The Vigornian December 2009

The Vigornian 2009

The Vigornian 2009

Editor: Peter Iddon

Design & Typesetting: John Roslington

Photography: We are very gratfeul to all contributors of photographs, particularly Richard Corbett and Guy Lewis (Drama)

OV News: Elizabeth Charman, Mike Page

Front cover: 1st XI cricket, taken from the new Graeme Hick pavilion (Photo Stan Meadows)

Headmaster T.H. Keyes, M.A.

Senior Deputy Miss S.E. Hincks, M.A.

Second Deputy R.A. Chapman, B.Sc. Director of Studies R.C.Baum, M.A.

M.J. Roberts, B.Sc.

J.M. Roslington, B.Sc., C.Sci., M.I.I.T.

Mrs. C.F. Roslington, B.A.

B. Griffiths, B.Tech. (Careers)

D.P. Iddon, B.A.

S. Le Marchand, B.A.

R.N.G. Stone, M.A.

R.P. Mason, B.A.

S.M. Bain, B.Sc., M.Sc.

M.D. Rudge, B.A.

J.T. Wheeler, B.Sc., C.Chem., M.R.S.C.

D.G. Willmer, M.Sc., PhD.

P.T. Gwilliam, B.A., M.Phil.

Mrs. K. Appleby, B.A.

Mrs. C.M. Cox, M.A., M.Sc.

R.J. Davis, B.A.

Mrs. L.M. Ghaye, B.Ed., M.A.

J.L. Owen, B.A.

C.A. Gallantree-Smith, B.A.

Mrs. E.R. Hand, B.A.

T.R. Sharp, M.A.

Mrs. C. Painter, B.A.

Mrs. S.H. Le Marchand, B.A.

Mrs. F.L. Short, B.A.

M.C. Poole, B.Sc., PhD.

Mrs. T.D. Marskell, Cert.Ed.

Mrs. P.A. Edwards, B.A., M.Sc.

*Mrs. J.P. Maxwell-Stewart, B.A.

Revd M.R. Dorsett, B.A., M.Th., PhD., Cert.

Theol.(Chaplain)

Mrs N. Essenhigh B.Sc.

R.P. Geary, B.Sc., C.Chem., M.R.S.C.

A.A.D. Gillgrass, B.A.

S.C. Cuthbertson, B.A.

C.T. Haywood, B.A.

A.W. Longley, B.A.

S.M. Atkins, B.A.

*Mrs. J.D. Clark, B.Ed.

Mrs. M.M. Longley, B.Ed.

Mrs. J. C. Vivian, M.A.

I.C. Robinson, B.Sc.

Miss J. Cooke, B.A.

Mrs. C.E. Battrum, B.A.

D.J. Haddock M.A., D.Phil.

A.J.M. Maund, M.A.

School Monitors

Head of School: Rory Johnson (Br)

Staff 2008-2009

C.W.S. Wilson, B.A.

R.A. Ball, M.A.

Mrs A. Hines, B.Sc

D.A. Jones, M.Th

J.J. Mason, B.Sc

Mrs N. Sears, B.A.

C. Atkinson, B.Sc.

Mrs L.L. Guy, B.A.

R.J. James, B.Sc., PhD.

Mrs R.A. Worth, B.Sc.

E.I. Lummas, B.A.

M.D. Parkin, M.A. PhD.

Mrs R.M. Rutter, B.A.

*Mrs K.G. Adam, B.A.

*Miss A-M. Simpson, B.Sc.

Mrs S.K. Stone, B.Eng.

Mrs E. Allen-Back, M.A.

Mrs L.E. Haddock, B.Sc.

*Mrs D.J. Salkeld, B.Sc.

Mrs E. Shepherd, M.A.

B. Wang, M.A.

Mrs S.C. Bradley, B.A.

Mrs L. Brighton, B.Ed.

Miss E. Gittings, B.A.

A.J. Knowles, B.Sc.

M.J. Newby, B.Ed.

D.N.M. Orr, B.A.

Miss S.A. West, B.A.

Miss O.K. Beveridge, B.Ed.

J. Chalmers, B.Appl.Sc.

A.G. Deichen, B.A.

R.S. Gilbert, M.A.

N. Fowles, B.A.

Miss S. Hirner, B.A.

Miss L. Lawson, M.A.

Miss C.M. Lea, B.Sc.

Miss J.C. Mosley, B.A.

Mrs L.A. Walmsley, B.A.

Music

D.E. Brookshaw, B.Mus., F.R.C.O.

Mrs. V.J. Gunter, G.T.C.L., L.T.C.L.

G.M. Gunter, G.T.C.L, L.T.C.L.

*C.J.B. Allsop, B.A., M.A.

Deputy Heads of School: William Harris (Br), Emma Robertson (Ch)

Peter Anderson (Os)

Lucy Boynett (W)

Hugh Brooks (W)

Hannah Cluett (Os)

Cara Evans (Br)

The King’s Junior Schools

King’s St. Alban’s

Head: R.T. Bellfield, B.Ed.

Deputy: W. Toleman, B.A.

*J.T. Walton, Cert.Ed., F.R.G.S.

*Mrs. A.D. Walton, Cert.Ed.

*Mrs. L. Jackson, M.A.

Mrs. C. Woodcock, B.A.

*Mrs. N. Cain, B.A.

*Mrs. K.J. Kear-Wood, B.Sc.

*Mrs. J. Pitts, B.Ed.

*Mrs. M.A. Keyes, M.A.

D. Braithwaite, B.Ed

Mrs R. Duke, B.A.

Mrs A. Hind, B.Sc.

Miss H. Murray, B.Mus.

J. Bailey, B.Ed.

I. Fry, M.A.

Miss F. Dolphin, B.Sc.

Miss E. Wyatt, B.Sc.

Mrs E. Lewis, B.Ed

King’s Hawford

Head: James M Turner, BEd, DipEd, ACP

Deputy Head: A C Hymer, BA, MA, PGCE, DPSE

Junior Staff

Mrs J Bayliss, BSc, PGCE

Mrs L Baxter, BSc, PGCE

J Broderick, BEd

R B Cook, BSc, PGCE

Mrs A Elliott, BA, PGCE

Mrs D Goodayle, BA, QTS

Mrs C Knight, BEd, OCR

D Peters, BMus, PGCE

Mrs C Rawnsley, BA, PGCE Assistant Head

Mrs J Redman, BEd, IMed, MA Applied Linguistics

Mrs S Roscoe, CertEd, LUIE

Mrs J M Tune, BSc

Ms K Turk, BA, MA, PGCE

Mrs G Turner, CertEd

Pre-Prep Staff

Mrs P M Bradley, BEd, Head of Pre-Prep

Mrs J N Willis, BA Ed, Head of Early Years

Mrs J Farmer, BEd

Mrs H Fowler, BA, PGCE, OCR Cert

Mrs C A Griffin, BA, PGCE

Miss A Kingston BA, PGCE

Mrs G Riley, BSc, PGCE

Mrs J Wilson, BEd

Anna Pykett (Os)

James Greenwood (Br)

Liam Gwynne (Cl)

Jack Longley (Ch)

Duncan Meikle (Cl)

Camille Owen (Cl)

Matthew Faulkner (S) Joelle Gready (W)

Katherine Rollins (Ch)

Bethany Stone (Ch)

Patrick Taylor (K)

Emily Wilson (K)

School Notes

On a warm summer Saturday in early July, we celebrated our association with Henry VIII, our founder. Although a future generation will claim a greater appropriateness in celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of the school, which will fall in 2041, they will also be aware that they will be celebrating a time in which Henry VIII had become a feared and embittered tyrant, a far cry from the optimistic days (although it was not an easy time) of his accession in 1509 when his prowess and promise as a leader, athlete, scholar and musician (among other accomplishments) won him widespread praise and admiration.

On that day in July, we invited two particular groups to share our celebrations with us: current and former King’s Scholars, and benefactors (pictured above). The link here with the foundation of the school is obvious. The original purpose of the foundation was to provide an education for 40 boys who were both “poor and destitute of the help of friends” but also “of native genius” with an “inborn aptitude for learning”. Such were the first King’s Scholars. We cannot claim that, in the 500 years that have followed, the school has always thrived. There have been significant low points and even moments in more recent times when the survival of the school was in doubt. It is my fortune and privilege to have been here during one of the most settled and positive

periods of the school’s history. We must assume that there may be troughs in its fortunes in the future but must therefore do all we can to guard against that by continuing to encourage scholarship in its widest sense and by giving to all our pupils an overall experience which will incline any who are later in a position to do so to support us as benefactors, as so many do currently, with their time, expertise and money. I am convinced that the future success of the school will always be related in no small way to its relationship with its past pupils. The creation this year of the Barnabas Group of speakers, the many visits by OVs who have worked with and broadened the horizons of our pupils, the offers of work experience for Sixth Formers and the steady flow of financial support for bursaries are some current indications of the strength of this relationship. A £3 million gift this summer from one former pupil to support bursaries and to build a new boathouse is a staggering act of generosity and further underlines the importance of the wider school community to the success of the King’s.

There has been great pressure on parents in the last year in this time of recession. Pressures on pupils are different but no less significant. The government cap on university places this year (and, we expect, subsequent years) has and will make it even harder to get places on the most competitive courses and therefore an even stronger profile will be needed, including higher

grades at A level. The A* grade will be awarded at A level for the first time next summer. For all their wariness of it, universities will find it a useful means of sorting out the outstanding from the good. Will there be increasing pressure on more able students to take four subjects at A level? I hope not, because we believe strongly at King’s that there is much more to the Sixth Form experience that is vital to personal development and readiness for the world beyond school than academic results. If all this sounds a note of caution, my general feeling about the school, the current experience of its pupils and their future prospects is very positive. You will read in the pages that follow of a very successful year in which our pupils have achieved amazing things and have taken full advantage of their opportunities. We had very good A level and GCSE results, celebrated the opening of a completely re-vamped Design and Technology Department, took pupils to China, Australia and Nepal as well as to many places in Europe, confirmed our strength in depth in many sports at local and national level, raised large sums for charity and put on plays, concerts and exhibitions of the highest standard. I am happy to report that the school is in very good health and looking forward to the exciting challenges of the year ahead.

John Roslington

After gaining his Physics degree, John’s first real job (after the one at the brewery, that is) was at the then Royal Signals and Radar Establishment at Malvern (now – possibly fleetingly – QinetiQ). There, I seem to remember, he grew the large crystals of Silicon that were subsequently used to make solidstate electronic devices. Enough for anyone, you would have thought but he, and Cara, were very keen sailors and they were not getting enough of it…

Knowing that schoolmasters had inordinately long holidays, John decided to change career. So he went to Birmingham University to be trained for a PGCE. John did part of his teaching practice with us, at King’s, and I still recall those occasions, when, having just been videoed (what an innovation!), he had to sit and watch every mistake being replayed. I am not sure John enjoyed those sessions but they were very effective! Another thing I remember about John at that time was his remarkably shaggy sheepskin jacket. Lord knows where it came from, but it looked as if it had been soaked in water, that essence of LSD could have been distilled.

However, what he did do for us was to take our somewhat moribund sailing boat collection and start a very lively club. King’s sailors could not sail on the Severn, where we row, as the banks are too high. So they travelled to Bredon’s Norton where the Severn Sailing Club sails on the Avon. Unfortunately, John’s time with us was in the spring term and he was going to be elsewhere in the summer. I tried every dirty trick I could think of to get him to abandon his so-called ‘studies’ and, instead,

come here and run sailing. It did not work. But we were very pleased when he applied for the vacancy that then came up in the Physics Department. Oh, by the way, he was a very good teacher, too – and he had worked at RSRE.

Once he was on the payroll here, the sailing club was in enterprising hands and we began to win sailing competitions against other schools, and Eckington Stores (on the way home from the Sailing Club) began to do a roaring trade with King’s sailors. He and Cara also took several sailing trips to Cowes, the Norfolk Broads, Greece and Turkey.

Eventually, because he was interested in the newfangled computers – in those days rather large objects – he went on a course one Easter holiday to Bedford, or somewhere (it might have been Bletchley Park) and built one (for which Trevor Bailey made a splendid wooden box). That, I felt was where the rot set in. Before long, King’s had a Computer Department and the Physics Department had lost John.

John’s fifteen years with Cara in College House, the girls’ house they started in 1977, came at a time when boarding was beginning to wane at King’s, but the spirit of staff and pupils on the Green was as positive as ever. In the vanguard of this were ‘The Roslingtons’ and their charges. Whilst each House was run according to its own principles, John and Cara ran College House with a caring and considerate manner still appreciated by generations of OVs today.

During this time I can vouch for the fact that John retained the mischievous sense of humour which for me became his trademark. I remember with fond affection the frequent visits to the Cardinal’s Hat, often in the company of the infamous David Wrench, which never failed to raise the spirits and whilst many of the stories can never be repeated in open forum, they and their practitioners will never be forgotten.

CaRoline Roslington

T.D.R.H./R.P.M.

Caroline first came to King’s in 1977 when David Annett asked her to be co-head of College House, now the Guesten building, where she and her husband John were in charge of up to seventy-five Sixth Form girls, a mixture of boarders and day pupils. Her caring and efficient approach to such a daunting task helped her gain the lasting affection and respect of all her charges as witnessed in recent years at the numerous reunions organised by her ‘old girls’. It was possibly her experiences

as a youngster when because of her father’s many and varied naval postings she attended a large number of schools which helped her understand so clearly the different needs of individual students. Her ability to empathise with boys and girls from a wide variety of backgrounds was one of the key factors which made her such an outstanding and talented teacher and House Tutor. Her enthusiasm and boundless energy meant that the College House girls were constantly involved in a wide range of activities all of which allowed the students to express themselves as individuals

but also helped develop a tremendous community spirit. One of my first memories of King’s is a College House Charity Fair although this may be more because I witnessed an aspiring and perspiring Head of Chappel House purchase and consume four packets of fudge in under fifteen minutes.

Having completed her tour of duty in College House it was typical of Caroline to volunteer as an assistant tutor in a day house and Kittermaster were fortunate to have the benefits of her expertise and commitment for eight years. There she formed a powerful partnership with SRD and PTG and confirmed her reputation as a sympathetic, fair minded and proactive member of the pastoral staff. Kittermaster House room also became her teaching room and for a number of years was used by the History Department as their main base for Open Mornings in view of the magnificent wall displays put up by Caroline. This skill, sadly lacking in some of the male members of the department, was used to even greater effect when she set up the King’s Archives, initially based in Number 12, then School House and more recently in the Old

Library in Edgar Tower. Her knowledge of the History of King’s School and the Cathedral site is second to none as is her enormous enthusiasm for discovering new aspects of the past life of the school. The Archives Society has become extremely popular with Sixth Formers and it was they who under the careful guidance of Caroline who, with John, produced the History of the King’s School to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Henry VIII’s foundation. A revised edition of this outstanding work is one of the many tasks Caroline has set herself now that she has become a full time King’s Archivist.

As an historian she taught with great distinction across the whole age range. She must hold the world record for the number of trips taken to Goodrich Castle and Harvington Hall whilst her regular presence on the GCSE Battlefield trips was greatly valued both by staff and students. At A level she became something of a specialist on the Wars of the Roses and early Tudor periods but she also taught European history with authority and insight. Her ability to persuade recalcitrant GCSE historians, usually boys, to abandon the habits of a lifetime and get down to some proper work, was legendary. Caroline may be small in stature but her classroom control was total. Her deep love of the subject enabled her to carry on producing scintillating lessons using a carefully crafted mixture of national and local examples to illustrate the finer points of the debate.

One of her finest illustrations came during the last inspection when the History Inspector made the mistake of leaning backwards on his chair balancing on just two legs. Numerous students over the years had been warned by Caroline of the dangers of this practice but had foolishly ignored her predictions of imminent doom. The poor inspector proved her point as not only did he crash to the ground but in doing so one leg of the chair snapped tearing a large chunk out of his brand suit and a smaller chunk out of his slightly less new calf. Needless to say the History Department received a glowing write up.

Caroline has been a totally supportive and dedicated member of the staff at King’s and I and many other colleagues have been recipients of her exceptional kindness. We wish her and John many happy hours of sailing in the years to come and thank them for their tremendous service in so many different areas to the King’s School.

P.T.G.

BRian gRiffiths

We reproduce here the text of MJR’s speech, delivered at the end-of-year Common Room party. On these occasions one is often amused by the achievements of colleagues that bear little resemblance to reality, like the Under 14B tiddlywinks coach who went through FIVE years of undefeated success. What is not said is often more illuminating: they only played three fixtures a year and two of those were against the Blind College.

I have no need to do likewise and embellish the achievements of Brian as there are so many genuine contributions that my fear is of omitting something important. So Brian please forgive me if I do miss something out.

Many of you will not know that in his early years here Brian was Assistant House Tutor to Choir House when it was a Boarding House. He also taught Physics until he came to his senses and joined the Maths Department full time. He was an officer in the CCF and directed a number of Senior School Productions with great skill and enthusiasm. He also coached rugby teams for over twenty years and did have unbeaten sides who played rather more than three fixtures. He was House Tutor of Creighton for well over a decade and the affection and respect that he was held in by his tutees were indicated by the great distances that a number travelled a few weeks ago to see

him before he retired.

In recent years he has put an enormous amount of work into the Careers Department setting up work experience for every member of the Lower Sixth, getting outside speakers to talk about their careers and organising the Industrial Conference where the delegates invariably make themselves available for the next year before they leave. He has also done great things in the Maths Department, particularly with the Junior Team Challenge which seems to have an Annual visit to the National Finals these days.

I would dare anyone to contradict my assertion that no member of staff has put in as many unpaid hours as Brian has over the last thirty-one years. The number of D of E expeditions he has organised and participated in must be well over one hundred whilst the work he has done for the Charities Committee has been extraordinary.

The list of charity events that Brian has initiated and organised is long. The May Day walks both to Upton and along the Malverns, The Three Peaks Challenge, The Copper Trail, The Old Folk’s Party (he even invited me on one occasion), The Fort Royal Party. And most recently, the outrageous Pancake Race.

Some of you will recall our former Headmaster Dr John Moore telling us that when he left Radley it took three people to replace him. I do not know how many it will take to replace you Brian but it will be a lot more than three.

We all hope that Sheana’s health continues to improve and that you have a long and happy retirement.

sheana gRiffiths

To misquote the Bard, as I often do in my classroom, may I offer a few words about “our good friend Sheana, whom we miss, would she were here.”

Sheana Griffiths joined the staff at King’s in 1983 and retired this summer, but, as many will know, very sadly, through ill health had not taught here since 2004. Her CV at the school was very full: she was Head of Diploma of Achievement (the fore-runner of Key Skills), coach to the J14s, assisted with countless Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme training sessions and expeditions as well as many charity events including the Three Peaks walks (although she climbed more like Six Peaks, dashing to and fro looking after the pupils like a beneficent sheep-dog) and Sixth Form mountain expeditions. It was this previous robust good health and high level of

fitness that, amongst many other difficulties, made her current illness so frustrating for her.

She was also an Assistant Tutor in Oswald with Mike Stevens and Wulstan with Marc Roberts and then John Wheeler as House Tutors; combining this with working in the English Department with Peter Diamond and, after a respite with Rosemary Diamond, myself as Heads of Department means that she is, in her own words, good at working with grumpy old men; this should provide her with useful skills for dealing with Brian in retirement.

Sheana was a highly valued member of the English Department, where through her time

expeditions, she dislodged a rock from near the top of Tryfan which struck me on the head, but she carefully shepherded me to the bottom of the hill and saw me through to recovery me with tea and cakes.

Her upbringing in the home of a Scottish ghillie did not just awaken a love of the outdoors but also a range of survival skills beyond the reach of most of her colleagues. These were never more evident than when she came across a deer, lying dead beside a quiet Scottish back road. Not only did she, as an English teacher, know the verb to gralloch such a beast, but she also had the skills to do so and thereby stock the freezer for months.

in the school she taught across the age and ability range. In latter years she did ask me if she might avoid teaching the Lower Fourth, sometimes finding their constant demands for attention a little trying, but she also struck up a particular affinity with the lower band GCSE sets, taking on their education with relish and achieving some excellent results. Here Sheana was always very ready to experiment with new methods: she began by playing “Dido” to them, then whale music, but the Headmaster finally drew the line when she wanted to play them recordings with subliminal messages saying “Work Harder”, “Have Confidence” and “Don’t choose English at A level”. I particularly valued Sheana’s common sense and nononsense approach in Department meetings, where she often sat with a Tupperware box of strange-looking (and strange-smelling!) herbage. Sheana did nevertheless bring a breath of fresh air to any department meeting, although she could make her opinions known in no uncertain fashion and distinctly Anglo-Saxon language. There were rumours of an attempted coup d’état when, on one of the aforementioned Sixth Form mountain

Sheana is held in great affection by colleagues and pupils alike. Few staff receive the accolade of having students’ pets named after them, but this is the case with Sheana; Nick Baxter named one of his sheep, “Mrs Griffiths” and it was with Sheana’s well-known warm affection and self-deprecating good humour that she accepted this and even joined in the feast when the beast was eventually slaughtered! How typical this was of her wonderfully positive personality and her enthusiasm for and commitment to so many aspects of the life of King’s, which are highly valued by all who knew her and worked with her. We wish Brian and herself all good health and every happiness in retirement.

RNG Stone was born in 1948, a date which must surely have some cricketing significance! He was educated at Christ’s Hospital and Christ’s College, Cambridge. He carried out research at Cambridge (Plato) before joining Loughborough Grammar School, where he stayed until joining King’s as head of Classics in 1984. At some point along the line he also managed to fit in ten years in the SAS. Well that is what he has persuaded countless naïve Lower Removes (and a few Sixth Formers) over the years! His ability to organise, inspire and maintain the highest of standards (in the areas which really count!) made his choice as Bright Housemaster in 1988 obvious. As he frequently reminds me, Housemasters at this time were so good that they didn’t need assistants! This dual role on its own would be very impressive, but Bob did a huge amount

besides. He umpired 2nd XI cricket matches from 1984, where his great knowledge of, and respect for, the game were always evident. Soft lbws? Not on your nelly! As well as being a member of both Worcestershire and Sussex County Cricket Clubs, Bob was an enthusiastic supporter of staff cricket matches, where he always opened the batting, especially if there was any chance that the light might be fading! We all, well most of us (notable exceptions: Iddon as captain, Stevens, when facing female bowlers and Thurlby when fielding), looked forward to his witty but accurate season reviews in this magazine. His ability to laugh at himself before he laughs at anyone else meant that no-one ever took offence. Cricket and Britney were clearly his great loves, but he managed to run debating and quiz teams with equally relentless enthusiasm. How about weaknesses you may ask? In my limited experience his minibus driving was rather erratic – I accompanied him to the Lower Remove camp in my first year at the school

Kate joined the King’s School in September 1987 to teach French part time, having previously taught at the Christopher Whitehead School in Worcester. Thus began a long and successful career at King’s. Her academic career expanded to full time teaching of French in 1991 and later she began to teach German too. Before the advent of AS level, she introduced Italian to the Sixth Form curriculum, a course that proved both popular and successful. She was also instrumental in reintroducing, together with Peter and Rosemary Dimond, the Sixth Form Art trips to Florence and Venice. Indeed, Kate devoted a great deal

anyone wanted to know, Mrs Appleby was the one to ask and she would offer guidance willingly and sensitively, ignoring her own claims about lack of subtlety.

Her pastoral career began as Assistant House Tutor in Wulstan House in 1993. She then moved to Creighton House in 1997 as the first female full Day House Tutor. She continued in this post until her retirement in 2009. She often said that some of her happiest times at the School had been spent in the company of her charges in Creighton House room, especially with her Sixth Form. It was her ability to evaluate circumstances and understand people that enabled her to be a true matriarch – of House, of the department, of

visits to Le Vésinet. Outside her subject, Kate accompanied many other departmental trips, notably with the Geography, History and Classics Departments, where her tireless good humour and willingness to help were much appreciated.

In the MFL Department her common sense, indefatigability, and a willingness to get on with the job without fuss characterized her work. She set an example to colleagues and pupils alike, combining energy and commitment with care and unquenchable good humour. She proved to be a bedrock of support for older and newer hands, informing meetings with wisdom and experience matched only by her own sense of what is right and fair – a combination of skills which made her so well loved by pupils too. If there was anything

fitting into the department and ‘learning the ropes’. Since then, she was a continual support and always carried out her role as a DT teacher with enthusiasm and commitment.

Jo taught the full age range and played no small part in the increased popularity of the subject resulting in a massive increase of up take at both GCSE and AS/A2 over the past few years. As the subject has grown, she was very helpful in assisting the induction of three new members of the department.

Her relationship with both pupils and colleagues was always very strong. Her classroom management displayed skill and understanding and her relaxed manner with pupils was underpinned with a firm control. She played a major part in organising and encouraging support for staff social events and

could always be found setting up at the start and clearing up at the end of these enjoyable occasions.

As a colleague in Kittermaster House, I can say that she has been a respected member of the team, who was always generous both with her time and in her care for her tutees. Her sympathetic, understanding and firm approach was well liked and respected by her charges. She also gave a great deal of time to girls’ sport during games afternoons and at weekends. Since running a tour to Canada, she has recently helped to organise a tour to Australia. In addition to her extra curricular commitments to the department, Jo has

frequently helped other departments with staffing on foreign trips.

I write this report with mixed feelings as we were very sad to lose Jo from the team, however I know she will make the very best of her time at Culford School and wish her all the best.

When Nicola joined the King’s History Department in 2002 she had the seemingly unenviable task of following on from the dynamic and talented Julian Thould –that she managed to equal if not eclipse his achievements are a reflection of her outstanding abilities as a teacher. She brought a huge range of talents to King’s School. As a form tutor in Years 7 and 8 she was patient, cheerful, interested and committed and spent many hours ensuring her that her students were given the best possible pastoral care. Her form room was a lively and happy environment and her willingness to become totally involved in every different type of activity endeared

C.W.S.W.

niCola seaRs

her to her charges. Her sunny exterior hid a competitive edge which ensured that her form regularly triumphed in competitions but always did so in a sportsmanlike manner. Her form assemblies became a highlight of the year as did her dynamic participation in the Christmas ‘Special’ put on by Fourth Form staff. Nicola’s caring manner and her enthusiasm for helping others saw her become a leading light on the School Charities Committee. She was also a shrewd and thoughtful presence on the Child Protection Working Party.

Her History lessons were visual, stimulating and carefully prepared. Few students could fail to be excited by her unique brand of enthusiasm and humour whilst all were attracted by her regular reliance on the

culinary arts to ensure full attention. She was an exceptionally efficient organiser of trips and outings whilst her meticulous preparation of her exam groups ensured that her results were always first class. Her contributions to department meetings were amusing and to the point and it was pleasure to work with such a reliable and friendly teacher. Nicola invariably focused on the positive side of her students and this was reflected in her unchallenged position at the top of the league table of blue papers awarded by teachers – how she found the energy to write so many was a source of constant bafflement to the more reserved and cautious members of the History department. Her time management was outstanding – it had to be in order to manage three children, numerous animals and a husband working in Derby, as well as putting in a full stint at King’s. Tom’s promotion to a top position in New Zealand Cricket was well deserved and we wish him and Nicola, Beth, Barney

and Alfie every success in their new life in Christchurch.

P.T.G.

elizaBeth shepheRd

Elizabeth Shepherd was with us - on and off!for four years, full-time to start with and then graduating to part-time when the needs of first one child, then two, required it. She was a real live wire in the Classics Department, showing almost manic enthusiasm in the classroom and sharing plenty of combative ideas with us in the Common Room. She is utterly honest and conscientious, caring far more for her pupils and her subject than for any bureaucracy or politically correct teaching methods. The affection in which she is held was illustrated a few weeks before the end of the summer term: when she came in from maternity leave for lunch one day, she was mobbed by pupils in the lunch queue rushing to greet her! As well as her classical interests, she was also assistant tutor in Chappel - again showing an unfailingly caring attitude to her chargesand introduced the Model United Nations to the School, giving those interested in politics and argument a chance to air their views in a wider forum. She is a considerable musician, both singer and violinist (though with a mental block about Beethoven!), and as well as performing in various choirs in Worcester, she regularly joined in the School Choir at concerts. She was a great contributor, always going the extra mile to help people, always full of infectious enthusiasm - a character her pupils and colleagues will never forget!

R.N.G.S.

adam Knowles

Adam joined King’s as an NQT in September 2006, only four years after having left as a pupil himself. Many members of the Common Room remembered him as the angelic Oliver in a school production. Adam was not ‘phased’ by this at all and very quickly became a respected colleague. His arrival immediately saw the average age of the Mathematics department fall by several years, and his use of technology in the classroom soon put the rest of us to shame and following his good example. He has an excellent classroom manner and good rapport with all pupils.

Of his role as an assistant House tutor in Chappel, SLeM comments: “He was infinitely patient and kind to tutees so was very popular and respected. He always showed integrity and good judgement. I particularly admired his ability to take time to gather all the information so that he would arrive at the

right decision - his calm temperament helped so much.’

Outside the classroom, he became heavily involved in all aspects of life at King’s. During a mere three years with us, he took part in a variety of school trips, including many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, where I know his company was always much appreciated. He was also heavily involved in the Charity Committee, helping to organise events as varied as the copper trail and Old Folks’ Christmas Party. He even ran the Chess Club for a short while; no grand master, but he managed to keep one step ahead of the pupils! His love of tennis led him to offer tennis coaching to Fourth Form boys.

He enjoyed his involvement with Games, coaching football in the winter and tennis in the summer. SLeM worked with him on Under 15 football teams, and reckons that Adam was much fitter and more energetic than most of them.

He will be greatly missed by staff and pupils alike – our loss is definitely Shanghai’s gain.

A.H. nathaniel fowles

Nathaniel joined King’s in September 2007 as artist-in-residence. He was a larger than life character and soon made his presence felt. Although only a novice in the class room, his teaching was energetic and enthusiastic and he soon got pupils on his side. As artist-in residence, he quickly settled down, filling his studio on the top floor of the Art School with his highly individual and sensitive figurative paintings. Pupils could often be found marvelling at his ability to draw and paint life with convincing accuracy and debating just what that girl was doing in the telephone box or Morris Minor car. He held two exhibitions of his work at King’s and one in London, which was enjoyed by OVs gathered together by the development office. He proved a good ambassador for the school and his work now graces the walls of several members of staff and former pupils.

A highlight of his residency was the organisation of the ‘Fragments of the Day’ project. Nathaniel invited pupils, staff and parents from the three King’s Schools, to select a time of day from a hat and then complete a work of art depicting what they would normally be doing at that time. He had a huge response and the resulting exhibition, a true community effort, was a delight. Much of the work was highly personal but inventive and very good fun.

It was not only the art department where Nathaniel made himself busy, however. He proved a good rowing coach and ended the year having a boat named after him. As member of the Common Room he was at the centre of the ‘action’, organising events and proving a friend to many.

It seems awfully quiet this year without Nathaniel, although the Health Centre may find that they have time on their hands. He was spectacularly accident prone, his long list of accidents included breaking his arm at staff football, getting hypothermia on the river, trapping his fingers in the Art School plan

adaptability she continued to fill in when EAS returned part-time and stayed on for another year as a part-time classics teacher in her own right; she even drifted into the Modern Languages Department when SEH was required for higher things. Her long experience of teaching in different schools and her wide interests enabled her to teach any topic, in Latin or Classical Civilisation, that was thrown at her, and she did everything with friendliness, conscientiousness and a sense of proportion. She was an excellent colleague in the Department, always helpful - she

because he raised the average height of the department by about two feet whilst lowering the average age by about 20 years. He had the advantage over many recent signings of not having had his head cluttered by all the trappings of a PGCE and so came to the job fresh and full of vigour. His lessons were tremendous fun and reflected his excellent academic background. At A level he taught twentieth century German History with great success whilst his GCSE and lower school classes benefited from his innovatory and stylish approach to the syllabus.

His contribution to extra-curricular activities

chest and forgetting to let go of the ball at staff skittles!

Nathaniel will be remembered with much affection and certainly as one of our most successful artists-in-residence. We wish him well as he embarks upon a PGCE. He should have a great career ahead of him as an art teacher and all-round good egg.

E.R.H.

pauline gRundy

Pauline Grundy came originally to do a couple of terms of maternity leave while EAS had her first baby, but with infinite

jumped at the chance of joining the Greece trip - and always full of sensible ideas based on experience and human understanding. Her civilised nature and often subversive sense of humour made her a splendid person to have around - and, if necessary, a fierce deterrent against such threats as loud Belgian schoolchildren in a Greek hotel!

R.N.G.S.

adam haRRis

Adam joined King’s in January 2009 as a temporary replacement for Nicola Sears and immediately proved himself to be a first class addition to the History Department not least

was equally impressive. He was a skilful and positive coach to the Under 15 cricket team; he played an active part in the summer netball league where his huge reach saw him reduce many opposing Goal Attacks and Shooters to utter despair and he even found time to do some rowing. Sadly for King’s the lure of a job in the Ministry of Defence proved too great but we were lucky to have the services of such a talented and capable young man. We wish him every success in his new career.

P.T.G.

Common Room leavers

(l. to r.) RNGS, CFR, PG, JMR, KA, ES, BG, AH, JC, AJK, NF

This year the Common Room has welcomed twelve members of staff:

Adrian Ford has joined the History department. He completed his History degree at Cardiff University before taking a year out and gaining experience of the working world undertaking roles at Airborne Systems Ltd. and the Co-operative bank. He then decided to follow his parents, sister and partner into the world of teaching and completed his Post Graduate Certificate of Education in the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, which also contributes to half a Masters in Education, something which he hopes to complete in the next couple of years.

His main passion outside of history and teaching is sport, in particular rugby. After playing semiprofessionally at Pontypridd in Wales’ Premiership and Llanharan in Wales’ National Division One, Adrian put his playing days on hold in order to concentrate on teaching and coaching at King’s.

The DT department has welcomed Helen Holden. Helen grew up in Kent and studied at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, in Rochester.

She graduated from Plymouth University, but studied with Exeter School of Art and Design and completed her PGCE at Exeter University. She moved up to the Midlands for the job at King’s and for good access to Wales, where she spends most weekends paddling her kayak in either Bala or Llangollen, unless there is an ‘unmanaged’ river to paddle, ‘but with little rain this is not very often’. Helen spent her summer holidays in the Alps paddling and enjoying the warmer climate, with the cold glacier rivers ‘actually being

refreshing for a change’. She also climbs, but mostly as a sport climber.

Emma Holloway, who joined the Classics department last year, attended the Alice Ottley School and then read Classics at Oxford and completed a PGCE in Cambridge. She has worked in a range of schools around the country teaching Classics and from time to time, other subjects such as History, English and Divinity. Emma has also worked as a private tutor in Classics and English and worked with home-educated children on a hill farm in Wales. Her extracurricular interests in the past have included directing plays and teaching cookery but she is currently enjoying her involvement with the Debating Society and running the Greek and Classics Clubs.

Marc Holmes has joined King’s to teach Mathematics, having just completed teacher training at Newcastle University and having achieved a degree in Financial Mathematics there. He helped out for two years at the award winning Newcastle University Ethics and Environment week, sitting on the committee in his last year.

A keen American Sports fan, Marc goes to the NFL game at Wembley every year and has already been quoted by our Sixth Form as a ‘walking NFL stat book’.

He has recently qualified as a rugby referee after playing throughout school and still follows Leeds United, even though ‘they have lost their way in recent years’.

Andrew Kerley has joined the Mathematics

department having completed his PGCE at the University of Worcester last year. He is a former pupil of RGS Worcester (79-86), not something he voluntarily owns up to in the Common Room as some of the staff still remember the healthy competition of the rugby matches from that era. Sponsored by the RAF through University, he studied Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London, before serving full time as a helicopter pilot and flying instructor with various squadrons during his military career. Benefiting from the opportunities to travel he has flown in locations around the world from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert and has served on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq. He and his family have now moved back to the Worcester area where his wife works as an Air Traffic Controller at Birmingham Airport. Andrew has joined as a Fourth Form tutor and will be involved with both rugby and the CCF.

Stephen Osmond is a new member of the Chemistry and Physics departments after twelve years full time at ‘another independent school in Worcester’. He has taught since graduating from Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1977.

Throughout his career he has been involved in the Royal Naval element of the CCF and for the last ten years has been a commander RNR. He is a keen cyclist and has ridden to Italy twice, Berlin and many other parts of Europe where he can put his interest in languages to good use. His two sons are now out of the trailer and riding their own bikes or stoking one of the tandems. He plays the piano and violin but enjoys listening to the

rather better performances of others. When not at work, gardening and building repair projects keep him busy but he tries to find time to read, especially history.

Katie Pruden is the school’s new Artist in Residence. She says she would describe her work as abstract ceramic and stone sculpture and her main sources of inspiration are natural forms and the landscape. Katie completed her Fine Art degree in Lancaster and graduated in 2003, before moving to Sheffield where she completed a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education in 2005. She taught Art and Design at Chesterfield College for three years before deciding that she wanted to dedicate more time to her own work as an artist. Katie spent six months developing her sculptures before exhibiting in Cumbria in August 2008 and last academic year she undertook her first post as an Artist in Residence at Wellington School in Somerset. This enabled her to focus more closely on her own work and she ended the year with a successful exhibition.

Roger Tarry has joined the Physics Department after a teaching career spanning thirty two years, the first twelve years at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle and the last twenty at the ‘Worcester branch’. He was a keen hill walker and rock climber in his younger years and has coached rowing

throughout his teaching career. In his spare time Roger has always enjoyed practical projects, installing a central heating system in his sister’s house after his A levels and building a kit car while at university. Roger enjoys

cooking at home, especially Indian cuisine, and relaxes by reading and enjoying foreign travel whenever possible. He is an enthusiastic, if inaccurate, speaker of French. After many summers of camping and trailer tenting Roger and his wife look forward to greater comfort, having recently joined the caravanning fraternity. They are looking forward to their first encounter with Jeremy Clarkson.

The Modern Languages department has welcomed Catherine White. After completing her degree in English and French literature at the University of Warwick in 2003, Catherine moved to Paris where she held various positions of responsibility including Senior Recruitment Consultant, Account Manager and PA to the internationally renowned designer Jacques Garcia. Catherine returned to

the UK in 2008 to complete her PGCE in Modern Languages at the University of Exeter. Catherine was delighted to move to Worcester in August of this year to take up her first teaching post at the King’s School. In her spare time she enjoys singing, drama, reading and travelling.

Louisa Woodruff has arrived to teach History. Louisa completed a History BA then an Ancient History MA at UCL and whilst deciding what to do with her life, a stint temping at Haymarket Publishing in London turned into a job as Editorial Secretary

and PA to a Publishing Director on ‘Horticulture Week’ magazine (in which her knowledge of Latin came in very handy).

There followed a PGCE in History at the Institute of Education (University of London)

and placements at King’s College School Wimbledon and a comprehensive school in Tooting.

Louisa then spent two years teaching History and Classics at Moreton Hall School in Shropshire, a girls’ boarding school where she was assistant housemistress for Years 7-8.

In her spare time she enjoys hill walking, (working towards her ML qualification), cooking and travelling.

Jo Wootton is another newcomer to the Classics department. Jo grew up in Surrey and attended St Catherine’s School, Bramley before heading to Durham University to study Classics. At Durham she rowed for the University Boat Club and went on to captain her College Boat Club in her final year. In this role she was responsible for coordinating the activities and finances of the club whilst also coaching, training and competing herself.

Jo was keen to get involved with the rowing at Kings’ and is currently the coach for the J15 girls’ squad.

She also enjoys playing sport, cooking and socialising with friends and family.

A former pupil at King’s, Kirsty Johnson has also joined the Modern Languages department and is here to teach on a temporary basis.

In her own words, Kirsty has ‘led a colourful life’, having worked as a reporter for a local TV and radio station in Guadalajara, Mexico. She has also spent time in West Africa teaching English at a local school to classes of between eighty to a hundred students, worked as a private tutor of French, Spanish and English and whilst studying for her degree in European Languages, Culture and Society in London she managed a band. She has also appeared in a film alongside Keira Knightley, ‘The Duchess’. Despite having her scenes cut from the film, Kirsty says you can still catch a glimpse of her on the DVD extras and on the official website.

Kirsty also teaches African and Middle Eastern dance, performing at many events, and for the last five summers she has taught English as a Foreign Language on the south coast to children from all over the world. She was also an air hostess for a short while!

CLUBS & ACtivitieS

CCF

This is my first Vigornian report as the Contingent Commander – it seems a long time ago since I stood on the parade square as a new recruit and now I have the honour of running the Contingent. I would to thank Major Jim Featherstone for his unswerving loyalty and dedication to the Contingent during his time as the OC. He has been largely responsible for developing a professional

a very healthy symbiotic relationship between the two sections this year - no surprise with a Biologist as Contingent Commander, herself both a former TA Artillery Officer and OC RAF Section. I continue to be delighted that we can develop the skills necessary for both sections with such a co-operative approach, both on Friday Parades and for our weekend and holiday exercises and camps.

attitude to training amongst the cadets, as well as driving the Contingent forward with his enthusiasm and determination that everyone should not only enjoy their time, but develop the necessary skills that will stand them in good stead for many years to come. Of course he will argue that he could not have managed without his team standing firm behind him, and like him I am so grateful for the support afforded me by WO2 Grinnell (SSI), Captain Maund (OC Army Section), Flight Lieutenant Orr (OC RAF Section), Captain O’Bryan, Second Lieutenant Mosley, and Pilot Officer Jones. The Contingent has had a very successful year, and the variety of training has been extraordinary – I know this will continue for many years to come.

N.E.

Army Section

One of the greatest strengths of the Combined Cadet Force at King’s is that it is just that –Combined. We have continued to benefit from

Through the hard work of the previous Contingent Commander, Major Jim Featherstone, the training programme for our Recruits, both Army and RAF Sections, has been formalised. Much of the training in this first part of the year is common to both sections, particularly Weapon Handling, Foot Drill, Fieldcraft, Map and Compass and Military Knowledge. The Army section element of this training is overseen by Lt Mosley, herself a former naval cadet and fresh from her training

at the CCF’s equivalent to Sandhurst, Frimley Park. Her high standards and expectations of discipline and commitment have provided a very sound foundation upon which to build further training. We have also attached specific Junior NCOs to specific sections this year, giving them, to use a nasty modern buzz-word, “ownership” of the standards and achievements of their section and they have certainly risen to the challenge. It was a proud day for all concerned when the Recruits were “Passed Off the Square” and officially became Cadets, of either Army or RAF persuasion.

Army Section training has followed on with work towards the Army Proficiency Certificate; first the Basic, completed by most at the end of the first year, earning them their Red Star, and then Advanced, where the Regular Army experience of Capt O’Bryan and Sgt Kev Young, the latter from our Cadet Training Team, have been invaluable – here the dark arts of Rifle Drill, Advanced Fieldcraft and Tactics, the Receipt, Extraction and Delivery of Orders, First Aid, Leadership and most particularly Methods of Instruction have been inculcated in a very committed and skilled team of Junior NCOs. Teaching skills to other, younger cadets is perhaps the most difficult aspect of their work but we now have excellent group of NCOs who will take over the training of Recruits and other Cadets in their turn and will do so with great enthusiasm and to great effect. We are also most fortunate in the previous

The ‘happy’ gunners

Exercise Cadre Chaos

experience of SSI, WO2 Grinnell. His work for the cadets and the officers is unstinting, in administration and training, both military and adventure. Most valuable of all as far as I have been concerned, is his work with the Junior and Senior NCOs, setting them high standards and preparing them for the challenging Cadre Exercise that we run in the Spring, where their leadership skills are pushed to the limit and all emerge having faced and overcome some real challenges.

With such a packed programme of training and such expertise, it is perhaps no surprise that the contingent do so well in District and National Competitions, but I was nevertheless delighted when our Military Skills Team (once again, made up of cadets from both sections) came out as the winning CCF team in the West Midlands Brigade. They certainly had to battle some difficult weather conditions, but their fortitude and customary good humour saw them through to victory.

As a contingent we are also establishing an enviable reputation in Orienteering and we were once again victorious in both District and National Orienteering Competitions. The National Competition is held in the far North East and Captain O’Bryan will certainly remember this year’s weekend,

that at Annual Camp in Cornwall this year, the collected cadets from all other contingents were heard to groan as King’s went up to collect yet another Orienteering award at the Prize-Giving; we just held our heads high.

The programme of weekend exercises continues to evolve, with the ever popular Basic Basha as an introduction for the recruits into living in the field and continuation training for other cadets on the weekend before Autumn half term. The first experience of a night ambush and the effect of illumination flares (battery-powered and otherwise) certainly made for a good weekend, as did the delights of sleeping under a plastic

six monthly re-test.

Adventure Training at Upton Warren was as popular as ever, with a mix of land and waterbased activities at this excellent local centre. We also tried to put something back into the community by supporting the Acorns Triple Run in Malvern, running a water-stand for the thirsty runners.

Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil!

particularly looking after poorly cadets on the journey home! We have become so successful

sheet and eating military rations. Just after half term we took part in Firework Flurry, a night navigation exercise on the Malvern Hills, with each team’s arrival at the Worcestershire Beacon signalled by the launch of a rocket – no close calls for Major Featherstone this year. We also enjoyed our weekend at the Snowdome and School Range Day, with most of the Recruits completing their Weapon Safety Test successfully and the other cadets scoring a 100% pass-rate on their

The highlight of the year for many was Central Camp at Penhale, near Newquay in Cornwall. In my twenty-two years as a CCF Officer, I’ve always wanted to go to Summer Camp there and, in its last year, I finally made it! Excellent training at the beginning of the week, in glorious weather, included an epic Escape and Evasion Exercise amidst the sand dunes and a very good night exercise of our own, despite appalling weather and injuries to the training officer’s pate on a low lintelled doorway. We were also very fortunate to be joined by Tom Hamilton-Rutter OV, now a TA Officer, who provided excellent support to the training throughout the week; his lunges have become the stuff of contingent legend and it is so good for the current cadets to see how their interest in the military can be continued after school. Unfortunately that bad weather continued for the rest of the week to such an extent that training on the last day had to be cancelled, but our performance of sketches in a steamy store will live long in the memory – particularly the adult staff and their tale of WW2 bombing mission... One cadet, Millie by name, found herself in the wrong accommodation too, it would seem...

All in all it has been an excellent year and we have much to look forward to next year with our Biennial Inspection to be held in School to mark the Centenary of the founding of the contingent. We will also receive our New Rifle and the enthusiasm of the Junior and Senior cadets will no doubt carry us through to ever greater success. It really is a great team, of which I feel privileged to be a part.

A.J.M.M. Capt (OC Army Section)

Swinging from the G swing

RAF Section

The thought of taking over a very successful RAF section, within a thriving CCF contingent, at first seemed a daunting prospect. I wanted to ensure this success was maintained and that cadets continued to take all the amazing opportunities on offer. I need not have worried. NE had been instrumental in ensuring the success of the section, and now in her role as Contingent Commander, her continued support has been invaluable. Rich Jones (OV), who joined the section last year, has also been hugely helpful in ensuring the smooth running of the activities during parade as well as assisting on Camps during holiday time.

syllabus allows the cadets to chose one topic to specialise in before sitting an in-depth examination.

Shooting

Each cadet is given the opportunity to go on one Air Experience Flight a year with 8 AEF at RAF Cosford, and some cadets also have the chance to go gliding with 637 VGS Sqn at Little Rissington. Many of the senior RAF Cadets are offered the chance to take up a Gliding Scholarship, which enables most of them to go solo(Silver Wings) in either a Vigilant or Viking after a week’s training and they are encouraged to attend a Leadership Course - either at RAF Cranwell or with the Army. If these criteria are fulfilled the cadets can then be nominated for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme which replaced the Flying Scholarship - the ACPS allows cadets to fly solo in a fixed prop aircraft and gives them sufficient training for a third of their Private Pilot’s Licence.

There has been an increase in cadets classifying on the indoor range, with five ‘marksmen’, five ‘first class’ and fourteen ‘second class’ shots. Tom Shepherd achieved a maximum in his classification and was duly awarded the honour of Shooting captain.

Once again a team entered the ‘Country Life’ magazine postal shoot, coming a creditable fifteenth out of over one hundred teams.

On the full-bore outdoor ranges, our RAF cadets achieved nine first class, and fifteen second class classifications on the Cadet GP Rifle. Our junior cadets attended the one and only full-bore shoot at Nesscliffe where, once again, notable firers were selected for the shooting team.

The indoor range will be of more importance this year as restrictions in range availability and ammunition is imposed upon us. However we look forward to receiving our new A2 Cadet GP rifles in October which will undoubtedly improve our shooting.

D.G.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

To give a broad overview; the RAF section is made up of over sixty cadets and has three officers in charge. The Section parades at the same time as the Army Section and much of the training is integrated with them in the first year, indeed the overnight exercises and Camps are often co-run.

The two camps that take place each year, in the Easter and Summer holidays, provide the experience of staying on a working RAF base. Cadets are provided with the opportunity to go flying, shoot on indoor and outdoor ranges, take part in night exercises and visit squadrons on the base to get a better understanding of the specific roles with the RAF.

The RAF cadets are expected to complete their Part I, Part II and Part III examinations following the syllabus laid down by the HQ SAir Cadets at RAF College Cranwell. The Part I syllabus covers the RAF, map reading and the history of flight, the Part II syllabus includes basic navigation, principles of flight and airmanship, and the Part III

This year in particular there have been a number of top quality senior cadets, with three passing the very demanding RAF Air Cadet Leadership Course at Cranwell, and they therefore lead some of the training of the junior cadets. This year, Cadet Warrant Officer Cara Evans was selected as one of the top six CCF RAF cadets in the country and was awarded a place on the very prestigious RAF International Air Cadet Exchange Programme and spent two weeks in Ghana. She was also awarded a Sir Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medal, a Commandant Air Cadets’ Certificate of Outstanding Service, and was the Cadet National Champion for orienteering at senior girls standard.

Cara represents all that is best about CCF membership and her achievements are a fitting record for her and the staff at King’s- especially as the school celebrates the centenary of its CCF contingent this year.

D.N.O.

This year participants have shown the commitment to activities necessary in the volunteering, physical, skills and expedition sections to gain ninety bronze, twenty silver and seven gold awards - another bumper crop with George Austin-Cliff, Colette Brown, James Greenwood, Alastair Lucas, Jonathan Preston, Ben Rean and Beth Stone being successful at the Gold level.

As usual the expedition provided everyone with a unique challenge as can be read in Jenny Geary’s account of her expedition in the Lake District.

J.T.W.

Day 1- Tuesday

As the day started the sun was most definitely behind us and the weather started to deteriorate rapidly with our feet getting wet before we’d even started. With the boys carrying the tents the day made for reasonably easy walking and our highest climb was 220 metres (a fraction of what we would meet later in the week). Navigation was fairly simple with footpaths being easily found and the occasional passing through of the sun managed to raise our spirits and keep morale high.

Day 2- Wednesday

Flt Llt (OC RAF

Section)

And the rain started. Being in a tent substantially amplifies its volume and it sounded as though someone was actually throwing buckets of water over us. As the day

Pilot Zack Pemberton-Whiteley

Fort Royal Garden Party

progressed and we’d climbed nearly half of our day’s amount, the rain was coming down so heavily that footpaths and streams were indistinguishable. At one point, as we neared our maximum height for the day and saw the land begin to plateau, we met up with Keith who had come to help us as the streams had become so

full that crossing them had become dangerous. As we approached Fell Foot bridge we saw exactly what he meant- what should’ve been simple stepping stones were now slippy rocks submerged under a waterfall. Waterproof trousers became useless at this point as our legs plunged into water and our sense of humour returned as we realised it couldn’t get much worse. After a few stumbles and a fall that looked as though a leg had been dislocated, we carried on through the day’s descent realising that we were in fact in a valley that had been subjected to heavy rainfall all day.

The group stuck together and made their way across an extremely swollen stream whilst Tim and Duncan kept morale up with their constant singing of “And I fell into a burning ring of fire”, not a song I will ever forget the words to.

Upon our arrival at Bayes Brown the rain stopped long enough to set up camp and we managed to have a warm shower (AMAZING!)

Day 4- Friday

The final day. I can’t begin to explain how incredible and daunting this day felt and despite a late start we managed to almost triple our speed to put us back on time again. The horrendous weather meant a slight change in our route but we still had one of our

highest climbs of the week to come. The land was boggy from antecedent rainfall making walking very difficult but group morale was at its highest. The climb was tough…but entirely worth it as the view from the top of the hill was incredible. From here the end was just around the corner…that is if you consider the corner 11km away. “Things are brightening up lads” became our motto for the day as we trudged onto the last stretch. As we came across our last field boundary and onto a proper road the joy was visible on our faces and the sight of the school minibuses saw our pace double.

Completing Gold Duke of Edinburgh gives you one of the best feelings ever; you bond with six people you may not have been friends with before, you see some of the most beautiful scenery and you realise that there really is that much rain in the sky!

Climbing Club

Pupils of all ages and abilities met most Thursdays throughout the year to enjoy the routes on our own wall and, when the weather deteriorated, the more extensive indoor facilities at ‘Vertical Limit’. Several younger pupils enjoyed a few taster sessions while the more dedicated developed their climbing techniques and improved their rope work. Fiona Starkie should be congratulated for her dedication and progress throughout the year.

S.C.C.

Kayaking

The year saw another increase in interest in the pool sessions on Wednesdays after school. The sessions were a mixture of fun and learning new techniques. Kayak polo identified the competitive streak in our junior paddlers, whilst the senior paddlers were challenged with rescuing one another in different scenarios – boat, swimmer and self rescues.

River Wye. This will stand him in good stead as he pursues a career in outdoor education. Thanks must undoubtedly go to the senior members of the club who, in addition to their own pool sessions, have regularly helped with instructing our junior paddlers. In particular a big thank you to Cara Evans and Eliot Jones.

D.G.

Sub-Aqua

This year has seen the Sub-Aqua club train even more young divers through the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) Ocean Diver qualification. We have trained on a Tuesday using the school pool.

In June Ben Rean, one of our senior paddlers, achieved his Level III kayak award on the

The club has been on several day trips to the local dive site and has also visited Pembrokeshire, diving some of the local sea sites there. We dived at St. Brides Bay which is a fantastic shallow shore entry dive. We also dived at the National Trust Stackpole Quay site. Both of these dives were wonderful and the children were able to see lots of the sea’s wildlife. It was a fabulous weekend, albeit a cold and windy one!

Congratulations to Alex Wood, Adam Blackledge and Tom Hopkins who have completed, and been awarded, their British Sub Aqua Club Ocean Diver qualification, and

One of the Gold Award expedition groups (Jenny Geary 3rd from left)

Scenes from Sub-Aqua expeditions

The Charity Walk

to Alex Stefanou, Lauren Bath and Charlie Sabin for nearly completing theirs.

The club is always looking for more members, (qualified or not), present and past pupils, parents and OVs. If you are interested please contact Jonathan Bailey.

Email: jbailey@ksw.org.uk Also, if you are interested in the possibility of a diving trip to the warmer climate of the Red Sea, do please contact me.

J.B.

Community Service

During the last year pupils from the Upper Remove and Fifth Forms visited Nunnery Wood Primary School on a Friday lunch-time where they helped younger pupils to progress with reading or assisting with homework tasks. We had a good mixture of boys and girls from our school who participated from September to July.

During the Autumn Term we went to St. Clement’s School with students in the Upper Sixth on a Tuesday afternoon where we worked with their pupils to help in improving their literacy skills. At the same time, NJF took another group of twelve students to Stanley Road Primary School, where he and the students did some artwork. This year the pupils from Stanley Road have been coming to our school’s Art Department where they have enjoyed different art experiences. We await developments with the new Sixth Form Diploma which our school launched in conjunction with UCW. Community Service forms part of the certification. Any pupil wishing to take part in Community Service is more than welcome to offer his or her help. I am very grateful to all those pupils who have assisted this year, as I am to the members of staff who have helped - NF, RPM, DJH, DJ and RPG.

C.A.G-S.

Quizzes

Bright were this year’s winners of the House event, not least because Jed Brookes-Lewis forgot to turn up for School’s first round and left Josh Holland and his team with a clear run! Josh and Jed were both in our senior Schools Challenge team, along with Emily Holland and Andrew Lovelock, which managed a creditable third place in the region - not quite enough to propel them further in the competition. The junior team contained two Lower Fourths - David Hui and Leo McArdle - as well as Freddie Watts and old hand Lizzie Fry from the Upper Fourth. They did well to survive the trip to Birmingham sardined in a Fiesta, and there would have been no room for the winners’ trophy on the return journey – which luckily was not an issue!

R.N.G.S.

Debating and Public Speaking

Among the usual plethora of debating competitions, the most successful this year was the “Three Counties” day organized by Malvern College, which our experienced team of Lucy Lewis and Tim Rogers, who a few months earlier had been disappointed not to progress further in the Mace and Oxford Union competitions, won outright after doing four debates in the day. The senior House event was won by Creighton in the persons of Alec Burt and David Mountain, while the junior winners were Rebecca Linfoot and Maddy Brownlow of School House. Rebecca also featured, along with Robert Cowburn, in the Taylor Trophy for those below the Sixth Form, where our team won through to the final. As King’s were struggling on the rugby field against RGSAO, these two were arguing that a degree is no passport to success; unlike the rugby players they could not quite clinch first place. Tim Rogers was in action again in the Midlands competition in Birmingham, where Sam Greenwood teamed up with him at twenty four hours’ notice for a debate on the discrediting of capitalism. They did an excellent job in making it through to the second round, where they were required to speak about eco-towns; on this occasion the preparation time was clearly too long, and they didn’t progress further. On the public speaking front we entered the ESU competition as usual, but our young team of Lucy Butterworth, Rebecca Linfoot and Robert Cowburn could make no impression on the judges this time. Last year’s glorious victory in the Malvern Rotary

speaking competition was not repeated either, though Joe Fowles began what could become a distinguished speaking career, and Robert Cowburn - in his third outing of the year - was given a special commendation for his speech on drugs in sport. That speech, like the others on that evening, was carefully prepared; the norm nowadays, however, is for “parliamentary” debating, where the motion is given out fifteen minutes before the debate. That makes for less knowledgeable speeches but cuts out hours of tedious preparation and rewards sharpness of mind. That’s what debating coaches will be looking for in the future: get ready, you intellectuals out there! R.N.G.S.

Literary Society

The Literary Society was involved with three main activities this year. Throughout the year, we have run a creative writing group in conjunction with the Art Department; a small but enthusiastic group of writers have met in the Art School to take their inspiration from the visiting exhibitions in the Sir Terry Frost Gallery, on occasions meeting with the artists themselves and discussing the ideas behind the images and objects. We have also had two major society events. The first was a play-reading evening in November, when we gathered in the lengthening shadows for a tartan-clad, candle-lit reading of The Scottish Play – with our own Head of Drama stepping in at very short notice to read the part of Macbeth himself and doing so to great acclaim. In January we hosted the first event of the Housman Society’s celebrations of the one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Housman’s birth with a reading of all sixtythree poems of ‘A Shropshire Lad’ in the John Moore Theatre. To this event we welcomed members of the Housman Society, students from Housman’s old school, Bromsgrove School, and members of the public in what proved to be a most enjoyable evening and a suitable start to the year’s celebrations.

A.J.M.M.

Archive Sixth Form Group

A small, but perfectly formed, Archives group operated throughout the year, culminating in a most successful opening in Edgar Tower to parents and visitors on King’s Day. The stalwarts, Rory Johnson who managed to find time in his heavy schedule as Head of School, Matt Faulkner, Emily Wilson and Rachel Hard ably led the very reliable Lower Sixth group who willingly turned their hands to anything from cleaning silver cups and dusting display cases to sorting archival boxes, and collecting material for displays and

Reading at Nunnery Wood Primary School

cataloguing.

The biggest project this year has been the booklet, recording the centenary of the Cadet Corps, which began as the Officer Training Corps in 1909. The Archive has a good collection of photographs and artifacts from the early days of the OTC, but this was greatly implemented by OVs who sent in their memories as well as more photographs.

The Vigornians provided a basis for the story, beginning with the energetic organization of the first Commanding Officer, Liddell Fenton, who would die at the

Somme in 1916, and ending with the exciting adventure training opportunities which are now on offer.

The archivists handled the recording and labeling of two big donations of books to the school. We must hold the most complete library of books on the organ, kindly donated to the Music Department by Francis Wooley (S 56 – 61). The second collection is a of wide ranging and very interesting modern historians from the widow E.B. Cunningham (Creighton House 53 – 62)

The Oral Archive on the website has continued to grow with the recording of the newly formed Barnabas group of OVs who have made their names in important fields of modern life. The first was a very light hearted session with Zach Purchase (Os 97 – 04), Olympic gold medal winner, followed more seriously by Nicholas Cleobury (Ch 58 – 68),

musical director, and David Bryer (Hostel 51 - 62), ex director of Oxfam. Sarah Talbot (College 77 – 79), David Edwards (Castle 63 – 73) and David Townsend (School 68 – 73) were also interviewed. These recordings can be found in the archives section of the School website.

Two major displays have been set up this year in the Long Gallery of the Library, in addition to the OV year groups for the OV dinner in September. The first was ‘Uniform at King’s’, featuring blazers, boaters and caps as well as Fives equipment and sporting photographs. These items can be seen in the Edgar Tower collection, along with canes. The 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession merited the beginnings of this school at Worcester in 1542, the King’s Scholars he initiated and the warrior accoutrements of his older brother as replicated for his funeral in 1502. Very many thanks to the friends of Worcester Cathedral for their generous loan.

Amongst the continuing plethora of photographs and artifacts donated to the Archive is a Kodak Box Brownie camera once owned by the novelist Jonathan Raban and given to Donald Howell, Chairman of the Governors, when they were both boarders in School House in the sixties.

C.F.R.

Stepping Fourth

This has been a very busy year for the Fourth Form magazine. An enthusiastic team of Fourth Formers, made up of some old hands

news items. The pupils showed great maturity, working independently and undertaking some excellent research. Special mention must be made of Leo McArdle for his expert desktop publishing skills; without him, the magazine would have been very unlikely to make it into print each half term! I hope that he and some of the other current Lower Fourths will be willing to take a leading role in the club next year to show the new Lower Fourths the ropes.

L.A.W.

Charity Committee

It was another extremely busy and successful year for the school’s Charity Committee. The fundraising year kicked off in style with ‘Pink Day’, a national event in aid of Breast Cancer Research, when, for a £2 donation, the staff and Sixth Form came to school dressed in as much pink as possible. The rest of the school joined in by buying pink cakes, carnations and stickers.

The Fourth Forms had their chance to wear home clothes on ‘Jeans for Genes Day’, another national event to raise awareness and money to support young people and families suffering the effects of genetic disorders.

The party for elderly people from local sheltered accommodation is one of the Charity Committee’s big events. Following a performance by a variety of musicians and actors in the theatre, the guests are treated to a delicious spread in the Dining Hall and a singalong to their favourite carols.

from last year and a healthy smattering of new talent, always had plenty of ideas for articles, ranging from interviews to reviews to

In the Spring term we celebrated Shrove Tuesday with an Inter-House Pancake Race around the playground, collecting money for the YMCA from those supporting the event. We also collected our coppers to compete for the title of Copper Trail Champions, which the Lower Fourth pupils won by laying the longest trail of coppers in College Hall. Age

Pink Day

Bryony Langford, Rory Johnson, Ollie Richmond, Matt Faukner, Dag Corbett

Rachel Hard and Emily Wilson

Concern were the recipients of the money raised, which took many hours of counting up!

A new event on the Charity calendar was the Sleep Out for the Lower Removes, which took place on a (fortunately) warm and dry night in the school gardens. Around eighty pupils paid for the privilege to sleep under the stars to raise awareness of what life is like for the homeless and to support St John’s YMCA. At the end of the Year we once again put on a party in the gardens for pupils from Fort Royal School. Pupils from the Lower Sixth acted as hosts and helped the children enjoy various activities, including bouncy castles, dancing, sports, music and a visiting Fire Engine. The children went home tired and happy, full of burgers and ice cream and wonderful memories.

R.M.R.

News from the Mathematics Department

Pupils of all ages took part in the three Mathematical Challenges, organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust. King’s pupils performed well in these gaining numerous gold, silver and bronze certificates. Certificates for ‘Best in School’ in each challenge went to Luke Stevens(Junior), Luke Johnson (Intermediate) and Jonjo McArdle (Senior).

At the end of the Spring term, King’s, for the fourth time in five years, won their regional final of the Maths Team Challenge. It was a hard fought contest, with tough competition from Cheltenham College, Pate’s Grammar and RGSAO along the way. As a result King’s qualified for the national final held in London on 22nd June. As part of the competition, the team of four, Peter Shepherd, Luke Johnson, Joe Taylor and Tom Dunn-Massey, had to design a poster on the topic ‘Tiling’, incorporating solutions to problems that they encountered on the day. The great news was that King’s won this prestigious part of the competition, and managed to finish twentieth overall, a tremendous achievement given that they were poorly placed after the first round. They must have performed exceptionally well in the cross number, head to head and relay. The pupils won prizes donated by the sponsors Helix, as well as a signed book prize presented by David Acheson. Their winning poster has now been professionally reproduced and distributed to all schools in the UK.

The Senior Team Challenge is in its second year and King’s was represented in the regional final by the team that represented us the very first time we reached the national final of the junior competition – Peter Anderson, Katherine Rollins, Duncan Leeson and Jonjo McArdle. They narrowly missed reaching the final, being beaten into second place by KES Birmingham.

Young Enterprise

Apollo, Crafty by Nature, Definity Mode and Zig Zag were the four Young Enterprise companies set up by Lower Sixth pupils at King’s this year. Fifty six pupils were involved, in roles ranging from sales, human resources, finance and ICT through to company secretary and managing director. Lots of hard work went into creating their first products to raise some money and to be ready for the first big selling opportunity of the year at the Christmas Fair in the Cloisters. Some of the companies made lots of sales, having identified their target markets accurately (ie coachloads of visitors from the Welsh borders) and sold lots of goods such as Christmas decorations and cards. Flushed with success (and cash) they then concentrated on producing their main products and getting ready for the competition element of the programme.

They all made excellent main products this year – Apollo produced the ‘Sticky Fingers’ cookery book aimed at young children and getting families to cook together, Definity made stylish hand printed T-shirts, Crafty by Nature put together a kit for children to make name plates for bedrooms and Zig Zag were very environmentally friendly, making products from recycled drinks cans and sweet wrappers.

The first big official selling day was the Young Enterprise Spring Fair in February in Worcester’s Guildhall. All of the companies were up very early, getting there as soon as the doors opened to set up their stands. The hard work of preparing the stands paid off and they were all very eye-catching, standing out from the other competitors. During the day they were judged on their stands by a team of judges from the local business community and Crafty by Nature won the prize for Best Company on the day and Apollo the prize for Marketing.

The next step was to produce a ten page business report, outlining everything they had done to get to this stage. The marks from these reports were added to those from the Spring

A.H.

Wrong Trousers Day in the Fourth Forms

Pancake racing

Fair and we were delighted when three of the companies won through to the Area Final where they had to give a presentation on stage in front of a packed theatre, and – most

nerve-wrackingly of all – had to answer judges’ questions in front of the audience.

Apollo gave a delightful presentation which featured Jed Brookes-Lewis wheeling Sophie Kavanagh onto the stage on a catering trolley! This clinched them the prize of Best Presentation and both they and Zig Zag won through to the next round.

This time it was off to Bromsgrove School who were hosting the Hereford and Worcester Area Final. At a glitzy evening, both companies represented King’s in style and Geoff Darby from Zig Zag was awarded the prize for Best use of ICT in running a company. This was the end of the journey this year as far as the competition element was concerned, but all of the companies continued trading until the last minute when they had to liquidate according to Young Enterprise rules.

A lot of the pupils have gained tremendous experience from taking part in the Company Programme this year and some are involved in mentoring the new companies for 2009-10. A big thank you goes to all of the business advisers from local companies who come in every week and help the pupils to set up and run their companies, and in particular to Worcester Bosch who continue to be most supportive.

J.C.V.

Fantasy Football League

Fifty nine teams battled it out to become winners of The King’s School Fantasy Football League. JCV took the honours of School Champion and Staff winner with her team ‘rob’s rovers’. She finished in the top 0.5% in the country where over 100,000 teams took part and also won the school FA Cup competition. The runner-up place went to last year’s School Champion, William Palmer and his team ‘Champions re-united’, whilst third place was claimed by ‘super soccers’, managed by Carl Beardmore. William and Carl were also Lower and Upper Fourth winners respectively. The Year 6 group winner, where there were at least four teams, was Alexander Sanders’ ‘B and T’s bombers’.

Engineering Education Scheme

From October to April five students from the Lower Sixth worked with National Grid to solve an engineering problem.

Josh Crow, Ilija Rasovic, Tim Newman, Tristan Morgan and Jonjo McArdle were taking part in this year’s Engineering Education Scheme, the aim of which is to give Year 12 students a good idea of how engineers plan and carry out a project.

Their task was to design a modification to an exhaust system for a winch used by the engineers when servicing overhead power lines. The current arrangement can cause the

At the Celebration and Assessment day

in poisonous fumes. They were hampered somewhat by the refusal of National Grid to allow a site visit on the grounds of Health and Safety; a somewhat ironic state of affairs since making the winch safer was the aim of the project! Despite this they cracked the problem during the four day residential workshop at Birmingham University then finalised the design using a 3D Computer Aided Design package.

They presented their ingenious solution at this year’s celebration and assessment day held in Solihull in April where they were complimented on their excellent project.

I.C.R.

A.M.S.

Apollo

Definity Mode

Zig Zag

Crafty by Nature

The team with ICR at Birmingham University

Robotics Club

This has been another successful year for this popular Fourth Form activity. There seems to be no limit to the imagination and ingenuity of the new starters each year especially once they have been persuaded that the robotic devices should be built to do useful tasks rather than destroy each other!

In December a team of eight boys from the Upper Fourth took part in a regional heat of the First Lego League competition at Manchester University. Having spent many hours building and programming their robot they endured a frustrating couple of rounds when it refused to do what it was meant to. A few adjustments resulted in a slight improvement in the final round but it was not quite enough to earn them a semi-final place. They had better luck in the presentation aspect of the competition where Matthew Richards’ solution to the problem of flooding in Worcester proved to be the best on the day and allowed the team to contribute to the ever growing collection of FLL cups.

I.C.R.

Cathedral Bell Ringing

This year, for the first time, pupils at King’s have been offered the opportunity to learn bell ringing in the cathedral’s new teaching centre. About twelve pupils from the Upper Fourth attended weekly practices that have focused on basic bell handling. All have picked up the new skills quickly and have enjoyed being given the chance to use the eight computerlinked “dummy” bells that have been hung in the clock room of the cathedral tower. As far as I can gather, this facility is currently the only one of its kind and has inspired a new enthusiasm among pupils for this ancient art. In addition to these practices, pupils have been given a rare glimpse of some of the more hidden parts of the cathedral having toured the belfry and some of the roof spaces. Some of the pupils are now at the stage that they are progressing to ringing the real cathedral bells: things are looking rosy

for the future of ringing at King’s; let’s look forward to the first King’s School quarter-peal!

D.A.J.

Careers

Our first Law Day, hosted in conjunction with local solicitors Harrison Clark, was held in the Autumn term. Workshops on property, probate, employment and corporate law were offered to potential lawyers and barristers from the Fifth and Sixth Forms. The final session was a mock trial presided over by a real judge, complete with wig, who very gamely robed up in the chemistry library.

A well attended talk on psychology was one of the careers talks scheduled during Friday lunchtimes, with OV Ed McKenzie also returning to talk about his Gap Year placement as a Year in Industry student.

Twelve advisors (several of them OVs) joined us for our annual Business Conference, guiding Lower Sixth students through a series of workshops and challenges. The notepad exercise and the co-opetition game (a negotiating exercise whose rules are far too complicated to explain here) were particularly popular.

As part of their PSHE Day, the Lower Removes carried out a self review questionnaire using a Careers package called KUDOS. They identified personal skills and aptitudes and researched a variety of careers where these attributes are of value.

New events planned for this year include a Media Day, focusing on careers and opportunities in the world of media and the arts and a Medical Day, providing advice and help for students applying to study medicine at university. Mock interviews and talks by a recently qualified doctor and a consultant will also be included.

Examining lobster blood at Hull University, a local autism unit, environmental centres and arboretums, hospitals and veterinary clinics, the Guards Polo Club at Windsor, the Folio Society and the Houses of Parliament were just some of the work experience opportunities on offer to Lower Sixth students. Linguists were able to spend time abroad, courtesy of the MFL department, who once again organised a diverse range of placements.

requests to date with medical and media placements always in demand). If you are able to provide any help with work experience - or careers talks - please do contact us.

‘I learned decision making, team work and patience.’ ‘Best thing I could have done.’ ‘I am now more independent.’ Just some of the comments made by King’s students

about their GAP years. A large percentage of King’s students now take a GAP year and these range from conservation and ecological work to Year in Industry placements and volunteering in a hospital in Malawi. Three students returned to King’s at the start of the year to talk about their gap year experiences.

As always, we are extremely grateful to all parents and OVs who help with work experience. We are asked for an increasingly diverse and specialist range of opportunities (dermatology, earth sciences, forensics, meteorology and toxicology have all been

Llangors, kayaking on the River Wye, cooking a meal using camping stoves and walking part of the Black Mountains. Time was also spent playing in the woods and singing around the camp fire. Reports back from staff were very positive and a fantastic time was had by all. S.C.C .

H. Isaacs

Volunteering at school in Malawi

tRAveL

China

Over this Easter holiday, ERH, EAB and I took twenty students on a grand tour of China. Our extraordinary journey covered more than twelve thousand miles, crossing eleven provinces and six cities, including Beijing, Qingdao, Xian, Chongqing, Guilin, and Shanghai. This involved four internal flights and one overnight train (all on time: a credit to the communist government). Amongst many remarkable sights, we climbed the Great Wall, strolled around the Tiananmen Square, marched through the terracotta warriors, and witnessed the cormorant fishing. One of many highlights was our visit to Qingdao Art School to spend a whole day observing lessons, socialising with Chinese students and teachers and forming professional relationships on which to build in the future. Throughout their adventure the students remained interested, interactive, and adventurous in their eating (including some of the oddest food on the planet) and proved great ambassadors for the school throughout this trip of a lifetime. Many of them became chopsticks experts and were desperate to show off in their first meal back home. We were all exhilarated after the trip but felt we had fitted a life time into those seventeen days of intense and varied activities.

Shang Hai

The Forbidden City

Fun at the beach!

At Qing Dao Fine Art School

Tiananmen Square

Netball tour to Australia

The long-awaited netball tour to Australia was the highlight of the summer for the teams selected. The three weeks were filled with a great balance between unforgettable experiences and fantastic netball. These events ranged from Great Barrier Reef diving, Sydney Harbour Bridge climbing, Daintree Rainforest trekking and making long-lasting friendships with the girls, the staff and the billets. The Beveridge family were kind enough to give us a superb, genuine Tasmanian barbeque! On our last night we enjoyed a fabulous buffet meal and presentation evening for which we all dressed up as things that reminded us of Australia and the tour. The outfits varied between aboriginals, kangeroos and dresses made purely of tourist leaflets! Everyone dancing and singing together on that last night was a great way to end the tour. With netball being as popular in Australia as football is in Britain, we expected the standard to be very high and we were not disappointed! We fought hard against very quick, physical and tall State League teams and found satisfaction in competing at a level well beyond anything else we had previously experienced. We had more success however, against the school teams that we played. Guest coaches also gave us an insight into the Australian tactics and techniques which we look forward to introducing into our play this coming season.

Special thanks go to Miss Beveridge for her great organisation and guidance along with Miss Lea, Miss Lawson and Miss Cooke. We have all come home with many stories and as much more experienced netballers!

Issy Anstey and Emmie Le Marchand

Himalayan Club - ‘Share the Vision’

At the beginning of the Easter holidays a group of seven excited members of the Fifth and Sixth Form gathered with an equal number of similarly excited blind or visually impaired students from New College, Worcester for a joint expedition to Nepal. Following eighteen months of preparation and training, this was our second such expedition under the ‘Share the Vision’ banner and involved a trek in the Annapurna foothills and an elephant experience in the jungles of the south.

Our stay in Kathmandu was brief, it not being particularly suited to people with visual disability, even with guides in support. A short flight took us to Pokhara and the start of our trek. At times the route was steep and rocky, occasionally wet and slippery but everybody coped well with the conditions and the guides from King’s did a superb job of looking after their partners. Climbing out of the rhododendron forest we began to get

Sydney bike tour

The last night!

1st VII and opposition in Hobart

fantastic views of the Annapurnas. In the context of this trip it may seem strange to refer to views but the blind and visually impaired students were able to benefit from the language skills of the King’s students, who could create pictures in the minds of the NCW students using words. The highlight of the trek was climbing Poon Hill early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the Annapurnas.

As a contrast to the mountains we travelled to the south of Nepal, to the jungles, for an elephant experience. Here in the Chitwan National Park we were able to ride elephants on safari, spotting numerous white rhino, monkeys, deer etc. and because we were on elephants we were able to get close enough to most of these so that the visually impaired students could also see them. However, the highlight of this excursion to the jungle had to be going into the Rapti River with mother and baby elephant for a bath. This was very much a ‘hands on’ experience that all could enjoy. We concluded our trip with a couple of days in Kathmandu where we were able to take advantage of some retail therapy and survive the chaotic traffic.

This proved to be a fantastic trip for all concerned but I suppose the benefit and worthiness of it can be summed up by a comment made by one of the NCW students, “I learnt a little bit about myself and realised I could go further and do more than I ever thought I could.”

We look forward to continuing this relationship with an expedition to Sri Lanka in 2011.

John Walton

On top of Poon Hill with the Dhaulagiri Range in the background

Elephant bath time

Greece

Twenty one pupils and three staff flew to Greece for a week in April to visit various classical sites on the tourist trail. We saw all the major places, including the busy site of the Parthenon in Athens and the quieter, tranquil setting of Delphi. We ran a length of the original ‘Olympic’ stadium at Olympia and appreciated the size and acoustics of the theatre at Epidaurus, courtesy of Sam Greenwood. A number of museums were visited in search of legendary artifacts, and, for those

fans of Greek tragedy, there was a chance to see the location of Agamemnon’s murder in Mycenae. All in all, a busy tour but one accompanied by beautiful weather, daily ice creams and plenty of shopping time!

S.C.B.

The French Alps

Geography GCSE trip

“What’s that, Sir?”, “Why does it look like that?”, “When did that happen?” are questions that were frequently heard on last summer’s Geography trip to the Alps (along with “Can we go swimming?” and “Are we nearly there?”). I have always been passionate about fieldwork not only for the opportunity to explore new places (which I must admit is an attraction) but also for the deeper understanding and enjoyment of learning that

it offers. Despite the modern classroom being equipped with the latest technology capable of providing a virtual reality environment, this does little to compete with the hands on experience of seeing and doing which fieldwork provides.

Towards the end of July a party of thirty five Upper Remove pupils and four staff headed by coach for the picturesque resort of Le Bettex located above St Gervais in the heart of the Savoie Alps. Mont d’Arbois (2,000m) became our first fieldwork venue providing panoramic views of the Mt Blanc Massif. Detailed sketches of the alpine landscape set the scene and discussion of the tectonic forces that were present 40-30 million years ago helped explain the formation of these fold mountains.

While UK holiday makers made the best of the poor British summer, we became accustomed to the routine of shorts and sun cream. The perfect weather allowed us to enjoy excursions to a wide variety of fieldwork sites giving opportunities to explore the traditional agriculture, Hydro resources, the importance of tourism and the formation of the Alps themselves. The highlight was a fabulous mountain walk high above the Chamonix Valley which involved a dramatic cable car ride to Le Plan de l’Aiguille (2317m) followed by a more gentle return journey by funicular railway from the Mer de Glace (1913m). Glacial landforms and processes were identified from various impromptu “classrooms” along the way and ideas of glacial erosion were later put into practice on St Gervais ice rink.

Swimming at Flumet and Annecy provided a refreshing break during the hot days and a mix of work and entertainment in the evenings kept everyone busy. Our hotel hosts were extremely welcoming and spoiled us with huge quantities of delicious home-cooked food that proved too much even for those renowned for their big appetites.

As well as finishing some field notes, our final day was spent relaxing in preparation for the journey home. This became a more extensive journey than first planned as we were diverted via Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium! Despite this (and the subsequent closure of the M20) the party remained good spirited. In fact, throughout the trip the pupils were great company and showed genuine enthusiasm for the geography that they had come to study. As always, I am indebted to the staff who generously gave up their time to assist with the trip.

S.C.C.

At the Theatre of Dionysus

Taking a break with The Parthenon in the background

Above Le Bettex overlooking Mt Blanc Massif

Paris

In November last year a small group of History and French students went to Paris to learn both about Napoleon and French culture. We visited a variety of museums including La Musée de l’Armée and Napoleon’s tomb where we learned about the history of weaponry and warfare in France, as well as visiting the magnificent chapel where Napoleon now rests. We also went to L’Institut du Monde Arabe which was a temporary exhibition on Napoleon’s time in Egypt and so was particularly interesting as we learnt a little bit about Egyptian and French history combined. The museum visits were a really exciting way of understanding some of French history as we were able to see source documents and paintings which really brought the past to life. We also went to the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre and saw some magnificent artwork.

Our trip, however, was not only spent in museums! We walked down the Champs Elysée during the Christmas markets, climbed the Eiffel Tower at night seeing Paris from above, ate our meals in the Latin Quarter and were permitted to explore the city in small groups so we could visit all the sites we wished to see. This was one of the things which really set the trip apart from any others as we were given the opportunity to see things which really interested us, thus ensuring we really enjoyed, and benefited from, the whole experience.

Kate Lofthouse

Berlin

Just before last Christmas a group of twenty six Sixth Form students of A Level German, accompanied by Miss Hirner and Messrs Owen and Cuthbertson, went to Berlin in order to explore the world famous historical city. There were Christmas markets with stalls from all over Germany offering a variety of goods from the traditional Bratwurst to a spot of outdoor skiing on artificial slopes. We visited many famous museums, including Checkpoint Charlie, and viewed sections of the Berlin Wall, as well as the Olympic Stadium built by the Nazis, all of which were very interesting. We also found time to watch some films at the cinema (with an option of James Bond or ‘Madagascar 2’ – in German of course) and went to an improvisational theatre, which was very funny - even if we couldn’t understand all the jokes. The trip was great fun and enjoyed by all thanks to the leadership of Frau Hirner, who navigated us expertly across Berlin on the Underground. There was only one minor lapse on the final night, when after no longer than an hour of searching we finally found the traditional ‘Kneipe’ where we had a meal. It was an enjoyable end to a brilliant trip.

Hugh Brooks

Magdeburg

Checkpoint Charlie

The Comenius project is an association that is funded by the EU, and aims to educate young people and staff from different countries about the diversity that there is within Europe. Schools apply for funding, and then organise trips within Europe to discuss important issues and experience new cultures and ways of life with other young people from foreign schools. In June 2009, Joe Pantling, David Jubb, Sam Maitland, Abi Cole, Lilli Hallet and Katie Baum from the Upper Remove, along with Miss Hirner, Mr Maund, Mr and Mrs Keyes, and the Reverend Pettersen took part in one of these trips. After the original prep work of filling out questionnaires and making a film displaying our results, we travelled to the Ökumenisches Gymnasium in Magdeburg, Germany, along with pupils from the Lycée Hoche in Versailles, France. The aim of our visit was to discuss what it meant to be European, and to experience the way of life in Magdeburg, by living with a host family for just under a week. I think that one of the scariest parts of the visit was going home with my host family for the first time, as I had never even been in Germany before and had only the briefest correspondence with the family before departure. However, my fears were soon set aside, as the family was really kind and welcoming, and I was fascinated to see the parallels and differences between our two ways of life, and the cities we lived in. The next three days were hectic; we had a day in the school, we were shown around Magdeburg by our exchange partners, we had our conference and presented our results, and then spent a day in Berlin with our new friends from France. The conference day was the most challenging; the six of us were almost expected to do most of the presentations as the conference was being held in English! I came away from the trip with a real sense of achievement. Not only had I been given this unique opportunity, I took it and made the most of it. For example, I played table football against French teenagers (and lost. Abysmally). I visited a designer store with a German girl, and witnessed her having an argument with the store manager. I spent an hour long train journey cramped in a doorway with about twenty other people from various countries because we’d run out of seats. I appeared in a German newspaper on top of the town hall in Magdeburg. I sat through a German law and political rights lesson. I was taught a German card game (rather unsuccessfully, it was very confusing!). I made friends with people from France and Germany, especially my host partner, who is hopefully coming to visit me in the autumn, and am still in touch with all of them. I spent an English lesson in a German school being asked what words were in French by a French girl! I managed to stand up and speak in front of about a hundred people about the differences between the three countries. I contributed to the discussions with valuable points (I hope!). I saw the Berlin Wall, the German parliament and the Brandenburg Gate, and explored a lot more of Berlin, including the Holocaust Monument and a ‘Dunkin’ Doughnuts’. I’d like to thank all the staff who came with us and also the staff from the French and German schools for a really great week! I’m sure they’ll never want to forget that long wait on the platform at the train station, where we discussed where you would land if you were to jump up on a moving train.

Katie Baum

Fourth Forms to Paris

In June, fifty one Fourth Formers went to France to visit ‘Parc Asterix’, near Paris. We travelled by coach and the Channel Tunnel. The journey was fine and the pupils really enjoyed the experience of travelling under the sea bed, a journey which lasted about thirty minutes. The last part of the journey seemed the longest, so we were glad when we finally arrived at our accommodation.

On Saturday morning we went to ‘Parc Asterix’ which is a theme park based on the characters from a famous story about the ancient French tribes and their fight against the Romans. The pupils were divided into friendship groups and spent the day in the park, visiting the various amusing rides. The most interesting part was the dolphin show, with eight dolphins performing various acrobatics.

On Saturday evening we went into the centre of Paris where we saw the Arc de Triomphe, after travelling up the Champs Elysees. We enjoyed a delightful meal in a restaurant nearby before going up the Eiffel Tower. Fortunately, the weather was fine and clear, so we had a clear view of the city. After we came down from the second floor we saw some of the sights along the river Seine.

On Sunday we returned to Worcester via Calais where we had a lunch stop outside the impressive Town Hall. The children enjoyed their visit, learnt a lot of information about Paris and were a credit to their school.

Thanks to KA, EIL, DNO, CFF, MJN and Louise Lewis.

German Exchange

C.A.G-S.

The 2009 German Exchange was a huge success for all involved and was enjoyed by everyone who took part. This year’s trip was to the German city of Cologne and although the trip there lasted for a lengthy twelve

hours we were all kept entertained by the diverse selection of German films which were provided by Mr Ball.

The exchange lasted for one week and upon our arrival in the city we were all treated with exceptional hospitality by our hosts, despite the fact it was roughly 10:30pm by the time our coach arrived. On the second day of our exchange we each spent the day with our exchange’s family and many of us went to locations such as the Lindt Chocolate Factory on the banks of the Rhine, Cologne Zoo or the outstanding cathedral in the centre of the city, from whose towers you can see for miles around.

For the rest of the week we were either in the German school improving our grasp of the German language, taking part in one of the German lessons, or visiting a tourist attraction for the day. Whilst the day-long excursions to fascinating and historic places, such as a castle looking over the Rhine, were extremely enjoyable and gave us an insight into German culture, Mr Ball’s extra German lessons contributed to a more academic understanding of the language. These lessons were balanced by seeing how German students were educated in their lessons, although during them we couldn’t understand much of what was being said!

On our last night our hosts threw us a party before we set out the next morning, having thoroughly enjoyed our time in Germany and taken full advantage of the wide range of shops in the city. We embarked upon our twelve hour journey back to Worcester, with yet more of Mr Ball’s German films to entertain us, although thankfully Rob Battrum had the good sense to bring along ‘The Italian Job’ to watch. The exchange was a memorable time for all of us and we all improved our German oral skills, as well as learning a lot from the experience.

James Mulvale

Fourth Forms at Parc Asterix

Spanish Exchange

In the Easter holidays we took thirty Upper Remove pupils on exchange to Zaragoza, the Aragon capital in northeast Spain. Flying from Birmingham to Barcelona we eventually arrived in Zaragoza in the early evening when our pupils rather nervously met their new friends and spent their first night with a Spanish family. They settled in very quickly and got on well with their new families.

Over the course of the week we did many trips and visits and learnt a lot about Spanish school life. Our visits in Zaragoza included the magnificent Aljaferia Moorish Palace and regional parliament, the two remarkable cathedrals, the bullring and the old quarter. Zaragoza is a city rich in cultural heritage going back to Roman times and has a wealth of Roman, Moorish and period architecture blending nicely with the modern.

We had a fantastic day trip to Barcelona, visiting Barcelona FC ground and museum, Las Ramblas and the gothic quarter as well as the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Our other full day excursion was to Loarre castle in the foothills of the Pyrenees and Jaca , a winter resort in the mountains.

The trip was a huge success, both on a linguistic and a social level. Our pupils made new friends and enjoyed new, rewarding experiences, which is why language exchanges are so worthwhile.

M.D.R.

French Exchanges Reims

In the first week of the Easter holidays, thirteen extremely nervous Lower Sixth students and two members of staff stood shivering on the

platform at St Pancras ready to take the Eurostar for the return visit of the French exchange programme.

At least we had the small comfort of having already met our partners, when they came to stay in England earlier in the year, but the idea of living with them and speaking French for a week was a bit daunting. Of course, as soon as we arrived and were given a huge welcome on the platform, the nerves disappeared and everyone was excited to catch up.

We had a full timetable of visits to go on during our stay, as well as a morning spent in school with our partners which was extremely scary; sitting through an A level physics lesson is hard enough without trying

The champagne house at Épernay

The Spanish exchange group with their hosts at Loarre Castle in the foothills of the Pyrenees

to keep up in French. We couldn’t go to the Champagne area of France without visiting a champagne house, and we did this at Taittinger and Épernay. We also went to the cinema, visited Paris for the day, had a trip to the Fossier biscuit factory and finally, finished the week with an entire group meal at an Italian restaurant. It was definitely a week enjoyed by all and as well as gaining vital confidence in our French, we also made some really good friends.

Hattie Roberts

Lille

The morning of the 28th March dawned dull and wet but nothing dampened the spirits of the thirty six Lower and Upper Remove pupils and the four staff who boarded the coach bound for Lille in Northern France. After a fairly long and tiring journey we arrived in Cysoing (pronounced SEEZWANG) and were greeted by our hosts for the week outside the school. The rest of the weekend was spent in families and various activities were undertaken such as bowling, swimming and two

On Tuesday we visited the picturesque town of Arras and the nearby underground tunnels which were used in the WWI to hide 24,000 soldiers. Then we went on to visit Vimy Ridge where we saw the grave of Lydia Haslewood’s grandfather. It was a poignant reminder of that generation’s sacrifice. On the Wednesday the pupils attended some lessons and had a guided tour around the school and some explanations in both French and English about various aspects of the site. Pupils spent the afternoon with their partners.

Thursday was marked by a visit to an Art Museum called ‘Expo 3000’ with an eclectic mixture of exhibits. The four horses’ hooves without the horse was a particular highlight. In the afternoon the pupils had some free time in Lille. Friday’s trip was to Brussels and Mini Europe and the Atomium in the morning (right next to the infamous Heysel football stadium), followed by a visit to the city centre and the architectural delights of the central square in the afternoon. Everything went to plan except for the horrendous traffic on the way out of Brussels on a Friday afternoon. Nevertheless the whole trip was a resounding success especially considering that we had not heard of our partner school

lucky girls went to Paris on Sunday. The staff spent the day brushing up their French.

On Monday the whole group did a town trail in Lille and answered questions with a greater or lesser degree of success. The big black plastic devils all the way down the main street ensured that it was quite hard for the pupils to get lost despite the size of the city. Then in the afternoon we visited a renovated mine with a tour by ex-miners.

before the end of November 2008. The pupils seemed to enjoy the trip and the memory of so many pupils taking part in the disco chatting up the French will not be forgotten. Many thanks to DGW, JCM and SH without whom the trip could not have taken place and also to our partner school in Cysoing with whom we hope to continue the link in future.

Lille Opera House

Skiing

Senior Trip

After being let down by the coach company that was to provide our transport to Heathrow at three o’clock on the first morning of the Christmas holidays, three school minibuses were the best alternative way to begin the Senior Ski Trip. Arriving in Schladming a whole twelve hours later than we were supposed to, the thirty four strong group went to bed in preparation for a week’s skiing. The initial troubles were soon forgotten as the snow conditions and weather couldn’t have been better. The instruction was excellent and all members of the party improved their skiing considerably. Two days of continuous snowfall helped keep spirits high, as did the fact the hotel was situated on the ski slope. A trip to the Christmas market in Salzburg was enjoyed by all. The students were great company and much fun was had.

C.W.S.W.

Junior trip

This year’s trip went to Tonale, Italy. Fifty five pupils from Years 8-10 went with six staff during February half term. The skiing was excellent and the resort had a lot of variety to test all abilities. The weather also played its part providing perfect conditions for skiing. The quality of the instruction was exactly what you would expect from Italian ski schools helping students to progress well through the week. The hotel was in an excellent location providing door step skiing which makes a huge difference to the day. I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work in making the trip a great success.

J.J.M.

First World War Battlefields Trip

But the past is just the same – and war’s a bloody game . . . Have you forgotten yet? . .

Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you’ll never forget.

Siegfried Sassoon, Aftermath, 1919

As I write this article the issue of proper remembrance for those killed in war is much to the fore in the national news with annual Armistice Day ceremonies, the controversy surrounding Gordon Brown’s hand-written letter to Guardsman Jamie Janes’s mother and the steady flow of further casualties from Afghanistan. Since the whole question of whether the objectives of the present campaign can justify the continuing losses is

attracting much comment in the news, it is good to take pupils to revisit the scene of an earlier conflict upon which it is possible to reflect with a little more detachment.

Even so, the themes that motivated the British war effort between 1914 and 1918 may seem to us both familiar and old fashioned. Soldiers fought in defence not only of British freedom, however they defined it, but also to defend Britain’s place in the world and, some claimed, even to save the whole human race from war itself. Such noble aims were inevitably talked up during the conflict, but the cemeteries we visited this year again underline the capacity of societies to make enormous sacrifices in pursuit of their ideals. Their condition confirms that, for Britain in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, remembrance remains a serious, solemn and lasting commitment.

Our trip this year with forty Lower Remove pupils about to embark upon their GCSE History course visited a number of familiar sites: Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel on the Somme; the Menin Gate and Passchendaele in the Ypres salient; Vimy Ridge and Arras. Our programme used these locations to tackle challenging questions about many aspects of the war, and our pupils responded, as ever, with high levels of curiosity and intelligence. They were introduced to a range of issues which went far beyond the battlefield, to touch on the treatment of the wounded, how armies attempted to maintain discipline amongst their men and how the war was dealt with in literature. We remain convinced that this trip provides pupils with insights into these and many more areas far beyond what can be done in the classroom. Many are overwhelmed at the scale of what they see and what it represents in

terms of human tragedy, which must surely be a healthy view of history in general, and war in particular.

The trip ran smoothly, largely owing to the efforts of the accompanying staff. PTG’s careful and time-consuming reworking of much of the printed material that we produce made many of the issues more accessible to pupils. Meanwhile, JCM, ARH and SH were on hand to offer many other comments at the sites. It is difficult to place too high a value on the support, good humour and professionalism of staff who accompany such trips; it makes the thought of going over the top again next year a much more attractive proposition.

T.R.S.

A trench at Ypres

Rugby

1st XV

The record of this team ranked them second amongst King’s First XVs in the last fifteen years and in terms of playing style they could well have been the most attractive side to represent the school for decades. In terms of their playing kit there is no doubt that they were the most attractive side, their pink shirts and socks dazzling numerous opponents and ensuring that we never had to change our strip because of a potential colour clash. Surprisingly the strip has not been patented as King’s official colours but the experiment did raise £ 1,500 for three local charities as well as leading to a feature article in the Daily Mail. Our thanks to OV Stewart Conyers who sponsored the shirts –luckily when he played for King’s in the late 1980s the team played in the traditional navy and white; Stewart had a habit of falling foul

Results

Played 17 Won 15 lost 2 Points FoR 578 against 199

Blundell’s (A) Won 24 – 5

KES Birmingham (A) Won 52 – 0

Solihull (H) Won 33 – 25

KES Camphill (A) Won 62 – 10

Haybridge HS (Daily Mail) (A) Won 52 – 0

KES Stratford (A) Won 15 – 3

Oldswinford (Daily Mail) (H) Won 10 – 8

KES Aston (H) Won 50 – 5

Chase HS (A) Won 50 – 32

High School Dublin (A) Won 24 - 10

Cheltenham College (H) Lost 28 – 33

Hereford Sixth Form (Daily Mail) (A) Won 24 – 3

Hereford Cathedral (H) Won 62 – 7

Bristol GS (A) Won 18 – 16

of referees and a pink shirt would have made his innumerable offences even more visible. The excellent handling skills of both forwards and backs meant the side was capable of scoring tries from anywhere on the pitch and had no need to resort to the tried and tested technique of attritional mauls so beloved of certain Premiership outfits. Jack Everton was the leading try scorer which was no mean achievement as he was one of the slower threequarters but was blessed with a natural ability

RGSAO Sixways Won 21 – 7

Worcester Academy (Daily Mail) (H) Lost 19 - 25

Oldswinford (H) Won 34 - 8

to get over the line even when faced by three or four defenders.His blind side attacking combination with scrum-half Liam Gwynne and number eight Jack Jeavons-Fellows proved almost impossible to stop helped by the introduction of the five yard defensive law at scrum. Liam captained the side with great authority; he produced a masterly performance against RGSAO at Sixways and throughout his three seasons in the First XV showed himself to have a natural appreciation of the

game and how to play it, qualities not often found in schools rugby. Duncan Meikle, despite theatrical distractions, proved the strongest and most direct runner in the team and his defence particularly against the team from Brobdingnag, playing as Worcester Academy, was outstanding. The return of Matt Marskell, from the aforementioned institution, was a major boost to the attacking potential of the side whilst his left footed kicking was particularly useful in defensive positions. Oli Meadows proved a reliable fly-half, tackling strongly and improving steadily as an attacking player. His ‘try’ against RGS was too quick for the veteran touch judge; unfortunately there were no facilities available to allow it to be referred upstairs. Oli Greenhill and David Lewis were fine attacking runners and as the only two members of the Lower Sixth to play regularly in the team will have gained valuable experience for the 2009-2010 season. George Webster and Seb Jamous, very different in appearance and running technique, both provided good cover for the wing positions whilst the latter even featured against Worcester Academy as an emergency flanker. Unusually for a King’s team the front row was rock solid and provided a consistent supply of quality ball from the scrums. Oli Kitching’s handling ability was a great bonus whilst Matt Faulkner’s enthusiasm for all aspects of the game, including training, was a real boost to team morale. Harry Cronin transformed himself from a back row player into a rugged hooker who was at his best when the game became competitive. Unusually, the pack contained two other forwards willing to play in the front row, whilst Will Harris proved himself to be one of the most

Ollie Greenhill on the attack

versatile players ever to represent King’s; in this season alone he played in six different positions, wing, centre, number eight, flanker, second row and prop! Jack Longley and Luke Lupton were the regular second row pairing and it was good to see them both adjusting quickly to the demands of first team rugby. Jack, a B team centre lower down the school, in a side which did not win a game for two years, showed great determination to secure a place in the 1st XV and it was fitting that he scored a fine try in the last game against Oldswinford, outpacing a startled defence. Luke’s tough close quarter tackling was instrumental in preventing opponents from succeeding in using the pick and drive tactic. His unavailability against the Academy was a key factor in our exit from the Cup. Rory Johnson and Greg Campion also featured in a number of games and they showed impressive levels of fitness: in most years they would have been regulars in the First XV. Sean Robinson and Jack Jeavons-Fellows were quite outstanding in the back row: they were responsible for the large amount of turnovers gained by the team and were regular winners of the tackle count competition. Sean’s athleticism was particularly impressive and both showed that they have the ability to go on to play senior rugby at a very good level. Josh Sinclair made the change from wing to open side and made excellent progress before his season was ended by an injury received in the 48th minute of the first half against The Chase.

Sevens

At times the 1st VII was capable of playing scintillating rugby sweeping opponents aside with their fast and open attacking brand of the game. This resulted in the team recording victories in two tournaments, the best performance by a King’s team for twenty years. Occasional defensive lapses prevented results from being even better as did the fact that six of the starting seven were also key members of the 1st XI football. Playing three football games in five days and then playing rugby against some of the top schools in the country on the sixth is not a sensible schedule.

Unusually the season started brightly at Brecon where a sound qualifying series of results was followed up by an excellent ‘sudden death’ victory over a powerful Cheltenham College team. King’s then romped to a three

My thanks to SMB and RJD who once again provided tremendous support throughout the season and to the ground staff who ensured that King’s fields were in first class condition, despite tricky weather conditions. Malvern Rugby Club kindly allowed us to use their training facilities when King’s pitches were either under water or too dark. A particular thank you to Dave Robbins for his help in this area and good to see so many ex King’s students playing for Malvern.

Preston Shield:

Most Improved Player - David Lewis

Surman Cup:

Services to the Rugby Club – Sean Robinson

a dramatic improvement at Solihull where emphatic wins over teams such as Warwick, Solihull, and in the final a massive Amersham seven, saw King’s romp to victory scoring thirty one tries and conceding just five in their six matches.

At the North the effects of a week of perpetual sport were shown as the squad produced uninspired and tired rugby, the only highlight of which was Oli Kitching’s burst to score against Birkenhead from fifty yards.

The King’s tournament at Droitwich RFC was a first class event blessed by excellent weather and a strong field. King’s made a shaky

try lead against Bryanston but shoddy defence saw us concede four tries to lose an exciting but frustrating contest. At the Marches the decision of eleven of the twelve man squad to attend the birthday celebrations of a Sixth Form girl the night before taking on Millfield at 10.20 a.m. was unwise. The full extent of the damage such an approach can inflict was revealed when in the first stage of the knockout rounds King’s managed to concede a last minute try to lose to a plucky Bromsgrove team.

A gentle reminder from the coach about the necessity for a more professional attitude saw

start in their group recording narrow victories over Loughborough and Oldswinford before hitting top form in the later stages of the tournament. The highlight of the day was a six try demolition of Bromsgrove in the semi-final before a nail biting final saw Jack JeavonsFellows cross for the winning try against our old rivals Colston’s. After such a thrilling success to lose by two points to Oakham at the National Sevens was a bitter disappointment. King’s had won their first three games comfortably but then wasted numerous chances against a pacy Oakham team. As ever playing in a National tournament on pitches the size of a small postage stamp was a problem although other sides managed to adapt rather better than King’s.

Liam Gwynne and Sean Robinson were the outstanding players in the seven - they were ably supported by a strong squad who were a pleasure to work with and fully deserved the success they achieved.

P.T.G.

Sean Robinson about to pass

Will Harris

2nd XV

The adventure for this predominantly Lower Sixth squad began with a trip to Blundell’s, never the easiest of away fixtures in recent memory, but spirits (mine particularly) were buoyed by a cracking victory with good tries, all from the backs. Our forwards played some controlled rugby on that day, setting the ball up for the backs, who looked especially strong in possession; with better handling it could have been an even bigger score. This game typified much of the season. Up against weak or mediocre opponents we could really let rip, and sides such as Rendcomb, KES Aston and Bishop Vesey’s were brushed aside with some ease with the bulk of the tries coming from the backs. Unfortunately, when we came up against the ‘big boys’ (Cheltenham, Solihull, Warwick...), the side, especially the backs, had an unnerving capacity to fold and then the floodgates would open.

The victory over the RGSAO was hard fought and exciting for the casual observer (if there is such a thing at this contest); we should have won comfortably but almost contrived to draw. It was the team’s leading try scorer, with 13, who dragged us back into the match. The scores were level with the opposition scoring late on and but for Seb Jamous’ inspirational response and his thought, we would have felt that we had let ourselves down if victory had not been clinched in dramatic fashion. The most ridiculous match of the season was on a bright day in Stratford; an average side would have been dispatched with little bother, but for a bizarre refereeing performance. The boys are pretty knowledgeable about the laws of the game but they can be a little hazy about the finer points. Not as much as this bloke, though and they certainly had to help out the poor fellow with the whistle, who would often hold brief committee meetings, involving the players and sometimes the spectators, in order to reach a decision about his next course of action; it was to the boys’ credit that they didn’t collapse into helpless mirth or completely lose their discipline when faced with some of the more puzzling moments; it seemed as if we were involved in a real life ‘What Happens Next?’ round from A Question of Sport, with the ref as a baffled panelist. Oh well, we kept our sense of humour as the boys did for the best part of the season and their record of winning more games than they lost is to their credit.

R.J.D.

3rd XV

A few years ago as Head of Rugby I was asked by a senior figure in the school if it was worthwhile carrying on running a 3rd XV at King’s in view of the difficulties we were experiencing in finding enough players willing to turn out. My reply was that as long as I was in charge of rugby I would do everything I could to keep the team going as not only did it provide valuable experience for future 2nd

competitive match before finishing the season with a thrilling away draw against a strong RGSAO team.

The bulk of the squad was based on the Kittermaster Academy who on one occasion provided over half the team. A rotational system was used in all matches – this enabled players not only to restore their energy levels but also have a crash course in the rules from the coach. The coaches also operated on a rotational system; DPI had the least impressive record whilst PTG with a win, a draw and a loss was easily the most successful.

XV and occasionally future 1st XV players but it also gave boys who wished to play a more relaxed game of rugby a chance to enjoy themselves without the pressure of feeling that they had to win. The last point certainly was particularly relevant as the 3rd XV recorded just one victory between 2005 and 2007 but 2008 saw a dramatic change in fortune. Not only did the team defeat Solihull but they also defeated the Rowers in a splendidly

My thanks to all those who took part; at least thirty players appeared although some claimed never to have touched the ball. It was a very enjoyable season and the decision in the last minute of the RGSAO game not to opt to kick what would have been the winning penalty but instead to run it sideways confirmed that the Corinthian spirit of the Thirds remains as strong as ever.

P.T.G.

Under 16 XV

With a relatively small forward pack, it was always going to be a struggle for this team. Against many of our opposition teams the boys found it hard to get a decent amount of possession. However, they always gave their full commitment and, thanks to their hard work with MJN, actually managed to score a few tries from driving line-outs. Results were a real mixed bag, although the team did manage some memorable, hard-fought victories. The win against KES Five Ways epitomised this fighting spirit. It is hard to pick out individuals, as this team always had to rely heavily on a total team effort. However, David Haddock, Jonny Howard and Ed Scott-Dickens worked well in the forwards, David Brazier and James Doorbar led the team well as half-backs and Michael Serafini ran hard and tackled well in the centre. I will look forward to watching these players, and others, progress as they move through the Sixth Form.

Action from Under 15 Sevens

Sevens

The Sevens season followed a similar pattern. Despite a lack of superstars, or any out and out pace, the boys did themselves credit. They listened at training and worked really hard to improve. By the time they got to Rosslyn Park, they looked like a well-drilled unit. They won one game with an excellent performance and pushed previous tournament winners Brynteg very close, in a game many thought they were unlucky to lose. Some of the 1st VII, watching from the side-lines, commented on how well they thought the boys were playing. This loss meant that qualification would come down to the last game in the pool against Ipswich. The boys worked extremely hard again and pushed them close but just didn’t have quite enough to gain the victory. Some of the disappointment was slightly dissipated when Ipswich reached the semifinals of the tournament, putting into perspective how hard the group had been. The boys can be proud of their efforts and I hope that some may push for the Senior Sevens Squad this season.

C.A.

Under 15 XV

Won: 17

Lost: 4

Drawn: 1

The squad worked hard to improve their game and showed good progress through the season. As a squad they sometimes struggled to finish off opportunities out wide which made it hard to compete on bigger pitches. They showed particular progress on their aggression at the ruck and their ability to keep the ball alive. Two of the better performances came against Old Swinford Hospital and Bristol Grammar School. They showed a lot of character on both occasions to come from behind to win away from home. The side was lead extremely well by Harry Nuttall who scored sixteen tries and George Kitching who scored twelve. Across the season twenty five players represented the A team and there were many notable improvements.

Under 14 XV

The one thing that I could rely upon week in, week out was that the boys would give everything in their pursuit of victory. The second most consistent aspect of the season was that we would take to the pitch, the smaller side. Despite being the underdogs, the boys would make every match a good contest and, more often than not, come out on top. With a powerful set of forwards, it was not normally a problem securing some good possession for the backs but we often found ourselves under pressure from quick (and large) lines of defence. Whilst it is difficult to name individuals, George Jeavons-Fellows stands out as a player of high quality and strength. His ability to read the game often

possession and broke into space to make some well needed hard yards. All players should be proud of their individual input into a team that certainly punched above its weight. I look forward to following their progress in the future.

C.W.S.W.

Under 13 XV

This was a very encouraging and successful season for this group of young players. In the first half of term we had comprehensive victories over Solihull, Stratford, Monmouth, Aston and The Chase, with a hard fought and deserved win over KES Birmingham. The only reverse came away at Warwick, where a well organised, physical and pacy team inflicted upon us a significant defeat. Much of our success was based around a strong scrum and impressive rucking, with clever kicking and use of the wide men by our half backs.

J.J.M.

helped make the difference between us and our opposition. David Serafini was frequently on the end of a well worked move that just required some good footwork to convert it into points. George De Cothi regularly secured

The second half of the season proved to be a far sterner test, but the team proved to have great resilience on a number of occasions, particularly in the 5-5 draw with Bristol and a very close victory away at Bishop Vesey’s. By this stage we had picked up a number of injuries to crucial players which left us rather threadbare in our final game at Oldswinford, which unsurprisingly left us licking our wounds. The team was ably led by Will Dovey who showed great maturity in his dealings with me and his peers and could always be relied upon to put a plan into action. Up front, the pack literally followed Joe Taylor and Ed Rowley around the park, with their aggressive tackling and ability to constantly turn over the ball being crucial to our winning of games.

Our Sevens season was also very successful; although we didn’t win a trophy we did make it to the final of two competitions, those at Blundell’s and RGSAO. In the former we

Junior rugby

were well beaten by an excellent King’s Hall side from Somerset, whilst in the latter we lost very narrowly to Oldswinford, having defeated RGSAO easily in the semi-final. At the National Sevens in London we won our group only to lose in the first qualifying stage 21 –19 to Epsom College. I very much enjoyed working with this group of players; not the most talented group of individuals, but they did have an excellent team ethic that shone through regularly.

A.A.D.G.

Under 12 XV

The season got off to a thrilling start with a sixty point demolition of Solihull and when yet another strong Warwick XV struggled to beat us by only two tries, hopes were high for the rest of the season. Bishop’s Hereford, Bristol GS and both King Edward’s Schools at Aston and Five Ways were all then beaten but a lack of strength in depth in the year group was by now taking its toll and once players in key positions missed games through injury the side began to struggle. A last minute defeat at the hands of RGSAO was undeserved but it highlighted one or two areas of weakness which would be difficult to rectify, particularly once the influential Sears brothers had left for New Zealand.

The side continued to work hard though after the Christmas break and half backs Harry Bassett and Charlie Norton were consistently outstanding, both in attack and defence.

Defeats at the hands of Monmouth and Oldswinford were hard fought affairs and the season ended with a pleasing second victory over a much improved Solihull side.

As well as the aforementioned, other players in the side have a bright rugby future at King’s. Matt George and Sam Khogali were penetrative three quarters and forwards Pip Rowland, Toby Hill and Matt Emeny were hardworking and could always be relied on to give of their best.

My thanks to RJJ for his calming presence. Even his patience though was severely tested by a B XV which unfortunately only won one game but which deserves much credit for its perseverance and hard work at practices.

D.P.I.

Football

1st XI

The year 2009 will be remembered as a most enjoyable, if rather mixed season for the first XI. They suffered only two defeats and recorded some impressive victories against strong opposition, but one or two lapses in concentration resulted in them conceding

needless goals and dropping points in the Mercian League fixtures. A perfect example of this came in the first game of the season, away to Uppingham. After dominating the opening exchanges and creating a couple of clear chances we found ourselves behind thanks to a breakaway goal for the opposition. Frustratingly, the second half started in almost identical fashion to the first, with King’s enjoying a majority of the possession but conceding another goal against the run of play. After going two down it was great credit to our boys that they kept playing attractive football and dominated the rest of the game. We deservedly got ourselves back on level terms following goals from captain Liam Gwynne and an impressive half time substitute Joe Grisdale. Following our equaliser, three oneon-one chances were saved or narrowly missed the target and at the final whistle a draw felt like a defeat after we had created so many chances and limited the opposition to only two, from which they scored both. Our second game of the season was not

going to

be any easier as we met last season’s Mercian League winners, Clifton College. This was always going to be a tough fixture but King’s deservedly ran out 2-0 winners following a goal in each half from David Lewis. Clifton always play good football but despite plenty of corners, King’s defended well and limited the opposition to only two clear chances, both of which Sean Robinson did superbly to keep out. Confidence was high after a strong performance and one of our most impressive results in recent years. In our next fixture against Loughborough, however, we came

back down to earth with a bump. A rather sluggish performance saw us offer little threat against lively and skilful Loughborough side which ran out easy winners. The opposition created a number of clear chances and only good goalkeeping or the woodwork prevented them from scoring. The only goal of the game came with ten minutes remaining. It was only then that King’s sparked into life and pressed forward with more urgency and drive, but it was too little too late, and in reality a draw would have flattered us. An improved performance was required if we were to get anything out of our next game against a tidy Malvern College side. After going 1-0 down, goals from Gwynne and Lewis were enough to secure the win and banish some of the memories of the Loughborough performance. This impressive win gained greater significance at the end of the season when Malvern ran out eventual winners of the Mercian League. The result and performance set us up perfectly for the most important fixture of the season against RGSAO at St. Georges Lane. Chances, as ever, were at a premium in this full-blooded and fiercely contested encounter. Despite lots of possession for RGSAO, they could not convert the pressure, or a string of corners, into clear chances and King’s probably created the better openings. Lewis brought a fine save from their keeper and half chances for RGS came courtesy of goalmouth scrambles that were eventually dealt with by Hale and JeavonsFellows who remained defiant under the pressure at the heart of the defence.

RGSAO took the lead thanks to a penalty awarded when the ball was fired at Hale from close range. Although the penalty was rather harsh, it was evened out after the referee later turned down what seemed to be a blatant penalty following a rash challenge in the box. As the second half slipped away Lewis had a goal disallowed for a push and Greenhill missed an open goal after the keeper had missed the ball. His blushes were spared, however, when the impressive Harper equalised after winning the ball and firing past the keeper with 20 minutes to go. The goal gave King’s new spirit and they pushed for the winner but honours were shared at the end of the game and most

Dave Stanier on the ball

people agreed that a 1-1 draw was a fair result. Notable performances on the night came from David Lewis who was a constant threat and Jolyon Hale and Jack Jeavons-Fellows who defended bravely all evening. After such a hard fought draw, it was particularly disappointing to lose our next fixture against Bromsgrove. Despite Liam Gwynne scoring in the first half, two goals in as many minutes in the second half gave the opposition the victory and handed us our second defeat of the season. The final three games of the season saw us record a comfortable 6-0 victory against Oundle courtesy of three goals from Gwynne, two from Lewis and one from Hale, a 1-1 draw away to Wellingborough and a fine 2-0 victory against Monmouth. This final game of the season saw us play some of our best football and score two fine, free flowing goals. As ever, the team showed great spirit and were a credit to the school, both on and off the pitch. Captain Liam Gwynne, who has been a regular in the 1st XI for the last three years, set a fine example and scored important goals throughout the season. Jack Everton, Jack Jeavons-Fellows and Olly Meadows also leave us this year after playing first team football since they were in the Fifth Form. They may have felt a little more comfortable on the rugby pitch, but we will certainly miss their physical presence and desire to win, if not their silky skills. John Harper improved game by game and turned into a fine centre forward by the end of the season. He will always remember (and never let anyone else forget) the goal he scored against RGSAO. Of all those leaving us this year, perhaps the biggest loss will be of our goalkeeper Sean Robinson. His outstanding performances over the last two seasons have often been the difference between us losing and winning games. We will have to wait a very long time until we are lucky enough to have a goalkeeper of his standard. Next year, we will be retaining at least nine players who have already had first team experience, so, if we can fill the tricky goalkeeper position, we should find ourselves with another strong squad.

2nd XI

This proved to be a satisfactory season for the second XI, despite the fact that a different line-up had to be presented at each match due to players’ busy school lives and various other commitments.

An opening win against Uppingham provided no comfort to the team as our best player, Ollie Meadows, found

realised our lack of domination in the middle of the field (as well as how badly a pair of shoddy boots can affect a match). As the season went on, the lack of depth on the bench began to take its toll. As the match against RGSAO approached, we found ourselves even struggling to put up a decent team. Although Patrick Baldwin, on his debut, scored an equalizer and players worked hard throughout the match, a 3-1 defeat was the reality that we had to face. This result seemed to have woken up the whole team as we then went on to win the rest of the fixtures, including a 4-1 win over Wellingborough and a 5-4 victory against Bromsgrove. In those matches our midfield combined productively throughout, with James Martyn-Smith and Jack Hesketh in the middle and Nat Corbett and Dan Loader bringing artistry to the flanks. The Fardon brothers made numerous brave tackles, and keeper Hiten Patel also made huge progress and (with the help of his new boots) bossed the six-yard box confidently.

himself playing for the first team for the rest of the season. It was his corner kick that found Duncan Meikle who headed the ball powerfully into the top corner. After the interval, the opposition’s constant pressure brought the score line back level. When it seemed that a 1-1 draw was probably just about the right result from a topsy-turvy game, it was Will Harris who broke the deadlock by ‘passing’ the ball over the poorly positioned goal keeper.

C.H.

A heavy defeat against Loughborough was then very hard to swallow as we conceded three penalties in the space of 15 minutes. Things went from bad to worse when goalkeeper Hiten Patel discovered that his boots could not even function as a pair of slippers and every time he kicked the ball his boots shot straight in the air. Good fortunes were clearly not on our side this time and we

This is a team that is definitely not short on talent. Harry Iddon was not only rock-solid at the back (apart from the odd penalty conceded) but could also sprint forward and often rise above the others to score goals. Dan Loader proved to be the most skilful player of the squad. James Martyn-Smith, who had made a few impressive first team appearances towards the end of the season, possesses all the attributes of a good footballer- skill, power, pace, and determination. Tom Fardon proved to be the backbone of the defence, whilst Ben Fardon also made impressive progress. Although Matt Marskell only played for us at the beginning of the season, his track record in scoring goals was impressive, including a hat-trick against Clifton College. Josh Crow, who scored twice this season, was the most effective substitute. Jonathan Preston also provided the extra dimensions down the flank when he was substituted on. Fifth Formers also injected some fresh blood into the team. Edward Harris and Tom Cluett were particularly impressive at the back, showing great composure and maturity. Reflecting upon the whole season, winning and losing has become a distant memory. What I will remember for a long time were those players who committed themselves to this ‘beautiful game’ with determination to win. I have no doubt that this experience will influence their lives in many positive ways and will become a memorable part of their time at King’s.

Action from 1st XI game v Monmouth

Under 15 XI

The team had a successful season and were disappointed not to finish unbeaten, a couple of winnable games slipping from their grasp. An excellent start was made in a confident 3-0 victory against Clifton College, always a tough opening fixture. George Hodgetts led the way by opening the scoring for the season and captain Joe Fowles also notched a late header. There followed a disappointing defeat by RGSAO (conceding a goal before we’d touched the ball wasn’t the best way to start), the fact that their goalie was man of the match saying something about the way it went. We returned to form in a good contest against a very well organized Wellingborough team, sharing four goals, with Elliot Duffy scoring our first and Sam Maitland earning the deserved point with a spectacular late equalizer. A threadbare team then took the field against physical and vocal Bromsgrove opposition, but Silk’s and Jubb’s craft in midfield, perseverance and quality in the final third were rewarded, as Duffy bagged a hat-trick, one of them a beautiful finish to a sublime five-man move, in a 4-1 win. The final match of the season proved a reminder to players and spectators alike of the joys of the beautiful game. Two sensational strikes from Hodgetts and some outstanding shot stopping from Adam Loader gave King’s a fantastic 2-0 win against a strong and skilful Monmouth side. Special mentions for Duffy as top scorer, Hodgetts for his overall contribution, and for Fowles and Dougie Arnott, the A and B team captains respectively. Thanks

from all the players go to Mr Le Marchand and Mr Knowles for coaching the teams. Joe Fowles

Under 14 XI

This team proved to be talented, athletic and hardworking - a real pleasure to work with.

Five out of six games were won, and a large proportion of the goals scored resulted from good passing moves.

Under 15 and 14s in action

Alex Spring was captain, and very much the key player in midfield; it is no coincidence that the single loss came in the game he missed through injury. George Jeavons-Fellows and Sami Marks provided plenty of pace and power up front, the former finishing with six goals. The most impressive performances were probably a 6-1 victory over a physical Monmouth side, and a 3-1 result way at Nunnery Wood. All bodes well for the future of the First XI in the coming years.

Tom Gwynne

The Boat Club

The 2008-09 rowing season was only briefly underway before the river rose to levels exceeding that of safe navigation, meaning the athletes and coaches of the Boat Club had to make a sharp conversion from the intended water training to that of land training, the majority of which took place in the gym and College Hall. College Hall was the scene of many hours of circuit training, but on the odd occasion the more dedicated members could be seen outside on the Basketball court doing various lifts, runs, squats and holds, with only the motivation of a warm shower in many of the young athletes’ minds. In the gym the indoor rowing machines barely had time to catch their breath before yet another barrage of sweaty bodies unrelentingly set their fans a blur once more.

The Boat Club was fortunate enough to be bestowed with a brand new Filippi 8, which was named after Old Vigornian and Olympic gold medallist, Zac Purchase. The whole school was present, as Zac christened the new jewel in the crown of the King’s School fleet, alongside THK and JHC.

The rowing season progressed with prominent results from two groups in particular, the girls from the Upper and Lower Removes.

Easter training camps yielded tremendous improvements from all of the members of the Boat Club, with the younger members heading to Peterborough and the senior members of the club to Wimbleball Reservoir in Devon. Both camps were able to go ahead with the weather never causing much concern. The

J15s at National Schools Regatta

Peterborough training camp

senior camp was the scene of much seat racing, offering the senior members of the club the chance to let their hair down and get on with the four fundamentals of a student rower, “Eat, Train, Work and Sleep”. The junior camp was a chance for coaches to see what their young protégés were capable of and also a chance to blend the different squads together for some fun racing in the safe environment of the purpose built rowing lake.

By the time of the National Schools Regatta the whole club had tasted success on a regional level and it was time to see how our young athletes would match up on a national stage. The weekend saw some fine racing by all those taking part and much experience was gained. Our younger female rowers stepped up to the plate once more and were able to reach the women’s J14 quadruple sculls final and the women’s J15 quadruple sculls final. Under good conditions both groups of girls came away with silver medals and neither of the crews was far behind the gold medal winners.

Athletics

Participants acquitted themselves well at District level again last year. Many were District Champions, and as such qualified for the County Championships, along with others who placed second in their respective events.

County Champions

Emmie Le Marchand Senior Girls 800m

Liz Stedman Senior Girls Discus

Rory Johnson Senior Boys 1500m

Alex Roberts Senior Boys 800m

David Jubb U17 Boys 1500m

Alice Wright U15 Girls 1500m

Tom Stock U15 Boys 1500m

Senior Sports Day

Congratulations to Choir House, who won the Senior Sports Day for the second year running, to Chappel, who won the Removes event and to Kittermaster who achieved the best combined score for the two Sports Days.

Victor Ludorum: Matthew Connell (Bright)

Victrix Ludorum:

Emmie Le Marchand (Chappel) and Harriet Morris (Oswald) were joint recipients

Upper Remove

Victor Ludorum: Harry Nuttall

Victrix Ludorum: Freya Hodgetts

Lower Remove

Victor Ludorum: David Serafini

Victrix Ludorum: Lorna Phillips

New Records have been set this season by the following:

Rory Johnson Senior Boys 1,500m

Emmie Le Marchand Senior Girls 1,500m

T.H.

Senior Sports Day

Junior Sports Day

Harriet Morris Senior Girls Triple Jump

Emma Robertson Senior Girls 300m

Freya Hodgetts U17 Girls High Jump

Tom Stock U15 Boys 1,500m

Georgina Ormondy U15 Girls High Jump

Elise Bue U15 Girls Discus

Alice Wright beat the U15 Girls 1,500m record on numerous occasions through the season, as well as equalling the 800m record at Sports Day. She also won the County Championships and did extremely well at the Mason Trophy. She rounded off an excellent season at the National Championships, where she performed extremely well, finishing fourth against extremely strong opposition.

Cricket

First XI

As always one looks ahead to the coming season and assesses the team’s strengths and weaknesses; this year it seemed fairly straight forward, our bowling would probably be the best during my time at King’s, whilst the batting would hinge very much upon our openers, and in particular the captain. The perfect scenario would be to bowl the opposition out for less than 150 (something that happened quite regularly) and then one of the openers would bat through with the others chipping in with 20s and 30s. This happened entirely to script in early season with the middle order batting well around a strong individual performance, but in key games it failed to materialise leading to some of the lowest points of the campaign, most notably against the local rivals, whom we dismissed for 118 and 154, but failed to chase down either of these meagre targets.

There were plenty of early successes before half-term against Solihull, Wolverhampton, Wrekin, Hereford and Oldswinford, with the rain spoiling what was boiling up into an exciting finish against a strong Bromsgrove side. Further victories were achieved against Bristol, Victoria College, KES Stratford and a comprehensive thrashing of a very strong OV team, as well as a very tense and exciting tie versus Gents of Worcester, when Harry Iddon, needing one to win off the last ball, did an impression of his father and lost his middle stump!

Liam Gwynne batted majestically all year; he was the cornerstone of the side, making batting look easy with his effortless timing and strong technique. He scored 917 runs at an average of 51. It was no coincidence that when he scored heavily the team won. As a captain he was decisive, innovative and a strong leader

who had the full respect of all his players; when we did lose it was not due to a lack of effort or desire from the man at the top. Oli Meadows worked harder than anyone on his own game; when he relaxed he was always at his best, something that he should bear in mind for his future cricket. The rest of the top order were young, inexperienced or both! Too often they got in and then got out; all part of the learning curve, but it needs to have been learnt as they will be the key to success in the coming season. Sam Harris, Jack Ellis and Tom Bird all have to share the run scoring burden; all have the talent to score heavily

C.A.

Ollie Meadows on the defensive

Liam Gwynne drives

Matt Marskell bowling at Bristol GS

at this level.

The bowling was incredibly balanced and full of quality. We had the quickest opening pair on the circuit by some distance, with the added advantage of a right and left arm combination. Sean Robinson bowled with both hostility and accuracy throughout the season; he was our ‘go to’ bowler and rarely let the side down. He has the physique and ability to do very well in the game and should be looking to play at

The season finished with an excellent visit to Jersey, although for the first time since I can remember we actually lost the end of a game to the weather. My thanks once again go to DPI for his efficiency, coaching and humour, and this year to Halls Estate Agents for their generous sponsorship of the senior teams’ playing shirts; this enabled us to donate £1000 to St Richard’s Hospice.

A.A.D.G.

a high standard next year. The rest of the pace department was made up of youth; Joe Fowles continued to improve and Jack Ellis showed he will be a useful performer, whilst Hiten Patel got fewer opportunities than the year before. Although Matt Marskell was inconsistent, he took wickets at crucial times and his game improved dramatically over the season; his desire to do well at cricket was a pleasure to see. The spin department also had variety with right and left arm orthodox, as well as a leg spinner. Tom Bird has made excellent progress, bowling with more pace, variety and discipline. He has learnt much from his exposure to the professionals via WCCC Academy, and what sets him out is his determination to make it; he is well on the way. At the other end Liam bowled off spin that was frugal; bowling around the wicket to a six-three field proved to be beyond most opposition batsmen. Oli would have bowled a lot of overs in most other sides, but rarely got the chance, such was the strength and dominance of our bowling. It would be impossible not to mention our keeper of the last two seasons, Jack Everton. Having played a limited amount of cricket lower down the school he developed into a more than competent glove man, with the odd flash of brilliance. All aspects of his game improved, as did his ability to get out of bed in the morning!

who like to dig in and build an innings, most noticeably David Brazier in the first half of the season and Tom Wilde who became more consistent in the second. But the more general approach was to score as fast as possible, and the occasional successes did not usually add up to victory. The bowling and fielding, on the other hand, were consistently good - despite the absence of a spinner - and there were several very competent performances in the

field that were not backed up by equivalent concentration from the batsmen.

L. Gwynne 20 2

O. Meadows 20 1 78 426 22.42

L. Gwynne 137 18 4-20 94 26 19.00

J. Fowles 49 7 3-45 168 8 21.00

M. Marskell 107 9 6-28 504 18 28.00

Also bowled: Ellis 34-2-136-4, Iddon 36-3172-4, Meadows 23-0-107-4

Played 21, Won 10, Drawn 4, Lost 7

2nd XI

The team played some very attractive cricket this season, albeit not for very long at a time: of the twelve games that were played we won four and lost eight (draws being, of course, a distant memory from those halcyon pre-limitedovers days). We had one or two batsmen

Tom Cluett produced some of the best individual innings, starting with his 57 in the first match and culminating in a blink-andyou’ll-miss-it 98 against King’s Gloucester: the latter was a rare example of his runs contributing to a victory, as we crushed the opposition by 155 runs. Some of the bowlers managed their best figures in that innings of 36. Will Lucas took 2 for 13, the fifth time he’d taken two or more wickets in an innings; Anthony Fahy, who had earlier beaten Bristol GS almost single-handed with his 5 for 17 and 37 not out, now took 2 for 6 - not quite as good as Peter Preston’s 3 for 6, and let’s mention here Tom Riddell’s 1 for 9! Lucas also helped with the bat on occasions, preferring boundaries to singles, and his partnership with Dave Haddock (38 and 67 respectively) was the main reason we beat Warwickthough for me the highlight of that match was Josh Crow’s breathtaking catch at point. Haddock also bowled fast at the opposition and usually picked up a few wickets: his 2-21 against Wolverhampton set up a winning position which the batsmen did their best to squander, but David Lewis’s 34 saw us to our only victory before half-term. Other quickfire batters were James Doorbar, who scored a

Jack Everton behind the stumps

A wicket for Harry Iddon

couple of 30s in losing causes, and Dom Horne, whose 51 at number 9 against the OVs contained 4 sixes and 5 fours. Useful innings were also played at times by Harry Iddon, until he was elevated to the 1st, Tom Mills, who was also the best wicket-keeper I’ve seen in the 2nd XI for many years, and the watchful accumulator, Tom Wilde.

Yet the innings of the season was the 38 not out (at number 10!) by Fred Hickey against RGSAO; the match was lost at 68-9, chasing 194 (made despite Wilde’s 4 for 13), but Hickey and Tim Newman, playing his only game, knew that against the Grammar you never say die. And in the spirit of Verdun they didn’t die until they’d put on fifty for the last wicket. If the batsmen - almost none of whom have left - can take inspiration from that innings, and temper their flair with concentration and a touch of “ils ne passeront pas”, the team has the talent to double the number of victories next summer.

R.N.G.S.

Under 15 XI

The team had a good season, though we came up a little short against the big opposition. There were good wins over, amongst others, Solihull, Hereford Cathedral and Bristol Grammar, a disappointing loss against RGSAO when we’d had them 60-6, and a heavy defeat at Warwick. The match against Bromsgrove ended in a draw: the opposition appeared to be cruising to an eight wicket victory when the heavens opened. Actually, I had felt a hat-trick or two coming on, but we didn’t get back out. The most exciting match of the season was against Stratford when we won by one run, dismissing their last batsman off the last ball of the match. We were on course to defend the County T20 Cup successfully till fixture congestion forced us to withdraw, though frustratingly a week later we defeated the team who had received the walk-over, Oldswinford, by eight wickets. In the last match of the season, we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against King’s Gloucester, George Kitching the bowling hero in the final overs. Elsewhere during the season there were good bowling performances from Angus Steele, Ben O’Hickey and Joe Fowles,

and some excellent innings from Ben Allsop and Fowles and very effective knocks from Steele, O’Hickey and Hodgetts. O’Hickey was a splendid captain, imaginative and attacking in matches, and efficient and full of initiative at practices and on Fridays and Saturday mornings; Hodgetts and Fowles both did a fine job when O’Hickey was unavailable. The team was made up of cheerful, determined and polite boys who played with conviction and enthusiasm whatever the state of the game. Other regular ‘A’ team players were: Alex Osborn, Jake Wells, Elliot Jones, Harry Nuttall, Adam Loader, James Pantling, Calum Tidy, Oli Pitts, Rupert Monkhouse and Sean Kettle.

S.Le M./A.D.H.

Under 14 XI

This was a mixed season in terms of results, with almost as many games lost as won. Alistair Hunt again proved to be an astute, positive and aggressive captain who clearly had the full respect of his peers. He is also a dynamic all-rounder; he bowled with hostility throughout the season, and his eighty odd not out in a losing cause against our local rivals showcased his fantastic eye and quick hands. The top order batting was also impressive.

Alex Spring scored a fine century in dramatic circumstances, and four other fifties, usually at a good tempo. His keeping was also tidy and efficient. Jack Park’s solid technique and impressive concentration allowed him to make five scores over forty with a top score of eighty. His swing bowled was also heavily relied upon by the skipper. Jonathan Bywater also shaped up better in the second half of the season when he was asked to open the batting. Unfortunately the batting below number four was very inconsistent, and good starts were often wasted especially against better opposition bowling attacks. Our own bowling was strong and varied, with eight players contributing key spells during the season. George Jeavons-Fellows made the most noticeable progress over the season, providing control when it was really needed against the best batsman. George De Cothi and Sami Marks were usually the stars in the field. The B team certainly enjoyed their cricket and were well organised by Hugh Rhodes. Their most exciting game came against Bromsgrove School in appalling conditions. Calum Robinson had helped restrict the opposition line-up to just over two hundred with figures of 6-2-13-4. We appeared to be out of the game at 120 for 8, before Sam Raybone, on debut, smashed his first five balls to the boundary. Our eventual loss by six runs doesn’t really tell the whole story! Also worthy of mention is Toby Sitch’s five wicket haul against RGSAO.

M.C.P. / J.M.M.

Under 13 XI

This was a super season for the Under 13 A side, impressively led by captain Will Dovey. After a poor start to the season with a crushing defeat to Solihull and a final ball defeat to Wolverhampton Grammar, the team won every one of its remaining eleven fixtures. Highlights were victories over strong Bromsgrove and Warwick School outfits, doing the double over RGSAO and winning the County Cup against Bredon Middle School.

Best innings of the year was undoubtedly Will Dovey’s innings against RGSAO in the county cup semi final, where the skipper carried his bat for a superb 109 not out, a knock which included eight sixes. Dovey ended up top run scorer with 335 runs and spinner Brandon Wain top wicket taker with 25. However, many of the players proved themselves to be match winners on different occasions, as this was a team with strong contributors throughout the side.

G.L.W.

Sean Robinson in full flight

Under 12 XI

The season got off to a great start and the coaches, JLO and RJD were filled with optimism; numbers for practices were high, the weather was being kind and the boys were enthusiastic and not without ability. Could it all last?

An early victory by thirteen runs over Solihull cemented the good feeling. Charlie Norton dominated with the bat, as he did on more than one occasion, scoring 78; he scored well in our second match as well but a variety of commitments took him away from several matches and it wasn’t until the end of the term that he once again matched the early promise. Michael Hines took four wickets as did Harry Bassett in the next fixture, against Wolverhampton, another victory. There were to be more victories, over Hereford Cathedral ,for example, where Will Palmer chipped in with a couple of wickets and bowled very meanly as he often did, but there were to be too few successes in the latter part of the season. The match against King’s Gloucester rounded things off and what a run fest it turned out to be. We were set the daunting total of 272 – by two batsmen, one of them scoring 106 and the other 127...not out. To the credit of the team we had a worthy crack at it, reaching 244 for 4, with Norton and Hines batting well and a good knock of 60 not out from Hamish Campbell-Shore.

There is much potential in both the A and B sides and a number of the players will be part of successful teams of the future, particularly as many are responsive to advice.

R.J.D.

Hockey

1st XI

The 1st X1 played thirteen school fixtures, winning ten, drawing one and losing two. In total they scored 61 goals and only conceded 18. The two losses were unfortunate as they had key players missing for both fixtures.

This year King’s went further in the national tournaments than ever before. They won the first round beating our strong rivals Bromsgrove. In the second round we came up against Bromsgrove again who had qualified in second place and they lost in this game. However, we still went through to the Midlands finals in Rugby as runners-up.

On the day of the finals they played some amazing hockey and proved that King’s could compete with the top hockey schools. In their group they had to play three matches and the first was against Bromsgrove whom they beat

2-0. Next was Trent College and a 2-1 victory and then played the final group match against Wellingborough which ended in a 6-0 win. This made King’s clear winners of the group so they had to play Oundle in the semi-final. This was an exciting end-to-end match which finished 0-0 and which had to be decided on penalty flicks. Unfortunately King’s lost this but these results most definitely placed us as one of the top schools at hockey in the Midlands and possibly further afield, which is

the first team and this really forged a healthy competitive spirit amongst the players. Captain Anna Pykett helped promote a friendly enthusiastic approach and worked hard to integrate the younger players.

Twelve matches were played and four were won, with two draws and the rest defeats. We scored 21 goals and conceded 28.

Lucy Lilwall was our top scorer as she played high and had an excellent first touch. She was very good at deflecting crosses. The best game of the season was against Malvern College.

amazing when we consider how privileged these schools are with their outstanding facilities.

I must also congratulate two members of the 1st X1 who have had England trials this year. After a gruelling weekend of trials, Hayley Turner was selected to represent England at Under 18s level and Emmie Le Marchand took part in the England Schools Games.

King’s had good structure, passing and support play and were unlucky in the end to come away with a draw. I was also pleased to replay the Chase HS game at the end of the season and see the improvement in the side. King’s really dominated the game after struggling at the start of the year. All the girls made great progress and coped well when players were drafted into the first team. Some of our heaviest defeats occurred when this was the case. This was the strongest 2nd XI that I have coached for a number of years and many players will go on to take regular places in the 1st XI next year.

Under 16 XI

U18 and U16 squads must be separate and so this successful squad captained by Rachael Brand comprised mainly of U15 players. The entire defence was U16 with Lucy Robinson in goal controlling the D.

Lucy Robinson

So this was another very successful hockey season for the King’s 1st X1 squad and thanks must go to Charlie Mills our 1st X1 captain for her work throughout the season.

J.D.C.

2nd XI

Having such a strong 1st XI meant that our 2nd XI had stiff competition during training and they benefited greatly from this. A number of this squad gained experience playing in

Rachel Brand

Amie Stilliard

Sarah Conway

Nicky Monk

Grace Caldicott

Olivia Davies

Claire Hickey

Lily Hallett

Lucy Gurney

F.L.S.

Issy Hershman races away from defenders

Laura Stansfeld in action

Jeanie Gibson

Amy Bateson

Francesca Claridge/Katie Collins

In the finals tournament our first game was against Chase. A revamped side from earlier on in the term but we managed to break away and Nicky Monk scored an excellent goal. They tried to come back but ran out of time.

We held Bromsgrove to a nail biting draw. Paul Merrell umpired excellently despite lots of noise from the Bromsgrove sideline.

We had to beat St Mary’s by as much as possible as Bromsgrove only won 1-0. The girls were so determined. Nicky put two in off penalty corners. Lucy Gurney and Amy Bateson both put them over at the post and Lily Hallett scored the fifth.

We became County Champions as Bromsgrove could not score enough goals in their final match with Chase.

The girls then went on through to the Midlands finals in November. This was an extremely tough competition. The standard was very high and we struggled in a very tough pool containing the eventual winners. The girls gained valuable experience.

Under 15 XI

This was the noisiest team that I have ever had the pleasure to work with at King’s. They worked very hard and communicated well on the pitch. They were a small but united squad and had much strength as a number were part of the Under 16 County Championship side.

F.L.S.

Under 14 XI

The season started very well for this squad with three convincing wins against Malvern Chase, Malvern St James and Warwick. The girls then went on to win the District Tournament, but unfortunately their winning streak came to an end when they were beaten by Bromsgrove in the Final of the County tournament and they only managed a 0-0 draw against Hereford Cathedral School.

The second half of term continued as the first with a tremendous 4-1 win at King Edward’s and a well deserved victory against Malvern College. Unfortunately

Houlbrooke and Grace Bradley, whilst the forwards were Alice Wright, Aliza Dee, Issy Brand and George Ormandy.

Selected for the County Development squad were: Charlotte Houlbrooke, Becky Brunt, Issy Brand, Aliza Dee, George Ormandy, Jess Longley and Alice Wright.

T.D.M.

Under 13 XI

This year group bodes well for the future of hockey at King’s. We have a large group of very talented girls, who completed the season unbeaten in their regular fixtures. They played ten matches in which they scored 61 goals and only conceded 7. Flo Hershman was top goal scorer closely followed by Tilly Hallett.

Niki Monk and Grace Caldicott did a great job in captaining the side. Lily Hallett was the top goal scorer with a tally of nine goals. Katie Collins made excellent progress in goal in her debut year and really benefited from the coaching at the development squad for Worcestershire. Nine matches were played and four were won with the rest defeats. The girls particularly enjoyed beating RGSAO 5-2 towards the end of the season. Seventeen goals were scored and twenty seven were conceded.

It was particularly pleasing to see this side triumph against really strong opposition such as KEHS and Bablake.

F.L.S.

the rest of the season was not so good as the girls found it difficult to score goals. Even though they had many chances and played some very skilful hockey they lost their last three matches of the season. This was not a reflection on their development as a squad and having taken this group of girls for the last two years I have been impressed with their skill level and their determination on the pitch. Laura Pykett was tremendous in goal throughout the season, with Cecily Nichols also outstanding. The whole defence was led well by Jess Longley and the midfield were held together by Becky Brunt, Charlotte

During the season they entered two tournaments, the first in March in Cheltenham. The A team sailed through the tournament without losing a game and went through to the final. In the final they played some excellent hockey but it finished in a goalless draw. The tournament had to be decided by penalty flicks and although Francis Taylor, our goalkeeper, made it very difficult for our opponents, we still lost the game.

We also entered two teams into the National Mini Hockey Tournament in Bromsgrove. In bitterly cold conditions both teams did exceptionally well. The A team won all of the matches in their group and the Bs won all of their matches bar one which was against Bromsgrove.

Both teams qualified to go through to the semi-finals. Unfortunately they had to play against each other. This was an excellent game but the As managed to score two goals. The final was against Bromsgrove which was a very exciting match but which unfortunately ended in a 3-2 defeat.

J.D.C.

Under 12 XI

We were able to put out three Under 12 sides for the first fixture against Hereford Cathedral School, winning both ‘A’ and ‘B’ fixtures 3-0 and 4-3 respectively, with the ‘C’ team going down 0-3. This gave us a good idea of what we had to work on for the forthcoming season. During the first half of the term they went on to beat Solihull and Hereford in a return match. Unfortunately at the beginning of

Under 14 XI action

the second half of term they came up against strong opposition at Cheltenham Ladies College Invitation Tournament and this seemed to knock their confidence and they struggled to find the form of previous matches.

The ‘A’ squad drew 3-3 against Malvern Chase in a well fought match which could have gone either way , but the ‘B’s had a tremendous 3-0 win. The last three matches of the season were lost through lack of goals and not through lack of effort and skill on the pitch.

All of the girls improved a great deal and Meg Shine and Niamh Vincent were the main goalscorers throughout the season, whilst Midge Bradley and Emma Claridge, held the midfield together, with fine defending by Hannah Robinson and Lucy Tolladay in goal. County honours were gained by Niamh Vincent and Lucy Tolladay and Pippa Ratcliffe and Midge Bradley were selected for the Development squad.

T.D.M.

Netball

King’s netball this year was very busy with fixtures and competitions throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. The girls started training in the Autumn on top of their Hockey Fixtures to get a good fitness and skill development. The district and county tournaments came around very quickly for the U18, U16 and U14 age groups in the hope of progressing through to the West Midlands tournament in January. The girls won championships at all levels; U18 County Champions, U16 district champions, U14 district and county champions, U13 District and County Champions and U12B District Champions. Two teams, U14 and U18, qualified for the West Midlands and played in their semi finals but were narrowly defeated.

1st VII

The girls had a busy schedule this year with two fixtures a week in the spring term and a total of twenty matches to play. With five girls returning from the previous year‘s team, Lucy Coomer, Caroline Park, Issy Hershman, Katie Hurst and Emma Robertson, seven new places were available. The younger players stepped up to the challenge and fitted into the cohesion of the team. Lucy Coomer was appointed captain for her experience, positive attitude, knowledge and enthusiasm to do well. The season started with an early focus on the U18 County Tournament in October. The girls prepared well in the few weeks leading up and made it in to the final, playing against South Bromsgrove. It was a tough match which came down to the final few seconds

and in our favour, King’s becoming the 2008 U18 County Champions. The girls put up a positive fight and their commitment for the ball and composure gave them the final edge. This win gave them first entry into the West Midlands tournament in January. The season continued with

focus and positive belief in each other. The girls trained hard and attended extra fitness and morning skill sessions. We had four fixtures in the autumn term and ended up winning three, against King Edward’s Birmingham, Bromsgrove and Bablake and losing against King Edward Lichfield.

The spring term came around very quickly and the girls were excited to play more matches in preparation for the West Midlands tournament. With the tournament at St Catherine’s, Guildford cancelled due to ice on the courts, we didn’t get to play until the second week. Our first match against Pershore High School enabled me to put all girls on the court and the shooters, Issy Hershman, Issy Anstey, Vicki Heath and Katie Hurst were in fine form to shoot a total of 52 goals. The defenders Laura Stansfeld, Beth Perry, Caroline Park and Demi Palmer also combined well to limit Pershore to three goals. The games kept coming and the girls fought hard at each opportunity to play good netball. They continued their winning streak against King Edward’s Stourbridge (38-15), Bromsgrove (32-25), Old Swinford (44-20) and Chase (57-4).

The West Midlands tournament was our next challenge .The girls went in positively to gain a place in the National Finals. In the early rounds we won against Camp Hill (10-2), Hereford Sixth Form (8-5), Wolverhampton Girls (12 – 4), Newcastle Under Lyme (10-8), Princethorpe (10-4) and lost to a physical Wrekin College side(3-8). This gave us second place in our section and a place in the semi final against Thomas Telford. The girls attacked the game from the first whistle going goal for goal but a few errors before half time put us behind by two goals. With a short break the girls had nothing to lose. They tried to fight back but couldn’t regain momentum and lost 5- 8 and an overall third place.

Beth Perry looks to pass

Katie Wreghitt shoots

The next school match was against Wrekin College to whom we had previously lost in the rounds at West Midlands. We met again in a friendly triangular with Bablake. This was always going to be a physical match but in two shortened halves the girls were drawing at half time. Issy Anstey was on fire, shooting from all angles and Lucy Coomer with her composure and strength through the court continued to fight to the very end but with an intercept and then a goal by Wrekin in the final minute the King’s girls ran out of time to fight back. In the same afternoon we played Bablake and Demi Palmer was outstanding intercepting ball through the midcourt to off load to Emma Robertson and Emmie Le Marchand, then into our shooters. This gave us the edge to win 10-6.

Our final six matches were won against Dean Close (35-16), Malvern College (51-9), Shrewsbury High School (36-21), Hereford Sixth Form (30-18), RGSAO (36-23) and Hereford Cathedral 23-14.

Overall the 1st X11 won eighteen matches out of twenty, an outstanding effort.

Full Colours were awarded to Lucy Coomer, Issy Hershman, Katie Hurst, Caroline Park,

Charlotte Collins

Emma Robertson, Issy Anstey, Vicki Heath, Emmie Le Marchand, Demi Palmer, Beth Perry and Laura Stansfeld. Half colours were awarded to Charlie Mills, Jordan Ray and Anna Pykett.

O.K.B.

Under 18 County Champions

goals. In defence Anna Pykett, Rachael Brand, Katie Wreghitt and Cath Dawson managed to hamper the opposition attack time and time again. The match against Dean Close tested our defence and was a very satisfying win by 21 goals to 20. In the centre court Lottie Jeavons, Sophie Dee, Jessie Miekle and Hayley Weaver

2nd and Under 16 VIIs

The squad played at Under 16 level until October when they were knocked out of the County Championships by RGSAO. This hard lesson brought home the need for regular practice and to expect to perform at County level without training was naive and ultimately cost us qualification for the Regional Championships. So we moved onwards and upwards and as part of the 2nd team squad we won all sixteen games! The one disputed result against Bablake was actually a defeat but I’m not allowed to count that as half the team were on exams! In any other year, or indeed school, this team could have been a very presentable 1st team; as a 2nd VII they were a joy to coach. Their talent and ability to absorb new ideas and execute them in matches was very satisfying. Training alongside the 1st VII was an obvious advantage and irrespective of the opposition they played strong netball with maximum effect and excellent results. Jordan Ray, Beth Jeavons and Martha Hershman were joined by the welcome return of Louise Gwilliam from injury, to score a total of 501

were great support between attack and defence, and all the players were able to play in several positions giving versatility and depth to their game. I look forward to their return from the Australian tour and wish them every success as they compete for places in the senior teams.

M.M.L.

3rd and 4th VIIs

The girls played a mixture of schools this year: Hereford Sixth Form, Bromsgrove, Hanley Castle, Dean Close, Malvern College, RGSAO, Hereford Cathedral and Bishop’s Hereford. With both teams results combined they won six, drew one and lost five out of twelve matches. Well done to Jess Forsyth, Bea Dee, Olivia Parson, Beth Keehan, Lucy Robinson, Abbie McCarthy, Josie Mann, Georgia Duddy, Sophie Twose, Polly Osborne and Harriet Morris who all put in consistent efforts in matches and training.

O.K.B.

Under 15 VII

The A team, captained by Grace Caldicott, met some tough opposition, not least the national winners against whom they played their best netball. When up against strong sides from Bromsgrove and Shrewsbury the team played some outstanding netball and although they lost to both these teams they demonstrated good ball skills and a commitment to the game up to the final whistle. Then typically, against much easier opposition, the girls struggled to find their form and picked up some frustrating defeats. Poppy Bramford made significant progress throughout the season as GK and worked tirelessly to improve her game. Katie Collins was re-positioned as WD and although not entirely convinced of my decision at the start of the season she deservedly won ‘Player of the Match’ on several occasions. Highlights of the season have to be a narrow defeat in a great game against Shrewsbury School and a convincing win against Cheltenham Ladies Under 16s.

The B team played exceptionally well. They gave nothing less than 100% in every match, regardless of how tough it was. Sophie Banks and Hannah Patey demonstrated throughout the season just how committed they were to the game and worked well together as GS and GA; the A team shooters need to watch out! Amy Bateson was determined to get fit so she could play the centre position and all credit to her for achieving the personal goal she set for herself at the start of the season. The B team finished their season with a win against Malvern College, and they deserved their glory.

J.C.

Under 14 VII

The A team girls had a very busy netball year, participating in four tournaments and ten fixtures. They played good strong netball and came away with eight wins and two defeats. The toughest competition was against Bromsgrove whom they beat by one in the County Finals and who later went on to win National Finals. The girls were one of the most high achieving netball teams for the season, becoming District Champions, County Champions and then semi -finalists in the West Midlands tournaments. It was this tournament they just missed out by one goal to make it through to the National Finals. They also played in the annual Bromsgrove U14 tournament where they were runners-up to Bromsgrove. This game again came down to the wire, King’s losing by one goal in extra time. The following girls put in tremendous efforts throughout the season, playing hard and strong netball; Hilary Brown (captain),

Becci Brunt (vice captain), Grace Bradley, Elise Bue, Charlotte Houlbrooke, Molly Farmiloe, Hannah Jeavons, Jess Longley, Georgia Ormandy, Esther Roberts and Jo Stormonth Darling. The B team played nine fixtures, winning seven, losing one and drawing one. They had good wins against Bromsgrove, Malvern College, King’s High Warwick, Shrewsbury High School, Pates Grammar and Hereford Cathedral. The score lines in the final four matches were an indication of how well the girls had gelled as a group. The shooters Tessa Titmuss, Olivia Clayton and Cecily Nichols combined together to score a total of 104 goals and the defenders, Maddy Brownlow, Amy Geary and Azima Crumpton limited the opposition to 42 goals. The movement of the centre court trio could not be forgotten with accurate passes in to the circle and steady movement through the court. Aliza Dee, Charlotte Houlbrooke, Hanna Khogali and Alice Chilman simply couldn’t be stopped. The C team played four

Warwick, Hereford Cathedral and Solihull. The girls played consistent netball through out the season and continued to improve both their skills and knowledge of the game through out the year..

matches, winning one against Pershore High School and losing by 2 -3 goals to Cheltenham Ladies College, Bromsgrove and King’s High Warwick. Well done to all girls involved.

O.K.B.

Under 13 VII

The girls had an outstanding season with three teams playing twenty five matches and in total twenty wins, three defeats and two draws. Oppositions were Cheltenham Ladies College, Pershore High School, Chase High School, The Downs, RGSAO, Shrewsbury High School, Pates Grammar, King’s High

The A team won all their nine games and were crowned District and County Champions. In the tournaments, top shooting by Hannah Jeavons, Florence Hershman and Corah Lewis put an average of ten goals every twelve minutes. Also the defensive combination of Charlotte Collins, Hannah Brotherwood and Cleo England kept the opposition scores to an average of four per game. One big improver for the season was Charlotte Sidaway who found her way to her preferred position of WD and created many turnovers and used her accurate and strong passing through the midcourt. These girls also couldn’t do without their centre court players, Holly Hudson, Poppy Doorbar and Connie Grant who created space and drove strongly around the goal’s edge. There is a lot of versatility amongst this team and with Ellen Mackie and Frances Taylor also making an appearance at the tournaments they both played solid strong netball.

The B team also had a brilliant season, playing ten games, winning nine and drawing one. Consistent shooting by Emma Jarvis and Emily Goodman proved to be a formidable force for many opponents and in the centre court there was a wealth of talent with Amy Painter, Laura Bennett, Tilly Hallett, Georgia Warner-Tomlinson and Harriette Drew able

Under 13s in action

to turn their hand to all three of the positions available. This, along with the solid defensive work of Frances Taylor, Ellen Mackie and Hannah Brotherwood, made for a strong side.

The C team had six matches in total, winning three, losing two and drawing one. The girls were very keen and positive to play well and were always committed to training. A special mention to Ella Pike and Billie Wilson who made outstanding improvements through out the season.

O.K.B./C.M.L.

Under 12 VII

A large squad of over thirty players turned out every Friday in the Autumn and Spring terms for netball training with great energy and commitment. The B team got off to a flying start with a win in November over Bishop Perowne School with the C team narrowly losing by two goals. Training continued at a pace and when the netball fixtures started proper in January the A team were ready to take on Cheltenham Ladies College in their first match. Sadly, their enthusiasm was not enough to produce the standard required to overcome the skills and pace of the CLC girls and we lost 13 – 16. The B team were more successful and kept possession of the ball, with confident shooting resulting in a win, 10 – 9. Our C team were delighted to draw their game 3 – 3 which boosted their confidence for the start to the season. Solihull was the next challenge and after some team selection changes our A team were beaten comprehensively by a well drilled opposition, 4- 17. The B team continued their winning streak and trounced Solihull 14 – 2 with the C and D teams both following suit, narrowly winning their games. The Chase HS was a much anticipated fixture and with further changes to the squads we started off well in all the matches. Yet again the A

team lost focus and went down 15 goals to 10, but the B and C teams came away with convincing wins in some free flowing netball. It was, therefore, with trepidation, that we faced the RGSAO teams. We wondered if our opposition were playing in the correct age group, or were the school lunches down the road just more nutritious? Their girls were huge! All teams were beaten in this fixture, but when we grow..?

The District Tournament in March was the turning point. At last, all that training came to fruition restoring my confidence as coach. The A team, who hadn’t won a game all season, won four games in a row and made the District final. I think I was jumping higher than the girls. We lost to RGSAO in the final but that didn’t matter, we had finally discovered how to win. A week later, the B team District tournament brought further amazement when they also won four games in a row to meet RGSAO in the final. After time and extra time the result was a draw and in sudden death our B team came away worthy champions. It was a very frustrating, but ultimately a very satisfying season and I hope the girls continue their success next year.

M.M.L.

Rounders

Under 15

After games sessions the girls regularly turned up in their masses for practice. They enjoyed the opportunity of playing matches, perhaps rather more for social reasons than competitively. The squad was captained by Hannah Patey and under her guidance the team proved to be versatile when key players had to miss matches due to their tennis commitments. The team’s fielding and batting skills were not lacking although the laid-back approach to matches and the need for a little more concentration did tend to reflect the final score. The team had two good wins against Bishop Perowne and The Chase High School but Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Bromsgrove, RGSAO and Hereford Cathedral proved far too strong. The girls were always gracious in defeat and enjoyed the opportunity of representing King’s.

J.C.

Under 14

This group of girls really enjoyed their game of rounders. Every week about twenty five girls would turn up for training and for the first time we actually put out ‘A’ and ‘B’ squads for matches at this age group. It was a great advantage to have so many enthusiastic players as we would often lose some strong players to tennis fixtures and it was good to give everybody who came to Rounders Club a chance to play matches.

The beginning of the season did not start well with both squads losing to Cheltenham Ladies College, but this gave us a clear idea of our strengths and weaknesses. We went on to secure six wins, with convincing victories over Malvern College and RGSAO, but Cheltenham seemed to hold demons for us and we lost to both Pates Grammar School and Dean Close later in the season. There were many fine performances throughout the season. There was excellent bowling from Jess Longley, Esther Roberts and Issy Jamous and a fine partnership built up between Olivia Clayton and Aliza Dee and Harriet Duddy at Backstop and 1st Post. Our three top fielders were Grace Bradley, Becky Brunt and George Ormandy and our top rounders scorers were Issy Brand, Charlotte Houlbrooke and Azima Crumpton. The most improved player was Alice Chilman.

T.D.M.

Under 13

This season the girls played nine matches in total against Pershore High School, Cheltenham Ladies College, Hereford

Action from Under 12 netball

Cathedral, RGSAO and Chase HS. The As won three and lost 2, and the Bs won two and lost two. We were able to choose an A and a B side each time as we had twenty seven girls come to practice every week. They were keen players who made good improvements over the season. Strong batting by Florence Hershman, Francis Taylor, Hannah Jeavons and Cleo England put an impressive amount of runs on the board each game. Fast bowling by Georgia Warner-Tomlinson and Tilly Hallett inhibited the opposition from scoring and good fielding and catching by Poppy Doorbar, Ellen Mackie and Connie Grant helped us to secure the five good victories.

O.K.B./C.M.L.

Under 12

Coaching rounders to this year group was great fun because of the girls’ enthusiasm and energy. SCB and I were aided by two very capable Fifth Formers, Beth Jeavons and Rachael Brand who were excellent role models. We set to work to drill two squads and large numbers vied for places initially but numbers tailed off as the season went on.

Fielding was not great at the start but by the end of the season this was our strength. Batting turned out to be our weakness as even though all our girls could strike the ball well, we did not have enough long range hitters. Our slow and steady scoring of notching up half rounders was not so effective in limited ball games. Unfortunately we lost all our games and some were frustratingly close. It was also a shame that ‘swine flu’ and rain managed to disrupt our programme slightly.

In the A squad Meg Shine bowled with pace and Niamh Vincent developed as a competent back stop. Pip Ratcliffe and Lucy Tolladay were excellent in the deep and also scored a great many of our rounders.

The B squad worked incredibly hard and Charlotte Ellis did a good job in captaining the side. Their highlight was almost beating Pates in the final game of the season.

Tennis

Seniors

entered into the Aegon competition and they had a good run being finally knocked out in the third round by Cheltenham College.

We also saw our pupils achieve great success in the Scott and Smythe Cup. Charlie Titmuss won the boys’ cup and Charlie Mills won the girls’ plate competition.

It was with sadness that we said goodbye to

was very pleasing. They only played three matches and I was delighted that they won all of them.

They beat Cheltenham Ladies College convincingly by 4 rubbers to 0 and the match at Pate’s was very close, King’s winning 5- 4. We had a lovely afternoon of tennis at Solihull, involving a large team of girls and it was another close result as we won by 34 games to 31.

We kept this year group busy with a number of internal competitions. We ran a girls’ singles tournament which was won by Flo Hershman, a girls’ doubles tournament in which Poppy Doorbar and Holly Hudson were victorious and a mixed tournament, which had twenty four entries, in which Poppy Doorbar and Chris Colenso were the victors.

J.D.C.

Under 12

The Under 12 tennis club was supported by over thirty girls throughout the season. It was a bit of a squeeze at times but we coped very well and enjoyed the sessions. All the girls improved on their ground strokes and serve and enjoyed the chance to play both singles and doubles.

M.M.L.

Senior tennis club was well supported again by boys and girls. Jane Poynder also gave pupils an opportunity to improve their tennis on Saturday mornings. The girls unfortunately had three of their fixtures cancelled by the ‘swine flu’ epidemic, but the mixed tennis fixtures were very popular again and we had a pleasing victory against Hereford Cathedral School.

For the first time this year the boys were

tremendous force in developing boys’ tennis at King’s over the past few years.

J.D.C.

Under 13

We had an excellent turn out at the Upper Fourth tennis club and the standard of play

The squad only got to play three matches as three matches were cancelled due to bad weather or ‘swine flu’. The season started off very well with two of our top couples managing a draw with Cheltenham Ladies College and we then had five pairs beat Hereford Cathedral School and three pairs went on to beat Pate’s Grammar School.

The main squad was made up by the following pairs:

First: Niamh Vincent and Scarlett Payne

Second: Meg Shine and Lucy Tolladay

Third: Maddy Shackley and Hannah Robinson

Fourth: Pippa Ratcliffe and Sarah Graham

Fifth: Millie Cornock and Lizzie Millington

Niamh Vincent was captain throughout the season and she was also the eventual winner of the Under 12 singles tournament. Both she and Scarlett Payne are exceptional players and I will watch their progress through the school with interest.

T.D.M.

Basketball

This year King’s entered teams in the English Schools’ National Competition at Under 16 and Under 19 level. The 16s won all their pool matches to progress to the knock-out stage, where they were beaten by a strong side from North Bromsgrove High. The 18s won all but one of their pool matches, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the next stage. They did however manage an excellent result in the County Cup, beating the holders of the

King’s Hawford joined in a couple of the practice sessions, to help the players of the future see what it is like to play on a full sized court. Special mention goes to the prizewinners of the season – The Most Improved Players were Philip Hadley and Ben Hyde, whilst the Most Improved Players were Sam Khogali and Carl Beardmore.

Thanks go to Aleks Racic for his help with training sessions and the very successful coaching of the Under 16 and Under 18 sides. He gives of his time freely and enthusiastically and all involved in basketball at King’s greatly appreciate his efforts.

last five years, Worcester Sixth Form, by 57 points to 51. Peter Anderson lead the Under 18 side by fine example, backed up in the starting five by Iliya Rasovic, Ruari SmithCooper, Ben Laird, and Tom Mills. Good support from the bench was given by Quentin Elmhirst, Peter Preston, Jonjo McArdle, Charlie Titmuss and David Haddock.

The girls joined together to form a combined Removes team, often playing together in practice sessions to build up their teamwork. They took on a more experienced Year 10 side from Blessed Edward’s, finishing the match with honours even, much to their credit. The team was led by Sophie Banks, with Lottie Milner, Elise Bue, Amy Geary, Kate Robinson and Vanessa Gott giving strength and depth to the side.

At Fourth Form level a particularly dedicated group of younger players practised on a weekly basis. Much improvement was seen in both skills and team play as the season progressed.

Fencing

R.P.G.

The Fencing Club has been lucky this year to have such a large group of keen and committed Sixth Formers. As always, a large group of new fencers joined the club in September and the task of those of us who coach the club of teaching basic sword skills has been made considerably easier due to the willingness of this group to set time aside to teach and encourage those younger than themselves. I have every confidence that, in the coming year, many from this Sixth Form group will go on to work towards coaching awards; the club will certainly benefit from their expertise. Of the younger members of the club, while many have tackled the basics of the sport with the foil, it is pleasing that others have been drawn to the sabre. Some of the credit for this must surely be seen as due to the enthusiasm for this weapon of Alex Humfress and Helen Rowland who have both experienced a range of successes this year in both junior and open competitions. Similarly, James Elderfield continues to search for an ever increasingly impressive national ranking at epée. Well done to all three of you! A special mention of thanks must be offered at this point to Professor Peter Northam and John Hutton whose coaching skills are invaluable to the life of the club; several pupils now take private lessons with “Prof” and the standard of the club continues to rise as a result.

Swimming

The school pool continues to be used regularly, both as part of the P.E. curriculum and out of school hours. Strong links have been established with Worcester Swimming Club and many successful inter-school and interform galas are held in the Spring term.

D.A.J.

West Side Story

A cast of thirty four was able to experience the special excitement of performing this thrilling piece of musical theatre to full houses.

DEB directed a superb twelve piece band, TDM’s choreography was bold and dynamic, with the big set pieces vibrant, slick and imaginative, some First XV rugby players were transformed into stylish and charismatic performers and the girls were a blaze of colour and whirls.

Costumed by a team of fifteen, led by the remarkable Lara Raybone, the cast looked tremendous in front of Chris Crosswell’s stunning set. From the opening sequence when there were gasps from the audience as the Jets appeared over a corrugated iron wall, through the romantic dreaminess of the first meeting of Tony and Maria, the swirls of red and

Verity Geeves, Lizzie Bennett and Becky Tolladay as Maria’s friends

The Cops v the Jets

James Greenwood as Schrank and Tom Riddell as A-Rab

Will Sutcliffe (Baby John) and Tom Riddell (A-Rab)

Helen Willis and Luke Lupton as Maria and Tony

Rob Cowburn and the Jets performing ‘Officer Krupke’

Sam Greenwood as Glad Hand with Jets and Sharks at the dance at the gym

purple and pink of ‘America’ to the sombre stillness of the final tableau, the show was gripping and moving. Helen Willis and Luke Lupton were excellent principals, superbly supported by Femke Winey, Josh Crow and the rest of the ensemble. SLeM and SHLeM directed.

We hope the photos give a flavour of the show to those who weren’t able to see it and provide a happy reminder to those of you who did.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Over sixty members of the Fourth Forms took part in the spectacular ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ during the Summer term. Tackling a Shakespeare is never an easy task. But to tackle a Shakespeare with a cast and crew of sixty is surely sheer madness. The Fourth Forms rose to the challenge and performed brilliantly. We approached the text without any inhibitions and cut and pasted all over the shop. Just how old Bill would have wanted it! Honorable mentions go to the team of mechanicals comprising of Veronica Hayes, Caitlin Powell, Chris Dhanjal, Philip Hadley, the effervescent Cameron Walker and of course Tom Gorner, who was said to have portrayed the character of Bottom as a cross between Ben Humphrey and John Walton. Appropriate? You decide. The plot was expertly woven by the four young lovers played by Jack Guy, Corah Lewis, Billie Wilson and Elliot Hudson who all dashed around the stage with such conviction that you would have been

forgiven for thinking that they were genuinely confused. (They weren’t! I promise.) The conflict-ridden leaders of the fairy world were played by Matt Emeny and Sheba McFarlane who looked stunning in their costumes and followed through with strong performances and looks that could cut through glass. Felicity Holehouse was a constant source of entertainment as Puck and kept the audience on their toes with her corps of ‘naughty

fairies’. The production was summed up by the naughty fairies. They acted as stewards to the audience, ripping up programmes, took them to the wrong seats, interfered with the actors on stage and were just generally mischievous. These fairies captured the fun that we were going for in this production and everyone had a good time on-stage, backstage and in the audience. The cast and crew deserve a thoroughly large and theatrical pat on the back for showing us how Shakespeare is not dead and irrelevant but alive and packed with fun.

A Servant to Two Masters

This year the Removes Drama Club presented a full length play for the first time in several years. We also moved the annual production from July to the beginning of February since over the last couple of years the summer term has proved such a difficult and busy time to stage a Removes play. On the whole, the beginning of the spring term proved to be a much better time, apart

from the fact that the first performance had to be cancelled and an extra one quickly arranged as a result of snow!

Goldoni’s classic comedy ‘A Servant to Two Masters’, originally written in 1746, is a big, challenging play that would be demanding fare for an experienced cast of Sixth Formers, but the Removes took to the task with gusto.

Charlie Silk and Katie Collins as Truffaldino and Smeraldina

Tom Gorner as Bottom

Matthew Emeny (Oberon)

The idea of doing it sprang from the work done in Drama in the Lower Remove where the students take a comedy module. Much of this involves research and practical work relating to commedia dell’arte, the brand of improvised slapstick comedy featuring familiar stock characters that developed in Italy during the Renaissance before becoming popular throughout Europe over the next four hundred years. ‘A Servant to Two Masters’ is based on familiar commedia characters and plots and so our production offered the Remove actors chance to put into practice some of what

play with a larger cast! As is often the case, a pupil’s availability to rehearse became almost as significant as the strength of their audition and their suitability for a particular role when it came to casting.

The central part of Truffaldino, a character related to Harlequin, was played with great charm by Charlie Silk. Charlie was highly suited to the pivotal role of this cheeky servant. He gave a terrific performance, having demonstrated great commitment throughout rehearsals, not least in learning the huge number of lines very quickly.

they had learned about commedia and comic performance in general through their Drama lessons. The version we did was the recent adaptation for the RSC by the acclaimed playwright Lee Hall, best known as the writer of ‘Billy Elliot’ in both its film and stage musical forms.

It’s often been the case that many of our keen Fourth Form actors lose interest or maybe confidence a bit once they get into the Removes, or maybe they just get too involved in other activities. I was therefore somewhat taken aback by the very large number of pupils who came to audition for this production. Clearly the enthusiasm of current Remove actors has not waned since moving up from the Fourth Forms. Not only that, but I could have cast some of the roles several different ways and still had an excellent cast, such was the strength of those auditioning. I soon found myself thinking I should have chosen a

This was just one of a number of other excellent performances, however, from a cast that certainly had strength in depth. Hannah Patey as Beatrice spent much of the play disguised as a man, one of the two masters of the title, and she used both voice and body language to great effect in conveying this.

Ben O’Hickey and Anna Humphreys were both very strong in the more serious roles of the young lovers Clarice and Silvio, whilst a great deal of the humour came from Elliot Duffy as Silvio’s father, the pompous Dr Lombardi, portrayed by Elliot as a pedantic

Welshman! He established a good rapport in performance with Sean Kettle as Clarice’s father, the blustering and ridiculous Pantaloon, complete with Cyrano de Bergerac style comic nose. More strong performances came from Alex Morgan (Florindo), Dominic Lee (Brighella) and Katie Collins (Smeraldina), whilst David Chappell and James Weaver (Porters), and Tom Busher and Charlotte Morgan (Waiters) provided much comic business with luggage and plates of food respectively.

Finally, thanks must go to Eleanor Wetton who did an outstanding job assisting me as Stage Manager throughout rehearsals as well as in performance, and to BTH for running rehearsals in my absence on a couple of occasions and for setting the fight routines. Thanks also to Becky Linfoot, Kate Robinson and Toby Harris who all helped behind the scenes in various ways.

Curricular Drama

This was another excellent year for curricular drama with our GCSE, AS and A2 Drama examination performances contributing to some excellent examination results. The season of curricular work once again began in November with two short plays devised and performed by the A2 Drama students. Then in early March the A2 students

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Sean Kettle, Hannah Patey and Dominic Lee in a scene from ‘A Servant to Two Masters’

Tom Riddell as Zach Zachermann in ‘Serious Money’

performed their Unit 5 performances, this time adapted and edited from Caryl Churchill’s award-winning satirical comedy ‘Serious Money’. This was closely followed at the end of the spring term by the Fifth Form drama students performing their GCSE exam pieces, a collection of play extracts under the umbrella title ‘Final Stages’. AS Drama students completed the curricular programme in May with their staff-directed production of James Saunders’ comic fantasy ‘The Island’.

The two A2 Unit 4 devised plays, ‘Mind Games’ and ‘Under the Influence’ dealt with the themes of mental illness and alcoholism respectively. Once again it was impressive to see how committed the students became both to the subject-matter they were exploring and to the plays they created through the collaborative process. They also made excellent use of different dramatic forms and conventions to produce two powerful pieces that were performed to a very high standard. The same students went on to adapt and perform ‘Serious Money’ the following term. We chose Caryl Churchill’s 1980s’ satirical comedy because of its topicality, dealing as it does with corruption in the City and the world of international financial dealings. The students’ performances were largely very successful at realising Churchill’s satirical style (unusually the play is written in rhyming verse) and the end result was by turns funny, shocking and thought-provoking. Birmingham Rep produced an exhilarating revival of the play in May that we went to see, thereby allowing the students to make interesting comparisons with their own interpretations the term before.

The Fifth Form exam pieces this year were taken from plays in a variety of different styles: ‘Neville’s Island’, a black comedy by Tim Firth, about four middle-managers shipwrecked on an island in the lake district during a teambuilding exercise; ‘Shakers’ by John Godber and Jane Thornton, a comedy about the ambitions, dreams, and daily problems of four waitresses in a cocktail bar; ‘Be My Baby’ by Amanda Whittington, a tender look at the lives of a group of girls “in trouble” in a mother and baby home in the mid-60s; ‘Womberang’, a comedy by Sue Townsend set in the waiting room of a gynaecological clinic; and ‘Bouncers’, John Godber’s classic comedy about a typical Friday night out at a town centre club. Most of the students, including the three who designed either set or lighting instead of acting, did very well with a number being awarded full marks by the visiting examiner.

This year was the first time that the AS students were required to perform either a monologue or a duologue as well as

perform in a group play. This resulted in an interesting selection of pieces ranging from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to Oscar Wilde’s ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, Tennessee Williams’ ‘Cat On a Hot Tin Roof’, Charlotte Keatley’s ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ and the contemporary black comedies ‘The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband’ by Debbie Isitt and Martin McDonagh’s brilliantly macabre ‘The Pillowman’. The group play ‘The Island’ by James Saunders (co-directed by SMA and LLG) is a comic fantasy set in the future on an idyllic semitropical island where women, sick of the destruction and futility of war have turned on their men and killed them. The cast did very well to realise the subtleties of Saunders’s tongue-in-cheek comic style and were rewarded by very high marks from the visiting examiner with a number of students being placed in the “outstanding” mark band.

Thanks for those who came to support these examination groups this year. If on the other hand you missed this great variety of curricular drama in 2008/09 I hope that after reading this you will want to come to see exam performances in the future. I am certain you won’t be disappointed.

Drama Trips to London

The highlight of the year for most drama students is their annual residential trip to

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Speech and Drama

The Speech and Drama Department has continued to grow from strength to strength over the last year. We have seen record numbers of pupils in the department and enjoyed many successes, notably at the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival in the Spring term. It is with great sadness that we have said goodbye to Mrs Susan Finch this year. Mrs Finch has been at the centre of the Speech and Drama Department since its inception and has guided countless pupils (and teachers) through exams and auditions with nothing but success. Mrs Finch joined the department having already been a professional actress and director and is responsible for instilling passion and skill in her students, many of whom have gone on to become professional actors/directors themselves. We wish her well for her retirement and no doubt she will pop in from time to time to see how it’s all getting along.

B.T.H.

London. The Fifth Form trip took place the last weekend in January as a welcome treat immediately following ‘mocks’ and took a very similar form to previous trips in recent years, leaving Friday morning and returning on Saturday evening. Firstly we scared the students to death with a performance of ‘The Woman in Black’ on the Friday evening; then on the Saturday morning the students participated in a workshop relating to ‘Blood Brothers’ led by a member of the cast at Pineapple Studios. This was followed by a backstage theatre tour of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and then a matinee performance of ‘Blood Brothers’ before returning to Worcester on the Saturday evening. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is currently home to Cameron Mackintosh’s production of ‘Oliver!’ and some of our group were thrilled to bump into Rowan Atkinson, then playing Fagin, outside his dressing room.

Our Sixth Form trip at Easter was slightly longer. We stayed for two nights meaning we were in London for the best part of three days. In that time we managed to see four top productions, two plays and two musicals: Steven Berkoff’s adaptation of ‘On the Waterfront’, the revival of Joe Orton’s ‘Entertaining Mr Sloane’ with Matthew Horne and Imelda Staunton (the night before

Sixth Form students at ‘The Globe’

both were taken ill and had to leave the production!), ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Hairspray’ starring Matthew Ball. Our trip coincided with the G20 conference of world leaders in London, but I’m glad to say we managed to avoid any riots. We also fitted in a tour of the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, leaving us plenty of free time to shop, visit galleries and so on whilst enjoying some very pleasant spring weather.

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Dance Showcase

Once again the Dance Showcase was a great success, with pupils throughout the school taking part.

Lara Raybone and Duncan Meikle started off the show with a duet that Lara choreographed herself, a short but powerful piece about breaking up in a relationship. I know Lara enjoyed preparing this piece and I am sure it will be the first of many. She has become a very stylish performer and I wish her luck in the future.

The Fourth Forms performed a piece from their class work and the boys in particular enjoyed their time on stage, enjoying the limelight.

Abbi Thompson, Esther Roberts, Georgia Riley and Amy Geary choreographed a piece from their Dance sessions in P.E. based on the Dimensional Cross; they performed it beautifully and deserve much praise for the extra rehearsal time they put in.

This year we have welcomed Miss Aimie Powell, a professional Dance teacher, into school. She has been taking the Fourth Form dance clubs and the Development Company. The first of these to be performed was from the Lower Fourths who created a wonderful striking dance , whilst the Upper Fourth piece was lively and vibrant with the use of ribbons. The final piece was performed by the younger company members, Millie Quiney, Imogen Atkins, Issy Brand, Emily Barker, Hanna Khogali and Tessa Titmuss, a wonderful contemporary piece performed to a high standard.

Aimie also helped Grace Allcock and Lulu Smith to create their lovely, cheeky little dance. During the first half the Lower Remove performed their energetic piece, created and taught by Vicki Harriman, who also went on to perform a beautiful lyrical solo. Vicki is an outstanding dancer and could no doubt become a very good teacher of dance.

Freya Hodgetts also performed her solo in the first half of the show, again a lyrical piece, performed with grace and poise. Later in the

show she also performed a duet with Peter Raybone, which was also choreographed by Freya, another stunning dancer with a lot of talent.

The final piece was performed by the Senior Dance Company. The stimulus was the musical piece by ‘Sigur Ros’ and it resulted in a strong group piece performed in unison and solo mode, creating demanding moves throughout.

After the mixed duet performed by Freya Hodgetts and Peter Raybone, Martha Hershman took the stage with four members of the junior company, Issy Brand, Meg Vincent, Emily Barker and Cecily Nichols. Martha choreographed the piece and it was typical of Martha’s style, funky and fun. Martha was also partly responsible for choreographing the Lower Removes’ piece along with Philippa Collins. They both produced a wonderful exotic ‘hip hop’ piece which all of the girls really loved to perform.

Three more solos were performed in the second half of the show; Alex Wenyon from the Upper Fourths performed a lovely, lively lyrical solo, Meg Vincent (Lower Remove) a wonderfully dramatic piece and Helen Willis

(Lower Sixth) a very moving song and dance piece.

The Fifth Form girls gave the show a bit of a buzz with their rendition of ‘Fame’, a fun piece which they choreographed themselves, but could only perform for one night due to their Duke of Edinburgh commitments the following day.

The penultimate piece was the staff dance to ‘Mamma Mia’ which was great fun to perform and prepare.

The final piece, ‘Roxanne’ was one of the many highlights of the show. I loved working with the senior mixed company. This was the first time we have had both boys and girls working on a senior piece and it was both demanding and very rewarding.

All the seniors were on exam leave but still managed to come in to rehearse and the results were plain to see. This piece really told the story and the lifts and moves were executed to a high standard throughout.

We shall miss those senior pupils in the Upper Sixth as they really have produced some outstanding work and I would like to mention Lara Raybone, Duncan Meikle, Matt Marskell,

Dance Showcase – the staff get into their roles

Gina Kitchen, Jasmine Page, Harry Cronin, Femke Witney, Peter Raybone, Luke Lupton, Lizzie Bennett and Louisa Tomlin for all their hard work. The senior boys in particular have made a big impact on Dance at King’s and I hope that many others will follow. T.D.M.

Strictly Come Dancing

This event came about when trying to think of fund raising ideas for the girls’ Netball tour to Australia. At that time we never thought it would be such a huge success.

The challenge started when ten senior netball players had to find willing and able partners for either the Jive or the Salsa. This did not prove so difficult, and then the real hard work started.

Their introduction to ‘Strictly’ was a two hour workshop with a professional Ballroom Dancer, Peter Brimmell, in either of the two disciplines and then two weeks’ rehearsals for

Martha Hershman and Duncan Meikle in full swing at ‘Strictly...’

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ ensemble

each couple, followed by another workshop to check progress and a little individual tuition, before the final two weeks’ rehearsal to bring the dances up to scratch. The onus was on each couple to use their rehearsal time to get them into shape for the show. I have to say I was very impressed when I saw Fifth and Sixth form boys coming in before school to rehearse. I think the girls were in total control and the boys had just to turn up and do as they were told.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a small committee was meeting on a regular basis to get the actual event organised. This was to take place at Grafton Manor, thanks to the generosity of Mrs Harper.

The evening before the event we all went over to Grafton Manor for a technical and dress rehearsal and this was when the nerves took over and the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ theme music made it feel like the real thing.

Thursday 23rd October, the big night…. Over two hundred people were treated to a superb night out. The guests arrived to a champagne reception and then took their seats, eagerly awaiting the performance to start and the appearance of the three judges, Ben Humphrey, Danielle Goodayle and Peter Brimmell (our professional dancer.)

Ten couples took the floor in fantastic costumes; the girls in particular had really gone to town and I will never know how Katie Wreghitt danced in those Red shoes!

Each couple gave a fantastic performance and gave the audience a real treat.

The dancers performing the Jive were, Emmie Le Marchand and Harry Cronin, Georgie Duddy and Ben Rean, Catherine Dawson and Louis Flothman, Lydia Harper and Dan Brookes, Rachel Brand and Rob Cowburn (Jive Winners) and performing the Salsa were, Lucy Robinson and Peter Raybone, Jess Forsyth and Luke Lupton, Beth Jeavons and Jon Harper, Katie Wreghitt and Matt Marskell, Martha Hershman and Duncan Meikle (Salsa winners).

After the ten couples had performed a three course meal was served with chocolate fountain to follow. Now it was time for the results (I told you it was just like the real thing!). The couples were brought back to the dance floor and congratulated on their tremendous efforts. The night then carried on with everyone hitting the dance floor for the rest of the evening.

This was a tremendous event and I know the audience enjoyed it as much as the dancers and it raised lots of money for the tour.

T.D.M.

Music

The 2008 House Music Competition was adjudicated by Daniel Phillips, former Assistant Organist at Worcester Cathedral, making a very welcome return to King’s four years after he moved to become Director of Music at King’s College School, Wimbledon. For the second year in succession School won the House Song Competition, this time singing Mika’s “Happy Ending”. In the morning Olivia Crowe (flute) won the Senior Solo Competition and Aaron PrewerJenkinson (voice) was the Junior Competition winner. The annual Winners Concert, held just before half-term, gave an opportunity for a large and enthusiastic audience to hear a selection of winning songs and solos.

The 2008 Autumn School Concert proved that, in spite of the loss of a large number of able musicians at the end of the previous year, the school’s major ensembles were still in a very healthy condition! Second Orchestra, conducted by GMG, opened with attractive performances of arrangements of “My Love’s an Arbutus” and the traditional air, “St. Martin’s”. Wind Band, conducted by Elizabeth Rozelaar, played stirring performances of “American Patrol” and a medley from “Chicago”. First Orchestra performed the Mazurka from “Swan Lake”, an Andante and Presto, arranged from Mozart’s Divertimento, K. 136 and Eric Coates rousing “Dambusters” March. The strings of Chamber Orchestra were in fine form for a performance of Albinoni’s G major String Symphony. The concert concluded with the School Choir giving strong performances of “Bring us, O Lord God” by William Harris along with arrangements of Lennon and McCartney’s “Can’t Buy Me Love”, Duke Ellington’s “I’m Beginning to See the Light and “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book.

The Carol Service, held in the cathedral on 11th December, featured performances by the School Choir of Carl Rütti’s “I Wonder as I Wander”, John Rutter’s “I Saw Three Ships”, Harold Darke’s lovely “In the Bleak Midwinter” and Tavener’s “God is With Us” in which James Greenwood was the outstanding tenor soloist. The Cathedral Choristers sang Mater Ora Filium by W. Bell and the Keys Choir sang Martin Shaw’s arrangement of The Coventry Carol.

We were welcomed by an enthusiastic, capacity audience at the annual concert held on 14th March 2009 in St. Clement’s Church. The very varied programme included choral performances of two of Parry’s “Songs of Farewell”, Howard Goodall’s “Lead

Kindly Light” and an inspired arrangement of Gershwin’s “Summertime” by Roddy Williams. A first group of Solo performances was given by Lucy Lewis, accompanied by James Greenwood, singing the “Pie Jesu” from Duruflé’s Requiem, Hanna Khogali playing Telemann’s Viola Concerto in C major and David Wilkins singing Vaughan Williams’ “Whither Must I Wander”. The Senior Flute Ensemble gave a sinuously beautiful performance of Debussy’s First Arabesque, followed by assured solo performances by Philippa Collins of the slow movement of Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto and Olivia Crowe with Widor’s lovely Romance for flute and piano. Flautist Lizzie Stedman, one of our most able senior music scholars, gave a dazzling performance of John Rutter’s Suite Antique with a most assured accompaniment provided by Chamber Orchestra. A final group of solos was given by guitarist Francesca

Hunter playing Tarrega’s Gran Vals and young tenor Sam Greenwood, accompanied by his brother, James, in Bock’s “Tonight at Eight” and Flanders and Swann’s “Guide to Britten”. The concert concluded in unbuttoned mode with a selection of lighter choral arrangements. The Spring term School Concert had, as a centerpiece, a sparkling performance of the first movement of Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony, played by First Orchestra. Second Orchestra opened the concert with a gripping performance of a Dvorak Slavonic Dance and Wind Band gave a fine performance of a taxing selection from “Me and My Girl”. Lizzie Stedman, accompanied by Chamber Orchestra, gave, if anything, an even finer

Peter Shepherd

performance of Rutter’s Suite Antique the week after their debut at St. Clement’s. The concert ended with idiomatic choral performances of arrangements of “Over the Rainbow”, “The Girl from Ipanema” and “The Great Meat Pie”, the latter at the request of one member of the Upper Sixth who had such happy memories of singing it as a young treble in the School Choir years earlier!

The Summer School Concert began with a beautiful, confident and technically assured performance of Mozart’s 17th Piano Concerto by Emma Robertson, another of our highly gifted group of Upper Sixth music scholars, accompanied most ably by First Orchestra. Chamber Orchestra followed with a vivacious account of Peter Warlock’s “Capriol” Suite. Having celebrated one centenarian, Mendelssohn, in the previous concert, we now turned our attention to another, Haydn, whose magnificent “Heiligmesse” was performed magnificently by the School Choir, Orchestra and soloists Claire Prewer, Lucy Lewis, Stephen Shellard, Alastair Brookshaw (OV), James Greenwood and Tom Hunt (OV)

The Fourth Form Music Competition and Winners’ Concert were held in late June in the John Moore Theatre. Ben Sawyer, Head of Performing Arts at Brockworth Enterprise

School, Gloucester, awarded first places to Charlotte Collins (U4A), Emma Downer (L4F), U4E Ensemble, L4D Ensemble, U4E Form Song and L4E Form Song. Overall winners for this highly enjoyable and successful annual event were L4D with U4A in second place.

GMG and his able support staff yet again ran a very successful Orchestral Workshop for around ninety young players from King’s St. Alban’s, King’s Hawford and Years 7 to 9 from the senior school. In the evening parents were able to come to hear a concert in the John Moore Theatre featuring the large orchestra and the numerous groups that had rehearsed during the day. The Workshop Orchestra began and ended the concert with

The orchestral workshop

arrangements of the Grand March from Verdi’s “Aida” and John Williams’ music for the Harry Potter films. This and the regular Young Performers Concerts, all organized by GMG, prove as ever to offer an encouraging and stimulating environment in which our younger musicians, both soloists and ensemble players, can develop and flourish.

The Keys Society had another very successful season. It must have been very heartening for this year’s Upper Sixth organisers to hear the comment, at the first concert, of one recently departed music scholar that she had expected standards to have slipped only to find that they were as good as ever. This was all the more to be admired considering that the concert in question, the first of the new season, was held just three weeks into September, 2008! This earlier than usual concert was held in the Chapter House and was a combined extravaganza from both the Keys and the DaDa Societies to celebrate the end of the very successful “Arts Alive”. The remaining five concerts were all held in College Hall and allowed audiences both large and small to hear the very best of the school’s soloists and ensembles to say nothing of a Keys Choir as strong of voice as ever, this year very ably conducted by Lizzie Stedman, James Greenwood, David Wilkins and Lucy Boynett. A particular highlight of the series was the splendid performance, in the final July 2009 concert, of Howard Goodall’s Requiem “Eternal Light”, conducted by Lizzie Stedman, accompanied on the piano by Emma Robertson with solos from Lucy Lewis, James Greenwood and David Wilkins.

The centenary theme was taken up again in the King’s Day Service with anthems taken from the two great oratorios, “Elijah” and “The Creation”, by Mendelssohn and Haydn; Mendelssohn’s “Be not afraid” and Haydn’s “The Heavens are Telling” both gave the School Choir the opportunity to fill a packed cathedral with glorious sounds and the congregation a final opportunity to hear Lucy Lewis, James Greenwood and David Wilkins as soloists in the trio section of the Haydn.

Many congratulations to James Greenwood who has won a choral scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, Hannah Lucas who has won a choral scholarship to Royal Holloway College, University of London and Lizzie Grew who, at the end of her first year at Christ Church, Oxford, has been awarded an Instrumental Exhibition. Peter Holder ended a very successful year as Organ Scholar at Southwell Minster by winning four prizes in the Royal College of Organists’ Associateship exams, the Organ Scholarship of the Royal

Hospital, Chelsea and an entrance scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music!

D.E.B.

Art

We are now completely at home in the new Art School and at the beginning of the school year had the thrill of naming and opening the Sir Terry Frost Gallery. The gallery is named after a luminary of British Twentieth Century Art and we are grateful to the Frost family for

granting us permission. Sir Terry is a fitting choice since he spent much of his working life working in and around St. Ives and was a man of inexhaustible energy and creativity; qualities that we would like our art students to acquire! The opening was a very jolly affair led by Sir Terry’s son, Anthony Frost who is a wellrespected artist in his own right. The gallery is at the heart of the Art School and it is a common site to see groups of pupils leaning over the balustrade discussing the exhibition below. The year-long programme of exhibitions presented work in a wide range of styles and media by Michael Porter, Derek Nice, Rebecca Birtwhistle, Sue Brown, Sharon McSwiney and Hazel Green. At other times, pupils mounted assessment work and the art staff held their own exhibition to the great interest of the pupils. We were pleased to welcome visiting groups from St. Alban’s and Hawford.

Art department ‘Taster’ morning for Primary Schools

Fifth Form students at St Ives

Our old friend Artist Derek Nice returned to the department for his second residency, captivating all whom he met with tales of the high seas, as well as the film and art world. His sculpture and painting was highly accessible and delighted young and old. Weekend workshops were led by jeweller Sharon McSwiney and sculptor and digital media expert Kevan Hopson. A committed group of Sixth Form pupils and parents enjoyed evening

life classes led by BW.

Two trips to St. Ives were arranged for our GCSE pupils over the October half term and pupils braved inclement weather to draw and paint outside, as well visiting galleries and artists’ homes and studios. Much was achieved and the resulting work later became an important feature of our assessment exhibitions.

The Big Draw is a national event which serves to promote education and creativity through the medium of drawing. Our third Big Draw event attracted over two hundred participants and, unbelievably, we achieved our goal to fill a line with art work that stretched from the Art School, through the school gardens and down and into the river. We were blessed with a sunny day and much fun was had by families and individuals.

At Easter, a group of Sixth Form pupils

and ambitious programme of sightseeing and to visit and work in a specialist art school. It was a wonderful trip, providing much inspiration, many of the pupils returning to incorporate their experiences into art work which

was presented for examination. The year culminated in our large-scale AS and A2 assessment exhibitions which filled much of the Art School. This cohort of pupils presented particularly ambitious and creative work including painting, drawing, textiles, film and video, sculpture, installation and critical and contextual studies. The exhibitions were well-received and provided an excellent opportunity for those pupils proceeding to art school and university to share the journey they had taken to develop as independent, thinking artists. We wish them well and hope that they will return to exhibit with us in the future.

Arts Alive!

This year’s Arts Alive Festival took place at the end of September and involved large numbers of pupils from the senior school as well as visitors from St. Alban’s, Hawford and the local community. We were honoured to secure the internationally known percussion group, Ensemble Bash, as musicians-in-residence. In addition to

and adults visited China to undertake an extensive

Kevan Hopson workshop

Staff art exhibition

St Ives

a rousing and fascinating opening concert, the group worked with GCSE musicians and Fourth Formers. The members of the group are serious and accomplished musicians and the GCCE pupils, in particular, benefited from their high standards and an opportunity to ‘think outside the box’. Something miraculous happened to the GCSE musicians who embarked upon their Sunday workshop feeling not a little nervous knowing that they would be required to make and perform music without the use of a conventional score. With the encouragement and sheer energy of the members of Ensemble Bash, the pupils ended the day performing their own group composition with verve and confidence. This tested their musicianship and promoted excellent listening and collaborative skills.

Over the rest of the week, a painter, poet and playwright from Cornwall led interdisciplinary workshops, and further workshops were delivered by professional actors, dancers, puppeteers, an architect and artists. There was a comedy performance in the John Moore Theatre, an English Song, Wine and Cheese evening, a film and a joint DADA and Keys Society concert. The Fourth Formers joined top year pupils from Hawford and St. Alban’s in the Big Sing – a special day of music making. The pupils performed rounds and quite complex part songs, all learnt on the day and designed to give the pupils the thrill of singing in a large group. We hope to make this an annual event as a way of encouraging even more pupils to join the school choir and

to enjoy musical opportunities throughout the year at King’s.

As well as all the high profile events we were treated to pupil buskers, staff reciting poetry and our own ‘King’s Got Talent Competition.’ The week served to raise the profile of the arts at King’s and involved the reluctant and bemused, as well as the talented and keen.

E.R.H.

DT

After long consultations with architects and builders and many months of planning, the refurbished DT department was ready (just about) to move into. Life had been pretty

difficult in the last few months of the ‘old department’ although everybody (students and staff) had coped with the disruption admirably; the promise of new facilities made it all seem worthwhile. When September came, and summer began fading into the distant past, work started in earnest throughout the age range. The new and bright surroundings brought renewed inspiration and enthusiasm and although we have never struggled with students lacking in motivation, the excitement of working in our new surroundings was clear to see on the faces of all.

With the positive mood gathering momentum, another successful year culminated in the opportunity to display students’ work in the DT Show. It is always difficult to narrow to a few the names that deserve a special mention for the quality or ingenuity of their work. However, Mike Thelwell (DT prize winner) is worthy of highlighting for his clever wall mounted fold away push up/pull up fitness device. It has a convoluted description for such an intelligent yet simple product. Ali Lucas made a land yacht of epic proportions. Its size, and use of a windsurfing sail, made it a tricky project to produce and store! April Dutton designed and manufactured an artists’ materials store box. With clever attention to its aesthetics, she achieved an excellent outcome that would enhance any studio.

It would be easy to look past the hard work done in the lower years when you wander around the DT Show looking at the GCSE, AS and A Level practical work. The work is of a very high standard and can overshadow the good work done in the lower years. The students spend their first three years in the department working through eight stand alone projects. Each project offers something completely different to the previous one. These projects give students a real insight into working with a range of materials and components and practical experience of a wide variety of manufacturing processes. In addition to this, they require problems to be solved, designs to be manufactured and completed outcomes to be tested and evaluated.

Arts Alive!

Examples of A level DT work

JUNioR SChooLS

KING’S HAwFORd

Congratulations to the Year 6 pupils for their many achievements during their time at Hawford. This large group of children enabled us to have three forms from Reception and subsequently resulted in our largest ever intake to the Senior School. The children’s level of participation in all aspects of school life was tremendous and their successes were well deserved. Special mention goes to Theo Beever

maternity cover.

Much emphasis this year has been placed on developing further our strong links with the Senior School. During the year junior pupils attended services in the Cathedral and also took part in The Big Sing, a Puppet Workshop and attended a performance during the Arts Alive event. Year 6 also enjoyed the annual Shakespeare Workshop as well as the Junior Schools’ transition afternoon. In addition many families participated in the Big Draw and also joined parents and children from St. Alban’s for the Sponsored Walk.

who gained an Academic Scholarship to the Senior School and also William Fry for his Music Award. Thomas Garfield achieved an Academic Scholarship to King Edward VI, Edgbaston and Colm Fahy was awarded an Art Scholarship to Winterfold.

A year at Hawford can be many things but the last was definitely the Year of the Baby with no less than four new arrivals! First Mrs Cross who gave birth to Taymar as the school year began, followed by Mrs Pearman’s son Jack just before Christmas. Mrs Goodayle’s son, also Jack, arrived in time to celebrate the New Year and finally Mrs Rawnsley’s son Thomas joined us in May. All of the mothers and their babies have been welcome visitors to the staff room during the year. Mrs Rawnsley has been particularly busy often arriving juggling a baby and trays of her delicious cakes for the staff too!

This year we welcomed back Mrs Davis to teach general subjects in the Junior School and also Mrs Elliott (Year 3 class teacher) and Miss Scull (PE and Girl’s games), both for

made to bring other senior instrumentalists to Hawford later in the autumn.

This year, a new look Thursday afternoon heralded the beginning of the Skills Afternoon. All children from years 3-6 elected to try activities outside the traditional curriculum. The range of activities was eclectic: felt making, stop-frame animation, cooking, knitting, German and marketing to name but a few. In the course of the year, children sampled five different activities.

Following a special Charity Assembly at the start of the year the children voted to support The Air Ambulance Service, Cancer Research, the NSPCC, the Noah’s Ark Trust and World Vision. As a result of the children’s tremendous fund raising activities, over the course of the year, each charity received a cheque for £617. Pupils also sent over two hundred shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child and the inaugural Hawford Charity Lunch with Worcester Warriors helped to raise £4300 for ‘Give Them a Sporting Chance’ and the ‘Matt Hampson Trust’. The guest speaker was Peter Wheeler, former England Captain and a British Lion. This event was a great success and we plan to make this a feature of our charitable fundraising with an annual lunch. Children in Kindergarten held their own ‘Toddle Waddle’ and raised £1200 for the Meningitis Trust. The Harvest Festival also

We were very pleased to have help from a number of senior school boys and girls at our Sports Day and also during Arts Week as well as Work Experience. Helen Willis sang during the PrePrep Summer Concert and plans have been

produced a terrific response from parents and children in aid of the Salvation Army. A new addition to the varied programme of Inter House events was the House Music Competition. This event said a great deal about

the strength of music at Hawford. It included individual performances as well as a song from each House. Once all the points had been totalled Bredon came out as the winners. The Poetry Competition proved as popular as ever. Ben Humphrey came to judge the grand final which featured the finalists from each year group. The overall winner was John Ireland. There were some terrific performances in the Year 4 Reading Competition, and congratulations went to Gabriel Cameron-Higgs and Melissa Martyn-Smith. Mr Maund came to judge the final of the Year 6 Public Speaking Presentations. He commented on the very high standard of pupils’ work and judged Theo Beever’s presentation on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution the overall winner. Further afield Rachel McLeod spoke on Cockroaches at the Natural History Museum. She has become quite an expert and her achievements were recognised by the Amateur Entomological Society with the presentation of the Gardner Award. A number of children took part in the Worcestershire Competitive Arts Festival and particular congratulations went to the following winners, Elliot Coley and Kaushik Rai (Acting Duo), Michael Nice (Prose reading), George Patey (Verse speaking) and Charlotte Berlet (Sight Reading). Congratulations also went to all the children whose artwork was entered in the SATIPS National Showcase at Feltonfleet School, Surrey.

Year 1 and 2 performed ‘A Little Sparkle’ whilst Years 3 and 4 delighted the audience with their performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’. In the Summer term music and drama were combined for the Year 5 and 6 production of ‘Alice The Musical’ which also featured seven brave young performers accompanying no less than twenty two songs as a stage band known as the ‘Alice Band’!

followed by a rousing performance of ‘You Raise Me Up’ by the Prep Choir.

Art, Music and Performance are very much alive at Hawford and achieving the Artsmark Gold was the triumph of the academic year. External assessors from the Arts Council deemed our Arts provision excellent, not only for outstanding learning across all the Arts, but for the wider arts opportunities which this year have included: working with artists and musicians, visiting galleries and theatres and also for showcasing children’s work both at school and the wider community.

Sporting Highlights this year included the Under 11 girls qualifying for the National Finals of the IAPS hockey and then winning the Worcestershire County hockey tournament for the second year running. The Under 11s competed in the qualifiers for the IAPS netball competition but narrowly missed out in the play offs. The Under 8 rounders team also showed particular promise. The

King’s Hawford were honoured to be the only Independent School in the country to be invited to participate in a National Pilot for the Children’s Arts Award. This intensive project involved Year 5 and 6 orchestra members working with Visiting Artists, attending exhibitions and putting on their own concert. They even had to keep a practice diary, which was the hardest part for some! The scheme culminated in a performance of ‘Let It Be’ in Birmingham’s newly refurbished Town Hall, commemorating one of the very first performances there by The Beatles back in the sixties.

During the year there were a number of memorable performances beginning with the combined efforts of Kindergarten and Reception in their Christmas nativity plays.

Arts Week celebrated everything African with Visiting Artists Ukachi Akalawu and Hamana Bjemakan leading dancing and drumming workshops with Years 4 to 6. The week began with an excellent exhibition of African Art – a piece of work by every child from Kindergarten to Year 6 was professionally mounted and exhibited in the marquee. The culmination of the week was a superb massed dance performance in the marquee, which again included every child from Kindergarten to Year 6. The Summer Concert was the musical finale of the year. The theme was ‘The Best of British’ and included performances of Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ by the Wind Band and ‘Shepherd’s Hey’ by the String Group. The spectacular evening was rounded off by a virtuoso performance of Jeremiah Clarke’s celebrated ‘Trumpet Voluntary’

Under 11 rugby team fulfilled its potential and was unbeaten throughout the fixture list. Highlights included winning the Bluecoat Sevens, beating the Warwick School Under 11 national champions and being semi-finalists in the Warwick Sevens. Hawford held its second football tournament with the home team winning the trophy. In cricket the Under 9s completed a second successive unbeaten season whilst Alex Campbell-Shore, an Under 11 team player, represented Worcestershire again. At the end of the year we said goodbye to Mrs Cross and Miss Scull and wished them both well in their new posts and also to Mrs Davis (again!), although we may well have the good fortune to see her back on the staff as the need arises!

KING’S ST. ALbAN’S

The most significant change for a while at King’s St. Alban’s occurred during the year as the Alma pub opposite the gates was cleared to make way for a new Pre-Prep department. This now houses Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes, as well as a large hall, kitchen facilities and music practice rooms for the whole of King’s. Alex Roberts joined the staff at Easter as Head of Pre-Prep in order to prepare for its opening in September 2009.

At the top end of King’s St. Alban’s, congratulations are due to Lydia Burrows, Lara Drew, Alistair Smith, Daniel Stock and Olivia Summerwill who all won scholarships at 11+ for the Senior School.

Liz Lewis, who covered for Alex Hind’s maternity leave, joins us on a part time, permanent basis. She is job sharing with Chris Woodcock, in Year 6. Alex Hind has returned to King’s full time after her maternity leave.

Fleur Dolphin is now Mrs Atkinson. Fleur married Chris, who teaches PE and Games at King’s, during the summer term.

Julie Pitts has come back to full time work, having been part time until her daughters Megan and Sophie were old enough to join King’s. She is teaching the Year 6 class taught by John and Angela Walton, who retired at the end of the year.

John’s contribution to King’s has been generous, varied and often quite loud. His ability to attract the attention of children (not to mention sheep dogs and the dead) across hillsides with his piercing whistle is the stuff of legend. As, in some quarters, is his ability to play the slide whistle backwards and in the wrong places during a school concert. His performance with the violin was perhaps more useful. During an informal concert in the school chapel, John raised over £250 by playing until his violin case was full of money. It took less than three minutes and he never did finish Twinkle, Twinkle…

Most of John’s more obvious contributions to life at St. Alban’s have been outside the classroom. Although this was an area of the curriculum he clearly loved, staff here wonder whether his banishment to the great outdoors may have been directly related to a small accident in the science laboratory. This culminated in spraying the front row of pupils with the aqueous humour of a bull’s eye he was dissecting. John maintains he should never have been let near the laboratory in the first place. His last physics report as a pupil read, “John should take up knitting.”

Generations of King’s pupils have benefited from John’s enthusiasm for outdoor education. He ran countless Old Chapel visits, introducing teambuilding activities such as the night line to augment the old favourites of ghost stories, hill walking and fabulous cooked breakfasts.

On the annual Year 6 trip to France, John’s boundless energy and enthusiasm helped many nearly homesick children get over a few early jitters and so remember the trip as one of the highlights of their time here. His insistence on wearing shorts in even the most inclement weather and ability to speak enough Franglais to keep the natives guessing, were also perennial trip highlights.

John particularly touched a number of other areas of school life. If the drama which John brought to every possible lesson was memorable enough, his performances as a Dame in the staff pantomimes were truly extraordinary and betrayed his former life as a professional actor. He was perhaps the hairiest dame to tread the boards at the John Moore Theatre.

John was also a keen and talented games coach who enthused hundreds of children in the delights of competitive sport, particularly football and cricket. It is his legacy that we have so many girls at King’s St. Alban’s playing these two sports, many of whom go on to play at a very high level.

Through the King’s School Himalayan Club, which he founded and continues to help run, John provided opportunities for King’s pupils to appreciate other cultures, the value of teamwork and to work with blind children, orphans and the poor. He also raised

the profile of charitable giving and awareness of the plights of those less fortunate. Many thousands of pounds went directly to worthy causes – often as cash taped under John’s clothing to fly there directly!

Angela had, remarkably, taught across the entire age range at King’s St. Alban’s by the time she retired at the end of the summer term. This required considerable willingness, not to mention skill and dedication. These are qualities which typified her working life.

Since reducing her hours at King’s, Angela has qualified as a Yoga teacher. This seems entirely appropriate for someone whose welcome composure and tranquillity often stood out against the hurly burly of daily routine. Not least her sometimes necessary, but gentle, counterbalancing of John!

Angela’s contribution to Himalayan Club trips and training exercises over the years has been heroic, including climbing higher than her husband ever managed. She often took charge of catering arrangements and on the epic John O’Groats to Land’s End journey in 1999 somehow managed to cater for people

24 hours a day, often while they weren’t in the same place. Her unflappable, composed nature was demonstrated on one exercise when a footpath closure resulted in a detour on to a beach; a rapidly incoming tide necessitated a rescue by the RNLI!

Angela was also a veteran of countless residential trips to France, ski trips and Old Chapel visits. Her particular skill of listening without judging, her calmness and her welcoming smile made those times a real pleasure for pupils and staff who accompanied her.

Other contributions from Angela at King’s St. Alban’s were the ability (rare among recent staff) to reliably and consistently sing in tune during assemblies; her dedication to the teaching of swimming and organisation of competitive swimming galas and her dedication to her position as Head of English. The 1500 plus children who have experienced her unique and talented teaching will have taken with them the knowledge that learning can be enjoyable, a true sense of right and wrong, understanding how to learn and will remember the welcoming, warm environment, love and care they were shown in her classes. She will be greatly missed for her good company and thoughtful support of her peers.

John and Angela contributed a combined 48 years to the King’s community, the majority of John’s as Deputy Head at King’s St. Alban’s. They will both be remembered for their imaginative and inspirational teaching, but above all for their kindness, friendliness and consideration of others.

There have been a number of outstanding individual successes too. Nick Hammond and Henry Wilde represented Worcestershire at cricket in the Under 11 age group and Harriet Duffy played for Warwickshire at Under 13 and Under 15. Mackenzie PembertonWhiteley played for his District cricket team. Ellie Hatt played tennis for Worcestershire at Under 12 and Under 14 level.

Charitable giving and considering the needs of others is a particular feature of life at King’s St. Alban’s and as usual a broad range of activities largely instigated by

selling harvest perishables on the quad was its usual success. It is through this event that we continue to support the schooling of Nganza Kaliti, who lives in Kenya. The non-perishable goods were donated to the Maggs Day Centre for the homeless with which we are forging close links.

Children in Need spurred further charitable action in the form of a copper trail. Despite the agonies of counting over £200 in coppers, it was judged a resounding success – at least, by the children. For the record, Thomas House built the longest chain.

In December, £400 was sent to the Amani Children’s Home in Tanzania. This is the home we donated £6000 to a few years ago so that a plot of land could be bought. The £400 was used to replace tools and buy seeds and fertilizer so that self sufficiency might become a step closer.

The Charity Walk this year took place along the River Teme, to its confluence with the Severn and then back to the School gardens for a hog roast. Despite the largely inclement weather, there was a good turn out. £2000 was raised to donate to The Maggs Day Centre and a further £1800 to an orphanage in Nepal with which John and Angela Walton are heavily involved. The latter is sponsored by King’s through the King’s School Nepal Trust.

The inter-house sporting calendar continues to thrive and provide sporting opportunities for all. In addition to this there were A team and B team fixtures in all the main sports, for boys and girls this year. The Under 9 A hockey team were undefeated and the Under 11 netball squad enjoyed a particularly successful winter season. In the summer, the Under 11 cricket team also managed to go through the season without losing a game.

the children, raised money for a wide variety of good causes. A sponsored Readathon in the autumn term brought in £2,000.75 for CLIC Sargent Cancer Charity for Children and the Roald Dahl Foundation. These charities support children in Britain suffering from cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, leukaemia, epilepsy, blood disorders and acquired brain injury.

The traditional ActionAid fundraiser of

Marie Curie also benefited from the generosity of King’s St. Alban’s children and parents. Their Mini Pots of Care campaign involved growing a daffodil in a pot and then, when it flowered, being prompted to bring in a donation. £650 was collected and Alex Stevens won the regional prize for the best decorated pot.

Informal concerts on Friday afternoons in the chapel, organised by Helen Haggarty, gave many children the opportunity to display their music talents in front of an audience. These events gently ease the children into the art of performance without too much pressure. When they come to the more formal school concerts and exams they are able to approach them with a greater degree of confidence. The Orchestra Workshop organised by the Music Department stretched the more able and gave them the chance to perform with pupils from King’s Hawford and the Senior School. Chris Allsop, the Cathedral’s assistant choirmaster, has continued the popular chamber choir for

Year 6 boys to provide them with a suitable challenge.

Ruth Furber is a member of the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain and Matthew Kelley is a member of the National Youth Orchestra.

This year’s Creative Connexions once more adopted a global issue as its theme, this time the destruction of the world’s rainforests through the broad theme “Amazon”. Year 3 examined the Amazon environment. They had a fascinating workshop with a selection of live rainforest insects brought to school and their observations helped them create their

own insect dance. This was accompanied by musical sequences they composed to represent particular animals such as the sloth and the jaguar. Their batik work of rainforest animals was inspired by the rainforest artists Rousseau and Bright.

The children in Year 4 focused on the Yanomami creation myth for their inspiration. They explored the characters in drama and went on to build their own dance narrative including their interpretation of bebi – the barren underworld. A professional story teller worked with both Year 4 classes developing story making skills which they applied to their music, using dynamics and careful structure

to compose for key sections of the myth. In art, the children made South American kites used to take prayers to the heavens and looked at how story characters can be represented

explored domestic artefacts such as pottery vessels and had fun finding out about ritual decoration and head dresses.

Year 6 researched threats to the rainforest

through traditional Columbian appliqué. Amazon lifestyle was the theme for Year 5. To embrace this topic, Year 5 extended their geography curriculum work about rainforest people into a wider awareness of the different cultures of the Amazon region. Drama sessions with King’s actor in residence, Ben Humphrey, explores Amazon lifestyle scenes in three contexts: city life, a rural village community and rainforest people. Their dance had references to South American folk dance, carnival dance and tribal dances. In art they

and possible solutions to its destruction. They learnt about the influence of global corporations and cooperation between governments aiming to achieve a neutral global carbon balance. The children’s writing on the topic was used to create the media backdrops to the performance and linked the performance narratives. Rainforest scenes were painted in art. In music a piece entitled Tensions was written to accompany the powerful, partly improvised dance they choreographed.

ov NoteS

Verity Moore (S 95-02)

OV Notes

106th Reunion Weekend

18th,

19th & 20th

September

Friday - OV Golf

The Indian Summer saw forty OVs participate in the annual Golf Day in near perfect conditions at Upper Sapey Golf Club. Being a fair weather golfer, I keep a close eye on the forecast and only commit to playing when I know it’s going to be dry.

For those who don’t know, the OV Golf Day is a wonderful social occasion for golfers (and in my case, non-golfers) of all abilities and ages. Russ Mason does a terrific job in organizing it. It’s sponsored by a number of OVs such as Ian Smith (Cr 73-78), Richard Wilkes (W 76-86), Duncan Hughes (O 84-91) and Fanos Hira (O 80-87), and is a great chance to catch up with old mates. I watched my father, Alec Mackie (Cl 47-56), and my uncle, Lou Wadley (Cr 53-61), head out with others of their vintage and quite a few OV cricketers, like Duncan Hughes (O 84-91), Nick Hodgetts (Ca 74-79) and Dan Wheeler (Os 8292) hacking their way around the course.

I played with Nic Sproson (H 71-76) and Stu Preece (Ch 75-81)), so fancied my chances in the team competition because they’re both big hitters and low-handicap players. But they always say that you only play as well as your worst player and, as I was the worst player, we didn’t play very well at all. Our team finished dead last. Still, everyone leaves with a prize, and I won three spanking-new golf balls. Sadly, it was two fewer than I lost.

This year I donated a prize for the duffers, those with handicaps over 20. It was won by Dave Mendham (Hon OV) but even that won’t stop me donating the prize again.

Caroline [Horrigan] Krolikowski (Co 85-87), the OV President, presented the prizes and has vowed to make sure that at least one group of female OVs enters next year. The individual prize has been won by a woman before, and it would be nice to see the reaction to her victory againimagine a real life Bateman cartoon. It would also be nice to see some younger OVs taking part. I first played in the Golf Day when I was in my twenties, but this year the youngest participant was 35.

In 2011 I’ll be the OV president, and so have two years to work on improving my game. At the moment my handicap is my swing, my grip, my drive, my short game and my putting.

Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83)

OV COMMITTEE 2008-09

President: Caroline [Horrigan] Krolikowski (Co 85-87)

Chairman: Roy Padden (Cl 45-52)

Headmaster: Tim Keyes (Hon OV)

Vice-Presidents: Gareth O’Hara (Ch 81-84)

Elizabeth [Alexander] Charman (Co 88-90)

Hon Secretary: Michael Page (Cr 60-65)

Hon Treasurer: John Potter (Cl 55-62)

Hon Social Secretary: Richard Underwood (Ch 68-79)

Assisstant Social Secretary: Andrew Underwood (S 77-88)

Member Emeritus: Alec Mackie (Cl 47-56)

Hon Auditor: John Wagstaff (DB 52-61)

OVCC & OVFC Representative: Richard Wilkes (W 76-86)

Ordinary Members: James Mills (Cr 80-87)

Philip Mackie (Cl 73-84)

David Rosewarne (Cl 76-83)

Rebecca Day (Co 81-84)

Suzie Gilhooly (E 90-92)

Jenny [Clee] O’Bryan (E 88-90) Will Kerton (O 82-92)

Saturday - Reunion Day

This year marked the 100th Anniversary of the Cadet Force at King’s. Over the years it has had different titles, but its aim has been always the same: to give cadets an insight into military life and practices and to train them in skills and codes of behaviour that would be of benefit to them, regardless of their future career path. OVs were invited to return to King’s and enjoy this notable anniversary with the School, starting with presentations in the John Moore Theatre, given by Jim Featherstone, Cara Evans (B 02-09) and Caroline [Horrigan] Krolikowski (Co 8587). A booklet, prepared by Caroline Roslington from material held in the Archives, and including personal anecdotes, covered the history of the Corps at King’s; copies were snapped up eagerly by OVs, its contents prompting many to recall their own experiences - good and bad! - of life under amongst others Sgt Major Barrett, whose booming parade ground voice struck terror into many a raw recruit. Lunch followed in the dining hall, and gave the reunion year groups and former staff a chance to sit together and enjoy the moment. Some OVs have remained in touch over the years and others had not seen one another since their last day at school, 10, 20, 30 or 40 years ago. OVs celebrating their seventieth birthdays were invited to the event as guests of the Headmaster and presented with OV ties.The FDO did their usual job of making sure everything was organized on the day, most importantly issuing lapel name badges to everyone so that

those who not seen one another in 30 and 40 years could take a surreptitious glance and then greet by name with a convincing, “You haven’t changed at all - I recognised you straight away!” Tours round the School were arranged so that those who had not been back for some time could indulge in nostalgic memories and see the huge strides made in the provision of facilities at King’s, notably the latest new building arising on the former site of the Alma pub in Mill Street, providing much-needed space to expand the age range at St Alban’s. It has not been opened officially as yet, but has already welcomed through its doors the first cohort of pupils at the start of term.

The playground served as an exhibition area for units from the Regulars, there to help celebrate the Corps’ Centenary by demonstrating their skills and to give advice on military careers. The playground was cleared later in the day for the Biennial Inspection of the Corps at 3.15pm. OVs looked on as Brigadier Murray inspected the cadets. In a speech to the assembled cadets and OVs after his inspection Brigadier Murray was full of praise for the contingent and spoke of the code of comradeship that binds any military unit together. CO Sqn Ldr Nicki Essenhigh drew the Inspection to a close by asking the cadets to give their inspecting officer three cheers and OVs applauded. Refreshments and the chance to relax remained available, and many OVs and partners attended Choral Evensong in the Cathedral at 5.30pm.

The AGM

The 2009 AGM was held in the Chappel Memorial Room at 6.30pm, partners and guests of those attending going to a reception in the Chapter House, made available to the Club for that purpose by the Dean, the Very Revd Peter Atkinson. 17 members were present, with the President, Caroline [Horrigan] Krolikowski (Co 85-87), in the Chair. She called the meeting to order and asked all to stand for a few moments’ silence as the names of 15 deceased OVs were read out. There were two apologies for absence and the Minutes of the 2008 AGM were accepted, with no matters arising. John Potter (Cl 55-62) presented the Accounts for 2008: forward liabilities still remained as a matter to be addressed, but this would take place over time and the annual review of the Club subscription had shown no pressing need for change. The Accounts were adopted (proposed by Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83) and seconded by Malcolm Joyner (Cr 44-52)).

After his year as President, Ian Smith (Cr 7378) had recommended to the Committee that

the role could be made more meaningful if the term became two years; the Committee had accepted this recommendation and nominated Caroline [Horrigan] Krolikowski (Co 85-87) to serve as President for a second year (proposed by Roy Padden (Cl 46-52), seconded by Donald Howell (S 53-61)); she was elected unanimously. Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83) was elected to serve as Vice-President and Will Kerton (O 82-92) was elected to serve on the Committee. Printed copies of changes to the Club Rules proposed by the Committee had been circulated. These changes were not yet ‘set in stone’ and the Committee sought the approval of the AGM (as is required by the Rules) for the proposed changes; the changes were approved, subject to final drafting. Donald Howell (S 53-61) asked the Committee to look at the matter of defining within the Rules what constituted a Committee Quorum, and report back to the 2010 AGM.

Under Any Other Business Hugh Scurfield (Cl 44-54) encouraged all OVs to continue supporting the School through the Development Trust by donating, according to their means, to

help King’s achieve its goal of providing excellence in education.The President closed the meeting at 7.05pm with thanks to the Headmaster.

The Reunion Dinner

A gathering of 198 members and guests assembled in College Hall. As usual the Hall had been prepared for the evening by Club volunteers under Richard Underwood (Ch 6879) and by members of the FDO. The display of archive material that has become an integral part of the evening - thanks to the hard work of Cara Roslington and her archive team - was a centre of attention, stirring memories vaguely remembered, and long-forgotten ones as well. The room was called to order by MC Marc Roberts, who introduced the President. She welcomed all present, particularly Brian Papps (Cr 40-44), the oldest OV in the Hall and recipient of the Chappel Award. She encouraged all those who had not already done so to purchase raffle tickets, the money so raised to be divided between her chosen charity Help For Heroes and the Mike Stevens Fund. These were

both deserving causes and Caroline described briefly how the money raised by previous raffles had been used to good effect. She invited the Revd Martin Loveless (Cr 54-64) OV to say Grace then all sat down to dine. Guests of the President were the Headmaster, Tim Keyes, and Mrs Mary Anne Keyes, Donald Howell (Chairman of the Board of Governors) (S 53-61) and Mrs Pat Howell, the Revd Dr Georgina Byrne (newly appointed Residentiary Canon at the Cathedral), the Revd Tim Clarke, Mr John Bawden and Mrs Carol Bawden (Hon OV), Mrs Jo Leonard and, representing the School, Ilija Rasovic and Emmie Le Marchand. Also present were a number of long-term staff, some of them just retired, there to greet students they had taught, coached or mentored in years past.

After the meal the Toast of the Queen was proposed and the Toast of the School, to which Tim Keyes replied. He had much to report, sometimes as hard fact, sometimes as amusing anecdote but at heart that King’s has every right to be proud of the achievements of its students, in both curricular and extra-curricular activities. Supportive in various ways of the objectives of the School are the OVs and Tim Keyes announced the news that OV Michael Baker (Ch 48-55) and his family had not only donated a sum of £1,000,000 to the Bursary Fund, but had further promised to fund the building of a new and much needed Boathouse complex. In all, the donations would exceed £3,000,000 - a hugely welcome gesture. Michael himself was ill at the present time, and we had hoped his wife Pam could be at the Dinner to hear the announcement, as the generosity was from all Michael’s family, but unfortunately she was not able to be there. Tim did not expect other OVs to be able to match such an extraordinary gesture, but he hoped they would continue to support ventures within the School at any level possible, particularly the Bursary Fund which funds a growing number of pupils at King’spupils who would not otherwise be there. He affirmed that an inclusive mix of pupils from different backgrounds is important to the wellbeing of the School: the main criterion for entry should be whether a child would benefit from the education King’s had to offer, not whether the parents can pay the fees.

The Hall was then addressed by Roy Padden (Cl 46-52), Chairman of the OV Club Committee, who thanked Carol Bawden (Hon OV) not only for everything she had done for the School, but also on this occasion for the help and guidance - and the occasional chiding(!) - she had given to the Club during her years at the Foundation Development Office. From a very modest start, under her leadership the FDO had become a major force within the School, spearheading

the drive to gather in funds to augment those where the School’s own resources were limited. In the course of that Carol had breathed new life into the Club, which was as never before much more actively engaged with the School and with its own membership. He invited her to accept flowers and a gift on behalf of the Club. Having made enquiries behind the scenes, the Chairman was well aware that the gift - tickets to an opera of their choice in London - would be very acceptable to Carol and John. Carol was then asked to perform the task of drawing for the raffle. The formal part of the evening drew to a close with Brian Papps (Co 40-44) being asked to sign the Chappel Award book and the President’s thanks to the speakers and organizers.

Sunday - The Cathedral Service

Members and their guests and partners joined the regular congregation for the 10.30am Sunday Eucharist. Readings were given by the President and by Ray Franklin (Cl 43-49).The preacher was Residentiary Canon Dr Georgina Byrne, who along with her husband, the Revd Tim Clarke had been a guest of the Club at the Reunion Dinner. After the service the Headmaster and Mary Anne Keyes hosted drinks outside the Chappel Memorial Room.

OVCC

Chairman, Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83) writes… After two years of seemingly endless rain, it was nice to play a season with fewer interruptions. After 31 years as a player, including 19 as a captain of at least one side, I’ve moved upstairs to take on the role of chairman, which has been vacated, after many years of long service, by Jim Panter. James Bader (O 84-94) has worked hard in his role as Club Secretary and, because of his tireless efforts, the club is in a healthy position. A younger generation is now taking on more responsibilities and it was nice to see the likes of Will Smith (B 93-04), Osman Fiaz (Cl 96-03) and Tom Weston (Cr 99-04) beginning to taker greater control of the club on the pitch. The club’s other leading lights, Duncan Hughes (O 84-91), who averaged 46 for the firsts, and Dave Mendham (Hon OV)who topped the seconds’ batting and bowling averages, both played vital roles on and off the pitch. Dan Wheeler (O 8292) ran the Sunday side effectively and did well to encourage the younger players. Thanks go to our groundsmen, Phil Tyrell at King’s and Andy Callow at King’s Hawford. We also owe a debt of gratitude to members of staff at both schools: Jim Turner at Hawford, and to Pete Iddon, Antony Gillgrass, Ian Robinson and Dr. Mark Poole, who

have all either played or helped with recruitment. The club is always looking for players amongst old boys and girls, current pupils, staff and their pupils, so please get in touch if you’re interested in playing. phil.mackie@bbc.co.uk

First eleven vice-captain, Duncan Hughes (O 84-91), writes…

The OV first XI had a mixed season: we had the most 24-point wins in the league, yet missed out on a playoff place. If we had been able to field a nucleus of 6/7 players then undoubtedly we would have been at least in the playoff position, if not challenging for the league honours. The bowling attack was excellent but the batting often let us down.

Keith hitchcock’s first Xi in the early 1950s

Will Smith (B 93-04) was the outstanding performer, the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets and a batting average of 46. Osman Fiaz (Cl 96-03), who played every game, was the leading run-scorer with 398 league runs at an average of 28. He scored 712 runs in all. Skipper, Tom Weston (Cr 99-04), excelled with both bat and ball but, because of racing commitments, he only played half a season. He scored 230 runs and took 15 wickets in only 8 league matches. Sam Cullen was the bowler with the best strikerate, averaging a wicket every 4 overs. Dougie Arnot (Ch 05-12) showed his potential for the future with some excellent left-arm orthodox taking a season best 6-50 at Barnards Green, only bettered by an unplayable spell by Matt

Osman Fiaz, the club’s leading run scorer, in action against the Old Elizabethans

Marskell (Cr 02-09) of 7-9 at OEs. Others for the future who showed promise were Will Lucas (W 04-11), whose hostility at times had batsmen squirming to square leg, Harry Iddon (Cl 03-10) and Hiten Patel (Ch 03-10). Behind the wicket Luke Baghdadi (Ch 03-05) and James Bader (O 84-94) kept with aplomb.

Second eleven captain, Dave Mendham (Hon OV), writes…

We had mixed success and finished the season mid-table. However it was good to see the youngsters making an impact. Upper Remove, Dougie Arnot (Ch 05-12), bowled excellently through the summer, and Fifth Former, Will Lucas (W 04-11), bowled with increased pace and control. Several old hands contributed significantly: Lorin Arnold (Ch 96-98), Dan Wheeler (O 8292), Colin Cole (H 67-77) and Adam Howard (Cl 84-94) all turned out regularly and cheerfully. Cole’s 125 not out against Canon Frome was the best performance of the year.

Sunday captain, Dan Wheeler (Os 82-92), writes…

The Sunday side started and ended the 2009 season with wins and, in between, was involved in some close (and sometimes not-quite-soclose) games that will have, I hope, been a fun experience for many of the young players that took part - some of whom were playing for the Ovs for the first time. The season’s best total (281) was made in the first game of the season with Oz Fiaz (Cl 96-03), James Gommersall (Cr 86-95) and Nick Hodgetts (Ca 74-79) all making their highest scores for the side in the victory over Henley. Tom Bryant’s (Cr 01-08) 96 in the lovely surroundings at Marle Hill was the closest we got to a century, while the 11-run win at Cutnall Green, in a game that looked lost, was thrilling especially since the victory owed so much to the cool heads kept by a number of the side’s young bowlers such as Tom Hopkins (K 06-13), Ed Turner (Cr 89-99) and Jac Dimond (Cr 04-11).

Will Lucas (W 04-11) added another yard of pace and hostility to his growing reputation while the likes of Alex Spring (Cr 06-13), Hugh Rhodes (Cr 06-13), Charlie Lamb (07-14) all embellished their potential with the bat. As captain, not only am I grateful for all the youngsters’ keenness but also to the side’s more experienced, some might say decrepit, contingent: Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83), Andrew Judd (Ch 56-66), Nic Sproson (H 7176) and James Bader (O 84-94), without whom matches would be considerably duller, if a little more athletic!

OVFC

Old Vigornians Football Club has enjoyed a great start to life with two promotions and a cup-final appearance in just its first three years. In addition to a successful league campaign, the 2008/9 season also saw a remarkable cup run, with the OVs beating four teams on their way to the final at St George’s Lane - Worcester City Football Club’s stadium. The game, against MEC Chestnut from the division above, was a sevengoal thriller, with the OVs losing out 4-3 in extra

time.

This season has seen a steady start to life in Worcester League Division 2, with the OVs sitting in mid-table after the first six games. Paul Judge (W 83-93) is team manager with Dan Kendrick (O 93-98) as captain. The OVs’ regular players also include: goalkeeper, Alex Cross (B 96-03); defenders, Tom Squire (Ch 93-03), Tim Race (S 90-97), Sunny Sehjipal, and Jim Reece; midfielders, Tom Guest (S 90-97), Julius Baghdadi (B 95-06), Pete Gill (Ch 93-02), Osman Fiaz (Cl 96-03), John Squire (Ch 90-00), Danny Kearney and Joe O’Connor (W 00-07); and strikers Luke Turner (B 00-02), Arti Fiaz (Cl 88-95), Rich Wilkes (W 76-86) and Ollie Mathew (W 93-03).

The OVFC is always on the lookout for new players so anyone who fancies playing in a Sunday-morning league should contact me on 07789 902117 or via email at dan-kendrick@ hotmail.co.uk

Dan Kendrick (Os 93-98)

Deaths and Obituaries

The following deaths have been reported to the Club during this academic year.

George Parlby (Ca 27-31)

Donald Briggs (DB 31-36)

Denis Bendall (Ca 36-40)

Dennis Breakwell (Cl 40-44)

John Arthurs (DB 44-48)

Ramsay Hughes (47-54)

Noel Vincent (H 45-55)

Roger Bennett (Cl 48-56)

John Wilding (S 51-56)

Nigel Rowling (H 52-56)

Meriel Kittermaster (42-59)

Tom French (Cr 53-61)

Bruce Cunningham (Cr 53-62)

John Richards (Cr 54-65)

Robert Harley (W 64-71)

Paul Cattermole (Hon OV 64-74)

David James (Ca 69-74)

Robbie Newland (Cl 76-80)

Andrew Mackelvie (B 77-84)

Lianne [Greaves] Noble (Co 82-84)

Stephen Llewellyn (K 98-01)

Scott Rennie (B 93-02)

GeorGe Parlby (Ca 27-31)

George died at the age of 95 on 11th December in Sydney, Australia. His involvement in rowing came about at King’s and was to be a lifetime’s passion. He became a member of the Thames Rowing Club and represented the Club at Henley, becoming a Life Member. He married then moved to Australia in 1938 where he joined Sydney Rowing Club, eventually to become Captain for 20 years and President for 11 years. His services to rowing were recognised in 1986 with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Isabel Parlby, sister

Denis benDall (Ca 36-40)

At King’s Denis excelled at rugby, swimming, rowing, boxing and cricket, and it was obvious he would pursue an interest, and probably a career, in sport. Denis saw service as a naval officer in World War II and, with the War over, he joined the family retail business, but kept up his involvement with sport by playing for Bristol RFC. A back injury forced his retirement from that sport so he turned his interest to tennis, becoming a widely recognised coach of the sport, training many of Britain’s top players in a 50-year career centred on the King’s LTC at Bishopston. After retiring in 2002, he was honoured in 2003 with the Lord Mayor’s Medal for services to the sport in Bristol, and in 2009 was nominated for a Centenary Degree from the University of Bristol. Denis was married to Jean, whom he had met during the War; they had three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Malcolm Joyner, OV

John arthurs (Db 44-48)

John trained at Culham Teacher Training College then taught for 32 years at St George’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Worcester, where he became Deputy Head. He was an inspirational teacher, able to present a wide variety of subjects to his pupils, particularly music, his great interest. He was an outstanding pianist and organist and turned his hand to composing as well. For many years he was organist and choirmaster at St George’s RC Church, well known in the church and school music-scene of the city. John spent many of his middle years caring for ailing parents. He retired in 1993 but was to suffer from poor health himself, a succession of strokes leaving him progressively disabled. He died on July 13th 2009. It was fitting that at John’s own request Widor’s Toccata from Symphony 5 was played at his funeral. It was a pleasure to have shared a love of music with him and a privilege to have known him as a life-long friend.

Ken Laflin, OV

ramsay huGhes, sChool housekeePer (47-54)

After the Second World War, King’s returned to Worcester from exile in Criccieth and, under the drive of the new Head, Kittermaster, started building for the future. This time saw an influx of masters fresh from the battlefields – Messrs Sheppard, Ferrar, McTurk, Cash, Bailey and Thomas amongst them. But it was also necessary to establish the support infrastructure for the school - consisting by 1946 of four boarding houses and two day boy houses and about 300 pupils. The position of School Housekeeper then existed and a young widow, Ramsay Hughes, applied for, and got, the job in 1947. This mainly entailed ensuring that the boys were fed regularly

and within budget, as well as other duties involving the domestic side of the school’s life.

Ramsay (née Dudeney) was born in Leicester in 1910 but was brought up in Ealing, London. Her father was a senior reporter for Express Newspapers and through him she developed her interests in the arts, politics and music. She was named after Ramsay MacDonald, with whom her father was dining when she was born and who became her godfather.

During the war she met Oscar Hughes, a Chemistry Master at Christ College Brecon. Apparently Oscar saw her in the street when she was on a visit to Wales with her father and thought she was an interesting looking girl! History does not relate how the romance blossomed from that unusual start. They married in 1941. After Brecon they moved to Norfolk, where Oscar again taught science at Gresham’s until his untimely death in 1945. Oscar was an internationally recognised figure in his field and there is still an annual Chemistry prize at Christ College in his name.

Now needing to support herself, Ramsay applied for the job at King’s and after what she described as a ‘short but interesting’ interview with Kittermaster, joined the exciting new world of life in post-war Worcester with the young demobbed masters. She had very little experience of managing the cooking for such a

large number of people but had the benefit of an experienced chef - Charlie Passey, who had joined about the same time with his partner Alf Taylor - and together, with the aid of a cookery book bought in Worcester High Street, they managed to concoct a weekly menu that met the needs of the boys, whilst staying within the reins of a tight budget and rationing, which still existed at that time. This task was made more difficult in that food had to be wheeled across to College Hall at lunchtime as there was not enough room in School House for the entire school to eat! It was some years before the new ‘dayboys’ dining room’ would be built, attached to School House

by a sloping passageway.

She took full advantage of the music in the Cathedral, becoming good friends with David Willcocks (now Sir), who was organist there. She also took full advantage (in the nicest possible way) of the company of all the young masters and her room in School House was a popular place at break time for them to gather and above the hubbub of conversation would be heard fullhearted gales of laughter from Ramsay. Barbara Curle (wife of Peter, Hon OV 1950 to 1986) says, “I do remember our meetings in Ramsay’s room, but the anecdotes I can recall are certainly not for publication!” Eventually, Ramsay had left Worcester to return to Ealing to look after her aged mother.

She built up a real affection for Worcester and King’s and would regularly come back for Three Choirs, often staying with Myfanwy (Miffy) Campbell, one time King’s art mistress or Bill (Basher) Bailey or Wilf Thomas. The last time she came to Worcester was in 1999 for a concert to celebrate Sir David Willcocks’ 80th birthday. And for the next 10 years she required a full update on happenings at the school whenever I visited her, as well as the latest copy of The Vigornian. She lived in her parents’ house in Ealing into her 90s and was a well known and popular person in the area. She took generations of children to the Bach Choir Christmas Concerts in the Albert Hall, which always included a visit into the bowels of the hall to meet Sir David Willcocks. She loved children (although she had none of her own), and taught at Beacon House School in Ealing for a while and children were always made welcome in her house, despite the precious ornaments. She continued to be interested in the worlds of art, music and politics and kept up a lively discourse on any of these with all her many visitors.

Eventually the house got too much for her and she spent the last few years in a nursing home. But she never lost her interest in the world, her extended family, Worcester and an enormous circle of friends, who would regularly visit her. She died peacefully on 26th November 2008, active to the end: she had already been planning her 100th birthday celebrations in some detail.

In the sixties, when I was at King’s, I think Charlie Passey was still following the principles – if not the actual recipes - laid down by her, but her influence has now faded along with the role of Housekeeper. With the death of Meriel Kittermaster and Ramsay Hughes the last links to King’s in the immediate post-war era have gone, except in the memories of the boys there at the time, many of whom, I am sure, will remember her with affection.

D.F.Thomas (S 56-66)

noel VinCent (h 45-55)

Noël was born in Kampala, Uganda, but returned to the UK with his missionary family and attended King’s where he was a Chorister.

After National Service, he went up to Cambridge where he read Economics and Theology at Fitzwilliam College, receiving his MA in 1964. He was ordained and received his first incumbency near Belper, Derbyshire. At the same time, he started work in radio broadcasting, but maintained his own ecumenical responsibilities.

In 1978 Vincent moved onto the staff of Radio Derby and in 1982 joined the production team of BBC Religious Broadcasting.

In 1985 Vincent was made an Honorary Canon of Derby Cathedral, and in 1991 he became Editor of BBC Worship Programmes, reflecting his ability not only to produce programmes, but also to unite and harmonise teams of people with sensitivity and tact, during a period of great upheaval within the BBC.

Vincent’s final promotion was to become Chief Assistant to the Head of Religious Broadcasting in 1993. He fulfilled the role with great distinction, while offering pastoral care to colleagues who had been displaced when the BBC moved the Religious Broadcasting Department from London to Manchester.

In 1995 Vincent retired from the BBC, and in 1996 was appointed Canon Treasurer of Liverpool Cathedral. In 2002, Vincent retired to Formby, keeping up an active programme. He was Chair of Governors for a School, a member of the Liverpool John Moores University Scholarship Board, and part-time prison chaplain. He also continued to lead The Daily Service on Radio 4, where his became a familiar and much loved voice.

Prior to his death, Vincent had been battling cancer since 2007, latterly with the added complications of kidney failure. He died peacefully in Aintree University Hospital with his wife Angela at his side. He leaves two

children, four grandchildren and a national congregation of people who were touched by his sincere personal ministry, and accessible but accomplished broadcasts.

Andrew Vincent (son)

niGel rowlinG (h 52-56)

Nigel’s time at King’s was largely uneventful, apart from playing in the First XI Hockey team. His working career started with the Hoffman Bearing Co. in Chelmsford, then National Service, after which he joined Barclays Bank. In the early days he was happy with this work, but felt increasingly at odds with the Bank’s shift away from personal contact with its customers so he took voluntary redundancy. He and his wife then set up a country hotel in Norfolk, the management of which they eventually handed over to their younger son. Unfortunately Nigel’s retirement was brief as he died suddenly, shortly after his 70th birthday.

Martin Rowling, OV, brother

meriel kittermaster (42-59)

Formerly Meriel Greenstock, she was the wife of F R Kittermaster who was Headmaster at King’s from 1942-59. Although not officially on the staff she was certainly a ‘presence’ within King’s, much respected - particularly amongst the boarders - for her willingness to participate in the cultural life of the School. She started a Music Society which met from 8 to 10 in her drawing room on Sunday evenings to hear classical music on the gramophone, and also arranged celebrity concerts in College Hall. Her skill in music and painting were an important influence: many OVs retained that interest and a significant number went on to pursue careers in those fields. When the death of Meriel Kittermaster occurred on the 20th January 2009, the news was passed by the FDO to the wider King’s community, particularly OVs who had passed through the School during her time there. A memorial service followed the private family funeral, and that was attended by a number of OVs, all paying their last respects to a lady for whom they had great affection. The performance of Fauré’s Requiem in College Hall on March 7th 2009, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury, was dedicated to the memory of Meriel Kittermaster.

It would be difficult to include here all the tributes to Meriel Kittermaster that were sent in. I have selected just a few which I hope demonstrate the regard and affection she commanded. Times were hard for all in the later years of the War and the years following, but within the limitations imposed on her, Meriel did all that she could to improve the social and cultural life at King’s. MJP.

She was an enlightening, attractive, and

cultured presence, who took great interest in the boys. Those delightful Sunday evenings at her house were the highlight of our week, with the Music Circle, play-reading, and an art lecture on successive weeks. I became quite close to her when I was learning my part for Gretchen in Goethe’s Faust. I had to sing three songs; often I would go to Meriel’s house at lunch-times where she gave me singing lessons, accompanying me on the piano. Shortly before I joined the Royal Navy for National Service in November 1953, she invited me to stay at her

house for a few days, during which time she took me to a concert in Malvern, where we heard a performance of Elgar’s ‘cello concerto. Meriel will be greatly missed.

George Beckmann OV Meriel Kittermaster was a delightful, kind woman with the interest of the boys very much at heart. I remember those Sunday evening sessions in her house accompanied by Earl Grey tea (undrinkable for most boys!!). I was Secretary of the Music Society at one time, of which she was a keen supporter, helping with the planning of programmes. While I was Organ Scholar at the Cathedral she allowed me to practise on her excellent grand piano in the sitting room, for which I was very grateful. As far as I recall it was a Bluthner with a beautiful soft tone - perfect for Chopin Nocturnes. Ian Hastie (Ca 47-55)

In 1943 Westminster School was still in its evacuation venue in Bromyard and the Director of Music, Arnold Foster, was running a Choral Society in Worcester of which Meriel was a member. Soon I was ‘persuaded’ - probably I was too timid to even think of refusing! - to take part. Rehearsals were sometimes in the Kittermasters’ sitting room (how did we fit in?), and eventually we performed Dvorak’s Stabat Mater at the Christopher Whitehead School. I am grateful for this brief baptism of fire which stimulated my interest in choral singing. I was also in the school choir under Edgar Day, but that was very small

at the time with only altos, tenors and basses, supplemented by sopranos, including Meriel, for concerts.

I visited her in her home two years ago; we had a very enjoyable lunch at, appropriately, ‘The Cricketers’ nearby - she had been a good cricketer herself and was the niece of the seven famous cricketing Foster brothers of Worcestershire. In fact I remember her playing for the School staff against the School and witnessing her strong throwing arm!

I am sure I did not did not appreciate her pastoral qualities at the time, but on reflection I remember her with admiration and gratitude

Gerald Lindner (S 43-46)

She was indeed a most attractive and engaging personality who was always seeking ways to encourage boys’ interests in the arts, particularly music. In the early fifties, my brother Jo and I were taking our violin studies quite seriously and I remember those recitals in her drawing room: it was always a daunting experience when it was your turn to perform. And she took great interest in both of us gaining places in the National Youth Orchestra from 51 - 54.

Edward Rippier (Cr 47-54) Meriel Kittermaster was a lively, most gracious lady and a delightful host. She was always full of fun and had a charming, easy-going manner with us boys. I was secretary of the Art Circle and a member of the Music Society, both of which met on a Sunday evening in her home at 14, College Green. I was on Meriel’s School Dance Committee which also met regularly in her home. Meriel was a very good artist and she and ‘Miff’ Campbell (art teacher) would often take a small group of us in her old Land Rover to paint landscapes in the Worcestershire countryside. She was a great inspiration to me and I owe it as much to her as anyone else that I have continued to paint ever since I left school. It was my pleasure to write to her in her old age and share with her some of my paintings.

Peter Brown (H 49-57)

tom FrenCh (Cr 53-61)

After winning an award at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and reading Modern and Medieval Languages, Tom pursued a career as a librarian, though he kept up a life-long interest in languages. It was when he was doing his post-graduate studies in Librarianship at Sheffield he met his wife Sonia. He was appointed to the Library at the University of Birmingham in 1967, with Sonia pursuing her own career at Birmingham Central Library. Tom was one of the earliest to embrace and understand the application of IT to the science of Librarianship and for a time his work was in that speciality. By 1977 he was Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian at Birmingham.

Continuing his own interest in languages, he accumulated a noteworthy collection of books on a variety of languages: he offered his collection of German books to the Library providing, he said - with typical dry humour - they were called ‘The French Collection’. Such humour made him an easy person to work with and he was popular with his colleagues. In 1996 he was made Head of 20th-Century British Collections at the British Library and commuted from Bromsgrove, almost always arriving for work ahead of his Londonbased colleagues. In London he served also as an external examiner for the School of Library, Archive & Information Studies at UCL. He retired in 2003 but immersed himself in local life in Bromsgrove, including planning for Bromsgrove Concerts and being an active member of the Housman Society. He died on 25th June 2008 and is survived by Sonia, William and Rosie. To quote from the close of Hardy’s novel The Woodlanders, ‘he was a good man and did good things’.

Christine Penney, colleague and friend

eDwarD bruCe CunninGham (Cr 53-62)

Born in Bristol in 1944, Bruce joined St Alban’s as a day boy when his parents moved to Worcester, becoming a boarder in the sixth form when the family moved away.

He had many happy memories of his time at King’s, and the inspiration of his history master, Dan McTurk, nurtured a life-long fascination with modern history. Close friendships which began at school with Clive Hamblin (S 51-62), John Pickup (DB 52-63) and David Morris (S 52-62) endured a lifetime.

Bruce continued his education at Bristol University and subsequently embarked on a career in the brewing industry. In 1992 he began a second career in the Probation Service in Thames Valley and Wiltshire. He had a voracious appetite for modern history and left his substantial collection of books to the King’s library. He was also a lover of music and theatreh and enjoyed acting with the Little Tew Theatre, near his rural Oxfordshire home.

Bruce lost his battle against cancer and died on 10th October 2008. He leaves a wife, Wendy, four children and eight grandchildren.

Wendy Cunningham

reversal of normal protocol, Robert’s genuinely cheery, ‘Good morning, Sir’ could transform an ordinary school day into one of glad opportunity: the world was OK - Robert had spoken. With three nice ‘A’ Levels in the bag, he left school in 1971 and, demonstrating the unorthodoxy and contrariness that were as much part of his character as his gleeful self-confidence, he began work as one of Mrs Clapton’s cake delivery boys. Friends of his, still then at school, recall the ready availability of mysteriously-free iced buns. Clapton’s ceased trading some time later.

Robert’s thirty-six month ‘gap year’ ended in 1974 when he embarked on a Business Studies course at Bristol Polytechnic. He did not complete this, though he did finish with an alarmingly sizeable loan from The Midland Bank and a handsome collection of parking tickets which were to remain unpaid. He returned to Worcester to tackle life: innately gifted, selfconfident, hard-working and hard-playing, he viewed problems as just obstacles to be overcome, attributing much of his ability to do this to his time at King’s. He immersed himself in whatever project was to hand and was to rise from junior employee at the embryonic ‘Insight Surveys’ to top of the tree by the 1990s in the renamed ‘OnSite’, by then a major company. When they were taken over he became a highlyvalued board-member of South Staffordshire plc; this rather surprised him. Worldly success came, but challenge was the thing: how to get a pintpreferably several - at 2am when pubs shut at 11pm was as motivational as solving any business dilemma. And what fun he was to be around; I think his success came because of his great ability to include people, not to exclude them, in the process of meeting the challenge.

Time passed with him was never just time spent: it could be exhausting, even exasperating, but was usually an adventure; you had to be ready for it.The world which he loved and reminded us to love became more vivid and a better place to be. That was a great gift and a true measure of success. Over the last decade, with Trina at Little Brookend Farm, he nurtured a muchvalued home life, at times refreshingly orthodox, at others demandingly ebullient. Trina, on trina. walsh@btconnect.com, is inviting anecdotes and recollections of Robert. There are many.

Andrew Judd (Ch 56-66)

were many, but the greatest interest of all outside his work was church bells and bell ringing, and many who studied Mathematics under him at King’s will have rung bells alongside him at various churches around Worcestershire. An accomplished peal-ringer himself, he was also an enthusiastic, devoted - and if necessary patientteacher of the art, as many OVs will remember. Born and raised in Norfolk, it was a joy to him to return to the area where his interest in bells had begun and he immersed himself in the study of Norfolk’s church bells. He became official archivist to Wymondham Abbey (later he edited a 309page History of Wymondham to mark its 900th Anniversary) and adviser to the Norwich Diocese on bells. When researching the subject, his work was meticulous - to be expected from a man who had graduated with a First in Mathematics and then taken a doctorate in History: his doctoral thesis spawned many of his later publications. Able to speak fluent medieval Latin, he spent 5 years researching a labour of love, The Church Bells of Norwich. Published in 2005, and possibly the most comprehensive work ever published on the subject; it lists every bell in Norwich churches and includes a lengthy technical section on bell installations, a subject rarely covered.

Several times he acted as consultant when belfries were being re-furbished and the architect needed an expert technical opinion. Such was his depth of knowledge on the subject that he even knew the strength of the mortar mix that had to be used in securing a bell frame to the tower: there is one notable incident on record where an architect ignored his recommendation and the frame came loose during the first celebratory peal, much to Paul’s annoyance. Not only did he publish several works on the subject of bells and bell ringing, and contribute to works published by others, but also co-authored a definitive history of Norwich School, published in 1991.

robert harley (w 64-71)

To those many of us who first encountered Robert in young adulthood there was quite simply Life-before-Harley and Life-after-Harleyit brightened and was never quite the same again. Robert died on August 1st, with friends around, at Little Brookend Farm; he was 55. At King’s in the late sixties, he was a forceful ‘presence’. Colin Gray, then on the teaching staff, tells how, in a

Paul Cattermole (hon oV 64-74)

Paul Cattermole excelled in Latin at school, though he read Mathematics at King’s College, London, and pursued a career as a teacher of the subject, from 1964-74 at King’s, then moving on to become Head of Mathematics at Norwich School - where his own education had begununtil his retirement 29 years later. His interests

On his retirement in 2003 it was said of him in the Norwich School Magazine, ‘Life was never dull when Paul was in charge of the Maths Department. Maths was real, Maths was exciting, Maths had nothing to do with text books’. That is a sentiment with which many of us who passed through his hands at King’s would agree. It was Paul who taught me all those years ago that if

you are going to do something you should do it as well as possible. Paul was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 2004. He died on July 31st, 2009 and is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their two daughters.

Richard Bacon MP (B 70-80),

robbie newlanD (Cl 76-80)

After King’s Robbie attended Brooksby Agricultural College, with a view to a career in that industry, but the difficulties being faced by farming at the time persuaded him to think again. He spent 6 months travelling the USA and when he returned he launched into the business of importing and distributing specialist beers, notably as exclusive agent for the Erdinger range of wheat beers from Munich, Germany. He acquired a reputation as an expert in the field and travelled widely, chiefly in the UK and Germany, building up a wide distribution network, latterly with his brother, Neil. Two of his passions were motorcycling and industrial archaeology and often he combined the two with trips out to look at examples of the UK’s and Europe’s industrial heritage; Britain’s canal network was a particular interest. He was killed in a road accident on the 10th October 2008. A collection at his funeral service was sent to the Droitwich Canals Trust.

Adrienne Newland, mother

lianne [GreaVes] noble (Co 82-84)

Sadly, Lianne passed away very suddenly on

Sunday 15th November. She leaves behind her husband, Geoff and two daughters, Gemma (13) and Megan (9). She qualified as an accountant and was in business with her husband.

Dorothy Greaves, mother

anDrew maCkelVie (br 77-84)

After leaving King’s, Andrew joined the Trustee Savings Bank and became Manager of the Evesham Branch Office before returning as Manager of the Worcester Branch. He kept up his love of rugby by playing for Malvern RFC and was a member of the team which won the Pilkington Shield at Twickenham. Andrew died on 1st July 2006. He leaves a daughter, Victoria.

Jean Mackelvie, mother

sCott rennie (b 93-02)

There are few who will not have heard of Scott’s tragic death, at 25, in the Spring of this year. A 2012 Olympic Rowing prospect, he had just come off the water after a successful outing with his club, Molesey, and was winding down in the gym when he suddenly collapsed.

There are staff at King’s who will recall that even when Scott was in the Lower Remove, he had already an air of quiet authority. Never boastful or showy, as he rose through the School he became increasingly successful on the rugby field and on the river. All the time he displayed a calm but cheerful friendliness and gave the impression of one whose values were strong and sound. When he reached the Sixth Form

it was obvious he would be the next Head of School - and so it transpired. The 2001/2 team of Monitors was a particularly good bunch and he had some able lieutenants but there was no doubt who was in charge.

He was sufficiently organized to be one of those rare individuals who could have a normal social life as well as combining keeping on top of his studies with being a member of the First XV, the First VIII, as well as Head of School - all time-consuming.

Whilst I know he would have been successful as an international oarsman, I also believe that he would have made a significant mark after his rowing days were over.The overflowing Pershore Abbey, at his funeral, showed that this was not just a ‘great athlete’ (to quote the Olympic goldmedallist, Andy Triggs Hodge) but someone who inspired others. Always, his concern had been not what they could do for him but what he could do for them, and in his brief life, this fine young man had gained the respect and admiration and deep affection of so many different people.

TDR Hickson (Hon OV 62-02) Early in our time together at King’s, pupils were invited to choose which sport they would take for the summer term, although really, it was a process of natural selection. You see, tradition has it that if you are a vaguely co-ordinated boyparticularly in ball sports - then you play cricket. Those who are not row. Scott and I, of course, found ourselves in the latter classification… and thus began Scott’s rowing career.

For me, this new passion did not last long.

Scott Rennie with the Monitors of 2001/2002

Perhaps I was scarred by an early experience when, still in our rowing nappies, Scott and I went out in a double scull. We came face to face with a larger vessel ploughing down the river and we promptly froze - before each rowing in opposite directions. Remarkably we avoided collision. Despite this shaky start, Scott was relieved to accept my early retirement from the sport

and soon began to show flair for the discipline. His power, focus and positive attitude saw him quickly promoted to crews in years senior to his own.

In the Sixth Form, Scott’s maturity, selflessness and good judgment were rewarded with his appointment to Head of School. Scott demonstrated the most subtle of leadership qualities - empathy - and this, along with his warm and approachable character, earned him wide respect. Whether you were a ten year old, a peer, a teacher or a friend’s older sibling, Scott was someone to admire.

Scott’s sudden death and what we have lost, will take time to fully absorb. One realizes that life post Big-Ren has changed irrevocably. I’m sure all who knew him share a desire to follow Scott’s model attitude to life, within our own.

Oli Smith (Cl 97-02)

OV News

1940s

Gerald Lindner (S 43-46)

2009 has been quite a memorable year, having become an octogenarian in April. In March, I sang alongside Ken Laflin, OV (DB 41-49) and about 230 others, in the “Come and Sing” performance of Faure’s Requiem, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury (Ch 58-68) in Worcester Cathedral. My wife, Patricia, and I recently celebrated our Golden Wedding, having married on 18th August 1959 in Tehran, where we were then working, and had earlier met. Also, in July I visited Estonia to attend their 5-yearly Song Festival, a tradition started in 1869. In two concerts on successive days, massed choirs in regional costumes, sang

both classical and folk compositions, culminating in items for all choirs combined totalling nearly 25,000 singers! It was astonishing, too, that despite the vast numbers, the sound was completely balanced and synchronized. And the participating choirs, from all over the country, have to compete for places, in a nation of under 2 million people!

I recommend such a visit to anyone with even a modicum of musical interest – there is a Youth Song and Dance Festival in 2011. There is also some fine mediaeval architecture in the capital, Tallinn, and other provincial cities; numerous churches, mostly Lutheran, with good acoustics and organs to match, with many eminent organists (I just missed a 10-day Organ Festival in Tallinn).

bill davis (Cr 47-49)

In 1948-49 a group of us in Sixth Form formed a cycling club. I wonder, does this still exist? In 1948 I remember being invited to play cricket for the OVs although still a school student. I believe 1948 may be the year the OV Cricket Club commenced. At the time I was also a member of the 1st XI school cricket team!

Peter Prestage (S 41-49)

January 11th was a milestone for us as we reached our 50th wedding anniversary and with it came some lovely bouquets of flowers from cousins in the UK.The house was full of fragrance and colour. We just had a quiet lunch out on the day as the main celebration was to come in August with a visit to the Cook Islands. In January also we had our hottest day in what was to be a long hot summer and drought conditions for many farmers especially in eastern areas. Two other anniversaries celebrated this year were Gill’s 70th and 44 years living in New Zealand.

1950s

Phillip Sheppy (Ca 43-52)

I retired from a ‘second career’ as Honorary Librarian and Official Advisor to the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) in 2007. I still write on a regular basis and have been a contributor to the RASE Journal for a number of years. I am about to publish a biography of James Hudson (1804-1859), the Society’s first full-time Secretary, jointly with the subject’s great-great grandson. I now spend most of my spare time in a rather large garden in Northamptonshire. Michael Senter (Cr 46-54)

I spend most of my time helping my wife run her charity in Poland. I am also Chairman of the English Speaking Union there.

Peter brown (H 49-56)

As 2009 is the 10th anniversary of the ending of boarding at King’s, to mark the occasion I have included a feature article on ‘The Culture of Boarding at King’s’, on the Hostel Centenary

website. The article includes my extended memoirs of life in The Hostel in the middle of the last century. The website has been moved to a new server where it can be seen at http:// www.hostel-centenary.webs.com People have found the article through Google searches on ‘Meriel Kittermaster’, ‘history of boarding’, ‘boarding school life’, ‘public school traditions’, ‘public school boarding’, ‘corporal punishment in schools’, ‘school discipline’, ‘Arnold’, ‘Creighton family’, ‘origins of school uniforms’, ‘history of colours awards’, ‘public school fagging’ and ‘teaching in public schools’.

Roger Thorn (Cr 48-56)

I had a delightful encounter the other day. As Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Paris I get invited to many commemorative ceremonies, but this particular one was special: it was to commemorate the liberation of a town on the Seine, Vernon, by The Worcestershire Regiment in August 1944. At the ceremony too were representatives of the other Regiments who crossed the Seine under heavy fire; (Monty crossed at that same point shortly afterwards). We processed to several sites of the battles which had secured the bridgehead, where we laid Poppy Wreaths. On several occasions a very straight-backed British veteran in a very smart blazer and flannels, and with a string of campaign medals, laid personal Wreaths. I made his acquaintance and I discovered that he came every year in remembrance of his Sergeant who was killed in the crossing. He asked after me and I said that after a National Service Commission in Signals Special Forces Intelligence on the east German border I took a T.A.Commission in the Worcestershire Regiment. He said that wasn’t his own regiment, although his was in the same Wessex Brigade in 1944. However he said he had a Worcestershire connection, his nephew, a man called Tim Keyes, was Headmaster of the “Choir” School in Worcester. I gasped, said I was an old boy, and that I knew his nephew well.

John Roe (H 46-57)

No doubt about it, our Worcester visit was a highlight of our Grand Tour. Also, my sister staged

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a lovely birthday party for Enrichetta’s 75th on the Isle of Wight and we rounded off our 3,452 km drive with four days in the Agenois area of SW France with old friends from Italy who now live there.

Richard wright (Ca 54-57)

I would like to suggest a Castle House reunion for students in the years 1950-1960. If anyone is interested, please contact me through the Foundation Development Office.

Godfrey Hewitt (Ch 51-58)

I was UEA organiser of European Exchange of Undergraduates (Socrates). I am a Fellow of Linnean Society and Royal Entomological Society. I have a Doctor of Science “honoris causa” from the University of Madrid. I was Visiting Fellow/ Professor in several universities in Europe and China.

N.H. (Sam) Holden (S 50-58)

I’m still living in Masterton, New Zealand, now a superannuitant. I made three trips to Patagonia (Chile/Argentina) retracing my grandparents’ and mother’s footsteps from the 1920s on Tierra Del Fuego (in 2004, 2005 and 2006). I also visited (in 2006) the Falkland Islands (which have come on a lot since the 1982 Falklands War), South Georgia, South Shetlands and Antarctica on the m/v Explorer.This vessel sank on 23rd November 2007 after hitting ice in the South Shetlands (just 11 months later – perhaps I had a lucky escape!). In 2007 I got to North Cape to complement my earlier visits to Cape Horn and Antarctica. I visited Eastern Central Europe in 2008 and look forward to seeing some of Eastern Europe in 2009.

1960s

Roger bowkett (Cr 56-61)

I visited South Africa to see British and Irish Lions play. Other travel has been to: Zanzibar, Dubai, Botswana, Zambia, New Zealand and Australia.

Michael Steed (H 54-61)

I am a former chairman of the Brontë Society and a Magistrate.

Raymond Needham (b 54-62)

I am a member of the Magistrates’ Association. david Hepworth (Cl 58-65)

My career has been in education, much of it as a full-time educational consultant with the Foreign Office, mostly in Africa. I returned to the UK recently having served three years in Pakistan, where I was shadowed at all times by a personal bodyguard! I am called away occasionally on short-term assignments, but am more or less retired and busy renovating the flat I bought in London over twenty years ago that will become my base. I visit Worcester and my mother regularly; she still lives in the house on Stephenson Road from which I attended King’s.

Ronald wetson (w 58-65)

I retired from general medical practice this year and plan to spend more time skiing and fishing.

Jeremy Thompson (S 61-65)

A journalist for over 40 years, I have been a Correspondent for the BBC, ITN and Sky News, covering many of the major news events of our time, reporting from more than 100 countries

around the globe and running foreign bureaux in Asia, Africa and the USA. I now anchor Sky’s flagship programme Live at 5.

In 2006 I was named as RTS Presenter of the Year - the first time this award has gone to a Sky News anchor. Among the other awards received are an Emmy from the US Academy of TV Arts & Sciences, three Gold Medals for Best News Reporter from the New York TV Festival, the Royal Television Society award for Sky’s coverage of the Kosovo Conflict, the RTS 2001 News Channel of the Year team award for 9/11 coverage and BAFTA’s News Award for 2001/2. In 2004 I was named Satellite/Digital TV Personality of the Year at the TRIC Awards.

Jan brown (Ca 62-67)

Currently teaching English to foreign students at a Sydney University, I live in Thirroul, NSW Australia.

Stephen Cleobury (Ch 58-67)

In January 2009 I conducted a concert with the BBC Singers (I am now Conductor Laureate) to celebrate my 60th birthday. Four composers were commissioned to write celebratory pieces. In June 2009 I was appointed CBE.

Andrew Simpson (w 61-68)

I continue to work for Abbott Laboratories at the Dartford site which researches and manufactures medical diagnostic reagents which are used in hospitals and blood transfusion centres. Our main interest at the site is in bloodborne virus infections and we employ leadingedge technology to produce tests for infections

such as HIV and Hepatitis. Having had a number of roles over many years I am now involved in bio-safety, environmental health and safety matters and ensuring that the site remains legally complaint in all such matters. In this connection I also travel to other sites around the world to audit their compliance states.

Having spent 27 years in the RAF Volunteer Reserve where I reached the rank of Wing Commander and the post of Officer Commanding Kent Wing of the Air Training Corps, I have now retired from the Reserve but maintain my connections with the Corps. I have also recently been appointed as a Trustee of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust which is tasked with the maintenance and promotion of the National Memorial to the Battle of Britain which is situated on top of the cliffs between Dover and Folkestone at Capel Le Ferne. 2010 will see the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and much activity will occur to commemorate that anniversary. We are fortunate that a good number of ‘The Few’ are still with us to take part in these commemorations.

The Memorial is open every day and is well worth a visit. Information on the Memorial is available at www.battleofbritainmemorial.org Steve Crowcroft (w 62-69)

Approaching 60 seems a good time to update my OV entry for the second time in 40 years. I have reconnected with the school in the past eight years, having been on two treks with the King’s School Himalayan Club, and met a few 69ers, often in pubs owned or frequented by Bill Dailey or his relatives. I managed to hastily assemble a small but select group, consisting of John Weston (S 62-69), Brian Hicks (S 64-69), Richard Palmer (S 63-69), Sean Kearon (Ca 6469), Adam Scott (S 62-69), Andy Sadler (Br 5969), for the 2009 OV Dinner to mark the 40 anniversary of our departure from the school. A most enjoyable evening was had discussing the significant changes to the school since 69 namely, no boarders, no canning and girls in that order.

PS After 40 years I still write this in some trepidation in case Ned Dilks is viewing from on high and critiquing my grammar.

1970s

Geraint davies (Cl 65-72)

I am Managing Director of Montfort International plc. and was gratified to be placed third in the UK’s Independent Financial Adviser of the Year in 2008. I designed the first international pension-transfer scheme out of the UK – in 1994 for Tower Life Australia. This was the forerunner of what was announced in 2006 by HMRC as ‘a new type of pension scheme open to all UK residents and former UK residents with UK pensions schemes Qualifying Recognised

Overseas Pension Schemes’. I was the co-author of Personal Finance Society Technical Advice for UK Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes and HMRC FAQ on the subject http:// www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes/faqs.htm as well as driving force behind HMRC Pension Newsletter http://www.hmrc. gov.uk/pensionschemes/ps-newsletter36.htm

Christopher Freeman (H 65-72)

I am a partner in a large veterinary practice in Northumberland and compete in veteran rowing events locally and nationally. I have been married for 30 years and have three daughters.

James Thorne (Ca 69-74)

I have lived near Solihull for over 15 years. I ran the local office of Whitehead Mann, a major international executive search consultancy before moving into coaching senior business people. I have three independent sons and am active in a busy local church and the community.

Michael bale (S 72-77)

Having previously suffered from encephalitis, I am a member of The Encephalitis Society.

Stephen Robinson (Cl 72-77)

I am currently Headmaster of a large primary school in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, which follows headships in Bangkok and, before that, Bromsgrove. Married to Rozz, also a teacher, I have three grown-up step-children. I’d be happy to hear from OVs who find themselves in Abuja.

1980s

Andrew Hobson (H 76-80)

I am a Solicitor Advocate working in Swindon. I live in Coates, near Cirencester, with my wife and two children.

Simon bayliss (b 73-83)

As freelance, I have worked on automated scenery for many of the ‘mega-musicals’ of the nineties and beyond including Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Oliver, Martin Geurre, Witches of Eastwick, as well as numerous drama and opera productions and the Millennium Dome central show.

Sophie [douglas-Pennant] Trotter (Co 81-83)

We have been living in Melbourne for 9 years. Mike works at The National Australia Bank; I am teaching at Scotch College. Hugo is 18 and is about to finish his time at Melbourne Grammar School. He is taking a Gap Year next year and will be working in a prep school in Oxford. He then hopes to go to Melbourne University or St Andrews. He is a very keen golfer! Archie is 16 in February and loving MGS.

Claudia is nearly 12 and is about to finish MGS and go to Lauriston Girls’ School. In year 9 (2012), she will spend a year living out at a campus the

school have in the bush and will spend much time hiking, skiing, camping etc... She can’t wait!

Mike Parker (Cr 75-85)

I have turned a life’s passion into print, publishing my book, Map Addict.

Ashley Fox (K 80-87)

Elected as a Member of the European Parliament in June 2009, I represent the South West of England and Gibraltar. I serve on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and remember with affection the teachings of Messrs Young and Mason.

Robert dow (Cl 84-89)

Proud father of Daisy (3) and Lochie (1), I’m still Master i/c Rugby at the Dragon School but only playing occasionally now, due to work.

bruce Haines (Cr 84-89)

Our first child, a daughter ‘Enfys Susan’ (Enfys is Welsh for rainbow) was born to me and my wife, Annabel Rooker, on 14th March 2009.

1990s

Elizabeth [Alexander] Charman (Co 88-90)

Now that George (4) is launched as a receptionista and Marcus (2) is Grandma Alexander’s little buddy, I have returned to teaching and am enjoying scuttling around at Malvern College.

Kate [Fox] Cowan (E 88-90)

Simon and I had our second baby, Angus William, on 4th July - a little brother to Paddy, who was two in September. I am currently a full-time mum and living in Teddington. For any other ex-Convent girls from my year, we’re having a reunion next year - please facebook me for details.

Sam Allin (Ch 86-91)

to welcome Jessica Alys, a baby sister for Lucy Megan, into the world on 24th September 2009 - the day of our fourth wedding anniversary! My HR and Change Consultancy business has just completed its first year and I’m currently enjoying some time off with the girls before returning to work in Spring 2010.

damian warburton (Cr 85-92)

I received an MSc from the University of Bristol in February 2009, left the employment of the University of the West of England in July 2009 after five years as lecturer in law, and I am now a student on the Bar Vocational Course until summer 2010 at the College of Law in Birmingham.

Rachel baseley (K 92-94)

I married Peter Heginbotham on 22nd August 2009. Thanks to my Queen’s Scholarship we were able to get married in Worcester Cathedral (pictured below). We had a full nuptial mass with all of our musically minded friends coming together to form a choir for the service. I was given away by my father, Peter Baseley (staff 7303) and my sister Pauline Mashiter (B 95-97) was a bridesmaid. Jim Fawcett (S 85-94) and Anna Morton (Cl 97-99) were among the guests.

Rachel Baseley (K 92-94 ) with her father Peter

My recent news is that I graduated from Brunel University with a Distinction in a MSc degree in Building Services Engineering Management this summer and attained IEng status and ACIBSE membership this Autumn. I am currently working in the Falklands as a resident engineer for the construction of power generation, water treatment facilities and vehicle garaging on a remote mountain top for Gifford.

Abigail [Thomas] East (E 89-91)

Jon and I (née Thomas, E 89-91) were delighted

The photograph shows my proud Dad and me outside the cathedral just before he walked me up the aisle.

Holly burton (née Pomeroy) (b 9294)

I’m delighted to say I got married on 26th July, 2008 to Jonny Burton at St Andrew’s Church, Malvern. We were very lucky to have one of the only lovely day of the summer and were joined by many family and friends. The best man was Oliver Parker (K 86-95), and one of the ushers was my brother, Nic Pomeroy (Cl 83-90). Other OVs present were: my grandfather, Harold Lock

Penny Cross (B 92-97)

Anna Sharples (Cr 94-96)

Holly Burton (B 92-94)

Peter Lau (H 92-98)

(S 1926-31), Bryony Pomeroy (née Edwards) (E 89-91), Miranda Rennie (B 92-94), Claire Jones (Cr 92-94) and Nicky Payne-Cook (née Powell) (Cl 92-94). Jonny and I live in Worcester and I’m currently Head of Drama & Theatre Studies at Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham. Jim Fawcett (S 85-94)

I am now living in Hamburg, but still flight testing Airbus aeroplanes for a living. If you’re lucky enough to fly BA1 from London City to New York on an A318, that was an aircraft I tested. Hamburg is well worth a visit, so look us up if you want to visit. I was at Rachel Baseley’s wedding in August at Worcester Cathedral and as I crossed College Green to get there, realised it was 15 years to the week since my A-level results... time flies.

Tour. This year I will conduct the second half of the run of Falstaff for GOT. Each year at Glyndebourne I have conducted scenes as part of the Jerwood Chorus Development Scheme, with members of the Glyndebourne Chorus and a chamber orchestra formed from the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Future engagements include working for Opera North on Rusalka, and further performances for Glyndebourne on Tour next year.

Tim Herbert (K 90-95)

On 6th June 2009 I married Kate Martyn at Nutfield Priory near Redhill, Surrey. The best man was Richard Chapman (Cr 90-95) and also at the day were Paul Overton (W 90-95), Alex Nicol (S 90-95 ), Tom Bowles (S 90-95) and Tom Grundy (Br 93-95). The photograph shows most

and ushers included Ross Hurman (O 88-95), Gavin Lovesey (S 88-95), Tom Lambert (W 90-95) and Mark Newnes (K 90-95). Other attendees included Arti Fiaz (Cl 88-95), Will Bolton (Cl 85-95), Tom Blunt (K 85-95) and Jon Gurney (B 88-95).

Anna Sharples (Cr 94-96)

I was married to Matthew Woodford at St Mary’s Church, Abberley on 1st August 2009. Penny Cross (b 92-97)

I was married to James Pryor of Hayle, Cornwall on 8th August 2009 at St. Peter’s Church, Inkberrow, followed by a reception at the Diglis House Hotel,Worcester. OVs in attendance were Anthony Cross (O 90-96), Julian Dale (B 89-99) and Martin Terry (B 94-99). We honeymooned

Peter Aston (b 88-95)

I’m getting married to Laura Morrison at Pershore Abbey on the 1st of May 2010, followed by a honeymoon in the Italian Lakes and Venice.

Thomas blunt (K 85-95)

I have been chorus master of Glyndebourne for the last three years and made my conducting debut with the company in ’07 with performances of L’elisir d’amore for Glyndebourne on

of the people above, Tom Grundy apart - Alex Nicol (far left), Paul Overton (second from left), Tom Bowles (far right), Richard Chapman (third from right) and finally me in the middle with my wife!

Edward Humphries (O 8595)

I got married this year (23rd May 2009) to Jennie Moule who attended the Alice Ottley. James Thorpe (K 85-95) was best man

in Namibia and now live in Surrey. ben Plank (b 92-97)

I have been awarded a place in the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. I studied Geography at Reading University whilst being a member of Oxford University Air Squadron. After officer training at RAF Cranwell I went to RAF Lintonon-Ouse in Yorkshire to train on the Tucano plane and then to RAF Valley in Anglesey for advanced fast-jet training on the Hawk jet. I was appointed a student instructor at Valley immediately after completing my own training and after conversion training on the Harrier jet, was appointed to 1

Tim Herbert (K 90-95)

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Squadron based at RAF Cottesmore. I am currently on a tour of duty in Afghanistan, based at Kandahar air base. I will join the Red Arrows in September, spending time in the back seat of the jet which I will later fly. After winter training Lincolnshire and Cyprus, I will start my first display season in May 2010.

I was married to Amy, an environmentalhealth officer, in April 2007 at St.Cassian’s Church in Chaddesley Corbett and we now live in married quarters at RAF Wittering. becky [Jones] Cansdale (Cr 96-98)

I am going to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty there as a Captain with the Mercian Regiment.

Peter Lau (H 92-98)

I married Angel Lo in January in Hong Kong. Jennifer [Pearce] Easterbook (Cl 9299)

I was married to Nicholas Easterbook on the 24th July in Barnard Castle, Co Durham. My brother, Matthew Pearce (Cl 89-96), gave me away and my father married us.

The following OVs shared the very happy day: Anna Stokes (Cr 97-99), Peter Jennings (B 97-99), Cassie [Bray] Cartwright (O 9299), Georgina [Dalton] Hampshire (W 93-99), Abby Green (Cl 92-99), Eleanor Brown (K 9299), Tim Astles (Cl 92-99) and Allan Clayton (H 91-99) (who sang a beautiful solo at the service)

Oh, and Brian (Hon OV 78-09) and Sheana Griffiths (Hon OV 85-09) were there too!

Laura Elizabeth

Martin Terry (b 94-99)

I was married to Mary Bell on 17th October 2009 in Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. Nigel Terry (B 91-96) was the best man and also at the wedding was Charlotte Ghaye (O 92-99).

2000s

Rachel [Jones] Rollo (K 99-01)

I was married to Euan Rollo on 25th April at St Peter’s Church Inkberrow. Our reception was held at the Dormy House Hotel, Broadway. I was given away by my father Andrew Jones (Cr 66-71) and my sister, Katherine, (Ch 02-04) was bridesmaid. Other OV guests included: my grandfather Dr Gerald Jones (DB 36-38), my uncle, Peter Jones (Cr 71-76), cousins, Andrew

(W 03-10) and Alison Lewis (S 03-08) and friends, Michael Brennan (W 72-73), Pippa Druett (Ch 92-01), Claire Welsh (W 91-01), Vicki Gath (Cr 99-01), Jack Hampson (Cr 01-03), Oliver Davey (Cl 96-01), Ben Wall (Ch 90-01), Andy Freeman (Ch 93-01), Henry Duckham (K 97-01), James Scott (O 90-01) and Josh Hand (Ch 91-01).

Euan and I met at Cardiff University where he read Music and I read Genetics. I am now a Chartered Accountant, working in London, and Euan is an Estate Agent with Strutt and Parker. Verity Moore (S 95-02)

I might have left King’s a few years ago (time flies) but, in all honesty, King’s has never left me. When Matthew proposed to me earlier this year, I knew straight away that I’d like to be married in Worcester Cathedral and fortunately, as a King’s scholar and practising Christian, I was able to do so. We were married on 26th September in the cathedral by Matt’s father, the Reverend John Armstrong and by Dr Dorsett, which was fantastic and a real blessing. Our chief bridesmaid was my sister, Abigail Moore, (Cl 99-06) and one of our ushers was Tom Lyon (Cl 95-02). We were delighted to be joined by other OVs including Isobel Owen (Cl 95-02), James Grant (Cl 95-02), Kimberley Wadham-Smith (Cl 9502), Becca Campbell (B 00-02), Gemma Martyn Smith (Cl 95-02), Natalie Harris (K 00-02), Jane [Cairns] Jordan-Rowell (W 00-02) and Lucy [Marvin] Powell (95-02). We have just got back from a marvellous honeymoon in South Africa and have bought a house in Cottenham (a village just outside Cambridge), which is all jolly exciting. After graduating from Cambridge, and a stint doing PR down in London, we decided to settle in ‘the bridge’ at least for now, and I am working for Girton College as their Annual Fund Officer, which is great fun. If ever an OV is over in this neck of the woods, do say hello!

Sarah blewitt (Cr 92-03)

I got married on a very sunny Saturday the 25th July 2009 in Petersfield Registry Office to Ryan Cordell (a South African) after a 3-and-ahalf-year engagement. We are also very excited as we are expecting our first baby in January of 2010!

James wallis (Cr 92-03)

I was married on 3rd July 2009, at Eastnor Castle, to Charlotte Cookson from Kidderminster. We live in Virginia, USA.

Andrew wright (Cr 92-03)

I have been granted a commission in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, having successfully completed the Commissioning Course at Sandhurst.

Anna Guy (Cr 94-03)

Having graduated with a 1st in Fine Art from Newcastle University in 2008, I am studying for

Jennifer Easterbook (Cl 92-99)

Martin Terry (B 94-99)

Newcastle) and becoming increasingly involved in the artistic community in the NE. I am particularly interested and involved in interactive and community-art projects, working with minority groups including asylum seekers and those with mental health issues.

Gavin Forbes (S 99-04)

I graduated as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Plymouth University and started work in the Accident and Emergency ward of Torbay Hospital this summer.

Judith Foley (Cl 02-04)

I graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Psychology Degree MA (Hons).

Christian Snoad (b 97-04)

Having been awarded an Institute of Civil Engineering scholarship for undergraduate study and a Royal Academy of Engineers Scholarship for postgraduate study, I am leaving to work with Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief (RedR) in India. In a 6-month role partnering with Oxfam GB and the Centre for Environmental Health Engineering at the University of Surrey, I will be developing a new water-treatment kit for use in emergency relief. On completion I will be joining

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Richard best (w 00-05)

Bath Spa University Graduate Actors

Recorded Media Showcase consisted of five films produced by five groups at the Little Cinema Bath. The films were conceived, written, directed and produced by third-year students and shot in five days, with a budget of £400 for each group. Before September 2008, we had had little or no experience of performing, writing or producing for the recorded media. The D Word was produced by Pencil Case Productions. With life comes death, there is no denying this fact. But when Ellie meets fellow patient Grant at Longwood Hospice, she discovers that there is more to life than death. Of course, we are all going to die one day but why dwell on it when life has so much more to offer? The D Word was awarded two ‘Oscars’, including mine for best leading actor.

Harrison Gallantree-Smith (Cr 03-05)

I will be going to Canada for a year’s internship in Toronto.

Oliver Mills (S 01-05)

After leaving King’s I went to the University

Oliver Mills

of Lincoln and graduated in 2008 with a 2:1 in Business Studies. I began my training within the intelligence section of the Army in January, 2009.

Eleni Randle (w 04-06)

Having graduated from Oxford Brookes, I have been accepted to do an MSc in rural Estate Management at the Royal Agricultural College and train as a Chartered Surveyor.

Emily McNally (b 01-08)

I began my degree Business Management at King’s College, London in September.

Carol bawden

development director (01-09)

In May, we said farewell to Carol Bawden, who was our first Foundation Development Director.

Since October 2007 the Development Office has been run by the current Development Director, Sophie Whitworth, but Carol has

continued in a part-time consultancy role. In May this year, she formally retired from the School staff.

When we established the Foundation Development Office in 2001, the governors needed to make a leap of faith in supporting the original requests for funding and resources. Carol persuaded us to think in a different way about traditional fund-raising and impressed on us the importance of renewing links with former pupils and friends of the School, and reinforcing those links.This philosophy is central to the work of the Development Office today and the involvement of OVs, and past parents, with the current school is testament to the success with which we have built these relationships over the years. It is thanks to Carol Bawden that the governors made that

original leap of faith. The results today speak for themselves.

Donald Howell (Chairman of the Governors)

As Donald Howell has said above, it was a leap of faith when the Headmaster and the Board of Governors decided to create a Development Office, and appoint the first Development Director. Certainly Carol had the right background: a strong connection to King’s and experience in the field. But what would she be like? It did not take long to discover she was purposeful and focused, but friendly and approachable; setting out her vision of what she hoped - and expected - to achieve. Along the way she has persuaded, cajoled, guided, and on occasions chided, me and many other OVs to work with her towards that goal. In the process she has moved the Foundation Development Office from being an ‘also ran’ department within the School to the important one it is now, at the same time drawing the Club closer to the School and closer to its own membership.

It has at times been a roller-coaster of a ride, and perhaps I for one would not have remained on board without her infectious enthusiasm keeping me there in the early days. Carol leaves as a true friend of the School and the Club: we wish her and John well, and hope to see them from time to time. They will always be welcome where OVs gather.

MJP [Hon Sec]

Everest – A Long way down Nick Robertson (br ’89 – ’94)

On the 19th May at 07:20 Nepal time I reached the summit of Mt Everest. Eight months of training and six exhausting weeks in the Khumbu

valley had finally got me to the top of the highest point on the planet. All I had to do now was get down in one piece.

It all began back in 1993 as a Lower Sixth form pupil. Several of my classmates were part of the school climbing club that had recently been given a new lease of life by Mr Martin. After listening to the tales of one of their latest trips I decided to join up. I can remember looking up in awe on my first visit to the school climbing wall at my more experienced friends making light work of

mountain actually make it to the top. I was one of the lucky ones who made it all the way to the summit on my first attempt. While on the summit I unwrapped from my rucksack a King’s School banner given to me by John Walton. This simple act took an agonisingly long five minutes due to the array of breathing apparatus, heavy gloves and numerous rucksack straps to deal

scuttling up the brickwork. After leaving King’s, Toby Gilbert (Os ’89-’94), Jon Bracey (Br ’90’95) and I went onto become part of the Leeds University climbing scene in the second half of the 90s. Jon has since gone on to become Britain’s youngest qualified professional mountain guide. I on the other hand took a far less interesting path after university and joined the ranks of a large financial services consultancy firm. But all the while remembering some words from my university college warden which were “work to live, don’t live to work”.

Since leaving university I have had the good fortune to climb in many of the greater ranges around the World. In the build up to Everest other notable ascents of mine have included Aconcagua (6960m, Argentina); Mt. McKinley (6194m, Alaska); and Mt. Elbrus (5642m, Russia). Mt Everest is the highest mountain in the world at 8850m (29,028 if you still prefer feet!). The South Col route that I took was first made famous by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay after their ascent in 1953. Over fifty years later Everest remains a challenging mountain and success rates are still low. Less than twenty percent of climbers attempting the

with. My team mates and I were able to spend fifteen precious minutes on the summit before the cold got the better of us and we knew it was time to get moving again. Any celebrations would be premature until we reached the safety of Base Camp, which lay three days below us down in the valley.

We all knew that getting to the top was the easy part compared to the descent and that tired climbers often lose concentration on the way down. None of us wished to join the long list of names on the memorials down in the valley. Each of us dealt with the mental challenge of staying focused in different ways. Some put the dangers out of their minds by telling themselves “it won’t happen to me”. Being a risk manager by trade I adopted a rather different approach. On the way up I had made a mental note of the three most dangerous sections where there was the potential to be killed or seriously injured. Then on the way down my plan was to tick each of them off in turn and finish with a big sigh of relief at the bottom. The first entry on my tick list was the treacherous Khumbu Icefall immediately above Base Camp. The second being the steep and exposed Lhotse Face above Camp II. The

third and final section being the airy summit ridge its self including the famous Hillary Step. Our fast progress on summit day had put us on top early, which meant we were descending from the top well before our pre-agreed turn around time. However, the down side of this meant we had to negotiate a large amount of climbers who were still ascending the narrow corniced ridge as we were on our way down. I had a long precarious wait at the top of the ropes on the Hillary Step watching clouds starting to roll in ominously from the East. Once past this bottleneck it was then a case of keeping emotions at bay for a little longer and stay focused on each and every foot placement on the tungsten hard ice. Five hours later I staggered back into Camp IV on the South Col. First tick down with two more to go.

After a restless oxygen starved sleep we then set off down the precipitous Lhotse Face. Here losing concentration for a second while unclipping from a rope could result in a one mile fall into the huge bottomless crevasse at the foot of the face. My initial progress down to Camp III was good. But towards the bottom of the abseils the effects of a heavy pack and dehydration were kicking in. Despite the obvious rock fall danger on the exposed face I was unable to prevent myself hanging off each of the last four abseil anchors to rest. The last 300m across the relatively flat glacier between the Lhotse Face and Camp II took two tortuously slow hours, all the time fantasising about the murky cup of water waiting for me at camp. That evening we agreed to an early 05:00am start the following day in order to pass through as much as the Khumbu Icefall as possible at its coldest but least dangerous time of the day before.

Our first forays into the icefall had been terrifying. The icefall is by far the most dangerous part of the mountain and accounts for most deaths. Here climbers are at risk of being buried by avalanches or squashed by collapsing blocks of ice the size of houses as they melt. Fear of death tugged at everyone’s heels, particularly after a Sherpa was killed and two climbers seriously injured here just the week before. You could sense the collective holding of breath as we passed under the avalanche prone West Shoulder of Everest and entered the top of the icefall for the last time. Each climber took it in turns to sprint through the most dangerous section at five minute intervals so that others could observe and dig them out if the worst was to happen. Thankfully it didn’t, although we did watch nervously as three avalanches came down behind us into the areas we had just passed through. A few hours we finally reached the safe haven of Base Camp and were welcomed by cheers, hugs and beer from other jubilant

A few yards short of the summit having negotiated the Hillary Step

members of the expedition.

I have raised several thousand pounds in aid of Cancer Research UK as a result of my endeavours. I therefore feel that I climbed Everest for many people, not just myself. This went beyond personal achievement. I will carry the memories with me for the rest of my life, although in some ways I’m not sure the achievement will ever truly sink in.

Note: - If you are interested in hearing more about Nick’s expedition you might like to know that he will be one of the speakers at the Himalayan Club evening on 5th March 2010.

O.V. and Parents Trek in Peru 2009

Two O.V.s and 18 Parents, inspired by John Walton’s slides of the pupils’ trip in 2007, arrived with John and Angela under Lima’s grey skies in mid-July. We were glad to drive inland, past a colourful patchwork of maize and peppers ripening in the bright sun.

O.V.s at Vientunan pass in the Cordillera Blanca, after climbing 43 Inca Zigzags!

A few days in Huaraz (above 3000 metres) allowed us to acclimatise, walking in the Cordillera Negra, and visiting the Chavin de Huantar ruins (from the 1st millennium B.C.) with their mysterious water tunnels and underground chambers.

The main adventure was a 14-day anticlockwise trek in the Cordillera Blanca. The daily routine of breaking and making camp was familiar, but this time donkeys transported personal kit, tents and kitchen. Three horses were available to carry us across rivers and for individuals suffering from altitude or illness to ride. One horse was enticed away by local horses one night, but eventually returned.

There was a much greater variety of vegetation, natural and cultivated, than in the Himalaya. We became used to ascents through lupins to polylepsis forest – the highest trees in the world. The trek gave us our first sight of Inca terraces and ruins, and our first use of Inca trails.

On trek the young cooks excelled, creating celebration cakes at altitude, and fine food at every meal. After we completed the full circuit at Cashapampa the crew and trekkers celebrated with a pachamanca – a splendid banquet of meat and vegetables cooked using granite rocks heated by a wood fire in a pit dug in the campsite.

We returned to Lima and flew to Cusco, exploring Saqsaywaman, and other Inca remains outside and within the city. The museums exhibit the enduring influence of Inca and pre-Inca culture. At a splendid buffet dinner we were entertained by Peruvian group Kori Marca playing Bach and the Beatles, and Peruvian music for the four energetic local dancers.

The train to Machu Picchu dropped us on the trackside at Kilometre 106, because the usual trail from Km 104 was damaged by a fire earlier in the year. After a steep ascent to the

main Inca trail we marvelled at the quiet ruins of Winay Wayna. The day’s walk was completed after we entered busy Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Next day we toured the main ruins with our guide Ruben. Individuals climbed Wayna Picchu mountain, escaped the crowds to climb Machu Picchu mountain and visited the spectacular restored Inca drawbridge. Aguas Calientes was an interesting town for the overnight stays; our hotel was sandwiched between the railway line that shares the main street and the sacred river Urubamba.

We travelled on South to Puno by road. Our visit to the floating reed islands and reed houses of the Uros people on Lake Titicaca and their demonstration of island-building was a highlight of the whole trip. Their clothing and crafts were the most vivid we saw in a country with a tradition of colourful clothing. Our brief ride on a reed boat was a thrill that evoked memories of John Blashford-Snell’s lecture at King’s about the Kota Mama VI Amazon expedition.

We survived the altitude, minor illnesses and, for one, a nasty fall onto the concrete abutment of a log bridge.

We thank all our Peruvian guides, particularly Miguel our trek leader, the cooks and crew, Classic Journeys, John and Angela, and our unofficial trek doctor Magda. Also our fellow trekkers who tested thermal pools, fed pet cormorants, bargained enthusiastically and maintained good humour throughout these fascinating experiences.

Peter Hardyman Rick Knowles 29 October 2009

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