REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

From the “roll of honour” in Old Big School, to the memorial on the wall of Big School, the history, and memory of the First and Second World War is indubitably kept alive at BVGS. Remembrance and reflection on the suffering and devastation caused by the war is particularly poignant on Remembrance Day, as the school, along with the rest of the country, came together to pay their respects to the people who contributed to the war effort.

Students were encouraged to wear their poppies with a sense of pride, money from which was donated to the Poppy Appeal, and the true meaning behind the flower was reinforced over the week of remembrance. Being one of the few flowers to regrow after the turmoil of war, red poppies have become symbolic of peace, sacrifice, and of hope in times of strife, and are used to represent the memory of the suffering and bravery of the soldiers who died in WWI and II. Purple poppies are used to commemorate the service of animals, while black poppies celebrate the roles of black, African, and Caribbean communities in the war effort.

On Friday 11th November, the whole school congregated on the Astroturf to take part in the Remembrance service. A reading of the renowned poem, “In Flanders Field, ” and a performance of the mournful Last Post, was followed by a minute's silence to reflect on the meaning of Remembrance Day. In his emotive and moving speech, Mr. Robson detailed the lives of Old Veseyans who fought for their country, and whose names are immortalised on plaques around the school, a testament to their bravery and sacrifice. Stanley Browne – member of the 1st XV rugby team – fought in WW2 at Assisi, and died in 1944. His name is one of the many memorialised in the school, and is among millions around the country, yet his story resonates with us today, as we look back on the suffering of the soldiers who fought and died to protect the prospect of a future imbued with peace, equality, and justice, reminding us to endeavour to strive for the same ideals today.

-Rebecca, L6VII

Former Egypt national team player and now an England Masters World Cup winner, Mr Mo Samak is the Head of Hockey at Vesey’s. This term, he sat down with Adi (L6VI) and Gabe (10R) to discuss his thrilling achievement over the summer, his career in Hockey and teaching at Vesey.

What does winning the Masters over the summer mean to you? How did you feel?

It felt amazing to represent your country after a long journey. I also really wanted to win the Masters for my dad. He passed at the start of the pandemic; before he passed away we had a phone call about me being selected and I said I would win it for him. The whole team knew about this and we all wanted to win it, for our families and for ourselves. We’d been preparing for a long time so to win it, especially against Australia, one of the strongest teams, was amazing.

What was the score in the final?

We were 2-0 up, until the last 5 minutes, where Australia got back 2-2 and it took us to shuffles (‘penalties’) - 1-on-1 with the keeper, and you must score in 8 seconds. I took the 3rd shuffle, and I, fortunately, scored it. I remember being so pleased, jumping in the air, because we ended up winning on shuffles.

When you were doing the shuffle, what was going through your head?

Too many things: the pressure of the game, being on TV, people around – from Vesey's, old school, family, friends everything comes into your head. I said to myself “I don’t want to think about all this, just need to get on with it. Let’s take the pressure off because I just need to do it, regardless of what happens” . It was a switch off and switch on because you’ve only got 8 seconds. And luckily it went my way.

You played for Egypt and now you’re playing for England. Do you feel part of the England squad or do you still wish you were playing for Egypt, your home country?

It’s really, really complicated for someone to play for a different nation, because I am originally from Egypt. However, I’ve lived here for about 10 years now so I think I belong here now. That said, whoever I am representing, if I wear Vesey’s as a coach or England in a game, I must give everything for that.

What was it like being coached by your Father?

I learned a lot from my Dad - to be myself, to be honest, to be fair. I also like reflecting, because he always used to reflect, on both success and failure. He spoke to the children at the end of sessions asking “How did I do?” , “Did you enjoy that?” . He also always found issues, but I think it's the passion that I learnt from him, and it’s this same passion that shapes my coaching today.

So now you’re a coach at Vesey, it’s been a year and a bit now. How have you found teaching at Veseyhere and what has surprised you or impressed you the most?

Very challenging, still. I want to do my best to get everything structured, share all my experience and we have the right balance so that everyone gets what they want out of a training session. The boys here are very intelligent, always thinking ahead, willing to work hard and have great individual skills and creativity. Hockey is so big at the school with nearly 20 teams, so many fixtures and training sessions, it’s a big commitment as coach, which is a challenge I’m enjoying. The fact we are competitive against independent schools makes me really happy as well. I am so lucky and happy that I made the decision to move from a private school to a state school. I understand more about myself now and Vesey has helped me to figure out where I want to go in the future.

What’s next for Mr Samak, the Player and Coach?

At the moment, I’m enjoying coaching. In the international environment, I learn a lot and I try to get as many ideas and information from there to bring it to school. They are different setups but there’s always small bits I can include. I’ve also just signed a new contract with Wales U18 Boys and Girls; very pleased about that given I’ve been working with them for 2 years. I'm also a coach for UoB, working with the Mens and Ladies 1st XIs, made of GB players and US players, a fantastic experience for me.

In terms of playing, I play for Barford Tigers; we won the National League last season and so far this year I’ve scored 2 goals for them. I gave up playing but it’s been worth it, especially in the last 3-4 months, now that I am coaching at the highest level. I still try to fit in playing, doing the England Masters stuff. I want to play the World Cup, Euros and Four Nations tournaments next year so looking forward to those.

-Adi L6VI and Gabe 10R, with input from Tanay 9G

Mrs Joyce

Jayne commenced at Bishop Vesey’s on 10th October 2005 as our Reprographics Technician, in 2006 she also became one of our designated First Aiders. Jayne has worked diligently in her role during the past 18 years, always with a cheery smile on her face. She is always willing to help anyone and respond to urgent requests for work, be that printing, photocopying, changing toners in the many photocopiers on the site, or indeed unblocking said photocopiers from jammed paper to assist exasperated member of staff!

The whole school will miss Jayne, she is the friendly face in school that brightens everyone’s day. We wish her all the very best in whatever she decides to do next.

- Mrs Wallis

MR Yousaf

Mohammad has been a brilliant addition to the school since day one. His positive approach and wiliness to learn and develop in the IT field made him fast become an invaluable member of my team. Supporting IT in a school, where we see technology as an enabler, is very demanding and requires significant effort and determination to successfully carry out the role. The position was a big step for Mohammad but he took it on and made a huge contribution to the school. Along that journey his shyness faded and his personality began to shine through.

Although the school IT department during normal operations is a very busy fast paced setting, the requirements and shift in demand for support that came about due to the pandemic was never seen before or is likely to been seen again. We had to move the school from a classroom based environment to an online one overnight. In this most unreal moment the demand for support grew to levels that are unlikely ever to be repeated ever again.

Mohammad’s contribution in this 24 month difficult period, for me, is etched into the school’s steep history as without the magnificent IT support provided, the school’s day to day operations would not have switched so seamlessly overnight. “The need to learn on the job” was made for this moment. As the school embraced new ways of both learning and working, the team was at the heart of this transition and paramount to it becoming the success it did. Mohammad role in this was huge. We wish him all the best in his new role. He will be missed!

-Mr Baglee

MR Devine

Ryan returned to Bishop Vesey’s as an Old Veseyan in September 2021. Ryan hit the ground running as a Geography teacher, spending his first year as HOD and taking on sporting roles within the PE department.

Ryan is a fantastic geographer and has worked creatively in the department during his short time with us. He is a team player, always being more than happy to lend a hand and support other members of staff and his students. Nothing is ever a problem for Ryan and he always has a motivational word or two to put a smile on everyone’s face!

Ryan will be missed by the Geography and PE department and we wish Ryan all the very best in his new adventure up North.

Mrs Harper

Cathy has been working on and off at BVGS since 2015, helping out the department covering innumerable maternity and paternity leaves over the years before becoming permanent member of the department in 2020. She was always willing to help lend a listening ear or a friendly word and we will all miss the amicable and sometimes fiery chats in the Biology office when we all should have been marking! Her kindness, warmth and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by the Biology department as she moves on to pastures new, and we wish her all the best!

- Mr Ellor

MR Whiting

Julian has undertaken numerous roles over many years and has had such a positive impact on so many pupils. Having been a student at the school he returned firstly in a volunteering capacity for over 15 years. Taking rugby teams every Saturday and training sessions in the week. A Governors role then followed, before he decided 6 years ago to train to be a qualified teacher. This allowed him to spend more time in the department in PE lessons and have an even greater influence.

Julian’s service to the school has shown huge dedication and his love for the school over such a long period of time. So many leavers I have met will recount stories about how he inspired them to play rugby at school which then continued into their adult working lives. His ability to get the very best out of an individual and galvanise a group of players to want to play for each other and wear the school badge with pride is second to none. Well done on an amazing career both on and off the rugby field, you have left a legacy that will be hard to follow and we look forward to seeing you on the touch lines in the years to come.

-Mr Howell

Mr Pallister

Mrs Zaman

Perveen joined the Bishop Vesey’s as long-term supply and has seamlessly settled into the Physics department since arriving in September. She has been a brilliant member of the team, bringing an infectious smile and laughter every day into the Physics office! Her positivity, kindness and willingness to support and help others will be sadly missed by both staff and students alike. We wish her all the very best in her new post at Arthur Terry.

Cameron has been a great addition to the PE/Games department over the last 2 years. The students have established a great rapport with him and this is reflective in the numbers attending the extra-curricular teams that he has been involved in. The students hold him in high regard which speaks volumes. He has also had a great impact on the Primary school events that are run on a weekly basis and encouraged our own students in leadership roles.

Cameron will moving down to London and we wish him all the very best of luck in his new role.

-Mr Howell