The Wheatleyan - Celebrating 22-23

The Wheatleyan

CELEBRATING 2022-23

YOUR EDITORS

The Wheatleyan is back and I am so grateful and delighted to have been a part of it. I've always been inspired and in awe of the beautiful publications that Bablake has published over the time I've been here and I wanted nothing more than to be able to become part of that; part of the voice that inspires the spirit of opportunity which is such an important aspect of Bablake’s ethos. None of this would have been possible without the incredible efforts of our team, all of whom have been phenomenal, and Mrs. Harris, who paved the way for us and gave us this incredible opportunity to voice our thoughts, offer different perspectives and most importantly, have input into the essence of what appears on every single page. I hope that you enjoy this labour of love and can see that Bablake continues to be a vibrant and thriving community that is full of joy.

Avneet Hayer, Editor

EDITORIAL TEAM

Staff Editor: Mrs Sarah Harris

Editors: Avneet Hayer and Jamie Hewitt

Creative Arts: Tameera-Helena

Ladva, Ademide Oladiji, Robert Bull

Beyond the Classroom: Daniella

Freeman, Abbie Dennis, Amelia

Wilkinson, Francesca Allison, Caal Walber, Ray Thomas-Devanny, Lottie Schiesaro, Pranani Karthikesu

Literature: Alan Thomas and Oliver Booth

Sport: Hannah Elliott, Emily Maughan, Libby Stinton and Beth Akinkoye

The return of The Wheatleyan is testament to the hard work of the editorial team and all those who have contributed. We all felt with this edition it was important to highlight the wealth of events and activities that happened during the academic year 2022/2023. Rather than just reporting back on everything, we have tried to focus on student views and the features that interest them, rather than the editorial team being solely responsible. We very much hope that this edition sets a precedent going forward of The Wheatleyan being a true representation of our diverse school community. It has been an amazing project to be involved in and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Jamie Hewitt, Editor

To follow in the footsteps of previous editors of The Wheatleyan has been a daunting task and I can only hope that this edition does justice to all that has come before. Mr Burden, Mr Woodward and Mrs Hargreaves, you are all an incredibly hard act to follow!

In the absence of an edition for the last two years, I wanted us to pick up where we left off, but also to highlight the many exciting aspects of school life that have resumed since the 2020 ‘Covid’ edition. It was only when we were unable to engage with one another in lessons, when we were deprived of the myriad co-curricular opportunities that we take for granted and when we were quite literally grounded, with no possibility of trips or travel, that we fully realised just how special each day is at Bablake. I do hope that, through the wonderful work that the student editors have done, you can see that the Spirit of Opportunity is well and truly back at Bablake.

Mrs Sarah Harris, Staff Editor

HEADMASTER'S REVIEW

Mr Andrew Wright

During our first week back last September, the Queen passed away. She was someone who gave herself in service, and here in School, we reflected that a key part of leadership is serving others.

Many pupils and staff give of their time in service through countless activities at Bablake. There are many examples of this, from our Prefect Team to our wide-ranging charity programme. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme calculated that Bablake pupils volunteered for over 2000 hours last year and an innovation last year was our Sixth Form Volunteering Programme, where every Lower Sixth student was expected to volunteer each week. It is important that we contribute to our wider community, and as Headmaster, I have received letters and emails thanking students for their efforts. In return, volunteering helps to develop some of the wider skills that are so important, including leadership, communication, collaboration and problem solving.

The second theme that we considered was excellence.

I am pleased to report that the Spirit of Opportunity is alive and well and is giving pupils the chance to take part in hundreds of different events and activities, where they have frequently achieved amazing results. Examples of this during the year included the F1 in Schools teams, success in many sporting competitions, including becoming the Midland’s Basketball champions, the impressive Symposium and Extended Project Qualification presentations, winning or scoring highly in many national academic competitions, obtaining places at top universities including Oxford and Cambridge or gaining highly competitive apprenticeships, exam results that our amongst the best in the Midlands and the exceptional Les Misérables production.

THE JOURNEY THROUGH BABLAKE IS INDEED FULL OF KNOWLEDGE, ADVENTURE AND JOY!

Of course, one of the highlights of the year was the outcome of the ISI school inspection. ‘The call’ came on Tuesday 2nd May, straight after the bank holiday. Having been preparing for a while, knowing that it was on the horizon, given that our last full inspection had been in 2014, and so much has happened since then, it was something of a relief when the inspection finally came. It could not have gone any better! We were judged to be fully compliant and with the top grading of ‘Excellent’ in every category. When the final report arrived, it was noticeable how often pupils were mentioned and how they approach their studies and get on with each other. There were numerous mentions of pupils working together with an excellent sense of purpose and enjoyment. I was so proud of our whole community that week.

‘One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day’, and indeed, it is not what happens on a given day or even in a short period of time that achieves excellence, but what we repeatedly do, day in, day out. Excellence is not an act, but a habit. This quote, often misattributed to Aristotle, is true. Excellence comes from hours of practice and preparation.

The final theme of the year was joy. In July, we held our first Culture Day, organised by the Inc. Society. The whole day was full of people sharing and celebrating, without cynicism, arrogance or tribalism, our wonderful, diverse community coming together in celebration; it was a perfect example of what inclusion means and why our community is so special.

When Dr Nuttall, a former Headmaster, retired from Bablake, he read a poem called ‘Ithaca’. The opening lines are:

When you depart for Ithaca, wish for the road to be long, full of adventure, full of knowledge.

The journey through Bablake is indeed full of knowledge, adventure and joy!

Giving 2023 Prize

We were delighted to welcome Former Pupil Amy Thompsom back to Bablake as Guest Speaker at our 2023 Prize Giving ceremony. Amy attended Bablake between 1997 and 2004 and is now the Managing Director of TBL Fire Protection Ltd.

‘Firstly, I need to say what a personal honour it is to be asked to be here today. I loved my time at Bablake and I am always grateful for the life skills I developed here. This school helped to shape me into who I am today and hopefully my story can help you to realise that some of the challenges you will go through at school, the people you meet and some of the really good times will influence the rest of your life…in a really positive way!

Before I tell you about what I do now, it’s important I give you some back-story. Life hasn’t always been straightforward, it very rarely is, but it is how you deal with challenges and how you overcome your fears that lead you forward in life.

So, I started at Bablake back in 1997 when none of you were born (that makes me feel super old). Back in those days, the government used to subsidise some places at private schools for pupils whose parents earned under a threshold, which I was lucky enough to qualify for, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to come here. My mum was a nurse and my dad unfortunately didn’t work so money was tight. I can remember finding out I was going to Bablake and I was so happy, as my dad, grandad and uncles had all attended. No-one else from my junior school had even heard of Bablake, but I didn’t care - I just wanted to come here. And I honestly loved it.

I was in the sports teams and went on to play county netball and Midlands hockey. I was in Fairfax House and became Girls’ Sports Captain. I did pretty well in all my exams and got what I felt were good results and I managed to win some prizes at Prize Giving over the years.

One of things I found hardest about school was that my family was a lot less well off than most others. I hated non-uniform days because we couldn’t afford to buy the top labels and I would worry about what to wear. During the summer holidays, my friends would all be jetting off on amazing holidays, but I didn’t get on a plane until I was 16, to go away with friends. I remember not being able to go on the sports tour to Barbados. There also came a point when, due to money issues, my mum told me that I would have to leave Bablake after my GCSEs. I was devastated. School was my escape from a difficult home life. So, I wrote a letter to the Headmaster. It makes me cringe slightly inside as it was really cheesy! I told him how much I loved the school and what a great place it was. I didn’t really think any more of it…until I came in to get my GCSE results and he came to find me to tell me I was able to stay. I honestly don’t think I have ever been happier than in that moment.

Looking back on the challenges I faced, I didn’t care about what anyone else was doing; it was my determination and resilience that got me into Bablake, and helped me through the difficult times to where I am today.

I also believed I was good enough to be here and I did work really hard. I was one of those pupils who had to revise for exams; I couldn't just rock up and get a good grade.

The teachers I was lucky enough to have were great. Mrs Smith started Bablake when I was in the Fourth Year. I attended pre-season hockey training as goalkeeper and although I played all sports, I loved hockey, as I never had to do a proper warm up…until that pre-season! Mrs Smith led the training and we were absolutely exhausted, thinking she must be army major sent to the school to sort us out!

When I left Bablake I went to university, but I unfortunately became ill and only managed to stay for one year. I began to work in a local pub and this enabled me to move out of home, earn money and support myself whilst I went through various treatments. My whole view of my career and life changed. I began to learn the art of managing people and progressed rapidly to become Deputy Manager. The pub where I worked won lots of awards and the hospitality trade won my heart. With some luck, determination and positivity, I was able to overcome my health problems and I came out the

other side with the rest of my life ahead of me. Working in the pub had really helped me get through a difficult couple of years, but I knew it wasn’t for me long term. One thing I did realise was I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at the age of 22, but then I don’t think most people are ever sure. So, if that’s you, don’t worry! I always promised myself if wasn’t enjoying a job I would move on, so if you are not happy then make a change!

I accidentally fell into Fire Protection which is part of the construction industry. A friend asked if I would be interested in completing some admin. for the company he had just started, and the rest is history. Eleven years later and I am Managing Director.

We are really proud to encourage women into the construction industry and have a female Operative on site, a female Contracts Manager, a female Business Development Manager, a female Buyer and of course a female MD. 90% of our on-site staff had never worked in construction previously and we wanted to give career opportunities to those who left school and didn’t really know what they wanted to do. Some left school with no GCSEs and some, including our Commercial Director, one of our Contracts Managers, and our Business Development Manager, went to university and then joined us not having found anything in the field of work they studied.

We have three former Bablake pupils working with us and we have single parents, ex-convicts and some site staff who can’t read and write. What we want to do is give anyone and everyone an opportunity. If people are willing to work hard and as part of a team, they can excel. That has been the most rewarding part of my career. Supporting and watching others grow. I started with no business or construction knowledge (with never any plan to work in either) and eleven years later, I have never looked back. Construction is a great industry to be part of, as every day and every project is different. Being a woman, it was initially harder to gain respect from some, but by working hard, proving I knew what I was talking about and not being downtrodden, I got there. I still get people who try to do that now, but rather than get annoyed or angry by it, I just show them they are wrong!

I want to end with my life mottos: You are always braver than you realise and smarter than you think. Never let any obstacle hold you back or give you an excuse to be held back, always have faith in your own ability and believe in yourself. Finally, if you work really hard, it won’t go unnoticed.’

Amy Thompsom

FOR ALL INSPIRATION

Today we acknowledge the pupils who have gone above and beyond expectations both in and out of the classroom.

For those not formally acknowledged today, it is important that you still feel proud of everything you have achieved. Each one of us here today will have celebrated successes and confronted our failures throughout this year. It is vital we celebrate our achievements, but also take time to reflect on the difficulties we have faced. It is only by doing this that we can grow and develop, not only academically but outside of the classroom too. Please treat yourself and others kindly and support everyone in achieving their dreams. Coming together on occasions like this strengthens our school community and brings us closer together.

All of us here today are very privileged to attend such a wonderful school. It is easy to take the opportunities offered to us for granted. Bablake has a wealth of co-curricular activities that everyone can immerse themselves in to feel a true sense of belonging. Not only are clubs an incredible way to ignite passions and form new relationships that will help you to grow and flourish, but they are also a chance to take on leadership skills and give back to the school community.

By grasping these opportunities and taking on responsibilities, we are taught valuable lessons and skills, such as communication, organisation, leadership, and teamwork.

Libby Stinton, Ollie East and Jamie Hewitt

We would encourage you to come to school each day excited to learn and ready to try new things. We recognise that reaching out for help is difficult, but teachers are not expecting a class of straight ‘A’ students. They cannot ask more of someone who actively applies themselves in lessons and works hard outside of the classroom too. Bablake is a family, and it is by supporting and encouraging each other that we can make the most of our time here.

Over the past few years, we have attended several school events that many of you have participated in. It has been a pleasure to witness your achievements.

To our Shells. Thinking back to September, we can’t believe you have almost completed your first year at senior school. Ollie and I have had the privilege to get to know so many of you and we are proud of how you have thrown yourself into life at Bablake and taken every opportunity possible. We have seen you all grow in confidence and come out of your shell! Next year you won’t be the youngest in the school anymore, but please remember how you felt joining in September and look out for our new Shell pupils. If you see someone in need of help, try and do your best to support them.

Year 8, you have one more year before starting your GCSE courses. Our best advice would be not only to keep exploring opportunities to find your passions, but also to use the year to form good habits.

By getting organised, learning the skill of time management, and finding revision methods that work for you, the GCSE process will be so much easier. However, do remember to have fun along the way and continue to do the things that you enjoy. Work does start to become more serious, but it is vital that you still make time to participate in what you love outside of the classroom.

Year 9, when you return from the long summer break, GCSE courses will begin in earnest. Having been in your position only a few years ago, we remember how daunting this may feel. Remember that Bablake is a family and so, approach any pupil or member of staff if you need help at any point and we will all do our best to support you. And to each other, be kind. All of you are embarking on this journey together, so keep each other motivated and pick one another up when the going gets tough. Each one of you has the ability to reach your full potential. Be prepared for two years of hard work, but remember to have fun and to give yourself time off now and then.

Year 10, you have got a tough year ahead of you, and for some, it may be your last year at Bablake. GCSEs are a big step for everyone, so take your studies seriously and the work will pay off. Next year is also when you will decide what you will do post 16. Having the opportunity to study A levels in the subjects that you enjoy most is something to embrace and, whatever challenges the Sixth Form years may throw at

you, make sure to continue with your passions and hobbies. Balance is key. Enjoy school while you can, rise to the challenge of GCSEs and keep pushing through.

To our Lower Sixth, a community that we are proud to be a part of, we have a tough year ahead. Our final year at Bablake will be packed full of memories that will stay with us for many years and it will be the end of a long journey for all of us. Make sure to use this last year wisely, put the necessary effort into your academic work, stay involved in all your co-curricular groups and most importantly, make sure to give yourselves time to relax and unwind in between the chaos.

As one journey ends, another begins, so whichever path you decide to take after Bablake, stay focused and motivated. Work hard to get to where you want to be in a year’s time.

Enjoy your last school summer holiday, use it to rest and recharge so that you are ready for that final year.

We hope that you all keep up the good work as you move on to the next year. Continue to impress your teachers, but most importantly make yourself proud.

of Your Shell Coming Out

TO LIVE IS THE RAREST THING IN THE WORLD. MOST PEOPLE JUST EXIST.

Oscar Wilde

When the members of the Debate Club were asked to produce a speech on a topic of our choice, we discussed a range of ideas: equality, identity, the importance of the arts, confidence, celebrating our differences, discovering your passions. The possibilities were endless. In the end, we decided that we didn’t need to choose one person’s idea over another’s, we wanted to acknowledge that all of our voices matter. What makes us part of the Bablake community is recognising and celebrating everyone for their individual talents and incorporating the ideas of our diverse and multi-faceted student body. Coming out of your shell can take time, but with the help of those around you, we can blossom together.

Individuality is something that everybody possesses. The true definition of it is a quality or character that distinguishes a human or thing from others of the same kind. There are eight billion people on this earth and not one of them is you. They cannot think like you, nor speak, hear, or look like you. No one can even compare to you, it is impossible. Every single person has their speciality and talent which makes them themselves.

Why is it so important to be an individual? Embracing being yourself is a key part of your happiness and self-esteem. Your individuality is something that you should be celebrating, not hiding; it makes you unique.

Growing up is all about discovering who you are and learning about your own interests. During your time at Bablake, you will find what you're passionate about and use this interest to turn yourself into the excellent Bablake learner. Everyone has a ‘thing’, something that they are passionate about or fascinated by and so, by paying attention in lessons and going to any co-curricular clubs or activities that pique your interest, you're sure to find your own beliefs and passions. To find out about yourself and your promising future you must embrace every opportunity given to you. Using this, you can grow and develop your identity, which is important during these years because we will shape our friendships and livelihoods based around what we're interested in and the people we associate with. So, we must be true to our own selves to create an identity we love and enjoy.

Chloe Williams, Jessica Herring, Anna Johnson, Ena Cassidy and Sarah Khan

Bablake is filled with hundreds of unique and diverse pupils. Throughout our school years, it is imperative that we celebrate each other’s cultural differences and embrace everyone for who they are. Culture Day allows us to honour and recognise diversity within our community. We hope that this is just the start of the Bablake journey to recognising the values and aspects that make us special and unique.

Secondary school can be one of the most wonderful times in a person’s life. However, it can also be difficult, frustrating and even lonely at times. It is no secret that being a teenager can be tough and sometimes you feel the world is against you and no one understands what it is like. When some of us first began our Bablake journey as ‘Shells’ we may have felt nervous or anxious. However, like caterpillars emerging from our chrysalises and revealing ourselves as the beautiful butterflies we truly are, we can thrive.

To come out of your shell, you first have to conquer your shy, inner self. One really easy way to do this is to recognise and use the power of your voice.

This means just talking to someone. Get yourself noticed for your advantages instead of your disadvantages. However, the most important step to coming out of your shell is to be yourself! People need to see you for who you are and that’s all that really matters.

Over time, you will start to flourish in your confidence when acting with integrity, creativity and curiosity (some of the key pillars of the excellent Bablake learner). This means you will slowly come out of that shy, inner shell and will open your eyes into the light of the bright, outer shell. You will eventually blossom from a shy flower bud into a bright, open flower. When your confidence grows even further, you will be a whole field of bright, open flowers. This is why we believe that coming out of your shell can really help you throughout your Bablake journey.

To conclude, it is key to recognise that our Bablake journey never truly ends. School provides us with the foundations to embrace who we are, to find our passions and navigate difficulties and hardships. However, this process of learning and discovery is lifelong. So, we encourage you to use your voice, recognise your power and flourish long after the final school bell has rung.

HEAD TO HEAD

Interview by Avneet Hayer

What is your idea of a perfect holiday?

Mr. Wright

A bit of adventure really. You will know that one of the things that I frequently talk about is being curious, being interested in the world around us. As I look back at the opportunities that I've had, in most cases, if not all, the bits I remember are when you interact with people - whether it's the people that you are with or more likely the people that you meet living in the area. One such example was when we took some school children to Laos and went trekking. We ended up in a village that had no access to vehicles or anything like that, and simply spending time in those households was absolutely brilliant. So, I think my perfect holiday is when there are opportunities for meeting people, but with an element of adventure.

Mr. Honey

Mine is much less profound than Mr Wright’s. When I was growing up it used to just be beach, sun and relaxation and then, about ten years ago, I discovered the joys of both skiing and cycling holidays. I now love the idea of exploring something completely new and having a sense of adventure, as Mr. Wright said, so the complete opposite of just lying on a sunbed. Now, there has to be something of the unknown and an element of challenge and for me, that makes for an ideal holiday.

Have you watched any TV shows or films recently that you would recommend?

Mr. Honey

Yes, the double bill of Barbie and Oppenheimer, which were two amazing movies in entirely different ways. Oppenheimer because of the history, the drama and obviously the cataclysmic impact of what was going on at the time. And Barbie for really embracing the inner child, but also poking fun at male stereotypes and views.

Mr. Wright

I would recommend The Long Shadow, an ITV drama about Yorkshire Ripper. It was brilliantly done because it highlighted some of the societal changes that have taken place and you find yourself looking back, asking ‘how on earth did anybody ever do that?’.

The story is explored with an element of understanding, but it is also very hard-hitting. For example, when we see absolute institutional racism from the police, but realise that it was so accepted and ‘matter of fact’. You can’t help but question how and why could people ever think or behave in that way.

On a lighter note, what is a one food that you've tried but will never eat again?

Mr. Honey

Raw celery. Dreadful food. It's technically like eating wood and just gives me the heebie jeebies. Yes, raw celery every time.

Mr. Wright

I'm going to give you two. One was brain masala that I had in Pakistan and it really was as bad as it sounds. Horrific. Secondly, once when I was in northern Spain, I was convinced to try a local delicacy of tripe soup.

How anybody can eat tripe, I have no idea. There’s nothing nice about it whatsoever.

If you could have dinner with anyone at all, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Mr. Wright

I'd love to meet Florence Nightingale, who was genuinely brilliant. Sometimes we look back over history and try to make someone appear more impressive than they were, to create a story, but she was genuinely superb and had a natural ability to communicate while getting her hands dirty and making a difference.

I find the Age of Enlightenment fascinating and would love to meet up with people, particularly from the Midlands, who were interested in everything from science and politics to law and culture.

The Lunar Society lay at the core of this, and members such as Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles Darwin), Matthew Boulton, James Watt, and Joseph Priestley, would meet in the Midlands under full moon. Priestly was an incredible scientist and the discoverer of oxygen, but he was also a firebrand who wanted equality in society. To meet with them or to be a fly on the wall during some of their Lunar Society dinners, where they would discuss anything and everything would be incredible.

Mr. Honey

I think I heard one, so am just going to pick one and that would be Charles Darwin.

I am a biologist and as I was growing up, much of the higher-level research was being influenced by genetic understanding and the evolutionary sort of basis. Trying to think back to Darwin, his explorations, his decisions and the insight that was required by him at a time when all that he was proposing was so fundamentally against the common view, truly intrigues me.

So, for me he would always be the figure that I would select. And yes, he's another Midlander!

What is the best compliment you've ever received from someone?

Mr. Honey

‘You're taller than you look’! No, really, for me, it is simply when people have appreciated how I listen and have said that I have been a support for them through difficult times. I think that it is very important for people to have a sense that they're appreciated.

Mr. Wright

I genuinely remember somebody in my previous job someone saying, “You are a brilliant line manager.” I remember thinking at the time just how powerful that was, because throughout all of the time that I had spent with her, I felt that all I did was listen. But that actually builds on what Mr. Honey said and if you don't know what to do, listening is key.

What is one thing that you wish more people knew about you?

Mr. Honey

Well, this one has certainly flummoxed us!

It may sound dull, but from a work perspective, to realise that I'm not just work, work, work.

As a headteacher, you don't necessarily spend a lot of time socialising outside school with the people you work alongside each day. You are in a professional working relationship, which usually means that you are not popping to the pub with them. We arrive at school around 7.15am and don't leave until 6.00pm, but there is far more to us than that!

Mr. Wright

I’m not sure if everyone realises that when people say something nice to me, even just hello in the corridor or when they hold open the door, how much that means to me. As a headteacher, you spend so much time in your office dealing with things and having meeting, so when you hear something like that it is genuinely so lovely.

Do you have a morning or evening ritual?

If so, why are these steps important to you?

Mr. Honey

Yes, crossword in the morning and chess in the evening. Both of these are very nice ways of grounding myself and having a bit of a release from thinking about work or other things. It is a nice way to reset.

Mr. Wright

I don’t think I do. Morning just happens, but it obviously depends on what I’m doing during the school week. I am careful to ensure that on Saturdays, particularly after school sport, work does not happen, because I think it's very important that you have a bit of downtime. For me, that is watching Aston Villa or hockey, neither of which are stress free, but at least they are different stresses!

What is your best advice on how to deal with failure?

Mr. Wright

It is both a cliché and a Kipling poem, but I rarely take failure personally. Of course, I am always disappointed if something hasn't worked out when I have put lots of time and effort into it, but I am not going to take it personally. Equally I am not going to get too excited about great success. As a mathematician, I know that there are outliers. There are things that are absolute disasters and things that you never expected to be successful, but by staying realistic and not panicking, you can get through failure.

Mr. Honey

I would echo this and would say that we should embrace the human element of most of the things we do in life. Humans, by their very nature, will have things that they struggle to complete or that are simply beyond their capabilities. Sometimes we have to understand that these are learning points, so just reset and see if you can learn for the future.

What do you fear most in life?

Mr. Honey

I fear time evaporating, not having enough of it and not having done enough. Even though I know I should, I am shocking at going to bed at a reasonable time and getting a good, long night's sleep and I think that’s because when I get home around 6.30pm, I resent the idea that in a few hours’ time I'm supposed to shut up shop and get a good eight hours of sleep. I just don't want to lose time that could be used doing other things, like watching Barbie and Oppenheimer or television programmes that have been recommended!

Mr. Wright

I would agree with all that Mr Honey has said, and in addition, I fear letting people down or not being good enough and all those sorts of things that we all worry about. However, there are ebbs and flows as things happen, and some things have to be dealt with while others fall away.

What is something that you have accomplished in your life that you are extremely proud of?

Mr. Wright

Every single day, I am proud of our pupils and I know that is such a cliché. I am constantly proud of what pupils have achieved and that is one of the joys of being in this in this job. I also enjoy hearing what staff have achieved either personally or as a teacher and those achievements make me genuinely proud. As for something more specific, at my previous school, there was no real alumni body, so we formed one and I wrote a book on the history of the school. When we launched the book, we even managed to find the one of the very first pupils and the family of the first headmaster.

Mr. Honey

The pupils and staff are key. Leading two schools and seeing how pupils and staff flourish is a just a delight. Sometimes you have a very direct impact, sometimes you have a very indirect impact; sometimes you have almost no relevance at all. But it is still lovely to be leading a school and to see this happening.

And then as a personal accomplishment, cycling up Alpe d’Huez without stopping was an absolute joy. It was one of those things which was sort of a bucket list climb. I told myself that I would not stop until I reached the top and the feeling when I achieved that was just remarkable.

Mr. Wright

Also more specific to cycling, for me was Land’s End. I was travelling with others, so it was the accomplishment as part of a team. Within the group we had people of all ages, but we stayed together throughout the entire trip and as a team we did it.

I’M NOT SURE IF EVERYONE REALISES THAT WHEN PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING NICE TO ME, EVEN JUST HELLO IN THE CORRIDOR, HOW MUCH THAT MEANS TO ME. AS A HEADTEACHER, YOU SPEND SO MUCH TIME IN YOUR OFFICE DEALING WITH THINGS AND HAVING MEETINGS, SO WHEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT IS GENUINELY SO LOVELY.

Mr. Wright

Your Dream Follow

Robert Bull

I left Bablake at the end of the Summer Term and am now studying Theatre Production at the Guildford School of Acting.

My journey to studying here was quite a tumultuous one!

For the entirety of senior school, my heart was set on studying engineering at university and working in a Formula One team as a car designer, so I focussed on sciences and maths and researched what subjects I should study at A level to get onto the course of my dreams, choosing to study Physics, Maths and Chemistry. However, for an even longer time, I have been involved in theatre; I began dancing at two and have been performing since then, taking part in every school show and concert, even playing principal roles, yet despite this love of performance, I remained set on engineering. I received five university offers to study engineering and even attended offer holder days. Then, after finishing Les Misérables, I felt a sense of loss knowing that would be my last real theatrical experience. The Performing Arts Department at Bablake was always my favourite; the teachersMr Cooper, Mrs Glover, Ms Bradley and Mr Ward - are all wonderfully talented and I am very proud to have been part of so many shows throughout my time at Bablake.

Over the course of the following month, I started to realise that I had lost my passion for engineering and STEM and so began to research careers in theatre. I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be a performer, as the level of talent required for that was incredibly high, but my skills in physics and maths could translate to working in technical theatre. I spoke to my parents about this in April, and so my journey to drama school began! I had meetings with Ms Bradley, Mrs Rees and Mrs Billings to ascertain whether this was a viable option. Since engineering and theatre are so different from one another, I had to completely redraft my personal statement and worked closely with Ms Bradley, benefitting from her expertise to help me produce a strong personal statement. I managed to get some last-minute work experience at two local theatres - The Belgrade and The Albanyshadowing some of the technical team and getting hands-on with the fit-up and get-in of the set and lighting. I then had to decide where to apply to and, as a perfectionist, I decided to apply to one of the best drama schools in the country, the Guildford School of Acting; with alumni including Michael Ball and Celia Imrie, I knew that getting in wasn’t going to be a walk in the park!

I had confidence though, as the personal statement I had produced with help from Ms Bradley and Mrs Rees was strong and I knew there was nothing else I could do. The scariest part was rejecting all of the offers I had worked so hard to receive, but I knew that it was the correct decision, and with the help of Mrs Billings I did it. I arranged an interview for the week before my first A level exam, so alongside revising all day, I had to find time to prepare for the interview. I did it and succeeded in getting a place. I was so very proud. I then had to continue my revision and get my A levels that I had worked so hard for over the last two years.

I left Bablake in the summer, having made a complete U-turn on my career aims just a month before sitting my exams, but I left feeling proud of the four A grades I achieved and it was reassuring to know that despite it all, I still would have been able to go to my first choice university to study Aeronautical Engineering!

Having completed five weeks of lectures I can say that I am having the best time and am so glad that I did what I did. Working alongside students who studied the subject throughout Sixth Form is a struggle, but it is so rewarding knowing that I followed my heart and I could not have done it without the help of the staff at Bablake.

NO MATTER HOW LATE YOU MAKE YOUR DECISIONS IN LIFE YOU MUST FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND BE YOURSELF

I am so happy to be sitting here able to tell you all that no matter how late you make your decisions in life you MUST follow your dreams and be yourself. I am so proud to be one of three people in my year who have gone on to study at drama school: Elliott Eardley is studying Actor Musicianship at Mountview and Chloe Palmer is studying Musical Theatre at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. I cannot wait to come back and watch Billy Elliot and say hello to all of the talented pupils involved. If you ever spot my name in a programme when watching a show in the West End, Broadway or anywhere else, remember that it was thanks to the wonderful people at Bablake that I was able to develop my passion for theatre and follow my dreams and pursue it as a career.

Leavers Our

UPPER SIXTH DESTINATIONS

Ball Leavers'

Our Class of 2016 enjoyed an evening of celebration at Nailcote Hall in Berkswell.

World’s A Stage! All The

Elliott left Bablake last summer after completing A levels in Drama and Theatre, Music, Maths and Chemistry. He is now studying Actor Musicianship at Mountview in Peckham, London and we were delighted when we were given the opportunity to interview him.

Having taken on numerous parts in plays and musicals at Bablake, Elliott’s swansong was playing the role of Jean Valjean in the School’s stunning production of ‘Les Misérables’.

Elliott, tell us where life after Bablake has taken you.

I am on the Actor Musicianship course at Mountview because, for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to act and I know that it is absolutely the right decision for me. It is an awesome course!

I am enjoying the fact that it combines everything in terms of actor training, but also offers specialised music elements, which I love. The first six weeks consisted of skills-based classes and I have also had private music lessons, taking the opportunity to begin learning the clarinet. We have done three movement classes a week, dance musicianship, voice, improvisation, music, rap, singing, ensembles, research, jazz, just everything.

The course has so many different elements to it and I am now working on a performance project on realism, so this block of six weeks is purely acting, no music. Right now, we are exploring lots of scenes that we think work well and then we hopefully get to perform them to the class at the end of term, just before Christmas.

Our second project will be an ensemble project creating a show from a novel and we have just found out that our novel is Treasure Island. So, we will get to put on an actual music show and I'm so excited. Along the way, we benefit from the same training that actors get and this is what will hopefully open doors in the future.

Life is very busy, but I am loving being at Mountview; everyone is here because they want to do this one thing that we are all passionate about. There is such a hugely positive vibe around and the place. Most of the tutors are people who have worked as professionals in the industry and we also get lots of external directors coming in to work with us. For example, the director that I'm working with at the moment is someone who trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, then worked as an actor and as a director, so we really benefit from the additional people who are brought in.

It sounds like the perfect course for you, because I know that you loved doing all of your acting and music whilst at Bablake. What did you do outside of school in terms of drama and music?

I had singing lessons both inside and outside of school and I attended PQA – the Pauline Quirke Academy – which is an amateur drama group where young people can learn performing arts skills. There are quite a few of them located around the country and I joined the Coventry one when I was in Shells. I took part in lessons and shows and continued there for a long time, but I also did private acting lessons from the end of Year 11 with someone I know who's an actor, which was really helpful. I also did LAMDA examinations.

At the start of Sixth Form, I joined the Concordia Youth Theatre in Hinckley, which was amazing. We were working and performing in an actual theatre with real directors, actors and stage managers and the quality was that of a professional show.

I would just advise young people with an interest in acting to do as much as you can – attend local theatre groups, seize every opportunity in school, take exams –just do it all!

Interview with Former Pupil Elliott Eardley by Tameera-Helena Ladva and Ademide Oladiji

YOU NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET AND I WOULD SAY THAT 99% OF IT IS ABOUT HOW YOU VIEW THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

If you can get to a Performing Arts Academy or anything like that, take private lessons if you possibly can. If you get a great teacher, it makes all the difference. I know that this all costs money, but if you are able to do it, it is absolutely worth it.

So, how did you balance your A level studies with your drama commitments?

In terms of getting things done, I always prioritised school and my schoolwork. I was lucky that my A level subjects, which were drama, maths, chemistry and music, were all subjects that I am passionate about and that I therefore enjoyed. Fortunately, I was also quite good at them, so I never really struggled with any one subject. That meant that most of the time, I was able to just get on with it. As far as possible, I tried to get my academic work done as best as I could and as quickly as I could. There was almost an element of letting the stress keep me going. I just kept reminding myself that what I was doing was for a reason. You need to have the right mindset and I would say that 99% of it is about how you view the work that you have to do. Once this is in place, getting it done is usually the easier part. A technique that helps me is writing everything down and then prioritising the items. This works for me, as I can see everything that I need to do and how much time I have to dedicate to it and the relevant deadlines. Drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, simple advice like that. Try to keep yourself healthy.

One last question, what do you what are you planning to do or thinking about doing once you finish your course? Like what? What are your dreams for the future?

Initially, I just wanted to do acting, so intended to follow an acting course and become an actor, pure and simple. I planned a career in plays, TV and film. Then I got accepted onto this Actor Musicianship course which just opens so many more doors for me. It is still very much acting training and I will be able to sign with an acting agent who would sign me up for straight acting roles, but with this additional musicianship side, there is so much more available to me. Now that I'm here, I realise just how many things this course can offer. I'm more likely to be able to take the role of musical director, playing in a pit, playing with the orchestra or band. Being part of a professional stage show was always like a weird like pipe dream for me, but now I can imagine it happening.

I have always wanted to do theatre and have never done a professional film or TV show and that has always been a goal of mine. But now, I could even be an MD for a show in the West End and follow that sort of dream. We all know that lots of actors struggle to find work because it's such a hard industry to be part of, so I will be doing lots of auditions and will just cross my fingers and hope that I get cast in whatever I can. But the short answer is I don't really know, but I'll be doing as much as I can.

What is a part from a musical that you would really like to play. A dream part?

Phantom in Phantom of The Opera. Even before I had an interest in musical theatre or performing arts as a career, I had always loved the music from Phantom. So yes, it would have to be that I think as number one. I don’t know if I’d ever get the chance, but if I did it would be great. If someone offered it to me I would absolutely say yes!

CHARITY Review

Abbie Dennis

As always, the year was filled with a range of events to raise funds for a number of deserving charities.

The annual harvest food collection was once again a huge success, with the whole school body donating items on the most-needed list, including tinned meat, long-life milk, and condiments. This all was supplied to the Coventry Foodbank, which since its establishment 12 years ago has helped more than 250,000 people and is currently feeding 800 people weekly. Sadly, this still remains a topical issue, with the Office for National Statistics showing a 19.1% rise in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages over the past year. This is set against the harsh backdrop of the current cost-of-living crisis and the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

This foodbank is only a singular component of an international operation that feeds 480,000 children in 27 countries every single day. They often serve as focal points for community involvement and support, bringing together volunteers, donors, and recipients and fostering a sense of solidarity. While Coventry Food Bank provides immediate relief, it also raises awareness about the underlying issues of poverty and food insecurity, working on advocacy and policy initiatives to address socioeconomic inequality.

The Upper Sixth took part in a charity sleepout event to raise monies for The Coventry Foodbank. This is the third time that the Upper Sixth has raised money in this way and thankfully we were blessed with a mild and mainly dry night for the event. The Coventry Foodbank supply 14 distribution centres around Coventry, which support 300 families. In total, £670 was raised and we would like to thank the students who participated, especially as some of them got up, got changed and then either assisted with the Entrance Examination Morning or went off to represent the School at sport.

The Macmillan Cake Sale is a regular event in our series of charity fundraisers that always succeeds in both raising money and providing tasty treats. With shopbought and home-baked goods on offer, it coupled perfectly with our fiercely competitive House Baking Competition. The £573.35 raised was sent to Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides services for people living with cancer at every stage of their experience, runs public campaigns, builds partnerships, influences decision-makers on all cancer-related policies at UKwide, national and local levels, and provides healthcare professionals with up-to-date resources, tools, information, and training courses to help them support people living with cancer.

Miss Jones and Inc Society hosted a henna event, which gave pupils the opportunity to have a beautiful design painted onto their hand or wrist, with talented artists working throughout the lunch hour. The event raised £286, and allowed pupils to experience a tradition from a different culture. In addition to this, Inc also organised a cake sale, which proved to be very successful and raised £326. The money raised went towards hosting Bablake’s first ever Culture Day, which you can read about in the article on page 28.

Language School Malaga

Darcey, Izzy, Maya and Kiran who are all studying A level Spanish took it upon themselves to travel Málaga to attend summer school at the Instituto Picasso in Plaza Del Merced.

“We attended morning classes to develop our Spanish and were able to make many new friends from a variety of countries who had also come to share the same experience. Speaking Spanish every day most definitely increased our confidence and fluency in the language and this is something that we can take forward as we continue through the A level course.

One of the best things was that we were able to have a real-life experience of Spain, as if we were real malagueñas. One highlight was getting involved in the fiesta in Nerja de Santa de la Carmen and going to the Malagueta beaches in the evening.

We would definitely recommend attending a summer school if you are a language learner.

Not only did it provide us with an opportunity to develop our language, but it also made us more independent and was fun, insightful and rewarding. Everyone should try it! We now feel more motivated than ever for our Spanish A level and we can’t wait to return to Spain.

PS: we all recommend a visit the Nonna’s ice cream shop if anyone does head out to Malaga at any point!

Sylvia O’Sullivan Interview with

You worked at Bablake for 18 years, both on Main Reception and as Bablake’s Alumni Relations Officer.

What made you take on the role of Alumni Relations Officer?

Whilst I loved my role on Reception and working within the main office, which enabled me to meet lots of people, I wanted to be more involved in School life and projects going forward. When the role of Alumni Relations Officer was offered to me, I jumped at the opportunity to take on a role that would allow me to utilise the skills I had and interact with former pupils.

What does Bablake mean to you?

For you to have stayed so long, you must have enjoyed your time here!

Bablake is now ingrained in not just my life, but that of my whole family. Both my children attended and for a long time, Bablake was the main topic around the dinner table – I miss that.

Could you tell us about some of the highlights of your time at Bablake?

Goodness, there are so many! Meeting the veterans when they attended for reunions or for the Remembrance Service was always a special time. It was an honour to meet and listen to their stories and hear how Bablake was so important in their lives. Having Former Pupils back for Prize Giving and seeing how their lives and careers had developed after Bablake was also a great part

of the job. I loved the reunion events that we hosted. It was always a joy to see so many happy people attending and reminiscing around the building. Oh, and then there was the time I met Jeremy Corben and thought he was a Bablake former pupil - not my greatest moment!

Is there anything that you are missing?

The people - everyone there. Walking around the building, seeing the faces of staff and pupils. Walking into the Main Office and just getting that feeling of ‘being at home’ with all my colleagues.

This year has been the first time that I haven’t been at our Remembrance Service and I really missed it. It was something rather special to see current pupils and former pupils get together to remember. I always loved the playing of The Last Post and hearing it echo around the main school; it never failed to bring a lump to the throat.

You created and maintained excellent relationships with our former pupils (Old Wheatleyans). How were you able to do this and why do you think that Bablake still holds a place in FPs’ hearts?

Bablake means so many different things to different people. I think that it has to be said that for some of our older former pupils, life at school was not always pleasant;

it was sometimes difficult to hear the stories that those generations talked about, but still they would return to see their old school, reminisce and remember the impact that Bablake had on their lives. From the 1970s, Bablake seemed to change; I don’t think anyone can quantify exactly what it is that makes it a truly special place, but I do know that most FPs and staff refer to it as a ‘family’. It has a natural warmth that you feel as you walk around the place.

Do you have any exciting plans now that you have left to set up home in Devon?

Life is very full-on as we try to complete the build of our dream home, which is situated in a village just outside Dartmouth. It is incredibly exciting, but also very stressful! I think that we will need a holiday after this!

Will you maintain links with Bablake?

Always. I don’t think Bablake ever leaves you, you just move on and it’s always there in your heart. I made friends for life there and am getting tearful just thinking about it.

Which three words would you use to describe Bablake?

Only three?! There are so many…can I give more?

Vibrant Nurturing Inspiring Historical Community

Mrs. Sarah Harris

INC. SOCIETY

Over the past couple of years, Inc. has flourished as part of a well-established part of the Bablake community. What started out as a small initiative, founded by just a few pupils, has grown into a body that contributes immensely to the school through assemblies, charity fundraisers and so much more.

Daniella Freeman

We founded the Inc. Society to help raise awareness around the issues that minorities face in society. We wanted to create a space where pupils would feel able to express their opinions and discuss topics that may not be raised elsewhere in School. Whilst we still do this, we now work towards promoting the celebration of our differences, culturally and otherwise.

We are so proud of what we achieved last year; it was our busiest year by far. We started the year with our Big Junior Inc. Kahoot Quiz. We had over 40 participants and the atmosphere was tense with a very competitive edge to it! The quiz featured questions on different cultures around the world and helped to broaden our knowledge beyond the curriculum.

We then organised a Cook Off in which pupils from Shells to Year 9 competed by cooking up something in the kitchens, showcasing their culinary skills. We very much enjoyed eating the food and seeing pupils gain insight into how certain dishes are made.

We were happy to be able to host two henna events this year: one to celebrate Valentine's Day and the second to precede Culture Day. With a range of designs to choose from and using the talents of those in the school community, we were able to highlight the culture behind the use of henna and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Our Easter Egg Hunt that took place in April for pupils in Shells and Year 8 was a big success and again, we sought to incorporate the essence of Inc. into the event. Pupils were asked questions upon finding the eggs to add to the excitement of the day.

And finally, we approached the end of the Summer Term, which culminated in the event of the year and most definitely one of the highlights of my time at Bablake – Culture Day. So much time and effort went into organising Culture Day and it wouldn’t have been what it was without the significant planning that went into it.

We used proceeds from our Bake Sale in February to go towards decorations, food and even a photo booth. The whole school gathered in the Main Hall to watch the Culture Catwalk and enjoy a range of international cuisine. It was a truly memorable occasion that brought us all together in a celebration on a huge scale. We are so proud of all that has been achieve so far by Inc. and are excited to see how Inc. will continue to grow at Bablake.

We truly believe that Inc. celebrates everything positive in our Bablake community. We have seen some of our quieter pupils come into their own, participating in our weekly debates and offering different viewpoints. Even if many people in the room are of the same opinion, we push ourselves to try and see the counter argument and the wider context.

I feel so honoured to have been able to make a difference within the school community by leading, along with some of my friends and peers, a great initiative that will, we hope, continue to impact positively on everyone at Bablake.

Art Exhibition Bablake

Once again, Bablake pupils created a wide range of the most impressive pieces of artwork as part of their exam courses and these were on display for all to see at the annual summer Art Exhibition.

Wall Painting Art

Local artist, Katie O, spent time with our Art Scholars creating and painting a wonderful series of colourful bird and flower images along the walls leading to the Art Department.

FRIDA

At the Reel Store

EASTER CONCERT

We were treated to a joyous and uplifting evening of music with wonderful performances by pupils of all ages. Our talented and dedicated musicians played in a variety of ensembles and choirs including woodwind, percussion, strings, guitar and brass groups alongside the orchestra, wind band and swing band.

Faith? What is

Avneet Hayer

One word that is frequently used but not always understood is faith. A quick search on Dictionary.com gives seven different ways in which the word faith is employed in ordinary discourse, which could explain some of the misunderstanding. People frequently use the word faith to describe belief in something, despite the absence of supporting proof. Faith requires trust.

By overall definition, faith is viewed as ‘complete trust or confidence in someone or something.’ Faith is something that isn’t tangible: it is a feeling, a trust and strength that lies in that feeling, that reinforces what faith means to us individually. Faith is something that we can cultivate, but it is also something that we must believe in. Faith can provide meaning and direction to our lives by making us believe that things can happen and that we can do what we want. Without faith, we wouldn't even bother trying to achieve our goals.

The power of faith and the power of belief are real powers. Believing that you can attain your goal can motivate you to make every effort to achieve it. Without faith and belief, there will be doubt, which can lead to non-doing and non-achievement. However, faith cannot function alone; alongside must sit work, because faith without work is in vain.

What is the importance of faith?

1. The focused power of faith breeds abundance. When we train our minds to think in abundance, and we hold unwavering faith, we gravitate towards that. We attract good things because we believe and expect in good things to come.

2. Faith alleviates stress, anxiety and fear. It is easy to allow these emotions to run our lives and we can go from moment to moment worried about one thing or another. There is no telling what kind of harm can result if we let our brains wander into that area uncontrolled. But faith is what helps ward off those evils. It is through trust that things improve for us even when there is no reason to think they will. Nothing is too difficult when you keep the utmost expectation of something in your mind.

3. Faith acts as the pathway to finding solutions. Your faith can and will help you get through any problem, no matter how difficult or frightening it may appear to be. Accepting this as true, you must continue to have faith that better things will come.

Through religion, individuals cultivate an essence of faith. You can have faith and a belief in something that you trust whether it involves a divine higher being or not. Faith can be trust in what you want your belief to be and faith brings us together.

We are the Faith Council and we want to enable everyone to express themselves through their religion, beliefs and faith. We want to foster an environment in which everyone feels safe and secure regardless of religious faith or faith outside of a religious context.

The Faith Centre is a quiet space within School for anyone who may need it. Morning prayer is held each day and we have initiatives to build stronger religious communities to represent

and bring together groups across the School in homogeneity. This will enable religious groups and humanist groups to come together and discuss relevant topics, raising awareness and encouraging each other to be the best versions of themselves.

Ensuring that everyone feels included and respected is our utmost priority. When people are included, their worth is recognised and respected. Studies have repeatedly shown that individuals are at their best when they are their own authentic selves and to do this, one must feel included.

There are many elements of life that are unknown and unprecedented and this can be an overwhelming prospect for some, but by having faith, whether that be faith in yourself, in your capabilities and your own strength or faith in a higher being, you will have hope, and hope gives us the motivation to carry on, whatever the circumstances may be.

As poignantly said by Catherine Pulsifer:

FAITH IS UNSEEN BUT FELT, FAITH IS STRENGTH WHEN WE FEEL WE HAVE NONE, FAITH IS HOPE WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST

HISTORY MAGAzINE

Mrs. Kelly Lenihan

The History Magazine was first introduced to Bablake as a result of the national lockdown in 2020. Eager Upper Sixth historians, with very little to do when their exams were cancelled, researched, edited and produced the very first Bablake History Magazine.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength; it is very much a testament to the members of Senior History Club (and other contributors) and their dedication that they manage to balance creating such a fabulous publication whilst also managing A levels and everything else that Sixth Form life at Bablake brings. Senior History Club unites Sixth Formers who may not all study history at A level, but who have a passion for the subject.

For the last edition, we set about making the magazine as inclusive and broad as possible, while keeping to our theme of the Middle East, which had been chosen primarily because of its topicality due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

BKHS Bablake History Magazine

BABLAKE HISTORY

The magazine always aims to reflect the interests of its contributors and therefore in this edition, we covered everything from the history of key middle eastern foods to beauty standards and even maths! The variety of A level subjects being studied by those involved was wide, so there was a very diverse approach to producing the articles and students could apply depth of knowledge in their chosen area.

We also decided to enter the magazine into the Historical Association ‘Best School History Magazine’ competition, and intend to do so again next year. I am very proud of all their efforts, and hope to build on our success next year.

Cadets Industrial

Amelia Wilkinson // Edited by

The Industrial Cadets Gold Award is a national programme that runs annually, providing an opportunity for students to develop critical skills for a career in STEM while working on a real-life engineering project.

During the 2022/23 academic year, a team of Bablake Sixth Formers consisting of Jamie Hewitt, Amelia Wilkinson, Caal Walber, Mankaran Basra, Vihashan Vijayaratnam and Alex Nicholson, took part. The team worked with Dennis Eagle Ltd to redesign the handling system for their muffler unit (a part of the exhaust system), which was a challenge that demanded high levels of dedication and teamwork.

Jamie Hewitt

“One highlight for me from my time as an Industrial Cadet was the residential trip to Birmingham University. While we are fortunate to have an advanced Design Technology department at School, the facilities there were on another level. We spent most of our time in the ‘makerspace’, where we produced our first working prototype, which allowed us to bring months of designing to life. The whole experience allowed us to gain first-hand knowledge and a valuable insight into the engineering world that we would not have been able to acquire anywhere else. We also managed a visit to the Christmas market, which was another highlight.”

An integral part of our research involved spending time on Dennis Eagle’s production line. Our solution had to be a seamless addition to their existing processes, and this visit opened our eyes to the engineering industry.

The scheme ended with a presentation ceremony which gave us the opportunity to present our project to the other teams, to our mentors from Dennis Eagle Ltd, and to esteemed members of the regional engineering industry.

GIRLS IN ENGINEERING

Miss Hayley Goody // Edited by Jamie Hewitt

There is a constant call to break the gender pay gaps and support International Women’s Day. Our country is trying to gain more female engineers and design engineers and this is hugely down to women bringing something different to the table.

As designers, we work as problem solvers, and the best way of solving a problem is with more minds, more thinking power, and providing differences in the way that we solve problems. Women have the interpersonal skills needed and required to be in this industry.

How do we promote industrial links and engagement from our pupils? We run co-curricular clubs and a lot of them! Within Design Technology, we are constantly striving to explore new opportunities for our pupils and one that has enjoyed significant success in recent years is the F1 in Schools competition.

However, up to 2022, we had little interest from female pupils and this was something I wanted to change. During lessons, I began to ask pupils that were showing a particular interest in design to join an all-female F1 team. It was not that I wanted to discourage the boys, but I thought that girls would be more likely to get involved if we could make them feel less self-conscious about taking part. I am delighted to say that there was a good level of interest and we managed to pool an excellent group of pupils.

The girls have been working closely with the department and with the help of Mr Vernon, our Design Technology Technician, they were motivated to work hard and spent a great deal of time in the department, particularly during lunch time. We have started them young and I know that they will mature and develop a passion for all things engineering

WOMEN HAVE THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS NEEDED AND REQUIRED TO BE IN THIS INDUSTRY.

Aston Martin Trip

Through family contacts that Year 9 pupil Ella Martin had, we were fortunate enough to secure a trip to Aston Martin in Gaydon. Aston Martin is keen to promote females in engineering and design and this was a companywide initiative that they were supporting. We made contacted with Ali and Laura in the HR department and they structured an entire day for us.

The day began with an introductory talk and a factory tour. What struck me initially was the use of autonomous machines and how ‘just in time’ manufacturing is promoted. We saw the factory floor and witnessed how various parts, such as seats, are manufactured by hand. We were incredibly lucky to be able to visit the Design Centre, as this is a top secret area that doesn’t usually form part of a factory tour. In the Design Centre, we met two designers who each spoke about their life and how their career paths began, all of which was very interesting. To see such high-level designers carrying a small sketch book that they simply sketched in using biro was not what we had expected! The girls then got to eat in the company canteen and had tutorials with an ex-apprentice design engineer, Josh, who reviewed the concepts that the girls

Alpine Mentoring Scheme

Year 9 pupils India and Harkiran both signed up to participate in Girls on Track events and have also attended mentoring sessions given by the Alpine F1 teams. I think that the girls would say that their decision to do this was partly due to the visit to Aston Martin. They each had to make an application and did well to secure a place in a competitive field; it has truly been a fantastic opportunity and one that they may not have considered had it not been for their involvement with F1 in Schools.

Overview F1 In Schools

Mr Pete Nicholson // Edited by Jamie Hewitt

The F1 in Schools scheme was developed to introduce pupils to STEM subjects in the most engaging way possible.

Working together in groups of between three and six, pupils create their own version of an F1 team, assigning roles and responsibilities as they see fit. Each individual takes ownership of a specific area such as designing the car, manufacturing it, testing it, branding it, or even becoming the Team Principal with overall responsibility for product management. Once they have developed their car and completed the project work, they are able to compete in events where they race against other teams and present to a team of judges comprising industry professionals and even sometimes members of F1 teams.

Since starting to participate in the scheme almost ten years ago, we have generally had two or three teams each year, but last year we saw a huge increase in the number of pupils wanting to take part and so had more teams than ever before. I think this was in part due to the success of ‘zephyrus’, the team that reached the National Finals, but also to Miss Goody, who was instrumental in talking to the girls in school and securing two further teams. We were all very excited about the prospects of the teams in the regional finals and were delighted to be invited to the National Finals with our team ‘Racing Lions’.

This meant that we were invited to two National Finals within seven months of each other. Firstly, with ‘zephyrus’ at the Autosport International event at the NEC; the team had won the regional final in 2022, but due to Covid and the subsequent delays, the Nationals for 2022 took place in January 2023. The event was a great success and the team learnt a great deal from it, even though they weren’t successful in reaching the World Finals.

Secondly, ‘Racing Lions’ secured a place as a wildcard to National Finals in July, which were held at Leeds University. This was a fantastic achievement and another chance to learn from some very experienced competitors. Even though they were a young team, with pupils from Year 9, they had a good car design and worked hard to improve their portfolios and pit display in the short space of time between regionals and nationals. Once again, it was an excellent learning experience and they are more determined than ever to reach a World Final in the future.

We also had three Entry Class teams consisting of Shell pupils. They worked extremely hard to design, build and prepare their race cars, portfolios and pit displays. They all had to prepare a verbal presentation and ‘The Lionesses’, our Shell girl team, won ‘Best Verbal Presentation’ at the West Midlands Regional Finals. They all had a fantastic time and the experience was again one that they will learn from to progress into the new season.

In terms of motivation for running this scheme, I see it as a great opportunity for pupils to engage with like-minded individuals, to work with industry experts and to compete on a national and international stage. They can put into practice the skills they are learning, not only in Design Technology, but in a whole host of other subjects, and not just STEM. They are learning new skills with industry standard CAD packages, producing university level CAD models and portfolios. They need to deliver their verbal presentation in front of a panel of judges and be able to answer questions about their work confidently. I love seeing them engage with my subject at a higher level, using their own time to produce such amazing project elements. It really does make everything we do worthwhile.

Finally, I couldn’t run this scheme without the invaluable help from Mr Vernon. Since joining Bablake, Mr Vernon has taken CAD to a new level, using his industry knowledge and experience to introduce new protocols and methods for set up and design using the CAD package. He is also the person responsible for overseeing the CAD designs and for manufacturing the cars using the CNC router, which was kindly bought for the department last year. His enthusiasm and unrelenting pursuit of perfection is a massive driving force for the CAD engineers in each team to keep pushing and producing their best designs.

Our five teams and their achievements were:

Racing Lions Professional Class team

Invited to National Finals

Winners of ‘Best Pit Display’ at the West Midlands Regional Finals

Mantis Development Team

Nominated for 'Best Verbal Presentation'

The Lionesses

Entry Class Team

Winners of ‘Best Verbal presentation’

Golden Lions Entry Class Team

Cyberspeed Entry Class team

to the Future! Fast forward

In conversation with Mr Matt Parsons on the growth and future of DT at Bablake

Interview by Francesca Allison and Caal Walber // Edited by Jamie Hewitt

Francesca

So, Mr Parsons, what initially drew you to teaching Design Technology?

I have always been creative and I actually got into teaching by becoming a teaching assistant first, so I guess I didn’t realise I wanted to become a teacher until I was actually teaching!

Francesca

So is it fair to say that you didn’t have a set ‘plan’ regarding your career?

I think so. My parents had always said ‘You should go into teaching’, but, like most children, I ignored my parents! I was a kitchen designer for a number of years, but I wanted a career change. I enjoyed the design aspect and learned how to use CAD, but essentially, I was a salesman and that part of the role didn’t particularly interest me. Eventually, an opportunity arose to be a teaching assistant focusing primarily on design, so I applied and next thing I know, I’m in teaching; to my surprise it was something that I really quite enjoyed and now here I am!

Caal

And from there to becoming Head of Department.

How has that been?

It has been a new challenge, but it is one that I am enjoying. I’ve been teaching for about ten years and this has been my first year as Head of Department. I think it is good to have a new vision for the department, but, having taken over from the legend that is Mr West, there are big shoes to fill. I learnt a great deal from him in the year or two we worked together before I took over, but now I think that I am developing a new vision as to where we are heading, leaning more towards engineering aspects.

We obviously incorporate elements of engineering at the moment, with various schemes such as Formula One In Schools and Industrial Cadets and it has been great to see that both of these have really developed at Bablake over the last few years. As both schemes are of clear relevance to today’s society, I am keen to embed elements within the curriculum. I have therefore introduced CAD to the younger years, which will have significant benefits for the future of both Design Technology and wider engineering.

Caal

What is the dynamic within the department?

Mr West did an incredible job with the department and created a hugely positive environment for pupils. What I think that I have brought to the table is additional new technology, whilst maintaining a good foundation of traditional artisan skills. We are so fortunate that each member of staff has their own expertise within Design Technology: Miss Goody in the areas of graphics, textiles and design, Mr Nicholson in engineering and resistant materials and Mr Vernon in CAD skills and industry knowledge. I very much want to maintain all of those practical skills that are so valuable, and with the growth of CAD and digital design, these will continue to grow in importance in the future.

Francesca

I am intrigued about the future of DT at Bablake. What projects and changes do you have in mind?

I have a really strong vision for the department to become a centre of excellence for engineering and Design Technology. We are wellequipped with three workshops, two CAD rooms and a wealth of equipment for pupil use. We will continue to focus on and build Formula One In Schools here at Bablake, and have recently purchased a track for testing cars in-house. The increased knowledge and confidence that pupils gain from schemes like this is phenomenal and, for a select few, they can create wonderful opportunities within, for example, apprenticeships at top firms. I think that this engagement with engineering outside the classroom is very important, and it is our job to expose pupils to as many of these opportunities as possible.

Caal

I think that the DeLorean project has been particularly inspiring for many pupils. Do you have any further plans on the automotive side of things?

Yes. Once we finish the DeLorean time machine build, the plan is to get another car of some sort, perhaps a campervan as I have experience in that field. My father also owns a DeLorean, so he may lend it to us for a year, not to repeat the time machine build, but to completely rebuild it as a car, giving pupils the chance to learn about the mechanics of engines, brakes, and the more mechanical side of things. Again, it is about offering these opportunities to pupils so that they may engage and acquire skills to take forward when they leave Bablake.

All very exciting! Are there any other areas you would like to develop within your vision for a centre of excellence?

If we are able to go forward and become a hub for Design Technology and Engineering, a significant part of that would be offering outreach possibilities through local junior schools using our facilities and us running CAD days for other schools in the area. What we are now doing with CAD is genuinely at another level with the help of Mr Vernon, our technician. He has huge industry insight and fortunately for us, he has brought this into an educational environment, which is brilliant for our pupils. With his knowledge and expertise sitting alongside developments in engineering, my aim is to bridge the gap between school, university and industry.

In light of all the plans that you have for the department, do you have a ‘wish list’ of new machinery or equipment that could further enhance the facilities offered?

Definitely. At the start of the year we invested in a CNC milling machine, which some of our A level students have used. Despite initially being used for cutting the Formula One in Schools cars, we do want to expand that use further. We now also have the capacity to weld aluminium, with new dual nozzle and resin printers. I suppose the next thing on my list would be a water jet cutter; this works similarly to a laser cutter, taking a 2D design and cutting or engraving on material. The key difference is that a water jet cutter would allow us to use metal and even ceramics and highdensity rubber. It is once again all about bridging that gap and gaining those invaluable practical skills.

It’s not often you get to sit down with a head of the department and simply ask questions. Is it too much to ask who your favourite pupil is?!

Nice try, but naturally, I don’t have favourite pupils!

Are you sure? What about a favourite year group then?

You know that I would never tell! I love working with pupils who give back just as much as I am giving; that is really powerful for them and rewarding for me. When pupils are completely engaged in your subject, watching them develop their skills and seeing a project that they have completed, with them possibly going into Engineering or Product Design, is a real high point of the job.

Caal

Caal

Francesca

Caal

WE ARE SO FORTUNATE THAT EACH MEMBER OF STAFF HAS THEIR OWN EXPERTISE WITHIN DESIGN TECHNOLOGY: MISS GOODY IN THE AREAS OF GRAPHICS, TEXTILES AND DESIGN, MR NICHOLSON IN ENGINEERING AND RESISTANT MATERIALS AND MR VERNON IN CAD SKILLS AND INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE.

Francesca

You said that a career change led you in to teaching. Do you think you will ever do anything else?

As I get older, I debate this pretty much on a daily basis in my mind. It is just one of those things. I have always had a bit of an entrepreneurial mindset, so there will always be new things that I’ll want to try doing. I am passionate about music, I do a bit of filmmaking as well, I have written two books and I do portraits. However, I know that if I were to remain here until I retire, I would be more than happy. You just never know and I am one of those people who likes to keep doors open because when opportunities present themselves, you have to follow your instinct and grow as a person.

Francesca

Have you ever considered doing something completely different?

I do think that at my age a complete career change would not necessarily in my best interests. It is exciting for me to see the opportunities that are there for you as pupils and that is definitely more so the case than when I was young.

You are all very fortunate with the career advice that is offered and the doors that open through people like Mr Vernon, allowing you to discover first hand more about Aston Martin, McLaren and Dennis Eagle, to mention but a few. I suppose if I were to go back in time and start again, I might have considered being a car designer.

Francesca

You’ve touched on this but what are some of the things you’ve learnt as Head of Department?

That it’s a very busy and tiring job, but thankfully one that I genuinely love! I enjoy having a project, and I think of this department as a project to move forward. I like to see what we are doing well and where we can develop to look towards the future. I am always looking to improve and that is why getting pupil feedback is so important. It is your learning and we need to make your experience the very best it can be, simply by delivering excellent lessons and ensuring that the opportunities and experiences are there for the taking.

Caal

So is your goal primarily to prepare students for the future?

Absolutely. When you leave Bablake to go to university or into industry, you will see that they are using this same equipment and processes, just on a larger scale. As teachers, we want to motivate and challenge students so that they may achieve their full potential. If we can do this whilst also building your practical skills, we will have succeeded in giving you the edge over others in a very competitive world.

Houses

Ms. Sonia Dines

The four Bablake Houses have undergone some rebranding since the last edition of The Wheatleyan and the colours used by the Houses are as follows:

Bayley – Red

Crow – Blue

Fairfax – Green

Wheatley – Burgundy

The House crests have also been updated a little, as you can see.

The House system continues to thrive at Bablake, with House assemblies being held fortnightly, often delivered by the House Prefects.

Throughout the year, pupils took part in a wide range of events that included MasterChef, Design a Christmas Card Competition, chess, table tennis, decorating a cake/cookie, spring photography, dodgeball, scrabble, quizzes, not to mention the myriad sporting competitions that happened along the way.

The Senior Quiz followed a new format, with a slight ‘Mastermind’ feel to it. Sixth Formers chose a specialist subject and these ranged from the band Toto and the World of Disney to the FIFA World Cup and Mixed Martial Arts!

Events also took place during assembly slots and we saw members of the Sixth Form competing in House Darts, with Lower School pupils loving the introduction of the classic ‘Play Your Cards Right’.

We were delighted to relaunch House Music and changed the event to showcase the musical talents of each House with a grand finale that involved each house taking the stage to perform a large group performance. Pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed this event.

The first event of the year is always the Shell Olympics, which is a fantastic opportunity for our new pupils to get to know each other and have fun doing more unusual activities such as penalty shoot out and welly wanging. The final event of the year is the Sports Day held at Pingles Stadium where pupils take part in more traditional track and field events. At the end of a busy year, points were totalled and Crow House was crowned overall House Cup winner of 2023.

LiveFriday

Mr Vidish Athavale // Edited by Jamie Hewitt

Last year at Bablake saw the introduction of a new event, “Friday Live”.

It was to be a new performance space, where anyone could practise being on stage, whether their act was singing, dancing, juggling or lion-taming.

It was an opportunity for pupils to become more comfortable being in front of an audience, and it was thrilling to see such amazing participation throughout the year in our Main Hall.

Over the year, we had plenty of singers; some who were dazzling stage veterans and some who bravely overcame their first-time nerves. In addition, there were some stellar pianists and even a storyteller! My favourite part of the event has perhaps been the fantastic support the crowd gives every single time, for every act. It is a tremendous boost for any performer to feel welcomed on stage and I hope the event encourages pupils to become more confident when delivering anything from presentations to stadium tours in the future.

Not content with one round, some pupils returned for a second or third performance. My initial vision that people would practise and become more comfortable on stage, was happening. One pupil who had taken a couple of months to build their courage to be able to perform suddenly decided to perform again and did so to another fantastic ovation from the crowd. Friday Live also enjoyed an impromptu show in the Dance Studio, with an infamous mic drop by a surprise first-time performer. This was another priceless moment which will live forever in my memory of the show. Another highlight for me personally was seeing pupils performing their own compositions; having the courage to share a little bit of your soul is something which I find truly inspiring. The artistry at Bablake is strong!

BallCrystal

Our Year 11 pupils gathered in the Main Hall for their Crystal Ball and enjoyed an evening of post-GCSE celebrations.

AT THE RSC

THE TEMPEST Sukhmani's Sonnet

During the Spring Term, A level English Literature students had the opportunity to go and see ‘The Tempest’ at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford.

For me, it was a very enriching experience, as it brought the play that we had been studying to life, allowing me to understand more of the language and the characters that I thought I knew so well. To experience the beauty of seeing Shakespeare being performed live on stage was wonderful.

Lower down the school, Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to see ‘An Inspector Calls’ performed on stage at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. The trips that the English Department organises for pupils really enhance our understanding of the texts that we study and this helps hugely with coursework. The performances literally bring the texts to life.

Year 8 (Shakespeare- Romeo and Juliet)

When I see him, my heart it skips a beat, Howe'er, I know not if he loves me true, In shadows deep, where whispered dreams do fleet, His eyes, a mystery. My heart feels blue.

My longing heart, entangled in sweet fire, Yearns for his touch, with burning fierce delight, But does he share this ardent, deep desire?

Or am I lost in love's uncertain night?

With bated breath I wait for his embrace, Yet in uncertainty my heart's aflutter, For in his eyes, a riddle we must face, The question lingers: our love in the gutter?

So in this dance of passion's sweet refrain, I yearn to know if love's true fire we gain.

Oliver Booth

Monty

- A Day in the life

Alan

Monty the seagull, aged fifteen, used to be the most notorious thief among England’s flocks. After his mother and brother were both killed by humans, he left his family behind to survive on his own in the streets of Skegness from the age of five.

It’s a day I’ve been having for years now, waking up at dawn with light in my eyes and the hazy memory of when I fell asleep. It takes me a moment to become aware of my surroundings: the muggy and warm air, the city hanging in its glimmering mirage from my perch on the lake. At 5 o’clock, I drag myself over to land, a morbidly nostalgic weight in my chest dragging down my wings (one breath, another, one foot forward, another—), glaring at the changing leaves that turn all different shades of gold to mock me in my stagnation. I worry endlessly about the things I haven’t done, unable to decide how to nourish myself and incapable of mustering any desire to do so. But I always make time to fly to the nearest branch, lean my head forward and let out a series of shrieking cries that pierce through the early hours. I ruffle my feathers, revelling in the angered wails of humans almost as loud as myself, covering their ears with flimsy pillows (at least I can do something reliably).

From the early morning up to the late hours of the afternoon, I used to go foraging for food with the rest of my flock, bumping and jostling each other, laughing, stamping our feet against the cold snap that would haunt the city, the last gasp of spring before summer began in earnest. They were all brawlers and bruisers, the seagulls I trusted the most, and just as I once was, determined to leave as many burning wreckages and outraged humans as possible among the shadowy mass of buildings below us. My older brother taught me the ropes, and we spent hours screeching into the air, divebombing onto beaches for the theft of chips and swooping down to steal stringy slices of pizza from unsuspecting couples, like a swarm of feathery Kaz Brekkers. I was on top of the world. And when I was freshly three and blurry with rage after a pair of humans shot down my mother when she was only nesting on the cold roof of their home—this was the least they deserved, I thought.

Now, in the afternoons, I stretch my wings and glide alone through the clear sky, relaxing slightly at the familiar rush of the breeze and the grey pavement beneath my feet as I land. I stand outside the Co-op I’ve chosen to haunt for the day, flexing my bill and narrowing my eyes as I watch the automatic doors open after a customer leaves. For years, I’d worked and scraped and stole, trailing the most prolific thieves of the flocks and learning the ins and outs of the city.

This used to be my only source of comfort, but the excitement of it all had waned over time, and the emptiness of my brother by my side still sticks in my throat—ten years ago, I’d heard through the seagull gossip mill that a man had stamped him to death on the beach. Ten years ago, I cut my family away like a rotten limb, too scared to lose anyone else. I force myself to move, glancing side to side before sneaking my way into the store, ambling down the first aisle to discreetly peruse the section of Walker’s crisp flavours. I need to eat something. I snatch up a Salt and Vinegar, as usual, and steadily keep it in my grasp, waddling back out onto the street. Despite my best interests, I decide to eat directly outside the store just to rub it in, smacking my bill against the packet in a desperate, dispassionate attempt to open it.

At five o’clock, I head over to the park, twigs and leaves aplenty sticking out of my feathers. It’s busy this time of day, the noise briefly filling the emptiness around me, burning away the silence that often gives an edge to my thoughts. My heart starts to sink as a grotty toddler staggers ominously toward me, watching in apprehension till it finally and suddenly accelerates, making unhinged grabs at my tail feathers. I flap away in a rage, vocalising my anguish with distressed squawks as I reach a quieter area of the green, settling in a tree away from the flocks of human offspring below.

Thomas

An elderly couple wander by holding hands, smiling brightly at me, and I stare at them passing by in a flustered daze, letting out a weary sigh. Soon, I’m folding my wings and hunching down on the same cold bench as the older lady beside me, near enough that I can make out the planes of her face, creases forming as her lips pull up into a familiar smile. Months ago, she’d seen me lying on the ground with a broken leg and nursed me back to health, and I felt compelled to visit her afterwards in the same park. I didn’t know why, but then she’d ducked her head and told me stories in a soft voice, of her life and her family and how much she missed her children, giving me smiles and kindness and chips and the closest thing to friendship I have.

For a few moments each day, with the warmth of her knuckles brushing my head and the warmth of the light inside me, the faint lulling tune of her voice and the sky scattered with clouds, I don’t feel as alone.

I hate having to leave her—nights are always the hardest, too afraid to close my eyes. I finally muster the strength to feed off an earthworm emerging from the dark soil.

Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.

The exhaustion of moving pulls at my body, a tightness that builds in my throat, and somehow, I’m always back here, falling, falling, falling under the waves of my thoughts. Of the ghost of my mother’s wings around me, the cavernous space in my chest a reminder of the family I’ve lost, the shame of depending on a human as a friend, and how much I find myself craving her words right now, as the sky starts to darken and the weight of my eyes grow oh so heavy.

Monty visited the old lady, Emily, every day until he died of a heart attack a year later. She buried him in the backyard of her home, with a packet of Walker’s Salt and Vinegar crisps in his honour. Her garden has since become a refuge for seagulls hardened by the streets.

Ambassadors English

A room without books is like a body without a soul.

Cicero

Oliver Booth

At the start of the Autumn Term last year, Mrs Martlew set up the English Ambassador Programme. This was to encourage Lower Sixth students who had chosen to study English Literature and/or English Language to become a subject ambassador, with the aim of working alongside members of the English Department to help pupils in the lower years develop their understanding of the subject and to assist them in developing their skills. Mrs

Martlew and the eight ambassadors then created a club which focused on working with Shell pupils to give them help within English without them having to approach a teacher, forming bonds between the Sixth Form and Shell pupils. The ambassadors also give their time within the department to consider and create new displays for both A level English Literature and English Language, keeping the department fresh with new ideas.

Malorie Blackman

Qualification Extended Project

The Lower Sixth’s Extended Project Presentation Evening was a huge success, with students sharing their passion and knowledge across an incredible range projects they had researched, written about and presented. Put on the spot by their peers, parents and staff, they offered thought-provoking and engaging answers.

Topics ranged from creating a Rubik’s cube solver built entirely of Lego and learning how to play the Dhol from scratch, to whether peace or war has had more effect on human inventiveness, could humans colonise another planet by 2050 and should AI replace juries in a court of law… with almost everything in between!

YOUNG ENTERPRISE

Taking part in Young Enterprise was an exciting and interesting journey for us all and throughout the process, we developed core skills such as communication, leadership and time management.

We created a team called Everlasting and decided to focus on providing sustainable, bespoke picture frames to those wanting to preserve memories. Our product comprised a customisable picture frame coated with non-toxic chalkboard paint and a liquid chalk pen, packaged in biodegradable tissue paper and a recyclable paper bag.

Ray Thomas-Devanny

We held weekly meetings during which we discussed primary ideas, built on them and considered the most efficient way of operating every aspect of our business. The hard work put in by all members of the team was outstanding, with many staying after school to finish preparations for us to be able to attend fayres and even the school production, Les Misérables, as we needed to balance quantity with top quality products. Sales were very good and these were boosted by the efforts of the marketing team. They pushed our product on social media platforms, creating TikTok and Instagram posts to promote Everlasting, allowing us to become more well known. All of this hard work, commitment and teamwork resulted in us winning the County Finals and also picking up additional awards for ‘Best Presentation’ and ‘Best Financial Management’.

This then led us to the Regional Finals where we were interviewed by entrepreneurs from our area and then had to present to other regional teams. While we did fall short of qualifying for nationals, we still gained the ‘Best Presentation’ award once again, which really was a great achievement considering the competition.

Participating in the Young Enterprise programme was an excellent experience that most definitely built our skills. We were fortunate enough to have an opportunity that not many get to take, and we certainly made the most of it. From painting hundreds of frames to making silly videos, there were so many ups and

Misérables Les

What was your standout moment from the rehearsals?

Ellen

When we rehearsed ‘One Day More’ for the first time. It was the most amazing moment as the entire cast was on stage, singing together. This became my favourite moment in the show.

Amar

I enjoyed the rehearsals a lot. I especially liked meeting new people in other year groups and working as a team with them. I particularly liked doing ‘Master of the House’ because it was entertaining and full of energy.

Martha

My standout moment from the rehearsals was during the devising of the battle scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing everyone’s brilliant ideas and the fact that we were able to incorporate all of them into the pieces we created as an ensemble. It was a shining example of the teamwork and magic that happens in the theatre when everyone collaborates in bringing a vision to life.

What makes you glad that you were part of the Les Mis cast?

Jess

It was so much fun and it’s my favourite musical! It was just the most incredible experience and one that I will never forget. I got to sing a solo that I love and I made wonderful friends.

Jody

BBeing part of a huge production every year at school and the friends and sense of family that you create during the process.

Martha

I am thrilled to have been a part of the Les Misérables cast. It is my all-time favourite stage show and I truly believe it is a masterpiece. The journey leading up to the show was incredible and I have made so many friends along the way. The memories we as a cast have created together are something I will cherish forever… It has been an absolute dream come true.

In what ways did your skills develop through your involvement in the show?

Phoebe

The creativity it gave me made everything more fun. I learned how to do lighting, how to queue sound and how to organise backstage mics. I also enjoyed the leadership possibilities and responsibility that the teachers gave us.

Isaac

I was challenged with stretching my vocal range and expressing character through singing, something that took me out of my comfort zone.

Martha

Even though it was challenging at times, taking on my role really pushed me to enhance my acting skills. It was a transformative experience for me that definitely had a significant impact on my abilities. I owe it all to the incredible team that made it possible and am extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunity!

What would you say to someone who was unsure whether they wanted to take part in the whole school production?

Daisy

I would encourage them to take part because of the fun along the way and the sense of satisfaction and the pure adrenaline at the end of the show. Being part of the drama family is a great way to improve your school experience too.

Emma

I would encourage them to take part as the experience is truly amazing. Everyone is so supportive and we have so much fun, especially backstage. The feelings that you get from performing are incredible and you feel so exhilarated when you've done the show. I have made so many friends from doing these shows and you meet people in other years, which you wouldn't get to do otherwise.

Oriana

Anyone thinking of doing productions in the future should go for it! Even if you are nervous at the start, the cast becomes a second family and will support you no matter what. The memories you make will last a lifetime and you will meet so many people and make new friends.

Ella

I think that people who might feel apprehensive about joining a production should go for it. Even if you don’t want to be performing on stage, BabTech will help you get involved in the production side to become one of the backstage family.

DRESSING IT UP!

As a Geography teacher, working with the Performing Arts Department doesn't come particularly naturally to me, but my love for musicals does help a lot!

When I found out that we were planning to present Les Misérables as our 2023 whole school production, I have to admit that I was both excited and a little apprehensive.; it is such an iconic musical that we had to ensure we did it justice.

I started the process of considering costumes for the production by watching the 2012 film multiple times over the summer holidays and making mood boards for the different characters. It took me back to my GCSE Textile days and I really enjoyed the process, looking at different adaptations. We also had cast the main characters by that point, so I had the pupils in mind when looking at options.

I then visited a company in Banbury from where we had hired costumes for Beauty & The Beast the previous year and I was able to discuss various different options with them, which was really helpful. I collated all of the ideas and put them to Ms Bradley so that we could consider how they might work within her vision for the production. The majority of the main characters’ costumes were hired.

The ensemble was briefed on the different roles they needed to play throughout the performance and this included the styles, colours and themes. Pupils sourced the majority of their outfits themselves and what a fabulous job they did!

Props and costume accessories were a mixture of bought and handmade items. BabTech, along with Sixth Formers Sienna and Pranani, contributed to the creation of flags and various props and helped with alterations to costumes. Everyone worked brilliantly together and thoroughly enjoyed working with Miss McChleery and the BabTech team.

It was a wonderful production that was enjoyed by so many at each sold-out performance.

Mrs. Rebecca Welchman-Taylor

Mark McKelvie Interview with Former School Captain

Dr Mark McKelvie is a medical aesthetic physician and private GP who runs his own business, McKelvie Medical, in Makati City, Manila.

He graduated in medicine from the University of Cambridge and has worked in various hospitals including Cambridge, London and the Isle of Man. He passed his Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England examinations in 2015 and completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education at Cambridge in 2016. He later became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017, and Fellow of the Hunterian Society, London, in 2018.

What made you start your clinic?

Around the time that I completed my core surgical training, I started to lose a little bit of interest in medicine. If I'm being honest, I think a lot of doctors go through this at some point in their career and so I wanted to take a little bit of time out. I worked as a locum doctor for a short while and then decided to buy a classic car and travel round Europe for a few months. I was starting to look at other options that were not hospital-based medicine roles and looked into aesthetic medicine. I liked the idea because it is all delivered in a clinic and I wouldn’t have to deal with emergencies or night shifts!

I was already involved in plastic surgery and had been working with some fantastic consultants who were plastic surgeons, doing research with them as well. It did interest me, but there are lot of people doing this type of practice in the UK, so given that I wasn’t tied to a particular person or place, I thought about trying to set myself up in the Philippines. This is not as random as it sounds, as I have been to the Philippines many times; my mum is Filipino, so I am half Filipino I have a lot of family there, but I had never lived there for any length of time. I knew that I wanted to have my own clinic, so decided to try and combine aesthetic medicine with my general medicine knowledge and create an all-encompassing clinic. It opened about a year ago and has been a great success, so we’re now expanding and are in the process of moving into a bigger clinic.

Do you think the NHS should be privatised?

No, I don't. There are issues and failings in the NHS, but it is still a very efficient system through which very high-quality medicine can be delivered. We compete with the world's best, but it has to be funded properly. In the Philippines, if you don't have money, you don't get healthcare and that really is a grim situation. There are other healthcare systems around the world that require people to have insurance and they work very well, but I really do like the idea of a completely free delivery system from cradle to grave. Without sufficient funding, it is increasingly difficult for the people that do stay in the job, whether it be doctors, nurses or allied health professionals. As more end up leaving, it makes it that bit harder for everyone who remains.

Obviously, I realise that you now work in different avenues of medicine, but what would you say is a challenge that you face on the daily basis and how do you deal with it?

When I'm working with my NHS cap on, I deal with a mixture of emergency and elective surgery. The emergency aspect would be dealing with problems such as appendicitis or pancreatitis or it might be fractures, trauma and orthopaedics. The main thing is managing those patients, stabilising them, getting them admitted, and ensuring they receive the right treatment before operating on them.

Avneet Hayer

On the elective or planned side, which would be things like hip and knee replacements, it is arranging scans and sending patients to physio. There are always challenges, but solutions come via good communication skills with anyone and everyone, responding to both verbal and non-verbal communication. I like speaking to people and talking together about what will work best for them; we call it ‘shared decision making’ in medicine.

On the aesthetics side, it is seeing clients to find out what their goals are and to assess whether their ideals are realistic. Different kinds of questions, but do they need filler, do they need Botox and skin treatments, do they need to spend £2000 on a treatment or just £200? It is evidently not as stressful as the medical side, but there are still challenges when it comes to communication and shared decision making and, thankfully very rarely, when dealing with complications.

What would you say is the most difficult situation you've experienced?

In the NHS, you always have support from colleagues, but when you are really stretched and there are not enough doctors to cover a shift, your delivery of care is compromised because you may have to cut corners, which is by far the most stressful thing.

There is also the fact that you end up taking that stress home. When I first started working as a doctor, I'd wake up at night thinking about a decision I'd made a few hours before. I would suddenly think, ‘Did I remember to check that blood test?’!

Within aesthetics, it is trying to do the right thing for clients, some of whom can be quite demanding. They are paying good money for treatments and the difficulty can lie in managing expectations. We always say that we should under-promise and over-deliver!

With aesthetics there are the elements of medical ethics, autonomy, beneficence and nonmaleficence; obviously people can choose to do what they want. Do you ever feel that you have to step in and offer advice to those going too far with aesthetics procedures?

That can be an issue. So, with Botox, it could be, for example, that you get a droopy eye because the Botox has been injected too close to the eye, but it will wear off in three months. With filler, the problems could be far worse; there's a one in 100,000 chance of injecting filler into an artery, which would block the blood supply to that area. There is a one in a million chance of becoming blind from a filler procedure, around the eyes and the nose. These are not procedures that should be done by just anyone and I’m afraid that this is a problem here in the UK, as if you complete a one-day course, you can set up a business providing fillers and Botox. There are moves to try and tighten the law on this, but it will take time. This is why I think that being a medic lends itself so well to aesthetics, because you feel that you have a duty of care too. Whatever you may think of aesthetic procedures, people choose to have them done and that is their choice, but I think that practitioners should be properly trained and if done by a doctor or a medic, you know that you are in a professional environment. I treat it like a medical procedure.

Finally, I just wanted to talk about how do you feel Bablake shaped you as a person?

I can't put it down to one thing. I really enjoyed my time at Bablake and I do miss it. How did it shape me?

It was a very, very safe place to find out what I enjoyed and what route I wanted to follow. The teachers were so supportive in many different ways, whether on the academic side or the extra-curricular side. It was also a very safe place to make mistakes and that is how you really, truly learn. Bablake gave me that very solid foundation to allow me to continue my education at university, which is a completely different environment.

It was just having that confidence to grow and to find out who you are personality-wise, to discover what you liked and were good at academically and to have the opportunity to try a vast range of extra-curricular activities. A great deal of that came from the staff who were just so approachable, and wonderful people. Back in my time when we had Dr Nuttall as Headmaster and Mr Jones as Deputy Head, they had a certain air to them and you were always on alert when they were walking around School, especially Dr Nuttall with his red book! We had a great deal of respect for him, but at the same time we knew that you could just have a normal conversation with him and both he and Mr Jones were very down to earth. There were a couple of times when I had a really nice chat with Dr Nuttall - I think something had upset meand he was just fantastic and very supportive. I can't think of any staff member who wouldn't have provided that sort of support. Mr Jones was a towering figure and an absolute joker, but you certainly didn’t mess with him!

Symposium

2023 brought our largest Symposium Showcase so far, with projects ranging from ‘The Impact of Social Media on Young People’ to ‘Dark Matter’.

With those attending the evening being able to cast a vote for their favourite project, we had two worthy winning projects – ‘The Most Famous Assassinations That Changed the Course of History’ by Teyah Amlani and Erin Casey and ‘Photographic Memory’ by Isabella Trevor and Katie Harvey.

A huge well-done to everyone involved for providing us with a wonderfully entertaining and educational evening.

Science Junior

Fire writing, chromatography butterflies, crime scene fingerprinting, stop motion animation and slime making are just a handful of the fantastic activities that Junior Science Club have enjoyed getting to grips with.

Every week, an excitable group of Shell and Year 8 pupils come together to satisfy their scientific curiosity, to carry out some exciting experiments or simply to try something new with their friends. It is an opportunity to widen their interest in all areas of science, whether they have ambitions of being a doctor, an engineer, an artist, or an athlete.

eggs on the pavement, but winners were chosen for design, effectiveness and creativity.

Anna Johnson chose to attend Junior Science to spend more time with her friends and has now become a regular member. “I have learnt how to overcome problems and develop new ways of thinking as to how to test and experiment using different methods and techniques.”

I REALLY ENJOY JUNIOR SCIENCE. WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MAKING PAPER AEROPLANES, FIRE WRITING, BRIDGE BUILDING AND LOTS OF COMPETITIONS (WITH PRIzES TOO!). I WOULD REALLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL YEAR GROUPS BECAUSE I LOVE GOING. IT’S AMAzING!

Jessica Herring

Mrs. Nicola Pittaway

EXPERIENCE AN ENRICHING

Jamie Hewitt and Lottie Schiesaro

Jamie Hewitt

Simon Crosby from Corstophine And Wright

Former pupil Simon Crosby is a chartered architect and director at Corstophine and Wright. Simon came into school to speak to us as part of the series of Enrichment lectures. I found his talk on his career and his work as an architect inspiring, particularly when he spoke about incorporating sustainability and innovation into the company’s work. I have a passion for design and so sought work experience with the firm to gain further insight into the field of architecture. I was fortunate enough to be invited to complete a week long placement at the office in Warwick in February 2023. During the week, I completed an architectural design project for a large residential property, learning from a group of architects, engineers and designers and using the techniques and software used in industry. It was an amazing opportunity and as a result I hope to study architecture at university next year.

Lottie Schiesaro

Duncan Nicholson from Tollers

In the Spring Term, former pupil Duncan Nicholson came back to Bablake to speak to the Sixth Form as part of the Enrichment Programme. Duncan is the CEO of Tollers, which is a regional law firm with six offices offering expert legal services, and he gave an inspiring talk on his unique journey into law after his struggles with battling longterm illnesses and a change in career path. He then talked about some of the practical aspects of law which was both informative and interesting.

I enjoyed listening to what he had to say and wanted to learn more about the day-to-day business of a law firm. After applying to do work experience at Tollers, I was offered a five-day placement at the Northampton office. There, I shadowed solicitors from both the litigation and disputes departments and learnt about contesting wills, sending a company into administration, and the process of buying and selling properties. I was especially interested in the work that the dispute department does on a daily basis. The experience was incredibly useful and helped me to understand the different career paths that can be taken into law, such as a law conversion course or even a law apprenticeship. It certainly helped to confirm my decision to read law at university.

Enrichment lies at the very heart of what we do at Bablake; it is underpinned by the School’s belief in ‘The Spirit of Opportunity’ and is central to the characteristics of an excellent Bablake learner.

When preparing my presentation to students in the Lower Sixth during the first week of the Enrichment Programme, I reflected on what enrichment had meant for me when I was in their shoes, and how different their world is compared to the one in which I grew up. In the early 90s it was, in my mind, quite easy to make an impression. We had no mobile phones, no internet and no social media; if we wanted to research a project for school, it involved a trip to the library or even, in my case, interviewing a journalist I’d seen on BBC Newsround! The invention of the internet has made it feel as though the most complex of questions can be answered with just a couple of clicks of a button, but it has also made it much harder for our students to stand out. In addition to this, the range of courses offered by a growing number of universities has grown exponentially, to the point that students sometimes don’t know what to choose.

THE EXPERIENCE WAS INCREDIBLY USEFUL AND HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS THAT CAN BE TAKEN INTO LAW...

Lottie Schiesaro

The Enrichment Programme is designed to provide students with skills and experience beyond their academic programme and its aims are:

To prepare students for their next steps in life, be it in higher education or in a working life

To broaden awareness of the lives of others politically, socially, culturally and personally

To develop skills and foster new talents and interests

In the Lower Sixth, we invite Bablake Alumni and visitors from the wider Bablake family back to school to speak about their life ‘Beyond Bablake’. These fascinating lectures have provided an insight into what life in certain industries is like and has led to valuable work experience placements for our students. We follow this up with weekly sessions that develop some of the softer skills our students will need in their future lives.

The Upper Sixth Enrichment Programme focuses on Friday afternoon sessions and is an opportunity to develop useful life skills in a low pressure and friendly environment. The current programme offers IT for the Real World, British Sign Language, Medics Preparation, Cookery, Mural Workshop, EPQ, Politics, Performance and Woodland Conservation.

CREST Award Gold

Mr. Inderpal Kalsi

Over 30 students in the Lower Sixth completed a literature-based project for the Gold CREST Award.

This is the fourth year that students have produced literature-based projects rather than completing a placement at a university and they were able to use resources which had been provided by the University of Warwick Chemistry Department.

Some of the questions that the students chose to answer were:

Why is heroin so addictive?

How does Botox work?

Why are hydrogen-fuelled cars less popular than battery powered cars?

Why are chilli peppers hot?

Students worked either individually or in small groups and wrote a 2000-3000 word article. They also delivered a short oral presentation summarising their project. The aim of the exercise was to develop students’ academic muscles in many different ways: it is not just about the science that they present.

Students were expected to research their chosen question thoroughly using websites, journals and textbooks and were required to reference each source properly, which is obviously a skill in itself.

The standard of the articles and presentations was very high and each group was given written feedback about their strengths and areas in which they could improve.

Around the World

Malaysia 2023 Girls’ sports tour to

Mrs. Jade Russell

Our journey to Malaysia comprised a 13-hour flight to Singapore and a one hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. After so many hours travelling, the girls were more than ready to check in to the first hotel and relax in the infinity pool.

On our first day, we explored Batu Caves, which is not only one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, but also a must-visit destination for tourists. It is claimed to be around 400 million years old and the temple that was built within the cave has been present for more than a century. There are three main caves featuring temples and Hindu shrines, but its most spectacular attraction is the large statue of Murugan; it is one of the tallest statues in the world. Despite the stunning skyline at the top of the 272 steps, the girls were distracted by the frolicking monkeys and a fair few selfies were taken! After an exciting morning, the girls played their first hockey game of the trip against SMK Titiwangsa.

The following days allowed the girls to explore more that Malaysia had to offer, from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Skywalk, a magnificent walk amongst the trees of the Kepong Botanical Gardens, to the Petronas Twin Towers, which offered a bird’s eye view of Kuala Lumpur from the observation deck of the 88 storey buildings.

After day two’s competitive netball games and a warm sunny morning at the Sunway Lagoon Water Park, the tropical storm before our second hockey game was unexpected! The lovely tour guide, Balan, did highlight that “there are two things you can’t predict in Malaysia: the weather and the traffic!”. As a huge tropical storm hit, the girls and staff entertained themselves in the only way they knew how…KARAOKE! The coach erupted with singing, directed by Miss Watts, who was in her element. We all had a very enjoyable afternoon.

In total, the girls played four hockey matches and four netball matches, all of which were highly competitive. The 1st VII remained undefeated, comfortably winning all their netball matches, the 2nd VII won three and narrowly lost one and the 1st XI hockey was defeated in three and drew one. Despite the score lines in the hockey, there were some exceptional saves by goalkeeper Shaan, with one particularly brilliant penalty flick save.

The tour was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and pupils and it set the girls up for the senior season in September 2023. We are already excited to start planning the next one.

South Africa 2023 Boys’ sports tour to

Mr. Rob Burdett

During the summer holidays, a combined Bablake and King Henry VIII Senior Rugby Squad undertook an unforgettable rugby tour to South Africa.

Our run of matches began in Pretoria, with U19 and U17 matches against Westfield School, and ended in Cape Town with matches versus Brackenfell and Durbanville. The players were outstanding in all of these matches and won all six, which was a remarkable achievement against some tough, competitive teams. Off the pitch, the group was able to enjoy some amazing experiences. Fresh from the plane, the boys headed to the iconic Ellis Park Stadium to watch South Africa take on Argentina.

The group visited the Winnie Mombasa Foundation to learn about the work the Foundation does with disadvantaged children and took part in a dance lesson leading to a tense forwards versus backs dance off! This was an incredible day that all involved will never forget. Between Pretoria and Cape Town, game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park provided another ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, with the group fortunate to witness elephants, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and many more animals in the wild. In Cape Town, the group attended one of the biggest schoolboy rugby matches in the world, joining over 25,000 partisan supporters at the Paarl Boys vs Paarl Gim match and we also travelled above the clouds to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views across the city.

These were just some of the highlights from a wonderful tour that also saw excursions to Gold Reef City, The Apartheid Museum, Robben Island and the cape of Good Hope. The boys were simply outstanding both on and off the pitch and they were great ambassadors for the School.

THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

Athletics Review Cross ReviewCountry

Last year, we continued to enjoy great success on the athletics track. Both the Junior and Inter boys’ and girls’ teams finished in first place at the Solihull athletics meet and special mention must go to E Martin (1st 800m), I Lane (1st shot & long jump), I Beasley (1st high jump & 400m), L Brown (1st javelin) and L Drage (1st 800m).

The Inter (Years 10 and 11) and Junior (Year 8 and Year 9) championships were the next competitions to be held and both events demonstrated the excellent potential from some of our athletes. Once again, special mention goes to A Memi (1st hurdles), I Khalil (1st 800m), I Lane (1st hurdles, long jump and shot), O MacGibbon (1st javelin), I Beasley (1st 200m), E Martin (1st 800m and long jump), M Masterson (1st 200m), S MacGibbon (1st 1500m) and J Cox (1st javelin).

The English Schools Track and Field Cup was just as successful as the last. All pupils competed with grit and determination and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the regional finals.

Well done to those Shell pupils who qualified for the Coventry finals.

Boys: J Hodgkins, E Forbes -Gifford, N Basioudis, J Thirde, J Lewis-Haynes, M Silver OBrien, H Hughes.

Girls: J Bolstridge, L Hateley, L Brown, H Smith, L Munton, L East, A Khumalo, G Dosanjh, S Maude.

Our cross-country runners were excellent last year. The U13 boys and girls won the Coventry relays and Ella and zule should b e congratulated on outstanding individual successes. The U14 girls won the English Schools’ Athletic Association Midlands round and the Coventry relays were won by our U16 girls.

Krista Bennett and Sebastian MacGibbon should also be congratulated on their continued success in cross-country.

Netball Review

Hannah Elliott, Libby Stinton and Beth Akinkoye

The season was once again filled with plenty of fixtures and some great successes across the age range.

The U12s had a strong year, with many talented players beginning to emerge. The year culminated in both the U12 As and Bs winning their Coventry Schools Tournament, which points towards a very promising future. It was great to see such large numbers of girls consistently attending training and their hard work certainly paid off. Congratulations to everyone involved.

The U13As managed to reach the semi-finals in the Coventry Schools Tournament, playing against some difficult opposition, whilst the U13Bs finished runners-up. Their progression since Shells was obvious and we are excited to see what lies ahead for them.

The U14s had a highly successful season and continued to develop their netball skills. Both the A and the B team won their respective Coventry Schools Tournament, giving impressive performances against King Henry VIII and Bishop Ullathorne. The A team continued this tournament success when it won the Bromsgrove Tournament, beating Solihull in the semi-finals 9-7 and Repton 10-3 in the final. Their winning streak continued, as they also made the semi-finals of the Sisters n Sport competition, which was a huge achievement. Well done!

The U15s continued to maximise their potential by winning the Coventry Schools Tournament. They also enjoyed a run in the national Sister n Sport competition, beating Trent College 39-14. We cannot wait to see how they progress as they move into the Senior section next season.

Basketball Review

The 1st VII, captained by Katie Hart, had a successful season with competitive wins against Wellingborough, Denstone and Wrekin College. Yet again, they were champions of the Coventry Schools Tournament and they progressed to the Warwickshire Tournament, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to move forward to the next stage. The 2nd VII was placed second in the Coventry Schools Tournament and continued to have competitive fixtures throughout the season against teams such as Solihull and Princethorpe College.

Thank you to all the teachers for giving up their time, to the pupils for all their hard work at training and during fixtures and finally to the parents for their continued support.

Last year, we enjoyed the most fantastic year of basketball!

Our Shells entered the Junior NBA competition for the first time and, competing as the Toronto Raptors, they progressed through the regional stages and play-offs all the way to the Midlands final where they were crowned champions, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 35-27. They also won the Coventry Championships, as did our wonderful U14 girls, playing a fast paced passing game that no local team could match!

Our U14s showed great promise whilst our U16s finished runners up in the Coventry League. Our U18 team was led superbly by Josh Ogbonna, again producing some outstanding performances throughout the year.

Hockey Review Girls’

Emily Maughan

Despite the loss of some incredibly talented players, the girls' hockey teams did not let this impact their performance, showing great tenacity and resilience throughout the season.

Even though the Shells were unlucky with the weather, they displayed talent and promise against RGS Worcester and only narrowly lost to Leicester Grammar in the last few minutes.

The U13s showed fantastic defensive promise and held a promising draw against longtime rivals Princethorpe and King’s High. They did, however, end the year on a high and fought hard for a 7-3 win against KES. We cannot wait to see this potential blossom next season.

Our U14s had a particularly tough and challenging year, but they maintained a positive attitude throughout and found themselves in a tough match against KES Stratford resulting in a nail biting 1-1 result.

The U15 team is developing beautifully, with top goal scorer Imogen leading the team to a 7-0 win against Stratford and a 4-3 win against Leicester Grammar. They are showing fantastic promise and we cannot wait to see what they can do in the U18 leagues.

Our 2nd XI had a terrific year, beating RGS Worcester 4-2 and drawing 1-1 with Stratford. The 1st XI had a challenging season but performed well under difficult conditions. They put on an impressive show against King Edward VI School for Girls, with a 4-0 win and then achieved a 2-1 win against RGS Worcester. We said goodbye to an array of fantastic players last year, however, the promise and talent coming up cannot be overlooked. Well done for all the hard work last season girls and we wish you the best of luck in 2023 and 2024.

Cricket Girls’

Girls’ cricket flourished last year and we saw great progress being made, especially amongst the Shells and Year 8 pupils.

We were able to increase participation rates, with most games afternoons accommodating teams A to E, which was wonderful.

The Shells enjoyed their day at the Nottingham High Schools festival. All the girls played some exceptional cricket, with the U12As competing in a higher age group in the U13 Cup and finishing third. The U12Bs were exceptional in the U12A plate, finishing as winners! The U14s also had a positive season, winning all their games against Princethorpe, King’s High and King Henry VIII.

Well done to everyone.

SENIOR RUGBY TRIUMPHS

The U12s made a great start to school rugby and are showing real promise for the future.

Our U13s were simply outstanding during the season, excelling in victories against Kirkham and President Kennedy and finishing as runners-up in the Coventry festival; they clearly have an exciting future ahead. They played with strength and determination throughout the season and achieved an outstanding feat by becoming joint winners of the prestigious Coventry Cup.

The U15 team had a tough year, but showed incredible enthusiasm, effort and perseverance, ensuring excellent progress that will stand them in good stead for senior level rugby.

A reward for all their efforts came in victory over President Kennedy in the Coventry Schools final, a feat matched by our U14s, who defeated Coundon Court. This achievement reflects their dedication to the sport, honing their skills and pushing themselves to excel.

The U16s maintained their winning streak, triumphing over Stoke Park in a gripping final at Broadstreet RFC, ensuring the cup remained firmly in their grasp.

The 1st XV had an outstanding season, showcasing great talent. Despite narrow defeats against formidable opponents such as Sedbergh School and Kirkham Grammar, they repeatedly showed their potential and determination.

The team bounced back with convincing wins against KES Stratford and Princethorpe College and the players were outstanding in a tense victory versus Solihull at the Butts Park Arena, leaving no doubt about their competitive spirit and prowess.

Congratulations to George Corden and Sam Burbridge on representing the Midlands U18 and to Laurence Crossley, James Mackintosh, Rhys Esling, Elliott Marsh, James Cox and Milo Peacock on representing Midlands Central Academy.

The 2022/23 senior rugby season will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, coaches, and the entire community.

It serves as a reminder of what can be achieved through teamwork, commitment, and a passion for rugby.

Boys' CRICKET REVIEW

It was another busy season for boys’ cricket, with over 120 fixtures scheduled during a relatively short summer term.

The wet weather initially proved challenging, however, clearer skies towards the end of May and into June allowed us to play upwards of 30 boys’ and girls’ fixtures each week. The U12s faced tough opposition, but they began to show the potential that they had displayed during the winter nets. The U13s also found it hard, however, a thrilling victory against Queen Mary’s Grammar School and a cup win against Finham Park gave them the confidence they needed to get their season back on track.

The U14s and U15s both faced strong opposition; nail-biting draws for the U15s against Loughborough Grammar School and Solihull School demonstrated their resilience and determination!

The 1st XI, captained by Tom Mousley, was the standout team last season, beating KES Stratford, Warwick, Princethorpe, KES Birmingham and QMGS.

A superb run of form found them in the third round of the National U18 HMC T20, but an excellent Cheltenham College side proved to be too strong. The season concluded with the ‘cricket fortnight’, which is an action-packed couple of weeks at the end of term culminating in the Terry Patchett T20, a tournament we have been proud to host for the last 20 years.

Boys' HOCKEY REVIEW

It was another busy season of boys’ hockey with over 150 competitive fixtures played across all year groups.

The seniors performed well against some strong opposition, with highlights including thrilling games for the 1st XI against Abbotsholme and Leicester Grammar, coming from behind in both games to snatch victory in the closing minutes.

The 2nd XI enjoyed lots of success and it is encouraging to see so much young talent coming through ready to make an impact in the 1st XI next year! The 3rd XI continued to enjoy their hockey; they made significant improvements as a squad and put in some excellent performances.

The junior teams enjoyed a competitive programme of fixtures on a very tough circuit.

The U15s and U14s showed real resilience and determination and this was rewarded with some pleasing results and performances. The U12s and U13s continued to develop a love of the game and they enjoyed participating in lots of tournaments and competitions. It was rewarding to see so many boys at training this year and also enjoying their hockey outside school at local clubs.

SUCCESS INDIVIDUAL

Scarlet Maude

Scarlet is one of our best young netballers. After seeing her flourish at School, it was wonderful to see her selected for the U14/15 county squad. Since then, Scarlet has also been picked for the U14 regional performance squad. We are excited to see what the future holds for her.

Emily Maughan

Emily is one of our elite hockey players. Having played for School since Year 4 and for club since Year 5, she has worked her way through the hockey rankings. Recently, she represented Wales at U18 level, which is obviously a fantastic achievement.

Emily is currently working hard to secure a university scholarship in America and we wish her all the best.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Winning the Regional Championships with Warwickshire

Laurence Crossley

Now captain of Bablake’s 1st XV, Laurence has represented Warwickshire for rugby over the last two seasons. Laurence has shown great resilience after previously being dropped from the Worcester Warriors Academy and has now played for Midlands Central (previously Wasps) for the past three years.

These academies have provided an excellent opportunity for Laurence to improve, especially when facing opposition who play at an international level.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Playing in the 1st XI for Wasps Academy against Leicester Tigers and captaining the academy team at the Malvern Festival

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Representing Warwickshire

Ismail Khalil

Having enjoyed playing squash with his dad and older brother, Ismail played his first competitive game at the age of nine. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, competing strongly in tournaments above his age group.

Ismail won nationals at U15 level and reached the semi-final of the US Open representing England. He is truly a future star to look out for!

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Winning the European championships at U15 and U17 level

Imogen Lane

Last season was Imogen’s first as an U17 athlete, and she was fortunate enough to be able to compete in many national competitions, representing West Midlands and Coventry Godiva Harriers. Her season started strongly, as she was placed 10th in the U17 indoor English Pentathlon with a personal best of 3144 points. Winning the regional round enabled Imogen to compete nationally at the English Schools Heptathlon, in which she was placed 12th overall. Imogen also competed in shot-put at the English championship, where she finished 8th.

Imogen has huge potential, and we cannot wait to see her further development.

Season highlight:

Winning the regional round of the heptathlon with a personal best of 4440 points

Summar Malhi

Summar is a skilled netball player who has played at many different levels. She has played for School, club, Warwickshire and Central Warriors (Wasps). Summar is currently the captain of Henley’s U19 regional team, despite being only 16, showcasing both her netball talent and her leadership skills. She is a dynamic player, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Playing in the School Games for Wasps

Matty Jack

Growing up playing rugby with his brothers, Matty started playing club rugby for Barkers’ Butts RFC. Matty has gone from strength to strength and has played and captained sides for School, club, county and district. He has also represented Coventry Academy and the Welsh Exiles (a team of Welsh qualified players who live in different countries). We applaud Matty and wish him all the best in the future.

Greatest sporting achievement: Scoring a last-minute drop kick for School against Princethorpe College

Aimee Nelson

Aimee has fallen in love with rugby since she started playing three seasons ago and she has had significant success within this very short timeframe. Aimee plays at club level, for Warwickshire RFU and for the UR7s National Academy. She was an instrumental part of the team during the Rosslyn Park National School 7s competition, captaining the side. Aimee is passionate about being a role model for young girls and inspiring them to play rugby. We are so proud of Aimee and the example that she is setting to the younger years.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Getting into the UR7s National Academy and retaining my place for the past two seasons

Krish Bodalia

Krish has always been one of our star badminton players and has represented School since Shells. He is motivated by the quote, “Work so hard that your idols become your rivals” and aspires to play for England in the near future. We wish him all the best and have every confidence that he can achieve whatever he puts his mind to, so watch this space.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Winning the Warwickshire Junior Badminton Championships

Philip Basioudis

Philip played for Leicester Riders U16s Premier League when only 14 and 15 years old. He also represented the U18 team. Philip currently plays for the City of Birmingham Rockets in their U16 Premier League side. Philip has attended multiple international camps in America, where he trained with NBA players and coaches. He also had the opportunity to train with one of the top coaches in Serbia (who also coached the Greek National team).

This, as well as other international opportunities in Croatia, Spain and Greece, created a very busy season for Philip and we look forward to reporting on future achievements.

Greatest Sporting Achievement: Playing for England U15s in Serbia and in Spain where he was a main scorer, leading them to victory

DREAM AMERICAN

Hannah Elliott

I started playing Flag American football when I was nine years old.

I was already doing a lot of sport at that time, such as football, athletics and cross-country and decided to try it, even though I didn’t know anything about it, as the coach was a family friend. I have played for the club ever since.

I have played in competitions all over the country, travelling to Scotland, Norfolk and Manchester. The Britbowl is the championship game of the British American Football National League, and formerly the British American Football League in the United Kingdom. It is the most prestigious of the league's three bowl games that constitute Britbowl Weekend. The best youth teams across the country compete against each other and in 2021, I received BritBowl’s defensive MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.

As soon as I turned 16, I was scouted for the Great Britain Women’s team and after just two months of training with them, I was selected to travel to the Netherlands to represent my country and play against teams from across the world. I was the youngest ever player in the GB team, and the youngest in the competition. GB came second, losing by just one point to the USA in the final. Following this, I was invited to play in one of the biggest all girls’ tournaments in America and a couple weeks later I travelled to New York on my own and played with girls I had never met before. I became friends, and have stayed in touch, with girls from Panama, Philadelphia and all over the USA. It was an amazing opportunity and I made some incredible memories.

Earlier this year, I was scouted by the GB head coach for kitted American football and I attended training camps at Nottingham University to develop my skills in this version of the game. I continued training with the GB flag team and was selected for the team that would be attending the European championships in Limerick. However, whilst playing rugby, I dislocated my knee and the injury led to me stopping sport throughout the summer. It was sad to see what I was missing out on, nevertheless the team finished first, so we have qualified for the World Championships in Finland next year.

AVNEET TALKS TAEKWONDO

Avneet Hayer

I have been practising martial arts for the past 14 years and I find solace in the sport.

It was initially my father’s idea to get me into karate at the age of two.... and the rest is history. Taekwondo has become an intrinsic part of my life; when I was eight, I saw my dad competing in a Taekwondo competition and knew from that moment that it would be my new activity. I enrolled within a month and instantly connected with it, loving the art and the flow of this new martial art.

I have become a lead junior instructor at my Taekwondo club and an international umpire for competitions and for the Taekwondo Federation committee. Teaching everyone from toddlers to teenagers has given me such a sense of purpose and I think that it is incredibly important to have the opportunity to make a difference. When I teach the children, I can see the little child that I once was, and remember how much I appreciated having someone to guide me and help me to realise how incredible the art is, and I want to be able to replicate that for others.

Currently I am a 3rd degree black belt and I am looking to complete my 4th degree in the next few years. I have umpired British Championships, as well as competing in and winning the international gold medal and the British championship in my category in 2023. My self-confidence hasn’t always been the best and still isn’t, but by doing Taekwondo, I have a sense of purpose that enables me to let go and feel free. It has also helped me to discover a love of fitness and wellness and I have enjoyed doing online yoga and flexibility tutorials for people to follow.

It is wonderful to see how a community can come together through being part of a Taekwondo team. It’s a family, a family that I see three or four times a week, as we travel across the country together to do competitions. We help to build each other and support each other through our endeavours to become the best martial artist that we can be.

I am a firm believer in positivity and a positive mental attitude and Taekwondo has given me strength when I felt like I didn’t have any. I often train with the British squad in open training sessions and the sessions certainly get your heart pumping, leaving me in a sweaty mess by the end of it, but the joy and happiness that I get from working hard and pushing my body to new limits cannot be matched by anything else.

I am grateful to my father for getting me into it as it has really helped me deal with any pressure or stress that I may be experiencing in other parts of my life. When I walk into the dojang, I know that I am there to work hard and everyone is there to push each other and give each other a helping hand. This community is a beautiful environment where everyone can show up and do the best that they can. The philosophy of Taekwondo is hand, foot and way of life; it is not a sport of aggression or maleficence, rather a sport that aligns and connects individuals and galvanises them, no matter their background, their experience or their confidence. I believe that Taekwondo changes people's lives, and for the better.

VALETE

We bid a fond farewell to the following staff, who have enriched the lives of pupils at Bablake in diverse ways, over varying lengths of time:

Mrs Alex Hargreaves has been at Bablake since 2015, serving in many different roles. During this year, she has been training to become a history teacher and is leaving us to take up a position at the Westwood Academy. She has demonstrated all the attributes to mean that we are sure she has a long and successful career in teaching ahead of her.

Mr Jag Dhesi has been training in the Business and Economics Department this year. Students have benefited from his many years’ experience in banking and he has also been a key part of the Young Enterprise programme. He has obtained a position King’s High next year.

Miss Georgia Lees has been our graduate sports assistants this year and many have benefited from her enthusiasm and love of sport. She is returning to finish her final year at the University of Bath.

Miss Lizzie Hester has been here since January covering Miss McClean’s maternity and quickly established herself at Bablake, contributing much to the English Department and the wider school.

We thank them all for their loyalty to our community and wish them happiness and good health in new adventures.

Mrs. Sylvia O’Sullivan

by Mrs. Sarah Harris

When Sylvia O’Sullivan joined the school in 2005, she worked as one of the School Receptionists and so, for anyone who arrived at Bablake, Sylvia was the first face that they saw. And she was brilliant – friendly, welcoming and just the right fit for us as a Bablake family. She is one of those vital members of staff who is happy to jump in and help other colleagues at busy times.

When she took on the role of Alumni Relations Officer, which was a newly created post, we had unfortunately lost contact with most of our former pupils and staff. Sylvia’s professionalism coupled with her goodhearted nature meant that she soon started to build excellent relations with former pupils of all ages. Everyone was happy to chat to and communicate with Sylvia because she radiates a natural warmth that is hard to ignore. Before long, she had established regular coffee mornings, offered tours to those able to visit and revitalised our annual reunions of school year groups. She also launched drinks evenings, and staff and former pupils headed to smart venues in London and Birmingham to catch up and reconnect with old friends and colleagues.

Thanks to Sylvia, many of our alumni now support the School in so many ways and it really is a delight to welcome people back through the doors of Bablake. You only have to read the comments in any thread of the Old Wheats Facebook page to see how appreciated Sylvia’s work is.

Sylvia has always had a true passion for Bablake and all that it stands for and there really aren’t words to say just how much she will be missed. Sharing an office with her meant that rarely a day went by without a random funny story, suppressed giggles or proper belly laughs. Sylvia just lights up the room, and for those of us that worked closely with her, life at Bablake will literally never be the same.

Sylvia and her lovely husband, John, have headed south to start a new life in Devon and have exciting plans ahead. We wish them much happiness in their new venture.

Dr Toby Smith

by Mr. Simon Enstone

Toby joined Bablake in September 2013 as Head of Religious Studies (later to be rebranded Religion, Philosophy and Ethics) In his “Meeting the new staff” interview shortly after he joined, when asked the question “Play it Safe or Daredevil” he responded “Play it Safe”. Having played countless rounds of golf with him over the past decade I can confirm that this is not true.

Toby quickly established himself as a popular teacher and colleague whose dedication, genuine love for teaching, knowledge, empathy and countless hours spent going above and beyond to support his pupils quickly earned him both affection and respect. He also established himself as a strategic and visionary Head of Department, often being called upon to advise and coach colleagues new to their middle management role. Away from his academic responsibilities, Toby supported the wider co-curricular life of the school with his characteristic calmness and enthusiasm and became a veteran of school trips. His unswerving commitment to school hockey and in particular cricket made him an honorary member of the PE Department. Toby was also instrumental in assembling and captaining a joint Bablake/King Henry VIII staff cricket team, and he will hold many fond memories of the good humoured, often highly competitive matches and time spent socialising with colleagues who became close friends during his time at Bablake.

During his final year here, Toby was ordained as a Buddhist Priest going by the name of ‘Abaya Dara’. His commitment to the Buddhist faith was reflected in the changes he introduced to the RPE curriculum, and this will be one of his lasting legacies. He also introduced the now much more widely known practice of ‘Mindfulness’ to staff and pupils in order to allow time for quiet reflection during the school day. He regularly volunteered as a Samaritan, sitting by a phone late at night, patiently listening to people who were struggling with life.

Toby had an immeasurable spiritual impact on our school community. We have all benefited from his wisdom, sense of humour, patience and incredible intellect. He taught both pupils and staff the importance of a mindful approach to life in an increasingly, often unnecessarily hectic and stressful world.

He leaves us to take up the role of Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, where he will be much nearer to his home city and family. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all, and we wish him every success.

TOBY SUPPORTED THE WIDER COCURRICULAR LIFE OF THE SCHOOL WITH HIS CHARACTERISTIC CALMNESS AND ENTHUSIASM AND BECAME A VETERAN OF SCHOOL TRIPS.

STAFF NEWS VALETE

Mrs. Jennie May

by Mrs. Sarah Harris

Jennie joined Bablake in 2014 and took over the reins of the Modern Languages Department. She very soon showed herself to be superb leader, working hard to build an excellent team and having a very clear vision for the role of languages at Bablake. We soon realised that she would be a no messing, straight-talking Head of Department who would lead us well! She is incredibly organised and very determined to make things happen, always showing a real drive to move her department forward.

Jennie is an excellent teacher and we were fortunate to have her teaching French and Spanish at all levels, whilst also overseeing both of these, and German, and organising extracurricular Chinese lessons for pupils. Her passion for languages was always in evidence and she was keen to expand the horizons of pupils across all age groups; her love of the culture of both France and Spain simply shone through in her teaching.

Ask any Sixth Form teaching group about her love of Le Mont St Michel and they will roll their eyes! Jennie has enthused class after class of lower school pupils and exam groups, equipping them with the right skills to achieve the very best results they can. A level groups have thoroughly enjoyed being taught by her and have benefitted hugely from her vast wider knowledge of all things cultural. She even managed to get pupils switched on to French pop music, which isn’t always easy!

As if that wasn’t enough to be getting on with, Jennie sought additional responsibilities and led on whole school initiatives, expertly managing our teacher training programme as the school’s Professional Mentor. A number of colleagues have started their career under her tutelage and have gone on to become outstanding teachers thanks to her guidance.

Jennie has arranged numerous trips over the years, taking everyone from Shell pupils right up to Sixth Form to various parts of France and Spain. We all know that these involve a great deal of hard work, but again, Jennie just got on with it and the pupils were hugely appreciative of the opportunities she provided. Whether it involved pupils immersing themselves in language in a French law court, tasting ‘hot off the production line’ chocolat or eating escargots, Jennie would plan itineraries meticulously.

She is always on top of things and recently admitted that she hates not having anything to do and gets bored towards the end of the summer holidays. She is always on the go and if not working or being mum, she is probably out running.

Half marathons, marathons –sometimes running for fun and sometimes to raise funds for Myotubular Trust, which is a charity that is very close to Jennie’s heart.

As Jennie leaves us to head to pastures new as Director of Languages at Bedford Grammar, I know that we will feel the loss across many parts of school life. To those new teachers and those training, Jennie has been the constant support, checking in on them, conducting observations, answering questions and guiding them in all aspects of school life. As a member of SLT, she offered common sense and practical solutions.

Languages without Jennie will feel very strange indeed and we will miss her hugely – her support of us in all respects, her sense of humour, her laugh, her no-nonsense approach to everything, her organisation and leadership, her guidance… the list goes on. We wish her every success and happiness in her new role.

Mrs. Kiley Brown

by Mrs. Sarah Harris

When Kiley joined Bablake to provide maternity cover for our Marketing Manager, she brought with her a wealth of experience and expertise from her role at Warwick University. Once the role here became a vacancy, she applied and was immediately given the job, very quickly making it her own.

Her enthusiasm and sense of purpose were second to none and she soon got to grips with the many demands of the job. On a daily basis, she would meet pupils to take photos, rush along to the myriad activities taking place in schoolwhether as part of the co-curricular programme, House events or more formal competitions and occasions - write stories, and engage with staff and pupils.

She developed her skills as a photographer and worked tirelessly between the senior school, the junior school and The Grange; she could literally go from taking a photo of a three-year-old dressed as a sheep to one of an 18-year-old holding a Gold Crest Award certificate!

Kiley’s knowledge of software was immense and often she would take just minutes to complete something that would have taken most of us hours. Nothing was ever too much trouble. She offered useful tips and showed us sneaky shortcuts to use, generally making life a whole lot easier within Admissions and Marketing.

Kiley was always on the go and brought her enthusiasm to every aspect of school life. She ensured that social media stories were posted in abundance to keep everyone up to speed with the wide range of things that the pupils and staff are involved in on a daily basis. She coordinated ‘Simba’ for the Junior School and was responsible for some lovely editions highlighting the pace of life of our younger pupils.

One thing we may not have known about Kiley when she first joined us was that she is a top-level Ultimate Frisbee player and that she played in the World Junior Ultimate Club Championship after she graduated from Austin High School in 1999.

In 2014, she represented the UK in the Women’s Masters division at the World Ultimate Club Championships in Lecco, Italy and most recently, was to be seen playing in the European Ultimate Federation as part of the GB Grand Masters Mixed Team. In typical Kiley-style, she even introduced the sport to Bablake as a lunchtime cocurricular activity.

She is also an avid follower of the Minnesota Vikings American football team and will always be a little bleary-eyed on the Monday morning following the NFL Super Bowl!

As the owner of her very own orchard, Kiley ensured that we all benefitted from copious amounts of fruit being brought in to school; the talent she has for home-made jams and chutneys is incredible, so it was very much a case of lucky us! The annual pumpkin pie was a treat in the office around Thanksgiving and the continual stream of Christmas music from the end of November couldn’t fail to raise the festive spirit. ‘I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ was a favourite of Kiley’s and a particularly unusual choice!

Kiley was always thinking of others and would sometimes appear with flowers or a gorgeous home-made cake just to boost the mood.

We very much miss her cheer and her vibrancy in and around the school.

STAFF NEWS VALETE

Zoë Simms

by Dr. Toby Smith

zo ë – as she was affectionately known to staff and pupils alike –joined Bablake in September 2021, having previously worked at Sibford School as Head of Department for many years. She thus brought plenty of experience to the role and fitted in seamlessly to the department, teaching across all three key stages from the start, and bringing to all that she did her own particular expression of Quaker values. zo ë brought many excellent qualities to her work: enthusiasm, meticulous planning, creative ideas and resources, knowledge of educational theory and a very organised approach, to name but a few. In particular, her extensive subject knowledge and engaging resources made for excellent lessons for her pupils. She worked swiftly and, when she had set her mind to something, it would get done!

For instance, she turned room 14 into a far tidier, better-organised and more beautiful classroom than it had previously been, as well as revitalising the displays in there and in the department corridor.

Pupils enjoyed her rigorous, creative approach to teaching, which regularly included some form of singing! The Sixth Formers would sometimes be treated to zoë playing the ukulele and singing and she formed part of an RPE choir which sang ‘O Holy Night’ at a ‘Friday Live’ on one occasion.

She also took to the mike to sing ‘Step into Christmas’ for the Shells one frosty December morning outside the EDM, with lots of gusto. zo ë is a highly trained and skilled musician who was also part of the school Recorder Group, comprised of pupils and staff.

Having been a Head of Department for many years previously, zo ë was able to pick up that mantle with ease at Bablake whilst I was away for a month in September 2022, ensuring a smooth start to the year. I am very grateful to her for doing this.

Beyond the department, zo ë played a very significant role in her second year at here as Head of Enrichment. She revitalised the programme, in particular in the Lower Sixth, by bringing in (with Sylvia O’Sullivan’s help) former pupils to speak to students about their career paths, and life more generally, since they left Bablake.

She also devised a new programme of study for the Lower Sixth based around short courses on certain themes, which worked well. She helped supervise some excellent EPQs and brought a lot of experience to bear on this process which the students could draw upon, not least as she is an active researcher herself (zo ë is currently writing a PhD part time on Quaker education).

In her second year here, zo e organised a highly successful Year 8 trip to Birmingham Centra Mosque and Birmingham Central United Synagogue. She also played significant parts in our other school trips, in particular the Year 11 trip to Coventry Cathedral, where she drew on her experience of previous visits to lead pupils around the Chapel of Unity (complete with an exercise involving golf balls!).

Earlier this year an opportunity arose at Tudor Hall School, only 15 minutes from zo ë’s home. Whilst zo ë was really enjoying her time at Bablake and increasingly coming to feel part of the community, it was too good an opportunity not to go for, and unsurprisingly she was offered the post of Head of Department there.

Her experience, friendliness and ‘joie de vivre’ will be missed by all who knew her at Bablake, and we wish her well in her new venture.

SALVETE

Mrs

Aileen Lockey

by Mr. Dan Menashe

Aileen joined us in 2021 from King Henry VIII School. She settled in very quickly and soon made her presence felt in school by her commitment to a variety of activities. She helped out at numerous Duke of Edinburgh camps whilst still continuing to go on camps with KHVIII too. At times, she barely seemed to have a weekend free.

She ran Classics Club for younger pupils, creating wax tablets, models and doing all sorts ancient world related activities. She was a member of the team on the Classics trip to Greece and had a vital role to play in being the only member of staff to know pupils from both schools. When not teaching pupils, she would often be found in the staff room completing crosswords, going to the Oratory, or even knitting for her grandson.

I KNOW THAT SHE HAS PLENTY OF OTHER THINGS PLANNED FOR HER RETIREMENT, BUT HOPE THAT SHE FINDS LOTS OF TIME TO RELAX AND PUT HER FEET UP TOO.

Ms Jessica Devine (English)

Mr Jag Dhesi (Economics)

Mrs Pinar Duberia (Computer Science)

Miss Nicola Duffield (Biology and Head of Junior Science)

Mrs Anna Hardman (Psychology)

Miss Madeleine Jones (French)

Mr James Kelly (Music)

Ms Kate Ross (English)

Mrs Nicola Wing (Head of Learning Support)

We also welcomed the following new support staff:

Mrs Gillian Boulstridge (Learning Support Assistant)

Miss Georgia Lees (Graduate Sports Assistant)

Miss Kerry Moir (Careers Adviser)

Miss Hannah Paddock (Data Manager)

Mr Richard Pallister (Senior IT Technician)

Miss Louise Pittaway (Headmaster’s PA)

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”

William Faulkner, 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature

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