news & views from bablake school issue 60 spring 2013
In this issue Cambridge successes 2 A Classical update 3 Looking at life in 3D 4 News in short 5
Teach “The EDM was packed for the three hour concert which offered music and comedy of a very high standard.”
Turkish delight 6 The living rainforest 7 Bablake in Berlin 8 Teenage Cancer Trust 9 Blithe Spirit 10 Going back to our Roots 11 Orchestra da Camera 12 Creative shorts 13 Sport 14
W
e first heard about TEACH (Tura Earthly Assistance Care and Help Charity) from its founder, Liz Ochieng, and then decided to organise a concert to raise money for it. Our target was £1000, to be raised through ticket sales and a charity collection at school. We started planning the concert in November 2012 and by the end of December, we had all of our acts confirmed. When term began in January, rehearsals got underway and the performance took place on the 12th February 2013. We managed to sell almost 200 tickets at £5 each, including several on the night itself. During the evening, we held a raffle and sold refreshments kindly provided by the PA. The EDM was packed for the three-hour concert which offered music and comedy of a very high standard. Acts included Bablake pupils Rory Dulku, Matt Hayhurst and Robbie Stowers, as well as Reece Bahia, who recently auditioned for Your Generation and met Simon Cowell, who apparently liked his audition! The concert was a huge success and we raised over £1500, which will support the education of 15 children in Kenya for over a year. Thank you to everyone who helped with the concert, with special thanks to Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Crompton. Becky Williamson and Aron Sood
Bablake News
Bablake’s South African partnership On the last day of the Christmas term, Bablake pupils paid £1 to attend school in non-uniform. Proceeds from the day will be given to our partner school in Harrismith, South Africa. The money is intended for maintenance and cleaning of pupil toilets, for which funding is not made available by the local authorities. The money will also provide the Harrismith pupils with costumes for drama and music productions. Fourteen Bablake pupils from the Fifth and Sixth Form will be visiting the school in July to take part in educational and cultural projects with the pupils from Harrismith and a local primary school.
Top left clockwise Joe Gibbins, Lois Miller, Beth Evans and Georgia Powell
Introducing our Cambridge successes... While the majority of our Upper Sixth is delighted with well deserved, impressive UCAS offers from leading universities, four Bablake pupils are even more ecstatic since they hold conditional or unconditional offers from the University of Cambridge. Beth Evans (Natural Sciences), Joe Gibbins (Engineering), Lois Miller (Behavioural Sciences) and Georgia Powell (French and Russian) have places at Downing, Christ’s, Trinity Hall and Selwyn respectively. Beth, who is completing a gap year as a Deloitte Scholar, is guaranteed a place with her four A*s that she achieved last summer, while the other three now look forward to achieving the high grades to satisfy their offers. Well done to all four pupils and credit to Mrs Alison Tumber, Head of Sixth Form and Oxbridge Co-ordinator, and all the staff involved in preparing these pupils for their applications.
2
the lion Spring 2013
Happy faces at Harrismith School in South Africa
Keeping in touch with our alumni Our Alumni Relations Officer Mrs Sylvia O’Sullivan recently circulated, by email, the first edition of an excellent newsletter produced for our former pupils. Included in this first edition is news of various official reunions with former pupils from the modern era, the 90s and the 30s - 40s. Among other items, there is a summary of the excellent progress made by the Old Wheatleyans RFC over the last 18 months, while Mr Peter Burden pens a piece on his role as our school archivist. If you wish to supply news for the next edition or would like to be added to the circulation list, please contact Mrs O’Sullivan by email (sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk). Former pupils may also be interested to know there is an official Facebook group for Old Wheatleyans/Bablake Former Pupils and Former Pupil news and events are posted regularly in this group.
Bablake News
Celebrations with a difference! Members of the Junior Languages Club were very busy in the run up to Christmas. Pupils made crackers filled with sweets and tongue-twisters in French, German and Spanish. Gingerbread heart and star biscuits were decorated ready to be hung on the Christmas tree, though we’re not sure how many made it that far! On the last Tuesday of term, we held a special food tasting event. ‘A taste of Christmas in France, Germany and Spain’ gave pupils from all year groups the opportunity to sample festive sweet treats. In return, pupils made donations to CRY. Jess and HRH The Princess Royal
It’s Karneval time again! The tradition of Karneval and Mardi Gras was once again celebrated as we made bright and colourful masks. Lots of fun was had researching designs and the finished masks are stunning! Mrs Helen Billings, Head of German, would like to thank everyone who contributed to the events , but in particular the school’s language assistants: Mr Patrick Heller, Miss Nancy Le Rouzic and Miss Claudia LangLenton Arrizabalaga.
Jess – by royal appointment During the Autumn Term, Jessica Brake was privileged to make a presentation to HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne at Coventry’s award-winning Citizens’ Advice Bureau. The Princess was in Coventry to hear more at first-hand about a new CAB scheme, a partnership with Severn Trent Water, to help local people pay their water bills. The Royal visit will be one we are sure Jessica will remember for the rest of her life.
Pupils on the recent Bablake Classics trip to London
A Classical update... Life in the Classics Department continues to be very busy. Shortly before Christmas, around 40 pupils went to the British Museum to observe artefacts from all over the world.
The Junior Languages Club gets festive
After a brief stop at Covent Garden for shopping and lunch, pupils were free to explore the galleries, with the Rosetta Stone and Elgin marbles drawing their usual crowds. Students also made their way up to the Roman Britain gallery to view objects they had studied as part of their AS level course. We have been fortunate to have been visited by guest speakers from both Warwick and Birmingham Universities who gave talks on Roman coinage and Aeneid book 4. The latter talk proved extremely popular, with over 50 pupils attending from numerous
other schools. In a new venture, we have also highlighted the scholarship we have within the school by inviting pupils to talk on Classical subjects at Senior Classical Society meetings. Holly Twigger took up the challenge to give a superb presentation on Egyptian attitudes to death. The Society also witnessed a production of Sophocles’ Ajax recently and, with future visits to Wroxeter and participation in a Pan-European competition, as well as talks by current pupils and staff scheduled, life will remain very active in the Classics Department. bablake school
3
Bablake News
Fulfilling driving ambitions “This 3D printer technology has been used to produce cars for the James Bond film Skyfall, and is being tested by NASA with moon dirt for future missions on the moon!” Oliver Warlow, (U6KJT) with a 3D model of his A level design
3D
Looking at life in
Bablake is now at the forefront of design technology with a BFB3000 3D Printer. It gives pupils an amazing opportunity to experience genuine cutting edge technology, which continues to develop at an astounding rate. This 3D printer technology has been used to produce cars for the James Bond film Skyfall, and is being tested by NASA with moon dirt for future missions on the moon! Architects are also looking at the technology to produce buildings around the world.
Our pupils have already started producing models, from A-level project development models to F1 in Schools Challenge car parts to be entered into an international competition. The results have been outstanding, with more in the pipeline. The printer has produced such a buzz in the department, and when it first arrived, pupils were literally dropping in just to look at it. The future is here!
In February, two teams from the Fifth and Sixth Forms made their way to Aston University’s Engineering Academy for the Regional Final of the F1 in Schools Competition For Team Synergy, made up of Jake O’Sullivan, Scott Spencer, Will Banfield, Simran Bansal, Bradley Pinkham and Robert Tuckey, it was their debut year and they enjoyed some excellent race pace against some very tough competition. For Anu Bose, Joshua Rowe and James Tumber, it was their second year competing as Team Impulse F1, and although a little disappointed not to improve on their race time from last year, they did an exceptional job with their pit display and presentation - a major part of the competition alongside the racing. Both teams are still awaiting their overall results, which should arrive any day. Regardless of where they are placed, all the pupils involved can be very proud of the way they performed on the day, as well as the team work and dedication they have shown during many months of hard work preparing for the event.
The year of the snake The celebration of Spring Festival in the Chinese community has always been the most important and exciting event in the year. This year the celebrations starting the Year of the Snake began on the 10th February and for those of us from Mainland China, there was more surprise this time, in a different culture, speaking in a different language and having different food. As we all joined together for a meal hosted by Mrs Tumber in Cosmo’s, the sentiment of appreciation was the same, as were the best wishes shared for a whole new year. It occurred to me that we were never far from home, and I loved it. Our Chinese pupils celebrate at Cosmo
Shirley Wu (Top) Team Impulse F1 and (below) Team Synergy
4
the lion Spring 2013
Bablake News
News in short... other members of the Sixth Form, to ensure that everything went perfectly. They wanted it to be a night during which they could all remember Pip and the good times they spent with her. They also hoped to raise £300 for CRY and were therefore delighted with the total of £412 for this important charity. There were delicious cupcakes made by Shiksha Gill and Jess Betts, with photography by Anu Bose, and some of the Senior Prefects helped to serve drinks and food. “We played all of Pip’s favourite music from Glee to The Saturdays and a slide show of pictures also played throughout the evening”. We enjoyed an amazing, memorable ball, and towards the end everyone gathered in the centre of the Hall to sing and dance to We’re All in This Together and Reach for the Stars! Pip is a true inspiration to us all and although we miss her, we felt that she was with us that evening.”
Maria O’Neill We are pleased to be able to announce that Mrs Maria O’Neill, Head of Spanish, has just had her first Spanish textbook published. Welcome to Planet Wizz, written to help make language learning appealing for young people, is now available in Waterstones, WH Smith and local independent stores, and from Amazon. St. Osburg’s Upper Sixth pupil Georgia Powell has been teaching German to Year 5 pupils at St. Osburg’s primary school as part of the CSV programme for the past two years. In the run-up to the festive period the Upper Sixth German set helped Georgia to run a stall at St Osburg’s Christmas Fair to raise money for the primary school. Visitors to the stall were able to decorate a heart or star shape to hang on the tree. There was lots of sugar involved and the biscuits looked fantastic, while for some the temptation was simply too great and the biscuits were eaten straight away! Pupils from the class that Georgia teaches also designed some excellent posters with scenes from the Nativity and these were displayed for all to see. Pip’s Butterfly Ball On February 15th, the Lower Sixth held a Butterfly Ball in memory of dear friend Pip Chowne. They spent a long time planning and preparing with
Sammi Rehman Congratulations to Sammi Rehman for being part of the U15 wheelchair basketball team that went to the National Championship Competition at Stoke Mandeville and won the national title. The West Midlands Squad was made up of 10 boys and girls from Coventry, Wolverhampton and Stoke on Trent and they brought the title to the West Midlands for the first time in the championship’s history! jacob baines Congratulations to Fourth Form pupil Jacob Baines, who has recently been awarded his Young Leader belt by the Scout Association, an accolade usually only given to those who are aged over 16. To gain this award, over six months, Jacob has completed the full Young Leader Training Scheme, gained certification in the British Red Cross First Aid qualifications, assisted as a leader with Cub-aged members and completed a number of missions set by the association.
It has been confirmed that Jacob is the youngest in the Midlands to have received this honour but we await confirmation from the National office that he is the youngest in the country to have achieved the award. Junior Choir perform for Archbishop The Junior Choir was thrilled to be invited to take part in a day of prayer held at Coventry Cathedral on Friday 15th March, leading reflections for the congregation and the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The Archbishop was undertaking a ‘Journey in Prayer’ in the days leading up to his enthronement in Canterbury on March 21st, with his journey taking him to five cathedrals around the southern province, Coventry being second on the list. The Junior Choir performed a selection of repertoire, including some of the worship songs that lower years use in their Monday assemblies. Their director, Mrs Cathy Scott-Burt, said “I was as excited as the children to take part in this prestigious event, and felt honoured to be part of such a very special day in the life of the Anglican community in the area.”
Coventry Rotary Club Young Musician of the year In January, Bablake played host to the Coventry Rotary Club young musician of the year competition. The event was open to all schools in Coventry and the standard of vocal and instrumental performance was very high. Sixth former Bradley Gill represented Bablake and won the vocal category, going forward to sing at the regional final. The judge commented on the great communication and depth of tone in the performance. Bradley was presented with a cheque for £100 by the Lord Mayor of Coventry as his award for being the overall winner in Coventry. bablake school
5
Bablake Travel
Turkish
delight
“Next stop was the Acropolis at Pergamum, an amazingly well preserved Greek city situated on a hill.” 36 students from the Fourth Year to Lower Sixth and 4 teachers found Turkey an exciting destination for the Classics Department trip in October. Mr Julian Bunce tells us more...
A
mong the classical sites visited were Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and Aphrodisias. We began and finished in Istanbul. Although distances covered by road were considerable, the students all made the best of it, and everyone agreed that we got an ample flavour of Turkey. Here are some of the highlights in the words of our mascots Istan (the bull), Cabbage (the monkey), Adolf (the goat) and Maximus (the dog). Day One Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were truly wonderful. On the outside the two mosques looked similar, but on the inside they were completely different. Hagia
6
the lion Spring 2013
Sophia was filled with amazing art and mosaic pictures that I got to admire with the mesmerizing voice of our tour guide Nazli. Afterwards we took a boat journey, with Asia and Europe either side of us. The views were truly breathtaking. Day Two The Central Bazaar was fantastic with many things to buy, from clothing to food to musical instruments. I bartered with the local shop keepers to get a good trade price for my Armani pants which went down from 9 lira to 7 lira, TOP BARGAIN. Gallipoli was very peaceful and the stone memorial pillar was a very striking piece of architecture
that made me feel triumphant and respectful towards all the soldiers that fought in the battles.
in getting into the pool, but soon regretted this decision when we hit the freezing water!
Day Three I do wish that the treasure hunter Schliemann had left the excavating to the real archaeologists; we would then have been left with so much more of Troy to examine and appreciate. Next stop was the Acropolis at Pergamum, an amazingly well preserved Greek city situated on a hill. However, this was no sightseeing for the fainthearted! First we had to ascend the hill in a cable car which wobbled a little too precariously for my liking. Back at the hotel we wasted no time
Day Four In the theatre at Aphrodisias I was entertained by a group of students performing a short version of Ajax by Sophocles. It was allegedly directed by Andrew Judge and featured Nick Evans stabbing himself with a stick – a most tragic end. The pools of Pamukkale, which in my opinion should be a natural wonder of the world, were much better than anything we have in the jungle and being able to walk through them was an amazing experience.
Bablake Travel
Climb
every
mountain... Michael Brown talks to the animals
The living
rainforest While the whole of the region was awaiting flurries of snow and the rigours of winter, our Second Year was experiencing the relative warmth of life in the Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys, near Newbury. The year group had an excellent day learning more about one of their classroom topics. After a guided tour around the rainforest, groups were able to explore the glasshouses, answer detailed worksheets and make field sketches, all of which will form excellent material for further discussion in their Geography lessons.
Mr Kris Tyas (right) with his Three Peaks Challenge partner, Andy Batkin
You may recall that Mr Kris Tyas, Head of Mathematics, when faced with a two week Autumn half-term last year, successfully ran seven marathons in seven days to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. This year, it looked as if he would be attempting a relatively relaxed Three Peaks Challenge, until we discovered he was planning to cycle between the peaks. When asked to summarise the key aspects of the weekend, Mr Tyas said: 450 miles; three big hills; perfect weather (no wind at all); two great friends; 10 miles cycling on a newly built, yet to be opened motorway (a slight navigational error!); only one break down- right outside a bike shop- no punctures; incredibly sore legs; and a job well done. A job well done indeed!
C’est beret good fun, mes amis! Just before Christmas, a group of Second and Third Year pupils went to Boulogne for a day trip, travelling through the night to arrive in time to see the first catches of the day being brought to the fish market. They visited the sea-life centre, the Christmas market, the old town of Boulogne where they enjoyed delicious food in some of the town’s finest restaurants - and Cité Europe.
Luke Trueman, Elliot Brewster and Daniel Smith having a beret good time bablake school
7
Bablake Travel
“Wingardium Leviosa!”
Bablake in
Berlin Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Alison Tumber!
Just
Pupils in front of the ‘Aufbau der Republik’ mural at the Federal Ministry of Finance
magic!
Over half-term, 55 Bablake pupils participated in a joint History and DT visit to Berlin.
written by an enchanted Ollie Adebisi
The visit was highly successful with pupils gaining a valuable insight into their respective subject areas. History GCSE students visited key sites relating to Weimar and Nazi Germany and the Cold War. Highlights included Checkpoint Charlie and the ‘East Side Gallery’, a surviving part of the wall which has been turned into art by local Bablake staff and pupils at the Brandenburgh Gate people. There was also a more sombre visit to Wansee, site of the Nazi conference to co-ordinate the ‘Final Solution’ and to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. DT students had an opportunity to discover famous aspects of German design, including the Bauhaus museum, BMW factory, Museum of Technology and Industry, and Templehof airport. A highlight was the Dinge Museum (museum of things) with its 25,000 exhibits. The groups came together on the last day for a memorable visit to the 1936 Olympic stadium, now the home of Hertha Berlin.
Earlier in the term, the Upper Sixth Philosophy class decided to venture away from the Bablake corridors to more magical realms: namely, The Harry Potter Studio Tour. On a minibus in the company of Professor and Mr Tumberdore, we travelled south laden with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. Once there, we took photos by the giant chess pieces from The Philosopher’s Stone, and levels of excitement increased as we saw ‘the cupboard under the stairs’ and entered the Great Hall. We marvelled at the attention to detail and the array of costumes of the Hogwarts’ Staff, as well as the students’ uniforms. Which House would we have been sorted into? The day seemed to pass in a magical blur. We saw amazing sets including the Gryffindor Dorm and Diagon Alley, and we drank Butterbeer (which wasn’t that great!). We even rode on Hagrid’s motorbike and our very own Professor Tumberdore took to the skies on a broom stick! The models and art work were incredible and we would certainly recommend a visit. We all enjoyed our glimpse of the magical world; we just wish it were real.
8
the lion Spring 2013
Bablake Charity
Teenage Cancer Trust
Charity report
I am pleased to enclose cheques for the Teenage Cancer Trust totalling £2084.19 raised by members of Bablake School in support of their friend and fellow student James Allitt. These cheques are in addition to what has been raised online that has come directly to you, giving a grand total of £2736.26. We were all shocked to learn that James was diagnosed with not one but two forms of leukaemia when he was part way through his GCSE exams back in May 2012. Friends who visited James on the Teenage Cancer Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital reported back on the excellent care and facilities available and asked to start a fund raising campaign for the charity to show support for James and his family at such a difficult time. At the end of the Summer Term, James’ year group were given a holiday challenge to turn £1 into something more: • Thomas Grantham used his £1 to register on a website which allowed him to sell a book of e-poetry and raise an incredible £460. • Adam Wellings bought car cleaning equipment and ended up raising £152. • Kalika Puri bought wool with her £1 and sold her creative crochet work, raising £85. • Shiksha Gill’s cake-baking skills came to the fore and she raised £69, after using the initial money to buy ingredients. • James McAllister and James Tumber were inspired to write to famous Jameses, asking them to donate items that could be auctioned for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The generosity of Messrs Blunt, Caan, Cullum, Dyson, Galway and three James Bonds- Daniel Craig, Timothy Dalton and Roger Mooreturned their £1 into £207.06. • Bethany Shaw, who wrote to Coventry City Football Club, Coventry and North Warwickshire Cricket Club, Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the England and Welsh Cricket Board asking for items to raffle, raised £148. Money raised was also boosted by our weekly Charity Collections and the ‘Jam for James’ stall at the Bablake Christmas Fayre. I am pleased to say that the bone marrow transplant went well and James is now back at home, gradually regaining his strength. His Bablake friends visit and are now researching how to promote the bone marrow donor register, as they have seen first-hand how a transplant can save a life.
Bablake’s 2013 charity calendar
During the Autumn Term, we supported Macmillan, the Lifeboats, Our Troops in Afghanistan, Children in Need and Movember, and pupils in Lower School delivered harvest baskets to local senior citizens as well as boxes of food to our local food bank. Mrs Tumber and the Sixth Form have raised an impressive £2,736 for the Teenage Cancer Trust in support of James Allitt (see left), who continues to receive treatment in Birmingham. Malcolm Martin, our caretaker, and Mr Woodward have produced another Bablake Charity Calendar, this year in aid of CRY, while Mr Tyas achieved yet another goal for the British Heart Foundation by cycling the three peaks. From our collection of unwanted clothing and household items, Cancer Research UK have benefitted by approximately £4,125. This brought our total to £11,777.63, which was a new record for the Autumn Term. We should also congratulate our Parents’ Association, which raised an incredible £7,000 through sales of tickets for a stage performance of Calendar Girls and a raffle.
Extracts from a letter sent by Mrs Tumber, Head of Sixth Form, to the Teenage Cancer Trust
bablake school
9
Bablake Arts
“It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” Charles Condomine
Director of Drama, Ms Caroline Farmer explains Bablake’s production of Noel Coward’s improbable farce. Actorum’s Dictum It came to pass one cold winter’s evening, that the Director had said the immortal words, “That’s a green go.” These words of advice were given for an actor, explaining that one only steps upon the stage having been given a green light. Sadly, the actress (you know who you are) misheard. She paused on stage, looked confused and asked why the Director kept shouting “green goat”. Henceforth, all errors during rehearsals were highlighted as goat’s ninny. HIRCUS VIRIDIS (Green Goat in Latin). ACTORUM LAUNCHED Inaugural production ‘Blithe Spirit’ Dec 2012 What is Actorum? The new Sixth Form Dramatic Society. Why is it just for the Sixth Form? As part of my brief, I want Bablake to produce even more shows. Having a discrete Sixth Form society means that we can focus on high quality, challenging work. We will also be introducing societies for lower and middle school. How many took part in Blithe Spirit? We had seven actors, one lighting technician, one sound technician, one scenic painter, two DSMs, and eight ASMs. That’s a lot of people backstage. Indeed. Bablake Drama is run for the students, by the students. Actorum shows will run without staff. It is important that pupils understand that a show is a business. We run to a budget and have to make artistic decisions within those parameters. The skills learned in Actorum are transferable. Blithe Spirit was a very professional show. Thank you. We worked hard to create a professional set, and students learned life skills whilst doing it – including coving and putting up dado rails! The actors performed at a level that would be seen on the professional stage. The crew worked under the pressure of real theatre. The show really must go on! What will the next show be? 24hrs Play in July. Students will write, produce and perform a play in just 24hrs. Money raised will go towards the forthcoming production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
10
the lion Spring 2013
Scenes from the Christmas production
Bablake Arts
Going back to our Roots Tremendous credit should go to the Art Departments at both Bablake and KHVIII for a wonderful Art exhibition at Coventry’s Roots Gallery. This showcased some of the best creative work from current and former pupils who have studied creative subjects at either school. The Bablake work in the exhibition included the work of seven former pupils who have a career in the creative arts, six undergraduates who are currently studying at university and seven current pupils who are intending to study the subject at foundation and degree level. The exhibition highlighted the career pathways which lead from education into the workplace and celebrated the success of over 40 pupils from the Coventry School Foundation, who have achieved this already, or are about to embark upon an exciting journey into that world. Bringing together the work of painters, architects, photographers, craftspeople, animators and illustrators, the Art departments demonstrated to the next generation of aspiring artists the opportunities which are open to them. The exhibition was made possible through the kind support of the Coventry School Foundation and our links with Sian Conway, Director of The Roots Gallery.
Eve Kershaw models her own design
Lorna Syson, inspired by dahlias at the Eden Project
Gollum by Daniel Jack
Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero by Alex T Smith
Sir Chris Hoy by Ben Duffy bablake school
11
Bablake Arts
A special visitor to the service (photo by Nicky Tarbert)
Anna White, Harry Scott-Burt and Hilary Shum enjoying the day with Hans Nygaard and Peter Wilson
Orchestra da
Camera
On Sunday 10th February, the Music Department welcomed the Kontra Quartet’s cellist Hans Nygaard (ex-principal cello of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra) to Bablake to lead a workshop and masterclass day for young cellists. The day, the second in partnership with the Orchestra da Camera, was a huge success with young cellists performing in chamber ensembles as well as in a mass cello orchestra; the afternoon concert included a performance from each small group as well as the whole ensemble playing a specially-commissioned work entitled Phantom Riders, written by Trevor Wilson for cello orchestra and two soloists. Solo parts were played by Hans Nygaard and Peter Wilson, who is a member of the Orchestra da Camera and a cello teacher at Bablake. Representing Bablake on the day were Hilary Schum and Anna White (both Shell Music Scholars) from the Senior School and Harry ScottBurt from the Junior School. Anna was one of the lucky players chosen to have a masterclass lesson with Hans Nygaard, an experience that she says she found amazing and will remember for ever!
12
the lion Spring 2013
Our special cathedral visitor... A wonderful evening of music and readings warmed pupils (both current and former), parents and staff from Bablake’s Junior and Senior Schools at our Carol Service held at Coventry Cathedral. Exceptional musical pieces and readings, interspersed with congregational carol singing, were a fine tonic for the final week of a busy and exacting term. Mr Chris Mellers, Head of Religious Studies, drew attention to the return of Bablake to Coventry Cathedral. He also reminded the gathered congregation that as well as being the first joint service with our Junior School, the evening saw the premiere performance of a piece commissioned for the service and in addition to this, the Cathedral greeted a live donkey for the first time! Well done to all those involved in the planning and performance.
Bablake Arts
Young cellist, Anna White
Alex T Smith with Shell pupils
anna white Congratulations to young cellist and Bablake Music scholar Anna White who will be playing with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain (NCO) for the second year running after successfully re-auditioning for her place that she first won while in our Junior School last year. The NCO is Great Britain’s premier symphony orchestra for children, offering a life-changing experience with training from top professional musicians, and its performances are renowned not only for their intensity, vivacity and commitment, but above all their professionalism. We look forward to hearing more later in the year from Anna- who is also completing her Bronze Arts Award- about her time with the NCO.
Silver Awards this year. We have had some really successful Arts workshops as part of this project; working with the whole of our Junior School’s Year 4, Sam Lowe and Anna White led taster sessions on saxophone and ‘cello respectively, whilst Lydia Bruton and Jody Wong delivered a drama workshop as part of their Bronze Award. Bethany Carter and Aron Sood have been leading and directing a woodwind group in the Junior School for most of this academic year, and have performed with the younger children at two Junior School concerts as part of their Silver Award. Avni Kant has made a short animation and composed her own music for it as part of her Silver Award. We wish them all success in the approaching moderation and look forward to hearing about their continued journeys in the future.
Arts Award Arts Award is moving forward again this year! Bablake School will soon be hosting a moderation event for young people from various centres who have completed their Arts Awards, and we have several candidates of our own to submit for both Bronze and
Alex T Smith Illustrator and author, Alex T Smith, who was shortlisted this year for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, returned to Bablake recently with updated versions of the four Claude books that he has published and the very exciting news that his canine creation now sits proudly on National Book Tokens. The former pupil’s visit coincided with a Shell library lesson and Alex was delighted with the interest shown in how his books had been written, illustrated and published. He fielded some excellent questions with his customary charm. shells Technical theatre Lighting and sound is now offered as part of the Drama curriculum for Shells. “Theatre is not just about acting. Without lighting, set, sound… there is no theatre! Imagine a horror movie without the soundtrack,” writes Director of Drama, Ms Farmer. Babtech is a new club running for those interested in technical theatre. Please see Mr Wyatt for details.
bablake school
13
Bablake Sport
Boys’ sport Bablake Rugby This term has again been badly disrupted by the weather, but there have still been some outstanding individual and team performances. Performance of the term perhaps goes to the second half of our U14’s Coventry Cup match v Cardinal Wiseman. At 25-0 down, 10 minutes into the second half, the game looked lost but the team then produced an outstanding 20 minutes of rugby to score 5 tries and eventually win 35-25. The same age group should also be congratulated on reaching the plate final at the Warwick 7s, where they lost narrowly to Millfield. Elsewhere in the Coventry Cup, the U12s and U13s are currently waiting to play in semi-finals. A number of individual players have been selected to play for Warwickshire. Following on from James Faulkner and Ronan Jones in the U18s and Jamie Jack, Bradley Pinkham and Paul Gascoigne in the U16s, Liam Meechan and Chimdi Ogbuneke have recently been selected for the U15 squad and James Moffit, Danny O’Malley, Jack Whitaker, Harry Garforth and Daniel Lanning for the U14 training squad. The Mike Hibbert Shield In front of over 1000 spectators, our 1st XV proudly regained the Mike Hibbert trophy with an 18-8 win over neighbours King Henry VIII at Coventry RFC’s Butts Park Arena. Stoic defence throughout from both teams, coupled with some exciting breaks from the backs, made for an excellent spectacle on a bitterly cold but dry evening. The win was finally sealed for Bablake when Andy Clisham broke free on the King Henry VIII 22. His pace, strength and positive, direct running were rewarded with a fine solo try, as he penetrated King Henry VIII’s resolute resistance. The excitable crowd had witnessed one of the most open games for a number of seasons and both teams should be commended on their excellent spirit. Ronan Jones, Bablake’s 1st XV captain, proudly collected the Mike Hibbert Shield from Mrs Marion Hibbert, wife of the former Old Wheatleyan. When asked how he felt, he commented: ‘It was a special feeling captaining the side in front of such a big crowd and we are all really pleased to have regained the Mike Hibbert trophy.’
14
the lion Spring 2013
Training taken by Leicester Tigers
Tigers Improve Bablake Lions’ Skills Bablake’s close links with Leicester Tigers enabled a group of our young rugby players to enjoy an inspiring evening in November at this top Aviva Premiership club. As well as meeting Rob Hawkins, a current 1st XV player, our young Lions had a training session and were also able to watch Leicester Tigers’ evening win (32-24) against the Maori All Blacks. In addition to this, half a dozen of our most promising young rugby players from each of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Year squads are currently benefiting from coaching tips from Leicester Tigers Academy. As well as a weekly strength and conditioning session with Leicester Tigers’ Academy coach and Coventry RFC player Greg Sammons, they also attend a session twice a term with former pupil Matt Williams, currently Leicester Tigers’ Senior Rugby Development Officer. We will soon be announcing information about a summer rugby camp, run by Leicester Tigers, for boys aged 8-16 that will be held at Bablake’s playing fields in early August. Boys’ Hockey - @bablakehockey This season has once again been very successful across all age groups, with more boys than ever before representing the school. An agreement with other local independent schools to timetable games for each year group on the same afternoon has resulted in more A & B fixtures. These changes have also coincided with the inaugural year of the Warwickshire Hockey League, in which our U13s, U14s, U15s, 2nd XI and 1st XI are entered. The league includes the following schools: Bablake, King Edward’s Birmingham, Solihull, Warwick, Princethorpe, KHVIII, Lawrence Sheriff and Bishop Vesey’s. It
has raised the profile of hockey, given further focus to training sessions and ‘league’ fixtures have been played with an extra competitive edge. At 1st XI level, independent umpires from the Midlands Hockey Umpiring Association have been appointed and these games have been used to further trial two way radio communication between the officials (currently only used at international level). The 1st XI this season has been excellently captained by Hugh Kenney-Herbert, who has led by example and demanded the highest standards from the squad. Highlights of the season have included an impressive 6-1 win in the league over local rivals KHVIII and knocking Solihull School out of the Warwickshire U18 Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win. The 2nd XI, captained by James Colburn, has had an indifferent season, performing well in friendlies, but the side has struggled to find strong performances in the league. However, there are a number of players who have shown promise and should be looking to secure a 1st XI place next season if the necessary hard work is put in over the summer months. The 3rd XI has shown excellent commitment and this team has once again provided a chance for boys to represent the school who had not previously had the opportunity to do so in their younger years. The U15s, under the guidance of Mr Atwal and captaincy of Rory-Kenney Herbert, have had another strong season and are title contenders in the league competition. Their hopes of becoming champions suffered a set-back after they lost 2-1 against King Edward’s, but recent results have reflected the strength, depth and quality in the squad. Highlights of the season have included victories against Camp Hill (14-0), Princethorpe (7-0), KHVIII (3-1), Solihull (5-1) and LSS (1-0). The U14s have also had a good season and they have shown excellent commitment to training
Bablake Sport
and a strong work ethic. Cameron Park, Christian Green and Jamie Darlison have all been on excellent form this season. The team performed well in their County Tournament with victories over Princethorpe (1-0) and LSS (1-0). The U13s are also developing into a good side, well led by Julian Wreford. They were unlucky to go out of the U13 County Tournament on goal difference despite good performances against King Edward’s (2-2) and KHVIII (0-0). The U12s are looking like a very promising and talented group of players. Victories against Princethorpe (2-0) and Loughborough GS (4-0) are well deserved after weeks of hard work at training on Friday evenings! Special mention should go to Amrit Gill (captain) and Tom Rouse (GK) who have excelled within the team. Bablake Cricket – @bablakecricket Congratulations to the following boys who were selected for the Warwickshire Development of Excellence Squads over the winter: Mark Best (Academy) – Bablake Cricket Scholar Matthew Clements – Bablake Cricket Scholar Matthew Payne Ross Parnell – Bablake Cricket Scholar Daniel Smith Daniel Mousley The Warwickshire Cricket Club AGM was held on Thursday 28th February and two Bablake students were among the award winners. Huge congratulations to Mark Best, who won two very prestigious awards: The Coney Edmonds Trophy (Under 19s Award)and The Cyril Goodway Trophy (WCB’s U19s & 17s Award). Daniel Mousley (Shells) is obviously a very promising cricketer and he picked up a Warwickshire Cricket Board Youth Award, presented in recognition for consistently high performances. We look forward to seeing all our cricket teams in action during the summer term; they are all currently training hard indoors preparing for what will hopefully be another successful season.
Star cricketers Matt Payne and Matt Clements
Girls’ sport GIRLS’ PE The girls at Bablake have continued to train hard throughout the season despite the gruelling winter conditions, to ensure that they have developed the skills and tactics needed to rival their widespread opponents. The highlight of the year has undoubtedly been the achievements of the indoor hockey teams. Both the U18 and U16 teams stole the County title within Warwickshire, and therefore qualified for the Midlands finals where the level of competition was exceptional. This was a valuable experience for all involved. Taking their success outdoors, the U16 hockey team took second place in the Warwickshire tournament and progressed to the Midlands Zonal finals, where they finished third after beating Stratford Grammar and losing narrowly to Bromsgrove and Shrewsbury. They are a talented team and their victories have also included a 10-0 win over Newcastle-UnderLyme. Similarly the U18 1st XI hockey team gained respect by defeating close rivals King Henry VIII, on both meetings. The U15 hockey team will be an asset to the senior squad next year after winning over 70% of their fixtures this season. Key results for the junior teams have included an U13 win of 5-0 against Kenilworth and a 4-1 defeat of Princethorpe. Equally prestigious, the U14 hockey team are undefeated by local opponents King Henry VIII.
Nia Gripton-Crockford on the water
Playing against local rivals in the Coventry Schools’ Tournament brings out some of the most competitive and quality netball from our pupils. The U19A and B, U16 and U14A and B teams all took top honours after winning every encounter. Other key netball results throughout the season have included a 41-10 victory over King Henry VIII (U16), a 19-6 defeat of Higham Lane (U15) and a tight yet well-deserved 13-11 success over St. Martin’s (U13). The U12 netball team has had some good results, including a 20-1 win over Bilton Grange and a credible 14-8 result over Leicester Grammar. Over the year, the team has trained exceptionally hard to enhance their skills and beat both King Henry VIII A and B teams in the most recent conquest, which was most pleasing after they had lost and drawn to them at the start of the season. Nia Gripton-Crockford Many congratulations to Nia Gripton-Crockford who has received confirmation that she has been selected for the Royal Yachting Association 420 national transition squad. As one of just a dozen boats selected for the squad, Nia will undergo extensive coaching from national and Olympic coaches and sailors over the winter. She will then represent Team GBR in at least one international event during this summer. Over 30 boats applied for selection this year, so Nia’s competition was very strong. Spurred on by the achievements of Bablake former pupils, Robert Clift (Hockey) and Nick Skelton (Showjumping), who have both won Olympic gold, Nia is now sailing the youth version of the boat Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark won a silver medal in at London 2012. Welcome support has also been given to her not only by the RYA but also Volvo Car UK, Henri Lloyd and UK Sport/ Sport England. bablake school
15
Bablake Update
“Education is about far more than that, as we aim not only to develop a life-long love of learning and discovery, but also to nurture self-belief, generosity and character.”
Headmaster’s notes As I write, many of our Sixth Formers are awaiting the results of January modules, in the knowledge that outcomes could affect their futures. They are used to taking public examinations, as they began with Science modules in the Fourth Year, and there must have been times when they have wanted to leap off what has appeared to be an assessment-driven treadmill. Mr Gove has been right to question the need for so many tests, and to ‘free’ future GCSE and A level students from this strait-jacket. We have justifiably high expectations of our students and we aim always to support them in achieving the best possible grades – and we celebrate with them when they do. However, top academic grades and a top degree do not necessarily equate to a top job in today’s world. Education is about far more than that, as we aim not only to develop a life-long love of learning and discovery, but also to nurture self-belief, generosity and character. As teachers and as parents, we are ultimately prouder of the fine young adults our children become than purely of what they achieve. Such education occurs as much outside the classroom as within. Character is formed by the hours spent practising a musical instrument, training for sport, persisting with the learning of difficult vocabulary or lines for the house play; through voluntary service to others via the CSV or Duke of Edinburgh programmes or other opportunities; through the receiving of constructive criticism or through learning from our mistakes and failures. And above all, through the daily practice of that core value of ‘consideration for others’ which we share as a community. A colleague at another school recently defined the qualities which he thinks define character: courage, resilience, loyalty, honesty, kindness, responsibility, self-control, politeness, punctuality and good manners. Such qualities are less easy to measure, but just as deserving of an A* grade!
16
the lion Spring 2013
Staff news
Diary dates
Several staff will be retiring, fully or partially, at the end of this academic year. Full tributes will be paid in due course to some outstandingly loyal servants of Bablake. We have made the following appointments for September 2013: Mrs Gill Press, Deputy Head (Pastoral). Before moving to the Midlands, Mrs Press was Deputy Head of Seniors at the Harrodian School in London, where she was responsible for pastoral care and performed many of the roles which she will be fulfilling at Bablake. Prior to this, she was Head of Girls’ P.E. in a large London state school. Her subject specialisms are P.E. and Geography. Mrs Carrie Martlew, Teacher of English and Theatre Studies. Mrs Martlew is currently covering the maternity leave of Mrs Reddish part-time, whilst also teaching at Warwick School. She studied English and Drama at the University of Ulster, and is an experienced teacher who has had pastoral responsibility and has worked overseas. Mr Simon Enstone, Head of Geography. Mr Enstone left Bablake to teach in Tanzania at the end of last year. He will return with a fresh perspective to lead the Geography Department, and we shall be delighted to welcome him back. Dr Toby Smith, Head of Religious Studies. Dr Smith currently teaches at King Henry VIII School. He is a graduate of the University of Durham, where he initially studied English Literature, before completing an MA, doctorate and teacher training in Philosophy and Religious Studies. He is a keen sportsman. Mr Trevor Hyde, Head of Physics. This is an internal appointment.
Tuesday 16 April Summer Term begins Monday 6 May Bank Holiday – School closed Friday 24 May Expeditions Day Monday 27 – Friday 31 May Half Term Tuesday 4 June Junior Scholars’ Concert EDM Foyer 7:00pm
Friday 21 June Open Evening 5:00pm – 8:00pm Monday 24 June Art Exhibition Main Hall 5:00 – 7:00pm
Wednesday 26 June New Shell Parents’ Evening Main Hall 7:00pm Wednesday 3 July Sports Day Friday 5 July Summer Term ends
Bablake School, Coundon Road Coventry CV1 4AU t 024 7627 1200 f 024 7627 1290 e info@bablake.coventry.sch.uk w www.bablake.com f www.facebook.com/bablakeschool t www.twitter.com/bablakeschool
Design by Mustard: www.mustardhot.com Printed on paper sourced from sustainably managed forests.
A Bablake School App is available on both Apple and Android platforms