Whinchat 2009-2010

Whinchat The magazine of Bedford Preparatory School - 2009/10

from the

Headmaster Welcome to this year’s Whinchat magazine. Once again we have aimed to provide an extensive review of life at Bedford Prep over the last twelve months. It has been good to work with Oliver Whiteley for the second year in the production of the magazine and my thanks also go to Penny Oakley, Ruth Mann, Esther Smith and the staff and boys for all their input to this edition.

At a time when more and more articles, magazines and books are accessed electronically (even as I write this introduction Amazon have just announced that for the first time sales of ebooks on the US site have outnumbered hard books) we still feel that it is important that a record of the year is published in magazine form.

I recently read some research findings suggesting that many of us no longer have the concentration span to read articles through to their conclusion. It seems that we are becoming less attentive book readers as our hyperactive online habits

are influencing the mental facilities we need to process and understand lengthy textual information. In response to this situation a “slow reading” movement has started to emerge. The campaign encourages us to take our time while reading and re-reading. They ask us to maybe even switch off our computers and rediscover the joy of personal engagement with a text and to really process it fully.

So...I really hope you persevere not only with my introduction (not just managing half of what is written, as the researchers purport – and apparently if you were reading the same article online you might not even finish a fifth!). Take your time. Enjoy a good ‘slow read’ and find out more about what happened at our School during 2009/10.

Chris Godwin August 2010

Contents Introduction

My favo year wa urite topic this s was ‘Ear in Science and learnt all th and Beyond ’.

My first about planet X. I ac to hold hievement wa a I have als rugby ball an s d school tw o swum for th e ice! (Lou is Case)

year t of this My twee is y english is that m s a lot. (Lui ed ov pr im Janini)

Editorial

Y8 Leavers

2

6

Chris Dee

7

Dining Halls

8

the g into ing Gettin in row 1st boat ving only ha few after ing a d row a starte ago! (Joshu weeks lington) Wel

Prize Giving

Twitter

Bude Trip

Castleton

9

12

ws Academic e i v r e v ct O

Subje

Sciencienece” is derived

English

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Maths

Overviews

14

Reviews

16

Enrichment

52

Beyond the School Gates

Introduction

56 4

Contents

Ickwell Bury

58

Cricket Tour

60

Burgundy

62

64

66

Venice

67

School Life

House Life

68

School Play

70

Library

PSHE

Environment

Candle Light

Hockey

Cricket

72

74

Eagle House

Co - Ed

Minor Sports

Ski Squad

76

77

Committees

Charities

78

EMA

80

82

84

Sports

Introduction

85

Rugby

86

88

90

92

96

Contents

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Y8 Leavers Artem Allakhverdov Harry Allen Elmir Alyrzaev Mikail Awan Charles Ballard Jacob Barclay Philip Barnes Alexander Benzie Thomas Blakemore Tom Booton Matthew Budd Harry Burden Tom Burman Ryan Callanan Ross Cawood Tom Chapman Ollie Charlton Geoffrey Cheung Navin Chodha Ben Clarke George Cochrane-Davies Sean Davies Alfonso De Arcenegui Charles Dempsey George Dickman Daniel DiFilippo Thomas Edwards Robert Evans John Fahmy Julian Fong Daniel Frossell Gonzalo Garcia

Ben Garrett Angus Gill Jack Harvey Thomas Hasson James Herriott Joseph Holt Benjamin Howard Tom Humphreys John Hunt Rupert Jacques Bradley James Jonathan Janes Guy Johnson Edward Jones Saurav Karmakar James Lamond Arthur Li George Lilley-Moncrieff Felix Lin Tom Lousada Arandeep Malhi Matthew Malindine Oliver Maltby Tim Matthews Patrick McDuell Freddie McLean Oliver McLeod Aaron McNally James Medley Ajay Singh Momi Alex Monaghan Milan Nakum

Teddy Ng Theo Ogden Rufus Ollerhead Adam Olphin Shiv Patel Hugo Price Manahara Ratnayake William Reynolds Luke Riddell James Robinson Samuel Robinson Joshua Sadd Paolo Sarro Anastassios Savvides Charles Seamark Adam Selvey Joshua Selvey Ivan Shibalov Ben Smith Samuel Smith Luke Steel Lucas Stewart Sebastian Trounson Daniel Viscusi Sebastian Walker Sam Wardell Joshua Wellington Richard Wichhart James Winder Bernard Woo Gordon Yip Henry Zwetsloot

Always a Schoolmaster; Never Just a Teacher

What is the capital of Burkina Faso?

I

f you don’t know the answer to that question you were clearly never taught by Chris Dee. (Please look to the end of this article for the answer!)

As a Geography teacher generations of Bedford boys were inspired with a love for the subject and lot of the success of the Upper School Geography Department can be put down to the groundwork boys received from their time in the Lower School and, more recently, the Prep School.

Chris was one of the most hardworking people I have ever met. It didn’t matter to him how late he worked if he felt there was more to do. The only thing that ever really mattered to Chris was his boys.

Another passion of Chris’s was rugby. He was brought up in the days when rugby was a man’s game and anyone who played in the Staff XV against the Old Boys and saw the tackle he put in on the opposition’s full back will never forget it (about 6.2 on the Richter Scale according to Chris!) Modern day so-called big hits are just gentle tap tackles in

Chris Dee comparison. Chris puts this down to the way he was brought up in Africa. Apparently his old coach used to get them to play bulldog against the local herd of rhinos and anyone missing a tackle was beaten with a branch from the nearest tree.

I have so many other memories of my time working with Chris but perhaps the most surprising was the way he led Howard House to victory in the very first Prep School House Singing.

Anyone who has stood next to Chris in assembly will realise what a remarkable achievement this was!

I really do consider myself privileged to have worked with Chris for so many years. A remarkable man: Geography teacher, housemaster, tutor, rugby coach, cricket coach, Olympic weightlifter at the Munich Games in 1972, true legend of Bedford School.

GJW PS. For those of you not lucky enough to be taught by Chris; the answer to the question is Ouagadougou.

Chris Dee

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The new Dining Halls The Media Team and Mr. Godwin ‘do lunch’ in the newly refurbished Dining Halls...

O

n the 7th June 2010 the Media Team and Mr Godwin descended on the Dining Halls, unannounced, to sample the delicious lunch that was on offer.

All the boys went for the main meal of spaghetti bolognaise with meatballs and garlic bread, whereas Mr Godwin went for the healthy option of leek and fennel soup.

The general feeling amongst the team was that the pasta sauce was very tasty and flavoursome and whilst we would have liked longer spaghetti, it was cooked to perfection!

Mr Godwin’s soup was also very good and had a great consistency. Whilst most of the boys had donuts to follow, of which the

8

The new Dining Halls

overall opinion was ‘Mmmmmmm!’, some of us, including Mr Godwin, went for the fruit crumble and cream. This was very light and the fruit was lovely and sweet.

Over lunch we discussed the changes to the dining halls and decided that, overall, the changes have made a huge positive difference to our lunchtimes and that the food quality and choices are much improved. We particularly thought that the conveyor belt, the fact that you can sit with your friends and the improved choices available, have made the dining halls and lunch times much more enjoyable.

Alex Stammers, Year 7

2010 Prize Giving

This year we welcomed back Will Skinner, an Old Boy of the School, to be our Guest of Honour. In order to give a flavour of the day this article includes extracts from not only Will’s speech but also the speech from the Head Boy, Tom Lousada, and from the Headmaster.

From the Headmaster Will joined the Prep School in 1991 and enjoyed an outstanding school career. I was fortunate to be able to coach Will in the Prep School and I also worked with him as a member of the Ist XV in the Upper School enjoying the special experience of an unbeaten season in 2000. In that year, Will was part of a back row which all gained international schoolboy honours.

Will captained both the Prep School and Upper School 1st XV teams and he joined Leicester straight from School. He worked his way through the academy

to play for the Tigers a total of 34 times before moving to Harlequins where he has been captain for the last two seasons.

Will represented England in the World Seven series in 2003 and played for the England Saxons team in 2007 along with captaining the team in the Churchill Cup in 2008.

I also learnt from Wikipedia that he is the youngest captain in the Premiership and, on the same website, I am sure he won’t mind me mentioning, that he is described as a small blond, dashing and pacy openside!

When we first spoke about today he assured me that he would

definitely be available as he would not be touring or playing any rugby at this time. As he put it, he was battered and needed a rest after a long and tough season. So thank you Will for making those 162 tackles in the premiership last season which has allowed you to be here today!

From the Head Boy If asked ‘what’s the difference between the Year 3’s of Bedford Prep School and the Year 8’s?’ the obvious answer would probably be, that we are simply a bit bigger, stronger, wiser and in a few cases

better looking! But with a little more thought, a wiser person, a Year 8 perhaps, might suggest that the key change is the experiences gained within the Prep School and that has made the real difference. So what would they mean...

From the sporting achievements (and failures), the academic successes, the clubs, societies, foreign tours and trips, the music, theatre and just general, all round breadth – Bedford Prep School changes you. I’d like to share with you some of the detail behind this change.

This year for example in sport the Under 12 Rugby team had a 2010 Prize Giving

9

fantastic season, the School were 3rd overall in the IAPS swimming finals, where Oliver Maltby did a fantastic14.1second length of butterfly thus winning gold, and the 1st XI successfully toured South Africa and had an unbeaten season. I personally enjoyed the Glasgow rugby tour where the highlight was 4 days of fast food and a side order of rugby.

If you take individuals, how about Paddy McDuell playing for the Prep School Barbarians or Guy Johnson and Josh Taylor with their outstanding golf achievements. The Squash, Tennis, Skiing, Rowing, Hockey, Football, I could, and probably should go on. There are many more worthy individuals and teams who should be mentioned.

However, the point is, there is always something for everyone.

We’ve had the Year 7 & 8 Public Speaking where Alex Monaghan and Josh Taylor won, the Bedfordshire Speech and Drama festival; where this year we had a record number of entries, not forgetting the School Play, Composition Competitions and the many and varied fabulous music concerts, the ever popular House Singing, while Harpur won the unison, we were just beaten by Bunyan who won 10

2010 Prize Giving

overall (again!)

The Swaziland Schools Project have benefited enormously from being our main charity of choice this year and we have had great fun with all sorts of events. The biggest occasion of these was the Charities Week. It was a huge success and over £7,000 has been raised throughout the year.

Everyone has been involved and we’ve all had a great time raising the money.

And if all this activity was not enough during term time, perhaps you might want to continue in to the Holidays. The Chapel Choir is off to Venice where I expect some beautiful singing will take place in a beautiful city. The Year 4s enjoyed PGL, the Year 5s & 6s Bude and the Year 7&8s didn’t know when to stop with an Austrian skiing trip, a visit to the German Christmas market and reaching high and wide on the French trip; I assure you the high ropes looked a lot higher once you were up there!

It’s a surprise we have nothing to do at night time but yes, I forgot we do. There’s the ever present home work, the revising, the pre test tests, the reading and research... but then who needs sleep?!

So perhaps it’s no surprise that

those of us who are lucky enough to go through this school will have changed by the time we leave.

Looking back at all the times my friends and I have shared over the past 5 years, I guess the memory which stands out most for me is playing my first ever rugby match on my birthday and winning with the rest of the team!!

In finishing, these memories along with some great friends are what I will treasure and I know most of my fellow Year 8s will do too, as we move on into the Upper School. So from tiny Year 3s to towering Year 8s there has obviously been a change.

However, more than that, with all the experiences the Prep School has thrown at us I would say that we are all pretty prepared for what is still to come! And that is the beauty of Bedford Preparatory School.

From the Headmaster As you enter the Wells Building an enrichment noticeboard has been established to celebrate and highlight some examples of outstanding work as well as recognising the achievements of

particular individuals. At any given time, it is an excellent reflection of what our boys are engaged in. It also contains a number of quotes which are there to provoke discussion, to motivate and to get the boys thinking. I was taken by one of the quotes in particular.

“Don’t wait until you are a man to be great. Be a “great boy”.

Now, we often talk about the importance of the process by which we get to a particular point or level of achievement and this quote can be used to highlight the importance of setting challenging expectations while also aspiring to give of our best. But the phrase a “great boy” does not just refer to tangible achievements; it should also be considered in the context of how one conducts oneself, the values one aspires to and, indeed, the role one can have in a school community such as ours.

In researching the origin of the quote, I came across the November 1923 edition of “Boys’ Life”, the magazine of the American Boy Scout movement.

In the magazine great articles are to be found such as “Roping Lions in the Grand Canyon” and “How to make Bows, Arrows and Bowstrings” . Can you just imagine the risk assessments?!

There was also a chapter surely written for Mr Capello on “Making a Great Football Team”.

In an article in the magazine the “Great Boy” quote is used in the context of the importance of developing young leaders.

The writer espouses the view that “ The reason there are so few leaders among men is because there are so few leaders among boys.” He goes on “Nature seldom creates an outright leader; she simply furnishes the raw material, provides the opportunity and lets the fellow finish the job to suit himself ”.

The author of the article one Frank H Cheley urges that the youth of that time should be “prospecting their lives” (using a gold mining analogy) to seek out their hidden treasure whether it be leadership or any other talent.

He suggests that so much can

come from seeking to be loyal, educated, alert, dependable, earnest and real, which will make you into a “lifter” and not a “leaner” he suggests.

This reminded me of something I heard recently at a conference, the modern day version of “lifters and leaners” if you like, translated, in this case, into three groups which can be found in a school or perhaps in the wider community or perhaps even in whatever situation we find ourselves. The three types each begin with the letter P - Players, Passengers and Prisoners.

So starting with prisoners – people who feel trapped in a system of some sort and are fighting against it and so therefore are unlikely to get anything out of the situation; I am sure there are no prisoners present today because you are ALL delighted to be here.

Perhaps of more interest to all of us is the difference between Passengers and Players. Passengers come along for the ride and probably do just enough to get by, but while doing so, take very little advantage of the opportunities on offer.

And Players. These are what we want at Bedford School – by players I mean those who are enthusiastic, engaged, ambitious, positive but equally compassionate and supportive.

So how can we encourage you to become players? Well, I very much think that while for some, success seems to come easily, others need to be helped to truly believe in themselves and to create their own opportunities.

I think it is about building and developing aspirations based on the understanding that while it is always nice to receive plaudits from others, the real reward has to be an internal, personal satisfaction that we have done the best job we could, and achieved a personal goal. On the journey to being a “Great Boy” it is important to understand that you can’t always be the best, but you can always do your best.

We all have a role in supporting our boys in finding their own

intrinsic motivation as they grow up through the School.

Eric Liddell, the devout Christian athlete, Olympic Gold medallist and Scottish rugby international famously said “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.”

From Will Skinner It is flattering to be asked here but I sometimes wonder why you honour your sportsmen like this, rather than old boys who have become captains of industry or academics. As my father likes to say to me, ‘You’re not very bright, but you’re good at carrying things!’ As rugby players we have to learn how to cope with pain, injury and disappointment. Our chosen careers are over by the time we are 35 and our bodies bear the scars of our labour. With over 70 stitches in my face, I suspect I have been invited more as an advertisement for the perils of sport rather than its merits.

But I would not change it for the world. The camaraderie, loyalty and friendship are wonderful, it is challenging and exciting. It’s just like an extension of school, and that just shows you how happy I was here.

I owe a huge amount to the school, having started in 1991 in the one fours, what is now the Y3, I was lucky enough to see the school grow and develop around me. I remember the building of the Erskine May Hall, Eagle House and the Wells Building, and I’m extremely glad to see that the school has continued to develop since my departure in 2002.

One of a number of things that will stay with me, are the memories and skills I gained whilst at Bedford School. One of my earliest rugby memories was when I was ten years old in the Colt’s County Cup Final. It was our last match of the season and I had been injured for a couple of weeks with a sore shoulder. So under the advice from our rugby

coach, Shawn Philips, the only way I could play the following day was to wear some sort of shoulder padding, and this was before the time of big shoulder pads and scrum hats that you see in rugby today, so it was up to me to do a bit of DIY! I discussed the matter over with my Dad and we were struggling to come up with a decent solution, that was until my mother came into the room having overheard the conversation with a long blue sparkly dress. It had the biggest fitted shoulder pads you will ever see. With no time to find an alternative, my Dad and I began to stitch, glue and staple the dress to the inside of my first XV rugby jersey.

Before I knew it, it was the day of the game, we were facing our archrivals, the Modern, out they ran on the pitch, the strongest, toughest, most physical team we had faced all season, and there I was, wearing my mother’s evening dress! Luckily, we went on to win, and I didn’t swap my shirt and I kept my dignity, well up until now that is.

As I said before, it is the memories and skills gained whilst at Bedford School that have stayed with me, and these are the things that have kept me going and helped me through some pretty difficult situations.

Nowhere was this more true than when I captained the Harlequins team during the time of the Bloodgate scandal. I truly believe that it was the leadership skills that I developed at Bedford school

that enabled me to lead the squad through one of sport’s biggest scandals, and I thank the school for that.

So, if I was to have one message for the boys here today, it would be to make the most of your time here at the school, because before you know it you will have done your A-Levels, finished school and you will be an old man like me.

Make the most of any situation you find yourselves in, as these will be the memories that stay with you forever.

And I will leave you with one of my fondest rugby memories.

It was two seasons ago during one of Harlequins’ biggest ever games. We were playing Stade Francais in Paris in the Stade de France Stadium in front of 75 thousand screaming French fans.

Our preparation for the game had been excellent, we had got through the warm up, not being put off by the crowd or the onpitch entertainment! And just before the game was about to start, we ran out onto the pitch, I pulled the guys in for a last few words of encouragement, only to be interrupted by one of our rather dozy second rows, ‘come on lads’ he cheered , ‘let’s rise up like a pheasant from the ashes!’ There were a few laughs from around the circle, so I whispered in his ear, “Percy, it’s phoenix from the ashes, not pheasant’. ‘Sorry Skins’ he replied, ‘I knew it was a bird beginning with F!’

2010 Prize Giving

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Twitter The boys were asked to give some thoughts on their year, using a maximum of 140 characters as a tweet

My twe et of th is year is that m y Englis h is improved a lot. (L uis Janini)

Winning Sports Day, making masks in Art, getting the Endeavou r Cup first, winning House Football (YAY !) and Greek Day. I LOVED LOADS OF THINGS!! (Jamie Williams)

he into t g g n i t Get win t in ro nly a o b t s 1 go havin a few r e t f a ing d row a starte ago! (Joshu s k wee gton) Wellin

inning the H ou W Art Competit se ion, Sport

s Day - me falling over in the three-legged ra Matthew dra ce and g over the line, ging me S Award for A ilver cademic Achievemen ts sleepover fun , Science ! (Elliott Sell)

Apar t fro m th on u e ban nhea lthy this eatin has g, good been a year.

(Wil fred Ham ilton )

Page Detail

ned a r a e l e I hav yself m t u o lot ab r. It’s been ea this y in sport g amazin unbeaten. t almos larke) It’s had u ps and d y C owns. (Tob You hav e to cop e and make go od decis ions.

(Aaron M cNally)

I made a long necked dinosaur and it came second in a House Art competition. I won a £15 art voucher.

My favourite clubs are football club and cricket club I scored 2 hattricks in the house football competition.

(Oliver Valerio)

I

My highlight of the year was just having a good time at this school, playing with friends and just being able to be in a nice atmosphere. (Ja mes Yin)

helped School s - it’s me lot illiant r b n e be ry in eve omas h T ( . t c aspe ds) Edwar

liked spo r day, the Cts day, Greek Here is my tweet for this year: I will I liked cominhgristmas play, to school in my py j a m a s and always remember when I received the special da y, the scie every slee nce fantastic news that I had won four weekpover and charities . (Oscar H udson) prizes. (Robert

Salveson)

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My favourite t Prep Sc hool hing at Bedford th ICT. We do is year has been fun making anim activities like at own e-mail ions. We have our ac can make ou counts and we r own storie s. (Paul Smith)

, Art, Sport and Exams e ps hav i h s d n frie or well f e n o g all . is year me th ) e Cave g r o e (G

My highlight for the year was... doing the 800 metres and even though I ca me last I got the biggest cheer out of everyone there! :-D (M atthew Jackson) I believe I have made pro gress this year and more frie nds as a result.

(Dexter Southern )

Fun bu chal t alwa ys a l is B enge. T e h Scho dford P at ol. r (Mik ep ail Awan )

Y8 started well and ended better. I

enjoy the rowing and school in general.

g new n i k a M reat g , s d frien but I rugby ting a ea miss te bar! ola choc Jackson) y (Harr

I l o ve t h en H a l l s . (To e w D i n i ng m Tr u dg i ll)

(Harry Allen)

Spor t Kean s day e sa Mrs. Wedn i esda d I did work y ca well s r bron hop, fir nival a , z s r and e award t term t comm g f ot o r char e itie ndation merits lots s we s, e slee of mone k - rai p y s fun! over - , scien ed h c (Ben a e jami d lots n Sy of fret )

ts spor , s e nerv getting y a d irst as brill, and two w s day r Award ouse s, H n Silve two e Award e Bunya z s Bron ng becau Harpur rd a i Sing first and nd How d) a e e cam second am Aldr e cam third. (S e cam

F

ed in v o r p im l I have art of schoo . p every o I’m happy life - s e Staddon) (Jami

What I most enjoyed about this school ye ar was learning the different la nguages, (Latin, Spanish and German) and I am planni ng to be doing Spanish next ye ar. Another thing I enjoye d about this year is that I got into the hockey squad which is mixed with the Y8’s and I am also very, very happy that I won the 200 Metre s A in Y7.

(Oscar Garrad)

Geting involv tea m until ed in the rugby 1st by my injur it was interrupted to South A y. The cricket tour curve and a frica was a learning proud to be great experience. I a m cricket tea m part of an unbeaten . (Ben Clar ke) Page Detail

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Subject Overviews Maths

Science

English

MFL

D&T

Mathematics is not the same now as when I was at school – a common phrase uttered by parents. Methods may have changed but the underlying knowledge and understanding is still required. Mental agility from a secure knowledge of number bonds and tables is still required across all the age ranges.

To further enhance this next year the boys will be undertaking the challenges of Mathletics where they have the opportunity to compete against other pupils from around the world.

As the boys move through the school they experience a wider range of concepts and skills. Algorithms, although still important, give way to algebra and Pythagoras, simple bar charts to mean, median and mode, drawing squares to angle bisectors, from finding the missing number to forming and solving equations. Building blocks are made in the junior year groups and form walls as they move through to Year 8 and beyond. Through interaction and challenge, most boys develop an enjoyment of at least one sphere of mathematics, if not all.

The annual Year 6 Maths Magic Challenge with the High School was once again a successful event whilst James Smith scored highly enough to have an attempt at the Junior Olympiad Challenge.

Next year a new challenge of Mathletics awaits us all.

The word “Science” is derived from the Latin scientia, meaning “knowledge”. Both in and out of lessons this year, Prep School boys have had a myriad of opportunities to increase their “knowledge”!

Lectures enjoyed by PS boys, organised by the U.S. Harpur Science Forum, have included “The Surgeon’s Knife” and “The Science of Invisibility”. Y4 boys have carried out field work at Ickwell. All the Y5 boys, and many of the Y7 boys, have, at some point, visited the Observatory and Planetarium as part of their studies. Boys from 8M were involved in a video conference on Astronomy arranged with Manchester University. ‘Gallileo’ came to talk the Y5-6 boys. A group of Y7 boys took part in a ‘Salter’s Challenge’ at Warwick University. In an entertaining 10-team competition, the overall winners of the Science-DT Family Challenge were the Barnes family. The U.S. Science Department gave all the Y8 boys a taste of Science in the Upper School.

Some boys got to carry out some experiments on the Displacement series, other boys found out more about how rockets work whilst others observed a dissection.

And finally, the Y3 boys experienced a ‘Science Sleepover’. They visited the Planetarium, made potions, witnessed an exploding balloon and then got into their sleeping bags in the EMH to watch Ice Age 3 whilst eating popcorn!!

As ever, the Prep School boys have used their opportunities within English as a subject area to shine and showcase their blossoming talents. To watch a Year 3 boy publicly recite a poem by heart with perfect timing, to listen to a Year 8 boy deliver a heartfelt speech to a ‘tough crowd’ of peers, to read a complete short story composed by a Year 7 boy, to witness Year 6 pupils gamely volunteering for a role with a visiting Shakespeare theatre workshop – all of these experiences reflect the enthusiasm and confidence within our community.

We were fortunate to welcome visitors to the school to further enrich the English curriculum.

After John Harris the Storyteller captivated Year 5 with intriguing and often gory myths and legends, Year 6 were transported to a world of fairies and magic through the Young Shakespeare Company’s workshop interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

As a platform for sharing excellence, the boys continue to embrace the public competitions within the English curriculum.

After the challenge and thrill of the Short Story Competition and Public Speaking Competition, the boys channelled their creative energy into writing and performing in the Poetry Writing and Poetry Recitation competitions.

Bonjour, Hola, Guten Tag…..In any language this has been another busy and exciting year in the Prep School MFL Department.

Some fantastic work has been produced in the classroom but once la porte is shut the learning and fun keeps going! In November, Zech Enson made it to the finals of the Junior Language Challenge 2009, beating over 1400 other pupils from around the country, We then had a delicious Y5 French lunch and a Y3/4 French breakfast where la bonne cuisine was very much on the cards – or on the table to be precise!

In December a group of boys enjoyed a trip to the Aachen Christmas market and then at Easter a large group of Y7/8 boys spent five days in Burgundy, performing circus skills, trying their hand at archery, mosaic making, sculpture and high ropes, all preceded by French lessons, évidemment!

Boys from all year groups enjoyed performing in the Festival of Languages in March alongside pupils from the Upper School. This gave a little flavour of the wide range of activities and excellent language learning that go on in lessons, not to mention the extra-curricular Italian and Chinese lessons on offer. It’s enough to make anyone need a siesta!

The department has gone through some major changes with regard to the projects in each year. We now only do two projects, with room for extension work in latter stages. We also provide a wide range of materials, which enables us to provide projects in Resistant Materials, Graphics, Metal work and Textiles with elements of ICT. This has proven to be very successful; it also enables the students to go home with quality products that they can keep forever. This gives the students a wonderful memory of DT within the Prep School.

The plan next year is to collaborate with more departments and really extend the knwledge and skills of the boys.

On the 30th June, we had our first ever Exhibition & Awards Evening.This event gave a really good insight into what has been going on within the DT department and promoted the subject in the broadest possible sense.

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Subject Overviews

History

Geography

Art

Music

Drama

Whether assassinating John F. Kennedy (again!), raiding family wardrobes for costumes for Viking Day, or being held spellbound by the stories of our visiting speaker, Kevin Hicks, History at its best should not be confined to some cobwebbed classroom.

Arguably the most sophisticated and salient of school subjects, it is vital to engage and inspire students early. History is not “easy” and I know that, come the end of Y9, many boys will jettison it: a pity.

Still, it is to be hoped that the studies undertaken in the Prep School will have equipped them with a sound understanding of their collective past. The History pages in this magazine provide the briefest of reviews, too brief really, but it is hoped that they reflect the progression through the School towards the scholarly analysis expected of Y8s.

I look forward to the new academic year with both trepidation and eagerness. It brings exciting possibilities, with interactive whiteboards arriving and, on a personal note, my teaching of some Upper School History.

There are losses to handle too: Matthew Jamieson will, sadly, no longer be teaching our Y8s while our old Upper School mentors are venturing elsewhere. Still, change happens: it creates History.

In true geographical style we have travelled the world again!

Y3 sampled the delights of India; spices, jewellery and costumes.

Y4 met the Hortas in Mexico. They explored the Amazon Rainforest and the consequences of man’s destruction through deforestation.

Whilst Y5 relaxed in Caribbean-style in St Lucia; promoting the island with their super holiday posters.

Y6 fingered their way through their Atlases; locating cites by longitude and latitude and calculated the time differences as they journeyed from country to country.

Both Y6 and Y7 got to grips with unfolding OS Maps and turned into Map Detectives and then Geologists whilst studying the Rock Cycle. They were both quizzed on their global knowledge and were the most travelled as they covered all 7 continents, oceans, rivers and seas.

Y7 even had time to sample the delights of shopping and finally ended up at the World Cup in South Africa; where they achieved more than England did!

The Y8s were spoilt by numerous earthquakes worldwide; the Haitian, Chinese and Chilean events, that provided ample case studies on ‘Our Restless Earth’. This was surpassed by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano; Eyjafjallajökull (which we did even attempt to read out aloud!)

A famous graffiti artist once said that art, “must escape all human limits; logic and common sense will only interfere. Only once these barriers are broken down does art enter the realms of childhood visions and dreams.”

I hope all our boys feel that they have broken down some barriers in Art this year. Our aim has been to create opportunities for boys, of all abilities, to shine and experience success. This year’s projects have ensured a busy, productive and thriving department which extends into lunchtimes, when many boys have returned to develop class work or projects of their own.

During the year, selfportraits, ceramic gargoyles, Giacometti-inspired figurines, Jomon coil pots, large reproductions of Van Gogh, cubist still life paintings, African Mask Panels and Gaudi Towers all decorated open spaces around the school. All children feel proud to see their work exhibited. In so doing, they learn to observe, discuss and respect the art of others.

The School Art Competition was a fantastic vehicle for this and saw three Y7 boys produce exceptional work – Matthew Burlison being judged ‘topman’ for his Pollock Study.

Y8 boys were treated to an inspiring Fauves Workshop with Mr Croker. The Gifted and Talented boys had opportunities to study life drawing in the Upper School and engage with a Sixth-Form Mentor who supported their artistic interests and skills with media.

Music is about performance and there have been the usual many outlets for boys this year. The Autumn and Summer Concerts have given the opportunity for Orchestra, Band, other Ensembles and Choirs to perform to a large audience.

Boys of all ages have offered a wide range of styles. In addition, the frequent Informal Concerts have featured many memorable solo performances. The House Music Competition was a wonderful day of music making and a celebration of music in the school.

Not surprising then that a record number of boys have been successful in music exams. On the singing front Senior Choir took part in a performance of Monteverdi Vespers and Junior Choir presented African Jigsaw.

Two major events involving every boy in the school, the House Singing and the Composition Competitions, have become musical highlights of the year. The House Singing took place in the Great Hall, packed with an enthusiastic audience of supportive parents. Composing forms a substantial part of the music curriculum and all boys get a chance to develop their creative talents. The result is an evening of the best from each year group forming the climax of the Composition Competition, which this year featured some excellent pieces that would not have been out of place in a GCSE portfolio!

In Y8 drama lessons the year starts with an ‘introduction to Drama’, where we explore and develop the key transferable skills needed for success in this subject and elsewhere – cooperation, communication, control, concentration. These skills are taught through a series of games and activities before we move on to develop an understanding of how to create characters and stories through improvisation, mime, scripted work, physical theatre etc.

Year 8 Drama is serious fun – a survey conducted amongst last year’s Year 8 pupils showed that the vast majority agreed. They’d had fun in lessons and felt they’d learnt and improved key skills along the way. It was also very pleasing to see a number of boys grow in confidence over the year.

Away from the curriculum, a number of boys enjoyed Y5 & 6 drama club this year and a good many others have enjoyed the Wednesday afternoon drama games option. The major undertaking is, of course, the School Play which you can read about in detail later in the magazine.

Subject Overviews

15

English

Midsummer Night’s Dream workshop

The Short Story Competition

A review by Oliver Winder, Y6

Claire Sharples, one of the judges, gives her views on writing short stories & this years winner.

T

he Midsummer Night’s Dream workshop by the Young Shakespeare Company was a fun and interactive event that anyone could enjoy. The workshop was held in the Erskine May Hall (EMH) on Wednesday 24th February with the whole of Year 6 attending. There were four actors and Dan, who was the narrator, helped us to understand what everyone was doing, or which part they were playing.

It began by volunteers from Year 6 being picked to play some of the important characters such as the Duke, Duchess and the lovers. Then we started with the scene from the Duke’s palace in Athens where Egeus was complaining to Duke Theseus.

The people from the workshop had brought in some costumes, consisting of crowns for the Duke and Duchess, shawls for Helena and Hermia, and hats for Demetrius and Lysander. They also made us use our imagination and pretend some scenery was there when it wasn’t, but it was still good!

A bit further into the workshop, it was the Mechanicals’ time to do their rehearsal, which was very realistic. When Hermia 16

English

and Lysander ran away, Dan made them do it in slow motion, which was very amusing, and then made even funnier when Demetrius and Helena joined in the chase.

After that it was the turn of Oberon, Titania, Puck and the fairies. I liked Oberon and Puck: Oberon was wearing a suit and Puck was wearing a little pink costume. When Oberon and Puck were meant to become invisible, they put some sunglasses on and turned back to back which made me laugh lots and lots. Titania was wearing green and her fairies were more volunteers who were wearing starry head-dresses. Then the mechanicals acted their play in front of the Duke. It was very funny as the actors did brilliantly, but the characters they were playing were very bad actors. I didn’t like the bit where the two male actors kissed each other as it was just a bit silly in my opinion.

Overall, I thought it was a very good workshop. It helped me understand the story and the characters better, and made me laugh. I would recommend this workshop to other children of my age and would give it five stars!

With a short story you can’t use characters that need exploring in great depth or are too complex. They have to be quite straightforward or the author can get lost explaining why it was they did things and why they thought this or that; by doing that you lose the immediacy and impact of a short storyline.

Also, although you can have a “cliff hanger” ending, you do need some explanation as to why things are happening or the story quickly becomes disjointed and unbelievable.

The short story which won had a very different approach from all the others, there was no dodging about with the storyline, the characters were simply drawn but very believable, the grammar was excellent and the ending appropriate. Well done to all the boys who reached the final stages and to the eventual winner, James Brodrip.

An extract from the beginning of James Brodrips novel...

Sometimes you can tell when someone cares. Sometimes you

can tell when someone doesn’t care and sometimes you just can’t tell anything. I work in my office day by day. Never stopping, ever.

Not even to smile once. Just thinking about the end I knew it was going to happen, just how? I knew they would be here soon, just when? Who would they send?

I heard the seconds go by like clouds in a frozen sky. Time was immobile, I was chilled. I was warmed by the memory of a day in summer when I was loved and the world was a better place.

Now my heart was made of ice and they were coming.

Once, I had been someone.

Once I was loved. And once I loved in return. What happened?

I was a fool, I thought I was loved and I was wrong.

Images flashed through my mind. Blonde hair, brown eyes, a sweet smile. Telling me she had problems with an old boyfriend, telling me she needed closure.

And me getting it for her…

The Y3-6 Poetry Recitation Competition Our resident literary critic provides a review of a highly enjoyable morning in the EMH

A

s we took our seats in the EMH to watch the Y3-6 Poetry Recitation Competition little did we realise what a treat we had in store. Mark Gibbs, Bedford Old Boy and now teacher was our judge. Mark is an actor as well as an English teacher, has been seen on TV and even on a billboard advertising lager - so he was a perfect choice to judge the boys’ performance and not just because he drinks Foster’s.

The Year 3s kicked off with Callum Bourne’s “A Wee Poem” which we all thought was going to be short but was in fact ...about wee! Callum’s actions and intonations were wonderful and I am rather afraid he must have suffered in the past so perfect was his performance! Nathan Dass followed with his request for “A Dinosaur for Christmas” and had us all wondering where we could get him one from.

George Johnson spoke about “Teachers” and conjured up some great images – I don’t think he was speaking of any teacher in particular but...

Matthew Stewart and his rendition of “Baboon’s Bottoms”

– the images he conjured up will stay with me for a long while (perhaps too long!) – Mr Gibbs told the audience that he was attacked by a Baboon in South Africa – what was the baboon thinking... Mr Gibbs is at least 6’13” (across the shoulders!) Benjamin Syfret was our penultimate performer in Year 3 and gave an absolutely word perfect performance of Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”. To have learnt a poem that length was an enormous feat, to entertain with it was magical. Last, but certainly not least, was Jamie Williams and “It’s a Horror Film”. His poem, with actions, was a wonderful way to end the first act of what promised to be a magnificent production.

I have given the Year 3s an unfair ratio of space for this write-up because, although all of the boys in every year did extremely well, I just can’t get over the poise and confidence of the 7 and 8 year olds some of whom have never been in a Recitation Competition before. Mr Gibbs mentioned how he remembered being in a Poetry Competition

when he was a boy and I have been unable to get the image of “Gibbsy” in little grey shorts out of my mind – where do you buy grey shorts for a seven year old who is 6’4”???

The Year 4 competition started with a very strong performance of “Friends” by Kamran Awan, a very hard act to follow. Charlie Axford managed to follow it with a superb performance of Roald Dahl’s “Little Red Riding Hood”.

Thomas Blythman needed no help at all with “Help Me Please”.

Felix Mallelieu told us all about how his dad had been swearing all morning, which didn’t sound like Mike at all but made us smile nonetheless. The next minute we were transported to Harlem as Ollie Peacock took to the stage with “Gran Can You Rap?” - he didn’t mean presents and he was taking no prisoners. Eminem had just entered the building!

Oscar Singer signed off for Year 4 with another perfect rendition of “Jabberwocky”.

I found myself feeling very sorry for Tom Christian who obviously thought he had entered a singing competition until I

heard him doing imitations of Mr Godwin’s voice over his singing – a great start to the Year 5 Competition – Joyce Grenfell in grey trousers! Tom got a well deserved 2nd place but only because Gianluca Testa trounced him at the last minute with a side-splitting “Emma Hatchett’s Newsbook” How well I remember going to my own son’s parents’ evening to be faced with all our family’s deepest secrets revealed for all to see in his newsbook. I can only thank my lucky stars that Gianluca hadn’t got hold of that! Joel McNally finished off with a wonderful choice of poem “You Can’t Be That”.

The length of the poems increased dramatically with the Year 6 entrants. You could hear every word of Jordan Cheng Hutching’s recitation of Wordsworth’s “Daffodils”.

Jack Hutchins recitation of “Threshold” by Rossetti was absolutely stunning. Word perfect throughout, every nuance exploited, actions adding drama.

The final poem of the morning was “Killers” read by Logan Jones; a thought provoking poem as a finale.

Although there were winners and runners up in the competition there were no losers.

Every boy who took part was fantastic.

I didn’t envy Mark Gibbs his job as judge but I found myself agreeing with each of his choices.

His comments at the end of each round were helpful and full of insight and his criticisms mild.

It’s not easy taking advice from someone who is drafted in for the day but the boys respect someone who has actually done some acting and faced criticism himself.

The added bonus of his being an old boy and having stood in their shoes made him the perfect choice.

English

17

Poetry Unusual Senses I would like to feel the dinosaurs – The gentle calmness of the pterodactyl, The angry, outraged roars of the T.Rex, The thunder of huge feet as the destruction begins . .. .

I would like to feel the dinosaurs.

I would like to hear numbers – The proud boastfulness of a zillion, The sad crying of zero, The cheer of dice numbers as a person wins, I would like to hear numbers.

I would like to taste steam trains, The strong, sour taste of the big engines, The calm, smooth taste of trams, The jumpy, bumpy taste as the trains leave the station, I would like to taste steam trains.

Jamie Williams (Y3)

The Moon The goddess of reflection.

A looking glass for the sun.

A phantasm of the stars, She fills the earth with her buoyant joy.

When the sun begins to rise, She sings a song of farewell.

We see her dip below the horizon, But all will soon be well For when she rises in the night The stars cry out with joy.

She floats across the sky, Our adoration keeping her afloat.

Her gaiety amazes all the other gods She alone is the idol of the world.

A light shining through the dark, She is our world’s last hope.

Rohan Toor (Y6)

The Weather Warrior The weather warrior stood on a hill, Controlling the weather while he stood still.

He threw daggers of lightning, A missile of ice, A grenade of snow And spears of thunder.

He fired arrows of sleet And a gale of bullets.

He fought knives of rain, With swords in a blizzard.

And when the day was done He turned out the sun, Turned on the moon And said “I will fight again soon.”

John Kendall (Y5)

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English

My Mum You’re like the blazing red sunset I only see at night.

You’re like the never ending “We are the people album”.

You’re like sticky honey You’re like the silk made by silk worms.

You’re like the Fanta bubbles Popping one by one.

You’re like a fish gliding through the water.

You’re like a slouched hedgehog.

You’re like a whispering cricket Trying to contact her mate.

Without you I would be sad.

Without you I would not be able to sleep.

Without you I could not speak.

Without you I could not walk.

Without you I would not want to play.

Antonio Ianiri (Y4)

The African Phoenix In the desert of the Nile Where creatures are so fierce and vile, I stood crouched down at a tall old tree No one for miles, no one but me And the shrubs in full light I saw Two golden lions, ready to pounce, and with a roar The first lion like a chariot was in full stride With the loyal female, small at his side Then out from the bushes, like magic, came… a herd Of criss-crossing zebras and a bright red bird They were running like crazy, the lion was near And going through their helpless minds, danger and fear And the chase was on! The zebras as fast as cars And close behind the lions, with eyes as red as Mars Then! The Lion’s jaw and a zebra’s leg did meet And it sent the poor creature falling off its feet It wailed and stumbled and as it tried The foul beast bit its neck and there it died.

Nothing could fill me with more sadness But the lion glared at me and that was madness I started to run, I picked up my bag Then threw it down again, it would cause too much lag It was there behind me growling a horrible sound Dashing towards me like lightning to the ground I ran into the open the yellow crystals stalling every move Until I fell in the sand in a small narrow grove There so close the lion gleam in its eyes How it would kill me and hear my last sighs How could I prepare myself for this?

What could I do? Pray that it would miss?

Then it came!

The bird I saw as red as a flame!

It darted into the lion, sent it sprawling on the ground Filled the air with a lustrous sound Fire burned everywhere but it was not hot It engulfed the lion and there it was not Then the Phoenix grabbed me and I was gone Next to a village, then the phoenix shone Blazed like madness, it had no sin I looked at the village then walked in.

I woke up in a hospital with the wounded and the mad I knew what had happened and it made me feel sad, They thought I was mad, I knew I was not Because in the sky that evening I saw a big red dot Zach Whitelaw (Y7) 19

Maths MATHS MAGIC TRIP TO THE HIGH SCHOOL A report by Toby King, Gareth Owens and Thomas Gulliver 6V

I

n February this year, we went to Bedford High School to play the girls and Dame Alice at Maths Magic. We went to the High School’s assembly hall which was full of tables. We were in groups of three and the girls were in groups of two with a girl from each of the girls’ schools.

There were rows of tables with letters and numbers on them. The teachers got us to our tables, the boys had three people in a group so one boy was a referee who changed every round. After each round the girls moved to a different table and then we all started playing again.

Maths Magic is like scrabble and dominoes mixed together where you either have to add, subtract,

multiply or divide according to the colour. Two numbers that have the same colour can be summed up accordingly to the colour. The aim is to make the highest total possible after ten goes each.

The girls won most of the matches. It was just a bad day for boys, normally we would have beaten them!

At the end, the teachers counted up the scores for each school individually.

The results were that Bedford High school came first, then Dame Alice came second and Bedford School came last.

We think the whole of Year 6 enjoyed this wonderful event and we would love to do it again.

Hopefully, if we do then we will win!

“ It was just a bad day for boys, normally we would have beaten them! ”

The Maths team add to their success...

T he Maths Team of Arvindh Sekaran, Kushal Kansagra, Shiv Patel and Oliver McLeod took part in the Regional Finals of the Maths Team Challenge in the Centre of Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge.

Thirty-five schools took part including some stiff competition from Dame Alice, The Perse School for Girls and Ipswich School to name but a few.

Our boys did fantastically well, coming first with a huge score of 216/240. Ninety percent of questions correct is an amazing achievement and is much higher than the score last year, which also saw the team through to the National Finals.

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Maths

Results from the Maths challenges of 2010 Primary Mathematics Challenge

Junior Mathematical Challenge

Gold Award

Gold Awards

Bronze Award

- Year 6 -

- Year 6 -

Jack Hutchings Rohan Toor George Hayward

Nathaniel Conte Harry Guthrie James Hirst Peter Jamieson Toby King Toby Rogers-Jones Shaylen Tomlinson-Patel Dylan Adkins Jacques Bell Rukudzo Msindo

- Year 5 John Kendall Dylan Page George Christian Jaynil Patel

- Year 5 -

Silver Award - Year 6 Jamie Barnes Callum Fenton Jonathan Malindine Andy Martin Harry Sivills Oliver Thrasher Oliver Winder James Blane Darcy Clements Zech Enson Hugo Idle Thomas Gulliver Logan Jones Gareth Owens Rohan Sanghera Alexander Shepherd Conrad Staroscik Harjeet Sumal Edward Zwetsloot

Taran Chand Michael Davis Ben Ashton-Rigby Alexander Bird Evan Case Matthew Fordham James Moffatt Lachlan Sear Benjamin Wilshaw-Quinn Diogenes Antille Sachin Chambers

Oliver McLeod Tom Lousada Theo Odgen Julian Fong Joshua Selvey Manu Ratnayake Luke Riddell John Hunt Felix Lin James Smith (best in school) Joshua Taylor Wilfred Hamilton Zach Whitelaw Oliver Armstrong Daniel Hickey Jonathan Konstantinidis George Neave Simon Beal

Silver Awards Ben Smith Charlie Dempsey Shiv Patel Gordon Yip John Fahmy Joshua Wellington Rupert Jacques James Herriott Paolo Sarro Richard Wichart Teddy Ng Edward Jones George Lilley-Moncrief William Reynolds Ben Howard Hugo Price Ben Moule Emilio Llanaj Alex Horn Robert Salvesen Aidan Swain Oliver Meniru

Bronze Awards Alfonso Arcenegui Arandeep Malhi James Winder Daniel Di Filippo Milan Nakum Ollie Charlton Luke Steel Oliver Maltby Thomas Edwards Thomas Hasson Arthur Li Charles Seamark Ivan Shibalov Danel Viscusi Seb Walker Harry Allen Matthew Malindine Philip Barnes Freddie McLean James Robinson Jack Ellams Frank Kupshik Alex Stammers Ruben Sharma Ajay Shah Harry Jackson Jim Cooper Peter Whalley George MacTavish Samuel Pudylyk Chris Turner Sam Holland Adit Shah Edward Elsmore

Maths

21

Languages

Y5 French Lunch

Kelly Faulkner tells us about the delights of Friday the 20th November

T

he usual dining hall treat of chips on a Friday was surpassed with a banquet of delicious French fare for the Y5 boys on 20th November. An authentic lunch of baguettes, pâté, a selection of cheeses, salads, charcuterie and delicious mousse au chocolat was washed down with jus d’orange and a sing song of the boys’ favourite French tunes.

Once the lunch was polished off, the boys embarked on an adventure of French-themed activities including Loto, language games, traditional French playground games and the obligatory Tintin DVD. En tout, C’était fantastique!

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Languages

Y3 & 4 French Morning The standard English morning wears a little thin after a while. Ryan Apps expains how Y3 & 4 were given a break from the old routine

Y

ear 3 and 4 started the morning with a delicious French breakfast. We had pain au chocolat, brioche and waffles. I enjoyed the waffle the most. It had chocolate sauce on it.

After breakfast we played French dodge ball which was great fun. Another French game we could have played was boules.

Madame Faulkner taught us the French words for colours and animals. I can remember that rouge is red, rose is pink, gris is grey, violet is purple, chat is cat, chien is dog and poisson is fish.

All the boys had to dress up for the morning and what a great effort we all made. We were famous French people. I was Jacques - Yves Cousteau. My friend Tom was Inspector Clouseau. My favourite was the French clown – Pierrot.

We had a fantastic morning!

Ma Routine Journalière

This work by Robert Salvensen is truly magnifique!

D

’habitude je me réveille à sept heures cinq et je me lève tout de suite. Ensuite je me lave dans la salle de bains et après je m’habille dans mon uniforme. Puis je descends à la cuisine et je prends le petit déjeuner avec mon frère qui s’appelle Philip. Nous mangeons des céréales et une tartine mais quelquefois nous mangeons des croissants. Après je me brosse les dents et je me peigne dans la salle de bains et vers huit heures je vais au collège. Je prends le car de ramassage pour aller au

collège. J’adore le collège parce que je rencontre mes copains. Je rentre à la maison à seize heures cinq et tous les jours je fais mes devoirs en arrivant. Je ne regarde pas la télé mais toujours je sors avec le chien.

Je dîne avec ma famille vers dixhuit heures trente et après je joue sur mon ordinateur. Je me douche à dix-neuf heures. Souvent je lis un livre mais je n’écoute pas de musique parce qu’il est toujours tard. Je me couche à vingt heures quarante-cinq parce que je suis très fatigué !

Languages

23

Aachen Trip Philip Barnes, Y8, gives an account of the German Trip to the Aachen Christmas Market

2

5 boys and 3 teachers left school at midnight on the last day of the Christmas term.

We travelled by coach through the channel tunnel and arrived at a youth hostel in Aachen on Saturday morning.

After leaving our bags, we had a guided tour around Aachen, visiting the cathedral and other historical buildings. Our tour

guide talked about how Aachen was affected by World War II and about the history of the town.

We had lunch in the Drehturm, a rotating tower from which we had spectacular views of the city.

We then visited the Christmas market in the town centre and had the opportunity to buy souvenirs, local crafts and produce. It was very busy. The

stalls were decorated with tinsel and baubles. The smell of the German sausages made us feel very hungry. Our German skills came in handy when we wanted to buy a gift. In the evening, after a dinner of spaghetti bolognese at the youth hostel, we went to the Tivoli Eissporthalle ice rink.

Some boys found it hard as it was busy with good skaters, but we

had fun. We spent the night at the youth hostel. In the morning, after breakfast, we left Aachen to make our way to Calais where we had time to go shopping and have lunch.

We returned to school very tired in the late afternoon. It was long journey but was well worth it as it was great fun.

Darf ich mich vorstellen?

This work by Shiv Patel is sehr gut! But can you translate it?

I

ch heiße Shiv Patel. Meine Schule heißt Bedford School. Am Montag in der ersten Stunde habe ich Naturwissenschaften. Das finde ich nicht gut, weil der Lehrer streng ist. Um halb neun beginnt die Vormittagspause. Ich spiele Fußball mit meinen Freunden. Die Pause dauert zwanzig Minuten. Wir haben acht Stunden pro Tag. Jede Stunde dauert fünfunddreißig Minuten.

Mein Lieblingsfach ist Sport. Ich bin Sportfanatiker. Meiner Meinung nach ist Mathe langweilig, weil ich es zu einfach finde.

In meiner Freizeit, spiele ich gern Cricket. Das ist mein Lieblingssport. Ich spiele es fünfmal pro Woche. Meine

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Languages

Schwester spielt auch Cricket. Ich spiele auch gern Squash. Obwohl Squash anstrengend ist, mag ich es, denn es macht Spaß. Ich hasse Leichtathletik, weil es furchtbar ist.

Tanzen finde ich nicht gut, das ist nur für Mädchen!

Ich wohne in einem Einfamilienhaus in einer Stadt namens Bedford. Es ist ziemlich groß. Im Erdgeschoss gibt es eine Küche, ein Wohnzimmer und mein Schlafzimmer. Im ersten Stock, gibt es drei Schlafzimmer.

In meinem Zimmer schlafe ich. In dem Wohnzimmer sehe ich fern. Ich wasche nie ab, denn ich sehe nach dem Essen fern. Ich spiele Cricket im Garten.

Mi Casa...

Harry Allen, Y8, tells us about his house!

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ivo en una casa muy antigua y bonita. Mi casa está en el centro de Bedford y está cerca de un río. Es de tres plantas y es bastante alta. En la planta baja, tenemos un pasillo estrecho, un salón, y un baño muy moderno.

Detrás del baño está la cocina que es también un comedor. Al lado de la cocina están mi jardin y mi conservatorio. El conservatorio es pequeño pero es muy cálido en el verano porque está construido de vidrio.

En la primera planta están los despachos de mis padres. Entre los

despachos está un baño antiguo y grande. Delante del despacho de mi madre está el dormitorio de mis padres, es más grande que mi dormitorio! Al fondo de la planta tenemos un dormitorio para invitados.

La tercera planta es la planta final. En esta planta tengo mi salón de juegos, en esta habitacion tenemos una mesa de charco y un ordinator encima de una mesa. Al lado del salón de juegos está mi dormitorio que comparto con mi hermano.

En nuestro dormitorio

tenemos dos camas. La cama de mi hermano está enfrente de la puerta y mi cama está a la derecha de la puerta. En los paredes cerca de las camas tenemos posters de “Top Gear”. Al lado de nuestras camas tenemos mesillas para libros y unas lámparas. Debajo de las camas tenemos cajones para ropa. No tenemos una tapete pero tenemos una alfombra suave.

Tambien no tenemos un armario pero tengo un perchero que está cubierto de ropa.

Me gusta mi casa por que es acogedora, cómoda y bonita.

Festival of Languages

An exciting evening was organised by the Modern Languages Departments in the Upper & Prep Schools to showcase the range of languages.

T

he Prep School boys were first up with a group of Year 3 pupils singing the French Alphabet, followed by Kamran Awan and Harry Axford in Year 4 giving a confident performance of an introductory dialogue.

Jacques Bell in Year 6 recited the famous Prévert poem “Déjeuner du matin” and then some comedy was injected through a restaurant sketch performed by a group of Year 8 boys, complete with Président and Madame Sarkozy!

Next, “Bonjour” switched to “Guten Tag” as the German group took their place on the stage. Performances ranged from dialogues to tongue twisters and culminated with Ed Jones singing 99 Red Balloons in German. We are still awaiting the call from Simon Cowell...

The Spanish language was represented by Stanley and Spencer Willis recounting the

story of the 3 little pigs, followed by an amusing sketch in a restaurant by Year 5 boys. Ethan Chappell-Mason played a very patient customer exasperated by Archie Young-Lee’s incompetent waiter.

Zech Enson in Year 6 talked the audience through his experience of reaching the finals of the Junior Language Challenge by learning Greek, Korean, and Swahili – no mean feat!

Maxwell Hendry closed the evening by singing an Italian song accompanied by Assunta Felice from the High School. And we mustn’t omit Jamie Sorensen, a Year 3 boy, who was involved in an Upper School sketch, speaking excellent Mandarin Chinese!

All in all, the many talents of our boys shone through and we were proud to display the energy and enjoyment of Modern Languages.

Languages

25

Ma Routine

by Ruben Sharma

J

e me réveille vers sept heures et je me lève tout de suite.

Je me brosse les dents et je me peigne. Après ça je m’abbille et je prends le petit déjeuner. Souvent, je mange une tartine et je bois un café laté Vers sept heures quinze ma mère se réveille et elle descend l’escalier et elle prend le petit déjeuner aussi. Toujours elle mange un croissant et boit un café. À huit heures et quart je vais au collège, j’ecoute le prof pour huit heures, c’est barbant !

Après ça je retourne chez moi et je mange un sandwich. Après je fait mes devoirs je regarde un film avec ma famille tous les jours.

C’est effrayant ! Je me couche à vingt et une heures et j’ecoute la radio dans ma chambre. Après vers dix heures je dors.

Je me présente

Y7 & 8 Classics “Salvete!” (Clue: “salut” in French!)

C

lassics is far more than the study of “dead languages” and “dead people”; it is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, which dominated the Mediterranean world for over a thousand years, established a sophisticated culture of learning, and inspired some of the greatest works of art, literature and scientific discoveries, all of which has left an indelible mark on our modern world.

So if you enjoy reading about Percy Jackson’s adventures, or watching films such as Gladiator, Troy or Clash of the Titans; if you have ever wondered why our government is a democracy, or where so many of our scientific, technological and philosophical ideas come from – or even what the words “democracy”, “science”, “technology” and “philosophy” really mean – then you already have an interest in the Classical 26

Languages

world!

All Year 7 pupils spend one term studying Latin in the Second Language Carousel. If they opt for the subject in Year 8, they are expected to continue for two years before deciding to select Latin and/or Classical Civilisation for their GCSE options.

Pupils are taught by the Upper School Classics teachers using the Cambridge Latin Course textbooks, website and interactive DVD playlists, as well as the school’s own e-learning course.

Boys also take part in a Roman Army day at Lunt Fort and join in activities with the Upper School Classical Society, such as quizzes and debates.

The emphasis of learning Latin is primarily for pupils to gain a better understanding of the structure and vocabulary of English and other languages. They will also examine different aspects

of ancient civilisation, including daily life, religion, science, politics and war, in order to draw parallels with modern societies and engage with contemporary issues such as human rights, social justice and government. Learning Latin also provides pupils with essential skills such as research, enquiry, organisation, logic, and codebreaking – many of the tools we need for work and further learning. It is hoped that boys will enjoy their experience of the classical world in whatever capacity they choose to study it.

Mary Ambler Latin Coordinator, Bedford Prep School

by Peter Whalley

B

onjour, je m’appelle Peter. J’ai onze ans. Mon anniversaire est le dix-huit juillet. J’habite une assez grande maison à la campagne à Aspley Heath avec un grand jardin derrière la maison près de l’église. Au rezde-chaussée nous avons un grand salon, une cuisine et une salle à manger. Il y a aussi un bureau et une toilette avec douche.

Au premier étage, il y a quatre chambres et la salle de bains. J’ai une grande chambre. Il y a un lit, une armoire, une étagère pour mes livres. J’ai une télé sur ma table. J’ai un frère et une soeur.

Mon frère s’appelle Paul et ma soeur s’appelle Hannah. Paul a huit ans et Hannah a quatre ans. J’ai un lapin qui s’appelle Demelza. Demelza est marron est très sympa. Je suis assez sportif.

J’aime faire de l’athlétisme en été quand il fait beau. Je joue au foot tous les jours. Je fais de la natation deux fois par semaine.

J’aime aussi le piano et le saxhorn.

Quand il fait mauvais j’aime jouer à l’ordinateur. Ma matière préférée au collège est le dessin parce que c’est super!

V isiting Teachers

Meet the...

Being taught by someone with a native tongue is a real privilege. In this article we gain a small insight into Luigi & Aurora our visiting teachers

Hi, I am Luigi Reale and I have been teaching Italian in the Prep School for about 2 years – I thought that it was about time I introduced myself and tried to persuade some of you to join my classes. The Italian language can be quite a rewarding language to learn. It could make you more romantic or help you play better football, but it is more likely to help those students who want to study Music, Medicine or who just want to try something other than French, Spanish or German.

A little bit about me... I was born in the Molise Region of Italy and studied at the University of Rome. After graduating I stayed in Rome and worked in Politics until I met my wife who persuaded me to come and live in Bedford. My move to Bedford happened in 2000. I still have very close links with Italy; I recently inherited a 600 year-old Castle which I am responsible for looking after and thus go back as often as I can. At the end of last year, I graduated from King’s College London with a PhD. My Italian classes take place every Wednesday after school and they are open to all the Prep School boys, Bedford High School Junior Girls and their siblings. Ciao!

I am Aurora Chen and have taught Chinese at Bedford School for over six years. My lessons today are offered to both native and non-native speakers at the Prep and Upper Schools. In fact, Chinese classes have been running since 1999 and there are more than 60 pupils from Bedford School and Bedford High School currently attending lessons.

I grew up in Asia where schools focus on exams and university success. Not surprisingly, culture has an impact on Asian pupils who tend to be submissive and hard-working. I am pleased, however, that the pupils at Bedford School are creative and work with great enthusiasm in my Chinese lessons. Speaking Mandarin and Cantonese, I am keen to develop an effective approach for teaching Chinese in primary and secondary education.

At this stage, lessons for beginners at the Prep School take place on Wednesday afternoons and Friday lunchtimes. The language introduced is Mandarin Chinese, the main dialect of mainland China. All four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are taught. Our classes have proved popular to date and pupils in previous years have participated in a summer school in Beijing, have taken part in an exchange with our partner school in Qingdao and performed a short play in Mandarin to celebrate Chinese New Year. All such opportunities are open equally to girls and boys. If pupils are interested in studying Mandarin, please do not hesitate to contact me or Mrs. Faulkner for further details.

Languages

27

History

W

hat was the Most Important Cause of World War Two? An essay by George Lilley-Moncrieff, Year 8 “World War II resulted in more loss of life and destruction than any other war in recorded human history’’ (History. com): the final trigger for it was Germany’s invasion of Poland on the 3rd September 1939, which led to Britain declaring war on Germany. However, there were other important events which led up to this devastating outcome.

This essay will identify these 28

History

and argue that there were several interrelated causes for War, not one single cause.

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on the 28thJune 1919 by the Allies - but excluding the Weimar Republic in discussions - was an early cause of World War II. Its harsh terms dramatically decreased Germany’s military power. It redrew Germany’s borders giving land to France, Belgium and Poland. Germany had to pay £6.6 billion reparations to the Allies ‘as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of

Germany and her allies’ (Article 231). The British press summed up the British attitude to the terms as “Squeeze the German lemon until the pips squeak!”

Subsequently German right wing political groups protested at the ‘betrayal’. Not all the Allies supported the Treaty. Allied commander Marshall Foch said, ‘This is not a Peace. It is an Armistice for twenty years’. It might be argued that the Treaty set Germany up to fail: taking coalfields and factories, vital to Germany’s income and for the reparations to the European

Allies. Germany could never have raised the rest of the money on its own without breaking the rules of the Treaty.

Two economic events could be seen as further causes of World War II. In the early 1920s, struggling to meet the terms of the Treaty, the German economy went into hyperinflation. The situation began to improve when in 1924 the US agreed to give $2.5 billions in loans to Germany, but in 1929 the Wall Street Crash meant that people lost their money in shares on the stock market; companies went bust and

unemployment figures started to rise rapidly. The world tumbled into recession. The US could not sustain German aid and dropped it in 1930.

Political changes in Germany and Russia also contributed to the outbreak of World War II. The German Nazi party succeeded the Weimar republic in 1932.

Its leader, fascist Adolf Hitler, promised strong government and a better future for the people.

Many had lost everything. As the unemployment figures rose rapidly, the Nazi share of the vote rose equally quickly.

German Chancellor from 1933 to 1945, Hitler stirred strong nationalistic feelings with ideals of restructuring society on racial lines. Russia was led from 1924

by Josef Stalin. He was at the opposite end of the political spectrum. A communist, he believed in equal status for all and common ownership of all property, although Stalin himself had unequalled power and privilege. Britain and France were very afraid of Russian supported communist revolutions in their own countries. So, when Hitler started to rebuild his military

forces, breaking the rules of the Treaty, Britain and France did nothing to stop him. A fascist Germany could act as a buffer from communist Russia, preventing the expansion of communism further west.

In 1936 Hitler invaded the Rhineland claiming that German troops should protect German territory. Even in 1938, when Hitler rigged a vote to unite Germany and Austria, Europe did nothing, more worried about Russian not German power.

The British government’s policy of Appeasement also contributed

to the outbreak of World War II. In 1937 Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister. Having experienced World War I, he was desperate to prevent another war. He and Edouard Deladier, French Prime Minister, tried to stop German expansion through a policy of Appeasement. They agreed that Hitler could have Sudetenland as long as he promised not to take the rest of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain told the British people that this ‘Munich Agreement’ had prevented another war. However, when Germany invaded the History

29

rest of Czechoslovakia, in 1939, Britain and France still did not act. Churchill later said that Czechoslovakia was sacrificed for nothing, Hitler had fooled everyone. In August 1939 Stalin and Hitler signed the NaziSoviet non-aggression pact. This allowed Hitler to invade Poland without Russian reprisals. After the invasion, Hitler and Stalin divided the Polish land between them. Hitler assumed Britain would again ‘appease’. However, Britain and France had agreed with Poland that they would intervene in the event of invasion of Poland so were committed to do so.

Another misguided attempt to prevent war also succeeded in causing one. In 1920, the US President Woodrow Wilson, 30

History

called for ‘A League of Nations’: countries united to stop world conflict. Many leaders including British politician Ramsay MacDonald supported this.

MacDonald said in a speech, “The League of Nations grows in moral courage. Its frown will soon be more dreaded than a nation’s arms, and when that happens, you and I shall have security and peace.” The League of Nations had a unanimous voting policy to try to make fair decisions that all the members agreed on. This was a major flaw. Some nations saw The League as a chance to extend their own power. Emperor Hirohito of Japan invaded China and massacred 300,000 people in Nanking in 1937. However, when there was a vote for The League to intervene, Japan simply

voted against it and with the unanimous vote policy, the vote could not be passed. Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini conquered Abyssinia (another League member) in Oct 1935, again undermining The League which had no access to military forces or supplies as Russia and the U.S.A had not joined it. Wilson had not consulted the American people initially and when he did hold a vote, the majority voted against it.

Also Stalin called the League ‘imperialist’ and ‘oppressive’ (Nov 1927) and refused to join.

The evidence suggests therefore that there was not one main cause of World War Two, but a combined effect of several events. Firstly, the demoralising economic effects of The Treaty

of Versailles, hyperinflation and the Wall Street Crash all turned Germans towards the Nazis and kept the Allies too busy with their own economic problems to control German compliance with the Treaty. Secondly, a weak Appeasement policy gave Hitler the confidence to execute his plans for German expansion.

Thirdly, The League of Nations was powerless to intervene against acts of aggression. Finally, Hitler’s pact with Stalin gave him the confidence to invade Poland. This invasion caused Britain to declare war on Germany on September 3rd 1939: World War II had begun.

George Johnson, Y3, explains a little more about The Greek Day

I

dressed up in a Greek soldier costume. I wore a tunic and a helmet sword and shield.

When I got to school I saw all my friends dressed up in their Greek costumes. When we got to the end of break we went inside the EMH and we looked at a Greek statue of a soldier and two maps and eight different boards around the room. When everybody was in, the statue moved and then we saw that it was a person dressed up as a soldier. Then he took his helmet off and his spear down and he showed us the map and told us information about Greece and the wars they had.

We did a quiz and it was a draw between the two teams. The two teams were Athens and Sparta.

After that we went to lunch and when we came back we tried on some of the helmets and armour which were heavy. We looked at some roads and shields and we had a play on the stage. We held a bow and arrow and we got to see how far they shoot the bow and arrow. We got to see it was really powerful; it could shoot right over the EMH but he only said that.

Then we played a game of mini Olympics where we had two chairs and we had to get a horse shoe on the chair or through the hole; getting it on the chair is one point getting it through the hole is two points and we were still in the same teams. My team won by 4 points to 3. It was lots of fun, we had three goes each. I had a very fun day and I was happy all day.

History

31

Geography Work in the Classroom...

It’s not just about learning place names anymore Top Left: Exceptional work from the Boscastle Project. Boys were asked to produce one of the following: a Newspaper Report, a TV narrated report, a Poster or a PowerPoint Presentation.

Top Right & Far Left: Year 3 were asked to bring in items for their ‘India Project’ Left & Above: Boys making a Jigsaw Puzzle for Year 5 Global Location.

32

Geography

Using Maps in the RAF What could be more inspiring than a visit from an Officer who uses maps on a daily basis?

F

light Sergeant Karl Temple who is also a Flight Engineer (aircrew) on C-130 K Hercules Tactical transport aircraft, a Combat Survival Instructor, Combat Medic, Tactical landing Zone Safety Officer and a Conduct-After-Capture Instructor, came to share the use of maps, map symbols and directing routes. He explained the importance of reading maps and understanding the symbols. He also shared his experiences in Afghanistan and showed the boys a range of maps used by flight navigators and service men on the ground.

Here are some of the comments the boys made after his visit on Tuesday the 13th of October...

“There are normally two pilots and one navigator. The navigator sits behind the pilots and they read the maps, giving directions and the route to follow.”

Oliver Smith “There are certain areas where you have permission to fly. You are not allowed to fly over shooting ranges. I recognised the map symbol for these danger areas.”

James Cooper “The GPS is important for new planes, but if the plane has a failure the maps are used, so that makes reading maps very important!”

Michael Tarateo “The airways are like roads for planes, so you need different maps for each of the different routes that are at different heights from each other.”

Max Humphreys “Maps tell you how high or low a building or physical feature is so that the pilot does not crash into a building or a mountain range.”

Libero Sepede “Maps tell you where the mountains are and how high they are, and this informs the pilot when to fly higher up and when to come down at a lower level” Stanley Willis

Geography

33

Science

Experimental Times

Top & Left: Experimenting with Copper Sulphate Crystals in Science Club Above: A demonstration of a Van de Graaff Generator during a Year 8 class Next Page Top Left & Right: Year 6 Experimenting with Electricity 34

Science

Year 3 Science Sleepover Who said learning had to take place during school time?

Left: The boys preparing their beds for the night!

Below Left: We have lift off! Pupils experimented with rockets Below Middle: Upper School Staff helped with a trip to the observatory Below Right: Demonstrations in the Prep School Lab

Science

35

D&T

The D&T Exhibition This year saw the introduction of the Design and Technology Exhibition. An enjoyable display of work from throughout the year for boys, parents and staff. Here are a few words from the Judge, Mr. R. Green, Chief Executive of the D & T Association the Judge...

T

he hard work and commitment shown by the boys in producing such high quality work was matched only by that of the staff in teaching and guiding them. The consistently high standard of design and manufacturing skills is exceptional in children of this age and provides a really sound basis for future success in the subject. Many congratulations to all the boys and staff.

36

D&T

Year 7 Ceramic Gargoyle Project. Images clockwise from top left: James Yin, Max Foulkes, Max Williamson and Lachlan Welch.

Art

Year 3 Self Portrait Project. Images clockwise from top left: Sam Evans, Ben Syfret, Jay Johnson, Ollie Crankshaw

Images clockwise from top left: Y7 Gargoyle Linoprint: M. Burlison. Y7 Cubist Still Life: Toby Clarke. Y5 Van Gogh Study: George Christian followed by Josh North. Y8 Pencil Study: Felix Lin. Y7 Cubist Still Life: Charles Mills

Images clockwise from top left: Y8 Self Portrait Collage: James Herriott. Y8 Sketchbook detail. Y5 Machine Rubbing: Davies. Y8 Cityscapes Perspective Drawing: Gordon Yip. Y8 Sketchbook detail

Y5 Class Reproductions. Images clockwise from top left: ‘Starry Night’: 5S. ‘Olive trees & the sun’: 5M. ‘Road menders’: 5N. ‘Cypress trees and star’: 5V

a new

world

record T

he theme for this year’s House Art Competition was ‘A World Record!’ which provided boys with scope to record past or current feats and achievement, as well as dream of world records yet to be thought of or attempted. As usual, there was a wide range of ideas and methods on display with boys all the way from Year 3 to Year 8 participating.

Each entry gained points for their House with winning entries scoring extra points. We were delighted that Hannah Birkett, who had taught in the Upper School for the term, agreed to adjudicate and, in so doing, made herself extremely popular with Howard who accumulated the most points.

Winning Entries...

Years 3 & 4 1st 2nd 3rd Com.

Elliott Sell, Howard Oliver Valerio, Howard Ghannam Hussain Howard Tom Chambers, Whitbread

Years 5 & 6 1st 2nd 3rd Com.

Jack Ciuro, Howard Thomas Rainbow, Whitbread Robert Seamark, Harpur Jaynil Patel, Whitbread

Years 7 & 8 1st 2nd 3rd Com.

Matthew Burlison, Harpur Tom Smith, Whitbread Simon Beal, Bunyan Felix Lin, Whitbread

Music From the Director of Music I

am often asked how we evaluate success in music or how on earth an adjudicator picks winners from a group of singers or a soloist. The answer is not always easy and relies heavily on subjectivity. At a time when recording techniques continue to get more sophisticated (including the ubiquitous ‘auto-tune’, which is now even available for live performances) we come to expect perfection. Of course musicians do need to find the right notes and play them at the right time, although I personally have some sympathy with the famous comedian Eric Morecambe; there have been times when I have played all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order. It might seem strange to some that I am not alone in finding a beauty

in imperfection. Before all the aspiring musicians reading this think ‘oh well there’s no point in practising then’ I should add that of course we must all strive for perfection and that getting the notes in the right order is the first prerequisite of any performance!

However it is not the only thing an adjudicator looks for, nor is it alone going to move an audience.

There is a partnership between performer and listener, and you can’t have one without the other.

At the recent Almshouse Charity Tea Party my eyes were drawn to the faces of the pensioners as the Year 3 Choir sang to them. There was a look of sheer joy, heads were bobbing and feet were tapping. It is hard to explain to a seven year old that he is capable of giving real pleasure to others merely

by performing a song. Certain Year 8 boys might be fed up of hearing me say (a very slightly edited version of what the famous French cellist, Paul Tortelier, told his pupils): ‘as musicians we must be happy; we must show happiness and we must give happiness’. The look of enjoyment and commitment on the faces of the boys in all houses at the House Singing Competition also said it all. If performers are happy, will the audience by happy? Is success judged in direct proportion to how much ‘happiness’ is imparted?

The documentary about James Bulger composed by a group of Year 8 boys was extremely uncomfortable; who know if there were tears! There was certainly an eerie stillness in the hall. Some

have admitted to me that Senior Choir’s rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow brought a tear to the eye.

To all musicians in the school, and especially those in Year 8 who are moving on to even greater things in the Upper School or elsewhere, I urge you to keep practising; of course get the notes right, but try and go beyond the notes. Music is a language and can be more powerful than words.

You are all capable of conveying a range of emotions and above all, giving pleasure to others. I have heard this happen on a number of occasions this year. As to how an adjudicator picks a winner, I find a twenty pound note stuck in the programme usually does the trick.

Charles Martin

Summer Concert June 2010 - by Sarah Stephenson I

have been asked to write a report on the summer concert held in the Erskine May Hall at the end of term. I suppose that I’m well qualified for this, as it is the 7th summer concert I have attended!

We started with the steel pans – 3 different groups, who showed an array of playing styles. We then moved to band. This group varies from year to year which must make it difficult to find music, which Mr Bennett always does.

Next the first of the 3 choirs performed. When I first attended concerts there were only 2 choirs but the numbers wanting to sing has increased so much, that we now have a separate Year 3 choir. The choirs all showed an amazing ability to perform – and remember the words especially the senior choir who have 4 part harmony at the moment.

Junior woodwind ensemble also varies in diversity of instruments depending on who is learning and at which level they are. They played very well especially as some have only been learning for 1 term!

Recorder ensemble is a small group who always manage some fantastic playing with fast finger work (I know from experience that they practise a lot at home!)

Junior strings were without their usual conductor who had arranged 2 pieces for them. Both players and Mr Hughes coped well. Junior brass were also without their musical director and it was nice to see this group back with some more new pieces. Brass ensemble always do something fun and set us all up for the next few weeks with “Summer Holiday” – and an encore! Chamber orchestra continued the summer theme with their piece linked to Venice (the Chapel Choir’s destination in the holidays). The Orchestra finished the concert with their TV theme tunes which had everyone tapping their toes. Altogether an excellent concert - how the staff find all the different pieces and get the fantastic quality of playing from the boys beats me – I’m still trying to get mine to practise their scales!

46

Music

Jonathan Hooley was persuaded to give us an impartial view on this year’s House Singing Competition

I

nterminable. Error strewn.

Laden with anxiety. House Assemblies during those long, dark weeks of January and early February were foreshadowed by the spectre of the Prep School House Singing Competition, 2010. From the womb-like enclaves of W2 and the Milne Gallery, to the dark recesses of the Theatre and the airy pavilion that is the EMH, the inescapable reality that every pupil faced was Mr. Martin’s portable pianoforte and sheets of lyrics that just wouldn’t stick. Grim faces set with determination, House Masters looked on, semi-confident of bringing home the prize and eternal glory…

And then the fateful day finally arrived. A pregnant silence filled the corridors of the Wells Building, a single, empty crisp packet blew aimlessly across the astro turf as boys and teachers alike crammed in one last rehearsal before making the long and arduous trek up the path to the epicentre of the Big House: the Great Hall. In those last desperate hours, Messrs Martin and Gooch covered every square inch of carpet, leaving no music sheet unturned. Parents gathered in all their Friday afternoon finery, whilst comb and mirror were hurriedly passed along the lines as the boys weaved their way to a date with destiny. Beckwith even wore a tie.

Once inside that resplendent arena, a lasting monument to fires and Leavers Balls, the tension was malodorous. Greetings were made, kisses blown and house colours pinned to any available mast; a musical banquet surely lay in wait.

Harpur were the first to dip

their toes into the uncharted waters of the competition, but not before Gooch gave us a rendition of Gaga’s Poker Face; a timely reminder for all to switchoff their mobile phones. The red-waistcoated Thomas Edwards wafted the conductor’s baton with a flourish and the boys gave us a tight, varied performance of Hushabye Mountain. Crisp tones, full of colour and energy filled the hall and the audience shifted in their seats with a collective thrill; we were in for a rare treat.

The Harpur Part Song, Mister Sandman, is a favourite of this humble reviewer and the boys didn’t disappoint. Soothing and finger-clicking-good, Edwards and his group took us back to the 1950’s and a time when the world was a simpler, more innocent place. Beckwith cast anxious glances around his protégées; the standard was set.

Howard strode up next, inspired by Jessica Rabbit and an odd-looking elephant-cum-ant eater crossbreed, to give us the funkadelic Bill Withers and Ain’t no Sunshine. No mean feat for a group of Prep School boys, the tone was suitably melancholic and the audience was visibly moved.

The mood shifted tempo for the Part Song, with the pacy, campclassic Dancing Queen, by Abba.

The boys managed to underscore their performance with a rare tone of regret, adding spice to the piece. The question amongst the dignitaries on the front row at this point, was whether Beckwith would spontaneously combust.

His energy and vigour were clearly infectious. Pacy, feettapping and fun, Bunyan’s Rockin’ Robin lifted the audience. The vocal clarity and gusto of the

performance was like a slap in the face and it was clear that everyone involved was having a good time. This was followed by the melodiously sweet and gentle Goodnight Sweetheart – an excellent contrast to the Unison.

Full of character and pitch perfect, the bar was being raised with every note sung.

Whitbread rounded off the proceedings with an inspired and gutsy Viva La Vida. The melodies were lovely; the tone rousing and reminiscent of the Les Miserables chorus-line and the phrasing and passion matched the meaning behind the song. The Part Song, Steal Away, was entirely moving and filled with great focus and intention. Whitbread, Oakley, Beckwith and Blacklock crossed their fingers as the official adjudicator, a Mr. Neil PorterThaw, scribbled furious notes and scratched his head. Who would taste the sweet fruits of victory,

who the bitter scraps of defeat?

After what seemed like an eon, he took to the stage with notes in hand, whilst Mr. Martin fiddled with his stand. The audience was told that a good choice of song, presentation, a smile, clear diction, mood, expression and a sense of dynamism were key to a successful House Singing Competition, and that the 2010 event had been a very close-run thing indeed.

Beckwith was visibly sweating.

High praise was given to all the songs and particular mention to vocal clarity and energy. In the end, Harpur won the Unison, for Hushabye Mountain, Bunyan won the Part song for Goodnight Sweetheart, and Bunyan won the overall competition. The real winners though, were all the boys, for staging such a staggering success. It is on days like these that enduring memories are etched and the truth of the School community is fully realised.

Music

47

Music Strings Pupil:

Woodwind Instrument:

Matthew Barker Violin

Calum Bourne Violin Nathaniel Conte Violin

James Davis Violin Alexander Edwards Violin

John Kendall Violin Jaynil Patel Violin

Nathan Wyatt-Ingram Violin George Allen Violin

Harry Guthrie Violin Joseph Jacob Violin

John Kendall Violin Felix Lin Violin

Oliver McCormack Violin Rukudzo Msindo Violin

Giles Pitman Violin Ben Wilshaw-Quinn Violin

Joshua Jenkins Violin Adam Olphin Violin

Edward Wilson Violin James Brodrip Viola

Toby Rogers-Jones Cello Oliver Smith Cello

Matthew Foulkes Cello Nic Reay Cello

Jean-Jacques Bell Double Bass Jean-Jacques Bell Double Bass

Sachin Chambers Guitar Arran Chand Guitar

Taran Chand Guitar Christopher O’Reilly Guitar

Oliver Meniru Guitar Shiv Patel Guitar

Matthew Budd Harp Manahara Ratnayake Harp

48

Music

Grade:

Pupil:

Instrument:

1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Distinction) 1 1 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 1 2 2 (Distinction) 2 2 2 (Merit) 2 (Distinction) 2 (Distinction) 2 2 (Merit) 3 4 5 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 1 2 (Merit) 3 (Merit) 5 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 2 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 2 (Merit) 4 (Merit) 6 2 (Distinction) 2 (Merit)

Jung Jae Hoon Flute

Thomas Trudgill Flute

Ben Poslad Flute Toby King Oboe

Toby King Oboe Harjeet Sumal Clarinet

Oliver Winder Clarinet Jin Cho Clarinet

Daniel Holdsworth Clarinet Tom Booton Clarinet

Luis Cattell Clarinet Tim Matthews Clarinet

Aaron McNally Saxophone Luke Riddell Saxophone

Grade: 1 1 (Distinction) 4 (Merit) 1 2 (Merit) 2 (Distinction) 2 (Merit) 2 (Merit) 3 4 4 (Merit) 4 1 (Merit) 2 (Merit)

Percussion Pupil:

Instrument:

Charlie Clarke Drum Kit Oliver Graham Drum Kit

Thomas Gulliver Drum Kit Felix Lin Drum Kit

James Robinson Drum Kit Stephanos Savvides Drum Kit

Luke Steel Drum Kit Richard Wichhart Drum Kit

Felix Lin Drum Kit Richard Wichhart Drum Kit

Grade: 1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 2 (Merit) 2 (Distinction)

Exam Results 2010 Piano Pupil:

Singing Instrument:

David

Adesida Piano Jamie Barnes Piano Alexander

Bird Piano Edward Johnson Piano Arthur

Li Piano Rukudzo Msindo Piano Barnaby

Ollerhead Piano Christopher O’Reilly Piano Nathaniel

Conte Piano Jack Hutchings Piano Adam

Johnston Piano Thomas Lousada Piano Aidan

Swain Piano Ben Whitelaw Piano Jim

Cooper Piano Harry Axford Piano Sean

Davies Piano George Lilley-Moncrieff Piano Theo

Ogden Piano

Grade:

Pupil:

1 1 1 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 1 (Merit) 2 (Merit) 2 (Distinction) 2 2 2 2 3 (Distinction) 4 5 (Merit) 5 (Distinction) 5

Tom

Rogers Singing Logan Jones Singing

Logan Jones Singing Harry Guthrie Singing

Tom Rogers Singing Simon Beale Singing

James Brodrip Singing Jim Cooper Singing

Edward Elsmore Singing Harry Guthrie Singing

Nic Reay Singing James Brodrip Singing

Nic Reay Singing David Stephenson Singing

Edward Wilson Singing Aaron McNally Singing

David Stephenson Singing Nic Reay Singing

Edward Wilson Singing

Brass Pupil:

Instrument:

Grade: 1 (Distinction) 2 (Distinction) 3 (Merit) 2 (Distinction) 2 (Merit) 3 (Merit) 3 (Distinction) 4 (Distinction) 3 (Distinction) 3 (Distinction) 3 (Distinction) 4 (Merit) 4 (Distinction) 3 (Distinction) 3 (Distinction) 4 (Merit) 4 (Merit) 5 (Merit) 5 (Merit)

Theory Instrument:

Edward

Elsmore Horn Edward Johnson Horn

Sean Davies Horn Oliver Perkins Trumpet

Ben Whitelaw Trumpet Harry Allen Trumpet

Ben Moule Trumpet David Stephenson Trumpet

Alex Horn Trumpet Nic Reay Cornet

Luke Wilson Trumpet George Allen Trombone

Tom Christian Trombone Archie Young-Lee Trombone

Archie Young-Lee Trombone William Reynolds Trombone

Jim Cooper Trombone

Grade:

Pupil:

Instrument:

Grade:

2 (Merit) 2 (Merit) 5 (Distinction) 1 1 4 4 4 (Distinction) 5 (Merit) 5 6 (Distinction) 1 (Merit) 1 (Distinction) 2 3 (Merit) 4 (Merit) 7 (Distinction)

Guy

Balogun Theory 5 (Merit) Matthew Haywood Theory 5 (Merit) Edward

Sharrock Theory 5 (Merit)

Music

49

Speech & Drama Verse & Prose Pupil

Grade

Mark

Tom Stewart 1 Merit

Luca Paolozzi 1 Merit Jack Ferrari 1 Distinction

Josh Garrett 2 Distinction Tom Rogers 2 Distinction

Freddie Walker 2 Distinction Max Humphreys 2 Distinction

Rohan Sanghera 2 Merit David Adesida 2 Merit

Jonathan Malindine 2 Distinction Oliver McCormack 2 Distinction

Logan Jones 3 Distinction Dylan Adkins 3 Distinction

Edward Johnson 2 Merit Freddie Elston 2 Merit

Gareth Owens 1 Distinction Oliver Hind 2 Merit

Josh North 1 Distinction John Fahmy 4 Merit

Thomas Hasson 3 Pass Mikail Awan 4 Distinction

George Chochrane-Davies 3 Pass Angus Gill 3 Merit

Matthew Malindine 4 Distinction Joshua Selvey 4 Pass

Jin Hyun-Cho 1 Pass Connor Sheridan 1 Pass

Taran Chand 1 Merit Edward Clarke 1 Merit

Luis Janini 1 Merit Max Judge 1 Merit

George Christian 1 Distinction Tom Christian 1 Distinction

Alexander Plantagenet de Brotherton 3 Distinction Archie Duncan 3 Merit

James Smith 3 Distinction Jake Charters 3 Distinction

Wilfred Hamilton 3 Distinction Daniel Hickey 3 Distinction

Arjun Vaingankar 3 Merit Joel McNally 1 Distinction

Harrison Burgoine 1 Merit Noah Putman 1 Merit

Kamran Awan 1 Distinction Matthew Barker 1 Distinction

Solo Acting Pupil

Grade

Mark

Ollie Charlton 3 Merit

Tim Matthews 4 Merit Daniel Difilippo 3 Distinction

William Reynolds 3 Distinction Matthew Howorth 3 Distinction

Exam Results 2010 Combined Acting Pupil

Grade

Mark

Christopher Turner 2 Distinction

Jayan Chander 2 Distinction Daniel Idowu 2 Distinction

George Cave 2 Distinction Sebastian Walker 3 Distinction

Tom Burman 3 Distinction Aaron McNally 3 Merit

Oliver McLeod 3 Merit Sam Smith 3 Merit

Tom Humphreys 3 Merit Alex Benzie 3 Pass

Alex Monaghan 3 Pass Matthew Budd 3 Distinction

George Lilley-Moncrieff 3 Distinction Aran Malhi 3 Distinction

Tom Lousada 3 Merit Adam Selvey 3 Distinction

Oliver Maltby 3 Distinction

Preliminary Pupil

Mark

Ryan Apps Merit

Oliver Valerio Merit Christopher Broens Merit

Tom Chambers Distinction Alex Barlow Merit

Aran Rai Merit Ghannam Hussain Distinction

Michael Phillips Distinction Matthew Stewart Merit

Nathan Dass Distinction

Entry Pupil

Mark

Mayokun Okusanya Pass

Enoch Mukungu Merit Marco Sarro Pass

Freddie Humphreys Merit Alfie Elston Merit

Alex Ward Merit Arun Chambers Pass

Speech & Drama

51

Enrichment Y5 Puzzle Day

by George Christian Puzzle day was a fantastic event.

We tried to balance penguins on wobbly icebergs. We also tried to make a tube out of random pieces we were given and had lots of puzzles to make us think. After school we could buy games in the EMH foyer. It was a super day.

Edith Cavell Lower School Fine Arts Workshop

by Elliott Sell

Young Enterprise Day A report by Sebastian Trounson on the events of Friday the 20th November 10 lucky Year 8 boys were selected to go on a day course for Young Enterprise. I was so happy to be chosen as 1 of them.

The day started with Mr Mallalieu driving us to the ASDA distribution centre outside Bedford. There were 50 other pupils from different schools there as well, ranging from Y8s to

Y9s. In the morning the manager of Young Enterprises gave us a speech on how to become a successful businessman.

Afterwards we were divided into small groups and were set a challenge to design an object for school and present it. My group came up with the idea of a more up to date school bag which

turned out quite well. In the afternoon we had to create and develop a business plan for a local park, just like in the Apprentice but without Alan Sugar!

Overall it was an enjoyable day and I learnt a lot more about becoming a business man and the difficulties it entails.

I was nominated by my teachers to attend a Fine Art Workshop at the Edith Cavell Lower School.

There were also children there from other schools some older than me.

We learnt about lines, shapes and patterns we find in natural objects. We experimented with feathers, dried fruits, bark and other natural objects. We then produced observational drawings using different media such as paints, crayons, pens and pencils.

The workshop was really fun and I went away having learnt lots of interesting things.

Congratulations to Zech Enson in Year 5 for securing a place in the final of the Junior Language Challenge 2009.

Zech put in an excellent performance in the semi-final of the JLC in Cambridge on 25th September. Zech had previously beaten over 2000 entrants in the initial stage of learning Greek to 52

Enrichment

reach the semi finals, for which he taught himself Korean using a CD rom. Competing against 30 other children in the regional semi final, Zech played a series of timed interactive language

games in order to score points and achieved an excellent second place.

Year 3 G&T Art Workshop At Goldington Green Lower School The carnival art workshop was really good fun because we used all different materials like willow and foam. Our group made a huge octopus which was really cool. I liked working with new people and thanks Madame Faulkner and Mrs Apps!

A Report by Finn Cassell Y3

Diary of Lady Capulet (Romeo & Juliet Act 1 Scenes 1-3) Work by Freddie McLean, Y8 15rh July 1592 Dearest Diary,

O

h, how my life confuses me, how many decisions must I face? This day I attempted a conversation with my dearest Juliet, but couldn’t manage on my own, and had to call Nurse back in. Later, I hath come to the sorrowful conclusion that my Juliet has been mistreated by me. I didst not know that she was 13, and she my daughter! Oh how it pains me how little I know of her. Not only that, I am currently fearful of my life. Fearful of my disposition towards Juliet and that it will ultimately force her to drift apart from me.

I am fearful of Lady Montague too, but above all I fear our status in fair Verona. The initial outcome of the latest duel in the street with the Montagues has not been well received. Today’s brawl hath made Prince Escales issue a deadly threat towards me and my family. My dear husband seems to not be able to endure his hatred for those dastardly Montagues, even in public. Tybalt is putting both his and our lives at risk. It sickens me to the deepest fibre of mine own soul. Tybalt, mine troublesome nephew, has helped Escales cast a shadow over our glorious household. He cannot control his own actions. My innocent child Juliet, risks being caught up in this bedlam. I am forever locked in the powerful threshold of melancholy, and I pray that my beautiful daughter may forgive me for my neglect. She deserves a decent suitor to grant her some offspring.

Upon the subject, I today discussed the idea of wedlock to Count Paris, a relation of Prince Escales, not only would that find my girl a man (and a handsome one at that), it would secure her future financially, as well as making Escalus loosen his conduct upon us. However, I know myself how it feels to marry young, and the pain and sacrifice it creates...

&

Enrichment Me Opportunities

My Mentor

Holocaust lecture

by Ben Garratt

Daniel Frossell, Y8 Geography

It was great that we were able to go to the 6th Form Lecture because the Holocaust really interests me.

A survivor from Auschwitz told us about her life and it was quite emotional. I’m really pleased I went.

It was really interesting to learn about extra things than we did in class, for example all about Haiti.

It was good to find out more detail about issues like the Iceland vocano.

General Knowledge Quiz

by Frank Kupshik

Ben Garratt, Y8 History

It was really nerve racking and exciting at the same time. I managed to answer quite a lot of questions and it was good to win.

We’re in the finals now so that’s fantastic!

Alex taught us more details about the causes if WW2 and we talked about current issues and how they relate to the past. I learned lots about source handling and it was really useful.

Talented Athletes trip to Tottenham Hotspur

by Ben Slawinski

Joshua Wellington, Y8 German

I enjoyed the trip very much. My reasons for this are that we got to look around the training camp, also we got to watch the first team train and we got active and involved with some first year players and did certain circuits with them. That was my favourite activity of the day. We got to talk to and play with athletes who might one day actually become professional football players.

Mentor: Michael Ruta

Mentor: Alex Monks

Mentor: Wan Shun Fan

It was really interesting and we extended the work we did in class.

He was a really good teacher too.

George Hutton, Y5 science

Mentor: Artem Bunchuk I do Science Enrichment with Artem. It’s really fun and at the moment we are building a rocket which should blast off.

Enrichment

53

J

unior Satips General Knowledge Quiz (Y5 & Y6)

l a e r g e n d in our solar system?

28. What is the name of the fin on the back of a fish called?

29. Name one of the US presidents whose faces are carved into Mount Rushmore.

30. What is the common name for solid carbon dioxide?

31. How many tiles are there in a standard domino set?

32. Which website was founded

by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger?

33. How many feet are there in a fathom?

34. Which part of the human body has the scientific name hallux?

35. How many tentacles/arms does a squid have?

36. What is the word used to describe an animal or plant that is both male and female?

37. What is the name of the policeman in the Noddy stories?

38. In the film, The Great Escape, what names were given to the three escape tunnels?

39. What is an infant whale called?

40. What do the British call the vegetable that Americans and Italians call zucchini?

41. Which Cornish village was, according to legend, the birthplace of King Arthur?

42. What make of car was used in the film Back to the Future?

43. What is the national animal of Canada?

44. Which British actor plays the title character in the TV series House?

45. In which UK country is the Royal Mint?

46. What type of creature is a boomslang?

47. In which country was the ecological group, Greenpeace, founded?

48. What is the name of the most popularly attended concert venue in the world (highest audience numbers per year)?

49. In which century was the United Nations founded?

50. Which European country started the world wife-carrying championships?

51. The oldest man in the Bible was also the grandfather of Noah.

What was his name?

52. The radioactive isotope

Americium 241 is a component in which common household item?

53. On which two continents is the gerbil a native animal?

54. What is polyvinyl chloride more commonly known as?

55. Which missionary doctor discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855?

56. What is a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other, called?

57. In motoring what does BHP stand for?

58. What is the capital city of Scotland?

59. Who was the first British monarch to broadcast a Christmas message to the nation?

60. What does the abbreviation IQ stand for?

61. In George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm, what animal is Snowball?

62. Which is the largest island in the Mediterranean?

63. In which country would you find Yellowstone National Park?

64. How many balls, including the white cue ball, are on a snooker table (before any are potted)?

65. How many stars are on the flag of the European Union?

66. Which Scottish athlete refused to run on a Sunday at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games and whose story was told in the film Chariots of Fire?

67. James Earl Ray was arrested at Heathrow airport in 1968 and subsequently convicted of whose assassination?

68. Barack Obama’s best selling book is called The Audacity of ..., what?

69. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize?

70. On 1st April 1957 the normally serious BBC TV news programme Panorama convinced thousands of English viewers that what type of food grew on trees?

71. A spheksophobic fears which insects?

72. Which country was previously called Persia?

73. The Faroe Islands are an autonomous province of which country?

74. What is the name of the 1990s cult Japanese electronic toy which is cared for as if it were a pet?

75. Who invented the jet engine?

e e l G ow iz n Qu 1. Which Mr Man has very long arms?

2. How many toes, in total, does an African elephant have?

3. What is the name of the internet search engine launched recently

by Microsoft?

4. Who won the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award?

5. Which music band won the Best International Group category at the 2009 Brit Awards?

6. What gas is responsible for the bubbles in fizzy drinks?

7. Who was the last emperor of China?

8. In which country is Mount Ararat, the mountain that Noah’s Ark came to rest on?

9. How many strings does a modern mandolin have?

10. Give one of the first names of JRR Tolkien.

11. In which country is the town of Zagazig?

12. What is the longest nerve in the human body?

13. Dulse is an edible type of what?

14. What was the first name of William Shakespeare’s wife?

15. Who runs the post office in the stories of Postman Pat? 16. Which country was formerly known as Siam?

17. What was the title of the first official James Bond film?

18. How many sides does a hendecagon have?

19. Which is the world’s deepest ocean?

20. Who is the current Prime Minister of Israel?

21. What are the three interlocking items in the logo of the Yamaha Corporation?

22. What mythical beast has the body of a lion, the head of a man and the tail of a scorpion?

23. What colour is the Teletubbies character La-La? 24. What is geophagy the practice of eating?

25. In which US state is Cape Canaveral?

26. P is the chemical symbol for which element?

27. Which is the smallest planet

k

l a r dge

e l

z i u 54

Entrickment

76. What is a funambulist?

77. Mount Godwin-Austen is better known by which name?

78. Who composed the ballet music Swan Lake in 1876?

79. Who made the famous statement, ‘I think, therefore I am’?

80. In the human body, which gland secretes the hormone insulin?

81. What is the main ingredient of guacamole?

82. Ichthyology is a branch of zoology concerning which creatures?

83. Which religious faith was founded by Guru Nanak Dev? 84. Who was Henry VIII’s third wife?

85. Who was assassinated by Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, Reginald FitzUrse and Richard le Breton in 1170?

86. Which is the lightest element in the Periodic Table?

87. In which decade did the last execution by hanging take place in Britain?

88. Which country, with a coast, has the shortest coastline?

89. Who was the ‘father of medicine’, to whom a code of medical ethics is attributed and which bears his name?

90. British Landrace, Pietrain and Tamworth are types of which animal?

91. Before taking on the Euro, what was one hundreth of a German Deutschmark called?

92. In which year did the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France open?

93. What would a meteorologist measure in oktas?

94. How many sides or points does every snowflake have?

95. What is the most common gas in the earth’s atmosphere?

96. Which acid is produced in the muscles during strenuous exercise?

97. In which TV series did the actor Matt Smith make his debut on New Year’s Day? 98. What is the title of the song where the chorus includes the lines, ‘It stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died’?

99. In the original Star Trek what was Captain James Kirk’s middle name?

100. Charlotte Edwards led England`s women to World Cup glory in which sport in March 2009?

e n e

G ow n

k

Q

S

enior Satips General Knowledge Quiz (Y7 & Y8)

l a e r g e n d 23. Which Shakespeare play features Titania and Oberon 24. What is the name of the ‘junior James Bond’ in the books by Anthony Horowitz?

25. Name the panther in The Jungle Book

47. Dartmoor 48. Po 49. Grampians

e e l G ow iz n Qu IN THE NEWS

1. Name one country in which British troops are currently fighting 2. Who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

3. Name the President of the USA 4. Which country will host the 2010 Football World Cup? 5. In which city was the Climate Conference held in December?

k SPORT

6. In which sport is a crosse used?

7. Who is the 2009 Formula 1 motor racing champion?

8. In cricket what does LBW stand for?

9. What is the ‘puissance’ in horse showjumping?

10. Which British boy is a world diving champion?

11. Who is the British male No 1 tennis player?

12. In which sport does Beth Tweddle excel?

HISTORY

26. What was the name of the German Head of State in the Second World War? 27. Which English king was executed in 1649?

28. Which queen came to the throne in 1837?

29. What did Henry VIII abolish in 1536?

30. Which war started in 1939?

31. How many years will Queen Elizabeth have been on the throne in 2012?

32. Which invaders of Britain came after the Celts?

33. Which country tried to invade Britain by sea in 1588?

34. At which battle was Harold defeated by William?

35. Who took troops and elephants over the Alps in the 3rd century BC?

l a e r e dg MUSIC

13. Who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament?

14. Which fictional character is associated with treasure and a peg leg?

15. By what name is St Nicholas commonly called?

16. Who was replaced as a judge of Strictly Come Dancing because she was allegedly too old?

17. What is the Upper House of the British Parliament called?

36. How many crotchets are in two minims ?

37. Give one of Mozart’s first names 38. Name a ballet where the action takes place at a Christmas party 39. Which is the odd one out – Coppelia, Swan Lake, La Boheme 40. What did the shepherds watch by night ?

41. Who came ‘joyful and triumphant ‘?

42. What is the collective name for the three Kings who visited baby Jesus?

BOOKS

RIVERS & MOUNTAINS

PEOPLE

e l w

z i u Q

18. Who is Lord Asriel’s daughter?

19. Who wrote St Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians?

20. In which book do Tweedledum and Tweedledee appear?

21. Which animal is spring cleaning his home at the start of the book in which he features?

22. Violet, Klaus and Sunny are orphans in which book series?

Connect the rivers and hills or mountains with the countries and write the country in the answer.

Countries : Italy Australia France USA South America England Scotland Wales New Zealand 43. Ayers Rock 44. Mississippi 45. Rhone 46. Andes

LINK A TV PROGRAMME TO A CHARACTER 50. Simon Cowell 51. The Stig 52. Bruce Forsyth 53. Arthur 54. Captain Mainwaring 55. The Pontipines

NATURAL PHENOMENA Match the description to the nouns Tsunami monsoon smog mistral avalanche twister flood hurricane tornado 56. Heavy seasonal rain 57. Dense choking fog 58. Massive tidal wave 59. Strong, dry wind in France 60. Destructive spiralling wind 61. Heavy moving snow NUMBERS 62. Associated with Heinz 63. Add a quarter of 64 to threefifths of 45 and subtract the answer from fivesixths of 120 64. What is this number MMLIX 65. At the start of a game of chess, how many pieces are on the board?

66. Add the number of gold rings to the French hens to the partridge in a pear tree CURRENCY Link the country with the currency euro dollar rand rupee peso yen krone 67. South Africa 68. Argentina 69. Italy 70. Japan 71. India ALPHABET ANSWERS

trombones?

75. What C is the town recently flooded in Cumbria?

76. Which D is the animal – canis in Latin?

77. Which E, according to the Bible, was the first woman?

78. What F is water which inundates an area?

79. Which G is the sacred readings of the Sikh religion?

80. Which H is the range of mountains which include Everest ?

81. Which I means very hard working ?

82. What J is silver after 25 and golden after 50?

83. What K is a giant gorilla (film) ?

84. What L is the capital of the UK ?

85. Which M wrote War Horse ?

86. What N is the loch reputed to hold a monster ?

87. What O is round, juicy and citrus?

88. What P was a planet in our solar system?

89. What Q is the sacred book of Islam?

90. What R means re-using something instead of throwing it away ?

91. What S is an unequal sided triangle?

92. What T was a Dr Who actor (surname)?

93. What U is a wartime German submarine ?

94. Which V are the Hindu books of scriptures ?

95. Which W is the first name of a favourite of Queen Elizabeth the First?

96. Which X is a process that can see if you are carrying a gun?

97. Which Y is a gentle exercise involving relaxation?

98. What Z is a device for fastening with two interlocking rows of teeth?

n e G

73. What A is the country whose capital is Canberra?

74. What B is the section of the orchestra which includes trumpets and

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING? 99. Malta, Sardinia, Majorca, Crete, Cyprus 100. Andes, Himalayas, Alps, Karakoram, Rockies

o n Enrichment

55

Beyond the

School

Gates In the pages that follow we highlight some of the opportunities that our boys have had to experience and learn in a variety of different settings. School trips away are a great way for boys to experience the wider world for themselves and are always been fun for both staff and pupils. Friendships are made whilst bonding over different and exciting challenges without the looming ‘end of lesson bell’.

But beyond the fun, School trips are of great importance to the development of a child, not just by offering them new activities but in showing them a world in which skills learnt in the classroom are put into a direct context.

We start with an account of the annual Year 4 trip to the Bedford School Field Centre at Ickwell. The trip which combines both Science and Art activities provides a marvellous experience for all involved. There has also been an international dimension to the opportunities provided with the Under 13 Cricket Squad touring South Africa, a group from Y7/8 visiting Burgundy for a week of French lessons and activities and finally a splendid opportunity for the members of the School Chapel Choir to sing in Venice.

56

Beyond the School Gates

The trip to Burgundy was undoubtedly lots of fun for the Year 7 & 8’s this year but in doing this suddenly all of their fantastic language schooling is put to the test in real world situations; all the things they have seen in videos and in subject books come to life. With adventure trips such as Bude the emphasis is on trying different activities and facing new challenges. But beyond this, boys are being taught fundamental skills both on a personal and social level that they will inevitably be used in later life.

One of the most interesting parts of my job as Headmaster is meeting with old boys and discovering what they’ve been up to since leaving the school. When talking about their schooling they often reflect on how their experiences here at Bedford have had such a profound and positive bearing on them as they go forward in their lives. I am sure that the skills and the confidence is gained not only through their education in school but also in the education given to them ‘Beyond the School Gates’.

Chris Godwin

Page Detail

57

Today we went on a school trip to Ickwell. At Ickwell we picked seeds and conkers from a Horse Chestnut tree. We drew a picture of the fields and lake with chalk.

We used a sweeping net to catch bugs from the long grass and identified them. We found a fox skull in the bushes and a plant that fired seeds out of its case. We also saw a frog in the fields.

By Paul Whalley I enjoyed the minibeast hunt the most, I found a big beetle,and we saw a massive spider! I learnt where a rose comes from, and I learnt that poisonous berries can help sick people. I want to have another go at drawing with chalk pastels.

By Tom Holland

Ickwell Bury T

his is about my day at Ickwell Bury on Thursday 1st October 2009. When we first arrived I went with Mrs Thomas and Mrs Carrington to sketch the lake and a field with chalk pastels. We saw a couple of herons, a few swans and finally, several ducks. I was working with Alex Linley-Hill, we had lots of fun together!

There were many bull rushes and pond reeds around the edges of the field. While we were in the field we saw a number of different trees. These are some of their names: oak, sycamore and horse chestnut.

Next we had to return to where we kept our rucksacks. We called them “our bases!� A few minutes later it was our lunchtime. Leo and I shared our chocolate and sweets.

After lunch I found a huge badger hole in a bramble thicket. Then I went on a seed safari with Mrs Medd. We found lots of different seeds and fruit. Here few of them: acorn, hazelnut, holly berries, helicopters, beech, rose hips and elderflower.

We saw some very poisonous berries on an evergreen tree and they reminded us of olives, because they had a big hole in the top except the seed was inside the hole. Then Thomas Blythman found wild crayfish in the lake near the bank. After that Mrs Medd took us to a 400-450 year old oak. It was probably 7-8 feet in circumference! I can tell you it was just gigantic.

Then finally the minibeast hunt. We did this with

Mr Whitbread. There were 3 people in my group but then one had to go and join another group, so it was just Harry Ward and me.

Our task was to go into the meadow with a sweeping net and catch insects. Then we brought the sweeping nets back to our stations to see what insects we had caught. Harry and I caught a couple of 1cm spiders and an earwig. But mainly the insects we found were tiny; millions of little flies and spiders. A few minutes later Zack Southern found a huge spider with a big red back. We thought it was pregnant. We were all scared to death of it! When we had finished our minibeast hunt, it was time for us to go and collect our belongings, get back on the coach and head back to school.

And that is the end of my Ickwell Bury visit...if I could go again I would love to do another mini-beast hunt!

By Ollie Peacock 4M

Highlights: Oscar Singer finding a Muntjac deer skull. Seeing all the great animals, and most of all playing football!

Page Detail

59

Cricket

Tour AFTER SPENDING 18 MONTHS FUND- RAISING AND TRAINING FOR THE CRICKET TOUR OF CAPE TOWN 16 BOYS FINALLY HAD THEIR KIT AND WE WERE READY! OR SO WE THOUGHT...

W

e had a very good flight and after a fun first afternoon relaxing by the pool, the boys were looking forward to their first game. However a few too many tired bodies dragged themselves down to a very early breakfast in preparation for a 9am start against Paarl Gimnasium. We really never got out of bed and were bowled out for 54.

We were able to take some positives from the game as we played to give the boys some much need time in the middle. That evening we went to Newlands Cricket Ground to watch The Cape Cobras versus The Dolphins in a Pro20 match. This was a superb experience and, again, the boys learnt a good deal from watching the professionals from the front row of the stadium.

We took these lessons into our next set of games and after a tough training session the boys seemed to be more settled. The squad put in four fantastic performances as they beat Wynberg School, Beaumont School, Eikestad School and Langa Township with Shiv Patel scoring consecutive 50’s. Their change in approach and performance was great to see and the excellent results were testament to their ability and willingness to learn.

This was a wonderful opportunity and one from which the whole squad learnt. It was great to see the boys grow in confidence over the tour, learn what touring is really about and enjoy being hosted by local families. The experience of seeing a beautiful country and being part of the culture (I hope) will stay with the boys. To visit such a competitive country as South Africa and win 4 out of 5 games is a fantastic effort and one which the whole squad should be proud of. They were a credit to the school and great company.

S. Lincoln

BEN SLAWINSKI GIVES US A FEW EXCERPTS FROM HIS SOUTH AFRICA CRICKET TOUR DIARY FRIDAY 12TH FEB We landed in South Africa at 10.35am local time. The flight had lasted for 11 hours. When I stepped off the plane I could feel the difference in temperature straight away!

FRIDAY 18TH FEB The match v Langa Cricket Club was a success. I had a bat further down the order – no.6. We scored 125 runs from our 20 overs with top score of 41 by Paddy. We bowled them out for total of 50 runs. I picked up 4 wickets off 4 overs for 14 runs!

Friday night was our Tour Meal. This was great fun!

I managed to burn my eyebrow which earned me Doris of the Day – don’t ask how! After food we had lots of awards:

Shiv – Best Batsman Seb – Best Bowler Aaron – Best Fielder

FINAL THOUGHTS My final thoughts are that the tour was amazing and a great success. I enjoyed every part. I think that I grew as a person and bonded with my teammates and we became closer friends. I also learned that being on a tour is nothing like playing one or two games and that our social and playing relationships are really important as we spent all our time together and we needed to support each other as we were away from home.

- Match 1 -

Paarl Gimnasium Lost by 9 wickets BPS 54 Paarl 55-1

- Match 2 -

Wynberg School Won by 27 runs BPS 178-9 Wynberg 151 (Walker 4-30)

- Match 3 -

Beaumont School Won by 3 wickets Beaumont 158-2 BPS 160-7 (Walker 2-30, Patel 50, McDuell 40)

- Match 4 -

Eikestad School Won by 96 runs BPS 189-7 Eikestad 93 (Patel 61, Momi 44, Burman 3-21)

- Match 5 -

Langa Township Won 72 runs BPS 125-6 Langa 53 (McDuell 41, Slawinski 4-12)

Beyond the School Gates

61

“ I tried snails and was quite surprised at how nice they were! ” Ben Slawinski

Burgundy Trip It was a remarkably bright eyed and bushy tailed group of Y7-8 boys who met outside Palmers at 6am on the morning of Friday 26th March for an intrepid journey into deepest Burgundy. Twenty-five boys, optimistically clutching sunglasses, piled into the coach and once our coach driver had got over the strain of lifting Madame Faulkner’s suitcase, off we went…

“ I liked the activity where we went to the market and bought our food in French and then presented it to the group. George and I made a pudding of meringues and strawberries ” Nic Reay

W

e stayed at a purpose built centre near Avallon, called Maison Claire Fontaine. The staff there; Patricia, Olivier, Elodie and Anne were welcoming faces as our coach drew up in the middle of the beautiful village surrounded by stone houses, a little stream, and a donkey named Archie.

The five days spent at Maison Claire Fontaine flew by. Every morning, the boys were given French lessons by Elodie, and Aran Malhi made particularly good progress... George Lilley Moncrieff played an excellent King Louis XIV, complete with golden wig, in a re-enactment of the story we learned during a visit to Château Bussy-Rabutin.

But the French lessons didn’t stop once the boys left the comfort of their classroom.

Archery, mosaic making, sculpture and the puzzle evening were all a great success and some boys discovered talents they never

knew they had. Or never had, in the case of Mrs Christian, who spent nearly two hours crafting a stone sculpture and was then asked innocently by one boy: “Err, Mrs. Christian, what exactly is that?”

One morning, we all went to the market in Avallon, where, armed with a handful of Euros, the boys had to negotiate their way around the different stalls and buy a lunch for their table. The brief was to purchase authentic French fare so there were bags full of baguettes, fromage, jambon and tartes aux fraises swung back on the coach, with the odd croissant having been munched on the way round. Mrs Christian thought it would be a good idea to buy some fresh garlic to take home to England, a sentiment not entirely endorsed by the Y7 boys who slept in the adjoining room and slowly felt the smell permeate into their skin over the next few

days.

As well as the trip to the Château, we spent an afternoon learning circus skills, where Tom Lousada displayed his excellent gymnastic ability, back- flipping his way across the mat. The less gifted of us nevertheless managed plate spinning, trapeze walking, balancing and juggling with variable success, led by a good humoured Laurent, a professional circus trainer.

Another activity enjoyed by the boys was high rope climbing.

Everyone did extremely well and some boys even managed to conquer their fear of heights.

Mr Wickens blamed his “dodgy knees” for having to sit out the experience, but Madame Faulkner and Mrs Christian courageously donned a harness and began one of the extremely challenging, highly risky, blue-level courses (second just after the nursery course!) until it started to spit

with rain and it was decided that a return to shelter was necessary.

Harry Jackson was helpful in re-acquainting the instructors with their rescue procedures as he became stuck not once, but twice on the same part of the course!

A visit to France would not be complete without a mention of the food. And what food it was... David the chef cooked up a culinary delight three times a day and the coach definitely felt heavier on the return journey. We were particularly impressed with the amount of boys who jumped at the chance to try escargots, and with the positive feedback received, I shall fully expect to see Bedford Prep boys skulking around in gardens looking for dinner over the coming months.

Overall, five days of French fun was fantastic! Well done to everyone who came along!

Madame Faulkner Beyond the School Gates

63

Bude Trip 2010 Ruth Mann, who led this years trip, gives us a summary of events that went on in deepest Cornwall

S

eductive summer sunshine greeted our arrival at Adventure International this year: shame it promptly abandoned us on Sunday evening. Clothes were repeatedly dampened, but not spirits. Whether on water (kayaking, surfing or body-boarding), way up high (climbing or high ropes), or staying somewhere on or in terra-firma (mountain biking, team-trailing or caving), the boys enjoyed the varied activities. Instructors Billy, Gaz, Kerry and Dave provided enthusiastic and intuitive tutoring throughout the week and it was reassuring that the most exciting incident of the week was John Kendall’s stubbed toe. Well, that and seeing Dominic Blore-Rimmer in a bra ‌ Parents would probably be interested to know that each and every boy

is capable of tidying a bedroom to immaculate standards, as witnessed by the flurry of full marks awarded on a daily basis to dormitories. What may come as less of a surprise will be the quantity of sweets most boys could consume during the course of a day. No wonder many “crashed” at the end of the day and slumped pitifully on the stairs waiting for bedtime. For those still with energy, there was a myriad of evening activities. Snap, Crackle and Pop (a.k.a. Tom and George Christian and John Kendall) were fancy dress winners, while “tuneful” karaoke-ing resulted in many a hoarse voice. Well done to Ben Whitelaw and Ed Clarke for showing how talented our boys are, though Ed’s talent looked ever-so-slightly painful.

Though exhausted by Friday, it was clear that everybody had had a positive experience. Each boy was a little bit of a “Wally”, showed a little bit of “Bottle” and shone at least once like a “Superstar”.

Congratulations to individuals who conquered a fear, whether that be heights, claustrophobia, the sea or simply seeing their teachers upclose-and-personal at “early o’clock” in the morning. My sincere thanks go to the accompanying staff and also to the boys, who were excellent ambassadors for the School.

P.S. (Just for the Y6s) Can you see the moon?

Beyond the School Gates

65

Castleton

The annual Eagle House Trip this year saw the staff and boys of the Prep Schools boarding House visit the Peak District

T

he weekend away in the summer term saw a return to Castleton, in the Peak District.

We stayed in the Vicarage which is part of the youth hostel in Castleton and is very comfortable.

Saturday afternoon was spent visiting Treak Cavern and after tea we walked to the local playing fields where a number of boys had an energetic game of football, some played on the adventure play ground, Enoch read his book, and Arthur admired the flora and fauna. The evening was a disappointment as many of us watched England’s poor performance against the USA in their first game in the World Cup. On Sunday morning we cycled around Derwent Reservoir and in the afternoon walked (Arthur and Enoch included) to the summit of Mam Tor, along the ridge to Hollins Cross, then down the hill to Castleton and finally back to the youth hostel. Most of the boys seemed to really enjoy the day. The evening was again spent watching a game in the World Cup. This time our support was for Australia, or at least Lachlan’s was, but unfortunately they started with a four-nil defeat against Germany.

After packing on Monday morning, we left for Drayton Manor Theme Park. The boys and staff had a really good day here. There was enough variety in the rides to keep everyone happy and as the park was fairly quiet there was very little queuing. During the trip back to Bedford we stopped off for a Burger King and arrived back at Eagle House at 8pm after what had been a very successful and enjoyable trip.

Paul Clarke 66

Beyond the School Gates

Venice

T

here can be few more appropriate years to tour Venice than 2010, the 400th anniversary year of the Monteverdi Vespers. Bedford School has been making much of this anniversary since January 2010 with programmes including a School Choral Society performance of the 1610 Vespers in the School’s Great Hall and works by Vivaldi by the School Chamber Orchestra in two other concerts.

The Chapel Choir, comprising boy choristers from Bedford Prep and boy choral scholars from Bedford School, undertakes an annual tour and Venice just had to be the venue for 2010. This tour, largely organised by ourselves but with some local Venetian help, was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Harvey Nash, whose work includes Professional Recruitment and Executive Leadership Services, as well as our own fund-raising activities. Venice is an expensive place, but worth every penny.

We were extremely fortunate and, indeed, greatly privileged to be allowed to take up residence in the Institute of Santa Maria della Pietà, five minutes walk from St Mark’s Square. I have to admit that the privilege of staying at such an historically significant venue was not easily attained. However, the sustained welcome we received over the five day period of our visit was warm and was much appreciated by the boys who were very conscious of their good fortune.

When singing abroad, we try to include an Anglican service where possible and appropriate. St George’s Anglican Church in Venice is a small but fine church near the Academia and we were given a very warm welcome by the Locum Chaplain there, Dr Alan McCormack, who, when not sunning himself in Venice during each August, is Rector of St Botolph’s, Bishopsgate and St Vedast, Foster Lane in the City of London.

The church has a resonant acoustic and, following the Stravinsky Introit, the Rose responses and Psalm 132, we successfully launched into the Howells Gloucester Service.

Throughout the tour we were given the privilege of singing at some major venues in Venice including The Frari, The Basilica Sancti Giovanni e Paolo, San Salvador and also at St Mark’s Basilica during Mass.

In short, the boys were well prepared and could enjoy singing with confidence throughout the tour, although the previous term had been littered with material not taken on the tour – just to keep the buzz going and the interest alive.

Andrew Morris Beyond the School Gates

67

House REPORTS

The Housemasters reminisce over the past years successes

- Harpur -

S

o, lightening does strike twice!! After victory in 2006, Harpur lifted the Nestor Cup for only the second time in 2010! Matthew Budd and James Herriott join Morgan Owen as being the only Harpur House Captains to lift that trophy high in the final assembly of the school year. This really was the cherry on top of the House cake because Harpur has had a truly memorable year in so many areas.

As in previous years, our sporting prowess really shone through – Harpur were first or second in Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y7 rugby; ALL the cross country competitions; Y3 to Y6 hockey; Y3 and Y5 soccer; Y7&8 badminton; Y5 to Y8 swimming, Y3, Y4 and Y7&8 cricket, and ALL the tennis competitions… what a roll of honour!! The icing that goes along with the cherry on the Harpur cake was another victory in the Junior Sports Day and very narrowly missing top spot in the Senior Sports Day as well!! Well done to all who won their events, but especially to those who took part and picked up valuable points on the day… you were the real stars!! A big thank you to Sports Captains, Jonathan Janes and Charles

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House Reports

Seamark, for all their efforts this year.

But there’s more – second in House Art, second in House Music and first in Poetry Recitation. Many congratulations to all finalists, winners and those highly commended in these and other competitions.

I’ve left my happiest memory of the year till last – call it the ‘hundreds and thousands’ on this highly decorated Harpur cake.

In February, Harpur experienced a stupendous first place in the House Singing Unison competition in the Great Hall.

The boys sang the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang medley so beautifully – it really was ‘phantasmagorical’!!

I was so pleased for Music Captain Tom Edwards and especially pleased for Miss Gooch, whose talents, good humour and ability to shed blood, sweat and tears for Harpur have been mindblowing!

All Harpur House Officers and Harpur Prefects deserve much credit for our success, along with the ever wonderful Harpur Tutors. Here’s to another slice of success in 2011!!

A J Whitbread

- Howard -

O

nce upon a time, there was a wonderful banner of Howard knights who looked resplendent, adorned with bluestriped ties. They were a talented bunch, who spent the year competing against the Wicked House of Whitbread, the Horrible House of Harpur and the Brutal House of Bunyan for the most highly sought after prize in all the land, the shiny and opulent House Cup. In the dark, cold and wintery Autumn Term, when the eagle cast its shadow over the astro, the boys fought hard but were left muddied and bruised from the rugby battles and disappointed in the points stakes. A glimmer of hope rose like a phoenix from the snow covered pitches, in the form of some House Art victories courtesy of: Sell, Valerio, Hussain and Ciuro.

The knights’ continued brave efforts began to be rewarded further in the Spring with impressive victories in the squash and badminton competitions.

At times it was like a fairytale.

When the blue-striped knights visited their master, beaming and using the words ‘Howard’ and ‘1st place’ in the same sentence, who could blame her for feeling the

need to pinch herself! Alas, it was not to last!

As the sun shone through the pink summer blossom on De Parys Avenue, the Houses were still locked in a fierce and close competition. Sports days, swimming and cricket battles continued, the gap steadily widening for the leader. Howard spirits never dampened. The Brilliant House of Howard impressed with their willingness to participate in all aspects of House life and with their unerring support for each other along the way. These qualities allowed the knights of the blue table to live happily ever after for another year, content in the knowledge that: it is defeat that turns bone to flint; it is defeat that turns gristle to muscle; it is defeat that makes men invincible.

The role of a Housemaster is, at times, not an easy one, and my thanks, as ever, go to my supportive and fantastic staff, officers and prefects who have made this year a very special ‘fairytale’ of a year. Thank you.

And so, until we return next year to go: ‘Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more.”

Fare thee well.

P J Oakley

- Bunyan -

H

ere I am again having the pleasure of writing a short report about a House that I love and respect ! It has been another super year which has been filled with a constant drive from all the boys and staff to do their best for Bunyan! We may not have been the winners of the cup this year but I am a strong believer that being a winner is not measured by the order in which you are placed but how well we function as a team and the cohesion that is shown in all aspects of the House community; first place it is then ! Bunyan you always do me proud! We have had a lot of first places this year, the two major competitions, House Singing and Sports Day to name but a few.

I

You sang so well again which was an absolute pleasure to sit and listen to 108 boys giving it their all ! Oh… and we beat Harpur at sports day, yippee !! Every single one of you needs congratulating as individual successes appear too numerous to mention. I could not have such a great House without my fantastic staff and the House officers who this year have exceeded my high expectations showing loyalty and determination to drive the House forward. A big thank you from me to everyone for making Bunyan the House of which I am so proud to be the Housemaster. Can’t wait to do it all again in September.

J L Beckwith

- Whitbread -

t has been a great honour to work alongside some excellent Year 8 boys in Whitbread House over the past three terms and it has been a pleasure to award House Colours to James Winder, Daniel Frossell, Patrick McDuell, Oliver Maltby, William Reynolds, Joshua Wellington, Arandeep Malhi, Tom Booton and Charlie Dempsey. I am extremely grateful to you all for your support and enthusiasm.

William Reynolds reflected on the House Music: ‘Much hard work from the Whitbread boys went into the House Singing Competition in February. We sang ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay as a unison song and ‘Steal Away to Jesus’ as our part song.

Although on the day we didn’t come as well placed as we had hoped, we sang our hearts out and came joint 3rd overall. Later in the Summer Term we had the House Music Competition and through more hard work learning and practising pieces on various instruments, we achieved a well earned 1st place and this gave us

some vital house points’.

On the sports front, Oliver Maltby has been outstanding in the swimming pool and he has put his thoughts down on paper: ‘We have had our ups and downs in sport this year and it is clear that we are not a house of runners! However, if you put us in the swimming pool we are very good. On the whole our Hockey results were quite strong with a win for Years 3 and 6 and second place for Years 5 and 7/8. Other good results were wins for the Year 5/6 teams in Badminton and Tennis, a win for Year 8 in Rugby and second place in both Years 5/6 and 7/8 in Squash’.

Once again I am immensely grateful to the Whitbread staff for all their support and dedication. From the youngest Inky boys right through to the ageing Housemaster, we are great team!! A huge ‘THANK YOU’ to one and all and I look forward to continued energy and determination as we embark upon a new school year.

C N Blacklock

Images:

Left: Boys enjoying the House Beetle Drive. Top two images on right: The Victors; Harpur House. Third image from top: The House Art Competition.

Bottom image: House football House Reports

69

Prep School Play The Beasts of Saint Bozo’s May 6th and 7th, 2010

A madcap tale of pupils and teachers disappearing, a werewolf in the woods and a mad Science teacher trying to turn everyone into zombies all set in a seemingly normal Prep School. Esther Smith tells more...

M

ay 2008, Witches at large in Weird Sisters, May 2009, plundering pirates a plenty in Some Treasure Island! This May madness surely couldn’t continue into 2010, or could it? This year’s play was set in a Preparatory School – culture, refinement, standards and manners, that’s what you might expect…but no! This play was set in no ordinary school, but rather in the infamous St. Bozo’s (purely fictitious, of course) with its beastly stereotyped teachers come zombie creations.

Auditions were held at the end of the Autumn term. The turnout and standard were, once again, high and I left for the Christmas holidays feeling that, potentially, I had the best group of boys yet for both main parts and cameo roles.

January – rehearsals start well, however the wrong kind of snow stops play for a few evenings and the pressure’s now on in this maddeningly short Spring term.

We work hard, some harder than others, and all too soon, the Easter holidays arrive.

Line learning should be the cast’s priority in their break from School.

Back to School, 3 weeks ‘til first night. This still hasn’t sunk in to everyone’s brain – neither have all the words! Jo Gooch and I plough on cramming rehearsals into every available gap in the EMH or in classrooms at breaks and lunchtimes…

And then, suddenly, the week of dress rehearsal and the performances! How will the boys do? Will it work? Is everyone ready? What feedback will be received? Why not see for yourself…

“Thank you very much indeed for a fabulous School play - we all thoroughly enjoyed every second and the standard reached by all the boys was a real credit to the school - it was great!”

“I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the play last night and to congratulate you on managing to get a group of 12/13 year old boys to produce such quality acting and singing!! I can’t wait for the next one!!”

If you’d have asked me, after the dress rehearsal, whether this kind of audience feedback was realistically achievable, I’d have said “only if they are watching something else...”

This was one of those occasions when it’s so good to be proved so wrong. The boys, as they say, “done good!” The play came together and it was all “alright on the night”, with an appreciative audience enjoying the humour in a madcap tale of pupils and teachers disappearing, a werewolf in the woods and a mad science teacher trying to turn everyone into zombies all set in a seemingly normal prep school.

I think the play has shown a number of boys that drama is “serious fun” – you must take your part seriously to gain the fun and success of a polished performance. The hard work is worth it – you can’t succeed without it.

Well done to all the boys involved – there were some excellent performances with boys really getting into character. It always amazes me how some boys playing female characters cope so well with heels higher than I’d ever dare to wear!

My thanks also to Jo Gooch for her co-direction and musical direction and grateful thanks to all those parents, family members and friends who came to enjoy the results of a term and a bit’s hard work.

I also need to thank Mr Smith for his patience with his wife (directing a play is a great way to test any marriage!); his willingness to come into School on Bank Holiday Monday before the play to help set up for the dress rehearsal and also for watching the play two nights running. I leave you with his view of the first night’s performance.

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THE BEASTS OF St. BOZO’S A review by J.B. Smith

T

he most reliable jungle drums had painted a picture of actors who did not seem to care about their enchanting craft. Boys will be boys and this will not be diminished by age for, when in manhood, acting skills will hide many of their childish ways.

I am more interested in the first night’s performance of The Beasts of Saints Bozo’s as presented by the young cast of Bedford Preparatory School. I am delighted that the directors, Esther Smith and Jo-Anne Gooch, have cast a strong and talented bunch of boys. Their hard work has paid off and on the night the boys pulled off a sterling performance.

The beauty of the play is faithful to the script and the cast have kept the essence of good defeating evil alive in an amusing and entertaining way. What school would be complete without a mad scientist? Indeed what school would be complete without the important issues of girls flirting with boys and then growing up to become flirtatious ladies with all their assets? The boys playing females did so with great conviction and were very comfortable with bringing out their femininity. So watch out Keira Knightley, these boys will give you a run for your money.

I would love to give each individual the praise that is due, but of course this would take a forest to print and inevitably at least one boy will be disappointed when they are missed out. So take pride each and every one of you who had a part to play, however big or small.

All in all it was a very good night and the performance was met with great response from the audience, who enjoyed all the characters and the humour hidden within the play. Let’s see if we have any budding thespians waiting in the wings of the future.

I am not sure how the actors will top their first night’s performance, but I will find out tonight when at 7pm they take centre stage.

The Cast List SILAGE WIMP SCALPEL JOHNNY STRONG SHAVINGS TABATHA HINDMARSH TINKERBELL TIMMS BOOT SNIFFLE TROTT MONGOOSE HISTORY TEACHER FELICITY REVEREND FINDLAY SCROGGS BORIS BUNKUM THE COOK MISS BEVERAGE A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON 1st BODYGUARD 2nd BODYGUARD MRS SHAVINGS MUSIC TEACHER CEDRIC SEMPRONIA BLISTER MATRON ART TEACHER THE HEADMASTER MONSIEUR LA GUILLOTINE KENNETH BRAIN AUSTIN ALLEGRO

Harry Jackson James Smith Ollie Charlton Jonathan Janes Matthew Budd Frank Kupshik Ruben Sharma Thomas Blakemore Daniel Idowu Jack Harvey Max Williamson Edward Jones Sebastian Walker Tim Matthews Adam Selvey Felix Lin Jake Charters Ross Cawood Jack Matthews James Winder Tom Smith Charlie Dempsey Sam Smith Aaron McNally Tom Humphreys Matthew Malindine Alex Horn Freddie McLean Oliver McLeod Oliver Maltby

Prep School Play

71

The Library Pages

by Claire Sharples

Desert Island Books

If, like some of the boys suggest would be a good thing, some of the staff were to find themselves on a desert island, we wondered which two books they would take with them. Some of their answers were interesting!

C

harles Martin: It will have to be Winnie the Pooh. The other will be Wind in the Willows, a reminder of England’s green and pleasant land when I am languishing on this desert island with my coconuts and bananas.

J

o Christian: This would have to be in addition to a HUGE pile of “Hello” magazines but I think I would choose Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding because it reminds me of a fabulous holiday with friends some years ago. It made me laugh out loud.

My other favourite would have to be The Faraway Tree Stories by Enid Blyton. I read this when I was a child and have read it to my children and I still love it.

R

uth Mann: Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake because I had to study William Blake at school and would like to explore his work further and Brideshead Revisited because it has personal resonance and is a beautifully crafted characterisation, particularly Sebastian Flyte.

There is nothing wrong with Sebastian Flyte that a couple of sessions with AA couldn’t sort out!

G

eoff Wickens: The two books I would want washed up with me on a desert island would be Hornblower and the Atropos

by C. S. Forester and The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth because they are both books

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Library

which I have read several times and on each reading I have always enjoyed them as much as the time before. Even though you know the plot to assassinate De Gaulle in “The Day of the Jackal” is doomed to failure, the suspense is still there!

M

ary Richards: I would choose The Magus by John Fowles: It captures and evokes a London that I knew very well. I feel the same about Spetse where many happy summers were spent drinking on the Dappia, swimming in the blue Aegean and wondering about the grim prison in the midst of all the sunlight and warmth. I only understood its significance after reading the book. John Fowles is a superb wordsmith. The other book I have chosen is Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen. New delights of language, nuance and insight into the human character reveal themselves on each successive reading.

M

atthew Jamieson: (Rugged, yet sensitive, History/Hockey Master) The two books that would nourish my spirit if I were stranded with nothing but coconut milk to drink would be Shantaram by David Gregory Roberts: An epic life-affirming tale of an Australian heroin addict jail breaker who starts a new life in India. He lives in the slums, opens a medical centre, fights in Afghanistan and falls in love... and Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger: A dark journey into the ever-hardening

mind of a German Infantry Stormtrooper who fought throughout the First World War.

A

nd me...well, I am usually far too busy at the gym or doing housework to read but I think the two books I would take with me would be East of Eden by John Steinbeck because it’s one of my favourite books of all time and I could read it again and again and then another of my favourite books...wait for it...Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

Then I might have some of John Buchan’s “Hannay” ...Forever Amber was good and I know there was a lot of pretentious “hoo ha” about it but I really enjoyed The Da Vinci Code (you just have to ignore the inaccuracies and read it as a thriller) and, although she’s gone off the boil a bit lately, Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl would be there as would C. J Sansom’s “Shardlake” series and the omnibus edition of all Sharon Penman’s novels and the funniest book of all time The Tent the Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy...the “Stephanie Plum” novels by Janet Evanovich ...and then there are all the children’s books I love...and the books I’d like to read but haven’t had the time...choosing two would be impossible so I’d have to be washed up on the only desert island with a bookshop! (and a shoe shop would be good and perhaps a patisserie...)

CARNEGIE SHADOWING GROUP

T

his Summer we once again decided to shadow the Carnegie Awards. The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children. The medal is awarded by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and was first awarded to Arthur C. Ransome for ‘Pigeon Post’. “Shadowing” is when we gather a group together to read the books listed on the Carnegie Shortlist – we then vote for whichever book we think should win and wait to hear if our choice agrees with the Carnegie Panel.

Past winners have included: Millions by Frank Cotterell Boyce, Pigeon Post by Arthur C. Ransome, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively, Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve, The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliffe, The Borrowers by Mary Norton, Northern Lights by Philip Pullman and Watership Down by Richard Adams.

Sometimes it’s not easy to “shadow” the awards because some of the books are a bit “girly” and none of the boys are keen to read them (which is, I suppose, a good thing!) but this year, like last, the books in the final list were mostly for boys. The shortlist was: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson; Nation by Terry Pratchett; Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve; Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn; The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness; The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant; The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Revolver

by Marcus Sedgwick.

It’s always a mystery to me how the members of CILIP come up with the list. When you read the long list you see the same authors nominated year after year, then the authors who have written about contentious subjects who, for whatever reason, the CILIP Panel think should be included on the “worthiness” ticket. This year’s novel which had me spitting feathers went by the title “Nicholas Dane” and will not be appearing on any of the Inky Library’s bookshelves any time soon.

Last year Bedford Prep School Carnegie Shadowing Group unanimously chose the correct book. Unfortunately, the CILIP judges didn’t!!!

We asked some of the Group which of the Carnegie books they liked best and why. We also asked them to name a book they would recommend to their friends Alex Stammers (Y7): My favourite Carnegie book is Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve. It is the latest in a series of books by this author, but it is the first I have read. I found it enjoyable because there is an ingenious storyline and the

characters really develop throughout the story. by the end of the book I really felt for Sephy.

By the end of the book you really understand The book was “unputdownable” and is so each character well. It is a “stand alone” book moving you could be crying at the end. and I would highly recommend it.

Harjeet Sumal (Y7): Out of all the Carnegie My favourite book of all time and the one books I enjoyed “Nation” by Terry Pratchett.

I would recommend other boys to read is It was, in turn, funny, mysterious and probably the Edge Chronicles series by Paul adventurous which is just the sort of book I Stewart and Chris Riddell. The reason I love like. these books and have re read them several The book I would recommend to my friends times is because the stories are very imaginative was on the Carnegie longlist and is called and the highly detailed illustrations really Troubadour. It’s a story set in 13th-century bring the story to life. The storyline carries on Southern France. A singer, Bertran, sees a throughout the series and the characters are murder and risks his life to warn everyone amazingly creative. They are the sort of books of the coming war. The lands of the peaceful that you are always waiting for the next one to Cathars are under threat from crusaders who be published. have been allowed by the Pope to take the Adam Selvey (Y8): My favourite book from Cathar property by force if necessary. The Pope the Carnegie shortlist was The Graveyard is trying to find Bertran to keep him quiet.

Book by Neil Gaiman. As Neil Gaiman is Elinor is in love with Bertran and runs away my favourite author, I was very eager to read from her family when she is made to marry this book! It did not disappoint. There was a man she doesn’t love. She too becomes a a thrilling plot filled with twists and turns. minstrel. Soon both Bertan and Elinor find It was as strange as any other book written themselves stuck in the middle of a dreadful

by Neil Gaiman (and his strange books are war. It is a love story really and not something the best!) I loved the hero, Nobody Owens, I would normally have read. The Carnegie or Bod. I liked his curiousity. My favourite Award Shadowing Group makes boys read character was Mrs Lupescu (the werewolf ) books that they might not otherwise have her character is quite strict, but she has good chosen. intentions. I particularly like her relationship Bedford Prep School’s choice for the Carnegie with Bod. This is Gaiman’s most ambitious Book Award was: Nation by Terry Pratchett. book yet, he has woven humour throughout The judges chose: The Graveyard Book by Neil the book yet it still retains the dark Gaiman. So it appears they were wrong horror tones. Gaiman has created again! a modern classic and it is his best book yet by a mile. I would recommend this book for children and adults who want a read that is unputdownable. A book that leaves you hanging off every word, eager to read the next couple of Readin g pages.

The w is always goo in d, n I think the book I would was M er of our Ex but this is a r little ex t s reme S m recommend everyone reads ith – lu ckily sh Reading Com treme! would have to be Noughts & ew pe to teac h anot as rescued an tition PLEA Crosses by Malorie Blackman. h d lived e r day!

SE DO NOT It is a modern retelling of TRY T HIS A Romeo and Juliet. Malorie T HO ME!!!!

Blackman takes a real life ! issue – racism – and turns it upside down. The way each chapter is told through the different characters is a great way to connect with them and see each person’s viewpoint. You sympathise with each of the characters and

Extre me

Compe

Readi n

titiong

PSHE

PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. It aims to equips young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with a range of issues they face as they grow up. In this article Jake Charters report on ‘The PSHE Drugs Talk’

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n the 12th November 2009 Year Seven had a drugs talk as part of our PHSE morning. We started by learning about illegal drugs such as Cannabis and Heroin and how they can affect us.

Our tutor asked for a person from the audience to come down and do an experiment. He asked him to stack some plastic cups in a pyramid (simple enough !) it took him six seconds to stack them.

He then asked him to do exactly the same but with special glasses to simulate being under the effect of drugs, all I can 74

PSHE

say is that we decided to stop after one and a half minutes!

We then moved onto alcohol where we learnt about how many units one person can have on average. Afterwards, he taught us about medicines (which are a type of drug) and how to never misuse them.

I think everyone came out of the talk with valuable guidance.

One sentence will stay in my head all my life; DON’T DO DRUGS !!!

The Student Voice

The Student Voice is very important to the progression & development of the School. To this end there are two student groups that meet regularly to discuss ideas and thoughts on improving the school; in the lower years there’s the School Council and in the senior years there are Pupil Focus Groups.

~ School Council ~

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he Y3-5 School Council has met regularly during Monday lunchtimes to discuss a variety of issues. The School Council members this year were: Finn Cassell, George Johnson, Elliott Sell, Joe Fordham, Noah Putman, Samuel Wainwright, George Hutton, William Jewers, Josh North & Lachlan Sear. Here are some of their views: We held an Election Campaign and anyone could enter if they wanted to. I had to produce a manifesto and a poster to say why they should vote for me. The poster was put on the wall and then a secret vote was carried out and I was nominated by my class to be one of the Year 3 School Councillors.

I attend a meeting once every few weeks, where we discuss topics such as clubs, school lunches and any problems that my school friends have asked me to raise at the meetings.

I have had an incredible time and I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility. I would definitely do it all again!

- Elliott Sell Y3 At the School Council we decide upon things that will help

the pupils and the School. It’s really good fun because you can present your ideas and learn new skills like listening as a group. My favourite thing about the School Council is the responsibility.

- Finn Cassell Y3 When you are a School Councillor people give you ideas to make the School better. We have meetings every two weeks where you take your ideas and discuss them with Mrs MacAskill and the other councillors. There is a school councillor in each class and you talk about different subjects like changing the play equipment and more water fountains etc. Our classes give us suggestions to take to the meetings.

- George Johnson Y3 This year in school council we have done lots of things. It has been an exciting year with the new dining hall. We have talked about a new climbing frame for Year 5 and 6 . We have also provided suggestions for improving the Inky toilets.

We have also checked the water pressure for the water fountains.

- William Jewers Y5

~ Pupil Focus Groups ~

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o provide a more ‘in depth’ form of pupil consultation with the older pupils, it was decided this year to hold Pupil Focus Group sessions with Years 6-8, rather than to have a School Council. This was to enable more in depth discussion to take place on a wider range of issues, in smaller, more informal meeting groups. Each term focus group sessions were held with different year groups. There were two separate groups from each year group. The first group were randomly selected, and were composed of one member of each teaching group from the relevant year group. These sessions were quite structured and questions were posed on a variety of subjects. The other consultation group was a feedback group where a representative from each tutor group fed back any issues or concerns from pupils.

The meetings took place in the GDR and were chaired by Jane Di Sapia – Assistant Head. who circulated the action notes from the meetings to the Senior Leadership Team.

These focus groups provided valuable pupil feedback on a range of different issues and gave an opportunity for pupils to have a ‘voice’ within the Prep School.

They have been so successful that it has been decided to extend the number of sessions in the next academic year.

Jane Di Sapia

Discussion from the various focus groups centred on such issues as - the curriculum, assessments and exams, homework, discipline, School lunches and the dining hall, extra-curricular activities, trips and visits, pastoral issues and a range of other smaller concerns..

The Student Voice

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Eagle House

The boys in the Prep’s Boarding House are always out and about...

Mr. Clarke, the Boarding House Master, explains a little more about what boys have been up to in the House this year.

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Eagle House

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he Autumn term saw the arrival of ten new boys to the house. These included three Spanish boys; Alvaro, Luis and Inigo. Alvaro and Inigo were only with us for one term but during that time they both made a lasting impression on both the House and School. They obviously enjoyed their time in Bedford so much that they are returning to the Upper School in September 2010.

The sports hall was out of action for most of the Autumn term as it was being used as a temporary dining hall. Sports hall is very popular with Eagle House boys in the evenings so it was a concern as to how we were going to occupy the boys during the term. Fortunately Mr Studd and Mr Milton offered to run activities for the boys in the computer and art rooms. The boys thoroughly enjoyed these activities and we were very grateful to the staff.

Trips during the term included: bowling, cinema, basketball and a very interesting visit to the Anglian Wolf Society.

Our Christmas dinner was, as usual, very enjoyable and was held in the newly refurbished dining halls. The food was excellent and the Lord’s Dance’ and other items were very entertaining. We said goodbye at the end of term to our Gap student Lachlan whose involvement in Eagle House had been very much appreciated. Our other Gap Lee had spent the autumn term doubling up as a Gap and also Assistant House Master in Eagle House and was to stay working in the school for the whole

of 2010.

Our new Gap student, another Lachlan, arrived early in January and quickly settled into life in Bedford. He has been a great asset both in the Prep School and Eagle House. We had visits to the National Space Centre in Leicester, and also enjoyed an afternoon’s crate building and indoor rock climbing at the Kempston Outdoor Centre.

Our theatre trip this term was to Milton Keynes to see a show called “Traces”. This was a mixture of dance, gymnastics, comedy, drama and was a very entertaining evening. We also had our usual Bingo and Beetle Drive evenings as well as a trip to the Circus.

At the start of the summer term I took part in the Virgin London Marathon. This was my first marathon and I had lots of support from the staff and boys of Eagle House. The summer term sadly saw the departure of Mr. Whitbread from Tisdalls after seven years as Assistant House Master. Andrew has made a significant contribution to Eagle House during this time and he will be very much missed.

A number of presentations were made to Andrew at the end of term BBQ. We also said goodbye to our Year Eight boys and wished them well for the future. We were very pleased that they were all continuing to board at Bedford School. It was also announced that Daniel and Jin would be joint Heads of House next year.

Co-Ed Activities

Sue Keane reports on the Y4 Teamwork Activity Morning with Bedford High School.

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ne of the liaison events with the girls from Bedford High School involved the Year 4 children in a morning of challenging activities designed to promote teamwork and develop leadership skills whilst having fun!.

The Minefield Test: This took place on a large grid area and was devised to test memory skills. Each member of the group had to navigate their way across a large grid avoiding the mines that were hidden below the paving slabs. The winning team was the one that managed to recall the sequence and through good communication get their whole team through the minefield in the quickest time.

required total cooperation. The raft game involved two teams of 10 crossing the hall using two mats as rafts. Neither team was permitted to touch the floor (the shark-infested custard) and once they had mastered a technique for getting across to the other side they then had to repeat the exercise but this time with two of their team members blindfolded!

The Eagle Eyed Millipede

Shark-infested Custard:

Divided into groups of 5 this challenge involved finding odd facts about BPS. Each mini team became a millipede as they were roped together to ensure that team decisions were binding.

Armed with a question sheet, answer sheet, map and a UHF radio to keep in touch, with both each other and the teachers, the millipedes set off around the school. Teams were encouraged to help each other with answers and to come up with a strategy to gain the most marks. Extra marks were awarded for returning with small items which together held all the colours of a rainbow. The most successful groups were of course those that considered the problems first and then kept up a clear dialogue throughout the event on the radios. All groups made sure that they returned on time due to a 5 point penalty rule for each minute that they were late. All the millipedes appeared to have a good time; even the group which was kindly knotted together by an unknown Upper School boy with a warped sense of humour!

The indoor games session was very much about working as a team. After a naming game to help break the ice, the children took part in an activity that

It was a very enjoyable morning that saw the children really enter into the spirit of the challenges and a lot of excitement and fun was had by all.

The Paper Sculpture Challenge: Teams were required to guess which animal they had to make from a set of clues that they received in an envelope. After miming their ideas to each other as to the animal they thought they had to make the teams set about making it from a variety of materials such as newspaper, tissue and card. All members of the team had to contribute to the design and construction process and upon completion the sculpture had to be able to stand up as well as be a recognisable representation of the animal! The best designs were a pink flamingo and a butterfly.

Co-Ed Activities

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Charities Committee Once again the boys, staff and parents of the Prep School rose to the challenge of raising money for charity with great gusto and ingenuity. The events throughout the year were proposed and organised by a great group of boys who served as officers on the Charity Committeee: Ben Howard, Sam Smith, James Medley, Daniel Di Fillipo and Saurav Karmaker.

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his year the School’s main focus was to continue to support the Swaziland Schools’ Project, towards their ongoing efforts in this very poor region. Keith Fossey, our local contact, tells us that in the last 12 months there has been much progress with the following being facilitated: a computer room at one primary school means the older children can learn basic IT skills, and at another, an agriculture store with 20 sets of tools now enables the children to learn how to grow food and look after animals. The payment of school fees has meant 309 children can attend school and be provided for in terms of food and basic materials.

The recent building of a Life Skills Unit at Nkhaba Primary School will promote the learning of hygiene, washing clothes, sewing, nutrition, cooking and growing vegetables. And finally, at Forbes Reef Primary School the clearing and fencing of ground is underway in preparation for the development of a playing field for the school and the community.

In addition to the above project the School was able to support the Philippine Community Fund, the National Autistic Society, Pennies and Pounds for a school canteen in Peru, as well as responding to national fund-raising events such as Help for Heroes and the Haiti Disaster Fund.

In April the amazing Paul Clarke shunned the advancement of a BIG birthday next year (the one that promises a free bus pass) by putting on his running shoes in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Thanks to members of the School Community sponsoring his efforts, Paul raised a vast amount of money and earned himself the admiration of us all as he completed the London Marathon in a time that few of us could do on 78

roller blades!

Charity Week proved a huge success with many tutor groups raising in excess of £100 during the week with 3S and 3N topping the chart with over £200 with their sponsored attempts to find an innovative way to travel around the School estate (running, hopping, skipping, crawling etc). Winners included Paul Smith, who dressed as Spiderman and spun his way around the course, George Johnson who spun plates and Joshua Markham who crawled the whole course!

Many of the Prep School boys set up and managed their own fundraising events during the week from ‘keepy-uppy’ to sweet selling and finding pirate treasure. The ‘keepyuppy’ stars: Stan Willis and George Neave proved far more entertaining than certain members of our World Cup football team! Staff joined in the fun with Madame Faulkner challenging the boys to beat her at table tennis – she remained unbeaten, and Madame Trounson’s guess the teacher contest had one member of staff offering to bribe her to reveal the answers as she was so intrigued by some of the baby shots. Was that sweet little toddler really Mr Wickens??

My thanks to all the members of the school community and in particular to the committee without whom the process would not have been such fun: Sam for his wonderful dramatic assemblies, James for his attention to detail, Dan and Saurav for their unfailing support and Ben for his energy, drive and total commitment; particularly during Charity Week.

Sue Keane

An

Evening of mild musement

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2009 was an ‘odd’ year. That can mean only one thing – An Evening of Mild Amusement in November… writes Mike Mallalieu

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’m constantly amazed how many staff can be coaxed, cajoled (and conned) into making an appearance in this show. One would have thought that with the finale consisting of men dressed as women (and vice versa) dancing to “It’s Raining Men”, that I would have my work cut out. But no, like ‘lambs to the slaughterhouse’, they merrily gambolled along…

So what of the highlights? Well obviously it would be invidious to select individuals, but I did think that chap who played the Headmaster was particularly good.

So, if you didn’t make the show did you really miss anything? Well no, not really – just a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness some comedy gold, as well as helping to provide funds for the two chosen charities – Help for Heroes and Swaziland School’s Projects.

The performers and audience can all be rightly proud of themselves.

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The Environment Committee Through the introduction of The Environments Committee boys, staff & parents have become more environmentally conscious. Over these two pages we can take a look at some of their key facts and also what it’s taken to get the School to its current Silver Medal rating!

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edford Prep School is an EcoSchool and has joined the Pod. By working together with the Pod, Bedford Prep School Environment Group hopes to encourage, support and guide our school to become sustainable, save money, reduce carbon emissions and engage children in protecting our Environment.

What is the Pod? • The Pod is designed to help schools become more sustainable.

• For students it has great games, blogs, an interactive comic and media gallery.

• It represents the sustainability strand of the London 2012 Education Programme.

• It has been developed with EcoSchools and the Eden Project.

Currently we are joint 26th out of over 500 schools that have signed up to participate in the Pod. We have achieved one Bronze medal for the Goodbye to Standby Campaign and a Silver Medal for the Switch on to Switching Off Campaign.

What is the Environment 82

Environment Committee

Group?

Firstly the Environment Group learns about the issues around a key green topic, for example energy, water or waste.

Then the Environment Group take action. Each topic has a range of activities, specially designed to help our school save energy, water, waste or carbon.

These range from small-scale activities such as switching off lights to larger projects such as installing insulation.

Finally the Environment Group inspire others by telling the rest of the school about the things they have learned, taking their ideas into the local community and sharing their work with other schools across the UK. How does the Environment Group manage each of the tasks?

• Schools win medals for each activity they complete. Running an activity has several stages.

• First, students audit current behaviour. For example, how many electronic devices have been left switched on in the school?

• Then they run a campaign to change behaviour. They write a diary about what they are doing, sharing images, movies and written work.

• When the campaign is finished, they carry out a second audit.

• The medal they win depends on how much they have changed our school and how much effort they have put into their blog (only accessed via Environment Group Coordinator).

• Sharing information with the rest of the school is a great way to start inspiring other students, by updating our Environment notice board to display examples of the things they have learned about and by participating in a whole school assembly.

• Students’ audit figures are fed into their school pod-o-meters.

These show the potential energy, water, waste and carbon savings the school has made.

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e are trying to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and we are campaigning to educate our school community to buy and re-use rechargeable batteries rather than dispose of

batteries after each use.

What is Waste?

Waste is something that someone does not need or want anymore.

Waste is not only what we put in our bins or see littering the streets. Many of the things we do as humans create waste. Farming, mining and industry all produce waste that needs to be dealt with.

We create a lot of waste so what can we do with it? One method that is often used is landfill – burying the waste underground.

But not everything we throw away will rot down when it’s buried, so landfill sites are filling up fast.

But there are other options available. Waste can be recycled or reused, and it can even be possible to create energy from waste.

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o if you want to find out more about becoming more sustainable and how you can become involved in Environmental Campaigns come along to Environment Group on Fridays 12.20pm in St Luke’s.

Switch - Off Campaign What do boys do during a campaign? Here the group give a little insight...

Today we were running around to each classroom counting the lights that were on or off for the audit. I have made a pledge to turn off lights and I was awarded a ‘good white sticker’ for passing on reminders in my class. Last week, I helped put together the information for the assembly. However after the assembly, our headmaster admitted to leaving the lights on so he got a ‘green-must do-better’ sticker. (SK)

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Environmental Facts...

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You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to make one new one.

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My pledge was to turn off lights at school and at home. I ran around and reminded friends and teachers to turn off lights. I got a white sticker for my efforts. (JH) I read out one of the parts for the assembly presentation. Today I went round the school counting up the lights that were either on or off. (BH) I read out the pledges in the assembly. I like being part of the Environment Group. I thought it was funny when the Headmaster got the first green sticker! (MT) Last week, I helped write out the environmental pledges. I also told my maths teacher to turn off the lights and Mrs S gave him a green sticker to wear. (TH)

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Each year in Britain, we throw away 28 million tonnes of rubbish from our homes. This weighs the same as three and a half million double decker buses. A queue of buses that long would go around the world one and a half times.

The UK produces 420 million tonnes of solid waste every year. That’s the weight of 5 cars for each person every year. We only recycle 11% of it.

4

In just over a week, we produce enough rubbish to fill Wembley stadium. Over half of that waste can be recycled.

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Every tonne of paper recycled saves 17 trees.

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Incinerating 10,000 tonnes of waste creates 1 job, landfill the same amount of waste creates 6 jobs, but recycling the same 10,000 tonnes creates 36 jobs.

Every year in the UK we use 13 billion steel cans which if you placed them end to end, would stretch to the moon - three times!

The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle is enough to power a light bulb for four hours.

Recycling one plastic bottle can save the same amount of energy needed to power a 60-watt lightbulb for six hours.

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We use over six billion glass bottles and jars each year. It would take you over three and a half thousand years to sing “Six Billion Green Bottles”!

Environment Committee

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Candle Light Candle Light, as ever, has been busy helping others with work collecting books for African Schools and also collecting shoeboxes filled with items to bring joy to children less fortunate.

The Shoe Box Appeal We would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards this worthy cause. We had a grand total of 49 BOXES and a generous £34.41 was donated towards their delivery.

Books for Africa With contributions from not only the Prep School but also the Upper School, over a thousand books have been sent to African schools in the past year. A wide range of books were collected from individual children’s fictional books to class sets of subject textbooks.

Via the work of Christian volunteers books are sorted, packed and sent to Africa as boat cargo. The Christian Communities distribute the boxes of books to many schools in Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia.

A letter of thanks...

Dear Bedford School, On behalf of students like the boys at Mbamba Bay Secondary School, we would like to say a huge thank you from everyone at READ International HQ. Bedford School has donated books to READ in the past and it is with your help that we have been able to take 564,000 books to East Africa over the last five years. The books that you donated have helped to improve the schooling, aspirations and confidence of hundreds of thousands of young people. We could not have achieved this without your support.

Kind regards and thanks again, From everyone at READ International

Candle Light is for you if: • you like being part of a community that values friendship and kindness, • you like being caring and helpful to others, • you like poems, songs, prayers and stories, • you like colouring in and being creative.

If you like the sound of that then come along and discover the goodness of ‘God’s Love’ as we share some of the stories from the Bible.

It does not matter what your religious backgrounds are, you are all welcomed to Candle Light. (Years 3-8) 84

Candle Light

A Year of Sport From pre-season Rugby training in August 2009 to boys participating in The Stowe Putter during late August 2010; this really has been a great year of sport at Bedford Prep!

Rugby

‘Rugby was the winner’; a great statement to sum up the season for Bedford Prep writes Shawn Phillips as he reviews the rugby season.

The feeling in the School throughout the Autumn term was one of expectation. The expectation of gaining a place in a team, the expectation of performing well and the expectation of winning.

Many boys achieved the first of these with pupils from every age group representing the School in competitive matches. All of those who played for the School achieved the second expectation as they improved their personal skills and game play. Many experienced the third. Well done to them and their coaches.

The 1st XV had an up and down season with some pleasing victories, including a convincing victory against The Dragon. The U13B, C and D teams all performed with credit. In the U12 age group competition for places was demanding and their results speak for themselves. The U11 squads took a while to settle to the new format of 12-a-side but did win some matches and finished by taking the runners-up position in the Rushmoor Trophy. The U10 squad, once again, played with determination and increasing ability. The U9s enjoyed their first experience of contact rugby and progressed throughout the term. This year we developed contact rugby in the Year 3 age group and the boys responded well. This should prepare them well for matches next year.

By the end of the Autumn Term the name of Bedford Prep was still high in the thoughts of other schools and, I believe, that we are now one of the 86

Sport

toughest opponents for many teams. This does make all of our matches difficult for us but the boys do respond well.

The Sevens squad deserve a good deal of credit for some excellent performances. Training started early in the Autumn term and a large number of boys attended these sessions which made selection for the final squad very competitive. The sort of problem any coach does not mind. The first tournament took place at a very wet Bryanston where the group games were tough but the team began to show promise. Unfortunately after qualifying for the quarter finals the tournament was cancelled after the weather deteriorated dramatically.

The second tournament was at Warwick School where a semi-final place was achieved. The same occurred at Millfield, so preparations for the Nationals went well. Unfortunately a couple of poor group performances put paid to any hopes of progressing to the final stages on the national stage.

The parental support was, as ever, enthusiastic.

My thanks go to them and the positive way that they approach match days. It is important that your son does well, but it is equally important to recognize strong performances by other boys either from Bedford or from other teams.

Well done to all boys who played for the School and thanks to the teachers who gave up their precious time to nurture the talents and enthusiasm of the pupils.

Prep School Barbarians Belfast 2010

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n Thursday 25th March I flew out to Belfast to represent Bedford Prep School in the Pre School Barbarians representative XV. We came together as a team for the first time the night before the first match. The team had boys from all over the country and some familiar faces from when I played them during the rugby season but we all got along and had a good team spirit.

The first match was against Campbell College and following rules from the coaches to follow the Barbarian tradition we had to run everything from everywhere. This lead to a fine team performance and we won the game 55-5. The next day we played against Sullivan Upper School where we worked again as a team and won the game 72-5 another great performance and well deserved.

The whole experience was great; I made some new friends and enjoyed playing at the best standard possible.

Paddy McDuell

Sport

87

Hockey

Alex Stammers, a keen hockey player and member of the Media Team, was our roving hockey reporter in the Spring Term.

27th January The second matches of the season were played against The Dragon School from Oxford. It was a typical January afternoon, freezing cold and raining, but all teams played with great enthusiasm.

The 1st XI had a very close match but had an unfortunate goal squeezed in and the final score was a 1-0 loss The 2nd XI had a fast paced and exciting game to watch.

Dragon took an early lead but Bedford came back with a excellent goal by Paddy McDuell.

The 3rd XI had an evenly matched game with Head Boy Tom Lousada scoring the opening goal for Bedford. We defended well but Dragon managed slip in a last minute goal to equalise.

The 4th XI had a tight and closely fought match with both sides defending well and neither team conceding a goal.

All teams played well and The Dragon proved a worthy 88

Sport

opponent and made a great afternoon of hockey.

(I’m currently 3rd XI right back and I am now nursing a bruised knee)

3rd February The third fixture of the season was played on another cold rainy afternoon, but, yet again, all teams played with great enthusiasm against Caldicott.

The 1st XI played away at Caldicott and had great fun on their water based pitches but unfortunately, this led to a 3-0 defeat. This was the first XI’s second defeat in a row The 2nd XI also played away at Caldicott, both sides played well but a high scoring match ended in a second 3-2 loss with Seb Trounson and Charlie Clarke both scoring.

The 3rd XI played a very close game, one side would attack then the other team would counter

attack. Bedford took an early lead with Ben Smith scoring but Caldicott equalised late on ending the game in a 1-1 draw.

The 4th XI ended up playing very late in the afternoon but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the team and with some very good play down the right wing the game ended with a 3-1 victory, with Oscar Garrad, Tunde Adewale and Jayan Chander all scoring.

(I’m in need of some tape for a cracked stick!)

The U12B had a 7 a side match against Thomas Deacon. In a tight and closely fought match with both sides defending well and each team only conceded one goal. Bedford’s only goal was a well struck shot by Chris Turner.

The U12C also played a 7 a side match against Thomas Deacon. Bedford dominated the game throughout and ended the game with a comfortable win 8-0. Jack Twigden(3), Oscar Garrad(2), Arun Kalyan(1), Tunde Adewale(1) and Edward Wilson (1)

24th February

10th March

On the 24th February the 3rd XI and 4th XI played St John’s College School from Cambridge.

The 1st and 2nd XI had their tournament cancelled.

The 3rd XI had a very close game with some excellent attacks

by Bedford but some brilliant saves by the St John’s goalkeeper.

Several missed chances by St John’s and a goal mouth scramble later, a 1-0 win to Bedford ended the game with Jin Hyun Cho scoring.

The 4th XI played a slightly more one sided game, with some good attacking play and impressive defending, the final score was a satisfying 2-1 with Oscar Garrad and Toby Clarke both scoring well deserved goals.

On Wednesday afternoon there were 5 hockey matches for Years 7 and 8 against Bilton Grange School. It was a fine but bitterly cold day, however the matches made a great afternoon of hockey.

The 1st XI had a disappointing 3–1 loss. There was some great attacking and defending team play by Bedford but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome the opposition. Geoffrey Chueng scored Bedford’s only goal.

The 3rd XI had a great game in an evenly matched contest. Both sides attacked and defended well but the final score was a narrow 1-0 win for Bedford. A great chip

by Tom Lousada went sailing over the goalkeeper’s head.

The 4th XI had an excellent game with a 7-0 win. Bedford dominated throughout the game with goals scored by Oscar Garrard (4), Tunde Adewale (1), Toby Clarke (1) and Chris Turner (1).

Options A had an unfortunate 5-0 loss against a well drilled and skilful opposition. The Bedford team was new with many playing their first game for the School. .

Options B had a encouraging 1-0 victory with some good play by a team that had not been together long. Tom Chapman scored with a well struck shot which proved to be the game’s only goal.

1st March The hockey season continued with matches against Thomas Deacon Academy and the Perse School from Cambridge. Everyone had a match except the 1st XI. The 2nd XI were at home against Perse and had a fast paced and exciting game. Perse opened up a 3-0 lead but 3 consecutive short corners later Bedford were back level. Shiv Patel scored all three goals with the match ending 3-3.

The 3rd XI had a tough game and came up against a strong Perse side. Everyone played well and tried to keep their morale high but the end result was a disappointing 8-0 loss.

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Cricket

Simon Lincoln provides an overview of a hugely successful term of cricket.

We were very fortunate to have considerable strength in depth among the top two years of the School and this was reflected in the splendid record for the senior sides of 29 wins, 1 draw and 5 loses. The 2nd XI only lost once with Arun Kalyan leading with the bat and Oliver McLeod with the ball ably supported by a well organised side.

The U11 A’s were definitely the most improved side in the school.

After a poor start they strung together 8 out of 9 wins only losing to the County team. Oliver Thrasher’s maiden hundred was a fantastic individual achievement.

In beating Aldwickbury convincingly the side took 8 wickets for 11 runs including a hat trick from Oliver Hind.

The highlight of the year was 90

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the 1st XI’s achievement in winning all of their 11 games.

Their dominance with the bat fronted by Paddy McDuell and Shiv Patel was well supported by some superb explosive hitting by the middle order of Navin Chodha, Ajay Momi, Tom Burman and George CochraneDavies.

This combination enabled the team to chase down runs with ease or set a target that our bowling attack would not allow teams to get near. The bowling attack of Seb Walker, Ben Slawinski, Charlie Clarke, Mikail Awan, Paddy McDuell and Shiv Patel often squeezed batsman into making mistakes and the bowlers were very ably supported by some immense fielding lead by wicket keeper Ben Clarke.

Champagne Moments - Batting Oliver Thrasher 104* vs Maidwell Hall U11A Arun Kalyan 100* vs Bilton Grange 2nd XI Tom Burman 83 vs Maidwell Hall 1st XI Shiv Patel 78 vs Bilton Grange 1st XI Arun Kalyan 77 vs St Faiths 2nd XI George Seward 75* vs Swanbourne House U10B Paddy McDuell 68 vs Winchester House 1st XI Paddy McDuell 67 vs Bilton Grange 1st XI Arun Kalyan 65 vs Dragon 2nd XI Adit Shah 64 vs Bilton Grange 2nd XI Tom Burman 61 vs Dragon 1st XI Josh Sadd 60 vs Dragon 2nd XI Oliver Thrasher 56* vs St Faiths U11 A Will Reynolds 54 vs Stamford 2nd XI Oliver Maltby 52* vs St Faiths 4th XI Sachin Patel 50* vs Aldwickbury

- Bowling Oliver McLeod 6-13 vs Winchester House 2nd XI Oliver Mcleod 5-1 vs Bilton Grange 2nd XI Oliver McLeod Hatrick vs Bilton Grange 2nd XI Paddy McDuell 5 for 8 vs Maidwell Hall 1st XI Jayan Chander 5 for 8 vs Winchester House 4th XI Ed Johnson 5 for 8 vs Spratton Hall U11A Ben Slawinski 5-16 vs Stamford 1st XI Oliver Hind Hatrick vs Aldwickbury U11 A Shaylen Tomlinson–Patel hatrick vs Harold CC

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Minor Sports Running The Maidwell Chase The Prep School entered an Under 11 and Under 13 team in The Maidwell Chase cross country event. In a very tough and hilly senior race, ran over 3 miles, Jonathan Janes (pictured above in red) produced an excellent finish to win the race after taking the lead with less than twenty metres. This caps an excellent season for Jonathan with 3rd place in the District Championships, as well as first place in a league cross country meeting.

Reflections on the 2010 Virgin London Marathon This was my first London Marathon, either as a spectator or runner, so apart from watching previous marathons on television I was not too sure what to expect.

Over the weeks leading up to the big day I had changed my expectations from just making sure I finished to possibly getting round in a time of under 4 hours.

However, I still needed to make sure I got round as I was running for The Cystsic Fibrosis Trust and had a great deal of money in sponsorship riding on me. So no pressure!

I felt very good during the first half of the course and was running at well under 4 hour pace. However, from about 18 miles it began to get quite tough, and I had to really dig in and just keep going. The finishing line along The Mall was a great sight and I felt euphoric as I finished in a time of 3hrs 52 mins 21secs.

A truly wonderful day made more memorable by having done it for The CF Trust and the work they do to find a cure for those people, including my grand-daughter Amelie, who were born with the disease. The support and encouragement I received from the boys, parents and staff of Bedford Prep School was overwhelming and something I will never forget.

Would I run another marathon? I am hoping to run again in two years time with my two daughters who have been encouraged by my efforts to do it themselves.

Paul Clarke 92

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Golf

Silver for the Bedford Prep Golf Team The Prep School Golf Team of Guy Johnson and Joshua Taylor enjoyed a successful day at the Stowe Putter on the 26th of August 2010. In appalling conditions both boys produced some excellent golf to finish second in the team competition behind Millfield. Joshua secured a second place in the individual Under 13 competition while Guy’s two rounds saw him secure 5th place in the Over 13 age group.

Kayaking At Priory

A new activity for summer Wednesdays, kayaking has seen a group of boys take the opportunity to explore both kayaking and canoeing. With the majority qualifying for their Paddle Power Passport, it is hoped that they will continue to take an interest in the sport. Many thanks go to our coaches, Sam and Richard, for their encouragement ... and weekly supply of cake.

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Swimming

Boys IAPS Championship Finals 2010 The Prep School Swim Squad exceeded all expectations at the National IAPS Swimming Championships on Saturday. A record number of medals for the School were gained and the Under 10 squad were overall winners for their age group. By achieving 3rd place in the overall competition the squad secured the School’s highest ever placing.

In addition to relay gold, silver and bronze, two individual golds were won along with a silver medal and a bronze medal.

Results U10

1st in Medley Relay 2nd in Freestyle Relay Oliver Winder 1st in 25m Breaststroke Ben Ashton-Rigby 2nd in 25m Backstroke Spencer Willis 5th in 25m Freestyle

This team, with Evan Case, were the winners of the U10 trophy.

U11

Stanley Willis 8th in 50m Backstroke

U12

10th in Medley Relay 6th in Freestyle Relay Nicholas Stalley 3rd in 50m Breaststroke Jake Carter 10th in 50m Freestyle

U13

3rd in Medley Relay 8th in Freestyle Relay Oliver Maltby 1st in 25m Butterfly George Lilley-Moncrieff 4th in 50m Breaststroke

Charlie Clarke and Oliver Burgess other team members.

Other team members:

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Tom Lousada James Winder Sebastian Trounson

Sailing

At Stewartby Lake Sailing continues to flourish under the guidance of Mr. Clarke and the team at Stewartby Lake.

Now in its second year, sailing is a popular choice. Boys learn how to handle a dinghy both by themselves and in pairs. More advanced pupils progress onto sailing Laser Picos, a small boat with two sails!

Badminton It has been a busy first season for the Badminton Squad. Made up of thirteen Year 7 and Year 8 pupils selected from an inter school tournament they performed well in all fixtures producing some fine play and exciting matches. With three players involved in the Bedfordshire County Squad we were always going to be competitive at the top level but the strength and depth of the side was highlighted as we defeated Haileybury easily in both the home and away legs.

In the Centre Parcs Tournament the squad was divided into an A, B and C Team with each team of 4 put into pools of four teams playing two singles matches and three doubles matches. These were played over four consecutive Tuesdays and gave the boys a real opportunity to develop their tournament play. All the teams performed well but with the ranking system it meant our C Team was grouped against a very strong Lincroft A side. As a result the BPS A and B sides reached the semi finals of the district round with our A side meeting the Lincroft team in the final. Although we lost in a very tight fixture we still managed to qualify for the County Finals.

At the County Finals the team of

James Medley, George Allen, James Herriot and Emilio Llanaj were a real credit to the school. They won both of their group matches without dropping a game and this qualified them for a rematch against Lincroft in the final. With the games locked at 2-2, the final match was the decider and sadly for BPS we lost in a thrilling game 15-14. The boys can be very proud of their achievements and an U13 County runner up position is a great effort.

In the IAPS championships our U13 teams who were playing doubles were drawn against each other in the quarter finals. So the Y7 pair of George Allen and Emilio Llanaj took on James Herriot and James Medley.

In a closely fought battle the Y7 pair won through only to lose in the semi finals. Our U11 team of Andrew Medley, George Andrews, George Hayward and William Bowes had an enjoyable afternoon and gained some valuable experience improving with every match they played.

Team from: James Medley, George Allen, James Herriot, Emilio Llanaj, Aaron McNally, Lucas Stewart, Ben Slawinski, Charles Seamark, Adam Johnson, Felix Lin, Richard Wichhart, Philip Barnes, Jack Ellams.

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Ski Race Squad F

ollowing the success of several BPS ski racers in national races in 2009, two parents, enthused by their sons’ achievements, and, without fully engaging cerebral function, approached Chris Godwin with the idea that the School might like to consider forming a formal downhill alpine ski team.

Chris Godwin, with typical enthusiasm, gave the go-ahead.

So began an uphill (rather than downhill) journey. Expecting limited interest, the fifty-seven immediate and enthusiastic responses from the boys introduced an element of reality to the original team concept. A fifty four strong party of skiers headed for the SNO!zone in Milton Keynes for an assessment session under the beady eye of professional Ski Coach Glen Greener (Gravity Snowsports). The standard was impressive. With only eight available sessions of training before the first event, Glen was faced with an almost impossible task – to select 27 boys to begin intense (but fun) weekly training.

The British Interschool’s’ Championships in Les Houches, France, began on the 8th March 2010 after two days of technical training and gate preparation (on courses five times longer and much steeper than those experienced in indoor training). The parental promise of a gentle introduction to alpine racing 96

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was shattered, as the boys stared down the piste in disbelief from the top of the Kandahar World Cup Downhill course – a notorious black run! The Giant Slalom (GS) course had been set on a challenging 45 degree pitch following onto a long speed section to the finish. Whilst accompanying parents held their collective breath, the boys, with a determination that epitomised this squad, fearlessly attacked the run. The hard work they had put into their indoor training sessions at SNO!zone came to fruition as the boys turned from skiers to athletes.

The following day the team faced two further races, this time on the Grand Bois piste. It was Tom Booton, who was to win our first trophy for BPS, but not quite the one we hoped for! Having taken a mighty tumble, resulting in a broken leg, not only did Tom collect the Endeavour Shield for extreme bravery, he also bagged a helicopter ride to “boot”.

To compete in alpine ski racing, at this level, requires considerable skill and bravery, together with an ability to operate under great pressure. The majority of the boys in this team had only started their racing career two months earlier as relative novices.

Their progress and their development were remarkable. What excellent ambassadors for Bedford School.

Lynn Riddell

Skier Profiles

BEN SMITH Race Year: 1997 Training Base: Sandown Park SRC, Meiringen, Switzerland UK Training: Ski MK & Gravity Snowsports Top Finish 2010: Aiglon Cup; Slalom - 1st & 2nd, Giant Slalom 3rd

LUKE RIDDELL Race Year: 1996 Training Base: Ambition Race Academy, Bormio, Italy UK Training: Glen Greener (Gravity Snowsport) SkiMK Top Finish 2009: Winner British Interschools Slalom, Les Houches, France Top Finish 2010: Winner, Ambition A, British Dual Slalom, Meribel, France

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And Finally...

Shocking times in the Science labs! !

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he editorial and design team (Esther Smith, Chris Godwin, Ruth Mann, Penny Oakley and Oliver Whiteley) would like to thank all staff, pupils and parents for their contributions to this year’s Whinchat.

Special thanks go to our Media Team, who have worked extremely hard throughout the year collating information not only for the Whinchat but also for the School Website.

The Whinchat is published annually. The views expressed by contributors to this magazine are not necessarily those of the School. While we have made every effort to include all text of articles submitted to the Editorial Team, we cannot guarantee that articles have been reproduced in their entirety. We also reserve the right to edit and amend where necessary.

Cover: ‘Machinery’ by George Seward, Year 5, with added yellow tint.

Bedford Prep School De Parys Avenue Bedford MK40 2TU T F E W

+ 44 (0)1234 362274 + 44 (0) 1234 362285 prepinfo@bedfordschool.org.uk www.bedfordschool.org.uk

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