32 | SOTONIENSIS 2016
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Astronomy Society This year saw another group of astronomers completing their studies for the Astronomy GCSE, making many solo observations at home and at visits to the local Toothill Observatory. This year was the year of another rare astronomical event, a transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun. Given that this took place in May we were ever hopeful for good clear weather to observe the event. Sadly, the whole day was nearly completely overcast. However, myself and a few students managed a glimpse of Mercury’s silhouette through the School’s solar telescope during a brief gap in the cloud cover, making the whole effort worthwhile.
Special mention should be given to James Mitchell who was a great help in setting up for the event and also persevered into the late afternoon to get another slightly longer glimpse. Next year will see the next intake of astronomers interested in undertaking the GCSE course, so look out for notices if you are interested, or see Mr Simm directly.
Mr Simm
Badminton Club As with last year, attendance at Badminton Club has been down with the result that there has seldom been a time when players have not been able to spend the full hour on court. This clearly is an advantage because it helps to develop their technique and all-round play in terms of court positioning and tactics. It has also meant that we have not encountered any difficulties arising from the loss of the remaining squash court, which occasionally had to be commandeered as an overflow space. The players this year have come mainly from the Third and Fourth Years. I am sure that I will forget to name some of them, but regular attendees include Henry Tsang, Ollie Gough, Ollie Miles, Henry Southern, Alex Chandler, Saniya Belgi, Yuqing Chen, Xyla Taufaniska and Katie Young. There have also been occasional appearances from star players, Jamie He and Alex Liu, both of whom are capable of giving anybody a run for their money. As usual, my apologies go to anybody that I have missed. As I am retiring this year, this is my last report for Badminton Club. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Sheppard and Dr Gamblin for their help and support in running the activity over the last nineteen years. I would also like to thank all of the students who have attended the club during my tenure. In the early years when I used to spend a lot of time on court they helped me to hone my skills as a player and to keep fit. Matches were played in the right spirit with a competitive edge, but with an emphasis on having fun rather than winning at all cost. In recent years when my involvement has been largely off court it has been good to see students maintaining this approach. I hope that they continue to do so and enjoy playing the game for many years to come.
Mr Walter