AGS Welcome FROM THE HEADMASTER
Welcome to the latest edition of Flourish, our termly newsletter celebrating the vibrant life of our school community. This term has been a whirlwind of activity, showcasing the incredible talents and dedication of our students and staff.
The Brodie and Watson trophies are always keenly contested and this term in House Art, creativity has flourished as students from all houses poured their hearts into stunning visual projects and exhibition. The house sports competitions have been equally thrilling, with students demonstrating remarkable effort and sportsmanship across various disciplines.
Away from the classroom, the unparalleled opportunities for our students have been demonstrated through international visits to Berlin, Paris, Washington DC, Iceland, and our second exchange partnership with Crescent School in Toronto, these have provided unforgettable experiences, broadening our students' horizons and fostering a deeper understanding of global cultures and geography.
With Maths Challenges, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, cultural visit to the Tate Modern, cycling at the Lee Valley Velodrome (home to the London 2012 Olympic Cycling), the range of opportunities has seen something for everyone. In collaboration with Aylesbury High School we have seen students and staff come together for the joint production of Legally Blonde, the Autumn Concert at AGS, and the joint Service of Carols at St Mary’s Church; home to the foundation of the School in 1598
Our commitment to wider collaboration with our local colleagues has seen us host training for trainee teachers through the Astra Teaching Alliance, as well as welcoming delegates from around 50 schools for our first conference on SEND provision through our Challenge Partners Hub.
Throughout all these activities our students and staff have shown immense resilience, pushing through challenges and striving for excellence. Their creativity and effort are truly inspiring, and we are proud to share their achievements with you.
Enjoy reading about these and many more highlights in this edition of Flourish.
Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster
@AGSHeadmaster
AGS Archive
NURTURING CHARACTER SINCE 1598
Last year marked the 425th Anniversary of Aylesbury Grammar School.
To commemorate this incredible milestone, we commissioned a beautifully illustrated hardback book which chronicles the rich history of our School. Books are still available, click here to secure your copy.
Furthermore, thanks to the generosity of the Aylesbury Grammar School Foundation, we have created the AGSDigitalArchive, a wonderful resource accessible to current and former students and staff
AGS Flourish
STAFF
DEVELOPMENT OLD AYLESBURIANS
AGS Events
FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO
The autumn term has been busy as ever as the Brodie and Watson begin for another year. Well done to all the students who participated and a heartfelt thanks to all the staff who made these events possible. Your Heads of House are incredibly grateful and proud of your support and wish you all a very restful Christmas break.
The Brodie events began this term with the House Cross Country competition, where Hampden emerged victorious Dewi (H7) Dewi (D8), Edward (Pa11) and Alex (D13) all won their respective races, we then had House Badminton, where Paterson claimed victory, closely followed by Squash, where Ridley were winners. The final event of the term was House Rugby, with Lee taking the overall win A massive thank you to Mr Duggan and the entire PE team for organising the events this year.
The Watson began this term with the Senior Public Speaking event. Ridley were victorious in this event, though Seb (Pa12) was Speaker of the Day. We also had Senior Quiz, in which Hampden were 1st in Year 12 and Year 13. The only Watson events completed in full were House Chess, where Phillips claimed victory, and House Art, where Hampden won with their 'Hampden-bury Festival' theme Currently, Lee are top of the Brodie and Hampden top of the Watson, but it is still all to play for.
AGS Events
NURTURE YOUR CHARACTER
A huge congratulations to all those involved in the Autumn Concert held on 18 November The event showcased the musical talents of students from AGS and AHS, with outstanding performances from the Symphony Orchestra, Junior & Senior Jazz Bands, ‘Funktion’ Band, Jazz Improvisation Group, Brass Ensemble, and Saxophone Ensemble. A special thanks to the staff and the Tech Crew for their hard work in making the event a success.
Year 8 students recently participated in life-saving ‘Restart a Heart’ CPR sessions delivered by Mr. and Mrs Levitt on behalf of the Central Ambulance Service Students learned invaluable skills that could save lives in an emergency situation
To mark Remembrance Day, the whole school gathered for a poignant assembly to honour those who have given their lives in service and to remember those we have lost.
Finally, Senior Prize Giving was a memorable occasion, where we were delighted to welcome Old Aylesburian The Rt Hon Shailesh Vara (Hampden '79) as the guest of honour His powerful address inspired our senior prize winners and their families, celebrating the incredible achievements of our students, many of whom are now taking the next steps in their journeys beyond AGS Congratulations to all!
AGS Sport
NURTURE YOUR
CHARACTER
Football
The 1st XI Football team had a mixed run of results, securing a victory over Next Phase Academy and The Reach Free School in the National Cup, while suffering defeats to St Columba's College, Sir Henry Floyd, and Dr Challoner's. Notable performances included goals from Max Sato, Toby Barnes, and JJ Jackson The U15 team had a strong showing in the Bucks Cup, drawing with Amersham School before losing on penalties. The 2nd and 3rd XI teams also faced tough competition, with both teams falling to Merchant Taylors School.
Athletics
Well done to Chukwudi Onyebuchi, who earned a bronze medal in the 100m final at the National Athletics Championship in July, running a time of 11.21.
Rugby
A successful season across all age groups. The 1st XV secured close wins against UCS and Pangbourne. The U15 teams also impressed with big victories, including a 45-19 win over UCS. The U14 team triumphed over Dr Challoner's and Pangbourne , while the U12A team went undefeated at the Bluecoat tournament The U16 and 2nd XV teams showed strong performances, and the U13 teams had a solid showing in tournaments. Overall, it has been a season full of great teamwork and effort across the board.
Badminton
Our U14 and U16 teams triumphed over RGS in the National Schools Cup. The U18 teams also defeated RGS, with strong victories of 8-0 and 7-1.
Swimming
Well done to the Senior, Inter, and Junior Swim teams at the ESSA Team Championships, where AGS won overall for the first time since 2018. The Senior team earned 2 golds, the Inter team took silver, and the Junior team won silver and bronze. Dewi Fordyce and Dan Talbot won their races at the Queen Elizabeth's competition in Barnet At the National Finals, the Senior team finished 10th in the Medley and 14th in Freestyle, while the Junior team placed 20th in the Medley and 27th in Freestyle. Great performances all around!
Squash
Great results for our Squash teams this season! The 1st and Under 16 teams recorded impressive wins against Harrow, while the Under 14A, B, and 15 teams also triumphed. The Under 18 teams defeated Eton College, and the Under 16s performed strongly in the National Schools competition Additionally, Alex Glover, Ciaran Sidhu, and William Longman secured 3rd place at the Surrey Open Schools competition Well done to all!.
Basketball
The U18, U15, U13, and U12 teams all secured victories in their matches, with standout performances from Luke Murphy, Crispy Harmon, and Mazino Onwah
Old Aylesburians
Congratulations to Sammy Robertson (Phillips '19) and the London Warriors for winning the Brit Bowl, and to Nicholas Wilson (Lee '13) for playing with Bristol in the same game. Kieran Lindars (Paterson '15) finished 8th in the Ironman World Championships, and Sammy Robertson (Phillips '19) represented Great Britain in the IFAF European Championship qualifiers
Cross Country
Congrats to Luca Dolan, who won the Junior race at the first round of the ESAA Cross-Country Cup. The Junior team performed well, and the Senior team also had solid results
Table Tennis
Our Junior, Inter, and Senior Table Tennis teams performed well at the County Round of the National Schools competition, with the Juniors and Inters both finishing 3rd
Sport and PE News
This term marked the opening of our dedicated PE classrooms, transforming GCSE and A Level lessons. A big thank you to the PTA for helping to acquire 6 new exercise bikes for the Fitness Suite, which students are thoroughly enjoying
@AGSSportandPE
AGS Visits
EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY
Year 10 and 12 Fine Art and Photography students enjoyed an inspiring trip to the Tate Modern. The visit was not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable, offering a wealth of inspiration for their creative projects.
We can’t wait to see how this visit influences their future work!
@AGSArtDept
Year 11 GCSE PE students visited Lee Valley VeloPark, exploring the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics. Students got the chance to experience BMX Cycling and track cycling in the iconic velodrome!
Thank you to Mr. Gibbs for organising the trip – the students had a brilliant time!
@AGSSportandPE
Congratulations to AGS's chess teams for their outstanding performances at the Regional Qualification held at Harrow!
We are so proud of all our players’ sportsmanship and skill and can’t wait to cheer on Teams A and B at the National Chess Championship next year.
As always, our students have been busy competing in a range of sports competitions around the UK. The U13 and U14 badminton teams, pictured below, faced off against The Oratory School, showcasing impressive skills and determination
Meanwhile, our swim team travelled to the national finals, delivering a fantastic performance and making us all proud. These visits highlight the dedication and talent of our students as they strive to excel in their athletic endeavours.
Three of our AGS Sixth Form students recently returned from an incredible cultural exchange with Crescent School in Toronto, Canada!
Robert, Aarib, and Ben spent three weeks experiencing life in Toronto, attending school, and staying with their exchange families. Highlights included an unforgettable trip to Niagara Falls! They described the visit as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Now, they’re looking forward to welcoming their exchange partners to the UK in March 2025!
@Crescent School
@AGSSportandPE
AGS Visits
EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY
Our Year 13 German students took part in an incredible cultural and linguistic trip to Berlin, joined by students from AHS. They practiced their German skills in real-world settings, took part in a self-guided tour of Berlin’s famous sights, and each student presented fascinating facts at different landmarks Alongside the sightseeing, they enjoyed sampling Berlin's unique food and drink.
@AGSGerman
Our Year 12 and 13 Geography students enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Iceland, where they had the opportunity to experience the country's stunning landscapes first hand.
From exploring dramatic waterfalls and glaciers to witnessing geothermal activity up close, the trip allowed students to bring their classroom learning to life in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural environments. The journey was both educational and enjoyable, offering an immersive experience in the field.
@ags geography
AGS Visits
NURTURE YOUR CHARACTER
Over the summer, 13 Year 11, 12, and 13 students embarked on an incredible three-week adventure to Ecuador, led by Mr Roberts and Mr Dudmish as part of AGS World Challenge 2024 The trip combined adventure and community service, with students taking part in several challenging treks through Ecuador’s stunning landscapes, including rugged mountains and remote villages One of the highlights was their involvement in a community reforestation initiative, where they worked alongside local people to help restore vital ecosystems and combat deforestation.
@AGSChallenge
"In just 5 days on the Politics/History trip to America I learnt and laughed more than ever"
Taking 26 engaged Year 13 students to explore museums, monuments and the US during a major global political event was a memorable experience for all involved and brought their studies into sharp focus.
@AGSHistory Dept
AGS Life EMBRACE OPPORTUNITY
Politics Society was pleased to welcome guest speaker Cameron Anderson, a candidate in the upcoming council elections He spoke to the students about how young people can get involved in politics (including his own path), and then held a Q & A session, where he answered a range of insightful questions about British and American politics.
Our Year 7 students worked tirelessly for the Poetry by Heart national competition, selecting and memorising poems to bring to life.
Class competition winners competed in the school final, with Hugh emerging as the winner for his powerful performance of The Hyena by Edwin Morgan. Elliot, our runner-up, impressed with Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath.
Both students demonstrated incredible talent and dedication, and we’re incredibly proud of all the participants!
It has been fantastic to see so many students getting stuck into science and having fun every week at Science Club!
Science Club meets every Monday lunchtime to take part in a wide range of experiments that bring science to life- it’s clear that science at AGS is action packed!
Young Enterprise Success
This term, our three Young Enterprise teams have made impressive strides They participated in the Aylesbury Vale YE Dragons Den competition, where they pitched their business ideas to realworld investors. Each team secured £50 in funding to develop their products and received valuable feedback A special mention goes to Recorked, one of our teams, who held their first selling event at the PTA Curry and Quiz Night, marking an exciting milestone in their journey.
Two of our teams, AGS Tuesday and AGS Thursday, also took home awards in the local Business Plan competition an incredible achievement early in the programme. These teams are now gearing up to launch their products at local Christmas markets and fayres. Recently, they attended the Kingsbrook School PTA Christmas Fayre, selling their Christmas craft bags and handmade cork coasters.
It’s fantastic to see our students gaining handson experience in entrepreneurship while contributing to their community! Keep an eye out for more exciting ventures from these budding entrepreneurs.
AGS Life
CELEBRATE DIFFERENCE
The impact of reading on wellbeing and mental health, as well as literacy, is huge. For #WorldMentalHealthDay2024, all students and teachers dropped everything to read for 10 minutes.
The 1st XV Rugby team triumphed over Latymer Upper School in the "AGS Memorial Match," a tribute to Aylesburians who are no longer with us
Black History month was celebrated throughout October in lessons, conversations and assemblies.
Positive masculinity bunting is proudly displayed following the Year 8 project on mental health
AGS Staff SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF
This year, Aylesbury Grammar School continues its positive collaborations with local and national partnerships, particularly Challenge Partners and Astra Alliance. These form a vital part of our continued development as a school both in terms of developing pioneering expertise and attracting new staff to the teaching profession.
A particular highlight at Aylesbury Grammar School this term was hosting the Challenge Partners SEND Conference: Advancing in-school Provision on behalf of the Aylesbury Vale Challenge Partners Hub, where we welcomed around 75 practitioners from approximately 38 local schools Speakers included the Executive Principal of Chiltern Way Academy Trust, Jane Richards (AGS SENCo), and headteachers from the local area who shared ideas on emotional regulation and nurture groups. Our keynote speaker, Dr Pooky Knightsmith, delivered a practical and engaging presentation on strategies to support students with ADHD which can be viewed in full here along with the slides.
Astra SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) is committed to excellence in teacher training. Here at Aylesbury Grammar School, we lead the Aylesbury Recruitment Hub, actively reaching out to those who are looking to train to teach in the Buckinghamshire area We work with over 60 schools and other organisations across Bucks and beyond, developing trainees’ professional knowledge, skills and values. If you are ready for a new beginning in training to teach, whether you are just completing your degree or are a graduate considering a new career, do get in contact with us and we can discuss routes into teaching and organise some classroom experience for you
Staff Leavers
Mrs Taylor is leaving AGS after 13 years, during which time she has made an indelible mark on our School community. From her huge contribution in School Development to her recent role as HR Assistant, Mrs Taylor has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, organisational skills, and professionalism Her warmth, quiet confidence, and ability to manage a busy workload with ease have earned the respect and gratitude of colleagues across the School. We wish her well in her new role as HR Administrator at Chiltern Way Academy Trust
Old AYLESBURIANS
SHARING EXPERTISE
Daniel Painter (Denson ‘11)
OA Daniel Painter returned to AGS as guest adjudicator for the Senior House Public Speaking Competition. Daniel praised the high quality of speakers and their thoughtprovoking topics, offering detailed feedback in an afterevent clinic His insight and guidance were greatly appreciated!
Richard Trenam (Hampden ‘65)
During October half term, we were thrilled to welcome Old Aylesburian Richard Trenam back to AGS while visiting from Calgary, Canada It was a pleasure to show him how the School has evolved and hear his fond memories Moments like these highlight the lasting bond our alumni share with AGS, no matter where life takes them!
Luc Hinson (Paterson ‘13)
We were delighted to welcome OA Luc Hinson back to AGS for our Inspirational Speakers programme Luc shared his journey from AGS to the University of Leeds, his career in PR, brand strategy, and his own successful business. His key message was to trust and believe in yourself. The Sixth Form students engaged deeply with his talk, asking reflective questions and gaining valuable insights from his experiences.
Rt Hon Shailesh Vara (Hampden ‘79)
We were honoured to welcome The Rt Hon Shailesh Vara back to AGS as our Guest of Honour for Senior Prize Giving. A former Head Boy of Hampden House, Deputy Head Boy, and founder of our Debating Society, Shailesh went on to become the UK’s first Hindu MP, serving from 2005 to 2024, after earning a law degree and practicing as a solicitor Shailesh returned to inspire our senior prize winners with his address, making it one of the most memorable events of the school year.
On Tuesday, 19 November, Old Aylesburians gathered at BrewDog Waterloo for an evening to remember. The OA Social, part of the Pitch In initiative, was a fantastic opportunity for alumni to reconnect, network across generations, and learn more about the campaign to transform Aylesbury Grammar School’s facilities.
Attendees enjoyed a wonderful evening of conversations and community spirit, hearing from key figures about the ambitious goal to raise £1 million for a new all-weather sports pitch at the heart of AGS. Headmaster Mark Sturgeon spoke passionately about the project and its importance in enhancing opportunities for current and future students.
The evening also featured remarks from major benefactor Stephen Shipperley (Hampden ‘77) and campaign board chair James O’Sullivan (Hampden ‘91) who emphasised the need for OAs to “pay it forward,” just as past generations of alumni have done.
A huge thank you to all the Old Aylesburians and AGS Parents that work in medicine who gave up their time this term to hold mock interviews for our Med Soc students.
This support provides invaluable interview practice, helping our aspiring medics prepare for their university medical interviews. This is just one example of how as a community, we come together to support our students.
We’re incredibly grateful to our AGS community for enabling us to offer this opportunity. Also, a big thank you to all the AGS staff who assisted with this important initiative
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 careers advice or mentoring at one our OA events, please get in touch at development@ags bucks s ch uk
AGS Development INVEST IN OUR FUTURE
g , , n match funding, meaning that all donations made to the campaign will be doubled With Gift Aid, this effectively means your donation will be multiplied by 2 5 times making it an ideal time to give and have your contribution go even further.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far. Your generosity is making a real difference to the future of our students and their sporting experiences.
DONATEHERE!
Many generous parents have pledged their support through monthly donations for the duration of the campaign. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at development@ags.bucks.sch.uk or click the link below to make an online donation or sign up to make a monthly or one-off donation.
Click here to donate!
Looking ahead, we have an exciting fundraising event on 31st January the "Question of Sport" quiz night at AGS, starting at 7pm. This promises to be a fun-filled evening, with a chance to test your sporting knowledge, expertly hosted by Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster and Iain Digby, Resources Director, with a few extra surprise guests on the night!
Tickets are priced at £20 or £150 for a table of 8 (Teams can be created on the night) and include an artisanal cheese board and delicious nibbles for each table. The bar will be open, and we hope to see many of you there for an evening of fundraising, fun, and community spirit. Gather your friends, get a table, and join us for this fantastic event!
We are also seeking sponsors and donations of prizes to support the "Question of Sport" quiz night, which will be used for our raffle and silent auction. If you are able to contribute, please get in touch with us at development@ags.bucks.sch.uk. Your support will make a huge difference to the success of the event and the Pitch In campaign.
Thank you again for your continued support as we work to transform sports facilities at AGS for current and future generations. Your contributions are invaluable, and we couldn’t do this without you.
