In Touch With Wells Cathedral School

The importance of Outdoor Education

Welcome from the Head Master

I have always been struck by the etymology of the word ‘education’. It seems that there are two Latin roots to the English word. The first from ‘educare’ which means ‘to train’ or ‘to mould’. And the second from ‘educere’ meaning ‘to lead out’.

This second definition is one I have always considered to be especially powerful. It relates, of course, to the process of ‘training’ and the way teachers can ask questions to guide a pupil to an understanding of themselves and the world around them.

But perhaps more importantly, I feel it really gets to the core of what we are trying to do as educators at Wells. It aligns beautifully to our motto ‘Be What You Are’ and our interpretation of that motto - that through our teaching we are encouraging pupils to 'become the best they can be’.

Our role, alongside that of parents, is to help our pupils discover who they are and to understand better every day more about what their interests and passions are. That journey of discovery is one that never ends, of coursecan any of us ever truly say we ‘know who we are?’ But perhaps the most significant stage of that journey is a young person’s school years.

If we as a School can assist our pupils to better understand themselves and can help them identify and nurture passions which will propel them into the world beyond Wells and last a lifetime, then we can consider our job as a School well done.

Enabling that discovery can happen in numerous ways - in the classroom, in music ensembles, in sports teams, in drama productions, through community work, to name but a few. It’s why we believe so passionately at Wells in the need for an all-round and holistic education.

But let’s return to the root of what education means - the ability for young people to be led ‘outside’ and to discover the world around them, with all its potential and challenge. That’s why I’m so proud that we provide so many opportunities for pupils of all ages to be led, quite literally, outside via our Outdoor Learning programme and that this forms such a significant part of a Wells education. I’m delighted that this edition of InTouch highlights this aspect of our provision, and enables us to celebrate what we do here in this regard, alongside all our other areas of focus and achievement.

So I hope you will enjoy reading this round-up of the School’s most recent activity and, like me, glow with pride about all that our pupils are engaging in and achieving. But most importantly, I hope it reassures you that what we offer our pupils here at Wells really is the most wonderful education in the truest sense of the word.

TheSchool'sOutdoorEducationTeam,fromlefttoright:MrDine,MrBarnard,MrsGray,MrDavies, MrKershaw,MrBoot,MrPlum,MrRowleyandMrPadgett.Notpictured:MrDosanjhandMrsDavies.

The importance of Outdoor Education

Wells Cathedral School has for a long time placed an emphasis on outdoor learning. The School is proud to provide an extensive programme of education which is designed to help pupils improve and develop character traits in self-confidence, resourcefulness, resilience and perseverance. This ethos enhances our School's values

Year9cadetsatPriddyMineries honingtheirskillsfortheDofE expedition,April2024

of CARE. Through outdoor learning, pupils must be creative in finding solutions to challenges; they must aspire towards self-improvement and overcoming defeat; they must take responsibility for the welfare of their companions as well as for themselves; and finally they can endeavour to become the best version of themselves.

Wells has its own team of specialist staff on-hand to guide our pupils, many of whom are teaching staff. Head of Outdoor Learning, Mr Kershaw, says, "We’reluckytohave auniqueteamofteacherswhoare verypassionateaboutandqualified inarangeofoutdoorsports.There’s enormousvalueinhavingacademic staffaccompanychildrentothings in co-curricular areas because pupilsandstaffgettoseeeachother inatotallydifferentlight.Pupilswho don’t favour the classroom often excelinotherareasandit’sgreat forpupilstoseestafftryingthings they’renotexpertsat,asitsetsa

GoldDukeofEdinburghaward practiceexpeditioninthe BlackMountains,April2023

reallypositiveexamplethatit’s okaytogivethingsagoandnotbe brilliantateverything.Itimproves theirrapportwhichthenhasabig effect back in the classroom."

Of his own experience, he says: "Iwasquitegoodatkayaking, howeverIwaspetrifiedofgoing upsidedowninwater,whichIhad

todotopassacourse.Ihadan amazingkayakingteacherthough whostoodwaistdeepintheThames foranhourandahalfoneevening waitingformetocalmdownand tryit,thenthenexteveninghewas outthereagainwaitingforme.Iwas veryluckytohavethatandIfeltthat Iwanted to do that for others."

Senior School activities include: climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, caving, mountain biking, bouldering, camp craft, navigation, orienteering, first aid, marksmanship, camping trips, hillwalking, mountaineering and bushcraft among others.

The School also offers a number of annual residential and day trips along with international adventures. In recent years, the School has run trips to Everest Base Camp, Iceland, and Machu Picchu. Every year the School gives pupils the opportunity to go skiing in the Alps.

Locally, activities take place either on the School premises or pupils can take advantage of the surrounding Somerset landscape, to enjoy sailing, caving, abseiling and rock climbing among many others. Mr Kershaw adds, "We have accesstoarangeofenvironments andsportsthatmostschoolsdon’t because of the facilitieswe have on-site and the area that surrounds us. Over Christmaswe trained five morestafftobecomeclimbing wall instructorswhowill soon be fullyqualified,pluswe’veboughta fleetofpaddleboardsandafleetof kayaks.Wecanrunafullclimbing orkayakingsessioninanhour which meanswe can run five in a day,andbeoutandbackfroman adventureontheMendipswithinan hour aswell."

Pupils in Years 7 & 8 are invited to join the 909s, a timetabled lesson which offers activities including camp craft, expedition cooking, first aid, navigation and leadership training. This is useful for pupils who participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which is encouraged from Year 9 onwards. Pupils can also join the School's Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which has both an Army section and a Navy section. Many of our pupils who started out as members of the CCF have benefitted directly from their training and gone on to join the Armed Forces after school.

An outdoor education cannot start too soon; all the Prep School staff support the outdoor learning programme which offers a wide range of activities from our smallest pupils in Nursery to our eldest in Year 6. In addition to a range of outdoor play facilities, including an all-weather lawn, an adventure playground and The Enchanted Forest, pupils enjoy a range of fun and active outdoor opportunities as part of their curriculum, which includes: scavenger hunts, building dens, gardening and digging the vegetable patch, creating mud art and hunting mini beasts.

Pupils from Nursery to Year 2 enjoy a weekly WellyWednesday session where they benefit from the Forest School ethos, learning important skills such as fire safety and tool use, and leaving the session with a real sense of achievement. Children are encouraged and taught to understand risks, learn the importance of boundaries and develop the skills of communication and collaboration. Mr Gibson, who co-ordinates the Prep School's outdoor learning says, "This is a

vitalpartofchildren'seducation. Wellbeingisakeycomponentofthe PrepSchool-andwiderSchool'sethos,andouroutdoorprogramme facilitatesthis,allowingchildrento experienceacalmspaceattimesin whatisaverybusySchool."

WellyWednesday has been so successful with our Pre-Prep that it has been extended fully into the School's KS2 programme for Years 3 & 4. Through this, pupils get to enhance their skills from previous years. Year 4 pupils take part in a camping sleepover, held off-site, to help build up their resilience before the big residentials in Years 5 & 6. Pupils toast marshmallows, build fires and enjoy free time to play and explore in nature. All this helps pupils to develop key skills in motivation, risk taking and team work. Most importantly, the children love it!

Mr Gibson says, "Byembracing outdooreducation,we can foster healthier,engaged,andwellroundedpupils.Itisessential thereforetocontinueadvocatingfor andinvestinginoutdooreducation."

Year4pupilsenjoyingtheir annualcamp,June2024

Lower Sixth pupil Phoebe discusses her experience of the Royal Navy section of the CCF while Upper Sixth pupil Finn is the RSM of the Army section. We caught up with both pupils to find out more about their experiences and whether they would recommend joining the School's CCF.

Please introduce yourselves...

Phoebe: I study English, Classics and History of Art, and take part in sport and CCF. I’m not musical! I joined the School in Year 7 and started the CCF in Year 9. I’m thinking about going into the Armed Forces after university.

Finn: I joined Wells in Year 7 and I’m now just about to finish the Upper Sixth. I study Maths, Economics and Biology for my A levels and I take part in the CCF as well as play Rugby and Hockey.

What are your roles in the CCF?

Phoebe: I am a Warrant Officer which is the top rank in the Navy section. I lead my section, help prepare Wednesday CCF sessions and assist with teaching the cadets.

Finn: I’m the RSM, a senior cadet in the Army section. My role involves

planning what the cadets will be doing week-to-week based on general direction from the staff, meetings with the other senior cadets to plan how to deliver training to the younger cadets, and overseeing their delivery to their sections on the day. I also organise the parades outside Cedars House, making sure everyone is present, registered and wearing the correct uniform, and lead the cadets.

Why did you choose to go into your particular sections of the CCF?

Phoebe: My dad was a Royal Marine and advised that the Navy section would suit me. I really love water and wanted to do water-based activities as they seemed so fun.

Finn: I chose the Army so that I could go on the field exercises, doing tactics and manoeuvres while having fun outside!

What’s unique about the CCF at Wells Cathedral School?

Phoebe: The opportunities, activities and courses the School offers are pretty amazing. For example, last summer I did my sailing levels one and two.

Finn: The CCF is a good place for the different year groups to do something together. The activities will often be a whole range of years working together in the same group.

What’s the best thing you’ve done as part of the CCF?

Finn: Definitely the field exercises, which include shooting blanks and the experience of sleeping out in the field and eating rations!

Phoebe: During the Remembrance weekend last November I had the opportunity to go to London. I marched past the Cenotaph which

was very emotional, and I was part of the front-of-house team handing out flyers and collecting donations during the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. I got to see the performance too!

What are the teachers like?

Phoebe: Really good! They’re enthusiastic, they want to be there and help you. CCF has a reputation for being quite scary because of all the shouting but once you get there it’s not that bad!

What does the average cadet do?

Phoebe: Parade at 3pm on a Wednesday, then break away to take part in activities. We have trips like Yeovilton and firefighting. I look forward to it every week.

PGL weekend

Year 9 pupils enjoyed glorious weather in May while at PGL in Weymouth. They participated in a wide range of activities including aeroball, archery tag, axe throwing, climbing, dragon boat racing, giant swing and zip wire, with additional highlights of toasting marshmallows, skimming stones on the beach and somersaulting off enormous stand up paddle boards into the sea! Well done, Year 9, for making the whole trip a very enjoyable weekend!

Finn: On Wednesday afternoons the cadets parade and then take part in activities such as adventure training which have been planned by the Lower Sixth cadets with guidance from the teachers. Three times a year we take part in fieldcraft weekends, and there is an annual week-long camp in the summer.

What will prospective cadets get out of joining the CCF?

Phoebe: Confidence, how to work together in a team and the chance to lead. It’s also very helpful to the Year 9s that are doing their Bronze DofE as they train in navigation.

Finn: On top of vast amounts of fun, the skills you develop from it: teamwork, leadership and confidence. You learn so many new

things and are put in potentially uncomfortable situations like being in the field when it’s raining and eating rations. The skills aren’t just applicable to work in the field, but to your whole life. We’ve got the same rank structure as the Army and rising through the ranks has given me experience in planning fairly complex things and delivering them to other people. I would recommend it to anyone interested in DofE as in Year 9 we start training cadets in first aid, cooking, erecting tents and navigation which are vital expedition skills.

If you had to sum up the CCF in one line, what would it be?

Phoebe: Amazing.

Finn: Opportunities for adventure!

From the CCF to The Rifles!

Old Wellensian Emily Smith (2014), who is currently serving in The Rifles, successfully defended her title as the fastest female crosscountry skier in the Army earlier this year. She and a group of her soldiers were welcomed at 10 Downing Street by another Old Wellensian,

Mark Shercliff (1998), to mark their achievements in the recent military Nordic skiing competition.

Mark, also a member of The Rifles, currently serves as the Prime Minister's Military Assistant.

Royal Navy adventures

In March, 23 of our Navy cadets took part in a Try-Dive session in the School swimming pool. Two instructors from the Dive and Adventure Training team delivered the sessions. The cadets learned how to use self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and to manage their buoyancy under the water. Thank you to lifeguards Olly (Lower Sixth), Peter and Olie (Upper Sixth) for staffing the sessions. Later that month, the Navy cadets were visited in the same week by Petty Officer John Hamlin who is a Marine Engineering submariner. PO Hamlin is currently based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, and is conducting a Base Maintenance Period (BMP) of HMS Audacious. The section is really grateful for PO Hamlin’s time and thank him for giving an interesting insight into life in the Royal Navy.

Later in March, 18 Royal Navy cadets visited the airbase at RNAS Yeovilton (picturedbottom right). During their last visit to the airbase, the Commander of the Wildcat Maritime Force set up an affiliation with the School, so it was a privilege to be able to visit the Wildcat Helicopters again. The cadets received a tour of the fire station, M3M gun shop, air traffic control tower and radar room. They were also allowed in to watch the underwater escape training, where serving military personnel had to escape from a Wildcat that had been submerged in a swimming pool. A big thank you to Mr Padgett and Mr Lancey for taking the trip.

In March, 19 Royal Navy cadets visited HMS Raleigh in Torpoint to take part in the Damage Repair Instruction Unit (DRIU) and Fire-Fighting demonstration. The cadets learnt techniques used by the Royal Navy to fix damage to a ship following a missile attack. They had to work fast in dark, smoky and very wet conditions. Following this, they were instructed how to put out a number of different types of fire that might happen on board a ship and had a go at using a fire extinguisher and the large water hose!

In May, Year 9 & 10 CCF cadets took part in clay pigeon shooting at the Mendip Shooting Ground. Established in 1950, the Mendip Shooting Ground is a popular local venue for clay pigeon shooting.

Early May marked the maiden voyage of our six-week course for the Navy section, and what a glorious start it was! With 11 enthusiastic pupils on board, the tranquil waters of Cheddar Reservoir provided the perfect backdrop for learning and adventure. Our sailors honed their skills in rigging the boats and even enjoyed the thrill of recovering from being capsized. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for personal growth, but also to develop camaraderie among our pupils. Here's to smooth sailing and more exciting voyages ahead!

Congratulations to the Year 9 Army cadets who have reached the standard to wear The Rifles beret!

The benefits of climbing

Senior School teacher Luke Dosanjh teaches climbing and bouldering as part of the Wells Outdoor Education programme. He discusses not only the physical benefits of climbing, but the relationship between climbing and mental health.

When you look up at a mountain or a climbing wall, you might imagine that only the strongest, fittest individuals can tackle such challenges. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Climbing is an activity that offers something for everyone, including children and teens, regardless of their physical fitness level.

Since the early 2000s, climbing has soared in popularity, particularly among young people. The Tokyo Olympics in 2020 brought even more attention to the sport, especially bouldering; climbing without ropes or harnesses at lower heights. Today, bouldering centres and climbing gyms are popping up all over the UK. I remember when Bristol had just one climbing centre; now, there are over five. You might even know someone with a climbing wall in their garage!

One reason climbing is so popular is that it's now more accessible than ever. In the past, you might have needed a friend to take you to a remote quarry or sea cliff to learn the ropes, often returning home exhausted and overwhelmed. Nowadays, you can simply visit your local gym, sign up for a session, and learn in a safe, indoor environment. You can build your confidence indoors before deciding to venture outdoors if you wish. Here at Wells we have our very own indoor climbing wall where pupils can learn new skills and hone their climbing techniques.

Climbing provides a fantastic full-body workout; an hour of climbing can be more effective than two hours in the gym. Within weeks, you’ll notice improvements in your strength, particularly in your fingers, as well as increased flexibility, especially in your hips, as you learn new moves. Climbing naturally enhances your balance and spatial awareness. It is low-impact, as it involves varied movements and uses all four limbs, minimising wear and tear on the body.

But climbing isn't just about physical fitness. It also offers numerous mental and emotional benefits. Climbing is an excellent way to relieve stress. It requires focus on many different things at once, which helps improve problem-solving skills. The sense of achievement when completing a climb, no matter how challenging, boosts self-confidence and creates a desire to keep improving. This activity also helps with mindfulness, proper breathing, body awareness and understanding personal limits.

Additionally, certain types of climbing help build trust and teamwork, which can be especially beneficial for children and teens. Relying on a partner or belayer to keep you safe during a climb teaches trust and responsibility. Over time, this creates strong bonds between climbers. The climbing community is thriving and diverse, with many young people eager to explore different types of climbing. The opportunities are endless, as are the benefits.

Encouraging your child to take up climbing could be one of the best decisions you make for their physical health, mental well-being, and social development. Whether they’re looking to try a new sport, make friends, or simply have fun, climbing offers a fantastic way to achieve all these goals.

Q&A: Climbing with Olivia

Upper Sixth pupil Olivia is a regular on the School climbing wall. We caught up with her to ask what draws her to the wall and what advice she’d give to someone considering climbing.

Tell us about yourself...

I’m studying English Literature, Classical Civilisation and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics; I plan to study Philosophy and Politics at the University of Exeter. I also take singing and songwriting lessons as I’m classically trained. I joined Wells in the Lower Sixth and started climbing in my second Term. I decided to give it a go as I wanted to move away from competitive team sports. The teachers were really lovely straight away and I instantly had a good relationship with my belay partner. I’m going to look for a climbing wall and club when I go to university.

How often do you climb?

Twice a week. I did an extra climb when the wall was reset in April as I was so excited!

What do you enjoy about climbing?

I like that it’s a close-knit, supportive community and climbing is absolutely thrilling. You get a huge rush of adrenaline when you reach the top of the wall and it relieves tension when my A levels feel stressful. You don’t have to worry about disappointing anyone

because your climbing progress is very personal, it’s about your own merit and improving your ability at your own pace. I’ve noticed that I’m trying harder now where I would have given up previously.

What are the benefits of climbing?

You feel supported, you relieve stress and it’s fun! Climbing is something that I look forward to. If I feel tired, it doesn’t stop me from getting on the wall. It makes me feel much better.

What do you like about the climbing wall at Wells?

Whether you’re a beginner, somewhere in the middle or insanely good, there are different levels you can do. The new wall has even higher grades than the old wall so there are more challenges.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about giving climbing a go?

Do it! Go with or without your friends; you will meet people and you’ll find someone to belay with. Ask someone questions about climbing and themselves to get a conversation going.

HisMajestyplanting"TheKing'sTree",thestunningBlue Atlas Cedaron Cedars Lawn, in 1978.

Royal visit

The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust (WCCT ) was honoured to welcome its Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO to Wells In April.

The School is delighted that the WCCT has set up home in Polydor House. The move was completed just before HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh visited, where she was delighted to see the new office. The School works incredibly closely with The Chorister Trust, an independent charity, whose sole aim is to provide scholarships and bursaries to the choristers of Wells Cathedral. To find out more about what they do visit www.wcct.co.uk or pop in and see them.

His Majesty King Charles III retains Patronage of Wells Cathedral School

We are delighted that His Majesty King Charles III will remain the Patron of our School. The King made this announcement following a major review of more than 1,000 royal patronages and charity presidencies. Buckingham Palace undertook the review following the King’s accession in September 2022. Although he has had to relinquish hundreds of charities and organisations, Buckingham Palace said that King Charles III has retained patronages that highlight causes supporting communities, conservation and culture among others.

Alastair Tighe, Head Master, comments:“We are thrilled anddeeplyhonouredthatHisMajestyhaschosento continuehispatronageofWellsCathedralSchool, especiallywhenweknowhissupportisvaluedbyso manyotherimportantinstitutionsandorganisations.

Given the foundation of the Schoolwas on the instructionofKingEdwardtheElder(secondKingof England)inAD909,weareespeciallygratefulandproud thatthecurrentKinghaschosentoretaintheSchool’s historiclinktoroyaltyaswellashisownpersonal long-standingassociationwithuswhilehewasPrince ofWales.Inturn,wearecommittedtocontinuingto championthemanyworthwhilecauseswhichareso importanttoHisMajesty.”

Atlunch,HerHighnesssatwithformerchoristers, GregoryWillsandMaddiePerring,bothnowstudying atmusiccollege,andrecentleaversandcurrent choristers, Estella, Oliver,Aleksei and Rosie.

Event on The Lawn

"It’sofficial-EventontheLawn2024wasahuge success!FromthePrepSchooltotheSixthForm, 30ofWells’bestsingersandbandslitupthestage onSaturdaynightinfrontofhundredsofourminifestival’sguests,alltoraisefundsforWells’partner schools in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Overall,betweentwostagesandasilentdisco(which fortheveryfirsttimefeaturedlivepupilDJs!),over12 hoursofmusicwereperformed.Betweenticketsales,

the raffle, the stalls, the foodvendors, oursilent disco, andmore,theeventintotalraisedjustunder£3,800.

TheEventontheLawnTeam,madeupofHeadsof School,PrefectsandPopCaptainswouldliketogive ahugethankyoutoeachandeverypersonwho volunteeredtohelpmakethenightasmemorableasit was.Wewouldalsoliketothankeveryonewhobought aticketandcamealong-wehopeyouhadasmuchfun aswe did!"

Head of School Dimity (Upper Sixth) has written the following account of this year’s Event on the Lawn.

Photos by School Governor, Andrew Gummer.

Year 8’s German vegan cooking

During Epiphany Term, Mrs Alabiso’s Year 8 German class had a rather different lesson than usual - the group went to the kitchen in Haversham House to cook vegan food, in German! As part of a sustainable cooking competition, pupils enjoyed cooking individually or in groups using German words they’d learned this year. They filmed an introduction and listed their ingredients in German.

Mental Health Week

In February, the Prep and Senior School acknowledged Children’s Mental Health Week through tutor time activities and mindfulness workshops.

On WellbeingWednesday, pupils in the Senior School had a choice of five activities, devised by the Upper Sixth Welfare and Wellbeing Captains, to complete in their tutor groups. Underpinned by research that proves they can help support positive mental health, the activities included creating a drawing that represents positive mental health and wellbeing or doing some mindful colouring, going on a mindful walk, doing a random act of kindness, having a chat with someone different and asking them open questions, and listing five things pupils are grateful for. Pupils in the Prep School attended mindfulness workshops in Cedars Hall before a mental health assembly at the end of the day. They were encouraged to talk about their feelings, to focus on their breathing and to release stress.

Community Litter Picking

An enthusiastic group of Year 10 pupils were in litter picking action with Mrs Connock in February. From rusted barrels to an old mini fridge, the group were keen to collect everything they could to tidy up the local area.

During the Whitsun Term, Senior School pupils participated in hymn singing practice in the Cathedral below the stunning exhibition of Peace Doves carrying messages of peace, hope, and love.

Owl box at Bekynton

An owl box has been given to the School by the Wells & District Wildlife Group (WDWG) through the Wells Environmental Network. It has been installed in the large oak tree at the end of our Bekynton playing fields. It will be monitored by members of the WDWG with any signs of occupation reported to The Hawk and Owl Trust so that any resulting owlets can be recorded.

Florence awarded Bulkeley-Evans Scholarship

Many congratulations to Florence (Upper Sixth) on her receipt of HMC’s Bulkeley-Evans Scholarship. The Scholarship will enable Florence to spend a gap year in Sierra Leone. Mrs Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, comments, “I'mthrilledthatFlorencehasbeensuccessfulinherapplicationtothe Scholarshipfund.Thesegrantsarehighlysoughtafterandrecipientsof theawardsreportonhowthescholarshipshelpthemtobecomeinvolved inprojectswhichmakeasignificantdifferencetothelivesofothers,as wellasbeingtremendouslyrewardingforthemselves.Florence'splansto return to Sierra Leone showher determination to make a difference after havingvisitedthecountryaspartoftheSchool'sSierraLeoneProject.On herreturnshewillbeextremelywellplacedtoshareherexperiencesand encourageanothergenerationofWellensianstoparticipate."

2024 Maths Challenges

In February, 98 pupils from Years 9, 10 & 11 sat this year’s Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, a 60 minute problem-solving multiple choice test designed to stretch pupils’ mathematical thinking. The top 10% of achievers were awarded Gold Certificates by the UK Mathematics Trust, and we are pleased to share that 11 of our pupils achieved this standard. In addition, 15 pupils were awarded Silver Certificates and 27 were awarded Bronze Certificates. Particular congratulations must go to Kai (Year 10) for the highest score in the School, Nathan for the highest score in Year 11 and Enzo for the highest score in Year 9.

Eight pupils were then invited to take part in the follow-on round,

sitting the Intermediate Kangaroo paper towards the end of the Lent Term. Of these, six chose to sit the paper, of which En Xuan (Year 9) was awarded a Certificate of Merit. Following a good performance in the Senior Mathematics Challenge last November, OW Sam Prichard (2019) was invited to sit the Senior Kangaroo paper at the end of the Advent Term where he was placed among the top 25% of scorers from over 4,000 entrants, and was awarded a Certificate of Merit.

In March, pupils in Years 10 & 11 represented Wells at team Maths competitions. Archie and Maria (Year 10) and Ellie and Nathan (Year 11) spent the afternoon at Millfield School, competing in rounds of

head-to-head challenges, fizz buzz with a twist and shuttle races. Ernest, Maria, Bella and Benedicta (Year 10) travelled further afield to Bridport for the School’s first visit to the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP) Maths Feast, performing well against tough opposition and winning the ‘Mad Hatters’ round.

In April, 54 pupils from Years 7 & 8 and seven pupils from the Prep School sat this year’s Junior Mathematics Challenge, a 60 minute problem-solving multiple choice test designed to stretch pupils’ mathematical thinking. The top 10% of achievers are awarded Gold Certificates by the UK Mathematics Trust - we are pleased to say that

four pupils achieved this standard! In addition, 17 pupils were awarded Silver Certificates and 12 were awarded Bronze Certificates. Three pupils have been invited to take part in the follow-on rounds, sitting either the Junior Kangaroo or Junior Olympiad paper in June. Particular congratulations to Zino (Year 8) for being the highest scorer in School, Shanna for being the highest scorer in Year 7, Michael and Cameron

(Year 8) for winning Gold Certificates and Celine, who received a Silver Certificate as the highest scorer in Year 6.

In May, pupils entered the University of Southampton Maths Challenge in which pupils work on a series of problems in their own time, having to produce full written solutions to each problem without guidance from their teachers.

UKMT Team Challenge

In April, a team of four talented Maths specialists from Years 8 & 9 took part in the first United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Team Maths Challenge since Covid. We were delighted to once again take part in this competition where pupils tackled four rounds: group round, cross number, shuttle and relay. En Xuan (Year 9), Lorcan (Year 9), William (Year 8) and Zino (Year 8) worked with focus and accuracy to score highly in each round. The top placed schools were all very close and Wells was placed 3rd overall out of the 11 teams! Well done to the team who were excellent ambassadors for the School.

The amount of time pupils need to spend on this is significant and should not be underestimated! This year the theme for the problems was Zodiac signs. We are pleased to share that in the Senior Challenge, Lucille (Year 10) was awarded a third place prize, in the Junior Challenge Michael and Zino (Year 8) were awarded second place prizes and Shanna (Year 7) was awarded first place - an outstanding achievement!

Thriving Minds conference

The Thriving Minds conference in Oxford was an enlightening event that made a profound impact on our group of eight Lower Sixth pupils. Throughout the day, speakers engaged the 500 attendees in discussions covering a wide range of topics. From exploring the ethical implications of advancing technology to addressing strategies for personal growth and well-being in an everchanging world, the talks provided valuable insights into pressing issues of our time. The conference offered our pupils a unique opportunity to delve into these complex subjects, sparking curiosity and encouraging critical thinking. It was a thought-provoking experience that inspired them to consider their roles in shaping the future. Magdalena (Lower Sixth) represented our School admirably during the concluding debate on AI, showcasing both her intellect and articulacy. Overall, the Thriving Minds conference was a catalyst for intellectual growth and reflection, leaving us eager for future engagements with such stimulating events.

Farewell to our short stay pupils

Safer Internet Week

In February, the Senior School marked Safer Internet Day during their tutor period through the theme of “Inspiring Change”. Mr Moore, Head of Computing, explained, “We have decided to look at the use of social media and howit can be addictive.We evaluated howthis affects the teen brain andhowitisstimulatedbydopamine.Weconsideredtheadvantages andthedisadvantagesofsocialmedia;itisnotgoingtogoaway,sowe wantourpupilstobeabletodetermineifithasanimpactontheirmental health.” Pupils watched short videos explaining the issues and the impact on the mind, then had a conversation with their tutor before completing an anonymous questionnaire inviting them to reflect on the themes discussed.

UCAS Fair

Lower Sixth pupils had the opportunity to visit the UCAS Discovery Fair in Exeter in March. This event is the first stage in the university application process and although it is still early days, the pupils had the chance to talk to representatives from universities from all over the UK.

Modern Foreign Language teacher Mrs Alabiso organised a farewell gathering for the short stay pupils leaving us at the end of the Lent Term. The group met for squash and biscuits in the Dining Hall, with pupils across different year groups coming to say goodbye. We wish the very best to everyone returning home and hope to stay in touch!

CSI Wells

During Lent Term, a group of Year 7 pupils learned about Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) as part of their Wednesday afternoon activities, completing a Detective Mystery Treasure Trail around the centre of Wells. They followed clues and solved riddles to eliminate evidence and suspects, reaching their final conclusion about ‘who dunnit’. In Whitsun Term, a group of 909s learnt about Forensic Toxicology, conducting flame tests on various substances to identify which metals were present based on the colour flames. The pupils loved seeing the blue-green flame colour of the copper compound!

UK Chemistry Olympiad

Congratulations to Sean, James, Myron, Poppy, Joseph and Leo (Upper Sixth) who have received their certificates for participating in round one of the UK Chemistry Olympiad. Leo was awarded gold, Poppy, Sean, Myron and James silver, and Joseph bronze. This meant that Leo was in the top 7% of entrants, with silver and gold forming the top third, and Joseph was in the top 45%.

Zino’s chess success

Before returning to School to start the Trinity Term, Zino (Year 8) took part in the Delancey UK Junior Chess Challenge, successfully qualifying for this year’s Gigafinals. Zino, competing in the U14 category of the Megafinal in Oxford, held his own in an extremely strong field of players. With three wins and a draw, Zino achieved a score of 3.5, seeing him through to the summer’s Gigafinals. Good luck, Zino!

T

h e B e e M u s i c a l

The Pre-Prep was (literally!) buzzing one week in March as their latest production, The Bee Musical, flew onto the stage. Ritchie Hall was a hive of activity while the children sang, danced and spread their wings, much to the delight of Prep School and parental audiences. There was certainly no bumbling as the children dazzled with their musical storytelling, and by the end no one doubted just how important it is to be a bee.

Welly Walk

Nursery and Pre-Prep pupils had an extra special reason to wear their wellies in May as they walked across Cedars Field in a Welly Walk to raise money for Children's Hospice South West in memory of former pupil Ottilie. Together they raised over £1000!

ur new Pre-Puppers!

Children in Nursery and Pre-Prep were delighted to welcome two new additions to the Pre-Prep family, and they happen to be of the four-legged, flappy-eared, fun-sized variety!

Fleur, Mrs Perdrix’s nine year old miniature dachshund, is a newly-accredited therapy dog. Her favourite things are chicken, cheese, tennis balls and cuddles! Fleur, a princess in disguise who is secretly very spoiled, is highly intelligent but knows how to ‘work it’ and will do anything for a piece of cheese! She has enjoyed

showing the children tricks such as ‘high five’ and ‘sausage roll’ and has already spent time listening to lots of children who need a chat. Fleur's buddy, Loki, loves listening to the children read. He also loves cuddles, but the children have shown an excellent understanding of how to be respectful of him. So far the children have taken the responsibility of being a dog owner very seriously and can explain all of the dos and don’ts including “stroke,don’tpoke!”. Fleur and Loki are thoroughly enjoying their important roles and sleeping well at the end of their working day.

Humanities Week

The first ever Prep School HumanitiesWeek, held at the end of the Whitsun Term, was a fun-packed week of educational activities.

Pupils enjoyed fascinating virtual visits and museum trips where they learned about archeological artefacts and travelled back in time to the Shang Dynasty, Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Pupils also explored life in wartime Somerset as well as the WWI trenches.

In Art lessons each class created a piece of art based on a continent they were given. Later in the week, pupils enjoyed learning watercolour techniques and painting an Amazon-inspired scene. Mr Kershaw, the Senior School Head of Outdoor Learning, took Geographers on a map-reading adventure around the School site. Pupils developed their orienteering skills and worked on their resourcefulness, resilience and collaborative skills.

The Prep School was so excited for this year’s World Book Day that some pupils began preparing early! Year 4 used their creativity skills and motivation to complete an exciting homework challenge; they were given an ordinary wooden spoon and had to turn it into an 'extraordinary' book character.

Concert with Bromley High Junior School

In April, the Prep School was delighted to welcome 46 children from Bromley High Junior School to take part in a joint concert in Cedars Hall. Having rehearsed choral and orchestral pieces separately in their respective schools, it was wonderful to come together for a joyful afternoon of collaborative music-making before performing to an appreciative audience. Thank you also to Soho and Emmy (Year 5) who performed stunning solos in the concert.

On the big day, staff and children dressed up as a vast array of characters. The day began with older pupils stepping into the role of reading buddies to help the younger years with their reading, then throughout the day everyone took part in a number of activities including workshops with illustrator

Jenna Herman. Jenna, together with Lucy Reynolds, created the book We AreFamily which celebrates the way different species are born and grow up in all kinds of families and the journey everyone undertakes to find their place in the world. The PrePrep then rounded off the day with a book sale.

Prep athletes celebrate successes

Several Prep School athletes are celebrating recognition of their hard work, dedication and talent. Many congratulations to our Prep School Sports Cup winners and everyone selected for inter-area cross country. Having competed in various Mendip League cross country events to achieve selection, they went on to represent Mendip in the Somerset Interleague event which took place in Yeovil during the Trinity Term. This is the highest number of runners ever selected from the Prep School to represent Mendip!

Prep School sewing

Miss Peters has been working with pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 on their sewing skills! Their creations have included a drawstring bag, a hair bow and bag, and a pillow for a pet dog. Miss Peters comments, “I have beensoimpressedwiththewaythechildrenhave appliedthemselvestothetaskathand.Thesesessions havegiventhemacreativefocusandtheyshouldtake prideinthewonderfulthingsthey’vemade.”

Year 4 paint-along

In March, Year 4 attended a live paint-along and Q&A session with artist John Dyer. Speaking to the class directly from The Eden Project, this opportunity linked to their rainforest topic. The children learnt lots of new painting techniques and had a chance to ask questions about rainforests, The Eden Project and learn about why cocoa trees are so important.

To space and back…

In June, Year 5 was treated to a workshop run by Space Detectives. They explored the universe and planets by participating in a Destination Mars workshop where they considered the challenges and implications of living on Mars. The morning began with a virtual tour of space with pupils transported into a technologically advanced SpaceWorld and awed by moments of discovery and learning as they journeyed through the use of VR headsets.

Gymnastics and Dance Display

The annual Prep School Gymnastics and Dance Display held in Cedars Hall showcased the incredible talents of dancers and gymnasts in the Prep School. The display featured a diverse range of performances including gymnastics routines, contemporary dance and hip-hop. Enthusiastic crowds of parents and pupils filled the Hall, cheering and clapping on participants of all ages. The event kicked off with an inspiring opening performance by the dance squad who set the tone for the event, highlighting the precision, fluency and electric energy. Next, the youngest athletes demonstrated their budding skills with a charming routine that combined basic tumbling, cartwheels, and ribbon routines. The more experienced gymnasts then took it up a notch with a thrilling Thriller performance, including handsprings, round-offs and a coordinated floor exercise. The finale highlight was the gym and dance squad's bespoke Wells Cathedral School cheer followed by an incredible freestyle finale and plenty of sparkly cannons to finish off. The Display was a resounding success, highlighting the dedication and talent of all participants. It provided a platform for young gymnasts and dancers to showcase their skills and brought our Wells community together to celebrate their achievements.

Year 4 learns about Ancient Egypt

Year 4 has travelled back in time to Ancient Egypt! In topic lessons, pupils researched key facts about pyramids and presented them on 3D pyramid models, played the competitive Ancient Egyptian board game Senet, and learnt how to read and write hieroglyphs. Some fantastically gory mummification instructions were written during English lessons which included excellent use of time adverbials and imperative verbs.

Prep Yoga

The Prep School Yoga Club made the most of the sunny weather in May, enjoying Yoga games, learning Yoga sequences and finding time to relax at the end of a busy day. The children enjoyed the mindfulness meditation at the end of the day and loved their lavender eye masks which added to their relaxation.

River Mells field study

Year 5 pupils put on their wellies and set off for a field study at the River Mells. They spotted and sketched areas of erosion and deposition, identified river features, caught and observed invertebrates, and measured the flow rate and depth of the river.

Prep pupils enjoying library refurbishment

Whilst the summer might well be here, wet weather has seen our Prep School pupils making the most of the continuing refurbishment of the Prep School Library. It's a relaxing space at break times as well as a great place to have reading sessions in English lessons! As keen readers, the children enjoy their library space and the expertise of their librarian whose book suggestions, word of the week display and book-based activities enrich their reading experiences. The new bean bags, a kind donation from the Parents and Friends’ Association, are certainly a welcome addition to the seating in the library area meaning that more children can relax and read throughout the day.

Trip to the Royal Photographic Society

In February, GCSE and A level Photography pupils visited the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol Paintworks to view the work of 50 selected photographers who entered the 165th International Photography Competition, the longest running photography competition in the world. Everyone was inspired by the wide range of photography styles in a range of media, and we hope that some of our pupils will be encouraged to enter it next year.

Jeffrey Blondes print donation

Creating quite the visual impact when entering the John Baxter Foyer is a large, archival pigment print on display that has been generously donated to the School by GBS Fine Art, Wells. This mesmerising piece of work, titled Field Oak, by contemporary landscape artist Jeffrey Blondes, is made up of horizontal strips consisting of 60 frames, one from each minute in the hour that the artist filmed a tree. He filmed for one hour each week of the year towards dusk, hence there are 52 strips. Blondes was originally a landscape painter but over the last 18 years he has turned his creative hand to making high definition films. Our thanks to GBS Fine Art and Jeffrey Blondes for this striking addition to the School's growing art collection.

Antonia Showering

3D Structures

In February, Old Wellensian and leading contemporary figurative painter Antonia Showering visited the Art Department for a tour of the studios in which she previously studied and to speak to some of our Sixth Form pupils about their work. Antonia made a really positive impression on our artists and she very kindly invited Senior School pupils to visit the Hauser and Wirth gallery in Bruton. She led a guided tour which included a highlyengaging explanation of her own paintings, which were on display at the heart of the exhibition.

Year 8 pupils Alice, Eloise and Grace created a selection of striking, translucent 3D structures using the School's 3D printer during a lunchtime 3D printing club. Inspired by the sculptor Henry Moore and works of architects such as Future Systems, Sir Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid, the pupils digitally and organically created and manipulated their own designs, focusing on the use of positive and negative form. They experimented with a range of different ideas using Tinkercad software before their final designs were constructed in actual 3D form.

Alfie's Rambert offer

After 16 months of intensive dance training, Alfie (Upper Sixth) has received a place at the globally-renowned Rambert School to train professionally in ballet and contemporary dance. Alfie also received offers from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Trinity Laban and The Place, all considered among the UK's top-rated dance schools. Alfie's journey began at Wells, where he started his dance education under the guidance of Miss Cannon, as well as additional classes at CATS and Sue Hill Dance School. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Alfie for this remarkable accomplishment, and we eagerly anticipate his continued success.

Senior School Dance Team’s competition success

In May, our Senior School Dance Team showcased their talent at a national dance competition in Bath, hosted by the Aaron Dwyer Company. Performing five routines before a panel of esteemed dance professionals, they danced against numerous schools from across the South West. Following a day filled with competition, our Team returned triumphant. They clinched three first place titles, a second, and a third, along with securing two workshop wins that earned them scholarship placements. Additionally, our duet performance was awarded the best choreography of the day out of 209 remarkable performances! A huge congratulations to Alfie (Upper Sixth), Lilly (Upper Sixth), Camilla (Lower Sixth), Josie (Year 11), Henry (Year 9) and Heidi (Year 9) for their outstanding achievements and a heartfelt thank you to Ms Cannon for leading Dance this year with such commitment, creativity and energy.

Stunning Dance Showcase receives standing ovation

Senior Dance pupils dazzled at their annual showcase in May, titled Don't Turn Back. Twenty-one pupils brought the Greek myth of OrpheusandEurydice to life through captivating dance, enthralling a packed audience at Cedars Hall.

It was a truly unforgettable night that featured an array of solos, duets, and group numbers in styles ranging from contemporary and lyrical to jazz, commercial, acro and ballet pointe.

Maple & Fleur Photography

Shakespeare Spectacular!

Huge congratulations to the Years 7-9 cast of As You Like It and Romeo&Juliet for an outstanding week of performances in March. Audiences were blown away by the level of creativity, choreography, set, costumes and quality of performances and storytelling.

Pupils were praised for their professionalism, clarity, focus and talent. An array of different skills was displayed and performed to a high standard: acting, dancing, singing, stage combat and physical theatre, all enhanced by the soundtrack of our skilled musicians.

TheGirls’2ndVIIhasgonefromstrengthtostrengththisyear, showinggreatdedicationandcommitment.

Many of our girls have achieved performance pathway success this year. Ariane and Olivia (Year 8) were invited to join the U13 Satellite Academy, while Dior and Ariana (Years 9 & 10) were invited to join the U15 County Academy. Sylvie, Ada and HollyClaire (Year 11 & Upper Sixth) gained a place at one of Team Bath’s Athlete Development Centres and Ella (Upper Sixth) has been part of the Celtic Dragons U19 squad for the 2023-24 season. This is a fantastic effort and credit to their hard work and dedication.

We have also had international successes this year, with Ada being selected for the U17 squad for Wales and Sylvie for Northern Ireland's U17 squad. In March, both girls travelled to the Netball Europe competition in Gibraltar to compete in a three-day event. Ada gained a bronze medal in the Championship event and Sylvie won a gold medal in the Challenge event.

Mrs Williams, the School’s Head of Netball, was at the Army Interservices Competition in March coaching the British Army open and development teams for their games against the RAF and the Navy. This is the highlight of the Army Netball calendar and an event for which the teams had been training towards since trials in September. We were delighted to hear that Mrs Williams's teams won!

During Michaelmas Term the Sports Department started U14 and U19 training sessions in preparation for county tournaments. These sessions were instrumental in helping to prepare the girls for competing at the highest level against strong opposition. An afterschool club specifically for goal shooting has also been held all year for refining technique. Alongside this, a Performance Netball Group has been run to enable girls to push and develop not only their performance skills, but also their understanding of the game.

Last year we saw the first boys Netball team represent Wells and this year the boys have continued their training with mixed Netball clubs being run every week for Years 9 to Upper Sixth. This is giving the boys more exposure to the ever-growing mens and mixed teams Netball scene. We hope to continue growing this area in the school.

This progress has led to much excitement around Netball and we wish our players the best of luck as they continue their journey.

Badminton Successes!

The Wells Badminton teams have been going from strength to strength this year, with a number of pupils achieving respectable victories in a range of tournaments. Upper Sixth pupils Aidan, Kingsley, Nicole and Myron competed in the South Somerset Community Badminton Network Junior Tournament at Wincanton Leisure Centre in February and returned to Wells with an impressive haul of medals. Particular congratulations go to Aidan who won the Older Age Singles with Kingsley as the runner up. In addition, Aidan and Kingsley teamed up in the Older Age Doubles to win against Nicole and Myron who were runners up.

The team were then placed runners-up in the South Somerset Community Badminton Network Junior League after the final match was played in April at Buckler’s Mead Academy. Coach Jane Lipton commented, “Theyworked brilliantlyasateamsupportingeachotherovertheseason.”

Mrs Fairey for England

In March, Prep School teacher Mrs Fairey competed in the McCoig Trophy in York to represent England in this highly competitive home nations tournament. Mrs Fairey and her teammates won the competition, and she also won a silver medal in the individual mixed event.

Tournament Medals

We were thrilled to hear that five of our players won medals at a Badminton tournament in March. Key (Lower Sixth) won the 15-18 age group singles, Cameron (Year 8) came second in the U15 age group singles and Mason (Year 10) followed in third. Joseph (Upper Sixth) and Key won the over 16 doubles, with Alvan (Year 11) and Cameron in second place.

Senior Swim Squad competes in

Bath Cup

In March, the Senior Swim Squad travelled to London Olympic Park to take part in the Bath Cup, a relaybased swimming competition.

The Wells pupils showed great enthusiasm for the challenge in the impressive aquatic centre. Well done to everyone.

Thea's Swimming success!

Thea (Year 4) has topped the South West Swimming Leaderboard with the fastest butterfly time for her age group in the whole South West region. Well done, Thea!

Basketball victory

Our Basketball First Team took part in a fantastic mid-week match against Monkton Combe School in March. The boys battled until the end, securing a well-earned 25-29 win!

Wells Hockey goes from strength to strength

The School is proud to have eight pupils represent their region and over twenty pupils in county Hockey squads.

Bath Buccaneers has a number of Wells pupils playing for its teams including Amelie-Rose (Year 8), who recently came 6th place in the National Finals, and Linsey, Paul, Orlando and Alex (Year 11). Tilly (Year 11) plays for Clifton Robinsons and Monty (Lower Sixth) plays for the Bristol Talent Academy.

We are also thrilled to share that Tilly (in red, above and right) has successfully trialled to represent Wales in their U18 Hockey team. She was selected as one of 20 players competing in a series against Canada. U18 selection at 16 years old is a fantastic achievement.

Itisgreattoseeourpupilscompete atthehighestleveloutsideof School,bothnationallyandinternationally. Thesepupilsarerolemodelstoour youngerpupilsandwelookforwardto seeingfurthersuccessinthefuture.”

- Mr Mayes, Head of Hockey

West Panthers U13 selections

We are thrilled that seven of our pupils have been selected for the West Panthers U13 squads to play at the UK Festival of Hockey in July. The successful group trialled over four sessions of 80 girls and 80 boys in competition for the 32 available places per gender. Congratulations to Year 8 pupils Amelie-Rose, Olivia, Elspeth, Josef, William, Kieran and Thomas who will represent the West of England against other regions in Nottingham later this year.

In March, the Girls’ Hockey 1st XI made history, playing at the Olympic Park in London for the U18 Tier 2 National Championship Final against Hurstpierpoint College. Stepping onto the turf at a 15,000 seat stadium was an experience that the girls will never forget! The second half in particular saw Wells play their best Hockey of the season and while the final result was 3-1 to Hurstpierpoint, it was a fantastic way for the girls to finish the season on a very memorable day for Wells.

Congratulations must also go to Eliza, Olivia, Ella, Emma, Georgia and Elspeth (Year 8) who were part of the Shepton Mallet U14 side which won the county tournament in March. With all of the girls being a year young, this was a brilliant effort.

Cricket season is underway!

As April turned to May, we were delighted to see our cricketers step onto the field after an exceptionally wet winter. Our Boys’ 1st XI won their first two games of the season, convincingly beating Warminster School by nine wickets and Wells Cricket Club by six wickets. We also hosted Downside School, Wellington School and Perrott Hill School. Many schools were unable to host games due to the weather; it is testament to the hard work of our Estates team that we had four playable grounds early in the season and we cannot thank them enough. The Wells teams won several of their games, and particular congratulations must go to Harley (Year 7) who took five wickets for just eight runs in his four overs, with a hat-trick thrown in!

Finley captains

Gloucestershire CCC U14s

We are delighted that Finley (Year 9) has been appointed as Captain of the Gloucestershire CCC U14s this summer. We have no doubt that Finley thoroughly deserves this opportunity given his brilliant performances at School throughout Whitsun Term!

Wells Cathedral School hosts one of the ten most picturesque cricket grounds in Britain!

The School has been named home to one of the ten most picturesque cricket grounds in Britain. The list, compiled by Chief Cricket Writer Scyld Berry, was published in TheTelegraph in March.

The School’s Estates team takes great pride in ensuring the Wells ground is maintained at a high standard and even visited Lord’s Cricket Ground, also known as the Home of Cricket, to learn about groundskeeping techniques from the Head Groundsman.

Tom Webley, the School’s Director of Sport who is a former professional cricketer for Somerset County Cricket Club, commented: “I’mabsolutelydelighted toreceivethisrecognitionbyTheTelegraph.Tobe consideredinthetoptenmostpicturesquecricket groundsinBritainiswonderful!Thisisatestament tohowspecialourSchoolcricketgroundis,and howincredible our Estates team is to achieve such perfection.Ittrulyisaspecialplaceandwe’redelighted toshareitwitheveryonewhovisitsus.”

Cricket Tour to Devon

Our U15 Boys had a brilliant time touring North Devon during the half term break. Travelling down on the first day, the squad stopped to play West Buckland School. Everyone contributed to a convincing win; very good innings from Ethan (Year 10) and Zak (Year 9) saw Wells chase down 110 comfortably. Rewarded with a delicious evening meal, everyone settled in for the night.

The following day, the boys took part in various activities including a water assault course, climbing and high ropes before watching some local club cricket on the beach with a barbecue. The day was topped off with a trip to the driving range and plenty of pizza. On the third day, the boys enjoyed another win against North

Devon CC. Ethan’s was a very mature and well built innings of 62*, and Zak reached his half century in just 23 balls, leading the Wells total to 207 at the end of our 30 overs before bowling the opposition out for 104.

The evening was spent exploring, eating ice cream and playing more cricket. The final day was weatheraffected, but nonetheless the boys travelled back to Somerset for a training session at Taunton Deane CC. In the afternoon, they watched the Somerset CCC 2nd XI play Gloucestershire in a T20, even getting the opportunity to meet some of the professional players. The tour was a great learning experience for our young cricketers.

Mr Meehan coaches England Rugby U18s

Senior School PE teacher Mr Meehan is part of The Lambs’ U18 England Rugby coaching team, a representative squad made up of players from across the four regions of England. Over the Easter holidays, The Lambs played some fantastic games against The Old Boys of Wales’ Regional Squad and Exeter Academy in preparation for a summer tour to South Africa. Mr Meehan comments, “Ithasbeenagreatopportunityandexperienceto coachwiththeEnglishLambsthisseason.Tocoachatthatlevelhasbeenan excitingchallengeandIamlookingforwardtocontinuingwithTheLambs next season.”

Will to represent Somerset U17s

Will (Lower Sixth) has been selected to represent the Somerset U17s in Rugby. He successfully trialled over the Easter period and is looking forward to playing in games against Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall in the coming weeks. This is an excellent achievement and we wish Will all the best for the upcoming matches.

Ralf celebrates with Chew Colts

Ralf (Lower Sixth) represented Chew Colts in April, winning both the U18s Somerset League and the U18s Somerset Cup. This is the first time that a Colts side has won both the League and the Cup in the same season, with the Cup final coming down to just one point with a final score of 24:25. Ralf scored the first and last try in the Cup match as well as scoring in the League final.

BHS success

Sophie (Year 7) has passed The British Horse Society Junior Progressive Riding Test, Equitation Level Four at Currypool Equestrian. An excellent achievement!

Cross Country Relays

In the penultimate week of the Lent Term, 16 pupils across Years 7 & 8 competed at the Edgarley Cross Country Relays at Millfield Prep School. This event was the final meet of the season, following the Wells Interhouse, the Mendip Area Cross Country and the Somerset Cross Country Championships earlier in the season. The Edgarely Relay is a unique Cross Country event which requires pupils to race in a team of four, with each pupil running 1.5km in a relay format.

The event was very testing for all involved as they experienced sun, rain and hail during the course of the race against seven other schools. Despite this, all teams did incredibly well with the Year 8 girls finishing second, the Year 7 & 8 boys finishing third and the Year 7 girls finishing fourth. Mr Meehan comments, “I amincrediblyproudofallourpupilswhohaveshown fantasticcommitmenttoCrossCountrythisseasonand itwaswonderfultoconcludewithsuchpositiveresults attheEdgarleyRelays.”

Claire plays Tennis for Somerset

Claire (Year 8) was selected to represent Somerset at the Girls’ Junior County Cup, taking place at Torquay Tennis Club at the end of April where she had an exciting weekend playing Tennis. Five players represented Somerset across 18 matches against Wiltshire, Cornwall and Gloucestershire, and of these Claire was the only player to secure a win in a single’s match against Cornwall. In an incredible display of resilience, Claire was one set and 3-0 down at the opponent’s match point, then fought back to wins of 1-4, 4-3 and 10-4. This was a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to following Claire's progress.

Golf Championship

In March, six pupils travelled to the Weston-SuperMare Golf Club to play in the Somerset Schools Golf Championship. It was really exciting this year to get two teams entered from Wells! This was the first time these pupils had played in this tournament and for many, it was their first competitive experience outside of a weekly medal. It was a valiant effort from all on the day, with everyone displaying great resilience to keep going.

In May, a cohort of pupils ranging from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth travelled to Mendip Golf Club for a session with one of the club’s coaches. The mixed ability group enjoyed plenty of pro tips and fun challenges on the driving range.

Ariane’s Tae Kwondo success

In June, Ariane (Year 8) took part in the British Tae Kwondo Council Championships, winning gold to become the British All Style Champion in the U15 girls red belt heavyweight division. These were the inaugural all-style, all-federation championships spanning every registered Tae Kwondo club in the country. It was a very close contest in the final, and she prevailed over the English team-trained fighter to take the gold. She later went on to win a bronze in the team sparring event. Earlier this year she won individual silver at the South West championships and bronze medals at both the English and Welsh championships, together with team gold at the English championships. Well done, Ariane!

Amelie runs Race For Life

Amelie (Year 11) ran the Salisbury 10K Race for Life in June. Amelie comments, “Ihadagreatdaytakingpartinthe10KforCancerResearch anditwasgreatrunningweather!Imanagedtofinishinthetopthird withapersonalbestandraisedover£200forCancerResearchUK."

Athletes compete in championships

Following excellent performances at the Mendip Championships, a number of our pupils were selected for the Mendip Area Team at the Somerset County Athletics Schools Championships in June with many achieving podium places for their events. Particular congratulations to Archie (Year 10) who qualified in Triple Jump to compete at The Regional Schools Competition in Exeter where he jumped 12.25m and was placed 7th in the region for Triple Jump.

A team of 26 Athletes from Years 7 & 8 also competed in the South West Prep School Championships. There were some fantastic performances from all who took part with three pupils also managing to make the podium in their respective events! Mr Meehan, Head of Athletics, comments, “Iamsoproudofthepupilsfortheircommitment, theconditionsonthedaywereverytestingattimesbutourpupilsshowedgreatresilienceandrepresentedthe Schoolwellinahighlycompetitivecompetition.”

Geography and Classics trip to Italy

(Year 10) wrote the following account of the Geography and Classics trip to Italy:

Thetripwassomethingwewerealllookingforward tointhemonthsleadinguptoourdeparture.Despite travellingthroughthelatenightandearlymorning,we wereallreadyforthefirstdayinPozzuoli,inwhichwe gottoseetheTempleofSerapisandsamplesomeof thearea’sfood.Aswehadhoped,authenticItalianpizza andpastawasdelicious!

OverthewholecourseofthetripwestayedinMeta, acommuneintheMetropolitanCityofNaples,which hadsomeamazingoceanscenery.Thenextdaywe embarkedonanextremelytiringtrekupMount Vesuvius.Atthetop,wewererewardedwithsome breathtakingviewsofthesurroundingcitiesand countryside,althoughslightlydampenedbythecold weatheratthecrater’sedge!

Afterstumblingourwaydownoneofthemostfamous volcanoes in theworld, itwas off to Herculaneum, a smallRomantownthatwasburiedbytheeruption inA.D. 79. Herculaneum is home to some incredible buildings,statuesandmosaicswhichremain impressivelyintact,preservedbylayersofvolcanicash.

Thethirddayofthetripwasafavouriteformost, though.TheruinsofPompeiiwerestunninginboth architectureandartistry.Beingabletoexplorethe

city,gointoallthehousesandlookatthefrescoesand statueswasanexperiencethatnoneofushadimagined wouldbesomoving.Thesitewasalsosomuchlarger thanwehadoriginallyexpected!Seeingitinperson gaveamuchclearerunderstandingofscalewhichwas hardtogetfromphotosbackintheclassroom.

Wegotupthenextmorningforaroadtripalongthe Amalficoast,withsomebreathtakingviewsofits famouscoastline.Wemadesomestopsalongtheway, suchasAmalfiitself,inwhichwesawtheimpressive Cathedral,andthegardensofVillaCimbrone.

ThefinaldayofourtriptookustoNaples;acityfull ofbustlingsidestreetsandpop-upstandswhere wesqueezedthroughthetighttunnelsoftheNapoli Undergroundtoseehowitwasfashionedintoabomb shelterinWorldWar2.Theverylaststopoftheentire tripwastheArcheologicalMuseuminNaples,which housesmanyancientartefactsandstatues,some recoveredfromPompeiiandothersfromallover theworld.

Allinall,thetripwassurelyonetoremember;from ancientruinsfullofstatuestolessancientpizza restaurantsfullofconfusingmenus!

Theatmosphereofthetripwasfantasticandthankyou tothestaffwhomadeitallpossibleforus:MrBoot,Mr Davies,MrRowleyandMrsMurdoch.

Ferdy

Geneva exchange

A big thank you to the families and Houseparents who hosted Swiss pupils from our partner school, Institut Florimont in Geneva, in March. The visitors took part in a variety of activities including visits to Wookey Hole Caves, the Roman Baths and the SS Great Britain, as well as a detective mystery around Wells and lessons in the School. They commented to exchange organiser Ms Desmarchelier, the School’s Director of Languages, how much they enjoyed the lessons as things are so different in their school in Geneva. Ms Desmarchelier said, “It is alwaysdifficulttoknowhowthingsaregoingtopan outandtojudgethepairingofpupils,butitworksevery yearanditisagreatwaytoexperienceanotherculture. Ilookforwardtonextyear'sexchangeforourcurrent Year8&Year9pupils!”

Rockfield Studios Music Technology trip

In March, A level Music Technology pupils visited the world-renowned Rockfield Studios in South Wales, where artists including Rush, The Stone Roses and Queen have recorded. Pupils spent the day recording and mixing a song, which was then performed by members of the group, under the guidance of one of the Studios' experienced technicians. Asked about his experience of the trip, Music Technology Captain Ethan (Upper Sixth) said, “Learningtousethevast48channel mixingdeskatRockfieldwasanincredibleexperience, andtousethesameequipmentassomanyfamous artistswasreallyinspiring.”

Trip to Westminster

A group of Sixth Form pupils visited the Palace of Westminster and then the Supreme Court building. They followed the route of the Sovereign during the State Opening of Parliament and visited the floors of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords (it is quite rare to be able to do both!). The pupils then took part in a workshop that followed the process of making a law and Parliamentary debating procedure, having a mock debate on the notion of re-introducing the death penalty. During lunch there was time for some exploration of Westminster before a photo in front of the Elizabeth Tower. In the afternoon, the pupils visited all three courts in the Supreme Court building and explored, with the information officer, the history and role of the court. A long but very interesting day!

Theatre trips

In March, Drama and Theatre Studies pupils were treated to a night out at the theatre in Bath to see the acclaimed Gothic Horror production of Woman in Black, based on the ghost story by Susan Hill. It was a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror, where the audience was trained to use its imagination, and the pupils were inspired to use many inventive dramatic devices in their own work.

In May, A level Theatre Studies pupils experienced a thought-provoking production of DeepBlueSea by Terrence Rattigan starring the renowned actor of stage

and screen, Tamsin Greig. Performed in the intimate venue of the Ustinov Studio in Bath, those attending were inspired by the complex characters and pure naturalistic style.

In contrast, the whole of Year 9 was treated to the international smash-hit musical Hamilton:AnAmerican Musical, at Bristol Hippodrome. Hamilton is a sungand-rapped-through biographical musical by LinManuel Miranda. It was an outstanding production that wowed the pupils, and a chance to get the year group together for a social and creative opportunity.

Geography field trips

In March, Upper Sixth Geographers went to Minehead to analyse the hard engineering defences constructed to protect the town from coastal flooding, which include seawalls, stone groynes and beach replenishment. From there they travelled to Porlock Bay to study the cross and long profile changes in beach material and to analyse the radically different management of this section of coast where managed realignment is in place. They ended the trip at Porlock Weir where the beach is no longer protected against movement eastwards. This has helped them to understand the nature of shingle beaches and the issues involved in managing the coast.

Pupils from Year 9 travelled to Cardiff's Central Business District to investigate themes related to its retail developments. They conducted a survey before taking a boat to the redeveloped waterfront where they visited the Coal Exchange, once a symbol of Cardiff’s wealth. Finally they walked across the barrage built to create a true waterfront city.

Also in March, 48 Year 7 pupils went to Glastonbury where they conducted a town centre survey and climbed Glastonbury Tor to measure slope angles using clinometers and tape measures.

Geology fieldwork

Earlier this year, Upper and Lower Sixth Geologists took a field trip to Devon and Cornwall. As well as valuable learning opportunities in the outdoor classroom they completed specified fieldwork exercises such as field sketching, graphic logging and geological mapping. They explored Dartmoor, Hartland Quay, Widemouth Bay and Millook Haven in the glorious sunshine.

Musicians celebrate outstanding Music and Arts Festival results

Musicians across the Prep and Senior School are celebrating an extraordinary set of results from a number of Music and Arts Festivals.

Wells had a strong level of representation at the MidSomerset Festival. Particular congratulations must go to Teagan (Lower Sixth) on receipt of the Thelma King Instrumental Award and Harry (Lower Sixth) for the Premier Award Concerto Class for all instruments. On top of Harry’s major award, he was also the winner of the String Concerto Class and the Advanced Repertoire Class. The Strings Department had further cause to celebrate with Hannah (Year 8) winning the Violin Solo Advanced class, and Tui (Year 10) the Advanced Harp Solo class.

Cole (Year 9) brought several prizes back to the Brass Department. He won the Robin Ledbury Cup in the Brass Concerto class and he also won the WestonSuper-Mare Challenge Trophy in the Brass Solo Repertoire Advanced class.

The School’s pianists succeeded in a number of classes, with Melvin (Year 10) winning the Open Romantic Piano Solo, Kamil (Upper Sixth) the Open Piano Recital, Cameron (Year 8) the Open Baroque Piano Solo and Post 1900 Piano Solo, and Hannah and Michael (Year 8) the Advanced Piano Duet.

Tom (Lower Sixth) won the Opera class (16-19 Years) and the Oratorio class (16-19 years), and Beth (Year 11) the

Senior Vocal Recital class (16-19 Years). Belinda (Year 8), won four classes for the Vocal Department: Show Song from Musical/Film (12 Years), Vocal Recital (15 Years and Under), Unaccompanied Folk Song (12 & 13 Years) and Show Song from Musical/Film (15 Years), as well as the Joan Love Trophy in the Recital class.

Following on from these successes, Belinda recently won the Taunton Junior Young Singer 2024!

At the Bristol Music, Speech and Drama Festival, Hannah (Year 8) topped the Advanced String Solo class, the Diploma String Solo class and the Concerto class. Michael (Year 8) won the Composition class (17 Years and Under) and the Harp Repertoire class (14 Years and Under), while Lucas (Year 7) was the winner of the Unaccompanied Solo (18 Years and Under). Furthermore, Cole (Year 9) won first prize and the Jefferson Horsley Trophy at the Taunton Junior Young Musician competition as part of the Taunton Festival of the Arts, and in the senior section Bibi (piano, Upper Sixth) won first place with Lucille (piano, Year 10) coming in second and Teagan (violin, Lower Sixth) in third. As well as winning £300, Bibi’s success has also resulted in the chance to perform the Haydn D Major Concerto in December with the Taunton Sinfonietta.

We are delighted to share that three Wells pupils are winners of the 2024 Two Moors Festival: Year 5 pianist Soho, Year 10 violinist Alexander and Year 11 flautist Natalie. The Two Moors Festival is open to classically trained strings, brass or woodwind players, pianists and singers aged 18 or under, living or educated in South West England and working at a level of grade 7 or above. As winners, Soho, Alexander and Natalie will be invited to masterclasses in the summer and perform at the winners concert in October, where they will each be awarded £300.

Our younger musicians in the Prep School also put on exceedingly impressive performances. Soho (Year 5) took home a major award at the Mid-Somerset Festival, the Piano Shop Bath Salver for the most outstanding

young pianist, on top of winning the Piano Repertoire 13 and Under, Open Classical Piano Solo and Piano Concerto Classes. Charlotte (Year 4) was successful on both the harp and the piano, winning the Intermediate Harp Solo class, the Piano Repertoire 11 and Under and Piano Solo Grade 6, receiving scores of 92 and 93 for two of the classes.

At the Devon Performing Arts Festival, Annabel (Year 6) won her classes in Song in a Language Other than English (12 Years and Under), Folk Song (unaccompanied) (10 Years and Under), Sacred Song (10 Years and Under), and Pop Ballad (12 Years and Under).

Charlotte (Year 5), competed in the String section at the Basingstoke Music and Art Festival, winning the Grade 4 and Junior Recital classes with outstanding scores of 90, while Soho also competed in the Bristol Music Speech and Drama Festival, winning the Repertoire Class (15 Years and Under), Grade 8 (Open Age) and Music Composed Before 1900 (17 Years and Under). This was a spectacular achievement for a pupil in Year 5!

Clare Rowntree, Head of Music and Performing Arts in the Prep School, says: “It has been terrific to celebrate themanysuccessesofourwonderfullytalentedyoung musicians.Thesesuperbachievementsaretheresult ofdedicationandcommitmentanditistrulyinspiring toseetheirmusicalskillsdevelopingsowellatsucha youngage.Icouldn’tbemoreproudofthem.”

Alex Laing, Director of Music, comments, “It is fantastic tosupportourlocalfestivals,and,asever,itisagreat tribute to our musicians here atWells that there are so manysuccesses.It’salsolovelytonotetheextra'overall' prizesawarded.Congratulationstoallwhotookpart!”

Masterclasses in Conducting

Pupil conductors had the wonderful experience of working with Alice Farnham, professional conductor and the Artistic Director of Women Conductors, in February. Six pupils worked with Alice - as a group in the morning, and then one-to-one in the afternoonon repertoire they prepared from Tchaikovsky's ballet suites. Alice also worked with all the specialist musicians in an afternoon seminar, where she discussed the life and profession of a conductor. The evening session saw pupils taking turns in conducting the School Symphony Orchestra in the same repertoire by Tchaikovsky with Alice's expert guidance.

In May, conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa returned to Wells to give a day's masterclass with eight conducting pupils, also culminating in a session with the Symphony Orchestra in which the pupils each had a chance to conduct extracts from Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Natalia brought her usual charisma and fiery spirit, inspiring everyone! Mr Brink, Deputy Director of Music, said, “HugecongratulationstoJoseph, Yannick, Eva, Leo (Upper Sixth), Lisa,Barty,Kieran (Lower Sixth) and Ernest (Year 10) for their excellentpreparation."

Pupils organise charity concerts

Beth (Year 11) and Emily (Upper Sixth) organised a concert in aid of The Lighthouse School in Gaza. Accompanied by Mr Drakett, they performed to a packed, candlelit church to raise money for the cause. The Lighthouse School has sustained damage from a rocket attack and is currently decamped to two Christian compounds. Money raised will go towards supplying food and other essentials for the children, many of whom have lost their homes and families. They raised just over £1,900. One attendee commented, “Itwasanamazingeveningandaprivilegetobe there.Opportunitiestohearyoungtalentofsuchanexceptionalcalibreare rare.Thankyousomuch."

In May, pupils from the Brass and Percussion Departments performed in a joint concert with Wells City Band Academy to an enthusiastic audience in Cedars Hall. The concert was in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and kindly supported by Besson Instruments. Ross Brown, Co-ordinator of Brass, commented, “Itwaswonderful to see and hear over 40 musicians from the Schoolandthelocalcommunitycollaborateforsuchawonderfulcause."

Symphony Orchestra concert

The pairing of Mozart’s Requiem with highlights from Tchaikovsky’s ballet scores allowed Wells to demonstrate how to perform on a grand scale. Highlights of this concert included outstanding singing from both choir and soloists as well as glorious brass playing. Congratulations to all performers as well as conductors Mr Brink and Mr Finch.

Mayor’s Concert

In March, the School hosted the third annual Mayor's Concert RockinginWells. Rock and pop musicians from Wells Cathedral School, The Blue School and Strode College took part in a collaborative concert in aid of Mayor Tanys Pullin's chosen charity Heads Up. The concert was an opportunity for our musicians to hear other young performers from around the area and everyone was wonderfully supportive of each other.

Bach Day

In February, we held a day-long celebration of the music of J.S. Bach in the wonderful Gothic spaces of Wells Cathedral. The Cathedral reverberated from the Nave to the Chapter House with over twelve hours of Bach performances. These included a superb organ recital from Old Wellensian Francois Cloete (2021), a massed ComeandSing event involving over 100 singers from local communities and a talk given by internationally- acclaimed cellist and Bach specialist, OW David Watkin (1983). We were also treated to performances from visiting OW musicians Seijin Yoon (2021), Izzy Nettle (2022) and Julian Chan (2018).

Throughout the day, Wells pupils young and old, the Specialist and the simply enthusiastic, showed off the versatility of Bach as a composer, with performances including piano and harpsichord in the North Transept; impressive solo string partitas for violin and cello in the Chapter House; marimba and vibraphone transcriptions in the South Transept and brass ringing out from the Nave. Our Chorister of the Year (Junior), Belinda (Year 8), represented the Vocal Department and our saxophone quartet and double-reed ensemble also performed wonderfully. Visitors were enthralled as they explored the building to this entrancing soundtrack. The Cathedral Choir later rounded off the daytime events with a special Bach evensong.

Later in the evening, performances of Bach's Double Concerto for Oboe andViolin alongside the BrandenburgConcertos4and5 provided the programme for the Early Music Promenade Concert which received a standing ovation from the audience.

It was a fabulous day with people of all ages and walks of life coming together to celebrate the music of one of the greatest composers the world has ever known.

An Evening of Concertos

May saw our annual EveningofConcertos, a celebration of solo performances. Five soloists had been chosen through an exhaustive process to perform their chosen concerto in front of a packed audience in Cedars Hall. From the lyricism of Weber's Bassoon Concerto (played by Elizabeth, Lower Sixth) to the fireworks of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto (Aniela, Lower Sixth) to the Danish wit of Nielsen's Flute Concerto (Natalie, Year 11) and Grøndahl's Trombone Concerto (Morgan, Year 11), to the despairing depths of Shostakovitch's Cello Concerto No. 1 (Harry, Lower Sixth), we were taken into different worlds.

Special guest Stephen Maddock, former CEO of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and now Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, had the unenviable task of choosing a winner to perform a concerto with the School Symphony Orchestra next year. All polished to a professional level and beyond, it was very difficult to decide between such different performances, but Elizabeth's flawlessly expressive and characterful Bassoon performance was the winner. It was awe-inspiring to see these astounding musicians support each other with such challenging repertoire.

Somerset Youth Orchestra Easter course

Wells was well-represented at the Somerset Youth Orchestra Easter course during the School holidays. Following four days of rehearsals, the group performed a challenging programme including Shostakovich’s SymphonyNumber10 and Gershwin’s Rhapsodyin Blue at a concert in St John’s Church, Glastonbury. Year 5 pupils Emmy and Lina were among the youngest members of the orchestra, with Emmy celebrating her 10th birthday during the course!

Lenthall Concert Series

In February, the Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra travelled to Burford School to perform as part of the Lenthall Concert Series. Aniela, Teagan, Toby and Harry (Lower Sixth) began the concert with the first movement of Beethoven's first Razumovsky String Quartet, then the String Orchestra conducted by Mr Laing performed Elgar's Introduction andAllegro for String Quartet and String Orchestra. After the interval the Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mr Brink rounded the concert off with a performance of Beethoven's FifthSymphony.

Alex delivers Suzuki talk

In April, Lower Sixth pupil Alex gave a fantastic talk on the Suzuki Method in Music Seminar. Alex's presentation focussed upon his personal journey of learning ideas taken from the Suzuki Method which were encouraged by his parents, one of whom is a Suzuki teacher. Alex then went on to illustrate the value of this training in his musical career to date, which included the teaching of blind musicians during the recent Sierra Leone trip. Alex discussed eight principles of the method, including the ideas that ability comes through hard work and effort, and the need for participants to trust the process.

String Festival at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

At the end of a musically fulfilling Epiphany Term, a String Quartet from Wells travelled to Glasgow to take part in the String Festival at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS). Our musicians stepped straight off the bus and into the Stevenson Hall for an open rehearsal of the string orchestra version of Shostakovich's iconic 8thStringQuartet. Our musicians stood next to string players from the Senior Conservatoire and the overall sound was terrific in the hall. The following days featured masterclasses with the members of the famous Brodsky Quartet, while Jeffrey Sharkey, RCS Principal and Wells Governor, gave the group a tour of the Conservatoire. Following the Wells Quartet performance of the first Razumovsky Quartet by Beethoven, members of the Brodsky Quartet sought out the group to express how impressed they were with our pupils’ playing, their commitment and their clear joy in exploring chamber music. Thanks go to Professor Andrea Gajic (RCS Head of Strings) for organising the weekend and for welcoming Wells so warmly.

Harp masterclass

In May, Harp pupils were privileged to play for Dr Anne-Marie O'Farrell, Head of Harp at the Royal Northern College of Music. As a prolific composer and arranger, Dr O'Farrell provided much insight into the harmonic structure of repertoire, together with tone production and efficient practice strategies.

Hill performs solo recital

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at St John's Church in Glastonbury in April to hear Wells specialist Hill (Upper Sixth), an up-and-coming classical guitarist, perform a lunchtime recital. At only 17 years old, Hill is already attracting guitar aficionados and enthusiasts to his audiences due to his well-honed technique and deeply expressive musical playing. The concert opened with Tarrega's classic Lagrima followed by a sparkling and energetic Rondo by Carulli. Hill then played Villa Lobos's cello-like Prelude no. 1 followed by Manuel Barrueco's majestic arrangement of the Prelude from Bach's Cello First Suite. The concert ended with two of Barrios' most famous works, the lyrical JuliaFlorida and the fiendishly virtuosic La Cathedral.The audience was left enthralled, enchanted and wanting more. Hill will continue his musical education at The Royal College of Music in September. In his programme notes he stated that he wants to use his career to promote the classical guitar and to inspire others. His teacher, Mr Rippingale, commented, “IthinkallpresentwouldagreethatHillisofftoagreatstart!”

Rachel Podger masterclass

After a fabulous solo violin concert in May, we were privileged to be joined by Rachel Podger for a violin masterclass in Quilter Hall. Rachel is currently the most distinguished baroque violinist worldwide and it was inspirational to hear her working on movements of solo Bach with Riana (Lower Sixth), Luke and Jeremy (Upper Sixth).

Defne wins Salvi Harp Competition

In January, Defne (Upper Sixth) competed in the Salvi Harp Competition in Manchester. The competition was open to players up to the age of 30, and we are pleased to share that Defne won! As part of her prize, she will be performing a recital at the Salvi Studio in London.

Alex Laing, Director of Music, commented on Defne’s success, “Afabulous achievement.This competitionisopentoyoung harpistsuptotheageof30–towin itattheageof17isincredibleand testament to Defne’s hardwork, skill,creativityandtothefabulous teachingshereceivesfromRuth Faber here atWells.”

Lucas’s string success

In February, Lucas (Year 7) had a fantastic afternoon at the Taunton Festival of the Arts Music Festival, winning the U14 Solo String Class, playing Telemann. Lucas had shown incredibly hard work and dedication, which was reflected in this brilliant success.

Jazz and Strings visit

New York!

The Jazz and String Departments enjoyed an action-packed and inspirational tour to New York City, which included masterclasses at The Manhattan School of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Juilliard School along with visits to some of the most iconic music venues in the City as well as the Museum of Modern Art. Ms Stott, Head of Performance, comments, "It wasanexperienceofalifetimefor thepupils,andafabuloustimewas hadbyall!"

Jazz Clinic

Charlie and Alexander (Lower Sixth) have successfully auditioned for and gained places on the 2024 Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics which will be held in July in Perugia, Italy.

Jess Gillam visit

Before the February Half Term, pupils were treated to a twoday residency with superstar saxophonist and BBC presenter Jess Gillam. Jess worked with pupils in an open workshop for all musicians and a masterclass for saxophonists. She was joined by her pianist Zeynep Özsuca and bassist Sam Becker who also gave masterclasses for our pupils. The three musicians took part in a Q&A session where they shared some insightful thoughts about the music profession. The residency culminated in a gala recital where the trio performed an eclectic mix of repertoire from Telemann and Poulenc to Phil Woods and Barbara Thompson. Co-ordinator of Woodwind, Mr Leaker, comments, “Wehadaninspirationaltwodays;it wasadelightforpupilstobeableto workwith a real star of the classical musicscene.Ahighlightwasseeing ourpupilsperformonstagewith Jessaspartofherrecital.”

Ensemble Bash workshop

In March, Ensemble Bash gave an insightful workshop to our Percussionists before performing a concert in Cedars Hall. Jayne Obradovic, Co-ordinator of Percussion, comments that it was, “Atremendousday ofworkshopswiththesuperb,astoundingandversatile EnsembleBash.Itgoeswithoutsayingwecannotwait for them to return toWells!"

William and Joy Sparkes Recital series culminates

Well done to Wilamena and George (Upper Sixth) who beautifully rounded off this year’s William and Joy Sparkes Recital series. Jayne Obradovic, Co-ordinator of Percussion, comments, “ThankyoutoWilamenaandGeorgefora brilliantandinclusiveevening!Arelaxedatmosphere,engagedpresentation,imaginativeprogrammingandsuperb playing.Averyspecialevent.”

Percussionists record for Snareobics app

Our Percussionists had an exciting morning in May, recording alongside the London Symphony Orchestra’s Co-Principal Percussion Sam Walton and Old Wellensians Robbie Wills (2016) and Alex Henshaw (2017) for the Snareobics app. Described as a daily snare drum personal trainer, Snareobics is a new and exciting way to develop speed and accuracy whilst having a lot of fun in the process.

Woodwind and Brass trip to Berlin

Our Woodwind and Brass Quintets have recently returned from a highly successful trip to Berlin where they collaborated with pupils from the Musikgynasium CPE Bach, one of our fellow specialist music schools belonging to the YoungMusicTalentsinEurope organisation. Pupils performed music by Barber, Bach and Horovitz before joining forces with their hosts to form two large ensembles performing music by Gounod, Brahms and Stephen Foster. After two days of rehearsals, the concert was a huge success and we are grateful to staff and pupils in Berlin for making the group feel so welcome both on and off the stage. On their second night, they were treated to a dress rehearsal of Richard Strauss’ Intermezzo with some stunning playing by the orchestra of the Deutsche Opera. Pupils also had the opportunity to absorb some of Berlin’s poignant history, visiting memorials to the Holocaust and to the Berlin Wall.

Mr Leaker comments, “Itwasajoytowitnessthemusicalityand professionalismofourpupilsacrossavarietyofyeargroupsduringan importantinternationalcollaboration.Welookforwardtoapossible exchangevisitfromBerlinpupilsnextyear!”

Wilamena speaks to Gavin Higgins on BBC Radio

In May, Wilamena (Upper Sixth) spoke to composer Gavin Higgins on BBC Radio

3. Recorded while Wilamena was with the National Youth Orchestra, the programme was part of the BBC’s Mental Wellbeing season. It followed Gavin through a month as a composer, meeting musicians (including Wilamena) with Tourette’s and OCD.

Wells Winds compete

Lower Sixth pupils Elizabeth (bassoon) and Lisa (recorder) performed brilliantly in a Gala final concert for the Rotary Young Musician Competition in Bristol. The standard was exceptional and both performers played beautifully with Elizabeth taking second place overall. Mr Leaker comments, “I am alwaysdelightedthatourpupilsare abletotakepartinthiswonderful competition.Thestandardisalways sohighanditisalwaysheldina wonderfulvenue. Elizabeth and Lisa arebothstarsofourDepartment andbothplayedbrilliantly.Itwasa closecompetitionandwearevery proudofElizabethtakingaclose secondplace.”

Clarinet and Saxophone Day

In March, the Woodwind Department hosted over 30 young clarinet and saxophone players for a day of workshops, masterclasses and ensemble playing. Wells tutors Richard Russell and Edward Leaker were joined by distinguished guests Nicholas Cox (clarinet) and Andy Tweed (saxophone). There were also a number of teachers who attended to observe classes and share ideas. Nicholas Cox stayed to give a masterclass for our own clarinet specialists and also gave an insightful talk at the specialist music seminar. A special mention must go to the GMA team of Emma Keskeys, Oliver Ashley and Megan Glover who not only helped with logistics but also tutored a group of young players.

Annie highly commended

Annie (Upper Sixth) entered the British Flute Society Young Performer Competition in February.

After performing alongside more than 30 of Britain’s top young flute players, Annie was delighted to be awarded highlycommended. Mr Leaker comments,“Thisisavery highprofileeventontheflautists' calendar,andAnniehasdonereally wellonaninternationalstage.”

Dame Imogen Cooper

Dame Imogen Copper, one of the world's most distinguished concert pianists, made a welcome return to Wells in May. After playing to a capacity audience in Cedars Hall she later gave an inspirational masterclass to specialist pianists.

Hera Hyesang Park

One of the finest young stars of the opera world, soprano Hera Hyesang Park, spent time in Cedars Hall on her way between engagements at The Met in New York and Amsterdam. In addition to performing two concerts to a delighted audience, she also worked with School singers including Lydia (Upper Sixth).

Co-ordinator of Vocal Studies, Mr Finch, was thrilled with her visit, commenting, "Havinganextraordinary sopranolikeHeraatWellsisanamazingcoupand weareincrediblygratefulforhergenerosityand inspirationalteachingandsinging.Ourpupilsreally relatedtoherandhervisitcouldhavealife-changing influenceonsomeoftheseyoungmusicians."

Belinda on the BBC

As part of their programme, ACelebrationforAscensionDay, Belinda (Year 8) sang in St Martin-in-the-Fields alongside mezzo soprano Laura Wright and the BBC Young Chorister (Senior) winner, Natalie, on BBC Radio 4 in May. Belinda also made an appearance on BBC Radio 2 later that month as they launched the next season of the BBC Young Chorister competition, sharing her experience as this year's Junior winner and giving advice to potential applicants.

Belinda then sang on BBC One’s SongsofPraise, broadcast at the end of May. The programme was filmed at the National Gallery to mark its 200th anniversary, exploring the connection between art and Christianity. Belinda is pictured here with conductor and composer Ken Burton.

Soho wins first place in Henle Piano Competition

Congratulations to Soho (Year 5) who has won first prize in his age category in the Henle International Piano Competition. Co-ordinator of Keyboard, John Byrne, says, “Thisisareallysignificantachievement. Thecompetitionattracted200pianistsfrom27 countriesandtheDepartmentisveryproudofthis success-verywelldone,Soho!”

In memoriam of Chris Farthing

Chris was lead piano tuner at Wells for over forty years, making a tremendous contribution to the care and development of our piano stock. Highly regarded in the profession, Chris was a skilled craftsman of rare distinction and had a great passion for his chosen profession. He was also a very kind and generous man and will be greatly missed. He was enormously committed to his work at Wells and generations of Wells pianists benefitted from his dedication and professionalism. We extend our sympathy and condolences to his widow, Clare, and his family.

There has been a number of celebrations recently by Wells Cathedral School's composers with concerts in February and May and a Composer's Orchestral Workshop in April. As well as this, there have been some new single and album releases by our very talented songwriters.

Meg (Upper Sixth) is celebrating the release of her new album, Heart Grows Fonder. She recently made an appearance on GWS Radio to discuss her involvement with GlastonburyCalling, a music event which took place in March, and her new album which is now available to stream and purchase. Meg explained, “I beganwritingandrecording Heart Grows Fonder in 2022andrecordedandproduceditathome.It’sbeen areallycoolprojecttoworkonoutsideofschool.Alot ofthesongsareinafolk,acousticstyleandthelyrics, whicharealloriginal,aremostlywrittenbasedonlife experiences,withinfluencefromnovelsandpoetry.”

Woody (Year 11) is celebrating the release of his single JohnnySomeone on Spotify. The song was named as one of the top 30 songs in the UK/Ireland 13-15 year olds category of the Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition last year (his third entry in a row to reach the finals), and was played on BBC Radio Somerset. This new release is an improved version of the song.

Théo (Upper Sixth) has recently released his single, Don’t do it for us. Asked about the process behind his newest work, Théo explained, "Thisismythirdreleased songandIwroteitonthepianooverayearago.Ihave beenproducingitonLogicProXforawhilewhilst workingonotherprojectsandthesongkeptdeveloping thebetterIgotatproducing,mixingandmastering.I havebeencomposingandproducingforanumberof yearsnow,withmoreoriginalmusiccomingsoon.”

Ian (Lower Sixth) has released his second album, PENGUINS INVASION. It features a number of guest singers with an influence of progressive, tech and electro house alongside melodic techno. It focuses on climate change and global warming in Antarctica. Ian plans to release PENGUINSINVASION(Pt.II) in July.

In February our own Composers Concert featured some of the recent accomplishments of our School's composers including Ernest (Year 10), Esther (Year 11), Chen-Chen, Kieran, Danny, Enoch and Leo (Lower Sixth), and Eva, Edvard, Defne and James (Upper Sixth).

April saw the annual Composers' Orchestral Workshop where selected pupils have the rare opportunity of writing pieces for full Symphony Orchestra and having them performed by the School Orchestra. This year Kieran (Lower Sixth) and James, Defne and Eva wrote spellbinding pieces entitled VixáwUponValleys (Kieran), Hugo (Eva), Auk-Kestral Peace (James) and ArtemisandEphesus (Defne). The Orchestra had great fun rehearsing and recording these pieces and it was wonderful to hear them playing with all the vitality that the composers had injected into their work. Thank you to Paul Whitmarsh who led the workshop and guided pupils through the compositional process.

In May, our composers delighted audiences as part of the Sound of Wells Festival. Cedars Hall was filled with the sound of wonderful performances at another Composers Concert. The night before, at Evensong, the Cathedral Choir performed Eva’s piece, Then I shall leapintolove. Cathedral visitors were also treated to a variety of pieces at a Lunchtime Concert. Later that month, James’s evocative composition There is no rose of suchvirtuewas sung enchantingly by Lydia and Sophie (Upper Sixth) in the School Cathedral service.

St John Passion

In May, the Cathedral Choir, with stellar soloists Kieran White OW (2008) (Evangelist) and Neal Davies (Christus), accompanied by baroque ensemble Réjouissance, gave an absolutely outstanding performance of J.S. Bach's 1724 StJohnPassion in its 300th anniversary year. Head and Deputy Head Choristers Petra and Estella (Year 9) brilliantly delivered the two soprano arias Ichfolgedir and Zerfließe, mein Herze with masterful control and character. William Drakett and Alex Jenkins, both Vicars Choral and Wells staff members, also gave superb performances of the bass and tenor arias.

Mr Wells, Head of the Prep School, commented, “Followingaweekofoutstandingmusicandevents thatformedthisyear'sSoundofWellsFestival,there surelycouldbenobetterfinalethanSaturday'ssimply captivatingperformanceofBach'simmortal St John Passion.Theharmonybetweenthechoirandorchestra wasajoytobeholdastheydeliveredaperformance

Year 7's Evensong and Pizza Night

Year 7 pupils took the opportunity to go to Evensong to hear the Choristers sing in the Cathedral. They then went to ASK Italian restaurant as part of the annual tradition of 'Evensong and Pizza Night'. Thanks to Mrs Dine and Miss Tibbs who accompanied them.

Photo:JasonBryant

brimmingwithconvictionandfervour.Thesolosby Petra(Year9),Estella(Year9),andThomas(Year8)were nothingshortofastounding.Theyexudedamaturity beyondtheiryearsandIamsureservedasinspiring rolemodelsfortheiryoungerpeers.UndoubtedlyIam sureitwillbeaneveningthatwilllingerintheirandour memoriesforyearstocome.”

Choristers work with OW Hollywood composer

In March, the Choristers recorded the soundtrack for a new video game with music composed by OW David Buckley (1994). While the rest of the School broke up for Easter, the Choristers remained, singing the Holy Week and Easter services in the Cathedral.

Wells Music Summer Schools

International Wind, Brass & Percussion

Sunday 28th July to Saturday 3rd August

Ages 10-18. For all abilities except complete beginners

International Jazz

Sunday 4th August to Saturday 10th August

Ages 13-18. Grade 5+ and some jazz experience recommended

International Chamber Music

Sunday 11th August to Saturday 17th August

Grade 7+

International Vocal

Sunday 11th August to Saturday 17th August

Grade 6+

Find out more

https://wells.cathedral.school/summer 01749 834298

holidaymusic@wells.cathedral.school