Flourish Spring Term

FLOURISH

Welcome AGS

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Welcome to the second instalment of our new termly publication, Flourish. Our Spring Edition is a visual manifesto of the busy term just gone and details the great raft of visits, events and activities that make our School so vibrant.

This year, 2023, marks the 425th anniversary of the foundation of Aylesbury Grammar School in 1598 and to celebrate this important milestone we have commissioned a very special 425th anniversary book that reveals the fascinating history of Aylesbury Grammar School through an exploration of key events and personalities that have left a lasting impact on the School. This is a book for the entire AGS community; a book to be enjoyed, referred to, and cherished for years to come.

The musical extravaganza that is AGS House Music kicked off the spring term in style, with incredible performances from students over two nights of fantastic music. The atmosphere in the Foundation Hall was electric and I would like to thank all the performers and the collective of staff helpers who support House Music to make this studentled production the amazing event it is.

I would also like to thank and congratulate Mr Nathan, our Director of Music, in celebrating his 25th House Music, his commitment is inspirational.

I cannot believe that we are approaching the Easter break already, the spring term has proved to be one of many highlights, including new student-led societies popping up, insightful and thought-provoking visits from our OA community and our ever increasing range of sporting fixtures and extra curricular activities.

Naturally, the end of term brings a moment of reflection and we were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gilliam Miscampbell OBE, DL. Gillian’s commitment to our School as a parent, grandparent, former Governor, Foundation Governor and Member of the Academy Trust spanned an astonishing 37 years and it seems very fitting that we remember and highlight her contributions as an important female figure in the history of AGS during Women in History Month.

@AGSHeadmaster

Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster

Events AGS

FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO

There really is no better way to start the spring term than with the mighty music event that is House Music!

This year’s House Music sold out in an afternoon and the event (which is cast over two nights) saw incredible performances from students performing huge hits such as Gold, Copacobana and S Club’s Don’t Stop Movin’.

We were delighted to welcome back Old Aylesburian Will Farmer (Hampden ‘16) to adjudicate. Combining classical

training with a love of jazz, Will composes, orchestrates, and edits music for various projects alongside collaborating on albums and session recordings.

The competition was extremely close, with all Houses performing outstanding sets. However, after much deliberation, it was Phillips House who were crowned winners on the night, for the second year in a row!

Congratulations Phillips and Mr Goodchild!

A huge thank you to all involved, specifically the Finance team, School Office, the Premises Team, Catering Team and the IT Department for ensuring the event ran smoothly.

This is a student led production and we are immensely proud of the performers, comperes, tech crew and House Captains for bringing this incredible event to life.

Also to all the backstage helpers, dedicated Heads of House, the entire Music department and Mrs Venning - without you this fantastic event would really not be possible.

Events AGS

FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO

This term there is still so much to play for in the race for the AGS House Trophies.

With a double victory in House Music and House Chess for Phillips, can they topple Paterson from the overall Watson Trophy top spot?

To find out first, stay up to date with all the latest House events, results and news by following our dedicated @AGSHouses Twitter account or visit our website ags. bucks.sch.uk/houses.

Events

AGS CELEBRATE DIFFERENCE

We were delighted to welcome British artist, Corbin Shaw to AGS for a collaborative workshop exploring Positive Masculinity in Art.

Corbin is a British artist living and working in London, originally from Sheffield. Described as “an iconoclast afflicted with nostalgia,” Corbin explores ideas of masculinity through the medium of textiles. Known for his unique take on the St George’s cross, he has built a career and a brand using his personal experiences of growing up and finding his identity. Corbin has collaborated with brands such as Levi’s and Fred Perry and worked alongside charities such as Women’s Aid and Stonewall.

He presented an inspiring workshop to Year 8 students, with thought provoking questions, prompting meaningful discussions among students about how the use of art to express Positive Masculinity can be so impactful.

We were blown away when Corbin asked if he could return to AGS to present students with an incredible tapestry of their flags, carefully stitched together unifying their messages of positive masculinty - which is going to be included in an exclusive magazine project and short film!

@AGSArtDept

Visits AGS EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY

The Young Enterprise teams, ‘Serenity Scents’ and ‘Help The Hogs’ have been busy this term with trade fairs in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Students enjoyed great success and gained valuable experience in running their enterprises.

Congratulations to ‘Help The Hogs’ for winning Most Memorable Logo award in the regional Young Enterprise South Central & East of England.

Year 10 students enjoyed this year’s AGS French visit to Burgundy.

Visits AGS

EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY

Students from Years 10 and 12 enjoyed a fantastic trip to Madrid over the weekend. Taking in the city’s spectacular sights and delights, enjoying walking tours, sharing interesting and detailed presentations with their groups and sampling the sweet delights of chocolate y churros in the Plaza Santa Ana!

Visiting the Valle de los Caídos provided the perfect vista for students to share insightful presentations with others.

Just look at these incredible pictures.

@AGSMadrid2023

Year 12 History students enjoyed a great day at Greenwich Maritime Museum with interesting lectures on the British Empire and a chance to see behind the scenes with some archival material, and one Year 12 even found their ancestor (portrait and sword on display)!

@AGSHistory_Dept

Visits AGS

EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY

Superb conditions greeted the Year 9 and Year 12 AGS Ski trip team as they arrived in Utah for the start of the half term break.

A fantastic week of great skiing, with excellent weather conditions not seen for many years! Beautiful views, all you can eat buffet, roller disco, outlet shopping and an exclusive cinema screening of Antman & The Wasp to finish the trip.

Life AGS NURTURE YOUR CHARACTER

Diversity Week

AGS held its very first Diversity Week with a focus on LGBT+ History coinciding with Pride History Month. An exciting week where the whole School learned more about equality and diversity to support the LGBT+ community and become better allies through assemblies, workshops, library quizzes and more!

The KS3 Science Club had a great time making rainbows in measuring cylinders using acids, alkalis and indicators!

On World Book Day staff and students were invited to join our “drop everything and read” initiative. It was wonderful to see so many students (and staff) taking the opportunity to enjoy a story, bringing reading to the forefront.

Huge congratulations to Nathan (11Ph) for coming 24th out of 37,000 students in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

A special mention also to students from Year 7 who were invited to join Round 1 of the Computing Challenge - with George gaining a merit! Congrats all!

Year 11 enjoyed an excellent day out to the British Library looking at Alexander the Great’s influence on African, Asian and European culture - piecing together an epic tale of 2,000 years in the telling. With lots of books from all over the world!

@AGSClassics

Life AGS

NURTURE YOUR CHARACTER

Students from seven different schools in Buckinghamshire gathered at AGS to hear the announcement of the winners in both Bucks Book Award categories.

The morning started with a talk by Sue Upton, the author of the dystopian trilogy ‘Paper Boats and Butterflies’ who gave an engaging talk on her writing process as well as detailing some of the historic references in her books.

And, after the talk, Sue announced the winners of the BBA short story competition, followed by 2023 BBA Winners.

The Children’s Book Prize was won by “Until the End” by Derek Landy and “As Good as Dead” by Holly Jackson won the Sue Harris YA Prize.

@AGSPWMLibrary

All 80+ students took part in the Big Bucks Book Award Quiz.

The quiz consisted of 6 rounds of 10 questions with individual prizes throughout the quiz.

AGS did well, with Joe in Year 8 winning a spot prize as well as being a member of the winning team along with students from St Mary’s and The Grange school.

Life AGS

MALAWI INITIATIVE

The AGS Malawi Initiative exists to support educational programmes in Malawian schools and local Malawi institutions by providing capital infrastructure, educational facilities, communications and ICT. It also helps students and teachers from Malawi to experience an exchange visit to Aylesbury.

Its primary aim is to help foster educational improvements by providing teaching resources, beds, desks, power provision, satellite internet connection and building of classrooms at various schools, as well as building a new secondary school.

The initiative also supports medical improvements through the provision of equipment, such as surgical beds, glasses and mosquito nets.

More than a third of Malawian adults are illiterate, due to the poor education system that they grew up with. Unfortunately, education in Malawi has not improved much recently. Fewer than 9% of students finish secondary school.

For this reason, the 2023 AGS Malawi exchange will focus on constructing a new secondary school in the Zomba district to enable students to ameliorate and extend their education. To enable this to happen we have worked with the Malawi education board to find a suitable site. After finding a site shown (overleaf) at Msalabani, we then discussed the requirements and plans with the local community.

This is where we need your help meeting our fundraising total needed to complete the new school.

To donate visit our JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/agsmalosa or for further details and information visit our webpage at https://malawi.ags.bucks.sch.uk/or email Mike Corby at mcorby@ags.bucks.sch.uk.

Mr Corby, Head of Geography Supporting Development In Malawi Through Education

Based around an exchange between Aylesbury Grammar School and Malosa Secondary School in the Zomba area of Malawi, the AGS Malawi initiative has maintained links with Malawi for over 25 years. It has run an exchange since 2007, with 7 programmes completed so far. @AGSMalawi

Life AGS

MALAWI INITIATIVE

We need help your help and support...

We have received an update from the Malawi electric board which has indicated that they will extend the electric grid to the new Msalabani Secondary School, which will also provide electricity to the local community.

However, this is likely to cost about £17,000. We have enough money to ensure the school is able to open in September with the minimum requirements set by the education board (classrooms, toilets, admin building and headteacher’s house) but the amount of additional buildings we are able to build entirely depends on the amount of fundraising that we obtain.

Here are some of the approximate costs that are likely to follow for the basic school completion and potential additional buildings:

The AGS students involved in the exchange have already raised over £50,000, which is being used to fund the project. They have completed a huge range of activities to fundraise, from car washes to quizzes, from cake sales to bingo.

All the AGS Malawi exchange students and myself are going to complete a sponsored event on the weekend of 24th-25th June. Students have started to set up their activities ranging from mountain biking to cooking. I am planning to cycle coast to coast in a day and complete an altitude accumulation cycle challenge.

If you would like to sponsor this event please feel free to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/agsmalosa If you wish to complete a sponsored activity yourself then simply open your own page on the JustGiving site.

As a group we always take donated resources for the schools and facilities we support. If you or someone you know may have any of the following, then please drop them off at the main office. There are lots of resources we need, especially when we are trying to resource an entirely new secondary school, such as: teaching resources, pens, pencils, textbooks, sewing machines (Electric), team kits, sports equipment, IT equipment etc. (in particular laptops).

We also support primary schools and pre-schools so any preschool learning toys, preschool sports and games equipment, primary teaching resources, mini-whiteboards and board markers are always welcome. We also support the local hospital and nursing college so if anybody you know can provide any of the following that would be great: oxygen concentrator, portable ICU cardiac monitor, surgical theatre equipment, surgical masks, surgical clothes, ibuprofen, paracetamol, other painkillers, pulse oximeter, dental compressor, dental forceps, dental scaler, dental handpieces.

Life AGS

FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO

We are so excited to be hosting our Celebration of Sport Evening again this year and would love you to attend…. Join us on Friday 14 July 2023 for an evening of celebrating sport at AGS - past, present and future. With captivating stories, sporting insights and personal journeys from several fantastic Old Aylesburian guest speakers.

All very welcome - Old Aylesburians, parents and friends of AGS. Eligible students who represent the School in sport will be invited separately, unfortunately this event is not open to all students (younger students turn will come!)

Tickets are £27.50 each to include a reception drink, giant pan main course and pudding. Discounted tickets are available for tables of 10 or 12 and invited students still in full time education – more details on the link below.

Please click here to secure your place or alternatively tickets can be purchased via Parentpay.

Please spread the word!

Do you have a Company, Product or Service to advertise in our Aylesburian magazine?

We are proud, as a state school, to be able to create our annual Aylesburian magazine which not only celebrates the previous year’s highlights and achievements, but also serves as a detailed overview of the School year for our archives.

We know our current students, Old Aylesburians and the wider community very much enjoy it and desperately want it to continue. The challenge for us, is funding it!

We are keen to find advertisers who can support the production of our annual Aylesburian magazine by placing an advertisement.

There is a great return on investment – it’s an interesting, editorially focussed A4 glossy magazine, professionally printed, and positioned as a ‘coffee table’ style magazine circulated to the entire Aylesburian community including more than 1,000 parents and 3,000 Old Aylesburians.

Circulation is high and readership is even higher.

The cost for an ad in the magazine is £400 for the inside front/back cover or £300 for a one-page ad in the magazine.

If you can support this, please contact Alison Cox, Development Director, acox@ags.bucks.sch.uk for further details.

Thank you in advance.

A particular highlight was the performance from our Under 14 Rugby 7’s team who made it to the second day of the National 7’s Competition, held at Rosslyn Park. The team did very well throughout the two days they were in the competition.

The Swim teams have continued to compete across a number of Galas. The Junior and Inter swim teams both won the Wycombe Abbey swim leagues, which were regular galas across the season. Special mention to Sam Pyefinch and Carmelo Almadin who swam in their last school gala. Thank you for your service and amazing contribution over the past 7 years.

The Under 13 Table Tennis team travelled to South of Birmingham to compete in the Zonal Finals. The boys played well throughout the day, finishing with a 6-2 win v Wycliffe Prep School to finish 5th at the Zonal Finals.

The Basketball teams have continued to play well across the season, with our Year 7 (Under 12) and Year 8 (Under 13) teams competing in the Junior NBA competition where they have represented the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The teams are awaiting confirmation of their progress in ‘playoffs’.

Huge congratulations to Sam Wright who competed in the Biathlon British Championships. In the 7.5km mass start, he placed 6th overall but as a result he was 1st as an U18 and 3rd as an U23.

Outreach and Enrichment

It has been great to welcome local primary schools to AGS over the term for various competitions and tournaments.

We have hosted Futsal and Handball tournaments, which have been very well received but also supported well by our Year 12 Sports Leaders.

Life AGS

NURTURE YOUR CHARACTER

It has been a very busy spring term with students participating in an array of fixtures across a number of sports. These important opportunities would not be possible without the commitment of both the students and staff and we thank all of them for their hard work. Teams have played a number of Football and Basketball fixtures, alongside a lot of other exciting activities at AGS.

The Under 14 (Year 9) group are enjoying their lessons at ClimbQuest in Milton Keynes for a 6-week climbing programme. There was a lot of fun and development, supported by Mr Taylor, who has been great at leading this provision.

It has also been great to see the progress being made by our golfers! Working closely with Chiltern Forest Golf Club, students across all years have had opportunities to have Golf lessons at Dynamic Driving Range in Bierton. It has been great to see their progress over their golfing lessons.

We are excited to annouce that Kendo classes are coming to AGS, courtesy of Chris Bowden of the Ichi Byoshi, Aylesbury Club. The emphasis of the 8 week programme is an introduction to Kendo, building confidence and developing themselves individually but also as part of the group. Students will have the opportunity to develop their problem solving skills, resilience, teamwork and character whilst working towards a certificate.

Year 12 and 13 A level PE students enjoyed an inspiring visit to Real Tennis at Holyport Real Tennis Club, where they had the opportunity to try it out and also learn more about the fascinating history of the sport. Thank you to Holyport for their hospitality.

It was great to host The Royal Latin for some fantastic Volleyball for our Under 18 and Under 16 teams. A lot of fun and learning going on, with some great play from all teams. Fine reward for what has pretty much been a student led activity from both schools.

Sponsorship

It has been great to see our Basketball teams playing in the new Basketball shirts, courtesy of Glamper RV. Fireway Pizza will also be working with us to support our Junior Football. We are hugely thankful for their support.

We are always looking for more support and we currently offer sponsorship packages, where brands / businesses / individuals provide a fee of £500 which goes towards Sport and PE at AGS.

The return on that investment is: your brand is associated with AGS Sport, through our Social Media channels but also on any Sport publications, such as our weekly timetable which gets sent home or our AGS Sport Document (via this link) which would include the sponsors that we are working with the logo of the sponsor put on the shirts for which they contribute

To find out more please contact Alison Cox, Development Director (acox@ags.bucks.sch.uk) or Chris Duggan, Director of Sport (cduggan@ags.bucks.sch.uk)

Mr Duggan, Director of Sport

News AGS

LEAD WITH HUMILITY

It is with great sadness that we report that Gillian Margaret Mary Miscampbell OBE, DL passed away on Friday 13th January 2023.

Gillian was the personification of an Aylesburian. She gave her time, expertise, and energy to Aylesbury Grammar School in her numerous roles as a former parent and grandparent of OAs, Governor, Chairman of the AGS Foundation and a Foundation Trustee, spanning an astonishing 37 years. Gillian was still a Member of the Academy Trust and attended the last meeting in December.

Gillian will be sorely missed by so many, but her philanthropic impact will leave an impressive legacy on the local and wider community in her diverse roles from Chairman and Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, Chairman for the Cancer Care & Haematology Fund at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, to her support of numerous local schools.

In 1982 Gillian was awarded an Order of the British Empire for Public and Political Services and in 1993 she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Buckinghamshire.

Opening of the Biology laboratories in 2015

Mr Nathan and students from AGS were delighted to join the Buckinghamshire Music Trust and other local Schools from across Bucks for a fantastic evening celebrating young musical talent at the iconic Royal Albert Hall.

With over a thousand young singers gathered for a Celebration Concert, hosted by the Bucks Music Trust, brought together young musicians and a massed choir from 17 Bucks secondary schools.

The young musicians were from the many ensembles, bands, orchestras within the county’s three Music Centres in Aylesbury, Amersham and High Wycombe.

After practising the music at their individual music centres, the performers all came together in Aylesbury a week before the concert to rehearse as combined ensembles, before showcasing the results in their outstanding performance at the Albert Hall, featuring a wide range of musical styles and genres.

What a Concert Hall. What a night. What an experience!

AGSMedicalSociety

Delighted to welcome a number of guest speakers to AGSMedSoc this term.

Special thanks to Vanessa Lowe from Surgical Innovations, who was in to discuss opportunities within medicine outside traditional routes.

To Dr Davison for taking the time to disucss choosing medicine for the right reasons and to OA Tom Combley (Phillips ‘08) from British Medical Association talking about the current junior doctors pay dispute and the wider role BMA has in supporting doctors.

Thank you also to Tom Richards (Paterson ‘18) for a great session on Zoom . Where the focus was on the importance of choosing medicine for the right reasons, together with a detailed explanation of the different teaching strategies including lecture, tutorial, seminar, practical, labs, dissection, clinical skills and placement.

Tom gave an overview of the differences between studying at school and university and explained how Foundation years 1 and 2 give Medics the opportunity to try different careers, which may feel very different to the academic study during the medical course.

@AGSMedSoc

The last Climbing club session was a fun one, with a free climb challenge.

However, the most fun was had on the big slide!

Huge thank you to Mr Taylor who has led the climbing for the Yr9 and Yr10 groups.

Clubs and Societies AGS

CELEBRATE DIFFERENCE

We are so grateful to our passionate staff for the broad range of clubs and societies available to students and to the students who throw themselves into them, gaining wider knowledge, skills and vital character development.

We were also delighted to learn that the Japanese Club was awarded £200 from the small grants at the Japanese Society, London which will help to raise awareness of Japanese culture in the UK.

Since our founding, we’ve remained committed to one goal; delivering a greater insight and perspective to the confusing world that is the legal profession, and its many routes to the students amongst us who aspire to a career in law.

To meet this ambitious goal, we have delivered talks from 5 guest speakers, including lawyers, law grads and training lawyers, to speak about their careers so far, experiences at university, the routes they took and what advice and wisdom they could offer for pupils about to go through it all. We didn’t stop at this, however. We were able to use the brilliant minds in our society to perform mock trials, a method of legal discourse to engage and interest not only the Society and its members, but a number of both AGS and AHS pupils who came along and watched from the gallery as a tricky murder case was fiercely prosecuted and magnificently defended (with an equally fierce judge).

I’m pleased to report to you that these have also been a wild success. If you’re a student in Years 11-13, stay posted to the notice board to find out the when, where and what of whatever we’re doing next. We would love to see new faces! But for now, here’s to good beginnings, and what I hope will continue to be a prosperous and thoroughly enjoyable addition to our school.

Gabriel Moukli

(Ri12) Founder and Chairman of Law Society

Mrs Kauffmann and Mrs Ohashi led a wonderful calligraphy workshop with the Japan Club.

Staff AGS SPOTLIGHT

ON STAFF

The AGS Staff Welfare Group have been busy this term spreading happiness and goodwill to all. The Staff Cooking Club during Christmas was a huge sucess, we’re sure Paul Hollywood would have approved of their festive delights!

We were thrilled to hear that Mr Chambers, Director of Computer Science and Technology, has been nominated for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award. A wonderful accolade and we are all delighted for your nomination.

The Group have also introduced a “Bookswap” in the Staff room, where all staff can bring a book in that they have already read and simply swap it for another.

He’s back and he has a new challenge!

“I’ve entered the London Marathon ballot for the last 8 years and never secured a place. This year, when I least expected it, I’ve only gone and got a place on the start line. So with only 5 months notice, I’ve started to train and will give this a go. Most importantly, this is a fantastic opportunity to raise further funds to top up our Aylesburian Fund supporting CRY screening at AGS. However hard this training is, it’s the thought of the good that will come from the fundraising that keeps me going.”

CRY’s mission is to identify those that are at risk from sudden cardiac death. Sudden death syndrome is an umbrella term for the many different causes of young sudden cardiac death. These conditions include thickening of the heart muscle or an abnormal structure of the heart, and irregularities of the impulses that control the rhythm of the heart. Young people involved in sport, in particular, stress their heart the most and if they have an underlying cardiac abnormality, they are more likely to be at risk. It is important to emphasise that exercise is NOT harmful and sport itself does not cause cardiac arrest, but can exacerbate an undetected condition.

We kicked off our Cardiac Risk in the Young Annual Screening Programme at Aylesbury Grammar School in January 2022 funded by my Austrian Ironman in September 2021 which raised an astonishing £15,000+ for the fund. Since then, we have screened over 300 students in that time and our Programme enables specific year groups to be screened should they want to be and offers support to those families who are not able to finance the screening themselves. We have also bought defibrillators for the School and Sports sites. All screening is heavily discounted and not only gives our families piece of mind, but it also raises awareness of possible conditions and has already identified several Aylesburians who need further tests or monitoring.

Now, in its 3rd year, our AGS Screening Programme, have organised 3 specific screening days with a 4th to be scheduled in January 2024, this is the reason to keep fundraising. If we can save just one life this is all so worthwhile.

Mr Ramsbottom, Head of Year 13 and Head of Rugby

Visit my JustGiving page and please give what you can. @AGSSportandPE

Staff AGS SPOTLIGHT

ON STAFF

Aylesbury Grammar School is an evidence-informed organisation. Each year a number of staff participate in the School Research Group, examining the ways students learn and the issues they face, testing research in our own unique context and learning from the findings.

This evidence-based best practice is shared with colleagues and the wider community to develop an outward looking approach in order to improve the outcomes of our students.

“This isn’t the first Flagship, and this isn’t the first publication based on educational research. However, it is the first since the historic disruption to education across the globe. It marks a fully-fledged approach to collaboration, a stability and creativity to the progress of our professional practice and the education of our young people.

‘Everything must change so that everything can remian the same,’ says Tancredi in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s The Leopard (Il Gattopardo), but the ‘same; for us is hidden by a relentless desire to improve and an undeniable focus on ensuring certainty even when all around us we see and experience uncertainty.

We ask how we can support students to develop character to prepare them for an uncertain future; we question how we can support a more positive masculinity against the unhealthy Man Box that has been handed down by societal norms and consider the value of role models; we connect as humans across cultures examining ethnomathematics and diverse textbooks. In Flagship we do this rigorously and always from an evidence base.

Our staff are dedicated to a collective endeavour on behalf of our students. And like the gradual flourishing of music following the pandemic, the spirit of AGS swells and our great Hall beams down.

This is certainly our Flagship Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster

In a landscape where so much is unpredictable, it is human nature to seek facts on which it can rely. Perhaps that is why this edition of Flagship is our most extensive.

Rachael has been selected by the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) to conduct an action research project on “Shattering Stereotypes: Helping Boys Cultivate Healthy Masculinity” and recently attended the IBSC conference on “The Path to Manhood” in Dallas, Texas with 500 educators from around the globe.

Rachael Jackson, Teacher of French and Digital Learning Lead

James has just completed his NQT+1 year, as well as supervising students for EPQ and acting as Head of House. This year, he has been conducting research on student perceptions of role models and leadership, enhancing the work he has been doing in both the Research and Character working groups.

James Taylor, Teacher of History and Classics

Ali is teacher of Mathematics at AGS having joined in 2008. A diversity champion for the Maths department, he has an interest in curriculum change and has been researching ways to decolonise the Maths curriculum at AGS to make it more inclusive and interculturally responsive.

Ali Manjengwa, Teacher of Mathematics

Harry starting at AGS as an NQT in 2020, joining a very experienced department. Alongside his research project in character, Harry looks to help develop an ever progressing PE curriculum. With an extensive background in team sports, Harry understands the range of benefits sports can offer students, but also seeks to continue exploring how far the mind can go.

Harry Dudmish, Teacher of P.E

Alex believes that the study of the ancient world is for everyone and for the past two years, she has been focussing on how changing to a more representative coursebook can improve student awareness of the existence of BAME people in the Roman world, and how teachers can optimise this.

Alex Gruar, Teacher of Classics

Andrew has been Head of English at AGS since 2014. This year, as part of completing his NPQSL, he explored the effect of a wider ranging induction summer camp on how students coped with the transition from primary to secondary school.

Andrew Skinner, Head of English

AYLESBURIANS Old

SHARING EXPERTISE

Bernie Bernard (Denson ‘05)

Bernie returned to AGS this term to speak with our Year 12 students as part of our Inspirational Speakers Programme, sharing his story. He spoke about how to discuss masculinity, develop healthy relationships and opened up questions around misogyny. Supporting students to make informed choices about their futures.

Stephen Shipperley (Hampden ‘77)

We were delighted to welcome Stephen Shipperley back for a tour of the School including the Belger/Shipperley Laboratory, officially opened in 2016 showcasing philanthropy on a unique level.

Stephen shared insights from his days at AGS and spoke passionately about being the “master of your own destiny” and to simply focus upon those steps along the way in your career journeys.

As always we are forever grateful to our vibrant OA community for continuing to support the School and its future generations.

Tim Combley (Phillips ‘08)

Tim returned to AGS to visit our thriving MedSoc and share his expertise with our students discussing the current junior doctors pay dispute and the wider role British Medical Association has in supporting doctors.

Dan Silvertown (Hampden ‘10)

As part of our Sixth Form Inspiration Speakers Programme Dan came back to share with us his impressive journey since leaving AGS.

The Standford University graduate and Forbes 30 Under 30, providing some invaluable insight into setting up and running your own business.

Dan chronicled his journey from AGS to co-founder of his company, Lapse, an IT Services and IT Consulting.

Richard Bush (Phillips ‘03)

We were thrilled to welcome Richard to our newly established AGS LawSoc to share his journey into Sports Law. Richard is a partner at Bird & Bird, an international law firm helping organisations being changed by the digital world.

Such an interesting role and some great advice for our aspiring legal professionals.

@OldAYLESBURIANS

Once an Aylesburian, always an Aylesburian..

But you don’t have to be an OA to help! If you would like to get involved, be it part of our Inspirational Speakers Programme, offering career advice and mentoring or at one our OA events, please get in touch.

Development AGS

INVEST IN OUR FUTURE

With the 425th anniversary celebrations building momentum, we are delighted to share with you our very special anniversary book, Aylesbury Grammar School: A History, from Profile Editions by Dr Joel Burden. A fascinating journey of the School’s incredible history told through an exploration of key events and personalities that have left a lasting impact on the School.

The story is engrossing, lively, sometimes surprising, and beautifully illustrated, with many stunning photographs reproduced which have not been published previously. Importantly, this is a book for the entire AGS community – those who have left, those who are here right here now and those who might be part of our future including of course members of the local Aylesbury community.

It is a book be enjoyed, referred to, and cherished for years to come.

Dont miss out! Click here to pre-order your copy and subscribe today.

We would be delighted if you could join us for the official launch of the Book in September.

The author, Dr Joel Burden, is a local-based historian and publisher with a family connection to the school.

He has undertaken a detailed examination of AGS’s remarkably rich historical archives to search out those forgotten episodes and telling stories which bring our history alive.

He has also interviewed many alumni and past and present members of staff to enrich his story with a range of personal reminiscences and perspectives.

Sign up here: https://alumni.ags.bucks.sch.uk/event/book-launch

Keep an eye out on our socials for these bespoke icons and be sure to follow #AGS425 via our @Founded1598 Twitter account in the run up to our celebratory season.

Governors AGS SUPPORTING STRATEGY AND VISION

Welcome to the Governor section of Flourish. It has been an incredibly busy spring term but a decidedly rewarding one for the Governors here at AGS.

Following the fantastic ‘Outstanding’ outcome from the School’s Ofsted Inspection back in November, Governors continue to be instrumental in supporting the Head and his Senior Leadership Team, ensuring the School delivers on its unwavering purpose to inspire and enable all students to flourish throughout their lives, through being that ‘critical friend’ in strategic decision making, an element vital in good governance.

We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gillian Miscampbell, Member of Academy Trust and former AGS Governor.

A wonderful stalwart, we will all miss her calm, elegant and considered presence and will always remember her as the incredibly impressive and generous woman she was.

She was remarkable, and a huge supporter of the School.

Richard Williams, Chair of Governors

Celebrating those personalities that have left a lasting impact on the School, we look forward to enjoying the fascinating history of AGS as told by Dr Joel Burden in the soon to be published 425th Anniversary book, Aylesbury Grammar School: A History.

As Governors we have all subscribed to have our names printed alongside current students and staff commemorating this very special moment in the School’s history and are excited for the Book launch in September.

@AGSGovernors

A warm welcome...

This term we are delighted to welcome new Governor, Mubbien Hayat, to the team.

Mubbien is a Chartered Investment Manager with over 9 years experience in new client acquisition, investment portfolio construction and asset allocation.

Having taken part in various volunteering initiatives including mentoring pupils from inner London schools, we are thrilled to have Mubbien onboard and look forward to her joining us at our next Full Governing Body Meeting.

Governor Learning Walks

As Governors there is no better way to know your School, than to visit it. It is always a privilege to be invited into School to join staff and students on department specific Learning Walks.

Following the successful refurbishment of the Art, DT & Engineering department, Governors were invited to visit lessons in action and speak with students (and staff) about the current facilities and new learning environment.

We were blown away by the overwhelming positive responses to the building works and new classrooms. Students showed exceptional high levels of respect for each other and to us as visitors.

Good News...

In other exciting news, we were thrilled to learn that Adrian Fails, Chair of Resources incl. Finance (RiF) Committee, had recently secured £500 for the School from his employer for EqualiTeach assistance, a not-for-profit organisation providing high quality, interactive training and support on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion.

PTA AGS GET

INVOLVED

Welcome to the PTA section of Flourish!

We are a group of parents, who organise and run events, together with the support of the School, to raise funds for Aylesbury Grammar School. We meet regularly to brainstorm ideas and organise activities (usually in a very sociable environment) for the whole AGS community.

This term we were delighted to welcome back the fastest selling Curry & Quiz night of the year! A brilliant evening in Foundation Hall, filled with friends and family answering questions such as, “which king, in a pack of cards, has no moustache?”, or “which part of the body do you bend to genuflect?”, or “which section of the Army is trained to use large guns?”

Special mention and huge thanks to Mr Warner, Director of Drama, for being our fantastic quiz master and to Mr Nathan, Director of Music, for being the musical master during the infamous music rounds!

We are thrilled to share that we raised just over £2,000 on the night -an incredible amount, that will benefit all students at AGS. Thank you so so much for your continued support.

Here are a couple of ways to support us...

Easy Fundraising

Over 7,000 popular retailers will give a percentage of your spend to our School if you register your cause as Aylesbury Grammar School PTA and access your usual online shopping retailers through the Easy Fundraising web site.

Sign up using this link below to earn a bonus donation when you have raised specific amounts as a supporter.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk

Amazon Smile

Why not shop through Amazon Smile (instead of Amazon) next time you order online and select ‘Aylesbury Grammar School PTA’ as your charity. From here the PTA will receive 0.5% of all purchases.

We are always looking for fresh ideas and volunteers! If your interested in finding out more about us then we would love to hear from you!

THE FIRST 425 YEARS

OUT NOW

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. A HISTORY.

This year, 2023, marks the 425th anniversary of the foundation of Aylesbury Grammar School in 1598. That’s 425 years of educating local students. Since its foundation, the School has survived 19 monarchs, the upheaval of two world wars – as well as the English Civil War – and various relocations around Aylesbury. AGS began life as a boys’ school, then at the turn of the 20th century it became co-educational, and it finally reverted back to being a boys’ school when Aylesbury High School was founded in 1959.

It has witnessed a huge amount of change, a few disasters and more than its fair share of exciting moments and thrilling triumphs. Most importantly, as this book shows, AGS has kept true to the founding vision of its second great benefactor, Henry Phillips, through offering an extraordinary education to ordinary local boys.

The 425th anniversary book reveals the fascinating history of Aylesbury Grammar School through an exploration of key events and personalities that have left a lasting impact on the School. The story is engrossing, lively, sometimes surprising, and beautifully illustrated, with many stunning photographs reproduced which have not been published previously.

Importantly, this is a book for the entire AGS community – those who have left, those who are here right here now and those who might be part of our future including of course members of the local Aylesbury community.

It is a book be enjoyed, referred to, and cherished for years to come.

Click here to subscribe and order your copy now!