Highlights Autumn 14

Issue 51 Autumn 2014

ST

ALBANS

Highlights

SCHOOL

All Change The Summer Term marked the final term of Andrew Grant’s tenure as Headmaster of St Albans School.

Many tributes have been paid to his firm, successful and far-sighted leadership of the School over the last twenty one years.

One of his most enduring legacies has been the physical transformation of the School’s facilities in the quest for excellence.

He oversaw the development of the Woollams Playing Fields, the magnificent new Sports Centre and swimming pool, Aquis Court with new Sixth Form and Art facilities and the new Refectory.

Following these initiatives, the Physics classrooms and laboratories have been totally refurbished over the summer, with new facilities too for Chemistry and RS. Further initiatives lie ahead: the development of new Drama and Music facilities and, of course, the expansion and export of the St Albans School ethos to Dubai.

Detail of a Pollock plate

Art for Charity Third form artists entered the world of optical art and art noir in order to raise funds for St Mungo’s, a homeless care centre. Gustav Brincat, William Drake, Henry Avery and William Foxton imitated the style of such artists as Jackson Pollock, Massimo Bottura, Franz Kline and Bridget Riley, exploring their styles to create a range of plates and canvases. The resulting works were presented in an assembly and auctioned to eager art investors.

The successful project raised over £150 for St Mungo’s.

George Harrison MBE

We all extend to Andrew our thanks.

We also warmly welcome the arrival of our new Headmaster, Jonathan Gillespie, who will continue to take the School forward.

Andrew Grant (top), who transformed the School over two decades.

Ensuring the provision of new Physics labs (left) was one of his final acts before retirement.

Jonathan Gillespie (centre) takes over.

Cross country coach George Harrison was named an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He had been named Coach of the Year in 2012 by England Athletic, for his successful work over 40 years with young athletes at St Albans School and Shaftesbury Barnet Athletics Club. His latest award recognises his long service to coaching and training. So many of our cross country runners and athletes owe him a great debt for his wise counsel and committed approach to their development.

Innovation Wins

Top Science

Crest Award winners with their There were several science successes certificates during the summer term. A number of Sixth formers learned of their success in the Chemistry Olympiad, with Eric Edmond receiving a gold certificate and the highest mark in the School, placing him in the top 7.4% in the country. There were three silver certificates and four bronze.

a walking robot. Although competition rules stated that machines need four wheels, while the barrel had two and the robot had six legs, adaptations and persuasion allowed the robots entry into the competition. As expected, they struggled with the football match, and the walking robot’s very slow circuit of the assault course drew much interest and applause. The day was complete when both the School’s machines were selected to share the coveted Technical Innovation award. Mission complete.

One of the barrel’s designers has been able to develop his interest in engineering further. Owen Pearce’s own engineering projects and handling of a rigorous interview process ensured he beat off stiff competition to land an Arkwright Scholarship, which will support him for the next two years.

Arkwright Scholarships identify, inspire and nurture future leaders in Engineering and Technical Design, selecting high calibre students in Year 11 and supporting them through A levels.

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge set fiendishly difficult questions on the use of beryllium in spacecraft and poisoning vultures, giving students the opportunity to test themselves on material well above what is expected at A-level. It was very impressive, therefore, that Camilla and Rachel Hoffman both achieved silver awards, which placed them in the top 23% in the country. Four other Sixth formers won copper awards.

Lower down the School, three Fourth formers were successful in the School’s first entry into the Crest Silver Awards, with engineering and science investigations. Josh Oliver pursued an individual project, researching diabetes. He produced materials designed to educate young people about the condition. Sam Goymer and Amit Wangoo co-operated on a joint venture, researching and designing a road bridge, taking careful account of the landscape and geology of their chosen area.

The School’s competitors in this year’s Rampaging Chariots competition decided to take a radical route: they would abandon attempts at some areas of the competition and go all out for the Technical Innovation prize. They wanted to test themselves to make highly original machines which would find races and other competitions difficult but would be far more interesting to create and build, stretching their problem solving and engineering skills to the limit.

With that idea in mind, one group designed a rolling barrel and the other

For his GCSE Design and Technology coursework, Owen created a lightweight articulated aluminium music stand to attach to a drum kit, while at home he has been building a lightweight racing kit car with his father and grandfather.

The Rampaging Chariots team at work on The Barrel

The Numbers Game In the Intermediate Maths Challenge, a national competition with over 200,000 entrants, Josh Oliver won a distinction and a medal, while Sam Goymer gained a merit award. Jamie van der Welle, Chris Johnson and William Stewart gained certificates of merit. In the Junior Maths Challenge, which has over 250,000 entrants nationally, our students were awarded 13 gold certificates, 34 silver and 34 bronze. In the more demanding Junior Olympiad, Owen Tyley won a silver medal and James Panayis a bronze. Certificates were won by a further 11 students. Second former Owen Tyley was later invited to attend a Mathematics Masterclass at the Royal Institution in London. Both Third and Fourth formers enjoyed separate days devoted wholly to Mathematics, where they explored the various applications of maths to every day life, such as the use of trigonometry in goal mouth technology and how data handling can help solve crime.

Music With Style and Panache The Spring Concert provided a delightful programme of rich and varied music. Undoubted highlights of the evening were the immaculate performances from two of the School’s Award Winners at the 2014 St Albans Young Musician of the Year: Nicholas Springthorpe (Senior Voice) sang the melancholy Tränenregen by Schubert with clarity and feeling and Thomas Dilley (Senior Wind) gave a stunning performance of Busser’s Canteor on the French Horn. There was a fine mix of musical genres, instrumental performances and tempi throughout the evening: stirring pieces from the brass band and, later, clarinettists; delicate work from the flautists; jazz pieces from the saxophonists and the

Concert Band. Six Pianos by Reich was a fascinating display of the dexterity of some of the School’s pianists in an innovative piece of work. The Leavers’ Concert was marked by fine singing, good humour and some exhilarating performances. The mix

A wealth of talent said goodbye at the Leavers’ Concert

was eclectic, ranging from Michael Jackson to Beethoven. Harry Lampert and David Cartwright performed works

by Beethoven and Liszt respectively on piano, while Hugh Myers played a delightfully syncopated piano piece.

Some heavy funky jazz was performed

by Joe Zacaroli, Kaine Levy and Will Barnes, while Ben Appleyard and Edd Razzell performed some hard rock.

Vocalists included Izzie Hindmarsh, Sophie Butterworth, Jem Bosatta, Imogen Nolan and Becca Sandler, who performed popular standards and pop songs. The annual Cabaret provided many Sixth Formers with a further opportunity to show their talents and for their audience to enjoy them in a relaxed and convivial environment.

Expeditions Everywhere Over the course of the summer term and holiday, nearly one hundred pupils were involved in expedition training and assessed expeditions, supported by numerous staff. In June, 41 boys undertook Silver Award three day expeditions in the Vale of Edale in the Peak District National Park. They camped out for two nights and navigated their way over some 50km of terrain, carrying all their equipment with them and being completely self-sufficient. Another 70 students travelled to the Brecon Beacons for three day Gold and Silver expeditions. In July 35 boys undertook their assessed Silver expedition in Wales, navigating their way successfully from the northern edge of the National Park at Trecastle to the southern edge at Pontneddfechan. After expedition training in Snowdonia in June, a Sixth Form group travelled in the holidays to the Italian Dolomites for their assessed Gold Award expedition. An introductory gorge walk was followed by steep climbs over rugged terrain, encounters with First World War mountain fortifications and a snow crossing at 2300 metres.

Journey’s End The Lower School Drama Club returned to the amphitheatre for their annual production. As a change from their normal rollicking productions, they responded to the national mood of remembrance, marking the centenary of WWI with a moving production of RC Sherriff’s poignant play Journey’s End. The outdoor arena, transformed into the trenches of the First World War in France, provided an atmospheric backdrop for the staging of the play and the young actors delivered memorable performances.

SPORT Cricket: This proved to a good season despite the early vagaries of an English summer. There were some excellent results for the 1st XI and the 2nd XI, together with some fine victories for other teams. Against Dr Challoner’s, the 1st XI enjoyed a 26 run victory: George Scott made 85 and Gareth Taylor took 4 wickets for 39. The 2nd XI also enjoyed a 26 run win. Against Haileybury, the 2nd XI won by 104 runs (Dan Angel 134; Will Pickworth 78), the 3rd XI won by 98 runs and the U14Bs recorded a 145 run victory. Against Bancroft’s, four of our teams enjoyed fine wins, the 1st XI by 23 runs (Robbie Goldstone 71, Patrick Scott 74), the 2nd XI by 8 wickets, the U15As by 2 wickets and the U14As by 9 wickets. Playing against Haberdashers’ Aske’s, the 1st XI scored a fine 9 wicket victory (George Scott 103, Patrick Scott 50*), the 3rd XI won by 7 wickets, the U15As by 5 wickets and the U14As by 3 wickets. Against Aylesbury, there were victories for the 1st XI (4 wickets), the 2nd XI (9 wickets) and the 3rd XI and both U14 teams. In a block fixture against Merchant Taylors’, there were wins for the 1st XI (47 runs), the 2nd XI (5 wickets) and the 3rd XI and the U14 sides. Against Bedford, the 2nd XI, the 3rd XI and the U14A team enjoyed satisfying victories.

Athletics: Our Senior team enjoyed a successful season, culminatng in the retention of the Senior District Championship Trophy following a tie with St Columba’s College. Team Captain was Adam Thorpe, whose notable performances were echoed by those of Tim Richards and Patrick Semark. There was a bitter sweet taste to this victory in that the opponent’s team were led

by OA Stephen Murphy. There were some fine performances from our intermediate athletes over the season, most notably Harrison Pyrke in the 1500m and Ben Clarke in the 3000m.

Our Junior athletes also distinguished

themselves: Seb Larsson and Matt O’Connor gave fine performances in the throwing events, while Tom Fulton, Ayo Olokotun, Max Swan and J J Wallace performed well on the track. Adam Thorpe’s talents were recognised by his selection to represent Britain at the European Clubs Cup in Catalonia in September.

Tennis: The culmination of the season for our U18 pairs was a victory in the County Doubles for Charlie Trollope and Tom Boon, with runners up medals awarded to James Wilkinson and George Davis. In the U14 tournament, Bertie Arbuthnott and Chris Fletcher played a close and memorable final, finishing with medals as runners up.

An ambitious shot in cricket training (above) and summer rugby in Italy (below)

Highs of Africa

CCF cadets returned to Tanzania this summer with twin challenges: to carry out much needed work at three orphanages and climb Kilimanjaro.

Having raised £15000 for the charity Shooting: A growing interest amongst work, 36 students and 8 staff flew to pupils in this sport ensured that two Africa to begin a hugely rewarding trip.

Senior and two Junior teams were At the Forever Angels baby home in entered into the summer leagues.

Mwanza the cadets decorated the play The Seniors enjoyed further success: room with scenes from The Lion King the A Team won Division Two and the and painted a mural of Kilimanjaro.

B Team Division Three. Although less The team also worked at Watoto successful, the Juniors gained valuable Africa, a particularly poor orphanage, experience in competing in their where there was eager participation respective Divisions. Top shot badges in a sponsored football tournament as were awarded to Harry Lampert, Alex well as supplying kitchen equipment, Lee, Joe Pattison and William McKay. mattresses, shoes, school uniforms and At Bisley a team of 10 students battled a water pump. against strong head winds to finish a creditable third overall.

The cadets also made a difference at the Village of Hope Orphanage, run Rugby: The U16 squad by a large Canadian organisation. This enjoyed a successful orphanage has nine bungalows which pre-season tour to the run as independent houses, trying to Getur Sports Village in the give the children a normal life. They all north east of Italy. Two matches were needed outdoor cooking shelters, and played in warm Italian sunshine. Against £1500 was donated to allow them to Grifoni Rugby Oderzo our team won build these shelters.

37-7 and against Ruggers Tarvisium in a harder fought match, our players A three day trip to the Serengeti won 36-14. The boys also fitted in a very followed, the group lucky enough to enjoyable tour of Venice. see all the ‘Big 5’animals, before they faced the challenge of Kilimanjaro, at 5895m the highest free-standing mountain in the world. A six-day trek and altitude sickness took its toll, but 32 pupils and 7 staff made it to Uhuru Peak. This was their physical high point, but the trip provided the participants with a great number of potential peaks.

St Albans School is a company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England No. 4400125 Charity No. 1092932 Registered Office: Abbey Gateway, St Albans, Herts. AL3 4HB

ST

ALBANS

Abbey Gateway, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4HB

SCHOOL

Telephone: 01727 855521 Fax: 01727 843447

Academic Matters: Commentary on Examination Results

www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

RESULTS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS Summary of Statistics Results in Public Examinations Form V - GCSE Candidature Percentage of grades A* - C Percentage of grades A*/A Percentage of candidates gaining grades A*-C in at least 5 subjects Percentage of candidates gaining A*-C in Mathematics Percentage of candidates gaining grades A*-C in English

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

123

120

112

127

126

100

100

100

100

99

82

87

84

80

85

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

99

100

100

100

100

137

131

136

148

137

456.9

462.4

477

474.7

458.8

100

100

100

100

100

89

94

95

93

91

Upper VI - A Level Candidature Average UCAS points per student, including AS

Percentage pass rate Percentage of grades A and B at A level*

Further details about examination results can be found on the School’s website.

A LEVEL 2014 A* grades at the Abbey Gateway continued to account for around a quarter of all grades and two thirds were at A* or A. For the fourth year in succession and the sixth in total, more than 90% of all results were graded from A*- B grade, the most widely recognised measure of A level success.

A Level (not including GS) Candidature Total entries Percentage pass rate Percentage grades A*, A & B Percentage grades A* & A Percentage grade A* UCAS points per entry UCAS points per candidate

137 436 100 91 64 25 115.6 367.7

A & AS Level (not including GS or Extended Project) Average number of passes UCAS points per entry UCAS points per candidate

3.6 114.4 415.0

A & AS Level (including GS and Extended Project) UCAS points per entry UCAS points per candidate

114.6 458.8

The average number of A level passes was 3.9. 57 students achieved at least one A*, and 14 – more than 10% of the year group – achieved three or more A* grades. There were a number who excelled even among this exalted company: Chris Williams goes to read Medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge having achieved five A* grades; Eric Edmond, already a Gold medallist in the British Biology Olympiad, confirmed his place to read Medicine at Christ Church, Oxford, with four A*s and an A grade.

Both heading for Cambridge, to read Engineering, are Robert Glew, bound for Queens’ College with four A* grades and Nick Stride, also with four A*s, to Fitzwilliam College. With three A*s and an A grade, Nick Hill will read Chemical Engineering at Birmingham; Ellie Jarman is off to St Catherine’s College, Oxford, to read Chemistry; and Edmund Wrigley to read Biological Sciences at Merton College, Oxford. Head of School Joe Zacaroli proved that his time-management skills were a match for his responsibilities in collecting three A* grades to confirm his place to read Engineering at St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

These achievements reflect a year in which a record number of students won offers from Oxford or Cambridge and all 19 achieved the grades to secure their places. In OA news: Joe Davies (2007) graduated with a First in Music from Cambridge University.

Further details about A Level results can be found on the School’s website.

GCSE 2014 The School is celebrating a record number of A* grades with 55.6% of entries being awarded the top grade (compared to a national figure of 6.7%). The 4.7% increase in the number of A*s achieved by St Albans School boys this year stands in marked contrast to the slight national decrease in the award of the top grade. Other outstanding headline figures for the School this year are 85% A* and A grades and 97% A*-B.

A summary of the results follows: Candidature Total entries Percentage grades A* to C Percentage grade A 1 Percentage grade A* Percentage gaining A* to C in at least 5 subjects Percentage gaining A* to C in English Percentage gaining A* to C in Mathematics Points per candidate Points per entry

126 1281 99 85 56 100 100 100 74.9 7.4

More than one quarter of candidates achieved at least 8 A* grades, and 12 boys were awarded straight A* grades. Charles Oliver, William Pavey and Robert Williams are celebrating the distinction of achieving a clean sweep of 11 A*s, with Alex Cook going one better with 12 A*s. Charlie Broom now has 9 A* grades to his name to accompany his achievements in tennis.

1

N.B. Grade A includes both A and A*; English, English Literature, Mathematics and all the Sciences are IGCSEs.

Further details about GCSE results can be found on the School’s website.

After St Albans Alex Grant (2003) has been awarded a Distinction in his Masters in History at Birkbeck, University of London.

Matthew Grant (2005) has been awarded a PhD in Biophysics at Cambridge University.

James Ellis (2006) gained a First in Physiotherapy from the University of Hertfordshire.

Joe Davies (2007) graduated with a First in Music from Cambridge University.

James Nissen (2010) has been awarded a First in Music by Manchester University. He was also the winner of the Keith Elcombe Prize for the best performance in finals and the Hargreaves Prize for the best dissertation. He has also been given an award which funds his Masters studies.

Michael Wills (2010) achieved a First in Law from Warwick University.

Alexander Craig-Thompson (2011) was awarded a First in Architecture from Kent University.

Cameron Epstein (2011) gained a First in Film, Production and Technology from Birmingham City University.

Anna Miles (2011) won the Eisenthal Prize at University College London for her Summer Vacation Studentship project, the Role of the molecular interactions between Complement C3d and Factor H in regulating the complement cascade of innate immunity.