Highlights Summer 10

Issue 38 Summer 2010

HIGHLIGHTS PUPILS MAKE

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ST ALBANS SCHOOL

NEWS

On March 11 twenty-one Third form boys donned press badges and took up pens, cameras and phones to become journalists for the day to participate in the BBC School Report Newsday. In this election year they had prepared for the day by videoing interviews with local MP Anne Main and the challengers she was to face in the General Election from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties. On the day itself pupils prepared a package comparing their views on a range of topics from university tuition fees to the benefits and challenges of the 2012 Olympics. They also took part in the BBC’s bid to enter the Guinness Book of Records with the largest ever interactive simultaneous weather report, as well as covering stories as diverse as hospital car parking charges, the proposed redevelopment of the Odeon cinema in St Albans, police overtime payments and the lunchtime gig by Fifth form band Smiler. The boys enjoyed the benefit of guidance from BBC News Director Gavin Fuller throughout the day. The Sixth form publications team was Headteacher of St Peter’s School, Mr also on hand to advise on writing Michael Connell, was the witness for and to ensure deadlines were met.

St Albans School’s participation in the BBC world record weather report Everyone rolled up their sleeves and worked very hard, whether researching, phoning contacts, taking photographs or writing copy for the special News Report website.

Upper Sixth former Ben Hamer calmly and efficiently managed the technical website uploads throughout the day.

SPORTS TOURS DINNER The Guest of Honour at this year’s Sports Tours Dinner was the legendary Sir Ian McGeechan, the former British Lions and Scotland rugby player and coach. The lively evening opened with a video message of welcome from Britain’s double Olympic gold medal winning heroine, Dame Kelly Holmes. All diners were then delightfully entertained by Ror y Bremner, impressionist and TV celebrity, one of the finest after dinner speakers in the countr y, while the principal speaker for the evening was Alastair Campbell, the Labour Party’s former Director of Communications, British & Irish Lions’ communications officer and Burnley fanatic. Spor ting inspiration, wit and political insight accompanied fine food and wine on a hugely successful evening which raised funds for the School’s various sports tours, including the forthcoming Hockey Tour to Malaysia.

FRANK KILVINGTON An era in the School’s history closed when over 350 Old Albanians returned to St Albans Abbey last term for a memorial service for former Headmaster, Frank Kilvington, a fitting reflection of the respect and affection in which he was held.

POLITICS

TO THE

In this election year, the Politics Society successfully secured two stimulating speakers for our students.

Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College and author of the official biography of Tony Blair, gave his own very expert take on the Brown/Blair rivalry, the development of New Labour and the legacy of Tony Blair. Dr Seldon also exposed the role of spin in government and examined its influence in Blair’s first two terms in office, which he termed a triumph of image over integrity.

He was very critical too of Blair’s longer term legacy. A second talk, entitled The Problem of Europe, from Nigel Farage, the outspoken MEP and controversial ex-leader of UKIP, both provoked and entertained.The lecture began as a powerful tirade against the European Union and

FORE

the EU Parliament and a defence of his attack on President Van Rompuy.

He also lashed out at our own politicians and his contempt for two leading Conservative figures was made very clear. Mr Farage’s polemic, unsurprisingly, provoked energetic responses from the audience. A question and answer session with TV presenter and political hopeful Esther Rantzen provided Sixth and Third formers with some further stimulus later in the term. Just before going to press the results came in from the School mock election.

Unlike the real General Election, there was a clear and decisive outcome: the Conservatives were the outright winners, the Liberal Democrats came second, with the Labour Party a very poor third.

Nigel Farage MEP courted controversy as he spoke to pupils about politics

STAGE STRUCK An evening of original drama was offered at New Place with a series of plays, written, directed and acted by members of the Third form. The six best plays from last year’s play writing competition, each 10 minutes long, were performed to a full house.

They demonstrated a wide variety of dramatic structure, although common themes were guns, liquor and cigarettes. Despite the grim subject matter, which included murder, train crashes and corrupt coppers, most plays provided some hugely enjoyable comic moments. A fine evening’s entertainment. Upper Sixth drama students offered more sophisticated entertainment in their three devised pieces which are part of their A2 exam.

Themes ranged from the downside of celebrity status, through retribution, The choir to creativity imperilled by drugs and and orchestra alcohol: a thought provoking evening. rehearse for the The main musical feature of the Spring Joint Schools term is the Joint School Concert, Concert in the which was conducted this year by Dr Abbey Springthorpe, Director of Music at St Albans High School.The Joint Schools Choir included the School choir in its

entirety, giving a strong performance in John Rutter’s Requiem, which was the principal piece in the programme.

Chris Springthorpe performed an accomplished cello solo in the second movement. The concert also included the Missa Brevis by Haydn and the evergreen Concerto No. 2 by Shostakovich.

ÉLITE SCIENCE AND MATHS Sixth former David Phillips has made his mark in both the International Maths and Chemistry Olympiads by winning Gold awards in both.

This has put him in line for selection for the UK Maths and Chemistry teams. Already in élite company, success here would lead to David entering international competition in Kazhakstan for Maths and Tokyo for Chemistry in the summer. The following pupils also achieved success in the Chemistry Olympiad: a Silver award for Lewis Farrimond, Bronze awards for Alec Wright and James McConnell and commendations for Kieran Rawal, Alex Wells, Michael Mubiru and William Lay. Ten of our pupils entered the Biology Olympiad and five of them gained awards: a Silver medal for James McConell and commendations for Stuart Brown, Ben Hamer, Andrew Harris and William Welch. In the Intermediate Maths Challenge, 141 middle school pupils were awarded cer tificates, including 43 Gold awards. Matthew Morris achieved the top result with Jonathan Phillips, David McConnell, Daniel Heydecker, Alex Johnson, Joseph Redwood, Joseph Zacaroli, Nick Stride and Will Barnes.

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Seventeen Lower Sixth pupils successfully completed their practice Duke of Edinburgh Gold training expeditions in the mountains of Snowdonia, despite having to contend with sub zero temperatures at night and steep and difficult terrain. Day time weather conditions in contrast were almost balmy.They practised micronavigation, undertook a guided walk and refined their campcraft skills. Meanwhile, eight groups of CCF cadets successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice expeditions in the Peak District. Map reading, compass and camp craft skills were developed as pupils navigated their way around Edale and over peat bogs towards Kinder Downfall.

Sixth formers tackle the Y Gribin ridge in Snowdonia

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS Pupils gained an insight into very different aspects of engineering on two days of trips organised by the Engineering and Technology Society.Younger students travelled to Thorpe Park, not only for the thrills of the rides, but for privileged access to the intricacies of the machinery which makes them work. One of the School’s par tners, AECOM, subsidised the trip and sent an engineer to accompany the boys and explain the technology. As one of the fastest rollercoasters in Europe, Stealth, was closed for maintenance, they were able to get inside and examine the workings which send riders 205 feet into the air at 80mph.They learned about the two hour safety check before the ride is used each day and examined the wheels, which last a maximum of

two weeks. The following day, more senior pupils journeyed to London to examine the developments for the 2012 Olympics. A tour of the Stratford and Docklands areas put the Olympics into a social, historical and geographical context, before the group entered the Olympic Park itself to take a closer look at the construction on the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome, marvelling at the cuttingedge application of engineering in the architectural designs. The pupils gained a real sense of excitement about the Olympics themselves, but also came to appreciate the scale of the regeneration of the whole area and the emphasis being placed on the legacy that will be left behind after the athletes, media and crowds have left.

Students were able to see the Olympic Park under construction

EUROPEAN EXCHANGES Exchange students were treated to trips and skiing excursions in the Alps by their hosts when they visited south eastern France, but the main benefit was total immersion in the French language and culture. Equal benefit was derived by other pupils from their exchange trip to Santander in northern Spain.Trips, enhanced by some warm sunshine, included visits to the unique Pupils enjoy the social side of the caves of El Soplao, a windy trip to the Picos mountains and visits to the Spanish exchange mediaeval towns of Del Mar and Comillas.

SPORT: SPRING CHALLENGES Hockey: Although early matches were cancelled because of snow, the hockey teams enjoyed an excellent season. The 1st XI savoured their two victories over Haberdashers’ and then their wins against Merchant Taylors’ and Dr Challoner’s. The 2nd XI also had a very successful season, including a fine win over Merchant Taylors’ 10-0. The 3rd XI were unbeaten, finishing the season against The Leys with a 3-2 scoreline. Both U16 teams only lost one match in the whole season. The U14A side won almost all their games, with especially fine wins against Haberdashers’ 6-1 and The Leys 4-0.The U13 and U12 teams also showed great promise in their matches. Ben Hemsi, Tim Richards and Patrick Semark were selected to play for the Herts U13 team against Suffolk and Essex. The U13s also took part in the National Minis Hockey Championships after qualifying through the Herts Regional finals.They then progressed as far as the East of England Regional finals, where they played an intensely fought match against Beeston Hall, which resulted in a draw. Eighteen players from the U13 sides enjoyed an excellent four day tour to Somerset and Devon in February.

The purpose of the tour was to develop the players’ individual skills by meeting more exper ienced teams from Queen’s College, Wellington College and the ISCA Hockey Club. Player of the tour was Tim Richards and most improved player was Ben Harley.

C ro s s C o u n t r y : W i t h t h e cancellation of the County Championships and the Knole Run because of snow, both A and B teams relished the challenge of again competing for the Goater Cup. Our A team, consisting of Harrison Pyrke, Adam Thorpe, Mark Pearce, Ashok Mathur, Billy Collins and Captain Euan Mackenzie, put in a ver y fine performance, ensuring

Swimming: The Seniors, Elliot Keer, Chris Stobart, Vasudev Zaver and Chris Milsted, had another successful season, winning their age group and retaining the Panagraphics Shield with a total of 262 points.

The Intermediates were not quite so successful, but there were strong performances from Nick Shone and Vincent Chan.

Badminton: William Pickworth played for Her tfordshire in the annual county schools U13A singles, winning his group convincingly and reaching the finals.

Girls’ netball goes from strength to strength (above), while Billy Collins had an excellent season with the cross country team (below)

Netball: Fine wins were recorded against Nicholas Breakspear 35-2, Sandringham 15-5 and Loreto 20-7.

Having reached the District Plate Final, the girls unfortunately lost to that the Cup remained in our St Albans Girls’ School. possession for the twelfth successive year, despite a strong challenge from Rugby: The U12s won the Herts Tens Highgate School.The B team finished Tournament for the second year in an excellent fifth place. These running, beating QE Barnet in the successes were augmented by the final by a huge margin, 77-12.

School’s performance at the King Tennis: First former Charlie Broom Henry VIII Relay, a premier event in played in the national AEGON which 62 teams from all over the Winter Grand Prix Masters at country compete. Six months of Roehampton and reached the final stringent training and preparation – a tremendous achievement. paid dividends in this very tense race.

Our A team, Antonio Razzano, Billy Fencing: Victoria Denyer achieved Collins, Mark Pearce, Tom Brooks, great success in the Herts Womens’ Vasudev Zaver and Euan Mackenzie, U20 Foil competition. after almost 74 minutes of racing, Millfield Sports Camp: Excellent put the opposition in the shade pre-season training was offered by a seven second victory over to our tennis, golf and cricket Judd in second place, with players at Millfield School. First Manchester Grammar in class tennis coaching was provided third place. Our B team also by the Gosling International High put in a fine performance, Performance Centre, while cricketers finishing second in their class. were coached by Mark Ilot (ex Essex Victoria Walker broke the girls’ and England) and Richard Ellison (ex individual record by over 20 seconds Kent and England), using the nets, in a time of 12.59 and won the the indoor facility and the bowling Large Trophy for the fastest lap. At machine. the Herts Schools Cross Country Championships the following pupils Skiing: Nearly 50 skiers departed were guaranteed County selection as for Alpe d’Huez over Easter. In a result of their fine performances: weather conditions which varied Victoria Walker, Emily Huxley, Joe from warm sunshine to freezing ice, Redwood, Mark Pearce, Vasudev pupils enjoyed skiing at the French Ski Zaver and Euan Mackenzie. Mark School and, by the end of the week, Pearce was also selected to run nearly all pupils had completed the in the English National Cross challenging 16km Sarrene black run.

Country Championships.

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