Pilgrim Review Autumn Winter 2023 Edition

PILGRIM THE

REVIEW

AUTUMN WINTER 2023

Globetrotting adventures for RGS students Independent School of the Year RGS leavers achieve record-breaking university success Image: Annual fairground day at RGS

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FROM YOUR OUTGOING HEADS OF SCHOOL I HAVE LEARNT SO MUCH ABOUT MYSELF: HOW TO BE EMPATHETIC TOWARDS PEOPLE; HOW TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT; HOW TO BE THE EXTRA ONE DEGREE; AND THESE ARE ALL TRAITS THAT I WILL TAKE WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

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I have learnt so much about myself: how to be empathetic towards people; how to stand up for what is right; how to be the extra one degree; and these are all traits that I will take with me for the rest of my life. If you learn these lessons, then you will have the best tool kit for the rest of your lives.

This year, we have embedded the RGS Earthshot initiative into RGS culture – a clothes swishing event, school policy changes and amazing guest speakers for us and local schools. Our major focus was to expand our outlook beyond Reigate, from meeting with the head of school in RGS Saudi Arabia, to speaking in the UAE at a Reigatians event, to the event with RGS Vietnam, we are becoming an RGS global village.

n seven years as a Reigatian I have been part of about 200 concerts, numerous productions, 1330 days of school days, 266 Fridays and 1190 hours of online learning. I couldn’t even begin to count the number of pens I’ve been through!

We are surrounded by a fantastic community and must make the most of it, forging new links with those around us so we may all benefit from one another. I was excited to announce a new partnership in conjunction with RGS Vietnam, aiming to raise money for Save the Children through walking the distance between our school and the school in Hanoi - 12,158 kilometres.

As I leave RGS I challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone. What can you do to make not just others but your own experiences much better? As I sign off as Head Girl, I have a few words of wisdom for you all. As the brilliant Dolly Parton says, “I hope life will treat you kindly. I hope that you have all that you ever dreamed of ”.

But, as the icon of my childhood and even more legendary Hannah Montana once said: “the times that we had I’ll keep like a photograph and hold you in my heart forever, I’m so glad I got to know you… I’ll always remember you”.

Neyha Kamaluddin Head Girl

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e are so proud that we went to RGS. Seeing the Lower School now makes us envious of the great times younger students have ahead of them and makes us wish we could do it all again.

Our journey “to be a pilgrim” should not just be confined to Reigate but should look to the whole world such as our neighbours in Vietnam.

I asked ChatGPT to finish my words with a poem for us all: As I bring my final speech to a close, I want to share a message, and I suppose, Life’s too short to let it slip away, So, let’s make like John Lennon and imagine our way, Let’s dream big, aim high, and reach for the stars, Thank you, RGS, for shaping who we are!

James Cameron Head Boy

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HEADMASTER’S WELCOME

FROM THE HEADMASTER

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I HOPE THAT REIGATIANS FEEL SUPPORTED TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES; NOT PUTTING THINGS OFF BUT TAKING THE LEAP OF FAITH NOW; NOT WAITING FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT BUT TAKING THIS MOMENT AND MAKING IT RIGHT.

he Reigatian adventure is about school days packed full of a life worth living. We hope that each student finds their stride, can feel they belong, that coming to school is like coming home - part of a big Reigatian family.

This Pilgrim Review contains so many highlights of that adventure with so many mountain-top highs. It is simply astounding how these young people are supported to fit so much into their life whilst also securing great results, developing a secure moral purpose and making a difference in the world. A school life that offers a good balance of being well and doing well. That is the Reigate Way. At the start of the academic year, I urge students to cherish the idea that this is the first day of the rest of their lives and to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities. I hope that Reigatians feel supported to be their best selves; not putting things off but taking the leap of faith now; not waiting for the right moment but taking this moment and making it right.

I remain inspired after hearing one of our students speaking, having been asked what it meant to be a Reigatian. He said that he had adapted words from an American poet. He said that it felt like this: when he reached the end of the light, of all he knew, when he stepped out into the darkness of the unknown, then, being a Reigatian, he knows that he will have been given firm foundations on which to stand or he will have been taught how to fly. That is the Reigate Way. And so this Pilgrim Review captures it: the life worth living, what Aristotle would have said was a balanced and good life, facilitating becoming a virtuous person so you can fulfil your potential and live with integrity: the Reigate Way! Shaun Fenton Headmaster @rgsheadmaster

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SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS The final weeks of the summer term were filled with a variety of exciting activities drawing the school year to a close. RGS Hartsfest saw a huge audience celebrating music in our annual festival, followed by the fantastic Art & DT Exhibition with the sports hall being transformed into a gallery filled with simply stunning pieces of art. And, in the very same week the Lower School show of Terry! premièred. Sports Day, the Fourth Form pram race, the Lower School House quiz, House tug of war and a huge range of trips and activities involving every student in Activities Week kept us all busy and having fun before everyone departed for their summer holidays.

Youtube Summer Term Highlights Reel

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SCHOOL NEWS

MUDDY STILETTOS SCHOOL AWARDS SCHOOL AWARDS Reigate Grammar School continues to attract prizes for our pastoral care and for our social mobility work and has been selected as a finalist for two further upcoming awards.

We are finalists in both the Independent School of the Year 2023 Award for Contribution to Social Mobility and the School House Awards 2023 for Pastoral Care, the latter being sponsored by the Independent Schools Examinations Board.

The Leading Parent Partnership Award, a national standard for effective parent partnership was secured by RGS this year acknowledging our work with all parents and carers. Parental engagement in school life improves pupil progress and makes for a happier community.

Our work focused on:

Participation - include all groups of parents in supporting their children's learning and developing their own learning.

Communication - take steps to ensure that the school is a welcoming, communicative and friendly place for parents.

Guidance - provide clear and accessible guidance to help parents support their children's learning and development.

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LUNAR NEW YEAR For the first time at RGS we celebrated the Lunar New Year together as a community.

The Lunar New Year party was a super cultural celebration of our place in the global village. There were all sorts of activities on offer from traditional music, a tea ceremony and an incense ceremony, violin solos, presentations explaining the zodiac and other traditions as well as a wonderful banquet of tasty delights and oriental canapés.

LEADING PARENT PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Transition - support parents as their children transition through or between schools.

RGS has been highly commended for its Special Sixth Form in the Muddy Stilettos School Awards. Life for RGS Sixth Formers is an amazing adventure; a bridge between school and university and an excellent preparation for adult life.

Induction - provide clear guidance on the responsibilities of parents, school and pupils, and share this information with parents as a key part of the induction process.

Home/school links - produce parentfriendly policies to establish effective home/school links.

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WHY REIGATE, SURREY, IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE 2023 An article in The Sunday Times in March 2023 highlighted Reigate as one of the best places to live in the UK. Something we know already but we were delighted that RGS had a special mention in the article, naming us as one of the main attractions.

"This Surrey market town in the shadow of the North Downs, and within occasional earshot of the M25, is continuing to attract younger relocators from London suburbs while also charming those who grew up here into staying put and starting a family. So the competition for schools is fierce, and the rising star of the independent Reigate Grammar School is a main attraction."

Read the full article in The Times

The evening was hugely popular with greetings from our Headmaster and video messages from RGS Vietnam Most importantly, it was great to see further evidence of the inclusive and affirming attitudes of the global citizens in our student body.

The students in the First Form also took part in a Dragon dance workshop.

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EXCELLENT INSPECTION REPORT 2023 Following the Independent Schools Inspectorate visit in February, the ISI judged Reigate Grammar School to be Excellent in All Areas for Education Quality which includes supporting students’ achievement in and beyond the classroom and supporting their personal development. RGS is also fully compliant in all areas of regulatory compliance. These are the highest categories a school can be awarded.

The survey results for parents, students and staff are the most positive the ISI has seen for many years – especially the parental returns where the lowest level of satisfaction was 97%.

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We are not a complacent community and there remains so much for us to work on, so much we want to do so that every child in our care can grow into their best self. We will, of course, continue to cherish our successes and look to improve where we can. We have a tremendous team of people doing an amazing job for the students on their journey from childhood to adulthood.

Shaun Fenton, Headmaster

IN ALL AREAS

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“Universally, pupils feel comfortable being their true self. Pupils are capable, high order thinkers, revelling in the widest possible range of concepts. Pupils’ academic and other achievements are overwhelmingly excellent.”

ISI KEY FINDINGS The school aims to support every individual pupil, nurture their talents and abilities, and prepare them for a happy and successful adult life. It strives to enable academic outcomes and extra-curricular experiences so that pupils have the confidence to recognise and grasp opportunities successfully. It aims to ensure that a strong moral purpose helps pupils to contribute to wider society, aware of their advantages and a sense of their responsibility.

The ISI key findings include: Pupils display excellent levels of knowledge, skills and understanding across and beyond the curriculum; Pupils of all ages are excellent communicators and demonstrate highly developed listening skills; Pupils have excellent and wide-ranging study skills. They are creative and adept thinkers with strong powers of analysis; Pupils display outstanding attitudes to all aspects of their learning, both in the academic curriculum and other experiences. They are highly motivated, diligent and keen to learn.

100%

98%

99%

of staff agree that

of pupils agree that

of parents agree that

"The leadership promotes the wellbeing of all pupils."

"My teachers are supportive and know their subjects well."

"The school helps my child develop strong teamwork and social skills."

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Read the full ISI Report

"RGS is a harmonious community founded on kindness and a sense of common purpose, working together for everybody’s wellbeing."

ISI

PARENTAL FEEDBACK If you want a rounded education, then you will definitely experience that at RGS." "Supportive, inspiring and truly passionate teachers who care about what they teach."

"The students’ happiness and wellbeing is at the centre of everything, which results in fantastic achievements. A very inclusive school, where everyone is encouraged to try out something new."

"RGS is a wonderful place for young people to be educated, where they are taught and supported by so many inspirational teachers."

"The exam results are undeniably impressive, but even more so is the constant and genuine care for the children throughout the school.

They are nurtured, encouraged and emboldened to embrace the vast array of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, growing into wellbalanced, well-rounded and high achieving young adults."

"Each child is known individually, their personalities understood and their choices respected and supported."

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OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY BRIDGING THE GAP In partnership with RGS Vietnam, Head Boy James C and Head Girl Neyha K organised a Bridging the Gap charity challenge to walk, run, cycle or even swim the distance between the two schools in aid of Save the Children, with money going towards those affected by the Turkey and Syria earthquake and those in Ukraine. The student leaders teamed up to highlight that when we work together, regardless of borders, our global village and our wider community can benefit hugely. They successfully raised over £500.

STRIPEY STORK At RGS, students are actively encouraged to make a difference in the community and learn to support the school's commitment to fostering empathy and social responsibility. One of the charities we support is Stripey Stork, which provides assistance to local families in need, ensuring that children have essential items for a bright start in life.

Through their dedication and collective efforts, our students demonstrate their unwavering commitment to creating a more compassionate and caring society.

In our last appeal for school uniform we collected a staggering amount filling over 30 bags delivered in a giant van load!

Students regularly help and volunteer by sorting donations at Stripey Stork HQ. 9

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EVERSFIELD CARE HOME. As part of our RGS electives outreach initiative, a group of Fourth Form students volunteered to assist at Eversfield Care Home. We have thoroughly enjoyed our experiences, which have included delightful moments of tea and cake, sharing and documenting stories, musical enjoyment and engaging in numerous entertaining quizzes and games. These interactions have allowed our students to establish significant bonds with the residents, underscoring the universal truth that genuine connections can be forged through shared experiences, regardless of one's age or background.

During our time at Eversfield Care Home, it was heart-warming to witness the transformation in both the students and the residents. At first, there may have been some apprehension and nervousness on both sides, but as the weeks went by, barriers melted away, and friendships blossomed.

The tea and cake sessions became a cherished tradition, where students and

residents would sit together, sharing stories of their lives, their dreams, and their favourite memories. The students were amazed by the wealth of wisdom and life experiences that the residents had to offer, while the residents found solace in the youthful enthusiasm and optimism of their young companions.

The quizzes and games were a hit with everyone. Residents and students teamed up to tackle trivia questions, solve puzzles, and engage in friendly competition.

Laughter filled the air as answers were guessed, and winners were celebrated.

These activities not only provided mental stimulation but also encouraged teamwork and camaraderie.

The outreach programme at Eversfield Care Home was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on both students and residents. It was a beautiful reminder that compassion, empathy, and the simple act of spending time together can bridge generational gaps and create connections that are truly timeless.

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ICELAND

We set off for the Land of Fire and Ice - Iceland - and our first stop was the bubbling hot-pots and lava fields, before being driven to our first hotel located close to the infamous Eyjafjallajokull!

Day two was all about lava and waterfalls. A visit to the Lava Museum, visits to two waterfalls and then an amazing walk on Solheimerjokull glacier followed by an evening Lava Show: a chance to see how real lava behaves in different circumstances - literally a hot event!

The tour included the Outwash Plains, giant glaciers found further east on the South Coast, lava fields covered in moss that take hundreds of years to grow, building a Cairn, glacial lagoons, seal spotting, the Golden Circle, the geyser erupting, marvelling at Gullfoss and learning Viking History at the border of the Eurasian and North American plates. One rather special experience was cooking eggs in a hot water spring and then eating them with traditional Icelandic bread in a small village on the south coast.

Of course, everyone should visit Reykjavik. On our last day, we had a quick walk from the majestic cathedral to the concert hall at the port.

A tantalising taste of what the capital city has to offer for future trips.

Then to finish our trip in style, we enjoyed a rather lovely hour at the Blue Lagoon, where we tried face masks and relaxed in the warm water while drinking healthy smoothies!

A packed, but amazing trip to a place like no other!

Fifth Form Student

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ART & DT EXHIBITION

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Talent and creativity leap out from the canvases and installations at the remarkable annual Art & DT Exhibition.

From stunning paintings and intricate sculptures to cuttingedge DT creations, the exhibition celebrates the fusion of artistic expression and technical expertise. The Art & DT exhibition at RGS is not only a visual treat but also a testament to the school's commitment to nurturing the artistic talents of our students.

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WORKS OF

ART

Lino prints and drawings inspired by the artist Jan Brewerton.

First Form students chose a selection of objects to represent their hobbies and interests. After creating a series of detailed drawings they developed their work into a lino cut and printed it using a variety of colours.

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Second Form collagraph prints based on the theme of Beachcomber. The work is inspired by pieces by printmaker, Jenny McCabe.

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A selection of Second Form tropical projects continuing silkscreen and acrylic painting inspired by Marianne North.

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Anzu C

Elise T

hoebe MK Oli H

LANDSCAPES Imogen D

Hannah Y

Students explored depicting landscapes using a variety of mixed media textiles, collage and paint. Inspiration from contemporary artists such as Rachel Wright. Additionally, a free choice representation of Hukusai’s Great Wave created a plethora of works in a wide variety of media.

STILL LIFE FLOWERS AND VASES Students have been exploring different styles of depicting still life flowers, inspired by artists such as Mary Feddon, Reza Riaha and Belinda del Pesco. These A4 paintings show fantastic technique with acrylics and composition.

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Lizzy M

Anzu C

Hannah Y

Will R

Lauren LeQ

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Elise T

Tilly L

Second Form students created coral themed ceramic pieces inspired by the work of British ceramicist, Lisa Stevens.

Students learned techniques to handbuild, refine, and glaze their works.

CERAMICS

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Elective students spent five weeks learning and developing their technique.

They learned about slab building, thumb pots, and sculpture techniques. They also learned how to get the best out of the clay and the art of avoiding explosions in the kiln!

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Brendan

PHOTOGRAPHY A selection of work from Third Form GCSE photography students exploring natural forms using macro lenses and studio lighting to create stunning images

Paul G

Alby L

Alby L

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Alby L

Finley B

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Alby L

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Meli G

Gracie D

Maebh G

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Eibhlin G

NOTABLE

WORK

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Max R

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The annual Fun Fair at Reigate Grammar School celebrates the last day of school for Fifth and Upper Sixth Form students before their GCSE and A Level exams. The whole school celebrated with them on their last day and Broadfield Lawn was converted into a fun fair with rides and ice creams for all.

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Marmalade Atkins was a TV series created by the genius satirist Andrew Davies in the 1980s. It starred Charlotte Coleman as the rebellious Marmalade and, alongside Why Don’t You?, Saturday Superstore and Dusty Bin, became vital viewing for those growing up in the early 80s - still the joyous era of three TV channels. The explosion of MTV unleashed a whole string of neon pop stars who shared their shoulder-pads and leg-warmers and screamed their synthpop loudly whilst Thatcher was caught rubbing alongside Noel Edmunds in a geometric jumper. Marmalade had a mini-punk sensibility - a disinterested brand of mayhem - but she is still firmly grounded in the catapult-twanging naughtiness of Just William and `. The japes and jaunts hold a strong link to the gentle comedy of the 60s and 70s.

The show provided the audience a sprinkle of Crackerjack nostalgia and a splash of Tiswas mayhem.

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At RGS we like a challenge, and this year our younger students developed a new musical. This exceptional group of committed performers and theatre technicians spent months learning the show and making the set and props alongside RGS teachers and technicians. The RGS drama team continue to innovate, create and make magical experiences for the children and their audience.

Miss Hare adapted the script and story to direct a magical show.

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Drama enables us to learn about ourselves, our society and about life in general.

In class, students learn to trust their ideas and abilities in a rehearsal room. Being creative and learning to make creative choices helps students to be better at thinking of innovative ideas, allowing them to view the world around them in new ways. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Dare to be Different was about participation and teamwork.

The performance was based on the book: Stories for Rebel Boys and Girls. Each class in the First Form took a story and spent time in class devising scenes about the unconventional individuals who have overcome difficulties in their life. These are snapshots of individuals and characters, who, in daring to be different, have made a significant contribution to others’ lives. The stories focus on the following chosen people: Marcus Rashford, Muhammad Ali, Evelyn Glennie, Lemn Sissayi, George VI, Katelyn OHashi, Tom Daley and Nadiya Hussein.

This show in many ways captures the ethos of the Drama department and RGS. On the one hand, we advocate teamwork and ensemble theatre, community, and empathy: the students must use these skills to work together on stage to create a shared experience for the audience. At the same time, we want each student to find their own, unique voice and feel confident about differences. Theatre provides a haven for those who can feel different. Theatre celebrates diversity and a sense of inclusion.

We hope that by performing at Leatherhead Theatre, each student relished the chance to perform in this fabulous, professional auditorium.

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TO BE

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STUDENT FOCUS

MAYA K Actor

When I was five years old, I asked my dad to find me an acting club, as singing and dancing weren’t my thing. I joined a club in Leatherhead and they had just opened up an agency. The lady in charge liked me and asked if I wanted to be represented by them, I was the youngest actor on their books. Auditions followed and soon after I landed my first role in a Ridley Scott film that was being filmed in Rome.

I loved being on set and quickly realised that this is what I wanted to do.

It has not been an easy road, I have had successes along the way, but I have also experienced a lot of rejection with some pretty big near misses. However, in this industry, if you are to be successful you have to be resilient and this has only made me more determined to succeed. Though I won’t lie to you when I say it can still really hurt and your confidence takes a battering.

My most recent role was in Sky Atlantic’s Django. I played the part of Young Sarah. This was a tough shoot, with some very late nights and weeks away from home (it was filmed in Romania). I was really lucky to secure this role as they had initially been looking for a dark-haired girl with blue eyes to match the older actress. However, the director and casting agent really liked my audition and I was offered the part. The production company paid for specialist hand-painted contact

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lenses and a bespoke short dark-haired wig to make me look more like the older actress. It was an amazing experience, I had a really good time, and I learnt a lot from the other actors and the crew, but there were a lot of long days and it’s not as glamorous as you think!

I love meeting like-minded people and collectively working towards the same goal. There’s nothing quite like being on set, it’s so creative and the energy is like nothing else I have experienced, and that’s what motivates me to continue and keep auditioning.

Learning lines for auditions alongside homework can be challenging and often stops me from doing other things that kids my age do. Saying that though, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I’m still very early on in my acting career so I don’t feel I’m in a position to give advice, but if I had any advice to give, I would say don’t quit no matter how overwhelming it can seem, someone has to succeed so make it you!

Attending RGS and being supported by the staff and my friends has really helped me in the good times and the bad. I would say that’s one of the best things about RGS, apart from the opportunities it offers, it’s the support you receive when you ask for help.

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BENEDICT A

Young Harry Potter I was very excited when I got the role of Young Harry in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child because it is my first West End show and I have read the books and watched all the movies.

I started Stagecoach when I was eight and was asked to audition for an acting agency and I was very pleased to get in.

Since then I have done lots of auditions and some filming but this is my first theatre role.

Do you ever get nervous?

I did at first but not anymore because I have been doing it for a long time and it’s just fun now.

How often do you need to be at the theatre?

I have to be at the theatre for two out of the four days of the shows. Each day there are two shows – Part One and Part Two. I have to be at the theatre two hours before the show starts for the warm-up and rehearsal and I am there all day as Part Two finishes at 9:30pm.

During the holidays it is easier because there is no school but in school time I have to keep up with the lessons I miss and do the homework, which can be tiring.

What is it like performing in the West End? I find it really fun because you don’t know how the audience will react and so it is different every time.

Ambitions for the future?

I still haven’t decided what I want to do in the future but I am really enjoying being in the theatre at the moment and I would like to do more acting going forward.

Tell us about what you like to do when you are not performing or studying When I am not performing or studying I like to go swimming, play sports and meet up with my friends.

What is the best thing about RGS? The best thing at RGS is the opportunity to do what you find fun (and the food).

Do you have any tips for students with the same opportunity?

Just go for it because the experience is amazing.

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Scheme is a major part of life at Reigate Grammar School and large numbers of students each year dedicate an enormous number of hours to expeditions, physical activity, helping the local community and learning new skills.

In recent years, RGS has seen more candidates receive their Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates than any other school in Surrey.

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At each level, the award is made of four sections: Volunteering The aim of this section is to give service to other people and to the local community. It gives participants the opportunity to increase their self-confidence, to accept responsibility, understand strengths, appreciate other people and care for the environment.

Expeditions In this section participants will plan, prepare and undertake an adventurous journey (involving an overnight camp) usually on foot but also sometimes on bikes, horseback or even in canoes, in an unfamiliar and remote environment. Pupils become part of a self-reliant team working together to overcome challenges.

Skill The skill section is about developing personal interests and learning practical skills. It gives participants the chance to learn something new, get organised, meet new people, try something different and have fun.

Physical In this section participants get involved in a sport or physical activity. It gives pupils opportunities to improve fitness, meet new challenges, increase self-confidence and gain a sense of achievement.

Twitter @RGSdofe

The training syllabus includes safety and emergency procedures, basic first aid, navigation, route finding, map and compass skills, camp craft, country, highway and water sports codes and team building.

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BRONZE Over 150 DofE Bronze students completed their first 25km

practice hike in May, scattered around camp sites of the Surrey Hills. Lower Sixth Form Gold Award Leaders helped with navigation and camp craft, providing wisdom from their own DofE experiences.

SILVER The Silver DofE practice expedition in June had 20 groups

of students who hiked 50km over three days, using skills such as navigation, teamwork, camp craft and a good level of fitness. Most of all, groups needed to show determination and perseverance.

The groups enjoyed this expedition and the warm and sunny second evening at camp made up for the wetter muddy evening the day before.

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GOLD This summer I completed both my Gold DofE practice and qualifying expeditions along with many others.

The practice expedition started with a day of mountain navigation training to prepare us for the different style of navigation needed for two and a half days of navigating our way through the Brecon Beacons. The ups and downs of this expedition were very different to the previous Silver and Bronze expeditions. Poor weather conditions resulted in my group being soaked through in minutes and the ascents were very tough

but satisfying once overcome. This practice walk allowed me to recognise the challenges of the qualifying expedition.

On the qualifying expedition, it was almost non-stop rain, we needed our dry bags! The Gold DofE experience was a tough but rewarding experience as wet weather and blisters were finally overcome at the end of each day and knowing every step you took was one step closer to your goal kept motivation high and resulted in a successful expedition.

Oliver W Gold DofE Student 2023

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COMBINED CADET FORCE Despite the examination season, the summer term proved to be exceptionally busy for the RGS Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

The term started with the eagerly anticipated Biennial Inspection, graced by the presence of esteemed members of our Regiment, the Grenadier Guards. In his report, Captain Bennett lauded our detachment stating:

Drums, guests moved to the Harrison Centre for dinner. The guest of honour, Rebecca Rees, delivered a moving and poignant speech leaving a lasting impression on all present. Rebecca is a living relative of David Ive: a poignant connection to the first Reigatian to have fallen in World War I and everyone listened with interest to her stories of his life.

"The overall impression is that this detachment is surpassing our expectations, with dedicated staff and cadets wholeheartedly embracing any tasks set before them."

We are thrilled that the RGS Corps of Drums is taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show on 11 November 2023. Comprising students of all ages, they excel in bugle, fife and drum, often with no prior musical experience. We eagerly anticipate showcasing our talents during the show and will be presenting an eclectic repertoire encompassing traditional military marches and beloved TV/movie themes.

Building on this outstanding feedback, the term continued with cadets gathering for the annual CCF Mess Dinner where, following a spectacular performance from the RGS Corps of

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Adventurous students headed to the Peak District for rock climbing.

They visited the iconic gritstone venues of Stanage and Burbage edges, challenging themselves to complete a variety of routes.

The determination to push their limits was superb, whether it was overcoming nervousness about heights or developing more efficient movement on rock – a very different experience to indoors climbing. The camaraderie and encouragement offered to their peers was brilliant, and the cold conditions were endured with good spirits.

Students and staff fully embraced the bunkhouse experience, with students making their own breakfasts and enjoying pizzas for dinner.

Well done to all the students for challenging their limits throughout the weekend.

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ENGLISH THE BEVIS HILLIER WRITING COMPETITION 2023 TALENTED WRITERS The Bevis Hillier Award celebrates the importance of creativity beyond the constraints of the curriculum and the wonderful writing talent that the Fifth Form possesses.

The annual competition is judged by renowned English art historian, author, journalist and Reigatian, Bevis Hillier. Mr Hillier spent a generous amount of time providing annotation and feedback on the submitted pieces and particularly noted that the winner's telling of the story was “admirable”, with many of the short-listed pieces leaving him impressed with the talent of the writers.

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and congratulations to those shortlisted for, and who won the prizes.

Congratulations to our 2023 winner: Maebh G. She now takes her place amongst more than a decade of incredible writers we have had the pleasure to know at RGS. We are all writers – love words and enjoy weaving magic with them!

AWARDS 2023 Winner Maebh G Joint Runners-up Billy R Evelyn M

Highly Commended Hannah B Hannah C Amika S

THE OCEAN - MAEBH G

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ied to one of the table legs in the Bridge – the commanding station, two-gun barrel ends compressed into my temples. Every now and then sweat caused the metal openings to slide across my brow and cheek bones - every movement provoking a flinch of the shoulder, twitch of the eye, and punch of acidity washing up from the stomach to the tongue like the fragments of a broken wave careering up a beach front; burning the walls of my throat throughout its course - all side-effects of vomit brewing from within. We set sail.

The sea was my home. My first job was assisting my dad (Third Officer of a general cargo vessel). I would organise life-saving appliances and keep the lookout. Occasionally they’d allow me to steer the ship all by myself... only for two minutes though. During those two minutes, I was the controller of a 220,000-tonne freighter; the waves behaved under my dominance, every movement, sound and cut through the 47

waters my hands were responsible for. It was that summer I knew this job would be my future - however boring or antisocial friends thought of it, this stupendous, mammoth like machine, scientific marvel, work of hundreds of builders and engineers, carrier of merchandise and necessities, was my passion.

It was the early part of a Wednesday morning at first light, when the waters were calm; the sky was blurred with tones of grey, and rays of airbrushed oranges and blues cut their way through the firmament with a blunt knife, so that the boundary of colour between the stygian shades of night and penetrating pastels of sunrise was hazed. I'd clambered through the corridors of the cabins, past metal scrap and lifeguard jackets littered on the floor - men at sea weren’t typically very tidy. Having observed our locations, it appeared we had just crossed Somali territory and land was present in the faroff distance. I'd predicted a seven-hour journey before we reunited with shore.

Beginning to navigate through my daily nitty-gritty jobs such as washing, greasing, painting, buffing and chipping alongside a fellow bosun, two gunshots were heard nearby terrorizing the morning tranquillity.

We hastened toward the back end of the vessel’s deck. Upon our arrival, I witnessed eight men transferring from a sizeable engine-powered dinghy to the bottom deck of our oil tanker. Of course, it was now clear that’s what they were intending to take - the oil. Paralysis seized control of each limb as my eyes identified the residences the two bullets had taken rest in. Four of the eight men hooked the two motionless bodies with fifty-kilogram weights and tossed them carelessly overboard as if their lives had no meaning, no purpose, no worth. The ocean swallowed each corpse, their flesh and bone were now part of nature, gradually deteriorating, seeping, dissolving into the dusty pit of the sea.

Senseless, we scurried back across the

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THE CASTLE

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the summer edition of RGS' The Castle. Talented young writers researched, wrote and reviewed a vast range of material have been busy researching, writing and reviewing.

Dear Reigatians, As the school year comes to a close, many of us will (thankfully) be finishing our external exams, and will be looking forward (with a mixture of nerves and excitement) to moving onto the next chapter of our lives. For the Upper Sixth Form leavers, this school year has gone so

quickly - so our advice would be to make the most of it!

Thank you to the teachers and staff members who have continuously supported us over the years, and good luck to everyone in the future!

Sofia L and all the students at The Castle.

external-link-alt Read This Edition

higher deck back into the bridge where all navigation and communications were conducted but in place of the stand-in mariner were three formidable Somalian pirates disguised in scarves masking their identities and draped in belt straps laced with roughly 100 bullets – two per person secured like cross-body bags over each shoulder. Each had one large gun in hand alongside other weaponry strapped to their trousers and shirts. The largest of the three was leaning against the dashboard fiddling with a knife. No-one uttered a word. Not even the ocean’s waves bubbled or fizzled; not even the wind hummed or swished.

An hour passed, the one with the knife had briefed us on their intentions and how we would assist in achieving them.

They tied me down with guns at the ready, coarse rope fastened across my mouth and hands grazing my skin’s surface. At first our crew’s Master and the Bosun abided by their instructions but when time passed and the three

thieves had become more relaxed and less observant of the navigation, I noticed the wheel move a few more angles to the right than expected. It was extremely subtle – something only a top navigator would notice and expect to alter on a route – but all those years of having two minutes at the wheel I’d learnt a few things. The Bosun and I made eye contact.

He'd caught on. No one uttered a word.

“Hold on a second,” the one with the knife barked, “what are you up to?” he asked, having seen us exchange glances. Within two minutes I was leaning over the edge of the deck glaring at the muddy waters below. “Boat master, we’ve hijacked enough of these ships to know when people are attempting to outsmart us and trust me it becomes less and less entertaining - you have ten seconds to stop this insubordination and carry on with the course before I lose my temper, 10.. ...4..3..2..1...”

wing I'd been climbing the ladder aspiring to be in his position and he would so casually toss my body like the other two.

“Chuck him” the pirate laughed. Static and breathless, I stared into the basin of blue that would soon be the source of my demise... but no one stirred. Instead, the other two men, removed me from the deck’s edge and then their scarves. The identities beneath the layers of material were Jono and Ronny, our ship’s guards.

The two then neutralized the pirate and planned to stick him in the empty metal cargo box where the two others they’d captured and stolen clothes from and the rest of the party were. While being untied the master approached the humiliated buccaneer, “We’ve been out on this ship across these shores enough times to know your methods of robbery, after all, this ship and the ocean is our home”.

“Do it.” my master said heedlessly. 10 years I'd worked on this same boat with the same people. 10 years under his 48

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World Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our collective love of books and promote reading for pleasure. The event generated a buzz around school, with First and Second Form students delivering on the costume front, staff sharing their current reads and students from across the school taking part in a literary bonanza in the library.

WINNERS OF THE COSTUME COMPETITION First Place Maya K dressed as Dobby Second Place Leili G dressed as the White Rabbit Third Place Sophie L dressed as a Mary Berry cookbook WINNERS OF THE LITERARY QUIZ Emma K and Chloe A!

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PUBLIC SPEAKING TEDx Youth @ RGS

”It Only Takes a Spark” was the theme of RGS' TEDX Youth event with students from every year group speaking on matters ranging from politics to pets! All worked hard and spoke with passion and flair to provoke an array of emotions from laughter to tears and all the way back again. Phoebe M's talk on how an innocent book recommendation sparked an obsession for unusual pets left the audience in hoots of laughter, as did Jonathon F's humorous talk What is a Nerd?. Anastasia K then moved the whole room to tears retelling her experiences from the Ukraine war.

Siblings Niamh D and Ruby D stunned the audience with speeches about the power of art and of debating respectively. For Krish P, part of the events team, Ruby’s speech was the highlight of the evening as it provided the crowd with an entertaining and articulate piece on how she turned dread into passion.

The importance of creativity was explored throughout the event, not least by Riya M who found her spark in the writing of a short story and, at 14, is already a published author. The audience was treated to her incredible talent in creative writing when she read out a section of her novel. Kathryn C also spoke about her love of creativity and Gabi J-G spoke of the importance of learning another language – or even two! Being half-Colombian, half-British, and learning Mandarin at school, Gabi is certainly qualified to share her views.

Keynote speaker and Reigatian Sayinthen Vivekanantham shared that It is never too late for a spark to trigger a career change. From working as a doctor to running a technology company, Say's spark of innovation and determination has certainly paid off.

The speakers were outstanding and the Lower Sixth Form Events Team made it happen. Well done all.

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JUNIOR MUN In May, students from Bishop Thomas Grant, Gordon’s School, Lingfield College and RGS descended on the Harrison Centre for the 7th Annual Junior ReiMUN. Students debated on a wide variety of topics, from the rights of refugees to the environment, to the demilitarisation of North Korea, with the conference leadership provided by our Sixth Form MUN students. Countries represented at the conference were UK, North Korea, USA, Israel, Indonesia, UAE, Turkey, China and Micronesia with students getting stuck into debating issues that they care about. The closing ceremony is always a memorable experience with excellent speeches from the Secretaries General, Krish P and Austin B. These conferences have seen debates on gender equality, access to electricity and rights for women.

MUN students enjoy the fun they had making new friends, debating alongside students from other schools, and learning about global issues . The student team also enjoyed organising the event together Sophie H and Anna P

RGS SPEAKS The RGS Speaks audience enjoyed a symphony of voices on a plethora of topics from the global to the personal, the monumental to the minuscule. The evening featured performances from RGS Speaks and RGS Poet of the Year finalists and also marked the publication of a new anthology of poetry by RGS students. A wonderfully uplifting, thought-provoking, life-enhancing evening of culture and creativity!

POETRY BY HEART Well done to everyone who took part in Poetry by Heart. The audience enjoyed a range of wonderful poetry from Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky, to the fastpaced WH Auden’s Night Mail. Students were confident, well-spoken and held an excellent stage presence as they recited their chosen poems.

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HISTORY AND POLITICS CEMA HISTORY TRIP Second Form History students enjoyed a hands-on experience at the Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA) and its reconstructed trench system including a chance to see the kit and equipment issued to British soldiers in World War 1. Students trudged the trench system learning about health and hygiene, food and drink, and the nature of trench warfare. They learnt about battlefield wounds and how illnesses and injuries were treated, practising the casualty evacuation process, seeing the 1914 medical equipment and hearing about the new techniques and

technologies introduced during the war such as the weaponry of the First World War including rifles, bayonets, grenades, and artillery.

The day ended with a visit to Sittingbourne Cemetery to understand more about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with a chance to reflect on the consequences of war.

Students produced some fantastic, creative work in response to their study of the First World War. This ranged from films, to poetry, to games, paintings, stories and music.

‘The trench system in the woods had all the features we had learnt about and it brought it all to life. We squeezed into the dugouts, ran through the trench system and tried to imagine living in such cramped, dangerous and unhygienic surroundings!’

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"My absolute favourite part was the medical activity where we learnt about the different ways injured soldiers were treated and how they were moved from the frontline to the field dressing stations."

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"Visiting the Commonwealth war graves in Sittingbourne Cemetery was very moving and it was interesting to hear about the lives of the men who are buried there."

"My favourite section was the weaponry section led by a former soldier who has fought in conflicts around the world."

HISTORY AND POLITICS SOCIETY This year the History and Politics Society had a fantastic leadership team of Upper Sixth students: Demetra M, Iris M, Kitty D, Anaya P and Frances E. The group presented and debated on a range of topical subjects including the USA Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade (1973), the death of Mahsa Amini for infringing hijab rules in Iran, the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, and the historical background to the Ukrainian War.

expertly by Upper Sixth Form student Iris M who pressed both Fiona Millar and our Headmaster on their contrasting views on the role and value of private schools.

The debate introduced our students to the cut and thrust of true political debate.

However, both protagonists agreed that it was essential that political differences are put aside as the UK educational system needs all sections to work together to improve its future.

In all these sessions, students debated passionately and yet were respectful of the views of others.

We were fortunate to welcome Fiona Millar to RGS, best known for her close links with Tony Blair’s political career, most notably she was a Special Adviser to Prime Minister Blair between 1997 and 2003 before resigning from this role over her opposition to the Iraq War. She was a Guardian columnist about education.

She endorses Sir Keir Starmer’s (Reigatian 1973-1980) policy of stripping private schools of charitable status, meaning VAT would apply to fees.

The main event of her visit was a debate with our Headmaster over the future of education in the UK. This took place in a packed Old Library with most of the Sixth Form in attendance as well as students from the Lower School and many staff. The debate was chaired

The event seems to have inspired many of our students, who see the impact of politics on their everyday lives. RGS will no doubt continue to be gripped by political debate as we approach a General Election in 2024.

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FRENCH TRIP

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irst Form French students travelled to Rue, France for a four-day residential trip. We headed straight to a traditional boulangerie where delicious aromas wafted through the air and the bus erupted in excitement as the big cakes were spotted!

Then we enjoyed a traditional croissant making workshop including a stone oven and learnt all about traditional bread and croissants. We also encountered an eccentric man with a big rolling pin… Then, the part we had most been waiting for, the shop! There were loads of wonderful cupcakes and pastries - it was difficult to pick one.

The accommodation was fantastic: a sort of French PGL and everyone was very welcoming. Château de Broutel was huge and beautiful and the rooms were just as nice. The people we shared our dorm with were chosen very well so we settled in nicely. It was a lovely place to stay.

On the second day we went to an epic theme park called Parc Bagatelle. There was not a cloud in sight and it was the perfect temperature for running from one ride to the next and hanging out in queues with friends. There were all kinds of rides from exhilarating roller coasters to dizzying carousels. We were really glad that we did all the daredevil rides before stuffing ourselves with crêpes! One of our favourites was the Gaz Express which was a water ride and went round in really fast circles. It felt adventurous being with friends and having free rein on what we chose to do.

After an action-packed day we enjoyed team building activities at our château. We were delighted because my teams won the word hunt and tug of war. One of our favourite things was having a camp-fire because we got to play fireside games like splat and eat marshmallows.

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One day we went to a market in Etaples. We loved browsing the craft and food stalls - it was fun choosing a souvenir. All the shopping built up our appetites so we couldn’t resist getting crêpes and a boxes of delicious freshly picked strawberries.

We were quite pleased with our French speaking with the stall keepers and other locals.

For lunch, we were treated to a baguette on the beach. The sand was pearly soft and the beach was deserted. After lunch we went to a rather exciting building called The Chocolat Factorie where we were greeted with the yummy sight of chocolate.

There were giant wheels of molten chocolate leaving a wonderful chocolaty smell in the air and we learnt how to make authentic chocolate. We even got to taste some! We now understand what happened to Augustus Gloop.

After chocolate tasting, we went to a snail farm! We sat through a presentation about the snail farm and the snails in general.

We’ll spare you the details, but it was very interesting. We then went outside to look (and optionally) hold a snail. Some of the snails came out of their shells and peeped to see very pleased holders. Apparently, snail slime is good for your skin but we’re pretty sure most people would disagree. Then, the moment we had all been waiting for (some less eager than others), the eating of the snails! They were served in a cracker that was shaped like a snail shell and covered in garlic butter. Then, we washed it down with a glass of lemonade, suspiciously eyed for fear of it being snail juice.

Our trip was fantastique. Vive les escargots!

Arianna E, Ruth T, Grace W

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LA CASA DE BERNARDA ALBA

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ixth Form Spanish students waved adiós to tests and revision papers for a much more enjoyable excursion to London to see our A Level set text La Casa de Bernarda Alba (a play about repression in 20th century Spain by Federico García Lorca). Despite a truly funereal overcast (which I suppose did appropriately foreshadow the depressing play that was to come), we were at least able to get ourselves in the mood for Spain by going to a tucked-away tapas restaurant, with a charming and cosy atmosphere and a chicken paella that was certainly sabrosísima (very tasty). Without a siesta (disappointing!) we went straight to the Cervantes theatre, a small but pleasant venue hidden from the bigger streets of London. The size and intimacy of the theatre itself created a much-needed sense of claustrophobia, making it seem as though we were in Bernarda' house ourselves, trapped behind its white walls that constantly remind us that the loss of our reputation could lead to our suffering or even our death.

Despite a time period and mock household that was certainly truthful to Lorca's original play, a few notable changes show how his play can still be interpreted in different ways. An example of this is how Bernarda Alba herself, expertly played by Teresa del Olmo, came across as a victim of society rather than the monster she is thought to be at first, emphasising how the terrible repression in rural areas at the time could apply even to the wealthiest residents; both intimidating and relatable, del Olmo's performance formulated a properly nuanced character.

Meanwhile, Estrella Alonso brought the disobedience and childish energy to her role that we have come to expect from La Casa's very own rebel Adela. With a highly emotional and sympathyattracting performance, we can safely say, even though her

dress was not as green as Lorca intended, that her character was certainly the way he intended. Martirio, played superbly

by Laura De Marchis, watches on with envy as Adela disobeys the customs of the time, while Judith Arkwright gives a more reserved performance as María Josefa that gives more attention to her parallels with Adela instead of prophetic humour. The rest of the cast (especially, quite surprisingly for a minor character, La Criada (the servant)) showed a huge amount of talent by creating credible and moving moments that cause the audience to feel for their terrible situation.

The set design was more than satisfactory for such a compact stage, with small details such as sewing machines and a stairway bringing Bernarda's house to life, though the walls may need some patching up. In terms of sound design, it was clear that the volume of the church bells definitely set the tone right, though there was one occurrence of music that was maybe too abstract for its own good, with some sort of oktavist that sounded like they had come straight from the 2021 movie Dune.

Even though there were definitely some unusual changes, it is safe to say that this particular production of La Casa de Bernarda Alba certainly did not disappoint, remaining true to Lorca's vision of the repression of women (and sometimes even men) in 20th Century Spain before the rule of Franco while still standing out with its own take on the truth behind Bernarda. Many thanks to the Spanish department for organising this trip and best wishes to Gorka, our amazing Spanish assistant who has greatly helped us with our speaking skills, as he returns to Spain.

Sam C

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STEAM WEEK FROM THE STARS TO OUR COMMON ANCESTORS STEAM week was packed with quizzes, activities, an introduction to psychology, drawing beautiful biological specimens, the chemistry of colour with a range of exciting demonstrations illuminating this fascinating topic, rat dissections and planetarium shows about biochemistry and astrophysics.

juggling patterns. Sixth Form mathematicians joined Colin for an exciting masterclass considering a proof of Fermat's theorem and were introduced to Wilson's theorem, modulo arithmetic and the Diffy Helmen Key Exchange relating to elliptic cryptography.

A fascinating lecture by Dr Adam Rutherford “The history of everyone who has ever lived” explained how human evolution, beyond trees of life, provides genetic evidence confirming that we all share common ancestors. Humour, clear explanations and engaging stories combined to provide an educational and entertaining experience for everyone who attended.

Second Formers devised technological solutions for transporting the largest mass of tomatoes down mountains in Nepal, enabling farmers to move produce to markets. This challenge, linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, provided students with real-world context to their learning, illustrating how science and technology can benefit communities. Teamwork and problem solving were evident across the department, and all students achieved their Bronze CREST awards as a result of their work.

The mathematics of juggling wowed students as Dr Colin Wright, an acclaimed mathematician demonstrated the patterns and skills of juggling while at the same time developing a simple method of mathematically describing and annotating a class of

First Formers journeyed into space, better understanding the solar system by visiting our inflatable planetarium where they soared past planets and headed out for an amazing view of the stars. They also worked in teams to fulfil the challenge to keep

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a rocket in the air for the longest period of time. After a period of collaborative designing and building where they considered factors such as optimum mass, balance and fin design, the classes headed out to Broadfield lawn to launch the rockets. Needless to say, it was rather competitive and some truly superb flights were achieved.

teams building burglar alarms, completing forensic food tests and using experimental observations to identify the metal compounds. Assisted by Lower Sixth Form House leadership teams, they raced against the clock in a close competition where Bird were the victors.

“What If ?” asked the Third Form of staff and Sixth Formers on futuristic and unusual scientific ideas, ranging from the possibility of time travel and faster than light travel through materials which move without contact and stealth technology, to medical robotics and the potential for a Day After Tomorrow style climatic event. Students used these talks and their own knowledge as inspiration for brilliant creative writing with the English department. From short stories about mass extinctions and robotics to poems about alien visitations and dramatic artwork, the quality of work was superb.

The week ended with staff and students sharing their favourite scientific concepts at our Super Thank Science It’s (TSI) Friday, and our inaugural inter-House science competition. This fastpaced practical challenge saw Second and Third Form House

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MINI PLANT TOUR

Members of the Lower Sixth Form with interests in careers related to design and engineering visited the BMW Group site, Plant Oxford. This site has been associated with car manufacturing for over 100 years and it was the home of the original Mini from 1959 to 2000.

The day began at the Mini Visitor Centre and the group was given a guided tour of two different areas of the largest car manufacturing facility in the UK. At the start of the process, we saw individual pressed steel parts being manipulated and welded together entirely by robots with very little need for human invention. Later, we saw the painted car bodies being mated with the power train, interior, wheels and trim etc.

Finally, after final tests and quality control checks had been made, we saw the cars being driven off the end of the production line, with a honk of the horn, at a rate of one every minute.

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ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISE CLUB

“This is truly an incredible opportunity, and we can’t thank you enough for giving these kids a chance – it has been a reallife learning in just so many ways!!”

RGS Parent Two budding sets of Lower School entrepreneurs set up their businesses at the Children’s Business Fair in Guildford. Jimit G and Cupz Cookies sold out, did a roaring trade and made a good profit. The judges credited their "good knowledge of finances", "great enthusiasm" and "excellent ability at drawing people in". Their advice to other entrepreneurs: be brave and give it a go!

Anya H and Cynthia Z's Henna Hut sold Henna tattoos and bookmarks. Judges commented on the redesign of their stand to put their primary service up front as well as the "beautiful henna designs" and "lovely bookmarks". Lots of people were seen proudly wearing their beautiful henna designs on the High Street.

Third Form students Ethan, Luca, Lucas and Rob and their company La’Ourse embraced the Young Enterprise 10X challenge with the creation of their beanie hats. They did a fantastic job of designing a unique brand, made a good profit and gained skills in marketing and product design. They enjoyed becoming entrepreneurs, thrived at making money independently and are considering new product lines.

Second Form students took part in a fun and engaging morning of enterprise, tasked with revolutionising the breakfast food industry by coming up with an innovative, customer-focused breakfast product. Considering consumer trends for cost saving, health, sustainability and developing Insta-worthy products students came up with a range of ideas ranging from growing your own breakfast and bento boxes to apps and breakfast in a tablet for busy people! They put together business plans and developed their creativity, organisation, team-working and communication skills whilst also having fun!

ELECTIVE – BUSINESS WITH A PURPOSE AND COFFEE SHOP Fourth Formers have been working on developing a social enterprise concept. This has involved identifying a clear purpose or cause and developing a product or service concept to support it. Causes addressed through business included healthy eating, inequality, the environment, access to period products, anxiety in adults, and bringing football to less advantaged communities.

ECONOMICS

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ixth Form Economics students have been studying the subject in the context of a dynamic macroeconomic environment, providing numerous exciting and challenging opportunities to contextualise their learning.

Lively topical discussions this term have centred around: The banking crises and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse - are financial markets really more resilient since 2008? Have we learnt anything?

The Economics of Glastonbury.

The cost-of-living crisis - what are the causes, what are the impacts and what are the policy responses?

How high will interest rates go?

Should we care that UK debt has exceeded GDP? Is the promised electric vehicle revolution working, or is it an example of government failure? Can consumers be persuaded to switch?

What impact will the Vodafone 3 merger have on the industry and its consumers?

How can the UK recover its relatively low trend rate of growth caused by low investment and high inactivity rates?

Are windfall taxes, price caps and energy support schemes effective forms of intervention in the energy market?

EXTERNAL SPEAKER Ian Harwood, Reigatian, spoke to Economics students about his book How to be a successful economist and the wealth of career opportunities available to students through the study of economics.

Ian was first enthused by Economics during his A Level studies here at RGS and went on to study the subject further at Bristol and Cambridge before embarking on a career in the field of economic analysis of the global economy and financial markets.

He spoke about his love of the subject, its relevance to our lives, and the essential skills tool kit required for further study and work in economics-based careers.

Ian very kindly donated a copy of his book to the school library.

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MUSIC

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So many concerts in so many places! Our Leavers’ Orchestral Concert was at St Matthew’s Church, Redhill with soloists accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra.

The evening also saw premières of the Upper Sixth Form A Level musicians’ composition coursework – with pieces written for piano and string quartet.

We hosted our regular informal concerts, plus a vocal showcase of stunning performances whilst the Junior Unplugged concert welcomed an acoustic guitar and string quartet accompaniment.

It has been fantastic to see so many confident musicians in the Lower School – the future is truly exciting!

The RGS Godfrey Searle Choir was part of a community evensong at Beaumont Nursing Home. The term ended with Hartsfest – and what an epic way to end the year! With nearly three hours of music, every ensemble in RGS taking part, a host of soloists, nearly 100 musicians from local primary schools, as well as the 40-strong Parents’ Choir, the evening was a true celebration of music and the power music offers to bring people together. What a wonderful way to end the academic year!

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HARTSFEST This year’s RGS Hartsfest was a culmination of a year’s worth of music from our wonderfully talented students. Performances from each of our ensembles, featuring students from every year group from the First Form to the Upper Sixth Forms playing everything from Gloria Gaynor to Henry Mancini and Elgar to Nina Simone. We were delighted to welcome the RGS CCF Corps of Drums who opened and closed the evening, in addition to our Music Partnership Choir comprising students from RSM, St John’s Primary School and Lime Tree Primary School, and our new Parent Choir which started this year.

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RGS IN CONCERT

QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL

Little did we know, when our scheduled Southbank debut could not go ahead in 2020, that it would be so long before we were able to return, a fact that made this year's evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall all the more special.

For students at RGS music is an integral part of school life. Every week the Music department hosts in excess of three hundred instrumental and vocal lessons plus over thirty ensemble rehearsals involving more than two hundred students. The First and Second Form regularly engage in whole class singing as part of their academic music provision alongside the development of their composition and appraisal skills, performing in concerts and church assemblies.

We take care to create an inclusive environment where the talents and needs of the individual are nurtured and developed across a range of disciplines and musical genres, making efforts to ensure there is something for everyone. We are passionate in our belief that music is crucial to the development of young people: to their creativity and self-expression, to the development of their teamwork and problem-solving skills, their attention to detail, self-discipline, and resilience. These are powerful attributes in many areas of life and ones which we hope will stay with them.

We are immensely proud of all that our students achieve, something which was apparent at this event. The programme featured a range of repertoire from Reigate Grammar School’s large instrumental ensembles and choirs. We also extend a warm welcome to students from Reigate St Mary’s School and Lime Tree Primary School, one of our Music Partnership Schools, as well as our newly-established RGS Parent and Staff Choir.

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STUDENT FOCUS

ZAC S

Musician When did you first discover your passion for music?

It was during a taster session at junior school. The first time I heard the flute, I loved the sound that was created so I signed up for lessons and have loved it ever since. Coming from a family with little musical background, I’m passionate about opening music up to younger audiences, regardless of background and experience. With the National Youth Orchestra winter course, we went into schools in Oldham, leading interactive workshops and a side-by-side orchestra. With these experiences of working with students, it showed me what joy and happiness music can bring to everyone.

What have you enjoyed most about your musical journey?

The opportunities to play in orchestras such as NYO, NCO, NYCB, EYSM, ESO and principal flute of Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra, have been amazing. Orchestral music is so exciting and I have been lucky to play at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall as well as touring across Europe. This has created opportunities to play with soloists such as Anna Lapwood and Fenella Humphries. Playing a solo at the Purcell Room in a national musical celebration concert was such a memorable experience. Whilst also loving playing the flute, I’ve developed a passion for conducting and enjoyed the opportunity of conducting the school Symphony Orchestra at QEH last year and with NCO at Birmingham Town Hall.

On top of music, I also do some school sports including rugby, hockey and cricket as well as enjoying public speaking including at open mornings. I think it’s important to have a balanced life and I particularly enjoy having a busy schedule as it motivates me to be as efficient and productive as possible.

What or who motivates you to succeed and flourish musically?

My flute teacher, Tina, has been amazing to me. She gives up so much of her time to teach me and offer advice. She’s been so inspiring. My mum has also been amazing, from offering me advice at home from an audience’s perspective, to driving me to all of my rehearsals! Musically, I particularly love the flautist, Emmanuel Pahud; the contrasting colours of sound he creates are beautiful to listen to. I also admire the conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Claudio Abbado – they conduct with a massive amount of style and flair.

How do you prepare for performances? Any nerves?

When I started performing, I’d certainly get nervous. Performing in front of large audiences was something I’d never done before.

However, as I have gained experience, I have found ways to deal with nerves. I find that performing is such an exciting opportunity, because you are telling a story to the audience through expression and emotion.

What are you most proud of achieving this year?

I’ve loved the opportunity to play with the NYO in their winter tour - it was an amazing couple of weeks with such a high standard of playing, as well as making so many new friends. I also had the opportunity to widen the accessibility of music, participating in a Q&A with musicians in Liverpool as well as going into schools in Oldham - it was such an exciting time. I loved playing with the English School’s Orchestra representing RGS, playing Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at Cadogan Hall, including in front of John Major. A memorable recent highlight is spending two weeks on placement with leading music management agency Harrison Parrott with the opportunity to work with many new and established professional performers and composers. I discovered new musical styles that I never thought would be of interest to me.

What does practice consist of?

Life is hectic! With weekends covering orchestra rehearsals, flute lessons and flute ensembles, it can seem hard to fit in all my musical commitments. However, one thing I’ve learned is if you plan your time well around practice and performance, you can be really efficient with your time. Just like a revision session, some sessions of practice may not be as productive as others, depending on state of mind and emotions. Happily there is always flexibility in your schedule. In a typical practice session, I start with tonal exercises, followed by focus on technique. From then, I start focusing on certain pieces and orchestral excerpts.

Do you have any tips for other students who may be struggling to balance their schedule?

My advice would be to plan your days really wisely. Make a list of what you have on, what you want to get through in a day and then stick to it! However, be prepare - with the nature of school life and other commitments, you’re likely to have to flexible in dealing with these commitments. Do not remove co-curricular activities to focus on exams – they give you a focused separation away from the rigours of academic work. It can seem hard, however the rewards that you can get from other commitments and academically are amazing.

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WILL L

Singing When did you first discover your passion for singing?

Music has always been around me - I grew up listening to my sister and dad singing in choirs. My first choir was in Tokyo when I was six. At eight, we relocated to Singapore and I joined a choir there. Under the choir mistress who is also one of my singing teachers, I had opportunities to perform in productions and singing performances at both small and large venues. At age nine I had my first solo part as Mole in The Wind in the Willows by John Rutter in the iconic Esplanade concert hall and I really enjoyed it.

Then before relocating to the UK, I was one of four children in a music video about mental health for the Singapore government.

Filming at the airport with local celebrities was really exciting. I have always enjoyed singing but I believe my musical experiences in Singapore gave me an interest and passion for it.

What have you enjoyed most about your musical journey?

The process of working with other singers and conductors while preparing for productions and concerts. Practice is hard but it is rewarding. Learning different types of music is fun, like choral, art songs, opera, and music from different countries. Pronunciation is tricky but I have enjoyed singing in French and Italian and currently I am practicing Japanese and Chinese songs for a cultural exchange concert in Japan with my Singapore choir this winter. Singing gives me opportunities to visit different places and its is nice to see people enjoy music as much as I do.

How do you prepare for performances? Any nerves?

I don’t get nervous because I’ve been trained to sing in choirs and learned from a tough experience I had last summer. I was one of the winners of a music competition in Salzburg with other performers from around the world and that was the first time I was terrified to perform. I lost confidence in singing and struggled for a while. However, I participated in the school Cabaret Night, singing a solo and as a backing singer and had fun being a part of it. Also, my school choir mistress and my singing teachers encouraged me through this time. I always analyse my singing and if I mentally prepare by imagining the size of the stage and how I want to deliver the song beforehand it helps.

What does practise consist of?

I have a weekly vocal lesson with each of my two singing teachers. My local teacher helps me with preparation for singing exams and technique. I have an online lesson with my teacher in Singapore and she teaches me a wide range of music as well as technique and expression. I also have choir practice most days before or after school to prepare for Matins and Evensong.

What are your ambitions for the future?

To be honest, I am not sure what my direction is yet. I’ll continue playing cricket and carry on singing but I may be inspired by other experiences.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by many people but in music, I am a member of the RGS Godfrey Searle Choir singing with professional singers who have very rich voices that inspire me. Also, my singing teacher in Singapore who is an opera singer and is energetic, artistic and gives joy to people though music. I listen to a wide range of music; I like pop but mainly classic and jazz. The King’s Singers are my favourite and I hope to see them perform someday.

What are you most proud of achieving this year?

I performed my first opera The Magic Flute by Mozart as the First Genie at Esplanade concert hall in Singapore during the Easter break. Also, I passed Trinity Grade 7 singing with a distinction.

What do you do when you’re not singing or studying?

My other passion is playing cricket and I really enjoyed playing in matches, training, going to camps, and practicing with my friends at the nets all though the summer.

During the off season, I train but I would love to play rugby and ultimate Frisbee at school if I don’t have choir rehearsals.

How do you balance academic work and singing? Any tips for other students who may be in a similar situation?

I have two instrument lessons, cricket training and try to be involved with school sports so I need to organize my academic work in addition to my singing commitments. I just finished First Form and gradually adjusted to the balance though the year. I had to prepare for performances when I had homework or school exams and it was not easy. I do not have a special tip but I’ll get the least favourite things done first and practice. Luckily, I do not need to carry around my instrument, so I also listen to music and practice in the car during school runs.

What would you say is the best thing about RGS? I love sports at RGS and learned how to play ultimate Frisbee, competing in a national tournament. I also enjoy the music opportunities. The Music department arranged a tour visiting Ely and Peterborough cathedrals and had a punting tour in Cambridge last year and Barcelona this autumn. These experiences with my friends are great fun as well as satisfying my cultural curiosity.

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WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES For Empathy Week the school was invited to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, and we made our very own Empathy Museum, turning the Old Library into a giant shoebox. The immersive exhibit held a diverse collection of shoes and audio stories exploring our shared humanity, from a refugee to a nurse in the NHS to somebody with a disability.

Developing empathy is not only important to encourage understanding in us all, being able to see the world as others see it, but also vital for our social awareness and to develop better communication and relationships with others. Barack Obama, former US President said, “The biggest deficit that we have in our society and in the world right now is an empathy deficit. We are in great need of people being able to stand in somebody else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes.”

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“The RGS empathy project helped me learn about different people and their experiences.

I also enjoyed the process of interviewing a family member and being able to find out more about their life.”

Bella D First Form

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LIFE CHANGING JOURNEY A

I decided I wanted to take part in some volunteering abroad to experience different parts of the world and to help in some way. I discovered the American Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) programme which specialises in volunteering across the world for 14–18-year-olds. I thought this would be a great opportunity to see a different part of the world to and broaden my understanding of how countries are affected by global warming and rising sea levels. To pay for my trip, I got a job at Courtyard Marriott, Gatwick as a waitress. I was able to earn enough money to go and as a bonus, made long lasting friendships with my colleagues.

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I joined the GLA online and went through video calls and information evenings which only heightened my excitement.

The team at GLA made sure that my parents were assured of my safety and promised they would be there every step of the way.

I chose to go to Costa Rica on a two-week marine-based programme which focused on turtle welfare and helping specific communities in Montezuma or Parrita. I was one of 24 students from America, Spain and Canada. This was an amazing experience because I was able to get to know fascinating people from so many places in the world and I made lifelong friends.

During our two weeks we travelled to different locations to take part in many activities such as planting 200 almond/coconut trees along the beach line, releasing 50 baby sea turtles into the ocean, completing night patrol, clearing micro-plastics off the beach, filling sandbags to place on the shoreline and building sea turtle baskets to keep the eggs safe. These activities were very interesting and worthwhile and we were able to learn about how all these acts of service would contribute to helping nearby communities and marine life. I really enjoyed planting the trees and it was clear how previous students’ trees had helped the soil become healthier, demonstrating that even though our acts weren’t very visible at the start, in the future they would be very beneficial.

COSTA RICA

The programme ran a session every evening in which we would learn about an aspect of Costa Rican heritage and the values the programme wanted to project. They believed in inspiring the new generation to realise their potential to transform the world and their role in it. The sense of community was heart-warming and, because of this, everyone became close making it extremely hard to say goodbye to this magical place that they have created.

However, we were also able to witness the less fortunate side of Costa Rica and saw how many people live in upsetting conditions but still live selflessly in order to help their communities.

From getting a job to saying goodbye to the amazing people I met on the trip, this was a once in a lifetime experience and one that I enjoyed throughout. It has changed me as a person and given me a new perspective on the world.

Tyra L

Tyra L

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HOUSE NEWS The House calendar has once again seen an action-packed schedule with events taking place across the school and participation reaching record levels – clearly everyone (including the staff!) wants to play their part in giving their House the best chance at winning the cup.

The competition runs from Easter to Easter. The summer term is particularly sporty, kicking off with House Swimming and culminating in the summer extravaganza which is Sports Day. In between we saw House Football for boys and, for the first-time girls, which saw an amazing turnout. House Golf and House Cricket also proved popular and ever competitive. Alongside the sporting events, talented speakers debated on topics such

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as leisure flights and the monarchy in the Junior Debating competition. The House Tug of War, Junior House Quiz and Esports competitions rounded off the term and school year nicely.

With all of the points added up, checked and verified, standings going into the autumn term are: 1st BIRD 2nd CRANSTON 3rd HODGSON 4th WILLIAMSON With two full terms left and a vast number and huge variety of ways for all to participate and contribute, it’s all still to play for.

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HOUSE SPORTS DAY R EI G AT E G R A M M A R SC H OO L

House Sports Day: A day of fun, unity, and remarkable achievements; a day filled with thrilling sports competitions. The atmosphere was electric, radiating with enthusiasm, inclusivity, celebration, and unwavering support for one another.

The day commenced with a bang as colourful smoke bombs representing each House filled the air, signalling the official start of the event. In the morning, First and Second Form students showcased their athletic prowess on the track, participating in a wide range of athletics events. Many remarkable performances unfolded, with Second Form student Will M achieving outstanding results in the sprint double, and First Form student Noelle C setting a new school record in the 200m, both capturing the attention of the crowd.

Meanwhile, Third and Fourth Form students engaged in team sports contests, competing for their respective Houses in rounders, tennis, ultimate Frisbee and cricket in round-robin tournaments. The morning was brimming with excitement as students demonstrated their skills and strategic prowess.

Following a well-deserved lunch break during which students enjoyed picnics and cooled down with delicious House coloured ice lollies, the activities swapped for the First and Second Form students. They eagerly joined the team sports tournaments, some venturing into new sports for the very first time. Throughout the grounds, the atmosphere buzzed with encouragement, healthy competition, and pure enjoyment.

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As the afternoon progressed, the track events intensified, with several extraordinary performances taking centre stage. One stand out moment, witnessed by approximately 150 students, was the awe-inspiring achievement of Third Form student Bruno R, who shattered the school record in the high jump.

Remarkably, Bruno had set a school record in the same event in the Second Form. Soaring to an incredible height of 1.72m, he surpassed the previous record by an astounding 5cm.

RGS House Sports Day 2023 showcased the best of teamwork, sportsmanship, and individual achievements, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the school community. It was a day where students embraced challenges, celebrated successes, and created lasting memories. How will we top this next year?

Youtube House Sports Day

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RGS EARTHSHOT AND SUSTAINABILITY RGS EARTHSHOT LECTURE SERIES AND COMPETITIONS The RGS Earthshot competition to Design the best use of an item which could have been thrown away encouraged innovative and creative thinking. The two winners were Sixth Form student Rebecca W for making a top from her dads recycled shirts and First Former Charlotte P for designing a compost bin using recycled broken fence panels from Storm Eunice.

During activities week we launched the RGS Earthshot Workshop which welcomed students from local primary schools including Chipstead Valley School, St John's Primary School and Wray Common Primary School for a day full of sustainability related activities including upcycling plastic bottles into some beautiful canvases of sea turtles and jellyfish, as well as lots of fun quizzes and planning to become even more sustainable!

Students enjoyed several talks over the term as part of the The RGS Earthshot Lecture Series including a talk by Reigatian and former Head Boy Simon Virley about renewable energy and our impact on our environment. Claire Sammons-Evans, Sustainability Lead at The Prevented Ocean Plastic Research Centre in London gave a fascinating talk entitled Revive Our Oceans: The value of plastic and how the Prevented Ocean Plastic programme is more than just a global cleanup operation. Professor Klaus Dodds from Royal Holloway University also joined us for a lecture on A new Cold War? Why the Antarctic is on the brink of an international power struggle. Students and parents from RGS, Reigate College and Reigate School enjoyed a fascinating insight into the challenges facing this fragile environment particularly around issues of global governance.

RGS SUSTAINABILITY ECO ROUNDUP RGS recently achieved an Eco-Schools Green Flag with Merit. This organisation celebrates and recognises schools across the UK which dedicate themselves to improving the their carbon footprint as well as shaping their students to care about the planet. The award recognises RGS's efforts in improving its local community and taking proactive steps to safeguard our planet.

COMMITMENT TO REDUCING WASTE Working alongside our caterers, Chartwells Independent, RGS committed to reducing single-use items, removing takeaway boxes and cups. The Sixth Form café is plastic free, encouraging reusable bottles. Our vision is for no single use items in school, with the support of our staff and students.

New bins which separate landfill, recycling and food waste have been installed with students creating advertising to remind students of the importance of separating waste to minimise our impact on our planet.

RGS WILDER Tabitha B and Sarah K collected the Wilder Schools Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their efforts for nature in the school grounds.

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USE CYCLE

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RGS SPORT At RGS, our foundation for fostering engagement lies within our Games Lessons. They serve as the gateway for all students to connect with sports. Recently, we've introduced a student-driven approach to physical education, starting from the Third to Fifth Form. Students now have the autonomy to determine their preferred intensity level using a chilli heat scale. This innovation has resulted in a more concentrated effort, increased activity levels and greater control over their physical education journey.

Our Games programme is based on a traditional model, offering team sports to all. Yet, our commitment to diversity allows us to supplement this program with individual and active/lifestyle sports and activities. As students progress into the Sixth Form, the program becomes entirely student-driven, allowing them to

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select their preferred sport or activity. The options for Autumn 2023 in the Sixth Form are diverse, including activities like yoga, dance, open fitness sessions, and spin bike classes, all based on feedback from recent student panel sessions.

Beyond regular school hours, our after-school clubs and activities program extends the opportunities provided by our games programme. We now offer over 60 weekly sports clubs where students can further cultivate their passion for sport and physical activities.

Recognizing the desire of many students to engage in competitive sports, we actively encourage all to represent RGS during their time here. We organise fixtures and competitions within our House community and collaborate with local schools to provide platforms for our athletes to showcase their skills.

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PERFORMANCE SPORT To support Sports Scholars and students with the highest sporting potential, RGS Sport has a number of opportunities available. The Sports Scholars programme provides mentoring, bespoke athletic development and skill development sessions.

Older students have the opportunity to use lesson-free periods to train during the day. Our popular High Performance Mondays talks include topics such as Arousal Control, Fuelling for Performance and Sleep Hygiene, all designed to inform, educate and equip students on how to get the most from their sporting endeavours.

A programme of visiting speakers on wider areas such as

equality and diversity, modern masculinity and sports psychology complement these on a half-termly basis.

Our RGS Sport Academies provide high quality training in golf, tennis and swimming for those athletes aspiring to competitive or sub-elite status. These connect RGS students and staff with experts in the local area to maximise training time in small groups, where individual development and personal achievements are prioritised.

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CRICKET BOYS CRICKET The 1st XI boys had a spectacular season! Victories over Alleyn’s, Eltham College and St John’s Leatherhead built good momentum followed by more success against Emanuel and St George’s Weybridge for an undefeated season start. A tour to Ryde with Upper Chine on the Isle of Wight was enjoyed by all and preceded further victories against Caterham, Old Reigatians, Churcher’s College and Langley Park.

The season culminated with a tough contest against the MCC and a two-day game against Lord Wandsworth College, a fantastic opportunity for our boys to play a new format.

The junior and inter boys’ teams had good seasons and enjoyed successful runs in their respective County Cups.

GIRLS CRICKET The extensive girls cricket programme saw weekly hard-ball sides from each age group. All junior and inter teams enjoyed successful runs in their County Cups and, for the very first time, the senior girls enjoyed a festival atmosphere playing against a Surrey Cricket Foundation (MCC) at Hartswood.

Over 80 children from local primary schools received coaching from the Surrey Cricket Foundation showcasing RGS Girls' Cricket in front of hundreds of visitors.

PRE-SEASON CRICKET TOUR 2023 TO UAE The UAE cricket tour was a great success with plenty of cricket, cultural activities and fun - building a team. Relaxation with a strong sense of coming together as a squad.

The first match was against the Zayed Cricket Academy on the Mohan Oval with the Zayed Stadium right next door. A tough day at the office saw some resilience from Harrison L with a hard fought 48. After the game the boys enjoyed a stadium tour and watched the Six Nations rugby on a big screen with some top level Padel going on at the same time!

The next day saw a cultural visit to the Grand Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabians' incredible feat of engineering and a humbling 83

place to spend some time. The next stage of the tour was Dubai with time around Dubai Creek and the Souks before a second match at The Sevens Stadium, the base of the international touring 7s programme. Against a strong RGS Lancaster side, Reigate put together a bowling and fielding performance that was full of energy and hard work with a half century from Ben W. After the match, we headed to Dubai Mall for the evening and watched the lights and fountain show under the spectacular Burg Khalifa.

The following day the team was fortunate to play at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium versus fellow touring side, King’s School, Canterbury. RGS bowled first and took hold of the

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BOYS' JERSEY TOUR

GIRLS' JERSEY TOUR

The U13 boys’ squad set out with a mission to retain the RGS De La Salle trophy whilst participating in matches against clubs, schools and the Jersey Island XI. The boys succeeded on the field, displaying excellent team and individual performances but also spent time at the beach, at the water park, explored St Helier, took part in the tour quiz and most importantly made lasting memories and team spirit.

The RGS Jersey Cricket tour has been running for over 40 years and this year, for the first time, we took a girls-only group. With outstanding cricketing talent on show, the touring party excelled on the pitch. Particular mention goes to Lauren P who scored a 50 on day 2. Special mention goes to the three Second Formers (Charlotte P, Lexie J and Jennifer L) who were superb both on and off the field.

contest from the outset and then produced one of the finest batting displays in RGS history. Tommy B, Rohan K and Alex B contributed in half-century partnerships with Ben W who finished 86 not out, carrying his bat to get the boys over the line with 17 overs to go with only 4 wickets down. A fine display and an exciting prospect for the upcoming season.

On Thursday, we visited the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis on the Palm in Dubai and in the evening were joined by the Headmaster to enjoy an RGS Foundation event at Lah Lah Restaurant in Dubai where a number of Reigatians based in the UAE provided students with a fantastic opportunity to network and develop contacts. It was a great example of the RGS global

village and the importance of the Reigatian network.

On the final days we played three T20s against Dubai cricket academies with perfect levels of development and challenge providing the tourists with opportunities to hone their skills and spend valuable time preparing for the upcoming summer season.

Half centuries in the games were scored by Tommy B, Alex B, Jack S and James C. The tour concluded with a desert safari, riding camels, boarding sand dunes, a falconry display, and UAE cultural entertainment.

Youtube Tour Highlights 84

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HOCKEY UPDATE Like all sports at RGS, Hockey focuses on participation as well as performance. Every student receives coaching from our international players and the chance to play for the school thanks to the addition of E and F teams.

The girls' U13A team won their county tournament providing optimism as they step up to full format 11-a-side games. The boys had good cup runs in both the England Hockey and the Independent Schools Hockey Cup (ISHC).

The U19s boys had a great run, getting to the U19 ISHC Plate semi-finals: the furthest an RGS team has reached in this boys’ age group. The U13s went one better, reaching finals day of the ISHC Plate - a first for the boys, who are now emulating the girls at this age group who have reached the finals in four consecutive years. Some very able players, including some First Form boys took the opportunity to play in this full day against opposition from across the country.

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In the summer term, Mrs Wickham and Mr Taylor, who brings all his experience from England squad training, ran sessions for students going on to trials for county or talent academies. Older students who are already in talent academies played in the Academy Festival at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, a highly regarded competition where academy teams have the chance to showcase their skills for England selectors. Reigatians: Sam A (Surbiton) and Freddie H (East Grinstead) were in winning teams.

Alex B (Epsom) became a National Champion in Indoor Hockey and many of the U15 and U16 girls played for a Reigate Priory Hockey team who were National Champions.

In August, the U16 girls’ pre-season tour to Maastricht in Holland was a huge success with much to take home; and planning for the Boys’ tour to Barcelona in 2024 and junior tours for boys and girls in the year ahead is very much underway.

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HOCKEY

our Performance Sport INTERNATIONAL Supporting Programme, RGS Hartswood hosted the International Hockey Exhibition. We EXHIBITION RGS welcomed seven current senior international MATCH players from England, New Zealand and

Scotland. During an action packed afternoon and evening the international players joined our Performance boys’ and girls’ squads to create two all-star teams, producing an incredible Hockey spectacle.

Youtube Exhibition Highlights

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RUGBY

March brought about a super busy but thoroughly enjoyable Sevens season. The growth of the girls' programme continued with this year being the first outing of the RGS U15 side. We held a girls' development day in partnership with Ultimate Rugby Sevens (UR7s) at RGS Hartswood with over 100 girls participating.

Youtube Rugby Sevens Development Day The boys' teams saw some stand out performances in their county tournaments. The U14s were runners up in the Surrey Plate while the U12s won their group and progressed to the top tier round-robin. All other year groups progressed well over the season, most notably the U16s who had a tough Surrey festival but produced some excellent performances at the Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet Sevens as well as at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens.

Five teams entered the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, each of which produced some outstanding play. The 1st VII missed out on day two by just 3 points. The U15 girls, in their

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first appearance at the competition, played four and won two.

The U14s had an excellent experience, winning their group with victories against Sherbourne, Manchester Grammar, Dulwich College and Berkhamsted putting them through to the most challenging of groups with Sedbergh (eventual winners) and Warwick (semi-finalists). The U18 girls finished the week in style, progressing to the semi-final of the bowl competition with several girls playing their first ever tournament.

The highlight of the Sevens season was our own Invitational Junior Sevens. 48 teams attended with over 500 students playing. Our U12s and U14s progressed to the semi-final of the Plate competition. The day itself was superb, with excellent weather allowing for some fast-flowing rugby.

Summer 2023 marked an unforgettable journey to South Africa on a compelling rugby tour. Cape Town's monumental Table Mountain signalled the start of our expedition, followed by stints at Cape Point and Stellenbosch, sparking an insatiable thirst for knowledge and cultural immersion. The fierce rugby battles in the Western Cape were unforgettable, with each match yielding lifelong friendships beyond the scoreboards. We

ultimately tested our limits with a mesmerizing safari north of Pretoria, regaled with sights of four of the Big Five, minus the elusive leopard, adding to the adventure.

A highlight of our tour for many was the heartfelt connection with Strand Sekonder, a local school we've been closely aligned with in previous tours. Embracing the opportunity to give back, our students fully immersed themselves in charity work.

This noble venture saw them donate essential resources and spending priceless moments with the students. This was more than a visit; it was a chance for our students to realize the impact they can make while forming lasting bonds and shared experiences, the echoes of which went beyond the rugby field and the confines of our tour.

The flavour-rich South African cuisine added to our cultural exploration, creating a symphony of gastronomic delight.

This tour was much more than a rugby journey; it was an incredible story of sportsmanship, learning, charity, and cultural immersion.

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ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY A successful Cross Country season concluded with the Junior Boys reaching the Cross Country Cup national finals, Lucy D and Lara G representing Surrey at the ESAA national Cross Country Championships in Nottingham (Lara G was part of the Junior Girls gold medal winning team) and Wilfred H, Benji H, Findlay W, Florence T and Florence S competing for Surrey Year 7s in the Inter County Championships in Kent. Wilfred H placed 1st, Benji H 5th and all three boys brought Surrey home to win gold.

The spring term ended on a high with the First Form girls and boys taking the title of County Sportshall Athletics Champions.

The English Schools Track and Field Cup is an exciting team competition where each athlete competes in two events: track and relay or field and relay. Over 40 RGS athletes achieved personal best times or distances in the preliminary round and the Junior Girls (JG) Junior Boys (JB) and Intermediate Boys (IB) reached the regional finals in Gillingham where the Junior Girls came 1st and the Junior Boys placed 3rd - 34 personal best times or distances were bettered on the day.

At the Year 9-11 District Athletics Championships at K2 Crawley, RGS girls achieved overall 1st place and the boys came 2nd.

Congratulations to all medallists especially those who took Gold: Savannah N (IG 200m), Bruno R (JB High Jump), Victor B (JB Discus).

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It was a scorching day for our senior athletes selected to compete at the Wier Archer Stadium in the Surrey Schools County Athletics Championships. Congratulations to Ben H for becoming IB 400m Hurdles County Champion. Michael R took a second off his personal best time in the heats to qualify for the JB 300m final. Bruno R jumped a new PB of 1.67m to win bronze in the JB high jump (a few days later he soared over 1.70m) and Victor B threw a PB in the JB discus, winning a bronze medal.

We welcomed fifteen schools to RGS Hartswood for the Year 7 District Athletics Championships - it was wonderful to see so many students enjoy a competitive afternoon of action-packed events on the track and field and we were incredibly proud of our girls’ and boys’ teams for becoming District Athletics Champions with gold medal winning performances from: Maja B (hurdles); Florence T (800m); Tomoya F (discus) and Wilfred H (800m). The scores were incredibly tight with the girls’ result coming down to the final 4x100m relay: they won by just one point. The boys’ competition was almost as close: they secured the win by just two points and, fittingly, Will M brought the relay team home in first position after he won the sprint double in the 100m and 200m (earlier in the season he jumped 5.53m, setting a new school record for U13 boys' long jump). Alongside Will, team captains added to the collection of gold medals: Heather K (Hurdles & 200m), Josh E (1500m) and Lara G. (1500m).

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SWIMMING AND BIATHLON Students have embraced swimming as an integral part of their weekly routine, with a significant number participating in early morning training sessions. This unwavering commitment to excellence has played a pivotal role in the RGS swimming programme's continued ascent.

Students from the Third to Upper Sixth Forms attended the Olympic Park U18 National Independent Schools Bath Cup. The boys’ team of Noah DT, Keiron A, Elis K and Seb H achieved some great times to place 28th in the big school competition; and in the Medley Seb H, Elis K, Keiron A and Luca M placed 33rd, doing very well in a big field of competitors. The girls’ team was again successful despite being a young team. They reached both finals and placed 5th in freestyle (Eva M, Emi W, Gabi H and Savannah N) and 10th in the medley (Eva M, Megan R, Savannah N and Gabi H).

The RGS Individual Swimming Cup for First, Third and Fourth Forms resulted in many close races and quick swims. Ryan D in the First Form broke the 25m freestyle record in a time of 14.13s.

Congratulations to the cup winners: First Form: Ryan D, Sophie C Third Form: Poppy S, Will F Fourth Form: Sam A, Savannah N Throughout the autumn and spring terms, our U12-U18 boys' and girls' teams have consistently demonstrated their prowess, competing in a multitude of events including regular galas and county-level competitions. The culture of RGS swimming is

flourishing propelled by the relentless dedication of students and staff translating into remarkable achievements. We consistently secure top-tier finishes in the highly competitive Surrey Schools Relay Championships. Congratulations go to Danyal H who came 7th in the Regional 100m breaststroke with a massive PB of over 3 seconds. Swimmers continue to shine on broader stages too, with participation in prestigious events such as the Individual County Championships. Moreover, numerous RGS swimmers continue to make their mark on the national stage by advancing to the finals of the National Biathlon competition.

National Biathlon Championships Gabi H (U17) and Eva M (U19) both won gold this year! Eva, representing RGS for the last time having competed for RGS since First Form. Both Gabi and Eva are on the Pentathlon GB talent pathway and continue to have numerous successes whilst staying incredibly humble about their successes. Notable successes are: Fourth Form – Megan R 26th; Savannah N 29th; Third Form: Rithika K 21st; Second Form: Chloe W 27th and Gabi F 34th; First Form: Florence S 19th, Sophie C 37th, Christobel P 45th and Charlotte D 80th. Florence, Sophie and Christobel also placed 8th as a team.

The First Form boys won a bronze team medal after Matthew B, Lucian W and Harry K's points were added up. RGS also achieved 8th position with the B team which included Spyros P, Laith W and Hugo F. Second Form students Danyal H and Lawrence Y placed 12th and 32nd and Fourth Form student Sam A placed 13th. A very successful day for the boys.

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NETBALL The 2023 season has been a whirlwind of excitement and achievement, with 25 teams and over 135 fixtures showing the popularity of this sport at RGS. In the spirit of adaptability and innovation, we have revamped the programme this year to focus on some new areas. Our journey is marked by two pillars: performance netball where we compete in national competitions against some of the top schools, and our steadfast belief that any girl can. We are proud to foster engagement and opportunity, offering every girl with the desire to represent her school the chance to do so. This season, our games afternoon structure prioritised inclusivity, ensuring that every student had the chance to access expert coaching. From our performance squads to recreational players, each group enjoyed the guidance of a specialist coach.

The Seniors, captained by the indomitable Lauren D, displayed remarkable prowess, making it to round three of both the Independent Schools Netball Competition (ISNC) and Sisters n Sport cup with victory against local rivals St John’s along the way. The B and C teams enjoyed a successful term with tense matches against Gordons and Wimbledon High.

The U16s made impressive strides this season, highlighted by a remarkable win in the Sisters n Sport competition against Colfe’s. A and B team players joined the U18 squads' fixtures, marking the beginning of their transition to senior netball.

The U15s had a sensational season. The A team's journey led them to the semi-finals of the national Plate competition where they put up a fierce fight against Beaconsfield High. Their unwavering determination and progress, both tactically and technically, have been nothing short of spectacular: truly inspiring, with over 65% of girls representing RGS in Saturday fixtures.

The U14s were the most well-represented year group with 70% of the girls donning the school colours. The A team had an outstanding season, progressing to the quarter-finals of the national Plate tournament, where they battled it out in a nail-biting 21-20 loss to Epsom College in a golden goal finish. Their resilience, sportsmanship, and grace in defeat were commendable. The B, C, D, and E teams enjoyed successful seasons with multiple victories. A notable highlight was the C team's win over local rivals Caterham and the B team's victory over Worth.

The U13s displayed commitment, passion, and excellence this season. The A team made it to round 3 in the Sisters n Sport competition, narrowly losing to Priors Field.

Their journey was marked by hard-fought matches, including a memorable victory over Eltham College with a score of 26-23. The B, C, D, and E teams demonstrated remarkable commitment, energy, and a strong willingness to improve.

The U12 A team reached the third round of the Sisters n Sport competition, facing a formidable St Swithun's. The B, C, D, and E teams also had a fantastic year with hardfought victories over Caterham and Hurst. Their training sessions were an absolute delight to witness, with smiles and fun at the core of their activities. These girls possess immense potential, and their dedication and enthusiasm are evident with over 65% of the year group actively participating in the netball program.

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GOLF Golf continues to grow at RGS with the addition of PGA coach Molly Moore. Our partnership with Molly and Reigate Hill Golf Club has been incredibly successful with professional standard coaching now available to students in addition to our junior training opportunities at Pachesham Golf Centre. We now offer a golf club at Reigate St Mary’s School and are hoping to confirm a golf partnership with Chinthurst School in the coming months.

This foundation has proved important both for engaging students in golf and in developing the talented players we already have. Our senior team won the prestigious Smarden Bell Golf Tournament for the second time this year, beating some of the biggest schools in the region. RGS is becoming one the schools to watch and at the time of writing, we are about to play our first world ranking points competition at the Warwickshire Golf Club.

The performance golf pathway at RGS has supported some of our top players to showcase their talents. Katie A (pictured) and Calean D have both played at international level this summer, mixing it with the best from Europe. They are both down to low single-figure handicaps and teamed up to make it to the national finals in the pairs competition during the summer term. They were the only mixed pair in the finals.

RGS Golf’s growth extends to include annual tours, this year to Dorset. This was a great opportunity to play some championship courses and focus on their game in a relaxed environment. This year sees us set our sights on new challenges with more single and pairs national competitions entered and September golf to bolster the playing opportunities for our golfers.

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FOOTBALL Football has exploded at RGS, experiencing the biggest growth of any sport. The junior girls’ teams won their district competitions at two age group levels and the boys 1st XI reached the final of the London and SE Cup, played at AFC Richmond. The cup runs have resulted in a buzz around school with 2023 Captain, Ben Macdonald stating: “We’ve grown and now have the ability to compete with some of the best schools, advancing to cup finals. Each age group has gifted footballers enrolled in foundation and academy programmes at elite southern clubs including Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, AFC Wimbledon and many others. These talented performers are supported through the RGS Football programme which I benefited from as I embarked on my journey towards professional football”.

Professional coaches support the programme along with Head 93

of Football Mr Burgess, while Mr Emmerson runs the highperformance pathways and oversees our top footballers’ support programmes. Football has helped to lead the way with our internal coaching and mentoring programmes, where senior students support junior footballers in their development.

“I have been able to participate in football in ways other than just playing courtesy of the RGS Football programme. Through coaching and officiating, I have had the chance to take part in alternative roles”. (Ben Macdonald) Our partnership with South Park Football Club provides access to a high quality floodlit artificial pitch enabling high quality football training throughout the year. RGS Hartswood dedicates its Northfield to football during the winter and spring terms so that all students have the space and opportunity to play.

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STUDENT FOCUS AMELIE N Football When did you first discover your passion for football?

I joined Oxshott Royals Football club in 2018 when I was eight.

At the time it was our closest girls’ team.

What have you enjoyed most about your sporting journey?

Winning the Surrey League Cup last season. My team has now advanced to U14s, playing 11 a-side. The whole team is moving to Cobham FC where we will be able to use better facilities including a newly built 4G pitch.

How do you prepare for matches? Any nerves?

I don’t really think about it beforehand. In the warm up and match I try to apply what we have learnt in training to match situations.

What does practise consist of?

I train twice a week and play matches every Sunday throughout the football season.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I would like to meet Leah Williamson.

What are you most proud of achieving this year?

This year, we had our most successful year yet, reaching the final in both the Surrey League Cup, and the Surrey County Cup. We won the Surrey League Cup final against Balham Football Club and finished runners-up in the County Cup final against Motspur Park. We finished as runners-up in the U13 Surrey County Women’s and Girls’ Premier League.

What do you like to do when you are not playing football?

I like spending time with my friends.

Do you have any tips for other students who may be in a similar situation?

Have a go, join a local team and get involved with your school team.

What is the best thing about RGS? Football is played across year groups, so I have been able to play in different teams with students from various years.

Who inspires you?

England players Leah Williamson and Alessia Rousseau.

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FOUNDATION EIGATE G AMMA

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FOUNDATION UPDATE

RGS FOUNDATION AMBASSADORS

WELCOME TO THE REIGATIAN COMMUNITY Whether you are a current or former parent, pupil, staff or partner to the school, we welcome your connectivity and involvement in our global Reigatian community. Reigate Grammar School, RGS, was founded through the vision, generosity and philanthropic support of Henry Smith, a successful London merchant, who bequeathed a sum of money to educate the poor boys of Reigate. The money was used to found a school in 1675 and what is remarkable is that the school remains to this day upon its original site.

We have had an amazing half year so far and with so many exciting things still to come such as the launch of our new campaign, RGS Professionals Golf Day, Graduation Brunch for the Class of 2019, Goodwood, 10-Year Reunion for the Class of 2013 and many more, we are looking forward to what the future holds. We couldn’t do it without our wonderful Reigatian community so thank you to everyone for all your support.

Look out for the invitation to our 350 launch in October, drop us a line if you have anything you would like to help or support with and more than anything, please continue to stay in touch with us.

"The well-established global Reigatian community supports RGS, its members and the local area through engagement, outreach and philanthropy. Fundamental to the continual success of this united group is its perpetual growth and development. So, as a member, we encourage you to get involved and ‘find your fit’ whether it be supporting events and/or projects, offering advice, connecting with us… or each other!".

Jonny Hylton RGS Foundation Director (RGS ’99) 95

external-link-alt STAY CONNECTED Keep up-to-date with the latest news from the RGS Foundation by downloading the RGS app or via social media channels: Facebook reigatiancommunity Twitter FoundationRGS instagram RGSFoundation

T H E R E I G AT I A N 2 0 2 2

Launched January 2014

CHANGING LIVES TARGET ACHIEVED 3 YEARS EARLY! Our vision was made a reality by the help of our friends and supporters The award-winning Changing Lives campaign launched in 2014 and has supported 92 bursary students to date.

To celebrate the school’s 350th anniversary in 2025 we set ourselves a target of having 50 fully-funded Changing Lives bursary students in the school at any one time.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to our amazing community we achieved our target 3 years early!

£1,494,369 £9.5m+ 13 92 raised between January – December 2022

raised since the launch of the Changing Lives campaign

new 1675 Bursary students joined RGS at the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

bursary students supported

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FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

RGS Students supporting Giving Day

Gunging the Headmaster with RGS Foundation Director Jonny Hylton, RGS Foundation Executive, Tracey Thornton and Head Girl, Neyha K

GIVING DAY On 23 May, the RGS Foundation hosted Giving Day and the wonderful worldwide Reigatian community supported us in a variety of ways.

donated by Chartwells Independent. A newly invented game of Spin the Donut with a chance to win not one but several donuts ensured stock moved quickly.

Group-wide, the day started with donations for non-branded uniform and stationery destined for Stripey Stork’s School Days Appeal. RSM and Chinthurst went one step further, collectively walking 100,000m to raise awareness of the causes being supported. RGS Sixth Form Foundation ambassadors and the Charity Committee sold donuts at break - kindly

All funds raised went to the RGS We Care Bursary Fund to support those in difficult or unforeseen situations and who may struggle financially with school fees.

We were thrilled to reach a Gunge the Headmaster target and thanks to your amazing support and show of community, we raised over £80,000.

Selling donuts

RGS Students supporting Giving Day

CHARITY GOLF DAY On a sunny day in June, we held our annual charity golf day at Reigate Hill Golf Club. With over 50 golfers keen to tee off, the group purchased silly strings and mulligans, RGS caps and golf balls and headed out to play 18 holes. Refreshments on the green kept our players cool whilst they competed in the tournament for best score, nearest the pin and longest drive. We want to thank Devine Homes who sponsored the event for the fifth year in a row and to everyone that donated prizes for the auction and raffle. A huge thanks go to all our golfers for coming out to enjoy the day which raised over £5,000.

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Winners of Charity golf day with sponsor Barry Devine (RGS ’90)

FOUNDATION EIGATE G AMMA SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL DAY In June we welcomed back to RGS over 120 alumni who left the school between 1949-1980 to retrace their student steps.

In St Mary’s Church, our visitors heard about the changes RGS has seen over the years and how important community engagement is to us as a school, from RGS Foundation Director Jonny Hylton (RGS ’99). With his own memories shared, two of our guests, RGS Foundation Archivist Peter Burgess (RGS ’74) and Bob Knox (RGS ’65) recalled their own time at the school.

The group, feeling proud and nostalgic, together sang To Be a Pilgrim before touring the school and recalling moments spent in the corridors, playground and classes – some of which have been added since they departed.

The day came to an end with Headmaster Shaun Fenton recalling his own sentiment for the school and how he hopes the connection will continue for all future generations to come.

RGS PROFESSIONALS The global RGS Professionals network reaches far and wide, spanning many industries, sectors and job roles. It is the support of this group that gives us the opportunity to put young Reigatians in front of some of the most experienced people within their field.

We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share experiences and anecdotes of their own career journeys, impart wisdom and advice or show support for anyone thinking about a role within their industry. Ben Jones (RGS ’94) (top right) came into talk to students about his career journey taking him from Surrey to the States to Singapore, whilst Say Vivekanantham (RGS ’09) (top left) delivered a TEDX talk on his career transformation, from qualified doctor to entrepreneur

TEDX

Media Monks

Alumni on school tour

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P OFESSIONALS and the launch of his business Homey.co.uk. Sixth Formers were invited to hear from Senior Vice President of Media Monks, Ben Brown (RGS ‘93) (bottom left) – at their swanky headquarters in Shoreditch and took a seat at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic to hear from Francine De Stoppelaar (RGS parent) (top middle) about a career in medicine. Parents and students were invited to the Inspiring Minds to think Big! event with a panel of amazing speakers (bottom right L-R, Rebecca Puttock (RGS ’06), Michelle Pierre-Carr (RGS parent), Andrew George (former RGS parent), Shrilla Banerjee (Governor & RGS parent) and Harriet Rees (RGS Parent)).

Cleveland Clinic

Ben Jones (RGS ’94)

Inspiring Minds 98

Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS 01737 222231 info@reigategrammar.org reigategrammar.org