Headmaster’s Welcome

Welcome to the Aylesburian magazine for 2019-2020. Once again, this publication stands as the definitive historical reference for the School and so we hope that you enjoy it. All our thanks go to Mr Dallas and the whole editorial team for this year’s production.

It is at times of great challenge that we fall back on the characteristics and values that make us who we are. It has been across this year, most notably since March, that the clichés are dropped and we had to look at the key characteristics of Respect and Aspiration, of Ownership, Motivation, Resilience, Innovation, and Courage, in order that we navigated these difficult times. We were, and still are, all in this together and through our community and commitment were stronger, wiser and re-defined what it is to be an Aylesburian. ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them’ Maya Angelou. An academic year that began with a focus on a new school inspection framework and the reality of a visit from Ofsted and concluded with 14 school weeks of Remote Home Learning, limited onsite provision and tutorials, cancelled examinations for GCSE and A Level, whilst preparing for a full reengagement with the School community in September 2020. None of us could have foreseen how the year would pan out and how we would all begin 2020-2021 in a new protective environment with measures taken for safety, but realising the need to get back to School. The reality has been one of reflection, admiration for the community and cohesion that makes our School such a unique and wonderful place to learn. In between the planning, responding, preparing and protecting, we continued to evolve the School and achieve some wonderful feats catalogued in this publication. From sporting success, amazing music, drama and art, research and academic success, infrastructure developments, local and international collaboration, the School is moving forwards with exceptional verve and energy. These developments and achievements are made possible by the students, our greatest ambassadors, and the staff who have been relentless, restless and focussed in all the prevailing circumstances they find themselves. We are humbled and appreciative of the entire community. ‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible’ St Francis of Assisi. We led the year with optimism and interest, looking back on some terrific outcomes for senior students and have ended the year with determination, humanity and hope. Wishing our departing Aylesburians great success in the most difficult of circumstances and welcoming the new students to our community. My sincere thanks to everyone involved in the School for the most challenging year. Reward and recognition can sometimes be lost, but I am privileged to lead this School and hope that this years’ publication of The Aylesburian provides you with a real sense of the impact the School has on our entire community. Thank you to everyone.

Mr M Sturgeon - Headmaster

Head Boy’s Reflections 2019 - 20

“This is weird…”. These were the first words in the last assembly I would give the Class of 2020. The 2019-2020 academic year has been very unique, to say

the least. From school starters to school leavers, everybody has been impacted by the early closure of the school. Despite this, the AGS community has shown its strengths in such testing times. I, personally, would like to send my best wishes to anybody reading this. You have braved the storm and kept going. Tough times never last, only tough people last. As I endeavour to write this, (the first extended piece of writing I have done in months…) it is, what would’ve been, the last week of the academic year. Now, as I officially become a member of the Old Aylesburians, it’s fitting that I reflect on my time here. It’s been a great privilege to be your Head Boy for the past year, alongside my fantastic team. I owe my thanks to all student leaders, the prefects, to my deputies, Ben and Dylan. It has been very pleasant working with all of you on various tasks, our cohesion and willingness to help have been integral in the day to day function of the school. To the Head Boys of House, I thank you for your leadership within your houses and for helping me where needed. Your efforts, commitment and passion for your groups have inspired many, myself included. Dylan, Ben and I decided our focus was to inspire leadership within the school. We did this by creating the framework to reform, create and promote opportunities for students to have roles of responsibility. A new sixth form school council was created with greater autonomy for members to research, execute and promote ideas - inspiring leadership within the sixth form community and currently, we are working alongside passionate students to create more opportunities for leadership. It’s my hope that once everybody is back in school, many more are encouraged to become leaders, no matter who they are or where they came from. I’m very happy to see that your new Head Boys are one of the most diverse groups in the school’s history. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to Dylan and Ben this past year. I could