AUTUMN TERM 2023
COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOLS GATHER FOR COMBINED CAROLS
We were delighted to welcome children from five county schools gathered in the Cathedral at the end of November to perform in Herefordshire Schools’ Advent Carol Service.
Performing in the concert were choirs from St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, Gorsley Goffs Primary School, Lea Church of England Primary School, Holmer Church of England Academy, and Hereford Cathedral Junior School. They joined Hereford Cathedral School’s junior and senior choirs as part of the HCS music partnerships programme.
Director of Music, Mr Barlow, commented: “It was an absolute pleasure to see over 250 young people singing heartily together in the beautiful surroundings of Hereford Cathedral as we welcomed in the season of Advent. All the singers gave it their all and produced a wonderful sound. Congratulations to all the schools who took part, including those who sang their own individual pieces, and my thanks to the teachers and headteachers for their organisation and support of this amazing community event.”
As we approach the end of the Autumn Term, we are afforded a moment to look back on all that we have achieved over recent months. The academic year started with the launch of our three school values of kindness, courage and integrity, which have been lived out by our pupils so tremendously over recent weeks. This is particularly characterised in the arena of sport, with our 1st XI hockey girls having an undefeated season and our rugby players and rowers likewise showing determination and aptitude in the many accomplishments that they have made.
In the arts, there has been no shortage of wonderful performances, from an ambitious and innovative iteration of A Christmas Carol, while our musicians have performed in impressive orchestral and choral events including Cantabile’s visit to Spain where they won three gold medals at the international Canta Al Mar festival.
Our Year 13 pupils have been engaged with their mock exams, Oxbridge interviews and UCAS preparations, while our recent Academic Super Saturday – which covered engineering in space and crime scene investigations – proved very popular with our junior and senior scholars.
We are excited about 2024 as we continue to look to the future. We will be launching our new website in the first half of the year and will be conducting major renovations to Number One thanks to the support of several donors.
May I wish each of you a very peaceful Christmas and blessed New Year when it comes.
DR MICHAEL GRAY, HEADMASTER
In early December, Hereford Cathedral School pupils staged Dickens’ classic tale of A Christmas Carol
Audiences took a journey through Victorian London in this unique promenade production, adapted by HCS Head of English, Mr Abbott, and directed by Director of Drama, Mr Martin, which took place within both the School site and the Cathedral Close.
With convincing performances, pupils brought alive Scrooge’s series of ghostly encounters on a cold Christmas Eve night.
Mr Abbott commented: “From the excitement of seeing Marley’s ghost
spring to life for the first time on the first night, to gathering around Tiny Tim’s grave with the grieving Cratchits, it was exciting to see so many great performances bring this much-loved story to life. The Close, especially in the mist, was the perfect setting. Some had doubted our plan and, to be truthful, even we weren’t quite sure that it would work, but so many people have told us that it is the most inventive school production they have ever experienced.”
Headmaster Dr Gray added: “I was so impressed by such an innovative approach to A Christmas Carol. Well done to everyone who made this play such an overwhelming success.”
SOPHIE WINS CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION
Hereford Cathedral School Headmaster
Dr Gray was tasked with a nearimpossible decision this term: which pupil’s design to choose from all of the entries into this year’s Headmaster’s Christmas Card Competition.
After much deliberation, Dr Gray eventually plumped for Year 9 pupil Sophie L-P’s fantastic design. The beautiful image depicts a donkey wrapped in a blue and gold scarf, following the Star of Bethlehem.
Headmaster Dr Gray commented: “There were some wonderful designs submitted, but Sophie’s was the standout. In addition to it being excellent artwork, it also blended together the Christmas story with an HCS theme, which was imaginative and innovative in equal measure.”
Many thanks to all those pupils who took the time to enter the competition. The Headmaster was really impressed with the quality of artwork.
AUTUMN TERM HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER: Huge congratulations to Hereford Cathedral School’s CCF RAF section, who competed against 14 schools to win the regional military skills competition at RAF Cosford.
NOVEMBER: Thanks to all those pupils who filled shoeboxes with treats as part of Teams4U’s 2023 Christmas appeal for Romanian children.
NOVEMBER: It was wonderful to welcome author and Old Herefordian Matthew Hall back to HCS. The BAFTA-winning screenwriter spoke passionately about the process of writing for screen, chatted to pupils in a group session, and gave one-to-one advice.
DECEMBER: The 1st XV faced Hereford Sixth Form College in the third Apple Cup – a highlight in the fixture calendar. The team fought hard against a strong opposition side, with impressive displays of the school value, courage.
OCTOBER: Hereford Cathedral School Year 7 pupils uncovered the many layers of Hereford Cathedral’s history in a special cross-curricular day of exploration in September. Their activities included a visit to see the Mappa Mundi and the chance to climb all 218 of the tower’s steps.
Hereford Cathedral School’s renowned Cantabile Girls’ Choir qualified for the World Choir Games following a successful performance at the Canta Al Mar competition in Spain in October.
Attending the event were 29 choirs from 16 countries, including Mexico, USA, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Romania, Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Greece, Indonesia, Estonia, Spain and Denmark, with Cantabile being the only choir to represent the UK.
Cantabile achieved an outstanding three Gold Awards at top level in all three of their categories. This included a win in one category and coming runner-up in another.
PTA AUTUMN TERM NEWS
We hope the children have all settled in well and are all excited to spend the festive period with friends and family.
This term, we have funded the Year 7 get-together, which was a tremendous success by all accounts. The Art Department have also received their embroidery machine (pictured below), which has gone down well with pupils.
We have manned the refreshment stall at the Hull Cup and were present at the much-anticipated Apple Cup in the final week of term. Many thanks to the Maintenance Department for their help.
HCS bobble hats are still available to buy; please email hcsptachair@outlook.com to purchase.
Although not run through the PTA, we must just remind you all about the school Annual Fund aimed at fundraising for larger projects to enhance the school.
Lastly, if you have any uniform that your children have outgrown, please donate to the PTA by dropping at Old Deanery – and then visit grownoutofit.co.uk to purchase replacements.
They won Gold in the Youth Choir of Equal Voices category, performing I Lift My Eyes, African Lullaby, Johnny Said No and Danza In the Popular Choral Music category the girls placed second with their performance of The Rose/Hello, Send Me a Song and The Prayer. Cantabile placed fourth in the
At the start of this Autumn Term, Hereford Cathedral School welcomed in this year’s Joint Heads of School, Isabelle M (second from left) and Will C (second from right), and deputies, Alex G (left) and Maddy C (right)
Folksong category, singing Bunch of Thyme, Oh Dear, Carrickfergus and Dance to Your Daddy. The choir should be extremely proud of this achievement.
HCS Director of Music, Mr Barlow, also won in the Best Accompanist category.
HCS HOCKEY RETAINS CATHEDRAL CITIES CUP
Hereford Cathedral School’s Senior Hockey team faced King’s Gloucester in the second Cathedral Cities Cup fixture in November. The exciting match, played under lights, resulted in a spectacular 5-0 win for HCS, with goals from Manuela H, Maddy C (x2), Rosie C and Lilia W.
HCS Head of Hockey, Mr Rogers, commented: “I am so proud of this group of girls. They have won 12 games out of 12 this season, beating some very good hockey schools. Their dedication and attitude towards school hockey and commitment to each other has been outstanding.”
Hereford International Schools Ltd, a trading subsidiary of Hereford Cathedral School was delighted to announce the signing of an exciting educational partnership this term with We Enjoy Learning Ltd (a UK-based Chinese educational company) and Yiqingtang Educational Group in Jiangsu Province.
After several months of discussions, Headmaster Dr Michael Gray signed the agreement in Nanjing, China, which will enable Hereford Cathedral School to provide a range of educational services to a number of the leading public schools within Jiangsu Province and beyond, and allow Yiqingtang Educational Group to use the name and marks of the School with reference to their international A-Level programmes.
Dr Gray said: “This agreement marks the start of a tremendously exciting international collaboration which will enable Hereford Cathedral School to take a significant step forward in strengthening our global presence and helping to deliver our strategic ambitions. We Enjoy Learning Ltd and Yiqingtang are two organisations
which align with our ethos and values, and who understand and share our commitment to delivering outstanding education which equips young people to thrive in a rapidly-changing world.
“This partnership will open up several unique opportunities and enrich the educational and cultural experiences of our community here in Hereford and those in Jiangsu Province and the wider region. It also reflects our ambitious and innovative approach to education as we strive to be effective global citizens
AUTUMN TERM HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER: Headmaster Dr Gray attended the Herefordshire Means Business Conference, organised and hosted by Year 13 student and Dean’s Scholar, Oliver B.
NOVEMBER: Our cadets did Hereford Cathedral School proud at the city’s Remembrance parade.
Headmaster Dr Michael Gray and Ryan Tang, CEO of Yiqingtang Education Group
and deliver our mission and purpose.”
Working with Dr Gray in this new project is Mrs Pippa Fowler, the founding Houseparent of Wilmot House, who has considerable experience in international education. Mrs Fowler will be continuing in her role as teacher of mathematics alongside her work as Lead Tutor for this new collaboration. Mrs Fowler commented: “I am delighted to be continuing to build on the School’s developing international work and that we are partnering with schools across Jiangsu Province.”
DECEMBER: Our boarders at Wilmot House enjoyed an evening of festive fun, food and games at their Christmas party.
NOVEMBER: We welcomed back former Deputy Head, Mrs Linda Miles, to unveil a plaque for the new tree on Old Deanery Lawn, which marks the Coronation of King Charles III. The tree was funded by the PTA.