Newsletter Wishing all our leavers every success in the future
JULY 2013 1
Principal’s Welcome Dear Parents and Friends,
which departed last week. We are also going to keep a log of the numerous Welcome to the final newsletter of the building works which have now year. As ever, I find it almost commenced so that you can see firstimpossible to believe that another hand the improvements evolving. It is academic year is drawing to a close certainly going to be a busy holiday as and the summer holiday is upon us. the contractors move in and our new Well done to all students and staff for £2m classroom block, remodelling making this last 12 months one of our works and new sports pitch works busiest and most successful ever. I finally get under way. We have had to hope that you will enjoy reading about plan carefully to keep the whole school ! some of the events and successes of safe and I urge you all to take care recent weeks in the pages which when arriving in September as exits follow. My thanks as ever to all of the and entrances are being re-assigned to people who contribute to this aid access for builders as well as buses. publication, especially the many Unless it is an emergency please avoid talented and energetic students whose bringing cars on site at the beginning enthusiasm means so much to us every and end of the school days and please day of every week. It has certainly respect our neighbours’ drives and been an eventful and packed verges when parking as we like to centenary year. I hope that you also keep good relations with the local enjoyed recently the AGS Today community! publication which we send to all of our alumni to keep them appraised of our I have already spoken to students and activities in their former school (you staff in a big assembly last Friday should have seen the electronic prior to this week’s Block Week and version mailed out recently). A big Year 10’s Newquay expedition. We shout for Year 7 too who have celebrated many successes, gave out completed their first year at AGS with certificates and listened to the finale of some style. They have all settled into this year’s spectacular Inter House life here and their contribution to the Music Competition and finally school has been noted and we have awarded the overall house trophy to been delighted with their attitudes and Wells House. Well done to them and progress. They really deserve their to all of their rivals! It was also an holiday when it comes! opportunity to say farewell to several colleagues whose service to the school Do take the time to explore our totalled no less than 150 years. I know website over the summer, there is a lot that you will want to join me in to see and read. Artwork, photos of thanking Sue Crisp (Vice Principal), the activities like the very sunny Peggy Doubleday (English), Frank Sports Day and last week’s impressive McAree (ICT), Dave Stenger Lower School production of Grimm (Geography and Geology), Sarah Tales Retold as well as updates on the Enderby (History)and Christian amazing Madagascar Biology trip Smith (English) for all of their
wonderful contributions to AGS life and to so many amazing academic successes. Special wishes to those retiring after glittering careers and special good wishes to Mrs Crisp who has been my supporter and friend for the last decade and whom we wish good health as she deals stoically with her illness. Many cards of thanks and presents have been appreciated at this time of year. Several messages have made everybody’s work worthwhile ! "and # $ " % &the " ' ( ) *support +)( has been greatly appreciated.
((
We have a full and talented team sheet for September and I will introduce I<(4=.(0.8(,3,:.B53(;.,2(C.-50<(8.(=,>.(194(370<5:.2,C6.(45B.@(B70.;(,0:(.?? new colleagues when school re-opens ,442,345>.H(%,0;(,2.,<(=,>.(,6<7(C..0(2.?92C5<=.:(,0:(1,504.:(50(792(452.6.<<(,44. for the new term on Tuesday 3rd B.04H(I<(;79(,2.(,8,2.@(8.(,2.(504.0:50-(47(,:B54(,0(,::54570,6(?72B(7?(.042;(8 =,>.(,62.,:;(<,4(4=.52(++L((4=5<(B704=M(NH(O.(,2.(872F50-(367<.6;(854=(37042,3472 September for Year 7 and Wednesday ,442,345>.(0.8(36,<<277B(C673F(,<(8.66(,<(2.B7:.6650-(<7B.(,2.,<(7?(4=.(<54.H(O. 4=.2.(8566(50.>54,C6;(C.(<7B.(:5<2914570(,<(8.(872F(478,2:<(5B127>50-(,0:(.06,2 for Years 8 – 11. Year 12 Welcome day 36,<<277B<(8566(C.(>.2;(8.637B.H( is also Wednesday 12th September E0(4,0:.B(854=(4=.<.(5B127>.B.04<(8.(.J1.34(,66(<49:.04<(47(C.(8.66(4920.:(794 450-(,(-77:(<4,0:,2:(7?(<B,24(C9<50.<<(8.,2@(.<1.35,66;(?27B(4=.(-526<@(50(4=.(!5J4 and all Year 13s return on Thursday 70(4=5<(?2704D(%7<4(<49:.04<(F..1(47(-77:(<4,0:,2:<(C94(E(:7(074(8,04(47(,6678( 5th September. For those awaiting 7:(1,<<.<H(( results the A Levels are published on P79(B,;(65F.(47(<911724(4=.(872F(7?(4=.(#,2.04<(I<<735,4570(8=53=(2,5<.<(B93=(0 ?72(71172490545.<(>5,(4=.52(8.C<54.(,0:(0.8<6.44.2<H( Thursday 15th August and GCSEs on /4=.2(4=.B.<(4=5<(4.2B(50369:.(792(-2..0(32.:.045,6<(,0:(<9<4,50,C5654;(5<<9.<(7? Thursday 22nd August. Good luck! ,0:(<49:.04<(=.(,0:(74=.2<(8566(C.(50<15250-(,0:(50?72B50-H((
/0(,(12,3453,6(074.(8796:(;79(16.,<.(.0<92.(4=,4(8.(=,>.(,66(7?(;792(3722.34(370 1=70.(09BC.2<(,0:(.B.2-.03;(3704,34<D(E(:7(=71.(4=,4(8.(0.>.2(0..:(47(9<.(4 3,9-=4(9<(794(50(4=.(1,<4(,0:(8.(65F.(47(3,66(50(1,2.04<(?72(566(72(50G92.:(3=56:2.0(,
R72(4=.(1.2?72B.2<(,0:(B9<53,66;(503650.:(54(5<(2.,66;(4.225?53(47(<..(<7(B,0;(G75050 16,00.:(?72(4=.(;.,2H((#6.,<.(.03792,-.(,66(16,;.2<(7?(,66(50<429B.04<(?27B(-2,:. .04=9<.:(3766.,-9.<H(V2,B,(127:934570<(,0:(,(B9<53,6(,2.(,6<7(50(4=.(151.650.(? 0U 'HUH]D·V QHZ 1HZVOHWWHU RXWOLQLQJ KLV IDEXORXV SODQV ZKLFK SURYLGH RSSRUWXQ
So many people will deserve their break when it finally arrives. Thank E(=71.(;79(8566(.03792,-.(;792(<70<(,0:(:,9-=4.2<(47(G750(50(,0:(1.2=,1<(42;(,(0 you for helping make 2012-13 39225396,2(71172490545.<(5<(,44,3=.:(,0:(8.(,2.(,68,;<(71.0(47(0.8(5:.,<(?72(504. academic year another enjoyable and .:(50(G75050-(4=.(!3=776(W790356(8=53=(2.12.<.04<(.??.345>.6;(4=.(>753.(7?(,66(;790 successful one. Have a happy, safe, $2;(47(16,0(;792(?,B56;(3,6.0:,2@(8=.2.(17<<5C6.@(,2790:(<3=776(.>.04<(,0:(,345> B505B5<.(:5<2914570(47(127-2.<<(,0:(47(,>75:(B5<<50-(>,69,C6.(6.,2050-(45B.H(E4(2 peaceful holiday. Thank you, as .J3.66.04(2.<964<(,<(4=7<.(8=7(=..:.:(4=5<(,:>53.H( always, for your interest and support. E(677F(?728,2:(854=(B93=(,045351,4570(47(,074=.2(=,11;(,0:(<933.<<?96(;.,2(,4(I <911724H( (
Yours sincerely
P792<(<503.2.6;@( ( ( ( ( ( E,50(&6,5F5.(
Iain Blaikie Principal
#250351,6( (
#53492.:(,4($=.(I8,2:< %3E<,,3(K[.,:(&7;N@(E,0 %72-,0(KW=,52(7?(T7>.
!"#$"#%&'(!")"*&%$+,#-(.(/00(1"%&-( Page 2
O.(,2.(16.,<.:(47(,007903.(4=,4(4=.(&6,3F($5.(&,66(70(!.14.BC.2()X4=(5<(<76:(79 1,<4(<49:.04<(,2.(<4566(8.637B.(47(,44.0:(4=.($.,(#,24;(,4(IT!(70(!,492:,;()X4=(
!
Library and Information Centre ....working together ....reaching goals together
ALCESTER SCHOOLS’ BOOK AWARD Dan Freedman Author Visit
Students from three local schools came together for an author visit, which is part of the Alcester Schools’ Book Award. They were joined by acclaimed author, Dan Freedman, writer of the highly successful series of Jamie Johnson football novels, whose first novel in the series is on the short list for the Award. Alcester Grammar Academy, who hosted the event were joined by Alcester Academy and St Benedict’s School to listen to Dan talk about his series of novels and his career. The students were fascinated to hear how Dan grew up
wanting to be a professional footballer, but went on to become a top football journalist working for the FA, meeting and interviewing football stars from around the world. One of our students said “Dan Freedman was inspiring. He used different media to portray his books and also how football is very important in his life. It was interesting to have him at AGS and I hope he comes again to inspire more children to read and to write”. Dan was interested to talk to Tom Lang, a Year 11 student, who has been signed by Birmingham City Under 16s for the next two years and who recently made his debut for Scotland.
Tom said, “Dan, very kindly gave me one of his books to read as I would be able to relate to Jamie at this stage of his career dealing with the school and sport balance”. Part of the Award process for the students is reading five books chosen by the Library Managers of the participating schools. The schools will come together for the final event in June when the students will vote for “the best read” and announce a winner.
Page 3
English News
William Farrell: Murder of Liberation? The students have been coached in British Parliamentary style by their teacher, Dr. Smith and who was also debating:
English Language Students Delve into the Past and the Future Y12 English Language students gained the opportunity to explore Warwickshire’s linguistic heritage with a visit to Warwick County Records office. They spent 2 hours working with a range of old documents, including 400 year-old vellum legal documents, as part of their introduction to A2 Historical Language Development. They were also allowed special access to the high-security storage facilities. Warwick County Record office house thousands of documents made available to the public for reference purposes.
The same English Language students followed this with a field trip to Teddy Bear Corner nursery in Alcester where they observed interactions between children and carers as preparation for Child Language Development studies. How young children acquire linguistic skills is a central focus of A2 and will, of course, shape the language of future generations. We are very grateful to Sue Blundell at Teddy Bear Corner for supporting this partnership.
English Literature taste Higher Education Y12 English Literature students received a taste of Higher Education teaching through a series of lecture and seminar days in the English Department. We had the benefit of a Warwick University teacher, Dr. Smith, who has been working with us since Christmas and lectured on Marxist criticism. Our own teachers also gained the opportunity to share their expertise and interest with Ms. Humphries lecturing on feminist criticism and Mrs Bremner-Smith lecturing on Meaning and Metaphor. The students have been working through follow-up seminars and individual tutorials to produce the first piece of A2 coursework on Literary Critical Theory. Speech and Debate Showcase: Wednesday 10th July On Wednesday 10th July students from 9W and 9N competed against each other in an internal Parliamentary debate evening. Key speakers were: Elizabeth Hatton: The legalisation of same-sex marriage. Alexander Dior: America should build instead of destroy. Joanna Godfrey: Nuclear Fusion: the solution.
This house believed that same-sex marriage should be legalised in the UK. Oliver Burrell, Tara Smyth, Samuel Breakwell, Thomas Taylor V Samuel Bell, Thomas Savage, Andrew McIsaac, James Coward This house believed that the UK should withdraw from the EU. Edward graham, Harry Painting, Glen Leyser, Tom Pettifer V William Farrell, Ciara Fagan, Alex England, Joshua Irvine The debates were judged by Mr Kelly, Mr Blaikie and Mrs Tingle and the evening was chaired by Mrs Bremner-Smith Congratulations to all the speakers. First Ever Y8 Community Day As part of their Activity week during the last week of term, 92 Y8 Alcester Grammar School students will be busily involved with a range of projects in the local community in a bid to give something back. Over the course of 17th July, two groups of students will have the opportunity to entertain residents of Cedar Lawn care home, and patients in Stratford Hospital as part of a collaboration with locally based national charity ‘Kissing it Better’
Page 4
have really relished the challenge on offer. With a focus of Spy fiction, students analysed style models ranging from Ian Fleming’s ‘Goldfinger’ to Robert Ludlam’s ‘Bourne Identity’ focussing on the impact of skilful lexical choice, and In addition a further 30 students will the effect of prepositional and adverbial phrases. These features work alongside National Trust were then successfully incorporated officers tidying the grounds at in to student’s own writing. Coughton Court. 30 other students will form part of a surveying team Next year will see a ‘Writing Skills’ counting species of butterflies and a approach to grammar being woven range of flora and fauna at the in to each Key Stage 3 year group. Arrow Nature Reserve with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust rangers. This is the first time that the younger students have been involved with Community based projects and we anticipate that this will become an annual event. Thanks goes to all the organisers at Kissing it Better, The National Trust and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Farewells: Year 8 Writing Skills Pilot
The English Department will be saying farewell to Dr Smith at the end of term who has been with us since Mr Johnson’s retirement at Christmas. Mrs Doubleday will also be leaving us after many years here as Head of Department until 2012.
House News As mentioned in a previous newsletter we will have 4 houses next year. Senior House staff have now been allocated to their houses and are as follows: Dobell (yellow) Mr Wade Newport (green) Mr Hamilton Spencer (blue) Mr Leyland and Mrs Spencer Wells (orange) Mrs O'Mahony We look forward to another great year of house belonging and competition!
Congratulations Beatrice Taylor, Year 10, has been attending college on a Wednesday evening for the last year and gained a BTEC level 2 in Theatre Costume with a distinction. Bea now intends to continue with the course for the next academic year in order to gain a BTEC level 3 certificate.
Following some online training, one of our Year 8 classes has been piloting a ‘Skills for Writing’ We wish them all the very best. initiative in conjunction with Exeter University. The aim of the study led by Exeter’s Dr Debra Myhill, was to investigate whether explicit teaching of grammar in the context of writing impacts upon the quality of students’ writing. The results were most encouraging and 8S appeared to
5
Maths News Team Maths Challenge Competition 2013
Alcester Grammar Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Ever Junior School Team Mathematics Challenge
As part of Year 12 Community Day, 40 sixth form students helped to run a junior school team mathematics challenge. 80 primary students from 20 local schools came to take part and enjoyed a variety of rounds, culminating in a huge On Monday 17th June, Andy mathematical relay race. Ipsley McIsaac, Finlay Battersby, Academy and Ettington Primary James Morrow and Izumu School tied for first place and Mishima were taken to Lindley took home the coveted trophy! Hall in London to compete in the The day was a huge success for final of the Team Maths all involved and will now become Challenge Competition 2013. The a regular fixture in Alcester day consisted of multiple rounds Grammar Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diary of of a variety of maths puzzles. The events. boys had the added challenge of negotiating the London Underground and map reading to get us to the venue! It was a great experience for our students to do something so different to the average day at school and for them to spend a day with the top mathematicians of their age group in the country. The team placed Y12 AQA Statistics Field Trip 47th overall out of 1647 schools To Knap and Paper Mill who entered the competition which is a fantastic achievement!
As part of the five week plan, 15 Y12 statistics students had the opportunity to experience statistics outside of the classroom. They visited the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust site: Knapp and Papermill near Malvern and collected a range of data from the river and meadows there. They then performed a variety of statistical tests to analyse their data and it was great to see students applying their skills in this outdoor environment. A huge thank you to the staff at the Trust who made this day possible.
German Exchange 2013/14 The German exchange is available to students who will be in Year 8, 9 & 10 next academic year, and there are still places available. To find out more and to apply to take part, go to the school web site, click on Subjects followed by Modern Languages and then German. There you will find a tab for German Exchange 2013/14 and also a file which enables you to apply electronically. Follow the instructions in the letter and email the application form as an attachment to Mr Kopp. Page 6
Year 12 Community Day On Tuesday 25th June, Alcester Grammar School held its fourth annual Sixth Form Community Day. Over 280 students from Year 12 (Lower Sixth) took time out from lessons to offer their services to local community projects. Students were involved in 30 different activities in and around Alcester, Stratford and Redditch, including creating a ‘beefriendly’ verge near a local orchard, clearing invasive plants from river banks, entertaining residents in local care homes, helping run a junior school Sports Day, delivering publicity for local charities, and helping to organize sheet music for Alcester’s Male Voice Choir and records for Alcester History Society. Other students will be working at local primary schools, nurseries and charities, and on other ecological projects. The aim of the day was to be of service to the community and to help the students appreciate their place and responsibilities in it, as well as develop their skills and knowledge. Assistant Head of Sixth Form, and organiser of the day, Dr. Patrick Carr, comments that: “Since it began four years ago, the Community Day has been a great success for both local organisations and our students alike. It’s really important that students understand the needs of their community, and how they can contribute to helping meet these.” A selection of the many comments from organisations: Many thanks for providing your students for our leaflet drop at Alcester Café in support of Alzheimers and Dementia sufferers. They did a great job and have enabled us to reach out to more people in Alcester who perhaps otherwise would not be aware of what we are trying to do at the Café. John Fenlon Chairman of Alcester Café Fund Raising Committee Judging by the red faces and the excitement I think the children also very much enjoyed themselves. […] I can not see any reason why the partnership cannot continue next year. In fact I think the staff will recommend it. Coughton Primary School I think your students were very moved by the effect they had on the patients at the Nicol unit at Stratford hospital. Many of the elderly people in the unit had varying levels of dementia but were still able to gain a great deal from the visit. One gentleman was reading a book about restoring violins so was thrilled when one of the students played some pieces for him and then gave him the chance to examine her violin. Another gentleman, from Liverpool, was delighted to hear your students perform some songs from The Beatles. Page 7
House Music Festival 2013
The 2013 House Music Competition began in a packed and fizzing Theatre, with more competitors than ever. This year we were delighted to welcome Caroline Powell-Brett from her County Music Service duties to be our adjudicator - not an enviable role on such a busy day and having to choose amongst our musical talent! The Y7 and Y8 solo categories often see some of the most nervous contestants. It's quite a thing to stand up in front of your peers and, perhaps even more alarmingly, older students. Nonetheless we saw some truly impressive and poised performances, especially from Year 7 pupils, and a hugely popular delivery of ‘Greased Lightning’ by Seb Cortes-Crabtree. All credit too to the team from 8S who provided a very entertaining contribution for the Home-made instrument category. The Y9 and Y10 solo rounds saw both a very high level of musical skill and a very wide range of musical styles. As always these individuals were very competitive and hence their performances very difficult to judge. The most entertaining presentations at this level were sung, with Ben Jones and Jake Wilshaw especially performing a wonderfully convincing version of ‘Feelin’ Good’. It was super to witness the supportive and cheerful atmosphere which characterises this competition. Again many students had made the effort to bring colourful banners which demonstrated House spirit and friendly support, so important to competitors. The Year 12 team did a sterling job organising everyone on the day, alongside Mrs Timms. Thanks too go to our piano teacher in school, Mrs Douglass, for her multi-faceted accompanying skills, and also to Mr Seymour and the Tech team for bringing their experience to enhance the occasion. For the third year in succession Wells again secured a well-earned victory in this year's House Music Competition, with great performances in the group sections especially. The Individual trophy was won by the very gifted Florence Cain of Year 7 who earned 23 points alone. Page 8
The adjudicator summarised her visit: “There were a number of really thrilling and musical performances for which the entrants should feel rightly proud. It was a real privilege for me to be here today.” The point of the competition is to nurture House unity and to expose musical talent, with pride. We certainly achieved that. The range and diversity of musical gift on show throughout the day was truly magnificent and all Houses should be congratulated for the tremendous efforts that went into their performances. Fantastic! The winning performances were as follows: Y7&8 Solo Keyboard and Percussion:
James Lake
Y7&8 SoloWind:!
!
!
!
Emily Sugden
Y7&8 Solo Strings:!
!
!
!
Lester Langford
Y7&8 Solo Voice:!
!
!
!
Florence Caim
Solo Beginner:!!
!
!
!
Declan Harris
Y9&10 Solo Keyboard and Percussion:!!
Andy McIsaac
Y9&10 Solo Wind:!
Asha Phakey
!
!
!
Y9&10 Solo Strings:! Y9&10 Solo Voice:!
Dan O’Mahony !
!
!
Sabrina Ahmed
!
Ben Jones and Jake Wilshaw
!
Harry Belton, Spencer Knight, Lotti Davis and Elizabeth Weatherup ! Stavely, Kirsten Sophie
!
Davis, Asha Phakey and Neusha Golshan ! Hewitt, Cameron Eddie
House Duo: ! ! ! House Vocal Group:
!
House Mixed Group:! !
House Rock Band:!
!
!
!
!
Carr, Will Flaherty, James Morrow and Jacob Hancox
Overall Winners: Wells Page 9
Science News
paper a year early and was awarded a copper medal. Students at AGS won the following awards: 1 Roentgenium award: Sam Tomlinson.
and was the fastest finisher for the June competition, with Chris Caldicott, Sam Tomlinson, Ned Plackett, Will Phillips and Simon Godfrey all piping the Year 13 students to 1st past the post in June.
On the world cumulative leader board, taking pupils 6 best scores over the 8 months, Helen Wickins We would like to congratulate 22 of and Heather Britton (Year 13) our Year 11 / 12 students who took 8 Gold awards: Dom Belcher, Chris finished 35th and 43rd overall part in the Cambridge Chemistry respectively, with Chris Caldicott, Caldicott, Beth Davies, Emily Challenge written paper for lower Simon Godrey and Dom Belcher Hadrill, Martin Hall, Josh Marsh, 6th in June. This is an extremely (Year 12) 47th, 48th and 49th Sarah Merelie and Zoe Taylor. challenging paper with questions on overall – outstanding achievements a range of unfamiliar material to ask 8 Silver awards: Chris Cardwell, against participants of all ages from Sian Chatha, Eve Garrett-Allen, students to apply their knowledge across the world. Matt Tomlinson and understanding to new situations. Simon Godfrey, James Henson, Rob (Year 11) also finished in the top 100 Horne, Will Phillips and Jessica There were a total of 6220 entries in the world and Izumu Mishima into this year's competition. The top Smith. (Year 8) and outstanding 126th in award (Roentgenium) was awarded 7 Copper awards: Hannah Flower, the world! In the under 18 category to only the top 0.8% of students and Rosie Irwin, Henry Jenkins, Ross 15 of our pupils were in the top 100 we are delighted that for the 3rd McIntosh, Ned Plackett, Dan best performers. What fantastic year of the competition we again Rhymer and Melissa Spinks. achievements by all. We are looking have a student who has reached this We are extremely proud of all of our forward to the new launch of the highest accolade. Sam Tomlinson has pupils performances. Well done all. competition in the Autumn term and been invited to attend a residential hope that more of you will join is. course at the University of Online Challenge Well done to all. Cambridge in the summer holidays, As you know from previous Motorsports Engineering Course following in the footsteps of Helen newsletters we have been keeping you updated on the progress of the Wickins (2012) and Adam Brown AGS students who have enjoyed (2011). We are extremely proud of his achievements. AGS is the only participating in the online challenge of 5 questions which was launched state school in the country to have had a pupil achieve the highest at midnight on the 1st of each month from November – June. award each year of the competition and one of only 5 schools across the All of our pupils finished in the top country who have this claim to fame. 150 on the world leader board. Over Cambridge Chemistry Challenge Lower Sixth
Special mentions should go to Zoe Taylor – who missed out on the summer camp and Roentgenium award by only 3 marks – a superb performance, and also to Dan Rhymer (Year 11 ) who sat the
20 pupils from AGS participated each month and we enjoyed an exciting internal competition. Congratulations to Dam Belcher (Year 12) who topped our leader board
A 1997 Mercedes Indycar Tom Baxter (Year 10) was selected to take part in the Smallpeice Motorsports Engineering from 1st – 4th July. Page 10
The course included the whole design, manufacture and racing of racing cars, briefly covering some first-year degree level content providing an interesting and indepth introduction to Motorsports Engineering Tom experienced computer modelling and virtual stress testing of a component, wind-tunnel testing and rapid prototype stress testing. He gained hands-on experience of the whole of the car works, visited Prodrive in Banbury, who were building Aston Martin track racing cars for last weekend's race at Brand's Hatch Circuit and a new rally car for Mini. Tom analysed the wear on components and developed an insight into race strategies. Tom and his course colleagues were challenged to indentify faults a 1997 Mercedes Indycar, Jenson Button's 2006 Honda, and Felippe Massa's Formula 3 car.
engineers and other people who worked for GE to try and find out what they did On Friday 28th June I took 28 girls day to day and the route they had from years 8 and 9 to GE Aviation in taken to get there; this was a really Cheltenham to take part in the useful activity for some of the girls as Celebration Day of our Girls Get Set it gave them the opportunity to events. We had taken part in a appreciate that engineering isn’t series of 3 events throughout the about getting dirty and putting year, all aimed at promoting science, things together and that there is a lot engineering and technology (SET) more to it. amongst teenage girls. This was the All in all a superb day was had by all day where over 400 students from and the girls' ability to work across the West Midlands who had taken part all came together for one together, listen to one another, and solve problems was fantastic and final day of challenges and their sheer enthusiasm and competitions. enjoyment of the day was infectious. On arrival the girls were Fingers crossed we’ve got some of immediately given a piece of trivia our future engineers in the making about a mystery, famous scientist. here! Their first task was to identify who it was. This decided on their teams for Miss James the day.
River Arrow Camp June 25th 2013 Once the girls were in their teams they moved around a variety of tasks Our 6th annual biodiversity camp dawned once more to a wall of with all the girls taking part in 4 sunshine. Our good fortune has been different tasks. As well as an insight into the university course, Tom went racing Activities ranged from an innovative phenomenal over the years. This year we were joined by Ben Devine at Whilton Mill Karting circuit Dragon’s Den style activity where from Warks. Wildlife Trust, who where he completed a two hour team the girls had to design and make a endurance race. prototype of a mode of transport that brought 5 longworth small mammal traps, and helped with the surveys in would appeal particularly to girls. Tom thoroughly enjoyed the whole the afternoon. Glyn Morley from the They then had to present their of the course and hopes to pursue his FRANR again led butterfly transects design to the Dragons to see if they goal of a mechanical engineering and the dawn chorus walk with his would invest. degree at the end of his A-levels. eloquent knowledge. Stephen Well done Tom – we are certain that Some of the girls were tasked with Godfrey was on hand especially for designing and building wind you were a real ambassador for the the evening tour and bats detection turbines capable of generating school and delighted that you were by the river with its swooping enough electricity to perform a selected to take part. Daubenton’s; while Alan Prior and variety of tasks. Some were applying Val Weston once more put in a full ideas about Newton’s 2nd Law to night shift of moth trapping with 2 make air propelled rockets and some traps in the south meadow. We said had the opportunity to take part in a good night to them at midnight and “Guess My Job” activity, where they called on them at 4am to see the got to spend some time questioning superb results of their efforts. Page 11
Science News Mike Mav did us proud with a superb BBQ, and it was a pleasure to welcome 10 guests to share in this and our findings as the dusk descended. Also crucial to the success were Mary Preston, especially on the grassland surveys, and Sean Clifford who did great technical work with the IT as we viewed our specimens under the veho camera in the pavilion. The new battery microscopes did the business in the gazebo lab as well!
solar panel and battery storage at the village clinic. The village has no electricity, so between 6pm and 6am any medical emergencies and births take place with just candle light and kerosene lamp. With our £450 gift from our solar panel tariff income we are providing a real improvement to the health of this village. Solar Aid
have earned nearly £5000 and saved 8 tonnes of CO2! The money funds all of our eco-schools and sustainability projects. May sun carry on shining! Martin German
New Build Progress
Many thanks to Dr Robotham and Mrs O’Mahony for breakfast! Without the Y12 students the exercise would be much the poorer. These included Day workers: Charlotte Beck, Karina Clifford, Keira Cox, Megan day, Tom Jaeger, Alex Long, Sophie Kirkwood –Horne, Katie Morris, and Jenny Wallbank. (special thanks to Megan and Keira who helped dig pitfall traps the day before)
AGS is sending £500 a year to a project to supply solar lights to villages in Africa without electricity. These will replace dirty and expensive Kerosene lamps and allow children to read and do homework in the evening (it gets dark soon after 6pm!) Our donation comes from the £2000+ which our solar panels earn in the feed in tariff. It will enable 80 lamps to be supplied to a village in Tanzania. More details in an autumn assembly and on the eco-schools notice board.
To view the latest photos of the building work please visit: www.alcestergs.com/gallery and click on Summer Works 2013 or visit www.facebook.com/agsalumni
And those who braved the midges and overnight camp as well!: (Our best ever set in my opinion) Josh Fell, Sam Lakin (whose midge bites Martin German and David Glasbey made him look like a puffy eyed boxer as he went back to a chemistry Solar panel Output and Income session next morning in his suit), Mel Spinks, Emily Webster, George West, Ollie Farr, and Ellie Reynolds. Madagascar Village Clinic Solar Lighting As part of our visit to the village of Mariarano in NE Madagascar with operation Wallacea this July, we have funded the installation of a
In just 12 days so far this July the panels have generated 330kWh, worth nearly £150. Since installation in 2011 we Page 12
Charity News
raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research, and have We have held two non-uniform days demonstrated their support for Mrs since the last newsletter. One was in Crisp with her current battle against aid of Queen Elizabeth Hospital breast cancer. Birmingham Young Persons Unit, and specifically we were sponsoring The students and staff at AGS ex-pupil Rachel Clark for a sky dive. continue to be great supporters of local charities. Rachel was treated at QEHB just after leaving AGS and so it is a charity close to her heart. The other non-uniform was for Birmingham Children's Hospital, paediatric intensive care unit. Yvonne Heward (Mum of Noah in Year 7) came into school and explained to students how money raised is used and how children and parents are cared for. Some sixth formers then made a follow up visit to the intensive care unit to see the work first-hand. Everybody was so friendly and caring, and we were given a detailed tour and overview of fundraising projects. It was fantastic to present the cheque directly to the intensive care unit. The photo below shows BCH PICU receiving the cheque from the students.
One of the biggest challenges was staying warm overnight with temperatures dropping to -2°C. All groups covered a distance of approximately 24km over the 2 days although some groups covered a considerably longer distance due to slight navigational ‘miscalculations’.
The Race for Life Team
Despite the challenges all the students maintained high spirits throughout and impressed their assessors with their whole approach to the expedition. I am pleased to say that 70 of the Year 10s have now fully completed their Bronze awards. Since April, we have take the Year 9 students to the Edge Hill area for their Bronze Practice Expedition, Year 12s survived the midges of Snowdonia on their Gold Practice Congratulations to the 223 students and the Year 11s and a handful of who have successfully completed a Year 12s coped admirably with the DofE expedition this term. 78 Year recent heatwave on their Practice 10 students completed their Bronze Expedition to the Long Mynd. Well Assessed Expedition on the weekend done to all. of 27th April. The groups started in North Malvern and walked west Mr A W Jervis towards the village of Wellington Heath near Ledbury then on Sunday A number of staff chose to headed south east with all groups participate in this year's 'race for life' finishing at Hollybush at the event at Stoneleigh Park, southern end of the Malvern Hills. Kenilworth to try and raise money Both days were sunny but there was for Cancer Research UK. The event a chill in the air and we even is a 5km 'race' (although most people experienced a hail storm at one point tend to walk!). The team have on Saturday afternoon.
Duke of Edinburgh News
Page 13
Sports Day Sports Day was once again a tremendous success. Thanks to all who took part, but most importantly Mrs O'Mahoney for her organisation and all of the staff who helped with the smooth running on the day. Sports Day Records Year 7 Girls High Jump:
1.30
Tamzin Chape
Year 7 Boys Relay
59.2
Wells
Year 8 Girls 75m Hurdles
11.9
Emily Madden Forman
Year 8 Girls High Jump
1.50
Emily Madden Forman
Junior Girls Long Jump
4.73
Emily Madden Forman
Junior Boys Triple Jump
10.26
Year 9 Girls 75m Hurdles
12.6
Tara Smyth
Year 10 Girls High Jump
1.56
Anna Gamble
Elliot Kimber
Victor Ludorum Trophy Junior - Elliot Kimber Inter - Joe Kelly Senior - Alex Grant Victrix Ludorum Trophy Junior - Emily Madden Forman Inter - Ella Smith Senior - Jessica Smith Overall Score 3rd - Newport 1122 2nd - Spencer 1220 1st - Wells 1295
Page 14
Sports News
China Trip The students were a real credit to Alcester Grammar School, especially on what proved to be a trying journey home (from which the luggage has only just been returned…)!
Aquathlon Success On the 12th July Alcester Grammar took part in the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Team Aquathlon as part of the Level 3 School Games at the Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton. Students completed a 100m swim, followed by a 1000m run with a running clock transition area between the two. Teams of four have each participants times added together.
Hot off the press – a group of 20, including Mr. Coleman and Mrs. Gregory have just returned from a trip to our partner school in The AGS athletes all put in fantastic Shenzhen, China. individual performances and as a The students stayed with families of result won the event. Thanks to Mrs ‘Junior 2’ (equivalent of our year 9) Dathan for co-ordinating and students for the first 10 days before organising the team and Mr Richens heading off on a spectacular boat for managing the team on the day. trip along the Li River valley, via Guanzhou and then on to Hong Team: Georgina Mitchell (Yr7), Jenny Forysiak, Seb Hopper, Elliot Kong. Kimber (Yr8)
Congratulations Anna Gamble (Year 10) has just returned from the English Schools Athletics competition where she achieved 4th place nationally in the high jump, with a PB height of 1.71m. The PE department have a Twitter page to follow: @ags_pe for fixtures, news, results and AS/A2 information.
Everyone was very well looked after, especially by our Chinese contact teachers, Gavin & Singing. We enjoyed excellent Chinese meals, observed lessons, visited attractions such as the silk museum and tea research centre (including taking part in a tea ritual!). We also enjoyed a special karaoke birthday party for Jenni Bates who turned 18 during the trip, victory in a ‘Great Britain vs China’ basketball match and learned the art of haggling. 15
!
' (!)(*+(,% - . / - %
!"#$%&
!"#$%&'(")%*+,*%
!"#$"%&'($)*+(,) -./0120#) 3(#4"/51'"#0) !67)89:) ;'+%0<)=>?@7)?AB676) C(D<)=>?@7)6==ABA) 9$(".<)+EE"/0F(./0120#&1G/+$) )
Alcester Grammar School Term Dates 2013-14
AUTUMN TERM Term begins!! ! ! &'(")%-.#%&/'#0%
!
Term ends! ! ! ! !
! !
#-A2-A1.C(0@AA-.(
!
SPRING TERM Term begins!! ! <HDU 6NL 7ULS 3DUHQW¡V $G-A@AB( note! Please <HDU 3DUHQW¡V (YHQLQJ(
Half-term!
!
!
Term ends! !
!
T.-1U(OK(EF.(+1VE(&-./(
! ! %12O.I1C(5P2?(((
%-K2-/L-.(5675M(((( ! ! 58QK/(
!
!
%12O.I1C(5P2?((( %-K2-/L-.(5675M(( NR96K/875R661/((((
! ! *FAI1C(55AI((( ,>2FL-.(5675M( JR96K/( &O-3I1C(59.I(((( ! ! ,>2FL-.(5675M( QRQSK/(
!
&-./(012-34((5675879( (
!:&:*;(&$'*(5675%
D-1.(76()#%$(=AEF./12@FA( H-IA-3I1C(5J2?( $G-A@AB(( %-K2-/L-.(5675M( NK/(
Half-term! ! #-A2-A1.C(&-1(<1.2C(
!"#$%&$'()'!**!'(%#+,,"(
!
W.@I1C(5J2?(,>2FL-.( 5675(
0"1234$56%% 3rd September % -748%9:4;<$5Âł-=>%?;@$6<$5%-./-%AB=:1CDB@$E% Tuesday 2013 (Y7 welcome day) )$56%$=>D% % F5B>"G%-/D4%H$:$6<$5%-./-% Wednesday 4th September 2013 % (Y12 welcome day and Y8-11 term begins) %<'=;)(&$'*(5679( Thursday 5th September( 2013 (Y13 term begins) )$56%<$#B=D(
(
)C$D>"G%&48%I"=C"5G%-./J%
28th October â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1st November 2013 (inclusive) 0"1234$56%% % /&48Âł--=>%F$<5C"5G%-./J%AB=:1CDB@$E% )$56%$=>D% % F5B>"G%--=>%*"5:8%-./J% Tuesday 17th December 2013 % (NB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in previous years we have broken up on Friday) %:**$'(&$'*(5679% )$56%<$#B=D%
%
*;=>"G%&48%KL5B1%-./J%
*"G%+"=M%0;1B>"G% %
*;=>"G%N48%*"G%-./J%
Monday 6th January 2014 0"1234$56%% % -O48ÂłJ/D4%*"G%-./J%AB=:1CDB@$E% Thursday 6th February 2014 48 )$56%$=>D% % F5B>"G%/7 %IC1G%-./J% (no students in school during the day) &-1>?-.(&.1@A@AB(01C3( F5B>"G%J/D4%KC#CD4%-./-%% 17th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21st February 2014 (inclusive) *;=>"G%J5>%'$L4$6<$5%-./-%
)8C5D>"G%/P48%?;@$6<$5%-./-%AL5;DL$:4B@$%N48%F;56%9L$=%(@$=B=#E% Friday 11th April 2014 *;=>"G%O48%I"=C"5G%-./J% )8C5D>"G%O48%F$<5C"5G%-./J%AN48%F;56%'C<Q$:4%'"6L1B=#%(@$=B=#E%
SUMMER TERM Term begins!! !
!
!
% Monday 28th April 2014
May Bank Holiday! !
!
!
Monday 5th May 2014
Half-term!
!
!
!
!
26th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30th May 2014 (inclusive)
Term ends! !
!
!
!
Friday 18th July 2014
1(23"4(%1255.#(%
#FOA3-VV@AB(%-.G@>-(
Dates for Diary
ICD4%"%5$6B=>$5%4;%L"5$=4D%48"4%R$%"5$%@$5G%2;54C="4$%4;%8"@$%48$%D$5@B:$D%;2%"%45"B=$>%:;C=D$11;5%3%!8B11BL"%)8;6"D%3%R8;%:;6$D%B=4;% D:8;;1%$":8%R$$M%4;%DCLL;54%D4C>$=4DS% K=G%D4C>$=4D%:"=%D$1235$2$5%4;%D$$%!8B11BL"%;5%5$2$55"1D%:"=%<$%6">$%<G%D4"22%2;5%D4C>$=4D%R8;%48$G%2$$1%R;C1>%<$=$2B4%25;6%48BD%">>B3 Wednesday 11th September Yr 12/13 Awards Evening, 7pm 4B;="1%DCLL;54S% Thursday 24th October An Evening of Contemporary Dance and Drama %>?FFV(+-1V2?(&-1/( Thursday 14th November Sixth Form Open Evening (":8%*;=>"G%1C=:84B6$%48$5$%"D%"%>5;L3B=%8$"148%:"5$%D$5@B:$%"@"B1"<1$%4;%"11%D4C>$=4D%4;%>BD:CDD%"=G%8$"148%5$1"4$>%:;=:$5=D%RB48% Weds 27th/Thurs 28th November Romeo and Juliet, performed by Yr 12 and 13 ;C5%':8;;1%?C5D$S% Thurs 5th/Fri 6th December After Juliet, performed by Yr 10 and 11 Wednesday 11th December Music and Mince Pies, 7.30pm Thursday 12th December Lower School Evening of Drama, 7pm Friday 13th December Carol Service, St Nicholas Church, 6pm
Page 16
!