The
Heron The Newsletter of Loughborough Grammar School Edition 17 June 2017
Rain on our parade
June 2017
The 60th CCF Review of the CCF on 6th May was an event of “firsts”: the first time an American Lieutenant-Colonel had officiated as the Reviewing Officer; the first time that The Priestley Sword had been presented to the brother of a previous recipient; and the first time that “James Bond”, emerging suitably attired in “black tie” rig from his trademark Aston Martin, had rounded off the morning with the stylish despatch of the appropriately-clad interloper whose comically villainous behaviour was worthy of any of the Hollywood versions of Ian Fleming’s thrillers starring the late Roger Moore. Lieutenant Frank Gasca, the US Assistant Army Attaché at the American Embassy in London, accompanied by his wife Sahamara and his two children Sofie-Maria and Anna-Francesca, was the first American Army officer to take the General Salute at a CCF Review anywhere in the UK and, despite the persistent and very English “summer” weather conditions, he and his family thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, his address to the cadets and officers of the Contingent being full of warm praise for what he had seen. For George Counsell, the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major, it was a proud moment when he received The Priestley Sword from Colonel Frank, doubly so as his brother had been awarded the same accolade in 2015, proving himself more than equal to the task and eliciting fulsome praise from the Reviewer for his military bearing and poise. And, as for the arrival of “Mr Bond”! Well, no one was expecting him (apart from those in the know) and his dramatic intervention at the end of the Military Display was a text book display of coolness and aplomb, accompanied by Monty Norman’s classic theme music. In the best tradition of the Secret Service, no photographs of that part of the morning are being published to protect the identity of “Bond”, otherwise he might become history. In other news of the morning, the Parade was up to its usually high standard of success; the Annual Inter-Section Field Gun Competition was won, not for the first time, by the Army Team (though the winning time was comfortably the first time inside 150 seconds); and, finally, the event itself was the first at which the Headmaster was able to witness at first hand the pride with which the Contingent has conducted itself for the past 60 years, having been unable to attend in 2016 due to a prior engagement. Like the Colonel, he, too, was impressed. Congratulations to everyone involved in the morning’s events.
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June 2017
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June 2017
Sizzling Sicily
Blowing Hot &
During the Easter vacation, 40 Endowed Schools students visited Sicily to enjoy the sites of classical civilisation to be found on the island. Sites visited included: Aci Trezza – the home of the cyclops Polyphemus, the amphitheatre at Taormina, Cave di Cusa and Syracuse, the home of Archimedes and the site of the remains of the Greek Temple of Athena. As one of the party remarked: “The weather was fine; Zeus was apparently on our side.”
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t & Cold
June 2017
Icy Iceland
The Geography Department’s inaugural overseas field visit to Iceland in April of this year was a great success and, over the five days, 21 boys were able to study physical geography in one of the most geographically diverse landscapes anywhere in the world. The agenda was both full and varied, ranging from a visit to the Reykjanes Peninsula, the so-called “Bridge between Continents”, the Eurasian and North American Plates in fact, to the Super 4x4 excursion to the Fimmvörðuháls glacial pass between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull (jökull meaning glacier) where the party drove up rivers, across the basalt black sand beaches of Reynisdrangar and then up to the spectacular site of Eyjafjallajökull itself, the eruption of which in 2010 halted all UK flights for the first time and caused chaos for aircraft around the World.
The boys arrived back with a field notebook full of information to help them with their studies in Geography moving forward, plus some great experiences to go with them.
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So together... That’s the way it is
June 2017
The latest LES production in the Grammar School Drama Studio is a “shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom” joy from start to finish and that’s the way “Grease” should be, “wah-oooh, yeah!”
All the elements of this wonderfully-assembled show go together so beautifully that it is an event which all – those who have been involved in it and those who are fortunate to see it – will remember forever. From the perioddefining and iconic “pinball machine” background and the ingenious and adroitly-managed scene-changing effected in character by the cast to the sophisticated and energetic choreography complementing the powerful renditions of much-loved songs, the experience was every bit as good as might be expected in a professional theatre and the production team should be very proud of their young company and the heights to which they have soared, heights which are all the more astonishing to behold, given that the participants are ones who are also managing busy academic, musical and sporting lives as well, unlike many of their professional counterparts. “Grease” is a huge piece of musical theatre so to realise it
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and re-create its nostalgic dimensions so faithfully in the relatively confined space of the Drama Studio is a major achievement and the members of the cast were utterly convincing in their roles as representatives of the 1950s working-class sub-culture of America, their accents never faltering, neither in song nor in speech. Their dedication, their skill and, yes, their professionalism was such that – as with all lasting impressions created in theatres of whatever size – they portrayed characters in whom the audience believed and to whom their stage personas mattered, epitomising the lyric, “that we can be who we are”. “Grease” is – most memorably – “the word”. Go together!
June 2017
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June 2017
A broad canvas - academically speaking Face to face The Leicester Society of Art invited young art students to join their contemporary artists in an exhibition called ‘Little Selves’ at Leicester’s New Walk Gallery. Guy Hagon, Robert Spicer, Amy Ingleton (LHS) and Daniel Wilkinson were selected to display their work, which consisted of striking digital paintings and digital photography. The standard of work was remarkably high from all participating schools. Those attending the Private View were, therefore, incredibly proud to witness Robert Spicer winning the ‘Student Digital and Photographic Prize’ for his striking depiction of Guy. Our students’ work will remain on display until 23rd June 2017.
Robert Spicer
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June 2017
What an achievement! Team Medivest, originally consisting of David Bernstein and Sankha Kahagala-Gamage, plus Hari Jethwa, who left the team before the final, won the top prize in the Big Bang National Competition, As a result the boys were crowned UK Young Engineers 2017; they also received ÂŁ2000 in prize money. The MediVest is designed to give a warning of an imminent epileptic seizure and to send this information to carers and/or medical practitioners. This innovative and potentially life-changing invention saw off competition from over 600 entries to secure the top award. Following their success in the competition the lads were in great demand, including making an appearance on the BBC Breakfast Show, having received their award at Buckingham Palace. Team MediVest will be travelling to China in August to compete in the Asia Young Science Fair and to Estonia in September to compete in the European Young Science Fair.
World Solar Challenge In March two OLs, Michael Drooglever and Josh Fossey, both studying Engineering at Cambridge University and part of the Cambridge University Eco-Racing team, brought one of the solar-powered cars the team has developed to LGS for the boys to wonder at and, in some cases, sit in. The car in question took part in the last World Solar Challenge in Australia in 2015 and a new incarnation is heading for the antipodes later this year: we wish them every success.
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June 2017
Sporting Success So near, yet so far … The 1stXI Football Team have just completed a very successful season, winning 8 and losing 3 of their fixtures. Almost certainly, the season highlight was the 7 – 2 thrashing of Bromsgrove School in the Semi-final of the National Plate Trophy Competition, though the 6 – 1 win against Oundle came close. For various reasons the Final against Bedford School was not played before Easter and the game was finally arranged at neutral venue in mid-May – strangely, the neutral venue was in Bedford! It was a very closely fought affair on a hard, bumpy pitch with Loughborough spurning a couple of excellent chances before finally succumbing to a penalty in the last minute. The final score: 1 – 0.
End of season fun As is now traditional, the Under 12 Rugby Squad spent a couple of very enjoyable days in Blackpool in March, ensuring that the Pleasure Beach’s profits once again soared along with the rollercoasters, by the looks of things. Oh yes, they also played some rugby, beating Kirkham Grammar School 15 points to 5.
We are the Champions! Under lights at Leicester Grammar School, and against the same opposition, the Under 14 XV won the County Cup Final. Leicester came out of the blocks flying and were soon on top – it didn’t look hopeful. However, the team regrouped and came back from a 22-7 deficit to win a pulsating encounter 33 – 27 Three tries from Felix Martin and another excellent kicking performance from Ben Jones ensured victory in very wet, very cold and very windy conditions, but the whole squad deserve credit for an excellent performance. Well Done Boys!!
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the t a s k ar m To your
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Sports Day Tea Tent
June 2017
Saturday 1st July 2017
Serving during the day:
Tea/Coffee • Pimms • Beer, Cakes • Sweets and snacks • Soft Drinks • Ice Creams
PA Potpourri Active support
The Parents’ Association has continued to support the School in many ways. In the recent past they have provided funds for, amongst other things, specialist gymnasium equipment for the Sports Hall; Lego MIndstorm and VR equipment for the ICT Department; a scissor lift and spray paint for the Car Club and a range of model kits and flight simulation software for the DT Department. These items alone have cost in the region of £8000 and everyone involved wishes to express their sincere thanks for these and all the other donations the PA has made, and continues to make, for the benefit of the boys.
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June 2017
A shining light On his retirement John Weitzel presented a stained-glass window to the School. This is what he has to say about it: “I wanted to give the School a gift as a way of thanking the whole community for the marvellous 38 years it had given me. With the old cherry trees removed the large central staircase window in the Queen’s Building was revealed for the first time and this lent itself for a stained glass window – something that the School did not have. Working with local designer, Claire Williamson, I had two requirements: firstly as you walked up the stairs inside the building you could still look out into the quad and secondly I wanted a window that would get the boys talking. Her imaginative design I feel meets the brief perfectly.
“For me, the triumph of the window comes on the inside where Claire suggested that small images depicting various aspects of the School and my time at it be added. Thus there are two beautiful pieces of mathematics along with a rugby player and cricketer; images reflecting the School’s history and its Old Boys; images concerning the quincentenary and Her Majesty’s visit and the School Hymn – all of which have been hand drawn by Claire. My hope is that these will provoke discussion...along with why is there a single piece of green glass? “I have been delighted with the response to the window, especially by the boys, and my hope is that other windows may follow in the future to further enhance the magnificent quadrangle.”
Loughborough Grammar School admin@lesgrammar.org Tel: 01509 233233 www.lesgrammar.org ©2017 No unauthorised use or duplication of images or editorial content. Loughborough Endowed Schools is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Number 4038033 and is Registered in England & Wales. It is a Registered Charity, number 1081765. The Registered Office is 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2DU.