View Summer 2012

View The Bristol Grammar School Newsletter Summer 2012 Issue 21

Jubilee Jubilation Infants and Juniors celebrate

More than words

Literary events at BGS

Talk of the Town

Gabblers' Champion

Racing ahead Greenpower

Wildlife Photographer of the Year • Honk! • The Don Pople Pavilion • Record Breaker

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From the Headmaster The end of the Summer term always has something of a bittersweet feel to it. As we say goodbye to another generation of students, we’re both proud of all that they have achieved and sorry to see them leaving our community.

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ortunately the sterling efforts of the Old Bristolians’ Society and Peter Jakobek, our Alumni Co‑ordinator, mean that we manage to stay in touch with many of them and always receive their news and return visits to the School with great excitement.

The strength of the links with our former pupils struck me particularly vividly in early May when we were delighted to be able to welcome Don Pople to Failand for a ceremony in which we named the Pavilion in his honour.

This was a well-deserved acknowledgement of his family’s lifelong support, both financial and otherwise, for the School, and a notable example of how the spirit and ethos of BGS seem to stay with our students long after they have left its classrooms.

Sadly, as I write this, we have just received the news of Don’s death, and we send our deepest condolences to

his family on their loss. When we last spoke, only a week ago, he continued to take an enthusiastic interest in all that was happening at BGS. Don was a man of immense warmth and generosity. His life is an inspiration: I am proud to have known him, and Bristol Grammar School is hugely grateful for his lifelong support and friendship.

Don would have been particularly impressed, as I am, with this year’s departing Sixth-formers and the high standards they have set in terms of their achievements and the scale of the adventures they have planned for the future.

Many of our students will soon be setting off to study at universities in the UK and abroad or embarking on foreign trips to diverse places including Russia, the Middle East, China and Spain. Others have worked especially hard this year to research and produce Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) on an eye-opening range of topics

from Latin verse composition to the impact of Harry Potter and the use of rear diffusers in Formula 1 racing.

We have also celebrated some notable individual sporting achievements this term with particular successes in powerlifting, golf and triathlon.

I couldn’t end this foreword without expressing our thanks to the Friends of BGS, who have raised over £2,000 this year to fund a variety of additional resources and special projects that will enhance teaching and encourage all our students, from the youngest Infant School entrants upwards, to aspire to achieve their best.

I wish you and your families an enjoyable Summer break.

Roderick MacKinnon

News With a little help from our Friends Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of BGS, students throughout the Senior School are enjoying new equipment and looking forward to exciting new projects.

The Warhammer Club (pictured) received a grant of £175 which they used to buy books. History will come to life for students in Years 7 and 9, thanks to £200 worth of costumes and props to enliven teaching in the classroom and the STEM programme has received £500 to buy a computer and install particle ray detectors on the School roof as part of the HiSPARC project (see opposite for more information on this exciting venture).

The projects cover the Humanities, Science and co-curricular; they benefit

a range of year-groups and will be useful for several years. We are very grateful to the Friends of BGS for their hard work in fundraising to support projects such as these.

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News The HiSPARC project The Physics Department at the University of Bristol is researching the origin of the cosmic rays that collide with our atmosphere and have invited schools around Bristol to join the project. To do this each school will need to install particle detectors and we are very grateful to the Friends for their start-up grant of £500 which has enabled BGS to join this project. The money will pay for the computer and installation of the particle detectors on the roof of the Winterstoke Building.

This is an opportunity for students from Year 9 up to the Upper Sixth to take part in academic research usually only available to third or fourth year Physics undergraduates. Our students will have the opportunity to benefit from master classes from the University staff, invitations to conferences and, hopefully, trips to CERN. It will do much to inspire our maths and science students to carry on with these STEM subjects.

Dr Carrie Rosser, BGS STEM Coordinator

The Don Pople Pavilion On Thursday 3 May a ceremony was held at Failand naming Bristol Grammar School’s state-of-the-art sports pavilion in honour of its primary benefactor, Don Pople, a former student of the School.

The occasion was a fitting tribute to the enormous contribution the Pople family has made to BGS over the years.

Mr Pople, who attended BGS between 1937–1946, was a keen sportsman and a very successful academic student throughout his time at the School and went on to have a successful business career, running his family’s sportswear retail firm; the Pople’s store on Park Street was an iconic presence in Bristol for many years and equipped generations of Bristol school children with PE kits, bats and balls.

Don’s brother, the late Professor Sir John Pople, also attended BGS but his career took a different path. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1988 after a distinguished career in academia and the recently refurbished science wing at the main School is already named in his honour.

In addition to the support for capital building projects, the Pople Charitable Trust has also funded a total of 57 student scholarships aimed at pupils in every year of the Senior School.

Speaking at the ceremony, BGS Headmaster, Roderick MacKinnon, said “We are privileged that Don Pople agreed to put his name to our new facilities at Failand. It is a delight for us to be able to recognise his longstanding and generous commitment to BGS and his love for sport in this way. I am sure that his name above the door will inspire the many future generations of BGS sportsmen and women who will play and train here.

“The Pople brothers epitomise something that is central to our ethos at BGS – namely, that we value each individual student for their particular gifts and passions and try to help them develop those gifts to their full potential. Both Don, whom we honour today, and his late brother excelled in their own individual areas of expertise and the support they have offered the current generation of BGS students reflects those different, but equally valid, interests.”

(Photo courtesy of The Post)

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News Friends’ Jazz BBQ The weather may not have been perfect, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm (too much) of the audience at the Friends of BGS’s annual Jazz barbecue. Featuring performances from Sax Education, Lucy and the Dads’ band and The Khameleonz, there was wonderful entertainment to accompany the delicious barbecue. If you didn’t make it this time, look out for the event next year – it will have to be gloriously sunny for one of them soon!

Cordon bleu creations The cookery skills of Year 8 have been put to the test this term in the annual BGS Masterchef competition. With the challenge of designing and cooking a two-course menu based on an international theme – with just £7.00 to spend on ingredients – our students had to use all their culinary know-how.

The standard of the meals was very high with dishes including Sicilian-inspired baked stuffed cuttlefish with spaghetti, duck in cherry sauce and lemon tarts being presented. Congratulations to Daniel Sophia and Will who triumphed in the heats and progressed to the final at the end of June.

We’re all going to the zoo

If you visit Bristol Zoo this summer, you might spot some new additions in some of the animal enclosures, thanks to the efforts of Year 8 students at BGS. Each form has adopted an animal and has

been hard at work this term designing enrichment objects to go in their animal’s home. Working in small groups to research and develop their ideas, each form presented their designs Dragons Den style to the animal keeper and Education Manager during a trip to the zoo on Friday 29 June, with the best designs chosen to become part of the animals’ habitat. If you visit the lions, meerkats, kea, hornbills, squirrel monkeys or pygmy hippos, don’t forget to have a look for our students’ work in their homes.

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News Racing ahead

BGS ON TV

Bristol Grammar School and its pupils have featured not once but twice on national television this term. In BBC One’s Britain’s Lost Routes, BGS pupils recreated the arrival of Queen Elizabeth I in Bristol, when Bristol Grammar School pupils had greeted her with recitations of Latin. At the time of Elizabeth’s visit, BGS was based near the Christmas Steps so this was the chosen location for modern‑day BGS students to don their best Tudor

dress and recite in Latin for their queen (aka Bristol Grammar School’s Deputy Head of School, Beatrice Eagle-eyed viewers may also have spotted several very familiar looking scenes on BBC Four’s The Grammar School: a Secret History which used footage of BGS, especially the Great Hall, as it looked at the role of the Grammar School in Britain. If you saw the programme, we hope you weren’t too distracted by playing ‘Spot BGS’!

Diamond’s Shine

For House Charity Week this term, there could be only one choice for Diamond’s House – the Diamond Jubilee Trust, set up to raise funds for projects across the Commonwealth to

mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. Cake sales and a fabulous street party with favourites such as Splat the Rat, Beat the Goalie and Guess the Number of Sweets helped raise over £1,000 for the Diamond Jubilee Trust, with more money to come in from individual sponsorship. Their fantastic efforts have been recognised by the Trust itself – you can read all about it on their website www.jubileetribute.org/news

This year BGS has not one but two cars competing in the Greenpower racing season and, in the opening races at Silverstone in April, both performed impressively. Megazord came sixth in the season opener and tenth in the Corporate Challenge; SubZero, the Sixth-formers’ car, came tenth and twelth respectively.

Excitingly, SubZero also won an award for the most innovative design, receiving a trophy presented by Siemens. This is a fantastic result for the School’s first bespoke car (Megazord being a kit car) and bodes well for Gigazord (currently under construction) which, at 45kg, will be some 15kg lighter than our two current race cars.

In the season’s second race at Goodwood both cars again performed well, with Year 10 students taking over in SubZero in place of the Sixth-formers during exam season. Megazord finished tenth out of forty-four competitors, clocking up an impressive 90.5 miles, some 20 miles further than any other car built using the same kit. SubZero meanwhile managed 88 miles to finish thirteenth, falling back from a strong start due to one poor lap. However, the team are confident that the car is capable of reaching the magic 100-mile mark this season. Watch this space!

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Now in its eighth year, the standard of entries in this year’s wildlife photography competition was higher than ever.

It was judged by Doug Allan, a highly experienced and respected wildlife photographer and cameraman, contributing to some of the BBC’s iconic wildlife productions including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Human Planet, Ocean Giants and Frozen Planet, making him more than qualified to cast a critical eye over our entries. Commenting on the standard of the photographs, Doug said “It was a genuine pleasure to look through all the submitted photographs. There’s a lot of real talent out there and I’m sure I’ll see some of the names on prestigious awards in the future, or rolling through in the credits if they choose to follow a career in television documentaries.

“What I could see in the photographs was people often taking great care, frequently having a lot of pride, but above all simply having fun with their cameras. I know that’s an old-fashioned concept but it’s all that’s important at the end of the day isn’t it?”

Congratulations to the seven category winners, especially to Theo who was awarded the overall title of BGS Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the presentation evening on Tuesday 19 June.

Theo

Mark

Ellie

Years 7–10), Tortoise

(Parents and Staff), Black headed gulls

(Juniors), Pigeon

Sophie

(Infants), Tulips

Toby

Luke

(Year 11 and Sixth Form), Ladybird on a rope

(Image Evolution), Morocco Donkey

Oliver

(Old Bristolians), Monkey

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Infants & Juniors Mr Huckle writes ‌ This has been, by some distance, the most rewarding year of my teaching career. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to succeed Dr Alison Primrose and to build on all the outstanding work she did during her ten years leading the School.

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he best thing about the past year for me has been getting to know each of the children as individuals. They all have their own particular strengths and characters and respond brilliantly to the wide range of learning opportunities provided for them by our excellent staff. This school is what it is because of the vibrant and talented children here. It is their school and their pride in it shines through when they welcome visitors.

They love learning, performing, taking responsibility, playing sport, facing a

Jubilee jubilation BGS Infants and Juniors got into the party spirit this term, joining in with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Infant children painted portraits and wrote to The Queen, made soldiers and royal horses with moving arms and legs and designed their own Union Jacks. They also created lots of bunting to decorate the garden for their Jubilee Party, where they had great fun playing games, eating party food, singing songs and performing their country dancing routine.

On Friday 1 June BGS Juniors joined the celebrations with Red, White and Blue day. The children (and staff) donned their best patriotic clothing for the costume parade, enjoyed a special lunch in the Great Hall and decorated their own commemorative plates, before rounding off the day with a Jubilee tea party in the playground.

challenge and helping others.

Particular highlights of the year have been the recent Sports Days at which sport for all, supporting others and striving to achieve your personal best were all evident. The regular teatime concerts, Performing Arts Day, MADD Evening, Infant Nativity and Year 6 play have all been uplifting with their demonstrations of talent, confidence and teamwork. It has been great fun to hear about all the trips, to see so many children with commendations and to enjoy our wide range of assemblies.

My thanks go to the hardworking team of dedicated staff who make so much possible for the children, to the parents who are so supportive and to the children who are a joy to work with.

Peter Huckle Headmaster, BGS Infants & Juniors Photo courtesy of The Post

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Downhill

Olympic torch visit & Emily Diamond

all the way

This Easter saw sixty families travel to Zauchensee in Austria for a family ski holiday. There were members of the Infants, Juniors and Senior School all skiing together, from total beginners to the ‘downhill‘ race team.

Good skiing, great company and much fun were enjoyed by all and the commemorative DVD of the trip will ensure it lives fondly in everyone’s memories for many years to come!

Nicholas Allan Roars of laughter erupted on a sunny Friday morning in late May when award‑winning author Nicholas Allan visited BGS Infants.

Not only an amazing author and illustrator but also a member of the Brotherhood of Magicians, he held the pupils spellbound.

Empty pages came to life in front of the children’s eyes, with much laughter ensuing as he drew a picture revealing The Queen and a hilarious picture of Prince Charles and some magnificent ears. His audience listened intently as he read out his bestselling book The Queen’s Knickers, and giggled in delight at the hilarious thought of a queen having special knickers to suit all occasions: gardening, horse-riding, even some that could turn into a rubber boat if she was aboard a ship!

Everyone really enjoyed the visit and we are very grateful to Nicholas Allan for coming to see us and making sure everyone had such a wonderful time.

Pupils in Year 2 were lucky enough to get the chance to hold a real Olympic torch when Alison Harris, torch bearer 29 on day two of the Olympic relay, brought hers in for the class to see.

The children learnt lots of interesting facts: the torch has 8,000 holes in it, to reflect the 8,000 miles it will travel around the UK and the 8,000 bearers who will carry it; it has three sides, as 2012 will be London’s third time as the Olympic host city, and to reflect the three elements of the Olympic motto (Faster, Higher, Stronger); and that the torch has been nicknamed the cheese grater because of its holey appearance!

They also met a potential Olympian when OB Emily Diamond came to visit.

Emily only recently left BGS and is now studying at Loughborough. She hopes to compete in the 2012 games, either in the 200m or 400m. She answered lots of the children’s probing question and everyone wishes her lots of luck in the team GB qualification. Thank you to Emily and Alison for visiting us.

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View Summer ‘12 Issue 21

Infants & Juniors Bonjour enfants!

Faster

Higher

Stronger

With Olympic fever gripping the School, BGS Infants and Juniors were really looking forward to their sports days.

First was BGS Infants and the rain held off – a rare event in May – just long enough for all the infant children to enjoy a fantastic, energy-packed Sports Day at Failand, watched by an extremely supportive audience of parents, grandparents, friends and carers.

The morning started with the children working their way through a series of nine different activities including beanbag throwing, football dribbling, boules, a dressing up race and, of course, an egg and spoon race.

After a drink and a snack, the children made their way to the athletics track for the sack race and year-group sprint races. The competitive spirit was very much in evidence but the children also supported each other and cheered each other on. Lunch on the grass with parents and friends rounded off a pretty much perfect morning before all the children returned to School, tired but extremely happy.

Following the success of the Infants Sports Day, it was the turn of BGS Juniors. On a gloriously sunny day at Failand, the children made a really colourful spectacle in their House shirts.

BGS Infants took on a certain je ne sais quoi this term with a “journey” across the Channel for French day. The children looked fantastic in their French colours and berets and the day got off to a great start with a yummy French breakfast (pain aux raisins, croissants, orange juice and hot chocolate).

Everyone made a postcard to send home to their family, describing some of the food they enjoyed and the sights that could be seen on a visit to France. They also made models of the Eiffel Tower using materials as varied as spaghetti, Play-Doh and marshmallows!

The rain did not stop the children from enjoying a spot of boules inside and they were joined by some Year 10 students from the Senior School to help the children enjoy their activities.

We hope all the Infants enjoyed their fleeting “visit” to France.

Berkeley Castle

The balance between participation (every child had the chance to take part) and performance (with a number of new school records being set) was just right. In the end, Boulton’s pipped Gough’s with a strong showing in the relays while Tobi was awarded the trophy as Victor Ludorum and Sophie and Ellie shared the trophy for Victrix Ludorum.

Both events were certainly highlights of the school year.

At the start of May pupils in Year 4 made the short journey to Berkeley Castle to learn all about this wonderful building and its history. Their first activity was nothing to do with the castle however, but about Edward Jenner.

The children learnt about how he created his vaccinations and came up with the idea of using cowpox to eradicate smallpox.

They then walked to Berkeley Castle itself for a tour of the building. They discovered that the castle is owned

by Mr and Mrs Berkeley and its walls are about a metre thick. They also had the chance to see the Great Hall and compare it to BGS’s own Great Hall – the main difference being Berkeley Castle boasts a fireplace complete with spit to cook meat on. Sadly, our School kitchens could not compete with this attraction.

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Roman Adventure

The visit of Claudius Maximus

At the end of last term, the fields at Failand transformed into a ancient battle ground when Roman soldier Claudius Maximus arrived.

The bold Year 3 Celts from the first century AD ventured forth from the security of their round houses to find out if they were prepared to join the Roman Army or face the alternatives – pay huge taxes or die!

After a strict drill session under the ever watchful eye of Claudius Maximus, learning how to turn left and right, march and perform “The Tortoise Manoeuvre” using their shields, the most disciplined group was chosen to represent the Roman Army in a battle on the fields. The remaining Celts had to fight to the bitter end. The peace of Failand was shattered by the shouts of Claudius Maximus bellowing his orders to his army and the response of the Celts, “Go home Romans” and “No more taxes”. Boudicca (Miss Ballin)

valiantly led the resistance to the Romans, with the inspired, “See us and die” but her spirited team was defeated by the well-disciplined and trained Romans.

As the mists evaporated, the sun at Failand rose to a new age of Roman rule and the vanquished Celts found themselves back in the twenty-first century AD and on the bus back to School.

Down on the Farm Reception children enjoyed a great day out this term, thanks to Mr and Mrs Triggol who were kind enough to invite them to spend a day on their farm. It was a fantastic experience for the children, who had the chance to explore lots of old machinery and guess what it was used for in the olden days. They also got to sit in an amazing vintage car and, best of all, a real tractor!

In late May thirty-eight intrepid Year 3 children, accompanied by their fearless teachers and brave parents, ventured forth to Wales for the day to visit the ancient Roman ruins at Caerleon.

An education session, led by one of the Roman slaves, gave the children the opportunity to explore the soldiers’ living accommodation, which consisted of bunk beds with basic mattresses and blankets. The uniforms were stored in the kitchen area and all the children insisted on trying on the armour, discovering it was heavier than they thought!

In the Roman villa they learnt about medical treatments for the rich and poor Romans (with the treatment for the poor sounding slightly more pleasant in many cases!). There were ruined barracks to explore, an amphitheatre to imagine gladiatorial battles in, a bathhouse complete with amazing mosaics, and a museum with models of life-size Roman centurions, standard bearers and soldiers.

They left Caerleon tired but full of amazement at the ingenuity of the Romans who have left such a rich legacy.

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Sixth Form Farewell Class of 2012

As the academic year draws to a close, we say goodbye to another fabulous group of students who are leaving BGS to start the next chapters in their lives. We thank them all for their contribution to life at the School and wish them every success in their futures.

A helping hand

Talking the talk

Thanks to the generosity of the John James Foundation, each year BGS Sixthformers are able to apply for a £1,500 ‘Tools of the Trade’ grant. This award provides funding to support a Sixthformer whose studies or co-curricular activities will incur significant expense.

James (Lower Sixth) has been crowned ‘Gabbler of the Year’ after winning the final of the Gabblers' Public Speaking Competition on Monday 30 April. The Gabblers’ Club is an after-dinner speaking club aiming at Sixth Form students from a wide variety of schools in and around Bristol.

The finalists each had to give a four minute speech in front of an audience of two hundred, which included the Lord Mayor of Bristol. James’s speech was inspired by the title ‘Building Bridges’ and in it he managed to link Shakespeare with Jeremy Kyle, imagining a modern day Romeo and Juliet with rapprochement between the Montagues and Capulets in the hands of Mr Kyle rather than the nurse and Friar.

This year, there were two candidates who were deserving of the award, so it was split between Upper Sixth student Luke and Alexandra of the Lower Sixth.

The majority of the award (£1,100) was given to Luke to assist him in purchasing a time trial bike. Luke is a serious competitor in both duathlons and triathlons and he is hoping to compete in both events at an international level. As cycling forms part of both the duathlon and the triathlon, a high‑quality time trial bike will allow Luke to shave minutes off his time.

Luke has already purchased his bike and used it to compete in the Portishead Sprint Triathlon on 17 June.

This event comprised a 400m pool swim, a 25k bike ride and a 5k run. From a field of 303 he was 58th in the swim, but then posted fastest times on both the bike and run sections. He finished second overall and first in his age category, only 28 seconds behind the winner. This is an amazing achievement for him as he was competing against many more experienced athletes.

The remaining £400 of the award

www.sportysnaps.com

was given to Alexandra to purchase physical fitness training sessions with a specialist in her chosen sport – golf. Alex has been playing golf since she was eleven; she has previously captained the Gloucestershire County Girls’ Golf Team and currently plays for the Gloucestershire County Ladies’ First Team. She is also currently pursuing a two-year Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence, alongside the four ‘A’ levels that she is taking at BGS. Her hope is to pursue a golf scholarship at an American University and major in Sports Psychology. The physical fitness training sessions will allow her to improve her physical strength, hence improving overall drive length and follow through.

BGS was proud to be able to support two such worthy applications and we are grateful to the John James Foundation for the continued support they offer the School and its students.

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Brave new worlds When James and Olivia start at university this Autumn they will be blazing a trail, as their destinations are both firsts for BGS students.

Olivia will be taking up a place at Columbia University in New York to study Liberal Arts. A keen and talented runner, Olivia was attracted to studying in America by the facilities and the training environment offered in the American college system, as well as the flexible curriculum which allows her to follow a range of courses for two years before choosing a major subject to specialise in.

Commenting on her future plans, Olivia said “I can't wait to get started; hopefully it will be a relatively easy transition. I love New York and doing various subjects instead of just one will really suit me I think. The long semesters and distance as well as the culture shock will be a challenge but I think I will really enjoy it.”

Fellow Sixth-former James is also breaking new ground, as one of the first intake of students to study at the New College of the Humanities in London. James was attracted by the promise of more one-to-one teaching than is offered at many other universities, and also the NCH Diploma which he will take alongside his degree in Philosophy. Modelled on the US system, the diploma is designed to ensure students gain an all-round education alongside subject specific skills and knowledge. James will also have the chance to shape the university, with the task of founding a Students’ Union ahead of him and his fellow students.

We wish James and Olivia all the best in their future studies and look forward to welcoming them back to BGS to hear all about it.

Ecocide trial As part of Bristol’s Big Green Week, six students from the Lower Sixth at BGS, along with six students from Gordano School, formed the jury for a mock Ecocide Trial at Bordeaux Quay.

The event gave them a fascinating insight into how the law and court system work and also the impact government policies can have on the environment.

The trial examined whether UK marine fisheries policy and practice amounted to ecocide (the extensive damage to or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory) and whether the Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman, is privately liable for this. Throughout the day of complicated witness statements the jury learnt much about fishing techniques and also the extent of the damage done to the marine ecosystems by the UK, EU and other countries, and a little about what could be done to resolve such issues.

Once the detailed evidence drew to a close, the jury convened in a separate room to make their decision.

It became clear that a technicality in the prosecution’s case (spotted

by BGS student Sanya , with respect to Caroline Spleman’s exact job description, was going to affect her fate. Legal advice was sought and although the case could continue, the jury could not reach a verdict and so she was acquitted.

Reflecting on the event, student Olivia commented “I felt that it was a hugely insightful day, not just

for understanding what the court procedures and jury service might be like but for the incredible detail of the situation that is brought to the attention of the jury.”

Leopold summed up his thoughts, saying “Altogether this was a brilliant event which really showed the real‑life scene of a courtroom – and how important a good barrister is in a court of law!”

Record breaker!

It’s not every school that can claim a world record holder among its pupils, but BGS can do just that.

Ben (Lower Sixth) won the U18 category in the National Powerlifting Championships in Glasgow in April, qualifying for the world championships in Boston in October and setting three national records and one world record in the process!

Ben has only been powerlifting competitively for around six months and fits in training alongside studying for ‘A’ levels in Economics, Russian and Mathematics. Although he has an occasional training partner, Ben has no coach and devises his own training programme, which makes his achievement all the more impressive.

Ben said: “I was really pleased to win, especially to set a world record and am looking forward to going to Boston; the chance to compete in the world championships is very exciting.”

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Literary events Read all about it With more than 150 author visits in the last eleven years – thanks to the hard work of Literary Events Organiser, Lucy Shepherd – the Literary Events programme is a central part of BGS life.

This term alone, no fewer than eight authors have spoken to pupils from across the whole School, giving them an insight into how stories are created and inspiring a love of reading which will last for life.

Our strong links with the literary world have also generated some amazing opportunities for our students.

From our close association with the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature came the inspiration for a visit from Meg Rosoff. So impressed was Lucy Shepherd by the enthusiasm of two students for coming to Meg’s event in Bath that the pair, Cara and Rose were given the opportunity to organise and host her visit here in May (see review opposite).

Year 11 students, Carmen and Sarah and Kate are enjoying the chance to play a part in shaping the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature itself. As part of the focus group of 14–16 year olds who are helping plan this year’s Festival they brainstormed ideas as to the ideal Festival programme and how to promote it. Excitingly, they were also offered the chance to get involved with the Festival itself, helping to host authors and organise events, giving them the chance to experience firsthand the ins and outs of running a major literary event.

BGS also boasts its own literary prizes.

This year Will won the Brian Jacques Literary Award, for most improved creative writing in Year 7 and 8. The Puffin Short Story Prize (for Years 6–9) was awarded to Ellie Year 6), who won £125 worth of Puffin books.

Congratulations to them both.

8E Shadow the Carnegie

Established in 1937 (when the winner was Arthur Ransome’s Pigeon Post), the Carnegie Award is the most coveted of all the prizes offered for the best in children’s fiction.

Shadowing the award has become an annual activity at BGS, as at hundreds of other schools around the UK. This year has been no exception, 8E being the lucky class chosen to take part. Why ‘lucky’? Because they get the privilege of having sole access to the shortlist: reading, discussing and responding to the cream of recently‑published children’s fiction, with two teachers dedicated to the process.

In April, on the day the shortlist is announced (eight this year) the books arrive in School and everyone is issued with a title of their choice. The aim is to read as many as possible over the forthcoming six weeks.

Each week Mr Clare and Ms Shepherd run a dedicated Carnegie lesson when discussions take place, ideas are formed, reviews are written, book jackets are designed, questions are asked – and much more! Then, before the judges announce the winner in mid-June, the class votes on which title they think should win (the judges have never got it right yet!). Our choice this year? An overwhelming vote for A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

It all adds to the veritable buzz of literary activity at BGS. Roll on 2013!

Robert Macfarlane Guests at Robert Macfarlane’s talk on his book The Old Ways blew through the School’s main entrance on the back of a solstice storm of wind and rain, an appropriate experience to begin the evening’s events. In precise, yet lyrical language, Macfarlane spoke as a kind of visionary about ‘The Old Ways’: paths and tracks on land, on liminal spaces that blend land, sea and sky, and on the ‘whales’ ways’ of the oceans themselves, linking lands and cultures, physically and in the imagination.

He spoke with quiet conviction about the power of walking, exploring the notion of striding out as a cheap form of psychoanalysis, practised by poets like Edward Thomas, trying to outwalk their depression in their chosen landscapes: but also the idea of walking into a landscape, and desiring to belong inside it.

Macfarlane is fascinated as much by the language as the physicality of the landscape; the poetic precision of the geology and the scientific terms that name it, and place names as a kind of archaeology, which can be excavated to find poetry. His litany of the many names given to the Iknield Way (Yken, Ychen, Ycken, Ayken, Iceni, Icening…) sums up the experience of the evening: the audience in the centre of a found poem expressing the consensual nature of paths, both physical and metaphorical, and how they mean something different to each walker.

Many thanks to all involved in the organisation of the evening; to Andrew Dimberline for his closing words; to the student band for their superb entertainment and to the Arnolfini bookshop.

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Meg Rosoff at BGS

Penny Junor

Reported by Rose (9.1) and Cara (9.4) who organised and hosted Meg’s visit.

By David Selwyn

"My only encounter with Prince William occurred some years ago in London, when I was on my way to church; he emerged from St James’s Palace and smiled so pleasantly that I said ‘Good morning, sir’.

The friend who was with me didn’t realise who it was and could have kicked himself afterwards when I told him; perhaps it was the sheer naturalness of the young Prince’s manner that deflected any thoughts that this might have been a royal.

Certainly naturalness and charm were dominating characteristics to emerge from Penny Junor’s description of Prince William when introducing her new biography of him. Having written on both his parents, about whom she spoke very sympathetically, she has now produced a book which inevitably includes almost as much about Prince Harry (‘utterly delightful, and not quite as wild and wicked as you think’) as about his brother; they are clearly very close, and one of her most telling insights concerned the highly supportive nature of the relationship they will maintain when William comes to be king.

But she was full of insights, not least into the relation between the Royal Family and the media. She has no illusions about the treatment to which

they are habitually subjected in the interest of selling papers – nor to the difference that a snide headline can make to a perfectly innocent article; and she had some crisp things to say about the BBC. Overall, it was a wonderful evening, our enjoyment enhanced by wine and delicious canapés and by the BGS Ukulele Band, which greeted us on our arrival.

Carnegie Award winner Meg Rosoff came not to advertise her books and encourage us to buy them, but to tell us something about her life and how she came to be a writer. What we shall all remember are her personal stories about fate. Her belief in the role of fate in our lives is reflected in her novels, particularly in Just in Case, about a boy who believes that fate is out to get him. Her most memorable personal tale was about how being persuaded by a stranger in Manhattan to buy an extraordinary hat (‘the Hat of Fate’) led her to meet her husband and changed her life. Meg talked emphatically about what she called T-junctions: times in your life when you could go one way or another.

She told us it was her sister dying of cancer that made her reassess her own life and decide to pursue writing, as she wanted to be remembered for having been published, not just having thought about it. Despite talking about dark topics like death and fate, Meg succeeded in keeping her talk interesting and light-hearted.

Our year‑group will remember her visit for years to come.

“I could listen to her all day, her stories were so personal and easy to relate to,” said Amy. “Her talk was so different to other authors, partly because she has a daughter of our age and knows how to engage us,” said Iszy.

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View Summer ‘12 Issue 21

Performing Arts Not goodbye, just au revoir An informal concert took place in the Mackay Theatre in May when Year 11 gathered on their final day before beginning study leave. The audience was treated to dance, drama and musical recitals from this talented year‑group; it was lovely to see so many of them perform and the support they received from their peers. We look forward to welcoming them back to the Sixth Form and seeing them on stage again.

Olympic Performance The Music Department got into the Olympic spirit with a special sporting themed programme on offer at the School Concert this term. Pieces from the Wind Orchestra, Cantata and Strictly Strings were complemented by a special performance from a group of Year 5 boys of the New Zealand Haka.

The evening ended with a massed choir made up of Year 5 and Year 7 students performing four movements from A Sporting Chance, a fun and lively piece celebrating different sports.

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HONK! This year’s Year 6 play was Honk! – a musical adaptation of The Ugly Duckling. Honk! is a musically demanding show but the very talented cast, under the direction of Mr Marsh, ensured the production was a humorous yet magical portrayal of the story. Every member of the yeargroup took part and they should all be congratulated on three amazing performances. Thanks must also go to all those who supported behind the scenes to make this fabulous production possible.

Scott’s House Concert Under the temporary care of Mr Hilliard, Scott’s put on a concert to be proud of, just two short weeks after the return from the Easter break.

With fifteen different acts – made up of many more individual performers – the standard of performance was as impressive as the variety of acts was wide. From modern pop songs to classical numbers, there was something for everyone, including an impressive diablo performance from Charlie o break up the music.

Of particular note was the entertaining, and fortunately family-friendly, rendition of Ooh Wee Low Remix by Jay Z and Kanye West, performed by Badboy MC Redders & Cords, featuring plenty of fun and audience participation. It was also a delight to see so many Year 7 students making their House Concert debut; congratulations to Richard India Katie and Sophie on their wonderful performances, although every act deserves praise. And so to the finale, Four Chords by The Axis of Awesome, a medley of songs performed by a host of students, filling the stage to ensure a great concert ended on a real high. Well done all.

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Exploration

Climb every mountain

In April, 63 Year 9 students went trekking in Morocco. After the first night together, spent in the Hotel Ali with views of the market square in Marrakesh, they split into five groups on different treks, coming back together for the last night. Months of preparation – fundraising through sponsored bike rides and supermarket bag packing, training days to learn how to pitch tents, and practice walks to make sure boots fitted – were deemed worthwhile as they walked up the breathtaking mountains of Morocco.

However on day two the clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped.

Two days of rain dampened clothes, tents and most other things the groups owned, but this did not dampen their spirits. The walks up the mountains were challenging but the views from the summits were spectacular and energy levels were replenished by the delicious food prepared by the guides each night.

The entire party returned with vivid memories, whether of a group of rather noisy sheep, a ride on a mule, falling in a river while trying to cross or just hanging out in the campsite and making new friends. None of them will forget their Moroccan adventure.

Italian sights, English weather!

Year 7 students enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Bay of Naples during the Easter holidays, despite the occasional (ok, almost constant) downpour. On the first day the group visited Herculaneum, where they saw some amazing houses, gardens and remains, and then climbed Vesuvius. For once, the weather gods were smiling and they were rewarded with brilliant views of the plain below, and far-off Pompeii. Sadly these meteorological conditions were not to continue.

Luckily (given the rain) the next day was spent at the museum, where they saw some of the beautiful finds from the Roman era, including a statue of the emperor Hadrian’s boyfriend, some colourful and intensely detailed mosaics and the huge statue of the stag. The afternoon involved a trip to the sulphurous lunar landscape of Solfatara, where guide Signor Bruno was on hand to explain the nuances of the volcano, and demonstrate its scientific properties with the help of a lit bundle of newspaper! Finally it was to the amphitheatre at Pozzuoli, where the group tried to imagine the brutal bloodshed that would have taken place there.

The highlight of these trips is always Pompeii, and this year was no exception, although the rain did ensure that the treasures it holds were viewed from under anorak hoods. Indoor elements such as the Stabian Baths were especially appreciated, as they offered the prospect of shelter! Other moments for excitement included the obligatory photo by the House of Caecilius, the theatre, amphitheatre and wondrous frescoes.

The trip was brilliant; the students were all great, and had the opportunities to see some amazing sights, and also to eat some lovely ice cream and cake. It was also a chance to remind them that Britain wasn’t the only time the Romans encountered rain!

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Education for All

After six months of fundraising, ten BGS students and two teachers finally landed at Marrakesh airport on 30 March.

Arriving at their hotel at 11pm, they were greeted by a Moroccan feast and happily tucked in to their first taste of Moroccan cuisine, including a freshly made lamb tagine and, of course, mint tea!

The next day the group made the two-hour journey to Asni, a small rural village in the Atlas Mountains, home to one of the boarding houses built

by Education for All, the charity they had come to support. A two-day stay gave our students plenty of time to make friends with the local children, helped by some basic French and some frisbees, balls and skipping ropes.

Their stay in Asni was followed by a three-day trek in the Atlas Mountains which had everything – glorious views, challenging walking and very variable weather. Cloud and rain was followed by some unexpected snow and then finally sunshine on day three, allowing them at last to give their sunglasses and hats an outing.

After completing the trek, the group returned to Asni, spending the afternoon in the boarding house. Everyone got involved doing arts and crafts with some of the girls who are living there while

they attend the nearby high school.

They were also given a tour of the boarding house by the housemistress.

Education for All believes that by allowing Moroccan girls to gain a senior education, you also educate the next generation. Meeting the polite, hardworking and very friendly girls at the boarding house, it was easy to see the truth in this.

The next day it was back to Marrakesh for a tour of the old city and some haggling in its markets, plus a never-tobe-forgotten visit to take in the sights (and smells) of the famous tanneries.

It is fair to say everyone returned to Bristol with memories which will last a lifetime.

Viva Espana For a group of Year 8 students, the Easter holidays got off to a great start with a trip to Andalusia. The group was based at the Albergue Inturjoven Málaga and throughout the trip they had a very helpful Spanish guide called Ignacio to make sure they got the most out of their visit.

Their first day saw them undertake an enjoyable historical walking tour of Malaga, visiting the Cathedral and other main sites in the old town centre.

There was also a visit to Centro de Arte Contemporánea de Málaga to enjoy some contemporary Spanish art, before a trip to a traditional market followed by an exquisite Tapas lunch in a typical restaurant. A packed day ended with a visit to the Alcazaba (Medieval Castle) which was pronounced “quite interesting”, before tasting churros con chocolate – “heavenly!”.

The next day was spent at Tivoli World theme park, which was a great hit with the group, before a final full day excursion to Granada, a visit to the Alhambra Palace with a delightful picnic lunch in the gardens. Some blue skies and sunshine ensured it was a perfect trip all‑round.

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Sport Rain, rain, go away!

It has been a frustrating term sports‑wise with the weather causing disruption to many fixtures. Cricket was a major casualty and, in a stop-start season, many of our teams struggled to get going. There were some high points however. In April, in front of one of the Somerset CCC junior selectors, BGS U14s produced a fantastic display with the ball and in the field to bowl out Taunton School for just thirty runs.

The star performer was Adi Shah who produced great figures of five wickets for two runs including a hat-trick.

He was able supported by Krisan who took three wickets at a cost of only three runs. BGS then knocked off the required runs for the loss of only one wicket to record a very impressive nine‑wicket victory.

The Under 11'A' team also recorded some impressive results, winning the Colston’s six-a-side competition, beating The Downs by thirty runs in the final. They also claimed victory in friendlies against QEH, St John’s, and KES. The boys have been outstanding with bat, ball and, especially, in the field. Matthew has scored 201 runs in three innings, plus 150 in the four six-a-side matches; he is an exceptional talent and an inspiration to the other boys.

Rounders The Senior School teams have enjoyed a mixed season, with some strong performances from all the teams.

The U15'A' team claimed a very creditable third in the Colston’s tournament in mid-May but the U12s found it much tougher when they played in the Millfield tournament at the end of the month.

The U11'A' rounders team have been enjoying a successful season. After beating Clifton High 21–14, they went to Bathampton to play at the KES U11'A' tournament. There were eight teams there: St Margaret’s, Kingswood, KES, Colston’s School, Royal High, Millfield and The Paragon and BGS.

The BGS team drew their first match with Kingswood 5½ all but won their second against Royal High 4½–2. A convincing 11–2½ victory against KES Bath meant they finished as winners of the group, going on to a semi-final against Colston’s which they won 4½–2.

Unfortunately the final against Millfield was a game too far and the BGS team just lost out 4½–6. Well done to all the team. They batted and fielded brilliantly and held their concentration well, learning lots of different strategies as the afternoon progressed.

Athletics BGS was well represented in the Bristol Schools' team at the Avon Schools’ Athletics competition held at Yate on Saturday 16 June.

Well done to George who came fifth in the triple jump with a personal best jump, and Ada’ora who won the shot‑put, again with a personal best, and came second in the high jump. Their performances are especially noteworthy as they were achieved by Year 8 students against Year 9 competition.

In the 100m, Emma came third while her sister Megan won the

javelin competition and has also been selected for the Avon County team.

Hugh contested a very close 800m, which had to be decided on a photo finish. His excellent performance means he now joins his sister Olivia in being selected for the county. He joins Mark n the county team, who has been selected based on his 400m performances over the season.

Well done to all our athletes who competed in less than ideal conditions and congratulations to those selected for the county team.

View Summer ‘12 Issue 21

Sport TENNIS

Hockey

Making a splash

The U11 tennis team has been improving rapidly this season, with a comprehensive victory against Clifton High where BGS Juniors won 46 games to 7. The fixture against Clifton College was much closer with tough opposition, three county players included. The BGS team played a very high standard of doubles the whole way through and held their own in a number of very close games. The final score was 45 games to 31 in Clifton College’s favour.

Well done to all twelve players for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of exciting tennis.

Well done to the following students who have been selected to join the Junior Regional Performance Centre for hockey: Ben Dan Redd Brook Nathan r, Alex , Max Greg and Nicole

Swimmers from BGS Juniors have achieved some excellent results this season. In the finals of the Bristol Schools' Primary Gala at Horfield Leisure Centre in May, there were outstanding performances from Sam – winning the 25m butterfly and breaking the record for the individual medley – and Rory who won the 50m freestyle. Rory also came fourth in the individual medley and Sam came third in the freestyle. Sophie swam well to be placed third in the two-lengths breaststroke.

The boys’ relay teams also swam well, coming second in the freestyle relay and third in the medley relay.

In the Senior School, Brodie (Year 9) has been in excellent form.

She was part of the Avon U14 girls’ tennis team that qualified against tough competition from Devon, Wiltshire and Gloucester for the National Finals in Nottingham in May. Brodie also qualified for a British Tour event providing a great opportunity to test herself against older players and develop her game further.

Well done Brodie.

Under 11 Hockey

The U11 girls’ hockey squad had a very exciting day out at the end of April, competing at the South West regional hockey finals at Millfield School. The girls played with confidence and determination winning their first pool game 2–1 against St Richard's. Two 0–3 defeats against Blundell's and Millfield followed but the results did not reflect our performance. The BGS team played with confidence and should have scored on more than one occasion. Finishing the pool stages in third place, they went on to play Castle Court School who had also gained third position in their group. Yet again the girls played with confidence and drew the game 1–1. It was a real disappointment not to win this one as they had been the better team and had a goal disallowed!

In the boys tournament, the U11 boys team qualified for the quarter‑finals by winning two of their morning group games. A tough quarter‑final against Dean Close, Cheltenham, was drawn 1–1, so they faced the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, winning 2–1. A semi‑final against Richard Pate’s followed and, in a very close game, the boys lost 1–0.

Well done to all the squad members who have improved so much over the season and thank you to all our supporters who cheered them on at the tournament.

This follows swimming success in the South West Region Relays Gala at Millfield School in April, where the mixed relay team claimed third place and qualification for the National Finals at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, in Sheffield on Saturday 16 June. At the finals, the team of Marcus (backstroke), James (breaststroke), Sam (butterfly) and Rory freestyle) swam very well and were placed nineteenth in the country! Well done boys.

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Sport Orienteering Torrential rain may have caused the cancellation of all other outdoor sport on April 29 but not the Avon Schools’ Orienteering Championships which went ahead in the Forest of Dean.

Eight BGS students took part, from Year 5 upwards. Podium places went to: Ben (second in the Year 8 Boys); Emily and Gavin (both third in the Year 12 category); and Ed (winner of the Year 11 boys).

Mini Triathlon Congratulations to our two Year 3 teams who performed with credit during the annual mini triathlon competition at Butcombe, Clifton College in May. Both of the teams were very competitive and achieved considerable success at cross-country running and gym athletic skills.

Swimming proved to be more of a challenge against schools with some excellent swimmers. The result against ten competitive teams was fourth Equal. Well done.

Onwards and upwards In the South West Schools’ Climbing Series, held at the Bristol Climbing Academy, BGS gained second, third and fifth places in the Junior Boys’ event. These excellent individual results led to team victory with strong performances from Rob and Matthew who were competing for the first time.

In the Senior Boys’ competition there was a shock result on the Bristol climbing scene as Hamish and James were actually beaten by someone! Hamish and James finished the series tied for second place with exactly the same number of points as each other. Teachers from several schools reported back that, across the series, their climbing was

truly inspirational. This led to a win for the Senior Boys 'A' Team, and the 'B' Team also had some impressive performances which put them into fourth place overall.

Clare held off increasing competition to convincingly win the Senior Girls’ title and, as a member of the Bristol Climbing Academy Youth Squad, she also recently won the South West Regional Series of the British Youth Climbing Competition. She therefore qualified for the National Finals which were held in Edinburgh on 23 June. James also represented the South West as he qualified for the finals after placing second in the regional rounds.

BGS climbing coach Sam Mitchell has worked tirelessly with these students both at School and at the Climbing Academy to prepare them for national level lead climbing and bouldering events.

Putting up a good fight 2011/12 has been another successful year for Bristol Grammar School’s fencers. This year we have another coach on our staff, Daniel Robinson.

Dan is an international athlete who has represented England and Great Britain at Junior and Senior level and we are lucky to have him assisting us.

After winning the England youth championships last year, Oli has had his hardest season so far. As part of the Great Britain U17 Squad he has been travelling with the team around Europe competing on the European Cadet Circuit. This is a great experience but has also pitted him against some very tough opposition.

Our younger fencers have been competing in the national Premier series with many promising results for the future. Both Hugo and Dillan (at his first national event) competed really well at the National Public Schools’ Championships, both coming twelfth in the Juniors. The

Gloucester County Championships were another success with the following results: U10 Boys' Foil: Ned – First U12 Boys' Foil: Peter – Second U14 Boys' Foil: Ben – Eighth U16 Boys' Foil: Hugo – First George – Third U16 Girls' Foil: Tayler – First Congratulations also to Henry , who was second at the U11 Somerset Championships.

OBs Sportswoman of the Year Rebecca Guy, who left Bristol Grammar School in 2010, is celebrating after being named Manchester University’s Sportswoman of the Year.

Rebecca, who is studying Philosophy and Spanish at Manchester, is a talented swimmer and the award was in recognition of her very successful year in the pool. Rebecca was National Youth Champion 2011 in the 50m freestyle and also won golds in the 4x100m freestyle and medley relays. In November 2011 she was selected by England talent to swim in the Canada cup in Toronto and won gold in the 4x100m medley relay. She was BUCS champion in the short course and long course 50m freestyle, setting a BUCS record in the latter. In March she swam in the Olympic trials in the magnificent London pool built for the 2012 games reaching the semi-finals in the 50m freestyle (and being placed tenth overall).

Congratulations to Rebecca on all her achievements.

View Summer ‘12 Issue 21

OBs Emily takes gold

Congratulations to OB Emily Diamond who claimed gold in the 200m at the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) championships in May. Emily became BUCS champion with a winning time of just 23.93 seconds but more excitingly the championships were a test event for the Olympics and took place in the Olympic Stadium, so Emily not only ran on the 2012 Olympic track but is the first ever winner of a championship gold medal in the 200m at the Olympic Stadium!

Her excellent form continued when she became the UK Under 23 200m champion, winning in 23.60 seconds at the event in Bedford on 16 June.

Hopefully this will have been a great confidence boost for the Olympic trials the following weekend where Emily was competing in the 400m, hoping to claim a squad place for London 2012.

Ladies who Lunch A sunny but slightly windswept Failand was the venue for a sporting reunion at the inaugural OBs Ladies Lunch on Saturday 26 May. There was the chance for former pupils to catch up with old friends, and to discover the wonderful new facilities provided by The Don Pople Pavilion.

From “Fro-yo” to Manchego Four former BGS students are making their mark on Bristol’s food scene in two very different ways.

Ryan Pasco and James Taylor, who left BGS in 2009, have set up AngelBerry, a frozen yoghurt chain, with two stores open in Bristol already.

The idea for the business was born when Ryan visited America and, seeing how popular frozen yoghurt was over there, realised there was a huge gap in the UK market. On his return, he paired up with school friend James to create AngelBerry. With ten flavours of frozen yoghurt and 35 toppings, from fresh fruit to honeycomb, mini eggs, chocolate buttons or Jaffa Cakes to choose from, the pair have gone all out to bring the American factory “pick your own” experience to Bristol.

Speaking about their ambitions for AngelBerry, James said "We want to be the biggest and best in the UK and we have more flavours and toppings than any other yoghurt business in the country – and we think we offer a better all-round experience." With the aim of opening four branches in just eighteen months, the pair has got off to a flying start, reaching the halfway mark in just four!

Meanwhile, another OB pair, husband and wife team Imogen (neé Whitwell) and Kieran Waite, who met while students at BGS, are getting some fabulous reviews for their newly opened tapas restaurant Bravas.

With a common interest in food and travel, the couple have been working towards this ambition since leaving BGS in 2000. After completing a foundation course in Art and Design, BTEC in Hospitality Management and a diploma in Interior Design, Imogen took to some of Bristol's best kitchens to learn about the catering industry, with stints at Culinaria, Bordeaux Quay and the Lido. Meanwhile Kieran ran his family business, a promotions company, gaining invaluable experience in running his own business. Bravas, which opened on Cotham Hill earlier this year, was inspired by their travels in Spain and a love of that country’s rich culinary traditions and has already proved a big hit with Bristol’s diners.

Our congratulations go to James and Ryan, and to Kieran and Imogen, on the success of their new ventures.

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Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR

Diary dates September Tuesday 4 September: Senior School new pupil induction day BGS Infants and Juniors new joiners picnic, Failand 2.00–3.30pm Wednesday 5 September: Start of term

Senior School 0117 973 6006 Junior School 0117 973 6109 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Forthcoming literary events Bristol Grammar School and Puffin Books present an evening with best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series

Friday 7 September: Year 7 Beetle Drive, Great Hall 4.00–6.00pm Monday 10 September : Headmaster’s Reception for Year 7 parents, Great Hall 7.00pm Tuesday 11 September: Headmaster’s Reception for Year 10 parents: Introduction to GCSE, Great Hall 7.00pm

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Eoin will be taking the audience on an adrenalin-fuelled exposé of teenage criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl; he will talk about and sign copies of,

Thursday 13 September: Headmaster’s Reception for Lower Sixth Parents: Introduction to ‘A’ Level, Great Hall 7.00pm Wednesday 19 September: BGS Infants and Juniors Open Morning 9.30am–12.00pm

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October

Saturday 13 October: Sports Open Day, Failand 11.00am–1.00pm

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B i o G amm r Sc oo is o S SR n 8 October 2012 6.00 for 6.30pm

Friday 5 October: Whole School Open Evening 4.00–8.00pm Monday 8 October: BGS Infants and Juniors Harvest Assembly, Great Hall, 9.45am Literary Event, Eoin Colfer 6.00 for 6.30pm

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5 to include light refreshments

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/Events.aspx or lshepherd@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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book sales by waterstones

Wednesday 24 October: Staff Inset Day Thursday 25 October – Friday 2 November: Half-term

November Tuesday 6 November: Sixth Form Open Evening, Great Hall 5.00pm–8.00pm Wednesday 7 November: Whole School Open Morning 9.30am–12.00pm Monday 19 November: Literary Event, Clare Balding, 5.00 for 6.30pm Friday 23 November: BGS Juniors Entrance Exam

December Thursday 6 December: Senior School Concert, St George’s 7.30pm Monday 10 December: BGS Infants Nativity, Great Hall 4.00pm Wednesday 12 December: BGS Infants and Juniors Carol Service, Great Hall 6.00pm Thursday 13 December: Senior School Lessons and Carols, Great Hall 5.00pm and 7.30pm Friday 14 December: Term Ends Design: adartdesign.co.uk Printed on 100% recycled stock using vegetable inks

Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity No. 1104425