weekly bulletin 5 february 2016€¦ · weekly bulletin — 5 february 2016 from the headmaster...
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WEEKLY BULLETIN — 5 February 2016
From the Headmaster This week at RGS saw the launch of the long-awaited new website www.reigategrammar.org and I am delighted with the outcome. Thank you to the many parents, staff, students and governors who all contributed to its development. This site brings many new features, links and pathways to all the information about the school and is specifically designed to provide as much detail as possible to current and prospective parents as well as other stakeholders. Do have a good look around via the Parents link at the top or the links contained within the Home page to the school calendar, box office, sports pages, Parents’ Online Payment system, Parent Portal, weather station and much, much more. As ever, I would be delighted to hear your feedback so do be in touch. This week seems to have been a busy week in terms of academic enrichment competitions and events at school and elsewhere. Nineteen Sixth Form students (including fourteen in the Lower Sixth Form) took part in the challenging and highly competitive Biology Olympiad achieving four Bronze, five Silver and three Gold medals between them—a superb achievement. Commended certificates were awarded to: Cian Clancy and Josie Wood; Highly Commended certificates: Katherine Lyon and Ciaran Nestor; Bronze medals: Jack Kelly, Harry Lewin, Tom Rowell and Emon Uddin; Silver medals: James Bennett, Zeb Bond, Tom Fedrick, Natasha Magness and Jenny Strange; and Gold medals: Emma Foster, Maria Ionescu and Tom Schlaefli. Maria Ionescu and Tom Schlaefli were among the top Gold medal winners in the country and will be invited to participate in the UK team selection process for the prestigious International Biology Olympiad. You will all know that the RGS Weather Station is a popular site for meteorologists all over the world and I am delighted to share with you that the RGS Weather Station Blog is a finalist in the Surrey Digital Awards 2016. There are seven finalists, so a fair chance of a win and I will let you know how we RGS gets on in due course. In the SATRO Problem Solving Challenge at St Bede’s earlier this week, teams had to build a timer out of an assortment of materials with points being awarded for the most accurate designs. All three RGS teams were able to make working timers, but the Sixth Form team’s effort was superb and enabled them to win the Senior age group and qualify for the Grand Final in March. Well done to Catherine Brumwell, George Cull, Charly Earnshaw, Luke Jones and Charles Lee, and as well as all the other team members. The Modern Language department also returned victorious from the CLFS Love Language Competition where RGS Second Form students won the Year 7 and 8 category with their play in French, German, Spanish and Russian entitled Komm flieg mit mir! Allons-y! Vamanos! The students performing were: Leah Beglan, Ellie Bodkin, Lauren Crighton, Leila De Meza, Tally Goss, Jack Grant, Frederic Jebson, Charlie Jenner, James Lee, Stephanie Rockall, Edward Shires and Millie Wootten. Special thanks go to Freya MacTavish and Lois Rawlance who helped
Pictured above left: The RGS U13 Girls’ Hockey Team who are Surbiton Tournament Plate winners and also Third in Surrey
Pictured above right: the RGS Second Form CLFS Love Languages Competition Winners
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Notices
with the preparations and rehearsals but sadly couldn’t perform on the day. I am very pleased with this result—well done to all—and would like to thank Miss Sowa and the RGS German Assistant, Dominik Doersching who both worked hard to prepare the students and accompany them on the day. The RGS Spanish Exchange got underway this week when Maristas Cristo Rey students arrived on Wednesday evening to be met by an excited group of twenty Fourth Form Spanish students. I was delighted to welcome the Spanish leaders and their students to RGS when they spent their first full day in Reigate attending lessons and experiencing British school life—the RGS way. Teachers warmly welcomed them to lessons, even adding a Spanish twist to activities. This is the first time RGS has had a Spanish Exchange and I am grateful to all staff who have helped to make this happen, in particular Miss Vaughan, who will accompany RGS students on the return visit in April.
Student News Kieran Twaites has been awarded the Chief Scout Gold Award which is the highest award given to scouts who must complete eight challenge badges over their time in the Scouts. It has taken Kieran two and a half years to complete all the work necessary (which very few scouts complete) to receive the coveted Gold award. Kieran also fulfils the role of Senior Troop Leader—a rare honour, seldom awarded—which allows him to assist in the running of the troop and organise camps and expeditions. Well done Kieran. Next week another group of Sixth Form students will set to Belize for the Biology and Geography Ecosystems expedition. You will be glad to know that last week’s cake sale for Belize raised £175 to conserve creatures and habitats in Belize—thank you to all the bakers and consumers. Finally, congratulations and good luck to Clara Alston, Madison Desroches, Thomas Elkeles, Patrick Florida-James, Lakith Gabrielsen, Owen Knowles, Tomos Knowles, Jake Maxwell, Jemima Potter and Ashleigh Smith who have qualified for the Surrey Swimming Championships which start this weekend. Please do continue to send me any news items, comments or feedback by email to [email protected]. I always enjoy hearing your news and if there is anything I can do to help, please just let me know. Best Wishes Shaun Fenton, Headmaster
The Peter Harrison Foundation Centre Please be extra vigilant around the school as site traffic is busy throughout the day. Please avoid driving onto the site at all times and in particular, avoid the coach park. If it is necessary to park close to the Music School, please ensure adequate
access for lorries, other cars, minibuses, coaches and pedestrians at all times.
Congratulations to the Under 12 Girls (pictured left) on becoming Surrey Indoor Athletics Champions.
In the Bulletin this Week
Angus, Thongs and Even More
Snogging 3
Biology and Geography Ecosystems
Expedition 2
Biology Olympiad 1
Careers Convention 3
Careers Talk: Douse Associates 3
Cashless Catering 4
CCF Update 4
Changing Lives 1675 Bursary
Fund 4
Chief Scout Gold Award 2
CLFS Love Languages
Competition 1
Diary Update 5
DofE Awards Presentation
Evening 4
Electives: All About Boats 4
International Biology Olympiad 1
Komm flieg mit mir! Allons-y!
Vamanos! 1
Music Quiz—cancelled 4
New RGS Website 1
Non Uniform Day 4
Parents’ Online Payment System 4
PFA Comedy Night 3
RGS Unplugged 4
RGS Weather Outlook 4
RGS Weather Station Blog 1
Run Reigate 2016 4
SATRO Problem Solving #
Challenge 1
Science Week 3/5
Sci-Fi Day: Third Form 3
Spanish Exchange 2
Surrey U12 Girls Indoor Athletics
Champions 2
Surrey Swimming Championships 2
U13 Girls’ Hockey Surbiton
Tournament 1
U13 Girls’ Hockey Surrey
Tournament 1
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Careers from Mr Buzzacott Careers Convention: 8 February Running alongside the Careers Convention on Monday 8 February there will be three talks in the Library: 7.10-7.40pm Studying for degrees in Europe
with Mark Huntington from A Star Future.
7.50-8.20pm What do I do if I do not know
what degree or career I want to do? with Carolyn Scott.
8.30-9.00pm Careers in Insurance with
Natasha Rees (OR). Students and parents are welcome to go round the Careers Convention in the Concert Hall and just leave for 30 minutes to hear a talk in the Library. If you would like to attend one of these talks please email Mrs Wilson on [email protected]. Priority will be given to those who have booked a place, however, you may turn up on the night in the event there is space. Gap Year in Financial Services at Douse Associates Former student Katie Grimstone (2015) returns to RGS on Tuesday 9 February at 1.30pm in C2 to talk about her Gap Year at Douse Associates [currently recruiting students for next year].
Notices
Back by popular demand RGS Parents’ and Friends’ Association is pleased to present
Comedy Night Saturday 19th March at 7.15pm
Featuring stand-up acts
booked by an Award-Winning TV comedy producer
Further details to follow.
Tickets will sell fast and priority will be given to current RGS parents
The evening will include adult humour so is for over 18s PFA - Registered Charity No. 280394
Science Week: Third Form Sci-Fi Day Students to bring own electronic devices On Friday 12 February as part of Science Week the English and Science departments will be working collaboratively to host the annual Sci-Fi day for the Third Form. Students will experience talks in the first part of the day on some of the more unusual and varied elements of the scientific world, whilst the rest of the day sees the year group work with the English department to experiment with those ideas in their writing. The key question to be debated is ‘What does it mean to be human?’ which students will explore in creative workshops and activities, together with guest speakers delivering talks on their specialist subjects, ranging from robotics to space and time travel. Students are asked to bring in their own electronic devices in order to create a variety of projects and presentations to be showcased and celebrated. NB: Devices will be kept in a secure and locked classroom when not in use.
Angus, Thongs and
Even More Snogging
RGS Box Office
NOW
OPEN
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Notices
RGS Weather Outlook Most unsettled at times through weekend into next week
including the south. Risk periods of gales and heavy rain as deep Atlantic lows track nearer the south. Also tries to turn cooler with periods of northerly/NE winds possible and a small chance of short-lived wintry weather.
REMINDER: RGS DofE Awards Presentation
deadline—Wednesday 9 March 2016 To receive invitations to the annual RGS Award
Presentation on Thursday 21 April, participants must complete all sections and have all assessor reports uploaded to eDofE by Wednesday 9 March. Invitations will be sent out by the end of term only to those who have completed their award by this deadline. Details on how to finish DofE awards can be found at the RGS DofE website: https://rgsdofe.wordpress.com/edofe/.
If there are any questions, please contact Mr Collins. Non Uniform Day: Friday 12 February In return for a £1 donation in support of the House
Charities students will be able to come into school in non uniform on Friday 12 February. There will also be a number of Valentines related events including a cake sale. Tuesday 9 February is Shrove Tuesday and whilst this will be a normal uniform day, there will be pancakes on sale and pancake races in the playground! More details will follow soon.
CCF Update
Weapon’s Handling Test: 6 February, RGS,
09:00-16:00hrs.
Outdoor Range Day: 7 February, Pirbright Camp,
08:00-17:30hrs.
Mountain Biking Weekend: 11-13 March, Capel
Curig, North Wales, 14:00-21:00hrs.
Mess Dinner: 16 April, PMH, 19:00-23:00hrs All queries should be directed to Plt Off Rusbridge via
RGS Music Quiz: Friday 5 February The Music Quiz has been cancelled but will return in the
Autumn Term refreshed and revitalised… watch this space for further details.
RGS Unplugged: Thursday 11 February Back by popular demand, at 7.30pm in the Recital Room,
Tickets now available from the RGS Box Office (link).
PARENTS’ ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM The following trips, services and items are now available
for payment via the Parents’ Online Payment System.
AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT Cricket, Jersey
France, Chateau du Broutel Geography, Belize 2016
Golf Tour, Bryanston 2016 Hockey Tour, Bath
Netball Tour, Costa Dorada, Spain Rugby Tour, Biarritz
Senior Ski, France—Second Deposit Spanish, Andalucía
Biology—Science Live, Piccadilly Theatre
Biology—Nettlecombe Court (First Deposit) Biology—Wakehurst Place
Careers—Churchill College, Cambridge English—King Lear
History—Hitler on Trial Model United Nations—John Warner School
RS—All You Need is Love (8 February) RS—Conference (9 March)
The link to the Parents’ Online Payment system is
on the school website and on Parent Portal.
If there are any queries with any of the payments listed, or Any queries, please email [email protected].
RGS Cashless Catering Successfully Launched
The new RGS Cashless Catering system was successfully launched on Monday 1 February 2016 and we hope your children are enjoying the faster service in the dining hall and Sixth Form Centre.
REMINDER To put money onto lunch accounts log on to the Parents’ Online Payment system (POP) at http://rgs.to/pop, via the link on the front page of the
school website or via the Parent Portal. If you would like your child or children to be registered on the cashless catering system, or have any general queries regarding the move to cashless catering, please email [email protected]. If you have any queries relating to POP, please contact Mrs Page on 01737 229362 or email [email protected].
The RGS Foundation is looking for runners to take part in this year’s Run Reigate to raise vital funds for the Changing Lives 1675 Bursary Fund. To register your interest or to find out more, please contact Hazel Cornick on 01737 229408 or email [email protected]
Students in Mr Powell’s Elective,
All About Boats, keep things
Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion.
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Diary dates Changes from the published calendar are in BOLD
February 6 Sa MUN: John Warner Conference (departs) CCF: Weapons Handling (RGS) 09:00-16:00 Netball v KCS Wimbledon: 1st VII, 2nd VII, 3rd VII, 4th VII (H) 09:30 Netball v Royal Russell: U15A&B (A) 09:30 U14AB&C (A) 10:30 Netball Priorsfield Tournament: U12A&B, U13A&B (A) 10:00 Rugby v Coopers’ Company and Coborn School: 1st & 2nd XV (HW) 10:30 Boys' Hockey v King’s School, Canterbury: * Note New Times * U15A&B (A) 13:30 1st XI, 2nd XI (H) 13:30 U14A (H) 14:45 7 Su MUN: John Warner Conference (returns) Rugby 7s v The Portsmouth Grammar: 1st VII (A) 08:00-16:00 CCF: Outdoor Range Day (Pirbright) 08:00-17:30 Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Rehearsal 10:00-17:00 Much Ado About Nothing: Rehearsal 10:00-17:00 Science Week—see the separate poster 8 M Fourth Form Spanish Exchange visiting students (depart) Sixth Form Theology & Philosophy Candle Conference
(London) 08:00-16:30 Mixed Swimming v Caterham: U15, Senior (H) 16:00 Staff: Form Tutors’ Meeting 16:00-17:15 Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Rehearsal 16:00-20:00 Governors: Education & Welfare Committee Meeting 17:30-19:30 RGS Careers Convention (CH/SH) 19:00-21:00 9 Tu Careers Talk: The Douse Associates Gap Scheme
(C2) 13.30-14.10 * moved from 26/2/16 * 10 W Netball v Guildford High School & JAGS: U12ABC&D (Guildford High School) 16:30 Third Form PSHEE (PMH) 14:15-15:50 Fourth Form PSHEE (6FC) 14:15-15:50 Football v RGS Guildford: 1st XI , 2nd XI (A) 14:30 Rugby v CLFS: 2nd XV (A) 14:30 Boys’ Hockey v Windsor Boys’ (H) 14:30 * NEW * Mixed Swimming v RAAS (friendly): U12 & U14 (A) 15:50 Much Ado About Nothing: Rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Rehearsal 16:00-20:00 Institute of Physics Lecture (University of Surrey)
17:30-21:30 Fourth Form Parents' Evening (PMH/BB) 18:00-21:30 Rugby v CLFS: 1st XV (Cobham RFC) 19:00 Cantata Choir: Rehearsal (RR) 19:45-21:45 11 Th Sixth Form Tropical Ecosystems trip (departs) (Belize) Girls' Hockey, Surrey IN2 (Reserve Day): U13 (A) Netball v Caterham School: U15A&B (A) 14:15 Swimming v Whitgift/Reeds/Trinity: U12/U14/U16/U18 (A) 15:50 Music: RGS Unplugged rehearsals (RR) 16:00-18:00 Netball v Epsom College: U14AB&C (H) 16:10 Music: RGS Unplugged (RR) 19:30-21:30 12 F Non School Uniform Day House: Valentine's Day events 13+ Taster Day 09:30-14:00 End for Half Term 15:50 Lower School Disco (PMH) 19:00-20:30
Half Term 13 Sa Sixth Form Art trip (departs) (Paris, France) Third & Fourth Form Geography trip (departs) (Iceland) 16 Tu Sixth Form Art trip (returns) (Paris, France) 17 W Third & Fourth Form Geography trip (returns) (Iceland) 21 Su Sixth Form Tropical Ecosystems trip (returns) (Belize) 22 M Return after Half Term 08:30 Netball v Caterham School: U14AB&C (A) 14:15 Mixed Swimming v Hazelwood: U12, U13 (H) 16:00 Much Ado About Nothing: Rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Rehearsal 16:00-19:00 Governors: Governance & Risk Management Meeting 17:30-19:30 23 Tu Final School Boosters: Fourth Form Netball v Caterham School: U13ABC&D (H) 16:30 13+ Pre-Test offer holder drop-in morning (HM Study) 09:30-11:00 Second Form GCSE Options Evening (PMH/BB) 19:00-21:00 24 W Rugby 7s: U13 (CLFS, Ashtead Park) 11:00-17:00 1st VII (Hampton) 11:15 Governors: Foundation Sub-Committee Meeting 12:30-14:30 Football v Caterham: 1st XI , 2nd XI (A) 14:30 Much Ado About Nothing: Rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Rehearsal 16:00-19:00 Netball v Caterham School: U12ABC&D (H) 16:30 Cantata Choir: Rehearsal (RR) 19:45-21:45 25 Th AS/A2 Theatre Studies: Technical Deadline Theology & Philosophy Temples trip (London) 08:30-15:50 11+ offer holder Drop-In Morning (Library) 09:00-11:00 Fifth & Sixth Form Talk: Sex, Drugs & Sausage Rolls-the
Maths of Taking Risks (PMH) 16:00-17:30 Netball v Guildford High School: U15A&B (A) 16:30 26 F Girls' Hockey Surbiton Tournament: U12 (7-a-side) (A) Angus, Thongs and Snogging: LX Plot (CH/WG/MR) 09:00-18:00 Careers Talk: The Douse Associates Gap Scheme 13:30-14:10 * Now on 9/2/16 * Careers Talk: Degrees in Psychology with Dr Adrian Banks 13:30-14:10 Boys' Hockey v Eltham College: U12A&B (A) 14:30 U12C&D (H) 14:30 Chess v KCS Wimbledon: C Team 16:00-18:00 Chess v Sutton: A&B Teams 16:00-18:00 27 Sa Angus, Thongs and Snogging: Costume Call (CH/WG/MR) Boys' Hockey v RGS Guildford: U12ABC&D (H) 09:00 U13ABC&D (H) 10:00 Netball v Ardingly: 3rd VII, 4th VII, U14AB&C (A) 09:30 1st VII, 2nd VII, U15A&B (H) 09:30 Netball v Danes Hill School: U13A&B (A) 09:30 Boys' Hockey v Ardingly: 2nd, 3rd XI (A) 11:15 1st XI (H) 11:15 U15A (H) 11:15 U14A&B (A) 12:30 U15B (H) 12:30 U14C (H) 12:30
For all sports news, fixtures, results, venues etc. please visit the RGS Sports pages: link.
