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barnardian Barnard Castle School magazine 2014/15
Number 290
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Speech Day Prize Winners Wilkinson 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 (Biology) Walton Prize for Practical Sciences (Chemistry) Walton Prize for Practical Sciences (Physics) 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 Theatre Studies Gibson Prize for Drama Governors’ Prize for Music Director of Music’s Prize Johnson Prize for Piano Niven Prize for Woodwind Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Barker Prizes for Sport Hughes Prize for Service
Chloë Thompson Joe Ferguson Holly Appleby Daniel Milne Katie Body Daniel Milne Daniel Milne Sarah Stephenson Hayley Anderson Tom Adamson Ethan Kelsall Chloë Thompson Fiona Matthews Isobel Burnett Ben Lilley Holly Appleby Elizabeth Clouston Hannah Roache Lorna Bussey Lorna Bussey Oliver Larcombe Kimberley Hagues Sam Theakston Lucy Knightley Shannon Currah Charlotte McAllister Chloe Thompson Ian Chan Ian Chan Ian Chan Zak Day Katie Body Jack Beckwith Chloe Atkinson Alex Carnell Jack Hedley
Contingent Commander’s Prize Contingent Commander’s Prize Contingent Commander’s Prize Commandant’s Certificate of Outstanding Service Aquila Prize Dinning-Cooke Sword of Honour Westwick Prize for Achievement Westwick Prize for Achievement Southern Prize for Services to Chapel Southern Prize for Chapel Chorister Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize Chaplain’s Prize 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 Corkish Prize for Musical Endeavour Bury-Harrison Cup for Public Speaking Gibson Award for Boys’ Sport Child Award for Girls’ Sport Thompson-Richardson Prize The Old Barnardians’ Club Centenary Cup Holly Appleby Handelsbanken Prize for Economics/Business Studies Edwards Cup for Technical Excellence in Drama Col Andy Pullam LVI History Prize for Most Improved Student
Tom Marston Lizzie Clouston Tom Adamson Tilly McAllister Tristan Hobson Seb Hampson Ben Pullan Joe Bolton Emma Robson Gordon Poon Swee Ong Millie Cartwright Joe Scott Duncan Hewitson Charlotte Elliott Jane Metcalf Nicolas Moore Sam Graham Megan Purvis Jacob Shannon Elizabeth Clouston Timothy Stirke Nathan Barker Wilhelm Emmrich Sam Leeming Emily Cody Ben Pullan Tom Adamson &
Jack Hedley Oliver Morrill Matthew Raper
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Contents Headmaster’s Address
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PREP SCHOOL Prep School Headmaster’s Address Prep School Centenary Celebrations Old Courts Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Music Drama Art and Technology Sport Charity and Council Barney Friends Special Events London France Robinwood Year 6 Memories
4 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
SENIOR SCHOOL Senior Common Room Duke of Edinburgh (Gold and Silver) Charity Committee Music RAF Old Barnardians Enrichment House Reports
28 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
MICHAELMAS Journey’s End House Singing Lectern Club
46 48 50
CCF Iceland Business Studies/Classics/Library Sport
51 54 56 57
LENT Our House Library/Poetry St Paul’s Cathedral Lectern Club Chinese New Year/Chemistry Italy House Public Speaking Theatre Studies Paris Netball Tour Sport Barnard Run & Barney Bash
64 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 83
TRINITY Ski Trips 84 Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 86 What’s New, Pussycat?/Big Book Bash 87 Yves Saint Laurent Industry Day 88 Golf/Politics 89 Artwork 90 CCF 92 4x4/Art 94 Longfield Dinner 95 English Department Trips 96 Sport 97 Sports Day 100 Walking Trip/Sweden Canoeing 102 Peru 103 South Africa Tour 104 PGL Watersports 105 Year 11 Prom 106 Sixth Form Report 107 Leavers’ Ball 108
Editor >>> Mr T. Scott Edwards >>> Special Thanks to >>> Mr Mark Fuller, Mr Henry Fairwood, Hugh Roberts (photographic contributions) >>> Prep School Editors >>> Mr Nick Seddon and Mrs Laura Turner >>> Collation >>> Mr T. Scott Edwards Design and Production: www.infinitedesign.com
The Barnardian 2013/14 Review
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Headmaster’s Address Chairman and Mrs Fielder, Mr Grant, governors, ladies and gentlemen of all ages, it gives me great pleasure to address you at this celebration of our School and all that is great about it. I must add to the Chairman’s welcome, my own sincere thanks to Patrick Grant for joining us this morning. It means so much to our School to have OB guests on this occasion – in Patrick’s case, perhaps particularly to the girls and immeasurably so to Mrs Waddington, the energy behind the Barney Sewing Bee. Notably today my teaching colleagues look more relaxed than they have done for weeks. They have nothing more to do - at least for today - other than try to guess the duration of this speech. Reports have been written and are waiting for my attention tomorrow morning when I will add my observations before they are, with the inevitable march of time and technology, uploaded to the Parent Portal. I must admit to missing the idiosyncrasy and black humour of a few years ago, in a drive to be informative and honest. No longer do we have the Design Technology report that reads “Tom has taken all term to produce a good stool” or “he has not done as well as I expected; I didn’t think he would.” Education does not stop at Barney when children leave a classroom; this year I am proud to say that the number of opportunities for children of all ages to push their personal, intellectual and physical boundaries beyond the classroom - often in collaboration with our leading industries and universities - has been unparalleled. Barnard Castle may be a rural idyll, but make no mistake, we are on the map. I know that many of you - parents and grandparents - have helped us to establish these invaluable
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links and this morning I want publicly to express our gratitude to you.
denial of life.” There is no nanny state at Barney.
Equally, without such a dedicated common room, so ambitious for every aspect of your children’s development, this School and all within it would be so much poorer. The CCF camps, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, rock-climbing, kayaking and the like which are our bread and butter, begin to prepare our boys and girls for something even more ambitious which has grown in popularity in recent years – the arduous expedition. This summer, we will have children on various expeditions, canoeing around the lakes of Sweden, climbing the Inca Trail in Peru, exploring Tanzania, and, of course, experiencing new cultures while playing rugby and hockey in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
This year has been one of anniversaries, from the start of World War I to the end of World War II, from Waterloo to the WI and, of course, the centenary of our Prep. It is fitting at this point to acknowledge the departure of my valued SMT colleague and friend, Carl Rycroft, who moves south with his family to take over a bigger free-standing prep school. His replacement, Laura Turner, is of course already with us and she is fantastic.
Heather and I felt a duty to visit our outdoors types in Cape Town or Stockholm, but the travel budget ran as far as Catterick, so we went there instead. Years 9’s Exercise First Look is supposed to be a CCF toe-dipping experience for those who have had no military training. I went down with Heather on a windy day in May under a sky as black as a Tree Preservation Officer’s heart and found a fearsome posse of Davy Crocketts and Calamity Janes whittling, sawing, climbing, and building not just bashas, but stockades. It was less “Swallows and Amazons” than “The Last of the Mohicans” in Gortex. The Romantic spirit of the Noble Savage was palpable. And I think that’s great – an activity that, while professionally supervised, takes young children away from the sanitised pointlessness and paranoia of computer games, into a world of challenge and adventure, and puts me in mind of Germaine Greer’s wise observation: “Security is the
Heritage, tradition, a sense of collective memory and something that is bigger than any one of us is important. The cult of the individual is the allure of a false god. However, certain individuals have left their mark and this year we are saying goodbye to some who have almost become part of the School’s fabric.
Heritage, tradition, a sense of collective memory and something that is bigger than any one of us is important. We say farewell to Rebecca Webb, Jim Brettell and Mark Mawhinney, who all move on to new locations. We also have three retirements at the end of long and distinguished service; Mark Fuller, Richard Child and Paul Johnson. To Paul, Richard and Mark, with gratitude and affection, we wish you long and happy retirements. I wrote to all parents earlier in the year about our new appointments and, without detailing all of them again, I am sure that you will agree with me that the quality of candidate that Barney attracts is formidable
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and I can assure you that your children’s education is not just in good hands, but inspirational ones. The future - and building the future - is the aim of education; the young men and women who leave Barney today, like Holly Appleby and Tom Adamson, our Head Boy and Head Girl, represent our nation’s future. Although the School has a historian Headmaster, who is in heaven poring over some AngloNorman curial script, Barney does not suffer from a rowing boat mentality: moving inexorably on the current of the future, but only looking at the past.
Barney does not suffer from a rowing boat mentality: moving inexorably on the current of the future, but only looking at the past. Thanks must go to my Senior Management Team colleagues and to my governors for their encouragement, vision and tenacity which is bearing fruit as we build for the future in stone and steel. Although Methuselah was sucking on a Farley’s Rusk when I first mentioned our new Sixth Form Centre, at last we are in sight of the finish line. This whole process has been a reflection of what we teach our children here: have ambitious goals and work hard and confidently to achieve them, despite obstacles. Combined with an absolutely top class Sixth Form programme, this new building will unquestionably help to make our Sixth Form experience quite simply the best in the north of England. It will also serve as a self-contained conference centre outside of term time to add yet another revenue stream to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible value to you. Our ambition for the School’s future does not stop with the completion of the Sixth Form Centre and the new Prep classrooms. We continue to appraise and plan to enhance our existing resources. The brilliant Frank Lloyd Wright said that doctors are fortunate because they can bury their mistakes, while architects can only plant vines. On either side of the Biology pond lie the ugly ducklings of our remaining 1960s science labs. Their retro veneer belies a standard of teaching and learning which is anything but backward, still enabling young scientists, medics, dentists and vets to enter the best universities in the country every year. So one of our next priorities will be the development of a new Science Centre to match the standards of our Physics labs which this year were again chosen by the Institute of Physics for their residential “Physics Excellence” course. As we are doing
with Sixth Form and Prep, it is my intention that our facilities will all match the quality of our children and of our staff and that means being very ambitious. You may notice that I haven’t mentioned sport yet, but I’m going to now. It was a cracking season for the 1sts in rugby and the boys reached the semi-finals of the National Schools Champions Trophy and have much of which to be proud, as have their coaches. But it’s not just rugby – all sports are thriving at Barney and it was great to see our U15 cricket XI progress so well this term. Mr Brenkley reminds me often that our last test cricketer was in 1923, so keep at it boys. In contrast to the national trend, almost 90 % of our girls and boys have played competitive, representative sport for the School over the course of this academic year and that is a very important experience for young people to have. And I want to thank you parents and grandparents for coming out and supporting them, whatever the weather; and let’s face it, it’s generally foul…as it was when it delivered us a sodden track and forced the cancellation of our first Sports Day this term. However, we got there eventually, two days ago, and Sports Day is always a highlight when the storm clouds of summer clear for the day and the track is cut to perfection and hundreds of families come to support, and are in turn sustained by strawberries and cream – or brandy and bacon butties depending on the weather, supplied in industrial quantities by our parents in the Barney Friends group ably chaired by Margaret Alderdice. With such a collection of sporting silverware, competition is genuinely fierce and we still breed elite athletes - it was thrilling to see new records being set on Thursday.
“Character is the vital ingredient,” John Cridland said, “by character I mean resilience, humility, emotional intelligence, team spirit, someone who will go the extra mile.” We see it in our boys and girls.
These ventures will take careful planning and they won’t be constructed in a year or two, but today I can share with you our vision. It is also my hope that our Upper VIth will revisit once they become Old Barnardians and take an active interest in the development of their School. Last weekend, scores of Old Barnardians revisited – some had left last year; some had left 60 years ago, yet the most frequent comments were “it’s just the same” closely followed by “oh, that’s new.” But there is genuine reassurance and importance in the unchanging: culture doesn’t change, values don’t change and that’s what really matters. As Groucho Marx said, “Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others”. We are not the same. Principles matter. Children matter. Passion and inspiration matter. These are qualities which generations of young Barnardians will be reminded of by this stunning shield which, generously donated last year, we will award again with our most esteemed prize, the Thompson Richardson Prize. John Cridland, Director General of the CBI, recently stressed the value of precisely these qualities which no league table can measure, whether or not it acknowledges IGCSEs: “Character is the vital ingredient,” he said, “by character I mean resilience, humility, emotional intelligence, team spirit, someone who will go the extra mile.” We see it in our boys and girls; we see it repeatedly in our Old Barnardians. I imagine that those who leave today will agree with me that few words describe Barney better than those of my good friend and recently retired Head of English, Andy Waddington, who said “The School is a microcosm of the way the world ought to be. I wish it were a microcosm of a macrocosm, but of course it isn’t. It’s a kind of utopia – a nowhere land which doesn’t exist – except that it does.” How fortunate you are to have been part of it, how privileged we are to have known you. I leave you with some words from the book of Ezra: “Arise, for it is time for your task now; we will always remain with you; so you must be strong and finish the task.” AD Stevens, Headmaster
As a School that knows the value of elite sport as well as of mass participation, in addition to a proposal for a Science Centre, we intend to plan for a Sports Hub with a first rate hospitality and viewing area, classrooms and quality changing rooms. It is a badly kept secret that our current Changing Room No. 3 is a potent, if unfair, weapon to sap the morale of visiting teams.
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Prep School Headmaster’s Address Today is a very special day. It is a day devoted to saying “Well done” to all of our Year 6 pupils for everything that they have achieved this year. It is a day when we take the time to recognise that your time at the Prep School is coming to an end and an exciting new chapter draws near. Each and every one of you has worked and played hard, meeting challenges head on. I am sure that you have all had the feeling of success as well as failure at times; however, the wonderful thing is that you have learnt from your experiences and moved forward with greater confidence. Today is also more generally about celebrating the academic year and the endeavour and effort that has been shown by the children and staff. Although we acknowledge achievement on occasions such as this, it is most important that we also recognise that qualities such as resilience, tenacity, optimism, selfdiscipline and sheer hard work are at the heart of success. As we started this year back in September, we knew we were embarking on a year of celebrations of the foundation of the School in September 1914. What we have learnt most during our reflections on the first one hundred years of the life of the Prep School is that at its heart has been, and always will be, a sense of community and togetherness that pervades Barnard Castle School as a whole. We have gained a greater understanding of what qualities have stood the test of time and much of what we
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celebrate today has been realised because of the established ethos and core values of the School. On the academic front, congratulations must go to the Year 6 pupils who worked hard to secure their Senior School places – well done to you all. Indeed all the children sit assessments and tests throughout the year and we should acknowledge the hard work that they put into life in the classroom. I am also delighted that with the first phase of the building project well underway: a new bespoke science laboratory will be added to the list of facilities along with three new and one further-refurbished classroom. The science lab will afford Mrs Seddon the dedicated resource to be able to develop science further and represents our commitment to specialist teaching in the primary age range. The musical year has been one to savour, playing a large part in daily life at the School. Class lessons, individual lessons and instrumental examinations are part of our routine and we are pleased with the children’s enthusiasm for music. The House Singing competition was eagerly contested as usual and the Christmas music was, as ever, of an excellent standard. The musical highlight of the Lent Term was the Barnard Castle School Concert at the Gala Theatre in Durham. What a super event; performing high quality music in front of an appreciative audience in an excellent theatre provided a memorable experience for our musicians and all those who attended. The Pre-Prep concert was excellent again and included our first ever Pre-Prep orchestra.
This has also been another great year for sport. Everyone here who has taken part in any fixture this year should be proud of themselves. There are far too many successes to mention, but notable high points include the success of both the U11 rugby and hockey teams in the Centenary Tournament we hosted in September, the U11 and U10 hockey teams being crowned county champions, the Year 3 dance show, two fantastic sports days, the U11 cricket team winning silverware, twice, and the success of our athletes at the North East HMC Independent Schools’ Championships in winning multiple individual and team events. The annual Art Competition and three major art and craft projects have given a real insight into the creative programme at the School. The Pre-Prep Centenary Quilt, the whole school Mosaic and the Year 6 Fabric Collage are three superb pieces of work that will hang proudly in the School for many years to come. Thank you to all of our art teachers. I would particularly like to thank Mrs Rothwell for her hard work bringing the ambitious Centenary Mosaic to fruition. This year we have witnessed some superb drama, particularly through our three major productions. The Pre-Prep Nativity Play, the Year 3 and 4 musical take on the Pied Piper and the Year 5 and 6 production of A History of The World (abridged) were all fantastic. The acting, stage craft, singing, production and direction were of a high standard and we have all been treated to some very enjoyable shows. Well done to all of you children, as you have all performed on stage this year, and many thanks to the staff for putting the performances together.
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In Chapel this week I referred to the importance of what goes on behind the scenes at School; the children’s kindness, patience, effort, thoughtfulness and endeavour underpin true success. These qualities are also prevalent in our excellent staff team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teaching staff on behalf of the pupils. They are all first-rate practitioners and caring professionals who give far more than any contract could ever hold them to and for that we are most thankful. I would also like to thank all the administration and support staff who are so vital to us. Their work ensures we run on an even keel and that we can make the most of the educational ideas and plans that we have. In particular this year we have been indebted to Mr Blakemore, our facilities manager, and his team for going the extra mile with our Centenary Events. This year has also seen our first Deputy Heads of School (Prep) take up their posts and Millie Cartwright and Joe Ferguson have been great additions to our team. They have helped in so many ways and we are most grateful for the impressive way they have set about their duties. Millie and Joe have given of their time willingly and to good effect and we would like to thank them and wish them our best wishes as they leave School tomorrow. Our Centenary celebrations are too numerous to mention today, but they encompassed a wide variety of experiences from undertaking 100 Challenges to the most enjoyable 1914 Themed Day. The variety in our calendar this year has been appreciated and you have all entered into the spirit of things. Our Centenary Summer Fete, which started with a fantastic mini concert, was a huge success. The sight of so many families enjoying the afternoon was heartening and testament to the dedication of Mrs Nicky Hayward and the Barney Friends team. On my first Speech Day, I spoke about the value of supportive parental involvement in promoting a real sense of community. We are fortunate to have such dedication from our parent body and we are able to draw on a wide range of skills to assist with big events. This School has not stood still over the last one hundred years, and it is this constant
quest for improvement that has been most noteworthy. Essentially, education for the younger children at BCS has continually moved forward, in its style, delivery and in its facilities, resources and in the quality of its teachers. Throughout this time, the ethos has remained intact, gluing the School together and ensuring that we have not lost sight of our educational, pastoral, social and preparatory purpose. The School today reflects all that was good about our past, retaining our positive traditions, yet provides a modern learning experience for the children. As I approach the end of my final speech, I trust that you will indulge some personal thanks on top of those already offered today. I have had a great time at Barney; no day has been the same and I have been thoroughly challenged and had a whale of a time. I am indebted to the governors for giving me the privilege of becoming Head of the Prep School and for their support over the last six years; the School is much better for the dedication and expertise they freely bring to the oversight of it, in particular in bringing the current building projects to the fore. I would like to thank Mr Stevens for his support, guidance and encouragement; it has been much appreciated and I would also like to thank him for speaking today. The Prep School SMT of Mr Seddon, Mrs Robertson and Mrs Turner have kept me on the straight and narrow and been tireless in their desire to keep us moving forward. I am delighted that Mrs Turner will be the new headmistress; she will bring educational excellence, determination and considerable skill to the role and I have no doubt that the future is bright for Barney under her stewardship. Mr Seddon has been unfailingly supportive of me during my time as Head. His wide range of talents can be seen in the classroom, on the sports field and behind the scenes at plays and major events. Mr Seddon’s commitment is perhaps best illustrated by the dedication he showed to producing the book of memories and history for our Centenary on top of his quite considerable responsibilities. Being a Head’s spouse can be a poisoned chalice; you do get good seats at key events but you certainly earn them. My wife, Becky, has thrown herself into Barney life, not only as a mother, but also in support of my role. She has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, from chairing the Ball committee, to volunteering in class support and taking on the lion’s share of looking
after our own children in the process. I am delighted that she has agreed to one final duty today and that she will present the prizes. As indicated, there is a formidable team at this School and, whilst recognising the collective, I would like you to know that one person has made a particular difference to my time and indeed to the day-to-day life of the School in general. Her generosity of spirit, kind heartedness, good humour, sense of fun, talent and considerable work ethic have benefitted us all. Without Mrs Morse’s excellence we would not function as effectively or as cheerfully as we do and I would have sunk without trace a long time ago. She deserves her moment in the limelight and I would like you to join me in thanking Mrs Morse for all that she does for Barney and in particular for supporting me over the last six years. Finally, and most importantly, we turn our thoughts back to you, the children. For you all, as you move up and move onwards, I hope you progress confidently in the knowledge that you are a year older and a year wiser. To our Year 6s, I hope that you will take with you many good memories of your time at the Prep School as well as knowledge and a great set of skills; we are very proud of you. In conclusion, there is no set mould of a Barney child; you are all unique. However, what does typify you is your good humour, your positive outlook and your enthusiasm. Thank you, for being such polite, cheerful and kind companions – best wishes to you all for the future and remember to always do your best to be your best. C F Rycroft, Prep School Headmaster
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Centenary Prep School has enjoyed a whole host of activities to help celebrate its centenary during this academic year. How ironic that Speech Day last July (2014) was on the centenary of the School securing Westwick Lodge for the Prep School. Much has been written about the early history of Prep School as we have celebrated 100 years in Westwick Lodge. A fascinating insight into those early days was explained in Assembly by the Year 6s as part of their class assembly. A brief history was also part of our Founders’ Day Service in February and during our Drinks Reception in September that kick started the year when Mr Seddon, Mr Stevens and Mr Rycroft spoke about the past, the present and the future of Prep School. It was lovely to see so many parents and friends of the school in attendance, along with many ex-members of the Prep School staff. The culmination of a year’s work resulted in the publication of our centenary book, ‘Barnard Castle Prep School, 100 Not Out’ compiled by Mr Seddon as part history, part memories of pupils, parents and staff both past and present. Mr Wicling organised a fantastic U11 Rugby and Hockey Tournament in September and how fitting was it that both teams reached their respective finals, the boys finishing as
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runners up while the girls shared the trophy. Mrs Robertson introduced the ‘100 Challenges,’ a series of tasks for the children to attempt during the course of the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. The books in which the children recorded their success will be a lovely memento in years to come with many of them completing every challenge from catching a falling leaf to baking a cake and balancing spoons on their noses! During the course of the year each class has performed a class assembly to the rest of the school. This year has seen something of a 100 theme with topics such as the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, associated World War One topics, toys, inventions and transport of the last hundred years and, of course, the number 100. Mr Rycroft ordered centenary merchandise to sell throughout the year and items included the rather fetching golf umbrellas and mugs with an old pencil sketch of Westwick Lodge decorating them. The children were all given water bottles with the same sketch on at the start of the year. Pride of place has to go to the Chris Mouncey painting of the school that hangs proudly in the school office. As 2014 was also the centenary of the start of World War One, we came off timetable for a day in November and enjoyed a 1914
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themed day with children and staff all dressing in period clothes and looking at life a hundred years earlier. Activities during the day included lessons with slate and chalk, a Victorian school day, World War One poetry, playground games of marbles, skipping ropes and hoops, looking at aspects of the war including the effects of trench injuries and drawing poppies in Art. This great day was rounded off with the school joining together to sing traditional tunes of the time and was one the children will remember. The Lent Term saw the musicians rehearsing for the Gala Concert, this year held at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Playing alongside the Senior School, our young musicians and singers, under the guidance of Dr Harrison, showcased their undoubted talents to an appreciative audience with seven groups performing on the night. Later the same week we celebrated Founders’ Day in Chapel with a special emphasis this year on the founding of Prep School, one hundred years ago. The Art Room has been a busy place and the beautiful mosaic, designed by the children, was worked on by all the children. Yvonne Preston returned to Prep School to help Year 6 produce a series of collages based on Prep School, chosen by the children themselves, scenes ranging from the tiles in
the hall to the old school bell. Mrs Michelin and the Pre-Prep have put together a centenary quilt with help from parents and friends. The Trinity Term saw the Prep School Centenary Ball, an event organised by Barney Friends and attended by over one hundred and thirty staff, parents and friends. On the final exeat weekend of the term, our Centenary Fete was held, also superbly organised by Barney Friends led by Mrs Haywood. There were a huge variety of stalls; a bake off, a photography competition, an art and craft competition, a visit from the police and fire services, live music, Taekwondo demonstrations and a fun run with medals. A fantastic time was had by everyone who attended. Celebrations like these don’t come round very often and it has been great fun to be involved in the huge number of different events and activities that we have fitted into an already busy school year. Everyone associated with Prep School this year will certainly never forget the fun we’ve had celebrating Prep School’s 100th birthday! NIS
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Old Courts The Boarders have had a wonderful year and the new arrivals immersed themselves fully and settled in quickly to boarding life here at Old Courts. We have also had children enjoying our flexi boarding package along with the breakfast and after school clubs which are growing from strength to strength. This is an important service we offer and it is good to see all children from Reception to Year 6 face new challenges and gain valuable experience.
and snow the boarders have enjoyed playing games outside and in our Sports Hall such as Football, Cricket, Netball, Rugby and Hide and Seek, to name but a few. The children have also exhausted our many board games and Nintendo games system here inside the house. We have also endeavoured to create works of art in our studio/kitchen from our well stocked craft cupboards for birthdays, Christmas and Easter. The children have attended the local Cricket Club and the Sunday morning Hockey here at school.
Our trips out of school have been as popular as ever. These have included: Creepy Crawlies in York, Showcase cinema in Stockton, South Lakes Animal Park in Barrow, Richmond Castle, Silver Hill Farm, Laser Quest and many more. These trips are always thoroughly enjoyed by all. This was evident with our trip to go and watch Newcastle United win at St James’s Park, one of their so few victories. We also got spoilt by Yuhao’s family in their fantastic restaurant within the city prior to kick off. The food was fantastic and just kept rolling out; huge piles full of dishes that we had never even heard of. We will definitely be returning in the near future. It’s not just the boys who have a great time the girls get spoilt by Mrs Killeen with girlie days; these consist of whatever the girls want to do, be it a makeup day or a day at the shops. However, the best trips are when all the boarders are together.
It has also been a pleasure watching our current boarders grow and mature over the last couple of years and this is partly down to all the duty staff who put a lot of time and effort into nurturing the children, making their boarding experience in Prep School a positive and memorable one. A big thank you goes out to you all. September will soon be upon us and we can’t believe how fast this year has flown by, but we look forward to getting to know our new cohort of boarders as well as welcoming our current ones back.
We are lucky to have great grounds and fantastic facilities here at school so it’s not just trips away that are so popular. Through rain, sun
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Our final ‘family’ event was a trip to the local Indian, Spice Island, for a curry on the last Sunday of term. The evening was very special and the children really enjoyed their meal as well as getting the chance to chat and socialise in a formal setting, for the final time this year. We wish all the Year 6s good luck as they move on up to Senior School and as they progress through school, we will follow their every success. MK & FMK
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Our Canal System
Exploring Balances
Milk Time in Our Boats
Collecting Leaves at Hibernation Time
Reception Last September, sixteen energetic four year-olds embarked eagerly upon their Reception year. They settled quickly, learning about the ‘Barney Way’ and exercising their democratic rights in the School Council election. They threw themselves enthusiastically into ‘Jolly Phonics’, practising each day, working at home, and bringing sounds, words and letters into every aspect of school life. In the Michaelmas Term we enjoyed painting self-portraits, making a ‘family tree’ and exploring our senses within the ‘Ourselves’ topic; the children were interested in learning about the work of the School Nurses, and practising their roles in the ‘Doctor’s Surgery’. They loved dressing up for the ‘1914 Theme Day’ and were proud and solemn as we celebrated Remembrance Day with the whole school. The Outdoor Classroom is always a greatly loved aspect of life in Reception and provides a vibrant setting all year round. The children have enjoyed building ships, dens, garages and emergency vehicles, planning waterways and putting on shows in the ‘Rainbow Theatre’. This year we planted tulips, peas, lettuces and strawberries, and the children loved making a real salad from their produce.
Our Nativity was a highlight of the calendar. The Reception children sang their hearts out as they performed in the beautifully decorated Chapel. Dressed as lambs, angels and one dignified donkey, they put on a fantastic show. A visit to the magical Santa’s Grotto at Raby Castle was a real treat at the end of our busy term. Our ‘Winter’ topic was enhanced by a suitably snowy start to the Lent Term. We learned about Antarctica, and transformed the role-play corner accordingly so that fish might be caught and penguin eggs guarded! Some fabulous paintings were created and displayed and the children enjoyed baking penguin-shaped biscuits. The cold weather gave opportunity to explore properties of ice, both indoors and out, and the children looked after our garden birds with seeds and homemade feeders. The peace of the playground was shattered as the class welcomed a police officer (complete with car and sirens) to School as they learned about ‘People Who Help Us’. They had so many questions and were allowed to try on real uniform and use the radio, which made for a very exciting day. A short walk the following week took us to our local fire station. The crew kindly gave up their morning to show the children round, teach them about fire safety but the highlight was of course the hoses and trying on helmets!
Our Trinity Term topic was ‘Journeys’, and after energetic ‘Bear Hunts’ in the garden, we looked at longer journeys and explored maps. The class prepared a transportthemed assembly, with an historical focus in recognition of the Centenary. They painted some wonderful vehicles and performed a super ‘Aeroplanes’ dance and song. The next journey was that of Noah and his Ark, then we went underwater, exploring divers, submarines and sea life: It was amazing to see and hold some of these creatures on our exciting end of term trip to the aquarium! This Centenary year has given the children two really special art opportunities; making the ‘Pre-Prep Quilt’ for which each child sewed their own ‘flower’, and welcoming Mrs Rothwell from Senior School, who helped the children contribute to the commemorative mosaic. It has been wonderful year; the children have worked so hard and we have all learned so much! It has been so exciting to see friendships forged that could last a lifetime and to help to set the children off on their educational adventure. I will miss them all and wish them the very best as they travel on through school. TJM
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Year 1
Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside
The Year One Class have had a typically energetic year and the children have really thrived on all the different projects, visits, activities and, of course, Centenary celebrations this year. Our first trip in the Michaelmas 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. After marvelling at the Silver Swan automation, the children returned back to school. The children quickly embraced the more challenging aspects of the English and Mathematics curriculum and quickly understood the new curriculum structure. Our loveable friend, Barnaby Bear, began his series of adventures around the children’s homes, allowing them to share precious moments with him and the class. The children are always keen to play their part in Prep School celebrations and enjoyed decorating the Chapel with their Harvest cards and of course going back to school in 1914. We had a fantastic day exploring how children learnt at school, writing on slates, reciting numbers and making our own junk model of a school house. Rehearsals began in earnest for our grand performance of ‘Angel Express’ in Chapel. All the Year One children took part and the acting and singing was brilliant. It made a really super finale to a very busy term.
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The Lent Term arrived and brought our turn for swimming lessons. The children loved their lessons 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 whole School charity events, Year One worked hard to raise lots of money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care. They collected money from their sponsored daffodils, which they had planted in the Michaelmas Term and cared for during the winter; there was great excitement when the first flowers bloomed! The children also held a cake sale which proved very popular, selling yellow themed cakes to the Prep School.
Sports Day, taking part with typical gusto and of course the unforgettable Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The children have all made fantastic progress and achieved personal goals and targets set throughout the year and I am very proud of them. I wish all the children the very best as they move onto and embrace the challenges of Year Two! LERT
There is always a strong focus on Music in Year One and our Pre Prep Concert was our next big event. The children worked so hard to learn a variety of songs and poems from around the world to perform for this and the concert was a great success! We concluded this term with our Easter Bonnet Parade, where the children modelled their creative hat designs to the whole School. In the extremely busy Trinity term, we all enjoyed our topic of ‘The Seaside’. Making puppets for a Punch and Judy show, exploring seaside holidays including travelling, clothes and souvenirs from the past. There was no better way to complete the term with all the excitement of our trip to The Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth, where the children explored undersea creatures, a fantastic seal show and of course lots of sand castle building on the beach with a lovely picnic. The children involved themselves whole heartedly on Pre-Prep
Nativity
On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!
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Year 2 Year Two had a great start to their final year in the Pre-Prep; a new redesigned classroom with not only a sink, a huge red cushion in the reading corner but also our very own teaching assistant in the guise of Miss Laverick. The term began with the regular Tuesday swimming lessons where all the class made it to the deep end and learnt to swim butterfly! Our first trip of the year was for our Geography project based on Maps and our local area. Unsurprisingly, this meant a visit to town where we looked at the different types of shops and buildings. The children navigated themselves around Barnard Castle using a map and road signs. Luckily, we all made it safely back to School, though cunningly the way home took them past the park, where it was deemed necessary to take advantage of the sunshine and stop for a quick swing! Hot on the heels of this was a visit for our Science topic to The Glass Museum in Sunderland and learnt all about how glass is made, creating a fused glass tile of our own. Walking on the glass roof was a little terrifying but the children managed to pose for a picture despite being convinced that they were about to fall through it! The Great Fire of London was a very successful topic, inspiring research into the
buildings of Tudor London and the firefighting equipment available. The roaring of flames became a regular sound in the classroom as the children tried to imagine how terrifying it must have been. Towards the end of the Michaelmas term, “Read All About It!” announced the arrival of the Pre-Prep nativity production, ‘Angel Express’. The Year 2 children took the lead in narrating and acting and did a marvellous job, from the paper boy and the Kings to the poor conductor faced with a terrible Angel choir that he had to whip into shape before Baby Jesus arrived. It was most impressive that they all learnt their lines off by heart and performed with Oscar winning confidence. The Lent Term saw the arrival of Chinese Dragons. Our R.E. and Geography lessons led us to China – as we examined both Chinese New Year Celebrations and life in modern day China. This led us to the Oriental Museum in Durham where we examined the story of the Great Race, made dragon masks and performed a dragon dance all around the Museum to the great amusement of the other museum visitors. Our D.T. and I.C.T. projects made us all television chefs. We started a topic on healthy eating, making a selections of breads and biscuits, but also learnt how to use the ipad to film ourselves.
The Trinity Term saw the beginning of our preparation for Year 3 with the introduction of the ‘Moving On Challenge’. This was a series of tasks designed to aid the children’s transition from Pre-Prep to Prep. These included tying shoelaces and ties, getting changed for P.E. in a prompt manner and independently making healthy choices at lunchtime. This remains a hugely worthwhile project and the children described it as, “a hard, yet cool challenge.” They rose to it magnificently and proudly received their certificates at the End of Term Gathering. The final trip of the year saw us heading to the Blue Reef Aquarium and Tynemouth Beach. I wish all the children good luck as they move into the Prep School next year. AAW
Reading in the Quiet Area
The National Glass Centre
Model Making
Barney Walk
Inventions Assembly
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Year 3
Sketching trees
We started our Centenary year with 30 excited children ready to embrace a new chapter as part of Prep School. They were are eager to receive their ‘100 Challenges Books’ and immediately started reading through to see what they were able to accomplish before their books had even reached home. The weather was kind to us in September which allowed the children to really explore our Shadows topic. Our first trip was to the Hancock museum where the children were able to handle artefacts from the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. They also took the opportunity to look at other exhibits around the museum and completed a booklet showing what they had learnt. Another highlight of the term was taking part in the 1914 day. The children thoroughly enjoyed getting dressed up and joining in with all of the activities. Throughout the term the pupils were given a variety of Maths investigations to complete individually and in small groups across the year group. Over the Christmas holidays the children were given their scripts for the Pied Piper, where they were all lucky to have their own speaking part. Rehearsals got under way early in the Lent Term, with the performances shortly after half term.
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In Design Technology they made some fantastic Masaai shields, which complemented our Geography topic on Kenya. The children created their own scrapbook all about Kenya and loved personalising them and decorating the front cover. They spent the second half of the term perfecting their Centenary dance, where they showcased the different dance styles over the past 100 years. It was an excellent way to finish the term. In the Trinity term the children learnt all about living things. They sketched some trees and plants around the school grounds and then they chose their favourite tree to draw using natural products. For many it was their first experience using charcoal, mud, grass and flowers and they all really enjoyed getting ‘messy’! Sports Day was a highlight of the final term as the children were able to push themselves and compete for their house. Maps were a focus in Geography this term and they enjoyed their orienteering experience around the school grounds. We have certainly made the most of our Centenary year in our teaching and extra-curricular activities, leaving us with fantastic memories of the past year. We look forward to watching the children develop and flourish as they move up the school.
Maths Investigation Work
Creating Shadows
EJFH & FMK Handling Artefacts at the Hancock Museum
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Year 4 Promoting independence has been a particular target this year and Year 4 have shown that they can work independently when researching, investigating and revising. A perfect opportunity for this was the residential trip to Kingsway where the children worked together in teams and encouraged each other to face their fears and fulfil their own personal goals. A highlight of the year was our trip to Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum. The children were immediately immersed in Roman History and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the archaeological site, reconstructions and handling original artefacts in the museum. They were taught in a school room by a Roman hologram but soon decided that they preferred to be taught in Barney Prep School! Maths lessons have been incredibly varied and fun and pupils have been tested on a variety of skills. Lessons were linked to the Premier League in the latter part of the Trinity Term focusing particularly on percentages and averages. They carried out investigations, working together during problem solving activities. Nubble on the
interactive whiteboard proved extremely popular and the teams were very competitive against each other. This also transferred to our regular ‘Crunch’ sessions which tested number skills to the maximum! Reading was a popular activity again this year and we enjoyed studying Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda’, Adam Blade’s ‘Beast Quest’ and Ted Hughes’ ‘Iron Man’. A particular literary highlight was The Shirt Machine animation. Working collaboratively in small groups, each team designed a fantasy shirt and an incredible machine to manufacture their design. The range of vocabulary and imaginative explanations were a joy to behold.
We were also pleased to see that over half of our children performed at the Centenary Gala Concert in Durham. We have thoroughly enjoyed teaching this year group. They have been cheerful throughout and one of the most helpful groups of children we have encountered. A favourite moment was the fantastic performances on stage during the annual play, ‘The Pied Piper’, where many of the year took leading roles and performed them admirably. We look forward to watching them develop in the years to come, both in and out of the classroom. We would like to thank them for making this year as enjoyable as it has been. CNP & BEW
Year 4 have had another successful sporting year with many more fixtures added to the busy calendar. The U9s have competed in Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Cricket, Football, Cross Country and Athletics. The girls were unbeaten in the Hockey term and were awarded fourth place at HMC Athletics which was a great achievement. The boys’ Rugby team were losing semi-finalists in the Cundall Manor Tournament after winning the league and were unbeaten in the cricket season.
Team Work
Playground Games 1914
4W on Theme Day
Vindolanda
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Year 5 Year Five welcomed eleven new pupils who were quickly catapulted into an array of exciting activities, opportunities and adventures. For many it was their first experience of staying at school until 5pm, but with the range of activities they were offered they were never short of something to do. Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Ballet and Art activities were all on offer, alongside lunchtime Chess and musical activities, and pupils old and new signed up with gusto.
interactive and involved the pupils trying to negotiate their way around Hamsterley Forest.
It was soon time for the first school trip and forty seven children headed off to White Scar Cave. The children were fascinated by this incredible cave system with its wealth of stunning stalactites and stalagmites. More importantly, they gained a good deal of knowledge to support their Geography and Science topics.
This year saw one of the largest representations by Year 5 on the French trip with fifteen pupils branching out and experiencing all that our Gallic neighbours had to offer. From baguettes to battlefields the children threw themselves into every aspect of the trip and were keen to develop their linguistic skills along the way. Forty five Year 5s went to Robinwood for three days of high-octane activities set against a back drop of rolling hills and raging downpours. There is little to compare with the joy of seeing pupils experience the primal fear induced by the Piranha Pool or the stomach churning squeals elicited by the Giant Swing. This year Robinwood was the biggest the school has ever undertaken and Year 5 played a leading role in making it one of the best ever too.
Further trips followed in the Lent term with a visit to Hartlepool Historic Quay. This supported the History topic on Exploration and the pupils gained valuable insight into the horrifying conditions on board an 18th Century sailing vessel. As ever, the ropemaking and cannon-firing workshops provided practical demonstrations of a sailor’s life. The Trinity Term trip was more
Life in Year 5 is not all about trips however, and of course many interesting activities took place in the classroom. The children enjoyed learning Science through practical experiments where they made CO² bombs, learned about the bizarre properties of cornflour and many other exciting experiments. Michael Foreman’s ‘War Game’, legend-writing and class talks
100 Challenges
Kings and Queens
1914 Theme Day
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House Art Competition
defined the three terms in English, with class talks as diverse as ever. Maths investigations proved as popular as ever, with investigations ranging from Leaping Frogs to Pascal’s Triangle. The children enjoyed learning History through the medium of food: olives for the Ancient Greeks, chocolate for the Aztecs and maggoty sea biscuits for the Explorers! Sport plays a major part in the life of a ‘Preppie’ and Year 5 sees a significant increase in the number of fixtures in which the children are involved. Every child in Year 5 has represented the School in a sporting fixture and much success has been enjoyed. Running alongside all of this, we were privileged in Prep School to be celebrating our Centenary Year. Arriving at school in their Edwardian finery on Theme Day, the children were soon engaged in a host of 1914 activities. These ranged from playground games such as hopscotch and hoopla to writing on slates. For those naughty children who spoiled their work, the dunce’s cap and stool was their reward! Joining in all the Centenary Activities throughout the year, the Class of 2015 have had a year to remember! STA, SMS & RT
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Science Club
Lightwater Valley
South Africa at Tourism Fayre
Maths Work
Privet Drive at Harry Potter World
Prize Winners Speech Day
Year 6 Over fifty children threw themselves into the busy life of Year 6 and quickly worked out that the more they put into school, the more they got out. This was probably a good year to be in Year 6 with all the Centenary celebrations as they were often asked to take the lead in the myriad of events throughout the year. Almost as soon as we started the Michaelmas Term we held our Centenary Rugby and Hockey Tournament and we were very proud when both teams reached the final having played really well all afternoon. The boys ended up as runners up while the girls went one better, sharing the trophy. They then went on to win the county tournament and progress to the regional finals. The boys enjoyed a most successful season, only losing matches in tournaments. We also won the Cluster Cross Country, the cricket team were winners of the Plate at HMC and Sedburgh and the girls won HMC Athletics. This was a very successful year with some very talented sportsmen and women. Four children won scholarships to Senior School. Music also played an important part in the school year with many of the children taking lessons and singing in the Harmony Choir every week in Chapel and at the Centenary
Gala Concert at Durham and entertaining us all on Speech Day. They were also the mainstay of the various instrumental groups. They have also been busy in the Art room, contributing to the Centenary Mosaic, helping make the props for the pay and also creating our new Centenary collage with our visiting artist. Chapel plays a bit part in the weekly routine and again the children read the lesson every week as well as reading at the Carol Services, Harvest and our Centenary Founders’ Day Service. In the Trinity Term the lead roles in the school play were taken by the Year 6 children and what a fantastic job they did, exuding confidence and ability on stage, possibly inspired by their visit to Darlington Civic Theatre to see ‘Private Peaceful’, the book we were reading in English. Charity remains close to our hearts and it was the Year 6 children themselves who came up with the idea of a bring-and-buy sale for the British Heart Foundation, raising over £500. London comes early in the year and much of the work leads up to the trip. Harry Potter was a popular addition this year as well as all the regular venues that make the trip so memorable.
Not content with London, many of the children tested themselves to the full at Robinwood, undertaking a host of exhilarating challenges before most of the year went to France to practise their French and experience the culture. We also visited Beamish Museum as part of our History work, enjoyed a relaxing day out at Lightwater Valley and our disco to celebrate the end of year. Throughout the year, the children have worked hard on their Achievement Award and their results were impressive with some outstanding projects that contributed to their prizes and all the children passed with many receiving merits and distinctions. All the children have been awarded Special Mention Certificates for a variety of reasons and many also received Bronze, Silver and Gold Merit Awards. End of Term Gatherings and Speech Day saw many children receive prizes. We said goodbye to them at Speech Day and wished them well as they move onto the next stage of their education, well prepared for the future. Remember, “Once a Preppie, always a Preppie.” HMB, RAR &NIS
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Music The Prep Music Department is a vibrant and active place that never has a half-term without a significant public event. Nearly one hundred one-to-one instrumental and singing lessons take place each year. Many ensembles have their highest numbers to date and this year we have seen the introduction of the ‘Razzling Reeds’. Instruments learned in class this year have included hand drums as played by the Gambian Mandinko tribe, recorder, violin, trumpet and fife whilst the Year 6 Class Band lessons have proved continually popular. Musical productions have continued to entertain large audiences, and not only is harmony singing a common feature in events, but unison singing reveals a powerful, united and unforced tone. Pupils are rapidly developing their aural abilities, comprehension of notation and standards of performance. House Singing opened the year’s musical events with a stunning workshop and adjudication from Mr Douglas Coombes MBE who is renowned for chairing the adjudication for BBC Choir of the year and much besides. He was delighted with the singing he heard and very much enjoyed the use of songs from hundred years ago to mark the Prep Centenary. Harmony Choir continue to deliver high
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standards by singing descants in weekly Chapel services and performing impressively in all our major musical events such as Harvest, the Carol Services, Founders Day Service, the Centenary Fete and Speech Day. One of the main highlights this year was their three-part harmony performance of “Say Something” in Durham Gala Theatre. The choir attracts large numbers and delivers stunning results, constantly achieving a more mature tone, coping with more demanding harmonies and providing many soloists with unique opportunities. A few members of our Harmony choir have also joined Chapel Choir and one member had the wonderful opportunity of singing in St Paul’s Cathedral in February. This was certainly an event to remember for a life-time. The Pre-Prep performed with excellent musicianship in their concert just before Easter, featuring Mandinko drumming and our first Pre-Prep orchestra has been formed with the pupils successfully performing in sync with one another! The Pre-Prep choir sang with their on-going enthusiasm and quality, and every class presented a fantastic poem. The enthusiastic Pre-Prep choir also had the opportunity to join a large Prep School Community Choir that opened our Centenary Fete, singing songs that were written, published or popular in 1914. The Prep Orchestra is a large ensemble that provides challenging opportunities for the
more able whilst creating new experiences for beginner performers. This year the orchestra performed “Star Wars” in the Gala Concert and included a significant proportion of Years 3, 4 and 5 playing their violins, trumpets and fifes, as a backing big-band for a chamber group of Year 6 singers, in “Hold my Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish during our Speech Day ceremonies. Brass Group and Razzling Reeds, are loyal groups of talented and enthusiastic musicians who have had the wonderful opportunity of performing in our Durham Gala Concert as well as our Centenary Fete. The String Group have met every week and have continued to be a close-knit ensemble, also showing considerable ability in the Gala Concert. They rehearse with diligence and produce musically controlled results. Examination results continue to be high with several members of the school being invited to perform at the ABRSM High Achievers Concert for their successes in our geographical region. We are very proud that the school name is associated with high standards of music making in the wider community and every year we not only continue to strive to enhance our standards of performance, but we also exceed our own expectations! RGH
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Drama Drama has continued to play an important role in the life of Prep School, with every child performing in public throughout the year. At the end of the Michaelmas Term it was the turn of Pre-Prep, with their Nativity, ‘Angel Express’ in Chapel, followed by the children from Years 3 and 4 in the Lent Term, this year performing ‘The Pied Piper’ in the Atkinson Hall. In Trinity Term it was the turn of the Year 5 and 6 children and their performance in Big School, played to audiences of nearly two hundred each time. This year, in Prep School’s Centenary year, we had a historical theme. Parents and friends were entertained by ‘The Complete History of the World (Abridged)’. In March, the Atkinson Hall became - temporarily - overrun with rats, when our Year 3 and 4 play, ‘The Pied Piper’, took centre stage. Probably best known from Robert Browning’s poem, this show added extra layers to the humour of the original poem with some lively modern touches.
The Rat Pack
Prep School was brought alive to the sound of musical numbers which included a wide variety of ballad, rock and gospel-style songs. The children took on roles including members of a hippy guerrilla ‘rat pack’, a rapping Pied Piper and a band of rather formidable women from the town’s ‘Ladies Guild’. The standard of performance was excellent, with children acting and singing throughout with confidence and obvious enjoyment. Well done to all those involved!
The Pied Piper
The Town Crier
In a ‘Reduced Shakespeare Company’ style, the children in Years 5 and 6 this year brought ‘The Complete History of the World (Abridged)’ to the stage in Big School. Billed as ‘The whole of history in 90 minutes…without the boring bits!’ and with one hundred children participating, the play brought many challenges, especially backstage, but was produced as an appropriate dedication to Prep School in its Centenary year. The play attempted, tongue firmly in cheek, to answer key historical questions such as why the Babylonians were afraid of falling elephants, why Pythagoras secretly had ambitions to become a cabaret singer and how Captain Cook came to discover the Isle of Wight. Old Father Time, joined by game show hosts Bruce Fortuna and Davina Curtain-Call, guided the audience through life for the Sumerians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Vikings and Aztecs; life in Renaissance Italy; life as an explorer and life in the Workhouse, ending with the early days of some inventions that shape our modern lives.
The Vikings are Coming
With a live band, lighting and sound and fifty microphone changes throughout the show, the production was a busy one, providing nearly seventy different speaking roles for the children. The play provided the opportunity for every child to have their moment in the limelight, whilst working together to provide an energetic and humorous show for the audiences. Everyone enjoyed the excitement of putting on such lively show. Members of the cast grew in confidence as they rehearsed and both cast and packed audiences thoroughly enjoyed the performances. Well done to all! It is wonderful to see the children grow in confidence as they have the opportunity to perform in public, be it on the stage, in Chapel or as part of their Class Assemblies. Talking to Old Father Time
Ricahrd III
RAR
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Art An important topic in Art this year has, of course, been the Prep School Centenary. We have incorporated our school’s history into several projects; most notably the whole school mosaic, the Year 6 Centenary Collage and the Pre-Prep quilt. The annual Pre-Prep and House Art Competition was held, as usual, early in the Trinity term with first place going to Gilbert. There were a number of excellent entries, highlighting the excellent standard of Art throughout the School. It was fantastic to see the whole school take part in the creation of our mosaic. The children were asked to draw some ideas they would like to be included in the design which were then made into a large triptych. Everyone, both pupils and adults involved in Prep School, was invited to add a few glass tiles to the piece, with a very impressive and colourful result. We were also lucky enough to have Yvonne Preston, a freelance artist, work with Year 6 again. Our aim was to create a collage based on aspects of Prep School life, using recycled materials and old, outgrown school uniforms. Again, a most impressive and imaginative piece of work, based on our Centenary, was the outcome and it now hangs proudly in the Atkinson Hall.
Mr Rycroft and the centenary mosaic
Aside from the Centenary inspired work, Art lessons carried on as usual. Our topics were varied and many. Amongst them were; watercolours inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet and Lynette Amelie, ‘People Who Help Us’ paintings, mango design silk painting, autumnal collages, single and two point perspective drawing, the Antarctic, colour wheel and tonal values, Indian art, fish and the oceans, clocks, the Chinese New Year, Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Ka-pows’ and the National Gallery in London. In Design Technology the children continued to learn new skills and use different kit and equipment. Children in Year 3 and Year 4 used textiles, resistant materials and ModRoc, Years 5 and 6 pupils have been soldering and doing woodwork as well as creating selfsupporting 3D models. Year 6 has been fortunate to have their DT lessons in the Senior School Workshops. This means they have also had access to the CADCAM and 3D printing facilities, which made for very exciting lessons indeed! So, again, it’s been another packed year in the Art and Technology Room in Prep School and the classrooms in Pre-Prep, with some fantastic artwork on display throughout the school to show how hard the children have worked in these subjects.
Mosaic making
Electronics
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HMB
Year 2 Mod Rock
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Sport This has been a great year for sport. Over the past few years a lot of hard work has been invested in the coaching in all areas of Games, which has led to lots of fixtures for all and plenty of success. In the Michaelmas Term, every girl in the Prep School played in a fixture all over the North of England. Opportunities have grown throughout the years for the girls as we have developed a plethora of hockey playing enthusiasts. On the tournament front we performed extremely well. The Under 11s started the term by sharing the trophy in the Barnard Castle Centenary Tournament and winning the County Cup. The U10 team followed suit by winning the County Cup. The U9 team finished the season unbeaten and are showing the potential to be a very competitive team. This has all been backed up with the first trial of a Sunday Hockey Club which would give plenty of opportunity for developing players for the future. The girls played some very competitive Netball throughout the Lent Term which has been remarked upon by many opposition teachers including success at the HMC Tournament. Again, all the girls made it onto the court and we have seen a great development in the depth of our players within year groups.
U10s Relay Winners
The Trinity Term saw a fantastic performance by the girls in the HMC Athletics meeting. Winning both the U11 and U10 teams, they went on to successfully lift the overall trophy which was an excellent achievement. In the cluster meeting, the girls came a very close second. The boys had a very productive Rugby term. The year began with a terrific performance at the Centenary Tournament where we were losing finalists. The U11 team went onto have a very successful term with victories throughout the season with two boys representing the Northern Lambs. The U10s went through to the final of the Clegg Cup which saw some excellent rugby being played. The U8s and U9s progressed over the term with plenty of fixtures and a particularly strong showing in the Cundall Manor Tournament winning all five of their matches. The football term, allowed all players to represent the school. There were some very promising performances both at the U9 Yarm Tournament and at HMC Football. In the Trinity term the boys had many highlights with strong Athletic showing at the Cluster meeting where they came second. The cricket has progressed once gain. The U11 side have won two plate trophies, one from the HMC Tournament where we won five out of our six matches. The U10s and U9s have had various fixtures which have given them plenty of experience with the U9s ending the year unbeaten.
U11 Sedbergh Plate winners
Pre Prep Sports Day
Teesside Cross Country Winners
It has been a busy sporting year in the Pre-Prep culminating in the Sports Day. Particular highlights included the dances by Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and a wonderful Centenary Dance production from Year 3. By reinforcing skills in the Pre-Prep PE classes, we have seen the development of the children’s sporting ability. This bodes well for the future with the introduction of more after school clubs. There is no doubt that the sporting future of the School is in good shape. Clegg Cup Finalists
BEW
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Charity and Council
Help for Heroes
Raising Money
In our Centenary year Barnard Castle Prep School children have again shown how generous they can be with both their effort and money. We have been overwhelmed at the amazing support provided by pupils, family and friends. This year the total raised is an incredible £5,428.15p. What a superb achievement! The charities are chosen so that we can help people in our local community and those less fortunate in other countries. Through their charity work, pupils consider the needs of others and are conscientious in their help and support in the knowledge it will make a difference. It is the school’s belief that raising money for a diverse range of good causes fulfils an educational, spiritual and social role in the development of the children, both as individuals and as a community. It is wonderful to see the young people of this school bring their enthusiasm, optimism and endless energy to the business of being charitable. We would like to extend our thanks to all the children and their parents for the generous
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Marie Curie Pots of Care
contributions to our charity fundraisers this year. Donations, both monetary and otherwise have been made to the following charities: Epilepsy Action, Smile for a Child, British Heart Foundation, Marie Curie, the Shoebox Appeal, Brain Tumour Research and Help for Heroes. Oxfam also benefitted from books and games from the Year 6 Second Hand Fair and St Mary’s Church, Influence Church and the foodbank at Woodhouse, Bishop Auckland received produce from the Harvest Festival. As tradition dictates, we held another successful tea party in aid of Epilepsy Action and pupils enjoyed the French Café, where they ate croissants and pain au chocolat, as well as the gorgeous cakes and biscuits provided by our wonderful parents. Some very kind parents volunteered their time and effort yet again and poured endless cups of tea throughout the day raising £380. New to this year’s fundraising was the ‘Wear a Hat Day’ for Brain Tumour Research. This event allowed us to see a kaleidoscope of millinery excellence and raised an impressive £222.
Epilepsy Action tea party
The Centenary Summer Fete was the culmination of our fundraising efforts for the year. Barney Friends and pupils worked with dedication to create an unforgettable day. Collections were taken for Help the Heroes and raised an outstanding £2,165. Thanks go to everyone who joined us on the day to help raise such a huge sum of money for such a worthwhile cause. What a successful year we have had in terms of supporting charitable causes and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the future. DT and AAW
British Heart Foundation
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Barney Friends
Jam Jar Tombola
Family Walk
Eplilepsy Action Tea Party
Dad’s Race
Prep School’s Centenary provided Barney Friends with a host of exciting opportunities to celebrate this special year with parents, children, staff and supporters. Our packed programme of events included some old favourite family activities along with the Centenary Ball and Summer Fete, which many of us will remember for years to come and allowed many parents to get involved in a small or big way. Barney Friends is primarily a means for parents to get together, to make new connections and to enjoy one another’s company. It’s a great way for new parents to learn from others, to get involved and, as an aside, to help raise money for worthy causes. We were delighted to welcome some new regular members from last year who have already become integral to the Barney Friend’s team. However, all parents are welcome to come along to any meeting and to contribute in any way they can. The Parents’ Directory, which contains the contact details of the vast majority of families who opt to be in it, is now updated
Supporting the Choir
termly. The directory is intended for social use and is a great way to reach other parents for arranging activities, class events, tracking down missing uniform or forgotten prep! We have also unveiled the Friends’ Noticeboard near the Atkinson Hall, which parents can check for regular event updates. Our events in 2014/15 included: The Family Ceilidh; Parents’ Quiz Night, hosted by Mr Seddon with each class putting forward a team; The Christmas Lunch - so popular we virtually took over Clarendon’s; The Family Walk - a lovely, relaxed afternoon out along the Tees. We never cease to be amazed by the generosity of parents to the Prep and PrePrep Sports Day cake stalls - their delicious donations of cakes, biscuits and other tasty treats have become a popular feature, and in 2015 we donated £275 from the proceeds to the Nepal Earthquake Disaster Appeal. Earlier in the year parents also donated goodies to the School’s Centenary Hockey and Rugby tournament, much to the delight of visiting guests who went away thinking Barney has the best bakers!
The highlights of the year were undoubtedly the Centenary Ball - held on a beautiful evening in May - and the Summer Fete, months in the planning and requiring considerable commitment from the team, but worth every minute. Parents were superb in donating items for the stalls, giving their time to volunteer and sponsoring the attractions and competitions. Thank you all. The fete was in aid of Help for Heroes, to whom we were able to donate over £2,000. Other causes to receive donations from money raised during the year were Sustrans and Teesdale Lions (£250 each), and we gave £1,000 to the Prep School playground project. Events already in the diary for 2015/16 include the Parents’ Quiz, Christmas lunch and Bat, Ball & Bike, an afternoon of cycle skills and safety instruction for children followed by a family picnic and Rounders. We’re always open to fresh ideas so do contact a Barney Friends member or, better still, come and join us! Barney Friends
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Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Premier League Trophy
EasterBonnets
Special Events In last year’s Barnardian you were asked to, “watch this space” with regard to the special events planned. When we look back at the end of this year’s Trinity Term at just what we have done during the course of the academic year, it is always amazing just how much we have managed to squeeze in what is already a very busy schedule. I think the children sometimes just take for granted everything on offer to them and, in fact, don’t see the extras as extra, rather just a part of a normal Prep School day, week or term. This year, being our Centenary has, arguably, seen more special occasions than previous years but we continue to enhance the children’s learning and experiences with events and activities in and out of the classroom above and beyond a normal school day. I sometimes wonder whether some of the ‘special events’ are special as they have become part and parcel of our calendar.
Snow Day
Activities, excursions and incursions happen all the time as do the events dictated by the season and time of year like London, Robinwood, France, Middleton, Nativity and Carol Services, the panto, the tea party and so many more, too many to mention individually. Just by reading what has been written in this magazine, you will get a feel of what has gone on, above and beyond what might be termed a normal school education. This is what makes Prep School special and just because next year isn’t our Centenary, don’t expect it to be any less busy. NIS
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Singing at St.Paul’s
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London Trip The four day/three night London trip again proved to be one of the highlights of the school year as the whole of Year 6 explored our capital city and visited places relevant to the work they had been doing in the first few weeks of the Michaelmas Term and continued afterwards back at school. The resulting London scrapbooks were amongst the best yet. Although we return regularly to familiar and popular venues, Harry Potter World was a welcome addition this year and we stopped in for the afternoon as we broke up our journey down to The Royal National Hotel. We were transported into the magical world of film-making and those familiar with the films and books recognised many of the props, costumes and characters. The Tower of London with all its history and the spectacular Crown Jewels always impresses but this year we were all bowled over by the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red display of poppies that spilled from a tower and covered the moat. HMS Belfast is always popular and an informative talk and tour of the ship, exploring the various decks gives us an insight into life on board ship during WW2. The new WW1 gallery at The Imperial War Museum brought home just what life was like in the trenches, particularly relevant to us as we too were celebrating our centenary. Pizza Hut for tea filled us up before we all enjoyed the spectacular production of Matilda with all the amazing sets and songs. The ages of the child actors was not lost the children.
The Cabinet War Rooms are always popular and educational as we found out how Churchill ran the war from his underground bunker and I suspect many of the children could have spent a lot longer exploring the interactive timeline at the heart of the museum. However, there was an itinerary to follow and next on the list was The National Gallery where the paintings were brought to life by the knowledgeable guides. Many saw the paintings they were studying in Art lessons back at school. After ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop,’ a demonstration about explosives, we were let loose in Launch Pad where the interactive displays helped our understanding of forces, magnetism, solids, liquids and gasses. A highlight for many was the flight on the London Eye with the spectacular views over the capital. The final morning meant packing before making our way to Downing Street. The children enjoyed the security check before being allowed to stand outside the famous front door for photos. Many of us found our names on the Battle of Britain Monument and then it was off to The Millennium Bridge and the Globe Theatre. An informative tour of the building was followed by an interesting workshop about Macbeth, the play we have been studying in class.
No. 10 Downing Street
Imperial War Museum
HMS Belfast
The children were a pleasure to take away and their behaviour was a real credit to them and to the school. NIS
Harry Potter World
The Tower of London
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France Trip
Chocolate!
The Lent Term saw the annual trip to France. This year, we broke the journey with a stop-over in Kent and used the facilities of the nearby Kingswood centre for some French activities before settling into our accommodation. We kicked off the use of French language with a sing-off of ‘Let It Go’ in French (imagine Disney meets Pop Idol). Taking the role of Simon Cowell came terrifyingly easily to me, but the whole activity made us accustomed to hearing the French language.
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Dieppe Market
allocations were complete, we enjoyed a meal of banquet proportions. The children quickly learned to pace themselves, unaccustomed as they were to the mountains of French bread and additional cheese course. After a shopping master class on the Saturday morning, the children relished a shopping challenge at a bustling and windswept Dieppe market; buying bread, local cheese and cherries. We even managed to allocate time to eat delicious fresh crepes. The usual items of dubious quality were also duly bought.
The following cloudy morning was that of the solar eclipse. We played some outdoor French listening games, hopped on our coach and went ‘sous la Manche’. Our first French destination was the choclaterie at Beussat, where the children, entranced by the smell of cocoa, learnt the finer details of decorating confectionery before bravely buying from a French person for the very first time.
In Rouen, the main city of Northern France, children were overloaded with sights and information about the cathedral that Monet loved so much, medieval architecture and the dramatic and poignant end of Joan of Arc’s life. Hopefully these aspects of the city leave as great an impression on the children as the huge sweet shop we visited before returning to the chateau.
A warm welcome awaited us at Chateau de Chatereine as always and, after dorm
Sunday’s visit to the quarries at Arras, which were turned into a warren of tunnels
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by Allied forces during WWI, was fascinating and boasted additional sound and visual displays as well as the usual excellent guided tour. Followed by the visit to the trenches and Canadian war memorial at Vimy Ridge, this day left a huge impression on everyone. This year many more language activities were incorporated into each day and it was a pleasure to see the children’s determination and confidence to speak French increase during our trip. CLB
French Café
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Robinwood
And This Was Before Leaving the Ground!
Happy to See the End of the Assault Course!
As May began and spring lambs gallivanted around the surrounding fields we left this idyllic scene behind in favour of the squally winds and lashing rain of Alston. 75 children set out for Robinwood on Friday morning on one of the biggest trips in Prep School’s history. We arrived at the viaduct to be greeted by the steamy whistles of the new narrow gauge railway that would provide the backdrop for our moorland walk into Barhaugh Hall. The six groups were soon catapulted into a myriad of activities; from the perils of the legendary Piranha Pool and the slings and arrows of the Archery Arena to the exhilaration of the Zip Wire and the dizzying heights of the Trapeze. You could feel the excitement (and lightening) crackling in the air as the children raced to share their stories with the other groups every time they were reunited. By the time lights were extinguished that night each group had already faced their fears and axed their anxiety on three fantastic sessions. Mr Killeen’s Avalanche group were deserved
Tireless Staff
champions of the team challenge as the teachers’ team were derailed by the usual suspicious judging! As dawn broke on Saturday, Prep School readied itself for a mammoth day of seven incredible sessions with everything from the challenge of crate stacking through the nerve shredding Dungeon of Doom to the medieval problem solving and team work needed to take on the Dragon’s Quest. As the weather worsened, the children’s enthusiasm and determination blossomed, unified by the deteriorating conditions every child in every group responded with enthusiasm and energy; in short – they did their best to be their best. We awoke on Sunday to the type of rain that would have had Noah rubbing his hands in anticipation. Again, the more it rained the more the children enjoyed themselves and the more they got stuck in! Every group completed their final three activities with as much gusto as their first and can be proud of their efforts across a real range of different challenges, both physical and personal. Every group had its own stories to tell, its
own shared experiences, the spontaneous, unprompted instances that define that group and set it apart from the others, thanks mainly to the enthusiasm of the staff. For my own Rapids group, it was the shrill screams that punctuated every activity! It is these instances that make Robinwood such a unique, memorable and significant part of the Prep School experience. The trip may only last three days but the memories will last a lifetime! STA
Spa girls
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Year 6 Memories Sam Dolby One of my much-loved trips this year has to be Beamish. A ride through the heart of the Victorian times, I particularly enjoyed the mining experience, although it was tremendously hard to keep balanced as I had to bend over for the entire half mile. Anna Robinson I thought making new friends would be hard as I didn’t have many in my old school, so I just stuck to the people who first showed me round. They soon became good friends. One of the first people to talk to me was Nidhi, as she was always kind to everyone and was my first proper friend in Prep School. Soon I found making friends wasn’t as hard as I thought as there are people more confident than me who are willing to help you as you progress. Chloe Willey My life in Old Courts is incredible. My two house parents, Mr and Mrs Killeen, take us on really amazing trips like Laser Quest, arial tracking and even sometimes going to the zoo. Mr Killeen is really funny; he makes up so many jokes and he looks after the boarders really well. Mrs Killeen also helps us to achieve lots of challenges. Catherine Stephenson One of the best things I remember about Prep School was the Gala Concert. I was in it three times - String Group, Orchestra and Harmony Choir. It was fun because it was at the Gala Theatre in Durham and it was in front of hundreds of people. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I will always remember it. Ruby Todd In Year 5 my favourite trip was orienteering in Hamsterley Forest because we had to work as a team. We took turns in leading and holding the map. My team started off near the front but we soon got lost. Sophie Wynn One of my favourite memories in Year 4 was when we were taken on a school trip to the Life Centre in Newcastle. The 4D motion ride was amazing! We got squirted with water and tipped side to side and I did feel a bit dizzy afterwards. Jack Hawkins I really enjoyed Robinwood in Year 5. It was a great experience being away from home. I really enjoyed the cave when you played zombies and the big swing was amazing. I loved it; a time to remember Nidhi Devgan I particularly remember in Reception when we had a topic about different jobs and what they
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do. Afterwards we had to paint our dream job; everyone else wanted to be a policewomen or a nurse and then there was me, painting a lawyer. Ricardo Allen In Year 5 my most favourite thing was when we did the space project. Yuhao, Jack Hatton and I had to make a theme park on the moon, get the teachers to invest in our project and let us build it. We did not win but it was fun. Sam Metcalf My Prep School memory is playing for the Lambs; a team built from independent schools from the different regions. It was really good fun traveling around the country and playing different teams. I felt happy playing for the Lambs because it was the centenary of Prep School and it was the last U11 Lambs team. Fergus Makepeace I remember in Year 2 when it was Clowning Around Day and we all dressed up as clowns. I got the flower and squirted it on everyone. Beth Wilson I went to the Gateshead Stadium for an Athletics match. Famous athletes had performed here, it was really exciting. I represented the Prep School at Long Jump there. Jack Butterwick My favourite Prep School memory is the London trip because we went to lots of historic places like the Tower of London and HMS Belfast and we had a very enjoyable time at Pizza Hut. Emily Maude I remember that Rebecca and I came in together. We were really scared but loved our first day. Abdullahi Ali I remember in Year Five on our orienteering trip to Hamsterley Forest; there was a big swing and I jumped off when it was right at the top. Beau Atherton My favourite memory of Prep School was when I scored my first goal for the B team. I was very excited to score because we were drawing until my goal! Torin O’Neill My favourite memories were when I got a Headmaster’s Commendation – twice! The first one was for my handwriting because Mrs Brown said it was the best I’d ever done. The second one was for my rabbit dot painting. I was thrilled to receive the certificates and stickers from Mr Rycroft.
Elliot Greetham My favourite memory of Prep School was when Mr Ayres picked me for the Football B team, but then I went to the A team and then I was chosen for the HMC team – all on the same day! James Peart My favourite memory was when I was at the Lambs trial. It was really good fun and I felt proud to have been chosen to go. A whole day of Rugby – what could be better! Tristan te Lintelo One of my favourite memories was when I was in Art and I did a watercolour landscape for my Achievement Award. It turned out really well and I was very proud of it. Sean Shackcloth My favourite moment was when I ran the whole length of the pitch with the ball in Rugby and scored a try. It was brilliant because I felt so confident as I ran. Tommy Coward My favourite memory was playing in the Centenary Rugby Tournament. It was great because I managed to score a try in the final against QEGS. Freya Metcalf My favourite memory is when lots of my classmates voted for me to become 6B’s School Councillor. I was really excited because I like to help people and make things happen. Alice Shovlin My favourite memory is in Year 6 in a PE lesson and we were doing tennis. I went to hit the ball, but I missed. Instead, the hard bit of the tennis racquet hit my head and I got a bump. That is so me! Alexa Waiter-Westgarth My favourite memory is when I was playing for the Year 6 A Hockey team while I was still in Year 5. As we got back to school afterwards, Miss Biggart asked me to play for the same team the next day. I was buzzing because she must have thought I played really well! Will Gibbons I remember when, in Year 3, we had been talking about chickens and Holly called Miss Biggart ‘Chicken’ instead of her name by mistake. Harriet heard her and laughed so much she went bright red like she had just eaten a red hot chilli pepper! Lydia Turnbull I remember when the newspaper reporter and photographer came to the Art Room to take a picture of the Centenary Mosaic. Alex, Nidhi,
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Will, Ricardo and I were all in the photograph which was to go in the newspaper. I felt so proud of myself and the mosaic. Yuhao Liu My favourite memory of Prep School is when I played my first Cricket match for the school against Ashville College in Harrogate. I was really happy to have been chosen for the team because I had never even heard of Cricket when I was in China. Alex Thomas I can remember the first day I came to Prep School and Mr Wicling’s nice welcome. He was my favourite teacher in Year 4; he even had a nickname for me, it was ‘Big Al’. Phoebe Heintz When I was in Reception Mr Haslam, the old headmaster, left and we sang a special version of ‘Thank You for the Music’. It made me cry! Rebecca Clark In Year 1 with Mrs Butler we were learning about water mass and she brought out a long, thin cup and a small, wide cup and asked us if it would overflow if she poured water from the small cup into the tall cup. Mrs Butler said it wouldn’t overflow but our class said it would. So we tested it and it overflowed and went all over the carpet in the classroom which is now Mrs Morse’s office. Eadie Lickrish I remember when it was the Royal Jubilee day. I really enjoyed it and it was one of my favourite memories. It was really funny how Mrs Small dressed up as a post box. Izzy Burgess I remember that in the dress rehearsal for the Prep School Play this year my wig fell off, so I balanced it on top of my head and just tried to stay still for the rest of the scene. Max Myhan In the second term of Year 6, four of us got solos in one of the songs at the Gala Concert, It was quite terrifying but we did well and people said that they enjoyed it. James Clough France was really good although it took sixteen hours to get there. When we got to our hotel we were all tired. Once we had put our bags in our rooms, we went to look around Paris. After two days we went to another hotel. We went around a market and saw a cathedral which was really big and its windows were extremely detailed pictures of Jesus and of his miracles. On the way back to school we were all really tired and most of the people I could see were asleep.
Jack Hatton My first memory was when I was in Reception. We went on a school trip to visit Santa! We were only little so we sat on Santa’s knee and told him what we would like for Christmas. At the end he gave us a small present and we headed back to school in the snow! Mollie Alderson When I moved up into Year 6 I was very proud when I made the B team in Netball. I was GK but sadly we didn’t win. This will be something I will never forget. By Year 7 I hope that I will make it to the A team. Holly Riddell On my first day in Reception I was really excited to come in and meet my new teacher, Mrs Turner. I woke up really early to get dressed into my new uniform which was a pinafore, a white polo t-shirt underneath and white socks. I was really nervous but Mrs Turner was really nice and came and held my hand. I already knew a few friends; Alexa and Jake, but there were loads of children which made me feel more at home. I became really excited. I said bye to Mum and walked straight in. Caitlin Cargill I remember when I sang in Speech Day. It was a lot of fun. All the practice I did was worth it. I sang my best with the orchestra playing in the background. I felt very worried because there were all my friends and a lot of parents in the crowd listening to us singing. Ava Troman I remember my first day of Year 6 and there is so much to look back on. I was in 6R and I was so excited. It was fun looking at all the opportunities to come. A few trips we had were France, Robinwood, London and Lightwater Valley. I think that this is one of my best years in Prep School. Tilly Milbank I remember going to Robinwood in Year 5. It was great fun. I remember being really nervous about the giant swing especially but once I was swinging I really enjoyed it and I wanted to do it again. I was sharing a bunk bed with Alexa. I was on the bottom and she was on the top. It was really funny because Alexa kept on shaking the bunk bed and I thought it was going to collapse. Monica Spence-Wolrich In Year 5, at Robinwood, I went to the top of giant swing with Nidhi and she wanted to pull Pooh. Pooh was a little teddy that you had to pull to release yourself when you were at the top. The whole way up she was saying, “I don’t want to pull Pooh!” but when we got to the top she finally did and when we came zooming down we both had faces to remember.
Eva Pinwill-Price I can remember in Year 1 I would peel Blu Tac off backs of work and off some displays! I find it funny remembering it now but when Mrs Butler found out that I had a huge ball of it in my draw I think I got told off. Sam Patterson When we went to Beamish in Year 6 Sam Metcalfe and I went on the shuggy boats in the fairground. We had a great time and we went so high I nearly fell out! Elizabeth Burton My first school day was spent getting lost and being told what happens in everything by my friends, Nidhi, Izzy, Phoebe and Emily. The first lesson I did was Maths, where we played a pyramid game on the board. I thought, after that, that work would be easy and that we would play games all the time! But as I later found out this was not going to happen! Lucy Dalton I remember when I cut the cake in Reception for the 125th anniversary of the Chapel in front of the whole school. I was standing next to the tallest person in the school and I could not reach the table so I had to go on a really high step. Callum Fox One of my best Prep School memories is the trip to Beamish. The whole trip was excellent but what I liked the most was the fair and the sweet shop. After lunch Tommy Coward and I went on the shuggy boats where we swung higher than some teenagers. After this we played on the coconut shy; we both got a coconut each. When my group went the sweet shop we all watched sweet making and bought some sweets. Jamie Gibson I had an amazing part in the play. I played Pythagoras, the all-famous Greek mathematician. I had to sing two solo verses in the song ‘Mathematics’ and also had some rather hard words such as ‘hypotenuse’ to say several times in my script. Sally Wilkes In this year’s play I was Captain Cook. I really enjoyed playing the part of Captain Cook, with my crew of explorers. I especially enjoyed the props from our scene like the platter of food, the huge flag and the boat. For the play I had a microphone and I kept it on for the rest of the play.
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Senior Common Room STEPHEN RIDLEY
popular Easter egg hunt where everyone was a winner. We wish Stephen and Judith every happiness in the future.Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. ADS
RICHARD CHILD
Whilst at Barney, Richard has been a regular in the RAF Section of the CCF. He joined the CCF in 1991 as a Pilot Officer and was appointed as Section Commander in 1994. His dedication to this role has earned him the Cadet Forces Medal (2004) and Bar (2015). He has helped to run the summer camps and countless students have had the opportunity to learn a range of practical skills as well as communication, independence and leadership skills under his guidance and he has regularly taken students for their first taste of flying.
Stephen Ridley Stephen Ridley came to Barnard Castle in 1996 after having served as Chaplain in his former school, Birkenhead. Stephen lived in East Lodge with Jane and his family where he enjoyed gardening and one of the finest views in County Durham until in 2009 the lure of a quieter life in Bishop Auckland tempted him away. Stephen was well-known for his wry sense of humour which infused his lessons, sermons and, for a time, his commentary at sporting events – none was safe! A strong believer in engaging children, he often did so by challenging their intellectual and moral sensibilities either by DVD or simply by posing an apparently innocent observation; his confession to “a sneaking regard for extremists who have fire in their belly” being one of his last parries to those who were tempted to snooze through Sunday morning chapel services. Such a fondness for and command of rhetoric made his Friday afternoon Sixth Form Symposium with tea and biscuits a favourite. By challenging, questioning and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of confectionary, Stephen sought to engage the hearts and minds of young people and to enable them in an open and questioning way to come to a more mature faith. Stephen revelled in intellectual challenge and an ordinand from Cranmer Hall who visited the School provoked his ire by likening his sermons to intellectual treatises about religion; I suspect that the student was attempting to compliment him. As Director of Studies, Stephen spent long hours poring over the nuances of MidYIS and ALIS data and, of course, this was an element of the EdD which he eventually earned, proudly wearing his scarlet gown to his final couple of Speech Days. Stephen’s steering of the Charity Committee saw it regularly raise in excess of £10,000 annually towards a range of local, national and international good causes. Frequent non-uniform days were supplemented by such regular features as the dreaded Valentines message service and the more
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prizes for the last 15 years. He has been a careers adviser and, since 2006, been responsible for Sixth Form students and their higher education applications. In this role, he has put in many hours of extra time beyond his teaching allocation, to ensure that he was up to date with the endless changes to the application process. He has ensured that UCAS forms have been in order prior to sending and has advised many with wise words both before application and following results day.
Richard Child Richard leaves Barnard Castle School having decided to take early retirement. Some would say that he deposited himself here many years ago and, due to a lack of correct conditions for decay, he is now an old fossil, but this is far from the truth. He is and has always been a true professional teacher who has given of his best for his pupils, the Biology Department and the School. He dedicated his time, after leaving school himself, to the further study of Biology. Prior to joining the teaching profession, he spent 8 years in biological research, specialising in photobiology at 3 universities – Nottingham, Leicester and St Andrews. He previously taught, for nearly four years, in Ossett and Brighton before moving on to BCS in 1990 and has taught here for 25 years and 2 terms. He has become a corner stone in the Biology department, having taught, in his time, all aspects of the many incarnations of syllabuses for both GCSE and A Level that there have been - and there have been quite a few. He is a dedicated teacher and many pupils owe a great debt of thanks for the effort that he has made on their behalf. Sixth Form pupils have particularly valued his depth of knowledge as he has nurtured them through the intricacies of biochemistry and photosynthesis as well as many other complex areas of the course. He has been both a boarding tutor in York House and Assistant Housemaster in Durham House since it became a day house. He has coached and umpired the 2nd XI, been master in charge of badminton, run the biology club and has been responsible for the coordination of merits and
As a colleague, he has been a pleasure to know and work with. He is a generous man with his time and wisdom who will be missed at School by all who know him. His dry humour is legendary in the staff room and at morning break over a cup of tea. His stories have us in giggles and help to brighten every break. He is a keen follower of Yorkshire cricket and enjoys his rugby league. He is a joke teller, leg puller and all-round good guy. One of the pleasures of teaching at Barnard Castle School is to be able to follow the development and progresses that one’s own children go through, should they attend the School. In this, Richard has had the pleasure of seeing his daughter Sarah progress through the Prep and Senior School. She even took Biology as one of her A Levels and has gone on to study Zoology with Professional Experience at Manchester University. It has been one of his delights to see her do so well from the education that she has received here and to be able to be such a close part of her life throughout her formative years. Richard’s wife, Tricia, is a project manager working in the pharmaceutical industry at Glaxo, Barnard Castle. So the importance of ‘life’ is and has been a key aspect of the Child dynasty, which will clearly be carried forward with Sarah. Richard and Tricia will have a lot to be proud of in the future as well as a lot to be proud of when Richard looks back on the importance he has played in the education and example set to the many Barnardians, past and present. MNRF
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REBECCA WEBB
took on the responsibility for entering teams in the Salters’ Festival, enjoying much success during this time. He was involved in the School’s CCF from an early stage and in 2008 became Contingent Commander of the RAF section. As a keen footballer he ran Junior and Intermediate football activities every year as well as being involved in Junior cricket. He took on the role of coordinating our academic scholars in the form of the Baliol group.
Rebecca Webb Rebecca joined us at the start of September as maternity cover for Mrs Connor. She has been a great help and a fine Biology teacher. She was able to hit the ground running with all of her classes, particularly the GCSE groups, as she had taught the GCSE syllabus before. Right from the start, she had the pupils working hard and they have enjoyed her enthusiastic and knowledgeable approach. The pupils have benefited from her experience as an examiner and she has run revision sessions, not only for those she has taught, but also girls in the Marwood House, where she has been a tutor for the Upper 6th.
Having taught English as a second language in Thailand, Mark always talked of living abroad once more and, following a summer holiday with his family in New Zealand, he returned won over by the country and with a plan. Mark applied for a teaching position at Waihi School on New Zealand’s South Island in August 2014 and in less than two weeks had been interviewed twice and offered the job. He left BCS in December of that year and began his new post in January 2015. Since then he has posted a number of photographs of himself and his family enjoying their new surroundings and house not far from the beach. We are not jealous at all and wish him and his family every success in the future. IMB
MARK MAWHINNEY
Not content to just teach, Rebecca started her ‘Baking Club’ and soon the recipe discussions had us drooling in the staff room at break. The Year 7&8 bakers have had a great experience, with pan fried pizza being one of the most popular. As a colleague, Rebecca fit in straight away and her friendly smile, approach to life and her experiences from previous employment have been valued by all. She will be missed, but we wish her well as she moves further north to teach in Newcastle next year.
This academic year’s three day visit to London to sing Choral Evensong at St Paul’s and St James’ Clearkenwell was evidence of this. Every moment was planned and accounted for, as you would expect from a consummate music master. Surprisingly, it is possible to trek 30 school choristers and staff across bustling London streets to a rendezvous point at exactly the allocated time. If there is one thing that I have admired Mark for, it is his ability to deal with crisis and emergency, something that occurs surprisingly often with some members of the chapel choir, with an unflappable and diligently steadfast approach. I’m sure that if you can visualise 60 Prep and Senior School pupils, of varying sizes, soaking up the previously calm splendour of Ripon Cathedral for the first time, whilst considering very carefully the musical requirements very soon to be at hand, you will appreciate that this is no mean feat and a reflection of his steady nerve. Mark is not one to shy away from hard work, having been an examiner and ISI inspector for a number of years. One of his other, lesser-known passions is a good hearty argument, and I can recall him being up until the early hours arguing with a boarding housemaster, not me, about who worked harder; a Director of Music, or a Boarding Housemaster. After much animated gesticulation, unintentionally decanted red wine, heated debate and more in reflection of Marks empathetic nature, they both agreed, at around four in the morning, that they did, in fact, both work very hard indeed. Mark leaves us to follow a completely new path in life, to answer an ecclesiastical calling and he will begin his studies at St Stephen’s House, Oxford later this year, where, presumably, his Students’ Union card will be accepted at some of the finer eating establishments, and not just Burger King. It has been a pleasure to work with him, both as a colleague and a friend, and he will be greatly missed. We look forward to his return to the North East once he has completed his time in Oxford. AMB
MNRF
MARK WEST
Mark West Mark joined the School in 2003 as a teacher of Chemistry. He was resident in School for the first few years and was a tutor in York House. Over the years, he ran the extracurricular Chemistry club and also
Mark Mawhinney Mark joined us as Director of Music in 2003, having read music at Durham and previously taught at Hurstpierpoint, Durham School and Christ College New Zealand. The role of Director of Music is a demanding one, particularly due to the high profile and various requests and expectations in a School such as ours. It is a seven-days-a-week job requiring the coordination of music throughout the School, but particularly in Chapel, of the highest standard. Mark presented with a quiet and very unassuming manner, and on occasion, even appeared to be laid back. This initial appearance belies his true qualities, which have enabled him to meticulously orchestrate, through very careful planning and attention to detail; Choral Society concerts, Choral Evensongs, Carol Services, musical accompaniment, House Singing competitions and the many associated rehearsals and extra musicians required with military precision.
MARK FULLER
Mark Fuller Mark Fuller arrived, from Silcoates, to teach Biology and be our York Housemaster in 1990. He and Julia quickly set about the very important job of helping our boarding community see what it meant to see family
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life mixed with caring for the House, and we soon realised that Silcoates’ loss was our gain. He remained as a Housemaster for eight years and then decided that ‘Team Fuller’ needed to broaden their horizons and he set about being a ‘day boy’. Obviously, with two boys (John and David) having gone into Dale House, I was able to point out that a second flight of stairs would have been a better choice but Mark has never flinched from his support of Tees and became an assistant Housemaster with me almost a decade later. Mark has made a very great contribution to School life beyond the classroom, where he has been a wonderfully enthusiastic and popular teacher guiding many a biologist’s eye. Indeed, in a recent review of comments by pupils about his teaching the expressions ‘funny’, ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘Carlisle United’ seemed to crop up most often. Still, being a press card sports photographer for the Cumbrian football team (I say football but that’s not how he describes what he saw on Saturdays when we speak after the weekend) means he has kept his lens busy and we have been grateful for this over the years as he has captured countless thousands of images for school photographs, house photographs, proms, sports days, events, concerts and so on. Sharp eyed and whimsical images have been turned round in no time to demonstrate how good his eye was, in stark contrast to the Carlisle keeper, apparently. He has even resisted being poached to a paparazzi lifestyle. Beyond this, Mark has been hard at work co-ordinating careers information, visits, tests and advice for our students. Consequently, the shape and direction of many of our young people has been positively influenced and informed by his guidance and wisdom. Mark is very proud, as a family man, of his boys; now, as a Grandfather, he has a new generation to cheer on. He was a noisy and enthusiastic supporter of brisk and heavy tackling when his boys played, and a proponent of the same in staff five-aside. Indeed some members of staff still wince when they talk of this. He has also been a stalwart in the Tan Hill cycle ride to recall former colleagues and over the years his determination to raise money for Hospice care has included the direction of funds for the Barney Bash and his own personal donations, not to mention an annual reminder to save money on Christmas cards and donate instead. He is a fine Barnardian, brim-full of commitment and effort, who is determined to start a new life in the West of Scotland and accept all the home renovating, garden maintaining, boating, fishing, golfing and grand-parenting challenges that this involves. I can think of no-one who deserves our best wishes for success in all of this more than Mark and, of course his family. I will miss him, his sense of humour, relentless teasing of Mr. Lewis and tales of footballing woe very much. He had better not retire from skiing and also had better keep those of us who are back here abreast of the joys of retirement. GB
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CARL RYCROFT Editor’s note (Mark Fuller): On a personal note, I wish to thank Mark for his assistance in maintaining such a high calibre of photography over the years – it has been a pleasure sifting through his thousands of images for the magazine, and I shall miss his sharp eye. TSE
JIM BRETTELL Carl Rycroft Carl Rycroft arrived six years ago as only the seventh Head of the Prep School and immediately settled into life at Barney. He and his family moved into East Lodge and were soon part of the fabric; living on site meant Carl quickly became a familiar face around the place.
Jim Brettell Jim joined Barnard Castle School in 2009, having formerly been Head of Classics at Richmond School. He has been a dedicated, professional and popular teacher of Latin and A’ Level Classics. I have grown used to strange noises coming from his classroom as he imparts his codes to pupils for translating, or gets worked up when reading the Aeneid or Roman Satire. His pupils enjoy his lessons and they trust him. As a ‘real’ Roman, he has played his part superbly. His recruitment to GCSE and A’ Level Latin has been very healthy and he has also been tireless in promoting Greek in activity time or lunchtime sessions. In short, any pupils who wants to learn a Classical language has been helped by Jim. Several of our brightest pupils have taken GCSE Classical Greek outside of lesson times, and he has successfully prepared others for Oxbridge interviews and entry. He has been most helpful with advising 6th Formers on their UCAS applications and personal statements. In Northumberland House he has been highly valued as a tutor and he has sung in the Choral Society, refereed football matches and taken the 2nd XI Cricket, attracting as devoted a group of senior followers as he has in the classroom. We wish him well in his new post at Yarm School, and thank him for everything he has done for Barney. JDG
By joining many of the governing committees, Carl ensured that Prep School has a higher profile within the bigger picture of Barnard Castle School. Although he joined a very successful School, there were clearly a few things that needed tinkering with and he quickly went about making these subtle, effective changes. The Barney Way, our code of conduct, was introduced and in 2011 he led Prep School through a very successful ISI inspection with the School being deemed “excellent” in every area. He has put together a formidable common room with ten staff appointments, all good practitioners and he has altered the SMT. His leadership has certainly added to the children’s learning experiences. He has pushed for more activities and fixtures, especially lower down the School and encouraged the development of the activities in the Pre-Prep. In 2012 we decided to pull out of the National Key Stage 2 tests but we recognised the need for something to be put into place to ensure the Year 6 children did not lose focus following the Entrance Test. He very much supported the idea of the Year Six Achievement Award that has now run successfully for three years. Change is good, but not necessarily change for change’s sake, and Carl has certainly got the balance right. Academic work has to be the priority but this has been enhanced by a wide variety of other activities and experiences. “Do your best to be the best” is one of Carl’s mantras and this is never far away as he interacts with the Preppies, from the youngest Reception child to the fast maturing Year 6s as they get ready to leave and enter the next stage of their education. He puts the children first but that is not to say he has not been supportive of the staff. He sees himself as the guardian of the ethos of the Prep School and this is ongoing. One of the reasons it is ongoing is because of the time and effort he puts in to ensure that is the case. I know he was proud when hosting
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an IAPS Heads’ meeting, an experienced Headmaster on touring the School observed that “it is certainly a school for the children!” Although the Atkinson Hall had only recently been built, Carl saw the need for further development of the School buildings and came up with the idea for an extension to the teaching areas. At time of writing we are watching the foundations being dug for four new classrooms and a Science lab adjoining the Year 5 and 6 Teaching Block that will be ready for occupancy by October half term. This academic year has seen the Prep School celebrate its centenary and Carl, with wife Becky - a vital member of Barney Friends - has been at the forefront of our celebratory events. He has cajoled staff, children and parents to help out, and as we look back on what we have done Carl can be very proud; not only of this year but the previous five as well and he leaves the School in a very sound position.
friendly, approachable and reliable, and his tutor group will miss him. His Christian beliefs have led him to follow a new path and he has combined both his great loves in taking up a post in which he will be running a Christian Outdoor Retreat in Scotland. We wish him and his family all the very best for this next step in their adventure. TSE
PAUL JOHNSON
We all wish him, Becky and children, Max and Isabelle, the best as he takes up his new post.
Paul Johnson 1981 was a year famous for many things; Charles and Diana married, Botham’s heroics helped retain the Ashes, Greece joined the EU and Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest, but for Barnard Castle School in January it saw Paul Johnson take up the reigns as Head of the Modern Languages Department. Born in Yorkshire, educated in Leeds, attended universities at both Hull and Leeds, taught at Ashville, a brief sojourn to Solihull, the school did well to entice him north of the river Tees.
Andy Wade Andy Wade joined Barnard Castle School in 2011 after spending a great deal of time teaching in Africa. More at home outdoors than in, Andy contributed enormously to the School CCF contingent as Second Lieutenant, giving up many weekends and holiday time to take contingents out on Range days, Adventure Training, Summer Camp and the like. Similarly passionate about walking, he spent much of his spare time with the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh participants, encouraging them in their outdoor pursuits and exploring the Pennines with a backpack and a map. Andy’s love of philosophical thought is also reflected in his passion for Robert Frost’s Poetry and his love of reading, and his students will be well-grounded in both these areas of the curriculum. During his time at Barnard Castle School, he taught English Language, English Literature, Theatre Studies, History and Classics, and as such has touched the lives of many of the students here. As a tutor in York House, he was
Several years after joining Barney, Paul became Master i/c cricket and looked after the 1st XI for over 12 years. During this time he maintained Barney’s standing in the cricket world. On several occasions his sides reached great heights and the undefeated side of 1985 still meet and reminisce to this day; they even toured Zimbabwe in 1995. Paul also took cricketers to Holland and undertook the School’s first visit to Australia and Hong Kong. For this venture he dreamt up the fund-raising ploy of running from Lord’s cricket ground to Barnard Castle. Started off by Paul’s namesake, the unforgettable Brian Johnson, the boys ran in relay on A–roads back to Barney as Paul drove the minibus. A rare distinction belongs to Paul. When Teesdale split to become two Houses, he joined Nick Wilson in Tees House and has been attached to Tees ever since. Having worked alongside him during my time in the House, I have seen first-hand his care,
NIS
ANDY WADE
directed classical pieces such as “When We are Married”, “The Winslow Boy” and “Andorra” and musicals “Carousel” and “The Sound of Music”, all done with great aplomb. “Outside Edge” was also produced and this enabled him to combine his interests in both the theatre and cricket.
Paul oversaw the numerous changes to the curriculum, from O-Levels to GCSEs, the National Curriculum and the introduction of AS Levels were all smoothly undertaken. As well as French and German, Spanish was also introduced and through his entire teaching career Paul has maintained his passion and enthusiasm for his subject. He has maintained his department’s standing as A Level choices increased and his professionalism in preparing his pupils for external examinations has always been evident and many are grateful for his thoroughness. Lower down the School, his teaching was no less energetic and many a French musical “ditty” was learned on a Saturday morning.
support and empathy for his charges. Whilst he might not have fully embraced the digital world, he has always been fully up-to-date with what needed to be done with his tutees. So in cricketing parlance, Paul has finally declared his innings, having completed his century of terms, and some. No more are we going to hear that Yorkshire voice booming out French words, no more are we going to have his calm and kind presence around School. Paul, during his 34 years and two terms, has influenced so many and countless pupils have been indebted to his passion and enthusiasm. He leaves so many great memories, as well as that black cherry tobacco aroma in L7. The School wishes him a long, happy and healthy retirement; he leaves with the knowledge that the School has lost a long serving and thoroughly decent man. May Yorkshire CCC and Leeds United continue to prosper under his more regular support! DCSE
This musical interest comes as no surprise to those who have witnessed his tutoring and cajoling of the Junior pupils of Tees House in the House Singing competition. No modern tunes or hits for Paul, just good old fashioned classics, which were always sung with gusto and invariably met with success. His skill in this area was not restricted just to this competition; Paul was involved in many School productions. He produced the School’s first (and only) pantomime in “Aladdin”, produced and
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Duke of Edinburgh’s Award GOLD Holly Appleby achieved her Gold Award in January and was presented with it in Chapel at nailing up and she can look forward to meeting the Duke of Edinburgh or the Earl of Wessex at St James’ Palace. Completing the award is a tremendous deal, and it is a pity that more of our Sixth Formers do not go on to complete their award despite completing their expedition. The school is now a ‘licensed organisation’ which means we register and process all of our participants, a role previously undertaken by Durham County Council. As the new DofE manager I would like to find ways to encourage more of our young people who sign up to the award to go on to complete it. I am delighted to say that two former pupils are getting their ducks in a row and are likely to complete very soon – Helen Alderson and Catherine Gaven – so good luck to them This year’s training expeditions included two trips to the High Pennines and one to the Lake District. These visits offer invaluable experience and time is spent covering all practical aspects of training including hill walking and steep ground, map reading and navigation, cooking and camp craft. Camping always takes place in remote ‘wild camps’ which is great fun, but also an exciting new experience. At the end of Trinity term 10 pupils successfully completed their assessed expeditions: Group 1 – Ellie Everall, Abbie Hardy, Jenifer Eckersley, Sam
Adamson, Harvey Barkes and James Jennings; Group 2 – Jack Ellis, Chris Douglas, Mathew Stirke and Tom Metcalf. The routes wound their way between the towns of Kirkby Lonsdale in the south of the Yorkshire Dales to Kirkby Stephen in the north. Both routes were challenging, as was the weather – the first daycool, wet, windy with poor visibility, the next three hot and humid with the threat of thunder, but thankfully intermittent cloud cover and an occasional cooling breeze. The first day saw the groups on either ridge of Barbondale. This is a fairly remote and less-frequented dale than some others and, given the weather, once on their respective ridge and climbing to almost 700m, there was barely a soul seen all day. Their camp at Condor Farm in Dent is for the most part quiet and secluded, but with Dent having just had 10,000 visitors to the folk festival, it seemed most had stayed at Condor Farm. It was very much the morning after the night before as our intrepid campers arrived at 4pm – let me just say that the toilet facilities were not at their best! Day two was a very peaceful and pretty hike for both groups as they headed east criss-crossing the River Dee, before heading north over Garsdale to the genuinely remote and secluded Yore House at the head of the River Ure in Wensleydale. On the third day the groups took divergent routes – Group 1 headed towards Ravenstonedale and Group 2 to Keld. Both routes passed through (and over) some spectacular country. Group 1 ascended to High Seat, the high point on Mallerstang Edge before crossing the River Eden and over High Dolphinsty and on to their picturesque camp at Bowber Head. Meanwhile Group 2 headed off towards the pretty and isolated
village of Cotterdale which lies at the head of an idyllic and rarely visited valley. The main ascent of the day was over Great Shunner Fell which took them into the most beautiful of places – Upper Swaledale with its picture postcard villages of Thwaite and Keld. The final day for Group 2 had them climb out of Swaledale and into the Eden Valley by way of Nine Standards and on to their destination. The final day for group 1 took them into the Howgill Fells, taking in the summit of Green Bell, before turning north to Newbiggen and Smardale and finally to the finish at Kirkby Stephen. I think it is fair to say that both groups found the expedition more demanding and challenging than expected, but I think that this adds to their sense of achievement. CHA
SILVER It has been an excellent year for the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award at Barney. Completions are at an all-time high, as are the number of participants doing their Award. There has also been a big change in how the DofE will be administered at the School. Congratulations must go to the following who completed their Silver during the year: Sam Theakston, Fiona Matthews, Sarah Stephenson, Michael Wilkinson, Jake Glowienko, Nicolas Moore, Holly Appleby, Duncan Hewitson, Sam Adamson, Abbie Hardy, Eleanor Everall, James Jennings, Alice Jackson, Kerin Borer and Pip Naseby. It is always a delight to see someone complete. It sets them apart from their peers, many of whom sign up but never complete for various reasons. To complete takes commitment and the desire to achieve. Many are now working towards their Gold Award. This year 37 participants have actively been working on their Award, of which 34 have just completed their expedition in the Yorkshire Dales. Training for the expedition section started in October with
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training days, including navigation in Teesdale. During the Easter holidays, they did a three-day practice expedition starting at Cow Green Reservoir and finishing back at School. This tested the mettle of many as it was the first time they had carried a rucksack with all their equipment and food for three days. There were a few tears, and some strong opinions expressed of “this is teenage abuse”, and “this is against human rights to be made to do this” and “there had better be showers at the camp site”. At the end of the three days all completed and it surprised them what they could achieve with a little determination and commitment. At the end of June they were doing their Assessment expedition. Three days to walk from Teesdale, through Swaledale and into Wensleydale. Quite an achievement, especially when carrying all that is needed for three days. All successfully completed and impressed their assessor with the high standard of skills and knowledge displayed. Finishing at Aysgarth Fall in a heat wave, all were weary and delighted to have completed. Salma Ali said “although at times it proved challenging, it was a valuable experience and one which I will look back
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Charities report
on with gratitude”. Beth Salkeld said “Although there were difficult hills and unenjoyable midges, the experience was very enjoyable.” I would like to thank the following who have helped me deliver the training and expeditions during the year: Messrs Wade, Waddington, Everall, Graystone, Tomlinson, Fairwood and Dr Walton and Mrs Stevens. Without their continued support, the Award could not be delivered to so many. PCO
My “light touch regulation” of the Charities Committee began in October 2014, and we kicked off with a modest bake sale for Children in Need. The students quickly followed this up with our Christmas Shoe Box Appeal for which Matthew Stirke worked tirelessly, liaising with The Rotary Club. Our boxes were soon piled high around the altar in the Chapel, as a daily reminder of the Christian ethos of loving thy neighbour, and, in conjunction with the Prep School, we sent over 160 Christmas shoe boxes to needy children in Moldova.
As we moved into the Trinity term, the School community was deeply affected by the disaster that befell Nepal. Indeed, an Old Barnardian, Nick Talbot, was making his second attempt at the summit of Everest as the earthquake struck. He was attempting to be the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to reach the summit. He returned to the UK with broken ribs, but many others were not so lucky. A collection plate in Central Hall soon had over £300 in donations for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal, and with a cake sale organised by the girls of Bowes House, the total burgeoned to over £450.
We next embarked on supporting Amnesty International’s letter writing campaign to Prisoners of Conscience. Reading some of the prisoner’s tales reminded us how very fortunate we were to live in a free and democratic society.
Just before the Year 11s went on study leave, many students were deeply moved by the talk in Chapel from Janet Leafe of Cancer Research UK and of Ardin Jacques’ emotional words about his own family’s battle with cancer. In the summer, Ardin had raised over £900 for the charity through sponsorship monies by having his head shaved, supported also by Mr. Nicholson.
There was a real festive feel to the end of term when we joined with schools across the UK to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. The end of term Christmas Carol Services raised a good deal of money for children’s charities, and the students on the committee allocated the monies to The Sick Children’s Trust, The Rainbow Trust, Kids Company, The Little Princess Trust and to Butterwick Hospice. During Lent, we coordinated our very own “Toucan Appeal” which generated food cans for the local food bank. Once again the School Chapel was the focus as our collection point, and as the pupils entered chapel in the morning they could see the pile growing. Many students got in touch with their inner Mary Berry as we had another cake sale on Comic Relief Day. It was lovely to see such a positive vibe in Central Hall as parents arrived to pick up children for the exeat weekend. Some of the cakes were quite literally works of art!
Chris Read from Smile for a Child visited us in May, and was deeply moved by the cheque for over £5700 raised by the Barney Bash, a non-uniform day and a generous contribution from the Prep School. To round off the term, a local animal charity, Ark on the Edge, benefitted from our pet food collection. It has been another excellent year, and may I express my gratitude to everyone involved, especially Kerin Borer who was an engine of enthusiasm and organisational endeavor. AJC
Brain Tumour Research was next on our list, as we learned that more children and adults under 40 die of brain tumours than any other cancer. So at the end of the Easter term, many students donned hats to show their support for this worthwhile cause. Indeed, Ben Lilley was seen sporting a multi-coloured parrot hat, which turned out to be a tea cosy!
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Gala Concert For the first time, the annual Gala Concert changed venue this year and all the School’s musicians, in both Prep and Senior School, decamped to the appropriately named Gala Theatre in Durham for a wonderful evening of music. Classical pieces performed by the Chapel and Chamber Choir and the String Ensemble and Junior Orchestra included Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Goodall’s The Lord is my Shepherd, Haydn’s Insanae et Vanae Curae and Mozart’s Ave Verum. The Brass Ensemble and Wind Band delighted the audience with highlights from Fiddler on the Roof and several jazz pieces. The Finale brought all of the performers out onto the stage to sing, ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ which was a moving and spectacular way to finish. The Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Durham were special guests at the Gala this year and both said they had enjoyed the evening immensely. Well done to all who gave us an exceptional evening of musical entertainment.
Choir Visit to St Paul’s
MUSIC COMPETITION RESULTS A wonderful concert followed a day of competition in the Music Department on Friday 6 March. Mrs Sophie Kirk adjudicated and warmly commended all those who took part. Winners in other categories were: Intermediate Woodwind Evie Brenkley Intermediate Piano Maddy Forsyth Intermediate Brass James Goldberg Elementary Class Tomas Nicholson Intermediate Violin Georgie Rhodes Junior Singing Lara Webster and Amy Morrill Advanced Brass Nathan Barker Advanced Woodwind Maddy Forsyth Senior Singing Nicholas Mackay Advanced Strings Nathan Barker Open Organ Ian Chan Advanced Piano Ian Chan Most Promising Musician Maddy Forsyth Musician of the Year Ian Chan
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC’S CHORAL SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTS From 30 concerts and appearances, a choice few which resonate with Mark Mawhinney to this day: Bowes Museum May 2003 Purcell’s Te Deum and Jubilate in D, Rejoice in the Lord always and Mozart’s Spatzenmesse Bowes Museum May 2005 A celebration of British music for the 60th anniversary of VE Day Bowes Museum January 2006 Mozart’s Great C Minor Mass for 250th anniversary of composer’s birth
The School’s Chapel and Chamber Choirs were thrilled and honoured when they were invited to sing Evensong at one of the most prestigious venues in London on Monday, 16th February.
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Durham Cathedral May 2008 With Yarm School, Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass
The forty-eight strong Choir led the regular evening worship in St Paul’s Cathedral for over five hundred people. In addition to the set psalms and responses, the Choir sang a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Herbert Brewer and an anthem by Joseph Haydn, Insanae et Vanae Curae.
St James the Great Church, Darlington June 2009 A liturgical celebration of Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass
During their time in London, the Choir also sang Solemn Mass at the Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell. The Choir was accompanied on the organ by Keith Brown, former Assistant Director of Music at Barnard Castle School and now Director of Music at the John Lyon School in Harrow.
Durham Cathedral March 2013 With Yarm School, Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion
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Bowes Museum May 2012 A Diamond Jubilee Celebration – Handel’s Coronation Anthems
Bowes Museum April 2015 Handel’s Messiah
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RAF This is a period of transition for the RAF section. At Christmas, Flt Lt Mark West relinquished his position of Section Commander following his appointment to a teaching post in New Zealand. Mr West spent 10 years in the RAF Section and had been CO since 2010. During his time a significant number of cadets benefited from the opportunities organised by Mr West. This year it is pleasing to report that LCpls Tom Matthews and Edward Butler have been awarded Flying Scholarships through the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme and will attend training at Tayside during the summer holiday. Cpl Alex Booth has been selected to attend the prestigious and demanding Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAFC Cranwell in July. The future of the Section looks bright with the senior cadets gaining qualifications and a strong cadre of recruits passing their Part I Proficiency training. Cdt Oliver Dunn was awarded the Sqn Ldr Wise Trophy for the best recruit and LCpl Lexy Dalton the Richard Child Trophy for best cadet at Part II Proficiency. Many RAF cadets have also taken part in the general CCF programme of activities; such as Adventure Training, Range Days and exercises First Look and Second Look. We are grateful to Mr Lewis and the Army Section officers for their support in arranging and staffing these activities. The Section should shortly receive a further boost through the commissioning of two additional officers with complementary skills: Miss Brown and Mr Stimpson. As well as losing Mr West, we also say goodbye to our two senior NCOs; FS Duncan Hewitson and Sgt Tristan Hobson have set such a good example during their time in the CCF. It is a shame that Duncan was unable to complete his Gliding Scholarship due to bad weather. We wish them well in Higher Education and hope that they retain their interest in flying and the RAF. At the time of writing, we are looking forward to Summer Camp at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Flt Lt Beaty will be accompanying the party of eight cadets and it is timely to acknowledge Mr Beaty’s fine contribution to the Section over 15 years. RC
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Old Barnardians This academic year, the Old Barnardians and the School have joined together to commemorate the start of WW1, as sadly so many of our boys fought in the war (700+) and a large number of them did not return (145). Every day our boys and girls begin their day surrounded by the names of those OBs, but have never really known the stories behind them. For some time now Mrs Pat Burgess (mother of Chris Burgess, ‘95) has been researching the war records of those OBs killed; she has visited many of the graves and memorials overseas. Latterly however she has, with the help of Mrs Christine Hick (mother of Brian Hick ’13), been able to add a School story to a number of the biographies. Pat and Christine have spent many hours in a dusty room reading through the Barnardian magazines of the time and we thank them for their dedication. In the week leading up to Remembrance Day we were able to display a number of photos and stories in Central Hall. Our Remembrance Day this year involved the whole School and was held on the terrace. Our invited guest, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs Sue Snowdon, dedicated the new CCF Banner, which was presented to her by Head Boy and Colour Sergeant Tom Adamson, saying the following ‘I dedicate this banner as a symbol of Barnard Castle School’s Combined Cadet Force. May it serve to remind all who stand behind it of the values of proud and faithful service, leadership, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance’. Earlier in the year the OBs arranged for a brass plaque to be installed in St George’s Memorial Chapel, Ypres, and hopefully it will be dedicated in 2016 when our pupils visit during their Battlefields trip. There have also been some additions to the School Chapel. Firstly a cabinet at the back of Chapel in which the Books of Remembrance are now encased, along with a poppy from the Tower of London ‘Blood Red Land and Seas of Red’ donated by Dot Jones. A further two names have also been carved on the panels - William Sheel, who was in the Merchant Navy, and Joseph Watson, who was the ‘boot boy’ of the time. The Chapel has also been a place of remembrance of a different type this year as there have been three memorial services for former staff members. Mr Frank McNamara was Headmaster from 1980-1997 and saw the introduction of girls in to the school. Kenneth King was a boy here from 1942-49 and came back to teach from 1958-1990. In 1963 he became Housemaster of York House and Hon. Secretary of the OB Club, positions he held until his retirement. Early this year saw Mr Ken Gorman pass, Head of Art and a much loved teacher. All three services were very well attended and showed that they were held high regard. On a lighter note, Barnardian Weekend this year was very well attended, and included a reunion of the 1985-87 Leavers. The sport was well contested with the OBs winning the day and after the sport there was a buffet supper in Big School where around 70 OBs continued to reminisce. At the AGM which was held after the Barnardian Weekend Chapel Service Mr John Hunter was installed as the new Chairman of the OB Club. He was in Dale House 1980-87, the son of an OB, brother of an OB and has three children currently at School. Congratulations John. DJ
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Enrichment F1 Challenge
Junior Quiz Team
February saw us make our first foray into the Formula 1 for Schools competition. Regional heats were at Nissan Sunderland in February and our team of Mach5 made up of Year 10s Max Rose, Nicholas Mackay, James Terrill, Michael Lui and Nathan Barker came a creditable 14th out of 30 teams. Their carbon dioxide rocket powered car (shown below on the right at the start line) lay 4th in the trials for much of the competition and astonished the team in staying intact throughout its 1.098second blast along the track. Mach5 have support from local sponsors and hope to attract more as they develop their design and tackle the challenge again next year.
In March our Year 8 junior quiz team of Esia Forsythe, Kiah Baxter, Abdelbagi Ali and Archie Coward headed off to Ripon Grammar for the regional heats of the National Schools Quiz Challenge. After an incredibly close 3 rounds Barney came top on points but narrowly lost out on rounds to Ripon. We are looking forward to getting our revenge in the rematch next year.
The scheme provides great opportunities to develop skills in CAD design, business planning, financial control and marketing as well as the fun of building and racing the vehicles and competing on a regional and national stage.
Future Business Magnates (FBM)
Big Bang Science Fair Teeside University
North East Schools and Industry Project (NESIP)
This Durham County Council event for Year 8s continued apace this term with more business challenges for our team of girls to tackle. Having come up with a product design the team developed their company name (Light4Life), product name (Flitter Fountain) and attended training sessions on Marketing and Financing with the other 23 participating schools. The team of Lucy Anderson, Kiah Baxter, Rachel Bennett, Darcy Currah, Esia Forsythe, Carys GreyThompson and Elizabeth Ryan has completed six complex challenges in setting up a business by the end of the venture and were rewarded with the fun of a Gala Dinner organized by the scheme at the Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe. The lavish awards dinner was topped off with a spectacular light show.
Squeezed in amongst Sports Day, Industry Day and various outings, the Year 9s ventured to Teeside in our final week of the year to enjoy shows, workshops and a drop-in careers event showing them the huge range of possibilities available to them in the world of science, technology and engineering. They enjoyed workshops on architecture and structural engineering, working in teams to build a bridge. They were given a glimpse into the fascinating world of Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation as they wandered around the university Crime House gathering evidence to help solve a crime revealed by surveillance cameras. Others were enthralled by an RAF engineer with decades of experience who took them through the detailed workings of a fighter jet engine and gave an insight into his enthusiasm for these amazing machines. Pupils were treated to some physical and mental challenges by the various industries present. The day ended with a spectacular whistle stop show through many fascinating areas of physics from BAE. Never slow to volunteer, Barney pupils got stuck in with levitation demos, playing keyboards to spark the amazing Tessler cage and firing vortices at victims including Dr Wrathmall. We were even treated to a full electrical storm on the way home.
The final week saw a team of two Lower Sixth chemists, Kerin Borer and Tom Gardiner, head off to Durham University for our now regular foray into the world of top class scientific research. They joined our usual host Dr Gary Sharples, microbiologist and molecular biologist, in his laboratory to work on the Purification of Ea47 and Rap proteins from lambda phage. They very quickly became adept at top level chromatography, biochemical techniques and gel electrophoresis. Always a very intense but fulfilling week, the team, along with eleven others, worked in the lab all day but also had talks from Durham’s postgraduate students on their research and advice from the university on being a successful applicant. Evenings at Grey College were filled with quizzes, rounders, socializing and a full formal conference dinner and celidh. Kerin and Tom won the poster competition and will await the result of whether they have been successful in regaining the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Archie Docherty Prize for the best overall project.
The photo shows the initial team with their Business Partner Mr Gary Hosey who was a great support to the team throughout the scheme.
EEM
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BOWES HOUSE She wore a smart blazer, a jumper beneath, and her halo encircled her head like a wreath. She took out some gifts to hand them to Ellie, that shook when she laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. Her tie was an interesting colour of green, and I laughed when I saw it, on Bowes House’s queen. A wink of her eye and a twist of her head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,and dismissed all the girls, then turned with a jerk.And laying her finger aside of her nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney she rose. She sprang to her sleigh, with the team gave a whistle,And away the girls flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard them exclaim, as they drove out of sight,
A BEAUTIFUL SEPTEMBER DAY SAW US RETURN TO THE HOUSE, WITH A NEW AND ENTHUSIASTIC UVI TEAM LEADING THE CLAN. SEVEN YEARS 7S BEGAN THEIR SENIOR SCHOOL LIFE, TWO NEW SIXTH FORMERS JOINED US AND EVEN THE BOWES GOLDFISH, SIDLEY AND PETUNIA, MADE IT BACK IN ONE PIECE AFTER A LONG SUMMER BREAK WITH KERIN. The first half term saw preparations for the House Singing competition get underway; with the Juniors rehearsing Blame it on the Boogie, the Seniors preparing Dance with me Tonight and a great group of singers from the House practising Hey, Mr Postman. We were not disappointed on the night; the hard work paid off, the girls bubbled with enthusiasm and Charlotte Elliott took over the Bowes House mantle of dancing to her own beat. The second half saw the welcome arrival of Miss Campbell to Barney and to Bowes House and, sadly, one fateful morning, the departure of Sidley and Petunia; sorely missed and so irreplaceable that it has been decided that Bowes House should refrain from entertaining the idea of any more House pets for the foreseeable future. The advent of Christmas saw the arrival of Santa to the House. He dropped off sacks of decorations for each common room and the gift of a win in the House hockey competition; this saw our Head of House, Lorna, nailing up to end the first, busy term of the year. Father Christmas also left a very special message for the girls which went something like this:
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter. Away to Bowes window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon shone its light on Barney’s new snow,gave the lustre of midday to Bowes House below, when, what should I see on the roof of the com, but nine girls who braved the so-called weather bomb. With a little young driver, so lively and warm, I knew who had landed; our lovely Sixth Form. More rapid than Rudolf, her Bowesos they came, and she whistled and shouted and called them by name: “Now Millie! Now Metcalf! Now, Harder and Cody! On, Sarah! On, Sophie! On, Charlotte and Chloe! To the top of back porch! And up to top tree! Now dash away! Dash away! I set you all free!” The girls packed their files and made for the door with giggles and laughter and whooping galore so up to Bowes house-top the Sixth Form they flew, with the girls full of joy, and the Head of House too.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Bowes House every pupil was stirring, (because of the sprouts!) The school bags were hung by the lockers with care, in hopes that the school bus soon would be there.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on Bowes ceiling the shrieking and laughing of each girl a-squealing. As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney our Head of House came with a bound. She was dressed in a suit, from her head to her feet, and in she then bounded, the Bowes girls to greet. A bundle of books she held firm in her hand, the best Head of House in all of the land.
The girls were nestled all snug in each room, with visions of returning when lessons resume. Shovlin in her onesie, and I warmly dressed, had just settled our brains for a long winter’s rest.
Her eyes, how they twinkled! Her dimples, how merry! Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry! Her small, little satchel drawn up like a bow, and the blouse that she wore was as white as the snow.
‘Twas the Night Before Bowes Christmas
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“Happy Christmas, Bowes House, and to all a good night!”
2015 saw the arrival of the girls back in the House in wellies and waterproofs as the cold weather set in. The rain and snow saw the postponement of the Barney Bash practices, much to the girls’ disappointment but, when the day finally came, they all ran their socks off and raised a huge amount of money for a wonderful charity. On the day of the Barnard Run itself, Eleanor Everall came in first, yet again; a great achievement, and good practice for her so she can keep up with me when we run the Great North Run, for the same charity, in September. Exam season was soon upon us and the girls began to knuckle down. The Bowes House service was a lovely event on a warm June evening and I am so grateful to all who took part and attended. The theme was ‘Peace’, and peace soon came to the girls in the House who finished their exams shortly afterwards. The summer term saw the girls winning events left right and centre and, very convincingly, Bowes House took the award of overall winners at Sports Day. The future is bright for our wonderful UVI, who leave the House to pursue their goals. Lorna has now handed over the reins to Kimberley Shaw and I have no doubt that she will strive to lead the girls with a similar dedication and care. CJB
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DALE HOUSE
AS ALWAYS, THE TERM KICKS OFF WITH THE HOUSE SINGING COMPETITION. THE JUNIORS SANG ‘SWEET CAROLINE’, WITH POSSIBLY SOME APOLOGIES TO STALWART NEIL DIAMOND FANS IN THE AUDIENCE.
The adjudicator, Mr Keith Brown, noted how well rehearsed the group were including the dancing, how well dressed they were and how they were particularly strong during the chorus. Sadly, his favourable comments were not matched by favourable marks. The evening is given over to the Seniors and Intermediates, starting with the Part Song. Mr Brown had said earlier that he was hoping to be entertained and he certainly was with our performance of ‘I wish I was James Bond’ by Scouting for Girls. James Davidson, Ethan Kelsall, Rohan Kelsall and Joe Pickering sang the main parts supported by Hamish Glover, George Hall, Sebastian Hampson, Duncan Hewitson, Cameron Waiter Makenzie, Jack Ellis, Tom Metcalf, Matthew Raper, Jake Sargent, Callum Simpson and Matthew Moss. I want to record all those who took part because they had all worked extremely hard in the weeks before the performance. The end result was entertaining, clever and polished. The Unison Song was ‘Human’ by Brandon Flowers. Once again the performance was impressive; Mr Brown described it as strong, and it was clear every member of the House was contributing. Third place overall was certainly our best result for many years. The Intermediates and Seniors were second in the House Swimming Competition by a single point; one race could have made all the difference. The Juniors came third in cake decorating and enjoyed eating their entry. Finally in the Michaelmas Term it was the House Rugby competitions. The Juniors won with every member of the House taking to the field; the Intermediates
were second in another very close competition; the Seniors won and nailed-up at the end of term. Sadly, in the final match James Davidson, the captain, broke his leg and is still making a recovery from this accident. We said goodbye to Mr Nicholson at the end of this term after fourteen years in Dale House. His subtle, supportive and caring model of tutoring is certainly the one to follow. He was presented with a Dale House rugby shirt. Mrs Wilson joined Dale House at the start of the New Year and took Year 11 under her wing. Rohan Kelsall, Michael Liu and Max Living won the Intermediate House Public Speaking Competition. Rohan makes standing up in front of a large audience effortless, yet we know it is something most of us would prefer not to do. Dan Milne, Ethan Kelsall, Michael Liu and Oliver Dunn won the Senior House Quiz Competition and were presented with the Nigel Stevens Cup. The Barney Bashes followed with the Seniors in second, the Intermediates and Juniors fourth, placing us third overall in the Butterwick Cup. In the Barnard Run, Oscar Jacques came third in the Wilford Cup. Caleb Ellis and William Body came first and second respectively in the Blackett Cup. Josh Raw came second in the Lloyd Evans Cup. Overall the Juniors came second and the combined Intermediate and Senior athletes came third. I should add here one very important aspect of this year’s competition. As the Barnard Run approached there were more volunteers to run than places available in the team. In the past a certain amount of persuasion had been needed to encourage individuals to run. This was certainly not the case this year. By way of reward Mr Ince and Mrs Gorman once again
cooked pancakes for the whole House. We won Senior House Hockey and came second in the Intermediate Competition. Sebastian Hampson nailed up at the end of term. This enthusiasm and willingness to participate was in evidence in the Trinity Term. There has never been a shortage of people to represent the House in all the many different competitions that were held including football, rounders, golf, Catch the Flag and Danish Longball. Sports Day took place right at the end of term and particular thanks is due to the members of the Upper Sixth and Year 11 who returned to School after the end of their examinations, especially those who volunteered for events they were not familiar with. We award three cups each term. This year the Tutors’ Shield was presented to Matthew Raper, Alex Howarth and Joe Alderdice. The Howard Charlesworth Cup went to Ethan Kelsall, Tom Metcalf and Caleb Ellis. The Baton Cup, which is handed from pupil to pupil, went to Matthew Forster, Jake Sargent and Matthew Price. Sebastian Hampson has been an outstanding Head of House. He has also captained the 1st XI hockey team and was Head Cadet in the CCF Army Section. He has carried out his duties extremely effective, simply getting on with things and getting things done. James Davidson, Hamish Glover, George Hall, Duncan Hewitson, Ethan Kelsall, Daniel Milne and Sebastian Waiter Mackenzie also leave us from the Upper Sixth this year. As ever the tutor team have been incredibly supportive both to me and the members of the House. I would like to thank Mr Oakley, Mr Goldberg, Mrs Gorman, Mrs Wilson and Mr Ince for all they have done during the past twelve months. In particular I would like to record my thanks to Miss Broadbent who provides so much practical support and advice throughout the year. Next year’s Head of House will be Callum Simpson. Tom Metcalf will be his Deputy. DWD
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DURHAM HOUSE
IN SEPTEMBER WE WELCOMED EIGHT NEW YEAR 7 BOYS IN TO THE HOUSE. THOMAS DALTON, ALEXANDER DAVISON, WILLIAM HUNTER, HARRISON JONES, MARK NICHOLSON, OLIVER SCHAIBLE, ARCHIE THOMPSON AND JAMES TURNER ARE NOW WELL ESTABLISHED AND ALL HAVE ALREADY MADE TELLING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HOUSE. This was another very successful year for the House, with the highlights for me being victory in the Barnard Run and Sports Day, for the third consecutive year. Cameron Young and Tom Metcalfe are very gifted athletes and it was great to see them win the much coveted individual awards on the day. Tom was only denied a full complement of gold medals by a very unfortunate trip by Isaac Brace to fell Sam Theakston in the final leg of the relay. We seem destined to never win House Singing, but this year I thought we had a genuine chance; alas, the adjudicator did not share my opinion. Callum Robinson and Cameron McKnight gave it everything. We will try again soon. However, our reputation for ruining perfectly good songs is growing. Some fishlike performances in the pool, especially from Jacob Shannon, ensured more silverware adorned the shelf in my office. Sam Theakston and his fellow hockey-stickwielding enthusiasts nearly pulled off the most unlikely of victories; a great team effort. Our more cerebral members of the House, mustered by Joseph Ferguson, were up against some serious brain power in the quizzes, but it was good to see the likes of Adam Wanless, Dominick Williamson and Alfie Todd having a go. Harry Monkhouse and Oliver Theakston were outstanding in the hotly-contested Intermediate Football Competition. Having already won the unofficial competition a few weeks earlier, when some dubious refereeing decisions helped our cause, the real thing was a tense affair. Jackson Thomas saved a penalty; we beat Tees House one goal to nil.
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Our House service was expertly organised by Sam Leeming and his fellow monitors, but the show was stolen by Nathan Barker. His two musical solos were fantastic; delivered in real style and confidence by a very impressive young man indeed. It was a real shame there was no time for the House Drama this year; I am sure Mr. Edwards would have loved to hand the trophy back to us for a fourth consecutive year. George Spink, Tom Hunter and Sam Theakston would have been centre stage. Our public speakers in Dan Roberts and Louis Jerrom delivered thoughtful and clear speeches and once again, in my totally unbiased view, they were the best on show! Sam Adamson has had some excellent role models to learn from in Durham House and I am confident he will, therefore, do an outstanding job as Head of School. I had a very difficult decision to make in appointing a new Head of House. I am hopeful that James Jennings’ naturally competitive
character will make him the kind of leader the House will follow. He will be handsomely supported by his deputies in Tom and Jarlath. The leavers’ meal in Durham was a fitting end to a great year. Mrs. Campbell could not attend, however, so at least we were all spared ‘pub quiz’ style questions and endless ‘teacher jokes’. Jack Beckwith, Joe Bolton, Joseph Ferguson, Tristan Hobson, Sam Leeming, Ben Lilley, Jacob Shannon and Sam Theakston have all been a huge support over the year and I wish them luck in the next chapter of their lives. We also say ‘au revoir’ to George Johnston and Alexander Tankard who are moving up the corridor to become boarders. Henry Thompson and Nathan Bridger, however, are leaving the School and both boys will be missed, especially on the rugby pitch. We also lose a very valued and respected member of the tutor team this year in Richard Child. He has been in the House since its creation in 1995, when it was converted from a boarding house; his sense of humour and professionalism will have been appreciated by all the Housemasters, who were fortunate enough to work with him, and certainly by me. We all wish him a happy retirement, whether he spends it in the garden, plane spotting or watching his beloved Yorkshire in the County Championship. BCU
Services Prizes Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Junior Arts Sheild The Tutor’s Trophy The Layzell Cup
Michaelmas Archie Thompson Olly Bale George Spink Jamie Adamson Kieran Lewis Lewis Maddison Ben Lilley Toby Robinson Nathan Barker Sam Adamson
Lent Oliver Schaible Leon Blackburn Cameron McKnight Harry Shepherd Henry Thompson James Jennings Joe Bolton George Callaghan Andrew Gedye Sam Theakston
Trinity Archie Thompson Dominick Williamson Cameron McKnight Cameron Young Daniel Roberts Sam Adamson Jacob Shannon N/A Harry Monkhouse Tom Metcalfe
Annual Awards The Arts Shield: Nathan Barker The Egg Cup: George Callaghan The Durham Cup: Jacob Shannon
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LONGFIELD HOUSE
LONGFIELD HOUSE HAS HAD YET ANOTHER BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR. THE YEAR HAS PASSED QUICKLY - YET REFLECTING BACK, SEPTEMBER SEEMS LIKE A LIFETIME AGO.
It was brilliant to see so many new faces, all of whom seemed to slot right into the House and become part of everyday life very quickly. Lizzie Clouston as Head of House had already had contact with many of them and Lucy Knightley as the Deputy Head of House was also excellent in helping to settle them in. Everyone soon got into the daily swing of things and involved in all aspects of House life. House Singing is the competition that always kicks the year off and is considered to be one of the most prestigious trophies to win. It was “All About the Bass” (Meghan Trainor) for the Unison and ‘Take Me to Church’ (Hozier) for the Part Song, and a lot of blood sweat and tears went into the Longfield contribution; however, it was not to be and there was a lot of disappointment in the final result – need more be said? The Juniors combined with North and York juniors to sing “Love is an Open Door” from Frozen; again a great effort, and the result was pleasing, but not enough to hold onto the trophy for a second year running. Weekly House competitions have kept everybody busy on Wednesdays after school. Activities ranged from table tennis to art to cake decorating. I am pleased that all the girls have embraced the competition against the other Houses and got involved in all that they could. This is often an opportunity to test a person’s commitment to the House and a test of character and resilience. The Juniors in particular had to do everything and they have been an incredible group this year, despite numerical disadvantage much of the time. Highlights this year have been Longfield Dinner, impressively organised by the Lower Sixth and another impressive singing performance by
Amy Morrill. The Senior girls won the Barney Bash: this was impressive as every able-bodied girl ran and completed the gruelling Barney Run course and contributed to what was a super triumph above what are deemed to be more ‘Sporty Houses’. There may not have been a trophy for the Seniors alone but their efforts were rewarded with pizza and an evening of relaxation watching the classic film Forrest Gump. Dressing up for the annual Longfield Halloween party with the Upper Sixth competing for the scariest-ever corridor - complete with ghouls, ghosts and zombies - is always a fun night and looked forward to each and every year. The first ever Junior Public Speaking was another highlight. Longfield has a tradition of excellent speakers and the Juniors did not disappoint. Georgie Rhodes’s idea to speak about boarding was put into practice. Georgie chaired, Hannah Booth spoke and Georgie Walton was the vote of thanks. The girls worked together to put together the ideas for the speech and Hannah then delivered it immaculately for someone of such a young age. It was engaging, entertaining and humorous – who was to know that the Lodge girls had a pet and that “fruit is NOT pudding.” It certainly captivated the adjudicators attention and was the definitive winner. The Musical and the various productions saw a number of the Longfield girls taking part not only as cast members but behind the scenes too; it was particularly impressive that all the Lodge girls had a part in the Junior Production of “What’s New Pussycat?” a hilarious and well put together performance. Many social activities have taken place each term. Sunday trips are always popular, offering a variety of things to do and many girls took advantage of them – favourites being shopping and go-karting. Tutors have also kindly organised activities and tutor
trips with many girls enjoying meals out or the occasional take out and film. Mrs Flack has always ensured birthdays are remembered and celebrated with her signs and highly anticipated cakes that are baked to order. I know the girls always appreciate blowing candles out to celebrate their birthday! Sports Day is a day that is always a good test of character, and is indicative of who is prepared to ‘take one for the team.’ This year saw a number of memorable performances. Katie Baxter getting round the 1500metres to gain vital points for the House, Amy Morrill stood into several events last minute and Lucy Knightley really took one for the team to do 2 track events that no-one else dare take on. Apolline Bertin sprinted the last 300m of the 1500metres to win the race, Katie Rhodes and Stella Nichols who consistently excel in all sports performed brilliantly in the jumps and on the track. Although the highlight of the day was the Katie Rhodes, Stella Nichols, Sophie Barnes and Apolline Bertin 4x100metre combination who pulled off an amazing relay win. Congratulations to all girls who took part - it was an impressive day. We say goodbye to a number of people this year – all the Upper Sixth who have been incredible from the start (Lizzie, Lucy, Tilly, Hannah, Gemma Emma, Priscilla, Alice and Swee). We then also say ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Lena, Ayoe, Crystal, Charlotte, Brogan, Kerri, Marta, Apolline, and also Louella to a day house! Thank you girls for all you have contributed to the House over your time here – I hope you will keep in touch. I would like to finish by thanking the staff in the House for all they have done this year and their tireless efforts – they help with the smooth running of the House and help make it into the place to be. Not forgetting Miss Jones in the Lodge – who provides a caring safe home for the youngest members of the House. I would also like to mention Mr Edwards who is stepping down as my Assistant Housemaster – but don’t worry, he will remain a tutor in the House, much to my relief. He has been constant source of support and help to me and can always be relied upon to add humour and light to anything. Thank you. It just remains for me to wish that everyone receiving exam results were satisfied with them; I am sure you will all embrace life outside of Longfield with trepidation but also with ambition and excitement at the challenges that lie ahead. AA
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MARWOOD HOUSE
IN SEPTEMBER, I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO GET BACK TO WORK TO START A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR, HAVING RECENTLY RETURNED FROM MATERNITY LEAVE. ALTHOUGH I WAS SAD THAT I WOULD NO LONGER HAVE REGULAR VISITS FROM MANY OF LAST YEAR’S U6TH, I LOOKED FORWARD TO SEEING THE PROGRESS THAT THE NEW SIXTH FORM WOULD MAKE AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WOULD BE FORMED. I was particularly happy to welcome Shannon Currah as the Head of House and Isobel Burnett as the Deputy Head of House. It was also the start of a new challenge for Holly Appleby, the Head of School, and Hayley Anderson, one of the Deputy Heads of School. Our first big challenge of the year was the House Singing Competition. The Sixth Form sprang into action and worked so positively with all of the girls in the House to ensure several impressive performances on the night. The Juniors performed ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ by Elton John. The adjudicator said their movement was very good, they were confident, and had clear diction. Many staff and students commented on how well they performed and were shocked that they were placed 2nd rather than 1st. Particular thanks must go to Esia Forsyth for her individual performance in this. The Part-Song was ‘Survivor / I will Survive’ by the cast of Glee. The adjudicator said they had a rhythmical performance and very good choral harmony. They were placed 3rd in this part of the competition. The Unison was ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ by Eddie Schwartz and a verse by Shannon. The adjudicator said they had strong singing, the words were clear and they had great dynamic changes. He placed Marwood 4th in this part of the competition; the joint part-song and unison result was 3rd overall. Huge thanks must go to Fiona Matthews and Hayley Anderson for all of the work that they put into the Part-Song, along with Shannon and Isobel, who displayed fine leadership skills. The House hockey competitions were closely fought battles between the two day Houses. Our Junior A-team were 1st and the B-team were 5th. Our Intermediate Ateam were 1st and the B-team were 3rd. However, it was the Senior competition that came down to the wire with penalty flicks between Marwood and Bowes to decide the winner. Huge thanks must go to Salma Ali who played outfield during the hockey season, but volunteered to play in goal for the House competition. Although, she had a little experience of playing GK, it was limited by comparison to the Bowes GK. However, Salma did an amazing job, and we just lost out, placed 2nd. Fortunately, our Seniors redeemed themselves with a massive victory in the very serious cake decorating competition. Shannon’s effort and artistic idea of a rocket
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landing on a comet were excellent. She also guided the Juniors very well in their competition to secure a win in that competition too; their cake was decorated to look like the four seasons. Our Juniors also won the White Cup for swimming. Along with the many other awards that were handed out in the latter part of the Michaelmas term, Marwood House awarded Victoria Simpson with the Trier’s Trophy and Emily Warren with the Holmes House Activities Cup. The latter is for the girl that volunteers to do the most House activities in the term, and does so with the most enthusiasm. The Trier’s Trophy is for the girl that has contributed the most to the House and School, again with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Both are decided by the House staff. The Lent term saw the girls dreading the Barney Bash practises and many doing a rain (or snow and ice) dance on a Wednesday morning, praying that the practise would be cancelled; they were in luck this year with very poor weather! However, Marwood House didn’t need to practise; when it came to the Bashes the girls pulled together to win the ‘Butterwick Charity Cup’ by a very satisfying margin. All who were able to run did, and each girl ran for the House and each contributed to the success of the House. Marwood girls then went on to make a huge success of the Barney Run. Marwood were second at the Junior age group and won the Intermediate and Senior competition. Congratulations to all who took part. House Public Speaking is also a major event in the Lent term calendar. A lot of time was dedicated to this competition and all those involved should be congratulated on their efforts. Well done to Amelia Edmunds, Darcy Currah and Carys GreyThompson (the Junior team) who were placed 8th; Ellie Dalton, Alex Thompson and Claire Harrison (the Intermediate team) who were placed 2nd; and Kim Hodgson, Salma Ali and Holly Appleby (the Senior team) who were placed 3rd. Particular thanks must go to both Alex and Salma, who were the main speakers for their teams, as they put a lot of time and effort into preparing and practicing their speeches and both did a wonderful job on the night. We will surely be a force to be reckoned with next year when these two will be on the Senior team! The House Netball competitions were a very enjoyable and competitive affair, particularly at the Senior
end of the School! Marwood’s Seniors were vying for blood and each girl played her socks off to secure a Marwood victory. The Inters also managed to win their competition and the Juniors were second. In each of the competitions we also entered B-teams, which meant that almost every girl in Year 7-10 played netball for the House. Sticking with the theme of House sport, the Inter and Senior girls managed to complete their swimming competition which had been postponed from the Michaelmas term. This was a very noisy and exciting event, with many girls standing at the entrance to the pool trying to cheer on their peers whilst remaining dry! All three girls Houses did very well, making this a very close competition; Marwood were 2nd overall. Huge thanks to every girl that got in the pool to trial for this and to all those who participated in the competition; I know that swimming is not a favourite sport for some of you, but your effort and positive attitude was really appreciated. Drama is a major part of School life and I must comment upon the impressive performances in both the Senior Play (in the Michaelmas Term) and the Senior Musical. It is also a huge time commitment for the individuals that participate in these productions and every girl involved should be very proud that they managed to maintain their academic standards whilst rehearsing in, pretty much, every spare moment. Well done to Kim Hodgson and Salma Ali, who participated in both productions, and to Alice Jackson, Pip Naseby and Anna Coffey who were involved in the musical. At our end of the Lent term House meeting, Niamh Robinson was awarded with the Trier’s Trophy and Carys Grey-Thompson with the Holmes Activities Cup. The first big event of the trinity term was Sports Day, which was unfortunately rained off. However, the sun was shining at the beginning of July when it was re-arranged. There were far too many impressive performances to mention every one, so I will just highlight India Pentland, who won the Junior Victrix Ludorum and Stella Jones, the Intermediate. I would like to thank every girl that competed on Sports Day; each and every one of you helped towards the overall points total. Another more relaxed, but still competitive sport, of this term is House rounders. Well done to the seniors who won their competition. Congratulations must go to all of the students who were involved in both the Junior and Senior Arts evening. The art on display was outstanding, particularly Kim Hodgson’s cow, the music was impressive and the Junior Play was one of the funniest school productions I have seen; my cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing throughout. Esia Forsyth played the lead role as a beautiful and funny cat, and she was supported by many other Marwood girls: Amy Richardson, Josie Powell, Chloe Hanmer, Carys Grey-Thompson, Amelia Oates and Niamh Robinson. The final, end-of-term House meeting was a sad one as we said goodbye to the U6th. However, it was lovely to see Shannon pass over the reins of Head of House to Abbie Hardy; I very much look forward to working with her in the next academic year. I asked Allissa Butterfield to be the Deputy Head of House and Alice Jackson, Pip Naseby, Steph Pratt and Sarah Scanlan to be House Monitors. Congratulations must also go to Alice Jackson and Pip Naseby who will be Deputy Heads of School. LJB
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NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE AS SEPTEMBER BEGINS AND THE MICHAELMAS TERM COMMENCES LIFE IS BREATHED BACK INTO NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE WITH DORMANT CORRIDORS RETURNING TO THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE THAT ARRIVES WITH EAGER YOUNG MEN, ENTHUSIASTIC TO SEE OLD FRIENDS MEET NEW ONES AND MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD. After our previous year’s successful performance of ‘There’s Nothing Like a Dame’ the Senior boys agreed to stick with a ‘songs from the shows’ theme and found a lesser-known number from the musical Shenandoah, which provided a catchy tune, easy lyrics and some comedy value. It was again great to see how this particular House competition can promote universal enthusiasm and, perhaps by extending individual comfort zones integrate House residents from day 1. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the preparations for both the part song and unison elements and whilst we were not victorious overall, the performance of ‘Next to Lovin’ I like Fightin’ Best’ was a favourite of all but the adjudicator. The rather changeable Barnard Castle weather unfortunately spoiled plans for the Year 7&8 camp out, and so arrangements swiftly changed to a weekend of new pupils’ dinners and pizza and video nights. It is in these instances of welcoming new House members to our community that I feel incredibly proud of our boys who without fail make time and effort to ease the transition of new boys to our School and House. Throughout Michaelmas term boys take part in preparations for House rugby with sessions led by senior monitors and supervised by staff, I am pleased to say that this was again the case, with boys benefitting from the expertise of new tutors Messrs White and McTurk. Unfortunately we were unable to win overall and nail up; however there were some spectacular performances from North boys and I was particularly pleased with the efforts of the Juniors who, in combination with York House, performed excellently. The principles of leadership, discipline and endeavour are key within School and House life and none more so than within the CCF. The House has representatives in all age ranges and has thoroughly involved themselves within its comprehensive training packages. Nearly all of our Year 9 boys attended Exercise first look; a 24 hour exercise including shelter building, cooking rations, demonstration section attacks alongside command task and team building exercises. House resident Sebastian Hampson has been an incredible role model during his time as Cadet RSM instructing younger boys and peers, and I would encourage
all others to seriously committing to this worthwhile enrichment activity. The House continued to show its support for the School’s tremendous dramatic productions and attended en mass during the excellent performances of ‘Journey’s End’, ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ and the musical production of ‘Our House’. House members Dylan Custance and Kieran Lowes provide excellent support to the technical direction, ensuring lighting and sound were of the highest quality. I would very much encourage House members to step out onto the stage and tread the boards in a performance role. Lent term brings cold weather and the Barney Run. After a number of cancelled School practices it became clear that the North’ boys needs to adopt the ‘if it’s not raining, it’s not training’ approach. I’m pleased to report that they did, almost unanimously without gripe, and with high spirits and effort by the bucket. Every Wednesday the House could be seen stepping out to prepare for this the oldest of House competition. Special mention must be made to James Dods who on several occasions would finish his own training and voluntarily continue to help his roommates complete. The run itself was tremendously competitive with impressive results from all, with Oliver Larcombe finishing 5th in the Senior and Ben Johnson 1st place in the Inter race. Squash remains a key element to the recreation time of the North’ House boarder and I am very proud to say that the boys compete with tremendous skill and technique. Regular House practice and matches ensured fantastic preparation for House competitions which led to victories at both Senior and Inter level. Very pleasing indeed. Enrichment and challenging oneself is something both myself and the House tutors talk to the boys about regularly, and all are offered the opportunity to speak publicly. Many jump at the chance to practice this tremendously important skill by either reading in chapel or preparing speeches for the Lectern Club. The boys can also represent the House in this area and I am very pleased to say that the Senior team won the Speaker’s Gavel during this year’s competition, with a fantastic speech prepared by Joe Scott, Alex Booth and Aidan Rusk. Sports Day was a tremendous success with individual success and valiant team performances. Whilst we were narrowly defeated by a superb Durham House team, special
thanks must go to all who took part some in events in which they had limited experience. We had a number of outstanding performances from Sam Walton setting a new Inter high jump record, Rory Holden who despite not reaching his personal best (2.05m) set the longstanding Senior high jump record, and to Edward Rhodes who was crowned ‘Victor Ludorum’. During the course of the year the Tutor team consult to award termly and annual awards. I have been extremely pleased that boys from each year group have targeted these awards which are specifically awarded for hard work and betterment across all aspects of School and House life. I was incredibly pleased to see Luke Brotherton achieve the Year 7&8 award for Lent term and to see Oliver Pollock retain the Year 10 award for Lent and Trinity. House competitions and representation provide a key focus for all within the House to show off specialisms and to try their hand at new experiences; once again North’ House have consistently approached these events with pride, enthusiasm and a desire to do their very best. The range of competitions is vast but we have always competed to a high level and I would like to thank all those who have been involved in these events. Chapel provides a central point for the boarding community, and I was delighted that the House was invited by the Headmaster to conduct a House service. Tim Stirke, who has been an exceptional Head of House, organised and led the service to invited guests and the boarders, taking us on a journey through the life of the North’ House boy and lessons learned along the way. There were some fantastic readings and poetry from Jonny McNickle and Joe Scott, alongside musical pieces from Hamish McAllister on the trumpet, Henry Chen on piano, Lucas Xiao on piano and Aydan Reynard singing. I would like to thank all of those who took part, coordinated and ushered, and I would like to thank all of the support shown from parents. The opportunities Barnard Castle School and Northumberland House offer its students are countless; most of our boys grab these opportunities with both hands seeking enrichment and new challenges. I would urge every boy to look at these opportunities and think about what they want to achieve. I look forward to receiving the boys back in September, and finding out just what they want to achieve from this next chapter. For those not returning, the next chapter is upon you; go forth boldly and with the confidence Barnard Castle School has given you. I hope you look back from time to time at North’ House with fond memories of fabulous, fun and formative years. LDM
The annual prizes were awarded as follows: Whateley Tankard (Contribution to the Arts) Lucas Xiao Parkin Plate (Contribution to Boarding Life)
Ernest Liu
Challis Cup (Sportsmanship)
Oliver Larcombe
Tutor Tassie (Contribution to sport)
Alex Carnell
Visser Vase (Gentleman of the Year)
Kieran Lowes
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TEES HOUSE eggs and considered the Spring term to, officially, be a job well done.
IN SEPTEMBER THERE WAS MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE HOUSE: WE HAD A NEW COLLECTION OF EXCITABLE AND NOISY YEAR 7 STUDENTS TO WELCOME, WE HAD SEEN TEES HOUSE PROVIDE ANOTHER SCHOOL CAPTAIN (TOM ADAMSON) AND MR FULLER AND MR JOHNSON WERE STARTING THEIR FINAL YEAR WITH US. There are always a few tears at the start of a new term, but this time I couldn’t decide if the tears were joy! However, if it is the autumn term then it is time for House Singing and the Seniors set about butchering their own rendition of the Dolly Parton classic, ‘9 to 5’. We worked hard to try and make this work and we were, in fairness, pretty good but sadly we could not combine with the senior part-song to clinch the trophy. We claimed it was because the adjudicator had already awarded the Junior singers the winners shield and couldn’t face the backlash, though in fairness York House were worthy winners. However, Mr. Johnson and his Junior machine took to the road to singing fame like ducks to water and we won, again. I say again because we win it more often than anyone, and were the holders for 3 of the last 4 years. This year ‘Don’t Let the Rain Come Down’ was the classic that CPJ reprised and we held the shield aloft in the House and cheered loudly and tunefully. Mr Johnson has passed the singing baton to Mrs Beaty, who having grasped it has also been given a list of cracking suggestions from CPJ’s lexicon of quirky tunes and sure-fire winners. Mrs Beaty feels the pressure, even as I write, and has the hardest of acts to follow but has already liaised in recent wins and is ready to go solo, though I have CPJ on speed dial in case Mrs B needs to chat. So, off to a great start we set about some serious House activities and before we knew it we had won the Senior Pool, the Junior Pool and the Senior and Inter TT and were at real risk of collecting an award for the sheer volume of lost property handed back each week. Fortunately, the clever Tees chaps scoring the merits helped offset the forgetful few (and we know who you are). We dug deep and finished r/up in squash, employed big brain theory and some simple words to pinch the Inters Scrabble and came, rather traditionally, lower than mid-table in cake decorating. Still, ‘you can’t win ‘em all’ as Mr Fuller said, shortly before suggesting we were hogging too much. The rugby came and went and runners up spots were hard-earned by the Seniors and Juniors and by the time we got to the end of term we had 11.6 merits each (on average) and collected the activity cup. It had been a good start but we
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still had one more bit of excellent endeavour to look back on; the Junior Gillet Cup for swimming was finally ours again after too long a time. Our JCR has proved to be full of youngsters who try hard for each other, support every activity and are keen to embrace the Tees House ethos of ‘Sleeves up, chest out, one step forward’. Brilliant. Having eaten lots of Xmas pudding and, likely, an indecent amount of Turkey we returned ready to take on the ‘Barney Run’. Although a favourite with the Tees Housemaster, this is a stern test of willpower and House spirit. In the latter we never seem to fail, between the urgings of RSM Lewis & Tom Marston (No.1), plus the threat of being captured in inactivity on Mr Fuller’s camera. This whole House measure of “everyone counts” has been ours more often than anyone else and so it was again. Here the efforts of our pro-runners like Harvey and Miles count every bit as much as the tougher slog for those who simply keep going and refuse to quit. Owen Greaves showed us the way, too, and with a good spread of Senior rugby players to stiffen morale we dusted off the Butterwick’s spot and then put it back. In the Barnard Run itself, we were runners up but were pleased with our will to try and had to settle for the memories of wins in 2010, 2012 and 2013, and then saved our breath for some serious quizzing and public speaking. Turning to the Centenary Trophy the Senior team of Harvey Barkes, Tom Adamson and Will Carter were placed fourth, though I thought they had put forward a pretty convincing case of how much room we should allow for ‘Ifs, buts and maybes’. The Inters of James Terrill, Ross Gardiner and Matthew Hannar went one better and claimed their Bronze Medal spot. The JCR was not being quiet during all of this and were busy winning the quiz heats before going on to win in the final. James Goldberg, Bagi Ali, Archie Coward and Sam Wilson were all very pleased with themselves Beyond this, Tom and Will Carter joined forces with Matthew Vickers to claim r/up spot in the excellent House poetry recital competition, held in the chapel and embraced with only the most finely tuned of last minute rehearsal, or only with last minute rehearsal, depending on your point of view. Soon we were all exhausted from the rigours of such a short and busy term but not so tired that we could not cheer loudly for the Inters who won the House hockey and squash and for the JCR who did the same thing. We then went home to eat our Easter
Normally, in the summer term we get the chance to play some House tennis and cricket. This year with Tom Adamson, Tom Sowerby, MaxWeighell, Alex and Charlie Pearson all in the first team squad we had hoped to be invited to nailing up, but the weather and a heavy School schedule took its toll and so we had to settle for Tom and Tom picking up the other first team awards in chapel instead, and also settled for congratulating Alex and Charlie for being so pivotal to the squad and so young (Years 10 and nine respectively). We geared up for Sports Day and were grateful, once again, for the efforts of Tom Marston (who actually ran two separate legs in a relay event at one point) who pulled something of a rabbit from the hat to get us through a schedule in which we were very stretched. However, in Ben Pullan’s long distance events we saw true grit and in Harvey Barkes’ winning we saw talent. We also saw Sam Steer Richards demonstrate that he can throw things a very long way (winning the discus and shot). In fact we saw a great deal of team spirit and team talent but not quite enough to get us past Durham House who won on the day. Congratulations to them but also to the indomitable Tees spirit for carrying us so far. At the end of term awards and at Speech Day, Tees’ young men collected lots of awards in recognition for their talents in the classroom, on the games field and in character revealed through the year. We congratulate them all. Tees people collected twelve of the awards at the end of term (from the HM) and twenty two at Speech Day (from Patrick Grant). This represents a great deal of endeavour as we have only sixty six in the House this year and, although too many to list here, I would like to mention a few stand out performers as symbolic of all that has been best about the House this year. These include Tom Adamson’s role as Head of School and Physics prize, ‘Bagi’ Ali’s triple prizes for Physics, French and German, and Ben Pullan’s award of the Thompson-Richardson Prize for the embodiment of all that is being a ‘Christian and a gentleman’. Finally, I would like to add that it was with a heavy heart and nearby hanky that Tees had to bid farewell to Mr. Johnson and Mr Fuller. Their wisdom, compassion, drive and professionalism have been the cornerstone of so very many of our most memorable times. We presented both with their own House shirt (green of course) and a large framed version of the wonderful landscape print of the School fields, painted by Edward Williamson, himself formerly of Tees House. As assistant Housemasters in Tees they have helped many a youngster steer a wiser course and been simply invaluable. Mr Johnson (now at 104 terms and three Housemasters) has been part of Tees from its very beginning at the division of Tees and Dale and began his time with the wit and wordsmithing of Mr N. (Nick) Wilson. Mr Fuller has served, it must seem, a life sentence’s worth of time listening to the Tees Housemaster’s office demand an explanation for Carlisle United’s most recent performance. We could not think of anyone else we would like to have spent our time with and must sincerely thank them for their time, energy and care in the years we have spent together. Both deserve peaceful and happy retirement from the rigour of the years spent with us and we wish them well in the next phase of their life ahead. Bon voyage. GB
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YORK HOUSE
WINNING THE HOUSE SINGING THIS YEAR FULFILLED THE DREAM THAT MEMBERS OF YORK HOUSE HAVE HAD SINCE THE TRANSFORMATION INTO A SENIOR HOUSE BACK IN 2009. For years I have watched leading members of the House take practices every evening and inspire the boarding community to come together and sing to their best ability, regardless of their musical talent. Finishing second twice and missing off by one point has been difficult to take, so I am delighted that the hard work and community spirit has finally been rewarded by this achievement. The Part Song, consisting of left the audience in awe, as they sang Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” dressed in animal onesies. The unison song was equally well prepared and practised, where every member of the House gave their heart and soul in singing Bon Jovi’s “Shot through the Heart,” with Jamie Spratt having the whole House kneel at his feet at the end of the song; something that may not happen very often! The Juniors also did very well singing Frozen’s “Love is an Open Door”, where they sang as a boarding community with Longfield and North House; however, unfortunately they could not match last year’s success in winning again. York House has continued to set high standards in the Rugby competitions and it is always inspiring for new pupils to see the talent that is evident in the boarding community. Several former members of the House are now representing various teams across the country, or performing to a high standard at university. The most recent success is Guy Coser and Agni Ghosh who are coaching in New Zealand. York House also has extremely high musical, theatrical and singing talent. Ian Chan has played the organ throughout the academic year and his talent resulted in him winning the “Musician of the Year Award.” I have named a House Trophy after him, due to the success and enthusiasm that he has added to the House over the past two years. Gordon Poon has been a superb Head Chorister, with Sam Farqhuar, Simon Marshall, Enoch Leung and Charlie Berry also representing the choir. They have been impressive each week in Chapel, while also singing in Durham Cathedral, York Minster and St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the School
Musical, “Our House” by Madness, Jamie Preston was outstanding in his role as Joe Cassey, Arran Keogh was excellent as Lewis, Sam Farqhuar was inspirational on the keyboard and Florian Chiari and Oliver Morrill continued to impress with their support as the Tech Crew. Oliver Morrill has also organised the tech for all of the plays, sporting events and socials, which is a huge achievement and has demonstrated his skills in this area. As per usual, the Public Speaking was well organised and rehearsed by both the Inters and Seniors, but this year Miss Harpin introduced the Juniors into the competition, which was equally as impressive. For the Seniors, Wilhelm Emmrich’s speech, supported by Sam Farquhar and Ben Edwards called “Your contribution, our aimless waste,” was excellent and also led to assemblies being held by him to both the Prep and Senior School. A result of this has seen a reduction in the waste by pupils in the School. Wilhelm has been an asset to the House since joining us in September and his legacy will live on in many areas of School life. For the Inters, Jamie Spratt, Tom Harris and Charlie Berry did the House proud in their speech on “Perseverance and determinism,” and I know that they will continue to impress. I was also delighted that Liam Rusk, Kieran Bleasby and Jake Vernon did well in their speech on “Talent versus hard work.” Enoch Leung did an outstanding job in organising the Squash Competitions throughout the Lent Term and I was delighted that the Senior Team of Alfred Tsoi, Enoch Leung, Connor Lewis and Lexter Li reached the final. The Juniors were also successful, winning two of their games. Liam Rusk, Jake Vernon, Byron Ramm-Salisbury and Ed Lockwood were the leading members of the team. Leading members of the Junior teams in rugby, hockey and cricket have been Edward Lockwood, Jake Vernon, Kieran Bleasby, Robert Harris, Tom Hughes, Jack Lockhart, Byron Ramm-Salisbury, Liam Rusk and Lewis Wells. The highlight of the year was winning the Junior Football Competition, where they were rewarded with a full size World Cup trophy; they possibly stand a better chance of success than England. In the Inters, Freddie Lockwood, Hiraki Nakahara, Christopher Richards, Farzad Sudheer, Jack Barker, Tom
Harris, Ronald Yau, and Simon Marshall were the key players in the rugby, cricket and hockey Competitions, showing what a force they will be in the future. I was extremely proud of the House on both Barnard Run Day and Sports Day. My thanks go to the wonderful team of tutors in York House. We have welcomed Miss Harpin, Mr Thompson and Mr Nicholson to the team and they have all been inspirational. Mr West sadly left us for a new life in New Zealand at Christmas, after 12 years of dedicated service. Mr Wade has taken on a new role at an Expedition Centre in Scotland and his Year 11 Tutees are very grateful to him for all of his hard work over the past 5 years. Finally I would like to thank all of the boys for their efforts towards York House. Gordon Poon has been an excellent Head of House with Arran Keogh as his Deputy, along with Callum Fawcett, Jack Hedley, Ian Chan, as the Senior Team of Monitors. I wish all of our leavers well and look forward to hearing about all of their successes. AJA
The Van den Dries Leadership Cup: Arran Keogh The Brogden Trophy Voted by all members of York House for their commitment to the House: Arran Keogh The Musician of the Year Trophy: Ian Chan Senior York House Cup: Gordon Poon Year 12 Kinnear Cup: Wilhelm Emmrich Year 11 Maguire Cup: Oliver Morrill Year 10 York House Cup: Simon Marshall Year 9 York House Cup: Freddie Lockwood Junior York House Cup: Byron Ramm Salisbury Sports Award: Callum Fawcett, Tom Harris and Edward Lockwood Resident Award: Sam Farquhar, Freddie Lockwood, Kieran Bleasby and Edward Lockwood
Merit Awards: Jamie Preston, Sam Farquhar and Liam Rusk Academic Endeavour Award: Wilhelm Emmrich, Christopher Richards and Kieran Bleasby Arts Award: Jamie Preston, Jamie Spratt and Liam Rusk
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Journey’s End
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In the centenary year of the outbreak of World War One, it seemed an obvious choice for the Drama department to perform a piece set in the trenches, showing the hardships of those who so bravely fought, and in many cases died, for us. As a GCSE text until last year, I have taught “Journey’s End” for four years, and it remains a firm favourite of mine. The balance between the hard-hitting drama and the moments of light relief is perfect, and provided a huge challenge for both myself as director and the cast. As with last year, we saw a mixed gender cast taking on the roles of men, but within moments of their entrance on stage, the gender of the actor was irrelevant – they each became their character, dealing with the horrific conditions of trench warfare, coping with ridiculous orders from those in the ranks above, dying for a cause that seemed, at times, utterly pointless. As Captain Stanhope, Emma Robson was stellar, with subtle nuances to her character including the slightest tremble indicating the depth of her alcoholism – only “doped with whisky” is she able to step foot up in the trenches, so deep is her PTSD. As Osborne, Kerin Borer shone – a kindly officer, taking the younger officers under her wing and helping them cope with what seems so strange, her death drew tears from a number of audience members. In his first appearance on stage, Ben Pullan coped with the challenges of Raleigh, a young new recruit, whose hero-worship of Stanhope is so complete that it sees him follow him into war as soon as he’s able, and the final moments, in which we see Stanhope and Raleigh finally reunited as friends, brought a lump to this director’s steely heart. As Trotter and Mason respectively, Matthew Raper and Jennifer Eckersley were magnificent at bringing moments of light relief to such a serious play, invariably involving food; Jennifer deserves particular praise, stepping into the role as she did only a week prior to opening night. Also supporting were Chloë Thompson as the cowardly officer Hibbert, who feigns illness in an attempt to escape the front line before the big attack, Charlotte McAllister as the Colonel, whose orders must be followed regardless of their pointlessness, Kieran Lewis as the Staff Sergeant Major, Kim Hodgson as disgracefully untidy outgoing Captain Hardy, desperate to make an escape with his troop before the big attack, Salma Ali and Genevieve Myhan as two unnamed soldiers and Oliver Larcombe as the German soldier captured following the raid which takes Osborne’s life – a German soldier ultimately useless to the British troops and whose capture comes at too great a price. As always, the Tech Crew was comprised entirely of students, and this show, for the first time, was staffed entirely by students in Year 11 or below, who operated lights, sound and managed backstage. Powerful and moving, the play was performed to over 400 people across three nights, and the applause on each night followed The Last Post, played by Sam Farquhar from Year 11 – a fitting tribute, at a fitting time. The cast and crew were a pleasure to work with. An Arts Award for Dramatic Excellence was awarded to Kerin Borer, Half Colours for Dramatic Excellence was awarded to Kieran Lewis, and Half Colours for Technical Excellence in Drama was awarded to Oliver Morrill. TSE T he Barnardian 2014 / 15 Re v iew
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House Singing The House Singing Competition took place on the day before the School broke up for the October half term. The adjudicator was Keith Brown. Keith is Director of Music and Head of Year 7 at The John Lyon School, part of the Harrow School Foundation, and Director of Music at Our Lady of the Assumption, a large church in the heart of central London. Following the Junior competition Tees House were victorious with their song ‘Don’t Let The Rain Come Down’. Later in the evening York House gained the highest marks in the Part Song section of the competition with ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ and eventually went on to triumph with their unison song ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’. The Common Room also gave an excellent rendition of Victoria Wood’s classic ‘Let’s Do It’. Thanks go to all those who organised the Houses for the competition and also to the adjudicator. AMM
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Lectern Club Excitement was mounting on 14th November, as final touches were made to speeches, helium balloons arrived in the Dining Hall, and bow ties were donned. The first Lectern Club of the year, with the theme ‘In 100 years’, was, as always, bursting with talent from both new faces and seasoned speakers. As always, there was delicious food and jokes about Mr Bishop’s never-ending reign. We heard many interesting takes on the theme, ranging from Holly and Tom’s intelligent prediction of the future of environment and energy resources, contrasting with Maddy’s optimistic look on unnecessarily worrying. Ethan Kelsall won the short competition with his amusing and well thought out speech entitled ‘The School in 100 Years’, detailing the expansion of the SFCR into a political party, the progress of House Cake Decorating into a major sport, but which concluded with how the character of Barney will never really change. Ethan was followed closely by Olly Larcombe, who didn’t fail to disappoint with his intriguingly named speech ‘Flying Pigs and Orange Turnips’. In the long speech competition, Lizzie Clouston came second with her very eloquent speech ‘In 100 years’, with first prize going to Kerin Borer, who wowed everyone with her debut Lectern speech. Titled ‘How Long is 100 Years?’, she spoke expressively and engagingly about how people’s perception of the length of 100 years has changed over time. Between each category of speeches, the kitchen treated us to an excellent three course meal, and special thanks must go to them, as well as Ayoe Fisher who did the night’s photography, and Mrs Beaty for helping to organise. We’re already looking forward to the next one! Fiona Matthews, Upper Sixth, Marwood House
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CCF Michaelmas Term Review Autumn term is always a busy time in the CCF calendar with parade nights, Brigade competitions and Remembrance Parade. Cadets parade on a Monday after school for one hour, where they complete and successfully pass a number of cadres from the Army Proficiency Certificate Syllabus.
by the L6th and U6th NCOs. The 6th Form have also passed their LSW cadre too. As well as parade nights, a number of cadets have given up time during weekends and evenings for additional training for some of the competitions that have happened throughout the term. The training has been invaluable, especially with the recent wins we have had at Brigade level.
Shooting club has been a very popular activity this term, with cadets having the opportunity to shoot twice a week in the School’s indoor range. We have recently purchased four Anschutz rifles which the cadets will fire during their House Shooting competition in the Lent term. Major C E Connor
This term, the Year 10s have spent each parade night learning the necessary skills needed to pass their weapon handling tests. Lessons this term have included the marksmanship principles, building up their prone position, the safe handling rules of the cadet GP rifle, as well as how to load, unload and make the weapon safe. They also enjoyed a weapon handling field day earlier in the term, and all 49 cadets successfully passed their weapon handling tests, so can look forward to firing the weapon on the range. The Year 11s have successfully passed both their advanced first aid and map reading cadres. These lessons were delivered to them
Jarvis Cup And Surtees Shield Competition Having practiced their shooting skills in the indoor range on a weekly basis for a number of months, the shooting team were certainly well rehearsed for the Jarvis Cup competition which is held annually at Gilesgate TA centre in Durham. The team, captained by corporal Matthew Vickers, consisted also of corporal Kim Hodgson and lance corporals Samson Siu and Alex Booth. Having completed a five round grouping practice on the number 8 rifles, the team went into the three details which made up the competition. These included a ten round application shoot, a
rapid shoot, whereby the team had only 60 seconds to accurately fire off ten rounds at two targets and finally a five round snap shoot, having light exposures of three seconds in which to fire their rounds at a very small target. Nerves did not get the better of the team and they all fired exceptionally well. The team came first overall, with medals also awarded to corporal Kim Hodgson as the individual runner up and to corporal Matthew Vickers as the individual top shooter.
another team into the Surtees Shield competition which runs alongside the Jarvis Cup. This would be the first time that we had entered this particular competition and the team of cadet RSM Seb Hampson, cadet CSM Tilly McAllister and corporals Tom and Will Carter did exceedingly well. Although this team did not bring home any silverware, they certainly show huge potential for next year’s competition. Major C E Connor
A week before the competition, our four brand new Anschutz rifles arrived at the contingent, and so it was decided to enter
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Exercise Merlin Cadet Challenge Exercise Merlin Cadet Challenge was a new event to the CCF Brigade calendar this year and with it brought a new venue and new format, and we chose a new team to represent the contingent. The team consisted of team captain, cadet RSM Seb Hampson, 2i/c colour sergeant Tom Adamson, colour sergeant Tom Marston, sergeant Tim Stirke, corporals Will and Tom Carter and Sam Adamson and lance corporal James Jennings. Throughout the term, the team had been spending their parade nights swotting up on all aspects of the syllabus content. With a rather early start on the day of the competition, the team of eight travelled to Warcop Training Camp, where they were briefed on the details for the day. The team were then dropped off onto the training area, where they were to begin a round robin of the five different stands that made up the first phase of the competition. These stands included both practical and written elements which tested the team on skill at arms, first aid, map reading, command tasks and military knowledge. After the first phase had been completed, the cadets had a short wait before the march and shoot element. After passing the inspection element, the team began the forced march in good spirits and completed the mile and a half route, well under the allocated time. This was then followed by the shoot, whereby cadet RSM Seb Hampson and corporal Tom Carter shot the cadet GP rifle on the 25m range and the rest of the team fired air rifles for the first time, gaining maximum points for this stand. After a short wait, whilst the total scores were added up, we were delighted with fourth position. The team did the contingent very proud and should be very pleased with their efforts. Major C E Connor
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Year 10 Field Day Having spent the first half of the term each Monday during parade learning the characteristics, marksmanship principles and safe handling rules of the cadet GP rifle, the 49 Year ten cadets were certainly looking forward to a day off-timetable to continue with their learning. The cadets were split into their sections and spent half of the morning revising NSPs, the characteristics of the rifle and fitting a sling. After a quick break for tea and biscuits, cadets were then taught the load, unload, ready and make safe drills followed by what to do in case of a stoppage. Cadets seemed to soak all this newfound information in rather quickly, so Major Connor decided that a spot of revision done as a race would certainly put the pressure on the cadets. Cadets Jack Dickinson and Adam Wanless kept their cool and still maintained an excellent standard of weapon handling.
During the afternoon, Major Connor and Lt Fairwood began the testing element of the day. All cadets successfully passed their weapon handling tests and can now look forward to a day on the ranges next term. The following cadets were promoted to lance corporal due to scoring very highly on their tests; Antonia Allison, Jack Butterfield, Rachel Elphick, Simon Marshall, Constance Mitchell, Alex Pearson, Adam Wanless and Cameron Young.
A special mention must go to cadet RSM Seb Hampson and cadet CSM Tilly McAllister who also helped with the teaching throughout the day. Major C E Connor
Remembrance Sunday Six officers, one SSI and over thirty cadets wore their CCF uniforms proudly on Remembrance Sunday as they led the procession – which included the mayor of Barnard
Castle, local dignitaries, members of the Guides and Scouts associations, service men and women and members of the British Legion – through the streets of Barnard Castle.
For the first time, our new standard was also carried by colour sergeant Tom Adamson. Once formed up at the cenotaph in the Bowes Museum Grounds, we were met by local residents and members of the School community. A short service was given by one of the local ministers to remember those who had fought and died during conflict in all the wars, past and present. After time for reflection, cadet RSM Seb Hampson laid the wreath on behalf of Barnard Castle School CCF. Major C E Connor
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Iceland Trip On Wednesday the 22nd of October at 8:30am, 22 Year 10 and 11 pupils were greeted on the School drive by Miss Jackson in a Viking hat, Mr Alderson and Mr Dalton. As we handed our passports to the teachers, loaded the trunk with our chocolatefilled cases and said a sad farewell to our parents, we climbed onto the bus grinning excitedly at our friends awaiting the adventure that we were about to experience. When we arrived at the airport we went through all the standard procedures of security, each process getting one step closer to our destination. We finally boarded the plane and before we knew it we were in Iceland! After getting out of the airport we got our first glimpse of the country. The weather when we first arrived was drizzly and grey, a bit like England. Let’s just say you could feel a nip in the air. We were introduced to our lovely tour guide Dave, who was originally from Essex but moved to Iceland 10 years ago. With our schedule full to the brim, there was not a minute to be wasted. Our first stop was the blue lagoon. This is a spa and geothermal complex, a man-made lagoon fed by the water of a nearby geothermal plant. When we got to the lagoon we all got changed into our swimming costumes and couldn’t wait to get into this incredibly inviting cove. After spending time at this enchanting haven we all dried off and hopped back on the bus. Our next stop was dinner; we went to a local restaurant and there were endless supplies of every kind of pizza that you could imagine, much to our delight. After all the scrumptious pizzas, we headed to our hotel and went to our rooms ready for a good night’s sleep. Over the next few days, we got a tour of the capital city Reykjavik, visited the National park which was formed by the North American and Eurasian plates pulling apart and creating a dip resulting in a rift valley, went lava tubing where we were told traditional ancient myths about trolls in complete darkness, visited 4 waterfalls, saw a hot geyser that erupted every 3-7 minutes, and to our extreme privilege saw the beautiful Northern lights. It was a green colour that was constantly moving across the night sky and we were so lucky to be able to see them… what would we have done without Mr Dalton on the constant lookout for them? We also watched a documentary about the 2010 eruption of Mount Eyjafjallajokull, visited the volcano and were given the amazing opportunity to ask questions to the
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farm owners who are situated extremely near the volcano about their experience. We walked on a glacier with breathtaking views and learnt about it, also how to walk in crampons, visited Ice lagoons one of which a James Bond film location, and we looked around a beach where icebergs get washed up and sadly come to die. We were allowed to climb on the icebergs and it was a place for many photo opportunities. While we were looking around this beach a French music video was being filmed; much to our disappointment we were not able to photobomb the video. We also got a ride in a duck boat on the melt water lagoon and got to sample some fresh 1000 year old ice, it was delicious. On our final day we caught the ferry to the Westman islands and when we arrived we walked up an active volcano that last erupted in 1973 causing devastation. Once we got to the top, we looked around, and
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the view was truly stunning, and to make it even more magical, some vents were still hot to the touch‌ I mean, who needs gloves? Then we went to a museum which had some excavations of the houses that had been buried in the eruption. After having an audio guided tour, lunch and a wander around the museum we were all very kindly treated to a hot chocolate by the teachers. We were then given some time to wander round the town to get a feel for the place. Most of us didn’t go far out in fear of missing the ferry back! Once we arrived on land we got on the bus and headed to our hotel ready for a fairly early night to match the early start in the morning. There are so many great memories of this trip. Not only did the sights we saw never fail to impress, there will be memories from here that will last forever. Ceara Sutton-Jones, Year 10, Bowes House
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Business Studies Coca Cola’s Real Business Challenge
Year 10 pupils at Barnard Castle School have reached the North East regional finals of the Coca Cola’s Real Business Challenge, which is to be in February at St James’s Park. The national competition was set up to assist young people in an increasingly competitive job market where entrepreneurship and business acumen is paramount. The challenge fosters creativity, innovation and a bit of healthy competition. The Year 10 pupils had to present a fruitbased soft drink that would be suitable for athletes to Coca Cola, which is no mean feat as the world’s biggest manufacturer would be likely to know a thing or two about this. The team came up with a healthy sports drink, named ‘Cindigo’ and used
ingredients such as mango, grapes and cinnamon, all mixed with refreshing Himalayan stream water. They gave it the marketing slogan of “A Tasty Feast from the East.” During its inception the students considered environmental issues, sustainability and health benefits. They utilised market mapping and competitor analysis and outlined an innovative business approach and marketing launch strategy. Business Studies is an extremely popular subject at Barney and we are constantly in search of new avenues and new experiences for our students. It was run as an after school activity and the business students worked hard and were very creative with their idea. Their next stage pitches a live business challenge and provides mentors provided by Coca Cola to assist our team, of eight boys and girls, when they take part in their corporate day at St James’. It should be a good experience for them all and a great reward for heading off a lot of stiff competition in this competition which attracts hundreds of schools to compete. NJC
Hadrian’s Wall In late September, the whole of Year 9 visited Hadrian’s Wall as part of their Classics Curriculum. The Latin set visited Vindolanda Roman Site in the morning, concentrating on some real Latin inscriptions and documents and having a talk from a professional archaeologist about the latest excavations there. Meanwhile, the Classics sets toured Housesteads fort and Museum, focussing on what life would have been like for soldiers and Britons on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago. We all then met up for lunch before undertaking the spectacular walk from Housesteads to Steel Rigg, passing Sycamore Gap and three Roman Milecastles along the way. The weather was grey and a bit chilly, but we all stayed dry and arrived back safely, having learned a lot and enjoyed the day – even the walk! JDG
Open Morning in the Library An enthusiastic group of Y7s – India Oates, Kitty Barker, Emily Kelly, Maisie Lickrish, Carla McKnight, Ellie Tweddle, Heidi Warren, Matthew Forster, William Hunter, Oscar Jacques, Harrison Jones, Hamish McAllister, Matthew Osborne and James Turner – put on a fabulous display of library skills aided by Martin Ting, Alice Liu and Miss McNulty. The seven different activities kept everyone busy throughout the morning. Patrol officers read grid references which took them to the hidden clues around the library; after solving the Maths puzzles they collected keys to unlock the hidden
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treasure. The Library Game tested their knowledge of how the library worked, the Fiction Game confirmed that you can never judge a book by its cover and imaginations were allowed to run with the Imagine You Are in This Picture descriptive writing. There was also time to listen to audiobooks, read Malorie Blackman’s The Pig Heart Boy – which led to some interesting arguments for and against animal transplants – and match book titles to blurbs and book covers. After a successful and enjoyable morning all were rewarded with goody bags. CLS
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Hockey 1st XI
Captain: K Body Vice Captain: H Appleby/E Robson Team from: K Body, C Atkinson, E Cody, H Appleby, E Robson, L Bussey, K Hagues, S Currah, E Clouston, E Everall, S Scanlan, P Maw, H Wynn-Jones, P Naseby , I Hewitson, A Ridley, A Coffey, C Waldin, E Gossage, S Barnes, S Nichols, K Rhodes P 19
W 6
D 0
L 13
Results: Yarm Pocklington Durham School (Tournament) Scarborough (Tournament) Sedbergh (Tournament) Stonyhurst (Tournament) St. Peters Queen Elizabeth (County Cup) Durham (County Cup) Scarborough College St Bees School Sedbergh Hymers Wakefield (North Semi Finals) Yarm (North Semi Finals) RGS (North Semi finals) Giggleswick Austin Friar Ampleforth College
GF 12
GA 42
GD -30
W L L W L W L W L L W L L L W L L L L
1-0 0-3 0-1 1-0 0-1 3-1 0-2 1-0 0-1 0-1 3-2 0-4 0-2 0-7 2-1 0-4 0-5 0-4 1-3
The Girls got their season off to a great start in their first match against Yarm School winning 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Emma Robson pouncing on a loose ball after a powerful shot by Isla Hewiston. I hoped that this result would set the standard and tone for the rest of the season, with the five Upper 6th girls in the squad leading the way. The following weekend brought an away trip to Pocklington and even though we were missing a couple of key players we were still confident that if we played well we could come away with victory. The first half saw some great attacking hockey by both sides and as much pressure that we had inside their defending 25 and circle we never had the composure needed to break the deadlock. The last five minutes of the first half saw our girls struggle to keep the high intensity that was needed and Pocklington had their best period of pressure. Half time came and allowed our girls the time they needed to regroup and gather some energy; they started the second half with the same intensity as the first. Unfortunately the girls could not make this period of pressure tell and the longer the game went on at 0-0 the more Pock’s confidence and possession grew. With ten minutes to go in the game the girls seemed to run out of energy as Pocklington hit them on the break finally breaking the deadlock. This was like a hammer blow to our girls, one that they could not recover from and as we tried to push for an equaliser, Pock were able to hit us on the break scoring a further two goals.
The Ampleforth 7’s Tournament was a welcome break and the chance to build some confidence. Our first game was against Durham and although we created some great chances, once again we failed to take advantage of them. It was inevitable when we failed to score from a good break by Durham, we would concede the only goal of the game. The girls bounced straight back though with a great 1-0 victory over Scarborough from a powerful goal scored by Alice Ridley very early in the game. Our final group game was against Sedbergh, who got the crucial only goal of the game taking them into the next round of the competition. We won our last game of the tournament against Stonyhouse finally finding our way in front of goal to win 3-1. After a well-earned family weekend the girls hosted St Peter’s and although they put in a very good performance goal scoring was to be our Achilles’ heel once again. Failing to take advantage of a number of good chances we were punished by two good goals by St Peters. The U18 County Championship allowed the opportunity for a couple of 6th Form girls from the 2nd team to get an opportunity to play. Goal scoring was still a problem for the team and although we beat Queen Elizabeth 1-0 it should have been by more. We then faced Durham School in the final and although the girls threw everything at Durham, after going behind we failed to get the equaliser and lost the game 1-0. The girls’ indifferent form continued with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Scarborough College as goal scoring still proved to be a problem. The girls then looked like they might be turning a corner, scoring 3 goals against St Bees, one from Katie Body and two from Sarah Scanlan. The girls followed the result against St Bees with two good performances against Sedbergh and Hymers; unfortunately they were unable to match the result, losing both games. There was no respite for the girls as they travelled to Leeds on the following Friday for the U18 Northern Semi Finals of England Hockey’s national cup. This proved to be a tough tournament for the girls but one in which they acquitted themselves very well. The pick of the performances had to be the match against Yarm which culminated in an extremely exciting penalty flick shoot out to decide who would progress to the next round. Our girls held their nerve winning the shootout 21 and securing a playoff match against RGS for a place at the Northern finals. Unfortunately this final match proved a bridge too far and despite their best efforts they ran out of steam as the match slipped away from them. The girls had less than 24hrs to recover before travelling to Giggleswick and it showed as they struggled to recover physically and mentally from the disappointment of that final loss. We never looked like we could compete as the girls struggled with form and energy and continued to leak goals at crucial times. Unfortunately the season was running away from them and the girls were struggling to turn it around, culminating in a very poor performance in their penultimate game to Austin Friars in which they lost 4-0. The girls’ final game arrived and as usual they never cease to surprise me, up against an Ampleforth team whose only loss had come in the national cup; they put in their performance of the season. At 2-0 down the girls finally got the goal they deserved and then proceeded to throw everything at Ampleforth in a bid to equalize. The opposition just had a bit too much quality and as we pushed for the equalizer with time running out they were able to score their 3rd to seal victory. It was an emotionally draining day all round for everyone and as usual there were tears at the end as some of the girls realised that was their last hockey fixture for the School. As always I’d like to wish the girls leaving a fond farewell and the best of luck in the future, and to the girls who will be here next year, see you at pre-season!
2nd XI
CJG
EKM
Captain: Shannon Currah/Elizabeth Clouston Team from: Lucy Newton, Lorna Bussey, Kerin Borer, Pip Naseby, Sarah Stephenson, Stella Nichols, Katie Rhodes, Francesca Waitor-Mackenzie, Cora West, Anna Coffey, Kim Hodgson, Honor Wynn-Jones P 10
W 2
Results: Yarm Pocklington Austin Friars St. Peter’s Windermere Sedbergh Hymers Giggleswick Richmond Ampleforth
D 4
L 4
GF 4
GA 7
GD -3
W D W L L D L D L D
1-0 0-0 1-0 0-2 1-2 1-1 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0
Rebuilding early after such a great season last year was key; new players, new faces, new formations and new areas to work on. I was excited about the up-coming prospects for this young team. The very first game against Yarm fell very early in the season, but with the majority of girls attending preseason we felt more ready than normal this year. The girls dominated defensively with Kimberley Hagues, an initial 2nd team player now playing regularly for the 1st, securing everything at the back. Anna Coffey managed to sink her first goal, not her last, and they secured their first win. Through training, activities and matches I soon recognised that the Achilles’ heel of this season was going to be capitalising on chances in front of goal. This therefore was the focus of many of the training sessions, with the forwards acknowledging that it was down to them to secure those vital goals in close matches: which is exactly what every game was this year; close, to the wire and could have gone either way. The statistics don’t paint the prettiest of pictures, but with no score-line going over two goals, each and every game was a nail biter, with games against Giggleswick, Richmond and Sedbergh being the closest encounters, yet demonstrating the girls’ best hockey. I always start the season with my expectations of the girls and what and where they should be aspiring to be by the end. At least three girls, including Shannon, my original captain, were soon moved up to the 1st XI and were chosen for the starting XI on many occasions. This shows their determination and dedication to their hockey which was recognised by the 1st team coach. Sarah Stephenson made the permanent step-up to second team hockey, with Cora West and Jane Metcalfe making several appearances for the 2nd. I will be losing key defensive players next year and I wish them well in whatever they choose to do next. Looking forward, however, I am excited about the girls that are remaining and the youngsters that will be joining the senior teams next year.
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Also, congratulations to Alice Hunter and Antonia Allison who both received the Most Improved award. Both of these girls had been on the periphery of the U14 team in the previous season, but their positive attitude and excellent work rate secured them a permanent place on the U15 team. I have thoroughly 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 aim to get a place on the 1st XI next year.
U15
LJB Captain: J Pearse Team from: L Gill, M Bowen, A Thompson, R Elphick, S Ryan, G Penman, E Shannon, S Hopkins, M Sowerby, A Allison, A Hunter, C Sutton-Jones, L Atkinson, E Warren. P 12
W 2
D 1
Results: Ampleforth Austin Friar’s Durham School Giggleswick Hymers Pocklington Richmond School Scarborough College Sedbergh St Peters St Bees Yarm
L 9
GF –
GA –
AA
U13 A Team
U14
GD –
L W D L L L W L L L L L
0-1 8-1 0-0 1-2 1-2 0- 6 7-0 1-2 0-4 0-6 0-1 0- 1
The won/lost statistics paint a rather bleak picture of the season; however, on closer inspection of the results, you can see that, actually, the majority of their losses were extremely close. These U15 girls progressed dramatically throughout the season and should be delighted by their many strong performances, particularly against tough opposition. We started the season at home with a difficult match against Pocklington; this was followed by an even tougher match against St Peter’s. We did have our chances in these games, but we just couldn’t finish in the D, a running theme of the season. We then had three extremely close, end-to-end matches against Scarborough College, Yarm and St Bees. The latter was the most frustrating game, as we were the better team and had the majority of the possession. We had many chances to score and St Bees had very few. Unfortunately, they took their chance and won this game. Fortunately, this run of defeats was interrupted by an outstanding match against Austin Friars School. Unfortunately, the high of this win was followed a defeat to a very strong Sedbergh team. We then had three very close games against Hymers, Giggleswick and Ampleforth. I was particularly impressed with their performance against Hymers as they are notoriously strong. We defended extremely well in this game and managed to be positive in attack. We had an unscheduled game against Richmond School on a very wet and windy winter evening. The girls played the ball around well and really looked like hockey players; they won this game convincingly. Our last game was a rescheduled game against Durham School. Both teams were hoping for a win but we had been training hard and were fully prepared; it was a tough but very enjoyable game. Unfortunately, the weather was horrendous and this match had to be cancelled in the second half, which left no opportunity for either team to score. Particular congratulations must go to Ellie Shannon who was awarded with Best Player. After a position change, her confidence improved and she was a very positive and influential player.
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England Semi-finals at Pocklington. The remainder of the season was disappointing but a combination of hard work and the time spent playing against the Year above meant that they developed a more competitive edge. As the season progressed so did their skill level and understanding. I have no doubt that they will continue to evolve and hopefully will become increasingly strong and consistent over the next couple of seasons.
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Team from: S McEwan, S Graystone, S Robertson, C Harrison, L Dickinson, C Martin, D Oliver, A Morrill, S Jones, A Everall, C Laverick, M Forsyth, A Pearce, H Booth, E Bowen, E Gedye. P –
W –
D –
Results: Pocklington (Home) Yarm (Away) Austin Friars (Away) St Peter's (Home) Durham School (Away) Widemere (Away) County Cup Sedbergh (home) Hymers (Home) Giggleswick (Home) Queen Margarets Ampleforth (Away)
L –
GF –
GA –
GD –
L 0–2 L 0-1 W 1-0 L 0–4 D 1- 1 W 3–1 Winners L 1-8 L 0-2 L 2-0 Cancelled L 0-2
This has been a very mixed season for the U14 Hockey team. The first matches are always difficult as the girls make the transition from 7-a-side on half a pitch to 11-aside on a full pitch. It takes time to adapt and get used to dimensions and dynamics. Pocklington always prove a challenge and it was a very close game to start. Pocklington proved to be stronger in front of goal and went on to win. Yarm was a very close game indeed and the result could have gone either way. Missed opportunities in front of goal proved our downfall and unfortunately the result went against us too. It was really good then to travel over to Austin Friars – a place that none of us had been to before. Again it was a very close game – end-to-end with the team playing together and passing more accurately and with greater confidence. Defensively we became more organised, and the result reflected a good match. The game against St Peter’s was disappointing but their strength and depth meant they dominated the game; that said, there were some moments where the defence were outstanding, particularly Sarah in goal. The games against Durham and then Windermere really saw the team getting into full-swing. Mature, positive and accurate passes, linking between forwards, mid-field and defence were evident during the match, and there were some excellent performances by all, especially the influence of Maddy Forsyth in midfield. It was pleasing to see all the girls step-up their game. It came as no surprise then that they went on to win the County tournament, which saw them go through to North East of
Team from: E Gedye, H Booth, E Bowen, A Richardson, J Osborne, I Pentland, A Pearse, C Grey-Thompson, F West, A Harris, E Forsyth, R Hargrove, D Currah, J Powell, C Hanmer, G Rhodes P 7
W 5
D 1
L 1
GF 26
Results: Pocklington School St Martin's Ampleforth Durham School Yarm School Durham School Hymers College Austin Friars St Monica's School
GA 12
L W W W D W W
GD 14
0-3 7-1 4-3 5-4 0-0 3-0 7-1
It was an excellent season for the U13A team who managed to become quite prolific in front of goal. The formation of the team developed over the course of the season with the aim of utilising as many forwardthinking players as possible, allowing the team to dominate the opposition’s defensive line. The girls worked tirelessly to make the system work and their reward was some spectacularly high-scoring games. There was strength and depth in the squad and it was difficult to pick the team with so many strong B players also working hard during training to establish their position in the As. The girls have formed a solid team spirit and should make for an impressive 11-a-side team in Year 9. Well done to all the girls involved and keep working hard. AMD
U13 B Team
Team from: A Harris, K-A Baxter, A Fox, E Forsyth, G Rhodes, J Powell, R Benett, D Currah, F West, C Grey-Thompson, C Hanmer, L Wilson, I Pentland, J Osborne, A Salkeld, E Ryan, R Hargrove
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P 5
W 4
D 0
L 1
GF 31
Results: Pocklington School St Martin's Ampleforth Yarm School Polam Hall School Austin Friars St Monica's School
GA 6
L W W W W
GD 25
0-3 7-2 6-1 7-0 11-0
The U13B team were magnificently strong in both their level of ability and skilfulness. There were many competent individuals who managed to impress and received call-ups to the A squad on several occasions. This shows what an impressive year it was for girls’ hockey and makes the hockey future look bright. Except for the loss at the beginning of the season, the girls went on to gain back-to-back victories where scoring 6 goals was considered their lowest-scoring game. 31 goals scored in total is very good and this success is off the back of adopting a similar system to the A squad, which is not only an impressive achievement to play such forward-thinking hockey, but means that all the girls in both squads have been training to a single system of play that meant movement between the squads was made easier as the girls knew the individual job roles required to make success from the bold formation. Well done to all the girls involved this year, it has been a successful and enjoyable season.
lead in the first half but Hymers had plenty of chances and credit must be given to our defence for making important tackles, putting their opponents under significant pressure. The team worked well together, showing accurate passing and good use of the width in attack, but a lapse in concentration saw Hymers equalise just minutes before the final whistle. A draw was probably a fair result for a super game and I admired the effort of the whole team who came off the pitch completely drenched; they had certainly battled through the Humberside elements. This team has shown much potential - if they continue to work hard and learn quickly they will make further improvements next year. The Best Player award went to Kitty Barker and whilst all of the players have made great improvements to their hockey skills, Most Improved was given to Maisie Lickrish.
W 4
D 1
L 6
GF –
Results: Pocklington School The Chorister School Richmond School Durham School Yarm School Mowden Hall School County Cup Durham School Hymers College Austin Friars St Monica's School Giggleswick School St Olave's School, York Queen Mary's School
GA –
GD –
L W W L L L
0-8 3-0 3-0 3-5 1-4 0-5 3rd L 0-2 D 1-1 W 8-1 W 3-2 L 5-12 Cancelled
It has been a mixed season in terms of results but I can honestly say that all players have made significant improvements to their stick skills and knowledge of the game. The squad have worked very hard and always been enthusiastic and committed to both training and matches. The team comprised competitive and determined players who are keen to be successful and eager to learn. The best match of the season was away against Hymers. Both teams were very evenly matched and the standard of hockey on display was exceptional, especially given the horrible weather conditions. We took an early
1st XV
Captain: S. Leeming Team from: S. Adamson, T. Adamson, K. Atkinson, H. Barkes, J. Beckwith, I Brace, A. Carnell, J. Clouston, J. Davidson, Z. Day, C. Fawcett, J. Galloway, T. Gardiner, H. Glover, R. Hall-Beasley, J. Hedley, D. Hewitson, T. Hunter, J. Jennings, E. Kelsall, B. Lilley, J. Marston, T. Marston, T. Metcalfe, J. Pickering, J. Preston, G. Shepherd, C. Simpson, S. Theakston, N. White, C. Waiter-Mackenzie.
P 9
P 11
Rugby
U12 B Team
Team from: M Saunders, E R Rowlandson, J Richards, G Walton, L Webster, H Franklan, E Brenkley, E Kelly, E Tweddle, I Oates
Team from: K. Barker, K. Baxter, H. Frankland, E. Kelly, M. Lickrish, C. McKnight, A. Oates, N. Robinson, E. Rowlandson, M. Saunders, H. Warren.
FC
TCB
AMD
U12 A Team
Many thanks to all the girls for their efforts this term, they have all really improved and I look forward to seeing them develop in future years.
W 2
D 2
Results: Pocklington Durham Choristers Yarm Mowden Hall Polam Hymers Carmel Austin Friars St Olave’s
L 5
GF 14
GA 21
L L L L W D D W L
GD -7
0-3 0-8 0-1 1-0 3-1 1-1 2-2 7-1 1-3
The girls have made great progress this season. Our first opposition of the season was a strong and well-organised Pocklington team which meant we faced a steep learning curve, but it was a challenge the girls met in the second half and a good learning experience. Our matches against Durham Choristers and Yarm were both tough matches but the girls dug deep and remained positive. Our match against Mowden Hall was our first and only match on grass. The girls worked really hard on what was a difficult surface for them and defended really well; if had not been for the surface I am sure the result would have been very different. The match against Polam saw a turn in fortunes due to the fact that we played with greater organisation and started to move the ball around the pitch more. This was a great confidence boost for the girls. We had a great matches against Hymers and Carmel, and the girls’ newgained confidence really showed though in end to end game matches. Both teams were every evenly matched and draws were the right results. With confidence rising they played really well against Austin Friars and were convincing winners. The final match of the term against St Olave’s was a really close match with several attempts on goal narrowly missing the target. The two sides were evenly matched but St Olave’s just had the edge over them in terms of accuracy on goal.
P 14
W 10
D 1
L 3
GF 396
Results: Durham Yarm RGS Pocklington Hymers St. Peters QEGS Wakefield Sedbergh Ashville Dame Allan’s
GA 158
GD 238
W W L W W D W L W W
23-0 34-27 7-15 32-6 22-0 7-7 24-16 17-33 47-0 66-0
NatWest Champions Trophy Results: RGS Lancaster W Reading Blue Coat W Marlborough College W GSAL L
49-14 42-0 12-11 15-29
Leading Points Scorers: Tries Cons 1 S Leeming 4 26 2 E Kelsall 7 – 3 J Beckwith 6 – 4 J Jennings 6 – 5 H Barkes 5 – 6 J Hedley 5 –
Total 111 35 30 30 25 25
Pens 13 – – – – –
DG – – – – – –
Twenty-three different players started for the 1st XV this season with a further nine gaining playing opportunities by coming on as a replacement. Seventeen of the squad will return next season; therefore, it is hoped that the experience they have gained this year will aid them next season– this all sounds very familiar, however; similar statements were made last season. There is a high expectation that the level of performance is what the players can be judged on, not just results. There were some good performances this season but with more maturity next year a more consistent high level of performance will be expected. This was Sam Leeming’s third season as a 1st XV player, starting for the school on 34 occasions plus four times whilst on tour in South Africa in 2013; a phenomenal achievement. His dedication and tireless
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practice has resulted in his huge development as a player, and he guided the team with a sense of calmness and authority this season. He was fully supported by Jack Beckwith every step of the way, and even with an enforced lay-off with injury, Jack was able to exert his influence on this squad. It was perhaps fitting that Sam was voted as the Players’ Player of the Year and received the Foster Award. He contributed 111 points this season. Particular highlights of the season was the resounding victory over Durham, the excitement of playing Yarm at Darlington Mowden Park stadium, the spirited performance in the second half of the semi-final against GSAL in the inaugural Champions Trophy competition, the 65m try scored by James Davidson v RGS Lancaster and the thoroughly convincing win against the undefeated Hymers team that visited Barney. It was also very pleasing to aggregate over 100 points in the last two matches without conceding, with twenty-five players being involved in those games. Perhaps disappointments included the result at GSAL, the fact that we had a real chance to beat an ordinary, on the day, Sedbergh team and a poor performance in dreadful conditions at St Peter’s. Competition for places was fierce all season. No player had the given right to a starting place; each week it had to be earned. The unseen work on the training field was a significant factor and was testament to all the senior rugby players of how hard they pushed each other on the pitch and in their own time. The results of the 2nd XV support this; a strong 2nd XV invariably produces a good 1st XV. The U6th were able to provide the confidence and guidance to the aspiring younger players. Ethan Kelsall was top try scorer and was constantly organising the back line both in attack and defence. He also did well representing the North of England Independent Lambs. Kieran Atkinson provided great presence on the field; defences found it hard to handle his power and pace (over short distances). James Davidson has been a stalwart in the pack for the last two seasons. His ability to beat opponents proved to be an effective weapon for us this year. Callum Fawcett proved to be an outstanding back row forward this season. His ability on the ground and securing possession was a real attribute for the team. His partnership with James Jennings was a vital cog in our wheel; teams didn’t like playing against us. Duncan Hewitson, Tom Marston, Cameron Waiter-Mckenzie, Ben Lilley and Tom Adamson were invaluable members of the squad. Duncan was fast and powerful and was always difficult to tackle. Players in the Lower 6th like Sam Adamson, Harvey Barkes, Tom Metcalfe and James Jennings have gained invaluable experience by starting in all fourteen matches which does provide real optimism for next season. Callum Simpson developed well as the season progressed and Rowan Hall-Beasley made a fantastic contribution in his first term at the school. Tom Gardiner and James Galloway have also shown that they are great additions to the school. By the end of the season even Mr Everall agreed that the development of Year 11 pupils John Clouston and Isaac Brace was best served in the 1st XV and they not only deserved their starting spots most weeks but made huge contributions throughout the season also. Congratulations should also go to all the boys that played any form of representative rugby; on top of their school and academic commitments it shows great dedication and sacrifice. It was fantastic to see our players represent County Durham for their undefeated season; Jamie Preston, Harvey Barkes, James Jennings, Rowan Hall-Beasley and Jack Hedley. Extra congratulations should go to Jack Hedley and Callum Fawcett (who represented Cumbria), for being selected for the North of England U18 trial; unfortunately Callum had to withdraw through injury but Jack was selected. Isaac Brace lived up to his growing reputation by being selected for the North of England U16 squad. Ethan Kelsall was also selected for the North of England U18 Independent Schools’ Lambs. The continued work Mr Woodward has done this term on the fitness and general conditioning of the players’ demands recognition. His work on technical
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aspects in the gym added to running/speed sessions have been well received by the players and I am aware of how they have benefitted individually and collectively, even though I am still not convinced they use his expertise fully. Mr McTurk has also quietly had an increasingly very positive influence on the squad. MTP Representative Honours: U18 County Schools: R. Hall-Beasley, J. Jennings, H. Barkes, J. Preston, E. Kelsall, J. Hedley, C. Fawcett (Cumbria) U18 North of England: J. Hedley Newcastle Falcons Academy: J. Beckwith, S. Leeming, J. Preston, J. Jennings, I Brace, Z. Day, J. Pickering. North of England U18 Independent Schools Lambs: E. Kelsall
2nd XV
Captain: Tom Adamson Team from: G Shepherd , J Scott, N White, T Adamson, B Lilley, T Hunter, T Gardiner, T Marston(VC), J Marston, J Hetherington, J Webster, J Galloway, C WaiterMackenzie, S Theakston, A Carnell, T Stirke, N Moore, P von Poser-Gross Naedlitz, R Holden, W Peart-Bentham. P X
W X
D X
L X
Results: Durham Yarm RGS Pocklington Hymers Sedbergh St Peter’s QEGS Wakefiled QEGS Penrith(1st team) Ashville College QE 6th.Form College(1st team)
GF X
GA X
W W W W W L W W W W W
on to greater endeavour we put a good St Peter’s side behind us (20-10) before sorting out QEGS Wakefield (24-14) on their home turf and moving on to QEGS Penrith for a narrow victory. Ashville college (62-0) provided a carnival flourish to our penultimate game and led us to Darlington for a 6th Form College (7-5) match to round off our season. With so many of the players knowing each other and with the pre-season training night session leaving us smarting over having only scored one try compared to their five, we set about a proper match with great resolve and narrowly clinched a victory. All in all we scored 274 points for and conceded less than half this at 122. All the squad looked back on their progress and realised how far they had come together and how well earned the results and progress had been. Those outside the School might treat second team rugby lightly but we did not and the smiles on the faces of the end of season photograph were very, very broad, not least from the brothers Marston who finished their School matches together with the win over QE, while Mum cheered loudly.
GB
3rd XV
GD X
56-0 55-5 24-17 34-0 21-0 17-52 20-10 24-14 5-0 62-0 7-5
Any season starting with a more than fifty-point winning margin against Durham School (56-0) would, clearly, seem to have got off on the front foot! Happily it did, and we were. Going on to average more than twice our opponents tally of points it was a good season to look back on. Having put our local rivals to one side we were able to reproduce our form against Yarm (55-5), RGS Newcastle (24-17) and Pocklington (34-0) before beating Hymers (21-0) and hosting Sedbergh. In a cracking match, which we led at half term, we ran out of steam in the last quarter and lost by eight tries to three. By now a solid platform up front was consistently providing a lot of good ball and our three quarter play frequently produced a good many line breaks. Hymers wanted to know how it was we always seemed to produce such good three quarters and someone on the forwards bench offered the suggestion that they were given a lot of ball! With our catch and drive line out and pace in the outside channel we were proving a handful for everyone and, led by our Tomahawk missiles of Tom Marston, Tom Adamson, Tom Hunter and Tom Gardiner, we were dominating the heavy contacts and short carries. Spurred
Captain: J Picken Team from: E Young, S Siu, S Stainthorp, B Edwards, T Sowerby, D Gromov, A Rusk, K Lowes, N Moore, M Stirke, M Raper, J Scott, J Bolton, T Stirke, T Metcalf, J Ellis, C Douglas, J Webster, O Larcombe, D Brown, C Lewis, P von Poser, A Keogh P 5
W 2
Results: Yarm School RGS, Newcastle Sedbergh St Peter’s QEGS, Penrith
D 1
L 2
GF 62
GA 51
GD 11
W 17-15 L 7-12 match abandoned L 0-19 W 38-5
This was a really enjoyable season. We got off to a fine start with a narrow win against a strengthened Yarm School side, although the margin of victory was close because of a last-minute consolation try for our opposition. Some strong running from our talented back line and heavy work up front from the forwards was clearly going to be the pattern for this term. Our next game, against RGS Newcastle, was also a close-run thing, although we were to come second on this occasion. We came out of the traps with real intensity and dominated the early part of the game, without putting points on the board. Two breakaway tries and some weak tackling (the only time this season when we took our eye
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off the ball) meant that we were chasing the game in the second half and, despite a furious last ten minutes camped on the RGS line, we couldn’t quite bring ourselves level. However, this was a huge improvement from last year when we suffered a heavy defeat in Newcastle. Sadly, our game against Sedbergh had to be abandoned after 20 minutes, owing to a nasty injury to one of the Sedbergh boys, so our next full game was against St Peter’s, York. In foul conditions, we competed with tremendous effort but couldn’t cross their line, losing by three tries. Our final game of the season was a comfortable win against QEGS, Penrith (and I am hugely grateful to three of our reserves – Connor Lewis, Dima Gromov and Philipp von Poser – who played for the opposition as they were short on numbers). Olly Larcombe, playing his last game of rugby for the School, picked up a brace of tries. My thanks go to Josh Picken who was an excellent captain of a group of boys who really enjoyed their rugby this year and to all of the boys who trained and played with a smile on their faces. That’s the 3rd XV way. DSG
U16 A Team
Captain: J. Pickering/M. Moss Team from: N. Bridger, E. Butler, W. Carter, J. Clouston, Z. Day, J. Dickinson, B. Edwards, T. Greaves, E. Hamilton, G. Johnstone, C. Lewis, I. Ng, J. Raw, A. Reynard, J. Rogers, S. Siu, L. Taylor, H. Thompson, A. Usher P 9
W 6
D 0
Results: Durham School Yarm School RGS Newcastle Pocklington School Hymers College Sedbergh School QEGS, Wakefield Bedale HS Dame Allans School
L 3
GF 259
GA 296
W W L L W L W W W
GD -37
19-5 52-12 7-73 0-59 50-12 10-64 18-12 53-12 31-17
Representative Honours: County Durham: Brace, Bridger, Clouston, Day and Pickering Tri-Counties: Brace, Day and Pickering The team assembled for a pre-season training session the day before term started. Joe Pickering was elected captain but his season for the School was interrupted by injury and his absence for over half the games was a real blow for the side. Also absent from the side were two other talented players in the shape of Isaac Brace and John Clouston, who both played a full season for the 1st XV. The opening game against Durham saw a battling display that managed to secure a win. A much easier match followed against Yarm. The next two matches stretched the squad’s resources to breaking point, as due to injury and absence the side was very much depleted and two “hidings” were dished out by RGS and Pocklington. The last game of the first half of term against Hymers saw the side back to almost a full complement of players and so it returned to winning ways.
After half term the match against Sedbergh was well fought but a sound defeat was recorded nonetheless. Pleasing to report, the last three games were all won with the game against QEGS providing the best performance of the season. This set the standard and the last two games, whilst not quite matching the same commitment, still brought about solid performances that saw two further victories. As can be seen by the ‘for and against’ statistics, the side could be guilty of leaking too many points. Changes in personnel did not help but tackling was something of a frailty. That said when the side was at full strength it could compete with most sides. The forwards developed well with props Ivan Ng and Nathan Bridger very much to the fore. Henry Thompson completed the front row and his hooking skills were accurate and consistent. Ben Edwards and Samson Siu provided plenty of bulk and power, whilst the back row members of Ewan Hamilton, Andrew Usher, Jack Dickinson and George Johnstone all worked hard. Tom Greaves also deserves mention as he progressed well throughout the season and fitted into a variety of positions. The three-quarters suffered most with injury and the half-backs were hardly ever the same pairing. Matthew Moss, who filled in well as captain, performed sensibly and when Ayden Reynard and Zak Day were paired as centres, the attacking threat was considerable. Zak was easily the leading try scorer and Ayden, with his reliable kicking, the leading points’ scorer. The back three of Jack Rogers, Ed Butler, Lee Taylor and Connor Lewis all had their moments and perhaps the person who progressed the most during the term was Josh Raw, who showed great versatility and commitment wherever he played. Throughout the season plenty of opportunities have arisen for previously B team players to make their mark. The players are to be congratulated for their hard work and commitment and my thanks go to the loyal band of parents, who supported, as well as Mr Woodward for taking the team on one occasion. DCSE
U16 B Team
team win a convincing victory. It was clear at this point that fitness and a small squad to pick from would be a problem during the season. However, the hard work and motivation of the team with new boys including Angus Farr and Dan Burnett helped bolster the squad. The next fixture was against Pocklington and the team was again suffering from low numbers, but Kieran Lowes and Connor Lewis ensured there were points scored against a robust Pocklington team. The best match of the season was a home game against Hymers where the much improved Jamie Stevens and the ball handling skills of Tom Matthews ensured success with tries scored from Kieran Lowes, Dan Burnett and Alfred Tsoi. The final game of the season was against QEGS Wakefield. The first half was a good battle between two packs and John Chui showed some credible rucking and turnovers. The second half was a different game altogether and the commitment by Cammy Glover and Tom Wilkinson tackling was a credit to watch. NJC
U15 A Team
Captain: J Adamson Team from: J Spratt, H Monkhouse, T Leeming, S Marshall, C Young, T Terrill Edwards, A Swainston, M Chapman, W, Swinbank, J Adamson, M Hanmer, O Theakston, T Harris, R Kelsall, J Hudson, T Lush, P Iraculis, M Price, B Johnson, M Brookes, J Rowlandson, A Pearson, F Lockwood, M Pepper P 13
Captain: K Lowes Team from: A Tankard, A Rusk, A Booth, L Leung, J Stevens, J Chui, T Matthews, K Lowes, C Lewis, T Carter, D Burnett, C Glover, W Carter, A Tsoi, T Wilkinson, A Farr P –
W –
Results: QEGS Wakefield St Peters Hymers Pocklington RGS Newcastle Yarm Durham
D –
L –
GF –
GA –
GD –
L 38-22 L 21-32 W 32-7 L 45-7 Cancelled W 15-17 Cancelled
The season’s fixtures commenced against Yarm after Durham School cancelled the game. The boys were up for the match and had been out early in the season preparing for this fixture. The skills of the well-drilled front row of Alex Tankard, Aiden Rusk and Alex Booth, and the magnificent determination of Liam Leung, helped the
W 7
D 0
Results: Durham Yarm RGS Newcastle Pocklington Hymers Ripon Grammar (cup) Sedburgh Eaglescliffe (cup) St Peter’s Dame Allen’s (cup) QEGS Ashville GSAL (cup)
L 6
GF 308
GA 335
L W L W W W L W L W L W L
GD -27
0-67 60-14 15-31 36-33 17-10 29-5 0-57 51-19 0-27 38-12 0-41 52-5 10-14
On the wrong side of a cricket score in our first match of the season, I couldn’t help but think the team had a long way to go to compete with the likes of Durham School. However, as Christmas neared and a place in the later stages of the NatWest Cup loomed, that first match against Durham seemed like a distant memory. Some good work on defence clearly paid off, with opposition teams finding it difficult to break the Barney line. This was particularly true in the centres where the partnership of Price and Johnson proved a formidable force. In contrast, the fly-half position was less fixed; Kelsall the playmaker at the start of the season, ruled himself out after being on the receiving end of a Stone Cold Stunner from brother Ethan. Latterly he has found his feet at full-back. The nod was given to Hudson, who came off the wing, making the fly-half position his own.
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Theakston at scrum-half could always be seen badgering around like a ferret and providing useful ball for the backs. When given the chance to run with ball in hand, the back line scored some impressive team tries. As the season progressed and performances improved, the team spirit was clear for all to see. It was often when the chips were down that the boys played as a unit and produced some very pleasing rugby. Games against St Peter’s and QEGS, although both losses, showed the pride they had in playing for one another. The front row were in my mind the unsung heroes of the team, doing all the graft and getting few accolades. Behind them, Young and Terrill-Edwards improved vastly throughout the season, thoroughly deserving of ‘MVP’ awards in certain games. Swinbank’s ability to steal the ball at breakdowns was proving useful, his inability to understand the off-side law less so. Hanmer, a strong runner, combined very well with captain Adamson, who as the player of the season gave all, both in matches and on the training ground. An average of over 3 tries a match for a flanker will take some beating. The lads improved considerably over the course of the term and I look forward to seeing them progress further next season. JRW
U15 B Team
Team from: J Rowlandson (C), R Gardner, A Pearson, A Gedye, H Shepherd, W Body, T Harris, C Carnal, T Lush, S Walton, D Russell, J Hargrove, M Hannar, R Yau, O Dunn, O Pollock, J Thomas, J Butterfield, A Swainston, M Chapman, M Gooyal, J Barker, M Liu, F Jordan, E Lee. It was a pleasure coaching this group of players once again this year, having been with them last season. It was clear that the whole squad had great potential and this was realised as this season progressed. Taking a side for two consecutive years gives a coach an opportunity to assess the degree of development players are making. It was obvious that individually and collectively great strides had been made. Jack Rowlandson took most of the responsibilities as captain this season when not required by the As. Elsewhere, Conrad Carnal was the find of the season; surely a Spanish international in the making. It was always going to be season with two distinct halves. The early games against Yarm, Pocklington and Hymers all delivered victories and confidence for the harder games after half term. It was at this point that the development of this team can be measured. Previously, the games against St Peter’s, Sedbergh and QEGS Wakefield had been one sided with significant defeats. This was not the case this year. The game against a very good St Peter’s side was far more even. In terrible weather conditions the team competed all the way to the final whistle. The game against Sedbergh was far tighter this year and the score could easily have been closer. Initially, in the final game of the season, it looked as if the last match would be a disappointment. The second half produced the performance of the season with the side fighting back effectively. Despite losing, it demonstrated exactly how far this team had progressed. As ever, a particular strength of this squad has been the number of boys wanting to play; we could have put out a C team every weekend. I hope they all continue to play and enjoy their rugby as they move on to the senior sides. DWD
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J. Smith, E. Swinbank, R. Walgate, M. West, E. Williams, H. Williams, O. Wynn
U14 A Team
P 8
Captain: M Pepper Team from: J Dods, R Hardy, E Hall, O Richardson, G Spink, F Hewitson, F Lockwood, J Nichols, M Pepper, W Harwood, C Robinson, L McGee, J Metcalfe, C Pearson, C Simpson, M Brinton, L Rogulja-Hodge, C Metcalfe, T Newton P 13
W 2
D 0
L 11
GF 151
GA 498
GD -347
This season marked a great period of growth for a team maturing both physically and mentally. The boys came together in September confident and self-assured ready for the season ahead…or so they thought. The season began with our regular opener against Durham School, a fixture that we had won the previous season; it became clear that the Durham side was much changed as they tore us apart physically with an attritional style, winning the game 5-47. It started to dawn on our boys that we had much to do. As the season progressed the results did not improve, despite a huge effort on the training paddock. Much of our focus was directed toward functioning as a team; we needed to end the bickering and muck in to pull this around. Hard work and determination saw skills improve and we saw the true character of the team when facing adversity week in and week out. As the season rolled into October we began to make real progress with a side playing for their mates and working hard to ensure our performances improved even if the results did not. The team travelled to South Shields for a fixture at Harton School, desperate to convert potential into a win. A tremendous effort was put in from the squad and despite being physically outsized the boys managed to win 36-22. It has been a tough year, of this there is no denying; however what it has shown is that this set of boys can perform and can be competitive against some tremendously talented opposition. This has been a period of growth, not only in terms of individual skill and effort but as a team. I have seen a side mature and develop; they are not the finished article, but importantly they are much more aware of this themselves. The boys understand that they live and die by the effort they put in, by their will to succeed and improve. LDM
U14 B Team
Captain: T. Nicholson Team from: C. Berry, M. Brinton, E. Dodds, E. Hall, L. Jerrom, C. Lewis, C. Maguire, J. Metcalfe, C. Metcalfe, J. Nichols, T. Nicholson, C. Pearson, T. Rawdin, C. Richards, E. Roberts-Lilley, C. Simpson, S. Simpson,
W 5
D 0
L 3
GF –
GA –
GD –
The sheer number of players who represented this team is good evidence of the genuine desire the boys showed to represent the School. The unsettled nature of the A Team, however, also meant we often had changes to both teams. It was pleasing to see Tomas Nicholson fight his way into the first team, just rewards for his determination and skill. The whole team played with determination and followed the simple game plan we put in place. On occasions, we just lacked that bit of skill and organisation required to beat the better teams. I cannot mention every player, but special mentions do go to Jackson Smith, who was ever present, often as a substitute, and Louis Jerrom, for the incredible improvement he showed over the course of the season. BCU
U13 Team
Captain: L Peacock Team from: S Steer-Richards, A Coward, LWells, M Au, J Newell, D Williamson, B Powell, L Peacock, O Bale, F Usher, A Ali, E Rhodes, R Makepeace, T Robinson, R Langton, J Johnson, L Blackburn, O Greaves, A Petley, G Callaghan, B Ramm-Salisbury. P 16
W 2
D 0
Results: Cundall Manor School Yarm School St Martin’s Ampleforth Aysgarth School RGS Newcastle Terrington Hall School The Chorister School Pocklington School Mowden Hall School Hymers College St Olave’s, York Sedbergh School QEGS Wakefield Rodillian School Ashville College Dame Allan’s School
L 14
GF 199
GA 510
L W L L L L L L W L L L L L L L
GD -311
5-42 36-17 19-27 0-22 0-46 0-36 24-26 12-31 12-7 19-24 7-45 12-34 7-48 17-45 5-27 17-33
If I were asked to summarise the 2014 season for the U13As in only two words it would be as follows maddeningly inconsistent. There were poor overall performances against Terrington Hall (L 0-36) and St Olave’s (L 7-45); there were good performances and wins against Yarm (36-17) and Mowden Hall (12-7); there were games we could and should have won (Pocklington School L 12-31; Hymers L 19-24; Dame Allan’s L: 17-33). Indeed if our season were to be summed up in one game it would be our final game against Dame Allan’s. Despite dominating possession and territory for 95% of the game, scoring 3 well-worked tries, 4 missed tackles from us allowed them 4 easy tries and a trip back up the A1 with a 33-17 victory against us. We often showed great promise
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in attack and often tackled very well for the majority of our games, but mental and physical lapses over small periods proved to be our major downfall. Playing at Barney means a tough schedule of games, but even against RGS Newcastle, Sedbergh and QEGS we continued to play hard even when the score line was lopsided. Nowhere is this more evident than the game against Sedbergh, with their big ball carrying Fijian no.8 (who is bigger than many of the Barney 1st XV back row) stunned at the intensity with which our defenders came at him. Going into half time we were 10-7 down and had the momentum going into the second half with Sedbergh shell-shocked at our performance. But the intensity eventually gave way to exhaustion, and Sedbergh ran in a few well worked tries. Had we taken this intensity and effort into all of our games for 100% of each game, our performances and results would be very different. A swift glance at the results for the U13As 2014 season implies a tough season for the players (and parents and coaches), yet results are not able to indicate the vast improvement of all the players over the season’s entirety. Archie Coward has found a new home as hooker from second row, though he spent the majority of the season in an offside position. Lewis Wells has been able to play both props and second row and do them both well, while James Newell was a beacon of consistency throughout the season. Finn Usher took well to playing fly half in the last half of the season and struck a great partnership with Ed Rhodes in the centres. Olly Bale has shown great promise as a scrum half, often picking from the base of rucks and mauls and dummying half of the opposition. Reggie Langton played four positions over the course of the season (9, 10, 14, 15) but his game knowledge, acceleration, agility and ability to duck underneath would-be tacklers was a great asset no matter where he played. When it came down to it, though, the player of the season was between captain Louis Peacock and prop Sam Steer-Richards. Both were equally adept at running with the ball, tackling and stealing the ball on the floor, but Sam snuck it for his game-breaking runs and the ability to convert his own tries! Overall the team has shown great promise and I am greatly looking forward to working with them next year as U14s. AT
U12 A Team
Team from: J Gibbons, J Johnstone, J Newnam, J Roff, W Hunter, O Schaible, R Harries, J Baker, G Pepper, M Osbourne, J McNickle, E Lockwood, A Thompson, S Harris, C Pinkney, O Jacques, J Clamp, H Jones, T Dalton, J Goldberg, A Davison, J Bray
P 17
W 14
D 1
L 3
GF 281
GA 82
GD 199
Results: Cundall Manor Yarm St Martins Aysgarth RGS Newcastle Pocklington St Olaves QEGS Wakefield Ashville Dame Allans
W W W W W W L L W W
28-7 28-0 29-0 20-0 20-5 19-7 5-22 5-12 22-0 29-12
Tait 10s: Austin Friars Giggleswick Casterton Woodhouse Grove NSB QEGS Wakefield
W W W W D L
22-0 32-0 12-0 5-0 0-0 5-17
The U12A team have had a busy and successful season, ably captained by Guy Pepper. Throughout the season the boys have worked hard to improve their game play and have bonded well as a team. The season started with the boys having the opportunity to play in a triangular tournament in the Northern Echo Arena as a curtain raiser for the 1st XV game against Yarm. The team set the scene for the season by scoring freely against both Yarm and Cundall Manor, scoring 8 tries with only 1 conceded. This was followed by a wins against St Martins and Aysgarth before we faced the traditionally strong RGS Newcastle and Pocklington sides. Both the RGS and Pocklington games proved to be hard-fought affairs with the games being close at half time. However in both instances BCS came out re-energised in the 2nd half and pulled away to win. These games were followed by the annual Tait 10’s competition. The boys dominated their group winning all their matches scoring 66 unanswered points. After winning our group, we were placed into the Tait Cup competition against 3 strong teams, none of whom we had played at XVs this season. Our first match was against a strong Woodhouse Grove side that tested the boys physically. After a tense 2 halves Ed Lockwood ran in a try in the very last play of the game to secure a win by 5-0. Our second game was against a strong NSB side; with both sides evenly matched the game remained deadlocked and at fulltime the score was 0-0. With a win and draw our final opponents in the Tait Cup were QEGs Wakefield who had secured 2 wins. With the winners of this game winning the Tait cup it was a tense affair. QEGs took the initiative with an early try and conversion but Ed Lockwood pulled back a try to make the scores 5-7 at half time. Still with it all to play for QEGs scored 2 more tries in their second half to win the match and the Tait Cup. Oscar Jacques was voted as player’s player of the tournament and Jacob Newnam the Coaches Player of the tournament. This early season form was soon to be tested by what were undoubtedly going to be our 2 toughest opponents of the season. First up was a match against
an organised and highly motivated side, finishing with a 5-22 win to St Olaves. The QEGS game was, by far, the U12s best performance of the season. The game was hard fought from the off with both sides relentless in attack and defence. This showed in the pressure we applied to the QEGS attack and also in the only try of the first half scored by Guy Pepper from a driving maul. At half time spirits were high and the boys were ready to play with the intensity of the first half however QEGS scored a try early on and, after another fine second half display from BCS, a draw looked likely. However with the last play of the game QEGS got close to our try line and despite valiant defence forced the ball over to score the winning try. What turned out to be our final 2 games of the season, as the inclement weather forced the postponement of the final game against Durham School, proved to be scrappy but ultimately BCS came out on top in both. The Ashville game was played on a very muddy, well used pitch which had fallen victim to some heavy rain showers the previous week. Leading 10-0 at halftime BCS were immediately put under a period of sustained pressure in their own 22 in the second half. It is pleasing to see how the U12s have developed this year both as individuals and as a team. We have had new players join the squad and tried some players in different positions. Guy Pepper has led from the front with his commitment and the boys have formed a cohesive unit which is capable of continuing its development through the years. In light of his leadership, his commitment and ability as a rugby player, Guy is awarded Player of the Season. Most improved player of the season is awarded to Oliver Schaible who has worked hard throughout the year to develop his skills and game awareness. AW
U12 B Team Team from: J Baker, K Bleasby, J Bray, J Clamp, T Dalton, A Davison, J Gilliam, R Harris, J Hutchinson, H Jones, G Palombella, J Vernon, J Turner, J Goldberg P 2
W 0
D 1
L 1
GF 17
GA 41
GD -24
The U12Bs were limited to just 2 fixtures this year, against Pocklington and Hymers. This was an opportunity for those players who might not necessarily get a game for the A team to play competitive rugby. They managed a creditable draw against Pocklington but were then beaten way at Hymers School. Some of these boys have since forced their way into reckoning for the A team. One of those is Rob Harris, who is developing into a solid player and is awarded Player of the Season for the B Team. The other is James Goldberg, whose strength and straight running have seen him develop throughout the season and he is awarded Most Improved Player of the season for the B Team. AW
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Our House
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Our House features the music of Madness, a favourite amongst many of a certain age, including myself. As such, it was no surprise that the show once again sold out – this time for a run of five performances. The story follows Joe Casey from the night of his 16th birthday, when a foolish mistake leads his life to split in two – we see ‘Good Joe’ hand himself in to the police, only for his life to go downhill following the courts’ decision to make an example of him, and ‘Bad Joe’, who evades the police but who, following a minor blip in his relationship, seems to have it all.
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In the lead role of Joe Casey, Jamie Preston was incredible, rising to the challenge of playing both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Joe. Using symbolic staging – which surprisingly needed explaining to some members of the audience – we were able to jump between the two parallel worlds, with the white door and tracksuit symbolising Good Joe’s purity and honesty, and the black representing the negative connotations. As Sarah, Joe’s on-off girlfriend in both worlds, Chloe Thompson was superb, giving heart-felt renditions of a new song written by Madness exclusively for the stage show. As his mum, Kerin Borer once again proved her worth, desperate to hold on to her son but tragically watching him slip away. As their mates, Arran Keogh and Sam Theakston played Emmo and Lewis respectively, Joe’s two nice-but-dim school friends. Opposite them were Jennifer Eckersley and Emily Cody as Sarah’s sassy, chavvy mates Billie and Angie, desperate to see their friend improve their lot. Tom Hunter – genuinely one of the nicest boys around – played the bad boy for the second year in a row, following up last year’s Kenickie in Grease with the role of Reecey, a scumbag who leads Good Joe astray and brings about Bad Joe’s final, Karmic downfall. From the chorus, a large number of students took named roles, some of whom had never appeared in a musical before – David Goldberg, Amy Morrill and Jasmine Hooper – all in their first year of being eligible for the musical – each took a number of characters. From Year 10, Rohan Kelsall showed he would soon be a force to be reckoned with onstage. From Year 11, Kieran Lewis – usually only comfortable in the straight plays – stepped up to perform a number of minor roles as well as joining the chorus, along with Jarlath Hetherington of Lower Sixth, who joined the chorus late in the rehearsal process yet ended up taking on pivotal roles. From Upper Sixth, Ben Pullan – fresh from his leading role in Journey’s End – stepped out of his comfort zone for a number of minor roles, and finally Olly Larcombe – a staple member of the cast when there has been minute roles involving very few lines – played the body double for Jamie in some of the very fast changes.
Once again, it was my tremendous honour to join the students on stage – the sheer number of parts and quick changes meant that it was impossible to cast the role of the Dad, a former small-time criminal who oversees both Good and Bad stories from an ethereal position above the action, and as such Alan Owens, our Musical Director, twisted my arm – not that it required much twisting. As always, the technical elements of the show were managed exclusively by the students, with Oliver Morrill stepping up into a more senior role within the Tech Crew. Under the guidance of Mr Butler, to whom I am always indebted for his assistance, the crew were superb. My thanks go to Mr Butler and Mr Oakley for their tech and set support, the Maintenance Department for their building of the set, Mr Owens for guiding the students and the band, and Mr Mawhinney, Dr Butterfield and Sam Farquhar for their time during the rehearsal periods. The show was an enormous success and one which I am very proud of. TSE
Arts Awards were awarded to the following: Half Colours for Dramatic Excellence: Sam Theakston, Jennifer Eckersley, Emily Cody, Tom Hunter, Ben Pullan, Pip Maw, Elle Everall, Olly Larcombe, Alice Jackson and Pip Naseby Arts Awards for Dramatic Excellence: Jamie Preston Half Colours for Technical Excellence: Nick Moore Full Colours for Technical Excellence: Tristan Hobson
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Library World Book Day Thursday 5th March was World Book Day. Thousands of children, teachers and librarians around the globe celebrated it. To mark the day, our very own librarian, Mrs Shovlin came up with two genius competitions. They both had something to do with ‘shelfies.’ This of course, is a pun on the word selfie. So, the first competition involved not taking a picture of ourselves, but of our shelf of books. The best entry was from Niamh Robinson in Year 7, Marwood. The runners up were Genevieve Myhan; Victoria Simpson; Matthew Forster and myself. The second competition involved quite a lot of guessing. Mrs Shovlin asked the teachers for their own shelfies, from home. Her idea was to get pupils to match the shelfie to the name of the teacher. The winner was Sarah Stephenson in U6th Bowes. The runners up were Anna Everall, Sarah Robertson and Daisy Oliver (entering as a team); Niamh Robinson; and Byron Ramm-Sailsbury. All winners and runners up were rewarded with an Easter egg. Evie Brenkley, Year 7, Bowes House
Poetry By Heart There is something magical about poetry, its ability to move you in those few short words can be truly powerful. As a teacher, seeing the look on students’ faces when the poetic meaning clicks into place makes teaching poetry immensely worthwhile. These are the reasons I was so excited to be holding Barnard Castle School’s first ever Poetry By Heart competition. On a cold winter’s afternoon in January, 26 students, their supporters and the honourable adjudicator, Miss Jackson, gathered in the chilly Chapel to recite poetry. The criterion had been vague: choose a poem you like (for whatever reason) and recite it by heart.
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As a result of the personal choice it was very difficult to decide who the winner was going to be until Wilhelm Emmrich stood and recited a German poem depicting the struggle between winter and spring. The intonation and clarity of recitation made this the clear winner and strongly demonstrated that it had been recited from the heart. However, there were many other strong recitations, including the choral offering from Tom and Will Carter with Matthew Vickers. Theirs was a more dramatic affair having been staged by the organ. But the presentation is only part of communicating a poem’s message and the afternoon demonstrated that, more often than not, only a poem can do the emotional heavy lifting. KSH
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Choir sing Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral The School’s Chapel and Chamber Choirs were thrilled and honoured when they were invited to sing Evensong at one of the most prestigious venues in London on Monday, 16th February. The forty-eight strong Choir led the regular evening worship in the Cathedral for over five hundred people. In addition to the set psalms and responses, the Choir sang a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Herbert Brewer, and an anthem by Joseph Haydn, Insanae et Vanae Curae. During their time in London, the Choir also sang Solemn Mass at the Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell. The Choir was accompanied on the organ by Keith Brown, former Assistant Director of Music at BCS and now Director of Music at the John Lyon School in Harrow. AMM
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Lectern Club The second Lectern Club of the year has sped around in no time, and on Wednesday night 40 teachers and students from the Sixth Form were once again gathered in the Dining Hall, wining (in moderation), dining, and being entertained and informed alike by another talented crop of speakers. The title was “Je Suis. Ich Bin. Yo Soy”, the dress code “Black Tie with an international twist” (special mention must go to Mr Jacobs’ Spanish flag bow tie), and the theme “Lectern Club Airways”- which was carried out to the tiniest detail, including plastic aeroplane trays, safety precautions and boarding passes. Luckily we were spared aeroplane cuisine and the kitchens treated us to delicious French onion soup, German sausage hotpot and Spanish churros and chocolate. This Lectern Club’s title was distinctly vague, but this by no means phased the speakers, and we heard a huge selection of topics ranging from defining yourself, scepticism over Putin, and our future personalities. In the short speech category the competition was fierce, but in the end Sam Theakston was given the prize for his impressive speech about how we are continuously defining our personality, shaped by the world around us. Close behind him in joint second place were Elle Everall and Harvey Barkes, both debut Lectern speakers. The long speech competition was also hotly contested, with ex-champion Kerin Borer being awarded second place for her eloquent speech “I am temporary”, and newcomer Wilhelm Emmrich stealing the show with his thoughtprovoking speech, focusing on how we are becoming more selfish as a result of advertising. Once again, the night was crammed full of interesting speeches, tough decisions and delicious food. Thanks must go to the kitchens for their inventive catering, Mr Fairwood for photography and Mrs Beaty’s help with organisation. Fiona Matthews, Upper Sixth, Marwood House
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Chinese New Year Chinese New Year at Barnard Castle School is the Chinese community’s largest and the most important annual festivity. Signifying the start of the new lunar calendar year, the Chinese community will hold celebrations and festivities for 15 days. It is customary to bring in the New Year by purchasing new clothing and getting a new and tidy haircut. It was a great pleasure for me to organise the Chinese New Year dinner at Barney this year. Although it was hard to organise! But, I was lucky to have many students from all Year groups helping me. We had a great start to the New Year and we taught some Chinese writing to staff and students in Central Hall before the grand banquet in the Dining Hall. Afterwards, we played some traditional Chinese games. Everyone enjoyed the night. I wish to thank the boarders and Mr. Connor for helping in the preparations for this special event. Ian Chan, Upper Sixth, York House
Top of the Bench (Chemistry) BCS has taken part in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Top of the Bench Competition every year for the last 7 years. We have previously taken part in the Teesside regional heats (being the nearest) and have been successful winning the heats twice. This year, due to an oversight by the RSC, we did not receive an invitation. As luck would have it, the Northumberland/ Tyne&Wear heat had not yet taken place when they realized and we were invited to take part in that. This was going to be every bit as challenging as the Teesside heats with the likes of Newcastle RGS, Newcastle Girls’ High and Dame Allan’s in opposition. The good news for us, however, was that BCS had probably one of our strongest teams for the 2014-2015 competition in Dan Roberts (Yr 11), James Terrill (Yr 10), Cameron Lewis and Adam Clamp (Yr 9).
We had previously managed 14th and 13th (out of 32 schools) in the finals and we were very hopeful of improving further this time around. Once again the team faced grueling theoretical a nd experimental challenges set by the RSC and, after a full day’s competition, the team finished a very creditable 7th place and only narrowly missed out on a top six prize. The team were accompanied by Dr McDermott who had spent a significant amount of time during the previous term preparing the boys for the event. IMB
The event took place at Newcastle University and involved a written quiz, practical work, observation round and a buzzer round to finish. During the competition the team was split up by age and had to carry out tasks on their own before being reunited in the latter stages. Between them they amassed a very impressive score of 185/200, winning by a margin of 15 points over second place. We were then invited to represent our adopted region of Tyne & Wear in the national finals at Loughbrough University in April. This was the 3rd time in 5 years that BCS had reached the national final.
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Italy Trip On 30th of March we woke up very early (3am) and departed to Rome. We flew on what seemed like a quick flight and were welcomed by the Italian sun. After leaving the hotel, we explored Rome. The architecture was breath-taking; it painted the picture of how the Roman Empire existed, still untouched for hundreds of years. On the second day we walked around ‘the eternal city’ to the ‘Via Sacra’ and the Colosseum. Later in the afternoon we also took a short train to Ostia; the ruins there were upheld well and the theatre was much larger than expected, although nowhere near as large as the Colosseum. Later in the week we ventured down to the Bay of Naples, the land where some of our Latin and Classics stories took place with the famous character Pliny. On the way there we went to Hadrian’s villa, where we saw many water features. Later we arrived at our new hotel to the welcome of Jesus, finding out that the hotel was deeply religious with pictures of Don Bosco (the phantom priest)
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in every room. There was also an underground floor in the hotel which turned out to be a basement church. This was also the place where many games of cards and a school quiz (put on by the teachers) took place. Later after driving past the ‘Spanish inquisition’, as pointed out by Adam Wanless and Matthew Hannar, we ended up in Sorrento where we retreated to each evening for the next few days. This was also the place where Jamie Stevens successfully managed to go on an impressive gelato crawl (without throwing up). On Friday we waited in Sorrento to watch the Good Friday procession. This included a band, Jesus on a cross and a harmonised choir dressed in black robes. Along with this we also visited several historic sites including the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius itself. Pompeii was much more intact than I ever expected it to be and the sheer size of Vesuvius was incredible. All in all it was a great trip that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Molly Nixon, Year 11, Bowes House
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On 30th March, the Classics department departed on their biennial trip. This time, our destination was Italy. We were all on the coach and ready to travel to the land of the fallen Roman Empire. When we arrived, we spent our first day on a long walk through the streets of Rome. We saw the River Tiber, and the Spanish Steps (where we had our first dose of amazing Italian ice cream). We also arrived at our first hotel, right in the centre of Rome and right next to a second (and equally yummy) ice cream shop. The second day was action packed; in the morning, we took a walk around the Roman forum and also saw the Arch of Titus. Following that, we went to the Colosseum, which felt like a battleground with the number of people there. In the afternoon, after some authentic Italian pizza, we took a train journey to Ostia, and looked at some of the key buildings of the former Roman sea-port. On day three, we took a coach journey to our second hotel, via Hadrian’s Villa, a breathtaking place with a water feature truly worthy of the gods. Our second hotel, near to Sorrento, was in an astonishing location halfway up a mountain – when we needed a police escort to reach the hotel, however, it seemed much less desirable. Pompeii was up next, our second Roman town of the trip. We had a look at the Pompeian forum and amphitheatre, along with bathhouses and brothels. It was a truly amazing place to visit, which showed the sheer scale of the eruption of Vesuvius and how it destroyed entire towns. We saw many different buildings here, but one of my personal highlights was finally seeing Caecilius’ house in the flesh – those who’ve done the Cambridge Latin Course will know who I’m talking about! We took a trip to Naples on the next day, and met our Italian tour guide, who showed us around the museum of Naples. I took 499 photos there, which is some indication of how much there was to see. It also contained one of the more bizarre moments of the trip, the ‘secret room’, a room dedicated to sexual statues and painting In the afternoon, we visited Solfatara, a rather odorous volcanic crater, with two saunastyle cavernous areas called ‘purgatory’ and ‘hell’, named accordingly for their heat. On our final full day in Italy, we climbed Vesuvius and looked into the crater. It was quite a hike, but it was worth it for the view of Naples below us. In the afternoon, after the rain had started pouring, we visited Herculaneum. It was, in my opinion, the best town we visited, and I’m glad we saved it until last. The seventh day was dedicated to returning back home. It was an amazing trip; I’d say my favourite parts were the food, the Roman forum and Herculaneum. I’d like to thank Mr Gedye, Mr and Mrs Brettell, Ms Cover and Mr Ince for organising and supervising us on this spectacular trip. Kieran Lewis, Year 11, Durham House
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House Public Speaking
Senior/Intermediate The Lent Term saw both the Intermediate and Senior Public House Speaking Competitions adjudicated by Mrs Robertson, who teaches Year 6 in the Prep School. Firstly, the Intermediate event was a chance for our Years 9 and 10 students to gain confidence in a skill which is necessary for everyday life. The winners were Dale House, with Marwood and Tees Houses in second and third positions respectively. It was an
enjoyable event with many thoughtprovoking speeches of both light and heavy fare, and it highlighted both the interests and concerns of these young people on a variety of topics. That evening the Senior event was similarly varied with topics ranging from ‘Optimism and Wellbeing’ to ‘UKIP - A Real Threat?’ As always, the occasion was hotly contested with humour and analysis used in equal measure. The winners were North House, whose topic ‘Do You Dare To Be Eccentric?’ was both novel and thoughtful. York House came in a close second with their main speaker,
Junior As the nervous chatter bubbled, the papers rustled, and the crowd filed into the Library, the first ever Junior House Speaking competition readied itself for commencement. Judged keenly by our head chef turned temporary Lord Denning – Mr Keith Stimpson – the persuasion began with gusto. The speeches followed the same format of the Intermediate competition: Chair, Main Speaker, and Close; no questions were to be asked of these fledgling speakers. The subject content varied from the humorous, yet anecdotally emotive winning speech from the Longfield Ladies about Sid the Slug to the challenging conundrum of ISIS; the comparison between ISIS and the Kardashians was effectively argued by Dale house. York House followed in a hotly contested third place with their moving personal speech about determination and working hard.
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Wilhelm Emmrich, receiving a new trophy for the Best Individual Speaker, named in honour of former Head of English, Mr Alan Wilkinson. Marwood House received third place with an impassioned speech on a topic obviously close to the speaker’s heart. Special recognition should go to all the Year 11 who stepped up in a largely Sixth Form dominated competition. Let’s hope that next year brings speeches which are as good as this year’s. AMG
Two and a half minutes was not enough for most speakers, a further demonstration of the capabilities of these young speakers. For the first of its kind, the competition was honourably fought for and the Juniors were very impressive in their oratorical skills. We will all look forward to seeing these speakers compete again next year. KSH
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Theatre Studies The Lent term is always a busy one for those interested in the Liberal Arts, torn as they are between the Musical and their academic performances for the WJEC Theatre Studies course. Just before half term, the 6 Lower Sixth candidates performed their pieces to a packed Drama Studio – first up were Nathaniel Davis, Matthew Raper and Dan Brown in their scripted piece, a collection of scenes from Oh! What a Lovely War! Next up were Tom Hunter, Jamie Preston and Rory Holden, performing two scenes from Pinter’s The Caretaker. Both groups decided to apply the methodologies of Brecht to their scripted pieces, and the final products were magnificent. After the scripted performances, the group then performed their devised project, entitled The Fever of Dreams, which utilised Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty as a style model, and featured torture, domestic and psychological abuse, suicide, exorcisms and copious amounts of strobe lighting. Then, at the end of the term, only 3 days before the first performance of the Musical, we welcomed a visiting examiner for the Upper Sixth practical performance. This time, the scripted scene came from The Birthday Party, and Tilly McAllister, Arran Keogh and Gemma Angeli were all excellent. To end the evening was a devised piece, called Paperwork, which was a dystopian nightmarish piece of physical theatre inspired by practitioners like Frantic Assembly, Theatre Ad Infinitum and Gecko, dealing with loss of identity and the lengths to which governments are able to go to take total control from their citizens. It was a haunting piece, and the examiner complemented the group on their creativity and courage to deal with such a complex idea. TSE
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Disneyland Paris International Netball Festival Can you imagine a better way to spend your Easter holiday than playing netball at Disneyland Paris? Well, that was the choice of fifteen Year 9 pupils, accompanied by Miss Broadbent and Miss McKenzie. The girls enjoyed world-class coaching, competitive tournaments, shops, swimming, parades and white-knuckle rides. Highlights of the trip included progressing through to the final of the shield competition with good results against many school and club teams. The pupils also enjoyed appearances from England Netball stars at the awards ceremony and some managed to get ‘selfies’ with performer and ‘The Voice’ judge, Rita Ora.
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Our U14A and B teams played extremely well and thoroughly enjoyed competing against schools from throughout Europe. The results were as follows;
Reigate Grammar School B L Holmesdale Technology College W Thomas Alleyne Academy B W 5th in the Challenger Bowl Competition
U14A Holmesdale Technology A W 16-6 Axholme Academy A W 35-0 Reigate Grammar School D 13-13 Newport Girls High School A L 13-17 Jetts Netball Club B W 11-7 King’s School Worcester B W 16-6 Jetts Netball Club A L 16-12 Runners Up in the International Shield Showdown
Stella Jones was recognised as the ‘Best Player’ by the organisers and certificates were presented to the whole team. The pupils were a delight to take abroad and a real credit to the school.
U14B Axholme Academy C La Chataigneraie Switzerland Newport Girls High School B The Marches School A
W L L L
27-0 3-8 2-9 4-10
4-9 20-0 15-5
Returning with two large pieces of silverware, a rucksack and a netball for each player, and having scored 197 goals in 14 games, the Barnard Castle School’s netball teams’ dreams really did come true on a visit to Disneyland.
TCB & EKM
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Rugby 1st VII Rugby
Captain: S. Leeming Team from: S. Adamson, H. Barkes, J. Beckwith, I Brace, J. Clouston, C. Fawcett, J. Galloway, T. Gardiner, G. Hall, J. Hedley, D. Hewitson, T. Hunter, J. Jennings, E. Kelsall, J. Marston, T. Metcalfe, C. Simpson, J Webster.
win the group at a canter. It meant that we had a play-off match against Worth School late on in the day. At half time the scores were level at 14-14. Then a second half performance that would be hard to be matched produced 24 unanswered points and to the jubilation of the travelling Barney supporters it meant that we had qualified for the second day and progressed into the last 15 of the competition; a fantastic achievement. Playing in the new format for the second day, for the first time, saw Barney drawn in a group of three with Kingswood School and Seaford College. We were out-muscled and outwitted in the first match against Kingswood, but gave them a close game, just falling short losing 14-22. The result of the second game would determine who would progress to the next round and having been in the lead for most of the match we just came up short losing 10-12 to Seaford College who progressed to the next round. It was a disappointing way to finish what was a fantastic couple of days; the whole squad should be extremely proud of their efforts. MTP
This season’s opening competition took place at Ampleforth College. With several key players not available it was a great opportunity to look at a wider squad of players. The opening win against Woodhouse Grove B gave the team early confidence. This was short lived, when we were defeated by a very physical Bradford GS. However, showing great skill in producing an excellent performance against the much fancied Kirkham GS we ran out 24-21 winners; Kirkham went on to lose in the final. By winning it meant a quarter final match against Sedbergh. With the scores being level at half time, it was disappointing to lose 12-36. The Marches 7s, at Hereford, is always a very competitive and enjoyable experience for the players. It enables them to see teams from other parts of the country and a variety of 7s tactics. Having beaten the host’s B team and Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg, we then lost a group match to Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, meaning a place in the quarter final of the Plate competition beckoned. An easy win against our third opponents from Wales, Monmouth, and then a very close semi against Pates GS saw us play Blundell’s in the final. Unfortunately, they were too strong and we were runners up. At the North of England 7s the attitude and approach from the squad of players was excellent for the group matches. We won it convincingly, producing some positive, intelligent 7s, beating Rydal Penrhos, Trent College and Sandbach. After a three hour wait for the quarter final against Queen Ethelburga’s, we produced a less convincing performance, losing 15-24, which was disappointing. We seemed to take the latter form to Sheffield to play in the Mount St Mary’s 7s, unfortunately. Losing the first two matches to Worksop College and The King’s School, Worcester meant that the best we could do was impress in the Plate competition. Thankfully we did, and with convincing victories against Hymers, RGS Newcastle and Hall Cross Academy it meant a final against RGS Newcastle. We saved our best performance to last, running out comfortable winners 25-0. Our good form continued at the Hymers tournament; it has always been a good indicator of how Rosslyn Park will go, and has been a competition we have always performed well at. We won our group of 5 teams convincingly beating Ashville, QEGS Wakefield, Hymers and Nottingham High School. We then played a muchweakened Sedbergh team in the quarter final only for some unknown reason to ‘go missing in action’ and lose by a single point. To add salt to the wound we found out later QEGS won the tournament, a team we had beaten in the group stages. At the National Schools’ 7s, Rosslyn Park, we seemed to have been drawn in a competitive group; Eton College, Malvern, Bristol GS and Shrewsbury School. However, the performance of the whole squad was excellent producing some of the best 7s of the season to
Sedbergh 10s Rugby Captain: S. Leeming Team from: S. Adamson, H. Barkes, J. Beckwith, J. Clouston, C. Fawcett, T. Gardiner, G. Hall, J. Hedley, D. Hewitson, J. Jennings, E. Kelsall, T. Metcalfe, J. Preston, G. Shepherd, C. Simpson, J Webster. The commitment and determined performance from the players at Sedbergh 10s following Rosslyn Park was tremendous. We were met with the usual Cumbrian wet weather which emphasised the high quality of rugby that was on show over the two days. We won our first group match against RGS Lancaster 33-0, but then met a quality Millfield team. With the teams being tied just after half time 14-14 they proved they were too strong as the game came to a close winning 14-33. A frustrating defeat to RGS High Wycombe meant we had qualified for the Plate competition the next day. The second day did not start too positively when we lost to Brighton College 14-26 when the match was easily winnable. Our second match of the day was a fantastic display scoring 61 unanswered points. Progressing into the semi-final we met the Irish school, Blackrock College. We were too strong for the spirited Irish outfit controlling the match, winning 34-7. We had progressed to the Plate final where we met Brighton College once again, keen for revenge. Unfortunately, our form deserted us, with fatigue setting in, and we lost 7-17. Once again the players need to be congratulated for their sterling efforts - it was a great way to finish the rugby season. MTP
U16 VII Rugby Captain: J Pickering Team from: J Adamson, I Brace, E Butler, J Clouston, Z Day, J Dickinson, B Edwards, E Hamilton, G Johnstone, C Lewis, A Reynard, J Rogers, H Thompson. P XX
W XX
D XX
L X
GF XX
GA XX
GD XX
Results: Sedbergh 7s: Woodhouse Grove St Peters Kirkham Sedbergh
L L W L
7-24 7-33 33-14 17-35
Durham School 7s: Cundall Manor
W
53-10
Pocklington QEGS St Peters
L W L
19-22 22-19 14-19
QEGS 7s: Hymers Woodhouse Grove Sedbergh Durham
W L L D
38-7 19-33 12-24 33-33
National Schoolboy 7s: Bryanston Dartford GS Ysgol Glantaf QEHS, Barnet
W W L L
27-14 34-0 12-35 21-26
Touring 15 a side game: Shawnigan Lake, Canada
W
27-17
This proved to be a frustrating 7s season. The side, on occasions, played really well but too often a good display would be followed by a disappointing one. Ultimately we could never guarantee our defence and so we never played with a consistent level of confidence. The first tournament at Sedbergh showed this trait, losing the first two games before defeating a previously unbeaten Kirkham side. At Durham the pattern continued with two sound performances followed by two defeats. The last tournament before travelling down to London was at QEGS, Wakefield and again a convincing win and a draw with Durham was sandwiched between another two defeats. The target was to qualify for the latter stages of the Colts’ tournament at Rosslyn Park. A win against Bryanston started the team off well and this was enhanced with a good display against Dartford. The crunch game would be against Glantaf and unfortunately the side came up short. More disappointing was the fact that we could not finish on a high, losing to QEHS, Barnet. I would like to thank the boys for their efforts throughout the season and for those parents, who supported the team in all weathers. Let’s hope for better success next year. DCSE
U15 VII Rugby Team from: T Leeming, C Young, T Terrill Edwards, W Swinbank, J Adamson, M Hanmer, O Theakston, R Kelsall, J Hudson, M Price, B Johnson, M Brookes, J Rowlandson, A Pearson, O Pollock Ampleforth 7s Bradford Grammar 7s Durham 7s Barnard Castle 7s
Cup Quarterfinalists Cup Quarterfinalists Cup Semifinalists Cup Quarterfinalists
After a strong end to the XV-a-side season and some gruelling Barney Run practices, the lads were chomping at the bit to start the 7s circuit. The first tournament saw us travelling to Ampleforth on a cold winter’s day in February. It seemed far from 7s weather, but this certainly didn’t deter the boys from getting stuck in and proving their dominance in the group stage. Our opening two games saw us dispatch Woodhouse Grove and Bede Academy with little concern, scoring 113 points in the process. Sadly, however, we met a Sedburgh side in the quarterfinals whose strength at the breakdown and composure on the ball proved to be the difference between the sides. As they progressed to the final, we watched on with hot chocolates in hand. Bradford Grammar School hosted the second tournament of the season; another week, another school, but sadly the same result – successful progression through the group but then a loss to Sedburgh in the quarterfinals. This time though, the result was tight, one
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score in it. Perhaps next time! On to Durham School we went, full of confidence and playing well. A Sunday tournament and, with it, the Barney parents out in force. They were rewarded with some expansive intelligent rugby; a pleasure to see. Yarm, Ampleforth, Hymers and Bradford Grammar were brushed aside in the pool stages and although we lost to Durham, this set us up with a semi-final place. Our opponents, Sedburgh. Sevens rugby takes its toll and again Sedburgh proved too strong for us. They were clinical when they needed to be and patient without the ball. Our final tournament at home was our most disappointing. Although injuries made key players unavailable, we should have been strong enough as a squad to progress beyond the quarters. Sadly that was not the case and it was a disappointing end to the season. Had it not been for two very successful sevens sides in Durham and Sedburgh, arguably the two strongest in the country at this age group, I have no doubt that we would have been in contention for silverware. However, as the boys know, if that’s the standard of the competition, we need to reach that level. So although the team are heading in the right direction, there’s room for improvement. When the belief comes, I have no doubt the victories will too. JRW
U14 VII Rugby Captain: M Pepper Team from: J Nichols, C Ellis, L McGee, C Robinson, F Lockwood, G Spink, W Harwood, C Metcalfe, J Dods, T Rawdin, C Simpson P 20
W 8
D 0
L 12
GF 405
GA 470
GD -65
After a tough XV-a-side season, the squad remained positive and enthusiastic, returning in January to work hard and produce some of the best rugby this Year group has produced. The season began in late February with a trip to St Peter’s School, York for the first tournament in the Super 7’s series and an early opportunity to test the squad. Despite losing our opening matches against Pocklington and QEGS Wakefield the team were able to beat Birkdale School and Bradford Grammar School to reach the plate semi-final. Yarm were up next and in an end to end game we were unfortunately unable to hold them out in the dying seconds to lose the match 21-20. Bradford 7s saw us drawn in an extremely tough group made up solely of tournament winners or finalists from previous tournaments. However we were able to work on our game and put together some strong performances which enabled us to play our best to date against Hymers beating them 32-7, placing us in the plate quarter finals against Stonyhurst College where we were beaten. Whilst growing in confidence and improving our performances, we were drawn again in a tough group at Sedbergh 7s. Having lost all of our group games we found ourselves in the Bowl competition against Ashville College who were yet to play at 7s. The boys pulled themselves round well in preparation for a hard game, showing mental toughness and resilience to beat Ashville 26-14. After a short break due to Durham 7s being cancelled we were quickly at the end of our season and heading to Hymers for the season-closing tournament. The group saw us drawn against four sides that had beaten us in previous tournaments; however after a confident start against a huge Cheadle Hulme side winning 35-19 we were set to conquer some demons. The squad went on to beat Hymers 29-5, Stonyhurst 28-24 and Yarm 33-10 before losing to Durham School 15-29. The squad in its entirety have shown spirit and determination. I am immensely proud of what they have achieved this year in terms of on-field performance and results. They have grown in strength and are
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demonstrating a phenomenal skill set; but perhaps more importantly, they are now more willing than ever to work for the good of the team and are demonstrating an ethic of brotherhood toward one another.
U12 VII Rugby
LDM
U13 VII Rugby Team from: L Peacock, S Steer-Richards, J Newell, B Powell, O Bale, R Makepeace, F Usher, E Rhodes, B Ali, T Robinson, G Callaghan, D Williamson. P 19
W 8
D 0
L 11
GF 268
GA 507
GD -239
The Under 13s travelled to Terrington Hall School to compete in their annual sevens competition. They started off brightly, beating Yarm 15-0 and then St Martin's Ampleforth 15-14. Despite losing the final group match against Ryedale 17-19, the side still qualified for the Cup competition as group winners. As the tournament progressed the competition became stiffer and the side went down against Durham School 17-28, and found Terrington far too strong, losing 7-45. Overall, though, the boys displayed a lot of effort and commitment and demonstrated a real transfer of skills from training paddock to match. The second tournament saw the young Barnardians travel to Woodhouse Grove. The boys found themselves in an extremely physical group, meeting eventual cup runners-up Audenshaw in the first match losing 48-0, and QEGS Wakefield, the plate winners, in the second match, losing 41-0. The initial fixtures saw the boys battered and bruised mentally and physically; however they were able to dust themselves off and put in some confidence-boosting performances in the next phase, beating Mount St. Mary’s College (35-0) and Yarm School (52-10). The final game saw the boys wellbeaten by the Bowl winners Durham. It was clear to see that the boys were able to play some great rugby but needed to address their attitude when coming up against physically bigger sides. Preparations for the third tournament at Mowden Hall saw the boys raise standards and adjust their attitude to a much more confident and positive viewpoint. The competition started well with the squad beating the hosts 7-17 and Bede 7-12 to progress to the cup competition. The knock out phase saw the side beat Austin Friars and St. Martins Ampleforth to meet Terrington in the final. Unfortunately the Terrington side was too strong; although disappointed, all involved had seen a real change in the youngsters and walked away proud of the Barney performance. The squad travelled to Bradford with high morale and confidence, keen to recreate the performances of Mowden. We started well with a win over Birkdale School (19-14) but were beaten by two formidable opponents in Wilmslow High and St. Olaves. The final group game saw a narrow victory against Ermysted’s Grammar meaning the boys progressed again to the plate knockout competition. The quarter final saw us meet Bradford Grammar B who we managed to beat comfortably, before playing Hill House in the semi-final, who proved too strong, forcing our exit from the competition. The final tournament of the year was the National School 7s at Rosslyn Park; an excited set of boys travelled to London for their first experience of an overnight fixture on a national level. The draw placed us in a group of strong opposition with Warwick and Reigate Grammar, who managed to overpower us - although the squad was able to put these results behind them beating St Columba’s College 21-17. LDM
Team from: J Gibbons, W Hunter, OJacques, E Lockwood, J McNickle, J Newnam, M Osborne, G Pepper, J Roff, O Schaible, A Thompson, S Wilson P 16
W 13
D 1
L 2
GF 328
GA 278
GD 50
After an impressive XV’s season, the squad turned out in the bleak winter weather of January, eager and enthused to produce an equally impressive 7s season. The vast expanse of the rugby field leaves no hiding place during the game of sevens and the squad knew they would have to work hard to improve skills and adapt a unified team structure. As those early sessions progressed it was clear to see that this group were eager to work hard for each other and were improving the team structure from session to session; this was to be an exciting season. Late February saw the first competitive fixtures at St. Olave’s and the group started exceptionally well with a 14-7 win over QEGS Wakefield. A draw in the group stage saw the first timers win the group, meaning a match up against Newcastle School for Boys. Sadly the opposition were too strong on this occasion and the boys returned licking their wounds, down but not out. After hard work on the training paddock a rejuvenated side travelled to Bradford sevens eager to address the faults from St. Olave’s. The young side came out of the blocks flying, dispatching all in their group for a place in the quarter-final against Newcastle School for Boys. A comprehensive performance saw BCS dominate position and territory beating their opponents 29-0. The semi-final brought St. Olave’s, a formidable opponent who played some outstanding 7s; however they were unable to match the physicality of the BCS side and eventually conceded 12-7. The final was a replay of our season opener against QEGS Wakefield; a side that had grown in confidence and competence. Fitness was to be a factor as both sides played their 7th match and the redoubtable Barney boys were able to win the battle beating QEGS 12-5 winning the squad’s first silverware. The final tournament of the season took place at Hymers College, the tournament taking a slightly different format with five group games with the group winners playing off in a straight final. Again the confident youngsters started well accruing 67 points for and 0 against in the first two games. The third game saw us against St. Olave’s again, with our old foes eager to settle the score; a fantastically competitive game ensued with the York boys piping us 12-17. Two games remained against the hosts and NSB; we knew it was unlikely we would progress unless we beat both. The boys rallied and did just that winning 41-0 and 5-0 respectively. Unfortunately we finished second in the group. In summary this fresh side have produced some fantastic 7s and have begun to build a formidable reputation amongst the best teams in the North East. Not only have they shown the strength and character to win tournaments they have shown that they can function as a squad who can demonstrate the Barnard Castle School fundamental principles of teamwork, effort and enjoyment. LDM
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Squash Squash in the school is healthy. Over forty matches have been played in all age groups and well over a hundred boys and girls have received regular coaching in activities and games lessons. It is a highly popular option, and I hope that learning this fantastic sport this will be an enjoyable life-skill that they will use when they leave school.
1st V Squash
value of good serving and enjoyed the experience and the social side of things after the matches against Glaxo, Jesters and the Old Barnardians. I would like to thank the players for all their efforts – Alex Carnell, Dan Milne, Aiden Rusk, Matthew Stirke and Enoch Leung had exemplary attitudes in training and improved enormously as a result – my personal highlight of the season was Aiden Rusk’s victory at number one against Glaxo. Olly Larcombe and Tom Sowerby were more mercurial but came up with good performances at times. Olly saved his best for the end of the season and won the South Wales Borderer’s Cup for the second year running, with a victory over a determined and focussed Matthew Stirke in the final. I look forward to a good season next year with four of the squad returning, and thank Stuart Gaydon for all his input and coaching.
This fixture list was tough, playing in the National Schools’ Competition and against clubs in the Durham and Cleveland league. The boys learned about the game a great deal and discovered how much ‘getting stuck in’ and ‘fighting for every point’ matters as much as skill; my thanks to Mr Lister, who reinforced these ideas and saw great improvement from the boys. Cameron McKnight’s technique stood out whilst Miles Brookes, Harry Monkhouse and Jack Butterfield had loads of fight. Rohan learned about control and Olly discovered that it is OK to run hard and dig in. By the end of the season he was competing fiercely. All improved massively. Oliver Wynn was a good technician who will be a mainstay of the team again next year alongside Cameron. Miles won the Williamson Cup, defeating Olly Theakston in the final.
JDG JDG
2nd/3rd V Squash
U13 Squash Team from: R. Makepeace, A. Petley, L. Peacock, J. Burgess, L. Rusk, C. Tudor-Smith, E. Gedye, E. Bowen, R. Bennett, B. Ali, B. Ramm-Salisbury.
Captain: O. Larcombe Team from: A. Rusk, A. Carnell, T. Sowerby, D. Milne, M. Stirke, E. Leung, M. Ting. P 19
W 9
D 0
L 10
GF –
GA –
P 7
GD –
Results: Michaelmas Term: GSAL Gosforth ‘B’ RGS Newcastle Ampleforth Pocklington Glaxo Glaxo
L L W L W L L
2-3 1-4 5-0 1-4 3-2 0-5 1-4
Lent Term: OBs Pocklington Ampleforth Yarm SRC Gosforth ‘A’ Gosforth ‘B’ Nunthorpe SRC Jesters Glaxo Sedgefield SRC Sedbergh Glaxo
W L L W L W W L W W W L
3-2 2-3 1-4 – 0-5 3-2 – 1-5 5-0 – 5-0 2-4
This has been a busy season for the 1st team. Our fixture list is competitive and roughly divides into four types – friendlies against schools, friendlies against adult teams, Durham and Cleveland league matches against club junior sides and, the toughest of all, the National Schools’ competition. In the National Schools this year we were drawn against RGS and Gosforth ‘B’. Having convincingly beaten RGS we were defeated by Gosforth in a tight encounter at Jesmond and so qualified in second place. This meant an almost impossible task in the main draw against Gosforth A, former national champions in the under 15 category. The boys acquitted themselves well, especially Aiden Rusk and Tom Sowerby, but we were well beaten and knocked out despite a consolation victory in the friendly against their ‘B’ side. In the county league we amassed enough points in a different format to come very close to winning the league, having defeated Sedgefield, Nunthorpe and Yarm Squash Clubs, but on points countback we came second – still a good performance. In school friendlies Ampleforth proved a bit too strong for us on two occasions, we beat Pocklington at home but lost away. Against adult sides we learned the
Captain: M. Ting Team from: I. Ng, K. Yung, L. Li, E. Liu, J. Bolton, C. McKnight, M. Stirke, J. Shannon, L. Becker, H. Chen P 7
W 3
D 0
L 4
GF –
Results: 2nd v Ampleforth 3rd v Ampleforth 2nd v Pocklington 2nd v Ampleforth 2nd v Pocklington 2nd v Ampleforth 2nd v Ampleforth
GA –
L L W L L W W
GD –
2-3 1-4 3-0 2-3 1-2 4-1 4-1
The boys (and girl) enjoyed their series of fixtures against Ampleforth and Pocklington. Martin Ting was a reliable and determined captain, and all those who represented the School enjoyed the experience, competed hard and learned a lot about themselves.
W 5
D 0
L 2
GF –
Results: Pocklington Nunthorpe SRC Darlington SRC Pocklington GSAL Norton SRC Sedgefield SRC
GA –
W L W W W L W
GD –
3-2
6-4 3-2
Boys and girls in this age group enjoyed their squash and learned a lot by playing in the county league against clubs. We finished in very respectable mid-table. Highlight of the season include a great day at Pocklington with a 6-4 victory on their courts, and we also scored a rare victory over GSAL. Adam Petley won the boys competition, beating Ralph Makepeace in a tight final. Emma Gedye won the Girls’ competition, pipping Carla McKnight by one point. I look forward to watching these boys and girls progress further in the coming years, and thank Mr Lister for helping with fixtures and Stuart Gaydon for his coaching. JDG
JDG
Hockey
U15 Squash
1st XI Boys Hockey
Team from: O. Theakston, C. McKnight, M. Brookes, R. Kelsall, H. Monkhouse, J. Butterfield, O. Wynn, A. Gedye P 10
W 3
D 0
Results: GSAL King Ecbert GSAL Pocklington Pocklington Yarm SRC Dame Allans Ampleforth 3rd V Ampleforth 3rd V Norton SRC Sedbergh
L 7
GF XX
GA XX
L L L W D L L W L L W
GD XX
1-4 0-5 1-6 5-3 4-4 0-5 5-0 1-4 5-0
Captain: Sebastian Hampson Vice Captain: Sam Theakston Team from: S Hampson, S Theakston, C WaiterMcKenzie, T Marston, B Pullan, T Metcalf, D Brown, J Ellis, T Greaves, A Usher, D Custance, T Carter, W Carter, K Lowes, A Farr, J Stevens, C Glover, T Matthews P 8
W 2
D 0
L 6
GF 9
GA 43
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GD -34
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Results: RGS Newcastle Giggleswick Ashville College Yarm School Sedbergh Ampleforth College St. Peters Yarm School
L L W L L W L L
0-6 0-5 2-0 2-6 10-0 4-1 7-1 0-8
Results wise, this has not been a good season for the 1st team with only 2 wins and 8 losses. So I’m not going to concentrate on the results but the performances and the development of this team. The boys had their first hammer blow even before their first games session with the news that Sandy Stainthorpe had injured his knee and would miss the entire boys’ hockey term. The guys had a difficult start to the season and knew after the first weekend that lessons had to be learned and improvements had to be made. To their credit they worked hard all year in training to improve the areas of their game that was holding them back and the standard of hockey improved. I was particularly impressed with the improvement made by the Year 11s; it is always a difficult first year of Senior hockey for them but they didn’t shy away from the task in hand and were always keen to improve. Players who have impressed me have included Dylan Custance, who showed great maturity and strength in defence, and Tom Greaves who stepped up into midfield showing great determination and application. Due to Sandy’s unfortunate injury we only had 3 Lower 6th players in the squad and I believe that lack of experience was partially what held us back. The U6th as always worked hard guiding the less experienced players and were captained by Sebastian Hampson from central defence. Looking forward to next year this season will hopefully have made this young team stronger and hungrier for success. As always I would like to wish my U6th lads every success in the future and thank them for their contribution to hockey within the School. To the rest, keep up the hard work and I look forward to working with you again next season.
Invincibles’ by our almost impenetrable keeper Robert Hardy (5 goals conceded in 7 games) started the season with a 5-0 thrashing of RGS Newcastle. In between two cancellations of games against Sedbergh and Giggleswick due to arctic snow conditions, we battled our way to a 0-0 draw against a good Richmond side with Cameron Lewis missing a chance to sneak the victory at the death. A physical 2-2 draw against Ashville was followed by a 9-0 drubbing of Cundall Manor alongside victories against two very good teams in Yarm (3-1) and Ampleforth (2-0). Our final game against Austin Friar’s was perfect example of ‘a game of two halves.’ Up by 2 at the half and in full control, we took our foot off the gas and let in two quick goals and were lucky not to concede a third. The team is blessed with some natural talent, with Cameron Lewis and Fergus Hewitson as the standout players who are both involved in the England Hockey Single System. But they do not carry the team by themselves, as many goals scored by Louis Rogulja-Hodge and Max West were set up through the play of Jasper Metcalfe, Connor Maguire, and Robert Walgate. With a strong defence including Scott Simpson (who won ‘Most Improved Player’) Charlie Pearson, Ed Swinbank, Oliver Richardson and Ed Roberts-Lilley, many of this team will go on to form a standout 1st XI, as long as they keep their focus and close out games. While the A team were unbeaten, they proved that they are not infallible. Should they wish to truly live up to their self-proclaimed title of ‘The Invincibles’ they will have to keep their focus and up their work rate during training and matches. It has been a fun season and I have greatly enjoyed coaching them. AT
U13 A Boys Hockey
U13 B Boys Hockey
Team from: C Tudor-Smith, O Bale, A Ali, B Ramm-Salisbury, G Callahan, J Alderdice, S Steer-Richards, T Hughes, A Petley, A Parsonage, L Blackburn, L Wells, L Peacock, O Greaves, R Langton P 3
W 1
D 0
L 2
GF 10
Results: St Olave’s Ashville College Richmond
GA 11
L W L
GD -1
4-5 4-2 2-4
The U13B boys’ hockey team also had few chances to play matches due to the weather, but when they did they showed great determination and achieved a win against very good Ashville College whose A team vastly out performed ours. They also managed to score a fair amount of goals and hopefully this can be developed further next year with the hope it works its way through to the A team, who lacked goal scoring ability against the more challenging opposition. There were a number of players who played for both teams, gaining valuable experience for their future hockey progression; a positive during a generally uneventful season. AMD
U12 A Boys Hockey
CJG
U14 Boys Hockey
Team from: A Coward, B Powell, E Rhodes, J Newell, F Usher, L Blackburn, O Greave, A Ali, G Callahan, L Wells, L Peacock, S Steer-Richards, A Petley, J Alderdice, R Langton, T Hughes P 4
Team from: R Hardy (GK), E Swinbank, S Simpson, O Richardson, C Maguire, F Hewitson, R Walgate, C Lewis, L Rogulja-Hodge, M West, J Metcalfe, C Pearson, C Berry, E Roberts-Lilley, H Williams. P XX
W XX
D XX1
L X
GF XX
Results: RGS Newcastle Richmond School Ashville College Cundall Manor School Yarm School Ampleforth College Austin Friars St Monica’s School
GA XX
W D D W W W D
GD XX
5-0 0-0 2-2 9-0 3-1 2-0 2-2
The 2015 season for the U14A hockey team was definitively one of great success. A team coined as ‘The
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W 0
Results: St Olave’s Ashville College Yarm Richmond
D 0
L 4
GF 3
GA 20
GD -17
L L L L
0-7 3-10 0-1 0-2
The U13A boys’ hockey team endured a challenging season, with many games and training sessions called off due to the winter weather. They remained high spirited during each game and towards the end had narrowly missed out on taking something from them. Many Year 8s were used during the season and a positive will be just how many gained A team experience, especially against some quality opponents. There are some keen hockey players within the squad and I am sure they will continue to develop during Year 9; I will look on with interest and hope they can gain as much enjoyment as they had this season. AMD
Team from: J Bray, O Jacques, E Lockwood, J McNickle, J Newman, A Thompson, O Schaible, G Pepper, J Clamp, J Gibbons, J Johnston, S Wilson, J Clamp P 6
W 3
D 1
Results: Giggleswick Durham School Ashville College St Olaves Yarm School St Martins Ampleforth RGS Newcastle Richmond School
L 2
GF 15
GA 16
GD -1
Cancelled Cancelled L 1-5 W 1-5 W 1-3 W 5-2 D 1-1 L 1-6
This year’s Year 7s are a really talented bunch of lads who came on leaps and bounds during the hockey season. Most of them had never picked a stick up before January, so it was a steep learning curve for them, losing their first game 5-1. From half term onwards the guys had mastered the basics and never looked back, beating St Olaves 5-1, Yarm
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3-1 and St Martins 5-2 with some great team performances. I wouldn’t read too much into their last result, as the guys were pretty tired by this point after a long second half of term and I think they just ran out of steam. I genuinely believe we have got some real potential and talented hockey players in this group and I look forward to working with them again next year. CJG
U12 B Boys Hockey
Team from: J Clamp, J Gibbons, J McNickle, W Hunter, G Palombella, J Roff, M Osbourne, S Wilson, J Johnston, T Dalton, J Johnston, C Pinkney. P 5
W 1
D 1
L 3
GF 8
Results: Ashville College St Olaves St Martins Ampleforth RGS Newcastle Richmond School
GA 11
L W L D L
GD -3
0-4 0-4 1-2 3-3 0-2
This year’s Year 7 boys have shown to be a really talented bunch of lads, particularly those who played in the B team. With most of them never picking up a stick before it was always going to be a steep learning curve in their first game; they lost 4-0 but learnt a lot from the experience. The guys worked very hard on improving their game throughout January and February and bounced back with a great performance and victory against St Olaves. A lot of these guys have also played for the A team so I believe it bodes well going forward that there is some real strength in depth with regards to hockey in this Year group. The results don’t really show the effort these guys put in and the improvement they made over the course of the term. I am very much looking forward to working with them again next year as I’m sure they will reverse some of these results.
Having had great success last year, it was always going to be difficult to have the same triumphs, two years running. However, with youngsters stepping up to the harsh realities that senior netball can often bring, the girls completely exceeded all expectations. Early on in the Michaelmas term, the county round for all schools in the area takes place. With little practice and minimal court time, the girls were prepared as best they could be to take on local rival schools. Having split the Senior teams into U18 and U16 teams, I thought the county rounds would be relatively simple tasks for all involved. Yet on both days the girls struggled to find the fluidity and the net at times, and our hopes of National success were shattered at the first hurdle. Nonetheless, the girls were confident that they would make up for these mistakes in the friendlies throughout the Lent term. With new faces and new positions, the girls had to settle quickly and with a convincing win over Dame Allen’s, I knew the gambles had been worth it. Training has been intense, with Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons utilised to get the best from every single individual. I’ve seen players go from timid non-starters to dominant, confident individuals who are fighting to be in the starting seven. Confidence is definitely an element that all of the girls have developed throughout the season; they now know that when I step into our sports hall or when we had an away fixture, I believed in them to win, regularly telling them that if they believe they can, they’re already half way there. Positivity is often the edge that separates two teams. With a string of wins behind them, there was no divide of ages which was important for the girls to recognise. Each member of the squad played their part, whether on or off the court, which was demonstrated in their best performance against a strong QE side and during their winning performance against Sedbergh. The statistics really do say it all and this squad of individuals have not been phased at any point. Each and every member could, if they wished, play high-level club netball and this season some have competed against girls who are currently playing in the National Talent League. In summary, this season has been about showing courage, remaining strong-minded when the psychological odds are stacked against them and growing as individuals. I wish all the girls that are sadly leaving good luck with their next educational chapter and look forward to working with a considerable number of these girls again next season.
Sedbergh Durham School RGS Newcastle Giggleswick/Austin Friars (Cancelled)
L W L
11-25 22-19 14-21
EKM
TCB
2nd VII Netball
3rd VII Netball
Captain: H. Appleby Team from: K. Body, L. Eichler, E. Everall, K. Hughes, A. Martin, P. Naseby, S. Scanlan, S. Stephenson, H. Swinbank.
Team from: K Borer, P Maw, A Coffey, L Bussey, K Rhodes, G Myhan, J Metcalf, C McEwan, J Hall, E Porter, H Swinbank, C Burford, K Shaw, F Waiter-MacKenzie,
The season started with a tough game away against a talented Dame Allan’s U16 team. It was a steep learning curve for Lena Eicher in her very first netball match but she soon formed a partnership with Katie Body in the attacking circle. Our defence struggled to break down the opposition’s fluid attacking play; they kept their belief but the gap proved too large to claw back. They went on to face Ampleforth and were impressive from front to back. Sarah Stephenson and Kimberley Hagues proved a strong unit at the back to minimise the hosts from scoring. Effective feeds were made by Holly Appleby and Sarah Scanlan and these were clinically converted by our shooters. Holly Swinbank made a positive impact, making her debut for the team. A slow start against St Peter’s ultimately cost us the game as they pulled away and we struggled to recover. However a better performance was evident against Yarm. We were fast and fluid in attack, cohesive in our units and confidence grew with each quarter. Our defence dominated play and pounced on any sloppy passes made by the opposition. Barney upped their tempo in the final quarter, Amelia Martin and Katie Body netting seven goals in a three minute period to secure the game 34-10. They continued their success with victories over QE Sixth Form and Pocklington; the latter was no walk in the park though, as the visitors gained momentum in the final quarter but fortunately the team clung on as the clock ticked down. A few nerves were shown against Sedbergh and the visitors caused the home defence some problems. A combination of careless errors and footwork calls proved costly. The team were determined to make improvements and worked tirelessly in training. Durham School proved a close contest; interceptions were made by Elle Everall and Pip Naseby and were safely taken to goal. This allowed a small lead to be created and the team kept their cool and hung on until the final whistle. The final game saw a good start from Barney, in what was to be an exciting final game for some. Despite everyone’s best efforts and encouraging support from the side-line, RGS upped their tempo and ultimately proved too strong, taking the game 21-14. I have very much enjoyed coaching this team and thank them all for their effort and commitment.
CJG
Netball 1st VII Netball
P 9
Captain: E Cody/E Robson Team from: C Atkinson, C Waldin, C Elliot, S Nichols, I Hewitson, E Gossage, A Ridley, L Newton. P 8
W 7
D 0
L 1
GF 184
GA 113
GD 71
W 5
D 0
L 4
Results: Dame Allan’s Ampleforth St Peter’s Yarm Queen Elizabeth’s Sixth Form Pocklington
GF –
GA –
L W L W W W
GD –
6-27 17-1 20-39 34-10 37-8 19-13
P 6
W 2
D 1
L 5
Results: Durham High School for Girls St Peters, York Yarm Teesdale Pocklington Sedbergh
GF 61
GA 67
L L W D W L
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GD -6
6-14 9-16 20-1 4-4 16-8 6-24
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The depth of interest in Netball led to the Netball staff running 4 Senior Teams this year, with the 3rd and 4th XII aiming to develop players and give opportunities for girls to play more netball. This is the first year we have run 4 teams and results for the 3rd XII were mixed. After 2 cancelled fixtures the game against Durham High School for Girls was the 3rd team’s first opportunity to show their skills on the court against a DHS team that boasts some good players. The girls started the game strongly, playing aggressive fast game which put the DHS girls on the backfoot and led to us scoring first but eventually the strength of DHS saw them run out eventual winners. There were many good points to take from the game and I look forward to the next fixture where we can build on the promise shown in this match. After the loss to Durham the 3rd team played a strong St Peters team that proved too strong for our determined girls. However this defeat steeled the girls to continue to train hard and develop and this resulted in a run of 3 games undefeated against Yarm, Teesdale and Pocklington. However the last game of the season proved to be their toughest. We faced a strong Sedbergh side and for 3 team members it was their last game for Barnard Castle School. After a slow start with Sedbergh scoring 7 unanswered goals in the first 1/4, the BCS girls started to pressure the opposition and at the halfway point the score stood 14-2 to Sedbergh. Sedbergh continued to pull away with the score 19-3 with only a quarter left. With nothing to lose the BCS girls relaxed and played some flowing netball scoring 3 goals to Sedbergh’s 5. It was fitting that Jane Metcalf, the team’s captain, should score the last goal of the game in her final game for the School. Anna Coffey was voted as player of the match for her hard work around the court throughout the game. It is hoped that this interest in Netball will continue next year and that those girls that played 3rd XII this season can push for 2nd and 1st XII places next year, with the 3rd and 4th XII the breeding ground for our future talent. AW
4th Netball VII
Team from: S. Ali, A. Alderdice, L. Newnam, J. Hall, L. Knightley, L. Clouston, S. Currah, M. Richardson, C. Brown, T. Walker. P 2
W 1
Results: Giggleswick St Peters Teesdale
D 0
L 1
GF 6
GA 34
GD -28
Cancelled L 32-0 W 6-2
This has been the second year that we have fielded a 4th team at Senior level, which shows that the level of enthusiasm for netball is continuing to grow and develop. More fixtures are being added to the 4th team calendar each year and they have benefitted from more games time and have had specific coaching from our fulltime strength and conditioning coach. TCB/EKM
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U15 A Netball
Teams from: A Thompson, J Pearse, E Warren, E Shannon, S Hopkins, A Allison, G Penman, S Ryan, A Bertin, M Bowen, L Gill, A Hunter, O Blackett, L Atkinson, J McKnickle, R Elphick, K Robson, M Sowerby, C Sutton-Jones, L Sharafutdinova P 9
W 4
Results: St Peters Giggleswick Sedburgh Yarm Pocklington Ampleforth Austin Friars Durham School Queen Marys
D 0
L 5
GF 132
GA 163
W L L W L L W L W
GD -31
28-23 3-25 6-40 20-17 12-13 7-12 27-10 11-14 18-9
The U15 Netball teams have trained hard this year and developed their skills and game play considerably since last season. My second season as the U15’s coach proved problematic in a good way in that there were now more girls pushing themselves forward as potential ‘A’ team players. However after the first few games it became clear that a core of players would form the nucleus of the team for the season. The season started well with a game against what is always a strong St Peters side. This was a closely fought game with BCS leading by a small margin after the first 2 quarters but St Peters pulled it back to see the score stand at 21 each at the end of the 3rd quarter. This led to a tense beginning to the start to the final quarter but through good teamwork, some quick interplay and effective use of space available on the court BCS stamped their authority on the game and made the 4th quarter theirs, scoring 7 goals to St Peter’s’ 2. Ellie Shannon was awarded the player of the match by the opposition. Our second game saw us play a strong Giggleswick side. The first quarter started well with the scores level at the end of the first quarter but gradually the strength of the Giggleswick team started to take its toll and they ran out eventual winners with their goalkeeper, who was in excellent form, restricting our opportunities to score. Next came a fixture against a very strong Sedburgh side many of whom are playing at U16 level and have qualified for their regional finals. Sedburgh dominated from the start. The next fixture against Yarm offered the team the opportunity to redress the balance. The girls started the game well with Sophie Hopkins and Ellie Shannon dictating the pace of the game, and with the rest of the team utilising court space, allowing Ellie to show a fine array of skills and vision. With 6 points in it going into the 3rd quarter, Yarm continued to put pressure on BCS but the strong defensive work of Alex Thompson and Emily Warren stopped Yarm scoring more goals than they did. This, coupled with the attacking play from BCS, meant we won the game 20 -17. Special mention goes to Apolline Bertin who played her first competitive netball game for School and scored with her first shot at goal. Ellie Shannon was named player of the match by the opposition. In the next fixture, the girls started at a pace that put the Pocklington team under immediate pressure that led to us leading 3-2 at the end of the first quarter. The pace of the game took its toll on the BCS girls, with Pocklington
dominating the play and at the end of the 3rd quarter we were down 8-11. The girls identified the main area where they needed to improve and immediately put this into action by dominating the 4th quarter and scoring 4 unanswered goals leaving them leading 12-11 with a few minutes to go. This great effort to put themselves back in front was to no avail as Pocklington steadied themselves to get their noses back in front to win 13-12. This was an excellent game, played sportingly but with totally commitment from both sides. Ellie Shannon continues to prove a much improved player producing consistently athletic and committed performances. But the standout player was Sophie Hopkins who is constantly a thorn in the opposition’s side both in attack and defence. The final game of the season saw us travel to Queen Marys school with 1 player missing due to illness and one of our most consistent players carrying an injury. Last year’s encounter between the 2 teams proved to be a very close affair and after a close first 1/4 with BCS edging it 6-3 it looked likely that it could be the same again. The game remained tight in the 2nd 1/4 with the girls trading goals and the score at half time was 8-5. With both defences making it very difficult to score goals the 3rd 1/4 remained very tight but BCS managed to outscore Queen Marys by 1 goal to leave the score 11-7 in favour of BCS going into the final 1/4. Mr Woodward set the girls a target of scoring 9 goals which would give us a final tally of 20. The girls set about their task with vigour and at the end of the match BCS had won 18-9. Well done to all the girls in our final fixture of the season. Sophie Hopkins was nominated as Player of the Match. This season saw a marked improvement in the players, mainly due to hard work and commitment to training. I look forward to them pushing for Senior team places next year. Due to their excellent performances across the season the player of the season was jointly awarded to Ellie Shannon and Sophie Hopkins, with most improved going to Apolline Bertin AW
U15 B Netball
P 3
W 1
Results: Sedbegh Ampleforth Austin Friars
D 0
L 2
GF 14
GA 46
L L W
GD -32
3-31 5-13 6-2
As well as supporting a busy ‘A’ team schedule the 15Bs played 3 fixtures, affording the opportunity to fringe players to show their skills and push for ‘A’ team places. The girls performed well in all their games and despite coming up against some strong opposition tried hard in all 3 games. Alice Hunter was awarded player of the year and Olivia Blackett most improved. AW
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U14 Netball
U12 Netball
Captain: S Jones Team from: D Oliver, L Dickinson, A Everall, M Forsyth, S Jones, C Laverick, C Martin, S McEwan, A Morrill. P 11
W 10
D 0
Results: Ampleforth Austin Friar’s Durham School Giggleswick Haughton Pocklington Queen Mary’s Richmond Sedbergh St Peter’s Yarm
L 1
GF –
GA –
W W W W W W W W L W W
GD –
6-3 20-11 14-4 21-7 15-5 22-18 20-7 21-7 11-31 15-2 17-9
Before taking this team, I knew of their potential. Individually they are all very good netball players and put together as a team they are outstanding. They were particularly focussed as all of the team were heading off on netball tour to Paris over the Easter break. The extra training sessions that they had, their determined approach, and their overall dedication to netball, really stood them in good stead during the season. The girls had a great term; they fought hard in every game and played with respect against weaker teams. Their results reflect just how good these girls are; it was only Sedbergh and Pocklington who managed to give them a good battle, but even in the latter Barney came out on top. The Pocklington match was a particular highlight for me as every girl stepped up their game to secure the win against tough opposition. I would like to say well done to this group of girls who worked so hard in both training and matches. I hope that they continue to play netball and progress on to the 1st VII in the coming years. LJB
U13 Netball
A Team from: R. Bennett, H. Booth, E.Bowen, D. Currah, A. Fox, E. Gedye, C. Grey-Thompson, A. Pearse, G. Rhodes. B Team from: K. Baxter, E. Forsyth, C. Hamner, R. Hargrove, J. Osbourne, I. Pentland, J. Powell, A. Richardson, F. West. C Team from: L. Anderson, A. Harris, A. Martin, M. McAllister, E. Ryan, A. Salkeld, V. Simpson, A. Tremewan, V. Walker, L. Wilson. Team A P W 8 6
D 1
L 2
GF 130
GA 70
GD 60
Team B P W 5 2
D 0
L 3
GF 47
GA 41
GD 6
Team C P W 3 1
D 0
L 2
GF 18
GA 29
GD -11
Results: A Dame Allan’s W 19-2 Giggleswick Cancelled Mowden Hall W 17-13 Durham Choristers – St Olave’s Tournament – Yarm L 18-21 Austin Friars W 15-2 Windermere – Pocklington W 16-7 Sedbergh L 5-13 Durham School W 21-11 Teesdale – RGS Newcastle W 19-1 Queen Mary’s –
B – – L 3-13 L 5-8 – – W 17-0 Cancelled – W 17-9 – – – L 5-11
C – – – – 3rd – W 5-4 – – L 12-13 – L 1-12 – –
With a large number of enthusiastic netballers in Year 8 we managed to field three teams this season. The A team have gone from strength to strength developing their individual movement and ball skills together with an increasing tactical awareness. They have faced both highs and lows across the term. Highlights have included convincing victories against Dame Allan’s, Austin Friars and RGS Newcastle; however, injuries have taken their toll and losses to Yarm and Sedbergh were disappointing. The B team has worked extremely hard in training and it is great to have such strength and depth in the Year group. Highlights for them have included a super score against Austin Friars, restricting the opposition from scoring and an impressive win against a well-drilled Sedbergh side. The C team has enjoyed four competitive games this term. It has been a pleasure to see them gaining confidence and experience on court and thriving to do their best. It was an extremely difficult choice to choose the most improved player as all of the team has made significant progress on court.
A Team from: E Tweddle(Capt), M Saunders, M Lickrish, K Barker, H Warren, C McKnight, E Kelly, N Robinson, A Oates, E R Rowlandson. B Team from: E Brenkley, H Frankland, L Webster, E R Rowlandson, N Robinson, G Walton, I Oates. Team A P W 8 2
D 0
L 6
GF 54
GA 75
GD -21
Team B P W 2 2
D 0
L 0
GF 7
GA 3
GD 4
The U12A and B teams have had a very successful first season of Senior School netball. The A team’s season began strongly with a highly comfortable win against Dame Allan’s School, who they beat 12–2. They also performed particularly well against The Chorister School, Durham School, and Queen Mary’s School where matches were very evenly suited and hotly contested for. Excitement was very high during the home-hosted U12 Tournament. During this, the A team did incredibly well, culminating in a tournament win against Durham High 8-3. Needless to say the girls were very proud of their victory, and rightly so. The U12Bs have remained unbeaten in their School fixtures this season. They have excelled in training, making good progress with core skills, and this was evidenced in their unbeaten matches producing strongly played games against Teesdale School 2–0, and Richmond School 5-3. Their desire to win is second to none and they too should be proud of their progress and achievements this season. Both teams have impressed me with their support and teamwork both on and off the pitch. When the U12As were 6-18 down against Yarm in the 3rd Quarter and Emily Kelly had to come off for injury, the team of 6 rallied together and showed extreme strength in defence and ball possession. There is plenty of strength and skill in this Year group and I look forward to seeing them develop this further next year. KSH
Awards were presented as follows; Best A Player: E. Bowen Best B Player: J. Osbourne Best C Player: A. Harris Most Improved A Player: J. Powell Most Improved B Player: F. West Most Improved C Player: A. Salkeld TCB
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Swimming
Cross Country Running
Captain: J Shannon Team from: L Li, J McGrath, L Leung, S Sui, A Booth, J Raw, T Jennings, L Xiao, J Sargent, A Tsoi, S Marshall, H Shepherd, T Cheung, S Walton, G Spink, K Baxter, R Bennett, J Powell, E Ryan, V Walker, L Wilson, A Ridley, A Shepherd, L Gill, J McNickle, S Ryan, E Shannon. Results: Sedbergh Ampleforth. Bradford 4 schools Durham Girls 3 schools Whitgift Otter Medley Dunelm Cup Bath Cup Aldenham Cup
U15 Lost Lost 4th Lost 3rd 8th
Senior Won Won Won Won 2nd 67th 33rd 58th 28th
Our first match was the Four Schools match held at Bradford. The Seniors made an excellent start to the season, winning a number of individual races as well as both relays. The U15s found the competition a little tougher, especially as our fly swimmer was unavailable, but all tried hard and there were some good performances. The next match at Durham involved a big squad with many swimmers competing for the first time. It was great to have so many people involved and once again the Seniors swam very well. We then swam our usual gala against Ampleforth. Once again there were a number of excellent performances especially from the Seniors and a number of the U15s improved their personal best times. They have really improved over the course of the season. The girls swam against Durham and Sedbergh in a triangular competition. The U15 team was made up from mainly U13 swimmers and they all swam well. There were a number of close races, but unfortunately they were narrowly pushed into third position. The scores did not reflect how close the races were. The Senior team involved mainly girls from Years 10 & 11, and they did really well against much older girls, managing to secure second spot. The end of the season for the Senior boys was our trip to London. They have been working towards this all year, and have trained really hard. Once again the Bath and Otter cup was to be held at the Aquatics Centre (the Olympic Pool). We swam as usual on the Thursday evening at Whitgift; all of them smashed at least one personal best time - I couldn’t have asked for more. On Friday morning we went over to the Olympic pool. They all swam well in the Freestyle relay; again several of them swam personal best times with Josh Raw chopping 1o seconds off his time from last year. The Medley relay also saw them set a season’s best time. Several of the boys will leave School at the end of the year; they have worked hard and have really pushed some of the younger swimmers on. It has been great to have a big Senior squad and they have been a great influence on the others. So with the alarms all set for morning training – at their request- the preparations for next year’s trip are starting early. FC
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Years 7 and 8 Teesdale School Thirty-eight boys and girls represented the School against 11 other schools in the SW Durham area. Reggie Langton won the Year 8 boys’ race, while India Pentland won the Year 8 girls’ race. The Year 8 girls won the team competition with all girls finishing in the top 20. Abi Pearse was 6th, Josie Powell 7th and Georgie Rhodes was 10th – excellent performances. The Year 8 boys finished second overall with Owen Greaves finishing a very creditable 9th place, making him our second finisher behind Reggie in that race. The Year 7 boys were runners up in the team competition, while the Year 7 girls were 4th overall. Edward Lockwood, Joe Roff and Kitty Barker qualified directly for the County Championships. District and County On the 13th November, Barnard Castle School hosted the South West Durham Schools’ Cross-Country championships for the second year. Over two hundred athletes took part from ten schools across the district. A challenging course was set out giving the athletes a range of terrain and two stiles to contend with. Winner of the Junior boys’ race was Caleb Ellis followed closely by Reggie Langton who was third. In the team race, BCS beat St John’s and Bishop Barrington into second and third place respectively. We enjoyed further success in the Junior girls’ race Stella Jones won, with India Pentland, not too far off the pace, in second place. The team race was won by BCS. The Intermediate boys’ race saw Josh Raw finishing in a very creditable third place. St John’s won the team competition, with BCS and Teesdale taking second and third place. Barnard Castle’s strength in depth helped them prevail for a third time on the day. The Durham County Cross Country Championships took place at Meadowfield Sports Centre, on the outskirts of Durham, on Saturday 17th January. There was a light dusting of snow on a frozen course which led to some slippery conditions for the later runners, but at least it was sunny and calm – a perfect winter’s day for cross-country running. Over fifty young athletes representing South West Durham competed against eight districts from across the county and we made up almost half the team. The district’s best performance of the day came from Stella Jones, winning the Junior girls’ race, to become County Champion. India Pentland finished 4th while Maddy Forsyth was 16th. The Junior boys’ race was a fiercely contested affair and sadly Reggie Langton was badly spiked as he jostled for a qualifying place on the final lap. Caleb Ellis finished a very encouraging 13th position. In the Intermediate boys’ race Josh Raw was 18th while Jacob Shannon finished in 13th place in the Senior boys’ race. Stella and India went on to achieve 4th and 9th places respectively at the Inter-Counties while at the English School’s India was an impressive 81st while Stella, who was unwell, finished 102nd. India can be delighted with her achievements this year as she has been running at the bottom of her age group in all competitions and I am sure Stella will be ready for more success next year. CHA
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The 123rd Barnard Run This year, the Barnard Run took place on Founder’s Day, its traditional day, which fell on Friday 13th February. We were fortunate in having good weather on the day, but poor weather earlier in the term had meant that Houses had had little time to practice, and so there was some concern about team selection. Despite this, competition was impressive and there were some strong performances. It saddened me that Reggie Langton was unable to compete, having been spiked badly in the County Athletics Championships earlier in the season. I trust he will make a full recovery and be back to his best again soon. The Geoffrey Turnbull Cup for Junior Girls was won by the combative and determined India Pentland in a time of 19:13. She pushed hard throughout the race and the field became stretched. Josie Powell took second place, but she could not keep up with India and she finished more than two minutes behind her in 21:27 followed by Abi Pearse finishing third in a time of 22:00.
The Junior Boys’ race also saw the field spread out, but there was fierce competition for first and second places. Owen Greaves proved to be the strongest of the group, winning the Wilford Cup in a time of 19:03, just ahead of second placed George Callaghan who crossed the line in 19:11. Oscar Jacques had to settle for a well-earned third place, finishing the race in a time of 19:53. Stella Jones was always the favourite for the Inter Girls’ race and she won by almost a minute-and-ahalf. Her winning time in the Fred Turnbull Cup was an impressive 18:32, but it fell just outside the record she set last year. Maddy Forsyth and Daisy Oliver, two impressive athletes in their own right, were second and third in times of 19:59 and 21:09 respectively. The most fiercely competed race of the day was the Inter Boys’ Blackett Cup, won by a very determined and gritty performance from Caleb Ellis who was just able to hold off Will Body and Miles Brookes who were literally breathing down Caleb’s neck. The three boys crossed the line within seven seconds of each other. Caleb’s winning time was 17:53 while Will crossed the line four seconds later in 17:57. Miles was third in a time of 18:00. In the Senior Girls’ race Eleanor Everall stole a march on Apolline Bertin to win the ‘Turnbull Shield’ by forty seconds in a time of 21:11. Apolline (21:51), making every effort to match the pace of Eleanor, managed to get over a minute on third placed Isla Hewitson (22:56). The Lloyd Evans Cup is always highly competitive, but a few names usually get mentioned. Using this as a guide, it seemed that Jacob Shannon was race favourite. His determined performance brought him home to victory with an impressive winning time of 24:11 – the best since 2008. He was never going to have it easy and Josh Raw and Connor Lewis would have been ready to pounce given the opportunity. In the end Jacob’s strength and determination led him to an impressive winning margin – Josh finished second in 25:28 and Connor third in 25:49.
The Butterwick Charity Cup Practices for the ‘The Butterwick Cup’ fell foul of the weather this year and so the Barney Bash may have been something of an unknown quantity for our new pupils. Despite this, pupils from all Houses took part with great enthusiasm. Each pupil has to play their part to the best of their ability. It is not so much about winning, but having the determination to take part and to finish just ahead of your nearest rival that is important. When it comes to scoring an ‘average’ house would achieve a score of 45%, this being the mean finishing of the top 90% of the House who are eligible to take part. The girls’ competition was won by Marwood with a score of 42.3%. Marwood’s Inters were particularly strong achieving a score of 34.5%, while their Juniors won by a slightly narrower margin of 41.6%. This was enough to see off a resurgent Longfield who won the Senior event with a score of 37.7%. Meanwhile it was Tees who won the boys’ competition with a score of 40.3%. Tees’ Senior runners helped take the prize away from Durham who had won both the Junior and Inter races with scores of 39.4% and 41.3% respectively. Tees’ Seniors achieved a winning score of 34.3%, beating Durham into third place in this race. So, Tees and Marwood won the Butterwick Charity Cup for the third successive year– the last time Marwood were pushed into second place was by Bowes in 2010. This year the Barney Bash supported the local charity ‘A Smile for a Child’. The Bash itself raised £2893 and £965 was added from a non-uniform day. I was delighted that Prep School had independently supported the event raising £1853 through the Harvest Festival, the Nativity and Carol Services – a truly magnificent whole School event. CHA
The House competitions were as follows: The Ross Cup’ (Junior Girls): Bowes Junior Barnard Cup (Junior Boys): Durham The Chatt Cup (Inter and Senior Girls): Marwood The Barnard Cup (Inter and Senior Boys): Durham.
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Skiing Trip Junior This year's Junior ski trip took place in Les Deux Alpes; a full three hours shorter on the coach than our previous trips to St Anton. With clockwork regularity, the pupils started opening bags of fizzy sweets and bottles of pop at the bottom of the School driveway, which kept them going during the small hours as we drove across France to our destination. Our hotel was a five-minute drive from the main ski lift and the weather as we arrived was glorious sunshine with perfect snow. The Top Gun group set off and kept Mr Alderson and Mr Beaty on the edges of their skis all week, with Jack Dickinson (Dale), Cameron Young and Jamie Adamson leading the way with top speeds and ridiculous runs. At the other end of the scale, the beginner group took their first tentative steps sideways up the baby slope and gingerly pulled their skis into the snow plough position; the looks on their faces suggested they weren't quite convinced they would ever be able to stop themselves. Roll on day two and it was a different story. The confidence found on day one was transferred to half way up the mountain and a few of the blue slopes. Fears were forgotten and the gift of youth - and not worrying about injuries - meant that the beginner group made huge progress. By the end of the week, a few members of the group found themselves happily skiing down black runs. Sadly Mr Bishop could not make this year’s trip and his words of wisdom and skiing prowess were sorely missed. Mr Nicholson did a sterling job of leading the trip and despite a few trips to the local medical centre, the group arrived home largely unscathed, bar some facial sunburn and tired bodies. Once again, it was a great opportunity for pupils to mix across the Year groups and learn a new activity, or improve upon skills already present. AGJ
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Senior Departing on Boxing Day for a spot of skiing over New Year in St Anton would be one of my wishes for Xmas. Fortunately Santa was good to me and the rest of our party as we headed off to Austria just in time to see the snow arrive. Six days of fun-filled and action-packed noisiness spread out before us like a white tablecloth and we did our best to fill every corner of it. Having met out hotel staff, some of which were also instructing us, got kitted out and had a good night’s sleep, we headed off to ski on our first day determined to test every sinew and every type of Austrian snack we could find on the mountains. Five great days of skiing in St Anton and a bonus day in Lech meant we were spoiled for fabulous views and opportunities to look for the spots where they filmed Bridget Jones’ Diary. Our group seemed determined to make the most of the cosmopolitan atmosphere in town and seemed to enjoy their down-time as much as their get-up-and-fall-down time. Popular amongst our choices of things to do was the ski display, which showcases skiing through the ages and some pretty scary jumping in between fireworks and torchlight descents. Pizza night was a top pick and the outdoor leisure pool and whirlpool bath at the aqua-arena were all great nights. The New Year’s Eve fireworks display was, literally, a real cracker and, though bowling night was wonderfully random and very funny our top pick of the week was après-ski at the Moosevirt, complete with dancing on the tables. Between the beginners and the top gunners the gap narrowed as the week went by and everyone declared they were so tired that they needed to sleep for a week. Pity we had to return to School, we thought, and so we resolved to come back and do it again. GB
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Intermediate Play – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Gothic horror descended on Barney on May 18th and 19th this term. No, nothing to worry about really – just a thoroughly enjoyable adaptation by David Edgar of Stevenson’s famous novella ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, chosen as this year’s Intermediate play, in part because it is a set text for our current Year 10. Never let it be said the Drama/English Departments don’t know how to kill two birds with one stone. This was a difficult choice, not least because of its constant scenechanging and unusual props. For this to have been solved, thanks are due not only to the maintenance team and Chemistry department, but also to our helpful cast parents who entrusted us with family heirlooms and treasured belongings (and I don’t mean the students). Numerous boarders also gave up time to help paint the set so we can truthfully say it was a real effort across the School, not just from the cast and tech crew. Inevitably there were some histrionics and diva fits the week before performance (mainly from Miss Harpin and Mrs Hewlett), but despite last minute nerves and frantic learning of lines it was ‘alright on the night’; in fact much more than ‘alright’, it was a resounding success, with all the cast pulling out all the stops, as our students always do when it is needed. Every member of the cast played their part to perfection, from the smallest cameo to the principal actor who was hardly ever off the stage. Jamie Spratt made his first stage appearance as the railway guard and Claire Harrison was totally convincing as the maid who witnessed a gruesome murder. Stage veterans Michael Liu, as a shocked Parson, and Rohan Kelsall, as murder victim Sir Danvers Carew,
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only appeared briefly but exhibited their usual stage presence. Rachel Elphick was not only a key member of the tech crew, but also created real pathos and emotion as Jekyll’s unsuspecting sister. She was ably supported by Kat Stewart and George Spink who were totally convincing as her children. In their stage debuts in a serious play, Robert Walgate made a suitably priggish butler, Poole, and Chris Richards created sympathy for the far from perfect Dr Lanyon. Equally impressive were Charlie Berry and David Goldberg as Utterson and Enfield, two of Dr Jekyll’s friends who serve as a chorus for the action. In the all-important role of Annie, the servant girl, Ceara Sutton-Jones not only coped superbly with the cockney accent but proved herself a worthy leading lady, word-perfect and totally in character throughout. The greatest praise, however, must go to James Terrill in the challenging dual role of Jekyll and Hyde. He brought out the two very different characters with ease and charisma, capturing the audience’s full attention from his opening entrance until the final moments of the play. This was Miss Harpin’s first time as director for one of the School plays and it bodes well for future productions that such high standards were met. She was assisted in shouting, cajoling, pleading and drilling by Mrs Hewlett, no newcomer to such activities. A big thank you must particularly go to Mr Butler (standing in at the last minute as Technical Director) and his tech crew of Oliver Morrill, Adam Wanless and Nathan Barker for the superb special effects, sound and lighting. Leyla Sharafutdinova was an efficient props and front of house, with far more to do than our prompt Jasmine Hooper who, happily, was made redundant on both nights by a word-perfect cast. EAH
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Big Book Bash Firstly we in teams had to make our own 3D Scene from a passage from Journey to the River Sea; it was great fun and ours looked great. After that we spoke to Dan about his new book ‘The Big Game’.
The Durham Schools’ Big Book Bash is an event which takes place every year by several schools. Each team has a task to read ten books in several weeks before the actual event; this year these books were the following: Artemis Fowl, Back to Blackbrick, Frost Hollow Hall, The Witches, Murder Most Unladylike, Mr Stink, Journey to The River Sea, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, My Friend The Enemy and The Rooftoppers. Once our two teams had arrived there we were greeted by author and guest for the day Dan Smith. Firstly he spoke to us about his childhood and about being an author. Then we split into groups to do some great activities.
After lunch we started our final activity which was to match up all the names of characters to the name of their book and author. That was my favourite activity of the day.
He also let us shoot down some papercups with a nerf gun. My other favourite part of the ‘Big Book Bash’ was doing my presentation with my group and watching others perform as well. On the whole it was an amazing day! Ellie Tweddle, Year 7, Marwood House
In our final activity of the day we made a presentation in school and we showed them to the other schools. Wolsingham School won and BCS Team 1 finished third with team 2 in fifth. Overall it was a huge success. Jonathan McNickle, Year 7, North’ House
I enjoyed talking to the author Dan Smith he was really funny and very kind. He told us a little about his new book ‘The Big Game’ and let us watch the trailer for it as well; it looked very exciting.
Junior Play – What’s New Pussycat? They say you should never work with children and animals but the cast of 'What's New Pussycat?’ this year's Junior Play, included 27 children, a cat and a camel and proved the advice entirely wrong. The cast was a pleasure to rehearse with, their enthusiasm knew no bounds and the audience were caught up in the fun and clapped along to songs ranging from the sixties to the eighties. In the title role as the pussycat, Esia Forsyth delivered a performance worthy of a professional production and her skill was matched by that of her male counterpart, Joe Johnson, who played the role of Harry with perfect comic timing. Both delighted the audience with their solo and duet singing performances as well. The three old ladies of the cast were played by Evie Brenkley, EmeliaRose Rowlandson and Georgina Walton and all three delivered comic lines with absolute precision once they had mastered the art of holding back their own giggles! No summer pantomime would be complete without a witch and a troll played respectively by Amy Richardson and Ella Bowen. Both were completely convincing in their roles with voices that took a great deal of practice to perfect. The villagers (Carys Grey-Thompson, Jasmine Richards, Hannah Booth, Amelia Oates and Katie Baxter) and their bosses Simon (Matthew Forster)
and Tom (Ben Powell) were a perfect contrast to one another, with Ben playing the wicked brother and Matthew the slightly dim but kind foil for him. The royal family and servants were played loudly and regally by Bagi Ali as the King, Georgina Rhodes as the Queen and Josie Powell as the demure princess who tugged on the heartstrings of a love-sick Joe Johnson and confided her own fears in her maids, Kiah Baxter and Jemimah Osborne. Chloe Hanmer was a suitably frustrated doctor caring for the demanding King and Ruby Hargrove her ever-patient nurse. The various pages and footmen were played by Emily Kelly, Lauren Wilson, James Newell and Niamh Robinson, who stepped in at the last moment to play a second role and cover for illness. We were very grateful for her courage! Last but most definitely not least was the camel who amused and delighted young and old with his sure-footed, if slightly bizarre, dance. Verity Walker and James Newell had fun practising not falling down the steps in rehearsal, and made the most of their frequent cameo appearances. None of us wanted to part with him after the play! As always the cast was well-supported by the excellent Tech Team and the Maintenance Department who stayed patient in the face of every request! Thank you to them all. AMG
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Industry Day 2015 Yves Saint Laurent FASHION and event marketing was top of the agenda at Barnard Castle School as the Bowes Museum team set sixth formers the challenge of promoting its prestigious Yves Saint Laurent ‘Style is Eternal’ exhibition as part of the School’s annual Industry Day. Bowes Museum’s Head of Marketing Richard Welsby, Digital Marketing Officer Alison Nicholson and Events and Group Organiser Rosie Bradford presented information on the exhibition to teams of Barney Sixth Formers at the School before the students were challenged to develop a marketing campaign for the opening of the highly-anticipated show. Respected industry representatives joined the teams as mentors on the day, including academics from Northumbria University, Barbour’s Sales and Marketing Director Ian Beattie and key figures from Coaching Tree, Deutsche Bank, Nissan and Robson Brown. During Barney’s annual Industry Day, students are given an insight into the working environment of a business by engaging with live briefs, collaborating with visiting professionals who act as mentors and completing tasks that businesses face daily.
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This year, the teams were tasked with producing a marketing campaign for the exhibition to include branding for a billboard poster, radio campaign and pre-show event. The teams then presented their ideas to the panel of three, competing for the Barnard Castle School Industry Day Cup. The winning team, from the Modern Foreign Languages Department, were chosen for their highly professional marketing campaign, with a focus on a social media plan. They said, “it was a very good experience for all of us and a great reward for heading off a lot of stiff competition. The Bowes Museum and the business mentors helped us achieve our marketing plan and gave us insight into a real working environment.” Students get an idea of what it’s really like to work in a business on Industry Day; they work to tight deadlines, within a budget, as a team and learn to delegate tasks. As the day goes on they also start to identify their strengths and weaknesses, as well as likes and dislikes in these scenarios, which is a steep but important learning curve. It’s important to us that our Sixth Formers have an idea of what it’s like to work in a business before they head out into the world of employment. Working with mentors from
different backgrounds also gives the students the chance to find out about different career paths and ask questions about working life. One of the mentors for this year’s Industry Day was Gayle Cantrell, Programme Leader for the prestigious Fashion Communication course at Northumbria University, Newcastle. She said: “It’s great to see Sixth Formers participating in activities like this as it helps them make informed decisions about what they want to do when they leave school. We’re always looking for talented, creative individuals who might be interested in joining our programme and we’ve been impressed by the way the Barney students have reacted to the brief; they’ve been creative, motivated and have demonstrated excellent teamwork.” The Bowes Museum judge Richard Welsbey said: “We’ve really enjoyed hearing how these students would raise the profile of Style is Eternal and will no doubt go away with some interesting ideas. We hope the students come and look at the exhibition when it’s open and see if any of their work has fed into our plans.” NJC
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Golf
Politics
The Open – St Andrews
Mock elections
The 144th Open Championship in St Andrews not only saw the first Barnard Castle School trip to the event, but also the first (I believe) Old Barnardian to play in golf’s oldest major. OB Rob Dinwiddie sadly didn’t make the cut after two day’s play, but the Barney scoring team stayed there until the bitter end; even with Epsom College falling by the wayside. The scoreboard team of Sam Leeming, Duncan Hewitson, Tim Stirke, Sam Theakston, Tilly McAllister, James Davidson and Lewis Maddison were so good in fact that Peter Alis announced live on the BBC ‘what a wonderful job they were doing’. The media coverage around the team was so great that their fame reached across the Atlantic. Followers of ESPN and America’s Golf Channel were captivated by the BCS ‘Snicks Cricket’ and ‘Four Square’ as play was postponed by first a torrential downpour and then cyclonic winds. Those with slightly more golfing knowledge, Tom Marston, George Hall, Joe Bolton, Jack Ellis & Max Weighell took to the hallowed turf of the Old Course as scoreboard carriers. Walking directly behind the world’s greatest players was a tough job, but somebody had to do it. There’s too much to mention, but the following memories will remain with the group, Mr Everall and myself; The Champion Golfers’ Challenge; Jack’s lost information bib; the Driving Range; the hostel where alarms were replaced by seagulls; Tom’s 3am shower; George’s 18th birthday; folk music; Jack declining a drink with Eddie Pepperell; and of course Mr Everall’s selfie with Sergio Garcia. All in all, the trip was a great success and the boys and girl of Barnard Castle did the School proud. JRW
In the weeks running up to the 7th of May, “election fever” gripped the School! (Well, if not the whole School, it certainly did the occupants of E1, namely the Politics students.) We decided that it was our mission to enhance the political education of Year 11 and the Sixth Form. In the run up to Election Day, six brave individuals spoke to the rest of the students about why it was important to vote, and then they advocated the various parties. James Davidson spoke from the heart and with few notes on why he saw voting as a civic duty, not just right. Jacob Bradford- Parker became a convincing spokesperson for UKIP, as Sam Graham and he had crafted a persuasive argument about putting the Great back into Great Britain. Next up was David Evans’ speech for the Labour Party, which highlighted the plight of desperate migrants in the Mediterranean. Ben Pullan spoke with gravitas about the Conservative Party and its plan to keep Britain’s economy growing. Oliver Larcombe, when advocating the Liberal Democrats, spoke of the need for social equality and why being at the heart of Europe was more important than being on the fringes. Last to go were Lorna Bussey and Millie Cartwright speaking for the Greens. They finished their speech with the sobering message that humans had destroyed over half of the world’s trees since the Industrial Revolution. As Election Day unfolded we too held our own mock election. Ballot boxes were hastily made and Lower Sixth students manned our Central Hall polling station. Turnout was good at over 75%, higher than the real thing, and the Conservatives secured a majority in all the Year groups, having been pushed hard by the Greens. All that remained was for the excitement of the election night to unfold. Many boarders and Westminster junkies stayed up late with Mr. Butler as the exit polls predicted a very different outcome to the opinion polls! AJC
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Junior Artwork
Geaorge Palombella Y7
Amy Richardson Y8
Charlie Berry Y9
Daisy Oliver Y9
Madeleine Forsyth Y9
James Newell Y8
Hannah Booth and Darcy Currah
Chloe Hammer Y8
Joe Roff Y7
Adam Petley Y8
Amy Morrill Y9 Joseph Clamp Y7
Esia Forsyth Y8 Abbie Wilkinson Y9
Ellen Bowen Y8
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Jackson Smith Y9
Emily Kelly Y7
Niamh Robinson Y7
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Senior Artwork
Shannon Currah
Gordon Poon
Shannon Currah
John Chui
Amy Alderdice
Arran Keogh
Kim Hodgson
Geneveive Myan
Ardin Jacques
Helen Welgate
Caption
Lucas Xaio
Beth Salkeld
Hannah Belam
Gordon Poon
Geneveive Myan
Gordon Poon
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Adventure Training 2Lt Wade, Lt Fairwood and 9 cadets left Barney in in glorious sunshine and were soon greeted by the familiar Lake District drizzle. We spent the evening settling into Derwent Water Youth Hostel; unpacking, playing pool, table tennis and a quick game of Frisbee in between rain showers. After a hearty Monday morning breakfast we headed down to Derwent Water for a day of water sports. After learning to setup the sail boats the team took to the water as the wind steadily increased over the course of the morning. Lance Corporal Oliver Theakston was the first to take a dip where as his co-pilot Cadet Harry Shepherd managed to stay in the boat and remain dry. The pair were soon back up to speed and putting in some excellent turns. Cadets Joel Hargrove and Tom Leeming took to the water and managed to tip their boat over within a few minutes, with Joel somehow managing to balance on the side of the boat protruding from the water, avoiding getting wet. Cadets Ceara Sutton-Jones and Jessica McNickle gracefully glided across the water shortly before depositing Jessica into it. Harry Shepherd took to the water again but this time accompanied by Lance Corporal Rachel Elphick; the pair proved to be the most effective and spent the longest on the water. Lance Corporal Vickers and Cadet SuttonJones got plenty of speed. A visit from WO1 Lewis at lunch was most welcome, especially since he came bearing chocolate treats. The afternoon saw the cadets and staff take to the water in three rafted canoes since the wind was getting very strong. The cadets headed to the local swimming pool, unperturbed by the amount of water they’d already seen earlier in the day. There was a “Wave Rave” in full swing and enjoyed by all. The next morning Lt Fairwood and Cadet Joel Hargrove left right after breakfast on Tuesday to setup the abseil. As senior members of the School Climbing Club, Joel was keen to see how the system is setup and was very helpful. The rest of the group, along with Major Connor and the latest addition to the Connor clan, arrived at the abseil just in
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time for the drizzle to resume. The experience of the group was varied and when it came to abseiling; some of the first timers pushed themselves to overcome their fears and abseiled down the rock face which would not have been possible without support and encouragement from their peers - Cadet Sutton-Jones even came back for a second go. The local crag was too wet for outdoor climbing so we headed to the Keswick Climbing Wall for some afternoon adventures. Cadets Joel Hargrove and Tom Leeming were able to pass on some of their climbing skills to the group as well as help their peers with their knot tying and belaying skills. Our annual challenge if to see if a cadet can traverse around the entire bouldering wall without falling off saw both Joel and Tom succeed. The cadets spent the afternoon scaling the walls and pushing themselves to take on more and more challenging routes. On Wednesday we managed a 15minute lie in. After breakfast we loaded up the minibus and headed to Langdale for our gorge walk. Lt Fairwood led the cadets up the stream, over boulders, up waterfalls, through deep pools and across stepping stones. On the way back to the bus, the cadets decided they’d like to take advantage of the plunge pools along the route; knowing full well Lt
Fairwood would have to test them first to check they were safe. After a change of clothes, the minibus took us into town where there was time to pick up some souvenirs before heading back to the hostel to put all of our wet kit in the drying room and get ready the contingent meal in Keswick. We headed into town for a delicious Chinese meal. On returning to the hostel there was just time for some ‘Pass the Pigs’ and some pool before bed. Thursday was an admin day, packing, stripping beds and loading the bus before heading back to School. On our return, the team packed away all the equipment with ease and assembled for the end of exercise parade. Cadet Joel Hargrove was awarded the Hall Shield for ‘Best Cadet on Adventure Training’ for his helpful attitude towards the staff and his peers; it was a very difficult decision for the staff as all the cadets distinguished themselves in different ways and were a credit to the contingent and the School. This camp marked the final CCF event that 2Lt Wade would play a part in. The contingent are grateful to him for all the time and effort he has put into the CCF which made camps like this possible. HWF
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Exercise 1st Look 70 new Year 9 cadets took part in a 24hour ‘First Look’ exercise at Downholme Quarry plantation, Catterick Training Area on Saturday and Sunday. After a morning of normal School lessons, the cadets were eager to get into CCF kit and out into the field to begin the exercise. Once they reached the training area, the cadets were put into their sections and introduced to the senior NCO’s; Cadet RSM Seb Hampson, Cadet CSM Tilly McAllister, Colour Sergeant Lizzie Clouston, Sergeants Olly Larcombe and Jack Marston, Flt Sgt Duncan Hewitson and Cpl Alex Booth. In the afternoon, the cadets took part in four lessons; camouflage and concealment, basha building, observation and how to cook ration packs. The cadets listened intently in the lessons and were keen to volunteer for any tasks they were set. This was good, as all of the lessons, including how to work as a team, would be useful for the evening’s night exercise. The cadets were then given bashas, bungees, ration packs and stoves, and sent off to make camp. Helped by members of senior cadets and staff (including the Headmaster) the camps took shape, once everyone had a hot meal inside them. Cadets then made their way down to the quarry, where they watched a demonstration section attack by the senior cadets. This included the briefing from Capt Monument, followed by the patrol led by the
IC, RSM Seb Hampson. Under enemy fire, an assault was carried out by Charlie section, whilst Delta section gave covering fire. The enemy was defeated, and the cadets made their way back to listen to the debrief. At around 2200hrs section commanders taught cadets how to patrol, use field signals and how to effectively get information on a close target recce (CTR). Once the cadets had been given the briefing, the four sections moved out from different points on the training area. Their task was to patrol and pick up information from two enemy bases using a CTR. The cadets were successful in getting information whilst listening to the enemy talking. This included information on when a number of rifles was going to be delivered to the enemy camp. Cadets then patrolled back to camp, where they had hot chocolate and a chocolate bar before retiring to their bashas for a few hours sleep. Cadets were woken up at 0630 by the sound of Mr Lewis shouting. The cadets ate their breakfast and packed away their bashas. Following this, the senior cadets did a demonstration command task, and the cadets then went off and participated in four separate command tasks, run by the senior cadets. They were herding sheep, turning the tarp, spider’s web and a team building exercise. The cadets all demonstrated good teamwork in their sections. Overall, the weekend was thoroughly enjoyable for all those involved, and I look forward to seeing the cadets’ progress throughout their CCF careers.
Exercise 2nd Look 23 cadets took part in Exercise Second Look this term and the majority used it as a revision day for what lies ahead of them at Annual Camp. The day started with some quick weapon revision before all cadets successfully passed their weapon handling test. The rest of the morning was devoted to lessons on the 6 section battle drills, which included preparation for battle, reaction to effective enemy fire, location of the enemy and winning the fire fight. Cadets were put into their sections; 1 section, led by sergeant Kim Hodgson with her 2ic corporal Ollie Theakston and 2 section, led by sergeant Kerin Borer, with her 2ics lance corporal Matthew Hannar and Ross Gardiner. The sections rehearsed how they were going to tactically patrol across the open ground and what to do if they came under
Staff and NCO’s watched the cadets participate in the activities and kept a close eye on them throughout the weekend. After discussions the following prizes were awarded; Best cadet: Chloe Laverick Best section: Section 4 Senior pupil who contributed most to the weekend: Lizzie Clouston Lizzie Clouston, Upper Sixth, Longfield House / MGL
attack from an enemy position. Meanwhile, lance corporal Hugh Roberts and sergeant Sam Adamson were moving undercover where they were to act as the enemy. With rounds allocated to each person, the sections in turn patrolled across Catterick training area. Slick instructions from each section commander ensured that when they came under enemy fire, they reacted to it effectively, conserved ammunition and used smoke to cover their position whilst moving in on the enemy position. Despite Kim and Kerin never commanding a section attack before, they both did exceptionally well. They ensured that delta fire team gave covering fire, whilst charlie fire team ‘pepper potted’ up to the enemy before attacking the position. All cadets had a very enjoyable day, learning new tactical manoeuvres which will put them in very good stead for future section attacks. Major C E Connor
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4x4 in Schools Challenge In September last year we began building our 4x4 vehicle for the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Challenge. In this challenge we had to construct a remote-controlled, 4-wheel-drive rock crawler. It had to meet certain specifications, such as height, wheel angles and weight. It had to be able to drive around a set course with obstacles, and also tow a trailer around another, shorter track. Under the guidance of Mr Oakley, our team consisted of Cameron Lewis, who was the team leader, William Harwood, whose main task was building the vehicle, Tomas Nicholson, who was responsible for the portfolio and PR and Adam Clamp, who stayed with us up to the regional finals. During the nine-month preparation we had to secure sponsorship to finance the project, to design and make the vehicle and carry out research about different 4-wheel-drive systems while documenting everything we did. As we were in the beginner’s class, and it was the first time the School had entered this type of competition, we were advised to get a starter kit. It meant we only had to make an outer shell, a tow bar and fit the sensors and lights. We made a metal shell out of aluminium, and plastic wheel arches fitted with rivets. We painted it with metal paint and attached specified stickers. On 10th March 2015 we went to the Regional finals in Discovery School, Newcastle, where we competed against 4 other schools. We had to do a verbal presentation, a pit display and we all had to drive part of the main course whereas only one team member had to drive the vehicle towing a trailer. To our delight we were invited to the national finals on 27th March.
Before the nationals we had to make some adjustments to the vehicle; we modified the shell, added better electronics and fixed any breakages. It was a race to the finish as we were short of time. Thanks to Dr McDermott, we managed to pull through and get to the nationals reasonably well-prepared. The nationals were held in the Transport Museum in Coventry. We tried to charge our vehicle overnight but unfortunately it did not work and as we were first on the course, we lost points straight away because we had to borrow another vehicle. We managed to do well in all other aspects but our penalty points cost us dearly. We finished second last. It was a great experience and we learnt a lot on the day. Our thanks go to Mr Oakley and the sponsors: Barbour, Spitfire Cycles, Maude’s and Hodgson’s. Tomas Nicholson, Year 9, Durham House
Gerald Scarfe Exhibition In previous History lessons, Year 9 have been looking at cartoons and discussing what they can tell you about a period of time in history. The current exhibition at the Bowes Museum of Scarfe’s Thatcher drawings seemed like an obvious cross-curricular link for the Art department to follow up. After an initial lesson doing their homework on Margaret Thatcher and her time in office, Year 9 walked across to the Bowes, where they discussed issues described in the drawings and looked at the way the drawings themselves had been made. Pupils mentioned how surprised they were at the scale of the drawings compared to what is finally reproduced in the papers. They talked about how even the way they were drawn looked quite aggressive, as if the whole arm had swept across a page. The black and white made them quite striking, and even the colours used were somehow unattractive and aggressive. Year 9 copied their favourite pieces, looking at the mark making Scarfe had used and the way he had exaggerated Thatcher’s features to communicate his thoughts on her policies. They returned to the art room to use these techniques to express their views on our current politicians. SLR
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Art Trips London Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Longfield Dinner As always, Longfield Dinner was a smashing affair, with the girls – and the staff – in their finest outfits for an evening of entertainment, good food and great company as we gathered to wish our leavers the very best, and celebrate the sorority of Longfield House.
Year 11 and Lower Sixth students enjoyed an inspiring day out to visit the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, London. We were first of all met by Jim Lambie’s kaleidoscopic stairs made of brightly coloured vinyl tape, leading to the Main Galleries. The theme of vibrant colours continued through to the Central Hall. This year’s exhibition was co-ordinated by Michael Craig-Martin, whose committee handpicked the art from over 12,000 entries. The rooms flowed through with bursting colours and complimentary art work filling each wall. The art varied from painting, printmaking and sculpture, to photography and film. The main artists consisted of Matthew Darbyshire, Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst, all of whom had their own unique style and presentation. We were also lucky enough to be invited to see the RA students’ work which proved to be very inspiring for many. Amy Alderdice (Year 11, Bowes) and Sophie Barnes (Year 11, Longfield)
Following photos and pre-arrival drinks, parents, staff, guests and students were escorted to our tables for a delicious starter, followed by a vocal performance by Amy Morrill, Year 9. After the main courses, the girls of Lower Sixth – who had put a tremendous amount of effort into the evening’s proceedings – delivered speeches wishing the outgoing Upper Sixth the very best of luck with everything the future holds. As always, there were plentiful tears – as well as one or two questionable anecdotes. This was followed by pre-filmed conversations with each of the leavers’ favourite teachers. The entire evening was lovely, and we wish all of those not returning in September, for whatever reason, the best of luck – they will always be a part of Longfield, and it them. TSE
Yorkshire Sculpture Park On June 2nd Year 10 artists went to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We went to experience different sculptures first hand, with a hope that it would benefit our own projects. In the park there were many buildings and fields that contained different types of sculptures by many different artists. I found looking at the drawings of Henry Moore particularly beneficial towards my drawing technique. It was an inspirational trip, and all of my peers agreed that it was a great day. Jessica Pearse, Year 10, Bowes House
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Whitby On Tuesday 30th June, Year 7 were given the opportunity to experience a day in Whitby as part of their study of Robert Swindells’ Room 13. Leaving the School at 8.50am on the hottest day of the year to date, we headed to the coast, with the promise of creative writing in the graveyard with the abbey as the backdrop, a treasure hunt quiz organised by Mr and Mrs Waddington, the Dracula Experience and fish and chips for lunch at the award-winning Quayside restaurant. However, when all’s said and done, the true highlight was of course the chance to frolic on the beach, paddling in the sea, and – for a lucky few – even the opportunity to ride a donkey! TSE
To Serve King and Country Bowes Museum Project Inspired by the glorious view and guided through a fascinating research project entitled ‘To Serve King and Country’, designed to combine History with Literature and Creative Writing, ten pupils from Barnard Castle School, and six from Teesdale, spent three days in the last weeks of term in the Reading Room at the top of the Bowes Museum. Guided by Rupert Philbrick, the Museum’s Community Officer, the pupils, ranging from Year 7 to 11, examined documents, photographs and objects from the First World War. Some were fascinated by the letters written to the Museum at the start of the war suggesting it would be used to billet troops. Others were captivated by personal letters, photographs, medals and newspaper articles
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from original copies of the Teesdale Mercury of courage and gallantry only to discover that the names they were researching could be found on the War Memorial in the grounds of the Museum. A copy of the Barnardian Magazine from 1915, complete with a list of boys lost the previous year and a copy of the School song, was found in one folder, while another contained a poem mentioning drill on the ‘Fine fields of the County School’. As a tribute, the pupils movingly read their first pieces of writing beside the DLI Memorial on the second day. Names on the War Memorial held a new poignancy as if they had been brought to life. Glimpses behind the scenes at the Museum included a visit to the Restoration Room which has never been visited by the public
before. Priceless antiquities were a few inches from our pupils who were awed by the age of the objects and the skill involved in restoring them. Talks by Museum curators introduced artefacts that dated from the period and one of our pupils was so enthused, he asked how he could establish a career in this particular field. With skill, artistry and tremendous passion, Rupert led the pupils to a concluding day in which all they had seen and experienced inspired them to write a creative piece that will be shared with their families in September. AMG
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Cricket 1st XI Cricket
Captain: Tom Sowerby Team from: T. Adamson, J. Hetherington, T. Stirke, G. Hall, T. Lush, M. Weighell, H. Glover, A. Pearson, C. Pearson, F. Lockwood, M. Price, A. Rusk, C. Fawcett, K. Atkinson, J. Picken, J. Ellis, G. Spink, C. Lewis, S. Leeming. P 13
W 3
D 2
L 8
-
-
-
Runs
Times out Higest score Average
362 321 155 150
10 11 9 4
Batting: Tom Soweby Tom Adamson Toby Lush Keiran Atkinson
78 63 35 101*
36.2 29.18 17.22 37.5
Bowling: Overs Maidens Wickets Runs Average Best
Tom Sowerby Tim Stirke Charlie Pearson Toby Lush
89 50 36 73
0 4 5 13
16 10 10 9
429 243 178 297
26.81 24.3 17.8 33.0
4-24 3-49 4-17 3-21
With 21 players used this season and 12 making first team debuts it was always going to be challenging with such a youthful squad. Significant contributions were made by the more senior members but it also gave the younger players invaluable experience. The season’s opening match began with facing an experienced XL Club XI. The match ended in a draw with Barney only being left with 24 overs to chase 154 in the last session. Tom Sowerby took 4-24 in the next match against Giggleswick which paved the way for a good win. Tom also scored 32 runs and Tom Adamson was impressive with 48. Two defeats at the hands of RGS Newcastle and the MCC taught the boys a lot about how to chase big totals. Against Ampleforth they showed what they had learned and having to make 259 Barney ended up 215-4, earning a well deserved draw. Sowerby scored 73 but the outstanding performance came from Keiran Atkinson with 101 not out. The Durham Pilgrims in the next match saw some well known performers provide a masterclass in batting; Messers Usher, Swires and McTurk ensured the visitors reached a challenging 181 total. Barney responded well with Adamson and young all-rounder Toby Lush finishing top scorers but we were agonisingly short of the required target. The second part of the season saw fixtures come thick and fast; Trinity College from Australia were reduced to 131 all out with Hamish Glover ripping through the top order with 3-16. Unfortunately the inexperienced Barney team were no match for the Aussie bowling attack and we came up short. Chasing 205 against QEGS Wakefield brought about good contributions from Adamson (63), Hetherington (59 not out) and Matthew Price (32) with the bat saw us finishing just short, but a well deserved draw. An excellent win against a good quality OB team saw Charlie Pearson (Year 9) take 417 and Tom Sowerby score 75 not out. The Festival is always a tough few days but something 1st XI cricketers hope to aspire to play in. A strong Rossall team proved too powerful with the bat setting over 250. Charlie Pearson performed extremely well on the day, however. The second match against Edinburgh Academy proved challenging too. Impressive batting from Callum Fawcett (46) and a swashbuckling 40 from Hamish Glover gave Barney hope. Our best performance was saved until the
last match against the undefeated host, Kings’ Macclesfield. We set a reasonable target of 208 with Sowerby scoring 62 and Lush 35. This was supported with tight bowling from Lush (2-21) and George Hall (3-28) ensuring that Kings’ were 18 runs short at the end. Hopefully, the season provided what was a very young team invaluable experience, which only bodes well for the future. Congratulations to Tom Sowerby who has represented the 1st XI for the last four seasons. It is hoped that the experiences playing for Barney stand the leavers in good stead and good luck to them with their cricketing future. It is very exciting to see the younger players getting so many opportunities and with the likes of Charlie and Alex Pearson, Matthew Price, Toby Lush and George Spink, it is hoped the 1st XI will continue to make progress. A special thank you once again to Gary Ventress and his team for producing fantastic playing surfaces, which are very quickly building a very good reputation and helping our cricketers develop.
JL
U15 Cricket Captain: A. Gedye Team from: I. Aggarwal, M. Chapman, M. Goyal, J. Hudson, C. Lewis, T. Leeming, M. Living, T. Lush, S. Marshall, C. McKnight, H. Monkhouse, A. Pearson, C. Pearson, M. Price, H. Shepherd, G. Spink, W. Swinbank, O. Theakston, T.Tyrrell-Edwards. Results: BCS 113 all out 119-4 104 all out 82 all out 99-8
OPPOSITION Giggleswick 191-3 Castle View 115-6 Durham 68-0 Yarm 81-5 Dame Allan’s 83-7 RGS 116-5
20/20 Knockout Eaglescliffe 94-6 Durham 95-4
RESULT Lost by 78 runs Won by 6 wickets Abandoned Won by 23 runs Lost by 1 run Lost by 17 runs
Walk-over Lost by 6 wickets
ECB/ESCA Under 15 Trophy 145 all out Duchess H. S. 65 all out Won by 80 runs 168-8 Birkenhead 142 all out Won by 26 runs 122 all out Manchester GS 220-9 Lost by 98 runs Batsmen reaching 50 or more: Matthew Price: 57* and 53 Andrew Gedye: 54 Toby Lush: 50 The U15 season can be split into two distinct parts. When able to select from a full squad of players, the team could be very competitive indeed, but when deprived of three players required by the 1st XI then the squad’s resources were spread too thinly. The results are testament to this; whether in 20/20, in the ECB/ESCA competition or simply in an ordinary School fixture, at full strength the side won more matches than it lost; when weakened the side did not win a single game. Andrew Gedye captained the side, took his task seriously and did a sensible job. His highlight was his 50 against Manchester GS but he always tried to bat in a sensible manner and set good standards. Toby Lush and Matthew Price also scored 50s in the season with Marcus Chapman and Harry Monkhouse also making valuable contributions. Too often, though, the batsmen tended to be too impatient and were far more inclined to 20/20 than Test Match. The bowlers toiled and the only times the opposition were bowled out were when it was a 40-overs match. Toby Lush, Matthew Price and Alex Pearson all had their moments and again they were supported by Marcus Chapmen, Harry Monkhouse and Tom Tyrrel-Edwards. This season, therefore, allowed others to play a more prominent role. This opportunity was not always taken but Jack Hudson, Ishan Aggarwal, Will Swinbank and Simon Marshall all made valuable contributions. Mention must
also be made of those players who fielded with good grace but didn’t get many chances to bat and bowl - Max Living, Harry Shepherd and Manan Goyal fall into this category. The highlight was the progress in the ECB/ESCA U15 Trophy, where with the addition of some Year 9 players (George Spink, Cameron McKnight, Charlie Pearson and Cameron Lewis) the side reached the North final before succumbing to Manchester GS. Ultimately the team did not quite fulfil its potential and players did not get the correct mind-set when playing. My thanks to them, however, for their efforts, and also to the parents for their support during the season. DCSE
U14 Cricket Team from: G Spink(c), S Butterfield, D Goldberg, E Hall, C Lewis, F Lockwood, C McKnight, T Newton, J Nichols, T Nicholson, C Pearson, M Pepper, M Price, C Robinson, E Swinbank, H Williams. P 9
W 5
D 2
L 2
-
-
-
In a season where only two of the nine fixtures did not include rain and bad weather, it is a testament to the boys that they came away winning five of those matches and drawing two. They had to play through some very tough conditions, the worst of which was the first match of the season against Giggleswick; trying to get a game in by playing through horizontal rain, cold and a strong gale will no doubt be a memory that they will not forget in a while. The team then went on play Durham Academy which was a loss but is always going to be a tough game when playing against the best U14 cricketers from around the county. It was a good experience for our boys, especially the ones that still aspire to reach that standard as it’s a good chance to compare themselves and see where they have to improve their game. The following game was against Durham School which you could say was against a half strength Durham Academy team - the top 5 batsmen for Durham School are the Academy’s top 5 who we played 3 days previously. The team got to play in good conditions for the first time of the season while putting in a good performance. In tribute to the team this match was the second and final loss of the season of which both loses came against very tough opponents. The next two matches against Yarm and Ampleforth saw an improvement in results to gaining two draws but both games could have easily been victories if it wasn't for lapses in concentration which caused too many extras being given away through too many bad balls, miss-fields and dropped catches. After working on these areas and a few pep talks they had a great end to the season winning four from four, beating Newcastle School for Boys, RGS Newcastle, Austin Friars and saving the best till last to beat Yarm who they had previously drawn against earlier in the season. This Yarm match saw two half centuries from Freddie Lockwood and Cameron McKnight, very few miss-fields, superb bowling from Jack Nichols, and great keeping from lively Sam Butterfield who had to take his bowling shoes off and taken over the gloves as wicket keeper. The season and the match were topped off with an 11-man celebration when Tomas Nicholson took his first catch of the season and it was a great way for the lads to finish off the season in front of the large amount of spectators who had stayed to watch the exciting game after the 1st XI's Old Boys match had finished. The season was not just won by a team of eleven players of whom only a handful can play, we had sixteen players represent our U14s this season, of which seven got thirty or more runs when batting, always strongly lead by captain George Spink who scored the most runs of the season. From these sixteen players twelve got the chance to bowl at some point in the season and eleven of those got wickets, with Charlie Pearson gaining the most wickets of the season proving the depth of talent that this group of boys have. The most exciting part of the team is that they have
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multiple all-rounders; McKnight, Pepper, Newton, Nichols, Lockwood, Butterfield and Lewis make an impact every match with either bat or bowl. Special mention must go to Ethan Hall, who won most improved player of the year due to originally not appearing in the team sheet but a regular in the second half of the season due to his unique long barrier technique and contribution with the bat becoming a regular big hitter. Cameron Lewis gained the accolade of best player of the season after coming away with every match he played in with great bowling figures and a good tally off the bat. With all this talent it’s no wonder Cameron Lewis, Freddie Lockwood, Charlie Pearson, Matthew Price and George Spink represented the 1st XI at some point throughout the season. With all this said it was a great season for the boys and a privilege to coach them and I am excited to watch them earn and keep their places in the 1st XI in the years to come. CDMM
improved and always tried to play straight and Lewis Wells certainly has potential as a batsman and fielder. Usher and Makepeace took 10 wickets apiece but were often unlucky not to take more; Peacock took 15, and was dangerous when he found his radar. At times he was wayward and expensive. Olly Bale bowled his leg-spin to good effect at times whilst Bagi Ali was the most improved bowler and picked up 6 wickets. Liam Rusk was also accurate on a regular basis. The fielding was patchy on the whole but Edward ‘Jonty’ Rhodes and Bagi Ali showed great enthusiasm and were fine ground fielders. The whole team’s skills did improve as the season wore on but this is still a key area that they all need to improve on. My thanks to all the players for their enthusiasm, and to the parents for their support from the other side of the boundary rope. I hope that these boys will continue to improve their skills and to enjoy their cricket in the years to come. JDG
U13 Cricket Team from: F. Usher (c), R. Makepeace, A. Petley, O. Greaves, E. Rhodes, L. Peacock, J. Alderdice, B. Ali, B. Powell, L. Wells, L. Rusk, G. Callaghan, L. Blackburn, S. Steer-Richards, O. Bale. Results: BCS 113 all out 119-4 -
OPPOSITION RESULT Giggleswick 191-3 Lost by 78 runs Castle View 115-6 Won by 6 wickets Durham 68-0 Abandoned Giggleswick Lost by 4 wickets Sedbergh Lost by 9 wickets Yarm Lost by 8 wickets Durham Academy Lost by 49 runs Mowden Hall Lost by 18 runs Castle View Won by 146 runs St Johns Won by 10 wickets RGS Newcastle Lost by 7 wickets Durham School Lost by 72 runs St Olave’s Lost by 9 wickets Austin Friars Won by 12 runs Dame Allans Won by 5 runs Played 12, Won 4 lost 8
This was an enjoyable season from an enthusiastic group of cricketers, most of whom still have a great deal to learn about the game, but who all enjoyed the social and competitive aspects as well as the camaraderie that comes from playing team sport. In several games the team was outclassed, others they could - and perhaps should - have won; we did win four including our last two matches. The Giggleswick game was an exciting opener to the season, played in near arctic conditions. Giggleswick passed our competitive total with four wickets to spare, and we were left to rue too many extras. The Yarm game was a much closer affair than the scores looked, with an exciting finish – they hit the winning run with only two balls to spare. Our bowlers gave Durham Academy a scare before our batsmen succumbed to defeat. Mowden Hall should have been beaten after Louis Peacock took 7 wickets, but their last wicket partnership put on crucial runs before they bowled tightly. It was an exciting game against Austin Friars – a catch on the boundary by Louis Peacock proved vital as we won by just 12 runs. The margin was even smaller in victory over Dame Allan’s. In all these tight games the boys learned that any mistake can be crucial – a dropped catch, a misfield, too many wides. Even in the more one-sided games our mistakes were punished. Against RGS, Durham and Sedbergh, quite straight forward chances were missed to get their batsmen out who then went on to score big totals. The team enjoyed their moments of victory against Castle View, St Johns, Austin Friars and a very exciting five run win over Dame Allan’s in the last match of the season. The batting was dominated by Finn Usher who scored 288 runs in the season, including a fifty and several scores above 30. Ralph Makepeace scored 124 runs, including one fifty and Louis Peacock 173. Owen Greaves had a good start to the season with the bat and did a good job behind the stumps. Sam Steer-Richards made some runs in the latter games as he learned which balls could be whacked! Edward Rhodes
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Tennis 1st Girls Tennis Team from: C Waldin, E Tweddle, C Atkinson, A Bertin, I Hewitson, H Wynn- Jones, J Eckersley, K Borer, K Yung P 4
W 3
D 1
L 0
-
-
--
The girls have had a short season due to exams; however it has been a successful one. The first match against Giggleswick was played in rain, sleet and wind. The girls played really well in difficult conditions and managed to secure a win. Our next match against Sedbergh saw the girls’ younger pairing of Apolline and Ellie take to the court; it really strengthened the team and the girls secured a comprehensive win. The next match against St Bees gave some of our other girls the chance to play, the matches were evenly matched and a draw was the right result. The final match was against Durham School where there were a number of close matches and the girls dug deep to win 4 -2. Many thanks to all the girls for their efforts; it has been great to watch them play some lovely tennis this term. FC
U15 Girls Tennis Team from: L Atkinson, A Bertin, L Sharafutdinova, C Harrison, E Johnson, M Carriere Piera, L Gill
U13 Girls Tennis Team from: E Bowen, R Bennett, A Salkeld, K Barker, C McKnight, E Tweddle, E Rowlandson, K Baxter, C GreyThompson, J Powell P 6
W 1
D 1
L 4
-
-
--
The girls have had a mixed season. Their first match against St Bees was played in awful conditions they battled hard against the wind and coped well with the conditions to pull off a draw. The next match was a very competitive one against Durham Johnston; many of the games went to deuce but they just couldn’t quite convert the deuce points. The girls then went on to find their form with a good win against Durham School. The next match was against the very strong opposition of Durham High although on the score card it looked like they had suffered heavy defeats many of the games went to deuce and they were unlucky not to win more games. We finally got some real tennis weather for our matches against Yarm and the girls played some good matches. The final match was in the County Knockout against Durham Johnston, again a very close match and going into the final two rubbers we were ahead on game count, but unfortunately they were just too strong for us. The girls have made good progress, their match play and shot selection has improved greatly under the coaching of Geoff Thomas, many thanks to him for all his efforts this term. FC
U15 Boys Tennis The team squad was strong in depth this year and fast improving. Despite some losses to teams such as St Peter’s and Durham Johnson we grew and grew over the term. A&B teams contested the Aegon league gaining valuable match experience, so much so that by the end of the term our team group of Ross Gardiner, Miles Brooks, Ollie Theakston, Rohan Kelsall, Jenson Wood, Dominic Russell, Oliver Wynn and Jack Butterfield were winning most encounters. Strengthened by the addition of Numa Pailhol and Oscar Roederer (Le team Francais) we rounded off a good term’s progress with a semi-final spot in the Northern Schools’ HMC event at Bradford GS. Wins over GSAL, Sedbergh, Bradford and Wodhouse were the pick of the day. Without Le team we also collected the Durham School U15 knockout trophy, wresting it from the same Durham Johnson team that had sunk the boys in the Aegon and been their nemesis for so many years. A nice day out at the inter-co. final (David Lloyd) was our reward for a hard day and we hope, along with a trip for Le team to Wimbledon, it will inspire the boys to continue to move forward with their tennis. GB
P 6
W 0
D 2
L 4
-
-
--
The girls have had a mixed season. Their first match was against St Bees where the girls battled against their opponents and the wind to pull off a draw. The next match against Durham School saw a number of close matches which were not reflected in the overall score. The next three matches were against very strong opposition from Durham Johnston and Durham High School, and although on the score card it looked like they had suffered heavy defeats many of the games went to deuce and they were unlucky not to win more games. The final match of the season was against St Peters’, where they played some good matches and managed to draw the tie. The girls have made good progress, their match play and shot selection has improved greatly under the coaching of Geoff Thomas; many thanks to him for all his efforts this term. FC
U13A Boys Tennis Team from: A Coward, R Langton, J Newell, S Wilson P 2
W 0
D 0
L 2
F 1
A 11
Df -10
The Boys’ U13A tennis team came up against some formidable opponents. However, in terms of progression, they have developed individually as tennis players, improving their tennis skills. Only Reggie Langton had the chance of tennis experience last year, meaning a number of new faces have been given the opportunity to play, which is a massive positive. Sam Wilson, Year 7, made a great addition to the team, challenging most of the Year 8s for a higher position in the squad. There were a limited number of opportunities to play and unfortunately, the final match against winnable opposition did not go ahead. It is a shame we did not have the opportunity to record a win; however we have a number of able tennis players for the future. Joshua Burgess and Nathan Jones have also come on with their tennis and gave the squad depth and competition for places. AMD
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Rounders Rounders U13A&B
Team from: K Baxter, M Lickrish, M Saunders, K Barker, A Oates, E Brinkley, E Tweddle, C McKnight, H Warren, N Robinson, I Oates, H Frankland. Results: Giggleswick Sedbergh Juniors St Olaves Durham School Queen Marys Durham Choristers Yarm School Mowden Hall U13B
Lost 13 ½ – 18 Cancelled Won Won 10 ½ -9 ½ Lost 21 ½ - 13 Won 10 - 7 Lost 5 -12 ½ Lost 3½ -7 ½
A tough season for the U12 girls but one I hope they enjoyed just as much as I did. It was a term where the girls worked very hard to improve and, as inexperienced players, started to get to grips with the complexities of rounders. My pick of the fixtures has to be of course the fantastic victory and performance against St Olaves where the girls blew them away in the first innings bowling them out inside 20 balls. I have loved working with the girls this term and can honestly say it has been a pleasure to take them in games lessons and for fixtures. I think both the girls and I have learnt a lot with regards to rounders this term and I look forward to seeing them reverse some of the score lines next year. CJG
Rounders U13A&B Captain: J Powell Team from: H Booth, E Bowen, I Pentland, E Geyde, A Fox, G Rhodes, D Currah, C Gray-Thompson, C Hanmer, A Harris, A Pearse, F West. U13A Results P 8
W 4
D 0
L 4
F 126
Giggleswick St. Olave’s Sedbergh Prep Durham Queen Mary’s The Chorister School Yarm Mowden Hall
A 116.5
Df 9.5
Lost 14-18.5 Lost 16-26.5 Won 20-7.5 Won 16-12 Won 18-4.5 Lost 10-13.5 Won 19.5-18.5 Lost 12.5-15.5
U13B results P 3
W 1
D 0
St. Olave’s Sedbergh The Chorister School Mowden Hall
L 2
F 52
A 36
Df 16
Lost 14.5-16.5 Won 27.5-4.5 Lost 10-15 Won 9.5-7.5
With such a large talented Year group, team selection has been extremely difficult this year whilst at the same time very useful when Athletic fixtures have overlapped. Training during games has been focussed on the fundamentals of rounders play; fielding and batting. Over the weeks, the girls’ decision making has improved dramatically using their own senses to decide whether to throw a ball straight to first or to pluck up the courage and run to second. When players are so young they tend to listen to the shouts coming from around them rather than considering, themselves, what the best option may be. Therefore a deep understanding of each rule is key to the way in which an individual or team may play, which can also determine the tactics implemented by each team. This is something I would like to further work on with these girls, as different scenarios will ultimately need different reactions. Josephine Powell has captained the side extremely well this term, with Farrah West stepping up on her absence. To name each player that has impressed me this year would mean I would have no characters left, yet each and every one of them developing as individuals. One player who played a significant role in the match against Yarm was Abigail Harris, who took an extraordinary catch in deep field that suitably helped the girls to take a narrow victory by one rounder; a catch that the England cricket team would have been proud of. With such depth in a year group it has been a pleasure to teach them this term and coupled with their enthusiasm I believe they can only get better. EKM
U14 Rounders Team from: A Morrill (c), S Jones, A Everall, S Robertson, S McEwan, D Oliver, L Dickinson, J Hooper, M Forsyth, C Martin, C Laverick, E Dalton Results: Giggleswick Queen Mary’s Durham School Durham High Yarm Ampleforth St Peters
Lost 10 ½ – 27 ½ Won 15 – 7 ½ Won 24 - 10 Lost 7 – 13 ½ Lost 18 ½ - 19 ½ Lost 3 – 9 ½ Won 5 ½ - 5
This has been a very mixed season for this group of girls. When on form, they demonstrated strong, thoughtful and tactical fielding along with great awareness of how to get more scoring opportunities through the good use of running on no-balls. However, there were also moments where lapses in concentration and hesitant decision making were the cause of giving away scores to the opposition. I think that the team would agree that their fielding, teamwork and initiative grew over the season and they became braver in their attempts at catching with some awesome and difficult catches taken in the majority of games – they just need to get better at batting. Durham High were the strongest team the girls came up against with a very good bowler, backstop and first base trio who were quick to get us out; however, not to take away the excellent fielding by the BCS girls during this game The triangular matches against Queen Mary’s and Durham School also proved a challenge against what can only be described as gale-force winds, nonetheless the team did exceptionally well and were triumphant in both games despite struggling to stay on their feet. Next season I would like to see this team develop more and mature into the game as they have great potential and with practice they could be very successful indeed.
U15 Rounders
Team from: A. Allison, C. Barkes, A. Bertin, M. Bowen, R. Elphick, L. Gill, S. Hopkins, A. Hunter, J. Pearse, G. Penman (c), S. Ryan, E. Shannon, M. Sowerby, C. SuttonJones, A. Thompson. Giggleswick Durham School Queen Mary’s Durham High Yarm Ampleforth St Peters
Lost8½-16½ Won 16-14½ Won 16-14½ Lost 5½-9 Lost 12½-20 Lost 13½-17 Lost 10½-17½
The conditions for the first game of the season were not ideal. Wet weather and cold temperatures made it difficult. We fielded well, with Antonia and Sophie both taking good catches; however, we were 6-4 down after the first innings. The partnership between Louella and Jess, at backstop and 1st base, developed in the second innings but the team struggled with their batting into the deep field which limited our scoring opportunities. The following two games saw us record pleasing victories. We battled the elements again, as strong winds made play extremely hard work. Bowlers found it particularly tricky and umpires made several wide calls. However, batting and confidence had improved and full rounders were scored by Georgie, Megan S, Louella, Sarah and Emily. Better weather arrived when we played Durham High. The opposition batted first and only secured two rounders, but our inconsistent bowling gave them an additional three, which cost us the game. Scores were close after the first innings but panic set in whilst fielding and one girl hit the ball over the fence boundary which we were unable to retrieve. Our following games were challenging. Yarm fielded well and got many of our team out at first base at the start of the game. Despite leading at half time to Ampleforth and St Peters we were unfortunate to lose out in exciting, closely fought games. Apolline was a great asset in her first match at Ampleforth However many of our stronger batters were caught or stumped early in the second half of both of these games and our lead sadly slipped away. I have enjoyed coaching this team. They have always been enthusiastic and everyone improved their skills over the course of the term. TCB
AA
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Sports Day Due to heavy rain before Sports Day on Bank Holiday Monday, the event was postponed until the last week of term, and for once took place in warm and dry conditions. As a result of this a number of new records were set. The first record to be broken was by Andrew Gedye (Inter Boys’ triple jump). Four new records were set on the track in the Junior girls’ competition with two set by Rachel Bennett (100m & 200m) and one by India Pentland (300m). Bowes also went on to set a new record in the 4 x 100m relay. The only other track record to be broken was by Jacob Shannon (Senior Boys’ 3000m).
The dry and firm-under-foot conditions really helped those taking part in the high jump competitions, where an impressive four new records were set by Carla McKnight (Junior Girls), Claudia Barkes (Inter Girls), Sam Walton (Inter Boys) and finally Rory Holden broke one of the older School records in the Senior boys’ event to complete a very successful Sports Day. As always the House competitions were taken very seriously; Dale were easy winners in the Junior boys’ competition, as were Durham in the Intermediate and Senior competitions. However the run-away winners in the Cowling Cup for the 4 X 100m relays were Dale. The boys’ competition also saw the introduction of the Paul Johnson Cup
Junior Boys 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Discus Shot Javelin Tug Of War House Relay 4x100m Relay Victor Ludorum
Archie Thompson Archie Thompson Edward Rhodes Reggie Langton Reggie Langton Edward Rhodes Dominic Williamson Edward Lockwood Samuel Steer-Richards Samuel Steer-Richards Toby Robinson
Durham Durham North/York Dale Dale North/York Durham North/York Tees Tees Durham Dale Tees North/York
12.97s 30.63s 1.09.48m 2.37.05m 5.23.02m 4.31m 1.35m 8.30m 19.5m 8.21m 18.95m 2.15.44m 58.82s
Cameron Young Luke McGee Caleb Ellis Miles Brookes Caleb Ellis Andrew Gedye Samuel Walton Andrew Gedye Cameron Young Cameron Young William Swinbank
Rachel Bennett Rachel Bennett India Pentland Abigail Pearse India Pentland Georgina Rhodes Alexandra Fox Carla McKnight Abigail Pearse Ella Bowen
Bowes Bowes Marwood Bowes Marwood Longfield Bowes Bowes Bowes Bowes Bowes
India Pentland Abigail Pearse Rachel Bennett
Bowes
Intermediate Girls Durham North’land Dale Tees Dale Durham North’land Durham Durham Durham Durham York Durham Durham
12.23s 26.55s 57.88s 2.21.88m 5.05m 5.10m 1.71m NR 11.22m NR 26.47m 9.83m 25.51m 2.33.25m 50.97s
100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m Discus Long Jump High Jump Shot Javelin House Relay 4x100m Relay Victrix Ludorum
Eleanor Shannon Jessica Pearse Stella Jones Eleanor Shannon Stella Jones Sarah Ryan Alice Hunter Claudia Barkes Rebecca Collinson Stella Jones
Marwood Bowes Marwood Marwood Marwood Bowes Marwood Marwood Bowes Marwood Marwood Marwood
12.38s 29.05s 45.23s 2.43.13m 5.34.41m NR 19.01m 4.22m 1.53m NR 7.70m 22.94m 2.10.16m 59.09s
Bowes Bowes Bowes Longfield Longfield Bowes Longfield Longfield Bowes Bowes Bowes
14.05s 31.36s 1.18.80m 3.03.48m 6.15.03m 22.26m 4.23m 1.40m 6.83m 27.43m 2.14.26m 59.63s
Stella Jones
Cameron Young
Senior Girls Tom Metcalfe Tom Metcalfe Cameron W McKenzie Matthew Stirk Jacob Shannon Jacob Shannon Tom Metcalfe Rory Holden John Clouston Jack Beckwith Benjamin Edwards James Jennings Durham York Dale
100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m Discus Long Jump High Jump Shot Javelin House Relay 4 X 100m Relay Victrix Ludorum
Alice Ridley Philippa Maw Elliott Charlotte Apolline Bertin Apolline Bertin Alice Ridley Katherine Rhodes Stella Nichols Amelia Living Alice Ridley Longfield Alice Ridley
2.12.00m 48.74s
Tom Metcalfe
House Competitions Junior Boys Intermediate Boys Senior Boys House Relays Cowling Cup 4x100m relays Ellis Cup
100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m Discus Long Jump High Jump Shot Javelin House Relay 4x100m Relay Victrix Ludorum
Edward Rhodes
Senior Boys 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 3000m Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Discus Shot Javelin Tug Of War House Relay 4x100m Relay Victor Ludorum
FC
Junior Girls
Intermediate Boys 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Discus Shot Javelin Tug Of War House Relay 4x100m Relay Victor Ludorum
for the House relays with Durham taking the honours. In the girls competition Bowes were easy winners in the Junior and Senior girls’ competition, with Marwood taking the honours in the Intermediate competition. The girls’ competition also saw the introduction of two new trophies; the Mark Fuller Cup for the 4 X 100m relays and the Richard Child Cup for the House relays both went to Bowes. The girls’ overall competition was won comfortably by Bowes. Many thanks to all pupils and staff for all their efforts.
House Competitions
U13 Athletics Shield Cutler Cup Child Cu The Paul Johnson Cup
Dale Durham Durham Durham
Overall Boys
Dale Durham
Junior Girls Intermediate Girls Senior Girls House Relays 4x100m Relays Overall Girls
Seddon Shield McGill Cup Ellison Cup The Richard Child Cup The Mark Fuller Cup Parkin Cup
Bowes Marwood Bowes Bowes & Marwood Bowes Bowes NR = New record
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Wadders’ Wanderers The Cumbria Way
Canoeing in Sweden Leaving School early on Sunday 5th July, we flew from Manchester into Oslo. Spending our first night in Oslo, we had time to wander the city and take in some of its sights. We were on our way to the Vӓrmland region in Sweden for a seven day canoe trip. Our team consisted of myself, Elliot Bevan, Dan Roberts, Sam Harris, Louis Rogulja-Hodge, Max West, Harry Shepherd, Jackson Thomas and our leaders, Mr Oakley and Steve Hickey.
The Cumbria Way stretches from Carlisle in the North to Ulverston in the South, passing through the heart of the Lake District. It offers some very attractive scenery as well as some challenging walks along its 70 mile length. This year the expedition consisted of seven students and 7 staff. Day 1: Carlisle to Sebergham The two minibuses left school on time at 8.00 am on Monday 6 July and headed for Carlisle. The prompt start meant that the walking could begin before 10.00 with Dr Walton driving the support bus. A hole mysteriously appeared in the sidewall of one of the tyres so Dr Walton had to head back to Carlisle, find an ATS, and have a new tyre fitted. This was accomplished in time to meet up again with the walkers at Rose Bridge. The weather was overcast with drizzle at times, but the walk went well and everyone arrived at Sebergham in good spirits. The party travelled in the two buses back to St Johns in the Vale to unpack and enjoy a curry prepared by Mrs Waddington and Mrs Sunderland. Day 2: Sebergham to Mosedale The arrival of Mr Waddington as bus driver allowed Dr Walton to join the walkers and the grey morning turned into a sunny and warm day as they approached Caldbeck where most of the students decided to opt out of the strenuous climb over High Pike (658m). Only Alex and Dan were up to the challenge. After a slow start Alex demonstrated remarkable hill climbing ability and soon earned the title ‘Mountain Man’. Day 3: Mosedale to Grange The walk started in rain which became heavy at times and some of us discovered that being ‘soaked to the skin’ could be literally true. Struggling through rain and deep puddles we battled on while Victoria decided to try to break a rock in two with her hip: the rock won! We passed by the incredibly remote and now disused Youth Hostel at Skiddaw House before pressing on to be met by the bus at Latrigg. Here most of the party, not apparently
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having experienced enough water for one day, opted to go swimming in the pool in Keswick. Only Dan pressed on along the shores of Derwentwater to Grange, accompanied by Dr Walton, Mr Morris and Mr Alderson. Day 4: Grange to Chapel Stile On a beautiful sunny morning everyone walked from Grange into Borrowdale where most took the easy option of a boat trip on Derwentwater with Mrs Sunderland and Mrs Waddington. Dan and Alex, with the remaining staff and joined by Mr Sunderland, pressed on up Stake Pass and into Great Langdale. This was a tough walk but yet again Alex demonstrated his gazelle-like climbing ability, while Dr Walton complained about his maximum rate of climb. All arrived safely in Dungeon Ghyll where Dr Walton decided he had had enough walking and took the bus to Chapel Stile to meet the others. It was a beautiful sunny evening and Mr Alderson duly demonstrated his barbecue skills while some of the girls made a delicious salad. Day 5: Chapel Stile to Broughton Beck With Dr Walton back on transport duty, Dan and Mr Alderson were dropped at Chapel Stile while the others walked from High Oxen Fell past Tarn Hows and down to Coniston. All then walked to Coniston where most opted for an ice cream by the lake while Dan and Mr Alderson pressed on to complete the stage. Day 6: Broughton Beck to Ulverston All except Mr Morris and Dr Walton participated in the six miles of walking which remained for the final day and the group was reunited in Ulverston by midafternoon for a final photograph. The drive back to school was uneventful and we arrived on schedule at around 6.00 pm.While all walked a significant proportion of the total distance, only Dan and Mr Alderson completed every stage. As on previous occasions the accommodation at St John’s proved ideal and we are hoping to return there next year for more Lake District walks. DSW
The following day we left Oslo by train for the small town of Arvika in Sweden where the real adventure began the following Wednesday. The first day was mainly dominated by midges, mosquitoes and rain, which didn’t bode well for team morale and possibly a bad omen for the rest of the trip. Spirits were lifted when the sun began to shine almost non-stop for the rest of the trip, allowing for kit to be dried out and suntans to be topped up. With the sun shining it allowed us to taken in Sweden’s breath-taking scenery and idyllic views. The region has hundreds of lakes with joining rivers, making it an ideal place to canoe and wild camp. We had to paddle 100km and portage 11 sections. At the end of a day’s paddling we would find a suitable place to make camp. The evenings were spent setting up camp, cooking the evening meal and sitting around the camp fire. Reluctantly the trip came to an end on a scorching Tuesday which made it a perfect end to an idyllic trip. After the end of the canoeing expedition we spent two nights in a wood cabin, giving us time to relax and recuperating after a physically challenging expedition. We got the train back to Oslo on Thursday morning, which allowed us to take in some more of the city’s sights and buy some souvenirs as a reminder of the great trip. AI Lea, Upper Sixth, Tees House
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Peru
After eighteen months of fundraising (the emphasis being on the ‘fun’), preparatory injections and team meetings, the nine-strong intrepid Peru Crew finally set off on our big adventure on July 14th, for a month of community projects, trekking and sight-seeing in deepest, darkest Peru. Four flights and 24 hours later we and our composite team from Skegness Grammar School arrived in Cusco, Peru, where it was, quite unexpectedly, cold at 4pm. The Peru Crew’s members were Alex Howarth, Genevieve Myhan, Alex Tankard, Kim Hodgson, Sam Farquhar, Lexy and Max Dalton, Erin Porter and the brave and brilliant Miss Jackson. Our first project saw us taking a long bus trip to the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake (at 3800m above sea level), via some hot springs. We had a choice of several environmental projects, which varied from picking up animal poo to fertilise crops. Lake Titicaca was astoundingly beautiful and stretched as far as the eye could see. It even has its own
Navy in order to protect Peru from the Bolivians. We spent two days working in a school, teaching English and some silly songs, playing football with the kids and building foundations for a new school building, whilst some of our more talented artists painted murals on the walls. After visiting the amazing Euros Islands, floating islands made entirely out of reeds, we spent a night on Isle Taquile, where we learned about the life and customs of rural Peruvians, before embarking on one of the most amazing and difficult things we had done in our lives; trekking the Salkantay Trek through the Andes to Macchu Pichu (a bit like going up and down stairs for several hours, four days in a row) before glimpsing the astonishing sight of the summer residence of the Incan King, set in the most awe-inspiring surroundings of the Andean mountains, Macchu Pichu itself. The view from the Sun Gate was particularly notable. Back at Cusco there was an opportunity to see Condors and llamas up close, and eat our first meal which didn’t contain rice and chicken: fish! Spanish and Quechua (Incan) language lessons and learning some
Peruvian dancing and how to make a Peruvian bracelet, plus seeing ceramics and Peruvian chocolate-making were some of the highlights, before evening campfires and star-gazing. Seeing the vast expanse of the truly awesome Milky Way up close took our breath away. The next projects were in Camp Moray – toilet building for local families and redecorating the school whilst the children were on holiday: so rewarding. Proceeding on to Camp Colca, we continued our projects, helping lay the foundations for a community football pitch and building a school greenhouse. All of this with the astounding backdrop of the Peruvian mountains and at high altitude, and within easy viewing of live Condors flying down the Colca Canyon. There were so many amazing experiences on this trip of a lifetime, which we will remember for the rest of our lives. Our team was fantastic, new friends and old, and we made a positive difference to other peoples’ lives whilst learning a lot about ourselves. And Miss Jackson is a legend! Sam Farquhar, Year 11, York House
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South Africa and Zimbabwe Rugby, Netball and Hockey Tour 2015 The boys thoroughly enjoyed the trip to South Africa. Being hosted by pupils in Johannesburg was a great chance for the boys to experience the South African culture, including a trip to Soweto which was a real eye opener for everyone. They capped off their time there with two emphatic wins over Centurion High School. We then travelled to Zimbabwe, a very different experience; especially all 39 boys staying in one giant room together. We also visited our first safari park and played our second matches against St George’s College, which the 2nds drew and the 1sts narrowly lost. A few flights later the boys arrived in Cape Town with the girls where they were greeted with an early morning walk up Table Mountain. The views from the top were incredible and after walking back down we left on the ferry for Robben Island. An exprisoner gave us a detailed insight into the history of the island and what it was like to be there. In our third game we met Primrose RFC where both teams came away with big wins. We then left for Port Elizabeth where the majority of the boys and girls jumped the world’s highest bridge bungee at Bloukrans, which was over 216m high. Our last games
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ended in disappointing defeats for both teams against Nico Malan. However, the next day we travelled to Kariega Game Reserve where we saw a variety of animals. It was amazing to get so close to the likes of animals such as Elephants, Rhinos and Lions. The tour was without a doubt the best experience most of us had ever had in our lives and we would like to thank all the teachers and everyone involved for making it such an enjoyable two weeks for us all. Tom Metcalfe, Lower Sixth, Durham House. From playing competitive hockey and netball to experiencing incredible sights on the safari, the girls had an amazing time in South Africa. There is no doubt that the hockey matches were challenging and matters were not helped with 2 matches being played on grass, an unfamiliar terrain for most of us. Unfortunately the results did not reflect the hard work we put into them, with us losing 4 and drawing one. Luckily we were more successful with netball, winning 2 and losing 3. Although most of the time the final score was not in our favour it was great to watch the teams develop and improve as
the tour progressed and there is no doubt that everyone has returned a better player. Being hosted was at first a daunting prospect, but it turned out to be really enjoyable and for many, one of the best parts of tour. We were introduced to the cuisine and culture and many of us have stayed in touch. Visiting Soweto was an eye opener for many of us as it put into perspective how fortunate we are. Another highlight of the tour was successfully reaching the top of Table Mountain where we were met with breathtaking views. Whilst in Cape Town many also visited Robben Island; like Soweto, it proved to be a real education. Many girls were also brave enough to tackle the highest bungee jump off a bridge while the rest of us had a relaxing day in Jefferys Bay swimming in the sea and sun bathing. Many people would agree the highlight of the tour came at the end when we spent 2 nights at the safari game park. The experience of being less than a few metres from lions, rhinos and elephants is one that we will never forget. The 15 days flew by, and we have all been left with experiences and memories that will stay with us for a long time. Elle Everall, Lower Sixth, Bowes House
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PGL Watersports Trip 2015
This summer saw 42 boys and girls from Years 9 and 10 take part in our bi-annual water sports trip to the Ardeche and Languedoc coast areas in France. We arrived at Domaine de Segries, a converted farmhouse that was to be our home for the next three nights. Once unpacked and acclimatised we were straight into the action. The first three days was spent canoeing down the spectacular Ardeche Gorge nature reserve which is an experience many will not forget, with its 1000ft limestone walls towering above us, numerous rapids and impressive pont d’arc natural stone arch spanning 200ft. After all that strenuous paddling, the group were rewarded with an afternoon at Aqualand water park which broke up our journey to the
south coast for the rest of our stay at Mimosa camp, a stone’s throw from the beach and a wonderful setting for all to enjoy the delights of sailing various types of small boat, including catamarans and Picos, as well as the popular favourite, the banana boat, sea kayaks, climbing and abseiling. As if all this wasn’t enough the boys and girls were entertained each evening with a variety of activities, culminating in a disco shared with other school groups. It is always a pleasure to take our pupils away and this trip proved no exception; they were very good company and often greatly entertaining throughout the trip and my thanks must go to the staff who helped to supervise; Mr Fairwood, Dr Cosstick, Miss Harpin and Mr Dunn. AMB
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Sixth Form Annual Report It has been another very successful year for the Sixth Form at Barnard Castle School, under the guidance and exhausting ebullience of Mr Butler. As has become tradition, the first Sixth Form social of the year, under the guidance of the Social Committee, was the Barn Dance, and a live band, bales of hay and extravagant decorations adorned Big School. Following this were the equally successful themed evenings involving fancy dress as film stars and characters and the Swinging ‘20s event. All events were catered for by the kitchens, and particular thanks must go to Mr Stimpson and his team for his help in making the nights such a success. In addition to these, two Lectern Clubs this year saw the students don frocks and black tie for great evenings of public speaking.
Year 11 Prom On a warm summer’s evening, the Year 11s gathered at The Morritt Arms to celebrate the end of their exams and the end of a significant phase of their lives. They were now preparing themselves for the next stage in their futures. The young men were looking particularly handsome in their suits and the girls were beautiful, dressed in colourful chiffon dresses which floated in the light summer breeze. Some footwear, and a few outfits, were creative and gloriously unconventional adding a bit of quirkiness to the evening. The food, conversation and dancing were enjoyed by everyone. MEW
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The School Monitor team took office under the leadership of Tom Adamson and Holly Appleby, and have been a credit to the School, taking charge of all day-to-day running of Dining Hall and the School grounds during break and lunch times, and have managed admirably with all that can be thrown at them. The SFCR has continued to grow and thrive, and those with appointments – listed here – have been stellar in continuing to drive the Sixth Form forward. The weekly lectures have been a huge success, and we have had a number of exciting key speakers in, from academics and army officers to politicians and scientists, each week provides our Sixth Formers with something new and exciting.
Finally, and most excitingly, this year saw the team break ground on the new Sixth Form Centre, due to open during the Michaelmas 2015 term. Much of the work has been completed over the Summer break, and we look forward to welcoming back the current Lower Sixth, and those entering the Sixth Form next year, into a state-of-the-art, purpose-built space next year. TSE
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School Monitors 2014-2015
Head Boy and Girl
Head Boy: Head Girl:
Tom Adamson Holly Appleby
Head of Day School: Head of Boarding:
ChloĂŤ Thompson Emma Robson
Deputy Heads of School (Senior):
Hayley Anderson Alex Carnell Sam Theakston Charlotte McAllister Sarah Stephenson
Deputy Heads of School (Prep):
Millie Cartwright Joseph Ferguson
Head of House: Bowes: Dale: Durham: Longfield: Marwood: Northumberland: Tees: York:
Lorna Bussey Sebastian Hampson Sam Leeming Elizabeth Clouston Shannon Currah Timothy Stirke Tom Marston Gordon Poon
School Monitors:
School Monitors
Chloe Atkinson Katie Body Isobel Burnett Ian Chan Emily Cody Kimberley Hagues Ethan Kelsall Arran Keogh Lucy Knightly Oliver Larcombe Ernest Liu Fiona Matthews Daniel Milne Ben Pullan Megan Purvis Hannah Roache Jacob Shannon Tom Sowerby
Senior Monitors
Heads of Houses
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Upper Sixth Leavers’ Ball 2015
As is the annual tradition, the Barnard Castle School Year 13 leavers gathered on the final day of term, after Speech Day, to spend an evening with family, teachers and friends before heading off onto a new chapter of their lives. Both Big School and the Dining Hall were transformed with stunning lighting, magnificently-dressed tables and the finest food, followed by dancing with a band in Central Hall. TSE
Milne Nicola, Dan and Stuart
Hamish Glover and Arran Keogh
Joe Ferguson, Swee Ong, Priscilla Tsang and Alice Liu
Alan Stevens and Patrick Grant
Michael and Fiona Killeen, Tom Sowerby, Jane, Daphne and Keith Metcalf
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hie Currah Chloe Thompson and Sop
Chloe, Jane and Richard Atkinson
Katie Body and Jack Hedley
Julie and Tom Sowerby
Sarah Stephenson and Holly Appleby
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h, Michael and Fiona Will Capps, Jenny, Sara Stephenson
Eleanor Harder, Gordon Poon, Joe Ferguson, Shannon Currah and Ben Lilley
leby Holly and Heather App
Tilly McAllister, Scott Edwards, Arran Keogh and Gemma Angeli
Grant Gary Bishop and Patrick
Trish Makepeace, Patrick Grant, Carl and Becky Rycroft
Jonathan, Sam and Andrea Theakston
Ethan Kelsall and Harriet Adamson
Patrici, Sarah and Richard Child
Miriam, James and John Davidson
Sarah McAllister, Ben Earl, Tilly and Pete McAllister
k Grant, Jess Hunter, Elise Ferguson, Patric Katie Body, Charlotte Elliott and Chloe Atkinson
Oliver Larcombe, Millie Cartwright, Ben Pullan, Tilly McAllister, Sam Theakston, Chloe Thompson, Scott Edwards, Emily Cody, Emma Robson and Arran Keogh
Dale, Arran, John and Beryl Keogh
Upper Sixth Leavers
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Barnard Castle School, Newgate, Barnard Castle, Country Durham DL12 8UN www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk @barney_school
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