Highlights Autumn 12

Issue 45 Autumn 2012

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Highlights

ST A L B A N S S C H O O L

Sports Centre complete

Film Stars L6 students Emily Anderson, Rob Brooks and George Rutledge spent time last term performing extracts from plays which were filmed by Mr Cassidy and Mr Bhantoa. The resulting short films were shown at a major conference for A Level English teachers in London to illustrate approaches to drama texts.

On budget and on time, the School’s magnificent new sports centre was completed in July, after nearly a decade in the planning.

Headmaster Andrew Grant is delighted with the new building. ‘After all the preparation and work,’ he said, ‘the finished centre actually exceeds our expectations. It marks a huge leap forward for the School and what we can offer current and prospective students.’

Sensitively sited in the grounds overlooking Verulamium Park, the impressive building houses a 25 metre pool, a fully equipped fitness and weights suite and a sports hall with four international standard badminton courts and basketball hoops. The complex also includes a mirrored dance studio with a sprung wooden floor, a climbing wall and a number of offices and classrooms.

A number of local clubs, including the City of St Albans Swimming Club (CoStA) which helped with the testing of the new pool and its state of the art electronic timing equipment, have been using the pool over the summer.

The facility came on stream for regular use by the School at the beginning of the Autumn term.

Head of Girls’ Games, Emma Clarke, said, ‘The expansion in facilities has really extended the options for girls in the School. We have now been able to add zumba, taekwondo, climbing and swimming to the options, which is great for Sixth Form girls.’

Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew officially opened the new sports hall at a ceremony on 25 September.

The pool awaits its first swimmers following completion

Flame of Energy The Olympic Torch was used as part of a science lesson on energy when science technician Phil Prasad brought a torch to School.Pupils discussed and illustrated the different ways energy can be stored and transferred and were thrilled to handle the torch. Mr Prasad’s mother, Sue, was torchbearer through the streets of Ecclesfield, having been nominated for her voluntary work with disabled swimmers and Mr Prasad was able to share the excitement with pupils in School.

L’homme dansant Mr Cameron Palmer took a break from languages teaching over the summer to become a performer at the Olympic Closing Ceremony. He was part of the Rush Hour/ Street Party sequence of the first 30 minutes, dancing to British hits from the last three decades with his 5 seconds of fame behind the Pet Shop Boys.

Summertime Music

Design Trophy Three of the School’s budding engineers came away from this year’s Rampaging Chariots competition clutching two trophies. Design and Technology students Tim Furlong, Mark Hardwick and Robert Glew were successful after testing their remote control robot in a range of competitions against other machines produced by 12 other schools.

The Spring Concert was an evening which demonstrated the high standard maintained by the School’s musicians in an enjoyable and varied programme. A number of ensembles gave accomplished performances, including the String, Clarinet, Sax, Percussion and Brass groups, with music as varied as Two Norwegian Dances and the theme from Goldfinger. Larger groups too took the stage, with the Young Wind Band, the Concert Band and jazz band Mainstream, who gave dynamic performances of Now is Violinists prepare the Time, Come Rain or Shine and the well-known Caravan – for the summer offering opportunities for many musicians to show off their term concert improvisational skills. The evening also featured a number (above), while the of solo performances, Nick Fleet giving a lyrical performance Wall-E inspired of Brahms’ Romance from op. 118 and Max Thomas also chariot won prizes playing the piano in an assured rendition of Liebestraume. for its designers Ellie Rosser-Smyth entertained with the lively Donne Vaghe, (below left) contrasting with James Mohajer’s haunting performance of Is My Team Ploughing.

In the competition, organised and run by Selex Galileo, there were three physical challenges for the robots to undertake: a sumo challenge, testing strength; an assault course, testing speed and agility and a two-a-side football tournament Music department testing control and endurance. There were also two design stalwart James categories: ‘Technical Innovation’ and ‘Best Design’.

Mohajer sings his last goodbye Although knocked out of the Sumo competition, excellent driving by Tim Furlong led to success in the Assault Course, going on to win the final after a calm and clean round. There was less success, unfortunately, in the Football Tournament, which is always exciting, but relies on luck rather than skill.

Bearing some resemblance to the character Wall-E from the animated film, the key technical innovation of the students’ robot was its caterpillar tracks constructed from scratch out of interlinked hinges. This was recognised, as the team was awarded the coveted gold medals and trophy for Technical Innovation as well as the Assault Course trophy.

In a poignant evening of music, the Upper Sixth leavers took their farewell with the customary Leavers’ Concert.

On a warm summer’s evening, the library was packed with parents, friends and teachers, gathered to listen and celebrate the group’s musical contribution to the School. The evening was dominated by singers, as this year group was particularly blessed with a range of accomplished vocalists.

They sang in duets, small groups and larger ensembles, covering a wide repertoire, with Eleanor Rosser-Smyth’s witty performance of Someone is Sending Me Flowers and the Barbershop’s Beach Boys Medley being particularly memorable. There were also terrific acoustic ensembles reprised from the House Music competition, snatches of jazz and piano from Alex Shavick, Max Thomas, Nick Fleet and Chris Springthorpe. Jonathan Roche performed a Grieg violin sonata and Chris Springthorpe gave a sonorous rendition of Bloch’s Jewish Prayer on the cello.

The School’s singers performed Hits of the Seventies on two sellout evenings, as musicianship and nostalgia combined.

Backed by a slick band, confident and self-assured students treated the audience to well known numbers from the decade of wide collars, flares and other fashion mistakes.

In the words of one audience member, ‘the band was enviably slick, the set list was foot-tappingly good and the students delivered a powerhouse performance which blew me away.’

The show’s lighting, projections, sound and catering combined in a delightful evening, including such hits as She’s Always a Woman to Me, My Girl, Superstition, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Dreams and a particularly rousing rendition of American Pie.

Scientific Ventures Lower Sixth students visited Diamond Light Source, the UK’s synchroton radiation facility in Oxfordshire.

Diamond is a particle accelerator using electrons at an energy of 3 Ge V, travelling near light speed around a 560m storage ring. Magnets bend the electrons’ path, generating brilliant beams of electromagnetic radiation ranging from infra-red to X-ray wavelengths. These are used by over 2000 academic and industrial researchers in areas as varied as proteins and drug research, engineering components and conservation of archaelogical artefacts. Students visited the experimental stations, known as ‘beamlines’ and the giant Atrium, appreciating the opportunity to talk to designers and researchers. Lower School Science Club members enjoyed a trip to Thorpe Park, where they got to grips with the science behind roller coasters. An explanatory talk about the energy and forces behind the machinery, as well as how track and car design affect the feel of the ride, proved fascinating. Despite the rain, the boys enjoyed the opportunity to experience these concepts in action.

At the 2012 Biology Olympiad, silver medals were won by Phil Ruis and Alex Shavick, while Phil Madgwick, Max Greenfield, Jonathan Phillips, Tom Girdlestone and Rosie Nicholls received bronze medals. At the Junior Biology Olympiad, David Clegg and Miles Fryer won Gold medals and there were a further six bronze awards.

Damp Expeditions Three Gold DofE expedition groups visited Snowdonia in June. In rainy conditions two groups completed their training, navigating in rough terrain in the area called Devil’s Kitchen, followed by a practice expedition. One group successfully completed its qualifying expedition: the assessor was impressed by their fine organisation and prompt departure from campsites. Twenty six members of the Fifth Form also took part in their assessed Silver expedition in the Peak District. The Edale valley offered challenging routes through stunning scenery.

The external assessor was very impressed with the boys’ attitude, navigation and campcraft. All groups met the twenty conditions and have completed this

Braving the wilds section of their Silver DofE award. The CCF also ran a Silver qualifying trip, this of Snowdonia time in wild country over the Black Mountain and Bannau Sir Gaer ridge near Pen Arthur. Added to the challenges presented by poor visibility, driving rain, swollen rivers and sodden campsites, were some challenging routes, but the boys worked well in their groups to support each other and remained cheerful throughout. A Gold level expedition group of seven Lower Sixth students travelled to Cortina in the Italian Dolomites for their qualifying expedition. All were successful and their assessor was impressed by their organisation, determination and time-keeping.

Accommodation ranged from a wild campsite at 2000 metres above sea level – where the camp was ravaged by wild beasts in search of food – to the relative comfort of a mountain rifugio. Induction to the mountain experience included tackling one of the famous via ferrata, which traverses a cliff face using iron rungs and cables. Blessed with superb weather, all the group passed the assessment.

Phil Madgwick of the Upper Sixth and Beth Kirby of the Lower Sixth have both completed their Gold Awards.

CCF Adventures In July 65 cadets deployed to Wathgill for a week at army camp. The cadets developed their military skills, taking part in adventure training, shooting, an army obstacle course and sporting activities. 27 officers and cadets left for Wales, stopping first at Pen Arthur where the group enjoyed climbing, canoeing and water sports, including sea kayaking and sailing. The group then moved on to Llangollen, where they engaged in archery, BMX biking and some challenging command tasks before finishing off with an afternoon of gorge walking. The last two days were spent in Caernarfon , from where the group undertook a successful climb up Mount Snowdon. Tom Chapman travelled to RAF Little Rissington to complete an RAF gliding scholarship. He had a week of flying in a Vigilant motorised glider, before undertaking a solo flight, and was presented with his silver wings. Later Tom passed an RAF Air Cadet Leadership course at RAF Cranwell, gaining a Distinction.

Sport: Triumphs Despite the Weather Cricket: Despite a difficult start to the season because of the atrocious weather, play eventually got under way and ended with some outstanding results. The U15s won the District and County Cups with the U14s and U12s adding to this achievement by taking their respective District Cups as well. The 1st XI won their way through to the London Final of the National Twenty/20 Cup, where they faced a very talented side from Whitgift School, Surrey. This close fought match ended in a tie, but victory was claimed

by Whitgift in a count-back on wickets lost. Undaunted, the Ist XI went on later to claim victory in our own Twenty/20 Tournament, winning all their group matches and beating Abingdon School in the final by 28 runs. In the scheduled block matches there were some fine performances across the age range. The Ist XI enjoyed a series of victories against QE Barnet (5 wickets), Westminster (58 runs), Berkhamsted (6 wickets) and Aylesbury Grammar (8 wickets).

The U15As also racked up a series of impressive wins against QE Barnet (100 runs), Berkhamsted (5 wickets), Haberdashers’ (67 runs), Dr Challoner’s (8 wickets) and Aylesbury Grammar (9 wickets). This strong side also went on to win the Berkhamsted Sixes, when 8 members of the team were selected to play in this 6 a side tournament. A series of feisty performances ensured another victory against Dr Challoner’s in the final by 19 runs. Other sides proved their mettle, most notably the U14s and U12s, showing promise for the future.

Outstanding play over the season was rewarded, with trophies to the following students: Tom Carter, who took 5 - 10 vs Watford GS; Nial Parkash, who took 5 - 9 vs Aldenham; Lathan Mahalingham, who took 5 - 16 vs Habs; Joe Sayers, who took 5 - 24 vs Watford GS; Jaymee Malkan, who took 6 - 10 vs St Columba’s and Oliver Gaeton, who took 4 wickets in 4 balls vs Aylesbury. The following batsmen scored centuries: George Scott, who made 107 not out vs Aldenham, James Scott, who made 103 not out vs Berkhamsted and Will Norris, who was 115 not out vs Watford GS.

Athletics: Inclement weather conditions made the start to the season difficult.

Nevertheless some outstanding performances were recorded, most notably when our senior and U15 athletes retained their District Championships.

Fourth form students finished first or second in all but two of their events, winning by a comfortable margin.

In their age group there were seven district champions: Drew Daniels Smith, Joe Brennan, Adam Thorpe, Robbie Lightowler, Kwame Bunbury-Lindsay, Josh Southworth and Bolaji Anifalaje.

In the events for younger pupils, Tolaji Bola won the 100m and the triple jump, and Piers Dorward won the 200m. At the County Championships there were some very fine individual performances: Mark Pearce won the 3000m and George Rose the 400m. Adam Thorpe ran inside the entry standard for the English Schools in the steeplechase despite the appalling weather conditions. Amongst

George Davis were very worthy runners up in their section. There were further strong performances in the Aegon matches.

the Juniors, Omeiza Haruna was second in the triple jump, even though he had not competed all season due to injury.

In the Pre Juniors Tom Fulton put in a strong performance in the 1500m.

The pool in use Sports Centre: The School’s magnificent after a decade’s new sports hall and swimming pool was dream completed at the end of the summer term. It was officially opened by Duncan Goodhew, Olympic swimming gold medallist in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

He gave an amusing and inspiring speech before getting into the pool to conduct coaching sessions with our own pupils and children from the Abbey Primary School.

Tennis: Our U14 players, Henry Amos, Ben Bell, Laurie Kelly, Alex Wick and Archie Hunter, finished the season as District Champions. At the County School Championships, Tom Boon and

Football: The Ist XI enjoyed a long and very successful season, which culminated in the team winning the District Cup. The final was played against Verulam and, captained by Richard d’ Rosario, St Albans dominated the first half and held Verulam at bay in the second, convincingly winning the match 3-0. Earlier in the year, Second former Tolaji Bola was invited to represent the Arsenal Academy in a tournament in Milan.

Badminton: It has been another successful year for our teams in the Hertfordshire Schools Badminton League. Both the U15s, captained by Will Pickworth, and the U18s, captained

by Mark Sadler, won their respective sections.

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