The Cryptian 2017-2019

The Cryptian

2017-2019 Two Years in the life of the School

Headmaster’s Welcome I am delighted that The Cryptian magazine, after a short absence, is now back and, I have to say, looking very good indeed. This edition attempts to cover two years in the life of our busy school and is certainly packed full of interesting stories which chart the main developments and changes that have occurred at Crypt over that period, the work of both the highly dedicated staff and pupils, as well as their many and varied and achievements; the magazine certainly captures much of school and Old Cryptian life over the 2017-19 period and is a fitting tribute to the work of everyone who is connected to the School.

One of the most significant changes that has occurred over the period is of course, the School’s change to a fully co-educational school: in September 2018 we welcomed into Year 7 nearly 50 girls, alongside over 100 boys. That historic change, building on the success of our fully co-educational sixth form, has been a huge success: the girls and boys are learning together, progress together and will continue to thrive in our welcoming and supportive environment. I am enormously indebted to many people for making this change both possible and a success: the boys and girls themselves, not only those in Year 7, but others throughout the School who have welcomed the Year 7 girls into their midst; to Governors and parents for their support; to all my colleagues on the staff who have made the change work in practice; to Paulina Kirkpatrick in particular who oversaw and coordinated all the arrangements, and to the Old Cryptians for their support as well.

The School has grown considerably in size over the past two years: the current roll stands at just over 1000, with almost 300 students in the sixth form. That increased roll has meant the construction of new classrooms and other necessary facilities: in 2017 we opened a new classroom block by the sports hall, this summer we opened our wonderful new sports pavilion, housing two new changing rooms; and in September our new tennis and netball court area will be ready for use. We have also increased our staffing compliment and have been able to appoint outstanding new teachers to help support our growing school.

In 2017 and 2018 public examination results were outstanding: at GCSE in 2018 the School’s result placed The Crypt into the top 8% of state schools nationally in terms of the progress the boys made in their work; our 2018 A Level results placed The Crypt as the best performing selective school sixth form in the county. These results are hard earned: dedicated teaching, together with a strong culture of learning, helps ensure all our pupils achieve their potential in their academic work.

Yet, the School remains above all committed to supporting the development of the whole child, and our work in terms of pastoral care remains outstanding, as does our enrichment and extra-curricular offer which includes sports, drama, music, clubs and societies, trip at home and abroad and so much more besides. Developing the whole child, and caring for their progress, personal development and welfare remain The Crypt’s paramount concerns.

Looking to the future, the School is planning to apply to build a new primary school in an area of need in Matson, only one mile away from the main Podsmead campus. If approved, that new school, The Crypt Primary School, Matson, will serve the needs, and work to raise the aspirations, of many children in that area of the city. The new school will build upon our Founders’ vision which was established in 1539: that vision, that children regardless of their background, should have an outstanding and aspirational education, will continue to inform our work at both The Crypt School, and at our new school too.

My thanks to Hannah Attwood for taking on the huge task of editing this magazine and to the generosity of the Old Cryptian Club for their financial support for the publication and editing of the Cryptian.

With very best wishes, Nicholas Dyer, Headmaster 1 School Life

GCSE & A-Level Results 2018 & 2019 2018 Parents will know that the School obtained a very good set of examination results in the summer of 2018. GCSE results were outstanding, with 54% of grades at 9-7 (A*-A) and 80% 9-6 (A*-B). What was particularly pleasing was the consistency of achievement across all departments within the School. We have also just received news that our Progress 8 figure; that is how much progress pupils make between KS2 (end of Year 6) and the end of KS4 (Year 11), is 0.65: that means that our Year 11 pupils achieved more than half a grade more than was expected in each of their best 8 GCSE subjects in the summer exams. That is a wonderful achievement, and places the School in the top 5% of all schools nationally for progress.

Our Year 13 students achieved a strong set of results with 83% of grades being awarded at A*-C. These results, at both GCSE and at A-Level, allowed our Year 11 students to progress on into our outstanding sixth form and, for those in Year 13, onto university or very good higher level apprenticeships, further training or employment.

There is no doubt that the School has responded very impressively indeed to the considerable challenge that the ongoing reforms to the examination and curriculum framework has presented us with over the past few years. We also received our certificate from ALPs (A-Level Performance service) which congratulates the School for being in the top 20% of all schools nationally for our last three years of A Level results.

A very strong endorsement of what we have achieved here with our senior students over the last few years.

2019 The Crypt School has achieved a very impressive set of A Level results for 2019: 32.6% of grades were A*-A, 63% A*-B and 88% of grades achieved were A*-C; the overall pass mark was 99.7 % A*-E. Notable individual successes include: George Barker, Joe Layzell and Dan Nash who all gained 4 A*s; Ben Brown and Sam Hill who achieved 3 A*s; Isaac Trickey who achieved 2 A*s and 2 As and James Tuckey, Alfie Crouch, Matt Nash, Benedict Young and Abi Charlton who all gained 2 A*s and 1 A respectively.

These excellent results are the product of both the hard work of the students and the dedicated support of their teachers. I am also delighted with the impressive set of university destinations that our students are heading to in the autumn, which include 5 to Oxbridge, and I am equally pleased to see a very good number of students who have now secured both jobs and apprenticeships with local and national companies. These impressive A Level results also send out a very strong signal to those students in Year 11 who are thinking of coming to The Crypt to study for their A Levels: you too can achieve highly in our outstanding sixth form. The School wishes all of its students who sat their A level exams in 2019 the very best wishes for their futures.

The School has recorded another outstanding set of GCSE results: 79% of grades were awarded at the 9 - 6 level (old A*- B); 14% of grades were awarded at the top level 9; 36% of grades were awarded at either 9 or 8 and 58% of grades were awarded at grades 7, 8 or 9 (the old A*- A). There were many individual successes, including boys who achieved all grade 9 in their subjects, and others who achieved either all grade 8 and 9 or all grades 9-7. Across the whole Year 11 cohort the results were most impresssive.

The boys, together with their families, as well as the School’s very hard working and outstanding teachers and support staff will be thrilled with these impressive GCSE results. I am delighted that all our academic departments have performed well, with another year of improvement in our English results, where we know that nationally boys perform less well than girls. With such good results across the board, it is difficult to single out individual subjects for special mention; however, in RS 88% of grades were 9-7, in Design Technology 82% of grades were awarded at 9-7, in Chemistry 82% of grades were 9-7, in Biology the figure was 78% 9-7 and in Computer Science the figure was 84% 9-7. The School’s teachers and professional support staff alike, have worked tremendously hard over the past two years to support all our Year 11 students, enabling them to achieve highly across the full range of subjects; we are all very proud of their achievements.

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A look back at 2017/2018 The 2017/2018 academic year was an extremely busy school year and as you would expect, a huge amount of work goes into helping support all our students in their learning. Although our work in school is rightly focussed on the academic progress of all students, school life is so much more than that. Through our enrichment programmes, our educational trips and visits and through our work in raising money for charity for example, pupils’ horizons are broadened and their knowledge and understanding of their world is deepened. At our annual Year 13 leavers’ meal, it was just those memories of school trips and visits, and of other opportunities available to students, that were most cherished.

Pupils have wonderful opportunities to be involved in a wide range of activities and that is all thanks to the dedication of the staff. Highlights included: School Sports Day; various sports matches; the Year 9 trip to Corrèze; expeditions carried out as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme; engineering events; teaching school events; Music concerts including the wonderful annual School Founders’ Day held in Gloucester Cathedral; our drama production amongst many, many other events throughout the school year.

In 2018/2019, our first co-educational cohort of 150 boys and girls joined the school in a historic step for The Crypt School with the school welcoming its largest ever number of pupils into years 7-13; nearly 1000 young people but before we move onto the current academic year, take a look at some of the highlights of the 2017/2018 academic year!

Computing Esports Regional Final Crypt Students Tom Jackson, Beau Maguire and Jack Brown in Year 10 have been crowned regional champions in the national Digital Schoolhouse competition, powered by PlayStation.

This competition was launched to make students aware of the growing number of jobs in the creative digital industries. The students attended the Belong Arena in Bristol to play the game Overwatch. Digital Schoolhouse thinks outside the box. As a teacher, it's fascinating watching students work on something they love. As well as a great tournament, students have found out about careers in the Image courtesy of Digital Schoolhouse creative digital industries. I am very proud of my students for demonstrating their skills in esports. They came away with a trophy, but also loads of ideas. After winning the Regional Final we are off to London to the National Finals during the Easter Holidays.

The Crypt team mates are delighted by their victory. We knew the competition was stiff as other teams had ranked players. We were in it to win it, so we prepared lots and went with a mentality of try our best. It is such a great venue and the buzz was brilliant. Everyone in school knows about our victory!

Mr Rice, Head of Computing

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Drama School of Rock The creative life of the School continues to flourish, with recent highlights including the school production of ‘School of Rock’. That performance was simply outstanding and the pupils who took part in the school play, both the actors, technical crew and backstage helpers, deserve great praise indeed for all the work and effort they put in over many months that made the show such a success.

Thanks go to Mr Whittaker and Ms Pugh (Music), Mrs Evans and above all, to Miss Green who directed and produced the whole show!

Yr9 Trip to Blood Brothers Year 9 studied Blood Brothers in drama earlier on in the school year and had a fantastic opportunity to watch it on stage at The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. We very much enjoyed the performance and the boy’s behaviour was exemplary!

English Congratulations to Louis Powles in 8AC for being selected as one of ten finalists in the ‘PEACE THROUGH POETRY’ national poetry competition!

Louis went on to become our Poem of the Month Editor; a monthly competition run

by Ms Meade in the English Department.

Louis helped choose the winning entries from themed competitions each month – thank you Louis!

We have included a few of the year’s winning entries.

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Geography Yr7 Microclimates investigation Year 7 have been investigating microclimates around the school in geography. Venturing out into the icy winds and dubious winter sun to find out if the temperatures and wind speeds are different at various places around the school.

This links into their classroom learning and gives them a real-life experience of geography in action! Maybe we have some future meteorologists in this cohort!

Geography on tour Our geography exam classes have to do field work as part of their courses, so as soon as the nice weather begins to make an appearance the Yr10s and Yr12s are out and about collecting data.

Year 10 kicked off this summer’s season with a trip to Gloucester city centre.

Punctuated by KFC and McDonalds (we tried to direct them to healthier options we promise!), the boys collected huge amounts of data to judge whether “Gloucester offers a high-quality experience” over a sunny morning.

The following week the Yr12s headed out for a sunlit wander through Birmingham’s industrial past, leisurely taking in Gas Street Basin and Brindley Place before taking in spectacular views from the top of the Library. Once at the Bull Ring the students dispersed to try their hand at collecting digital data which they are now successfully analysing in the IT rooms back at school. Well done to all the geographers on their professionalism.

Miss Barnett, Geography Teacher

History Lessons from Auschwitz Over the course of March 2018, Philippa Ingram and I attended a three-day course run by the Holocaust Educational Trust, along with other schools in the West Midlands, in which we were educated on the details of the historical atrocity, The Holocaust.

On March 11th we attended the studio in Birmingham where we learnt about pre-war Jewish life and listened to the extraordinary first-hand account of Holocaust survivor Rudi Oppenheimer who only survived through his sister’s British citizenship thus being placed in transit camp Westerbork and eventually the infamous Bergen-Belsen.

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The second stage of our trip took us to the Polish town of Oswiecim situated just outside of the infamous camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. We visited both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II and had the humbling experience of participating in a memorial service in the admissions office at Birkenau dusk.

Our experience concluded with a debriefing seminar at the ICC in Birmingham where we listened to the regional ambassador for the Lessons from Auschwitz project and were encouraged to come up with creative ways in which to educate others about the Holocaust.

Natasha Histed, Yr12

Modern Foreign Languages Arsenal Modern Languages Competition Earlier this year some of the Crypt Year 7s entered an Arsenal Modern Languages competition, along with 250 other secondary schools from across the UK. Hasan, Hussain, Mason, Ibrahim, Kevin and Ibrahim from 7DQ prepared a 3minute video in German and were one of the 20 winning entries selected to attend a 2018 World Cup Day at Emirates Stadium. The day included fun language & football activities, guest speakers and a stadium tour.

Mrs Thompson, German Teacher “The trip helped in my confidence in speaking German and I can’t wait to go again!” Ibrahim M

Music The life of the school is enriched by the wonderful musical talents of so many of its pupils and the events calendar for the Music department is always a busy one, with 2017/2018 being no exception! All events including Founders Day, various seasonal concerts, recitals and celebrations were very successful; a testament to the efforts and enthusiasm of our fantastic members. Take a look at some of the department’s highlights!

Music for Youth Festival – March 2018 Year 7 strings recently performed at the regional Music for Youth festival at Cheltenham Town Hall. Mr Whittaker was hugely impressed by their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication to learning a violin or viola and being able to perform in front of 100 people after a few months!

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G15 Celebration Well done to our brass group who performed at the annual G15 celebration at Gloucester Cathedral!

KS3 Concert – June 2018 Our annual Key Stage three concert was a wonderful celebration of the joy of performing. It featured exceptional performances from musicians from years 7-9 on a variety of instruments and in a great range of styles, all delivered with enthusiasm, musical refinement and a sense of enjoyment. It was also wonderful to hear the whole of year 7 sing a range of songs including “Saturday afternoons” by Alan Simmons, an exciting football inspired number and “Adiemus” by Karl Jenkins. All in all, an exceptional concert showcasing the high-performance standards attained by our musicians and the incredible musical culture at the Crypt School! We all enjoyed letting off steam after the exam pressures!

Mr Whittaker, Director of Music Spring Concert – March 2018 Yesterday evening the proud parents, guardians and supports flocked to the Crypt School hall in eager anticipation of the sublime musical offerings of the students. The concert started with Miss Pugh’s Chamber Choir who plunged the audience into 1960s American soul with ‘Stand By Me’. We then heard some fantastic duets and solos from our wonderful key stage three performers; including Rowan Clayton, who was maturely accompanied by Matthew Le Maistre. James Gabb then delighted all with his memorised performance of Claude Debussy’s impressionistically modal ‘Claire Da Lune’ – what talent! This was then superseded by Edvwin Sibi’s phantasmagorical ‘Memory’ from the musical Cats. Despite being only in year seven, Edvwin managed to capture the imagination of the whole room. The musical theme then continued as Jamie Evans (of the esteemed year eleven GCSE cohort) performed ‘Santa Fe’ from the musical ‘Newsies’. His stage presence and musical delivery was truly riveting and captivated and consumed the senses. Then the Chamber Orchestra took to the stage with great confidence and equanimity. They then delivered the goods with a phenomenally fun performance of the Jackson 5 classic ‘ABC’, which got the whole room swinging. Sam Robinson then, cello in tow, promenaded down the

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centre aisle and gave an effulgent expression of the contemporary cello repertoire with Mark Summer’s ‘Julie-O’, which included use of both bow and slapping away at his bridge – mesmerising! With one final note of his instrument, which reverberated around the hall, the Year 7 strings took to the stage with a new found confidence. They played three wonderful pieces conducted by the impressively stupefying Heather McFarlane, and brought the first half to a cracking conclusion – Nice one! Returning to the hall, refreshed thanks to the PTA, the second half commenced. A hushed silence fell upon the hall as the Brass Band kicked it all off with a splendid rendition of John Williams’ ‘Harry Potter Medley’. This then led the way for Lizzi Barks (our A-Level Musician) to delight us with snippets of her A Level composition, how impressive. A little while later Liam Fleet peregrinated over to the organ box, which required a swift but decisive swivel from the audience to truly appreciate the marvel that was Liam’s own arrangement of Hans Zimmer’s ‘No time for caution’.

The talented Abi Charlton was next, with an unequivocally assured performance of Kaski’s ‘Nacht am Seestrand’, the room was henceforth transported to the coast. Finally, the Chamber Choir returned to enwrap us all in the warm embrace of the musical ‘Rent’. A sensational climax to finish this plethora of musical delights. The evening was a superbly splendid showcase of student skill and slick stage management. Well Done All! Hope Pugh, Musician in Residence Individual Achievements Individual music examination results are published throughout the year on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Many congratulations to Xander and Lysander Waring who took part in the West of England Regional Final of the National Brass Band Competition. As members of Lydney Town Brass Band they have seen the band be promoted from the Fourth Section to the Second Section within four years, which is an amazing achievement.

Science & Engineering British Science Week The Science department have been busy celebrating British Science week with several events.

Year 10 took part in a Physics in Concert workshop. First, they learnt about the physics of lighting, sound and electricity from our guest from the Institute of Physics, before working in groups of three to plan a music concert, taking on the role of lighting, sound and electrical engineers. Communication between team members was very important and it was a good opportunity to see how the physics learned in school could be applied in their future careers.

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Year 7 pupils attended an Ever Wondered Why? show, which took them on a journey from the largest objects in our solar system to the smallest particles of matter, with lots of whizzes and bangs in-between. The science of optical illusions, dry ice and flame tests were particular highlights.

The WISE group met for lunch with Sarah, a radiographer, to discuss her career path and role in the NHS (right). We were fascinated to hear of the range of roles available within medical physics.

Mrs John, Head of Physics Chemistry The Chemistry Department welcomed PhD students from Bath University who ran a RSC Spectroscopy in a suitcase event with Year 13 Chemists. The students were able to use mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy & NMR spectroscopy equipment and put their knowledge into practice. This was an excellent opportunity and brilliant revision.

Year 13 Chemists all sat the RSC Olympiad earlier this year which is a challenging 2 hour written paper and is a well-respected Chemistry competition. The students have to tackle challenging questions in unfamiliar science applications and it enables them to develop their application and problem-solving skills. We received confirmation of a silver award for James Green (top 32% of entries) and Bronze awards for Ryan Baron, Callum Brignall, Jamaal Farooq, Seb Golding, Tom Rogerson, Will Grant and Jacob Charles. Fantastic! Several Year 12 students also challenged themselves and completed the Olympiad. Silver awards were achieved by Dan Nash, George Barker and Matthew Nash, and Bronze awards by Ben Brown, Joe Layzell and Hugo Blandford. An excellent result as the competition is aimed at year 13 students – well done!

Mrs Gee, Head of Chemistry

F1 Team For the 5th time, our F1 in Schools team (Lunar Racing) won their regional final in Taunton and represented both the School, and the South West region, at the F1 finals, which were held at Silverstone.

The team, ably led

by Nathan Browne, worked incredibly hard, only narrowly missing out on winning. They should all feel very proud indeed of their achievements. The team comprised of Nathan Browne, Dan and Matt Nash, Josh Haddock and Michael Johnson. My congratulations to the whole team and thanks to Mr Downes and Mr Ledeux for their work in supporting them over the last few months.

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Crypt Micro-Innovations Team Crypt Engineering gained another trophy! The lunchtime club, Crypt Micro-Innovations Team won the award for best designed robot at the recent Tomorrow's Engineer's competition at Warwickshire college. The Crypt students, in years 8, 9 and 10 built robots using Lego mindstorms kits.

The Tomorrow's Engineer's judges praised the Crypt students for the positivity, problem-solving and attention to detail.

Cryptofest 100 Crypt students attended the first ever Cryptofest over half term. The students enjoyed a variety of STEM activities. Our guests to The Crypt included University Gloucestershire, G.E., Raytheon Industries, U.K. Space Agency, SEGA and Willmott Dixon.

They kindly ran workshops for students including space exploration, computer games design, robotics and virtual reality goggles.

Richard Graham, M.P. for Gloucester, also popped in for a visit. Mr Graham was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the students, and he also enjoyed racing F1 in school cars down the school track.

Crypt & University of Gloucestershire Collaboration The Crypt School in Gloucester collaborated with University of Gloucestershire to create a bespoke Design an App workshop for all year 7 students. All students were off-timetable for the day.

They spent the day researching, designing and presenting their app. The aim of the workshop was to give students an insight into digital careers and an opportunity to work with graduate programmers. Jamie Stewart, who runs the undergraduate course at University of Gloucestershire, vetted each group and critiqued their ideas. It was fascinating to see students engage with the process. They gained a lot from the day!

In addition, University of Gloucestershire student ambassadors filmed the Year 7 day. The Crypt school year 10 students had the opportunity to spend two days at University editing the footage into a short documentary.

Our thanks to University of Gloucestershire and to Renishaw who have generously supported The Crypt School Engineering department.

Mrs Green, Teacher of Physics

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PE & Sport Athletics The new athletics club on a Wednesday afternoon has gone from strength to strength and this is reflected in students’ performances. Events in the school’s athletics calendar included the district round of the English Schools’ competition.

Both the junior and intermediate teams performed superbly well with Tom Pritchard being the standout performance, after running a Personal Best of 11.48 for the 100m, both teams progressed to the regional finals at Basingstoke in June. After qualifying for the regional rounds of the English Schools Cup, both the Junior and Intermediate boys’ teams travelled to Basingstoke. The competition saw a massive step up in competition but students did not fail to disappoint with everyone improving their performance from the district round. In the Junior Boys team, outstanding individual performances came from Zac Howell, Jonny Fenley and Sulaiman Ouiles who all achieved over 30 points each which helped to secure top spot in the regional final. This placed them 7th in the South West and in the top 100 in the country. The inter boys team had a much tougher task but still produced a really good score of over 350 points which has in the past won this competition. However, the competition was very good this year and the boys finished 6th overall at Basingstoke. Individual mention must go to Tom Pritchard who scored a massive 44 points on his own and has taken his sprinting this year to a completely new level, running the 100m in 11.36 seconds.

The nature of athletics has also seen individuals take their performance to new levels outside of school. A number of students went through to the county schools championships and after the regional finals, the following students have reached the English Schools finals for their event Joel Townley (Triple Jump), Harry Wells (800m) and Ben Wade (Discuss).

Badminton Thanks to Mr Sayers and Miss O’Neill, we have been able to run more badminton than ever before in 2017/2018. We even ran a pretournament competition to ensure we selected the strongest teams for the district tournament.

The KS3 team was made up of Sam Powell, Ben Webb, Wyatt Dundas and Oliver Dove.

Considering that, the team were all Year 7 and Year 8 competing in a KS3 tournament meant that they were likely to play students in Year 9.

The team did remarkably well and unfortunately lost to Tommies in the final set of matches to finish second overall.

It was a similar story in the KS4 tournament. The team included James Cook, Sam Vrabtchev, James Fernandez and Chris Austin. The boys did really well, beating Millbrook, Kings and Gloucester Academy comprehensively, however they lost to Tommies 3-2 in the final set of games meaning they also finished second overall and did not progress to the county competition.

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Basketball For the first time in a number of years, we have been able to establish an U18 Basketball team. This is due to the commitment and enthusiasm of a number of students, together with the support and input from Gloucester Saxons, as a new club-school link. Gloucester Saxons have been able so supply a professional coach to help organise and lead the team and with a number of keen students from Year 10 – 13 we entered the County Schools Competition.

Unfortunately, the first two games of the county tournament led to two defeats against Marling and Wyedean respectively but there was significant progress and for students to be able to represent the school against other schools who have had basketball established for a number of years is certainly a step in the right direction. The Gloucester basketball team, based at Gloucester College provided the department with specialist coaching and a link to encourage participation in Basketball. Although they lost the majority of their games, we did have Year 10 students compete and play against senior sides predominately made up of Year 12 and 13 students.

Cricket It has been a hugely successful cricket season for the school teams. In total, we have played 54 games of crickets across each year group and winning 60% of matches. One of the many highlights saw an unheard of ‘clean sweep’ against Pates, with all teams (U12, U13, U14 & U15) all winning. In the Year 9 game, Arthur Kane hit his first century for the school and Freddie Parry (Year 8) and Seb Pascoe (Year 7) both continued to score runs freely making them the top scorers for their respective year groups.

For the first time in many years, each year group has also enjoyed success in the county cup. The U15s found themselves in the final after some great cricket only to come unstuck against a very strong Tommies side in the final. The U13s also went out of the cup competition to a very dominant Tommies in the semi-final. After losing to Cheltenham College in the final last year, the U14s can feel a little hard done by to draw the same team in the quarterfinals this year. It was a very spirited performance but again the college had too much firepower in their bowling attack.

The U12s however, reached the cup final after a narrow final against Cotswold school. The U12s have had a hugely successful first year of school cricket. There have been standout contributions from Ed Ball, Ollie Workman, Harry Singh and Abdullah Bham. Unfortunately, the team threw away their unbeaten season by narrowly losing to Colstons by 6 runs but they hope to ensure they finish the season in style in the county cup final against either Tommies or Newent.

Another highlight of the cricket season has been the Chance to Shine, District cricket league. A new competition this year, we decided as a school to enter our Year 7 and Year 8 B teams to allow more students the opportunity to play competitive hard ball cricket. The tournament itself is a shorter format of the game with 8 a side, 7 over innings. The Year 7 Bs stand every chance of progressing to final days but unfortunately, the Year 8 Bs have lost every game which is a reflection of playing against A teams in every match. The real winner though is participation with more students than ever before playing hard ball cricket for the school.

Football As always, our main focus for Term 3 and 4 was football for Years 8 – 13. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel a number of fixtures due to poor weather but we played 20 games of football across all teams, winning 53% of fixtures. The priority for the Year 8, 9 and 10 was the District School Cup but a highlight was the B team fixtures; for the first time we were able to fulfil a number of B team fixtures for Year 8 and 9, which reflects the number of students keen to represent the school.

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This is also apparent from a senior perspective. We have been able to field a 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI against Pates and KLB this term and although fixtures for the 3rd XI are hard to come by, they are currently unbeaten after two comfortable victories.

The 1st XI are also unbeaten after winning against Wyedean and KLB with the game against Tewkesbury finishing 0-0. There is a slightly different format for senior football, where the 1st XI compete in the County Cup. The cup competition is made up of group stages with the team needing to finish in the top 2 teams between, Wyedean, St Peters, Newent and Beaufort before hopefully progressing to the knock out rounds of the competition next term.

3rd XI team after their 3-2 victory against Pates earlier in the term.

Unfortunately, after a promising start to the season, the 1st XI lost 1-0 to Marling in the quarter final of the county cup in Term 4. It was looking like a promising season for senior football but to be knocked out of the cup is disappointing, especially for the Year 13 students who have now played their last game for the school. From a junior perspective, the Year 8s and 9s did not qualify for the district semifinals for the first time in a number of years.

One real highlight of the football season was the U16 District Cup Final.

Unfortunately, due to pressure in Year 11 we were the only school along with St Peters to enter the U16 district competition resulting in us playing in a straight final, however it was clear by the standard of football that both teams were the strongest in the city. After a dominant second half, Crypt took the lead through a superb finish from Will Douce, after great work from Lewis Meredith-Wilks down the right. However, Crypt bought the pressure on themselves by some sloppy defending and St Peters took their opportunity by scoring a great free kick from the edge of the area. Crypt continued to dominate however and having a shot cleared off the line found themselves defending once again. The same player who took the free kick then smashed the ball into the top right corner from 25 yards out, an outstanding goal and unfortunately for Crypt a goal that deserved St Peters the win.

Handball Term 3 saw another first for the PE department as the Year 10s competed in our first competitive handball tournament.

Handball is fast becoming a popular sport within schools, especially as it is included within the new GCSE specification.

As the skills cross over from many invasion sports the students have thoroughly enjoyed learning a new sport. We were fortunate to be able to pay for a professional handball coach to come into school and lead the club before Christmas which has paid off as the group went on to win the District Tournament!

The District Tournament was held at Gloucester Academy and the team got off to a great start by beating the hosts 8-3 with goals from Matvei Sinden, Ollie Goode, Noah Sachs and Charlie Stanimeros. The final game of the three-way tournament was with St Peters. The game was a great contest and anyone watching would not have thought everyone involved was inexperienced and playing a relatively new sport.

Crypt eventually won 5-4 but tactically the teams could not be separated and the winning goal came from Ollie Goode in the closing seconds allowing the team to progress to the County Tournament.

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Netball We had a successful pool of Y12 and Y13 girls joining the Crypt Ladies Netball team this academic year, which is captained by Y13 players Angel Okoro and Millie Ballinger.

Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful against STRS but the girls played well scoring a considerable amount of goals. The STRS team rotation gave us an array of standard and kept us firmly ‘on our toes’ and it was a great team training event!

Rugby This year has seen a massive shift in focus for rugby, with the emphasis being bigger block fixtures against more private schools to challenge students and access a more comprehensive fixture card. This has put huge pressure on staffing and resources but the benefits are reflected in the successful fixtures we have had against RGS Worcester and KES Stratford (2 new opponents we have never played against before) with 8 games being played on a Saturday against Pates & KES Stratford.

For the first time ever, we have been able to field three senior sides (1st, 2nd and 3rd XV) which has been a result of a change in culture within senior rugby and more students than ever before committing to representing the school. The real highlight being the away performance to Lord William School in Oxford. After going down 6-0 the team came back strong and dominated the second half to win 21-13.

In the same competition, the Year 10 rugby team were unlucky to narrowly lose to Cokethorpe School 27-21 after a great start to their season, winning four of their first five games.

NatWest Vase The highlight of the rugby season has definitely been the 1st XV’s progress in the NatWest Vase. The vase competition is a national tournament and after successful wins against Lord Williams and Dr Challoners in Berkshire, the 1st XV reached the last 16 match against Sir William Borlase school from Marlow.

The game itself was played on a 4G pitch at Maidenhead RFC, which allowed for a quick, expansive game of rugby. It was an evenly contested game, and although Borlase scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes, the team battled back well through a score from Jack Hamilton who finished off a well-worked team play. With the score 14-7 at half time, Crypt started the second half brightly but were unable to capitalise from the field position and possession and missed a number of opportunities to level the score.

Unfortunately, the team were made to pay for their mistakes and Borlase were by far the more clinical team and ran the length of the pitch to further their lead. With a number of injuries and bodies battered from a real physical encounter Borlase then ran away with it with five minutes to go, the final score finishing 35-7.

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Junior Rugby It is difficult to comment on every year group and team. However, the fact we have been able to run a Year 7 D team so far this year shows the strength in depth within Year 7. With the majority of their games following after Christmas, they have got off to a great start and beat Bournside, Beaufort and Colstons comfortably across all 4 teams. The Year 8 rugby team have had a varied season but have finished strongly just missing out on retaining their title at the Cokethorpe Festival, after narrowly losing to the hosts in the final. The standout performances for the Year 9s have come in the EDF Cup. They have progressed into the quarter finals after beating Balcarras 61-19 and Rednock 66-5.

U16 – County 7s, Bristol Following their success on the 7s circuit in recent years, we were keen to allow the Year 11s play together one last time and the decision was fully vindicated. After dominating the group stages of the competition by beating strong opposition in Sir Thomas Rich, Clifton College and Colstons, the team found themselves in the final against BGS Bristol (the hosts). After a long day it was potentially one game too far but the team put in a great performance to take the lead through tries from James Loader and Lewis Drewett. However, BGS had too much pace outside and on the big the pitch exploited Crypt’s tired legs and scored the winning try with the last play of the game.

U15 – Solihull 7s The only Solihull tournament that survived the weather was the u15 tournament, which saw Crypt drawn into a tough group with big rugby schools such as Warwick, Kings Macclesfield, Malvern College, Nottingham High School and Kings Worcester. However, the team were able to pull together and after winning 3 games in the group saw them take their place in the Bowl play semi-finals. As with all 7s tournament the team got better with each game and put in their best performance to beat Leicester Grammar School 28-10.

They then met King Edwards, Ashton in the final. A dominant performance and tries from Joel Birchmore and Tom Pritchard saw them lift the bowl with the final score finishing 28-17!

Swimming We saw an amazing effort from all those who represented the school at the swimming gala this year. The school has won individual and year group events in the past but never got close to being overall boys’ winners but the team of 2017 did just that. The seniors began strongly with many good performances but it was the senior boys freestyle relay team that notched up our first victory from there the victories came thick and fast.

Winners of individual swimming races & relays: Year 7 - Matt Brooks, Charlie Davis, Ben Newcombe and Tom Singer Year 8 - Ibrahim Hussain Year 9 - Luke Tubby, Nico Hewson Barsellotti, Herbie Oliver and both relay teams Year 10 - Ben Davies, Matvei Sinden, Xander Waring and both relay teams

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Table Tennis Table Tennis has gone from strength to strength in school, with more numbers than ever committing to the club, which runs on a Thursday (Years 9-11) and Friday lunchtimes (Year 8). The district tournaments that run as part of a bigger national structure are u13 and u16 took place at Severn Vale School. Both the u13s and u16 side were crowned district champions after both beating Sir Thomas Rich on count back and went through to the county finals, which were held at the YMCA in Cheltenham.

The u13 team made up of Theo Compton, Will Bond, Zac and Joe Cochran came unstuck at the county tournament losing 3 of their 4 games, finishing in fourth overall.

The u16 team featured Louis Clarke, Chris Austin, Eddie Selley and Barnaby Grist and as a team played some unbelievable table tennis and eventually narrowly lost out to Marling and finished second overall.

Marling have a number of county table tennis players and the fact we pushed them all the way is a true reflection of how well the boys played.

Tennis After significant interest from students we entered a Year 7 & 8 team and a Year 9 & 10 team into the LTA national competition. The decision to develop a tennis team for the first time in many years was fully vindicated after a number of outstanding performances. Our Year 9 & 10 team was made up of only Year 9 students so they did come up against older, tougher opposition but this did not stop them winning 3 of their 5 games. However, the real highlight was the Year 8 team who have finished the tennis season undefeated.

The Year 8 team was made up of Zac Cochran, Joe Cochran, Theo Compton, Will Bond and Zac Howell. Dominant performances saw them beat Chipping Campden, Cleeve, Balcarras, St Peters and Tommies comfortably and going by their success, we will definitely be further developing our tennis provision next year!

Sports Relief Challenge Sport Relief 2018 saw us embark on a double challenge to try and get, as many students taking part as possible. Part one was a multi sports challenge with students in Year 7-9 taking part in 10 sporting challenges over a 30 min period trying to score as many points as possible. The numbers taking part was overwhelming with over 350 boys taking part over the week. The second challenge was a 1000 Mile Relay Challenge involving students organising their own teams of 5 running 100m each for an hour to see if, as a school, we could complete 1000 miles. It took an outstanding effort from everyone and especially the 200 boys and staff during period 5 made one last push to smash 1000 miles. In the end, we ran 1077 miles and have so far raised over ÂŁ2000 for sport relief with money still to come in. A great effort as a school and proves how much students and staff care about the important charity work Sport Relief supports. A huge well done to all who took part!

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Sports Day Sports Day 2018 was officially the hottest the boys have experienced! We had to adapt the day to ensure the safety of the students especially those that were involved in the longer running events; credit to the boys who coped with these challenging conditions to produce very competitive athletics. In the end, Henley proved too strong for every other house followed by Moore. There was a school record by Sulaiman Ouiles in the high jump with an effort of 1m.50 and if it was not for the bar breaking, he may have gone higher. Tom Pritchard was hoping to break the 200m school record but just missed out but still produced an outstanding display of sprinting.

Individual Victor Ludorum Winners Year 7 Olamide Odukunle Year 8 Jonny Fenley Year 9 Ryan Berry Year 10 Tom Pritchard

Overall Results Henley 1st 1600 Moore 2nd 1413 Brown 3rd 1379 Whitefield 4th 1249 Raikes 5th 1040

Sports Awards One of the main highlights of the department is our annual Sports Awards, which celebrated and recognised the standout performances throughout the academic year. Old Cryptian, Tim Dannatt joined us as our guest speaker and as well as speaking about his experiences, ran a wicket-keeping workshop for our current students prior to the formal prize giving.

Awards were given for each sport, such as player’s player, manager’s player and top goals, tries, runs etc. as well as specific PE awards. In total 180 students were invited to sports awards with over 100 awards being given out. The main award winners were as follows:

Junior Sportsman

Senior Sportsmen

Team of the Year

Nico Hewson-Barsellotti

Will Helmke & Josh Haddock

Junior Boys English Schools Athletics Team

Wall of Fame A new addition to the PE Department this year is the Wall of Fame, which can be found in the sports hall. Honours Boards have now been finished with the hope that all students aspire to have their name on a board one day. The boards represent the following: 1st XV Rugby Captain; 1st XI Football Captain; 1st XI Cricket Captain; Junior Sportsman of the Year; Senior Sportsman of the Year & Team of the Year. Alongside each board, we intend to display team photos, which will be taken each year.

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Charity Some of our Charity highlights throughout 2017 and 2018: • • •

•

•

Mr Hart organised a full week of activities to raise money for Sports Relief.

The total sum raised by our pupils was a staggering £2,106.94 Mr Boon & Mr Hart (photo right) competed in the London Marathon raising money for the British Lung Foundation and MIND In an assembly, Years 7 – 10 heard from Joe Slepertas, an Old Cryptian, who started the charity “Sportika”, which raises the profile of sport in Tanzania.

We asked for £1 from students on non-uniform day and donations of any unwanted kit, or footwear / clothing. Once again, parents were fantastic with well over 150 pairs of boots & trainers and clothes being donated. We also raised £719.54 for the charity!

For Children in Need Day 2017, the pupils raised £1100 through nonuniform and cake sales!

• Another successful year for the Christmas Shoebox Appeal for Teams4u The Charity organised by Mr Croft! 143 shoeboxes full of gifts were sent off - well done to all the forms that took part.

• County Community Project: Christmas – we asked for students to donate at least 50p and bring an item of food! Wow – the response was just fantastic – we received a letter from the charity thanking us for a food donation valued at £1115, plus we donated almost £500.

March 2018 - Sports Relief in March 2018 - the total sum raised by our pupils was a staggering £2,106.94!

Duke of Edinburgh Award Three mixed teams of Y9s, Y10s, Y11s and 1 Y12 did not let a heatwave or England football game get in the way of finishing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions! Armed with sun hats, sun cream, loads of water, reduced pack weights and strict instructions to take it easy they set off early from Folly Farm campsite on Saturday morning to explore the beautiful countryside around Bourton on the Water. Although it took one team 10 minutes to find their way out of the campsite, they all managed the navigation well and found their way to each checkpoint along the route.

Even with an enforced longer lunch break one team made it back to camp by 3.15pm and much to their delight, permission was given by the assessor to watch the game on their phones. The second team arrived just in time to see the first goal and the last team in time for the second goal. It's surprising how many boys can fit around one smart phone! During the evening they pitched their tents, cooked on Trangia stoves and even managed a game of football themselves before retiring to their sleeping bags for a good night’s rest.

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They made another early start on the Sunday morning, this time to walk to Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe. All three teams made good time arriving at the lunch point almost simultaneously.

They spread out again as the assessor stopped each team for their debrief and were all finished by 4pm.

As part of a DofE trial each team gave their presentation to the Assessor including one video montage of antics they had got up to during the walk. This worked well and the assessor confirmed there and then that they had all passed which brings the total number of students completing their expedition sections this year to 124 with another 6 doing their Gold expedition in August 2018. It's been a very busy year!

I would like to thank all the staff who have supported the training days and expedition weekends, the CSPTA for their kind donation of equipment which is now well tested and Live Life Adventure for their excellent training package and catering that has made the staff's lives easier and the students’ expeditions more interesting!

Mrs Peake, DofE Manager

School Events & Trips Remembrance – November 2017 On Friday, 10th November, the School held its annual Remembrance Service in the School Hall: this service commemorates the 138 Old Cryptians who gave their lives in the two world wars of the twentieth century. The service was very moving and Mr Dyer thanked pupils for their outstanding behaviour on that occasion.

This year, and indeed on the 10th November 2017, we marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Passchendaele, or the Third Battle of Ypres, where a number of Old Cryptians lost their lives. On Remembrance Sunday itself, a small group of boys led by Mrs Wales, and accompanied by Old Cryptians, marched past the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Crypt School is the only school in the country which has the honour of doing so.

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Wicked Weather Watch – December 2017 In December 2017, we welcomed 90+ pupils and their teachers and TAs from seven local primary schools on Friday to go on an Arctic adventure aka Wicked Weather Watch (WWW)! More photos and information can be found here: http://create2inspire.co.uk/2017/12/02/lets-go-anawesome-arctic-adventure-wicked-weather-watch-www-and-the-cryptteaching-school-gloucester/

Birmingham Christmas Market - December 2017 Our Y7s had a great time at the German Market in Birmingham... …despite the cold, snowy weather!

Careers Fair – January 2018 An annual event and is aimed primarily at KS 4 & 5 students, however all year groups had access at some point in the day to the career stands. There are a diverse range of local and national employers, further and higher education providers and gap year providers including: Army, GE, Hazelwoods, Renishaw, Teach Glos and a large number of Universities including Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Royal Holloway and Southampton.

World Challenge Practice Expedition – March 2018 The India World Challenge team completed their practice expedition in the Forest of Dean over the weekend of the 24th and 25th March.

The weekend involved developing their navigation skills, their team identity and learning a lot about personal/group safety whilst they were away. They cooked dinner on Trangia’s and undertook a couple of walks.

Whilst the overnight camping was a bit chilly (and not comparable to the weather conditions they will encounter in India!) it was a very enjoyable weekend for all.

Miss O’Neill, World Challenge Coordinator

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Tuffley Library Workshop – June 2018 A group of Yr8 boys were selected to attend a workshop with local author Karen Gregory at Tuffley Library today. Using her novel ‘Skylarks’ the group discussed the topic of ‘activism’; identifying issues they would like to change and translating those ideas into a vision. The group discussed what they would like to change in the world such as global warming, fake news and the price of Oreos in the canteen!

Mrs Attwood, Librarian Yr13 Leavers Meal – June 2018 A highlight of the school calendar, our fantastic Yr13 Leavers Meal which is held towards the end of June in the school hall. A great evening and lovely way to bid farewell to our students as they take the next step into whatever they are doing next! Photos - Matt @ Moose Marketing & PR

Corrèze – June 2018 Led by our PE department and supported by other members of staff, the annual trip to Club Corrèze takes place towards the end of the school year. The activity camp is situated on the outskirts of the small picturesque market town of Meymac, the gateway to the Plateau de Millevaches in the Massif Central region of Southern France. They specialise in tailor-made activity and adventure courses for young people, based in the stunningly beautiful, unspoilt Correzian countryside!

CSPTA I would like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have helped out this academic year, either at an event or by supporting us in other ways such as the taking part in the 200 Club, using Easyfundraising, or sending in your foreign coins and printer cartridges. Whether you are able to give lots of time or just a little it all makes a big difference to the school, and we really cannot do without you!

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Everything we do enhances the environment at school, be that as a welcoming presence, practical support or in raising funds. Last year we raised nearly £10,000 and have supported the school in such areas as purchasing new equipment for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, providing outdoor table tennis and football tables, and other smaller items for other departments. We also committed £45,000 from our long-term fundraising to support the school in building a new pavilion (built as of May 2019, photo right) Tony Smith, CSPTA Chairman CSPTA Quiz Night Thank you to all who came to the PTA Quiz in May. We had a fantastic evening and raised an amazing £361.

Many thanks go to Sean & Lorraine Ceres, and Clay and Helen Randall who set and asked the questions …. And to Lubna Mohamed and Marlene Hussain who produced some fantastic curry for the evening.

Old Cryptians’ Annual Dinner A new event for us this year was the Old Cryptians’ Annual Dinner. Held at the school for the first time in a number of years, the CSPTA were asked to run a bar for the evening. The Old Cryptians appreciated our efforts and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Jane and Agnes even managed to snaffle some spare puddings!

Christmas Fair Along with our usual refreshments, Hungarian Chimney Cake is now a regular at the Christmas Fair, made with style by Agnes Varga. This year she was ably assisted by trainee chimney maker Sam Taylor.

The CSPTA also ran our Grand Tour Scalextric time trial track. A lot of fun and wheel spinning went on.

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Teaching School • • • • •

The Crypt Teaching School is collaborating with the National STEM Learning Centre to deliver science training sessions to primary school teachers; Congratulations to Churchdown Village Junior School on gaining its Ogden Trust Fizzy Lab. The Crypt helped celebrate the grand opening in November by delivering a science stall. The Crypt is also delighted to assist Gloucester Road primary school's science fair in November; Some Crypt sixth formers attended Royal Institution training to deliver maths and science masterclasses in March for Gloucester primary school classes; Thank you to St James Junior School for inviting Crypt school to deliver a rocket workshop at their recent Yr3 school science school sleepover event; The Crypt is delighted to work with Digital Schoolhouse to deliver computing workshops to primary school children in Gloucester.

Individual Student Achievements Three Peaks Challenge – Ethan Adams On the 22nd of June 2018 I, Ethan Adams took on the challenge to climb the three highest mountains in the UK- Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mt Snowdon. All in aid for the charity Teenage Cancer Trust raising £575 in total with the numbers still rising. The team consisted of my uncle, two of his work colleagues and me. Where we scrambled up and down the mountains and drove between in a total time of 21hrs and 45mins smashing the target of 24hrs!

Travelling a total distance of 480 miles in that time and walking 27 of them. I can’t wait for the next challenge and opportunity to start raising money again, so training here we come and looking forward to seeing whoever completes it with me.

A Week Aboard “Ambition”! – Fionn & Conall Horrocks My brother and I entered an amazing competition organised by Delta Airlines, with the winners winning a week’s scholarship at The National Flight Academy, Pensacola, Florida. Incredibly we both won! On 30th June we set off on Virgin Atlantic, via Atlanta to Pensacola, Florida.

As a partner of Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic had already treated the U.K. prize winners to a V.I.P. day at its engineering facility at London Heathrow. A fantastic experience.

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The National Flight Academy is on the U.S. Naval Air Station and is next to the Naval Air Museum. The Academy is a “virtual” aircraft carrier, so once aboard we were there for six days of intensive training, carrying out an array of aircraft missions, all being STEM orientated.

We learnt all aspects of both flying aircraft and controlling the pilots flying the aircraft, from the control room. We also saw how difficult it could be for a pilot if there was an emergency taking place on the aircraft or in the vicinity. We learnt how to conserve fuel, complete flight planning, finding bearings and distance in nautical miles. We learnt how to plan in abnormal weather conditions, and how the weather affects flights in normal conditions.

Each day’s work began at 08.00, and ran until 20.00 with short breaks for lunch and dinner. During this time, we were briefed on each mission, planned each mission, and then flew the mission in one of the 24 aircraft simulators, with an immersive display. If not flying, we were on the control room, directing the other crews.

We flew three missions each day, undertaking a landing back on the carrier at the end of each one.

One of the missions that I (Conall) enjoyed was the formation flight that I did with the rest of my squadron. This was flown from the Eglin U.S.A.F. base, just outside Pensacola. The mission I (Fionn) enjoyed most was the Pensacola Air Show, where I completed a high-speed pass, performed a barrel roll, an inverted flight over the heads of the spectators, finishing off with a split from the rest of my squadron. Missions included search and rescue, humanitarian missions, and air show displays.

On the third day we were given a V.I.P. pass to watch the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s display team. The team is based at the Pensacola Air Station. It was an amazing show, with high speed passes and tight formation flights that flew right over our heads. The team fly F18s.

On the fourth day, we visited the Naval Flight Museum, sited right next door to our Flight academy. We saw some fabulous aircraft, one that starred in TopGun, and the plane that President George Bush flew in his time. There was a fantastic exhibit recreating the life on board a U.S. Navy ship, and the life of U.S. Marines as they fought the Japanese in Pacific theatre during World War Two. Also featured was a feature on P.O.Ws captured by the North Vietnamese, during the Vietnam War. The featured exhibit how U.S. soldiers were tortured both mentally and physically on a daily basis.

The accommodation “onboard” was amazing, in comfortable bunks, superb food and……on-tap free Coke!!!

(Well it was in the U.S.A.). Now back home both of us will be entering the competition again if Delta Airlines run a similar one in the future.

Easter Regatta at Brassemermeer – Finlay Hartshorn Congratulations to Finlay Hartshorn in 9W-DF who competed in the 33rd Easter Regatta at Brassemermeer, The Netherlands over the Easter break and came 9th out of 183 sailors!

It was bitterly cold with little wind for the first three race days, but wind finally came in on the last day seeing Finn jump up 11 places to 9th. Well done Finn!

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U15s Country Cup Final – Matvei Sinden & Archie Wills Johnson Congratulations to Matvei Sinden and Archie Wills Johnson, who were part of the Old Pats team who won the U15’s County Cup Final at Hartpury recently. Matvei scored the second (and deciding try) to give the Old Pats team a 14-12 win to take the cup. Clifton were real challenges, so everyone played really well and to a high level.

They also were part of the team who won the Camber Sands 2018 Rugby Tournament.

Matvei proudly holding the Camber Sands 2018 Rugby Tournament trophy (photo left)

Tall Ships Race – Jacob Duan In July 2018 I had the huge privilege and opportunity of participating in the 2018 Tall Ships Race from Sunderland to Denmark and then subsequently sailed in company from Denmark to Norway. I was on Rona II for 17 days as I sailed with 23 other crew members as part of the Rona Sailing Trust team. I was extremely excited about going on this trip and had previously participated in a STV (sail training voyage) with Rona Sailing Trust in 2017 and then a small ships race in the Solent. It was during the small ship race that I became passionate about sailing. I identified first-hand how team work and perseverance aids performance as our team did exceedingly well getting line honours and coming 1st in our class. The Tall Ships Race experience completely exceeded my expectations; I thoroughly enjoyed both the one board and port activities. One particular port highlight was the crew party in Sunderland where a night club was hired out and almost every crew took part in dancing and getting to know each other. We were a comparatively a small vessel of 20.5m with some boats reaching over 200m long. We were skippered by the exceedingly talented and inspiring Steve Burgess who I had sailed alongside on my previous trips.

There were three watches on my boat as we raced which were each lead by a watch leader and over-seen by a watch officer. As we were racing 24 hrs a day for 3 days to get from Sunderland to Denmark, the three watches worked in rotation, with one watch on deck sailing, one down below deck sleeping and the final watch known as ‘mother watch’ looking after those on deck and cooking and preparing meals as well as getting some well needed rest. The race was high adrenaline and despite the winds being low we made good progress and worked really well as a team. After the race I was extremely tired as it had been full-on but was refreshed after a few days rest while relaxing, contacting my family and enjoying joining in the crew activities set up by the host ports such as kayaking, surfing and beach volley ball.

So overall, I would see the trip as hugely beneficial and transformative. I developed deep friendships whilst on-board resulting in a group of people I would now call my close friends and hope to keep in contact with in the future. The experience was a huge privilege and not one I have taken for granted. I am so thankful for Rona Sailing Project’s investment into young people allowing me opportunities that I would never normally have had.

This experience has enabled me to deepen my love of sailing, identify the importance of team and develop an appreciation of the world in which we live. An expanse of sea with no land in sight gives perspective. aster Regatta at

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Cheltenham Town FC – Brad Bevan

Huge well done to Brad who officially signed for Cheltenham Town FC and is part of the u15 and u16 development academy. This is a great achievement and a reflection of Brad’s commitment and efforts with his football.

South West C.P Football Team - Rory Davies Rory started playing Cerebral Palsy (C.P) football when he was 10 years old after being selected at a talent day held at Gloucestershire F.A Headquarters in Bristol. His goalkeeping skills were spotted and he was asked to play for the South West junior C.P Team based in Bridgewater, where he trained & played every Saturday. Rory was nominated for the England Talent programme & attended a trial day in October 2017.

Rory was informed that he has been successful and selected for the talent programme.

His next challenge begins in February next year to perform well within the programme to then hopefully be selected to fully represent his country, well done!

Trampolining & Gymnastics As always, we are keen to celebrate students’ achievements in sport outside of school. A number of students part in Trampolining and Gymnastics outside of school. Finlay Gibbons, Joe Stott (right), Nico Hewson-Barsellotti & Cat Thomas are members of Aspire Springers trampoline club based in Gloucester. They all recently competed in a South West regional qualifier competition for trampoline & DMT (double mini trampoline) in Bath. Between them, they won 6 golds, 1 silver & 1 bronze and all four students have now reached the qualifying score to trial for the South West team. take

Cross Country - Natalie Ashley-Towell Natalie Ashley-Towell (third from left) had a great cross-country season in 2017/2018. After successful preliminary rounds, she was selected to run for Gloucestershire in very muddy and cold English Schools’ national finals in Leeds.

Being a national final, you can appreciate the standard of runners across all age groups, however Natalie finished a commendable 227th and 5th in Gloucestershire.

Tennis – Samuil Vrabtchev Sammy Vrabtchev (Year 11) represents East Glos in Aegon Team Tennis for both adults and 18 & unders. He’s also part of the East Glos Men’s A team playing in the summer premier division. Sammy won Gloucestershire Junior player of the Year 2017 at the GLTA awards and recently won the Gloucestershire County Championships 16 & under singles title. He has had some outstanding success in competition including winning the 18 & under Edgbaston Priory grade 3 event in August last year. He also recently won the East Glos Club Championships 18 & Under title.

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2018/2019 Welcoming Girls into Year 7 This academic year, we changed the history of The Crypt and became a Co-Educational Grammar school and we welcomed our first cohort of young women into year 7. This welcomed change has transformed The Crypt School into the only coeducational grammar school in Gloucester.

The year 7s have gone from strength to strength and are truly enjoying their time at the school. Our older pupils have welcomed our first co-educational cohort warmly too.

At The Crypt School we work relentlessly to ensure a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary school. We have more than 50 feeder schools so our induction programme is extremely important to us. We endeavour to visit every pupil at their Primary School during the year to get to know their interests and to help put their minds at ease.

In Terms 3-4 we held a series of lunch time talks “Inspiring the Future” and we had a number of parents who kindly volunteered to visit and give a presentation on their careers, there spread from medicine to engineering and business management as well as pupils, currently authors.

This year we have introduced a Y7 Community Leaders team supported by students from Y12. This team will work together on various important projects; Summer Senior Citizens Community event, Y5 Taster Days and Open Days.

This assists students with; growth in confidence, working as a team environment as well as kindness and respect for others.

We look forward to seeing this group of boys and girls develop and becoming outstanding young men and women, and eventually, Old Cryptians.

Mrs Kirkpatrick, Assistant Head – Teaching School & Co-ed Leader

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Teaching School 2018/2019 The Crypt School has been a Teaching School Alliance since March 2013.

Teaching schools are part of the government’s drive to give more freedom and to enable schools to take responsibility for managing the education system in areas of; Continued Professional Learning Development/Leadership Development, School-to-School Support and Initial Teacher Training.

We have an excellent pool of teaching staff at The Crypt who support local primary and secondary schools by visiting the schools and assist with delivering the curriculum in English (Berni Warner), Maths (Jess Neale) and Science (Cleo Letts) with an overall aim of improving standards in their schools and having a greater impact in pupils education.

Teaching School have a number of Specialist Leaders in Education (SLEs) Local Leaders in Education (LLEs) who are experts in their subject field as well as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) who is our Chair of Governors, Mr Richard James. For further details on our Leaders please visit www.crypt.school.org/teaching alliance. These members of staff are carrying out extensive work in raising standards for our local schools.

This academic year, we are working very closely with two local inner-city primary schools. One school is rated as “Requires Improvement” so we are working collaboratively and supporting them in delivering the curriculum in English, Maths and Science, while at the same time we are supporting an “Inadequate” rated Secondary School where our Local Leader in Education, Paulina Kirkpatrick, is on a part time secondment assisting them with Teaching & Learning/Leadership.

As a Teaching School, we like to inspire from an early age, so we hold annual Year 5 Taster Days where pupils can experience lessons in a larger environment i.e.; practical lesson in Science in a laboratory, Drama, Maths, English and PE. Teaching Training Days Every year The Crypt holds a Teacher Taster Day. These popular days give potential teachers the opportunity to see The Crypt School in action for a day by observing lessons in a range of subjects and to chat with experienced teachers and current trainees.

We recognise that there are many people who are considering teaching as a career, but cannot fit a full-time course around family and other commitments. Therefore, we partner with GITEP and have a guest speaker who offer a flexible route so that trainees spend less time or fewer days per week on their teaching placements, but take up to two years to complete the programme.

Mrs Kirkpatrick, Assistant Head – Teaching School & Co-ed Leader Mrs Bailey, Teaching School Administrator

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The Crypt Primary School The Crypt School is preparing to apply for a new free primary school in Matson which aims to give local children access to a world class, academically focused, education to prepare them for the demands of a secondary school curriculum and help them aspire to achieve highly in all that they do.

The Crypt Primary School, Matson will recruit pupils from the immediate and local area and its aim will be to offer them access to an aspirational ethos and specialist teaching. At the heart of the new primary school curriculum will be a strong focus on Maths, English, speaking skills, foreign languages, computing and science.

Pupils will be able to use existing secondary school facilities – the sports hall, science labs, the dining room and the main hall. The location of the new school will also enable teachers and support staff from the main school to support the teaching of the primary aged children (from Year 4) in their specialist subject areas.

Our ambition is for all our pupils to make a rapid and sustained progress with their academic work. Primary pupils will develop a strong sense of belonging to a historic institution, which has a strong academic and aspirational ethos.

We aim for our primary school’s pupils to transition into The Crypt Grammar School or another excellent local secondary school. By the end of Year 6, children leaving the new free school will be confident, critical thinkers, ready to try new things and be aware of how then learn; they will have a growth mind set, will be inspired and enthused and will be ready for the next stage in their educational journey, whether at The Crypt School or elsewhere. The schools will offer an innovative curriculum, briefly outlined below: Reception – learning through play and adventure KS1 – conceptualisation and confidence building • Music and MFL will be taught by specialists from reception.

• All reception children will learn to play an instrument.

KS2 – Exploring, applying and questioning • From year 4, Mathematics, English and Sciences will be taught by a specialist teacher.

• Year 4 and year 5 will have grammar school test teaching in Mathematics and English lessons.

• Year 6 will be focused on progression by acquiring concepts from the year 7 national curriculum.

All-encompassing themes in our Primary School: • • • •

Oracy – to develop speaking skills as evidence shows it improves performance in all subjects and life prospects.

Critical Thinking – to develop children into self-aware learners, able to understand how they learn.

Wellbeing and Emotional Health – to develop children’s resilience and determination High expectations for all our families and students

Free Primary School Key Features; • • • • • • • •

Outstanding Specialist Teaching Innovative curriculum with a focus on Oracy Excellent Transition programme Highly Aspirational Ethos A sense of pride and belonging to a historical institution Access to laboratories and outstanding sporting facilities Positive role models - mentoring from the older children in the secondary school Nursery onsite

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Residential - Yr7 & Yr8 Year 7 Residential – September 2018 We took almost all students away with us during September on the Year 7 residential only leaving one student behind due to 2 broken wrists! We travelled to the Brecon Beacons where the students enjoyed a 2-night residential aimed at getting to know other students, working together as a team and being a little more independent.

The children took part in a variety of activities including: raft building, abseiling, climbing, team building, archery and catapults. The children were outstanding throwing themselves into the activities including a mile long walk most mornings to access the site. We were blessed with gorgeous weather which enhanced the enjoyment for all. We do hope now that all year 7 students feel truly part of the school and enjoying being with new people and relishing the challenges ahead.

Mr Hart, Head of Year 7 Year 8 Residential – October 2018 Students attended Abernant Lakes Hotel in October for 3 days of activities and challenge. This was the biggest number of students we have taken away on a residential with 90 students taking up the opportunity. The students were transported by bus to the site then given a site tour by the leaders. They then cracked straight into activities! Some had to go straight onto the lake, others were in the rifle range and some were climbing a ladder ready to zip wire down.

By the end of the weekend the boys had climbed, zip wired, paddle boarded, shot a riffle and an arrow, made a raft and go soaked.

Feedback was very positive and the next year 8 trip is already sold out.

Mr Hart, Head of Year 7

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Art Trip to Rome From 29th November until 3rd December 2018 a group of RS and Art students spent action packed days exploring Rome. The first visit was a guided tour to the Colosseum and then on to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.

Day 2 was an early start to re-join our guide at the Vatican City comprising of St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican and the Vatican Gardens. The Vatican City is perhaps best known for the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. Once in the basilica for those who wished to ascend the dome there was a lift. However even getting to the lift involved 320 steps to negotiate! For the art students the focus was the artwork, architecture and the amazing vistas. Our guide gave students a full history of the decoration of the Sistine Chapel - the frescoes that completely cover the walls and the ceiling. Some of the most important artists who worked in the chapel were Botticelli, Perugino, Luca and Michelangelo. All of the frescoes of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are the work of Michelangelo, who spent four years painting the vault between 1508 and 1512. It was quite a privilege to be able to stand in person in front of this art work.

The Pope was in Rome during our visit and the following day we were lucky enough to be back at the Vatican for his midday appearance and listen to a short speech on one of the balconies followed by the Angelus, ending with an Apostolic blessing. This gave us the opportunity to witness almost 20,000 people who were there as pilgrims as well as tourists. The winding streets of Rome, the crowd scenes and the amazing architecture were a wonderful source of photographic inspiration for our students.

The return to our hotel allowed us the opportunity to take in sights such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Victor Emmanuel 11 memorial, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navone.

The Trevi Fountain stands 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. There were many students whom had fallen in love with Rome and parted with a coin or two!

Our final day gave us some free time to revisit favourites and take the opportuity to shop if wished for. Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini otherwise know as the ‘Bone Chapel’ captured the attention of those who chose to visit.

It was a fantastically successful trip, our thanks go to Mrs Reynolds for her amazing organisation and to all those who joined the trip and made it such a special visit.

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Examples of KS3 Artwork 2018-2019

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Examples of KS4 Artwork 2018-2019

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Examples of KS5 Artwork 2018-2019

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Business Studies & Economics GCHQ Year 9 Young Entrepreneurs Competitions – Spring/Summer 2019 The whole of Year 9 spent a morning off timetable working with business mentors on a project linked to future technology. Working in teams to come up with ideas, a financial and marketing plan. Each group then presented their ideas to a panel of judges, and were subsequently whittled down to a final three. The standard of ideas and presentations were excellent across the year group.

The ultimate Crypt Winners were: Aquillus (Artifical Gills) which was comprised of: Adwit, Conall, Ethan and Ibrahim.

They went on to represent the school at GCHQ against other regional schools (see team photo below). Despite an excellent performance by the team, they were unsuccessful in securing a winning spot, but enjoyed the day and experience overall.

Cadbury World Trip – June 2019 During the duration of our visit to Cadbury World I could tell that the group of students there were interested and intrigued into finding out the history of the company, what goes into the marketing of the company as well as getting to try some of the delicious chocolate along the way! From the initial marketing talk – finding out what goes into the development of new products as well as seeing if it is a viable route to take, to the information along the visit – how Cadbury actually started as a drinking chocolate company rather than the manufacturer of chocolate bars; it was all extremely useful and something that will aid us with our progression through Business Studies as well as any further ventures people decide to take. The chocolate was also very nice, due to it being something the company is renowned for doing well, spurring people to spend a fair amount of money on it – and in one case spending £50 on a Toblerone! The trip all in all was quite enjoyable, whilst also providing useful tokens of information along the way.

William Bryce, Year 10

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Computing Computer Science – Over the year It has been an exciting year in computer science this year. We have become a ‘hub’ school with the National Cyber Security Centre. What this means is that we have had access to hardware that many other schools would not. This includes an ‘Occulus Rift’ that was present at our open evening and proved very popular (see right) as well as being equipped with a crate of sphero’s, our own departmental iPads and Laptops, and 10 drones which will feature in an upcoming coding club.

This year we also led a trip for our year 10 pupils to the famous Bletchley park. This is Britain’s top code breaking centre and was credited with shortening World War Two in Europe. The work done at Bletchley Park is now well known.

Hollywood has made films about it. Brilliant mathematicians recruited from Oxford and Cambridge Universities created pioneering computers that decoded encrypted German military communications. It is of course known for cracking the ‘Enigma’ machine, considered by the Germans to be fool proof.

Computers were a little bit bigger that what we are used to now!

Programming was done with paper and holes punched through

A flight simulator set up shows just how far technology has come

Interesting Fact: Adolf Hitler used to sign off his encrypted messages with ‘Heil Hitler’, this would give code breakers a starting point!

Challenge: The below encrypted message uses a Caesar Cipher with a shift of 6. With a little research, you should be able to work out what the message is.

Nkrru lxus iusvazkx yioktik NCSC Equipment Donation

A huge thank you to the National Cyber Security Centre for their equipment donation to our Computing Department! There will be lots of opportunities for students to use this equipment in the next academic year.

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Design Technology Oxford Mini Factory Tour – June 2019 On the 6th of June, we drove down to the Mini Factory in Oxford and were greeted by a tour guide named Vlad. Initially, we were taken into the ‘body shop’ where we were able to observe how BMW utilise hundreds of robots to assemble, weld together and move around different components. For example, a group of four robots were working on a small part of a bumper and it was interesting to see how precise these were, due to the programming behind the scenes. In the ceiling, there were several kilometres of conveyor belt to transport the components between areas and to carry the completed chassis into the ‘paint shop’.

After painting, the chassis are assembled on a moving conveyor belt with teams of engineers each fitting different parts of the car. It was fascinating to see how everything was completed ‘just in time’ (JIT) to the extent that, even though three different models of Mini are produced, they are all assembled simultaneously on the same production line, with both engineers and robots adapting to the different chassis in order to produce and fit the appropriate interior and exterior, including dashboards, seats and doors. This was the most enjoyable part of the trip as we were able to see how all the different parts came together to form a completed Mini, which is then driven off the end on the production line, ready to be tested, shipped and sold.

Overall, the tour was beneficial in terms of understanding and familiarity with the industry but, also, in consideration with processes and tools that we could potentially utilise in our A Level coursework projects.

Hannah Hughes, Year 12

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Drama Billy Elliot was performed at The Crypt School from Thursday 22nd November – Saturday 24th November 2018 and was a huge success! I would to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, we couldn’t have done it without you! Every night showed just how professional each cast member, crew and musician was. All the hard work paid off and I am still so proud of what we achieved!

Miss Green, Head of Drama Cast responses to the production: Everyone in the production is just a big group of friends – Finley Gould played Michael The production is fun, involving and very engaging as we do a lot together as a cast – some of which I knew already but lots of which I didn’t know before rehearsals! – Bertie Bird played Billy

Well done to all involved in that production; particular thanks must go to our Musical Director Mr Whittaker and our Head of Drama, Miss Green for their hard work which made staging that show possible.

Trip to Aladdin – January 2019 After the success of Billy Elliott we took a trip to London to watch Aladdin live on the West End. This trip was a chance for the cast to watch professionals perform and hopefully they released just how talented they are. Aladdin was fantastic, I would highly recommend the show to anyone. We particularly enjoyed the Genie’s performance!

Trip to Oxford Playhouse - March 2019

Year 12 Drama students visited the Oxford Playhouse to watch Frantic Assembly's new production in March. What a performance!

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GREASE CAST LIST DANNY ZUKO & SANDY DUMBROWSKI Jamie Evans & Sophia Weygang

KENIKIE – Alfie Harris

FRENCHY – Ellie Jones

ROGER – Daniel Webb

RIZZO – Amber Jackman

DOODY – James Batchlor SONNY – Sam Baller

MARTY – Rachel Kirby JAN – Lily O’Farrell

EUGENE FLORCZYK – Ben Bayliss VINCE FONTAINE – Bertie Bird PATTY SIMCOX – Maddison Lee TEEN ANGEL – Marcus Kong JOHNNY CASINO– Matthias Kelay MISS LYNCH- Adam Hunter CHA CHA DIGREGORIO – Finley Gould CHORUS Tom Hill Jack Randall Joe Tallamy Fraser Akel-Johnson Samuel James Paddy Sherringham Blane Aitchison James Gabb Elena Fernandes

Alyssa Mansell Hannah Stewart Hollie Thompson Elizabeth Tweneboa Eloise Bick Ruth Le Maistre Adam Tompkins Sachi Regazzoni-Wood Charlotte Barnes

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Director’s Note This year I have decided to inject some fun and energy into our annual school production. As much as Grease was an easy choice as I knew the pupils would love it, it was not my first thought. After reading many musicals Grease was the one that contrasted the most to our very successful performance of the mighty Billy Elliot last year and I feel it is important to explore a variety of genres. Grease will come with new challenges and I am very excited to start the rehearsal process again!

The casting process has been an extremely difficult one this year as we have so much talent at Crypt! I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who made it on the list but also all those who auditioned – make sure you try again next year! Sophia Weygang and Jamie Evans will take on the lead roles of Danny and Sandy which is very exciting indeed. The production will take place November 21st-23rd 2019 and tickets will be on sale shortly.

Please come and join us!

Miss Alice Green Meet Danny and Sandy…

“I am thrilled to have been appointed the role of Sandy in our upcoming performance of Grease. I'm looking forward to rehearsals and can't wait to perform with such an amazing cast!”

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the school show again this year and can’t wait to get stuck into the famous Grease soundtrack!”

Jamie Evans - Danny

Sophia Weygang – Sandy

REHEARSALS SO FAR… First rehearsal of ‘Summer Nights’!

“I am very pleased and excited to have gotten the part of Doody as it is a very funny and cool. Grease is a brilliant musical” James Batchlor - Doody

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English Poem of the Month Gothic Poem by Adwit Mukherji

The abode where the moon is always above the sun.

The misty mire is never fun.

The patches of fog lay above the graves Here, air filled with stenches of lives not saved The wind cooled in gusts and breezes like passing phantoms The crickets and owls occasionally threw large tantrums.

The darkness dominated the helpless fleeing light In this place even, petty flowers gave you a fright The ominous structure lay tall and proud It was evil, it was still and not at all loud The black hole of evil laid concealed much deeper within All was dark with the ambience contaminated with sin The thick doors only penetrable by death and souls And deep below lay unfulfilled hopes and goals This is the grim, gothic graveyard never ever gay If you say anything on this never-ending doomsday Don’t be at all surprised if you are brutally slayed!

This is one the Poems of the Month for October. It tied in with some of the Gothic Literature our Year 8 student studied. In this, Adwit has picked up on several identifying factors including the dull colours and intimidating vocabulary. His strong rhyme scheme helps to hold his writing together, giving it a sense of cohesion and power.

Plastic by Thomas Boobyer Plastic or the ocean, It’s either/or.

We can’t add any more To the sea, So large, So grey.

It’s dying anyway.

Fish are poisoned, Turtles are gagged, While our shopping is bagged.

We care nothing For the waters which surround us.

But in this battle, Plastic wins every time, And we are reluctant to commit a dime On saving our world’s oceans.

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This was in response to a plastics project, which was embraced by several departments. Thomas wrote in response to newspaper articles, which included a picture of a turtle caught up in a plastic ring set from a sixpack of beer. He used his understanding of poetic techniques to express his frustration at our lack of action in the face of a growing international crisis. ➔NEWS: Thomas Boobyer is our new Poem of the Month editor, and we are very grateful for his commitment.

Even our staff sometimes contribute to Poem of the Month. Here is a contribution from our very own Mr Anthony.

It was that vampiric kiss From midnight's children, Which transformed me Into a ghost in a shell.

That one fatal mistake Ensnared my mind Seducing my weary heart With promises Beyond all my dreams, And slowly, Without realisation, I allowed my soul To bleed all that I had ever been Til I became a nevermore, A nothing, A vague whisper of a memory So easily forgotten That I now fail to recall My given name.

The powerful sense of loss of self leaves the reader with a wistful yearning to rescue the lost soul depicted here. The ability to communicate with an audience is a strong indicator that a poem has really worked!

Appropriately, in February, Eloise Bick gave us a touching and delightful poem about love.

P.S I love you Another day, Another week, Another month, Another year, Another decade, But I know I will always find you You’re my angel, With golden wings, Blonde hair, with ocean eyes, You fly away into the sunset, Away into Neverland, But I know I will always find you 43 School Life

You’re my heart, You’re my soul, You’re my love song, You’re my white dove, You’re my mistletoe at Christmas, But I know I will always find you You’re my chocolate cake, You’re my fountain, You’re the petals of my rose, You’re my sun that’s in the sky, You’re the eyes of my puppy, But I know I will always find you Another day, Another week, Another month, Another year, Another decade, But I know I will always find you You’re the tip of my thoughts, You’re the feathers in my pillow, You’re the pin point of my flower, You’re the other half of my body, But I know I will always find you Another day, Another week, Another month, Another year, Another decade, But I know I will always find you My emotions have bottle up in my head, I have finally been able to spill them out, And the last thing to say is, P.S I love you And finally, while we are on the subject of love, in response to learning about sonnets, Evan Hale wrote a sweet 14-line tribute to a mysterious someone.

Your love is a vivid scarlet ribbon, Clawing around my heart like a smooth fist, My mighty love for you is driven, Your sweet lips have affectionately kissed.

Feeling the warmth in your smile, Knowing you’re there when I need you the most, You have an alluring and charming style, You are the greatest I don’t need to boast, You are not just a friend but a lover.

Your hair flows golden blonde in the sunlight, You don’t need eyeshadow or blusher, If you make a mistake, it is alright.

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To everyone who contributed to Poem of the Month – well done, and keep up the good work. We all need poetry in our lives.

During one of the Year 8 “Preparation for Unseen Poetry” lessons, our students were asked to examine a poem about the sea, which employs an extended metaphor – the sea as a dog. As a cumulative task, they then composed poems of their own, using a similar structure. A sixth former who was in the class while students completed their work, was interested enough to have a go himself and working on something provided by the teacher, produced the following. He wishes to remain nameless(!)

The sea is a haunting bird of prey, Feathered and rough, even at play.

Swooping and leaping Receding and beaching.

Sharp-clawed and scratching, Cawing and screeching Ruffling the stones, Picking at bones.

Hooked beak biting the salt-exposed skin, Crooked claws posed to dig right in.

Posed at a height, Plunging to fight, Then triumphant rise, Grasping its prize.

The Cryptian – Student Magazine!

The Cryptian student magazine has gone from strength to strength this year, thanks to the enthusiastic, incisive journalism of our student writers, led by student editors Harvind Sandhu and Donubari Kobani. The magazine has featured in-depth commentaries and articles on diverse and challenging topics such as the terror attacks in New Zealand, cultural appropriation and radical rickshaw art in India. Student contributions have broadened the magazine’s appeal, with regular cartoons, reports on sporting events and news items of scope ranging from in-school issues of local interest to our student body, to national and international events and issues. A pleasing development has been the development of the creative writing section, featuring short stories and poems from budding student writers. Plans are afoot to develop the magazine still further next year, with weekly journalism “club” meetings, an electronic edition of the magazine, and more varied content produced by a wider range of pupil contributors. All will be welcome to get involved and make it happen!

Mr Cobb, English Teacher

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Geography Geography Field Trips 2018-2019 Over the last year, the geography department has completed field work in a range of locations. From the school grounds to the coasts of Devon, students have experienced a variety of both human and physical geography environments.

Our visits started in November with the annual year 12 residential trip to Westward Ho! Students were able to view the impact of climate change on the landscape, learn about a range of coastal management strategies before investigating the coastal processes on the shingle spit. Despite the cold, good quality data was collected and spirits were lifted by the stunning sunset. Friday morning provided an opportunity to practise collecting human geography data using both familiar and new techniques. This allowed the differences between Biddeford and Barnstaple to be fully explored. Back in the classroom, the data was used to practising write up an A Level standard investigation.

The end of the Autumn term saw year 8 finding out about the school as a place. They worked in groups and decided on the exact nature of their enquiry from some choices given to them. Some chose to interview a mix of students and staff whilst others completed surveys to determine the environmental quality of different areas. Students practised their data presentation and analysis skills in order to reach conclusions based on the data they collected.

The cold, bright anticyclonic weather in early January provided the ideal opportunity for year 7 to collect data on the microclimate of the school grounds. Working in small groups, temperatures were measured all-round the site including the back gate, main drive, basketball court and, being careful to be quiet, by the main entrance and Mr Dyer’s office. iPads were then used to produce GIS maps showing the variations in temperatures. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the area by the PE doors was coldest whilst the quiet area proved to be a little warmer.

As the weather improved in March, year 9 were tasked with planning their own investigations into the sustainability of the school. Again, a wide range of innovative ideas emerged with students looking at the amount of rubbish in bins throughout the week, whether projectors had been left on in classrooms and comparing different areas of the school in terms of the use of paper recycling bins. Students also used energy data supplied

by Mrs Baldwin in order to learn more about the school’s use of energy over the course of a year.

March also saw the first of two trips for year 10 geography students. Working in small groups, students looked at Gloucester city centre in a new light as they collected information on land use, environmental quality, noise levels and the number of pedestrians. Students also interviewed visitors about their reasons for visiting and what they liked about Gloucester. Many were surprised by the range of reasons given and that some visitors had travelled from as far away as Japan.

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During May, the geography staff felt like they were rarely in school. Two enjoyable days were spent in the Forest of Dean with year 10 looking at how Bradshaw’s model applied to Blackpool Brook. This is a classic piece of geographical fieldwork and the students ably demonstrated their organisational skills in order to collect good quality data.

Many enjoyed a ‘paddle’ in the river whilst measuring the width, depth and velocity of the river. Pebbles size and angularity were recorded and most groups had a chance to look at vegetation cover using quadrants. Well-constructed and neatly presented cross-sections and dispersion graphs allowed students to conclude that Blackpool Brook does show the characteristics identified by Bradshaw’s model.

Year 12 A Level students visited Birmingham city centre in early May. During the morning, they walked through the regenerated and redeveloped areas of Gas Street Basin, Brindley Place, Centenary Square, Grand Central and the Bull Ring.

All these locations form part of a case study about economic change in Birmingham so it was an ideal opportunity for the students to see these places in real life rather than just in a textbook. Fortunately, the rain held off and allowed the students to fully appreciate the scale of the changes that have occurred. In the afternoon, students focused on conducting questionnaires and collecting numerical data. This data was then analysed using a variety of statistical techniques prior to students starting to plan their independent investigations. All have participated maturely and positively in this year’s A Level field trips and are more than ready to embark on their own investigations over the summer holidays.

Finally, Year 7 braved the cold and wet weather of mid-June with a visit to Goodrich village. Despite some worksheets disintegrating in the rain, all were able to conduct a variety of surveys including traffic counts and a village health check. Students were then able to decide whether life in Goodrich was idyllic. Final decisions varied between the groups but many students were able to justify their choices by referring to the information they had collected – definite signs that there are some promising geographers of the future in year 7.

So, after a year where nearly every trip has had to cope with rain, we can reflect on what a pleasure it has been to take out so many well- behaved and keen students who have responded admirably to the new challenges they have faced. All the geography staff can ask for in 2020 is a little more sunshine!

Mrs Brooks, Head of Humanities

History Chepstow Castle Trip – January 2019 As part of their study of Norman England, our Year 11 History students went on a day trip to Chepstow Castle.

As their depth study was on Pevensey Castle (on the Sussex coast), Chepstow was our more accessible alternative. The boys were taken on a teacher-led tour through the various sections of the castle, pointing out the defensive features which would have prevented rebellions nearby. Having seen first-hand how the castle dominates the town, and the sweeping views from the top of the great tower, this trip really helped show the importance of castles in helping the Normans to establish control and intimidate the locals. Despite the best efforts of the British weather, the boys managed to explore the majority of the castle without getting too wet, or too cold. A quick stop to the nearby Visitor Centre allowed the boys to write up some of their observations, which were then used to support an assessment question on this topic.

Mr Higgs, History Teacher

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Goodrich Castle Trip – June 2019 As part of their Middle Ages study, the year 7 forms explored Goodrich Castle, located on the River Wye in Herefordshire. This castle, although small in size, provides the students with an excellent view of what living in a castle might feel like, and how hard they were to attack. Students were set the two tasks of identifying key features of the castle, alongside planning how they would defend this castle in times of war.

Subsequent lessons will build on this first-hand experience, with students producing a virtual tour guide of Goodrich Castle, using their school iPad. The British summer dutifully reverted to type and all 5 forms, over 2 days, experienced their fair share of wind and rain. However, spirits were not dampened and the students left with a positive experience of a lovely heritage site.

Mr Higgs, History Teacher

Modern Foreign Languages The 2018-19 academic year has been a busy but extremely productive year within the Modern Languages Department. At the start of the year we were delighted to welcome Ms Swain from Dene Magna School, joining us as a French and Spanish teacher as well as welcoming back Mrs Joynson into the Modern Languages team.

In October, we welcomed the Shukutoku Sugamo Senior High School from Japan to The Crypt as part of their annual cultural exchange visit. Several of our language students were able to meet the delegation and learn about Japanese academic life, as well as taking part in a variety of cultural activities.

The long Autumn term was then capped off by a hugely successful trip of German GCSE students to Cologne, expertly led by Mrs Thompson and Mrs Jacob-Reilly. A festive time was had by all and our students were able to visit the world-famous Cologne Christmas market and cathedral amongst other activities, as well as to practice their German in an authentic setting.

In December, Year 7 also enjoyed their annual visit to the Birmingham Christmas market where they were able to sample some traditional festive delicacies, after ordering them in German of course!

Much of the Spring term was spent preparing our hard-working Year 11 and Year 13 students for their public examinations and of course, we wish them all the best for results day in August. Mrs Thompson also reintroduced our sought-after Linguist of the Month award, to recognise some of the outstanding academic achievements by our linguists throughout the school.

In June, Mrs Joynson and Ms Swain took a group of Y7 French students to the Paris region where they enjoyed some spectacular weather and visits to some of the most famous Parisian attractions. We also took some of our new Year 9 dual GCSE linguists to a MFL Workshop morning at Denmark Road High School where they were given a presentation by a lecturer from Bristol University about how to make the most of their linguistic skills in their future careers. Our students were also able to take part in workshops on film, music and the demands of the GCSE and A Level courses.

We have much on the horizon for next year; including the reintroduction of the Spanish GCSE course which has been very well received by our students and two new trips; a joint Year 11 and 13 visit to Paris and a Year 8 German trip to the Rhineland. Thank you again for your continued support this year as we look forward to a successful 2019-20!

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Music It’s been an extremely exciting and busy year for the music department. The choir and orchestra have flourished and it has been wonderful to have so many new students taking part, particularly new girls and boys in year 7.

Our upper school Chamber orchestra made its debut on Speech Day in September with some amazing performances. Our autumn concert was a spectacular event, showcasing several new student led ensembles, including the A cappella choir, brass group, wind band and chamber choir. Following on from the autumn concert we were busy preparing the choir for the school’s annual Remembrance service.

As a department we love being able to work with the drama department so the school production of Billy Elliot was an excellent opportunity. The Pit Band was made up of 5 students (Years 9-12), Mr Whittaker and Miss Barks. The boys worked really hard (in the small-time frame we had) and showed true professionalism to provide quality music for the show. The songs were challenging and stretched the band’s musicality somewhat. We hope they gained some valuable experience that will stand them in good stead for their futures.

One of our favourite services from this year was Carol Service.

It is always a wonderful evening and this year was no exception. The choir and orchestra had a busy few weeks in the lead up to the concert. We had a wide variety of music from traditional carols (‘In the bleak midwinter and ‘Oh Come all ye faithful) to the more modern Christmas songs with the A Cappella choir singing Miss Barks’ arrangement of ‘Mary, Did You Know?’. The main choir sang a range of beautiful carols, including “Sir Christemas” by William Mathtias, “Midwinter” by Bob Chilcott and “Hymn to the virgin” by Benjamin Britten.

The orchestra performed an arrangement of ceremonial pieces by George Frederick Handel with energy, excellent musicality and professionalism.

At this years’ service it was lovely to see such a large number of Year 7 girls involved in the choir and orchestra and even to see the solo in ‘Once In Royal David’s City’ being sung by a girl for the first time.

Moving into spring… The spring term was just as busy (if not more) as the autumn term. We had numerous concerts and events. We had the honour of taking a small chamber choir to sing at the reopening of the St Mary De Crypt church. Here we sang Bob Chilcott’s ‘Can You Hear Me?’ – A piece which incorporates sign language.

This was an exciting experience that the students and staff enjoyed.

In the classroom, we road-tested the “Just play” classroom band work with Year 7. The students relished being challenged to learn keyboards, ukuleles, guitars and drums whilst performing together.

The lessons were exciting and challenging and the results outstanding! Over the year, KS3 topics included film music scoring, jazz improvisation, variations, fanfares, the Beatles and rock anthems! Our students relished the 49 School Life

opportunities to learn a diverse and breadth of musical genres whilst developing performing, listening and composing skills. Year undertook a GCSE style immersion course and enjoyed composing using Musescore.

On the 26th of March we had our GCSE Recital Evening. This concert is an opportunity for our Year 11 students to play their exam pieces to a warm and appreciative audience of friends and family. It was lovely to see the amount of progress each boy had made since September and they produced some outstanding exam recordings. They should be very proud of their hard work. During the spring term, the department led coursework support session to help and ensure the very best compositions were produced by every student.

Mr Whittaker was proud to lead two Saturday morning “Composition completion” sessions with the students.

With a very quick turnaround to the 6th of April we had our annual Spring Concert. Like the autumn concert the Spring Concert is an opportunity for ensembles and soloists to show what they have been working on over the term. For some of our Year 10 students this concert was their school music debut – including the newly founded Year 10 Rock Band (who are still looking for a more exciting name).

This concert saw a huge range of solos including piano, guitar, violin, trumpet and many more. The musical variety in this concert was extensive ranging from Elgar’s ‘Salut d’Amour’ to the Jazz Band playing a-Ha’s ‘Take on Me’; which was a true highlight of the evening.

The summer term brings possibly our favourite service – Founder’s Day! The choir and orchestra always work particularly hard in the build up to Founder’s Day – with multiple rehearsals a week. The orchestra had some very challenging well-known orchestral music this year including Gershwin – ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and Rossini – ‘William Tell Overture’. The Choir pieces this year were Pitoni – ‘Cantate Domino’ and Wood - ‘O Thou the Central Orb’ both of which they sung beautifully.

The Chamber Choir sang Arcadelt ‘Ave Maria’ and the A Cappella Choir sang Eric Whitacre’s ‘I Carry Your Heart’. Founder’s Day is always a wonderful and rewarding service because it is the culmination of a year’s hard work. We are very proud of our student’s achievements, hard work and dedication over the course of this year and we hope they themselves feel proud of what they have achieved.

In the classroom, Crypt musicians are stretched and challenged daily, with a range of diverse practical, theoretical and compositional tasks; whilst we share our love and passion for music in all its forms. Music is the beating heart of the Crypt School and our musical community is vibrant, enthusiastic and passionate. We pride ourselves on inspiring every pupil to sing, play and be open minded about music in all its forms. We encourage every pupil to join an ensemble or start their own.

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Musician in Residence – Lizzi Barks Our Musician in Residence for this year was Lizzi Barks. Lizzi had been with us for sixth form and had been inspired by the previous resident musicians to take on the role. Lizzi is a very experienced musician who represents the school in county music – playing with the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra. In September Lizzi will be continuing her study of music at Oxford Brookes.

“This year has been a very important one for me. The opportunities that were available to me this year have provided me with some of the most valuable experience that will really benefit me in the future. I’ve had the opportunity to arrange music for Remembrance service and to develop my conducting skills. My biggest achievement has got to be conducting in the cathedral on Founder’s Day – a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s something I will remember in many years to come. This year has provided me with some valuable experience that I will take with me into my working life.”

PE & Sports Athletics The athletics season has started early this year and attendance at athletics club on a Tuesday and Thursday Lunchtime has been very good. The ESAA Track & Field cup started with a county round at the Prince of Wales with that competition being the only team competition within Athletics, although it still relies on individual performances. Each student selected in the team must compete in one track and one field event; scoring points based on their time/distance etc. which then contributes to the team total. Once again, we entered a strong junior and inter boys’ team as well as giving the year 7 girls experience of the national competition ready for next year. The junior boys came second overall, narrowly losing to Pates with standout performances from Zac Mountford (38 points) and Olamide Odukunie (35 points). The inter boys came 3rd overall with Sulaiman Ouiles (42 points) and Finlay Garfield (39 points) top scoring from an individual perspective. Both teams scored sufficient points to reach the regional finals at Basingstoke on 5th June. The regional finals will be a significant step up in standard and will be a true test for the students representing the school. The girls look like they will not progress this year but learned valuable lessons ready for next year.

After qualifying for the regional rounds of the English Schools Cup, both the Junior and Intermediate boys teams travelled to Basingstoke. The competition saw a massive step up in competition but students did not fail to disappoint with everyone improving their performance from the district round in Term 5.

In the Junior Boys team, outstanding individual performances came from Zac Mountford (39 points) and Olamide Odukunle (40 points) helped to secure top spot in the regional final. In the inter boys competition, the team performed brilliantly in the field and stormed into a 35-point lead at the half way stage. Standout performances from Fin Garfield (35 points) and Jonny Fenley (36 points) were not enough as the team were unable to match their performances from the field events to the track. The team were quite rightly disappointed to throw away such a big lead but like the junior boys should be very proud of their efforts and the massive improvement from their district round scores.

In the only other Athletics competition, the boys dominated the District event in each year group at Prince of Wales stadium to win comfortably. The nature of athletics has also seen individuals take their performance to new levels outside of school. A number of students went through to the county schools championships and after the regional finals, the following students have reached the English Schools finals for their event Joel Townley (Triple Jump), Tom Pritchard (100m) and Ben Wade (Discuss).

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Badminton & Table Tennis Term 5 saw the district competitions for badminton and table tennis. In table tennis, the KS3 and KS4 teams both won the district round comfortably beating Tommies, Severn Vale and Churchdown to progress to the county finals, which were held in the YMCA in Cheltenham. The county finals were a significant step up in standard with a number of high-quality players representing each school. The KS3 team came fourth overall and the KS4 team finished third after narrowly losing to Dean Magna. Well done to all involved!

Badminton – Due to staffing and other commitments, we were only able to take a KS4 team to the district competition, which was held at Kings school. The team that was made up of Suhayb Quershi, Jacob Lloyd from Year 10, Jacob Morris, and James Fernandes in Year 11. The team did exceptionally well and won all of their games to reach the final against Sir Thomas Rich, unfortunately it was one game to far and the team just missed out on reaching the county tournament.

Cricket The summer term predominately focuses on cricket and the season has got off to a great start. In the first five weeks, we have played 23 games, winning 17. After comfortable wins against Wycliffe and STRS, respectively the U14s and U15s have progressed to the next round of the county cup.

The Year 9s and 10s are the two inform teams at the moment. Both are currently unbeaten and individual performances have seen them win all of their games comfortably. James Batchelor in Year 9 scored a cracking 50 against Kings, Gloucester and Jake Dandy also scored a half century in the Year 10 win against STRS in the County Cup. The years 8s have had a very challenging start to the season and were comfortably beaten by Millfield Prep School in the national cup and then Cheltenham College in the county cup, however they have bounced back with good wins against QEH & Kings, Gloucester. After a big loss to QEH in their first game for the school the Year 7s were involved in the best game of the term. After bowling Kings out for 78 with Joe Tutty taking a hat-trick in the field the team were 77-9 with two balls to go. Sam Reynolds hit the winning run to win by 1 wicket.

In total, we have played 42 games of crickets across each year group and winning 60% of matches.

Unfortunately, the Year 7, 8 and 9 teams were knocked out of the county cup in the early rounds, meaning the Year 10s were left to play for the only silverware as a team. After a great start to the season beating Wycliffe and Tommies, the team drew Cotswold School in the semifinals. However, after a disappointing display with the bat the team where cheaply bowled out for 73 and failed to reach the final.

The poor weather then disrupted a number of cricket fixtures for two weeks causing more disappointment for each year group as we failed to build any momentum.

The Year 7s finished the season strongly with a pleasing win over Pates and the Year 8s bounced back after heavy defeats to Millfield (national cup) and Cheltenham College (county cup) to finish the season unbeaten.

The cricket season finished on a high as we played host to the Australia Wanderers cricket team who were on tour from Sydney. Although it was an U15 fixture, we made the decision to make the team as strong as possible 52 School Life

playing the stronger cricketers in Year 8 and 9 up an age group. It was great to use the new pavilion to its full potential for the 40 over game with the Wanderers setting the Crypt XI 232 to win.

Unfortunately, the run chase was made incredibly difficult as the top order gave away their wicket to some accurate bowling which left the team 8 for 3 after 5 overs. Jake Dandy provided some resistance with a quick 45 as he struck the ball to the boundary with ease before being harshly run out at the none strikers end. The batting collapse continued and Crypt were bowled out for 97. The game was played in great spirit and was a great opportunity for our students to challenge themselves against an unbeaten team from down under.

Rugby From a senior perspective, we are delighted to build on last year’s momentum and have fielded 3 senior sides consistently throughout the first term. After a successful pre-season, students in Year 11, 12, and 13 continued to work hard with the 1st XV comfortably through to the fourth round of the NatWest Vase competition with comfortable wins over Wycliffe (46-12) and Tewkesbury. The 2nd XV are being challenged this year, playing a number of 1st XV sides from local schools. After beating Pates, RGS Worcester and KLB, the young side unfortunately lost to a physical Balcarras side, who were predominately Year 13.

An addition to the senior rugby programme this year is the introduction of a full Strength and Conditioning Programme. You may be aware of Darren Dawidiuke the former Gloucester RFC hooker. Darren is now playing professional rugby at Coventry but has also set up his own S&C Company, we are delighted to create a link with Darren, who is now running a session once a week and overseeing personal training programmes for the senior rugby squads. We look forward to Darren sharing his experiences, knowledge and ideas, which will help, support our seniors becoming better athletes, which in turn will develop our performances on the pitch.

The junior sides in Year 8, 9 and 10 have got off to a great start to the season. In total, we have played a total of 36 games, winning 29 of them; fielding A, B and C teams in Year 8 and 9. Unfortunately, all teams have lost their unbeaten record. The Year 9s have recovered well after narrowly losing to Pates in their first game and the Year 8s surprisingly lost to KLB after an excellent start to the season beating RGS Worcester, Pates and Marling comfortably. A number of Year 11s also represented Gloucester District this term in the annual Under 16 District Festival, which was held at Cheltenham RFC in September. Well done to the following for being nominated and gaining their District colours.

Since September, we have played a staggering 116 games of rugby, winning 75 of them. However, what is more impressive is that across all year groups over 300 students have committed to Saturday morning fixtures and represented the school on numerous occasions. Saturday morning fixtures have been established for a long time. However, it is pleasing to see that as a school we have now fully established ourselves with the bigger private school fixtures and have generally won the overall blocks against schools such as Colstons, QEH and KES Stratford. The more challenging fixtures are certainly having a positive impact on individual and team performances as we continue to improve across the board.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to pick out standout individuals with so many students doing so well with their school rugby. However, a special mention must be given to the U13 B team who finished the rugby season unbeaten, winning all 13 of their fixtures. Likewise, the Year 9 rugby team have one last game to look forward to after reaching the quarter finals of the county cup. After comfortably beating Tewkesbury, they are due to play Pates next Tuesday, 18th December. If they win, they will only be one game away from playing at Kingsholm.

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The 1st XV, who have been brilliantly led by captain Harry Atkinson, had a frustrating end to a very long season. After a great run in the NatWest Vase, they played Oratory school from Reading in the last 16. Unfortunately, the large crowd were unable to maximise the home advantage and costly errors meant that Crypt did not capitalise their early pressure. Oratory themselves are unbeaten this term and their accuracy and pace in attack proved to be the difference with some clinical scoring, leading to the game finishing 34-5 to Oratory School.

Team of the Term As the main rugby season comes to an end for the majority of year groups at Christmas, we thought it would be appropriate to select a ‘team of the term’.

Students are selected from each year group for either an exceptional performance or displaying the values and behaviours that our rugby programme is all about.

It is very difficult to select only 15 students from approximately 300 but well done to everyone who has represented the school this term in rugby and a special mention to the team of the term, well done!

Year 9 EDF Cup Final What better place to start but the Year 9 cup final at Kingsholm! After beating Churchdown in the semi-final, the Year 9 rugby team reached the County Cup final against Sir Thomas Rich’s and had the privilege of playing on the famous pitch at Gloucester Rugby. The day got off to the perfect start, with the team winning the toss to change in the home dressing room.

After a nervous warm up, Crypt got off to the perfect start and pinned STRS in their own 22 for the first 10 minutes of the game. Both teams took a while to get into their stride with the pressure of the occasion causing a number of unforced errors. However, Crypt stormed into a 14-point lead, with a well worked move from a scrum for the first try of the game and then continued phase play broke down the STRS defence again for their second score.

Both tries were scored by Zac Howell. STRS were unable to get out of their own half until a number of needless penalties allowed them to the venture towards the Crypt line just before half time. STRS were able to capitalise on their field position and moved the ball well to the blind side wing who ran through a number of tackles to score in the corner. The half time whistle blew with the score 14-5 to Crypt.

STRS dominated the early stages of the second half and scored almost immediately under the posts, making the score 14-12 to Crypt. The game was finely balanced and became a physical battle with a number of big hits going in from both teams. After what looked like a forward pass, STRS scored the try of the game. Moving the ball wide the STRS wing once again raced over for his second try of the game. STRS had hold of the game for the first time and scored another try quickly after to make the scores 22-14 in their favour.

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However, Crypt once again came back and from a penalty pinned STRS back in their own 22. A decisive lineoutcontrolled possession for Zac Howell to gather again and crash over in the corner to make it 22-19. Crypt had plenty of possession to go on and win the game but it was too late in the game and the STRS defence held on to win one of the closest finals in the cup’s history. Both teams were very complimentary of each other and the friendly rival could not have not been closer. The Year 9s were so unlucky not to win, especially after they dominated in so many areas for large parts of the game. However, they can be extremely proud of their efforts and to be part of such an occasion will last long in the memory.

Handball Following their success in the county handball finals at Cheltenham College the Year 7 girls and Year 8 boys progressed to the regional final in Paignton, Devon.

Making the regional final meant that the two teams were up against some of the best players in the country for their age group and considering our students have only played handball for a matter of weeks both teams showed they had more than enough to compete at this level.

Unfortunately, the year 8 boys came up against the eventual winners in their first group game, losing 6-1 meaning they were unable to progress to the final. The girls however remained unbeaten within their group until their final game, a draw would have been enough to for them to have reached the final but sadly the year 8 girls they were up against were too strong despite a valiant effort from everyone involved. This is only the second year we have established Handball within the PE curriculum and with the support of external coach Matt Dauber it is clearly going from strength to strength.

Football We are fortunate enough to have the assistance of two well-regarded coaches to develop football for girls at The Crypt. Alex from Cheltenham Town FC, and Chris Gooch, UEFA A coach will be working with girls on Thursday’s to get them ready for their tournaments and friendly fixtures this year. Alex has already expressed how impressed he is with the girls and strongly encouraged us to enter ‘The Road to Wembley’ tournament.

Our Y7 girls have been working extremely hard in Thursday trainings, and their determined attitudes seem to be creating excellent results.

Competing in a Y8 tournament against older opposition was a great first test for the girls in the ‘Road to Wembley’ football tournament. Students managed to win all pool games, taking them into the final against a strong Tewkesbury side where unfortunately they lost 2-1 in the last minute.

Considering the girls were competing a year up, they did exceptionally well. The girls went on to beat the Tewkesbury side in a recent tournament held at the school 2-1. A triangular fixture against Severn Vale and Beaufort also saw the girls take the win, 1-0 over Severn Vale and 3-0 over Beaufort.

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Finally, this week the girls played in a home game in the 1st round of the ESFA cup against Churchdown. The girls managed to take the win 2-0, with goals from Eva Flitney and Ellie Haigh. Fabulous performances!

Netball – Miss Cantin First, I would like to thank you for the warm welcome that I have received being new to the school this year. I felt motivated from the very start to achieve great results in an incredibly hard working and driven department and am enjoying the community that I am now a part of.

Having been informed that 41 Y7 female students had enrolled to start at The Crypt School, my first thought was that we would have just about enough numbers to put forward one competitive netball team this year. Clearly, my initial presumptions were wrong, and I have been completely overwhelmed by the student’s commitment to extra-curricular sport, their competitive spirit, and their overall drive to improve as three quarters of the female cohort have opted to attend netball club this term. It is clear that the girls at The Crypt are a force to be reckoned with and a team to watch out for amongst Gloucester and Cheltenham schools this year. We are very lucky to have assistance from a fantastic level 2 netball coach, Erica, who will be leading the B team during practices this year. With this additional provision, we hope to further the student’s technical and tactical knowledge and compete to a high standard against fellow grammar schools.

Our first Y7 games against Churchdown school were also very successful with the A team showing their sporting competence beating their opponents 13-3.

Stand out students during this game were player of the match, Safia NeocleousC, Bea Norwood with her consistent availability and feeds, and GD Kiara Dixon, who was unstoppable in the defensive circle.

The B team also had a positive start, leading 4-0 at half time. The final score of the game was 5-5. Excellent performances came from captain Willow Armstrong who controlled the game, and C- Laurie Hill.

The Y7 girls continue to impress with their sporting ability. As previously mentioned, with fewer girls to select from, it was expected that competing and winning against other schools would be a tall order, but the hard work and commitment of these girls has been wonderful, making the Crypt girls a force to be reckoned with. Training and games lessons continue to form a fantastic platform for the girls to improve with the support of Mrs Williams, Miss Okell and Erica Williams, and I can only see the future of girls’ sport growing in success.

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Results have been particularly impressive for both teams. The A team have dominated local grammar and state schools beating Beaufort 16-0, Bournside 224, Ribston 20-7 and HSFG 8-4. The girls work as a team consistently to create scoring opportunities. Voted as ‘Player of the Match’ by the opposition, we have seen standout performances from Bea Norwood at centre, shooters Eva Flitney and Safia Neocleous, and defensive player Kiara Dixon. The B team have also been successful with the following results; Beaufort 7-1, Bournside 5-5, Ribston 11-10 and HSFG 2-3. ‘Player of the Match’ awards have been awarded to a wide variety of players clearly demonstrating the strength and depth of both squads. Well done Y7, keep up the excellent work!

PGL – Year 7 Netball Tour The PGL netball weekend saw schools enter from across the Country, from South Wales to Oxford. 18 girls signed up to take part in the exciting weekend of netball and adventurous activities. Crypt girls were split into two competing teams in their competition of 9 schools.

The first day saw Crypt 1 win 3 and lose 1.

Crypt 2 managed 2 wins and 2 losses. All exciting, competitive games.

Day 2 saw the girls come back fighting, winning all games played. Crypt 1 finished their pool in 2nd place and Crypt 2 completed their tournament in 5th. Leaving the pool, Crypt 1 had an opportunity to play in the first of 2 semi-finals. Unfortunately, the girls could not pick up an additional win, completing the tournament in 3rd place. The weekend was fun filled and the girls, as always, were fantastic representatives of the school.

Players of the Tournament Crypt 1- Kiara Dixon & Safia Neocleous Crypt 2 – Willow Armstrong & Kate Abernethy Most Improved Crypt 1 - Bridget Blackstone Crypt 2 - Imogen Wyatt-McGuire

Senior Netball In addition to Y7 Netball, 6th form enrichment sessions have been hugely popular.

Our first game against Beaufort was our first real test as an U18 side, with the majority of the students being in Y12. The outcomes of the matches were very positive. Crypt A vs Beaufort A was an 8-16 loss. This score line has improved greatly compared to last year’s efforts. Crypt B team showed fantastic teamwork and managed to get a first ever win for the 6th form girls, beating Beaufort 11-8! I am extremely proud of the student’s commitment to netball this year and hope we can continue to grow from this positive start.

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A slightly disappointing second term for our keen 6th form netballers with several cancellations from local schools standing in the way of the girl’s competitiveness.

However, the 6th form B team had an outstanding performance against a welldrilled Beaufort side, beating them 17-13. Fantastic shooting from Mia Wilden and Imogen Dangerfield saw the girls capitalise on their through court work. The player of the match, Rugile Rimkute, managed to gain several interceptions for the Crypt side. Overall, this was a very pleasing performance that the girls should be proud of.

Regional Tennis Following the strengths and interests of our students, last summer we decided to enter the LTA National Tennis tournament for the first time. The Year 8 team went unbeaten and following their success went through to represent Gloucestershire in the regional finals this term.

The team made up of Theo Compton, Zac Cochran, Joe Cochran and Zac Howell travelled down to Poole in Dorset to play against Bournemouth Collegiate School (BCS).

Being a regional final, there was a significant step up in standard and although the boys played really well, they unfortunately lost each match. The score line does not reflect the standard of play and competitiveness within each game and each of the boys can be pleased with their own performances. A huge thank you to Miss Barnett as well who gave up her time to take the boys to Dorset.

As our tennis courts are currently being rebuilt, we have struggled to maintain tennis within the PE programme this year. However, knowing the strength of our Year 9/10 team we felt it was only right to enter them into the LTA competition. The team have had to play all of their games away but are still unbeaten in the competition and actually only lost one set all season. The team is made up of Tylan Minnaar, Bertie Clarke, Theo Crompton and Zac Cochran and we are confident that their unbeaten season will see them progress in the national competition. Well done!

Rounders A rather quiet term for the girls compared to others. Having been successful in netball, handball and football, the girls have had the opportunity to play some rounders. Our first fixture was a huge learning curve, where we struggled to make it out of the pool stages of our group, beaten by Denmark Road and St Peters. The girls were keen to redeem themselves in a triangular hosted at Crypt. The 10 strong side had an impressive start vs. Homleigh Park, beating them by 5 rounders. The next team; St Peter's proved to be tricky competition. The Crypt girls however came out on top. Beating St Peter's with some incredible batting and fielding. The final rounder's fixture of the season was against Kings. As a very well structured and practiced team, Kings were tough competition. The girls managed to win 7.5 - 7 in a 27 good ball game. They unfortunately lost the timed innings at the end. Well done to Eva, named as batswoman of the game and Bridget for her top fielding skills.

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An Evening with Johan & Thinus – November 2018 Ahead of the senior rugby tour to South Africa in the summer of 2019, we hosted our first fundraising event at the end of November with guest speakers Johan Ackermann and Thinus Delport. Both Johan and Thinus contributed to a great night, sharing tales and memories of South African rugby from their school boy days to becoming a Springbok and how things have changed for them since being based in Gloucestershire.

Although the event cost a lot of money to organise, we raised just short of £1700 for the tour fund. The money raised will contribute towards the cost of the playing kit and cover costs of excursions and trips while we are in South Africa.

Sports Awards – June 2019 It was our annual Sports Awards night on 28th June which saw over 150 awards given out it and was the perfect end to a great year of school sport. Huge thanks to Jacob Lange (old Crypt student currently studying at Warwick University) for being our guest speaker and a big thank you to all students, parents and staff for making it a great night! Take a look at some of the highlights of the night:

Well done to Harriet Best who was crowed our first ever Senior Sportswomen of the year!

Huge well done to Senior Sportsman of the year Harry Atkinson!

After a very tough decision James Batchlor is our Junior Sportsman of the year!

Year 8 B team (above) – Team of the Year! The team had an unbeaten season and developed so much under Mr Barrett’s guidance!

Bea Norwood (left) who was awarded for her outstanding contribution to Year 7 sport. The first ever official girls award and the first year of girls sport couldn’t have gone better!

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100 Club Using SOCS, the fixture website, we can now record how many appearances students make each year and have created the 100 Club. Students have fully bought into the initiative which has helped motivate students to represent the school and indirectly reward those students who commit the most to school sport. The following students are members of the 100 club, showing how many appearances they currently have: Joel Birchmore (Y11) 130 N Hewson-Barsellotti (Y10) 124 H Anstey (Y12) 111 S Higgs (Y12) 106

P Bendall (Y13) 104 H Atkinson (Y13) 102 I Hussain (Y10) 104 J Dandy (Y10) 100

Maths & Sciences Lab in a Lorry – December 2018 In December, we welcomed Bristol University for our annual ‘Lab in a Lorry’. Every year, two undergraduate biomedical sciences students visit the school to perform research as part of their final year dissertation. This year, the students were investigating visual reflexes and whether they can be modified by sound. Students first had their reaction times taken using reaction boxes then were played an assortment of music to determine whether it had an effect on their times. All of our A-Level students took part, thoroughly enjoying the experience whilst support the students with their research.

Image credit: Dave Newberry

Mr Hargreaves, Head of Biology Chemistry RSC Olympiad Competition - January 2019 All the Year 13 chemistry students sat the RSC Chemistry Olympiad in January. It is a prestigious competition and is renowned for being a fiendishly challenging written paper! Its aim is to encourage ambitious students to encounter problems and challenges beyond the A-level specification.

We encourage all students to attempt the paper as it provides a much more challenging set of questions than they would have previously encountered and is excellent preparation for the synoptic style questions in the new Alevel.

This year we received the most awards ever, with 3 Gold awards (top 8% of entrants), 12 Silver and 14 Bronze! One Yr12 student, Damon Marlow, also took part a year early and achieved a very credible bronze award.

Special mention to the Gold award winners, Daniel Nash, Joe Layzell and Joe Hicks, a phenomenal achievement.

Mrs Gee, Head of Chemistry

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Biology Olympiad – February 2019 In February, 14 A-Level Biology students took part in the British Biology Olympiad. The Olympiad challenges and stimulates students with an interest in biology to expand and extend their talents beyond the A-Level specification.

The students performed exceptionally well with our best results yet! Daniel Nash, Joe Layzell and Alex Waring all achieved a Gold Award, Max Holford was awarded a Silver Award and Leon Levell, Unays Qureshi and Sam Hawkins all received a Bronze Award. Billy Bradford, Sebastian Whitman, David Jackson, Daanyaal Fadra and Keiran Woodward were all highly commended whilst Ethan Whitfield was commended. Well done to all of those that took part.

Mr Hargreaves, Head of Biology RSC Chemistry Top of the Bench Competition – February 2019 In November 2018 eight students were selected to take part the Royal Society of Chemistry ‘Top of the Bench’ competition. Two groups of students worked each week to build their confidence and abilities within chemistry.

Each team needed to consist of two year 9 students, one year 10 and one year 11 students.

The students trained to work independently within a team carrying out many different investigations to develop their skills of communication and laboratory safety. The year 11 students took responsibility for the safety of others within their group showing excellent communication skills and maturity.

In January a decision had to be made to select one of the groups to enter the competition. As each had worked tirelessly to perform at their best this was a very difficult decision and in fact the students chose amongst themselves.

The first heat took place at The University of Bristol on February 13th 2019. The students were up against strong competition from many Public-school entries and other Grammar schools. The teams were asked to perform two, previously unknown, investigations and were assessed throughout their tasks. This assessment was carried out by Postgraduates who had previously studied at the University and were now carrying out Doctorates. The students found the tasks challenging but rose to the occasion showing real determination and resilience.

The first task was to produce an Iodine clock, a demanding task which calls for precision and accuracy. The Second challenge included other investigation skill tests and a written test, where they could work collaboratively. In the afternoon, students were treated to a wonderful lecture by Dr Tim Harrison who entertained the students with many exciting demonstrations. These included fast cooling of gases, the use of liquid nitrogen and many more.

Although our students did not progress through to the finals this year they performed very well as a team and completed all tasks with true professionalism and commitment. The experience of working a such a professional environment was well worth the effort they had put into the preparation for this competition.

Louis Powles and Cameron Frederick – Year 9 Joe Tallamy - Year 10 Dan Roderick – Year 11

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Y7 GirlsGetSet – January 2019 On the 25th January 2019, 15 lucky students got to visit and enjoy a day of STEM understanding and activities, mixing with 2 other schools- Churchdown Senior School and Cleeve High School.

The girls’ first activity was to complete a range of circuits and then jot down a scientific circuit diagram to show our circuit building skills. 2 Crypt girls, 2 Churchdown girls, and 2 Cleeve girls were all together in groups with a leader as well. Some of the circuits included flying a disk, turning on a light bulb and censoring a buzzer.

The second and final activity was to work as an organised team and create as many, successful paper aeroplanes, which were designed according to a set of rules. We had a time limit of around 10-15 minutes, and my group worked as 3 people create and 3 design. Eventually we flew our favourite plane and tried to fly it as far as possible.

At the end we were given certificates based on who made the most amounts of planes for example one group made 113, or if our plane flew the furthest. We had a fantastic day, thank you to everyone involved and we can’t wait till next time! – Elena Fernandes, Year 7 Our first activity was electric circuits. We got into pairs before joining with another pair from a different school.

I was with people from Churchdown and Bishop’s Cleeve. We had a booklet of what types of circuits we could make. We tried a light bulb circuit however our bulbs didn’t work. We tried some other circuits and it was really fun. We also had a competition with half of our group to see who could come up with the most complicated working circuit- we split into two teams. Our team tried many different things, not all attempts succeeding! In the end both teams won!

Our second activity was a paper aeroplane competition. We had to make two types of paper aeroplanes, add three colours to them and put our team name on them. Then we would make as many of them as possible and one plane would go through to a race. We decided that our team name would be Born to Fly. After a practice run, we felt pretty good about it. In total we made 64 planes. Thirty-seven of them being classic planes and twenty-four of them being supersonic planes. Sadly, we didn’t win but we had lots of fun. Our team worked really well together! - Layla Sonmezer, Year 7 Maths Feast – March 2019 Four Y10 mathematicians spent a morning in March at Pates School in Cheltenham for a Maths Feast competition. They were competing against 14 other teams from schools in the local area. The menu consisted of four rounds – a merry-go-round starter of maths calculations, a comprehension main course based on an A level discrete maths method, a dessert of problem-solving questions that gave them the starting point for the next question and a final petit-fours course in the form of a relay race in four short bursts. Our Crypt team came 6th out of 14 with a respectable score of 90 out of 121. They seemed to enjoy it, they were certainly challenged and they behaved impeccably. Well done boys!!

Mrs Peake – Maths Teacher

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Regional Final of Team Maths Challenge – March 2019 On the 4th of March four boys from key stage 3 travelled to Wycliffe College to take part in the Regional Final of the 2019 Team Maths Challenge. Teams from 22 schools tested themselves in four rounds of competition lasting over five hours for a chance to take part in the National Final held in London.

After placing in the top three schools for the relay and cross number rounds, Crypt finished a fantastic 3rd place overall in the final standings! Narrowly beaten by Cheltenham Ladies College st nd and Beaudesert Park School in 1 and 2 place respectively, with the consolation of placing as the top state and grammar school. Congratulations to Lewis, Freddie, George and David for their teamwork and performance under intense pressure, next up is the individual Junior Maths Challenge on 30th April!

Warm up question: How many factors does 10050 have?

Mr Dixon – Maths Teacher

Y12 GirlsGetSet – March 2019 Five Y12 girls are competing with teams from other local schools in the GirlsGetSET challenge. This year’s task presents a real challenge; they must design, build and test a robot capable of moving a fuel cell from an aircraft to a storage bay. The project will give them a taste of a whole engineering product life cycle.

On Friday 15th March the team travelled to GE Aviation. Whilst there, they had meetings with their engineer mentors to get feedback on their first deliverables, and to get some advice on the design of their hardware and software. Now it is back to school for programming and building!

Mrs John – Head of Physics

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F1 National Finals – March 2019 Having come 2nd at the Regional Finals in January, team Cygnus Racing were invited to compete at the F1 National Finals at the Airbus Wing Factory in Broughton. After some last-minute adjustments, their huge pit display fit perfectly into the minibus (with about a centimetre to spare!) and we were off.

One the first day of the competition, the team (Jessica Faulkner, George Barker, Megan Evans, Oliver Hale, Daniel Nash and Joel Townley) gave their Engineering and Enterprise presentations, as well as presenting their pit display to the team of judges. They also raced their car.

On day two, they competed in the second round of racing, as well as receiving glowing feedback from the judges on their presentations and portfolios.

Unfortunately, the team narrowly missed out on the awards, but they received two nominations and were very pleased with the judges’ positive feedback. This project allowed the students to develop time management, inter-personal, design and practical skills that wouldn’t have been possible in lessons, and these skills have given them a significant advantage in applying for apprenticeships and university places.

Mrs John – Head of Physics

Moon Camp Challenge – March 2019 Three teams of Y7 students entered an international competition organised by Airbus and the European Space Agency. They were challenged to design a base to be built on the Moon to house a team of astronauts. They had to research the conditions on the Moon and answer a set of questions to justify the features of their design, before using a programme called TinkerCAD to design their Moon base. Unfortunately, none of our three teams (Quartz Camp, Galactic Girls and Geological Space Personnel Pad) were awarded a prize, but they all developed some important research and CAD skills.

Mrs John – Head of Physics

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Y7 GirlsGetSET: Event Day 2 – March 2019 The second Y7 visit to GE Aviation was Space themed. The girls formed mixed teams with the other two schools (Cleeve and Churchdown) and competed in three activities. First, they designed suits to be worn by astronauts living and working on Mars.

Next, they had to solve a series of challenges, including riddles and practical tasks to escape from Mars. Finally, they designed, built and tested rockets for the journey back to Earth. This was a great opportunity to develop some of the skills that are needed for a career in engineering and see where study of STEM subjects could lead them in the future! Mrs John – Head of Physics Y7 GirlsGetSET – Event Day 3 – May 2019 On Friday 10th May, we hosted the third Y7 GirlsGetSET day of the year.

Our girls worked in teams alongside students from Churchdown School to compete in three computer-less coding activities.

First, they wrote a code for a robot chef to cook a pizza, using correct command words and considering every step so the robot can complete the task.

There were some ingenious approaches, including programming the robot to phone for a pizza and to visit the supermarket! Next, they were tasked with interpreting 5-bit binary code to decode messages (can you solve the challenge in the photo?). Finally, they wrote codes to direct a human robot around a grid to perform a set of tasks and the fastest team won the challenge.

Thank you to GE Aviation for organising the day's activities.

Mrs John – Head of Physics Junior Cyber Day – May 2019

On 15th May, twelve Y7 girls attended a Junior Cyber Day at Kingsholm, organised by Raytheon. They were in groups with girls from other schools completing a variety of challenges, including building and programming a robot, completing ‘Turing Tumble’ challenges and programming a cube of LEDs. They also decoded some cyphers and learned how these skills are used in different roles in Raytheon.

Mrs John – Head of Physics 65 School Life

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge - June 2019 The majority of the Yr12 chemistry students have recently entered a competition for lower sixth chemists, the Cambridge Challenge and we await their results with anticipation!

As its name suggests, it is a challenging written paper, which offers questions in a variety of topics, and styles that are beyond the A-level specification but with logical application of their knowledge, should be accessible. We wish them the best of luck!

Mrs Gee – Head of Chemistry

Physics Olympiad Competitions – Throughout the Year In November, four students in Y13 entered the prestigious British Physics Olympiad. This is aimed at the very top A Level Physics students in the country and the questions present a very high level of challenge, well beyond A Level standard. George Barker achieved a Silver Award, Jacob Enon a Bronze and Max Mitchell and Benjamin Brown received Commendations.

In March, six Y12 students sat the Physics Olympiad AS Challenge, with great success. Damon Marlow achieved a Silver Award, Rudolf Nyeki-Varga and Krzysztof Burzawa achieved Bronze Awards and Alfie Harris, Archie Kenworthy and Sian Levell achieved Commendations.

Later in March, three Y11 students sat the Physics Olympiad GCSE Challenge. Aidan Hall achieved a Gold Award; an outstanding achievement. Fraser Hill and Miles Robb-Jones achieved Bronze Awards.

This is a sample question form the Y13 Olympiad:

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Religious Education and Philosophy & Ethics It has been another ambitious and successful year in the department, with a variety of trips, visits, and activities to enrich our students.

Trip to Rome – December 2018 In December, a group of students and staff visited Rome for an extremely enriching and informative trip, in collaboration with the Art department. We visited the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel. We spent some time in St. Peter’s Basilica, with some staff and students climbing to the top for the most incredible views across the city (we were exceptionally luck with the weather and were treated to bright blue skies!) We also saw the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and experienced mass being led by the Pope. As well as lots of walking, an equal amount of pizza and gelato was duly consumed!

Here are some of the comments from the students who came on the trip:

“For me, the highlight of the trip to Rome was definitely the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums, particularly as it was so empty inside, it was astonishing to see so many masterpieces collected all in one place as the culmination of decades of work. The whole city was full with ancient sculptures and religious structures enriching the experience as a whole.”

Isaac Trickey, Yr13

“The Vatican was my favourite part of the trip, being able to see Michelangelo’s art work in the Sistine Chapel with some of the most infamous paintings in the world. The food was also amazing even though I probably had pizza for nearly every single meal, apart from a few pasta dishes, which were still very nice.

The trip was a good blend between free time and educational visits. Mr Stanlake’s navigation was top notch, enabling us to be able to take full advantage of the amazing opportunities which were on our door step” Ellis Thompson, Yr13

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“The greatest impact on me was left by our visit to St Peter’s Basilica.

The Holiest significance of the greatest Church in Christendom is unforgettable. The understanding of one of the most historically significant sites in world history alongside the awe-inspiring grandeur of the architecture was wonderful – I will visit again.”

Joshua Taylor, Yr13 “The highlight of the trip for me was visiting the Colosseum.

Together with the beautiful architecture and incredible atmosphere of Rome, made for an amazing day. The time we spent there was spent admiring the ancient structure and learning about its vast and interesting history. I loved spending the day with the best scenery and even better company” Katelyn Mitchell, Yr13 Oxford Lecture Day – February 2019 Sixth form students travelled to a school in Oxford for a lecture day delivered by Mark Lambe who was a very enigmatic presenter. This was to develop their knowledge and understanding of the specification and exam technique. All students came away feeling more confident about their prospects in their upcoming examinations. We hope to host him or other speakers in the future.

University Destinations One student was successful in applying to study Theology, Religion, and the Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge University. Our congratulations go to Sam Hill, who will take up a place at Magdalen College in September 2019.

It is wonderful when any student proceeds onto studying the subject at university, and we wish all our year 13 students our best wishes with their next steps beyond Crypt.

Multi-Faith Day On Monday 8th July we hosted a Multi-Faith Day at the school for our year 7 students. We invited a range of representatives from different religions to lead workshops on the day, with our central themes being diversity, respect and tolerance. Year 7’s will be developing an art instillation to represent their reflections and thoughts on the themes for the day, and we will share photos of the finished product in due course!

Miss O’Neill, Head of Religious Studies

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2018/2019 F1 Team The Crypt School has boasted a successful F1 in Schools team for 6 years but now the new F1 team said goodbye to Lunar Racing.

Cygnus Racing consists of 6 VI form members: George Barker, Dan Nash, Megan Evans, Olly Hale and Joel Townley with Jessica Faulkner leading the current 2018-19 team. F1 in Schools is a world-wide STEM competition aimed at 14-19-year olds, all in an effort to introduce them to the world of engineering and enterprise. In 2018, the team established a Year 12 support group to help involve the rest of the Sixth Form, hoping for some of them to eventually enter the competition in future years. The team are hoping to get lots of support and involvement from the younger years, inspiring them to pursue STEM in future years, both inside and outside of school.

We progressed from the regional finals in January at the Flybe training centre after our miniature f1 car travelled down the 20m track in under a second- a new school record! This meant we secured our place in the national finals held at the Airbus A380 factory in Broughton, North Wales. This was a great experience, with us all thoroughly enjoying the experience through fierce competition with teams from around the UK. Our project was highly commended throughout, with the judges impressed by our engineering, pit display and verbal presentation. This meant that, out of around 30 teams at the event (chosen from around 80 teams around the country), we were nominated (top 3) for best engineered car and pit display.

Overall, we finished 6th in the country, the best ever performance by the school. We were highly commended by industry professionals from companies such as Rolls Royce and Microsoft.

Further to the new skills we learnt in CAD/CAM, IT, financial management and contacting sponsors, but in addition to this a plethora of soft skills from teamwork to project management. As the team this year consisted of 6 Y13 students so the competition greatly helped with our applications for apprenticeships and university. The lead engineer George will be studying Physics at Oxford, team manager Jess with an apprenticeship at GE, Joel the manufacturing engineer at Safran, Dan studying natural sciences at Cambridge and Olly economics at St Andrews.

George Barker – F1 Team Member

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Visits and Trips World Challenge – July 2018 During July 2018 after a 2 year fundraising process, the World Challenge team embarked on an amazing and life-affirming expedition to India. Whilst there, the expedition was split into 4 stages; acclimatisation, trek, project, and rest and relaxation. The activities the students were involved in ranged from building a kitchen in a local primary school, spotting wild elephants whilst trekking and getting up for dawn at the Taj Mahal. Most of our expedition was spent in the region of Kerala, which two weeks after we left were struck with incredibly powerful monsoon rains; many news reports stated that they were the worst in a century. Almost 500 people perished, some are still missing, and over a million people were evacuated from their homes and instead given refuge in emergency shelters. As we had all been so enriched by our expedition in this beautiful part of India, upon returning to school in September, it was decided that we would do something to help support the relief effort. On Friday 28th September the school held a non-uniform day; all contributions will go directly to charities that are supporting Kerala in the aftermath of the flooding.

Miss O’Neill & Mr Hargreaves, 2018 World Challenge Coordinators Cheltenham Literature Festival – October 2018 Back in April, The Crypt School was shortlisted as one of five schools to take part in a debate at the 2018 Cheltenham Literature Festival to decide the ‘Monster of all Monster Books’, celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. A team of students (Jacob Taylor, Louis Powles, Jack Boucher and Bram Allam-Bowdery) and Mrs Attwood (Librarian) spent the last few months reading as many of the shortlisted books as possible then selecting our top 3 choices – we were then given our book to champion…Skellig by David Almond. The boys worked together to create a great speech and our school representative Jacob did a fantastic job at the final debate! The event was hosted by Carnegie Medal nominated author Emma Carroll with 34 Crypt students attending to listen to the 5 schools champion their books. It was a fantastic opportunity and hopefully the boys all enjoyed the debate!

Mrs Attwood, Librarian Originally, I didn’t know what to expect when I heard about the Monster of Monster Books Challenge. But overall, I enjoyed it! I think that it was fun and interesting to revisit Skellig having read it when I was younger and dive deeper into the book; picking up the little details as well as the longer details that we could relate to the subject of monstrosity/monsters. I was surprised by how much effort had gone into the event itself, with all of the lighting, the stage and the large audience made up mainly of school children. I also felt that all of the schools involved had put in a good amount of effort into choosing their book - it was a good experience!

Bram Allen-Bowdery, Year 9

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Year 7 Birmingham Christmas Market – December 2018 I really enjoyed the trip because the shops were fantastic, and the food was delicious. Also, the people there were polite and told us anything that we didn’t know. I also learnt a few more German words which has helped develop my vocabulary. – Edy Cartita It was great; we learnt loads, practiced our German and most importantly had lots of fun! – Meesha Patel I thought the trip was very exciting and the weather was perfect. We had great fun and we learnt many more things about German culture.

Thank you for setting up the trip. – Chongyang Lu I thought the German market trip was great fun and I was able to use German vocabulary that I had learnt in class. – Logan Waterhouse

Year 10 Christmas Market in Köln, Germany – December 2018 On the evening of Thursday 6th December 2018 a group of Year 9 and 10 pupils departed for a fun packed weekend to experience the Christmas Markets in Cologne, Germany.

Highlights of the trip included visiting the famous Cologne Weihnachtsmarkt, eating delicious ice cream (even in December!), a boat cruise on the Rhine, whilst singing songs with Saint Nicholas and enjoying the water slides at Aqualand.

Pupils also enjoyed a visit to Cologne Cathedral and the Sport Museum.

“The Köln trip war wunderbar! Between getting to talk to locals and singing Jingle Bells on a Christmas boat trip, we learnt lots about the culture and got to do lots of shopping. I’d do it all again in a second” Harvind Sandhu, Year 10 “A great trip, one of the best experiences of my life and I would definitely go again if I had the chance” Farrelle Innes-Thomas, Year 10

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Author Visit – March 2019 Thank you to author John Parsons, author of Ten Quests (Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd) for coming in to talk to students about his books during a lunchtime visit. He showed us his beautiful illustrations and we found out about what inspired him to write his stories!

Mrs Attwood, Librarian John Parsons came here to show the children of the crypt school his Ten Quest series, the pupils were greatly interested in his artwork that he brought with him, as he also illustrates his own books. He told us the story of how he got into writing, his grandchildren where the main influence because he would make up bedtime stories for them but when he left, they would want to hear more so he came up with the idea of writing down the fantastic adventures of his characters on paper Naomi Peet, Year 7 Ski Trip - April 2019 In April, we took nearly 80 students to the mountains of Edmonton in Canada for our Ski Trip of 2019. After a total travel time of around 30 hours, the boys still couldn’t wait to hit the slopes! In addition to skiing and snowboarding in the day, the activities didn’t stop there with evening entertainment including Wolf Calling, Pizza Night and quizzes. After bidding the Rockies farewell, the group travelled back down to Edmonton for shopping, a trip to a water park and played tourist in Calgary. An exhausting but fantastic trip!

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Year 7 Trip to Paris – June 2019 On the 21st June a group of 45 Year 7 pupils set off for Paris! After a long journey we arrived at the Chateau de Grand Romaine where we would be staying for the next 3 nights. The following day we visited the palace of Fontainebleau and looked round the very grand ornate rooms where Napoleon once lived. After lunch in the grounds we headed into the centre of Paris to the Tour Montparnasse, the tallest skyscraper in Paris, to go up the 56 floors to the observation deck at the top, where the views of Paris were spectacular!

On returning to the Chateau we had a session in the outdoor pool then evening activities. On Sunday we went back into the centre of Paris to see the major monuments, we had our photo taken in front of the Eiffel Tower, climbed all 277 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, had a picnic lunch in the Tuilerie Gardens and saw the glass pyramid in front of the Louvre. In the afternoon we went back to the Eiffel Tower to get on a river cruise down the Seine when we also saw Notre Dame. More swimming and activities in the evening before packing up to set off on Monday morning! On our way home we visited Monet’s garden in Giverny which was really beautiful. We had a long journey home but all of our Y7 pupils were brilliant, merci Y7 vous étiez formidables!

Mrs Joynson - French Teacher Battlefields Tour – June 2019 I’m sure I speak for all of us – staff and students – when I say that the Battlefields trip was a powerful and moving experience. Visiting sites such as the Vimy Memorial and the Menin Gate gave us deep moments of reflection, and - perhaps in a way – changed us profoundly.

Thanks must be given to Mr Dyer and Mrs Evans for their capable and far-sighted organisation of the trip. Mr Whittaker organised the music superbly and saw to it that talented students excelled. I found it deeply satisfying presenting the poetry.

And we will not forget the redoubtable Jim (a war veteran himself) who went above and beyond his position of driver and saw to it that the boys had a deep and vibrant grounding in the necessary information.

Lighter memories of a serious trip will include our long walks in the heat, some plentiful chicken and chips at a hot restaurant, and a thoroughly enjoyable tour of Bruges.

Mr Bridges – English Teacher

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Corrèze – June 2019 The end of term saw one of the annual highlights of the school calendar with the Year 9 trip to Corrèze in France! A jam packed few days away with the boys on great form and the weather was glorious.

Activities included Gorge walking, Canoeing, Rambo Ramble, climbing and a high ropes course along with water sports on the lake and an inflatable obstacle course! yesterday. Some staff are more confident than others! They also enjoyed the inflatables on the lake.

Big thank you to Club Corrèze, Multi Activity and Sports Training Centre for a fantastic time – see you again next year!

School Events Speech Day – September 2018 On Thursday 13th September, the annual prize giving for the school took place with Guest of Honour: Rob Holliday, BSc. FRAeS (OC 1970-77) from the International Air Transport Association - Head of Operational Safety and Global Aviation Data Management.

FORM PRIZES FOR EFFORT Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11

Harvey Moroney Brandon Ford Joshua Peters Joseph Braisby Thomas Joslyn Conor Lewis Rohan O’Donnell Lewis Cole

Tom McCurrich

Jamie Manley

Finley Gould

Noah Castle

Freddie Lancett

Oliver Podmore

Rowan Clayton

Huw Davies

Jude Smith

Elliot Whitfield Charles Cook

James Gabb Elliott Smith

Ewan Goldie-King Jack Keveren

THE CRYPT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Year 7 Year 8

Year 9

Year 10 Year 11

Samuel Powell Jonas Mulligan Louis Powles Felix Baldwin Zainudeen Takolia Neil Rogers Suhayb Qureshi Xavier Cleland Jack Sparey Thomas Pritchard Benjamin Bayliss Lewis Meredith-Wilks

Freddie Jones Jacob Pankowski Adwit Mukherji Jack Jordan Arthur Rudkin-McLaren Anton Wildschek Ben Eamer Jack Evans Blessing Mwaisoloka Neham Rai Adam Baldwin Edward Hemsley

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Ben Newcombe Thomas McWhirter James Matthews Jack Zheng

Christopher Gaulton Mason King Benjamin Weygang Benjamin Darlow

Damon Knott Benjamin Norman

Romy Rojan Alexander Jackman

Benjamin Evans Fletcher Laity Riley Bell Ben McKenzie

Ethan Adams David Oyadah Rhys Bradley George McCairns

LOWER SIXTH SUBJECT PRIZES FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Art Business Studies Computer Science Economics English Literature Geography Government & Politics Mathematics Physics Spanish

Karolina Krzyszkowska Ellis Woodland Jacob Enon Max Allen Rhys Toms Philip Barnes Bart Shepherd Max Allen George Barker Ben Howells

Biology Chemistry DT English Language Further Maths German History Philosophy & Ethics Psychology Sports Studies

Daniel Nash Daniel Nash Isaac Trickey Abigail Charlton Daniel Nash Abigail Charlton Bart Shepherd Samuel Hill Rhys Toms Max Holford

UPPER SIXTH PRIZES School Captain’s Prize J. F. Acland Prize for Mathematics The Bailey Prize for History Herbert Byard Memorial Prize – Outstanding Merit The Henley Memorial Prize for English Literature The Hodges Prize for Chemistry The Howey Prize for Physics The Townsend (Pembroke College, Oxford) Prize EPQ Prize for most Innovative Project EPQ Prize for Presentation Art Prize Biology Prize Business Studies Prize Computer Science DT Prize English Language Prize Further Maths Prize Geography Prize (Mrs. Milner) German Prize Government & Politics Prize Philosophy & Ethics Psychology Prize Spanish Prize Sports Studies Prize

Jack Greening/Abigail Hoare William Matson Callum Brignall Jacob Charles Louis Staley Callum Brignall Austen Tulodziecki Callum Brignall Shannon Parsons William Cairns Tristan Beard Sebastian Golding Mekayla Rose-Innes William Matson Scarlet O’Connor Abigail Hoare Nathan Browne William Helmke Brook Vernon Louis Staley Amy Edwards Heather Dawes Finn McDonnell Hannah Cole

PRIZES OPEN TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL Michael Nuth Prize for Languages Lower School History Prize C. T. Dean Music Prize London Old Cryptians’ Prize for All Round Effort Jeff Robins Memorial Prize for Practical Work in Geography The Kendrick Prize for Initiative The Colin Ewan Memorial Prize for Drama The Richard Worral Prize for Drama The School Art Prize The Stuart Hately Prize for Sustained Effort Old Cryptians’ Junior Merit Prize Old Cryptians’ Senior Merit Prize 75 School Life

Samuil Vrabtchev Mason King Elizabeth Barks Joshua Haddock David Jackson Tristan Beard Matthias Kelay James Gabb Lewis Meredith-Wilks Jamie Evans Jack Pryor Nabil El Bark

Dame Joan Cooke Exhibition Niblett Scholarship Henley Scholarship for English

William Matson Austen Tulodziecki Shannon Parsons

OLD CRYPTIANS CENTENARY BURSARY FUND The Bursary was set up by the Old Cryptians Club in 2001 to mark the dawning of a new Century. The Scheme provides an opportunity for the current and future generations of young Cryptians of high ability and motivation to obtain the specialist tuition, essential equipment and other assistance that will enable them to raise their standards still higher. Awards are made annually across four key categories – Academic, Arts, Sports & Travel.

Academic Awards – Abigail Charlton & Ellis Woodland Arts Awards – Music: James Gabb, Art: Liam Hunter & Hayden Bradley, Drama: Jamie Evans Sports Awards – Harry Atkinson & Finn Hartshorn Travel Awards: Matt Nash & Maisie Gaffney

CUPS AND TROPHIES FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPETITORS Amanda Willmott Prize for Outstanding Linguistic Achievement The Arnold Cup for Creative Writing The Hugh Roe Plate - Public Speaking Honour The Talwar Cup for Community Service The ‘SOFAB Sports’ Cup for Outstanding Contribution in the Community Jeff Robins Memorial Trophy for Involvement in School Activities The Fletcher Cup for All Round Achievement in Sport Tony Coates Memorial Cup - Rugby AIW Cup for Outstanding contribution to Sport Chapman Trophy for Creative work in DT Wicliffe Trophy for Technical Achievement Food Technology Prize The Hilary Dyer-Price Cup for Art Outstanding Contribution to Brass Playing Contribution to School Choral Work Charles Lepper Cup for all round contribution to Drama Paul Sargent Stagecraft Cup Paul James Economics Cup Lawrie McLeod Memorial Cup for work in Computer Science John Gravell Memorial Cup for work in Computer Science Junior Engineering Cup Senior Engineering Cup Seymour Cup – Woman into Science & Engineering Science Cup – Year 7 Science Cup - Year 8 Chess Cup Mathematics Olympiad Gold Cup

Sports Cup for Girls contribution to Sport The Rachel Jackson Cup for Outstanding effort and Commitment

ATHLETICS VICTOR LUDORUM CUPS Year 7 Year 8

Olamide Odukunle John Fenley 76

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Nabil El Bark Heather Dawes Samuel Hill William Matson Bethany Cro Hannah Cole Joshua Haddock Christian Lambert William Helmke Santino Caldarone James Griffin Ryan Berry Asraar Nakhuda Lysander Waring Rhys Toms Samuel Baller Ben Pritchard Stuart Clarke Xavier Cleland Daniel Roderick Ethan Adams Nathan Browne Phoebe Raine Robin Grant Harry Brammer William Todd Damon Marlow Freddie Jones Thomas Usmar Angel Okoro Katie Jackson

Year 9 Year 10

Ryan Berry Thomas Pritchard

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS U12 – County Indoor Cricket - Champions U15 – Bromsgrove Rugby 7’s – Bowl Winners U15 – County Cup Cricket - Runners Up Athletics – ESAA (English School Athletics) Junior Boys - Champions

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS Harry Atkinson – Gloucester RFC U18’s Academy Jack Hamilton & Lewis Drewett – Gloucester RFC U16’s Academy Joel Townley (Triple Jump), Ben Wade (Discuss), Harry Wells (800m) – English Schools Athletics, National Finals Rory Davies – Cerebral Palsy Football – England Talent Programme Finn Hartshorn – GBR Sailing – Optimist Class

HOUSE CUPS AND TROPHIES Gardner Rugby Cup Football Roberts Athletics Cup Houlston – Morgan Cricket Cup Cross Country Cup Barton House Shield

Brown Brown Henley Brown Moore Henley KS3, Whitefield KS4 & 5

Remembrance – November 2018 On the 9th November, the School held its annual Remembrance Service in the School Hall: this service commemorates the 138 Old Cryptians who gave their lives in the two world wars of the twentieth century.

The service was very moving and we commended pupils for their outstanding behaviour on that occasion.

Reverend Rob Page addressed the students and the choir, including many new Year 7 boys and girls, sang For the Fallen, View Me Lord and Benedictus from The Armed Man. David Jackson and Xander Waring played the Last Post and Reveille. Old Cryptians joined current students to lay wreaths at the side of the memorials in the Crush Hall.

We marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and Mr Dyer was honoured to be able to accompany a group of current students and Old Cryptians at the national remembrance parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. The Crypt School is the only school in the country which has the honour of doing so. Our sincere thanks to all who took part.

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Cenotaph Parade – Sunday, 11th November, 2018 It was an early start on November the 11th, but as we arrived in London and saw the scale of the commemorations the reality of why we were there set in.

After meeting some of the Old Cryptians who were there to represent the school and fallen loved ones, we watched as soldiers, air men and sailors marched by. The stillness was eerie and for the first time I grasped what Armistice Day really about. it's about remembering those who fought and died for freedom, for equality and for a just world. Lest We Forget Neil Rogers, Yr10 It was an honour to attend the 2018 Remembrance parade at the Cenotaph in London. The experience was truly inspiring and I was especially moved to see so many people gathered to commemorate those afflicted by war. People from all different walks of life and of all different ages. An event like this is a true representation of the core values that define us as a nation and I felt particular pride in representing our school at the parade beside my fellow students, Headmaster and Old Cryptians Lewis Wood, Yr13

School Activities Careers Advisor Update – 2018/2019 I was very pleased to be invited to work at The Crypt some two years ago as its part time Careers Adviser. Not least because The Crypt is still in a minority of schools to employ its own qualified Career Adviser. While providing careers guidance is a legal responsibility for schools, how this is done remains largely a decision for schools themselves. I therefore have another role as Careers Leader to advising the school leadership team and governors on matters of best practice in Careers work. This includes ‘careers education’ - what we teach, who we teach, and when we teach. Of course, how we teach it remains a matter for teacher’s expertise but I am happy to assist.

What qualifies me for such a role? In short, 25 years as a Careers Adviser in a variety of schools and specialist roles. I am therefore well placed to suggest the best model requires a Careers Adviser to be embedded within a school and not an occasional visitor from an external organisation. This model better enables the development of relationships to more effectively support young people. What does this mean for the careers experience of a Crypt student? Well for a start access to a qualified Careers Adviser at their point of need.

This usually means decision points in years 9-13. Interviews can be arranged by appointment through tutors or the reception staff. I also attend as many parent evenings as possible and will always meet parents on other occasions by arrangement.

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Careers Guidance is effective when complemented by Careers Education.

This means ensuring our students from Year 8 onwards are able to progressively build self-awareness, develop decision making skills, cope with and manage change, and understand opportunities in work and learning. We do this though our Citizenship programmes in each year but also encourage careers learning within curriculum subjects.

We are proud of our excellent record of engagement with the business and education communities. In January we hosted our third annual Careers & Higher Education Fair. This was deliberately relocated to the Sports Hall in order to more easily accommodate an impressive number of employers and universities eager to meet our students. A party of students also visited the regional Apprenticeship Show at Cheltenham Racecourse. GE Aviation continued to support our well-established Employability Award, and a number of employers contributed to mock interview and business breakfast events with help from GFirst. Other notable contributions included an excellent mock trial day from legal firm Harrison Clark Rickerby and SJP Wealth Management again supported Year 12 with a job search skills workshop.

Engagement with the higher education community continued during the year with presentations on Personal Statement writing and Student Finance from the Universities of Bath and Gloucestershire respectively. Year 12 students and tutors also visited the annual UCAS regional Higher Education Conference held at the University of the West of England.

In the summer term we again hosted our annual series of Career Insight talks as part of our Year 12 enrichment programme. This featured 32 visitors drawn from varied professional backgrounds in response to student interest. These included a solicitor, architect, mental health practitioner, engineers and many more. We were very pleased Richard Graham; MP for Gloucester was able to escape Brexit concerns to meet Year 12 for reflections on his dual career in politics and business.

We also recognise the importance of opportunities for our students to encounter the workplace and develop employability. This summer we have successfully supported the majority of our 152 Year 12 students to secure meaningful work experience placements during term time. An impressively wide range of employers are involved including KPMG, GE Aviation, MOD, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, Renishaw, Saffran Landing Systems and many more. We even had an international placement with Credit Suisse in New York.

Careers guidance also requires access to information. We have created access to several online career’s resources and in the autumn term we will be relocating our printed resources including prospectuses to a newly dedicated Careers & Higher Education Centre located on the Library balcony. This will include a dedicated apprenticeships noticeboard to reflect growing interest in this post 16 pathway. During the summer we launched our dedicated Twitter account @CryptCareers for daily announcements of events, opportunities and information.

We have no wish to rest on our laurels but can be proud of our careers offer at The Crypt. We are therefore seeking external validation of our progress by seeking the national Quality in Careers Standard. This is recommended by Government and has been matched to eight indicators of quality in careers work known as the Gatsby Benchmarks. We have been building upon excellent work already established at The Crypt by Karen Reynold and others expect this to be successful by Autumn 2019. This will also demonstrate our commitment as a whole school to Personal development which is now a strengthened matter of inspection by Ofsted.

Our careers role will continue to evolve so please contact me if you wish to share any feedback or make suggestions regarding any aspect of our work at the Crypt School. Thank you - Mr Lloyd, Careers Advisor 79 School Life

Duke of Edinburgh Award – 2018/2019 The 2018-19 Crypt DofE programme was launched in September to Y9s for the Bronze Award, Y10s for the Silver Award for the first time ever and to Y12s for the Gold Award.

76 students signed up for Bronze, 12 for Silver and 4 for Gold so DofE Lunchtime Clubs and Enrichment sessions started in earnest after the October school holiday. Five members of staff volunteered to assist with this and admin staff have provided essential support throughout the year.

They sorted themselves into 14 teams of between 5 and 7 participants, came up with some ridiculous team names and logged on to eDofE to submit their activity ideas to their DofE Leaders.

Throughout terms 2 and 3, the participants got started on their Physical, Skills and Volunteering sections by doing an hour or more a week in their own free time. Activities included lots of rugby, football, basketball, swimming, clay pigeon shooting, learning to cook, being a young leader at Beavers or Cubs, taking referee courses, helping in local libraries, churches and charity shops and many others.

Virtually everyone attended a St John’s First Aid course in October or December, including several members of staff.

The Y9s got their first experience of camping at school overnight on a Friday night and Saturday in March. Our activity provider, Live Life Adventure, made sure they could pitch and strike tents, cook on a Trangia style stove, pack their rucksacks correctly, plan satisfying easy cook menus, look after their own health and safety as well as navigate their way up Robinswood Hill following a route card using their map and compass skills.

The Y10s headed out to the hills around Miserden for their first session on the Sunday of the am weekend. Since most of them had done their Bronze award last year but they needed to up their game a little and plan their own routes this year. The training day with Live Life Adventure helped refresh their navigation skills and got them working as a team whilst seeing how far and at what speed they could walk in more hilly terrain than they had been used to.

Term 4 saw expedition training start in earnest with sessions on equipment, food, emergency scenarios, route planning and navigation. By the Easter holidays they were prepped and raring to go.

The Y9 Bronze practice expedition was held in the Northleach area at the end of April and, despite high winds and cold weather, they kept their spirits up and learnt the importance of reading a map carefully and following instructions. Carrying a full rucksack was a new experience that they soon realised was not as easy as they thought so there were a few sore shoulders and hips the following week.

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Their qualifying expedition in the Chedworth area was a much warmer, sunnier weekend where they really enjoyed seeing the Cotswold scenery and villages in their best light. Some saw more of the footpaths around Chedworth than they should have done but by Sunday they had their navigation sorted and kept to time on their routes. As this was their final weekend, they had assessors keeping an eye on them and the reports they have had back from their final debriefs were all very positive.

Three of our four Gold participants headed off to the Brecon Beacons for their practice expedition in the May school holiday with H5 Adventure where they teamed up with four other students from Oxfordshire and spent four day’s journeying around the Crickhowell side of the Brecons. The fourth will hopefully do his expedition next year with the next cohort of Y12s.

The Y10 Silver practice expedition weekend took the boys up the Malvern Hills in June. Over the two and half days most of them reached the summit of every hill and can happily say they have walked the length of the Malverns. They were blessed with glorious weather and kept their spirits high throughout the whole weekend with music and chatter and a campfire on Saturday night.

Their qualifying expedition will be held in the Forest of Dean in July where their task will be to navigate the forest paths without adult intervention or their phones. It’s a step up from Bronze but I am confident they will rise to the challenge and complete their expeditions.

The Gold team will head back to the Brecon Beacons in July to complete their four-day qualifying expedition. I look forward to seeing their project next September.

All that remains now is for everyone to submit evidence and assessors reports on eDofE for their Physical, Skills and Volunteering sections to complete their awards. I’m pleased to say that 40 Bronze Awards have been completed this year already with badges and certificates being presented in school assemblies. Many more are very close to completion with only a few sections to sign off so I’m hoping to be busy in September presenting the final certificates before we start all over again.

Many thanks as ever to all the staff that support DofE within school, whether as a DofE Leader, as an assessor, helping with the admin, acting as emergency contacts or even just promoting the award to the students - your help is hugely appreciated.

Mrs Peake, Duke of Edinburgh Manager

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Student Executive 2018/2019 The Student Executive is a group of 14 Y13 students, led by the Head boy Matt Nash and Head girl Maisie Gaffney, with the task of organising and attending various events, leading the prefects, and representing the student body in the school’s decisions. Since last Easter, we have all worked hard to improve the school.

Currently, we are organising the Year 13’s leavers’ meal for which we are all very excited for, to celebrate either 2 or 7 years at The Crypt School. This has been one of the highlights of our time within the Student Executive, along with creating the year book, as it allows us to remember all the achievements and memories we have had at The Crypt and hopefully give a big send off to everyone who has worked hard during exams.

However, it hasn’t been all easy work! Our student executive team have worked hard throughout the course of the year organising social events such as Butler’s socials, quiz nights and even charity events like the hamper scamper which all went down successfully. Our Head boy and Head girl; Matt and Maisie, have also attended Governors meetings in order to provide a student voice to the running’s of the school to help better the school in many ways.

Events such as Founders’ Day have been a massive part of our year, attending both the service and the meal as representative of the student body. It was amazing for us to speak to old Cryptians and represent the current year of students attending the Crypt.

Another highlight of our year was The Old Cryptians’ meal, which was held at St. Mary DeCrypt where the school was founded. This was an amazing night for all the executive, especially the head boy, again being able to represent the school and get to know valued Old Cryptians. It was incredible to see so many people who are so passionate about the School, as well as listening to their successes in which the school played a large role.

Within the team, each member has their own specific role. This year, we desired to increase the significance of student voice, so many members decided to take a leading role in the new student parliament which streamlines the process for any member of the school community to have their say about teaching, enrichment and learning life. We believe this was successful in making the community more cohesive as well as generating new ideas such as the house point system being re-worked to give more incentive to students to excel. In addition to this, the executive has strengthened the mentoring programme for new Y7s as well as overseeing the transition to coeducation.

One of our biggest jobs was the process of welcoming the new executive. This year we received around 60 applicants which all went through a rigorous selection process of speeches, written applications and rounds of interviews. We wish the best of luck to the new executive team, headed by Jamie Evans and Amy Johnson, and hope they enjoy the experience and responsibility as much as we have.

Maisie Gaffney & George Barker – Members of the 2018/2019 Student Executive 82 School Life

Sixth Form Enrichment On Wednesday afternoons, instead of normal timetabled lessons, we run enrichment for all 6th Form students Term 1 to 4 and then, in Terms 5 and 6 whilst Year 13 are sitting their A Levels, Year 12 have careers talks.

In Terms 1 to 4, we offer a large range of activities for students to get involved with: Climbing, horse riding, a first aid course, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, we had a school F1 team, a GirlsGetSet engineering team, basic cooking skills classes, netball, rugby and football, table tennis, a Young Enterprise club, Yoga, an Access to Bristol course, an online Future Learn course, EPQ which is a nationally recognised qualification, work shadowing and mentoring, and a film club! All students took part with enthusiasm, and all activities offer a different experience than their normal lessons and some courses like First Aid, give a qualification at the end of it.

Then, for Year 12 in terms 5 & 6, we invite guest speakers from more than 20 different industries to come in and talk to them about careers in their industry. These included talks on: cyber security, engineering, the finance industry, working with wildlife, the NHS, Law, the police force which included the forensics side of the job and, Gloucester’s MP, Richard Graham, came in and spoke to them about Life Options. All talks have been very well received and, we are grateful to all our speakers for giving up their time to come into school to talk to students.

Mrs Price, Sixth Form Administrator School Parliament – 2018/2019 School Parliament is one of many things that makes me feel involved in the school. In the meetings, 2-3 students from each year group (Y7 to Y13) come together with Mr Salt to talk about the school. There are 3 parts: Enrichment, Wellbeing and Learning & Curriculum. We talk about vital decisions that are important for the future of the school. These meetings are beneficial to make the students feel as if they are being heard by the school which is key for a good both social and academic secondary school life.

Jai Karavadra, Year 9 Stretch and Challenge Day – November 2018 Friday 2nd November 2018 was Stretch and Challenge Day where teachers offered challenging activities to get students out of their comfort zone. We surveyed students after their lessons and ALL subjects were selected at some point in the day as being challenging on the day which was great! Take a look at some of the activities that took place: Mr Somerton (Sports Science) Students work out answers before they are taught the topic (diagrammatic representation of the body's energy systems)

Miss Okell (Business Studies) Role reversal: students teach the lesson Mrs Kirkpatrick (Economics) Higher Order Thinking: Bono's Six Thinking Hats with students evaluate whether the NHS should be privatised You can find out more about our CALL (Crypt Active Learning Leads) programme here: https://www.cryptactivelearningleads.com/

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Christmas at The Crypt - December 2018 What started with a harmless ‘Bookmas’ Tree from the school library turned into a interdepartmental competition to see who could come up with the best alternative Christmas tree. We had some fantastically creative entries – take a look below!

The ‘Bookmas’ Tree from the Library made by Yr7 Student Librarians

Our ‘Human’ Christmas Tree from the Drama Department

The Chemistr-Tree from the Chemistry Department

The Planet-Tree from the Physics Department

The Maths Department’s digital Christmas tree!

The F1 Team Cygnus Racing with their 3D printed Christmas tree!

Monopoly Day – January 2019 On Friday 11th January we challenged the students to make links between the content of their lesson and a particular monopoly piece. We encouraged the students to use their subject knowledge to develop realistic, plausible and accurate links.

Teacher/Subject: Mr Carolan / DT Monopoly piece: Dog Activity: challenged his class to create a board game and a dog piece from metal

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Teacher: Mrs Kirkpatrick / Economics Monopoly piece: Iron Activity: create a diagram explaining how imports/exports of irons influences the Balance of Payments and exchange rates

Teacher: Miss Okell / Business Studies Monopoly piece: Hat Activity: thinking Hats with Year 11, discussing ways the Japanese Earthquake impacted they supply of 'Just - in Time' manufacturing.

Maximise Day with Yr11 – February 2019 Each year, Y11 students welcome Jeremy Dry from Maximize Your Potential for a bespoke GCSE preparation workshop. Jeremy has lost count of the times he has spoken at Crypt and therefore understands the needs of the year group in order to tailor his sessions.

The year group is split in half and Jeremy uses inspirational stories to illustrate that success comes with hard work, perseverance and failure. He gives practical tips that enable all students to raise their grades and take ownership of their learning and sets engaging tasks and challenges to punctuate the seminars. Students value the sessions highly as it offers a unique environment to try out new ideas and practical strategies to support their revision skills as they enter the vital run up to GCSE examinations.

See the @MaximizeYP or @CryptSchool Twitter Page for student testimonials.

G15 G15 is a partnership between the 15 secondary schools in Gloucester where members of each school meet to discuss and exchange ideas to improve education throughout the city. The G15 student group meets once every term at one of the schools, The Crypt’s delegation consists of Matyas Nyeki-Varga in Year 10; James Jones, Takudzwa Dhewa, Lysander Waring, Fletcher Laity and Fraser Hill in Year 11 and Alexander Waring in Year 13.

Over the 4 meetings this year the student group has discussed issues such as safety within the city of Gloucester with Nick Gazzard; founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust as well as meeting with Dame Margret Trotter and members of the county Police force to provide input for a new scheme to make Gloucestershire more youthfriendly county.

G15 has worked on (and continues to work on) improving mental health in schools, setting up an E-sports league between Gloucester schools and raising money for charity. G15 is a great opportunity for students to be active in the city community while gaining useful experiences and learning important skills such as communication, management and leadership.

Xander Waring – Year 13

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World Book Day – March 2019 On 7th March 2019, we celebrated World Book Day with various activities taking place during the school day including Who is Reading? during form time and the Title Quest Challenge.

Title Quest Challenge: 30 members of staff wore labels with a book title and author on it. Students had to log as many of the titles & staff names as they can before the end of the school day.

Winners: Joint 1st – Kate Abernathy & Maisie Dodd, 3rd – Willow Armstrong Who is Reading? was a PowerPoint presentation circulated to all forms, containing 21 photos of staff members hiding behind a book. Students had to identify the staff member.

Winners: Miss O’Neill’s form (VIW-CON) clinched the title with a score of 18 but a special mention went to Mr Hargreave’s form (7W).

We also held a team quiz in the library at lunchtime which proved to be very popular with nearly 60 students taking part! Mrs Attwood was very impressed with their knowledge of the literary world.

• • •

1st: Joseph Tallamy, Andrew West, Matheus Pem & Jackson McLean 2nd: Finnley Whitehead, Muhammad Veshmia & Henry Sullivan 3rd: Freddie Jones, Tom McCurrich, Gethin Riordan-Jones & Frank Ridley

Well done to all those students who got involved throughout the day!

Mrs Attwood, Librarian Create & Cook Competition – May 2019 As a “stretch and challenge” activity, last year’s Highly Commended Y8 dynamic duo – Callum Preston and Henry Rosser, now in 9JMW – were encouraged to design and enter a new menu for this year’s Create and Cook competition run by Min Raisman in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Co-op supermarket consortium. The competition has been running for only three years, and aims to showcase innovative creations developed by local 13-15 year olds, using as many of the excellent local (Gloucestershire) ingredients as possible in their dishes, with a summer theme, in their two course menu.

After an initial strategic meeting and brainstorming activity with Mrs Chad-Daniels, the two boys enthusiastically started to consider a main dish and dessert for two people using ingredients primarily available and well known for having a “Gloucester” theme – as the Crypt School is an outstanding example of excellence in the capital city of Gloucestershire! After much hard work at home and several lunchtime recipe-development practical sessions in the Food Room, Callum and Henry submitted their menu:

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Gloucester Old Spot & Double Gloucester Pie on a bed of Gloucester salad drizzled with Gloucester dressing & Gloucester Raspberry & Chocolate Log served with Sloe Gin & Raspberry Coulis (made with Mrs Medcroft’s Gloucester garden sloes!)

Their fabulous entry managed to get them into the Gloucestershire final at Gloucester College in Cheltenham on Tuesday 21st May, where they competed against last year’s winners The Cotswold School, along with Farmor’s and Cirencester Deer Park schools.

After a 90-minute heat-drenched practical session, Callum and Henry presented their meal for two on an aptlydecorated table (cherry and white themed!) and the judges made their deliberations for an hour. Despite emphatically lauding the boys’ entry, the judges did not award them a 1st or 2nd place to go through into the next round of the competition (against two Oxfordshire winning schools), but the boys did win a generous goody bag for themselves, financial recompense for the ingredients, and a huge amount of recognition for themselves, the Crypt School and Gloucester-based ingredients. They have also received gold merits for their efforts, and enjoyed a day off school for the competition, which came only two days after completing their Duke of Edinburgh bronze expedition. They deserve our congratulations!

Mrs Chad-Daniels - Head of Food & Nutrition

Sports Day – June 2019 Sports Day 2019 was officially our biggest yet with the introduction of girl's events in Year 7. As it was our first sports day as a co-education school, the girls set a new school record in every event which took place with Elle Griffiths (1500m & 800m) and Angell-Lei Riley (100m & Javelin) both setting two new record. Sports Day was fiercely contested in each year group and only 30 points separated three houses going into the track finals after lunch. However, a dominate performance from Henley, especially in Year 10 meant they were crowned Sports Day 2019 winners! Thank you to the staff and the Year 12 helpers for making sports day another successful event.

Individual Victor Ludorum Winners Year 7 Girls- Elle Griffiths Year 7 Boys - Emmanuel Ogbeide Year 8 - Zac Mountford & Ollie Workman Year 9 - Oliver Elsmore Year 10 - Fin Garfield Overall Results Henley 1st 1089 Brown 2nd 1024 Moore 3rd 989 Whitefield 4th 877 Raikes 5th 873

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Yr13 Leavers Meal – June 2019 A real highlight of the school calendar for our Sixth Form is our Yr13 Leavers’ meal which takes place after the final A-Level Exams in the school hall. A celebratory evening for our students, it’s also a chance for them to say farewell (and thank you!) to their teachers and members of staff who have helped support their journey here at school throughout the years.

Photos courtesy of Anna Lythgoe of Gloucestershire Live

Spreading The Love Event – July 2019

Spreading The Love in the Community Event for Senior Citizens/Adults with disability Over the last 4-5 weeks students attended lunch time meetings with Mrs Kirkpatrick and brainstormed ideas on how they would like to entertain the senior citizens.

There were some fantastic ideas and teamwork going on during these meetings and it was decided that they would put on a variety performance, a quiz (table with the highest score won a box of chocolates) and on arrival they were served with tea/coffee, sandwiches and homemade cake which the Y7’s baked themselves - the cakes were delicious!

It was then onto lunchtime rehearsals. Using their iPads, the team selected their own songs, found the relevant backing tracks and rehearsed in front of their peers with great confidence and teamwork. A programme of the event was compiled and placed on tables.

The day finally arrived when they could show off all their hard work and their message of “spreading the love in the community” certainly shone through. Students met the senior citizens on arrival, escorted them to their tables and after serving them with refreshments sat with them and chatted, it was wonderful.

Mr Whittaker supported the event and some of his music students provided instrumental music for them to listen to on arrival - we have very talented musicians.

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Over all the event was a huge success and our Community Engagement Leaders entertained 25 senior citizens/adults with disability and their carers from local residential care homes, showed compassion and worked together as a team.

Clubs & Societies at The Crypt Archery In 2018 we started an Archery Club after school on Wednesdays with Deer Park Archers. Fast forward one year – we took part in the Archery Finals at Cheltenham College where only the top 10% archers in the county had qualified! We placed 5th overall with students doing really well - special mentions from the coach to Naomi and Alex!

Mrs Kirkpatrick, Assistant Head – Teaching School & Co-ed Leader Chatter Books Reading Club This year saw the introduction of ‘Chatter Books’ - our weekly book club run by Year 7 Student Librarians Abigail Millward and Eloise Bick. On Monday lunchtimes, a small group of students would gather on the library balcony to discuss the book they were reading that week as a group. Books included Carnegie Medal nominated “The House with Chicken Legs”

by Sophie Anderson.

Debating Society On Wednesday 10th October 2018, a team from The Crypt School met Sir Thomas Rich's School in what has been described as ‘intellectual warfare’. The team of Samuel Hill (Captain), Ed Todd and Benedict Young, with researcher Harvie Burgess, met the team from Tommies, consisting of captain Char Atkins, Lewis McQueer and Michael Rarity.

The motion of Wednesday’s debate was the provocative yet enthralling ‘this house believes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been good for America’. Our team took up the role of opposition – with captain Samuel Hill critiquing the affordability of healthcare under the ACA, Ed critiquing the wider economic impact and Benedict critiquing the access to healthcare under the Act. Crypt came away with a close, but well-fought 57-56 win – well done to all members for a fantastic effort and a brilliant start to the newly founded Gloucestershire Schools Debating League.

Sam Hill - Year 13 (2018-2019 Chair of Crypt Debating Society)

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Dr Who Club Doctor Who club brings Whovians from both years 7 and 8 together in one place to enjoy a television show that has been on our screens for 50+ years. Students watch episodes from the show and have discussions about current themes in the episodes. Whether your favourite monster is the Daleks or Cybermen everyone is welcome.

The club is a great way to chill and relax at the end of the week and enjoy yourself. Students will bring some sweets and a drink, and get ready to immerse themselves in the action-packed world of The Doctor.

Mr Brewis – IT Technician Eco- Club (Yr8) Mrs Copcutt introduced the plastic issue to her tutor group and they started to investigate the problem during tutor time. They started with the issues surrounding the wildlife (Oceanic specifically) and how this was affecting them. Subsequently we discovered more information regarding the issues caused by the making, use and disposal of plastic. They were shocked and horrified at the extent to which our species is contributing to this global situation. They wanted to help so asked if they could be Eco Warriors and Mrs Copcutt agreed.

Each student has signed up for at least one lunchtime session where they collect recycling from around the school. This is collected from bins and litter that may be dropped. It is then brought to Mrs Copcutt’s lab where it is it ready to be bagged up ready for recycling.

We started the project after the Easter holidays and will complete it on the 12th July. The purpose of our project is to try and highlight, to the whole school community the amount of recyclable waste that is still being sent to landfill. We are hoping that this will be continued next year and that it enables the school to look at, not just recycling but significantly reducing the amount of plastic brought into the establishment.

Through their efforts they have encouraged other students to take on their own projects; e.g. two other students have been collecting recyclable litter in their local area, in fact they collected over 3kg in one day (see photo left).

Mrs Copcutt – Biology Teacher Friday Flix Club A small group of Year 7 boys have faithfully attended Mrs Chad-Daniels’ “Friday Flix” lunchtime club (available to all pupils in Year 7 since January) - watching each episode of the Netflix series “Lost In Space”. This is a remake of the classic 1960’s television series that was aired on Netflix in 2017/2018 to critical acclaim. As a Certificate 12 production, it contains science fiction action, humour and thrills to enthral any young audience, but particularly those who just like to “chill-ax” in a warm and comfortable cinema-style environment (the Food room) at the end of the week.

Mrs Chad-Daniels – Head of Food & Nutrition

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Harry Potter Club Harry Potter fan club is not the most ordinary club. Although it isn’t sporty or academic, it is a place for fellow Harry Potter fans to get together every Tuesday and have fun. We do lots of projects such as our recent wand project in which every member designed, rolled out, glued and painted their very own paper wand! Even though the attendance can vary each week, we are a society who can come together around the art room table and enjoy a lunchtime discussing one of our favourite things in the world!

Harvind Sandhu - Year 10 Mystery Club Mystery club has been a very fun experience for the girls involved in it, and it is a great way to bond with the people in the gathering. We do things like play games, origami, dance, and we even had a picnic and played ball games last week! It is a regular club, and it is something that has everyone involved excited and looking forward to the next time it is held. Despite the mystery about it, it has a sense of belonging and has helped the girls of year seven settle into Crypt even more, which I thought was impossible. It’s memorable and it brightens up your day with the endless fun, laughter and joy that takes place in the room. No one in mystery club has a bad opinion about the adventures, and some people that go to mystery club with me said: ‘I find it extravagant because there would always be something new each week’ and ‘it’s very exciting and mysterious, as you never know what’s coming’ and ‘it’s very fun and adventurous as one time you may be dancing or the next playing rounders and having picnics!’. We all find mystery club an extraordinary experience and wish that we can carry on doing it and that new people get to experience it.

Hollie Thompson, Year 7 Science Club The Year 7 Science Club has covered several sessions including…

MAGT Who sleighed Santa? These sessions carried out many GCSE, type, experiments and were analysed to find the culprit who poisoned Santa. There are displays outside lab 6.

Putt Putt boats which involved students building their own putt putt boats and then testing them on completion.

MAGT The History of Chocolate: These sessions have just started and will include; History, Melting points, Methods of production and then making own recipe. Lots of practical sessions involved.

Mrs Copcutt – Biology Teacher

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House Competitions This year it was another triumph for Henley who won the house competition for a second year running. There were new events introduced this year including house paper airplane, house T ball, house drama and house art for the first time – take a look at some of the photos of the house events from this academic year.

It was another tight competition to see who would win the Barton Shield but for the second year running Henley were victorious. It was close between them and Whitefield towards the end but a strong sports day and cricket teams made the difference. All of Henley had the opportunity to go to laser tag which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Students have been competing all year to gain points for their house in events like: football, rugby, cross country and netball together with more unusual house competitions like: paper aeroplane, T ball and house drama.

Students are kept up to date with scores and students are often rewarded for simply getting involved. Next year will see even more house events to get involved in which always makes the life of the school even more enriching with the other 4 houses trying to beat Henley! Good luck to everyone.

Mr Hart – Head of Houses

Human Table Football – November 2018 House football was a new addition to the House Events Calendar and proved very popular! A number staff as well as students gave up their lunchtime to represent their house and the games were very competitive. The results were as follows.

• • •

Joint 1st: Brown and Henley 3rd: Whitefield 4th Moore

Well done to all those involved and House Table Football was so successful that it will now be an annual House Event!

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Paper Aeroplane Competition – February 2019 Well done to all those who took part in the House Paper Aeroplane event earlier this year – another hugely popular lunchtime event which had a big turn out from all Houses!

Well done to Yr12 students Jamie Evans and Alfie Harris (pictured image below, far left) from Henley who both threw their planes over 18 metres!

There was also a competition for best design with lots of forms taking up this creative challenge with it proving difficult to decide upon a winner!

The Winner of Best Design was Chongyang Lu (Y7) (below)

House Drama – May 2019

House Drama took place on the last day of Term 5 and 4 out of the 5 houses rose to the challenge. Students had to select a Disney/Pixar film and recreate their version – all in under 5 minutes! Every house chose a different film: Aladdin, Up, Frozen and Moana!

Results were as follows: 1st Henley 2nd Moore 3rd Raikes 4th Whitfield 5th Brown Well done to everyone who took part!

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Individual Student Achievements •

Ed Leech represented Gloucestershire in the Schools’ National Cross-Country Championship – where he came 120 out of 360, which recovering from an illness – very many congratulations.

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Trampolining – well done and good luck to Joe Stott (Year 9), Finlay Gibbons (Year 8) and Nico HewsonBarsellotti (Year 10) who have all been selected to represent the South West in the regional team finals at the NIA in Birmingham. Each of them have taken their trampolining to new levels this year and we look forward to hearing about your success in the regional finals, good luck!

•

Congratulations to Noah Hollywood who won his category in the South West skiing championships which was held at Gloucester ski centre. Noah showed how good his skiing was on this year’s ski trip in Canada and we are not surprised at his success in the regional finals, well done!

•

Well done to Matvei Sinden, George Wallin and Blessing Mwaisoloka who all represented Gloucester U16 Rugby Academy over the Easter break at the Academies Festival at Wellington College. All three students are now anxiously waiting to hear if they will progress into the U17/U18 academy next season.

Gloucester Saxons 2019 Pietro Colombai (left) played his last Basketball England game for the Under 16s against Dorset Storm earlier this year.

Congratulations to Caleb Aldridge (right), who represented UK at the Irish Open 2019 kickboxing competition in March, he came 3rd bringing home a bronze medal in the -47kg youth points fight. Caleb participates in the US Open in June 2019 – we wish him every success!

Bradley Dix (left) received a gold medal at the GTI English Championships for his division.

He represents WMST Kingsway and will now compete in the Scottish Championships in April.

Congratulations to Ollie Evans (right) who competed in the A.I.M.M.A Scottish Tae Kwon Do Open Championships and is now the Scottish Open Champion for 2019 in sparring, having won gold in both the point-stop and the continuous sparring competitions. He beat ever competitor in every round, despite only having taking up the sport 12 months ago.

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Huge well done to Finlay Gibbons & Joe Stott (left) who took part in the regional finals for trampolining & tumbling in June. With over 1500 gymnasts taking part both did incredibly well to finish 3rd overall in the DMT category!

Arthur Rudkin-McLaren (Year 9) entered the Gloucestershire Schools Young Photographer Of The Year 2019 competition representing The Crypt. There were a total of 976 entries overall from 43 schools. From these just 170 were selected for display in the Exhibition with Arthur’s photo (right), Solitude, being one of them.

Charity Events Contribution to charity has always been very strong at The Crypt School and this year has proved just that!

Children in Need – November 2018 Organised by Mrs Wales we once again supported Children in Need! Together through a non-uniform day and cake sale we raised over £1000.

The PE department including Mr Hart and Mr Barrett auctioned off the last remaining cakes and did a sterling job of pushing up our final fundraising amount! Well done all involved!

Christmas Shoebox Appeal – December 2018 Coordinated by Mr Croft, the School was able to deliver a record number of Christmas shoe boxes to the annual Shoe Box appeal this year. We had a fantastic response from students and parents and have managed to achieve a total of 149 Christmas boxes. Collected by the Teams4U charity, they made their way to their various destinations in Europe during December. As usual, we ran this event as a house competition, with Henley contributing the highest total, closely followed by Brown. All houses got involved making a significant contribution to the school total, so many thanks to everyone who was able to contribute!

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Christmas Fayre – December 2018 Our annual Christmas Fayre was held on Friday 7th December and was as popular as ever! We had many stalls selling wonderful Christmas gifts from lots of external exhibitors in addition to our student run stands, all whilst listening to our relaxing Christmas carols and music! All of the profits from the fayre were donated to the Cobalt Unit in the Cheltenham and the House Charities with over £1300 being raised – a fantastic effort!

Crypt 5K – February 2019 Mrs Gee, our Head of Chemistry organised the Crypt 5K which took place in February. All students and staff were invited to take part in the Crypt 5K between Monday 4th February – Friday 8th February 2019. We encouraged parents and their families to support the event by sponsoring their son/daughter as they ran or walked 5K during lunchtimes throughout the week.

We were raising money for FOCUS, the charitable fund for the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre at Cheltenham Hospital, which is our local cancer care centre. They raise funds to support local cancer patients from initial cancer diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. and provide both practical and emotional support in a variety of ways. It is the unfortunate truth that many of us will need their services, for family members, friends, colleagues or ourselves. In the last couple of years, several families and staff members at The Crypt have been directly affected by cancer and have been able to be treated and supported by the fantastic local cancer units at Cheltenham and this has led to this fundraising effort.

We also held a non-uniform day and a cake sale on the Friday. It was a fantastic group effort by all involved and as of 13/02/19 we have raised an incredible….

…£5137!

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Comic Relief - March 2019 Mr Hart wants to say a massive thank you to the students who helped raise so much money for Comic Relief on Friday 15th March.

He challenged the students and staff to take Comic Relief quite literally and turn up in fancy dress. It was incredible to see so many students take up this challenge with their creativity and bravery. Costumes ranged from film characters to 8-foottall dinosaurs.

Mr Hart wasn’t sure whether the students thought that the staff would also take up the challenge but most did (see photo of staff, below!) and continued to teach inspirational lessons.

Thanks also to the parents who donated cakes which went very quickly. In total we raised £1445 which is a wonderful effort and will make a real difference.

Mr Hart - Head of Y7

Cake sale for Maggie’s – March 2019 Seb Pascoe in Year 8 coordinated a cake sale at school to raise money for Maggie's Centre in Cheltenham. Maggie's Centre offers free support to people with cancer and their families and friends.

Seb and his friends did a fantastic job with their cake sale, raising a fantastic £228.63!

Well done!

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Staff Spotlight We said a very warm welcome to the following members of staff in 2018/2019: Martha Williams, English Martha joined The Crypt in September 2018 and has since become an integral member of the English department; she has produced schemes of work, led intensive revision sessions with Year 11 students and become an invaluable asset.

Martha frequently takes part in choir practice and has become a well-known presence around the school.

Charlotte Miles, Biology Charlotte joined the Crypt as a NQT in September 2018 after reading Biological Sciences at Bournemouth University followed by a PGCE at Bristol University. This year she has demonstrated outstanding teaching and learning to pupils across the key stages alongside running lunchtime support sessions for KS3 and KS4 pupils. She has been an excellent tutor to some of the year 8 boys and has supported trips including the Y12 UCAS trip earlier in the year.

Hannah Swain, French We were delighted to welcome Hannah Swain to the Crypt School in September as a Teacher of French and Spanish. Hannah joined us from Dene Magna school. Alongside outstanding teaching skills and deep subject knowledge, Hannah brings a wealth of experience with her; having previously worked in consultancy in London and as a personal trainer in Bristol. A great addition to the department and to wider school life in general.

Jane Joynson, French We were thrilled to welcome back Jane Joynson in September from the Cotswold School as a teacher of French and Spanish. Jane will be familiar to many students as she formerly worked at Crypt as the Head of Modern Languages. Jane’s many years of teaching experience, expert subject knowledge and outstanding pedagogical skills are a great asset to the department and to the wider school community.

Rebecca Cantin, Head of Girls Sport Rebecca joined us in September from Colston Girls school to take up a new role, Head of Girls Sport. Rebecca has made a huge impact in a very short space of time, engaging all girls in Year 7 and the VI Form into PE and school sport. She has played a huge role in establishing a girls PE curriculum and created extensive opportunities for girls to represent the school in netball, football, handball, athletics and rounders. Rebecca brings a wealth of experience, especially from competitive sport where she has represented the England netball and is currently playing semi-professional basketball.

Freddie Burrage, Geography Freddie is currently providing maternity cover for Miss Barnett. Starting in January 2019, Freddie quickly became acquainted with his classes and day to day life at The Crypt School. He has proven to be a calm, knowledgeable and organised geography teachers whilst also being a tutor to year 10. Outside the classroom, Freddie has supported the development of cricket within the school by both running training sessions and accompanying students to cricket matches.

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Alison Longhurst, Geography It was a pleasure to welcome Alison to The Crypt School in September 2018. She joined us having spent many years working at Cleeve School in a variety of roles. Despite only working part time at present, Alison has made many contributions to the department. Most notable have been her excellent organisation and leadership of the year 10 fieldwork to the Forest of Dean and her invaluable contributions in assisting year 12 with their initial NEA preparations.

Paulina Baguley, Science Technician Paulina Baguley joined the Physics department as a technician in June 2018; since then, she has made a huge contribution to the organisation of the preparation rooms and equipment, making sure that all apparatus is ready for teachers and students when required. She graduated from the University of Opole, Poland with a Masters in Physics, specialising in mass spectroscopy. Since moving to the UK, she has studied Childrens’ Care, Learning and Development and has been working with children in pre-school education. She is now looking to develop her skills by supporting the learning of older children and young people.

Lizzi Barks, Musician in Residence Lizzi has been an outstanding Musician in Residence and given so much to the music department this year. Watching her grow and develop as a musician, teacher and adult has been so wonderful. She has a very bright future ahead and will make an excellent teacher.

Any school would benefit so much from her input! We will be very sad to say goodbye to her; she is a backbone of the department and the students respect her greatly. She has done so much to help them and shown loyalty, enthusiasm, integrity and positivity. Her commitment to the “big events” and helping to organise, manage and ensure they have run so smoothly is impressive. Her organisation and management of the orchestra for Founders’ Day was incredible-when we arrived at the cathedral, she had everything worked out perfectly and energised her team of students to set up so professionally. She is a diamond. The teaching profession needs positive and enthusiastic young people like her; she has the highest standards and is always eager to make a difference. The G15 organisers were so impressed by the professional sound and organisation of the A Cappella choir last night. High praise indeed to everyone, but to Lizzi in particular, who has made sure (even with the exam looming) that she was there to rehearse them and keep the level of challenge high (what a fantastic choice of piece for Founders’ Day!). I have watched her grow, mentored and supported her…but as the year has gone on, she has taken responsibility, taken charge and been clear in her mind about musical direction, artistic issues and managing teenagers with firm and clear rules! Thank you so much for all your support over these past three years; it’s been a pleasure to know you and I am so glad that she felt the exam went well; fingers crossed but whatever the outcome, Lizzi has a glittering career ahead and I shall look forward to attending some of her concerts when she is teaching in a school!

We said a very fond farewell to the following staff: Holly Okell, Head of Yr11 and Teacher of Business Studies Holly Okell has successfully gained a promotion to an assistant headteacher post in a school in Bristol. We sincerely congratulate her on a very well-deserved promotion. Holly has proved an outstanding classroom teacher and pastoral leader; she will both bring a huge wealth of experience and energy to her new school, whilst at the same time leaving a huge gap here – Mr Dyer

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Michelle Gardner, Head of Social Sciences, Business Studies & Politics Michelle Gardiner has gained a new role leading the Business and Economics department at the British International School in Rome – many congratulations indeed to Michelle.

Michelle has worked at The Crypt for over ten years, and in that time, she has very ably led the business and economics department, and more recently politics too (having the dubious role of overseeing me trying to teach Year 13) and has also been a very supportive VI form tutor. Michelle also led our very effective teaching and learning group for a number of years, which worked to raise the standards of teaching and learning at the School. In short, Michelle has contributed hugely and across a variety of areas, enriching the life of the School through her work and dedication to the progress of her pupils – Mr Dyer Patrick Newman, Head of Psychology Patrick joined the School as Head of Psychology in September 2015. He quickly established a strong rapport with his A Level psychology students and tutees, providing them all with excellent teaching, as well as often much needed personal guidance and pastoral support. Having enjoyed a varied career before becoming a teacher, Patrick used his broad knowledge to enrich his teaching, providing psychology students with ‘real life’ examples of the work they were undertaking in their lessons. Numbers studying psychology grew under Patrick’s leadership of the department, as did those choosing to study psychology and related subjects at university. Patrick contributed richly to wider school life; to school sport, to professional discussions, and to trips and visits such as the sixth form trip to Auschwitz in Poland, which enabled psychology students to see first-hand the evil that people are capable of. We both thank Patrick for his work at The Crypt, and wish him our very best for his retirement – Mr Dyer Barry Lambert, Teacher of Design Technology We were lucky enough to find Barry Lambert at a time where we needed a DT teacher and he was available. With 25+ years of teaching experience; as tutor, Head of House, member of senior leadership and as D&T Chief Examiner for Edexcel, Barry brings an absolute wealth of knowledge and understanding. Barry has been extremely generous in his willingness to share this with both students and with staff, enriching and adding confidence to those he gives his time and knowledge to. In the very nicest of ways, Barry reminds me of a male Mary Poppins – a special person, almost blown in by the wind. Pragmatic, caring, exciting and extraordinary.

With humour and good-hearted firmness, he instils in his charges a sense of wonder. I have observed Barry teach, watched him tutor, spend time with staff and have had some wonderful chats with him. These experiences have led me to believe Barry's all about making life better through his approach and his kindness.

His contribution over the last two years has been exemplary. The words of Mary Poppins in her self-description – “practically perfect in every way” can definitely be applied to Barry! But now the wind changes, meaning just like Mary Poppins, Barry must leave his current role. He is needed elsewhere. We do very much hope part of that new role will bring him back to Crypt in some capacity but the DArt faculty is in a much better, happier place due to having had Barry within it and we thank him for that – Mrs Medcroft Richard Sayers, Head of Maths Richard joined The Crypt as a newly qualified teacher in September 2006 and immediately established himself as both a popular and outstanding teacher of mathematics. It was therefore no surprise that Richard was asked to become Head of Maths in September 2014, taking over the department from Peter Roberts. Since then, Richard has worked tirelessly to build upon Peter’s work, overseeing growing numbers of students opting to study maths and further maths at A Level, considerable examination success at both GCSE and at A Level and working with his department to encourage and support all students develop their understanding of that most fundamental subject, mathematics. Over the past few years, the number of students opting to take maths at the undergraduate level, or related degree courses at university has grown strongly, with many students progressing on to some of the most prestigious universities in the country, including Oxbridge. Richard has ably led a large department, encouraging and supporting his colleagues in their work: the maths department, 100 School Life

located in the new E-Block since 2016, is undoubtedly one of the leading departments in the school, and wider area.

Richard is also a very talented sportsman, particularly in the field of racket sports, and has helped support the work of the PE and Games department over many years; his role as results coordinator at Sports Day will be sorely missed! He has also provided great care and guidance to many pupils over the years as a talented and committed form tutor. Richard will be greatly missed as a wonderfully talented teacher and head of department, tutor, games teacher, colleague and friend. We wish him well in his new post in Cheltenham where I know he will be equally successful in all that he undertakes – Mr Dyer Joshua Dixon, Teacher of Maths It is with great sadness we say goodbye to Josh, who has been at Crypt since joining us as an NQT in 2014. Josh has developed into a brilliant teacher over the last 5 years, with a calm and approachable manner, who is respected by all students and fellow colleagues. Indeed, he has successfully acted as a mentor for our trainee teacher this year and has led the department’s gifted and talented programme in KS3 and KS4. Josh is also a highly regarded athlete and has helped coach our top cross country and long-distance athletes, as well as motivating students and staff to run their local park run each weekend. We wish Josh all the best as he moves to south Germany to teach at the beautiful Schule Schloss Salem – Mr Sayers Elisabeth Afseth, Teacher of Maths Elisabeth has been at Crypt for two years and has taught students from Year 7 up to A Level. She will be missed not only as a colleague but as an enthusiastic Year 7 tutor who has had one of our first coeducational tutor groups. Elisabeth has also contributed greatly to Crypt outside of the classroom, running Games club and helping with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. We wish her every success as she moves closer to home to teach at Cheltenham Bournside School – Mr Sayers Sue Faraday, Teacher of Maths Sue leaves Crypt after her second spell at the school (she previously taught here in the 2000s). Initially Sue came in as part time maternity cover but did such a good job that she was asked to stay on. As well as her contributions to the department including supporting new colleagues, Sue has helped out and acted as a role model for the 6th form girls in science and engineering. Sue will be greatly missed by all but wish her all the best in her retirement from teaching – Mr Sayers Andrea Barnett, Teacher of English and Literacy Lead Andie has been an English teacher at The Crypt since January 2017, teaching Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. In the last academic year, she has also taken over three Religious Studies classes. From September 2017, she was Head of Citizenship, revamping the schemes and support materials. She did so with a real sense of drive and determination, demonstrating a real empathy as to what would best serve the student’s needs. This year, we are grateful for her work as Lead Literacy Coordinator – Mrs Rodriguez Dionne Mead, Teacher of English Dionne has been working part-time at The Crypt School for 11 years. In that time, she has taught English at all Key Stages and Drama for KS3. She has been a specialist support teacher, enabling students to reach their full potential. She has organised students’ participation in creative writing and poetry competitions, and spelling bees. Her creative and collaborative approach has been much appreciated by the department and other members of the school. She has always been an excellent classroom practitioner, who is wholly committed to the progress and welfare of her pupils. We wish her the very best of luck and every success in the future – Mrs Rodriguez

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Ash Mortimer, Chemistry Ash Mortimer – we would like to thank Ash for coming back from his recent retirement to cover a maternity leave. He has brought a wealth of experience and enthusiasm and we have greatly enjoyed working with him and we wish him a relaxing real retirement now! – Mrs Gee Samantha Copcutt, Biology Samantha joined the Crypt from Sir William Romney in September 2018. This year she has taught science to our KS3 and KS4 students as well as running lunchtime support sessions for some GCSE students. Samantha has also been involved in running extracurricular activities including a Year 7 Science club and the Royal Society of Chemistry Top of the Bench competition. Unfortunately, Samantha is leaving us this year as she has secured a new position at Barnwood Park Arts College. We would like to wish her the best of luck for her future – Mr Hargreaves Jill Beddo, Music Teacher Jill has taught the full range of woodwind instruments has been with us since 2009. She has prepared countless students for ABRSM and TRINITY instrumental exams, along with supporting GCSE and A-Level students and supporting our concert programme during the school year. She is retiring from school instrumental teaching, although she will continue to teach privately – Mr Whittaker Mark Remes, Music Teacher Mark has taught guitar at the school since 2000. He has prepared many students for the Rock School exams and has taught electric and acoustic guitar. He runs the music shop ARemus Sound in Gloucester and as his father is now approaching 80, he will be running the shop full time with him – Mr Whittaker The following members of staff went on maternity leave: • Jessica Barnett, Head of Yr10 and Teacher of Geography • Eleanor Gasan, Head of Yr12 and Teacher of English • Nicola Bowes, Teacher of Biology • Anna -Marie McCormick (née Higgins), Teacher of Maths We will welcome the following staff in September 2019: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Amy Leask - Teacher of Girls PE Anthony Bunting – Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin Teacher Christopher Germaine – Teacher of Business Studies Elizabeth Lapham – Teacher of Design Technology Gemma Brittan - Teacher of Chemistry Hannah Carter – Part time Teacher of Maths Harry Atkinson – PE Intern (current Crypt Yr13 student) Helen Watkins – Teacher of Science Henry Bowen - Teacher of Biology and Chemistry Karen Sykes – Woodwind Teacher Kate Stobo – Teacher of Psychology and Sociology Kate Williams - Director of Maths Katrina Plummer – Teacher of Psychology and Sociology Kevin Wise - Teacher of Computer Science Marina Davis - Teacher of Maths Matthew Maidment – Musician in Residence Natasha Prout – Teacher of Business and Economics Rachel Lintott – Teacher of Maths Rebecca Hughes – Teacher of Music Sam Hill - Teacher of English Zoe Wager - Teacher of Drama and English 102

School Life

Farewell to Mrs Dyer-Price On the 17th May 2019 family, friends, colleagues, ex students and parents of students met to celebrate the life of Hilary DyerPrice, who had passed away aged 56 from cancer.

Hilary joined the art department in 2009. As a very successful ex Head of Department in a previous school she implemented all of the very best practice in the art department at The Crypt.

The tracking, monitoring, organisation, expectations and ethos all came from Hils. She wrote in her letter for the job “I came to Brockworth School as Head of Art just as special measures had been lifted; the department had a 42% A*-C pass rate which moved to 97% A*-C in 2 years…. It is the most successful department in the school and was highly praised by Ofsted”.

Hils went on to write she wanted to join The Crypt School and the department “to be part of your journey to outstanding”. Her efforts meant the art department went from strength to strength and indeed consistently produced outstanding results.

Her students loved her. They would do things for Hils that most other teachers, would never get from them.

Why was that? – because she believed in them, she made them feel safe and valued but she wasn’t afraid to tell them warts and all what the reality of the situation was and how they could put things right and at all times she remained firmly in their corner and they loved her for that. They knew she cared and they wanted to do well for her.

She adopted the very same policy with those who worked closely with her. Every day with Hils was a pleasure.

I stopped seeing Hils as a colleague an extremely long time ago. Hils was my coach; my confident; my counsellor and my very dear friend.

In her art room remains a Rodin quotation she displayed for her classes - “the main thing in life is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble. Be a man before an artist”.

I count myself extremely lucky to have had her in my life and in the lives of all those she taught and tutored.

Her understanding; that sense that everything would be ok because she had your back. That coupled with her fierce sense of humour, makes her irreplaceable to us all.

Mrs Medcroft, Head of DART (Art/DT Faculty) & Citizenship

103 School Life

Founded 1901

President – Charlie Hannaford (2017-2018) President – Jason Smith (2018- 2019) President – Adam Ashby (2019 – 2020)

Editor Duncan Miller (1970-77)

Website http://www.oldcryptians.org/

The School and the Club share in the joint publication of the magazine that was born in 1907.

Our primary purpose remains the collection of news and information about the School and Old Cryptians. We aim to collect articles and reminiscences, whether serious, satirical or humorous across the widest age range possible. Photographs are ever welcome.

The Editorial Board will be responsible for the style and content of the annual publication, the management of its production and the budget. We shall consider all articles that are submitted. In turn the editors will retain the authority to make a selection of the articles to be published and of their precise length and use of language.

The Cryptian 2020 All contributions for the next edition must be sent (by email attachment if possible) by the middle of July 2020 to: Duncan Miller 2, Tweenhills Cottage Gloucester Road Hartpury Gloucester GL19 3BG Email: old.cryptians@dmiller.demon.co.uk

Owing to the late publication of this issue, if you feel anything has been omitted PLEASE LET ME KNOW and it will be included next year. -Ed. Each issue is free to members.

Non-members may purchase the magazine for ÂŁ5.00 per copy.

1 Old Cryptians

TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Presidential Reflections ............................................................................................................................ 3 The Old Cryptians’ Centenary Bursary Fund 2001 ........................................................................ 4 Part 2. The OCC Year 2016-17 ................................................................................................................... 7 Founders’ Day June 2017.......................................................................................................................... 7 19th Annual Golf Competition ................................................................................................................. 9 Cenotaph Parade 2016 ............................................................................................................................10 The 116th Annual Reunion Dinner March 2017 ......................................................................... 100 London Old Cryptians’ Dinner 2017 ............................................................................................... 111 The Crypt School - Past, Present and Future ..................................................................................12 News of Cryptian Alumni ..................................................................................................................... 122 Hustings at Crypt school - 2017 General Election. .......................................................................16 Correspondence .........................................................................................................................................17 Part 3. Articles.................................................................................................................................................19 Discover DeCrypt .......................................................................................................................................19 St Mary De Crypt Church ........................................................................................................................20 John Moore ................................................................................................................................................ 210 Archbishops’ remains in crypt .......................................................................................................... 211 Cryptians, The Cryptian, and First World War in 1916/17 ................................................... 222 The War experiences of Old Cryptians........................................................................................... 232 Cape Wrath will have to wait (A cycle tour of Scotland) ...........................................................25 W. E. Henley and his alter ego Robert Louis Stevenson .............................................................28 A Former Editor Reflects on the Rebirth of the Cryptian ..........................................................30 GCCC at Lord’s – ’20 Years on’ ..............................................................................................................30 Eighty years on-Some reflections on the Crypt School and Old Cryptians from 1939 to 1940.................................................................................................................................................................33 More Presidential Reflections! .............................................................................................................37 Book Reviews ..............................................................................................................................................39 Part 4. Obituaries ...........................................................................................................................................43

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PART 1 PRESIDENTIAL REFLECTIONS I have been living in the South of France for twelve years and have attended the excellent Annual Dinners in March for a number of years. Three years ago, Howard Allen cajoled me into writing a History of the Crypt School from the move to Podsmead from Friars’ Orchard in the centre of Gloucester in 1943.

The initial aim was to publish the book, with the help of the School, by the March Dinner in 2018. The Dinner is to be held at the School on Saturday March 24th, where we can celebrate 75 years at Podsmead and members and guests can have a chance to see the exciting developments that have taken place over recent years.

Richard James, the Chairman of the Governors, has agreed to be Guest Speaker, and will outline the plans for the future.

In view of the historic decision for the Crypt School to go fully Co-Educational in 2018, I would like to encourage former female Cryptians to take this opportunity to return and make this Dinner a very special occasion. I look forward to working with Steve Mace and the Headmaster in organising this major event in the year of the Club.

After a year of research, I felt that the excellent material in the book, “The Lost Generations“, by Simon Birch, Sarah Birch and Ray Pocock should not be ignored. It led me to find out more about those Cryptians who served in the two World Wars. Eventually I decided that I should start afresh and go back to 1539!

It is an honour for me to be able to represent the Club at the Remembrance Service at the School, when all generations come together to honour the memory of those Cryptians who lost their lives in these conflicts, and at the Cenotaph Parade in London.

Most of my time this year will inevitably be taken up with finishing the History project and working with the Club and the School with a view to marketing the publication, so that is a success. Founders’ Day is an opportunity to enjoy a visit to Gloucester, see the School in action in its spiritual home, to see the work of the Discover De Crypt and renew friendships. Details of these events will be sent out to members by way of the Newsletter and I urge all members to make every effort to make these occasions a success.

We are very fortunate to have the services of Sue Wales, Hannah Attwood and Duncan Miller who have worked hard to produce “The Cryptian” at this new time in the year.

I am grateful that the Committee accepted that I would not be able to carry out all the duties that previous Presidents have performed over the years and would like to thank the Vice-President, Jason Smith and members of the Committee who will ensure that the affairs of the Club will continue unabated.

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Charlie Hannaford (1956-64) Mark Hoskins, Bristol Rugby club’s official historian, has kindly provided the following: Ronald Charles Hannaford was born in Almondsbury on October 19th 1944. He was educated at the Crypt School in Gloucester, continuing his studies at Durham University and Churchill College, Cambridge. He played rugby for England Under 19 Schools and appeared for both Gloucester and Old Cryptians during university vacations. He won a Blue for Cambridge in 1967. He played for Durham City and the UAU while at Durham University and appeared for Durham in the 1965 and 1967 County Finals. He played for Rosslyn Park while he was at Cambridge and continued with this club when he took a teaching post at Sherborne School.

Charlie Hannaford joined Bristol in 1970 when he took a post at Clifton College. A mobile forward with excellent handling skills, he formed a superb back row at Bristol in the company of Dave Rollitt and either Dave Phillips or Andy Munden. He became a Gloucestershire player and appeared for them in five successive County Finals from 1970 to 1974. He also played for the Barbarians. He won his three England caps in his first season at Bristol. His England debut was against Wales at Cardiff in 1971 where he scored a try, and he also appeared against Ireland and France. At the end of the 1970-71 season he was selected for England’s tour of Japan and the Far East, playing in six out of the seven matches and scoring five tries, including a hat trick against Waseda University Past & Present. He played for Gloucestershire & Somerset against the 1970 Fijians, Western Counties against the 1972 All Blacks, South & South West Counties against the 1973 Wallabies and for the South & South West against the RFU President’s XV in 1971. He was a member of Bristol’s 1973 cup final team. Hannaford left Bristol in 1974 and coached rugby in New Zealand.

Later he taught at Millfield School and Rendcomb College before becoming headmaster of Seaford College in West Sussex. He also played for Tor, was player-coach at Cirencester and coached Gloucestershire.

THE OLD CRYPTIANS’ CENTENARY BURSARY FUND 2001 DONORS AND FINANCES The closing balance of the Bursary accounts as of Dec 31 2016 was £59,751.

Receipts from Donations, Interest and tax repaid via Gift aid were £5,620. This figure included a magnificent £1,147 from Richard Briggs sponsorships arising from his epic Scotland cycle ride. Expenditure largely from Bursary payments of £2000 were £2,226 leaving aa annual surplus of £3,394.

STRATEGY AND GOALS 2017 There has been no significant change in the number of subscribing members in 2016 though indications suggest an increase in 2017. We continue to maintain a similar policy on Bursary awards to provide financial benefits to deserving students in their respective fields whether sport, arts and music, travel and academia.

All donations to the Bursary fund are appreciated.

Bursary bank details are set out below.

Account name. OC Bursary fund Sort code. 40-52-40 Account No. 00010216 4 Old Cryptians

BURSARY AWARDS 2016 The Trustees were pleased to award 8 Bursaries and presentations were made in May 2016 at school.

Recipients were as follows: Sixth form Academic Alexandra Wilkins and Ryan Brooke Sixth form Travel Paurav Bali and Matt Hughes Arts and Drama Alexandra Wilkins and Vincent Ashley Sports.

Will Helmke and George Barton THE 1539 SOCIETY The 1539 Society honours alumni and friends of the Crypt School who since inauguration in 2001 have been Benefactors of the Bursary fund. Membership is acknowledged with the presentation of a special lapel badge and certificate signed by the Chairman of the Trustees.

TRUSTEES Present Trustees are Richard Browning (Chairman), Clive Thomas (Treasurer), Mike Beard and Nino Pelopida.

Full details of the www.oldcryptians.org

OCC

Bursary

can

be

found

on

the

club

website.

Clive Thomas address is 16 Quat Goose Lane, Swindon Village, Cheltenham GL51 9RX. Tel 01242 216885. clive@clive-thomas.co.uk Note of appreciation On behalf of the Trustees my sincere thanks to all those who have supported the Crypt Bursary Fund since inception in 2001. In so doing Crypt school student attainment has been recognised in a broad range of educational activities.

It is pleasing that interest has been expressed in extending support by means of providing a gift through a Will. The Bursary Fund as a Charity pays no tax on gifts and furthermore estates may benefit by reducing the amount liable for Inheritance tax.

For this purpose, it is recommended seeking the assistance of a Solicitor to amend an existing Will by simply adding a codicil (example below).

5 Old Cryptians

Suggested Codicil or Clause for Your Will (Please check with your legal advisor) 1. I give pounds (£ ) to The Old Cryptians’ Club Centenary Bursary Fund 2001 (Registered Charity Number 1094627 ) (“the Charity”).

2. If at the date of my death the Charity is no longer in existence [my Executors shall pay the legacy to such other charitable body or bodies having the same or similar objects as my Executors shall select]/[the legacy shall lapse] 3. The receipt of two of the trustees for the time being of the Charity [or any substituted charity to which the legacy is paid under sub-clause 2] shall be a good discharge to my Executors.

Signed

Witness 1

…………………………

………………………………..

Dated …………………..

Dated …………………………

Witness 2 ………………………………..

Dated …………………………

Richard Browning (1952-59) Chairman of the Trustees

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PART 2. THE OCC YEAR 2016-17 FOUNDERS’ DAY JUNE 2017 Rain “greeted” us for the annual Founders’ Day service in the Cathedral: the first time for many a year that we have not enjoyed perfect weather. A new entrance too, by the west door, as the refurbishment of the car park progresses.

Nothing could detract from the awe-inspiring grandeur of the interior, however, nor the excellence of the school choir and orchestra, whose performances seem to reach new heights each year. The new Director of Music, Julian Whittaker, has built on the fine traditions of his predecessors and enhanced them further.

The service was conducted by Rev Canon Nikki Arthy, who continues her strong links with the school through the rectorship of St Mary de Crypt, and in that capacity accepted the “quit rent” of a symbolic red rose from the OC President Bob Timms and Head Boy Jack Greening.

The address was given by Rev Bruce Clifford, who extrapolated from the previously sung hymn “Be thou my vision” the facets of the spiritual life which he enjoined members of the school to embrace, as opposed to the three drivers of modern society, as he saw it, namely: money, sex and power.

In all three readings were given and well-delivered prayers by pupils across the year groups, culminating in the School Prayer, read by the Headmaster.

A boisterous rendition of “Carmen Cryptiense” brought the service to a fitting conclusion – it seems to get louder every year!

Retiring to the quite magnificent Parliament Room 48 Old Cryptians, wives, friends, guests and widows sat down to a splendid buffet supper, solicitously attended by 11 Sixth Formers. The induction of the incoming President, Charlie Hannaford, was performed with the presentation of the collar, the emblem of the office, via a proxy, the incoming Vice President, Jason Smith, since Charlie could not attend. Bob Timms, the outgoing President received a shield in recognition of his year of service to the Club.

The toast to the OCC was proposed by the Headmaster and responded to by the new President’s representative.

Jason Smith standing in for Charlie Hannaford

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Bob Timms receiving his shield from Peter Hobbs

For the second time in the evening the strains of Pio Cantu Celebremus rang out, concluding another memorable evening.

The numbers attending have unfortunately fallen in recent years. All OCs are urged to consider supporting what is a very rewarding experience, so that the occasion retains its treasured place in the OCC calendar.

Michael Nuth (1947–55) 8 Old Cryptians

19 th Annual Golf Competition The annual founders’ day golf event was contested by 8 players including 2 guests, John Bayliss & Terry Hopson, honorary OCs anyway having represented OCs. cricket club with distinction for many years We enjoyed a competitive round at Rodway Hill golf club with bacon rolls prior and lunch after where we were joined by silver cup donor Tony Beard who presented it to winner Bob Timms with 36 points fittingly on his last day of presidency, closely followed by Greg Barton.

We look Bob Timms receiving the trophy from Tony Beard himself forward to support at next year’s event, so please look out for entry details on the web site.

more

If anyone would like to join us in future competitions (guests are welcome) please contact Bob Timms 07881 401295 or email robert-timms@hotmail.co.uk

Eric Stephens (1949-56)

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Cenotaph Parade 2016 Old Cryptians and pupils once again attended this event in the heart of London.

The Crypt School is the only school in the country that is invited to take part in the parade.

The 116 th Annual Reunion Dinner March 2017 The Annual Reunion Dinner was held for the fourth successive time at Kingsholm Stadium, the home of Gloucester Rugby.

The venue was opened early to allow members to watch the final match in the 6 Nations - Ireland v England, live from Dublin in the Abbey Lounge. A good number of OC’s witnessed England fail to achieve the Grand Slam, although still become 2017 champions - a strange outcome which necessitated a few drinks to become palatable.

Following the match, the AGM took place in a suitably quiet room provided by Gloucester Rugby. There was a good turnout for the meeting, which was fairly short and businesslike.

Member attendees for the dinner were down on the previous year, although there were actually more diners in the room with the inclusion of the ladies’ dinner in the same venue for the first time. In total there were 87 diners sitting at 10 tables. The ladies were a welcome addition and turned-out in force on two tables.

It was pleasing to also welcome two tables of sixth formers, who we hope may join the club when they leave school and give a much needed boost to the younger membership.

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Peter Jones (1944-55) was easily the OC with the longest journey to the dinner, being resident in Australia and it was good to see Brian Jones (1945-53), some years since his last visit to the dinner.

Club President Bob Timms (1949-55) proposed the toast, “Her Majesty the Queen”, followed by Eric Stephens (1950-56), who remembered “Absent Friends”.

The guest speaker for the evening was Steve Knibbs (1982–89) who is the Gloucestershire reporter for BBC TV Points West. After an entertaining speech covering his time at school and his various roles at the BBC, he proposed the toast, “The Old Cryptians’ Club” to which Bob Timms responded with “Floreat Schola Cryptiensis”.

The Headmaster, Nick Dyer, gave a very interesting and optimistic review of the school’s achievements and prospects, including the likelihood of introduction of girls into Year 7 and the proposal of the formation of a Crypt junior school.

The evening concluded with a raffle which was very well supported, raising much needed funds towards the OC Club Funds.

Kingsholm has proved to be an excellent venue for the Annual Reunion Dinner & AGM. However, rising prices and the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the School’s relocation to Podsmead, has resulted in a decision to return to the School for the 2018 Dinner and AGM. We hope that this significant milestone will flush-out a greater number of diners to come and enjoy one of the highlights of the OC Club year.

Steve Mace (1970-77) On behalf of the officers and members of the Club I wish to congratulate Steve on his splendid organisation of a most enjoyable reunion dinner.

Well done, Steve. – Ed.

London Old Cryptians’ Dinner 2017 On Saturday the 30th of September, the ancient rafters of Ye Old Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street echoed to the resolute verses of Carmen Cryptiensis. Other diners in the room were clearly unsure whether this was potentially a paean to Isis and evacuation was in order (tourists by and large seem no longer familiar with Latin) or some ancient English custom possibly to be to recorded for their children. You ask: other diners present at an Old Cryptian dinner? – Well our numbers were small, just one table, amply compensated we consoled ourselves with the quality present but certainly a faint reflection of the time when nearly a hundred sat down in the House of Lords. Where had everybody gone? Not to prison that we were aware although death and decrepitude had certainly taken its toll.

The Headmaster and Bill Spear had come from Gloucester but alas, what we Londoners saw as a good price for a meal seems to have produced a new definition of the North/ South divide in Gloucester. And the date was an experiment which pragmatically will be reviewed, a capability of course we directly attributed to the benefits of a Crypt education.

That education actually meant different things for different people: for example, only one of the rest of us had even been born when John Crowe started at Friar’s Orchard.

What the Crypt was delivering now was outlined by the Headmaster, and the school successes were being reflected in the increasing competition to gain entry to an establishment nearing a thousand in number, more than double the size that the rest of 11 Old Cryptians

us had experienced as reflected Gerald Rudge, a visitor now to this country from New Zealand who was present with his brother Edward. Club business was swift – we welcomed John Rose as President who was taking over from Stephen Fleetwood who had filled the role after John Goodridge. And the finale I have already related.

Peter Hobbs (1949-57) THE CRYPT SCHOOL - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE About 70 Old Cryptians attended a unique open day on June 27th to tour the school and view the considerable changes and extensions made to the fabric over the last years.

The programme started with examining the excellent new facilities guided skilfully by Sixth form students. These included the refurbished Sports Hall together with the gymnasium and teaching block. At the far end was the Engineering block and ICT facilities.

To accommodate a number of improved facilities the playground is smaller in size that many of us could remember.

Displays and demonstrations were included from the school F1 team, robotics and WISE - Women in Science and Engineering.

A superb buffet lunch followed the tour and participants had the opportunity of reminiscing assisted by the rows of photographs, year and scrap books on display.

Presentations then followed from the HM Nick Dyer and Richard James Chairman of the school Governors on the future of the school with future intakes expected at Primary school age and the school becoming fully co-educational.

Crypt clearly will continue to be the school of choice for many generations to come.

Richard Browning (1952-59) News of Cryptian Alumni 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours I was very pleased in June when I found out that my grandfather Gordon Roach (1942 – 55) had been awarded a British Empire Medal by the Queen for services to his community.

He has been a Parish Councillor for many years, and he founded his local Neighbourhood Watch scheme over 20 years ago which he is still running today. He is also Treasurer for two churches in his benefice, and he is extremely involved in all sorts of local schemes and events. He very rarely has a moment to himself.

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My grandfather did National Service in the RAF straight after leaving the Crypt School, and then he became a science teacher at Cirencester Deer Park School (previously the secondary school for girls, which was merged with the boys’ school and the local grammar school). He fulfilled many roles in his teaching career including Head of Science, Head of House, Deputy Head and then Head of the Sixth Form. At school he also ran the Combined Cadet Force and trained as a canoe instructor. He became British Canoe Organiser for the South West and ran many canoeing trips for the students. He also made canoes and wetsuits!

When he took early retirement from teaching my grandfather returned to the school as a Finance Officer, getting to grips with Excel, and running the school payroll. He helped set up the Gloucestershire Bursars Association and became its Chair. He fully retired in 2000, but continues to use his financial skills in auditing the accounts of several local primary schools to save them money.

It is fantastic that he has been recognised for everything that he has done, and continues to do, and I am very proud of him.

Kyle Roach-Smith (2013-present) I left the Crypt school in July 1955 and started my National Service in the RAF doing my basic training at RAF Hednesford which was a very big station on Nissen Huts. I applied for a commission on my basic training but was turned down. I also stated that I would like to do engineering in the RAF. As a consequence, I was posted RAF West Raynham as a clerk and spent two enjoyable years being responsible for the movement of RAF personnel on this base. I left the RAF and took up my deferred place at King Alfred's Teacher Training College in Winchester in 1957 and studied General Science and Biology as my main subjects together with Physical Education.

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I did teaching practice as part of my course in a primary school in Petersfield and a secondary school in Andover.

In 1957 I started as a science teacher in Cirencester Secondary School for Girls and a year later was appointed the Head of Science which I held until1966 when the Girls School, Boys School and Grammar School were amalgamated into Cirencester School. This school was an 11 to 18 school and its pastoral care was organised on a vertical basis on a house system and I became one of the Heads of Houses.

I realised that if you were in charge of pastoral care you had to get to know children very well and as a consequence, I introduced a week's residential care in the first few weeks in the secondary school and started running many activities. I trained as a canoe instructor and eventually became a senior instructor and the British Canoe Organiser for the South West of England which involved Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset Devon and Cornwall. I, also, during my canoeing years built many fibre glass canoes and made many wet suits for pupils so that the children could have their own equipment at a very reasonable price.

I also organised many activity weekends and adventure courses for children. The Combined Cadet Force started to become short of officers and I joined the CCF as a pilot officer. Eventually I became a Squadron Leader and ran the CCF. The cadets benefitted greatly from the CCF activities and went on many mountain walking weekends in the Brecons and Black Mountains and had a week walking in Snowdonia each Easter. The RAF cadets each had a flight in a twin seater aircraft every year and had a week on an RAF station and the Army cadets did similar things each year.

When a new secondary school opened in Cirencester for pupils aged 11 to 16 they did not have a sixth form. So, in the early 1980's we started a joint sixth form for the two schools, staffed by teachers from both schools and I became the Deputy Head of the institution and eventually the Head. This sixth form was very successful and had over 500 pupils in 1991 when it was converted into a tertiary college.

I was offered early retirement by the LEA which I took with the intention of looking for a part time role for semi-retirement. However, the head of Cirencester Deer Park School offered me the job of Finance Officer which I took. It was easy at the start but after a year we became a grant maintained school and to save money I found myself running a payroll for over 300 staff. I was also one of the people responsible for the setting up of the Gloucestershire Bursars Association and became the Chair of this. I enjoyed these years very much and I took retirement in 2000.

Personally, since then I have been involved, as I was before retirement, as a Parish Councillor and Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.

I have also become involved as a treasurer for two churches in my benefice and I audit the private accounts for several primary schools to save them expense and also several other institutions. I have designed several accounts packages for these institutions.

Much to my surprise I have just been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Gordon Roach (1942-55)

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Old Cryptian awarded French medal John accompanied by his wife and younger son John Crowe (1934-1940) was one of seventeen veterans presented with the medal of the Legion d’Honneur by the French ambassador at a ceremony in London on 11th November 2016. The medal is awarded for service to France and in particular, since 2014, to veterans who played a part in the liberation of France in 1944.

John served in the Royal Navy from 1942 to 1946 and in June 1944 was serving in the tank landing ship HM LST 180 which he had joined in New York in July 1943. On D-day units of the Canadian army were landed at Bernieres-sur-mer in the Juno beachhead. Once this had been completed the tank deck, where guns and vehicles had been carried, was turned into an emergency hospital with a portable operating theatre and a medical staff, twenty strong, to care for the casualties. Two hundred wounded, mostly Canadians who had gone ashore earlier in the day, were embarked during the evening and well into the night. In the morning HM LST 180 set sail for Gosport. Sadly, three Canadians had died overnight and were buried at sea. After disembarking the wounded at Gosport, the captain gave the order to ‘splice the main brace’, a tot of rum for the crew to mark the completion of a successful mission. Embarking more troops and their equipment went on through the night and they went ashore in the Juno beachhead on D-day +3. HM LST 180 continued to supply the allied forces in Europe until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945 with occasional breaks for ship’s maintenance and leave. John left the ship in November 1945.

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The Legion d‘Honneur was instituted by Napoleon in 1802. It is doubtful whether he envisaged it being awarded to the English. He certainly would not have awarded it to the Duke of Wellington!

The Legion d‘Honneur is France’s highest decoration. John also contributed an excellent piece “A Pilgrimage in Europe” in last year’s magazine. -Ed. Unfortunately, John passed away before the publication of this magazine. There is an obituary for him in the Obituaries section. - Ed. Nigel Coombes writes telling of a visit from Justin Hayward and his family. Justin was School Captain and Captain of Cricket, and now works in Cambridge, having performed prestigious research alongside the late Stephen Hawking.

HUSTINGS AT CRYPT SCHOOL - 2017 GENERAL ELECTION. Hustings were attended at Crypt school on 15th May for the forthcoming General Election.

A general welcome was given by HM Nick Dyer to an audience largely made up of parents of Crypt school students. A panel of candidates from the five political parties contesting the Gloucester constituency were invited to answer key questions raised by the assembly.

The candidates present were namely, Brian Kirby Labour; Daniel Woolf UKIP; Gerald Hartley Green; Richard Graham Conservative; and Jeremy Hilton Lib Dems.

Richard James, Chairman of the Governors of Crypt School took the chair and explained the questions and answers session would last for 1 hour maximum.

The proceedings were then handled in a most adept manner; many and varied questions were tendered on the NHS, Education, Armed Forces Defence, Mental Care, Social and Affordable Housing.

On Education some time was devoted to fully comprehensive schools and future intakes into local Grammar schools. Crypt school scores high on the list with approx. 50% recruitment from local areas. On University education, comparisons were made with Scotland and Wales where students are exempted from paying £9000 fees as currently applied in England. The debates some of which were contentious were handled ably and in good humour with many opinions provided.

On a personal note it was the first meeting of this nature attended since 1966 in London.

I vaguely remember Quintin Hogg being one of the personalities present. Labour achieved victory then with Harold Wilson being returned.

Richard Browning (1952-59)

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Correspondence From Paul Williams (writing to Howard Allen) It was a pleasure to receiver the 2016 Cryptian earlier this week. I was able to read it while a late winter snow storm passed though the Ottawa River valley. I, like you joined the 80 plus club with a birthday in December.

The notes by Geoff Peacey about the winter of 1947 brought back memories to me. I and my friends did not walk to school. We went to a local hill to ride our toboggans. The lack of warm clothes and food are lasting memories. On coming to Ottawa Canada, in 1970, we joined a society who is well prepared for the type of weather seen in 1947.

I found the notes about the Bursary Fund to be interesting. I followed the advice and went to www.oldcryptians.org. There I received the very sad news that Lester Hunt had died.

I knew Lester well as we were in the science sixth form. Another sad note, my twin brother David died in December 2016. We joined the Crypt School in September 1948 and he left in 1953 with some GCE O Level passes. I have no knowledge of David being a member of the Old Cryptians Club.

Richard Heal (1946-53) (writing to Howard Allen)

I don’t think I have replied to your recent email – my apologies. Sorry to hear you are away on the 19th Sept. as David Terry has agreed to join me on my visit to The Crypt (after 50 years of not meeting one another he came to live very near me in Droitwich so we got to know one another again). I have made a note of your email address and telephone number in my well-travelled address book and may well contact you by phone or email during my visit. I am travelling round a lot, visiting people and places – starting with a visit to my son & family in the Orkney Isles – although based for some time with friends in Droitwich.

I was Head of Science at Droitwich HS from 1970-1995 when I retired. Jacqui worked on for 3 years as a Specialist Breast Care Nurse at Worcester Hospital and then we spent a lot of time visiting two of our two children who lived in or near Leeds and one in Kirkwall together with seven grandchildren. The older two emigrated to NZ in 2003 so we then came out here in 2003/4/5. We decided to emigrate as well but sadly Jacqui died of a brain tumour in 2007. It took me until late 2008 to decide to emigrate and live near daughter Louise and family near Rangiora in Canterbury, South Island.

I’m afraid I cannot remember Peter Barber but recently passed through Timaru on my way to Oamaru and Naseby (we went curling there). I have a granddaughter at university in Dunedin.

David Terry (1946-54) David sent a copy of his CV which shows a lifetime dedicated to education, both as an educator and as a consultant. He continues to be involved to this day as a STEM Ambassador.

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He also writes It occurs to me that the CV I sent you omits some items relevant to writing something for the OC magazine, such as that my first teaching post was at Rich's. So, I have revised the CV to include that, and added a bit more about my interests. It is enclosed.

But something not in the CV but of interest to others and life-changing for me is that I left school at 15 and but for the then headmaster, Colin Ewen (I think that is the correct spelling) and my parents and grandfather, I should not have returned. The day the O level results came out I was about to start my first job, working behind the counter at Haine and Corry, my uncle's building supplies firm, at 27s 6d a week. I had been expected to get indifferent O level grades at best, but when they came out they were not outstanding but much better than anyone, including me, had expected. Mr Ewen phoned my home late that afternoon and spoke to my father who had just returned from work. I remember it vividly. Dad said 'That was the Headmaster. He wants me to go to the school immediately. I don't know what for but he says it is most urgent’. He got into our little car and departed. On return he said 'He implored me not to let David leave'. He and Mum, and my granddad, who lived with us, had been looking forward to not having to support me as money was very tight. But they conferred, and agreed. So back to school I went.

The debt I owe to them and the school is immeasurable.

John Crowe (1934-40) wrote in April

Connie and I set off next Friday for a 3 night battlefields tour about the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. I know we will visit Cassel where the 2nd Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, were ordered to make a last ditch stand to slow down the German advance. Almost all the battalion were killed or taken prisoner. I hope we shall also visit the blockhouse two miles from Cassel where Roy Cresswell and his platoon held up the Germans for three days before they ran out of ammunition and rations and surrendered. I knew Roy at school- he was about three years senior to me. I remember he called at the school, in uniform, in the winter of 1939/40, probably on embarkation leave before going to France. He came into the physics lab where I was at the time because he wanted to see H. N. Siggee. Roy was a Rover scout and Siggee was the senior scoutmaster and they were on very good terms.

Roy received The Military Cross after the war but I have never heard of his career.

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PART 3. ARTICLES DISCOVER DECRYPT Progress in 2016 In the last months of 2016 much happened of great significance in anticipation of the HLF decision on whether to provide a grant for the Discover De Crypt project for the restoration of St Mary's Church and the Old Crypt Schoolroom in Southgate St. Much time was spent contacting and encouraging numerous Trustee associations to provide financial assistance to reduce the initial match funding deficit of £600,000. This was a major inducement to satisfy the requirement of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to provide the main grant needed of £1.4 million.

Match funding is a condition imposed by HLF in the grant procedure.

In this respect an appeal was made in October by release of a flier in the joint name of the Headmaster and the President of the OCC requesting support.

The impact of this and other actions taken led to the momentous formal announcement on Dec 15th that an HLF grant of £1.36 million had been granted.

This news was greeted with great relief and joy culminating in many years of preparation of the Development phase.. This signalled the start of the Delivery phase in 2017.

There remains at the last count a deficit of £85,000 for match funding to be repaid to the diocese.

Our generation is presented with a unique opportunity to protect our own heritage and preserve historic buildings in the very heart of the city of Gloucester for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

A few words about the latest moves. As Discover De Crypt moves into the Delivery phase, the Old Crypt Schoolroom will be administered by a Trust and is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation abbreviated CIO being a non-profit legal entity.

St Mary De Crypt church remains answerable to the Parish Church Council (PCC) within the diocese.

Both come under the auspices of the Discover De Crypt project as supported by HLF. In early 2017 candidate interviews will be held to fill 3 posts to steer the project through the Delivery phase. They are namely a Project Manager, a Project Office assistant and a Community Engagement Officer.

Richard Browning (1952-59)

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St Mary De Crypt Church Christian Aid Week Service In May 2017 the Christian Aid Service was held. Christian Aid has been there for refugees from the end of the Second World War in 1945. It continues to minister to the hungry and sick regardless of religion, race or gender of those who have been displaced.

The rector Canon Nikki Arthy led the Service attended by many interested parties. The address from Noel Sharp coordinator for Christian Aid in Gloucestershire provided a number of instances where the local community is helping the homeless from current active war zones.

800th anniversary of Henry III's coronation in Gloucester Cathedral 1216 was the last time an English or British monarch had a coronation outside London or Westminster Abbey. In September 2016 the crowning of the boy king Henry III was reenacted in Gloucester cathedral.

Prior to the enthronement which was presided over by the Bishop of Gloucester the Right Reverend Rachel Treweek a medieval parade took place beginning at Blackfriars Priory.

The Crypt School pupil Fraser Martin had the honour of being chosen to play the role of the young monarch who was nine when he took the throne.

The eleven year old Fraser won a 'Search for the King' competition and was thrilled to land this historic role.

After the cathedral ceremony, a yew tree was planted in the cathedral grounds as part of a national initiative to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.

Old Cryptian President elect Jason Smith of Marketing Gloucester helped organise the event which Old Cryptian and City Council leader Paul James took part in, suitably turned out in Plantagenet finery MP Richard Graham and High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Lady Sarah Bathurst were also prominent.

Richard Browning (1952-59)

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John Moore Whilst reading an Easter Sunday newspaper my attention was drawn to an intriguing headline which told of the discovery of five "missing” Archbishops of Canterbury.

Apparently, during revamping of the deconsecrated mediaeval St Mary-at-Lambeth, which lies adjacent to Lambeth palace by the Thames, in order to turn it into a Garden Museum, an astonishing discovery was made.

In accidentally cutting a six-inch square hole in the flagstone near the altar, workmen caught sight of a brick-lined vault below, complete with steps.

Lowering a mobile phone attached to a piece of string they saw a hidden chamber containing what turned out to be 30 lead coffins dating back to the 1600’s. Metal plates attached to them revealed the names of five former archbishops (and the wife of one of them), identifiable by the red and gold archbishops' mitre on top of one of them.

Even more arresting, as I read on, was the fact that one of the coffins belonged to none other than John Moore, archbishop from 1783 to 1805, lying next to that of his wife. Born the son of a butcher in Gloucester, baptised in St Michael’s church at the Cross (now St Michael’s Tower), he was educated at the Crypt and went on to Pembroke College, Oxford.

As a Moore House Captain (1954 vintage), this had a particular resonance for me.

However, further research dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. In a vignette on Moore, written in 1894, the author wrote the following: “Though not a great ecclesiastic, Moore was an amiable and worthy prelate, a competent administrator, and a promoter of the Sunday-school movement and of missionary enterprise. He seems to have dispensed his patronage with somewhat more than due regard to the interests of his own family" Oh dear! Nepotism in the 1800's……plus ça change! I almost regretted taking my research further.

Michael Nuth (1947-55) Archbishops’ remains in crypt The Guardian over Easter weekend reported that ‘the remains of five archbishops of Canterbury had been found under a medieval church next to the archbishop’s official London residence’.

The discovery at the deconsecrated church of St Mary-at- Lambeth was made during the refurbishment of Lambeth Palace Garden Museum last year.

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While the identity of some of the remains is a mystery, three of the coffins have nameplates. These belong to Richard Bancroft (the archbishop from 1604 to 1610, who chaired the committee that wrote the King James Bible), John Moore (archbishop from 1783-1805) and his wife Catherine Moore.

The coffins have been left undisturbed, although the builders have installed a glass panel in the floor above them so visitors can peer into the crypt.

John Moore, the son of a butcher and grazier in Gloucester, won a Townsend Scholarship whilst at the Crypt and in 1744 proceeded at the tender age of 15 to Pembroke College, Oxford. He became The Crypt’s only Archbishop of Canterbury - as all members of Moore House past and present will recall with pride.

I am grateful to Dr Damian Atkinson (1948-1954), the renowned authority on the life and work of W. E. Henley, and a good friend, for drawing my attention to this fascinating discovery.

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

Cryptians, The Cryptian, and First World War in 1916/17 Simon Birch in his excellent book The Lost Generations has provided a synopsis of the main war fronts in these years. In 1916 the two battles, Verdun and the Somme on the western front, dominate the war scene. Both battles introduced the world to the horrific impact of full scale mechanised and industrial warfare.

In February 1916 one million German troops soon were locked in combat with the 200,000 French defenders of the fortress town of Verdun. The town was never taken but the toll of casualties was immense. It has been estimated that the French casualties were 550,000, with German losses at 434,000, half of the total being fatal. Yet neither side had gained any tactical or strategic advantage.

For the British the Battle of Verdun meant that they had to take over yet more of the line previously held by the French. However, by this time Kitchener’s volunteer armies were completing their training and being sent to the front. One of the first sections of line the British moved into was the Somme.

The German attack on Verdun in February 1916 turned the Somme offensive into a largescale diversionary attack. Haig’s strategy was for an 8-day artillery bombardment on a massive scale that he believed would completely destroy the German forward defences.

This plan was unsuccessful as the Germans had dug down even deeper defences and the bombardment failed to destroy either the barbed wire or concrete bunkers.

The British and French forces attacked at 7.30 on 1 July. The BEF suffered huge losses. On the worse day in the history of the British Army there were 58,000 casualties – a third of them were killed.

On a broad front the battles continued and the British successes were of a minor nature.

In September tanks were used for the first time with limited success and small gains were abandoned in mid-November due to heavy snow.

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With the onset of the winter weather Haig brought to an end the Somme offensive. Since 1 July the British had suffered 420,000 casualties. The French lost nearly 200,000 and it is estimated the German casualties were of the order of 500,000. The allied forces had gained some ground but at most it was only 12km at its deepest points.

Seven brave Old Cryptians were killed during the Somme offensives between 1 July and 31 December 1916.

I have written this section with my dear father, Gunner Harry Allen, in my mind. My father served in the Garrison Royal Artillery on the western front from 1916-1918. He was ever reluctant to talk about his war experiences. Above all, he was a man of peace and of infinite tolerance towards mankind.

Howard Allen (1947-1955) THE WAR EXPERIENCES OF OLD CRYPTIANS. By the Summer term of 1916 the number of Old Cryptians joining the forces has increased to 210. More are thought to have donned khaki so the list is incomplete.

Sadly, the loss of Hugh Walwin is reported and Sidney Smith. Corporal Walwin, a machine gunner was killed at Katia in Egypt whilst Corporal Smith of the Royal Flying Corps was wounded in Mesopotamia before passing away at Netley hospital Southampton. 2 Old Cryptians mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh's recent despatch were Capt. Carleton DSO and Lieut. P. Stout RNVR. There follows summary reports of other Old Cryptians engaged in the Katia assault namely Frank Dilloway taken prisoner and L. Williams wounded and reported missing.

Further injuries to Sergeants W. Stephens and W. Edwards resulted in being home invalided.

During the charge at La Boisselle, Sec. Lieut. F. Ayliffe was injured in both arms at the parapet of the German first line trenches. Fortunately, he escaped capture or worse and was invalided to Manchester General infirmary. Following recovery, it will be some months before he will be fit to return to the front!

There follows a list of promotions too numerous to mention. Location to which these are being posted are not often mentioned. However, many are despatched to Mesopotamia where the excessive heat, sand flies and mosquitos make life almost intolerable.

One Les Smith came home from Siam wanting to join up. However, his company wanted to retain his services as without him they would be unable to keep up their supply of teak.

After 2 months of sojourn in England he returned to N. Siam where he had been for nearly 6 years.

Naval battles feature in the service of F. W. Bailey on HMS Princess Royal and Marlborough in the Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland Bank against ships of the Kaiser and Koenig class.

The death of Sec. Lieut. G. Ross of the 8th Gloucesters is mentioned and sympathy expressed to his widow to whom he was recently married.

Despite the war and the toll, it was causing, club subscriptions continued.

One Officer on active service recently paid the Treasurer subscription to cover 6 years 23 Old Cryptians

and others for s period of 3 years. One also sent a donation to help the clubs finances in view of the number of members at the front. Other members were asked to follow these examples!

The honorary Secretary had received a number of letters from the front expressing appreciation for receiving the Cryptian. Extracts from letters appear to cover a range of incidents often graphically explained. They included a German submarine attack in the Mediterranean, trench warfare in Flanders with raids and retaliatory counter barrages and strafes often to no avail., attack and destruction of enemy camp at Magreiba in Egypt, followed by Dueida which was repulsed and later Katia also repulsed due to superior numbers.

Former lists of those on active service are supplemented by 12.

In the Winter term of 1916, it was announced that Crypt school had been able to join the ranks of those known as 'Public Schools'. This was largely due to the HM Dr. Crees being elected a member of the Headmasters Conference. Sir James Bruton has been elected for the 7th time to the Mayoralty.

Several Old Cryptians have suffered the supreme sacrifice. These included Capt. J. Abell, Lieut. W. Frean, Sec. Lieut. R. Knight, Corporal R. Hill, Lance Corporal M. Lewis, Privates J. Williamson, and E. Brookes and Trooper O. Walwin.

Many more are listed as having been wounded to various degrees.

Also regretted is the death of Capt. A. Clark who commanded the SS Herefordshire sunk by an enemy submarine in the Mediterranean.

Sec. Lieut. A. Lewis had been awarded the MC for capture and defence of the Schwaben redoubt having to withstand incessant shelling all day and night, bomb attacks, exposure to wet and cold and semi starvation. For the 1916/17 year club subscription was 3s 6d. A copy of the Cryptian cost 1s 6d. Former lists of those on active service have risen by 40.

In the Easter term of 1917, 2 Old Cryptians appeared in the New Year’s Honours List, namely Flight Lieut. T. Lister and Capt. D. Harris. Lt. Col. Atkinson and Major D. Harris were mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh's latest despatch. War honours up to this point count 2 DSO's, 3 MC’s and 2 MSM's.

The Rev Arnold is currently the oldest Old Cryptian at 80. He has sent interesting notes on the school in the 1840's. A recent letter from an Old Cryptian expresses the advice that any Crypt boy inclined to dabble in technical matters should sit for the examination for Assistant Engineers! A number of promotions was recited as well as discharges after being severely wounded. To the active service list 12 more are added.

Several extracts of letters from the front are given. Often for security reasons the texts appear to be doctored to provide the least information about location and land based, as well as aerial, equipment in use. The main topic seems to be the state of the weather (nothing changes) especially when rain and wind are mentioned.

Another refers to flying missions invariably over the Huns lines. Altitudes mentioned are 10-16,000 ft. The squadron has been quite successful and brought down several enemy aircraft without casualties. Frost bite seems to be the main complaint.

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Richard Browning (1952-59) Howard Allen (1947-1955) Cape Wrath will have to wait (A cycle tour of Scotland) I had made several bike tours of Britain, usually coast to coast, and thought it was high time to tackle the big one – Land’s End to John O’Groats. In the jargon used by bloggers this is generally known as LEJOG. Record times for this route are incredibly short but I’m more in the mould of Harold Briercliffe – enjoying the countryside at a sensible pace with the added frisson of a long-distance challenge.

Land's End, September 2015

In September 2015 I tackled the English section taking a rather unusual route – Land’s End to Berwick-upon-Tweed keeping generally to the east. Parts of the journey were flattish, for instance Lincolnshire and the Vale of York, but Devon and Cornwall, despite the coastal scenery, were not good for easy touring, especially where the only feasible route involved main roads and thus holiday traffic. The North Yorkshire and Northumberland uplands provided plenty of exercise but I was relieved to arrive in Berwick after the final short leg from Wooler.

This account covers the highlights and lowlights of the Scottish section of LEJOG starting from Berwick after an efficient train journey from home to this the most northerly town in England. “Credit card cyclist” is a term used for lightweight, unsupported touring but I like to go one stage further and book B&BS, hostels or chain hotels in advance so for each day there is an outline plan.

The A1 is definitely a road to be avoided so from a little farmhouse called Unthank (!) three miles out of Berwick on 3rd August 2016 I climbed gently up to Duns and then traversed the Lammermuir Hills in a wonderful, quiet introduction to the Border Country.

Not particularly pleasant as I got closer to Edinburgh where city riding was tricky. It was the evening before the official opening of the Fringe and I was lucky to have a room in a University accommodation block at a time when the city was heaving with visitors.

I’m not a huge fan of Sustrans but they do a lot with limited funding. Their Route One guide is a good starter for the east of Scotland and it was a big help towards exiting Edinburgh and making the correct approach to the Forth Bridge. Generally following the coast, I went inland then descended to St. Andrews, my first visit to this lovely town. I enjoyed top class (vacation) accommodation in the University after an almost religious experience exploring the pristine fringes of the golf links.

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It was a balmy evening and I met many genial Americans for whom St. Andrews must be on a revered list of things to do in retirement.

Evening in 4th August 2016

St.

Andrews

Next day I travelled via Leuchars and Tayport to cross the long Tay Bridge. Carnoustie with its brutalist hotel was passed on a pleasant spin through sandy coastal scenery near the rail line. A pause at popular Lunan Bay before continuing to Montrose, Arbroath and an overnight B&B in popular Stonehaven. A steep climb out of this harbour town before joining the Deeside road and the busy approach to Aberdeen. I navigated with some difficulty through the city and its environs (trying to avoid fast main roads) before reaching the coast at the unbelievably remote Rattray Head – featured in the Shipping Forecast Inshore Waters section. Whilst going green is to be applauded, the so called ecohostel at Rattray is too big a step towards austerity.

Historic Elgin was gained after a day fighting a gusty wind from the West (it made the National news) and receiving a soaking in the last few miles before the clinical welcome at the local Premier Inn. On Monday 8th I passed through Forres, Nairn and Cawdor before skirting Inverness and crossing the Black Isle. A friendly clientele in an Alness pub gave me directions to Kildary where I stayed in an immaculate B&B and had a superb breakfast in the morning. Noting, but not acting on, the sign to the Glenmorangie Distillery near Tain, I continued on the A9 which was moderately quiet after Golspie. I had a good café lunch in tiny Helmsdale before I tackled the punishing slope out of the village. (It is no surprise that the single-track rail line to Wick and Thurso takes an inland route at this point!) At the end of a hard day Thrumster House, the centre of a struggling sporting estate, provided old fashioned hospitality with the evening meal preceded by a dram of Old Pulteney. In the morning I saw my first midge swarm during bike loading; fortunately, they were never a big problem on this trip.

Now the end of LEJOG seemed feasible and the ride to John O’ Groats via Wick was easy.

A celebration and photos near the multi destination signpost and a good chat to a German cyclist who had done the conventional northerly route in one stretch on a rig that seemed to weigh a ton. Destination reached so I had kept faith with my Bursary Fund sponsors, who contributed £1250 in total. I gave myself a pat on the back for cycling 490 miles.

Another 16 miles took me to rugged Dunnet Head, the most northerly spot in mainland Britain, then it was time to head for home continuing along the north coast and then turning south. In heavy drizzle I located the in B&B in Strathy and, on the next day, followed the bleak (often single track) road in this remote part of Sutherland, passing through Tongue and round Loch Eriboll.

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John O’ Groats 10th August 2016

It was miserable at the Durness youth hostel with rain lashing the two WW2 huts during the night and at breakfast I discovered that the ferry was not running, thus I didn’t experience the 12 mile minibus ride to the wild Scottish headland from the terminal across the water. Cape Wrath will have to wait until I’m next in this part of the United Kingdom. Unlikely? Perhaps, but it’s there to be visited.

The rain continued throughout the morning and there was no alternative but to attempt the bleak but busy single-track road from Durness to Laxford Bridge. I was lucky that some Good Samaritans in an old camper van gave me a lift for 12 miles and my spirits were much improved after this act of kindness. I stayed overnight in Inchnadamph, an outdoor adventure hostel. Ullapool followed (another YHA billet) and then fair weather across a high plateau and down to Garve where I booked a rail ticket to Kyle of Lochalsh for the next day – a delightfully scenic trip. I stayed at Ardvasar on Skye and then (back on the mainland) rode to Ardnamurchan. On the next morning I climbed to the Lighthouse – mainland Britain’s most westerly point. A lovely return ride along Lochs Sunart and Linnhe (crossing via the Corran ferry) and a final night in an unmemorable Fort William tourist hotel. No more pedalling! A dash between rail stations in Glasgow on the final day and then I was met by my wife in Lancaster for a comfortable (car) ride to the South.

I quote an extract from the JustGiving page which I set up before this little jaunt: “Now back home, I'm somewhat amazed that I cycled 865 miles in 15 days, with the Berwick to Dunnet Head (via JOG) leg at a faster pace - 70 miles per day. I saw a lot of fantastic Scottish scenery and also experienced its variable (!) summer weather.

THANK YOU to all contributors to this very worthwhile charity. Deserving pupils of the Crypt School will be the ultimate beneficiaries via the Old Cryptians Bursary Fund.”

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Back Home with trusty bike

Richard Briggs (1955–63) W. E. HENLEY AND HIS ALTER EGO ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Whenever the Tall Ships Festival approaches, the Jolly Roger flies for all things swashbuckling in Gloucester docks, the most inland port in the country.

Thoughts can then turn to W E Henley and his alter ego Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, with Long John Silver one of the most enduring characters of 19th century fiction with the catchphrase ' Shiver my timbers'.

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William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) attended Crypt School (1861-1867) and was the son of a struggling bookseller. At the age of 12, Henley was diagnosed with tubercular arthritis. Despite passing the local Oxford Examinations his ill health and the family lack of finances made it impossible to study and in 1869 he left Gloucester to work as a freelance journalist.

After amputation of one of his legs beneath the knee under the great surgeon Joseph Lister he began to write poetry during recovery possibly influenced by Crypt school HM Thomas Edward Brown, himself a noted poet and scholar. He also taught himself French, Spanish and German.

As the years passed, he was variously described as a great, glowing, massive shouldered fellow with a big red beard and a crutch, jovial, astoundingly clever and with a laugh that rolled like music. He had unimaginative fire and vitality which swept one off their feet.

This suggests he was a Victorian Brian Blessed!

This appearance and mannerisms inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to model Long John Silver on Henley.

This image has been kept alive in 'Pirates of the Caribbean ' despite Henley having no Capt.

Flint as his parrot or monkey Capt. Jack.

Henley was surrounded and championed other writers as J. M. Barrie, Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, W. B. Yeates and many more. This collective of writers was referred to as the 'Henley Regatta'.

In his time Henley produced numerous books of poetry including 'A book of Verses’ (1888), 'London Voluntaries' (1893) and 'Hawthorn and lavender' (1897).

Probably Henley was one of the most underestimated poets of his time and missed being elected Poet Laureate.

His best known poem is Invicta which Nelson Mandela claimed helped him through the 27 years of imprisonment on Robbin Island and then used to inspire the Captain of the Springboks to victory in the Rugby World Cup. 29 Old Cryptians

It matters not how strait the gate How charged with punishments the scroll I am the writer of my fate I am the Captain of my soul Most recently there appeared an extended article in the local Citizen about Henley.

Much more information on the man and his times is available on the internet for the more discerning reader.

Richard Browning (1952-59) A Former Editor Reflects on the Rebirth of the Cryptian The announcement by the president at the AGM in March that The Cryptian will be published again was very well received.

The first edition of the magazine was published in 1907 and continued to be published until 2016 and survived in that time the rationing of paper during the two world wars.

The magazine survived a threat to its existence in the early 1990s and was rescued by a small contingent of old boys headed and encouraged by Gordon Hill. Gordon was the editor until 2005 when I succeeded him prior to handing on the editorship to Sue Wales.

Sue, the Headmaster’s P.A. and head of Administration, despite the enormous workload that these roles placed upon her, during the years 2007 to 2016, provided sterling work as the editor. Not surprisingly the weight of her workload took its toll and the publication of The Cryptian moved down the list of priorities within the school.

So, it is exciting that the magazine will reappear in the autumn. Hopefully there will be some tremendous support to Duncan Miller, the editor of the Old Cryptians section, for this special edition. It would be so worthwhile, if as of old, news of former pupils from around the world and from any decade could adorn its pages.

I have written this piece minded that whilst in my last year at school in 1954/55 I had the privilege of being the Managing Editor of The Cryptian. Thus I have ever retained a rich vein of affection for The Cryptian. Long may it enjoy its splendid rebirth and enjoy longevity in its production.

Howard Allen [1947-55] I must congratulate Howard on the sterling work he put in over many years as the editor of the Old Cryptians section. -Ed.

GCCC at Lord’s – ’20 Years on’ The Glory Years: 1999-2005 Since the end of the Second World War my association with cricket as a player, coach, umpire and writer has brought me endless compensations. High on my list, as a member of the MCC since 1971 must be entering the Grace Gates on the morning of a Test Match or in particular on those wonderful occasions when ‘our team’ was yet again in a cup final.

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Sir Neville Cardus once described Thomas Lord’s wonderful ground as the ‘Valhalla of cricketers’. ‘Dickie’ Dodds of Essex wrote in his autobiography that ‘Lord’s must be a bit like Heaven. There are many mansions in it. It caters for all tastes, classes, colours, ages, points of view, degrees of skill and levels of knowledge.’

I have long subscribed to the belief that sporting friendships, first established at school, are the source of much joy and emotional fulfilment. So, to go to the first of the finals in 1999 in the company of three dear Old Cryptian friends, Hugh Roe, my brother-in-law, and Richard Evans and Gerald Harris, was most exhilarating and indeed memorable.

The tramp up and down the 196 steps of the Tavern Stand to refill our glasses with superb Fullers’ London Pride was so much more worthwhile on this occasion – the first appearance of our home county in a final at Lord’s since 1973.

But little did we know on 1 August 1999 that thereafter our attendance would become a regular event in our sporting calendar. These were indeed years of unprecedented success in the history of the county and of the one-day game in England.

In the spring of 2019 this article was published in Outside-Edge –the magazine of the Exiles, the supporters of GCCC. ‘Cup Kings’ Predictably the writers in Wisden* have provided excellent coverage of the achievements of GCCC during these halcyon years. From the pages of the ‘bible’ of cricket I have selected examples of the many outstanding performances by our richly talented team members.

I have included for good measure, too, samples of writing that has put a smile on my face.

Wisden 2000 Benson and Hedges Super Cup: v Yorkshire 1 August 1999. Won by 124 runs.

Gold Award: M.W. Alleyne. [116 in 91 balls] Alleyne scored a century, glowing with pragmatic virtues. [David Foot] NatWest Trophy: v Somerset 29 August 1999. Won by 50 runs.

Man of Match: R.C. Russell.

His (Russell) was a ubiquitous and triumphant presence; he began by presenting the sponsors with a commissioned work of art; and in addition to important late runs, he caught three batsmen and spectacularly stumped another. [David Foot] Wisden 2001 A “Trophy” was once a beer that Gloucestershire sold in club bars, not something they put in the committee-room cabinet. [Graham Russell] A troika of coach, John Bracewell, captain Mark Alleyne and veteran Jack Russell moulded the side so that it was more than the sum of its parts.[Graham Russell].

Benson and Hedges Cup: v Glamorgan 10 June 2000. Won by seven wickets.

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That Gloucestershire fought back so strongly was down to Harvey, who gave a fine demonstration in the art of varying pace.[Matthew Hancock] Ian Harvey 9.3 – 1 – 34 – 5.

NatWest Trophy- v Warwickshire 26, 27 August 2000. Won by 22 runs (D/L method) Mike Smith dismissed Knight in his second over, forcing him to a ball that moved away, and bowled Singh in his tenth.[Matthew Hancock] Mike Smith 10-3-18-3.

Mark Alleyne was one of the five cricketers of the year in Wisden in 2000.

Here was this stocky, mild-mannered man leading his club to an unprecedented clean sweep of the NatWest Trophy, Benson and Hedges Cup and Norwich Union National League, to go with 1999s NatWest and Benson and Hedges Super Cup triumphs. [Rob Steen] Wisden 2002 Benson &Hedges Cup: v Surrey 14 July 2001. Lost by 47 runs.

Surrey were simply too efficient; they took their opponents game away from them as well as their cup. [Anon] Wisden 2003 Benson &Hedges Cup: Quarter Final v Worcestershire 21.22 May 2002. Lost by eight wickets.

Only Mike Smith showed control as Worcestershire, playing their first B&H final since 1995 dumped Gloucestershire, finalists for the past three seasons, out of the competition. [Anon].

Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy: Quarter Final v Kent 16 July 2002. Lost by five wickets.

Victory for Kent arrived by a comfortable margin, though the most eye-catching play came from Barnett and Russell, with a combined age of over 80, and tough and cussed as a pair of Gloucester Old Spots. Together they put on 100, Russell giving the innings a rousing finale as he hit 66 from 49 balls. [Anon] Wisden 2004 Cheltenham &Gloucester Trophy: v Worcestershire 30 August 2003. Won by seven wickets.

Launching Batty for 20 runs in his first over, mainly over extra cover, he (Harvey) smashed 61 from 36 balls to demoralize Worcestershire’s attack and earn the match award by a landslide. In all Gloucestershire needed only 92 minutes and a little more than twenty overs to take the chequered flag. It was all over by 4.10 p.m.

[Mike Walters] Under his tutelage - (John Bracewell was about to return to New Zealand) - they had become unquestionably the most dynamic limited-overs outfit in the country. In a touching gesture of self-deprecation, his players (average age: nearly 32) whistled 32 Old Cryptians

the theme tune from TV’s sitcom Dad’s Army, which somehow seemed appropriate: for the most part, it was men against boys. [Mike Walters] Wisden 2005 Cheltenham &Gloucester Trophy: v Worcestershire 28 August 2004. Won by eight wickets.

Lewis achieving late movement, mostly down the hill and away from right-handers, had Moore, Hick and Smith caught in the cordon inside 11 deliveries to leave Worcestershire in ruins at eight for three. [Paul Weaver].

John Lewis 10-2-32-3.

Weston released by Worcestershire in 2002 took comprehensive revenge by making an unbeaten 110 from 129 deliveries. [Paul Weaver] As spectators drifted away, Gloucestershire eased home with 37 balls to spare to collect a seventh one-day trophy in six seasons (six cups and a League). Still the game lasted almost two hours longer than the 2003 final, which concluded at 4.10.

Despite losing Jonty Rhodes, Ian Harvey and Jack Russell since 2003, Gloucestershire were still too good. One–day cricket is supposed to be more capricious than the longer game, but when Gloucestershire are involved, matches are often about as balanced as Laurel and Hardy on a see-saw. [Paul Weaver] Postscript The exceptional cricket played by GCCC in the one-day competitions brought much pleasure to so many of us. So, if I was permitted to select my own team to play at Lord’s in a final it would read in batting order.

Hancock, Spearman, Harvey, Gidman, Rhodes, Alleyne* Russell, Snape, Ball, Lewis, Smith My team would so well equipped to take on any challengers in any competition – whatever the playing conditions.

What wonderful memories!

Howard Allen. Editor Outside-edge, editions 77 to 89.

Eighty years on- Some reflections on the Crypt School and Old Cryptians from 1939 to 1940.

Eighty years ago, on September 3rd 1939, as a result of the invasion of Poland by German troops, the British government and France declared war. As a result, Old Cryptians of a variety of ages were faced with a number of major decisions which reflected their personal circumstances. I have included those examples I have found which demonstrate the challenges that confronted them. Staff and pupils who returned for the Autumn Term would also have to adapt to the huge changes that would take place at home, at school and the City of Gloucester.

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The vast majority of boys, even in the selective grammar schools left school by the age of sixteen and went into local trades and trained to enter the professions. Some pupils who anticipated the outbreak of war took the opportunity to volunteer for training whilst still working so they could enter their chosen Armed Service. Conscription was immediately introduced for those men between 18 and 41. They were allocated according to need and the majority joined the army. Dreams and plans were put on hold as the nation prepared to confront the crisis that loomed. Most Sixth Formers who obtained places at university did not take up their places whilst those passed fit left their courses and enlisted.

Outstanding students such as Head Prefect Peter Bayley (1931-1940) and his close friend Tom Stock (1932-1940) obtained places at Oxford but were called up and served in India.

Bayley would become Principal of Collingwood College, Durham and later Professor of English at St Andrew's University. Derek Brewer (1935-1941) and Harold Meadows (1935-1941) joined the Army and would serve in Italy and later took up places at Oxford.

Brewer became a Professor of English and later was Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge from 1977 to 1990. Meadows gained his Oxford Blue in 1948 and became a popular headmaster. Some talented science students remained at university to pursue projects which were deemed to be essential to the war effort. Joe Wiltshire (1930-38) gained a Double First at Cambridge and was involved in research on radar systems for the Admiralty. Kenneth Benfield (1931-37) a graduate in Engineering Science worked on the jet engine project with Sir Frank Whittle based at Brockworth. A few such as Ronnie Gulliford (1931-38) took the difficult decision and became a conscientious objector. Most joined the non-combatant corps which performed a variety of support duties.

Two of the most outstanding ever Crypt all-rounders and Cambridge graduates had their careers in education cut short as did 20,000 other classroom teachers. The popular modern languages teacher, R.C. Easterbrook “Ronnie” (1937-39) and (1945-1962) served as a Major in the Intelligence Service. Norman Browning (1918-1926) was Head Prefect, joined the RAF and became a squadron-leader. Grahame Parker (1921-1932) was a double blue and played cricket for Gloucestershire and rugby for England. The loss of so many young teachers placed great pressure on headmasters across the country. Recently retired teachers returned to the classroom whilst many continued on for the duration.

Many doctors such as John George (1913-1920) volunteered. Dr George became a LtColonel and in 1958 was appointed a Physician to the Queen. The lives of the following notable Cryptians who left by sixteen followed illustrate some other paths. Harold Collison (1923-26) pursued a career in the National Unions of Agricultural Workers and was active in the vital function of effectively producing as much food for the nation as possible. He became General Secretary of the TUC and Chairman in 1964 and was created Lord Collison. Ken Hyett (1926-1931) left the family plumbing business and joined the RAF. He later became Mayor of Gloucester and was Chairman of Governors in the challenging times in the 1970's. Gordon Hudson (1921-29) joined like many as a junior aged eight. His prowess on the sports field led to him becoming a PE Instructor in the RAF. Gordon played in a number of war-time internationals and later became Chairman of Gloucester RFC. Many sporting careers were curtailed and many members of the Old Cryptians' Club joined up and eight members paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Crypt School was still situated at Friars' Orchard behind the ancestral Schoolroom and St Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street and stretched back to Brunswick Road. It was described as a “quiet oasis of calm in the centre of the hustle and bustle of the City” with all the attractive amenities and distractions for the pupils aged seven to eighteen. Radical reorganisation of education in Gloucester was under discussion in the 1930's. A new Technical College was badly needed for both sexes and finally in 1938 the workmen arrived at Friars' Orchard and the peace was shattered. The glorious mature trees which 34 Old Cryptians

encircled the playing field were felled and building commenced whilst the teaching continued in the main building as the concrete mixers seemed to revolve on relentlessly.

The physical disruption on the site in 1939 and the psychological impact must have been enormous. There was no great enthusiasm as the Foundation Stone for the new Crypt School was laid at Podsmead in July 1939 but any optimism was dashed three months later.

Gloucester was declared a Reception Area and many people were forced to move from sensitive Southern coastal areas whilst workers were encouraged to move, many with their families, to vital war-time factories.

Gloucester Aircraft Company expanded rapidly and produced Hawker Hurricanes at Brockworth. The Wagon Works produced tanks whilst Fielding and Platt and other factories were adapted to the requirements of the struggle ahead. The fear of bombing raids in the larger cities led to more movement. Pupils and Staff from the King Norton Grammar School, Birmingham were transferred to Denmark Road High School and the Crypt School and were billeted locally. Women filled the large number of administrative tasks in offices and on the shop-floor created by the call-up of the men. The School was now over 400 pupils and there was overcrowding at Friars' Orchard. Some classes were held in various buildings across the City whilst others used temporary wooden classrooms. Gas-masks were issued and air-wardens' trenches were dug and air-raid shelters were installed in the grounds. Windows were protected with sticky tape and blackouts were enforced. Senior pupils carried out fire-watching duties in the City which included the roof of the Cathedral. The Bauchwitz brothers, all under sixteen, Fritz (194043) and his brothers Hans (1940-44) and Klaus (1940-47) were offspring of a German Jewish family and refugees from Nazi Germany. Despite their tribulations Fritz and Klaus were awarded scholarships to Oxbridge. D.G. Williams (1920-1951), a brilliant Classical Scholar at Oxford, was Headmaster in these turbulent times. His tenure in the 1920's and 1930's was often referred as a “Golden Era” by that generation who went off to war in 1939. During this period the Crypt School obtained 55 Exhibitions and Scholarships at Oxbridge colleges. The Headmaster provided the words to the School Song with the refrain: “Vivat Schola Cryptiensis- Vivat in Perpetuum” which was sung at the end of the Summer Term in 1939 with gusto at the Quartercentenary celebrations of the Foundation of the School in 1539.

There were a number of significant changes in this period. In 1922 he introduced rugby at the expense of soccer. He gave great support to the highly regarded Bill Keeble (19241950), Head of PE and Drill Instructor for the Cadet Force. Percy Ball, a pupil from 1911 to 1917 was awarded a Scholarship to Cambridge and returned to join the Staff from 1924 to 1944. He was master in charge of cricket and rugby and sport in general reached new heights. He also supported the Old Cryptians Rugby Club formed in 1928 as did A.C. Paget (1930-1968) who was Captain in 1931. A controversial decision was made in 1927 to disband the Cadet Force run by another committed member of Staff, Ernest Maude (19211957). However, it reflected the anti-militaristic mood of many after the trauma of the Great War and growing support for disarmament. The School Scout Troop was formed and enthusiastically run by H.N. Siggee (1925-1956) which was very popular and numbers grew to 100 boys. The emphasis on scouting, PE and sports became a central philosophy of the school. On the outbreak of war, the Headmaster was persuaded that the School should form an Air-Training Corps (ATC), which became operational early in 1940.

W.N. Morgan-Brown “Moggie” (1929-1949) was its dynamic leader and was ably supported by A.L.C. Smith “Elsie” (1930—1971) and Maude. It was composed of present pupils and local former pupils who were in work but were still under eighteen. It quickly 35 Old Cryptians

became very successful and by 1942 there were nearly 200 young men whose main aim was to join the RAF and the majority of Cryptians would join Bomber Command. The School was very fortunate to have D.G. Williams at the helm. He was supported by Second Master and Head of Mathematics, J.K. Fletcher “Dan” (1916-1947) and J.T. Whitely “Josh” (1921-1962), Head of Modern Languages. As can be seen by the length of service and involvement of just some of his staff he built up a loyal, dedicated team which saw the School through these extraordinary times from 1939 to 1945.

By January 1940 a comprehensive rationing system was introduced and ration books were issued. It was clear from the First World War that the German submarine menace would threaten vital imports. Initially petrol, bacon, butter and sugar were rationed and later meat, milk, eggs and cooking fat. Paper was rationed for publishers but the much slimmer School magazine was still published throughout the war years and sent to servicemen abroad. There had been a long tradition of Cryptians running butchers, fishmongers, grocery and fruit and vegetable shops. They were in the daily front line of the increased pressure to provide foodstuffs for families. Vernon Charley (1917-1923) completed his research on Vitamin C which proved invaluable as blackcurrants, hedgerow hips and haws were used in a syrup which was given to babies throughout the war.

The fear of invasion had been growing for some time and pressure increased to involve the general population especially those men who were in “reserved occupations” or considered too old for active service. Lt- Colonel John Atkinson DSO, OBE, who had commanded a battalion in the Great War lobbied hard for the formation of local defence volunteers. Eventually on May14th the Home Guard was formed. It immediately became very popular. From the start many older Cryptians served Gloucester and the County in a range of roles, particularly as councillors and religious leaders. Trevor Wellington (189299) was elected Mayor in the critical years from 1936 to 1942. Another Old Cryptian, Colonel Collett was City High Sheriff. Harold Costley-White (1886-1888), Headmaster of Westminster School (1919-1937) was Dean of Gloucester during the war years as well as President of the OCC from 1939 to 1953. Frank Watts MBE (1906-1937) on his retirement continued with his lifetime work with the Red Cross and was Assistant County Director.

Harold Moffatt was appointed Chief Warden for the City and later Chief Fire Officer. He also commanded a platoon of the Home Guard. Jack Ackland (1910-16) became Deputy Chief Warden of the Civil Defence team. Many joined the Special Constabulary and J. Newth (1889-1892) supervised the County Specials during the war.

On May 10th 1940 the so called phoney war was shattered when the Germans unleashed their blitzkrieg and invaded neutral Holland, Belgium and France. Frank Sleeman (19271932) volunteered and joined the Gloucestershire Hussars with other Cryptians. He was the first of 78 Old Cryptians to die in the conflict, he was killed in action on May 20th aged 24 on the steady retreat towards Dunkirk. Lieutenants Roy Cresswell and Laurie Stewart as well as Arthur Brinsford and Geoffrey Sewell were captured whist holding the perimeter and became prisoners of war. At this time the RAF were doing their best to support the desperate ground troops. Flying Officer Michael Young (1931-37) and Pilot Officer Richard Haine (1928-1931) were awarded DFC's for their actions and Haine became a Group Captain. John Lawrence (1932-38) joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve on leaving school and entered Coastal Command whilst RS “Bomber” George (1932-39) became a spitfire pilot. John would after a distinguished career became an Air Vice Marshall and was awarded the CBE in 1967. The Royal Navy and Coastal Command were the most active on the declaration of war. The main threats were the surface raiders and the growing menace of the U-Boats which threatened the import of essential food, petrol and war materials. R.D. East (1968-1977) Head of Mathematics was a young officer on the 36 Old Cryptians

badly damaged HMS Exeter which took part in the famous Battle of the River Plate, off Uruguay which led to the sinking of the Graf Spee on December13th 1939. John Gale (1935-1939) joined the local Sea Scouts and then the Royal Navy aged fifteen. He served on the flagship HMS Prince of Wales during the dramatic hunt for the Bismark which was sunk in 1941. Norman Murphy (1928-1932) also joined aged fifteen and served on HMS Gloucester from 1939 and sailed for Ceylon to support the convoys in this area. Robert Clarkson (1932-39) and John Allen (1937-1940) had distinguished careers in the Royal Navy. Bill Bray (1926-1932), William Parnell (1931-36) as well as his brother Hugh Parnell DFC, Sam Bridges (1932-38), Lt. Ivor Sims DFM and Ron Tiley (1933-36) joined Coastal Command.

With the fall of France, Britain and her Imperial allies found themselves on their own and the Battle of Britain would soon commence in the Summer of 1940. This involved the defence against large scale day time attacks from the recently acquired airfields in France from July 10th to October. The initial targets were coastal shipping convoys and ports with later effective attacks on airfields. Fortunately for Fighter Command but not for London civilians, the Luftwaffe changed their strategy and the London blitz started in September.

The year 1939 to 1940 was one of the most remarkable in the history of these Isles. The Staff, pupils of the Crypt School, the City of Gloucester had seen huge changes. Cryptians were in training and serving around the globe whilst the City would experience much more difficult times in the future war years.

More details can be found in: “A History of the Crypt School 1539-2018” by Charlie Hannaford.

“The Lost Generations” by Simon Birch, Sarah Birch and Ray Pocock.

Please contact me if you find any errors or have more information that is not in the above history: charliehannaford8@gmail.com

More Presidential Reflections!

In the august ambience of the panelled parliament rooms at Gloucester Cathedral on 25th June 2018, following the Founders’ Day service, I had the great privilege of taken over the office of President of the Old Cryptians’ Club from my predecessor, Gloucester and England Rugby legend, and gentleman, Charlie Hannaford.

That day held special poignancy for me as my Grandfather John Rigby had worn the same chain of office not quite thirty years before. He was a man who had great love for the Crypt and the club and I was incredibly proud to be following on in his footsteps.

As with any President of a club such as the Old Cryptians, where the role is usually held for just one year it is good to focus on the achievable goals that one can bring about in ones time in office. Charlie Hannaford had set out to produce an updated version of the school history, and unsurprisingly for those who know him had succeeded admirably - I encourage you to buy one if you haven’t already from the oldcryptians.org website. Charlie had set a high bar, but in discussions with the committee I knew that there was much still to be done.

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Finally, I settled on three main goals. The first goal was to restart publication of The Cryptian after a sad hiatus, the fact that you hold this publication in your hand is testimony to the hard work by the club committee especially Duncan Miller our chief collator and Editor, and also to the new way of working that we believe will allow the production of The Cryptian to be more sustainable in years to come, as this edition has been co-created and edited by Mrs Hannah Attwood, School Librarian. This has given more immediate access to school news and allowed the publication for speech day so that school leaver results can be included. A huge thanks to the Head for his assistance in helping this become a reality.

The second goal was to develop the club into one where succession became part of our structure. In many previous years, Presidents may not have realised they were up for the role until one year before taking it on – and sometimes less. This is no way to run a club, and with the support of the Secretary and committee we have introduced succession planning with roles of President, Vice President and Junior Vice President - as you read this respectively Adam Ashby, Steve Knibbs and Simon Smith. This new model will allow for coherent strategy to be developed over a number of years.

My Third Goal related to developing a strategy for The Old Cryptians Club to ensure that it is relevant to the young men and women leaving school as well as providing an excellent social club for those slightly older in years. It is also very much the vision of my successor as President of our club for 2019-2020, Adam Ashby and he, Steve Knibbs and I have many hours discussing how the Club can be of real benefit to the younger Old Cryptians make their way into the world. Over the next few years you are going to see some big changes in the way The Old Cryptians Club engages with school leavers. Many alumni club provide active mentoring to their members and this is now the vision of the committee of our club. We foresee that in the next few years any alumnus Crypt or university leaver will be able to, and will want to, actively contact the club to find Old Cryptian mentors who can give them advice and support in their chosen career whatever that may be. There are thousands of Old Cryptians throughout the UK who could provide a fantastic resource and excellent network for the fine young men and women who will be leaving school, and to whom a small helping hand of advice or other support through use of influence could make all the difference in their lives. Watch out through 2020 as OCC LinkedIn and social media accounts start calling out for mentors and mentees.

Some highlights of my year include an incredibly convivial dinner with the London Old Cryptians at the Old Cheddar Cheese on Fleet Street many thanks to our London friends for hosting, and to retiring committee member Eric Stephens for arranging our accommodation. There are many stories about that night, but best saved for the next dinner! Another very pleasant evening was spent at the AGM dinner, which was held at St Mary de Crypt – now rebranded Discover de Crypt. Quite fittingly, The Old Cryptians dinner which was attended by 100 was the first event to be held in the beautifully refurbished venue. Live music and an excellent four course dinner and much merriment was followed by Steve Knibbs regaling us at Angie’s bar with his piano playing and group singing, following by a trip to Butlers night club. Although the numbers diminished during the night reportedly there was still a remnant of Old Cryptians bravely trying to remember the fourth verse of the school song Carmen Cryptiense at 3 am on Eastgate Street.

My overriding memory of my year as President has been my pride at being associated with the school, which through my close links as President, a current parent and Governor I have come to know more closely than ever before. When looking at the supportive, hard working culture of the school much credit must be given to the Head Mr Dyer who has 38 Old Cryptians

maintained and enhanced many of the traditions we love and yet engaged modern methods to ensure that students achieve their potential in a supportive environment.

Talking at the school leavers dinner in July 2019 and looking at the fine body of young men and women who were leaving school and represent the future of our country and our world, I couldn’t help but be inspired to think that both they and the school are better than in my school days. It gave me a huge shot of optimism – long may this fine establishment continue, and its alumni continue to positively shape this world in which we live – Floreat Schola Cryptiensis

Jason Smith (1980-83) Book Reviews Two Years in Peking 1965-66 by Reginald Hunt Book Living and Teaching in Mao’s China

1

Reg Hunt (1943-50) and Staff (1960-61) attended Tredworth Primary School and won a scholarship to the Crypt. He was among the last group of scholarship boys prior to the Education Act of 1944 and also was one of the first in-take to be admitted to the new school at Podsmead. At the Crypt He enjoyed much success both in and out of the classroom and also formed friendships in particular with the late Brian Showell.

Reg served in the RAF during his National Service. He was a recruit to the course in Chinese and spent the latter eight months of his service in Hong Kong. Here he was gainfully occupied in intelligence work.

He had learnt Mandarin Chinese during his RAF National Service, and now he had the chance to see inside the closed world of the People’s Republic of China. This book is a record of their life and work there, a brief glimpse of how foreigners got along in Mao’s China during the two years of 1965-1966.

This was a mere fifteen years after the Chinese people had stood up and created the sovereign People’s Republic of China in 1949. The world that they experienced during their stay in 1965-1966 has long since disappeared, except that their old residence of the Friendship Guesthouse still survives, although now transformed into the huge, luxurious Friendship Hotel complex. But the friendships formed at that time - within the small, eclectic band of foreigners, and with their Chinese teaching colleagues and students - have endured for the past fifty years.

After his National Service, Reg, with his appetite whetted with regard to the language of the Chinese, studied at the School of African and Oriental Studies, London University. He graduated in Modern Standard Chinese, Mandarin.

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Between January 1965 and December 1966 Reg and his wife, Waddi, together with their young family lived and worked at the Attached School of the Peking Foreign Languages Institute. They returned to teach at the same Attached School for another two years, 197476.

Thus, they experienced at close hand the first six months and then the final two years of Mao’s manic Cultural Revolution. They witnessed history of momentous importance being made.

In this first volume Reg has succeeded splendidly in writing a narrative that provides a flavour of the daily life of his family and of the nature of his work at the school in China. He writes too about his reactions and responses to Chinese customs and practices, his relationships with Chinese colleagues and students, his contacts with foreigners and of ‘the formidable bureaucratic machinery watching over us.’

In addition, Reg has commented perceptively about the historical developments in this quite extraordinary period in China. And as befits a most gifted linguist and scholar he writes with such style and polish throughout the book.

Reg is a talented photographer and he compiled an extensive portfolio of images taken during his time in China. He has included 25 full page sized photos in his book. I believe that these samples of his creative work enhance the book.

Reg and I have shared a friendship that now extends beyond 70 years. We have enjoyed many stimulating sessions in discussion of his experiences and his interpretation of the major events in Chinese history. I have admired the scale of his commitment to mastering the challenges of research and writing over the past five years. The results are to be found in his excellent tome. And as a student and former teacher of contemporary history I have found Reg’s text to be a compelling read.

Reg is truly a Renaissance man. He is a scholar, linguist, Orientalist, satirist, wit, sportsman, family man and good friend to me and many other people. He has written a gem of a book and I commend his work to a Cryptian and to a wider reading public.

Postscript In 2015 in celebration of his arrival into the ninth decade of his life and to mark the 50 th anniversary of his arrival in Peking in 1965, Reg returned to Peking where he was hosted by a number of his former students. No less than 60 of them feted Reg at a farewell dinner.

Their presence was an indication of the rich vein of affection and appreciation that they felt towards their former teacher.

In October 2016 at Podsmead Reg held a book launch of Two Years in Peking. It was most pleasing to be amongst family and friends of Reg who were present on that occasion.

Two Years in Peking 1965-66 Book 2 Photographs, Documents &Teaching Materials

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Reg Hunt’s second book was published in October 2017. Book 2 is a resources book which supplements Book 1, and it consists of teaching materials, documents and coloured photographs from those historic days in Peking.

I commend this second volume, not least the 84 colour photos are a highlight as these provide a fascinating insight into life in Mao’s China.

Copies of Two Years in Peking are obtainable from: Reg Hunt: rcandhunt@googlemail.com Mobile 07760 368 584 Price: £17.50 (including packing & postage) Book 2: £12.50 or the both books together: £20.00.

Howard Allen (1947-1955) A History of the Crypt School 1539-2018

By Charlie Hannaford Historians have long argued that each age re-writes its own history. In Charlie Hannaford the Crypt has found a splendid historian to put this precept into practice.

Charlie set himself a formidable set of objectives in writing a new account of the school from its foundation to the present day. In so doing he has written an informative tome that covers the many diverse activities of the School both in and out of the classroom. He has commented in some detail on the achievements of prominent members of staff and of their most talented pupils.

In addition, Charlie committed himself to providing a record of the achievements, wherever possible, of some of the vast majority of students who left the school at the age of 15 or 16 and who have made such significant contributions to their community and also to the Old Cryptian Clubs. In some respects, the author has presented parts of his book with the features of a gazetteer.

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The groundwork of historical study lies essentially in the examination of the opposed forces of continuity and change. Charlie has discussed subtly in his book the responses of the school to the unprecedented changes in society since 1900 with regard to its governance and curriculum.

He has set skilfully the school in the context of the main national and international developments in modern times. Thus, he is able to get below the surface and discuss such issues as the challenges of non-selection and co-education with some breadth of vision.

Charlie has written in a lively style and he has told the story of The Crypt in an informative and stimulating manner. His book is a splendid gift to the Crypt community and forms an admirable addition to the work of previous historians of the school.

Both Charlie - and his wife Jane who over three years typed and re-typed the script – must be congratulated on their fine achievement.

Charlie’s book was launched on Founders’ day in June 2018 when he was the President of the OCC. The print-run was of 500 copies. I believe that his book is so deserving of the support of a wide audience and I urge everyone who has the best interests of the Crypt community at heart to purchase a copy.

Copies are available at the School Office. Price £ 10.00. P&P £2.50.

Further titles from an Old Cryptian Steve Ward has contributed the following note.

Now a retired teacher, I have 're-branded' myself as a writer. With four books already under my belt and on the market my next two publications are to be;

Tales from the Big House - Temple The Hampton Court of the 1,000 years of its History and People

Newsam North

Published by Pen & Sword Books November 2017

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Father of the Modern Circus 'BILLY BUTTONS' The Life & Times of Philip Astley Published by Pen & Sword Books April 2018 2018 will mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 'modern' circus and there will be many events across the country to celebrate this. I think Bristol will probably be the nearest 'city of circus' to Gloucester. The book is being released to coincide with these celebrations. www.steve-ward.net With forty years involvement in circus and education, Steve Ward has now gathered together all of his notes, project reports, academic papers and dissertations into one volume entitled CIRCUS NOTES & JOTTINGS. The thirteen 'papers' chart the development if his ideas and practice from the late 1980s through to the early 2000s. The papers reflect the spirit of the times and offer an informative, interesting, and entertaining read.

The book will be available on the Amazon website from December 1st, 2017 - just in time for Christmas!

Steve Ward (1963-1970)

PART 4. OBITUARIES Peter Arnold Peter Arnold, a well-known civic figure in Gloucester has died aged 83. After Calton Infants and Junior Schools Peter attended Crypt during the early days at Podsmead until 1949.

His career was considerably varied. Initially he worked at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the Pathology laboratory and later for the National Coal Board. Moving to London he became an advertising copy writer with Kodak before going freelance on his return to Gloucester in 1972.

Following a period as Councillor representing Hucclecote ward, he served as city Sheriff in 1980 becoming Gloucester’s 500th mayor in 1982. In 2002, he was also mayor of Barton.

Peter had friends in many walks of life and was a lifelong supporter of Gloucester Rugby.

He wrote a much-admired column in the match day programme from the 1970's until about 5 years ago.

His family recall Peter as ' a proud man of Gloucester'. He is survived by his wife Daphne and children Andrew and Kate.

Richard Browning (1952-59) 43 Old Cryptians

Malcolm ‘Knocker’ Haines (1945-1950) Malcolm died in December 2016, aged 83. He had endured, bravely, the ravages of cancer in the latter part of his life. His wife had predeceased him. Malcolm was the third son in the family and he followed in the footsteps of his two elder brothers in gaining admission to the Crypt. In 1945 he was a member of the first cohort to be admitted, after the passage of the 'Butler' Education Act of 1944, who had been successful in the new 11+ scholarship examination. He was a member of Whitefield House.

In the season of 1948/49 Malcolm played as hooker in the outstanding Colts XV. This team won all of its 11 matches, scoring 392 points for with only 30 against.

Malcolm Haines (centre) in 1956

Malcolm left school at the statutory school leaving age of 15, and then apart from his National Service, was employed for many years at Smiths Clocks in Cheltenham.

Then he set up his own company supplying the Electrical Industries and travelled often in Europe on business.

Malcolm was a stalwart and great servant of the OCRFC. From 1951-1985 he made no less than 640 appearances for the club. His most proud achievement was in his year of captaincy - 1957-58 - when he led the club to its most successful season with 33 wins out of 37 matches played. In the same season Malcolm led the Sevens' team that won both the Gloucester and Lydney Sevens' competitions.

Apart from his qualities as a leader, he possessed a remarkable facility for striking quickly at scrum-time. He was truly a 'striker extraordinaire' with his oft repeated instruction to his scrum-half - 'get the ball in quick'.

Malcolm served the OCRFC in many capacities. He was general secretary (1967-71), chairman (1978-81), and for many years a trustee. Both at his funeral service on 4 January and back at the club there were several tributes paid to 'Knocker'. He was a man of high intelligence, timely wit and good company as befits an Old Cryptian at the bar with a pint to hand.

Malcolm's ashes were spread on the playing surface of the club's main pitch in Tuffley Avenue.

Howard Allen (1947-55)

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D.L. Derek Howell (1949-54) Derek Howell died on 25 December 2016 in the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital following a stressful period of illness. Prior to his admittance to hospital and to a specialist care home he had been nursed lovingly by his wife Gill and members of his family. Predictably Derek bore his illness stoically and bravely.

Some 70 years ago Derek and I struck a friendship that was to last a lifetime. Our formative years were spent in the lower reaches of The Oval and Linden Road. We always said we were mere urchins who had benefitted from our admission to the Crypt and had married well as our respective wives were resident in the upper reaches of Linden Road!

In 1949 Derek passed the 11+ scholarship exam and in that year commenced his close association with the school that remained with him for the rest of his life. He was a student of high intelligence, a parent and wonderful servant of the school. In the summer of 1954 at the age of 15 he played in the undefeated 1st XI - the ‘Invincibles’.

In the same year Derek left school, as did many Crypt boys at the age of 15, and commenced work at the Shire Hall in Gloucester. But he also continued to play cricket with that illustrious itinerant circus – the OCCC. However, this happy existence for Derek was rudely interrupted with the call to do his National Service. He served from 1957-58 with distinction with the Royal Artillery in Malaysia. This was during a period of one of the many emergencies that confronted the British government in the 1950s.

After his demobilization Derek was soon to commence his legendary periods of service to the OCCC and OCFRC. He was an active playing member and secretary of the OCCC from 1959 to 1975. He was the fixture secretary of the OCRFC for some 35 years and he continued to play for the club into the early 1970s and captained the 2nd XV (1963-65).

Derek was honoured by the rugby club by his election to Life Membership. He also served during the early years of this century as membership secretary of the OCC. He was elected subsequently to Life Membership of the Old Cryptians’ Club ‘for exceptional service to the parent and affiliated clubs. His unique record of selfless service on behalf the three sectors of the club is so deserving of a place in their annals. In turn Derek was honoured by the award of Life Membership of the Gloucestershire RFU for his outstanding services to rugby in the county. He also ran for many years a fixture bureau for local rugby clubs.

In the latter years of the 1970s Derek played his cricket for Gloucester City C.C. and captained the 1st XI. In so many facets of life in cricket on The Spa, Gill, Derek’s wife was in close support and they did so much to uphold the proud record of that famous club.

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Derek also played for the Gypsies and did a spell as an umpire in the senior Gloucestershire leagues. However, increasingly Derek came to disapprove of the decline in the standards of behaviour that had crept into the game. For Derek, any poor sportsmanship and boorish behaviour was simply not acceptable. His view in this regard somehow typified all that Derek stood for in life across the board.

In 2001 Derek was invited to become secretary of the steering committee of the Gloucestershire Cricket Board, a position he held for many years. Following which he and Gill were awarded Life Membership of G.C.C.C. for their services to Gloucestershire Cricket.

Derek was a wordsmith and wrote with a subtle brand of erudition and humour. He wrote, for example, in the introduction to his delightful, History of the Old Cryptians’ Cricket Club: It was Founders’ Day 2004 Gordon Hill and John Mace were deep in conversation, somewhat conspiratorially in the Cathedral car park whiling a few minutes before giving the annual thanks to John and Joan (Cooke).

As Gillie and I approached them John said ‘Ah, just the man’. Gordon chipped in – ‘I’ve decided we should have a history written of the OCCC and you can do it.’

And so, Derek came to write his superb history of the OCCC and then followed two more tomes. These were his histories of the OCRFC and of Gloucester City CC, marking respectively their 75th and 150th anniversaries. Each of these excellent books is spiced with wit and anecdote and all contain full statistical detail as one would expect from the pen of an accomplished senior administrator in local government.

Derek wrote the drafts of his books by hand and then Gill, Derek’s wife, as ever in loving support, typed the final scripts for submission to the printer. Gill and Derek formed a wonderful partnership in every respect and enjoyed together the joy of family life, working in their garden and on behalf of the OCRFC and Gloucester C.C. in a wide range of activities.

They were justly proud too of their son, Richard, who after a short spell at the Crypt won a sport’s scholarship to Cheltenham College and enjoyed much success as captain of the XI and in representative cricket at schools’ and senior level with Gloucestershire 2nd XI. I was privileged to be counted amongst Derek’s many friends. I so admired Derek’s achievements and record of service whether it was as a husband, father, soldier in Malaya, administrator at the Shire Hall, cricketer and games-player, and remarkable servant of three Old Cryptian Clubs. Derek was unarguably A1 in every aspect.

Clearly Derek was not an unpopular man judging by the scale of the congregation who gathered in the church at Upton St Leonards to pay their respects at the memorial service on 16 January 2017 and at his wake back at the OCRFC headquarters in Tuffley Avenue.

Derek was a lovely, modest and compassionate gentleman. He was also a most loyal friend to so many of us. For me, Derek will always hold a place in the pantheon of great Old Cryptians. People of Derek’s stature pass this way all too rarely.

We extend the deepest sympathy to Gill, his son Richard and wife Emily, and grandsons Ben and Max in their loss of the head of the family. Derek will be so missed by them all.

Howard Allen (1947-55) 46 Old Cryptians

Lester Hunt (1949-57) Lester died on the 18th February 2017 of aspirational pneumonia, a follow on from Parkinson’s which he had tenaciously, courageously and successfully fought for over 30 years.

The only son of a highly skilled cabinet maker who lived in Tredworth Road in Gloucester, Lester was one of the waves of people who benefitted from the 1944 Education Act and went via grammar school to university. He and I first met in the A stream at the Crypt in the Autumn of 1949, and both experienced the disorientation of what seemed to be the vast numbers of 500 or so at our new school and being marshalled by Bill Keble outside and Headmaster Bill Williams inside, both in their last year and celebrated for supervising many generations of Cryptians.

The grounds and the buildings were pretty bleak and the hall a concrete floored cavern with bare windows and un-plastered walls. But the teaching was already excellent under the staff attracted by the academic Williams and then recharged under the dynamic and forceful leadership of his successor, Colin Ewan.

Lester flourished not just academically but as a stout member of the 1st XV which nourished his lifelong love of the game, and in badminton, cycling and tennis as well. I am grateful to Ivor Smith (1952-60) who found Horace Edward’s rating of him in the 1956 Cryptian as ‘a second row forward…his line outwork is good…. fast, and a good tackler’.

A prefect, a debater, head of Moore House, he deservedly walked away with the Captain’s Prize, the Headmaster’s All-Round Trophy, to take up an Exhibition in Natural Sciences at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. There, not merely did he continue his series of academic awards but he revelled in his rugby and came away with his oar at rowing.

He joined ICI as a research scientist – Imperial Chemical Industries was then Britain’s premier chemical company, massive with a network of businesses worldwide and a reputation for scientific excellence and business acumen. Now only the pharmaceuticals arm survives as Astra Zeneca and the paints in AkzoNobel. Lester worked first for the Plastics Division and then for Paints before moving to Rio Tinto Zinc and its newly acquired Borax business. Rio Tinto remains one of the largest mining companies in the world and Borax is an important additive to a vast range of products. Lester became responsible for marketing and sales for the whole of Europe in a business which at the time was delivering near half of Rio Tinto’s profits. Europe was indeed his oyster.

Lester accompanied his successful commercial career with his continuing sporting interests – skating led him to Sandra, his wife for 49 years (and significant in her own career with a CBE for her work in Planning) and in sailing where, having acquired navigational qualifications, he took himself regularly to the continent and around Britain.

He also became a keen bird watcher and despite his Parkinson’s, organized himself onto expeditions to Antarctica, Namibia, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Yemen, Tajikistan, India, Australia…. and more.

Knowing that sport was a turn off for me, Lester typically and generously devoted energy into trying to introduce me to his other hobbies. I recollect standing miserably in boots, long johns, and oilskins over three sweaters, in a sleeting gale in the Stour marshes of East Kent whilst Lester in a light reefer jacket enthused about bundles of feathers in the far distance. And we attended lectures and conferences at the Maritime Museum at Greenwich where together we learnt of the iron frames inside the wooden walls that gave 47 Old Cryptians

Nelson victory at Trafalgar. Lester researched his ancestors and found that whilst mine had sat for a thousand years in a mud patch outside Gloucester, his had not just been citizens of a wider England but of the world as well. He applied his scientific brain to every project so that taking up Bridge in his 70s led I am told to some unorthodox but very effective outcomes.

Always a social being, his work colleagues recollect his practical and indefatigable sense of purpose, his intellectual curiosity and his sense of fun, and Old Cryptians to whom I have spoken remember him as a congenial and entertaining dinner companion at the Oxford, London and Gloucester dinners. He and Sandra were generous in their entertainment not only at the Old Hall at Highgate but at their beautiful villa in the south of France, a country both loved and in which they spent a great deal of time. Typical of Lester, I found myself sitting next to his French Literature group at his funeral at Highgate Cemetery but I am not sure that he will find Marx a totally congenial companion there.

For too much of his life, he had to fight Parkinson’s which he did effectively with every fibre of his being, not allowing it until the very last to limit his work, his travel or his hobbies. He travelled widely and on his own and I can well recollect having to give him a shove to unfreeze him before, independently, he boarded the London train to take himself home. His resilience, courage and determination in the face of an unremitting and debilitating illness was an inspiration.

He was my oldest friend.

He leaves his widow Sandra, his daughters Nathalie and Melisa, and eleven grandchildren.

Peter Hobbs (1949-57)

R. G. ‘George’ Hopkins (1941-1948) Roger ‘George’ Hopkins died aged 87 years on 1 March 2017 following a stressful period of illness. Prior to his admittance to hospital and then to a specialist care home he had been nursed lovingly by his wife Sheila and members of his family. Throughout his years of illness George retained the traits of his characteristic gentle and warm personality.

For the centenary edition of The Cryptian (2007) George wrote at the behest of the editor an article entitled, ‘Recollections of a ‘Big’ Lad at the Crypt’. He wrote here with affection and wit of his years at the Crypt.

In 1941 George won a scholarship to the school from Widden Street Junior School. He wrote: ‘I was a big lad for my age and qualified for extra clothing coupons – they stretched to getting my rugby kit …. terrific as I could now play a proper sport. I didn’t count P.T. and stool ball in the Widden playground as sport.’

George excelled on the games field. He captained the 1st XV in the season of 1947-48 and also represented the Gloucestershire Public Schools’ XV. He was a robust wing forward and a first-class captain. In the same year he captained the 1st XI hockey team and in 1947 he also won his 1st XI cricket colours. Hockey was to become George’s main winter sport and he represented the county of Monmouth whilst resident in Newport in 1961-62. George cut his teeth as a tennis player with the venerable Tuffley Juniors. He became an accomplished tennis player and he played competitively well into the years of his retirement.

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George was a school prefect and captain of Brown House. He possessed a very fine singing voice and he was a chorister at All Saints Church for 20 years. Throughout his life he often sang on behalf of charitable causes.

After leaving school in 1948 George commenced his National Service with the RAMC at the Crookham Depot. On demobilization he joined Winfields in Westgate Street, Gloucester as an ‘improver’ as he was thinking of building a career in horticulture.

In 1958 he set upon a career change and commenced his teacher training at Caerleon College. In 1962-63 he studied Rural Science at Worcester College of Education and from 1963 to 1968 he specialised as a teacher of Rural Studies.

In 1968 George took up an appointment at Bownham Park, an E.S.N. school near Stroud.

Following a sabbatical year at Redland College in Bristol he commenced a distinguished career in special education. From 1971-74 he was the deputy head of Great Brookmead School in Southampton and from 1974 to 1988 the first head of Millwater School in Honiton, Devon.

During his years at the helm in Millwater School George was very much involved with the Slade Centre (Donkey Sanctuary) that provided a wide variety of activities for children with mental and physical disabilities. As a result of this initial work in Devon in association with Dr Svendson, the founder, such sanctuaries have been set up around the country. This splendid work is a fine illustration and a testament to the esteemed work of George in the field of special education.

During his time in Honiton George graduated with a B.A. of the Open University. As he commented crisply in his Cryptian article in 2007 ‘I failed Higher School Certificate, however, I made up for this by passing HSC at Tech and obtaining a Teaching Certificate at Caerleon. In 1979 I obtained a BA (OU) so you see I didn’t give up (another Crypt virtue).

In 1964 George married Sheila Hill, sister of Old Cryptian David Hill. Sheila worked in Medical records at the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary and also raised her two sons, Nicholas and Timothy. She has three grandchildren. George always enjoyed family life and holidays. The family celebrated, appropriately for George with his passion for horticulture, their Golden Wedding at Stourhead, the superb garden in Wiltshire.

George was ever a person of great energy, compassion and infinite modesty. He possessed broad interests to which he brought much enthusiasm and knowledge.

It was always my real pleasure to share his company at Old Cryptian reunions. In 1947 George was one of my earliest sporting heroes and I recall well the times in the past 25 years when we shared our mutual interest in sport and a professional commitment to the educational needs of all children.

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

Bruce Edgar Mitchell (1951- 1954) Bruce was born in 1935 in Oxford, one of nine children, the son of a toolmaker at Morris Motors. Both his parents likewise had eight siblings. The family moved to Gloucester in 1939, when his father began work on aircraft engines, including the first jet, at Gloucester Aircraft Company.

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Early on Bruce showed talent as a singer and started as a probationer aged seven at Gloucester Cathedral, having been selected by Dr Sumsion, and joined King’s School.

In common with many families of limited means, Bruce’s parents struggled to kit him out and provide for his education during this time of genuine austerity, but provide they did.

Being a chorister completely transformed his life, opening up horizons which children with his sort of background never dreamt of. His son Andrew writes that “his life has reflected the ideals and commitment he learnt as a chorister and from the many inspirational people he met in his early life”. Highlights of his time there included regular visits to Badminton House to sing for Queen Mary, climbing up the outside of the Cathedral on ladders erected by firemen in case of bombing, playing football on the quire roof and sitting on the Coronation chair which was kept in the crypt during the war.

On King’s School becoming purely Prep all senior boys were dispersed to local schools.

Bruce came to the Crypt in 1951. It was at this time that he set up his first youth club in Hucclecote where his family lived – the first of many ventures and enterprises that were to characterize his life.

He played a full part in the life of the Crypt during his three years here. A member of Moore House and the Classical and Modern VIth, he played 1st XI hockey, gaining his colours and becoming vice-captain in 1952-54, when your correspondent witnessed his great energy and skill. His interests extended to drama, the library and archaeology. After A levels he won a place at St Catherine’s Society (now College), Oxford to read Maths, though he subsequently changed to Modern History.

He threw himself whole-heartedly into College and University life. Stroke of the College’s 1st VIII, he also stroked the Oxford Lightweight squad. At the same time as he studied for his degree Bruce worked voluntarily to organise the establishment of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (instituting the Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels) and to run Endeavour courses – Outward Bound with a spiritual dimension – with the National Association of Boys’ Clubs (NABC). He struck up a friendship with Lord Hunt and other members of the successful Everest team, which proved invaluable in his later fund-raising efforts.

After Oxford Bruce was appointed to teach at King’s and was married in 1963 to Julia, who later also taught at the school. For the next eight years he combined teaching with a licensed Readership in the diocese.

In the ‘60s and 70’s he became involved in local politics as an Independent Councillor, successively member and then Chairman of Brockworth Parish Council, member of the County Council and then Tewkesbury Borough Council, of which he became Mayor in 1982. Additionally, he was a Governor of several schools, including the Crypt.

Resigning his post at King’s, he worked as Assistant Director of Endeavour for the NABC in London, organising and running summer holidays for disadvantaged children amongst many other courses – all unpaid and in his “spare” time His next career move was to become a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Economic History at GLOSCAT responsible for 2000 students at GCE and A Levels. At the same time, he was Chairman or member of many charities, including the newly-formed Cancer and Leukaemia in Children (CLIC). President of CLIC for many years he decided the post needed a higher-profile figurehead – Princess Anne, no less. Other charities he supported and organised included the British Heart Foundation and the Tewkesbury Half Marathon.

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The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury was saved from bankruptcy largely through his fundraising skills; likewise, a new roof for the Abbey was funded by Bruce writing to the Mayor of Tewkesbury, Massachusetts, who immediately provided the bulk of the money!

Attempts were made to head-hunt him for the Headship of King’s but he chose not to apply and in fact retired from teaching in 1989. Two years earlier he had also given up local politics and was made an honorary Alderman of Tewkesbury Borough Council. However, he remained a ceaseless supporter and instigator of charities. New challenges were by no means abandoned. He bought Hoo Farm, landscaped the gardens and planted several acres of trees, known now as Mitchell’s Wood.

Cruelly, Parkinson’s disease struck and progressively restricted his mobility. Andrew states, however, that he never gave hope of regaining it. Indeed, the optimism and confidence in achieving solutions for problems in life were abiding traits which came across most clearly in the positive influence which he quietly exerted on many people, since his life was devoted to the service of others on so many levels, yet he remained modest of his achievements.

He had a loving, supportive family, such as he had enjoyed as a child, and was a lover of the outdoors, infectiously passing it on to children and grandchildren He died on 9th November at the age of 82 and leaves behind Julia, sons Andrew and John, daughter Sarah, and five grandchildren.

His funeral took place in Gloucester Cathedral attended by a large gathering of family, friends and former colleagues, representing the many facets of his varied and productive careers. His son Andrew commented that it was entirely fitting that his life should be celebrated in the Cathedral, where Bruce always said it had all begun.

Despite his having spent such a short time at the Crypt we can be proud to have been associated with such a man who showed through his humanity and public service those enduring qualities to which, as present and former Cryptians, the school encourages us to aspire.

I am indebted to Andrew Mitchell for details of Bruce’s life and career after leaving the Crypt.

Michael Nuth (1947–1955)

John Griffiths (1943–48) I knew nothing of John Griffiths at school other than that he had been a member of the tribe of Griffiths who contributed substantially to school activities but a generation before me. I first met him on the platform of the old Gloucester station where we were both entraining to begin National Service in the army in the Autumn of 1957. We were both destined for Aldershot and the same barracks – Buller Barracks named after a general unsuccessful militarily in the Boer War but an administrative genius in ensuring his troops were properly fed, dressed, housed and armed, something practiced by Marlborough and Wellington but rather neglected otherwise nationally including then.

John had left the Crypt some nine years previously, was married and studied for his qualifications in Chemistry. Having graduated, military service was mandatory as it was for me as a condition of my Oxford Scholarship.

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I was single, inexperienced (the furthest North I had been was to Worcester for the Three Choirs Festival but I had cycled around the South coast and been to London on PryceJones’ opera trips. Travel was bit more limited in those days!) and generally pretty useless practically in the real world.

The army did not particularly like National Service men - no women - because they got in the way of doing real military activities, did not want to be there anyway but had to be trained and occupied. Initial training was pretty robust and I was fortunate to have John present in the same unit to advise and protect me. We both graduated as Second Lieutenants, he as a sub officer of our contingent and me as part of the rest and I am sure that I would not necessarily have survived without his help and friendship. I went then to the Middle East and he to the North of England where as a married officer, his pay was such that he had to take a cut when he joined Unilever in 1959.

John spent all his working career in Unilever including a long stint in manufacturing in Nairobi before ending his career as Director of a large Unilever subsidiary in the UK. In retirement , he devoted himself to bell ringing at St Mary’s Church at Great Brickhill in Buckinghamshire where he lived , and the pursuit of golf at which he was very good. I had the benefit of lunches with him at the Captain’s Table at his golf club where he was clearly revered although as a non-golfer, I might well have missed some of the subtleties!

He died of Alzheimer's in October 2018 leaving his widow Jean and a son and daughter.

Peter Hobbs (1949-57)

Douglas Brewer (1935-43) Douglas Forbes Brewer, Professor of Experimental Physics died on 16 July 2018 aged 93.

Douglas won a scholarship to the Crypt.

He enjoyed an outstanding career whilst at the school. He was Head Prefect, vicecaptain of the 1st XV, captain of the 1st XI and Literary Editor of the Cryptian.

He won a Jolles Exhibition from the Drapers’ Company and a Townsend Scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford.

Douglas was born in Cardiff and valued his Welsh roots. He went up to Pembroke College to read Natural Philosophy.

The Second World War interrupted his studies, but he completed his BA after the war and he later obtained his DPhil degree at the Clarendon Laboratory, working on liquid helium 4.

In 1962 Douglas became a Senior Lecturer at Sussex University. He joined other founding members of Physics at Sussex, setting up a flourishing subject within the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. His expertise was in Low Temperature Physics and 52 Old Cryptians

in particular the properties of liquid helium. Throughout his career his work was instrumental in developing a better understanding of quantum liquids. His working group achieved national and international recognition.

For several years Douglas was the editor of the journal Progress in Low Temperature Physics. In 1989 he was delighted to be awarded the Fritz London Memorial Prize, the most prestigious award in low temperature physics.

He was a talented sportsman, having played for Oxford University Greyhounds and rowed for Pembroke. He was told by his coach that he could be a future Olympian if he dedicated himself to rowing. Douglas chose Physics instead.

Douglas was an extremely cultured man. He appreciated the beauty of language and was well read in Shakespeare. His house near Lewes was frequently filled with eminent academic colleagues from around the world.

The gathering of some 80 guests at his 90th birthday party showed the esteem and respect in which he was held. He is survived by his children – Jonathan, Charlotte, Mark, Sophy and Lucy - Wendy, his devoted wife, for the last 30 years. His first wife Jean sadly died young in 1987.

Howard Allen [1947-55] The editor wishes to acknowledge the permission to use information that was written in the obituary published by the University of Sussex.

John Crowe (1934-1940) John died on 10 May 2019 age 95.

There was so much to admire about John. He was a man of the utmost integrity, infinite charm and warmth of personality. His genial presence, high intelligence and sense of humour were ever present and always appreciated in the company of fellow Old Cryptians.

John won a scholarship to the Crypt in 1934 and in those days, he cycled daily to Friars Orchard - and this included a return journey at midday for his lunch. In July 1938 he took the school certificate and in July 1940, three months short of his 17th birthday, he sat with success the higher certificate examination in maths, physics and chemistry.

He left school in November 1940 and started work as a temporary clerk in the local tax office at the wage of 18 shillings a week. He was keen to contribute to his family finances as his father had died in 1931 when John was seven years old.

In happier times probably John would have proceeded to university. However, he was keen to join the Royal Navy and he volunteered to serve soon after his eighteenth birthday. He received his joining instructions in May 1942. After the completion of his training he was sent to New York and drafted to a ship – H M LST 180. This was a small American landing ship with a crew of 65. This was to be John’s home for more than two years. The vessel carried US troops and their equipment to North Africa and then sailed east as far as Calcutta.

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The ship then received orders to sail for Devonport which was reached in February 1944.

The preparations for the invasion of Normandy were well underway. John sailed on the evening of 5 June 1944. He was involved in the transport of Canadian troops in the Juno sector on the afternoon of the D-day landings and in the embarkation of some 200 casualties who had gone ashore in the first assault.

He continued many times back and forth to the continent until the war in Europe ended on 8 May 1945. In December 1945 John was drafted to the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth where he stayed until his demobilization in the summer of 1946. John was proud of his experience with the Royal Navy – it was an experience that he would not have wished to miss.

In October 1946 John became a student at the London School of Economics and in 1949 he took a 2.1 in Economics and Statistics. He returned to the tax office but now as an Inspector of Taxes in Gloucester, Cheltenham, the City of London and Somerset House.

After six years as a civil servant John was offered a post in ICI’s tax department and in 1963, he was appointed head of department.

Subsequently John’s expertise received due recognition and in time he became the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of ICI until his retirement in 1985. He then became involved with building societies and he was a non-executive director of the Woolwich Building Society until he retired at the age of seventy.

Beyond the work place John was never short of something to do. He enjoyed walking, indoor bowls, bridge and above all, philately. He belonged to five philatelic societies and served for a period as President of the British Society of Australian Philately.

John was a long term stalwart in his support of the school and the OCC. He was a regular attendee at all Old Cryptian gatherings and in the 1990’s he was the chairman of the London Branch of the club. He was a most generous benefactor of the school and the Millennium Bursary Fund. And shortly prior to his death he had informed the Headmaster and the chairman of the Trustees of the Bursary Fund that he had set up legacies on a unique scale in favour of the school and bursary fund.

John was ever mindful of the essential part played by the school in giving him a head start in his life. As he wrote to me in recent times: 'My father died when I was even years old so life was difficult but the Crypt School not only gave me an excellent formal education but also gave me a set of values which has stood me in good stead throughout my life.'

John was thrilled when I told him at our last lunch together in early April that at the AGM in March 2019 the members had unanimously elected him to be an Honorary Life Member of the Old Cryptians’ Club.

On 3 June the Headmaster, Richard Briggs and Howard Allen were in attendance at John’s funeral service in Tunbridge Wells. John’s two grandsons, Jared and Joel, delivered most moving tributes to their grandfather during the memorable service in celebration of John’s remarkable life.

John’s life was enriched by his most happy marriage to Connie, his loving wife for sixtysix years and the love of two sons and grandsons. Until recent times, John and Connie had 54 Old Cryptians

continued to make flights to Australia and to the USA in order to meet up with his son Geoffrey and his family.

Howard Allen [1947-55]

Bernard Acland (1937-42) Bernard Acland passed away on January 10 2018 aged 88 after a long and distinguished life of public service. Bernard was a family member of strong Crypt school traditions. His father John (Jack to many) had earlier attended school (1910-1916) and later his grandsons Timothy (1966-73), Jeremy (1971-76) and Richard (1974-79) followed him.

During the 2nd WW Bernard joined various Cadet forces representing the Airforce, Army and Royal Navy. They paraded on the Crypt school playground part of which was covered with Air raid shelters.

After Crypt, Bernard attended Wycliffe school in Stonehouse and went on to St Pauls Teacher Training College in Cheltenham. He became fully committed in activities with youth organisations throughout the City and County and held an Honorary Commission with the Royal Air Force. For his steadfast work he was later awarded an O.B.E. The family business which claimed his attention was originally called The Gloucester Bottle Company. It later took over Washbournes Ltd Wine and Spirits Merchants in Bell Lane and later Berkely St. Bernard following John his father was dedicated to Free Masonry and rose to high levels in various orders. His late wife was Daphne, the sister of Bob Short well known as a founder member of the Cotswold Auction Company active in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Cirencester.

Eddie Calver 1942-49) Eddie Calver, an Old Cryptian for many years, passed away on Thursday 27 September in the Brunswick Nursing Home after a long illness, aged 86. He leaves his wife Ruth, four children, nine grand-children and three great grand-children. He had a brother John and another brother Brian who now lives in Torquay. All were former pupils of the Crypt School. Eddie enjoyed Rugby (he captained the Old Cryptians RFC) and also played golf.

The funeral was held on Monday, 15th October at the parish church of Upton-St.-Leonards at 11.30 a.m. Afterwards all who knew Eddie were invited to the Bowden Hall Hotel for drinks, sandwiches, refreshments, etc. Ruth and his son and daughters have said that sombre dress was not required. Club ties and, in particular, Old Cryptian colours were very much appreciated.

John Harris (1944–49) John Harris died on Sunday, 28 October 2018 in Toulouse a few weeks short of his 86th birthday.

After leaving the Crypt School he was apprenticed as a draughtsman at the Gloucester Aircraft Company. He subsequently moved to Europe and entered the space industry.

Whilst working in Holland he entertained touring Old Cryptian Rugby teams.

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He then moved to Toulouse and worked for the European Space Industry (ESA). He became part of the management team at ESA and worked for them both in France and in Kourrou, French Guiana.

He had played almost 200 times for the OCRFC. He leaves his wife Ilse, son Roy & daughter Tonia.

Roy Price Nicholas Roy Nicholas, a talented former Cryptian, has recently passed away after a lifelong service to the local community. Roy was at the Crypt during the immediate post war period and distinguished himself from an early age in the field of mathematics and science. He was also a prodigious musician excelling at the piano and later organ. Roy had the misfortune of losing his father during his teenage years which forced him to leave Crypt prematurely to help look after the family.

He took an apprenticeship at GAC in Brockworth and worked on the development of both the Meteor and the Javelin. He later joined Smiths Industries (Aviation division) at Cheltenham working on instrumentation for the Concord.

His strong personality stood him in good stead as he rose to Shop Steward. Later he worked as Personnel Manager at Bensons based in Brimscombe before the company moved to Malaysia.

Roy was on Minchinhampton Parish Council for no less than 50 years and for a long period from the 1970’s on Stroud (Urban) District Council.

He supervised the eventual move to Ebley Mill and was instrumental in helping to found the Longfield Hospice in Minchinhampton. His many interests apart from Organ playing at the Crypt school and many Provincial Masonic functions included singing as 2nd Tenor with the Dursley male voice choir.

After a very busy and productive life we remember Roy with considerable pride and extend our condolences to his son Stedman and daughter Sarah.

John Danter (1941-49) John Danter went to RMA Sandhurst rather than university. See Valete in the December 1949 Cryptian.

John, peacefully after a short illness at Perth Royal Infirmary on Friday 1st February 2019, aged 88 years. Former South Staffordshire Regiment, and Chartered Surveyor with Bidwells, beloved husband of the late Heather, father of Alistair, father in law of Helen and deeply loved grandfather of Fiona, Molly and Tara.

The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday 13th February at St Ninian’s Cathedral, North Methven St, Perth at 11 a.m. and after at Jeanfield Cemetery, cortege arrived at the Rannoch Road Gate at 12 noon attended by family and friends.

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Derek Rowles (1947-50) Derek Rowles, whose father was managing director of Barons Engineering in Gloucester.

ROWLES Derek Died suddenly and peacefully at home on Saturday 2nd February 2019, aged 83 years. Rosemary his wife and Susannah his daughter will miss him keenly.

His funeral was held at Gloucester Crematorium on Monday 25th February 2019, at 1:30pm. An article by Derek about Brixton Windmill – the last working windmill in London – which was painted by his mother and featured in an exhibition at Gloucester City Museum in 2004 is available here

https://brixtonwindmill.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mill-memories-derek-rowles-andvalerie-miller/ A GloucestershireLive article about a Blue Plaque unveiled to commemorate Dame Sidney Browne, founder and first President of the Royal College of Nursing installed on Derek’s house in Cheltenham, is available here

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/story-behindcheltenhams-newest-blue-929791

For Sale Ties: Silk £25.00 Polyester £12.00

Scarves in Club Colours (pre-order): £25.00

Beanie in Club Colour: £10.00

Lapel Pin: £2.00

Old Cryptians’ Blazer: (pre-order) £120/£150 ‘Cryptian’ – Back Copies £5.00 Postage Cost for Stock: Ties £1.50; Scarf £5.00; Beanie Hats £3.00; Lapel Pin: £1.00 Cheques payable to The Old Cryptians’ Club to: Mr Matt Cass, Old Cryptians’ Club, Windsor House, 200 Barnwood Fields, Barnett Way GL4 3RT Or by E mail: matthewmichaelcass@hotmail.com

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Floreat Schola Cryptiensis