The
Heron The Newsletter of Loughborough Grammar School Edition 17 January 2017
January 2017
Yorkshire Bound Somewhat later in the year than usual, the Year 12 Physical Geography Field Course was once again based at the Cranedale Field Centre. Early November can be less than welcoming on the Yorkshire Coast; it was cold – very cold! Nevertheless, the geographers got down to some hard work investigating river features on the River Derwent, coastal features and coastal management along the Holderness Coast and flood protection measures in Malton and Pickering.
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Budding codebreakers On 24th November Dr James Grime, star of the popular maths YouTube channel Numberphile, visited LGS to deliver a talk to all of Year 8 on the subject of codes and code-breaking. During the day he explained the history of codes, set the boys complex code-breaking tasks and, very excitingly, he brought with him an 80 years old Enigma machine. Dr Grime explained how the machine had been found at the end of the War in a French field and how it was now owned by the renowned author Simon Singh, who had loaned it to Dr Grime.
January 2017
Orwell in mind 50 aspiring writers from both the Grammar School and the High School embarked on a workshop programme designed to inspire their thinking about the nature of identity. They were joined by investigative journalist and nonfiction writer Rebecca Omonira and took part in a series of drama, discussion and writing tasks. The programme will culminate in a second workshop in the spring when they will be able to submit their writing to the national Orwell Youth Prize.
Senior Prize Giving
This year’s Chief Guest at Senior Prize Giving was Sam Sweeney. Sam left LGS in 2007 and has since played with numerous folk groups, including Bellowhead and Kerfuffle and with Hannah James. In 2014 he toured with his acclaimed show “Made in the Great War”, based on the story of his violin and its maker, releasing an album of the same name. The violin had been left in pieces in his studio when violin maker Richard Howard was conscripted into the army and only assembled many years later. Richard Howard died in the conflict. Sam was nominated for the ‘Musician of the Year’ award at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and in 2015 he was given this prestigious accolade.
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January 2017
My pride fell with my fortunes.
Under the green Following the success of last year’s performance of Twelfth Night at Curve, Leicester, this year a new cast performed As You Like It. A committed selection of Year 10 to 13 LGS and LHS drama students rehearsed weekly and performed to a packed audience in the Studio Theatre at Curve. All of the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience—for
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I met a fool in the forest, a motley fool.
January 2017
greenwood tree some this is the second year in a row they have taken part! The cast were praised for their slick, stylish version and how well they all understood their dialogue—no mean feat with Shakespeare. Our technical team also acquitted themselves with aplomb,
Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown more than your enemies.
praised for a seamless contribution to the performance.
Your heart’s desires be with you!
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January 2017
The front cover shows the Headmaster laying a wreath at the Carillon on Remembrance Sunday alongside Mr Julian Murphy, Headmaster of Our Lady’s Convent School.
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January 2017
Lest we forget It was a cold November morning, but there was little wind and the sun shone brightly on the large crowd assembled in Queen’s Park to honour the fallen heroes from the First World War and more recent conflicts. As always the Endowed Schools played a vital part in the town’s commemoration. Watched by onlookers, who lined the pavements, the CCF Corps of Drums led our 300 cadets, along with the members of the TA, along Leicester Road to the Market Place and into the Park. Wreaths were laid by the Heads of all four schools, the Contingent Commander, Mr Jim Doherty, and Senior Cadet, George Counsell. The poppy-drop from the Carillon Tower was especially spectacular as, in windless conditions, the poppies fell almost vertically, creating a carpet of red over which the wreath-layers walked.
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January 2017
Year 6’s Outdoor Adventure A thoroughly fun day was had by all at the Outdoor Adventure Zone.. The first adrenalin inducing activity was the Sky Trail High Ropes. Some boys made their way straight to the second level to challenge thier balance and co-ordination skills and test their bravery while others started on the first level and progressed to the second level as they become more confident. By the end all were enjoying walking the top rope bridges and they even got Mrs Marlow walking along a narrow beam at 24 feet!
By the Wye. As they have for several years now on the autumn Field Day, Year 8 set off for a walk through the verdant fields of the Peak District. Starting in the lovely village of Ashford in the Water, the seven-mile route incorporated the Monsal Trail and the once again opened Longstone Tunnel, a visit to Monsal Head, via a steep climb, and a descent to the River Wye, before following the river back to the starting point. A mass football match on the village recreation ground completed a very enjoyable day.
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January 2017
Beans mean … laughs!
It’s pantomime time again. Oh no it isn’t, oh yes … enough of that!
Once again, Year 7 presented their usual mixture of groan-worthy jokes, audience participation and colourful costumes, plus a very strange, but familiar, looking creature purporting to be a cow, as they performed Jack and the Beanstalk to two packed audiences. As always, it was great fun, even for the poor unfortunates in the audience singled out to take part.
Christmas Cheer This year, Year 7 filled 175 shoeboxes which were sent as Christmas presents to needy children around the World. In the past, children in Eastern Europe and Africa have benefitted from this superb cause and once again a massive “thank you” must go to the lads and their Form Tutors. Not for the first time, 7NBK won the competition for most boxes, but it was a close-run thing.
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January 2017
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PA News
January 2017
The Christmas Shopping Evening was again a great success with more stalls than ever selling a huge variety of goodies, from beer to Christmas trees, Pilates to savoury foods. The PA’s support for School events continues to be immense and invaluable. During last term for example, funds were made available for hockey goalkeeping kit (see photograph), bags for the boys embarking on the forthcoming hockey tour and equipment for the Design Technology Department. This term’s main event is the Beer and Curry Evening to be held in the Hodson Hall on 18th March. Starting at 4.45pm for the screening of the England versus Ireland Rugby International, there will be a paying bar serving beer and cider provided by the Wicked Hathern Brewery. Non-alcoholic drinks will, of course, also be available. Tickets will be on sale shortly.
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January 2017
Green Forest Gateau
Last term, Year 6 were given an open ended project on the “Rain Forest”. The boys approached the task in various ingenious ways but the one that took the biscuit – or should that be “cake” – was Christian Jasper’s magnificent gateau, which he both baked and iced. Bake-off here we come!
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