbubblingawayunderneathlikea70sMoogandtherhythmicenergyprovidedbyKazRodriguez’sharddrumsandDaveMarks’funkybass,therewasaplatformforJakeWillson’splayfulguitarandinparticularthevirtuososaxophoneofSimonWillescroft.Thiswashard-driven,loud,asser-tivejazz.Whilepowerandversatil-itywastothefore,withMarksjerkinglikeanelectrocutedmari-onette,mostimpressiveinRamblin’werethepauses,silentspacesinthemusicsuddenlycreatedandperfectlytimedbyRodriguez.Cool Dude Timewasnotableforitsfingerwork–Salisbury’sagile,fluidfingersripplingoverthekeyboardandWillson’sfranticmovesoverthefretsofhisguitar.Spain,featur-ingPhilCraig’ssubtlytimedsensu-ousshaker,beganinmuchgentlermodewithadriftingpianomelodybeforetheshiftbackintohardfunk.ThisnumberhadspaceforsolobreaksforallandwasafinalshowpieceforthestunningtalentsofSimonWillescroft,beginninggentlyonhissaxthistimebeforeescalatingintoadizzyingflurryofnotes.AstandingovationHarm-less Funkdeservedandgot,astheybroughttheeveningtoagloriousnoisyending.

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Simon Willescroft’s sax (left) was a highlight of the evening, but Harmless Funk did not outshine home-grown talents such as Becca Sandler (above left) and Joe Zacaroli (right)

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ThewhitewallsandwarmredbrickofStSaviour’sChurchpresentedalessdauntingspacethantheAbbey,theusualvenuefortheJointSchools’Concert.Itisacharmingvenueforaconcert,arelativelyinti-matespacewitharesonantacoustic.Theperformancespace,thecrossing,iscompacttoo;whiletheorches-trafittedinreasonablycomfortably,themassedchoirspilledfromthedaisintothewingsandthetenorsandbasseswerelargelyinvisiblebehindthephalanxesofHighSchoolgirls.

Theevening’sprogrammewasneatlyshaped,openingwithchoralpiecesbeforemovingontoorchestralmusicandconcludingbyunitingthechoralandinstru-mentalforces.ThesweetsopranosbeganBruckner’sLocus Istebeforethosehiddentenorsandbassesaddedtheirgravityandharmonies,perfectlyshapingthepieceuptoitsexquisitefinalchord.Themassedsopranoswerealittlemoretentativeinthesamecomposer’sAve Maria,andseemedlesshappyatthetopoftheirrange,buttheygatheredconfidenceasthepiecedeveloped.Lotti’sCrucifixuswasofadiffer-entorder,themalevoicesrisinginahauntingopening,slowlybuildingbyaddingvoices.Withprecisearticula-tion,chordsroseandfellmesmericallyinthecrossing.ThechoralsectionoftheconcertwasconcludedwithPurcell’sHear My Prayer O Lord,apatternedandtexturedpiecefromitswarmsopranoopeningbars.Thetenorsliftedeffortlesslyoutoftheweaveandtheleadsopranoswerestrongandvibrant,thewholecontrolledandshapedunderMickStout’sbaton.

Allbinoni’sAdagiosometimesseemstosufferfromoverexposure,butthiswarmandstatelyarrangementbyNigelSpringthorpeopenedtheearsanew,withitsliltingoboeopeningandrhythmicpluckedcellospro-vidingtheballast.Thestringsdevelopedthelushwarmtone,embellishedwithbeautifulsoloplayingfromleadviolinGeorgiaDavies,risingfromthegentleunderpin-ningofbassandtimpani.

Itisquiteastepforapupiltoperformamajorsoloinahighprofileconcert.WhenthatpupilisaFourthformer,itbecomesevenmorenotable.AndthenthesecondmovementofRavel’sPiano Concerto,thepieceinquestion,beginswithalongpassageofsolopianobeforetheentryoftheorchestra.NopressureonThomasDilley,then,whoshowedrealpoiseasheledoffwiththegentledriftingmelody,adelicatetouchacrossthekeysastheorchestrasatenraptured,await-ingthelongtrillwhichmarkeditsentry.Thenincametheflute,thenthestrings,thentheclarinet,graduallybuilding.ThelanguorouslongnotesonthestringssupportedDilley’sdelightfulrunsonthekeys,accom-paniedbyTomRobinson’shauntingcoranglaissolo.Dilleyshowedparticulardelicacywithhisrighthand

BrightStarsat StSavioursJointSchools’Concert


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atthetopoftherange,combiningflutteringfingerswithprecisioninamostaccomplishedperformance.

IfThomasDilley’sperformancewasimpressive,JoelyKoos’wasutterlythrilling.PrincipalcellistwiththeLondonChamberOrchestraandtheCityofLondonSinfonia,sheattackedthefirstmovementofShos-takovich’sCello Concertowithverve,rightfromitsopeningsignaturefournotes.Themovementisdrivenbytheenergyofthecelloline,byturnsvigorousandplaintive,overjagged,aggressivestrings.Koossawedathercellowithsuchpassionthatoneexpectedsnappingstringsandsplinteredwoodwork.Shesetastirringpaceandtheorchestrabreathlesslykeptupinanimmenselyexcitingperformance,withcontribu-tionsfromclarinetandmartialhornandpiccolo,allthewaytoitsclimacticexplosiveend.Inagenerousgesture,Koosbroughtthewholeorchestratoitsfeettoacknowledgethetumultuousapplause,andeveryplayerdeservedit.

ChoirandorchestracametogetherforVaughanWilliams’Serenade to Music,acomplexpiece,weavingtogetherorchestra,choirandsolovoices.ThehornsandstringsbeganatypicallyEnglishmelody,pickedupinastrongleadviolinsolobeforethechorallinelifted

effortlesslyoutoftheinstrumentalmusic.Thepiecegaveopportunitiesforlotsofyoungsoloists,sixteenofthemalltold.Thereweresomeproblemswithaudibilityhere,someofthetenorshavingdifficultyprojectingintothespace,butMickStoutcontrolledthemultipleaspectsofWilliams’scoreadmirably,untilitresolvedintoitslonglastnoteonthestrings.

NextyeartheJointSchoolswillreturntotheAbbey,butthisinterludeinStSaviour’sprovedtobeade-lightfulsmallerscaleprogramme,creatingopportuni-tiesforbothinstrumentalandvocalsoloists.Soyoung,sotalented.

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Soloists Thomas Dilley (far left) and Joely Koos (left) lit up the concert at St Saviour’s Church, seen above in the rehearsal

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FiftymembersoftheschoolChoir,ChamberChoirandBarbershopGroupenjoyedaweeklongtriptonorthernSpainovertheEasterbreak.ArrivinginBurgosafteraday-longcoachtrip,andaquickrecuperationatthehotel,weweretreatedtoabriefguidedtourofthelocalareabeforehavingdinner,andanearlybedtime.Thenextday,havinghadaccesstothehotelpool,itwastimeforeveryonetoexploreBurgos,withmostpeopleheadingstraighttothefirstcafé.TherehearsalthatfollowedsawtheChoirinsidethefinelydecorat-edcathedralwithgildedsculpturesandmirroredceilings,rehearsingtheentireprogram,includingchoirfavouritessuchasWere You There?andThis Joyful Eastertide,witharenditionoftheeverpopularLittle Innocent LambfromtheBarbershopgroup.Afewhourslater,thatpro-grammewasrecited(withagreatdealmoreaccuracyandsplendour)toanaudienceofhundreds,whichwasverywellreceived.

Thenextday,afterrecuperativefreetime,whichincludedalookaroundBurgosCathedralinmuchgreaterdetailandacursorywalk

aroundthefortressnorthofthecity,weheadedofftoVitoria,thecapitaloftheBasqueregion.Itwasherethatoursecondconcerttookplace.Withaslightlytweakedpro-gramme,inacathedralwithamuchlargercapacity,thisperformancewasreceivedevenmoreraptur-ouslythanthepreviousoneaswewerehonouredwithastandingovation.

ThefollowingdaywetransferredtoSalamanca,viaabriefvisittoValladolid,theex-capital.Again,anotherbriefguidedtourwasinorderhere,followedbyexplora-tionofthearea’slocaltapasbars.Notlongafterwearrivedhowever,wehadtocontinueourjourneytoSalamanca,torehearseournewschedule.Afteralongwalkaroundthisnewcity,whichfeltlessmodernthanBurgosyetcarrieditsownuniquecharm,thetimeforthefinalperformancecame.Thoughthecathedralwewereperforming

inwasdwarfedbycomparisontothebuildingssurroundingit,wehadourlargestaudiencesofar,andourprogrammewasnearperfect,withevenmorepolishedversionsofprevioussongs,aswellasnewperformancesfromtheBarbershopGroup.Itwasafittinglastconcert–itwasthebestreceivedofthethree,withyetanotherstandingovationandcongratulatoryshoutsfromparticularaudiencemembers.

Andyetitwasalloversosoon,asitwasonthenextdaythatwewerebackonthecoach,onanotherday-longjourneybacktoStAlbans.Thoughanexhaustingtrip,itwascertainlyanunforget-tableone,withbeautifulvenues,engagedaudiencesanddedicatedstaff.Itwilldefinitelybeachallengeforthenexttourtoliveuptothestandardssetbythisone.

Simon Brooks

SinginginSpainChoirTourtakesmusictoEurope

Splendid settings for choral music: Burgos Cathedral (above) and Vitoria Cathedral (above right)

Musicians relaxing in Salamanca


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OurseeminglyindefatigableDirec-torofMusic,MickStout,organisedarichandvariedprogrammeforthisMayDayconcert.Hisequallytirelessmusiciansproducedsomeoutstandingperformances.Interspersedamongstthese,twooftheSchool’sAwardWinnersatthe2014StAlbansYoungMusicianoftheYear,performedtheirpiecesimmaculately.NicholasSpringth-orpe(SeniorVoice)sangSchubert’smelancholyTränenregen,(AShowerofTears)fromthecomposer’sfirstmajorsongcyclewithconfidence,clarityandfeelingfromtheflooroftheHall.PlayingtheFrenchhorn,ThomasDilley(SeniorWind)gaveastunningperformanceofthehauntingCanteorbyBusser,accom-paniedwithgreatsensitivitybyTomYoung,AssistantDirectorofMusic.

Brassplayersopenedtheconcertwithsomestirringpieces:ZorrobyHornersoundedaninitialfanfarefromtrumpet,trombone,tubaandFrenchhorn.Thecalmer,moretranquilHey JudebyLennon/Mc-Cartneylentitselfwelltobrassinterpretation,whileBizet’sTore-ador SongsubsequentlysoundeditsevergreenLothario’sswagger.TheperformancebyflautistsofOdd Socks byMowerandPachelbel’sCanon,withitsrepeatedeightnotesinthebassandevermorecomplexupperparts,formedadelicatecontrast.

Clarinettistsperformedthedelight-fullylight-heartedprestofromFour Slavonic DancesbyDvorak,followedbythesprightlyMinor Mode Military March byCowles.Saxophonistsprovidedachangeofmoodandtempowithaswinging,toetapping

GlennMillerMedleyarrangedbyThorne.ThisincludedmanyfamiliarmelodiessuchasChat-tanooga Choo Choo,Tuxedo JunctionandString of Pearls,whichtestedthepowersofrecol-lectionofmanyofthemorematuremembersoftheaudience.

ThefirsthalfoftheprogrammeclosedwiththeSuite from Henry V(movements1,4and5)byWalton,performedbytheorchestra,directedbytheinimitableMrPhilCraig.ThemusicwascomposedforthefilmofShakespeare’sHenry V,starringLaurenceOlivier,releasedin1944.ThescorewasnominatedforanAcademyAward.Theliquidopeningonflutewasfollowedbymilitarytrumpetsanddrumsandthenmusicthatmightwellhaveaccompaniedamediaevalrevel.Gentlerstringsfollowedthisvibrant,stirringopeninginthe4thmovement.Thestrong5thmovementfeaturedbrass,whirlingstringsandshimmeringpercussion.

Six PianosbyReichopenedthesecondhalfoftheprogramme.MickStoutintroducedthiscon-temporarypiece,indicatinghow‘cells’ofmusicwouldberepeatedbythesixperformers.Thiswasacleverandfascinatingpiece,whichrequireddeftcoordinationandintenseconcentrationfromthe

players.MrCraigthenreturnedtodirectthePercussionEnsem-bleinthedynamicandexciting744811811322322111111byThePerformers.ThiswasfollowedbytheSinfonietta’sstirringperform-anceofThemes from Pomp and Cir-cumstancebyElgar.MrYoungthendirectedtheStringEnsembleinthedelightfulandsprightlyRomanian Folk DancesbyBartok.Themusicflowedbeautifullyandwasredolentofcelebration,merrymakingandweddingfeasts,thoughwithhintsofArabinfluence.

TheConcertBandprovidedthefinaletothisstimulatingandvariedmixofmusicalentertainmentwithtwocontrastingpieces.Theenjoy-ableBlues for BandbyStoneofferedthetrue‘BigBand”sound.Harry Potter & the Deathly HallowsbyDesplathowever,openedwithanominousdrumbeat,whichdevel-opedintoadramaticcrescendo.Thelighterandmorecheerfulsoundofthewoodwindsectionwasjoinedbyflutesandthentrumpets,throughanotherstrikingcrescendotoroundofftheconcert.

Inafinalannouncement,MrStoutacknowledgedMrPeterByrom’sveryspecialcontributiontothemusicallifeoftheSchool,focusinginparticularonhisleadershipoftheSchool’sStringEnsembleovermanyyears.ThiswarmaccoladewasfollowedbythepresentationofanappropriategifttoMrByrom.

JMG and AKJ

DynamismandExcitementSpringConcert

The Barbershop Group, which was

among the winners at the St Albans

Young Musicians of the Year competition

Nicholas Springthorpe sang Schubert at the concert

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Storage box: Oliver Cohen Stool: Oliver Edmond

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Storage Unit: Sammee Bhatti Bauhaus Speaker (detail): Matthew Edwards

Opposite pageSubwoofer: Tom Boon


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ABriefHistoryofEverythingHistoryandPoliticsLectureSocietyTheStAlbansHistoryandPoliticsSocietystartedtheyearbyhavingthegoodfortunetohearAlexRu-therfordOAgivealectureonthethemeof‘CivilRightsintheUSAinthe1940sand1950s’.AlexstudiedHistoryatWarwickbeforeayearatUniversityofSouthCarolinaaspartofhisundergraduateprogram.WhilststudyinginSouthCarolina,hewasawardedtheMartinLutherKingJrDaycommittee’sprestigiousSocialJusticeAward,grantedtothosewhoexemplifyKing’sprin-ciplesthroughcommunityservice,socialjusticeandracialrecon-ciliation.Thelectureprovidedanilluminatinginsightintothevariouscomponentsofthemoment,fromtheNAACPtoMartinLutherKingJr,andseminaleventssuchasthoseatLittleRockCentralHighSchoolwhichcontributedtodesegrega-tion.RutherfordalsodrewuponhisownexperiencesintheDeepSouthtoexplaintotheaudiencehowracistattitudesprevailinthatareatoday,leavingustoconsidertheharrowingrealitiesofdailylifeformanyAfricanAmericans.

ThenextlecturewasdeliveredbyDrDavidLavenofNotting-hamUniversityandtitled‘Cavour,GaribaldiandItalianunification’.Itapproachedthesubjectoftheso-called‘heroes’ofunification,fromCamilloCavour,its‘mind’,toGaribaldi(the‘sword’)fromarevisionistperspective,pointingoutthatfarlessromanticfactorsmayhavecontributedtothesuccessofUnification.However,asDrLavenexplained,theideaofa‘creationmyth’ofsomesortispopularamongsthistorians,withtheimmensecelebrityofGaribaldi,despitehismistakes,comparabletothatofChurchillorMandela.Hepointedoutthatevenonthe150thanniversaryofunification,celebra-tionsareovershadowedbythebloodshedoftherisorgimiento.DrLaven’sversionofeventsprovidedauniqueandcontroversialslantonthematerial,whichtheLowerSixthwillnodoubtappreciateintheirexampreparation.

OurfollowinggatheringheardaspeechfromUpperSixthstudentAlessandroRossientitled‘Can

Anarchybeagoodthing?’Itcon-sideredtheteachingsofarangeofanarchicalphilosophers,fromPierre-JosephProudhontothe‘founderofmodernAnarcho-Capi-talism’MurrayRothbard,aswellasthevariousanarcho-capitalistsocie-tiesthathaveexistedthroughouthistory.Rossievaluatedtherelativesuccessofthispoliticalsystem,aswellastheissuesitmayencounter.RossiwrappedupthelecturebyexplaininghowAnarcho-Capitalismmightgraduallybeimposedonoursociety,concludingwhatwasanabsorbingtalkforallpresent..

WelaterconvenedtohearMrCameronBalbirnietalkabouttherequiredingredientsforacompel-lingHistorydocumentary,andthefilmingadvanceswhichmakeitpossible.OneexamplehegaveuswashisattempttorecreateMajorJohnWesleyPowell’sexpeditiondowntheGrandCanyon,thefirstofitskind,anda‘docudrama’whichappealedfarmoretomodernaudi-ences,withcharactersrecreatinghistoryasithappened,meaninglessanalysisfrom‘talkingheads’andmoreaction,wrappingupanengagingtalk.

ThefinalHistoryandPoliticssocietylectureoftheEastertermcameintheformofaseminarfromourveryownMrStone,entitled‘WhyScottishindependenceisagoodidea–analternativeper-spective’.Heevaluatedtheprosandconsofthe‘Yes’and‘BetterTogether’movements,beforeexploringthevariousconsequencesforbothScotlandandtherestoftheUnitedKingdom,andconclud-ingthatindependencewasunlikelytohappencomeSeptember2014.However,hesuggestedthataYesvotewouldnotnecessarilybedisastrous.Later,wecouldfireoffquestionsatMrStone,whoimpressedwithhiswealthofpoliti-calknowledge.Wethankhimforaverywell-constructedlecture,aswellasallotherspeakersinvolvedthroughouttheyear,.HisseminarconcludedanoutstandingyearofHistoryandPoliticslectures,whosepurposetoenlighten,entertainandinterestwasmorethanfulfilled.

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LecturaandBeyondtheInfiniteStephenHawkingsciencelectures

AnotheryearofSciencegivesrisetoanotheryearoftheStephenHawkingLectureSociety,providingallwithaviewintofascinatingandabsorbingsciencethatisn’ttaughtintheclassroom.

Thefirstoftheyear’slectures,The Psychology of Hypnosis Without Hyp-notism,gaveanexcitinglookintothemythsandtruthsofhypnosis.MartinSTaylorstartedtheyearwithabang,hisshowmanshipandcomedytransformingthehallintoalivelyplace.Hebeganthetalkwiththeaimofstrippingawaymythstorevealthemodernsciencebehindthewayhypnosisworks.MartinTaylorexplainedthat“hypnosisdoesn’texist”inthewayyoumighthaveheardaboutitbefore,emphasisingthatthereisnoalteredstate.Heissimplyusingsuggestion,peerpressureandobediencetotrickpeople’sminds.Unlikemosthypnotists,heexplainedtheactbeforeperformingitonaroundhalfadozenvolunteers–whoalldidanumberofthings,beitleapingfromahotchair,forgettingtheirownnames,orscurryingtothebackofthestageinfearof“Jumbotheelephant”.

Inthenexttalk,keyscienceques-tionsweretackledbyMichaelStevens,thecreatorandhostoftheimmenselypopularYouTubechannelvsauce.Inanentertain-ingtalkhecoveredeverythingfromwhytheskyisbluetohowhehimselfwasintroducedtotheworldofscienceandcuriosity–it’sallaboutaskingwhy?

MrStevensfirstdemonstratedhowhestartscreatingavideo,immersinghimselfintothesub-jects,showingabrowserwindowwithdozensoftabsdedicatedtoresearchinghistopic.Ratherthanrapidlyspittingoutfactsineachvideo,hecreatesacoherentstory,

framingitinsuchawaythathesubtlyeducateshisaudience.

HeviewshisYouTubechannelasacelebrationofscientistsandresearchers,beingcuriousaboutphysicalphenomenaandtheworldaroundus.Hearguedthatheisinterestedinwhatmostpeoplewouldconsidermundane:why24/7shopshavelocks,orwhetherwatchingpaintdryingisactuallyboring(asithappens,itisnot,whenoneconsidersallthefluiddynamicsinplay).AnothersuccessfulrangeofideasfortheSociety,welefttheroomwithourinterestspiqued,readytoquestioneverythingaroundus.

Inthethirdlecture,ProfessorSteveJonesofUCLdeliberatelyprovokedtheaudiencewithhistitle,Evolution-ism is Right and Creationism is Wrong.However,thetalkfocusedontheevolutionofthehumanspecies,whilebrieflyexaminingcreationstories;itwasnot,assomehadfeared,Atheism: the Lecture.Infact,ProfessorJonesspentasignifi-cantamountoftimefocusingonvariationwithinhumanbeings–forexample,thefascinatingevolutionoflanguages:howtheysplitapartandmorphedovertimefromtheprehistoricEurasianlanguageofProto-Indo-European.

Hethenshiftedthetopic,speakingmoreaboutevolutionarybiology.Hepointedoutthathumanbeingsareuniqueinthatwehavethe‘foxp2’gene,whichallowsustopartakeinsophisticatedspeech.Infact,itisthisgenethat,whendamaged,causesspeechdisorderssuchasverbaldyspraxia.Suchageneissomethingthatwehavegainedovermillennia;incontrast,humanshavelostmuscle–chim-panzeesaretwiceasmuscularashumans,forexample.Yettoday,weshare95%ofourgeneswithchimpanzees;chimpanzeesareef-fectively95%human,orweare95%chimpanzees.

DrugsandsportareneverfarfromthenewsandDrSteveMaynardgaveaninsightfulandengagingtalk,examiningthesubjectwiththetitleDetection of Drugs in Sport: the Science Behind the Headlines.He

beganbyexplainingthatthemediaoftenexaggerateandsensationalisesuchstories,andencouragedhislistenerstothinkaboutthefactsandthinkforthemselves,comingtotheirownconclusions.

Thelecturefocusedontheconsequencesofdopinginsport;forexample,wholegroupsfromcountriesfailingurinetestsmightbringupthequestionofinstitu-tionaliseddoping-whetherfromastateofficialoracoach.Afterbrieflyspeakingaboutthehistoryofdrugcontrolinsports,DrMaynardspokeabouttheethicsofusingdrugs,bringinguptwokeypoints:cheatingandthewelfareofparticipants.Theobviouspointisthattheuseofdrugscanresultindisruptingalevelplayingfieldandfraudthroughfixedmatches,buthealsoexplained,forexample,thataspainkillersonlymaskpain,theycanbecrueltohorsesandgreyhounds.

OnaFridaynightinApril,studentsandteachersgatheredintheBLRforthefinallectureoftheyear,entitledLiving in a Quantum World,byProfessorVlatkoVedral,whereheoutlinedtheideasthatarebeingexploredinquantumphysics,givingatasteofwhattoexpectfromafutureinPhysics.Forexample,heexplainedtheconceptof‘superpo-sition’,theideathatthesameparti-clecanexistintwodifferentplacesatonce.Heusedvariousexamplesandintroducedthemind-bogglingideathatwecanviewagalaxyasbeingintwodifferentplaces.Ofcourse,aswithanyQuantumPhysics101lecture,heexplainedtheworld-famousparadoxof‘Schrödinger’sCat’.

TheeveningwascommemoratedbyanotherglitteringepisodeofthenowannualStephenHawkingSocietyDinner,withstudentsandteachersalikesmartlyarrayedinblack-tie.

Naveen Morris

ABriefHistoryofEverythingHistoryandPoliticsLectureSociety

secrets’.Wewereallastoundedashepointedoutmoreandmorehiddenmathswithintheshow,suchasthecinemanamedafterthegoogolplexandthepredictedmassofaHiggsBosonparticlewrittenonawhiteboardinthebackgroundofascene.Asheexplained,manyofthewritersoftheshowweremathematicians,hencetheinclusionofmanycomplexmathematicalideasasaninsidejoke.

ThelastspeakerwasJamesMcKeefromRoyalHolloway,whospoketousaboutmathsingames.Hedem-onstratedthisbymakingusallplayagameof‘Sprouts’,whichinvolveddrawinglinestojoinup‘blobs’.Hemadeusnotedownwhichplayerstartedeachgameandwhowon,andwediscoveredthatthewinnerdependedonthenumberofblobsatthestartofthegame,astherewasafinitenumberoflegalmoves.

Overall,itwasaveryinterestingandentertainingdaythatallowedustodiscoverdifferentapplicationsofmathsintherealworld.

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EasyAsPiLecturersbamboozletheSixthFormersOnachillyDecembermorning,LowerSixthmathematiciansmetattheInstituteofEducationinLondonforadayofthought-pro-vokinglectures,givenbysomeofthemostprominentnamesinthefieldofmathematics.

ThedaykickedoffwithatalkbyVickyNealefromtheUniversityofCambridge,tellingusmanyin-terestingfactsandtheoremsaboutprimenumbers,suchasthatthereisaninfinitenumberofthem.ShealsoinformedusofsomeexcitingprogressintheTwinPrimeConjec-ture,whichwasgettingclosertobeingprovedbytheday.

ThenextspeakerwasDavidSpiegelhalter,astatistician.Thoughhislecturewasaboutcalculatingrisk,hestartedoffbyshowingusaclipofhistimeonTotal Wipeout-needlesstosayhisexperienceontheshowwasshortandpainful,buthighlyentertainingforus!Next,likeatruemathematician,heexplainedhowhepredictedthetimeheneededtoqualifyforthenextroundbyanalysingthequalifying

UpperSixthformersweregivenatalkbyformerStAlbansHeadofSchoolJonCroker,nowanac-complishedscreenwriter,entitled‘Film-making’.Heexplainedwhathecalledthe‘glamourisation’ofmanyOscarnominatedfilms,andthefinelinebetweenrealismandentertainmentvalue.HebroughtinexamplessuchastheOscarnomi-natedepicThe Wolf of Wall Street,afilminfamousforitsobscenity,andasilentfilminwhichitwasfeltinappropriatetoshowtheimageofatoilet.Astrongdefenderofhismedium,Crokerinsistedthattheglamourisationofsuchtopicsisonlyinaidoftheart,makingthepointthatThe Wolf of Wall Street wasmeanttobeshockinginorder

toexposethecharactersforthecrimestheycommitted.

Wecaughtupwithhimafterthelecturetoaskhimafewques-tionsaboutlifeafterhavinglefttheSchool,andwhathehadplannedforthefuture.HetoldusthathisroleasHeadofSchoolatStAlbanstaughthimthevaluesofcollabora-tion,andgainedmanyskillsthathelpedhimindirectingandproduc-inghisownshortfilms,someofwhichmadewhilstatschool.Afterleaving,hestudiedEnglishLitera-tureatCambridge,andthroughaninternshipatHeydayFilms(theproductioncompanybehindHarryPotter),gainedafootholdinthefilmindustry.Theonekeypieceofadviceheofferedtobudding

TheWolfofFishpoolStreetFilm-makingisn’tallglamour

youngfilmmakerswasto‘keepmakingstuff.’Makingyourownfilmsgivesyouinvaluablepracticeathowyougoaboutmakingfilmsandwillabsolutelymakeyoumoreemployablewhenyoustartlookingforjobsintheindustry.Heiscurrentlyworkingonanumberofprojects,includingaPaddington Bearfilm,asequeltotheBritishhorroradaptation,The Woman in BlackandDesert Dancer,atruestoryaboutagroupofIranianyouthsdefyingtheircountry’sbanondancingtoperforminsecret.Thetalkwaswellreceivedbyallwhoattendedandhesuccessfullyprovidedaninsightintothefilmbusiness,whilsttouch-ingonmorephilosophicalaspectsofthemedium.

Declan Houten & Sam Machell

timesofpreviouscontestants.Thesubjectofthetalkthenchangeddrasticallywhenhewentontodiscusstheprobabilityofgettingpregnantfromunprotectedsexanddemonstrateditthroughagameofheadsortails,withaudienceparticipation.Thetalkfinishedonaslightlymorbidnote,ashediscussedthechancesofdyingeverydayjustbyliving,asawayofdescribingthemicromortandthemicrolife,whicharebothunitsusedtodescribetheprobabilityofdying.

ThesubsequenttalkwasaboutspeechtechnologyandwasgivenbyMattStuttle,aresearchscientistatGoogle.Hewarnedusbefore-handthathewasgoingtocramawholedegree’sworthofknowledgeintoafiftyminutelecture,whichhedidbyusingacombinationofexplanations,suchasabouthowwetalkandhear,andpicturesofcats–howthosetwothingsgotogether,westilldon’tknow.

SimonSinghfollowed,withanotherunusualtalk,thistimeaboutThe Simpsonsandtheir‘mathematical


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FirstformersenjoyedtheirCrea-tiveWritingDay,nowanannualtradition.Studentsdressedupinavarietyofcostumesinspiredbytheirfavouritecharacters,rangingfromSkulduggeryPleasanttoHarryPotterandAsterix.Yetmoreinterestingthanthecostumesweretheworkshopsthemselves,ledbyacclaimedwritersJohnMole,FredSedgwickandLilChase.

Asapoet,JohnMolehadthetaskofmakingthechildrenwriteacompositepoembasedonadream.Eachstudentatatableoffivewouldwriteastanza,startingwiththeline“Onceinadream”whichcombinedtocreatealargerpoem.Likewise,theyplayedasurrealistgamecalled‘TheExquisiteCorpse’,wherestudentswrotelistsofnouns,verbsandadjectives.Afterhalftermthesewordswillbear-rangedintononsensicalsentences,suchasthesentencethatfirststartedthegame,“Theexquisitecorpseshalldrinknewwine.”

LilChasetookacompletelydif-ferentapproach–eachstudentstartedbycreatingacharacter,beitasoldieroraspy,andthentookthemonajourney.Lilsaid

thatshethoroughlyenjoystheseworkshops,andallthreeauthorsfeltthatencouragingyoungchildrentowriteisveryimportant.FredSedgwick,whosurroundshisownchildrenwithlanguage,callsit“oneofthegreatestgiftsyoucangiveachild.”

FredSedgwickspenthisownses-sionsreadingthechildrenpoetryandhavingthemwritetheirownversionsofJohnClare’slovepoems.Hewasespeciallyimpressedby

someofthechildren’sabilitytotranslateanItalianpoemhereadintoworkingEnglish,whichtheywereabletodothankstotheirskillsinLatin.

Overallthedaywasathoroughlyinterestingandentertainingexperi-enceforthechildren,whohaveincreasedtheirunderstandingandappreciationofwhatittakestobeawriter.

Sam Machell and Naveen Morris

ColourfulCharactersFirstFormgetscreative

The range of costumes on the

day included some dramatic, if macabre, choices

OnWednesday15thJanuary,15studentsfromtheFourthFormattendedaMathsEnrichmentDayattheUniversityofHertfordshire.TokickoffthedayDrHannahFrygavealectureentitled“TheWisdomofCrowds”inwhichshetalkedaboutanareaofmathemat-icscalledcomplexity.Examplesofcomplexityare:whytrafficjamsoccur,whyfirefliesflashinsyncandhowBarcelonaplayfootball.

Followingthiswerethreeshortsessions,thefirstofwhichwasentitled“Howlongisapieceofstring?”Theanswerdependsonthescaleused.Magnifyingapieceofstringshowsthatitisnotperfectlystraight,butitismadeupoftinyzigzags,whicharemadeupofevensmallerzigzags.Thispatternis

HowLongisaPieceofString?FourthFormmathsenrichmentday

calledafractalandcanbeappliedtothelengthofacoastline.

ThesecondsessionwaspresentedbyRobEastaway(authorofWhy Do Buses Come in Threes?)andwasabouthowtogetanapproximateanswerveryquicklyusingestima-tionandzequals(roundingeverynumbertoonesignificantfigure).Forexample,thequestion“HowmuchdoesoneoftheEgyptianpyramidsweigh?”wouldatfirstseemimpossible,butaveryap-proximateanswercanbefoundsurprisingquickly:veryroughlyitis1,000,000,000kg.

Thefinalsessioninvolvedma-nipulatingtheequationsforkineticenergy,gravitationalpotentialenergyandmomentumtoworkouthowhighatennisballwill

bounceupifabasketballisdroppedwiththetennisballontopofit.Anexperimentdemonstratedtheresultwiththetennisballbounc-ingupandhittingtheceilingofthelecturetheatre.

ThedayfinishedoffwithanotherlecturebyRobEastawayonthemathsofgames.HeexplainedthattheJailsquareonaMonopolyboardisthemostvisited,duetothemultiplewaysofbeingsentthere;thusorangespacesarethebestpropertiestobuy.

Thiswasaveryenjoyableandinterestingtripoverall,andmanythankstoMrsHiggins,whoorgan-isedtheday,andtoMrByromandMrBaldenwhoaccompaniedus.

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JonathanStroudcametoStAlbansSchoolon3rdMarch2014togiveanengagingandinterestingtalkabouthimselfandhisbooks.Heisawellknownwriteroffantasyfictionandhisbestknownbook,Bartimaeus,hassoldmillionsofcopiesworld-wide.HestartedwritingattheageofsevenwithhishandmadebookDiamond Theft,whichhestillkeepsinhisbedroom.Whenhewastwelve,hewroteanotherbookcalledTower of the Undead.Thiswasabookwhereyouhavetochoosewhatpagetogotoandthencompletethebook.JonathanactuallyattendedStAlbansSchoolasachildandthenwenttotheUniversityofYorkafterwhichhebecameabookeditor.

SincethenhehaswrittenlotsofbookssuchasBuried Fire,The Screaming StaircaseandhisbestsellingseriesBartimaeus.Bartimaeusisa5,000yearolddjinni(genie)whogetssummonedbymagiciansatdifferentpointsintimetodotheirdirtywork.Theideabehindthisseriessoundedexcellentandtheplotsoundedevenbetter.

Jonathanshowedusatrailerforhisnewbook,The Screaming Staircase.ThisisthefirstoftheLockwood & Coseries,whichIreallylikedthe

soundof.Inthisbook,ghostshavebeenrisingfromthegroundforyears.Theycanappearabsolutelyanywhere,whichmakesthemevenmoredangerous.However,thereisatwisttothetale:adultscannotseetheghostsbuttheghostscanstillkillthem.Thismeansthatwhendaystartstoturntonight,adultswillmaketheirwayhomeasquicklyastheycanandlockthedoors.Asadultscan’tgooutsideatnight,thekidsmakeittheirjobtogetridoftheghosts.Therearelotsofbigcompaniesthatdothis,butthereisnowanewteamintown:Lockwood&Co.Theymaybesmall,buttheysurearegood.

Afterheexplainedthebooktous,hegotoneofustocomeupontothestageanddemonstrateallthedifferentthingsyouneedtobeaghosthunter.Heexplainedallthesetoolstousandthentoldusaboutthetypesofghostsandhowscarytheywouldbe,beforeweposedsomequestionstohimasthepres-entationended.

WethinkthatJonathan’sideasareamazing,asishistalentforwritinggrippingbooks.Wefullyrecom-mendhisbooksandhopethatyouenjoythem.

Connor McGuigan and Steven Furlong

ProudStroudWowedCrowdAfantastictalkfromafantasticalauthor

TwosecondformclassestookpartinamorningouttoVerulamiuminDecember.TheyhavebeenstudyingRomanBritaininlessonsandthetripwasintendedtoenhancetheirlearningofwhatdifferencestheRomaninvasionmadetothelivesofindividualBritons.Thedaystartedwithawalkdowntothemuseumandanartefacthandlingsession.Objectsweregroupedontofourtablesandthepupils,spending15minutesoneachtable,hadtoworkoutwhethertheywereoriginalorreplicasandwhattheywereusedfor.Thetablesincludedobjectsfoundinthediningroomandkitchen,beautyproductsandbuildingmaterialsandpupilsidentifiedRomanrooftiles,jewelleryandfoodproducts.

Pupilslearntwhichmaterialssurvivedandhowtotellwhetherobjectswereoriginalornot.TheyalsolearntaboutRomanbuildingmaterialsandtechnologyandhowarchaeologistscandateobjectstheyhavefound.

Nextwasatripdowntothehypocaust,asurvivingexampleoftheRomans’ingeniousunderfloorheatingsystem.Housedinabuildinginthemiddleoftheparkisahugemosaic,withsectionscutoutsothattheleadpipesandfurnaceareathatheatedthefloorarevisible.

Afteraquickstopforhotchocolateandcakes,thepupilsreturnedtothemuseumtolookaroundthegalleriesandfindinformationonfoodandfarming,entertainmentandlifeafterdeath.Onthewaybacktoschool,theyvisitedtheRomantheatre,shopsandvilla,acrosstheroadfromthemuseum.Whilstwalkingaroundthetheatre,theygainedaninsightintowhatitwouldhavebeenliketowatchaplayinthislargestructure.Thepupilsthenreturnedtoschoolintimeforlunch,havinglearntagreatdealabouttheimpor-tanceofVerulamiuminRomanBritain.

LJB

RomanAroundTriptoVerulamium

Jonathan Stroud chats to one of his

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ChrisBradfordisabestsellingauthor.Hehaswon18awardsforhisbooksandtheyhavebeentranslatedintotwentydifferentlanguages.HehaswrittentheYoung Samuraiserieswhichconsistsofeightbooksandheisnowontheninth.Heisanexpertatmartialartsandisalsoaprofessionalbody-guard,sowatchout.ChrisisalsoamusicianandsongwriterandhasevenperformedfortheQueen.

ChrisBradfordcametoStAlbansSchooltotalkabouthisbooksanddosomebooksigning.First,hetalkedabouthisbook,The Bodyguard.

The Bodyguardisanexcellentbook.TheprotagonistofthisbookisConnor.Heisfourteenandheisaskedtoprotectthepresident’sdaughterandbeherbodyguard.Inthestorythepresident’sdaughtergoestotheschoolprom,nottodancewithherbuttoprotecther.Tablesareknockedoverandglassissmashed,leavingtheyoungadultspetrified,alltryingtogetoutatthesametime.Chriswasundert-sandablyveryknowledgeableonthetopicofbodyguards,andwelaterfoundoutthathehadactuallytakenacourseonalltheskillstobeaprofessionalbodyguard.

Chrisdidn’tjustreadouthisstories,heactedthemtoo.Heshotawaterpistolathisaudi-ence(thefirstform)andeve-ryonelovedit.ChrisBradfordshowedusashortclipaboutawareness.‘Alwaysbeawarebutrelaxed’,wassomething

thathehadtoldus.‘Awarenesscanbethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.’

Theauthorcaughtusalloutwhenhetoldustolookforthecamerathathehadplantedintheroom,withwhichhewasfilmingus.Weallturnedtothebackoftheroomtolookatplants,bookshelvesandany-thingthatwethoughtlookedsuspi-cious,whilsthewassippingawayathiscameraCokecan.Eventuallyweworkeditoutbuthecaughtitallonvideo.Nowadaysalmostanythingcouldbewatchingyou.

ChrisBradfordtoldusaboutreallyusefultechniques,suchashowyoucantellifsomeoneis

watchingyouandhowtoprotectsomeonewhilstonthemove.Healsoshowedustheoneinchpunchwhichwasquiteanintelligentmove.

TheYoung Samuraiseriesisprob-ablyChrisBradford’smostsuccess-fulseries,consistingofeightbooks.Theninthbookinthisseriesiscurrentlybeingpublished.ThemaincharacterinthisseriesiscalledJack.TheYoung Samuraiseriesisgoingtobeoutontelevisioninafewyears,anditisbasedontheninthbook.ChrisBradfordshowedusamoodtrailerofwhatthetelevisionseriesofYoung Samurai mightlooklike.Itlookedlikeagreatprogrammetowatch.

Finally,ChrisBradfordshowedusthesworddisplay,somethingthateveryonehadbeenwaitingfor.Hebroughthislongsword,aboutonemetreinlength.Chrisswunghisbeautifulbutdeadlyswordaroundandshowedusdifferentwaystouseit.MyfavouritepartofthesworddisplaywaswhenChrischosetwopeopletoholdupapieceofpaperforhimsothathecouldstabandslitthepaper.Icannotimaginehowscaredthepeoplewere,whowereholdingthepieceofpaper.

ChrisBradfordisanamazingauthorwithexcellentbooksforchildren.Heisaverycommittedauthorandstrivestoproducehighqualitybooks.Fromthistalkwetookawayreallifeskills,whattheresponsibilitiesofrealbodyguardsareandwhatagreatauthorthismanis.Wewoulddefinitelyrecom-mendhisbookstootherpeople,especiallythosewholikeaction.

Georgio Theodorou & Kwame Ofori

ThePenisMightierthantheSwordSelf-defenceandliteratureinonesitting

Awarenesscanbethedifferencebetweenlifeand

death.

Fivegirlsandfourboys,allaspiringModernLanguageundergraduatesfromtheUpperSixth,tookpartinaModernLanguagesSymposiumattheSchoolonThursday3rdOctober,inpartnershipwiththeNorthLondonCollegiateSchool.WithapartnerfromNLCS,eachstudentwaschallengedwiththetaskofcreatingafourminutelongradiobroadcast,writtenentirelyinachosenforeignlanguage,basedonspecifictopics.ThetopicsrangedfromBaudelairetoBasquesepara-

tismtobicyclesinfuturism.Theaimofthesymposiumwastopromotethekindofindependentresearchrequiredforstudyinglanguagesatuniversitylevel,sothestudentsweregiventhefreedomtoapproachthetopicfromanyangletheyliked.BroadcastswereheardinavarietyoflanguagesincludingFrench,SpanishandItalian,makingforalivelyeveningofculturalenrich-mentandhelpingfosteramorelong-standingrelation-shipbetweenthetwoschools.

OnTheSameWavelengthForeignlanguageradiobroadcasts

Watch out! Chris Bradford’s about!

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Providingtheresidentswithrefreshmentssoundslikeasimpletask,butitcouldgetslightlystressfulwhentryingtomakesureeverythingmettherequirementsofeachindividualresident.Makingsureeveryresidentwashappyatalltimeswasachallengeatfirst,butastheweeksprogressed,Ibecamemoreandmorefamil-iarwiththeresidents,makingthejobaloteasier.

AttheendofourtimeatTara’sRetreattowardstheendofJune,RonanandIhelpedtoarrangeanafter-noonofgardenactivitiesinthecarehome’sgarden,whichwasparticularlyrewardingbecause,afterhavingarrangedasuccessfuleventandseeingthesmilesoneveryone’sfaces,Ifeltarealsenseofaccomplishment.

AnotheroneofthemostrewardingthingsaboutdoingCommunityLinkwasthatgraduallytheresi-dentsbecamemorefamiliarwithmyweeklyvisitsandlookedforwardtotheactivitiesthatwewouldcarryoutnextweek.

Volunteeringatacarehomewasanenrichingexperi-ence,astheresidentscamefrommanydifferenttypesofbackgroundsandoccupations,andlearningabouttheirpreviouslifeexperiencesandachievementswasrefreshingasitremindedRonanandmeofatimewhenthelatesttechnologyorviralvideowasnotthemaintopicofconversation.

Asafuturemedic,myCommunityLinkexperiencewasextremelyvaluableasIwasinvolvedinthecareofvulnerablepeopleandwasgivenapositionofresponsibility,whereIwouldhavetousemyinitiative,animportantlifeskill.Themajorityofcareersheavilyinvolvecommunication,whetheritisbetweendoctorsandpatients,lawyersandclients,orsalesassociatesandcustomers,andduringmytimeatTara’sRetreatthisskillwasdefinitelystrengthened,especiallywhenspeakingtotheresidentsinordertofulfiltheirneeds.

Ialsogainedaninsightintothehardworkofnursesandcarers,maintainingthehealthandhappinessoftheresidents,aswellasformingintimateyetprofessionalrelationships.MoreoveritwasanimportantformofworkexperiencethatIwroteaboutinmyCV,asitincreasedmydesiretostudymedicine.

MyCommunityLinkexperiencewasextremelyposi-tiveandIwouldrecommendittoalloftheLowerSixthasprovidingaservicetotheelderlyisaveryfulfillingandworthwhileactivity.

ExtendingCareCommunityLink

AishaMukhtarfoundworkingwiththeelderlyavaluablepreparationforacareerinmedicine.

IchoseCommunityLinkasmyFridayafternoonactivity,attend-ingTara’sRetreatCareHomealongsidemypartner,Ronan.WetookpartinsocialactivitieswiththeresidentsinordertoprovidethemwithsomeentertainmentonaFridayafternoon.Admittedly,wewerebothapprehensiveinvisitingacarehomeaswehadastere-otypicalviewsaboutwhatitwouldbelike.However,onarrivalwewerepleasantlysurprisedthatourpreconceivedviewofcarehomeswassimplynottrue.

Someoftheactivitieswetookpartinwhilstvolunteeringincludedbingo,bowls,artsandcraftsandtheoccasionalgameofSnakesandLadders!Afterabusyandstress-fulweekatschool,CommunityLinkwastheperfectwaytoblowoffsomesteamwhilst,althoughitsoundsveryclichéd,givingbacktothecommunity.

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WinneroftheprizeforoutstandingcontributiontoPartnership,MaggieDorlingwasdelightedtogetmessywithyoungchildren.

LastyearIhadthepleasureandtheprivilegetohelpoutintheNurseryatAboyneLodgeSchoolonFridayafternoons.Iknewfromthefirstday,asIgotthebuswithgreenandbluepaintinmyhairandstainsonmyshirt(tracesfromthesplatterpaintingexercise),thatmyFridayafternoonactivitywasgoingtobemorefunandmorerewardingthanIevercouldhaveimagined.

Duringtheschoolday,theNurserywashometoabout15threeandfouryearolds,ateacherandateachingassistant.WhenIfirstarrived,thechildrenwerenewtoschool,newtoeachotherand,mostly,unawareofanytypeofdisciplineorself-control.Itwasachallengejusttopersuadethemtositstillforafewminutesandfocusonwhateveractivitieswehadorganisedforthem.Theycouldbedistractedinaninstant,whichwassometimesveryamusingbutalsomeanttheywouldrunoffmid-taskandjustdosomethingelsewhen-evertheyfeltlikeit.

Itdidn’ttaketoolongtogettoknowallthewonderfulchildrenintheclassroom,andforthemtogettoknowme.TherewasalittleboycalledHenrywholovedeveryoneandeverything,butespeciallyhis

bestfriendPippa.HenryandPippawouldhavedayswhentheyinsistedondoingeverythingthesame.Forexample,HenrywasonlysurehelikeddinosaurswhenPippacon-firmedshealsolikeddinosaurs.OnotheroccasionsPippacriedwhenshecouldn’tgotoHenry’shouseafterschool.

HenryandPippawerenottheonlyinseparablepairintheclassroom.Theidenticaltwins,SusieandClaire,wouldbethereeveryweekwearingexactlythesameclothes,thesameexpressionsandthesamehairstyles,evendowntothesamecolouredribbonsandhairbands.AlthoughIfoundithardtotellthemapart,theyseemedtoreallyenjoybeingtogetherandwouldalwayschoosetodothesamethingatthesametime.

Oneweek,alittleboycalledToddtalkedabouthistriptovisithisfamilyinChinaforNewYearcel-ebrations.Englishwasnothisfirstlanguageandhewasnotverycon-fident,buthewassoexcitedandproudtotelltherestoftheclassaboutthedragondancinghehadseen.Wefoundpicturestoshare

withthechildrenandusedthatasinspirationforsomecreativework.

Asthechildrenweresoyoungandactive,wetriedtoincludelotsofactivitiesthatletthemrunaroundandbuildtheirphysicalskills.IremembertheclassactingoutthestoryWe’re Going on a Bear Hunt,whichtheyfoundveryexciting.

Althoughingeneralallthechildrenseemedtolikehavinganextrapersonintheclassroomtotalktoandtoworkwith,theydidn’tallreacttomeinthesameway.TherewasoneboycalledCraigwhowasalwaysthefirsttonoticemewhenIarrivedandwouldscreammynameatthetopofhisvoiceandstopwhateverhewasdoingtocomerunningoverandtellmeallabouthisweek.Attheotherextreme,aboycalledMilowould

everyweekwithoutfailaskme,“Whyareyouhere?”

Itwasfantasticworkingwiththechildrenastheyflatteredmeveryoften;manyoftheyounggirlsaskedmeifIwasaprincess.However,thiswascounteredbythemalsoaskingifIwasagrandma.Itwasalwaysasurprisetomethattheysawmeasanadultandwouldmakelotsofassumptionsonthatbasis.Mostofthechildrenwereconvinced

thatJamie,whodidhisplacementinReception,andIweregettingmarriedbecausewewouldwalkintogetherandchatalot.Theydidn’tseemtohaveanyotherpossibleexplanation.

IwillmisssomuchaboutmytimeintheNursery.Iwillmissthechil-dren,whoweresomuchfunandsocute,butalsothegenerallevelofexcitementandpossibility.Itwasinspiringtoseehowthechildrenchangedanddevelopedoverthecourseoftheyear.BythetimetheywerereadytomoveuptoReception,theycouldconcentrateandfocus,theirvocabularieswerebiggerandmorevaried,theycoulddouptheirowncoatsandputontheirownshoes,andtheyhadlearnedtobetogetherandcopewithouttheirparents.

IhadconsideredworkinginearlyyearseducationbeforemyPartner-shipexperiencebutdidn’treallyknowwhatitwouldbelike.Inowknowthatit’sarichandrewardingjob,butalsochallenging,exhaustingandquitemessy!Istilldon’tknowwhatIwanttodowithmylife,butthishasdefinitelyshownmeoneoptionthatwillbequitehardtobeat.

Maggie Dorling

Names in this article have been changed for reasons of confidentiality

“Whyareyouhere?”Partnership

Igotthebuswithgreenandbluepaintinmyhairandstains

onmyshirt

Iwillmissthechildren,whoweresomuchfunandsocute,butalsothegenerallevelofexcitementandpossibility.

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Mountainsareforbidding.Acrosstheworld,theyareadmired,fearedandworshippedbythosewhoinhabitthem.Theydominatethethoughtsofthosewhowishtochallengethem,attractingtheadventurouswithanirresistibletug.TherearemanymountainsinthePicosdeEuropa.

Inautumnhalfterm,agroupof14DukeofEdinburghGoldparticipants,accompaniedbyfourmembersofstaffandex-chemistrylegendMrsWalker,embarkedonajourneytothisremotecornerofnorthernSpaintotackletheterrainasaqualifyingexpedition,theculminationoftwoyearsofpreparation,duringwhichmanyofthewildestareasofBritainhadalsobeenconquered.

AllthosewhohaveundertakenexpeditionsatStAlbansSchoolinthelastfewyearswouldattesttothefactthatheavyrainisthecommondenominatorofanytrip.OurgroupchosetotraveltoSpainbecauseitwould‘guarantee’sunnyweatherthroughout.Thisturnedouttobeonlypartlytrue,forthemountainsdecidedthatwaterproofswouldalwaysneedtobeclosetohand.Lowlyingcloudengulfedthestonypeaksandthetemperatureplungedatthehigheraltitudes.WeweremadeawareofthisforthefirsttimewhenouracclimatisationwalktookusupthesteepclifffaceatFuenteDe(thecablecarwasshutbecauseofgustyconditions).Sunshineatthebottomofthemountainsquicklygavewaytomuchcolderconditionsfurtherup,causingthegrouptotakeshelter,eatinglunchanddonningextralayers.OnthevalleyfloortheclimatewasdecidedlylessWelsh,allowingusahalfhoursunbath-ingsessioninLosLlanosondaytwoandlunchonthesandybankoftheriverTexuonday3,duringwhichtimesweoftenlamentedourdecisionnottogototheBreconBeacons.

DofEisusuallyincompletewithoutchattingtoramblersaboutyourexpeditionaim,explainingthatyouhavetobeoutintheseweatherconditionstoconcernedpassers-byandengaginginheateddebatewithlocalfarmers.Oneoftheanticipat-

GoldinthePicosSixthFormexpeditionerstook

theirchallengetonorthernSpain

The Picos de Europa moun-tains in northern Spain provide challenging terrain for Dukes expeditions. The proximity to the sea means the range is particularly prone to sudden changes in weather with rain and mist impeding navigation.

It is the third highest mountain range of mainland Spain after the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada. The range includes 14 peaks over 2,600m. The most well-known of these mountains is Naranjo de Bulnes (2,519m). Bulnes is the nearest village, lying below. The highest summit in the range is Pico Torrecerredo at 2,648m in the Central Massif.

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hadbeenin-nocuouslyplacedatthebottomofthekitlistforthistrip).WethereforespentanextranightatacampsiteinPotes,whichnoonecomplainedabout,thefreewifiandshowersprovingtobeanirresistiblecombination.

Despiteaphi-losophyofjour-neyingthrough,notoverwildcountry,ourjourneywasnotaflatone.Theheightofthepeaksmeantthateachcontourlinerepresenteda50mdifferenceinaltitude,andcrossingonewasaseriousundertaking.Astandarddaywouldseeushaulourpacksuparound800mofascent,withoneparticularlyarduousclimbonday3takingusoverakilometreintothesky(approximatelythesameasanascentofSnowdon),rightuptothefootofNaranjodeBulnes,

thetallestmountainintheregion.Despitemeetingtheothergroupfromourschoolatthebottom,wholaughedandwishedan‘enjoy-ableafternoon,’havingjustspentthemorningcomingdowntheclimb,thephysicalchallengeofthatclimbwasapersonalhighlightoftheexpedition,asitdrewthegrouptogetherinacombinedattempttobattlethemountain.SurelythisiswhataDukeofEdinburghexpeditionshouldbeabout?The

toilbringsgreatrewardsinsucharegion,andourembarrassmentofricheswasclear,thestand-ardphrasebeing“Ohno,notanotherstunningview!”

Thetripwascertainlyaweekwellspent,andcapturedMrByrom’soutdoorspiritcompletely.Allthoseluckyenoughto

attendoweadebtofgratitudetohimandtheothermembersofstaffwhotravelledwithus:MessrsSmithson,RobertsandNicholsandespeciallyMrsWalker.

Mark Pearce

The author takes a well-earned break

(above) while a fellow trekker

enjoys yet another spectacular view

(right)

The group make use of a rudimentary shelter in the Picos

eddifficultiesofthePicoswasthatwewouldbeunabletoovercomethelanguagebarrierandrespondtothecuriosityofthelocals.Theareaistrulyremote,Spanishpeopleprovingtobefewandfarbetween,themajorityofotherhumanbeingsbeingDutchorGermantourists.AtthebeginningofthetripaheroiceffortoftranslationwasofferedbyNickStride,whichallowedustobuyfoodandtheteacherstoor-ganiseourcampsites.ItisnosecretthattheSpanisheconomyissuffer-ingatpresent,andmanycampsiteownershadshutearlyasaresult.Thisdidnotaffectustoogreatly,asGoldexpeditionsinvolveastrongelementofwildcamping(‘trowel’

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Ablearygroupgatheredat4amfortheexpeditiontoItaly–ourgroupoffourstudents,threeleadersandassessor.WehadpreviouslytakenatriptoSnowdoniaduringtheEasterholidaystoprepareour-selvesforourqualifyingexpedition.Wewereallveryexcitedforthetrip,butnervousduetoitbeingaharderchallengethanthewalkingwehadpreviouslyundertaken.

CortinaisatowninthenorthofItalyintheDolomites,normallyknownforitsskiresorts.Wethere-foreknewtheareawouldbeverymountainousand,aswearrived,wesawthewiresofthecablecarstrailingoffintothesnowypeaksinthedistance.Priortothejourneywehadtoplanourroutes,includ-ingtheescaperoutes(someeveninvolvedcablecartrips,whichsadlywenevergotlostenoughtotake)Thisgaveusgoodspatialawarenessofthesurroundingarea,aswehadstudiedthemapindepthbeforestarting.

Themainpreparationneededwastobeingoodphysicalfitnesssowewerereadytotrekforfourdays,aswellashavinganacclimatisationday.Furthermore,weneededallourequipmentandfoodreadytoputinourenormousbackpacks.Ourbackpacksweighedbetween15-20kg,which,itissafetosay,wasthemostonerouspartofthetrip.Thisliteralweightonourshouldersmeantittookusevenlongertowalkourroutesandwhenwereturnedtocampeachnightwewereexhausted.However,onthebrightside,ourpacksweregettinglightereachdayduetothecopiousamountsoffoodwewere

eating,duetohavingto

UphillStruggleLowerSixthexpeditiontoItaly

consumeover3000caloriesadaytosustainourenergyoutputsfromthevigorousphysicalactivitywewereputtingourbodiesthrough.

OurfirstdayinItalyconsistedofsettlingintothecampsite,andgoingoutforacharmingmealinthecitycentreatapizzeria.Weallhadalargepizza,asitwasourlastpropermealbeforesettingoffforfivedaysofboil-in-the-bagdelight.Wethenwentbacktohavealongsleepbeforeouracclimatisationday.Thisdayconsistedofwalkingwithdayrucksacks,withonlywaterandsnacks,togetusedtothealtitude.Wewalkedforaround5km,expe-riencingbeautifulsights,includingwalkingunderneathawaterfall,which,asageographystudent,Ifoundthoroughlyexciting.

Thenextmorning,(thefirstdayofourproperexpedition)wewokeupfreshfromagood,althoughrainynight’ssleep–andthensetoutonourlongestandhardestday.Ittookus11hourstoconquer,comingbackwithverysorefeetandfeelingveryhungry.Wewalkedtoahighestpeakof2362m,andwalkedforapproximately17km.Themainchallengeofthisdaywastheshockofourbackpacks,aswellastheheightwewerewalkingat.Anothertaskwasoursteepdownhilljourney.Thiswashighlyproblematic,aswehadtokeepourbalancesteadywhilewalkingwiththetop-heavybags.

Onethingspurringuson,however,wasthebeautifulsceneryandhotweather.Theweatherwascoolenoughinthemornings,butwasnearsunbathingweatherintheafternoons.Thismeantourearly

startshelpedtogetusoffwithasubstantialpacebeforeslowingintheafternoonheat.Onoursecondnightwestayedinawildcamp,andendedupbeingtheonlytwotentsthere,withonlythenearbycowsasourcompanions.Itwascertainlyaninterestingexperiencehavingtokeepalltheresourcesinourtentsothatthefoxeswouldn’trunoffwiththem!

Next,wehadourthirdday,whichwasthetimewhenwemainlyundertookourresearchforouraimoftheexpedition–WorldWar1evidence.Throughouttheprevi-oustwodays,wehadbeenlookingoutforevidenceintherockfacesandhadalsostumbledacrossanoldmine,whichwasfascinatingtoexploreandalsogaveusabreakfromwalking.Theevidencewemainlybasedouraimon,however,wasatthetopofalonghillatarefugehut,whichdisplayedactualtrenchesandgavetimelinesandphotosofsomeWorldWar1experiences.Wespentovertwohoursthere,thuselongatingourdayofwalking,butitwasincrediblyinterestingandwealllearnedalot.

Afterthisdayofexplorationwewereluckyenough

tostay

Happy campers in northern Italy

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overnightinarefugehut,aswewerenotallowedtocampinthenationalpark.Thismeantwedidnothavetoputupordownthetentandhadactualbedsandblanketsforonenight,whichwasabsoluteluxuryforus!Wehadalovelyeveningcookingandhavingwarmshowersbeforeourlastdayofthetrek.

Duringourlastdaywewereallveryfocusedontheendgoal,yet

On top of the world in the Dolomites

morehurdlescameourway.Unfor-tunatelyonememberofourteamhadheatrashallthewaydownherlegandwehadtospiltuptogoandfindmedicinesfromtheleaders.Althoughthiswasaproblem,wegotthehelpweneededandfinishedwithtimetospare,andwefinallyhadthecablecarridewehadwantedallweek.

Philippa English

GoldandSilverExpeditionTraining

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JoeEastham…powerhouseperformance

heldtheaudiencethroughout

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Pinocchioaside,CyranodeBerger-aciscertainlythebestknownownerofanunusuallylargepro-boscisandhislifehasbeenimmor-talisedonstageandscreen,throughoperaandevenballet.Cyrano(pro-nouncedCy-ra-noandnot Cy-raa-noo,Iamreliablyinformedbycastmembers)isdesperatelyinlovewiththebeautiful,cleverandcul-

turedRoxanne,hisdistantcousin.Howeversheisinfatuatedbythegoodlooking,dashingbutverballychallengedChristian,excellentlyplayedwithhumourandassurancebyMaxCadman.TheselflessandnobleCyranobelievinghislooksfatallyundermineanychancehemighthavetowooRoxanne,helpshisfriendwithapoeticseductionwhichbringswithittragedyandcomedyinGlynMaxwell’sadap-tationoftheEdmondRostand’soriginalversion.Maxwell’saccessi-blescriptbridgesthegapbetweenthe17thand21stcenturieswithhumorousmodernreferencesandapaceandvitalitywhichmovethistimelesstaleforward.

Theplaybeganwithanunusualbutverysuccessfulmimescenesetinaconvent.Theattentionoftheaudi-encewasengagedimmediatelybythecastandheldthroughouttheevening.Thissetthestandardfortheensembleworkinthisproduc-tionwhichwasbeautifullychoreo-graphedandshowedtheactorsoffbothasindividualsandasateam.Itwasaproductoftherehearsaltimethathadbeenspentinclud-ingworkshopswiththeauthor.Theaestheticofthecompanyscenes,framedbyasimplesetwhichallowedstrikingtableauxtobecreated,wasmosteffectiveandcombinedwiththeexcellentlight-ingdesignbyJamesSmilliemeantthatthestagewasafeastfortheeyesaswellastheear.

Thiswell-pacedandvibrantpro-ductioncontainedsomesuperbin-dividualperformances.JoeEasthaminthetitlerolemadeaspectacularentrancefromthebalcony(nottoberecommendedforgettingintoassemblyonaWednesday)andwasrarelyoffstage.Capturingthetensionbetweenthephilosophersoldierandtheemotionallyfragilelovesickpoet,hispowerhouseperformanceheldtheaudiencethroughout.Andthenose?Wellitwasspec-tacularandyetbelievable;DepardieuandSteveMartineatyourheartout!

RonanLeeasValvertprovidedjustoneexample

ofthecomedythatthisproduc-tionhadtoofferamidstthepathosandtragedy.BillyDaw-son’scarefullyobservedperformanceasLeBretandGregReynoldsasagenuinelycreepyCountdeGuichealsostoodout.Molly

VickersasRoxannewasper-fectlycastandhersweetyetastutenaturecameshiningthroughinaperformancewhichwasfreshandperfectlydelivered.

TheoriginalmusicbyMickStoutandPhilCraigaddedtothepleas-ureoftheeveningandonceagain

RebeccaSandlerremind-edusofwhatafirstclassvoiceshehas.

Thiswasamarvellouslycollabora-tiveproductionwhichgavetheaudiencemuchfoodforthoughtamidstthelaughter.Asanallegoryofinnerandouterbeautythestoryhasmuchrelevanceintoday’sphotoshoppedandairbrushedworldandtheheartbreakoftheendoftheplayremindsus,perhapsunfashionably,thatdecency,good-nessandenduringlovehaveatranscendencepeculiaronlytohumanbeings.

RKRH

Cyrano’sTriumphColourfulensembleproductionwithnasalflair

Roxanne and Christian (above);

Cyrano gives comfort in battle (below); Christian

pens his all-important letter

(right)

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FarFromStaticWeirdandwackyarrivesatNewPlaceThemiddleproductionofourtripleweekexamperiodsawtheASpracticalgroupperformthemoderndrama,The StaticbyDaveyAnderson.Thispiecewasentirelynewtome,despiteithavingearnedexcellentreviewssinceitsopeningin2012.NewPlaceGallerywastransformedintoanunusualper-formancearea,locatedhorizontallyratherthanendon,inablackboxsetwitholdschoollockersplacedatthebackandafewlargerlockershousingTVmonitorsprojectingwhitenoise–static.

CentredaroundthecharacterofSparky,theplayexploresmodernissuesofyouthfuldissatisfactionandADHDsetataschool.AgreatdealofphysicaltheatrewasinvolvedasitwasinterpretedfromaBerkoffperspectiveandweweretreatedtoanintense30minuteperformance.

Fromthestartoftheplay,whenasimplepropofapairofhead-phoneswasplacedontoSparky’shead–ametaphorforasourceofescapeandsolacefortheleadcharacter–wewereeasilyabletoidentifySparkyaseachcastmemberseamlesslytookturns

Claire Leith and Hannah Sweeney act as physical representations of voices within Spark’s head (right)

The titular Static provided an intriguing backdrop (left)

Lauren Rowe controls Jemma

Attar, as she takes her turn as

the protagonist, Sparky (right) and

Ronan Lee showing Sparky’s aggressive

side (left)

portrayingtherole.Meanwhile,histhoughts,delusionsandfantasieswereplayedoutbytheremainingcastmembersusingchorusworkandchoreographedmovement,inwhatwasafluidandexcellentlytimedphysicaltheatrethroughout.Althoughexploringsomequitedarkissues,thepiecehad,attimes,somedarkhumour,andIfoundmyselflaughingatunexpectedintervalsthroughout.

Theproductioncombinedexcellentuseoffloorspaceandwell-rehearsedphysicalmovementwithsomewell-definedbodyformandclearlyspokendialogue.Theslickperformanceswerefurtherenhancedbysubtlelightingandtheuseofspecials,makingthisathoroughlyenjoyableandengag-ingpieceoftheatre.Claire,Jemma,Lauren,Ellie,Hannah,LouisandRonanshouldbeveryproud.Ilookforwardtowhattheywillproduceinnextyear’sAlevelpieces.

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TwohighlycontrastingA2DramapieceswereperformedinNewPlace,onegroup’splaybasedonEdgarAllanPoe’sstoryThe Black Cat,thesecondanadaptationofPeter Pan.

Thefirstgroup’sactorsopenedwithastrikingscene:apsychiatrist’sofficewiththeprotagonist,playedbyGregReynolds,visiblydisturbed,rubbinghishandsthroughhishair,hisposturetense.Therestoftheensemblecreatedtheofficearoundhimthroughphysicaltheatre.However,theseinanimateobjectsspokeshortphrasesexpressingtheprotagonist’sdistress.Asthesceneprogressedthesephrasesshort-enedtojustoneword,thevolumegrewandthepaceincreased...untilblackout.

Possiblywhatwasmostinter-estingaboutThe Black Catwashowtheactorsconveyedvariedperspectives.Asaveryparanoidcharacter,theprotagonistoftensawthingsthatwerenotreal.Thisparanoiawasshownduringonescenewherehewasoutatdinnerwithhisgirlfriend,whereintheprotagonist’smindthewaiterwasflirtingwithhisgirlfriend.Thiswasbrieflyconveyedbythewaiterstrokinghercheek,beforethewaiterthensnappedbackintohispreviousposition,thereality,inwhichhewasstandingattheirtablesimplypouringtheirwine.Theinterchangesbetweenrealityandimaginationwerefleeting,leavingtheaudiencequestioningwhathadjusthappened.

Anotherstrongpointofthepiecewastheensemble’suseofstyl-isedphysicalsequences.Thiswasparticularlyeffectivewhentheprotagonistisconsideringthevariouswaysofkillinghiswife.Theactorsmovedthewifeseamlesslybetweenbeinghanged–the

wifedroppingasachairwaspulledfrombeneathherfeet–andbeingdrowned–pushedunderwater.

Overalltheplaylefttheaudiencequiteunnerved,especiallywiththecliffhangerending.Yetdespitethedarkandsinistertone,therewerealsomomentsofcomedy.Theactorscombinedavarietyofactingtechniques,naturalisticandanti-naturalistic,tocreateaninteresting,variedperformance.

Thesecondplaywasquitediffer-ent.Thisgroupchosetoadaptthewell-knownchildren’snovelPeter PanbyJMBarrie.Quiteunexpect-edly,theplaybeganinahospital.Quicklytheactorsestablishedthesceneofadespairingmotherstand-ingatthesideofherson,Peter,bed-riddeninacoma.AfterthemotherspoketothedoctorstherewasacrossovertoascenewiththelostboysroamingaroundthestagecallingoutforPeterandasthisgrewlouderthemothercamethroughthemiddleandscreamed

forherson.Thissymbolisedthetwoworldscomingtogether.Theplayprogressedlikethis,changingbetweenheartwrenchingscenesinthehospitalandlight-heartedscenesinNeverland.Inthistheactorssuccessfullycombinedbothcomedyandtragedytocreateavariedandenjoyablepiece.

PerhapsthestrongestmomentswerethosewhenphysicaltheatreandfluidmovementswereusedtoconveythefightingaboardHook’sship.Theensembleworkedtogethertoincludevariousliftsandfalls.Oneparticularlyeffec-tivemomentwasasPeterPanjumped–andshedid,caughtbythearmsoftwocastmembers–intotheseaoffHook’sship.TheensembleusedabluesheetwhichwasruffledagainstPeter,creatingaclearvisualimageofthewaterswirlingaroundtheboywho,playedbyMollyVickers,lashedout,limbsflying,inanattempttorecovertothesurface.Therewasalsogreatstrengthinthecomedyfromthepirates;exaggeratedandvariedfacialexpressionswereusedaswellasstereotypicalpiratesvoiceswithplentyof‘arrs!’

Despitecreatingapiecewhichevokedbothemotionandlaughter,theinterchangingbetweenthestoryofPeterPanandamotherwithhercomatosesonwereconnectedinthatneitherPeterwouldgrowup.AttheendofthepiecetheaudienceandthemotherwereinformedthatPeterhaddied,unabletobreakoutofhiscoma.ThisisexactlythetaleofBarrie’solderbrotheruponwhomthenovelwasbased.

DramaticallyDifferentDirectionsLaurenRoweadmirestheU6devisingskills

Poe’s TheBlackCat (above) was turned into a terrifying psychodrama while skilled movement and props created the aerial and underwater worlds of PeterPan(below).

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TheEntertainmentGCSEDramaFifthformGCSEstudentsdeliveredsomeveryimpressiveperform-ancesintheirSpringTermpracticalexaminations,andwererewardedwithfantasticresults.

Accidental Death of an Anarchistisatrickytext.Thepoliticalsatirerequireshugeamountsofenergyandimpeccablecomictiming,particularlyfromtheactor(un)fortunateenoughtoplaytheManiac,whoattemptstoconfuseandbefuddleaseriesofpoliceofficersbywayofimpersonat-ingarangeofdifferentcharacters,includingajudgeandaHeadofForensics.Allstudentsinvolvedinthisperformancerosetothechallengeadmirably,provokingthebemusedaudienceintospontaneouslaughterthroughoutthepiece.

Bouncers,aplayperfectforGCSEDramaowingtoitssmallcast,longcharacterlistandflirtationwithphysicaltheatre,wastackledbyMessrsBorlin,Cross,DobsonandKapur,allofwhommadevalianteffortsatportrayingtheboredandtestosterone-fuellednightclubdoormen.WhilstthereareplentyofjokesinBouncers,LuckyEric’sdirectaddressspeeches(whenhetalksdirectlytotheaudience)allowedforachangeinmoodandatmosphere,asherelatedtalesofthedarkersideconfidingintheaudience,exposinghisownflawsandweaknessesbeyondthepreyingearsofhison-stagecolleagues.

OneofthemostchallengingandrewardingplaysonofferforanyactorisMartinMcDonagh’sThe Pillowman.Apersonalfavouriteofmine,itfocusesontheimpris-onmentandinterrogationofawriterofgruesomestoriesandhisdisabledbrother.Darkcomedies

areparticularlydeliciousbecausetheaudiencefindsitselflaughingatthingstheyoughtnotto–inthiscase,tortureandinfanticide.Itisdifficulttosingleoutanyindividualperformancesfromwhatwasaverystrongensemble,butAlecMcQuarrieandMattEdwardsdeserveamention:McQuarrieforhisperfectlybalancedportrayalofacharacterwhoreallywantstobethetoughguybutisn’tquitesureifit’smorallyright,andEdwardsforhischillinglysensitiveportrayalofacompletelyinnocentmanbeingsubjectedtotorture,interrogation,andthreatstohisfamily’slife.

Journey’s End seesayoungofficerintheBritishArmy(Raleigh)in-nocentlyskippingofftoFrancetojoin‘theeffort’onlytodiscoverthathisoldfriendStanhope,whoisnowaCaptaininthewar,hasfallenvictimtothehorrorsofthewarandisnowanunrecognisablealcoholic.Thelanguageinthisplay

(whichisalmost100yearsold)isquitedifferentfromthelanguageweusetoday,andtheplightofitscharactersissomewhatalientoouryoungactors,whosebiggestconcerntodaymaynotnecessarilystretchanyfurtherthantheirlatestselfiegettingenough‘Likes’onFa-cebook.Neverthleless,OfficersRay,Neyt,GoslingandGranthonouredthetextverywellindeed,trans-portingthecaptivatedaudiencetothedugoutsofWW1trenches.

UjjalRayandPeterGoslingcreatedamemorablytendermomentatthecloseoftheplay,whichseesStanhope(Gosling)showingaffec-tionandhumanityfortheveryfirsttime,asheholdsadyingRaleigh(Ray)inhisarms.

Dealer’s Choicewontheawardforhavingthelargestcast,anaccoladewhichpresentedtheactorswithvariouschallengesinchoreog-raphyandaudiencefocus.Itwasachallengetheydealtwithwell.Onegloriousmomentsawmostofthemonstagetakingpartinasemi-improvisedargument,reachingacrescendoofeveryoneonstagebellowingvulgarobscenitiesateachother,whichtheFifthformstudentsseemtoenjoyperformingverymuchindeed.Somematurethemesweredeftlytackledbythecast,includingparentageanddebt,andthisplayaboutgamblingcertainlydidn’tleavetheaudiencefeelingshortchanged.

CJB

Matt Edwards going through a life-changing epiphany

Jonathan Anderson (left) and Dapo Osinuga

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ApotheosisJourney’sEndSetinthetrenchesnearSaint-Quentin,Aisne,neartheendoftheFirstWorldWar,theplayfollowsthestoryofsomeofficersintheBritishArmy,andgivesusaninsightintotheemotions,hopes,fears,victoriesanddefeatsthattheyhadtoendureonaday-to-daybasis.

Thecostumeandset,kindlyprovidedbytheCCFandShootingDepartments,gavetheaudiencearealflavouroflifeinthetrenches,andallowedthecasttothrowthemselves(bothmentallyandphysically)intotheactionscenes.Cleveruseofaudioandpyro-technics,coordinatedbyGuyLewis,createdahighlyrealisticcombatatmosphere,andtheamphitheatreandsurroundingfieldsprovidedtheperfectinteractivespacefortheactorstoworkwith.

Theentirecastperformedextremelywellandshouldbecommendedfortheirabilitytoswitchfromensem-

blemembertoleadinamatterofseconds.Therewerehowever,inmyopinion,somestandoutperformances.HughIsnardihadtheaudienceshakinginitsboatshoeswithhisportrayaloftheCaptain,barkingordersathissubordinates,MurrayMcClaffertydeliveredhislinesflu-entlyandclearly,showinganaturalaffinityforthestage,andOwenTyleyprovidedsomecomicreliefwithhisportrayalofthebumblingbutler.

MyheartycongratulationstoChrisBhantoaandRebeccaBaxterfortheirdirection,GuyLewis,OliverBranleyandAdamShindlerfortheaudio-visualeffects,andtheentirecastformakingtheeveningsoenjoy-able.ItwasalovelywaytoendtheyearandIlookforwardtoseeingtheboysinmanyfutureperform-ancesastheymoveupthroughtheschool.

TLR

TheCaseoftheCucumberSandwichesHilariousandfar-reachingSeniorHouseDramaplaysSteprightup,ladiesandgentleman,foranightatthetheatre.HereattheNewPlaceDramaDepart-ment,webringyoufourexcellentperformancesfromacrossallfourhouses.IsitaVictoriancomedyyouwishfor?Looknofurther,forOscarWilde’sThe Importance of Being Earnest isbeingperformedbyRenfrew.Isitarevealingandnuancedlookatthebreakdownofamarriage?Hawkinghasyoucovered,withEdwardAlbee’sclassicplay,Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This,andmore,willbeonshowforyoutonight.

FirstonstagewasHampson’sperformanceofBull,holdingasimplepremise:“Twojobs.Threecandidates.”WhatfollowedwasarivetingbackandforthbetweenRonanLee,SeunAdekoyaandHannahSweeney.Ronanperfectlycapturedtheunderstandablesideofanervous,bumblingidiot,unableproperlytovocalisehisthoughtsandthusbecomingtheweaklinkofthethree,comparedwiththeovertconfidenceofIsobelandTony.Astheperformanceprogressed,theactorsslowlytransformeditfromacomedytoaheavysetdrama;oneneednotlookfurtherthanHannah’ssharpandvitriolicinsults.Withtheplay’sdenouement,markedbytheentranceofChar-lotteEvans’pragmaticboss,theaudiencewasinsilence,enlightenedbythescathingpotencyofbullyinginthemodernworkplace.

NextwasMarsh’sproductionofThoseBlue Remembered Hills,which,initsoriginalform,hadadultsportrayingchildren,sheddinglightonhumanbehaviouratlarge.Thebasicinteractionofkids–theiraggressions,fearsandcamaraderie–providedaninsightfulmicrocosmofadultbehaviour.Ofcourse,thereisalsosomethinginherentlyfunnyaboutseeing17yearoldsplaying7yearolds(especiallyasthesewereourpeers,studentsandchildrenwhowereplaying,fightingandtalkinglikechildren).JemmaAttarandEllieShreevesweretheonlytwotraineddramastudentsintheplay’scast,andwhiletheymustofcoursebecommended,praisemustalsobegiventodrama-newbiesHarryTurner,LouisMeadows,JoeSayers,TravisHudsonandMattFeast,whoespeciallyexcelledincreatingaharrowingfinale.

Theoldestplayofthenightwasalsothefunniest:Renfrew’sperformanceofThe Importance of Being Earnest.MaxCadmanandZachCharalambousweretheleadingmenoftheplay,sendingtheaudienceconstantlyintolaughterwithWilde’snotoriousepigramsandwittydialogue,deliveredwithanaturalcomedicgusto(especialpraisegoestoMax’ssignatureparodicVictorianlaugh).Meanwhile,SarahCoopandLaurenRoweportrayedCecilyandGwendolyn,excellentlyplayingoffeachotherinfunnypassiveaggressivescenes.

WemustnotforgetNickHarveyandHannahGirdlestone,however,whobothbroughtdepthtotheirroles,despiteplayingmultiplecharacters.Nick’sportrayalofLanewasenjoyedbyallashenervouslystumbledabouttogetAlgernon’sfamouscucumbersandwiches.

ThefinalplayoftheeveningwasHawking’sversionofthe1962EdwardAlbeeplayWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,illustratingthecomplexsubjectofthebreakdownofamarriage.Attheoutsetoftheperformance,LouisYianniandClaireLeithdemonstratedtheirexplosivedynamicwitheachother,bothcharacterstryingtoover-powertheother,sometimestoacomedicend.OncetheyoungerandlesstroubledcoupleNickandHoney,playedbyTomJenningsandMeganGardner,enterthescene,theplayisirrevocablychanged,withGeorgeandMarthausingtheyoungercoupleastoolsintheirdysfunctionalemotionalgames.Thefinalewasviscerallyheartfelt,anaudiencemembernearmequietlyutteredanexpletiveamongtheswirlingmomentsofsilence.

Whatwasparticularlyimpressiveisthattheywereindependentlyor-ganisedbystudents,displayingtheirabilitytoorganiseanentertainingandthoughtfulnight.

Naveen Morris

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Houses

Hampson Hawking Marsh Renfrew

Art 5 10 5 7

Golf 3 7 10 5

Netball 3 7 10 5

Football 6 20 14 14

Rugby 20 14 10 6

Maths 5 10 7 3

Shooting 10 7 7 3

Cross Country 20 10 14 6

Creative Writing 3 7 10 5

Basketball 10 7 5 3

Chess 7 3 10 5

Hockey 6 14 20 10

Music 20 10 14 6

Penny Wars 4 1 2 3

General Knowledge 3 10 5 7

Debating 10 7 3 5

Cricket 6 10 20 14

Tennis 7 5 10 3

Junior Drama 7 3 5 10

Drama 5 10 7 5

Athletics 20 10 6 14

Swimming 10 14 20 6

Commendations 6 14 20 10

Total 196 210 234 155

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I Remember Him WellJames Farnham-Dear

Oh yes, yes. I remember him well, though I do not know if I would recognise him now: everyone changes, some more than others, and some of the changes I have seen just bewilder me, though most turn out much as expected. Yet sometimes I find it hard to remember my pupils’ strange behaviours that used to define their school careers and gain respect amongst their peers; some cheeky‑faced rascals who once challenged my every wordcan become pillars of society; I find it hard to comprehend that those who used to show such little respect for authority now demand it themselves; the stories I could tell you about their school days could last for ever. I wouldn’t of course, as the stories are too long to tell you now. My memories still amuse me today. Oh yes, I remember him well, the boy you are searching for: he could be easily recognised by his blue spectacles; he was prone to leave his homework till the last minute and he chatted through his lessons with the worst of them; he would joke, jog, jumble, stumble, smirk, giggle, gurn, gob, mob, mumble, moan, mingle, groan, offend and defend his inexplicable actions or dodge reasonable sanctions; unsurprisingly and inevitably he was often sent to detentions by a stern master, for some small crimes such as speaking out of turn or letting others copy his homework; he hid in the common room during Abbey, was, when a newcomer, endlessly tricked by bigger boys and endlessly tricked newcomers when he was a bigger boy; he whispered in assembly, shuffled on his way to lessons; he added silly, unnecessary words to morning hymns, he shouted out meaningless questions in class, was terrible at maths, and, as might be expected, was top set English.

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Widow’s ManorAidan Houten

Set in the depth of the countryside, through sprawling lanes and overgrown pathways, is Widow’s Manor. A huge country house, it sits just off from the road, obscured by rows upon rows of hedges

along the huge driveway leading up to the house. The building itself is a Baroque‑styled house with jutting crenellations and huge pillars of white stone. It could even be mistaken for a small hotel and had indeed been used for that in the past. But the location wasn’t really prime for a hotel, among winding lanes and quiet hamlets barely found on maps. That, and its terrible history.

Although it was built much earlier, it began to thrive in the Second World War. Mothers situated in the big cities paid lots of money to send their little children to Maybury Manor, as it was known back then. It was a place of happiness and contentment, where little children could sit in safety away from the sirens and shells of war. It was run by a kind‑hearted young woman who had inherited the estate and, feeling that it was all too much for her, decided to share it with others. And so she did. And all was good, or for a couple of years at least.

Until she met him. They loved each other so dearly, and he became the best of friends to the other children at the manor too, comforting them when they got homesick, joining in with their games, and sharing in their joy. But they met at such a time that parting was inevitable. And one day he got on the train and was whisked off to war.

And though she still seemed joyful on the outside, her smile seemed to have waned, and the glow in her eyes was lost completely. She fretted if his letter came even slightly late and every time a telegram came through she seemed to be on edge, and would not rest until she had read it. And of course when his end came, so did hers, in a way. She would wander round the manor like a ghost, eyes looking but not seeing, ears hearing but not listening. She couldn’t have looked after the children if it hadn’t been for her niece who, like all the other children, needed refuge in the countryside but, unlike them, was old enough to look after herself. She was the one who did all the work, whilst the poor girl just wandered around, calling his name. And eventually the war finished and she was by herself once more, in the silent house, calling his name, over and over. And so she sat by herself and, bit by bit, went mad.

And so nobody visited the Manor. It just stood there, oblivious to the world, cut off from everything and everyone. The water went first. Then the electricity. And then it was just the house and the phone. In fact, the phone company didn’t even realise the phone was outdated until one voice message was left on it, just enough to jolt it back into life on the company’s data banks. And feeling it would be more polite to send someone round in person rather than sending a letter in the mail like all the others (for she had been a good customer to them and they wanted to credit her loyalty), they sent round one of their men to alert her.

The engineer knocked on the door, then frowned. Why was he sweating? He glanced up at the snowflakes falling from the sky, then again at his uniform. Nope, not that. Was it the way that the vines curled round the house, reaching for the sky? Or was it – the door? He pushed the door hesitantly, and it swung wide open. He frowned. Who leaves their door open in winter? He walked into the room, and hanging from a rope in the middle of it, was his answer. Susanna Wilde, fifty two, emotionally deranged and – dead.


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Duskfor WH AudenGreg Hacksley

The fields, pummelled by relentless heat, gaspAs yawning day stretches lethargicallyTo its close. The magenta twilight rasps The horizon, and carolling birds in treesSupply a halting evensong as boys,Released for an hour before prep, shout,And punctuate the air with heady noise As they cavort, fight, and tumble aboutLaughingly in cloying heaps: a high tideOf exuberance, free from masters’ laws. Even with the windows thrown open wide It is unbearable to be indoors.Tonight, when all is still, I’ll move my bedOutside and sleep with Vega overhead.

WH Auden taught at the Downs School, Malvern in the 1930s; during the summer term he took his bed out to the lawn, which served to inspire the opening line of his poem ‘Out on the lawn I lie in bed’, dedicated to the headmaster Geoffrey Hoyland.

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Any guesses?Olivia ClarkeThere is a creatureWho moves only at night,Lives in the darknessAnd keeps out of sight.

The rustling of leavesSignals it’s there,But get up too closeAnd you’ll give it a scare.

Its eyes are small.It cannot see well.It makes up for that With its sense of clear smell.

Going on an AdventureLauren RoweThe sun was shining,It was a lovely day.So we put on our welliesAnd went on our way.

We stepped out of the houseAnd walked down the street;We could hear the leaves crunchingUnder our feet.

The leaves on the treesWere gold, brown and red And because it was Autumn,Some leaves had been shed.

Down to the riverWe went on our way,Knowing that there we would findSomewhere to play.

And when we arrivedWe ran to the bank;I picked up a stone:Plop! into the river it sank.

‘Stop,’ said daddy,‘I have something to show.’Picked up a stone,Across the river he did throw.

But this stone did not plop;Across the surface it danced;One, two, three, four leaps.We were entranced.

‘Here,’ said daddy,‘I shall teach you what to do.If you crouch down low,Throw it close to the blue.’

So I did as he said And I focused really hard;But it just wasn’t easy;It just fell like a shard.

I tried and I tried Without any luck,And I started to cry,Sitting down in the muck.

Then daddy came overAnd wiping my eyes,He told me not to worry,I just had to try.

And after some practiceSoon my stones also skipped;It was so great watchHow they pranced, leapt and flipped.

‘See,’ said my daddy,‘You just have to wait;The best things in lifeDon’t always come straight.’

Big black wingsDisappear in a whizzAnd sharp pointy fangs.Can you guess what it is?

It likes fruit and fishAnd blood that is red.Beware of its hungerIf it’s not fed.

It glides.It soarsOver countries,Over wars.

One word of its presenceCan cause many stresses.Tailed by shadowy myths ‑ Have you made any guesses?

Now my poem is over,So stay where you sat.Here comes the unveiling:The creature’s a bat!

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AshesSam Machell

The long summer days were ending, and as we walked, the trees trembled with the cool, autumn breeze. The evening drew near but the sun still remained, hanging on with one last effort, frozen in the

cold sky; all around us stood the army of ash trees, blocking out the light and mocking the feeble sun. Silently.

My father’s boots, crusted with mud, created small craters in the ground which slowly filled with every raindrop that fell, completely masking what lay before and shimmering with grey light. My uncles’ boots followed close behind: Dan, Tom and John. Across his shoulder Dan carried an axe, the thin cold blade distorting my reflection as I gazed into it. Tom clapped me on the shoulder and lit a cigarette. The orange flame from his lighter gave the forest new colours, shadows formed amongst the ridges of the grey bark; shapes danced between the trees in uncomfortable, synthetic motions. Tom watched me, chuckled, and the smoke rose up above the tree tops in hypnotic plumes gently fading into the grey sky.

‘Don’t you think we’d better get started soon,’called John.Dan sighed, ‘You’re right, we need as much as wood as we can get

before the police get here.’They began to chop. The blunt noise of the axe rang in my ears and

echoed throughout the forest. A mob of crows took off, their morbid warnings and cackles piercing in the silence. With another chop some twigs and leaves fell off the tree, catching the light and flickering in the air. As my gaze lowered I saw a small grave under the tree. There were two white planks in the shape of a cross and a small bunch of flowers. They had been there a long time and the stems twisted and curled around each other like lost lovers. The grave must have been for a child because it was so small. In the reflection of a puddle I saw my father. He looked at the grave with a curious grief; his mouth was slightly parted as if he was about to say something, but he never did. The reflection rippled as the leaves fell into the puddle, his face changing, saddening. With every chop his face rearranged until, by the time the tree fell, I couldn’t recognise him anymore.

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Ideas for Architects, No.2Pat TaylorOn the First daywe demanded shelter, warmth,isolation from what lay outside.

On the Second, Third and Fourth dayswe demanded all these thingsbut were less strident.

On the Fifth day we asked for light.Candle, gas, electric:we did not express a preference.

Day Six saw us pick things up from the floor.

Day Seven was Religious Observanceexcept for those who had already celebratedand those who carried doubts.

On Day Eight, we asked for a doorso we could go outside againif we wanted to.

Day Nine was spent indoors.

Day Ten was spent indoors.

On Day Eleven the door was opened,and we looked outside.It would not shut.

Previously published in Sharpened Into Absence: poems inspired by the Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute

AblationNoun: The loss of ice or snow from a glacier or iceberg, caused by a process such as melting or erosion.

Pat Taylor

There was a time I didn’t know what ablation was. According to Miss Treacham only frozen things like glaciers or icicles did it: it wasn’t for me. Maybe that bowl of ice cream sitting outside in the sun was doing it. I remembered the giggling girl collecting meltwater in her cupped hands, the giggling

Inuit girl in the anthropologist’s Technicolor film depicting the initial steps in the construction of a kayak. A film which expressed the ablation of human culture and how, at the places on its fringes, people melt into the world’s open spaces, its deserts and oceans. The skidoo had started to pick up speed now that we had passed the rough ice, and I began to feel the cold. I wish I could recall what flavour that ice cream was.

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JamesNuttisoftenaskedwhathefindssoappealingaboutF1.Itisn’tanyparticularqualityofthesportthatmakesitsogreat,hesays,butacombinationofdifferentaspects.Herehewritesaboutthemostimportantfactors.

FormulaOne(the‘Formula’referstoasetofrulestowhichalldrivers,teamsandcarsmustobeyandwasoriginallyyetbrieflyknownasFormulaA)cantraceitsrootsbacktotheearliestdaysofmotorracing.PlansforaFormulaOnedrivers’championshipwerediscussedinthelate1930sbutwereabandonedwiththebeginningofWorldWarTwo.In1946theideawasrevivedandinthatseasonthefirstFormulaOneraceswereheldandthefollowingyearthedecisionwasmadetolaunchadrivers’championship.Ittookuntil1950forthedetailstobecompletedandinMay1950thefirstworldchampi-onshipracewasheldatSilverstoneRaceCircuit.SilverstoneremainstothisdaythevenueoftheBritishGrandPrix.OnlysevenofthetwentyorsoFormulaOneracesthatseasoncountedtowardsthetitlebutthechampionshipwasstillverymuchalive.Evenwhenmostraceswereincludedinthechampionship,therewereplentyofnon-championshipFormulaOneraces.Thesecontinueduntil1983whenincreasingcostsmadethemunprofitable.

Oneofthemostappealingaspectsofthesportisthe

dangerinvolved;thehigh-speedcrashesandtheriskofdrivingthetracksarealwaysthingsthatintrigueandexcitetheaudience.Forty-ninedrivershavediedinaFormulaOnecar.CameronEarlwasthefirstin1952,butnodriverhashadafatalcrashsinceAyrtonSenna’sin1994attheImolaGrandPrix,whichisthelongestperiodinFormulaOnehistorywithoutadriver’sdeath.Thisisnottosaytherehaven’tbeenanyclosecallsintheselast20years.The33-year-oldBrazilianFelipeMassacrashedheavilytwiceduringGrandPrixweekendinMonaco2013,intheexactsameplacebothtimes,onceduringqualifyingandonceduringtherace.Hewashospitalisedbutquicklyreleased;theFerrariteamsaidthatthecrashwascausedbyasuspensionfailure.Anothermorelife-threateningaccidentoccurredduringqualifyingattheHungarianGrandPrixin2009.Massawashitbystraydebris,arearsuspensionspringthathadfallenoffRubensBarrichello’sBraun.Thespring(whichcanweighasmuchasonekilogram)cameintocontactwiththeBrazilianonthefront-leftsideofhishelmet,causinghimtorunoffthetrack,ontograssandthenintoatyrewallattheHun-garoring.Thespringcameathimatsuchaspeedthatitshatteredpartofhisvisorand

TheLureofFormulaOneWorldChampionshipRacing

Tomeitseemsmoreofarace…justalloutspeedrightuptothewire.Nothingtolose,so

muchtogain.

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helmet,beforecomingintocontactwithhisheadandputtinghimintoalife-threateningcondi-tion.Thankfullyhewaspulledoutofdangerinaboutaweek,buthiseyewasstilldamagedandhisfutureasaracingdriverwasquestioned.AlthoughthemainobjectiveinFormulaOneisvictoryandgloryonthetrack,thethreatofdeathencompasseseverythingthedriversdo,soapartfromthecarstravellingatspeedsofupto250mph,theymustbedeemedsafetodrive.Thisiswhythecurrentcarshaverollarchesandwheelsthatstayattachedtothecarafteracrash,tomaketheraceassafeaspossibleforallparticipants.

EarlierthisyearIwasfortunateenoughtoattendtheMonacoGrandPrix.BecauseofthewaythattheMonacoraceweekendisscheduled,thereisn’ttheusualFriday-Saturday-Sundayrunofevents,FridayisjustGP2,FormulaRenaultandthePorscheRacingChampionships.Justtogivesomekindofideaofthepopular-ityoftheMonacoGrandPrix,hotelsinsideMonteCarlofortheweekendhavetobebookedayearinadvance,andeventhentheyareridiculouslypriced.DrivinginfromanothertownisnearlyimpossiblesothemainwaytoMonacoisbytrain.Everymorningsomebodyalmostfelloffthetrainbecauseofthenumberofpeopletravelling.Oncewegotoffthetrain,theatmospherechangeddrastically.Theentirecitywastakenoverbyracingfanat-icsfromallovertheworld.OnethingthatwasmoreapparentthananythingelsewasthehugebiasforFerrari,whichisnotsurpris-ingasthemajorityofMonaco’spopulationisItalianandtheScu-deriaFerrariteamhavehadgreatsuccessinthepastatMonaco.

ThefirstpracticetookplaceearlyonThursdaymorning.WesatattheCasinoSquare(turn3),whichisoneofthesmallerstandsonthecircuit.Itis,however,apopularpointbecausethecarsslowdowntoaspeedwhereit’sveryeasytotakedecentpictures.TherewerepeopleontheroofoftheCafé

dePariswatchingtherace,aswellasbalconiesofnearbyapartmentswhichwerefulltothebrim.ThemainobjectiveofaFridaypracticeistotestthecaranddifferenttacticsonthecircuit,suchasnewgearboxes,suspensionandsoon.FormulaOnehasmorethan100sponsorsandthisisthefranchise’smainformofincome.

OntheFridaytherewereonlyGP2races,butwewerefortunateenoughtohavebeengivenpassesintothepaddockandthepitlanebyFerrari.ThiswassomethingI’llneverforget.WesawprettymuchallthedriversinthepitlaneandthehospitalityfromFerrariwasun-

believable.WestayedintheFerrarimotorhomewiththewholeteam,includingboththedrivers(Raik-konenandAlonso)andweretakenaroundthepitlaneandFerrarigaragebyaFerrarirepcalledMarco.HepulledoutAlonso’ssteeringwheelforusandIwasamazedtohearthateachonecostsover£500,000,sobeingallowedtoholditmyselfwasarealprivilege.

TheSaturdayqualifyingisalwaysthemostinterestingpartforme,asitdecideswhathappensintheraceandthelaptimesarealwaysfasterthanthoseintheraceitself.Tomeitseemsmoreofaracethantheofficialone,justalloutspeedrightuptothewire.Nothingtolose,somuchtogain.Ofcoursethedriversstillhavetomaintainthetyresinordertogetasmanygoodlapsoutofthemaspossible,butit’smoreaboutthespeed.

Onracedaytheatmospherewassimplyincredible.Thewholecitywascloakedinbannersandflags,thenaftertheraceitwaswipedcleanlikeachalkboard.Peoplefromallcornersoftheglobewerecheeringfortheteamsanddriversfromtheircountry.TheamountofmerchandiseIsawtherewasridiculous,butifyou’veevergotafewspareFerraritopsandaplanetickettoNice,theplaceisagold-mine.I’mnotsayingthatIwasn’tavictimofthewhole‘merch’scene,notbyanymeans,butitreallywasinsanehowmuchsomepeoplepaidforsomethingassimpleasapairofsunglasses.I’drecommendtheex-periencetoanyone,whethertheyenjoythesportornot,becausetheatmospherecompletelyhypnotisesyoutoapointwhereyoucan’tthinkofanythingelse.It’snotasifyouhavetogoasfarasMonacoforadecentraceweekendexperience,though;Silverstoneisjustasgoodaplaceasany.

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Eachyear,onFounders’Day,theSchoolpaystributetothemanymenandwomenwhohavecontributedtoitsdevelopment.ThelistofbenefactorsprovidesafascinatinginsightintotheSchool’slonghistory.

Onthisday,we,thelivingSchoolcommunity,aregatheredinthisancient

CathedralandAbbeychurch,whosehistorywehavesolongshared,torememberbeforeGodwithgratefulheartsallthosewhohaveintheirgenerationandindiversewaysbeenactiveinusingtheirgiftsforthegoodofthisSchool.

TheancientBiddingPrayeryouhavejustheardreadbytheChap-lainsaysitelegantly,butyoudon’thavethatinfrontofyoutoread,soifyoulookaheadinyourordersofServicetotheSchoolPrayerwhichisshortlytobereadbytheHeadofSchool,youwillfinditprettymuchdefinesourpurposethismorningmoresuccinctly.Weareheretogivehumbleandheartythanksforourfounders,mastersandallotherbenefactorsanditisclearfromthesyntaxthatthetwofirstcategoriesareincludedinthethird.

Ifwesetasideourveryproperbutcompletelyanachronistichorroratwhatmightappeartobesexistlanguage,andrememberthatuni-versitiestothisdaydonotawardthedegreeofMistressofArtsorSpinsterofScience,weshouldun-derstandthatthosewhogivetheirknowledge,theirskills,theirexperi-ence,theirtime,theirlivesareasmuchbenefactorsasthosewhobestowmaterialbenefit,becausebenefactionisaboutdoinggood.Theessentialqualityofbenefactionisthatitisactive.‘Action’isinthesecondhalfoftheword.Thosewecommemoratetodaywere,andare,activeindoinggoodbybestowingtheirgiftsinthewidestsenseofthatword.

ThenameofourSchoolandourcitycommemoratesagiftofthis

sort.SoletusbeginourCom-memorationbyrememberingonewho,intoday’sparlance,gavesheltertoarefugee;tookinanasylumseekerandultimatelysurrenderedhisownlifeinexchangeforanother’sratherthanrenouncethebeliefhehadcometohold.AparadigmfortheprinciplesembodiedinthisSchool’smotto:Born Not for Ourselves:Alban.Hecouldnot,ofcourse,haveknownwhathewasbegin-ning.Notinhiswildestimagin-ingscouldhehaveconceivedofaschoolcommunitysuchasthis,inregularandinstantcontactatthetouchofabutton,bysatellite,radiowavesandfibreopticswithaglobalbrotherhoodofotherschoolscommemoratinghisnameonothercontinentsofwhoseexistenceheknewnothing,acrossaworldheprobablydidn’tknowwasround.Buthewasactiveindoinggood;andinhismartyrdomhegaveallamancangive.Insodoing,hemadethefundamentalgiftofhisnametocity,churchandSchool.

WeremembernexttheAbbotsandMastersoftheSchoolbeforetheReformation,andchiefamongthemABBOTWULSIN,ac-

cordingtotradition,theSchool’soriginalfounder.

WithhimwecommemorateABBOTGEOFFREYdeGORHAM,himselfascholarofrenown,fromwhosefamilytheSchool’spresentmottoderives.ABBOTHUGHdeEVERSDENandARCHDEACONJOHNPASSEVANT,togetherwithALEXANDERNECKHAM,foster-brotherofKingRichardtheLionheart,andMASTERWARIN,MastersoftheSchool.Bytheirgoodoffices,theschoolgrewandprospered,suchthat,inthewordsoftheAbbeychronicler,‘there

wouldhardlybefoundinEnglandabetterormorefruitfulschool,ormoreusefulorgivinggreaterop-portunitytoitsscholars.’

LetusrememberRICHARDdeNANTES,Masterinthelatethirteenthcentury,andJOHNdeLANGLEYfortheirgiftsofproper-ty‘chieflyfortheuseofpoorschol-arsforagrammarschooltheretobeheldandkeptfreelyandquietlyforever,’andwiththem,MasterJOHNHAULEforhisgifttotheSchoolofitsfirstLatinGrammar.

Thelastabbot,RICHARDBORMAN,istosome,anambigu-ousfigure,whoappearstohavedoneratherwellfinanciallyoutoftheDissolutionofhismonastery.ButinhisdeterminationthattheSchoolshouldcontinueheprovedagreatbenefactor,activeindoinggoodtotheSchool.After1539,itwasonlythroughhisstrenuousandsuccessfuleffortsinpetition-ingKINGEDWARDVIthatthespiritoftheSchoolsurvivedatall.Bormanwasgrantedauthoritytomaintainafreeschoolfor144scholarsinStAlbans,and,forthethen-astronomicalsumof£100,obtainedpossessionoftheLadyChapeloftheAbbey,whichwastobetheSchool’shomefor300years.

ThusbegananewphaseintheSchool’shistory.

‘Free’atthistime,meantindepend-entandofopenaccess;theschoolwasnolongersubjecttotheauthorityoftheAbbey–therewasnoAbbey–noroftheChurch.Theworddidnotthencarryitssecond-arymodernmeaningof‘withoutcharge’.ThelastoftheAbbotsandtheboyKinghadgiventheSchoolthefundamentallyindependentstatusitretainstothisdayanditisproperatthispointtorememberthosesuccessivegenerationsofparentsfromtheSchool’searli-estbeginningsdowntoourownday,whosefeeshavesustainedtheSchoolthroughoutthecenturies.

Wecommemo-ratetodayourroyalbenefac-tors:

KINGEDWARDVI,whoinhisgrantofthecity

CommemorationofBenefactorsAndrewGrant’sFounders’DayHistory

St Alban, from whom the City and School take their name

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charterof1553,madeprovisionfortheMayorandBurgessestoreceiveanendowmentof£40forthemain-tenanceofthegrammarschool.

QUEENELIZABETHI,andwithher,theLordKeeperoftheGreatSealofEngland,ourchiefbenefactor,SirNICHOLASBACON.ItwasathispetitionthattheQueengrantedtotheMayorandBurgessestherighttoappoint‘twodiscreetandhonestpersonsdwellingwithintheboroughofSt

Albans’tosellwineandeachkeepatavern–justtwointhosedays–inreturnforwhichright,theymust

pay£20peryearforthereliefoftheMasteroftheSchool–agrantthatwassubsequentlyenlargedbyKINGJAMESI.

SirNicholasdeservesawordortwomore:byallaccounts,inhiscapacityasajudge,hewas,by16thcenturylights,remarkablyfair-mind-ed,thoughhissenseofhumourcouldbequestionable.ThestoryistoldofhistryingamancalledHogg,whoaskedforclemencyonthegroundsofconsanguinity,inthathogsandbaconarecloselyrelated.‘AHogbecomesBacononlyonceitiswellhanged,’wastheallegedretort,asthehaplessprisonerwasledaway.Theproducthimselfofameritocraticsystemanddeeplycommittedtoeducation,BacongavetheSchoolstatutesthatwere,bythestandardsoftheday,liberalandenlightened.Hisinsistencethatnopupilshouldcomeintoschoolwithhishairuncombed,hishandsorfaceunwashed,withdirtybootsorstockings,orwithtornorunbuttonedclothesseemsliberal,enlightenedandbangup-to-datetothisheadmaster.Hiscurriculum,too,againbythestandardsofthe

day,reflectedarenaissancehuman-istoutlookandwasdistinctiveinthestressitlaidnotonlyontheClassicsandMathematics,butalsoonthevalueofmodernlanguagesaswellasphysicalexercise.Inthis,inhiscommitmenttoseekingouttheablestpeopleandeducatingthemaswellaspossible,expect-inginreturnthattheywouldpaythecommunitybackbyengaginginpublicserviceandinhisbeliefineducationasagreatliberator,ena-blingtheunderprivilegedtoachievetheirpotential,Baconforeshad-owedlatereducationalreformerssuchasDrArnoldandbequeathedtousanethosthatenduresinourSchooltothisday.

FromthistimewerememberalsoRICHARDRAYNSHAW,SergeantatArms,THOMASHALLDoctorofMedicineandhiswife,MAR-GARETandRICHARDPLATT,masterbrewerandlaterfounderofAldenhamSchool,fortheirgiftsoflandandproperty.

Theimportancewithwhichgiftstothelibrarywereregardedreflectsthecostandvalueofbooksatthattime,andwerememberFRANCIS,sonofSirNicholasBacon,SIRRALPHROWLETTandURSULAGARRETTfortheirbenefactions,togetherwithSIRSAMUELGRIM-STON;BENJAMINMOTT,CitizenofLondon,JOSEPHMARSH;DREVANS;STEPHENADAMS,Alder-manofthisBorough;JOHNCOLE,RectoroftheAbbeyandCHARLES,identifiedonlyas‘Gent,’whoarerecordedasbenefactorsonthelibraryboard.

ItisfittingthatonthisdayweremembertwogreatHeadmas-ters:JOHNHARMER,laterRegiusprofessorofGreekatOxfordUni-versity,andJOHNTHOMASHY-LOCOMIUS,famousgrammarian,towhomamemorialinthisAbbeywaserectedbyhisformerpupilsandofwhomthemayoralrecordsspeakthus:‘WehavehadandstillenjoyasingularjewelwherebytheSchoolhathflourishedandbecomefamousandwehopestilltoenjoyhim’.

Forwantofanybetterevidence,ithaslongbeensupposedthatthelatterwasthefirstrecipientoftherevenuefromthewinelicences.

However,recentnewresearchthathasrevealedthatHylocomiuscametoStAlbansfromapreviousap-pointmentatthenewly–foundedQueenElizabeth’sSchoolinBarnet,hasbroughttolightthenameofTHOMASHOLDEN,nativeofLancashireandfellowofBrasenoseCollegeOxford.Holden,itappears,wasthefirstMasterappointedbySirNicholasBacon;heremainedinStAlbansafterresigningtheMas-tershipandhelaterbecamevicarofStPeter’s.

UnderthescholarlyleadershipofsuchmentheSchoolflourishedandrosetoeminencethroughthesix-teenthandseventeenthcenturies.

Itisperhapsthesupremeillustra-tionoftheMachiavellianstatecraftofSirNicholasBaconthatheisrememberedasourprincipalbenefactorforhavingbestowedontheSchoollittleofhisownmoney,butthreehundredyears’worthofotherpeople’suntiltherightsunderthewinelicenceswerefinallysurrenderedtotheTreasuryin1922.SoImightarguethatfortheSchool’ssurvivalacrossthecenturies,thepeopleweshouldbecommemoratingwithgratitudearethetavernkeepers,andbydirectandlogicalextension,thedrink-ersofoldStAlbanstown,someofthem,nodoubt,heroicallycommit-tedintheircharitablezealandthemightiertheirefforts,thegreaterthethanksdue.

Sadly,historyhasnotvouchsafedtousthenamesofanyofthelattergroup,butoftheformer,thefameofANNMARKS,landladyofthePeahen,liveson.

In1800,theHeadmaster,JOHNPAYLERNICHOLSON,aparticularheroofmine,tookoutaprivateprosecutioninChanceryagainstherforsellingwinewithoutalicence.ItwasfortunateforNichol-son,whohadgivenuphissalary


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topaythecostsofthetestcase,thathewon,butfortunatefortheSchool,too,sincetheverdictre-establishedtheSchool’srighttotherevenuesandsecureditsincome.WhatmakesthestoryparticularlypiquantisthatAnnMarkshadbeenNicholson’schiefsponsorinhisappointmentasHeadmasterthreeyearsearlier.Quitehowshefeltaboutherprotégé’ssubsequentbehaviourisnotrecordedbutletuscommemoratethembothtoday,asthoroughlyhumanemblemsofafar-sightedendowmentthatenduredfor300years.

Itwasn’ttheonlyspatoverthewinelicences:in1724theCourtofChancery’scommissionofchari-tableuses–there’snothingnewunderthesun–concludedthattheCorporationhadbeenabusingitsposition,notonlyinrelationtotheSchoolbutalsotoothercharities,byfraudulentaccounting.TheycalculatedthattheSchoolwasowed£1,02912s bytheCorpora-tionandwasentitledtoarrearsofinterest.I’msorrytoreportthatthedebthasneverbeendischargedandourlegaladviserstellusitremainsenforceableagainsttheCorporation’ssuccessorintitle.Ourarchivisthascalculatedthat,allowingforcompoundinterestandtheratesprevailingoverthecen-turies,StAlbansCityandDistrictCouncilowestheSchoolapproxi-mately£19.6billionand,obviously,Icountitasthegreatestfailureofmyheadmastershipnottohaverecoveredthedebt.

Bythemiddleofthenineteenthcentury,theSchool’sfortuneshadwanedtothepointwhereitsverysurvivalwasthreatened.Foritsrevival,wecommemoratewithgratitudetheREVDrNICHOL-SON,RectoroftheAbbey,GWLYDEKKER,HJTOULMIN,TheREVWJLAWRENCEandtheHead-masterHENRYHALL,whowereresponsibleforthepurchaseoftheAbbeyGatehouseandtheGover-nor’sHousewiththegardenandfieldadjoining,whicharenowtheUpperYard.Bypublicsubscriptioninthetownandcounty,theyraisedmoneyforrepairsandalterationswhichbegantobringintobeingtheSchoolweknowtoday.

Fromthismorerecentperiod,werememberparticularlyCHARLESWOOLLAMandhiswifeMARY,fortheirbequestoftheCausewayfield,thetenniscourtatBelmontHillandtheBelmontplayingfield,thelatersaleofwhichultimatelymadepossiblethepurchaseofCheapsideFarm,thesiteofthenewWoollamPlayingFieldsandpavilion.Throughcarefulstewardship,theWoollambequesthasbeenagiftthathasgoneongiving.

WerememberAHDEBENHAM,forhismanyactsofgenerosity,andREGINALDKENTandCOLONELABCLIFFwholefttotheSchoolbequestsfromtheirestates.

Fortheirendowmentsofbursa-riesandprizes,wecommemorateALDERMANARTHURFAULKNER,MRNWSWINNERTONandMRSLILYSWINNERTON,andforhisgiftsoffundsfortheestablishmentofthePenArthurFieldCentre,werememberALDERMANJAMESBAUM.

Asrepresentativeofthemanyotherswhogavefortheendow-mentofprizes,ortoimprovetheSchool’sfacilities,werememberAJEASTCOTT,EPDEBENHAM,ROSANDERS,EHAMILTON,MRSSARAHTURNHAM,ARENFREW,theREVEABROYDS,MRSDOROTHYMORRIS,LTYOUNG,GEORGEWISHART,EWTANNER,

NORMANandLYNPARKINSandERNESTNIGHTINGALE.

Tothesemustbeaddedthatlargecompanyofparents,OldBoysandfriendsoftheSchool,throughwhosegenerosityinsubscrib-ingtopastdevelopmentappealstheSchoolhasbeenenabledtoenhanceitsbuildingsandfacilities,andthoseindividuals,trustsandcompanieswhohavegivennolessgenerouslyfortheendowmentofbursaries.Amongthese,specialmentionmustbemadeofHJJOEL,JRGOODYinmemoryofLILIANGOODY;theOLDALBANIANCLUB,andofthosewhobroughtintobeingtheJOHNCLOUGHANDTOMTHORNTONMEMO-RIALFUNDS.

OfmorerecentdatewerememberGEOFFREYPRYKE,OldAlbanianandSchoolmaster,thegenerosityofwhosewillfoundedtheSchool’sfirstacademicscholarships.Weremembertoo,forhissignificantbenefaction,thelatePETERCOXOA.

Wecommemorateourpastbenefactors,butwecannotthankthedead,norrepaytothemthedebtweowethem.Wecan,though,honourthembyemulatingthemingivingtothefuture,forwewereoncetheirfutureandtheyhadfaithinus.

‘Notpayingback,butpayingforward’encapsulates,inhisownphrase,thephilanthropicphilosophyofNICKCORFIELDOA,mathematician,inventorandcomputerprogramdesignerwhoisthemostprominentBenefactorofCambridgeUniversity’sCentreforMathematicalSciencesandwho,inthelastfewdayshascommittedtoextremelysignificantsupportforourown‘UnlockingPotential’campaign,bothforCapitalProjectsandfortheBursaryFund.

Thatfaithtoinvestinthefutureisshown,too,bythetrusteesofthe948FOUNDATIONintheirawardofanannualsportsbursary;bytheWOLFSONFOUNDA-TION;bymembersoftheGATEWAYSOCIETY,whohavepledgedlegaciestotheSchool,andbytheMembers,Patrons,FellowsandBenefactorsofthe

Charles Woollam, whose benefaction ultimately made possible both the Woollam Playing Fields and the Sports Centre

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STALBANSSCHOOLFOUN-DATIONamongwhomJOHNMEULKENS,PHILIPRATTLE,CHRISTOPHERFEWKES,NEILOSBORN,JOHNandALISONDAVIDSON,NIGELWOOD-SMITHandPETERDREDGEhave,likeNICKCORFIELD,joinedthehistorictraditionofmajorBenefactors,ashas

formerChair-manofGover-nors,ROBERTSHARPE.TohimandhissuccessorasChairman,IANJENNINGS,wearegratefulnotonlyfortheirmate-rialgeneros-ity,butforthemanyyearsofservicetheyhavegiventotheSchool.

And,indeed,ifinthisouractofCommemoration,weappeartofocusparticularlyonthosewhohavebeentheSchool’smaterialbenefactors,yetitisrightthatwedorememberthosemanymenandwomen,theirnamesnowlongforgotten,whodownthecenturieshavedevotedtheirenergiestoitsserviceasGover-nors,Headmastersandteachersandbywhosebenefactionofwisdom,scholarshipandguidance,successivegenerationsofpupilshavebeenbroughtupingodlinessandgoodlearning.

LetuscommemoratetheminthewordsofEcclesiasticus:

‘Therebeofthemthathaveleftanamebehindthemthattheirpraisesmightbereported/

Andsometherebe,whichhavenomemorial;whoareperishedasthoughtheyhadneverbeen;andarebecomeasthoughtheyhadneverbeenborn;andtheirchildrenafterthem./

Buttheseweremercifulmen,whoserighteousnesshathnotbeenforgotten/

Thepeoplewilltelloftheirwisdom,andthecongregationwillshowforththeirpraise.’

Itisrightandfittingthatweshouldhonourallthese,ourbenefac-tors;wearetheheirsoftheirbenefactionandtheSchoolistheirlivingmemorial.Ourobligationtothemisgoodstewardshipofourinheritance,topassitontooursuccessorsenrichedbyourowngenerosityandservice.

The developments of the Woollam Playing Fields and The Sports Hall have been made possible by benefactions and careful financial management. Future exciting developments for the School will also depend on the generosity of contributions to our fund raising campaign ‘Unlocking Potential’.

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OC’sReportArangeofactivitiesinabusyyear

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Thisyearhasbeenverysuccess-fulfortheCCF,andthenewlookorchardarea,withtheextraspacewehavebehindAquisCourt,hasallowedustoprovidethecadetswithawell-structuredtrainingprogramme,plannedandrunbyourU6cadets,withoutwhomourvarietyoftrainingwouldnotbepossible.WearepleasedtosaywearesoongoingtobeabletoofferarcheryasoneoftheCCFactivitiesforwhichwehavetothanktheprojectsofficefortheirsupportinpurchasingtheequip-ment.TheyearsawushavingaverysuccessfulWinterCampaswellasrecordnumbersqualifyinginbothSilverandGoldDukeofEdinburghawards.TheshootingteamgottheyearofftoagoodstartwithaverysuccessfultourtoJerseyandhascontinuedtogofromstrengthtostrength.ThisyearwedidnotattendaSummerCampbecauseofourcommitmenttoourthirdTanzaniaexpedition.However,toavoiddisappointingtheyoungermembersofthecorps,anexcellentfivedaytripwasorganisedatPenArthurforthem.

TheBiannualGeneralInspectionloomedagaininMay,andasusualthecadetsexcelledinmakingthedayaveryspecialoccasion,andallowingustoshowourInspectingOfficerBrigadierGHFSNickerson(ourownBrigadeCommander)thecontingentatitsbest.Theeveningsawusholdingourannualdinnerwherewesaidfarewelltotheheadmasterintruemilitarystyleandthankedhimforallthesupporthehasgivenusoverthepast20years.

FinallyIwouldliketothankallthepeoplethathavesupportedmyself,MrWilsonandourOfficersandCadets.TheseincludetheCadetTrainingTeams,theColdstreamGuardswhosesupportmakessuchadifferencetous,andtheSeniorManagement,forallowingustocontinuewithourchallengingandrewardingprogramme.

KJE

Pictures form the Biannual General Inspection


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Whenwereturnedfromthe2010triptoTanzaniawehadnoplanstogoagain,butnotbeingabletowalkawayfromachallenge,wesoonfoundourselvestalkingaboutareturn.Wehadtheideathatbygoingback,wecouldallowmoreofourcadetstoenjoythisgreatexpe-riencesoongrewonus,andbeforeweknewwherewewere,wefoundourselvesputtingtogetherthe2014tripandagreeingthat36wasprobablytoomany.Soasyoudo,weignoredthisandsettledfor43.Weknewthiswasgoingtobechallengingbutfeltwecouldmakeitwork.

Afterthesuccessofthe2007and2010expeditions,itwasimportanttoensurewecouldmakethetripworkagain,andasyouwillread,wenotonlydidthat,butwiththeamazingsupportweattracted,wereabletosurpassevenourownexpectations.

43Cadetsand8Staffsetthem-selvesthechallengeofnotonlytryingtoraisemorethan£30,000tooffsetthecostofthetrip,butalsowantedtoraise£15.000tohelpourselectedcharities.

PhaseOne:MwanzaHavinghadallourinoculationsandstartedtakingMalariatablets,weleftHeathrowboundforMwanzaon23July,arrivingthenextday.ThegroupwascheckedintotheIsamiloLodgehotelforagoodnight’srestbeforestartingourchallengeofhelpingtoprovideforthethree

orphanages.Weknewwehadabigchallengeaheadofus,withonlyfivedaystodoasmuchaswecouldtohelpimprovethelivesofthechil-dren.Eachorphanagehaddifferentneeds;thebabyhome,thoughverywellrun,neededalotofstaffdue

totheyoungageofthechildren,andpayingthemisalwaysamajorchallenge.Wedonated£5000tohelpwithpayingthestaff,andalsorebuiltthechildren’ssandpit,whilstJoeRedwoodandhisfellowartistsdecoratedthemainplayroomwithanexcellentLionKingpainting.Ontopofallthisthecadetsspentmanyhoursentertainingtheolderchildreninthegarden.

WatotoAfricaneededalotmorehelpandamongsttheitemswewentouttobuyforthemwereawaterpump,90pairsofshoes,schooluniformsfor90children,(withoutwhichtheywerenotallowedinschool),cookingpans,utensils,andmattresses.Wealsohelpedwiththeredecorationoftheoutsideofthebuildings.WatotoAfricahasoneoftheleadingfootballteamsintheareaandwealsosponsoredafootballtourna-ment,providingprizesandfoodforeveryone.Weenteredtwoteamsourselvesbutwerenomatchfortheorphanageteams.

WeonlytookhalfofourpartytovisitVillageofHopeandplayedfootballagainstthemaswell,theybeatus11-1,butIblameiton

theverylargetreestandinginthemiddleofthepitchandblockingourgoalkeeper’sview.Wegavethem£1500tobuildcookingsheltersforall6oftheirBungalowsandafurther£500tobuyfootwearforthechildren.

OurthirdtriptoMwanzawasjustassuccessfulasthetwopreviousonesandtodatetheCCFhasraised£55.000fortheOrphanagesintheCity.

PhaseTwo:Safari.Afterthechallengeoftheprevioussixdays,thegroupleftMwanzalookingforwardtovisitingtheSerengetiNationalParkandathree-daySafari.Overthefirsttwodaysandnightswewereluckyenoughtoseeaverywiderangeofgameincludingfourofthe‘bigfive’,andonlytherhinoeludedusatthisstage.Weleftourcampsiteonthelastmorninghavingbeenvisitedbybothlionsandhyenasduringthenight,thoughourguideswerealwaysonhandtokeepaneyeoutforunwantedvisitors.OurroutetoMoshitookusthroughtheNgorongoroConservationAreaintotheNgorongoroCraterwherewewerefinallyluckyenoughtoseeourrhinoandcompletethebigfive.WelefttheCraterattheendofdaythree,dustyanddirtybuthappytohavehadsuchasuccessfulsafari.WewerenowheadingforMoshiandtheprospectofclimbingMountKilimanjaro.

PhaseThree:MountKilimanjaroMountKilimanjaroisthehighestmountaininAfricastanding5895mhigh,andisalsothehighestfree-standingmountainintheworld,aformidablechallenge.WewereclimbingontheMaranguRoute.

Theclimbtooksixdaysstoppingoverinmountainhutsatnight,wespentourfirstnightattheMandarahutat2700m,stillintheedgeofforest,andverywet.ThesecondandthirdnightswerespentatHorombo,sittingonanimpressiveplateauat3800mwithequallyimpressiveviews.Thethirdday’swalkwasanacclimatisationwalk,returningtoHorombofor

TanzaniaAdventureThethirdCCFtripupKilimanjaro

TheForeverAngelsBabyHomeOneofveryfeworphanagesdedicatedtotakingchildrenaged0-5yearsold.

WatotoAfricaAverypoororphanagewith100childrenofallages;itneededallthehelpitcouldget.

VillageofHopeAverywellrunorphanagewherethechildrenarehousedinbungalows.

The charity work was a key part of this trip


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thenight.OnthefourthdayweclimbedtoKiboHutat4725m,fromwhichweweretomakethefinalascentthatevening.TheclimbtoUhuruPeakbeganat10pmandtookeighthours,climbingtothe5895mpeakmostlyinthedarkandwithtemperaturesdroppingtoaslowas-15°.32oftheCadetsand7Staff‘summited’,withthedescenttakingtwodaysandcompletingaverysuccessfulclimb.

Phase4:KunduchiPhasefourwastobespentattheKunduchibeachresort,justoutsideDaresSalaam.Thegroupwasnowreadyforsomerestandrecupera-tion,andtheresortwithitsbeauti-fulIndianOceanbeachwastheperfectplacetorestandreflectonthetrip.Thiswasanexcellentwaytofinishoffaveryrewardingandchallengingthreeweekexpeditionofalifetime.

Thankyoutoallwhosupportedonthisexpedition,andmadeitpos-sibletohelpsomany.

KJE

‘Twodaysofblizzardsnowandwind,’‘freezingconditions’and‘basherscollapsingleavingyouatthemercyofawfulweather.’Afterhearingthesehorrorstoriesandreceivingmanysarcastic‘goodlucks’,itissafetosayonthecoachtoMereworthWoodsTrainingAreaIwasincrediblyapprehensive.Therealitywasmilesaway.

Day1:arrival.Theeightycadetssplitintotwosections:juniorsandseniors.Beingoneofthefivegirls,andtheonlynewcadetintheSixthForm,Ijoinedthejuniors.Bashersweresetupanddinnerwascookedsobythetimedarkhadfallenwewerereadytogoonanightpatrol.Ingroupswesilentlynavigatedthewoodsfindingcodes(andmoreex-citinglyfood)leftbytheenemy.Theaimwastogatherintelligenceallinpreparationforthemaineventofwintercamp–theambush.

Afteraslightlydisturbednight’ssleep,Day2arrived.ForthejuniorsthismeantSurvivalwithMrWhitehead:camouflageandcasevac(firstaid–militarystyle).Thismeanslessonsonhowtoputfirstaidknowledgeintopracticeonthebattlefieldwhendecisionscanbelifeordeath.Ourvictimssufferedfromabrokenarm,whichmeantbloodabsolutelyeverywhere,aswellasshock.Casevacwasalsotaughttotheseniorsalongwithfiremanoeuvreandsectionattacks.Firemanoeuvresawpairsadvanceontheirenemyby‘pepperpotting’-switchingbetweenadvancingandcoveringtheircomrade.Oncetheywereasufficientdistancefromtheenemyandatanadvantagethepairperformedafight,chargingattheenemy,eliminatingallinsightandsecuringthelocation.

Afterpreparinglunch,theambushbegan.Weweresplitintothreegroups:twocutoffgroupsoneithersideofthelargerkillinggroupinthemiddle,whichcon-tainedthePlatoonCommanderandSergeant.Lengthyexplanationsandmanypracticesfolloweduntildark.When2100hourscame,wewereready.A2sandLSWswereissuedandwewerelinedup.Aswemarchedinformation,itwassilent,barthewindandoccasionalsoundofaboot.Theoperationwas

slickandwearrivedatourfinalrendezvouspointandgatheredinanallroundwatch.Afterthesignalthatourdestinationwasclear,wemovedin.Allwerepositionedalongabankattheedgeofthefield,gunsready,waitingandwatching.Aneeriesilence.Waiting.Thenarowdygroupappearedonthefarleft:theenemyhadfinallyarrived.Theywalkedon,unawareofusjustmetresfromthem,poisedreadytofire.Allthatwasleftnowwasthesignal:theflare.Astheenemymovedacrossus,itappearedred,brightagainstthebackdropoftotaldarkness.Thentheyletloosetwentyorsorifles,eachfiringasmanyroundsastheycould.‘Stop.’Wedidso.Waiting.‘Moveandshoot.’Astheattackers,weim-mediatelyrespondedtomovementfromtheenemy.Oncetheattackhadbeencompletedweescapedasquicklyandquietlyaswecould,backthewaywecame.Everyone’sheartwasracingandwithadrena-linepumping,weexperiencedtheincrediblefeelingofsuccessinanattack.

Itwas,asMajorEveritttoldus,thebestnightambushhehadseenataStAlbansWinterCamp.Congratu-lationstoallinvolved,especiallytheleaderswhoseexpertiseandleadershipensuredsuchsuccess.MeritsalsotothenewICsand2ICsandtoallothercadets.Thankstoallthoseteachersinvolvedwhoputtheirtimeandeffortagainandagainintomakingthecampsoenjoyable.

Lauren Rowe and Matthew Feast

WinterCampShhh!It’sanightexercise

Party at the peak: arrival at the summit of Kilimanjaro

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Thissummerprovedtobeabittersweetendingaswelostthegroupwhohaveprovidedthecoreoftheshootingteamforthelastfouryears.TomChapmanandAlessandroRossistartedtrain-ingwithmeinmyfirsttermatStAlbansandhavegivenuptimeandefforttothesquadeversince.HarryLampertayearlaterandLilyMoranayearafterthatthenjoinedthem.Ihavebeenluckytohavesuchadedicatedteamforthepasttwoyears.Astheyleave,theyleavebehindalegacyofteamworkandcomradeship.

TheyearstartedwithTheHert-fordshireSchools’Trophy,TheEmsall.Withsuchastrongseniorsquad,confidencewashightoretaintheEmsallforthe4thyearrunning.Itturnedouttobeaspec-tacularyear–theAteamequalledtheall-timehighestscore,theCteamfinishedjustbehindthemwithascorehighenoughtowinhalfofallthepreviouscompetitions,andtheSchoolenteredarecord5teams.ItwasalsopleasingtopushtheHabsAteambackinto3rdplaceonceagain.

NextweretheWestKentRifleLeagueandthePrinceofWalesCadetShoot.Thesetwocompeti-tionswerenewtotheSchool,hostedbytheWestKentRifleclub.CadetswererequiredtoshootthreetargetsduringtheAutumnterm.Inprincipalthisshouldhavebeenstraightforward,however,withtheEmsallandBSSRAcompetitionsalsotakingplace,alotofpressurewasputonrangetime.Withextrasessionsarrangedandsomecadetsshooting4targetsinonenight,all54targetswerecompletedandsentoffbeforethewinterbreak.HarryLampertandTomChapmanreceivedPrinceWilliamofWalesBadgesforfinishinginthetop10intheirclass.

IntheU16competitionallofourjuniorshotsfinishedinthetop30andreceivedWestKentLeaguemedals.

Thebreadandbutterofanyshoot-ingyear,theBSSRA,provedtobeavaluabletraininggroundagainthisyear.Westartedwiththelargestsquadfor4years,fielding3teamsinthefirstterm.Iwaspleased

withtheincreaseinnumbersofstudentsinthe3rdForm,bolster-ingthesquadundertutelagefromtheseniorsandallowingustobuildupto4teamsbythesummercompetitions.OfparticularjoywastheprogressthattheAteammade,dominatingtheirsummerleaguefromstarttofinish,withallmembersoftheteamaveragingover92.0.

ColesTrophyWewereverypleasedtowelcomebacktheOAsthissummerfortheColesTrophy.TheyincludedtwoveryrecentgraduatesintheformofTrudyCammackandChrisOates.IndeeditwastheseshotsthatseparatedtheOAsfromthecurrentsquadandpassedtheColesTrophybacktotheOAsforthefirsttimein3years.Apleasantafternoonwascompletedwithabarbecue,followedbythepresenta-tionofanewtrophysuppliedbytheclassof2014.ThiswasforthehighesthandicapscoreintheColesbyacurrentpupilandwasawardedtoMattCrossley.

ImperialMeeting–TheAshburtonWithasquadofninefull-boreshots,thedecisionwastakenthisyeartoenteranAshburtonFourandSchoolFour.Thisprovidedaninternalcompetitionwithallmembersofthesquadhavingtheopportunitytobeselectedforthefirstteam.Onthefirstday,thesignslookedpromisingforhighscoresallroundwithverylightwindsandclearskies.However,astheweekprogressedthewindstrengthenedandshiftedtoaverytrickyhead-wind.Asaresult,scoresacrosstherangesdroppedanditwasonlythestrongestshootingschoolswhomanagedtoholdthecentreV.WewereprivilegedtohaveMattCrossleyasadedicatedwindcoachfortheweek,providingaconsistentpresenceonthepointforourshootingcoaches.TheteamofLampert,Chapman,TylerandRossiwereeventuallyselectedandsteppeduptothemark,producingaveryrespectable3rdplacefinish.

Asalways,thesquadalsotookpartinsupplementarycompetitions.AsinthelasttwoyearsitwastheCadet1Kwhichprovedtobethehighlight.Thisyeartheteamfinishedin3rdplace,withallthecadetsenjoyingthechallengeofthelongdistance.

AwardsTherewaslittletimeneededtodecideuponthisyear’sTopShotandJuniorShot.

HarryLamperthaschallengedforthetopawardforthelasttwoyearsandthisyearhesurgedaheadofhispeers,maintaininganaverageabove95at.22andscoringthehighestaggregateintheAshburton.Iwishhimeverysuccessforthefutureandhopethathewillcon-tinueshootingatuniversity.

Althoughonlyin5thForm,HamishTylermaintainedaseniorteamplacethroughouttheyearandshowsthepotentialtochallengeforthetopspotinhisLowerSixth.IntheAshburtonhedisplacedthreeSixthformerstoearnaplaceinthefirstteam.

ShotsonTargetTheshootingyear

OAs and current shooters battled it out for the Coles Trophy

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TeamResults:

IndividualResults:

Competition Position Score

AshburtonFours 3rd 322.13V

TeamCadet1K 3rd 94.5V

MeltisCup 3rd 469.23V

GalleryRifles 6th 112

SchoolsFours 8th 319.5V

Devon 20th 469.23V

DSGTrophy 33rdand35th 348.13Vand339.13V

VictoriaCollegeTrophy 40thand43rd 307.8Vand280.7V

Competition Cadet Position ScoreSpencer-Mellish AidanCollins 33rd 41.1VReserve JacobVialou-Clark 26th 20.0Iveagh HarryLampert 38th 34.2V

TomChapman 81st 33.3VCadet500xAggregate TomChapman 85th 64.4VVictoriaTankard AlessandroRossi 29th 34.3V

AidanCollins 37th 34.2VCadet1K AlessandroRossi 6th 24.2V

AidanCollins 8th 24.1VHarryLampert 14th 23.2VHamishTyler 23rd 23.0VBenChrisp =25th 22.2VLilyMoran =25th 22.2VWillMcKay 29th 22.1VTomChapman 32nd 22.0VJacobVialou-Clark 45th 20.0VMattCrossley 56th 19.0V

GalleryRifles WillMcKay 10th 47MattCrossley 16th 38BenChrisp 19th 27

ThanksAsalways,theshootingsquadcouldnotkeepgoingwithoutthesupportofcertainindividu-als.KennyEverittandBillWilsongiveusendlesssupportthroughtheCCFtoensurethatwehavethetime,moneyandequipmentthatweneed.IamalsothankfultotheFoundationfortheextrafundingthatallowedustoincreaseourstockofequipment.OwenSimmonshasbeenanindispensablehelp,givingupweeksofhistimetohelpdevelopthesquadandonceagainassistingattheAshburtonWeek.IwouldalsoliketothankJamesLockhart,PaulineMillsandSimonHughesforassistingontripsandtoursthroughouttheyear.

Finallyabigthanksneedstogototheseniorsquadwhohaveprovidedhelp,support,laughs,ice-creamandteainhugequantities.TheyhavebeenaveryspecialgroupandIwillmissthemtremendously.

DSR

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TherugbyseasonbeganwithamatchagainstBerkhamstedSchool,atraditionallytoughfixture.Agoodstartafterfiveminutesanditwas11-6atthebreak.ScottconvertedafterRose’ssecond,andtheseweretheonlypointsofthehalf.Thiswasapleasingstarttothedomesticseason,butalthoughwewon18-6,itwasnevercertain.ThematchagainstMerchantTaylor’sathomewasone-sided,stopped17minutesintothesecond-halfata54-0win.Followingamid-weekgame,wehadthevisitofourgreatfriends,StAlbansCollegefromArgentina.TheSchoolled13-5athalf-timeandwentontowinwithtriesfromRose,TurkandScott.ThreepenaltiesandtwoconversionsfromScotttookhispersonaltallyforthedayto15points,contributingtoa26-17win.

Habsisagroundwehaveoftenfailedtodominate,butwealwayshadtheadvantageandranoutcomfortable36-12winners.HamptonSchoolisalsoaschoolwehavestruggledagainstrecently,havingbeatenusforeachofthelastfouryearsfromthestartofthefixture.Despiteahugerallyinwhichwepulledafewtriesback,wecouldn’trecoverfrombeing5-14downattheinterval,andfelltoa13-19defeat.WestartedpoorlyatHaileyburyCollege,withtoomanysillypenaltiesresultinginusgoingbehindearly.WithGSBdrivingthemonwecamebackwithimpressivetriesandheldontowinthegame44-28.

AnewfixturecamenextagainstRichardHaleaway,andabig,physicalpack,manywhoplayedfor

thelocalclub,provedaforcetobereckonedwith.Itwasanotherslowstartforthesecondmatchinarow,butwhenourforwardsliftedtheirgame,theballbecameavailableatspeedandourbacksweretoostrongintheend,leadingtoa26-12win.AHertfordshireU18CupMatchfollowedagainstBishop’sStortfordathome.Wetconditionsandageneralmalaisebybothsidesforthismorningfixturedidnothelp,butCCHwasdelight-edtoattend(withhisownchair)towitnessaratherunimpressiveperformance.19-0wasenoughtoprogresstothenextround.

NextwewereawaytoWatfordGSanda‘doublefixture’forthetradi-tionalfriendlyandthesemi-finaloftheU18Cup.Inthesemi-finalthegoingwasnotfast,yetsomeslickmovesenabledthebackstoscoresixtimesandrecordanotherem-phaticwin,48-0.AmuchtoughermatchfollowedagainstouroldfriendsQEBarnet,ontheirheavypitch.Inthesecondhalfwescoredthreetimes,featuringoneofthebestindividualeffortsIhaveeverseenwithScottside-steppingfiveplayerswithinthe22mline.Wewon26-6.

FacingBedfordModernSchoolathome,wewereupagainstit.Lackingsize,wehadtoplayfastandloose.WithScottoutinjuredandalwaysunderpressure,wewere9-10downattheturn-around.AdramaticmatchsawEkanemseal

a24-15winagainsttheodds.AdisappointingdayawayatStamfordSchoolsawusloseforonlythesecondtimeintheseason,0-35.AtAylesburySchool,averypoorfirsthalfsawusinanunderservedlead,21-10.UphillandagainstthewindGRosescoredandSayersmadeanindividualbreakfromour22m,buttheyscoredlasttotypifyalacklustreday.Itwas,though,stillawin,35-15.

TheHertsU18Finalwasplayedon12thDecemberattheOAClub.Withseveralplayersoutinjuredorunavailableitwasgoingtobetough.ThiswasnotidealandwhenThralewentoffwewerestruggling,butathalftimeSASled11-3.ThedefiningmomentofthegamecamewhenHaileyburybrokethefirstlineandGottsavedthedaywitharemarkabletackle.Noscoreinthesecond-halfwastestamenttotheresilienceofthedefence.Wewerewinnersfor2013,thoughHailey-burywereunfairlysecondinthisevenbattle.

ThelastmatchofaverylongseasonwasawayonStGeorge’smuddypitch.Notforthefaint-hearted,thiswasabattlewonbySASwiththreetriesforcaptainTurk:anemphatic41-0victorytocrownaverysuccessfulseason.

CCH & GSB

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RisingtotheChallenge2ndXVRugbyWiththesuccessfultourofAustraliaover,the2ndXVfoundthemselvesonceagainonhometurfwithourpreseasontour-nament.Thiswasachancetocometogetherandtrydifferentcombinations,andourresultsreflectedthis.

Weopenedourseason’saccountwithaconvincingwinagainstBerkhamsted,43-3,followedthenextweekbya42-3winagainstMerchantTaylor’s.Thestrengthoftheteamwasevident–weoutclassedbothsides,scoring,itseemed,atwill.

Habstooksomebeating,butsounddefenceinourown22re-strictedthemtojustonemissedpenalty,beforeweclaimedthreequickpenalties.14-0athalftimebecamea26-0win,showingourfightandteamspirit.

Weknewthatabiggerchallengeawaitedus:Hampton.FiredupbypackleaderArjanBains,wewent3-0upwithapenaltybeforewestrungaseriesofphasestogether,andachangeofdirectionleadtoa2on1withJoshSouthworthfinishinginthecornertotakeus8-0upatthebreak.Moredoggeddefencecouldn’tpreventaHamptonscore,butanothertryfollowingaquickballdeliveredbyChrisWilliamstookthefinalscoreto16-7,aproudmomentforthesquad.

Wedominatedasmallerpackina33-15winagainstHaileyburyandastrongperformanceagainstRichardHaletookustoa46-15winwithastandouttryfromBolajiAnifalaje

AfterhalftermwefacedWatfordGrammar,traditionallyahardmatch.Westrug-gledin

defenceatfirst,butafterabsorbingtheearlypressureweranout64-7victors.WeledformostofthematchagainstBeaumont’s1stXV;goingintothelastplayofthematchwewere22-17upanddeepinBeaumontterritory.AwideattackfromthescrumsawBeaumontslicethroughourdefence,seeingthemscoreinthefinalmoments.Noonecouldquitebelievethatwe’dletitslip,buttohavecomethisfarintotheseasonwithoutalosswasagoodachievement.

AvisittoQEBarnetsawareturntowinning,settlingthemoodbeforetheprospectofBedfordModern.Missingseveralkeyplayersbythispointduetopromotion,injuryorillness,wesadlylost5-14.

Ifevertherewasanoccasiontoriseto,itwasStamfordaway,knowingthatwehadachancetoturnoverthegiantsofourfixturelist.Aftertherestart,Stamfordwereruthlessintheirattack.Theycarriedstrongly,winningapenaltyanddrovetolinetoscorefromtheensuinglineout.Theremainderofthesecondhalfwaswellcontested,withRichardThraleleadingwithsomeexcellentcarries,assistedbyJoshBenson,MikeSlaterandtheworkhorseChrisHodges.Weputinafantasticeffortbutwentdown

21-3,ascorelinethatdidnotrepresentthematch.

AtAylesburywehadapointtoprove.Wewere10-5upatthe

break,courtesyofaRobGoldstonetry,butconceded

earlyinthesecondhalfaftersustainedpressure.Thisprovedthereleaseweneeded,and

fromtherestartwequicklyregainedpossessionandscoredintheleftcornerafter

agreatlinkupbetweenJoshSouth-worthandHarryTurner.AnothertryontherightwinglookedforJakeYeboaafterastunningsoloeffortputusto29-10.

TheendofseasonderbywithStGeorge’sfinishedastrongseason.JackPerrinpulledthestringsat10,andstrongperformancesfromRoryBarlow,JonnyMuirandFergusBrowneinthepackgaveouroutsidebackstry-scoringopportunitiesablytakenbyHugoRawlinson.Astrong34-0winwasanappropriatewaytoroundoffastrongseason.

Ourseasonof10winsfrom13matcheswith394pointsforandonly124against,placedus4thintheLondonSEdivision,averyimpres-siveachievement,butoneweknowwehadthepotentialtobeat.

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Played13,won5,lost8.Soreadsthesummationofadisappointingseason.Yetthedevilisinthedetail;sixofthose8reverseswerelostbyasinglescore.Oh,whatmighthavebeen.

ThefirsthalfperformanceatBerkhamstedwastheworstthatIhavepresidedoverasacoach.Lackingincommitment,enthusiasm,andaccuracy,wefoundourselvesalongwayadriftathalftime.However,asecondhalfinwhichweshowedsome‘dog’sawusclawourwaybackintothegame.Wewere,onbalance,ajustifiedsecond,butthesplitpersonalityofthisteamhadalreadyshownitshead(s).

AwaytoMTsweshowedplentyofendeavourand,inafeistyfixture,wereinthegameuntiltheveryend.Unfortunately,despitethebesteffortsofallinvolved,thelackofaccuracyandinabilitytomaintainourcomposureatcrucialtimesledtooursecondreverse.Wedomi-natedterritory,yetturneddownkicksatgoalandspurnedanumberoftryscoringopportunitiesandwelostby7points.Wehadmadeaninauspiciousstarttotheseason.

Habswereourvisitorsinthenextfixture,bringingawelldrilledandskilfulteam.Onceagain,westartedslowly,werenaiveindefenceandfoundourselves21pointsadriftathalftime.However,webroughtonskipperGallagher,whoseserviceswehadbeendeniedinthefirsttwomatches,andthegameturnedonhisstrongcarryofftheshoulderofCarterat10.Wehadthemomen-tum,neverletitslip,andwehadsecuredthatpreciousfirstvictory.

Sadly,ournextfixturetookustoHampton,whosequalityofrugbywassomeoftheverybestthatIhaveseenatthisagegroup.Despiteourbestefforts,particularlyinadeterminedsecondhalfperform-ance,wewerewellbeatenbyasuperiorside.Itwasclearthattheboys’moralewasbeingaffected.

Wewereagainawaythefollow-ingweek,travellingtoHaileybury.Playingontheirimpressivefirstteampitchwemadeapromisingstart,thenallowedthembackintothegameand,asweapproachedhalftime,lookedsetforaclose

encounter.Soitproved,althoughnotinthewaythatIhadenvisaged.Wefoundourselvesdownto14menwithmorethan35minuteslefttoplayandsobeganprobablythemostimpressivehalfofrugbythattheteamputtogether.Spurredintolifebytheirsenseofinjustice,theyproducedabrave,stoicalandresoluteperformance,edginganimpressivewin,TomSavagetothefore.

WiththefinalfixtureofthehalftermbeingcancelledbyRichardHale,weembarkedontourtoBiar-ritzingoodspirits.Unfortunately,welostthefirsttwofixturesbyanaggregateof3points,havingonceagainleftnumeroustryscoringop-portunitiesandkickablepenaltiesoutonthefieldofplay.Wewonthefinalfixtureofwhatwasamosten-joyableweek,yetitremainedclearthattherugbymaturityofsomeoftheseplayersstillhadconsiderableroomfordevelopment.

ThesecondhalfoftermstartedwellwithimpressiveperformancesyieldingbigwinsagainstWatfordGrammarandQEBarnet.Then,awaytoBedfordModernwefoundourselvesembroiledinanotherdogfightand,despitemakingagoodgameofitthroughsomesplendid

defenceandcommitmentinthesecondhalf,hadleftourselveswithtoomuchtodotogoonandwinthegame.Afamiliarstory.

HomeforwhatturnedouttobeourpenultimatematchweentertainedStamford.Lastyear,thisteamhadbeentheonlysideintheSchoolnottolosethisfixture,anditwasclearfromtheoffthattheseweretwowellmatchedteams.However,inamatchoffinemargins,theoppositionscoredalloftheir12pointswhilstwehadamaninthesinbin,andwecouldonlymuster5inreply.Onceagain,ouraccuracyanddisciplinehadletusdown.

WithStGeorge’sunabletoraiseasideonthefinalSaturdayoftermthematchawaytoAylesburyendedupbeingourlastfixture.Oncemoreweaffordedtheoppositionaheadstartand,despiteshowingplentyofendeavour,foundour-selveswithtoobigagaptoclawbackandwelost,onceagain,byasolitaryscore.

Inaseasonofnearmissesitismysincerehopethatthisverylikeablegroupofyoungmenhavelearntsomevaluablelessonsinrugby.Thefirstistotakethepointswhentheyareonoffer,whilstthesecondistheimportanceoftakingrespon-sibilityforoneself.Toooftentheyallowedthegametohappentothem,onlytakingitbythescruffoftheneckoncetheproverbialhorsehadleftitsstabledoorgaping.Iftheycanactuponthesepoints,bothindividuallyandcollectively,duringtheirtimeinseniorrugby,thentheyhaveeverychanceofmakingaverypositivecontributionindeed.

MythanksgotoJamesGal-lagher,thecaptain,forhiseffortstomanageademandingsetofplayersandanolesschallengingcoach,andtoalloftheplayersfortheirefforts.MythankstootoalloftheWoollamsstaff,andtotheparents,whosecontinuedsupporthelpedtheboysthroughsomedifficultmoments.

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TheU15rugbyseasonwasarollercoasterride;theteamhaditsupsanddownsbutfinishedimpressively.WebeganagainstBerkhamstedwithanemphaticwinbutwerehaltedbyMerchantTaylor’s.Thiswasadisappointmentfortheteamaswehadbeatenthemthepreviousyear.However,wemanagedtopickourselvesupintimefortheStanfordmatch,whichwaswonconvincinglyagainsttoughopposition.Butfriendliesweren’tjusttheonlythingwehadtoworryabout.TheNatWestCupbeganpromisinglywithaconvincingwinagainstJFKandthentheteamwent

AMixedBagU15XVRugby

TheU14rugbyteamsallenjoyedverygoodseasons,tingedwithdisappointmentfortheAsattheveryendofthetermhavinglostintheCountyCupfinaltoVerulamSchool.Nevertheless,theAteamonlylostthreematchesallseason,theBteamlosttwoandtheCswereundefeated.

TheAteamsufferedfromlosingkeyplayers.KyleDouglaswasoutforhalfthetermwithashoulderinjuryandtherewereprolongedspellsofinjuryforMaxSwanandHughMawer.Despitethis,otherboyssteppeduptofilltheirplacesandspecialmentionforgreatprogressmustgotoCameronHarvie.TheplayeroftheseasonawardwaswonbyStephenHeaney.

HighlightsincludedtheAteambeatingStColumba’sforthefirsttimeandtheBsdeliveringa

HighHopesU14XVRugby

OntheUpU13XVRugbyTheU13Ateamshowedmuchimprovementthisyearintermsofresultsandplayerdevelopment.SeveralearlywinsagainstHabs,HamptonSchool,RichardHaleandWatfordGrammarallprovideevi-denceofthis.Theteam’shighlightwasoneofthebestturnaroundsseeninschoolrugby,losing5-12athalftimetoanalwaysstrongBedfordModernteam,tolaterwin33-22aftersomechoicewordsatthebreakandthebacklinerallyingthemselvestoplaysomeexcellentrugby.

Intermsofdevelopment,theteamhasfurtherimprovedintermsoftechnicalabilityandtacticsandpossessesamuchstrongerdefence.ThebacklinehasbeenthegreatestassetwithsomesuperbindividualperformancesfromSebAdolph,CameronFurleyandJamesCooper,aidedbyexcellentpassesfromAlexNejad.JustinRamandJakeMarieshaveimpressedonseveraloccasionssincejoiningtheA-teamwiththeirpaceandstrength.Theforwardpackhasimprovedgreatlyintermsofstructureandsupport,givingtheteamgreatermomentumwhenattacking.AtabayRosedem-onstratedfastbreakthroughsintotheopposition’sdefence.Thephysi-calityoftheCaptainAyoOlukotunhascertainlyimpressedwithanabilitytoclearoutseveralopposi-tionplayersfromrucksandmaketrysavingtacklesandhereceivestheU13playeroftheseason.SamBentleyreceivedmostimprovedplayerthisyearforhisbodyposi-tioninbreakdownsandaidingtheforwardpackwithstrongcarriesintotheoppositiondefence.

RDD

ontobeattheirrival,StColumba’s.Unfortunately,wewerebeatenafteratoughmatchawaytoBloxhamSchool,playingmostofthegameinourownhalf.AclosedefeattoBedfordModernwasadisappointmentfortheteambutthisledusontoovercomerivals,WatfordGrammar,17-15.TheseasonendedwellwithaconvincingwinagainstStGeorge’s.Congratulationstotheteamaswehadabrilliantseasonwithevery-oneplayingtheirpartaswellastheycould.

James Lear

massivevictoryoverAylesburyGrammarSchool.Thesesuccesseswerepartlyduetotheintroductionofsomegreatplayerswhojoinedusfromprepschool,includingMaxFryerandCharlieScott–thelatter’skickingabilityaddinganewdimensiontotheAteam’splay.

Allteamsimprovedagreatdealduringtheterm,especiallyintermsoftechniquearoundtheruck,runningpatternsofplayandcounter-attackingafterturningovertheball.Theskillsdevelopedwillstandthemingoodsteadfornextseason.

AfinalmentionmustgotocaptainoftheAteam,FreddieDeacon-Gregory,whoalwaysplayedthegamewithheartandsoulandledtheteamveryably.

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“OutofanyteamatthisschoolI’vecoached,thisistheteamthathascomethefurthest,”saidMrLang-ston.Wemaynothavenecessarilystartedoffinthebestofplaces,butbytheendofthisseason,somequalityhockeywasbeingplayed.

Asisbecomingthenorm,thesidewasbolsteredwiththree‘youngtalent’5thformers,whosestickskillsandgameplayprovedessentialtotheside.Thatdidn’tchangethefactthatoverhalftheteamalreadyhad1stteamexperience,andwiththecoreofU6seniorpros,thetacticswerealreadyinplacetotakeonsometoughcompetition

TheseasonstartedwiththeannualmatchagainstaHarpendenmen’sside.Despitedwindlingnumbersinpre-seasontraining,theteamputupastrongefforttodraw1-1.

ThefirstschoolfixtureagainstMerchantTaylor’sisalwaystough,andwewereproudtocomeawaywitha1-1draw.Bythispoint,ourdefensivepresseswereworkingnicely,andthisgaveagreatplatformtobuildonduringtheseason.

AwayatHabswedominatedthefirst25minutes,butacounter-attackinggoalfromtheoppositionleftusinshock,andnothingwedidprovedeffective.A2-0losswasthefinalresult,butwelearnedalot,bothmentallyandtactically.

OurfirstawaygamealsosawourfirstwinoftheseasonagainstWindsor.Westeppedupandpro-ducedsomedynamic,free-flowinghockeytowin2-0.

Dulwichwasanimportantgameagainstaproperhockey-playingschool.Going1-0down,wehadmanychancestoequalise,butdespitetheenduringeffortsfromdefenceandmidfield,nothingwentinattheotherend.Inthedyingmoments,however,apenaltyfromthehockeybadgerJamesOliversecuredusawell-deserveddraw.

Wewerethrilledtocomeawaywitha1-0winagainstWatfordGrammar,turninglastyear’s5-0lossonitshead.

ThenextfixturewasanabrasivematchagainstAldenham,inwhichwecameawaywitha2-2draw,somethingweseemedtobe

gettingverygoodatdoing.Again,afterdominatingformuchoftheopeningplay,weletthemgetbackintothematch.

Thesecondhalfoftermkickedoffwithourmostchallengingmatchoftheseason.Felstedwasaclini-caloutfit,andwereactedpoorlytoturnovers,endingthefirsthalf7-1down.Ananimatedteamtalkhelpedtostepupourgameandweendedthematchonly8-4down.

ThiswasfollowedupwithstrongwinsagainstHaileybury,4-1,andHitchin,3-2.HavinglosttoLeyslastyear7-0,wehadourworkcutoutforusthisyear.Mostimprovedplayer‘Hustle-Hard’HughMyershustledincrediblyhardtokeepanoppositionEnglandU21playeroutofthegame,andRobbieGoldstonedefendedtheDimpressively.Itshowedhowfarwehadcomethatweweredisappointedwitha1-1draw.

Thisperformanceprecededa7-0destructionofMillHill,againhigh-lightingtheimprovementsmade,withDanBurnleyscoringthemostincredibledisallowedhat-trickeverseenonWoollam’splayingfields.Hejustscoreswhenhewantsto.

TowardstheendoftheseasoncamepossiblyStAlbansSchoolhockey’smostdefiningmomentawhistle-stoptourtoSuffolktoplaytwoeastern-hockeygiants,FramlinghamandWoodbridge.TheSaturdaygamesawa6-1annihila-tionofWoodbridge,afterwhichtheboysenjoyedsomemuchneededR&RatthefinestHolidayInnSuffolkhadtooffer.WhenwefinallygotLukeBevisoutoftheshowers,weheadedoffforthesecondmatchofthetour.AgainstFram-lingham,wewon2-0,ledbysome

sounddefence,roundingoffafan-tastictour.MomentofthetourhastogotoHughMyers,whoruinedhisfirst-and-only1stteamgoalwithoneofthemosttragiccelebrationseverseeninsport.

ThefinalgameoftheseasonwasplayedagainstaDrChalloner’ssidewhoprovedjusttooskilfulforourtravelhardenedoutfit.Going2-0upearlyon,wethoughtthegameshouldhavebeenours,butChal-loner’sbattledhardandeventuallycameawaywitha5-4win.Thiswasadisappointingendtoanotherwiseimmenselyenjoyableseason.

Thesixseniorprosparticularlywouldliketothankthecoach,MrLangston,foralltheefforthehasputintoourschoolhockeyforthepastfewyears.Whatwemayhavelackedinstickskills,hehasmadeupforten-foldintacticalprowess.

Andfinallyour‘hitfirst,thinklater’,strikerGeorgeScottwouldliketopersonallyextendhisthankstoalloftheumpiresforgettingonwithhimsowellthroughouttheseason.

Joe Zacaroli

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OnwardsandUpwards2ndXIHockey

GivingitOurAllU16XIHockey

Inahighlysuccessfulseasonthemighty2XIfinishedwithasuperb83%winratio.Theteamhowever,startedslowlywitha2-4losstoMerchantTaylor’s,whichwasrectifiedthenextweekwitha3-1winagainstHabs.Fivewinsinarowensuedwithanexcel-lent3-1and3-0resultsagainstDulwichCollegeandWatfordGrammarrespectively.Felstedprovedalittletoostrong,andwewentdown2-3inacloselyfoughtandexcellentgameofhockey.A3-1winagainsttheLeysschooltowardtheendoftheseasoncementedthequalityandsuccessoftheteamwinning10outof12strongfixtures.ThewholeteamdeservesamentionfortheirindividualperformancesbutmustincludeNoahLipschitz,JamesBarberandNickStride(Captain)whodisruptedtheoppositionattackanddistributedtheballwonderfully,andChrisWilliams,DanBurnleyandJoeSayersfortheirgreatgoals.LukeWildecontrollingthegameinthemiddlewithHarryTurnerandChrisWhartonmadeexcellentsaves.Ithasbeenagreatpleasuretocoachthisyear’s2ndXI.

RDD

ThenewseasonbeganwiththeawayatMerchantTaylor’sSchoolandanewlyorganisedsideas

threehadbeenselectedforthe1stXISquad(Thomson,EdmondandHemsi)andCookwasinjuredfromCross-Country.Onacoldmorningonthewater-basedpitchwentdown2-1despitegoodplay.Strategicallythemoreaware,welackedpersonalcloseskillstocapitalise.Thisproblemwastoshowitselfthroughouttheseason.Harunascoredtheonlygoalby‘poaching’atthebackpost.

HometoHABSSaturdayafternoonandadisappoint-ing1-1draw.Wehadseveralchancesanddidallwecould,butfailedtobeatthekeeperwhoplayedwell.ItwasdecidedtoplayagainstDulwich3rdXIwhowas,asexpected,notveryskilful,butenthusiastic.Onaverynarrowpitchwithlittleroomtoplay,the4-0winreflectedoursuperiorknowledgeandskill.

Watfordweregoodontheirownsurface,althoughourworkratewasexcellentandwetroubledthem,

levellingat1-1withfifteentogo,onlytoconcedetwomore.OurdefencewasslowtoreactattimesandSenounimadesomegoodsaves.AnewfixturewastofollowandawayonaWednesdaytoRGSHighWycombe.WithourthreeplayersbackforthedayfromtheFirsts,wehadgreatercontrol,especiallyuphighandright.Agreatmatchensuedwithustakingtheleadthroughaback-postsweepbyBosatta.Drawing2-2withtimerunningoutinthefastestpacegamemostplayershadplayed,pressureproducedanerrorandHemsistruckwellfromthetopoftheDfora3-2win.OneofthebestU16matchesIhaveseen.

FollowinghalftermourU16AguestswereFelstedSchool:acompetitiveandskilfulopponentwhowantedtowinmorethanus.Wehadanopengoalwhen2-0downandthenfourfurthergoodchances.Withconfidencewaningwedefendedmoreandmoreonlytoconcedethreetowardstheend.Moralesankand0-5didn’treflectthetwosides’standard.Next,hometoHitchinGSandabattled2-2draw.Wewerebetterandcouldandshouldhavewon,butitwasgoodtore-establishmoralehavinggonebehindtwiceinthegame.

TheLeysSchoolarealwaysagoodcontestandawaymakesitharder.TheMan-of-the-MatchwasSenouniingoalwhomademanygreatsavesanditwas0-0athalf-time,butwhentheyeventuallybeatSenounitheydidsorepeatedlyasthedefencelostconfidence(lost0-4).Thencameamatch(andamarvellousEnglandplayer)thatshowedwhathappenswhenallconfi-denceisgone.Wedidscoreone,but‘England’scoredfivealonewithrunsandtheteamaddedfourmore.ThelastgameoftheseasontookustoMillHillandperhapsanopponentlesspractisedthanmany.Withsomeindividualsofgoodpotential,butastructurewithobviousholes,weweregiventimeandthathelpedgreatly.Edmondscored2asdidSpoonerandthe4-0wasjustifiedforwhatcanbeagoodsideandwiththeothersplayersbackfrom1stXIduty,averygoodside.Itwasagreatpityitwassodisrupted.WelldonetotheladsfortheirperseveranceandtpMetcalfwhocaptainedandplayedverywelltogainaplaceregularlyinthe2ndXI.

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TheBigDreamU14XIHockey

TheU13hockeyteamhadaslowstarttotheseasonbutasitprogressedtheteambuiltuponeverymatchandfinishedtheseasonwithsuccess.Thecountyminiswerethebiggestsuccessoftheseasonwhereonlyalastminutegoalinthesemi-finalhaltedtheirprogresstotheregionalcompetition.WinsagainstHabsandWatfordBoysinthegroup,whohadbeatenusearlierintheseason,pavedthewayalongsidean8-0victoryagainstStClementDanes.Althoughitwasashametomissoutonthefinal,alotoflessonswerelearntthroughouttheseasonintoughlosseswhichwillundoubtedlyhelpintheirprogressnextyear.

TNR

AMiniMiracleU13XIHockey

TheU15shadaremarkableseason–inthatnomatchesweredelayed,cancelledorpostponedduetotheweather,quitetheoppositefromthepreviousyear.

Theseasonstartedwithaclose1-1drawwithMerchantTaylor’s,captainedbyHugoStephens.InwhichStAlbansledformostofthematchbutalateequaliserdeniedusthevictory.Nextwehadasolid7-0winagainstHabs,butweshouldhavemademoreoftheopportuni-tiesandputawayseveralmore.

ThiswasthenfollowedbyatoughgameagainstDulwichCollege,inwhichwelost4-1.Thisprovedtobeaturningpointandourplayfromtherewentdownhill-butsomeexcellentsavesfromSamAlexanderasgoaliekeptusinit,andwewereunluckynottoscoreagain.

TheU15sthentravelledtoHarrowandsecureda3-1win,whichwasfollowedbyasplendidHarrowtea,makingthejourneymorethanworthwhile.

Agood1-1drawagainstWatfordGrammarwasnext-whilstourvisittoAldenhamwasphysical,butweplayedwellandwereunluckytocomeawaywitha0-1loss.Ascrappy0-1lossagainstHitchinbrokeourrunofgoodplay.

Perhapsoneofourbestperform-ancesoftheseasonwasagainstFelsted,losingnarrowly3-2.Agreatimprovementfromthe6-1defeattheyearbefore.

WehadagoodperformanceagainstHaileybury,comingawaywitha2-1victory-butwewentdowntoTheLeys0-2,anddidwelltoholdoutagainstanonslaughtofwell-workedattacks.Thefollowingweekweturnedthingsaround,andwon2-0againstDrChalloner’s.Thefollowingmatchcontinuedinthisvein,withagreatperformanceagainstMillHill-winning4-2toendtheseasonstrongly.

VS

SticksandStonesU15XIHockey

Haileyburythenmadeit2-1,beforeJamieSandersonwentthroughongoalandscored,makingit3-1athalftime.Inthesecondhalf,weplayedwithlessenthusiasm,yet,afterawellworkedcounterattack,GusLaws-Matherscoredtomakeit4-1.

WearrivedatCambridge,todiscoverwewereplayingtheLeys’U15Bside,aphysicallystrongersidewhoopenedthescoringafter15minutes.StAlbansshowedlittleenergyandproducedsomepoorhockey.TheLeysscoredoncemoreafterhalftime,meaning2-0wasthefinalscorelineafteradisappoint-ingdisplay,theagegapprovingthedifferenceontheday.

OurfourthawaygamewasagainstDrChalloner’s;ourbiggestvictoryoftheseason.Wedominatedearlyon,and,althoughChalloner’sscoredafterthebreak,Guswentontocompletehishat-trick,beforeTomFultonscoredthefifthtocompletethe5-1rout.

OurlastgameoftheseasonwasawayatMillHill.Atoughaffair,althoughwemanagedtomakeit1-0throughAlexScholefield.Afterhalf-time,wecontinuedtoputpressureontheoppositiongoalandmadeit2-0throughaluckyfinishfromGusLaws-Mather.WeheldouttowinaftersomegreatsavesfromtheoutstandingFreddieDeaconGregory,acomfortablewintofinishtheseasonon.

Will Thompson

TheU14HockeyteamstartedtheirseasonawayatMerchantTaylor’s,Athalftimeitwas1-0,butwestillhadalotofworktodo.However,itended1-1,atightaffair.

OursecondgameoftheseasonwasatHABS.Afterwe’dscoredbeforehalftime,HABSequalisedagainsttherunofplay,butwehitbackviadebutantGusLaws-Mather,andawell-workedgoalfromMaxSwanwrappedupthewin.

NextupwasDulwichCollege,agamewhichwewon3-0duetosometopclassdefendingandfinishing,agoodwintotakeintoournextgame.

Ourluckdidn’tlast,withthefirstlossoftheseasona1-2defeattoBishops’StortfordCollege.OurthirdhomegameoftheseasonagainstWatfordGrammarwasadominantdisplaywhichfinished4-0,beforeascrappyaffairagainstAldenhamwithneithersidetakingcompleteholdonthegame,butStAlbansgrabbedthefirstgoalinwhatwasahardfought,1-0win.

Wehadanotherhomegame,thistimeagainstHarrow,inwhichweunfortunatelywentdown6-1.Theywerebyfarthesuperiorteam,anditwasatoughdayforus.

A1-1drawagainstHitchinanda1-0lossagainstFelstedinEssexbroughtusuptoaneventfulmatchagainstHaileybury.

After15minutesAlexScholefieldproducedanexcellentfinishtoputus1-0up,beforeMilanYickscoredfromcloserangetomakeit2-0.


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Thiswasanexcitingandsuccess-fulseasonforatalentedcropofplayers.TheseasongotunderwaywithDrChalloner’sathomefora30overgame.Challoner’swonthetossandfieldedfirst.StAlbansstartedwellonafirmwicket,andthefirstwicketfellat100withBarberrunoutfor37.CaptainGeorgeScottwentontoget85,butonlyGoldstonemadedoublefiguresafterwardsand5wicketsfellfor10runsattheendoftheinnings.Neverthelessweweresetwellwith168-7.InreplyChal-loner’smade142alloutinthe27thover.Theresultwasneverreallyindoubt,despitetheirlowerorderscoringtherunsafterTaylortookfourearlywickets.AlthoughtheHaileyburyfixturewasrainedoff,theweatherclearedupforustohosttheNationalT/20quadrangu-larwithHaileybury,AldenhamandLangleyPark.

WeweredrawnagainstAldenhamforanotheryear,achievingthesameresult.Wedecidedtobatandreached167-5withBurnleyscoringanimpressive66,assistedbyArmstrong’s40.InreplyAldenhammanagedonly97,withawicketoffthelastball.ThefinalwasagainstLangleyParkwhoelectedtofield,andbowledskilfullytorestrictusto142-9withrunsfromPScott(28),Goldstone(23),Burnley(35)andLipschitz(23).WerespondedwithtightbowlinganditwasgoodtoseeKillengettingtwowicketsafterhisillness,aswellastwoforthecaptain,restrictingthevisitorsto97-8,whichsealedavictorioustournament.

Bancroftsfollowed,andwithoutCaptainGScott,RobbieGoldstonetookchargeandfaredwell.Ashakystartleftus12-2beforeastandbetweenGoldstone(71)andP.Scott(74)helpedusto141forthethirdwicket,andwefinishedonastrongtotalof194allout.InreplyTaylorbowled7oversforonlyfiveruns,puttingenormouspressureonincomingbatsmen,andBancroftswerealloutfor171.PScottwasmanofthematchwithtwowicketsaswellashis74.

ThefollowingfixturewastheNationalT/20awayatMerchantTaylor’sSchoolonaFridaynight.

Againwewereputintobatandmadeapaltry98,ourcaptaintopscoringwith23.Questionableumpiring,andanunbroken48bytheircaptainsawthemhomeinthesixteenthover,andwecrashedoutofthecup.

Haberdashersathomecamenext,andtheywererestrictedto164-4fromtheir40overs.ConsistentbowlingfromGeorgeandPatrickScottheldbackthevisitors,beforeexceptionalbattingensuredthewin–GeorgeScotthit103notoutandPatrickScottexactly50notout.

ThefirstmatchafterhalftermwasagainsttoughopponentsBerkham-stedSchool.Apleasingbowlingandfieldingperformancerestrictedthehomesideto142.Anexcellent48fromGScottreducedthetargetquickly.Aspateofstrangedecisionsfollowed,andweunfortunatelylostby13runs.

AylesburyGSchosetobatfirst.Thefirstwicketdidn’tfalluntil78,butthefourthat160wasworry-ing.However,fewmorerunswereaddedandtheyfinishedon168-6.InresponseLipschitzscored70,helpedbythetopfive,andwewonwithanovertospareby4wickets.

MerchantTaylor’sSchoolfollowedatWoollams.ThecaptainwonthetossandanexcellentinningsbyPScott(82)helpedusto175-8againstsomeaccuratebowling.WithTaylorinjured,14year-oldCScottsteppedup.Hecameonsecondchangeandtook5-5from6overstochangethegame.MTSrallied,butagoodrunoutbyPScottkeptthemdown.Theyfinished128alloutandwehadafinewinby47runs.An‘Extra1stXI’wasputtogetherforthevisitofCaulfieldGSontour,apoorgameinwhichwescored161-5in35overs,losingbysevenwickets.

TheSaturdaymatchwasawaytoBedfordSchool,anunbeatenoppo-nentwhoreached131-2whentherainstoppedplayafter23overs.

TheannualMCCMatchwasplayedonthetraditionalTuesday,withonebatsmanscoringacenturyandanother91aftertwomissedop-portunities.243runstochasein40overswastricky,andno-onewentfurtherthanLipschitz’s55.Thefinal

scoreof217wascommendablebutwithoutthecaptainandotherstrikebowler,thiswasachallengingmatch.

ThefirstdayoftheStAlbansSchoolU18Twenty/20Tourna-mentsawuswithararelossintheopeningmatch.Ourdecisiontobatfirstprovedfatalastheoutfielddriedandthewicketplayedmoreeasily.130-6wasnotenough,andwecouldn’tcontainthemastheywonwithsevenballsremaining.

Wehadeverythingtodoafterthisloss,butwemanagedtocruisepastKing’sSchoolIIfromParramatta,Australiafor3downin15overs.NextmorningastrongReigatesidepushedhardafterinsertingus,butaverygood166-5wasenoughtowinby24runs.Third/fourthplay-offwasanotherstraightforwardwinandwefinishedthirdby30runs,feelingthatwecouldhavewonthetournament.

ThePresident’sXIwasanenjoy-ablegame,butwewereneverreallycompeting,andtheyfinished161-9after40oversandthreewicketseachforKnightsandKillen.Inreplywehad54fromBurnley,and35fromKillenmadehimManoftheMatch.

Timegoesby,andthiswillbemylast1stXIreportasItakemyleaveasMasteri/cCricketaftertwentyyears.Iwishmysuccessor,MrIlott,allthepleasureIenjoyedduringmywonderfultimeatthehelm.

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TheU15teamexperiencedtheva-gariesofanEnglishsummerhavingonlytwomatchesstartedinthefirsthalfofterm.CancellationonSaturdayswasprobablythethemeofthetermandthisdisruptedthecontinuityrequiredtoimproveconsistencyandform.ThematchesthatwereplayedatthestartoftermyieldedhardfoughtwinsagainstBancroft’sandHaberdash-ersby2wicketsand5wicketsrespectively.AgainstBancrofts,Goldstone(51),TownsendandStewartbattedsensiblytochasedownatotalof153in34overs.IntheHaberdashersmatcha74off43ballsfromWillStewartturnedaroundamatchthatseemedtobedriftingawayatthehalfwaypointinourinningschasing151.

Whiletheteamcompetedwellinthesecondhalfofterm,theyfoundthemselvescomingoutonthe

InRainbowsU15XICricket

wrongendofverytightmatches.IntheCountyCupagoodbattingperformanceinthefirstroundsawthembeatVerulamby14runs,butthenwewerebeateninthenextroundbyWatfordGrammar,whochaseddownourtotalwithrelativeease.IntheDistrictCuptheeven-tualwinnersSirJohnLawesbeatus;thisgamewenttothewirewithStAlbansendingup7runsshortatthefinishofthe20overmatch.

MoreSaturdaymatcheswerecancelledduetotherainuntilwefinallyplayedablockfixturewithMerchantTaylors.Thiswasagoodteamperformanceagainstaverystrongsideand,havingrestrictedthemto158fromtheirovers,westartedbrightlybutfinallyranoutofsteamandwicketsinachaseending16runsshort.OurfinalblockfixturewithBedfordprovedalovelydrivewithnocricket;again

TheseasoncommencedwithamidweekfixtureagainstDrChal-loner’swhereweshowedoffthequalityofthisyear’ssquad.Theoppositionbattedfirst,andwererestrictedbysometightbowlingto96for9off30overs,AlexThomsonbowling3for11offhis6overs,andWillPickworthwith3for16fromhis6-overspell.However,ourbatsmenlabouredtothetotal,andonlysnatchedvictorywith10ballsremaining.

ThebattingimprovedagainstHaileybury,andopeningpairAngelandPickworthracedtotheirfiftieswithsomeease.Pickworthfellfor78butAngelgrabbedhishundred,runoutonthepenultimateballfor136,givingtheteam246,ahugescorefortheoppositiontochase.Ourbowlerskeptthepressureon,Thomsontaking3for5from5overs,andLukeWildeaddinganother3wickets.Haileybury’sbattingmerelydelayedtheinevi-tablewithStAlbansrunningoutwinnersby104runs.

ThetwohomematchesagainstQEBandBerkhamstedwerewashedout,buttheawayfixturesatBancroft’sremained.Bancroft’s(withtenplayers)battedfirstand

werebowledoutfor118off29.4overs.JamalFaisalopenedthebowlingwellandrecordedfiguresof3for18offhis6overs.TheStAlbanstopordersurpassedthetargetin16overswith8wicketsinhand,andthetopperformerswereJaymeeMalkan(44)andJoeZacaroli(43).

WetravelledtoHabsnext,andinatoughfixtureourbowlingandfield-ingwasuncharacteristicallyerratic.Habssetahightargetof182for9,andwehadtorespondpositivelywiththebat.Angel(46)andOliverLaws-Mather(39)openedwell,buttherunratewastoohighandthewicketsstartedfalling.Themiddleorderhadaloftyrunratetochase,anddespitegoodtotalsfromZac-aroli(30notout)andJackKillen(26notout),ultimatelywewere7runsshort.

Webouncedbackinournexthomefixture,anddismissedAylesburyfor95,GeorgeMac-Gregortaking4for11off3oversandWildecontributing3for11.Angelhitanimpressive56,andwestrolledtothetotalinjust15oversandwith9wicketsinhand,awelcomereturntowinningways.

WethenfacedMerchantTaylor’s,andwithcaptainJoeZacaroliabsent,WillPickworthsteppedup,inspiringawonderfulfieldingper-formance.Pickworthhimselftook3wicketsin14balls,andMTSweredismissedfor78.Ourbatsmenscoredtheirrunsquicklyandpurposefully,andStAlbanscruisedtowardsa5wicketwin.

Duetorain,ourfinalmatchagainstBedfordwasdelayed,andreducedto20oversaside.Zacarolifellearlyon,bringingMalkantothecrease.AngelandMalkan’ssecondwicketpartnershipthenterror-isedtheBedfordattack,andaftertheyfellfor59and61respectively,themiddleorderhelpedboostthescoreto171forthelossof6wickets.TherunratewashardforBedfordtobeat,andtheyreached107for5offtheir20overs.

Wildetoppedthewickettallyfortheseasonwith10andPickworthtoppedboththebowlingandbattingaverageswith8.4runsperwicket,andabattingaverageof95,andwasonlydismissedonce.DanAngel’soutstandingcontributionswiththebatearnedhim355runsat59.2,andMostImprovedPlayerforthe2ndXI.

CJE

Angel’sAscent2ndXICricket

thetorrentsoflocalisedraininBedfordthwartingoureffortstoplay.Theseasonconcludedasadampsquib,havinglostfiveSatur-dayfixturestotheweatherwithoutaballbeingbowled.

Thisgroupwasadelighttoworkwithandremainedcommittedandpositivethroughout;theirskillsetsimprovedandcollectiveunitywasencouraging.Mypersonalhighlightwasourquick-changeactatMer-chantTaylorswiththe12thmanhavingtositinshortsasoneofourcompanyhadforgottenhiswhites,sowitheachchangeoffieldwehadachangeof‘pants’.Ilookforwardtotheircontinuedprogressinthissport.

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TheseasongotofftoawetstartwiththeBerkhamsted,HaileyburyandQEBarnetgamesbeingcalledoff.However,webeganourfirstfewfixturesstrongly,grabbingacomprehensivevictoryoverBan-croft’sby9wickets,havingbowledthemoutfor74.ThiswasfollowedbywinsintheearlystagesoftheCountyCup.ThefirsttestcamewhenwecameupagainstastrongHabsside.Afterwhatseemedtobeastrongperformancewiththeball,reducingthemto130alloutonagoodpitch,thebattingstartedpoorlywithearlywicketslost.However,afirstrecoverywasledbyKyleDouglashittingapower-ful36beforehisdismissalcausedanothercollapse.StAlbanswereleftwith4runstowinoff2balls.InhisA-teamdebut,HenryCallenderstrodetothemiddleanddismissedhisfirstballovermid-wicketforfour,sealinga3wicketwin.

WithfurtherwinsagainstAyles-buryGrammar,Watfordand

TheU13shadsomepromis-ingmomentsduringtheseason,however,towinagameofcricket,alltheelementshavetobeintheirrightplace.Indeed,thereweremanyoccasionsonwhichhavingrestrictedto,ordismissedasideforasmallishtotalagoodbattingperformancewasrequiredtocompletethevictory.Theteamdidimprovethroughouttheseason,andpleasinglywewereonlydis-missedonce.

Themostnoteworthyvictorywasagainstourlocalrivals,StColumba’s,intheDistrictCup:weheldthemto72for8andchasedthistotaldownforthelossofonlyonewicket.Hubbardwasmanofthematchwith3wicketsand37notout,anditwasunfortunatethatthefinalwashinderedbyrainbut,havinglostonlyonewicket,wewerewellbehindtherunrateand,withnoprospectoffurtherplay,theothersideweredeclaredthevictors.

EverythingInItsRightPlaceU13XICricket

AldenhamintheCountyCup,weonceagaincameupagainstHaber-dashersinthesemi-final.StAlbans

WewerealsounluckyintheCountyCup.HavingheldParmiter’sto92for8,wewereheadingforvictoryuntilsomelatewicketsheldusto91for6,andalossbythesmallestofmargins.

Thereweresomefineindividualperformancesduringtheseason:Khan’s44notoutagainstAylesburyGrammarSchoolandHubbard’s35againstParmiter’sweretwofineknocks,withKhanandHubbardalsoreachingdoublefiguresinthenumberofwicketstaken.Jagsibowledlineandlength,Baskarancouldturntheball,Samarasinghedevelopedintoafineoffspinner,andNejadvariedtheattackwithhisleftarmoverandhislateorderbatting.

Thiswasadevelopingteam;buttheywereallapleasuretoworkwith.Overalltheyhadgreatteamspiritandtheyplayedthegamewiththerightattitude;Ilookforwardtoseeingthemflourishinthefuture.

BSB

LeavingTheOpponentsStumpedU14XICricket

gotofftoastrongstartbyrunningouttheiropeningbatsmaninthefirstoverbutunfortunatelyitthenwentdownhillwithHaberdashersreaching120,atotaltheyshouldneverhavebeenabletoattain.Thebattingneverlookedthreatening,andwewerevictimtoseveralearlywickets,meaningthatwewentontolose.Thiswasaverydisappoint-ingresultasthesidehadfarmoretalentthantheopposition.

However,thiswasturnedaroundattheweekendwithawinagainstaverystrongMerchantTaylor’sside,withKyleDouglassmashing55notouttowinthegamebyonewicketinthelastover,andthe10thwicketpartnershipmaking40runswithsomestubbornbattingfromAmanJha.ThenextweekendtheyonceagaincameupagainstastrongBedfordside,whoshowedtheirclasswhereStAlbansdidn’t.Thiswasamassivedisappointment,aswebeatthemtheyearbefore

Overall,theUnder14swon9outof11oftheirgames,buthadthesideperformedtotheirbestallyearround,itwouldhavealmostbeenaguaranteed11outof11.

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TheFootballTourtoPortugaltookplacebetweenthe13thandthe19thofFebruary,involving32boysfromtheU15andSeniorsquadsand4membersofstaff.MeetingatWoollamsat4amtheThursdaymorningbeforehalf-termbreak,thetourpartycaughtanearlyflightandarrivedinLisbonwithenoughtimetosettleintoourbaseinCostadaCaparica,aseasideresortareajusttothesouthofthecity.Thatafternoonsawthefirstofthreematchesforbothteamsagainstthelocalclubside.TheU15s,perhapswearyaftertheirearlystarttothedayandfindingitdifficulttoadjusttothe3Gsyntheticsurfacewentdown3-1aftergoingaheadbyagoaltoOllieHarrisinthefirsthalf.ThiswasthefirsttimethisgroupofplayershadplayedtogethersincelastseasonandtheywereoutmatchedbyasidethathadbeenplayingtogethersinceOctober.Theseniorsre-establishedEnglishprideinfinefashionbypullingaparttheircounterparts5-0inacommand-ingperformance.Despitebeingbedriddenthedaybeforethetourdeparted,FraserTitchenstampedhisimpactonthematchwithabraceofgoalsandasmanyassists.JordanBayer-Goldman,GeorgeMacGregorandDapoOsinuga(scoringwithhisfirsttouch)com-pletedtherout.

ThesecondpairofmatchesagainstGCCorroiosinwarm,dryconditions,provedamuchmorechallengingaffairfortheseniors.MikeSlaterledastoicdefenceinaman-of-the-matchperformance,butunfortunatelywasunabletopreventhissidefromfallingtoa0-2defeatagainstaveryprofes-sional-lookingoutfit.Withouttheirstarplayer,TolajiBolawhowasinjuredinthefirstmatch,theU15sbegantheirsecondmatchwellandcouldhavegoneaheadearlyon,butforOllieHarris’attemptongoalbeingkeptoutbytheoppositionkeeper.Hadthisshotfounditswayintothebackofthenet,thecomplexionofthegamecouldhavechanged.Unfortunately,StAlbansconcededshortlyafter,butfoughthardtoremaincompetitiveeveninthefaceofan11mansubstitutionbytheoppositiononthehourandcouldhavelevelledthroughaLars

Tuinemafreekickinthesecondhalf.Thescoreended0-1,however,theresultcouldhavegoneeitherwayinasee-sawmatch.

Thelastsetofmatchessawusplayinganotherclubside,CACPotinha,onthegroundsofStJulian’sSchoolundertheirflood-litsyntheticpitch.Thepartywasgivenasurpriseencounterbyamemberoftheschool’scurrentteachingstaffbeforethematches.UnfortunatelytheappearanceofformerSASEconomicsMasterAlanCarmandidnotprovetobeagoodomen.TheU15s,althoughbolsteredbythereturnofTolajiBola,concededearlyinbothhalvesthroughdefensiveerrors.DespitestrikingbackthroughtheheaderofJoeGalliford,StAlbansweregivenalessoninfootballbythemosttechnicallyskilfulsideatthisage-groupthatanymembersofthecoachingstaffhadseen.Thematchendedina1-4loss,reflectingthegulfinabilitybetweenthetwosides.Althoughtheyhadnotwonamatch,theU15squadlearnedmuchfromthesefixturesandthroughthequalityoftheiroppositionappreciatedwhyfootballisalsoknownasthebeautifulgame.

Theseniorsdominat-edtheopeningspelloftheirmatch,butwerehit twice

onthecoun-

ter-attack.The0-2score-lineathalf-timedidnotreflectthelevelofdominanceStAlbansshowed.Withtheintroduc-tionof1stXIcaptainJordanBayer-Goldman,thesidewereinjectedwithsomemuchneededimpetusgoingforwardandhehadahandinbothgoalsinanigglysecondhalf;scoringoneandsettingupKitAkinfortheother.Withmomentumswingingthewayofthetouringside,wewereunabletoretainourcomposureunderconstantpres-suretoputthenailinthecoffinandthegameendeda2-2draw.Withawin,adrawandaloss,theseniorsquadhadamoresuccess-

fultour,despitebeingweakenedbyseveralkeyplayersdecidingnottotravel.

ThebesttouristswereawardedtoOllieHarrisintheU15squadandMikeSlaterfortheseniorsquad.ThebestpayertrophieswereawardedtoTomGoldstoneandRobbieTominey-NevadofortheU15sandSeniorsrespectively.

Outsideofthematches,thetouringpartyweregivingavarietyofexperiencestogivethemaninsightintothePortuguesewayoflife.AvisitoftheimpressiveEstadiodaLuz,homeofBenficawasoneofthehighlights.WemetVitoriaandGloria,thetwoeaglemascotsoftheclub.TheboyswerethentreatedtoaPrimieraLigamatchbetweenthirdplacedSportingLisbonandlowlyOlhanense.Whilethematchwasafairlyinsipidaffair,endingina1-0winforthehometeam,theboysjoinedinwiththefans’exuberantsupport,testingoutthelocalchantstheyhadlearnedfromthelocal tourguide.

Ononeofthefreemornings,

wevisitedthehillsidetownofSintra;its

palacesandcastlehavingplayedhosttoanumberofcelebritiesin-cludingJohnnyDepp,AgathaChris-tie,LordByronandHansChristianAnderson.ThetourthencontinuedtoCabodaRoca,thewesternmostpointofcontinentalEuropeandthebeachesofCascaisandEstoril,whereCristianoRonaldoandJoseMourinhohaveholidayapartments.

AnotherhighlightlateinthetourwasavisittoOcean-ariodeLisboa,thelargestaquariuminEurope,thecentrepieceofwhichisa5000cubicmetretankthatishometooverahundredspecies,

includingsharks,raysandagiantoceansunfish.

Whilethefootballresultswerenotinourfavour,thetouritselfwasasuccess;theboysgainingmuchexperiencefromplayingfootballinEuropeandvisit-ingsomeofLisbon’smostfamoussights.

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BestFootForward1stXIFootballPlaguedbyinjuryandwithcount-lessplayersnotstartingintheirnaturalpositions,theFirstTeammadeitthroughaturbulentseasonwithameasureofsuccess.AfterexitingtheCountyCuptoaverystrongRoundwoodsideintheAutumnTerm,theybouncedbackalmostimmediately,puttingtogetherastrongstringofresults,includingbigwinsoverStCo-lumba’sandBishop’sStortford,twoofthefewoccasionswhenafullstrengthteamwasabletoplay.TheSpringTermbeganonafarstrongernote,withahardfoughtvictoryoverateamfromtheColdStreamGuards,anannualfixturethatoftenprovestobeanythingotherthanthefriendlyitisrecordedas.Thisgamecoincidedwithareturntoformofthisyear’scaptain,JordanBayer-Goldman,whoseexplosiveburstsfrommidfieldandregularappearanceonthescoresheethaveprovedinvaluableduringthethreeyearshehasplayedfortheFirsts.

Withhalf-termapproaching,alleyeswerefocusedonthejoint1stXIand4thFormTourtoPortugal,whichprovedtobeasbigasuccessastheprevioustourtoCyprus.Innearapocalypticconditions,theFirstTeamovercameastubbornlocaloutfit,winning6-0,andsincethescorewas0-0athalftime,itiscleartoseesuperiorfitnesswasakeyfactorintheireventualvictory.Thesecondmatchofthetourwassurroundedincontroversy,askickofftimeswereswappedaround,andtheFirstswentdown2-0toaverytechnicallyableclubside,whobenefitedfromthehotconditions-asourplayersbegantowiltinthemiddaysun,theyonlygrewmoreenergetic.Thefinal

gameofthetourwasafarmoreevenaffair,playedonanextremelynarrowpitch,endingwitha2-2drawthatwaswellearnedbybothsides.Overalltheteamcopedverywellwiththealiencondi-tions,competingwithteamsthatplayinaverydifferentstyletoonesthatmightbeencounteredinEngland.Furthermore,itprovedanexcellentbondingopportunityforthesquad,leadingtoacohesive-nessthatperhapshadnotbeensopronouncedbeforethetour,andprovidedtheopportunityfortwo5thformers,JackSwanandDapoOsinuga,tostamptheirauthorityontheFirstTeam,settingthemupwellforthe2014-15season.PlayerofthetourwasRobbieTominey-Nevado,whohasbeenchosenascaptainforthefollowingseason,andspecialmentionmustgoouttodominantperformancesatthebackfromMichaelSlaterandMatthewFeast,aswellastothemidfieldduoofFreddieScuttandGeorgeMacgregor,whoaddedtheperfectmixtureofdefensivesteelandattackingflairtoateamthatattimesappearedunplayablewhilstontheoffence.

Althoughnotaseasonfilledwithtrophiesandmate-rialgain,2013-14hascertainlybeenvaluabletotheFirsts,settingthemupperfectlyforthefollowingseason,wherethechancesofsuccesshaveseeminglygrown,asthesquad

appearstobemuchlarger,and,followingthecomingofageoftheArsenalU17andnowEnglandU16player,TolajiBola,relativelystrongeralso.Finally,sincethiswasthefinalyearwheretheFirstswerecoachedbyMessrsForbes-White-headandWilson,agreatthankyoumustgoouttothemforthemanyyearsoftoilandefforttheyhavedevotedintoschoolfootball,turningitfromamereafterthoughtonthesportingcalendar,tooneofthemainevents,creatingalegacyofsuccessinboththeDistrictandLBCupthatwillmostcertainlybecontinuedunderthewisetutelageofMarkIlottintheyearstocome.

Robbie Tominey-Nevado

Taking a free kick (above) Joel Rabinowitz running with the ball (below)

BittersweetBrillianceU14XIFootball

2014wasarelativelysuccessfulseasonfortheU14Footballteam,asthecampaignkickedoffwiththreehard-foughtdrawsaswestruggledtofindourbestcombina-tionofplayers.Theseincludeda2-2drawagainstStEdmund’s(bothofourgoalsscoredbyCharlieScott),a1-1drawagainstBeaumont,and

a4-4drawagainstHaileybury;thelastofwhichshouldhaveendedinourfirstwin.Butafterbeing4-2upgoingintothelast10minutesofthematch,aseriesofsillydefen-siveerrorscausedustoconcedetwoverylategoals.Whenvictoryfinallycame,itcameinanemphaticfashionwitha9-0winoverRound-

wood,thefirstoffivedominantdisplaysoverthecourseoftheseason,whichendedinequallyone-sidedscorelines.

Anarrow0-1lossagainstDrChal-loner’swasfollowedbyanotherbig7-1win,thistimeagainstSandring-ham.InthelastSaturdaygameof

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theseasonwedrew1-1againstStColumba’sinamatchoftwocontrastinghalves.Afterdominatingthefirsthalf,scoringanearlygoalandmissingseveralothergoodchancesweletStColumba’staketheinitiativeinthesecondhalf.Thedefencestooduprobustlyagainsttheoppositiononslaught,denyingthemseveralgoodscoringopportunities,butconcededfromacornerwithonlyminutesremain-ing–adisappointingresultafterholdingontotheleadforsuchalongspellofthegameandmeaningweonlyhad2winsand4drawsfromthesevenSaturdaymatchesplayed.

ThelastfewweeksoftheseasonsawusbeginourruntowardstheDistrictCupFinal.Thefirstcoupleofroundsresultedinresoundingwins:includinga6-0thrashingofTownsend;anemphatic7-0winoverRoundwoodandatrouncingofMarlborough9-0inthesemi-final.KyleDouglaswasparticularlydevastatingupfrontinthelasttwoofthesematches,terrorisingtheopposition’sdefenceandscoringfourgoalsinbothgames.PropelledintothefinalagainstVerulamourconfidencewashigh,evenwithKyleunavailable.Afteranervystart,weconcededearlyonandwerechasingthegamefortherestofthefirsthalf.Awelcomebreakathalf-timeallowedustoregroupandcomeoutattacking.Wecontrolledmuchofthesecondhalfandourpressurefinallypaidoff,intheformofalobbedgoalfromJackBerglas.Asthefinalwhistlewasapproach-ingwebegantotirenoticeably,andVerulamtookadvantage,splittingourdefenceandscoringwithonlyfiveminutesleft.Throwingeveryoneforwardintheremainingtime,wepushedforanequaliser.However,itnevercame.

Itwasabittersweetendtotheseason,butwecanstillbeproud

ofendingDistrictCupRunnersUpandscoring47goalsin11matches,with5winsand4draws.

George H Leigh

Thetennisseasonwasasuccess-fuloneforStAlbansSchool,withsomeoutstandingindividualper-formances.WeparticipatedintheDistrictleagueatU13,U14,U15andSeniorlevel,withtheU14s,U15sandSeniorsalsotakingpartintheAegonCountyTennisLeague

TheseasonbeganwiththeannualsportscampatMillfieldSchool.StAlbanstook28tennisplayerstoenjoyanintensivefourdaysofsportscoaching.Ledbytopcoaches,theimprovementmadebytheboyswasexcellent.

MatchesgotofftoapositivestartwiththeSeniorAegonTeambeatingHaileybury5-1inmatches.TheSeniorGirlsDoublesTeammadeupofHannahGirdlestoneandSarahMcGawcompetedattheGirls’DoublesTournamentinHarpenden.Theyplayedsomeconsistenttennis,againsttoughoppositionsuchasBenendenandQueenswood.TheU15shadasuccessfulseasonwithwinsagainstMonksWalk,BeaumontandBishop’sStortfordHighSchool.Similarly,theU13scontinuedtoimprovethroughouttheseason,beatingBeaumont,SirJohnLawes,Bishop’sStortfordandHaileybury.

ThehighlightoftheseasonwasoursuccessattheCountyDoublesTournamentheldattheRoyalMasonicSchool.CharlieTrollopeandTomBoonarenowtheU18CountyDoublesChampions,closelyfollowedbyJamesWilkin-sonandGeorgeDavisinsecondplace!WealsohadsuccessintheU14category,withBertieArbuth-nottandChrisFletcherplayingafantasticfinal,comingsecondtoHitchinBoysSchool,whohadaplayerrankedthirdinthecountry.

Welldonetoallinvolvedthrough-outtheseason.

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The girls enjoyed impressive seasons in netball and lacrosse

Girls’SportNetball

Asasquad,St.AlbansSchoolplayedthirty-onegames:wonseventeen;losttwelveanddrawntwo-thisequatestoa61%winpercent-ageoverall.However,theAteamwereenormouslysuccessfulwitha70%overallwinpercentage.Outoftwenty-threegamestheywonfifteenanddrewone.

Theseasongotofftoaflyingstart,withapositivepreseasontrain-ingsessionattheendofAugustandwassooninfullswing.Withparticularhighlightsbeinga20-18winagainstHaberdashers’Aske’sSchool,aswellascomingrunnersupintheBedfordGirls’SchoolNetballTournamentandDistrictCupNetballTournament.

However,thehighlightoftheseasonwastheDistrictLeagueNetballTournament.Afterwinningalltheirgamesandthesemi-finalconvincingly,St.AlbansSchool’sATeammetSt.AlbansHighSchoolforGirlsinthefinal.Thescoreatfulltimewas7-7,meaningthematchthenwentintoextendedplayandathalftimethegirlswereinthelead,butthenunluckilywere

TheSchool’slacrosseseasonwasasuccessfulone,withwinsagainstschoolswhichhavehadgirlsplayingtogethersincefirstyear,adistinctadvantage.

Lacrosse

TheseasonbeganwithatriangularfixtureagainstStAlbansHighSchoolandStGeorge’s.Weproduceda5-3winagainsttheHighSchool,withthefirstgoalbeingscoredwithinthefirstthreeminutesofthematch.Unfortunately,wewerenotassuc-cessfulagainstStGeorge’s,witha5-7loss.HavingjustplayedStAlbansHighSchoolmomentsbefore,fitnesslevelsweretested.

ThefollowingfixturesawStAlbansmeetStGeorge’sU16Squad.Theywereasurprisinglystrongteamandjustbeatus5-6,withagoalscoredinthelastminute.ItwasexcellenttoplayontheAstroturfsurface,onwhichthegamewasmuchfasterwhencomparedwithgrass.

StAlbansplayedBedfordGirlsSchool,andenjoyedafantastic11-4victory.Athalftime,thescorewas5-1toStAlbans,withthegirlsalreadyplayingwelltogetherasateam,evenatthisearlystageoftheseason.

Oakhamtravelledhereforanexcellentmatch,whichwewon6-5.Thismomentumcontinued,inspiteoftheabsenceofourtwostrong-estplayers,ourcaptainSophieButterworthandJemmaAttar.Wewentontogainastrong8-1winagainstHaberdashers.ThissuccessfollowedwithanevenstrongerwinagainstStGeorge’sSchool.

TheseasonconcludedwithamatchagainsttheBoy’s1stHockeyTeam,whichwewoncomfortably,withtheboysdressedupinHawaiianoutfits,andthegirlsasninjas.Itwassuchafunmatchthatbothteamswantedtoplayintoextratime.

Congratulationsgotothewholeteam,especiallytothegirlswhoonlypickedupthesportintheLower6th.SpecialmentionsgotothePlayerofTheSeasonandCaptain,SophieButterworth,andthemostimprovedplayeroftheseasonSarahMcGaw,whofirststartedplayinglacrosseintheL6th.Itwasapleasuretoseehergofromstrengthtostrengthwitheachmatch.

ThiswasagreatseasonandI’msurethenextseasonwillbeevenbetter,withanextendedfixturelist.

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defeated9-8bytheiropponents.Itisanimpressiveachievementtocomesocloseinthistournament-particularlybeinganewteam,andplayingagainstschoolsthathavebeentogetherforuptofiveyearswithmanygirlstochoosefrom.Averyimpressiveyear.

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AthleticsRecords2014

1stForm

JordanAjayi-Khiran 70mHurdles,12.3s

2ndForm

CameronFurley 80mHurdles,14.7s

AyoOlukotun 300m,41.7s

3rdForm

ThomasFulton 800m,2m09s1500m,4m25s

4thForm

CallumTownsend 100mHurdles,16.3s

Senior

AdamThorpe 800m,1m57s

BolajiAnifalaje TripleJump,13.36m

GeorgeGrant PoleVault,3.60m

Ladies

SarenaClarke 100m,12.9s200m,27.3s

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Attheannualpre-seasontrain-ingcampinPenArthur,thecrosscountryteamsetoutitsgoalfortheseason:toremainundefeated.Itwouldbealongyearinpursuitofthatambition,buteventuallyitwouldbeachieved.Thisisthestoryofthatundefeatedseason.

Thetrainingsessionshadbecomelongerandmoreendurancebased,developinggreaterstrengthandstaminainateamrenownedforitsrelayspeed.OnthedayoftheKing’strophy,theteamwasstartingtocomeintogoodform,butstilllackedsomeofthestrengthindepth,whichwouldberequiredlaterintheseason.LightowlerfoughtthroughatoughbattlewithSevenoaksstarChrisOlleytodefendhiswinfromlastyear.TheoutstandingrunofthedaycamefromfourthyearBenClarkewhocrossedthelinein8thplace,agutsyruncomingfromdedicatedtrainingandanexcellentprecedingtrackseason.ThisallowedStAlbanstofinishoverJudd.

Duetoanotherstintofhardtrain-ing,theHaskellCupinNovemberwasarealtriumphofteamper-formance,withtheAteamcomingfirstbyacomfortablemargin,theBteamthird,boostedbythereturnofinjuredCaptainRedwoodtoracing.AttheStAlbansrelaywewerepushedhard,beforeLightowl-erandRedwoodwereabletoopenupasizeableleadoverthefinaltwolaps.Wecouldnotaffordtobecomplacent;theotherschoolswerecomingintoform.

Theintermediateteamwastheninaction,havingmanagedtoreachthefinaloftheEnglishSchoolsCupforthefourthsuccessiveyear.BenClarkecaptainedtheteamwell,runningabraveracetofinish10thinaracedominatedbyDijkstra.FultonandJamesBrennanbattleditouttofinish36thand37threspec-tively,withArbuthnottfinishing91stinabreakthroughperformanceandBevanandAndersonin105thand129th.Theteamwasdisappointedtofinishsixth,butwiththeoddsstackedagainstthemtheydidallthatcouldbeexpectedofthem.

IntheU15sTomFultonandBenClarkefoughthardforthefinalqualificationspotsforthe

Inter-CountiesChampionships,finishingin8thand9threspec-tivelyandsepa-ratedbyamere2seconds.Bevanranwelltofinishin18th,withAr-buthnotin23rd.Theseperform-ancesallowedStAlbanstofinish3rdintheteamcompeti-tion.Lightowlerfinished2ndtointernationalathleteJamieDeeintheU17race,over6000m.DanMyershadanexcellentrunin4thplace,settinghimselfupwellfortheKnoleRunwhichwouldfollowthisracetwoweekslater.Despitetherespiteoverthewinterbreak,StAlbansmanagedtosecuretheteamhonoursoncount-backduetothefactthatourfinalscorer,TimRichardsin8th,fin-ishedtwoplacesaheadofthethirdShaftsburyBarnetathleteafteranimpressivesurgeonthefinalhill.

TheKnolerun,dominatedbytheJuddSchoolinrecentyearsandfearedforitslengthandsteepgradient,wouldbethesternesttestforStAlbansintheentireseason.Withasunnyraceday,PearceandLightowlermanagedtoestablishthemselvesinaleadinggroupoffiveleadbynational3000mcham-pionGusCockle,whowouldgoontofinishaclear2nd.Afterdrawingclearofthefieldintheleadpack,thetwoStAlbansrunnerseventu-allydroppedtofinish4thand5th.Redwoodrantheraceofatruecaptain,overcomingpoorformbyhisownhighstandardsinthefirsthalfoftheseasontofinish10th.Withgutscharacteristicofhisap-proachtotrainingandcompeting,AlexCookbattledinjurytofinishtherace,refusingtogiveup.Owen

PearcecompletedhisfirstKnolerun,beatingathirdofthefield,acautiousapproachallowinghimtomoveuponthefinallap.

Thebiggestraceoftheyear,theonethatmanyperceivetobetheunofficialnationalchampionships,istheKingHenryVIIIrelay.Myerssecured5thpositiononthefirstlegof2014’sespeciallymuddyeditionoftherace,handingovertoPearcewhomovedtheteamintotheleadoftherace.OverthethirdandfourthlegPyrkeandLight-owlerextendedtheleadandtheminute-widegapwasmaintained,withThorpeandthenRedwoodbringingtheteamhomefiftyfivesecondsclearofJudd.

AnalreadysuccessfulseasonfinallyculminatedattheSouthEastSchoolsChampionships,withsomeexcellentindividualperformancesintheJuniorandintermediateraces.Fultonfinished2nd,settinghimselfupwellforafinetrackseason,inwhichheranfasterforhisageoverthe1500mthananyStAlbansathleteinthelastdecade.Arbuth-not’ssteadyimprovementovertheseasonwasonceagainshownbyhis30thplace,demonstratinghisobviouspotentialfornextseason.Pyrkeleadtheintermediateteamhomein5thplace,withHallingandAlexanderalsofinishingwellin14thand26threspectively.Thefutureandpresentcaptainsfinished2ndand3rd.Thorpe’sfastfinishingcreditedhimwith7th.Redwoodcamethroughstronglyonthesecondlaptoriseto13thbythefinish,aheadofMyersin16th.Thetensewaitforthefinalfinisherthenbegan,andastrainedexpressionwasobservedbymanytocrossthefaceoftheHeadmaster,watchinghisfinalschoolcrosscountryrace.RyanAllen,injuredforthelast12monthsandunabletotrainformostoftheyear,ransuperblytoplace51st.NickHillisalsoworthyofmention,ashecompletedhisfirsteverracefortheSchool,storminghomealongsideLay.Thepairfinished118thand119th,Laycomingaheadbyameretwoseconds.ThisdramaresultedinStAlbanstakingthetitleintheseniorboysrace,alargecherryontopofanalreadywell-icedcake.

Mark Pearce

RunningMachinesCrossCountry

Mark Pearce signs off an excellent school cross country career

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UltimateFrisbeeenjoyedanothersuccessfulseason,especiallyduringthegamesafternoons,with64SeniorsandgrowingnumbersintheFourthForm.IntheSecondForm,threeteamsplayedUltimateasapartoftheInter-FormChallenge.TheoverallwinnerswereForm2.3,withanimpressive5-0wininthefinal,soclearlythereisplentyofup-and-comingtalent.Asformatches,theweatherunfortunatelypreventedSeanO’FlynncaptainingwhatwouldhavebeenaverystrongteamintheTonbridgetournament.NextyearAndrewQuigley,OliGaetonandothersmaywellgettheirchance.Closertohome,inthemini-tournamentwithMillHillandStPauls–theA-teambeatStPaul’sAs1-0.WithRoryBarlowscoringthedecisivewinner.Theydrew2-2againstMillHillA’s.TheBteamlost4-2againstMillHillBs,anddrew2-2againstStPaul’sBs.TheFourthFormalsoplayedaninauguralmatchagainstMillHill.

AJB and GDN

FloppyDiscsUltimateFrisbee

TheISGA,theIndependentSchoolsGolfAssociation,holdascratchmatchplaytournamenteveryyear.ThethreeplayersontheStAlbansteamthisyearwereCaptainDanielGott,LouisMeadowsandWillMaynard.

Weplayedwellenoughtoreachthefinals,whichthisyearwereheldatCarnoustieinScotland.TheLinksChampionshipCourseatCarnoustieisoneofthelegendaryOpenGolfvenues,designedtochallengetheverybestgolfers.WetravelleduptoCarnoustieearlyonSaturdaythe26thApril,andplayedapracticeroundontheBurnsideCoursethatafternoon.OntheSunday,theNationalFinalsstartedwiththefirstroundontheBurnsideCourse.Therainheldoff,butstrongwindsofftheeastcoastmadeitahugechallengetogetroundinalowscore.Thatevening

ForeScoreGolfatCarnoustie

wehadaformaldinner,andStAlbanswerepresentedwiththere-gionaltrophy.ThesecondroundontheMondaywasonthechampion-shipcourse;acourserecognisedasoneofthehardestcoursesingolf.Thefairwaysarelongandnarrow;thebunkersaredeepandabun-dant;thegreenslightningfastandundulating–soeventhoughthesunwasshiningforus,therewasastrongseawindconstantlyswirlingaroundwhichmadeittheultimatechallenge.Itwasanearlystartforalltheteam,teeingoffinreverseorderfromdayone.WillandLouismadesomeprogressuptheleaderboardbutweretoofarbacktochallengetheleaders.HoweverjustgettingthereandexperiencingthecoursesatCarnoustie,aswellasmeetingthetopyounggolfersinthecountryprovedagreatexperi-enceallonitsown.

Daniel Gott and IMS

The golfers’ victory in the regional finals of the ISGA tournament earned them a trip to Carnoustie for the national finals

Rugby Cricket

Team Played Won Draw Lost Team Played Won Drawn Lost

1stXV 26 23 0 3 1stXI 14 10 0 4

2ndXV 13 10 0 3 2ndXI 7 6 0 1

3rdXV 9 8 0 1 3rdXI 6 5 0 1

4thXV 2 1 1 0 4thXI 1 1 0 0

U16XV 13 5 0 8 5thXI 1 1 0 0

U16BXV 8 2 0 6 U15XI 8 3 0 5

U15XV 15 10 0 5 U15BXI 3 0 0 3

U15BXV 11 5 0 6 U15CXI 4 1 0 3

U15CXV 6 1 0 5 U14XI 11 9 0 2

U14XV 15 10 0 5 U14BXI 9 7 0 2

U14BXV 13 10 0 3 U14CXI 4 3 0 1

U14CXV 7 7 0 0 U14DXI 1 1 0 0

U14DXV 1 1 0 0 U13XI 9 2 0 7

U13XV 9 5 0 4 U13BXI 5 1 0 4

U13BXV 9 3 0 6 U12XI 10 3 0 7

U12XV 10 6 0 6 U12BXI 4 0 0 4

U12BXV 10 6 0 4 Totals: 97 53 0 44

Totals: 177 113 1 63

Hockey Netball

Team Played Won Draw Lost Team Played Won Draw Lost

1stXI 14 7 4 3 1stVII 17 13 0 4

2ndXI 11 9 0 2 2ndVII 8 1 1 6

3rdXI 6 2 2 2 Totals 25 14 1 10

U16XI 12 3 1 8 Football

U16BXI 5 2 1 2 1stXI 8 7 0 1

U15XI 11 5 2 4 2ndXI 4 2 1 1

U15BXI 11 5 1 5 U16XI 3 0 1 2

U14XI 12 8 1 3 U15XI 5 1 1 3

U14BXI 11 7 1 3 U14XI 5 2 3 0

U13XI 8 2 1 5 U13XI 4 2 1 1

U13BXI 6 6 0 0 Totals: 29 14 7 8

U12XI 2 1 0 1

U12BXI 2 2 0 0

Totals: 111 59 14 38


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TeamSportsResults2013-14S T A L B A N S S C H O O L

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Aftertheendofthesummerterm,archivistMichaelHollinsconductedaninterviewwithAndrewGrant.Thisisanextractfromthatinterview.

MDH:Staffhadtheimpressionthatyouwereonlygoingtostayforafewyears…

ARG:Yes;sodidthegovernorsIthink…

MDH:…whydidyouchoosetostaythen?

ARG:Well(andthesethingsgoinphases)itwasatimewhereyoungheadmasterswereappointed,madetheirmarkandmovedontosomewherebigger,moreimportant,morefamous…

MDH:Becauseyouwerefairlyyoungwhenyouwereappointed.

ARG:…yesIwas39.AndwhenIcame(andIsaidquiteopenly)IwoulddomybesttomakethisaplacethatIwouldfindveryhardtoleavebecauseIamnotnaturally,innately,someonewhoenjoyschangeverymuch(oratleastradicalchange).WhenIwasasquashplayerIstuckwiththesameclubbecauseIlikedbeingaroundmymatesevenwhenitmeant40miledrivestogettoahomematch,that’sjustme.ButIalsosaid‘whoknows?’Imaymoveonsomewhereelse…

MDH:Soyouweren’tsure?

ARG:NoIwasn’tsure.TherewasakindofexpectationthatIwouldmove,almostasthoughIowedittomyselfandthemnottohangaroundtoolong.

MDH:Wasthatbecauseofyourcohort?

ARG:It’sjustwhathappenedatthetime.WhenIlookatsomeofmycontemporariesandpeers:TonyLittlewentfromChigwellwherehehadbeenappointed(Ithink)at34orsomething,aninfantheadmaster,thentoOakhamandthentoEton.AnthonySeldon,whoagainisa

closecolleagueandfriend,startedwithmeatWhitgiftandthenwenttoBrightonandthentoWellington.Forme,apartfromthepersonalpreferencesIhavedescribed,somuchchangedheresoconstantlythatitfeltasthoughtheSchoolwasreinventingitselfallthetimeanywaysoInevergotbored.Thatsaid,Iwasheadhuntedforsomeofthebestknownschoolsinthecountry…andthesearethesortsofschoolswheretheheadmas-terbecomes(inthewordsofthepress)a‘leading’headmasterbecauseheisheadofthatkindofplace;thenameoftheschoolisenoughtomakeyoua‘great’headmaster,whateveryoudo!AndIwentandhadalookandIwasin-terviewedforoneortwoofthemandIwithdrewfromtwoofthem

becauseactuallyIthought‘thisisn’tme’.IhadworkedoutbythenthatStAlbansandIwereagoodfitforeachother;myfamilywerehappyhere,Iwashappyhere,IfeltIcouldgoonmakingadifferencehereinawayIwouldn’tbeabletoataplacethatwassograndandfranklysoupitselfthatallyoucoulddoiskeepthemachinetickingoverandkeepintactthepastgloriesofyourpredecessors.

MDH:SoyouknewthatyoucouldstillchangeStAlbans?

ARG:Welllookatwhathashap-penedinthelastfouryearsandlookatwhat’saboutto…wellIcan’ttellyouwhat’sabouttohappenbuttherearethingsthatareabouttohappen[possibly a

reference to the School opening a new St Albans School in Dubai. It was announced by the Chairman of Governors and Bursar to staff on 15/07/14].

IstayedbecauseitwastherightplaceandIthinkitissometimesoverlookedbyambitiouspeoplethatyoumayputbehindyoutherightfitbecauseyouthinkyououghtto.Andit’sbettertogettherightfitanddoitwellthantogoonstrivingaftersomethingthatsuperficially,orinthepubliceye,looksgranderormorelikeanindexofcareersuccess.Ithinkthat’srubbishfrankly.

MDH:Youareregardedasa‘GreatHeadmaster’.Isthisbecauseyouareagreat,revolutionaryeduca-tionalthinker?

ARG:Welltwothingsaboutthat.‘GreatHeadmaster’?Ithinkallthingsarerelative…itdependsonwhetheryou’relookingatamacroleveloramicrolevel–sopeopleareverykindbutI’mnotgoingtotakethatoneon.

WhatIwillsayisthatIamnotagreatrevolutionaryeducationalthinker,I’mnoDrArnold.Ithinkgreatrevolutionarythinkerscomeupwithwaysoftakingthingsforwardthatnoonehaseverthoughtofbefore.IthinkIamacreativethinker.IthinkIcanbeoriginalandIthinkIhavebeenherebutI’mreactive,soIseeasituationandIcanfindtherightfixforitandIcanthinkofwaysoffixingitthatnoonehaseverthoughtofbeforebutIdon’thaveamightyandoriginaleducationalphilosophythatIputintoplaceortriedtoputintoplaceasitwere,grownfromscratch.DrArnoldhad,Ihaven’t.It’sverydifficulttoaspiretothatkindofgreatnessandIthinkittakesacertainsortofgeniusanditalsoneedsthetimetoberightforit.SoIthinkI’mmoreofa…yes,I’mastrategistbutI’mmoreatacticianandabitofastreet-fighter;I’mquitecombativeandIlikeverymuchseeingnewwaysyoucanusethings,seeingnewthingsyoucandowithagivensituation,seeinghowyoucantransformstuff,butinthisjobwhenyou’vebeeninitfortwentyyearswhatyoualsoneed

AFinalWordInterviewwithAndrewGrant

Always an orator, this is Andrew Grant at his final Graduation, an event which he instituted in the School


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aroundyouareotherverycapablecreativethinkersthatyoucanbounceideasoffbecausethere’sonlysomuchoriginalityforonelifetimethatyoucancomeupwith.

MDH:Veryquickly,insofarasyoucandescribeit,whatisyoureduca-tionalphilosophy?

ARG:Wellthat’sarealcurveballbecauseit’sembodiedinthisplaceandit’saboutofferingpeopletheopportunitytomaximizetheirpotentialineverypossiblesphereandthatmeansprovidingalotofopportunities.Notjustacademical-lyandindeedthenon-academiccancompensateforunderachievementintheacademic…wellwhenIsay‘underachievement’Imeanlimita-tionsintheacademicsphere.ButIdon’tseewhythisSchoolcan’tofferallitspupilstheopportunitytoachieveatthehighestleveltheycouldandashighastheycouldinanyschoolanywhere.

Now,whereIwouldsayIamnotagreatrevolutionarythinkeristhatallofthatistruewithintheexistingframework,soIplaywithintherulesgiventome.

MDH:Youdon’ttryandmakenewones?

ARG:NotquitetruebecausewhenIwasChairmanofHMCandasChairmanoftheAcademicPolicyCommitteetherewerethingswechanged.Therewerethingswetriedtochangebuteventhatwasn’tatthetoplevel,notaparadigmshift.Itwas:‘Ok,we’vegotASandmoduleshereetc’butitwasstillwithintheALevelsystem.Ididn’tcomeupwiththeideaoftheTomlinsonDiplomabutIworkedonit,andthatwouldhavebeenaparadigmshiftbutitwasn’tmewhocameupwithit;Iworkedwithinit.

MDH:Inordertoberegardedasa‘greatheadmaster’doesthereneedtobeahealthyfrictionbetweentheHeadmasterandtheGoverningBody?

ARG:NoIdon’tthinktheredoes.Ithinkinitiallythereprobablywillbebecauseagreatheadmaster(what-everthatmightmean)willhavesomeprettyclearandsomeprettyfirmideasaboutwhattheschoolshouldbedoing,andthat’sprobably

whytheGovernorsappointedhim.Anditisinevitablethereforethatsomeeggswillbebrokenincreatingtheomelettethathehasdesigned.ButIthinkthatoncetheGovernorshavebeentrainedintoobedience,it’sfine;youdon’tneedthatcreativefriction.IftheGovernorstrusttheHead,thereisnoneedforfriction.

MDH:Whatdoyouthinkthefunc-tionoftheGoverningBodyshouldbe?

ARG:WelltheGoverningBodyholdsintrust,asitwere,theidentity,theculture,thespirit,theessenceoftheSchoolacrosssuc-ceedingheadmasters.AndofcoursetheGoverningBodyrenewsitselfbutasweknowfromDrPines’recentsermon,sodoesthehumanbody;wearenotmadeupofthesamecellsaswewerefiveyearsagobutwe’restillthesamepeople,andIthinktheGoverningBodyoughttobetheembodimentoftheSchool’sDNA–willthatdoasametaphor?

MDH:Yes

ARG:Okay.IntheirrelationshipwiththeHeadmaster,it’snottheirjobtomanage.It’stheirjobtoholdtheHeadmastertoaccountandmakesureheismanaging,whichiswhattheGovernorsweredoinginthecrisisofthe90s.

MDH:Whatdoyouconsideryourmajorcontribution/contributionstohavebeen?

ARG:GettingtheSchoolbacktowhereitoughttohavebeenallalong,Ithink.That’lldo.

MDH:Whatisyourproudestmoment?

ARG:AhthatreallyisatoughonebecauseIthinkprideexistsinacontext.SoIcanbeproudbyproxyofagreatsportsresult,orafantas-ticshowlikeLes Misérables.Icanbeproudofmysons:AlexplayingMal-volio,leadpartinhisfinalyearanddoingitreallywell,MattwinningcrosscountrymatchesandbeingHeadBoy–thoseareveryproudpersonalthings.IcanbeproudoftheSchool,collectively,whenit’srightupthereandbeingdescribedasa‘leadingdayschool’,that’sgreat

too…I’veforgottenwhatI’vementionednow.IwasproudtohavetheacclamationofmypeersinbeingelectedasChairmanofHMCbecauseinasmallworld,HMCisdisproportionatelyinfluentialandifallthoseotherheadmasters,inanelection,inafreeandsecretballotdecidethatyou’rethebloketheywantleadingyouthenthat’ssome-thingtobeproudoftoo.

So,it’samatterofcontext,butIamproudofthewaythiswholeorganisationhasmovedon,ofthephysicalachievements,actually(inanotentirelybenignpoliticalclimate)thatwe’vebeenabletopullofftogether.I’mproudtohavebeenapartofwhathasbeensuccessful,Ithink,over20years.

MDH:Isthereanythingyouwouldhavelikedtohaveachievedbuthaven’tbeenabletodoso?

ARG:Wellonlybecauseoftimereally,andthedilatorydeliberationofplannersandmoney.IfIhadbeengiventheamountofmoneythatStAlbansCityandDistrictCounciloweusthenIthinktherewouldbenothingatallthatIwouldn’thavebeenabletoachieve,butyouhaven’tgotthat.You’realwaysworkingwithinlimitations,butgiventhose,I’mreasonablyhappythatwe’veachievedwhatwasphysically,financially,temporallypossible.

MDH:Isthereanythingthatyouhaveattemptedwhichyouwouldnowconsiderasafailure?

ARG:Yes.Ihaveattemptedovertwentyyearstoconductareason-ablerelationshipwithsomeofourneighboursinFishpoolStreetanditisacompletefailurebecausetheybelieveFishpoolStreetistheirprivateterritoryandtheydonotunderstandthatcoexistingwithavibrant,highlysuccessfulschoolwhichhasbeenhereforoverathousandyearswillnecessarilyinvolvesomecompromiseontheirpartandtheyfailtorecognisethatactuallywehavebeentryingtomakethatcompromiseaseasyforthemaspossible.Ihavefailedtopersuadethemthatiftheylivednexttoalmostanyotherschoolinthiscity,theirliveswouldbeim-measurablyworse.

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