The Blue Coat School, Birmingham - Old Scholars - True Blue - Issue 3

E BLUE C O AT SCHOOL TH D SCHOLAR S ’ ASSOCIATION OL

TRUE

Blue THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE COAT SCHOOL OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION

www.thebluecoatschool.com

2016

A letter from the OSA Vice-President A Personal Tribute It has all the marks of an Olympic relay-race each team-member giving his very best in the completion of the lap assigned to him, before handing over the baton to the next in line.

That was how the Jamaican 4 x 100 metre relay team, including Usain Bolt, won World Championship gold in only 37.36 seconds in the Beijing National Stadium last year. Yet behind that accomplishment lay months and even years of commitment and hard work, with one specific target in mind, so that it would come to fruition in reality. A relay-race that takes years? Yes, indeed, and encapsulated in this picture is another that is so very similar - that of successive Headmasters of The Blue Coat School, running their periods in office to the point of their retirement and then handing the baton to their own successors in turn.

Since the School moved from central Birmingham in 1930 to the leafy suburbs of Harborne and Edgbaston, there have been only six long-serving Headmasters who, backed by the knowledge, skills and commitment of their teaching teams, have not only addressed the needs of families in their respective periods of engagement but have corporately brought to the School the high quality and reputation that it enjoys today. For all of them the laps they have run in the continuing relay-race of education have been both a responsibility and a privilege.

Two of them, the Reverend Gutteridge and Mr. E. F. Lloyd, actually worked in tandem for several years in the 1940s, the first as Principal and the second as Head, but for the rest, supported by their teams of Governors, each Headmaster has been responsible on his own.

The epochs of Allen, Gutteridge, Lloyd, Faulds and Bissell have now passed into history, while the current runner, Alan Browning, who after thirty-four years with the School and eighteen as Headmaster, has himself only a short way to go!

When I appointed him as the School’s young Director of Music in January, 1982, I knew we had found a very good man.

What I did not know, and neither did he, was just how far his career with The Blue Coat School would grow and develop. His skill and foresight in transforming the Music Room and later in equipping it with the most up-to-date technology, as well as so effectively managing the burgeoning Music Department, were soon evident and were reflected in exciting and innovative choral and instrumental productions which delighted his audiences.

Memorable concerts and greatly enhanced Chapel Services were the order of the day. Alan brought music to everyone and created special music for special people, quickly identifying musical potential in his pupils and losing no time in developing it.

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It was through music that Alan also promoted the external image of the School, to the benefit of others in the wider community, both locally and further afield. These were the days of the annual Advent Processional Services in Tewkesbury Abbey. On the eve of each Advent Sunday, the Chapel Choir, backed by men’s voices, produced and led an awe-inspiring and atmospheric approach to Christmas, taking us from darkness into light. All who were present on those special occasions will never forget them. Yet perhaps the highlight of Alan’s Blue Coat career in music, certainly for the School and probably also for him, happened after he had officially relinquished his leadership of the Music Department to become Deputy Head.

It came on Sunday, 24th May, 1997, the year of the School’s 275th Anniversary. We had taken the bold and imaginative step of hiring Birmingham’s Symphony Hall for the day, in order to produce a spectacular Gala Concert - and spectacular it certainly was! The huge auditorium was packed to capacity, by people who said afterwards that it was the best concert that they had ever attended there. The whole School was involved, from the Pre-Preparatory Department to the recently-formed adult Blue Coat Choral Society, which included Governors, parents and staff. Sir Simon Rattle, himself a Blue Coat parent, had agreed to conduct parts of the event, alongside the new Director of Music, Peter Mills, and Alan, who was to be the conductor of a part of it in his own right. He had written a new musical for the occasion, depicting the life of a Blue Coat girl in the School’s early years and the story of what became of her after she left. It was a highly professional production, with narration by yet another Blue Coat parent, television newsreader, Nick Owen. It was riveting to watch and was received by the audience as absolute magic! The icing on the cake was the money raised on that single day and presented, during the Concert itself, to Birmingham Children’s Hospital - a cheque for £15,000!

As Deputy Head, Alan’s role in administration and his creative suggestions for the further development of the School were truly welcome and objective. We worked both separately and together in those final years. My own headship was now drawing to a close as I approached retirement, and the forthcoming vacancy was widely advertised. Alan added his own name to the large field of external applicants. He went through the whole selection process with those who were shortlisted for further assessment and interview by the appointed panel of Governors and he became the clear choice of everyone as my successor.

Time has proved, once again, that he was the right man for the job!

Others who have been closer to Alan during his eighteen years as Headmaster than I have been, and who have shared the life of the School with him, will be able to write more comprehensively of his work during that time than I can possibly do. However, the news that I continue to

receive reflects total confidence in what Alan has accomplished. He has transformed The Blue Coat School from a boarding and day community into a greatly enlarged Preparatory Day School and has adjusted the age-range accordingly. He has used the liberated space creatively for the furtherance of both education and recreation. He has raised the academic horizon to an even higher level, has overseen the construction of new buildings and the transformation of the School Hall into a large and flexible auditorium - and in all of this he has worked to retain the School’s distinctive family atmosphere. My wife, Jennifer, and I have been invited back on many occasions, on all of which we have been made most welcome, and we have been thoroughly impressed.

The time has now come for Alan himself to retire - and as he does so, in July of this year, he will leave an amazing legacy for his appointed successor, Mr. Noel Neeson, who is currently the Headmaster of St. Peter’s School near Exeter, not far from where we live in Torquay.

What Alan will hand to Noel will be more than just a baton. It will surely be nothing less than an Olympic torch, with which Noel can blaze the way forward in the years to come! I wish to both of them, and to their wives and families, every future happiness and success.

Brian Bissell (Headmaster 1979 – 1998) Message from Lindsay Lucas: As Noel Neeson becomes Head in September, he will be invited to become the new President of the Old Scholars’ Association. Alan, in turn, will be invited to become the new Vice-President. Brian Bissell will then adopt the new title, ‘Vice-President Emeritus’. With such a wonderful title, there will finally be ‘retirement’ for this much-deserving and worthy servant of the Association of almost forty years!!!!! We will excuse him his annual letter but invite him to send articles for inclusion in ‘True Blue’ at his leisure! May I take this opportunity of thanking Brian on behalf of the Committee, indeed the entire membership, for those many, many years of enduring, faithful service to ‘The Blue Coat family’. We look forward to seeing him, and his dear wife, Jennifer, at many functions in the future.

Letter from the President and Headmaster, Alan Browning A warm welcome to all our readers – my last as Headmaster! I shall be retiring at the end of August, and handing over the baton to Mr Noel Neeson, who hails from Glasgow but is currently Headmaster of St Peter’s School, Lympstone in Devon.

I have had a most fulfilling time here at Blue Coat – first as Director of Music, then as Deputy Head / Director of Studies, and for the past 18 years, as Headmaster. Many of you will know the School Motto, “Grow in Grace”. It is of course something that we wish for the generations of children who have passed through the school,

and continue so to do; but it is equally something we would wish for all who work here – and I hope that in some small way it has been true of me!

Blue Coat is a remarkable school – all the more so because it seeks constantly to live out the vision of its Founders all those years ago: to “Train up a child in the way (s)he should go”. My prayer for every Old Scholar, and for every current pupil, echoes the second half of the verse: that “when (s)he is old, (s)he will not depart from it.”

Time will tell.

Alan Browning | Headmaster

Message from the Chair of the Old Scholars’ Association, Richard Buttle The Association continues to flourish with the invaluable assistance of Lindsay Lucas as secretary, who not only liaises with members, but organises our reunions. We held several successful reunions during the year and we continue to provide current leavers with a ‘Leavers’ Disco’, as well as contributing towards the cost of the Leavers’ Yearbook that is presented to each leaver at the end of the Summer Term.

The aim of the Association is ‘to encourage friendship’ between Old Scholars, so we are always keen to hear your news. The committee are also on the lookout for new members, so if you live within easy driving

2016 Reunions PLEASE SEE ENCLOSED FORM TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS. Cricket Match – there will be cricket in the summer so, if you want to play please contact: lucaslj@thebluecoatschool.com Veterans (all those aged 55+) – Thursday 26th May Instead of our usual day at School, this year you are invited to attend a special afternoon to celebrate Alan Browning’s retirement. It starts with a special service at Birmingham Cathedral, after which you are invited to return to School for a light tea. Don’t let ‘lack of transport’ from the Cathedral to School put you off – we can arrange this. Start time at Cathedral: 2pm. Please register on booking form.

School Fete – Saturday 18th June All members are invited to come to our stall, get a free drink and buy lots of lovely School Merchandise. Start time: Midday.

Old Scholars say Farewell to Alan Browning – Saturday 14th May This is an invitation to any member, former parent or colleague who would like to come to the School Hall to share light refreshments with Alan. Start time: 2pm. Please register on booking form.

distance of the School and think you can spare three evenings, come and join the committee for twelve months (and longer if you enjoy it). We would love new views represented as we want the Committee to reflect all ages of the membership.

Please note the special arrangements for reunions this year that are designed, in part, to mark the retirement of the Head, and our President, Alan Browning. For example, Veterans will have an alternative day this year – please read the information carefully.

Looking forward to seeing you later in the year.

Committee Members 2015 Richard Buttle

Chair

Lindsay Lucas

Secretary and Editor of True Blue

Sam Howells

Treasurer & Co-Editor of True Blue

Kathryn Dixon Bob Findlay Doreen Gent John Mills Geoff Still The Committee meets three times a year at School on a Monday evening and we plan events that will enable members to keep in touch. We are desperately in need of younger members (before we become consigned to dinosaur status) and we appeal to anyone who lives within easy travelling distance of the School to consider sitting on the Committee for twelve months Please contact Lindsay who will reassure you that it’s your ideas we need, rather than huge quantities of time! lucaslj@thebluecoatschool.com 3

Advance warning for 2017 – we are looking to set up ‘Drinks in London’ for ANY member of the Association.

2016

Blue

INTO THE About Alan

“

My lasting memories of Alan can be better depicted in words rather than sentences: his tremendous sense of humour, always found in his lengthy speeches - which I did actually enjoy!

Archive boxes; champagne; music; books; more archive boxes; more books; much more music; chocolate; fine point, red felt tip pens; highlighters; ‘to-do’ lists; more books; more archive boxes! Tea! Happy Retirement!

”

Sue Waller (former PA)

“

Mr Browning was known to us as ‘Benny Browning’ affectionately named, of course, but also by dint of his occasional outburst at the rank mediocrity of pupils’ efforts during the odd Chapel Choir rehearsal. However, it was that real attention to detail - that effort to push us to the best of abilities - that made him such a special teacher. He was generous with his time and his talent, composing musical arrangements for many a Founders’ Day and writing fantastically creative musicals like ‘Starlight, Camels and Kings’, which featured, if memory serves, some excellent amateur dramatics from Alan’s keen supporters, Trevor Lucas and Lindsay Farnath (as she then was).

More than anything, though, Mr Browning’s gift to Blue Coat was to instil a love of music-making in generations of pupils. For Blue Coat children, it was normal to leave school at eleven or thirteen able to read music, skilled at singing in 4-part harmony and well-versed in church choral repertoire. I didn’t realise how unusual this was until I got to secondary school.

Mr Browning contributed hugely to making Blue Coat all it was: a school that trained children up in the way they should go (expecting high standards, putting in hard work to achieve excellence and supporting children to be the best they possibly could). And it is true: now I am old, I have not departed from it.

”

Ellie Searley

“

Where do I start when I think of how Alan Browning impacted my time at Blue Coat? I have no idea. Whatever I did, however small, he was pleased. I loved how he was so passionate about what I was doing and my achievements - especially for me with my skiing.

If I passed him in school, he always offered me a friendly smile that always brightened up my day. He was the greatest headmaster I could have ever wished for - celebrating every time I flourished. I thank him so much for being one of the main influences upon who I am today. The school will lose a great headmaster in July 2016, and I think that he should be commended for all his hard work.

”

Molly Griffith

“

Mr Browning inspired and encouraged me, genuinely taking interest in my progress and that of my brother, Chris. He took the time to get to know us and provide sound guidance. There was always a personal touch, congratulating us on our performance in a concert or at Speech Day.

I felt he instilled good principles and provided a solid foundation for both the transition to secondary school and for me to develop as a person. He taught me that those who worked hard and treated others with respect would be rewarded. The message was clear: strive to succeed, in whatever area was your passion, and I have always tried to embrace this work ethic.

” ”

I think of Mr Browning and Blue Coat with fond memories (particularly singing his music in Chapel). I wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

Stephanie Duncan

“

I probably remember music lessons with him as well as any lessons from back then. He was the man who made me think of music as more than just songs and tunes, and for that, I’m in his debt. He wasn’t the first to try to teach me music, but he was the first to succeed.

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Robert Tippin

“

I was in my second term when Mr Browning came to Blue Coat as Director of Music. He was always very warm and personable as a default setting, but I recall the stentorian voice he would summon if I even thought about being naughty. For a year or so, he was at the head of our lunch table and I loved our conversations. The one possible exception was when I asked for more water on ‘Victorian Day’. An impromptu re-enactment from Oliver Twist followed ! ‘Mr B’ ran a fantastic department and the concerts were a real joy. I can still remember all the music he wrote for us: from his beautiful ‘Lord’s Prayer’ to the rousing ‘Magnificat’. I am now a music teacher myself... the memories of this amazing man fill me with awe.

Lots of love to all the Blue Coat family.

”“

Nick Perfect

“

My first memories of Mr Browning are in the Chamber Choir with him as our conductor. Those were always very fun sessions and the songs we sang were always energetic and upbeat, just like Mr Browning.

He was a great headmaster, very easy to approach about anything and everything, and was there to provide support and advice when needed.

As a boarder at the school, on some Sunday mornings we would go to Mr Browning’s house for breakfast with him and his family, which often consisted of delicious chocolate croissants! He was a very welcoming headmaster and made my experience at the school a positive one. I never wanted to leave.

Alan, around the age of ten, I had my lightbulb moment with regard to classical music. I was in one of your choirs and, along with the Choral Society of the time, we sang The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s ‘Messiah’. The children’s rehearsals came and went and we all learned the words and notes. It was on the day of the performance, when finally we - children and adults - sang together, that I realised the power of music as a stunning wave of music hit my eardrums. So awestruck was I, I probably forgot to sing for the next thirty seconds! Thank you, Alan, for kindling my love of music and for making me realise for the first time what a force for joy music can be.

”“

Jo Cadwallader Formerly of St Margaret’s House, Sept 1998 - Jul 2002

” Rena Patel

Congratulations, Mr Browning, on your fantastic career, and wishing you the very best for your retirement. We have very fond memories of the Blue Coat choir and orchestra, especially the amazing concerts you organised, where parents and friends filled out the orchestra and the tenor and bass parts on choral works; they were amazing performances to be a part of, especially at that age. You have had a huge impact on all of our musical educations and we are very grateful.

”

Mythili, Vytheki and Padman Vamadevan

“ “

Alan, you have been an inspiration to me after four short years of working with you. You have allowed me opportunities to grow, and under your guidance, concentrate on the most important aspects of school. I have admired how meticulous you are with remembering dates and the personal touch and time you give to all your staff.

Mr Neeson has some big shoes to fill.

”

Despite holding me responsible for bringing ‘groovy music’ into The Blue Coat School and looking with alarm at my many dance actions for hymns, I can honestly say that the support, encouragement and opportunities that Alan has given me to develop my music teaching have been fantastic. His patience when I decide to change rhythms and words at a moment’s notice is quite considerable but he never (outwardly) complains! I’d like to thank him for all of his support, including the many ‘thank you’ cards that have appeared in my pigeon hole, and to wish him and Helen a happy and healthy retirement.

”

Laura Evans current Music Co-ordinator for the Pre Prep Department

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Henry Harrison

2016

BEYOND THE

Blue

Hilgrove Kenrick – a retrospective reflection on the irrefutable influence upon my life of one Alan Browning.

Sitting in a Prep School Chapel last night and seeing my daughter’s first Advent Carol Service as an enrobed chorister gave me pause for reflection.

I joined Blue Coat around 1980 in the old Nursery pre-fabs and worked my way up through to Miss Ison’s class at the top of Pre-Prep. From there, it was on to ‘Main School’ with Mrs Still as my form teacher and joining, of course, the best house: the green tie of St George’s under Mr Moore.

I took piano lessons under Mr Alec Hone at his house in East Pathway, which he shared with his doppelgänger, one Mr Alan Browning. In ‘Main School’, I was taught music by this enthusiastic ‘young’ chap, and was also under his direction in the Chapel Choir: Alan Browning, Choir Master extraordinaire! This warm man (who could match the high trebles, note for note, and whose hair would bounce in time with his baton) possessed seemingly boundless enthusiasm and energy that couldn’t help but rub off on his charges.

In time, as I moved on through the school, there were other highlights: singing the lead in ‘Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat’ and being appalled to hear that the French teacher, Trevor Lucas, had been asked to play Pharoah! At that point, Trevor’s musical and dramatic capabilities were entirely unknown to the pupils, and so his astonishing Elvis parody was received with shock and awe in equal measure.

I finally reached the top year, and being made Head Chorister and winning the Senior Solo Singing Cup cemented my love of music and feeling of gratitude to Alan for having brought me to this point.

Along the way, I sang with the CBSO and as a treble with Birmingham Cathedral Choir. Nothing compared, though, with one service: the biggest responsibility and for me, the highlight of the choir’s calendar - the Advent Processional at Tewkesbury Abbey.

I moved on from Blue Coat in 1990 to Solihull School, where I again sang in the choir for a short while. I was delighted and honoured to be asked back to bolster choir numbers to sing once again that winter at Tewkesbury. As my voice broke, I dropped out of Solihull choir, and my musical meanderings ceased. Imagine my surprise, then, to find I couldn’t escape Alan: he appeared at my church, St John’s in Harborne, where I rapidly found myself as worship group player and ultimately one of the youth worship leaders.

The Church remained my main musical outlet, whilst at school I aimed to study marine sciences. Yet in the back of my mind was an unresolved longing for something musical. All through my A-levels, that nagging sound in the back of my head grew louder. Finally, having accepted a place to read Marine Biology, I took a year out to lay the ‘musical ghost’ once and for all.

Playing and singing in bars and restaurants, combined with song writing, I was ultimately invited to score my first film: a student short. At that point all thoughts of biology went out the window: here was something I could really get my teeth into.

Along the way came the Bluecoat’s 275th anniversary celebrations, culminating in the concert at Symphony Hall. There I was, once again under Alan’s direction! It is funny how things come full circle – during my time in the Chapel Choir, there was

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the recording of “Starlight, Camels and Kings”. It was my first experience of being in a studio, and the whole recording process which I found very exciting. I was allowed to lurk around the studio to see the whole recording operation, which only served to deepen my interest in music recording. The music and film industry have changed a lot since the 1980s, but now I still find myself ‘lurking’ in studios - my own, various in London (large, small, famous and infamous), and finally, now, with increasing regularity in Los Angeles.

Barely a day goes past that I don’t pinch myself – this is a difficult career path, and is by no means all wine and roses, but there is nothing that will ever come close to hearing what had previously only been a noise in your head coming to life with world-class musicians. From large computer game franchises like ‘Need for Speed’ and ‘The Walking Dead’, through independent British feature films, artistic shorts, the opportunities to co-write and produce an album with one of the soloists from Disney’s ‘Frozen’ and even a forthcoming opera… no two jobs are the same.

It is the thing of the trite Oscar speech to thank one’s teachers, but it is a truism: without that start, I couldn’t do, couldn’t be what I am today. ‘Benny’, (a term of true endearment!) - Alan: thank you.

Honor Berry Remembered (adapted from the eulogy given by her daughter, Felicity.)

Honor was born in 1947, in Horley, North Oxfordshire. She was very artistic and quite musical and was still a school girl when both her parents died. It was then that Honor learned and demonstrated great dignity, strength and courage: attributes we know served her well all her life.

She married James in 1980 and lived in Oundle School where James was a Housemaster. They were blessed with two children: William and Felicity. Honor arrived at The Blue Coat School in 1993, where she was Housemistress of St Monica’s House for 13 years - ‘some of the happiest of her life’. She taught English and Maths, and worked with children with special needs, later on taking on the role of Head of Art - a subject that she had truly always been at home with.

In 2006, Malvern was the perfect choice for Honor and James in their retirement, where her life was full of friends and interests: Geology Society, Art Club, lots of travelling, The Flower Guild, Tai Chi, Walking, Church Coffee Mornings, ‘The Ladies that Lunch’ from Blue Coat Days and later visits to see her granddaughter, Evie.

Her cancer diagnosis was a shock; but, as always, Honor’s bravery became a pillar of strength for her family and friends. Many ‘golden girls’ of St Monica’s recount fond stories of their days with Honor, as do numerous others who were her pupils.

The Blue Coat Old Scholars’ Association salutes this ‘uncommonly kind’ teacher, to whom so many owe so very much.

Welcome to our new Members in 2015 Aditi Ajithkumar Matthew Anderson Lucy Atkins Saran Bahia Aran Bansal George Berry Joshua Bobin Amelia Bradley Harriet Bradley Grace Bromfield Amelia Brunning Jacob Carr-Simms Pranav Chandar Rajan Chohan Elliot Clarkson Gabriel Dass Joseph Day

Harvey Dhillon Harpreet Dosanjh Carys Evans Amreese Gakhal Jessica Gannon Lewis Goddard Aarye Goyal Archie Hadley Riyaan Haroon Isobel Heagren Daniel Hindle Samuel Howells Lizzie James Gia Kattapuram Pratham Kaushal Beatrice Kendall Arjun Kumar

Bronagh Lee Kiran Lidhar Thomas Macalino Suhail Mahmood Muhammad Zakariyya Malik Ruby Manhota Hugo Martin Amara McCracken Ethan McGuirk Ellis McKenzie Amelia Mohammed Amaan Munir Maya Narayan-Hull Alisha Narendran Tiggy (Tiger-Lily) Newbould Simran Nijjar Ishani Patel

Jo Nordan’s retirement

The family of Blue Coat – Wrapped Round the World!

Teacher from 1986-2016 For thirty years, Jo has been an inspiration in the PE department: full of life and energy and always smiling. She has been the department’s backbone, organising fixtures, tournaments, competitions and Sports Days. Although she has led our sports teams to great success, winning gym competitions, tournaments, (most recently helping the U11 Netball team qualify for the IAPS Nationals in Brighton), Jo’s passion was always Gymnastics: she was instrumental in introducing it into the school, and devoted countless hours to creating routines, choosing music, ordering leotards and enthusing innumerable pupils.

On top of all this, Jo has also organised and helped out on numerous trips at home and abroad: Sport Tours, Skiing, Outward Bound, and French trips - always putting the pupils first and ensuring everyone had fun.

Never afraid to have a laugh with the children, Jo was often found in various fancy

Erin Quinn Ryan Rahman Safa Razaq Naina Reddy Thomas Redfern Rayhaan Rehm-Ali Danielle Russell Nikita Saini Kheera Sandhu Aleena Saud Daniel Slater Kajol Sohal Freya Stone Daya Talwar Leen Uraijah Angelo Xydias Christopher Yu

dress outfits, having fun with the children during school assemblies.

Jo has given so very much to every aspect of life at The Blue Coat School and we especially want to say a huge thank you to her: she will be greatly missed!

Members of the Blue Coat family live and work in countries all round the world! Some were boarders who have returned to their ‘home’ country, whereas others have taken career opportunities abroad. In the next edition of True Blue, we want to create a record of job descriptions and places of work of our ‘global’ members. Please email Lindsay this information and a current photograph (and one of when you were at the school, as this is always fun) as soon as possible. Many thanks – lucaslj@thebluecoatschool.com

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Pippa Crews

2016

Scholarship Awards and Examinations Success to Senior Schools 2014–2015 Academic Year – External Scholarships, Exhibitions and Awards In total, 32 awards were offered to Blue Coat School children, reflecting their high performance, but 27 were declined in favour of alternative offers.

Amelia Brunning

Elliot Clarkson Ryan Rahman

King Edward VI High School Academic for Girls King Edward’s School Academic Priory School Academic

Naina Reddy

Rayhaan Rehm-Ali

King Edward VI High School Academic for Girls Priory School Academic

Ethan McGuirk Ellis McKenzie Amelia Mohammed Hugo Mulligan Amaan Munir Maya Narayan-Hull Alisha Narendran Tiggy Newbould Simran Nijjar Ishani Patel Erin Quinn Ryan Rahman Safa Razaq Naina Reddy Thomas Redfern Rayhaan Rehm-Ali Jake Robinson Danielle Russell Nikita Saini Kheera Sandhu Aleena Saud Bhavesh Sharma Shreya Shetty Daniel Slater Kajol Sohal Freya Stone Daya Talwar Leen Uraijah Angelo Xydias Christopher Yu

King Edward VI Five Ways Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Solihull School King Edward VI Camp Hill for Boys King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Handsworth King Edward VI High School for Girls Edgbaston High School King Edward VI High School for Girls Priory School King Edward VI Handsworth King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward’s School Priory School Adams’ Grammar School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls Solihull School Edgbaston High School King’s Norton School for Girls King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls Edgbaston High School King Edward’s School St George’s School

Entrance to Senior Schools Aditi Ajithkumar Matthew Anderson Lucy Atkins Saran Bahia Aran Bansal George Berry Joshua Bobin Amelia Bradley Harriet Bradley Grace Bromfield Amelia Brunning Jacob Carr-Simms Pranav Chandar Rajan Chohan Elliot Clarkson Gabriel Dass Joseph Day Harvey Dhillon Harpreet Dosanjh Carys Evans Amreese Gakhal Jessica Gannon Turan Gardiner Lewis Goddard Aarye Goyal Archie Hadley Riyaan Haroon Isobel Heagren Daniel Hindle Emma Hope Sam Howells Elizabeth James Gia Kattapuram Pratham Kaushal Beatrice Kendall Ismah Khan Arjun Kumar Bronagh Lee Kiran Lidhar Thomas Macalino Suhail Mahmood Zak Malik Ruby Manhota Hugo Martin Amara McCracken

King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Camp Hill for Boys Edgbaston High School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward’s School King Edward’s School King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Five Ways King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward’s School King Edward VI Camp Hill for Boys King Edward’s School King Edward’s School Handsworth Grammar School King Edward VI Camp Hill for Boys King Edward’s School Handsworth Grammar School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Handsworth Edgbaston High School King Edward’s School Handsworth Grammar School King Edward’s School Priory School King Edward’s School King Edward VI Handsworth King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls Lordswood Girls’ School King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI Camp Hill for Girls King Edward’s School King Edward VI High School for Girls Wolverhampton Girls’ High School Old Swinford Hospital School King Edward VI Aston King Edward VI Camp Hill for Boys King Edward VI Camp Hill for Girls Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Edgbaston High School

Urgent appeal for updated email addresses Currently we post 1200 editions of True Blue! We can only send 500 by email. We would LOVE these numbers to be reversed so please would you email me so I can update your address. Many thanks, lucaslj@thebluecoatschool.com

The Editors and Publisher of True Blue take no responsibility for the accuracy and content of the articles contained within this publication Similarly, the Editors and Publisher take no responsibility for the quality of the photographs and their subsequent reproduction within this publication.

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