Barnardian 2010 - 11

barnardian Bar nard Castle School magazine 2010/11 >> number 286

ISI Inspection…

ISI Inspection judges both Prep and Senior School “Excellent”

Dramatic Success… in “Skellig”, “Rent: School Edition”, “Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations” and “Oink!”

Lectern Club… sees students and staff alike all dolled up with somewhere to go…

The Barnardian 2011 Magazine of Barnard Castle School

LECTERN CLUBS…

DRAMATIC PUPILS…

ISI INSPECTION…

A RECORD BREAKING…

are a huge success as pupils take to the stand on a variety of topics (pages 62, 74 and 75)

take to the stage in a varied array of productions (pages 17, 59, 76-77 and 91)

shows the school excels (pages 6 and 81)

Sports Day in glorious sunshine (pages 100-101)

Speech Day Reports PREP SCHOOL Class Reports Music Drama Sport Art, Design and Activities Reports from Prep School Groups Special Events and Trips Fond Memories of Year 6 Senior Common Room

1-7 8-15 16 17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-27 28-29 30-33

SENIOR SCHOOL Activities Chapel and Charity Reports Department Reports House Reports

34-38 39-40 41-49 50-57

AUTUMN TERM The Arts Lectern Club “I Want...”

CCF Departmental Events Sports

59-61 62 63 64-65 66-71

Editor >> Mr T. Scott Edwards I Special Thanks to >> Mark Fuller, Oliver Chrisp, Ben Jeffrey, Ian Lamming and Assistants (photographic contributions) I Collation >> Mr T. Scott Edwards I Technical Support >> Oliver Chrisp and Ben Jeffrey I Prep School Editor >> Mr Nick Seddon (With thanks to contributors and additional photographers) Design and Production >> yellow torpedo byrå

SPRING TERM Public Speaking Competition Lectern Club The Arts Departmental Trips CCF Skiing Trip Reports ISI Inspection Comments Sports Barney Bash and Barnard Run

73 74-75 76-77 78 79 80-81 81 82-87 88-89

SUMMER TERM The Arts CCF Creative Writing Competition Events Departmental Trips Sports Sports Day Leavers’ Ball Reports from Senior School Groups

91 92 93 94 95 96-100 100-101 102-103 104

2010/11

Headmaster’s address

Alan Stevens’ Speech Day Report Chairman, Mr and Mrs Aikenhead, governors, noble guests, ladies and gentlemen of all ages, as is customary, I will highlight aspects of the last academic year, but I suspect that you also want me to say something of the future and so do I. However, of this year I will have very fond memories, especially of the warm welcome that so many of you have given to me and my family.

My abiding memories will be of successful boys and girls gripping their GCSE and A’Level results in August, the rewards of hard work; the indomitable damp Duke of Edinburgh Award campers whom Heather and I visited in their tents on a horribly wet Friday night in September; the tenacity of the Bursar after the first thaw of winter, collecting abandoned kitchen trays which had been pressed into service to aid boarders who had hurtled down the snow-covered slopes on them; the relief and sense of readiness among my staff when I finally gave them the news in March that the inspectors were coming; the perplexed reaction of the cricketers in May when the MCC fixture was almost abandoned because of cows on the outfield; and perhaps above all the stoic yet plaintive enquiry of a well-wrapped young German who endured the icy blasts of June to support a tennis fixture as he asked me: “when does summer come, sir?”

So where are we going now as a school? You will have seen traces of what is to come over the course of this year and, as I explained to the common room in September, Barney is a very different place from the school that assembled for the first time in Sept 1883 with 25 boarders and 10 dayboys. It has moved location, it buildings and resources have and will continue to be modernised, it has adapted to prepare children for the changing demands of our national and international economy and society.

Schools evolve and some changes are progressive and necessary, but important things don’t change: Barney still teaches what is important intellectually, physically, socially, morally and spiritually. That sounds grand and nebulous, but it’s not meant to be: each of these important areas has in a great many schools throughout the country become confused, restricted or simply lost.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread; fools deluded that their experience elsewhere qualifies them to pass judgement on a place and people who are unique.

I have read Barney’s history, I have rummaged in its archive, I have by now spoken with many hundreds of current and previous parents and pupils of the school – not just as a mildly curious historian, but because Barney matters to me and I wanted to find out how it ticks. It is a school with a national and, increasingly, an international reputation – and I am delighted by the number of nations and cultures now represented in our boarding houses, even though we have deliberately not increased our overseas numbers this year – but to really understand it, as Harper Lee wrote, you need to climb into its skin and walk around in it. That is a process that began for me almost 2 years ago and one that I have revelled in. It has brought home to me three truths: This is an outstanding school; I do not say that with any sense of spin, hype or falsehood or the easy

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platitudes of Ofsted: the qualities of your children, our staff (all of them, teaching and support) and what we achieve together is tremendous. It was a huge endorsement of all of them, gratifying for me and testament to the hard work of my predecessor, David Ewart, that the Independent Schools Inspectorate found that too – a rigorous 5 week inspection by a team which included the current chairman of the HMC. It is outstanding in Sport: in the range and quality that is played – too much to mention in detail, but my highlights this year must be the superb achievements of the U15 Squash team in reaching the final of the National Schools Championship in Manchester and the achievements of so many of our rugby 7s teams throughout the Spring Term: their haul of trophies and commendations was spectacular and the pinnacle must be the senior side’s victories over Millfield and Wellington at Sedbergh – big guns, yes, but they were no match for the calibre of Barney’s boys. The awards of colours and half-colours to so many at each nailing up has been a pleasure and I am pleased with their commitment and their example.

It is outstanding in intellectual stimulation and achievement: our Chemists are “top of the bench” and went on to represent the region in national competition at Imperial College; several of them returned last night from a research competition at Durham University in which their work was likened to that of postgraduates.

This year our mathematicians won plaudits and a greater number of gold awards than ever before in the history of the school’s participation in the UK Maths Olympiad; our students have responded to such stimuli as conversations with visiting authors, leading journalists such as Nigel Farndale from the Telegraph and politicians such as Helen Goodman and former Home Secretary, Lord Brittan. Historians and classicists have visited the subject of their studies; economists and business students have looked at manufacturing in action and spoken to industrial leaders. A source of great reassurance and constant amazement to our inspectors was the support given to many of our boys and girls by teachers in tailored tutorials – in other schools, including independent ones, the price tag for that is £30 an hour – here our teachers’ concerns are for your children’s progress and they put themselves out time and again to ensure that everyone achieves all that they can. This continues to be shown most notably in the fact that 96% of our boys and girls leave us to pursue further study at universities of their choice, despite the unprecedented competition for places at British universities.

Equally important in my view, they leave us not just with the intellectual credentials, but with a range of experiences which enriches their character, imbues them with confidence and enables them to talk to and work with other people – skills so increasingly rare among school-leavers, that those who have them are the leaders of tomorrow’s society. That range of experiences owes everything to the willingness of the Common Room, my colleagues, to give of their time; the fact that last term they provided 128 activities every week in addition to House competitions and sports fixtures is remarkable and selfless. We have had some highly accomplished and high profile drama performances this year in Skellig, Rent and Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations; we have been treated to extraordinary musical performances by groups, ensembles and the chapel choir in formal concerts, in chapel, in Durham Cathedral and in the superb Valentine’s Jazz Evening and I wish all of the musicians who are going on tour to France shortly bon voyage et bon chance.

So my first truth was that this is an excellent school.

My second is that the over-riding value and the one which I have placed at the top of the list that guides our strategic development plan is our sense of Community.

This was also something that inspectors found and commented upon because, despite most of them working in major and much more expensive independent schools, they had rarely or never encountered such a pleasant place to live and learn.

You will have read in their report that when they asked a girl if she enjoyed school, she didn’t answer with the customary “yes, I do”; she said “it’s like a big family” – I am so proud of that and to be part of that. It is at the heart of what Barney stands for – unity and achievement. It is commented upon time and again by visitors to our school, both those who come on business and those who are comparing schools and want to find the right place for their sons and daughters – without fail they speak with excitement of the courtesy of our children in holding doors open, saying an unsolicited good morning or good afternoon, how they mix easily with each other and purposefully with their teachers. Good habits and traditional values never expire. This has been noticed beyond the region: I mentioned that we had a national reputation. We have been invited to work with ITN which is making a film next term about excellence in independent education; they have identified our school and the aspect that they want us to focus on is community.

So we have an excellent school, with community at its heart.

My third truth is this: from all of my reading about the school’s history and my conversations with the Barney community past and present, it has become apparent that Barney has never stood still, has never been complacent – good schools don’t. In a highly competitive world, a ruthless market and these difficult economic times when you as parents want the best for your children and a clear sense of value for money, to stand still would be to take a backward step. What I want is for your children and the school’s staff to have the best resources that we can provide. So good schools don’t stand still, but great ones cherish their values and what is important to them. Barney is a special place and I love it; I have no intention of changing our inclusivity, our basic Christian values, our children’s sense of fun and sometimes mischief, even if it occasionally means gritting my teeth – such as I did when I received a card on Valentine’s Day which, of course fell towards the end of the Six nations Tournament. The card read “To our beloved HM, with love from the 6th Form. A pity about Ireland on Sunday” – they are good at heart, if a little cruel when a man’s down, but you must be very proud of them.

I share that pride, and I am also proud of my staff. As you know, I was an athletic youth with a full head of hair in Sept of last year – that is the nature of a HM’s job. Let me share with you the ennui of the HM of Shrewsbury School who wrote this to his governors in 1583: I am so weary with the work, so tired with the toil and overwhelmed with the care thereof, that I neither can nor will any longer continue with it.

So he took early retirement – at the age of 35. There are two lessons from this poor man’s experience: He did not have a fine staff, an excellent senior management team and a superbly supportive Second Master who give of their time and energies in a way that I have no right to expect. They do a sterling job for 6 and, in many cases, 7 days a week. They have my sincerest thanks, admiration and best wishes for a fine and relaxing holiday when it comes after tours, trips and CCF camps have safely returned.

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Headmaster’s address

The second lesson is that the HM of Shrewsbury knew when to get out, although 35 seems a little early, and something of which Lord Hutton would sternly disapprove. I must say that I am concerned that the government may follow the recommendation of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission report. While I understand very well that budgets must be balanced, the treasury’s suggestion that teachers should work until they are 68 years old – something that I suspect very few of us wants to see in schools – that they should pay more and have their pensions reduced fills me with concern on a number of grounds. My colleagues have joined this profession as a vocation: you know as well as I do that they are not clock-watching 9:00-3:30 functionaries and that regardless of how hard they work, they will never receive a dividend or the prospect of becoming rich. Most importantly for you as parents, you will have read and seen much news coverage of the recent industrial action which closed schools throughout the nation. On 30th June you will also have sent your children to Barney where children come first, so on the day when others struck we continued with our planned Geography Field Trip, the preprep sports day, U12 and U13 cricket, rounders and tennis fixtures and all of our normal lessons. I understand my teachers’ concerns and I know their value; but they know the value of your child, which is beyond measure, and of a stable and continuous education. That is what we do.

At the end of every year a school must make its farewells to pupils and staff.

The sadness of saying farewell to old colleagues is tempered by the pleasure of welcoming new ones and I am delighted to say that we have recruited – sometimes without even having to advertise, such is the reputation of Barney – excellent staff for the next academic year.

Later this month Simon Dowson, lately Bursar of Shrewsbury and Aysgarth, will take office here; the very experienced Dr David Walton will join us from Emmanuel College to lead the Physics Dept, Rachel Mitchell, who currently teaches A’Level Spanish and German at the Lycee Francais in Dublin and who is a highly qualified hockey umpire will join us; Andrew Wade will add his considerable experience to English, Theatre Studies and History; Emma McKenzie will become our first ever graduate sports coach, an outstanding coach out of a field of 75 applicants who wanted to work at Barney; Emily McMillan from Virginia will join us as our resident Lacrosse coach and Stephen Blakemore will take over in September as facilities manager. We welcome them all to the Barney community.

So I reprise my question: where are we going as a school?

Barney has evolved and it will continue to do so. Over a period of weeks in the Autumn Term my staff and I discussed the nature of the school, its strengths, weaknesses and character, I spoke to a great many parents and I wrote to all of the boarding parents, inviting your input – you responded brilliantly and constructively. In the Spring Term, while preparing for our imminent inspection, I discussed further the development of the school with those who will be instrumental in carrying through our plans. Earlier this term we engaged an independent consultant who audited aspects of our work and from whom every senior and prep school parent received a detailed questionnaire. Again, the results were reassuring, overwhelmingly positive and constructive – 98% of you said that you were satisfied with the School’s work and that you would recommend it to others but there are matters which need further attention and I promise you that they will get them. I will receive the full survey

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results over the holidays and be in a position to respond to all parents early next term. As I said earlier, fools rush in and this process has been an investment which has helped to inform our progress through a clearly considered plan – it is not revolutionary, but it will focus our attention and the sum of this will be progress on a broad front without complacency.

Perhaps that approach is best exemplified in Martin Pepper, our excellent Director of Sport who has augmented the school’s reputation for sporting achievement during his time here; instead of resting on his laurels, he is ambitious to develop sport for all of our children, regardless of their abilities, and to develop an Elite Scholars’ Programme for those with most potential. Similarly, we will do the same in Drama, Music and Academic studies – I want achievement in all of these valuable pursuits to be accessible to as many of our children as possible and I want us to celebrate our scholars and our most talented pupils.

Turning to our Sixth Form; they are our best advert and I want to make their Sixth Form years unquestionably their best and to provide them with unrivalled access to experiences, speakers and opportunities to lead and develop the skills necessary for learning and life beyond school. I want them to be distinctive and to look smart.

We have begun by providing a forum for them to influence their school. One result has been the change to the 6th form uniform which we will phase in over the next 2 years; another has been our weekly electronic Barney Bulletin; a third is an academic forum which has contacted and hosted speakers from different walks of life. This is a good start and there is much to be done under the direction of Stuart Everall as Head of Sixth Form to create an espirt de corps which sets the tone for the rest of the school.

Our boarding houses are well-run and caring places; ISI described them as excellent and they will be full next year - but I want the quality of each house to be such that it provides a comfortable, safe and well-equipped home from home for our boys and girls. As you know, we began a rolling programme of refurbishment in the Autumn – it will continue and speed up. We are also exploring the most efficient, secure and manageable way to install a wireless internet connection in the boarding houses; when we do so, you will be relieved to hear, it will be one that we can switch off at lights-out.

Turning to academia, much of our teaching is excellent and among the best and most inspirational that I have seen anywhere. However, we will, through crossdepartmental collaboration and support, introduce a clear schedule of lesson observations, work scrutinies, universal formative assessment and a review and development procedure to raise the bar and help us to do better what we currently do well.

To these subjects of Academia, Sport, Music, Drama, Sixth Form and Boarding, we have added business and finance, ICT, marketing, pastoral care, premises and the prep school. I strongly believe that something need not be in a state of atrophy before we seek to improve it, so in all of these areas we will focus our efforts over the coming three years to consolidate our strengths and improve our provision for the development of the children whom you send to us.

There is one element missing, of course – I am addressing parents exclusively now – and that is you. I hope, over the course of this year, that you have picked up from speaking to me and from various communications that I do not want parents to remain at arm’s length. The Barney Friends of the senior school is active and thriving; its events will appear again in next term’s calendar and in the Bulletin. This year, parents have generously responded to invitations to get involved

with our Sixth Form in particular. We are hosting regular Barney friends meetings in the Nicholson Room and we are fitting out the old weights room to become an accessible “as-new” second-hand uniform shop, run voluntarily by parents to whom I am very grateful. I invited all parents to come and discuss the ISI report directly with me and the chairman in May and the parents of leavers will notice that they too are now invited as my guests to celebrate the end of the year and the end of their children’s time at Barney by joining the governors, me and my staff for lunch on the lawn after Chapel. Parents are as much part of the Barney community as are our current pupils and the U6th sitting to my left who, after today, will become the youngest Old Barnardians.

To them I say that it is important to me and to all current Barnardians that you know that you will remain part of our community and your membership of it will not be diluted after you take off your uniform for the last time. It is a source of real pleasure to have strong and developing links with the OB community and, in particular, to be able to welcome members such as Tony Aikenhead back to school. Tony is an exceptional individual who has achieved extraordinary things in a typically modest, self-deprecating way. I have enjoyed getting to know him this year and the 6th form in particular will enjoy his talk on leadership. He delivers it with the wisdom of someone who has been there; unlike former ABP Michael Ramsay who, when asked if he was a wise man replied, “Am I? I don’t really think so.

It is probably just the impression given by the absurd fecundity of my eyebrows.” Tony Aikenhead has, I hope he forgives me for remarking, pedestrian eyebrows but a great deal of wisdom from which we can learn and I look forward to hearing from him.

To our leavers, I know that today is a special day for you and tears may even be shed before it’s over, but enough about Mr Pepper. You have provided us with reasons to be confident about your future and proud of you, occasionally to be frustrated and often highly amused by you.

Among this fine year group, Nicholas Crowe has been an exemplary Head of School; he is an exceptional young man and a perfect example of the well-rounded earnest character who will try anything and excel at most things simply because he doesn’t give up. His legacy to the school is the range of suits for which Year 11 were measured this week and he led his committee through that project in a manner which even Alan Sugar would have found hard to criticise. He has not only taken on all the responsibilities of Head of School, ably assisted by Heather, Cameron, Jess and Rob, but he has excelled in his academic work, played rugby, sang lustily in House music, improved his Barney run time by some considerable margin and even put up with us using “that photograph” time and again in presentations. Nick, thank you for a job well done. To you and all of your fellow leavers, I wish every one of you slainte agus tainte.

In conclusion, Chairman, the school is hale and hearty with neither pretensions nor spin. It is made successful by dedicated, ambitious staff, and by children who are open, friendly, supportive and hard-working. I hope that I have given you all a sense of our vision for your children and for those yet to join us and I invite you to take every opportunity to support us and to be part of it.

Alan Stevens

2011

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Prize List

School Prizes

UVI Prizes Governors’ Prize for English Language Barker Prize for English Literature Adlard Prize for Mathematics Parkinson Prize for Further Mathematics Sowerby Prize for Biology Robinson Prize for Chemistry Wiseman Prize for Physics Walton Prize for Practical Sciences Walton Prize for Practical Sciences Walton Prize for Practical Sciences Crosby Prize for Pre-Medical Studies Munro Prize for French Governors’ Prize for Spanish Shields Prize for Classics Farrar Prize for Ancient History Scott Prize for Geography Jackson Prize for Field Study Mowitt Prize for History Governors’ Prize for Politics Prest Prize for Religious Studies Rowlandson Prize for Economics Vincent Prize for Business Studies Mellanby Prize for Technology Horwarth, Clark, Whitewell Prize for I.T. Blaxland Prize for Art Taylor Prize for Drama Gibson Prize for Theatre Studies Director of Music’s Prize Johnson Prize for Piano Niven Prize for Woodwind Governors’ Prize for Sports Studies Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Hughes Prize for Service Contingent Commander’s Prize Contingent Commander’s Prize Contingent Commander’s Prize Aquilla Prize Commandant’s Certificate of Outstanding Service Dinning-Cooke Sword of Honour

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Jessica Scott Douglas Bolton Daniel Miller Robert Hall Daniel Miller Robert Hall Robert Hall Angus Robertson Daniel Miller Ben Wilson Daniel Miller Rachel Metcalf Heather Appleby Ryan Strawbridge Kathryn Johnston James Ingram Helen Simpson William Ford Alex Wilson Matthew Emmerson Richard Stanwix Kate Swinbank James Gatenby Sophie Evans Hannah Robertson Hannah Robertson Oliver Chrisp Daniel Miller Juliet O'Brien Arjen Jongschaap Jessica Scott Cameron Jones Rachel Brown Christopher Legg Anna Dawson Michael Waldin Jessica Scott Lukas Killinger Helen Alderson Heather Appleby Oliver Chrisp Ryan Strawbridge Edward Grundy Donna Opray

Westwick Prizes for Achievement Southern Prize for Chapel Reading Southern Prize for Chapel Chorister Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Rotary Club Prizes Rotary Club Prizes Rotary Club Prizes Rotary Club Prizes Rotary Club Prizes Rotary Club Prizes Headmaster's Prize for a Day Girl Headmaster's Prize for a Day Boy Headmaster's Prize for a Boarding Girl Headmaster's Prize for a Boarding Boy Thompson-Richardson Prize The Old Barnardians’ Club Centenary Cup

Tom Miller Harry Bainbridge Matthew Emerson Jevany Thompson Chris Bury Grant McGrath Victoria Cliffe Sophie Thompson Tom Harrison George Woollard Matthew Tsang Callum Larsen Nick McGregor Stephen Tsoi Aarti Devgan Angus Robertson Harriet Knowles Adam Mason James Ingram Nicholas Crowe

LVI Prizes English Language English Literature F Mathematics Mathematics French German Spanish Physics Chemistry Biology Geography Religious Studies History Politics Economics Business Studies Art Latin Classics Technology Music P.E. Theatre Studies

Imogen Ridley Freddie Metcalfe Varun Balupuri Adam Miller Freddie Metcalfe Dale Keogh Natalie Shaw Andrew Bussey Adam Miller Alice McBain Finlay Tait Imogen Ridley Christopher Robinson Neil Stanwix Jonathan Harrison Katherine Walton Finlay Tait Natalie Shaw Christopher Robinson Thomas Vickers Luke Shield Alex Beaumont Paige Wilkinson

The Barnardian Magazine

Nic Crowe’s Report Tom Harrison’s speech

Nic Crowe’s Report Well, we have certainly had a busy year – a new Headmaster and Second master, the ISI inspection and members of the school jetting off around the globe to the likes of South Africa, Austria, Cyprus, Belgium, Paris, Rome and, by far the most glamorous, the 1st XI cricket tour to Macclesfield.

Becky Davy used this platform last year to talk of all the resignations that occurred in her time as Head of School and I must admit with Mr. Ewart leaving in July, and Mr. Marlowe in December, the prospect of a new Headmaster daunted me a little. However following a meeting with Mr. Stevens upon my return from South Africa, all my fears were set aside. Mr. Stevens gave me the opportunity to be as pro-active as I could be, allowing me to help make real changes to life in our school.

Upon arrival back in September, the wheels of change accelerated into motion. Immediately 5 committees were set up to evaluate life in the Sixth Form: the Academic Forum, the Recognition Committee, the Social Committee, the Accommodation Committee and the Dress and Appearance Committee. Many thanks must go to all involved as it was by no means a compulsory task, yet each committee had approximately 25 members meeting regularly in their free time who felt that they could change Sixth Form life for the better. In their brief existence we have already had quiz nights, guest lecturers for Sixth Form assemblies and a uniform change. All of the above were seamlessly carried out by members of the committees and the actions of all involved must be applauded. It is them who have made the difference. It is situations such as these which show what is so great about Barnard Castle School. If you can provide the impetus, you can be what you want to be, do what you want to do. We may not have the best results in the country, or have the best rugby team, although we often do, but we leave as well rounded individuals, because, at the end of the day, there is an awfully big world outside the classroom.

And speaking of classrooms I would like to thank all members of staff for all their help over the years - there are, however, a few I feel the need to pick on. Firstly I must thank Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Keane – the pair

made Maths something which it very often is not; fun.

I also must thank my Biology teachers, Miss Hall and Mr. Fuller. Mr. Butler is by far the most hardworking person I have ever met, and his passion for his subject comes across when you are taught by him. Mrs. Campbell has given me a love for politics that has driven me to study it at university, so I owe her a huge thank you. I certainly owe Mr. Pepper my gratitude for keeping me physically fit. I say physically because the years of psychological torment in the form of trudging out on the fields in 6 inches of snow in January will pay their due in the form of a nervous breakdown at some point in my mid 30s. I must also thank all of the senior management team- Mrs. Ellison, Mr. Gorman, The Rev, Mr. Everall and of course Mr. Stevens. Their continued support and encouragement has been priceless.

Mr. McHarry retires this year, and it is a huge loss for the school. Never has a man been more passionate about his subject or about being an educator. His quick wit and his sharp eye are a force to be reckoned with, I know, I’ve been on the receiving end of them enough times! Allegedly he is the former northern motorcycle speedway champion although I struggle to see how he could find the time whilst introducing new levels of qualification throughout his department, building the physics website and running the famous physics film club. Not many teachers can boast a Facebook appreciation group with numbers in the many hundreds; it’s just testament to how great a man and how outstanding a teacher he is. Finally Mr. Dalton, or Dalts as we call him. Over the last 7 years I could not have asked anymore of him as a Housemaster, he has been a guiding influence over every big decision I have made as was the one who encouraged me to go for Head of School. If there have ever been any problems his door has always been open to listen to me whine and moan which, coincidentally, happens quite a lot. He is a great friend and an exceptional Housemaster and I will miss him dearly next year.

As I mentioned earlier we have had a very busy year but everything has been kept in check by those in blue ties. The monitorial team has been happy to help whenever they have been needed and I am very grateful

Tom Harrison’s Speech When I was told that the Lectern club committee had chosen the ‘Future Memories’ as the title for their next event, I thought ‘fantastic’.

This gives me the chance to give it the full Chesney Hawkes. The ‘I am the one and only’. Listing all my achievements at the school and politely informing everyone how, and for what I shall be remembered when I leave. I’d even planned my closing line, it was going to be ‘and that is why I’m proud to be a Barnardian!’. And at this intense, passionate statement I would be greeted with a standing ovation. At least that’s how it all panned out in my head…

The hard part came when I thought about my ‘legacy’ and how I’ll be remembered. I wasn’t particularly overwhelmed with my conclusion if truth be told, which was that the odds are that like most Old Barnardians who haven’t played rugby for England I may well be forgotten… But as I’d already planned this Churchillesque speech this simply wouldn’t do. So it was back to the drawing board. This is what I came up with…

I was captain of the Bank of England target 2.0 team

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that were very unlucky not to be put through to the next round. Although it was not the first time that a group of bankers’ decision has left a group of economist’s puzzled.

I was part of the unbeaten, or rather unbeatable 3rd XV. Undoubtedly one of the great sides to have graced the schools fields.

I scored a mammoth 182 in inter-house scrabble.

Which I’m assured is some kind of school record…

Then it occurred to me that you don’t actually need a legacy, for two reasons.

First of all, you can make your own legacy up. I was told by someone that when they went to university they met about 20 1st XV captains and is still waiting to meet someone who was a fringe player at school! This means my legacy from school, to all those I meet in the future could be that I was the head of school. However I will try and avoid this route as the real head of school Nic Crowe is substantially bigger and stronger than I am…

The second reason I don’t need a legacy here is because that wasn’t why I was sent here. Next year will be the first in 31 years in which my parents won’t have

for all their hard work and release them safe in the knowledge that they will never, ever, ever have to do another lunch duty. Similarly the Deputy Heads have done a sterling job this year. Cam Jones, the self professed charm of the group. Jess Scott, who kept me in line. Heather Appleby, who has the knack of somehow being everywhere all of the time. And Rob Hall who, despite having the added workload of being a Deputy, still managed to obtain a place to study physics at Oxford next year, an impressive feat to say the least. All of them were faultless and probably deserved to be in my place.

I am so proud to be a part of the class of 2011. The retiring Upper 6th are a great bunch and I am honoured to have known every one of them and I am sure they will all go on to be very successful after Barnard Castle. I hope with Facebook and the like we can all keep in touch in the future, I’ll probably want a job from one of you in the not too distant future. I am proud to know that I have earned your respect over the course of the last year but I assure this pride is eclipsed by being able to call all of you my friends. We’ve had a good run but as I’m sure you are aware all good things must come to an end, I wish you all the best of luck for the future.

My final thank you is an obvious one. Constantly supportive and encouraging, I could not have asked anymore of my parents over the last 8 years. I have always understood the financial burden that comes with going to a private school, but I hope they can see that I have made the most of my experience here and that I have enjoyed my time at BCS so much. I will not forget just how lucky I have been.

I hope everyone has a great summer and those of you returning enjoy your time next year. I have every confidence in Guy Van Den Dries to do an excellent job in this role and I wish him every success. To those of you returning all I would say is this - never lose sight of how lucky you are, don’t give up on something that really matters to you and make the most of everything offered to you at this school. Enjoy being here and, no matter how much it rains, don’t wish your time here away too soon. I am proud to be a Barnardian and although I won’t be back next year, the lessons I have learned here will stay with me for life. So in the words of Lawrence Oates, who assisted Captain Scott on his failed mission to the Antarctic 100 years ago, ‘I am going outside - and I may be some time’.

Nic Crowe

a child in full time private education, an incredibly long period of selflessness and on occasion sacrifice, for which my elder brothers and sister are extremely grateful. But after a couple of years at Barney my Dad didn’t weigh up another 5 years of school fees or a nice big Lexus, because he didn’t feel I was creating a big enough legacy… my parents sent me here because the opportunities here set you up really well. Admittedly it doesn’t always feel worth it after double French with Mr Johnson, in which he fit more French than many mere mortal language teachers can fit into two years’ worth of lessons, or on a Sunday afternoon facing the prospect of doing the history essay Mr. Gorman has set for Tuesday ‘To what extent was there a consensus between 1945 and 1962’. But when you get to your French oral and it seems very tame in comparison to a normal French lesson, and when that exact essay comes up in your History A2 it suddenly seems worth it.

So whilst I’m afraid I don’t hold the full collection of school honours ties, that doesn’t especially bother me, because it doesn’t mean I’ve got anything less out of my 7 years here. We’ve all had opportunities here, teachers and pupils. Some have found their place on the pitch, others have found it in the classroom and a few have found it behind this lectern. And that’s why you should be proud to be a Barnardian.

Tom Harrison

2011

5

Prep Headmaster’s Report

Carl Rycroft’s Speech Day Report

An Excellent Year!

Speech day is a day of collective celebration. It is an opportunity to reflect on an excellent year. I am proud to be associated with a great school – a school with traditions and with traditional values, where we are not afraid to talk about appearance and table manners, about respect and politeness, about commitment to the school and about excellence in achievement; but also a school which is above all a community, where individuals are nurtured and where relationships across the year groups are strong.

We are not, however, a complacent school. We are determined to keep moving forward. It is in this spirit that we commissioned independent consultants to undertake an extensive survey of parental views and I shall report back to parents next term with regard to the findings. At this juncture I would like to extend my gratitude to Barney Friends for their support of the school and its parent body. The Barney Friends fulfil an important function in providing a network of support for parents, a second-hand uniform service and a calendar of social events.

The year was of course punctuated by the inspection run by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate or ISI. The inspection process was thorough, professional and exacting. It is important for us to recognise the findings of this wholly independent process and the ringing endorsement that our school was given.

Our youngest children have continued to flourish and have made the best start to their formal education. The Pre-Prep is a vibrant and exciting place for children and staff alike. The quality of our Early Years provision has been outstanding and it is pleasing to see our Pre-Prep pupils gaining such a good educational foundation.

Barney continues to be a happy and encouraging community where the care of the children is our priority.

This year’s assemblies and wide variety of charity events have engendered a thorough understanding of the value of good character and awareness of the needs of others.

Our boarding community has had a very good year.

The inspectors were most impressed by the amount of support that the boarders get with their homework and that they were listened to reading on such a regular basis. The wide range of evening and weekend activities has certainly enhanced the boarders’ education. In this way, boarding provides children with the chance to experience a wider educational experience and I am very grateful to our boarding staff for their tireless dedication.

There have been a myriad of opportunities for personal development and for the children to grow in confidence. The drama, the school council, reading in chapel, class assemblies and the special events have been appreciated by all of the pupils.

Music and Art continue to go from strength to strength and both these curricular areas contribute significantly to the spiritual richness and diversity within the school. Many pupils have had individual instrumental lessons and the two choirs, the orchestra,

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the brass group, the strings group and the guitar group have had a super year. The Pre-Prep musical performances have been a real highlight and the PrePrep concert and nativity play were particular successes. The singing and acting in the school production ‘Oink!’ were of an exceptional standard and were very much enjoyed by cast and audience alike.

We are fortunate to be served by such a talented and dedicated staff and they have excelled themselves this year. The ambition in their lessons, their boundless enthusiasm and their wholehearted commitment has allowed the school to flourish and the pupils to thrive.

Our teachers and pupils have been ably supported by a very capable non-teaching staff, without whom the school simply wouldn’t function. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff for another fine year.

Above all, however, it has been the children that have made this year such a huge success. They have been enthusiastic, hard working and full of fun. Their energy and positive attitudes have enabled our lessons to be purposefully undertaken and to satisfy the children’s quest for knowledge and their love of learning.

The achievements of our pupils have been excellent.

In particular I would like to recognise the 16 scholarships and exhibitions that our pupils attained to the senior school. The fact that eight of these awards were academic scholarships is particularly meritorious.

On the sports field we have had another successful year. The children have acquitted themselves capably in Hockey, Rugby, Football, Netball, Cross-country, Swimming, Athletics, Rounders, Tennis and Cricket teams. Amongst our many highlights, the U10 Rugby team won the inaugural Clegg Cup competition, our cross-country runners were triumphant at the Teesside High School competition and our athletes performed particularly well at the recent HMC Athletics championships where we garnered considerable success, both individually and as a team. Both the PrePrep and the Prep sports days provided the opportunity for us to see the Prep School’s rich pedigree of athletic talent in action.

We have enjoyed particular individual success on the rugby field with Jamie Spratt and Jamie Adamson representing the North of England Prep Schools Barbarians team and we were delighted that Jamie Adamson was selected for the England Prep Schools Barbarians team that toured Ireland earlier in the year.

Claudia Barkes continues to excel in gymnastics where she is competing at the very top level working with the national squad; Claudia should be particularly congratulated for managing to keep up with her school work despite the hours of training she undertakes each week.

The children’s enjoyment of the extra-curricular life of the school such as the sport, the activity programme and the school trips has been inspiring and we have indeed had a year of which to be proud. This wider education has contributed significantly to each child’s development and is a strength of this school.

Our Year 6 pupils have completed their final year at the Prep School in magnificent fashion. We were delighted that they all negotiated the Entrance tests to the Senior School successfully and we wish them all continued success and happiness as they move on to the next stage of their education.

This is an exciting time for the Prep School. Over the summer months the builders move in to undertake a remodelling of the school that will provide a new Year 4 classroom in place of the current staff room, a new school office at the front of the school and a new staff room area; 1M’s classroom will be converted into a new Reception classroom and outdoor learning area and 1T’s classroom is being completely refurbished for next year’s 1M. This is phase one of a programme of development planned for the next few years that will further improve the Prep School teaching and learning environment.

As you can see we do not stand still, however education is much more than our physical surroundings, it is all about people and relationships – to paraphrase William Butler Yeats, one of the foremost literary figures of the 20th Century, “Education is not the filling of a bucket but instead the lighting of a fire”.

I trust it is clear that the fire and the appetite for learning and life experiences burn brightly at Barnard Castle Prep School. We have had another excellent year – our pupils today are a credit to us and I have no doubt, will continue to be so.

Carl Rycroft Headmaster

“

“The overall effectiveness of the EYFS is outstanding.” (ISI)

“Within a safe and happy environment the needs of the children are very well met and fulfil the aims of the school. Every child is treated as a valued individual. Outcomes for the children are outstanding. “ (ISI)

“Pastoral care is excellent and pupils flourish in the supportive and understanding atmosphere of the school” (ISI)

“The experience of boarding plays a valuable part in the pupils’ education and personal development, fully supporting the school’s aims for all pupils to achieve their potential within a secure and happy learning environment” (ISI) “The personal development of pupils is excellent; from the earliest age pupils are selfconfident and fulfilled members of the school community” (ISI) “The spiritual development of pupils is excellent. They develop high self-esteem and have many opportunities in lessons, chapel, assemblies and out of doors to experience and reflect on the spiritual, non-material aspects of life.” (ISI) “Teaching is excellent: detailed planning, excellent relationships and skilful execution of lessons combine to ensure that pupils learn successfully and make excellent progress.” (ISI) “The overall quality of the teaching is excellent, enabling all pupils to make significant progress and give of their best.” (ISI) “Attitudes to work are extremely positive, with pupils hurrying to class, being prepared to start in the twinkling of an eye, and applying themselves wholeheartedly in lessons. They show enthusiasm, willingness and enjoyment in all that they do.” (ISI) “In accordance with the school’s aims, the scope and variety of the excellent curriculum is broad and balanced for all pupils and it is complemented by a wide range of highly effective extra-curricular and enrichment activities.” (ISI)

”

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep Headmaster’s Report

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

7

Prep School

Old Courts

Digging for buried treasure

We started in September with 14 boarders, 11 of whom were new to boarding and Barnard Castle School. We were joined in the Summer Term by two more children taking the number of boys up to 10 and the girls to 6.

Over the year we have had great fun getting to know each other and have enjoyed each others’ company. We have been on several trips each term and some of the favourites were: Flamingo Land, York Dungeons, South Lakes Wild Animal Park, going to the beach and visiting the farm to see the lambs. Activities around the school grounds have proved to be very popular this year. They have included: treasure hunts, barbeques, water fights and team games on the playing fields.

In addition to our busy weekend trips, each evening the children have an activity they can join in which is organised by the member of staff on duty. On a Monday evening Mr Ayres has taken the children to the hall to play various ball games and in the summer has taken the children to play tennis. On a Tuesday evening the boarders have loved going for a fun swim with Mr and Mrs Killeen and many have improved their water confidence as a result. On a Wednesday Miss Bennington has organised a variety of themed nights. These have included making

Walks by the river

masks for Chinese New Year, Easter egg competitions, talent shows and many more popular activities chosen by the children. On a Thursday evening Mr Wicling has taken over half of the children to attend horse riding lessons whilst the remainder have enjoyed the company of Miss Kulaszewski who has organised art and craft activities for them. On a Friday evening the boarders have enjoyed the quizzes and games Mr and Mrs Killeen have designed as well as playing outside on their rollerblades and bikes.

Over the course of the year we have had different monitors who have chaired meetings for the boarders and put forward ideas of what changes or additions they’d like to see in Old Courts. The children voted for who they would like to have as their monitors and they have proved to be invaluable.

Many of the boarders have represented the school at several sporting events and Mr and Mrs Killeen have loved watching them achieve their potential both on the sports field and in the classroom.

The boarders did a fantastic play at Christmas called ‘The Elf Who Lost Her Way’. Mrs Killeen was very impressed with how naturally and confidently they performed and can’t wait for this year’s play,

Horse riding activity which has again been written by our resident matron, Miss Sanderson. I know the children have been very excited about receiving their play scripts and Miss Sanderson has given them the first part to read over the holidays to familiarise themselves with their characters. Mr and Mrs Killeen are really looking forward to the play and as we have 20 boarders in September we are upgrading the venue and having it in Big School to ensure all parents and siblings will be able to come and watch.

The children have a very busy schedule whilst in the Boarding House and thrive on the challenges set.

Our main aim is to ensure they are happy and feel safe in their surroundings. It has been an absolute pleasure looking after the boarders this year and we have seen them mature and overcome certain obstacles in order to become more independent. We look forward to meeting the new boarders in September and welcome back many of this year’s cohort. Many new trips and ideas have already been talked about but we’ll wait to see what next term brings.

FMK/MK

Clockwise from top left: Fun at the park > Sunday Chapel Service > South Lakes Wild Animal Park > Christmas Play was fantastic > Feeding the animals > Enjoying the fantastic views > Fun in the snow > Fruit cocktails for Movie Night.

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Reception Reception Class Clockwise from top left: Practising letters > Snow Day > At the vets > Body shapes > Jackson Pollock work > Gears and levers > Building houses > Body shapes two > Hello! > Christmas lunch.

The Barnardian Magazine

At the beginning of September ten children and one teacher, all new to the school, were thrown together and quickly built the bonds of trust, respect and friendship to become the Reception class. With the help of Mrs RobertsLilley, the children not only adapted quickly to school routines and expectations but they also took on board the foundations of learning that we all now take for granted.

We learnt how to live the Barney Way and use it when making difficult decisions or considering the best way to behave. This was no small concept for four and five year olds, but the children have received many of their merits as a result of this. I was particularly impressed by the thought which the children gave to Remembrance Day discussions, which we held while completing a piece of group artwork based on Monet’s ‘Poppies’.

The ever popular visit to see Santa at Raby Castle took place in beautiful snowy surroundings in the midst of a packed Christmas schedule including making a star appearance as lambs in the nativity play!

In the New Year, the children threw themselves into the many activities that the topic of Chinese New Year presented; dragon dancing, Chinese writing and of course visiting our very popular ‘Green Dragon Restaurant’ role-play area.

To encourage an appreciation of our surroundings we designed posters and slogans for the Countryside Code, providing the opportunity for the children to write their ideas on the computer. This made an eye-catching display and gave food for thought for passers-by.

Learning about baby animals, their needs and how they grow culminated in a visit to Castle Vets in Barnard Castle where the children were commended for their excellent behaviour and the interesting questions they asked. The highlight of this term for many of us was the Pre-Prep spring concert in which the Reception class confidently performed the song ‘Five Hot Cross Buns’ in front of a packed Atkinson Hall.

The summer term is always a most enjoyable term for Reception staff and children. With reading and writing skills acquired and a confidence in number established, children can start to work with increased independence and are able to concentrate on longer pieces of work and problem-solving challenges. This was when I noticed children choosing to write for their own purposes during imaginative play; for example in the outdoor classroom, writing parking tickets for wayward motorists and taking food orders in the Creepy Crawly Café!

The children started swimming lessons this term and enjoyed preparations for Sports Day. They showed their readiness for Year One by their exemplary behaviour during Speech Day and their polished performance in our class assembly, during which they shared the many facts that they had learnt about chickens and their life cycles. Then in a whirlwind of minibeast hunting, a teddy bears’ picnic and a trip to Harlow Carr, the year was over!

Some of the topics that the children have initiated through their interests this year have been; ‘Superheroes’ and ‘Buses’. The ‘Superheroes’ week encouraged children to write their names on their superhero costumes and firmly established Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ as our superhero theme music and class anthem. Some thoughtful discussion came from the question “What qualities does a superhero need?” When using an interest in buses to count wheels and passengers, then sell and design tickets we also discovered that you can travel as far as Africa on an Arriva bus if you use your imagination!

This has been a year of ‘firsts’ for us all and I hope that the children will remember it for as long as I will.

Mrs Bale

2011

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Prep School

Year One The Year One classes have had a typically energetic year and the children have really thrived on all the different projects, visits and activities. Our first trip, in the Autumn Term, was to the Bowes Museum. Our History topic was ‘Toys’ and the children took part in an exciting ‘hands on’ exploration to discover how old fashioned toys worked.

They also had the opportunity to make their own ‘peg doll’, letting their imaginations run wild as they used fabrics, paper, wool and trimmings to realise their designs. After marvelling at the ‘Silver Swan’ automaton, we returned to school.

The children are always keen to play their part in Prep School celebrations, and enjoyed making bread for Harvest and decorating the Chapel with their Harvest cards. In the snowy second half of the term, rehearsals began in earnest for our grand performance of ‘The Nativity’ in Chapel. All the Year One children took a part; we had Shepherds camped in the aisle, Angels singing from the organ loft and Stars twinkling as they danced. The acting and singing was brilliant and made a really super finale to a busy term.

The Spring Term arrived and brought our turn for swimming lessons. The children loved their swimming and it was great to see so many of them really gain in confidence and ability over the term. As well as taking part in the whole school charity events, Year One worked hard to raise lots of money to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. They collected money from their sponsored daffodils, which they had planted in autumn and cared for through the winter; there was great excitement when the first flowers bloomed! The children also held a cake sale, which proved very popular, selling their ‘daffodil’ decorated fairy cakes to all their Prep School friends.

Our DT and History Topic for the term was ‘Homes’, and the Year One classes learned about how houses are built, investigated building materials and then had a brilliant time designing and making their own houses.

Not content with Lego bricks, they also learned how to use hacksaws and wood-glue, making wood-framed panel walls to fit on the class Model House. To learn about different types and styles of buildings through the years, we had a lovely walk through the town.

1T performed a memorable Assembly to show off all they had learned about house building, which was both informative and very entertaining. 1M presented work on our Literacy topic, ‘Fairy Tales,’ demonstrating some emerging dramatic talents with their musical rendition of Sleeping Beauty.

To enhance our study of Sound in Science, we visited Radio Teesdale, where we were given an interesting tour of the studios and met some ‘real’ presenters.

The children composed their own ‘jingles’ and then recorded some very special messages which were broadcast on Mothers’ Day. There is always a strong focus on Music in Year One and, having rounded off our ‘Sound’ topic by designing and making a musical instrument, our next big event was the Pre-Prep Concert. The children worked so hard to learn songs and poems to perform for this and the concert was a great success!

In the Summer Term, the children involved themselves in growing edible plants and they prepared and tasted a variety of fruit and vegetable recipes as part of our Healthy Eating project. The children enjoyed Pre-prep Sports Day, taking part with typical gusto. The term finished with all the excitement of our trip to Harlow Carr RHS Gardens, where the children explored the beautiful grounds, took part in some interesting workshops and had a lovely picnic.

We wish them all the very best as they move up to the challenges of next year!

Mrs Michelin, Mrs Turner and Mrs Thompson

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Pre-Prep cake sale

Partner work

Ready, steady go!

Clockwise from top left: Year 1 Group Artwork > The Nativity > Visit to Bowes Museum > Building houses > Pond dipping > Fun with the wind > Recording Mothers Day messages > Harlow Carr

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Year Two

Making clay Chinese dragons

Pattern work at Bowes Museum

Printing at Bowes Museum

Clockwise from top left: Clowning around > Harlow Carr > View from above > Gymnastics Fun > Lunch at the Lighthouse > Science is fun > Printing at Bowes Museum > Land ahoy! > (centre) Souter Lighthouse

Year Two had a great start in their new class with a trip to the Shildon Railway Museum as part of their transport topic. They enjoyed learning the names of the different trains and talking to the engine drivers.

The class were very upset to learn that Mrs Tulip would be leaving just before half term and gave her a lovely send off with a special book of memories.

After half term, Miss White took over the class and preparations for the Nativity began, which allowed many of the children to take on leading roles. Chinese New Year was celebrated with aplomb as the children tried Chinese food, made lanterns and learnt how it is celebrated in China from two of the School’s Chinese sixth formers.

The Spring Term started with woodland walks and mini beast hunts which resulted in the discovery of several never-before-seen creatures! The Year Two assembly fell on St Patrick’s Day; coincidentally the subject of the assembly was St Patrick – a fact that did not escape the children! This led to the conclusion that there are several budding thespians in the class, especially if the RSC ever need a serpent or ‘man with a hammer’. As part of their Art project, Year 2 visited the Bowes Museum. They spent several hours

The Barnardian Magazine

searching the Museum for patterns, which they then copied using a variety of media. Following this, they had the opportunity to create their own monoprint, which you might have been forgiven for thinking, involved rolling green ink on your face and hands!

Souter Lighthouse was all the children could talk about in the weeks preceding their History trip in June.

There was such a cheer on the bus when the Lighthouse came into view that the coach driver almost pulled over. Whilst there, the children became Lighthouse Keepers, engineers and some even became pirates!

The sun shone on Sports Day and everyone participated with enthusiasm and energy. The class took part in four races, the obstacle, the bat and ball, the shuttle relay and the sprint. Thanks must go to Mr Wicling for working so hard with Year Two in P.E. this year. The children have really enjoyed building on their skills in gymnastics, dance, throwing and catching and athletics.

Music as always has played a key part; lessons with Mrs Abela and singing with Mr Atherton have been something the children have looked forward to every week. Each child has sung solos in front of the whole

class and they all performed magnificently in the Nativity, Easter Concert and on Speech Day. The class have very much enjoyed using the laptops this year and their competency has increased dramatically. Over the three terms, they have created pictures in Paint, written stories in Word, made posters in Publisher and even created a slide show in PowerPoint.

Our end of year trip was a highlight for all, despite the inclement weather! Year Two sketched, explored and chased each other around Harlow Carr. Although the flowers and gardens offered some diversion, for most of the class the best part of the trip was the Log Maze and being able to find the fort in the middle!

Unfortunately, we had a repeat performance of the rain for our Teddy Bears’ Picnic. However all the bears enjoyed themselves and participated fully in the dancing and games that took place after eating in the Atkinson Hall. Along with the teachers, they marvelled at ‘Magic Andrew’ and his array of magic tricks. We still do not know where the rabbit came from!

Thanks must go to Mr Killeen, Mrs Greaves and Mrs Thirling for their invaluable assistance this year.

Miss White

2011

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Prep School

Year Three In September we started in 3K with 19 children and in the Summer Term this rose to 20. The children have had great fun this year both in and out of the classroom. New opportunities have arisen and the children have made the most of them all. I have certainly enjoyed my year and looking back, there’s been so much for the children to be proud of.

This year the Year 3s have been on three trips. They went to Arbeia, where they pretended to be archaeologists for the day and dug up lots of different artefacts in the Time Quest workshop. There was a big competition, set by the current Year 4 children, to see who would be the first to find the skull which had been buried down a drain pipe. There was an almighty cheer when some of the boys stumbled across it. At Bede’s World they came face to face with wild boars and had a go at writing using a quill and ink. Many of the children mastered it quite quickly but agreed they’d not like to spend all of their time doing writing! They also had a fantastic time when they visited the Lakes Aquarium and travelled on a boat across Lake Windermere. The weather was perfect for enjoying the stunning views and the children loved the ice creams they ate whilst overlooking the lake. They all enjoyed the guided tour around the aquarium and were amazed

Making shadows

Practising to be monks

when they were actually allowed to touch certain creatures. The children drew their favourite animal in preparation for painting it on a tile when they were back at school.

In Science they have loved carrying out all of the different experiments, especially the ones related to tooth decay, healthy eating and shadows. They have grown marigolds and really enjoyed their session with Professor Brainstorm. In Design Technology the children had fun making a Kenyan hut to complement the Geography topic all about Kenya. They also designed some great faces as part of their ‘Wiggly Ears Project’. For the Maps topic in Geography the children spent time outside sketching a plan of both the Prep and Senior School buildings. Once back in the classroom they then made a neat copy of their plan of the Prep School from a birds eye view. Some of these were excellent as they had really thought carefully about the positions and shapes of the buildings.

They enjoyed learning all about the Romans, AngloSaxons and Vikings in History and loved watching the videos as they made the facts come to life. In English the children have made sandwiches to show they can follow instructions and created PowerPoint projects all about their favourite animals. They really enjoyed

Building wooden block sculptures

writing their own Myths and Legends and their creative writing skills have really improved. The children can now successfully create and send emails and were amazed at how quick they could send messages to their friends in class. They loved using the laptops in a variety of lessons and enjoyed playing on the interactive white board to consolidate their knowledge in key areas of the curriculum.

In Mathematics the Year 3s have produced some excellent art work using compasses and have improved their number skills by playing on the interactive games.

The children have made a good start to learning the French language and have loved the lessons with Madame Dickinson. She has brought a great sense of fun to learning through the educational games she has done with them and her cuddly friends have certainly proved popular. Several Year 3s were able to represent the school in the U9 sporting fixtures and played particularly well. Four pupils took part in a Tennis Tournament where they were runners up.

Looking back on the year I don’t know how we have fitted it all in. It has gone extremely fast but the children have achieved so much both socially and academically.

Mrs Killeen Clockwise from top left: I wonder if these seeds will grow? > Bede’s World sculpture > Voting for our Council Representative > Keeping watch at Arbeia Roman Fort > Touching the animals was great fun > Sending emails during ICT > Making puppets in science > Enjoying icecream at Lake Windemere > (centre) Dressing up at Bede’s World

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The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Year Four

Minibeast hunt

Bolton Castle

Medieval Feast

Clockwise from top left: Leeds Armouries > Fraction fun > Exploring at the Centre for Life > Enjoying a good read > Budding authors > Shape work > Looking after animals

Year 4 has had another exciting year full of trips, problem solving, experiments, sport and music and we also welcomed Mr Wicling to the school.

We started the year with a trip back in time to Medieval England with our visit to Bolton Castle. The children became foot soldiers, learning spear drill and marching through the courtyard in unison. There were some very scary looking faces as they shouted back the commands to Master David! At lunch we sat down to a Medieval banquet, slurping pottage from our bowls and drinking orange ale from goblets. In the afternoon we made candles, leant calligraphy and had a go at archery. In Science Mrs Petley came in to talk to the children about bones and the body. Everyone made their own working skeleton and moving body parts.

Fixtures played an important role this term with rugby at the forefront. The Under 9’s had a very successful season. They performed well in several tournaments reaching the semi finals at the Bradford Grammar school tournament. The boys developed very well and are looking forward to a successful season with the Under 10’s next year. Year 4 put on an excellent performance at the Carol Service with their version of Gaudete and Dance and Sing and really did us proud.

The many members of the school choir also sang a selection of songs, showing us that we have some very talented singers in our midst.

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Following some exciting work in Science on habitats and keeping warm, our trip in the Spring Term transformed us into scientists for the day as we visited the Centre for Life at Gateshead. It was a terrific experience where we touched on all areas we have learnt. We took a trip into space in the planetarium and on the 4D ride before watching some dramatic experiments with ice. We performed our own experiments, looking at how elephants stay cool. An excellent day was had by all.

In art we focused on single point perspective, looking closely at how we can make objects appear as though they are getting bigger and smaller. The children created some outstanding pieces of work which have taken pride of place on the wall. The girls started to play competitive matches this term, playing netball tournaments and other fixtures where they proved to be a very talented group. Throughout the inspection, which took place this term, the children really shone in both their behaviour and attitudes in the classroom. A particular highlight was a joint Year 4 and Year 6 Maths lesson when our children solved a variety of puzzles created by the top mathematicians in Year 6. The behaviour of all children involved illustrated what a fine year group they are.

The Summer Term concluded a very busy and productive year with yet more sporting success. On the

track the Under 9’s proved to be a very competitive and talented group, particularly the girls. They went to the HMC Athletics competition and managed to win the overall team competition which is an outstanding performance. It was a team effort but this included two individual winners, no mean feat. Over the term we also started competitive Cricket and Rounders teams. The Under 9 cricketers played well and managed to get an outstanding win. The boys have developed well over the past 3 terms we also put together a tennis team which managed to come third in a very competitive tournament.

Our trip to Leeds Armouries concluded our Tudors topic in History. The children again behaved impeccably, receiving positive comments from members of the public. A particular highlight was the samurai demonstration which mesmerised the children.

Overall this year group have been a joy to teach, approaching everything with a smile on their faces.

They have achieved high academic success overall and we look forward to seeing how they develop in Year 5, both in and out of the classroom. We would like to thank the children for making this year as enjoyable as it has been.

Miss Bennington and Mr Wicling

2011

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Prep School

Year Five

Class Talk

Orienteering in Hamsterley Forest

Practical Science

Our second outing saw us visit Hartlepool Historic Quay and take a tour of HMS Trincomalee. We enjoyed finding out about life on board as well as watching a cannon firing demonstration. Making an authentic rope was an interesting and popular activity with all the children and staff taking a turn. In the summer term we orienteered our way around the school’s expansive grounds before visiting Hamsterley Forest to fend for ourselves. In the morning we practised finding our way round using an OS Map and in the afternoon the children set off in groups to complete an extensive course. Fun was had on the fantastic woodland play area too, followed by ice-cream.

Year 5 brings with it the opportunity to go on both the French and Outdoor Activity trips and the pupils jumped at the chance with over 50 pupils taking part in one or both of the trips! The Kingswood weekend was tiring but exciting as the children challenged themselves to complete new activities. The Giant Swing was a particular favourite producing a 3G force to enjoy!

Archery, abseiling, and an equilibrium platform were all fun and the children also responded to team challenges, working together well.

In France the children enjoyed speaking French in the market, trying snails and visiting a chocolate factory. A visit to Nausicaa, an excellent aquarium, was also popular and the children loved making their own dens as a new activity at the Chateau.

Year 5 provides pupils with their first taste of our exceptional school plays and this year’s production of “Oink” allowed the current Year 5 to release their inner actor as they sang, danced and acted their way to critical acclaim.

We would like to thank Miss Lane, Mrs Thirling and all the other staff for all their work throughout the year. We also wish all the pupils good luck for Year 6 as more and more opportunities come their way as they reach the top of the school.

Mrs Seddon and Mr Ayres

Year 5 was full to capacity when term started in September and we were buoyed by the return of Miss Lane to teach Maths and English. The year had barely begun when we took our first trip to White Scar Caves to compliment our work in Geography. The children enjoyed a tour of the caves and marvelled at the fantastic sights. A visit to Ribblehead viaduct followed and Mr Dougherty recalled a variety of caving stories about the area. A successful trip was followed by an assembly as 5S recounted the day and taught us all about geological processes.

Miss Lane’s return brought with it whole year Maths investigations as we set about solving a range of complex puzzles and problems such as the infamous “King Snail” and the “Sleeping Policeman.” The children appreciated working in a variety of groups and enjoyed the challenges set.

Practical Science was a particular highlight as pupils revelled in making circuits, blowing bubbles and experimenting with sound. Our “Myths and Legends” topic in the second term and the Class Talks programme produced some outstanding work in English. Children produced their own legend in book form and enjoyed constructing each chapter. Class talks gave the children the chance to show off their PowerPoint skills and demonstrate to their peers an area of interest. We were visited by a variety of pets including a horse and there was even a demonstration of a motorbike.

This year’s RE lessons have covered topics dealing with growing up in three of the world’s major faiths; Sikhism, Islam and Judaism. By looking at what happens when babies are born into a faith and subsequently how a child develops into an adult in that faith, the children have gained a greater understanding of the place of religion in family life. Latterly the children studied the lives of Jewish boys and girls from birth through to their coming of age ceremonies, Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah.

In Art, topics have included a gridding project and work in the style of Gustav Klimt and the children enjoyed their first attempt at soldering in DT, making a flashing badge.

Clockwise from top left: Art Maths > Soldering in DT > White Scar Caves > Making circuits > Investigating shadows > Gymnastics > Rope making at Hartlepool Historic Quay > Class talks > Using laptops > Dissolving experiment

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Year Six We started the year with 51 children, welcoming Mrs Brown to join Mr Seddon and Mrs Robertson. We again set for Maths and English with some subject teaching from Prep and Senior School staff in preparation for next year in Senior School. Taking advantage of being at the top end of the school, the children were keen to take on extra responsibility with re-cycling, helping distribute milk and biscuits and supervising the younger children at playtimes. They were able to be involved in more activities and generally take the lead around the school in house and school events including the School Council.

They also spoke confidently and positively about their time in school to the Inspectors and enjoyed listening to themselves when we were ‘School of the Week’ on the radio. Each week, a member of Year 6 read the lesson in Chapel and they were prominent in our major Chapel services.

In October we were off to London for four days and what a fantastic experience it again proved to be, for many the highlight of Prep School.

‘Oliver’ was a great start to the trip following a long journey, enjoyed by us all as we recognized many of the popular songs. The Crown Jewels and Tower of London always impress and we loved wandering around HMS Belfast, marveling at what life must have been like living on board.

We visited The Science Museum where Launchpad enabled us to explore various scientific games, learning without even realising it! Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery were first on the list for Thursday followed by a walk through Horse Guards Parade, down Whitehall, past Downing Street before a hastily rearranged visit to Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms. The History theme continued at the Imperial War Museum where our work on the World Wars came to life. The day finished with a fantastic flight on the London Eye at dusk. Friday Morning saw us at the Globe theatre where we enjoyed a really interesting tour around and Macbeth workshop.

Most of the year group then went to Kingswood in March for a weekend of outdoor and team building activities and many then went to France in June to experience the delights of French cuisine and culture, especially enjoying the opportunities to speak French, eat snails and see the sights of Paris.

Added to this were trips to Eden Camp, Beamish to follow up class work in History and Wet ‘n’ Wild as an end of year treat, not forgetting the ever popular disco so there was plenty to do. To also help keep us busy was all the Art, Music, Drama and Sport that we tend to take for granted. Year 6 pupils led the way in the Chapel and Harmony Choirs, the orchestra and music ensembles and took the major roles in the Prep School production of ‘Oink!’ and what a fantastic three performances they gave us. With two sporting internationals in our midst, we were looking for success on the games fields and so it proved to be in all our major sports with success in rugby, football and athletics.

Speech Day was a huge success as Year 6 left Prep School having collected the major prizes and having reminisced about their time in Prep with Mr Ayres popular slide show. There weren’t many dry eyes! All the year group received Special Mention and/or Merit Certificates during the year in recognition of their achievements.

Academic work takes priority and the Entrance Exam to Senior School was taken and passed by everyone, with twelve pupils receiving sixteen awards for academic work, Music and Sport.

With a well motivated group of children who were a credit to themselves, it has proved to be another very busy, productive and successful year.

Mr Seddon, Mrs Robertson and Mrs Brown

The Barnardian Magazine

Steam train at Beamish

Night Line

Radio Stars

Clockwise from top left: Leavers disco > Using DT Labs > Take cover! > At Tower Bridge > Winners at Speech Day > Launch Pad > Getting motivated > Choir in Chapel > Probability Fair

2011

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Prep School

Prep Music Music in Prep School continues to flourish in all different guises. Over 75 pupils have instrumental lessons in school each week and many have lessons out of school too.

Also in the Spring Term we hosted the annual PrePrep Concert and this was a tremendous success.

The children performed a variety of songs and hymns to a packed audience and they were splendid. Well done Pre-Prep.

Three children were awarded Musical Scholarships and Exhibitions into the Senior School. They should be rightly proud of their musical achievements.

Five ensembles rehearse each week and continue to go from strength to strength. This academic year has seen the establishment of the Harmony Choir, Brass Group and String Group and these ensembles have enriched the musical buzz in the Prep School. The Choir and Orchestra have continued to go from strength to strength and have outnumbered the players in the senior school ensembles. Within the School’s music examination centre for ABRSM & London College of Music Exams, 30 children have passed exams.

We have hosted 4 musical concerts this year and I have been delighted with the enthusiasm and excitement that these have created amongst the children and staff. The Autumn Concert in Chapel featured all the ensembles and soloists and the standard was excellent.

In the Spring Term we hosted a concert alongside the House Singing Competition. So many children wanted to perform that it was decided to hold two “Have a Go Concerts”. Both concerts were held to packed audiences in the Atkinson Hall and every child performed very well considering it was the first time they had performed in public.

Prep School Choir.

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2011

Our choir of over 60 children continues to go from strength to strength. We have sung a variety of music this year from Jonah Man Jazz to Stanford’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis in B flat. Considering this choir is non audition choir, the children should be proud of their achievements across a range of musical styles. I must thank Mrs. Robertson for her help and support this year. To round off the year we went to the York Railway Museum for a day trip to thank the choir for all their extra hard work. I look forward to next term.

Harmony Choir This choir was established in September for members of year 5 & 6. It has 15 members and highlights of their year include singing the Introit “The Angel Gabriel” in candlelight procession at the Carol Service and performing at Speech Day.

Prep Orchestra The Prep Orchestra consists of nearly 40 musicians and has performed at all the major concerts this year. The children are incredibly keen to play in the Orchestra and many children want to learn to play instruments so they can join. They have done a good job this year and I must thank Mrs. Snowdon, Mrs. Webb and Mrs Robertson specifically for their continued support and dedication week after week in helping run this ensemble smoothly.

Brass Group This is our noisiest ensemble in Prep School! We started the year by playing a Fanfare at the November Concert and have since gone on to play Wallace and Gromit at House Singing and at Speech Day.

String Group This new addition to our Prep School music making was established in the Spring Term. The ensemble is lead by Mrs. Snowdon and Mrs. Webb for children as they become ready to play as part of a group. We look forward to their contribution to future concerts.

It has given me great pleasure to work with the children this year and none of this would be possible without the enthusiasm and dedication of the children and staff.

Mr Atherton

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Prep Drama

Oink!

Once again, the pupils of Years 5 and 6 raised the rafters in Big School with three rousing performances of ‘Oink!’, a musical play based upon the well known tale of The Three Little Pigs. The Pre-Prep were our audience at the dress rehearsal before we were full to capacity with 200 family and friends providing audiences on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The standard of performance on both nights was superb, many experienced Prep School play watchers commented that perhaps this was the best ever.

they all can hide. BB Wolf comes unstuck and ends up covered in Pig Swill. As in all good stories, everyone lives happily ever after.

Thanks, as always, to Mr Atherton and the band for their fantastic accompaniment and to Mr Fairbairn and his team for the amazing set, special effects and all the added extras which help to create such a professional performance.

Here is what some of the cast thought of Oink!

“

Percy the Pigeon set the scene of life on the farm helped by the chorus of farmyard animals all preparing for the forthcoming Harvest Feast, not helped by the mischievous sheep, the flirty French hens or the interfering older cows.

When little Frank Trotter and his big, greedy brothers Monty & Welly are caught stealing the feast, they are banished from the farmyard and sent out into the big wide world. At the same moment, infamous carnivore BB Wolf is being released from prison, apparently cured of his granny-eating ways by a mad professor. He quickly meets up with his old sidekicks Melton and Mowbray who are certainly one porkpie short of a picnic basket! Unfortunately, his vegetarian days are short lived and BB Wolf is soon on the prowl for a sausage sandwich!

Monty and Welly build their houses out of straw and sticks and quickly fall foul of BB Wolf. Fortunately, studious Frank, had been attending his brick laying classes had managed to build a sturdy house where

“I played the part of Mr Jinx, the prison officer. It was fun and seemed really professional.”

“I played the part of Officer MacKenzie in ‘Oink!’ The play was very funny and a really good production.”

“‘Oink!’ was a really big and exciting experience for everyone. It went tremendously well and I would do it again anytime.”

“The play ‘Oink!’ was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever been a part of. In the end all those rehearsals paid off. As everyone said, it was one of the best school productions they’d ever seen!”

“I played BB Wolf. I was the bad guy and had two minions; scheming rats called Melton and Mowbray. It was a great experience and awesome to take part in.”

“We all did a dance with strings of sausages and we all swung them round. In the rehearsals a few of us dropped the sausages!”

“‘Oink!’ was a play based around the Three Little Pigs but with a hilarious twist and an agoraphobic donkey.”

“I was Mystic Moll in the play. I really enjoyed being a part of it and having a speaking part. I was really nervous backstage but when I got on stage, all the nerves went away.”

“I was Roger Rabbit in the play. I liked my part because I had to act drunk. I had loads of butterflies but in the end it all went really well.”

“I was Renee, the rooster and my favourite part was when the audience started laughing as soon as I started speaking in a French accent.”

”

“I was Horace the Horse and although I was nervous beforehand, as soon as I said my first line, I was fine.”

RAR

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

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Prep School

Prep Sport Sport is an important part of the Prep School for both the boys and girls. In the Pre-Prep, they are introduced to Gymnastics, Dance and Games skills through PE lessons and each class swims for a term at Teesdale Leisure Centre. The highlight of the summer term is Sports Day. Following practice in lessons, the races are competitive, yet fun, with every child performing running, obstacle and relay races.

In Prep School, children have PE, Games and Swimming lessons each week, giving them the opportunity to improve their skills in a variety of activities. These range from our major team sports of Rugby, Hockey, Football, Netball, Athletics, Cricket and Rounders, to Basketball, Gymnastics, Tennis and Ball skills. Our activity programme enhances the children’s opportunities with Dance, Judo, Ballet, Squash, Lacrosse, Running also available.

Friendly but highly competitive House competitions provide children with the chance to represent a team each term and for many are as important as representing the school. Regular fixtures and competitions take place against other schools in the North-East. This year there were over a hundred.

At the beginning of the year it looked like being a successful one for the U9s, U10s and U11s in different sports with the calibre of certain individuals we had at our disposal. This proved to be the case but it was more the teams that came to the fore.

During the first term, the U9 Rugby team started to develop and with more matches will become a useful side. The U10s won the inaugural Clegg Cup and won all but one of their matches. The U11s showed great team play throughout the season and show a lot of potential for the coming years, winning most of their matches.

The Hockey teams improved with practice and the U11s registered a fine second place at the Cluster Competition and there were U9 Hockey matches for the first time this year.

Football and Netball took over in the spring and the boys, again, won many more matches than they lost.

Highlights would include the U9s reaching the semifinal and the U11s the final at the prestigious Woodleigh competition. The U11 Netballers also improved and played well at the Cluster tournament as did the U9 team who were runners up in the plate competition at the Yarm High Fives Tournament.

Our runners always do well and at Teesside, the U9 Girls, U11 Girls and U11 Boys teams all came away victorious with three race winners out of four and four more runners finishing in the top 3. A good team effort.

The summer saw the resurgence of cricket and although not winning all our matches, the standard of play increased dramatically following an Easter coaching course, with the U9s and U10s winning some close games. Many girls had the opportunity to represent the school at Rounders. Our athletes continued to shine with many talented children representing the school. More Gold Athletics standards were awarded than before and five school records were broken. The U11 Girls won the Cluster and the Casterton triangular meetings. We had five individual winners at the HMC Competition with all our relay squads qualifying for the final with three second places. The Boys’ teams were placed third overall with the U10s second, a great effort but the U9 Girls went one better to win.

There was also great competitive spirit shown in house matches and also good sportsmanship when things didn’t always go according to plan. Our youngest children showed much enthusiasm and potential in PE lessons and we were delighted and proud when two of our U11s were selected for international honours, the Great Britain Gymnastics squad and the English Prep School Rugby team. Many children were recognised at our termly prize giving gatherings.

Producing teams to compete at house level, locally and wider afield against other schools, gives our children a fantastic start to their sporting life.

NIS/SMS Clockwise from top left: Clegg Cup Winners > Pre-Prep obstacle > Pre-Prep gymnastics > England Prep-School rugby > House hockey > U10 cricket

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Prep Sport

Clockwise from top left: U9 football > House netball > House rugby > U11 cross country > House cricket > Cross country > PrePrep sports > Long jump > GB gymnastics > U9 rugby > Pre-Prep sports > U11 athletics > (centre) Rounders

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

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Prep School

Prep Art & Design Art and Design and Design Technology 3K started their new school year of Art and DT topics with a collage of autumn leaves and theory lessons learning about tones and tints. In DT the children designed and made Fancy Dress Costumes using a plain white tee shirt as their starting point.

The spring term topics tied in with the Year 3 African Geography project on Kenya. In Art lessons African patterns were incorporated into vase designs. In DT the story of Mama Panya’s Pancakes was our inspiration for building models of African round houses using wire armatures and Mod-Roc. Summer term had Year 3 feeling in the holiday mood with underwater fish pictures and colour mixing exercises. In DT the children had fun with the children’s artist, Liz Million character style faces to create Wiggly Ears models to help with learning about lever and linkage mechanisms.

Using Senior School workshops

Year 4’s first projects this year were looking at the Japanese woodblock designs of Hokusai and Hiroshige and creating the soft colours in their own paintings using water colours. In DT Year 4 have traditionally decorated Prep School’s Christmas Tree with their hand sewn felt ornaments. This year was no exception! The tree looked resplendent adorned with their lovely, colourful decorations. Spring term saw the two classes learning about the Seven Elements of Art and getting to grips with single-point perspective. DT saw everyone designing and making a ‘Stained Glass’ Panel using acrylic sheet, relief paste and glass paints. The summer term’s Art and DT topics were of the same theme, namely figure drawing. The pupils took photographs of each other in sporting poses and learned how to draw them using correct body proportions. This was then taken a stage further in DT to design and make a free-standing structure in the style of a sporting trophy.

This year in the autumn term Year 5 Art the children studied the work of Gustav Klimt, learnt how to use grids to scale, copy and re-size drawings and used Australia as their Art from Other Cultures country of interest. The children looked at details of Klimt’s work and made viewing squares to highlight areas that interested them. Using water colour paints and metallic marker pens, they produced their own versions of panels in that style. An extension to the theme was to design Klimt style clothing. The pupils decided that

Stain glass window

‘Star Wars’ type tunics and cloaks were the most appropriate and designed outfits in that vein but with Klimt inspired motifs and designs. DT projects included designing and making a model of a Fantasy Car, using pneumatics to make a Ghost Train ride move and learning how to use a soldering iron to build a simple flashing LED circuit.

Prior to the Year 6 trip to London, the pupils looked at wartime propaganda and how it influenced the lives of the people left at home during those troubled years.

They designed and drew posters of their own with messages significant to the time. National Gallery work also featured in the autumn term. In Year 6, theory lessons have included revision of single point perspective and learning how to draw in two-point perspective. Year 6’s spring term symbolism topic used the work of the metaphysical surrealist Joseph Cusimano to introduce the pupils to the idea of using icons and symbols to represent ideas, events and emotions. Summer term saw Year 6 using just four tonal values to recreate a Funny Face photograph in poster paints. The children enjoyed using the class set of cameras to take photographs of each other pulling some very funny faces! DT lessons concentrated on developing woodwork, electronics, resistant materials, mechanisms, designing and making skills. They were taken in both Prep School and the Senior School workshops in preparation for the pupils’ move up to Year 7 in September.

HMB

Clockwise from top left: Drilling > Fantasy car > National Gallery project > Soldering > Yr 6 Cusimano display > Vase designing > Yr 5 DT > Yr 6 posters > Christmas tree decorations > (centre) Part of Gustav Klimt display > T-Shirt printing

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Prep Activities Lunchtime and after school activities continue to be extremely popular amongst the Prep School and this year have been available to the Pre-Prep children.

Whether the children are practising for school sports fixtures, rehearsing for concerts or plays or developing and learning new skills, there is plenty on offer for everyone. All the children are encouraged to join in and choose a number of activities. Many children often stay at school five nights a week to keep busy!

The activities vary from term to term and season to season thanks to the dedication and time given by the teachers. We are also fortunate to be able to call upon experts in their fields who take the children for ballet, judo and tennis as well as some of our Senior School colleagues.

With over a hundred activities being offered throughout the year, the children are spoilt for choice.

They range from football and rugby to netball and hockey, running and swimming, choir to brass group, from art and craft to cooking and board games to French knitting!

In the autumn term the major sports are represented with emphasis on improving skills in rugby, hockey, football and netball. A guitar club proved to be a popular new activity on the music front as did the Harmony choir who performed at major school events each term. Science, Maths and French clubs allowed the children to extend the work they were doing in the classroom with German proving to be a popular alternative. Squash, swimming and fivea-side football all gave the children opportunities to let off steam!

In the spring, some lunchtimes were taken up with rehearsals for the House Singing competitions. The girls had a chance to play football and the boys started preparing for the summer term with cricket nets. Musically a brass group and string ensemble gave the musicians more opportunities to play a variety of instruments. Linked to music, inevitably, is dance and every Tuesday saw the Atkinson Hall full of budding disco divas! Chess continues to be a popular lunchtime activity with pupils keen to practise for the forthcoming local league.

Summer brought the school play and many of the older children were involved in lunchtime and after school rehearsals. When not required, they were keen to join the many other extra curricular clubs.

Summer sports like cricket, athletics, tennis and rounders all proved popular with all age groups and the more musical children could be heard practising at Junior Orchestra in preparation for concerts and the end of term Speech Day. Lacrosse for the older girls was an exciting new activity and those children staying late after school always commented on the delicious aromas that emitted from the kitchen as the cookery club put the finishing touches to their culinary delights.

Our thanks have to go to all the staff who have willingly given up their time to provide these fantastic opportunities for the children. Preppies love to be busy at lunchtime and are not content to finish their school day when lessons are over!

NIS/LERT

Clockwise from top left: Art Club > Cookery > Chess tournament > Cricket > Hockey practice > House Singing > Junior Art Club > Yr 4 and Yr 6 maths > Rugby > ICT > Pre-Prep games > Guitar Club > Science > Athletics > Brass Group

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

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Prep School

Prep Chapel & Charity Report and with the approval of Mr. Mawhinney, as this early training promises to sustain the phenomenal choral tradition in Senior School. But the Prep School espouses quality not elitism. The Prep School Carol Services have room for both angelic voices and demonic growlers; the Pre-Prep Nativity has space for tea-towelled shepherds and a menagerie of animals – everyone delightedly singing their hearts out.

Of course there’s the familiar stuff too. The Harvest cards were as vibrant as ever this year and found their destination on the mantel-pieces of many houses in the community by hand-delivery with flowers, or through the post as tokens of love to ex- staff in this country and abroad. Our gratitude goes to a select group of Barney friends who loaded harvest produce into their cars for the drop-in centres and soup kitchens of Darlington, or delivered the cards and flowers to local addresses.

And then we have the more mundane diet of stories and songs and “wind-ups” on a Wednesday morning.

Mr Rycroft groans when he is set up as a stooge yet again in my Chapel Services but even he was foxed when Mrs Robertson forgot which bottle of pop was supposed to be “poisoned” and I was perplexed with a year 4 girl, as she became confused between truth and faith. Mind you, there was no doubt, in a tug of war between year 6 good and evil that Mr Rycroft was going to win! Weighing in on the side of righteousness, he vanquished the devil convincingly – in a light-hearted tableau which nevertheless illuminated a real world where such victories are incomplete or infrequent. In such childlike play resides the Kingdom of God which gives hope to the kingdoms of this world.

SJR

Nativity angels

Wednesday service

Harmony Choir

End of term Prize Giving

Yr 6 Readers

Chapel The choir come to Chapel early on a Wednesday morning, and a pile of bags at the entrance greets me when I arrive a few minutes later.

It’s the energy, enthusiasm and empathy which strike me most.

It is interesting that traditions, which appear outdated, can resonate within the youngest hearts. Who would have thought that a Prep School Evensong could take off – but it has, under the expert direction of Mr Atherton

The Rev

Harvest Festival

Charity Children of Prep School led by the school council are constantly taking on challenges in order to raise funds for charities and good causes.

Helping others less fortunate than themselves comes easy to the children in school whether they are the youngest at 4 or the oldest at 11. It has been an absolute delight to witness the inventiveness of the pupils in their fundraising quests.

Events ranged from casual clothes days to help charities such as Shelter to donating fruit, flowers and vegetables for the harvest festival. The annual tea party which raises funds for Epilepsy In Action was a great success with an array of favourite mug all shapes and sized brought into school from home.

Next came Children in Need and over 150 children wore their slippers to school, each paying £1 for the privilege. An enormous effort was made for the Comic Relief appeal where Prep School was transformed into a circus by every child dressing up as a clown and each council representative delivering a performance in front of the whole school. The word fundraising encompasses the word fun and the Prep School most certainly had a lot of fun whilst doing something worthwhile to help others.

DT, EJB, KR-L

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2011

Clowning around

Christmas Boxes

Harvest Collection

Epilepsy in Action Tea Party

Slipper Day

Mr. Atherton

Epilepsy in Action Cuppa

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Barney Friends & School Council Barney Friends It has been another great year for the Friends. This year we have enjoyed some fantastic events which are there to get us parents together, have a bit of fun, make new friends and enjoy the company of old ones.

Mr Seddon’s quiz has become quite competitive so we now have The Seddon Shield for the winning team. There is always a huge amount of laughter and discussion whilst eating cheese and having a glass of wine.

We have also hosted an 80s evening. Fish and chips, great outfits, and bionic music were the order of the day and again fun was had by all. There has also been a Fathers’ cricket match, which was again very competitive. We were lucky with the weather so a lovely tea was enjoyed after some very enjoyable cricket was played.

There have been numerous second hand clothes sales but we have now found a home at Senior School for a shop, which will make life so much easier. The profits from the clothes sales have been distributed either back to parents or into the school to be used for

purchasing extra “bits and bobs” for the children. For example, we have recently been able to supply some camcorders and digital cameras for the children’s art projects. We were also able to donate to a designated charity and this year we were very proud to donate £500 to The Great North Air Ambulance and £150 to The Richardson Trust which supports the local community hospital in Barnard Castle.

The Friends exists not predominantly to fundraise, but to provide a way for parents to get and keep in touch. We also just want parents to have fun and the chance to get to know each other. So far I think we are doing a good job! We have certainly had fun this year.

Hope to see you next year at some function.

Kirstie Petley, Chair

Mums and children at Epilepsy Tea Party

Refreshments

School Council In September it was election time once again and there was certainly a buzz in the air around Prep School as the children began writing their manifestos in the hope of being elected as their next class councillor.

Slipper Day

The Barnardian Magazine

Tea and coffee

The Atkinson Hall was transformed into a polling station, complete with ballot boxes from the local council offices and special voting slips. The children eagerly awaited the results as every class including the Boarding house was represented. The thirteen elected members on the committee were announced in assembly and presented with their council badges.

The School Councillors encourage their classes to contribute to the working life of Prep School by entering their ideas into the class suggestion boxes.

These are then discussed throughout the year at the weekly council meetings. These range from the sublime to the ridiculous (new playground equipment to a zip wire to the Sports Hall!) It is their job to prioritise and take forward ideas to meetings with Mr Rycroft, including managing their annual budget sensibly.

The School Council organised lots of exciting events. The most successful were ‘Silly Slippers Day’

Winners at Quiz Night

and ‘Clowning Around’ raising a combined total of £331 for Children in Need and Comic Relief. The Councillors all entertained the school in a special assembly when they had the opportunity to display their juggling, tight rope walking and of course fooling Mr Seddon with a magic trick! The council bought lots of new toys for both playgrounds and storage boxes to keep them in. They ran a successful ‘Switch off Fortnight’ campaign and were awarded a tree from the Keep Britain Tidy campaign in order to maintain our Eco-Schools Awards. We ended the year with the purchase of games for wet playtime which came from one of the class suggestions.

The School Councillors are to be congratulated on their year in office. Not only has their confidence and leadership skills improved, they have contributed positively to the further improvements in the every day life of Prep School.

DT, EJB, KR-L

Clowning Around Day

Voting at the polls

Council meeting

Prep School Council

2011

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Prep School

Special Events We come to expect that there is so much more to Prep School than just the classroom lessons, the trips, the sport, music and drama that make up a ‘normal week.’

Every term finds us doing ‘extras’ that make Prep School such an exciting and busy place.

Some events, led by the School Council, are designed for Charity Fund Raisers and great fun is had on behalf of a serious cause. The Christmas Shoe Box Appeal saw us completely block the altar in Chapel, such was the response from the children.

Red Nose Day also saw us raising money for a good cause as we all dressed up as clowns for our themed ‘Clowning Around’ day, while the Epilepsy In Action Tea Party remains a highlight of the school year.

We all enjoy our regular Chapel visits, be it for our weekly service, big events like the Carol Services and the Nativity Play, special services like Founders’ Day when we learn about the history of the school or Harvest Festival. The Pre-Prep also enjoyed the visit from some of our Senior School Chinese pupils in February, who helped them understand and celebrate the Chinese New Year.

There were music concerts given by the Pre-Prep, beginner musicians and the more experienced orchestra members. We all enjoyed the visiting theatre group who put on a production of ‘Wind In The Willows’, especially those who were fortunate enough to participate in all the fun on stage.

‘Science Is Fun’ was the message when Professor Brainstorm amazed and thrilled us with his experiments, again with many of the children being able to join in by helping with the experiments.

The older children participated in a ‘How To Get Motivated’ day and quickly learnt new skills and attitudes towards, what they would consider, normal occurrences. They went one step further in the summer term by planning, building and playing their own board games at the Probability ‘Fair’.

Prior to their study leave, the U6 ex Preppie leavers returned to Prep School to reminisce about the good old days and look through old photographs of their time spent in Prep School. All had fond memories of their time here but couldn’t help comment that everything seemed much smaller than they remembered. They also commented positively on the changes that have occurred since they left.

It is wonderful to reflect back over the academic year on all the events that we have taken part in. We must remember that all this happens due to the dedication, time and effort that all our children, staff and parents give throughout the year.

LERT/NIS

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2011

Clockwise from top left: Chess tournament > Christmas lunch > Assembly on Clowning Around Day > Wind in the willows > Pre-Prep concert > Welcome back to the U6 > Christmas Shoe Box Appeal > Professor Brainstorm > Have a go concert > Year 6 get motivated > Chinese New Year

The Barnardian Magazine

Prep School

Trip to London Once again the London trip proved for many to be the highlight of the school year with the opportunity to be away for 4 days in our capital city with their peers. With much of the class work geared to what we do in London, the trip is not only exciting and fun but also most relevant. Work in Art, Science, Geography, History, English and Drama all has a bearing on our itinerary.

Having left school after assembly and negotiated the tedious journey down the M1, we arrived at The Royal National Hotel. We found our rooms, pleased that we were with our friends, unpacked and were soon on our way to Pizza Hut. Full to bursting, we made our way through the busy streets to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for ‘Oliver’. We all enjoyed a fantastic show and sang the songs all the way home.

Breakfast

Wednesday began at The Tower of London and we were amazed at The Crown Jewels and the sheer history of the place. To think the Tower has been around for over 1000 years was almost beyond our comprehension as we explored many of the historical sites. After lunch on the wharf, we crossed Tower Bridge and spent over an hour exploring HMS Belfast from top to bottom. It was fascinating to learn just what the ship had done during the Second World War and after, including firing the first shots on D-Day, something we would go on to discuss in class. The Science Museum was next where we watched Flash, Bang Whallop, an introductory show where some of us were even lucky enough to help the scientist with the experiments, the highlight of which was firing a Barbie doll across the room. We then entered Launch Pad, the hands-on learning experience. We experimented with all the interactive games that helped us learn more about the topics we are covering in Science for example, sound, friction, forces, light, magnets, electricity and power. The day finished with a delicious meal at the hotel before bedtime and lights out.

Thursday started with a photo opportunity in Trafalgar Square before going into The National Gallery to learn more about the paintings we are studying in Art. Two experts gave really interesting talks about the stories behind the paintings and many of us were fortunate enough to spot the paintings we had chosen

Time for bed! to look at in more detail. After lunch we had a walk down Whitehall, through Horse Guards Parade, past the Cenotaph and Downing Street towards The Cabinet War Rooms, which proved very popular and informative. It is amazing to think that the building is in exactly the same state that it was on the day World War Two finished. After walking through Parliament Square, past The Houses of Parliament and seeing the Battle of Britain Monument where we tried to spot our names on the Memorial, we got into the coach and went to The Imperial War Museum. All the things we have studied in History about the two World Wars came to life as we walked round and climbed old war time vehicles. A flight on The London Eye at dusk overlooking London as it lit up was a brilliant way to round off another fantastic day.

Friday morning saw us pack and leave the hotel. We made our way to The Globe Theatre where an actor led us in a workshop and explained how actors prepare for a performance. We looked in detail at parts of Macbeth, the play we have been studying in English before being taken on a tour of the Globe. The visit culminated with us having the opportunity of actually performing what we had practised on the Globe Theatre stage. What an experience!

The accompanying teachers need thanking for all their hard work making the trip so successful, one the children will remember for years to come.

NIS

Clockwise from top left: Setting off > BCPS at the Tower > Imperial War Museum > Exploring HMS Belfast > Macbeth workshop > On the Eye > National Gallery > Crossing Tower Bridge > (centre) Magnets in launch pad > Millennium Bridge and St. Pauls

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2011

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Prep School

Trip to France

Having already had a busy day at school, 41 children and 5 members of staff then met up at 9 o’clock in the evening before leaving for an exciting 5 days in France.

After a tiring journey through the night and a stop for breakfast in Northern France, the daredevils of the group shone at Parc Asterix, whizzing around on the various rides throughout the day. The highlight has to be seeing the teachers getting soaked as they flew down the log flume.

Reluctantly we left the park and set off for Paris and our hotel and a well deserved good night’s sleep. The next day in Paris we took in the sights; enjoying a relaxing batobus ride on the River Seine before visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, marvelling at the huge stain glass window and organ before walking up the Champs Elysee. We stopped for a group photo in front of the Eiffel Tower where we had our lunch, taking the opportunity to practise our French. Having met our coach at the Arc du Triomphe, we set off for the chateau, our base for the next few days.

The next morning we shopped at Le Touquet market before visiting a chocolate factory and a cheese farm where we were able to find out how such goods are made but more importantly, were able to sample the

delicious products (much to the delight of both pupils and staff!) After our evening meal we visited a local restaurant and enjoyed chocolate crepes before playing games on the beach on our way back to the chateau.

Another good night’s sleep was had by all and we set off into the woods after breakfast. We spent the morning building shelters and performing tribal dances in groups. This was a great opportunity for team building. The afternoon was spent at Vimy Ridge where we learnt all about World War One and the Battle of Vimy. We walked around the reconstructed trenches where the children asked many interesting questions and soaked up the atmosphere before visiting the memorial nearby, all of which fitted nicely into the History work covered at school.

After tea we were given the opportunity to taste snails, some of the children brave enough to do this certainly pulled some interesting faces! On our final day we said our goodbyes to the PGL staff and began our journey home, stopping at Nausicaa Sea Life Centre on the way. We saw sharks, jelly fish and watched the sea lions being fed and performing tricks with a particular highlight being the touch tank where the children were able to stroke the rays.

We arrived back early and safely all keen to tell everyone about everything we had been up to. A fantastic time was certainly had by the staff and pupils, a trip that will be remembered for a long time.

EJB

Clockwise from top: Outside Notre Dame > Camp Ayres and Dickinson > Chocolate Notre Dame > Helping hand with shelter building > Stroking rays at Nausicca > Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge > Vimy trenches > Snails! > On the Batobus > At the Eiffel Tower > Headmaster’s tea > Delicious crepes > Wartime tunnels at Vimy

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Prep School

Kingswood With Robinwood out of action for a year we made our way to the Dukehouse Wood activity centre at Hexham for a weekend of high octane, high adrenaline, actionpacked fun. Split into smaller groups, each with an accompanying member of staff, we were all given an itinerary of activities we would be facing over the next few days.

After a quick tour of the site, finding our accommodation, making beds and having some lunch, we were straight into the thick of it with abseiling, zipwire, high ropes and archery among the activities on offer.

All the children threw themselves headlong into the sessions and quickly bonded with the rest of their team mates and the centre staff who were there to ensure fun was had in every activity, yet made sure everyone was safe at all times. I think it would be fair to say the children also saw the staff in a new light as they joined in with all the activities (Mr Ayres’ leap of faith being a particular highlight!). A hectic first day ended with a blazing campfire, songs and jokes before 64 weary children and 6 staff crept off to bed.

Saturday began early and after a spatially challenging wake up game and a quick breakfast we

were off again; jumping, leaping, crawling, problem solving and see-sawing our way through six more sessions with the High Equilibrium and Leap of Faith proving hugely popular. Climbing telegraph poles forty feet tall and standing on a moving beam proved very challenging for some but everyone had a go. All of the children challenged themselves and pushed themselves to scale some giddying heights and by the end of the weekend all those who went were braver, more confident and more adventurous for their experiences. Two more exhilarating sessions on Sunday, allowing everybody to have had a go at everything, rounded off a superb weekend.

Trusting your team mates to guide you round an obstacle course when blindfolded takes courage.

Working together and listening to other people’s points of view when solving a problem is not always easy. Helping friends over and under various obstacles can be very rewarding when you all reach the finishing post. Working with a partner to climb a seemingly impossible rope ladder is also satisfying.

It’s not easy to throw yourself backwards off a wall trusting someone else to keep hold of the rope. Noone was forced to do any activity and on many occasions could progress as far as they felt happy.

Needless to say, just about everyone pushed themselves to the max!

The children stole the show in their vibrant hooded tops with their chosen nicknames emblazoned on the back and I would like to thank them for their conduct and in particular their team work and their resilience over the weekend. I was really proud of each and every one of them. I would also like to thank the staff who gladly gave up their time and supported me in my endeavour.

STA

Clockwise from top: Team photo > Jacob’ Ladder > Our hoodies on show > Balance beam > Nightline > Archery > (centre top) 3G swing > Rock climbing > (centre) Dirty but happy!

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2011

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Prep School

Memories of Prep School

Alex Thompson

Megan Bowen

Jamie Adamson

There have been so many amazing moments but I think my best times have been taking part in the school play as I loved all the sets and the characters.

I have also loved the trips, especially the residential trips like France.

My favourite memory was when I was in Reception and we used to go out into what used to be the PrePrep quiet area and Mrs. Honess used to read us a story under the big oak tree. Then we used to play games outside like hide and seek.

My greatest experience in Prep School was definitely the French trip in Year Five. The bus journey was very long but good. My time in Prep School has been the greatest experience of my life so far.

Lara Brown

James Terrill

My best memory was going to London, because I only joined in Year Six and this was my only main school trip! My favourite part was Launchpad at the Science Museum.

I’ve only been at Prep School for one year, but I really enjoyed the London trip, as it was at the beginning of the year when I was still making friends. It allowed everyone to have some fun, especially when we watched ‘Oliver’.

I’ll miss Prep School but I am looking forward to Senior School as well.

Matthew Morrison

Sarah Ryan I love all sport and I remember my first Hockey match. I was really nervous but when we got underway I really enjoyed it. I managed to score four goals out of the five and Alex scored the other!

Alice Hunter I only started in Year Six but I still have loads of memories of the past year. The school play ‘Oink!’ was a real highlight.

Jessica Pearse One of my highlights from my time at Barney Prep was probably when we went to Kings Wood this year.

It was a great experience. Another highlight was going on all the sports fixtures.

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Ross Gardiner I only joined at the beginning of Year Five but I still have lots of good memories of the school. My favourite is the ski trip. It was so much fun! I can’t see why more Prep School pupils don’t go!

Harry Monkhouse My favourite memory after being here for six years is the London trip. My favourite part was ‘Oliver’ at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. I also thought my room mate Ross was funny as he locked us out of the room three times. By the end we had five room keys and only two of them worked!

My favourite memory is my entire time at Prep School.

Matthew Price I joined in Year Two and I was nervous to find out if I would fit in. I was made to feel welcome from day one and opportunities have been there for everyone. What stood out for me the most was the school play this year as it was a really good experience with makeup and lighting.

Jamie Spratt I joined Prep School in Year Six wondering what it would be like. In the end I really enjoyed it, with loads of fun activities such as Kingswood and the London trip. I can’t wait to go to Senior School.

Rohan Kelsall My favourite bit about Prep School was the play.

I also loved Robinwood and Kingswood – my face was covered in mud! I also enjoyed getting to the highest point on Jacob’s Ladder.

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Prep School

Sophie Hopkins

Theo Colley

Jack Rowlandson

Many highlights have been all the sporting events I have been a part of. I especially loved the Hockey matches. In a practice I was doing so well Mrs Seddon called me the ‘ball magnet’.

My favourite memory was my first day because it was really good fun. There are also brilliant memories like the school sports teams and the residential trips, especially the London trip in yr6. Another highlight of Prep School was ‘Oink,’ the school play, when I was chosen to be ‘Rene,’ the French rooster.

My favourite memory was the play which was called Oink! based on the story of the 3 Little Pigs and it was rather funny. I played the part of Bobo the clown.

Michael Liu The most special moment of my school life would most definitely be starting school. Everything was interesting and I made lots of new friends. I’ll never forget that day.

Matthew Sellars My best moment of Prep School would be the ski trip.

After all the practice, I managed to ski one of the red runs. I managed not to fall over and I really enjoyed myself.

Nicholas Mackay I remember when we signed in for prep and the fire alarm went off. I thought it was a practice until I saw the smoke coming out of the kitchen... but it was only the Cookery Club letting their biscuits burn! I also loved the Science Museum.

Robert Tomlinson My favourite memory of Prep School was our trip to London because it was a great experience and I really liked ‘Oliver’

Lucy Atkinson My favourite memory of Prep School is when I dropped my string of sausages during the school play this year. It made my friends and me laugh!

Ishan Aggarwal My favourite memory was when I started. I called my teacher ‘Madam’ as I did at my old school. Whenever I said it everyone laughed and it made me laugh too, but Mrs Brown rather liked it!

Henry Gray My favourite memory was when I was in 5B and we were all crowding around Miss Bennington’s desk. I then tripped over my foot and fell into the recycling bin! I fell about laughing and so did everyone else!

Aidan Turner

My favourite memory was when I won the Long Jump at HMC with a personal best. Everyone wanted a look at my medal. I felt like a celebrity.

My favourite memory was when we went to Kingswood and we went up the ‘High Equilibrium’. I was going up with Mr Killeen. I got to the top but Mr Killeen couldn’t quite manage.

Joel Hargrove

Antonia Allison My favourite memory was this year’s play. I liked the play because I worked hard for something and I achieved it, which made me very happy.

Tom Tyrrell-Edwards My favourite memory was the Probability Fair because we had to make our own games. I liked Jacob’s Ladder in Kingswood too, because it was challenging.

Kai Chau Leung My favourite memory was when we went to London and we went on the London Eye. I also liked seeing the 4D movie.

Tom Leeming My favourite memory was when we went to London and we visited the Imperial War Museum and when I won the 200m on Sports Day for the fourth time.

Jack Barker My favourite memory was when we were at Kingswood.

I enjoyed everything especially the 3G swing because it was a huge thrill.

Will Swinbank My favourite memory was when we went to London. I went on the London Eye for the first time and watched an amazing 4D movie.

Caudia Barkes

Max Rose

My best memory was when I broke the High Jump record in my last Sports Day in Prep School. I broke it by 5cm jumping 1 metre 33cm.

My favourite memory was when we made a CD. I enjoyed it because we saw the teachers dancing and Mrs Thirling’s singing was very loud!

Georgia Maw

Aaron Slade My favourite memory was when we went to Robinwood because it was such fun when we went on the zipwire at night. I also enjoyed Bolton Castle in Year 4 when we dressed up in heavy armour.

My favourite memory was from the few weeks before I started. I always came to pick up my sister so I met Megan and Alex. They were really nice to me and played with me every time I came. They would take me up to the quiet –area and we played on the climbing frame.

Toby Lush Adam Wanless My memory was not getting a de-merit for 4 years in a row.

My favourite memory was getting into the Rugby team. I was really excited as the first matches were going to be in a tournament.

Ellie Shannon

Imogen Bristow

My favourite memory was when I won the House Cross Country and the Teesdale Cross Country Competition.

They were ace! I also was very proud when I came first in all my events on Sports Day and won the Turner Cup.

One of my best memories is when I first joined in Year Two. I was really scared but I remember that all of my friends cheered me up and made me feel much more welcome.

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Andrew Gedye

I remember at Kingswood I was scared stiff of the zipwire. On my first attempt, I went back down the tower. When I was back on the ground I regretted it so much that I went back up and jumped off.

William Body My favourite memory was in Year 5 when Henry fell into the recycling box backwards and got stuck and I had to help pull him out. The best bit of London was The Eye because it was really high.

Georgie Penman I joined Prep School in Year 6. Kingswood was my favourite thing as there were so many opportunities and everything was so extreme.

Oliver Pollock I remember when we did archery at Kingswood. I really enjoyed it because once I got the hang of it I was so close to the bullseye.

Oliver Theakston My favourite memory was when I was chosen to be football captain. I also loved the French trip when we got to stroke a sting ray. I enjoyed ‘Oink’ when I was a rat. It was such a funny play.

Aidan West I remember in Year 5, writing a Myths and Legends book in English. It was fun because I got to imagine a hero and create a monster.

Oliver Dunn My favourite thing was the London trip in Year 6. The best place we visited was Launch Pad in the Science Museum because it was so much fun.

Constance Mitchell My favourite memory of Prep was the chocolate factory on the French trip. I really enjoyed tasting the truffles and cocoa beans.

Emily Warren My favourite memory was in Year 5 when I went to receive my End of Term Special Mention in Chapel. I was a little scared to go up in front of the whole school but I was also very excited!

Ceara Sutton-Jones I remember my first day. Megan and Alex looked after me and made me feel really welcome. When I started in Year Two, Mrs Tulip was really nice to me and helped me join up my writing. My highlights of Prep School are when I got picked for the General Knowledge team and when I got full marks in a Maths exam.

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Senior Common Room

Senior Common Room Clockwise from top left: Emily Burgess, Emma Baldwin, Jane Tulip, Oliver Marlow, Alan Dougherty, Paul McHarry, Lynne Richardson

Emily Burgess Emily joined the school in September for the year as our Lacrosse and Hockey coach, working in both the senior and prep school.

She has enthused the pupils with her excellent coaching skills, and she has raised the profile of Lacrosse in the school no end.

Prep school are very grateful for all her help, especially with fixtures.

As a resident, she joined the Longfield house, and the Peppers are grateful for the work she has done there, and the girls have certainly enjoyed her company. Her caring nature was enjoyed by the girls for two evenings a week, including a ‘sleep over’ every Thursday. She was always willing to provide extra activities for the girls and was an enthusiastic member of staff when assisting with different House teams for various competitions.

I would personally like to thank her for the help and support she has given the department – she has tried in vain to get me to keep a clean desk and tidy office!

Emily plans to spend the summer as a PA before returning and getting a job in New York.

FC / MTP

Emma Baldwin Emma Baldwin joined BCS as a member of the English and Theatre Studies departments in Sept 2007. Before her arrival, one of the references from her alma mater in Hartlepool spoke unambiguously of how highly regarded Emma was by her colleagues and by the pupils; and this was truly the case here at BCS as well. In the English department I came me to be able to rely completely on her professionalism in the class room: she was totally organised, brimming full of ideas, seemingly able to knock out a Scheme of Work in her sleep, and completely committed to the success of all those in her charge. Of particular note are her A Level Literature teaching (and the formidable double act that she formed with EEB), and her being promoted to Head of Theatre Studies after her 1st year in post. Perhaps it is fair comment that her management style could occasionally (!) err on the side of ‘clearly determined and directly critical’, an approach that despite her best efforts at disguise and deep breaths never fully could hide its impatience with intellects less scintillating than her own – many a time I have felt like I was playing Watson to her Holmes – but, that said, she knew full well when she had overstepped the mark and she was never afraid to seek and take advice – and then one saw a softer, more vulnerable side to the driven professional that we met everyday around the campus: the sensitive, emotional, warm personality as opposed to the cooler, tougher persona.

But fundamentally it is true to say that she knew what she wanted and she made sure it happened, whether it was a delightful make-over of her classroom or theatrical sets which would be the envy of the West End. In that respect, her track record as director and producer is outstanding: rehearsal after rehearsal, all with the same level of drive, input, the same demand for the highest of standards. She has shown a clear desire to push forward what we see as the School drama agenda and diet: the Theatre studies performances have embraced highly challenging themes and have never made for a comfortable watch - not a coincidence, perhaps, that the visiting moderators have always felt compelled to award the highest of marks; while on a larger stage and in front of a larger audience, Emma has successfully rung the changes with mainstream school productions: bitter sweet urban comedy/ social commentary in “Our Day Out”, Disneyesque romanticism in “Beauty and the Beast”, full-on rock anthem, let-your-hair-down, oldster, plot-lite escapism in “We Will Rock You;” and most recently “Rent”: a brave choice which highly impressed many, not least the recent Inspection team.

And what about the choreography: variation, subtlety, true skill and knowledge, and overall (for us) a genuine visual delight and all the result of hours spent at home pacing the moves out in her living room. Can we not truly agree that the School has never been better served in this regard (and I mean no disrespect to those who preceded Emma in this field)?

Outside the classroom, Emma has been Bowes House stalwart, a tutor who has been always on the case of her tutees for better or worse, but always sympathetically and with the best outcomes at heart. I turn green too when I see

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Senior Common Room

how she managed to utilise her lunchtimes so efficiently: to my mind Emma managed to ameliorate the somewhat disparaging phrase “a Lady Who Lunches”: contrary to the clichéd perception of the lunching lady, Emma is someone who can work hard all morning, enjoy a good natter over lunch, and then put in more hard work in the afternoon.

Our loss is Westfield School’s gain – and I recommend that they make the most of her while they have her. Her new appointment offers exciting challenges which I am sure she will relish, as well as relieving her of a frustrating commute, frustrations which, I might add, she never brought into School. I thank her for all she has done for BCS (and not least for laughing at my ‘jokes’), and we wish her every personal and professional happiness and success.

AMW

Jane Tulip Jane Tulip was appointed to the staff 16 years ago to set up the Pre-Prep at Barney. Initially teaching all three age groups in the same class, Jane was not only instrumental in the growth and success of the department, she was the department!

Latterly she concentrated on Year 2 and parents were grateful for the fantastic start she gave to the children in her charge, instilling important values in them from the beginning like manners and behaviour.

Jane was a true professional, the children admired her and the parents trusted her.

Unfortunately her health took a serious turn for the worse, coming to a head in the Autumn term and she reluctantly had to take the decision to stop working.

Her cheery disposition will be sorely missed by children, parents and staff alike. Throughout her time at Prep School she has been a lynchpin of the staffroom with her humour and kindness. She has been a fantastic teacher, loyal colleague and friend and an inspirational person. Her courage and humour go hand in hand and have been an example to us all.

NIS

Lynne Richardson Lynne Richardson became a member of the Modern Languages Department in 2005, making her initial appearance under the name of Lynne Cragg. She immediately showed what a resourceful and inventive teacher she was, full of interesting and novel ideas for the teaching of languages. It was the middle of the first decade of the 21st. Century and here was this girl using computers and web-sites to accompany and support her teaching! She even had a funny whiteboard thingummy installed in her classroom, so she could become ‘interactive’. Added to this, she is the master illustrator.

Tony Hart and Rolf Harris must be quaking boots! When I come to write my revolutionary French coursebook, I shall be asking Lynne to do the illustrations.

I have enjoyed sharing the teaching of the Sixth Form with Lynne. I can even say it has been idyllic!

Nowadays, the course is all ‘topic based’. I could hand over to her, with all confidence and delight , the topics of Modern Culture (pop music, fashion!!) and Modern Technology ( see above AND below), and happily agree to take on Sport and Environment (both odious subjects for Lynne). Modern, up-to-date and resourceful, she adopted a course which involved computers and horrid software.

Always one for inducting her pupils into French and German culture, the shares in Lidl and Aldi suddenly hit the roof, every time that BCS pupils were spoiled with croissants, pains au chocolat, Bavarian sausage, Stollen, pretzels, etc., usw. Trips to the cinema were organized for Sixth Formers; even in the darkness of the Gala Theatre in Durham, one could sense her customary rosy cheeks paling, as the wrong film appeared on the screen. All was rectified, I hasten to add! And then there was that wonderful trip in 2008 to Chateau Beaumont in Normandy.

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Once again, there was a most inauspicious start, as the coach picking us up at a frosty midnight hour, was waiting for us in Morrison’s car-park! GPS? Give me a map and compass any time!! All ran like clockwork after that, as is always the case with Lynne. She is always so wonderfully and perfectly organized. The French market in Laval , Mont St. Michel, St. Malo and the wonderful ‘cidrerie’ (apple juice for the pupils, naturellement) . I’m not sure, however, whether Mr. Richardson is aware of his wife’s appearance on a French edition of ‘Blind Date’, dressed in a most fetching blue and white striped shirt and red beret. Of course, she won!!

2011 was the year, not only of a Royal Wedding, but also of the introduction of ‘Audacity’, the computer programme wickedly imposed upon unsuspecting teachers by a certain examination board for the recording of GCSE Speaking Tests. Lynne calmly and patiently gave a series of lessons on how to use this viperous piece of technology to her rather nervous and cynical colleague. ‘It’s easy!!’ Yes, that may well be the case for those who weren’t around to celebrate Geoff Boycott’s One Hundredth Hundred, but for those who were and who were far more comfortable using a tape recorder and cassette, a laptop and a memory stick were the ideal recipe for disaster. Lynne skillfully and quietly rectified every inadequacy and mistake (and there were many!!).

I can only apologise to her and thank her.

Throughout her time in the School, Lynne has been a tutor in Bowes House. Generations of fortunate girls speak of her generosity, her patient support and guidance. The same skills have been brought to bear on her Gifted and Talented programme, one that she had to devise and set up herself. Pupils have benefitted from a whole range of disciplines, events and outings.

Lynne is moving on to be Head of French at Wickham School. They are recruiting an excellent young teacher. Their gain will definitely be our loss.

In saying ‘Au revoir and Auf Wiedersehen,’, we thank her for all she has done with us and for us, and give her our very best wishes for the future.

CPJ

Oliver Marlow It is not everyone who can say that they have added to our lexicon. But Oliver can. An unscientific poll revealed that there was not a single member of staff who could not swear to having been ‘Marlowed’! And this is, of course, a compliment. Surely a key trait of a Deputy Head is that he fills one with nervous anticipation as he approaches down the corridor: what, we ask ourselves, is his next big plan? And where do I come into it? The trick there is, of course, to make the ‘volunteer’ feels happy to be recruited, and by that criterion alone, OKM was a success. Oliver was never short of plans, initiatives, energy: always there, always everywhere and always devoted to the cause of the School, its staff and its pupils. He was a diplomat, a dynamo, an ambassador and a warm human being.

Our activities programme fills a board in Central Hall and he was instrumental in developing it to this splendid degree: certainly he can take much credit for the very positive remarks made by the inspectors in their recent report. At other times, it fell to him to have to deal with the daily round of injustice and error and his approach to the miscreant was firm, but sympathetic – people do “get things wrong” and rightly OKM always felt sure that they would really want to get things right next time. No one would ever be set up to fail (again).

In the classroom he displayed a passion for English Literature and I was grateful for the way he advanced the cause of English Literature and for his support during the planning for our implementation of IGCSE. I think the North grew on him, but I think it also very true to say that in his spare moments he would rather have been able to dip his toes in the Channel than in the Tees, and so his return to Sussex will surely have many rewards, more than adequate compensation for

whatever challenges he faces at Eastbourne College.

We thank him for all he accomplished at BCS and we wish him, Sarah and his family every success and happiness.

AMW

Paul McHarry It is a sad fact of life that the longer one stays at Barney the less people remember the sheer volume of contributions a teacher has made. Many of those who have appreciated Paul’s efforts over the years have long since gone, some married with children, but when they meet an OB you can bet that McHarry comes up in conversation. Anecdotes of McHarry’s lessons occur regularly on ‘Facebook’, many claiming to be the ‘one’ who McHarry sent to the boiler house for a left handed screwdriver or a long ‘weight’, or was told to sit on the window ledge replacing the geranium that replaced them on their lab stool. Although Paul came to us from Silcoates School in 1983, if you go back a few years you would have found him teaching in West Buckland School near Barnstable in northern Devon. For those who need reminding, West Buckland is a sister school to Barney, both a County School and both having a Brereton as a Headmaster. Small world isn’t it?

He did an excellent job as Head of Physics and Head of Science but it was in the classroom where he really shone. His teaching skills were second to none, a fact acknowledged by all who knew him. I was walking towards the CCF armoury one day and had to walk past one of his ‘outside’ lessons that involved pupils swinging a weight around their heads on a length of string. I sat on a bench to watch and was soon finding it hard to see due to the tears of laughter at his style and brilliance at getting the message across humorously. Everybody was enjoying a very academic lesson. An elderly housemaster once stopped me when I was parking the minibus one Sunday evening after taking cadets to the Lakes. “…These are the days they will remember all their lives. They won’t remember lessons, but they will remember the trips.” I believe they will remember McHarry’s lessons.

He was famous for producing course notes and exam guides for his groups to go alongside their course texts which were greatly appreciated by his students. It was rumoured, and later confirmed, that the course notes were being used in a rival independent school not very far away. If he had only published these books he could have made a fortune! Maybe we will soon see him taking advantage of this gap in the market.

Paul became an instructor in the CCF, not taking up a commission, but still giving up hours of his time leading the ‘Signals Section’. He accompanied an expedition up Helvellyn in the Lake District, volunteering to carry the Camcorder and narrate the ascent. These were in the days when the camera required a large battery; the camera itself was the size of a briefcase with lots of wires and microphones etc. Picture, if you can, McHarry in tweed jacket, shirt and tie on Striding Edge trying his best not to lose footing whilst filming and talking into the large microphone. Although I believe the recording to be lost, I can remember him saying at about 3000 feet, “Headmaster, if this recording is found next to my decaying remains, please let it be known that I tender my resignation and my dying wish is that the film is treated with more respect than Bentley’s.” Needless to say, he didn’t perish but returned and the Signals Section flourished.

Peter Wise bought an astronomical telescope from a policeman in Durham and Paul obviously was able to handle it and use it. Another innovation was born. He was also one of the first to use video recorders in the classroom, a Sony Betamax portable kit to be precise, (most reading this won’t even know what they are.)

Pupils will remember watching his favourite films, black and white of course, ‘The Dam Busters’ or at Christmas the Alastair Sims version of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Bribes were often the incentive to make pupils watch these films. Buckets of popcorn were handed round. So Mrs Houghton wasn’t the first to supply

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Senior Common Room

Senior Common Room cakes and sandwiches for Physics club. I wonder how may of his pupils remember the ‘award of the golden resistor’ for meritorious work. No wonder the Physics budget was so large.

In his early years, he was a dedicated tutor in what was then called Junior House. His November 5th firework displays were a highlight of the year. He lived in an area of School called OSH and ruled with a rod of iron, or bamboo, depending on the crime. Those were the days!

He became Housemaster of Durham House and stamped his mark there too. I remember a day when a member of his House had scored particularly well in House cricket so he rewarded him with a can of cola.

The boy, feeling proud walked to the buses drinking his prize. Unfortunately, the boy walked into the, then, headmaster who admonished the boy for drinking in an inappropriate place, confiscated the drink and poured it into the ground. When the boy complained to him the next day, McHarry’s response was, “Who told you life was fair?” Another good lesson taught.

He didn’t always stay chained to the classroom desk.

He organised the badminton, much to the delight of our Chinese students who could beat all-comers from Europe. He organised archery and was often seen beating me at croquet on the Headmaster’s croquet lawn. Those of us who are members of the Senior Common Room will have witnessed from time to time Paul’s skills as an after-dinner speaker. His timing and deliverance gave us all just a glimpse of what it must have been like to be a pupil in his classroom.

Paul McHarry joined us in 1983 and has become the stuff of legends in his time here. If he had built a reputation for excellence in teaching alone, he would have been revered, but he went far beyond that. Those that have been taught by him owe him a huge vote of thanks, as does the School. He won’t be forgotten. I hope he leaves us realising just how much he is liked by pupils and colleagues. He deserves a long and happy retirement. As my friend, I will miss him enormously.

SK

HM’s interview notes (1983): McHarry – physics (not science); formidable (gown and cane); dry humour (chose Tio Pepe); smart (St. Andrews, wears tie pin, uses a serviette); budding gardener (greenhouse club?); lay preacher (Moore relief?); seeks suite of rooms (Junior House tutor?); opinions (Barnardian editor?); could make something of him.

McHarry has achieved spectacularly over his 28 years. His commanding views over the campus from the M Block keep him fully aware of School matters and even provide evidence of late arrivals to class (reminding us of headmaster Cleese in ‘Clockwise’, perhaps?).

His department is superbly organised with every drawer and cupboard labelled, and apparatus bar-coded (care of Mrs H actually). The library is beautifully catalogued; his physics’ website is amongst the country’s very best; syllabi and courses are chosen and tailored to foster rigorous inquiry and promote intellectual curiosity, and contain the Nuffield excitement of practical demonstrations; colleagues share the highest standards; pupils are committed to their own success. His department has progressed many on to MPhys and MSci courses at the best universities as well as provided all with the chance of separate science success at a time of general science mediocrity. McHarry is perceived by most, to include urchins and sloths, to be an outstanding schoolmaster and teacher (the pupils’ Mr McHarry facebook appreciation site is testament to this) and the department’s excellent academic results evidence this.

Open Day Physics has always been the place to be!

He is a pastoral man too. This Junior House resident assistant housemaster saw deserving promotion to Durham; the senses of loyalty and devotion to the Gold Flag, so well documented and with masterly photography in the House’s history, are lodged in the hearts of McHarry’s OB men who breathe style and success throughout the land. In latter years, he has been a calming influence and wise counsel in Marwood

– a senior man in a vital role. Tutees have been rewarded with cakes and Coke in P1 (care of Mrs H), a highlight of their week if not his.

And very much a schoolmaster: he has sung the staff unison, completed the Barnard Run staff course (when younger), been selected as the number one time-keeper for track events on Sports Day, provided memorable addresses at Sunday Chapel, promoted Barney at ISIS Fairs, threatened to resurrect Durham allotments where the 1st XV now practises, umpired Counties’ cricket matches (but only on fine afternoons), produced ‘Good Morning BCS’ – an award winning weekly which caught the imagination of all through its text and images, and gently challenged and teased the bumptious speaker in inter-House public speaking competitions.

As a colleague, he is fun. Whilst shooting from the hip and telling it as it is, he is honest and forthright. Humour wins the day as well as friends. The smile is engaging; his time is readily given and comments which can be brief, are invariably pithy, witty and often reassuring.

McHarry is a legend of our years. He says he is ready, after 84 terms of distinguished service, to make way for younger men. We have certainly made something of him and, most definitely, he of us. We will remember him.

DHE

Alan Dougherty Alan Dougherty has been a part of Prep School life for 21 years. During that time he has been a Year 5 class teacher, a science teacher and a geography teacher; he has also overseen cross-country events, clubs and teams as well as organising a range of school trips.

Alan brought an enthusiasm for the outdoors to the school and it was entirely appropriate that his last teaching day was spent orienteering in Hamsterley Forest with the Year 5 classes. We would like to thank Alan for his service to the school and we wish him every happiness in his retirement. Knowing Alan’s love of the outdoors I am sure that he and his wife Carole will make the most of the extra time.

CFR

Clockwise from top left: Emma Robson, Harriet McHugh, Lottie Holmes, Finlay Tait, Emily Purvis, Katy Fraser, Naomi Day

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The Barnardian Magazine

Senior Common Room

Suzanne Cuthbertson

Suzanne Cuthbertson 1952 – 2011 Suzanne joined Barnard Castle School in 1989 as a part-time teacher of Art. She had previously taught Art at Polam Hall School.

With a reorganisation of the DesignTechnology and Art Departments she became Head of Art in 2004, was a tutor in Marwood House from its inception in 1993 and became Assistant Housemistress of Bowes House when it was formed in 2002.

She took over as Housemistress of Bowes in January 2011, but her tenure of the role was sadly and unexpectedly cut short by her sudden illness which was diagnosed in January 2011.

without feeling the buzz of creative energy and excitement. The expression “inspirational teacher” is often overworked, but in her case it is entirely appropriate. Countless numbers of former pupils owe their choice of degree course, and frequently their career, to the love for their subject which Mrs Cuthbertson inspired.

Suzanne was tutor to the girls in Year 11 in Bowes for many years, and they considered themselves privileged to have such a dedicated tutor. In her pastoral role the same principle held good as in the Art Department. She saw her relationship with her tutees, and indeed with all the girls in Bowes, as a two-way process; as long as they pulled their weight they were guaranteed her total support. Her sharp and acute observation of her tutees meant that she got to know them quickly and thoroughly. They knew that they would never be able to pull the wool over her eyes, but equally that she would always support them, advise, encourage, cajole, frequently nag them and yes, sometimes shout at them. The future direction of so many girls has been influenced by her common sense approach, and they quickly learned that she could be relied on for sound, sensible and shrewd advice even in the most difficult situations.

Many rebellious teenagers have become cooperative, hard-working and determined to achieve because she wouldn’t settle for anything else. In the words of a former tutee “she was an amazing tutor and every memory of her is a happy one”.

As Assistant Housemistress, Suzanne worked tirelessly for the good of the House and every one of

the girls in it. She believed passionately in Bowes. As one of its “founding mothers” she was influential in creating the ethos of the House and by her example she demonstrated the House values at all times.

Bowes tutors benefited enormously from her wisdom and professional guidance and advice. Suzanne and I had a shared view of what a happy, purposeful and successful House should be. Her support was unconditional, she was always there to listen, and for that I cannot thank her enough.

Throughout her illness she was keen to be kept informed at all times of what was going on at School and in the House, and was thrilled to be able to return briefly to teaching, against all medical advice.

This was a huge comfort to her, and it was very important to her that she was able to close the door to such a significant part of her life in what she thought of as an appropriate way, still operating as a consummate professional despite the odds.

Any account of Suzanne’s life would not be complete without mentioning her treasured family.

She is survived by her husband Raymond, sons Dominic and Jonathan, both former pupils of BCS, her mother Paddy and her brother Peter. To each one of them our hearts go out now and will continue to do so. They are all only too aware of how much she gave to the pupils and staff of the School and we thank them for supporting her in her tireless devotion to her job. They have lost a beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister; we have lost a remarkable colleague and a very dear friend.

BE

Under her leadership and guidance the Art Department flourished and grew, with increasing numbers of pupils opting to take Art at GCSE, AS and A level. Results saw a similar progression, with several cohorts of pupils obtaining 100% A grades at A level.

The art work on display throughout the School is testimony to the high standards attained. Whatever their results, however, the pupils knew that they would be encouraged to realise their full potential and achieve at the highest possible level. Mrs Cuthbertson would never settle for anything other than their best, and expected all her pupils to be single-minded in their commitment to their subject.

When they showed the level of dedication she expected, she would go out of her way to give whatever help, advice, or extra time they needed. It was not unusual for her to squeeze in a visit to town between lessons to buy materials for her artists. One never came away from a visit to the Art Department

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2011

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Activities

Activities Auto Club This year’s Auto club activity has involved the construction of an electrically powered children’s ride in vehicle. The main focus of this year has been the construction of the chassis ready to accept the more complicated axles and drivetrain.

A small group of pupils from year 10 and upper 6th have largely controlled the pace of the project as they interpret complicated drawings and fabricate each and every panel that the vehicle is to be constructed from.

Progress has been up and down at times but I have been very pleased to see regular attendance and the main chassis taking shape week by week. Each pupil should feel extremely proud of what they have achieved in what is effectively 1 hour of build time each week.

It is my hope that the same candidates, with some additions, can carry on the good work and see the project to full completion. A big thank you to the Auto club members and I will look forward to seeing you next year!

PE

Riding Club The girls have enjoyed their riding lessons at Raygill Riding Centre in Lartington. Each week, they have been able to improve their riding technique and even the girls in the beginners group can now walk and trot competently. They are now learning how to canter as well as jump small cross poles. The advanced group have had plenty of practice perfecting their transitions from walk to trot and trot to canter and more recently they have been learning how to ride a course of show jumps. As well as riding, the girls have also had some stable management lessons and can confidently tack up their ponies, groom them thoroughly and muck out their stables.

CEH

Kayaking Kayaking has started to become popular within the school. Indoor training is given in the school swimming pool where pupils have learnt the basic strokes and how to roll. These skills have then been put into practice on the local rivers. The school is ideally situated as we have one of the countries most popular kayaking rivers flowing past our door step, the River Tees. Kayakers come from all over the country to paddle it.

Alexander Lea, Michael Waddington, Sam Graham, Mathew and Jack Thorman and Alex Rolland-Jones have been out this last year on various river trips. Jack and Al Lea achieved their BCU 2 star award and several pupils have gained the skills to tackle the white waters.

During the winter months, trips have included Abbey Rapids on the Tees and Slenningford on the River Ure, both Grade 3 rapids. In November I took three to the Tyne Tour. This is probably the countries largest kayaking weekend with hundreds of paddlers from all over the country descending on Hexham. The highlight being the decent down Wardens Gorge (grade 3+) which is renowned for capsizing the less experienced kayaker. However Jack, Matthew and Alex RJ survived without a capsize. Recently training has taken place on the outdoor lake at the HUB in Barnard Castle, a recently opened facility.

PCO

starting with no knitting skills at all, the pupils in the group have used three different types of wool, creating both pom pom and can can scarves. (These scarves are popular in high street shops and sell for up to £30!) Casting on and casting off has been more arduous, simply because when the pupils get it wrong, they have to start all over again. They have now chosen their own patterns and are currently knitting hats for the winter.

AGJ

Trampolining The Trampolining activity takes place on Fridays between 4 and 5. Participants meet in Central Hall after school and are driven up to the Teesdale Sports Centre by minibus where they are taken by a trained and experienced instructor. We return to school in time for the buses.

Because of the time taken to travel, to maximize actual ‘bounce’ time it is important that participants change at lunch (into school tracksuit and sportswear) and have their home bags ready if they are not boarders.

The emphasis is on enjoyment although learning to use the trampoline safely is also critically important.

Also, each term participants work towards a certificate, the level of which depends on their level of expertise, attainment and experience. To obtain the certificate participants have to show that they can carry out a sequence of tasks (for example tucked jumps or twists), whose difficulty varies according to the level of the certificate.

Trampolining is enjoyed by boys and girls, usually in Years 7 to 9 although some Year 10 and 11 pupils have enrolled. It is a skill that anyone can acquire, it is good for you and it is fun. This year’s participants have been friendly and enthusiastic and I think it is fair to say that they have both enjoyed their Friday afternoon jaunts to the sports centre and also benefited from the experience.

DGG

Baking activity with Miss Jackson Baking club has proved to be very popular this year.

Pupils in this activity started with different abilities: some were able to cook flamboyant soufflés, whilst others had never used kitchen weighing scales before.

It has been a fabulous way for the pupils to help each other and show each other the best way of baking.

Simple tricks such as weighing out golden syrup with a hot spoon have gained plenty of oohs and ahs! Not to mention the delights of getting the wooden spoon!

Favourite recipes this year have had a theme; chocolate brownies and chocolate cup cakes.

AGJ

Climbing activity As an activity during the Autumn and Spring term, a dedicated small group of climbers have spent 2 hours each Monday evening using the climbing wall at Teesdale Sports Centre. Without the expert help of Stuart Pattinson, from the ‘boiler house, such an activity could not occur. Various and varied routes have been accomplished and the skills of those involved have developed well over the two terms.

MNRF

Knitting activity with Miss Jackson

Film Club

Knitting has appealed to a niche market of children for the past two terms, but this has meant that new stitches galore have been accomplished. From

Thursday afternoons have one again seen L5 become a ‘chill-out zone’, primarily for yr 9, or so it seemed. Move a few desks, rearrange a few chairs

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and a place of learning becomes something more akin to a youth club. Add in an undemanding film or 2 and the recipe is just right. Yours truly usually sits in a corner getting on with some marking, while the ‘customers’ relax, chat, watch a comedy, or whatever.

All involved spend an easy hour to no ill effect.

Newcomers are always welcome.

AMW

History of Film This elite group of Year 11s met every Tuesday during the autumn term to sit back, and watch some great movies. Beginning with the birth of cinema in the 1900s, we watched a number of silent films and German expressionism such as Broken Blossoms, The Birth of a Nation and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, before moving on to such epics as Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday. The group also looked at the evolution of camera effects including deep focus, and the effect such techniques have had on modern cinema.

TSE

“CHEF!!”

The vegetarian/Healthy Eating Cookery Club meets every Thursday at 4 pm in the Longfield House kitchen. There, a group of students, ranging from year 7 to year 11, eagerly awaits a box of ingredients and a three course menu to arrive.

The cooking is shared out which allows everyone to take part in cooking a course. The next hour is frantic as students whizz around preparing delicious food and the busy atmosphere and standard of cuisine can easily be compared to a kitchen in any high class restaurant.

The ambience is friendly, supportive and is well seasoned with spicey banter (sometimes batter).

When all the food is prepared, the table is layed out, and the group sit down to a relaxed and healthy meal.

Becca Cliffe, Year 10, says: “Healthy Eating/ Vegetarian Cookery Club has been the highlight of my year. It has introduced me to new food and it has helped me to realise just how much I love to cook, especially puddings! Thank you very much Mrs Waddington and I hope to do it again next term as well.”

Typical menu: Butternut Squash Soup, Banana and Vegetable Curry, Lime Cheese Cake.

A recipe book is created at the end of each term for students to take home. So far the club has only consisted of girls, so come on lads, get your chef hats ready for a challenge!

MEW

Peer Support Service The Peer Support service has once again developed in the school this year and we are delighted with the new room that has been made available in the Senior School for pupils to speak to a Peer Supporter or to gather their thoughts in private.

James Ingram has been an outstanding leader and I am very grateful to him for all of the organisation and support work that he has done throughout his time at the school. This year Oliver Chrisp developed an internet help site, which has also provided a superb support for pupils in the school and I am delighted that Ben Jeffrey will be continuing this site next year. There have been a number of new recruits, who have all completed the training course successfully and offer a great help to several areas of the school. I would like to thank all of the Peer Supporters for their hard work again this year, in particular those members of the Upper 6 who have been committed for two years.

AJA

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Activities

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

35

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

“

The two groups were distilled from 21 hopefuls who had started the gold award

”

The last week of term in 2010 is a week that twelve of this year’s leavers will remember for many years. Such are the trials and tribulations of a four day backpacking adventure through the beautiful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales.

Two groups set out from Hardraw on a bright and sunny day in July. The torrential rain of the early hours had thankfully stopped. They had just met their assessor, Mike Gerrish, who had probed each of them gently for strengths and weaknesses. There was clearly going to be a bit of competition between the wholly girls group of Heather Appleby, Rachel Brown, Rachel Metcalf, Kate Swinbank, Helen Alderson and Helen Simpson and the mixed group of George Woollard, Angus Robertson, Dan Miller, Jess Scott, Jess Brice and Brooke Goudie. The two groups were distilled from 21 hopefuls who had started the gold award, but for various reasons had been unable to complete their assessed expedition.

The assessment went really well for both groups who passed with flying colours. The girls’ route took them through Wensleydale, Swaledale and Upper Eden. They explored the lead mining in Gunnerside Gill and included an ascent on Nine Standards Rigg on their final day. They even had time for a quick ice cream and a quick dip at Keld. The mixed team had planned a demanding route through similar countryside, coming through it well and undaunted to the end. The weather was generally good giving them ample opportunities to take in the splendid Dales scenery. At the end of four days their assessor sat with twelve exhausted, but very happy boys and girls in Kirkby Stephen market place. Mike had said they were an outstanding bunch of young people, a credit to themselves, their families and their school. He was mightily impressed with their cheerful confidence, saying that team work was exceptionally good, clearly enjoying each other’s company.

I hope all of the successful candidates go on to complete their gold award very soon. George Woollard is the first to have completed all five sections of the award on the new eDofE electronic system which, after a few teething problems, is working well.

This year’s hopefuls include Sophie Evans, Ben Jeffrey, Alice McBain, Harriet Ward and Josie Amery.

Find out how they get on in next years’ Barnardian!

CHA

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The Barnardian Magazine

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Another year of mixed weather, great views and exciting adventures. This year the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award saw many of last year’s cohort receive their awards, three fantastic year 11 teams take to the hills for training and assessments and a record year 10 sign up.

Congratulations must first go to Freddie Metcalfe, Duncan Anderson, Varun Balupuri, Patrick Borer, Edward Deytrikh, Ben Jeffrey, Chris Robinson, Neil Stanwix, and Emma Anderson for completing their silver awards and William Barnes and Calum Matthews for completing their Bronze Awards.

Our Year 11 teams performed well in the training sessions and demonstrated all the skills required to pass their practical assessment. A training expedition in April saw the teams head down the road to Middleton-in-Teesdale for a 2 night practice expedition, all the teams performed well here, special mention must go to Tom Vickers who had to drop out due to a recurring foot injury. To pass their three day assessment teams are required to walk for seven hours or more each day, be self-sufficient by carrying all their personal equipment and food for the three days.

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Team 1 Calum Matthews, Hugh Carter, Chris Moore, Euan Hobson, Andrew Hutchon Team 2 Rory Abraham, Ellie Dinnes, Jack Roberts, Nick Packham, Georgina Lea, Katie Ferguson Team 3 William Barnes, Becky McKitton, Tom Vickers, Lucy Parkinson, Jonny Connors What a cracking 3 days the silver assessment expedition groups had during 3-5 July. As well as fantastic weather they all completed their assessment with flying colours. The assessor was David Ewart. He was very impressed with the standard and competence of all three groups. The aim of their expedition was to complete a preplanned route over three days and be self sufficient.

Two of the groups set off from Sleighholme farm – one group walking via Tan Hill and the other group heading over the tops and through Arkendale. The third group was dropped off in Gunnerside. From here they were going to do a slightly different expedition: to spend three days investigating and studying the mining heritage of Swaledale. This meant a slightly shorter distance but more time at various mining locations. Mr Brettell joined the group on the Sunday on Melbecks Moor as he has a good local knowledge of the area and its mining heritage. On the Monday the group had arranged to visit the Mining Museum in Reeth. The expedition would not have been possible without the help of Mr Fairwood, Mr Brettell and Mr Waddington. Many thanks to them for their help.

In year 10 we saw record 57 students sign up for DofE Silver and begin training for their expeditions.

All year 10 DofE students are enrolled on the new

EDofE service which requires students to track and update their progress online rather than in the log books used in the past. Two training days were laid on in the autumn term to give students an idea of how to get started and to give them a taste of the skills they will need on expedition.

There are four sections to the Silver Award: Service, Skill, Physical and expedition. Many students have chosen to use CCF as their service but others have chosen to volunteer elsewhere such as the school library, at a local charity shop, at an animal shelter or as a Young leader with a scout group. The service must be undertaken for at least six months and be unpaid. For their skills section students have selected a variety of activities; football coaching, computer studies, journalism, paintball and horse riding to name a few. When it came to deciding on what sort of Physical activity to undertake the field was equally diverse; football, badminton, scuba diving, skateboarding and cricket were amongst the activities chosen.

The DofE silver award would not be possible without the help and dedication of the staff who give up their free time to help run the program.

HWF / PCO

2011

37

CCF

CCF Army The CCF at Barnard Castle has continued to have a very successful and busy year. The training programme has been very varied, with all cadets successfully passing many modules of the basic and advanced APC syllabus.

As well as cadets parading on a weekly basis, a number of cadets have also represented the Contingent in Brigade competitions, on camps and at field days.

The year began with the appointment of RSM and CSM to Donna Opray and Helen Alderson respectively. Both girls, and a very strong team of NCOs ensured that cadets were prompt to parade, nominal rolls were taken and lessons were taught very effectively to the younger members of the CCF throughout the year.

Our current Contingent strength is 191 cadets.

CEH

Training Programme The cadets have worked very hard through the academic year to ensure that they have successfully completed the individual components of the syllabus. The year 10 cadets completed their weapon training and passed their weapon handling test, before completing their basic training in map reading and 1st aid which was rounded off with an orienteering competition held around the Domains at Barnard Castle.

In the summer term, they concentrated on military tactics and enjoyed learning how to patrol, set up an ambush and carry out section attacks.

The year 11 cadets completed their advanced map reading and 1st aid cadre and then took a two term methods of instruction cadre lead by Lieutenant Nicholson. Having passed this cadre, a number of the year 11 cadets are now qualified to teach the younger members of the Contingent.

Under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Monument, the year 12 cadets spent the first term completing their CVQO booklets which upon completion gives the cadets a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services.

This qualification is the equivalent of 4 GCSE’s at AC level. The spring term was spent teaching 1st aid to the year 10 cadets and they also worked hard as a team to organise an orienteering competition for the younger members of the Contingent.

The year 13 cadets (NCOs) were involved in the teaching of the year 11 cadets and also in the lead up to their modular School examinations spent some time in the indoor range practicing their skills on the .22 rifles and also developed their team building skills by completing a leadership cadre.

We welcomed Mr. Fairwood to the Contingent, who has been an asset to the Unit. His expertise in adventure training has been valuable to us and I know he is looking forward to his officer training at Frimley Park in the summer holidays.

Flight Lieutenant West was appointed OC RAF section as from September 2010, with Flight Lieutenant Child stepping down from the position.

Lt Nicholson has decided to resign his commission from the CCF. He has been an officer in the Contingent since 1994 and will be hugely missed by us all. He has been a valuable member of the team who has an excellent rapport with the cadets and officers.

I would just like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Lewis and the officers for giving up generous amounts of time to make the CCF so enjoyable and popular amongst the cadets.

Without their dedication, the CCF definitely wouldn’t be as successful as it is today.

CEH

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RAF The RAF section offers exciting opportunities with many of the cadets taking full advantage.

We have been buoyed a bumper crop of Year 10 cadets and they have all enjoyed flying, shooting and completing their Fist-Aid training. We have been lucky with the weather this year and nearly every cadet has flown a Grob Tutor with 11 AEF at RAF Leeming.

This year we have been fortunate to have been awarded a Summer Camp at RAF Boulmer near Alnwick.

We hope the weather holds fair and the cadets hope to have the chance to fly in a Sea king helicopter. William Barnes has been awarded a Gliding Scholarship at RAF Henlow and I look forward to reading his report.

The Lower Sixth cadets have all successfully completed their BTech qualifications and this will be a useful addition to their UCAS forms. Corporal Balupuri also completed his Gliding Scholarship and was awarded his Blue Wings.

Warrant Officer Edward Grundy has led the section with distinction for two years and I am very grateful for him making my first year in charge a little easier.

He completed his Flying Scholarship last summer through the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme. He also gained the national recognition of an RAF Sixth Form Scholarship and he is a worthy recipient. His deputy, Flight Sergeant Robert Hall has also been an outstanding cadet. He completed the Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAFC Cranwell last summer and he received a very pleasing report. Flight Sergeant James Ingram has been an excellent role model and he attended a work experience course in

Avionics at RAF Cosford. All three have been awarded the Commandant’s Certificate of Outstanding Service. Sergeant Ryan Strawbridge has also impressed me with enthusiasm and commitment and it is a pleasure to award him the Aquila Trophy for all his hard work over the last four years.

Next year it will be Sergeant Dale Keogh’s time to lead the section with his able deputy Corporal William Prior. The Upper Sixth have taught them well and I’m sure they will live up to their high standards. I would like to thank Matron Brown, Flt Lt Beaty and especially Flt Lt Child for all their time and support this Year. I reserve a special thank you to the Upper Sixth NCOs and wish them every success for the future.

Flt Lt West OC RAF CCF Section The Level 2 Btec First Diploma in Public Services mixes theory and practical elements with an emphasis on leadership, teamwork, communications, problem solving and fitness. This internationally respected qualification is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at A*- C level.

The syllabus has been designed to improve valuable life skills. Cadets learn professional CV preparation, interviewing techniques, communication, first aid, adventure training, health and nutrition, in addition to their on running responsibilities to the CCF. Last year saw the entry of 29 cadets onto the course with 20 of those cadets successfully reaching certification.

LDM

The Barnardian Magazine

Chapel Report

Chapel Report It’s been the year of School inspection, a new headmasterly regime and even a national census. Both internally and externally, people have been measuring things.

In fact we’ve been doing it for years. We measure children at entrance, pore over GCSE and A level results, make judgements about gifted and talented, admonish the lazy, appraise staff, observe lessons and wonder generally if we measure up. Well, we’re pretty good according to the inspection report.

As a school we got a big tick in our exercise book, accompanied by a lot of nice comments and some indications in red ink of where we can improve next time. Fair enough really, except that the Gospel has a few reservations about measurement. After all, Jesus was measured by the standards of his day and failed miserably under the Ofsted of Pilate and Caiaphas. He then had to wait for two days in the grave before a re-mark from the “Chief Examiner” came through on Easter Day. This fact alone should make us a little dubious about tick boxes. Jesus’ altercation with the teacher Nicodemus serves as a reminder that being born again cannot be reduced

The Barnardian Magazine

to a biology lesson nor the Spirit captured and put into a bottle.

To be fair, the school inspectors were humble about their ability to provide more than a snap shot of a school on the move. I wish they had been there when York House festooned the Chapel with flags of its constituent nationalities, had a Chinese dragon dance up the aisle and songs sung in Russian and French. Even stout English hearts acquiesced in the words of ‘Flower of Scotland’ and went away “tae thinke again”. I would have liked the inspectors to note the symbols and artefacts of various religions on the window-sills at the back of Chapel, but especially to know that a Muslim student has the courage to remain steadfast in his faith and yet attend Chapel three times a week. I would have liked to tell them about the 30 boarders who, in the midst of exam season, but moved by the message of Christian Aid, went house to house, collecting envelopes and conversing with old folks and young folks on doorsteps in the locality. Perhaps they could also have seen the Prep school harvest cards and the dedicated “Friends of the School” who delivered them and bags of potatoes and cauliflowers to addresses all over the area. None of these scenes are easily captured in a report, nor in fact do they need to be. The Year 11 lad, who can be playing rugby on a Saturday, then parading with a thuribal on the Sunday, then cursing a fire alarm at 2am on the Monday (caused by residual incense from the day before) – cannot be measured simply by his GCSE results, or conformity to the School rules on

swearing. In fact, if he concentrated solely on objective measures he would be diminished to a “plastic” – a shadow of a human being without substance or dimensionality. Which is not to say that we should fashion a school exclusively for rogues or rebels – though some of this year’s 20 confirmation candidates would undoubtedly qualify – it’s simply to say that the chorister who defies definition, the girl who bucks ladylike convention and the boy who chooses to be gentle, all have a place in the Kingdom of God, whilst failing to show up on any this-worldly radar.

Is Chapel, then, simply a haven for this kind of mentality – a place where eccentricity and celestial music, poetry and arcane ceremony can flourish, a bit like the fairytale royal wedding, which might fade at any moment in the cold light of day? Or, in a strange way, does it simply reinforce the best of what is “out there” in the school at large which, though using measures, is not defined by them? I sincerely hope that it remains the latter. This year, on the very last day of term, the upper sixth will return to Chapel for just a few minutes after the pomp and ceremony of Speech Day, some of them clutching glittering measures of their achievement, some of them not. For a brief moment, at the end of a long day, I hope they will hear aloud what has always been rumoured in classrooms and corridors and common rooms, that they are all human beings of infinite value, and children of one God, whose only measure is love.

SJR (Pentecost 2011)

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Charity Committee

Charity Committee Today I bought a ridiculous amount of 6mm dowelling to make kites with. There’s a house competition just as school exams start and it’ll be a touch of light relief, as well as a reminder that it’s Pentecost – the season of the breath of God. Once I’ve put together some kite packages and persuaded some of the committee into advertising the event, we’ll probably make £100 profit. Not a lot of effort, a lot of fun and the charity fund benefits.

There’s something about joyous spontaneity. After a Chapel service in autumn we trooped out under the falling leaves and bright sunshine to plant 8000 purple crocuses signifying the purple fingers of African children who have received a polio vaccination. The impetus was the local rotary club, the planting trenches were dug by Ian Fairbairn’s crew, £400 went to prevent a killer disease and the Preppies learned about planting bulbs. In the cold days of spring as they began to flower, it was more difficult to persuade pupils that running the Barney Run can actually help sick children, but Charles

Alderson and his team still managed to raise over £3700 for Butterwick hospice when the recession provides an excuse and charity fatigue is apt to set in. Meanwhile, squeezed between modules and theatre studies commitments, school inspection and angst, Dale Keogh and friends produced a packed concert from nowhere in aid of Great Ormond Street, despite the risqué antics of a Bill Hicks lookalike (Will Ford) and a raunchy singing affair between a gypsy Mrs Nicholson and Mr. Connor, to the delight of the international students.

During the rest of the year – young people came back to me with Barnardo’s loose change concertina boxes, and donations to Shelter box. Most gratifyingly they also remembered to honour the IOUs I had reluctantly accepted for “Gladiator” and the Easter Egg hunt. And perhaps it is this last which is the most important – that when you make a promise, you honour it; when you wear the non-uniform you seek out the person to whom you pay £2; when you wear a Remembrance poppy you do not dishonour the dead or yourself with a meagre few coppers when you’d spend more on a snack. It’s in raising money for charity that you realise how few genuinely selfish people there are. We are greatly blessed in the school by warm hearted people, excellent charity reps., and genuine professionals who give tirelessly of their time and talent, at short notice and for no reward, amongst

the myriad other obligations they have. And a special mention in this, their retirement year – of the bursar, Alastair White, who makes my job easier, and whose staff count everything from 5ps to Euros, and also of Ian Fairbairn who, over the years, has sorted out everything from stage lighting and sound, to the tracks for wheelbarrow races. An incredible double-act and one that will be hard to follow. Thank you for everything, God Bless and Good Luck.

SJR

Donations this year Butterwick Hospice (The Barnard Run Charity) £3760 Christian Aid £1000 Shelter Box £1000 Polio (Purple Pinky Power) £400 Women’s Aid £400 Teesdale Opportunity for Disabled Youngsters £400 Salvation Army £300 Percy Hedley school £300 Brainwave £300 St Cuthbert’s Hospice £300 (Great Ormond Street – final concert in pipeline £200+?)

INTERIM TOTAL

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Departments

Chemistry It’s been a very busy (and successful) year for the school’s science faculty. As part of their exam preparation for an organic chemistry module exam in January, the Upper 6th attended a spectroscopy workshop at the Chemistry department of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The visit included seeing infra-red, n.m.r. and mass spectra being measured along with explanations about how the equipment worked, as well as a theory lecture and a problem solving workshop. This visit coincided very nicely with this topic being taught in the classroom and all of our students really felt they had benefited from the experience. A nightmare journey home through the rush hour traffic as December’s first snow began to fall was the only dampener on an otherwise excellent trip.

On 20th January 2011, Hugh Carter, Nathan Miller, Lizzie Knight and Daniel Milne won the regional final of the ‘Top of the Bench’ Chemistry Competition, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and hosted at the Darlington campus of Teesside University. The win, which was reportedly by a big margin, was even more remarkable in that it was the first time the school had ever entered a team. A few local schools were allegedly a bit ‘miffed’ and ordered a recount. Thankfully the result stood, and the drama was like water off a duck’s back for the nonchalant members of our team.

The final took place in the august surroundings of Imperial College London on Saturday 2 April. The students were tested individually on their general chemical knowledge, and then had to work together in the two-hour practical investigation that followed. While the scores were being counted everyone was treated to a fascinating presentation by Dr Oscar Ces of Imperial’s Department of Chemistry. After his presentation – on the subject of real-life ‘tractor beams’ – the results were announced. Our team came a very respectable 15th (out of 29 schools). Considering that this was a national competition that we’d never entered before, their performance, both individually and as a team, was truly excellent, and they deserve lots of praise for representing Barney so well.

A few days before, on Wednesday 30th March, Dr Butterfield led a team of Year 7 and 8 students to the finals of the Salters’ Chemistry Festival, held at the Stockton campus of Durham University. Representing the school was Tom Joashi, Kerin Borer, Owen Carter and Tom Greaves. The day consisted of 19 schools from all over the region competing against each other in two separate events. The morning session saw the pupils having to solve a crime by performing chemical tests to identify unknown substances, and then piece the story together in order to solve the mystery. The team gave a good account of itself but sadly didn’t finish in the top three. After lunch the second challenge involved designing an experiment to separate tiny ‘diamonds’ from a mixture, obtaining pure samples of each component and writing a detailed method for others to follow. At the end of this second challenge the team were thrilled to walk away with a very creditable second place, a bag of goodies each and a school prize of a molecular modelling kit.

As well as sending teams away to regional and national competitions, there has been a considerable amount of ‘in house’ science events. The major event in the Spring Term was the British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week, which ran from 11-20 March 2011. Organised chiefly by Dr McDermott, the department ran a week-long competition across all three science disciplines. There were three categories in which students could enter: the Junior and Senior Chemical Challenges, the Wildlife Photography Competition, and the ‘Solve a Problem’ poster competition.

The Junior Chemistry Challenge involved students taking part in a science-related treasure hunt. Each day a different set of clues, riddles and anagrams needed to be solved. The questions were fun and varied, and really stretched all of those who took part. It was a closely fought contest, with all entrants winning a small

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prize, but eventually two mighty competitors - Kieran Lewis and Tom Greaves - emerged to battle out for first place in a nail-biting tie-breaker. It was won by Kieran, who humbly accepted the honour, with Tom accepting his runners-up spot with customary good grace.

The Senior Chemistry Challenge involved students needing to isolate a sample of pure copper from copper sulphate, choosing any method they wanted. In the end, four students couldn’t be separated, such was the quality of their practical work. These four titans were Hugh Carter, Calum Matthews, Euan Hobson and Andrew Hutchon, who each won a prize for their efforts.

The Wildlife Photography Competition saw some outstanding entrants. The quality on show was remarkable, and Mr Fuller, who judged the winners, commented on how tough it was to pick a winner. But pick a winner he did, with first prize going to Rosie Coultate, who submitted a beautiful image of a closeup of a horse’s eye. In second place was Hugh Carter, who took a stunning photo of flies mating, followed closely in third by Jacob Bradford-Parker with a selfconfessed ‘lucky’ shot of a seagull flying past Big Ben! All entries were then on view in an exhibition in Biology.

The ‘Solve a Problem’ competition was also keenly contested. The designs were all very impressive and were of sufficiently high quality to go forward to the British Science Association’s national competition.

There were 27,500 entries from over 470 schools!

Although not placed nationally the winner was Genevieve Myhan with her invention which uses a mobile phone ‘app’ to locate misplaced objects within range.

The positive stories don’t end there. Since half-term, members of the school’s Chemistry Club have been designing and doing experiments that could earn them prestigious Crest Awards. To earn a Bronze Award the students need to spend at least 10 hours working on a project of their choice, before presenting the results of their work to a representative of Crest and their chemistry teachers. Some of the projects sound very interesting: investigations are on-going into the different factors that affect bacteria and crystal growth, ways of making a clock using electrolysis, and the everpopular experiments with putty and slime! These experiments will continue well into next term, and we await the results with interest.

A new science discussion group Al Kimiya has met regularly to chat over recent findings in the scientific world and to enjoy the challenges of a range of dissection. We hope to build on this next year exploring more high level research techniques with input from local research scientists and a greater involvement with the Crest scheme.

It was in this vein that a team of lower 6th students accompanied by Dr McDermott, took part in the North East School-Industry Partnership Research Project at Durham University for the last week of the summer term. Jonny Harrison and Ivy Lai experienced the world of real academic biochemical research with Dr Gary Sharples, Durham University Chemistry Department working on the Purification of Mutant Proteins using cutting edge techniques. Their findings from an intensive week of experiments were presented to the gathering of a number of other research groups. This was a fantastic experience that will prove very useful to them in their choice of careers.

As ever a number of pupils who have studied Chemistry to A2 are going on to study related disciplines at degree level. Callum Larsen and Dean Wheeler both hold offers to study Chemistry whilst Angus Robertson is going on to study Biochemistry. Dan Miller is seeking to study Medicine, Ben Wilson aims to study Medical Biochemistry, Aarti Devgan will study Biomedical Sciences whilst Johnny Trewhella is hoping to study Criminology/Forensics Science. We wish them all well and hope to see them again in the not too distant future.

Four members of the lower 6 (Adam Millar, Kelvin Chan, Ivy Lai and Jonny Harrison) have this week completed some first class biochemical research at Durham University as part of the North East Schools and Industry Partnership. This allowed them to complete the necessary 70 hours of project time in order to achieve a GOLD CREST award which they hopefully should receive over the summer. As part of the very busy week which gave a taste of life in laboratory research Jonny and Ivy won first prize for their poster presentation on the project. Their projects will go on to compete in the National Big Bang Conference in March next year.

GM/EEM/IMB

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4 1 Sixth Formers with Dr David Dunbar looking at spectroscopy.

2 Kerin Borer and Tom Joashi at Salter’s Festival.

3 ‘Top of the Bench’ regional winners.

4 Science Week Wildlife Photography winner Rosie Coultate’s picture.

5 Exciting experiments with Dr Mancino.

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Departments

Gifted & Talented Our brightest and most talented pupils benefit from our Gifted and Talented programme which aims to promote the identification of gifted and talented pupils at the school and to give them opportunities to help them achieve their full potential. With these aims in mind, each department in the school works hard to offer pupils the chance to stretch and challenge themselves and as usual, many of us have made the most of enrichment activities both in and out of the school.

In early 2011, Ben Jeffrey gained a place on a residential course at Villiers Park Educational Trust where he met with like-minded students from all over the country to study electronic and computational engineering. In the summer term, Luke Shield and Imogen Ridley both submitted successful applications to University College, Oxford to take part in study days in Modern Foreign Literature and History.

This year, one of the main focuses of the Gifted and Talented programme has been its newest stars. A group of 11 pupils in year 7 were nominated by their teachers to be included and were asked to think about how they learn and how they are challenged in lessons. To get them thinking about thinking, they were invited to escape the last day of inspection and visit Beamish Museum in April to work as a team to solve a Murder Mystery. Many of them also signed up to take part in the BBC School Report Day. Kieran Lewis, Year 7, said: “In the Spring Term, the Gifted and Talented (G&T) group of Year 7’s - us went on a day trip to Beamish, to participate in a fun “murder mystery” challenge, which tested our skills across many different fields. We had to get to get to the bottom of this murder mystery, by interviewing different people and finding out details. In the end, we discovered it was a remake of an actual murder, which was very interesting to know! The whole group had a good time, also having a fun explore around the places and a lovely time at the sweet shop!”

LVR

BBC School Report Day For the second year running, a group of pupils from years 7 to 9 took part in BBC School Report Day, which is an annual project involving thousands of students in hundreds of UK schools.

With the help of the BBC, the group spent the day as journalists and chose stories to research and broadcast by a 4pm deadline. In preparation for the day and to hone their interview techniques, four of the journalists organised an interview with local MP, Helen Goodman. This year, the project culminated on 24th March and involved 12 pupils on the Gifted and Talented register. In the afternoon, the group reported back to their mentor at the BBC by phone and was congratulated for their excellent coverage of a wide range of subjects. They managed to fit a huge amount into the day too and produced a variety of well written articles - from an interview with Mr. Stevens, to sports stories including a profile of Jessica Ennis and a report into air strikes in Libya.

The group worked very well together, led by a small team of well organised editors and some of the results of their hard work can be seen at http://extranet.barneyschool.org.uk/bbcschoolrep.

LVR

Design & Technology Technology Tournament – 15 March 2011 In March the Technology Department took part in the Annual Rotary Clubs of North Yorkshire Technology Tournament held at Richmond Cricket Club. The event was attended by various schools from the area. We entered 6 teams (five teams in the junior section and 1 team into the intermediate category).

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The challenge was to design and make a crane to lift a hazardous package from a derailed train and transport it a safe distance down the track. The teams were given all the materials with which to construct their crane. Unfortunately our teams didn’t win this year. However, they all enjoyed taking part in the tournament and were successful in lifting and retrieving the package.

Team 1: Tom Matthews, Jamie Stevens, Andrew Usher, Alex Booth.

Team 2: Jake Sargent, Joshua Bloomfield, Charis Brown, David Maidwell.

Team 3: Tilly McAllister, Shannon Currah, Tom Marston, Team 4: Tim Stirk, Jacob Shannon, Alex Sowerby, Tom Adamson, Lizzie Knight.

Team 5: Charlie Naseby, Nicky Stainthorp, James Watson, Chris Parnell.

Team 6: Reagan Fenwick, Jack Thorman, Alex Rolland-Jones, Adam Howarth.

PCO

Cummins Engines of Darlington Visit 28 May 2011 In May the DT department took the 28 Year 10 GCSE technology students to Cummins Engines of Darlington.

Cummins make diesel engines on the grand scale: for the biggest earth moving trucks to engines for luxury boats. After the obligatory H&S briefing for all visitors, the students were given a presentation about the Cummins Company and engineering as a future career. After this was a tour around the factory floor to see the engine assembly lines. The students were genuinely fascinated to see an actual factory at work and fully engaged with their chaperone who was a young engineering undergraduate on their industrial placement year from university. This helped set the day in context: To promote engineering as a career and to speak with future engineers. During the afternoon, our students worked in small teams to solve an engineering problem: To design and make an all-terrain vehicle to move a payload (a ping-pong ball) over an uneven track. They had to apply their design skills and knowledge about gear ratios to ensure their vehicle delivered enough torque to go up hill and disintegrate on rough ground. Each team also had to do a presentation about their final design proposal. All the teams did very well and most succeeded without breaking. Throughout the day the students asked many intelligent questions and were a credit to themselves and the school. Our host at Cummins was Old Barnardian pupil Ed Bainbridge.

Many thanks to him and his team of undergraduate engineers for making the day a great event.

PCO

English This has seemed like a year in which we have been a revolving door of arrivals and departures: we said “Hello” in September to Maria Waddington who took over from Val Ewart as Head of Learning Support, to Scott Edwards who joined as an English and Theatre Studies teacher, and in January to Liz Hewlett to whom we are very grateful for stepping in as an English and History teacher at very short notice. All have made a strong impact upon the department’s work and I count myself lucky to have been able to recruit such creative, supportive and dynamic colleagues.

In December, we had to say farewell to Oliver Marlow who left his post as Deputy Head and member of the English department to take up the post of Head of English at Eastbourne College and at the end of the summer term to Emma Baldwin who made a tremendous impression in both the English and Theatre Studies departments. Both contributed much and are thanked for all they did.

Academically, our biggest challenge this year has

been the assimilation into the minds of both staff and students and into actual daily practice of the new IGCSE English and English Literature specifications. At the time of writing we are at the half way stage and so far, so good. Some big challenges with regard to set texts still lie ahead, but it is gratifying to note just how corporate and unanimous has been the effort and I am very optimistic about our students’ prospects. It was also pleasing to read the overt praise for our work in the recent Inspection report: an “unusually large amount” of extended writing is indeed a compliment.

Outside the classroom, a number of groups have visited the Media Museum in Bradford, now spending the day producing a film trailer, rather than an advert: still great fun, but most importantly, solid learning and very visible (and viewable) achievement. In School we have continued to welcome professional writers to give talks to our younger students. Thanks go to MEW for organising both the visit of Anne Fine and the presentation by our own Robert Johnson: all such contact does much to encourage budding authors, and the fruits of the recent short story competition, again arranged by MEW, can be seen elsewhere in this magazine.

I would also like to take the opportunity to praise the work of AMG and her Barney Bulletin team: not perhaps a publication with a direct link to the English department, but a venture which is to be highly commended for its promotion of the power of the written word and, who knows, for launching the careers of the next generation of campaigning journalists.

AMW

ICT The autumn and spring terms saw Mr Toyne take on the role of acting Head of ICT whilst Miss Brown was on maternity leave. Mr Fairwood joined the department in September and has made a positive and enthusiastic contribution, not only in the department but also to the activities programme, Duke of Edinburgh and CCF. Mr Connor and Mr West have also made valuable contributions to the teaching of ICT within the junior year groups.

The ICT GCSE continues to be a very popular option subject and both sets of year 10 students have now successfully completed the two modules, ‘Living in a Digital World’ and ‘Using Digital Tools’ which make up the first half of the new double award course.

They have explored how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society and learned about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use.

All students in years 10 and 11 follow the IAM (Institute of Administrative Management) Online Award in ICT which is designed particularly to meet the needs of senior school pupils age 13-16 in International and Independent Schools. The interactive course equips students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required for future success in advanced secondary education or future employment and provides them with an internationally recognised qualification.

In previous years the department has offered Computing at A level, however, due to demand, we are now offering the GCE in ICT. In today’s world, where ICT is constantly changing, our young people will increasingly need technological and information literacy skills. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy. As well as the rapid development of new technologies, familiar technologies like television, telephone and computers are evolving and being expanded by digitised information. As a result of this, there is a growing need for individuals who can master and manipulate these new technologies. A Level ICT encourages students to become discerning users of ICT. It allows them to develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding. Practical elements of the course inspire and challenge,

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providing a sound base for further study and life in general.

The activities programme run by the department includes a general ICT club, a programming club (C++) and an animation club. Next September will see an update to, and expansion of, our ability to upload, edit and create video footage so anyone wishing to try their hand at movie editing should sign up!

JB

Learning Support The first responsibility is surely to acknowledge the excellent foundations which were bequeathed by Val Ewart.

Her commitment to the cause of supporting all learners meant that I was strongly placed from the start and it has been my pleasure to build upon all she achieved. But what have we tried to do, in our quiet fashion in our base in the S block? At the heart of our ideology is the core belief that all learners are entitled to access all learning opportunities, and to that end the team has worked creatively and sympathetically with those students who have been recommended to us. We raise esteem, we raise expectations, we install access entitlements - and we champion their cause in all respects.

None of this could be achieved without the support of a talented and committed team. Perhaps essentially Learning Support teachers are selfeffacing, unobtrusive; but the students develop a real bond and this is what helps us to thrive. It is a particular pleasure to read the acknowledgement of our work in the recent Inspection report; but this is only a starting point and the aim has to be to build on this and to move forward purposefully and affectively. No one looks for recognition – the learner is all – but I must put on record my thanks to Sue Moorhouse for all that she has done for the learners at BCS and her work over many years is very gratefully acknowledged and truly valued. We have been lucky to secure the services of Penny Sunderland, a very experienced teacher, who has worked with and supported students from primary to 21 years of age. Thanks, too, to Gina Wilson, connections with the Prep School are now much enhanced and streamlined.

The future? Our aim is a system of education in which all learners feels valued and enabled, one which enables achievement for all, be that in the classroom or the examination hall. We are getting there.

MEW

Biology This year the sixth form biologists have been on a number of visits that have direct links to the OCR syllabus that we follow. First hand experience is essential to help the pupils prepare for questions linked to field work.

We have been to Runswick Bay to study zonation on the rocky shore and predator prey relationships. A trip to the moors and then to the woods allowed us to study the upper and lower reaches of Deepdale Beck, to see the biodiversity, species evenness and species richness of the stream. The lower section runs through Deepdale wood and here woodland management can be discussed and past and present examples seen. The annual trip to a quarry SSSI is linked to the study of succession. The upper sixth spent a fascinating day at the Life Science Centre, Grange Over Sands, where they were able to create multiple copies of DNA for genetic profiling, using electrophoresis. Meanwhile, the lower sixth visited the electron microscope at Durham University where they were able to follow the preparation stages for using and viewing samples. They were even lucky enough to use the microscope themselves. So a busy year of useful visits and I am grateful to Dr Child, Miss Hall and Mrs Fletcher for finding the time to make such worthwhile and enjoyable visits possible.

MNRF

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Geography As I approach the end of my second year in the Geography department at Barnard Castle School, I feel I can now contribute to the Barnardian and imbue the readers with a little of what goes on in the S block from a different point of view.

Well one thing is for sure; we merry band of three do not lack enthusiasm for the subject. Geography is all around us, all of the time and bringing this to life in classes is always a priority. Events in the news have been captured and reported on this year by Year 9 classes, such as the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Bright and eye catching presentations have allowed other pupils to glean information about these amazing Geographical events taking place across the world as they sit in classrooms or walk along the corridors.

An even better way to bring Geography to life is to go on field trips; something we do very well in Geography!

Year 10 had the good fortune of reasonable weather this year as they conducted river studies in Arkle Beck and later in the week, took a gentle wander up to Blea Water in the Lake District. Imagining glacial conditions and how they created fantastic features such as arêtes and corries is sometimes quite hard to visualise in lessons, so getting out into the hills and working out these formations first hand makes a much more lasting impression on the pupils.

Year 8 study coasts and as part of their feedback at the end of the topic, they requested a field trip to the seaside. Mr Alderson duly constructed a work booklet of epic proportions and off we went with a fully laden coach and a mini bus to Robin Hood’s Bay, followed by Sandsend. Despite there being conflicting information about the timing of the tides, a great deal of revision took place for the summer exams and again, seeing such stunning Geographical features first hand makes memories forever. Some kind member of the public thought Mr Alderson’s work booklets to be so fantastic, they kindly posted one that had been left on the beach back to school!

Whinlatter Forest with the Year 7 cohort is the last trip of the academic year. Although this trip is aimed at improving the pupils’ map reading skills in the field, in reality it is more of a test of survival. In the morning each group is taken on a few basic orienteering sites with their teacher. At lunchtime, as they munch on their much coveted tuna and mayonnaise sandwiches, pupils are given a map each and a whistle. Under strict instructions from Mr Dalton, the pupils are told to only blow their whistles if they are being chased by bears.

After this, they are set the task of finding certain orienteering points throughout the forest. This trip, although adrenalin producing for those that can’t read their maps as well as they might, is thoroughly enjoyed by all that go on it and once more, another first class experience for building upon those Geographical skills.

With our passion for Geography and making it real for our pupils, we have set out to go on a far flung field trip: ICELAND! This trip is running in October and we are taking 40 pupils along for six days to see the sights. Included in our trip will be the following: Blue Lagoon, Pingvellir, Gulfoss waterfall, coastal features at Vik, walking on a glacier and lava tubing. It will be a trip of a lifetime and all involved are thoroughly looking forward to it.

AGJ

Classics 2010-2011 The Classics Department is flourishing. Numbers taking GCSE Ancient History in Year 10 hit 26, with a further 12 opting for Latin – a third of the year group thus chooses to take on a Classical subject, and over twenty of these chose to come to Italy for a week in April, where they joined twenty Year 11 and sixth form students. A full report on this very successful trip, written by participants, can be read elsewhere in the magazine.

Sixth form Classicists visited Chesters and Vindolanda, Housesteads and Birdoswald as part of their Roman Britain studies. The weather wasn’t kind on their second trip but the whole of Year 9 enjoyed a fantastic sunny day on Hadrian’s Wall in September. Sixth form Latinists attended a study day in Manchester, and a theatre trip was organised to Hexham for a group of Classicists to see the Aristophanes’ comedy Lysistrata performed. ‘A’ level Latin is now firmly entrenched in the timetable with healthy numbers at AS and A2, thanks to Mr Brettell’s guidance, and our second student of Classical Greek, Natalie Shaw, sat GCSE this year, having studied purely off timetable. A small but dedicated group of younger students regularly meets on Fridays at 4 o’clock, eventually hoping to follow in Natalie’s footsteps.

At the end of the year we were delighted to receive the news that the department had won two national awards for ‘A’ level teaching, one for girls and one for boys. These awards, from the Good Schools Guide were based on the results for the 2008-2010, and recognise us as the top performing department in England in terms of the popularity of A level Classics in comparison to other schools and the grades achieved by our students in comparison to other subjects. This is the fourth such award for the department, adding to those won in 2005 and 2007.

We are very proud of our ‘A’ level students, and it was a fine way to end a successful year.

JDG

RS This has been another busy year for the RS department.

We have been delighted to welcome Mrs Sheila Butler to the department and her expertise and baking has been appreciated by all of the Sixth Form. I am very grateful for all of the help of both the pupils and staff in the department for helping to organise a Study Day, where a number of schools in the area joined us for some expertise workshops on GCSE and A Level.

In terms of trips, the Year 7s enjoyed visiting the Hindu Mandir in Newcastle, they were able to perform puja, dress in Hindu clothes, play music and eat a traditional Hindu banquet. The Year 8s visited Lindisfarne, the weather was kind to us and they learnt about Aidan and Cuthbert and then painted Celtic Art on pebbles on the beach. The Year 9s visited Beth Shalom and learnt from living survivors about the history of the Holocaust.

They were also taught about the recent genocide in Darfur.

In addition to these annual trips, next term the GCSE pupils are looking forward to a trip to London, where they will experience all of the major world faiths in action.

It has been a great year and we look forward to September.

AJA

Theatre Studies It has been a busy year for the department. In December, the AS Level group performed their practical examination to a select audience, whilst recording it for the external examiner. All three members did very well, and were very pleased with their performances. In March, the A Level group performed in front of their examiner, and again the reception from the audience was spectacular. In addition to these performances, every member of both groups has been involved in extracurricular drama too.

Throughout the year, the group have seen a number of live productions, including ‘King Lear’ by the RSC, ‘Richard III’ by Love&Madness, ‘ENRON’, ‘The Overcoat’ by Gekko and ‘Shining City’ amongst others.

Theatre Studies is seen by some, inaccurately, as a ‘soft subject’, which in and of itself is a term I loathe.

Honestly, nothing could be farther from the truth – once the practical pieces are written, rehearsed and performed, the pupils must then apply themselves fully to a number of challenging texts, analysing them from

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Departments

the stance of both a performer and director, looking in depth at themes, symbolism and inferred meaning.

The AS Level students have been studying Eugene Ionesco’s existentialist tragicomedy “The Chairs”, and Henrik Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck”, as well as critically analysing at two of the performances they have seen. The A Level group, meanwhile, have been analysing Anton Chekov’s masterpiece “Uncle Vanya”, and Caryl Churchill’s “Far Away” and “A Number”, as well as studying methods for tackling unseen extracts in their Directorial Analysis module.

Needless to say, this is no easy subject, or walk in the park. What it is, however, is an enjoyable and fascinating course with countless opportunities to engage and explore texts from a whole new angle.

Donna Opray, Year 13, says: “Theatre has flourished though the school this academic year. It has boasted the talents of many theatre students from superb performances in the schools senior play, “Skellig” and the musical “Rent”. Many of these esteemed actors develop their skills in Theatre Studies, which is an option choice for members of the Sixth Form. It encourages people to be confident and do things they wouldn’t usually see themselves doing. The course is split in two; practical and theory. The students direct a lot of what they want to do with respect to the practical side of the course, choosing themes to explore from a text they have previously read. Then they create their own devised performance, which is then performed in front of an audience as part of their exam. Enjoyment comes from group participation and the ability to work with different people in different situations. Personally, I have gained a lot from being part of the Theatre Studies group at Barney this year including independence and co-operation skills. After rehearsing solidly, investing six months of time and effort, it is all worth it for the audience response you receive at the end. “I made mistakes in drama. I thought drama was when actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries.” (Frank Capra – American Film Director)” TSE

Economics and Business Studies Our subjects continue to be popular and this year our students have been busy in a number of areas that represent the breadth of our subject area. Some examples would include: Mr Connor has being busy arranging for our students to visit Nissan to see Just in Time production (JIT) at its best and encouraging our Young Enterprise students to learn how to become their own ‘Dragons’. Mr Bishop and Mrs Campbell helped prepare our excellent Economics group for their entry into the Bank of England “Two point zero challenge”. Here we had to present our case for what we thought the Bank of England should do to manage interest rates and meet their inflation target of 2%.

Commended for their ‘News at ten’ approach our team went on to do very well in their Macro economics work. So much so that Lukas Killinger scored maximum module points in his very next module.

The department also boasted its very own calendar girls. When I say this what I mean is that a group of our Business Studies sixth formers made and sold over 400 BCS calendars. Making, in the process, a Xmas bonus for each member of the company and donating to ‘Help for Heroes’. A win-win scenario all round, we felt.

There is little to replace the feeling of entrepreneurship and Josh Peat produced and sold several hundred school coffee mugs with Aidan Grant. Utilising a design by Katy Fraser, the mug was popular stocking filler and I use mine most days, even now. Josh would also like any readers to know it is excellent value for money and he may still have some stock!

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Academically, our department continues to use more on line resources than any one else and this theme continued with live webcasts by our former chief examiner to help keep the A level students on their toes as the summer series drew close. We were hit by the AQA exam fiasco but, as one of the first schools to report the ‘howler’ in Business Studies module 2; we had our special circumstances allowance agreed before the next module was done.

Currently our students are writing informed articles for the school magazine (Barney Bulletin) and our subjects have proved popular with all readers. “Why Barbie has been a bad girl”, “Why we love Divine Chocolate”, “Bottled water prices hard to swallow”, “What is the diamond-water paradox of value” and “Not on it like a car bonnet”. Which is our take on the new MTV structured reality series Geordie Shore.

Our thanks to Mr Connor and Mrs Campbell for their help and to all the students for a successful year together.

GB

Aiden and Josh are not Mugs?

Throughout the year Josh Peat and Aiden Grant continued with their successful merchandising operation. The company maintained sales with the new school mugs. The record sales at Christmas ensured that the students were able to purchase a second order which helped balance the books. The team showed great determination in selling the product at every opportunity.

Congratulations to the students who have now been awarded the ‘Company Programme Certificate.’

NJC

Maths He’s A Star

Young Enterprise Calendar Girls

Brooke Goudie, Anna Dawson, Sophie Thompson, Helen Simpson and Kate Swainbank worked very hard to produce a fantastic 2011 calendar. The Company Programme offered an opportunity for the girls to set up and run their own real company. The Business Studies students elected a board of directors from amongst their peers, raised share capital, marketed and financed the calendars and sold the product to the public. Through participating in the Company Programme, students developed their enterprise knowledge and understanding, skills and attributes in a business context.

A donation from profits was given to ‘Help for Heroes.’

Last summer the exam boards introduced for the first time an A* grade at A2. Jonathan Lau not only managed to achieve an A* in his A Level Mathematics but he also achieved his A* in his Further Mathematics, taking twelve modules in total.

This fantastic achievement secured him a place to study Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge. Five other pupils who studied A Level Mathematics also achieved an A* which requires candidates to average 80% in all six modules and averaging 90% in the A2 modules. They were Matthew Harrison, Adityo Khastgir, Owen Waldin, William Trewby and Stelian Nenkov.

Are you up to the challenge?

The school had its best ever UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge results in February. The Intermediate Maths Challenge is targeted at the top one third of pupils in years 9, 10 and 11.

50 of our 115 pupils that took part this year got certificates (13 Gold, 13 Silver and 24 Bronze). It has been our best year in terms of gold certificates and with 7 pupils invited to take part in the next round.

Gold certificates and book tokens went to: Aaron Day (yr 11), Chris Moore (yr 11), Hugh Carter (yr 11), Lottie Holmes (yr 11) Hamish Carter (yr 10), Matthew Lines (yr 10), Hans Kukreja (yr 10), Will Grundy (yr 10) Charles Naseby (yr 10), Lizzie Knight (yr 9), Daniel Milne (yr 9), Oliver Larcombe (yr 9) Gold and Best in School certificates and book tokens went to: Alex Sowerby (yr 9) Daniel Milne (yr 9) also achieved a certificate of merit in the next round.

The Barnardian Magazine

Departments

Why not take the challenge yourself? Below is an easy, medium and difficult question from this year’s intermediate challenge (all to be done without a calculator).

Q6. When I glanced at my car milometer it showed 24942, a palindromic number. Two days later, I noticed that it showed the next palindromic number. How many miles did my car travel in those two days?

A 100

B 110

C 200

D 220

E 1010

Q19. Harrogate is 23km due north of Leeds, York is 30km due east of Harrogate, Doncaster is 48km due south of York, and Manchester is 70km due west of Doncaster. To the nearest kilometre, how far is it from Leeds to Manchester, as the crow flies?

A 38km B 47km C 56km D 465km E 74km Q25. The diagram shows a square, a diagonal and a line joining a vertex to the midpoint of a side.

What is the ratio of area P to area Q? A 1 : √2 B 2 : 3

C1:2

D2:5

E1:3

Q

Art Another busy year in the Art Department! This year, years 7, 8 and 9 covered topics based on cakes, biscuits and sweets, machinery, portraits and they designed and made their own shoes. They experimented with a wide range of media and materials such as water-colour, oil pastel, collage, clay, print, wire-mesh and modroc as well as sweets, ribbons and polystyrene. We have enjoyed a packed junior activity every Tuesday and Thursday, where pupils come to complete class-work or do their own creative thing, listen to music or simply catch up with each other.

Trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park The OCR syllabus requires that candidates ‘Develop cultural knowledge, understanding and application of art, craft, design, media and technologies in historical and contemporary contexts,’ and although we encourage pupils to visit art galleries and museums themselves, this seemed an ideal opportunity to fulfill that requirement as a group.

Sixteen Year 10 pupils enjoyed our annual trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park where they were impressed by the diverse and rather ethereal work of Jaume Plensa which included a 50-metre curtain of poetry made of suspended steel letters, large illuminated sculptures in the landscape, and engraved gongs that pupils were able to strike. Some got quite carried away! We took a pleasant walk in the afternoon, and enjoyed the sunshine, as well as some of the more permanent works scattered around the park by artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and David Nash.

Year 11 and the Sixth Form continued to explore their own themes through their coursework which included ‘My Nan’s Life’, ‘A Moroccan Holiday’, and ‘Natural versus Unnatural’, all of which contributed towards an intriguing and eclectic end of year exhibition. Among our upper sixth leavers, Katy Fraser has a highly sought place on the Foundation Course at Leeds College of Art and Sophie Thompson is going to study Architecture. They are a hard-working and talented bunch and we wish all our exam candidates the best of luck for the future.

KW

P

Hannah Robertson

Tony Parkinson Award

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Roise Coultate

Given to a student of mathematics in Year 11 who, in the opinion of the teachers in BCS Mathematics Department has best met one or more of the criteria below: • has worked with enthusiasm and commitment throughout the two year GCSE Foundation course

Sophie Thompson

• has strived to do his/her best even when the work is proving difficult • has shown the most improvement throughout the two year GCSE course • has consistently produced a high effort grade for assessments throughout the two year GCSE Foundation course • has helped others when they have found the work difficult • has done well in the autumn, summer and trial exams • has overcome particular difficulties (e.g. illness) in producing their work The award for 2010/11 was presented to Olivia Metcalfe (Bowes House).

MHN

The Barnardian Magazine

Erica Lee

Harriet Ward

2011

47

The Musical Year

Musical Year a Review The Musical Year As the new school year began in September we welcomed to the music department staff Mr Ashley Durrant as our new drum and percussion teacher.

Numbers taking music lessons this year have remained strong and the numbers participating in musical ensembles is equally impressive, especially in the junior forms in the school. Current and former pupils were called upon early in the year to provide some music for a dinner in the Bowes Museum in September and later that month our musical talent was on display at a lunchtime concert in the music school.

The Wind Band performed for the Durham Shopping Extravaganza in Darlington in October and a group of musicians gave a concert in Cotherstone Methodist Church shortly after half term and were richly rewarded with an excellent post-concert supper. The Autumn Concert was a highlight of the first term with some fine performances including selections from the House Singing Competition. It was a pleasure, once the roads had been cleared of snow, to accompany a group of girls from Longfield House for some end-ofterm carol singing at a care home in Darlington.

The major concert of the year was the Gala Concert in February. All the school’s ensembles performed with the Senior Orchestra, led by Edward Grundy, beginning the evening with Handel’s Water Music Suite. The Chapel Choir accompanied by orchestra sang Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, Howard Goodall’s The Lord is my Shepherd, (well-known to the audience as the theme music for the Vicar of Dibley series) and Haydn’s Insanae et vanae curae. The Chamber Choir also performed in the concert with Mrs Beamish and Bold Sir John followed by the Jazz Band who previewed a few items for the rapidly-approaching Valentine Jazz Evening later in the term. Arjen Jongschaap’s quartet played Take 5 and there were a number of solos from Juliet O’Brien, Edward Grundy, Imogen Ridley and George Warren. This was George’s last school concert before taking a place at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and all at BCS wish him well in his new school after giving so much to music here. The Gala Concert also included a classical duet sung by Lucy Parkinson and Whizzy Gorman and a duet from Rent performed by Martha Moore and Jevany Thompson. The Wind Band brought the evening’s proceedings to a close with spirited renditions of The Incredibles, Flashdance… What a feeling!, The Simpsons and Pirates of the Caribbean.

There were numerous trips away from school during the year. A group of Year Ten GCSE pupils attended Richmond Operatic Society’s production of Oliver conducted by Mr Alan Owens and there was an excellent workshop given by the Absolution Saxophone Quartet at Richmond School in June. It was a great pleasure to be able to attend two Charity Concerts during the year organised by sixth form pupils and successfully raising significant amounts for national charities. The Junior Orchestra Concert took place towards the end of the school year and it is good to note that there is an abundance of talent amongst the younger pupils in the school.

A big thank you to all the music staff, Mr Atherton, Mr Donnelly, Mrs Abela and Mr Owens for all their hard work during the year and to the visiting peripatetic staff for their efforts in preparing pupils for concerts and examinations during the year. There is a lot to celebrate in this year of music-making and our tour to Paris will be a fitting end to another successful year.

AMM

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2011

Chapel Choir ‘Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes’ is the line which begins the second act of the musical Rent. It lists the total number of minutes in a year and it occurred to me that for a member of the school’s Chapel Choir quite a lot of minutes are given up each year to rehearsal and performance.

Although the workload of the Chapel Choir is undoubtedly demanding – seventy-five minute Thursday rehearsals, an hour before each Sunday service and part rehearsals on weekday mornings – the rewards are considerable. Many university admission tutors are actively looking for that something extra on an applicant’s personal statement and a breadth of experience in many activities certainly allows people to stand out from the crowd.

This year’s senior choristers, Hannah Robertson, Jevany Thompson, Jessica Brice and Matt Emmerson as Head of Choir have spent very many minutes of many years in the Chapel Choir and have this year set a fine example to younger choristers. We were also fortunate in recruiting a goodly number of Lower Sixth pupils to join the ranks of the choir in September. All have contributed greatly to what has been a busy and productive year.

Highlights have included the Admission of Choristers service and the Newbiggin Concert in September, the Remembrance Sunday service and the Festival Eucharists for Advent and Easter. The Bowes Museum was packed for the Carol Concert as was the school chapel for all the carol services in spite of the snowy and extremely cold weather. The spring term saw the Founders’ Day, Ash Wednesday and Confirmation services and early in the summer term the choir traveled to Durham and sang Evensong in the Cathedral.

As the year draws to a close and some of the choir continues to rehearse in preparation for the music tour to Paris, I would like to thank Mr Atherton for all his hard work with the choir and also to the chaplain for his unstinting support. Our best wishes go to the senior choristers as they move on to university with the hope that they will continue to sing and will also return to school and find their place in the choir stalls once more.

AMM

Choral Society Barnard Castle School Choral Society was formed in 1984 by the then Director of Music, Graham Griggs.

Since then the Society has sung much of the standard choral repertoire and more besides. Concerts have been held in many local venues and the Society enjoys a strong reputation in the county and beyond.

This past year’s season has seen a performance of Mozart’s Organ Solo Mass in Chapel, programmed with Haydn’s Te Deum and Bach’s Jesu joy of man’s desiring.

In the same programme, Matthew Atherton performed Handel’s Organ Concerto The Cuckoo and the Nightingale and the orchestra led by Martin Bainbridge gave a spirited rendition of Haydn’s London Symphony.

The highlight of this year’s performance was undoubtedly the Bach St John Passion in Durham Cathedral in March. This was the third collaboration with the Choral Society of Yarm School and both schools made an excellent contribution to the chorus singing in this performance. The occasion was greatly enhanced by the performance of the soloists – Peter Coulson, Sam Weatherstone, Penelope Randall-Davis, Eleanor Rose Midgley, Jon Grave and James Arthur and the orchestra was excellently led by Clare Gale.

There was a good audience for our summer concert of choral favourites in the school chapel in June. Amongst the new works included in the programme were Parry’s Hear my words ye people and the William Mathias anthem Let the people praise thee O God. Matthew Atherton also performed an organ solo the Fantasia in F minor by Mozart and Rebecca Lowe sang Let the bright seraphim from Handel’s oratorio Samson.

Future performances for the Choral Society include Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle in December and in May 2012, a celebration of British choral music to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

New members of the Society are always made most welcome and rehearsals for the new season commence in September. Further details can be obtained from the Music Department.

AMM

Junior Orchestra Summer Concert This is one concert I really look forward to. The Jr Orchestra had already been part of the Gala concert but it was time to give them their own. The Orchestra rehearse every Monday lunchtime and has 32 members one of the largest Jr Orchestra’s the school has produced.

This concert started with the Orchestra playing a new arrangement with the title of ‘Two Disney Favourites’.

The audience was then treated to a piano solo ‘In The Groove’ performed by Kerin Borer. An Alto Saxophone solo followed by Matthew Priestly then back to the Orchestra who gave their rendition of two themes from Harry Potter. Solos by Thomas Crowther (piano), Jessica Hall (clarinet) and Kate Martin (piano) were warmly received. The theme from The Flintstones was the next full Orchestra piece. Next was a lovely violin solo by Enoch Leung and a controlled clarinet solo from Catrin Robertson. For the penultimate piece Zak Day showed us his flair on the saxophone with ‘Now’s the Time’. Finally the Orchestra finished the concert with ‘Mango Walk’.

Everyone went home with smiles on their faces.

MD

Music Festival This year’s Music Festival was held on Friday 11 March and it was a great pleasure to welcome Mrs Margie Simper from St Bees School in Cumbria to adjudicate the competition. Mrs Simper studied music at Durham and Cambridge Universities where she specialised in Renaissance and Baroque music, both as an editor and performer. She was an extremely sensitive and supportive adjudicator and she thoroughly enjoyed her day at Barnard Castle.

There were fourteen different classes and the winners of each section are listed below together with the overall winner and the most promising instrumentalist. The winners in terms of house points were Marwood House with 1243 points in total. The adjudicator in her comments at the end of each section repeatedly returned to the good-natured and supportive atmosphere which the pupils created on the day of the competition. This more than the final results in a competition of this type reflects the spirit and enthusiasm of music making at Barnard Castle School and is an excellent reflection on the instrumental teachers and the pupils who prepared so conscientiously for this competition.

Results Junior Piano Advanced Piano Elementary Woodwind Intermediate Woodwind Advanced Woodwind Junior Strings Senior Strings Open Brass Open Percussion Open Jazz Open Organ Junior Singing Intermediate Singing Senior Singing Most Promising Musician Musician of the Year

Thomas Crowther Juliet O’Brien Isobel Knowles James Robertson Arjen Jongschaap Enoch Leung Edward Grundy Naomi Day Sam Leeming Arjen Jongschaap Juliet O’Brien Kerin Borer Hetti Harper Whizzy Gorman Kerin Borer Arjen Jongschaap

AMM

The Barnardian Magazine

The Musical Year

Wind Band 2010/11 and 2011 Summer Tour I always enjoy the enthusiasm and excitement generated by young musicians and this year the wind band had both of these ingredients. It was a busy year with our usual concerts at Barnard Castle School, concerts in the community, and a tour of Paris, which included a concert at Disneyland.

Our concerts at school went well, and the band with some new arrangements performed with great confidence and maturity. This was very promising with a very prestigious tour ahead.

The highlight of the year was the tour to Paris and Disneyland and we set off at Midnight on Sunday 10th July full of anticipation and excitement (and a few sore heads). We arrived at our destination on Monday afternoon. The next day, after breakfast, we had some free time to visit the Eiffel Tower before making our way to the Park Montsouris for our first performance. Our second Parisian performance was at Square Jean XXIII with a wonderful view of Notre Dame. The final concert of the tour was at Disneyland Paris on Bastille Day, as part of their Magic Music Days programme on the Videoplois stage. This was an extremely successful and enjoyable tour.

Our special thanks go to: Arjen Jongschaap, Dan Miller and Edward Grundy for their support and dedication over the years. They will be truly missed.

MD

Jazz Ensemble 2011 We only had eight rehearsals to collate a 20 min set for the first big concert of the 2010/11 school year. Before we knew it the Gala concert was upon us and through pure hard work the band had six pieces in its repertoire.

The band performed with great authority and was a hit with the very large audience.

Our long awaited Valentine’s Jazz evening was our next performance, a concert devoted entirely to jazz, featuring a professional quintet. The band played to a packed audience (even a coach party of 20 plus jazz fans from the tropical town of Hartlepool) and performed to a very high standard. The whole evening was spread over three rooms, with soloists in the Nicholson and Emberton rooms and the quintet and jazz ensemble residing in Big School.

With a programme, which lasted for more than two hours, this evening was a fantastic success.

Special thanks to: Arjen Jongschaap, Dan Miller, Edward Grundy and Douglas Bolton for their service to the jazz band and we wish them every success in the future.

MD

1 Chapel Choir 2 Chapel Choir 3 Absolution Workshop 4 Junior Orchestra 5 Jazz Band 6 George Warren on the organ 7 Senior Orchestra 8 Disney Group Music 9 Wind Band

Practical Music Examination Results Some highlights of recent success include: Arjen Jongschaap

Saxophone

Daniel Miller

Clarinet

James Corkish

Jazz Clarinet

Ross Currie Daniel Priestley

Piano Jazz Saxophone

Matthew Priestley

Jazz Saxophone

James Lee Whizzy Gorman

Violin Jazz Saxophone

Sarah Child

Jazz Saxophone

Zak Day

Jazz Saxophone

Lucy Parkinson

Singing

Enoch Leung Hetti Harper

Piano Singing

James Robertson

Jazz Saxophone

Lizzie Knight

Piano

George Warren

Organ

George Warren

Violin

Juliet O’Brien

Organ

Alice Ridley

Jazz Saxophone

Thomas Crowther

Piano

Jamie Spratt

Piano

ALCM with distinction Grade VIII with merit Grade VIII with merit Grade VIII Grade VII with distinction Grade VII with merit Grade VII Grade VI with distinction Grade VI with merit Grade VI with distinction Grade VI with merit Grade VI Grade V with distinction Grade V with distinction Grade V with distinction Grade V with distinction Grade V with merit Grade V with merit Grade V with merit Grade V with merit Grade V

3 1 2

4

5 6

7

The Barnardian Magazine

8

9

2011

49

Houses

Bowes

This has not been the easiest of years for Bowes House.

The natural order of things was upturned first of all at the end of the Autumn Term when I stepped down as Housemistress. My departure was made slightly easier because I knew that Mrs Cuthbertson was taking over a happy and thriving House and would definitely run a tight ship. Sadly her tenure was cut short by illness which left Mrs Shovlin to hold the reins, something she has done with her customary quiet efficiency until the end of the academic year, and I would like to record here my thanks to her for maintaining a sense of stability for the girls during quite a difficult time for all of them. I know how grateful she has been to Head of House Rachel Metcalf who has been an enormous help and support, as have Deputies Sophie Thompson and Helen Alderson and all the Sixth Form team.

And so to the start of another academic year. Thirteen rather apprehensive Year 7 girls, together with a few equally apprehensive older new girls, joined us for the traditional new starters’ tea and talks. Rachel, Sophie and Helen had been hard at work during the holiday rounding up some Year 8s to act as hosts and provide insight into what it is really like starting in Senior School.

Thanks to the efforts of the Sixth Formers the afternoon went well and all our new pupils came back for the start of term the following Tuesday, when as usual they were all made to feel very welcome and were given lots of reassurance by all the girls in the House.

The House felt rather different this September as the Sixth Form now had their own accommodation. Bowes and Marwood Sixth Forms were now together in a new portakabin sited just outside the main House area. The girls quickly made the space their own, and I was delighted to see members of both years in the Sixth Form spending time together and getting along so well, something which had not happened last year.

Katy Fraser had spent a considerable amount of time during the summer holiday preparing for the House Singing Competition, arranging a potential part-song and choosing a unison song. Nicole Bowen took charge of overseeing the juniors and worked most effectively with them to produce a very polished and relaxed performance on the night of “Complicated”. Katy’s choice of part-song was ambitious, but the girls put in many hours of rehearsal time to be able to get it right, and their performance was stunning. There were difficulties once more with the choice of unison song – which is almost becoming traditional! After rejecting lots of potential songs, and with not very long to go before the competition, the decision finally went with “Heaven is a Place on Earth”, which I have to admit was always one of my choices. The girls again, in my opinion, gave an excellent performance, and as always I had been particularly impressed by the way in which they had all pulled together in the end, and this is always more important than the adjudicator’s decision.

The House hockey competition is always fiercely contested and this year was no exception, and although all the teams played with real gusto this year we couldn’t beat the opposition.

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2011

Christmas lunch was always going to be a difficult occasion for me but as the end of lunch approached I thought I had got away without any tears until Rachel made the announcement that it was my last Christmas lunch as Housemistress, and her announcement was followed by the arrival of a crowd of ex-Bowsites as they call themselves, going back over the years. I know there were plenty of others who wanted to be there but had university or other commitments which made it impossible, and I can’t thank Rachel enough for all the efforts she went to in organising the best send-off any Housemistress could wish for. There was a cake iced with the House shield and time to chat to all the girls afterwards, and the fact that they had all made the effort to come along meant so much to me. And, of course, I cried – lots!

Uppermost in my mind at Nailing-up was the thought that since its inception in September 2002 Bowes House had only had one Housemistress, so that meant more tears, but also enormous pride in what the girls had again achieved. We were by a big margin the winners of the Merit competition and also took the Senior Chairman’s award for effort, and as I’ve said before, these are the most important accolades as they confirm that a great deal of hard work is going on across the age range.

I know the girls are all extremely proud of their House in the same way that I have always been extremely proud of them and the way in which I could invariably rely on them to promote the values for which Bowes House stands. Without a very closely knit team of dedicated and caring tutors the House would not be what it is, and so I thank all the tutors for their continuing commitment to the well-being of their tutees and the House as a whole. If I said I was sad to leave Bowes House it would be a huge understatement, and I do wonder when, if ever, I will stop thinking of it as “my” House?

BE By the time of the Barnard Run, Mrs Cuthbertson had to go into hospital but we were spurred on by her words of encouragement. The juniors won the Ross Cup with fantastic performances by Ellie Everall and Emma Beachamp and both Alice McBain and Anna Dawson gave their all in the senior competition. Congratulations also go to Niamh Tait for finishing third in the intermediate race.

I acted as Housemistress in Mrs Cuthbertson’s absence and it was very much business as usual as our thoughts turned to the Inter-House Public Speaking Competition and the Music Festival Winners’ Concert.

Despite their reservations the Year 9 and 10 team did us proud in their Public Speaking Competition. Coached

by Rachel Metcalf; Claire Wilkinson spoke with confidence, Molly Hackett overcame her fears, Laura Spedding spoke with ease and Hetti Harper was a natural. We may not have won but both the intermediate and seniors girls gave it their best shot. When it was the turn of the senior girls; Sophie Thompson delivered a strong and thought provoking speech, Alice McBain was confident as Vote of Thanks and Rachel Metcalf fielded

the questions extremely well: I now look at lettuces in a whole different light! Hetti Harper also gave a stunning performance at the Music Festival Winners’ Concert singing ‘Cry me a River’ and Kerin Borer won the Cup for the Most Promising Musician with her beautiful rendition of ‘Close every Door’.

As the term progressed we also enjoyed a varied range of Wednesday afternoon inter-House activities. We thoroughly enjoyed speed hockey and cake decorating but perhaps that’s because we won them both. The Bowes spirit was evident in all the activities we took part in including House charades and the House quiz but particularly in House swimming when Abigail Graham quickly had to get changed into her costume to save the day!

The term ended with some stern performances in all the House netball and House Lacrosse matches and we were thoroughly entertained by Mrs Baldwin’s performance of Rent which included a third of our very talented girls.

With the summer term came the juniors turn to show off their acting talent. They put on a great show which had the audience captivated from the onset. It was a real team effort, with memorable performances from all, but a special mention must go to Kerin Borer, Kate Martin and Jessica Hall. I look forward to seeing them representing the House on the stage for many years to come.

The main extra-curricular event of the summer term was Sports Day. The girls in their usual fashion pulled together, delivered the goods and were victorious once again. It was a proud moment for me and one that I will remember for many years to come. Caitlin Bainbridge and Caroline Simpson were awarded Victrix Ludorum. It was wonderful watching sisters Caroline and Helen Simpson on their last Sports Day competing against one another.

The final week was a week of celebrations and goodbyes. The upper sixth meal was a chance to catch up and discuss ball dresses much to Dr Butterfield’s amusement. The Year 11 prom was a special evening the girls looked and behaved impeccably and it was lovely to see them enjoying themselves; just reward for all the hard work they had done. We were presented in Nailing-Up with the Merit Prize and Speech Day prizes were awarded to twenty-two of the girls.

I have enjoyed looking after the House for Mrs Cuthbertson and pass it on in a very strong position, ready for Miss Jackson to lead to further successes; there will be lots, I’m sure. The end of this year marks an end of an era for the House, I, Mrs Cuthbertson and Mrs Ellison were the original Bowes House tutors, but it is also the start of a very exciting chapter in the House’s history and I ‘m looking forward to it very much.

Next year’s Head of House will be Alice McBain. I am confident that she and the whole of the Upper Sixth will be another strong team, and they know that they have a difficult act to follow. I thank all the Upper Sixth and wish them all the very best for their futures. My final thanks go to Rachel Metcalf for doing such a wonderful job and helping me immensely.

CLS

The Barnardian Magazine

Houses

Dale

It has been a thoroughly successful year for Dale House.

The blend of new blood and old hands has certainly delivered success across a wide range of activities.

Whilst success is easy to judge when the House Competitions are reviewed at the end of the year; a good year can be measured in other ways. The atmosphere in the House has been terrific and it has certainly been an enjoyable place to be. I hope this report can highlight some reasons for this.

Zak Day, Cammy Glover, Alex Howarth, Ardin Jacques, Matthew Moss, Joseph Pickering, Josh Raw, Max Thompson and Thomas Wilkinson joined us in Year 7.

Ivan Gaskin joined us from Northumberland House.

James Ingram was Head of House and has displayed outstanding passion and loyalty to the House; as he has done so throughout his time in Senior School. Chris Bury and Dan Miller were House Deputies and both have made significant contributions this year. Nicholas Crowe was Head of School. With no element of bias, as his Housemaster, I would like to record what a splendid year he has had. Mr Usher joined us as a tutor in September.

The enthusiasm the boys display towards House Singing never ceases to amaze me. This year was typical with rehearsals well attended and occasionally tuneful. It is often said that we can sing all of the notes but not necessarily in the correct order and so it continued this year. The Juniors sang ‘Black and Gold’ with enthusiasm and gusto. It must be a terrifying experience for those standing on the stage in front of an audience for the first time and I am sure it doesn’t become any more comfortable second time around. In recent years, we have found that tribal chanting is the best medium to display our yet- to- be-discovered talents. So, ‘Waving the Flag’ was an ideal piece as I believe we captured the sentiment of the song which is essentially based on chanting and shouting; something as I said we are rather good at. The part song was ‘Golden Touch’ by Razorlight. Once again, the part song performance was brave and great credit is due to those who took part.

Throughout the second half of term as the House tournaments took place there was a frenzy of chess, table tennis, scrabble and pool depending on the competition of that particular week. These competitions remain a particular strength of the School and provide plenty of entertainment. The response from members of the House to participate is terrific. A core value of the House, and something we promote in particular, is involvement and participation. The House competitions are an excellent vehicle to facilitate this and increasingly the boys take full responsibility for selecting and organising teams.

Sadly, we said goodbye to Mr Gorman at the end of the Christmas Term when he took on his new role as Second Master. His contributions to the smooth running of the House have been greatly appreciated. His calm, organised manner is the perfect foil to my rather more chaotic modus operandi. As a former Housemaster, Mr Gorman’s timely suggestions and ideas have helped me greatly. He will be missed by all members of the House; having a former member of Dale as Second Master can

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be no bad thing in the future. I have yet to get to bottom of who said what to Mr Usher - his stay with us was short. Clearly somebody upset him, since in January he left us to become Housemaster of Durham House. Mr Ince crossed the floor from Durham House, as did Mr Goldberg.

A theme this year, and it is supported by clear evidence every week, is how few academic detentions and behavioural sanctions the boys accumulate. This is something else we promote and encourage. Mr Nicholson keeps a close eye on these things and long periods go by when his now famous sanctions’ app. is redundant. This is balanced by the large number of merits most pupils have amassed. Mr Everitt has the more pleasurable task of tracking these successes. His clever graphs and spreadsheets are anticipated eagerly every Wednesday morning.

The Spring Term brings not only a New Year but also the joys of the Barney Runs. We were quite clear about our targets from the start. With such large numbers taking part a united effort is required. Quite simply, we said that if the House decides to do well, then it will do well. This message was repeated at every practice and House meeting. The achievements of some were outstanding this year. Sadly there is a lack of space to mention everybody competing; they all deserve recognition. As an arbitrary guide I will only mention those finishing in the top ten; the list will still be long. In the Junior Barnard Run, Joseph Pickering came 10th, Jack Ellis 9th, David Evans 6th and Zak Day 1st. In the Intermediate Barnard Run, Ethan Kelsall came 10th, Andrew Bartlett 6th and James Watson 1st and in the Senior Barnard Run, Sam Hunter was 10th, Chris Bury 9th, Anthony Harrison 4th and James Ingram 1st. Zak Day won the Wilford Cup; James Watson won the Blackett Cup and James Ingram the Lloyd Evans Cup. Overall, Dale came first in the Junior Barnard Cup and first in the Barnard Cup: An outstanding achievement.

Once again a significant sum of money was raised for the Butterwick Childrens’ Hospice by those members of the House running in the Barney Bash.

This has been a strong year for public speaking. The Lectern Club has host a number of memorable nights.

The pinnacle for all public speakers is the House Public Speaking Competition. The future looks very healthy, with the Juniors and Intermediates doing very well in their competitions now held under the spotlights of Big School. The Senior Team of James Ingram – Vote of Thanks, Nick Crowe - Chair and Chris Bury – Speaker, were impressive. Chris’s delivery is entertaining; his ideas intelligent. We won the Junior General Knowledge Quiz Competition and retained the Nigel Stephens Cup for the Senior General Knowledge.

Following our success in the Barnard Runs, hopes were high as Sports Day approached. Members of Year 11 and the Upper Sixth returned having already completed their exams. Once again I must keep the list as brief as possible, so I shall only mention those placed first, second or third. In the Junior Competition – 100 metres Jerome Hardy 2nd and Zak Day 3rd; 200 metres Jerome Hardy 2nd; 400 metres Callum Simpson 3rd; 800 metres David Evans 2nd and Jack Ellis 3rd;

1500 metres David Evans 1st and Josh Raw 3rd; High Jump Callum Simpson 1st and Zak Day 2nd; Javelin Jerome Hardy 3rd; Discus Tom Metcalf 2nd and finally, the Juniors won the 4 x 100 metres relay. In the Intermediate Competition – 100 metres Agni Ghosh 2nd; 200 metres Lewis Sowerby 3rd; 400 metres Agni Ghosh 2nd; 800 metres James Watson 2nd; 1500 metres James Watson; Long Jump Lewis Sowerby 3rd; High Jump Chris Harrison 1st and Hamish Glover 2nd; Triple Jump James Beauchamp 3rd and in the Discus, Duncan Hewitson 3rd. In the Senior Competition, 200 metres Josh Peat 3rd; 400 metres Anthony Harrison 2nd; 800 metres Anthony Harrison 2nd; 1500 metres James Ingram 2nd; 3000 metres James Ingram 3rd; Shot James Gatenby 2nd and Tom Raw 3rd; Javelin Anthony Harrison 2nd and Discus James Dickenson 3rd. The list is long, but well worth recording.

Incidentally, Callum Simpson broke the 21 year old Junior High Jump Record. Overall, the Juniors won their competition. After leading all afternoon, the Seniors and Intermediates eventually came second. The House won the Cowling Cup for the combined relay competitions.

Like the Barnard Run this was terrific achievement; our best for many, many years.

As a House we set clear goals at the start of the year, academic success certainly being one of them. As I have mentioned the merits poured in and the academic detentions were kept to a minimum. These efforts clearly paid off with a large number of House members receiving prizes at Speech Day. The Tutors’ Prize was awarded to Dan Milne in the Autumn Term, Callum Simpson in the Spring Term and James Gatenby in the Summer Term. The Charlesworth Cup was awarded to Hans Kukreja in the Autumn Term, James Ingram in the Spring Term and Dan Miller in the Summer Term.

Sadly, we say goodbye to many of those mention in this report. The Upper Sixth have been an outstanding year group throughout their time in the House. Their collective contribution has been considerable, individual contributions memorable. We wish Chris Bury, Nick Crowe, James Gatenby, Giles Hooker, James Ingram, Dan Miller, Sam Oakes, Joshua Peat and Tom Raw good luck for the future and they leave with our heartfelt best wishes.

Next year’s Head of House will be Anthony Harrison.

It has been an outstanding year and credit is due to all members of the House. The boys have the chance to do well in the classroom and excel elsewhere in the School. Behind them are a team of dedicated tutors. I would like to record my thanks to all those who have helped this year; Messrs Oakley, Everitt, Nicholson, Ince, Gorman, Goldberg and Usher. In particular, and I am sure the aforementioned gentlemen will not be offended, I would like to thank Miss Broadbent who has worked tirelessly this year in her role as Assistant Housemistress.

DWD

2011

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Houses

Durham

At the beginning of the school year we were proud to welcome Daniel Burnett, Tom Crowther, Nathan Bridger, Kieran Lewis, Usman Abbasi, Henry Thompson and Daniel Roberts into year 7: it did not take long for them to settle in to their common room and the school. The rest of us were left to ponder how it is possible to fit the entire house into the downstairs common room for house meetings or when the thick layer of dust that covers the entire house will be removed.

As usual, the first competition for us to prepare for was the house singing. I love this competition, as it is a great chance for the house to bond together. The juniors sang “The King of the Swingers” from the Jungle Book. By this time Mr Donnelly’s promise that ‘this was our year’ was beginning to sound like the vows of fidelity at a French wedding – you want to believe it, but you know it’s not going to happen. The senior part song sounded great. Everyone put a huge amount of effort into it. Hopes were raised, only to be smashed again on the night! Never mind, and thanks to all involved. The unison song, “Greased Lightning”, was received very well on the night and everyone had a lot of fun, even Ryan Strawbridge, who got a whack in the face from Freddie Trewhella during the dance. My thanks go to the singing captain, Arjen Jongschaap, and Harry Bainbridge for all their hard work.

After that, it was a rather successful term. We won the junior house Rugby competition thanks to a sterling display by our lads and also managed to win both the junior and the senior house Swimming competitions by some margin. The Christmas Dinner was an enjoyable and entertaining event, as were the carol services where Durham boys contributed to the readings. At the end of the term I stood down as Housemaster after an enjoyable three years and a term. I was delighted to hand over to Mr Usher who, I know, will continue the long tradition of success and fellowship associated with Durham House. My best wishes go to the magnificent U6th, the excellent house captain, Harry Bainbridge and the tutor team, Dr Child and Mssrs Everall, Donnelly, Maude, Goldberg and Gedye, who have made my job much easier than it might otherwise have been. I wish everyone in the house happiness and success for the future.

MPI I was delighted to become Durham House’s new Housemaster in January of this year, taking over from Mr. Ince.

The House has a tradition of excellent Housemasters, with Mr. Gorman going on to become the current Second Master and Mr. McHarry retiring this year, after many years of distinguished duty. I feel very privileged indeed. I moved the common rooms around slightly to give the Upper Sixth the large room at the top of the House, mainly for them to keep an eye on the junior common room, but also to give them more space. The Year 10’s moved in to MS7, I moved back in to what was originally the House office and the Lower Sixth had the small common room adjoining MS7. We decided, through the House committee, to run a tuck shop. This proved to be huge success and we were soon able to purchase a pool table for the main common room. The pool table inspired the

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intermediate cake decorators to use it as a theme for their cake; the judges loved it and we ran out clear winners. The first House competition I had the pleasure of watching and supporting, however, was the conclusion of the intermediate five-a-side tournament.

Ben Paterson was inspirational in scoring spectacular winners in both the semi final and final.

My first real challenge at the helm was to get the whole House out and running in preparation for the dreaded Barney Bashes and the Barnard Run later on. The whole House did run in all the Bashes, the only House to boast such an achievement, and we consequently went on to win the Junior and Intermediate sections and the whole competition overall; a fantastic achievement by everyone. For the House to also raise over one thousand pounds for charity is fitting; Alex Rowland Jones raised one hundred and twenty five pounds by himself. We also faired pretty well in the Barnard Run, coming second to Dale House by a single position in the Junior competition, winning the intermediate section by a country mile, but finishing second, again to Dale in the Barnard Cup competition; we will be out for revenge next year.

Our more cerebral Upper Sixth shone in other areas; Tom Harrison, Will Ford and Harry Bainbridge argued their way to winning the senior Public Speaking competition, with Tom also winning awards at the very impressive and scholarly Lectern Club. Neil Stanwix also proved to be a very confident person in front of a crowd, by winning his section on short speeches; impressive young men to say the least.

The spring term was a very successful one for us. We are lucky to have some talented squash players, at junior led by James Jennings and at intermediate level led by Sam Everall; they both won their team competitions with relative ease. Our seniors just missed out on making it a clean sweep. Similar results with the House hockey competition too; our juniors and inters winning quite comfortably, but at least this time Harry Bainbridge, Dean Wheeler and the rest of our seniors managed a very respectable second place.

The summer term was a short and fragmented affair; we barely saw the Sixth Form or Year 11s. They were in school long enough, however, for the seniors to eventually secure a comfortable win in the cricket competition; well done to the Uptons and the support team. It was the usually reliable intermediates turn to let us down on this occasion, finishing third, with the ever reliable juniors romping to yet more success; they are a very competitive and talented group of sportsman, if not a little loud. Sports Day brought another second place for the juniors, but there were some outstanding individual performances. Tom Metcalfe won all his events (100m, 200m and long jump); he is some athlete. Matthew Stirke won the grueling 800m and Ben Roddam won the Shot.

I want to thank everyone in the House, who willingly volunteered their services for activities, ranging from kite making to cricket, cross country, quizzes, charades, scrabble, cake decorating, athletics, hockey, football, table tennis, public speaking, the list is endless and we were represented at all, with enthusiasm, healthy numbers and a good spirit. My gratitude also goes to our tutors, who willingly gave up their time and went beyond the call of duty. All, but two, completed the Barney Bash course; agreeing with me that if we expect the pupils to get round, we too should try. My introduction of tutor trips was made all the more easy, by the desire of all our tutors to help out. Mr. Maude and Mr. Donnelly went paintballing with the year seven and eights; a scary prospect. Mrs. Campbell proved to be no mean ten pin bowler at Teesside Park; I will have to play properly next time, if I want to beat her. The sixth form proved fine company at the Bengal Merchant; a

very pleasant evening was had by all. The summer barbeques went down well this term; no food poisoning reported and plenty of fun and games. It was a good way to finish a tough term. My favourite trip was to the Fat Buddha in Durham for the Upper Sixth leaving meal.

Mr. Everall, Mrs. Campbell and Dr. Child from the staff attended and everyone from the Upper Sixth, even Will Ford, were present; the food was sensational, the company excellent; an appropriate way to say goodbye and thank you to a very special group of leavers. They may not be the most sporting of year groups, but in my very short time as their Housemaster, I have learned to appreciate how immensely talented they are. Rob Hall will be studying at Oxford University; his haul of prizes at Speech Day was pretty impressive too. Arjen’s performance on the saxophone at the same occasion, backed by Douglas Bolton and Alex Rowland Jones, made the hairs on my neck stand up, it was quite magical. Tom’s clever speech about his time at Barney was so personal, yet funny and profound; he really did capture the essence of what Barney offers. I will be sorry to them all go. Neil Stanwix will take over as the new Head of House, with Freddie Metcalfe as his deputy. I hope these two fine individuals, along with the rest of the House monitors, will lead the House with pride, dignity and strength.

House Prize winners Merit Prizes Spring Year 7 K.Lewis Year 8 S.Stainthorpe Year 9 J.Ferguson Year 10 C.Naseby Year 11 F.McBain LVI F.Metcalfe UVI R.Hall

Summer T.Crowther S.Stainthorpe J.Ferguson C.Naseby P.Stanwix F.Metcalfe H.Bainbridge

Service Prizes Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 LVI UVI

Spring U.Abbasi S.Stainthorpe S,Leeming S.Everall E.Hobson D.Anderson H.Bainbridge

Summer D.Burnett T.Metcalfe S.Theakston B.Ridley B.Upton R.Gatenby W.Ford

Junior Arts Shield K.Lewis The Tutor’s Trophy N.Stainthorpe The Layzell Cup T.Harrison

K.Lewis O.Larcombe G.Upton

Annual House awards The Arts Shield Arjen Jongschaap The Egg Cup Kieran Lewis The Durham Cup Harry Bainbridge BCU

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Houses

Longfield

There have been some very special moments being the Houseparents of Longfield for eight years. None more than the Longfield Dinner this year; over 190 guests consisting of pupils, parents, relatives and staff were duly fed and watered to the usual very high standard by the ladies in the kitchen and then superbly hosted by Harriet Knowles and her fellow Upper 6th formers.

The Lower 6th said their fond farewells to the older girls recounting several ‘unknown’ stories to suitably embarrass them. We were also indebted to Miss Jones, as we have been for the last six years for her tireless work in the Lodge, for organising a lovely drinks reception to say goodbye to the girls and parents. We were extremely grateful for the kind gifts from the tutors and the girls but thrilled to see that some old girls had made the journey to spend some time with us for our last weekend in charge.

The year began in great style; winning House Singing!! Being non-musical and completely tone deaf there is no competition in the school that has given me greater pleasure in winning than this one.

We have lost count over our time in charge the number of successes we have had; the girls, as with this year, have simply been fantastic. The 6th Form organised and coordinated auditions and rehearsals alike to a very professional standard. Mr Edwards made his presence felt with his enthusiasm and direction and Miss Jackson added to our performance from the experience she had gained from the year before.

Hannah Robertson was simply brilliant in the school musical ‘Rent’. Others in the cast included Harriett McHugh, Emily Turner, Erica Lee and Hannah Roache. Other girls helped behind the scenes with set changes, the technical side of things and the makeup. We were also delighted to see a number of the younger girls participate in the very popular Junior Play too. Longfield girls were also involved in the Charity Concerts held at the school, whether it was on stage, or again helping behind the scenes.

We proved to be unbeatable on the sports field too; winning all three major House competitions, namely hockey, netball and rounders ensuring we were the first girls’ house to ‘nail up’ every term in one year.

We were also the joint winners for House swimming and although we did not secure victory in the Barney Bash the seniors won their section. We have once again had girls representing the County at hockey and athletics. There were some notable performances on Sports Day; Hannah Byers winning the 200m and Emily Turner the javelin with a new record. Hannah Robertson and Maria Leudesdorff

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deserve special mention for their efforts as does Sophie Barnes who really stepped up to the plate to represent the House with real pride. Other less active successes included chess and scrabble, in which Longfield not only won every game, bar one, but won the entire tournament.

Girls in year 9 and above continued to make significant contributions in the CCF, our Year 7 put on a very entertaining soiree and traditional activities took part throughout the year; the Halloween party, Christmas party with Secret Santa, the Boarders Christmas Dinner, hot chocolate and marshmallow evenings, trips to the cinema, curry and/or pizza nights, and a whole host of other trips like Go Ape, Wet ‘n’ Wild, The Metro, ice skating, Lightwater Valley, as well as several theatre trips. The House Quiz at Christmas proved to be a real hit.

Mrs Flack has worked incredibly hard, as she has done since joining Longfield. The girls are very much aware of the time she puts in to the house and that she is always there for them; something they very much appreciate. The House tuck shop has become a real asset under her management. New furnishings, a new flat screen TV and of course the Wii have proved to be excellent purchases from the profits. Our tutors play a significant role. Once again they have worked well beyond their stipulated hours.

We hope the opportunities the girls receive because

of their enthusiasm and dedication is fully appreciated. Mrs Waddington and Mrs Gorman have been warmly welcomed and have added to the fabric of Longfield. Miss Sanderson has continued to share her time between Old Courts and Longfield Courts remarkably well.

We would like to wish Miss Jackson all the very best when she takes up her role as Housemistress of Bowes; we are sure she will be a resounding success. She will be sorely missed by staff and girls alike. The current Year 9 girls know they have lost an outstanding tutor.

Mr Edwards will be a fantastic new Deputy Housemaster and we are sure the Armstrong family will be a real hit in Longfield. Miss Snaith has proven to be as popular as ever with the girls. Although she is giving up her duties next year we are pleased to hear she will remain as a tutor in Longfield. Mr Kean has been in Longfield before Longfield existed; he is Longfield! His experience and advice over the years has been greatly appreciated and his time and caring nature truly valued.

There are two departees from school this term that deserve mention; Mr Fairburn and the Bursar have played significant roles not just in Longfield but throughout the whole school for many years. The improvements and developments in Longfield during our time have been orchestrated by these two; an extension with twelve single bedrooms, all bedrooms refurbished, the re-fitting of the kitchen, new shower area, new common room, improved IT provision as well as general decorating and re-carpeting. We, and the girls, are very grateful.

We would like to wish the Upper Sixth every success with the future and hope they all secure places in their chosen Universities. We would like to thank Harriet for her contributions over the course of the year as Head of House; she has done a fantastic job. Her peers have supported her well. Finally, we would like to make one final thank you; for everyone who has been involved with Longfield over the last eight years; we have had a fantastic time. We are very proud and honoured to have been involved in our role of helping girls develop and progress through Barnard Castle School. Watching your children grow up in a happy, safe and lively environment makes you feel very privileged. There will always be a special place in our hearts for Longfield and we hope we are able to stay in touch with as many people as possible in the future.

MTP

2011

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Houses

Marwood I cannot believe it was September since I became the Housemistress of Marwood. Miss Shorthouse joined me as my assistant and we were also very fortunate to gain Dr McDermatt and Mr Atherton; Heather Appleby was appointed Head of House.

The term began in earnest for the first major event of the year – sorting out the songs for the House Singing Competition. After much deliberation and a few experiments the decisions of which songs to sing were made. The Juniors settled on ‘The Show’ by Lenka and their performance was described as sweet sounding but despite a good performance it was only enough to come fourth. It was up to the Seniors to try and make this into a winning evening. Having a couple of the seniors in the House who had recently returned from South Africa it was decided that ‘Waka Waka’ by Shakira, a modern song linked to the World Cup, was the way forward. All the girls approached the stage dressed in black, clad in animal print. The performance was brilliant with Jasmin Jenkinson taking centre stage with her solo dance in the middle – injecting fun and humour into the performance.

It was well organised with various levels of sounds which the adjudicator somehow missed in his summing up afterwards. The Part Song that followed was brilliantly executed; Crazy in Love by Beyoncé was tastefully and well put together by the girls. Their time and dedication and late nights prior to the performance paid off with Marwood winning this section of the competition. The same was not said for the unison where we came second.

The second half of term will be most remembered for the snow and lots of it. It saw many of the House struggling to get in. Those of us who did make it in (staff and pupils) enjoying various snow based activities and lessons on a skeleton basis. ‘Skellig’ was outstanding, as were the performances by Kathryn Johnston, Jevany Thompson, Martha Moore and Charlotte Dickinson. A number of the year 8’s were also crucial backstage to the smooth running of the play. It’s always good to see the various talents that many of the girls within the House have as many of them strive to do so much.

House Competitions were fast and furious for the rest of term with the Juniors winning the Chess. Heather organised the House Swimming Competitions. The Juniors won this event, although it was closely contested. The Senior Competition began well with us coming first in many races – we were easily in the lead.

However, it seemed there was a conspiracy theory afoot with a Bowes House swimmer sabotaging the event with a dislocated shoulder and an ambulance crew’s arrival.

The swimming was abandoned.

Hockey is the major sport of the term and the House Hockey Competition is always very competitive. The Juniors were dominant in their competition; wins against both Bowes and Longfield meant that they were the overall winners. The Intermediates likewise were too strong for their opposition again winning their age group.

The Seniors on the other hand did not do as well despite the best efforts of Jasmin and Rachel and the rest of the team, it was not enough and we were placed second overall.

The end of term arrived and there were many prizes handed out to the House in Nailing Up. Rachel Brown and Kathryn Johnston were awarded School Monitor’s ties. Heather Appleby was awarded a Shooting Award. It was good to see a number of the Lower Sixth being awarded their Peer Support. Full hockey colours were awarded to Rachel Brown and Jasmin Jenkinson and the following awards were given too. Awards were given to Lizzie Knight Grade 5 piano, Lucy Parkinson Grade 6 Singing with Merit. Arts ties were awarded to Jevany Thompson for Drama and Music.

The Spring term always seems to be one of dread for some reason – possibly because Christmas is over and many of us over-indulged and had very little exercise

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which usually means a hard start to training towards the Barney Bash and Run. Practices every Wednesday were reasonably well attended with many of the Seniors leading by example. The Barney Bash this year was going back to its original roots – raising money for the ‘Butterwick Children’s Hospice’. The Juniors were the first group to go and there were some brilliant performances by a number of the girls. The whole House did very well indeed with the last runner coming in 44th out of a potential 61. The results spoke for themselves and the Juniors won the Bash. Likewise the Intermediates won their Bash too with Thea Thompson winning the race. The remainder of the girls all pushed to achieve their best possible positions and the Cup was well deserved. The Senior girls however, made me very proud indeed with every single one of them completing the run. The overall total raised by the House was nearly £900.

In the Barnard Run, Rachel Brown won the Senior race and kept up her record of winning every year in the Junior, intermediate and senior races (except 2005 when she went on holiday). Likewise Thea Thompson has done the same since moving to Senior School in 2008. The result of both groups was combined with the converted Chatt Cup being won by Marwood for the first time in nearly a decade.

The public Speaking Competition was next on the agenda. The intermediates were first up with ‘Academic Qualifications are commonly felt to give a person the best chance in life. How far is this true?’ Lizzie Knight, Shannon Currah, Fiona Mattews and Katy Body all volunteered to speak. Their speeches were outstanding and the external adjudicator agreed; they were placed an extremely well deserved first. The seniors chose their own topic and Jevany volunteered to be the main speaker on ‘Religious Rationales’. Kathryn Johnston did an amazing job as the Chair and Imogen Ridley the Vote of Thanks. Jevany spoke very well indeed, if somewhat disorganised right up to the point of competition – she pulled off her last minute changes –to my relief, although I know both Kathryn and Imogen aged somewhat due to the stress and worry of getting it right!

Cake decorating is one of my all-time favourite House Competitions. Determined Marwood were going to do well, the planning began early. Ideas were put forward and the decorating began. The Intermediates led by Rachel Pratt and Emily Newton used a very creative idea with ice-cream cones, icing, butter icing and rice paper to produce Marwood Castle with princess included. The Juniors intricate Garden design were both amazingly detailed and deserved of a silver medal.

House Netball and Lacrosse ensued and in Netball the juniors and Inters came first; the seniors came 3rd but this was not a reflection of the abilities more a result of the last game, which, had it been Bowes beating Longfield then Marwood would have won; it was not to be. Congratulations to the other 2 age groups. Lacrosse saw the seniors and the juniors win with the Inters coming 2nd.

The Inspectors arrived and full inspection began and they were treated to one of the more controversial musicals that the school has attempted. Rent had to be one of my favourite productions ever. Risky in content but tastefully executed; a number of Marwood girls played parts. Main parts were again played by Martha Moore and Jevany Thompson. They both lit up the stage with their amazing performances and singing; I will not forget the sight of Martha mooing at the audience! I know the inspectors enjoyed it very much. The time and dedication all involved put in over the term was certainly worth the overall result.

Summer term is always a very short one and this was no different due to the late Easter break and the Royal Wedding. Senior House rounders was played on the very first Wednesday of the term as everyone was fast into

exams and study leave. Again we were 2nd to Longfield.

The Intermediates were 2nd in their competitions and once again the Juniors won this time by the skin of their teeth.

The main event of the term was Sports day. There were numerous outstanding performances with Thea Thompson again breaking her own 800 metre record and winning all her events to gain the Victrix Ludoram.

Likewise Sarah Scanlan won the Junior Victrix Ludoram having also won all her events. Rebekah Westgarth won High Jump achieving a height of 1.50 metres – again a new record. Performances are too many to mention and Marwood remained neck and neck with Bowes throughout, it was therefore unfortunate the result was in their favour. I am convinced the Trophy would have belonged to Marwood had all our more talented athletes attended Sports Day. The Juniors need a special mention as they achieved more points and more wins than any other age group. Congratulations to all the Juniors on their unbeaten record for the whole year.

My thanks go to Heather Appleby (Head of House) for the support she has given me this year. Her organisation and initiative are second to none. My thanks also go to Rachel Brown and Aarti Devgan as Deputy Heads of House. We are grateful to all of the Upper Sixth for their help in running House events this year and we will miss their energetic personalities next year. We wish them well for the future. We also said goodbye to Tamsin Brown and Jermaine Franke during the Easter term and Jillian Barbato and Madeleine Rowlands leave us this term.

I personally would especially like to thank Mr Alderson with all his help with the younger members of the House; he has made the transition for the Year 7’s, from prep school to senior school a smooth one and in turn has been a great support for me.

My time in Marwood House has been very short, and I am actually glad of that as I know how much I have enjoyed this year, it would be hard further down the line.

Having spent so much time with the Dale house boys it has been a very refreshing change. However, my decision to undertake the position of Longfield Housemistress, has been one which I not taken lightly but is a challenge I look forward to. Marwood contains a group of girls who are infectious, welcoming, warm, funny, enthusiastic and very good company and I will miss them all. However, I am reassured that Miss Shorthouse (Mrs Burgess) will be fantastic in her new role as Marwood Housemistress. She has been a tremendous help to me this year as my assistant with her organisation, initiative and moral support and I would like to say thank you and good luck both with Marwood and her wedding this summer. I am looking forward to the new era within the girls’ houses. Thank you all for making this my favourite year yet, you are a credit to yourselves and I will always hold Marwood close to my heart forever. (However, competitions are still competitions and are there for the winning – watch out!).

AA

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Houses

North

As I’m sure everyone will agree, another year has flown by. It was the second year in to the splitting of the boarding houses and the competition and rivalry was as strong as ever. Yet again the pre-match team talk consisted of ‘try your best for the house, and of course make sure you beat York house.’

The first major inter house event was, as is always, the inter house singing, generally not one of our strongest competitions. Lead by Nicolas McGregor the house was fully prepared. The juniors gave a brave performance singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”, unfortunately coming to no avail. The seniors, however, placed a little higher, beating York house.

Other competitions came in the form of house charades, pool, chess and for the juniors cake decorating, with the influence of monitors Tom Miller and Chris Gliniecki the latter ended in victory with the North House cake placing an incredible 1st place.

Northumberland House over recent years has become a very sporting and athletic house and this year has been no different with several members of the House not only reaching 1st teams or A-teams but continuing on to represent the county. House rugby to a certain extent was a success for us, particularly the senior boys. The seniors put on a

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very impressive display of 10’s , with David Brown being a stand out player, beating all four of the other boys’ houses coming out victors and giving the House our first nailing up of the year. Unfortunately, this could not be repeated at inter and junior levels, with the intermediate competition failing to take place, although the juniors battled hard playing some expansive rugby led by Jarlath Hetherington and Nathan White.

In the Spring term there was to be no repeat of previous years, failing to retain the inter house public speaking competition, although a notable performance from the team is still to be commended. Again the Barnard Run and Barney Bash were to be one step too far this year for the house, hopefully to be bettered next time around.

Sports Day was to be the last highlight of the year, a final and well deserved victory for the senior and intermediate teams winning the Ellis cup with a total of 317 points. On the day there were some truly outstanding performances from the boys, from the juniors, Rory Holden excelled with an incredible triple jump (9.45m) a new school record. Cieren Spence also won the javelin (22.25m). Ivan Gaskin won the 100m (11.61), the 200m (24.24), the long jump (5.01m) and victor Ludorum, a magnificent achievement. Jonny Coser also excelled winning both the 800m (2.24) and the 1500m (4.51). Bruce Clegg was in fine jumping form taking both triple jump (11.21) and long jump (5.91) as well as contributing to the success of the 4 by 100m team.

New boy Xaver Remky put on an outstanding display to triumph in the 1500m (5.02) a fantastic and unexpected achievement. Ben Duffield was another surprise victor in the 400m (56.88), and Mathew Brown was a clear winner in the 800m (2.16).

This was a fantastic way to end the year and I would like to thank and congratulate all the boys for their

efforts on sports day and throughout the year. Grant McGrath and Alex Wilson both deserve special mentions; they have worked tirelessly this year leading the boys superbly. All the Tutors and of course Mr and Mrs Beaty , Mr Monument and Matron Brown have worked endlessly to keep the boys in fine form, even when the times were tough. Good luck next year to all in North House and under new House Captain, Alex Beaumont. I’m sure Northumberland house will continue to flourish.

Cameron Jones: House Captain

Post Script This has been a successful year for Northumberland House and I have been indebted to Cameron’s superb leadership which has meant that all aspects of organisation, from team selection for competitions, to duty rotas for monitors duties has been undertaken with aplomb. The following awards were made in House: Challis Cup: Sportsmanship – Grant McGrath Parkin Plate: Contribution to Boarding Life – Tom Miller Tutor Tassie: Contribution to Sport – Alex Wilson Visser Vase: Gentleman of the Year – Cameron Jones Whateley Tankard: Contribution to the Arts – Nicholas McGregor My thanks must go to all those who have worked hard in the House to include Mrs Beaty, my Assistant, Mr Monument, Matron Brown and all of the Tutors, particularly those resident, Miss Hall and Mr Connor who have undertaken duties each week and helped maintain a respectful, courteous and friendly House of which the boys and I are rightly proud.

Alan M Beaty: Housemaster

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Houses

Tees At the start of the year we welcomed a new house captain in the shape of George Woollard and eleven new pupils to Tees. It must be said that their shapes were very different as nine were year seven and three of the other two were Iain Swall and Alec Clarey! We set about a very busy year filled with quality thinking and perspirational endeavour but, as we know, if it is the Autumn term then most of the perspiration will be on the stage in the annual house singing competition.

It has to be said that this was one of the most enjoyable of years in the singing department and our juniors, ably led by Mr Johnson, got us off on the front foot with a superb exhibition of Wombling! I concede that few are the size of a real Womble, as Mr Donnelly proves, but we Wombled weally well and with more than just a spot of bad luck were judged to have been runners up. We decided that was pretty good and the seniors had a hard act to follow. Spurred on by the prospect of singing “Do you wanna”, our own Back Street Boys laid a good foundation in the part song.

Here, it must be said, Tom Romaines sang himself just about hoarse. He was more than helped by Nick Phillips who was about the size of a horse, Lucas Summers, who dressed like a clothes horse and Ben Wilson who, I think, described the opposition as pony and trap.

However, their dedication served only to make us reach for the stars in the Unison where we sang ‘The Climb’ much better than Joe McElderry. The problem seemed to be that we had rehearsed with Miley Cyrus and this must have confused the adjudicator, who placed us 3rd overall. We consoled ourselves with the idea that it had all been a lot of fun and that rehearsal with You Tube was the way to go.

Sadly, this was all not great preparation for the swimming, though as ever we always got stuck into the opportunity to compete and our inters, who were up against it came in mid table for us in 3rd and the seniors managed to be runners up. Here my favourite moments were Harvey Barkes stepping in at the last moment to replace a pal who was ill (excellent Tees team spirit) and the Butterfly leg of Iain Swall. Iain has a wing span that extends past the lane markers but it did not prevent smooth display and the biggest cheer of the afternoon plus the joy of confounding his disbelievers who had suggested it would be akin to the old Cassius Clay saying of floats like a battleship, swims like a tree, or something like that.

We continued with the activities programme and then won the senior ‘TT’ and the senior Pool (not the wet kind) and our first round in the ‘footy’ with Ben WynnJones scoring. Perhaps it was turning out to be a good term after all. Then I saw Oliver Chrisp in “Skellig”, by David Almond, and realised it wasn’t a good term – it was a great term. Oliver was magnificent as the angel and we were all moved to huge applause. Wonderful.

By now quality work was everywhere and Swall collected a bronze Maths Challenge Award, year eight had topped the boys table with over one hundred and seventy merits and we won the Inter House Activities Programme Cup as just reward for more successful involvement in the competitions than any other house.

We also congratulate Edward Grundy on a very prestigious flying award which was presented in Chapel by a high ranking RAF officer and decided that we all needed to raise our sights.

With the seniors setting a good example in the Butterwick Charity Cup, our inters took heart, ‘gutsed’ it out, and came second overall. They knew they had a hard act to follow but with Kit Wilson (5th) and Hamish Carter (7th) we meant business. Our seniors had in fact won the senior trophy with Finlay Tait as ‘Top Gun’. In the junior charity competition Harvey came in 7th for us but we left ourselves a lot to do with some tail end girding up of loins needed. However, gird we did and in the junior Barney proper we finished mid table with Harvey

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improving to runners up spot and three fifths of ‘team carter’ in the next three positions for the house. Finlay and Calum Matthews came in as top ten finishers for us in the senior event (3rd & 5th) and Andrew Ferneyhough (8th) in the inters. A big effort on the day but only 3rd overall with seven points the difference between ourselves and Durham in runners up spot.

As it was the spring term we had a go at speed hockey, came 4th, decided it was not our thing and Oliver Potts (our superb and first team ‘supremo’ of a captain) promised we would do better in the real thing, or possibly any other thing. Turning our attention to other things we were convinced that our talents lay in other directions. So, as we play a lot of ‘TT’ in the house it was no surprise that the weekly activities programme saw us win this in the inters, where Will Grundy and Alex Farr were unbeaten. We also made the final in all of the quiz competitions, were r/up in the juniors and, can you believe it, in the seniors.

Consequently , we all went off to watch “Rent”, which was superbly done by Miss Baldwin and were amazed and impressed by the performance of our very own Alec Clarey, who showed that not only can he sing and play as a prop forward for the first XV, but also that he has thespian depth. It was obviously a good term for performing arts and nine members of Tees competed in the music competition held across the school by Mr Mawhinnney. We congratulated, in our weekly meeting, messers Joashi, Robertson, Evans, Whalley, Grundy, Greaves, Wilkinson, Emmerson and Currie and wished we had as much talent. Fortunately, Matt Emmerson invited me to the Lectern Club, to hear speeches on ‘The Meaning of Life’, later it became clear to me that my talent was to wonder what else members of our house could do to impress me. So it was that we then realised that Oliver Potts had not been joking about the Hockey and we won the senior competition under his captaincy, whilst the inters were r/up. Mr Lewis explained that the meaning of life is in sharper focus when looking down a gun sight and so we congratulated H Carter on being our best shot and collected the inter house shooting trophy. I find Mr Lewis is always right and he said I should congratulate Hugh and Hamish Carter on their involvements with ‘The Turrets’, for their performance at the Northern Stage Newcastle. This was done.

However, I responded with the idea that we should also congratulate B Sowden, M Wilkinson, D Custance, T Greaves and W Carter on their Bronze Maths Challenge Awards. Furthermore, as A Usher and M Ryves –Webb had reached Silver they should be praised too. We agreed and as we added up the merit totals for the term we suspected we kept scoring more than other boys’ houses and when we got to 781 for a short term we felt we deserved a rest.

The summer term seems all too short these days as exams are quickly upon the lower 6th and Year 11 and we see so little of them. However, it is heartening to see them all turn out for Sports day and to collect so many prizes on Speech Day. As this term is all about the blend of physical and academic endeavour we should spend a moment reflecting on how well we did in all of this.

Sports day was a good day at the office for us.

Massive participation and lots of really great sportsmanship were the order of the day, and when I say day I mean evening, as our new slot was an afternoon start and evening finish. So well done to everyone’s mum and dad for coming along to support us.

On a day with so much going on it is hard to single out

individuals but there are some things that are rightly rewarded with a hearty congratulations and so here goes...

Juniors: Harvey Barkes for a podium finish in the 1500m and the HJ. Inters: Ben Wynn-Jones for his Victor Ludorum winning performance (HJ, Discus and 400m winner) Seniors, and here we did lead by terrific example to: Finlay Tait for his Victor Ludorum winning performance ( 100m, 200m, HJ) and to Iain Swall for setting a new BCS Discus record of 43:00m on his way to winning that and the Shot Putt.

However, despite all of their efforts our impressive points total would not be all that impressive were it not for those who simply get stuck in to do their bit for Tees when asked to dig in for us. It is very apt to mention here that we won the inters house relay, the inters tug of war and were r/up in the senior 4x100m, the senior tug of war and house relay , too. So it was more than a bit disappointing when the final points total suggested that we were second overall in the Ellis Cup (for inters and seniors combined) by only two and a half points from North. However, I can reveal that an arithmetical error in crediting too many runners to North means that we actually had the winning inters and seniors total and as I write this at the end of term the guys do not know yet and I cannot wait to tell them the good news that we actually deserved the trophy after all. I anticipate much cheering.

Hard on the heels of so much really big hearted work we found a moment to count up the prizes won by Tees boys on Speech day and discovered it was twenty eight!

We were very impressed with ourselves and it would only be fair to mention that at the top of a very bright and hard working bunch I felt particularly impressed by Calum who had four academic prizes to collect at the end of term before heading off to go Kayaking in Scandinavia and returning in time to go on an expedition to Nepal.

As the dust settled all my tutees offered to buy me drinks at the summer ball and as the evening wore on I was left to reflect upon what a super bunch this year’s Upper 6th have been and what potential they have to make a difference in the world. This had nothing to do with the free drinks and everything to do with their spirit, their sense of humour and their unfailing talent for helping me to develop my ability to make snap decisions and to wonder what I would next get a close up of, as I popped into their common room. Although we welcome thirteen new pupils to Tees next year they will have a very hard act to follow and we wish Oliver Chrisp, Matt Emmerson, Edward Grundy, Nick Phillips, Oliver Potts, Angus Robertson, Tom Romaines, Lucas Summers, Tom Watson, Ross Whalley, Ben Wilson and George Woollard the very best of fortune in their lives beyond here. They have been some of Barney’s very finest and we are proud of their time with the school and with us here in Tees House.

GB

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Houses

York Housemaster: Mr A J Allman Head of House: Adam Mason It has been another busy and successful year for York House. I have been impressed with the manner that the pupils have conducted themselves when representing both the House and School. Adam Mason has set a good example as Head of House and he has been assisted well by both Lucas Killinger and Aidan Grant. We have welcomed new pupils into all Year Groups and I have been delighted to see such a range of nationalities joining our Boarding Community.

The Autumn Term was a very successful one and the highlight was winning the Junior House Singing Competition with a revamped version of “Hit the Road Jack.” The singing and choreography was enjoyed by all of the school, led by Jack Blackburn and accompanied by: John Clouston, Connor Lewis, Oliver Morrill, Alfred Tsoi, Daniel Brown, Nathaniel Davis, Jake McGrath, Harry McGuire, Enoch Leung, Joshua Picken and Edward Young. I was also impressed by the effort of the Seniors, when they sang “Build me up Buttercup,” however sadly they did not reach the heights of the Juniors on the day of the performance.

All members of the House acquitted themselves well in the House Rugby Competitions and I was particularly impressed by the effort of the Inters, who came very close to taking the final honours. I have also been proud of the achievements that several members of the House have made while representing the school. Kieran Armstrong, Christopher Legg, Alex Hopkin and Guy Van den Dries have been regular members of the School 1st XV and Martin Ryvola has not only taken on a coaching role for the team, but also represented Barnard Castle Rugby Club throughout the season. I am delighted that Guy Van den Dries has been appointed the Captain of the team next year and I look forward to seeing his and the team’s achievements.

York House is very lucky to have so many talented rugby players in all Year Groups and this was shown by the following members of the House represented the very successful School U15 Team: Alex Finkill, Guy Coser, Sam Goyette and John Brogden. I am sure that they will be pushing on the door of the 1st XV next season.

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The Spring Term was a very busy one, especially with the ISA inspection looming. I was very proud of every member of the House, helping the school to achieve an “Excellent” rating in the final report.

The highlight of the term was the York House Chapel Service. We decided as a House to devote the service to the International Community and hence the name “A Celebration of Culture and Community”. The service began by a selection of Spanish music being played by Carlos Garcia. Aidan Grant then explained the experiences that he had being a Scot living in England and Dale Keogh spoke in fluent German to explain the incorrect stereotypes that many people have about Germany. Oleg Zubenko sang in Russian and Luke Shield sang in French, both of them leaving the congregation in awe. Gordon Poon and Dale Han described the differences between China and Hong Kong and Cedric Lee explained the significance of the Chinese Dragon, while Anthony Ho, Enoch Leung and Alfred Tsoi danced the Chinese Dragon down the aisle. Martin Ryvola, Dan Hall, Josh Brooks, Alex Finkill and Richard Harland read poems about life as boarders and Daniel Gilligan read a significant Biblical Reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. The service ended by prayers led by John Clouston and Oliver Morrill. The service was a huge achievement by all of the pupils who took part and I look forward to our next service.

I was also very proud of the effort from the whole House in the Running Competitions, they all trained hard and gave 100% in both competitions. William Prior, John Brogden, and Connor Lewis finished in the top three in each of their categories, which were huge achievements.

The Summer Term was a very productive one and I was very impressed by the attitude of all pupils taking public exams. I look forward to seeing the results in August and hope that it mirrors this effort that they have made.

The sun shone on Sports Day, which was very pleasing and I was delighted by the effort and the pride that all pupils took in each of the events that they took part in. I was also impressed that the Seniors managed to win the Cowling Cup, captained

by Adam Mason.

The term ended with the York House Annual Awards being awarded to the following pupils: Prestigious House Awards (voted by all House Staff) Junior York House Cup: John Clouston Year 9 York House Cup: Matthew Hunter Year 10 York House Cup: Guy Coser Year 11 York House Cup: Nathan Brown Lower Six Kinnear Cup: Martin Ryvola Senior York House Cup: Lukas Killinger Sports / Academic / Pastoral Awards: The Gedye Sports Award: Guy Van Den Dries The Inters Sports Award: Guy Coser Junior Sports Award: Harry McGuire Junior Resident Award: Edward Young Inters Resident Award: Sam Goyette Senior Resident Award: Anthony Ho Junior Merit Award: Josh Picken Inters Merit Award: Dale Holden-Dalby Senior Merit Award: Dale Keogh Junior Academic Cup: Jake McGrath Inters Academic Cup: Alex Finkill Senior Academic Cup: Adam Mason Junior Arts Cup: Enoch Leung Inters Arts Cup: Daniel Gilligan Senior Arts Cup: Luke Shield As always I am indebted to my Assistant Mr Butler, who has worked endlessly hard to help to run a vibrant and successful House. He has spent hours helping to implement new ideas and has created resources to help the pupils to gain a fully enriched education. I am very grateful to Matron Broadwell, who has worked extremely hard all year to ensure that the pupils are growing up with the correct manners and maintain a tidy room. Matron Broadwell has also baked numerous cakes and buns with Miss Ingram and the pupils have been very lucky to enjoy such treats. Although Matron Brown is associated with North House, I am grateful for all of her efforts in the Boarding Community also. As always my team of tutors have been outstanding. Mr Jacobs has continued to run efficient and proactive duties, as well as organising swims and football activities during the evenings and has also hosted “International Nights,” with his wife, which have been appreciated by the overseas pupils. Mr Tomlinson has continued to run two duties effectively and has also accompanied myself and the boarders on Premier League Football Trips to Manchester United and Sunderland. Miss Cover and Mr West have continued to be assets to the Tutor Team and have worked endlessly hard with their Tutor Groups and have also assisted with Sporting events. Finally Mr Dunn joined us at the start of the year and has effectively run a boarding duty each week and has taken a trip to the Cinema.

Next year I am delighted that Guy Van den Dries will be the Head of School, Dale Keogh will be the Head of House and Martin Ryvola will be his deputy. I look forward to my third year at the helm.

AJA

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Autumn Term

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The Barnardian Magazine

Autumn Term

Senior play – Skellig AS Level Theatre Studies

Skellig

Theatre Studies

The autumn term saw the seniors take to the stage in David Almond’s ‘Skellig’, directed by Miss Baldwin. The play, which is also a popular novel with our year seven students, tells the story of a young boy, Michael (Dale Keogh), who moves into a new house with his parents (Harry Bainbridge and Hannah Robertson) and discovers an angel (Oliver Chrisp) in his garage and a new best friend in Mina (Jevany Thompson). Dale Keogh writes: “When I first got told I was going to play Michael in ‘Skellig’, I was over the moon; this was going to be my first main part in a senior school play, and I couldn’t wait to start. Being Michael was great and getting to grips with learning how to speak in such a way was a challenge, but I ended up doing ok! Michael was a brilliant role to play, due to the different emotions and experiences he encounters, such as the near death of his baby sister and meeting an old man with wings: it doesn’t get more bizarre than that! The support we received from Miss Baldwin was amazing, mainly because she offered us numerous workshops on how to speak Geordie! During rehearsals, the atmosphere and mood from everyone was incredible; even though not everyone was 100% confident with their lines, the effort from everyone was immense, and you could clearly tell that people were enjoying being part of what turned out to be a successful play. A big thanks should also be given to Mr Fairbairn (aka the Mighty F); without his help we wouldn’t have had the perfect set and remarkable lighting. I do look forward to hopefully participating in next year’s senior play as being part of a team who love to act is amazing and, without a doubt, very fun.”

Dale did a brilliant job as Michael, but a special mention should be given to Martha Moore, Kathryn Johnston and Charlotte Dickinson who had the very difficult job of narrating the play; their bird-like movements engrossed many an audience member and they certainly added an avant-garde aspect to the production.

EB

Autumn 2010 was an exciting term for the AS Level Theatre Studies group, comprising of Dale Keogh, Martha Moore and Paige Wilkinson. In December, despite dreadful weather and about three foot of snow outside, the group performed four pieces for their practical examination.

The evening started with 3 scenes from Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’, with Dale playing the part of the love-sick Duke Orsino, while Martha played the cross-dressed messenger Cesario / Viola. In the next scene, Viola delivered a message of love to Paige’s Olivia, inadvertently become the object of her affections. In the final scene, Viola returned to Orsino, attempting to admit her love for him but unable to, due to her mistaken identity as a man!

This was followed by the group’s own devised piece, entitled ‘A Cautionary Tale’. In this stylised piece, three separate story lines were intricately weaved, with fairy tales, the modelling world and a destructive marriage all entwined in a stunningly original piece.

All who came were impressed at the professional standards and excellent performances by the three students.

TSE

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House Singing

The adjudicator for the House Singing Competition 2010 was Mr Andrew Wright, recently retired from being Director of Music at St Peter’s School in York. Mr Wright first started conducting choirs at the age of sixteen and took his University Chamber Choir on tour to Berlin when he was twenty-two. Since then he has worked with singers in many schools and organised seventeen music tours while at St Peter’s.

As ever the whole school, ably led by the Upper Sixth excelled itself on the day of the competition.

The eventual winners were York House in the junior section and Longfield in the senior section.

Congratulations again to all those who worked so hard to make the day such a success.

AMM

The first half of term was exceptionally busy for both pupils and the music staff, who had all been preparing for the annual event of the House Singing Competition— always an enjoyable and entertaining spectacle.

First were the junior houses at four o’ clock, performing a selection of superb songs, starting off with Longfield who tunefully sang ‘I’ll Stand by You’ with a lot of heart. Bowes were up next with a great rendition of ‘Complicated’, dressed in full Avril Lavigne garb, including skate boards! Dale gave a confident performance with ‘Black and Gold,’ and North sang ‘Three Little Birds,’ causing various members of the audience to ‘aww’ when they reached their top notes. Tees gave a great performance of ‘The Wombling Song,’ and Durham sang the lovely ‘Any Dream Will Do,’ from Joseph. Marwood sang ‘The Show’ by Lenka very melodically, but the overall winners were York House, with their fantastically funny performance of ‘Hit the Road, Jack.’

Next was the Senior Competition. The common rooms were filled with nervous students dashing

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about, putting on makeup and doing their hair (hopefully just in the girls’ houses!) before everyone was due to be seated in Big School. Part Song came first, and started with Durham performing the popular song ‘Stacey’s Mom,’ with a great blend of good singing, entertainment and an almost barbershop type of style. Longfield were next, singing ‘Down to the River to Pray,’ with a lovely mix of harmonies.

North sang ‘Love Lock Down’, giving a very strong solo performance, and York performed ‘Lollipop’ brilliantly, catching the audience’s attention in their green hard hats as they walked on stage. Bowes sang the dramatic ‘Disturbia’ skilfully and professionally, with really good harmonies, and Tees sang, ‘You Make Me Wanna’ by Blue, which was very melodious and well rehearsed. Dale were a small group, but sang ‘Golden Touch’ with enthusiasm and gusto. However, Marwood managed to secure a win with ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyonce, with some great dancing by the back row and lovely solos.

The long awaited Unison had finally arrived. First was North with ‘Beggin’, singing very tunefully and perfectly in time, with Durham coming after with the famous ‘Greased Lightnin’’, putting in some great actions that featured in the film. Marwood came on in full African apparel, wearing leopard headbands and big hair, singing ‘Waka Waka’ by Shakira. Next

was Longfield with ‘Proud Mary’, wearing customised school uniform and performing tunefully and engagingly, and York sang ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’, which wasn’t always quite in sync with the piano, but was performed with enthusiasm and zeal. Tees were next with ‘The Climb,’ which was performed better than Miley Cyrus herself, followed by Dale with ‘Wavin’ Flag’, waving their own house flag with pride.

Bowes wrapped up the competition with ‘Heaven is a Place on Earth’ by Belinda Carlisle, very tunefully and melodiously, dressed cleverly as ‘the world’.

Whilst the adjudicator, Mr Andrew Wright, settled on a winner, several of the teachers braved the stage in their gowns and, in one case, a vibrant waistcoat and leopard skin trousers, to sing ‘I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John, adapted into ‘I’m Still Teaching.’ A great set of lyrics, the students were in hysterics at the Rev’s antics with the cane and Mr Brettell’s impressive saxophone.

The adjudicator soon came to a decision, and Big School was greeted with high pitched squeals as Longfield were announced to be the winners. A well deserved victory, it was a very enjoyable evening, and many thanks to Mr Mawhinney and Mr Atherton for assisting, and Mr Wright for adjudicating.

Whizzy Gorman

The Barnardian Magazine

Autumn Term

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2011

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Autumn Term

Lectern Club What better excuse for students and teachers to dress up formally, and create formalities where there are none, than for the Lectern Club Dinner. Having said that, it was unanimously agreed that the event was one of the most enjoyed of the term thus far.

The formal dinner comprised of three courses, with speeches between the courses. Nick Crowe began the evening with his introduction to the speeches and after the Grace, said by Harry Bainbridge, everyone began eating as soon as it was socially acceptable.

The theme of the speeches was ‘I want...’, leaving a very open ended possibility for a range of philosophical and interesting speeches.

In particular, the highlights for me were Neil Stanwix’s beautifully crafted speech delivered in a formal manner but intertwined with casual jokes and analogies. Chris Bury rocked the evening with his comedic styling as usual, lightening the overall mood of the night with his speech entitled, ‘I want to be a woman’. Nick McGregor impressed judges with his passionately delivered speech titled, ‘I want to be me’. The overall winner of the short speeches was Peter Wickham with his confidently delivered speech about the disparity of pay between soldiers and footballers.

Emily Turner and Becky Coxan gave a notable speech, which was equally matched by the controversial, yet equally good speech ,by Luke Shield and Natalie Shaw. The long speech category, usually spoken by a duo, was dominated by Will Ford, who was seen writing his speech on a scrap piece of paper 30 minutes before the event started. Without notes, he stormed the audience with his usual charm and charisma, so stereotypical of Will Ford.

All in all, the night was a massive success, and a credit to the Lectern Committee who organized it. We were all delighted to be able to host the Headmaster for the evening, who we are sure enjoyed his first Lectern Club of the academic year. We all owe a large amount of gratitude to the staff who made the evening possible and an overwhelming success.

Varun Balupuri

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Autumn Term

Autumn CCF

Cadet SAAM A team of 8 cadets took part in the Cadet SAAM competition held at Strensall Training Camp, York in October. The team did exceptionally well in the shooting competition with the following successes: Corporals Arran Day and Chris Moore won the under 16 pairs shoot. Corporals Arran Day, Chris Moore, Flight Sergeant Rob Hall and Colour Sergeants Heather Appleby and Sam Hunter won the section shoot and Lance Corporal Hugh Carter and RSM Donna Opray did a sterling job as members of the butts party. Overall we were runners up in the contingent competition.

Colts Canter A strong team consisting of Warrant Officer Ed Grundy, Colour Sergeants, Adam Mason and Sam Hunter and Sergeants Hannah Byers, Emily Turner Adam Miller and Guy Van Den Dries were led by Section Commander, Sergeant James Dickinson throughout the annual Colts Canter Competition at Wathgill Training Camp, Catterick in October.

There was strong competition between the other 23 CCF teams and 21 ACF teams from the region, however, our Barney team had prepared well and excelled in the 1st aid, map reading, skill at arms and fieldcraft stands. The day concluded with a 5 mile forced march, carrying kit and weapons, which was rounded off with a timed shoot on the 100m outdoor range. Our team came a respectable second overall, only being 4 points behind the winning team.

Year 10 Weapon Handling Field Day 66 year 10 cadets took a day off timetable in October to enhance their training on the cadet GP rifle.

Throughout the day, they were taught a number of weapon drills including making the weapon safe, loading and unloading a magazine and the stoppage drills. The NCOs worked hard to make the learning interesting and exciting for the cadets. The latter part of the day was spent revising for their weapon handling test, which all 66 cadets successfully passed in December. Although this test must be taken every 6 months, a number of the cadets have already had the opportunity to fire blank rounds on exercise and live rounds at targets on an outdoor range.

The Barnardian Magazine

Remembrance Day Parade 20 cadets represented the Contingent at the Barnard Castle Remembrance Parade in November. All cadets were smartly dressed and lead the procession through to the cenotaph situated in the Bowes museum. RSM, Donna Opray, our senior cadet, laid a wreath on behalf of the CCF.

Jarvais Cup A team of Corporal Arran Day, Lance Corporal Hugh Carter, and Cadets Andrew Hutchon and Jonny Wanless took part in this indoor .22 shooting competition held at Durham TA Centre in November.

Barnard Castle School CCF came second in the competition, with Lance Corporal Hugh Carter winning the overall individual shoot.

Shooting Activity As well as CCF parade nights on a Monday, cadets have also had the opportunity to join the shooting activity on a Tuesday and shoot in the indoor range twice a week to perfect their marksmanship principles and shooting techniques using the .22 rifles. Flight Lieutenant Child, Major Hall and Mr. Lewis have coached a number of cadets throughout the year, who have benefitted from the regular practice.

CEH

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Autumn Term

History Auschwitz RS Beth Shalom

“

The Year 9 RS trip to Beth Shalom was once again a very moving experience.

Pupils spoke to a survivor of the Holocaust and learnt about life in the ‘ghettos.’ They also studied recent genocide in the world.

AJA

At 5 am on Wednesday, 13th October, two members of the Upper Sixth, Matt Emmerson and Tory Cliffe embarked on what would become an unforgettable day. It would unfold like this as a result of their destination – Oswiecim, Poland, aka Auschwitz.

The first location they visited was the town of Oswiecim itself. Here the students were shown the Jewish cemetery within the town. It demonstrated something which most people forget; there was a town before the camp. Seeing the gravestones added a whole new aspect to the holocaust. It emphasised that there had once been a thriving Jewish culture within the town, approximately 7,000 out of 12,000 inhabitants. At the end of the war, only 129 of these returned. Within the cemetery there is only one headstone which definitely marks a grave, Shimshon Klueger, the last Jewish resident of the town. The rest do not as they were simply put back there after they had been used by the Nazis to pave the streets of Oswiecim.

After this stark reminder of the people who were persecuted in the holocaust, the group then visited Auschwitz 1. This was the smaller of the two camps, something which one cannot comprehend until visiting Birkenau. Here you get the first glimpse of the true horror of the holocaust. As you walk under the sign bearing the Nazis’ most famous lie: “Arbeit Macht Frei”, the sense of where you are suddenly hits you and sends an unforgettable chill down the spine. You are shown rooms containing glass cases filled with human hair, children’s shoes and labeled suitcases. It is here that you experience an emotion known in Korean as “han”, sadness so strong that no tears come, but there is also hope; hope that such atrocities will never happen again.

The tour around the site continues and you see the relatively small gas chambers and crematoria, as well as Block 16, the prison within a prison, where prisoners were subjected to horrific punishments often for no real reason whatsoever.

The tour finished and people got back on to the coach. By this point, most were near silent, struggling to comprehend the enormity of what they had seen. However, within fifteen minutes one realises that what you saw at Auschwitz 1 was the tip of the iceberg, as the coach pulls up outside Auschwitz-Birkenau. The scale of the camp hits you.

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It is broadly divided into two, with the infamous train tracks running down the middle. Each half could comfortably fit a few football pitches, but that is a very conservative estimate. You get shown the barracks and only now do you truly understand how people lived here when you learn that a room less than 20 metres in length and ten wide and five high, would hold up to seven hundred people. You are then led to what remains of the gas chambers, and it is a blessing that they no longer stand because few would be able to stand the sight today.

The day ends with a memorial service next to the tracks, and a candle is lit by each person in remembrance. This last part is comforting. It gives us hope, as does a marking on the wall within one of the brick barracks. This one simple marking reassures us that even at the end of their days, when all else had been stripped of them, the people here still had their faith.

Matt Emmerson

”

On the 17th November, the whole of Year 9 went on a trip to Beth Shalom, a Holocaust Memorial Centre. Beth Shalom is on the edge of Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire. After rather a long journey, we arrived at about lunchtime and settled down to lunch in the gardens.

After splitting into groups, half of us went to look around the museum, some to walk around the memorial gardens and some to talk to a survivor of the Holocaust.

The memorial gardens are full of roses planted by relations of people who died in the Holocaust. It was very moving walking around and reading the plaques by each rose, saying things like ‘For my wonderful parents, terribly missed’ and ‘For the children we never knew’. As you came in, on your right, there was a huge pile of stones which was to commemorate every child lost in the Holocaust. Visitors were encouraged to put a pebble on the pile, to remember them.

In the museum, there were corridors full of pictures of the Jews being humiliated, information about the Holocaust and posters that were stuck up during that time. There was also a poignant film about the horror of living in the Ghettos, and being a Jew at the time of the Holocaust.

Finally, we made our way to where a Holocaust survivor was speaking. His name was Simon Winston.

He told us a fascinating story about his experience.

When the Germans transferred his family to a Ghetto, they managed to escape using gold ingots. They then hid in a number of places, including under a pigsty. His story was exciting, moving and gave us an insight into what it would have been like to be a Holocaust victim.

Fiona Matthews

The Barnardian Magazine

Autumn Term

Library visit Overseas at Christmas

“

It was amazing; we had dedicated staff members who stayed to help including the housekeeper, the cook, matron and even the Headmaster

”

On 3rd November we were delighted to welcome to the library G. P. Taylor a leading children’s author and speaker who gave a talk to all pupils in Year 7.

He is the author of several best-selling novels, including Shadowmancer, The Curse of Salamander Street, Wormwood and Tersias, as well as the Mariah Mundi trilogy.

A former vicar of Cloughton in Yorkshire, he entertained us and held the attention spans of everyone in the room with his hilarious stories of how he hung his friend outside a window and exorcised demons from a ladies radiator. Student participation added to the enjoyment and helped to demonstrate the art of characterisation. After the hilarities students were treated to book-signing and a chat with our guest. Not only did he entrance us with his stories he reminded us all of the enjoyment of reading and the importance of writing. The visit was a rousing success.

CLS

Overseas Students get VIP Treatment As the new term begins, Barnard Castle School students have returned from their homes in Hong Kong reflecting on an unforgettable journey.

As the winter term came to an end and they were ready to head home for the festive celebrations when their flight plans were hit by the heavy snow. Barnard Castle School was closed for Christmas and all the other pupils and teachers went home for the holidays.

But a team effort had to be put into action to support the stranded international students.

Director of overseas students Nick Connor said: “It was amazing; we had dedicated staff members who stayed to help including the housekeeper, the cook, matron and even the headmaster.”

Four days later the school was able to get them a flight – but from Paris – and a minibus was hired from local firm Hodgsons which drove them all the way to the French airport, escorted by the company director and his son.

The Barnardian Magazine

Air France then gave the students the fantastic news that they were all to be upgraded to business class for their flight home to Hong Kong.

Mr Connor said: “When we were at the airport I could see the stress the check in staff were under as it was such a chaotic time because of the awful weather and clearly they were having a very bad day.

I offered to buy them cups of coffee to calm them down and de-stress while I explained the difficult situation we were faced with in getting our students home. To my delight they offered to upgrade them all to business class, which was just fantastic.”

Throughout the students’ journey Nick kept in touch with the parents in Hong Kong explaining what was happening each step of the way. And he has received many thank you letters from parents who were grateful the school drove the extra mile.

Student Kevin To, 15, said: “The school has been brilliant and they helped us a lot. The journey home was hard but exciting at the same time. It was a really great experience flying business class and I will never forget it.”

2011

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Senior Common Room

Autumn Sports 1st XV Rugby

Captain: A. Robertson Team from: R. Abraham, K. Armstrong, K. Berounsky, A. Beaumont, M. Brown, A. Clarey, B. Clegg, N. Crowe, J. Dickinson, G. Van Den Dries, B. Duffield, D. Hall, A Harrison, J. Harrison, A. Hopkin, S. Hunter, C. Jones, J. Ingram, A. Lazaro, C. Legg, A. Lister, G. McGrath, F. Metcalfe, J. Peat, N. Phillips, D. Potts, T. Raw, L. Shield, L. Summers, I. Swall, F. Tait, B. Upton, G. Upton, M. Waldin, J. Webster, S. Webster, G. Woollard P 12/W 9/L 3/D 0 For 461, Ag 122, Tries 74, Cons 41, Pens 2, DG 1 Results: Durham Yarm QE Hexham RGS Pocklington Hymers Woodhouse Grove St. Peters St. Bees Sedbergh

won won won lost won won won won won lost

17-13 36-5 69-0 12-14 58-19 20-12 68-0 38-5 69-0 5-32

Daily Mail Cup Results: 62-7 QE Hexhamwon Durham lost

10-15

Leading Points Scorers: Tries Cons B Clegg 31 F Tait 12 A Beaumont 7 G Upton 6 2

Pens

Player of the Season: Alec Clarey Representative Honours: U18 County Schools: K. Armstrong, A. Beaumont, G. Van Den Dries, A. Harrison, D. Potts, I Swall MTP

2nd XV Rugby

DG

Total 62 60 35 34

37 players experienced 1st XV rugby this season.

Within that number there were only 6 Upper 6th who featured regularly.

The results should therefore be looked upon as been very positive with such a young set of players. The same cannot be said next season! Specific highlights of the season are the victories against Hymers and Durham in the first match of the season.

The welcomed, but unusual easy win against Woodhouse Grove was a pleasure to watch too.

Disappointment in the Daily Mail Cup and the defeat to RGS Newcastle when both games were easily winnable will hopefully serve as valuable lessons for this ‘young’ team. Kieran Armstrong was very effective again this season, earning him the Players’ Player of the Year, as was James Dickinson and the addition of Alec Clarey made them a very formidable front row. Ian Swall and Dan Potts forged a well balanced second row, whilst Angus Robertson, Guy Van Den Dries and Anthony Harrison emerged as a dynamic back row. Andy Lister made the scrum half spot his own although Luke Shield started to apply pressure towards the end of the season. Cameron Jones’ final season in the 1st XV was blighted by injury. He has been an outstanding ambassador for rugby at BCS. Bruce Clegg took his chances well, however, and finished the year full of confidence.

Chris Legg and Alex Beaumont produced a very

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physical and aggressive running centre partnership, when Chris was passed the ball. Greg Upton was able to add some guile, organisation and invention from fullback. Fin Tait demonstrated what an athlete he is by scoring 12 tries in the season, someone with genuine pace and finishing ability. Alex Hopkin and Grant McGrath also made very positive contributions from the wing. Alejandro Lazaro was a pleasure to have in the team; his ability to swerve and step will be difficult to match and his audacious drop goal will be remembered for ever.

The work Mr Woodward did in the Autumn Term on the fitness and general conditioning of the players demands a special mention. It was noted on several occasions how fit and well conditioned our players looked. His work on technical aspects in the gym added to her running/speed sessions have been well received by the players and I am aware of how they have benefitted individually and collectively. The players should also be indebted to Ian Peel for his expertise throughout the season. Our scrimmaging and general body position was a significant success, not just for the 1st XV but for others teams in the school too.

Captain Lucas Summers Team from: J Harrison, J Peat, W prior, N Crowe, N Phillips, S Webster, J Webster, G Woollard, J Ingram, T Raw, K Berounsky, A Lister, M Waldin, B Clegg, S hunter, D Wheeler, L Shield, G McGrath, L Summers (Capt), A Lazaro, M Ryvola, W Prior, N McGregor, C Gliniecki, E Grundy, A Ho. Lucas Summers captain’s commendations for top performing and most improved players.

Captain’s top performers: Alejandro Lazaro & Tom Raw Captain’s most improved: Tom Raw & Jim Webster & Dean Wheeler Results: Durham Duchess High School Penrith RGS Newcastle Pocklington Hymers Richmond School 1st XV Woodhouse Grove School St Peters St Bees Lanchester Kings Tynemouth Sedbergh School Austin friars

won 41-5 cancelled won 44-0 won 52-8 won 82-5 won 44-10 lost 5-36 won 62-3 won 44-24 won/conceded by Lanchester cancelled due to snow cancelled due to snow cancelled due to snow

I must admit that a pre season three session training game at Mowden Park did not suggest that vintage times lay ahead and rotating over 25 squad members meant we triumphed and were impressive in only one of the sessions but it served its purpose.

Good times were coming, and how!

Opening the season with a 41-5 victory over Durham School was a sweet Saturday afternoon. My top memory of this being not only the width of our attack but also the loud cries of “Ole” which echoed from the touchline every time Alexjandro Lazaro sidestepped an opponent on his way to a sparkling try scoring run that started five yards inside his own dead ball area. One hundred and five yards out, wow!

Cancelled against Duchess High we focused our attention upon Newcastle RGS and winning 52-8 felt like a good day at the office. Penrith visited next and went home conceding 44 points. Our pace to the outside and strong set piece laid a great platform and by the time we had demolished Pocklington by 82 points to 5 only Hymers stood in the way of a great first half of the season. By now the superb Tom Raw was pressing for a place in the first team and was nearly unplayable in terms of power and pace, though he did get ‘sat down’ by one small ‘Pocklet’ despite running over the same when scoring earlier. We all agreed it was one of the funniest moments of the season. Hymers came and Hymers went. More specifically, they went home having lost 44-10.

Confidence was high though perhaps a little complacency was creeping into some of our focus and preparation. Not surprising as we had been so strong but I feared it might be our undoing and following the half term break I was to be proved right as a banana skin from Richmond was heading our way.

Underestimating the determination of the home team and not preparing enough proved to be as effective as some of Richmond’s elder statesmen in giving them the edge in an aggressive encounter. On the back foot we missed a couple of our larger forwards and went down 36 to 5. The team were stunned by their naivety and spurred on by Lukas accepted responsibility for their own destiny and added extra self managed team practice in order to make sure they got back on track. Our next opponents were woodhouse Grove and we were keen to put the record straight. Winning 62-3 was music to our ears and the record played smoothly a beautiful victory march to back porch and some loud cheering.

Sadly for us our 44-24 win over St Peter’s was to be our last match and the prospect of getting stuck into St Bees, Kings Tynemouth, Austin friars, Sedbergh and Dame Allans faded as the snow mounted up and we had to settle for hoping that Durham School would agree to a date for our re match in the Co Cup. They were unable to do so and our chance of a ‘lovely jubbly’ double passed us by.

I am very pleased with the progress made by our squad and also by how many of them went on to play for Mr Pepper’s 1st XV. I am also indebted to Lucas as captain for his ability to perform on the field and for getting the best out of his players.

GB

With an average winning margin of forty points and eight tries per match this has been a superb season and (being unable to play five matches due to cancellation) only the weather and a banana skin at Richmond prevented it from being a record breaking year for this season’s outstanding second XV.

The Barnardian Magazine

Senior Common Room

3rd XV Rugby

Captain: Nick McGregor Team from: C Gonzalez-Valerio, G Hooker, D Keogh, W Prior, C Glinieki, J Gatenby, F Metcalfe, P Borer, E Grundy, X Remky, P Wickham, M Ryvola, A Wilson, A Mason, B Duffield, M Brown, A Ho, B Wilson, T Harrison, O Bianco, R Schmitt, O Zubenko

As always with 3rd XV squads, this was a most enjoyable season. What was especially pleasing, however, was the number of international players on show. Our teams included representatives from Spain (Carlos), Italy (Orazio Bianco), Germany (Xaver Remky and Robin Schmitt), the Cezch Republic (Martin Ryvola) and the Ukraine (Oleg Zubenko), many of whom were playing rugby for the first time. I know that they fully enjoyed this experience and many will continue to play 3rd XV rugby next year.

Finally, I should like to express my thanks to all parents and pupils who came to support us this year.

One word – unbeaten.

DSG

U16 XV Rugby

P 8/W 8/L 0/F 409/A 49 Results: Yarm RGS Newcastle QEGS Penrith Pocklington Hymers Woodhouse Grove St Peter’s Q.E. VI Form

won won won won won won won won

36-10 73-7 53-0 78-0 45-12 62-0 33-5 29-15

Unbeaten. One word that describes an extraordinary season – record points scored, fewest points conceded and, of course, eight convincing victories. In addition to these impressive statistics, however, this was a thoroughly enjoyable year because of the approach of all the players – enthusiastic, committed and good-humoured throughout. And, leading from the front as always, was the captain, Nick McGregor, who was simply inspirational throughout.

However, our first game against Yarm was probably our least impressive. Trailing by five points at half-time, a few tactical changes and the introduction of Peter Wickham at scrum-half ensured a convincing win by the final whistle. Peter was to have a key impact on all matches thereafter – his quick delivery and highly intelligent reading of the game always gave our threequarters the time they needed to run through their full repertoire of moves. Sixty-six tries says it all.

Our next six games produced very convincing victories. QEGS Penrith and Pocklington were outclassed by our back-line in particular with Mathew Brown and Ben Duffield each picking up a hatful of tries. Alex Wilson demonstrated what a really fine footballer he is at outside half and Adam Mason provided the Tindallesque power-running in midfield.

With Anthony Ho and Tom Harrison secure in the tackle and always providing attacking options, we knew that we could score from just about any position. And we did. Hymer’s College, Woodhouse Grove (in a much better game than the unpleasant encounter of last year) and St Peter’s were all dispatched with consummate ease.

Our final game of the season, against QE, Darlington, was our most competitive match. For the last three years we have come unstuck against our local rivals, allowing ourselves to be bullied by more aggressive forward play. Not this time. With Chris Glinieki and Carlos Gonzalez providing the muscle up front, and with James Gatenby, Patrick Borer and Will Ford adding strength to our pack, we overcame a spirited QE side in an excellent game. The two tries we conceded in the last five minutes rather flattered our opponents.

Captain: R. Abraham.

Team from: W. Barnes, R. Barrett, J. Beedle, D. Brown, N. Brown, I. Cameron, H. Carter, A. Day, S. Greaves, D. Hall, B. Jennings, C. Lee, C. Matthews, F. McBain, C. Moore, M. Pinkney, N. Packham, D. Swires, B. Upton.

Results: Durham School Yarm School Harton School RGS Newcastle Pocklington School Manor School Hymers School Hambleton and District St. Peter’s B

lost won lost won lost won won lost won

48-53 62-5 17-45 36-19 14-24 76-7 31-21 22-44 35-0

Leading points scorers: B. Upton

80

D. Hall F. McBain R. Abraham D. Brown

72 35 30 30

6 tries, 2 pens, 22 cons 10 tries, 11 cons 7 tries 6 tries 6 tries

The Yarm game showed the same attacking skills and better defence, whilst the Harton fixture really tested our defensive qualities, which were sound for the first half but fatigue showed in the second.

And so the season continued in similar vein, patches of real skill and effort and then passages of play that were frustrating to say the least. Impressive against RGS and Manor School but disappointing against Pocklington and Hambleton and District, the season ultimately finished with a convincing win against St Peter’s B side before the snow came and prevented any further fixtures.

What will I take from this season? A small group of players could produce some good rugby but on other occasions their efforts and determination seemed to disappear rather too easily. As a group, some members could be intolerant of others’ mistakes and this did exactly enhance team spirit. I was grateful to those players like Callum Matthews, Chris Moore, Hugh Carter, Matthew Pinkney and Dan Swires who always wanted to do their best. The forwards of Ian Cameron, James Beedle, Rory Abraham and Dan Brown could usually be relied upon to be direct and abrasive. The half-backs of Freddie McBain and Bret Upton could play purposefully and in the centre Dan Hall and Sean Greaves could be strong and direct.

Cedric Lee, Nick Packham, Rupert Barrett and even Ben Jennings on the wing had their moments.

In conclusion the boys did not let me down but equally they could have done better. I hope they enjoyed their rugby and I look forward to seeing them play in the senior sides. My thanks, then, to the parents for their support and to Mr Monument for his help with the coaching.

DCSE

U15 XV Rugby

P 9/W 5/L 4/F 341/A 218

The squad assembled for a day of pre-season training just prior to the term starting. Whilst not everyone was able to make this commitment the biggest effect on the team was the injury to Will Barnes, which prevented him from playing for the majority of the season.

Rory Abraham was elected to captain the side and he did a super job throughout. He certainly led by example but also set good standards with regard to commitment. His involvement with the senior squad later on in the season was thoroughly merited.

The first game against Durham was incredible! The side began by conceding straight away, then got a 20 point lead by half-time only for this to be whittled away and in the end we almost scored to tie the game. This game showed the sides talents; Bret Upton could pose threats, Dan Hall could run with great determination and Sean Greaves, Dan Brown and Rory Abraham all had their moments. The defending, however, left a little to be desired with too many expecting others to cover for them.

Captain: N Gilbertson Team From: C Harrison, M Jones, D Thompson, W Richardson, L Sowerby, B Wynn-Jones, N Gilbertson, J Coser, G Coser, K Wilson, W Grundy, I Gaskin, A Ghosh, J Raper, A Finkill, J Brogden, S Goyette & H Holden Results: Durham Yarm Harton RGS Newcastle Richmond & District Pocklington Hymers Woodhouse Grove St Peters Durham Richmond High Tunstall Carres Grammar School St Peters 7 A–Sides Ampleforth Bradford 10s Durham 7s County 7s BCS Challenge Cup

Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won Won Won Won Won Lost

52-35 61-0 62-0 29-24 72-7 23-12 52-0 41-7 35-0 23-12 DM 59-0 DM 64-10 DM 27-12 DM 18- 5 DM

Runner up Semi Final Plate Winners Winners 3rd

This has been another outstanding season for a very talented group of boys. It was hoped that we could have a good run in the prestigious Daily Mail Cup and improve on our results from last year.

(Continued >)

The Barnardian Magazine

2011

67

Autumn Sports Unfortunately we lost in our quest to get to the quarter finals of the Daily Mail to St Peters who we had beaten quite convincingly just two weeks prior.

This was still a good achievement: I would hope, however, that the team will build on this in future years under the direction of Mr Pepper.

During the scheduled season it was nice to see that we managed to turnaround the Pocklington result from last year. However, the Woodhouse Grove game was lost in the first 10 minutes which was slightly disappointing.

The 7s season was again successful without reaching the heights of last year. The Durham school 7s saw us win every game bar the first (Woodhouse Grove). However, getting beaten during injury time of the Bradford 7s semi final and losing in the final of the Ampleforth 7s was disappointing, especially as the team had led in the final and had the chance of winning the inaugural running of the BCS challenge cup until capitulating against a very good Woodhouse Grove team. Our only silverware of the season was winning the Durham County 7s.

I would also like to thank the occasional players who always supported the team from the sidelines. I would also like to publicly thank all the parents who have supported the boys in all types of weather throughout the couple of seasons and look forward to following the fortunes of a talented bunch of rugby players during the remainder of their school days and beyond.

MGL

U15B Rugby Team from: S.Everall(c), R.Amery, J.Beachamp, H.Carter, B.Crow, B.Earl, J.Goudie, S.Goyette, H.Holden, D.Holden-Dalby, G.Jones, T.Knox, N.Miller, C.Parnell, W.Richardson, A.Rowland-Jones, B.Spratt, M.Stirk, D.Thompson, J.Thorman, J.Watson, M.White.

P 10/W 5/L 4/D 1 Results: Durham Yarm RGS Newcastle Manor College Pocklington Hymers Woodhouse Grove St.Peters Lord Lawson Gosforth High

lost won won won won won lost lost drew lost

5-33 48-12 19-12 25-0 35-0 17- 34 24-27 0-26 29-29 10-43

The team played with heart and enthusiasm and, at times, a certain amount of skill. We lost some key players to the A team; Harry Holden was a great loss, but it is pleasing to see him developing so well, he is keen to learn.

James Beauchamp is a natural games player and created most of our flowing moves. Sam Goyette, another player who earned A team honours, is a good tackler and incisive runner. The forwards worked hard to secure good ball for us and Alex Roland Jones was always keen to carry the ball forward; James Goudie got around the park well, securing ball at the break down and punching well above his weight. I hope the players enjoyed the season as much as I did and look to representing the School in the future. The character they showed, especially in winning the away game at RGS Newcastle, was commendable.

BCU

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U14 Rugby Team: B. Lilley, M. Moss, J. Beckwith, , D. Hewitson, B. Pullan, J. Davidson, T. Adamson, H. Glover, M. Hargrove, S. Leaming, E. Kelsall, C. WaiterMackenzie, O. Pearce, S. Theakston, G. Hall, B. Tremewen, L. Ononeze, A. Keogh A gruelling schedule of fixtures awaited the squad in September, as we trained for the first time one sunny afternoon I wondered if the boys could imagine just how far they would come in the months ahead. Eight fixtures lay ahead in what would prove to be a period of growth for a team coming of age.

As a squad we were always aware that we would have difficult games against many of the best teams in the region, and sure enough that was the case.

Looking at the results it is easy to be disheartened however for those of us who were there, the results do not tell the whole story: The squad although outsized by many opponents, have worked together tirelessly to improve upon there own technique, attitude and effort and I can honestly say that the way in which this team has developed and improved from September through the season has been excellent.

There attitude on the training field has been very good and there willingness to learn new patterns of play and moves has set them up with the tools to build upon for next season. The squad is full of talented players with potential and I am sure that this potential will be realised in the near future.

Well done and thank you.

LDM

U14B Rugby Squad: Ben Pullan (Captain), Tom Adamson, Joe Bolton, James Davidson, Andrew Fearneyhough, Matthew Fearneyhough, Joseph Ferguson, Sam Graham, Matthew Hunter, Arran Keogh, Oliver Larcombe, Al Lea, Zach Lucas, Nicolas Moore, Dylan Oliver, Joe Scott, Alex Sowerby, Tom Sowerby, Tim Stirke, Ben Tremewan, Jack Wardle and James Wren.

Results: Durham School Yarm St Hilds (Cup) RGS Newcastle Pocklington Hymers College Woodhouse Grove

lost won lost lost won lost won

17 – 31 14 – O 0 – 50 37 – 5 55 – 0 7 – 22 32 – 5

I have been very fortunate having the privilege to coach this group of players for a second season. It has been a delight watching them improve and develop over the past two years. One of the easiest ways to measure improvement is by comparing results on the field. Last year they lost narrowly to Pocklington School, this year they won 55-0.

Twelve months ago they lost to Woodhouse Grove, this year they won away from home, 32-5.

Ben Pullen continued to captain the side and has the respect of all members of the squad. This is true team, a team with tremendous spirit. Ben Tremewan, Tim Stirke and Tom Adamson were very effective forwards, supported by James Davidson, Al Lea, Oliver Larcombe, Nicholas Moore and Tom Sowerby.

Joe Bolton and Arran Keogh both showed great determination in the backs. Andrew and Matthew Fearneyhough continued to improve and offered a great deal in all areas, both attack and defence. Alex Sowerby, James Wren and Joe Scott remain stalwarts of this team, offering a reliable presence at all times.

Competition for places was fierce and competitive, with individuals playing out of position in order to accommodate team-mates. The on field atmosphere was outstanding, with support and encouragement readily available when it was required. The fifteen players on the field were supported by a large and able group on the substitutes’ bench. It was pleasing to see so many boys representing the School, some this season, for the first time.

Practices were enjoyable, competitive and fun.

Sadly, I doubt I will be lucky enough to take this group again next year. It has been a delight being associated with them and I would like to wish them good luck for the future.

DWD

U13 Rugby Team from: H. Barkes (capt), S. Adamson, J. Blackburn, J. Ellis, A. Ferguson, J. Hardy, J. Hetherington, R. Holden, T. Hunter, J. Jennings, D. Maidwell, J. Marston, T. Metcalfe, T. Metcalf, B. Roddam, C. Simpson, S. Stainthorp, N. White A tough season for the under 13’s with six wins and one draw out of thirteen games probably a fair reflection of how the season went. There was some attractive rugby played, by both forwards and backs. The pack held their own in the scrum and won a lot of ball against the head.

When meeting larger opponents on occasion our tackling deserted us, however our head never dropped and the boys always gave there all.

During the sevens season the team were deserved winners of the County competition without losing a game. The team were pipped in the plate final at Woodhouse Grove 7’s in what was a very tough competition. The boys brought home there second piece of silver wear (well baked goods) winning the Stottie Cup at Mowden Hall. The season ended at the National School 7’s at Rosslyn Park with the team managing two excellent wins in the group stages before losing to eventual finalists Whitgift in the final group game.

I would like to thank Mr Everall, Mr Lewis, Mr Connor and Mr Monument for there help over the season and for the fantastic support from the parents for both home and away matches. I believe that this squad will go on to achieve bigger and better things and I will always have one eye on there progress.

JWL

U13B Rugby Results: Cundall Manor Newcastle School for Boys Grindon hall St Martins Ampleforth Woodhouse Grove Durham Hymers Sedbergh Juniors Pocklington St Olaves RGS Newcastle Yarm

won won won won won won won won won lost lost drew

70-0 55-0 48-5 47-0 38-14 14-10 38-14 24-0 7-44 0-44 17-17

Virgil once remarked, “They can because they think they can.” This seemed to be the story of what ended up to be a very good season for the U13 B team.

The Barnardian Magazine

The season’s fixtures commenced against Yarm, the boys were up for the game, but this well drilled opposition were just as strong on the day. Coming from behind and showing a great team spirit, Angus Ferguson and Dan Brown scored fantastic tries to draw the game. The coaching staff stepped up the training and the squad reacted and a well disciplined machine was beginning to form. In the following weeks, the boys had good wins over Pocklington and Sedbergh with Josh Bloomfield putting in some very strong tackling. Around this time of the season there were A- team call-ups for Ben Roddam, Dan Brown and Angus Ferguson, finally adding quality to the U13 A team.

The squad was bolstered by newcomer Alfred Tsoi and Anthony Pearce, known as the gazelle who really added to the “Lion hearts,” with Alfred playing well against Grindon Hall and Anthony scoring a great touchline try at Pocklington. The moral was high with Captain Josh Picken kicking 100 points and with Alex Ingram on the wing, the squad was able to reform and up their game against Durham, Hymers and St Martin St Martin – Ampleforth, winning all three games.

Throughout the season Owen Carter and Chris Douglas played exceptionally and could not be faulted for their attitude and game play. A tough game followed with Woodhouse Grove, but Cieran Spence, Matthew Raper, Tom Matcalfe who are all tough, naturally strong forwards made sure of victory.

The final game of the season must go Harry McGuire, Edward Young and Matthew Stirke made sure of an 83% unbeaten record during the season.

A special mention must go to the Josh Picken, the captain, for his enthusiasm.

NJC

U12 Rugby Captain: Z. Day Squad: N. Bridger, D. Custance, H. Thompson, G. Johnstone, D. Burnett, M. Moss, J. Pickering, C. Glover, M. Thompson, J. Clouston, S. McCall, L. Conner, A. Farr, A. Usher, J. Dickinson, A. Tsoi.

Results: Yarm won Aysgarth won RGS Newcastle lost St. Olaves lost Hymers won Woodhouse Grove lost Durham School won Ian Ramsay won (opposition on school trip! Cup game.)

Harton won St Martin’s won

10 – 7 33 – 0 5 – 10 0 - 62 24 - 5 0 – 14 46 – 5

33 – 0 35 – 7

This is one of the best set of results that I’ve had from an U12 side for some time. They only lost to our usual toughest three opposition teams. However, I am convinced that Newcastle were beatable if we had another 5 minutes.

The Yarm game is always our first and it always gives me an indication as to how the season is going to go even if we don’t win. I have always maintained that you are only as good as your defence and it was great to see that the school was going to have a hard hitting and very defensive number 10 and 12 in Joe Pickering and Zak Day. There is no doubt in my mind that if it hadn’t been for there defensive covering that our results would not have been half as good.

Considering that some players hadn’t picked up a rugby ball before I think that the development of the players has been super as the season progressed and I thank Mr Pepper and Mr Monument for their coaching role in the team’s improvement- Jack Dickinson and John Clouston who both picked up awards for most improved players.

The Barnardian Magazine

The U12 side at Barney always seems to be small compared to other teams and winning scrums has always been a problem. However the front row of Bridger, Custance and Thompson proved a worthy match for all our opposition – especially once their fitness levels improved!

The 7’s season went pretty well but losing Zak very early due to injury always meant that success was going to be limited. We weren’t very strong in depth and we lost in the semi-final of all of the tournaments that we entered. We could do with a few extra pace men coming into the year group as the years pass.

I have very much enjoyed taking these young men and I have no doubt that we will see great things from them as they develop their playing careers year by year. I will look forward to the day I see them march out on to the first team pitch!

MHN

U12B Rugby Team: T. Crowther, A Howarth, D. Roberts, A. Farr, A. Booth, M. Dalton, A. Usher, D. Burnett, T. Mathews, J. Stevens, T. Greaves, A. Mackay, A. Rusk, J. Raw, W. Carter, T. Carter, T. Wilkinson, C. Lewis, M. Thompson, U. Abbasi, J. Andrew.

The season began on a dark September’s afternoon; nervous faces huddled around the back porch unsure of what lay ahead. Many of the boys had never experienced contact rugby before, and with a fiercely tough fixture list we all knew there was plenty to learn before our first match.

I was very impressed by the attitude of the group as a whole, as the boys were never afraid to try new things even when confronted with the fear of “this might smart a bit”, and when the weather closed in twenty two smiling faces would still arrive for a games session asking what are we learning today sir? It was this enduring will to learn and progress that has made the season so enjoyable for all involved. I am sure that the players will concur that we have come a very long way and we are still only scratching the surface of achieving to our potential.

U12B rugby really does capture the pure essence of rugby; the enjoyment it can bring, the camaraderie not to mention the physical benefits. This set of young men has embraced these points and all of us await the commencement of next season eagerly.

LDM

Girls 1st Hockey

Team from: Anna Dawson (C), Rachel Brown, Jess Scott, Jasmin Jenkinson, Brooke Goudie, Helen Simpson, Donna Opray, Hannah Byers, Emma Peat, Emily Turner, Katherine Walton, Gaby Hazell, Lottie Holmes, Jess Thompson, Jess Brice, Helen Alderson, Sophie Thompson, Tory Richardson, Rebecca McKitton

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t work together the team won’t be worth a dime.” (Babe Ruth) There are many ways to judge success. Some will say that results are the most important thing. I disagree, although our results are the best of any 1st XI Hockey team in the school’s history. Others will say that skill levels are crucial. I agree that they are important, but if skill was everything then why make sport competitive? Are the most skilful players always the ones with the greatest desire?

No. The thing that, more than anything else, defines success in a team sport is teamwork. One of the best things I can say about this year’s team is that no-one enjoyed playing them. When we had the ball we were skilful and imaginative going forward. When the opposition had the ball we gave them no respite, no easy time and no chance to dwell on the ball. We played the best schools the north east could throw at us and, with the exception of an excellent Durham School team, won every game.

Last year Yarm School 1st XI played our 2nd XI and won. The result this time reflected the true standard of play – we could have won by a lot more. The match against Durham School was a classic. Both teams played fantastic hockey and created chances to win.

Any result other than a draw would have been a travesty. Rebecca McKitton, in her first 1st XI game, was given a baptism of fire. Despite the fact that she was trembling like a trifle in a hurricane for the whole game, she made some excellent saves!

Pocklington were next. They had an England schoolgirl player who dominated their team. We had 11 skilful players who wanted to win. No contest. There were two defining moments for me. The first was how we scored two goals while one of our players was sin-binned and the second was when a member of the U14 team who was watching the game commented, “Are you allowed to be so aggressive?” Yes you are – that’s how you win games.

An emotional fixture against Richmond School followed, before we played St Peter’s. Jack Dempsey, a famous boxer, once said that, “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t”. For the second year running we beat them after going 1-0 down. The game against St Bee’s was noticeable for Rachel Brown getting on the scoresheet twice after three brilliant year’s service for the 1sts.

Another tough, pulsating match against Durham School followed. Will the girls ever understand the damage such games can wreck with a coach’s heart?

A draw was another fair result. Emmanuel College came next and they played the game in the right spirit and greatly impressed us. A victory against Hymers followed. They are among the toughest of opponents and victory, our first for a while, was sweet. (Hymers, it must be said, got their own back in the North-Eastern finals later in the season, beating us with a goal in the last minute. Very good luck to them and I hope that they did well in the next round – a very good team.)

The match against Giggleswick was very closely fought. In fact it was a fairly dirty affair with both sides giving as good as they got. We won a closely fought, and not particularly skilful, encounter. The matches against King’s Tynemouth and Casterton also saw us on the winning side. Then winter came early and we were denied any further chances.

(Continued >)

P 12/W 10/D 2/L 0/F 50/A 6 Full Colours: Anna Dawson, Rachel Brown, Jess Scott, Jasmin Jenkinson, Brooke Goudie. Half Colours: Helen Simpson, Hannah Byers, Emma Peat, Emily Turner

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Autumn Sports The players we had were fantastic all season. Naming individuals detracts from the fact that we were a complete team that did not depend on stars, but I must mention some of our upper 6th players. Their baptism into 1st team hockey two years ago was hard, but they have come back stronger and harder.

Brooke Goudie and Helen Simpson have epitomised the strong work ethic the team has and have been invaluable this season. Jasmin Jenkinson is one of the best goalkeepers I have seen and the same is true of Jess Scott at centre forward. Rachel Brown is the best passer of the ball I have seen in thirteen years at Barney.

As for our captain, Anna Dawson, I cannot speak highly enough. She has played through innumerable injuries without a murmour of complaint (most players who have dislocated their shoulder would prefer to miss the next game!) and has played with a skill and intensity that you do not usually see at schoolgirl level. All of them leave with the school’s thanks and best wishes for the future.

We don’t buy players in. We don’t rely on scholarship players to win us games, unlike some other schools. Our players are born and bred at Barney. Above all, we remember the words of Kipling and try to “meet with triumph and disaster and treat these two impostors just the same”. Next year it will be hard to achieve what we did in this, but we will be ready for the challenge.

MPI

Girls 2nd Hockey Captain: Harriet Knowles Vice Captain: Emma Anderson Squad: Jess Brice, Harriet Knowles, Donna Opray, Josie Amery, Emma Anderson, Kat Walton, Paige Wilkinson, Victoria Richardson, Helen Alderson, Hannah Robertson, Charlotte Dickinson, Harriet Mchugh, Rebecca Mckitten, Sophie Wray, Sophie Brown, Sophie Thompson, Lottie Holmes, Jess Roberts, Katie Ferguson, Jess Thompson, Chloe Thacker, Gabbie Hazell P 8/W 6/L 2/D 0/F22/A6

It was another good year for the 2nd team losing only two matches in what was a shortened Hockey season due to the heavy snow we had at the end of November.

The girls have proved a match for most 2nd teams they have come up against this year and will no doubt be hoping to avenge the disappointing results against St Peters and Pocklington in the Autumn of 2011. My pick of the results has to be the wins against Giggleswick and Hymers, the girls were unstoppable in both these matches and played the opposition off the pitch dominating from start to finish.

It was great working with the second team girls and I have enjoyed every minute of it, even when I was jumping up and down on the side line when things didn’t go as planned shouting “Stop shovelling the ball and start passing to each other!”

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my captain Harriet Knowles and Vice Captain Emma Anderson who have played in the 2nd team for all three of their senior years and will be sorely missed in the Autumn both on and off the pitch.

As always to the girls who will be here next year see you at pre season and I look forward to seeing you force your way into the 1st XI, to the girls who will not be here I wish you a fond farewell and the best of luck in the future.

CJG

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Girls 3rd Hockey Captain: Jessica Roberts Vice Captain: Harriet Ward Squad: Jess Brice, Paige Wilkinson, Helen Alderson, Hannah Robertson, Charlotte Dickinson, Harriet Mchugh, Rebecca Mckitten, Sophie Wray, Sophie Brown, Sophie Thompson, Jess Roberts, Katie Ferguson, Chloe Thacker, Lauren Cardin-Grigg, Jess Allison Hughes, Hannah Pullen, Caroline Simpson, Olivia Metcalf, Vicky Mckay, Harriet Ward, Imogen Richardson, Natalie Shaw, Alice Mcbain, Megan Concalves-Collins P 4/W 1/L 1/D 2/F 10/A 10

It was another good year for the 3rd team losing only one match in what was a shortened Hockey season due to the heavy snow we had at the end of November.

The results don’t really show how much the 3rd team have improved this year from previous years. The only loss was a very disappointing game against St Peters in which whatever could have gone wrong did, add to that the girls who played had very poor games and the result was a 5-1 loss. Apart from this one off performance the 3rd team played some great hockey this year and could have/should have won both the matches against Pocklington, a very exciting 4-4 Draw and a nail biting 22 Draw against Polam Halls 1st team where we were 20 up at half time.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my captain Jess Roberts and Vice Captain Harriet Ward.

As always to the girls who will be here next year see you at pre season and I look forward to seeing you force your way into the 2nd XI, to the girls who will not be here I wish you a fond farewell and the best of luck in the future.

CJG

Girls U16 Hockey Captain: Katie Ferguson Squad: Rebecca Mckitten, Abbie Glowienko, Amanda Usher, Jess Allison Hughes, Sophie Brown, Chloe Thacker, Tamsin Brown, Niamh Tait, Emily Newton, Vicky Mckay, Caitlin Bainbridge, Olivia Metcalf, Thea Thompson, Imogen Richardson, Gabbie Hazell, Lottie Holmes, Jess Thompson P 6/W 4/L 2/D 0/F 14/A 9

Another good season for the U16 squad with very good 5-1 wins against Durham school and Kings Tynemouth.

In the National Cup we went through as County Champions to the North East Finals held on 15th November at Leeds University. In our group we had to play Northumberland runners up and West Yorkshires Champions which was by far the most difficult group (West Yorkshire two years won the National Cup at U14). Despite our group we managed to progress through to the semi finals as Group runners up losing to West Yorkshire 4-1 but beating Northumberland 1-0. In the Semi final we played Ampleforth (North Yorkshire Champions) and unfortunately ran out of steam after a hard Qualifying group losing 3-1 and with it went our dreams of reaching the North Finals for another year.

CJG

Girls U15 Hockey

Squad: Tamsin Brown (C) Team from: Abbi Glowienko, Helen Stephenson, Iona Borer, Bekki Westgarth, Amanda Usher, Niamh Tait, Thea Thompson, Jenny Stephenson, Caitlin Bainbridge, Emily Newton, Becky Fraser, Kim Brolly, Rachel Pratt.

Results: Giggleswick Grammar School at Leeds Hymers King’s Tynemouth Pocklington St Bees St Peters Yarm

won won won won won won lost won

5-1 5-0 7-1 2-0 9-0 9-0 1-2 5-0

P 8/W 7/L 1/D 0

This was a fantastic season for this very strong U15 team. Their commitment to training and matches must be commended as should their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Each training session saw progression in individual players and as a group their understanding of movement, on and off the ball, improved dramatically. Particular congratulations to Tamsin who captained the team and to Jenny who was, by far, the most improved player of the season.

We started the season at home with a convincing win against Yarm, which was followed by an even stronger win against Pocklington the following week; this was a very promising start for our forwards with 14 goals being scored over 2 matches. We then went to St Peters where we faced a very evenly matched team. This was an end to end game with several opportunities being taken but also missed by both teams. The end score was 2 to St Peters and 1 to BCS; a good win for them but a very frustrating loss for us. The rest of our matches were challenging, fun and always tiring, particularly for the midfield.

However, the end result was always the same – a convincing win for BCS. Unfortunately, out of a possible 16 matches, only 8 were played. At the start of the season several of the matches were cancelled by the opposition, they were clearly scared by the strength of this BCS team. The other matches were cancelled at the end of November and through December due to snow and ice, a very unfortunate combination on ‘all-weather’ pitches!

I have really enjoyed coaching this group of girls and I have been very impressed with their commitment to hockey. I hope that they continue to work hard to improve their skills as many of them should be looking to get a place on the 1st XI next year.

LJS

The Barnardian Magazine

Girls U14 Hockey

Girls U13 Hockey

Girls U12 Hockey

Captain: K Body Team from; E Ferguson, C Atkinson, J Metcalf, L Greaves, L Bussey, E Robson, L Knight, J Hunter, S Stephenson, L Bloomfield, S Currah, F Pollock.

Captain: K. Borer Team from: E. Beauchamp, E. Everall, B. Findlay, A. Gilligan, C. Harris, A. Jackson, A. Martin, P. Maw, P. Naesby, S. Pratt, C. Robertson, S. Scanlan, E. Thorman, A. Whitehead, H. Wynn-Jones.

Captain: A. Ridley Team from: C. Waldin, I. Hewitson, F. Summers, S. Nichols, E. Gossage, B. Wilson. B Squad: K. Hodgson, F. Waiter-Mackenzie, C. McEwan, L. Newton, J. Hall, E. Porter, K. Rhodes, R. Wilkinson.

Yarm (Away) Pocklington (Away) Casterton (Away) Durham High (Home) St Peter’s (Home) Hymers (Home) Giggleswick (Home) Durham School (Home) GS at Leeds Sedbergh (home) RGS Newcastle (Away) Ampleforth (Away)

lost 6-1 lost 4-1 cancelled cancelled drew 1-1 lost 2-0 won 2-1 cancelled won 2-0 cancelled cancelled cancelled

The Under 14 team has proved one of my greatest hockey challenges to date. They have been one of the most rewarding but also frustrating teams I have had the pleasure to coach. They were a team full of potential but lacking in confidence as a team.

The first two games of the season proved this with two defeats that could have been avoided given greater confidence and commitment. With this in mind, it was a challenge I was happy to take on and I began with changing a mindset to much a more positive one Changes to positions were made and everyone was made to understand their roles within a game. A combination of hard work on the teams part, and the time spent playing against the year above meant that they developed the required competitive edge. This had a major impact on their ability to compete for the ball and get them into a more competitive frame of mind.

As the season progressed so did their skill level, understanding and more importantly positive determination to score and pressure the opposition.

Teams such as St Peters who are always strong, were a good test of the team, and a draw was a good result.

The hard work from the girls paid off and winning started to become a habit. It was a shame that, as the team came together, so the snow came down. The second half of the season was a whitewash (with snow) so games had to be cancelled. It was an abrupt end to the season but one which was a complete turnaround and I have no doubt that they will continue to evolve and go from strength to strength over the next couple of seasons. They have been a pleasure to coach.

AA

The Barnardian Magazine

Cundall Manor Pocklington Casterton Durham High Terrington Hall St Bees Yarm Hymers Durham School Kings Tynemouth Giggleswick Red House St Olave’s Leeds Grammar St Martin’s Richmond RGS Newcastle Queen Mary’s

A lost lost draw draw

1-5 0-1 1-1 0-0

won 4-0 lost 0-2 lost 0-6 won 3-0 cancelled won 4-1 won 2-0 lost 1-2 lost 0-6 cancelled cancelled cancelled cancelled

B lost

0-5

won

2-1

Won

6-0

cancelled

I have been delighted with the progress that this enthusiastic group of players have made over the season. Having previously only played seven aside matches in Year 7, they quickly adapted their skills and improved their fitness to prepare for a full sided game on a larger pitch.

With the first three matches away from home, the girls were excited about travelling, but unfortunately didn’t return to school victorious, with the opportunity to cheer on the Central Hall table (a tradition held only for successful teams!). It took a while for the girls to gel together and realise the demands of their individual positions and work as a tight defensive unit.

The team were unlucky against Casterton School.

Barney scored just before the half time. Casterton pressurised in the second half, our defence panicked, and despite some good goal keeping by Bethan Findlay an own goal was conceded.

The highlight of the season was a spectacular victory away against St Bees. The team kept possession well using strong, accurate passes and Sarah Scanlan scored all four of the Barney goals.

Emma Beauchamp had a super game in defence and there was very little involvement for our goal keeper on this occasion as the opposition struggled to penetrate the goal circle.

A special mention must go to Kerin Borer, Philippa Maw and Sarah Scanlan who were selected to represent the School in the U14 North of England Hockey Semi-Final. Bad weather towards the end of the season meant that many fixtures were cancelled, but the team can be proud of the progress they have made and look forward to greater success next term.

TCB

U12 A Results: Pocklington Durham Choristers Yarm Hymers Durham St Anne’s Windermere Giggleswick Red House Cundall Manor St Olave’s Leeds Grammar School Polam Hall St Martin’s

lost 1-3 draw 2-2 lost 1-5 lost 15-0 won 7-0 cancelled won 5-0 won 3-1 lost 1-3 won 2-1 draw 1-1 cancelled cancelled

The U12 A team was fortunate to have many members moving up from their Prep School team. The team had been very successful in Prep School, but soon realized that in Senior School they needed to work hard and put in an entire team effort to win. They started their season with a tough loss against Pocklington. Each game following Pocklington the girls improved greatly in their skill, communication and use of space on the pitch. They had the will to win and put in the practice time to reach their goals. They succeeded with great wins against Durham High, Giggleswick, Red House, and St. Olave’s as well as draws against Durham Choristers and Leeds Grammar School. Led by Alice Ridley these girls’ showed great commitment and enthusiasm.

U12 B Results: Pocklington Durham Choristers Yarm Hymers Sunderland High St Anne’s Windermere St Olave’s Leeds Grammar School Polam Hall

lost 2-3 lost 2-3 won 2-1 lost 12-0 won 9-0 cancelled lost 1-3 lost 3-4 cancelled

The B team was made up of many players who were new to hockey. All of the girls worked very hard in training and were able to improve very quickly.

The team impressed with their determination despite starting the season with tough losses to Pocklington and Durham Choristers. They managed excellent wins against Yarm and Sunderland High.

With more practice and playing experience, the team will be successful in future seasons. Additionally, the girls’ demonstrated gracious sportswomen like attitudes in even the most difficult competitive moments.

All of the U12 girls were a pleasure to coach. I wish them all the best in future hockey seasons.

EMB

2011

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Spring Term

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The Barnardian Magazine

Spring Term

Public Speaking

“

The quality caused its usual dilemma: how to find a winner

Inter House Public Speaking competition

”

As ever, the audience was treated to an eclectic mix of content and delivery style, although to be fair in the latter regard it was all high quality, a factor fully admired by our adjudicator, Mrs J Mooney.

Governor of HMYOI Deerbolt.

Intermediate House Speaking Competition The annual competition convened again in Big School on March 10th with a team of 4 representing each house.

We were very fortunate to have an esteemed adjudicator this year with Governor Mooney judging the competition.

There were plenty of nervous twitches and pacing about as a large crowd of staff and pupils gathered.

Tees House started the competition with a speech about the merits of prep being set every night and they set the bar high for the subsequent teams. Mrs Mooney rightly praised all the teams as everybody kept their nerve and delivered polished and well researched speeches. Marwood House were well deserved winners with an excellent debate on the importance of gaining academic qualifications. Team captain Lizzie Knight came up to receive the trophy on behalf of the House.

MLW

The Barnardian Magazine

Longfield started the evening with a lucid assault on the insidious negativities of sexism. Tees followed this with a (justified) complaint about the trivialising excesses of ‘celebs’, so gushingly delineated by “OK” and its ilk.

Shakespeare/Macbeth would certainly have identified with North’s wise observations about “vaulting ambition,” while those with any interest in the legal system would have warmed to Bowes’ argument that very little is black and white: justice is often a shade of grey, a nice mix of aggravation and mitigation. As Eddie Carbone says, “All the law is not in a book.”

Footballing wealth was next to demand our attention as Dale House questioned the true value of Premiership salaries, and bang up to date, Durham sought (successfully) to adjust our/my resistant perceptions of social networking sites. The last 2 teams, York and Marwood, took us into very cerebral territory as we were asked to wrestle with notions of ethics, conscience and religion.

The quality caused its usual dilemma: how to find a winner and Mrs Mooney was at pains to stress show tight the competition had been. However, there had to be a winner and this year Durham walked off with the trophy. Congratulations go to Harry Bainbridge, Tom Harrison and Will Ford.

AMW

2011

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Lectern Club 01 >>

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In the past few years, the Lectern Club has returned to the centre of the sixth form’s attention as one of the more enjoyable events of the social calendar, following a brief hiatus.

The most recent of these, last Thursday, proved to be no exception. Merely hours after posters bearing the movie poster of a Monty Python classic and Douglas Adam’s infamous 42 appeared, many young speakers were developing strong headaches. The title of The Meaning of Life was clearly a difficult one to break down.

The night, however, did not disappoint. The three male figures on the committee opened the evening; Nicholas Crowe welcomed everyone, James Ingram presented the kitchen staff with a gift for their hard efforts and Harry Bainbridge read a passage from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for an “alternative perspective” on the meaning of life. The short speeches, following a starter of duck paté, were captivating, serious and witty. Lectern Club rookie Thomas Harrison took the sought-after prize in this category with his Alan Partridge and David Brentesque look at the modern economy. The longer speeches arrived after steak and chips and, much to the audience’s delight, were equally as enthralling and thought-provoking, with veteran of the lectern Neil Stanwix impressing the Committee the most.

Following weeks of meticulous preparation, the Lectern Club Committee seemed exceptionally pleased with the event. Chairman Nicholas Crowe said “The speeches tonight were, without a doubt, the highest standard I have seen at any Lectern Club”, whilst Harry Bainbridge, Committee member and Head of Durham House added “It was fantastic to see two Durham House boys win tonight. This certainly presents me with a tough decision to make for the Inter-House Public Speaking competition.” It was a hugely successful, enjoyable night for all that certainly will not be forgotten. All eyes are surely fixed on the Today Board for the unveiling of the theme of the final Lectern Club of this year.

Harry Bainbridge

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The Barnardian Magazine

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The ‘Triple Crown’ is an honour usually associated with the annual RBS Six Nations rugby tournament, when one nation of the United Kingdom is successful in defeating the other three. It is not an award associated with public speaking or, for that matter, public speaking at Barnard Castle School.

However, following the final Lectern Club of the academic year, one member of the Sixth Form walked away triumphant with the achievement of his own ‘Triple Crown’. Tom Harrison, a member of the eloquent Durham House, added victory in the Long Speech category to his previous successes in the Short Speech and the Public Speaking competitions – an achievement that has left the young man from Gainford beaming ever since. Arriving at the school the following day, dressed in his sharp new suit provided by the Dress and Appearance committee, it was clear that Tom had found a new joie de vivre.

This accolade was hardly unprecedented. His past efforts have been outstanding, particularly as he is still a lightweight rookie in the world of public speaking.

However, the competition was exceptionally strong. Emily Turner opened with her views on the category chosen by Mrs Beaty, “Future Memories”, with a strong and engaging effort. The Lectern Club is no stranger to controversy, and Sophie Thompson provided enough with her speech, entitled ‘To My Dearest’ – addressing her grandchild of the future – to fuel a tabloid newspaper for some time. The stormy debates continued as Matt Emmerson stepped up to the lectern with five minutes of vocal criticism of Israel and its politics.

The attention was then turned to Tom Harrison, and his speech ‘The Real Head of School’. Introduced by Head of School Nic Crowe, the speech already had a witty beginning. Tom delivered his speech faultlessly, combining wit and thought-provoking points. The speech concluded to a tremendous applause and standing ovations from some.

That said, if there is one rule everyone should live their life by, it is this: Never write off Will Ford. Will’s natural intelligence and flair for public speaking are the positives to his work ethic and questionable hair styles. His vocalisation of the topic was as consistently good as ever, including the classic Ford wit and phrases to make the mind boggle – “pallid zenith” for one. Certainly, there were disputes around the Lectern Club committee’s table as the decision was such a tough one. Harrison emerged victorious, with housemate Ford in a close second.

Earlier in the evening, the Short Speech competition was a closely fought battle. Ben Jeffrey opened proceedings with a stirring tribute to Varun Balupuri, followed by Chris Bury’s ‘Déjá Vu’. Heather

The Barnardian Magazine

Appleby then made her debut with ‘Making Memories’. Peter Wickham discussed unsung heroes whilst Natalie Shaw looked at bad memories with one eye on the crisis in Libya. Sam Oakes advised that we live for the moment and Cameron Jones’ speech, ‘The Road Not Taken’ incorporated Robert Frost’s famous poem, suggesting that we go down the harder paths in our lives for the benefits in the long run. Luke Shield closed the category with a clever, different, Who Am I?-esque biography of Libertine Pete Doherty. The standard of speeches across the night was exceptional but, unfortunately, not everyone can win. Chris Bury finally took the spoils at the third attempt, with Heather Appleby grabbing second place.

Overall, this year’s Lectern Clubs have grown from strength to strength, always leaving everyone with a smile on their face. I would like to thank everyone who spoke over the course of the year, Mrs Beaty for all her heard work and, finally, my fellow committee members for the efforts they have put into these evenings. It is with great sadness that we now retire, but we wish next year’s committee the best of luck and hope the Lectern Club will live long and prosper.

Harry Bainbridge

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“

Rent the musical The traditional spring term musical this year was RENT: School Edition – anything but traditional! Despite having been billed as quite a controversial choice due to its gritty content (or possibly because of it!), more students than ever took part both on and off stage.

Fourteen students were involved behind the scenes, with jobs as varied as lighting, sound, pyrotechnics, front of house and projection, with a further fifty students singing, dancing and acting their way through the rock opera. At its heart, RENT: School Edition is an ensemble piece and it would not have been possible without the hard work of all sixtyfour students involved.

A special mention must go to a few people though.

Oliver Chrisp produced a stunning black and white movie for the end of the performance which was beyond any of our expectations. It mainly featured the principal actors and they too deserve a special mention: Freddie McBain hardly left the stage as Mark Cohen and he even battled through two performances with his arm bandaged and then in plaster; Luke Shield and Hannah Robertson were great as Roger and Mimi, the show’s main love story; Jevany Thompson and Martha Moore were excellent as the on-again/off-again couple Joanne and Maureen; Alec Clary and Harry Bainbridge brought people to tears with their portrayals of Collins and Angel – which is difficult to achieve when one of you is in drag; and Rupert Barrett was great as Benny in his first appearance on the BCS stage.

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The set design this year was most certainly outstanding. Not everyone gets the chance to be taught how to slide down a pole, whilst singing at the same time!

Hannah Robertson writes: “I was so delighted when I was finally given the chance to undergo a lead role. Having been a part of school musical productions for my previous six years, I know that the reward you gain at the end of it is most certainly worth the effort it takes”.

RENT: School Edition, being a rock opera, obviously holds very little dialogue, and it was most certainly one of the biggest challenges Mr. Mawhinney and his music accompaniment have been faced with. Never the less, it all seemed to come together once the band was in rehearsal, and what an amazing atmosphere it was. It was such a privilege to be a part of it all.

However, of course under the direction of Miss Baldwin, there was no doubt that the end performances would be polished to perfection. Rehearsals were underway first thing after the Christmas holidays. And with the lead roles having been given a CD track of all the songs to listen to, this gave us the chance to really get the song lyrics drilled into our heads.

”

One thing about performing RENT: School Edition was creating the impression that we were American; it’s always more fun being given the opportunity to act with a different accent. I speak on behalf of the entire cast as well when I say what a massive challenge it was to make sure we delivered the storyline successfully through our singing. However, with the endless amounts of rehearsals gathered around the piano together in musical school, and blocking our movements to the set on stage, we managed to master the task.

The set design this year was most certainly outstanding. Not everyone gets the chance to be taught how to slide down a pole, whilst singing at the same time!

Once the lyrics of songs were learnt, and Miss Baldwin’s excellent choreography was grasped, along with the mighty F’s outstanding staging, lighting and sound effects, RENT: School Edition was a huge success. With Big School being filled every night, it created an inexpressible feeling for the cast, and with the amount of adrenaline from backstage, the performances night after night just got better.”

EB

The Barnardian Magazine

Spring Term

Band Of Brothers

A Level Theatre Studies Five Carter brothers from Barnard Castle School, Hugh, Hamish, Owen and twins Will and Tom, joined more than 200 other students to take part in the 119th annual Barnard Run helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Butterwick Children’s Hospice.

The race, which has been staged every year since 1885, and is the oldest competition in the school’s history, has raised more than £30,000 in the past seven years.

Sponsorship money is collected from the qualifying Barney Bash events and the main Barnard Run itself and for the first time this year a staff run, which saw religious studies teacher Rick Longley take first place from physics teacher Andy Dunn, with maths teacher Ben Usher in third.

For the female staff, biology teacher Caroline Hall was first past the line beating geography teacher Amy Jackson.

Spring 2011 was a busy term for the Theatre Studies department, as the students prepared their final practical assessment. The evening in early March saw the arrival of the external examiner, who was introduced to the group before they disappeared backstage to prepare.

The evening kicked off with Oliver Chrisp and Jevany Thompson performing a scene from George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’. Oli played the debonair Henry Higgins, whilst Jev performed the likeable and tragic Eliza, trapped between social classes following Higgins’ experiment to turn her into a ‘Lady’. This was followed by Grace Bishop and Donna Opray as Cecily and Gwendolen respectively, in an hilarious scene from Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, arguing over their two boyfriends. This was followed by Oli reprising his role as Henry Higgins, this time with Hannah Robertson as Eliza.

After the scripted performances, the group performed their dark and twisted devised performance, ‘Running With Scissors’. This piece told the story of a group of friends who try drugs, and showed the party through their 5 separate perspectives, dealing with the resultant death of one of the group. Each of the characters dealt with this death in their own way, and it was a harrowing and upsetting piece of original theatre, enjoyed by all.

TSE

The Barnardian Magazine

Teacher and race organiser Charles Alderson said: “Not all of our students, or indeed teachers, enjoy taking part in the run, especially in such cold weather, but they all do it for a good cause.

“Having five brothers from one family taking part must be a school record and we are delighted to have raised so much money with such a massive effort from everyone involved.”

Chief executive of Butterwick Hospice Care Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, who presented awards to the winners, added: “I am extremely grateful to all the staff and students at Barnard Castle School for their enormous contribution to helping the Butterwick Children’s Hospice.

“Fundraising makes a real difference to the children with life limiting conditions that we care for and I would like to thank everyone who took part for their efforts.”

Library Arjen Jongschaap

World Book Day celebrations were made extra special in the library this year knowing that one of our short story entries had won a national competition.

Ellie Sowden’s (year 10 Bowes) story was selected as one of just 12 winners from 3500 entries. She was given the first line by the creator of Percy Jackson, leading author Rick Riordan. Her presentation by Evans publishers took place on World Book Day, the 3 March, and to add to the excitement she later appeared live on local radio.

Also on this day £1 World Book Day book vouchers were given to all students and copies of the £1 (free with voucher) World Book Day books were available to all who required them. All over school there was a buzz of reading excitement as students and staff were photographed reading for pleasure.

The photographs were displayed for all to see in central hall and readers were awarded a raffle ticket.

The owners of the winning tickets who received Easter eggs were Joe Andrews (year 7 North), Tom Crowther (year 7 Durham) and Matthew Priestley (year 9 Durham). The event was a huge success.

CLS

A schoolboy saxophonist has reached a crescendo after gaining a distinction in a qualification normally awarded at university.

Barnard Castle School student Arjen Jongschaap now boasts letters after his name and a cap and gown in the wardrobe after becoming an Associate of the London College of Music in jazz saxophone.

The distinction comes on the heels of Arjen being hailed the ‘outstanding soloist’ at the Great Northern Big Band Festival, hosted by Sunderland University, which attracts more than 500 musicians from across the North of England. His band – Durham Youth Big Band – also won its section.

The 18-year-old, of Witton-le-Wear, was also awarded the coveted title of Musician of the Year in the hotly contested school music competition.

He said: “I really love playing jazz but it is great to be recognised by the adjudicators and I was thrilled to secure a distinction.”

Arjen is taught by eminent sax player and Barnard Castle School bandmaster Mick Donnelly who has backed some of the world’s best musicians and stars such as the Sugar Babes.

He said: “Arjen really is a natural talent exhibiting originality, which to me makes the difference between a good musician and a great one. I know he wants to pursue a career in the medical profession but he is certainly good enough to succeed as a professional musician should he want to.”

2011

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Spring Term

Classics trip to Italy

“The eternal city at last” said Mr. Brettell as he gazed out of the aircraft’s window. Soon we were standing in St. Peter’s Square, having already lost some people to Rome’s perilous side-streets.

Controversy developed between the Theologian (Rev.) and the rest of the group over the origins of the words “Pontifex Maximus” which despite popular belief does not mean ‘chief bridge builder’.

Next was the Pantheon and the ice cream shop, or “gelateria” as we came to know it well. The Pantheon’s dome and high ceilings allowed for many elaborate paintings and much light to be shed; creating a grand atmosphere and celebrating all the gods. The quotation of the day was “Why are you cheesing your mousse?” in response to a situation in the restaurant which we won’t elaborate on.

Aurora rose upon a new day and after stocking up on yum-yums we hit the Colosseum. Its size and preservation was impressive; it quite frankly blew minds. Not to mention the drama added to by Mr Brettell’s blood-curdling cries of “Blue Rock Thrush!”

Mr. Gedye ridiculed such a magnificent bird with his sighting of the green-footed pigeon.

The next day our fellow visitors in the Forum were delighted by a particularly impassioned recitation of Cicero’s second Phillipic by our very own Roman. In the afternoon we journeyed to the old Roman port town of Ostia, where to our own amazement we encountered our very own supernatural experience.

After exploring alone, a few of us came across a mysterious building… “That’s a Mithraic temple,” said a sudden voice, cowed in the wind. We spun around to find a wizened German lady, who informed us about our recent find. We turned to leave, but wanting to ask one last question we looked back only to find that she had disappeared, just like the ancient inhabitants of Ostia themselves. Thus the only logical explanation was that she was a ghost, or a professor of Ancient History, but that seems unlikely.

We said our bitter sweet goodbyes to Roma and began the treacherous journey to Napoli (Naples). On the way we stopped off at Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli.

This former home of the emperor has many exotic influences in the architecture and the layout of his retreat; a result of his extensive travelling. At last we

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arrived at our new hotel, luckily without the noisy Spaniards, and after a thorough health and safety check from Miss Cover we could chill in the pool watching the sun set over the bay of Naples. We believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... and one fine morningwe got up to go to Pompeii.

Our day spent at Pompeii was one of much anticipation after reading so much of Caecilius and his adventures. The highlight had to have been actually standing outside his very house. Another fond memory was the group’s chance encounter with Joey the lovely female retriever, to whom we all became quite attached. To this day mystery surrounds some of the buildings in Pompeii and their purpose; something which cannot be said for the infamous brothel house. The paintings aroused much scholarly interest and passion for the subject from our young Classicists and Ho. The next day was one which we’ll have no trouble remembering: the treacherous trek to Vesuvius’ summit ultimately led to disappointment. It was of course due to the old British friend: the weather. The path to the summit held greater dangers than usual, due to very poor visibility and torrential rain. At one point someone swears to have felt snow, although these reports remain unconfirmed. Drenched, cold and tired we traipsed to Herculaneum, which along with pizza managed to soothe the sheer desolation of Vesuvius. Herculaneum is a city only partially uncovered due to a new town being built above, but its unique preservation arguably captures more hearts than Pompeii.

The final day arrived and we journeyed to the National Museum at Naples where we met our guide for the day Claudia, whose peppy attitude kept us going throughout. Following a tour around the interesting museum we went to a volcanic crater, Solfatara. This had a very strange atmosphere as the ground shook upon the drop of a stone, making several 6th formers scream with fear. Our last visit of the trip was to the Pozzuoli amphitheatre, arguably the greatest amphitheatre we had experienced in our short lives. That night we celebrated with karaoke, which sent Cupid’s arrows flying…when in Rome. In all it had been a thoroughly enjoyable trip and we would like to extend out thanks to Miss Cover, Miss Snaith, Rev., the Roman and the Emperor himself!

Freddie Metcalfe, Chris Robinson and Natalie Shaw

RS Trip to the Hindu Mandir

“The Year 7 RS trip to the Hindu Mandir allowed pupils to experience multi-cultural issues in reality. They took part in puja, wore Hindu clothes, played music, meditated, had their faces painted with sacred symbols and ate a vegetarian curry.” AJA We arrived at a Hindu Temple in Newcastle. On arrival we took our shoes off before we entered the Temple, so we had the same feeling as Hindus have. We then had a talk about Hinduism from a Priestess.

We played some musical instruments, dressed up as Hindus, had our faces painted, and ate a lovely curry dish which was vegetarian. At the end of the day we meditated by doing a yoga class to help digest our food. The day was a once in a lifetime experience, very interesting and we learnt a lot as a group. We have a more balanced view on world religions.

John Clouston

The Barnardian Magazine

Spring Term

Spring CCF House Shooting Competition The House Shooting Competition dominated the Spring term and with new rules to the competition, Houses could nominate 8 shooters to make up their team.

Tees House were the overall winners, with in 2nd place and Dale in 3rd place. Individual results were Bowes (1st CSM Helen Alderson, 2nd Cadet Niamh Tait), Dale (1st Corporal Varun Balupuri, 2nd Corporal Arran Day), Durham (1st Cadet Jonny Wanless, 2nd Sergeant Ryan Strawbridge), Longfield (1st Sergent Hannah Byers, joint 2nd RSM Donna Opray, Cadet Chelsey Cole), Marwood (1st Sergeant Josie Amery, 2nd Colour Sergeant Heather Appleby), North (1st Cadet Matthew Jeffery, 2nd Cadet Jonny Coser), Tees (1st Lance Corporal Hugh Carter, 2nd Colour Sergeant Oliver Chrisp) and York (1st Junior Corporal Will Prior, 2nd Cadet Alex Finkill).

Recruitment Just before the Easter holidays, all the year 9 pupils were invited to watch a CCF presentation delivered by Major Hall and Mr Lewis.

Although the CCF is not compulsory at School, the cadets were informed of the activities that we do and the opportunities and skills they would develop if they joined. It was a hugely successful recruitment drive with 57 year 9 pupils enrolling. Shortly after the Easter holidays, the new recruits received their uniform and boots and have already began their basic training in drill, regimental history and the rank structure.

Range Day Twenty cadets enjoyed a full days shooting on the ranges at Catterick Garrison Training Area.

As well as shooting from the 100m range, cadets also had the opportunity to work in the butts, where they had to patch up the targets after every detail and also ensure that the targets were in position during the timed shoot. At the end of the day, the section competition results were 1 Section (1st Cadet Will Grundy, 2nd Cadet Ben Spratt), 2 Section (1st Corporal Chris Moore, 2nd Corporal Arran Day) and the overall results were 1st Corporal Chris Moore, 2nd Corporal Arran Day and 3rd Lance Corporal Hugh Carter.

The Barnardian Magazine

Adventure Training The CCF annual adventure training camp was held in The Lake District where 12 cadets took part in a very busy programme of activities.

On the 1st day, cadets enjoyed sailing, canoeing and kayaking at Derwentwater Marina, and despite it being very cold, the cadets all had lots of fun,

especially when it came to soaking Mr. Lewis who was sat on the lakeside. Sergeants Tory Richardson and Hannah Byers got to boast on the journey back that they were the only cadets not to have capsized that day.

The 2nd day the cadets enjoyed a day climbing and abseiling under the instruction of 2Lt Fairwood.

Cadet Jess Thompson, who had never climbed before was extremely proud of herself as she climbed right to the top of the rock face.

After a change in the weather, we woke up on the third day to torrential rain and wind. This wasn’t going to stop Major Hall and 2Lt Fairwood taking the cadets on a low level, 12km walk near Ambleside and the weather certainly tested the waterproofs that the CCF had just recently purchased.

Junior Corporal Will Barnes was awarded the Hays Trophy for the week and Cadet Jess Thompson and Cadet Evie Kennedy were promoted to Lance Corporal.

CEH

2011

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Spring Term

Senior Skiing Junior Skiing

“

It is sometimes said that people fall down more in the last few days than the first few because they become over confident and in the case of our group that would probably hold true

Kitzbuhel 2010 “Skiing is one of the only times in a person’s life where they will be enthusiastic about education.”

(A quote by J Harrison).

That’s what it is; learning how to truly control one’s self on two pieces of ridiculously highly engineered strips on that beautiful phenomenon of nature, snow. There is nothing like real snow. Though the Austrians tried to have a go at making some artificial stuff when snowfall was low for the start of our trip but after a couple of days the gods of the mountain smiled on us and dumped a couple of feet of the real thing and wow...what Pow...!

Science is good but you can’t beat the real thing.

But the senior ski-trip story begins long before that time; it begins before the summer of 2010 when ‘Bish’ was chivvying us in the dining hall trying to encourage year 11 and sixth form alike to stop thinking about chips for a moment and partake in his week of fun. But the uptake was small, 8 to be precise, maybe due to hard financial times or just forgetful students. Alas, tragedy was upon us as one of our eight strong team was injured a week before the trip was to depart, one of the two girls, so it seemed the other girl would drop out as well because girls are a social creatures who need to travel in packs. But with some encouragement, Josie decided to go ahead anyway, and so our motley crew began the journey on the same day as the Barney run. It is rumoured that this was planned by ‘Bish’

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”

from the start, but considering he doesn’t have to run in it, this seemed unlikely.

We began in a minibus driven by the generous, but no doubt duty dodging, Mr. Gregory. This was to meet up with our partners for the journey West Lakes Academy, a fine group who welcomed us to their ranks for the rest of the journey to Kitzbuhel.

A journey with its high and lows, where friendships were made and broken, and a lifetime was lived on that bus. Well it felt like that, the predicted time being a pretty hefty 24 hours but due to delays it took a mammoth 31 hours 12 minutes to arrive as timed by Patrick Borer. But the journey was relatively uneventful, some people managing a good twelve hours sleep, others barely managing two or three. None the less we arrived, not bright eyed and bushy tailed per say but there was definitely an air of excitement. Excitement for the long deserved first sniff of the Kitzbuhel air and the chance to stroll into town for a spot of ‘R&R’. To say it was the first of many such chances for ‘Flannagan’s’ hospitality and ‘McTherapy’, would be, unquestionably, an understatement and the town of Kitzbuhel has since installed a new public baths from the revenue created.

And so begins our first day of skiing, this is always a slow starting day as it is the day where people are a bit rusty. This coupled with the need to get our ski gear that we missed getting the night before meant it was especially slow, but it was a smooth process. Credit for the smoothness should of course go directly to the man who sorted it all out and made sure that we would get sorted quickly, the ski shop manager. No, but in all seriousness Mr. Bishop should be congratulated for his amazing efforts in getting us on the slope less than an hour after we would have been if we had arrived for the gear on time.

It is sometimes said that people fall down more in the last few days than the first few because they become over confident and in the case of our group that would probably hold true. But that’s not to say there weren’t falls in the beginning, the most memorable of which would probably be when Adam Butterfield literally skied off the side of the mountain.

Our instructor ‘Benny’ had brought us to a stop at the side of a piste to make sure everyone was with him.

Adam had been at the back at this point and with his usual over excited nature, he mistimed his stop and proceeded to ski off the side to the sounds of whoops and cheers from others in the group. His climb back up was difficult in ski boots but he still poked his head over the top with a child like grin on his face.

This would be a good time to describe Benny. A graphic designer by trade and a ski instructor as a paying hobby, Benny was a source of much entertainment during the trip. From his fantastic displays of tricks and skills, to his stories of the slammer, he is a man who spent a night in custody for jumping off a chair lift because he ‘fancied the bit of snow underneath’.

A typical day would consist of a few hours skiing in the morning, lunch, then a few more hours skiing in the afternoon then, of course, the ‘après-ski’.

The Austrians surely do know how to do a good hearty lunch with kaiser-spaetzl, Wiener schnitzel and frankfurters being daily favourites, sometimes two at one lunch time. Followed by a large helping of Kaiserschmarrn (chopped up pancake with apple sauce) or a pretzel. All of which is washed down with a good glass of soft drink, no alcohol at lunch times of course.

Which leaves one more topic, the après-ski, a time of high spirits and one that is nearly as fun as the skiing itself. Kitzbuhel prides itself on having a safe and enjoyable après-ski focused town centre with many places to eat and drink. Noteworthy ones include the Irish bar with excellent live music, the Londoner with a two litre glass in the shape of a ski boot and the karaoke bar where Barney performed and enjoyed the talents of long standing friends Reeds School who were also in the same Hotel as us. With knowledge the staff were never far away, us students could feel safe having a drink and relax into having a good time. The meeting point where we would meet after of frivolities would be, where else, but McDonalds who made a small fortune on the chips and chicken burgers to help feed the hungry and fun filled bellies of the Barnardians.

It is then, easy to say that the trip to Kitzbuhel with Mr. Bishop and Mr. Nicholson was a success. Amongst it all I will remember fun filled evenings that also included sledging down a mountain luge run at night, (honestly you really can’t imagine how fast we went after two chairlifts up the mountain or how much noise we made or snow we ate!) and the camaraderie of fellow mountain warriors. I also have more ‘tired’ memories of other things but plenty of photo’s.

I know that my fellow students will join in thanking Mr. Nicholson and of course the illustrious Mr. Bishop for organising and carrying out such a fantastic trip.

Johnny Harrison

The Barnardian Magazine

Spring Term

Final ISI Report Quotes Junior Ski Trip At the end of a very long term what we all need most is a long coach journey to get some sleep.

Sadly the level of excitement on the coach to Courchevel meant sleep was in much shorter supply than chocolate.

We arrived early and, on a sunny day in France, set about collecting our ski equipment and hanging out in the park with Frisbee’s and throwing toys. Brides les Bains is always a safe and enjoyable place and despite our attempts to injure ourselves on the swings all went (except for one silly bruised foot) pretty well.

What we did not know before we got there was just how hot it had been in the mountains and how many sunny days they had seen. For us this meant that snow was in much more short supply than ever before and our group had to set out in search of slippery places with more determination each day. Fortunately for us our group divided up nicely into those who could use the upper slope and those who stayed in the green zones. Our Top Gun group even upgraded their lift passes and ventured into the other valleys for four of our days.

Despite the difficulties we had a very great deal of fun and by the end of he week had crowned Caitrin Robertson our most improved skier and our Top gun boys as not only the best skiers but also the people most likely to spend a fortune in a nice restaurant at lunch time. Our beginners also enjoyed a pretty cool morning with their cameras , having nipped to the very top of the mountain for hot chocolate and a chill out session on the big bean bags. Cool!

We skated, skied, bowled and skated some more, ate chocolate crepes, played games like spoof and watched the girls put a nice spot of make up on the loser with ten Euros to the winner.

We had a lovely time, despite the poorest snow in memory. However, our geography department tells us that global warming will not mean it happens every year and so we are going back next season, a week earlier, and expect to be powder hounds, Piste Moles and slush monkeys once more.

GB

Pupils have a clear sense of right and wrong.

Behaviour throughout the school is excellent, and pupils are respectful of the values and views of others.

The social development of pupils is outstanding.

Pupils are instinctively courteous and helpful to visitors. They are polite and helpful, showing respect both to their peers and to adults within the community. They mix readily across different age groups and, in the house and school peer support and mentor systems, older pupils have a more formal responsibility for the younger ones.

Pupils have a tremendous loyalty to the school and the staff; they are proud of, and committed to, their school.

Relationships are excellent, staff and senior pupils are effective role models.

Relationships between staff and pupils and between the pupils themselves are excellent.

Pupils are happy, confident and proud of their school. They are strongly motivated to learn and keen to take part in all that the school has to offer.

Parents and pupils, in their questionnaire responses, particularly praised the commitment of teachers to the welfare, progress and success of each individual.

The pupils’ attitudes to learning are outstanding.

Throughout the school, pupils arekeen to work and to succeed.

The rapport between pupils and staff lends itself to effective learning and achievement in a friendly and supportive classroom environment.

The overall quality of the curriculum is outstanding, covering the major areas of learning well for all ages and abilities. The curriculum is supported by a large and varied range of extracurricular activities, which are a significant strength of the school and provide pupils with a variety of activities and interests, together with the opportunity for significant achievement and the acquisition of different skills.

Teachers show great commitment to their pupils’ progress.

The quality of the pupils’ personal development is outstanding, promoted by the excellent quality of relationships within the school community and the first-rate care shown for them by a highly dedicated staff.

The pupils’ high levels of confidence derive from a secure environment, the concern of staff for each individual and the positive attitudes promoted by the school, and this allows them to develop a strong sense of self worth. All are valued for themselves; mutual support is strong and pupils have no fear of ridicule.

The Barnardian Magazine

The school makes outstanding provision for the welfare of its pupils, in line with its commitment to creating a happy, caring, purposeful and wellstructured community.

The excellent pastoral procedures, and the outstanding support and guidance of staff are important factors in the school’s success. In interviews, responses to questionnaires and informal discussion, pupils made it clear that they feel valued, respected and very well cared for. Sixth-formers said, “There is real support in school.”

Relationships between staff and pupils are excellent and grounded in mutual respect and courtesy. Relationships between pupils themselves are also excellent, including between older and younger pupils.

Pupils refer to the atmosphere within the school as being “like a big family.”

The quality of boarding is excellent and the boarding experience is a valuable part of the boarders’ education and personal development.

Relationships in the boarding houses are excellent, between boarders themselves and between boarders and staff. Strong loyalties are developed and pupils appreciate the high standard of care and support they are given.

The reality of a high quality boarding experience, therefore, has a major and beneficial effect on the nature of the school, its strengths and ethos, as well as providing a very worthwhile experience for the boarders themselves.

The quality of the leadership and management provided by the senior team is excellent. The core values promoted through example at all levels are very much in evidence: honesty, courtesy, mutual respect, good humour and integrity.

The quality of the school’s relationship with its parents is excellent.

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Spring Sports 1st VII Rugby 2011 Teams from: L6th Squad: A. Beaumont, M. Brown, B. Clegg, J. Dickinson, G. Van Den Dries, A. Harrison, S. Hunter, A. Lister, I Swall, F. Tait, J. Webster. U6th Squad: K. Armstrong, K. Berounsky, B. Duffield, A. Ho, A. Hopkin, A. Lazaro, C. Legg, G. McGrath, J. Peat, T. Raw, A. Robertson, L. Shield, G. Upton, M. Waldin.

The first major tournament was down in Hereford to the very prestigious Marches 7s, and we were the holders!

Some top English and Welsh schools enter this tournament. The tournament also clashed with the North of England 7s. Therefore the decision was made to take a L6 team to the former and an U6th team to the latter. We had practised at the County 7s the Wednesday before in those squads with the L6th team been crowned County Champions. The younger team also proved to be more successful at the weekend; reaching the semi final, losing to a very strong physical Coleg Sir Gar team who eventually won the tournament. They defeated Bristol GS, Plymouth, Worth and Truro en route.

For the remainder of the 7s we used a mixed squad and at Ampleforth we had a mixed day. We lost one group game to Hymers when we had every chance to win the game, but beat St Edwards and Mount St Marys. In the quarter final against Sedbergh we pushed them very hard but just came up short in a closely fought match.

For the first time we travelled to Mount St Marys 7s, producing a mixed day of performances. We struggled against St Peters York, but won. Lost convincingly to Yarm, earned a good draw against Denstone, played well against Wellington but were outclassed, then drew with Hymers when perhaps deserved better. We then played Kings’ Worcester in the Plate semi final and unfortunately played in a similar fashion as we had against Yarm, which meant an early shower.

For the Hymers tournament we arrived as holders.

However, the enthusiasm and desire seemed to have deserted the players. But then the players seemed to find it within them to produce some excellent 7s beating Mount St Peters, Hull Collegiate, Hymers B, Nottingham and QEGS. Unfortunately, in the final against the hosts Hymers we ran out of steam and finished an easy second.

At the National Schools’ 7s, Rosslyn Park, the defeat and the manner of it, against a good Epsom College team, was disappointing but showed great spirit. The nature of a 7s tournament meant our fate was decided in that game having had convincing wins in the remaining games.

MTP

Sedbergh Rugby 10s

Squad from: K. Berounsky, A. Beaumont, A. Clarey, B. Clegg, N. Crowe, J. Dickinson, G. Van Den Dries, D. Hall, A. Harrison, C. Legg, A. Lister, G. McGrath, A. Robertson, L. Shield, I Swall, F. Tait, G. Upton, M. Waldin, S. Webster.

The performance from the players at Sedbergh 10s over the two days was nothing more than outstanding. The competition attracts some of the best rugby playing schools in the country. To lose in a closely contested final, 24-12 to the highly rated Filton College team was

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tremendous considering 12 of the players are eligible to play there again in 2012.

On the first day we ended up being group winners defeating John Fisher School and Millfield, as well as drawing with King’s Macclesfield. The outcome of this was we were drawn with Kirkham GS, RGS High Wycombe and Wellington College for the second day.

In appalling conditions we had convincing wins in each match to reach the final. A special mention should go to our captain of the tournament, Guy Van Den Dries who was voted Player of the Tournament by the referees and coaches of the other schools.

MTP

U16 Rugby Sevens

In the final week of term the County Sevens tournament occurred and despite going down in one of the league games the side had a ‘winner takes all’ game with Durham at the end of the afternoon. Again a very spirited performance did not quite get a victory.

This group played very well at times and it was frustrating that inconsistency spoilt the overall view.

This should not detract, however from a decent effort from all 13 members who represented the side.

Confidence was fragile but they played sufficiently well on occasions to engender further optimism.

Rory Abraham captained the side and led well and in Dan Hall, Bret Upton and David Brown the team had strong runners. They were well supported by Freddie McBain, Nick Packham, Cedric Lee and Rupert Barrett, who all had their moments. The others, not mentioned, all played their part and special mention must go to Sean Greaves, who played his last game for the school at London and it lasted about 30 seconds before he had to go off injured. My thanks to the boys for their efforts and to the parents for their support and to Mr Dalton for his company and help on the London trip.

DCSE

Squash Squad:- R Abraham, W Barnes, R Barrett, D Brown, I Cameron, S Greaves, D Hall, B Jennings, C Lee, F McBain, N Packham, D Swires, B Upton Results: St Peters: Durham School York Select Mount St Mary’s Ampleforth College Hymers Sedbergh: Queen Ethelburga’s RGS Newcastle RGC Lancaster Wilmslow HS Durham School Ashville College Durham School Hill House Ampleforth College Kings Tynemouth

won 28-17 lost 15-24 lost 7-28 won 22-12 lost plate final0-33

won 50-5 won 12-7 won 12-26 lost quarter final 21-29 lost lost lost lost won

0-49 12-24 5-17 17-19 41-0

National Sevens: Sir William Borlase Eastbourne St Joseph’s School

won lost lost

44-0 12-34 5-36

County Sevens: Whickham Emmanuel Durham Johnston Macmillan Durham School

won lost won won lost

38-0 15-24 51-0 28-7 14-19

A relatively small squad of players prepared for the first tournament at St Peter’s. In this competition the side displayed an inconsistency that prevailed throughout every subsequent event. A convincing start against Durham flattered the team as they lost the next two games but then an excellent performance against Ampleforth meant a plate final against Hymers.

Unfortunately a sloppy performance ensued.

At Sedbergh a super start brought victories over Queen Ethelburga’s and RGS Newcastle before slipping gallantly against RGS Lancaster and Wilmslow HS. The Durham tournament was the nadir as four losses occurred but a final victory against King’s raised morale. Down to London and the National Schoolboy Sevens meant three unknown opponents.

A spirited display against Sir William Borlase got the side off to a good start but in the final two games, despite some brave performances our opponents got the better of the contests.

Captain : Michael Waldin Squash continues to flourish at the school. This season began with a re-dedication and opening of the courts which had a full refurbishment now that they are joined to the new fitness centre. The courts have been named after Kenneth King and Harold Birkbeck to reflect the distinguished history of the sport at the school.

The facilities we now have are among the best school courts on our circuit and they have been used to the full this season with over one hundred boys and girls attending coaching, or representing their houses over the course of the year. My thanks go to Stuart Gaydon and John Lister for their help and encouragement during the season.

JDG

1st Team Squash

Team from: K.To, M.Tsang, C.Legg, M.Waldin, A.Wilson, J.Trewhella, N.Packham, J.Connors, E.Yau, W.Grundy P 17/W 9/L 8 Results: Autumn Term: Ampleforth Pocklington Glaxo GSAL West Lakes St Benedict’s

won won lost lost lost won

5-0 3-2 2-3 2-3 2-3 3-2

Spring Term: Sedbergh Pocklington GSAL St Peter’s Gosforth High Jesters Glaxo Darlington Glaxo

won won lost won lost lost lost lost won

5-0 5-0 1-4 5-0 0-5 1-4 2-3 0-5 4-1

The Barnardian Magazine

This was a relatively successful season for the first team under the captaincy of Michael Waldin, with more wins than losses in their seventeen matches.

In the National Schools’ under 19 competition, the team came third in their group after a couple of excellent matches against Cumbrian opposition.

They then won the first round in the trophy competition against St Peter’s before bowing out to an excellent Gosforth High School team. Kevin To at number one showed his talent and potential in these matches, running some county players very close, and only being edged out narrowly. His season record of eight wins and eight defeats was very creditable and he fully deserved his award of full colours.

Matthew Tsang also received full colours after a super effort all season at number two. His determination on court was obvious in every appearance and he improved enormously over the course of the season, constantly making his opponents work hard for their points. Chris Legg’s power proved useful at number three and he managed a fifty per cent win ratio. He hits the ball very cleanly and his three years on the team have been successful. The captain at number four won ten of his sixteen games and really began to come into his own at the end of the season with three victories over adult opposition. His commitment to school squash over seven years has been superb and with over forty appearances for the first team he was awarded his team shirt at the end of the season. His captaincy was reliable and steady and his efforts have been much valued. Alex Wilson won eight out of his twelve matches at number five, and fully deserved his half colours. Having only taken up the game last year his improvement has been immense and his fitness and athleticism a real asset. He is a gentleman on and off the court. Johnny Trewhella won six of his nine matches and was probably the most improved player of the season – he also deserved his half colours. With four of this team leaving, it will be a case of re-building next year, but with the likes of Nick Packham waiting in the wings there are grounds for optimism. I hope that the boys who are leaving have enjoyed their squash and will continue to play in the future.

JDG

2nd Squash Team from: J.Trewhella, N.Packham, J.Connors, J.Kwan, E.Yau, M.Emmerson, H.Welsh, N.Crowe.

P 7/W 7 Results: Ampleforth Pocklington Ampleforth Sedbergh Durham 1st Pocklington Durham 1st

won won won won won won won

5-0 3-2 4-1 5-0 3-2 5-0 5-0

The second team had a super two terms, not losing any matches, showing the strength in depth that we have at senior level.

Nick Packham and Jonny Connors were dedicated and hard-working, whilst Elliot Yau really improved.

Jeremy Kwan struck the ball very well and improved his mobility, whilst Ben Duffield, Bruce Clegg and even the Head of School, Nick Crowe made successful appearances.

JDG

The Barnardian Magazine

U15 Squash

U13 Squash Team from: J.Jennings, S.Stainthorp, A.Ferguson, M.Thompson, C.Lewis, E.Leung, A.Tsoi, M.Stirke, A.Ingram, D.Hoxholli, A.Pearce, A.Rusk, C.Waldin Pocklington Newcastle School for Boys GSAL

Captain: Sam Everall Team from: W.Grundy, S.Everall, N.Stainthorp, J.Bolton, O.Larcombe, H.Carter, M.Stirk, K.Wilson, S.Stainthorp, M.White, T. Sowerby, J.Scott, G.Hall.

P 14/W 9/L 5 Results: Sedbergh GSAL Ampleforth Dame Allans RGS Gosforth Pocklington Pocklington (a) King David High GSAL Tudor Grange Ampleforth RGS Cheltenham

won lost won won won lost lost lost won won won won won lost

lost won lost

0-8 4-1 0-9

This group was a mixture of years seven and eight. They were inexperienced, as these results show, but there is talent for the future, and plenty of potential. Alfred Tsoi, Aidan Rusk, Matthew Stirke and Enoch Leung all improved dramatically, having been total beginners at the start of the season, so I hope to see further improvements over the coming years.

School Individual Competitions: South Wales Borderers’ Cup (senior): Kevin To (N) beat Matthew Tsang (Y) 3-0 Willliamson Cup (under 15): Will Grundy beat Nicky Stainthorp 3-0 Under 13: Alfred Tsoi beat Alex Ingram 3-0 House Matches: Gradon Cup (Senior) – Northumberland Robinson Cup (under 15) – Durham Birkbeck Cup (under 13) – Durham

5-0 0-5 3-2 4-1 3-2 0-5 2-3 2-3 3-2 3-2 3-2 5-0 4-1 2-3

JDG

Boys 1st XI Hockey JDG

Under 15 ‘B’/under 14 P 4/W 3/L 1 Results: GSAL Ampleforth Pocklington Pocklington (a)

won won won lost

3-2 5-0 3-2 2-3

This was a hugely enjoyable season for the under 15s and it was great to see them come away with a trophy at the National Schools’ Trophy Finals. Under the captaincy of Sam Everall, and under the watchful eye of re-born squash coach John Lister, the boys came third in a very strong group, having beaten RGS Newcastle and Dame Allan’s in hard fought matches.

In the Trophy competition, nerve-racking victories followed over King David High from Manchester and Tudor Grange from Solihull in order to qualify for the finals. A repeat victory over RGS in the semi-finals meant that the boys faced Cheltenham College in the final. With Year Nines Joe Bolton and Oliver Larcombe winning, and Will Grundy and Nicky Stainthorp losing it was all on captain Sam. John Lister admitted to never feeling as tense in any sporting situation as Sam’s match went to the final game. He lost out 11-9 in a titanic battle, meaning that the team finished as runners-up.

Throughout the season these boys enjoyed their squash and there were so many who wanted to play that we were able to field a very decent ‘B’ team with the likes of Matthew White, Matthew Stirk, Hamish Carter, George Hall, Tom Sowerby and Joe Scott all reaching a decent standard. Nicky Stainthorp won some crucial matches at number three and competed brilliantly. Will Grundy found some tough opponents at one but won five of his twelve matches. He should be a fine addition to the first team next year. The real strength of the team lay at four and five. Joe Bolton had a 100% win record from his eight matches and showed tremendous battling qualities and match temperament. His close rival Oliver Larcombe lost only once and these two will form the basis of a good team next year. My thanks go to Sam Everall for being a superb captain – setting the example on the court with his never say die attitude and off the court with his marking, organisation and man-management.

JDG

Team from: Oli Potts (C), Harry Bainbridge, Dean Wheeler, Duncan Anderson, Richard Stanwix, James Dickinson, Josh Brooks, Tom Miller, Adam Mason, Dan Hall, David Brown, Sean Greaves, James McNeill, Rory Abraham, Rupert Barrett P 9/W 3/D 1/L 4

The season followed the usual pattern. We struggled against schools which were obviously superior to us, like St Peters’, Scarborough College and Ampleforth, but battled hard to win against Yarm, Durham and Pocklington.

With the loss of so many players from last year’s team this was always going to be a tough season, so I am pleased with the way the team battled through to win three games. Some memories will linger.

Sedbergh treated our team almost with contempt after going 2-0 up early on in the game; their players had a bit of a shock when we fought back to draw 22. Their team probably feels a little ashamed at their childish refusal to offer us three cheers at the end of the game – if they don’t, they should.

The victory against Yarm was our second against them in consecutive seasons, beating Durham School is always nice and it was good to end the season on a high against Pocklington.

When we worked together as a team we looked like a good team, but too often some members of the team resorted to shouting at each other and letting their childish frustrations get in the way of good hockey. I would like to thank all the U6th players for their efforts over the years and particular thanks goes to Oli Potts who captained the team very well indeed.

CJG

2011

83

Spring Sports Boys 2nd XI Hockey

Captain: Richard Stanwix Vice Captain: Patrick Borer Squad: R Stanwix, T Miller, P Borer, James Beadle, Josh Brookes, Sean Greaves, Daniel Swires, Freddie Mcbain, Nick Packham, Richard Harland, Dan Hall, David Brown, Rupert Barrott, Dan Stocks, Rory Abraham, James Mcneil, Harry Welsh.

P 7/W 2/L 5/D 0/F 11/A 13

The results do not really show the full story of the 2nd team this year only winning two and losing the other five matches. If you break the results down three of the five loses were by one goal and could have gone in our favour but for a little more composure in the circle and a bit more luck. We were very unlucky not to win the match against Leeds GS 1st team leading 2-1 going into the second half but after some missed opportunities to put the game beyond Leeds GS we finally lost the match 3-2.

The 2nd team boys worked very hard this Spring term improving their core skills and movement on as well as off the ball this paid dividends in their final two matches with great wins against Scarborough College and Pocklington. This was a great way to finish the term with what was mainly a year 11 team who will only get better and stronger over the next two years.

I’d like to pass my thanks on to all the lads for working so hard during the hockey term and wish good luck to U6th players Richard Stanwix (2nd team Captain) & Tom Miller.

CJG

Once the whole group were together they were a force to be reckoned with, once their mindset was on hockey. There were a number of new additions to the squad who had previously never picked up a hockey stick. It has to be said they were full of promise and were quick to pick up some complex skills. John Brogden was a superb captain and was also player of the season due to his commitment and skills during matches. The team were exceedingly strong in midfield and were quick to make the most of attacking breaks. The speed of the forwards (Ivan Gaskin) meant that many defenders from the opposition were caught on the back foot. James Beauchamp made the most of his goal scoring opportunities and was the team’s top scorer.

Defensively we were also strong seeing Guy Coser commit to throwing himself on the ground (and break his finger in the process) to save what would have been a certain goal. James Raper in goal was fantastic and kept us in the game on many occasions. I would like to see many of these boys return to senior hockey next year but I know some of them will want to fully commit to rugby! I enjoyed the season and spending time coaching this group and will follow them with interest over coming seasons.

AA

Boys U14 Hockey

Squad: Mark Moss, Sebastian Hampson, Tom Marston, Ben Pullan, Sam Leeming, Matthew Hunter, Max Hargrove, Sam Theakston, Cameron Mckenzie, Alex Sowerby, Oliver Pearce, Emeka Ononeze, Aaron Keogh, Ethan Kelsall, Andrew Bartlett.

P 8/W 5/L 3/D 0/F 15/A 15

U15 Boys Hockey

Team from; J Brogden, J Raper, C Harrison, B Wynn-Jones, G Coser, A Ghosh, R Fenwick, M Jones, N Gilbertson, M Strik, I Gaskin, J Beauchamp, H Holden.

Results: Sedbergh St Peter’’s Ampleforth St Peter’’s Eaglescliffe Windermere Pocklington Scarborough College Durham School Red House Pocklington

lost 3-1 lost 2-1 lost 0-1 won 2-1 lost 0-11 won 8-2 drew 2-2 cancelled won 4-0 cancelled drew 2-2

This has been a very mixed season for a talented group of boys; this is mainly due to many of them being involved in other sports during the term.

This was a much improved hockey term for the U14 team winning five of the Eight games they played. This team if it can continue to improve has the potential to be very good side and I look forward to working with them again in Year 11.

Of their five wins their most impressive would have to be the wins home and away against a very strong St Peters Team. The St Peters team they were up against had reached the North final of England Hockey’s National Cup so we were not expected to win. The first win against St Peters came on the second weekend of the Spring Term in a narrow 1-0 win which we could easily have lost but for some great work by our goalkeeper. The second Win against St Peters came on the final Saturday before half term and was a much more impressive 3-2 win which could have been even better but for better finishing and more luck in front of goal.

The team was lead very well this year by Tom Marston and backed up by a squad of players who worked hard in training sessions and were determined to be better.

CJG

Boys U13 Hockey

Squad: Sandy Stainthorp (C) Team from: Nathan White, Jake Glowienko, Harry McGuire, Tom Joashi, Rory Holden, Callum Simpson, Harvey Barkes, Jarlath Hetherington, Dan Brown, Tom Hunter, Tom Metcalf, Jack Ellis, Sam Adamson, Angus Ferguson, Jack Blackburn.

P 5/W 2 /L 1/D 2 Results: Egglescliffe Red House Laurence Jackson Pocklington St Martins

won lost draw won draw

5-0 0-5 2-2 1-0 1-1

This U13 team have had a great season with only a few fixtures to improve their game.

Selection for matches was a very difficult process as there was a huge squad of twenty players. Within that squad there was a range of ability, but the majority of the group had speed, endurance, basic stick skills and lots of raw talent.

The season started with a home game against Egglescliffe School. Both teams played well, even though some of the boys had not played hockey for almost a year; but we immediately worked well as a team to secure the first victory. Our next match was a very hard one against Red House. They had a team of fast, strong and skilful players who outshone us in both attack and defence. Our next two matches were a 7 aside match against Laurence Jackson at home and an 11 a-side match away at St Martins. There were several opportunities to go ahead in these games but we didn’t monopolise on these chances and both games finished in a draw. The last match was away at Pocklington. This was another very close match which saw a lot of end to end play; both teams were desperate to secure a win.

Unfortunately for Pocklington, it was Barney that managed to score and finish the game in a 1 – 0 win.

I have enjoyed working with this group of boys; they have been hard working and also good fun. I think with the same dedication and hard work these boys can do extremely well.

LJS

Boys U12 Hockey

Squad: Nathan Bridger, Tom Greaves, Henry Thompson, Joe Pickering, Andrew Usher, Angus Farr, Tom Wilkinson, Josh Raw, Dan Roberts, George Johnstone, Will Carter, Thomas Carter, Connor Lewis, Dylan Custance, Dan Roberts, Thomas Crowther, Zack Day, Scott Mcall, Andrew Mackay.

P 9/W 6/L 4/D 0/F 15/A 21

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

This was a good year for the U12 team; better weather allowed much more opportunity to train which reflected in better results and performances. The U12 team had great wins against St Olaves, Pocklington and Laurence Jackson and even though they were beaten 2-0 by Egglescliffe School they played some great hockey.

The U12 team was captained this year by John Clouston who lead by example and will no doubt turn into a fine young hockey player.

Compared to last years fixtures we managed to either reverse the result or at the very least improve on the score line this year. My pick of the matches this year even though it was a loss would have to be against Egglescliffe School. We were up against a team in Egglescliffe who’s main sport in both the Autumn and Spring term is hockey so to narrowly lose to them took a very good performance from all the players.

CJG

1st VII Netball

Captain: Sophie Thompson Team from: B. Goudie* H. Knowles+, D. Opray *, E. Peat+, T. Richardson+, J. Scot*, K. Swinbank*, E. Turner + *Awarded Full Colours, +Awarded Half Colours P 8/W 3/L 5 3rd in the County Round of National School’s Netball Competition Pocklington St Peter’s Ampleforth Yarm Sedbergh Durham School Polam Hall Giggleswick

lost lost won lost lost lost won won

3-17 12-19 19-15 7-37 8-32 15-19 25-13 22-15

It has been a mixed season for the 1st Netball team this year. Preparations began early in September with weekly training sessions ready for the County Round of the National School’s competition in October. The opposition in the U19 age group were fierce and despite a tough fight from the Barney squad, Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Carmel School qualified for the regional round pushing Barney into 3rd place.

Following the Christmas break the team travelled to Pocklington, it was a windy day which made playing netball particularly difficult and without Jess Scott, one of our key shooters, it was going to be a tough contest. The girls tried hard to keep possession using short, powerful passes but the opposition were strong and kept our shooters away from the post, forcing them to shoot from distance. Captain, Sophie Thompson led with determination but took a heavy fall in the third quarter. She decided to play on but with grazed hands this can not have been easy.

St Peter’s were our next opponents and it was a close game throughout. Barney used patient passing down the court but the tall defenders denied us opportunities to feed the ball into the goal circle. The St Peter’s girls seemed faster and fitter on court and we struggled to keep up with the pace at times. They stretched their lead in the last quarter to win 12–19.

It was away at Ampleforth that the team gained their first well deserved victory. It was a scrappy, physical game at times with both teams contesting for the ball, but Barney kept their discipline on court and their

The Barnardian Magazine

composure at key moments throughout the game. A heavy collision in the air involving none other than Sophie Thompson again, meant an injury stoppage could have affected the flow of our game and our chances of maintaining the lead, but the girls caught their breath and battled hard until the final whistle.

Elated with their victory, confidence was high going into the next match against Yarm. We were unfortunately missing our Captain and Centre for this game so it was certainly no walk in the park. Emma Peat and Kate Swinbank took their turns to fill the central position but Yarm were strong and it was difficult to keep possession from the centre pass into our shooting circle. Errors were made and it was an uphill battle for the Barney team. The loss knocked the confidence of the team but sights were set on the many achievable games still to be played, and won.

Improvements were made in the next game against Sedbergh, however the score may not have reflected this. Despite losing the match the girls fought hard for the ball, made some pleasing interceptions and showed some accurate shooting when they had their opportunities. The following game was a close affair away against Durham School. Emma Peat and Kate Swinbank worked tirelessly in the centre court and it was neck and neck throughout. Sadly for us, Durham crept into the lead and won the game by four goals.

Success in the next match against Polam Hall came through hard work, accurate shooting and a solid defence. The team communicated well and performed with great commitment on court to build a convincing lead and win the match 23-13. The team continued their momentum into the final game against Giggleswick. After a difficult start the team came to life, Jess Scott scored a number of outstanding goals from distance much to the delight of her teammates, parents and her coach. It was a great result to end the season.

I wish our ‘Leavers’ all the best for the future, their positions will certainly be tough to fill but I’m sure the 2nd VII and Year 11’s will be keen to ‘have a go’.

TCB

2nd Netball

training and put in a winning performance away against Ampleforth. The following three matches proved challenging but the girls dug deep and were unlucky to lose out to Durham School by just one goal. It was a tricky surface to play on with individuals slipping and sliding on the Astroturf. There were some excellent phases of attack at times but shooting when under pressure in a close game is never easy, and several attempts sadly went wayward. Emily Turner worked tirelessly up and down court at centre and was named player of the match.

The team concluded the season with a couple of good victories at home against Polam Hall and Giggleswick. Natalie Shaw made excellent interceptions in and around the defensive circle to deny the opponents chance to shoot. The effort and positive attitudes shown by the Barney girls on court, together with their quick passing and accurate shots ensured that they completed the season successfully. With the majority of players remaining at the school next year I look forward to seeing their netball skills continue to develop and see them pushing for promotion into the 1st team.

TCB

U15 Netball

E. Sowden (C) Team from: C. Bainbridge, K. Brolly, I. Borer, T. Brown, E. Newton, R. Pratt, H. Stephenson, N. Tait, T. Thompson, A. Usher.

Runners UpU16 County Round of National Schools Netball Competition 4th Regional Round of National Schools Netball Competition Results: Pocklington Sedbergh Polam Hall Ampleforth Yarm Durham School Giggleswick St Peters Queen Mary’s U16s

Captain: H. Alderson Team from: H. Byers, R. Coxon, A. Dawson, G. Hazell, H. Knowles, H. McHugh, N. Shaw, J. Thompson, E. Turner, K. Walton, S. Wray.

Results: Pocklington St Peter’s Ampleforth Yarm Sedbergh Durham School Polam Hall Giggleswick

lost lost won draw lost lost won won

10-12 7-33 20-16 15-15 5-24 10-11 23-5 10-3

This has been a mixed season for the 2nd Netball team with injuries and illness taking its toll on weekly team selection.

They began the term well with a close game against Pocklington but sadly lost possession at crucial times and mistakes proved costly in the final quarter of the game. A tough encounter against a talented St Peter’s side followed and exposed many weaknesses in their game. However, they soon improved their skills during

won won won won lost won lost lost won

26-11 34-18 20-4 29-3 10-17 24-19 10-27 18-22 22-10

The Under 15 netball team have had a busy and largely successful season which saw the girls playing some excellent netball against some tough opposition from all over the North of England.

They performed particularly well at the U16 County Round of the National Schools competition, finishing as runners up after a closely fought match against English Martyrs School, in which Barney lost by just one goal! At the Regional Round of this competition the team showed great skills and determination on court. They won three games, drew two and lost one, but sadly this was not enough to qualify for the National Finals and they were positioned in 4th place.

However, all players are still eligible to enter this competition at the U16 level again next year and their sights are firmly set on qualification for the finals.

During school matches Ellie Sowden captained the team for most of the season and the team achieved considerable success both home and away with notable victories against Pocklington, Polam and Queen Mary’s.

(Continued >)

2011

85

Spring Sports Undoubtedly our biggest defeat was against a Giggleswick side, their Goal Shooter had an outstanding game scoring the vast majority of their 27 goals. However the girls proved their resilience in this game when, after a poor start, and an end of first quarter ‘motivational’ chat from Mr Woodward they recovered to outscore Giggleswick in the last quarter. The big plus for this game was the opposition naming Caitlin Bainbridge player of the match on her first game in this team.

Congratulations to Thea Thompson who has represented Team Northumbria in the National Talent League this season and has also attended England U17 Netball Trails.

Best Player of the season: Thea Thompson Most Improved Player of the season: Niamh Tait AW

U14 Netball

Elise Ferguson (C) Team from: Lorna Bussey, Chloe Atkinson, Lizzie Knight, Sarah Stephenson, Elise Ferguson, Katie Body, Emma Robson, Katie Gibson, Jane Metcalf.

U 13 Netball

A Martin (C) Team from: S Pratt, L HardieHammond, P Maw, K Borer, H Wynn-Jones.

Results: Pocklington Windemere St Annes Yarm School Durham School Giggleswick Queen Marys St Martins Polam

Cancelled lost 9-12 lost 10-19 won 19-2 lost 14-20 lost 25-15 won 25-14 won 15-14

The Under 13 team proved to be a delightful, keen and enthusiastic group of girls with plenty of strength, depth and adaptability.

They worked hard over the term to develop their skills and ability to work as a team. Within matches they never gave up and had good leadership from their captain Ellie Everall. The defence were agile and prevented a number of goal scoring opportunities by their various opponents. The shooters worked well together and were adaptable in their positions; this was been a strong position to be in for fixtures. It has no doubt enhanced their understanding of the game and playing alternative positions. They would have benefitted from playing more games but showed that they are a team with true potential and one that I know will go on to have even greater success over coming seasons.

AA

Holly Swinbank grew in confidence leading the team as captain playing in Centre position. Isla Hewitson showed fantastic talent in her main position as Goal Attack and Ellen Gossage revealed a steely determination to win the ball as Wing Attack.

Alice Ridley worked hard in every game as Goal Defence, her athleticism enabling her to consistently mark the opposition. Girls who also developed good skills and confidence were Francesca Summers, Lucy Newton and Francesca Waiter Mackenzie. Some of the matches we lost, such as Giggleswick and Yarm, were excellent opportunities for the girls to see how much it takes to play really well all the time. These young players have a bright future ahead of them on the netball court.

TCB

1st Lacrosse

V. Richardson (C) Team from: E. Anderson, J. Amery, S. Thompson, R. Brown, H. Simpson, A. McBain, C. Dickinson, J. Jenkinson, H. Byers, E. Peat, E. Turner, L. Holmes, C. Simpson, H. Alderson Results: Senior North Schools Tournament – 2nd Ampleforth won won Sedbergh Ashville won Casterton lost won Queen Mary’s

place 7-5 9-3 7-0 9-3 9-4

U12 Netball A & B teams

P 9/W 3/L 5/D 1 Results: Pocklington Sedbergh Tudhoe Grange Polam Hall Ampleforth Yarm Durham School St Peter’s Queen Marys

won lost won won draw lost lost lost lost

12-11 14-17 29-15 23-7 12-12 6-37 13-14 8-25 9-17

This U14 team started the season with a very positive attitude. Out of a possible ten matches, nine were played and all of those were against very competent netball schools.

Our season began with a very close game against Pocklington at home, the Barney girls fought hard and managed to win by just one goal. In the next match we just lost to Sedbergh, this was a very close game which helped the girls grow in confidence. We won the next two games fairly easily; these were against Tudhoe Grange and Polam Hall. We had a very exciting game at home against Ampleforth; it was end to end play which finished in an equalising goal from Barney in the dying seconds of the game. Unfortunately our last few games were the hardest, we just lost to Durham School but Yarm, St Peter’s and Queen Marys were too strong for us.

I would like to say well done to this group of girls who started the season very well; they worked hard to prove that they are capable netball players. I hope they continue to play next season!

LJS

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2011

Team from: H Swinbank, I Hewitson, C Waldin, S Nichols, A Ridley, E Gossage, L Newton, F Summers, F Waiter-Mackenzie U12 Windermere St Annes won 6-4 Polam Hall draw 12-12 Yarm School lost 22-8 Tournament at Durham School 3rd Place Durham School won 24-2 Tournament at home cancelled Giggleswick lost 10-16 U12B Pocklington Durham Choristers St Martins Queen Mary’s

won won won lost

9-5 8-3 12-1 12-3

P 10/W 5/L 3/D 1/Competition – 3rd Place

This year’s Under 12 team was mostly comprised of a group of girls that came through from Prep School. They were already very good at playing together, reading the game and getting the ball down to the shooters.

The 1st team had a fabulous spring season. The senior girls finally realized that playing lacrosse could and should be fun. Led by lower sixth, Tori Richardson, the team brushed up on their skills, learned new lacrosse tactics, and dramatically increased their level of play.

The team started the season with a very close match against Ampleforth in which Barney was only able to secure the victory in the final minutes. It was a very exciting game and gave the girls the momentum they needed to start the spring on the right foot with a positive outlook. The girls worked hard throughout the season to continue on and beat Sedbergh, Ashville, and Queen Mary’s, to end with 4 wins and only 1 loss.

The Barnardian Magazine

The 1st team’s strong defence was made up by Charlotte Dickinson, Jasmine Jenkinson, Hannah Byers, and Helen Alderson, who stepped up to play goalie. The midfield was brought together by North of England player, Tori Richardson as well as Helen Simpson and Rachel Brown. Leading the team in goals this year was Rachel Brown with strong contributions by Josie Amery, Sophie Thompson, Emma Anderson, and Emma Peat.

The girls thoroughly impressed with their team spirit and enthusiasm. I am so happy to have gotten to work with such a great group of young women. The upper sixth players will be greatly missed by their team next year.

School colours were awarded to: Rachel Brown, Jasmine Jenkinson, Tori Richardson and Helen Simpson.

Well done to all of the lady laxers this year! I enjoyed working with all of you and sharing my love of the sport.

EMB

U15 Lacrosse

J. Stephenson (C) Team from: E. Newton, A. Glowienko, R. Pratt, N. Tait, H. Stephenson, R. Watson, I. Borer, L. Spedding, C. Wilkinson, K. Brolly, S. Perkins, T. Thompson Results: Ampleforth Sedbergh Ampleforth Casterton

lost won lost lost

7-0 7-6 5-4 7-3

The Under 15 team, led by Jenny Stephenson, did well in their matches this year bringing to each a lot of zest and humour.

This athletic group of girls were able to out run teams with their speed and determination, but unfortunately not always keep the score in their favour. In the first match against Ampleforth, the team was a mix of players in both year 9 and year 10 due to other sporting commitments. It was a difficult start to the season, but they didn’t let it get them down for their match against Sedbergh or the rematch against Ampleforth. These competitions were both incredibly close and came down to the final minutes of play. At Sedbergh, Barney was able to beat the clock and score the game winning goal.

The girls were incredibly pleased with their victory, while also gracious losers when the final minutes at Ampleforth weren’t to their benefit. The best and most improved players for the Under 15 team were Emily Newton and Laura Spedding, respectively. I think that the energy and skill from this team will contribute a lot to the first team next year.

EMB

U14 Lacrosse

S. Currah (C) Team from: C. Thompson, C. Atkinson, L. Greaves, E. Robson, L. Knight, E. Clouston, E. Ferguson, L. Bloomfield, L. Bussey, H. Roache, K. Body, J. Metcalf, S. Stephenson Results: Sedbergh Casterton

draw lost

4-4 0-14

The Under 14 team worked hard this season and gained some valuable experience in their matches. The conflict this year with netball made it difficult to find continuity among the team.

Throughout the season some of the under 14 players were brought up to contribute to the under 15 competitions. This demonstrated the willingness and drive that these girls had for lacrosse. In their first match against Sedbergh, led by Shannon Currah, the team connected the dots from practice to game situations. If they had, had one minute extra of play they would have put in their best efforts to break the tie. For the second match Casterton School had a very talented year group and Barney lost heavily, 140. Although the score does not show it, the under 14 team fought to the end and put up a good fight. I was always impressed with this group’s effort in day to day games lessons and know that they will be successful in future lacrosse seasons. The best and most improved Under 14 players were respectively, Emma Robson and Leah Bloomfield. Well done.

EMB

U13 Lacrosse

E. Everall (C) Team from: A. Jackson, B. Findlay, S. Pratt, H. Wynn-Jones, P. Maw, P. Naseby, A. Hardy, L. Hardie-Hammond, C. Robertson, K. Borer, A. Gilligan, E. Beauchamp Results: Casterton Lost 5-7 North Schools Lacrosse Tournament results: Harrogate Ladies College lost 3-0 Casterton School lost 1-0 Withington School lost 1-0 Altrincham Grammar School draw 0-0

The Under 13 team came into the year with great enthusiasm for lacrosse. It is evident that they thoroughly enjoyed learning and playing in year 7. The players put a lot of effort into every lesson to improve upon their skills and it showed as the spring term progressed.

The Barnardian Magazine

Unfortunately they did not get a lot of match experience against other teams and when they did compete the final results did not match their true ability.

In the close match against Casterton, the girls battled through the muddy pitch and cold, on-and-off rain to keep the score close. It was only in the last few minutes of the match that Casterton scored the back to back goals that brought them to victory. The Under 13s also took part in the North Schools Lacrosse Tournament, where they played against teams who play lacrosse all year round. Each match was a very close contest and some resulted in losses due to one goal deficits. These girls were very fortunate to have returning goalie, Amy Gilligan, to step up and ward off many tough shots this spring. Overall the team worked together to put up a good fight against the tough competitors they faced this year. The outlook for their future lacrosse seasons is very positive if they keep up the same intensity and passion for the game of lacrosse. The best and most improved Under 13 players this year were Ellie Everall and Pip Maw respectively. I wish them the best of luck.

EMB

U12 Lacrosse

C. McEwan (C) Team from: K. Rhodes, K. Hodgson, H. Swinbank, F. Waiter-Mackenzie, I. Hewitson, A. Ridley, S. Nichols, L. Newton, J. Hall, E. Gossage, F. Summers, C. Waldin Results: Casterton won 8-3 Queen Mary’s won 3-0 North Schools Lacrosse Tournament results: Birkenhead High School lost 2-1 Bolton School draw 1-1 Casterton School won 2-0 Harrogate Ladies’ College lost 4-0 Queens School draw 1-1 Queen Margaret’s lost 4-0 Withington School lost 4-0

The Under 12 team was comprised mostly of players who had never played lacrosse before.

The girls all worked very hard in training sessions to learn how to pass, catch, scoop, shoot, and SCORE. It was not an easy feat for them to learn all of these skills and the rules during a short season.

The team, led by Charlotte McEwan, was incredibly successful in their duel matches, finishing with 2 wins and 0 losses. The Under 12 team also competed in the North Schools Lacrosse Tournament where they played against some of the top schools in the Northern region. These matches were at a higher level than they were used to, but they impressed with their determination and enthusiasm regardless of the situation they were presented with. The improvement that these girls showed over the season proves that they have a tremendous amount of potential for future lacrosse seasons. The best and most improved Under 12 players this year were Isla Hewitson and Alice Ridley respectively. I wish this team all the best.

EMB

2011

87

Spring Term

Barney Bash and Run Running The first part of the spring term lends itself to inter- house crosscountry running. The school has a fine and historic tradition of running and I would like to thank Mr Gedye for his interesting and informative assemblies explaining the history of the Barnard Run and the Bashes.

The Barnard Run is as old as the school while the bashes have been around for just ten years or so. The bashes originally a means of team selection while at the same time engaging the whole school in the run.

In order to make the bash even more worthwhile it has become a charity event. It has been a great success with many pupils and their families supporting the cause by returning their brown envelopes with generous contributions which have been gratefully received by ‘close to home’ charities since 2005.

Cross country is a tough sport which requires ability, training and determination. It is essentially a sport for the individual. There is no hiding place. The toughest, the strongest and the most determined runner will win.

Each competitor has a personal battle – pain may will the body to stop, but it is an inner strength which drives the athlete forward. The cross-country runner does not rely on the decision of a referee or the vagaries of a coach when selecting a team. The bravest and the best athlete wins the day. To win as a team each individual has an equally important role to play: victory is the sum of each personal battle.

The Butterwick Charity Cup – the ‘Barney Bash’ The Bashes are a fine example of a team contest where each and every person’s efforts count. In a race of 100 people with equally sized teams the average finishing position should be 50th. This is the essence of finding the winning girl’s and boys’ house in the ‘Barney Bash’. Each house must try beating the other by achieving a higher average finishing position.

Feeling a little under the weather? It’s a bit cold?

Can’t really be bothered? If your personal answer to these questions is, ‘Not likely – get stuck in!’ then you may well find yourself on the winning team.

Marwood House and Durham House proved this year that they are made of the right stuff. The 90% whose score is taken into account finished on average 43rd – enabling each to collect the Butterwick Charity Cup 2011. Bowes House achieved an average placing of 47th while Longfield achieved 48th. In the Boys competition North and Tees came in at around 44th (with North just edging Tees out of second place). York came in at 47th while Dale could only manage 49th.

One of the biggest handicaps to victory is pupils who don’t compete on the day for whatever reason. Those who have been ‘off games’ or are deemed unfit in the weeks prior to the event do not get included in the scoring and so do not adversely affect the scoring.

There is a 10% allowance in the scoring system which allows for one or two illnesses. The winning team has, invariably, most of the house running with the bulk of their athletes in the top half of the race. Next time make sure you do the right thing to win – if you’re fit, you run!

88

2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Spring Term

The 119th Barnard Run The Barnard Run gives us one of the best days of sport in the school calendar. Being a winter competition, it requires spectators and athletes to be hardy. This year’s conditions were especially tough with a cold, damp easterly wind. Not a slither of sunshine slipped through the leaden skies to offer the least bit warmth. The course was wet and slippery. Some solace could be taken: it only rained a bit and the forecast snow had held off for another 24 hours!

The day started slowly, with a few spectators, children and staff huddling around back porch or the finishing funnel, perhaps wondering if they were in the right place. Soon enough, the chirpy tones of Rev Ridley came through the tannoy, reassuring us that the 119th Barnard Run really was about to happen, but where were the athletes. Most were limbering up in back porch or their house area, trying to take as much warmth from the radiators as possible before they would inevitably have to leave. It seemed unlikely that a day of glory awaited our talented athletes and lucky housemasters.

The first reports of Ellie Everall’s likely victory in the Geoffrey Turnbull Cup came from a proud father, stood at the top Mount Eff Lane, his commentary came crackling over the public address. She was well clear of her nearest rivals, Emma Beauchamp and Francesca Waiter-MacKenzie. A few minutes later, Ellie emerged through the trees and onto the finishing strait to loud cheers, crossing the line before Emma had even completed top tree. Such was her determination to win. The house competition was going to be very close indeed. Bowes took first and second, fifth and sixth places while Marwood had third, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth. Longfield were clearly out of it with Katie Rhodes in 4th place being the only Longfield girl in the top ten. When the mud had dried, Bowes House had won the Ross Cup by just two points.

From now on a steady stream of athletes would flow through the finishing funnel, as race followed race, giving a little cheer (if not warmth) to the onlookers.

First of all, and before many of the girls had completed their race, the first of the Junior Boys emerged into view. It was a delight to see Zak Day, on his debut, heading the pack. He had performed out of his socks to claim victory over his elders, Harvey Barkes and Tom Metcalfe – arguably the race favourite having won the bash. The race was very close, but in the end Zak had won with more than 20 seconds on his nearest rival. Conor Lewis, another Year 7 pupil with a lot of potential, finished in fourth place. By winning the Wilford Cup for Dale House, Zak Day had given Mr Dalton his first victory of the day and he must have been quietly confident of more to come. As the race unfolded it became clear that the competition for the Junior Barnard Cup was going to be close. Durham House had proved their strength in depth by winning the Bash at this age group, while Dale House had a smaller number of quality athletes. The last of Durham’s qualifying runners crossed the line in 27th position while it was 32nd for Dale. In the end it was 2:0 to Mr Dalton, but with just a single point separating them from Durham. It could not have been closer. A bitter pill for Mr Usher; he would have loved to claim his second House running trophy in his first year as housemaster.

News soon started to filter through from the Intermediate races. A real battle was taking place between James Watson and Jonathan Coser. James was fighting to hold Jonathan at bay; any sign of weakness would surely be exploited. Who would blink first? John Brogden and the winner of the bash, Sam Leeming, were also in contention. James continued to apply consistent pressure, leading form the front, pushing hard towards top tree. Once he had rounded the famous marker it was literally all downhill. He could allow his momentum to carry him forward, taking care not to fly headlong into the mud as he approached the stile leading onto the fields and certain victory. James had arrived, claiming his first Barnard Run victory. James Watson, winner of the Blackett Cup 2011. Fantastic! Jonathan Coser had to settle for second place while John Brogden took third.

The Barnardian Magazine

It was not to be Sam Leemings’ day today, but he will be back as firm favourite next year. Durham were miles ahead in the Barnard Cup – Oliver Larcombe was their last counting athlete finishing in 17th while Dale could only manage 35th as their final place. With James’ victory, Dale were 3:0 up.

In the Intermediate Girls’ race, Thea Thompson was well ahead of her nearest rivals, Emma Robson and Niamh Tait. Thea finished in a time of 20.10, to claim her fourth consecutive victory in the Barnard Run. Emma finished in second place more than two minutes behind, with a thirty second gap to Niamh.

The pace was clearly very quick for the conditions with almost four minutes between first and fourth place. A courageous performance from Thea Thompson ensured she won the Fred Turnbull Cup for a second time. When the places were all accounted for, The Chatt Cup was a two House race between Marwood and Bowes. Marwood had a four point advantage to take into the Senior Girls’ race.

With the Senior Girls’ race underway, thoughts turned to the outcome of a contest between two talented athletes: Rachel Brown and Alice McBain. Over the years Alice has been consistently thwarted by Rachel, perhaps this was to be her day. The two girls fought for dominance, but Rachel seemed to have the edge while Alice pushed her hard harrying all the way round the course, made muddier and slippery with the passage of more than a hundred and fifty pairs of feet. The time was never going to be a record breaker, but Rachel crossed the line in a time of 20:20 just 10 seconds ahead of Alice. Both girls were happy with their performance and celebrated together. Anna Dawson had fought a personal battle for third place finishing well ahead of Emily Turner in a time of 22:15. The House competition was very close. Marwood and Longfield had just three athletes in the top 10, while Bowes had four. Brave running from Lottie Holmes, Charlotte Dickinson, Jess Alison-Hughes, Heather Appleby and Jess Thompson ensured that the team had done just enough to edge Bowes into second place. Bowes House has to ask if it handed the victory to Marwood. Marwood girls stood up to be counted and took the prize. The Chatt Cup belonged to Marwood House and to Mrs Armstrong who could not contain her delight since Bowes House had had an iron grip on the contest since 2003 – the year that Bowes House was established.

James Ingram’s name last appeared on a Barnard Run trophy in 2008 when he set a record time on the modern Junior Barney course. His arch rival, Josh Gibson, had thwarted him at every turn in the Lloyd Evans’ Cup. With Josh now out of the equation, surely James’ was to fulfil his destiny and win the elusive prize in his final year. He had determination, grit and ability on his side, but could he pull of a famous victory? It was not going to be handed to him. Anthony Harrison, Will Prior, Finlay Tait and Calum Matthews had tested him in the Bash. Alex Beaumont was an unknown

quantity having cruised the bash and finishing well down the pack. James knew he was better than his twelfth place suggested, but how much better? As for the others, had they given their best in the bash?

James started the race confidently pushing a fast pace across the school fields and down the far side of the hedge. As they rounded the corner, James led the pack by thirty metres onto Mount Eff Lane. They had a long way to go, through some gruelling conditions. Setting the pace gave the pack a clear target. James was determined to throw them off. The contenders hung on bravely. Will Prior too wanted victory, as did Finlay and Anthony. Calum Matthews, who has come into his own this year, was pushing on too. Back on school grounds less than a minute separated the first three places.

Will Prior was not going to give up without a fight and hung on doggedly, leading the third placed Finlay by a similar margin to that that James now held over him.

With top tree in sight, Mr Gedye’s commentary confirmed that James was pushing hard, and Will had nothing left to give. James strode into view to claim his place in Barnard Run history. James Ingram, winner of the Lloyd Evans’ Cup 2011.

As each athlete crossed the line a fifth Dale House victory edged closer. Behind James, Anthony Harrison came in 4th, Chris Bury, Sam Hunter and Sam Oakes came in 9th, 10th and 11th respectively. There was then a gap to Andrew Lister (24th), James Dickinson (28th) and their last counting runner was Dan Miller (45th). The Barnard Cup belonged to Dale House and a delighted Mr Dalton now had a clean sweep of victories for Dale House.

Presentation The prizes were presented by Graham LeggattChidgey, Chief Executive of Butterwick Hospice Care.

The generosity of pupils, parents and friends raised a total £3,753 – a fantastic amount of money which will go to support children at Butterwick House Children’s Hospice in Stockton.

Full Running Colours This year sees the departure of two great athletes and competitors. James Ingram has represented the school at District and County level over many years. He has always given of his best and competed as a true sportsman. Apart from his success in winning the Lloyd Evans Cup this year, he won the Blackett Cup in 2008. Rachel Brown is a naturally talented runner who has achieved success both at District and County level. She represented Durham County on a number of occasions over the years and competed at the English Schools’ in 2011. She has an unbroken record of success in the Barnard Run winning in every year since 2006. She won the Geoffrey Turnbull Cup in 2006, the Fred Turnbull Cup in 2007 and 2008 and the Turnbull Shield in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

CHA

House

Senior total

Inter total

Junior Total

Mean % Score

Place

Durham

1151

1023

693

43.05

1

North

1169

530

501

44.44

2

Tees

866

1121

803

44.93

3

York

1106

593

534

47.72

4

Dale

995

1387

818

49.38

5

House

Senior total

Inter total

Junior Total

Mean % Score

Place

Marwood

1034

894

672

43.92

1

Bowes

934

878

1138

47.20

2

Longfield

950

693

709

48.59

3

2011

89

Summer Term

90

2011

The Barnardian Magazine

Junior play – Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations

This year’s Junior Play was ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ by Alan Ayckbourn. After scouting out the talent in the Autumn term’s Junior Drama activity, auditions were held in January for roles in the production.

A final cast of 21 Year Sevens and Eights was chosen and the weekly rehearsals began in the drama room.

The actors worked very well as a team and had a lot of really good ideas and suggestions to add. The Easter holiday was the deadline for memorizing lines and learning cues. The beginning of the short first half of the Summer term was our first chance to practise on the Big School stage. Mr Fairbairn designed and built the stage and provided light and sound effects. A backstage crew was brought in to help with smooth scene changes and rehearsals increased to twice a week and included one Sunday practice before opening night. Although there were some nervous actors backstage, the two performances could not have gone any better and every member of the cast did brilliantly. For many, it had been their first time on stage and I certainly hope it won’t be the last!

Here is a first hand account of being involved in the production from Kieran Lewis, who played the role of Dad: For me, the junior play was a really great event, for two main reasons. First off, the experience - doing something like this is a really good thing to do!

Performing is always fun, and being a part of such a great performance was wonderful - you really see how much work goes into a production like this (the costumes, the set, the lighting, the acting...).

The other reason is the opportunity - it’s not often you get a chance to be involved with so big and fun.

Hearing people laugh when you tell a joke, seeing them watching so intently, it’s all so brilliant!

It was a real challenge with learning the lines - I generally just learnt the main part of each line, but adapted some to fit my portrayal of the character.

Another challenge was the sets - we only transferred onto the set (not completely finished) a couple of weeks before the performance. It was a steep learning curve, but we managed! I’m looking forward to doing something like this again.

EEB

The Barnardian Magazine

Every year, in the Summer Term, the school’s younger Thespians, aspiring to replace their older colleagues in the next cycle, produce the third annual production of a full calendar.

This year was no different, with the comedic play, ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations,’ put on to provide something lighter in contrast to the dark winter’s ‘Skellig’ and spring’s adventurous performance of ‘RENT’.

And provide something lighter they did. Harry McGuire delivered his jokes as the eponymous character confidently; Kieran Lewis was entertaining in the role of his pioneering father, and Kerin Borer was certainly a capable mother. Caitrin Robertson the boxing Aunt, and Nathaniel Davis as the adventurously imagined librarian also stood out in a largely flawless cast. The lines were all well-rehearsed, and nobody could have said that the evening had dragged on by the end of it.

Indeed, not much else can really be said of the spectacle. It all went off without a directorial or technical hitch, thanks to the experienced Mrs Beaty, and the venerable Mr Fairbairn respectively, the latter of which will be missed as he retires along with the year’s end. Practiced backstage and technical crews kept the show running smoothly, and the evening provided an enjoyable half-an-hour to all who were able to catch it.

Ben Jeffrey

2011

91

Summer Term

Summer CCF Exercise 1st Look 40 new recruits signed themselves up for Exercise 1st look at Downholme woods, Catterick Training Area for a 20 hour military exercise.

The year 9s had only joined the School’s CCF a couple of weeks previous, and were now going to complete their basic training field craft module by spending a weekend under canvass.

Cadets were put into their 4 sections under the watchful eye of Colour Sergeant Sam Hunter (1 section), Sergeant Hannah Byers (2 section), Sergeant Abi Graham (3 section) and Sergeant Tory Richardson (4 section). The training began with a round robin of 4 lessons taught by Colour Sergeant Oliver Chrisp, Colour Sergeant Heather Appleby, Sergeant Donna Opray and Cadet Warrant Officer Ed Grundy. Lessons included camouflage and concealment, the 24 hour ration pack, observation post and how to build a basha. Cadets then had a couple of hours to build their bashas which would provide shelter for the evening, cook their evening meal from the ration box and cam up. Once done and after a quick briefing from their section commanders, the sections were deployed to a secret rendez-vous point where they had to patrol up to an area and carry out a close target recce of the enemy position.

The cadets spent the Sunday morning taking part in two command tasks, a paintball target lane and a section competition.

Presentations were awarded to a number of cadets which included the winner of the paintball target lane was Cadet Sam Theakston and the winner of the observation post was Cadet Jacob Shannon. 3 section won the section competition with an impressive time of 4 minutes 47 seconds and 2 section were the overall best section. The best new recruit went to Cadet Sam Theakston and the runner up was Cadet Emma Robson. Throughout the weekend, the Officers were also looking at the NCOs and Lieutenant Nicholson awarded the Nicholson Shield to Sergeant Tory Richardson who was the best senior cadet.

92

2011

Exercise 2nd Look Summer Camp took place at Wathgill Training Camp, not far from Catterick Garrison. 38 cadets and 5 members of staff set off on the short coach trip almost immediately after the prize giving ceremony at the end of term.

The week’s activities began on the 1st evening, with cadets shooting on the DCCT (dismounted close combat trainer), enabling them to practice their marksmanship principles. After an early start the next day, the cadets marched up to the ranges and spent the morning clay pigeon shooting and in the DCCT again. Several of the cadets displayed some excellent shooting skills with Lance Corporal Steve Webster winning the shot gun shoot off and Corporal Chris Moore getting the closest grouping on the target scenario on the DCCT. That afternoon cadets took part in some team building exercises which practised them in their communication and leadership skills and in the evening, cadets had an hour’s drill training with the drill Sergeant Major who certainly put them through their paces.

The cadets took part in an orienteering competition on the Monday morning. The contingent was split into 17 groups and each team set off at 1 minute intervals. Lance Corporal Hugh Carter and Cadet James Beedle won the competition, with a very respectable time of 34 minutes and 42 seconds and Cadets Ben Ridley and Matthew Jeffery came second with a time of 38 minutes and 48 seconds. Just before lunch the cadets took part in a drill knock out competition which was won by Sergeants Donna Opray and Guy Van Den Dries with cadets Claire Wilkinson and Ross Currie doing very well too.

Following a packed meal, the contingent was split into 4 sections and they spent the afternoon completing a series of command tasks which included getting the whole section through a spider’s web, rescuing an injured soldier and getting him to safety by crossing a mine zone filled with shark infested custard and erecting a tent whilst blindfolded. A special mention must go to Cadets Amanda Usher, Chris Harrison and Niamh Tait, as well as Corporal Aaron Day and Sergeant Guy Van Den Dries who displayed some excellent leadership skills. To finish the training, the contingent split into two teams for a race. Major Hall’s team completed

the course in 5 minutes 45 seconds and Lieutenant Nicholson’s team completed it in 6 minutes. The evening was spent taking part in an obstacle course competition, and after a warm up, team one completed the course in 2 minutes and 29 seconds and team two completing it in 4 minutes and 34 seconds.

Tuesday was spent at Ellerton Lake for the adventure training package. The cadets spent the morning on the water where they built rafts, practised acrobatics on the open boats and completed some fun games on the kayaks. After changing back into dry clothes, the afternoon was spent on the mobile climbing wall, taking part in a volleyball competition and also gaining some instruction on the archery lane. The evening was spent taking part in an archery competition which was won by Lance Corporal Hugh Carter.

After a day on the advanced tactics stand, where cadets took part in patrolling and shooting at falling plate targets on the close quarter battle lane, we deployed straight into Exercise Gandale. Cadets moved into the farm accommodation and then received their orders for the evening’s mission of carrying out a recce of the area. Two of the sections led by Sergeants Hannah Byers and James Dickinson unfortunately walked straight into an ambush and had to tactically withdraw back to base camp. The other two sections led by Colour Sergeant Sam Hunter and Sergeant Tory Richardson managed to successfully carry out a close target recce and gained some vital information from an enemy position. The following day on the way to carry out some section attacks, the cadets patrolled straight into a film crew who were filming a documentary called Eternal Law. They did film us that morning, so we could be all famous if we are seen on TV! The final day was spent relaxing a Lightwater Valley.

Cadet Iona Borer was presented with the shield for the best year 10 cadet on camp, Sergeant James Dickinson was presented with the shield for the overall best cadet on camp and Colour Sergeant Sam Hunter won the cadet’s cadet trophy. It goes without saying that throughout the week, the cadets were a credit to the School and certainly put 100% effort and enthusiasm into every activity they were presented with.

CEH

The Barnardian Magazine

Summer Term

Creative Writing competition The year 7s recently had a visit from our very own author Robert Johnson, who works within the school.

He spoke inspiringly about how he started writing and where he gets his ideas from, and he encouraged the pupils to reflect on their own learning and futures.

His visit was so powerful that it seemed appropriate to follow it with a creative writing competition set up for years 7 and 8. Three titles were given: “The Gift,” “Night Time” and “A Day to Remember.”

The response to the competition was amazing: there were so many entries, far more than was expected, which made it very difficult to judge as they were also of such good quality.

The judges were Robert Johnson and Mrs M Waddington (Head of Learning Support).

The winners were: 1st: Kieran Lewis 2nd: Aiden Moran 3rd: Helen Walgate 4th: Bethan Findlay

”

Many Thanks, Robert Johnson

Runners up were: Joshua Bloomfield Oliver Morrill Joe Andrew Ruby Wilkinson

Overall, this competition was a great success and we’ll certainly be repeating it next year, as well as introducing a similar competition for our older writers.

MEW

The Gift I plod down the bus as if it’s a funeral procession. Horrific memories from school are here so, as you’d expect, being repeatedly forced to sit inside ‘Hell on Wheels’ for an hour isn’t the most pleasing idea.

People aren’t that good to me. Wait – if I’m brutally honest they are malicious.

They make fun of me, spread rumours. It’s awful. I fill with rage when it happens, but I conceal it – I know that if I retaliate, I’ll suffer for it.

Oh damn, I think. One of them is clambering up the stairs – I quickly turn on my iPod and begin listening to ‘Born This Way’, but I can’t block out the taunts thrown my way.

“Yo, Blacky! Yo got beaten up by a Yee-eh 2!” He laughs, pointing at me. I just focus on the lyrics. He punches me, “Ey, you! Ya got beaten up by a Yee-eh 2!”

I remain perfectly still, stopping listening. He wants a reaction, I know it – but I don’t grant him the pleasure, and after a couple punches he struts away.

Why does it matter that I’m black, short and clever? It matters just as much as him being white, fat and dumb! IT DOESN’T MATTER. I wish he’d stop.

Insults are thrown, as the bus drives its course. I watch people leave the bus.

My stop’s last.

“Bye, Dave,” I manage a smile to the bus driver as I step off. He gives me a nod and a wave, then the bus’s doors close and I’m left to walk home in the pouring rain – by the time I reach my house, my hair is soaking wet and my bag is dripping with water.

I march up the stairs, shaking my head side-to-side to remove the worst of the water. I’m so exhausted, and I can’t wait for Saturday – just to let you know, it’s Monday night. I burst open my bedroom door – my place. My Xbox, computer, iPod! I guess the best thing in my week is a nice retreat to Assassin’s Creed!

It’s only 7:00pm but a good night’s sleep will give strength for Tuesday.

My alarm clock goes off at 6:30am, but I only manage to tumble out of my cosy bed at 7:10. I get myself cereal, then check the mail (don’t expect a letter, but might as well check). To my disbelief, I find a parcel with my name on it!

I rip the wrapping paper open with a rare sense of excitement. I choke up as I see it. Who would... how could... wow...

Inside the wrapping and bubble wrap is a case for my iPod and a note inside, reading: “Bud, tell someone about it. It’ll get better :) “ Below is a phone number – I put this in Google, and a website comes up: Childline.

Tears flow, not believing someone would do something like this. The only thing I could think?

Thanks Dave.

Kieran Lewis The Barnardian Magazine

“

On the 4th of April 2011 I was given a great opportunity by Mrs Waddington to talk to a group of Year 7 English students about the experiences I have had so far, following the release of my debut novel. For me it was a chance to explain that if you have the self belief and the determination, you can fulfil any of your dreams.

Night Time As the last rays of sun hit against the wall of impenetrable mist, the hunter cursed. He’d been tracking a deer for hours and now the light had gone out. He was not going hungry again. The baron’s men had taken everything he had apart from the clothes on his back and his trusty bow. That’s why he took to poaching.

His parents disagreed but they were happy enough when food was on the table.

But with the light going out he would find tracking a lot more difficult. But still, he had nothing to lose. Sighing, he took out the tinderbox (stolen) and lit a torch (also stolen). He followed along the deer tracks until he reached a small clearing. There stood the deer grazing as if it hadn’t noticed the light of his torch. He allowed himself a quick grin as he pulled back to the bow string and released. He aimed but at that exact moment a gust of wind blew. It blew the torch from where he planted it in the ground. He flinched. The bowstring snapped across his wrist and he yelled out in pain. Then the whispers began.

“Pain” He whirled round but in the darkness he tripped and fell.

“Death” He groped around wildly for his torch and tinder box, whimpering with fear.

“Fear” He found them and stuck at his tinderbox wildly, crying with desperation and fear. It finally lit. He waved it round his head frantically.

“Where are you!” he shouted. He stood up and picked up his bow. He was trembling from the experience, but shook his head anyway, telling himself it was the wind. But deep inside him he knew better. The best thing for him now would be to get back as quickly as possible, deer or no deer.

“I’m behind you” He span round but no-one was there. He closed his eyes and started breathing heavily. He walked through the forest not caring for the branches and sticks in his way, only trying to get home as quickly as possible.

“You cannot escape me” He flinched but carried on. He couldn’t listen to the voice now.

“Your family are disgusted by what you do” How did The Voice know that. He had had arguments with his parents about his poaching but they were always quiet so no-one could hear lest they get arrested.

“They will be thankful that you will never leave this forest” Heart pounding in fear and rage at The Voice. How dare it enter his private matters? How dare he intimidate him? He had found his pride at last.

“You will die.” He stopped and tensed.

“And your family with you” And that was it. The Voice could threaten him all it wanted to, but it could threaten his family, who had cared for him and only tried to persuade him off poaching because they were afraid he would get caught. In a wordless shout he hurled the torch at the place where the whispers were coming from. As it flew through the shadows it hit a dark body standing there. A scream as harsh as the wind on a mountain broke out from the trees. The Voice was dead.

But then the torch hit the floor. It sent sparks all around catching fire to anything it touched. Flames sprung around everywhere and they sped around him forming a circle, trapping him. The voice had done that. As the flames closed in on him he realised that this was just the vengeance of The Voice. It was dead but it would have its final victim. And then the fires closed in.

Aidan Moran 2011

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Summer Term

House Gladiators So it came down to a right royal battle – Her Majesty of Longfield House, Emily Turner, the red-faced rose of England (aka Our Sovereign), against the pride of the Czech Republic and York House, Martin Ryvola. All bets were off.

Even our chirpy compere, Mick Donnelly was lost for words as the small English ship sailed into the European galleon – all guns blazing and jewellery rattling at the honed muscles of the strongest devotee of the new fitness suite.

The towering colossus wavered. Was it simply hesitation borne of respect for the fairer sex, was it confusion at the terrier aggression of someone dressed in a floral dress and a Queen Elizabeth mask, or was it simply that his feet were too big to remain secure on the podium? Whatever the case, Goliath was toppled by Davina, the Republic was vanquished by Royalty, and everyone had a good laugh – which was the point of the exercise really and a few pounds extra for charity.

SJR

Longfield Dinner

As is the annual tradition, during the Summer term the dining hall was decked out beautifully by the staff, the lectern was positioned, the overhead projector was aligned, wine was ordered and invites sent for the Longfield Dinner.

Organised by the out-going girls – in every sense of the word! – the dinner was another huge success. Many friends and family were invited, with a total of 190 guests from many different corners of the world. Tutors and pupils welcomed the families of the young ladies, who all looked as smashing as ever, and entered the Dining Hall for a top-notch meal.

Once the food was consumed and the drinks were quaffed with eagerness, the Lower Sixth girls took to the stand, whilst a presentation whirred overhead with many embarrassing images of our seven leavers.

Each of the girls was recollected with fondness by the Lower Sixth, and speeches thanking staff, both tutors and back of house, were very touching. The soundtrack to the evening was a magnificent blend of every house song we have performed, including this year’s winning belter! In addition to this, Hannah Robertson took to the stage and wowed us all with that beautiful, melancholic voice of hers.

To make the evening even more poignant, it was not only the girls that would soon be leaving us – and special mention went to the Peppers, first-rate house parents who will be missed by all.

A fitting end to the Longfield calendar, we say farewell to Jess Brice, Tory Cliffe, Brooke Goudie, Donna Opray, Hannah Robertson, Jess Scott, and Head of House Harriet Knowles, and wish them all the best for all of their endeavours in the future.

TS Edwards

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The Barnardian Magazine

“

Summer Term

The Year 8 RS trip to Lindisfarne was an enjoyable pilgrimage. The pupils enjoyed learning about the significance of Aidan and Cuthbert using ‘Holy Island’ to re-develop Christianity in the North. They also painted Celtic Art onto pebbles on the beach, impressing staff by their creativity and artistic skills.

”

AJA

RS – Lindisfarne On Monday 9th May, Year 8 went on a Religious Studies trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. We had to cross a road which becomes the sea when the tide comes in, which was very exciting. When we arrived, we first went to the Priory, where there were many interesting parts of the ruins, which were amazingly still standing. It was an important centre of early Christianity, and was home to the Lindisfarne Gospels.

We went to the island’s beach, which was incredibly windy, but great fun! We had a Celtic stone painting competition. The island has a very long history. We learnt that the island was attacked in 793 AD, during the time of the Anglo Saxons. My favourite part of the trip was painting all the Celtic rocks, because we put them all together and they looked really colourful! It was a great day out.

Izzy Knowles

Battlefields History trip

Field’. We then saw Langemarck Cemetery, a German cemetery which is extremely different from the others, with dark gravestones instead of white ones, and is a very harrowing experience. The next place, Tyne Cot Cemetery, is one of the largest and most impressive memorials, which contains graves of 11,908 men and a memorial to a further 34,888 soldiers. We then went to Sanctuary Wood, where a portion of front line and support trenches dating back to 1916 have been preserved. We were able to explore the trenches, and we found it very distressing, that people had to live in these terrible conditions with mud and water and not be able to go home.

experience was very moving. This year was very special, because Tilly McAllister and Hamish Glover laid a wreath at the ceremony. A choir also sang and the ceremony was beautiful, though sad.

We give many thanks to Mr Gorman, who organised the trip, as well as Mr Ince, Miss Jackson and Miss Snaith, who came along with us. It was a fantastic few days where we not only learnt a lot, but also were able to empathise with and understand the terrible atrocities of the war much more, and it was a very worthwhile experience.

Claudia Barkes On 28th May, 37 sleepy students and 4 tired teachers set off from school at 6.30am, ready for the Battlefields Trip to Belgium and France (and Canada!). On Sunday, the first place to see was Vimy Ridge, a memorial dedicated to the Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. Everybody had a guided tour of the underground passages, which was absolutely fascinating, and because France granted Canada some of the land on Vimy ridge, it was very interesting seeing Canada! We ate lunch in Peronne, a picturesque town where we went to a more modern museum dedicated to the memory of people who fought in the First World War, and we learnt more about its effects on political, social and cultural aspects.

We then came to Thiepval Memorial, which was an incredibly moving and sad memorial dedicated to 72,195 missing British and Commonwealth men who died in the Battle of the Somme, and who have no known grave.

We found names of seven Old Barnardians and placed cards in their memory. Lastly, we went to Lochnager Crater, an absolutely incredible piece of land that was formed by a mine detonated on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

The second day was just as busy – we visited Essex Farm, a very small cemetery which contains the grave of Valentine Joe Strudwick, who was killed on 14th January, 1916, aged just 15 – one of the youngest to die on the Western Front. It was also at Essex Farm that John McCrae wrote the now famous poem, ‘In Flanders

The Barnardian Magazine

We then took a trip to the town of Ypres and there was an optional visit to the “In Flanders Field Museum” where, as part of an interactive tour, you can take on the identity of historical characters whose everyday lives were thrown into turmoil by the bloody battles. A good deal of chocolate was bought, and then presently consumed, in the quaint and friendly chocolate shops of the town, and we all headed back to the hotel.

Later on in the evening, we went back to Ypres for the Last Post at the Menin Gate. Every day, at 8pm, buglers of the Ypres Fire Brigade sound the Last Post, and the

We would like to congratulate Claudia Barkes on her fantastic results at the Great Britain Gymnastics Level 2 Championships.

Having competed in a series of compulsory events, she was delighted to be awarded the bronze medal, resulting in her being third in the country. A truly meritorious achievement.

Claudia has also been selected to attend a National Training Camp in Dijon, France with the Great Britain Home Development Squad. She will be training with her national coaches and enjoying ten days away with other squad gymnasts.

2011

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Summer Term

Summer Tours Music Tour to Paris On a cold, dark night on the 11th July when the rest of Barnard Castle was asleep, several pupils and teachers met at the top of the school drive, carrying an array of instruments and music, ready to depart for the music trip to Paris.

A long journey lay ahead, but it was definitely worthwhile. Everybody was treated to seeing the famous sights of Paris: breathtakingly beautiful Notre Dame, the remarkable Centre Pompidou, the striking Sacré Couer Basilica and, of course, the Eiffel Tower, where some braved the lifts and saw the sprawling sights of Paris from above.

We were lucky enough to play at Parc Montsouris on one day and at Square Jean the next – in the gardens of Notre Dame! Under the direction of Mr Donnelly, the band played various pieces such as ‘Goldfinger,’ ‘Bad,’ ‘The Incredibles,’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ whilst the choir sang songs including ‘The Rhythm of Life,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘Chasing Cars’ under the direction of Mr Mawhinney.

Hetti Harper, Dan Priestley, Tom Evans, Alex RowlandJones and James Robertson also performed a song

by Adele, making two thoroughly enjoyable concerts in lovely settings.

The final day – and perhaps the day everybody was most excited about – took us to Disneyland! Though coming in through the private entrance meant there were a few fears about possibly seeing a headless Mickey, luckily there were no such sights and we performed in the Videopolis Stage that holds up to three thousand people – a daunting and yet fantastic experience where both the band and the choir sounded very confident. And, of course, we were able to go on plenty of rides as well!

Whether we were performing, going on a cruise down the Seine, eating at Flunch or watching a parade in Disneyland it was a great trip, and we all say a big thank you to Mr Mawhinney, Mr Donnelly, Miss Jackson and Mr Atherton who came with us and made it a very enjoyable few days.

Whizzy Gorman

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Swedish Expedition The expedition team (the word “team” being stretched at times) consisted of six Barney pupils – Sebastian Hampson (Seb), Sam Graham, Daniel Thompson (Tomo), Calum Matthews and Jack and Matthew Thorman.

Our external expedition leader, Richard Davill, who met at 1pm on 10th July. The touchdown was followed by a 1hr bus journey into the centre of Oslo. At 7.30pm we finally arrived at the Arvika canoe centre, situated in the heart of Värmland, a province of Sweden.

It was an early start the next morning, re-packing our kit (again) ready for the 9.00am pre-expedition briefing by the canoe centre. We were welcomed and informed of our route, the dangers we could encounter and how we should behave in the wilderness. The only other people doing the same route were two Dutch lads. After loading two minivans it was off on our journey. After an hour and a half we finally arrived at the start point which was somewhere deep in the wilderness of the Värmland forest, near the Norwegian border.

As soon as we arrived it was ‘all systems go’ unloading the boats and kit. After a hasty lunch of yet more bread, cheese and salami we finally set-off, paddling our flotilla of four canoes across the still waters of the lake getting used to the canoes, paddling partner (Matthew in my case) and our new surroundings for the next seven days. What lay ahead of us were 12km of land portages and 120km of paddling.

We huddled under the tarpaulin to eat our bread, jam and best of all, chocolate spread, and climbed aboard our rain filled canoes. I could see spirits were already flagging. The long journey down the endless lake with rain pounding our faces was definitely one of the low points of the trip. Later we came to our first portage of the day where we set up the tarp to shelter from the rain during lunch. The Dutch lads were here doing the same.

After soup, noodles and tiger muffins, we were suitably energised to paddle across another endless lake with rain pounding our faces. Waves crashed against the side of our boats forcing us to paddle close together for protection. Later that afternoon the clouds stared to separate to reveal a warming sun. At this point we had reached our most northerly point of the trip. We were in Norway and would now be heading south towards Sweden. We reached an island where we had planned to camp for the night only to find the Dutch lads had beaten us there. However, they invited us to join them – a courtesy we would afford them a couple of nights later.

That evening saw us hanging kit out to dry before retiring to bed after dinner.

Pennine Way Expedition July 2011 A walking trip needs good weather, good company and good scenery.

This trip had it all in spades. By “good” weather, I mean weather that requires the walker to take the rough with the smooth: if you can flog on when desperate for a drink (ie. water) and flog on again the next day when soaked to the skin, and all this taken in good cheer, you have the sort of disposition that will conquer a challenge such as the PW. The small band that undertook this year’s expedition was more than equal to the task and it was a happy, satisfied group of 6 teachers and 8

The next day dawned mercifully sunny and there was a good mood in camp as we collected our dry kit off the line and tucked into a breakfast of crisp bread and chocolate spread. We soon left camp in dry weather.

With the sun shining and the reflections of the trees ahead shimmering in the water this was definitely one of the best times we had paddling through forests of river reeds.

The paddling on day four stared off easy, but the wind soon picked up and we struggled to make headway. We knew we had to keep going as we had to make good progress that day to remain on schedule. Once again, the heavens opened. Wet to the bone we finally arrived at our campsite on a small lake called Nedre assbotten.

The island included an emergency shelter which we gratefully made use of to shelter and cook dinner under.

The two Dutch lads also joined us on the island desperately looking for relief from the constant downpour. Later we made pop-corn while huddling around the camp fire with the Dutch.

The last day started when Phil marched over to our camp and told us he and Richard were leaving in one hour - at 10:30am - and that we were going to have to navigate our way back to the canoe centre. Everyone sprang into action, desperate to leave camp before Phil and Richard. I was now chief navigator for the group.

Having reached the first portage unharmed we all worked together using the skills we had learnt during the trip to ensure that everything went as smoothly as possible. The going was monotonous and tiring, but it was good to know that we could do it ourselves and that we were nearly approaching the canoe centre. Tired and hungry, we pulled our canoes on the beach outside the centre and stumbled onto land. It had been an amazing experience, which had tested us at times as individuals and as a team, but it had also been great fun.

We returned to Oslo the following day for some sightseeing. The highlight was standing on Oslo’s Opera house roof watching the sun set over the city. But this was then topped when we went into the opera’s hightech toilets. The urinals were a waterfall! Matthew and Jack didn’t ‘wop’ out their knifes: Phil said Bear would probably use toilets like these. We left our hostel at 5.30am on Friday 22 July to catch the bus to the airport ready for the morning flight. Again there was frantic repacking and swapping of kit to ensure each bag was within the weight limit. On our arrival back in UK were soon learnt about the bomb explosion in Oslo and then later in the day about the heinous shootings. 7/22 will now be etched into the history books. Our thoughts go out to the Norwegian people.

By Calum Matthews

pupils that saw Tan Hill come into view at the end of day 8.

Our accommodation was in youth hostels that delighted in their variety and consistency of welcome. The walkers bonded, young and older, into a cohesive, supportive, highly committed squad that good-humouredly enjoyed and endured some long days in the wildernesses of the Pennines. Highlights in such instances are a subjective matter, but if you can see beauty in utter desolation, then Bleaklow is the place to be, and it is pleasing to note that the hostel that seemed most well received by the younger members of the team was perhaps the most spartan and certainly the oldest.

My thanks go to PEK, GSH (who can cook the meanest curry), JBG, CHA and MEW and to all the pupils who made this into a true holiday. Next year sees us back in Scotland on the West Highland Way. Why not join us?

AMW

The Barnardian Magazine

Summer Sports Swimming

D Miller (C) Team from: R Hall, T Romaines, K Chan, A Miller, D Hackett, J Robertson, N Miller, J Hall, B Ridley, A Lea, G Jones, H Glover, J Shannon, J Beckwith, J Bloomfield, J McGrath, N Bridger, J Raw, J Pickering, A Farr, Z Day Results Junior Sedbergh Leeds Durham Ampleforth Pocklington St Martins Whitgift

Lost

Lost Won

Intermediate Won Lost Won Won Lost

Senior Won Lost Won Won Won

Overall Won Lost Won Won Lost Won 6th

John Parry Relays Senior Medley 10th Freestyle 8th Bath Cup Bath Cup 4 x 100m 32nd Otter Cup 4 X 50m Medley 38th

Aldenham Cup 10th Dunelm 4 X 50m Medley Cup 12th

This years training has often been interrupted by a lack of pool which has been some what frustrating. Especially for the seniors who have shown great commitment to training, luckily the new gym has provided an extra facility and the boys armed with a training programme from Mr Woodward have made full use of the facility.

We had a difficult start to the year at Leeds. Always a tough match and this year was no different. The John Parry Relays were at Stoneyhurst the boys put in solid performances and narrowly missed the final.

The spring term started with our usual match against Sedbergh were the boys were on top form wining 90% of the races. This was to be a trend which was repeated in our matches against Ampleforth and Durham. This year saw a gala against Pocklington there were some great races but in the junior and intermediate age groups they proved a little too strong. The seniors continued with their wining form despite missing the captain and a couple of other key members.

The junior match against St Martins was enjoyed by all, the races were all very close but this year went in our favour.

The Bath and Otter Cup was once again at Crystal Palace – hopefully next year we will be in the Olympic Aquatic centre. The have worked hard all year with this in mind and they moved up the order of merit in both the Bath Cup and the Otter Medley. They will always find it a big step up swimming in he 50m pool as they realised that out pool is as long as the 50m pool is wide!!

Dan Miller’s two year captaincy comes to an end. He has been an excellent captain, organising the younger swimmer and me at times. I will miss the senior boys, training will be some what quieter next year without them.

FC

Athletics It has been a very busy summer term for our athletes: 11 12 14 16 19 21 11 18

May May May May May May June June

HMC athletics Junior girls v St Olaves & Pocklington Independent Schools girls athletics Track and Field Cup Area trials Girls v Casterton & St Mary’s Hall County Athletics Championships Inter-County Schools Athletics Championships

The Barnardian Magazine

The first competition of the season was the, very competitive, Northern HMC. Due to Easter being so late, this event was in the second week of term, which meant very little time for our athletes to practice.

We performed well as a team with several steady performances and a few medal places; Ivan Gaskin (LJ – 3rd), Ben Wynn-Jones (400m – 3rd), Bekki Westgarth (HJ – 2nd), Caitlin Bainbridge (LJ – 1st, 100m – 3rd) and Niamh Tait (Shot – 3rd). Intermediate boys were ninth, intermediate girls were third, junior boys and girls were both eleventh.

The junior girls had a friendly competition against St Olaves and Pocklington at St Olaves. The overall scores were St Olaves – 185 points, Pocklington – 155 points and Barnard Castle – 143 points. St Olaves were clearly the strongest team but we were very unlucky that Pocklington beat us by just a few points. Individual winners included: Sarah Scanlan (100m) and Isla Hewitson (100m).

Our next fixture was the Girls Independent Schools Athletics at Huntington Stadium. This was a very competitive event where we performed extremely well against thirteen other able and motivated schools. The U12 girls were eighth, U13 girls were eighth, U14 girls were tenth and the U15 girls were second. Out of all of the teams we had two individual wins from Niamh Tait (Shot Putt) and Thea Thompson (Javelin). However, all of the girls in the U15 team performed extremely well; they were placed in the top three in the majority of events.

Congratulations to Niamh Tait, Thea Thompson, Caitlin Bainbridge, Bekki Westgarth and Kim Brolly on achieving second place in this very tough competition.

The track and field cup was a very exciting competition this year where we had some inexperienced athletes who competed well. In the first round at Jarrow our junior boys were third, intermediate boys were fourth, junior girls were fourth and the intermediate girls were also fourth. Unfortunately none of the teams managed to get enough points to make it through to the next round but it was a great experience, particularly for those athletes who were attempting new events.

Casterton School hosted BCS and St Mary’s Hall for a girl’s athletics competition. The age groups were from U10 – U15. It was an extremely wet but busy day with girls competing in several events. As a school we performed extremely well, winning the whole competition. The senior school age groups scored 308 points, Casterton scored 294 points and St Mary’s Hall scored 156 points. The individual age group scores for the senior school were: U12 BCS 92 U13 BCS 52 U14 BCS 75 U15 BCS 89 Cas 72 Cas 71 Cas 86 Cas 65 SMH 80 SMH 76

Towards the end of the athletics season we planned to host boys and girls from Ampleforth, Durham School, Pocklington, Sedbergh, Windermere St Anne’s and Yarm.

Unfortunately this competition was cancelled due to rain.

The school performed extremely well at the Area Athletics Trials. Thirty eight U17 and U15 athletes competed and twenty two got through to compete for South West Durham at Monkton Stadium: Sarah Scanlan (200m), Alice Jackson (HJ), Alice Whitehead (Discus), Fran Pollock (LJ), Max Hargrove (Jav), Ben Tremewan (TJ), Duncan Hewitson (Discus), Cameron Waiter-McKenzie (400m), Sam Theakston (LJ), Hamish Glover (Shot), Bekki Westgarth (HJ), Niamh Tait (Shot), Thea Thompson (Jav), Iona Borer (TJ), Vicky McKay (Discus), Ivan Gaskin (LJ), Agni Ghosh (200m), Max Jones (Jav), Ben Wynn-Jones (Discus), Harry Holden (HJ), Lewis Sowerby (400m) and Ben Spratt (Shot). The following U19 athletes were hand picked to go through to compete for South West Durham: Helen Alderson (Shot), Iain Swall (Discus), Chris Legg (Jav) and Finlay Tait (HJ). Out of these pupils, ten were first or second and were chosen to represent County Durham at

Gateshead Stadium the following weekend. Saturday 18th June was a horrible day with very wet conditions, not ideal for all athletes to perform at their best. Ben Tremewan was 5th, Alice Whitehead was 5th, Bekki Westgarth was 4th, Niamh Tait was 5th, Thea Thompson was 3rd, Ivan Gaskin was 7th, Max Jones was 3rd, Ben Wynn-Jones was 5th and Harry Holden was 8th. Caitlin Bainbridge competed as a guest so was not placed in the competition. Thea and Bekki both performed extremely well as they managed to beat their PB’s on the day. These ten pupils have performed amazingly well this season and they should be extremely proud of themselves, getting to the inter-counties competition was not an easy process, well done!

This has been another very successful athletics term.

Well done to those pupils who performed well individually and also to all pupils who helped us gain valuable points in the team competitions.

LJS

1st XI Football P 8/W 6/D 2/L 0

Team From: Grant McGrath, Will Barnes, Sebastian Ullrich, Ben Duffield, Freddie Metcalfe, Dale Keogh, Aidan Grant, Chris Bury, Alex Wilson, Ben Wilson, Greg Upton, Xaver Remky, Alejandro Lázaro, Lucas Summers, Mathew Brown, Lukas Killinger, Sam Hunter, Bret Upton It appears that my hopes after last year’s dismal season came true after all; less injuries and a chance to pick a team which regularly consisted of the same core of players produced far better results. I was very pleased with the level of commitment from the boys this year and some of the football that they played was excellent.

Despite 3 unbeaten seasons in the last five years and the lack of an out-and-out striker, this has probably been the best group of players I have worked with.

The season began with a tricky away trip to Sedbergh.

Although the game finished 3-2, in reality the team deserved to win by a greater margin, hitting the woodwork twice in the second half. Scoring two goals in the first game, Greg Upton was to accomplish a similar feat in the second match at home to St Peter’s which was a far more comfortable affair with the team attacking at will and producing good movement and passing in the final third of the field. One of the only disappointments of the season was the injury that Greg picked up in the third game, a home fixture against Sedbergh, in which they again emerged as victors in an edgy 1-0 match. The goalscorer in this game was our German Midfield Kaiser, Xaver Remky, who scored some great goals this season with his cultured right boot.

The team was also without the influential Alex Wilson for the game against Giggleswick in which we managed to scrape a 2-2 draw after a long range strike from captain Dale Keogh. St Peter’s were duly swept aside again in the return fixture and a dogged Ampleforth managed to achieve a draw at ‘the Castle’ after our boys had bossed the first half of the game. They always say that football is ‘a game of two halves’.

The fixture that will most stick in my mind is what will become known in legend as the ‘St Aidan’s Day Massacre’. Our visitors from Harrogate had ‘done the double’ over us last season and I had fired the team up prior to the game by telling them that this would be the hardest game of our season. It turned out not to be so, as the opposition was swept aside with ease.

The final game was always going to be an edgy affair and Ampleforth were one of the best sides we met during the season, with three skilful Spaniards in their ranks. Although we had some nervy moments, we did just enough to sneak a victory to complete a fine set of results that the boys ought to be proud of.

ARJ

2011

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Summer Sports Senior Boys Tennis Teams from: Mike Waldin (Capt), Lucas Killinger, Chris Bury, Patrick Borer, Freddie Metcalfe Stephen Tsoi, Ross Whalley, Chris Robinson, Alban, Dennis Hackett, Jeremy Kwan, Johnny Trewhella, Nick Packham, Freddie McBain , Johnny Connors.

(Full colours were re-awarded to Mike Waldin and awarded to Lukas Killinger. Half colours awarded to Chris Bury, Stephen tsoi, Patrick Borer and Freddie Metcalfe.)

With the demise of the Co knockout for senior boys, won so often by BCS and the schools decision to withdraw from the Northern HMC schools event at Bolton, we were left with a smaller fixture list than usual. Losing a rain cancelled fixture against Ampleforth to the weather further exacerbated matters and meant that our excellent first pairing of Mike Waldin and Lucas Killinger had few others to beat up on.

Winning margins against Sedbergh, St Peters and Giggleswick had to be their consolation and dropping only a couple of sets in their overall stats was great to see. ‘Iron Mike’ has played in the senior six for four years now and his immaculate stroke making will be sorely missed, though I hope emulated. Lucas leaves us to return to Germany and will take back his strong serve and ‘wolley’ game as well as a very well developed and competitive all court game. He was officially sehr gute.

Chris Bury has enjoyed two good seasons with us and thrives on the chances for a long game, whilst Stephen Tsoi and that lovely leftie serve will be returning for more work over the summer to Hong Kong. Our senior six was most often complemented by Patrick Borer and Freddie Metcalfe. Both are very keen to do well and both are in the process of refining their stroke shapes to be more in line with the orthodoxy required for success on a normal court surface. We have some good under 15’s coming through and they will have to be on their toes next year.

With two teams out against Sedbergh and Giggleswick we tried to involve as many players as possible and so our second group of ‘development’ players had the chance to become competitive.

Completing the season with a narrow win over the OB’s was a fine end and we saw Mike and our French visiting student, Alban, notch up a great win over Josh Waldin and Edward Bishop (who did not ever lose on that court when at school). Whilst this was happening Chris and Stephen pinched a tight one against Bill Neville and Josh Wilks. It was a good day at the office.

I have really enjoyed being with the group over the season and I do hope that they continue to do lots of tennis prep watching Sky TV. They have a good attitude to learning and by watching Geoff a good role model to copy in stroke shape. I hope our leavers go on to embrace tennis as a game for life and I wish them warm sunny days without the ‘Barney breeze’.

GB

U15 Boys Tennis

Results: St Peters Sedbergh Windermere St Annes Ampleforth

won won lost lost

The boys have played some excellent tennis this term.

They have had some very close matches narrowly loosing at Ampleforth and Windermere St Annes.

They have all really improved this year acting on the advice given by Geoff on stroke selection and court positioning. They have been a delight to work with and I look forward to seeing their tennis improve next year.

Many thanks to Geoff for all his help this term.

FC

U13 Boys Tennis Team from: S Stainthorpe, A Farr, J Jennings, M Thompson, A Ingram, T Metcalf, M Stirk, M Wilkinson, T Greaves, D Custance, H Thompson, E Lung, J Sargent, A Howarth, N Davis Results: St Olaves Durham Johnston Hummersknott St Martins

lost lost won lost

The boys have had some tough matches this season.

Many of the boys have played their first matches and they have had a steep learning curve.

The scores have often not reflected how close matches have been with many games going to deuce. The have all enjoyed representing the school, and have worked hard in training with Geoff. Their skill level has developed throughout the term and many of them are really enjoying their tennis.

I hope they are able to continue playing in their own time and look forward to seeing them develop as tennis players over the years. Many thanks to Geoff for all his help this term.

FC

Senior Girls Tennis K Fraser (C) Team From: K Walton, G Bishop, E Peat, H Ward, H Alderson, J Thompson, R Brown Results: St Peters Sedbergh Ampleforth Durham High

lost lost lost lost

The girls have had a very short and tough season. The weather and exams have meant a reduced fixture programme. The results have not been a reflection on how the girls have played. They have had a number of close matches and have often taken games to deuce.

Practice time has been some what limited due to exams and the weather which has been a real shame as many of the girls have practiced in the off season and had started their preparations for the season early.

Many thanks to all the girls for their efforts this term, and to Geoff Thomas who has coached them throughout the season. I look forward to a more successful year next year.

FC

Girls U15 Tennis Team From: E Newton, H Stephenson, T Thompson, R Westgarth, C Atkinson, E Ferguson

Team from: N Stainthorpe, A Farr, B Lilley, L Ononeze, O Larcome, B Wynn Jones, A Fernehough, A Saubot

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2011

Results: St Leonards Polam Queen Mary’s Yarm – U14/ U15 Durham High Windermere St Annes

won won won won lost won

The girls have had a successful season. Their only defeat was against Durham High School which was a tight match. A few fixtures we lost to the good old British Summer. The girls have made excellent progress and have really benefited from working with the boys who have forced them to hit the ball harder and work on their court positioning.

Many thanks to Geoff for his help throughout the season, and to the girls for their efforts. They have really made progress and I look forward to further success next year.

FC

Girls U13 Tennis Team From: C Waldin, S Nicholls, A Martin, H Wynn-Jones, C Robertson, S Pratt A Ridley, C McEwan Results: Yarm U12 Yarm U13 Durham High St Leonards Queen Mary’s

won lost lost won lost

The girls have had a mixed season. They have had a number of close matches and the scores have not always reflected how evenly matched the games have been. They have worked well in training with Geoff and their skill level and court awareness have improved. As the season has gone on they have grown in confidence and their match play has improved.

Many thanks to Geoff for his help throughout the season, and to the girls for their efforts. I look forward to further success next year.

FC

1st XI Cricket Team from: Ben Wilson(C) Greg Upton, Angus Robertson, Bret Upton, Kit Wilson, Matthew Brown, Richard Stanwix, James Dickinson, Tom Harrison, Richard Harland, George Woollard, Adam Mason, Ben Duffield, Rupert Barrett, Guy Cozer, Tom Sowerby, William Grundy and Alex Finkill P 13/W 2/L 11 Awards: Fielding: Richard Stanwix, Batting: Ben Wilson, Bowling: Angus Robertson, Players player: Kit Wilson

As the results and statistics indicate, this was a tough season; my most challenging in the fourteen years I have been involved with the first team at Barnard Castle. Was it a lack of ability? Was it a lack of application? Or was it a lack of desire? It is with some sadness that I have to confess it was, in my opinion, mainly a result of the poor form shown by the experienced players in the team, and partly due to the availability of players.

The high points this season are few and far between; maybe some divine intervention sent the Pilgrims to us, with a good batting side, but at least we could record a win. Ben Wilson continued his fine batting form from last season in the opener against Giggleswick, but his solo effort of 74 was not supported and we lost a game we should really have won. Kit Wilson showed some signs of the quality allrounder he could be, with a well constructed 49* against St.Peters. It was pleasing to see such a keen cricketer in Tom Harrison force his way in to the team and score some runs; he is no mean fielder also.

Angus Robertson signed off by leading the attack, when available, to great effect. I hope we see him playing for the OB’s in years to come; he is a talented cricketer. Richard Stanwix started well with the bat, but faded and never really scored the runs we needed. He kept a very tidy wicket indeed, with an incredibly low

The Barnardian Magazine

count of byes. Some excellent fielding on the festival ensured he won the fielding award, just easing ahead of Tom Harrison in the final few games. Guy Cozer showed some ability with the bat on the festival; he is only the second player to score a half century this season, a good indication of our shortfalls. Alex Finkill showed some calmness under pressure, with the ball in his hand, to see us home against MCS in Macclesfield. He can also score useful runs, so he too may be one to watch. Rupert Barrett has the potential to be a very useful all rounder; he will be one of the senior players available next season, so I hope he is prepared for a leading role in the side next year.

As from September 2011, I shall no longer be MIC cricket at Barnard Castle School, or be in charge of the first team. I would like to express my thanks for all the support, which players and staff has shown me over the last fourteen years. I hope the cricket continues to flourish at Barnard Castle School and I look forward to playing a more active role in the coaching of the younger year groups in seasons to come. My final thanks for this year go to John Lister, for his continued support and expertise and Colin Megennis for his excellent and good humoured umpiring.

Results Durham (h) Lost, BCS 111 for 5 R.Stanwix 35 Durham 112 for 6 B.Upton 3 for 12 Giggleswick (a) Lost. BCS 117 all out B.Wilson 74, Giggleswick 118 for 7

U15 Cricket

W. Grundy (C) Team from: J. Beauchamp, J. Brogden, H. Carter, G. Coser, J. Coser, S. Everall, A. Finkill, N. Gilbertson, J. Gill, S. Goyette, J. Hall, D. Holden-Dalby, C. Parnell, J. Raper, W. Richardson, M. White, K. Wilson.

P 13/W 8/L 5 RESULTS: Ashville College St. John’s School Durham School Ampleforth College RGS Newcastle King’s Tynemouth Yarm School St Thomas More RC School St Peter’s School Dame Allan’s School Northfield QEGS, Wakefield Durham School

lost by 5 wickets won by 8 wickets lost by 61 runs won by 4 wickets lost by 45 runs won by 9 wickets won by 26 runs lost by 5 runs won by 5 wickets won by 74 runs won by 119 runs won by 3 wickets lost by 38 runs

Sedbergh (h) NR LEADING RUN SCORERS: 398 runs @ 49.8 G. Cose K. Wilson 177 runs @ 35.4 166 runs @ 12.8 N. Gilbertson S. Everall 85 runs @ 17 82 runs @ 13.7 W. Grundy J. Brogden 80 runs @ 10

Durham (h) Lost, BCS 54 all out Durham 55 for 1 MCC (h) Lost, MCC 178 for 3 BCS 150 all out, B.Wilson 58 RGS Newcastle (a) Lost, RGS 221 for 7 B.Upton 4 for 53, BCS122 all out

LEADING WICKET J. Coser G. Coser J. Raper H. Carter A. Finkill K. Wilson

Durham pilgrims (h) Won, Pilgrims 110 all out A.Robertson 3 for 14, BCS 113 for 7, M.Brown 31 St.Peters (h) Lost, BCS 141 all out, T.Harrison 33, K.Wilson 49*, St.Peters 142 for 3

LEADING FIELDERS: S. Everall 8 catches N. Gilbertson 5 catches J. Coser 5 catches

Twenty/20 festival (a) QEGS Wakefield Lost QEGS 99 for 4, BCS 89 all out Durham School Lost BCS 91, B.Wilson 30 Durham, 92 for 1 Old Barnardians (h) Lost OB’s 167 for 5, A.Finkill 3 for 26 BCS 132 all out Magdalen College School(Macclesfield festival) Won BCS 249 all out, M.Brown 39, G.Cozer 59 MCS 244 for 7, A.Finkill 3 for 35 Kings Macclesfield(Macclesfield festival) Lost Kings 290 for 7, A.Robertson 4 for 36 BCS 45 all out Edinburgh Academy (Macclesfield festival) Lost Edinburgh 222 for 7 BCS 135 all out, R.Barrett 34 2011 Batting and bowling statistics.

Batting Name Innings Runs B.Wilson 11 218 K.Wilson 10 136 A.Robertson 7 100 T.Harrison 9 125 R.Stanwix 13 116 Bowling Name Overs Maidens Runs A.Robertson 71 8 312 B.Upton 48 7 126

Average 19.8 17.0 14.3 13.9 8.9 Wickets Average 14 22.3 11 11.5

BCU

The Barnardian Magazine

TAKERS: 28 wickets @ 7.2 20 wickets @ 14.6 19 wickets @ 11.6 9 wickets @ 8.4 8 wickets @ 22.4 6 wickets @ 18.3

6 stumpings

This has been a very enjoyable season with a pleasant group of boys, all keen to play well and improve their cricketing technique. The season began before the summer term had started, such was the lateness of the term beginning, and the team with a mixture of year 10 and 9 pupils went down against Ashville. Will Grundy was appointed captain and he performed his duties well, listening to advice and acting upon it sensibly. The next five games followed a pattern of win then lose until the Yarm game when the sequence was broken in a positive way!

This signalled the second half of term, when the side played good cricket with various telling contributions from all areas of the team. A 20-20 contest at Blaydon produced an excellent game where over 290 runs were scored but we fell by 5 runs but Guy Coser scored the highest individual score of the season with 78. The following game against St Peter’s produced arguably the team’s best result when they bowled out the visitors for 76 and then knocked the runs off for 5 wickets.

The season continued successfully until the last Saturday of the season, when in a triangular competition between QEGS and Durham the side beat Wakefield but then lost to the hosts. Hamish Carter bowled well on the day to get the second best bowling figures of the season with 6-11, the best being from Jonny Coser with 6-9. The bowling overall was quite accurate with Kit Wilson, when available from 1st X1 duty, being very economical but Guy Coser, James Raper and Alex Finkill all had their moments.

The batting of the side could be slightly inconsistent but both Guy and Kit recorded two separate 50’s each and Guy was easily the leading run scorer. Others did make valuable and telling contributions and in Nick Gilbertson, Will Grundy, Sam Everall and John Brogden the team possessed batsmen, who could accumulate runs. The fielding could have been better, too many catches went down but this was not down to lack of effort, Sam Everall kept better this year and began to stand up to some of the bowlers, often to good effect.

As ever in cricket the people, who do not always get a bat or a bowl, are crucial and this year had a good nucleus of pupils prepared to play their part. My thanks, then, to the likes of Jonty Gill, Chris Parnell, James Beauchamp, Matthew White, James Hall, Sam Goyette, Will Richardson and Dale Holden-Dalby; they were certainly more than bit-players.

So in conclusion, the side generally performed well and were a pleasure to coach. My thanks to all the parents, who supported the team and I look forward to seeing these players develop further next year.

DCSE

U14 Cricket Team: T. Sowerby (Capt), T Adamson, S. Leeming, G. Hall, T. Marston, T. Stirke, O. Pearce, H. Glover, M. Priestley, J. Scott, D, Hewitson, M. McKitton, J. Bolton, M. Moss P 9/W 3/L 6

After two heavy defeats in the first two games, there was plenty of work to do for the season ahead. Also the loss of Sam Leeming through injury meant it was going to be a difficult season.

The lads worked hard on their game and showed a good team spirit which was rewarded with good wins against RGS Newcastle, Kings Tynemouth and St Johns.

Special mention to Tom Sowerby, who led from the front, was our top run scorer and at times made batting look easy and was handed a First Team debut. Tom Adamson bowled with pace and movement and was our leading wicket taker. He also made useful contributions with the bat.

The progress made by T. Stirke, T. Marston, M. Moss, M. McKitton, O. Pearce & G. Hall should bode well for next season.

Many thanks to Mr Connor and Mr Pepper for taking the team when I was on First Team duty.

JWL

U15 Rounders

Kim Brolley (C) Team from: Emily Newton, Rachel Pratt, Ellie Sowden, Iona Borer, Amanda Usher, Jenny Stephenson, Claire Wilkinson, Rebecca Cliffe, Helen Stephenson, Caitlin Bainbridge, Abbi Glowienko, Alex Stirk, Niamh Tait.

Results St Peters Queen Marys Durham

lost lost won

9-21 5-9½ 11½-6

This rounders season was a very short one due to the late Easter Holiday. Three matches played; one won, two lost.

(Continued >)

2011

99

Summer Sports The first game against St Peters was a tough one; the pitch was next to a gigantic hill which fell away downwards and a definite advantage to a wellpracticed home team. A number of the St Peters girls were able to exploit this weakness of the pitch, and numerous rounders were scored against us. The U15’s fielded well and it was merely down to careless errors that the score built up against us. Batting at this point also caused problems as our usual big hitters had difficulty getting their eye in against a competitive opposition. The following two games were played as a triangular fixture. By this time our fielding had tightened up, and the leadership of Kim Brolley came into its own; she was able to guide and motivate the team into ensuring scores were kept to a minimum. Batting still posed somewhat of a problem as the team found it difficult to connect with the ball; however, intelligent running and pressure on the opposition saw our scores creeping up. The match against Durham was reasonably straightforward and Barney was a considerably better team. The second game against Queen Marys was tough and could have gone either way and was tighter than the score suggests. This team would have benefited from more games and a longer season as by the end of term they were considerably stronger in bat. The ‘Best Rounders’ player was awarded to Kim Brolley, and ‘Most Improved’ to Rachel Pratt.

AA

U14 Rounders

J. Metcalf (C) Team from: H. Appleby, L. Bloomfield, K. Body, L. Bussey, E. Cody, E. Ferguson, K. Gibson, L. Greaves, L. Knight, E. Robson, S. Stephenson, C. Thompson.

St Peters Queen Mary’s Durham School Giggleswick

lost lost won lost

9.5-19.5 4-16.5 18-6 16-46

Selection for the first match of the season was tough due to injuries. The team won the toss away at St Peters and decided to field. The opposition batted well and many of the Barney girls were called out at first base due to a strong Peter’s partnership between their backstop and 1st post fielder. Holly Appleby bowled well and there were some excellent catches by Laura Greaves.

A loss against Queen Mary’s was disappointing but the opposition did field extremely well and we simply made far too many errors. Our batting soon improved in the next match and we beat Durham School convincingly. Lorna Bussey performed well stumping many of the opposition out on 1st base and Emily Cody batted well to give us a clear lead.

The final match was testing after a heavy defeat to Giggleswick in the previous year. Nevertheless the Barney girls put in a super effort but the opposition batted strongly and we just struggled to get them out.

Encouragingly, improvements were made in the second innings and Lizzie Knight took some brave catches to be named player of the match.

TCB

U12 Rounders Ellen Gossage (C) Team from: Erin Porter, Isla Hewitson, Katie Rhodes, Alice Ridley, Charlotte McEwan, Stella Nichols, Fran Waiter-Mackenzie, Lucy Newton, Francesca Summers, Jess Hall, Holly Swinbank.

Results St Olaves Durham Choristers Queen Marys Durham School Giggleswick

lost won drew won lost

10 ½-15 ½ 12 ½-8 ½ 9-9 15-4 10-16

The start of the rounders season is always difficult as it seems to arrive very quickly and just as we get into it seems to be over in a flash. This was true this season as we were straight into selecting Year 7’s to take part in rounders, tennis and athletics, with plenty of the girls being pulled in many directions.

St Olaves was our first match and they had the advantage of having already played a couple of matches and seemed more secure on the rules and familiar with each other. The U12’s, however, did really well especially fielding, where some good catches were taken and accurate throwing kept scores down. It was a few careless errors that made the difference but this was a good lesson learned and proved positive in future games. The next matches were played as a triangular fixture. The first match was against Durham and the girls set out determined to win. Barney batted first and scored well, with Stella Nichols scoring the most rounders.

When in field, Isla Stella and Ellen worked well at backstop, second and deep field and proved to be an unstoppable trio with Durham lagging far behind.

Credit goes to Ellen Gossage for her fantastic catching at second base. It was an easy win for Barney. The girls continued to excel when playing Queen Mary’s and battled well, scoring 4 ½ rounders in the first innings. It was a close match and a second innings proved to be intense, as Queen Mary’s had already scored 4 ½. Once again, due to Barney’s efficient fielding, QM were only able to equal Barney’s school. The game ended in a well-deserved draw. The final game of the season was a surprise to everyone and it was brilliant to see some players, who hadn’t played for the ‘A’ team before come into the team and perform very well indeed. They did well against a strong Giggleswick team, but were defeated. I look forward to seeing this team progress over the years as there is plenty of strength and depth in the year group which bodes well for the future.

EMB

Sports Day

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2011

The Barnardian Magazine

There were a number of excellent performances on sports day, with the majority of events taking place on the day. Several records were broken the most impressive one being the one set by Ian Swall in the Senior Boys discuss, who broke the previous record by 13meters. Once again we were lucky with the weather dark clouds did threaten but fortunately passed over.

Well done to all pupils involved and many thanks to all the staff who helped on both the day and on the days leading up to Sports Day. FC Boys Results

Senior Event

Competitor

House

100m

F Tait

Tees

11.15

North

24.24

Tees

56.88

(Clark Challenge Cup) F Tait

200m

(Richard Austen Cup) B Duffield

400m

(Richardson Cup) 800m

M Brown

Event 100m

Competitor T Metcalfe

House

Time/distance

Durham

12.90 27.43

X Remky

T Metcalfe

Durham

400m

Zac Day

Dale

1.05.13

(Caden Cup) 800m

M Stirke

Durham

2.47.25

1500m

David Evans

Dale

5.32.72

Long Jump

T Metcalfe

Durham

High Jump

C Simpson

Dale

Shot

B Rodham

Durham

Triple Jump

R Holden

North

4.60m 1.50m NR 8.87m 9.45m NR

Javelin

C Spence

North

22.25m

Discus

B Lilley

Durham

18.01m

Tug of War

Durham

4 × 100m Relay

Dale

House Relay

North

2.51.93

Intermediate Competitor I Gaskin

House North

Time/distance 11.61

(Adam Barker Trophy) Ivan Gaskin B Wynn Jones

3000m

C Matthews

Tees

11.16.01

B Clegg

North

5.91m

High Jump

F Tait

Tees

1.77m

Shot

I Swall

Tees

12.40m

Event

Competitor

House

Time/distance

100m

C Simpson

Bowes

13.69

11.21m

(Le Duc Trophy)

(Yeadon Cup)

Senior

(Adam Wilkie Trophy) Triple Jump

B Clegg

North

Javelin

C Legg

York

42.1m

200m

H Byers

Longfield

Discus

I Swall

Tees

43.00m NR

400m

A McBain

Bowes

1.08.52

R Brown

Marwood

3.01.93

A McBain

Bowes

6.06.56

H Simpson

Bowes

4.61m

York

4 × 100m Relay

North

47.57

House Relay

North

2.14.90

(Moss Cup) Long Jump (Robson Cup)

Girls Results Junior Time/distance

Shot

H Alderson

Bowes

S Scanlan

Marwood

13.68

Discus

V Richarson

Marwood

200m

S Scanlon

Marwood

28.62

4 × 100m Relay

Bowes

59.16

300m

I Hewitson

Marwood

49.98

House Relay

Bowes

2.12.00

800m

A Ridley

Bowes

2.54.95 6.05.60

Long Jump

S Scanlan

Marwood

58.50

High Jump

L.Hardie Hammond Marwood

Discus

A Whitehead

Marwood

4.12m 1.25m 18.21m

800m

J Coser

North

2.24.41

Javelin

E Beauchamp

Bowes

16.9m

1500m

J Coser

North

4.51.77

Shot

E Watson

Bowes

7.71m

Long Jump

I Gaskin

North

5.01

High Jump

B Wynn Jones

Tees

1.60

1.00.46

Shot

C Harrison

Dale

9.86

House Relay

10.84

Durham

32.77

Discus

B Wynn-Jones

Tees

24.60

Tug of War

4 × 100m Relay

Marwood Marwood

2.20.30

4 × 100m Relay

York

50.76

Tees

2.22.61

Cowling Cup – Boys Relays 5th

Durham

18

4th

Tees

20

3rd

North

26

1st=

York & Dale

28

Victrix S Scanlon

Parkin Cup – girls house competition Event

Competitor

100m

House

Time/distance

C Bainbridge

Bowes

13.28

200m

C Bainbridge

Bowes

27.37

300m

T Thompson

Marwood

Kelsall Cup

800m

T Thompson

Marwood

45.59 NR

1500m

R Westgarth

Marwood

Shot

N Tait

Bowes

6.03.12 7.48m

Long Jump

C Bainbridge

Bowes

High Jump

R Westgarth

Marwood

1.50m NR

Javelin

T Thompson

Marwood

23.27m

Discus

K Brolly

Longfield

18.62m

House Relay

Bowes

2.14.99

4 × 100m Relay

Marwood

Victrix T Thompson & C Bainbridge

3rd

Longfield

207.5

2nd

Marwood

272

1st

Bowes

288

Junior Boys – house competition

2.40.38 NR

(Sutherland Trophy)

The Barnardian Magazine

House Results

Intermediate

Tees

House Relay Victor I Gaskin & B Wynn Jones

7.97m 22.26m

Victrix C Simpson

Tees

Tees

1.32m 31.9m NR

100m

Bowes

M Jones

Bowes Longfield

House

E Everall

B Tremewan

N Shaw E Turner

Competitor

1500m

Javelin

High Jump Javelin

Event

24.24

Triple Jump

800m (Stewart Cup) 1500m

Victor F Tait

North

(Ladies Challenge Cup)

29.12

(Auckland Cup)

Tug of war

(MacGregor Cup)

(Adam Barker Trophy) 400m

5.02.08

57.11

Victor T Metcalfe

200m

North

(Bayles-Blackett Cup) Long Jump

200m

100m

2.16.90

(Mutimer Cup )

(Eric Scot-Ingram Trophy)

Event

North

(RT Bayles Cup) 1500m

Junior

Time/distance

4.61m

58.06

5th

Tees

102

4th

York

106

3rd

North

107

2nd

Durham

157

1st

Dale

176

Ellis Cup – Senior boys house competition 5th

Durham

189

4th

York

297.5

3rd

Dale

304

2nd

Tees

314.5

1st

North

317

2011

101

Summer Term

Leavers’ Ball A GLITTERING night of glamour and spectacle brought school days to an official end for sixth formers at Barnard Castle School.

A drinks reception on the school lawn welcomed Year 13 students as they celebrated their time together in style.

The party then moved into a huge marquee erected behind the school for a sumptuous buffet and evening of music, dance and laughter.

Head of School Nicholas Crowe said: “Studying at Barnard Castle School is like being part of a huge family and this was a fantastic send off as we all start the next chapters of our lives.

“We will always remember our school years with great fondness and appreciation of the help we received from our teachers.”

017>> Sue, Mark and Helen Simpson

018>> Mr and Mrs McGrath with son, Grant

022>> Doug, Hannah and Gordon Bolton

023>> William, Pauline, Kieran, Liz and Dave Armstrong

0 Stephen and Judith Ridley

027>> Rachel and John Gedye, Allen Jacobs and Linda Crowe

032>>

031>>

Donna Opray, Hannah Robertson

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2011

Dan Miller and Jess Scott

Grace Bishop, Nick Phillips

Simon and Nicolas Crowe, Victoria Cliffe

The Barnardian Magazine

Summer Term

019>> Malcolm and Kate McCallum

024>>

020>> Matthew Tsang, Angus Robertson

021>> Sophie Thompson, Tom and Sarah Miller, Janet and Andrew Thompson

025>> Helen Simpson and Joshua Peat

026>> Dean Wheeler, Matthew Tsang, Ross Whalley, James Ingram, Kieran Armstrong, Chris Legg, Adam Mason, Aidan Grant

028>>

029>> Jenny Peat and Liz Rhodes

030>>

Kate Swinbank, Rachel Metcalf, Jasmin Jenkinson, Anna Dawson, Helen Alderson and Jess Brice

035>> 034>>

033>>

Josh Gibson, Brooke Goudie, Jessica Brice, Cameron Jones

The Barnardian Magazine

n Dowson, Heather and Alan Stevens Amanda and Dan Gorman, Ione and Simo

2011

103

Summer Term

Old Barnardians Club Chairman’s report My term of office started this time last year with a successful Barnardians’ day. Numbers returning were good with cricket, tennis, squash, netball and football all being played. More poignantly this year, the day enabled the club to pay their thanks to the retiring President of the Club, the Headmaster, David Ewart. A presentation was made to both David and Valerie Ewart to mark their time at Barnard Castle. The day finished in a somewhat sombre mood as England were knocked out of the World Cup! In September, therefore, we welcomed the new Headmaster and his family to the school and specifically the Headmaster, Alan Stevens, to the post of President of the Club.

The relationship between the Club and School is good and it must continue to grow so that the many Old Barnardians can be used to the benefit of the School and its pupils. This is why it is vital that we keep encouraging members of the club to sign up with Dot Jones, the secretary, so that the club’s database is as comprehensive as possible.

In October the London Dinner was renewed, thanks to the efforts of Matthew Gash. Held in the RAC club, an excellent night was had by all and the date for next October’s event, held this time in the East India club, has already been confirmed.

Disappointingly, however, the Spring Ball booked for the end of March did not go ahead due to lack of numbers. As a committee we need to find out exactly what people want from these occasions so as to guarantee numbers attending.

The committee has met each term throughout the year and we have heard news about many Barnardians achieving great things and I would encourage all members to e-mail Dot Jones with all your news, however trivial. It was pleasing to see that the guest speaker at Speech Day was Mr Tony Aikenhead, a Barnardian responsible for overseeing the building of the Olympic Stadium.

In conclusion I would like to finish by thanking all the committee for the work done during the year and especially to Dot Jones for all her efforts and enthusiasm.

DCSE

Barney Friends Over the past year, Barney Friends, which has been thriving since 2005 in Prep School, has established a more visible presence in the Senior School.

With the support and encouragement of the Headmaster and Second Master, we decided to put ourselves on the map by organising a Quiz-night in March for parents, staff and friends. Over 70 people competed fiercely, fuelled by an excellent curry supper provided by the school kitchen, to win the top prize of some fine wine. Such was the success that next year’s quiz is already being planned… and that’s what Barney Friends – Senior School is all about.

Our purpose is to create opportunities for parents and families to come together socially, to make new friends, provide support for each other and have fun – after all, as parents of Barnardians, we ourselves are very much an integral part of the Barney extended family! We may seek to fund-raise from time to time in the future to support the School or its nominated charities, but that is not our main purpose. We want to be helpful to each other as parents and provide useful services such as the second hand uniform shop which will open in September 2011.

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2011

This year, as well as the Quiz, we organised a highly successful Year 7 mum’s dinner at the Riverside Inn, Barnard Castle. Members of the ‘Friends’ came to ‘Bridging the Gap’ Days and Open Days to help welcome new and prospective parents, and continuing a fine tradition, all of the catering and hospitality at Senior School Sports Day was organised by Barney Friends. Preparations are already underway for a Family Ceilidh Night on 20 October and a Christmas Fair on 4 December.

We meet at least once every half-term. There is an opportunity for coffee and a chat as well as a more structured meeting for those who want to be involved in the detailed planning. Everyone is welcome to either or both and you will find full details on the school website as well as in the Barney Bulletin. A key meeting in the new academic year will be our first AGM on 14 September at which we will select a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Why not come along to a meeting if you can and say hello!

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has been in any way involved in Barney Friends activities this year and who have given unstintingly their time and talents to make things happen and for making new parents (like me!) feel so welcome.

I think we can look forward to an even more exciting year ahead!

Heather Stevens Barney Friends – Senior School

The Barnardian Magazine

Upper Sixth Leavers

barnardian Barnard Castle School, Newgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8UN t.01833 690222