Sherborne Boys Newsletter Lent 2025

SHERBORNE NEWS

WELCOME FROM OUR NEW HEADMASTER

As I write, I am very much looking forward to the start of Trinity Term. I have visited on a number of occasions over the last few months and have enjoyed meeting many of the pupils in Houses and out and about. Those members of staff I have spent time with and those parents and pupils I have met around the School and on the touchline have welcomed me warmly, for which I am very grateful.

What I have seen so far of the School suggests to me there is a strong feeling of community, a sense of purpose and a desire to succeed, which is all to the good. I will speak further during the term and at Commem about my vision for the School and about how we will seek to work ever more closely with Sherborne Girls,

Sherborne Prep and Hanford Prep, in order to maximise the opportunities for all our pupils within the Sherborne Schools Group. It is important to me that we provide a relevant, enriching, holistic education to enable our pupils to give more to the world than they take, and that they walk humbly, understanding the tremendous opportunities they are provided with at this great School. These are exciting times, and I feel we have the opportunity, together, to write a most interesting next chapter in Sherborne’s history. I very much look forward to meeting you all in the term ahead; please come and say hello at musical events, drama performances, sports matches and the like. I wish you all a very pleasant Easter break and look forward to seeing your sons in a few short weeks.

Simon Heard Headmaster (from April 2025)

ACADEMIC MATTERS

SIXTH FORM/HAP ( HIGHER ACADEMIC POTENTIAL )

The Lower Sixth High Academic Performers from Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls have had a busy and enriching term. A highlight was a trip to Bletchley Park where students enjoyed a tour and code-breaking session. They learned about Alan Turing’s work at Bletchley and had a go at breaking the Enigma code in a high-pressure session designed to simulate the experience of the code breakers. The Turing Society has also hosted intellectually stimulating events, including a challenging session on syntax given by OS Malhaar Shah (a 19) who is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Maryland. John Harden, Old Shirburnian Society Secretary and recent winner of a Mastermind round one episode, shared his insights on the Mastermind experience. His talk was followed by a Sherborne Schools’ Mastermind competition, won by Charlie Miller (L6d).

In weekly Thinkers sessions, students have been working in their faculty groups, delivering individual presentations based on independent research conducted over the Christmas holidays. They have also collaborated on open online courses in their chosen subject areas. Currently, they are preparing for the academic presentation evening in May, where they will present their research to a panel of academic judges. Meanwhile, the Medics, Vets, and Dentists’ group meets weekly to discuss key issues in the NHS and recent medical advancements. Oxbridge applicants have also begun weekly sessions with subject mentors to refine their academic skills and preparation.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

This term, the School has continued its commitment to enhancing teaching and learning. Through half-termly professional development workshops, weekly discussions at the staff teaching and learning group meetings and focused department meetings, teachers have been developing strategies to challenge and stretch students in the classroom. Drawing on educational research, we have explored ways to create inclusive environments that encourage all pupils to strive for excellence. Departments are developing tailored approaches suited to their subjects, while a broader review of Hall is examining how different tasks can support and motivate student learning.

All teachers have participated in departmental learning walks, sharing best practices and gaining fresh insights. Next term, they will expand their observations beyond their own departments, and in Michaelmas Term 2025, they will have the opportunity to visit lessons at Sherborne Girls.

Judy Thurman Director of Teaching and Learning

LOWER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP/ HAP (HIGHER ACADEMIC POTENTIAL)

It has been a busy and enjoyable Lent Term for the Lower School Scholars and HAPs, although for the Fifth Form, their involvement has necessarily been curtailed by a focus on exams (they remain welcome to drop in to any activity).

We were thrilled to launch Agora, the scholarship reading group, to Third and Fourth Form and each have had two fantastic sessions where they discussed books from Animal Farm to Shoe Dog, The Great Gatsby and Bounce. The boys have responded really well to more challenging reads and the sessions typically range beyond the critical analysis of books to history, politics, economics and ideology. Alasdair Cooper (3b) and Andrew Polley (3a) have been leading lights for the Third Form, whilst William Perry (4b) and Lorenzo Agosta (4m) have made excellent contributions in the Fourth Form. The boys now have online reading records where they can log their books and their responses.

Turing Jrs has also seen a new opportunity for those Fourth Form not doing a HPQ to take part in MUN, led by Mrs Bowerman and Noah Dalrymple-Smith (L6e) as an alternative to independent research, and has been very popular, with the first MUN debate on territorial disputes in the Arctic being hotly debated and resulting in some hard bargaining and diplomacy. Fin Gardner (4m), Frazer Fielding (4f), Henry Ferguson (4e) and Wilfred Willmott (4g) have engaged really well with the breadth of geo-political thinking and the complexities of diplomacy required to try and solve these real world problems.

The Third Form TAG have had a varied term, with sessions at Sherborne Girls as well as the girls coming to join us, alternating between weeks of focussed personal research. The favourite activity of the term was the online group scavenger hunt, which involved a range of difficult challenges across a range of subjects. No one managed to finish but it was wonderful to see the teamwork and lateral thinking that went into solving the problems. Johnny Moesel (L6c) has joined as a Sixth Form Scholarship mentor to support the group and the quality of our table talk discussion has been elevated even further by his contributions.

Friday night Rostrum continues to be popular, and t we have had a thought - provoking Staff Academic from Mr Tatham on The Theology of the Nazis, a se Debating Skills from Mr Payne and Johnny, a Videre stimulus and discussion) on the Power of Introverts Club presentations on ‘The Overton Window’ and o mind-blowing and very useful concept of ‘Palimpses final Rostrum of term was a fierce contest between Third and Fourth Form solving GCHQ puzzles and t the Third Form worked hard for a convincing win, h credit goes to the Fourth Form for their teamwork a their solving of the most difficult ‘headscratcher’ pu

Alongside the fun challenges, considerable intellect development has been seen as the boys continue w individual research. Nine boys in Third and Fourth F working on their HPQ (GCSE) qualification, with two moving into the production phase over the holidays impressive indeed for something they only started i Michaelmas Term. Topics range broadly from the inf of Virgil on English Literature to the science behind and death and an analysis of German failures in WW Three boys are creating artefacts: a stool, a lamp an original music composition! Other boys are working projects or personal interests, from learning Arabic science of surfing. The Third Form ‘Peer Review Conference’ at the end of term was a fascinating ins into the extensive research and analytical developm the past two terms have brought.

We are delighted to celebrate three honorary schol for outstanding contribution to Teddy Carvasso (4f) Fielding and Theo Manny (3c) and to award the first ‘Scholarship Blues’ ties to existing Scholars Fin Gard Henry Ferguson for their commitment to intellectua development.

I hope that the boys are enjoying their programme as I am enjoying spending time with them. As we lo ahead to Trinity Term, we are working towards havin visiting speaker, subject-led workshops, two more s Academic lectures and more. I can’t wait to get goin again!

Charlo Director of Lower School (Pupil P

this term Lecture ssion on e (video and PK on the st’. The the though uge and uzzles. tual with their Form are o s –in the fluence aging W2. nd an g on to the sight ment that arships , Frazer t dner and al as much ook ng a staff ng otte Allen Progress)

PUPIL PROGRESS

Typically, Lent Term at school is when everyone digs deep to put in the hours to cover the curriculum and this year is no exception. As the weeks progressed, more and more boys were heads down and taking things seriously.

With my focus on pupil progress, my goal this term was to support boys who maybe had gaps from previous terms or who were feeling overwhelmed, as well as to intervene with those boys who still hadn’t managed to get their work habits properly settled. To support all the boys, a number of assemblies and Monday tutorials were focussed on goal-setting and motivation, as well as on more practical things like making revision plans and self-assessing. More inspirationally, Mr Gordon (Literacy Lead) launched the ‘Read to Succeed’ programme so each week there was a focus in lessons, house and tutor time on the importance of literacy to academic progress.

For those boys who need a bit more of a push, we have extended Action Plans to promote academic focus and engagement with the wide range of support available. This was particularly important for many of the Fifth Form post-Trials in January – it’s never too late to make a difference! These have been successful and the number of boys in Academic Support and who are engaging with workbooks and the like to ‘fill the gap’ is increasing, with many boys making excellent progress over the

term and some coming off their Action Plan entirely. The same is true of the Fourth Form, where our intention is to provide early intervention to keep them on track. The majority have shown really good improvement in most subjects and can feel more confident as they approach Trinity Term.

For the Third and Fifth Form, an important part of this term has been choosing their options. In addition to the Options booklet, boys have had a number of tutor times, assemblies and events to help them with this important decision. The Third Form ‘Speed dating’ event was quite something to behold and boys showed real interest and enthusiasm for a wide range of subjects. The Fifth Form had a more sedate Options Fair and also some taster sessions in up to four subjects - these helped them to consider the best Sixth Form strategy for them, whether that is to specialise or diversify subjects, to include creatives or to try one of our excellent BTEC subjects. Options have been in since half term and although in some cases tutors are following up for a ‘Plan B’, often linked to Action Plans and Target Grades/Reports, most boys have chosen wisely and well.

CHARLOTTE ALLEN Director of Lower School (Pupil Progress)

We launched a new Academic Detention (colloquially called weeknight detention by the boys, I believe) in the Library four times a week. It is a quiet, supportive working space where boys can keep on track. This has been really successful and more boys are managing their workflow in a timely manner so that the work they are doing reflects what is happening in class and are doing work with a focus on quality rather than speed! Helping boys to develop these important foundational habits will pay dividends to their academic outcomes over time.

As we head into the Easter break, of course, everyone’s minds begin to turn toward summer and either internal or public examinations (and, for many, cricket season!). To help with this, we have published revision resources and lists for boys on the Parent Portal and (for boys) in Sharepoint. Boys will have had support from their tutor to help them think about using some of the Easter holiday for revision, with this being heavily the case for the Fifth Form, of course, and should have a plan to help them with this. As well as an assembly on the importance of early, layered revision, the Third and Fourth Form have had Monday tutorials on revision strategies and techniques, and this focus will continue into Trinity Term.

All in all, there is a noticeable focus on academic progress around the School and there is a real unlocking of potential going on in the Lower School that augers well for the future! Well done to all the boys for stepping up: I can’t wait to see the success that Trinity Term will bring.

GCSE POETRY LIVE

On 5 February, Fourth Form Literature students travelled to Bath for GCSE Poetry Live, where they had the chance to hear readings from renowned poets including Carol Ann Duffy, Daljit Nagra, Owen Sheers, and the current Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. The event offered students valuable insight into the meaning and inspiration behind the poems they are studying, with opportunities to engage directly with the poets during Q and A sessions throughout the day.

Armitage moved the audience as he explained that ‘Remains’ was based on a documentary interview with a young soldier struggling with PTSD. The poem even includes the soldier’s own words such as ‘blood-shadow’. Meanwhile, Duffy encouraged listeners to reflect on how ‘War Photographer’, inspired by the experiences of Don

McCullin, explores society’s limited understanding of the brutal realities of war.

The highlight of the event, however, came with the appearance of the legendary John Agard, whose captivating performance of ‘Checking Out Me History’ earned the loudest applause at the end of the day. His reflections on identity, colonialism,

and even modern society’s dependence on mobile phones left the audience both entertained and deeply inspired.

Harriet Cant Head of English

SHERBORNE SCHOOLS

LITERARY SOCIETY: THE SCIENCE-FICTION GOTHIC CONTEMPORARY

The Sherborne Schools ‘Literary Society brings young people together around literature. On Monday 3 March, the Lent Term event was held in Sherborne Boys’ Powell Theatre, with 120 pupils in attendance from across three Sherborne secondary schools (Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls and The Gryphon School). The evening was an exploration of the ways in which Science Fiction and the Gothic are coming together within our current literature, offering us points of departure in our consideration of contemporary challenges. The audience enjoyed three pupil presentations in response to the evening’s theme of The Sci-Fi Gothic Contemporary: Imi B-W (Sherborne Girls) on the challenge of identifying Gothic and Science Fiction conventions when they combine, Izzy S and Belle H (The Gryphon School) on the productive use and abuse of genre, and Johnny Moesel (L6c) (Sherborne Boys) on Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. The presentations touched on climate change, AI, technological innovation, biological determinism, surveillance, social inequality, the use and abuse of power, and the role of literature in understanding ourselves. This was followed by a wide-ranging panel discussion featuring Dr Tim Filtness (Deputy Head (Academic) and Biology Teacher at Sherborne Boys, Ian McClary (Teacher of English at Sherborne Girls) and Beth Oxford (Head of Media, The Gryphon School). The next SSLS event will take place in the Trinity Term.

Gervase Gordon English Teacher and Literacy Coordinator

READ TO SUCCEED: A CELEBRATION OF LITERACY

This Lent Term, our Read To Succeed initiative brought literacy to the forefront of school life, engaging students in a range of activities designed to inspire a love for reading and enhance key literacy skills. From tutor time games and discussions, through in-class crosscurricular challenges, to fun in-house activities, students embraced the opportunity to explore and develop their reading.

Reading remains a vital part of every young Shirburnian’s educational journey. Reading skills enhance comprehension, critical thinking, and communication, helping students to assimilate and analyse information, to articulate ideas in a clear and compelling way, and to engage with the world around them. Beyond academics, reading has the potential to foster creativity and empathy, opening doors to new perspectives and opportunities far beyond the reader’s own lived experience. Whether for study or enjoyment, the ability to read confidently empowers young people to succeed in school and beyond.

It has been fantastic to see students discovering new authors, discussing new ideas, enjoying new language, spending time in our fantastic library with our brilliant librarians, and taking pride in their progress. Literacy is a foundational pillar of their future success, and this term’s programme has helped to reinforce that message. We look forward to building on this momentum in future terms!

Gervase Gordon English Teacher and Literacy Coordinator

Sherborne Schools Literary Society

MATHS

On 12 March, four boys represented the School in the Millfield Team Mathematics Challenge. They competed with 15 other teams to solve a number of individual and team based mathematical puzzles, and I am very pleased to record that they won the competition. Many congratulations go to Kotaro Taki (4e), Joey Wang (4b), Harold Chen (5f) and Joe Zhou (5e).

Tim Dawson Mathematics Teacher

HISTORY ESSAY COMPETITION

Congratulations to Johnny Moesel (L6c), whose essay comparing counter-insurgency in 1920 and 2003 Iraq was judged to be joint runner-up in the Society for Army Historical Research’s essay competition. He will receive his prize from the President, Lieutenant General Sir Edward SmythOsbourne, in London next month.

CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

Members of the Upper Sixth and Lower Sixth Forms sat the Chemistry Olympiad in early January, a competition renowned for its rigorous and conceptually demanding problems, designed to challenge even the most capable A level pupil. The questions require concentrated analytical thinking, mathematical precision, and an ability to apply fundamental principles to unfamiliar contexts.

In the 2025 round one paper, students face multi-step organic mechanisms, complex equilibrium calculations and applied thermodynamics. A knowledge of nitration chemistry and combustion energetics, culminating in the calculation of the enthalpy of combustion of cellulose trinitrate will have made the brain cells zing and stretched the boys beyond standard curriculum content, requiring significant independent problem-solving skills.

The Olympiad regularly sees high participation, with over 11,000 students entering in recent years. Typically, only around 9-10% achieve gold certificates, reflecting the paper’s difficulty. Many questions incorporate real-world chemistry, such as nuclear chemistry and the synthesis of astatine, from Bismuth, an element with an estimated global presence of just 30 grams at any time. This level of detail reinforces the competition’s emphasis on academic extension. By exposing students to university-set problems and advanced problem-solving techniques, the Olympiad fosters resilience, critical thinking, and an enthusiasm for chemistry beyond the classroom.

William Buckley Head of Chemistry

A ‘NOVA’ EXPERIENCE IN

PHYSICS

Last night we were lucky enough to learn the art of cosmic cookery as we were taught the ‘recipe’ for creating exoplanets and even whole solar systems! We covered a wide variety of fascinating topics such as the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the chance that there might be habitable planets out there.

We heard about many exciting discoveries such as Neptune’s oceans and even the future prospects for asteroid platinum mining. It was eye opening to see real NASA animations of solar systems forming from nebulas light years away and understanding why they follow a pattern and shape.

Soon to be Dr Williams gave us an insight into the kind of research that he and his colleagues carry out at Exeter University for their PhD focusing on his role in protoplanetary imaging. At the end of the talk, we had the opportunity to hold a real iron meteorite and extract some insightful answers from him on various elements of his presentation. Overall, it was a ‘nova’ experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Benjamin Hunt (5b)

GLOWING BACTERIA: A LEVEL BIOLOGY STUDENTS EXPLORE GENETIC ENGINEERING

Our A level Biology boys recently conducted the fascinating pGLO experiment, a hands-on introduction to genetic engineering. Using the pGLO plasmid, they successfully inserted a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene - originally from jellyfish into E. coli bacteria. This allowed them to observe first-hand how genetic modification can alter an organism’s traits.

After carefully preparing agar plates with different conditions, the boys introduced the pGLO plasmid into bacteria through heat shock transformation. Once incubated, the results were revealed under UV light. To their excitement, some bacterial colonies glowed bright green, confirming successful transformation. This experiment not only reinforced key molecular biology concepts such as gene expression, antibiotic resistance, and operon regulation, but also demonstrated how genetic engineering has real-world applications, from medicine to agriculture. Seeing their own glowing bacteria was a highlight of the term, inspiring discussions on the future of biotechnology.

With a strong emphasis on practical skills and scientific inquiry, our A level Biology boys continue to gain hands-on experience that prepares them for further studies in genetics, microbiology, and beyond. Science has never been more illuminating!

Dr Jon-Paul Manning Head

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

SPANISH PLAY

Third and Fourth Form pupils of Spanish enjoyed a visit from the Onatti Theatre Company on 10 February for a performance of ‘Primera Cita’. Onatti write and perform plays in Spanish in schools across the country. The plays are written to incorporate the kind of vocabulary that comes up on the GCSE. Reviews from our Third and Fourth Form were universally positive, praising the staging, music and lighting while others enjoyed the repartee in Spanish between the audience and the characters on stage. We look forward to a visit from Onatti with a play in French later in the year.

A LEVEL SPEAKING WORKSHOP

Sherborne Boys hosted a workshop for pupils studying Modern Foreign Languages to A level in February. Participants came from Sherborne Girls, Warminster School and Bryanston School. They had prepared a presentation about the topic of their A level independent research project and their ‘opponents’ had been able to prepare questions to grill them on the details. Having a chance to see what pupils at other schools had done was of great benefit to everyone, as was the opportunity to develop fluency and confidence speaking Spanish and French.

UK LINGUISTICS OLYMPIAD

Third and Fourth Form pupils took part in the UK Linguistics Olympiad in the Lent Term, working together in teams with pupils from Sherborne Girls. This Olympiad tests your ability to decipher stimulus materials in languages even the most welltravelled linguists have never encountered before. It involved solving puzzles by testing hypotheses and using evidence.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and pupils who succeed are not necessarily the ones who are best at French, Spanish or German but those who can think logically and make use of the scientific method. Mark Geweiler (4g), Henry Ferguson (4e) and George Brookes (4g) were awarded Silver for their submission while Andrew Polley (3a) and Lucas Cheng (4b) achieved Bronze.

To find out more and to try the problem set for yourself, please visit: www.uklo.org

Philip Morrow

Acting Head

of Modern Foreign Languages

INTER-SCHOOL

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

Claire Greenrod Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

This competition offers pupils whose first language is not English to develop public speaking skills in a friendly and welcoming environment. It was hosted by Leweston this year, and all three speakers from Sherborne Boys earned awards or commendations. Nenad Marinkovic (L6c) achieved first place for his talk on the topic of 'Zoroastrianism', which was described by the judges as a 'university-level masterclass'. Kai Honda (3d) won third place for an original and entertaining blend of science and literature in his speech on 'How to Realize the Spells of Harry Potter'. Joey Wang (4b) was Commended for a polished and humorous take on 'The Weird and Wonderful English Language'. Special mention to Satchindan Mahendran (L6c), Lucas Cheng (4b) and Sebastian NissenMeyer (3g) who gave up their evenings to support their peers at this event. All six pupils were fantastic ambassadors for Sherborne Boyscharming, helpful and supportive throughout the evening.

SIXTH FORM

At Sherborne, we strive to help every pupil find the most inspiring individual pathway towards a life of purpose and positivity. This mission guides everything we do, and it’s especially clear in the vibrant and dynamic life of our Sixth Form pupils. As the Michaelmas Term progresses, our focus remains on equipping our students with the tools and guidance they need to confidently take the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.

This term, we’ve been delighted to celebrate the success of several pupils receiving offers from Oxford and Cambridge. Freddie Fineman (U6e) has secured a place to read English Literature at King’s College, Cambridge, Charlie Sclater (U6m) has received an offer from Oriel College, Oxford, to study Classics. Freddie Senior (U6g) and Oscar Boswall (U6f) have been offered places to study Music at Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall and St Catherine’s College, respectively. Oliver Chappell (U6d) will study Geography at Magdalene College, Cambridge and Hector Kennerley (g 24) will join Christ Church College, Oxford to study Computer Science. These successes

highlight the hard work and determination of our Upper Sixth boys as they pursue their dreams.

As part of our commitment to guiding our students toward the best post-18 outcomes, our Upper Sixth boys are preparing for a diverse range of pathways, including apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, employment, and a variety of gap year experiences. Meanwhile, our Lower Sixth boys are now focused on the preparation stage, building the foundations for their applications to be completed in the Upper Sixth year.

Ultimately, we want our boys to be wellprepared for life after Sherborne and to go on to make a positive difference in the world. We want them to be good men. Achieving this goal is at the heart of everything we do, helping them not only to succeed academically but also grow as individuals who will make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Alex Boyd-Williams Deputy Head (Sixth Form)

SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP DAY

In January, a Leadership Day was run for Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils from both Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls. The day was run by 8millionideas, a multi-award winning EdTech Services company, trusted by hundreds of schools across the world to help them provide pupils with the tools and resources they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

The day titled CEO of Your Own Life was filled with inspiring sessions designed to empower the next generation of leaders, covering everything from how to become a CEO to the essential steps for planning growth and success.

LIBRARY

Lent Term in the library started with the everpopular Literary Quiz final. This year, bonus points were up for grabs for bringing a team of supporters, which ensured a fabulous turn-out. A huge ‘well done’ to both Harper House and Lyon House for making the final; Lyon House was ultimately victorious – for the second year running!

Our pupil librarians have been extremely busy this term helping to create displays, promote resources, make resources for library workshops and helping to run a very successful worldbuilding workshop as part of our new Lunchtimes in the Library programme. This term, we also welcomed two groups of DofE volunteers, one from the Third Form and one from the Sixth Form. They have been very helpful and have created some short story collection cards, helped to select new stock for a library wish list, promoted events and created displays and book recommendations. A huge ‘thank you’ to all of the boys for their hard work and enthusiasm.

We celebrated National Storytelling Week in style with a Sherlock Holmes themed Escape Room, a virtual author visit from YA author Steve Camden and a fantasy worldbuilding workshop. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and there were some lovely conversations about books, clues and creativity.

The library’s Third Form Book Chat group have been enjoying the award-winning novel Tyger by SF Said. They are thoroughly gripped by the story and are enjoying chatting together about the story, making predictions about plot outcomes and discussing the implications of various actions for the main character. We can’t wait to find out what happens next…

Some of the Fifth Form English pupils participated in a virtual historical fiction masterclass from popular novelist Philippa Gregory. Philippa read from her new book, Normal Women, shared some useful creative

writing tips and challenged the pupils to create their own short responses to items from The British Library’s Medieval Women exhibition.

‘Borne to Thrive’ (more detail on page 49) gave us the perfect excuse for more book and story related fun in the library. We started with a very relaxing Book Taster session for pupils to explore different genres, discover new authors and consider their book likes and dislikes. This was followed by the highly competitive and very creative Lego Disaster Island challenge. Pupils worked in small teams to build an island, including a useful item. They then

had to select an obstacle and problem, build them, build their solution to these problems and then build a shock plot twist at the end. Much hilarity and bargaining ensued!

To celebrate World Book Day, the library launched a Book Titles Picture Quiz competition, which has been hugely popular with staff and pupils. There was a pop-up Library and Archives exhibition of old books, featuring the Beckett Room’s oldest book, which was printed in 1493. Each pupil also received a World Book Day book token.

Sue Gransby Library Manager

Another busy Lent Term saw many highlights. Our regular Friday Lunchtime Concerts in the Cheap Street Church continue to attract large audiences – even during the seasonally inclement weather, our friends and neighbours in the locality come to listen in significant numbers to this opportunity for the boys to perform to a discerning but friendly audience.

Piano, Brass, Strings and Voice concerts were supplemented with a dedicated Wind Band concert in the BSR, under Mrs Clare Jackson’s baton. Thanks for these concerts must also go to our Head of Keyboard Benjamin Davey and Martin Walker for their supportive, skilled and sensitive accompaniments – often in extremely demanding repertoire, such is the standard of music the boys perform. From the Hindemith Tuba Sonata to the Creston Saxophone Sonata along with some really tricky songs, the boys constantly pleasantly surprise us with their commitment to pushing their own musical boundaries to conquer some unbelievable pieces.

As St Andrew’s Day approached, Xan Arbuthnott (U6a) generously gave of his time to entertain residents with his bagpipes at one of the nearby care homes, which had a peculiarly high number of Scottish residents. His playing was hugely welcomed by his audience.

The first of the major set-piece events was the Joint Schools’ Musical Showcase in Sherborne Girls Gransden Hall, highlighting the many ensemble music-making opportunities we have across the Sherborne Schools. The Chamber Choir, alongside the Sherborne Girls Madrigal Group, Wind Quintet, Swing Band, Symphony Orchestra and several other groups performed most impressively in music ranging from Kodaly to Bruckner and, seemingly, everything in between.

The next major event was the Choral Society Concert, also in collaboration with Sherborne Girls and also with adult singers from the town. The professional orchestra included several pupils as well as many of our full time staff and Visiting Music Teachers. The programme was the Britten Te Deum followed by a bespoke arrangement of the Vierne Messe Solennelle – usually scored for two organs to accompany the choir, this time for one organ and strings. The second half of the programme was Britten’s St Nicolas which saw the massed group being joined by tenor Tom Hobbs in the eponymous role, all under the directorship of Director of Music Mr Alexander Eadon. The Choral Society made a fantastic sound, telling the myths and stories of Nicolas with panache and energy to a full Abbey. The congregational hymns which Britten includes in all of his community music were also sung with great gusto by the audience.

At the following week’s Anglican Confirmation Service, a joint Boys’ and Prep School choir sang for the forty candidates in the first of, what is hoped to become, a regular fixture between the two schools. Thinking about prep schools reminds the writer of the quality of the field for 2025 entry 13+ Music Scholarships –although we will lose a strong Upper Sixth Form in due course, the quality of boy applying to Sherborne for Music Scholarships remains, pleasingly, very strong. Another wonderful moment in the term which involved younger children was the Joint Prep Schools’ Jazz Day which saw pupils from several prep schools come together, alongside our Swing Band, under the direction

of Deputy Director of Music Mr Dan Marks for a day of exciting music-making and musical discovery – with every child having a go at jazz improvisation and some even demonstrating their new skills in the end-of-day concert.

The termly Unplugged Concert saw a variety of excellent performances from our more popular music-focused boys with particular highlights including Hector Sheldrick Sch Mus (4m) in several groups as well as a most effective jazz duet with one of his peers at Sherborne Girls. Alex Biddulph (U6d) also provided a delightful medley of several of his own songs.

One of the joys of being a Dorsetbased school is our proximity to Poole – where, at the Lighthouse Arts Centre, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra regularly perform. The Music Scholars (along with a few other Academic Musicians) were able to see the pianist Sir Stephen Hough performing his new Piano Concert alongside Elgar’s Enigma Variations in a jaw-droppingly inspiring concert. We were even privileged to meet Sir Stephen after the concert. It is so important that our musicians are regularly reminded of what it is they could aim for, should they wish.

It is always great to be reminded of why we, as staff, do what we do. At this term’s Diploma Recital Jack Arnold Sch.Mus (U6e) and Oscar Boswall ARSM Sch.Mus (U6f) demonstrated their dedication and superb musicianship on Saxophone and Tuba respectively – we wish them luck as they, having taken their diplomas, anxiously await on results. One thing Oscar does not have to wait any longer for is his being awarded a Choral Scholarship at Worcester College, Oxford to go with his awarding of an academic place to St Catharine’s College. He is one of six Shirburnians with Oxbridge offers this year. It can be no coincidence that of those six, four

are Music Award Holders and a fifth also sings in the Choir.

A revival of the Singing Competition saw fierce rivalries emerge as internationallyrenowned soprano Katherine Fuge judged various winners from the categories. Manu Manzelli Sch.Mus (3g) took the spoils in the Junior Class; Henry Clayton (3b) emerged victorious in the Musical Theatre section; the Intermediate Class was a tight affair with Benji Rimington Sch.Mus (5c) claiming the win and in the Senior Class Oliver Chappell Exh.Mus (U6d) managed to clinch top spot.

This term’s instalment of our regular visiting Choral Evensong

series saw a combined choir from Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls visit Salisbury Cathedral to sing music by Stanford and Bullock. Although our regular Abbey services are still accompanied by the glorious sound of our 100-strong lowervoiced main choir twice weekly, it is important for the best singers to sing standard SATB repertoire too, so the opportunities afforded by having Sherborne Girls in such close proximity is crucial to their vocal and musical development.

One of the last major events of the term was the orchestral concert which saw a first half of the junior orchestra – the Sinfonia – entertain with music by

Tchaikovsky and Marquez, while the second half comprised the Joint Schools’ Symphony Orchestra playing Kodaly’s Harry Janos Suite, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo e Juliet Overture and the Danzon by Marquez to a packed-out Gransden Hall.

However, no Lent Term would truly be complete without the Swing Band performing its regular Dinner and Jazz evening on the last night. The Swing Band performed with energy and entertained the 150 or so guests in a particularly memorable evening of superb music-making and fun for all in attendance.

Alexander Eadon Director of Music

AT R

Fifth and Sixth Form Art Trip to London

Exploring Art at the Tate Britain and The National Gallery

The first half of Lent Term saw a group of enthusiastic pupils have the exciting opportunity to visit London, where we explored two of the city’s most renowned art museums: Tate Britain and The National Gallery. The trip was a perfect blend of learning, culture, and inspiration, offering pupils a chance to study artwork from some of history’s greatest artists.

Our first stop was Tate B stunning museum situate Thames. Known for its ex collection of British art, t provided pupils with the explore the evolution of from the 16th century to day. Pupils were particula by works from the Pre-Ra Brotherhood and celebra J.M.W. Turner and John museum’s exhibitions als the diverse range of style throughout British histor Romanticism to Victorian collection sparked intere

ritain, a ed on the River xtensive the museum opportunity to art in Britain the present arly fascinated aphaelite ated artists like Constable. The so highlighted es that emerged ry, from n art. The rich esting

discussions about national identity, history, and the relationship between art and society.

After lunch, we made our way to The National Gallery, located in the heart of London’s Trafalgar Square. The museum’s impressive collection of European paintings provided a fascinating contrast to the British art we had just encountered. Pupils were captivated by works from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist periods, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet.

A guided tour by History of Art Teacher, Mr Pomichal helped us understand the historical context of each piece, enriching our appreciation of the techniques and emotions behind the artwork.

The visit was a memorable experience, deepening pupils’ understanding of art and history, fostering a sense of wonder and creativity, the perfect blend of education and exploration.

Matt Bone Director of Art

DRAMA

ABBEY HOUSE PLAY

Abbey House graced the stage in early February with their production of Captive Audience by Jenny Gilbert. The play centres on Tom, a young man who finds himself handcuffed to the furniture in the communal kitchen of his university halls after an encounter with a group of drunken students. Despite Tom’s best efforts to break free, the help offered by his fellow students proves futile, especially when a visitor threatens to reveal all of Tom’s secrets.

The responsibility of directing fell to James Whiteley (L6b), who expertly guided his cast to deliver a truly captivating performance. Standout performances included Forest Purvis (L6b) as the exasperated Tom and Sebastian Willcox (4b) as the overenthusiastic and verbose Sheila. Eddie Robertson (4b) and Charlie P (U6b) formed an excellent comic duo, bringing the early courtship of Michelle and Nigel to life with delightful humour.

Harriet Cant Head of English Director of Abbey House Play

HARPER HOUSE

PLAY

Harper House took to the stage with their highly anticipated production of ‘Death Comes to Charlesworth Park’. What followed was a riotous evening of theatrical disaster, executed with impeccable comedic skill, that had the audience crying with laughter from start to finish.

The play is a classic whodunit gone wrong, showcasing the struggles of the Harper House Dramatic Society as they attempt to stage their own murder mystery. As the performance progresses, it becomes clear that the real challenge is whether the cast can survive a series of mishaps, including collapsing furniture, forgotten lines, unexpected entrances and resurrections (Roddy Harris (3d)) and an uncooperative fireplace, all contributing to the comedy and chaos of the night.

Standout moments from the performance included an unfortunate incident in which Tallulah, played by Charlie Miller (L6d), was knocked out. This situation left the rest of the cast committed to the mantra, ‘the show must go on.’ Meanwhile, the crew, led by Stage Manager Alan (played by Hugo Tyrrell (L6d), scrambled to figure out how to get her off stage. This resulted in the humorous sight of the crew hoisting the unconscious Tallulah through a window. Another notable moment of chaos occurred when Ben Brady (L6d) and Arthur Burton (L6d) continued to maintain their roles, have a fight and answer the phone, all while the set was quite literally falling apart around them.

George Johnstone’s (4d) performance as Stevens, the butler was a masterclass in deadpan delivery, especially while stuck in handcuffs. While Ivo Finney (L6d), playing Colin - Head of the Dramatic

Society as well as Inspector Wickson, had the audience in fits of laughter with his increasingly desperate attempts to hold the production together.

Behind the scenes, the tech team played a crucial role in ensuring that everything went ‘wrong’ in just the right way. The sound and lighting operators, Jake Kingsford (3d) and Alfie Blacker (3d) respectively, delivered a delightfully chaotic performance, missing nearly every cue and providing sound effects and disco lights at the worst possible moments. The dedicated backstage crew, (Hugo Tyrrell, Harry Sunderland (3d), Milo CrosthwaiteEyre (3d), Archie Tyrrell (3d) and Robin Chambré (4d), expertly managed the controlled chaos, ensuring that doors failed to open, props disappeared at critical moments, and the set collapsed precisely on cue.

Despite - or rather, because of - the night’s endless mishaps, ‘Death Comes to Charlesworth Park’ was an undeniable triumph. The cast’s energy, comic timing, and ability to keep the show going through every unexpected obstacle made for a truly unforgettable performance.

A huge congratulations to the entire cast and crew for delivering an evening of perfectly orchestrated mayhem. We eagerly await Harper House’s next production - though after this, one wonders what could possibly go ‘wrong’ next!

Lily Davies-Potter Drama Graduate Director of Harper House Play

SCHOOL HOUSE PLAY

The School House play, Jeeves and Wooster, was conceived as a community project, aiming to involve as many boys from the House as possible. With a cast and crew of over 40 boys, it certainly fitted that bill.

Enthusiasm for the play was so high that several additional roles had to be written into the script to accommodate eager participants!

The School House live band, under the remarkable musical direction of Sirtaaj Grewal (3a), wowed the audience with a beautifully executed rendition of the Jeeves and Wooster theme tune. The band provided a seamless musical backdrop for the elaborate scene changes, involving revolving flats that transported the audience from one setting to another. Special credit must go to the stagehands for their well-choreographed scene transitions.

The entire cast embraced the spirit of their characters. The Drones Club members provided a lively start and finish to the play, setting the scene for the 1920’s aristocratic tomfoolery. Narrator Bertie, played by Olly Macdonald (5a), guided the audience through the

unfolding chaos with his perfectly clipped accent. Comedy moments were abundant throughout, thanks to standout performances from Jayden Graham-Douglas (5a) as the scheming Aunt Dahlia, Toby Ridgway (L6a) as the sneering butler, Anton Krnc (4a) as the newtobsessed Gussie Fink-Nottle, Solomon Macaulay (5a) as the dour-faced Sir Watkyn Bassett and Thomas Gower (L6a) as the bullish dictator, Spode. Clarence Watson (3a) and Henry P (5a) convincingly embodied 1920s femininity with their mannerisms and voices.

Cameron Campbell-Steele (L6a) hit exactly the right note with his portrayal of Jeeves, coming across as shrewd, deferential and cynical. James Keeping (5a) perfectly captured Bertie Wooster’s blend of cluelessness and joviality. Siegfred Johnsen (U6a), as co-director, demonstrated a masterful understanding of how to bring P.G. Wodehouse’s world to life. School House set out to be ambitious, achieving what could be a House play record through having a live band and such a big cast. Siegfred and the House have proved how much can be achieved through creative vision, teamwork and house spirit.

Judy Thurman Director of School House Play

LAMDA STUDENTS RECEIVE TOP RESULTS

This February, a total of 18 pupils took LAMDA exams ranging from Grades 4-6. All boys worked extremely hard on the lead up to exams and the hard work paid off with a total of 14 achieving the top grade of Distinctions. Four pupils also received Merits all just, two or three marks off the top Distinction. Pupils are now working towards their next grades, with over 20 more boys preparing for exams this coming term.

Jodie Glover Teacher of Speech and Drama

CO-CURRICULAR NEWS

CCF

The Lent Term usually provides testing conditions for the cadets as they battle the elements. Despite the wind and rain, the cadets got stuck in. Our victorious Pringle Trophy Team enjoyed a curry night to celebrate their success, and we were delighted that Tom AckermanFerreira (d 18) a Pringle Trophy veteran and now serving Royal Marines officer came back to his Contingent to deliver an inspiring lecture.

Our Field Trips are the highlight of the CCF experience, and we were lucky to be hosted at RNAS Yeovilton by 846 NAS for our RN section. Our Royal Marines had a hoofing time with 42 Cdo in Plymouth. Our Army section were put through their paces by the Rifles in Chepstow and our Fifth Form pupils experienced the buzz of live firing on Straight Point Ranges.

On the final Wednesday of term, we were able to thank Dr Luckett and Mr Jamieson for all they have done for the CCF through a

Sixth Form Headmaster’s Parade and Annual Dinner Night. The guest of honour was Major General James Coote DSO OBE, the Senior British Military Advisor at United States Central Command, who gave an inspiring and thought-provoking address on leadership to the cadets and staff. We were also delighted that our Fifth Form cadets were able to fly in a helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton in what was a special day for our CCF.

Rob Le Poidevin Contingent Commander

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

This Term our 170 DofE participants across Gold, Silver and Bronze have been hard at work completing the various sections of their awards. From achieving on the sports pitches, to practising new skills and hobbies and giving back to the Sherborne community, it has been an exceptionally busy term. As expedition season approaches, it will be fantastic to see so many complete their award, and the hard work pay off.

The Gold participants have been preparing for their upcoming expeditions. At the end of term the 90 Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls` embarked on their Training and Practice Expeditions, with 59 walking in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, and 31 canoeing along the Thames River.

The walking expedition in Wales saw fantastic weather that accompanied rewarding views from the ridges of The Black Mountains. The nine teams spent two nights in Plas Pencelli Outdoor Centre where they enjoyed time together in the evenings after days of training and expedition skills lessons from their instructors. This prepared them for three days of expedition camping each night. The teams were put through their paces over a challenging route, learning many valuable lessons along the way. However, high spirits and commendable morale from the whole party made for a fantastic trip!

The Canoeing Expedition spent two days of practising on the South Cerney lakes, after which they were ready to begin their journey along The Thames. The participants learnt a lot from their training and were able to apply their skills when encountering the numerous locks along the river to Oxford. An excellent Practice, accompanied by glorious weather, was had by all. We look forward to sharing and celebrating their achievements along the Great Glen Way Qualifying Expedition.

A big thank you goe supporting these tri

Well done to the 14 Bronze this term. Co six boys who comple Griffith (U6c), Oliver James Thorne (U6f) for completing Gold to an award present Palace in May.

DofE and Ou

es out to the staff ps in the holidays.

boys who completed their ongratulations also to the eted Silver and to Freddie Livingston Booth (U6g), and George Wight (U6f) d! They have been invited tation at Buckingham

TEN TORS: A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

Ten Tors has become a joint activity with Sherborne Girls, and this year sees a record number of teams taking part. We are entering three teams for the 35-mile challenge and two for the 45-mile challenge.

Two training weekends took place in the Lent Term, with nearly 50 cadets braving the cold, wind, and glorious sunshine on Dartmoor. Competition for places is intense due to the limited number of spaces available. Training becomes progressively more demanding, with a twelve-hour trek scheduled for 26 April, leading up to the main event, which takes place the weekend after the May Bank Holiday.

Chris O’Donnell Teacher of Business & Economics

Ten Tors

Mark Stuart

utdoor Education Assistant

SP O RT

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David Director

asses in a flash with a oss the range of sports

rt to pitch and course to irburnians enjoying the s and giving their all for seasonal weather, there ible achievements from abilities which we will nto the Trinity Term and vities programme.

d Guy of Sport

As the Lent Term unfolds, Sherborne rugby shifts its focus to the fast-paced and highly competitive 7-a-side game. Across all age groups, our teams have been training diligently in preparation for the prestigious Rosslyn Park National School 7s at the end of term.

The Mini Colts have demonstrated outstanding commitment, training weekly in co-curricular sessions and competing in a series of tournaments, including Dean Close, our very own Sherborne 7s, and the West of England 7s. With each competition, they have shown impressive development, adapting quickly to the demands of 7s rugby.

The Colts have equally embraced the challenge, competing at Gordon’s School, where they secured the Bowl title, as well as Prior Park, winning another Bowl competition. They also tested themselves at the West of England 7s, gaining valuable experience against strong opposition.

Meanwhile, the Senior 7s squad has been fully immersed in the format through the games programme, refining their skills and fitness in preparation for a demanding tournament schedule. They have performed admirably at Millfield, King’s Bruton, Portsmouth 7s (Plate Final), Collegiate School 7s (Cup Semi-Final), and West of England 7s (Plate Final). A highlight of

their preparation has been the opportunity to learn from former England 7s player Ruaridh McConnochie, whose guest coaching session provided invaluable insights into the tactical and technical aspects of the game. With all teams now set to compete at Rosslyn Park, the goal is clear – to win their groups and push for a coveted place in the second day of competition. Best of luck to all our players as they take on this exciting challenge!

Chris Smith Deputy Director

of Sport (Performance)

RUGBY

FOOTBALL

Behind the Curtain - What happens in a football training session?

While parents are probably familiar with structured classroom learning experience, the intricacies of our football training sessions perhaps remain largely unknown. What might appear to be simple practice, a kick about if you will, is actually a meticulously designed journey of skill development, tactical understanding and personal growth.

Imagine a 90-minute session that’s as precisely planned as any mathematics or science lesson. Our Director of Coaching approaches training with the same academic rigor, breaking down the complex art of football into carefully structured segments for each of the coaches to follow and adapt.

Allow me to share a session at random… it begins with ‘moving rondos’ – a dynamic passing exercise where players must navigate tight spaces, if they lose possession, they then complete an agility stepping ladder before heading to the next rondo. This isn’t just about moving a ball; it’s about developing spatial awareness, quick decisionmaking, and physical adaptability. Each 15/20-minute segment builds upon the last, progressively

challenging players. In this session, the next part sees ‘twoversus-two’ games with ‘magic men’ on the sidelines. This progresses to ‘six-versus-six’ possession games, where more sophisticated concepts like “breaking lines” and creating “width and depth” are introduced. By using the same terminology throughout the teams and age groups, the message is the same and boys understand as they move from one team to the next. Coaches encourage players to think about the field as a dynamic, living space, not just a place to run and kick a ball.

The pinnacle of the session might be a 5-versus-5-versus-5 game or an 11-versus-11 match, where players apply what they’ve learned. Innovative rules - such as giving wide players three seconds of uncontested play, or awarding double points for switching play effectively, ensure that learning remains engaging and challenging.

But, of course, this is about more than just football. Our coaches are developing critical life skills: communication, strategic thinking, teamwork, and the ability to adapt under pressure.

Giving the session time for the boys to grasp it before making interventions is one of our coaching philosophies. This reflects a deep understanding of learning - allowing players to struggle, discover and then improve independently.

You might say that these twiceweekly sessions are not merely preparation for weekend fixtures. Upon reflection, maybe they are transformative experiences that develop young men who can think critically, work collaboratively, and approach challenges with intelligence and creativity… and importantly enjoy themselves along the way. Of course, this coaching framework is not exclusive to football; given that each of the main sports has a Director of Coaching, the boys experience a similar approach in their other sports.

The next time your son chats about his match, don’t just ask him about the goals scored, but about the tactical insights he’s gained. Thanks to our Director of Coaching and the cascading model of coaching, the real magic happens long before the match begins.

Dr Jon-Paul Manning Master i/c of Football

Our cricketers are hard at work ahead of the new season. Alongside the fiercely contested Inter-House competition, squad sessions are up and running for all age groups as the boys look to develop their skills.

This week, the seniors had the privilege of being coached by former South Africa men’s coach, Graham Ford, who has also coached the Sri Lankan and Irish national teams. Graham is regarded as one of the very finest coaches in world cricket and was hugely influential in the careers of some of the sport’s greatest players, including Malcom Marshall, Kevin Pietersen and Kumar Sangakkara. Sherborne’s boys are thus in some exalted company and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience as Graham passed on his insights and tips from his thirty years at the summit of the game. He was also kind enough to take part in an interview with Will Tatham (U6d), which will be published in the next edition of ‘Blue and Gold’

On behalf of Sherborne Cricket, we are hugely grateful to Graham for giving up his time to share his cricketing wisdom.

Hugh Tatham Master i/c Cricket

C

COACHING

As we enter the second term of our winter programme, the boys have remained focused on their Independent Development Plans, working hard to refine their skills. Our weekly sessions have been well attended, including the Bowling and Batting Club for juniors, squad training for senior, junior colts, and mini colts, as well as a junior participation session. Senior boys have also been making the most of their study periods to enhance their development.

During HPP, the focus has been on playing spin in challenging conditions, similar to those found in the subcontinent. The boys have embraced this challenge, learning new skills and, more importantly, adapting well to different playing conditions. This term, as mentioned by Hugh Tatham (Master i/c Cricket), we were fortunate to welcome Graham Ford (former Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Surrey coach) and Mark Davis (former Somerset player) to our sessions. Their experience and insight have provided the boys with a fantastic opportunity to learn from top-level coaches.

The senior players have recognised that school cricket extends beyond the 1st XI and have been actively supporting junior and prep school sessions through coaching. This peer-led approach has been an excellent learning opportunity for both younger players and senior mentors. Additionally, Will Moss, currently studying Sports Management and Coaching at Bath University, has been a valuable addition to the coaching team, working with players across different ages and sports.

It has been great to see new players integrating seamlessly into the squads, bringing fresh energy and talent. Following recent cricket captain interviews, I am pleased to announce Will Tatham (U6d) as our Red Ball Captain and Charlie Robinson (U6m) as our White Ball Captain. Senior players are now preparing for their first test—pre-season at Bradfield College during the Easter holidays. I look forward to seeing the boys showcase their skills next term!

Ryan Buckley Director of Cricket Coaching

HOCKEY

A successful hockey season is built on a foundation of consistent development, teamwork, and competitive performance. Success is not only measured by wins and losses but also by the progress players make throughout the season. We want to encourage more pupils to follow in the footsteps of Jamie Guy (U6g) VC 1st XI, being selected for a talent academy which runs throughout the year, whilst pushing for a national place and training with Wales.

The 2nd team, following on from their unbeaten run last year, has had an outstanding season so far. They have won eight out of 11 matches, drawing twice, and losing just once, with an impressive 36 goals scored. This has been fronted by a mix of experienced players in Thomas Langley (U6e), Oliver Chappell (U6d) and Charlie Robinson (U6m), who have controlled the games, with Fifth Formers stepping up and filling the role. It has also

been great to see younger talent stepping up, with Olly Macdonald (5a), James Hawkins (5f), and Jake French (5d) all making their 1st XI debuts, showing the strength and depth of the squad for the future. Down the other end of the pitch Zeeshan Mahmud (5f) has been a standout performer for the 3rd XI, stepping up as goalkeeper and delivering consistently brilliant performances. We also want to highlight a standout moment for Teddy Carvosso (4f), scoring his first-ever hockey goal - a fantastic achievement for someone new to the sport, and hopefully the first of many to come!

Outside of school, William Rooke (3m) has been playing for Dorset hockey, scoring a number of excellent goals. Looking ahead, our aim is to continue expanding and strengthening the hockey programme.

Fraser Henderson Director of Hockey

TENNIS

The Lent Term has been a fruitful and busy period for the tennis team, showcasing both individual and collective growth among the players.

Our highlight of the term came in the Glanville Cup, where the team of Billy Baker (U6c), Xavier Aparicio (4g), Rupert Dorey (4e) and Henry Wight (3c) demonstrated excellent teamwork and skill to achieve success in the first round. Their dedication and effort were evident, marking a promising start to the competition.

We are also thrilled to celebrate Henry Wight’s fantastic achievement in being called up to represent the county in the U18s County Cup. This is a well-deserved recognition of Henry’s hard work and commitment to the sport.

In the Year 11-13 competition regional knockouts, the boys faced a challenging match against Bishops Wordsworth, where we were unfortunately edged out. Despite the result, the team displayed resilience and commitment, learning valuable lessons along the way.

The enthusiasm for tennis this term has been infectious, with courts bustling with activity and participation. The boys have worked hard to develop their skills and improve their game, setting a solid foundation for future success.

As we look forward to the Trinity Term, there is great excitement and anticipation to see the progress the boys have made. With the momentum gained during Lent, the upcoming term promises to be an opportunity to further refine and demonstrate their abilities. Here’s to building on these achievements and striving for even greater accomplishments.

SAILING

Winter does not scare away the dinghy sailors of Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls, quite the opposite. It has been a brilliant ten weeks of training and matches all done in the most excellent spirit. There were victories over Clifton College at Chew Valley Lake and at home. Millfield were also summarily dispatched at home.

The term was not all victorious, the youth of the two schools had to yield to the superior talent of a touring team from the Solent, whose average age was north of sixty but whose aggregate collection of National, European and World titles from days gone by exceeded the age of most of our pupils. The pupils did, however, get the better of an Old Shirburnian team. Four of our Sixth Form sailors represented the School at the Schools Keelboat Fleet Racing Championship at Queen Mary Sailing Club and came away with new experiences, if not any silverware.

On the final Saturday of term, the parents arrived for their ritual annual humiliation against the pupils and put up a very good fight but did ultimately succumb to the pupils. The Inter-House trophy was fought out on the final Thursday of term by seven of the boys’ Houses. The winner was Harper with Reader Harris at Sherborne Girls second and Abbeylands in Third.

The Andrew Yorke Award which is a bursary to fund the RYA Dinghy Instructor training of pupils at the end of the Fifth Form was awarded to Eddie Esdaile (5c), Henry Hardick (5b), Molly Ross and Jemima Hodgkinson of Sherborne Girls. We wish them luck in their training.

Michael Ewart-Smith Master i/c Sailing

Richard Keen Master i/c Tennis

Ruth Nordmann

CROSS COUNTRY

The earliest known documentation in the Sherborne Boys’ archive of the House Cross Country event dates back to March 1928 when ‘steeplechasers’ were asked by Mr Sharpe (Captain of Games) to be at the start line at 2.30pm. Now in its 97th year at least, the House Cross Country remains one of the highlights of the sporting year.

This year the Intermediate race was won by Dylan Carr (5e) of Wallace House, followed by Xavier Aparicio (4g) of Lyon House in second and Sebastian Noori (4c) of The Green in third. The senior race was won by Charlie P followed by Charlie Robinson (U6m) of The Digby and Jamie Dod (U6g) of Lyon House. The staff race was won by Mr Sheffield

who was followed by the two Choral Scholars Ms Nicholls and Mr Macmullan in second and third. This year there was a huge effort by Housemasters and Tutors to encourage the boys to get home in a good position to secure the House Cup. In the end the Cup was retained by Harper House who were well ahead of any competition in the team scores.

Philip Morrow Master i/c Cross Country

WATER POLO

Pupils have enjoyed water polo sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays, along with the ever-popular Monday evening club. In January, the junior and senior squads joined forces under the captaincy of Akila Bakrie (L6b) for a friendly game against Millfield. Despite a final score of 8-3 in favour of Millfield, it was an enjoyable match and a valuable learning experience for all involved.

Claire Greenrod Master i/c Water Polo

SQUASH

This term, Sherborne Boys’ squash team faced a mixed set of results in recent matches, showing resilience and promise. Against Clayesmore, the team battled to a hard-fought 3-3 draw, securing an overall victory on games won.

Debutants Alex Gledhill (U6f) and Henry Persse (U6m) put in strong efforts, while Simon Aggett (U6c), Oscar Boswall (U6f), and Edward Henderson (L6m) dominated their matches. Lucas Tavares (U6f) narrowly lost a five-game thriller as the top seed, highlighting the competitive spirit of the team.

The match against King’s Taunton proved more challenging, with Sherborne losing 0-6. Despite their best efforts, the opposition was too strong, though the team gained valuable experience. Against Millfield, Sherborne

managed to secure a single win, courtesy of Gledhill’s commanding 3-0 performance. Though the 1-5 loss suggests a clear defeat, the matches were closely contested, and a home fixture could provide the edge needed for a different outcome. The team remains determined and looks forward to upcoming challenges.

William Buckley Master i/c Squash

SKI RACING

The Ski Racing Squad returned from Wengen and the DHO British Schoolboys Championships following another successful trip, despite the heavy snowfall which forced the cancellation of the slalom races on day two of the competition. On the previous day, in the parallel slalom, our A and B teams met in the quarter final with the A team coming out on top and progressing through to the final after also defeating Harrow, Wellington and Dulwich on the way. In the best of three race final, the team of Zander Lacy-Smith (U6d), William Norton (U6b), Jamie Guy (U6g) and Jago Lacy-Smith (5d) succumbed to a star-studded Reeds team (with 3 GB skiers!) but were delighted with second overall.

Two days later, after the snow storm had cleared, and a day of further training with the coaches from Precise Racing, it was GS race day on the Lauberhorn. Over two races, our boys were hugely impressive, with their courage and skill, particularly the younger boys who were tackling the World Cup

piste for the first time. Several completed the course and should be very pleased with their efforts. In the seniors, it was also a successful day with five skiers in the U18 category finishing in the top 20. Jago Lacy-Smith was 9th, and his brother Zander finished 3rd in the unregistered category, less than a second off the combined time of the winner for the two runs. In the U21 category, Will Norton won both the GS title and the Viceroy Cup for top skier in his category. A phenomenal effort all round.

Three boys leave the programme this season after five years of commitment and my thanks go to Zander, Will and Jamie for their effort and commitment, but the future looks bright with a growing number of young, determined skiers following in their tracks. My thanks also to the large number of parents who support the ski racing programme and manage to squeeze a few days in Wengen to support the boys.

David Guy Director of Sport

BRITISH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Sherborne, out of the 19 teams in the Senior category of the British Independent Schools Clay Pigeon Shooting Championship, secured fifth position in the team match.

For individual achievement, a special mention goes to Hugo Bishop (5d), who achieved an impressive score of 44 out of 50 clays, securing the fourth position with two other competitors, out of a total of 76 players.

Another special mention goes to Hector Wilson (L6b), who achieved an equally impressive score of 43 out of 50 clays, securing the fifth position with one other competitor, out of a total of 76 players.

In the Colts category, Sherborne secured sixth position out of the 10 teams of four.

Hu

i/c Clay Pigeon Shooting

Yifan

Master

BASKETBALL

Sherborne first basketball team began the Lent Term with tough away fixtures to Marlborough College and Bishop Wordsworth’s School. Spirits were high, however, the team unfortunately lost to both teams deep into their fixture schedule.

The match practice paid dividends however, with Sherborne then going on a run of three wins against Gillingham School, Wells Cathedral School and annual rivals Winchester College. Tom Foster (U6a) has led the team both as Captain and leading scorer inspiring the team to the victories. A hard fought away match against Canford put a close defeat on the record; however, has made for an interesting return fixture towards the end of March.

Sherborne has welcomed Milton Abbey School and Monkton Combe School to the fixture list this term and we look forward to playing them again next year after victories against both. This Term has seen Ashraf Kachemad (U6f) raise his game becoming more confident as an architect of play on the court, with Theo Knott (L6m) and Cassian Ali (L6c) more dominant in offence and secure in defence. Team sports are always kept alive by introducing new and younger players to the first team, it has been a fantastic opportunity this Term to introduce Pau Camps Felip (3m) and to see the continued contribution of Hugo Shiu (5b) grow as he develops into an assured point guard.

James Walker Master i/c Basketball

POLO

The Lent Term in the Arena has been excellent preparation for our summer grass season after Easter. Each Thursday the boys and a girl from Sherborne Girls have been committed to training hard. To put those skills into action, we took part in the SUPA Senior Schools tournament at Rugby Polo Club on Sunday 2 March, where 39 teams were competing. We entered two teams, and each played three tough chukkas against different schools. Both teams won one game and lost two to place them fourth in their divisions. The standard of polo was very high, they all played incredibly well and in particular the lower intermediate side were really stretched and rose to the challenge admirably with Algy Lindsay-Fynn (U6b) showing the most improvement.

Less than a week later we took on teams from Eton and Marlborough. We did not manage to secure a victory, however, we held our own and played some superb polo. Senya Opanasenko (3m) played really well in his first competitive fixture at Sherborne. Josh Spolton (4m) was our goal scorer and Teddy Instone (4c) was absolutely invaluable at controlling the games. This is a very exciting junior side! Mattie Cormack (U6) from Sherborne Girls also played and showed great tactical play.

Julia Slade Master i/c Polo

SWIMMING

The Bath Cup was this month’s swimming highlight, which took place at the London Aquatic Centre on 7 March. Having trained in preparation for the event, the select squad travelled up the evening before, to ensure they were fresh for the beginning of competition, with registration at 9:30am. This is the first time we have attended this invitational event and all were keen to soak in the excitement of the day. With 80 schools swimming, the pool had a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, with divers practicing their skills in the diving pool, behind the starting blocks. Seeded in heat eight of eight for both races, the boys were not put off giving their best.

In the Bath Cup (4x100M Freestyle) the squad came in a full 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the heat in a time of 4:12.49. In the afternoon, the boys swam 2:05.68 in the 4x50M Medley Relay, again leading the heat and more importantly breaking the School record, last set in 2012. Almost as important to the squad was swimming in faster than Marlborough and Bryanston, two schools we enjoy competitive galas with, and against whom we have improved over the last few years. Congratulations to the squad for their efforts and personal successes. They were planning next year’s competition before we even left the pool, already looking to build upon their success.

Andrew Griffin-Raphael Master i/c Swimming

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

RADIO SHERBORNE

This live show is recorded every Thursday evening and features pupils across all year groups. An evening of Radio Sherborne is filled with anecdotes, jokes, politics and plenty of music, handpicked by the boys themselves.

CHESS

The annual open chess tournament has been running this Term and the overall winner was Felix Freeth (3c), who beat Joe Zhou (5e) in the final.

CROSSFIRE

Crossfire (The School’s Christian Union) has met each Thursday evening and we have enjoyed the chance to share a meal and listen to a visiting speaker, or to look at a passage from the Bible. Half way through the term we had a delicious joint supper with Sherborne Girls which was attended by about 30 boys and girls.

LEGO CLUB

Lego Club has welcomed some new enthusiastic builders. Club members have been busy working on a variety of exciting challenges. They have particularly enjoyed working on a stop motion animation, devising their own hilarious story, and taking photographs to create the animation. The final result was a very amusing video, which even featured a surprise snake to welcome in Chinese New Year!

GOLF SIMULATOR

Groups of Third and Fourth Formers enjoy using the golf simulator three times a week.

BADMINTON CLUB

Badminton Club takes place every Friday from 5.00pm until 6.00pm, with 20 boys attending each week.

BOARD GAMES

Board Games Club runs on a Monday evening. A typical session involves friendly chatter and frequent outbursts of hilarity. This term, favourite games have included Carcassonne, Watermelon Chess, Avocado Smash, Exploding Kittens and Code Names.

BOOK TRIP

January saw the much-anticipated return of Book Trip, the library’s book club. This year, alongside the personalised book trips for travel lovers, we added a Life Stories trip – biographies and personal accounts, and a Books Behind the Headlines trip, for people who like to read a mixture of fiction and non-fiction related to a particular topic. The new trips are proving particularly popular and we have received some great comments cards from our Book Trippers!

BOARDING & BORNE TO THRIVE

THE BRILLIANCE OF BOARDING

Sherborne offers a plethora of opportunities for boys outside of the normal school day, with activities running before school, in breaks, from 5.00pm, till bedtime and all through the weekend. Socials are a regular highlight, filling Saturday evenings, often alongside Sherborne Girls with fancy dress, formal dinners, DJs, magicians, quizzes, Ceilidh’s and more. The Upper Sixth have dressed up for Stick as their ideal future selves and hit the slopes in their ‘après ski’ costumes, before finding freedom with the option of visiting a pub on Saturday evening.

In addition, as a full boarding school, Sunday trips to Bath Rugby, Dorset Water Park and paintballing are often highlights of the term and brilliant bonding experiences. The junior boys had the chance to be flag bearers in Bath’s recent home victory against Gloucester and many Sixth Formers experienced rugby’s

Champions League equivalent at The Rec earlier this term.

The Boarding House communities have been as strong as ever this term, highlighted by the efforts in the House Cross Country and Digby’s victory in the return of House singing. The Boarding Houses truly are the boys’ home away from home. Each member of the House staff is invaluable, allowing the boys to be themselves in a safe and supportive environment. The Houses are the heart of the boarding community and the epitome of Sherborne’s brilliance.

Will Tatham (U6d) Head Boy

BORNE TO THRIVE

The inaugural ‘Borne to Thrive’ was run on Thursday 6 March with the aim of promoting long-term mental health through a balanced lifestyle. We enjoyed a slightly slower, (frequently requested I might add!) start to the day. Former Team GB hockey player, Ash Garratt, gave a hugely inspiring talk on ‘Bringing your A game’, full of lessons on what is required to get the best out of oneself. This set the tone nicely. The novelty of a day without lessons or uniform was a cause of great excitement. With three different activities to choose from a list of 50,

there was something for everyone - from yoga and running to crosswords and lego. The fact that spaces for sessions ran out faster than festival tickets was indicative of the high levels of enthusiasm for the day! The absence of a formal Hall slot in the evening allowed for more of a relaxed evening and greater freedom. Abbey House and Harper House played out a Sixth Form football match on the astro, whilst others watched films or played games in the Houses. All in all, ‘Borne to Thrive’ provided welcome variation, whilst carrying a hugely important underlying message.

Charlie P (U6b) - Head Boy

CHINESE NEW YEAR

A fabulous banquet lunch was enjoyed by 60 pupils from Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls to celebrate the Year of the Snake. All aspects of the event, from the menu to the entertainment, were meticulously planned by a team of pupil organisers. Our talented Chinese Chef, Peter, did us proud with mouth-watering dishes, including dumplings, Char Siu Pork, and Mapo Tofu.

Pupils from both schools showcased their talents through speeches, dances, songs, and guitar performances. Meanwhile, the House Decorating Competition was once again won by Harper House, impressing the judges with displays of snakes created by every year group. Wallace House also put on a spectacular display, featuring a huge snake suspended from the ceiling.

Claire Greenrod Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

INTERNATIONAL PUPILS

For our international pupils, exeat weekends traditionally involve staying with guardians or host families. However, for a small charge, students now have the option to remain at school in the former International College on the Newell Grange campus. These weekends are relaxed and supervised by Sherborne staff, providing students with a calm environment to unwind. With a flexible schedule, students can choose to participate in an organised trip, make use of the School gym, or simply enjoy some downtime with friends. This option offers a convenient and supportive alternative for those wishing to stay on campus.

To discover more about opportunities for our International pupils and our Newell Grange Campus, please contact Dave Shaw, Director of Short Courses david.shaw@sherborne.org

David Shaw Director of Short Courses

CHARITY & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Charity and outreach opportunities have been plentiful this term, with boys, Houses and the School all finding opportunity to engage with a wide range of opportunities. Harper House continue to support Sherborne Primary, sending boys to help at the School each week; The Green has strengthened its ties with The Yeatman Hospital, with boys helping with garden maintenance, as well as several Upper Sixth boys creating a promotional video for the Hospital. Meanwhile, The Digby raised money for their House charity, School in a Bag, by swimming the distance of The English Channel in the pool. House Cross Country, for the first time, raised awareness for YoungMinds. Boys also enjoyed a home clothes day to raise money for Comic Relief.

Christopher Foyle Head of Charity and Outreach

New Netflix Drama Adolescence WELL BEING

The new Netflix hit Adolescence has got the country talking about issues schools have been addressing for many years.

However, it seems that this particular series has struck an emotional chord with parents, teachers, and teenagers. The level of violence in the actions of this young person, preceded by an obsession with social media, seems to be what has shocked people the most. The question “should we have done more?” comes at the end of an agonizing 13 months for Jamie’s parents and represents the realization that, while many parents believe their children to be safe in the comfort of their own bedrooms, an insidious presence lurks within a digital world that many find hard to grapple with.

Teenagers have always faced difficulties, but the world of social media has erupted at such a pace that many are struggling to keep up with the grip it has on teenagers. The program highlights what can happen in the extreme, but the supposed innocuous “funny” clips flooding children’s Instagram feeds and the constant comparison with other people are perhaps of greater concern for many parents/carers and teachers. Emotional desensitization to other people’s feelings and exploitation for the

sake of humor seems to be an ever-growing undertone on social media platforms. In addition, the desperation for young people to conform to idealistic and unrealistic standards is a pressure teenagers have dealt with for generations, however, the constant stream of this content, based on complex algorithms is what is most concerning. Conversations about respect, tolerance, and kindness should be at the heart of every discussion around social media use, in addition to the reality of what is real and not real.

As a school, we have been working on several projects in line with the government’s Relationships and Sex Education framework, making online safety a core focus within every year of study. Online bullying, deepfake technology, radicalization, extremism, and everything in between are addressed in lessons, assemblies, talks, and pupil-led workshops. Critical engagement with material from the online world is so imperative for young people, and as educators, it is our primary role to equip them with the tools and capacity to do so. However, this cannot be limited to

the classroom; the Boarding House, our pupil-led workshops, and the 1-1 tutor system all serve as unique spaces to help develop our pupils’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities in a digital world. Discerning fact from fiction will be a challenge for many young people; however, as our news headlines demonstrate, it is such an important one to tackle.

As we move forward as a school, we continue to develop resources and expertise to help the boys become kind and decent young men. We have also invested in more staff training from Men at Work to equip staff with the knowledge and understanding of these issues, enabling them to have these crucial conversations with the boys in different contexts. This is a subject that will be a focus for many families, particularly those with sons. Addressing these issues and the wider concerns the digital world presents as a community, will be the best way of supporting young people through these tough teenage years.

Nikola Bowerman Head of Pupil Wellbeing

MATRONS’ CONFERENCE

‘Pastoral Care in a Digital Age’ was the theme of this year’s Matrons’ Conference, falling in a timely manner on the Global Day of Unplugging (7 March).

Sherborne Boys’ Matrons joined with colleagues from other schools within the Sherborne Schools Group and Matrons from invited schools for a day of CPD on the important topic of Digital Wellbeing.

This year’s Keynote Speech was given by Digital Wellbeing Coach, Katie Brockhurst, with subsequent sessions focusing on Gaming and Gambling Addiction (led by David Murray –Housemaster at Lyon House), and Online Harm and Digital Self (led by Nikola Bowerman – Head of Pupil Wellbeing).

Thank you to Mr Murray and Mrs Bowerman for their powerful insights, and guidance on this important subject.

Louise Smith Engagement Officer

O S S

It has been a fantastic start to the year for the Old Shirburnian Society, with a packed schedule of events bringing together alumni across generations.

January saw the inaugural City and Financial Services Lunch, where 43 OS from various industries gathered at the beautiful Mercers’ Hall for great food, conversation, and networking. It seems only yesterday that some of the younger OS present were attending our OS graduate events and university visits. It was great to see them thriving.

In February, we teamed up with Sherborne Old Girls for our university visits, meeting young alumni in Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, Exeter, and Bath. These visits are always a pleasure -catching up with our newest OS, hearing about their experiences, offering careers advice, and, of course, treating them to some well-earned food and drinks!

Our biggest event of the term was the Young Alumni London Drinks at The Clarence on Dover Street. Over 100 OS, SOGs, and a Qatar OG attended, making for a fantastic evening of reconnecting, networking, and reminiscing.

An added pleasure to these visits was hearing news of the continuing success of our online mentoring programme via our platform Sherborne Connect. The network had proved a great help to several and, in some cases, had resulted directly in finding jobs.

March brings more excitement as we welcome the Sherborne Pilgrims back to School for their annual dinner before their hockey and football matches against the current boys. We are also hosting a special thank-you lunch in London for the many OS and parents who support us throughout the year—providing venues, career advice, and volunteering on committees. Their generosity makes our thriving alumni network possible.

We look forward to bringing more news next term as our busy late spring and early summer programme unfolds.

John Harden OSS Secretary

SHERBORNE CONNECT A BUSY TERM FOR THE

SHIRBURNIAN SOCIETY (OSS)

EVENTS AND SOCIALS

At weekends our boys and pupils from Sherborne Girls are offered a wide range of activities. They have endless opportunities to try new things and socialise with different groups of people in a fun and informal setting.

Every Saturday evening, each year group is treated to a social activity or event. This term, the boys and girls have been busy singing at karaoke nights, dancing at Ceilidhs, being awed by magicians, bowling in Yeovil, dining at formal suppers and dressing up in black tie for a Casino Royale themed evening.

Abi Guiton Events Manager

SHERBORNE BOYS

ABBEY ROAD

SHERBORNE

DORSET DT9 3LF

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Image credits: Josie Sturgess-Mills, Katharine Davies, Mark Stuart, Len Copland, Ruth Nordmann and others. Thank