The Veseyan Michaelmas 2025 - Final

THE VESEYAN

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

DEAR READER,

What a fantastic Michaelmas term this has been!

Outstanding scholarship I have been so impressed by pupil and staff ambition and endeavours this term. There is so much to be commended and celebrated. Well done!

There is always much still to learn. There are no short-cuts to academic development. Thinking should not be outsourced to artificial intelligence.

A self-disciplined and thorough approach will reap rewards in 2026 and beyond!

Building character So many pupils at BVGS embrace the opportunities available here. That is exceptional! We can sometimes lose sight of the fact that our school is a great place to grow as a person in your values. To be a person of excellent character is the most important challenge of our lives. But to do that we have to have the honesty to own our mistakes and have a desire to be better.

A new beginning: the opening of the new Robert P Lowndes Learning Resource Centre As the pupils so beautifully put it, our new Centre is ‘a new beginning’ for Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.

A space for pupils to work more collaboratively and creatively.

A place for the local community to use.

An outward sign for the whole Vesey family – this is what we can achieve together.

Have a wonderful festive break!

Mr Robson

Headteacher Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School 2

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

CONTENTS SCHOOL LIFE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN PARENT POWER SUCCESS MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL CAPTAINS MESSAGE FROM THE PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

5 7 8 10

SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS & DESTINATIONS ART TRIP TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS ART TRIP TO OXFORD TRIP TO NORMANDY TRIP TO CHINA DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE VISIT DISSECTION CLUB CAREERS INSIGHT AFTERNOON AT GOLDMAN SACHS FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS

11 12 17 18 19 20 22 22 23 24 24

CHARACTER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AT BVGS THE WINTER GAMES CHRISTMAS FAYRE JUNIOR SOLOISTS LAMDA SUCCESS SPEECH RECITALS DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD HOCKEY TOUR TO BARCELONA YEAR 7 RESIDENTIAL MUSIC TOUR TO BELGIUM BUSINESS & CHARITY INTERNS SPORT REVIEW HOCKEY REVIEW RUGBY REVIEW

25 26 28 29 30 31 31 32 34 36 37 39 41 43 46

COMMUNITY YEAR 7 WELCOME ASSEMBLY WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY JUST ONE TREE DAY THE GIVING TREE DIWALI WEEK

51 52 53 53 54 55

OUR STAFF VESEY VALETES

56 573

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

OLD VESEYAN NEWS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE OVA DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ANNUAL OLD VESEYAN DINNER OLD VESEYAN GOLF SOCIETY OV VISITS FROM THE ARCHIVES IN MEMORIAM

59 60 61 62 64 65 67 68

PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE TALENTED JAMES A. IN U6 II

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MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2025-2028 This 2025-2028 Development Plan seeks to meet the current needs of our school community: developing pupil scholarship, character, employability skills, pupil and staff leadership and creating a more sustainable school environment, while also planning for the 500th anniversary of the school in 2027.

We thought you might find it interesting to understand better how we are seeking to translate our mission of inspiration and excellence for all, into reality.

Scholarship

Sustainability

PRIORITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

Vesey 2027

Employability

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Character

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

DEVELOPING CHARACTER

DEVELOPING SCHOLARSHIP

To further develop the role of the Form Tutor.

To further review and develop rewards and sanctions.

To develop our PSHE provision.

To develop and embed writing across the curriculum To further develop students as scholars.

To develop a plan for the school’s future use of technology.

To develop a culture where staff routinely learn from others, qualityassure and share best practice To widen opportunities from students regarding visits and trips.

EMPLOYABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

VESEY 2027

To increase employer engagement opportunities for students.

To further embed careers across the curriculum.

To further embed climate change into curriculum areas.

To further develop a sustainable travel plan through Modeshift STARS.

To raise awareness and celebrate the history of the school.

To build the school’s relationship with the local community.

To strengthen belonging within the school community.

To leave a legacy for current and future generations of the Vesey community.

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MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

PARENT POWER SUCCESS We are delighted that, once again, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School has been ranked as one of the best secondary schools in the UK as part of The Sunday Times Parent Power league table.

The guide lists the 1000 most successful secondary schools nationally and it's wonderful to see BVGS once again featuring in the top echelon, as a top 40 state school nationally, one of the top 1% state secondary schools nationally.

This truly is a testament to our exceptional staff and incredible School community as a whole, which enables Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School to be, not just one of the most wonderful schools to be educated, but also to be academically, so consistently, one of the top performing state schools in the country,

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SCHOOL CAPTAIN TEAM As another busy term draws to a close, and it’s yet another term full of wins for Vesey — not just in sports, but across every corner of school life. From recordbreaking results to incredible new facilities, it’s been a term to remember!

On the sporting front, we’ve seen an outstanding start to the year with our Hockey Seniors taking on, and beating, the likes of Solihull and even the nationally renowned Repton. A highlight was their brilliant Barcelona tour, where they faced off against Spanish sides on international turf. Back at home, the annual John Young Varsity against Queen Mary’s was another big success, with a massive turnout from both schools creating a fantastic atmosphere, and a Vesey victory!

What’s also impressive, though, is the sheer scale of participation this term — with over 40 sporting fixtures taking place across one bumper week, the Vesey spirit has truly been on full display.

But the pitch isn’t the only place where we’ve come out on top. Academically, the school celebrated record-breaking summer results, officially making us the topperforming state school in the West Midlands. Add to that the great many opportunities and projects kicking off, be it Physics and Chemistry Olympiads, F1 in Schools, or countless other initiatives, and it’s clear that Vesey students have been thriving in every field.

Let’s not overlook the Vesey community which has been just as lively. From Diwali celebrations to the Junior Soloist concert and musicians rehearsing for the muchanticipated Christmas concerts, the term has been filled with colour, creativity, and connection.

We were also extremely excited to introduce so many prospective new students to the school at the Sixth Form Open Evening, not only showing them subjects that they are interested in, but also giving them a sneak peak of the amazing community we have at Vesey.

And the excitement doesn’t stop there because something brand new is about to make its Vesey debut. Introducing The Winter Games! For the first time, Vesey will host a dedicated week of House competitions, ranging from quizzes and chess to the swimming gala — and even some NFL! We’d love to see as many students as possible take part, and with the sheer range of activities available, there will definitely be something for everyone. May the best House win!

Meanwhile, one of Vesey’s most heartwarming traditions is back: the Giving Tree project. You may have spotted our stalls up again in Gracechurch and Mere Green, and we’re thrilled to share that donations are already coming in. Last year, via the project, we managed to donate a record-breaking 7,000 gifts to charities across the region — bringing joy to thousands of people over Christmas. We’re determined to top that number this year, but with a larger focus on providing people with necessities at this time of year, along with spreading joy with presents, so please donate and help us make the 2025 Giving Tree our biggest success yet!

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And finally, we’ve saved the most exciting announcement for last. The new Robert P Lowndes Learning Resource Centre opened this December! After years of anticipation, the brand-new Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is ready to open its doors this December. This incredible space will feature a brand new library, dedicated Sixth Form study areas, and an expanded canteen, transforming student life for years to come. I think we speak for all students when we say that we are really looking forward to using the new building!

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the LRC a reality, both by donating and fundraising. It’s a project that embodies the very best of Vesey: ambition, community, and excellence.

Here’s to another fantastic term full of achievements, community, and exciting new beginnings. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year, but for now, have a lovely break and Merry Christmas!

Written by James A. and Maahi M. Deputy School Captains

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PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION The PTFA is very proud to be recognised within the new Learning Resource Centre. The newly extended dining room has been renamed as the “PTFA Dining Room”.

We have provided refreshments for sale at the Welcome Evenings, the Christmas Fayre and the Christmas Concerts. We have also organised and hosted a successful disco for Y7 and 8 pupils from BVGS and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. The pre-loved uniform sales have also been very popular and provided an important service to families.

Thank you to all the amazing parents who has volunteered their time over the last term! If you have any suggestions or any offers of help please contact Debbie debbie.hayes68@yahoo.co.uk or Dal dmistry@ehb.uk.com There are plenty of exciting PTFA events to look forward to in 2026:

FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY - 7PM TO 9PM Family Quiz Night Our very own Mr Doughty will be the quizmaster. Come along and take part in the quiz and enjoy a delicious takeaway at the same time!

Tickets will be available to buy from the BVGS TicketSource page from the 5th of January.

SATURDAY 20TH JUNE - 12:30PM TO 3PM Summer Festival This will be a fun afternoon for all the family with delicious food on sale, musical entertainment and activities for all the family. Put it in your diary!

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SCHOLARSHIP

“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardour and diligence.”

Abigail Adams 11

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

RESULTS & DESTINATIONS congratulations to our 2025 exam groups who achieved some fantastic results, placing us in the top 40 state schools nationally for academic performance at GCSE and A level.

94% of our pupils were entered for English Baccalaureate

97% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths.

Our Attainment 8 score was 77.1.

We achieved an average grade of B+ at A Level across all subjects.

33 students attained at least two A* grades at A Level.

1% We were in the top 1% for attainment at GCSE & A Level

Destination

Number of Students

Subjects Studying

Cambridge

2

History and Politics, Law.

Oxford

2

Biology, Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics.

Russell Group Universities - 130 students

34

Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Dentistry, Engineering, Film and Creative Writing, International Development and Politics, Law, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mathematics with a Year in Industry, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physics, Physiotherapy, Psychology.

Bristol

6

Archaeology and Anthropology, Economics, Economics and Politics with Study Abroad, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics with Study Abroad in a Modern Language, Physics and Philosophy.

Durham

3

Chemistry, Mathematics.

Edinburgh

2

English Literature and Classics, Theoretical Physics.

Exeter

2

Law, Psychology.

Birmingham

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Glasgow

1

Economics.

Imperial College London

2

Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Physics with Theoretical Physics.

King's College London, University of London

2

Dentistry, Natural Sciences.

Leeds

11

Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Chemistry and Mathematics, Economics, English and Comparative Literature, International History and Politics, Medicine, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Liverpool

13

Accounting and Finance, Architecture, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Dental Surgery, Engineering, Geography and Planning, Law, Law with Business, Medicine, Mathematics with Finance.

London School of Economics and Political Science

3

Economics, Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics.

Manchester

5

Ancient History, Medicine, Midwifery.

Newcastle

2

History and Archaeology, Medicine and Surgery.

Nottingham

12

Civil Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Mathematics with a Year in Industry, Medicine, Midwifery, Politics and International Relations.

Queen Mary University of London

3

Dentistry, Medicine.

Sheffield

5

Aerospace Engineering with an Industrial Placement Year, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics with a Foundation Year.

University College London

6

Computer Science, Economics with a Year Abroad, History, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Psychology.

Warwick

15

Mechanical Engineering, Accounting & Finance, Engineering, French & Russian, PPE, History and Politics, Computer Science & Engineering, Politics & International Studies.

York

4

Biology, Physical Engineering.

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Other Universities Anglia Ruskin

1

Optometry

Aston

10

Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Healthcare Science (Audiology), Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Optometry, Psychology.

Bath

5

Biology with professional placement, Chemistry, Economics, Physics with Astrophysics.

Birmingham City

1

Psychology with a Foundation Year

Bournemouth

1

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

East Anglia

2

Children and Young People's Nursing, Medicine.

Keele

2

Medicine, Physiotherapy with Integrated Master's.

Kent and Medway Medical School

1

Medicine.

Lancaster

5

Accounting and Finance, Biochemistry (with a Foundation Year), History, Mathematics with Statistics, Psychology.

Leeds Beckett

1

Physiotherapy.

Leicester

9

Accounting and Finance, Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering (with Industry), Clinical Sciences, Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, Economics, Law, Mechanical Engineering (with Industry), Pharmacy.

Liverpool John Moores

2

Biology, Policing, Psychology and Investigations.

Loughborough

7

Accounting and Finance (with placement year), History and Politics, Information Technology Management for Business (ITMB) (with placement year), International Business (with placement year), Product Design Engineering, Product Design Engineering with a Foundation Year, Sport and Exercise Science (with placement year).

Manchester Met

1

Business Management and French.

Nottingham Trent

2

Architecture, Business Management and Economics.

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Southampton

1

Marine Biology with Oceanography.

St. Andrews

1

Financial Economics.

Sussex

1

Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Apprenticeships - 8 Digital Field

Baily Garner – Architecture

Amazon

Cooper Parry Accountants

Degree Apprenticeship – Engineering

Deloitte – Tax Consulting

Marketing in Hong Kong

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Art Trip to the Botancial Gardens The Year 10 trip to the Botanical Gardens on 17th September 2025 was an outstanding success and a truly enriching experience for all involved. The day began with an excellent Animal Handling Workshop, which provided students with the unique opportunity to hold and draw a range of exotic creatures, including bearded dragons, snakes, and giant African snails. This hands-on experience was not only engaging but also gave students the chance to observe form, texture, and movement up close, creating highly detailed studies for their sketchbooks.

Following the workshop, students had time to explore and draw from the beautiful grounds, which included the tropical rainforest greenhouses, cacti enclosures, and the tranquil Japanese bonsai gardens. Despite the poor weather, Year 10 art students showed great focus and resilience, working diligently to produce two outstanding resource pages each. Their enthusiasm and commitment were evident throughout the day, and their work demonstrated a strong understanding of observation and contextual research.

This visit forms an essential part of their AO1 evidence for GCSE coursework, and the quality of work produced has already been commended by the moderator as excellent, helping students secure higher grades. The combination of direct animal observation and diverse plant studies provided students with rich visual inspiration and strengthened their confidence in developing independent ideas.

Written by Mrs Heer

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Art Trip to pitt rivers museum Every year, the Art Department organise a visit to Pitt Rivers and The Natural History Museums in Oxford. The day is full of exciting observations from artefacts, traditions and insights into cultures, rituals, and developments in civilisation from around the world. Students always love this amazing place, discussing and sharing ideas about what they observe with their friends, taking so many photos to keep memories as well as having time to create wonderful drawings throughout the day.

“The art trip was amazing. I loved the Museum of Natural History; it was so interesting and the fossils were incredible to see. However, my highlight was seeing Pitt Rivers and seeing all the samurai armour, weapons, and all the ancient artefacts.” Hassan S in 9R. “On the Year 9 art trip, everyone had a great time. The ancient artefacts and interesting fossils on display were so fascinating. We also bonded more while working on our art pieces. Overall, it was an amazing visit and I would go again.” Kaelan B in 9E.

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Trip to Normandy At 6am on the 22nd of September, we embarked on a journey to Normandy with 62 students and 8 teachers.

Our double decker bus, filled with a mixture of excitement, enjoyment, and a touch of tiredness, carried us along the motorway to Folkestone, where we boarded the Eurostar shuttle to Calais. For some of our boys, this was their first trip abroad, and many faces reflected amazement at the speed and technical marvel of the Eurostar as it travelled under the English Channel.

We arrived at our final destination in Normandy, Fougeray, at around 10 p.m. From there, the boys settled into their accommodation, unpacked, and familiarized themselves with their surroundings. The evening unfolded gently with a cold buffet dinner, followed by time to settle in and get comfortable after the long journey. Exhausted but excited, everyone went to sleep, ready for the days ahead.

On Tuesday, the programme truly came to life. The morning began with a presentation of the week’s schedule and a tour of the property, giving everyone a clear sense of the opportunities onsite, including a beach volleyball court, a football and boule pitch, and a large games room. Once settled, we set off to explore the iconic Mont Saint-Michel. During the bus journey, students were captivated by the beautiful views of the island, and once there, they enjoyed a visit to the fortified village. Some sampled typical Normandy delicacies, but most opted for the Breton crepes.

We then embarked on a guided walk around the Mont, allowing the students to discover its unique landscapes and surrounding quicksand, which they found both fascinating and fun. They learned how to recognize quicksand, what to do if trapped, and gained insight into the area’s history and the surrounding landscape, which influences local biodiversity. Later, they visited the Abbey, deepening their appreciation of its history and architecture. The day concluded with another cold buffet dinner and a lively sports tournament.

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Wednesday offered a change of pace, focusing on local culture and discovery. The morning was devoted to visiting the bustling market in Pontorson, where students were able to observe French daily life firsthand and practise their French. Their shopping adventures culminated in a market-style picnic before heading to the seaside town of Saint-Malo for an afternoon visit, exploring its historic streets and maritime fortifications.

After dinner, the group took part in a French-themed fancy-dress activity where Connor amazed everyone with his Joconde-inspired costume.

On Thursday, the group continued its historical exploration with a morning visit to the British military cemetery in Bayeux, offering a reflective and educational experience. Many students were moved, reflecting on the sacrifices of the young men who gave up their lives for a better world. One student commented: “Miss, I have mixed feelings about this. I feel connected to these men as it is such an important part of history and I feel sorry for what they had to go through”.

After a picnic lunch, the group travelled to Arromanches to visit the D-Day Landing Museum. Students were captivated by the depth of the exhibits, including a reallife reconstruction of the artificial port and numerous relics from the past. It was very moving to see their engagement and curiosity. The visit was followed by an immersive session at the 360° cinema, offering a panoramic insight into the events of the Normandy landings. The day concluded with another sports event at La Grand Ferme. On the final day we began our journey home at 4:15 a.m. It was a time to reflect on the experiences we have all shared which I hope will leave the students with lasting memories.

A huge thank you to Ms. Spence and the team for organising such a wonderful trip.

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Trip to china - Cultural and Language Immersion In July 2025, our Year 9 MEP students set off for Kunming, where they were warmly welcomed by Yunnan Normal University for a remarkable 13-day cultural and language immersion experience. The trip offered a perfect balance of structured study and handson cultural exploration.

Each morning, students took part in engaging, well-planned Mandarin lessons. In the afternoons and evenings, they put their learning into action through a variety of authentic activities. Highlights included learning the traditional Dragon Dance, practising Taiji, and spending an unforgettable day at a local secondary school. There, students gained insight into Chinese school life and tried their hand at calligraphy, Dai ethnic dance, playing the Hulusi (a traditional reed instrument), and crafting herbal fragrance bags.

The itinerary continued to impress with a visit to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shilin (Stone Forest), an extraordinary landscape of towering limestone formations stretching over 350 square kilometres. Students also explored China’s largest flower market, where they were amazed by the vibrant displays of fresh flowers and the astonishing range of local teas. Another standout visit was the Yunnan Ethnic Village, showcasing the rich traditions, architecture, and cultures of 26 different ethnic groups from across the province.

Evenings brought plenty of excitement at the bustling night market. Students enthusiastically put their Mandarin into practice while bargaining for souvenirs—many of which proved surprisingly difficult to squeeze into their suitcases on the way home!

This extraordinary trip not only boosted students’ Mandarin confidence but also broadened their cultural understanding and global outlook. As several students reflected, “This was the trip of our lives. We’ll never forget the memories and fun - we’ll carry them with us forever.”

A huge thank you to Mrs Xia and the team organising and supervising an amazing trip.

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diamond light source visit In October, 22 Lower Sixth physicists visited the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire. They learned how this type of particle accelerator, a synchrotron, generates high-energy X-rays that are 10 billion times brighter than the sun. These X-rays effectively turn the machine into a powerful microscope, capable of investigating the structure of a wide range of materials.

The visit gave students a first-hand experience of cutting-edge scientific research. They explored several notable discoveries made at the facility, including how it has been used to: Adapt bacterial enzymes to digest plastic Develop treatments for HIV, COVID-19, and cancer Analyse part of an asteroid collected in space to uncover clues about the origins of life and water on Earth Image previously unreadable ancient scrolls that were damaged in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius Students left inspired and motivated to pursue their own careers in STEM in the future.

Dissection Club This half term, members of Dissection Club have been making great strides towards their Bronze CREST Award, tackling the challenging and fascinating task of prawn dissection. With remarkable skill, dexterity, and attention to detail, students explored the anatomy of these creatures, gaining hands-on experience that brings classroom biology to life.

Throughout the sessions, members demonstrated curiosity, precision, and teamwork, carefully observing and recording their findings as part of their CREST project. Their dedication and enthusiasm were evident in every step of the process, making the experience both educational and rewarding. Well done to all members of the club for their commitment, focus, and the impressive progress they have made this half term!

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Careers MEDENTORS MMI On Saturday 15th November, a brilliant group of university students from the company Medentors ran mock mini multiple reviews (MMIs) for the BVGS students who are applying to medical and dental schools this year.

“For aspiring doctors and dentists, the road to medical or dental school is not an easy one. Ideally work experience should be completed early on in sixth form, to allow enough time to meet personal statement deadlines and the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), which is sat by most people in the summer holidays prior to Year 13.

Throughout Year 12, it’s important that students undertake wider reading and super-curricular activities to not only show long-term commitment to their chosen career, but to also make them stand out in interviews later down the line. At the time of writing, all medicine and dentistry applications have been sent off to universities, and we are waiting for our offers in anticipation.

The unique Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) style of some medical and dental school interviews can be challenging to navigate. Thankfully, we were given the opportunity by Medentors to experience the MMIs through mock interviews. From each of the simulated stations we received personalised feedback. Personally, I found it a useful way to gauge how well I can structure my responses when put on the spot – as writing things down is very different to speaking aloud in front of someone. It allowed me to set personal goals, and I feel much more confident about the upcoming interviews. Thank you to both Mrs Fordham and Medentors for allowing us to benefit from this experience, and I wish my peers the best of luck with their applications.”

Charlie Dunne in U6 23

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Insight Afternoon at Goldman Sachs I

On Friday 10th October, I had the pleasure of visiting the Goldman Sachs Office in London on an Insight Afternoon held for Year 12s and Year 13 pupils. The informative afternoon saw quite a few different speakers from three different branches of the company - Software Engineering, FICC & Equities and Finance & Operations - give us a talk about how they work, what their day-to-day was like in a degree apprenticeship and answer a few questions from the audience.

The afternoon was rounded off with a short Q&A panel from a group of apprentices from each of the branches each with very insightful tips & suggestions from their diverse experiences and thereafter a welcoming networking event. Some important takeaways I learnt from this great opportunity were: Be curious Be a positive presence, especially in the workplace Take advantage of as many networking opportunities as possible Overall, it was a very useful and helpful experience which helped give me a preview of the world of work.

Written by Umar Bashir, U6.

Financial Literacy Workshops Throughout this term, Year 11 pupils have taken part in a series of engaging and practical financial literacy workshop led by Hardeep Kaur from Vibrant Mortgages. The sessions introduced students to essential moneymanagement skills, including budgeting, understanding credit, saving strategies, and the long-term impact of financial decisions. Hardeep used realworld examples from her work in the mortgage industry to help students connect classroom concepts with future life choices, such as renting, buying a home, and managing personal debt responsibly. The workshops have empowered students with the confidence and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions as they move toward adulthood.

A huge thank you to Hardeep for offering this service to our students!

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CHARACTER

“Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day.

Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.”

Heraclitus 25

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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AT BVGS: A TERM OF COMMITMENT, CONTRIBUTION AND CARE This term at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School has been a powerful reminder of what lies at the heart of the Vesey experience: character. While academic achievement remains central to our mission, it is the development of resilience, empathy, leadership, and community spirit that truly defines our school. Across the weeks, pupils have embraced opportunities to grow, to give, and to celebrate together, exemplifying our three Cs of character — we commit, we contribute, and we care.

For our newest Veseyans, the Year 7 residential at Whitemoor Lakes was more than just a trip; it was a formative experience. Oliver T (7G) summed it up simply: “being with friends at Whitemoor Lakes” — a reflection of the bonds forged and the confidence gained. The residential encouraged teamwork, independence, and resilience, laying the foundation for the character journey that will continue throughout their time at BVGS. Trips beyond the classroom have also shaped character. Tom S (9B) described the Big Bang trip to London: “It’s helped develop social skills.” Seb N (9B) added: “It helped me with understanding what people mean when they ask questions and how to answer them thoroughly.” Meanwhile, Rishi N (10E) reflected on the China trip that took place at the end of the summer term 2025: “I learnt a lot about different cultures. Using language skills really helped improve my confidence.” These experiences highlight how travel and exposure to new ideas broaden perspectives and strengthen confidence.

Sport continues to be a vital arena for character development. Rayyan S (10R) shared: “Playing sport has helped me academically and in terms of keeping fit. School is a great place to play sport as they have such great facilities.”

Others have discovered new passions: Luke S (7P) said, “Doing swimming for games has been the best part about this term because it’s really fun to do something different. I’ve been more adventurous this term, doing lots of unexpected things.” Zach B(8W) reflected on his progress: “I’ve got much better at hockey this term after working really hard. I’ve also got in much less trouble – lots of merits and less detentions.” These voices show how sport builds resilience, discipline, and joy.

The last two weeks of term has seen our inaugural Winter Games house competition taking place, with a fortnight of House competitions, including badminton, table tennis, rugby, public speaking, chess, netball and swimming all giving opportunities for pupils to participate. All of this was spearheaded by our student leadership team, a shining example of pupils taking initiative for the benefit of the wider community. Their commitment ensured that the event was not only competitive but also inclusive, fostering house spirit and camaraderie. This was character development in action: pupils leading, contributing, and caring for their peers.

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This term, pupils have taken on challenges not for recognition, but because they care deeply about important causes. They planned and led assemblies on Dementia Awareness and Anti-Bullying, as well as presentations on green travel, Black History Month, and World Mental Health Day. These acts of leadership and empathy truly embody the Vesey spirit.

The Christmas Fayre yet again showcased the ingenuity and generosity of our pupils. Many older pupils attended or ran stalls, not for personal gain, but out of a genuine desire to contribute. Ben M (7P) reflected: “Stricter rules at secondary school help develop character. But it’s also great to have fun with friends at events like the Christmas Fayre.”

Taban W (L6II) highlighted the Giving Tree initiative: “It really develops our character, gives us the opportunity to socialise with peers and adults, give back to the community and develop our soft skills.” Such projects remind us that character is built not only in classrooms but in acts of kindness and service.

The celebration of Diwali was another highlight of the term, with our Hindu Society exemplifying leadership, initiative, and teamwork. Pupils enjoyed beautiful decorations, Rangoli art competitions, carnival cricket, student-led assemblies and tasty Indian snacks.

Even Year 7 pupils on the residential trip didn’t miss out, with staff keen to ensure they bagged some tasty treats for pupils on their first Diwali away from family. Cultural events like this enrich our community. Carlos E (8B) noted: “the range of educational subjects at BVGS has given me a great idea about how languages and cultures differ.” His reflection echoes the value of broadening horizons and embracing difference.

Character development is deeply personal. Martha H (L6VI) shared: “I’m a lot more confident since starting at Bishop Vesey’s, I had to be in order to make friends.” Megan J (L6VII) rediscovered her passion: “I’ve rediscovered playing netball since starting at BVGS.” Daniel W (L6IV) reflected: “I’ve matured since September and have really enjoyed playing rugby here.” Umayer H (L6VII) spoke of empathy: “the volunteer schemes here really have developed my people skills and empathy.” Each of these voices demonstrates how the Vesey experience nurtures growth in unique and meaningful ways.

Many pupils are making progress towards their Vesey 500 award for character development, a recognition of their commitment to embodying the three Cs of character.

These achievements are not about ticking boxes but about living out values that will shape futures.

The opening of the £6.8 million Robert P Lowndes Learning Resource Centre on 12th December marked a major milestone for the school. More than a building, it reflects our commitment to curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Through Giving Day, pupils contributed to this project, and it was with giddy excitement that they showed round the distinguished guests, parents, staff, alumni, local residents and other donors. Amongst pupils, there is now a sense of responsibility to use this space to help develop themselves for the good of others. I know they will continue to make us proud.

Written by R. Brocklebank, Deputy Headteacher.

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THE WINTER GAMES The Michaelmas term may be known for its cold mornings, long nights and the challenging return to academic routine, but this year the heat of competition has helped keep the intense flame of Vesey spirit alive with the introduction of the first ever Winter Games. This is a new initiative created by School Captain Sheoli, with support from Mr Brocklebank, House Coordinators: James, Nidhi, and Alfie, and school captain Elliot. A huge thank you also goes to the House Captains, Sixth Form volunteers, and teachers who have helped run, score, and organise events throughout the week. From the opening contest to the final point, the Houses will battle fiercely for the honour of lifting the prestigious House Cup. The Winter Games is a series of 24 house competitions spread across 2 weeks, and the competitions range from house quizzes and house speaking competitions, to the swimming gala and House NFL. The Winter Games have brought out pupils’ pride in their Houses as well as unforgettable moments for everyone involved, ranging from the tightly contested House Chess, to Purple House reclaiming their title as the Champions of Netball.

With over 700 participants, the competition has created a brilliant atmosphere throughout the school, so a huge thank you goes out to everyone involved.

The winner of the Vesey Winter Games will be announced on the last day of school!

With many events still to take place in the final week of term, the race for the Cup remains wide open but here are the results so far:

1. Blue – 1296 2. Purple – 1291 3. Gold – 1105 4. Emerald – 1093 5. White – 1075 6. Red – 1062

The competition will come down to the wire, with only five points currently separating 1st and 2nd place. There will also be an abundance of house competitions coming up after Christmas, including: Rugby, Hockey and Football just to name a few. The question is, who will be top come the end of the year? We wish all competitors the best of luck and hope they approach upcoming events with the same enthusiasm that they have shown this term on their quest to winning the eternal glory of the House Cup. Written by Harry M in U6V with help from Sheoli R.

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Christmas Fayre On Thursday 4th December, the BVGS festive period began with the annual Christmas Fayre. It was a an exciting evening with wonderful musicians playing Christmas songs, some tasty snacks provided by the incredible PTFA and awesome challenges and stalls organised by our tenacious pupils.

A grand total of £1146.94 was raised thanks to a huge effort from staff and students. Congratulations to 7W who raised a whopping £182.20! All proceeds went to a great local cause chosen by the Charity Team - St Basils.

This year’s Fayre truly exemplified the spirit of Christmas, bringing joy, community, and generosity to the forefront. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who contributed to this event, especially our wonderful pupils and Mr. Brocklebank for his exceptional leadership.

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Junior Soloists This year’s Junior Soloists Competition was a spectacular showcase of musical excellence, featuring 18 soloists performing before an audience of parents and pupils.

From violin to piano to drums, we had some incredible performances from Year 7 -10 pupils.

The adjudicators were Dr Luan Shaw, Associate Professor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Mr Robson, Headteacher. It was, by all accounts, a tough job judging such a high standard!

The runners up were: Zachary J in 7W playing Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovich on piano.

Louis L in 8P playing Le Coucou by Louis Claude Daquin on piano.

This year’s winner was Oliver G in 9G who played Tango Habanera by Barbara Arens on violin.

Thank you to Mr Lenthall and Mrs McCausland for organising and hosting such a wonderful evening for parents and students alike. A huge well done to all participants — your courage, creativity, and performance truly were very inspiring to everyone in the audience!

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Outstanding LAMDA Success This summer, pupils at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School achieved fantastic results in their LAMDA examinations. These prestigious performance and communication exams, which award valuable UCAS points from Grade 6 and above, saw a remarkable 100% pass rate, with every student earning either a Merit or a Distinction.

Throughout their preparation, pupils developed a wide range of essential speaking and presentation skills. They learned how to speak clearly and with expressive delivery, how to modulate their voices to keep an audience engaged, and how to use effective body language to support confident communication.

We are incredibly proud of all the pupils for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements. If you are interested in public speaking training for young people or adults, please contact admin@centrestageschool.org.uk for more information.

Speech Recitals

We are thrilled to announce our Year 7–9 Speech Recital taking place on the 2nd December, where all of our younger speech students will perform poems on two exciting themes: “School Life” and “Spooky”. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to put their public speaking skills into action.

Preparations are going really well. Pupils have been dedicated and hard-working, practising their delivery, expression, and body language. Some students feel confident and ready; others a little nervous, but we couldn’t be prouder that every one of them is committed to trying their very best.

According to a recent YouGov study, fear of public speaking (or “glossophobia”) ranks among the top three most common fears in the country yet, as a subject, Speech is rarely taught.

That’s why this recital is so important. It’s not just about performing a poem. It’s about building courage, gaining confidence, and learning to overcome a fear that affects so many later in life. We are really looking forward to seeing these young people shine, and celebrating how far they’ve come.

If you’d like to learn more about public speaking, for young people or adults, please get in touch at admin@centrestageschool.org.uk.

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Duke of Edinburgh Update Since the end of the last school year, students have been busy finishing off their volunteering, physical and skills sections for their awards with students doing Gold undertaking an additional residential. We have had an incredible 120 students complete their Bronze award and 54 students complete their Silver award; students have received their badges and certificates.

A number of current and former students have completed their Gold award, this requires a huge amount of time, effort and dedication. We have a number of students in Upper Sixth who are very close to completing their award too so we should hopefully have a large contingent of BVGS representatives at Buckingham Palace in May 2026 for the Gold presentation and to celebrate 70 years of the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Gold award recipients: Former students: William T, Nathan L, Luca M, Alyssea G, Max S, Shanelle F Current Upper Sixth students : Timothy S, Sheoli R, Anaisha K, Farhan K, Tobi S, Rajan D The Duke of Edinburgh Award continues in 2025/2026 with strong participation across the school: 167 Year 9 students are undertaking the Bronze award, 102 Year 10 students are pursuing Silver, and 54 Lower Sixth students are beginning the Gold award. BVGS consistently ranks among the schools with the highest number of participants in the country, making the programme a significant undertaking each year.

A big thank you to Miss Ayto and Miss McDougall for verifying all the evidence compiled by students for their awards and for approving their achievements!

Mr Timmis - Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

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Duke of Edinburgh Expedition In the summer, Miss Groves and I led two separate canoeing expeditions to the Caledonian Canal, where students battled nearly all of the elements to complete their Gold expedition. This included anything from sunshine and warm weather to torrential rain, gale force winds and even Storm Floris! Over just four days, the students canoed the majority of the 60 mile stretch from Fort William to Inverness. During the expedition, they wild-camped on the banks of Loch Ness, spotted wildlife (no Nessie though, unfortunately!), and experienced the beauty of the Highlands, creating unforgettable memories. The resilience displayed during the trips exemplified the Vesey spirit and values and the students should be proud of what they achieved.

For this academic year, student engagement in the Duke of Edinburgh award has been outstanding: 167 Year 9 students will be completing their Bronze D of E expedition in Cannock Chase; 102 Year 10 students are undertaking the Silver award in the Peak District, and for the Gold award, we have 55 Year 12 students either canoeing the River Wye or walking in the Yorkshire Dales. This will once again be a huge undertaking for all involved, but it is opportunities such as these that make the Vesey experience so unique.

Mr Timmis, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

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Senior hockey tour to barcelona The long-awaited hockey tour to Barcelona began in truly memorable fashion — with the brand-new tour kit being styled out in the airport at 4:30am, setting the tone for what was to be a week full of team spirit and pride.

After a smooth flight and a quick landing in Barcelona, we took a gentle stroll around the local area, familiarising ourselves with the surroundings before heading into the f irst training session under the Spanish heat. Despite the challenging conditions, the energy was high, and everyone pushed through.

Day two started with a hearty breakfast before the squad set off for a four-hour beach session. The team enjoyed soaking up the sun, taking in the stunning Mediterranean views and, for many, trying paddle boarding for the very f irst time. After a refuelling lunch, it was time for the f irst f ixtures of the tour, with both the 1st and 2 nd teams taking on Castellf ildads Hockey Club. The 2nd XI faced the home side’s U18s in f ront of an enthusiastic local crowd and battled to an impressive 0–0 draw, showing resilience and discipline throughout.

The 1st XI then stepped up against a team featuring several Uruguayan professionals, providing a challenging test of skill and stamina. Despite a hardfought performance, the result didn’t go their way but the players took away valuable lessons to build on for the rest of the tour. The evening involved a well-deserved dip in the pool, a few games of cards, and some much-needed rest.

Day three promised something special: a visit to the iconic Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona. Even though the stadium is currently under renovation, the panoramic views and sheer scale of the venue left everyone in awe. Standing in one of the world’s most famous football arenas was a surreal moment and a highlight for many.

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The group then embarked on a long bus journey to Atlètic Terrassa Hockey Club, one of Spain’s most successful hockey teams, with over 20 national league titles and a reputation for developing international players. The boys had a training session and lunch at the club before watching the Terrassa f irst team in action, offering a masterclass in technical play and tactical movement. Inspired by what they’d seen, both school teams took to the f ield for their own matches.

The 1st XI were up f irst, facing the top-ranked team in Spain, and although the scoreline didn’t reflect their effort, they produced a gritty and determined performance, earning the respect of their opponents and coaches alike. The 2nd XI followed with an equally spirited display. After a tough f irst half, they regrouped and came out stronger, winning the second half thanks to improved structure, communication, and standout performances particularly f rom Raf i, who impressed with his composure and control.

On the f inal day, teams headed to PortAventura World, Spain’s largest theme park, home to some of Europe’s tallest and fastest roller coasters including Shambhala, which reaches speeds of over 130 km/h. One particularly memorable moment came when Sam S. put his Spanish skills to the test, chatting conf idently with locals much to the amusement and admiration of his teammates.

That evening, as the sun set on the f inal day, the team gathered for the traditional tour awards. The prestigious title of “Best Tourer” was awarded to Mayo, recognised for his constant enthusiasm, effort, and ability to engage with every part of the week — both on and off the pitch. His attitude perfectly embodied the spirit of the tour.

A massive thank you must go to Mr Howell, Mr Irfan, Mr Lacey and Mr Doughty, whose organisation, support, and energy made the trip such a success. Their dedication ensured the tour ran smoothly and gave every player the chance to experience new challenges, make new f riends, and develop both as hockey players and as young people.

Report by Elliot W in U6

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Year 7 Residential In October, our Year 7 pupils had an incredible time at Whitemoor Lakes, taking part in a variety of exciting activities. From abseiling and climbing to watersports and fencing, they've embraced every challenge with enthusiasm. Huge thanks to Head of Year 7, Mrs Bowen, for organising and to all the staff who supported the trip.

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Music tour to belgium - a resounding success!

In July, our talented music students embarked on a memorable tour to Belgium, where they performed in a variety of unique and inspiring venues.

The trip was not only a musical triumph but also a wonderful cultural and social experience for everyone involved.

The tour began with a performance in the historic town square of Ypres, where students entertained an appreciative audience in the marketplace square. Their music filled the air against the beautiful backdrop of Flemish architecture and drew praise from locals and tourists.

On the second evening, the group had the honour of attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. This moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of the First World War was a moment of reflection and respect, and the students’ contribution through the laying of the wreath was a poignant experience.

The following day, the ensemble visited a care home in Ostend, where they performed for residents and staff. Their music brought smiles and joy, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere.

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Another highlight of the tour was the visit to Talbot House Museum in Poperinge, where students once again shared their music in a place steeped in wartime history. Their impromptu indoor performance due to the rain, reflected the spirit of camaraderie and remembrance that Talbot House represents.

Beyond the performances, there was plenty of time for fun and relaxation.

The group spent an exhilarating day at Bellewaerde theme park— coincidentally the hottest day of the year!—and made the most of the sunshine, rides, and attractions. Evenings at the accommodation were full of laughter and creativity, with an open mic night showcasing the students’ talents and a BBQ providing the perfect end to a busy week.

The tour was a fantastic success, combining cultural enrichment, personal growth, and musical achievement. Students represented the school with maturity, enthusiasm, and great talent throughout. A huge thank you goes to the staff who involved the trip, and to all the students whose performances and positive attitudes made it such an unforgettable experience. Belgium will certainly remember the wonderful music and spirit of our school!

Thank you to Mr Lenthall and the team for arranging this inspirational trip.

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Business & Charity Interns get connected!

A Business Social held at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in November enabled the Business and Charity Interns to try out their newly acquired networking skills. This was a fantastic opportunity for us to gain insight into the real world of business by getting to know our Corporate Partners. We made so many important connections and spoke to so many people with an abundance of knowledge to share, but the best part of it all was that we gained a clear understanding of what a future in business and charity will have in store for us and now we are more excited than ever to get started!

We all decided to get into our roles for a chance to be involved in projects that genuinely make a difference, both within the school community and beyond it. The Giving Tree offers everyone the chance to donate food, clothes, and essential items to those who need them most. We’ve been involved with the planning, volunteering, and preparation of promotional material. As Business and Charity Interns, over the run up to Christmas, we’ve been volunteering our time in the evenings and at weekends in Gracechurch and Mulberry Walk, Mere Green. Last year’s Interns managed to collect an astounding 7103 donations and we are determined to even better this year.

As part of the Internship programme, we have already had multiple fantastic workshops which are equipping us with the skills we need to go into the wider world.

We’ve benefited from informative workshops on CV writing, interview preparation and networking from a range of providers including Paul Palmer from Coppice HR, Sophie Micklewright and Enoch Evans Solicitors.

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Another exciting part of our Intern journey has been the team selection process for the Enterprise Project. Even though it’s still early days, it’s inspiring to see everyone bring their own strengths, perspectives, and ideas. At this stage we have formed teams and are just beginning to have conversations about the different ways to tackle the scenarios chosen but it has already been a lot of fun, and if forming teams and selecting scenarios has taught us anything, it’s to enjoy the process just as much as the final product. We know the scrutiny from the Vesey Dragons in June 2026 will be tough, but we’re ready for it, because it’s a chance to apply everything we’ll learn throughout the year.

Being an intern has been a wonderful opportunity so far, giving us the chance to grow and contribute in meaningful ways. The Interns Programme really is an amazing opportunity and we are all really looking forward to what’s ahead: the challenges, the teamwork, and the chance to keep making a difference.

Most importantly, a big thanks goes out to everyone who made this experience possible, from Claire Bolton and all the Officers and Corporate Partners involved.

Written by Advay V and Genevieve W in L6

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Sport Review It has been an action-packed term filled with fantastic opportunities and impressive sporting achievements for our students. The range of clubs available throughout the school day continues to grow , and we have seen exceptional levels of participation and performance.

Cross-Country Year 7 claimed victory in the Sutton Schools team race, with S. Lees, O. Taylor, W. Biddle and M. Hakata finishing as the first four Vesey runners to secure a convincing team win.

After qualifying as Warwickshire Champions, the Junior Boys team (Years 7 & 8 combined) delivered an outstanding performance at the Midlands Finals held at Bromsgrove School.

S. Howell won the race, with H. Mukkatash finishing 7th, S. Lees 10th and O. Taylor 12th.

They were strongly supported by J. Bancroft and N. Girish. This remarkable achievement marks the first time in over 30 years that the school has been crowned Midlands Champions.

The Intermediate team (Years 9 & 10 combined) also produced an excellent performance at Bromsgrove, finishing 2nd overall. O. Gunther, M. Randhawa, Y. Sidhu, J. Drysdale, T. Adamson and T. Ross all worked exceptionally hard to secure the result.

Both teams went on to qualify for the England Athletics Cross Country Cup Final, held at Princethorpe College. Despite battling truly awful conditions—and with illness and injury affecting several runners— the boys put in a commendable effort against many of the top schools in the country. The Junior Boys finished a very respectable 16th nationally, with the Intermediates placing 21st. D. Barry stepped in for T. Adamson at the final. A huge well done to all the boys who represented the school with such distinction.

Table Tennis Since September, a group of Year 7 boys have been selected to take part in table tennis, with each house receiving two opportunities to train with our school coach.

Together with the Year 8 and Year 9 boys already involved, we now have 30 students regularly attending after-school training sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Our KS3 team (pictured below) achieved an impressive victory in the Sutton Schools competition—well done to the four boys involved: T. Brett (7G), J. Linley (7P), A. Ahmed (7B) and O. Ko (8R).

Before this success, they competed in the County Finals, finishing second in both the U16 (D. Albert Nagy, D. Ting, T. F. Lim, W. Liu) and U13 (A. Chalati, S. Mok, A. Rajanikanth, A. Mahale) categories. They will now progress to the Regional Finals, taking place in February.

It is fantastic to see so many boys developing a real passion for the sport, and table tennis is quickly becoming one of our most popular activities.

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Sport Review Badminton Another sport rapidly growing in popularity is badminton. Students across all year groups have shown great enthusiasm, and attendance at both the before-school sessions and the after-school club—running from September to early November—has been excellent. The club, led by Miss King and Mr Rehman from the Maths department, saw outstanding levels of pupil engagement. We now also have a Sixth Form team training every Wednesday after school, who are eager to enter the Badminton England competitions.

Bikeability was offered primarily to Year 8 boys during September and October, providing a fantastic free opportunity for students to develop an essential life skill— and potentially discover a new passion for a sport that can significantly boost their fitness. We will be running the programme again after Easter for Year 7 boys, as well as any Year 8 students who have not yet completed all the levels. The courses range from basic learn-to-ride sessions to Level 3, where boys undertake road cycling and learn to navigate traffic using the skills required for safe and confident riding.

Cricket Training will begin in earnest in the New Year, but Year 7 students have already had the opportunity to take part in sessions on Tuesdays before the final squad is selected.

Our PE Technician, Mr Chander, will be working with both squads and individual players once the new term begins.

In November, we were extremely proud to be named the in the West Midlands Regional Cricket School of the Year by the XL (Forty) Club and were honoured to receive the award at Lord’s in the Long Room, presented by Chris Cowdrey.

Football The senior football team unfortunately exited the West Midlands Cup at the very first hurdle. After performing well in a friendly against Fairfax School—and securing a strong win—spirits were high heading into the away fixture against Hagley R.C. High School. However, Vesey conceded two early goals before taking control of the match and pulling one back.

Despite dominating for long periods, the team was unable to find the equaliser their performance deserved as the clock ran down.

Thank you to Mr Lee and Mr Wylie for their support in selecting and preparing the team through a series of training sessions.

Swimming Every Friday, a group of boys attend swimming lessons at Whitehouse Common School. This valuable opportunity allows many of our students to learn a crucial life skill and gain the confidence needed to enjoy all the benefits of being safe and competent in the water.

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We have never had more students representing the school in both fixtures and after-school training sessions, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our sports staff, who consistently go above and beyond for Bishop Vesey’s students.

Written by Mr Howell, Director of Sport

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

Hockey Review It’s been an extremely busy term for BVGS Hockey. On Saturday 15th November, Year 7 A Team took part in their first tournament playing intense games against Solihull School, KES Birmingham and Warwick School. The boys were fantastic all morning, much to the joy of Mr.Lacey and Mr.Irfan who were really impressed. A tough battle between Vesey and KES Birmingham ended in a narrow defeat but good results in other games topped off the morning with a win versus Warwick School and a competitive draw versus Solihull School.

The following week saw all Junior teams taking on KES Birmingham in their respective fixtures. On Monday 17th November, Year 10 hockey produced two wins with the A team winning 2-0 and B Team winning 1-0. Those who have attended training sessions have worked hard. It’s certainly paying off and it’s been great to see a large collective giving back to younger years in helping on there after school sessions as well.

On Tuesday 18th it was Year 9’s turn for some fantastic hockey. A very talented year group flexed their muscles as they came away with three victories. A Team won 5-0 with a composed performance, trying new tactics and set plays that

Mr.Lacey had asked them to experiment with. The B Team also won 5-0, showing how they can keep up with the A Team.

Great to see the C Team in action, after a few weeks without games, also showing a dominant performance winning 3-0.

The following week saw the Year 9 A Team continue their good performances against a strong Bromsgrove School Team. With the help of Dan C and Jacob J from Year 10, the boys worked tirelessly to battle throughout the game. The game was very even with both teams having good changes. Amazing saves from Bromsgrove’s keeper denied the Vesey team some goals but eventually the deadlock was broken. A fantastic bit of skill from Mustafa N saw him beat two defenders before find the space in the circle to release a fantastic backhand shot into the far left of the goal. Now in the lead, the boys had to defend well. Great efforts from Marley H and Theo C saw the team stay strong and hold on to their 1-0. The final whistle blew and the boys had won yet another game!

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Hockey Review Thursday 20th November was a busy day for Year 8 with two home games and two away, meaning a total of 43 students from the year group taking part in games against KES Birmingham. It was amazing to have so many pupils involved in sport, representing Bishop Vesey fantastically. All teams, A through to D, came away victorious, demonstrating the progress they have made since Year 7. The highlight of the day was the A Team’s win as their game against KES Birmingham was the first round of their National Cup Competition. With the team 4-0 up at half time it never seemed in doubt and the excitement filled the team at the thought of going through to the next round. A fantastic game for their first experience in a national competition.

The Senior 1st team had arguably the toughest fixture. The boys had been working hard over the last few weeks, working with Mr.Irfan on Mondays at training and adopting Mr.Lacey’s tactics and ethos to create an incredibly talented team.

The game started quickly with both teams having chances early on. Vesey settled into their routine and began to take control of the game. This was made evident by scoring the first goal of the game, Henry W. with the final touch. As the intensity of the game grew, the team did not panic.

However, the highlight for the week were the games against Solihull. With all four teams in action, it was going to be a close contest but great to see over 60 students representing the school. An undefeated day for the Senior section saw 3 wins and 1 draw. 4th Team took part in a goal fest winning 10-1. The 3rd Team took part in a tight game. With goals going in at either end of the pitch, the boys came away with a win snatching the last goal to make it 32. 2nd Team took on a strong Solihull team.

It was always going to be close with either team matching one another shown by the final score of 2-2.

Starting well inside their own half, the ball was moved quickly between players eventually making its way to Ralph H. A quick turn of pace saw him get to the baseline and find the perfect pass for George B who put the ball away for Vesey’s second goal. The game seemed sealed, but Solihull continued the fight. Pushing hard to get the next goal, a series of chances fell Solihull’s way, but Sam stayed strong producing some excellent saves. After a scramble in front of goal, the ball finally found the next making the score 2-1. This did not deter Vesey as they continued to play some fantastic hockey. A fantastic bit of control from Elliot D. on the end of an Aerial set up a quick counterattack. A ball out to Josh R began the charge. Making its way through the George B, he turned to play maker providing the perfect through ball for James M. A fantastic bit of chill saw James’s chip the ball over the keeper. Game, Set and Match!

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Hockey Review On Wednesday 26th, the senior 1st team continued their impressive performances with an away trip to Bromsgrove school. A later fixture played under lights; the boys were still thriving off the results from last week. From the start of the game, the team were impressive scoring quickly and then did not stop. Goals galore made for a thrilling game and lots of students getting on the score sheet. Final score… 11-0 to Vesey!

On Wednesday 3rd, the team faced a tough opposition in KES Birmingham in the first round of the England Hockey National Cup. With full attendance from the team for the 4th week running, the boys were carrying a strong consistency into the fixture. Implementing strategies from Mr.Lacey meant the team were more than ready to begin their cup journey. Getting used the new format of quarters, the boys started quickly, scoring off a short corner which was neatly taken by Josh R. Following was a series of goals from good team moves and strong defensive display from the back four of Max B, Elliot D, Oliver B and Taran K. The effort levels never waivered and the boys continued to find the back of the net. With a crowd slowly building of Y9 Hockey students, the boys were spurred in to keep pushing scoring goal after goal. Final score… 7-0 to Vesey!

The team awaits the next round draw to find out who they face in the next game of the National Cup.

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Rugby Review This academic year has been the most successful start in my four years at Bishop Vesey. I define Rugby success at Bishop Vesey’s as one that fosters pupils’ enjoyment and develops a lifelong love for the sport. We as staff have seen some scintillating rugby and excellent results. I am extremely proud of the effort and commitment shown by staff and students, and I can say with confidence that the atmosphere being fostered within the Rugby community at Bishop Vesey’s is exemplary. It has taken four years to really embed my philosophy of rugby at Bishop Vesey, from an overall approach to style of play, to standards and expectations on and off the pitch, and it is safe to say that the culture instilled in the pupils is one we can all be extremely proud of.

As ever with a good rugby program, it must be ever changing and adapt to the environment it sits within. This academic year, we have introduced new aspects and continue to embed elements that create the foundation for our program.

We have seen the introduction of two new morning clubs, Year Group captains, new oppositions, new Senior Rugby Philosophy and we have officially become a British and Irish Lions Club. Mr Roach has had tremendous attendance at his new ‘Throwing Clinic’ held every Friday morning, whilst I host a morning Skills Clinic every Monday morning. We have also successfully launched our new Year Team Captains. This year we have chosen to elect four captains across the year group, with their focus being on maintaining standards and expectations set by staff, leading pupils on match days and assisting in the completion of match reports.

Alongside this, we have seen a development of our Girls Rugby Program, now with over 15 girls attending every Wednesday games coached by Mr Brooks. The overall aim of this program is to enable the pupils to be confident enough to enter a competitive fixture by the end of this academic year. Please read on to see more in depth information about our success stories this half term.

A final thanks to our four main sponsors across the Rugby Squads, all listed below.

Written by Mr Cairns, Head of Rugby

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Rugby Review

Junior Rugby Tour Success The much-anticipated Tour of Newcastle got under way on the 14th October seeing the lads depart for Wakefield to take on The Rodillian Academy. Mr Cairns is on record as saying “don’t worry lads, this is still in the south to me” as we prepared to take on our first opposition! It was a fun start to the tour, with the team taking on the bowling alley prior to playing and, with prizes up for grabs, the competition was fierce! All four teams were in action that afternoon, with Mr Brooks, Mr White, Mr Wyley and Mr Roach at the helm for each squad. Every team started with a high energy levels and a lot of effort, but not many fruits for their labour. A high scoring game in the U13B Team game saw them succumb to a 7-8 loss, whilst there were also defeats for the U13A Team and U14B Team. The standalone win of the day came from Mr White and his U14A Team, recording a solid performance and a 1912 victory. That evening the squads made their way up to Newcastle, and in the evening they celebrated their endeavours by devouring all the pizza Newcastle had to offer!

Day two was jam-packed as we started the day at RGS Newcastle playing fields! This gave the staff and pupils a chance to prepare for their upcoming fixture. The rest of the day was spent around Newcastle, with our first stop being Little Cosmo for lunch where the pupils got to experience an international buffet! It was then onto Mr Mulligans for crazy golf and the arcade. After a round of Mini Golf, Mr Cairns concluded that pupils should stick to rugby!

Our final full day in Newcastle started off with a trip to the newly named Newcastle Red Bulls. The pupils experienced a stadium tour, met first team players and were coached by their community team! It was fantastic to see so many smiles on the pupils faces as they walked around a premiership ground. It was then down to business as our preparation for the second fixture began at Northern RFC for lunch, then onto RGS to play. The afternoon was a sea of red, black and white as Bishop went toe to toe with one of the standout schools in the North East!

Both the staff and Mr Cairns were immensely proud of the attitude, commitment and behaviour of everyone that afternoon! We squeezed in a visit to the Angel of The North before heading home. A special mention to Miss White, our 1st Team Physio who was an outstanding addition to the tour!

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Rugby Review The John Young Cup When I took on the role of Head of Rugby, I understood the importance of strengthening connections between BVGS alumni and current students. We created the John Young Cup to celebrate Bishop Vesey’s only British and Irish Lions representative.

John Robert Young was born in Chester, later moving to Sutton Coldfield. Aged 18, while still a pupil at Bishop Vesey Grammar School, he won the AAA 100 yard dash, with 9.9 seconds, later equalling the 9.8 record. While at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, he achieved a Blue in both athletics and rugby. His first England cap came in a Championship winning 1958, when England beat Ireland 2-0. His last was against France in the 5-5 draw of 1961, when a try earned 3 points. A pacey, evasive No 14, he went on the British & Irish Lions 1959 tour to New Zealand and Australia, scoring the Lions’ only try in the Wellington Test.

We’re now in the third year of fantastic competition against Queen Marys. The event was held at Walsall RFC in front of the largest crowd to date, and the rugby on show ensured they were not left disappointed. Under the lights and with a lot of pressure mounted on the Vesey 1st Team, the lads started gingerly to say the least.

After the first half, Vesey were only slighted ahead and the game was very much in the balance. Queen Marys provided the strongest opposition to date in the competition’s short history. At the end of the match, Bishop Vesey ran out 29-13 victors. Vesey have now retained the cup for 3 years in a row. Please keep an eye out for next year’s John Young as this event promises the be the biggest yet for the Vesey Community!

Year 11 called up to the 1XV: Very few Year 11s have been involved in regular 1st Team action, most notably our current 1st Team Captain, Jacob F. Another standout pupil this term has been Ryan D, who has performed under some high-pressured situations. His first call up was in one of the most historic matches Vesey plays, against KES Stratford. No more than 10 minutes before KO, he was called up from the 2XV into a starting full back shirt for the 1XV. Ryan showed a level of confidence befitting of a well-established 1st Team player, and on top of this, had to do so for the full 70 minutes. The same event then occurred during the 1XV last game against Haberdashers Abraham Darby, and once again, Ryan produced a flawless and composed performance both in defence and attack.

U15 Cup Run Success Year 10 have made a fantastic start to their rugby season on approaching the Christmas break, having played 10 games and winning 7. Along the way there has been some notable performances, last minute thrillers, 3rd place result at the GB tournament, as well as a very respectable National Cup run reaching Round 3.

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Rugby Review The first game of the season was Round 1 National Cup action against a very strong and physical Sandbach School. Having been losing for majority of the game, a last minute winner scored by Connor Hazeldine-Potts secured them progressing in the competition. This ensured we then hosted our old rivals OSH in round 2 in which this current year group have never won against.

With motivation at an all time high, the year 10 group put in arguably their best performance of the season to date, showing unwavering resilience and character to beat OSH for the first time, with the score ending 19-12 and progressing to Round 3. This meant that the group were on their travels to Birkenhead in Liverpool to play St Anselm's School. After a shaky start, Vesey managed to get themselves back into the game and with 10 minutes left and only 4 points down, the team started to dominate and had all the momentum. Unfortunately, they were met by a resolute St Anselm's defence who managed to shut them out. St Anselm’s running out eventual winners by only two penalty scores.

Despite the disappointment, the boys are now back on track having won the following three fixtures. This group shows great promise and play an exciting and mature brand of rugby in which we have installed as our Vesey identity. We hope to finish the 2025 year with a win against a very strong Solihull school and continue our progress into 2026!

U14 Winning Team The U14A team had a strong start to this half term with an excellent collective team performance saw us top our group of the Greater Birmingham Schools Festival. This included hard-fought victories in challenging conditions over Queen Mary’s, King Edward Aston, Arden Academy and King Edwards Kings Norton seeing us progress to the final. The team highlight of the tournament was the victory over Queen Mary’s, where the group showed excellent composure and skill in driving rain, keeping the ball for 3 minutes once time was up to work their way up the field through multiple phases to score, ending the game 10-5 to BVGS. The final versus KE Birmingham was a physical encounter which ended in an agonising loss on golden point after the match finished 0-0 in normal time. Player of the tournament was Rahand, who epitomised the team’s willingness to work hard for each other in each game. A tough encounter saw BVGS lose to Princethorpe 31-7 but lessons learnt from this game have been taken forward to the last four games of the half term where BVGS face KE Fiveways, KE Aston, Solihull as well as Queen Mary’s in the Gloucester Plate Final.

U13 Greater Birmingham Success The U13 were successful for a 2nd year running, winning 4 out of their 5 fixtures on the day. There were some outstanding performances, none more so that William Taylor and James Bancroft. Both students exemplified the style of rugby we wish to play at Bishop Vesey. Other stand out performances included Sam H and Haitham M. The squads 4 wins came against Fairfax, Queen Marys, KES Camp Hill and KES Five Ways, with their only loss being to KES Birmingham. A thrilling day, and a memory that will stick with the lads in their Vesey career!

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Rugby Review Academy Links

Local Support

BVGS Rugby Charity

Iwan W (Y10)

Ellis W (Y10) Connor H-P (Y10) Oliver G (Y10)

Alfie F (Y11)

Alfie C (Y13)

Oli C (Y11)

Ajay M (Y10)

Charlie B (Y10) Oliver W (Y11) 50

COMMUNITY

“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.”

Paul Ryan 51

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

YEAR 7 WELCOME ASSEMBLY On the 23rd October, Year 7 students had the privilege of attending a Welcome Assembly at Holy Trinity Parish Church. The afternoon was filled with beautiful music from the school choir and orchestra, as well as readings from staff and students that highlighted the Vesey values of scholarship, character and community.

Each pupil was called up to the front of the church to receive a special Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School pen from the Upper Sixth House Captains from each House, to symbolise the years of scholarship ahead of them.

Mr Brocklebank and selected pupils then talked to Year 7 about the importance of character and what they needed to do to attain their Vesey 500 award.

Reverend Becky Stephens, Vicar of Holy Trinity Parish Church, also gave an inspiring address, reminding everyone of the importance of looking after our community in a time of climate crisis. The assembly closed with a inspirational and engaging speech by Mark Maybury, the Chair of Governors.

Thank you to all of the wonderful readers, the talented members of the choir and orchestra and to Holy Trinity Church for hosting us. The afternoon marked the beginning of a wonderful new Vesey tradition.

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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY This October, we celebrated World Mental Health Day with a bright burst of yellow, helping to raise awareness and spark important conversations about mental health. During our assemblies, we explored what mental health really is, how it can impact anyone, and why seeking support is so essential. It was a valuable chance to emphasise the importance of understanding and nurturing our mental well-being.

Funds were raised to support the brilliant charity Young Minds.

JUST ONE TREE DAY On Friday October 17th, BVGS proudly took part in Just One Tree Day, a national event dedicated to reforestation and climate action. Pupils wore green to symbolise growth and unity with nature, raising awareness of environmental issues and the impact of deforestation. The school’s eco-council played a key role in supporting the event, helping to organise the fundraising campaign across the school community. Their efforts helped raise money for Just One Tree, a charity that plants trees in biodiversity hotspots around the world for just £1 each.

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THE GIVING TREE The annual BVGS Giving Tree project launched in November and will run until the final day of the Christmas term. This heart-warming tradition brings our school community together to support those in need across the region during the winter season.

Over the past month, Sixth Form students have been stationed daily at our two public donation sites – Gracechurch and Mere Green – collecting gifts from members of the community. Back at school, our students volunteered their study periods to wrap every single donation, ensuring each gift is ready to be delivered with care. On the final day of term, our charity team will travel to the three incredible organisations we’re supporting this year – St Basils, FareShare, and the St Vincent de Paul Society – to personally deliver the gifts collected.

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MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

DIWALI WEEK This term has seen us celebrate Diwali for the fourth year in a row! It was a wonderful week with colourful decorations and vibrant assemblies. Thank you to the Hindu Society and all of the parents who organised a fantastic week of celebrations.

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VESEY staff

“Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work.”

Vince Lombardi 56

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VESEY VALETES As 2025 draws to a close, we offer our sincere gratitude to the outstanding members of our staff for their dedicated service to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.

As they embark on new journeys beyond Vesey, we bid them farewell with warm wishes for success and happiness. Their presence will be deeply missed, and their legacy will continue to inspire us.

Nathan chadwick

associate assistant headteacher (literacy) Nathan joined BVGS in 2022, bringing with him an infectious enthusiasm and energy that immediately made an impact. Impressing colleagues during his interview, he was swiftly appointed as Literacy Lead, a role he has embraced with characteristic vigour. Under his leadership, initiatives such as Word of the Week and the introduction of Accelerated Reader across Key Stage 3 have been implemented with great success, leaving a lasting legacy in the school’s literacy culture. Nathan’s larger-than-life personality has enriched our community, and his contributions will be deeply missed.

His Year 8 trips to Scarborough, fondly remembered by both staff and students, stand as a testament to his ability to combine learning with memorable experiences beyond the classroom. We wish him and his family well on their move to Ross on Wye.

Tom Williams

teacher of maths and head of year 10 Tom joined BVGS in September 2006 as a teacher of Mathematics and, within a year, had taken on the additional responsibility of being a Head of Year. He has continued in this role throughout his time at BVGS and is presently the Head of Year 10. Tom is an inspirational teacher, enthusing pupils with his love of mathematics and his creative approaches to eaching various topics such as playing bongo drums to teach sequences.

He has also been innovative within his Head of Year roles, introducing the first merit raffles, organising team building events and taking time to play drums or chess with pupils who needed a bit more individual attention. Throughout his time at BVGS, Tom has also been involved in many extracurricular activities from Young Chefs to running Chess Club. He has also organised many trips including World Challenge trips to Croatia, as well as supporting on a host of other trips. On a personal note, Tom will be remembered for his sense of humour and love of Port Vale Football Club. Tom is now off to start a new adventure at KES. We wish him well but will miss him greatly.

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VESEY VALETES Stephanie langham teacher of english

As Miss Langham prepares to move on to a new school in January, we would like to recognise her nine years of teaching in the English department at Bishop Vesey's and thank her for the many contributions to the department and wider school community.

During her time with us, Steph has played an important role in strengthening students’ engagement with literature, introducing the 'currently reading' signatures to our emails and supporting significant improvements in exam results. Her calm, caring manner has made her a reassuring presence for many students, and her leadership of both the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme and Purple House has been appreciated by all those who worked alongside her.

A lasting legacy of her time here is the creation of our school newspaper, 1527, which has provided students with a space to develop their writing and explore topics that matter to them. We thank Miss Langham for her commitment over the years and wish her well as she takes up her new role.

Kevin Wamsley Senior caretaker Kevin Wamsley joined the School in 1998, coming directly from a role in Holland in the flower industry and prior to that being a Tree Surgeon in Birmingham and a Green Keeper at Edgbaston Golf Club.

Kev has been instrumental in keeping the school premises and infrastructure afloat, sometimes quite literally during heavy rainfall! Kev also knows where every nut and bolt is in the school and his knowledge of how and when to fix things has been of vital importance in keeping the school operational over the years. Kev is a highly respected and well-liked member of the school community and his flexible and calm approach has been greatly appreciated by his colleagues. His super-human ability to be in several places all at the same time has come in very handy on many occasions and has often saved the day.

The school has also benefited from Kev’s horticultural and arboreal knowledge, especially with his renowned and resplendent planter and hanging basket displays in the summer, which have impressed visitors and the school community for many years.

Kev has excelled in his support for staff throughout his distinguished service over the last 27 years and he will be missed in this role as he takes a well-earned early retirement. The great news for the school is that he will be returning to support the school in the role of Groundsman from January 2026 to support the development of our extensive grounds and sports facilities. We wish you all the very best Kev, and hope to see you out on the fields!

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OLD VESEYAN news

“I think the success of any school can be measured by the contribution the alumni make to our national life.”

John F. Kennedy 59

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24

DEAR READER, 2025 has been a great success for OV events. The Summer Festival brought together around 600 Veseyans to enjoy live sports and music and the Annual OV Dinner was very well attended by 140 pupils and staff, past and present. It has been a real pleasure to witness this network thrive and I hope more of you will be able to engage in the events below over the coming year.

Best wishes,

Ed Pitt

Chair of the Old Veseyans Association ebwpitt@hotmail.co.uk 07806668312

OV Informal Catch Ups Three times a year, we hold informal catch up events at The Station Pub. Please see dates on the next page. These events provide opportunities for Old Veseyans and staff to come together, to share friendships and to network. The OV Catch Up WhatsApp group now has 160 members and enhances our ability to stay connected and to share information.

There is no need to RSVP or to commit but it would be great to see some you as and when you feel like joining in. If you wish to be added to the Whatsapp group please message Ed on 07806669312 and please feel free to add others or to bring other friends or partners along with you.

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY As we strive to expand our alumni network and offer increased opportunities for networking, mentoring, and social engagement, our event calendar continues to flourish. Below, you'll find dates for all upcoming confirmed events. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox for additional events highlighted in our monthly OV Newsletter.

WEDNESDAY 14TH JANUARY, 6PM OVA Centenary Rugby Match Veseyans RFC FRIDAY 16th JANUARY, 7:00-9:00PM School Play: ‘Darling and Pan’ Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School SATURDAY 17th JANUARY, 7:00-9:00PM School Play: ‘Darling and Pan’ Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School TUESDAY 10th MARCH, 5:30-7:30PM Community Iftar Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH, 7:30PM Informal Catch Up Station Pub SATURDAY 20TH JUNE, 12-3PM BVGS Summer Festival The Pavilion, BVGS WEDNESDAY 1ST JULY, 7:30PM Informal Catch Up Station Pub Please note, we are also planning an OV London networking event for Spring 2026 - date to be confirmed. We hope some of you will be able to join us.

If you would like to come along to any of these events, please contact Chair of the OVA, Ed Pitt, at ebwpitt@hotmail.co.uk.

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ANNUAL OLD VESEYAN DINNER On Saturday 8th November, the Old Veseyan Association held their annual dinner here at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School. The evening was a great success with 142 attendees representing a wide range of alumni including boarders such as Kaye Squires from the era when Geoffrey Cross was Headteacher (1947-1965).

There was a fantastic showing from the Class of 1975, brilliantly organised by Jon Ratledge. It was also wonderful to welcome back relatively new OVs from 2000, 2018 and 2000.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the evening such a success, especially Chairman of the OVA Ed Pitt and the ever-reliable OV Committee and supporters. Brilliantly supported by BVGS colleagues and governors, particularly Graham Swindells and Master of Ceremonies, Ralph Brocklebank. Plyvine Catering provided fantastic food and drink throughout the night. Finally, the Officer Team who led wonderful tours and very much enjoyed talking to OVs. We look forward to seeing you all for a great turnout on Saturday November 7th 2026. Get it in your diaries now. A big one for any starters or leavers in 1966, 1976, 2001, 2006, 2016. If you have never been before to one of the OV annual dinners, make 2026 your first ever!

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OLD VESEYAN GOLF SOCIETY Once again the OVGS had a full calendar of events in 2025. Although most of these took place at Moor Hall Golf Club, we did also play elsewhere, including Sutton Coldfield GC, Brocton Hall GC and Blackwell GC. Each year, we also play matches against adversaries from the past such as Old Sils and two Old Eds. Whilst it is always gratifying to win these matches, they are played in a good spirit and are followed by a convivial time afterwards over drinks and a meal.

Our Members consist of a wide range of age groups and abilities. The handicap system works well so that the competitions are won by both low and high handicappers. The 19th hole is informal and enjoyable, a good time to catch up with old friends and share stories from the past.

We have an impressive array of trophies, as you will see from the below photo of a trophy presented at Moor Hall GC by 2024-25 Captain, Steve Williamson (1964-71) to winner Mike Pickavance (1970-75). This is the Herbert Jerrard Cup (he was headmaster of BVGS from 1902 - 1926), the first winner of which was in 1931, so it has plenty of history!

In July, we held our Captain’s Day at Blackwell GC. This is always a well supported and enjoyable day. This consisted of a singles competition in the morning, followed by lunch and a pairs competition in the afternoon. Presentation of prizes took place after an excellent evening meal.

New Members are always welcome, so if you play golf please come along and join us. For any information please contact the Secretary, Dave Butler (07510533437) or the Captain for 2025-26, Paul Foster (1968-75) (07802572847)."

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OV VISITS We are always delighted to welcome back alumni who are eager to support and inspire our current students. Your experiences, insights, and success stories make a powerful impact on the next generation, helping them see the many pathways open to them beyond school. If you would like to get involved —whether through workshops, mentoring, talks, or careers events—please contact Dominic Robson (d.robson@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk) who will be happy to discuss opportunities to reconnect with our school community.

PROFESSOR ROBERT P LOWNDES It was wonderful to welcome Professor Lowndes and his family to open the new Robert P Lowndes Learning Resource Centre on Friday 12th December. He gave a very moving speech about why has invested in our amazing school.

ESTHER BOON, OV 2024 Former School Captain, Esther, came into school on the 24th September to share her experience of the Oxbridge application process and to support Sixth Form students with mock interviews. Students involved found this incredibly helpful as they embark upon what can be a very daunting experience.

LORD BRADLEY AND MARTIN SMITH In October, we were delighted to welcome back Martin Smith and Lord Bradley, who served as MP for Manchester Withington for 18 years before being appointed to the House of Lords in 2006.

After a tour of the school led by L6 students, Lord Bradley engaged in a valuable and insightful discussion with some of our Sixth Form students.

Here’s how Arun F. in L6IV reflected on the visit:

“To hear Lord Bradley’s take on the changing landscape of education and apprenticeships was incredibly thought-provoking for us Sixth Formers. He emphasised the importance of strong links between schools and universities. He also spoke passionately about the growing value of apprenticeships, stressing that they should never be seen as a “second-rate” option compared to traditional university routes.

The visit provided an opportunity to engage with national issues and gain insight into the connections between education, policy, and the wider world of work.”

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RACKEEM REID It was great to tour round the LRC with Rackeem. he is the cofounder and CEO of Bouncing Statistics, an organisation dedicated to transforming educational experiences for marginalized young people. We are looking forward to hosting Bouncing Statistics in the new Learning Resource Centre.

REISS CHAHAL It was a real pleasure to welcome back Reiss Chahal , School Captain (2016-17) to talk at MedSoc, the student-led society at BVGS for all things to do with a career in Medicine.

What a journey Reiss has been on. From Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield to Medicine University of Sunderland and on to a Resident Doctor position in Blackpool! It was so nice to speak to Reiss Chahal about all the amazing people who helped him on his journey like his then form tutor, Mr Brocklebank. He was also very grateful to the Old Veseyan Association Benevolent Fund who supported his elective in the Philippines!

YUSUF VARSANI We were so pleased to welcome Yusuf back to BVGS at the beginning of December to lead two assemblies for Year 11 and Lower Sixth students. He spoke passionately about his experience in the field of Product Design since leaving the school, from undertaking a brilliant placement at Triumph Motorcycles, to achieving a First Class Degree from Aston University and starting a new job in January at a leading architectural firm.

His message was clear: the more traditionally academic courses are not necessarily the best fit for everyone and students should think outside of the box when applying for university courses. It’s certainly been a rewarding career path for Yusuf so far!

GARY AND ABBIE PHELPS Mr Robson welcomed Gary and Abbie into school to make plans for a very exciting project to celebrate BVGS’s 500th anniversary in 2027.

BVGS Archivist, Grace Britten-Knaggs, shared some of the school’s historical artefacts, including the original charter which comes complete with a wax seal. We’re looking sharing more information about this fantastic project soon!

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FROM THE ARCHIVES Ahead of the opening of the Robert P Lowndes Learning Resource Centre, our archivist, Miss Britten-Knaggs, has delved into the archives to find these brilliant photos from 1967. The second photograph shows the construction of the science labs.

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IN MEMORIAM JoHN W RATLEDGE John one of four children, with two brothers, Geoff and Bernard (OV), and a sister, Jean.

During the Battle of Britain, he was evacuated for six months to Northamptonshire.

He began at BVGS in 1940. Although he described himself as an average academic, he thoroughly enjoyed the Cadet Force and excelled in both rugby and cricket. He also became a strong table tennis player alongside his friend Mike Osborne (OV).

John left BVGS in 1948 to work at M & A Alloys, cycling to West Bromwich Technical College to study metallurgy. After roles with various metal firms, he joined British Rolling Mills in 1957 and later Miles Druce (now GKN). In 1973, John founded Tamworth Steel Stockholders, a company now run by his son Jonathan. Under the family’s stewardship, it now has a £25 million turnover, employing 160 people across nine sites.

John married Beryl in 1959. Together they raised four children—Jonathan, Marc, Maria, and Lisa—who later blessed them with six grandchildren.

Sport remained central throughout John’s life. Shortly after leaving BVGS, he began playing rugby for the Old Veseyans and attended Players’ Lunches and Sporting Club luncheons until early this year. Later, John turned to cricket at Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club. He was later elected a Vice President and continued to support the club for the rest of his life. In later years, John discovered a love for skiing, enjoying memorable trips with fellow Old Veseyans Godfrey Thompson, Alan Jones, Steve Farrow, Nigel Cooper, and Bill Wood. He skied until the age of 73, sharing many family holidays and lads’ trips, and often joked in his eighties that he’d trade the rest of his life for one more sunny day on the slopes.

Golf was another lifelong passion. A member of the Old Veseyan Golf Society for more than 60 years, he won most of its trophies and played his final competition at the remarkable age of 90. He completed a unique run of 50 consecutive tours, and was a Moor Hall member for over four decades.

Away from sport, John devoted himself to his garden and allotment with both spaces becoming his pride and joy. He was always immensely proud to be an Old Veseyan and continued to support the School in various ways right up to his passing.

John never suffered fools gladly but beneath that exterior was a generous man of traditional values, blessed with a wonderful sense of humour. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Written by Jon Ratledge Junior, (OV 1975-1981)

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IN MEMORIAM Phillip meades

Philip Meades, who was brought up in Antrobus Road, Sutton Coldfield, was a pupil at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School during the Second World War. He died on 8th November 2025, aged 96.

After leaving school he was apprenticed as a plastics moulder at The Streetly Manufacturing Company, before doing National Service (1952 to 1954) including a year he spent in in Derna, Libya, which he spoke about often in later life. Incidentally, he could still reel off his army service number even when he couldn’t remember what he had eaten for lunch half an hour ago.

After National Service, he went back to Streetly’s, first into the Purchasing Department and then into the Sales Dept, where he found his true calling as a Technical Representative.

He married Nancy Moore, a State Registered Nurse, in 1963 and bought a house in Sutton Coldfield, but within months got a new job as a Sales Director in Slough. They lived in Bourne End, then Maidenhead, until declining health forced their move into a care home. They had no children.

He was a member of the Old Veseyan Association and the Vesey Masonic Lodge. He was outgoing, affable, gregarious, opinionated, generous and straight-talking. He and Nancy enjoyed keeping in touch with old friends from the Sutton Coldfield area and the many new friends they made on holidays over the years.

Written by Colin Crooks, relative.

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BISHOP VESEY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

STAY CONNECTED @bishopveseysgrammarschool @BVGS1527 linkedin.com/school/bvgs

MICHAELMAS 2025 | EDITION 24 EDITOR - JACQUELINE MEELEY

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