Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Newsletter Summer Update September 2013
New Beginnings It has been a pleasure to welcome all the new members of the Vesey family: staff, families and, of course, our students. As you can see from this newsletter the mood in school is upbeat and purposeful. I wish you all a happy and successful new academic year.
Headteacher
Smiles all round on results days 2013 was another record-breaking year for BVGS. At A Level our students excelled once again, taking them to the top universities of their choice. As you can see from the exams results overview on Page 7, 82% of all the grades at A Level were awarded A*/B. This places us as the 42nd best state school in the country. There were some outstanding individual achievements with six students qualifying for places at Oxbridge. Top rower, Thomas Breithaupt attained five A* grades. Catherine Smith, Matthew Bryant and Robert Cotterill were all celebrating attaining three A* Grades. Half of our students gained at least two A Grades in the so-called ‘tough’ facilitating subjects.
Students and staff are celebrating outstanding GCSE results yet again. 67% of all grades were at A*/A. Half of all students attained 8 or more A*/A grades: a new school record. There were as usual some excellent individual performances with Thomas Cotterill, Sebastian Heley, James Nesbitt, Adam Stewart and Leo Tsoi all securing a terrific ten A*s. In addition Tom Reershemius gained a spectacular 11 A* Grades with a top grade also in Additional Maths. These fantastic results can be added to his A* in German (with full marks) which he achieved last year. Our thanks go out to all the staff who have provided outstanding teaching and quality care, support and guidance to our students throughout their schooling. Thanks also to all our parents for their tireless support. Follow us on
The official Bishop Vesey’s Twitter account is @BVGS1527
September 2013
Page 2
Sharing Skills with Staff in Malawi Over the summer one of our teachers, Beth Gainford, who teaches Chemistry, as well as being our Special Needs Co-Ordinator and a leader in Staff Coaching, took part in an exciting educational partnership in Africa. Below she tells her story ...
Teachers represent a particle model of a solid.
Some of the teachers with their certificates
Davie receives his stationery
This summer I spent most of August in Malawi working with over 70 primary school teachers as part of a Skills Share Partnership. I would like to thank all of those students, parents and staff who supported my trip through financial donations and gifts of stationery. It wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity and I am very grateful, as were the Malawian teachers. Each teacher was given a large bag of stationery to take away with them, and I shall never forget their expressions of surprise and complete joy. They were all keen for me to express their thanks to all who contributed as it will make a massive difference to their teaching. We ran two weeks of workshops focusing on literacy, numeracy, science, expressive arts, leadership, and behaviour management. None of the teachers we met had received any training since they qualified and so hopefully have found the skills we shared to be highly beneficial to their teaching. We were amazed at the challenging circumstances our colleagues were facing and overcoming on a daily basis, with class sizes frequently over a hundred, small classrooms with no furniture and no resources apart from a blackboard for the teacher. The challenge for us British teachers was to suggest ideas that would work for large groups of children and few resources, something we’ve never had to do before. In my science workshop, we made musical instruments to teach the scientific process, the particle model, the solar system and classification. Since term started at BVGS, many things have been put into perspective and I find myself often thinking of my new friends in Malawi teaching in very different conditions to myself. I feel very fortunate for all that I have available here in Sutton Coldfield. Malawi is known as the “warm heart of Africa” due to the characters of the people there. We certainly experienced this and my time there will be something I never forget.
Year 7 Residential - July 2013
Year 7 had a fantastic experience on this year’s residential. The residential started with a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum. Having the opportunity to walk the grounds of the Arboretum in Alrewas and engage in a two minute silence, followed by an educational talk about the history of the poppy, really stirred emotions within the group. Our two night stay at Whitemoor Lakes proved a very comfortable one, with lots of activities on offer from abseiling and kayaking, to problem-solving and fencing. Typically, the behaviour of our students was impeccable. A big thank you to all the boys and staff who made the trip run so smoothly.
BVGS Newsletter
Page 3 Page 3
Focus on Business Creative Edge In July, Sam Reader from EDGE Creative led a fascinating workshop on Marketing to the L6th Business class. Students were given an opportunity to give their own opinions on products and strategies that were currently being implemented at EDGE whilst gaining an invaluable insight from Sam about being a graduate and the attributes employers are looking for from potential employees in the 21st Century.
European Comenius Teachers’ Visit On Friday 13 September we were delighted to welcome two visitors to our Economics and Business Studies Department. Catherine Abraham from Guadeloupe and Giuliana Deflorio from Italy (pictured right with new Deputy Headteacher Russell Bowen, and Head of Economics and Business Studies Cara Lawson-Tafe). We had some lovely feedback sent to us about their visit. They wrote, ‘We had such a warm welcome extended to us. It was great to have the opportunity to visit such an outstanding school’.
Dignity Plc On Tuesday 9 July, Sixth Form Business students visited the Head Office of Dignity plc in Sutton Coldfield. The students have been learning about a range of business functions and had been invited to visit Dignity as part of their case study on the company. Christine Nwankwo accompanied them and said, “This was an invaluable opportunity to see how a large professional and responsible company operates and the group found it extremely useful to see different Head Office departments first hand.” Dignity plc is a FTSE 250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has 650 funeral homes and 39 crematoria across the UK. The current Chief Executive Officer, Mike McCollum is an Old Veseyan. Being able to see the achievements of past students and to experience the culture of an organisation with a community feel has been invaluable for the students. Dignity Plc are very keen to develop a relationship with BVGS and to support our students going forward.
Student on Fast Track for Railway Career Can we help you? Can you help us? Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School is blessed with an amazing resource: academically excellent, grounded and rounded students. Exactly what the employers of the future need. If you would like to raise student awareness about your business or area of employment, please contact Sharon Weblin, Headteacher’s PA, on s.weblin@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk or contact 0121 250 5403. Currently, we are in the process of transforming our ICT provision. If you are aware that your business can support our continuing ICT development by donating ICT equipment please do not hesitate to contact Russell Bowen, Deputy Headteacher, on r.bowen@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk or contact 0121 250 5406.
From 15 - 18 July, Emily Seabrook (left), U6 had the unique opportunity to learn about how technologies come together to create state of the art safe and efficient railway transport systems at a course hosted by the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham, Emily was one of a number of students exploring a range of subjects including aerodynamics, signalling, train control and wheel rail adhesion. The course was run by The Smallpeice Trust and is part of an ongoing programme of residential courses to help young people aged 13-18 learn and develop skills in Engineering, Design, Technology and Manufacturing. If your son or daughter is interested in taking part in one of these excellent courses, please visit The Smallpeice Trust website for further details: www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Young Economist of the Year Andy Quach (6JH) was shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Economics Society Young Economist of the Year from amongst 1,164 entries. His essay on ‘whether universities embrace market forces in deciding what to teach and how’ challenged assumptions and demonstrated how economic ideas can address contemporary problems. Well done Andy!
September 2013
Page 4
New Year 7 get stuck in The photographs below reveal typical scenes across classrooms at the start of this term. Students are working enthusiastically and purposefully. Within the first week alone, over 2,000 merits were awarded. Our students know that hard work is the key to success.
World Challenge 2013 In July, a group from Year 9, ably assisted by their Head of Year Tom Williams and History teacher Daniel Everett, undertook a World Challenge Expedition to Croatia. They had a wonderful time. They experienced sea kayaking on the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. They visited the Paklenica National Park where they trekked and camped. Finally, they paddled the beautiful Zrmanja and Kurpa Rivers. It was an amazing trip. The staff were delighted by the outstanding behaviour and commitment from all our students. Ralph Brocklebank, Head of Year 9, is looking forward to leading his year group’s Summer 2014 World Challenge Adventure to Norway. Watch this space!
Grease 2014
Rehearsals are well under way for our whole school production of Grease taking place from Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 February 2014. Our lead singers are settling well into their roles as was evidenced by the quality of performance in our recent assemblies for Year 7 - 11 (pictured above). Sarah Slater, Teacher of English, and Maryann Dye, Director of Music, are the Producers of the show.
Music Results Orchestral Percussion: Alex Beedle - Grade 2 : Merit, Nick Lee - Grade 3 : Merit, Ryan Bagley - Grade 6 : Distinction, Alex Heckels - Grade 8 : Pass, Dan Van – Grade 8 : Merit. Trumpet : Harry Griffiths - Grade 4 : Pass, Tom Parkes - Grade 4 : Pass, Harry Chiam – Grade 6 : Merit Cornet: Jack O’Hara – Grade 4 : Pass. Saxophone : Yuze Zhao - Grade 6 Pass
BVGS Newsletter
Page 5
BVGS Rugby Tour 2013
BVGS students were great ambassadors for our community on this summer’s three week rugby tour to the Southern Hemisphere! The feedback from host families was that our students were ‘courteous and communicative, polite and impeccably well-behaved. They were a total credit to their families’. The tour began in Newcastle, Australia, where students were warmly received by Mereweather School. On the rugby field, old rivalries were renewed with Bishop Vesey’s winning the junior fixture but Mereweather proving too strong in the seniors. Next stop was Sydney where students absorbed the sights before flying further south. On arrival in New Zealand, the tour party were immersed in Maori culture in Rotorua, and then headed to Wellington for a fixture against St Patrick’s College where both teams won. We then visited the Rathakiel College where both sides performed well but lost. However, the disappointment was offset by the warm hospitality of this farming community. Two games against Horowhenua College saw honours even with seniors winning and juniors losing. A visit to the South Island gave students chance to experience the stunning beauty of the landscape and complete their rugby experience, with the junior side snatching a dramatic last minute draw at Garin College and the seniors falling just short at the final hurdle against Motueka High School. All in all, an unforgettable experience for everyone involved with final statistics of P10, W4, D1, and L6. Thanks to Dave Goodwin, Assistant Headteacher, Zak Feaunati, Julian Whiting and Steve Hall for organising a magnificent tour.
Year 7 Rugby and Hockey Starter Courses, September 2013
Year 7 made an excellent start to their school careers at the Year 7 Rugby Starter Course and the Year 7 Hockey Starter Camp, led by England player David Beckett. Students showed great enthusiasm and commitment. It all bodes well for the Class of 2013.
VESEYANS RFC - A GREAT PLACE TO BE! Veseyans started 2013/14 early and in style with a comprehensive 63-16 victory over Yardley in the North Mid's Shield. They face stiffer competition in the next round away at Pershore. In the absence of Zak Feaunati on the school tour, pre-season training has been under the watchful eye of senior coaches Swilly Ward, Mike Dell and Neil Dawson. The 1st home league fixture takes place on 21 September, KO 3.00pm. The U-17 squad have commenced training on Thursday evenings alongside the seniors, and now all junior squads (U-12 to U-17) are training on Sunday 10.00am-12.00noon at The Memorial Ground, Little Hardwick Road. Redevelopment plans include a 25k investment in a fully self-contained changing and showering facility for the Junior section in advance of next summer's major building project catering for the growth in the Junior section. There are also plans to improve the changing, training, floodlighting and parking facilities at the club. For more information please contact either Iain Tatlow Junior Section Chairman on 07792 400569 or Mark Tonks Club Chairman 07957 805987.
September 2013
Page 6
Attain Travel is a proud sponsor of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Sports
Sainsbury’s School Games, September 2013 - Sheffield
Daniel Powell 11W participated in both the individual and team events over two days at the Sainsbury’s School Games in Sheffield, competing in the U21 minus 60kg category. He had a total of six fights facing tough opponents from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Brazil. Daniel performed very well, winning two bronze medals.
Hamish Carter 10W represented BVGS and England in Mens Artistic Gymnastics at the 2013 Sainsbury’s School Games in Sheffield. Competing against older teams from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England’s superiority was never in doubt with the team taking Gold by a staggering 18.800 point margin. As well as Team Gold, Hamish took the Individual Bronze medal in the All Around Competition (an unfortunate fall on High Bar costing him the Gold) He also qualified for apparatus finals on Pommel and Vault the following day. In the Vault final he decided to forego a medal position in order to complete a previously untried ‘double twisting straight Kazamatsu ‘ in preparation for International competitions in Italy and Belgium next month. A stunning Pommel routine saw him surpass the previous day’s performance to score a Personal Best of 13.450 becoming the 2013 School Games Pommel Horse Champion.
Brinder Phagura
Raven Sarjit Kickboxing Champion
Brinder has had a superb cricket season which culminated in a call up for Warwickshire 2nd XI against a combined Hampshire and Surrey 2nd XI at Coventry and North Warwicks Cricket Club. Brinder took five wickets over the course of the 2 innings in the game which was an excellent debut. He has also played regularly for West Bromwich first team in the Birmingham Premier League and taken 27 wickets over the season. This is one of the strongest leagues in the country and shows he has great potential for the future. He captained the school first team and made significant contributions with bat and ball, notably taking 20 wickets at an average of 12. Brinder received his 2nd XI call up on the back of his excellent league form but also from his U’17 form for the County. He has been very consistent all year and will be hoping to make further progress over the winter months.
Raven is to represent his country in the World Cup Tournament in Germany at the beginning of October competing against kickboxers from all around the world. He has been kickboxing for almost six years and as he progressed towards his Black Belt, he became a very good competitor in tournaments, achieving many first places and several titles - 2011 WOMAA World Champion, Multiple British Champion, Midlands Champion and East Anglian Champion. Raven is also a member of the Storm Team, through which he demonstrates to other students his attitude and application. He has now started to learn other martial arts including Jeet Kun Do, Thai Boxing and conventional boxing.
BVGS Golf As Warwickshire County Champions 2013, BVGS Golf Team - School Captain Tom Jones U6, Monty Foley-Williamson L6 and Matthew Ryan 8G enjoyed competing at the National Schools’ Team Championship at Woodhall Spa Gold Club, Lincolnshire on Wednesday 10 July. They did not win but they represented the school with professionalism and pride. Well done!
BVGS Newsletter
Page 7
Old Veseyan News Shaggy Dogs’ Tea Party On Wednesday 17 July the Shaggy Dogs held their annual tea party in the garden of Peter and Sheila Randon. The weather was glorious and the turn out excellent. Prior to the tea party a group of ‘Shaggy Dogs’ came into school. They were shown around their old classrooms by a group of Year 9 students - Josh Bosman, Joe Frankham, Dan Beggan, Charlie Steventon and Laurie Harries. Over a light lunch they were able to reminisce and hear about what school life is like for the Veseyans of today. Afterwards, Brett Waldron, Stephen Lyncook, Kyle Ambris and Callum Delaney, all from Year 9, accompanied Headteacher Dominic Robson and retired Executive Head David Iddon to the Tea Party.
Left to right ; Graham Cooper, Gordon Brodie, Nick Hammond, Roger Crees, Bryan Roberts ‐ Shaggy Dogs and former boarders at BVGS
Lieutenant-Commander Peter Marshall RN Peter Marshall was born on 18 January 1931 in Birmingham. A builder's son, he was educated at BVGS in the 1940s and had started to read Mining Engineering at Leeds University when, in 1954, he decided to join the Royal Navy and learnt to fly at the US Navy flying school at Pensacola, Florida. In 1969 he was awarded the Boyd Trophy for exceptional skill and personal courage, and received an AFC. He served for 18 years with the Royal Australian Navy, commanding 724 Naval Air Squadron at Nowra, NSW. Peter Marshall married Carolyn Baker in 1955. She survives him with their 10 children. He died on 3 August 2013, aged 82. The Renewal of Old Friendships and the Welfare of the School
Kids United Vision Kids United Vision is a registered charity which two of our students, Mo (L6) and Ali Mirza (11W), help to run. They donate materials to support foundations which house orphans in Iraq, India, Sierra Leone and Mexico. Over the last two years BVGS financial donations from non-uniform days, Sumo Wrestling and cake sales have helped to fund educational projects, led by Kids United Vision. The picture to our right shows a moving thank you to all of us from the orphans of Darul Yathama Orphanage, India. Thank you to all our generous Veseyans for your support.
A - Level
Record Exam Results
GCSE
September 2013
Page 8
The Vesey Foundation Our Purpose Inspirational teaching and learning Academic excellence, a spirit of enquiry and curiosity Enrichment opportunities building leadership, independence and resilience A warm, outward-looking community, celebrating diversity and supporting others
Key Principles We are an advisory forum of governors, staff, former students, parents and supporters of the school We receive reports on plans and progress on fundraising activities from the school We act as a network of contacts to provide appropriate assistance and help to the school in fundraising activities We welcome, through social events and networking, the local and wider community to visit our outstanding school at first hand
Top school for STEM subjects listed in the Good School Guide 2012 Outstanding achievement: 42nd state school in the country for A Level (2013) An outstanding record of students attending top universities: just under two-thirds go to the elite Russell Group universities Awarded ‘Leading Edge’ status because of the outstanding standard of our teaching and achievement Winners of Birmingham Schools Games 2012 and 2013. A centre of excellence for rugby, cricket, hockey and rowing First school in Birmingham to sign up to ‘The Time to Change’ Campaign Bespoke musical facilities in the Clive Richards’ Centre where 18 different musical instruments are taught
Donations to The Vesey Foundation help us immensely with the achievements listed above, and without the financial support we have received over the years from parents and benefactors in the wider Vesey Community, much of this would not be possible. If you have not already done so, please join our campaign to make further significant improvements by making a donation through The Annual Fund. Download a form via the school website or e-mail: s.weblin@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk.
Thank you for your support