Issue 36 Autumn 2009
HIGHLIGHTS
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NOBIS
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ST ALBANS SCHOOL
HMC CHAIRMAN
Our Headmaster, Andrew Grant, has now taken up his position as Chairman of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference of Independent Schools for the academic year 2009-10. He is confident that the leading independent schools which make up HMC are more than equal to the challenges that face them. He has stated: “I am honoured to have been elected to chair what is unquestionably the world’s leading association of independent schools. We have challenges – curricular, political and economic – to face in the year ahead, but HMC is a brand with an international reputation and there will always be a demand for the excellence it represents. “Some of our schools, my own included, have proved resilient and adaptable enough to sur vive the Andrew Grant speaks at the Prizegiving Ceremony Nor man Conquest, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Civil War, two World Wars and incessant curricular change, so I’m confident we shall be equal to the present task.” Prior to his election, Andrew Grant had already taken a leading role in many initiatives. He co-chaired the HMC/GSA Education/Academic Policy Committee from 2002-05 and was a member of other curriculum related groups including the assessment sub-group of the Tomlinson 14-19 Review and the HMC/GSA Universities sub-committee. He has been Headmaster of St Albans School since 1993.
DUKES CHALLENGES 23 Sixth Formers spent a weekend in Snowdonia honing their navigation skills, before hiking across the mountains with some steep ascents in low visibility. This provided good preparation for the two summer Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, where students successfully completed their gold qualifying venture in the Pyrenees. The demanding route offered tough climbing and spectacular scenery, with the additional bonus of snow in July!
SAS WAR SAGA New for this year has been the publication of a fascinating book, St Albans School at War 1939-45, which traces and sheds light on the history of the School during the Second World War. Amidst the stories of dedication and sacrifice, a real snapshot of the School at these critical times is related, together with some amusing anecdotes.
SCIENCE SKILLS A short film made by U6 physicists was shortlisted as Best Film in a SE regional heat organised by the Institute of Physics SciCast competition, while others received national nominations for soundtrack, Best Commentary and Best Engineering. At the Biology Olympiad, Alex Agrotis and Cheng Zhang won Silver medals, Adam Morfakis, Lewis Mills and Richard Leather received Bronze medals.