Whinchat 2011-2012

Whinchat The magazine of Bedford Preparatory School - 2011/12

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A Special Prize Giving that...

It was a pleasure to have Gail Emms, Olympic Medalist and former World Champion as our Guset of Honour. Harjeet Sumal the Head Boy reflects upon the year in his speech.

School governors, Headmaster, Mr. Moule, guest of honour, ladies, gentlemen and boys. after such a great year, this is the part that every head boy dreads. yes it’s the prize giving speech! when you’re elected, you’re over the moon but then the boys remind you of the speech. you think you have time in your hands but all of a sudden, it’s june and prizegiving is looming. so the fantastic speech i had in mind is now this one!

My speech must include the opportunities the boys have had to show off their

talents in all areas of the school, such as on the sports field, in House events and to perform on stage.

We all know how important sport is in Bedford School and how all boys are encouraged to take part. There is something for everybody. Some of the more memorable sporting highlights of this year were the U12 Rugby team unbeaten at the end of the season, Oliver Winder coming second in breast stroke at the National Prep School Championships and the U13 Badminton team becoming 3

County Champions.

We had a fantastic cricketing tour to South Africa Bedford won 3 out of 5 matches and, closer to home, a successful rugby tour to Devon. 24 boys from Year 6 went on tour to Jersey where they played Hockey, Football and Cricket. As you can see these boys are very good at sports.

However, I count myself as a budding sportsman as I got into the school Rugby team this year. But when I say the School rugby team, what I meant to say was the D rugby team!

However I don’t want to just congratulate the elite sportsmen of the school but to everyone who have been selected for any team, represented the school in any way or who have tried something perhaps outside of their comfort zone.

When thinking of what to include in my speech I couldn’t forget this year’s theatre productions and how amazing they were. A brilliant production of Julius Caesar which was performed at Bedford Modern during the Battle of the Bard and the Gothic Horror Story Frankenstein which was performed with some of the girls from Bedford Girls’ school. Girls do have their uses! We also mustn’t forget the Yr3’s Sing it and Say it, a play that informed us all about Ancient Rome.

We still are looking forward to Miss Gooch and Mr Larks Production of the Golden Vanity and A Pair of Trainers a

play written and composed by Mr Lark.

The music of Bedford School is held in very high regard by those in the know and with the House singing competition, the composition competition or the Autumn and Summer concerts, every one of the boys is involved.

This year’s House singing was one of the closest we have ever had. Miss Gooch, Mrs Fensham and all the House tutors worked tremendously hard to get the boys up to scratch before the big day. Whether you agreed with the results or not, a wonderful afternoon was had by all. Even though Howard came 1st in the Unison and Whitbread came 1st in the Part-Song, Bunyan came first overall… AGAIN! How do they do it?

I’m sure there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that Mr Beckwith pays off the judges!!

The Autumn Concert was another successful event. Boys from every year took part, from the Yr3 Choir to the Orchestra led by Rukudzo Msindo and conducted by Mrs Fensham. The Summer concert, was the last concert in the Prep School for the Year 8s and it provided a rousing farewell.

Bedford School isn’t just about exams, sport and music. We also enjoy adventure weekends where Y6 and Y8 learn how to survive a night in the forest. Or rather, whether the teachers could survive a night in the forest with the boys! We won’t mention that the intrepid explorer Mr Mallalieu actually slept in a nice warm house while we had to brave the cold in our home-made shelters!

There was also a trip to France, where

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School’s General Knowledge team.

Not only did we win every fixture against Bedford Modern School and Bedford Girls’ School, but both the Y5-6 team and the Y7-8 team were yet again crowned champions of the Wellingborough Prep School Quiz League. I’m sure any member of the team would be able to tell you the capital of Ethiopia.

the boys had fun practising their French, as, contrary to popular British beliefs, it is not sufficient to merely speak loudly and point in order to get what you want in France! The Y3 Science sleepover and the Y4 PGL week-end, taught the boys team building skills and the Y8 survival weekend was essential training if we were to survive the transition to the Upper School!

At Bedford School we raise a lot of money for charities in different ways, whether it be Mufti days, cake sales or Charities week. Our charities this year were Keech Hospice, St Johns at Moggerhanger, the East Anglican Air Ambulance, The Swaziland Project and the Gamma Appeal Fund at Bedford Hospital.

The School’s Enrichment programme has improved yet again these past two years.In the past, boys from the Upper School have come down to the Prep School to teach the subjects they are studying for A-Level or IB. This year there was an opportunity for boys in Y8 to mentor the Y3 and 4 boys in subjects in which they excel. On Friday after school I have been running a Music Enrichment session for Y3 and 4 boys.

It was all about give and take. We took our enthusiasm and knowledge and they gave us a headache! Don’t worry, these are extra lessons at lunchtimes and after school, the school DOES still employ teachers! Although with the economy going the way it is, this may be the way forward!

The event that no boy will forget was the opening of the new pavilion. All the boys in the Prep School were abuzz because we knew Alistair Cook would be there. Some of us were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him on the way up to lunch. I’m not sure who was most excited, the boys or the female members of staff!

It has been amazing to be Head Boy. When I think back on my experiences, I remember arriving at the prep school as a very shy and nervous year 3. But by the end of the year, my teachers and Miss Gooch had changed all that!

I remember playing Archimedes in the Y3 School Play, and you can imagine my parents surprise when in one of the scenes, their painfully shy boy got into a bath wearing nothing but a pair of trunks and sang! Loudly!

This has been a fantastic year for the 5

The summer of 2012 saw another Olympian join us for a special theme day. Greg Rutherford, the Long Jumper proved to be a great inspiration to the boys and as you can imagine we were all behind him as he won an Olympic Gold on “Super Saturday�

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t r o h S STORIES In addition to the annual Year 7 Short Story competition well over 50 boys entered stories for the prestigous Radio 2 competition. Some fantastic stories were written, showing orginality, imagination and a real flair with words.

Special congratulations to Peter Barrington (Y5), Evan Case and Conor Hilliard (both Y7), whose stories were shortlisted for the final. Considering there were over 70,000 entries nationally, this was a significant achievement!

Evan also won the Y7 competition with his story which we are sure you will enjoy reading.

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The Man Behind The Microphone by Evan Case (Y7) The haggard man ambled into the bar, sat down and ordered a whisky. He gazed at the clock ticking at the other end of the murky bar, although he couldn’t hear it over the racket of chatter and cars rushing past on the busy streets outside.

The whisky arrived and he lit a cigarette, adding to the already dense smoke cloud that hung thickly above his head. He

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He stumbled through the dark corridors and up the rickety steps, he heard the announcer through the loudspeakers. The crowd noise built and the applause rang out and moved through the building, like a wave.

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glanced round the room and noticed that the deep nicotine-yellow walls matched his fingers. He rummaged around in his pocket and eventually plucked out his ancient grey-black wallet. He opened it up and reached inside for a note to pay the barman. His eyes rested instead on the photo of his beautiful wife from whom he was now divorced. He removed it from its holder and thoughtfully examined it, remembering times gone by.

They had been happy then, for a while.

He got to his feet and left the bar as he had arrived, alone.

He trundled out onto the packed streets, filled with laughing couples, and groups of office workers, going for a post-work drink. About half way down Greenview Avenue he paused and glanced again at the old photograph, wondering how he had allowed things to go so wrong.

Suddenly the wind tugged the photo from his hand and it flew through the air. It dropped into the road, and before he could rescue it, a car drove over it.

He thought about it but shrugged and wandered on.

When he finally reached the theatre, he noticed all the posters on the walls outside, and above the door in bright lights was ‘Bob Daley’. A crowd of excited youngsters had gathered near the marble steps leading into the grand foyer. The man inched around them, and

made his way to a dim, narrow alleyway and approached the black oak door, numbered 13. Bob hesitated, sighed, and then entered the side door of the theatre.

The corridors were grubby and badly-lit.

Shuffling into a small room, he sat in a worn armchair. He gazed forward to the large mirror, lit by a single bulb. He saw a wrinkled, old face. Too much whiskey, too many cigarettes, too many late nights spent alone. He thought about his two daughters. How long was it since he had seen them last?

He heard a cough behind him in the doorway.

“Five minutes Mr. Daley!” squeaked the boy. Bob Daley took off his brown overcoat, and placed it on the stand. He revealed a brightly coloured suit with a large collar, and pocket handkerchief. He took one last look in the wall mirror and left the room.

He stumbled through the dark corridors and up the rickety steps, he heard the announcer through the loudspeakers.

The crowd noise built and the applause rang out and moved through the building, like a wave.

The comedian stepped confidently onto the stage, beaming under the spotlight and began to tell his tale.

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World Book Day

A highly successful World Book Day this year took Bedford Prep School away from reality and into the realms of fiction. How else can you explain a school library being run by Obelix? Ed Lamb (Year 8) reports on a most colourful and enjoyable day….

On March 1st, 2012, almost everyone in Bedford School, as well as many other schools around the country, participated in World Book day 2012, and it was fantastic! Our main competition was the fancy-dress competition, where students (and teachers for that matter!) arrived at school dressed as a character from a book they liked.

When I arrived, the atmosphere was great and everyone was having lots of fun. All the best two characters from the different tutor groups went to the Inky Library where judges had a hard job of choosing the best. A wide variety of people turned up – I saw superman, an oompa loompa, 12

and even a teletubby! In lunchtime assembly, the winners were announced

by Mrs. Sharples, dressed as Obelix – her moustache kept falling off! Everyone was set the task of entering a competition against their year group, each year with a different task. Some had to create a Horrid Henry character incorporating their English skills of alliteration, and others had to create flanimal creatures, or write ‘The world’s fastest Interview’. It was quite amusing when Chizu Chukwu won one of many library quizzes set during the week; he was the only person to attempt that particular one and was always going to win! Everyone was rather jealous of the lucky winners, mainly

because of their edible prizes. Overall, everyone had a fantastic week celebrating books – what would we do without them!

Thanks to all the Teachers who did book readings, organised the event, or simply arrived at school in fancy-dress – we couldn’t have had this day without you.

The Importance of Reading for Pleasure Mr Christian Saenger, Head of English.

Professor A.C. Grayling, the renowned academic, was rather pleased when, on a visit to the school to promote the teaching of Gifted and talented students, he spotted a quote of his plastered upon one of the English Department display boards. “To read is to fly….’ It begins, before eloquently and quite beautifully summing up the boundless opportunity created by reading.

will indeed be well armed to fly through life. Academically, reading improves the understanding, recognition and familiarity with the vocabulary and construction of English language, improving students’ dexterity with the essential building block that effects so much of their learning within a school. Yet just as importantly, avid readers increase their understanding of the world they inhabit through the wonderful characters they meet, the sweeping landscapes they visit, and the important questions, morals and themes that they encounter.

At Bedford Prep School, we believe a child who reads regularly for pleasure

As parents, your role continues to be vital. So thank you for encouraging and

supporting reading at home; for reading over shoulders and signing book logs; for challenging and swiftly squashing any apathy towards reading, and for continuing to nurture the most important of habits for your son. Take Professor Grayling’s word for it; your hard work now will pay great dividends in the future!

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Salters Chemistry Challenge This year we had a great success when four of our best scientists from Y7 went to the Cambridge University Chemistry Department to take part in this year’s Salters Challenge. Josh Emerson, Sachin Chambers, Taran Chand and Benjamin Wilshaw-Quinn, accompanied by Mr. Thackway, beat twelve other schools from across the east of England to win a prestigious prize. They donned their lab coats and goggles to solve a chemical mystery and to experience working in one of the country’s top laboratories. Josh Emerson says “the Chemistry Challenge was a great experience. Chemistry is my favorite Science subject and after working in a University Laboratory I would like to work in this area when I grow up”.

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History

GREEK DAY Today at school we were sent back in time to Ancient Greece. The first thing we did was to mash some olives together to make olive oil. It was really hard!!!

Then we made a clay lamp but it didn’t really work because the clay was too soft.

After lunch I made my own Greek painting of the sun and a lightning bolt.

Finally I made a mosaic tile. I LOVED Greek day

like how long you can keep a candle lit with only olive oil. The record was 7 minutes and 25 seconds by a group of 3 boys from my class.

I made a clay model of a Greek candle, but mine snapped in the middle exactly.

I carved a picture into a bar of soap using a spike on the end of a piece of wood, and a diagonal piece of wood on the end of another piece of wood.

Miles Ratcliffe Today we had a Greek day and had to dress up in Greek costumes. I carved a lightning bolt out of soap, I made some medicine and a painting of a fish.

I thoroughly enjoyed Greek Day it was fun, but I would not like to have lived in Ancient Greece because of the food shortages.

By Jonathan Michael Huggins

To make a soap carving: 1. You need a bar of soap and some carving tools. 2.

Think of something simple then start carving. It was fun today I really liked it.

Gabriel Mann Greek day was all about where you dress up. Only year 3’s can do this. To mark where the Olympics started. You do lots of fun activities in the Erskine May Hall

I loved the Y3 Greek Day... It was amazing. My favourite part was when we all did the Greek theatre activities.We had a lot to pick from... You could do making a Greek notebook, making pottery, making pictures out of tiles, painting and trying to make a candle burn longer than 6 mins... I had great fun and I know that everybody else did to...

Arun Nanda Tuesday 19th June was Greek Day at school. First we went to the EMH and this very interesting lady told us many amazing things about the ancient Greeks.

She told us they used to make lots of special pots and jars. After that we did some fun activities. The first one I did was to make a tile with a design. My design was a sword. Then I did some Greek painting with only black paint. Next, I did some plaster work and I painted a ship.

In the afternoon we had a great feast with lots of entertainment. We had the feast because we had won a great battle.

We were each split into groups and I was in the soldier group and we had a fight against the Persians which we won! It was a brilliant day.

Nick Challacombe

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Lancers

By James Brakenbury By the mid-17th century, the heavy lance used by medieval men-at-arms was obsolete in European warfare, yet the light lance remained the special weapon of the English borderers or reivers. During the civil wars, it was used extensively by Scottish cavalry, particularly in regiments recruited near the border regions. Initially, Scottish cavalry regiments were organised in two squadrons, one equipped as harquebusiers, the other as lancers. The 16

proportion of lancers steadily increased as the wars proceeded, partly because horses suitable for harquebusiers became more difficult to find.

At the battle of Marston Moor in 1644, David Leslie’s Scottish lancers used their superior mobility in a decisive intervention against the Royalist horse. After this, the Scottish cavalry were all equipped as lancers, turning their lighter horses to

advantage and relying upon speed and manoeuvrability rather than the weight and firepower of harquebusier units.

Body armour was abandoned except for a steel cap. As it was no longer necessary to maintain a long unbroken frontage in battle, Scottish lancer regiments were organised in three troops rather than the more usual six or more.

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Poetry Writing CompETITION The House Poetry Writing Competition once again created a good deal on interest and some fine writing.

Y3 Winner

Being a Pencil

by Harry Taylor

Highly Commended

Countryside

by Jake Bentley-Evans

Runner up

Y4

by Dylan Swain

by Edward Boyle

Highly Commended

The Roller Coaster

by Theo Ward

The Life of a Football The Sadness

Our Washing Machine

by Jack Davis

by George Barrett

by Elliot Potter

Winner

The Evil Box

by Jamie Williams

Highly Commended

What is Black

by Ewan Gordon

The Goal Shark

by Calum Bourne

by Paul Smith

Winner

Olympic Recipe Poem

by Felix Mallalieu

Highly Commended

Lawn Mower

by Thomas Blythman

Runner Up

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Our History

by Laurence Jenkins

Feelings

Runner Up

Y6

My Imaginary Box

by George Ashcroft

Winner Runner up

Y5

Feelings

Goblins Tommy

by James Sorensen

by Paul Whalley

The Evil Box

By Jamie Williams I will put into the box The destruction of whole innocent towns and cities by devastating earthquakes, The grief of frightened parents weeping softly for their children, The inferno of pain that spreads around the world from terrorist attacks.

Olympic Recipe Poem

By Felix Mallalieu Grab a handful of keen athletes And stick them in a plane Flip them off at Heathrow Then sprinkle them with rain.

When inside the stadium Grill under the sun’s heat Once they’ve warmed up for their event Sieve before they compete.

Pour a mass of forty thousand Into the stadium’s ring People supporting countries From Moscow to Beijing.

Finally add the essence of fear That each competitor faces Then leave to cool before Their greatest ever races.

I will put into the box The final, wheezing cough of a bomb victim, The swirling fury of a tornado striking through a household, And the dreadful feeling that you are about to perish.

I will put in the box The shriek of a helpless soul in a Nazi death camp, The excruciating pain of an eternal and horrifying memory, And the cruel, mocking, laughter of a merciless dictator.

This place is overflowing with ghastly difficulties That bring the world to its knees.

So the things I put in this box must stay there.

THEY MUST STAY THERE. Please read this message of hope.

The Goal

By Calum Bourne The goals stands generously.

I bare down the pitch.

Turn left, right, then still….

A shot, a connection The ball smacks the back of the net.

The whistle blows It’s over Pulse pounding, vision blurry, Noise exploding.

The stairway beckons A golden idol is lifted As is the weight on my shoulders The battle is done.

The Goblins

By James Sorenson The goblins are rather curious creatures And in one’s eyes, they have mysterious features.

Eyes like Obsidian, black as night, Sticky, slimy skin – a horrible sight!

Scarbs, scars, the occasional boil, All topped off with a dusting of soil.

Not forgetting their thirst for blood, Breaking limbs and cracking skulls with an almighty thud!

These wretched creatures have one big flaw, The mere mention of this word Will cause them to roar….

GOLD!!!!!!

MFL

modern foreign languages

Bonjour, je m’appelle Jaynil et j’ai onze ans. J’ai les yeux bruns et les cheveux noirs et assez courts. J’habite à Bedford en Angleterre et je suis anglais. Je suis trés bavard et assez sportif. Ma matiére préférée est les sciences parce que c’est génial et intéressant.

Mon joueur de cricket favori est Sachin Tendulkar parce que il a plus de vingt records du monde. Ma mère et père sont indiens. J’ai un jeune frère mais je ne pas de soeur.

Il s’appelle Yash et il a les yeux noisette et les cheveux noirs et courts. Il est vraiment sportif et assez timide.

Nous habitons dans une assez grande maison avec un vraiment grand jardin derrière la maison. Au rez-de-chaussée il y a un grand salon où on regarde la télé, une cuisine, une salle de bain, une buanderie, un vraiment grand garage aussi un bureau où je fais mes devoirs et mon père travaille à l’ordinateur. Au premier étage il y a cinq chambres et une salle de bain. Dans le jardin il y a une mare avec les poissons.

Quand il pleut je joue aux échecs avec mon père. Je gagne toujours! Quand il y a du soleil je joue au cricket dans le jardin avec mon frère ou je fais une balade à vélo au pavilion du parc.

J’ai aimé vous parler de moi. Au revoir!

Jaynil Patel

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Burgandy Trip

Mr Wickens, Mrs Spina, Madame Faulkner and 30 boys were very excited to begin their journey into deepest Burgundy for this year’s language trip. This was to be our third time at the well-loved purpose built language centre Maison Claire Fontaine and it certainly didn’t disappoint! Even the weather was glorious as the boys enjoyed circus skills, archery, mosaic making, treasure hunt and shopping – all in French of course! We look forward to our return there in March 2014.

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Urban Detectives!

...well actually Year 5 in De Parys Avenue carrying out a street survey as part of their Geography course!

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Priory Country Park Y7 Fieldwork; Looking for sustainable features in Priory Country Park.

As part of our Environmental Issues topic, we observed and recorded sustainable features and management within Priory Country Park. We were able to see how coppiced willow is used to make revetments to support the banks of the lake and the use of renewable and locally available resources that are used within the park. The fieldtrip allowed us 26

to compare the different environments and how the Wildlife Trust and the Park Rangers manage each of these areas.

Fortunately for us it did not rain and we were able to follow a programme of activities around the park, exploring the; conservation area, the lakeside path, the meadow lands, the visitor’s centre and their highlight the labyrinth.

Y3 Chembakoli Talk Chembakolli, By William Osborne My feelings about Chembakolli: - I thought it was surprising that the children had to clean the school up at the

end of the day.

- I liked the fact that the adults picked tea leaves to make tea - I felt sad when the children and the adults had to work all the time - I liked the fact that in the evenings, on special occasions, they play insttruments

and dance - The women dress up in saris and lots and lots of jewellery and they decorate

their skin with henna tattoos

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Art

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Design Expo ‘12

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Design & Technology 34

...in the workshop

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Drama

From the Head of Drama: At the start of the year we set-out to achieve a number of specific goals: restore Drama as a leading extra-curricular activity, reestablish the links with Bedford Girls’ School, nurture and hone the abundance of talent the school possesses and explore the scope and range of the boys’ imagination through a wide variety of materials. As the year draws to a close, it is immensely satisfying to reflect upon these achievements and I think it is fair to say that we exceeded our own high expectations in a number of areas. These pages, compiled by boys from both sides of the Proscenium Arch, underline the sense of pride and genuine excitement that Drama can generate within a school community.

Mr Roberts and I are immensely privileged in playing such an active role in the next generation of Bedford Prep School talent, and as Old Boys who experienced first-hand the emotions of acting on the School stage, passing on the rich tradition of Drama at the school is an honour. We hope you enjoy the memories and our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all those involved for their hard work and commitment this year.

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Julius Caesar: Reflections on a Production,

In September 2011, auditions were held for Julius Caesar, an abridged version of William Shakespeare’s play about the assassination of Julius Caesar, who in our modern interpretation of the story is the head of a multi-national corporation: Rome PLC. Josh Garrett played the eponymous character, Julius Caesar, as the President of the company, Jonathan Malindine played his right-hand-man Mark Anthony, I played Brutus, the last man to join the conspiracy, and Jack Hutchings played Cassius, the man who instigates the assassination plot. In total, twenty-five Year 7 and Year 8 boys played various traders, journalists and assistants, and really captured the frantic, morally corrupt world of modern business.

I felt very lucky to play Brutus; it was the part I wanted (probably because, flicking through the script, I saw he had the most lines along with Cassius!) But as the rehearsals developed, I began to understand the character a lot more; I realised that Brutus was one of, if not the most interesting, complicated and difficult characters in the whole play. But I regularly found myself slightly confused at the way he did things and at the reasons behind his actions. By the time we’d finished the three performances I

understood a lot more, but on reflection, I’m still not sure that I fully understand his motives; I could have spent another few months studying the part.

One of the most important things about Brutus is that he struggles with a deep

internal conflict. One of my lines even explained this: ‘Brutus, with himself at war…’ and by the end of the play he has suffered a lot: his wife has committed suicide, the plot to take control of Rome has gone wrong and he’s even more confused than he was at the start of the story. There’s another line that describes Brutus very accurately, spoken

by Mark Anthony in the final scene of the play: ‘the elements so mixed in him’; I feel I managed to put the idea of his even-temper and humility across to the audience quite successfully in the end.

scene, and includes one of my favourite lines from the play: ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads onto fortune’; we both enjoyed justifying our actions to each other in such a heated debate!

The first two performances of the play were in the EMH, which was transformed into a trading-floor, complete with littered floor and giant screens displaying Stock Exchange tables. After the success of these performances, we took the production to Bedford Modern School to take part in the ‘Battle of the Bard’. Ours was the first show of the entire ‘Battle’ and on the night we were followed

by BMS doing Romeo and Juliet and Stratton Upper School doing Richard III. Despite being ‘up-against’ Year 9’s and Year 10’s I think we did very well and received very positive feedback from the guest of honour.

Julius Caesar was my first real experience of being in a play, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

by Logan Jones (Year 8)

My favourite scene in the whole play was a scene in which Cassius and Brutus have an argument after the plan following Caesar’s murder backfires. It also happens to be Jack Hutching’s (Cassius) favourite 37

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Frankenstein: A Review by Josh Emerson & Oscar Tipper (Year7) Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic Horror story, Frankenstein, adapted by Patrick Standford, was performed as the main school production of the year and featured a cast of boys from Years 6, 7 and 8, and girls from Bedford Girl’s School.

The story is about an ambitious young scientist called Victor Frankenstein who

is obsessed with discovering the secret to creating life. He eventually succeeds in creating a creature from dead body parts but the monster grows lonely after Victor rejects him and he is left to wander the world, searching for love and acceptance.

He looks so grotesque no one wants to be his friend. By the end of the play the creature, in revenge, has caused the

deaths of the people closest to Victor.

The play was staged in the atmospheric and haunting surroundings of the backstage area of the Theatre, with the audience seated in the round. Few props were used and the set was created by using the rigging and dark spaces of the theatre. What was particularly effective was the superb lighting (achieved by 39

the wonderful technical team of James Pharaoh, Fiona Fowler and James Hughes) and the haunting live music (written and conducted by Year 12 pupil Benjamin Young); these elements really helped bring the chilling story to life, as did the period costumes.

The story of Victor and his Creature is told in flashbacks and the original music really helped link the different parts of the story together. There were scenes when the Creature and Victor travelled through Europe, searching for each other, and all the cast were on stage creating the world around them. The music, lighting and technical effects really brought the harsh world of Industrial Europe to life, but in particular, the actors did a brilliant job of creating factories, towns, streets and fields, without any set or props at all.

The play begins and ends in the heart of the Arctic Circle, where the young explorer Captain Walton, successfully played by Oliver McCormack, rescues a near-dead Victor. One of the most impressive technical effects in the play occurred here at the beginning of the play; the cast and musicians created the effect of the Arctic wind in every corner of the theatre, and then the floor seemed to split in two as the ice started to crack.

A luminous and jagged crack appeared across the dark width of the stage and this brilliantly set-up the tone for the rest of the play. The actors also did a good job of making it look as though they were 40

really struggling against the cold Arctic conditions.

It is extremely sad for The Creature because the one thing he wants is to be loved. In the middle of the play, the creature goes to a village to look for a friend, but he gets hurt because people are afraid of him. He is so grotesque they throw stones and sticks, and even set their dogs to catch and kill him.

The one person who is not frightened of The Creature is De Lacey, mainly because he is blind and cannot see how ugly he looks; Ami Ajadi gave a great performance in this role.

All of the cast were superb, but people who gave great performances and deserve a special mention are Jack Hutchings (Victor Frankenstein), Logan Jones (The Creature), Joel McNally (Victor’s father) and Harry Guthrie (Henry Clerval). All did a tremendous job to learn their lines, but in particular, Logan Jones’ makeup and movement were fantastic and captured the idea that he was basically the living-dead, brought to life, and Jack Hutchings was excellent in showing the many emotions Victor Frankenstein experiences in the play; from excitement and obsession, to despair and finally death.

The whole story of Frankenstein was gripping and intense. Overall the boys

and girls should be highly praised. The director, Jonathan Hooley, Assistant Director, Sam Roberts and Production Manager, Ruth Mann, did an excellent job and achieved a production of real quality. It was clear how much hard work every single person had put into the play, and in particular the young cast.

It didn’t matter that we hadn’t read the book as the plot was easy to follow and the structure of the play helped the audience clearly imagine each scene.

Frankenstein was an excellent play to watch and be a part of. Personally we had a great time watching a really good play for people aged 9+.

Frankenstein in the Cast’s Own Words

The cast were asked two questions, answering in 140 characters or less: “Team Victor or Team Creature?”

And… “What was your highlight from the production?”

Here are a few of their answers…

I am on the side of The Creature, because as soon as Victor was taken aboard our ship at the beginning, I knew he would be trouble. Also, I felt sorry for The Creature because no one understood him and was put through a lot. It was shocking to see what he looked like in real life though! Anon I am Team Creature because he didn’t ask to be created and all he wanted was to be loved. Joel McNally (M. Frankenstein) I am Team Victor, because if it wasn’t for

him, there would be no Creature in the first place. Josh Garrett (Arctic Explorer) My favourite moment was practising the fight scene with The Creature. Akin Ogunyiluka (Gustav) My favourite moments were getting to beat up The Creature and being a cog in a machine during the factory scenes; it was a unique experience! Conor Hilliard (Klaus) I enjoyed the rehearsal process for the Arctic scenes. Even though the scenes were short, we spent a long time developing the characters and improvising scenes about life on the ship.

Rukudzo Msindo (Arctic Explorer)

was fun too! Edward Zweetsloot (Rab/ Ensemble) My highlight was being the first person on stage and the first person to speak!

I was disappointed the whole thing was over so quickly; I wished I’d done more acting this year! Oliver McCormack (Captain Walton) The highlight of Frankenstein was discovering new acting techniques. Harry Guthrie (Henry Clerval) I enjoyed working with the girl’s school!

Jack Hutchings

I loved playing a gravedigger as it was an entirely new experience. There was a bit of humour in our scenes, which 41

Working with Professional Actors: Notes from the Rehearsal Room…

Joint Drama Prize winner Logan Jones (Y8 Bunyan) worked with professional actor Gareth McChlery during the Frankenstein rehearsal process. Together they created the physicality and movement of The Creature and here, Logan shares his experience: Doing drama at school has given me the chance to play a lot of different and interesting characters; this year alone I got to play Stanhope from R.C. Sherriff ’s Journey’s End, Alan Strang from Peter Shaffer’s Equus and Jerry from Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story. But The Creature was undoubtedly the most difficult of them all and is probably the hardest character I’ll have to play for a while. I knew I needed to get this character just right because he is the focus of the story,

along with Victor Frankenstein, and I desperately wanted to be believable and do the character justice. The main aim was to get the physicality right.

The Creature is an incredibly complex character because he is not really human, so working with a professional actor like Gareth was especially helpful and rewarding, not to mention very interesting too. The first challenge was working on the scene when The Creature comes to life; this was tough because he is made of dead body parts and I had no idea how someone like that would move.

Together, Gareth and I decided that the best starting point was to focus on the heaviness of my limbs. Then gradually I started to bend and raise different body parts as if they were being moved for the

very first time. Breaking the movement down, joint-by-joint, helped me focus on one part of the body at a time, and helped create the effect of a very jerky and weird process of moving around.

When he performed at the National Theatre, Benedict Cumberbatch took inspiration for his Creature’s movement from stroke victims, people who had suffered grotesque injuries in war and carcrash victims trying to ‘re-educate their limbs’. I took inspiration from Facebook videos of my two infant American cousins who were learning to crawl and walk for the first time, and also from Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as an autistic boy in ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?’ I found this very helpful indeed.

The Young Shakespeare Company The YSC joined us twice this year for two more highly successful performances.

The Year 7s were treated to the tragic ‘Romeo and Juliet’, whilst the Year 6s giggled their way through a hilarious ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in an interactive and engaging performance.

Felix Mallalieu (Year 6) gives us his thoughts…

In the 1st of March the Young Shakespeare Company came to perform to the Year 6s. Having been studying A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I was looking forward to seeing the actors bring Shakespeare’s language to life. However, I didn’t realised that we were going to be so involved! We were given a quick briefing of what was going to happen.

Then we sat down and it started.

The actors were really funny and the lines they had to say were so weird and embarrassing! It was more than just a performance because the cast was increased from four to fourteen by Prep School boys. For example Harry Jennings made a very amusing Wall and Will Barnes was a natural as Hermia.

also learned about the language that Shakespeare used in his plays such as thus and thy and ill met – I’m nearly fluent in Old English now!

It was a really worthwhile experience.

Not just on the day but next time I read a Shakespeare play I will be able to imagine more and bring it to life.

At other times everyone was involved making the sound effects. For instance when we did the forest scene everybody was separated into different sounds and then we all put it together to make the noise of the forest.

I learned a lot as well. I hardly knew anything about Oberon and Titania before, but now I now know where they live, what they do and what happens. I 43

When I was a boy: at Bedford School

Jonathan Hooley 1989 - 1996

Whether it be chance, fate or they just could not stay away, a total of seven old boys of the School were teaching in the Prep School in 2011/12. A trip back down memory lane was clearly in order!

Sam Roberts 1985 - 1996 Charles Blacklock 1970-1978

What was your favourite subject at school?

Classical Civilization! Probably not for the right reasons though.

Charles Blacklock: Geography, probably because I had a great respect for Mr Cooper who taught me Geography in the Upper School. But also because I really love flying and looking down at the world from above. I have always loved map reading.

Jonathan Hooley: English and Drama; especially performing and studying poetry.

Sam Roberts: I obviously loved my theatre studies and sport but I do have very fond memories of Mr Vogel’s 44

Simon Lincoln: It has to be Games and English Christian Saenger: Why, English of course! But I loved sport too so PE and Games were always a favourite.

Ed Loader: Geography and D.T for me.

Jamie Lau: Science and Biology.

Really the Human Biology side is what interested me and combined with my passion for sport pushed me to do Sport and Exercise Science BSc at University.

Who was your most influential teacher and why?

Charles Blacklock: At ‘O’ Level I achieved an A grade in geography. I studies Geography at ‘A’Level and was put in the top set. But I was unhappy in

Ed Loader 1997 - 2006

Simon Licoln 1994 - 1996

Christian Saenger 1992 - 2003

that set and after 3 weeks (and several very poor marks) I was moved down into the set below. Mr cooper taught that set. I got on really well and when the ‘A’ Level results came, I was the only one out of both sets to achieve an A grade.

Sam Roberts: Rory O’Sullivan who taught me GCSE and A-level Theatre Studies was a huge influence and is someone I still speak to now. In the Prep School, I remember Norry Boulting and the late Robin Fletcher with a great deal of fondness. Andy Trueman is why I’m

a Blackburn Rovers fan.

Jonathan Hooley: My two most influential teachers were both English teachers: Dr. Palmer and Mr. Jarrett.

They were both at the top of their game, intellectually, and every lesson was a revelation; they opened our minds to new ways of thinking and writing. Most of my friends still talk about them now, 18 years later. Also Mr. Marsh, my French teacher, was pretty special too.

What they all had in common was wit, intelligence and kindness in abundance.

Simon Lincoln: Mr Fletcher – a great supporter of my rugby.

Christian Saenger: A certain Biology teacher. He gave me confidence in a subject which I had always struggled in.

At his behest, I ended up taking it for A Level and thrived. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was also the first person to suggest I might make a decent teacher one day.

Ed Loader: Mr Walker in the Upper 45

School was influential as he had such an enthusiasm for his subject, he always managed to keep his classes interested.

Jamie Lau: I’d have to say Guy Fletcher or he’d kill me. Having had a few run-

and or fondest memory of school?

Charles Blacklock: My proudest moment was going on a CCF RAF gliding course and flying solo. I achieved my ‘wings.’ My fondest memory is

Jonathan Hooley: Going on tour to Canada with Hamlet and performing in front of 800 people was pretty special.

I also had a number of poems printed in the Ousel over the years and that was always an achievement.

Simon Lincoln: Scoring a 100 on the 1st XI cricket square Christian Saenger: I’ll be accused of name-dropping for this…. But my fondest memories of school were certainly the summer terms in the Sixth Form, sitting on the pavilion balcony in grimy whites, watching a certain A.N. Cook churn out innings after glorious innings. “Do you think he’ll make it as a professional cricketer?” we used to say.

ins with Fletch as a Prep School boy, regarding commitment to cricket, he then became my tutor during my time in the Upper School. My somewhat confrontational and argumentative personality often got me into low level trouble with other members of staff but Fletch defended me and tried to tame my temperament. I was a lot more work than I was worth but Fletch persevered and was a great mentor.

What was your proudest moment / 46

making some good friends. I am still in contact with some friends from my year.

Sam Roberts: Difficult to pinpoint just one as there are so many once I start to think about it. I was awarded the Headmaster’s scarf on leaving and that was very special. In my L6th year we put on Hamlet and we toured British Colombia. I was fortunate enough to play the lead role, to be given that opportunity makes me feel a lot of pride.

Ed Loader: Being named Head of Eagle House in Y8 and winning Combat Cadet when I was in the CCF in the Upper School.

Jamie Lau: The ones that come to mind are the survivors’ photo and final assembly. Having been at the school for 11 years, all the way through from year 3-13, you assemble back where it all started in the Prep School with a band of ‘survivors’. You look around and realise that as a group you’ve seen each other and helped each other grow up and you’d made some great friends and memories. Looking up at the balcony

of the great hall and hearing the noise of the Upper 6th form belting out the School hymn for the final time is a special moment.

What do you remember about your first / and or last day of school?

uniform and I remember the golden inscription in Latin above the gates. On my last day of school in the U6, it really felt like the end of an era and there was uncertainty about what would come next. There was a sort of emptiness about the school and it all felt a bit

Charles Blacklock: Nothing! But I do remember my first day back as a teacher! A boy in my class put up his hand and said, “Sir. Your name is in my desk – written in ink!” I had scribbled ‘C. Blacklock sat here 1970-71.” Maybe I should have received a detention for that! But no! I now have that desk with my name in is in my present classroom in the Inky.

Sam Roberts: My first day was with Mrs Crowe in what used to be called the ‘one fours’ now Y3. I’d asked for a briefcase with which to help me begin my new school and was quite proud of it on the first day. It, however, did start to dawn on me that I probably wasn’t the coolest kid in class. Slowly but surely the briefcase stopped coming to school with me.

Jonathan Hooley: On my first day of school, I was very excited and I remember walking down Burnaby Rd with my Mother; my Form Tutor was at the gates, waiting for me. There was a real sense of pride at wearing the

feeling of wearing long socks. I was pretty nervous as I only knew one other boy in the school. My last day is somewhat clearer. Signing shirts, doing explosive and dangerous experiments in chemistry, taking photos etc. But I suppose the real last day of school is the Sunday after the leavers’ ball.

Everyone feeling slightly worse for wear and pushing the Buck’s Fizz as far away as possible. Enjoying the only chapel service of your school career and closing a chapter of your life.

What is the biggest change you noticed since returning to Bedford School as a teacher?

Charles Blacklock: Computers, computers, computers!

unreal; like I had never really been at the school.

Simon Lincoln: The Leavers ball!

Christian Saenger: The smiling face of Mrs Thomas!

Ed Loader: On my first day I remember being terrified of Mr Blacklock looking after me. On my last day I remember going for a beer with the teachers after the final School bell.

Jamie Lau: My first day, I remember being cold in my shorts and this bizarre

Sam Roberts: History repeats itself and I still see a lot of myself and my friends in the boys coming through the school.

I often smile when I think of the similar situations in which I found myself. The school is a lot bigger but no, generally, the achievement, heartache and day to day issues are very much the same!

Jonathan Hooley: Being patient.

Dealing with adults, you can let people know how you feel and what you want just by a look, or a tone of voice, but with the boys, you have to adapt your thinking and find different ways of getting your point across; it’s a good life 47

lesson!

Simon Lincoln: The improved facilities.

Christian Seanger: It might be just the change in perspective…. But teachers seem to be a little less fierce than I remember them!

Jamie Lau: The huge amount of opportunities the boys get and dedication driven into sport. Lunchtime and afterschool clubs are abundant and external coaches really provide some fresh specialist energy. The new fitness suite is a fantastic addition and boys can use it 3 times a day.

What top tips would you give to the boys about their time here?

Charles Blacklock: Always try your best at everything you do at school.

Get involved! There are so many different activities, clubs, sports, musical activities, art activities etc. to do. Have

a go at lots of things and find out what you really enjoy doing. Bedford School has a lot to offer. Show respect to everyone around you – boys, staff, parents etc. Make lots of friends and show kindness and helpfulness.

Sam Roberts: You will get out, what you put in. There’s no simpler equation.

This school is such an amazing opportunity but only for those who put the work in. Otherwise you might as well be anywhere. That and ‘listen’. The older I’ve got, the more I’ve listened.

You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

Jonathan Hooley: Enjoy it for what it is, don’t give your teachers too much of a hard time as they only want the best for you, and try and do as much as possible whilst you are here; every experience (good & bad) will shape who you are in the future.

Simon Lincoln: Work hard, play hard

and make the most of every opportunity.

Christian Saenger: Make the most of every opportunity excel at something Be nice to your teachers because they might end up as your colleagues some day…

Ed Loader: Get involved! There are so many fantastic opportunities here, take advantage of them.

Jamie lau: Make the most of all the opportunities you are presented with; play a different sport, join an afterschool club, audition for the new theatre production, go on the school ski trip.

Ask for help and advice if you need it.

Never be afraid to ask a question even if you think it’s stupid, it’s all part of learning.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Work hard and play harder.

This year you could have….

Entered a poetry competition Been to Harpur Trust lectures Attended a Drama workshop with BGS Designed an Olympic medal Entered a photography competition Been in the School Play Joined the General Knowledge Club Entered competitions in the Dining Halls Attended Children’s University

t n e m h c i r n E Ideas

This year you could have (2)….

Been to a lecture about the Bloodhound Involved yourself in a Puzzle Workshop Played in a School Music concert Entered the General Knowledge Quiz Gone to a Art exhibition & masterclass Seen your work in the DT exhibition Entered the House Art competition What will YOU do next year?

Riddles for the Enrichment

hat occurs once in a minute, twice in a week and once in a year? ...The letter e

What is black when you buy it, red when you use it and grey when you throw it away? ...Coal

Can you find a 5 letter work, which when typed in upper case, reads the same upside down? ...SWIMS How much dirt is there in a hole 2 feet deep and 5 feet in circumference, ?

Asume the hole was dug with a spade 12 inches deep and 8 inches wide

...None – it is a hole!

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Enrichment

Puzzle Challenge Day On Puzzle day all of year 5 at the boys and girls school joined together to do puzzles with The Happy Puzzle Company in the EMH. The lady in charge was called Lindsey and we called her the Puzzle Lady. We were put in groups of about 6 and we did puzzles together! One of the puzzles was The Penguin Challenge. In the game you had to balance penguins on a wobbling iceberg. The idea was to get them all balancing on the iceberg without 50

any falling off. My favourite game was the game where you had lots of pieces that you had to make into a square. Another good game was where you had to make a marble run with no way in and no way out. I think that everybody enjoyed it.

After school there was another bit of Puzzle Day that you could choose to do.

Your parents were allowed to come in and you all sat around a table and did puzzles

together. One of the puzzles that we did with our families was you had to make a 3D cube out of different pieces of foam material.

I enjoy puzzles and would recommend that other people give them a go as well.

William Smithson

Some comments from the Pupil feedback lunches: It’s cool to be clever Peer marking is good because you get to compare you work with other people’s and it can give you ideas on how to improve Enrichment classes are good but more pupils should go We like lessons that are fun, interactive, progressive, where we are involved and where we do different activities I learn best when the teacher makes it fun, when the lessons are fast paced, the teacher asks me things I don’t know and when there are a range of activities Pair work is good because if you don’t get something your partner can explain it.

Music couldn’t get much better! We have good teachers who encourage us, good facilities, opportunities to perform and do well, Music Enrichment is really good In Drama the experienced teachers are really useful, we get ambitious and challenging material to work with, outside experts to give another perspective and the opportunity to perform in public.

Success criteria are really helpful Focus groups are good because you get to give your opinion on things

Me and My...

We highlight the achievements of five boys who have performed at the highest standard in their given area.

Me and My Performing Jack Hutchings Tell us about your performing: What do you love about it?

The moment I step on the stage, I’m instantly my character. This helps me focus on my performance more than anything. It helps me believe in my characters.

What was your proudest moment?

I think I can walk away from the whole experience, of being part of a School Production, feeling proud. It is quite an amazing feeling, to be selected to play such a part in the first place.

What are your aspirations in this field?

How did you first become interested in performing (singing / theatre)?

My uncle is an actor, and although I haven’t been to many of his shows, he definitely inspired me.

I’m definitely looking forward beyond my time here at Bedford Prep School, perhaps thinking about opportunities in the London National Youth Theatre

Tell us about your music: What do you love about it?

I love music because; in music you can be free, in music you can show feelings and expressions and because there are no rules!

Do you remember when you first become interested in music (composing/ singing)?

Yes I do, My first memory of me loving music was me and my mum singing to a Diana Ross classic. Ever since then I have never stopped loving music!

What was your performance?

proudest

moment/

My most proud moment was when I got 100% in my Grade 5 singing! Also, recently getting 93% in my Grade 8 singing! But I think my most prestigious performance was singing for Prize Giving 2011 and having a solo singing with Professionals in 2011’s Choral society St Nicholas.

What do you most enjoy about composing / singing?

Me and My Music Nathaniel Conte

There are many reasons why I enjoy music, but my main reason is the feeling I get whilst playing and singing. It fills me with enjoyment, compassion and that tingling in my bones whilst singing that gorgeous harmony or playing that amazing chord!

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Me and My BMX Ethan Vernon

Tell us about your sport: What do you love about it?

BMX Racing, as with many other cycling disciplines, is a rapidly growing, Olympic sport.

A race basically consists of 8 riders who start from behind a gate which is set on either a 5.0m or 8.0m high ski- type ramp.

It is a flat out sprint over jumps, high banked corners and various technical sections. It is a close contact sport where often riders will come together in the turns. Generally the strongest, fastest and most skilled rider will win the race.

I train very hard both on the track and in the gym to maintain and compete at this high level.

I love my sport because I love the speed generated by sprinting and the feeling of flying up to 20 feet high in the air and up to 40 feet in length over some of the more challenging jumps.

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Who is/ are your biggest inspiration/s in your sport and why?

I am inspired by Joris Daudet from France because he is the world champion, technical and very quick!

What is your greatest achievement to date?

I started racing at the age of 4 and I have won multiple Regional titles and many National and British championship races.

My greatest achievement must be my European number 2 ranking.

What are your aspirations with your sport?

I aim to improve on that this year and also gain a World ranking plate at the forthcoming World Championships in Birmingham.

I also train on the Velodrome and I hope to compete in the future

Me and My Performing Logan Jones Tell us about your performing: What do you love about it?

The thing I love about performing is embodying a completely new and different character every time I perform, whether it be when I act or sing. It allows me to forget about any worries I might have in my life and concentrate on different thoughts and feelings even though they are made-up.

How did you first become interested in performing (singing / theatre)?

Honestly, I don’t really remember when I became interested in performing, but I do remember when I was younger watching this TV show and knowing that I wanted to be an actor.

I have two, which both happened recently.

The first was after the first performance of ‘Julius Ceasar’ and I was told by a man I’d never met before that he thought I was a s good as the actors he saw on stage in London.

The second was a couple of weeks ago (in March) when I was at the Bedfordshire Festival Gala and I won a singing cup that Year 9 and 10 pupils were also competing for.

What are your aspirations in this field?

Although I don’t have desires to perform on a stage, I would like to be one of those greedy people who produce, direct, write and act in their own films. Watching films and seeing my favourite actors perform brilliant scripts under the direction of my favourite directors, inspires me.

What was your proudest moment?

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Me and My Running Stanley Willis

How did you first become interested in running?

I first became interested in running when I lived in Spain, running on the beach with my brother and my dad. I have always loved the feeling, sprinting on the shore of the beach and just feeling ‘Quick.’ The first time that I actually thought I want to do this, was a training session running with Jonno Janes doing a 10 x 300m and that is what really changed me. I got the feeling for speed and that day, I built confidence and started to achieve rather highly.

Who or what has been your biggest influence in the sport and why?

My biggest influences in the sport have to be my mum and dad. My mum being in the Olympics and hearing about my dad’s high level running. Listening to the 56

stories makes me think twice in training, so I am always focused and ready, trying to achieve just as my parents did.

What are your greatest successes to date / what has been your proudest moment?

My greatest success has to be finishing 8th in the UK nationals and also getting team gold. Now my three team members and I are National Champions, and we are hoping to keep it that way!

What are your aspirations in this field?

My aspiration for the future is to continue with what I want to do and what I enjoy.

The main aim is to represent my country, like any other athlete would love to do.

That’s why I train hard, because anything is possible!

At this time of year it is always a pleasure to be able to reflect upon the activities and events that were the backbone of Prep School’s fund-raising projects for 2011 – 2012 and to appreciate the marvellous support that comes so willingly from all members of the Prep School community.

With a new committee in place it was all systems go, and the boys elected in September to represent their Houses did themselves proud from the off. And so I pause in my reflection to say a very big

thank you to them all for their enthusiasm, their ideas and their splendid efforts in planning, publicising and running many of the events that took place.

Mufti days were a hit and memorable themed ideas included Mega Mufti, Football Fans and the Life’s a Beach Day, with inflatable friends arriving for lessons, and luckily, not a single pair of speedos in sight! A lot of fun was had by all, including many of the staff who pitched in and raided their dressing up cupboards, although I am not sure that in certain cases the boys noticed any difference!

Once again Mr Lincoln kindly organised the Cake- at- Break rota, setting up the stall every Friday, and along with Mrs Richards, helping to manage the queues and count up all the money raised each week. A heartfelt thank you is also due to everyone who contributed, and everyone who bought cakes on a Friday. It was just staggering to see the culinary skills on show – oozing lemon drizzle cakes, show-stopping iced fairy buns, melt-inthe mouth shortbread, and chocolate brownies to die for! Not that I was first

Charities in the queue each week…just a wee treat for the class now and again – if they were good!! So whether you baked and iced, or bought and sent, your contributions were greatly enjoyed and raised the enormous sum of £561. The top fund-raising classes were Miss Mann’s Year 6 tutor group and 4M, all of whom received individually, either a box of Maltesers or a large Toblerone from Mr Lincoln on the last day of term. As you can imagine, there were huge grins all round from the boys in those classes!

In November the staff, under the expert direction of Mr Mallalieu, put on two evenings of ’ Mild Amusement’, where they acted (or tried to), danced, sang and performed their way to raising over £2000 for the Prep Charities’ Fund.

Great amusement was had on stage, and backstage, as well as much upstaging that took place between the Ugly Sisters, Hooley and Roberts! The Headmaster sat confidently at the controls of the Starship Enterprise, and along with Spock Wickens, did much expert acting and ad-libbing as they traversed the galaxy in the EMH. Finishing with a genius rendition of the Hukka verses the 57

of Mr Beckwith?

And so another fine year of fun and fund-raising drew to a fitting end with Charities’ Week in the final half term.

This was truly a sight to see as every day boys emerged from their respective buildings to set up games and activities in order to ‘do their bit’ for charity. Clearly, some of the parents had kindly given their son a hand, as expertly-crafted games and stalls appeared, such as the very popular football SCORE and the amazing drainpipe, Splat a-Rat device! Staff involved themselves wholeheartedly, but perhaps none more so than Mr Hooley, who raised a staggering amount of money by volunteering to be in the stocks.

Facing a barrage of large wet sponges, thrown with just a touch of overexuberance, from both boys and staff, he smiled good-heartedly throughout as he was drenched, and this time not from the nasty wet stuff that persistently fell from the June skies this year!

Morris Men the evenings were a huge success, and I thank everyone for their willingness to forgo their dignity for the cause, and to Mr Mallalieu for cajoling us 58

all into action. On a personal note, the whole event left me completely ‘Gaga’ , and was it me, or did anyone else see an amazing jiving gorilla, the size and stature

The week ended with a Tug-Of-War Competition on the astro (with a surprise win for the Ladies’ Team – something to do with the inclusion of a Ms Samantha Robertson!!) and a truly mammoth Cake sale, which was unbelievable. I must have sampled every delight that came in, which cost me a few pounds in more ways than one! Thank you – for the stunning cup cakes, the chewy, the gooey, and the

simply irresistible delicacies sent in by so many wonderful mums and dads.

Keeping up with the money pouring in was a challenge that Ms Zwetsloot relished, and she was finally able to confirm, with a smile, after much counting, that our total for the year amounted to £10,223.50!! This was beyond unbelievable, particularly in these challenging fiscal times. Thank you to everyone; this magnificent sum will be

allocated in September to the charities selected by the committee: The Gamma Appeal, Air Ambulance, Swaziland Project, Keech Cottage and St John’s Hospice.

Lastly, I would like to give a very appreciative thanks to the brilliant young men who assisted me throughout the year on the Charity Committee, and who, with very little warning put on splendid impromptu assemblies in the EMH

to promote each of the events. Ken Ekweremandu, Jack Hutchings, Callum Fenton, Rohan Sangheera, Michael Tarateo and Joshua Nethersole, your support and enthusiasm was absolutely fabulous, and to those of you in Year 8 now leaving the Prep School; you will be missed!

Sue Keane Chairman of the Charities’ Committee

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House Activities

The four Housemasters reflect upon another full year of house activities

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Harpur House Well, the dream of a ‘hat trick’ of Harpur House Cup victories was, very sadly, a step too far this year. Firstly, congratulations to Miss Oakley and Howard for their well-deserved victory.

It should be noted that our final house points total this year would have given us the Nestor Cup again compared with the winning totals of the last few years. So, Howard have clearly raised their game to come out on top.

Of course, there have been many highlights and memorable moments for Harpur over the course of the year. The autumn term saw us win the swimming relays, and we were second in the general knowledge competition, U11 squash and House Art. Our fine tradition in cross country continued in the spring term with victories in Y4, Y5 and Y8, along with second place in Y7. Added to that were seconds in Y3 hockey and soccer, public speaking and chess. Table tennis proved a real strength for Harpur with victory in Y7 and seconds in Y5 and Y6…..’wiff-waffly wonderful’ as Boris Johnston might say!!

The stand out moment in the summer term was clearly the poetry recitation finals when Harpur won in all four year groups, as well as picking up second place in Y3 to Y5!! We also had our best result in years in House Music

with a commendable second place. Our swimming prowess was again on display as the Y7&8 team dominated throughout and our Y3&4 and Y5&6 teams both narrowly came second by only one point!

My personal highlight was, once again, House Singing. My choice of ‘Creep’

by Radiohead was, understandably, a ‘marmite’ song……not to all tastes, but one that the boys took to with amazing joy and zeal; I have never enjoyed rehearsals or the final performance so much in all my time as Housemaster. Thank you to Miss Gooch and George Edwards for all their efforts. The result was a bitter pill to swallow but we are all determined to pick ourselves up and come back stronger next year.

My House Tutors have once again proved how lucky I am to be the Housemaster of such an enthusiastic and dedicated team; a big ‘thank you’ to them, especially for their help in monitoring the dining hall and leading assemblies. I was also very grateful to Olympian Gaynor Willis and my father, Roger Whitbread OB, for agreeing to be guest speakers in assemblies.

I would like to thank all Harpur boys for being so keen to participate and do their best for the House. My special thanks to the House Officers for always being

so organised; they have been great role models to the younger boys. Lastly, thank you and goodbye to Miss Brown, who moves to Whitbread House next year.

We have really appreciated all her good humour and support – our loss is very much Whitbread’s gain.

Mr. A. Whitbread

Whitbread House

The boys of Whitbread House have enjoyed an excellent year. Our House Captains have led with great enthusiasm: Toby King (Captain), Thomas Gulliver (Vice Captain), Oliver Hind and Peter Jamieson (Sports) and Rukudzo Msindo and James Blane (Music). Thomas, Rukudzo and Oliver Winder joined Andrew Zhu as prefects at Christmas and I am extremely grateful to all these Year 8 young men for their assistance during the year. They all thoroughly deserved their House Colours.

I am also extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of staff to support the House events and activities: Mme Trounson, Mrs Travis, Mr Saenger, Mr Phillips and Mr Studd. My thanks to you all for your encouragement, help and especially for your inspirational 62

in racket sports, table tennis, chess and (thanks to so many Whitbread boys entering) we came 1st equal in the House Art Competition. Our special thanks this time must go to the Year 3 and 4 boys who have gained invaluable points for us in rugby, cross country running, football, hockey and athletics. Well done to you all.

assemblies!

There have been some wonderful highlights for us this year, but once again, the House Singing Competition in the Great Hall in February requires a special mention. Our unison song was the Elton John hit ‘Your Song’ and our part song was ‘True Colours’. As in past years the boys from Whitbread sang brilliantly and we were thrilled with our performance on the day. We actually came 1st with the part song and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the boys who put in so much effort and to Miss Gooch who worked so hard to rehearse with the group of singers.

As far as the overall House Competition was concerned, we have enjoyed some really first class results in a number of different disciplines. We have excelled

In the final assembly of the year we were eager to hear where Whitbread had come.

We waited with baited breath……Second!

But it certainly was the most honourable second of all time! Congratulations to all Whitbreadarians and a huge “thank you” to the boys and House staff from a very proud Housemaster.

Howard House “There’s a fire starting in my heart, Reaching a fever pitch, And it’s bringing me out of the dark.”

Adele perfectly describes the fire in the belly of Howard House this year!

The Autumn Term began with superb efforts in House rugby and swimming relays.

Adkins and Andrews, who have also made excellent contributions to both School and House life this year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the boys on their efforts and achievements this year and of course to thank my amazing and supportive House Staff, without whom I would have significantly more grey hairs.

A great focus on participation and

Steady scores throughout the year, kept us in the running for the House Cup for the whole year, reflecting a commitment and determination from, not just the Howard boys, but all of the boys here at BPS.

Special

mentions

to:

Ekweremadu,

And when the slightly over-sized Operatic’s lady did finally sing her song, we were proved to be like the Olympic motto: Citius (swifter), Altius (higher), and Fortius (stronger), than the others……..although only just!

I’d like thank all the boys and the other Housemasters for a thoroughly enjoyable year of competition. My special thanks to Whitbread House and Mr Blacklock for such a close and exciting finish!

The Spring Term saw solid Howard performances in the House squash and cross country events and, after a shaky start to our rehearsals, the focus and enthusiasm of the boys saw them victorious in the Unison Song competition.

Howard House Officers, this year: Hutchings, Stewart, Clements, Ciuro, Garrett, Sumal, Smith, Johnson and Thrasher, have shown boundless energy and efficiency in their roles. All of them deservedly presented with House Colours throughout the course of the year.

competition this year. 2011-12 has certainly been an exciting one! Leading as we entered the last few weeks of term, Whitbread and Howard played a game of cat and mouse, (1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd), right to the wire! Although nerve-wracking, this kept our spirits high, right up to the very last event.

I knew it was a special Jubilee (= blue) year, this year and so to finish my report it seems only fitting to steal the words of our Queen: resilience has forged a fantastic team spirit in Howard, as ever the boys’ sustained efforts have filled me with much pride and admiration.

‘I hope that memories of all this year’s happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come,’ they certainly will mine! Go Howard!

Harold Wilson, (British Politician and Prime Minister, 1916-1995), once said, “A week is a long time in politics.” That certainly could be said of our House 63

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The

Opening of the

Pavilion

“It is not a mere luxury we are pleading for: it is an absolute necessity; for though man and presumably also boy wants little here below, yet among that little is a place to dress in, and sometimes dine in, when he plays cricket; to hang his clothes up in when he plays football; and to keep at all times what he chooses to put there without fear of its being spoilt by rain and damp, or ‘borrowed’ by unauthorised persons.”

– The Ousel October 1880

The latest incarnation of the Bedford School Pavillion opened by Alistair Cook in April 2012 represents another chapter in the development of a building that dates back to the latter part of the 19th Century.

School records in the latter part of the 19th Century, during the time that Mr

James Phillpotts was Head Master, refer to a “Cow or Cattle shed” which was also utilised as the School’s first Pavilion.

In the Ousel, the School publication, of October 1880, this building was described as “the dingy hovel which disgraces one corner of the ground.”

Obviously the School Estate at that time was very different and it appears that

the Cow Shed was located to the north east of the current Pavilion on the then perimeter of the School grounds.

Fortunately, a significant gift for a new Pavilion was presented to the School in 1881 by Mr John Govett, the Uncle of three Captains of Cricket; J.Stanley Orr (1879), Herbert R Orr (1884) and 65

Rowland FA Orr (1885). By September 1883 a new single story Pavilion had been constructed. However over the next few years as the School grew, it purchased further land which resulted in the creation of more playing fields. Subsequently, with the permission of Mrs Mary Orr, the donor’s sister, the Pavilion was repositioned to its current location. A bronze memorial tablet, located outside the Pavilion, records the generosity of the Govett and Orr Families.

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Relocating the existing Pavilion was obviously not without its challenges, but it also provided the opportunity to raise the height of the original building thus creating an external grand stand from which to watch sport, and “to give ground floor accommodation for bath and dressing rooms, kitchen, storeroom which were much needed.”

Mr Henry Cross, Old Bedfordian and Master played a significant part in raising

funds for this work to take place, “by organising theatricals, entertainments, concerts and dances, together with subscriptions.” The construction work was completed in 1899, but sadly Henry Cross never saw the new Pavilion as he died in the Sudan, whilst acting as a war correspondent for the Manchester Guardian during the Kitchener Expedition to Khartoum in 1898. Henry Cross’ contribution is also recorded on a bronze memorial tablet outside the

accommodation and storage space while the terracing and outside viewing areas were also enhanced. However the integral scoreboard which appears on the plans was never commissioned.

Over the years the Pavilion has not just been used for sport. For a period of time before centralised dining, DayBoarders would eat their lunch in the Pavilion and, after the fire of 1979, it was used as a temporary classroom. There are also various reports over the years of dramatic productions and musical concerts utilising the tiered steps for open air productions.

Pavilion. In a special day for the School the pavilion was opened followed by a procession along De Avenue after which the newly built Inky Building was formally opened.

By the 1930s the Pavilion was again in much need of some investment. Mr Humfrey Grose-Hodge, the then Head Master described it as “unfit for present day requirements.” As a result a well organised fundraising appeal took place to support the Alteration and Extension of the Pavilion. This culminated with a two day Bazaar and Fête on the 14th and 15th June 1934. The new Pavilion was subsequently opened in 1935 to much acclaim. Over the following months it appears that the wings were added to the building which provided further

In 2011, the Pavilion was again refurbished as a result of a formal appeal and the generosity of many benefactors.

It was named the Langham Pavilion in particular recognition of the contribution

made by Old Bedfordian John Langham, and his wife, Betty. The refurbishment has resulted in improved access by the addition of the south side staircase, a better area from which spectators can enjoy sport and upgraded changing facilities. Although every effort has been made to maintain the heritage of the building some Old Bedfordians may be alarmed to hear that cold showers are now a thing of the past!

All those connected with this project should feel proud of what they have helped to achieve. Importantly, the Langham Pavilion also now provides a fitting environment to celebrate and display the achievements of the School’s greatest sportsmen throughout history.

Diamond Jubilee Street Party The Year 3/4 were detaermined to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubillee in style with a Street Party . Unfortunately the Queen was unable to attend but some special guests did make an appearance!

I had lots of fun at the Diamond Jubilee School party. I enjoyed it becasye we had fun and had lots of nice things to eat.

Unfortunately I didn’t’ get to stay for the whole time because I had a violin lesson, however, I still ate enough sweets to give me a tummy ache!

(Connor Wasilewski)

had a few too many). We had an amazing time and were allowed to eat the leftovers in our classroom. Mrs Keane announced the winners of the bunting competition.

Mr Godwin and Mrs Dee came as our special guests, pretending to be Prince Phillip and the Queen.

(William Osborne)

The School Jubilee day was lots of fun.

All the boys dressed up in red, white and blue clothes. We all made cakes to celebrate. I made a chocolate cake and some yummy sausage rolls. We all had Great fun!

(Gabriel Mann)

I loved the Jubilee Street party because I had loads of yummy foods and it all had a very happy atmosphere.

(Charlie Eastwood)

On Friday 1st June 2012 all the year 3and 4 classes went to Tisdall’s playground for lunch. The bunting competition entries decorated the area and we sat at tables outside to have our special street party,.

We had lots of cakes and sweets (I think I 68

To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee we had a street party at school. Every one brought in food to share. I brought in a chocolate cake. We ate lots of yummy food until our tummies were full! I had a whole lot of fun with my friends.

(James Deardon)

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The Whinchat is published annually. The views expressed by contributors to this magazine are not necessarily those of the School. While we have made every effort to include all text of articles submitted to the Editorial Team, we cannot guarantee that articles have been reproduced in their entirety. We also reserve the right to edit and amend where necessary.

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