BGS View Summer 2014

View The Bristol Grammar School Newsletter Summer 2014 Issue 27

Three times the fun at Sports Day

Life in the

Sixth Form

BGS

Activities Day

10 years of the

BGS Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

Greenpower racing • BGS Abroad • Bodyguarding at BGS

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From the Headmaster This term has seen the whole school engaging energetically in examinations, but it has also been a time of great poignancy for the students who are about to leave BGS and who sense a mixture of excitement, anxiety and nostalgia as one important stage in their educational careers comes to an end.

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his is particularly true, of course, for our Upper Sixth leavers, most of whom were in Year 8 when I joined the School six years ago. Then they were alert, interesting children; now they are confident, socially aware and responsible adults, the future leaders of our society. It is truly humbling to observe what complete, rounded human beings they have become.

The other thing I particularly notice about our Sixth-formers is the quality of the relationships they have with one another and with the School community as a whole. I see how valuable it is to

them to be part of the BGS family and that, again, is humbling.

None of this happens by accident, of course, and as another year draws to a close, I would like to reiterate my thanks to you all as parents and families for your unstinting support of what we aim to do.

I am also immensely grateful to my staff who have invested so much of themselves in the development of our young people and contributed in no small part to helping them achieve what they have.

Our fledglings are truly ready to fly the nest and, as they do, I am confident that

they will soar, not sink. I am proud to lead a School that provides an environment in which that can happen.

I wish you all an enjoyable summer break and look forward to all that a new year will bring as another cohort of students starts its adventure at BGS.

The BGS team’s Greenpower racing season got off to a great start at Goodwood on Sunday 8 June. Four weeks of frantic preparation to bring Megazord out of retirement paid off as both it and the second car, Gigazord, passed scrutineering without a hitch.

In the first race it was clear from the first lap that Gigazord had remarkable pace, lapping one minute quicker than the older vehicle. Running for ninety minutes on one pair of batteries was untried by the BGS team and the changes to reduce the overall gear ratio made for a tense yet thrilling race. At the chequered flag Megazord was in twentieth place and Gigazord tenth out of 46 starters.

During the break between races an issue with a binding front brake on Megazord was identified and addressed, improving its times by twenty seconds a lap in the second race. The multi-geared Gigazord, this time being driven by the lighter driving team, had great race pace too,

lapping almost thirty seconds faster. Both cars were driven exceptionally well with BGS keeping flowing lines through the bends but also anticipating the changes of direction being made by some of the slower opposition.

When the final results were confirmed

Gigazord was in sixth place, having completed 40.8 miles in ninety minutes, within three miles of the overall winner.

Megazord covered 33.6 miles and was the highest placed kit car on the day.

Well done to the team and best of luck for the rest of the season.

g n i r ahead Powe

Roderick MacKinnon

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News

Cream of the crop

After some fierce competition in the heats, Jess Sarah Tom D Emma Tom W and Varun made it through to the BGS Masterchef final on 18 June.

Judges Sarah, Ian and Jack from Berwick Lodge were very impressed by the standard of food produced, which ranged from crab linguine to poached pear. Well done to overall winner Tom D whose menu of salmon and lemon risotto followed by lemon meringue pie was described by the judges as “cooked to perfection.”

Diamond’s House Charity Diamond’s House was pleased to welcome Petra Littlefair from St Peter’s Hospice to their House assembly this term, to present her with a cheque for £1,045. The money was raised from their House Concert in the Autumn term and by selling cakes and Charter Day daffodils.

A special mention must go to Sam who individually raised £55.50 by completing a sponsored swim.

Very well done This may have been a short term but our students have packed a lot in. There have been successes in a wide range of competitions and examinations. Here are just a few of this term’s highlights: Sixth-former Fennar performed in the Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company production of The Tinderbox Cara (Year 11) was selected to join the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and performed with them at the Birmingham Town Hall Joe (Lower Sixth) was awarded second place at the Gabblers Club grand final In the Maths Olympiad competition Michael and Ollie (Year 8) were both awarded a Certificate of Distinction Michaela won second prize in her category in the national Russian essay competition and Olivia was awarded a special prize for her essay on the Queen of Spades James achieved silver in the British Physics Olympiad AS Challenge, narrowly missing out on the prestigious gold award Sasha Ben Carol James Robert Isabella Alfie Milo Tom Jae Angus George George Robbie and Oscar were all gold award winners in the national Biology Challenge competition In the UK Linguistics Olympiad Gabriella and Izzy gained bronze level certificates, and Olivia a silver level certificate George received a special commendation in a national essay‑writing competition run by the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University Many students have passed music examinations including the following who all achieved Grade 8 distinctions: Tristan (Singing and Drums); Oscar (Flute); Izzy (Jazz Saxophone); Jack Maeve and Amy (all Musical Theatre)

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News

What to do

today?

A trip to Thorpe Park, fly fishing, a day’s surfing, track cycling at Newport Velodrome, bouldering, kayaking, trying your hand at animation, a pasta making (and eating) lesson or even a day at the cricket were the choices facing students in Years 7, 8 and 10 on BGS Activities Day. You can see some of what they got up to in the photographs below.

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News

BGS STEM

blooms in the heat of summer

This has been a short term, with understandably the emphasis on public exams for many of our senior students.

However once again we have seen a number of exciting events take shape and bloom!

Skirting Science On Thursday 19 June, twenty Year 9 girls went to Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College in Westonsuper-Mare, where they enjoyed a day of practical hands‑on workshops spanning all areas of science and technology. This event was organised

by Soroptomist International and seeks to encourage girls to understand the value of following a career in science and engineering. An inspirational talk was given by Nadya Anscombe, a chemistry graduate with more than 15 years’ experience in science journalism.

After this the students experienced the delights of a wide range of hands‑on workshops. Forensic science, creating sustainable water filters for developing countries, building robots, perception and illusions, and the chemistry behind perfumes all proved very popular. This is the first time

BGS girls have attended this event and Dr Rosser and Miss Glenn were delighted by the way the girls engaged with the activities. Everyone learnt something new. Here are a few comments from some of the girls: ‘I learnt that DNA samples can be taken from hair samples, but only the roots of the hair’; ‘The design of the body armour for police officers and soldiers needs to be different’; ‘I learnt that sight and smell affect the perception of taste’.

We have also celebrated the first National Women into Engineering Day (Monday 23 June) by taking a group of Sixth Form girls to lunch at Atkins Global.

Hannah Jess Alex and Maddie had the chance to network with successful women engineers in Atkins and learn more about the opportunities available. Also Arup, another international engineering company, visited BGS and led an Engineering Event for about sixty students in Year 10.

Again, practical activities blended with careers information to complement the Year 10 Careers Conference that took place a few days earlier.

STEM at BGS is growing ever stronger and we look forward to an equally busy new academic year, starting in September.

Engineering Education Scheme On Friday 9 May, four Lower-sixth students, Jess Alex Maddie and Pip attended the Assessment and Celebration Day for their EES project. EES stands for the Engineering Education Scheme, organised by the Engineering Development Trust. The students have been working for six months with support from GKN Aerospace. In this time they have designed and built a prototype engine cowling in composite materials. The team were awarded British Science Association Gold Crest Awards in recognition of the quality of the work completed. This is the first year BGS has taken part in this programme and our students were outstanding in every way. Well done to the team – certainly potential engineers of the future.

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Wildlife Photograph

Rory

Jasper

Infants

Juniors

Craig

Parents and Staff

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her of t he Year 2014

Philip Burnside, Old Bristolians and BGS Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Alex Rhodes, Year 11 and Sixth Form

Craig Speers, Image Evolution

Ellie

Years 7–10

2014 marks the tenth anniversary of the BGS Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and to celebrate there is a wonderful display of entries from previous years on the Princess Anne Building – do take a look if you are in School.

We are also delighted that, following the success of last year's exhibition of images from the competition at @Bristol, a selection of photos from the competition are now on display at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Patients, visitors and staff are enjoying the fabulous images which are brightening up the walls of the main corridor linking the BRI to the Bristol Heart Institute.

For this year’s competition original judge, Old Bristolian and wildlife photograph editor Laura Barwick, returned, alongside professional wildlife photographer Iain Green, for the difficult task of choosing the winners. Our congratulations go to all who took part, especially the category winners whose images are featured here.

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Infants & Juniors Mr Huckle writes …

“The aims of BGS focus on the School providing an exceptional all-round education for children with opportunities for life changing learning, friendships, and adventure.”

Learning is what we all come to school for and proceeds in the classrooms and in a variety of different settings, inside and out.

The children are all unique and special and each one of them learns in their own way.

They learn by working independently, with partners, in groups and by observing each other. In turn, we the teachers, who are fortunate to have the chance to work with them, learn all the time from reflecting on our own experiences and the experiences of colleagues. Lifelong learning at BGS applies to everybody.

This is a very friendly school with a great sense of community. The children have every chance to develop and expand their friendships by joining clubs, being part of teams, working together on a play or a concert or attending events and supporting the School and each other. The

Year 6 Play, the Infant Summer Concert, the Infant and Junior Sports Days and the JISPA Summer Fair are all good examples of this.

Being adventurous involves taking some risks. We encourage children to take risks in their learning – to try something new and challenging even if they are unsure how it will turn out. A sense of adventure is an important element of all school trips, such as the trips to Bristol Aquarium, Weston-super-Mare, Caerleon Castle, Big Pit and Berkeley Castle. Adventurous learning is a great attraction of our Forest School programme and residential trips like the Year 6 PGL adventure holiday.

The children also love exploring other countries such as on India or Australia Day, at the French Café or Infant French Morning or during the Junior Global Week.

Berkeley Castle There was glorious sunshine for Year 4’s trip to Berkeley Castle and the Edward Jenner Museum. The children were able to discover more about Jenner’s life, his work and its importance in the development of modern day vaccinations which have saved countless lives worldwide.

The children then enjoyed a tour of Berkeley Castle, finding out about the building’s history and that of its owners, the Berkeley family. There was even the chance to compare and contrast Berkeley Castle’s Great Hall with BGS’s own.

I hope that you will enjoy reading this publication, which gives you a flavour of the diverse ways in which learning, friendships and adventure are developed day by day at BGS Infants and Juniors.

Peter Huckle Headmaster, BGS Infants & Juniors

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Reception hunt mini‑beasts Snail observations, clay snails, collage ‘Matisse style’ snails and snail racing – Reception certainly found a lot of ways to learn about snails as part of their mini‑beasts topic this term.

Roman ^ Discovery A visit from Roman General Claudius Maximus and a trip to Caerleon helped bring Year 3’s learning about the Romans vividly to life.

Playing the part of the local Celtic population, the children were drilled in Roman Army manoeuvres by Claudius Maximus, learning how to move as a group and protect themselves with their shields.

But only some of them were selected to join the Roman Army – the others faced the bleak choice of paying huge taxes or fighting for their lives against the Romans!

At Caerleon, Year 3 explored the Roman remains with help from a Roman Legionary called Valladius. The chance to try on

some Roman armour proved to be very popular, much more so than the idea of a Roman feast, whose menu of dormice and peacocks’ brains did not appeal to the Year 3 children!

How does your garden grow?

Growing plants was the science topic Year 1 have been exploring this term, taking advantage of the wonderful plant life around the School to see how many different sorts of plants and flowers they could find.

They also grew their own beans and cress and tried to discover why some plants grow straight and others wonky and what makes their leaves green.

Spiders, worms, bees, ladybirds, caterpillars and butterflies also featured on the list of creepy-crawlies being learnt about and the children really enjoyed using pooters to see what mini‑beasts they could capture for themselves.

They even created some giant mini‑beast sculptures using materials they found in the woods at Failand.

May Day!

No, not an emergency but a celebration of summer where BGS Infants were lucky enough to be joined by a group of Morris Dancers who demonstrated this traditional English form of dancing. Everyone thought it looked great fun!

Morris Dancing also featured in a wonderful May Day assembly by 4S. They brilliantly illustrated the history and traditions of May Day (with maypole dancing, violin playing and many fa la las in their song) and told the Juniors about early summer festivals in different parts of the country.

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Infants & Juniors Beside the seaside

Year 1 enjoyed a trip to the seaside to learn about the human and physical features of the coast this term.

Weston‑super-Mare was the venue for a ‘Seasides in the past’ workshop – complete with old-fashioned bathing suits. There was also time for an ice cream and to build some sandcastles on the beach, taking full advantage of the glorious weather. It was definitely a trip to remember.

Here be monsters

To launch Year 2’s Sea Monsters topic the year‑group visited the city’s Aquarium and spent the day exploring the deep.

They saw seahorses (and their babies), eels, jellyfish, squid and octopus and even got the chance to feed the stingrays.

Teatime concerts Two fantastic teatime concerts, featuring performers from Year 1 up to Year 4, brightened up the early evenings this term.

From the performances of Happy by Pharrell Williams and Let it Go (from the Disney film Frozen) to a 'cello ensemble and a piano rendition of The Snake Charmer, a wide range of instruments and musical styles were on display. The one thing which united them was the enthusiasm and talent of the performers and the enjoyment they brought to the parents, carers, friends and family who had filled the Junior School Hall.

For their topic work, the children were divided into groups – sharks, shellfish, an octopus group, jellyfish and finally rays – and their learning focused on that creature. Activities included writing poems and stories, clay modelling, creating a board game, and even making a fruity fish. A real highlight was the imagination and creativity on display in the sea creature costumes the children arrived in on topic day.

With a little help from our friends Each week, members of the Sixth Form at BGS cross Elton Road to spend some time reading with the Infants. The Infants love welcoming the ‘grown-ups’ from the Sixth Form into their classroom and are proud to be able to display their reading progress to their big friends.

For the Sixth‑formers, it is

a welcome change of pace from their own studies and also great work experience for those considering a career in education.

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Bonjour Enfants!

On 9 June a group of twenty Year 10 French students spent the morning at BGS Infants to help them with their Infants' French day. The morning started with a French breakfast for all the Infants; they were treated to croissants, pain au chocolat, and pain au raisin together with a choice of jus d’orange or chocolat chaud.

The children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 took part in a range of activities including singing songs and playing games led by the Year 10

students, writing ‘Postcards from France’, taking part in a French quiz and sketching famous French landmarks. It was a very enjoyable morning which ended with a prize ceremony with awards given for the best French outfits among students and staff.

Big trip to Big Pit Year 5 picked the right day for their trip to Big Pit, avoiding the rain by heading underground to discover what life was like for those working in the coal mines of Wales. After travelling three hundred feet down via a lift, the group set out to explore the tunnels by torchlight. When, after five minutes, they were instructed to switch their lights off, they discovered just how black pitch black is. There was definitely relief all round when the lights came on again. It was then on to the stables, where the blind pit ponies were kept, and the engine room before they resurfaced back into the light of day.

An afternoon exploring the museum helped them complete their picture of the coal industry in Wales and the people and society it created.

Infant Summer Concert The Infant Summer Concert was inspired by this term’s topics of the Seaside, Sea Monsters and Mini-Beasts and saw beetles and bugs, sunbathers, surfers and shellfish take to the stage. The children all performed brilliantly and their wonderful singing and dancing certainly got everyone in the mood for summer.

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Life in the SIXTH FORM

Alice Gil Upper Sixth

Ben Stainer Upper Sixth

Sarah Goodenough Upper Sixth

I’m planning to study Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Warwick, inspired by the fact that I have always really enjoyed Design Technology at BGS and wanted to keep studying it. Alongside DT I’m doing ‘A’ levels in Physics, Maths and Latin (chosen purely for interest) and this year I’ve been doing an AS level in Further Maths too.

I’ve had some great opportunities through the School. I was encouraged to apply for, and was awarded, an Arkwright Scholarship. Through that I went on a residential course at Sheffield Hallam University focusing on Sports Engineering. Our STEM coordinator, Dr Rosser, has some incredible links; last year I attended a debate at the House of Lords on the future of engineering and women in engineering. Engineering does tend to be a male dominated profession but because BGS is mixed, I am used to working alongside boys and it really doesn’t bother me.

I’ve enjoyed the diversity of things BGS offers. I’ve played First team hockey and netball, and even learnt to play the ukulele. This year I’ve been a Year 7 Form Prefect. We’re encouraged to get to know and help the students, be it with little things like organisation or bigger challenges like finding their feet in a new school. It took me a while to settle when I came to BGS and being a Form Prefect enabled me to look back and see just how far I have come. At the start of my time in the Sixth Form, I didn’t feel ready to leave BGS but now I do and I’m excited about what comes next.

I’ve got a real mix of emotions about leaving BGS. I’m excited about the future but I feel sad that I’m coming to the end of my school journey. I joined BGS in Year 3 and I wouldn’t have wanted to be at any other school.

Moving into the Sixth Form was a definite change from Years 7–11. We have more independence and freedom, for example in managing our own study during free periods and it is a different, more equal, relationship with our teachers.

If I get the grades (AAA) then I will be studying Medicine at Newcastle next year.

Medicine is very competitive and I think I’ve been really helped by the support and opportunities available at BGS. For example, I was able to attend the Sixth Form Medical Society, something not all schools have. There have also been lots of careers days and events where I’ve been able to talk to medics and improve my insight and knowledge which helped strengthen my application. I’ve also been a Peer Mentor, an opportunity I took as it helped me gain skills in listening and talking to people, which are just as important in medicine as academic grades.

One thing which really stands out for me at BGS is the House system. Being a member of the Brown House has been a really important part of school life for me.

There is a fabulous family atmosphere in the Houses and I would really recommend them to a new student joining the School as a great way to get involved in almost anything at BGS.

Being at BGS has allowed me to do a lot of things I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. I really enjoyed taking part in the Junior House debating (and I won it!), but I would never have tried it if BGS hadn’t offered it.

Involvement in the Literary Events programme has also given me some fantastic experiences. I helped organise a public event featuring Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and one with Chris Ryan which was live streamed on the web as part of World Book Day. I’ve also been able to enjoy a day’s work experience at Penguin Books in London which Ms Shepherd, our Literary Events coordinator, helped me organise.

I’m hoping to read History at St John’s College, Oxford. I love History as a subject but post-university I think I’d like to go into Law. BGS has provided lots of opportunities to research different careers and, at the moment, Law interests me the most. A History degree, rather than a vocational Law degree, will give me lots of transferable skills and it will also give me three more years to get work experience (I’ve got three weeks lined up this summer already) to be certain about pursuing a career in Law. I absolutely love BGS. I think it is a fantastic school. For me the teachers make it – they are so passionate about their subjects and are happy to spend time talking to you and share that passion. And there is such a strong sense of community too – when Mr Holman died, the way everyone, teachers and students, came together and supported each other, was amazing. That real sense of belonging, the support that was there for everyone, is what makes BGS such a special place.

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Want to know what life is like in the Sixth Form at BGS? Six current Sixth-formers share their views.

Alice Hoskins Lower Sixth

Joe Bunting Lower Sixth

Ed Harrison Lower Sixth

I’d been at my old school since Reception and I was looking for a change for the Sixth Form. I was drawn to BGS as it offers so many opportunities; there is always so much going on here, plus I’d get to meet new people and choose from a wider range of subjects.

It wasn’t hard to settle in at all. I did move with a few people from my old school, and already knew a few others through playing hockey, but there are lots of new Sixth‑formers and everyone makes friends very quickly.

Next year I will be part of the Head of School team, as one of the Deputy Heads of School. I had no idea that one of the top three roles would be achievable but when I started here I was determined to take advantage of everything offered and threw myself into sport, charity, Young Enterprise and running the Law Society. Because of this, lots of teachers got to know me and saw that I had organisational, time-management and leadership skills and supported my prefecture application. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of next year, in fact we’ve already had our first meeting and started to organise things. I think we’re going to be a really strong team as we work well together, generating ideas and supporting each other.

I don’t regret the move to BGS at all.

In fact I wish I’d done it sooner as I don’t think I’ll be ready to leave BGS after just two years. I love it here.

I’ve been at BGS since Year 7 but it’s definitely different in the Sixth Form. I’m expected to be more independent and given more freedom. There’s a different working relationship with staff and, as I love all the subjects I am studying, every lesson is a pleasure.

I’m studying History, Maths, Chemistry and Biology and am planning to carry on all four to A2. After BGS, I am considering going into Law. I’ve been given the Price Robinson Award for next year – it’s awarded to a student who the School feels has the most potential to study at Oxbridge and Jurisprudence at Oxford is my current ambition.

There’s a plethora of things at BGS you can get involved in. I’ve been enjoying Model United Nations (MUN) since Year 11 and am now Secretary General which means I’ll be organising the upcoming conference at BGS where we host roughly forty schools from across the south-west. I’ve also been Chair of the MUN Scientific Committee – there were many knowledgeable and experienced members whose respect I needed to gain, whilst still encouraging newer members to contribute. I know it’s a cliché, but I found it difficult yet rewarding.

Most recently, I was proud to represent the School in the after-dinner speaking Gabblers Club Competition which was a terrific experience and I got a lot from it (including a trophy). I went from being a nervous speaker to being able to talk to an audience of four hundred (and make them laugh).

I feel I’ll be ready to move on to university next year but I will miss BGS. It’s given me many fantastic opportunities that I never thought I’d have.

The Sixth Form at BGS is absolutely not the same as BGS in Years 7–11; there’s a wholly different atmosphere. Teachers treat you as a young adult rather than as a child and I’ve found I’ve responded to that expectation and become much more grown up.

I’m studying ‘A’ levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Music and intend to carry all four on to A2 and then study Biomedical Engineering at university.

As well as studying Music, I’m involved in a lot of musical groups through the School.

I play the trumpet in the School Orchestra and also in the Wind Band. I’m a guitarist in the Ceilidh Band and play trumpet and sing in The Khameleonz, the BGS Jazz Band. I started a barbershop quartet called Mantata (as there is a girls’ choir at BGS called Cantata) with three of my friends, sing in the BGS Choir and the staff and student Friday Choir. It sounds like a lot, but it isn’t really that time consuming and I enjoy doing a bit of music every day – it helps break up all the science!

One thing I really love about BGS is the House system. It gives you a little family within the School. House singing, drama, sports day – they all give you a way to get know people outside your year group and you become a really close-knit community.

Next year I’ll be Senior House Prefect for my House, Diamond’s, something I’ve aspired to since I was in Year 7. I am very proud to have been chosen to lead my House and am determined to make us the best – not that it’ll be hard.

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Sixth Form Leading the way

Spreading their wings Each year around a third of our Sixth Form leavers take some form of gap year before they head to university.

BGS hosts gap year fairs as well as providing information in the careers centre to help them plan their adventure, whether they are looking for the challenge of climbing a peak, an opportunity to work overseas, or simply the chance to experience another culture.

The School also offers a range of travel scholarships which provide some financial support towards these plans. James Macdonald, who will be travelling to Costa Rica, has been given the Old Bristolians’ Award. The School Travel Award has been shared between Anna Sutton (Ghana) and Emily Potter (Nicaragua), while James Bolton‑Jones is the recipient of both the Far East and Jonathan Prestwich Awards and will travel to Russia. We congratulate this year’s recipients and wish them luck on their travels.

One of last year’s leavers, Oscar Furness, spent his gap year in British Columbia.

Oscar secured a four month internship at a wildlife rehabilitation centre near Vancouver, which he extended after being offered the opportunity to help look after last year’s bear cubs until they were old

enough to be released into the wild this summer. Along with bears, Oscar has been rescuing and caring for skunks, snow hares, beavers and racoons and endured both a racoon bite and being sprayed by a skunk as part of his adventures! Once his Canadian adventure is over, Oscar is looking forward to studying Zoology at Exeter.

You can read more about Oscar’s trip at http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot. co.uk/2014/05/dino-boy-abroad.html

Sixth-former Hannah Cullimore has been selected as one of a hundred participants from schools across the UK and Ireland to take part in the McKinsey Leadership Academy 2014.

The two-day residential course takes place in July at Wellington College and will focus on leadership and teamwork skills as well as allowing students the opportunity to network with other young leaders. There is also a reunion planned for 2015, allowing the group to meet again and share their achievements from the previous year.

Hannah was nominated for the course

by Justin Harford, Director of Sixth Form at BGS, and had to complete an application form outlining her leadership experience and future plans in order to be selected by McKinsey. Talking about the course Hannah said “I am really looking forward to going. I think it will be quite an intensive two days but I’ll have the opportunity to meet with lots of other people of my own age and learn from their experiences.”

Bright Sparcs Lower-sixth physicists at BGS have again participated in HiSPARC, a ground-breaking international physics project to study the cosmic‑rays which arrive on Earth from outer space. Students undertake real scientific research, which is presented at conferences and submitted to universities.

This year BGS was one of three school teams that attended the HiSPARC Area Conference at Bristol University.

Sixth‑former Ollie presented his research to an audience of physicists, physics teachers and students. His project investigated whether there was a link between air pressure and the number of cosmic-rays detected; he found a clear link between the two. Ollie was awarded a prestigious silver certificate for his work. Next year we aim to involve mathematicians and computer scientists to perform interdisciplinary research with the hope of making further discoveries.

Steve Carruthers

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Exploration

On tour with the Lambs BGS Sixth-former and Captain of the First XV, Ben Onyeama-Christie had an Easter to remember, touring Zimbabwe with the Lambs, the English Independent Schools’ Rugby squad.

The team played four matches on the nine-day tour, with opposition ranging from a school side (beaten 76–0) to the U19 National Squad, whom the Lambs defeated 17–14.

Reflecting on the tour experience, prop Ben said: “The experience of playing at a higher level means I definitely enjoy my rugby even more now. The Lambs’ fast, attacking style of play really suited me and helped to improve my open play.”

Ben is now looking forward to a gap year, when he hopes to play rugby locally, before taking up a place at Loughborough University. Before that, he is looking forward to the BGS tour of South Africa this summer and enjoying the same fantastic tour spirit and competitive matches that he did with the Lambs. One thing he is not looking forward to, however, is playing his last game for BGS, which after seven years of playing rugby for the School will be a bittersweet moment.

Sunshine and Spain The end of the Summer term signified the start of a Spanish adventure for a group of enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 Hispanists.

Our five-day stay in the culturally rich region of Andalucía involved an exciting combination of excursions and activities. We experienced Islamic art and architecture at its finest in the majestic Alhambra Palace in Granada, and soaked up the Moorish character of the old Arab quarter as we wandered through the labyrinth of cobbled paths of the Albaicín.

The day spent at Tivoli World theme park on the coast proved a big hit with the fearless adrenaline seekers; as it was early in the season queues were minimal and students could enjoy consecutive

rides. Our final day in Málaga was all about the food. A trip to the Atarazanas market allowed students to feast their eyes on the colourful local produce. We sampled traditional tapas at lunch time and chocolate con churros later in the afternoon.

Blessed with glorious sunshine and temperatures in excess of 30 °C, our whirlwind tour of one of Spain’s treasured regions allowed students to appreciate the cultural diversity and fun-packed attractions offered by Andalucía.

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Exploration

Lest we forget Over the May Day bank holiday weekend Mr Edwards, Mr Mair, Mrs Dilley and I accompanied 45 Year 10 students on a trip to France and Belgium for the History Department’s annual First World War Battlefields Tour.

Bonjour Bordeaux

During the trip we visited a variety of sites on the Western Front around the Belgian town of Ypres and the Somme region of France, where major battles took place between 1914 and 1918.

I’ve been lucky enough to go on this trip several times now and am always struck by how much the First World War is still a part of life today in Northern France and Belgium. There are the physical reminders: the trenches, the craters and even unexploded shells left at the roadside by farmers who have turned them up whilst ploughing their fields. Then there’s the spectacular Menin Gate where at 8pm every evening, without fail, the traffic is stopped and the last post sounded by officers from the Belgian Fire Brigade to commemorate the Allied troops who fought and died at Ypres during the war.

This had particular resonance for us this year as 2014 is the centenary year.

Some of the memorials and cemeteries are vast – with hundreds, even thousands of graves – and tens of thousands of names on the memorials to commemorate those who died but whose bodies were never found. These can be rather overwhelming due to sheer numbers, but our guide Neil Matthews helped us to make more of a personal

In April eighteen Year 10 students said goodbye to Bristol and bonjour to Bordeaux as they travelled to France to take part in an exchange visit with our partner school, Saint-Genès. After a weekend spent getting to know their hosts, the week was spent accompanying them to morning lessons before enjoying an afternoon trip or activity. These included a visit to the ancient village of Saint Emilion, where they learnt how wine is made, and to the cathedral, where the reward for climbing all 240 steps of the tower was an amazing view of the whole of Bordeaux.

Their final day in Bordeaux was spent enjoying one of the things France does best – food! They bought fresh bread from a boulangerie for a picnic lunch and then went to Labo et Gato, a French shop, where they learnt how to make the Bordeaux speciality: macaroons. Everyone agreed the week had been wonderful, not only due to the improvement in their French understanding and pronunciation but also thanks to the beautiful weather in Bordeaux.

connection by focusing on individual graves or names and telling us the stories of those particular soldiers. Some of the students were able to visit the graves or find the names on memorials of relatives who had fought and died. All the students on the trip, though, were able to make a personal connection when we visited sites associated with former BGS students.

On our visit to the giant Canadian war memorial at Vimy Ridge we found Stanley Martin’s name. He was a student at BGS who emigrated to Canada before the war but who then volunteered to fight when Canada (which was then still part of the British Empire) sent troops to fight in Europe. He was killed at Vimy Ridge in 1915. We also visited the Gloucester Cross at Longueval on the Somme which commemorates the troops from the Gloucestershire Regiment who were killed fighting in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The regiment included the Bristol Pals’ Battalion which was made up of young men who signed up from Bristol and which included quite a number of former BGS pupils – some of whom would have only left the School shortly before the outbreak of war.

Sara Bassett

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e r u t dven

A Moroccan

A

This was the ninth year of the BGS Year 9 Morocco expedition and saw seventy students and ten teachers fly to Marrakesh for an eightday adventure trekking in Morocco.

After a first night in Marrakesh, the group split into five trekking groups to set out on their five days of walking. Each group arrived at a local guest house, where they were introduced to the guide, cook and mule drivers that would be leading them on their expedition.

The Moroccan weather didn’t disappoint, with the groups enjoying temperatures of thirty degrees plus – sun cream was definitely required. As the treks progressed, groups were joined by the local children for a game of football, the exchange of gifts and were even taught a few Moroccan games. At night the guides, cook and mule drivers would teach traditional songs and dances, as the day’s achievements were celebrated around a roaring campfire.

Their treks complete, the five groups began their long journeys back to Marrakesh where the students enjoyed a lively reunion swapping tales of the challenges each group had faced and the amusing mishaps to have befallen individual members. Harry McCartney, however, took the prize for worst injury, having broken his forearm in the evening of the penultimate day of walking which provided him with the added adventure of a trip to Ouarzazate hospital.

There was time for the students to add to their memories of Morocco before their return home with a trip to the Soukh.

They tried out their bartering skills while soaking up the vibrant colours, sounds and smells of the bustling market.

Everyone, students and teachers, has brought back their own memories of the trip – be it of the fun of sleeping on the roof alongside their friends, the satisfaction of reaching the campsite after a hard day’s trekking or of their first experience of the markets in Marrakesh.

Summing up their Moroccan adventure, one of the students declared “I’ll never forget anything I saw there.”

Pompeii, panoramas and pasta On Monday 7 April, 28 Year 7 students, accompanied by Mr Watkins, Mr King and Miss Cox, set off from BGS at the unearthly time of 2.30am to travel to Italy.

A flight to Rome, then a coach to the Bay of Naples brought them to their hotel, the Panorama Palace, happily situated between a beach and a gelateria.

A packed first day saw them visit the fantastically preserved town of Herculaneum and then climb Vesuvius.

The view from the top was incredible, even if the coach trip up and back was a little scary on the narrow hairpin bends!

Day two took them to Pompeii where, as well as the wonders of this ancient city, the students also enjoyed seeing Mr Watkins and Miss Cox recreate gladiatorial combat in the amphitheatre.

The final full day included a trip to Naples Archaeological Museum then lunch in a volcano. There was no danger – although the sulphurous smell did take the edge off a few people’s appetites.

The day ended with a visit to Pozzuoli to look around the chambers under the amphitheatre, where the animals and gladiators would have waited to go out to fight.

With so many great sites visited, and so much delicious pasta and ice cream eaten, all in glorious Italian sunshine, everyone had a wonderful time and it was a trip to remember.

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Literary Events

A bucketful of fun!

An evening of Chick(pea) Lit: Jenny Chandler on her new book, Pulse Do you know your borlotti from your pinto? Have you ever thought of eating fresh chickpeas? What about chocolate brownies made with a can of beans (black beans, not baked)? All these ideas came up in a very entertaining Literary Event evening in which Jenny Chandler talked about her passion for bringing pulses back into the modern British diet.

Think back to 'pease pudding hot' and you can see where she is coming from.

Jenny took us on her journey of discovery of pulses, starting with Spain, where she studied and worked. Spanish markets were brimming with many varieties of beans and peas, and they are not limited to the vegetarians among us, as she discovered when she pre‑ordered meat-free food for an American group, only to find that the chef had added a special something, to produce a traditional Spanish combo of chick peas, vegetables … and chorizo. The Spanish

use pulses to bulk out the meat and add special textures and flavours that vary from region to region.

We are used to baked beans but, as Jenny showed us, every part of the world from India to Latin America has its ways with beans, often in dishes for carnivores. Jenny’s real selling point, however, was the all-important taste factor. The audience indeed had a chance to sample some of Jenny’s recipes in crostini prepared by the BGS catering team, including broad bean and mint and cannellini with bacon and sage purees, all very distinctive and delicious.

So yet again, organiser Lucy Shepherd led us into previously unexplored terrain in the printed word, providing a convivial evening, all helped by the seductive strains of the band, Lionel Ritchie and the Wardrobe.

Di Swain

The Puffin Prize

The competition is open to all students in Years 6, 7 and 8, and this year’s stimulus was a Lowry painting of a man lying on a brick wall smoking, with his briefcase and umbrella next to him. BGS teachers faced the tricky task of shortlisting the entries before Puffin editor Tig Wallace selected a winner and two runners-up.

This year’s winner was Year 7 student Joseph with a story entitled Adrian’s Wall, and the runners-up were Ellie in Year 8 and Leif from Year 7. This was the third top‑three place in a row for Ellie, who was the competition winner in the previous two years! Joseph, Ellie and Leif were presented with their prizes at a special assembly by Ian Whybrow, author of Harry and his Dinosaurs and lots of other children’s books.

The Puffin Prize is now in its ninth year, having been established in 2006 in recognition of the fact that Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin (and Puffin) books, was a student at BGS.

BGS Infants proudly showed off their dinosaur knowledge and learnt some great dino moves when author Ian Whybrow came to visit on Thursday 19 June.

Ian, author of the popular Harry and his Dinosaurs series, shared some of his stories with the children, including Harry and the Dinosaurs say Raahh!, all about a trip to the dentist. During the telling, the children learnt that a stegosaurus is as wide as the Great Hall (probably true) and that the Olympic record for dinosaur mouthwash spitting is 38.23m (definitely not true).

They also brought the story to life, joining in with synchronised T-Rex impressions, flapping like pterodactyls and tiptoeing like a stegosaurus. The interactive and enthusiastic storytelling (and the popularity of Harry and his dinosaurs) held the audience rapt from start to finish.

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Rebecca Lisle

g n i d r dygua

Bo

at BGS

On 30 April BGS was treated to an exciting morning with author Chris Bradford, who talked to Years 6 and 7 about his Bodyguard series.

It started with some first-hand bodyguard action. Mr Huckle was talking to Years 6 and 7 in the Great Hall when Chris Bradford, suddenly informed of ‘a threat’, grabbed Mr Huckle and ushered him to safety: all very exciting!

The talk began with a question, ‘What do bodyguards look like?’ Students suggested that they wear sunglasses all the time, are sometimes physically large and blend into the crowd (Chris Bradford spent the morning with his sunglasses on, and wore a black tee-shirt). We were also asked to consider whether girls or guys make better bodyguards. An American newsreel showed how female bodyguards are often taken for friends or girlfriends,

but – as another video showed – some are trained by having bottles smashed over their heads!

To write his highly popular Young Samurai series, Bradford learnt various martial arts, including Aikido and Shotokan Karate. A self-described ‘method author’, he took an intensive bodyguard-training course to learn the skills employed by Connor in Hostage.

When Rhiannon from Year 7 helped in a reading from Hostage, Chris had everything required to set the scene: a timed scream, an assassin and a water‑pistol!

At the end Bradford gave a reading from Ransom, in which bodyguards Connor and Ling are on a yacht that encounters a threat. When Connor was about to fire a flare, Chris Bradford shot a confetti gun into the air: a brilliant ending to a fantastic talk.

Both the Young Samurai and the Bodyguard series are in the Library: so if you want to know what happens to Connor and Ling, borrow a book and find out!

Laura Frude and Sarah Kleiman

In the same way that the principle behind local author Becky Lisle’s writing is “What would I most like to read about?”, the principle behind her talk to Years 3, 4 and 5 was “What would I want an author to talk about?”. The principle worked as she held the attention of the children on a hot, airless afternoon at the end of a very busy term.

Thanks to her remarkable foresight in keeping so much memorabilia from her childhood and early life, Becky was able to demonstrate to the children how she had developed from a seven-year-old dreamer (with an imaginary mother called Saucer who followed the family car in a little trailer) to the acclaimed author of 26 books.

She shared letters, secrets, pictures and her childhood diary highlighting the inevitable fallings-out between little girls at school. She shared stories of her own school days (an unhappy experience, particularly when being taught Maths by the sadistic Mr Perry) and photographs of her childhood pets, including the puppy whose teeth fell out.

The children saw one of her first attempts at a novel, Two on a Treasure Trail, and at a comic strip, The Battles of Ballerina Betty, as well as her first book in French (extracts of which were read by bilingual Isaac and Zac to great acclaim from their peers).

The children were given a wonderful insight into her sources of inspiration and they could have gone on asking questions all afternoon. Rebecca left the children with an important message: for any piece of work to become as a good as it can be, it is necessary to reflect on first attempts and keep refining with changes, corrections and improvements. Even then, she is never completely satisfied and feels her books could always be that little bit better.

Peter Huckle

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Performing Arts

z z Ja

Barbecue

Under the Sea

This year’s Year 6 play The Little Mermaid Junior explored the theme of young people growing up and finding their place in the world – a fitting choice for Year 6 as they say farewell to BGS Juniors and look forward to the next phase of their education.

Every member of the year-group was involved and worked with great enthusiasm to learn all of their choruses.

Special mention must go to Josh and Tarun for their musical performances and to the Mersisters for their performances of Daughters of Triton and She’s in Love. Thank you to those who supported the play, led by Mr Marsh and Mrs Cullen, for their production, direction, staging and encouragement of the whole cast. This was a really ‘feel good’ show and a fitting way to end a very busy, compact half term.

The Friends of BGS Jazz Barbecue was a sell-out even before the weather forecast made it clear that – for the first time in a long time – the weather was going to be as wonderful as the food and entertainment on offer.

Parents, students and staff gathered to enjoy some great music, delicious food and warm company – an experience no doubt enhanced by the summer sunshine.

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Pop Medley

Matilda

There was plenty of talent on display in the Middle School Play, although perhaps none quite as precocious as Matilda, the heroine of Roald Dahl’s story.

Inspired by students during the audition process, Director Mr McKenzie chose to cast two Matildas, played by Ellie and Caitlin and two Trunchbulls – terrifyingly portrayed by Laura and Ned This quartet led the ensemble cast in a performance that was full of the wit, warmth, and black humour associated with Dahl’s work.

Congratulations to all who contributed to this fantastic production, both on stage and behind the scenes – it was a truly memorable show.

The School Concert on Wednesday 7 May was the setting for the wonderful Year 5 and Year 7 Pop Medley. The Great Hall was filled by the sound of the BGS Choir, along with all of Year 5 and Year 7, singing a medley of Simon and Garfunkel songs. Arranged and conducted by BGS Director of Music, Richard Osmond, and accompanied by Bristol University Symphonia, the medley made for uplifting listening, particularly the exuberance of the children’s singing of You Can Call Me Al and the inspirational finale, Bridge Over Troubled Water. It was a great experience for the children and an excellent collaboration between colleagues in the Junior and Senior Schools, enjoyed by all who took part.

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Infant Sports Day The sun shone down on Failand for the BGS Infant Sports Day on Thursday 15Â May. The children all had a fantastic time running, jumping and throwing and it was wonderful to see the way they encouraged each other as they took part in all the events. A big thank you to the organising team, our Year 5 helpers and to all the parents and grandparents who came along to join in the fun.

Three times the f

Junior School Sports Day Friday 13 June was definitely not unlucky for BGS Juniors who enjoyed a day of glorious sunshine at Failand for their annual Sports Day. Competitive spirit, friendly rivalry and great enthusiasm and support were all in evidence as the children competed for their Houses. Well done to Boulton’s House who claimed the title this year.

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Senior School Sports Day On Wednesday 25 June the Senior School made the short trip to Newport Stadium for a whole day of athletics.

From Year 7s at their first event to the Upper Sixth saying goodbye, House spirit was much in evidence with every competitor giving their all in every event.

Eighteen School records were broken – particularly notable was Sports Scholar Christian Pestell who broke the Under 12 Boys’ Long Jump record, which had stood since 1976! Congratulations also to the Junior Victor and Victrix Ludorum, Sujan and Emma and Mark and Ada’ora the Senior Victor and Victrix Ludorum, and of course to the overall winners Diamond’s House.

fun at Sports Day

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Sport ISFA National Seven-a-side Girls Football Tournament Athletics

Golf

Rosie who became the U13 800m Avon and West of England County Champion on 13 May. Rosie won the race with a new personal best of 2.28.3 minutes.

Catherine who won the discus and came second in the shot, Emma who won the 200m, javelin and long jump and Hugh who won the 1500m in the Bristol Schools’ championships.

Megan who was selected to compete in the javelin and 200m events at the National Championships on 21 June following the Regional Air Cadets Athletics Championships.

Lottie who was selected to be a member of the Avon County Sportshall Athletics team. The team competed in the UK Finals in Manchester and finished second.

OB Emily on selection for the GB Senior team at the European Team Championships in Germany on 21–22 June. Emily has also been selected for the England Team at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and recently made her Diamond League debut in Oslo at the Bislett Games – the first ever ‘Diamond’ to compete in the Diamond League!

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Rory (Year 8) and Tom (Year 9) won the team competition at the Avon Schools’ Golf Championship with Rory being the individual champion of the competition. The boys are now due to play in the national schools’ competition in July.

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The Year 10 and 11 boys’ Badminton team – Justin Rishi Jono , Alfie and Ben – who competed in the England Schools’ Badminton Finals in Nottingham, finishing an impressive ninth.

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The U11 tennis team of Tarun Tobey Arthur Jay Harry and James who defeated Clifton High 20–1.

With the addition of Jack Charlie Lucus Jakob Saskia and Issy the team also beat Clifton College by 47 games to 15 – the first victory in this annual fixture for many years!

Badminton

Cricket Mark

Charlie and James who were selected to play cricket for the Bristol District U10s.

Netball

Rebecca and Ada’ora have both been reselected for the England Netball Regional Academy – a fantastic achievement.

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Swimming

Alysia and Ollie who were part of the winning Gloucestershire County swimming team. Alysia swam 100m freestyle in a personal best of 1.04 minutes; Ollie came second in the 50m freestyle in a time of 26.4 seconds, and with his team won both of the 50m freestyle relays.

Jono who has qualified for the British Swimming Championships in August after coming fifth in the 100m butterfly for the South West. Jono has taken an impressive two seconds off his personal best time since January, and about five seconds off over the last twelve months.

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Tennis

On Thursday 12 June, BGS took a squad of nine girls to Haileybury College to participate in the ISFA National U15 Seven-a-side Girls Football Tournament, returning the following Wednesday with eleven girls to compete in the U13 tournament.

On both days, the girls acquitted themselves exceptionally well. The U15s performed heroically in the group stages, recording one win and three defeats.

Going home after the group stage was not a surprise, in view of the superior experience and preparations of our opponents, and should take nothing away from the girls who played with tremendous heart and no shortage of skill in places.

The U13s were in amazing form in the group stages, recording four victories, including a 6–1 demolition of hosts Haileybury. After overcoming Aldenham in the semi-finals the girls faced John Warner, whom they had beaten in the group stages. Alas, this was a game too far for the girls who lost 2–1 but they did themselves proud, not just for the result against opposition far more practised and prepared, but the way they played, several officials commenting on their sense of fair play and competitive spirit throughout the day.

A massive well done and thank you to all the girls who gave up an entire day for the tournament: Jenny Poppy Olivia (captain), Anisha Ellie Rebecca Ellie Abi and Eloise (U15s) and Sophie Amy Emily Sophie Georgie Mary Ellie Lauren Phoebe Charlie and captain Lottie (U13s).

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Sport Rounders The U11 girls played in a tournament at St John’s School in Chepstow in glorious Welsh sunshine. Improving both with the bat and in the field as the day went on, the girls missed out on going through to the Cup by half a rounder! They went on to become runners-up in the plate competition and built on this great start to the season with victories against Clifton High and Colston’s School.

Cricket The young First XI began their term with a fine seven wicket win against King’s Worcester: since then they have been beaten by more experienced opponents.

Players within the other age groups are also making their mark. There are seven county and sixteen district players in the U12 to U15 teams who have contributed to the success of the cricket season. The U15 and U14 sides have lost just three matches between them, the U13s have reached the quarter final of the national cup, and the U12 side has won all of its games so far.

Cricket has also been introduced to the girls’ games programme and they will hopefully have played their first fixtures against local opposition by the time you are reading this. Ellie (Year 9) is currently playing in the BGS U14 boys’ team and plays girls’ county cricket at U15 and U17 level, adult club cricket for Bristol Phoenix and has attended an England training weekend, hosted at Loughborough.

Skiing Issy from 10.6 recently raced in the ISF World School Games in Sierra Nevada. There were twelve countries participating with the best skiers from all over the world. Each of the twelve teams had five racers in the Girls' U16 category.

Issy was chosen as the top seed for the England team and, competing against future Olympic Athletes, was delighted to come fifteenth out of sixty in the U16s overall. Her results placed her sixth in the competition in her age‑group.

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Sport

OBs

Eventing Success at Stonar!

The sun shone at the Stonar InterSchools Horse Trials set in the beautiful grounds of Cottles Park in Wiltshire.

Alex Anya and Tara and their three greys made up the team for the 80cm class. The cross country course set a variety of fences to negotiate including two water jumps, drops and hedges. With only three team members and one of our competitors on a young, inexperienced pony, the girls were delighted to finish midway down the highly competitive field of 32 teams that were competing.

Particular congratulations go to Alex and her pony Harold who went clear in the show jumping and flew around the cross country course inside the time to finish a creditable fifth in her section of fifty starters, and to individual entrant Tara who, with her pony Little Boy Blue, was representing the School for the first time and was very proud to wear the school colours and silk.

Wartime memories from an OB In 1944 I was a 14-year-old schoolboy at Bristol Grammar School, having started there in 1940 at the age of 10. Bristol Grammar School had its own Army Cadet Corps which offered boys an opportunity to train as soldiers.

When I started school this was called the Officers' Training Corps (OTC) with cadets wearing First World War uniforms complete with puttees and peak caps.

There was also a magnificent Corps Band with bugles, fifes and drums.

By the time I was old enough to join the cadets, the name had been changed to the Junior Training Corps (JTC) and more up-to-date army battledress was being issued, apart from the greatcoat I was given, which looked more like a cast-off from the German army.

The Corps paraded on Tuesday afternoons when we received instruction in a wide range of military skills leading to Cert.A, an army qualification.

As a member of the Corps I was well informed about the progress of the war.

I well remember going to the Royal Fort to see a captured film about the German Panzer Division's ruthless advance through the Ardennes towards Dunkirk when it seemed nothing could stop them!

Once a year our training was put to the test when we set off for a 'Field Day', a realistic army manoeuvre.

I shall never forget the field day in June 1944 when we set off early in the morning which, unknown to us at the time, turned

out to be D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy.

We were taken in lorries out through Whitchurch into the countryside and spent a glorious day firing blank ammunition with our .303 rifles and trying to avoid the thunderflashes being set off by the 'enemy'.

At the end of the day we boarded the lorries to return to school. We were tired and dirty with our uniforms looking rather dishevelled, our faces blackened and our steel helmets bearing traces of camouflage. As we came in through Whitchurch we suddenly became aware that people were taking an interest in us and by the time we reached Knowle, there was applause from people on the pavement.

It was when we heard a lady remark to her companion, "Don't they look young!", that we realised we had been mistaken for real soldiers.

It was only when we arrived back at School that we discovered our troops had landed on the Normandy beaches that day and people must have thought we were the first wave of the invasion assault team returning home!

Terry Male, OB 1940–48

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OBs 'Panama Paddlers' set a new world record Former Bristol Grammar School pupils Arron Ford and Rob Cunliffe have paddled their way into the record books on a 1,000 kilometre, 63-day epic journey around the Panama coastline – they have paddled further than any person in the history of man.

But this wasn’t just a journey for fun – the two boys were aiming to raise awareness of conservation issues in Panama. Along the way they collected samples and data in the hope it could contribute to the environmental protection of the area and its wildlife.

In addition they were also successful in discovering three Antillean manatee populations that were previously unknown to the Western world (two groups were found directly from their paddleboards and one population was already known to a local conservation team).

Following their journey they are looking forward to “R and R, enjoying the taste of success and putting some weight back on, surfing, watching the World Cup and enjoying a few cold beers.”

#BGS Family In May 2014, the Old Bristolians were delighted to host a London Dinner at Painters’ Hall a magnificent Livery Hall in the City of London.

The grandeur of the venue was surpassed (if that is possible) by the superb menu accompanied by fine wines with each course. That we were able to hold this dinner at such an exceptional venue was thanks to the help of OB Nick Levens, owner of Life’s Kitchen, who provided us with a discounted rate.

The evening brought together a mix of people who are united by the School as their common interest. Former pupils ranging from 24- to 84-year-olds rubbed shoulders with current and former staff as

well as former parents. We are delighted that all these people consider themselves as part of the BGS family and continue to support the School by attending events, lending time, helping with careers and networking as well as the many who generously give financial support to the School’s bursary and capital projects.

At BGS we believe that we build a community and that this doesn’t stop once people have left the School. News of events coming for the future can be found on the Old Bristolians’ multimedia sites: www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/ oldbristolians Facebook: Old Bristolians’ Group Twitter @OldBristolians

Parents of Class of 2014 support future pupils The parents of many Upper-sixth leavers generously donated some or all of their school deposit to the Michael Booker Bursary Fund and thus we are delighted to be able to offer £3,000 towards the fees for a pupil next year.

The support of these parents along with OBs, former staff and friends of the School means that we can extend our exceptional education to a broad range of children, irrespective of their families’ means.

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Diary dates

Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR Senior School 0117 973 6006 Junior School 0117 973 6109 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

September Monday 1 September: INSET Day Tuesday 2 September: Senior School new student induction day BGS Infants and Juniors family picnic, 2.00–3.30pm Wednesday 3 September: Start of term Friday 5 September: Year 7 Beetle Drive, Failand, 4.00–6.00pm Monday 8 September: Headmaster’s Reception for Year 7 parents, Great Hall 7.00pm Tuesday 9 September: An introduction to GCSEs for Year 10 parents, Great Hall 7.00pm Thursday 11 September: An introduction to ‘A’ levels for Lower-sixth parents, Great Hall 7.00pm Saturday 13 September: Bristol Doors Open Day, Great Hall Wednesday 17 September: BGS Infants and Juniors Open Morning,

W e a r e v e r y e x c i t e d t o a n n o u n c e t h at

WILL SELF Shark w i l l b e ta l k i n g a b o u t h i s n e w b o o k

at BGS o n

10.00am–12noon. Friends of BGS Year 7 Pot Luck Supper

Thursday 13 November

October

K e e p t h i s dat e f r e e ! T i c k e t s ava i l a b l e s o o n

Wednesday 1 October: Friends of BGS Pot Luck Supper for Year 9 parents Friday 3 October: Whole School Open Evening, 4.00–8.00pm Monday 6 October: BGS Infants and Juniors Harvest Festival Wednesday 15 October: Friends of BGS Sixth Form Pot Luck Supper Wednesday 22 October: INSET Day Thursday 23 October–Friday 31 October: Half-term

November Wednesday 5 November: Sixth Form Open Evening for external candidates, Great Hall 5.00–8.00pm Thursday 6 November: Friends of BGS Year 11 Pot Luck Supper

An evening of

Bristol wildlife Author and naturalist Ed Drewitt will be talking about his book, Urban Peregrines, and about wildlife in Bristol.

The Great Hall on Tuesday 16 September.

More details available early in the Autumn term.

Thursday 13 November: Whole School Open Morning, 10.00am–12noon

December Monday 1 December: BGS Christmas Market Tuesday 2–Saturday 6 December: Senior School Musical Monday 8 December: Infant Nativity, Great Hall 3.30pm Wednesday 10 December: Junior School Carol Service, Great Hall Thursday 11 December: Senior School Lessons and Carols

Keep up-to-date For latest news from BGS and to find out what’s coming up, you can keep in touch via our website www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk We also have a Bristol Grammar School Facebook page and you can follow us on Twitter @BGSBristol

Friday 12 December: End of term Design: adartdesign.co.uk Printed on 100% recycled stock using vegetable inks

Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity No. 1104425