The Phoenix magazine 2024

CURIOSITY | GENEROSITY | COURAGE

"Take a moment to reflect and look back, but only for an instant, because new possibilities are just over the horizon.

Foreword

Schools are interesting creatures in many different ways. One way in which I think they are fascinating is the way that institutional memory works in a school. For the most part, secondary schools have a memory of somewhere between five and seven years. The turnover of students and staff across that period undoubtedly means that a significant chunk of the memory can be, and is, lost. Sometimes though, things happen which blow this traditional changing of the guard out of the water. Things like a global pandemic. Our Leavers of 2024 were around 13 or 14 when the world of education tilted on its axis. They were young teenagers who were told to stay at home, told not to see their friends, and given the message that education needed to be done online. For many, this may have led to a feeling that education should be done online. At the time, there were many commentators pointing to the fact that we wouldn’t go back and that centuries of educational experience would be consigned to the dustbin of history in favour of a digital brave new world. It was this year group,

more than any other, who proved that the old ways had much to commend them. They rode the waves of years of disrupted education and worked hard to make sure that they would be ready to step into the world after Prior with a range of skills. Most of all though, this year group worked together. This was not a year group of faction and division – not that we have year groups like that at Prior.

This was a kind year group, a year group who cared about, and looked out for, each other. Teachers talk about year groups as if they have a cohesive and formed identity.

From their start here, this year’s Leavers have been seen as a brilliant bunch and they lived up to that reputation. It has been a joy to watch them flourish and thrive, whatever the wider world threw at them. I am in awe of what they did and the spirit in which they did it. More broadly, this has been a year in which independent education has been under significant scrutiny. The new government have

chosen to tax education, one of very few countries around the world to do so. What we do as a school matters even more than it ever has. The choice that parents make to send their children to us is done with proper consideration and for the purest of motives. Parents, and their children, see the difference that Prior Park can and does make to their children’s lives. A school which puts love at the centre of everything we do is a school that will always thrive. It is a school that will always attract parents who want the very best for the most precious things they have – their children. What makes Prior incredible is that as special as a child is for any parent, they are almost as special for us. That’s rare in a school and why this school is a remarkable community in which all students are known, valued, and loved. This was seen in every student who left us in 2024, all of whom will enjoy a relationship with the school, and relationships with those they met whilst at the school, for the rest of their lives.

Mr Horan

New Sixth Form Centre and New Founders' Garden

At the start of this academic year, Prior Park College unveiled its new Sixth Form Centre. The Centre has been completely refurbished and extended to now consist of five spaces: social common room, kitchen, social study area, multi-functional classroom, and quiet study room. It is designed to not only help students in their academic endeavours, but also to provide areas in which they can socialise, relax and feel part of a community. The redevelopment was kindly donated to the College by former pupil, Mr Andrew Shin, a 1985 leaver, and we are incredibly grateful to Mr Shin for his generous gift.

The Sixth Form Centre leads out to another area of the school that has been transformed, the New Founders’ Garden. Previously, this space was a well-worn thoroughfare for staff and students; it is now an inviting, social, landscaped space that compliments the Health and Wellbeing Centre which sits alongside it. The area is named the New Founders’ Garden in recognition of past pupils, parents, staff and friends of Prior Park College, who came together, at very short notice, to save the school in 1981 when the Congregation of Christian Brothers left. This

group founded a lay administration which provided stability and ambition, taking the College to where it is today.

The Garden has been designed so that areas can be used as outside classrooms in addition to being a quiet and peaceful place to sit and decompress during a busy school day.

The College was mindful to include sustainable practices within the redevelopment.

Planting has been designed to encourage biodiversity; the seating uses reclaimed plastic slats rather than timber; the LED lighting has been designed to have a low impact on the site’s natural ecology, particularly bats; and sustainable urban drainage has been used to reduce the risk of flooding and ponding, and to allow rainwater to disperse naturally through the ground to existing culverts and springs that help to supply the ponds and reservoirs in the Prior Park Gardens.

Sixth Form

There was great excitement at the beginning of the academic year as we enjoyed the grand opening of our completely refurbished Sixth Form Centre. Having a dedicated silent work room, a warm and comfortable social space and, most importantly, a very swanky coffee machine has improved the Sixth Form experience hugely! As I write this at the end of our first year in the space, it is true to say that the novelty has not worn off.

The first week of the Michaelmas term saw our annual Induction Day with go-kart building and etiquette classes among the activities on offer. Later in that first week we all enjoyed a fun-filled ‘It’s a Knockout’ social event and then many of us extended our evening by joining the 1st XV in an exciting ‘Friday Night Lights’ rugby match in Combe Down. Michaelmas term always involves an enormous amount of work and effort being put into UCAS and other university applications by our U6th students. Their hard work has

really paid off and we are so proud of the many hundreds of offers secured for scores of different courses by the students this year - from Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Manchester, Cardiff, and UAL. Interest in degree apprenticeships continues to grow apace, and we were thrilled when three of our U6 students secured offers for these competitive programmes from EY, KPMG, and Dyson. Meanwhile, the L6 embarked on their ‘Futures’ planning and had their horizons broadened by a visit to the University and Apprenticeship Fair at Ashton Gate in Bristol. Somehow, we also managed to fit a trip to New York and the traditional Fancy Dress Social into the first term too!

The pace did not really slow as the year progressed and the Sixth Formers enjoyed a busy mix of academic and social events planned by staff and students alike. A particular highlight was the after-school duck herding, gun dog handling and Haka learning that took

place in the sunshine a few weeks ago. It was wonderful to see the L6 students laughing and relaxed as they headed towards summer having completed their exams.

As ever, the end of the year is bittersweet as we celebrate and say goodbye to our wonderful U6. We were lucky to experience another glorious evening of champagne and canapes at the Roman Baths with two of the best student speeches I have ever heard given by Ollie and Tyla.

It is an inevitable truth that time speeds up as we age! The year rolls by so fast and before we know it, the long summer is behind us and the first page on a fresh teachers’ planner stares up at us ready to be filled - the cycle begins again. However, the memories of past students linger much longer than the August sun and we, as always, await your return visits with much happiness and anticipation.

Mrs Colquhoun

U6 Appointments

Heads

Heads of School

Victoria Corfield & Thomas Roblin

Deputy Heads of School

Oliver Kohut & Tyla Werrett

Head of Allen

Orly Sivell

Head of Arundell

Connie Osborne

Head of Burton

Tommy Zagni

Head of Clifford

Max Yerbury

Head of English

Sophie Hunter

Head of Fielding

Rayyah Uddin

Head of Roche

Finn Quinlan

Heads of Baines

Jessica Lawton & Will Armstrong

Captains of sport

Boys’ Rugby

Oliver Kohut

Girls’ Hockey

Tyla Werrett

Boys’ Hockey

Orly Sivell

Netball  Jessica Metcalfe

Heads of Brownlow

Daisy Downey & Rupert Gage

Heads of International Students

Anna Jaeger & Callista Ong

Head of Mission & Service

Giles Pickford

Head of Eco Prior

Lilla Chicco

Head of Charities

Myra Lai

Heads of Peer Support

Nicole Brown & Ellie Stringer

Heads of Student Socials

Holly Bundy & Daisy Gallen

Girls’ Tennis

Sophie Hunter

Boys’ Tennis

Milo Platts

Cricket

Oliver Kohut

Class of 2024

It certainly feels surreal to be writing this as we stand on the threshold of new beginnings as the Class of 2024. We’re experiencing a mix of emotions – sadness about leaving and yet excitement for the future. Reflecting on our time at Prior and expressing gratitude for this incredible community as we say our goodbyes is vital.

For many of us, Prior has been a significant part of our lives for years, shaping who we are today. The opportunities offered by the school have allowed us to explore new interests and grow from adolescence to adulthood. Whether through CCF, music, drama, art, sports, or other activities, each of us has found our place. The breadth and depth of these opportunities is unique to Prior, and we have seized them with courage and curiosity.

As a year group, we have made countless memories together – from trips like Skern Lodge and the Eden Project in Baines and Brownlow, to recent milestones like the unforgettable New York trip. We navigated lockdowns and online lessons together, faced our GCSEs and A Levels, and through it all, these shared experiences have bonded us.

It’s fitting to express our gratitude to all the staff – teaching and non-teaching – for making our time at Prior so special. Their passion and dedication have inspired us to pursue our dreams and become the best

versions of ourselves. We are deeply thankful for their unwavering support.

Maya Angelou once said, “You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s glove on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” Reflecting on our time at Prior, as the Class of 2024, we know we have given back to this community and embraced its values wholeheartedly. We have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on Prior.

As we move forward, may we carry the values of courage, curiosity, and generosity with us throughout our lives, embracing every opportunity that comes our way.

Looking back on our time at Prior, it is hard to contemplate leaving the comfort of this community that has given us so much, but in the wise words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky are we, to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Let’s stay connected, remembering that Prior is a community for life.

Thank you, Prior, for everything.

Victoria Corfield and Thomas Roblin, Heads of School

Inspire Conference

The annual Sixth Form ‘Inspire!’ conference took place in October, where students were treated to a variety of guest speakers from different career sectors. The conference was again hosted and facilitated by ITV West Country newsreader, Alex Lovell.

This year’s guest speakers

Amy Williams

A former British skeleton racer and Winter Olympic gold medallist.

She urged the students to be curious and try new things,

as this was how she discovered her passion for skeleton.

Stefanie Sword-Williams

A businesswoman, author and motivational speaker who excelled in empowering the Sixth Form to celebrate their successes and highlighted the importance of self-promotion.

Stefanie recently appeared on Forbes ’30 under 30’ list and has worked with some of the biggest global brands including Apple, Google, and Nike.

Talan Skeels-Piggins

A double Motorcycle World Champion and Winter Paralympian who spoke about

turning the trauma of his motorcycle crash in 2003 into an opportunity to compete at the highest levels in sport.

Rupert Oldridge, Aka Bass6, founder of The Beatbox Collective, a group of World Champion beatboxers. He showed the incredible things that the mouth and voice can do, inviting students up to the stage to compete in a ‘box-off’!

It was fascinating to hear the journey that each speaker made to become the successful figure they are today.

MUN Conference

Back in November, after months of after school practices and admittedly last minute debates in the round room, the students of Prior’s Model United Nations took part in our first conference at Queen’s College in Taunton. MUN is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and truly experience how nations interact with each other on a global scale, imitating the real-life United Nations in structure, organisation and diplomatic tension. Prior Park students were split into two groups, each one representing a different country; my group was Saudi Arabia. Each member of the ‘country’ is chosen as the representative of a corresponding United Nations committee. For example, I was the World Health Organisation delegate.

After the opening assembly, we split into our committees to discuss preprepared notions. Within

the Health committee, we debated and discussed the proliferation of insulin, as well as the privacy laws surrounding medical information. These debates opened with the speakers, followed by an open debate, Q&As, and ended with the voting procedure.

Of course, the debates were rife with arguments between the American and Russian delegates, the Canadian delegate seemed to be advocating for nuclear war and the topic of sub-Saharan Africa’s access to medical care was also discussed. We closed with a debate on a resolution in the event of a zombie outbreak (a prison in the North Pole seemed to be a popular idea).

The day ended with the general assembly; a crisis committee that involved all team members of every country coming together to discuss what action to take after a nuclear strike on

Iraq by Iran. After an hour of debating, failed resolutions, voting and appeasements, the general assembly came to an end and so did the conference. Whilst the conference itself was fantastic, there’s no doubt it took a lot of work and research throughout and leading up to the day. These efforts were recognised with awards - our team won ‘highly commended delegation’ (essentially second place!), with Sienna Tan winning ‘highly commended delegate’ in her committee of SPECPOL, and I won ‘commended delegate’ in the WHO. It was a tough day with long hours, but we had great fun doing it and I can’t thank Mrs Colquhoun enough for her support!

Anna Jaeger (U6)

General Studies

General Studies is a series of talks by guest speakers that give the Sixth Form an insight into a variety of topics, careers, or life experiences.

Prior Park alumni often return as part of this program, and this year we welcomed back Kieran Kelly (The OddBalls Foundation), Sally Land (Dear Deidre – The Sun), Dr. Iheukwumere Duru (Medical Doctor) and Professor David Thomas (Arctic Researcher), to name a few. Students also heard from speakers covering topics that may be limited within the classroom, such as Emma Cole, who was diagnosed

HIV positive 33 years ago. Emma provided the students with information surrounding stigmas, understanding transmission and diagnosis, and most importantly, living a fulfilling life with HIV. Other speakers were able to share their personal experience or knowledge of other topics, including gambling, LGBTQIA+, addiction, modern slavery, and autism, thus increasing our students awareness of these emotional, scientific, and political contexts.

We also welcomed talks from individuals who have travelled the globe, whether it be on military duty (Captain

Ali Tarbard-Osment), capturing wildlife on film, and war on camera (James Brickell & Rick Findler), cycling across America (Simon Parker), working in the Middle East (Jane Woodford), producing Oscar-winning documentaries (Richard Klein) and painting for The Royal Family (James Hart Dyke).

We hope these shared stories inspire our students to perhaps pursue their own passions and even forge careers out of them, but more importantly they give an insight into the complexities, struggles and beauty of the world around them.

Student Forum

This year, Victoria and I set out to transform student voice at Prior by launching the new Student Forum. We wanted to make sure students knew that there was a way for their ideas and feedback to be heard.

We worked with SLT and decided to model our new Student Forum after the Roman system to hopefully improve student engagement, introducing roles such as tribunes, consuls, and praetors. This novel approach proved a success, massively increasing the student body's engagement.

We collected two elected tribunes from each House, plus their praetor (Head of House) and at our inaugural meeting we discussed issues

surrounding student services, food, Houses, and various other topics. With over thirty representatives, Heads of Houses and prefects, we extracted dozens of useful ideas and action points. This feedback did not just come from Sixth Form students, representatives across all year groups contributed. One thing Victoria and I had noticed about previous student councils was that students tended to complain without offering any solutions. Our new student forum was designed around producing tangible solutions and action points we could deliver to SLT, and this has been a great success. Additionally, we attended meetings, including one

with the catering team and operations, and a representative from the parent forum, to ensure student voice is heard and addressed in future menus and catering provision.

We have already been able to enact changes, notably the introduction of free period products in girls’ bathrooms, and changes to the lunch menus and food, with many more ideas still in the pipeline.

I hope that, despite Victoria and I leaving, this Forum will continue to thrive, and provide a platform so that the voice of the students will continue to be heard.

General election

In preparation of the 4 July 2024 General Election, five students acting as ‘representatives’ for the Labour, Conservative, Green, Liberal Democrat, and Reform parties, stood for a school mock election. Each informed the school of their party’s main policies during a Friday assembly before everyone, students and staff, could cast their vote. Prior’s election results greatly differed from those in the actual Election, with Reform and Green parties winning the most votes.

Thomas Roblin (U6)

Academic Life

I think that, at this point, most students at Prior Park could tell you our College values of Curiosity, Generosity and Courage; values which have permeated so much of the wonderful work happening here at school over the last year. In the academic sphere, though, I would venture to add one more laudable trait for this year – commitment. Commitment lies at the heart of academic success; it is the driving force behind achievement. Achievement, of course, is the end goal, the ‘showpiece’, but it’s

the long-term, consistent commitment behind it that often impresses me more – Robert Collier’s “sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out” – and is what has most astonished me this year in our young people.

Our Visual Arts, for instance – Photography, Fine Art & Textiles – together produced a particularly resplendent gallery of work this year, most of which could be viewed at our wonderful Leavers’ Day in July. In one of our most visually spectacular ‘A-star’

grades from this year’s considerable clutch at A Level, Evie Rayner-Bentman produced as her final piece a transcendent display of the weaver’s craft – an expansive woven circle, instantly and visually enthralling in its symmetry and pattern. (It was also chosen as this magazine’s front cover). Charlie Nicholas, equally, created an unnerving (in a good way) photographic installation one could literally ‘install’ one’s head into, so feeling as if in a different space. They were

both stunning achievements. What was still more impressive, though, was the commitment behind them.

Evie spent long months of dedicated research into cell photography – the initial inspiration – and gradual perfection of the eighteenodd different stitches that were eventually used in the final article. Charlie’s work, similarly, rose gradually from a lengthy written ‘Investigation into Photographic Representa -

tions of State of Mind’. Their final achievements were both supported by exceptional commitment. Such commitment also showed in spades at the other end of the Prior Park campus in our Science Faculty, where our L6 Biologists this year partnered with the University of Bath, Department of Life Sciences, to undertake scientific research, based in the teaching laboratories both at Prior Park and the

University.

The students exposed a special type of yeast to increasing concentrations of acid, aiming to find the ‘Goldilocks’ level of achievable tolerance to promote growth. Seeing students’ experimental decision making and independence develop week-by-week was a real highlight for our Head of Biology, Grant Price. For me, equally impressive was their commitment to six weeks of consistent,

determined work for the hoped for eventual achievement. As is often the case in ‘real’ scientific work, this was fairly remote from the daily grind of culturing, plating and analysing.

Commitment also led to exceptional performance in academic competitions this year. The Physics and Chemistry Olympiads, both prestigious national competitions among the ‘best and brightest’ Sixth Formers studying those subjects in the UK, saw nearly half their cohorts come away with prize awards at various levels – a notable feat. Nathaniel Ngai was awarded the coveted ‘Best in School’ in the Senior Maths Challenge, which saw a remarkable 28 students this year pick up

prize awards at Gold, Silver or Bronze. And the next generation are looking very strong, too, with 36 prize awards in the Intermediate Maths Challenge – the equivalent competition for U5 students – including an astonishing nine at the highest ‘Gold’ level. Isaac Kuan took the honour of ‘Best in School’ at that level. The year also saw exceptional participation in other academic activities, too – the Philosothon, the Model UN, and near-record participation on the EPQ, with 25 students completing that high-level independent research qualification over the course of the year. As always, EPQ topics were broad, ranging from ‘Is solar energy a sustainable

option for UK homes and infrastructures?’ to ‘What were the most significant factors that influenced Elvis' success between 1954 and 1973?’. All of these spectacular achievements were underpinned by long-term commitment.

One of the biggest pieces of commitment we ask of our students is that required to prepare for their GCSE and A Level exams; consistent hard work over thousands of lessons leading to that eventual achievement. And, as we would expect, our students did themselves proud this year.

Evie’s ‘spectacular A-star’ grade, mentioned earlier, was indeed one of a considerable number at A Level, with around 40% of

all grades at Prior awarded at the highest possible A or A* levels – a remarkable achievement for the students, doing justice to their remarkable commitment over the last two years.

At GCSE, too, our students’ commitment was rewarded, with more than half of all grades at the top 9-7 levels, and more than a third of students achieving a whole grade or more above their predicted ability

across all subjects – an outstanding achievement. Reflecting on the year, then, from the arts to scientific exploration to the intellectual challenges of the Olympiads and of course GCSE and A Level, sustained effort and dedication is the common thread that has woven these individual accomplishments together. As we now start another year, it is this commitment that continues to drive our students to new heights,

bringing that curiosity, generosity, and courage to life in all they do. This year’s tremendous results, while impressive, are merely the by-product of the deep, enduring commitment that underpins our students' academic journeys at Prior.

Mr Gamble

Biology partnership with Bath Uni

Our L6 Biology students had the privilege of partnering with the University of Bath’s Department of Life Sciences, to conduct some scientific research as well as visiting their campus teaching laboratories for a workshop event. It was perhaps the first time that students had experienced practical science with no pre-determined outcome. Instead, they contributed to and analysed novel research.

The Life Sciences department has been leading research into the properties of a fungal species, M pulcherrima and whether the oil it produces could be used as an alternative to palm oil. Palm oil harvesting presently causes huge deforestation - and therefore habitat loss and biodiversity decrease. If an alternative, more sustainable oil could be sourced,

this could potentially lead to better outcomes for climate change and food security. However, this fungus needs a lot of nutrients to be grown, which are expensive and not easy to obtain. If the fungus could tolerate more acidic, cheaper nutrient sources, it could become more viable.

The Project

Class 12D undertook a 6-week research project, with the aim of finding the ‘Goldilocks’ level of acid tolerance in the yeast. Too low-and the yeast have very minimal gain, too high and all the yeast dies out. Our students decided how ambitious to be with exposing the yeast to acidity levels. Students cultured this yeast, performed new practical techniques, such as transferring, plating, and adapted their decision making, based

on the live data they had in front of them. Seeing student’s independence and practical decision making improve week-by-week was a highlight!

The lab project finished with all L6 students attending a workshop at the University of Bath. We were given results from the experiments done at Prior and had the genetic information of these acid-tolerant yeast sequenced. This is a process that would have taken over a decade, just 20 years ago! Throughout the afternoon, students got to hear from the academic and professional backgrounds of various PhD and Lab Tech workers, as well as perform further lab techniques in the undergraduate teaching labs. Mr Price

Chalke Valley History Festival

In June, the L6 history students and L5 academic scholars were fortunate enough to go to Chalke Valley History Festival in Salisbury. The weather was great, and as soon as we arrived we took part in an SOE training camp, learning the skills and techniques of soldiers from WW2. We then enjoyed a series of talks, first from Jonathan Phillips who discussed the Third

Crusade and the intriguing role of Richard the Lionheart, and then from Giles Milton who spoke about Stalin and the relationship between 'The Big Three' towards the end of the war. The festival stretched across all areas of history, from the Tudors to the Samurai, to Sherman tanks in action, which were a crucial component of the Allied defence in WW2. After enjoying the great selection

of food on offer, we finished the day with an immersive Second World War trench experience, with authentic uniforms, equipment and props that gave us the chance to experience what a pivotal battle would have been like in 1944. The trip was hugely successful and an enjoyable day all round.

Martha Dutton and Olivia Finn (L6)

London Art Galleries & Museums

In March, L6 Art, Photography and Textiles students spent a wonderful day visiting an array of exhibitions and galleries in London, including Tate Modern, the National Portrait and Saatchi Galleries, and the V&A and Natural History Museums. Highlights of the trip included Burtyn-

sky’s aerial photography, and an exhibition titled ‘Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art’ at The Barbican.

In June, L5 Art and Textiles students spent a wonderful (and very warm) day in London. As usual, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

provided rich inspiration for techniques and styles, whilst on Exhibition Road, the V&A and Natural History Museum were treasure troves of imagery to explore.

Ms Seville

Design Museum

After a four-year break it was great to be back at the Design Museum in London with our very talented Lower 5 students. As well as looking around all the latest exhibitions, one being the history of the skateboard, students took part in a newly created workshop focusing on the problem of sustainability. They were taught about the problems the world is facing, and challenged to come up with ideas using more

British Museum

Sixth Form Classical Civilisation and Latin students enjoyed a trip to London, taking in a great UCL production of Euripides' Bacchae and visiting the British Museum.  The

sustainable materials. Once created, students had to pitch their idea to their peers and, as you can imagine, there were some pretty off-the-wall solutions! Great fun was had by all and hopefully their learnings will feature in the GCSE coursework this year.

Mr Faulkner

students were fortunate enough to be given a tour around certain artefacts by a curator, to see 'behind the scenes' and even to handle some 2500 year old pottery pieces.

Greece

During October half term, Mrs Hearn, Miss Bloomfield, Mr Stroud and Mel took a group of F4-U6 Classics students on a six-day trip around Greece.

On arrival, we went to an ancient theatre at Thorikos, which is the oldest surviving theatre in Greece and has an elongated shape. Then we visited a temple to Poseidon overlooking Salamis, the site of a great naval victory. In the evening, most of the group left the hotel and went for a walk through the Plaka of Athens, seeing some of the local shops with the dark shape of the Acropolis looming over us. On the second day, we ascended the Acropolis, seeing the theatre of Dionysus, the Parthenon, and the Pnyx where the Assembly met. We visited the Agora, where performers and philosophers presented, and the museum of artifacts from the Acropolis – though we felt slightly guilty that most of the Parthenon marbles are in the British Museum.

On the third day we went to Delphi –scenically perched on the side of Mount Parnassus - where the oracle of Apollo was. We saw the omphalos, the rock that marked the centre of the Ancient Greek world, another ancient theatre, and a hippodrome where games would have been held.

We had lunch on the shores on the Mediterranean in the town of Itea, and visited an olive oil shop where we tried a lot of delicious mixes.

The next day, which happened to be Halloween, we travelled to Olympia, and saw where the ancient games would have taken place. Some of us ran a race on the track where Greek athletes ran thousands of years ago. Then we went to our final hotel in Tolo, a small, seaside village, with islands just offshore. We played rugby on the beach, followed by a Halloween/Greece-themed quiz in the hotel.

On day five, we went to Mycenae, an ancient city nestled between two hills, a Mycenaean chamber tomb, and Tiryns, a Mycenaean stronghold. Then we visited the theatre at Epidaurus, well-known for its enormous, perfectly symmetrical auditorium. On our final day, we visited the ruined city of Corinth and, just as a thunderstorm was gathering, we travelled back to Athens for lunch and shopping, and watched the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square.

Milo Ward (L6)

Berlin

During October half term, U5 History students experienced four days in the vibrant, culturally rich city of Berlin.

Throughout our stay, we got to grasp opportunities that brought our history textbooks to life.

During our first evening, we visited a lit up Brandenburg gate, and walked past the Reichstag before arriving back at the hotel to watch the England vs South Africa rugby match!

We began day two with a visit to the interactive DDR museum, which gave us a crucial insight into day-today life behind the Berlin Wall. We continued with a walking tour of the city, viewing landmarks such as Berlin Cathedral, as well as visiting heart wrenching Jewish memorial sites from the Holocaust. A boat trip allowed us to see more of Berlin, before arriving at the Berlin TV tower. This 368-metre-tall communist built tower gave us a view of the city from high above and allowed us to see other landmarks such as the Olympic stadium. After dinner we went bowling! This was such a good way to end a long day. Mr Firmin did better than us with a score of 166!

The third day began early, and we travelled

north by coach to a small town overlooked by the Sachsenhausen memorial site, a former Nazi concentration camp and the first to be designed and opened under the command of Heinrich Himmler. Built in the mid-1930s, it acted as a model camp for the Nazi party. As we arrived, many commented on its horribly eerie nature. After a brief introduction and history of the site from our tour guide, we were able to make our own way through the camp, a place of such severe potence. We then drove through the east side of the city where the architecture is notably different, with large blocks of communist-era housing on either side of the road. The former Stasi prison was our next destination and we saw many of the key areas, including cells located in the basement of the building. Our tour guide added that many of the former guards and interrogators still lived near the prison and that these individuals frequently complained about tours such as the one we had taken. To ease the mood, we were allowed to stop off at

a local supermarket where we bought as much as we could to eat on the coach on the way to the next stop, the German Resistance Museum. The exhibition was housed in the former offices of the high-ranking Nazis who had led the resistance to the Nazi party within Germany, including the multiple German-led plots against Hitler during the war.

On the final day, we left the hotel for the Berlin Wall Visitor Centre, where we learnt the history of the Wall and visited the remaining section. The last event on our trip was a visit to the second largest mall in Europe, the Mall of Berlin, which we were free to explore for the rest of the morning.

Berlin was an amazing trip packed with experiences, all made possible by the wonderful staff who planned and accompanied us on the trip. Thank you!

Eliza Tjolle and Luke Stringer (U5)

New York

On a chilly autumnal morning, a group of U6 (almost adults) ventured to Heathrow airport with the Big Apple in their sights. The plane ride flew by (quite literally) with entertainment provided by all our friends - we took up the last ten rows of the plane, making sleep almost impossible.

On arrival, we were struck by the remarkable skyscrapers adding dimension to the landscape, a small hint of what to expect over the next few days.

Our hostel became our home, it was incredibly spacious with rooms accommodating 8-10 people. We were always entertained into the late hours of the evening so little time was spent in the hostel. Our busy itinerary spanning from breakfast at Dunkin Donuts to Broadway.

We visited many sites over the duration of four days. We experienced the mammoth Statue of Liberty, shining in the sun as we braced ourselves on our breezy boat ride over to the island. Our ventures (sometimes in circles) around central park, sadly didn’t include ‘Central Perk’ much to the disappointment of my Friends. Some of our highlights were in the evenings, from late night trips to Target and Times Square, to Tony’s Italian, where we truly had a banquet of food. Broadway’s ‘Back to the Future’ was incredible after our evening meal at the Stardust Diner, where singing and dancing appeared to be on the menu. My personal favourite? The New York Islanders NHL ice hockey game which

was truly amazing. The venue and the people made this a completely different experience from our own British sports culture. Merch being shot into the audience by a t-shirt cannon, with a few lucky Prior students salvaging memorabilia, made this an adrenaline fuelled night.

One of the most impactful moments of the trip was our visit to the 9/11 Memorial. With graves of the monumental buildings surrounded by all the names of individuals whose lives were taken by the attack. We took time to try and comprehend the sheer destruction and sadness that occurred that day in 2001, this loss now accounting for a major part of our modern history.

Our leisurely, winding walks through the city led us past Radio City (location of SNL), The Rockefeller Centre, Wall Street, Grand Central Station and The Met. With its modern vibrant vibes, Brooklyn attracted locals and tourists alike to relax and pursue a stunning photo of the famous Brooklyn Bridge. New York is home to an abundance of skyscrapers ranging from the iconic Empire State Building to the modern Summit One. Our experiences of views at the top of each were dramatically different. Clouds engulfed us at the top of Empire State building, quite a mystical experience with only a glimmer of lights. Disappointment was replaced by the incredible view we were awarded at the top of Summit One, making our final day even more special and a great way to say goodbye to the city that never sleeps/the city of lights.

Jess Metcalfe (U6)

Bormio

This fabulous trip started with us assembling at midnight. I have got to say thank you to Elena F (a very cool girl) for kindly lending her extra transformer to me or I would not have been able to charge my phone in Italy. Literally, life saver. It was an extremely long journey, but Mr Bond at least learned how to download films on his phone (bravo). Hannah T got checked by security millions of times at the airport for no reason, before we all boarded the flight to Italy (Lachlan and Charlie watched Avatar 2). After another long tiring coach trip (we weren’t allowed to purchase a McDonald’s even though it was only a few steps away during break - how brutal!) … we finally arrived!

We skied every day, all day long, starting from the single primary

track with a gentle slope, to being able to ski from the mountain peak and on various terrains.

We learned braking and turning skills and felt more confident after each day of skiing.

However, too much confidence isn’t necessarily a good thing – Martin ambitiously jumped from one slope and ended up knocking me over.

Following our instructor, Valentina, Dexter O, Flex M and I would stay at the very back of the group and gain a bit of distance, then ski as fast as we could, enjoying the scream of wind, even during the cross-country section (everyone loved the cross-country section!) The boys tended to knock each other over and fall down most of the time, in huge contrast to the F4 girls.

However, Holly H did manage to make a perfect human shape hole into deep snow whilst doing cross-country. I shared a room with Harvie, who was constantly playing the chip cat memes. In the evenings we did various activities such as the wolf game or visiting the spa resort, and we ate at an American restaurant where Alfie S tried to engulf seven burgers in three bites.

This article is too short to fill in all the joys of the trip, but I recommend it to everyone, no matter the level of your skill. It will definitely be a lifelong memory for me. One final thing, I have to announce that I beat Elena during the competitions, although she might not admit it.

David Li (U5)

Osmington Bay

Day 1

We were all buzzing with excitement to get to our home for the next few days. James, our camp leader, greeted us on arrival and gave us a tour of the site before we took part in the first activities.

For some it was fencing, playing games and learning the basic moves with a lovely instructor. For others it was the giant swing which, despite being slightly painful, was incredibly exhilarating. Your friends pulled you to the top, the person on the side pulled a string, the swing clicked and after 1-2 seconds, it fell. On a scorching hot day as it was, the wind was incredibly refreshing.

Dinner was spectacular, chicken curry or a sausage roll. Everyone was enjoying it, then we discovered a station where you could get flavoured water, and at every meal there was a large queue for it.

Afternoon activities included a competition (Francis won) which involved knocking over a can with a frisbee, and Battleships with beanbags. Because we are an incredibly competitive year, there was lots and lots of shouting.

Eventually we made our way into bed, however, let’s just say there wasn’t much sleep the first night.

Day 2

Breakfast was a delicious meal of hash browns, toast and bacon, then we headed off to the day’s activities.

The vertical challenge was so much fun. We got strapped into our harnesses and began climbing. At the top it was a dizzying height and we sunk down slowly to cheers from our friends.

Sailing was one of the best in many people’s opinion. We split into groups, got our life jackets on and hopped on the boat, very excited. We learned how to steer and raise the sails.

Shooting was another good one. We were talked through how to reload the gun and had many goes. Some people got bullseyes.

In the evening, we did a general knowledge quiz before sitting down with our teddy bears to share their origin stories. After many interesting, peculiar and disturbing stories, the teachers decided whose was the best.

At the end of this day, we were all tired and got into bed for a peaceful night.

Day 3

Breakfast was hashbrowns (yum) and sausages (also yum).

‘Jacob’s Ladder’ was one of the harder challenges of the trip. You were in a group of three and had to get to the top of the ladder while others were trying but also moving the ladder, making it harder.

Laser tag was an enjoyable but chaotic experience. We were issued with a laser gun and had to strap a long cable to our head as the target. Many people felt they looked a bit stupid, but it was fun running around, zapping people.

It was sad to end the second activity knowing it was the last of the trip, and we wandered up the hill to pack our things and haul them to the coach. We loved every moment but there was also a nice feeling because we were going home.

Sofia Mehers & Elisabeth Lawson (L3)

Ecology Fieldtrip

L6 Biology students left Prior early and headed to sunny Pembrokeshire. We hopped off the bus and went straight to a freshwater stream where we assessed the pollution levels of local water at different points so we would be able to compare this to water local to Bath. To do this, we were shown a technique called ‘kick sampling’. We also looked at different species in the river, finding invertebrate animals like shrimp, mayfly and leeches; and at the chemical balance in the stream, including the pH, phosphate/nitrate levels and salinity.

Day 2, we went to the rocky shore. We moved vertically away from chart datum, moving up the rock shore, using a cross staff to

‘shoot the wellie’. Between that and a treat of ice cream, we had time to practice sampling over 40 species - which we became surprisingly adept at identifying. We also began to plan our own experiments that we were going to do on the Sunday. Some examples of projects were the size of limpets, barnacles and abundance of anemones versus various abiotic and biotic factors. We wrote out project reports to go with the results that we got from our practical, and carried out some statistical tests that we learnt in class to decide whether to accept or reject our null hypothesis. Doing our own projects was very exciting as we had never done anything like this before and it gave us a chance to

investigate something that we had planned and taken a specific interest in. The following day, we went to the sand dunes to look at succession and learn about pioneers that were adapted to live in difficult conditions. We looked at the abiotic and biotic factors at each zone as we travelled inland to gain a better understanding of how the ecosystem changes as areas evolve. All in all, we enjoyed a break from the busyness of Prior to develop projects, research, carry out analysis and evaluate ecological ideas.

Charlotte Paterson and Bea Howells (L6)

Operation Wallacea, Honduras

‘This is going to be an expedition, it will not be like a holiday’, were my opening words to the many students that expressed an interest in this trip. All 39 of us who went would say that it was indeed a real expedition and it was in equal measure challenging, incredible, full of firsts, and an absolutely priceless lifetime experience.   It took over two days of travelling with three flights, two bus journeys, jeep rides up the mountain to Buenos Aires village and then a tough two-hour jungle trek to reach our site in ‘Guanales Satellite Camp’ in the deep Cloud Forest of Cusuco National Park. For three days each group lived in tents and hammocks, washing in a large waterfall. Each day we would leave camp aiming for three science sessions with two

hours of vigorous mountain walking to complete each survey transect. We sampled invertebrates, mammals and herpetofauna, or set mist nets at night to catch bats or early morning for the birds. It was incredibly hard work and by 9pm we were tucked up in sleeping bags falling asleep exhausted. We all developed a real appreciation of the rigour involved in this type of science and the patience needed when dealing with wild animals. We saw lots of ‘signs’ of animals but had to look really hard as they were so well adapted to avoiding us. Our shared bathroom was a deep trench and river, and whilst there, we kept our eyes wide open for snakes, spiders, huge insects, anoles, exotic birds, and vultures soaring above. We were often woken at 4am by troops of howler monkeys

in the canopy above, and two snakes were caught in camp to be studied avidly and handled when allowed. The venomous jumping pit viper was the highlight, and was eagerly watched from a distance by us all. Torrential rain came down every afternoon and it was so hard some even showered in it as the river surged and was off limits. Between transect sampling, we would happily be found cocooned under the camp tarpaulin sheltering together around the campfire whilst chatting, playing cards, sampling home cooked tortillas and helping to analyse insect samples. We were brilliantly looked after by incredibly fit local guides, wonderful cooks and our camp manager Valentina, medic Megan and their enthusiastic science team.

The rest of the first week was spent living in the mountain village of Buenos Aires at 1600m altitude.

We shared the villagers’ homes, and it was a special insight into the simple, tough daily life of rural Hondurans, a peaceful, kind, honest nation of coffee and plantain farmers. They were very welcoming and the students enjoyed playing with the many children, having a coffee and trying to converse in Spanish. One group had a lovely morning in the local school where they led a session in the classroom and then moved to the sports field to play a highly competitive 2-2 football game. Others were lucky enough to see the children rehearsing a dance in traditional costumes ready for a big festival the following week. We all watched and helped the elderly Donna Martinez make her famed coffee from ‘picked bean to cup’ and we purchased our

own roasted homemade coffee to take home. No need for Costa here! All this amidst more transect sampling and data collection. Our results will be going towards PhD theses, research papers, to earn carbon credits, and some pinned insects are destined for the National History Museum in London. It was a super week and so very different from anything we had witnessed or lived before.

Our second week was on the idyllic Caribbean island of Utila in the Bay Island chain and involved gaining the Open Water PADI dive qualification, or, as a qualified diver, completing a reef ecology course with lectures from experts in their field. We each had two dives or training sessions a day from the jetty or dive boats mixed in with lectures and theory classes. It was a busy schedule with breakfast for divers at 5.45am. Any chance for a rest was eagerly grabbed on the swing seats overlooking the sea or into the evening on

the sun deck.

The gloriously active days were spent enjoying the Caribbean Sea at 31˚C with the air temperature the same. When we had some rare free time, everyone met on the jetty to swim and do complex somersaults into the gorgeous water below or walked down the small tuk tuk rammed street to shop and buy snacks. Abi, Luke, Eugenie and many more looked after us brilliantly and we left with 30 qualified divers, 4 great snorkellers and 5 on dive referral. Among the corals and fish seen, we identified eagle rays, 4ft tarpon, nurse shark, conger eel, squid, lionfish, flounder, and hundreds more. All valuable data for research papers and journals.

There is something very special about taking yourself out of your comfort zone and really challenging yourself both physically and mentally. We did all this and more!

Mrs Trott

CCF Navy

Another action-packed year for the Navy Section! It started with our annual visit to Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth where our new recruits went through their basic training, ably assisted by some of our senior cadets. Starting with a tour of the prestigious college, students were exposed to a wide range of activities, from high and low ropes, time in the bridge simulator, professional leadership tasks, bouldering, and having a crack at the Royal Navy Swim Test. Day two saw them get on the River Dart for a taste of powerboating. The weekend finished with the cadets marching and passing out on the world famous parade ground.

The Lent term saw the Navy adventure training team come to Prior to put on a ‘Try Scuba Dive Experience’. At the start of the Summer term, the cadets finally got a chance to go

the Damage and Repair and Firefighting Unit at HMS Raliegh. Here students learned and experienced the basics of firefighting. However, the real highlight was getting time in the ship simulator, which replicates a ship under attack, to learn how to ‘plug the holes’ and keep the ship afloat.

Our final trip of the year saw the cadets visit Pier Cellars on the coast of Cornwall. An old torpedo station of the 1800’s, it is now used to train new Navy recruits. Prior CCF cadets were the first to use the site for an activities weekend, which involved a ships’ visit on HMS Portland (Type 23 Frigate) currently undergoing through a refit at HMS Drake. This was followed by a tour on the river around the Naval base and the Port of Plymouth, followed by the local delicacy of fish and chips! The next day we were back at Pier Cellars where the cadets took part in a very

competitive raft building and race competition, followed by an afternoon of paddleboarding and PLTs. That evening the cadets prepared and cooked a BBQ before taking in a movie in an open-air cinema overlooking the beautiful Plymouth sound. Before heading home, cadets undertook the obstacle course at HMS Raleigh. Great fun was had by all!

Outside of the College, we have had a number of cadets taking full advantage of the CCF Navy camps and courses programme. This year there were a record number of cadets taking part in courses all over the country, including junior leadership, powerboating and sailing course. This Easter saw our first cadet to be involved in canoeing the river Wye, whilst another went to the Navy flight school. I’m sure these experiences will stay with them for life!

Mr Faulkner

Fives

Prior Park College has a magnificent, historically important set of Fives Courts. Yet you’d be amazed how few people know of their existence, let alone architectural importance. They were built on the grandest scale (they outshine anything at Oxford or Cambridge, Eton or Winchester) by Bishop Baines when Prior Park College was founded in the confident expectation that the game of Fives would remain forever as popular as it was then in the great schools of England. He was wrong. The game of Fives (like squash but with gloves) was to collapse in national popularity at the end of the 1800s. Tennis (with affordable racquets to hit the ball) took over.  Fives rapidly declined from universal popularity to marginal interest. Soon Prior Park’s magnificent Fives Courts were abandoned, derelict, listed but unused. Until now. A ‘Fives Revival’ is underway, with one of our

Courts already back in action for the first time in over 140 years. Modern Fives has evolved. Today most Fives is played as a singles or doubles game on indoor courts much the same sort of size as squash courts (increasingly, it’s played in squash courts).

Our Fives Courts hark back to a lost, ancient style of play; there is something medieval and indeed continental about their atmosphere. Here in Bath, surprisingly, is the type of massive masonry one might expect to find in a Spanish monastery or French Cathedral. You can read historical accounts of old games of Fives being played with more people than the modern game – up to 4-a-side, but no one does that anymore, because, well, there isn’t anywhere viable to do it.  Except for Prior Park College. So, we had a go. The size of the Courts easily accommodated the size of the teams; in fact, it

produced a wonderfully fast and engaging match for the crowd of spectators watching on a hot summer afternoon, with some very exciting and extended rallies, and lots of scope for cunning tactics and devious strategies.

I’d like to think the ghosts of our past student Fives players (names and dates carved as graffiti on the grand colonnade at the back of the Court stretch back to the 1800s) roused themselves on hearing a Fives ball on leather glove once more reverberate around the Old Ball Courts, and approved of the traditional team kit of whites-and-ties for the ‘Fives Revival’ at the College! The winning Team (15-4) was Roche House.

Quinquies floreat (May it flourish fivefold).

Mr Watkinson-Trim

Fishing Club

Prior Park College is celebrating the revival of its fishing club for the first time since the 1940s, and the rejuvenated club has already seen remarkable success and enthusiasm among its members. Students have enjoyed fishing trips to the picturesque Dilton Marsh where they have honed their angling skills whilst appreciating the tranquillity of nature.

A highlight this year has been the invaluable guidance and expertise of GB angler

Golf

Saturday Active Golf mornings at Cumberwell Park have once again proved to be a popular activity for those looking to express themselves as individuals, away from the pressures of competitive team sport. All the students have shown a fantastic level of enthusiasm and commitment to improving their game.

Golf is an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend a couple of hours (especially

Chris Haynes. His presence has not only elevated the students’ fishing techniques but also inspired them with his passion and knowledge of the sport. Under his mentorship, the young anglers have learned the nuances of fishing, from selecting the right bait to mastering casting techniques.

The club’s revival would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of Mr. Langley. His leadership, commitment and homemade sausage rolls

when the sun is out!), and the quality of shots has been fantastic this year. There is always a wonderfully supportive spirit among the players, and it is great to see them give valuable feedback to each other. Most of our time is spent working on the driving range but it is worth knowing however, that 80% of golf shots are played within 100 yards of the green, and almost half of these with the putter,

were instrumental in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Mr. Langley's enthusiasm and support fostered a strong sense of community and camaraderie among the students, making each outing a great event with every student catching a variety of freshwater fish, including the cunning carp and the tricky tench.

Mr Bond

(who said maths isn’t useful) which makes the short game area (chipping and putting) an important place to spend some of our time.

“Golf was something I really enjoyed so much. Every Saturday, trying to swing and hit the ball –smashing all the pressure and stress away. My skills have improved every week!”

Peter Hau (U5) Mr Ewins

Amnesty International

The Amnesty International club at Prior is one that is completely student-led and organised, and for that we are extremely proud of everything we have managed to achieve this past academic year. Our aim from the start was clear: to raise funds for our chosen focus this year - which is upholding women’s rights in Afghanistan – and to raise awareness and understanding of Amnesty International’s ethos and the numerous pressing human rights matters that they support. Our first event of the year was the 2023 ‘Write for Rights’ campaign, where the group were involved in writing

dozens of letters for Amnesty International’s spotlight cases of the year. It was especially gratifying to see the impact that can be made not just through fundraising, but through other forms of campaigning.

We also organised various bake sales to fundraise, as well as our biggest event of the year – the Colour Run. This involved volunteers taking part in a short run on monument field, whilst others paid to throw coloured powder at them – resulting in a kaleidoscope of colours! At the run we organised a few stalls, including facepainting, henna, and a raffle, which

had several amazing donated prizes.

We would like to thank everyone who was able to make this club possible this year: whether you were a member of the club, helped to organise events, baked, donated or wrote - your efforts do not go unnoticed! Our grand total for this year is £908.41 – a very well done to all!

Georgia Ifil and Lucy Moore (L6)

Bath Student Parliament

Academy Hall was the setting for the meeting of Bath Student Parliament in September. Representatives from schools all over Bath come together every half-term to discuss and enact new ideas and initiatives to improve the Bath area and the lives of

students and young adults. With Sienna (U6) and Thomas (U6) representing Prior Park, the Parliament broke into sub-committees to discuss topics such as the cost of living crisis and its effects within schools, incorporating birdboxes into school campuses and

Eco-Prior

At the start of the academic year, and for the first time in its history, Prior Park was awarded the prestigious Eco School Green Flag Award and obtained Eco Schools accreditation after a successful application submitted in July 2023.

Much of the credit goes to our Eco Prior club, particularly two U6 students from last year: Hazel for bringing the application together and Serrin for initiating the whole school

parks, and planning for guest speakers to talk about homelessness in Bath and how students can help.

It is great to see students from a plethora of schools conversing with each other and striving to make a difference within the community.

House recycling rota, and to the estates team for attending meetings with the students and providing information that was crucial to the application being successful.

Eco Schools hold accreditation in high esteem, saying:  Applying for Eco-Schools accreditation is the perfect way to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the ecological achievements of young people. It clearly demonstrates that

their hard work is appreciated, and it provides them with the confidence and motivation needed to continue actively engaging with environmental issues throughout their lifetimes. Finally, it also tells local communities that a school, college or nursery is forward-thinking and promotes youth-led environmental education and action.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Bronze

For me, DofE was really enjoyable, from the planning in the after-school club to finishing the expedition. There were also lots of challenges to face. The skills and physical sections of Bronze DofE were the easiest, but we had to be organised and make sure we got things signed off (I did hockey and flute). Volunteering was a bit tricky as I was too young for most of my ideas. In the end, I helped in the library on Fridays (which meant I got an early lunch!). The best bit for me was

the expedition, which was full of lots of funny moments, like when the path was overgrown with a ten-metre-long bramble bush, or when we walked up and down the same road six times. However, it was also the toughest part of the whole DofE experience, mainly because we had followed other groups in the practice, so we hadn’t learnt how to map read (but we did learn it was a good idea to wear suncream!). Other challenges included working out how many snacks could fit in a rucksack, the tiredness

Silver

I opted for running for my physical section and I enjoyed pushing myself around the university running track, improving my time. Volunteering was rewarding as I coached young swimmers twice weekly at my local swimming club, Corsham ASC. Completing woodwork for my skills section helped me develop my ability in a variety of ways.

One of the highlights of

we felt on the first morning because we spent all night talking and didn’t get any sleep, the arguments we had because our group wanted to go different ways, and the annoying main roads we kept finding (we weren’t allowed to walk on those). The fact that we did eventually learn to map read and we successfully arrived at the bus to bring us home (where I could have a shower) was the best part of my whole DofE experience.

DofE is the infamous expedition! Our practice one in late April began at the top of Westbury White Horse in gushing rain. Equipped with the supplies we would need for the next three days, our allocated leader taught us vital skills such as navigation, planning and ‘admin’. Fast forward two months and we set off from just outside Shepton Mallet on the real ramble. We made great progress on our march to the

campsite where we put up our tents and cooked dinner (rice!). Waking up to rain the following morning was a considerable disappointment, however day two went like clockwork until almost the end when we had to perform multiple manoeuvres to avoid herds of cows, then lost the path only to find it again, before spending a further ten minutes trying to figure out where the campsite was with another group who were having

Charlotte Abercrombie (F4)

the same issue.

Day three started early at 5.30am and we made good progress until entering Cheddar. After climbing the steepest hill imaginable, we entered the world of being lost…very lost! We followed a random path for

half an hour, then descended onto the main road, only to realise we had been there the day before! Pressing on to ensure we got back in time, we picked up the pace and saw our expedition leader at one of the checkpoints. For the next two

Gold

Gold DofE is a once in a lifetime experience which anyone can do. The main component, and also the most mentally and physically difficult part, is the expedition, and this is what I’ll be focussing on for this article.

The training walk was long and gruelling, and at about 25km was physically exhausting. However, it proved to be very important as it taught everyone what was needed for hiking - I learnt that I needed to bring more water and more snacks (previously only

hours we advanced towards the finish!

Silver DofE was an enriching experience that I will treasure for many years to come.

bringing one chocolate bar!). For the practice expedition we went for three days to Bannau Brycheiniog (formally Brecon Beacons). Here we learnt any flaws in our teamwork and what gear we did and did not need. On the first day we were one of the fastest teams – even though it’s not a race. However, with our over-confidence and lack of caution, we got terribly lost about 400 metres from the path. Once we had concluded we were lost, we shamefully phoned the teachers and got picked up by Mrs Colquhoun in

a minibus.

Finally, it was the main expedition. We did well on this – putting aside my fitness and having to have a break every ten minutes. We had learnt from what went wrong on previous outings and consistently pushed forwards every day for four days. The toughest part was waking up at 5am on the last day, (thank you Mr Lord), however, we did get free KFC, so it was worth it.

Oscar Stricklin (L6)

Archie Enstone (L5)

Religious life

Retreats

We have had a thriving Retreat programme, beginning with some of our Sixth Formers visiting Ammerdown near Radstock last autumn, which allowed them to have some space and time to explore the nature of faith with Mr Watkinson-Trim and Mrs Tunbridge.

In November we took Lower 3 back to Ammerdown for a memorable day, focusing on the liturgical theme of Advent. Discussions around prayer, the theme of light and approaching Christmas were then developed in the afternoon with a walk around the beautiful grounds. The multi-talented Mr Nicholls brought it all together at the end of the day, guiding L3 in a spirited rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, ably assisted by Mrs Goodman.

A week later we took some U5 students to the small community of nuns

at the Bernardine Cistercian monastery at Brownshill near Stroud, with Mr Lovat and Mr Maxwell. After discussing the nature of faith we had a shared time of prayer, reflecting on Psalm 139 and spending time with the sisters. Mr Lovat led a music-filled service to bring the day to a close, focusing on the Advent theme of light.

Our large group of Lower 5 students returned to Brownshill in February for the feast of the Presentation, 40 days after Christmas. We reflected on the Psalms, and students enjoyed the day, spending time with friends and listening to each other discuss experiences and thoughts about faith and prayer.

Theology class events

In the Michaelmas term, as part of the teaching about marriage, relationships and families, each U5 class conducted a role

play wedding, with all the students taking part in one way or another. Once the delicate task of deciding who would marry whom was decided, with various forms of dress taken up, we read through the Catholic marriage rite. A couple of students made amazing cakes to aid the celebration. Towards the end of the Lent term and in the context of the GCSE topic of Judaism in Lower 5 Theology, we considered Pesach, or Passover, and ran a role play of the Seder meal. We combined classes for the lesson to go through all the symbolism of the meal, reminding everyone of the Exodus story, the flight of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

A week later we welcomed back Clive Lawton OBE, an Orthodox rabbi, to talk to both L5 and U5 about

Jewish faith and practice. Clive always brings the study of Judaism alive with his detailed knowledge of the lived experience of Jewish faith, great for the Upper 5 in helping them in their revision for their Theology GCSE!

On 13 June, the feast day of St Anthony of Padua, we had a visit from Fr Gerard Mary Toman OFM, a Franciscan friar from Oxford, who brought with him a relic of St Anthony, and celebrated Mass in the side altar dedicated to St Anthony in the Chapel. This complemented the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a stature of which was brought out from another side chapel and displayed in the main body of the Chapel for all to see.

Towards the end of the Lent term we held our usual Reconciliation services for each year group. This allows

anyone the opportunity to speak to a priest and go to confession. We are very grateful to a number of local priests who assisted with this, especially Fr Matt Anscombe and Fr Gerard Mary Toman. The term was completed with a special Lenten service, focusing on the Passion of Christ.

School Masses

Throughout the year, different priests have celebrated our Boarders’ Mass on Sunday afternoons, usually at 5pm. Fr Christopher Whitehead and Fr Tibor Szende from St John’s parish in Bath, and Fr Michael Patey from Downside have been stalwarts this year. During our whole school mass to mark the feast of the Ascension in May, Fr Tibor commissioned several new eucharistic ministers – Gigi, Will, Martha, Josh, Elinor, Mel

and recommissioned existing ones, Tyla, Giles, Mr Lovat and Mr Maxwell.

This year we celebrated the feast day of our school patrons, Ss Peter and Paul on the last Sunday of term with the boarders, so we finished our main school day for everyone with a short service reflecting on these two key figures of the church. St Peter teaches us about humility and leadership, whilst St Paul reminds us of the importance of perseverance as he says that he ‘has run the race to the finish’. The students have their two symbols on the logo on their uniform – the keys given to Peter by Christ and the sword of St Paul (‘to fight the good fight’). In this final service we prayed for the needs of all the school community; students, leavers, staff and parents, a fitting way to bring the academic year to a close.

Mission and service

Deo duce, Deo luce, God our leader, God our light. This is in essence what Mission and Service is. This year Chaplaincy, as it was previously called, took on the name Mission and Service. Mission comes from the Latin word missio ‘to send’. Service is the act of helping another; Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Therefore, we made it our mission to develop service to others within our own Prior community and the wider world.

We achieved this in many ways throughout the year, with students eager to get involved at every opportunity. In October we had the now annual Sleep Out at Prior. Wednesday 22nd November was #RedWednesday and saw the whole school come in wearing a touch of red to stand up for the freedom to express one’s faith. We also organised a bake sale selling (red!) jam doughnuts and we raised a total £2,175 for Aid to the Church in Need, who draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians around the world. During Lent, our Junior Chaplaincy group (from

Baines and Brownlow) painted blown goose eggs to decorate the Chapel for the whole school Lenten service. This was a beautiful finish for my role and Theresa Tunbridge’s (Lay Chaplain) time at the College. I’ve really enjoyed being Head of Mission and Service and want to take this opportunity to thank my U6 team and anyone else who got involved this year.

Before leaving the College, I sang with the Senior Chapel Choir in Clifton Cathedral for the diocese education Mass. Bishop Bosco spoke of service at the root of education and that it should be lived actively in every moment, whether that be sport, music, science or Chapel. If we take an active role in even small acts of service, like donating to the foodbank – as so many did this year – we can make a huge difference to the lives of other people.

CAFOD

Prior Park continues to support the valuable work of CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) by raising money across two fast days in the year, one in October and the other during Lent. On these two days, we have a simple lunch and money saved joins that from parishes across the country to support CAFOD’s work in over 70 countries around the world, responding in many cases

to desperate need. One particular focus in recent years has been on environmental sustainability, with CAFOD also campaigning for the rights of those living in poverty. Many of those in poverty are directly suffering the consequences of global warming, such the increased severity of storms and floods washing away crucial agricultural land in Bangladesh.

Giles Pickford (U6)

Sleep Out

With nothing more than a sleeping bag and a mat, as a team we spent the night on the school grounds sleeping under the stars to raise money for the Genesis Trust, a charity that supports Bath's homeless and less fortunate.

Genesis Trust help those in need and accompany them on their journey as they acquire self-assurance, pick up new skills, face challenges, and make decisions that will help them rebuild and recover their lives. The sleepout started with a talk from Tim from Genesis Trust and we listened to him

describe his own personal experience. This talk brought home the reality of the struggles of homelessness. We found it enlightening, and for many of us it changed our perspective. His words will likely stick with us forever.

After that, we played games which involved teamwork in the Sports Hall followed by hot soup around the bonfire. The night ended with a midnight service where we all sang hymns (a special thank you to Mr Lovat for playing the guitar) and had our night prayers. It was then time to sleep and

each of us went off to our sleeping stations in groups of 4. We were lucky to have good weather, despite a cold breeze in the night. What an amazing night! A special thank you to everyone who took part and thank you to those who have donated and supported us. We raised £3,247 for Genesis Trust.

Leyla Kanpulat (U6)

Christmas Fayre

This year we launched our inaugural Charities Christmas Fayre. The Charities Committee worked alongside the Houses to plan an incredible evening of much festive flair. Each of the Houses was responsible for running a stall. We had coconut throwing competitions, pick a teddy, second-hand book sales, jumpers and scarves, handmade items, glitter face paints, hot chocolate gifts, and so many more. The

tombola was a huge success, and we are very grateful to our Prior Park community for the generous donations which enabled us to raise so much money. Our Prior Park catering team provided many delicious and festive treats on the Portico, such as giant pigs in blankets and delicious hot chocolate. Santa’s elves were in attendance, and Jaidee, Jamie, Leo, Luna, Maddie and Tammi did an excellent job of creating

the festive spirit in their costumes. The evening was a great success, raising a total of £850. The committee worked so hard and pulled the whole event together with less than four weeks of planning. We have already started planning for Christmas 2024!

Mrs Gittins

The Big Chop

Early in the school year, Mr Lord spoke to the Charities Committee to say that he would be shaving his head and donating his long locks to the Little Princess Trust. However, he also thought we may be able to do something for our school charity. The Charities Committee put their heads together and came up with a plan for our school community to vote for the hairstyle that Mr Lord would end up with. Cue a hilarious meeting with a wide variety of hairstyles being proposed. Styles such as the R9, mohawk, rat tail, mullet

and a buzz cut made the short list. The votes came in thick and fast, but it was the mohawk that finally won!

The Big Chop took place in the BSR with a huge crowd of students and staff coming to watch. Mrs Holder was in charge of the scissors and clippers, and we all agreed that Mr Lord looked great! The best part is, Mr Lord’s hair raised over £500 for our school charity and he is intending to grow it back so we can do it all over again in two years’ time.

Mrs Gittins

STAND (formerly Legs4Africa)

STAND’s vision is a world where limb loss doesn’t hinder anyone’s ability to thrive, ensuring everyone can participate fully in society. They deliver prosthetic limbs and

provide rehabilitation services where they are most needed.

Mrs Colquhoun, India (F4) and Euan (U5) have supported the charity for many years, and in the Michaelmas

half-term they travelled to The Gambia to deliver prosthetic legs. During their visit they met with Gambian Amputee Football Team, and also Wuhan, someone they continue to directly support.

Charity

In

total, £17,682.75

was raised for different causes across this academic year.

As Charities Coordinator, I’m incredibly proud of all the Charities Committee has achieved this year.

When choosing which charity to support from those shortlisted, we felt it important to choose a small charity, one that may often be overlooked by larger, better-known charities and one for which the money raised would make a significant difference. Legs4Africa (now known as STAND) was selected.

At our first committee meeting, we decided we were going to go big and bold and aim for a fundraising target of £10,000. There was a wide range of ideas for how we could achieve this amount.

Staff bravely put themselves forward for the many endeavours that took place across the school year. Special mention must go to Mr Horan, Mrs Burton, Mr Bond, Mr Nicholls and Mrs Riggs, who bravely sat in the firing line of a cold waterbombing on an unseasonably chilly

spring day during Charities Week. Mr Firmin absolutely smashed it out of the park with his rendition of ‘Lose Yourself’ during Staff Karaoke, organised by Arundell House….Eminem who?? And of course, we absolutely cannot leave out the amazing Mr Lord - I’m certain that every single member of our school community agrees that he absolutely rocks a Mohawk. Houses came up with a variety of fundraising ideas; and bake sales, car washing, a cycling challenge and concerts were just a few of the events organised. The Charities team also arranged a Valentine’s faux rose sale in February. Love was clearly in the air, and 556 roses were sent to students and staff, with Fielding House receiving the most, just ahead of the other two girls Houses.

Each member of our school community helped out in a multitude of ways across the school year and we ended up surpass-

ing our target, raising a total of £13,225.05 for STAND. It would not have been possible to raise this fantastic amount without the kindness and generosity of some very special people, and I must therefore acknowledge this year’s committee members:

L3 and F3

Alex Henderson, Jack Baldeschwieler Yoshikawa

F4

Longman Wong

L6

Leo Brayton, Jaidee Charoensuk, Charlotte Chow, Elinor Hart, Bea Howells, Jamie Lam, Maddie Llewellyn, Tammi Lockey, Amelie Lucas, Luna Lui, Caitlin McKay, Victoria Meakin, Emily Midwinter, Hanna Miki, Charlotte Pawson, Moza Rajabu, Mandy Sainjargal, Johanna Tanriver.

U6

Myra Lai

EAL speaking competitions

October was a busy time for international students in L3, F3, L5 and U5, with no less than four public speaking competitions. These annual events have very simple rules: stand on stage in the theatre in front of an audience (which consists mostly of your peers) and deliver a 2-minute speech on a topic of your choice. There is no microphone, no PowerPoint, just good old-fashioned spoken English.

Prizes

L5 Group 1

First Prize - Tuffy (Clifford): Electric cars vs. petrol/diesel cars

Second Prize - Cielo (English) + Emma (L5 Fielding): Cultural differences

=Third Prize - Gordon (Clifford): Should we wear a uniform?

=Third Prize - Javier  (Roche): The 9th Planet

L5 Group 2

First Prize - Jimena (Arundell) &

What could be easier? Oh, yes, one other thing: the speech has to be delivered in your second language. (In fact English is the third or even fourth language for some of these remarkable students!)

They covered a huge range of topics: time travel, electric cars, school uniform, boarding life, national cultures, a vision of the future, the importance of playing rugby, even meeting Angela Merkel. One common

topic was that of AI and its impact on education.

The standard was very high, and it was great to see so many questions from the other students in the audience. The judges were also students, appointed by our Heads of International Students, Callista and Anna (U6 Arundell).

Mr Stroud

Antonella Pontis (L5 Fielding): Is AI a positive change?

Second Prize - Mathilda ( Arundell): Feminism

Third Prize - Elrond (Burton) & Amelia (Fielding): Differences between Hong Kong & Chile

U5

First Prize - Camilla (English) & Mariana (U5 Fielding): Chat GPT in Schools

Second PrizeTheresa (Fielding) & Carolin (U5 Arundell): How social

media influences our lifestyle

=Third Prize - Richard (Allen): What I would do if I could travel back in time

=Third Prize - Fedor (Allen): Why I love basketball

L3 & F3

First Prize - Maria (Brownlow): Growing up with TV and Movies  Second Prize - Nessa (Baines): The Importance of Kindness

International Student Voice Competition

Every year, five independent Bath schools each choose three international students to represent their schools in a public speaking competition. This year it was held at Kingswood, and representing Prior Park were Regina (F4 Arundell), Lucas (F4 Roche), and Angel (L6 Arundell). We won 3 out of 4 prizes!

Lucas received second prize in the Junior Competition for a hilarious speech about why Hong Kong food is so much better than British food. Not everyone in the audience shared his dislike of

fish & chips, but he had the crowd roaring with laughter with his excellent delivery and engaging comedic style.

Regina won first prize in the Junior Competition with a well written speech entitled 'Self-sabotage', which she delivered convincingly with examples from her own personal life. Her language was very accurate, with the judges commenting on the conviction of her delivery.

Angel’s speech won first prize in the Senior Competition. Entitled “Why is History a HIS-story?”, it was a very

well researched piece on the invisibility of women in history, peppered with academic vocabulary and delivered with passion. This is clearly a topic that she feels strongly about, and she was able to field a wide range of questions.

Public speaking is a scary thing. Doing it in a second language is even tougher. Winning this many prizes is truly exceptional, and we are exceptionally proud of these three students.

Mr Stroud

Hong Kong trip

In the October half term, the Headmaster and key members of staff visited Hong Kong to meet up with alumni, and current and prospective families.

Multicultural Week

Multicultural Week couldn't have been more of a success! The aim was to highlight the many cultures with which the school is blessed.

The week consisted of lots of different activities and competitions, and an overall spirit of cultural richness could be seen in decorations and flags all around the school. But there was one thing always in common: everyone had the opportunity to take part!

We began with an international House assembly, which was different in each House. In Fielding, four international L5 girls made a presentation about their countries. This was a good opportunity to learn more about them personally as well as their countries. The international quiz was done by every House too. Everyone could easily participate and learn new and interesting things. It may even have inspired some pupils to visit new countries to learn about their cultures.

International sports were taught to students in PE and games lessons, providing fun and social moments as a community for each year group. A talent show was performed on Wednesday evening, which was a mesmerizing showcase of songs and dances from around the world. The performances were captivating, and it was amazing to witness the talent and creativity of our fellow students.

Later in the week was the fashion show, which was a humorous but educational event held during the whole school assembly. Everyone was so great! The variety was huge. The students had a chance to choose how to reflect their culture and skills. The crowd’s reaction was also great - they cheered and gave the performers

confidence.

Another highlight of the week was the MasterChef competition. The students who wanted could get involved and had a chance to show off the dishes of their beloved countries. You could really see the time and love some put into their meal. There were also international themed lunches served all week in the dining hall.

Overall, the multicultural week was a fantastic opportunity to learn about new cultures, broaden our horizons, and foster a sense of unity. It provided a platform for students to proudly share their heritage and traditions. Amelia Ariztia (L5 Fielding) and Celia Tauber (L5 English)

MasterChef winners

Allen House: Jonathan Wyatt (Singaporean dumplings)

Arundell House: Milana Sochyvets (Ukrainian honey cake) *Overall second place

Baines House: Ethan Fermin (Trinidadian street food) *Overall third place

Clifford House: Ted Horner & Max Campbell-Howard (Moroccan feast) *Overall Winner

English House: Jemima Banks (British strawberry cheesecake)

Fielding House: Choy Choy (Curried fish balls with pork skins, vegetables and siumai (fish dumplings) with spicy relish

Roche House: Josh Rai (Mongolian beef)

International talent show winner

Chinese band - Peter Hao (Burton), David Li (Clifford),

Natalie Hung (English), Pearl Wu (English), Long Yeung (Allen), Nikko Wong (Roche)

International fashion show winner

Clarence Ip (Clifford)

Multicultural Trophy winner

Clifford House

St Mary’s

It has been another incredible year in St Mary’s!

In September we welcomed forty wonderful new ladies to our beautiful Boarding House. Within three days the house was full of the sounds of laughter, chatter and friendships being formed - this theme continued throughout the year. Our wonderful Heads of House, Pia and Sienna, were instrumental in ensuring our house was full of fun and love.

As always, the way to the hearts of the St Mary’s girls is food! Pizza and sushi nights kicked off in September and were a theme for the whole year, not to mention the famous Mars Bar Slice (#iykyk). Choy and Pearl ensured there were amazing cooking smells coming from our kitchen on a regular basis.

With the nights drawing in from October, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Horan for an evening of much hilarity and many songs being sung from a wide variety of musicals. October also saw the ‘Swifties’ take over St Mary’s! We went to the cinema to watch The Eras Tour, and the memory

of the girls singing Taylor Swift songs the whole way home will stay with us for many years to come. Taylor became a big theme of the year with evenings of friendship bracelet making, karaoke nights and trying to decide just which ERA we were currently in. Evie, Hannah H and Hannah T kept us singing for the rest of the year.

Christmas came around fast, and the girls were all very happy to receive their chocolate advent calendars, although some ladies thought it was ok to eat all 24 in one day. We had our second annual ‘pjs and pizza’ Christmas party, with loads of silly awards presented, such as ‘most likely to be on the cover of Vogue’ (Keira), ‘house comedian’ (Paula) and ‘life of the party’ (Evie).

Charity was a big theme of this year with many of our St Mary’s girls working hard on the school charity committee.   2024 started with a bang and we were able to welcome some lovely new German girls to our home. It was only a few days before it felt like

they had always been part of our family. We welcomed Zoe Parfitt to our resident boarding community. As she is head gardener, our house became a place of beautiful flowers with many of the girls starting to grow their own plants. The girls voted for their favourite blossom trees, and we now have a beautiful row of them lining the road to the boarding house.

Spring soon sprung with many evenings in our glorious garden. We even had regular visits from a deer who we named Mazza! Evenings consisted of more pizza and sushi, flower arranging with Zoe, international themed karaoke, volleyball, and flower crown making, to name a few.

We ended the school year with some tears as we said goodbye to those leaving us, but also huge smiles for the lifelong memories we have made.

Mrs Gittins

St Paul’s

We have loved our final year at Prior Park, and it was a joy to witness so many successes.

St Paul’s is genuinely a home away from home, a cliché sometimes overused, but what is evident is the genuine family atmosphere of the boarding house, built with love, care and compassion.

Each day has excitement and celebration. Achievements outside school, and there continue to be many, are happily attended, be they music recitals, weekly trips to football training and matches with Freshford, or boxing, badminton, rugby, athlet-

ics, orchestra, tennis, and swimming.

Weekend activities such as paintballing and Thorpe Park remain firm favourites, and dodgeball and football on the astro continue to bring the boys out in great numbers on weeknights and evenings. We sometimes doubt if boys read noticeboards or messages, but that is soon forgotten when anything food related is mentioned by Carrie, with baking and cooking sessions always well attended. Our

The St Paul’s experience

From the loud summer nights, with thirty boys up on the fields with a football (the Prior Park ‘El Clásico’ was a sight to behold!), to the ‘quiet’ nights where nothing seemed to happen… Whether it was a couple of boys deciding they would be barbers for the night, or a certain group turning to the fabled ‘Midnight Interview’, no night in the boarding house was boring. Something resembling a full cricket test match would go on in the corridors, until of course

the arrival of Batman (Mr Jenkins) meant we had to call it off. Behind his steely mask, a knowing grin (and awful dad jokes) warmed us to him.

Carrie was the backbone of the boarding house, either having a chat in the kitchen, or having a chat about cleaning your room (of which I have no experience). She always knew what was needed, and she seemed to have a special, individual understanding of each and every boy in the house. I know many boys have learnt

home kitchen is culturally enriched with smells from across the globe, the food is shared and always tastes exceptional.

The daily rhythm of boarding life is never dull, but St Paul’s continues to be a nurturing environment, where boys grow in confidence and become independent which will stand them in good stead beyond Prior Park.

Mr Jenkins

to bake and cook, and the weekends, whilst maybe quieter, were filled with her loving presence.

Over the last two years, my boarding parents became indistinguishable from my real parents, and I found myself disappointed to be going home when term ended, something I never thought I would say about school, but St Paul’s isn’t just a school, it’s a family.

Ollie Spizzirri (U5)

Fisher Road Relay

Results

Senior

Clifford

New Records

Girls' Record

04:02 Amalie

Johnston and Amelie Sinclair.

Boys' Record

03:07 Finlay Davies

L3 Team Record

Garrick (18:42) Team

- James Gillmore, Henry White, Izzy Gabb, Zeon Enstone

L5 Girls’ Record

Arundell (17:55) Team

- Ruby Walsh, Georgia Doel, Isla Townend, Tessa Dixon

Senior House Music

Solo performance

Burton: Josh (U5), This Town by Niall Horan

Group performance

Allen: Suspicious Minds by Elvis

House song English: Does Your Mother Know by ABBA

Overall winners Arundell

Sports Day

Results

Senior Girls English House

Senior Boys Burton House

Brownlow Wood

Baines

Pope

Inter-House Football

This year’s Inter-House Football competition labelled the ‘Kanpulat-Kerrigan-Quinn-Kypros Cup’ was again organised by Allen House, and for the first time, girls' Houses also took part.

Over a series of after-school fixtures, it was Burton who triumphed in the boys' tournament, beating reigning champions Roche in the final. Arundell were the inaugural winners of the girls' competi-

tion. The support for each team was amazing to see as hundreds of students braved the winter cold to cheer on their fellow Housemates. Bring on next year’s tournament!

Inter-House Maths Challenge

The Inter-House Maths Challenge is one of those events that warms the cockles of the soul. It may remain a mystery how seeing teams of mathematicians grappling with problems, sprinting at full pace to save milliseconds to gain the next clue, and whooping with delight at reaching the correct solution can draw in a crowd of spectators, and yet it delivers what Prior does best – a positive, inclusive, high-energy environment where participation and

success are celebrated. Students from Form 4 to Upper 6 are teamed together to pit their collective and individual intellects against one another and settle the debate as to who the mathematical colossi are of the College. The competition was fierce, good-humoured, and highly charged. Nothing separated the teams after the Countdown round but ‘Smack the Buzzer’ and the Relay proved crucial. English House fought valiantly and fully deserved their bronze

medal. The grudge match though, was between Allen and Burton, and 2024 saw the team of Tse, Yuen, Hao and Ward, retain the trophy for Burton. All the competitors were amazing from start to finish, but a special mention must go to Joshua, who led his team to victory, and his joy at being presented with the trophy will be one of my lasting memories of this year.

Mr Blaikley

Baines House Debating

Baines House ran their own debating competition, with each tutor group going head-to-head. The motions in the knockout rounds included: 'computers should replace teachers' and 'detentions don't work as a punishments'. Garrick faced Francis in the final with the intriguing motion of ‘peaceful protests achieve

nothing’. The two teams spoke excellently with some great research being put forward to the audience. Congratulations to Garrick who were the victors in a tightly contested final. Well done to all the students who took part over the course of the four weeks.

Senior House Debating

This year’s debating competition has been by far my favouritewe’ve had standout moments such as the Allen team dramatically revealing an “archaic” Nokia phone to the theatre in the final, Arundell attempting to tear down the entire Hollywood machine in their vitriolic speech, and Roche sticking up for AI art and supporting our future robotic overlords. Of course, the standout performance by Fielding ensured their victory (I should know as a judge in the final!) as Rayyah’s passionate opening remarks and Sophie’s ardent conclusion that mobile phones do improve people’s lives were no less than stellar. Of course, Victoria C shone as main speaker and acted as

the toughest competition; it would truly be a shame if she didn’t become a lawyer in the future. The journey to this final between Allen and Fielding was long and hard, which showed in the fervour of the debate in which Fielding argued for the notion that “this house believes that mobile phones have improved people’s lives”. In a change of usual setting from the Round Room, the theatre was filled with students clamouring to watch the ‘Debate of the Year’ - move aside Trump and Harris! We watched in rapture as both teams made great point after great point, asking questions such as whether humans have become inherently weak for our over-re-

liance on modern technology, or whether some of us would even be around today were it not for a 999 call. The judges, too, asked scathing questions - especially Mr Chard - to trip up our debaters, pushing them into tight corners that were difficult to escape. Luke S from Allen answered like a politician (another career suggestion!) All in all, it was an amazing debate that was well-fought and I’m truly disappointed I won’t be here to witness next year’s competition when Fielding may or may not repeat their great victory.

Anna Jaeger (U6)

Junior House Music

Solo Performance

Baines HouseLottie Moreton (Francis)

Brownlow House –Olivia Smith (Rice)

Group Performance

Baines HouseGarrick

Brownlow HouseWood

House Performance

Garrick & Wood'Rather Be' by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne

Baines House

It was a

jam-packed

year in

Baines,

with countless memories made, lifelong friendships formed, and an abundance of fun and laughter.

Throughout the year, we acknowledge students with a ‘Bainsey of the Week’ award. Students were recognised for their achievements, from excellent work in the classroom to showing an act of kindness to their peers. All recipients should be proud of this award.

Baines tutor groups flourished, forming close bonds and developing a healthy sense of competitiveness. Tutor groups competed in a weekly quiz that tested students’ general knowledge and current affairs and, although the results were often close, it was Ward that came away with the highest overall score. This competitiveness continued to Junior House Music. It was a fantastic event, which showcased some excellent displays of confidence and musical talent, even some kazoos made an appearance! Mr Gamble and Mrs Burton judged the competition and awarded winning prizes to Lottie Moreton (Solo), Garrick (Small Group) and Garrick and Wood (Joint

House Performance). The Baines Debating Competition produced some high quality, sophisticated and concise arguments from each tutor group. A few A Level English Literature students judged the debating, and were profoundly impressed by the presence of our students, and the cohesion and clarity they displayed, working with some impressive points of research. Garrick and Francis made the final, debating the motion ‘peaceful protests achieve nothing’, with Garrick securing the win! It was also Garrick that won the (very close) Fisher Road Relay, displaying some fantastic endurance and team spirit. Pope took the final win of the year at Sports Day.

Baines House also enjoyed time outside of school grounds, including a WOLT (Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team) day at Thoulstone Park. The day provided an opportunity for team building and a range of activities, including rock climbing, archery, axe throwing and even a zip wire! The

students were able to get involved in all the activities and enjoyed some time away from the classroom with their peers. This was Mr Healy’s final event as Baines Housemaster before leaving the College to return to his career in industry. On behalf of students and staff, I would like to thank him for his unstinting work to make Baines such a wonderful place to nurture Year 7 pupils. We ended the year with an unforgettable residential to Osmington Bay. As well as learning some important life skills such as taking responsibility for their dorm rooms, the students experienced a range of activities that allowed them to grow closer together, challenge themselves and try something new. It was an excellent time away and a great opportunity to reflect on what has been a fantastic year.

Miss Khan

Brownlow House

A year in Brownlow is a fascinating time to behold.

Seeing the F3 arrive in September, nervous and wary of the year ahead, and watching them grow and transform over the year into the confident, more self-assured (and much taller!) F3s that leave us in July is a privilege that I feel lucky to witness alongside my wonderful team of tutors. Their journey has been fuelled predominantly by a huge amount of toast and hundreds of Freddos! But more importantly, their journey has been guided and supported by wonderful tutors, good friendships and the multitude of experiences that they have shared over the year.

Every student has been involved in inter-tutor group events. One tutor group may have dominated many of these events (as Mr Langley never failed to remind us when Wood yet again lifted a trophy or won a prize!) but each and every Brownlow student has shown their team spirit, giving their all to

everything they have taken part in.

Several boys showed courage by stepping up to compete in the inaugural Rubik's Cube competition where they did the House proud, and the half term trip to Paultons Park in October was a big hit, with everyone enjoying a fun day of fast rides and fast food with their friends. The Michaelmas term finished with an afternoon of bowling in Bath enjoyed by the whole House as a pre-Christmas treat. House Music was a spectacle, with so many of the F3s bravely stepping on stage to display their musical abilities.

Seeing the breadth of talent displayed by those soloists and small groups, the future of the Senior House music competition is definitely in safe hands. Olivia shone as the winning solo performer, and the Wood group of Seb, Jack, Charlie, Bob and Caspar did an outstanding job to win the Small Group prize. Wood/Garrick then took

the crown as House Music winners singing ‘Rather Be’ by Clean Bandit. As is tradition, each tutor group has enjoyed a delicious Tutor group breakfast in the summer term with Mr Bazell, ably assisted by Mr Langley, creating delicious smoothies for everyone to enjoy.

The year ended on a high with an inter-tutor group Rounders tournament, with Wood winning the competition after a tight final with Rice. Wood then went on to win the Brownlow Sports Day Trophy later that day. A joint House Celebration afternoon with Baines, playing a variety of hide-and-seek games and devouring huge amounts of pizza, brought the year in Brownlow to a close, and we wished farewell to a lovely year group of students as they headed off for the summer.

Mrs Goodman

Allen House

Allen House remains an organisation proudly modelling the school’s values of generosity, curiosity and courage. We have the courage to think and act independently, we have the curiosity to try new things, and the generosity to organise events for members of other Houses to enjoy. This was demonstrated early in the year when Allen House, pioneered by L5 tutor Mr Rob Francis, learned how to solve the Rubik's Cube puzzle and organised a Prior Park College ‘cubing’ competition.

The Kanpulat-Kerrigan-Quinn-Kypros Football Cup (the growing list of former Allen students organising this whole school event) took place in the Michaelmas term, and is now one of the most eagerly anticipated inter-House events in the calendar. The Allen House tuck shop has gone from strength to strength and offers leadership roles to Allen gentlemen courageous and generous enough to offer their time running the enterprise.

House Music was the usual colourful razzmatazz of boisterous enthusiasm – but, more noteworthy for me, was the courage from those members of the House not so comfortable in the limelight. For those individuals, donning a grass skirt and joining the others on the stage was a huge achievement, and I am very grateful. So to Sports Day: and there was a mood of

quiet determination for Allen House during the build-up. Never known for our sporting prowess, we were determined not to be the also-rans in this year’s competition. Every member of the House present on that day took part in at least one event, and to beat Clifford, last year’s winners, was an achievement to be proud of.

Allen House has finished second in several competitions this year, including House Debating and the Inter-House Maths Challenge, but our new Deputy Head of House in charge of ‘Victories’, Joe Brickell, is determined to get us over the line next year. Our other Deputy Head of House, Cass Maurice, in recognition of his extraordinary talent in finding humour in the most unlikely situations, has been put in charge of ‘Dad Jokes’. Together with our new Head of House, Mr George Campbell-Jones, our student leadership team are serious about enjoying their time in Allen House. It is with great pride that we celebrated winning the house ‘Hymn-Singing Competition’ at the end of the year. Allen House have practiced and celebrated our singing ability throughout the year, and our Upper 5 singers this year have been in great voice. We hope that Mr Nicholl’s legacy lives on in Allen as he moves from being an Allen tutor to our sister house, Fielding. We thank the fabulous Allen tutor team and the

2023-24 student leaders for all their service this academic year.

Mr Lovat

The howler prize (music and the arts)

Harry Chu (F4), Ben Cotton (L5), Josh MacDonald (L6)

Gentleman award (acts of kindness)

Mateo Villalobos Gomez (F4), Martin Saiz-Pardo Puche (L5), Reuben Lewis (L6)

Spirit of the pack (strength of character)

Robbie Distl (F4), Will Stoaling (L5), Dan Corfield (L6)

Akela Academic achievement Award (AAAA)

Oscar Campbell (F4), Liam Oughton (L5), George Campbell-Jones (L6)

White fang award (Physical endeavour)

Wilson Stringer (F4), Ayoola Omonipo (L5), Josh Baldwin (L6)

'Dog'gedness (effort)

Pablo Gomez De Fernando (F4), Elliot Debavelaere (L5), Quintin Lee (L6)

Spirit of Prior Awards

Noah De-Thierry and Joe Brickell

Arundell House

We

have had many

good years since we opened as the new Girls House in 2013, but I cannot remember a better one than this. Wow!

The ethos of Arundell is ‘to be kind and to get involved’ and the girls have achieved this with huge amounts of style, success and grace. They have been a tight, close sisterly unit all year, and the atmosphere within our patch in Prior has been wonderful. The Upper Sixth girls, led by Connie, Niamh and Sienna, set a ‘warm encouraging, let’s do this together vibe’ that was a complete pleasure to witness and to share.  During the year we had aspiring thespians, musicians, artists, athletes, great tennis players, dancers, linguists, scholars, all-rounders and everything in between. Everyone took on new personal challenges and played a full part in the life of the school.

The year began with a phenomenal performance to win the Overall House Music Competition. Having taken the solo and whole house categories in previous years, the big one was always to take the crown outright and what joy it brought us all. I have rarely witnessed such excitement, and this will remain with us for a long time. Hot on the heels of this, the girls triumphed in the

inaugural football competition with Ella captaining the team, with some great goals scored by the youngsters. Christmas saw us have our annual ice-skating trip to Victoria Park and a grand meal out at Giraffe. The New Year saw spirits stay high as the girls threw themselves into their academic studies, earning a second win in the merit competition and enjoying the doughnuts on offer. We had fun planning our House trip to see the ‘Life of Pi’ at the Theatre Royal, and the end of the Lent term saw us storm to victory in the Fisher Relay, retaining our title for the 7th year. The L5 team of Georgia, Tessa, Ruby and Isla broke the girls team record and are set for greatness in the years to come. We ended the term with the charity week Staff Karaoke, the sponsored walk for Legs4Africa, and many of the girls also being involved in Amnesty International fund-raising. A brilliant effort by everyone to be awarded the Charities Shield. The House dinner in May was a real celebration and I cannot remember a dinner that has been enjoyed more. The girls

were a class act and dressed to express themselves with real individual flair. They looked amazing and the evening was the perfect way to sum up a supersonic year. A wide range of awards and gifts were given, with Georgia in F4 and Lucy in L6 taking away our new Arundell Good Egg trophies.  We said a fond farewell to the U6 and U5 leavers, wishing them an exciting future after Prior. The U6 girls have been an exceptionally talented, caring group, and I thank them all for their contribution to the House. Thank you to Connie, Niamh, Sienna, Anna, Lotte, Harriet, Emily, Callista, Jess, Cheryl, Myra and Pia. Thanks as always to the tutors who do a stellar job looking after everyone, namely Miss West, Mrs Ellis-James, Mr Dishington, Mrs Riggs, Mrs Hearn, and Mr Stroud.

It has been a wonderful year, and I look forward to September 2024. Gigi and Angel will help to lead the school and Tammi, Lucy and Sofiyyah the House. Exciting times ahead. Respice Stellas.

Mrs Trott

Burton House

It has been another cracking year and, it's safe to say, our community spirit has continued to blossom in the inclusive and tight-knit community we have in Burton. Every student gets involved, and we aim to lead the way with our standards, support, and encouragement of each other whilst sharing in each other's success. It really is a joy and a privilege to be their HsM! We have had another incredibly sociable year, kicking off with a House BBQ followed by football and rounders.  The boys teamed up in their family groups and the cohesive nature of the evening really set the tone for the year to come. This was closely followed by the start of House Music and, in true Burton spirit, we gave it everything! With Giles Pickford at the helm, we were in capable hands, and it was great to see the boys trying something different with 'I Want It That Way' by the Backstreet Boys. Dance moves, singing, and costumes—they had it nailed. Joshua Frere's solo blew us all away, winning the category.  Our talented band, Josh Frere, Giles Pickford, Tom Elliot, Joachim Pickford, Alfie

Parkin, and Raul Franco-Overington, also got the crowd going with the belter 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder.

For our Christmas social, we travelled to Bristol and had a real laugh playing laser tag, followed by dinner at Za Za Bazaar.  The all-you-can-eat element of dinner was a big hit!  At the Lent term social, we ate pizza and headed to watch the Bristol Flyers play basketball. It was great fun.

On to the sporting competitions. In the Inter-House football and, despite being seen as the underdogs, Zac Passingham ably led us to victory with a win over Roche in the final. Next came the Fisher Road Relay. We narrowly lost our cup to Clifford by just sixteen seconds overall—just an incredible standard of competition!  Everyone, whether during the fun run or in the main race, gave it their all.  The U6 team (Will Hardwick-Adams, Henry Butters, Henry Nash, and Noah Dyson) were really impressive and won the overall race. Sports Day was the final sporting event of the year, and the boys came out in force, winning back the shield with a superb team

effort.

I absolutely loved our House Dinner, which was a smashing way to start the Summer term.  With the help of the U6, the Mansion and the dining room looked stunning, decorated in lovely Burton colours. It was such a fun night of games, speeches, singing and, most importantly, superb company!  Our final House social of the year took place on the afternoon of Sports Day when we finished the year on a high with a paintballing trip— the students really enjoyed getting to take the staff down!

It was great to see all the students involved in our charity fundraising initiatives - hot chocolate, mince pie, and doughnut sales, the traditional Burton Car Wash, and we organised an Inter-House Water Fight and ice cream sale.  A special mention must also go to Henry Butters who raised a huge amount of money for STAND by running the Bath Half Marathon.

Our performances in the academic competitions were strong, too. We reached the second round in the Inter-House Debating

with a team led by Thomas Roblin and Fergus Sanghera and debaters including Thomas, Jude Brayton, and Peter Hao.  Inter-House Maths was a big success with our capable team of Joshua Tse, Gerald Yeun, Peter Hao, and Reuben Ward storming the competition to retain the shield.  We narrowly missed out on the hymn singing this year, but the boys are already talking about their comeback for next year.

Finally, thank you so much to all the U6 for their leadership with Head of House Tommy Zagni leading by example, ably supported by Giles Pickford and Ned Brady. As Billy Clarke wrote on his arm at Sports Day... #Burton4Life!

To all the amazing young men of Burton House, thank you for all the laughs, for bringing me to tears, and for being the most incredible bunch. The world is a better place with all of you in it!

Mrs Bonney

Clifford House

Clifford has had another great year!

The first whole House event of the year was House Music, an excellent event, which saw the House coming together and working as a team. Later in the term, we had our first House inning, which involved Christmas music, pizzas, pool competition, and the judging of the cubby holes, which were decorated by each member of the house. A brilliant way to finish a long term.

We then went into the Lent term, which saw many more activities. The first was the House outing to The Recreation Ground (the home of Bath Rugby), where we watched the local derby between Bath and Bristol Bears. Later in the term, the College ran Multicultural Week. Members of the House took part in different activities and competitions such as MasterChef and a fashion show, with Clifford leading the way, and eventually triumphing as the first ever Multicultural Week winner! The House was not finished winning, though, with the Fisher Road Relay taking place at the end of the Lent term. Every student in Clifford involved in the races showed all four of our House values; optimism, idealism, patience, and courage to both their team members and the House, which led us to yet another win!

We then came back for the Summer term, where the House had their final full outing before the U5 and U6 left for exams. This involved a vegan chilli out in front of the Mansion, which was the perfect way to end a wonderful year for us all, as we reflected on the memories made in Clifford over the 12 months.

Thanks, Max – and now it is over to our new Head of House, Alex. Since I became Head of House, Clifford has gone from strength to strength, embodying every one of our House values. Whether it was during Sports Day, where some incredible individual performances were on display, or in the Maths competition, or of course winning the merit competition, everyone has stepped up to make sure we finished the year on a high. Needless to say, I, and all the Clifford L6, are very hopeful about the coming year and are looking forward to leading our House next year!

Max Yerbury, Head of House, and Alexander Fox (L6)

English House

This year has been exciting and eventful for English House, featuring many incredible moments. We triumphantly took the win for House Song back in October during the House Music competition, where we performed ‘Does Your Mother Know’ by ABBA (my number 1 song on Spotify that year!). This was my favourite highlight of the year as the blood, sweat and tears during the rigorous rehearsals leading up to the big day, showed just how determined the girls were to win the competition.

Charlotte Brooks in particular showed resilience and determination as, she performed a beautiful original song with tonsillitis, and still sounded incredible. One of the things I’m most proud of about English House is the sisterhood and family that we share. Every girl brings something unique and special to the House, and we celebrate everyone’s individual and collective achievements. The school’s merit competition also highlights this, as our F4 and L5 both won the termly competition and celebrated with pizza!

The English girls fought all the way to the finish line during the Fisher, with Immy Davies putting on an especially good performance and, even though we lost to Arundell by a couple of seconds, every girl made English House proud. The shared sportsmanship, friendship and competitiveness of the girls make them the best competitors, not only in sport but across all aspects of school life. The English Charity House Concert was

also one of my favourite moments of this year. Every girl took part in their tutor group dance and House dance, in front of parents and teachers to raise money for the school charity. This night reflected the fun and talent each of the girls share and it will be a night I will remember forever.

This year wouldn’t have been possible without both Mrs Nugent-Willis (new Housemistress) and Mrs Holder (previous Housemistress). They have organised every event and supported us throughout the year for which the U6 and I are eternally grateful.

Being a part of the House since Year 9 has made the U6 girls and my time at Prior even more special. All the memories and moments we all share will be held close to our hearts as we move forwards in life.

We have all learnt so much, and would not have grown into the young women we are today without the English family.

I’m so excited to watch the English girls flourish at Prior and will continue to visit to see their accomplishments and of course keep up to date on the girls' gossip! I wish the girls all the best and know they will continue to make English House proud. Up the Glish!!!

Sophie Hunter, Head of House

Fielding House

The year started off with lots of new beginnings, the existing Fielding girls welcomed our new Housemistress, the lovely Mrs Harris, and seventeen new girls with open arms.

As one of the seventeen, I felt such a sense of community and welcoming in the House.

To bring us all together, we had a House inning with lots of pizza and House Music practice. House Music is such a highlight of the year for so many, and it was only made better by the amazing choreography and organisation from Lola and Alulla to the Miley Cyrus song, ‘Nothing Breaks Like a Heart.’ Acknowledgements are also due to Victoria, Lola, Elina, Amelia and Anoushka for a beautiful group song ‘The Night We Met’ by Lord Huron. Additionally, Lola wrote, composed, and performed her own gorgeous song inspired by Daisy Jones and the Six called ‘The Truth is Found’.

For Inter-House Football, we had a large team which performed very well (Lola’s amazing goal!) and only just lost out.

To end the Michaelmas term, Fielding put together hot chocolate reindeer and face paint for the Christmas Fair, alongside a Secret Santa in the House. Throughout this term, F4 had a very strong merit performance, winning pizza for their tutor group twice!

Moza performed multiple times during the school year, putting the whole Chapel in awe of her incredible singing voice.

In the Lent term, it was time for House dinner, with a ‘glitz and glamour’ theme. The House showed up dressed to the nines! There were many speeches and awards, especially from Head of House, Rayyah Uddin, accompanied by the highly entertaining magician Grant. The night ended with lots of heels scattered and even more dancing.

In Inter-House debating competi-

tion, Anoushka, Victoria, Moza, Amy, Choy, Charlotte and Sophia took the win, demonstrating Fielding’s teamwork, critical thinking, listening and knowledge.

Fielding’s L6 worked together to run a highly successful charity netball match between HsM’s and Heads of House. Alongside a bake sale, this event raised a lot of money for the school’s charity. The Charity Water Fight was also a great success for Fielding as we took the win in a highly contested final between us and the hosting House, Burton.

In our dashing new vests provided by POP, Fielding, as always, showed incredible amounts of support and team spirit during the Fisher Road Relay.

Throughout the academic year, lots of innings and outings took place: U5 went to Wagamama’s, L5 and F4 watched a film together and lots, lots more. Wellbeing Wednesday’s have also been a favourite, with snacks and great bonding between the year groups.

Throughout the year, Charlotte has been educating us through assemblies, raising awareness of current affairs, from International Women’s Day to the General Election, and showing us the importance of political engagement. She also brought us a strong victory in the Senior Girls 800m on Sports Day.

At the end of the summer term, I was very honoured to be offered the role of new Head of House and am excited for the coming year. However, the end of this academic year is bittersweet as we say goodbye to Mrs Harris, who has put in so much work to give all the girls of Fielding such a lovely year and create such an amazing community. We welcome Mr Lord as our new HsM, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us!

Amelie Lucas (L6)

Roche House

As the academic year kicked off, we embarked on a journey filled with memorable events and accomplishments, reflecting a unified and spirited group of boys. The year began with various integration activities aimed at fostering unity among new and returning students. These events successfully created a positive environment, with new students breathing fresh life into the common room and enhancing the House's dynamic. One of the early highlights was the House Music competition. It was a joy to witness the transformation of their performance from its initial stages to a polished final act. The dedication and teamwork displayed by the boys was commendable, culminating in a performance that resonated with the entire House.

Roche’s Charities Week was a testament to the House's commitment to making a difference. Led by Daniel from the Lower 6th, who managed the raffle and raised an impressive £900, the boys' efforts were nothing short of extraordinary.

The week's total fundraising amounted to £1300, with subsequent events later in the year pushing our overall total to over £1500. This remarkable achievement emphasized the boys' dedication to charitable causes.

The Fisher Road Relay, a much-anticipated event, saw a record-breaking performance

by Fin Davies, who completed the relay in an astonishing time of 3.17. His achievement added a layer of excitement and pride to the House's athletic endeavours which have been a real success this year. Eton Fives, under the guidance of Mr. Watkinson-Trim, experienced a resurgence this year. The boys' enthusiasm and hard work during their lunchtime practises paid off as they secured a 15-3 victory against Allen in the inaugural match (the first in over 100 years). Sports Day saw the boys put forth a stellar performance, securing second place and narrowly missing out on the top spot.

The House Dinner was a wonderful event, characterised by our usual mix of formal elegance and lively entertainment. The boys were a joy to be with, representing the House with enthusiasm and camaraderie. The dinner was filled with fun and games, making it a night to remember. The year concluded with another House celebration, which featured a wood-fired pizza oven and freshly made pizzas. The festivities continued with inflatable obstacle courses and bungee runs, providing a fun and joyful end to a remarkable year. The boys' exuberance and unity were on full display, capping off a year filled with achievements and unforgettable moments, both individually and collectively. The House is going from strength to strength, and we look forward to continuing to build on this next year.

Mr Holmes

The It

'The It' by Vivienne Franzmann is a darkly comic play that has been performed by youth theatres across the UK, and named Best Play for Young Audiences at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2023. Prior’s cast was made up of U5 and L6 students. The audience was introduced to Grace, a troubled schoolgirl who feels there's a monstrous creature growing inside her body, ever-expanding to reflect the issues circling her mind. From global conflict, to social media, to academic expectations, Mrs Peacock's direction explores the pressures on our teenage generation in a pacy, comic

Full Cast

Dom Morley

Lucia Hayward-Rodgers

Will Winterflood

Emily Hickman

Isabella Downey

Bea Troman

Leo Brayton

and stylistic way, with the entire cast stepping into choral and individual roles as they occupy the stage for the play's entire duration. Vocal and physical skills were taken to another level, and the efforts of everyone involved were clearly reflected in the final performance. The team made engaging choices with lighting and sound, producing an excellent show to appeal to a modern audience, stimulating our minds about the topic of mental health. 'The It' was funny, dark, uncomfortable, and enthralling.

Amy Emberson (U6)

Sophie Gendle

Freya Preston

Tammi Lockey

Lucy Moore

Flossy Rolfe

Holly Cooper

A Level scripted performances

Our U6 Drama students completed their scripted performances in January, showcasing their pieces in front of staff, students and parents.

Amelia, Lola, and Amy performed a three-hander called 'Swallow', a challenging and mature play examining the lives of three women trying to find ways to re-enter the world. The piece was brilliantly performed with nuanced characterisation and focus.

Daisy, Ella and Emil featured in the modern

adaptation of Strindberg's classic psychodrama 'Julie', another very mature piece of work where the emphasis was on creating a realism and theatrical naturalism to the characters that spoke to their self-destructive tendencies and human failings.

Both casts should be immensely proud of all that they achieved and certainly,

the feedback was nothing but the highest of praise for the stamina and 'bravery' that these young people demonstrated in taking on such sophisticated work. Well done!

Mr Langley

A Girl MissRed

A new musical by Mel Lawman, reviewed by Lara Lizzie (actress, writer, teacher, director)

With a simple yet effective set, the audience was transported from a Bristol care home to the colourful coastal world of Bigbury, South Devon. The central child, Fran (played so poignantly by Florence), is the stranger from elsewhere and Miss Red. She is greeted with some suspicion and reservation as she is given a temporary care placement with Martha, a grieving widow, played with a gentle sincerity by Eliza. Fran is introduced to a diverse range of populous. Early in the story there is a humorous visit to The Blewitt family, headed by the talented Daisy, who displayed natural comic timing and was fantastically expressive. Mrs. Blewitt and Mr. Blewitt (Felix) have a great rapport and went on a most pleasing journey from overwhelmed parents to finding joy in family life again. Mr. Blewitt’s rendition of ‘Dare I’ was priceless. The Blewitt kids were convincingly mischievous, eldest sibling (Gus) singing verses ‘I wish it was only me!’ with verve, and middle brother (Tommy) delivering great witticism.

Fran’s encounter with a flamboyant W on the iconic Burgh Island culminated in a standout song and dance number. It was executed with such style and maturity by the all-round performer, Lucia.

Mrs Rathbourn (Ella) and Mr Rathbourn (Josh) managed to balance being credibly pompous and judgemental with an underlying sadness. Mrs. R had another partner in crime in the form of Mrs. Potherthwistle (Hattie).

Josh also played the pirate ghost Tom Crocker and his singing of ‘Inn with no way out’ was hauntingly polished.

Juliet played the compassionate and open-minded Aunt Cecilie, perfectly. Her nephew Arturo (Milo) also stood out for his gentle manner, lovely singing and attention to detail.

Bigbury had a lively school of boisterous pupils who performed some memorable numbers, including ‘Red spells danger’ featuring the credibly spoilt Rathbourn girls (Melia and Darcey). The Headteacher in charge (or was he?), was portrayed with great comic timing by Jude. His sidekick, Miss Stacey, was a powerful young woman who looked beyond the surface to see the talent in Fran. Lucia again showed off her experience and prowess for musical theatre.

This show would not work without a believable Fran, and Flo was spot on. She exhibited frustration, determination, imagination, delight and indeed warmth, and delivered some fantastic ‘Fran-ish’ one liners.

Another very accomplished song was ‘Cruel Ache’ performed by Flo, Eliza, Lucia, Jude and Milo. This and the very clever overlapping of tunes in the end of act one number ‘Trouble’ were complex, creative and rousing.

The younger cast members sang their hearts out and delivered many wonderful reactions and remarks, the defining of a ‘benefactor’ by Hattie (Amelie) and Neville’s (Theo) response as an example. There are definitely some rising stars there for future productions.

It was lovely in the final scene to see the return of the more sympathetic of care home staff, Miss Coles (played with a naturalness by Thea) to deliver the good news. The song ‘Odd Gets Even’ was a fitting ending to a touching tale of triumph over adversity.

This show might be set in the past, but the issues of judgement, bullying, belonging, family and identity are all so relevant to present day. Well done Prior Park College for your courage, enthusiasm and conviction.

Grand Summer Concert

A warm Friday in May saw the Chapel filled with sound as pupils took to the stage for the Grand Summer Concert.

The College Orchestra began the evening, with a superb rendition of Saint-Saëns’ ‘Carnival of the Animals’. The orchestra, directed by Mr Sackett, superbly portrayed each of the animals and their individual character, with solos from Carley - U6 (Double Bass – The Elephant), Pearl - U6 (Xylophone - Fossils), Imogen – F4 (Cello – The Swan), and Nicholas – L5 (Clarinet – The Cuckoo).

Our U6 were next to take to the stage, Ella, Giles, Amy, Lola, Pearl, Billy, performing solos ranging

from Handel to The Pogues, accompanied by a professional string orchestra. Long also had one of his A Level Music compositions performed by the professional players. After drinks in the evening sunshine in front of The Mansion, the combined choirs filled the Chapel with the glorious sounds of Howard Goodall’s Oratorio ‘Every Purpose Under the Heaven’. Senior Chapel Choir, Lower School Choir, Community Chorus combined, and were accompanied by an 18-piece professional orchestra, with soloists Paul Badley and Joanna Cooke. Mr Nicholls directed this work, which features text from the King

James Bible, set to Howard Goodall’s flowing, memorable melodies and serene harmonies.

The concert concluded with the choirs and orchestra joining together once more for Howard Goodall’s setting of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’ – the theme for BBC’s ‘The Vicar of Dibley’. It was incredible to look out from the podium and see so many pupils, staff, parents & grandparents joining together to fill the staging and make music.

Mr Nicholls

U6 Leavers performances

Pearl W, Timpani - 'Andante Religioso' & 'Allegro Marcia' from Sonatina for Timpani, Tcherepnin

Amy A, Voice - Strange, Celeste

Giles P, Voice - 'How Willing My Paternal Love' from Samson, G.F Handel

Ella B, Voice - Half the World Away, Oasis - rec. Aurora

Long Y, Piano - Piano Trio No.1

Lola E, Voice - Make You Feel My Love, Bob Dylan - rec. Adele

Billy S, Voice & Piano - A Rainy Night in Soho, The Pogues

Band night

Learn in a Term

Form 3 took part in the first ‘Learn in a Term’ scheme at Prior, during the summer term.

All pupils in the year group had ten lessons learning either the clarinet with Mr Dishington, or the trumpet with me. The pupils began by learning how to make a sound through the mouthpieces and how to care for their instruments, before going on to develop their skills in reading music notation and learning tunes

such as ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘Smoke on the Water’. The scheme culminated in three concerts for parents.

A number of the pupils have subsequently taken up learning the instruments as a result of the scheme, and we look forward to these pupils joining our College music ensembles very soon.

Those close to Prior

should keep hold of their ear protection, as we look forward to rolling the scheme out to L3 and F3 next year, as well as expanding the number of instruments on offer to include lower brass and saxophone.

Mr Nicholls

Musical Theatre Workshop with Gabriel Vick

We were lucky enough to welcome Gabriel Vick (PPA 2000) to the College for a visit in December. Gabriel now works as a professional actor and is currently starring as the title role in Mrs Doubtfire, in the West End. Gabriel gave a Musical

Theatre workshop to our pupils, coaching nine of them as they performed songs from shows ranging from South Pacific to Kinky Boots. The workshop was attended by music and drama scholars, GCSE/ A Level music pupils, and all those taking singing

lessons at school. Gabriel's electric energy was inspiring, and our pupils all benefitted from his knowledge and coaching. Gabriel also gave a Q&A on his career, before heading back to London to perform that evening!

Christmas Concert

This year’s Christmas Concert was brimming with talent from all year groups. The 2-hour musical feast showcased every faction of Prior Park Music, combining classic Christmas sing-alongs with some stunning individual performances from our students. Performances came from The College Orchestra and String Quartet, our Senior, Lower and Community choirs, as well as our Jazz and Folk groups, the latter taking on the timeless hit 'Fairytale of New York'. The evening also featured highlights from this year's House Music competition and crescendoed with the

whole Chapel joining in with 'Jingle Bells' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team of Mr Sackett, Mr Dishington, Ms Mike and our awesome musical tutors - a huge thanks to them all. Thanks, mostly, however to our incredible students, for their enthusiasm, commitment, and desire to come together and make music.

Mr Nicholls

Scholars Concert

Our twelve music scholars performed for parents and staff in an excellent showcase of individual talent.

With music coming from a variety of genres, and nine different instruments, the concert served up a treat

Congratulations to the performers:

James (L3), Drums Song 2 by Blur

Bob (F3), Trumpet

Tequila Sunrise by Pam Wedgwood

Imogen (F4), Cello O Come Emmanuel, Trad.,arr. Jon Schmidt

Lucas (F4), Oboe Movement 1 from Concerto for Oboe by Marcello

Nicholas (L5), Clarinet No.4 from Dance Preludes by Lutoslawski

Anoushka (L5), Piano Indigo Moon by Elissa Milnes

Alfie (L5), Cello Song of the Birds by Casals

Sam (U5), Drums 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon

of classical arrangements, stunning movements and some Britpop!

Edwin (U5), Violin Melodie from Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck

Euan (U5), Voice Vagabond from Songs of Travel by Vaughan Williams

George (L6), French Horn Reverie by Glasunov

Shreya (L6), Violin Mot d'Armour by Elgar

Teatime Concerts

Teatimes became very tuneful at Prior with the launch of a new Teatime Concert Series. The concerts have given a relaxed performance platform for our musicians across the year groups, accompanied by refreshments and sweet treats!

The first concert featured our pianists, performing on the exemplary Liu Fazioli grand piano. This was followed by our Baines and Brownlow Choir, alongside Lower School soloists performing to a packed house in the John Wood Chapel. The final concert of

School Voices

In May, ten of our L3, F3 had a busy weekend performing with 130 pupils from all twelve Bath secondary schools. This was part of the Schools Voices programme, which involved students meeting regularly to write songs, facilitated by the Bath Philharmonia. Prior Park

worked on a song around the theme of climate change & rewilding. The project climaxed with two performances, the first in a packed Bath Abbey and the second alongside the Bath Philharmonia Orchestra and The Band of The Royal Marines, as part of the 90th Birthday

the series shone a spotlight on the growing number of pupils learning the organ at Prior, with five superb performances on our Copley pipe organ. We look forward to more Teatime Concerts next summer.

Mr Nicholls

Concert at The Forum.

Well done to the students involved:

L3 - Augustus, Lottie, Ethan, Elisabeth, Amelie, Theo F3 - Milo, Elen, Melia, Freya

Music Results

Michaelmass 2023

Nathaniel

Lent 2024

Lexie

Summer 2024

Mid-Somerset Festival Results

Lucas Wong - Winner of the Woodwind Solo, (14 and under) and The Mayor of Bath’s Young Woodwind Player Award

Visual Arts Showcase 23: Paper, Canvas, Threads, Lens

This was the Visual Arts Department’s first major exhibition in Bath running from 4 to 8 October 2023. Taking over the entirety of 44AD Artspace Gallery, GCSE students, A Level students and Art Scholars presented an impressive show which gained admiration from locals, visitors and professional artists alike.

The highlight of the five day exhibition was a Private View for students and parents. This well attended event was a celebration of Prior's wealth of creative achievement within Visual Arts over the last twelve months. Students were obviously very proud to see their creations shown in a such a prominent Bath

setting, and the animated conversation provoked by some of their pieces was wonderful to hear. Imagination, dedication and creative risk-taking were evident in the quality and diversity of work on display.

Ms Seville

Young Bath Artists Exhibition

The Visual Arts Department participated in the first Bath Secondary Schools art exhibition. The wonderful and welcoming Burdall's Yard Gallery space was packed with an array of paintings, drawings, textiles, photography and mixed-media pieces produced by talented students across the city. Dr Chris Stephens, Director of the Holburne Museum, officially opened the exhibition, which ran from 11-26 November. Congratulations to all those who exhibited work in this wonderful celebration of creativity and collaboration!

F4 Art Exhibition

F4 Visual Arts Students put on a wonderful exhibition of Art and Textile work in the Errington Corridor in the summer term. Working to the theme 'Sense of Place,' they produced some highly creative and person-

al responses based on exotic and unique locations. The Private View was a delightful event, enjoyed by parents, friends and supporters.

Visual Arts

Amelie Sinclair

Jacob Pobjoy

Hockey

Prior Park College has once again demonstrated its prowess in the hockey terms with a series of outstanding achievements throughout this year.

The U14 girls' hockey team notably reached the National Finals for the second consecutive year, displaying their consistent excellence and dedication. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the team, whose journey to the finals was filled with rigorous training, strategic gameplay, and unwavering team spirit. The dedication of these young athletes not only brought them to the forefront of national competitions but has also set a benchmark for future players at the College.

In addition to the national success of the U14 girls, Prior Park has seen a tremendous level of participation and success in hockey across all age groups. Over 40 students have actively played for various local hockey clubs, further enhancing their skills and contributing to the local sports community.

Throughout the year, Prior Park played over 150 hockey matches against both local and highly competitive schools within the county. These matches provided invaluable experience and exposure to the students, allowing them to hone their skills in a variety of competitive settings. The school's commitment to offering numerous opportunities for competitive play has fostered a robust hockey culture among its students.

Furthermore, hundreds of children from Prior Park are participating in competitive hockey matches on a weekly basis. This level of engagement is a testament to the school's strong emphasis on sports and physical

education, ensuring that students not only excel academically but also thrive in extracurricular activities.

The dedication and hard work of our students, coaches, and support staff has truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of our U14 girls for reaching the national finals once again and are equally proud of all our students who participate in hockey. Their passion and commitment are inspiring.

As Prior Park continues to build on its hockey success, the future looks promising. With a growing number of students playing in the sport and achieving remarkable results, the College is poised to remain a formidable force in school-level hockey for years to come.

Mr Milne

Half colours

Alice Watts

Daisy Gallen

Lola Evans

William Goymer

George Campbell-Jones

Josh Knight

Full colours

Tyla Werrett

Connie Osborne

Sophie Hunter

Orly Sivell

Rupert Gage

Giles Pickford

Alex Bolton

Rugby

This year has been a remarkable one for rugby at the College, filled with exciting developments, impressive performances, and significant achievements.

We kicked off the season by taking 25 boys, alongside the hockey 1st XI, to Gibraltar for pre-season training at Prior Park School Gibraltar. The hot weather training and excellent gym facilities allowed the team to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming season.

That first was followed the week after our return, when we hosted Downside School for a Friday Night Lights match at Combe Down RFC. The whole school turned out to watch a great performance, culminating in a 21-0 victory.

This set the tone for a season of electrifying games, including memorable clashes against Collegiate School, Beechen Cliff, and QEH. While the 1st XV couldn’t consistently replicate their initial success under the lights, each match demonstrated the team’s resilience and skill. Ollie Kohut captained brilliantly, leading by example, while Sacha Wakefield and Josh Wake were outstanding throughout the season.

Our U15s had a cracking season, winning 6 out of their 8 games, playing brilliant rugby while building a strong team culture. Will Taylor and Theo Hull deserve great credit for steering the team beautifully at 9 and 10. The U13s were our most successful team, winning 7 out of 8 games. Marley Werret deserves a special mention for his superb performance throughout the season, scoring some glorious tries.

Our dedication to the sport is reflected in the increasing number of students representing Prior in various academies. At the U16 level, Michael Akinde, Stan Walsh, and Olly Spizzirri were successful in making the Bath Rugby Player Development Group. Ellis Woodman and Jordan Ifil achieved success at the U15 level. As rugby continues to thrive within the school, we’re proud to see more students donning the Prior colours at higher levels of competition.

Girls’ rugby has also seen significant growth this year with Bath Rugby generously providing

a coach for weekly sessions. These sessions have been well attended, highlighting the enthusiasm and commitment of our female athletes. Ms Riggs has been the driving force behind this programme, with special mentions to Jess Bond, Holly Hughes, and Hannah Hart for their consistent attendance, regardless of the weather.

One of the highlights of the year was taking four teams to the prestigious Rosslyn Park tournament. While all teams were unfortunately knocked out on points difference, the U13s stood out by remaining undefeated in their competition. Marley Werret continued his fine form, scoring 9 tries over 5 games.

Looking to the future, the enthusiasm and skill displayed this year provide a solid foundation for continued success. With more students joining rugby and achieving new heights, we are excited about what lies ahead.

In the world of school rugby, earning sports colours is a prestigious accomplishment. It goes beyond wins and losses; it captures the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience that shape players into leaders on and off the field. We don’t just honour their ability on the field but also the countless hours of practice, the sacrifices made, and their dedication to Prior Park rugby throughout their time at Prior.

Mr Baxter

Half colours

Josh Wake

Will Armstrong

Tom Zagni

Freddie Jenkins

Ned Brady

Full colours

Henry Barker

Max Yerbury

Sacha Wakefield

Ollie Kohut

Netball

This netball season was nothing short of spectacular, and I am excited to share the highlights of our journey.

With a total of 121 games, it has been a season of growth and achievement, with some students playing netball for the first time, while others refined their skills. We had such excellent numbers committing to training and matches, which strengthened all our sides and ensured we played as many matches as possible, even adding extra games throughout the season. Our teams, led by excellent captains, notably Jess Metcalfe for the 1sts and Amelie Sinclair for the 2nds, have shown remarkable dedication and teamwork.

Our First team celebrated significant victories over Clifton High, Wells Cathedral, and Stonar, showcasing their prowess on the court. Not to be outdone, the Second team narrowly missed out against Kingswood in a fiercely contested match. The U18B team demonstrated immense growth, culminating in triumphant wins against King’s Bruton and Downside at our final, triangular fixture. A special mention to Jamie Lam, who made his competitive debut for the U18Bs against Warminster after joining the netball club in Year 9!

Our U15A and U14A teams also enjoyed a successful season, losing only two and three games respectively. A memorable highlight was welcoming The International School of Geneva for a fixture on a blistering summer’s day, where both games ended within just one point—a testament to the competitive spirit and skill of our players.

The juniors had plenty of opportunities to shine with regular Wednesday and Saturday fixtures. The U13s emerged victorious against local rivals Kingswood, Monkton Combe, and Royal High School in a local tournament. They are now setting their sights on clinching a win

against RHS in the regular fixtures next year. All girls in Lower 3 represented PPC in netball fixtures, achieving much success. The U12A team lost only two games throughout the season, while the U12B team bookended their season with impressive wins over St Mary's Calne and Monkton Combe.

This season, we are proud to celebrate several outstanding players with Half Colours and Full Colours awards. These players have shown extraordinary dedication and effort to the sport, and they are all worthy winners.

Our success would not be possible without the support of many. To the students who commit to games sessions and push themselves to rival the very best, thank you. To our amazing coaches, including our Team Bath Superleague coach, and the games staff who umpire and ensure our sessions run smoothly, we are deeply grateful.

Thank you for an unforgettable season. We are excited to see momentum for competitive netball continue at PPC as we re-enter the county schools' structure for 2024/25.

Miss Lee

Half Colours

Anna Jaeger

Daisy Downey

Leyla Kanpulat

Alex Moir

Chloe Stoddart

Gigi Ifil

Full Colours

First Captain, Jess Metcalfe

Sophie Hunter

Alice Watts

Tyla Werrett

Niamh Preston

Cricket

After a very wet, sodden start to the cricket term, we finally started to play our matches, and we witnessed plenty of promise and skill. Our L3 and F3 stocks are looking very healthy, and with Alby Jackman and Harry Warhurst making their debuts for the 1st XI, the future certainly looks bright!

The U14 and U15 cricketers have picked up valuable experience as their learning journey continues, and the tough matches they have played will stand them in good stead for the future. Henry McNamara and Jacob Faulkner from F4, and Jordan Ifil, Liam Oughton and Will Taylor from L5, all played for the 1st XI this season, and it will certainly be a youthful looking College 1st XI that steps out onto the pitch next season.

As for the seniors, well, a testing summer, but that did not dampen their enthusiasm, nor their effort on the pitch. The 2nd XI showed zest and passion in their play, and I hope they come back for more next year. As for the 1st XI season, it’s time for me to hand over to one of the boys –over to you Leo…

"Although the season has been a tough one in terms of results, I believe that all the teams who played at every level, and particularly the 1st XI, showed resilience and commitment.

It has been a wonderful season in terms of the young players and debutants who show real promise for the future of PPC cricket when the current Sixth Formers make way for a new battalion of cricketers. A special mention is due to Jordan ifil who showed real grit in his first game against Beechen Cliff by hitting an excellent innings, and also to Sam Burton against Wells Cathedral School, who taught some of us how to bowl some leg spin, ready to fill the boots of Leo Brayton in 2026.

Huge congratulations must go to Joshua

Baldwin for scoring a valiant century against Clayesmore to get Cricket Week underway, and to Will Abercrombie for scoring some hard-hitting runs after a number of ducks!

A big thank you for all the work that Mr Pandya and Mr Bazzel have done this season, putting in the long hours it takes to manage and execute a successful cricket season.

A personal highlight was our match against Beechen Cliff, where we showed from the first ball that we are a team to be reckoned with, despite missing a few key players. Huge congrats to all the boys who played in this game - by far my most memorable match at Prior so far.

The grit and determination we have shown all season has been admirable. Despite some tough outcomes in some matches, we were a real team, sticking together through good and bad, and we are excited for the future. A season to be proud of and some real standout brilliance from the players - we go again next year!”

Thanks Leo, and well said – let’s come back stronger next year and keep those smiles on our faces!

Mr Pandya

Half Colours

W Goymer

B Clarke

C Bramwell

L Brayton

L Stringer

Full Colours

O Kohut

C Osborn

W Everritt

J Baldwin

Tennis

It has been another great summer of tennis, and wonderful to see so many pupils playing during their lunch breaks, games lessons, fixtures and clubs.

Our tennis clubs in the Michaelmas and Lent term were well attended and the players came out in high numbers, despite plenty of rain and wind, to get some essential practice on the astro, ahead of the summer term. This year we have had some very competitive fixtures against local schools, and it has been brilliant to see both the girls and boys representing the school during the week and on Saturdays.

In true Prior fashion, the U12s this year have displayed great energy, footwork and a willingness to learn. Despite having very few tennis sessions before their first fixture, they always impress with their can-do attitude, organisation on court and the encouragement they show each other and their opponents. The U13 teams have continued their hard work from last year and are developing their doubles play. Their match play has developed significantly over the term. The year 7 and 8’s have enjoyed some great fixtures with Warminster, Dauntseys, Kingswood, and Wells, to name a few.

The U14s have displayed high energy, effort and focus in training. This has been reflected in the fantastic set of results they achieved this term with wins against Monkton, Warminster, and Stonar School.

The U15 A team has continued their winning streak from last summer, conceding only one match this term against Dauntsey’s school. The U15 B team has made steady progress, and their competitive edge shone through in their fantastic win against Monkton. Finally, our senior girls’ teams have put in some solid performances this term. The A team shone through against Wells, Clifton, and Kings Bruton. The B team, despite mixed success in fixtures, have had fun on court and some very competitive games in training. It has been great to see a resurgence in

Boys’ tennis this year, with regular fixtures for the U14, 15 and senior teams. All boys’ teams secured convincing wins over Monkton, and the senior team also achieved success against Clifton, KES and Daunstey’s. The boys have shown great commitment and team spirit on court and should be very proud of their results.

We have also had 16 pupils complete the LTA Youth Tennis Leaders Award this term. This is the first step on the National Governing Body coaching ladder and an excellent opportunity for pupils to develop leadership skills. The pupils covered modules in helping during a coaching session, at a school, at a competition and at a venue. They were assessed on their communication, self-belief, teamwork, self-management and problem solving.

And finally, the tennis season finished with Prior Park’s first trip to the Independent Schools’ Tennis Championships (ISTA) at Eton. Daisy and Sophie Napp reached the Quarter Finals of the Girls Doubles U15 plate. Connie Forsythe and Amalie Johnston reached the Quarter Finals of the Girls U13 doubles, and Alex Moir and Gigi Ifil reached the Quarter Finals of the Girls U19 doubles. A great few days of tennis, and fantastic for Prior to be competing at this prestigious event.

Mrs Scollo

Half Colours

Liv Finn, Gigi Ifil, Ella King, Bea Howells, Alex Moir, Johanna Tanriver, Alex Bolton, Giles Pickford, Joe Brickell, Henry Butters, Alex Mould, Huxley Suenson-Luke, Noah Dyson, Julius Vietz, Dom Morley.

Full Colours

Sophie Hunter, Lottie Grech, Jess Metcalfe, Lola Evans, Allula Schoeman, Finn Davies, Zach Patton, Milo Platts, Jackson Zhuang.

Cross Country

25 students represented the school at October's B&NES Cross Country Event, held this year at Kingswood School. Of those students, several managed to break into the top 10 of their respective categories. Well done to all the students who took part.

Senior Boys

Finlay (U6) - 2nd

James (L6) - 3rd

Finnlay (L6)- 8th

Theo (L6) - 8th

Junior Girls

Imogen (F4) - 3rd

Paula (F4) - 10th

Junior Boys

Ossy (F4) - 6th

Inter Girls

Amelie (U5) - 8th

Inter Boys:

Archie (L5) - 4th

Josh (U5) - 6th

Elective Sports

Football continues to flourish, with increasing interest and participation among students. We are proud of our strong relationship with Freshford Football Club, which uses our facilities and provides our boarders with the opportunity to play for them. A special mention goes to Ossy Sloan, who plays for Bath Wiltshire Boys, a county-standard organisation. Ossy has had the incredible opportunity to travel to Holland for a prestigious tournament, showcasing his talent on an international stage.

Badminton is gaining traction, with a dedicated group of players at the school. We are looking forward to organising more fixtures in the Michaelmas term, providing our players with ample opportunities to compete and hone their skills.

Basketball remains a popular and well attended sport. This year, our teams enjoyed thrilling matches against Marlborough and Wycliffe. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Scott Edwards, who has been

instrumental in running a fantastic basketball programme. As Mr Edwards leaves the school, we acknowledge his invaluable contribution and dedication.

Table tennis has also seen enthusiastic participation. Students continue to enjoy the fast-paced and skillful nature of the game, contributing to their overall physical development and coordination.

Mr Baxter

Academic Staff List

Senior Leadership Team

Mr Ben Horan Headmaster

Ms E Sandberg Director of Operations & Finance

Mr C Gamble Deputy Head (Academic)

Mrs I Burton Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Mr M Bond Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

Mrs L Brink Assistant Head (Progress & Tracking)

Teaching Staff

Dr R Archer Head of Chemistry

Miss N Aston Eaton Design and Technology

Mr T Barrat Head of MFL

Miss R Bates Mathematics

Mr M Baxter Head of Games, Head of Rugby

Mr G Bazell PE

Mrs J Bendry SENDCO Learning Support

Mr M Bishop History, Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning)

Mr M Blaikley

Second in Mathematics, Assistant Exams Officer

Miss S Bloomfield Classics, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Mr M Bond PE, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

Mrs A Bonney PE, HousemistressBurton

Mrs L Brink

English, Assistant Head (Progress & Tracking)

Mr G Braham Design and Technology

Ms H Brough Biology, Human Sciences

Mr M Bishop

Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning)

Mrs R Lennon Assistant Head (Tracking)

Mr K Chard Assistant Head (Director of Studies)

Mrs A Colquhoun

Assistant Head (Sixth Form)

Mr D Sackett

Assistant Head (Wellbeing)

Miss E Wickham Head of Compliance

Mrs L Bryant Head of History, Head of EPQ

Mr S Burt Head of Geography (to June 2024) Housemaster - Baines

Mrs I Burton English, Deputy Head Pastoral

Mrs C Carson EAL

Ms J Caunt Learning Development

Mr K Chard Chemistry, Assistant Head (Director of Studies)

Mrs O Clark MFL

Mrs A Colquhoun

Theology, Assistant Head (Sixth Form)

Ms N Cordon

Geography, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning)

Mr M Coughlin Head of Human Sciences

Ms H Cox Learning Development

Mrs J Crawley Learning Development

Mr R Dishington Music

Mr S Edwards

Economics and Business, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Mr J Elliott Mathematics

Ms C Ellis-James Head of Physics

Ms F Evans Head of Human Sciences

Mr M Ewins Mathematics

Mr R Faulkner Head of Design and Technology

Mr R Firmin History

Mr J Fitzpatrick Business, Internal Exams Co-ordinator

Mr R Francis Mathematics

Mrs M Galache-Brown MFL

Mr C Gamble Physics, Deputy Head Academic

Mr J Gibbons Digital Lead, Head of Science, Head of Computer Science

Mrs H Goodman

Theology, Housemistress - Brownlow

Mrs K Harris

Theology, History, Co-ordinator of PSHE, HousemistressFielding

Mrs S Hearn Head of Classics

Mrs S Holbrook EAL

Mrs S Holder

Design and Technology, Head of Boarding

Mrs K Holliday Computer Science

Mr D Holmes

Design and Technology, Housemaster –Roche

Mrs K Hoodless Textiles

Mr B Horan History, Headmaster

Mr T Howes Physics

Mrs J Jones Head of Mathematics

Ms L Justine MFL

Mr M Kerr Head of Economics and Business

Miss S Khan English

Mr D Langley Director of Drama

Miss R Lee PE, Mathematics, Head of Netball

Mrs R Lennon Head of Physics, Assistant Head (Progress & Tracking)

Mr X Lord Chemistry

Mr A Lovat Biology, Housemaster – Allen

Ms B Main Head of Eurasian Studies

Mrs A Mallon MFL

Mr T Maxwell Head of Theology

Dr K McGowran Head of English

Mr C Milne Head of Hockey

Mrs M Mudie Biology

Mr M Nicholls Director of Music

Mrs N Nugent-Willis Chemistry, Housemistress - English

Miss A Oliver Photography

Mr R Pandya PE, Housemaster –Clifford

Mrs S Peacock Drama

Mrs S Perkins Geography

Mrs A Pope LAMDA

Mr G Price

Head of Biology

Mrs H Prynne English and Classics

Mrs L Redman Head of Academic and Curricular PE

Ms M Riggs

Geography, Head of Geography (from June 2024)

Mr D Sackett Music, Assistant Head (Wellbeing)

Mrs S Scollo Head of Tennis

Ms S Seville Head of Visual Arts

Mrs L Staves Human Sciences

Mr P Stroud Head of EAL

Mr A Taker Economics and Business

Mr J Timbrell Spanish, Economics and Business

Mrs K Trott

Biology, Housemistress - Arundell

Mrs N Warner Learning Development

Mr A Watkinson-Trim Theology

Mrs E West Art

Mrs R Wilson-Brown MFL

Celebrations

Births

Clockwise from top left:

Eli John Hulbert, born 26 February 2024

Fern Clark, born 3 October 2023

Indie Rose Kershaw, born 6 February 2024

Theodore Michael Fisher-Evans, born 10 September 2023

George Henry Lennon, born 15 October 2023

Marriages

Top to bottom:

Mrs and Mrs Crowfoot-Riggs, married 30 March 2024

Mr and Mrs Mbambe, married 14 August 2024

Phoenix Farewells

Dave Langley

David Langley has been a pillar of the Prior community since September 1999, serving as Director of Drama. During this time, he has not only produced hundreds of plays and productions but also significantly contributed to the cultural and artistic life of the College.

Under his leadership, the Drama department flourished, becoming a vibrant and dynamic hub of creativity. David's productions were known for their professional quality, imaginative staging, and the way they brought out the best in every participant. He had an exceptional ability to inspire students, nurturing their confidence and honing their talents, whether they were on stage or behind the scenes.

David was also a keen supporter of the College fishing club, where he shared his love for the sport with students and colleagues alike. He was always willing to offer guidance and encour-

agement, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community within the club.

David's tenure at Prior was also marked by his friendships and supportive relationships with both new and long-standing staff members. His warm and approachable nature and always ready to offer advice, made him a well-respected member of the community.

As David steps into retirement, he looks forward to spending more time enjoying the outdoors, indulging in his love of music and fine food, and, of course, fishing. He will be remembered fondly, and his contributions will be celebrated for many years to come. We wish him all the best on his retirement.

Mr Bond

Marian Mudie

Marian has been a teacher at Prior for 25 years and she is a teacher like no other.

As a Housemistress, I had girls struggling with Biology

A level, and I knew that Marian would be the woman to reassure them, put them back on track and give them the time they needed. She has a unique way of teaching. I’ve heard about the sprinting to demonstrate the cardiac cycle, the animal drawings for the ecosystems, interesting stories about the genetic crossing. One girl said, “she consoles us when we feel lost and encourages us to give everything a go”, which I think is a fantastic tribute. Oh, and they REALLY appreciated the hot chocolate, crêpes and croissants. Marian’s classrooms are always filled with warmth, high expectations, love of subject and high praise. Marian also supports staff. One of her remits was to help new staff navigate the world of Prior Park. As Matt Nicholls says, “Marian has been with me every step of the way in my teacher training, it is an understatement to say that Marian has gone ‘above and beyond’ in my PGCE and ECT years. What I will miss most though is her humanity- she really cares about all of us.”

So many members of staff have exactly the same script about Marian. She has built that of her own accord.

What a remarkable achievement. Marian is truly a magical being who lives each day fully embracing life, not only hers but that of all those around her. Prior will be all the poorer without her.

Mrs Mallon

Katharine McGowan

Dr Katharine McGowran has been the driving force behind the English department for 19 years, inspiring both students and staff with her passion for literature, her dedication to teaching, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a love of reading and writing.

One of Katharine's most remarkable achievements was her instrumental role in the creation and success of our student magazine, ‘Park Life.’ Under her guidance, the magazine flourished, capturing the creativity and voices of our students. Her leadership saw the magazine and its sister podcast, ‘Fifteen On’ reach the finals of the prestigious Shine Media Awards several years in a row. A testament to the talents she nurtured.

As Katharine embarks on her next chapter at Hayesfield School, her legacy will undoubtedly live on at Prior Park College and further afield, in the students who remember her as one of those teachers. The ones that

are marked by their commitment to the young people in their classroom. The ones that are remembered, talked about and whose lessons are treasured well into adulthood. We wish Katharine all the best.

Mrs Brink

After 15 years at Prior Park, we are all sad to see Kerry leave us. Although her main teaching subject has been Theology, she has also taught and co-ordinated the delivery of PSHCE throughout the school, and taught History to lower school students. As well as her teaching commitments, this year she has been the Housemistress of Fielding, taking great care over the girls in her charge. Kerry always taught with professionalism; well-planned lessons appropriate to the students’ ages and subject matter, good understanding of the material, clarity in delivery and above all, a constant sense of care and dedication to the students’ well being. Kerry will be particularly missed in the Theology department, where her good humour and sense of fun have been at the heart of our department for 15 years, although the time seems

to have gone quickly. Kerry moves on to a new role, drawing more on her PSHCE experience and we wish her and her family all the best for the future, and thank her for all that she has given to Prior Park over these years.

Mr Maxwell

Tony Jenkins

Tony Jenkins has been an integral part of Prior Park College since he joined in 2013. Over the past decade, his contributions have been vast and varied. Tony took on the responsibility of leading the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which has thrived under his guidance, providing students with invaluable experience in leadership, discipline, and outdoor skills. His dedication to the programme has enhanced the personal development of the cadets but also contributed to the College's reputation for fostering well-rounded individuals. In addition, Tony has been instrumental in the success of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at Prior Park. His oversight and encouragement have helped numerous students achieve their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For some of the past

Kerry Harris

10 years, Tony also held the position of Transport Manager and Site Security, where his approach significantly contributed to the smooth and safe operation of the College.

For the past few years Tony has had the joint role of House Parent, supporting his wife Carrie in looking after the Boarders in St Paul’s. Tony has been a cornerstone of the pastoral care system at Prior Park. His compassionate and supportive nature has created a home-fromhome for the students under their care, helping them to thrive. His ability to balance discipline with empathy is something our returning old boys fondly comment on.

Mr Bond

Carrie Jenkins

As we bid farewell to Carrie, Houseparent of St Paul’s with her husband Tony, we reflect on the immense impact she has had on our community. Carrie's dedication and compassion have been the cornerstone of our boarding boys' happiness and success. Always putting the students first, she ensured they felt supported, motivated, and cared for. Her warm presence and tireless

efforts, continually going above and beyond, have created a nurturing environment where every boy felt valued and encouraged.

Carrie's departure leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all, but her legacy of unwavering support will continue to inspire us. Thank you, Carrie, for everything you've done. We wish you and Tony well in your upcoming roles at New Hall School.

Mrs Holder

Jacqueline Caunt

Jacqueline will be fondly remembered for her eight years as a dedicated Learning Support Teacher at Prior Park College. Her work with students with special educational needs, her role as a tutor in Burton House, and her involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and boarding trips showcased her commitment to helping students grow and thrive. Jacqueline’s, patience, and active presence left a lasting impact on both students and colleagues, and she will be missed.

Mrs Bendry

Jonathan Healy

Jonathan Healy joined Prior Park College in September 2018. He quickly became an integral part of our school, starting as a tutor in Clifford and later being appointed to the role of Housemaster of Baines House. His leadership and genuine care for his students have left a lasting impact on both the house and the broader school community.

Beyond his contribution to the Maths Department, where his passion for teaching made even the most challenging concepts accessible, Jonathan was also deeply involved in school life. His dedication extended to the sports field, where he could often be found refereeing rugby matches on Saturdays, bringing the same enthusiasm and fairness to the game as he did to his teaching.

We will miss Jonathan’s energy, leadership, and unwavering commitment. We wish him every success in his next chapter.

Mrs Jones

Kelly Duncan

As Head of Netball, Kelly brought passion and expertise to the sport, nurturing countless students and leading teams to numerous victories. In addition to this, her role as Head of Games saw her championing a wide range of sports, fostering an environment where every student could thrive athletically. Kelly’s influence extended beyond the sports field, as she was also an outstanding Tutor, providing unwavering support and guidance to her students, helping them grow both academically and personally. Her dedication, warmth, and leadership will leave a lasting legacy at Prior Park.

Kelly will be greatly missed by students and colleagues alike, and we wish her all the best in her endeavours as she embarks on a new chapter in her career within the defence analysis market.

Mr Bond

Scott Edwards

Scott joined Prior in 2019 and within a year, moved on site and joined

Roche House as Assistant Housemaster, ferociously proud to be a part of the ‘dream, green team’!

As a valued member of the Business and Economics department, Scott has shown versatility in his ability to teach A Level, BTEC and GCSE whilst balancing his sense of fun with hard work. Scott has also been a wonderful member of the Sixth Form team since 2022. He has high standards and expectations of the Sixth Formers and commands their respect despite being great fun to be around.

Scott is a proud Welshman, who also loves the US, country music and basketball, from which Prior, and especially the international students, have benefitted, with Scott providing regular training sessions and organising fixtures. In addition, Scott has been responsible for totally revitalising the U6 New York trip, adding some really exciting attractions and events to the itinerary - it really won’t be the same trip without him.

We wish Scott every success in his new role at Cheltenham.

Mrs Colquhoun

Tom Howes

Tom has been an extraor-

dinary member of the Physics team over the past four years. Ask him for an idea on any topic and he can enthusiastically rattle off half a dozen ways to teach it in a manner that will challenge, captivate and excite students. He has a flair for creativity and combining different disciplines. Our students are lucky to have had him as a teacher and we are privileged to have had him as a colleague.

Tom’s love of rollercoasters is well known across the school and Tom leaves Prior to begin a Masters in Engineering with a view to going on to work in rollercoasters! We wish him the very best in his thrilling new venture.

Mr Gibbons

Hope Brough

Hope has been a superb teacher and colleague. She is a complete professional, always willing to get fully involved and with a wish to be the absolute best teacher that she can be.

Hope has been a valued member of the psychology, biology and junior science departments and took part in A Level field trips and the Honduras science expedition. She has shared her love of yoga, running, sport, music, and cake baking with us all. She has

had key roles within the St Mary’s boarding community and as a highly capable F4 tutor in Fielding House. Millfield has gained a talented young teacher and a kind generous person. We wish her all the best for the future.

Mrs Trott

Subha Kahn

Though her time at the College was short, Subha brought energy and fresh ideas to the English department over the past two years and made a lasting impact, connecting with students through their passion for literature and teaching. Equally, as a tutor in Baines House, Subha was highly regarded by those in her care We wish Subha every success in the future, confident she will continue to inspire in her next role.

Mrs Brink

Natalie Ashton Eaton

Natalie was recruited as maternity cover for Sukey Holder, but thanks to her amazing talents was with us for nearly a year and a half. Natalie has been constantly

full of ideas and helped us to reinvigorate some of our projects. Her organisation and resources are second to none, and her craft in the classroom is a sight to behold. In my 18 years of teaching, she is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

Natalie’s other strength is the relationships she develops with students. The love and dedication she has for everyone she teaches or tutors is an example to us all. There is a reason why Form 4 English were top of the merit table, put simply, it’s the Nat Factor!

Thank you for everything, Natalie and good luck in your new role as Head of Visual Arts at Clifton College.

Mr Faulkner

Staff photo competition

Judged by Wilson Tse (class of 2023)

2nd place Matt Nicholls

3rd place Rory Firmin

4th place Kate Trott

Winner Marian Mudie