Bromsgrovian 2013

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BROMSGROVE SCHOOL

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

FLAIR • DISCIPLINE • ACADEMIC RIGOUR

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Contents Editorial...................................... 3 Junior Bromsgrovian.................. 5 Pre-Preparatory and Nursery...... 8 Preparatory School..................... 21 Music......................................... 30 Trips and Tours........................... 40 Sport.......................................... 44 Page House................................ 64 Staff Leavers............................... 70 Prize Winners and Valete............ 75 Senior Bromsgrovian.................. 85 House Reports............................ 88 Commemoration Day.................. 110 Destination of Leavers................. 114 Staff Leavers............................... 118

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Year Group Reports.................... 130 Music & Drama.......................... 134 Trips & Activities......................... 146 CCF & D of E.............................. 159 Sport.......................................... 164 Obituaries................................... 189

With thanks to The School Photography Company for supplying team photos.

Editorial

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Experiences such as those of Old Bromsgrovian Simon Bucknall, whose speech at Commemoration Day was inspirational for children and adults alike. From being Head Boy at Bromsgrove School to becoming twice UK and Ireland Champion of Public Speaking, his key message was to become the best Bromsgrovian one can, and throughout this magazine there are examples of pupils doing just that - from helping in the community and undertaking eco-action activities around Bromsgrove town through to achieving academic, sporting and musical heights.

There have been numerous sporting successes, not least for the 1st netball team who were winners of the National title ten years ago in the Prep School and won it again at U19 level as Upper Sixth Formers.

As I write this we are experiencing a heatwave in the UK and it is one of the hottest days since 2006.

At this time seven years ago some of our youngest students were finishing the Summer Term as Year 2 pupils and anticipating the next stage in their School lives at the Prep School. These Year 2 pupils are now transitioning into the Upper Fourth Form where a host of opportunities and experiences await.

A host of musical triumphs have taken place with the Chapel Choir at Windsor Castle and the Chamber Choir in York Minster.

We lose some very talented musicians from the Upper Sixth, but I have no doubt that if younger pupils seize the opportunities which await them, we will see many more flourish throughout the School.

To the pupils in Year 2 and Year 8 who are now continuing their journey to the Prep and Senior Schools respectively, I look forward to following your successes and reading about the experiences you have taken with you. And to the Upper Sixth who are now part of our Old Bromsgrovian family, your time may have ended at the School but as an alumnus your journey will continue.

My thanks to all of the staff for their contributions, and to the marketing department for their many hours of proof reading.

I wish all of our pupils, staff, Old Bromsgrovians and Friends of the School a happy and successful year ahead.

Megan Griffiths Editor

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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Headmistress’ Overview Our pupils are still taught the determination to win, to be the best they can and to make a difference but to also be kind, caring, compassionate and decent. This is no small feat, but vital if our young pupils are to become successful and moral adults of the future. The Prep and Pre-Prep School community is vibrant and strong. The pupils are immensely proud of their School. We are striving to create adults of the future who will have the strength, commitment and desire to take on the world’s troubles and make them better.

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This School year has once again been a very busy one and how quickly it has passed.

Academically, we have celebrated the most successful set of Year 8 scholarships to the Senior School. All splendid achievements, of which we are proud. These successes do not come easily - the pupils worked hard to achieve them.

The School continues to flourish. We put the emphasis on the pupil and on personal development, whether it be in high quality academics, music, art, drama or sport; all continue to be at the heart of shaping out pupils’ young lives. We have worked hard in order to continue to preserve the magic of childhood; to celebrate the early Pre-Prep years of innocence and to share the delight of the world around them along with a first class introduction to learning. Our pupils become literate and numerate during these early years, developing enquiring minds and learning the joy of achievement.

The music department has a lively and vibrant energy about it and is thriving. The choir has grown so much that there are no longer enough choir robes for each child, and the choir stalls have been filled to capacity with choristers now having to sit on the altar steps. Friday afternoon rehearsals in Maple Hall are one of my favourite times of the week, as I listen to a variety of genres being sung, whilst working at my desk.

Drama is also flourishing in both the Pre-Prep and Prep. The Year 6 production of Olivia, was a wonderful and inclusive collaboration of music and drama. The remarkable Year 8 production of The Course Acting Company, brought out the most amazing levels of acting skills in the children, whilst the Year 2 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a celebration of energetic singing and dancing; a fabulous end to the pupils’ time at the Pre-Prep.

Once again this academic year has been filled with some tremendous sporting feats for both boys and girls. Sport continues to grow in terms of the number of pupils representing the School, at all levels. Throughout the year, over 750 School fixtures have taken place for boys and girls. Remarkably Bromsgrove’s girls have qualified for National Finals in every single one of our major sports. County hockey and netball champions, silver and bronze medallists in the IAPS Cross Country, national swimming champions, County cricket finalists and major athletic successes are all tremendous achievements.

There have been many exciting events and learning opportunities which have enhanced and developed the pupils’ time with us. The Year 8 trip to the battlefields of WWI was a huge success and is to be extended next year. I was proud to see young Bromsgrovians honour previous OBs who perished in the trenches of that most dreadful conflict.

From the recent Year 4 expedition to the wild forests of Oxfordshire; the many exhibitions and assemblies organised for parents; the ever popular and successful ski trip; visits to art galleries; field trips; visiting authors; symphony concerts and drama productions to the visiting story tellers and pirates; forest school activities and pond dipping; drumming workshops and theatre trips, the busy life at Bromsgrove Prep and Pre-Prep School always adds value to the rigorous academic learning that takes place within the classrooms.

Last September the new Prep School Boarding House opened its doors for the first time. Page House has proven to be a vibrant, caring and family focussed home for those children in our School who live away from home. The residential staff, supported by the boarding tutors, have ensured that from day one Page House has been a welcoming, caring and comfortable second home for the boarders. They have worked tirelessly to provide the children in their care with every opportunity any parent could wish for; trips, pizza and DVD nights, birthday parties, help with prep, evening sports, snooker, baking...

This is an exciting time for the Prep and Pre-Prep and as we say goodbye to our Year 8 leavers we can look forward to the new academic year starting after a relaxing summer break.

J Deval-Reed

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

PRE-PREPARATORY & NURSERY SCHOOL

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Nursery Nursery children have enjoyed another fun-filled year, punctuated by seasonal celebrations and events such as: • candlelit story of Rama and Sita at Diwali; • decorating our Christmas tree together; • fun in the snow; • going on an Easter Egg hunt; • performing our Litter Muncher concert for proud families; • re-enacting the tale of St George in the outdoor classroom; • participating at Wacky Races and Sports Day.

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For Nursery pupils, every day is filled with learning and discovery through a balance of child-initiated play and adult-led activity sessions. This term, we have journeyed around the world with staff and family-led experiences of different countries, cultures and languages through food, songs, stories, visitors, clothes and photos from places far and near.

I would like to thank the Nursery staff for their hard work and congratulate us all on an exceptional recent EYFS Audit rating of 6.8 (max 7) by Worcestershire following detailed observation of our environment, interaction, planning, learning opportunities and children’s outcomes.

Finally, I would like to wish Mrs Sandra Parkes, joint Head of Nursery, every happiness on her retirement. She will be greatly missed by all Nursery staff, children and families.

S Symonds

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MUNCHER

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The LITTER

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Reception The children enjoyed a Three Billy Goats Gruff

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themed day at Bishops Wood Centre.

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Reception pupils have had a busy and funfilled year, both working hard and playing hard! Pupils have certainly enjoyed their School grounds in the sunshine and the snow this year. Forest School has been wonderful and thanks go to Mrs Harris for helping out every Monday. The children have worked hard on the core skills of reading and writing and were able to practise these skills during our creative topic work.

During the Summer Term we studied a topic called The Big Red Bus and learnt about London and its famous landmarks. We were visited by Lenny the lion who usually lives in Trafalgar Square. Ollie Heath came in to Pre-Prep and we enjoyed a music workshop based on our London theme. We then moved onto a topic on mini-beasts while studying the stories of Eric Carle and observed caterpillars as they transformed into butterflies.

The year started with a topic called All About Me. The pupils learnt all about themselves and every child gave a talk entitled Marvellous Me where they learnt about everyone in the class and found out information about their talents and hobbies.

Mrs Martin brought baby Florence in to visit and they found out about what they were like as babies. The Michaelmas term closed with the performance of our Nativity Play called Busy Busy Bethlehem and we all felt this was a very successful finish to a busy busy term!

Hopefully this gives a flavour of how hard we work in Reception while having great fun!

The author, Cat Weatherall, told the pupils traditional stories and they helped her to act them out. The term finished with a visit to Bishops Wood Environmental Centre where they had an excellent day outdoors completing activities based on The Three Billy Goats Gruff story.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

During the Lent term we studied a topic called Home Sweet Home and visited Avoncroft Museum to look at houses built a long time ago. The children enjoyed learning about animal homes too and particularly enjoyed finding out about the Arctic. When looking at people who help us, the class was visited by parents of the School with exciting occupations such as fire-fighters, dentists, vets and police officers.

C Dunlop

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Year 1 Year 1 had an exciting time in Forest School at the start of this year, furnishing the interior of their new Insect Hotel complete with three floors, each having a wealth of cosy places in which to hide. Many thanks go to Mr Murphy for constructing the super hotel.

Continuing with the outdoor theme, pupils enjoyed an excellent day in Worcester Woods Country Park. Clutching clipboards and tiptoeing quietly through the woodland, they were able to spot birds and squirrels as well as various trees and plants.

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Working on Little Red Riding Hood, pupils designed a get well card for Grandma using a computer programme, made a crumble dish to put into the basket and as a finale, performed a sound story with words and actions for the other classes.

Later in the Term, pupils had a very exciting hedgehog week. After reading and then writing stories about hedgehogs, they made hedgehog bread, which they then sold to their classmates to raise money for a rescue charity. The children then set up a hedgehog house in Forest School and rounded off the fantastic week by making clay hedgehogs as souvenirs.

Children also tried their hand at twitching during their visit to Upton Warren Wetlands Nature Reserve, where they played bird spotting bingo.

Following on from Design Technology work in the classroom, where the children designed and constructed their own bird boxes, they visited Lifestyle UK, also at Upton Warren.

The PA purchased a new nature camera so that pupils could capture images of badgers, foxes, mice, squirrels and birds in Forest School. The children were intrigued to find out which animals had been burrowing there and with the help of the camera, they found their answer.

Finishing off their Into the Woods topic, Year 1 held a Woodland Party. They wrote invitations to their toy woodland animals and brought them along to join in the fun. They went camping in tents and played at bird watching in the hides. Party games included an animal spotting challenge and a quiz on everything the children had learnt during the topic.

The Lent Term saw a fiery start for Year 1 as they learnt all about the Great Fire of London.

They began with an exciting trip to Hartlebury Museum where the pupils were fortunate to meet Samuel Pepys, who had travelled forward in time from the 17th Century to read extracts from his famous diary. Pepys amazed the children with experiments which demonstrated the ferocity of the fire.

The fact finding trip included a tour of a modern fire appliance, given by Hereford and Worcestershire’s Fire and Rescue Service, which the children later compared with the horse-drawn fire engine in the museum.

A visit from History group Living Past Times also ignited the pupils’ excitement about this topic. The children dressed up in different costumes and took part in role play activities with historically accurate props.

The topic culminated in watching the Tudor house models go up in flames. This captured the children’s imagination and enriched their experience of the topic.

Grandparents’ Day is always a popular activity for pupils, and this year was no exception. The children performed a small assembly for their special guests and then all Grandparents and children participated in a carousel of fun and interesting activities. This wonderful day was very much enjoyed by young and old alike.

Towards the end of the Lent Term, teachers and children were astonished to see a pirate in School. James Cuthbertson told pupils in Year 1 the story of how he became a pirate, during which the children sat spellbound.

They held his heavy sword and asked intelligent questions about a pirate’s life and were still talking about this exciting event at home time. Many thanks go to Mr Jonti Marks, Head of Drama at the Prep School, for his research and character acting.

After the Easter holiday, Year 1 were amazed to find three huge eggs in the Pre-Prep garden. At first, it appeared that they might be Easter eggs, but on closer inspection the children believed them to be dinosaur eggs.

The discovery of the eggs generated many questions and the children kept a close watch on developments, when they later found that one of the eggs had hatched. There was evidence of damaged flowers and half- eaten leaves near to the site. In addition, three smaller eggs were discovered. Mrs Deval Reed did not feel that there was cause for alarm, as the dinosaur and its hatchling are obviously herbivores, but the teachers told the children to be very careful if they spotted it!

Pupils were very proud to show the other classes their work at their own dinosaur museum. Visitors to the museum were treated to tea in the dino café after examining the wonderful exhibits. On display were fossils, imaginative sculptures and amazing models in the dinosaur art gallery. Pupils also had the chance to go on a special dinosaur dig.

The Year 1 teachers would like to thank parents and carers who worked so hard with their children to create the dinosaur models.

The dinosaur museum was a fantastic finish to what has been a fascinating topic for the children involved.

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The School grounds

echoed with the bloodcurdling cries of

pirates

on a treasure hunt...

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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Year 2

THE WAR YEARS During the Michaelmas term children arrived at School to find that they were to be evacuated to the safety of the country in rural Highley. With gas mask boxes, name tags, identity cards and an evacuees packed lunch they set off on the steam train from Kidderminster to Highley.

At Highley they practised what to do during an airraid attack, which included hiding in an Anderson shelter until they heard the all clear siren. The children enjoyed making a bucket chain and using a stirrup pump to put out fires, before heading back to School, singing WWII songs on the train to keep their spirits up.

Continuing with their WWII topic, pupils spent the day with the History Man, who transported them back to the dark and dangerous war years. Pupils handled genuine artefacts, joined the Home Guard, used an air-raid siren and cracked wartime codes.

African Animal Encounter

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We were visited by John, the animal man, who showed us African animals as we were starting our topic about Africa.

First we met Boomerang the African Pygmy hedgehog. If you felt her bristles on her head they feel rough and spiky. They live in deserts that are very hot.

Next we saw Fred the North African tortoise. He lived in the deserts of North Africa. He fed on weeds and plants. Fred’s ribcage is his shell!

This protects his organs.

After that an African owl called Scruff came out of his cage. Scruff came from the forest and is a carnivorous animal.

Later we saw some giant millipedes. One segment has 4 legs and they can have up to 240 legs altogether.

We also met two rather smelly monitor lizards called Dotty and George. I learnt that they had holes for ears to stop them getting stuck in burrows.

Thomas Griffiths, Year 2

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Year 2

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At the start of the Lent term, Year 2 undertook squire training when they were visited by Sir Teachalot. The children enjoyed a wonderful day, dressing up in medieval clothes and armour with the chance to handle museum quality artefacts. They particularly enjoyed seeing Mr Etty-Leal being dressed in a full suit of armour. The highlight of the day was the building, besieging and destroying of a castle using a trebuchet. Following this, pupils enjoyed a falconry display, to enhance their topic about Knights and Castles. They found out about the importance of falconry, not only as a sport but most importantly to provide food for the table.

Pupils also visited the historic Warwick Castle. The children had received a ransom note from the Evil Knight asking for fifty golden groats in return for the safe release of Princess Arabella, who was locked in a tower at the castle. Upon arrival pupils were greeted by a Knight who promised to deliver the ransom and to the children’s delight, when visiting the Princess Tower, they learnt that, thanks to them, Princess Arabella had been freed (just in time for her wedding!). As they were leaving the medieval playground they discovered a golden egg. The pupils agreed to take care of the egg until it hatched, back at School.

A week later there was great excitement when pupils discovered that the golden egg had hatched. Alongside the empty shell pupils found burnt books and an open window. This astonishing event led to much speculation and inspired some wonderful creative work by the children.

At the end of term, the pupils attended a Royal banquet. Dressed in medieval garb, the children performed traditional medieval dances and practised juggling like jesters in the Great Hall of Avoncroft Castle. They enjoyed a sumptuous feast followed by a Knighting ceremony. Parents and guests were invited to share in the children’s learning journey in a special assembly.

During the summer term, pupils became young chefs at Frankie and Benny’s where they created, and then enjoyed eating, their own pizzas. This was part of a Food Technology project which involved the children in designing ‘healthy’ pizzas. The children were visited by the restaurant staff who taught the children about the history of the restaurant and allowed them to sample the various toppings. It was a fabulous end to the half term.

JOSEPH

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Give me my

coloured coat my amazing coloured coat

Amy Pinfield

Jacob

Thomas Griffiths

Pharaoh

Sebastian Hall

Body Guards

Oscar Bridgewater and Cerin Moodley

Brothers

Charlie Abraham, Emelia Moberley, Ben Collett, Nancy Broadhurst, Olivia Slater, Grace Tate, Oliver Glaze, Francesca Jeacock, Gabriel Brown, Megan Wilson, Max Jehan

Cheerleaders

Lottie Brown, Millie Barnes, Serisha Sunner, Sophia Sellers, Emily Dyer, Luci Broadhurst, Kate Parmar, Charlotte Jones, Emma Dunnaker, Daisy Grey, Libby Rolph

Ishmaelites

Juliet Woolmore, Lola Hill, Tessa Pickering, Joseph McLoughlin, Archie Stone, Zaeem Croce

Farmers

Joseph’s Assistants

Eliza Eddington, George Eccles, Maddie Shorrock, Tavan Biran, Greta Loughran, Robbie Bayliss, Toby Lewis, Edward Thompson William Hicks, Charlie Bird, Freddie O’Rourke, Oliver Holden, Nicholas Dolan, Sam Davidson

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Cast Joseph

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Year 2 prizegiving

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Staff Leavers

Sandra Parkes 2009-2013

Sandra is a teacher with great experience who has stayed calm, spoken plainly and worked tirelessly to promote the best interests of the EYFS children and staff at Bromsgrove School.

Sandra has been instrumental in drawing together the Nursery and Reception staff teams into a cohesive unit and the children have also benefitted greatly from her knowledge and commitment to outdoor learning; with Forest School now an embedded highlight for all EYFS pupils.

Sandra is an enthusiastic, innovative leader, who can rest assured that we will continue her work, whilst regretting “saying goodbye” to a respected friend and colleague. Enjoy your retirement Sandra, you have certainly earned it and will be greatly missed!

S Symonds

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Sandra joined Bromsgrove School, as Head of Reception in 2009 and retires this year as joint Head of Nursery. She has been at the shared helm of Bromsgrove’s Early Years Foundation Stage during a pivotal period of change due to the national revision of EYFS teaching and learning. I am grateful to Sandra for seeing directly to the heart of such issues and for striving and achieving solutions which have proved workable, measurable and above all, benefitted the children in our care.

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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Year 3

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At the start of the Michaelmas Term, Year 3 thoroughly enjoyed getting ‘Lost in the Woods’ at Bodenham Arboretum. The day began with a tour and classification lesson of exploring the many tree and plant varieties in the amazing Arboretum. The children then went on beast hunts, made dream catchers and filled their collecting sticks with life from the forest. They built dens in tribes, made mud models of creatures and painted the tree barks with mud paint. Pupils also made natural pictures using charcoal, grasses and clay.

Parents enjoyed their own personally guided tour of the exhibition and delighted in all the pupils work with their child.

During the Lent Term Year 3 visited the Old Chapel in Senior School to discover, research and sketch Sir Robert Falcon Scott’s sledge from the Terra Nova Antarctic Expedition of 1912.

Our pupils became Antarctic Explorers 101 years later; the excitement of this historical adventure linked perfectly with their current topic on ice worlds. Later on in the day Sir Ernest Shackleton made an appearance for Year 3 as a very special guest.

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 drummed and danced all day with inspirational music and songs with Music Man Ollie Heath. The characters from The Enchanted Wood and Robin Hood’s band of Merry Men featured within the singing and drumming and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The interaction between Ollie and the children was lively and fun; they were enthralled with the exciting challenges of rhythm and movement which he set for them. A grand finale closed the day, with each year group teaching the others their musical chants and songs with accompaniments.

Year 3 pupils showed off their professional artistic skills in full, as they put on a woodland wonderland art exhibition for their parents in Maple Hall. Exhibits included 3D habitat dioramas, cushions the children had designed and sewn independently, leaflets, learning logs, poetry, maps, paintings, class books, habitat collages and boxes in which to market their homemade toffee.

Year 3 also received a surprise visitor from the RSPB. The lady informed the pupils that the delivery of penguin eggs they had received two weeks previously had actually been sent to the wrong address. Luckily, the RSPB had tracked them to the Prep School and took them away in order to incubate them properly.

430 BC ANCIENT GREECE Young Archaeologists from Year 3 discovered ancient findings at School and received a letter from Bromsgrove Council.

Pupils travelled back to the Year 430 BC where they became artisans and craftsmen making mosaics.

STOP PRESS! YEAR 3 DISCOVER ANCIENT FINDINGS

Pupils made carvings of the Parthenon from soap, created their own cures with Hippocrates using fennel, rosemary and lavender, and even made wax tablets using hot beeswax.

The afternoon was spent eating traditional Greek foods when Maple became the Amphitheatre for Greek dancing and plays. Slaves served the food whilst the citizens were entertained.

pupils danced and dined like real ancient Greeks

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AT ZORBAS RESTAURANT

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Professor McGinty, the famous time traveller visited

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Year 4 to teach them all about

Tudors

Year 4 As part of their Into the Woods topic, Year 4 went into the Wyre Forest to learn how to survive as one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men. They had to master the vital skills of shelter building and fire starting if they were to live successfully alongside Robin in Sherwood Forest. The children all worked very hard and would have made Robin Hood very proud.

Year 4 proved to be excellent hosts as they welcomed Year 1 children to the Preparatory School for an afternoon of activities related to their shared topic, Into the Woods. The children identified woodland animals by their tracks and then matched the animal to a description of its characteristics.

Later in the term, the pupils in Year 4 performed Hoodwinked, a slap-stick story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. The enthusiastic singing and acting was appreciated by parents and grandparents and it was evident that the children enjoyed their time in the spotlight.

As part of their Beyond the Great Wall topic, Year 4 celebrated with a special Chinese Day. Pupils tried their hand at various Chinese crafts and they wore many beautiful outfits, which made for a very colourful day. They had the opportunity to taste some traditional dishes created by the Prep School catering staff. Pupils also shared all that they had learned about China with their parents and grandparents during a special assembly.

Parents then had the opportunity to visit the classrooms to see the colourful displays and work in the childrens’ books.

Year 4 had a hair-raising time learning about static electricity. The pupils investigated electricity using balloons in the classroom and then visited the science lab where a Van der Graaf generator had been set up. Some pupils had the opportunity to see how the static electricity affected their hair when the generator charged them up!

At the end of the summer term, the pupils in Year 4 spent an amazing three days camping in the forest. During this time they learned how to carefully set up camp fires, cook over their open fires including trout (some hardy souls even ate the eyes), worked in tribes to build wonderful dens, had a go at orienteering, hiked through the forest and many more great outdoor activities. Thanks go to Mr and Mrs Wingfield, Miss Cartwright and Mrs Whiting for providing the pupils with such a fabulous experience.

Year 4: India Afternoon

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Year 4 embraced the chance to learn some Latin American rhythms and danced their way through Samba, Flamenco and Merengue with the very popular (and amazingly energetic) Columbian dance teacher, Juanita. It is not for the faint-hearted, but Year 4 were up for the challenge and had great fun.

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Year 5 Year 5 have enjoyed a huge range of activities this year from participating in the Young Voices concert with over 1500 other children at the LG Arena close to Christmas, to outdoor adventures at Blackwell during the last week of term.

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The Michaelmas Term was certainly a busy start to the year; with a visit to Harvington Hall and Coughton Court investigating what life was like during the 16th and 17th Centuries and how the local area was involved in the Gunpowder Plot. There were priest holes to be explored and hiding places to be found.

However, we quickly found that Year 5 pupils would not be anywhere near quiet enough to hide from the pursuivants for any extended period.

Hockey and rugby teams were out on most Wednesdays and Year 5 settled in brilliantly to their new curriculum, timetable and class organisation. There was a trip to the pantomime at the Swan Theatre in Worcester, where Snow White’s evil stepmother took rather a shine to our very own Mr Jones. The Lent Term continued in this busy way, with lessons, activities and sporting fixtures of all kinds taking place despite the huge snowfalls which covered the School.

Summer holidays seemed to have arrived only a few short days after the end of the Easter term this year, but Year 5 still managed to pack in chocolate making and advertising, a trip to Twycross Zoo to consolidate their learning in geography about rainforests, a day out at Blackwell Adventure and a DT project which produced some fantastic washbags.

In the midst of all this, the pupils have developed confidence around School and both individually and collectively achieved great things this year.

R Whiting

Pupils in Year 5 were

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young voices

in fine voice for the concert at the lg arena.

Year 4: India Afternoon

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Junior Maths Challenge I had a very good time at Cheltenham College doing the Junior Maths Challenge. The questions were very difficult. First, there was a mental maths test. It was very hard and out of the 66 schools only one got all correct. Next, there was the Countdown. Then came the Main Event.

The questions were demanding. You had to finish them in 30 minutes. The amount of pressure on us was incredible. In the results table Josh Osborn-Patel and Georgia Doohan-Smith came 14th while Abigail Hughes and I were 28th out of 66. When we arrived back at School we were exhausted; it had been a tiring but fun day.

Mahmoud Farrag, 6RB

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y=mx + b

2 (x-1) + 3 = 0

3x - 5(2+x) = 0

Year 6 This has been an eventful and successful year for Year 6. The pupils arrived in September, slightly daunted about what was to come, but have worked hard academically and on a more sociable front.

During the Michaelmas Term, Year 6 made their annual visit to the pantomime. As always, we received a warm welcome from the Palace Theatre in Redditch and the behaviour of the pupils was exemplary. The performance caused much laughter and we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out of School.

This year, we enjoyed two days out of school for our activity days. We visited Conkers where pupils enjoyed a very cold and muddy Barfus walk. Following a ranger-led activity, where pupils made willow bracelets, they worked in groups to build some fantastic shelters out of wood and stones. Some groups had even incorporated seating areas and fireplaces.

The following day saw us venture to West Midlands Safari Park. For the first hour, we drove through the reserve and marvelled at the beautiful lions and armoured rhinos. After that, the children had some free time on the rides. Some were very wet, some were very dizzy, but they had a great time. At one point during the afternoon, we all met to watch the sea lion show. The sun shone down on us all and there was much hilarity as Callum the sea lion waved at us and dived off the high board. Again their behaviour was what we would expect of young Bromsgrovians and they were a true credit to themselves.

Year 6 has been such an enjoyable year for all of us. Sadly, we say goodbye to Mr Evans and Miss Shuker this year, but look forward to welcoming Mrs Finnegan, Mrs Caldwell and Mr Westray in to Year 6 for the new academic year.

S Cadwallader

Due to snow, our trip to the CBSO was postponed until the Summer Term. The venue is impressive and the orchestra wonderful. We learnt all about the history of a local composer and listened to some very powerful pieces of music.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

After months of hard work and rehearsals during the Lent Term, Year 6 staged a performance of Olivia and it was truly exceptional. The cast sang their hearts out throughout. So many wonderful comments were received about their performances, most of them stating that Olivia was the best Year 6 play ever. High praise indeed for such talented young actors and actresses. Every member of the cast had a spoken part and delivered their lines with enthusiasm and confidence. The production this year was very much a group effort and their commitment to rehearsals, despite some not playing a main role is to be commended. Olivia is sure to stay in their memories for many years to come and will be difficult to beat next year.

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Year 7 Year 7 Buddies delivered a superb Chapel assembly on Cyber Bullying which was clear and informative. In order to continue the theme and help pupils with issues surrounding bullying and in particular Cyber Bullying, Konnektiv, a community drama group from Staffordshire, delivered an assembly to Years 7 and 8. Pupils were able to role-play solutions and discuss how to stop negative social situations before they start. It was a very enjoyable and educational event that was received well by the two year groups.

Pupils have also enjoyed numerous trips out of School and activities such as: • • •

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• • •

a visit to Belmont Abbey; Author Chris Bradford speaking to boys in Year 7 about his new book, The Bodyguard; Author Cathy Cassidy visiting girls in Year 7 to promote her Chocolate Box series of books; A Fantastic Plastic! lecture; A geography field trip; And finally, a visit to Thinktank in Birmingham.

My Trip to the Thinktank On Monday, Year 7 went to the Thinktank.

The Thinktank is an interactive museum as it has things that you can touch and control. In the morning, we went off and learnt about the human body. There were interactive sections teaching us about parts of the body such as the digestive system and the five senses. One of the sections showed us a hip operation; it was not for the faint hearted! Of course, everyone wanted a go on the digger simulator where you had to pick up balls in the scoop and move them around.

Next, we moved on to the Planetarium. We went into the theatre where the seats are lying back so that you are looking at the roof. When we were seated, an astronomer gave a talk named, Out into Orbit. Basically, the ceiling was the screen and the way the camera moved around; it actually felt like I was in space. The astronomer talked to us whilst we came right up close to the earth from space and looked up into the stars. He showed us the moon and its landscape so it felt like I was standing on the moon. Finally, he taught us about the planets orbits and facts about each individual planet. It was a very visual and fascinating show and one that I was sad to leave and wished we could have stayed there longer.

After that, we moved on to the Lego section.

Here we programmed Lego robots on how to move and had lots of challenges.

Our first challenge was a simple one, to make the robot move in a straight line. After that, it kept getting more technical. We had to programme the robot to move, but only when it heard a sound. Another one of the more basic challenges we had to do was make the robot move around a tin can without it hitting the can. Then our first challenge against the rest of our group - using the eye sensor on our robot, we had to make the robot move on hearing a sound and then stop to a wall as close as possible. Richard (who I was working with) and I came in the top five out of our group and managed to get about 3mm away from the wall! Finally, our last challenge was to programme a loop sequence. There were quite a few cans on the table and the robot had to push as many as it could out of the allocated area and earn one point for every can pushed out. Unfortunately, our sequence did not work although it did hit a few cans.

After lunch, we went into the Science Garden. It was a park with lots of fun activities that all had something to do with science. One of the popular ones was the hamster wheel, which is a big wheel that you run inside and it spins the opposite way. After the hamster wheel, I went on an activity where you had to lift your own body weight.

It was a chair attached to a rope and when you pulled the rope, you went up and when you let go you went down, luckily though it had a locking system so you would not fall when you went down! Next my friends and I went on a balancing beam where some people had to hang on to some handles on either side. We had to make it balance evenly so some people had to swap sides to make it even and some people had to move forwards or backwards so they were closer or further to the pivot in the middle.

Finally, we went on a roundabout with a twist.

Rather than pushing it round, we had to spin some wheels round which controlled propellers to make us spin round and round.

For the last part of the day, we went around the area about trains. There were a lot of oldfashioned trains with lots of displays next to them showing how different parts work. In the middle there was a video showing different types of trains and how they worked. There was also a timeline around it noting historic dates about trains.

This was a really fun trip and I learnt quite a few new things and I loved all of the interactive things as well. I hope we have more trips like this.

Zachary Ralph

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Year 8

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Motivational Speaker

Being a Prefect

Loudmouth Theatre Co.

Kevin Mincher, a motivational speaker, came to School to talk to Year 8 pupils about being motivated and positive. The timing was good as we had our end of year assessments coming up, but it was also about being motivated in our lives, setting goals and trying our absolute best at keeping and working towards them but also to have a strategy.

Anything can be possible. We did various activities, such as matching 9 dots with 4 lines to see how our brains work. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the morning and I learned a lot from this and will hope to incorporate this information into my future.

As a Prefect my main responsibility is to help in Year 3 as a Form Monitor. Each morning I go to the form and my roles vary from helping the Form Tutor to hand out books to helping the children read or sort through their bags.

Many of the children have become friends even though I am in Year 8. I hope I set an example to the rest of the School and lead by example – I strive to be a good, positive role model. A wet break time is important for Form Monitors. We have to find ways to keep the children occupied which takes time and preparation as we may have five wet breaks in a row with the English weather!

A theatre group called Loudmouth came to visit our School to present a performance about growing up.

Lisa Shaw, Deputy Head Girl

Soon after the first Prefects were announced, we were invited to lunch with the Headmaster. This was a real pleasure as he told us about his experiences and asked us what we felt we could add to the School in the future. We all enjoyed the dinner and felt pleased that we were contributing to the Bromsgrove community.

Year 2 Assembly

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Loudm

George Bingham (Head Boy), Eliza Moore (Head Girl), Ben Cunnah (Deputy Head Boy), Lisa Shaw (Deputy Head Girl), Joe Downes (Head Boy of Page) and Highbury Rodway (Head Girl of Page), all went to the Pre-Preparatory School to give a talk to Year 2 pupils about what it will be like when they move up into the Preparatory School in September. All of the children loved listening to us talk about what it would be like but especially about the boarding. They all said that they were very excited to come up to the Preparatory School. After the assembly Mrs Deval-Reed gave us a tour around the school; we all wanted to be young again!

Lisa Shaw, Deputy Head Girl

We have all risen to the challenges set for us in Year 8, taking on such a variety of responsibilities and duties and are now ready to move to the Senior School confident in ourselves but we also recognise that we will then be the very youngest in the School again!

Joe Houlcroft, Head Boy of Page House

We split up into two groups, one watching the performance and one taking part in workshops about the same topic. My group watched the performance in the morning, and took part in the workshops in the afternoon.

The show was called My Mate Fancies Me, and it was about two children who begin as friends and go through many relationship troubles. It showed the two children growing up, starting as 10-year-olds and ending up as 13-year-olds. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance from Loudmouth, as it had many comical moments.

After lunch, our group went into the LRC. We were asked to map out timelines of our own lives.

heatre

We also predicted what we would do in the next 20 years such as marriage and careers.

I really enjoyed taking part in this, as I liked looking back at my life achievements, as well as setting new goals for the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed the day, and I hope the Loudmouth Theatre Group will return to our School again in the future. I also feel less apprehensive of going to the Senior School after meeting the Sixth Formers and having an insight into what it is really like.

Ben Payne

Our trip to the Senior School Our Senior School experience started off with a briefing in the LRC by Mr Falconer about what to expect for the day ahead. After that, the Lower Sixth took us to our Houses. I am in School House which is by far the best!

When we reached our Houses we had a tour around them, which was very interesting.

Furthermore we had a tour around the whole of the Senior School, which I found incredibly useful, as did so many of my friends.

After the tours we had our first taste of Senior School lessons. My day started off with Mrs Golightly in MFL. We were doing French and had an incredibly exciting lesson finding out names of the parts of the body. Once the lesson had finished the Sixth Formers took us to history with Mr. Matthews. In this lesson we were practising applying our knowledge to study evidence. I had to study the Berlin War and the Detroit Riots - this was a very fun lesson.

Will Randall

I think my favourite activity was definitely business because it was a good way to help us work as a group. We met Miss Diver, Head of Lower Fourth, and had a speech by Mr Bowen, Deputy Headmaster.

The induction days have definitely helped us prepare for the transition from Prep School to Senior School, and have been very helpful and informative.

Izzy Jenkins

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

During lunch we sat with the Sixth Formers, and then went back to the House where we could play pool or table football and watch TV. This was followed by my final lesson, English, with Miss Garratt where we learnt about genres. We started off by sorting vocabulary into different genres, then we wrote a minisaga. For the next session we brainstormed ideas on to a pad for what we might want to ask the Sixth Formers for the session ahead.

Overall I had a fantastic day and I can’t wait to make the transition up to Senior School.

After spending Thursday at the Senior School, I was very excited to go back, especially as we would have to make our own way to the Houses. I had enjoyed Thursday’s lessons and hoped that the following day would be just as good, I knew I wouldn’t be let down.

On Friday I had P.E first where we played hockey. Our next lesson was Science. In Science, we made a nylon rope and our group achieved the record for the longest rope. We also made bouncy custard balls, watched jelly babies scream and heard helium balloons burst very loudly. Our next lesson was Business Studies where my group created new space hoppers for an Apprentice/Dragon’s Den style task.

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Year 8 Year 8 went zorbing at the end of the Summer term, where we enjoyed three fun events. First up was stick throwing and giant Jenga. With the stick throwing, you had to throw a stick at a block and knock the block over. After your team had hit all five blocks down then you tried to hit the king. The winner was the first to knock all of the knights down and then knock the king down.

For land zorbing we had to climb into an inflatable ball so that your legs still popped out before a team death match round. The idea was to bounce people over in the ring!

This was so much fun and I would love to do this activity again. Finally our last activity was water zorbing. You were put into a deflated hamster ball, before being inflated and allowed to run on water. It was very hard to stay on your feet though but I hope that I can do this activity again in the future.

After an informative morning learning about banking and an ICT session by Natwest for schools online, we set off to try zorbing. I was in group one, and I did land zorbing first followed by water zorbing. I wasn’t very good at standing up and I kept slipping over! Finally we enjoyed some outdoor games such as giant jenga. All in all it was a very fulfilling day.

Madelaine Barber Fray

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Hayden Owen

What is Zorbing?

Drama

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Year 8 presented The Coarse Acting Show, a series of comedies written by Michael Green.

There are sixteen plays in all and the pupils presented six of them. Each one is a pastiche of a well-known Dramatic ‘type’ and the basic concept is that the plays are being put on by a not-very-good Am-Dram company.

Everything goes wrong: In the opera The Affair, for example, the orchestra fail to arrive at the theatre through an unfortunate accident, leaving only the Conductor and the triangle player to carry the music as the cast are forced to sing unaccompanied. In Trapped the actors are forced to carry on as if they have been locked in a room by an evil murderer while the doors swing open and fall off their hinges.

It was hilarious, but also very difficult. Each child (and these plays were not written for children) had to play two parts: the character in their particular play and the amateur actor playing that part badly.

As ever, it was a great pleasure to work with these young people. I am sure many of them will become regulars on the Bromsgrove stage in years to come. I wish them well.

J Marks

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Comedy is notoriously difficult to pull off and this was an exceptionally difficult comedy.

As ever, our talented young thespians did themselves proud. Whether taking part in a ‘gritty northern drama’ or a Shakespeare play, they excelled, milking the comedy and bringing the house down with their expert timing and devotion to their craft.

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I

Disco Fever thought the disco was really good - everybody was having

fun!

It was great to spend time with friends

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

dancing to our favourite songs.

Neylan Chauhan

During activity week one half of Year 8 went to Upton Warren and the other half went to Bear Creek in Edgbaston.

At Bear Creek everyone enjoyed canoeing, archery and rock climbing. We played a game where we had to collect as many ducks as possible picking them up only with our paddles. Another game was like basketball, but we were in boats. The goals floated around whilst we tried to throw a ball into them.

The archery was great. To start with we did some practice shots, then we held a team event. After the first competition, the instructors judged the best individual archer from each team - we only had one arrow with which to show our skills off best. The top archers from each team faced each other in a shoot-off.

For the rock climbing there were four climbs on one wall ranging from easy to hard. When people were not climbing they were belaying.

This is when someone tightens the rope which the climber is attached to so that the climber stays safe if they were to fall. Some people decided that they would try the harder option which meant they had a blind fold on when they were climbing. Overall everyone had lots of fun and it was a great day.

Anna Ranger

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Charlotte Bowden

During my time at Bear Creek Edgbaston I took part in all of the events. My group started with canoeing, we all had a great time paddling on the reservoir, some of us however got quite wet! After breaktime we took part in some archery. Everyone was competing to get the ‘legendary archer’ award, but by the end of the session it was our teacher who won the amazing title.

Finally, to end the day we went to the climbing wall. Everyone was trying to beat other people’s records at how quickly they could scale the wall. Our instructors were very kind and a vital part of our day both for safety and for fun. I personally had a great time and hope everyone else did too.

Thank you to all of the teachers who organised the trip.

y to

Upton Warren

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Bear Creek and

no

Drayton Manor was great. We all went on Stormforce10 and came off it completely soaking wet!

o T

Dr a

Harry Ruben I enjoyed my day at Upton Warren, where I tried archery which was all good fun even though we had varying levels of experience.

Then we moved on to do tunnelling with our instructor, Debbie. Tunnelling consisted of crawling on your hands and knees through tunnels, which, thanks to group one, were filled with water.

In the afternoon we joined with another group for poles and climbing. This basically involved climbing up ladders, poles and ropes without falling off; easy for some, not so much for others! Despite both a little sun burn and rope burn, it was a very enjoyable day for everyone and a great way to conclude Year 8.

Rachel Weller

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Music Advent Service

Christmas Concert

The Junior Choir represented the Preparatory School in the whole School Advent Service. It was extremely pleasing to see how well they sang in front of a very large congregation.

The Christmas Concert was a festive delight.

The orchestra and ensembles performed beautifully as did the soloists; Amy Nolan and Tristan Hall. The staff performance of Little Donkey was quite a sight; thank you to those members of staff playing the steel drums and those brave enough to sing on stage.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Thanks go to Mrs Bayliss for her hard work in preparing the children and also to Head Boy George Bingham and Head Girl Eliza Moore, who read beautifully. Thanks also go to Deputy Head Boy, Ben Cunnah, Deputy Head Girl, Lisa Shaw and Heads of Page House, Highbury Rodway and Joe Downes for their help in supervising the younger pupils from both the Pre-Prep and Prep Schools.

It was a wonderful way to start the festive season and thanks to Mrs Edmonds and the music staff for entertaining everyone so well.

S I N

Senior House Music

The Preparatory School Junior House Music Competition held at the start of the Lent Term was a wonderful event, showcasing many of our exceptionally talented young musicians.

The adjudicator, Senior School Director of Music Mr Kingston, was impressed with the quality and breadth of the music and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

In the Senior House Music Competition, the finalists performed magnificently, with feeling and enthusiasm. The high level of playing, and the wide range of instruments and pieces played, is testament to the hard work Miss Hyland and the Music Department devote to School music.

Many congratulations to the winners of the competition: Iain Messore, Strings; Joshua Osborn-Patel, Brass; Olivia Dalby, Vocal, Max Campbell, Percussion; Thomas Chapman, Woodwind; Imogen VaughanHawkins, Piano.

Mr Bernard Hall-Mancey, a previous Director of Music at Bromsgrove School, returned to adjudicate and was truly impressed by each performance. The finalists had obviously put in many hours of practice and all deserve our congratulations.

T H E HO

Words and Music The winning performers for each category were Charles Sapwell, Brass; Edward Hubscher, Woodwind; Nandini Bulchandani, Strings; Tristan Hall, Piano; Amy Nolan, Voice and Alex Wong, Percussion.

A plethora of Prep School talent gathered to perform in front of parents and friends at the annual Words and Music Competition.

The adjudicator, Miss Garratt from the Senior School awarded prizes to the following pupils: Year 6: Katy Bates for her performance of Funeral Blues by Auden.

Year 7: Anya Butler for her performance of Little Red Riding Hood by Roald Dahl.

Year 8: George Bingham (Head Boy) who also won the overall competition for his hugely entertaining Rant about the Weather. George was presented with the cup, which has all of the winners’ names on it dating back to 1980.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Junior House Music

S E

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U

Mu I S C’

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Trips

Seventy-seven enthusiastic skiers left Bromsgrove for an adventure of a lifetime.

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

And twenty-nine girls said ‘Hola!’to Spain on the Netball and Hockey Tour.

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Trips The Somme

At the start of the Michaelmas term, over one hundred young Bromsgrovians set off for the Somme in France. Although it was a very early start and a long journey, this was nothing compared to the same journey made by so many brave young men, nearly one hundred years ago. Our trip was much happier, yet nonetheless, very poignant. When we arrived in Albert, the sun was shining and there was no mud.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

We visited The Somme Museum, which is housed in underground tunnels, marvelling at the vast collection of WW1 memorabilia but not forgetting that many of the weapons on display had been used in anger all those years ago.

We made our way to Thiepval, the vast war memorial on The Somme, which commemorates the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, yet have no known graves.

We laid three wreaths for three very brave Old Bromsgrovians who gave their lives on The Somme in July 1916. Major William Henry Charlesworth, Private Douglas Estill and Sergeant Percy William Hemming were all killed on the Somme. As we laid our tributes, we reaffirmed that at Bromsgrove School, we have not forgotten their immense courage and sacrifice.

As well as this act of memorial, Mrs DevalReed had entrusted us with a very special task: to find the name of her great uncle, Private Daniel Deval of the East Surrey Regiment, missing, believed killed on the Somme. We did locate his name on the monument and paid our respects to another brave young soldier.

We were also lucky enough to visit Newfoundland Park, The Ulster Tower and the Lochnagar Crater. It was a day of mixed emotions - happiness at being with friends on an enjoyable School trip but simultaneously, there were plenty of sombre moments as we noted the many cemeteries, memorials and scars on the French landscape. Reading novels such as War Horse and poetry by Wilfred Owen will have even more effect on us now.

The trip was an excellent opportunity for our pupils to engage with such a terrible conflict but yet enhance their responses to some of the greatest literature of all time.

E Lightfoot

Dulce et Decorum es Pro patri

a mori

(wilfre

d owen ))

t

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Athletics This has been a better than expected season for senior athletics at the Preparatory School.

Pupils have been able to focus on athletics in games with the advantage being that we were ranked in 12th place in England out of 500 schools after the first round of the ESAA National Cup, something of which we were all proud.

Bromsgrove hosted three sports days all catering for the different abilities of the age groups concerned. District, County, Regional and National competitions all took place throughout the season with some excellent results.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Expectations going into the Midland A Final of the ESAA Cup were very high indeed and the boys came second out of eight counties which is a remarkable achievement, just missing out on a National Final place by one position. The Year 7 and 8 girls ESAA squad qualified for the ‘A’ Midlands final and came third in the region, also narrowly missing out on a place in the Nationals. Nevertheless this was an excellent achievement.

We once more took a large team of boys from Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 to the Regional IAPS qualifier at Tilsley Park. Nine boys qualified for the National Final in Birmingham: Alex Wong, Harry Liversidge, Jackson Tavarez, Gabriel Thornton, Harry Thompson, Benjamin Turner, Charlie Sapwell, Nicholas Jakobsen and Euan Vaughan-Hawkins. Girls invited to compete at the same event were: Abigail Saker (1500m), Ella Gardner (high jump), Elyssa Jones (100m), Scarlett Fender (shot), Lydia Wright (javelin), Lauren Whensley (100m and 200m) and Kate Morrice (70m

Hurdles). Numerous other boys and girls recorded several personal best times and just missed out on qualification.

Additionally, the following athletes were selected for the Year 9 district team to compete at the County Championships: Bipin Gurung, Jackson Tavarez, Fluke Piripaiboon, Gabriel Thornton and Alex Wong, with Alex going on to receive a county vest and compete at the Mason Trophy which is a feat very few Prep School children achieve. For the girls, six of our leading pupils represented the County: Highbury-Louise Rodway, Eleanor Childs, Elouise Brookes, Charlotte Campbell and Claudia Moberley. Abigail Saker qualified for the Mason Trophy and came fifth in the 1500m. She then culminated her season by being selected to run in the ESAA English Schools’ Track and Field Championships.

A large group of Year 5 and 6 boys have trained in athletics club on Thursday evenings and they have benefitted enormously, particularly as this has been key for introducing throwing events, where we were most successful at the IAPS regional round.

Well done to all of our athletes who worked hard during the term and achieved personal best times. Above all else, we would like to thank the Year 8 boys and girls for their attitude and application this year, a truly great bunch to work with who can be proud of their achievements. Thank you as ever to Mr Skipp for his enthusiasm and dedication to training.

G Jones and J Danks

Awards Senior Boys’ Colours: Matthew Coulson, Tristan Bland, Cameron Baxter, Dominic Gardner, Fluke Piripaiboon, Jackson Tavarez, Ben Cunnah, Gabriel Thornton, Joseph Downes, Alex Wong, Harry Liversidge, Bipin Gurung. (these boys scored nineteen points or more in an individual event for the ESAA, which is a great achievement) Senior Girls’ Colours: Abigail Saker, Eleanor Childs, Elouise Brookes, Claudia Moberley, Niamh Donovan, Claire Humphries, Lydia Wright, Elyssa Jones and Scarlett Fender Senior Girls’ Half Colours: Charlotte Campbell, Megan Longden and Highbury-Louise Rodway Junior Girls’ Colours: Kate Morrice, Tilly Giles, Kitty Luscombe, Orla Walker, Olivia Corcoran and Lauren Whensley Boys’ Half Colours: Joseph Houlcroft (D), Oliver Plummer, (B) Nathan Boothroyd, (B) Sergey Marchenko (W), Harry Pugh (D), Henry Stone (T), Harry Thompson (B), Benjamin Turner (D), Zachary Jeacock (D), Charlie Sapwell(W) Girls’ Half Colours: Alice Oliver, Freya Harper, Charlotte Harmer, Niamh Middleton and Nicol Green

Most Outstanding Senior Girls’ Athlete: Abigail Saker Most Outstanding Senior Boys’ Athlete: Jackson Tavarez Most Improved Senior Girls’ Athlete: Highbury-Louise Rodway Most Improved Senior Boys’ Athlete: Cameron Baxter Boys’ Newcomer of the Season: Joseph Downes Most Outstanding Junior Girls’ Athlete: Lauren Whensley Most Outstanding Junior Boys’ Athlete: Nicholas Jakobsen Most Improved Junior Girls’ Athlete: Tilly Giles

Senior Girls’ Athletics

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ESSA Athletics

U14 County Athletics

Junior Girls’ Athletics

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

46

Cricket U13 B and 3rd XI The depth of the batting order improved with the likes of Tristan Bland, Harrison Wright and Sam Colebrook all capable of making vital runs. The bowling unit has plenty of variation and is now able to bowl with greater control to put pressure on opposing batsmen and the fielding has also come on leaps and bounds.

Overall, they have been a delightful group to work with all season, their attitude towards both training and matches has been fantastic.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

U13A and 1st XI The U13A team have made fantastic progress this year and did extremely well to record a 6-4 winning season, on what is a very tough fixture list. The highlights of the season have to be chasing down 178 against RGS Worcester, with Gabriel Thornton smashing an explosive 94 which included nine sixes and losing three balls in the canal.

Fighting back from 11-5 against Monmouth to post 149, with gutsy innings from Sam Colebrook, Neylan Chauhan and Nathan Boothroyd, before bowling them out for sixty two. And Jacob Matthews scoring twenty-eight off the last over to score his first ever 100 against Old Swinford Hospital. The season was topped off with a convincing victory over Solihull School. This result highlighted the progress that the whole team have made this year.

During the season there were also five matches for the 1st XI, including a pre-season game against U12 Worcestershire County team and an end of season game against a very strong Sedbergh 1st XI who were on tour. In other matches the 1st XI started with a comfortable victory over Cheltenham College, in which Harry Thompson lead the team home with an explosive thirty-nine off just twenty-one balls. They then put in another accomplished performance to beat Abberley Hall by forty seven runs, before losing to Dean Close by two wickets, with only three balls remaining in the game.

M Burchett

The U13B cricket side had a successful season winning five out of the seven games played. The team accumulated a grand total of 804 runs with Toby Davis accumulative total of 119, Joe Downes ninety-seven and Tristan Stephens-Jones eighty-six. Our bowlers did a good job minimizing our oppositions runs and progressively increasing the wickets. Joe Lamb had an excellent run of eleven runs off two overs for five wickets and Will Randall eight runs, off four overs, for two wickets.

The team had an excellent team spirit and thoroughly enjoyed the season.

P Sutherland Awards Colours: Jacob Matthews, Neylan Chauhan, Gabriel Thornton, Anders Giles.

Half Colours: Nathan Boothroyd, Liam Holland Bunch.

The Paul Greetham Cup for Best Senior Batsman: Jacob Matthews

Best Senior Bowler: Neylan Chauhan Best Senior Fielder: Gabriel Thornton The Widdop Cup for Senior House Cricket: Boulton

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U12A and 2nd XI

U12B XV and 4th XI

U12C and 5th XI

In terms of the quality of cricket played and the results obtained, this must go down as one of the finest cricket seasons in a long time at the Preparatory School. As an U12 team, they were unbeaten against equal age group teams and only succumbed to one very narrow defeat all season, at the hands of Moor Park, a school 1st XI, and in the end only lost by five balls. Evan Lewis was a solid batsman and a very knowledgeable captain, holding the side together with his batting in a number of matches, ably supported by other great strikers of the ball in James Moody, Tom Maidment, Ben Humphries, Harry Thompson, Ben Turner and Joseph Harper. In the bowling department, Charlie Smart often removed the top batsmen from the opposition teams and was backed up by Zachary Hughes and Morgan Bennett. All in all, this is very much a ‘team’ in the truest sporting way, as no one player dominates the play and all members have contributed during the season. The team finished with a place in the final of the county’s round of the national Bunbury Cup.

The team have had an outstanding cricket season, being unbeaten against all school sides, only losing in a final friendly match against Astwood Bank Cricket Club. Most matches were easy wins but their best performance was beating the King Edward VI A team; an excellent achievement. The leading batter was Charlie McGarry with scores of fifty eight, fifty five and forty in the season. Isaac Jayaratnasingam and William Pearson were also consistent. Zachary Hughes was our most impressive bowler, taking three wickets in one match and four in another before a deserved move to the A team. Thomas Borriello also bowled brilliantly as well as being an excellent captain who led by example.

Never before has a fifth senior side played so many matches in a season. The team eventually transformed from a 5th XI into an U12C team and in total three matches were won versus Cheltenham College, Abberley Hall and Dean Close, a highly commendable drawn match versus Winterfold 2nd XI and the only defeat of the season versus King Edward VI Five Ways’s U12Bs. The leading batsman throughout the season was Jonathan Green with a total of seventy-three runs. He was well supported

by Harry Whitfield on forty-two and Freddie Edge and Sam Delaney-Hall with thirtyseven runs. There was much depth to the teams bowling with the leading five being, Sam Delaney-Hall, Kameron Bassi, Harry Whitfield, Ben Payne and Alfie Broadhurst. A highly rewarding season.

G Clark

G Jones

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

R Widdop

The 4th XI had an unbeaten season, with Tristan Stephens-Jones batting consistently with scores of twenty, twenty-seven and fifty-three. Jack Hill and Alex Mason also had half centuries. James Cuthbert was the most effective bowler with three wickets in one game and two in another. The boys can be proud of their short, but successful season.

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Cricket U11 A If the purpose of education is for students to learn, to improve and to strive for excellence (and, ideally, to enjoy themselves while doing so) then the U11 A cricket team have had a very successful season. They have become an enthusiastic and spirited group, having improved tremendously in all three disciplines of the game. Ably led by Captain Fantastic, Pearce Childs, and inspired by the excellent wicket-keeping of the county star, Euan Vaughan-Hawkins, the boys became the best Colts fielding side in the area. It was great to see the boys’ enthusiasm grow throughout the season, culminating in a buzzing, energetic, zesty performance in the field against Bilton Grange that will live long in the memory. Mr Pover thanks all the boys for their enthusiasm and their efforts and congratulates them on a very successful season.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

D Pover

U11B The U11B have had a very successful season, having won six matches and only lost one. Every single player improved as well as a more positive outlook on their part to play in the field. The season started well with two away wins at Cheltenham College and Abberley Hall respectively. The latter, played in a pairs format with a soft ball was particularly pleasing because

U9 A & B of the impressive total the batsmen were able to amass. Dean Close provided a much sterner test and we were unable to post a competitive total. The following two fixtures, both at home, against Blue Coat and Winterfold were more evenly matched.

The final fixture away at Bilton Grange proved that under pressure our bowlers could perform and they enabled the team to defend a target that on that pitch, was around forty runs short.

The U10A team played six games, winning four, losing one and calling off another due to rain. Mentions must go to Rhys Evans, Harrison Meadows and Oliver Walker for their outstanding batting performance during the season, and Nick Gour, Rhys Evans and Harrison Meadows for their bowling. But everyone knows it was a great team effort by all and thanks should also go to Mr Munn for his help in developing this great side.

S Ruwers

T Westray

U10 A What a season the Bromsgrove U10A have had, starting way back in winter when Mr Munn was taking winter nets, until the end of the season in the summer term. In this time the progression the boys made in fielding, bowling and batting with a hard ball was impressive. Outside of the normal fixtures, the U10A team entered two tournaments, one which was a home tournament which brought in clubs and schools while the other was hosted by RGS Worcester away at The Grange. In both tournaments they did well, finishing second at home, and with great team skill and effort winning the second tournament and collecting the winners’ medals and cup.

U10B This group of boys have come a long way this year and it has all been down to teamwork and the love of the game. Harry Lye captained the side for most of the season however, in his absence Matt Bull and Callum Savage took the reins for a couple of matches. The boys always had a great attitude to training and this really showed on game day as skill only increased in accuracy as the season went on. Our final match was a great example of how hard the boys have been working and how much they enjoy their cricket.

M Gardner

The U9 pupils have been working extremely hard at improving their batting, bowling and fielding skills this year and it was brilliant to see some of the boys get a chance to represent the School to showcase their talents. The A team had a first tough fixture against Abberley Hall and they were unfortunate to lose by twenty-seven runs.

In their second game the whole team put in an accomplished performance to beat Winterfold by thirty-five runs. Elliot Willetts, Stuart Shannon and Devraj Bulchandani were the star performers and certainly ones to look out for in the future.

The B team had a game called off due to rain, which left them with one fixture against Winterfold House (won by thirty runs). It was so good to see so many boys experience a game of cricket for the first time and with the progress that they made over such a short period of time.

M Burchett Awards Full Colours: Pearce Childs and Euan Vaughan-Hawkins.

Half Colours: Alfie Peel, Nicholas Jakobsen, Daniel Ashton, Joseph Colebrook.

Best Batsman: Euan Vaughan-Hawkins Best Bowler: Pearce Childs Best Fielder: Nicholas Jakobsen

Cross-Country

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Boys’ Team In the same competition, the U11 girls came fourth in the country, only seven points off third place; definitely a target for the team next time.

The senior boys have had a very successful season with the highlight of their year becoming bronze medallists at the National Preparatory Schools’ competition at Malvern College. The team won the County round of the ESAA National Cup but fell just short of qualifying for the National Final. Joe Houlcroft and Nathan Boothroyd ran very well at the District Championships as did Charlie Sapwell and Morgan Hammond.

The junior boys in Years 5 and 6 have not had much of a season at all, and our showing at the National Final was very disappointing unfortunately; there is much work to be done here. As always a big thank you to Mr Skipp for his endless enthusiasm, coaching and supporting our athletes throughout the year.

G Jones Junior Awards Most Outstanding Runner: Pearce Childs

Most Improved Runner: Sergey Marchenko

Full Colours: Charlie Sapwell, Joe Houlcroft, Nathan Boothroyd, Morgan Hammond, Sergey Marchenko Half Colours: Harry Liversidge

Well done to all the girls who come to training, they have been consistently hard working and impressive with their running and dedication to the sport.

Girls’ Team The cross country this year has been exceptional and the girls have had two very busy terms of not only training but competition too. Mr Skipp’s rigorous work throughout the week keeps the girls both fit and focussed.

Training was difficult with the bitter conditions for so much of the winter months commencing with the first round of the English Schools’ Athletics Association Cross Country Cup where the Bromsgrove team were comfortable winners and the girls thrived in both the U11 and U13 age groups.

The girls travelled to Bolton for the finals of the cup and came a very respectable fifth place with the team of Abi Saker, Ellie Childs, Claudia Moberley, Mollie Trow, Niamh Donovan and Charlotte Campbell.

At the start of the Lent term it was the District Cross County competition for Year 7 and 8 girls – they did extremely well, coming first in both age groups with Jessica Ward and Ellie Childs awarded the district runners up title and Mollie Trow and Abi Saker crowned district champions. Abi, Ellie and Claudia all ran in the County Championships, with Abi coming a very impressive first place with all girls qualifying for the English Schools Championships.

The National Preparatory Schools’ Cross Country Championships took place at Malvern College and although Abi came a worthy first place individually, we were pipped at the post by one point as runners up to our arch rivals Millfield.

Awards Most Improved U13 Runner: Jessica Ward Most Outstanding U13 Runner: Abigail Saker U13 Full Colours: Abigail Saker, Ellie Childs, Claudia Moberley and Niamh Donovan U13 Half Colours: Mollie Trow and Charlotte Campbell Most Improved U11 Runner: Kitty Luscombe Most Outstanding U11 Runner: Orla Walker U11 Full Colours: Orla Walker, Kitty Luscombe, Freya Harper, Nicol Green U11 Half Colours: Ariana Jones and Cerys Boothroyd

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Senior Awards Most Outstanding Runner: Charlie Sapwell

To put the icing on the cake, at the end of a successful season Abi, Ellie and Claudia represented Hereford and Worcester for the year above at the ESAA English Schools’ Cross Country Championship.

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Boys’ Hockey

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This has been an excellent season in many ways for hockey at Bromsgrove Preparatory School. Despite the fact that there has been snow and ice to contend with, teams have played nearly a hundred matches including six senior sides at U13 and U12 level and more junior teams in Years 5 and 6 have been fielded than ever before, including the U11As who have had their most successful season for four years.

The season could not have got off to a better start for the U13As with the team exceeding all expectations to win the Foremarke Hall U13 Mini Hockey Tournament, thanks to a nail-biting golden goal victory against Oakham School in the final. Frustratingly, two weeks of snow meant that any momentum from this victory was lost and the team was quickly brought back to earth with a bang when they were beaten 8-1 by Cheltenham in an indoor fixture. The busy build-up to half term saw two excellent victories away at the Dragon and at home to Solihull. These came either side of a mismatch against Princethorpe College in which a mix of A,B and C players battled bravely against an excellent side that would have tested our full A team. The half term finished like it had started, on a massive high, with the team qualifying for the IAPS U13 National Hockey Finals.

The second half term got off to a slow start, with the poorest performance of the season coming against Foremarke Hall, the game finished 2-0 but the score line does not show the whole story and if it was not for Will Nadin in goal pulling off some miraculous

saves it could have quite easily reached double figures. Will Nadin is one of the major success stories of the season as he had not even considered being a hockey goalkeeper.

However, the hours of extra practice he put in paid dividends and he has turned into an exceptional keeper, capable of pulling off eye-catching saves. There were a number of hard fought victories against Bablake, Dean Close and a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 with Bilton Grange. However, the focus was definitely the IAPS National finals and the whole squad should be proud of not only getting to the finals but how they acquitted themselves and performed on the day.

In 11-a-side matches the U13A team played eight games winning four, drawing one and losing three. In 7-a-side tournaments they won the Foremarke Hall Mini Hockey Tournament, came third in the IAPS regional qualifiers and performed admirably at the IAPS national finals.

The success of the A team certainly rubbed off on to the the U13B hockey team, having a 100 % winning outdoor season scoring a total of thirty-nine goals in just seven games and conceding only seven. Comfortable victories were recorded against Dean Close, Cheltenham, Solihull and Bilton Grange and in much closer games, Bromsgrove still came out on top against strong sides such as Foremarke Hall, The Dragon and Moor Park 1st X1.

It would be unfair to pick out individuals but in general the U13B team benefitted from a lot of hard work at training improving their skill levels, played and trained with great enthusiasm, and always showed great team-spirit.

The U13C hockey team repeated the success of the A and B teams to enjoy a very successful season of their own, losing only one game to the Downs 1st team. In many of the fixtures the boys showed great determination and desire to win the ball back and keep possession for long periods. Many boys were completely new to the game and through the season they progressed well.

Stand-out players included Toby Davis, Alex Wong and Sam Morrice.

The U12A hockey team has certainly seen the boys adapt to playing the XI-a-side game for the first time, and settled in to the new routine quite effectively. In Harry Thompson the team has a born goal scorer who has a great eye for the goal and is a huge natural talent to have in any side. Defensively, Joseph Harper has been a steady influence and captain Benjamin Turner has been the workhorse of the team as centre half. Thomas Maidment is a player for the future and one who could quite easily slot in as centre half next season. Thomas Borriello contributed very effectively down the right wing and set up numerous goal scoring opportunities.

Alfie Broadhurst has some great close-up stick control and was consistent throughout.

Charlie Smart in goal only conceded six goals in eight matches.

The U12A season was successful in that they beat Bedford School, Princethorpe College, Cheltenham College - twice – indoor and outdoor and Bilton Grange. Our toughest matches were against The Dragon and Foremarke Hall. The biggest and only disappointment of the season was losing 0-1 against Solihull School. Ultimately, a very enjoyable and successful season.

The U12B side has also had a very good season this year losing only two out of the nine games played - both of these loses where against older or A sides. The boys certainly played and stuck to the game plan with some excellent goals scored. This was a very good season and all the boys should be proud of their efforts – long may they all play hockey.

Senior Awards Full Colours: Gabriel Thornton, Sam Colebrook, Nathan Boothroyd Half Colours: Joe Houlcroft, Joe Lamb, William Nadin Outstanding Senior Player: Gabriel Thornton Most Improved Senior Player: William Nadin

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The squad of players vying for places in the U11A team was a large one giving Mr H Jones and myself many players to choose from.

Boys have moved between A and B squads easily and they have all worked hard on improving their close stick skills and positional play. The final tally of wins was encouraging with only two defeats in the season both to the finalists of the IAPS competition and many goals have been scored by a pleasing number of individuals.

WOW... what a season the U11B team have had playing hockey. Two U11B players, Alfred Peel and Joe Hawksworth, moved up to the A squad for the season. Dmitry Starikov was outstanding in goal, pulling off some amazing saves while Edward Aston and Shams Ali Baig were rock solid in front of him. There was great team spirit even when the new boys entered and that was the key to the B team’s good season.

Led by Dean Zulu, the U11Ds have worked hard in training all year and really came together as a team, being proud to pull on a Bromsgrove shirt each Wednesday to do battle. A special mention must go to the rock at the back Iain Messore who has been the flying goalkeeper all year. His superb keeping abilities have kept us in numerous matches and he always plays with a smile on his face, certainly my overall player of the season. The whole team played for each other and their overall hunger to learn on the training pitch really translated through to the matches.

The U10As had a fantastic season, playing eight matches against experienced oppositions. The season started with the boys playing well, working as a team and putting into practice the basic skills which were developed throughout the training sessions.

The team gained valuable experience in matches, winning five and losing three.

The U10B team won five, drew two and lost only one game (the loss coming against a far more experienced Foremarke Hall side). The boys made tremendous strides, improving enormously in a short time and this was partly due to their excellent attitude and determination. The boys acquitted themselves well and special mentions go to: Jake Lyle, who uncertain as to whether he even wanted to be a goalkeeper at the start of the season, became a rock at the back

and distinguished himself with his bravery. In front he had a strong defence to protect him, with Nikhil Gour and Tybias Evans tackling brilliantly and Dominic Wilton striking fear into his opponents with his ferocious striking of the ball. The team thought that they would suffer with the loss of Lewis Harper to the A team, but Luke Warren was a revelation in the centre of the midfield, running tirelessly and distributing the ball with intelligence.

Jozef Ruben and Jude Wilson both performed skilfully on the left flank and Thomas Ward proved himself to be very adaptable, playing in almost every outfield position. Finley Lewis was a constant threat down the right wing, scoring some great goals and setting up many others. However, if I had to choose a player of the season it would be Harry Lyle, tormentor-in-chief of the opposition. He scored a hatful of goals, he was involved in all our best attacking moves and he led the side confidently from the front.

Junior Awards Full Colours: Pearce Childs, Joseph Colebrook, Nicolas Jakobsen Half Colours: Theo Gardner, Thomas Reynolds Outstanding Junior Player: Joseph Colebrook Most Improved Junior Player: Joe Hawkeswood

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

After a tough start for the U11C team both home and away against Malvern College and away at Abberley Hall, the boys learnt a lot about co-ordination in defence and the importance of taking their chances in front of goal. The boys trained extremely well and listened to the advice from all of the coaches. The games against Cheltenham College and Bilton Grange showed immense progress, keeping their width and formation whilst scoring eleven goals and conceding none. A 3-3 draw at the end of the season against a strong Dean Close side showed how much the team had progressed. The boys played consistently well all season and always gave 100%. It would be wrong to single out

certain individuals but captain Tom Chapman provided excellent leadership from start to finish and scored some important goals when it really counted.

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Girls’ Hockey The hockey season has been excellent for the U13 teams. The A team were undefeated in matches taking place every Wednesday, recording six wins and one draw out of seven matches played. They won the Foremarke 7s Tournament and became Worcestershire 7-a-side County Champions. All of the players made significant progress improving their own skills and their team work.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The U13B team had a very positive season, playing nine matches and winning five of them. Over the course of the term, fourteen girls have represented the School. The two successes of the season were wins against Cheltenham College (6-0) and Dean Close (7-2). All of the girls have been very committed, coming to squads and always being enthusiastic throughout matches and practices. However, a few players have stood out and merits were awarded to captain Highbury-Louise Rodway, Niamh Donovan - a skilful player, Izzy Dunlop for her strength up front and Tia Hatcher for being a reliable goalkeeper.

The U13C VII team won three of their first matches and lost two matches with a score of 1-0. Player of the Match (voted by the opposition) was given most times to Maria Starikova for excellent play in defence. Goalkeeper Hannah Sparkes was a strong player for the whole season and her confidence grew.

This was a very special season for the U12A team, being undefeated in every School match. They were also Runners Up in the Regional IAPS hockey round and progressed through to National Finals. Each and every girl put in a fantastic level of commitment and their attitude to training and towards each other was tremendous. For this reason, the whole team were awarded Players of the Season. Their sense of team work helped them achieve together and they should all be commended for this.

The U12B girls have been enthusiastic throughout, regardless of the weather and have shown great team spirit. As the term has progressed, they improved their skills and worked hard at communicating effectively with each other.

The U11 teams have played the season with tremendous enthusiasm, commitment and dedication whilst demonstrating vast improvement. Regular Wednesday matches have certainly helped keep consistency throughout the season and every girl in the year group has managed to represent School in a hockey team. The goalkeepers are a key position in any hockey team and Catriona Ranger, Ruvarashe Madzingo, Sarah Pickering and Ellen Kitchen have worked hard in every match. There have been some fabulous goals scored in each team with highlights coming from Fleur Gallagher, Lauren Whensley, Alice Oliver, Charlotte Harmer, Tilly Giles, Gabby Brown, Anya Sharma-James, Millie Courtney and Jessica Firminger.

This has been a good term for the U10 girls.

The A team demonstrated their progress, as although they lost to the Dragon School at the start of the season, they got their revenge by beating them in their own Invitational tournament weeks later.

U13 Half colours: Claire Humphries, Charlotte Campbell, Megan Walker

The U10B team won three matches convincingly: 4-0, 4-0 and 9-0 against Dean Close, Cheltenham College Junior School and MSJ respectively. Each team member made good progress and grew in confidence and ability during the term. Chloe Derbyshire was consistently good as our goalkeeper and Elizabeth Aston was particularly strong in the early games and captained many of the matches. Most of the goals towards the end of the season came from Cerys Boothroyd who was the most improved player overall.

Most Improved U12 Player: Phoebe Courtney

The U10 C team won four out of the five matches and worked hard on their skills throughout the season. They listened carefully and were able to put into practice the coaching points and supported each other as a team.

U11 Half Colours: Kitty Luscombe, Siena Horton, Alice Oliver, Lauren Whensley, Katie Morrice

Awards Most Valuable U13 Player: Megan Longden Most Improved U13 Player: Claire Humphries U13 Full colours: Megan Longden, Claudia Moberley, Eleanor Childs, Elouise Brookes

U12 Player of the Season: Ella Smith

Most Valuable U12 Player: Fleur Gallagher Most Improved U11 Players: Ruvarasha Madzingo and Gabriella Brown U11 Full Colours: Olivia Corcoran, Georgia Doohan-Smith, Fleur Gallagher, Catriona Ranger

U11 Certificates of Merit: Niamh Middleton, Nicol Green, Tilly Giles, Freya Harper, Charlotte Harmer, Catrin Carter, Hannah Pover, Grace Harker, Jessica Firminger, Katie Burke, Katy Bates, Anya Sharma-James, Madeleine Wilton, Emily Edwards, Scarlett Bond, Francesca Davies, Millie Courtney, Orla Walker.

U13A Girls

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IAPS Hockey

U13A Boys

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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Netball The U13A squad has had a very successful season, only losing one match this term. In the County Tournament the team played extremely well winning six matches and drawing one to become County Champions.

In the IAPS Tournament we got through to the playoffs and won a very exciting match against The Downs in extra time. That put us through to play against Sedbergh who won the match 8-5 with our girls narrowly missing a place in the National Finals. The girls have worked incredibly hard as a squad this season and have shown outstanding commitment to the team and each other. Well done to Laura Merritt for being an excellent Captain of the team.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The U13B team has had a fantastic netball season this year with only one match lost in the entire term, emphasising the strength of the team. There have been several notable wins this term, particularly fixtures against Dean Close and Cheltenham College where despite facing strong and determined oppositions, the girls remained victorious by keeping focussed on their individual game.

Over the last season the U13C team has improved vastly, both through the skill levels of the individuals and their understanding of the game of netball and the tactics behind the game. As individuals the team have grown in confidence which has allowed them to play at a higher level, competing and winning against a number of teams. The girls worked well together and were all able to play in a number of positions making the players diverse. They will do well next season, when moving up to Senior School level.

The U13D team have lost two and won two including the final match of this season.

Naturally the matches that they won were the highlights, however, even in the matches that were lost (including a tough match against The Dragon) the girls played with enthusiasm and determination.

The U12A team have had an incredible season, not losing a single game. They were crowned winners of the Invitational Tournament here at Bromsgrove, as well as being IAPS regional runners-up, but unfortunately their National Finals were cancelled due to bad weather. We look forward to what these girls can achieve next year as U13s. The U12B, C and D teams have all had successes playing lots of different schools, with some girls experiencing away matches extremely far from their home countries.

At the start of the U11 season snow wreaked havoc on the programme but, the team soldiered on and aimed to play as many fixtures as possible especially with the luxury of the new arena. Matches included Bilton Grange for the As, Dragon and Cheltenham for the Bs, Warwick Prep for the Cs and King’s St. Albans for the Ds. Regular match play and squad training for all players definitely made a significant difference to the progress of each squad.

The U10 squads made superb progress throughout the season. Highlights included the U10Bs who were unbeaten all season in their four matches against Wolverhampton Grammar, Cheltenham College Junior School, Dragon and Bilton Grange. The C and D teams represented the School on four occasions.

Awards Most Valuable Senior Player: Laura Merritt Most Improved Senior Player: Dichhya Pun Senior Full Colours: Laura Merritt, Abigail Saker, Eleanor Childs, Charlotte Campbell, Claudia Moberley, Claire Humphries Senior Half Colours: Olivia Turner, Isabelle Dunlop, Maria Starikova Most Valuable U10 Player: Lauren Whensley Most Improved U10 Players: Georgia Groves and Grace Harker U10 Full Colours: Lauren Whensley, Kitty Luscombe, Nicol Green, Katy Morrice, Alice Oliver U10 Half Colours: Matilda Giles, Olivia Corcoran, Freya Harper

Y R A I D R U O

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JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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Rounders It has been a good term for the U13A team, who even though they didn’t win every match, have worked hard at learning the skills needed to be successful. The final two games against Winterfold School and Trent College showed this and their determination to win paid off with two good results. Captained by Abigail Saker, they displayed great team spirit at all times.

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The U13 B team improved throughout the term, learning new tactics and strategies.

After weather and fixture cancellations, sadly only four matches were played. Despite this the team had good wins against Foremarke Hall and Trent College as well as winning the first innings against Packwood Haugh before rain once again stopped play. Everyone worked well as a team but Highbury-Louise Rodway led the squad well and was an excellent bowler. In addition, team member Olivia Crowder worked tirelessly covering both first and second base and Talia Mitchell received a certificate of merit for her dedication and attitude this season.

The U13C team have worked hard and have all improved over the course of the term both technically and tactically. Isobelle Jenkins, Vanessa Williamson, Hannah Sparkes and Holly Foster have all performed consistently well and have shared the player of the match awards.

The U12A team played six matches, winning five and losing the first game of the season in a close match against The Dragon. The girls’ tactical awareness and understanding of the game meant the difference between themselves and the opposing school in every match. The U12B rounders team also opened with a highly energised match against The Dragon. As the season progressed, the whole team fielded with increased confidence and awareness and their performance improved significantly. The U12Bs went on to win all but one of their remaining fixtures and only lost their match against Heathfield by half a rounder.

The U12C girls have been a pleasure to work with this term. Unfortunately, the weather was against them. Their fielding and batting skills have improved significantly during the summer term, closing the season with a well deserved victory.

Awards Most Improved U13 Player: Maria Starikova Most Valuable U13 Player / Player of the Year Award: Katie Palmer-Reid Full Colours: Abigail Saker and Katie Palmer-Reid Half Colours: Niamh Donovan, Maria Starikova and Lisa Shaw

The U11 junior girls in Year 6 have all represented Bromsgrove in rounders teams this term, playing a mix of schools.

They have played some tense yet exciting rounders and have managed to gain the wins they deserve against some good opposition.

Bowling has stepped up a gear and we no longer lose as many half rounders from inaccurate bowling. Tilly Giles, Catrin Carter and Jess Firminger all became very adept at sweeping the ball up and throwing it into second to halt any half rounders being scored.

between them. Alice Liversidge has proved to be a consistent bowler; Imogen, a reliable backstop; Lucia Goodwin and Ariana Jones have done a splendid job, sharing the role of second post, and Sadie Gardner has been unfazed catching long throws in from Eloisa Borriello and Emily Gittoes.

We have had a very good season overall with some exciting, tactical play displayed throughout all four teams with considerable improvements shown in the three key elements of the game – batting, bowling and fielding. This year we have focussed very much on working together as a team particularly when fielding where accuracy of throw is the key. Olivia Corcoran and Katie Morrice were very encouraging of their fellow players in the support given throughout each game. All the girls should feel enthused to keep up the good work being done in catching and throwing over the summer period which can only further enhance their winter sport as well.

The U10 C and D squad have impressed all of the staff involved with their training this term, demonstrating a positive attitude to the game and really good sportsmanship on a consistent basis. They have worked hard to improve their catching and fielding skills over the course of the season and good decisions are being made under pressure in the field.

The girls have brought a happy and cheerful attitude to each session and they have always been keen to play.

The U10A team won five of their six matches this season, showing the extent to which the girls have improved their skills and understanding of the game has been impressive. All of the team deserve to be recognised for their batting but Ariana Jones, Victoria Moberley, Claudia Bullock and Imogen Vaughan-Hawkins have ‘racked up’ an impressive number of whole rounders

Impressively the U10B team won every single match, with the exception of the away game against Winterfold, losing by only one rounder. The progress of each of the girls has been outstanding.

Awards Most Improved Junior Player: Emily Edwards Most Valuable Junior Player: Katie Morrice and Alice Oliver Full Colours: Tilly Giles, Olivia Corcoran and Hannah Pover Half Colours: Fleur Gallagher, Gabby Brown and Catrin Carter

Rugby The U13A team have had an enjoyable season and one they can really be proud of. It all started with a hard earned victory over local rivals RGS Worcester (24-22). They continued with victory at Abberley before narrowly losing to The Dragon School, traditionally one of our hardest fixtures. The boys did not let their heads drop and put in one of their best performances of the season to beat Solihull School 45-7.

The team went on the Wales tour full of confidence but fell behind early to Cowbridge Rugby Club after being overpowered and eventually lost 29-10. The next day the team really turned on the style and beat Dinas Powys 62-10.

The second half of the season started with another agonising loss to Dean Close by only 17-14 and we were well beaten by Packwood 38-17. There was an excellent win in a tight game against Spratton Hall 19-15 and an outstanding performance against Colston’s, winning 38-8. The season ended with a big win at Cheltenham College and a narrow loss to KES, Birmingham by 17 points to 10.

Buoyed at the thought of a tour to Wales just before the half term break, the U13B team ensured that their season started off in emphatic style with a 46-15 win away at RGS Worcester. Other notable scalps included Solihull School 57-19, Winchester House

On tour, captain Ben Hales led the side exceptionally well, being a great organiser and motivator. Players who moved up to the A team included Sergey Marchenko, Fluke Piriyapaiboon, Makito Sato, Joe Lamb and Cameron Baxter. All in all it was a great campaign.

The U13C team won five out of their seven matches. Victories were 34-32 v Moor Park, 36-31 v KES B’ham, 41-25 v Abberley Hall, 51-32 v Dragon and a narrow defeat to Dean Close 20-14. Early in the season it was pleasing to see several boys promoted to the As and Bs, whilst a number of others fluctuated between the Bs and the Cs. Credit must go to the boys for their effort and commitment during training, especially on those dark cold and muddy evenings, and as a result their rugby skills improved dramatically. Individual highlights of the season were fly-half Josh Firminger’s huge improvement and his hat-trick against KES, wingers Liam Holland-Bunch’s (five tries in season) and Harry Ruben’s development throughout the season especially in their tackling, Harry Pugh’s exciting all round game from scrum-half and the pack as a whole learning to play to their strengths.

The U12A team recorded thirteen wins, two losses and one draw. In the defeats, the team never failed to score and were always competitive. The forwards were an excellent unit throughout and always provided a high proportion of possession in every game. The loss of Joe Harper twice to injury in the season however, was a real blow.

In the backs, both Zach Jeacock and James Moody provided a constant threat and Harry Thompson was outstanding in his reading of the game until he too, was lost to injury late in the season.

The U12A squad has the hallmarks of a very committed and talented unit as it progresses through the age groups.

The season unfortunately did not start as expected for many of the U12B team. Their U11 season had been unbeaten for all sports, so with this in mind many of the team thought the new season would be a continuation of the same. Two quick losses to The Dragon and Warwick brought us quickly down to earth and the team realised that winning is about hard work and wanting to win more than the opposition. However, the rest of the season was unbeaten with the U12B side having the second best win rate of all the rugby sides at Bromsgrove Prep this year. The determination to win was seen, in particular, against Loughborough Grammar where they won 24-15.

The U12C team had a very enjoyable and rewarding season. After a loss against Warwick, the team went through the season unbeaten, beating The Dragon and winning

the derby match versus KES. All of the players improved and team members such as Kieran Brinn and Jacob Mann moved up an age level to help out the U13C team while William Ayliffe with Daniel Webber Goldbsy and Stuart Leslie played with the U12B on occasion. All in all it was great to have an 85% win rate but more importantly it was the vast improvement in the players which was key to the season’s success.

Fielding U12 and U13D teams for the first time in the School’s long and distinguished history was a great achievement and it was unfortunate that we could not find more matches for the boys. The U13Ds were 10-0 up away against the Dragon’s 11th XV only to go down agonisingly 10-12! The U12D team played away at Dean Close and were involved in an epic forty-five-all drawn match.

Awards Most Outstanding Senior Player: Jackson Tavarez Most Improved Senior player: Alex Wong Full Colours: Jackson Tavarez, Bipin Gurung Half Colours: Matthew Coulson, Alex Wong, Joseph Houlcroft, Cameron Baxter, Henry Stone, Gabriel Thornton, Joseph Lamb, Samuel Colebrook, Darragh Murray, Harry Liversidge, Oliver Gittoes, Jacob Matthews

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

In summary the U13As played fourteen matches and won seven of them. They lost five games by only one score. Most importantly the boys improved their skill level and team work significantly and showed a willingness to listen and learn which will stand them in good stead for their rugby careers at the Senior School.

29-17 and Colston’s 56-7 and away at The Dragon School 29-10, while there were large point victories recorded versus Spratton Hall and Packwood Haugh Prep Schools. The first of only two defeats came away at Dean Close, 22-29, and KES, 5-15.

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Rugby

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The U11A team had a tough season, playing eleven games, winning four and losing seven.

However, despite the results the team can be proud of the progress they made throughout the season because out of the seven losses, three of them were by less than one try and the results could easily have gone either way.

The U11B team started strongly away at Abberley Hall recording a 30-0 victory playing some very good passing rugby. However the team were brought back to reality with three consecutive defeats away at The Dragon and at home to Moor Park and Warwick.

One highlight of the season was a closely fought home fixture against Blue Coat which saw the lead change hands several times but was eventually won by Bromsgrove due to a superb cover tackle from Connor Tyrell in the dying seconds. This gave the team a great deal of confidence in the game against Dean Close which they also won. This good run of form continued after half term with a convincing win over King Henry VIII School at home. However, after a week with no fixture and a cancellation the following week due to the weather, the team were on the end of their heaviest defeat against Wellingborough.

The final fixture, at home to The Croft, was possibly the teams’ best performance. In icy cold conditions they maintained possession well and scored some fantastic team tries winning 56-7.

The U10A team have been enthusiastic, competitive and full of determination and spirit this season. Some disappointing losses early on became a distant memory, with the away win at the Dragon school proving the catalyst for a very successful second half.

The final game, a hard-fought win over RGS typified all that had been admirable about the side throughout the season. The boys tackled superbly, played with great desire and kept trying to play good rugby, passing the ball, supporting each other, keeping their shape and finally being rewarded with the gamewinning try in the very last minute.

The side were led brilliantly throughout by the outstanding Oliver Walker, not only a great player but also a model captain. Lewis Harper and Harrison Meadows are clearly going to be stars of the future and they both played superbly all season. Nikhil Gour worked tirelessly and unselfishly at the breakdown, securing valuable turnover ball time and time again, James Bateman was possibly the outstanding tackler in a team full of strong tacklers, while Ethan Hales and Rhys Evans were always fully committed to the cause and made valuable contributions. Luke Warren started as a replacement fly half for the unfortunate Matthew Bull but made the position his own with several excellent performances and JB Morgan’s powerful running and wholehearted tackling were always a joy to behold! The boys all deserve great credit for their performances this season and, above all, for their effort and commitment.

The U10B team started off the season well against Winterfold producing some great running rugby to score well worked tries. The team then moved on to play The Croft School who showed Bromsgrove that rugby is all about attack and defence. The players scored some good tries themselves but unfortunately missed too many tackles to lose the game.

The boys showed their biggest improvement in their ability to defend with each member of the team vastly improving confidence and technique. More wins were gained over Blue Coat, Packwood, King Henry VIII Coventry and RGS Worcester. Although some results did not go our way the improvements that the boys made were close to amazing and every member of the team produced moments of brilliance.

For the first time the U10Cs represented Bromsgrove School. The boys played in two matches this season against Bluecoat and Wellingborough. Over the season, training sessions focussed on the fundamentals of rugby. Whilst their match play at times has not shown these skills, it is an area that over time will continue to improve.

Junior Awards Most Outstanding Junior Player: Pearce Childs The award for ‘outstanding junior player’ of the season was between two players, who both made massive contributions to the side. Nick Jakobsen was the teams’ most devastating runner and leading try scorer. However, the award this season goes to Pearce for his consistently high level of performance, work rate in both attack and defence and also his leadership of the team. Special mention must go to both Joe Colebrook and Joe Hawkeswood for their outstanding contributions throughout the season.

Most Improved Junior Player: Edward Aston After one game Edward changed position from a winger to a lock and became the most effective rucker in the team. His low body position and bravery made him nearly impossible to move and he regularly won turnover ball during vital periods of the game Full Colours: Joe Colebrook, Joe Hawkeswood, Nick Jakobsen, Pearce Childs Half Colours: Edward Aston, William Upton, Thomas Reynolds, Euan Vaughan-Hawkins, Daniel Ashton

Rugby 7s The U13s took part in four tournaments this term: our own Bromsgrove Tournament, Packwood Haugh, Millfield and the National School 7s in London.

After early showings in our own tournament and progressing to the plate final our confidence grew from then on. A cup semi-final appearance at Packwood, after giving Sedbergh School a scare in that game, confirmed our growing awareness of the short version of the game. At Millfield, the team competed to within one score in every game and led at half time in four out of the five games. At the National 7s only a lack of concentration at a crucial moment cost a group winners berth. We had the best points difference of any team in the group stages and scored a try in all games in the season.

R Widdop Rugby Colours: Cameron Baxter, Sam Colebrook, Oliver Gittoes, Henry Stone

The U11 team were runners up in their own Invitational 7s tournament.

The final was against an extremely strong St Olaves team who had scored close to a hundred points in the group stages. After defending hard for the first three minutes St Olaves eventually broke the deadlock and scored a well worked try down the left. In the second half the boys showed great physicality and determination but were unable to break down a strong defensive team and had left themselves an insurmountable task. St Olaves had played exceptionally well all day and fully deserved to win the final.

The boys should be immensely proud of the effort that they put in and showed that they are capable of playing some excellent sevens. Both in attack when they held the ball well and in defence when they pressurised the opposition team were superb.

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U13 Rugby Tour Thirty seven boys from the U13A, B and C rugby squads departed on the short journey to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, on a three day tour. In what was an action packed weekend, the boys visited the Liberty Stadium in Swansea to watch The Ospreys vs Benetton Traviso, Italy in a Heineken Cup match.

Saturday saw Bromsgrove play Cowbridge Rugby Club. Their U13As had won the previous six matches so the boys knew this was going to be a tough encounter.

This proved to be the case, but a 10-29 loss was not a reflection of the game. The combined U13B/C team were in a mismatch as the Cowbridge U12As were far too strong and ran out comfortable winners. The afternoon saw the U13s visit the magnificent Millennium Stadium, home to Welsh rugby and one of the most iconic rugby stadiums in the world. An excellent day was rounded off with a visit to a nearby bowling centre.

On Sunday, both teams played Dinas Powys Rugby Club, another club situated in the Vale of Glamorgan, and the delightful sunny autumnal morning set the scene for two memorable performances for our boys. First up were the B/C team and despite going 0-10 behind early on, the boys re-grouped and ran out 36-20 winners in the end with Dominic Gardner scoring a hat trick of tries. The A team followed and cheered on by their team mates and a large group of parents, won 62-0.

The boys were great ambassadors for the school in many ways and a great time was had by all!

G Jones

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Awards Captain A Team: Oliver Gittoes Captain B Team: Ben Hales Best tackle A Team: Joe Houlcroft Best Tackle B Team: Nathan Boothroyd Best Forward A Team: Jackson Tavarez Best Forward B Team: Dominic Gardner Best Back A Team: Oliver Gittoes Best Back B Team: Joe Downes Most Improved A Team:Alex Wong Most Improved B Team: Josh Firminger Outstanding Tourist A Team: Joe Lamb and Bipin Gurung Outstanding Tourist B Team: Sergey Marchenko and James McDermott

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Swimming Over the last ten years swimming has become stronger and for this academic year swimming seems to have gone up another gear, proving and demonstrating that Bromsgrove Preparatory School is the strongest school in the Midlands for swimming, and most certainly within the top five Prep Schools in the country. The girls demonstrate depth and quality in all age groups with more swimmers coming through the lower age groups. The boys are also starting to prove themselves with team members being excellent role models for our swimmers of the future.

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At the Years 5 and 6 House swimming gala, there were a number of new records achieved: Katherine Morrice, 25m freestyle – new House and School record; Euan Vaughan-Hawkins, 25m backstroke – new House record; Year 5, 4x25m medley relay (Darby) – new House record (Gemma Calthorpe, Oliver Walker, Luke Warren and Ethan Hales).

The Preparatory School hosted the Invitational Swimming Relays for the U11 and U13 age groups at Worcester Central Pool. Six gold medals out of the eight events were won by Bromsgrove, leaving all twenty six schools who attended this event in their wake.

Later in the term, nine of our top swimmers competed at the ESSA Finals achieving a top three position in the finale, taking them through to the National Final at Ponds Forge in Sheffield where the U11 girls became English Schools National Champions in both the medley and the freestyle relays.

The team substantially broke the School record in both the heats and the finals.

Never before have the U11 girls won either race or become National Champions.

The U11 boys’ 4x25m medley relay team did very well to win the B final and were ranked 8th overall in England which was an unexpected bonus.

S Camden Awards Senior (Years 7 and 8) Most Outstanding Boy: Tristan Bland Most Outstanding Girl: Niamh Donovan Most Improved Boy: Daniel Webber Goldsby Most Improved Girl: Lorna Tyrrell Half Colours: Aled Luckman, Harry Liversidge Senior Colours: Eleanor Childs, Talia Mitchell, Abigail Saker, Rachel Weller, Niamh Donovan, Tristan Bland, Sergey Marchenko, James Bromley, James Cuthbert, Samuel Osborne Juniors (Years 5 and 6) Most Outstanding Boy: Euan VaughanHawkins Most Outstanding Girl: Katherine Morrice Most Improved Boy: Nicholas Jacobsen Most Improved Girl: Ruvarashe Madzingo Half Colours: Jake Palmer-Reid, Jack Scott Junior Colours: Alice Oliver, Catrin Carter, Nicole Green, Kitty Luscombe, Freya Harper, Katherine Morrice, Euan Vaughan-Hawkins, Pearce Childs

Photo Credit: Eddie Rolmanis

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS In the U13 age group, Sergey Marchenko came sixth in the 25m butterfly; Harry Liversidge eleventh in the 50m breaststroke, and James Bromley eleventh in the 50m backstroke.

boy or girl junior team to swim under a minute for this event.

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In the U11 age group, Euan VaughanHawkins came fifth in the 50m backstroke and in doing so broke his own School record.

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In the U10 age group, Luke Warren came eleventh in the 25m butterfly and set a new School record.

Katie Morrice second in the 50m freestyle in a phenomenal time of 28.9 seconds which not only takes two seconds off her own School record, but was nearly two seconds faster than a twenty year old U13 School record.

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Nicol Green came fifth in the 50m breaststroke and in doing so set a new School record. Additionally Alice Oliver and Catrin Carter came eleventh and fifteenth in the 25m butterfly and 50m backstroke respectively.

Twenty-seven of our leading swimmers took part in the National IAPS Swimming Finals at K2 Crawley in West Sussex. The results achieved at this prestigious event were one of our best ever.

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The U12 boys’ swimming team were crowned National Champions, setting a new National record. Additionally the U11 and U13 girls’ teams were runners up. On a remarkable day for swimming at the Preparatory School, fifteen new School records were set. The margins by which some were broken was incredible, resulting in twenty-six new personal best times, three gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Overall the four age group teams, U10, U11, U12 and U13, came third for the girls and fifth for the boys. The U12 boys’ team comprising of Sam Osborne, Benjamin Turner, James Cuthbert and Jacob Mann set a new national record in the 4x25m medley relay.

Additionally, the boys were 2nd in the 4x25m freestyle relay, breaking the School record.

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Sam Osborne 25m freestyle and finishing third overall in his individual 50m freestyle race.

Benjamin Turner 25m backstroke.

Individually, the U11s also achieved the following positions individually:

The U10 4x25m medley relay team, comprising of Oliver Brown (our only Year 4 representative on the day) Oliver Walker, Luke Warren and George Tate came sixth overall securing a vital three points for the team.

When all of the points were calculated Bromsgrove had finished in fifth position overall as a boys team, just ten points off second place.

The U13 girls team came second in the 4x25m freestyle relay with the team of Abi Saker, Niamh Donovan, Talia Mitchel and Rachel Weller (12.9 seconds split). Their time was yet again another School record by nearly three seconds.

The U11 and U13 girls’ teams achieved outstanding results coming runners-up overall to The City of London Freeman’s School and Millfield School.

Individually the U13 girls achieved the following: •

The U11 4x25m medley relay team comprising of Catrin Carter, Nicol Green, Alice Oliver, and Katie Morrice achieved first place and took three seconds off the School record.

The U11 4x25m freestyle relay team, where Kitty Luscombe was in the team for Nicol Green, finished in 2nd place and once more broke a School record and became the first

Rachel Weller third in the 50m freestyle where she broke a twenty year old School record.

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Niamh Donovan came fifth in the 50m backstroke and set a new School record.

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Talia Mitchell came fifth in the 25m butterfly.

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Claire Humphries came sixth in the 50m breaststroke.

The U10 team comprising of Abigail Moore, Grace Dieppe, Elizabeth Aston and Imogen Vaughan-Hawkins came sixth in the 4x25m medley relay. Individually, Imogen Vaughan-Hawkins came seventh in the 25m freestyle and Abigail Moore came ninth in the 25m backstroke.

S Camden, G Jones and E Mullan

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Individually the boys also broke the current School records: • James Cuthbert 25m and 50m breaststroke on his way to being our only individual National Champion on the day in the 50m breaststroke.

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Tennis Seniors Girls’ Tennis has grown a great deal in the last couple of years, playing a fixture every week on Saturday afternoon and visiting a variety of schools. Amazingly, not one tennis match had to be called off due to rain this season.

The senior tennis teams have never been so strong. Their strength and depth was demonstrated in many girls competing for places in the top eight; and team selection became extremely difficult due to the wealth of talent, particularly in Year 8.

The U12s played seven matches and won six, only narrowly losing to Stamford School.

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The U13s played nine and won eight, again only losing one, to an exceptional pairing from Abberley Hall.

For the first time, Bromsgrove entered the Aegon School tennis Championships, with a strong Year 8 team. Megan Walker, Eleanor Childs, Claudia Moberley, Charlotte Campbell and Laura Merritt progressed extremely well, winning all five of their matches in the first round, going through to the next stage as Lower Fourth pupils.

Awards Full Colours: Claudia Moberley, Charlotte Campbell, Eleanor Childs, Laura Merritt and Megan Walker Half Colours: Elouise Brookes, Megan Longden and Isabelle Dunlop Most Valuable Player: Claudia Moberley Most Improved Player: Laura Merritt

Juniors This has been a very good season for the U11 Tennis Squad, playing a total of five matches, all of which were very closely contested and exciting to watch (two won, three lost). The standard of tennis played was highly commendable throughout, with good technical ability displayed in both ground strokes and volleying. Their effort, commitment and team spirit were second to none and heartiest congratulations are deserved all round.

Awards Full Colours: Siena Horton, Catie Ranger and Kitty Luscombe Half Colours: Nicol Green, Katy Bates and Fleur Gallagher Most Valuable Player: Catie Ranger Most Improved Player: Fleur Gallagher

Charities

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D uring the Michaelmas term, Prep School pupils collected and filled 141 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

The annual Charities Week is always a highlight of the Prep School calendar. This year activities included a non-uniform day, Year 8 selling bacon butties, pancakes and ice creams, the Year 7 sports tournaments, the yummy cakes at the Year 5 bake sale, and the Year 3 and 4 Sponsored Treasure Hunt Quiz. There were also collections at the Year 6 production and Rock Off The Third.

S Cartwright

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The pupils have enjoyed getting involved in these events and raising money for their chosen charities, War Child and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Many thanks for supporting the children in their fundraising efforts.

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Page House

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The first year in the new Page House has flown by, and what a fantastic year it has been!

The building was ready in the nick of time following months of work and we welcomed new and returning boarders with a tea party in their brand new House. Boarders have enjoyed all sorts of trips, parties and events so it is hard to pick a favourite, but the highlights include Cadbury World, the hugely popular trip to Harry Potter Studios and various House parties. We will take many fond memories from this year, such as the impressive marshmallow-scoffing at Hallowe’en, the hilarious nativity play, learning Gangnam Style during a birthday party, huge snowball fights, sumo wrestling and bungee running, a fabulous Chinese New Year meal, hours spent outside in the summer and the surprise appearance of the Easter Bunny at the Easter Party! Special mention must be made of the enormously entertaining Page Talent Show. This was a fabulous celebration of the boarders in their final week and the talents varied widely, from gifted musicians to origami and finger skateboarding demonstrations, an array of magic tricks, a side-splittingly funny impression of House staff and a very creepy horror movie.

Many of the boarders have received Commendations for their academic work or grades, participated in School concerts and plays and represented the School and county in various sports.

It is always great to hear news of such achievements and to watch the boarders improve in their particular areas of interest.

We even managed to put out a team of Page rugby players, many of whom were new to the sport, to play a hard-fought and narrowly-lost game against the day boys.

House spirit has developed tremendously throughout the year and all boarders wear a Page badge on their blazers, designed by Year 8 pupil Toby Lam.

The Talent Show was a fine example of the level of House spirit that has emerged, with every boarder taking part and the whole House supporting every act with gusto.

We are lucky to have had a very strong group of Year 8 boarders to help lead the House in our first year and particular thanks must go to Joe Downes and Highbury Rodway for being fantastic Heads of House. We wish all our Year 8 boarders the best as they progress into Senior School.

It has been a wonderful experience getting to know each and every one of the Page boarders and we look forward to building on a successful first year when we return in September as Mr and Mrs George!

A Williams and G George

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Activities Prep School Activities started with a Saturday morning Activities Fair on a glorious September morning. The enthusiasm was electric and the mood buoyant.

A plethora of activities were run by teachers and invited leaders. New activities in the mix included ultimate frisbee, run by one of our own Sixth Formers, and cookery. Cookery has proved to be very popular and has run twice a week throughout the year. Many of the pupils in Years 7 and 8 have made a wide variety of delectable dishes and have learnt valuable lessons in food preparation.

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The School’s extensive grounds and magnificent facilities have been used in activities such as orienteering, lifesaving in the swimming pool and the splendid Arena for badminton. Many other activities have supplemented the enormous range of sports that already take place at Bromsgrove.

Children have been taken out of School, too; golfers to the Bromsgrove Golf Centre, skiers to the Ackers and those who love the great outdoors, to Upton Warren.

The Arts are a special part of Bromsgrove School and activities such as textiles, plaster modelling and painting have given the children the opportunity to express themselves in a different dimension. Working with Wood has proved to be popular as has LAMDA and the African workshop.

According to the Times Educational Supplement, ‘A chess takeover is occurring in schools around the world.’ It’s a good job chess at the Prep School is on a roll! This and various other creative and constructive activities have made the programme fun, vibrant and have encouraged initiative, discipline, qualities of leadership, selfmotivation and the ability to work with and for others.

C Leather

European Languages Day Nine native German speakers were interviewed by an enthusiastic group of Year 8 pupils during European Languages Day at the Prep School. Pupils also worked together on a German language quiz and enjoyed getting to know each other. It provided a fantastic opportunity for the pupils to put the language they have been learning to good use.

A very special European Celebration saw all Year 4 asking for croissants and hot chocolate in German and Spanish. Mr Clarkson, one of our Year 7 parents, was kind enough to fly back from Luxembourg specially to speak with them about how important languages are in the wider world. The children also enjoyed the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire quiz based on languages, but David Beckham speaking Spanish in the film clip possibly stole the show.

R McRandal

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Bob and Hilary Newton

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Pick a card, any card...

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UKMT Junior Maths Challenge Outstanding results were achieved by our Year 8 Sets 1 and 2 students, who took part in this year’s United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Maths Challenge. This is a prestigious national competition run by the University of Leeds aimed at top notch Mathematicians throughout the country. Over 240,000 pupils from across the UK took the challenge.

Solving the highly challenging problems requires extensive mathematical knowledge and extremely good logical thinking skills. All of our students performed admirably attaining awards between them.

Best in School was awarded to Max Butterfield, who, as well as receiving a Gold Certificate, made it through to the final Junior Mathematical Olympiad competition. What a remarkable achievement.

The Gold Award winners were James Allely, Matthew Coulson, Harry Liversidge, Rachel Weller, Richard Aston, Maria Starikova, Abigail Saker , Emma Pickering, Max Butterfield and Joseph Houlcroft.

Very well done and many congratulations to all who participated.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

C Roskell

Competitions

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Staff Leavers Margaret Purdy 1989-2013

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It is hard to imagine Bromsgrove Preparatory School without Margaret. She has been the backbone of the School for many years and has ensured its smooth running with her relentless drive and determination; nothing but the best is good enough. In the words of a Year 6 pupil – “cheerful, terrific and enthusiastic”. That’s Margaret.

When I arrived at the Prep School twenty-two years ago, Margaret was already a force to be reckoned with. I was astonished that one person could run a thriving girls’ Boarding House (top floor of what is now the Music School), be Senior Mistress and Head of Science. As Junior Science Coordinator I met with her regularly and was in awe of her efficiency and dedication.

When she was appointed Deputy Head, she took to the role like a duck to water.

Her organisational skills are second to none and although she has continued to be an excellent Science teacher throughout her time at Bromsgrove, she has kept the School on an even keel with her leadership abilities.

It’s all in the preparation. Nothing works like clockwork unless it has been thoroughly and meticulously planned. Margaret asks staff to let her know about Christmas events during the previous April… and that is just one example of calendar preparation. All events need to be organised and planned with individual staff well before they take place. Her communication skills have had to be outstanding; from listening, coordinating and sending out information. During the last twenty four years technology has changed beyond recognition and it has been important for Margaret to keep up with trends in communication. No one understands Clarion Call quite like her!

Margaret has been heavily involved in the all important marketing of the School. She has organised Open Days, Entrance Test Days and Induction Days, all of which have been key in ensuring Bromsgrove Preparatory School has continued to thrive. She has been on the Uniform Committee and has been unwavering in her pursuit of smart, but affordable uniform. Prizegiving has always been a prestigious and very smart occasion thanks to Margaret’s involvement.

A huge jigsaw Margaret has had to piece together over the years has been the staff. She has been a key member of the appointment team and once new teachers have been employed, she has ensured a meticulous induction. Induction of Newly Qualified Teachers is another story altogether, but Margaret has relished following the IStip (Independent Schools Teacher Induction Panel) regulations and has given new teachers the best possible start to their careers. And the teachers from their second to their thirty second year in teaching?

They have been sorted out too. Supervision duties, Sunday rotas, teaching groups, supply teachers, gap teachers. You name it; Margaret has juggled the balls and kept us on our toes.

As a parent herself of two girls who were pupils at the School, Margaret has always had empathy with our parents. She has shown round dozens of prospective parents and has given each and every one her full consideration. She has shown understanding to all parents as their children have moved through the School.

Finally the pupils. They are the reason why Margaret came into teaching in the first place and they have always been her top priority.

Her passion is Science and she has loved enthusing children over the years with her knowledge and skills in the subject. Nobody loves goldfish quite like Margaret and she finds all things to do with gardens and plants irresistible.

She has enjoyed gardening club and was the brains behind the Millennium Garden – a place of beauty and tranquillity for the children to enjoy. She has been involved in organising all the trips the children have enjoyed and has run several herself – including to the Ardèche. She has been responsible for Health and Safety for many years and has taken the responsibility of Fire Officer seriously. The safeguarding of the pupils has been paramount.

So, on to the future. Margaret has exciting plans of travel, gardening, family time …

I started with, ‘It is hard to imagine….’

C Leather

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Many went on to study English at university; many will tell you that their love of English was founded in Jonti’s classroom all those years ago.

Jonti Marks 1998-2013

His English lessons are legendary and many a past Bromsgrovian will recall Jonti’s desire for his pupils to become independent and avid readers. They also recall his unique creativity and fun in the classroom; these were the best days and his pupils adored their English lessons.

His drama ability was not just restricted to the big productions though. Along with his colleagues Mike Faulkner and Ruth Al-Nakeeb, his plays were performed as part of the Easter assemblies.

Perhaps his finest hour came when he portrayed the experiences of a Jewish prisoner in a concentration camp in a one hour, one man performance in front of the School and staff. His message of the horrors of the holocaust was exceptionally moving to all and demonstrated an outstanding ability to learn an enormous amount of dialogue and present it in a manner that stunned a fascinated audience who, once again, learnt so much through the medium of words and drama.

There is of course Jonti’s musical ability too. As Head of House he conducted the winning musical piece on many occasions.

Additionally, he has introduced many pupils to the ukulele, the penny whistle, the soprano sax and the guitar. He was never one to be without an instrument in his hand and was regularly spotted playing along in accompaniment during his drama classes or just outside on the fields on a summer afternoon or on the many outdoor activity and climbing trips.

Jonti’s greatest gift to the Prep School was his sincerity, compassion and integrity; his pupils learnt many skills over the years under his care but he taught them right from wrong and how to respect each other. He was a fine Form Tutor and a true example of a great teacher. He was also a compassionate colleague who always placed the needs of others ahead of his own. Jonti’s free spirit was ever evident in daily life, from his long ‘Status Quo’ hair, John Lennon glasses and Afro jewellery, his character and sense of purpose never waivered. He will take his instruments, writing materials and beloved camper van to the South West where his creativity will be allowed to flourish without restraint but hopefully with reward, if not financially, then at least spiritually.

R Widdop

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Jonti arrived at Bromsgrove some sixteen years ago after a spell as a Headmaster in his beloved Kenya. Schooled in the same country and a lover of all things ‘African’, Jonti possessed many talents and his craft as a teacher, musician and drama exponent, were outstanding and inspirational. He arrived with dual responsibility for both English and cricket. Former Prep Headmaster, John Ormerod’s passion for the summer game was obvious and Jonti’s shared interest in it was to see him take on the 1st XI in just his first summer season! In addition to cricket, Jonti went on to coach hockey and rugby at School. Moreover, it was his passion for reading that will be remembered during those early days and his real desire to empower his pupils with a love of literature.

Jonti impacted on drama and music at the Preparatory School. In conjunction with Ruth Al-Nakeeb, his annual Year 8 productions were always breath-taking and not a regular school play. From all-encompassing dance and musical productions to Shakespeare and more thought-provoking plays, nothing phased Jonti and his team when it came to the Year 8 show. Jonti would be the creative genius behind the set, sound and lighting in addition to being a forceful director who allowed the ‘Cobham players’ to achieve heady heights on the famous Cobham stage, where many plays have been performed over the years. He would seek to push the boundaries of pupils’ abilities and always achieved a high standard. Perhaps a true reflection of the man’s influence was his ability to take your nominal ‘rogue’ rugby playing type and make him dance and sing in a way that only he could do. His ability to instil belief and confidence into all those who were touched by his directorship will be something that many of his pupils will look back on with high praise. Cobham Hall has a long tradition of quality drama; Jonti has left an amazing legacy.

Perhaps his most involved productions were those remembering the fallen in the world wars in our annual Remembrance Services.

Pupils dressed in uniform, read extracts of poetry and sang war songs, all made to capture the moment as it should. Such was Jonti’s interest in Remembrance, he organised visits to the memorials of fallen Bromsgrovians in Northern France on two occasions, when pupils read poetry and laid wreaths for those so close to the School. They were a remarkable act of respect and those who were fortunate enough to accompany him on those pilgrimages, will surely never forget those most moving moments.

Jonti was not one to keep his own acting and performing abilities hidden either. His addresses in assembly time were always thought-provoking and he had that knack of holding the audiences’ attention throughout.

To be able to explain the regime of South African apartheid to an audience of 7 – 13 year olds is an unenviable task, but using the analogy of all the red-haired pupils owning all the hymn books to sing from, was truly original … and Jonti was never one to shy from risks.

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Staff Leavers A keen scuba diver and working towards her private pilot’s licence, Carole always filled her time living life to the full. She now has the time to continue with her adrenaline-fuelled lifestyle during her retirement. A wonderful servant to the Preparatory School and she is sorely missed.

K Edmonds and R Widdop

Carole Bayliss 2003-2013

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Carole’s time at the Prep School was action packed right from the very beginning.

Vivacious, energetic and sometimes ahead of the latest educational thinking, Carole ran Prep and Pre-Prep School music for four years before taking a part-time position running Year 3/4 music.

Her input into School productions, concerts and classroom music was always beyond the norm and her creative ideas and exuberance were infectious. Significant achievements include hosting the King of Ireland’s Son, a piece written by Jonti Marks and Richard Knight involving local schools, directing a choir tour to Rome – the first choir tour in a number of years, and who can forget Burns Night, St Andrew’s Day and any other opportunity when Carole had to play the bag pipes? She never missed a moment to show off her heritage from North of the border (Tartan included).

Rebecca McRandal 2003-2013 Like all other teachers in the Prep School, and probably in the Senior School as well, I was very sorry to hear that Rebecca has decided to make this her final year at Bromsgrove School. She was first appointed to the Prep School in the early days of the new Modern Languages department. It had been expanded from being a department concerned mainly with the teaching of French in Years 7 and 8, to one teaching French throughout the Prep School and Spanish and German in Years 7 and 8.

After an initial flourishing, it was in need of new blood. We were looking, as ever, for an excellent and enthusiastic practitioner with a particular brief to help push Spanish on further. We were lucky enough to be able to steal Rebecca from the Senior School and we were not disappointed with our choice. Her near native command of Spanish and her enthusiasm for the country and the language, coupled with very good French, were the fresh input into the Department we were seeking.

She was not only an excellent practitioner but also a keen and innovative advocate for her main subject. Her positivity made her a willing volunteer, always keen to help organise modern language events, trips and exchanges abroad during what could be regarded as an early Golden Age for the modern languages department in the Prep School.

Rebecca eventually got her just reward when she was made Head of a separate Spanish department. Needless to say, she re-invigorated the teaching of Spanish with new courses and approaches and eagerly liaised with other departments to promote joint interests.

Rebecca organised special events, talks, exhibitions, joint Spanish/Art trips to Barcelona and separate language trips to Spain. All were a great success and the pupils came back enthused and stimulated by the experiences they encountered. I particularly recall reports of her great calmness and quiet organisational abilities when one trip was in danger of being stranded at Barcelona Airport by volcanic ash clouds which threatened to ground flights for days, if not weeks. Her quiet determination and resilience ensured a smooth and punctual homecoming for the group against all the odds. And I believe these two qualities, quiet determination (particularly to promote her subject) and her resilience (her refusal to be knocked back by adverse events) almost sum her up.

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For those of us who witnessed Katherine in full flow in the staff room, you could not help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm for music and her desire for the pupils to achieve, not just to their best but often beyond. Her zest for things sociable was stuff of legend and her Scottish hospitality was abundant on any occasion that might justify it.

But to these two qualities I would add a thirdutter and complete integrity. I knew that I could always rely 100% upon her word and the veracity of her point of view.

Often it is not the flamboyant characters whom one misses over time but those with the quiet, steady, determination, resilience and integrity who prove to be, in the end, the greatest loss to a school.

I do not have to wish Rebecca well. I know that she will be happy in Spain. I am sure that it will not be long before her quiet, steady reliability and integrity will find purposeful outlet in whatever she chooses to do there.

W Caldwell

Katherine Edmonds 2006-2012 Where does one start to describe what impact Katherine Edmonds had on the life of the Preparatory School?

A graduate of Cambridge University and a very accomplished musician in her own right, her qualities as the leader of the choirs for both pupils and staff was beyond the norm of any school.

We wish Katherine, husband Matt and son Fraser all the very best for the future.

R Widdop

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Choir trips abroad (Rome and Paris), staff steel pans at the Christmas concert, visits to local engagements, directing the musical elements of our drama performances, musical ensembles, lunchtime concerts, Young Voices and of course, the now well-established House Singing competition are all legacies that she can be justifiably proud of at the Prep School.

A fine pianist, clarinet player, singer, flute player and latterly a tuba player, Katherine was a walking ‘one woman band’ with vast talents for all things musical and I am sure that these talents will not be kept to herself at home for too long. The arrival of her son Fraser in January 2012 was too much of a calling for her to be able to juggle the demands of both School life and motherhood, and her heart was easily influenced by his arrival. His gain is the loss of Bromsgrove and the teaching profession as a whole. The staff room has certainly been an emptier (and quieter) space since her departure.

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Staff Leavers On a personal note, he has been invaluable to me as Head of Year 6. We have enjoyed much laughter together and I have no doubt that our friendship will continue. Thank you Andy.

Andy Evans 2009-2013 Andy immediately threw himself wholeheartedly into all aspects of life at the School. As an ICT specialist, he transformed the department and took this subject to a new level. A developing ICT curriculum has emerged and two of the ICT suites have been invested in since his arrival.

Andy should also receive great recognition for his behind the scenes work especially when the School changed the system of assessment. It was only with his help that we were able to convert what had been very cumbersome and labour-intensive paper-based assessment systems to computer-based systems. In addition, he introduced systems which helped make the alpha counting system much more efficient and reliable.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Andy has organised Pupil Council meetings and been a tireless ambassador for the Bully Buddy programme, with great success.

His support and intervention with the Year 6 play has been exceptional. Be it lighting, sound, set or backstage, Andy could always be found supporting the cast and his colleagues. He did not have to, but that is Andy.

S Cadwallader

Most Saturdays, he can be found helping children at the climbing wall. Come rain or shine, there is always time for him to give words of encouragement. As an accomplished ski-instructor and keen skier himself, he supported the annual ski trips. He has also taken part in and organised the very popular trip to France. Thankfully, his lovely wife Hannah is very supportive when he has disappeared to either the snow or the sun.

Andy thoroughly enjoyed his time in Cobham House and has since moved on to support and embrace the new Page House. His dedication has been admirable and I know that he will be sorely missed as a boarding tutor. He has been a caring and supportive Year 6 form tutor and he will be missed by the pupils next year.

As a colleague, he has been very supportive and always willing to help. As staff, we have always been able to rely on Andy to help us in times of need. His good nature and kindness has never waivered.

Prize Winners 2013 School Prizes Hatt Cup - Art

Jasmine Limbu

Talbot Cup - Classics

Max Long

Cockin Cup - Creative Writing

Harry Liversidge

Haslam Cup - DT

William Nadin

Showell Cup - Drama

Matthew Hegarty

English

Rachel Weller

EAL

Lily Zhang

Llanwrtyd Wells Cup English, Humanities and Language Dominic Gardner

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Sport Prizes

Special Prizes

Bentley Cup Gabriel Thornton (greatest contribution to boys’ sport)

Walford Cup - Social Awareness

Elise Spurgin

Webber Bowl - Endeavour

Sergey Marchenko

Laura Jones Cup (best all-round contribution)

Rachel Weller

James Cup

(best all-round contribution)

Harry Liversidge

Donovan Plate - Boys’ Boarding

Toby Lam

Donovan Plate - Girls’ Boarding

Lily Zhang

Deputy Head Boy Prize

Ben Cunnah

Staff Cup Eleanor Childs (greatest Contribution to girls’ sport) Pritchard Plate (commitment to boys’ sport)

Joseph Houlcroft

Pritchard Plate (commitment to girls’ sport)

Claudia Moberley and Charlotte Campbell

French

James Bromley

Geography

Toby Davis

Deputy Head Girl Prize

Lisa Shaw

German

Anna Ranger

Head Boy Prize

George Bingham

History

James Allely

Head Girl Prize

Eliza Moore

ICT

Ronald Yau

Latin

Laura Merritt

Religious Education

Matthew Coulson

Mathematics

Toby Lam

Lynch Cup Mathematics, Science & Technology Emma Pickering George Bingham

Holland Cup - Performing Arts

Madelaine Barber Fray

Hall-Mancey Cup Most Improved Musician

Elise Spurgin

Hutchings Cup Outstanding Progress

Samuel Morrice

Lee-Smith Cup - Science

Max Butterfield

Spanish

Abigail Saker

Sumner Cup Special Educational Achievement Henry Stone Textiles - Warne Cup

Anna Martins

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Cuckson Cup - Music

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Year 8 Valete Last name, first name, Prep School form, Senior School House, Responsibilities, Highest teams played for, Performing arts, Music etc, Competitions/Prizes won, Other achievements Alleley, James, 8MB, Walters, responsible for outside ICT, DT and science block, rugby, academic scholarship. I have most enjoyed playing football and the DT lessons.

Aston, Richard, 8JM, Luttelton, chapel helper, sports hall corridor monitor, B and C rugby, gold in UKMT Maths Challenge. I have really enjoyed my last year in the Prep School especially the rugby tour.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Badin, Fluke, 8JM, Wendron-Gordon, corridor duty, charity, 15A rugby, 7s rugby, athletics, B hockey, 2nd in javelin at IAPS tournament, 2nd in the plate in 7s rugby. I really enjoyed being in the Prep School.

Barber Fray, Madelaine, 8MB, Oakley, monitor, librarian, poetry final, House Music final, Housman poetry competition final, sports teams, Year 8 play, summer concert, Christmas concert, LAMDA grade 3, theory grade 2, classical singing grade 2, theatrical grade 4, winner of the Christmas poetry writing competition. Year 8 was one of the best years during a great time at the Prep School, with many fond memories to take away with me.

Baxter, Cameron, 8SMB, Walters, rugby, rugby 7s, athletics, C hockey, rugby colour, silver in Maths Challenge. I have enjoyed learning new things and new sports played. I have also made lots of new friends.

Bingham, George, 8AP, Walters, Head Boy, Head Chorister, music colour, drama colour, U13C rugby, Year 8 play, House Music finalist, poetry competition winner (Year 8 and overall). While I only joined the School in Year 7, I feel like I’ve greatly improved in all subjects and have come on as a person. To become Head Boy was a great achievement.

Bland, Tristan, 8RW, Walters, prefect, form monitor, cricket captain, house swimming captain, head of Darby House, all sports A teams except rugby, 5th in country for swimming, winner of invitational relays 4x300m, athletics, most valuable swimmer award, merit for hockey, colour for swimming.

I have enjoyed the people and the School.

Boothroyd, Nathan, 8AP, Walters, House captain, prefect, monitor, Year 5 monitor, A hockey, A cricket, A rugby, A athletics, A cross country, national hockey, hockey colours, drama colours. I have enjoyed the opportunities and my success in sport.

Bowden, Charlotte, 8SMB, Oakley, Year 3 and 4 changing room monitor, form monitor, C hockey, C netball, reserve champion, young handler/rider for horse riding. I have enjoyed being in the plays at the Prep School.

Bromley, James, 8JM, Lupton, alpha counter, monitor, librarian, IAPS national swimming championships – 11th overall for 50m backstroke, swimming gala against King Edward’s (won), House Music competition final, Words and Music runner up, drama sound technician for two plays. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing the sound for the play in Year 8 and taking part in the IAPS swimming competition and the House Music competition.

Brookes, Elouise, 8SMB, Thomas Cookes, prefect, monitor, form captain, Year 6 form monitor, charities committee, A hockey, B netball, B rounders, athletics, tennis, three cross country races, HMCs, sport scholarship, 75 Alphas, athletics and hockey colours, ESSA Midlands’ round, hockey minis Midland round. I have enjoyed the sports’ tournaments and I have some good memories with my friends.

Butterfield, Max, 8RW, Lyttelton, monitor, library monitor, C rugby, A/B/C Hockey, 75 Alphas, UKMT Maths Challenge. All of the teachers have been really nice.

Campbell, Charlotte, 8JM, Oakley, monitor, Year 5 mentor, U13A hockey, U13A netball, U13A rounders, U13A tennis, cross country, athletics, 2nd place in the Malvern cross country event (as a team), Year 8 play, drama colours, netball colours, first in Long Jump at sports day. I have enjoyed being part of the sports teams and also taking part in the Year 8 play.

Carmalt, Benjamin, 8JM, School, form captain, helper at Year 3 and 4 sports day, rugby, hockey, HMC, pastoral commendation.

I have enjoyed being form captain.

Chauhan, Neylan, 8JM, Lyttelton, cloakroom monitor, C rugby, A/B hockey, A cricket, cricket Bunbury Cup final. I have enjoyed the Prep School but can’t wait to join the Senior School.

Childs, Eleanor, 8JM, Thomas Cookes, prefect, House captain, form monitor, A hockey, A netball, A rounders, A tennis, cross country, athletics, IAPS hockey, Minis hockey, IAPS netball, AEGON tennis, IAPS cross country, ESSA cross country, IAPS athletics, English Schools’ cross county. I have enjoyed being at the top of the School.

Colebrook, Sam, 8AP, Lupton, monitor, PE monitor, U13A rugby, hockey, cricket, IAPS golf, winner of the Bromsgrove golf tournament, rugby colour, hockey colour, form captain. The team sports have been good but I am looking forward to sport at the Senior School.

Cooley, Laura, 8AP, Oakley, Monitor, U13C rounders, U13C netball, U13D hockey, drama.

Coulson, Matthew, 8SMB, Lyttelton, Year 5 mentor, MFLH, 1st rugby, B and C hockey, cross country, athletics, Midlands’ ESAA. I enjoyed the rugby tour most this year because it was fun.

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Court, Luke, 8AP, Lyttelton, Year 3 helper, D rugby, most improved effort grades. I loved the end of year activities, they were great.

Crowder, Olivia, 8AP, Thomas Cookes, library monitor, Year 3 reader, Year 5 and 6 sports cupboard helper, hockey, rounders, netball.

In my time at the Prep School I have made lots of friends.

Cunnah, Ben, 8RW, Wendron-Gordon, deputy head boy, monitor, prefect, house monitor, B rugby, B hockey, athletics, cross country, London trip with scholars, RAF flag flying, HMCs. I have enjoyed being part of the athletics team. It has been a huge part of my time in the Prep School. I have also enjoyed being in the boarders’ society and it’s nice to meet people from all over the world.

Donovan, Niamh, 8SMB/8RI, Thomas Cookes, Year 5 montior, prefect, form captain B netball captain, B hockey, A rounders, cross country, swimming, athletics, most outstanding swimming, IAPS swimming 3rd overall and 5th in backstroke, National cross country, district cross country, athletics 3rd in ESSA overall, swimming colour. I have enjoyed my time at Bromsgrove Prep School. I have especially liked the range of sports on offer and I have learnt a lot at this School.

Dunlop, Isabelle, 8NH, Oakley, monitor, Head of House, B hockey, A netball, B rounders, tennis (4th pair), cross country, Year 8 play.

I have enjoyed sports and drama, especially the play.

Finnemore, Tobias, 8RI, Lupton, Year 5 form monitor, Maple corridor monitor, D rugby, samba, silver maths UKMT, HMC, pastoral commendations, effort grade awards, alpha awards. In my time at the Prep School I have thoroughly enjoyed learning and playing with my friends and peers.

Firminger, Josh, 8NH, Lyttelton, prefect, Year 4 form monitor, sports matches, built set for School play. I have enjoyed being a prefect and going on trips to The Somme and an art gallery. I have also enjoyed representing the School in sports fixtures.

Foster, Holly, 8RW, Hazeldene, prefect, charities committee, Year 6 form monitor, hockey, netball, rounders, HMC, two pastorals. I really enjoyed playing matches and meeting lots of new people from different cultures.

Gardner, Dominic, 8NH, Lupton, prefect, athletics, B rugby, C hockey, ESSA Midland final. I have enjoyed athletics, especially going to the Ryland Centre on Wednesdays.

Giles, Anders, 8JM, School, prefect, cloakroom monitor, B rugby, B hockey, A cricket, debating certificate, 2 HMCs. I have enjoyed representing the School in sports fixtures.

Gittoes, Oliver, 8MB, Lyttelton, XV rugby captain, hockey, B cricket, rugby 7s, rugby colour, sport merits. Everyone was so kind and supportive when I came to the Prep School.

Grove, Jamie, 8MB, Elmshurst, monitor, D rugby, Watt B Inter-House cricket. I have enjoyed the cricket and all of the academic subjects.

Gurung, Bipin, 8SMB, Elmshurst, monitor, House monitor, in charge of Birthday board, 1st rugby, 1st hockey, B cricket, athletics, rugby colour, Rosslyn Park, Millfield 7s, ESSA athletics, IAPS. I have enjoyed many things such as the House events and winning House hockey as well as Year 7 and 8 sports day.

Haden, Rosie Jayne, 8AP, Thomas Cookes, monitor, library monitor, responsible for watching Llanwrtyd Centre and Cobham, Year 3 and 4 changing room monitor, D hockey, C/D netball, grade 1 guitar (distinction), grade 2 guitar (merit), clay pigeon shooting, dancing. I have enjoyed meeting new friends and experiencing different lessons.

Hales, Benjamin, 8JM, Walters, monitor, House vice-captain, A cricket, A hockey, A rugby, drama colour. I have enjoyed every moment in the Prep School and I will miss it deeply. However I am looking forward to starting Senior School.

Hatcher, Tia, 8RW, Oakley, Year 3 and 4 reader, changing room monitor, lost property monitor, C rounders, B hockey, C netball, ice skating. I have enjoyed making new friends at the Prep School.

Hawkeswood, Tom, 8NH, Lyttelton, atrium monitor, rugby, hockey, 5 HMCs, grade 1 drums. I enjoyed the rugby tour.

Hegarty, Matthew, 8NH, Lyttelton, prefect, school production (The Affair), debating award. I have thoroughly enjoyed Year 8, especially several of the poetry competitions I have taken part in this year.

Hill, Jack, 8MB, Lyttelton, monitor, assembly monitor, B rugby, B/C rugby, B cricket, golf tournament. I have loved the opportunities given to me at the Prep School. The sport is fun and the lessons are great.

Holland-Bunch, Liam, 8MB, School, monitor, A cricket, A hockey, C rugby, credits in Year 7 and 8. I have really liked the sports and opportunities offered to me. I would like to thank the teachers.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Davis, Toby, 8JM, Walters, prefect, A/B rugby, C hockey, A/B cricket, senior House Music final, music colour, 2nd in the golf tournament. I have really enjoyed the opportunities that the School has given me.

I would like to thank all of the staff who have given me these opportunities.

Downes, Joseph, 8SMB, Elmshurst, Head of Page House, monitor, charities committee, rugby, rugby 7s, hockey, cricket, athletics, IAPS, ESSA, sport merits, HMCs, pastorals.

I have enjoyed my two years at the Prep School, including boarding. I think anyone who joins the School will enjoy their time here.

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Year 8 Valete Hollis, James, 8SMB, School, monitor, chapel helper, C hockey match, sailing in national squad, sailing in nationals, grade 3 saxophone. I have enjoyed being a monitor in Year 8 and taking part in the sport.

I have learned a lot since being here and I now feel prepared and ready to go to the Senior School. My time at the Prep School has been full of memories and times I’ll never forget.

Houlcroft, Joseph, 8RW, School, monitor, prefect, A rugby, A hockey, B cricket, cross country, athletics, drama, cross country colour, drama colour, hockey half colour, rugby half colour, hockey tournament trophies. I have liked the sport and being in a position of responsibility in Year 8.

Jenkins, Isobelle, 8SMB, Thomas Cookes, prefect, classroom monitor, changing room monitor, B netball, C hockey, C rounders, grade 5 piano, grade 4 clarinet. I have enjoyed the variety of activities after lessons.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Hubscher, Edward, 8RW, Walters, monitor, prefect, Year 4 monitor, C rugby, B/C hockey, B/5th cricket, trips, orchestra, choir and jazz group concerts, junior band concert, 2 HMCs, grade 3 clarinet, grade 2 piano, drama colour, music colours, bronze alpha. In my time at the Prep School I have especially enjoyed the Year 8 production. I have also enjoyed my responsibilities and getting to know the younger pupils in the School.

Humphries, Claire, 8RW, Hazeldene, monitor, form captain, cloakroom monitor, A hockey, A netball, A rounders, athletics, swimming district cross country, 3rd in Midlands for mini hockey, 3rd in the country for IAPS swimming, swimming colour, netball colour, most improved hockey player, hockey half colour, winner of the Foremarke Hall hockey tournament, 3rd in Midlands round of ESSA athletics, 3rd in IAPS netball regional round.

I have really enjoyed my time at Bromsgrove Prep School especially the variety of different activities such as sport.

Kell, David, 8SMB, monitor, cricket, rugby, grade 2 trumpet, debating society. I really enjoyed the School trip to France – it was really fun and interesting.

Lamb, Joe, 8SMB, Lyttelton, cloakroom monitor, A rugby, A hockey, B cricket captain, cross country, rugby half colour, hockey half colour, outstanding tourist award (rugby tour), Watt House won sports day. I enjoyed the rugby tour.

Lam, Toby, 8MB, Wendron-Gordon, cloakroom monitor, guiding, Page House badge. I have enjoyed life in Page House the most, and living with my friends.

Limbu, Jasmine, 8MB, Mary Windsor, art monitor, art scholar, charities committee, choir, Page House, C netball, B/C rounders, drama colour, art colour, piano. I have enjoyed having my responsibilities and achieving many of my goals here in the Prep School.

Long, Max, 8JM, Wendron-Gordon, library monitor, monitor, B rugby, C hockey. I have enjoyed playing sport in the Prep School.

Longden, Megan, 8JM, Hazeldene, PE monitor, vice House captain, A hockey captain, tennis 4th pair, B netball, athletics, B rounders, district cross country, ESSA, IAPS hockey, national hockey, Midlands’ hockey, trophy for best U13 hockey player, hockey colour, trophy for best U15 hockey player, won hurdles and 3rd in shot at sports day, 3rd in ESSA, national cup in hockey, 3rd in Midlands hockey as a team, sports scholarship, won Foremarke Hall hockey tournament as a team, achieved highest hockey assessment grade in age group, 1st team hockey outside of School. I have enjoyed the different sports that we have done and the activities at end of year. I have learnt a lot from the Prep School.

Liversidge, Harry, 8SMB, School, monitor, prefect, deputy Head of House (Boulton), 1st rugby, B hockey, athletics, cross country, swimming, Midlands’ ESAA athletics, Year 8 play, drama colour. I really enjoyed all of the trips we went on in the Prep School.

Luckman, Aled, 8MB, Lupton, monitor, prefect, Year 5 mentor, A rugby, B hockey, A swimming, choir, Year 8 play, 5 HMCs, most improved swimmer, drama colour, half rugby colour, half swimming colour. Year 8 has been one of the best years at Bromsgrove. I have improved massively by being at the Prep School.

Matthews, Jacob, 8AP, Lupton, monitor, A rugby, hockey, crocket captain, half rugby colours. I have thoroughly enjoyed this year (my first and last) at the Prep School. I am in all A teams for sport and I have made lots of friends.

Marchenko, Sergey, 8MB, Wendron-Gordon, charity committee, prefect, buddy, monitor, rugby, hockey, cross country, swimming, athletics, UK junior maths challenge bronze certificate, most improved runner, running colour, swimming colour, drama colour, winner of swimming counties twice. I have enjoyed all of the sports and representing the School. I have learnt lots of new and important things which will help me succeed in the Senior School.

Martins, Anna, 8RW, Oakley, monitor, form captain, English department monitor, A/B hockey, B netball, A rounders, athletics, tennis, Year 8 play, 3rd in shot put, IAPS athletics, Words and Music competition. I have enjoyed taking part in all aspects of School life.

Mason, Alexander David, 8AP, buddy, B rugby, hockey, cricket, sports merits. I have enjoyed playing sport for my School.

McDermott, James, 8AP, Lupton, Llanwrtyd Centre monitor, A/B cricket, B/C rugby. I have really enjoyed all of the School trips. I have loved evening at the Prep School.

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McIntosh, Meghan, 8MB, Thomas Cookes, buddy, monitor, art monitor, choir, Year 8 play, C rounders, hockey, netball, Christmas concert, summer concert, steel pans, winner of the archery competition, art scholarship.

I loved being in the play and also being at the top of the School with all of the responsibilities.

Merritt, Laura, 8SMB, Oakley, form monitor, prefect, House rounders captain, A netball captain, hockey, rounders, AEGON tennis, athletics, 2nd in shot put at sports day, minis hockey, IAPS hockey, IAPS netball, netball colour, hockey half colour, academic colour, academic scholarship, bronze and silver alpha, awarded ‘most alphas’ certificate. I have enjoyed all of the sport and the matches, especially netball and tennis.

Michell, Luke, 8NH, School, helper at Year 3 and 4 sports day, form captain, Year 5 helper, rugby, hockey, grade 1 drums, pastoral commendation, HMC. I enjoyed the School play, it was fun.

Moberley, Claudia, 8JM, Hazeldene, monitor, vice House captain, Year 4 reader, changing room monitor, A rounders, tennis, netball, athletics, 1st hockey, AEGON tennis, ESSA cross country and athletics championships, selected for JRPC hockey trials, colours for sport, 4th in IAPS netball, IAPS hockey, IAPS athletics. I have enjoyed being with my friends and doing lots of sport.

Moholkar, Shreya, 8MB, Oakley, art monitor, Year 3 and 4 sports day helper, netball, hockey, rounders, poetry competition. I have enjoyed the Year 8 play and the School trips.

Mooney, Edward, 8JM, School, monitor, choir, orchestra, jazz group, D rugby, cricket feeders, music colour grade 4 clarinet. I have enjoyed the School trips and the great places we have gone to.

Mitchell, Talia, 8AP, Hazeldene, prefect, monitor, vice House captain, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming, athletics, IAPS Swimming 4th place butterfly, Year 8 play, drama colour. I have really enjoyed the Prep School, especially the plays – I have been in every one. I have enjoyed all of the sports too.

Moore, Eliza, 8RW, Mary Windsor, Head Girl, prefect, buddy, Page House monitor, presentation on cyber bullying, London trip with Heads of School, grade 3 LAMDA distinction, drama colour. I have really enjoyed getting involved with the Year 8 play. I loved being Head Girl, it has been an amazing year.

Murray, Darragh, 8AP, Walters, monitor, Head of Watt House, A rugby, A hockey, A cricket, half colour for rufby, grade 1 guitar, Year 5 mentor. I have enjoyed sport and my time as a monitor.

Nadin, William, 8SMB, Elmshurst, House monitor, vice House captain, monitor, charities committee, 1st in the Foremarke Hall hockey tournament as team, grade 5 piano, most improved hockey player, half colours, merit for hockey and rugby. I have enjoyed my time in the Prep School with ease. It’s a great place which is friendly and warm. I have enjoyed the activities we have undertaken in lessons, but most importantly I have liked meeting all of my new friends and having such a good time.

Neuberg, Courtney, 8JM, Hazeldene, Darby House hockey captain, helper for Mrs Mullan, A rounders, hockey, netball, Year 8 play, semi final of poetry competition. I have enjoyed taking part in sports, drama and the trips.

O’Neill, Sean, 8JM, Elmshurst, rugby, cricket.

I have enjoyed being in Year 8 and boarding.

Owen, Hayden, 8RW, Lupton, prefect, form monitor, C rugby, C hockey, karate. I have enjoyed every part of the Prep School.

Owen, Hayden, 8RW Palmer-Reid, Katie, 8NH, Mary Windsor, form captain, prefect, charities committee, monitor, choir, Page House, C netball captain, B hockey, A rounders, athletics, IAPS discus, grade 2 LAMDA merit, grade 3 LAMDA distinction, drama colour, grade 1 piano, saxophone. I’ve enjoyed representing the School and taking on many challenges.

Park, Peter, 8NH, BIST, football, basketball, badminton. During my time at the Prep School I enjoyed playing football, basketball, badminton and making friends.

Payne, Benjamin, 8AP, Walters, monitor, prefect, assembly helper, credit counter, D rugby, HMCs, silver maths challenge, alpha certificate. I have enjoyed doing my bit for the School by being a prefect. I have also made lots of friends along the way.

Pavlo, Artem, 8NH, library monitor, rugby, hockey, 2 HMCs, one pastoral commendation.

I have enjoyed being in Watt House and doing all of the sports this year. I also liked the study process and all of the teachers.

Peutherer, James, 8RW, School, monitor, charities committee, Maple monitor, admin helper, D rugby, drama colour. I have enjoyed the atmosphere in the School and all of the friends I have made. I have especially liked the drama productions.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Mikheev, Vladislav, 8NH.

Moore, Daniel, 8AP, School, lost property monitor, choir, C/D rugby, open day helper, piano distinction. This year I have enjoyed the teachers’ kindness and support. Also the activities we were given to do were awesome.

We have had lots of opportunities to excel.

Morrice, Samuel Gregory, 8AP, Walters, monitor, form monitor, 1st rugby, B/C hockey, 1st cricket, HMCs, certificate for effort in rugby, pastoral commendations. What I have personally enjoyed most about my time in the Prep School is the whole academic year from start to finish. Sport has been great, especially the first fifteen.

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Year 8 Valete Pickering, Emma, 8AP, prefect, form monitor, MFL monitor, House quiz, sports teams. My time at Bromsgrove has been memorable.

I have made lots of friends who I will never forget when I leave. My favourite year has been Year 8 as I have had so many opportunities.

Piriyapaiboon, Fluke, 8JM, Wendron-Gordon.

Plummer, Oliver, 8MB, Lupton, form monitor, library monitor, atrium monitor, A/B rugby, B/C hockey, athletics reserve, silver maths challenge, 2 HMCs. I very much enjoyed the day to day life within the School and the close friends I have made.

Pugh, Harry, 8RW, Wendron-Gordon, A hockey, B/C rugby, athletics. I have enjoyed boarding the most as I have had lots of fun and freedom.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Pun, Dichhya, 8NH, Oakley, form captain, monitor, prefect, lost property monitor, C hockey, C netball, B rounders. I enjoyed all of the trips I went on throughout the School. I will miss all of the teachers who taught me.

Randall, William, 8JM, School, prefect, monitor, cricket, athletics, hockey, National cross country, debating society. Being part of the cricket team was my favourite thing about the Prep School because Mr Sutherland encourages everyone in the team to do well.

Ranger, Anna, 8AP, Oakley, Year 5 mentor, monitor, cloakroom monitor, choir, House quiz, sports teams, House Music final, Year 8 play, summer concert, Christmas concert, LAMDA grade 3, grade 3 trumpet, grade 3 jazz trumpet. I think Year 8 has been my favourite year at the Prep School. There have been lots of opportunities to try new things. I am happy that my last memories of the Prep School will be of Year 8.

Robinson, George, 8AP, Walters, Year 5 and 6 changing room monitor, monitor, A rugby, C hockey, rugby tour, rugby merit. I have enjoyed the sport in the Prep School and the build up to the Senior School.

Rodway, Highbury-Louise, 8SMB, Oakley, form monitor, form captain, House captain, Head of House, prefect, charities, B hockey captain, B rounders captain, B netball, athletics, Year 8 play, district cross country, talk to Pre-Prep pupils about the Prep School, 1st hurdles in 1st round of IAPS, 3rd overall in ESSA. The most enjoyable thing about the Prep School has been the opportunities I have been given.

Rotheroe, Brook, 8MB, Wendron-Gordon, art and textiles monitor, IAPS shot put. It has been a wonderful time in the Prep School; I will miss it.

Ruben, Harry, 8NH, School, monitor, prefect, Year 6 monitor, drama, C rugby, C hockey, orchestral concerts, junior band, Maths UKMT, drama colour, grade 2 clarinet, HMCs, alpha and credit prizes, most improved effort grades. I have enjoyed the drama productions.

Saker, Abigail, 8JM, Oakley, prefect, charities, form captain, form monitor, A hockey, A netball, IAPS swimming, county athletics, cross country, English Schools’ athletics, A rounders captain, IAPS hockey, IAPS netball, IAPS cross country, ESAA cross country, ESAA athletics, minis hockey, invitational swimming, cross country colours, swimming colours, netball colours, best effort grades, HMC, sports scholarship, all-rounder scholarship, IAPS cross country champion, I made it to English Schools’ competition a year early for my age group, JAC hockey, sports day winner. I have really enjoyed all of the responsibilities given to us and the sports that we have been able to play.

Sanghera, Antonio, 8RW, Walters, monitor, ICT helper, rugby, hockey, 3 HMCs, bronze alpha award. I have enjoyed my time in the Prep School especially all of the sports.

Sato, Makito, 8NH. Shaw, Lisa, 8NH, Thomas Cookes, Deputy Head Girl, prefect, buddy, open day helper, bullying assembly, London trip with Heads of School, guiding, athletics and sports matches, rounders, horse riding competition, -pastoral commendations. I have enjoyed playing for the A team in rounders. I have also enjoyed being Deputy Head Girl and all of the opportunities that came with it.

Sparkes, Hannah, 8MB, Hazeldene, Year 3 and 4 sports day helper, sports hall entrance monitor, Year 3 and 4 helper, D netball captain, hockey, rounders. I have enjoyed the School trips and sports matches.

Spurgin, Alexander, 8MB, Lupton, Cobham monitor, credit counter, buddy, D rugby, drama colour, grade 2 jazz alto saxophone.

My favourite time in the Prep School was the end of term activities because everyone enjoyed themselves and the teachers also joined in.

Spurgin, Elise, 8RW, Hazeldene, buddy, monitor, bronze alpha certificate. I have enjoyed all of the School trips I have been on and meeting new people.

Starikova, Maria, 8MB, Oakley, prefect, PE monitor, Page House monitor, hockey, netball, IAPS netball (4th), rounders, maths challenge gold, netball half colour, music colour, HMCs, bronze alpha certificate. I really enjoyed playing matches for the School.

Stephens-Jones, Tristan, 8RW, Lupton, prefect, Year 3 form monitor, B cricket, C hockey. I have enjoyed my time at the Prep School and I look forward to going into Lupton.

Stone, Henry, 8SMB, Lupton, prefect, monitor, Year 5 mentor, 1st rugby, C hockey, athletics, Year 8 play, rugby colour. I enjoyed the rugby tour and representing the School in numerous sporting events.

Tavarez, Jackson, 8MB, Elmshurst, PE helper, sport matches, national athletics, best player in rugby, rugby colour. I have been successful in my sport, and I have enjoyed this a lot.

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Taylor, Grace Anna Margaret, 8RW, Oakley, monitor, House monitor, athletics, rounders, hockey, netball, Year 8 play. I have enjoyed the Year 8 play, boarding, making friends. I have had lots of fun in activities and also PE and games.

Teerakanok, Pan, 8JM, BIST, football. During my time at the Prep School, I have enjoyed talking to frienda and playing football.

Weller, Rachel, 8MB, Hazeldene, prefect, library monitor, credit collector, Year 8 play, C/D netball, B/C rounders, choir, Prep and Senior brass group, swimming, Christmas concert, summer concert, scholarship, House Music final, IAPS swimming, Midlands’ swimming. Year 8 was the best year of the School. It was a fun year and I liked the responsibility. Bromsgrove Prep School has been an amazing experience.

Thornton, Gabriel, 8AP, Lupton, monitor, PE monitor, Year 4 reader, form monitor, A rugby, hovkey, cricket, athletics, half colour rugby, full colour hockey, best hockey player, winner of hurdles at sports day.

Williamson, Vanessa, 8RW, Oakley, monitor, cloakroom monitor, form captain, birthday board monitor, hockey, netball, rounders, HMCs, 75 alphas. I enjoyed playing matches and hanging out with my friends.

Turner, Olivia, 8NH, Thomas Cookes, form captain, monitor, prefect, Year 3 form monitor, House captain, A netball, B hockey, B rounders, cross country, HMCs, 75 alphas, drama. I enjoyed all of the matches and playing sport generally.

Wright, Harrison, 8SMB, School, Llanwrtyd Centre Monitor, A cricket, B hockey, B rugby.

My favourite part of the School has been the sport.

Walker, Megan, 8NH, Thomas Cookes, prefect, vice House captain, form monitor, A hockey, C netball, AEGON tennis, B rounders, IAPS hockey, minis hockey, U15 JRPC hockey, tennis colours, hockey colours, outside of School I play for the David Lloyd tennis team. During Year 8 I have enjoyed the responsibility and the expectations, which I think I have been able to live up to.

Zhang, Lily Zixin, 8NH, Mary Windsor, monitor, House monitor, form captain, rounders, netball, HMC, drama colour. I enjoyed the Year 8 play. I have made lots of friends at this School.

Yau, Ronald, 8SMB, Elmshurst, C/D rugby, winner of the 200m (B) at sports day. During Year 8 I was really happy because I learnt a lot more English and I have good friends here.

JUNIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Turner, Molly, 8RW, Hazeldene, monitor, form monitor, B hockey, B netball, B rounders, athletics, tennis, IAPS athletics. I’ve enjoyed doing the sports and taking part in activities.

Wong, Alex, 8JM, Elmshurst, monitor, library monitor, 1st rugby, B hockey, athletics county, swimming, House Music percussion, most improved player in rugby, silver in U15 county shot put, 2012 U13 MVP of HKBA (basketball). I enjoyed the sports on offer and the opportunities to represent the School.

Ziar, Leila, BNH, Thomas Cookes, head chorister, prefect, mentor, drama, music medal, drama colour. I enjoyed the Year 8 play and making new friends.

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Year 8 Leavers 2013

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SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN

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Upper Sixth Leavers 2013

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Elmshurst

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

A fantastic year in the House which will hopefully be recognised with success in external exam results; this will be just reward for all the hard work the boys have put in.

Mass participation has been encouraged in all Inter-House competitions which has been supported by a passionate House spirit. Senior House hockey orchestrated by Benedikt Wagenitz was the major success for the House with high quality hockey being played.

Although I have only known the boys for a short period of time the House Song Competition was a very proud moment with the whole House involved and a fantastic performance of ‘Lets Come Together’ (by The Beatles).

It was lovely to see the Upper Sixth boys relax over the last two days of the Commemoration celebrations and enjoy the formality of the occasion. Brett Huxley was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Boys’ Games Award and Elliott Davies collected the Paul Sawtell Prize along with the Sportsman of the Year Award which rounded off a superb two weeks for Elliott who earlier received the Perry Thompson Award for rugby. This recognition meant that the Elmshurst Upper Sixth signed off in style after contributing hugely over the years to the House. They will be sorely missed.

The House also says goodbye to a number of tutors; Mr Broadbent and Miss Davenport both join a Day House, Mr Helmore joins Oakley and Mr Stateczny retires after long service to both House and School. All tutors will be missed and have been part of a pro-active team who have offered much above and beyond to all boys in the House.

Elmshurst has been led well by James Hanna, ably assisted by Deputies Benedikt Wagenitz and John Pudge. James has developed into a fine young man who has shown a strong caring side to his juniors as well as organising his peers and not least showing me great support in my first year.

Looking forward we are very proud to have Dan Garvie appointed Deputy Head of School and Ivan Taptygin as Head of House. Dan will also be Deputy head of House. Both boys will set a fine example for both House and School and I have a feeling this will be a fantastic year for Elmshurst.

Finally, my deepest thanks should go to a number of people who have contributed heavily to the success of the house; Mr Noble and his wife Heather for all of their help and support in the house, Mrs Pugh and Mrs Fallows for keeping me on the right path. The biggest thank you of all must go to the volunteers who have resurrected the Elmshurst House PA: Mrs Capper, Mr Pudge and Mr & Mrs Huxley who have shown unprecedented passion and enthusiasm.

The boys have benefitted immensely from this, having many fabulous House events which culminated in the Commemoration Day Marquee extravaganza with 165 parents and boys having an amazing time celebrating the end of year and in many cases the end of an era!

D J Fallows

ANDREEV, A.N.: 2008, CCF, DofE, MUN, debating, BUWE - Business and Management CHAN, C.L.: 2011, Hong Kong - Law CHERKASHYN, D.: 2011, Toronto Economics CHEUNG, T.P.: 2009, House Monitor, UCL Information Management for Business DAVIES, E.D.: 2009, School Monitor, House Monitor, Sports Scholarship, 1st rugby, 1st cricket, 2nd cricket, U16 North Midlands’ Champions, rugby plate winners Flyde 7s, winner of Colstons 7s, Perry Thompson trophy for rugby, Worcester Warriors, Exeter - Sports and Exercise Science FAN, J.Y.S.: 2011, Lancaster - Economics GAFFNEY, C.J.: 2005, 2nd football captain, minor colours football, CCF, DofE, Sports Leadership, Student Listener, Elmshurst charity representative, Community Action, Loughborough - Information Management HANNA, J.H.: 2004, House Monitor, Head of House, 14C rugby, 14C hockey, 15B rugby, 15B football, 16B rugby, 16C football, 3rd rugby, Leeds - History and Beginners Italian HILLIER, A.J.: 2004, House Monitor, Sheffield - International Relations and Politics

JIANG, F.J.: 2011, 2012 Inter-House Pool Competition champion (competed as a team), Chinese Concert, badminton, squash, table tennis, Community Action, York - Economics

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KRAUEL, M.K.: 2010, House Monitior, Bundeswehr - 2 years training followed by university LAM, P.L.: 2008, 1st basketball captain, Loughborough - Business, Economics and Finance LI, P.L.: 2011, Scholarship, Sports Scholarship, 2nd badminton, School service, Leicester - Electrical Engineering MEKUSHIN, S.I.M.: 2008, House Monitor, C team rugby during Fourth Form, Endeavour Award, Gardening, Prep School magazine, DofE, Manchester - Economics PREIRA, L.P.: 2003, House Monitor, 2nd football, won North Midlands’ Cup, 2nd and 3rd rugby, Leicester - Geography PRINZ VON CROY, S.: 2011, East Anglia Business Management PUDGE, J.C.: 2011, House Monitor, Deputy Head of House, Sport Exhibition, 1st athletics, 1st rugby, 1st rugby sevens, School cap, Best Newcomer for Elmshurst House, House Song, House football, House rugby, House athletics, House cross country, House 1.2 relay, House swimming, Reading - Agriculture TAKEUCHI, Y.: House Monitor, UCL Information Management for Business TOFT, G.M.T.: 2005, Prep School Survivor, School Monitor, House Monitor, 2nd football, 3rd cricket, 1st badminton, House Contribution Award, minor football colours, minor drama colours, House football, House rugby, House drama, House athletics, House cross country, Pop and Jazz, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, CATS, Gap Year WAGENITZ, B.: 2011, House Monitor, BUWE - Internationa; Business

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

HUXLEY, B.: 2008, School Monitor, House Monitor, Sports Scholarship, 1st XI cricket captain, 1st XV rugby captain, Ireland rugby tour, Bath hockey festival, Australia & Hong Kong rugby tour, Dubai cricket tour, Durham cricket tour, School guide, County rugby, County cricket, Oxford Brookes - Real Estate Management

KLITZ, V.W.K.: 2011, 2nd hockey, 2nd tennis, 4th rugby, DofE, gardening, Pre-Prep Science, debating, European Languages Day

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Hazeldene I was also thrilled with the House’s effort and support in the cake sales which took place for Marie Curie and Comic Relief, raising over £1000. It was lovely to see the time and work put into producing the selection of cakes by the girls that went down so successfully with the rest of the School.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

There must also be a mention of the fantastic dedication the Hazeldene girls have given to supporting House events. This year the junior girls were victorious in achieving first place in both the cup and plate competition in the netball, the success has been reinforced by Hazeldene’s outstanding achievements at Sports Day highlighted by the senior relay team beating TC by 2.2 seconds. The year ended with a resounding success in senior tennis and junior House rounders; a great finale to a wonderful year of House events.

Life in Hazeldene is busy, exciting and fun. Hazeldene House is a fantastic team and every one of its members has a part to play in the House spirit and our successes.

Thomas Jefferson once said that, “I find the harder I work, the more luck I have.” This has a certain resonance when I think about Hazeldene, because the House has excelled in many areas, but not without considerable hard work and determination.

On the extra-curricular side, our outgoing Head of House, Abigail Davies sums up: Over this academic year I have been proud to lead such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of girls striving to grow in House spirit, creating a tight knit community. The year began with Hazeldene gaining a lively group of Lower Fourths, with their energy making a significant contribution to the first event of the year, House Song.

House Song is to be reflected upon as one of the biggest achievements of the House as a whole. This year, Hazeldene was triumphant in winning first place, with many thanks to Sophie Griesbach and Charlotte Collie for their commitment in leading the organisation of the event. This epitomises the strength of the girls as a whole showing their willingness to work together and go-getting attitude.

I would also like to thank the dedication of the PA in maintaining a friendly and sociable atmosphere within the House, organising the Sixth Form ball at Grafton Manor that was a great success and memorable evening.

They have also continued to provide the most favoured event of the year, pizza and movie night, providing the opportunity for all the years to integrate together. This year also saw the introduction of the “Musical Tea Party”, this was a show-case of the wealth of musical talent in the House, accompanied by delicious cakes provided by the PA. A super event enjoyed by all.

COLLIE, C.H.: 2008, School Monitor, House Monitor, Music Scholarship, Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Chapel Choir, Big Band, Jazz Band, DofE, CCF (until Fifth form), debating, Warwick- History and Sociology

BENNETT, L.: 2003, Gap Year

LUCKMAN, S.E.: 1998, Pre-Prep Survivor, Head of School, School Monitor, House Monitor, Scholarship, 1st netball (won netball national finals five times), 1st swimming (Stowe relay winners and IAPS finalist in 2006 and 2007), U16A hockey (national finalists), History Prize (Lower Fourth and Fifth Form), Newnham Essay Prize, CCF, bronze, silver and gold DofE, Birmingham - Medicine

contributions that she has made to the extra-curricular life of the School during her time with us.

GRIESBACH, S.E.: 2008, House Monitor, achieved highest GCSE drama result, Community Action, Nottingham Trent Business Management with Enterprise

MATTHEWS, L.M.: 2008, 1st hockey, 1st athletics, 1st girls’ cricket, CCF, bronze, silver and gold DofE, Sports Leader Award, Exeter - Sport and Exercise Science

At our summer event on the Friday evening we continued with the celebrations and awarded our four major house prizes: The Glaze Trophy for service to the House, Abigail Davies, The Arts Award, Charlotte Collie, the Sports Award, Lydia Trow and the Quaich for the student who has made the greatest development during their time at school, to Sarah Hawkley; all very worthy winners.

HAWKLEY, S.L.H.: 2008, House Monitor, Sports Scholarship, 1st hockey, national indoor hockey finals two years running , U14 netball, national netball finals winner, U16 netball, national netball finals runner up, 1st athletics, vice captain 1st outdoor hockey, captain 1st indoor hockey, sports scholar, sports leader award, Operation Christmas Child, Bristol - Sociology and Philosophy

MCDONOUGH, A.P.: 2004, Loughborough Art and Design Foundation

DAVIES, A.J.: 2004, Head of House, DofE, Falmouth - Art Foundation

There have also been some amazing individual achievements within the House.

We are very proud of three ladies who have represented their sports at England level: Ellen Lockhart (Hockey), Pascale Massey (Hockey) and Poppy Jones (Football).

Charlotte Collie achieved her Grade VIII in Singing earlier in the Year and Emily Collie has continued to show her skill at public speaking as the winner of the Housman Society Recitation Competition.

Other celebrations include Chloe Broomfield, Abbie May-Griffiths, Bethan Luckman and Hannah Trow becoming School monitors, they will be excellent role models. Georgina Flowerdew will be Head of House 2013-2014.

For all Hazeldene’s leavers this chapter of their life story is one with a wonderfully rich plot full of charm and characters who brighten the world of all those around them.

The next chapter of the story is only just beginning, but I am sure that it will be a page turner. In keeping with the musical theme that has dominated 2013 I closed our final house assembly with the words of a memorable childhood hymn. It is from the old I travel to the new…but Hazeldene will keep travelling along with you!

J Holden and Abigail Davies

HAYCOCK - JONES, S.C.: House Monitor, 1st swimming, RADA bronze and silver award, DofE Gold, swimming challenge shield U14, U16, U18, DofE, Student Listening, RADA, Lancaster - Management Studies and European Languages

MILLS, R.: 2006, Nottingham Trent - Fashion Design MORRIS, I.R.: 2011, Gap Year TROW, L.T.: 2007, School Monitor, House Monitor, 1st hockey, 2nd netball, 1st tennis, athletics, cross country, Staff Reading Prize semi-finalist, CCF, DofE, Sports Leader Award, Durham - Geography

HAYWARD, M.: 2002

WISNIEWSKI, E.J.: 2007, Prep School Survivor, C team netball, House Music 2012 with Hazeldene, CCF, DofE, Community Action, film club, aerobics, Leicester Mathematics

HOWCROFT, R.L.: 1999, Pre-Prep Survivor, School Monitor, House Monitor, Scholarship, 1st netball, won national netball finals, CCF, DofE, student listener, Cardiff - Medicine

WONG, C.H.: 2009, badminton, House Music competition 2011, Young Enterprise, Chinese Concert Committee, DofE, CCF, Orchestra, Warwick - MORSE

LLOYD, A.G.: 1998, Pre-Prep Survivor, House Monitor, Art Scholarship, Exhibition, DofE, drama productions, Student Listener, Community Action, Leeds - English LOCKHART, E.O.: 1998, Pre-Prep Survivor, Deputy Head of School, House Monitor, Scholarship, Sports Scholarship, captain 1st XI hockey, 1st tennis, 1st athletics, national netball champions 2009 and runners up 2011, England U16 hockey, Hockey nationals indoor and outdoor, ESAA athletics nationals 2010, CSM of CCF, gold DofE, Exeter - Geography

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The final day of term was an incredibly proud day for the House, with a number of Hazeldenians collecting prizes and commendations from Routh Hall stage.

Ellen Lockhart was awarded her Gold Duke of Edinburgh and the prize for the best army cadet CCF. Caps were awarded to Lydia Trow, Laura May-Matthews and Sophie Haycock-Jones. Major colours for drama to Rochelle Mills, Andrea Lloyd and India Morris. Major colours for music to Charlotte Collie and major colours for debating to India Morris. Sophie Luckman and Robyn Howcroft went on stage as part of the triumphant U18 national netball team to be awarded the Cosier Cup for the best girls’ team. Sarah Hawkley won the RE subject prize. On Saturday the House were delighted to see Lydia Trow receive one of the School’s special prizes, the Tony Limbert Trophy in recognition of the amazing

My thanks go to the tutors of Hazeldene and to our new Housekeeper Zoe, whose care for the girls has been outstanding, alongside keeping the House in superb order. I have some wonderful memories of Hazeldene over the years and I can say with all sincerity that I have loved leading this talented House this year. It has been a pleasure.

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Housman Hall Each day at Housman a quick glance out of the window reminds us that there are big changes afoot to our House, our home. The building work for the new accommodation progresses and allows us to reflect that some things don’t stay the same . . . other things do however and the House Spirit which is the hallmark of this House remains the firmest foundation on which we can build.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

This year the weather prevented our boys’ rugby and football and girls’ hockey teams from gaining glory for the House but the boys’ hockey team’s memorable performance on a snowy February weekend was a moment to savour. Losing on penalty flicks in an engrossing final was something to be proud of. The House Sports Day team also turned in some excellent performances with victories for Charlotte Ray and Aoife Swords and with Ben Sayce running himself almost to the ground to complete a memorable relay race. Similar endeavour was shown in our contributions to House swimming, rounders and netball.

Victory cannot always be assured but pride will always be maintained.

It was a proud moment for all houses to take to the stage in the new sports arena for the House Song Competition and our performance of ‘Hey Jude’ may not have brought the trophy to Housman for the first time but it was both joyful and moving and was the culmination of the first half of term when so many pupils new to each other and new to the School had bonded together to make friends from acquaintances and to make a home from a house.

Away from the competitions and contests this year’s Housman Hallians have achieved many excellent things both individually and as a cohort. Nearly £700 was raised and much Christmas cheer was spread through our day packing shopping bags at ASDA, the House leavers meal took on a new character with a black tie dinner at Grafton Manor and our Upper Sixth spent time learning the etiquette of dinner and dress in tutor times.

As individuals there has been so much for our pupils to be proud of, be it the parts that they have played for School sports with too many to mention in this brief summary of the year or earning rewards and honours outside of School where both Darrel Williams and William Fraine have achieved outstanding success at Cricket and Nicolas Hillman has been involved with the German National hockey team for his age group.

Academically we are proud of the efforts of all of our pupils but both Leila Zhang and Chelsea Li are deserving of special mention for their Oxbridge offers. Their dedication to their studies has been an example to all and come results day I am confident they will have the success they deserve.

ALIYEVA, A.V.: 2010, Toronto Social Sciences ASGHAR-SANDYS, F.J.: 2011, House Monitor, 2nd hockey, 3rd netball, National European Youth Parliament, knitting, debating, Christmas party for residential homes, Gap Year

Housman Hallians have again lit up the stage for the School with Dale Roberts, Lizzie James and Gloria Xu’s involvement in CATS, with Nicolas Lam’s orchestral contributions and with the unforgettable robotic dancing of Konstantin which has been so appreciated at School talent contests and Prep School assemblies. Justin Chow’s contribution to the creative arts has also been of note with his highly commended entry to the Malvern Hills Decorative & Fine Arts Society competition highlighting once again the depths of talent that is present in the House and at School.

This year will also see the House saying goodbye to some much-loved tutors. Miss Brown’s year at the House has been characterised by her cheerful good humour, her efficiency and her love of juggling and we wish her the best on her exciting travels next year.

Mrs Kenward’s retirement marks the true end of an era at the School and closes a chapter on the life of Housman Hall. Last of the original House staff and longest serving member of the boarding community she has, in all she has done from duties to trips to quizzes and displays, epitomized devotion, dedication and commitment … if it is true that boarding staff are born and not made then Mrs Kenward was truly marked for this role from birth and we owe her a debt of thanks and gratitude.

At the end of another year it is once again worth reflecting that trophies and plaques may make for fine decorations on shelves and mantel pieces but it is friendship, community and companionship that make for fine memories to be stored in hearts and minds … this year our pupils have furnished the hearts of all and will be remembered fondly for a long time to come.

J Jones

CHAN, J.: 2011, Leicester - Law CHAN, Y.L.: 2011, UCL - Urban Planning DIX, D.: 2006, House Monitor, Leeds College of Art - Fine Art DUBINSKA, A.: 2011, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent, make up for School musical EDWARDS, G.E.: CCF, DofE, Oxford Aviation Academy Commercial Pilot Training

KU, C.C.: 2011, Durham Business and Management LI, C.Z.: 2010, Oxford Mathematics LIESSEM, L.J.: 2011, House Monitor, 1st hockey, twice Midlands’ indoor champions, twice semi-finalists at national indoor finals, Midlands’ outdoor semi final, House hockey, cross country, Sports Leader Award, Malvern Flower Show, Design and Technology, Ulm - Business & Chemistry LU, I.L.: 2011, UCL - Economics LUAN, T.Y.L: 2011, cross country, Warwick - Economics MAK, J.Y.L.: 2011, House Monitor, Leicester Management Studies

GANSER, V.: 2011

MUELLER-BERG, M.J.J.: 2011, LMU Munich

HO, J.H.: 2011, Community Action, tennis, badminton, swimming, Leicester Chemistry with Forensic Science

NG, F.N.: 2004, School Monitor, Senior Boarder, 1st basketball, Model United Nation, Young Enterprise, LSE - Economics

HUANG, C.Y.: 2011, Imperial Civil Engineering HUI, V.: 2011, CCF, MUN, Martial Arts, badminton recreational, LSE - Law IP, M.I.: 2011, 1st badminton, CCF, Durham - Business and Management JAMES, E.M.: 2006, House debating, 1.2 relay, House netball, House music, House drama, My Fair Lady, Romeo and Juliet, Three Penny Opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, CATS, Debating Society, Pop and Jazz, Blackout, MacBeth, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent, Rock ‘n’ Routh, DofE, CCF, York History of Art JONES, K.S.: 2011, House Monitor, Sports Scholarship, netball, BUWE - Crim. & Psychology

PHILLIPS, A.C.P.: 2011, House Monitor, involved in Pop and Jazz 2012, Housman Talent Show 2012, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent 2013, DofE, singing lessons, Operation Christmas Child, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Student Listener, Dance Leadership, Gap Year, Keele Medicine RAWCLIFFE, E.A.: 2011, House Monitor, Sports Scholarship, Liverpool - International Business RAY, C.L.: 2011, Loughborough Psychology ROBERTS, D.M.R.: 2005, 3rd rugby, CCF, Aberystwyth - Law SAYCE, B.D.: 2011, Exeter Business and Management SCHULER, L.S.: 2011, Gap Year

SHEN, L.: 2011, LSE, LSE Statistics with Finance

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SHVIRIKASOVA, D.: 2011, British Columbia - Bachelor of Arts SOLOMATINA, S.D.: 2011, School Monitor, House Monitor, EYP won regional tour - through to nationals, RADA bronze award, RADA silver merit award, EYP, MUN, gold direct DofE, Debating Society, Durham - PPE SONG, Y.: 2009, Warwick - PPE THIEME, S.H.: 2011 TURNER, W.T.: 2006, CCF, Nottingham Trent - Physics WALKER-SMITH, H.C.: 2011, House Monitor, Glasgow Economics and Politics WANG, A.J.: 2011, House Monitor, DofE, Community Action, swimming, photography, York - Ecology, Environment and Economics WANG, C.N.W: 2011, UCL Psychology WANG, Y.F.: 2011, 1st badminton, Warwick Economics and Industrial Organisation WONG, T.K.: 2011, UCL Economics WOODS, A.J.: 2011, House Monitor, Lancaster - Business XU, Q.: 2011, Royal Holloway Psychology YAO, Z.: 2008, UCL-Economics and Statistics ZHANG, C.: UCL - Economics and Geography ZHANG, R.: 2011, Imperial Mathematics ZHANG, Y.: 2011, City Investment and Financial Risk Management ZUBOVA, O.: 2011

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

In a Sixth Form House it would be tempting to think that one would be used to welcomes and farewells and they would blend in from year to year but this year has been exceptional in regards to this aspect of House life. Mr Mullan, Miss Brown and Miss Blain have made an outstanding impact on the life of the House with everything from new displays to baking lessons and circus skills. There have been perhaps no more important additions to house life than Angela and Jayne, ably taking on from where Heather Drew and Kate Vaughan left off, they have made the House their own and been worth more than their weight in gold in supporting our pupils.

Mr Whiting, who has given four years of excellent service to the House, will move to a day house and quick wit and technical know-how will be hard to replace next year. Also Mr Hansford leaves the School for pastures new. As a tutor, an Assistant Houseparent and a Housman Hallian he has been outstanding, I am not enough of a wordsmith to express my gratitude and to highlight the wonderful things he has done for the House. He goes with our best wishes and our gratitude.

BELOV, F.: 2011, UCL Economics

KOCH, L.J.: 2011

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Lupton

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

There is a saying, attributed to various scientific minds, that ‘time is what prevents everything from happening at once.’ And yet, at the end of another year, I find myself trying to remember at one sitting all of the achievements of seventy nine Lupton boys over the course of the year. The general atmosphere of the House remains very positive with genuine camaraderie across the year groups. Nineteen new Luptonians are now settled and loyal to the cause, in no small part due to the fourteen Upper Sixth pupils who are leaving. A measure of this spirit of commitment to all aspects of School life is the statistic that Lupton pupils accumulated the most number of commendations (for academic and extra-curricular pursuits) amongst the boys’ Houses, beaten only by two girls’ Houses. There is a sense of pride that, whatever the occasion, Lupton will give of their best – one can ask no more.

Academic achievements inevitably tend to focus on the leavers. Leading from the front, Maxime Cox, our Deputy Head of House, gained a place to read Medicine at St Hilda’s College, Oxford as well as the subject prize for Chemistry at Commemoration. Providing some Arts balance, Max McLoughlin, Lupton’s Head of House, received the History prize and, after a GAP year, will no doubt end up in this field at one of our top institutions.

The other Upper Sixth have jostled all year for the best grade averages and will be successful in their chosen areas, for example Scott McQuaid who has benefitted from recognition in the Nuffield scheme on his way to an engineering degree, or Jacob Hunt whose technical skills in music production impressed Leeds enough to offer a scholarship through his degree. However, one should not forget the younger age groups, in which individuals such as Fraser Foster (Upper Fourth) and James Prince (Lower Fourth) received work prizes at final Mark Reading.

On a weekly basis, School sport has been served well by many Luptonians across all age and ability levels. In a report such as this, special mention should go to those who have represented at First Team level. Jean-Claude Massey (School Cap), Josh French and

Charles Shephard in rugby; Max McLoughlin (1st XI captain and School Cap), Gareth Evans, Kit Thornton and Zack Morris in hockey; Charlie Andrews, Harry Brown, Josh French and Tom von Malachowski in football; Matthew Harker and Alex Wilkinson in cricket.

Jean-Claude Massey and Charles Hill were also captains awarded their School Caps in athletics and tennis respectively. The core of the School golf team were Reds in the personnel of Lawrence Hill and brothers Sam and Joe Bellamy; we provided six of the U14 hockey squad which went to the national finals (Morgan Berry, Himmat Bhandal, Alex Dew, Finley Evans, Oliver Fender and Lawrence Hill), four competitors at the ESSA athletics (Fraser Foster, Jonty Thornton, Alex Dew and Nick Papaioannou), while Jonathan Howcroft and Jonty Thornton were part of the U15 rugby adventure which reached the Daily Mail semi-final.

Max McLoughlin was also awarded the John Downey Cup for his contribution to school hockey. We ended the year with the news that William Dobson (Lower Fourth) has been selected for the GB team taking part in the European inline speed skating championships this summer.

The Commemoration period highlighted the profile and contributions of our three music scholars with Sam Adamson singing a solo in the Nunc Dimittis at the leavers’ service, Charles Hill leading the orchestra at the summer concert, and Harry Broom receiving the Bernard Hall Mancey Cup for music.

ANDREWS, C.J.: 2011, 1st football, Nottingham Trent - Business BROWN, H.S.: 2003, Prep School Survivor, 1st football, athletics team, 3rd cricket in Lower School, U15A hockey, minor colours for football, CCF, bronze DofE, Birmingham - Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science In similar fashion for drama, Simon Hotchin was awarded the trophy for Most Improved Performer after another sparkling cameo in this year’s production of CATS, whilst George Goodall, Oliver Nicholas and particularly James Prince caught the eye in the prize-winning Fourth Form production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches.

My thanks, as always to the Lupton PA committee for helping to maintain a super calendar of House events with the quiz night, ball, open mic evening and summer party – all enjoyable occasions which provide funds for House items. It also provides charitable donations which, together with entry money for our own House pool and table football competitions, have seen the British Legion poppy appeal and Help Harry Help Others benefit this year.

We wish all our leavers well; those who return in September will no doubt wish to continue in a positive vein.

COX, M.P.: 2004, School Monitor, Deputy Head of House, Scholarship, Exhibition, 2nd hockey, 3rd rugby, European Youth Parliament, Oxford Union School Debates, ESU Mace, Gold DofE, MedVet, Debating Society, Oxford - Medicine DUDLEY, G.S.: 2003, Prep School Survivor, 3rd football, Lower Fourth Camp, German exchange, Leeds - Biochemistry

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MCQUAID, S.M.: 2007, Prep School Survivor, House Monitor, 3rd football, Ten Tors, Bristol - Aerospace Engineering OJIMBA, T.O.: 2005, 3rd rugby, 3rd football, Nottingham - Engineering with Foundation POTCHAPORNKUL, T.P.: 2008, LSE Accounting and Finance ROBBINS, G.A.: 2006, Nottingham Trent International Relations

EVANS, G.E.: 2008, House Monitor, 1st hockey, 1st athletics, 2nd rugby, Grade 8 piano, major hockey colours, minor rugby colours, minor athletic colours, Bromsgrove Badge, gold DofE, CCF, Community Service, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fourth Form production Blackout, Debating Society, European Youth Parliament, Exeter - LLB HILL, C.H.: 1998, Pre-Prep Survivor, House Monitor, Music Exhibition, 1st tennis, 1st hockey, gold DofE, Grade 8 Violin, Orchestra, Scholars’ Concert, Bath - Social Sciences HUNT, J.H.: 2008, House Monitor, 3rd football, 16A football, 16B rugby, 3rd cricket, music competition - won class, Big Band, Jazz Band, CCF, DofE, Leeds College of Music - Music Production JAYARATNASINGAM, J.J.: 2006, Scholarship, 2nd hockey, major hockey colours, bronze and silver DofE, Gap Year MASSEY, J.S.: 2001, Prep School Survivor, House Monitor, 1st XV rugby, 1st VII rugby (won Colstons tournament), 1st athletics, Manchester - Medicine

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

A rousing, if not entirely pitch-perfect, rendition of ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ in the House Song Competition set the tone for wholehearted participation in all Inter-House events during the year. We gained podium placings in nearly all of the sporting competitions, with victory silverware for the junior B rugby (since other categories fell victim to the weather, we think that makes Lupton the 2012/13 rugby champions) and 4x100m sprint relay (Jean-Claude Massey, Tekena Ojimba, Josh French, Charles Shephard). Notable individual achievements were Nick Papaioannou winning the junior cross country race, Jean-Claude Massey winning the senior victor ludorum award at Sports Day and Sam Adamson again making it to the final in the Staff Reading Prize.

It is also good to report that two separate pupil initiatives saw Jamie Tweddell / Sam Leather and then Morgan Berry / Oliver Fender get on their bikes (or, in Jamie’s case, unicycle) for charity fundraising.

Finally, due recognition for a great Tutor team.

We were sorry to lose Angela Gregory as our Housekeeper in October for a well-deserved promotion to another House, and thank Angela Cotterill for integrating so seamlessly into her role. Also to two splendid departing Tutors in Mr Falconer and particularly, after twenty seven years of loyal service to the House, Mr Burton. The stirring applause at the end of our final House Assembly Tutor team encapsulated far more than any of the words I was able to muster.

MCLOUGHLIN, M.H.M.: 2000, Pre-Prep Survivor, School Monitor, Head of House, Scholarship, 1st hockey captain, School cap for hockey, John Downey Cup for an outstanding conntribution to boys’ hockey over the past 5 years, gold DofE, Gap Year

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

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Lyttelton The academic year 2012/13 was a superb one in the illustrious history of Lyttelton House and as Head of House and Housemaster, Sam and I find ourselves with the impossible task of summarising a year of memorable and sometimes life-changing experiences in 800 words or less (and that’s forty-seven already wasted). This year’s departing Upper Sixth have been inspirational in their leadership and we thank them for their enthusiasm and friendship in guiding Lyttelton to new heights.

As is so often the case, the tone for the year is set during the first half of the Michaelmas term in House Song rehearsals (apologies for unintended pun!). ‘Surfin’ USA’, led expertly

by James Mayhew, assisted by creative consultant Sam Price, conductor Asher Hardy, Oliver Dunkley on crowd control and accompanied by Justin Clegg and Bradley McGeough, would eventually achieve an outstanding second place, but even that seemed incidental compared to the fun we had in rehearsals and the way in which it brought the House together and generated the kind of House spirit that was often the envy of the School throughout the year. This spirit has been in evidence during every House competition where we have indeed met with both triumph and disaster and we are delighted to say that we treated those two imposters both the same.

It would be easy at this point to look back at the years’ newsletters and ‘cut and paste’ our record in House competitions but the truth is that such a summary would not do justice to what really makes Lyttelton a very special place to be.

We could try and mention every high profile and celebrated success, from the continuation of the fine tradition of House debating with Will Lockhart and Elliot James winning the Junior Competition and Jake Perryman and Adam Robertson winning the Seniors.

Or indeed Niall Hegarty bringing the Staff Reading Prize back to the House after Jake won it last year. We could talk about victories in junior House football and junior House cricket or the fact that half of the Under 15A team that reached the semi final of the Daily Mail Cup were from Lyttelton House and were captained by Lytteltonian Alex Nisbet. We could mention them, but the truth is we were just as much of a House when we struggled

to win a game in the senior House hockey and even without the word limit we could not capture the enthusiasm, enjoyment and dedication that went into every House event this year. One could also mention academic excellence with Fred Alford winning the Wattell Prizes for Maths and Physics and securing an offer to study at Jesus College, Cambridge, or indeed Sam Coope securing a place at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Equally impressive would be James Mayhew’s offer to study at the Guildhall School of Music. We could even wax lyrical about end of term and year honours such as School Caps for Ben Tully (Football) and Fraser Mack (Hockey), or Sam Coope winning the

most prestigious Cookes Prize for a pupil who typifies what it means to be a Bromsgrovian… and one should not forget that Lyttelton this year boasted both Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy in Jake Perryman and Adam Robertson.

And even after we did all of that, we would need to find room to mention our own end of year awards, such as the prizes for year long academic endeavour which went to Billy Draper-Barr (Lower Fourth), Jack Weston (Upper Fourth), Justin Clegg (Fifth), Bradley McGeough (Lower Sixth) and Adam Robertson (Upper Sixth).

ALFORD, F.T.A.: 2008, House Monitor, Scholarship, 1st badminton, trumpet grade 7, Drums Grade 4, maths prizes, DofE Silver, Cambridge - Mathematics

Also the PA Sports Awards which were awarded to Alex Nisbet (Junior) and Ben Tully (Senior) and we could not forget the first ever awarding of the new Alfred Lyttelton Cup which went to Jake Perryman. And if we did all that, we may yet not have the room to pay tribute to Mr Kingston who leaves us after years of dedicated service to the boys of Lyttelton to join… let’s just say another House.

However, more rewarding than the accumulation of trophies and awards are the collection of memories and friendships generated during a year spent supporting each other to squeeze the life out of every opportunity, be it academic excellence, the pinnacle of sporting achievement or just making the most of what you have got.

J Wingfield and Sam Coope

BABIC, A.: 2008 BUCKLEY, A.T.: 2008, 1st cricket, 2nd rugby, European Youth Parliament, Reading - English and Politics COOPE, S.J.: 2002, Prep School Survivor, Head of House, 1st rugby, CCF - Head of RAF, Ten Tors Challenge - captain, Imperial - Computing

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PRICE, S.P.: 2008, House Monitor, 1st football, Pop and Jazz, DofE Bronze, DofE Silver, York - English Literature ROBERTSON, A.C.: 2001, Prep School Survivor, Deputy Head of School, School Monitor, House Monitor, 1st tennis, 2nd hockey, Debating, UCL - Geography TULLY, B.T.: 2009, House Monitor, Deputy Head of House, 1st football captain, won the North Mercian League, won North vs South Mercian League final, won North vs South Mercian representative match, 15A/16A football captain, 1st athletics, Cardiff UWIC Sport and Physical Education

DUNKLEY, O.J.D.: 2005, 1st rugby, 2nd rugby, athletics, DofE, CCF, Gap Year to New Zealand followed by Nottingham Trent Sports Education LEGROS, J.L.: 2005, Prep School Survivor, 3rd rugby , 3rd football, DofE Gold, Sports Leader Award, York - Management with a Year in Industry MACK, F.M.: 2003, 1st hockey, won Midlands’ indoor finals, 3rd National indoor finals, School Cap, Community Action, Fairtrade, Queen Mary University of London - Geography MAYHEW, J.A.M.: 2008, House Monitor, Music Scholarship, U14 development hockey team, U14A rugby, House Music Brass class 2013, House Music Brass blass 2012, House Music winner 2010, Orchestra, Big Band, Indigo, Chamber Choir, Chapel Choir, Jazz combo, Brass band, DofE, Scholarship to Guildhall School of Music - Jazz

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

When you walk into Lyttelton you sense something special, a welcome and friendliness that has nothing to do with the number of cups and shields on the mantelpiece. For us the real highlights of the year are those things that often go unnoticed but that make a huge difference. Those small, largely uncelebrated moments like when someone was there for somebody else when no-one else was looking, because it is these moments that make a House truly great.

AYLARD, E.P.R.A.: 2008, House Monitor, U14D rugby, U14 development hockey, U14 swimming, House Spirit award, achieved bronze Kelloggs swimming award, House athletics high jump, chess club, scrabble society, CCF, DofE Bronze, HeriotWatt - Brewing and Distilling

PERRYMAN, J.: 2004, Head of School, School Monitor, House Monitor, 2nd XV rugby captain, Staff Reading Prize 2012, Housman Verse Prize 2012, Senior House Debating Winners 2013, CCF, Durham - Law

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Mary Windsor

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The girls have put their all into the House sports teams and special mention must go here to Kimmy Chak for superb organisational skills. It is no mean feat to put a team together and Kimmy is great at quick-thinking, making last minute changes to accommodate everyone. Mary Windsor House spirit and support is still the best in the School; girls will go out in all weathers and participants have appreciated the cheers. With the theatrical performances of CATS and The Witches girls were busy with rehearsals and helping out backstage and with makeup. Watch this space – we have some great little actresses in the making and Emma Reeves shone in both acting and singing.We have also continued to raise much money for charity; helping support the local Primrose hospice with Easter egg hunts and clothes collections.

We have had another fabulous (whole year this time) in the new House and so much has been achieved in a wide range of activities such as Music, Drama, Debating and Sport.

Now quite used to all its quirks and the teething problems sorted we feel more relaxed in the new Mary Windsor and have been able to enjoy our new position much more. We have been through several large snowfalls and lots of English rain but the grounds have greened up and the gardeners have planted some lovely native flowers which make it much more homely. We are slowly but surely adding our own touches to the House to make it even more so.

Our monitor team this year have been exemplary. Led by Head of House Hannah Bufton and assisted by Tiffany Yeh and Hannah Featherstone, and event organisers Ada Yang and Della Tugusheva we have enjoyed many fun events, the highlight being the Disney party at Christmas time. We also made good use of the new Hospitality Suite with a Chinese evening and with our annual trip to the German Christmas market, the hot air balloon evening and the Summer BBQ complete with bouncy castle and silly games it has not been all work and no play.

Special thanks must go to Hannah Bufton as a genuinely superb Head of House, she has gained the respect of staff and pupils alike.

We welcomed thirty new girls this year from far reaching lands and from around the UK. All have coped extremely well with being away from home and loved ones, settled in very quickly and worked very hard to achieve some great results. I am always extremely proud of the girls when grades come around as they do so well – it is common for at least two thirds of them to achieve grade averages of 1.9 or less…lots of commendations awarded! Continuing on an academic note the exam period went without a hitch – the girls remained composed at all times and the hard work I hope has paid dividends.

The end of the Summer term saw colours and prizes awarded to members of the House as well as senior prizes at prize giving, Hannah Bufton – Business, Hannah Featherstone – Classics, Neal Tantisukrit – Mathematics.

There have been many individual achievements, awards and commendations, too many to mention everyone, however these are the winners of the House cups awarded at Commemoration: Olivia Bond – Sports. Emma Reeves – Drama. Madalina Ghiula – Music. Anastasia Chebotareva – Art. Senior Contribution to House Life - Hannah Bufton. Langdale Cup for 4th form contribution – Nyree Williams.

Ada Yang – Wallis bowl for effort in the house community. Fazel Cup for Upper Sixth who has achieved academically and contributed to House life – Hannah Featherstone.

We welcomed no less than five new tutors to the team this year – and what a team they have proved to be – I call them the “dream team”. I am so pleased that they are all here to stay and have not been poached by another House. They have been instrumental in helping the girls to settle and work so hard to provide the best for their tutees – without a doubt all have the pastoral touch.

Of course the House would not run so smoothly without our amazing Housemother Chris (or Fletch as the girls like to call her).

With over 25 years experience she remains calm and collected in any situation but more than that she is a welcome face for them in the morning and between lessons. We could not manage without her.

I want to thank everyone for yet another amazing year – each year I think it just cannot get better – but every year the girls never fail to surprise me – it just does! I have overriding pride in beautiful, elegant young ladies who conduct themselves with impeccable behaviour. Best wishes go to Nikol Grigorova and Anastasia Chebotareva, Head and Deputy Head of House next year. It feels so good not to have to say goodbye to anyone who leaves – just au revoir and bonne chance for I hope they will all keep in touch!

T Tweddell

BUBENCHSHIKOVA, M.B.: 2009, DofE, Residential Homes, Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Party for residential homes, European Languages Day, Prep School boarding, Sussex - Biology

YEH, T.: 2009, Senior Boarder, Deputy Head of House, School Monitor, House Monitor, Maths Challenge silver, DofE, School production, MUN, St Andrews Philosophy and Psychology

BUFTON, H.L.: 2006, House Monitor, Head of House, U16B netball, U16B hockey, bronze DofE, Prep School Business Day, Cardiff - Business (Human Resources)

YUEN, W.K.E.: 2008, involved in House piano competition, art subject prize, CCF, bronze DofE, Fairtrade café, Art Scholarship, LSE - Philosophy and Economics

CHAK, K.L.Y.: 2006, House Monitor, 1st badminton, 3rd hockey, CCF prize in end of year Mark Reading, bronze and silver DofE, Head of CCF (RAF), Queen Mary Aerospace Engineering

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ZHENG, J.: 2010, Essex - Accounting and Finance

CHEN, A.F.: 2011, Imperial - Maths with Statistics for Finance FEATHERSTONE, H.L.: 2006, School Monitor, House Monitor, Deputy Head of House, Exhibition, U16B hockey, My Fair Lady, Romeo and Juliet, Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blackout, Macbeth, Am-Dram, bronze and silver DofE, Sheffiled - Zoology HEBERGER, A.: 2010, House Monitor, Gap Year LAU, J.L.: 2011, Exeter - Law POON, S.L.: 2008, Bangor - Psychology TANTISUKRIT, N.T.: 2011, House Monitor, Biology Olympiad, UCL - Human Sciences TSE, C.: 2009, badminton, Art Scholarship, CCF, DofE, Edinburgh TSE, Y.T.: 2009, Art Scholarship TUGUSHEVA, A.: 2010, House Monitor, Lancaster - Economics and International Relations YANG, A.Y.Y.: 2010, House Monitor, hockey, rounders, netball, badminton, RADA bronze certificate, DofE, North Eastern USA

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

We will soon hear the patter of little feet as Mrs Peric-Crnko is expecting in October – a baby boy if the experts have got it right. We wish her well. And we enjoyed the patter of bigger feet – of the doggy kind – Miss Hardy brought her Labrador Ben to stay for a few weeks. The girls did enjoy him…it would be so nice to have a House pet!

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Oakley

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Oakley has had yet another spectacular year, made even more special with it being the first year in our beautiful new building. There have been many achievements throughout the year, both as a whole House and for individuals, and I would like to congratulate each of our Oakley girls on a successful completion of the year – they all have reasons to be proud of themselves.

The year has been full of fun events and laughs a-plenty – it has been delightful to see the girls integrate so well and they’ve enjoyed themselves at events such as the Halloween party, ladies’ night, formal dinner and Eurovision party. Our first challenge which must be mentioned was the annual House Song competition, where the Upper Sixth girls selected ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and led the House tremendously. Organising over 120 girls is not easy and the Upper Sixth had quite a task ahead, but I was stunned by their spirit and how well the girls pulled together.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t our year to win, but the performance was fantastic nevertheless.

This year has seen the introduction of some healthy competition between the girls with a star chart – even the most senior and sceptical were drawn in to competing to earn the most stars for helpfulness, commendations and participation in House events. The winning year group after each half term were rewarded with pizza at lunch time, a sought-after reward. All of the girls have contributed towards creating a strong community within the House and they have grown together.

Inter House competitions further reflect the girls’ teamwork and camaraderie and Oakley’s spirit seemed to just keep growing and thriving. Organised by Philippa Brock and Emma Maslen, they showed excellent sportsmanship and professionalism in all competitions. We had wins in Senior House Netball, Senior House Rounders, Junior House Tennis and individual winners in athletics events on Sports Day. All of the girls should be commended on how willing they were to participate and represent Oakley, regardless of ability. Even from the sidelines, the support for each other has been immense.

Chloe Leslie, Edda Fleysher, Daria Tarasova, Kirsty Salmon and Helena Solomou gave engaging performances. Furthermore, in the whole School production of CATS, Nataliya Georgieva, Polina Novikova, Aleksandra Satikova, Emily Taylor, Olga Vashchenko, Carren Wong and Hellen Yuan proved themselves to be exceptional actresses.

Outside of House life, the girls have remained committed to both their studies and extracurricular activities. In this year’s Fourth Form play of The Witches, Eleanor Birch, Sarah Chapman, Megan Thompson,

Academically, the girls’ have all remained focussed on their progress, showing much determination and effort grades this year have been excellent.

Sporting achievements have been numerous and Montana Bent, Katherine Keates and Philippa Brock deserve a special mention having played in the victorious U18 Netball team, winning the National Finals.

In our Oakley prizes, Philippa Brock won the best grades award having consistently achieved grade 1 for effort. Other prizes were won by Daria Tarasova and Clare Hill for junior House award and Hannah Middleton and Emma Maslen for senior House award.

These girls have maintained positive attitudes throughout the year, immersing themselves in House life, whilst achieving much academically and in their extra-curricular commitments. Nadescha Heine was awarded with the House spirit prize; she is willing to involve herself in all Oakley has to offer and does so with infectious enthusiasm.

BENT, M.: 2006, School Monitor, Drama, 1st netball, won national netball finals, Gap Year BLAND, L.: 2007, Surrey - International Hospiitality and Tourism Management

Our House Monitor team have been very strong leaders and role models this year. I would like to thank them personally for being such a tremendous support for pupils and staff alike. I am confident their successors will do just as good a job, being led by Alison Garvie as Head of House and Georgina Boffey and Simone Stiff as Deputy Heads of House. We have had no less than five Oakley girls selected to be School Monitors: Natasha Bateman, Andrea Ellinas, Sydney Liao, Katherine Leather and Emily Taylor. Emily Taylor will be Head Girl and Andrea Ellinas Deputy Head Girl; outstanding achievements by all.

We will miss all of our Oakley leavers dearly but wish them much luck in their future endeavours. Meanwhile, we look forward to new challenges ahead, after an enjoyable, much-deserved Summer break.

L Lancett

CHAN, S.C.: 2009. Durham - Business and Management CHEN, M.Y.: 2011, Bath - Electrical and Electronic Engineering CLARE, R.C.: 2004, 1st hockey, 2nd tennis, 1st girls’ cricket, bronze, silver and gold DofE, Bristol - Geography EVANS, N.K.: 2008, House Monitor, KCL - Geography FAN, H.F.: 2011, gold in national mathematics competition, Student Listener, LSE - Actuarial Science GURUNG, R.G.: 2011, House Monitor, gold DofE, Student Listener, Model United Nations, Community Action, Queen Mary - History KEATES, K.E.: 1998, Scholarship, Pre-Prep Survivor, House Monitor, 1st netball, won national netball finals, DofE, Manchester - Biology KOZHEMYAKO, K.S.: 2010, swimming, taught French to Prep School pupils, Kings College London - French and Hispanic Studies LEUNG, K.L.: 2011, Southhampton Accounting and Finance LI, J.W.: 2011, Durham - Accounting and Finance MASLEN, E.M.: 2011, House Monitor, 1st hockey outdoor, 1st hockey indoor, 2nd netball, senior athletics, Midlands’ indoor champions, national finals in indoor hockey 2012 and 2013, CCF, Student Listener, Sheffield Hallam - Geography

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MOGG, S.C.: 2011, cross country, School garden, Pre-Prep science, UCL - Biological Sciences QUINN, Z.: 2006, Birmingham City - Art Foundation SATIKOVA, A.S.: 2011, Head of House, School Orchestra, first violin, Royal Holloway Economics and Mathematics SEMJONOVA, M.S.: 2010, House Monitor, Model United Nations, Target 2.0 team, Student Listener, Bath - Sociology SHIELDS, J.: 2006, Oxford Brookes - Film Studies THOMPSON, J.M.: 2008, Aston - Marketing TSONEVA, R.T.: 2011, House Monitor, Model United Nations, economics book club, aerobics, swimming, badminton, art and textiles recreational, King’s College London European Studies with German VASHCHENKO, O.S.: 2011, residential homes activity, MUN, CATS, Exeter - International Relations and Russian VENABLES, P.J.: 2000, Pre-Prep Survivor, rounders, GCSE prize for textiles, bronze and silver DofE, World Challenge Expedition to Madagascar, Hereford College of Art - Art Foundation WONG, H.T.: 2011, KCL - Politics of the International Economy YEUNG, L.Y.: 2011, House Monitor, badminton, Staff Reading Prize, Model United Nations, Warwick - Law YUAN, H,J,: 2011, House Monitor, Senior Maths Challenge - Gold certificate, Biology Olympiad - Commended, Chapel Choir, Choral Society, CCF, 2012 Chinese concert organising committee, 2013 Chinese concert, Durham - Psychology

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

I would like to thank our tutors and Housemothers (Mrs Smith and Mrs Astill) for working so hard this year and continuing to be a support to both myself and the girls.

We do, unfortunately, lose some tutors who are moving on to other challenges and on behalf of Oakley, I wish them a special thank you and good luck: Miss Law, Mr Holdsworth and Miss Nelson. Assisting me this year have been Miss Law and Miss Williams who have brought much energy and enthusiasm to the House – a sincere thank you to both of them for their continuous support.

BROCK, P.K.: 2005, Scholarship, School Monitor, House Monitor, 1st netball, won national netball finals (IAPS 2008 & 2009, U14 2010, U16 2011, U19 2013), 1st tennis, CCF, DofE, Durham - General Engineering

MEDAROVA, M.M.: 2010, House Monitor, Student Listener, Bath - Economics and Politics

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School School House has enjoyed another excellent year and it all started, as usual, before the first Monday of term with the arrival of fifteen new Lower Fourth and two Lower Sixth pupils.

They settled into the routine quickly and within weeks the House seemed to function as if all had been together for months.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The experienced tutor team was unchanged and the new monitors led by Head of House Josh King and his Deputy James Gillick soon had rehearsals underway for the House Song Competition with the sixties song ‘Sugar, Sugar’ proving to be a popular choice with the boys yet as usual somewhat hard on the ears of duty staff during lunchtime rehearsals, at least for the first few weeks. Lower Fourth Malvern Field Day came and went and House go-karting at the Full Throttle Raceway proved a success with copious pizza again funded by our House PA. Once again the House excelled in the House Song competition being awarded a commendable third place with a points score on a par with the winning girls’ House. Sam Makar and Alex Brantingham provided the musical accompaniment with James Gillick wielding a large lollypop in lieu of a baton.

As the first half-term holiday became a distant memory and we soon enjoyed good performances in the swimming competitions winning the seniors yet again with a third in the juniors. Alas there was little rugby due to poor weather and pitch conditions with only the junior B team making the field of play before Christmas festivities were upon us and

thoughts were to become clouded for some by the onset of examinations both mock and for real in early January. The stunning School production of CATS saw James Gillick at his imperious best as Old Deuteronomy and Tom Challand in the chorus, a welcome reminder of the diversity of talent to be found in the House.

The Lent Term started with very cold weather and for much of the first half of term examinations dominated. Fortunately the Fifth Form had indeed for the most part undertaken some revision and results and predicted grades hinted at successes to come in the summer. House competition in the Lent term was again a little sparse, in part as a result of cold weather, although the junior football competition saw success with an exquisite winning goal scored by James Taylor in the

A competition, but alas more championship than premiership skills in the B competition, but it was good to see all compete well.

Cross-country at both junior (third) and senior level (winners) was matched by a good performance in the 1.2km relays (third), with one unique achievement in recent years being Ross Johnston’s fourth consecutive individual title in cross-country.

Music and senior debating competitions saw some excellent individual musicianship from the Lays, Thomas Muir and Pratik Moholkar with Declan Amphlett and James Gillick demonstrating a mastery of the debating floor in being adjudged runners up in a brilliant debating final in Routh Hall. Tom Challand and Luke Alcock were also superb in the Schools’ production of the Roald Dahl’s popular story The Witches, which was

to win critical acclaim and awards, with an extra performance demanded by popular demand in the Drama Studio. As the Lent term drew to a close, the School and Thomas Cookes House Spring Ball in early March, which again took place at Grafton Manor, was remembered for shaking and stirring us with the Sixth Form revelling in the chance to dress up, but alas the Housemaster did not win the top prize in the raffle of an Aston Martin experience day. Term ended with House pizza courtesy of the House Parents’ Association as boys were then to drift off laden with books and files to prepare for summer examinations, there was just a hint or two of fine summer weather to look forward to.

BARNES, T.E.B.: 2006, Art Scholarship, U15B football, 1st cross country, Hatt Cup for Art, Halstead Cup for Cross Country, Senior House Endeavour Cup, Highly Commended in the Decorative and Fine Arts Society Biennial Competition, Birmingham City - Art Foundation

Summer Term started with somewhat inclement weather yet all enjoyed an unusually fine sports day with excellent performances from all with even one of our BIST scholars Jason Park, with us for just a term, showing true grit in his performance in the 110m hurdles. Junior cricket too saw the A team make the semi-finals with captain Nat Brown rising to the challenge with aplomb, yet the spectre of examinations, both internal and external, soon dominated. The Upper Sixth leavers’ meal at The Vernon Arms with tutors was a memorable one and their final breakfast in the House saw both the boys and some tutors enjoy bacon and sausage baps just prior to examination leave and half-term.

Fortunately examinations quickly seemed to pass and before all were aware the end of term beckoned and awards were made, tributes given, final assemblies conducted and Leavers’ acknowledged at the final Parents’ Association BBQ on the last Friday of term.

M Stone

CUTLER, W.C.: 2003, Prep School Survivor, House Monitor, 1st hockey, 1st cricket, Midlands hockey finals, DofE, Exeter - Mining engineering DOMACHI, J.J.: 2011, House Monitor, 1st athletics, 2nd rugby, gold DofE, Reading - Business Economics GILLICK, J.: 2003, Deputy Head of House, drama colours, highly commended: Staff Reading Prize, various performances, runner up Housman Verse Prize, House Endeavour Cup, Three Counties Debating Champion, House Drama: Best Interpretation, senior House debating runners up, conductor and arranger for the House Song competition, drama, debating, backstage and technical theatre department (Pop and Jazz, Bromsgrove’s got Talent, Northern Lights, Shockheaded Peter, various drama exam pieces), School magazine, School Plays (Blackout, Macbeth, Am Dram, Reduced Expectations,Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, CATS), Reading - Primary Education with English Specialism

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KING, J.K.: 2006, Head of House, 1st swimming, 2nd hockey, Exeter - Mining Engineering LAY, J.W.: 2004, House Monitor, Music Scholar, Chapel Choir, Barbershop Quartet, Chamber Choir, CCF, DofE, Orchestra, String group, Durham - Music RAJKHOWA, V.G.: 2009, DofE, Durham Sociology WHITE, H.W.: 2006, House Monitor, 2nd football, CCF, DofE, House social representative, Loughborough - Retailing, Marketing and Management

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Final School Assemblies and Commemoration were noteworthy for the prizes and other awards made to many School House boys and our Upper Sixth Leavers Thomas Barnes, Alex Brantingham, William Cutler, Jamie Domachi, James Gillick, Ross Johnston,Josh King, James Lay, Vivek Rajkhowa and Harland White should be rightly proud of all they have achieved for both House and School.

My thanks to tutors Mr Andrew Langlands, Mr Owen Matthews, Dr Jo Ogston, Dr Alan Woollhead, Mrs Fran Bateman, the Deputy Houseparent Miss Sally Franks and our Housemother Mrs Ann Hibell for all their efforts too.

BRANTINGHAM, A.V.M.: 2001, Pre-Prep Survivor, 1st cross country, House cross country, Grade 7 trumpet, 11+ scholarship, Debating Society, gold DofE, Pop and Jazz, Three Counties Debating Competition (won), Indigo jazz band, CCF, HMP Stocken Exchange, Housman Reading Competition, Housman Verse Prize, Durham - Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations

JOHNSTON, R.: 2006, House Monitor, 1st cross country (boys captain), winner of the gold medal for best individual in East Midlands Inter-School Cross Country 2012, winner of House cross country four times in a row, 1st team athletics, Semi-finalist in the Staff Reading Prize 2013, entered the vortex short story competition 2013, won the Senior Endeavour Cup (School House) 2011,DofE (up to and including the gold expedition), poetry writing, Nottingham Trent - English and Creative writing

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Thomas Cookes She was ably supported by Eleanor Fussell as a witch and together with the rest of the Fourth Form dramatists produced a mesmerising performance.

Isabel James and Olivia Wormald reached the final of the Junior House Debating Competition and performed in Routh Hall against Lupton.

Catalina Heine and Zoe Lau also represented the senior girls and both spoke with impressive determination.

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There have been a number of sporting wins for TC this year. The girls were jubilant in the Junior House Swimming Competition with fantastic swims from the whole team, led by School swimmers Rebecca Salhan and Paige Maddox. Rebecca collected the winner’s trophy in a Routh Hall assembly. We won the Senior Netball plate, 1.2 relays and Junior Sports Day with both Lauren Brown and Libby Thornton picking up the Victrix Ludorum in their respective age groups.

There has been a major change in Thomas Cookes this year, namely the change of Housemistress from Ruth Al-Nakeeb to myself, Kay Hannah. Hopefully this has not meant that too much has changed for the girls. They have been the most delightful group of students I have come across and it is a pleasure to have become their Housemistress.

In writing for the Bromsgrovian though, I do so, even though I did not attend all of the events. There are many talented girls in Thomas Cookes who take on a variety of

activities including music, drama, sport and charity events which make for a very eventful year.

Emma also won the House Music competition.

Georgia Meredith won the Voice Class of the same competition.

In music, Emma Westley and Olivia Wormald performed brilliantly in the Music Scholars’ Concert. Fran Kingston and Georgia Meredith have both got stunning voices and have sung at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor and York Minster. Grace Stringer conducted our House Song where we came second. Emma Westley has been offered a place at the Royal College of Music after finishing her A Levels.

Fran Kingston, Georgia Meredith, Hannah Michell and Olivia Wormald performed in a production of CATS at the Artrix. Olivia Wormald has recently gained a part to play Enoch Snow’s Daughter in Carousel at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. Olivia also appeared in a wonderful Fourth Form Production of The Witches by Roald Dahl in which she was one of the narrators.

The House has had a number of wellsupported and fun Parents’ Association events throughout the year, including the mulled wine and carols event, the Thomas Cookes Ball and a fashion show which have all been welcome occasions where members of the House have had an opportunity to relax together.

We have also raised about £1,500 for charity this year, through numerous own clothes days, a cake sale, a penny trail, a Krispy Kreme doughnut sale and a charity rounders tournament.

Outside School, Thomas Cookes girls also achieve. Jessica Cliff qualified to bounce for the zonal stages of the National Inter-Schools Trampolining Competition. Jessica’s flair for physics has been recognised by becoming a Young Physicist of the Year in 2012 and the receipt of a Commendation in the Physics Olympiad. Jessica is also to be congratulated for achieving a bronze award in the 2013 Chemistry Olympiad.

Georgie and Henrietta Horsley-Gubbins have both qualified for the Longines Royal International Horse Show. They have both been very successful recently and Georgie in particular has qualified two ponies and may well achieve a place in the England team.

Georgia Meredith has been offered a place with Youth Music Theatre UK. Georgia’s place was well deserved, as 1200 performers auditioned for 300 places. She later performed in two shows in Yorkshire during August 2013.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the tutors who do such a wonderful job, helping and guiding the girls. I would also like to thank Laraine Chance who has been the Housekeeper of Thomas Cookes for 23 years and is leaving this summer. I would like to wish her all the best and hope that she enjoys retirement – she deserves it.

S K Hannah

GRENFELL, S.G.: 2008, School Monitor, Scholarship, Exhibition, 1st cross county, 3rd hockey, 3rd netball, Shakespeare Essay Prize (Lower Fourth), English subject prize (Lower Fourth and Upper Fourth), bronze, silver and gold DofE, Fourth Form Macbeth play, Cambridge - English

BLOOMER, A.B.: 2008, Exhibition, U16B netball, U16B hockey, U16 tennis, Textiles GCSE Prize, Young Enterprise, bronze DofE, Romeo & Juliet, Stourbridge College - Art Foundation

HEGGETT, M.A.: 2001, Pre-Prep Survivor, Head of House, Exhibition, 1st hockey, U14A U15A U16A netball, U14A U15A U16A rounders, Gold DofE, Sports Leaders Award, Biology Prize (GCSE), French Prize (GCSE), exhibition scholarship, Manchester - Medicine

CARDINALI, C.G.A.: 2000, Sports Scholarship, Pre-Prep Survivor, 1st netball, 1st swimming, 1st athletics, national netball champions four times, CCF, DofE, Leeds English and Philosophy CLARKE, N.L.C.: 2011, 2nd hockey, Birmingham - International Relations and Economics CLIFF, J.L.: 2011, competed at the Zonal Schools’ Trampolining Championships representing Bromsgrove School, Young Physicist of the Year Award from the University of Birmingham, Physics Olympiad Commendation, Chemistry Olympiad bronze award, LAMDA Acting Bronze Award, Grade 5 singing and cornet ABRSM exams, Chapel Choir, Am-Dram Sixth Form musical, Birmingham - Physics FLEEMING, E.: 1997, Pre-Prep Survivor, House Monitor, Scholarship, House hockey Lower Fourth, English Language GCSE Prize, French GCSE Prize, Chemistry GCSE Prize, Grade 4 Trumpet, Big Band, Corps of Drums, Choir, Pop and Jazz, Junior Drama Colours, My Fair Lady, Romeo and Juliet, Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, Blackout, Bronze DofE, Silver DofE, Gold DofE, World Challenge Trip to Madagascar, Exeter Medicine

KINGSTON, F.L.: 2002, Prep School Survivor, House Monitor, Deputy Head of House, B hockey, singing competition Fifth Form, BFAME singing U19, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent two years running, House Music and Drama award, Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, My Fair Lady cast, Threepenny Opera cast, CATS cast, Blue Remembered Hills cast, Debating, Fourth Form play cast, discussion group, George Jacob Society, MedVet, Community Action, Pop and Jazz for 5 years, Choral Society, Liverpool Veterinary Science MEREDITH, G.E.: 2008, Scholarship, Music Exhibition, 1st hockey, athletics, U16B netball, singing competition, School Drama Productions, Sixth Form Musical, Music Competitions, Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, Big Band, Choral Society, Southampton - Music NEALE, F.N.: 2009, King’s College Geography SHINNER, M.E.: 2008, House Monitor, Choir trips to New York, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral and York Minster, Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE, Several musicals (My Fair Lady, Threepenny Opera), Exeter Psychology SMITH, A.L.: 2005, House Monitor, cross country, athletics, DofE, York - Psychology

STRINGER, G.: 2009, House Monitor, House teams for netball, hockey and rounders, House Music award for singing, Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, CCF, DofE, Oxford Brookes - Early Childhood Studies

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THOMPSON-SMITH, S.L.: 2004, House Monitor, Art Scholarship, Falmouth Art College - Art Foundation THORNTON, L.J.: 2006, School Monitor, national netball winners 2007, 2008, 2009 and runners up in 2011, 1st hockey, National outdoor hockey finals 2011, National indoor hockey finals 2012 and 2013, long jump 2nd in IAPS National Finals 2008, National Track and Field Cup 2008, 2009, and 2011, English Schools’ Championship 2011 U17 80m hurdles 2011 and Vitrix Ludorum 2012, Silver and Gold DofE, Liverpool - Physiotherapy WESTLEY, E.J.: 2008, Music Scholarship, winner of music competition 2013, Music Prize 2010, Choral Society 2008-2013 (Bassoon Concerto at Birmingham Town Hall 2012), Silver DofE, Royal College of Music Music WESTWOOD, H.A.: 2008, Manchester Fashion and Textile Retailing WHITE, E.: 2006, House Monitor, Foundation Scholarship, GCSE DT: Resistant Materials Prize, CCF best army recruit, bronze, silver and gold DofE, My Fair Lady, Threepenny Opera, Fourth Form play Rock ‘n’ Roll Macbeth, Brighton - Biomedical Science WHITEHEAD, F.A.: 1999, Pre-Prep Survivor, House Monitor, DofE, Choir, Nottingham Trent - Primary Education WILSON, K.D.: 2002, Sports Scholarship, 1st netball, national netball champions

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Towards the end of the year, Rebecca Morrice and Catalina Heine became School Monitors.

Well done to them both.

ALSOP, L.G.R.: 2004, Deputy Head of House, Exhibition, 1st hockey, tennis team, reached U16 outdoor hockey nationals, reached U18 indoor hockey nationals, Academic Exhibition scholarship, bronze, silver and gold DofE, student listener, Sports Leader award, Exeter - Geography

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Walters Another fine year has flown by in Walters House, with many fine individual and collective achievements. The year started well with twenty new Lower Fourths settling quickly, and thoroughly enjoying their preparations for their debut Unison Song competition. Superbly led by Oscar Barber Fray and Will Bedford-Russell, the boys worked hard in practices of their version of The Beatles’ ‘Lady Madonna’. The competition, the first to be held in the new Sports Arena, saw Walters win the trophy for best boys’ House and gain the most points of all the Houses – a really excellent performance. This trophy was followed in the Lent Term with victory in the 1.2 relay –an epic race saw the closest and most exciting finish in years, with Will Hunt just taking victory for the House in the last fifty yards of the final leg. This is the fourth year running that we have won this competition. The Lent term also saw the Junior boys win the Cross Country competition and the Junior B team winning the Hockey trophy. The beginning of the Summer Term saw a mighty haul in the inter-House Athletics competition, with Walters winning the U15, U17 (jointly with Elmshurst) and U20 competitions, the overall inter-House trophy and the 4x400m relay cup. Joseph Morrice was also U17 Victor Ludorum, in what was a tremendous day for the House.

The end of the summer term saw the House bid a fond farewell to two outstanding tutors, who had made a huge difference in the House over the past six years. The Director of Music, Mr Kingston, and Head of Curriculum Support, Mrs Deighan, both brought vast amounts of experience from their respective

fields of expertise, but much more than that, their support, encouragement and affection for the boys made them both hugely popular in Walters. Mrs Deighan’s calmness and wisdom, and Mr Kingston’s humour and sparkle will both be sorely missed in years to come. We wish them both all the very best for the future; they have more than made their mark in the history of Walters House.

We look forward to welcoming the immensely experienced Mr Stone to the House in September, following in the footsteps of his two boys, as well as Mrs Buckley, a new staff joiner.

Also departing in June was a simply outstanding Upper Sixth year group that boasted three School Monitors, the 1st XV Captain, two Cambridge scholars, the 1st XI football team’s player of the year and one of the finest actors in Bromsgrove School’s recent history. More than any individual achievements though, was the superb bond between them that saw them acknowledge each others’ strengths, accept their differences and celebrate their successes together.

The leadership they brought to the House was exceptional and the speeches in the Final House Assembly of the year from Mssrs Barber Fray, Young and Hunt were very special indeed; indeed they brought a tear to the eye. We wish them all the very best of luck and look forward to hearing of their many successes in the future.

The end of the year saw a number of prizes and awards gained by Walters leavers; at Prizegiving, William Hunt received the Biology Prize, James Hey the Economics Prize and Max Kendrick the Politics award.

BARBER FRAY, O.: 2004, Glasgow - English Language BEDFORD RUSSELL, W.B.R.: 2006, B team rugby, 3rd team rugby, athletics, 2nd football, House Song winners, drama, I was involved in every play since Lower Fourth, Acting, Gap Year

In addition, William Bedford Russell won both the Wattell Prize and the Page Cup for Drama, as well as a Liberal Arts award for services to the Performing Arts.

Will Hunt did a fantastic job as Head of House, genuinely leading by example and acting as a superb role model to the rest of the boys in the House. He and Deputy Head of House Alex Black (who was presented the Paul Sawtell Award for contributions to Walters over five years) worked tirelessly for Walters this year. They are undoubtedly a hard act to follow for next year’s Head of House, James Hubscher, and Deputy Head of House Alex Moore, but, equally, we are more than confident that these two will set their own high standards.

Many thanks must go to all the House tutors for their dedication to and hard work for all the boys in the House over the year, and especially to our Housekeeper, Lesley Gibbs who has worked tirelessly to support us all.

D Wilkins

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YOUNG, J.Y.: 2011, School Monitor, House Monitor, 1st rugby captain, Manchester Business Studies

CUSACK, W.G.C.: 2008, School Monitor, House Monitor, Scholarship, 2nd hockey, Lower Sixth geography prize, Young Enterprise, gold DofE, Model United Nations, Bristol - Law FLEURY, J.E.F.: 2001, Pre-Prep Survivor, bronze DofE, silver DofE, Grade 1-7 Viola, House Music competition, Exeter - LLB (European) GRETTON, T.W.: 2009, School Monitor, played rugby for 10 years, captained County rugby, North Midland and Midland rugby, 1st XV rugby cap, 2nd cricket, Student Listener, Durham - Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity HEY, J.M.: 2007, Scholarship, Nottingham - Economics HUNT, W.H.: 2005, Prep School Survivor, Head of House, Scholarship, 2nd cricket, 1st rugby, 3rd football, DofE, Community Action, Student Listener, Leicester Medicine KENDRICK, M.W.: 2007, House Monitor, Scholarship, Manager of Young Enterprise 2011-12, Model United Nations, Cambridge - HSPS LEECH, M.L.: 2011, Sports Scholarship, 1st rugby, School Cap, Nottingham Trent Business Management MORTON, O.M.: 2011, 3rd rugby, 3rd football, 3rd cricket, House rugby,

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

We look forward to welcoming our next contingent of new joiners, and to another year.

BLACK, A.B.: 2000, Prep School Survivor, Deputy Head of House, 3rd cricket, CCF, Drama - CATS, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Threepenny Opera, Romeo and Juliet, Birmingham - Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science

House football, House swimming, DofE, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent, Pop and Jazz, Aberystwyth - Life Sciences PHILP, E.D.P.: 2009, 1st XV rugby, 1st VII rugby, 1st football, 1st athletics, U16 rugby North Midlands’ Final, DofE, Plymouth Biological Sciences

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Wendron-Gordon The twins Ron and Roy powered round the bends whilst Alexey Dzhandzhgava and Jordan Smith steamed down the straights.

Sports Day is always a fun House event. This is a time where the House gets together after a year of bonding; we had many individual winners but I would just like to congratulate Calum Cooper on his excellent performance in winning the high jump where he wasn’t put off by ‘support’ which the House gave.

This year the tutor team has changed with members leaving such as Mr Ravenscroft and Mr Noble. These tutors were a great loss for the House. Fortunately we gained Mr Bonnell from the Physics department, which brought back the WG spirit that had become depleted.

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Most years the housekeepers and the gardener don’t get mentioned and I think this is a great shame, even though they are not teachers they are always people that you can rely on if you need a chat.

Wendron-Gordon House is not just a boarding House; it is a community, family, work place and home. Just like any family there are always ups and downs. But without a shadow of a doubt, the highs surpass the lows. The past ten years at Bromsgrove have been almost perfect and I do not regret a second. I am extremely appreciative of the positions that I have been given in the School and I hope that I, and my fellow WG Housemates, did Bromsgrove proud.

As with every year, the roar that came from WG as we sang Lets Twist Again by Chubby Checker deafened the adjudicator. We sang with spirit and pride, however the singers won over the shouters! We have participated in many House events like football and cricket but unfortunately the senior Rugby 7s was called off this year. The other Houses cowered under the line up of Thomas Feasby and Jakob Lingg as props and George Blaxall at ten whilst Chris Zaric was on the wing. It was a real shame that we weren’t able to play.

The seniors fought well under hard competition captained by the Deputy Head of House Jakob Lingg in the House hockey.

The same could be said about Tom Feasby’s performance in the cross-country where he came fourth and Nikita Aganin winning his category in the music competition.

The juniors really shone this year in the house by winning the House hockey competition captained by Justin Eller-Hughes to beat our old rivals Elmshurst in the finals and the 4x100m relay on sports day.

I would like to thank Ash (gardener) and the four lovely cleaning ladies (Sylvia, Pauline, Louise and Karen) for everything that they have done over the years.

I would also like to say thanks to the Housemaster Mr Bell for making my, and many of my peers’ last year enjoyable. He runs the House well and I will look forward to seeing his first year of Lower Fourths in the Upper Sixth when I come back for Commem, including the strong-minded Arsen Bagdasaryan and the strong-willed James Taylor.

AGANIN, I.: 2008, House Monitor, Brighton and Sussex - Medicine

Lastly, for everything that they have done, Mrs Batchelor and Mrs Hibell have been a dream team keeping Wendron-Gordon House straight, they really are the heart and soul of the House and I thank them for their efforts.

This year the House has supported me and my peers in a way that it hasn’t done before, like any School, sporting commitments, examinations and other life pressures have tried to get in our way but the House has helped us get through the bad times. On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the boys from 2008-2013 for making my time so enjoyable, you will be sincerely missed.

Connor McBride, Head of House

AGANIN, N.A.: 2008, 1st squash captain, 1st swimming, 1st athletics, County champion three times in hammer throwing, best score in School for shot put, winner of annual music competition, performed in London, accomplished grade 6 guitar, writer for the economics and business magazine, helped in a residential home, helped Prep School pupils, animal sanctuary activity, Fairtrade café, bio-diesel project, Community Action, Durham - Psychology and Philosophy ALBACH, O.A.: 2010, House Monitor, 2nd hockey, gold DofE, gardening, European Languages Day, Eco Action Day, Ludwig Maximilian’s University BLAXALL, G.: 2010, Queen Mary Geography CHAN, S.C.: 2009, Sheffield - Civil Engineering CHEUNG, H.W.: 2011, House Monitor, Exeter - Law COOPER, C.C.: 2004, House Monitor, 3rd rugby, 1st athletics, gold DofE, Pop and Jazz, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent, Liverpool Economics FEASBY, T.F.: 2008, House Monitor, 2nd football, silver DofE, gold DofE, Student Listening, Manchester - Sports Management

KOTEVSKI, K.N.K.: 2011, House Monitor, basketball, MUN, Nottingham - Economics and Politics LINGG, J.G.P.L.: 2010, Deputy Head of House, 1st hockey, twice Midlands’ indoor champions, captain of indoor hockey, gardening, saxophone, kangara book collection, European Language Day, Ludwig - Maximilian’s University

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MCBRIDE, C.C.: 2004, School Monitor, Head of House, 1st athletics, 2nd rugby, athletics vice captain, rugby senior colours, GCSE art award, AS DT Resistant Materials award, Bromsgrove’s Got Talent, NCO corporal in CCF, silver and bronze DofE, Chairman’s Fund Award, Gap year working at Harrow Internatioal School Bangkok, Exeter - Exercise and Sport Sciences MINEEV, R.M.: 2008, hockey, rugby, C teams during Fourth Form, bronze Maths Challenge award, chess, squash, Fairtrade, residential home activity, Durham Economics STANEV, V.S.: 2009, House Monitor, 1st tennis, 1st basketball, CCF, DofE, Community Action, Young Enterprise, KCL - Business Management WONG, K,.Y.: 2011, KCL - Physics WONG, K.F.: 2008, Nottingham - Psychology YANG, C.C.: 2011, Young Writers’ mini aaga competition, swimming, residential home activity, Prep School magazine, Sixth Form drama production (Am-Dram), LAMDA, badminton, dancing, Upton Warren, piano, Lancaster - English with Creative Writing YAU, L.F.: 2011, House Monitor, Bath Aerospace Engineering YEO, J.S.: 2011, 1st football, gardening, UCL - Information Management for Business YIP, T.Y.: 2009 YUEN, S.H.: 2011, Durham - Accounting and Finance ZARIC, C.Z.: 2011, 1st rugby, Gloucestershire - Events Management

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

KOLESNIKOV, M.K.: 2010, House Monitor, 1st tennis, 1st squash, CCF, bio-diesel project, UCL - Chemical Engineering

LONSKIY, A.: 2009, silver mathematics award, Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, Fairtrade, choir - Birmingham Town Hall, IFS investor challenge, Routh Hall assembly reading, CCF, LSE - Management

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Commemoration Day Thomas Cookes Sermon

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We were delighted to welcome this year’s Preacher of the Sir Thomas Cookes Sermon, Revd. Dr. Simon Jones, Chaplain of Merton College, Oxford. It was a memorable sermon.

A funny, simple story at the outset about dressing up as Henry VIII, led to the question ‘Who am I?’ and the subject of our identity.

Although not decrying social media, a few teachers and parents in the Congregation would have nodded when he spoke about the superficiality and importance of Facebook and the dependency of people on electronic media. It was a beautifully planned, coherent address with real empathy for the occasion, awareness of our history and of our leavers heading into the adult world. Dr Jones referred back to the reading reminding us that the deeds of celebrated people are also the result of many other people. We all play our part. It closed with a message of great Christian hope when he returned to the final words of the ‘Te Deum’ ‘O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded’.

P Bowen

Headmaster’s Speech As usual, the Headmaster’s Commemoration speech was not standard fare. He reviewed the year via overheard telephone calls, alien text messages, a note from Luis Suarez’s agent, letters from parents, a telepathic message from Shakespeare, poems from pupils and other assorted correspondences.

A delighted audience heard of superb examination results, extraordinary extracurricular achievements and a sense of purpose and vision that informs life at Bromsgrove School. Tribute was paid especially to the Support Staff who have helped effect the extensive and rapid changes.

Guest Speaker The Head also thanked those staff who were leaving, especially those who were retiring after many years of service. He concluded by praising those pupils who were leaving the School, acknowledging their enormous contribution and wishing them every success and happiness in the future.

Former Head Boy Simon Bucknall returned to Bromsgrove as our honoured guest speaker at the annual Commemoration Day celebrations.

Simon, twice UK and Ireland Public Speaking Champion, gave a rousing and inspiring speech which focussed on the journey through life and the opportunities which arise along the way. Simon spoke directly to each year group and encouraged pupils to seize opportunities, learn from failure and try new things. Simon spoke of memories from his own schooldays and his experiences as a young Bromsgrovian.

M Griffiths

Prize Winners 2013 Wattell Prizes English History Latin Religious Studies French Spanish Business Studies Politics Geography Economics Mathematics Physics Art Art (Textiles) Physical Education Graphic Products German Drama

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Academic Prizes Sophie Grenfell Max McLoughlin James Lay Sarah Hawkley Verena Ganser Alina Dubinska Hannah Bufton Max Kendrick Lydia Trow James Hey Frederick Alford Frederick Alford Thomas Barnes Abigail Davies Madeleine Heggett Fiona Whitehead Daria Solomatina William Bedford Russell

Amphlett Prize for Chemistry John Hedley Memorial Prize for CCF Turner Memorial Prize for Music Chaytor Pepper Prize for Classics William Lewins Prize for Biology Alison Bramley Memorial for Mathematics Jeffrey Lewins Prize for Technology (RM) Housman Verse Prize Staff Reading Prize

Maxime Cox Philippa Brock Ivan Aganin Hannah Featherstone William Hunt Neal Tantisukrit Harland White Sophie Grenfell Niall Hegarty

Special Prizes Senior Boarders Deputy Head Girl Deputy Head Boy Head Girl Head Boy Tony Limbert Memorial Trophy Paul Sawtell Memorial Trophy Ben Showell Memorial Rose Bowl Kelly Bicknell Memorial Award Cookes Prize

Felix Ng and Tiffany Yeh Ellen Lockhart Adam Robertson Sophie Luckman Jake Perryman Lydia Trow Elliot Davies James Gillick Connor McBride Sam Coope

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Salvete

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Elmshurst Agafonov, Alexander Andreasyan, Aram Chapman, Charlie Fowke, Harrison Iec, Kai Nam James, George Khashiev, Osman Khashiev, Shamil Klitz, Constantin Kriegler, Lukas Lemke, Nicolas Lukanov, Lyubomir Neumann, Tim Pantlen, Lennart Rimlyand, Artur Schaack, Marcel Stenger, Julius Wiskemann, Nicolai Yip, Chun Tung Zhang, Peng Fei Hazeldene Brady, Lucy Brown, Lois Bubb, Molly Coleman, Charlotte Jeffries, Eleanor Murray, Anna Peplow, Holly Virk, Serena Wiklund, Josephine Housman Hall Arafat, Youssef Asghar-Sandys, Peter Babaeva, Sabina Baev, Gleb Balina, Polina

Housman Hall (continued) Bereshchanskaya, Yulia Blinov, Lev Blokhina, Maria Bors, Claudiu Cao, Yushan Chapman, Emelia Cheng, Pui Yin Court, Elsa E, Dayina Ganeva, Teodora Gayazutdinova, Leysan Glazyrin, Evgeniy Gredler, Nicholas Gubern Gonzalez, Teresa Hawkins, George Heidland, Teresa Ho, Alison Wing Tung Karadotcheva, Elitza Karagayev, Alibek Kinder, Emily Kong, Jing Yu Kretova, Elizaveta Li, Lipeng Liu, Pui Ying Luong, Truc Quynh Lusamlit, Rawisara Makarkina, Viktoriya Mikhailov, Aleksei Mittermair, Maximilian Omelchenko, Oleksii Parisi, Paolo Pui, Long Yee Valerie Roberts, Tomas Shelkova, Elizaveta Tang, Sheung-Yin Tomoni, Andrada Tsang, Yin Mo Walton, Katrina

Housman Hall (continued) Watanabe, Momoko Wen, Ka Chun White, Luke Wong, Yan Kei Wong, Ying Suan Xu, Xiaoyu Yakavitski, Stanislau Yeh, Te-Han Yeremeyev, Olexandr Yeung, Chi Ling Zgraja, Sophie Zhang, Boya Lupton Day, Jamie Hatfield, George Shinner, Edward Wiklund, Theodore Lyttelton Fallon, George Hadlington, Joseph McManus, Declan Phillips, Joseph Phillips, Samuel Robinson, Charles Sfrantzis, Nicholas Symonds, Harry

Mary Windsor Boersch, Nina-Sophie Feenan, Eve Filimonova, Anna GĂźrdal, Yasemin Huth, Josefine Ibragimova, Ramina Kleckner, Celine KĂśnig, Christina Kosova, Daria Liu, Tian Yuan Pakhulskaia, Polina Pop, Isabela Tseng, Kar Leong Wichelhaus, Felicitas Yeung, Sin Ting Zada, Joanna Oakley Aynetdinova, Daniya Babanova, Aiperi Bartmann, Lea Bentley, Amy Boeckel, Valerie Chan, Cheuk Lok Crean, Chloe Enotova, Lana Goodchild, Kate Halley, Erica Hann, Luisa Heller, Isabelle Karicheva, Svetlana Lawler, Eleanor Macadrai, Madalina Mann, Rosie Mazitova, Victoria Mihaescu, Andreea Morris, Nicola Richards, Isabella

Oakley (continued) So, Ho Zoen Wang, Anran Wang, Yuwen Zhang, Xinxiaoyu School Bentley, Matthew Boyes-Varley, Luke Gunton, John Ilyas, Muhammad Ison, Samuel Ison, Zachariah Lipery, Alexandros Roosenboom, Sjors Thomas Cookes Gretton, Molly Kennett, Lucy Smith, Ria Walters Buckley, Nathan Cutress, William Freer, Archie Stokes, Evan

Wendron-Gordon Aletse, Sebastian Allison, Austin Avdoi, Dzhemal Brauer, Jan Caspers, Oliver Chan, Chi Yin Chen, Hao Chong, Lap Yin Kelvin Chung, Ting Yin Fung, Chin Ho Guliev, Raul Kondratyev, Ivan Lam, Hau Tak Lau, Milton Linne, Christophe Mutschler, Henry Penkov, Boris Ruetzel, Fabian Sasalaksananon, Peerawich Shakkum, Georgy Suleimen, Abdigali Tai, Chung Tat Walter, Nikolaus Weisner, Wille Yangurazov, Marat Zaric, Joseph

Mark Reading

113

December 2012 Harry Gibbs Declan Amphlett Jagraj Bhandal William Parkinson Leah Hill Tory Edwards Natasha Bateman Abbie-May Griffiths Lewis Turner Samuel Rose Alexander Cox Tara Thorpe Robert Stirrat Asher Hardy Harry Gibbs Daniel Garvie Natasha Bateman William Parkinson Kit Thornton Samuel Rose Alexander Cox Amy Foster Vincent Wang Dominique Finlay

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

English Language English Literature Mathematics French Art Art (Textiles) Biology Business Studies Chemistry Classical Civilisation Latin Design & Technology: Graphic Products Resistant Materials Drama Geography German History Music Physics Religious Studies Spanish PE EAL Extended Project

114

Leavers 2013 Numbers of students achieving First Choice place

170 (84%)

Numbers of students achieving Insurance Choice place 23 (11%) Numbers of students achieving Clearing place 10 (5%)

Number of students achieving Russell Group University places 121 (60%) Number of students achieving 1994 Group University places 23 (11%) (Please note: the data in this list reflects information available on 24/08/2013.

We apologise for any inaccuracies).

Name

E

E

University

Subject

Lorianna Bland

1

Surrey

International Hospitality and Tourism Management

George Blaxall

1

Queen Mary RG

Geography

Annabel Bloomer

1

Stourbridge College

BTEC Art Foundation

Alexander Brantingham

1

Durham RG

Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations

Philippa Brock

1

Durham RG

General Engineering

Harry Brown

1

Birmingham RG

Sport, PE and Coaching Science

Marina Bubenchshikova

2

Sussex 94

Biology

Timothy Buckley

2

Reading

English and Politics

Hannah Bufton

1

Cardiff RG

Business Management (HR)

Claudia Cardinali

1

Leeds RG

English and Philosophy

Kimmy Lok Yi Chak

1

Queen Mary RG

Aerospace Engineering

Aaron Chi Lung Chan

1

Hong Kong

Law

University

Subject

Christine Sze Chai Chan

1

Durham RG

Business and Management

Ivan Aganin

1

Brighton and Sussex 94

Medicine

Dominic Sze Chun Chan

1

Sheffield RG

Civil Engineering

Nikita Aganin

1

Durham RG

Philosophy and Psychology

Joel Chan

C

Leicester 94

Law

Ludwig - Maximillian’s University

Oliver Albach

Natalie Yu Ling Chan

1

UCL RG

Urban Planning, Design and Management

Frederick Alford

1

Cambridge RG

Mathematics

Ada Fan Chen

1

Imperial RG

Maths with Statistics for Finance

Veronika Aliyeva

1

Toronto

Social Sciences

Melody Yizhou Chen

C

Bath

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Lily Alsop

1

Exeter RG

Geography

Siqi Chen

1

Warwick RG

Maths and Economics

Nikita Andreev

C

BUWE

Business and Management

Denys Cherkashyn

1

Toronto

Economics

Charlie Andrews

1

Nottingham Trent

Business

Bryan Ho Wing Cheung

1

Exeter RG

Law

Gap Year

James Ting Pong Cheung

1

UCL RG

Information Management for Business

Farah Asghar Sandys

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Name

Edward Aylard

2

Heriot-Watt

Brewing and Distilling

Rachel Clare

1

Bristol RG

Geography

Oscar Barber Fray

1

Glasgow RG

English Language

Natalie Clarke

1

Birmingham RG

International Relations and Economics

Thomas Barnes

1

Birmingham City

BTEC Art Foundation

Jessica Cliff

1

Birmingham RG

Physics

Gap Year

Charlotte Collie

1

Warwick RG

History and Sociology

Economics

Sam Coope

2

Imperial RG

Computing

Calum Cooper

1

Liverpool RG

Economics

William Bedford-Russell Fedor Belov

1

UCL RG

Lita Bennett

Gap Year

Maxime Cox

1

Oxcord RG

Medicine

Montana Bent

Gap Year

William Cusack

2

Bristol RG

Law

Sport, PE and Coaching Science

William Cutler

1

Exeter RG

Mining Engineering

Alexander Black

1

Birmingham RG

Name

E

University

Subject

Name

E

University

Subject

Abigail Davies

1

Falmouth Art College

BTEC Art Foundation

Alexander Hillier

1

Sheffield RG

International Relations and Politics

Elliott Davies

1

Exeter RG

Exercise and Sport Sciences

Julie Ka Yu Ho

1

Leicester 94

Chemistry with Forensic Science

Daisy Dix

1

Leeds College of Art

Fine Art

Robyn Howcroft

1

Cardiff RG

Medicine

Jamie Domachi

1

Reading

Business Economics

Charis Yingsi Huang

1

Imperial RG

Civil Engineering

Vikki Hui

1

LSE RG

Law

Gavin Dudley

1

Leeds RG

Biochemistry

Jacob Hunt

1

Music Production

Oliver Dunkley

1

Nottingham Trent

Sports Education

Leeds College of Music

Greg Edwards

1

Oxford Aviation Academy

Commercial Pilot Training

William Hunt

1

Leicester 94

Medicine

Gareth Evans

1

Exeter RG

Law

Brett Huxley

1

Oxford Brookes

Real Estate Management

Natasha Evans

1

KCL RG

Geography

Melody Sin Ting Ip

1

Durham RG

Business and Management

Elizabeth James

1

York RG

History of Art

Alina Dubinska

1

LSE RG

Actuarial Science

Janson Yau Shun Fan

1

Lancaster 94

Economics

Thomas Feasby

C

Manchester Met

Sports Management

Hannah Featherstone

1

Sheffield RG

Zoology

Evana Fleeming

1

Exeter RG

Medicine

Jonathan Fleury

1

Exeter RG

Law (European)

Charlie Gaffney

2

Loughborough 94

Information Management and Business Studies

James Gillick

1

Reading

Primary Education with English

Vincent Klitz

Sophie Grenfell

1

Cambridge RG

English

Leoni Koch

Thomas Gretton

1

Durham RG

Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity

Sophie Griesbach

1

Nottingham Trent

Business Mgt & Entrepreneurship

Rashika Gurung

1

Queen Mary RG

History

James Hanna

1

Leeds RG

History and Italian

Sarah Hawkley

1

Bristol RG

Sociology and Philosophy

Lancaster 94

Management Studies 4and European Languages

Verena Ganser

Sophie Haycock-Jones

2

Anna Sophie Heberger Madeleine Heggett

1

Manchester

Medicine

James Hey

1

Nottingham RG

Economics

Charles Hill

1

Bath

Social Sciences

Joshua Jayaratnasingham

Gap Year

Allan Fan Jiang

2

York RG

Economics

Ross Johnston

1

Nottingham Trent

English with Creative Writing

Katherine Jones

1

BUWE

Criminology and Psychology

Katherine Keates

1

Manchester RG

Biology

Max Kendrick

1

Cambridge RG

Human, Social and Political Sciences

Joshua King

1

Exeter RG

Mining Engineering

Francesca Kingston

1

Liverpool RG

Veterinary Science

Maxim Kolesnikov

1

UCL RG

Chemical Engineering

Kostadin Kotevski

1

Nottingham RG

Politics and Economics

Sophie Kozhemyako

1

KCL RG

French and Hispanic Studies

Tom Ching Chuen Ku

1

Durham RG

Business and Management

Philip Ho Pan Lam

1

Loughborough 94

Business, Economics and Finance

Jane Ho Lam Lau

2

Exeter RG

Law

James Lay

1

Durham RG

Music

Michael Leech

1

Nottingham Trent

Management

Jerome Legros

C

York RG

Management with a Year in Industry

Viana Ka Lam Leung

C

Southampton RG

Accounting and Finance

Zixian Li

1

Oxford RG

Mathematics

Moritz Krauel

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Claire Haicho Fan

115

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

116

Name

E

University

Subject

Name

E

University

Subject

Wai Li

2

Durham RG

Accounting and Finance

Felix Wang Yiu Ng

1

LSE RG

Economics

Peter Jinshang Li

2

Leicester 94

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Tekena Ojimba

2

Nottingham RG

Engineering with Foundation

Johannes Liessem

1

Ulm University

Business and Chemistry

Jake Perryman

1

Durham RG

Law

Jakob Lingg

1

Ludwig - Maximillian’s University

Physics

Anna Phillips

1

Keele

Medicine

Edward Philp

2

Plymouth

Biological Sciences

Andrea Lloyd

1

Leeds RG

English

Ellen Lockhart

1

Exeter RG

Geography

Candace Wing Yan Poon

Alex Lonskiy

1

LSE RG

Management

Colleen Sze Long Poon

1

Bangor

Psychology

Ivy Lingyan Lu

2

UCL RG

Economics

Krid Potchapornkul

2

Durham RG

Accounting and Finance

Letitia Tianyue Luan

1

Warwick RG

Economics

Louis Preira

1

Leicester 94

Geography

Sophie Luckman

1

Birmingham RG

Medicine

Sam Price

1

York RG

English

Fraser Mack

1

Queen Mary RG

Geography

Jacky Yan Long Mak

C

Leicester 94

Management Studies

Sebastian Prinz Von Croy

1

East Anglia 94

Business Economics

Emma Maslen

2

Sheffield Hallam

Geography

John Pudge

1

Reading

Agriculture

Jean-Claude Massey

1

Manchester RG

Medicine

Zoe Quinn

1

Birmingham City

BTEC Art Foundation

Laura-May Matthews

1

Exeter RG

Exercise and Sport Sciences

Vivek Rajkhowa

1

Durham RG

Sociology

1

Liverpool RG

International Business

1

Guildhall School of Music

Edward Rawcliffe

James Mayhew

Music

Charlotte Ray

1

Loughborough 94

Psychology

Connor McBride

1

Exeter RG

Exercise and Sport Sciences

George Robbins

1

Nottingham Trent

International Relations

Amy McDonough

1

Loughborough College

BTEC Art Foundation

Dale Roberts

1

Aberystwyth

Law

Adam Robertson

1

UCL RG

Geography

Aleksandra Satikova

2

Royal Holloway 94

Economics and Mathematics

Benjamin Sayce

1

Exeter RG

Business and Management

Scott McQuaid

1

Bristol RG

Aerospace Engineering

Magdalena Medarova

1

Bath

Politics and Economics

Stoyko Mekushin

1

Manchester RG

Economics

Georgia Meredith

1

Southampton RG

Music

Rochelle Mills

1

Nottingham Trent

Fashion Design

Roman Mineev

2

Durham RG

Economics

Sarah Mogg

1

UCL RG

Biological Sciences

India Morris

Gap Year

Oliver Morton

1

Aberystwyth

Max Mueller-Berg

1

LMU Munich

Felicity Neale

1

KCL RG

Life Sciences

Geography

Laura Schuler

Gap Year

Maria Semjonova

1

Bath

Sociology

Lena Yiyuan Shen

1

LSE RG

Statistics with Finance

Jerry-Dee Shields

2

Oxford Brookes

Film Studies

Mary Shinner

1

Exeter RG

Psychology

Daria Shvirikasova

1

British Columbia

Bachelor of Arts

George Skelly

C

Heriot-Watt

Business Management

Alice Smith

1

York RG

Psychology

Daria Solomatina

1

Durham RG

PPE

Yide Song

1

Warwick RG

PPE

Name

E

University

Subject

Name

E

University

Subject

Vladislav Stanev

1

KCL RG

Business and Management

Kaya Wilson

Grace Stringer

1

Oxford Brookes

Early Childhood Studies

Emily Wisniewski

1

Leicester 94

Mathematics

Yushi Takeuchi

1

UCL RG

Information Management for Business

Alvin Ka Yiu Wong

C

KCL RG

Physics

Neal Tantisukrit

1

UCL RG

Human Sciences

Audrey Hei Tao Wong

1

KCL RG

Politics of the Int’l Economy

Enoch Chun Hei Wong

1

Warwick RG

MORSE

Keith Kei Fung Wong

2

Nottingham RG

Psychology

Kristy Tsz Ki Wong

1

UCL RG

Economics

Amelia Woods

1

Lancaster 94

Business Studies

Qiran Xu

1

Royal Holloway 94

Psychology

Yu Yang

1

North Eastern USA

Chandler Cheng-Chun Yang

1

Lancaster 94

English with Creative Writing

Zhong Yao

1

UCL RG

Economics and Statistics

Vincent Long Fung Yau

1

Bath

Aerospace Engineering

Tiffany Te-Tung Yeh

1

St Andrews 94

Philosophy and Psychology

Daniel Junseok Yeo

1

UCL RG

Information Management for Business

Natalie Lai Yan Yeung

1

Warwick RG

Law

James Young

1

Manchester RG

Business Studies

Hellen Jing Yuan

1

Durham RG

Psychology

Sophie Thieme Jessica Thompson

1

Aston

Marketing

Simone ThompsonSmith

1

Falmouth Art College

BTEC Art Foundation

Liberty Thornton

1

Liverpool RG

Physiotherapy

1

Exeter RG

Geography

George Toft Lydia Trow Catherine Yuen Ting Tse 1

KCL RG

European Studies (German)

Adelina Tugusheva

1

Lancaster 94

Economics and International Relations

Benjamin Tully

1

UWIC

Sport and Physical Education

William Turner

2

Nottingham Trent

Physics

Olga Vaschenko

1

Exeter RG

International Relations and Russian

1

Durham RG

Accounting and Finance

1

Hereford College of Art

Shan Han Yuen

Poppy Venables

BTEC Art Foundation

Emily Wing Ka Yuen

1

LSE RG

Philosophy and Economics

Benedikt Wagenitz

C

BUWE

International Business

Christopher Zaric

1

Gloucestershire

Events Management

Harriet Walker-Smith

1

Glasgow RG

Economics and Politics

Andrew Chongren Zhang

1

UCL RG

Economics and Geography

Amanda Chaonan Wang

1

UCL RG

Psychology

Leila Ruyun Zhang

2

Imperial RG

Mathematics

Amy Jue Wang

1

York RG

Environment, Economics and Ecology

Veronica Yue Zhang

1

City

Investment and Financial Risk Management

Yufei Wang

1

Warwick RG

Economics and Industrial Organisation

Maggie Jiaxin Zheng

1

Essex 94

Accounting and Finance

Emma Westley

1

Royal College of Music

Music

Hollie Westwood

1

Manchester RG

Fashion and Textile Retailing

Emily White

2

Brighton

Biomedical Science

Harland White

1

Loughborough 94

Retailing, Marketing and Management

Fiona Whitehead

1

Nottingham Trent

Primary Education

Oleksandra Zubova

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Rosina Tsoneva

117

118

Staff Leavers From the very start, he helped set up and then continued to support the Bromsgrove Badge programme.

Andrew Burton 1986-2013

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Andrew joined Bromsgrove School in 1986, before the current Head of Physics was even born, before the confirmation of the existence of the Higgs Boson particle, indeed before the discovery of atoms and Newton’s Laws of Motion at a time when it was still thought that Heraclides Ponticus was coming up with some pretty cutting edge stuff in astronomy.

And yet … Andrew has been first and foremost an absolutely top quality physicist, as passionate about the subject now as he was on his first day with us. He has been a model professional, generous of his time supporting pupils and colleagues alike. He has always enthusiastically been involved with new syllabuses and developing new experiments to help illustrate key concepts. Over many years he has led the AS Electronics course and supported a wide range of Physics outreach activities, accompanying CERN visits, and lectures to Birmingham and Warwick Universities. He has been an extremely devoted tutor to boys in Lupton.

Behind the scenes he has helped ensure that the School has run smoothly, acting as the database manager for many years. As the School’s Timetabler, he thoughtfully and humanely perceived the role to be an enabling one. His starting point was invariably to identify where teachers’ relative strengths lay and what pupils’ preferred programmes of study were and his job then was to organise the timetable to ensure these choices were made possible something that always happened unless they were truly a mathematical impossibility.

There are many facets to the provision of a bespoke, personalised education. Part of this Bromsgrove offer for many years has been delivered through Andrew ensuring that the solution to potentially the most complicated and largest timetabling puzzle of any independent school in the country always had pupils and teachers at its very heart. Many generations of Bromsgrovians have very much to thank him for. We wish him the very best in his retirement.

P Ruben

Pauline Kenward 1989-2013 Pauline joined us in 1989 and it was a remarkable career of twenty four years of dedicated, unswerving, unstinting service to the School and its children.

She came as an English teacher and taught at all levels. Her deep love of the spoken and written word was the common thread of so much of her work here in and out of the classroom. Her passion for literature was obvious to all. She also taught Drama to such pupils as Tom Arthur Darvill and Fyfe Hutchings who went on to dramatic and musical stardom. She directed no fewer than sixteen productions, many of them Fourth Form with Roses of Eyam a particular favourite but also Everyman in our Millenium Festival and several Commemoration Shows. Sixth Form plays included Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and The Merry Wives of Windsor (with Tom Darvill as Ford) which ended magically out on the Hazeldene lawn under a huge full moon for the Windsor Park closing scene.

There was a half-hour Tempest at the Artrix in the Shakespeare in Schools’ Festival with a female Prospero.

She was a legend backstage at numerous plays and musicals - props, crowd control, costumes - and ran the wardrobe at Routh Hall for years. She also trod the boards herself in Yeoman of the Guard, Choral Society and the Tercentenary Concert in Symphony Hall.

She was a percussionist for African Sanctus - no mean feat.

Pastorally, Pauline was a formidable, thorough Houseparent, firstly in Hazeldene in its infancy from 1991 to 1994 and then for over a decade in Oakley from 1994 to 2005.

One never had a sleepless night over Oakley – her duty of care was carried out to the letter and so was the consistency. It was a family House too. Nigel was very involved and a legend with cakes.

But after Oakley, other vital contributions to School life were made by this indefatigable colleague. There was a unique contribution through RADA with over 100 exam successes - nine gold – and it was very special to see an enthusiastic, dedicated band of pupils each year gain so much from this unique experience. The number of international pupils involved was a real joy to behold. One wrote: “Mrs. Kenward was the nicest, down-to-earth teacher. She enjoyed teaching us as much as we enjoyed performing and her care and love for each applicant could be seen through her beaming face each time we improved. She always made time for you.”

119

She ran the Staff Reading Prize supremely well in recent years and in her final year innovated a popular competitive House dimension to it as well. She organised carol service readings for fifteen years. There was Community Service too where she voluntarily organised the Charity Shop placements for Sixth Formers in town three days a week.

Her contribution to boarding in recent years was immense. She ran boarders’ trips for the last five years and our provision was something to be proud of - they were bigger, better, more varied than ever. In her role as boarding co-ordinator she arranged barbecues, meals down town and successfully reintroduced a Christmas dinner.

She was a tutor in Housman Hall and visited other Houses regularly. James Jones wrote “Pauline was the last remaining member of the original Housman Hall team, she was there from the start, saw it all and did it all. Her guiding of her tutees was always caring and thorough with attention to every little detail. Much missed, not forgotten and ever a Housman Hallian as well as a Bromsgrovian”.

Nigel had not been well for some years. Our hearts went out to Pauline and the children for their grievous loss early last year. This tribute to Pauline also recalls his contribution to life in Oakley, our boarding community and to computers. And Pauline’s bravery and resolution – her ongoing dedication to our children here - was humbling.

P Bowen

As a Day Housemaster, he was a very dedicated, caring leader of Lyttelton. Strong encouragement of the boys and celebration of individual and corporate success but also deep pastoral concern for those in need were hallmarks of his work. (He also became an expert on the Lyttelton family at Hagley Hall).

John Stateczny 1989-2013 John Stateczny served Bromsgrove School and its children with great distinction for 24 years in a wide variety of roles. Here was a colleague with all the great, traditional values of school mastering, allied to a great sense of vocation. In the classroom he was a fine practioner and very enthusiastic teacher of History (Head of Department at one point) and Politics (Head of that Department in his latter years with us). His preparation was meticulous and his clarity first-rate; results were excellent and he brought to life great people in History and US Presidents. (His knowledge of the stately homes of England was unrivalled on the staff).

He was an outstanding, innovative Head of Fifth Year when Head of Year was in its infancy. He masterminded several large Careers Fairs at School which were much appreciated by pupils and parents; prior to that we had tended just to concentrate on University and little beyond.

After Housemastering, he tutored in Walters and then enjoyed life in Elmshurst where his contribution as a tutor was much appreciated by several boarding Housemasters and the boys. He was involved in Community Service for seven years, visiting homes for the elderly with pupils. There was work with Bromsgrove Badge too. Pastoral work continued with his invaluable leadership of our Student Listeners and their training programme. That was a wonderful contribution.

We wish John every fulfilment and happiness in retirement. This modest, talented all-round, erudite schoolmaster will be much missed by Common Room and pupils alike.

P Bowen

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

This was a quite remarkable, wide-ranging contribution and the hallmark of her work was faithful devotion to the interests of our pupils.

An unswerving sense of duty. A professional.

As Prospero said “Now does my project gather to a head”. Pauline retires to her cottage near Ledbury in the deepest Herefordshire countryside. Her many interests will flourish, ambitions too and as for that love of literature – she will surely read a lot more books than one can in a very busy boarding environment.

But unlike Prospero she will not break her staff, “Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, And deeper than did ever plummet sound, drown your book”. Not Mrs Kenward…

Never… so we wish her a long, happy retirement of great fulfilment. Well done a good and trusty servant. Godspeed in all things.

120

Staff Leavers ‘I have only known Ruth for a short time however I feel I have formed a friend for life.

She has made me realise that tutoring can be fun as well as dealing with more serious pastoral issues as I sometimes forget this.’

Ruth Al-Nakeeb 1991-2012 Ruth joined us in 1991 and until September 2011 devoted 20 years of her professional life to our Prep School children, as a superb Head of Girls’ Games, English teacher and director of many plays too. That in itself was a wonderful contribution and she was a much loved colleague and teacher.

But I write of just four terms in her life - as Housemistress of Thomas Cookes from September 2011 to December 2012 in that original building where it all began. For the girls she simply lit up the sky like a rocket in the night.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

In asking for comments from colleagues and pupils I was inundated. A few will tell the story: Pupils: “She perfected her role of being a Houseparent. She took interest in every single girl and always commended our achievements, no matter how small they were. I can speak on behalf of everyone in the House to say we were proud to have her as our Houseparent”. Another said, “A fantastic asset to Thomas Cookes. Encouraging, patient and kind and helps put a smile on everyone’s face”.

Of Thomas Cookes House, “She has made TC such a happy place to be in. She has a massive smile on her face every morning to greet us, asking each of us individually how we are”.

On the role of Houseparent: “She is so easy to approach and to ask for help about anything, She is the caring Houseparent any pupil could ask for. On big issues she has a way of addressing us, allowing us to resolve the issue whilst knowing her support is always there’.

‘She has supported me in everything and I seem to have known her all my life”.

Tutors: “Fabulous”; “They love her”. ‘She is considerate towards her tutors acknowledging that they have plenty on their plates and never stops thanking them for all they do.

All problems with tutees are immediately addressed. A great loss. The students adore her, ‘She is constantly grateful for the work the tutors do in the House, this gives me extra confidence and self assurance when a lot of the time I am in doubt.’

The secret to good Houseparenting is similar to teaching and a simple recipe – passion, enjoying being with young people, believing in them, and they will forgive you anything.

Ruth as you can tell had that in aplenty and also that remarkable trait of keeping a team of pupils and staff abundantly happy. I salute an outstanding colleague who has been greatly missed by Bromsgrove School. Pupils above all, us and parents. We wish her and her husband – and we remember with fondness her two children here - continued happiness in Qatar. She started teaching again in September.

At the Staff Farewell I said “Ruth greatly influenced many young lives for the better.

You have been a very faithful supporter of Chapel and I can say God bless you in all things and Godspeed in a new chapter of your life together, in a very exciting new endeavour.

You will be deeply missed”.

P Bowen

121

David Wilson 1991-2013

Christine Bentham 1999-2013

For the last 22 years David has made a huge contribution to the teaching of the sciences at Bromsgrove. He always took immense pride and ownership of his classes, wanting to see his students become the very best that they could be. He was always generous with his time regularly supporting his tutees and students who sought help. Himself an exceptionally strong physicist, he was a fine Head of Department, with the deepest of appreciations of what was required of GCSE and A Level specifications due in part to his many years of examining experience.

Christine Bentham leaves us after 14 years of superb and dedicated service to Bromsgrove School.

In the last few years David moved from a full-time to a part-time role. However, what was noticeable and reflected his passion for his subject was that whilst responsibilities were let go of, he remained on an absolute full teaching load until the very end of his career with us – the work of serious physics educators is best done in the laboratory.

P Ruben

She has transformed our international department into one of, if not the country’s finest.Under two Headmasters this School has remained a British day school, a British boarding school but has become a truly global village as well - and the School is all the better for it - Christine Bentham has been as instrumental as anyone else. In 2002/03 when there were 190 international students from the 700 pupils in the Senior School, only eight nationalities were represented. Today, ten years later, we have just over 300 international pupils representing forty two different nationalities. Christine’s willingness to adapt her approach and the courses we offer to all of these children has been invaluable.

Not hundreds but thousands of international pupils have benefitted immensely from the efforts of Christine and her department. From her determination to introduce an international induction programme to the rigorous insistence of IELTS, Christine has trailblazed.

She introduced the Chinese New Year Concert on a Saturday night in the Lent term and anyone who has been has been quite dazzled

to see 150/200 in the audience – all their own work and every year OBs return just to see this event. For our Chinese pupils it has really meant the world to them. She introduced visits to local primary schools where our Chinese children gave lessons about Chinese New Year – it has been such a success that Christine became inundated with so many schools who wanted our children to visit.

In addition to her teaching load and departmental responsibilities Christine is responsible for testing all new international applicants. Her passion for international education and Bromsgrove School has been ever present.

We wish Christine every happiness in her retirement and thank her for all that she has done for Bromsgrove School.

R Scannell

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

As Head of Science he oversaw the refurbishment and enlargement of twelve old laboratories and the construction of a further six more, this project representing the most recent major improvement of academic facilities in the School. The other major development during his time as the Head of Science was the reintroduction of the stand alone sciences at GCSE level, with Biology, Chemistry and Physics offering broader programmes of study to many pupils than had been the case previously.

Dedicated, professional, passionate and unrelentless in putting the students first.

Christine has extremely high standards in all that she does and all that she expects her pupils to achieve.

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Staff Leavers Tony Quinn 2001-2013

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Tony came to Bromsgrove having spent a couple of years at Reading College gaining teaching experience in the civilian world after a twenty four year career in the Army, first in the Royal Engineers, and then finding his true métier in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps. He certainly used those skills well at Bromsgrove, raising the profile of two of what were considered minor sports to the forefront of Routh Hall assemblies. His enthusiasm for and faith in the pupils brought great success in both Squash and Badminton in recent years. His love of sport flowed through his participation in both the Staff Cricket and Golf teams.

However, Tony’s most significant role in the School has been that of the School Staff Instructor (or SSI) for the CCF. In particular his leadership has been invaluable with the many adventurous training trips, such as the first trip walking in the Pyrenees; a trip which was only possible when Tony, with his significant mountaineering skills and qualifications, arrived at the School. This kind of mountaineering was a new departure for Bromsgrove, and the secure success of this set the pattern for five similar expeditions at two-yearly intervals. His armful of A.T. qualifications and experience was just what was needed to open up the opportunities for other expeditions to Iceland (2004) and to Norway (2008), as well as facilitating “green-field” multi-activity A.T. camps alternately in the Lakes and Snowdonia.

We must also not forget all his World Challenge trips with the School, acting as leader and guide in many far-flung places. But the trip (or rather the camp) that has had the most wide-ranging impact on the pupils is the annual Lower Fourth Camp at Symonds Yat. Tony’s input, from the setting up before the first pupils arrive, to the breaking down after the last ones have departed, cannot be overestimated; it has been absolutely essential and has also been hugely appreciated. How many of us have arrived at Biblins, footsore and in the company of weary pupils, to be greeted by a smiling shorts-clad figure offering a cup of tea?

Tony’s contribution as the SSI can be summed up by the following words from the previous Contingent Commander, Lt Col Richard Stephens, “The School Staff Instructor for Bromsgrove School CCF for the twelve years from 2001-2013 has been WOI (RSM) Tony Quinn. I have always described that role in the CCF as the lynchpin and thus it has been.

Tony always took his duty as the backbone to Contingent discipline very seriously, and there can be no doubt that on camps, on the big ceremonial parades and when faced with the natural disciplines of the mountains his presence has been strongly felt to the greater benefit of those enterprises. My personal indebtedness is reflected in the early morning hours of preparation for the big Biennial Reviews: when time was running out for me to set out the remaining training stands as the clock raced towards the moment for a frantic change into ceremonial uniform prior to greeting the visiting General, Tony would lend that coolly-judged, uncluttered and practical assistance which invariably led to success”.

I know that all who know Tony will concur with all of the sentiments expressed above and offer very best wishes to him for every happiness and success in the future.

C Maund

Michael (Alf) Ravenscroft 2002-2013 Michael, or Alf as he is universally known to colleagues, joined the Classics Department in 2002. With a logical mind equally attuned to mathematics and puzzles, he particularly enjoyed the teaching of linguistics in Latin as well as the study of Roman poetry, with Ovid a favourite author. Yet many pupils would no doubt also comment on his personality in the classroom as well as his teaching. With an air of the literary Mr Chips, ‘Ravo’ was never immune from the odd digression or snippet of schoolboy gossip. Sixth Form seminar groups in particular would cover the material, but also enjoy the journey, and there was mutual, good-humoured respect between teacher and pupil. Alf even took charge of the Classics Department during a one-year interregnum although, as he would be the first to admit, the administrative workload did little to entice him to aspire to such a role.

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Instead, Alf was happier to enjoy wholeheartedly the community trappings of public school life. As an alumnus of Sedbergh and graduate of St Andrews, he adapted easily to the boarding ethos of Bromsgrove and enjoyed the camaraderie of Wendron-Gordon House throughout his time here. Spending his first few years as the resident tutor, he was a popular figure in the House; the humour of the set of WG rugby shirts sponsored by Rajtani takeaway was enjoyed as much by MDR (who may have sampled the odd meal from there) as the boys!

Always flash in the classroom, she took meticulous care in the way all History students were monitored and mentored.

Yet whilst a keen historian, Catrin was just as much an enabler of pupil learning more generally. Her passion for pupil learning was something she invariably wore on her sleeves.

And beyond encouraging all historians to think deeply about the subject, she was Assistant Houseparent in Oakley, and contributed to Hockey, Netball and Athletics.

All at Bromsgrove wish Alf well in his future ventures.

A McClure

Catrin Ellis Owen 2006-2013 Seven years ago senior managers had a long arduous day posing interview questions for the vacant position of Head of History.

Five candidates were asked what made History engaging and much was said about the need to get pupils to connect with the subject through personal histories and the celebration of West Midland industrial and canal heritage. And then there was Catrin who spoke eloquently about sedition and sin in Restoration England. Never was there a more obvious choice for a Head of Department.

As Catrin arrived there were nine pupils studying the subject in the Upper Sixth.

Catrin popularised the subject by focusing her personal efforts and sheer enthusiasm on the younger year groups .

The way she engaged pupils’ interests was evident in the overwhelmingly positive view pupils had of her lessons.

She leaves us to join the excellent Cathedral School in Llandaff as Head of Sixth Form.

She will no doubt build up a popular vibrant Sixth Form community in her new school, but Bromsgrove will miss the dynamism she brought to the History Department and broader academic discussions beyond.

P Ruben

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Even when the idea of living ‘out’ began to appeal, the thought of commuting did not, and so the opportunity of a house all of a few hundred metres from the North Gate was snapped up. Not that this ever stopped Alf using his driveway for an impressive conveyor-belt of gleaming top-end cars over the years, the sell-on price of which must have been helped by the low mileage. The sight of Boris, a rather cute Norfolk terrier, taking Alf for a walk around Gordon Green every day became a regular occurrence in the last few years; had it been a decade or so ago, one could just imagine Boris curled up in a corner of the classroom while Alf pored over a classical text with his class. On the extra-curricular side, Alf loyally coached the U14C rugby squad in the Michaelmas term while engaging those juniors for whom team sport was not necessarily an aspiration during the other two terms. He also helped out with the Second XI cricket on match days as their regular punctilious scorer.

Alf was always a keen supporter of Common Room events and, latterly, was the affable host and stock-taker of the staff bar, looking after post-match arrangements for visiting coaches at fixtures or providing a relaxing end to the working week for colleagues.

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Staff Leavers

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Margaret Deighan 2007-2013 Margaret joined us in 2007 from RGS Worcester and has energetically but unflappably set about transforming the way that Curriculum Support issues have been both perceived and dealt with. Under Margaret’s direction, the School now systematically scans all new pupils to provide a basic safety net, before keeping on checking and rechecking, monitoring pupils’ work, and parent and teacher referrals to recognise concerns as they emerge. Those with or without defined LDD issues are supported flexibly, to a greater or lesser extent as appropriate. Teachers have been advised and supported and training provided. In raw data terms, our pupils with dyslexia and other learning difficulties achieve identical value added to our other pupils – and for this Margaret has deserved much credit.

But whilst Margaret has sorted School systems out she is has primarily a people person, a wonderfully kind colleague and presence to have around. Her sheer likeability has very significantly increased pupils’ willingness to seek out and accept support, an absolute pre-requisite for the successful provision of LDD needs. She has been a wonderful advocate for LDD pupils reminding staff and students themselves not to allow the surface issues (such as disorganisation) to cloud their view of the academic gifts the pupils have.

This passion and support is recognised by pupils and parents alike, is appreciated by them, by her tutees in Walters, and is one of a number of areas that sees Bromsgrove provide a personalised, supportive education.

At times there are requests made for pupils to have much greater levels of support, at times requests are made for no support at all to be offered. And all the time, with warmth and a smile, Margaret has serenely kept the pupils’ interests at the absolute centre of what she done, and she has left a clear paper trail of communication as she has gone. On every level, through her experience, knowledge and hard-work our provision for LDD pupils has improved.

We wish her all the very best for her future in retirement.

P Ruben

He willingly took on the role of leading Bromsgrove Service and I know that he is very proud of the profile of the School in the community because of the work of our pupils.

Following the introduction of the IB, Lee took on responsibility for CAS and has guided the pupils carefully through its demands. He also enjoyed being involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and participated in many expeditions.

Lee Falconer 2007-2013 Lee joined the prep school in 2007 following a distinguished career at the University of Aberystwyth and a PGCE with a stint in Canada. This experience left him with a firm desire to be a teacher and excellent French, albeit with a slightly weird accent! Lee enjoyed his time at the Prep School and quickly made his mark as an interesting and innovative teacher. It has to be said, however, that being asked to supervise Year 3 boys’ swimming on the first day did come as a bit of a shock. Lee enjoyed leading German in the Prep School, was involved in cricket and was a reliable, enthusiastic boarding tutor for Bob and Hilary Newton in Cobham House. He did, however, want the opportunity to teach older pupils and applied to the Senior School when a vacancy arose. There was a rumour that he got this job by pretending to support Wolves to ingratiate himself with our Deputy Head, but this was only based on the fact that most of the Common Room could not imagine anyone supporting Wolves voluntarily. Once again, Lee quickly showed himself to be a very able modern languages teacher and an excellent tutor in Lupton.

Within the department, we have particularly benefitted hugely from Lee’s examining posts in preparing our pupils for public examinations. As one of the few teachers in the school who has taught from Years 3 to 13, Lee was an obvious choice to lead the transition phase between the Prep School and the Senior School. He has facilitated discussions between the two sections of the School and led the induction of new pupils with great success.

It was clear that such a talented young teacher would want to branch out, and Lee made no secret of his wish to work in an international school. He leaves to take up the position of Head of the Modern Languages Faculty at Kellett School, Hong Kong. They are extremely fortunate to get such an able teacher who will certainly be missed by us all.

M Beet

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The Choir’s tour to New York in 2010 was a triumphant success. Singing at St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero – the base for the firemen and other rescue workers at 9/11 – was unforgettable; there was the service at renowned St Thomas’s Church on 5th Avenue with 500 in the congregation and almost more English than England; and Evensong at the biggest Cathedral in the world in Central Park. We all returned with lifelong memories.

That Chapel Choir travelled on a very special journey with Jonathan.

Jonathan Kingston 2007-2013 Jonathan Kingston joined us from Stowe as Director of Music in 2007 and was a veritable whirlwind. In six years he made a tremendous impact on the musical life of the School.

One of the finest organ players in the country and nationally known, we enjoyed his magnificent playing on the organ whether J.S. Bach or John Williams’ Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park, he made it talk. Jonathan quickly took advantage of a kind bequest to install the new organ. It could be pre-recorded and he enjoyed coming to the back and saying ‘Look no hands’.

Wit abounded and countless jokes. How he got away with some we will never know. There was the famous occasion when he went up to a pupil and asked him what FF meant and got the answer “fast forward”. Many will recall him standing over one colleague – David Perry – and saying “Mr Perry, how are we today?”

With David’s departure he oscillated between victimising (nicely) Mark Stone and Al McClure but recently commented – unfavourably it has to be said – on Hugh Bell’s vocal talents. He also once famously told David Fallows off for talking. Who else would say about one part of the Te Deum “Just swagger it as you do out of a pub”.

Recently when the School was rather somnambulant on a Monday morning he said “You have one of the greatest organists in the country up there in Mr Knight; one of the greatest Directors of Music – me; and I’ve got you”.

He had 800 or so pupils in the palm of his hand. For those who witnessed it – even if you were trying to hide – it was remarkable.

Dan Wilkins says he is “a cross between Basil Fawlty and Eric Morecombe and some colleagues could be relieved he was leaving for you never knew when your number was up”.

Dan valued greatly his work in Walters: “He has been hugely busy in Music but has always given a great deal to the House through his personality and presence. Regarded as an absolute legend by the boys, he has gone down in Walters folklore. The House will miss him hugely; we have been incredibly fortunate to have him in Walters”.

Jonathan is a restless musical spirit. Few will know that for almost all his time here he was also Choirmaster at St John’s which was a huge commitment on Friday evenings and Sundays. He guested at so many concerts up and down the land especially in our famous Cathedrals and Churches. He played on recordings. Last year he undertook an organ tour of Tennessee.

He now combines being a partner and consultant at Viscount Organs in Bicester (they installed the Chapel organ) and a freelance career performing and examining here and abroad for the ABRSM for whom he visited Malaysia and Singapore this Summer. He even landed a solo singing gig in Barnt Green in June for their Choral Society, singing the part of God in a performance of Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. (continued on next page)

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The Chapel Choir was a particular pride and joy under Jonathan. It grew markedly and very successfully attracted pupils from all age groups, especially the younger years – not always an easy task. Now boasting sixty or so members they overflow the stalls and perch wherever they can. The visits to our great Cathedrals were some of the most memorable (and outstanding) experiences and achievements in recent School life. In just over twelve months a magnificent trinity – St. Paul’s (where just a few months later the Jubilee service took place); St George’s Chapel, Windsor, the seat of Majesty; then mighty York Minster. There was wonderful Lincoln too, Chester and Gloucester. And in his first term a memorable concert at the wartime reunion in Wales.

There were wonderful Choral Society Concerts too – Mozart’s requiem in Pershore Abbey; two in the famous and stunningly restored Birmingham Town Hall and Karl Jenkins’ Requiem on the eve of Commemoration this year. There was Pop and Jazz and House Singing, now in the Arena. Jonathan also unsparingly assisted at House events - a delightful Hazeldene tea party and Thomas Cookes carols – and music at Foundation events too. He accompanied Old Bromsgrovian Olivia Safe here and at Hagley Hall. Many were indebted to him.

What did pupils think? Lucy Sapwell: “The most inspirational and generous teacher I’ve ever had”; Andrea Ellinas “A truly inspirational role model and a most charismatic teacher”; Emma Westley: “He’s taught me so much and I know I wouldn’t be the same person or musician I am without him” and James Mayhew: “A truly natural and passionate musician with not only exceptional skills in performance, but equally fluent in teaching.

He is kind-hearted, supportive, easy to relate to and a has a wonderful sense of humour.

He has changed music forever at this School and his legacy will be one which will be hard to maintain and keep up, he will be greatly missed by everyone involved in music. And as for early morning hymn practices...” Oh yes!

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Staff Leavers (Jonathan Kingston continued) Jonathan was – his love of fast cars revealed the inner man too – one of the most flamboyant of characters in the Common Room one can recall. At least we managed to keep him for a few years. He left a fine inheritance for his successor. Look at the accomplishments of some of the Upper Sixth leavers in 2013 - Emma Westley to the Royal College, James Mayhew to Guildhall. He changed the identity of the Music Department.

There were above all lots of smiles on faces and music became very popular, vibrant and thriving. He encouraged all whatever their aptitude and there could be no finer tribute or legacy.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

In one of the Harry Potter books Dumbeldore says “Ah, music” wiping his eyes “A magic far beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime.

Off you trot!” So we say farewell to a colleague who will not be readily forgotten; whose love of music was enthusiasm personified and quite, quite infectious.

Mention of his name will raise a smile amongst staff and pupils and his Choir especially will remember him forever. We wish him every success, happiness and fulfilment in his new ventures. On behalf of Bromsgrove School, a heartfelt thank you.

P Bowen

As second in department, his support, advice and friendship was in fact second to none and Giles has acted as mentor (both official and unofficial) to a number of new, younger members of the department who affectionately know him as ‘Mr Resources’. However, Giles’ impact went far beyond the department.

Giles Bowmer 2008-2013 Giles’ contribution to the Economics and Business Studies Department was nothing short of transformative. Meticulously planned, expertly delivered lessons, support for his pupils and his colleagues and never being afraid to ask the difficult questions all combined to help raise standards within the department. Pupils benefitted from his teaching across the year groups and subjects, from Economics at A level to GCSE Business Studies and Giles brought his expertise as an examiner providing precious insight into how the pupils could squeeze out those vital extra marks. He was Second in Department for four years; he took responsibility for GCSE courses during which time he changed the way Business Studies was delivered and we saw results improve significantly. Giles also introduced pupils to the Student Investor Challenge, reaching the National Finals, and was a great believer in taking business and economics education beyond the classroom.

In addition to his successes with the department, Giles was equally passionate about the pastoral side of School-life initially as a tutor and then most recently as Resident Assistant Houseparent in Elmshurst. As one might expect, he always put the welfare of the boarders first and his level of care for them and in turn their respect for him, could not have been higher. On the extra-curricular front he inspired cross-country runners and CCF cadets alike, clocking many miles himself whilst running with (and sometimes looking for) the former and organising the RAF section as an officer with the latter. He willingly gave of his time to help out at CCF camps and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and was never one to confine his support of the pupils to either a working day or just between the beginning and end of terms.

No reflection of Giles’ time within the department would be complete without at least passing reference to the trip to Thailand that never was, but he did find the courage to make it as far as Eastbourne and he is, and will continue to be missed by the Economics and Business Studies Department and beyond.

J Wingfield

Jon Hansford 2009-2013 Jon leaves us after inspiring our young mathematicians and his tutees in Housman Hall for four years. He is an extremely proficient classroom teacher, whether to top set Further Mathematicians or Lower Fourth.

His delivery is always enthusiastic and usually done with a metre rule in his hand; naturally, classroom discipline is complete. His students’ results over the four years have never failed to impress and grade As were not uncommon, even in his bottom sets.

In the Mathematics Department, he was always a real ‘go-to man’ for the Head of Department; reliable and dependable. He was always willing to volunteer for any necessary tasks. He has also done sterling work in Housman Hall and with both Internal and External exams. For a mathematician he is extremely erudite and literate; despite this, he loves comic books and his posters of Middle Earth in M1 are just plain weird!

So four years on, he has secured a post at South Hamstead High School and we wish him every success as he furthers his career in London. He will be missed.

N Riley

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Furthermore, on being immediately appointed ICT representative for the department, based on her ability to do more than turn a computer on, she has introduced the department to a range of moodles, doodles and woodle techniques that can be used in the classroom to enhance student learning. Added to this is her character. She is undoubtedly a very hard worker and can often be found in her classroom at ungodly hours cutting up pieces of card to make beautiful History displays.

Eleanor Brown 2012-2013

Rebecca (Bex) joined the Physics department at Bromsgrove in September 2009 following the completion of her degree in Astrophysics, and subsequent PGCE at the University of Manchester. She made a large impact on pupils by engendering enthusiasm and interest in her subject and, most notably, introducing Astrophysics as an A2 option that has now become common entry for all A Level physicists. Bex was a tutor in Oakley House and enjoyed spending time with Bromsgrove pupils in the Boarding House. She left the School as Assistant Houseparent.

History Teacher, colleague, ICT supremo, juggler. These are the words that sum up some of the talents and contributions that Eleanor Brown has brought to Bromsgrove.

She joined the School in September 2012 under the guise of raising the gender equality within the department and has done so with aplomb and enthusiasm. Her colourful, exciting and radical techniques have made us all think about our teaching and her natural enthusiasm in the classroom has brightened up even the rainiest Friday afternoon.

Eleanor has been an absolute pleasure to the department and has fitted in well with the jovial (but professional!) and positive (but serious!) team in History. She is always smiling at work, completely open to change and new challenges. From her DIY WWI trenches to her treasure hunts of the Cold War, Eleanor is unafraid to take risks and think outside the box. With an average age of approximately 124, the department has greatly benefitted from a fresh and bold pair of eyes.

Always keen to embrace every aspect of School life, Bex coached hockey and netball teams throughout her time at Bromsgrove and the girls gained much from her coaching and dedication to these sports. Bex left in January 2013 to assume a teaching role at Rugby School.

D Whiting

She can always be relied upon to do anything and her open-minded nature has made her an absolute pleasure to manage. She has handled the demands of boarding and academic work well and is known as an unflappable member of the Housman team. Furthermore, she is an individual with more to her than meets the eye.

In the Easter holidays when most of us were eating our Lindt bunnies, Eleanor was standing in the middle of a cold wet field organising the national juggling convention. Dedication in every aspect.

Eleanor will be sorely missed and the department in particular will cherish the professionalism, energy and individuality she has brought. She is leaving the School to indulge her love of travelling so we wish her every success and hope that she returns to teaching in the future.

J Zafar

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Rebecca Lambert 2009-2013

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lower Fourth

Subject Prizes English Mathematics French German Spanish Chemistry Biology Physics History Geography DT (Graphics) DT (Res. Mat) Art Classical Civilisation Latin Drama Music Religious Studies EAL

Daniyil Kulebiakin Callum Ross Matthew Collins Oliver Hall Isabel James Callum Ross Oliver Hall Luke Alcock Isabel James Olivia Bond Katie Neales Luke Alcock Emma Delaney James Prince Sasha Johnston James Prince Daniel Johnson Isabel James Kipras Daujotas

Prizes for endeavour and progress: Charlotte Bayliss, Paige Corcoran, Bryony Ralph, Jordan Smith, Edward Turner, William Draper-Barr

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Prize for the Best Year’s Work: Oliver Hall

Inter-House competitions, talks on musical opportunities by the Director of Music as well as ICT, the Health Centre, CCF and DofE have all been held during the Upper Fourth Head of Year sessions. In Junior Inter-House debating some members of the year group put forward some excellent questions to the opposition and proposition teams. On the sporting side pupils participated in the Cross Country event and pupils cheered their Houses in the inter-house 1.2km relay. Throughout the year, PSHE has been delivered through Head of Year, including issues such as drugs, alcohol, bullying, relationships and personal safety.

It is an important part of the Lower Fourth programme for pupils to meet and listen to senior members of the Common Room. Mr Bowen gave a very informative presentation on the history of the School and also led a discussion with Mrs Maund on bullying. Mr Ruben delivered a lively talk on USA politics. A range of external speakers have also given presentations to the year group ranging from a self defence group specialising in teaching simple, practical techniques that are effective in today’s society to interative and fun sessions looking at science and medicine.

One of the most exciting sessions this year, where pupils really seemed to enjoy themselves was the falconry display. Again the weather was kind to us and we enjoyed an entertaining afternoon on Gordon Green watching a variety of birds of prey dive and swoop around the pupils’ heads.

Finally, I would like to thank Miss McCutcheon, my Assistant Head of Year, for all her hard work over the past year.

F Diver

Upper Fourth The Upper Fourth have experienced a wide-ranging programme of presentations this year; we have also included a lot of PSCHE topics led by Miss Leech. There have been a variety of sessions covering topics such as personal relationships, relaxation techniques and coping with stress, alcohol and drug awareness, study skills and a lecture from Dr Ruben on celebrity culture.

We had a number of external visitors presenting on a diverse range of subjects including Chris Neal from Hawkeye Falconry Centre who visited us in November to raise awareness of protected species by explaining the dangers of the illegal animal trade.

Staying on the animal theme, we had a very informative presentation from the Central England Reptile Rescue; some of the pupils were brave enough to hold the snakes. The pupils enjoyed an interesting and exciting presentation on the Wonders of Science by the University of Warwick. Neil Holmes gave a thought provoking lecture on Global Warming and Dr Gardner, an orthopaedic consultant, spoke about Scoliosis.

S Dick

English Mathematics French Spanish German Biology Physics Chemistry Business Studies Geography DT (Graphics) DT (Res. Mat) Art Textiles History Music Classical Civilisation Latin Drama Religious Studies EAL Physical Education

Joseph Morrice Thachphon Sirimongkolkasem Emily Smith Charles Kendrick Helga Ritzl Anna Ho Emily Smith Rashid Khashiev Tiffany Ha Lois Beswick Rashid Khashiev Helga Ritzl Sophie Greensmith Jemma Salmon Niall Simmons Olivia Wormald Nyree Williams Clare Hill Nyree Williams Chloe Yau Chloe Yau Jack Weston

Prizes for Endeavour and Progress: Benjamin Davis, Fraser Foster, Abigail Henderson, Ira Li, Archie Parker, Penny Wong Prize for the Year’s Best Work: Emily Smith

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The various Inter-House competitions dominated the Lent Term. Once again, the standard was high and it was pleasing to see so many pupils represent their Houses.

I was also impressed by the range of pupils being awarded subject and endeavour prizes at Mark Reading. I would like to thank Ms Johnston for her help since January and also Miss Leech for organising many sessions.

Finally, I wish all the pupils well in the Fifth Form.

Subject Prizes

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Fifth form Lower Sixth

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The life of a Fifth Former is very busy; GCSEs are not far off and there is a sense of anticipation for what the Sixth Form might bring. Before pupils reach that end goal there are many deadlines to be met and examinations to be sat. The Fifth Form Head of Year programme aims to enhance a pupil’s academic and extra curricular activities by developing key skills and providing them with opportunities to consider options that may be new to them. Lectures by senior members of staff, which this year included the Deputy Headmaster and Academic Deputy Headmaster, are always well received. The Headmaster ran Question Time where he opened the floor to comments and questions from the year group.

With examinations and the future never far from a Fifth Former’s thoughts, the sessions on revision, conduct in exams, Sixth Form options and the International Baccalaureate were particularly important. Alongside this, Mrs Moore from the Health Centre ran a session on Relaxation techniques, which will hopefully be useful throughout the examination period.

A number of external speakers were invited in including Old Bromsgrovian Simon Bucknall who instructed the year group in the art of public speaking through an interactive and, at times, humorous session.

As part of a Whole School PSCHE day, the year learned much (to their horror) about the very public nature of the internet through a session on E-Safety.

The annual Christmas lecture was given by Alastair Hignall CBE, speaking about when the goalposts shift, in a very honest and thought provoking account. Old Bromsgrovian Donald Robbie ran a series of sessions on CV writing, personal statements, covering letters and interview techniques.

This was hugely important and many valuable tips were learned.

Highlights from Pop and Jazz allowed pupils to witness the talent of some of our musicians and the Senior House Debating rounds and Final are always thoroughly enjoyed.

S Ascough

This year’s Lower Sixth listened and participated enthusiastically during the Head of Year sessions to a wide variety of lectures, activities and workshops. These included talks

by Mr Ruben on UK Government and Politics and Mr Bowen on The Rise and Fall of the USA. Our Senior Christmas lecture, given by Alistair Hignell, England Rugby Player and Sports Commentator, was the poignant and inspirational story of his battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The London School of Economics, Lancaster, Bristol and Maastricht Universities also visited and gave good advice to our Lower Sixth Form in readiness for their university applications. And of course the most wonderful and inspiring lecture by Professor A C Grayling (New College, London) - Why Study Humanities?

The House debating competition and a preview of the Pop and Jazz concert also provided alternative stimulation during the Lent Term, along with workshops on Safe Driving and Personal Finance.

In Summer serious preparation for university applications began including our very first UCAS preparation day, instigated by Mr Barr, Head of UCAS and Mrs Bateman, Deputy Head of Sixth form, which was a great success. In conclusion this year’s Lower Sixth Form have been a stimulating, motivated, lively, intelligent and diverse mix of young people who will surely go onto greater things in their final and all important Upper Sixth Form year. It has been a privilege to work with them.

Finally I offer my thanks to my colleague Miss Tansley, Assistant Head of Lower Sixth Form, for her all her terrific encouragement and support.

T Johns

Upper Sixth The Upper Sixth Year Group have been an outstandingly diverse group of very talented individuals, who have worked tirelessly in all areas of School life to the benefit of all; it has been a real pleasure to be their Head of Year for these past two years.

The Head of Year sessions hosted a number of talks and lectures on a range of themes including the ever-popular current affairs talks by Mr Bowen and the History and Politics talks by Mr Ruben, to the joint talks with Lower Sixth given by Professor Grayling of the New College of the Humanities. The Christmas Lecture given by Alistair Hignell CBE on When the Goal Posts Shift was very thought-provoking and inspirational.

The Headmaster’s Question Time gave the Upper Sixth real opportunity to put a range of challenging and incisive questions to Mr Edwards this year.

Outstanding support was given by Mr Barr’s careers team and Upper Sixth tutors in guiding the students through the university entrance minefield but also superb backing and encouragement was given from the Old Bromsgrovian Club, Jenny Bossard and Megan Griffiths, who have contributed so much to helping students gain contacts and information to help them consider their future and achieve their dreams.

Finally many thanks to the Sixth Form Team of Mrs Densem, Mr Barr, Dr Johns and Miss Tansley for all their support this year and to the Head of School Team led by Sophie and Jake, the Heads of Houses and Megan Griffiths who produced a great Leavers’ Book this year and who encouraged so many Sixth Form to celebrate at the most attended Leavers’ Ball in many years.

We look forward to welcoming the outgoing Upper Sixth back in future years to offer their own pearls of wisdom to future generations, but in the meantime, I hope all of the Upper Sixth have a fantastic life.

F Bateman

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Life after Bromsgrove remains a key focus for the year group and talks by Mr Barr, Aston University on Finance and The London School of Economics on what is required for entrance; as well as the fantastic support from our Old Bromsgrovians, parents and teachers at the interview evening and the newly enhanced OB Head of Year Fair.

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As we crossed the River Thames,

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the vast, sprawling thousand-year old fortress of Windsor Castle dominated the senses but this time high above us with the sheer length and breadth of this most famous of our royal residences quite magnificent to behold.

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St George’s Chapel in Windsor A year ago the anticipation grew for our choristers as the coach headed up Ludgate Hill with the West Front of Wren’s masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral, utterly dominating the view ahead. Then in the Lent Term 2013, as we crossed the River Thames, the vast, sprawling thousand year old fortress of Windsor Castle equally dominated the senses but this time high above us with the sheer length and breadth of this most famous of our royal residences quite magnificent to behold. Virtually every monarch in history since 1066 has built, added to or altered that Castle. The eye was first drawn to the great Round Tower, the Keep, first erected in wood

by William I soon after the Conquest, but then to the most impressive building in view, St. George’s Chapel, our destination.

They deserve every plaudit. But this time they were surrounded by the history of our sceptred isle, for the Chapel is the burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VI, Edward IV, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Charles I, all the Georgian Monarchs in an underground mausoleum, George V and of course George VI, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

As we stood outside the Chapel at dusk with the Keep lit up, State Apartments in view, towers of all shapes and sizes and the great walls enfolding all, once again it had been an experience and memory to treasure forever.

And again by singing the Office of Evensong we had both upheld and were part of that unique Anglican tradition that is such a prominent and beautiful aspect of Cathedral life in our country.

Well done to Charlotte Collie, Emily Collie, Brittany Collie, Nadescha Heine, Klara Hunt, Amy Mason-Towers, Lucy Sapwell, Grace Stringer, Emma Westley. Fran Kingston, Georgia Meredith, Olivia Wormald, Clement Harris, Daniel Johnson, James Lay, James Mayhew, Sam Adamson, Declan Amphlett and William Parkinson and also to staff singers Miss Fletcher, Mr Barr, Mrs McKee, Mr Kingston and Mr Hibell.

A special thank you to Mr Knight who leads and conducts the Chamber Choir.

P Bowen

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Our Chamber Choir enjoyed some time in Windsor – the daffodils were out – before rehearsing in the Dungeon, a delightful fourteenth-century undercroft. Then they moved to the Chapel itself for a final rehearsal with the organ. Security was exceptionally tight and the Congregation was admitted at 5pm.

We took our seats – seats! – in the places occupied by the Knights of the Garter. Then at 5.15pm, with great pride, our Chamber Choir processed with clergy, including the Dean of Windsor, into the mighty Gothic Perpendicular Quire.

The music was even more sublime in that setting. There were the very fine responses (including the Lord’s Prayer) composed by Mr Knight and Purcell’s intricate Magnificat, with a dozen or so soloists, and his ‘Nunc Dimittis’.

Purcell’s was a uniquely English form of Baroque music and his music was highly appropriate, for he composed for King Charles II who built extensively at Windsor. No other native-born English composer approached his fame until Edward Elgar. Finally, there was that great anthem by SS Wesley – Wash me thoroughly, the text from Psalm 51, with that plaintive plea for forgiveness resonating throughout the building. Whenever our Choir sings we are moved, whether in our very own Memorial Chapel or in the seat of Majesty but yesterday - along with churches and cathedrals in New York, Lincoln, St. Paul’s, Worcester, Gloucester, and York Minster – our dedicated choristers again were wonderful ambassadors for our School and our Anglican tradition.

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Music

Several Upper Sixth pupils graced Pop and Jazz for the last time. Grace Stringer with ‘Songbird’ was one of several Choristers (and of the Cathedral) to deliver a stunning performance of a beautiful pop song; Georgia Meredith has long delighted us with a

succession of songs from the shows over the years and signed-off perfectly with ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ from Guys and Dolls and ‘Roxie’ from Chicago. Simone Thompson-Smith drew warm applause for an intense, intimate performance of ‘Flesh and Bone’; Lizzy James was brilliant in ‘Figure 8’ and accompanied her mum (great voice) in a fine duet in ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’; Fran Kingston has wowed audiences for years and sang two great solos – ‘Valerie’ and ‘Angels Among us’ - and accompanied by her dad sang an enjoyable ‘Ready, Set, Don’t Go’. James Mayhew – an Upper Sixth student - legend on trumpet - on vocals and guitar with Harry Broom on guitar too raised the roof with a great version of ‘Old Pine’. Charlotte Collie was another of our great musical stalwarts on stage and (also on double-bass) sang a great Jazz Standard, ‘Misty’. Not to be outdone, Ms Smith was really at home with cabaret in ‘Crazy’. Three other, younger, choristers dazzled us too.

Kate Duffy sang a mesmerising ‘People help the People’, Lucy Sapwell delivered a spell-binding ‘Jar of Hearts’ and Emma Reeves sang a memorable version of ‘Flaws’, accompanied by Upper Sixth Callum Cooper on piano.

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Pop and Jazz comfortably retained its reputation as the ‘feel good’ event of the year as a packed audience thoroughly enjoyed an evening of Cabaret provided by so many talented pupils (and a few staff too). The Big Band got us off to a vigorous start with several numbers including a great version of ‘Flashdance’; Emily Collie was supreme on vocals and piano in Billy Joel’s ‘Baby Grand’; Alex Brantingham sang a great Johnny Cash song from the late 50s, ‘Give My Love to Rose. The Senior Brass Group provided an admirable diversion with ‘Something Stupid’ and a range of timeless Glenn Miller classics; Sam Adamson (on double bass) brought the House down with great confidence and vocals in Fats Waller’s ‘Aint Misbehavin’, with younger brother on ukulele. One of the best group numbers of the night was a brilliantly arranged and played ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, with George Toft (vocals), James Mayhew (mute trumpet) Sam Price, Jake Hunt and Harry Broom; Indigo has established an enviable reputation for musicianship and in their three numbers gave ample scope for great solo work from a very talented group of young people. In Little Black Submarine, a great new band featuring Ben Adamson, Benedict Mann, Patrick Dolan and Oliver Nicholas was rewarded with one of the biggest cheers of the night. Applause was rapturous too for Sam Makar, Oliver Morton and Archie Parker with The Cave.

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The evening drew to a close unusually, with the sounds of the Orient and then Scott Joplin as an afterthought. The Show proper ended with Tiffany Yeh, Ariel Zhang and Neal Tantisukrit singing a beautiful Korean song and the audience adored it. And then a PS from Mr Kingston who briskly reeled off ‘Maple Leaf Rag’ as a thank you to the audience for their support over five years.

P Bowen

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Drama

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The simple “miaow” is an all-purpose word but most cat-owners know that there are a whole variety of miaows that differ in pitch, rhythm, volume, tone and pronunciation and so too all who saw CATS came away with many different reactions and emotions but with one thing in common – we loved this spell-binding show and revelled in the feline world. A Governor wrote ‘From every twitch of a whisker, scratch of an ear to flick of the tail, what a hugely entertaining show!’ Those new to it were dazzled by the magical combination of witty T.S. Eliot poetry and Lloyd-Webber music; those who had enjoyed it in the West End marvelled at such professionalism. It tested pupils mightily – a relatively short production but the first time we had performed a non-stop singing and dancing show. It needed such physical energy; singing and dancing at the same time.

All pupils were on an artistic personal journey of growth.

It was a talented production team. Twentyfive pupils nightly turned students into furry creatures; a parent, Mrs Bent, did the tremendous hairstyles; Ms Morgans was responsible for the brilliant set and tails; Ms Densem the ears and Miss Barton the genius behind the extraordinary overall costume design and manufacture, make-up design too and what an absolutely exquisite vision it was. Costume-making took hundreds of hours but was a labour of love. This show could have stood or fallen on its choreography and Dr Ruben’s and Miss Peric’s enchanting choreography graced the show and was vital to its success.

The movement and assemblage of large forces on a small stage was made by them and our pupils to look easy. For the second time India Morris was a brilliant stage manager, with great help from Philip Rowsell, Chris Foster and Henry Brewster. We thank the brilliant Band – music teachers Mr Knight, Mr Dunlop, Mr Roberts, Miss Bool and pupils James Mayhew, Katie Vaughan, Emma Westley and Charlotte Collie. Heroes all.

So to the Company. Asher Hardy was the ideal Bustopher Jones, catching the mood perfectly. He is well used to the professional theatre and it showed with brilliant timing and fine voice too, and so in character in a performance of the highest quality. The delightful duet between Taome Jennings as Mungojerry and Emily Taylor as Rumpleteaser was one of the most enjoyable moments of the show; Taome shone in the Fourth Form play and again now with such stage presence and confidence; Emily dazzled us two years ago in a song at the Artrix, a great Hermia last year and in ‘Cats’ as an actress and singer a class act throughout. There was the irrepressible Simon Hotchin, always popular with audiences and magnificent as a suitably terrible Growltiger; Elliot James in a memorable debut as Augustus – a fine voice - and Lizzy James as Jellylorum created an enchanting preamble to Archie Parker’s performance as Gus. And was this really an Upper Fourth before us? Archie was a revelation and another class act in every movement and note and such a rich voice too.

Then there was that charming railway cat exquisitely, joyfully and teasingly played

by Emma Reeves with lovely voice and movement; the highly accomplished Andrey Ogarev was a satisfyingly lithe, sleek and menacing Macavity.

A haunting, mesmerising ballet from ethereal Carren Wong, floating across stage, was an unforgettable highlight of the show; it looked effortless. Delightful dancing also from Helen Yuan. There was a brilliantly confident debut with strong fine voice and natural movement from Aleksandra Satikova as Demeter and she was so well matched by Upper Fourth Brittany Collie as Bombalurina; here was another brilliant big debut with wonderful presence, movement and voice. The two of them were so strong in ‘Macavity’. Alice Ruben in her first big role carried off magical Mr Mistoffelees like a wonderful circus magician with delightful ballet too and wonderfully fluid movement.

Olivia Wormald was a beautiful plaintive voice from on high.

Stalwarts trod the boards for us for the last time who had graced our stages since Lower Fourth. Lizzy James, a brilliant Puck last year and now Jellylorum with great singing and acting with expressions non-stop; Georgia Meredith has been a talented all-rounder always at home on stage and was as natural as ever as a splendid Coricopat, with fine voice and perfect timing. There was Fran Kingston too with a voice to die for, a brilliant, confident Jennyanydots again with outstanding stage presence and timing. We heard every syllable crystal clear.

Another legend with the swaggering George Toft playing the audacious Rum Tum Tugger.

After last year –”Nay, faith, let me not play a woman. I have a beard coming” – he was again a tour de force. Those hips! The audience loved him. Will Bedford Russell, an hilarious Bottom last year, was an outstanding Munkustrap this. With such presence and authority, he is one of the finest actors to

have graced our stage in recent years. So strong a lead too with George in several scenes. Closing Act One was Rochelle Mills as Grizabella and THAT song. It is almost too well known, recorded by so many famous artists. There was lovely acting, a perfectly restrained voice in that first version and at the end utterly persuasive in the climax with a haunting, beautifully frail interpretation of a classic. That sudden burst of passion and swelling volume in “Touch me It’s so easy to leave me” was breathtakingly done and sent a wave of emotion through us all. James Gillick who metamporphosed from backstage legend and supremo to an outstanding Peter Quince, then the Sixth Form play, now signed off with a wonderfully majestic, wise Old Deuteronomy.

That final poem moved us deeply and James deserved that moment for his noble contribution to our drama. Top cat.

And as for the rest of the Company a mighty well done too; everywhere one looked faces and bodies were working and an entire cast so realistically in character. Communication between cats was extraordinary. Last year Bottom said “I have had a most rare vision” and we did with CATS. Make up and costumes were so effective, it was hard to work out (even for some parents) who was who for a while.

The show swept us along - from stunning big numbers like the Jellicles opening, the utter precision in ‘The Naming of Cats’, the Hollywood lookalike chorus girl lines in the Gumbie cat song, the ‘Railway Cat’ – gloriously exuberant and one of the great ‘feel good’ numbers - to the sublime poignancy of the ensemble work of the Theatre Cat through to that gorgeous ending - the final poem and then almost one by one the cast rising gently and magically to the end. The joyous encore of “Oh well I never, was there ever a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffelees” rounded off the night perfectly.

Two final tributes to those who had overall responsibility for the show. The Director of Music worked tirelessly with soloists and chorus and was maestro in the wings. After a lead part in My Fair Lady and then Musical Director for Threepenny Opera, this was his last show here - the one and only Mr Kingston.

It was particularly daunting for some to sing and they did things they never dreamed possible thanks to his encouragement and inspiration.

Shows of course are collaborative affairs and this was an unusually strong united effort by its very nature but Mrs James was both a producer and director. She works from first principles – that it is their show.

All her shows are happy ones. We saw it on faces. Her genius – allied to that of Mr Kingston, the artistic brilliance of colleagues (especially Miss Barton and the dazzling choreography of Peric-Ruben), marshalling of forces at big moments, the quality of acting, singing, brilliant lighting and set, the swirl of movement, riot of colour, glorious costumes - here were master craftsmen at work. Mrs James and Co. again took all these young people on a special journey and whether old timers or debutants what personal growth they have known, what they have achieved that they never imagined possible! If they knew this musical it was from a West End visit with parents and now they have done it for themselves.

P Bowen

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SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Congratulations to everyone on a triumphant success. Each night the Cast held the audience in the palm of its hand and how a vibrant, enthusiastic Company cheered, moved and warmed 800 hearts. I went to bed purring loudly each night.

‘Tonight will be a memory

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The Witches This year’s darkly hilarious Fourth Form production brought Roald Dahl’s The Witches to devilish life. Miss Lancett and Mrs McKee were back at the directing helm in their third collaboration together, and eager to rise to the challenge of putting on a show that requires multiple characters to transform into mice – and also features bald, toeless, clawed witches!

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We were incredibly proud and delighted to win Best Youth Play at BFAME, with individual success for James Prince as Best Actor for his hilarious Chef Carbonelli; for Best Script; and Outstanding Achievement with the devised mayhem of the kitchen Scene.

L McKee

Our talented cast were wonderful, moving swiftly from scenes of moving tragedy at the death of Boy’s parents, fright as malevolent Witches intent on destroying children, to outrageously funny physical comedy in the hotel scenes. Whether in big ensemble work or intimate moments, the sheer versatility and professionalism of the thirty five students involved shone throughout. Roald Dahl’s deliciously mischievous world was captured wonderfully, as we reveled in the downfall of The Grand High Witch (Taome Jennings) and were emotionally affected by the tender final moments shared between Boy (Portia Fallon) and Grandmamma (Paige Corcoran).

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

We performed the show first at BFAME in February, and then to packed audiences at School– so in demand were tickets that we had to create an additional performance.

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Drama The individual senior final featured poems of the competitors’ choice by Sylvia Plath, John Donne and Shakespeare, and set extracts from Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes canon; Niall Hegarty’s winning performance was powerful and entertaining, defeating excellent runners-up Tom Feasby and Sam Adamson.

Whilst staff votes were counted, the junior winner, Olivia Bond, read extracts from Roald Dahl’s Cinderella and Susan Hill’s novel I’m King of the Castle. Niall received his award at the Commemoration Prizegiving, a great honour for a Fifth Former.

RADA During the past eight years, nearly seventy Bromsgrovians have taken the Bronze certificate, of whom nine have gone right through to master the rigours of the Gold award.

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The exam is taken at RADA itself, an experience all candidates agreed was exciting, even if we failed to catch a glimpse of their Vice-Chairman Alan Rickman who was apparently visiting on the same day we were there! In preparation, the entrants performed for their friends and family at an Evening of Shakespeare in the Drama Studio, with the audience enjoying extracts from a diversity of Shakespeare’s plays including Julius Caesar and As You Like It. This year we passed the hundredth RADA award at the various levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold and the results (all monologue certificates) are as follows: Gold: Montana Bent (M); Silver: Simon Hotchin (M), Margarita Marsheva and Daria Solomatina (M); Bronze: Chloe Broomfield (M), Lydia Evans (M), Tom Feasby (M), Ben Featherstone (M), Niall Hegarty (M), Nikolai Maltcev (M), Rebecca Morrice, Anastasia Novichikhina, Andrey Ogarev (M), Pavel Poloskin, Carliene Silk (M) and Kwok Cheung Yu. Emily Collie will take Bronze early in July.

We were delighted by the high proportion of Merit grades this year.

P Kenward

P Kenward

Staff Reading Prize 2013 This venerable competition took on a new twist this year, becoming an Inter-House event as well as an individual one. As a result, the number of competitors was by far the greatest in recent years and, gratifyingly, the standards were exceptionally high. The House Trophy, decided by the entrants’ initial scores during the rounds, was awarded to Mary Windsor, with Lyttelton in second place and Hazeldene in third place.

The early rounds were judged by Mrs Kenward and Miss Lesniak, assisted by Mr Williams in the junior semi-finals. Will Bedford-Russell, Monty Bent, Emily Collie, Ben Featherstone, Ross Johnston, Nikolai Maltcev, William Parkinson and Lydia Trow at Senior level, and juniors Will Lockhart, Kirsty Salmon, Olivia Wormald and Nyree Williams were worthy semi-finalists.

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Housman Verse

Housman Society Our Senior contestants (Years 9-11) were Olivia Bond, Thomas Lloyd and Emily Collie, with Sixth Form contestants being Jagraj Bhandal, James Gillick and Nikolai Maltcev.

All were excellent – indeed, the judges praised the overall standard as the highest ever in the competition’s history. James was runner-up in the Sixth Form section, reading Housman’s The Colour of his Hair and Eldorado by Edgar Allan Poe. In the middle sector, Emily Collie’s recital was remarkable, both for her control of wideranging emotion in Seamus Heaney’s heartrending poem Mid Term Break and the anger and irony given equal measure in Housman’s The Laws of God, the Laws of Man. The judges agreed, awarding her not only the section prize but also the Housman Trophy for the best reader overall, a well-deserved success.

P Kenward

Our Prep School representative in November 2012 was Madeleine Barber-Fray, who appeared untroubled by the daunting task of being first reader up on stage.

It’s spring, not summer, yet heat’s off in TC,

And I stand in the sun and create glare from the gleam.

And the sub zero temperatures are bothering me.

But I’m not the only one who desires a tan,

I admit outside is sunny, and warmer than in,

Or to soak up the rare English rays - while I can! -

Oh but sitting outside is a new sort of sin.

Here we are thinking we give the impression, Of our friendly school with outdoor study sessionsNo! We look messy in the eyes of authority, (The eyes of a certain, distinct, minority.)

So this poem is my personal plea, To ignore the unaesthetic scene of students you see, Soaking up valuable vitamin D, Sprawled on the fields, like human debris.

Written by Sophie Grenfell

And I find this especially strange when I note, That on the School website the pictures promote Circular groups of students sat smiling on grass, Yet we are walled in to the library or class Revising subjects we’ve toiled at all year, When the sun was unseen and the skies were unclear.

And maybe I’m pasty and pale to an extreme, The Housman Verse is named after Old Bromsgrovian and Poet A.E. Housman

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The Housman Society organises a verse recital competition for local schools annually at the Artrix Theatre, in honour of our School’s most famous former pupil, the poet and classicist A.E. Housman. Competitors read two poems of their choice: one by Housman, the other by any other poet.

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A level, BTEC & IB

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To enjoy these opportunities, Bromsgrovians compete against the best, not just in Britain, but across the world. The results achieved by the Upper Sixth in 2013 were stunning and should be a source of immense professional pride for all the School’s staff as well as pupils’ parents. This summer, 60% of all A Level entries gained at least an A grade, and just shy of 90% gained at least a B grade. Our IB pupils averaged over 35 points, whilst those taking BTECs gained a set of perfect results, with all achieving Distinction*s. Students’ ‘Value Added’, their results in comparison to their underlying ability, were amongst the very best in the country.

Most Schools claim they nurture their students to become effective learners with broad extracurricular interests, with the confidence to succeed in these two pillars of School life being built on a warm foundation of pastoral care.

But how does one know if Schools are any good at creating happy renaissance citizens of the future, ready to participate in the interconnected world of the 2030s? One School claims that whilst their current position in league tables appears modest, they would be near the top of the league table for leavers’ achievements thirty years hence. They are wrong. Bromsgrove is at the top of this table. I refuse to divulge my placement criteria, but suffice to say Bromsgrove is more a future Bayern Munich than an also ran such as Everton.

Bromsgrovians should continue to learn, question and grow after they have shaken the hand of the Headmaster at Commemoration and bid farewell. We are delighted that so many have moved on this Summer to challenging courses at competitive universities. The vast majority of our leavers have joined Russell or 1994 Group universities (affiliations of research intensive institutions) with forty-six having gone to UCL, Durham and Exeter alone, and with around seventyfive reading Economics, Business, Geography, Medicine or Law. Growing numbers are leaving to elite universities in North America, Europe and Asia.

These results are the outcome for all the sheer graft, self-discipline and rigour that had gone before. It is humbling that pupils have the maturity to take examinations seriously, but also in their stride whilst maintaining a sense of intellect inquisitiveness. Increasing numbers undertake significant personalised research tackling an Extended Project or the IB Extended Essay. The Gifted and Talented programme sees off-beat discussions to broaden horizons. Some appreciate how the Theory of Knowledge informs much of what they do, others may gain most from reflection upon their service activities.

Our thespians, debaters, musicians, CCF Cadets, rugby and netball players and those participating in countless other activities have achieved and grown so much over the year, but first and foremost virtually all have proven themselves to be serious students who deserve to be taken seriously.

P Ruben and M Thompson

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Trips Boarders’ Trips

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This year, for the first time, some of the Senior School Boarders’ Trips have been jointly run with Page House, affording greater flexibility. The joint trip to the Harry Potter Studios was especially successful, appealing to movie fans in general as well as Potter fans in particular. Other trips included old favourites – the ever-popular Alton Towers, shopping trips to Birmingham, London and Cheltenham, paintballing, karting (eventually, after snow forced a last-minute cancellation), ice-disco, bowling and several cinema trips – the excellent range of films on release late in January, including Lincoln, The Hobbit and Les Miserables, prompting our biggest movie excursion of recent years: over seventy pupils went. The weather was kinder to the West Midlands Safari Park this year. As is traditional, boarders’ barbecues heralded the start and end of the school year, and at Christmas the formal dinner, where pupils were served by boarding tutors, provided a fantastic end to the term.

Thanks as ever to Tutors and GAP students who accompanied these trips, to the Transport Manager and Catering Staff for their patience and flexibility and to the boarders for being great company!

P Kenward

Ski 2012

Twenty-eight Sixth Form pupils plus three staff set off for the snow capped mountains of Austria for a six-day ski trip.

Spirits were high and despite meeting at Birmingham Airport at 5am, and nine sets of luggage not arriving in Munich, nothing could detract from the exhilaration and excitement that skiing brings. The weather was kind over the course of the week and all groups bonded with their instructors and thoroughly enjoyed the week’s skiing.

Evening activities of bowling, swimming and tobogganing added to the enjoyment and a disco / pizza evening on the last night provided plenty of entertainment all round. The behaviour and conduct of each and every pupil on the trip was superb; they were a credit to both themselves and the School.

S Franks

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CERN There was an air of excitement and anticipation amongst the pupils at the prospect of going underground to actually see one of the particle detectors, the Hadron Collider, for the first time at CERN. After descending 100 metres down a large shaft in the ground, the group were able to view the detector and learned how such a vast piece of scientific equipment (12,500 tonnes) was lowered and assembled so far underground.

At the United Nations building, the group arrived on the same day as Ban Ki-moon; security was strict but the group learned much from their guided tour of the historic political centre.

Lower Sixth geographers travelled to BetwsY-Coed in North Wales, where they studied flood management strategies in the Conwy valley. The AS pupils spent Saturday in the Upper Conwy Valley investigating characteristics in the upper course of the river. The IBDP students travelled to the Nant Peris Valley where they carried out data collection for their Internal Assessment.

During the summer term, Lower Fourth Geographers travelled to the Carding Mill Valley for their field day to carry out a river study which involved investigating bedload characteristics and the velocity of the river. In addition, they learnt new fieldwork techniques through completing a decision making exercise to determine whether a reservoir should be built in Carding Mill Valley.

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Geography students and members of staff enjoyed a fascinating day in London which explored two main themes: What is a World City? and Do urban disparities matter? The day started in Canary Wharf where students were able to explore the former dock area and really appreciate the transformation that this area has undergone. From Canary Wharf the group moved on to Millwall and then Cubbitt Town. The views from the cable car over the Thames were impeded a little by the rain, but the students enjoyed being able to see the context of the location that we were working in.

At the Olympic park, the group discussed the merits of sports-led regeneration as opposed to the property-led regeneration which the Docklands is an example of. It was a fascinating day and despite the rain the students came away with a very clear sense of how a World City like London still has to tackle the issue of disparities.

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Trips Modern Foreign Languages The modern languages department ran five trips over the Easter holidays enabling pupils to practise their languages skills and to find out about the country in which the language is spoken.

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Sixth Form Spanish pupils spent a week at a language school in Salamanca. They had lessons in the morning to help them with the exam preparation, but had plenty of time to discover the cultural attractions of the beautiful town of Salamanca. The pupils learning Spanish lower down the School enjoyed their visit to Tossa de Mar which included a visit to the Catalan capital Barcelona.

Pupils studying French in the Sixth Form spent a week at the Chateau de La Baudonniere, a French language immersion school in Normandy. All activities and events were conducted entirely in French giving the pupils valuable practice before the upcoming AS oral examinations. Many younger pupils studying French took part in the now well-established exchange with St Vincent in Rennes. The pupils spent time in a French school and saw the sights of this interesting and historic part of France. Having first hosted their french partner for a week here, Bromsgrove pupils stayed with the same partner in France where strong friendships were established, whcih will hopefully last a lifetime.

Biology Field Trip The German Exchange with the Gymnasium Hermannswerder in Potsdam is now in its eleventh year and once again the pupils went on trips to see sights of Berlin and Potsdam as a group, whilst also staying with host families. Much was learned about a region through which the “iron curtain” was drawn just twenty-four years ago. The pupils enjoyed themselves and had lots of opportunities to practise their German.

M Beet

In Biology the field course seems to get better and better each year. Thirty-six students spent five days on the Dale Peninsula in Pembrokeshire studying the ecology of the organisms living on exposed and sheltered rocky shores. They completed the core practical of a transect of the shore and constructed impressive A2 sized diagrams to illustrate the distribution and abundance of the flora and fauna.

Data collection on the microhabitat preferences of purple topshells led to statistical analysis using the Chi squared test and the size distribution of rough periwinkles between exposed and sheltered shores was analysed using the student t-test. Microscopical viewing of marine planktonic life was an eye opener for many and crustacean larvae, copepods and the intriguing carpenter’s ruler diatom were among the intriguing and beautiful organisms seen.

The main emphasis of the trip was on completion of the A2 unit six investigations, however, and students planned their methodology using the extensive library facilities at Dale Fort, collected data from pilot studies as well as for their main investigation, analysed the data and drew relevant conclusions using biological principles. All students worked impressively throughout and produced work of real quality. Comments about the behaviour, involvement, focus and commitment of our students from the Dale Fort centre staff were praiseworthy indeed and the students were a real pleasure to be with for the five days. Dr Woollhead commented “I could use countless superlatives but it is enough to sum up by saying that it was simply a vintage year”.

Pupils experienced canoeing, raft-building, high ropes,

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caving and kayaking.

The Bromsgrove Award is undertaken by all Lower Fourth Pupils. This programme provides an exciting introduction to a wide range of extra-curricular activities and is a taster of what is to come over the next few years at School. The grand finale of Bromsgrove Badge is the annual Lower Fourth Camp in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our youngest year group spent four days under canvas, undertaking a variety of challenging outdoor activities and enjoyable games. Pupils experienced canoeing, raft-building, high ropes, caving and kayaking. It also included a practice expedition contributing to the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Pupils gained further experience with navigation, compass and map reading skills and many experienced what it is like to carry a full expedition rucksack for the first time! They all cooked a camp meal for their group after the expedition walk and then relaxed with games of rounders and toasted marshmallows around the camp fire in the evening. Pupils’ behaviour was truly exemplary and we were proud of every single one of them, true Bromsgrovians throughout.

On return from the camp, one pupil wrote “I just wanted to say thank you for arranging such an excellent and fun trip! I will remember the past couple of days for the rest of my life with some great points such as the rafting and some not so good points such as the rucksacks! I enjoyed every minute of it and I would love to do it again and I will probably volunteer to assist in Sixth Form. I just also wanted to say thank you to all the other staff that helped, if you could let them know how much their time and effort was appreciated, thank you”.

S Nelson

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ON YOUR MARKS...

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Greenpower Engineering

The DT Department’s Greenpower Engineering team competed in their very first race at the historic Mallory Park race track in Leicestershire during the Summer Term. The team put many hundreds of hours into building and modifying the electric car as well as researching, testing, practising and learning the rules and regulations prior to the race.

The electric car (nicknamed ‘The Chicken’) performed admirably in testing and was race ready for the two 80 minute races of the afternoon. Alexandra Evans, Sam Fleeming, Henry Brewster and Brittany Collie drove in the first race, while Fraser Foster, Hannah Taylor, Michael Matthews and Will Bell drove in the second, and the team finished twentysecond out of thirty nine entries including those from universities and corporate companies. The way they supported each other was admirable and they have been inspired to try and reach the national finals at Goodwood.

Four of the team enjoyed a day at the MG Live event at Silverstone courtesy of Geoff Strong (Governor) who was the Clerk of the Course on the day. Henry Brewster, Sam Fleeming, Ben Hesketh and Rob Stirrat had a tour of race control and witnessed the high tech systems in place that were running the races and the Grand Prix this season. The pupils were also lucky enough to be invited into the pit garages by the Paragon Porsche team whose owner and driver Adrian Slater (Pre-Prep parent) let them help change the tyres on one of their cars during the pit stop. It was a fantastic day out at one of the world’s best motor racing circuits.

O Matthews

Trips

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THE DESIGN MUSEUM

Classics Trip Pupils were able to view Romano-British artefacts, reconstructions of Roman home life including a garden, and some of the finest mosaics found in Britain.

In the afternoon, there was a visit to the Roman Baths at Bath, one of our best known Roman sites, where the excellent audio-guide handsets provided a detailed tour of this superb ancient complex. Latinists were able to experience the site and objects which formed the background to one of their textbooks, while Classical Civilisation students could gain valuable knowledge for aspects of the city life and community topics they will be covering from September. As usual, behaviour was impeccable and spirits were high as the sun provided one of the hottest days of the year so far.

A McClure

Students also enjoyed the exhibition ‘United Micro Kingdoms’ presenting perspectives on a fictional future using elements of industrial design, architecture, politics, science and sociology to provoke debate around the power and potential of design.

Students were able to gain a deeper insight into some of the entrants ranging from ‘WREX’ (Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton) a 3D printed aid for children with disabilities developed by the department of Orthopaedics at the Alfred I DuPont hospital to a ‘Liquid Glacial Table’ embedded with illusions of Mother Nature’s patterns of a liquid vortexes. Made using polished prismatic acrylic and designed by Zaha Hadid one of the world’s most prolific female architects of our time.

The Lesser known Architecture exhibition currently spanning across London illustrated to our architectural enthusiasts the importance of diversity. Whilst the Kaffe Fassett exhibition entitled A Life in Colour, at the Fashion and Textile Museum, celebrated the work of one of the great practitioners of contemporary craft and demonstrated to our students how important it is to blend pattern, texture and colour.

E Densem

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Forty-eight Upper Fourth pupils studying Latin and Classical Civilisation enjoyed a day’s visit to two sites of classical interest.

The morning was spent at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, a charming town museum charting the history of the settlement from its Iron Age roots, through its Roman phase as Corinium Dubunnorum (at one time a cavalry fort and Britain’s second largest settlement), during Anglo-Saxon times and up to the 19th century.

During Lecture Week DT and Art students visited The Design Museum in London to view the ‘Design of the Year’ awards.

Dubbed The Oscars of the design world, the museum showcased the most innovative and imaginative designs from around the world.

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The Eco Action group have made excellent progress re-establishing the conservation garden this year.

The DT group manufactured raised beds which were filled and planted with a variety of vegetables. The major project was the new pond. Water is an essential part of an eco garden so the pond is a central feature in the garden. The students helped to determine the shape and also finalise the excavation of the soil. The term “green gym” really showed its meaning as the wheelbarrows of subsoil were shifted. The Butyl liner was put in place and in the last half term the finishing touches have been completed on the pond with a turf edge and planting.

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In addition to the garden, students have also continued to work with the Pre-Prep and Prep students on Eco Action days. The watervole project has continued and our senior students looked after a group of very willing Pre-Prep pupils who helped with the Catshill section of the project. This practical session followed a lesson that the Senior pupils taught to the Pre Prep.

The group continued the project in May with a return visit to Lickey End nature reserve. The students undertook a wide range of activities including coppicing and planting trees and maintaining the water channels. We are very proud of involvement with the watervole project in Bromsgrove and the awarding of the Green Flag to the Lickey End site.

J Holden

It’s all action for the eco team

Activities Community Action It has been another energetic and beneficial year for the 250+ pupils involved with Bromsgrove Service. Pupils have worked hard, often outside their comfort zones, and enriched the lives of many within the School as well as local and global communities.

Locally, pupils have visited three residential homes on a weekly basis and great friendships have been formed. Songs have been sung, games played and even ladies’ nails have been painted. Shortly before Christmas, a tea and carols event was held in the Old Chapel, to which residents from several local residential homes were invited. School musicians entertained our guests and much festive fun was had by all.

Beyond Bromsgrove and even the UK, our pupils have made a valid contribution: Christmas parcels and unwanted textbooks were collected, packed and sent to Romanian orphanages and Tanzanian schools.

Bromsgrove Service has also brought PrePrep, Prep and Senior sections of the School closer together. Sixth Formers delivered a European Languages Day event to our linguists en herbe at the Pre-Prep;

It is fair to say that 2012-13 has been a busy year in which our pupils have given a lot, but probably gained a whole lot more.

L Falconer

Young Enterprise

IFS Competition

The Schools’ Young Enterprise team Chameleo had a very triumphant year selling a range of products from candy canes to Valentine’s Day roses and their key product, a cookbook which took advantage of the multicultural team and included vouchers for local businesses. The cookbook, Home Cooking from Around the World, gave a charitable donation to Our Home Nakuru a worthy cause in Kenya. The teams efforts were then reflected in the District Competition where they secured Best Company Report and Best Trade Stand.

Teams of four pupils competed against over 40,000 other pupils across the UK in the IFS Student Investor Challenge. A team of Lower Sixth students were able to make £48,000, outperforming the FTSE 100 share index in the process. The team came first in the Regional Final, advancing to the National Final held in London.

J Williams

This time the team had to give an eight minute presentation entitled Can trust in LIBOR ever be restored? Watched by a tough judging panel, with representatives from the likes of Bloomberg and the creator ofThe Bank of Mum and Dad, the team performed with flair, discipline and academic rigour. The team faced tough competition and unfortunately they weren’t able to win on the day.

Overall the team enjoyed the challenge, it proved a fantastic experience improving confidence, teamwork and knowledge that will prove to be invaluable in later life.

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Several Sixth Formers have been involved with a fundraising initiative from the Primrose Hospice. Pupils were each given a Flourishing Fiver, which could be invested in materials for cake bake sales, sweet raffles, Christmas gifts and much more. The work performed by our budding ecologists has been equally impressive, as has the commitment shown by our Sixth Formers who have volunteered their time to local charity shops.

international students have helped their younger compatriots in the Prep School Boarding House; green-fingered gardeners aged 5-18 have worked side-by-side; Sixth Form scientists have taught the next generation of Einsteins at Pre-Prep; and Fifth Formers have taught enrichment lessons to Years 7 and 8.

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Alupro Competition

Katie Neales took part in the Alupro Design and Technology Challenge, and won the overall competition with her innovative design.

Katie attended the annual Aluminium Federation luncheon at the House of Lords during the summer term, with Mr Matthews of the DT Department. There were speeches from key figures in industry, including the chief engineer from Jaguar Land Rover who was one of the judges of the competition.

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Bromsgrove Badge All of our Lower Fourth pupils have been given an introduction to the School’s outdoor pursuits programme through the Bromsgrove Badge scheme. Pupils have been involved in a wide range of different activities which have encompassed many aspects of outdoor education and citizenship. This programme has helped to prepare pupils for future participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force.

The first part of the year began with preparations for the annual Malvern Field Day in October. Mapwork skills, teamwork and compass skills were honed prior to a challenging map and navigation activity in Eastnor Deer Park and then long walk over the Malvern Ridge. A great day was had by all, pupils behaved sensibly and all groups completed the full challenge.

From Christmas to Easter, pupils participated in a rota of activities including photography around the School grounds. Pupils learnt about their local area in a two-week course forming an investigation into local history of Bromsgrove. They also undertook a courtroom drama role-play exercise and completed a healthy eating and nutrition exercise. Camp craft skills were honed during a two week introduction to camp cooking and expedition skills. Finally, three off-site visits were enjoyed by pupils to Lickey Hills and Upton Warren.

All Lower Fourth pupils spent four days away, camping in the Forest Of Dean including a practice expedition contributing to the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This trip has now become firmly established within our outdoor pursuits programme and has become the highlight of the year for many pupils.

S Nelson

Katie was able to discuss her designs with members of the House of Lords as well as Members of Parliament. The luncheon was held in the Cholmondely room terrace overlooking the Thames and it was a wonderful opportunity to gain a glimpse into how industry and politics link together and to discuss how manufacturing and engineering in this country form links with young people in education.

The competition sponsors are very keen to support the competition next year and we look forward to our new Lower Fourth pupils tackling the design challenges that they are going to set.

Marmite – funny name. If I told you that we, Marmite, were a trendy underground alternative band, who were being ‘super deep’ by having a name that is instantly associated with the legend “Love It or Hate It” second-guessing how listeners might respond to our roguish and not-so-mainstream music – then possibly you would think we were cool… or not. If we have learnt anything from Stem Cell Research and the Tron Legacy (we certainly have) it is that life is so complex that even a digitized replication of it, is regarded

by Kevin Flynn to be “Bio-digital jazz, man” – truer words have never been spoken by one that looked so good with a beard.

Gifted and Talented

And yet, some people express skepticism towards the great Jeff Bridges... I personally think that Marmite - not the cool alternative band, but the ill-assorted ‘clever people’s society’ - is a perfect reason to show them the error of their ways.

Yeah, that’s right, we’re, not a band – sorry to disappoint. We are however, underground, alternative and occasionally even ‘super deep’.

That doesn’t mean you have to be fantastically clever to turn up, really, you just have to listen, be opinionated and of course like cake.

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Society

Every school’s different, some have just sporty people, and others have only academic people – fortunately at Bromsgrove we have the perfect ambience for both, which unfortunately means no-one fits in anywhere… hence the necessity for Marmite.

Not everyone can do it, not everyone enjoys it… but it has encouraged us to sometimes look through our critical goggles - or the filters of Instagram or the eyes of Norman Rockwell at not only the things that we love, but also the things that we hate. And sometimes, we even change our minds…. that, my friends, is why it’s called Marmite.

Hugo Evans and Alice Ruben

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Marmite provides highly adequate mental sustenance for the attendees, whether their passion is Entropy (as a science, discipline or even point of linguistic interest) or the Art Nouveau of the Paris Metro architecture.

Just as I couldn’t imagine having a conversation with Marmite about choices for the Lions squad, I certainly couldn’t imagine talking to the ‘jocks’ about ‘Who’s In Charge?’ and ‘Television Can Change the World’. You can, however, evidently have discussions with Marmite about the genres of TV ranging from Drama to Reality and Documentary to 1960s Sci-Fi. I refer, of course, to the wonders and/ or horrors (depending on whether you fall in the love or hate category) of Walking With Dinosaurs, Star Trek (naturally excluding Enterprise) and even Armando Iannucci’s BAFTA lecture [censored version].

Marmite is about expression. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet has the great line, “to be or not to be” – on the surface that is a self-discussion as to whether Hamlet should take his own life: if we explore further it could be a message on sexism. But if we venture to the core of what this misunderstood line is on about, is it not a question on expressing yourself? The answer may not be precise, but it comes incredibly close. You have many different interests and aspects of your personality: to socialise among one group could never allow you to express all of them whether you’re a Jaws person or more the Roman Holiday type. To quote The Verve, “I’m a million different people” – Marmite allows us to verbally spar in fast paced, witty and academic banter, which has covered grounds from The Matrix to The Incredibles.

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The Debating Society As recognition of their commitment and achievements over the past years, major colours are awarded to Maxime Cox, James Gillick, India Morris, Daria Solomatina and Jake Perryman, who also receives the Janet Cockin Cup, while the T.E.Godwin Trophy goes to Niall Hegarty. Thank you to all those departing Upper Sixth who have been enthusiastic, committed and given so many hours of thoughtful and entertaining debate, especially Lizzy James, Jamie Hey, Alex Brantingham, and Declan Amphlett, of whom we will hear more in the future.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The Senior Inter-House Debating Final once again provided a superb afternoon’s argument with Lyttelton’s Adam Robertson and Jake Perryman given strong competition from Hazeldene, School and Walters. The Lyttelton junior pairing of Will Lockhart and Elliot James also emerged as winners against a very promising Mary Windsor team.

Externally, the Upper Sixth European Youth Parliament team began the summer holidays in fine style, attending the four-day National Final in Liverpool where they focused on current European issues with fourteen teams from around the UK. Highlights included Maxime Cox’s fluent and forceful French, James Gillick’s attack speech which was voted best of the conference, and Jamie Hey’s persuasive grasp of all economic issues. Also deserving of mention are Daria’s dancing and India’s incredible organisation skills which ensured everyone was where they should be, most of the time.

Following the return from Liverpool and the start of the debating season proper, we continued our run of success at Malvern College’s Three Counties Debating Competition, where Alex Brantingham and James Gillick performed exceptionally well, with James’ rhetorical flourish and theatrical style complementing Alex’s calm but fiercely cogent manner. After three debates, they moved on to the finals, and won the whole competition in this last round.

Gareth Evans, Declan Amphlett and Jake Perryman competed against North Bromsgrove High School in the annual Michael Holt Memorial Debate, proposing ‘This House Believes that the Nations of Europe are a spent force’, and winning the debate with a unanimous vote. Jake paired up with Maxime Cox to reach the second round of the English-Speaking Union Mace and with Adam Robertson for Sajid Javid’s debate in which they debated with absolute professionalism.

The departure of this Upper Sixth opens up opportunities for many younger speakers; there are some talented and dynamic debaters out there and next season promises to be interesting.

K Linehan and L McKee

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Chapel Matters Some quotes about ‘The Chapel’:

“Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and feel good factor, ‘The Chapel’ promises a great time for everyone. We guarantee an experience that will keep you coming back time and time again...”

“Designed to be an oasis ........ guests at ‘The Chapel’ come for the expert advice and stay for the warm, welcome and friendly approach.”

In case you thought that these were real quotes from pupils or teachers at Bromsgrove School I should point out that the first was an advert for a night club and the second was for a hair salon - both called ‘The Chapel’.

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At Bromsgrove our pupils might not all use such terms to describe our Chapel. However, for some it is an oasis where they can be quiet at the beginning of a long and busy day ahead. It may also be a place where they can get some good advice through the many and varied talks that are given there. It is certainly a place that they keep coming back to as they attend Chapel regularly during the week and for special services throughout the year.

One of the highlights in Chapel this year was the Confirmation Service led by the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend David Walker, who confirmed the largest number of pupils for over ten years.

The Chapel Choir has grown again, both in number and in quality, through the leadership of Jonathan Kingston who will be missed greatly as he moves on to new musical challenges outside the school environment.

During his time as Director of Music he has led the choir to a number of cathedrals at home (Windsor and York this year alone) and abroad (New York), but importantly the choir has faithfully led worship in Chapel and their singing has often been out of this world. Meanwhile the Prep School choir has also grown and it looks as if we may need to consider extending the choir stalls.

This year has seen the publication of a new school hymn book which we hope will be well used for many years to come, embracing the best hymns of the past but also more modern hymns too. There has been increased use of technology in Chapel with those leading worship using audio-visual material during their talks. So far it’s only been the Bishop who has used an ipad but chapel may be seen to be where the past, the present and the future all come together. As we worship in Chapel our faith is in a God who is unchanging but also embraces the whole of time in his involvement with us.

So Chapel matters! It has in the past; it still matters today and we believe it matters in the future of our School.

Rev P Hedworth (Chaplain)

Duke of Edinburgh Award The Duke of Edinburgh Award is recognition of a young person’s successful journey of self-discovery and development, renowned by employers and universities alike for the qualities young people have who have achieved a DofE Award. It continues to be a hugely popular activity, with 350 of our current students actively involved through both the Civilian and CCF routes.

The bronze award programme runs through the Upper Fourth, following on from the Bromsgrove Badge and with the exception of a few, almost the entire year group voluntarily enrolled on it. Training for expeditions was undertaken as part of a carousel of activities during CCF time, with the qualifying expedition held in May for the civilians in the local area around School, whilst the CCF ventured further afield to Shropshire.

The summer expedition was the culmination of most pupils’ silver award and their hard work paid off, with all the groups successfully completing the challenge on a beautiful bright and sunny Exmoor.

At gold level (Sixth Form),students have had a busy year. At the start of the Easter holiday, four groups of Upper Sixth students were set to finally complete their qualifying expedition after being unable to do so in Lower Sixth. Joining them for a practice expedition, would have been six groups of Lower Sixth students. Sadly, because of the unusually extreme weather conditions and in the interests of safety, these expeditions were cancelled. Many Upper Sixth students opted for a rescheduled expedition in June, which they successfully completed. The Lower Sixth battled the wind and rain in Snowdonia to complete their practice, gaining many valuable skills along the way. Our direct entry Lower Sixth students have been gradually building up to gold standard, by training on Saturdays and completing local training exercises, including a spectacular 3 day expedition around the Wyre Forest.

We have had an enormous number of pupils (171 in total) complete their awards this Academic year, largely due to the dedication and support of staff, to whom we are grateful.

A number of our gold award holders have already enjoyed their trips to St James’ Palace to receive their Gold Awards.

S Ascough, L Blain and D Tamplin

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For the silver students (Fifth Form), the year began with the planning of their practice expedition in Shropshirer. Unfortunately, low fog blocked the views of Church Stretton from the top of the Long Mynd, but students did at least get to work on their navigation in poor visibility. The weather for the practice expedition was bleak but students’ spirits remained high and important lessons on what to pack were learnt. Activity sessions during the rest of the year included; first aid, making mulled wine on trangias (non-alcoholic of course!), the countryside code, orienteering and using a compass and route planning for the assessed expedition. Students have also had to get to grips with the new method of collecting evidence, eDofE, which has now replaced paper log books.

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Camp craft...

Some more successful than others!

Combined Cadet force It has been another fantastically busy year in the CCF. The headline figures are staggering with 280 cadets conducting 20,000 hours of military and adventure training. The cadets have also completed twenty five out-of-school visits; fired 5000 rounds of ammunition, and got thoroughly wet and muddy in the process!

The traditional September field day was the usual baptism of fire for the new recruits (and the new OC) but also included a joint project with the English department producing some excellent pieces of creative writing which went on display in the Library and on the School website.

The Lent Term brought new challenges as cadets got to grips with expedition planning and camp craft skills – some more successfully than others. The RAF contingent spent the day at RAF Northolt visiting The Queens Flight and the RAF museum at Uxbridge whilst the Army Section enjoyed a very muddy range day firing four types of weapons and experiencing signals training, mine clearance and demonstrations of exotic weapons.

Despite the dreadful weather the CCF senior cadets completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Practice expedition in Snowdonia during the Easter Holidays – there was only one day when it stopped raining long enough to toast some marshmallows.

The Summer Term was a time of great change.

After twelve years of distinguished service WO1 Tony Quinn decided it was time for a new adventure and left us at the end of term. On behalf of all the members of the contingent past and present I would like to thank Tony for everything he has done to support the cadets and make the training as exciting and ambitious as possible.

Our Sponsor Unit - the Mercian Regiment was presented their new Colours by their Regimental Colonel HRH Prince Charles. All four Battalions of the Regiment, their Regimental associations and associated Cadet Forces were on parade at Worcester Rugby Club to mark this historic occasion. The Contingent was represented by sixteen cadets, who had the honour of marching past Prince Charles in the final parade. Oak leaves are worn by the cadets behind their cap badges, which is a tradition of the regiment when in the presence of Royalty. To celebrate our association with the Mercian Regiment, the Army Section will be wearing the Brown Infantry beret with the Mercian Lincoln Green Flash in the next academic year.

The year as always ended with Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver expeditions to The Long Mynd and The Black Mountains respectively and our final hurrah on Summer Camp in Sennybridge South Wales.

On a personal note I would like to thank all the CCF staff for their support in my first year in Command. I would also like to pass on the comments of the many military and civilian external instructors that have worked with us, all of whom have found our cadets incredibly polite, cheerful and robust with an eagerness to learn and adventurous spirit that has set them apart from the many other groups they work with.

M Banwell

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Remembrance Sunday was particularly poignant this year falling as it did on the 11th of November. We were delighted to welcome onto parade cadets from North Bromsgrove High School who joined us as part of the CCF outreach program. They, together with the rest of the contingent, looked resplendent in their best uniforms and marched to Chapel in immaculate order on a beautiful crisp bright autumn morning led by the Corps of Drums under the excellent tutelage of Mr Steve Kingston.

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Cadets’ Inspection

Remembrance Day

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Gold DofE Route Planning

W01 Tony Quinn and his partner Stef at the CCF Annual Dinner

Exotic Weapons on Range Day

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Staffordshire Regiment Mascot

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Cadets with the

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Athletics Once again boys’ athletics has gone from strength to strength with numerous personal bests achieved and some School records being broken. The weather conditions have been good throughout the term and the boys have turned out in full force to represent the team. It has been great to see the improvements made by the boys who don’t necessarily compete every Saturday.

The junior boys have had a very good first year in the Senior School, competing against some of the best schools in the Midlands area.

There have been huge strides made in the

junior boys’ performances and long may this continue at intermediate level.

The intermediate boys have had an outstanding year, building on their impressive season last year. There have been two School records broken at intermediate level by Blake Edwards (intermediate javelin) and David Elphinston (intermediate high jump). Ben Walker and Jamie Ross performed consistently well in the intermediate 800m and 1500m respectively to achieve their minor colours.

Major colours have been awarded to Calum Cooper and Eddie Philp for their outstanding effort and commitment to School athletics.

Jean-Claude Massey and Connor McBride were awarded their School cap for outstanding performances and leadership skills throughout the year.

The following boys were selected to represent Hereford and Worcestershire County at the Mason trophy on Saturday 15th June; Michael Townsend (Junior 80m Hurdles),

Narcis Badea (Junior Hammer), Jonty Thornton (Intermediate 100m Hurdles), Pok Hong Tang (Intermediate 400m Hurdles), Harry Lloyd-Jones (Intermediate 400m), Ben Walker (Intermediate 800m) Joe Morrice (Intermediate Long Jump and Triple Jump), Blake Edwards (Intermediate Javelin), Calum Stirrat (Junior Javelin) and David Elphinston (Intermediate High Jump); congratulations to all the boys on a fantastic achievement.

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The Intermediate ESSA team showed great levels of effort throughout the term to reach the national finals in Gateshead for a second year in a row. In total nine ESSA records were broken in the season, including a new team high score of 550 points in the Midlands finals.

The team was led superbly by Blake Edwards and ably supported by David Elphinston and Joe Morrice.

As a result of their high levels of achievement the following boys have been commended – Joe Morrice, Jonty Thornton, Blake Edwards, Fraser Foster, Alex Cooper, Oliver Wilkinson, David Elphinston, Alex Dew, Harry Lloyd-Jones, Nic Papaioannou, William Draper-Barr, Narcis Badea, Callum Stirrat, Michael Townsend and Andrei Badea.

G George

I have always looked forward to the Summer Term because that has meant only one thing… athletics. This season has been no exception, and has proved to be very enjoyable for all the girls.

Junior and intermediate athletes in the top two, who also attained the qualifying standard, progressed to the prestigious Mason Trophy.

Those selected were Lauren Brown, Candy Lockett and Isabel James.

This year the athletics fixtures commenced with two matches on home soil at the Ryland Centre. In both fixtures there were many fine individual performances, which helped the junior girls win and the senior girls come joint first, competing against Oundle, Uppingham, Oakham and RGS Worcester amongst others.

Continuing this fine start, the girls performed admirably, throughout the remaining season at meets at Rugby, Oundle, Uppingham and RGS Worcester. The girls always strived to do their very best despite the horrible English weather at the majority of the meets.

The aim for any school athlete is to compete at the English Schools’ Track and Field Championship where individual athletes, who obtain the demanding qualifying standard, are selected for the County team to compete at a huge national competition. This is the largest schools athletics meet in the world and very much like a mini Olympics.

This year the School has witnessed its greatest number of female athletes selected to compete for Hereford and Worcestershire. The following girls were selected: Lauren Brown (75m hurdles), Candy Lockett (shot put) and myself, Libby Thornton, for the 100m hurdles.

The junior girls won the first round of the ESAA English Schools Track and Field Cup where they qualified for the Midlands A final that took place in Solihull. Unfortunately they did not qualify for the next round, but it was an achievement in itself to get to this stage and perform well, especially against such strong competition.

I leave Bromsgrove knowing that the girls all tried as hard as they could this season, which I know is what any captain can ask for. I wish everyone the very best of luck with athletics in the future, and hope we continue to be as successful, if not more, as we have been this year.

Libby Thornton Captain

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

At the County Schools Athletics Championship many of the girls competed and performed to a high standard. For the junior girls, Lauren Brown won both the 75m hurdles and the long jump, Isabel James won the 800m and Candy Lockett won the gold in both the discus and the shot put. For the intermediate girls Yael Adani won the 300m hurdles and Nadescha Heine won gold in the high jump. There were also wins for the senior athletes; Aoife Swords (800m), Alice Smith (1500m) and Lydia Trow (3000m).

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Badminton The boys and girls badminton teams have had great success this season in their friendly fixtures against local schools. Some matches have been either boys or girls fixtures but for many more fixtures we took a mixed doubles team and came away with very pleasing wins, in some cases against all boy teams, which was even more pleasing.

There were good wins against KES Birmingham, Bloxham, Rugby and Cheltenham College but there have also been the almost inevitable defeats against the strong Abingdon School.

The School Cap was awarded to Charis Huang.

Major School Colours were awarded to Dominic Chan, Kimmy Chak, Catherine Tse, Siqi Chen, Yufei Wang, Freddy Alford, Alvin Wong, Christine Chan, Melody Ip and Vincent Yau. Minor School Colours went to Howard Li and there were commendations for showing great promise for Tiffany Ha and Chris Li.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

A Quinn

Yin

Basketball

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The 1st basketball team have had a lot of changes in the squad since last year, with many team members leaving school. The team had three Upper Sixth pupils in the starting roster including Jacky Mak, Philip Lam and Yushi Takeuchi and with the addition of two Lower Sixth pupils, Ilya Ignatov and Jonas Barakauskas, the team enjoyed a strong season only losing to a very strong and experienced Birmingham Metropolitan College and Warwickshire College.

The team started the season with a win against Worcester Sixth Form College under the coaching of Albert Ziwa and Karl Noyer.

The team improved with every game and played some solid team basketball. Two of our biggest wins were against Old Swinford Hospital School (winning by twenty-one points) and St Augustine’s Catholic College which ended 54-23. In addition, the 1st team had two teams competing in the National project 3 on 3 competition, where the first three won the county title in the U20s age group.

While some of the 1st team players enjoy their last season for the School, the junior team started their basketball careers at Bromsgrove and have flourished under the coaching from Albert Ziwa and Karl Noyer.

The juniors have been unbeaten the whole season, winning all of their friendly games including one match with an impressive score of 66-3. The team entered the Worcestershire Basketball Tournament with high hopes and strong form.

The team eventually won all of their matches in the tournament, becoming champions of Worcestershire.

Philip Lam, 1st team Captain

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

School caps were awarded to Jacky Mak, Philip Lam and Yushi Takeuchi.

Commendations were awarded to Daniyil Kulebiakin, Daniel Wang, Kipras Daujotas, Calvin Fu, Lewis Sirimongkolkasem, Prajwol Khamcha and captain Michael Leung.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

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Chesterton Cup Champions

Team : Brett Huxley (Capt) Darrel Williams, Will Fraine, Chase Edwards, Olli Strong, Charlie Davies, Alex Wilkinson, Henry Moberley, Henry Walker, Tom Banton, James Kinder. 12th Man James Taylor.

Cricket After beating Malvern in the semi-final the School 1st XI travelled to New Road county ground in Worcester to play RGS Worcester in the final of the Chesterton Cup. This is the first time we have entered this cup competition since it started in 1991.

The Chesterton Cup was started by George Chesterton, a Malvern old boy, who played cricket to a high level, representing Worcester many years ago.

An outstanding performance by a young side who will gain invaluable experience from the whole day.

D Fallows

The 1st XI won fifteen out of the twenty full day fixtures over the season, beating reputable schools in cricket such as Malvern College, Wrekin College, Loughborough Grammar and Marlborough College. We won the end of season festival (hosted at Bromsgrove) by beating several talented cricketing schools.

Our season commenced with a ten wicket win against local rivals RGS Worcester.

Notable bowling performances from the two Fifth Form opening bowlers, Oliver Strong and Alex Wilkinson, enabled the batsmen to chase a mere total of 102, to which patience and punishment to the opposition bowlers, allowed Will Fraine to total fifty eight not out to win the game.

Versus Wrekin, a very good Bromsgrove batting line up allowed the young and talented Henry Moberley to score his debut 100 for the first eleven to post a promising and very defendable total. Our bowling line up was held together with some quality spin bowling by Darrel Williams, whom

has shown his class in the middle overs to help a close finish, turn into Bromsgrove’s favour. The opponents finishing six short.

Darrel finished the season with sixty one wickets, a new School record.

Marlborough College is always a highly anticipated fixture and this year Matt Lamb (leading run scorer) with a master class of big hitting and prowess gained 157 runs giving a great start for Bromsgrove’s bowlers to defend. When the team thought an individual effort of 157 from a batsmen couldn’t be matched by our bowlers, the stand out ten over bowling display of the whole season was brought about by Williams. Yet again he proved to be too good for the opposition and created a comfortable win for the team.

The run up to the Chesterton Cup Final was not an easy one, with Bromsgrove being drawn against a very strong Malvern College side. In the first ten overs, the game was already looking bleak at 60-0 for Bromsgrove’s bowlers, but a key wicket taken by Chase Edwards, and again some highly skilled bowling by Darrel Williams, restricted Malvern to 144. To which Bromsgrove’s strong batting line up patiently saw their bowling attack off and reached the total three wickets down, Brett Huxley sixty seven not out. A match that was highly anticipated could have gone either way at any stage, but saw us entered into the final to be played at the County ground. Soon we found out this game was now against RGS, our previously beaten opponents.

Restricting RGS to 190 with great spin bowling from lower fourth James Kinder, gave great infrastructure for the batters who again didn’t fail. Moberley was the backbone ending with 58 giving batsmen the chance to express themselves around him.

Strong performances throughout our junior teams ensured 2013 to be a vintage year for cricket at Bromsgrove School, our U14A team beating Malvern in the county final being the highlight. Winning the toss and asking Malvern to bat first we were successful in restricting them to 201 from their thirty overs on a small pitch. In reply a fantastic run chase unfolded with Tom Banton top scoring with ninety eight not out supported well by James Kinder seventy seven which meant we chased down the target for the loss of just one wicket to ensure Bromsgrove a place in the national competition next year at U15s. Both the U14B and the U15 B both had notable performances and good victories whilst for the first time we saw midweek fixtures for our U14C and U15C against local schools.

A notable thank you is due from myself and the whole team of Bromsgrove 1st XI, for the dedication of our two coaches, Mr Fallows and Mr Riley. Under their guidance I am certain the 1st XI will continue to flourish.

Brett Huxley, Captain

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The County club put on a fantastic day with full use of facilities, boys on both teams relishing the occasion of playing at a first-class stadium with a good crowd watching.

After winning the toss Bromsgrove elected to bowl first and restricted RGS to 191 in 40 overs, James Kinder (Lower Fourth) was the pick of the Bromsgrove bowlers bowling 8 overs taking 3 wickets for 30 runs which was a fantastic contribution as a young boy, supported well by Darrel Williams 8 overs 0 for 29 and Chase Edwards 8 overs 1 for 25.

In reply the Bromsgrove batters kept to their plans extremely well; a solid foundation set

by Will Fraine (37) and Henry Moberley (57) set the tone and relaxed any nerves on the balcony. Contributions from Brett Huxley (20) and Darrel Williams (39) ensured we were within touching distance of a fine victory which was then seen across the line by Chase Edwards (Fifth form) and Tom Banton (Lower Fourth).

With so many notable and great achievements throughout the year, it is hard to pick out just a few to help summarise a season of extreme reform to School cricket. Winning the prestigious Chesterton Cup Final at New Road, in our first year of entry, narrowly losing both the regional T20 final to Shrewsbury and the U17 national semi-final, help to sum up a highly valued season by players and coaching staff.

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Cross-Country Thanks to all runners for their participation and commitment, and in particular to Upper Sixth Formers Lydia Trow, Ross Johnston and Alice Smith who have all been great representatives of the School at various cross-country events since Lower Fourth, and are a wonderful example to younger runners of what to do when the going gets tough.

R Watkins

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

This year we benefited from an increased level of participation in cross-country, with a total of thirty five pupils representing the School at various matches in the East Midlands Independent Schools League, the King Henry VIII relays and District, County and National Championships.

We enjoyed a very successful season in the EMISCC where Nik Papaioannou won individual silver in the Colts competition thanks to three second-placed finishes, while the Colts A also won team silver. The girls did creditably winning team bronze.

Kieron Walker, William Draper-Barr, Isabel James, Bradley McGeough, Aoife Swords and Hannah Trow all competed at the English Schools National Championships at Catton Park, Derbyshire.

A new initiative by Mr Skipp has seen fifteen athletes participating in 5k Park Runs held on Saturday mornings all over the country.

It is hoped that these will continue to attract runners throughout the year.

The inter-House competitions are always fiercely contested, and this year saw Walters (junior boys), School (senior boys) and Hazeldene (junior & senior girls) triumph in the cross country event, while the 1.2 relays were won by Walters and Thomas Cookes.

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Ben’s commitment and positive attitude were highlighted in his selection for the Mercian League North team against the South; helping his team to a 2-1 victory. He was aided in leading the squad by senior players like George Blaxall enjoying an excellent season in goal, and Ed Philp as a tough-tackling no-nonsense sweeper. The loss to injury of impressive defenders Matt Lamb and Dan Garvie was mitigated by the late season call-up of Callum Porter. Notwithstanding a record of more losses than victories there is huge optimism for next season with the availability of ten of the current squad.

A young and largely inexperienced 1st XI performed with admirable spirit, despite having a season hampered by the poor weather conditions. Throughout pre-season and games sessions a heavy emphasis was placed upon developing a pass and move style; lots of small-sided training games, with a premium on two or three touches.

Despite the team playing on some heavy surfaces there was increasing evidence of this pattern of play emerging, especially in the home victory over LGS. Harry Brown, Will Casasola, Alex Hellmann and Ivo Karov came to the fore with a high-tempo passing style.

Even in defeat the team looked threatening against strong opposition; moving the ball quickly to feet or into space out wide, suiting the speed of Josh French and Ben Harmer

and the footballing poise of Minik Pun. Tom von Malachowski used his physical presence to impose himself on defenders which created space for others such as Jake Hampson.

The squad was ably led by Ben Tully, showing commendable versatility as both a right and left back when the need arose.

Finally, Mr Brighton (1st XI coach) and all the other coaches and referees, who have worked tirelessly to improve the players technically and offered invaluable guidance, deserve credit on behalf of all footballers at Bromsgrove.

S Matthews

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Football

The U15s and U16s battled manfully, much to their credit, against schools with a wider selection of players. From the sidelines it was noticeable that a number of U16s will push for 1st team places, in particular Matt Harker, Ben Walker and Elliot Hunt. The highlight for the U15A squad was an away win at Oakham, producing the performance of the season winning 10-5. Once again the future of Bromsgrove football looks promising with the passing ability of a number of these players.

It was a pity that numerous B team fixtures had to be cancelled due to snow and flooded pitches.

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Golf Golf at Bromsgrove School is resurgent. For the first time in a couple of years, we have a good young team of talented players. In Autumn, the year started well with wins against the Old Bromsgrovians at Bromsgrove GC and King Edward’s Camp Hill.

The traditional Old Bromsgrovian match for the Webb Cavill trophy was keenly contested.

Matthew Osborn and Lawrence Hill won the first match, brothers Joseph and Sam Bellamy won the third but a narrow defeat for the second pairing meant it came down to the last match. This went all the way to the eighteentth hole but the School pair lost meaning the cup was shared.

Honours were split in other School matches against Warwick School (1-2), Malvern College (1½-1½) and King Edwards (2-1).

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The Worcestershire Golf School Championship provided tough competition for Matthew Osborn, Lawrence Hill and Thomas Robinson. We were placed third in the U16 category but as all the boys are eligible to play next year we have high hopes for then.

The highlight of the year was the Bromsgrove School Golf Championship at Blackwell. In an extremely tight tournament, three players were still in contention as they played the 18th. Congratulations go to Thomas Robinson (forty-three points) defeating Matthew Osborn (forty-two points) and Lawrence Hill (thirty-nine points).

N Riley

Hockey

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A draw against Dean Close and two further wins against Thomas Deacon and Egglescliffe put us top of the group to face Ipswich in the semi final. We narrowly lost 2-3 in the last play of the game but should be proud to be the 3rd best team in the country.

In 2013 poor weather sacrificed a lot of fixtures except a loss to Dean Close and progression to the Midlands Finals. Unbeaten in the league after half term with wins against Oundle, Repton, Bloxham, a loss to Repton in the semi-final of the cup was a disappointing end to a great cup run. Another great year.

Special mention should go to Nicolas Hillman who attended German U18 trials.

Boys’ 1st team At Christmas, the team travelled to Hamburg to play in the Kappa Cup. The boys faced the German 2012 indoor champions TSV Mannheim but some outstanding play gave the boys a deserved win 4-3. They then went on to win against Munchen (4-3) and Charlottenberg (2-1) to top their group. In an extremely intense semi final a few costly errors left us 2-3 down. At the National Finals we faced old enemies Whitgift. In a first class game, the boys were 1-2 with two minutes to go and some quick thinking and sharp shooting saw the team turn the game on its head to win 3-2.

(Key: **Caps; *Major Colours; #Minor Colours)

This season the U16As won four, lost four and drew two. They managed to get to the Midlands Zone round however were unfortunate not to beat Oakham in order to progress. Goalkeeper Jasper Iversen, who was electric in goal and kept us in many games, captained the team this season. Two close-fought battles were against Dean Close where we won 2-1 and a very memorable 4-3 victory over Rugby winning in the last few minutes.

Squad: Jasper Iversen+, Justin Clegg+, Daniel Holmes+, Jamie Ross+, William Hands+, Harry Broom+, Harry Hill, Harrison Frost, Chase Edwards, Joseph Stokes, Oliver Tanner, Joe Bridgman, Samir Gurung, Jack Alsop.

(Key: **Caps; *Major Colours; #Minor Colours)

Junior Boys There were notable efforts by the U16B team this season, who were the only unbeaten team in their league. Again it was the cup run of the U14A side that gets a special mention. The side played the following teams enroute: KES Birmingham (0-0), Thomas Telford (8-0), Oakham (2-1), Repton, (1-1), Adams (2-2). KES (3-0) Repton (2-1). The U14 side retained the Midlands title again this year.

The team trained well but had little luck at the National Outdoor Finals, unfortunately losing all three games - the last a narrow defeat to the eventual winners. A superb achievement by all involved.

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

A tough opener against Birmingham University was a baptism of fire; however, wins against Bromsgrove HC, Redditch HC, Solihull school, and KES Birmingham gave us a reasonable start. After half term the team went indoors and were exceptional, retaining the Midlands title they had won so emphatically 12 months earlier. Wins against Warwick and Denstone, a close loss against Oakham saw us see and beat Repton 1-0 in the semi. In the final they made amends for the group loss by defeating Oakham 3-1 to become Midlands Champions.

Squad: Max McLoughlin**(Capt), Jakob Lingg**, Johannes Liessem**, Veit Wasserfuhr, Benedikt Wagenitz*, Fraser Mack**, Anton Sieg, William Cutler*, Zachary Morris, Kit Thornton, Gareth Evans*, Tim Steppan, Tom Volk, Thilo Ellerich, Nicolas Hillman, Tom Stokes.

Boys’ U16A

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Hockey Girls’ 1st team The 1st Team started their season in style with a 7-0 victory over Bedford after a productive pre-season tournament, during which the School won all their matches. Following this, the team suffered an unfortunate defeat to a well-drilled Oundle side, but drew with the same side not long afterwards in the Midlands Zonal round, meaning Bromsgrove went through as Zonal Champions. There were satisfying wins over Bloxham, Uppingham and King’s Worcester but extremely close losses to both Millfield and Oakham. Oakham was, for many of the Bromsgrove 1st team, their last game and the way everyone played truly represented the passion, effort, and team spirit many girls have expressed throughout their time at the School.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Travelling to Repton School provided a positive outlook for the team. The home side had slick short corners that were well-executed in the second half, and these led to a loss that did not truly reflect the hard work Bromsgrove put into the match.

The County Outdoor Tournament was one the team deserved to win, and did so, winning all their games in the round robin tournament.

Sadly, the team narrowly missed out on a place at National Finals after closely losing to a fit Oakham side in the semi final of the Midlands Finals.

The hockey played throughout the season was fearless and I would like to mention what a pleasure it has been to play with the girls in the squad, some of whom I have been at School with for several years. It is a team with great potential for the future, and a part of School life I know all Upper Sixth Leavers will never forget.

It is both a credit to the coaching staff and the enthusiasm of the squad that led to the indoor rounds being a success. Beginning with the county rounds, the School side showed great potential when securing their place at Midlands Finals. Personally, I was unable to attend due to injury but reports tell me that the girls performed outstandingly, only narrowly losing to Repton in the final. Despite this, we were through to Nationals... held at none other than Bromsgrove School.

The thrill of playing in a National competition on ‘home turf’ is very difficult to explain; it is something one will never forget. A closely fought match with Dean Close, the eventual runners-up, meant we had to win our second match against Rossall. I must take this moment to thank everyone who supported us in what was the most nail-biting match of the tournament for the School. Scoring the only goal of the game in the last thirty seconds, Marie Heller clinched a very well deserved victory. However the next day St George’s of Surrey won 3-2, and in the same afternoon a tired team lost to a very strong Ipswich side.

Despite this, it is safe to say that the National Indoor Finals 2013 was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for all involved.

I believe throughout the season every member of this team has shown outstanding spirit, motivation and potential. The Lower Sixth members of the team have all been highly motivated, proving they will be a very threatening side next year.

Respect and communication was never absent from the squad, and the desire to improve and learn is something I am certain is reflected in all of the teams throughout the School.

Ellen Lockhart

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Girls’ 2nd team

Girls’ U16A

Girls’ U15A

The 2nd team have had some clear victories during this season, most noticeably a conclusive 8-0 victory over Bloxham alongside others such as Malvern 4-0, Bedford 4-2, and King’s Worcester 4-1.

The U16As had a storming start to the season with three outstanding victories against Bedford, Oundle and Malvern. Their indoor side showed great potential with equally respectable victories over Malvern and Bablake. Their only two losses of the season came from Rugby and Repton. Both were closely fought games, and the side was unlucky to lose, especially against Rugby where there was only one goal difference.

The U15A clearly have potential to be a fantastic side in the future, with wins over Oakham, Malvern and Bedford. Some close defeats show they have strong attack and defence; breadth and depth is an exciting prospect for the team as they develop through the school, and it is something they have, as proven by their results.

With an ever-changing squad, the 2nd team showed great potential through their commitment and endeavour in many matches, as their results reflected. Their high-scoring matches clearly show they were clinical in attack, something they should take through to next year with great pride and aspiration.

The Upper Sixth who leave this team leave a legacy of team spirit and enthusiasm.

Girls’ U14A Despite results showing differently, this team is obviously going to build a great part of senior teams in the next five years, and like the U15As, both breadth and depth are two things this team can pride itself on now and in the future.

Ellen Lockhart

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

A side with obvious potential both on the indoor and outdoor scene, draws against Millfield, Uppingham and Cheltenham Ladies’ College represent the talent and enthusiasm this year group has. This team provides a good standing for the senior teams in the next two years, and I look forward to following their success in the future. Sadly, the team missed out on places in National Finals this year, but I have no doubt that many members of this team will be a part of a team in the future that will reach such an exciting tournament. We look forward to things to come from this determined group of players.

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Netball 1st Team

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The 1st team started the season off well, playing in two tournaments comprising of mainly adult regional and adult premiership teams. Despite not being highly placed in either, these tournaments provided a valuable opportunity to blow away the cobwebs of the summer, find our footing as a team and see what was required of us if we were to have a successful season. The matches fuelled us to start training earlier and harder, with more intense fitness and skills sessions than ever before. The hard work we put in earlier proved beneficial, as when the season got underway, we were strong, fit and confident as a team.

As a result, in the regular season, we won fourteen out of our sixteen matches and along the way scored an impressive 646 goals and conceded just 298. This showed the strength of both our attack and defence, and it also hinted at our potential as a team.

This potential was further suggested by our results in the Independent Schools Cup.We had never entered this competition before, but when we were drawn against Hulme Grammar School (our old rivals, who had beaten us by one goal in extra time in the final of U16 Nationals), we knew that the competition was not going to be an easy ride. In the first game our determination to seek revenge was apparent. We went out strong, and whilst in the first couple of minutes the score remained level, we soon found our momentum and slowly pulled away.

By the time the final whistle was blown, we had secured a ten goal lead, winning the match 49-39. This victory meant that we were in the quarter-final against Leeds Grammar.

We had never faced Leeds Grammar before, but we knew it was going to be a tight and physical encounter, as they had won the competition the previous year. We were not wrong. In the last quarter, Leeds had the advantage of first centre, which meant Bromsgrove were always chasing on the back foot, but we kept fighting and kept the game level. With a minute to go the score stood at 33-33, but unfortunately, time was not on our side. Leeds scored and we did not have time to reply. The final whistle blew, 33-34. We left the court, with our hearts low, feeling robbed and with no sign of a chance for revenge. But little did we know then, that this same team, would stand before us months later, on a netball court in Essex, at the end of long and wet March day, for a grand re-match; this time to see who would prevail as U19 National Champions.

This year’s netball season has been a fitting end for many of the Upper Sixth who have played School netball together for almost a decade. It has not been without defeat, nor its challenges, but strength of character from within the team prevailed and after each knock, we got back up and came back fighting stronger and more determined than before.

Throughout the season Kaya Wilson and Hayley Rudd were a strong and consistent shooting pair, whilst Sophie Luckman, Robyn Howcroft, Monty Bent, Carly Nutt, Katherine Keates and Becky Morrice worked tirelessly in centre court, to provide an important link between play. Claudia Cardinali adapted well to her new position as Goalkeeper and soon proved to be a formidable rock in defence. I feel privileged to have been part of such an amazing team during my time at Bromsgrove and the memories and friendships it has given me are some that I will cherish for a long time to come. I would like to thank Mrs Buckingham and Steve McCleod, on behalf of the team for their unwavering support and I wish next year’s team the best of luck.

Pippa Brock, Captain

Netball teams Along side the huge success of the 1st team, there was plenty of success for the other Bromsgrove School teams too. The 2nd team, captained by Charlotte Ray, enjoyed victories against Worcester Sixth Form, Hereford Sixth Form, RGS, OSH, Clifton and Shrewsbury.

Their success was aided by some excellent shooting from Abbie-May Griffiths, Stephanie Swatkins and Carliene Silk as well as strong defence from Vanessa Hill, Lydia Evans, Jessica Dunn and Hannah Trow.

Whilst the 3rd Senior team had fewer matches they performed consistently well winning all of their matches in style.

The U16A team had a very strong start to the season beating local rivals King’s and RGS but narrowly lost two other matches. The girls showed excellent team spirit and commitment with some superb centre court play from Laura Gieron and consistently accurate shooting from Katharine Hill and Emily Collie.

This was supported by solid defence from Yasmin Mills and Emma Lloyd-Jones. The U16B team, captained by Kate Duffy, won three out of their four matches.

It was particularly pleasing this year that we were able to field A-D teams who were both enthusiastic and able. The 15A team were particularly strong this year winning eight out of their ten matches, drawing one and losing only once to a strong Oundle side. Losing Alice Vaughan, last year’s captain, to injury in December was a blow but the girls rallied and an excellent shooting partnership from Imogen Sapstead and Harriet Goucher made a large contribution to their success. The U14A team contained many pupils new to Bromsgrove School and it took them a few matches to get into their stride. However, excellent attitude and commitment to training meant that they eventually won three out of their last five matches most notably beating Dean Close 23-20.

E Buckingham

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SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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U19 Champions The Bromsgrove School U19 Netball team were crowned National Champions at the National Schools Finals, Basildon Sporting Village in Essex. This is a massive achievement and the highest School category that the team can win.

Bromsgrove went ahead by the narrowest of margins. A Leeds penalty at the end meant that they could claw it back but they missed and the final score was 11-10 to Bromsgrove, meaning Bromsgrove School were crowned U19 National Netball Champions 2013.

The girls’ first match was against Leeds Grammar who defeated us in our Arena by one point in a previous tournament, and here Leeds won again 5-4. Against Aylesbury Bromsgrove also lost 14-8.

This is an extraordinary achievement – on the day and in a much wider context. This team were National Champions at U12 in 2007, at U13 in 2008, at U14 in 2009, at U15 in 2010, losing finalists (extra time) in 2011, they missed out in 2012 but bounced back to win at U19 this year. This is the most successful sports team in our long history.

Bromsgrove were awarded another trophy too – one for Endeavour and Sportsmanship. The organisers said umpires and other schools found the girls always totally committed and with such friendly, gracious sportsmanship.

Quite so. They always play with a smile on their faces too.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

There were victories for Bromsgrove against Oakham 18-2; Hulme Grammar 13-6 and Exeter College 8-5. Further wins were achieved against Harton College 13-3; Berkhamstead 14-3 and Lady Eleanor Holles 5-1 in arrears but our girls never gave up.

Down to goal difference and the complicated score sheets, the Bromsgrove side thought that they were only going to finish as quarterfinalists, but after some serious calculations from the officials, Bromsgrove were told that they had reached the semi-final stage with a 1.91 goal average.

The semi-final was pitted against local rivals King’s Worcester who they had been beaten by three times in twelve months. Unfortunately the match did not start well, being 5-1 down but then with determination we crawled back 10-9 to win the match.

In the final, Bromsgrove faced Leeds Grammar again. At the start of the match we were ahead and then went behind. At the final whistle it was 9-9. During extra time of two minutes each way, Leeds led and then we scored.

Congratulations to Monty Bent, Carly Nutt, Hayley Rudd, Claudia Cardinali, Kaya Wilson, Katherine Keates, Rebecca Morrice, Robyn Howcroft, Sophie Luckman and Captain Pippa Brock, along with the sports staff for this momentous victory.

Can you

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spot the difference?

Ten years ago this young team were

U12 champions...

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

fast forward to 2013 and they were crowned winners of the U19 national title.

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After a difficult first half playing into the wind our defence remained strong to run out 13-8 winners; resulting in Kirkham’s only defeat of the season. What followed was what Mr Mullan described as some of the best school boy rugby he had ever seen as we dominated Stowe 33-22 in a brilliant first half display. A huge performance from Jean Claude Massey, no. 8, helped build a lead we should have increased in the second half. We. however struggled to compete with Monmouth’s physicality as we lost 13-8 to the Welsh side.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Rugby Excited about the season ahead, the 1st team squad assembled for a gruelling week of pre-season training in preparation for a friendly against a strong Worcester Warriors AASE side. Our hard work paid off in what was a positive performance given the lack of time spent together. On paper we had a very tough opening three games, all away from home.

The confidence built up in our pre-season friendly was taken forward against Uppingham where, on a very hot day, we ran out 22-17 winners.

The following week saw one of the best defensive displays of the season; we squeezed past Warwick 6-5 after two first half Elliot Davies penalties and after an onslaught from the home side we held firm to get our second win of the season. In contrast our next fixture against Ellesmere was one of the low points of the campaign; after a strong first half our ill-discipline eventually cost us as we conceded two tries in the dying minutes of the game to lose 27-23. However we were soon back on track to go on a five-game unbeaten run.

Motivated to put things right we defeated Oundle 15-3 with a surprised Michael Leech getting on the end of a triple miss pass from Elliot Davies, to finish delicately in the corner. We then beat a physical Solihull side 27-6 with strong performances in the pack from Rupert Jones and forwards Captain Ben Sayce, who stood out all season. After another convincing win against Clifton College 36-3, this set us up for a tough Wednesday night fixture against Kirkham.

Our final fixture at home should have been against Millfield and with the side eager to make amends for mistakes against Monmouth the game was called off due to bad weather.

Our penultimate fixture against Colston’s went down to the wire as Jean Claude Massey scored in the dying minutes to secure a 10-8 win after a great team try in the first half and a strong performance from Ed Rawcliffe at scrum half.

The turning point of the game was a blatant trip on Callum Young as he was through to score.

Our traditional final game against KES Birmingham was a fitting end to a very good season as we won 37-3, with Brett Huxley having a solid game at full back. Mr Windo and Mr Mullan must be thanked for their coaching throughout the season.

James Young

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Rugby 7s

U15 They were soon quiet as we went three scores up only to then find ourselves behind on conversions later in the second half. We displayed a lot of composure in the final play as Rupert Jones powered over from the 22 metre line to give us a well-deserved 23-19 victory.

Our strong record at Kings Worcester 7s gave us a lot of confidence going into their annual tournament. Drawn in a difficult group we played some fantastic rugby to win all five games against RGS Worcester, Ellesmere, King Henrys Coventry, Solihull and Colston’s.

It was nice to cruise past Ellesmere, six tries to one, in harsh conditions after a disappointing result earlier in the year. However after some controversial decisions we were disqualified and entered the plate final against Adams’ Grammar. Our disillusioned and injury struck squad couldn’t maintain a two try lead as we eventually lost 19-12.

A successful start to the campaign was then followed by our first tournament win as we entered the Colston’s 7s a month later. We dominated our group beating Bristol Grammar School 22-5, Hereford Cathedral 34-0, Bedford Modern 45-5 and crushing the mighty Millfield five tries to one in what many thought would be a close group decider. This set up a very difficult semi-final against Truro School and after conceding first, a very clever kick from Ed Rawcliffe helped us on our way to a 17-5 victory. Having already beaten Colston’s in the 15-a-side season we played them in the final in front of a large and hostile home crowd.

Our final tournament was Rosslyn Park and for some it was the last time playing rugby for Bromsgrove. A very difficult first fixture against eventual semi-finalists Kings College Taunton saw us come off second best even after a spirited second half fight back, losing 21-10. We managed to stay focussed and beat Eastbourne College and Woodbridge 12-5 and 29-0 respectively. Our final game saw us ease past Beaufort 43-0 in what was, from a personal point of view, a fitting end to an extremely enjoyable two seasons of rugby at Bromsgrove. Once again Mr Windo must be thanked for his coaching during the campaign.

The U15 team have had a very successful season, having gone the whole of the Michaelmas term undefeated and amassing some very big scores. The boys played some very good rugby in The Daily Mail Cup against RGS and King Edward’s Aston where they ran out 52-0 and 54-0 winners respectively. This followed a tough away match against Bedford Modern School who knocked us out of the competition the previous year. With several of the team having played in the match, this spurred the rest of the team on to record an impressive 33-0 victory and enabled the Bromsgrove team to move into the next round against Hereford Cathedral School.

On a very wet and windy Thursday afternoon against a very committed Hereford Cathedral School, the team had to work very hard in the first half to finish in front. With the conditions at our back the U15s managed to pull away finishing 57-7 winners and moving into the next round.

The Round 7 match was against Berkhamsted School where Bromsgrove emerged winners 53-7. For the quarter final, Royal Grammar School High Wycombe were the visitors. In a very close game the teams exchanged penalties before Blake Edwards scored a decisive try in the second half to give us some breathing space before we eventually won the game 13-3. With both semi finals being played at Broadstreet RFC, our match against Warwick School was the first on the day. After exchanging tries we trailed the match 17-11 with ten minutes remaining.

Alex Nisbet scored a well-worked try, but unfortunately we were unsuccessful with the conversion leaving the final score 17-16 to Warwick.

The boys showed some great character with this bitter defeat behind them and later took part in the Solihull 7s tournament. After comfortably winning the group, the team then played against a good Sir Thomas Rich’s School in the semi final. This was a close match but the boys secured the win and progressed into the final. In the final, Bromsgrove came up against their opponents, RGS High Wycombe, from the quarter final of the Daily Mail Cup. The boys started to show signs of fatigue from playing on the heavy pitch in the semi final, with some boys going down with cramp. In the second half the team again demonstrated the sort of character that had made the season so successful and finally won the match to lift the trophy.

U16 Our U16s have had a reasonable season and reached the final of the North Midlands’ Cup after good victories in the early rounds against King Edwards Camp Hill, King Edwards School Birmingham and RGS, Worcester in the semi-final. Unfortunately they missed out on the opportunity to compete at Rosslyn Park due to the Colts’ tournament being cancelled due to bad weather.

James Young

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Having had a very successful 15 XV season, there was optimism and positivity from the whole squad going into our 7s campaign. Our first tournament of the year was at Shiplake College in early February, but with only a few weeks preparation our inexperienced team lacked structure in our two opening games against Hurstpierpoint and Radley. We then beat Stephenson Studio School and Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet 50-0 consecutively, with Tom Gretton scoring a powerful hat trick against Stephenson School in what was his most dynamic performance. This helped us qualify for the Plate competition where we played the hosts, Shiplake, in the semi finals.

A strong defensive performance and clinical attacking display resulted in a victory, 26-12.

In the final we played a well-structured Haileybury side but we managed to break them down to take home the plate after an impressive 21-14 win.

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South Africa Tour Day 5 – Tuesday 23rd July Even though we woke up to poor weather, hopes were still high for our stay at the Garden Route Safari Lodge. We began by visiting the reptile centre where we were greeted by a number of dangerous snakes. On our first game drive we saw antelope, zebra, white rhino, hippos, buffalos, giraffes and two lions. Several of the groups had the added scare of being stalked and even chased by both the male and the female lion. For dinner, the squad enjoyed trying kudu and ostrich which was a first for many of the team.

Day 1 - Friday 19th July We left Bromsgrove in the searing heat and arrived in Johannesburg to be greeted by a temperature of just six degrees. The first cultural visit was to Constitution Hill where we were enlightened to the trials and tribulations faced by Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi along with thousands of other men and women who were oppressed by the apartheid regime.

With the first fixture taking place the next day, it was obvious that the whole squad was excited to face our first opposition, Centurion RFC.

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Day 2 – Saturday 20th July Having arrived at the sports ground looking smart and professional, it was then time to show off our rugby skills. Bromsgrove proved we were up to the physical challenge with a big tackle right from the first whistle. In the third minute, Ben Harmer darted through with some quick feet to score the first converted try of the match. The second try was posted by Charlie Davies minutes later and the first half ended 7-14.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, James Young scored a try for Bromsgrove and minutes later Ben Harmer also scored making the the score 7-26, eventually ending 14-26 in Bromsgrove’s favour.

Following the match, we enjoyed some traditional South African food whilst spending time with the Centurion players. As this was our first night of billeting, the families made us feel incredibly welcome.

Day 6 - Wednesday 24th July Having woken up bright and early for the morning game drive, we were excited to see as many animals as possible. Even though it was early, the sun was still shining brightly.

Day 3 – Sunday 21st July Having spent the night with host families, everyone had funny and interesting stories to tell about what they did and what they found out. If you were to ask some of the boys, some stories would be slightly more extravagant than others. The day was mainly taken up with the flight between Johannesburg and George where we flew over a spectacular mountain ridge. During the afternoon, we had a light training session, allowing them to run the tiredness out of their legs before the game on the following day, hoping to continue the winning streak.

Day 4 - Monday 22nd July Right from the start, it was noticeable that this game was going to be much more physical.

Tom Von Malachowski made a colossal tackle, ensuring Bromsgrove took the lead and James Young showed great speed to score the first try. A few minutes later, James Young broke through the defensive line again to score his second try under the posts. Sam Leather then scored another two tries, supported by John Pudge, making the score 0-26.

In the second half, Oli Tanner and Will Merriman scored tries in quick succession, followed by Ben Phillips. The match ended 7-45 with Bromsgrove winning their second match of the tour.

During the afternoon we were looking forward to going whale watching, however, those who suffered from sea sickness were slightly more sceptical when the captain of the ship said that the waves would be quite big because of the recent poor weather down at the Cape. It started off slowly but on the way back to the harbour three whales surfaced. We were also lucky enough to see a whale breach (when a whale jumps out of the water). This was the highlight of the experience for many, whereas those who felt ill were just thankful to be back on dry land!

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Day 7 - Thursday 25th July Our next match was the half way point of the tour. From the whistle, Ben Schmermund made a big hit and Parel Vallei set up a ruck in line with the posts, which allowed their number 10 to score a drop goal. Five minutes later, Tom Von Malachowski scored in the corner making the score 3-7. James Young and Parel Vallei later added to the score, with the first half ending 10-12.

Day 8 - Friday 26th July The day’s plans were ruined by the poor weather which made it impossible to travel to Robben Island. However, because of this, it meant that we had the opportunity to go to Newlands Stadium, the home of the Stormers and Western Province.

Charlie Davies scored the first try, with support from Luke White and Harry Broom.

James Goodall ran the second try in for Bromsgrove under the posts, with Harry Broom also extending the lead 0-17 to Bromsgrove.

The second half saw Bromsgrove score another five tries from James Young, Michael Leech and Jeevan Bahra increasing Bromsgrove’s lead to 0-36. The game ended with a flurry of well-worked tries by Charlie Robinson, resulting in the final score being 0-48.

As many of the opponents were Muslim, we had the privilege and honour to join them when they broke their fast (during Ramadan).

This gave us a great insight into another culture.

Day 10 - Sunday 28th July Many of the boys were woken to the sounds of rainfall. The weather had been much like England since reaching the Cape. The day gave the boys from the high school the opportunity to show us around the waterfront.

Day 11 - Monday 29th July Having woken bright and early to get to Norman Henshilwood, we sat in on morning assembly, where we were praised for our style of rugby by the headmaster of the school.

We later travelled to Robben Island where we were shown around the maximum security prison by a former political prisoner and we were also told about the other settlements such as the WWII bunkers and the lighthouse.

At the final match of the tour, West Cape Sports School got points on the board, trying to pin Bromsgrove back. But quick play ensured Ben Schmumund scored in the corner making the score 6-5. James Young scored his last try for Bromsgrove, ending the first half 16-12.

Within minutes of the second half starting, John Pudge also scored his final try for the School after a crash ball created an overlap allowing him to score, putting Bromsgrove in the lead. Unfortunately, West Cape Sports School scored straight from the restart making the score 21-19. Sadly the team couldn’t keep their unbeaten run, but they could keep their heads high as they fought valiantly all match.

A special mention has to go to Michael Leech, James Young and John Pudge.

Day 12 - Tuesday 30th As we travelled towards the Fisanterkraal Township, we were apprehensive as what to expect. Upon arrival, many were shocked by the poor living conditions that 30,000 people lived in daily. The tour started off by going to the local crèches. Each group of boys sang different songs to the children and they particularly enjoyed the high-fives.

We walked around the area, speaking to the locals and taking in our surroundings.

We then visited the local senior school and primary school where we played a small game of rugby. The entire experience was incredibly humbling and made everyone on the tour appreciate how much they have in their lives. Each boy will have seen the day from a different perspective and will have different things to say about it.

On the way back to Cape Town from Durbanville, we stopped off at the Table Mountain viewing area. This provided a picturesque view of the bay and Table Mountain in the background, making for the perfect tour photo. As this was to be our last day, the squad was sad, but we were also uplifted by the fact that the tour had been very successful.

James Hubscher

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

The second half was brought to life because of a rather funny situation. After Mr Windo shouted “what are you doing there?” to Will Merriman, he then received the ball off the back of a ruck, and broke the line and avoided the full back to score. This moment left the players on the side in hysterics. The last play of the game saw Ben Phillips add to the points after Luke White grubbered the ball through for Ben to pick the ball up and place it in the corner. The final score was 10-26 to Bromsgrove, continuing our winning ways.

Day 9 - Saturday 27th July Having arrived at Norman Henshilwood High for the game in the pouring rain, we were looking forward to getting stuck in.

Swimming

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Squash www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

The squash team have once again had mixed results this season against schools in the locality and we have been able to give more of our younger players match play experience.

We did have very pleasing wins against Wrekin College and Shrewsbury School both home and away but we were never able to get the better of the much stronger Cheltenham College.

The team Captain Nikita Aganin was awarded his Major School Colours.

Felix Chan was awarded Minor School Colours and James Middleton received a Commendation.

A Quinn

Bromsgrove School has undergone yet another impressive swimming season this year, winning ten of the twelve fixtures. We began our successful season with the girls beating Shrewsbury 79-77, and the boys 70-67 before going on to defeat Repton College with a comfortable win of 145-124.

In particular, our most notable victories were against King Edward VI Camp Hill 232-172 and Loughborough Grammar 150-110. We continued our successful season at the Warwick and Stowe invitational relays, predominantly by the U18 boys team consisting of Hugo Evans (backstroke), Jack Slattery (breastroke), Matt Osborn (fly) and Tom Ku (freestyle). They displayed great skills and sportsmanship and consequently went on to claim the title.

The School’s annual invitational relays witnessed a very high standard of competition with eighteen schools all competing for trophies. The best performances of the day came from Bromsgrove’s U18 girls’ team consisting of Claudia Cardinali, Rianne Ho, Beth Luckman, Sophie Luckman and Sophie Haycock–Jones who achieved second place in both the freestyle and medley relays, narrowly losing to Bishop of Hereford School. The U15 boys’ team of Jack Weston, Jack Harding, Henry Walker, Jeremy Turner and Harry Lloyd Jones attained a respectable bronze in both disciplines against strong opposition.

The Otter and Bath relays took place in March at Crystal Palace in London.

Seventy-two schools from all over Britain were competing for the title including Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse, Marlborough and Stowe. Our girls’ squad of Claudia Cardinali, Beth Luckman, Sophie Haycock–Jones, Ellie Kerr and Katherine Hill were placed a very credible ninth for both the medley and freestyle relays out of forty-five teams. The boys’ team was also placed ninth for the freestyle relay and seveteenth for the medley relay out of a fierce rivalry of sixty-five teams.

The team concluded their season on a very positive note at the Stowe invitational relays.

Silver medals were achieved for the senior girls freestyle, inter boys freestyle, inter girls medley, senior girls medley and inter boys medley; a notable achievement for all teams against strong opponents. Nevertheless, the result of the day went to the inter girls team with Jordan Prust, Paige Maddox, Claire Hill and Esme Weston achieving gold in the freestyle relay.

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In addition to the School team, Bromsgrove’s Inter-House swimming competitions have taken place over the course of the year. The junior House competitions were won by Walters with Lyttelton finishing as runners-up for the boys and Thomas Cookes triumphing over Hazeldene for the girls. In a complete contrast of results, the senior girls House competition was Hazeldene’s turn to secure a victory over Thomas Cookes and School House impressively clinched their championship for the boys for the second consecutive year. The Hong Kong Salver award for 50m backstroke this year was won

by Hugo Evans.

Sophie Haycock–Jones and Tom Ku, Captains

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

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Boys’ Tennis

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

This set the season off nicely and did a lot for the confidence of the team. With no game the following weekend the boys had a training season and a few games to test themselves against their teammates and gave me a good opportunity to sort out the pairs before the run of matches started for real.

As Bromsgrove boys tennis continues to go from strength to strength, it is my pleasure to report on their season.

In the season opener the 1st VI travelled down the road to play King’s School Worcester and after a delayed start the boys played well to win convincingly 9-0, with Charles Hill and Vincent Yau (1st pair) not even dropping a game.

Captained this year by Charles Hill (Upper Sixth Lupton) the team had a very successful season with the 1st and 2nd teams winning against KES. Unfortunately the next games against Trent College was stopped early due to rain but the boys won 4-2 at closure. This led the team onto a mixed doubles competition against King’s School which was a new fixture and format for both teams. It is fair to say that the girls benefitted from the boys strength and ability and both teams went on to win. With Repton School unable to host us it left the season to close against Warwick School. A team that has beaten us in the last 2 years, and unfortunately it was much the same this year with Bromsgrove failing to capitalise on Warwick’s mistakes and a close battle was lost.

The atmosphere among both teams this year has been brilliant. The devotion that every team member has shown has been exemplary, with many training all the way through their exam period. Congratulations must go to Charles Hill as captain and his partner Vincent Yau, who have really dominated this year, only losing 1 game. I hope that the younger boys can take inspiration from this as we move onto next season.

H Bell

Team List 1st team: Charles Hill, Vincent Yau, Maxim Kolesnikov, Grigory Kozhinov, Jonas Barakauskas, Vladimir Stanev, Adam Robertson 2nd team: Alex Griffiths, Harrison Hill, Nicolas Hillmann, Justin Chow, Ivan Popov, Harry Broom, Will Miners Awards School Caps: Charles Hill, Vincent Yau and Maxim Kolesnikov Senior Colours: Vladimir Stanev Junior Colours: Alex Griffiths and Harrison Hill

Girls’ Tennis

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The girls’ tennis team had an excellent start to the season comfortably winning four consecutive matches including an 8-1 victory and a hard fought 7-2 win over Tudor Hall and Clifton College respectively. This was partly due to the dedication of the girls in training with Richard Lawton on a weekly basis over the winter months but also the versatility of their team players meaning that new and successful partnerships were quickly established. Hannah Trow and Amy Foster were responsible for some fantastic attacking play whilst Millie Doherty and Philippine Robert (Upper Fourth) had developed a wonderfully tactical game.

There has been outstanding play by Philippine Robert, supplemented through the support given by Ellen Lockhart and our other more experienced players who do not fail to offer their enthusiasm and advice helping to pull the team together.

Following the team’s string of victories, they had to settle with a narrow 5-4 loss away at Rugby but this made the girls even more hungry for victory and a couple of weeks later put in an superb performance to win 9-0 against Shrewsbury. This term the team even had a mixed match where they paired up with some of the 2nd team boys to take on King’s Worcester, demonstrating their strength and ability to rapidly adapt to different partnerships and came out victorious, beating King’s 6-3.

The strength and depth among the Bromsgrove girls has been highlighted as due to illness or athletics commitments, several of our 2nd team girls, including Rachel Clare, have been willing to step up and take on the challenge of playing against other schools 1st teams.

There were more mixed results for the junior teams this year, the highlights being U15 victories against Bloxham, Tudor Hall and Rencombe and U14 victories against Tudor Hall, Rendcombe and Felsted. The U15 Cup team represented the School in the AEGON Schools Championships and played a number of matches in which both singles and doubles tennis is played. Both Philippine Robert and Abby Henderson played in every match and had some super individual results. The team played five matches winning three, against Alcester Grammar School, Princethorpe School and Bablake School, and losing two against Stratford Grammar School and Kenilworth School.

There were some excellent performances from the other girls’ tennis teams too. The 2nd team beat Tudor Hall (5-4), Clifton College (5-4) and King’s Worcester (7-2) in some hard fought matches, with the most consistent performances coming from Katie Walker and Rachel Clare. Katherine Hill and Kerry Lo also played their part in a strong 2nd team.

Girls’ tennis at Bromsgrove will continue to go from strength to strength as some very talented younger players are moving through the School.

In House competitions Hazeledene won the Senior competition and Oakley won the Junior.

E Buckingham

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Unfortunately, the final match against Malvern College was called off due to rain, but despite this everyone still felt very positive from the success earlier in the season.

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OBITUARIES

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Obituaries Prof. Patrick Bunning OBE KLJ (42-47), d. 8/12/2012

www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Roger Brazier (G 37-41) d. 4/2/2013 I live in a house called Thatcholme.

A house built by the Braziers for the Braziers. Roger knew it well as a child, and I can’t help but wonder what he felt when in 1983 it was converted into the Music School. I didn’t know who Roger was when I arrived as Headmaster in 2004 and asked that Thatcholme be converted back to a house. However, when the work was complete – when Thatcholme really was a home again – I invited Roger to be my first dinner guest. It was apparent there and then that Roger was a rare Bromsgrovian.

He was from quite a lineage after all. The Brazier family firm, J & A Brazier Ltd (founded around 1850), built many of the School buildings, starting in 1882 with Lyttelton House. Other Brazier buildings include Big School (now the Drama Department), Kyteless, the Armoury, the Sanatorium, Routh Hall, the Memorial Chapel, Orchard House (now Walters), the Dining Hall (opened by the Queen Mother in 1965), Webber, Elmshurst, Oakley, the Physics Department and both old and new swimming pools. You couldn’t pull the wool over Roger’s eyes, and how those eyes twinkled over dinner that night as he recalled days of Bromsgrove past.

How, for example, that from 1937-1941 he was a Wendron House pupil, and how proud he was to be made a House Monitor in 1940.

He spoke of his contemporaries, including Rear-Admiral Sir David Haslam. They were happy times. And I’m not sure we can ever really say that Roger left. He was pivotal to the life of the School and the local area. A founder member of the Bromsgrove Round Table, he was also an active member of the Rotary Club for many years, and when in 1983 Roger became bailiff of the Bromsgrove Court Leet, he was the seventh member of his family to hold that position. Even when relaxing, Roger just couldn’t leave Bromsgrove alone: on one recent round the world cruise he took it upon himself to visit Bromsgrove International School Thailand.

A particularly poignant moment that stays with me was when in 2012, Roger added the names of Chloe and Gregory Brazier, who were the latest Braziers to pass through the School, to his family plaque in the Memorial Chapel. What a story that plaque tells. Roger’s final years were spent in Droitwich, and his last visit to the School was at the Cookes Society lunch on 25th June 2012.

Roger died 4th February 2013.

Chris Edwards, Headmaster

Professor Bunning died aged 84 at his home in Dale, Pembrokeshire. He will be sadly missed by his family, the local community and friends in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

His funeral took place on 17th December 2012 in St David’s Cathedral.

Nick Came (S 50-54) d. 29/3/2013 Nick Came died on Good Friday, 29th March 2013. Nick had been fighting lung cancer for some years but it was only during the last eighteen months that he started to mention it.

Having been out of touch with the School for many years, I only discovered from Peter Fielden in 2006 that Nick was living in Fleet – some 30 minutes from my own home. We had a lot of catching up to do at our first meeting n the Wellington Arms near Basingstoke and soon saw off a couple of bottles of his favourite Shiraz.

Nick had had a varied and successful career.

Unfortunately his life in the Merchant Navy came to an untimely end with the failure of an eyesight test and he was quickly conscripted into the army for National Service. He met his wife Edelgard while serving as a Royal Artillery Officer in Germany.

They have two daughters, Tina and Stephanie and four grandchildren.

Nick spent the remainder of his career working in the shipping industry, which enabled him to indulge his fascination for ships and the sea.

Nick never seemed to stop talking about Bromsgrove and our days there. So much so, that at a lunch in 2007, I suggested that it might be fun to have a reunion with some of our old schoolmates. Nick quickly volunteered to organise one and, before I even knew about it, it was called “The Marshallites” – much to my embarrassment! So, for the following five years we met up with many old friends at the Wellington Arms. By coincidence, the School also invited OBs from the 1950-1960 era to an official reunion in 2008. I was quickly recruited to drive Nick and Mike “Flea” Fletcher up to Bromsgrove during which they both did their best to drive me barmy! They will both be greatly missed.

The funeral was held at Aldershot Crematorium in Aldershot and many family and friends later gathered at the nearby Potters International Hotel to celebrate the life of Nick Came.

John Marshall (S 50-54)

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Peter Halket (Former Staff 58-76) d. June 2013

Old Bromsgrovians who also passed away in 2012 & 2013:

Roger attended Bromsgrove until the evacuation of the School to Wales. Roger retired from the Prison Service as Dep. Regional Director North in 1983 and since then has lived in Gloucestershire, taking a lively interest in local affairs.

Peter Halket died peacefully in his sleep in June 2013, aged 85 years. Peter and I had some very happy memories at the School, where I also taught in Cobham House.

John Birch (G 36-41) d. 2012

Don Mosses (Former Staff) d. 29th November 2012

Peter Cave-Browne-Cave (E 62-72) d. 10th May 2012

Martin Nix (W 66-71) d. 28th February 2013

David Cross (E 51-54) d. 18th September 2013

Derek Richards (G 51-56) d. 7th September 2013

Mrs Rosamund Dauncey

Matthew Doubtfire (E 1983-1986) d. June 2013

Colin Rees (S 1942-1947) d. 12th July 2013

Gareth Gricks (W 72-77) d. 04/09/2013

David Roy Harrison (S 56-61) d. 14th September 2012

Terry Wedgbury (W 53-57) d. June 2013

My brother, Gareth, died unexpectedly on Tuesday 6th August 2013 at the age of 53.

He leaves behind two daughters, a son and three grandchildren. There were over 100 people at the cremation service – family, local farmers, OBs, rugby and cricket players as well as policemen – a very broad spectrum of people that were part of my brother’s life. He was always the life and soul of any party and he didn’t let us down on this day as people remembered him for his many antics but also kind spirit.

A.B. Kettle (S 1940-1945) d. July 2013

Brian Underwood (64-69)

Roger died peacefully at home on 11th November 2012. He leaves four sons, two of whom are Old Bromsgrovians – Mark and Stephen.

Jenny Bossard (née Gricks, Ws 72-74)

Mrs Sheila Halket

Johnny K C Kwan (W 61-66) d. 2013 Ronald Millican (W 36-41) d. 1st April 2012 John Martin Mitchell (E 1948-1953) d. 30th July 2013

Dr David Vulliamy (W 30-35) d. 17th June 2013 We have also recently received news of the passing of Michael Gotts (S 45-50) and Francis Horton (G 37-41) who died in December 2011.

SENIOR BROMSGROVIAN 2013

Roger Dauncey (Lu 34-39) d. 11/11/2012

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Monitors 2012/13