Malvern View, Issue 5, Autumn 2009

M ALVERN VIEW Issue 5 | Autumn 2009

HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York visits Malvern College

www.malcol.org

Malvern View • Autumn 2009

From the Headmaster

TECHNICOLOUR

This has been a momentous term for Malvern: two new boarding houses and a state-of-the-art Sports Complex have been opened by HRH, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York KG and this has had the impact of attracting renewed interest in our school on a much more significant scale than ever we could have expected.

The presence here of Dame Kelly Holmes, exEngland cricket captains, Michael Vaughan and Graham Gooch, and the most capped England rugby and football internationals, Jason Leonard and Peter Shilton, apart from Olympic stars, has added a new dimension to our sporting aspirations.

Seventeen Year 6 students from The Elms preparatory school made a visit to our Science department in June. They made rainbows in test tubes and watched demonstrations in chemilminescence, they watched as jelly-babies howled and saw the creation of a radox flash, not to mention clear solutions turning blue before their eyes. Finally, they helped make a rainbow of colours from red cabbage juice. All were in agreement that the best way to learn about science is to see it in action.

SCIENCE IN

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Dr Natalie Watson, teacher of Chemistry

But the success of recent months is not simply defined by events which have drawn internationally famous individuals to Malvern; such success is primarily about the enjoyment derived from activities such as House Singing, art and drama, Pringle competitions, visits to Cwm Llwch and such occasions that are a standard part of the extensive programme of the school. The enjoyment of a term is all about the endeavour of ordinary Malvernians and I trust that you will find it rewarding to reflect on some of their achievements on the pages which follow.

May I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Antony Clark Headmaster

Remembrance The Remembrance service was held in the College Chapel and was attended by the pupils, large numbers of parents, friends of the College and by Old Malvernians and members of the armed services. The address was given by Mr George Chesterton.

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Prep Schools’ Arts Day Almost 100 pupils from Pinewood, The Downs, Malvern College Prep School and The Elms took part in this year’s Arts Day. They could choose Art, Drama, Singing or Orchestra and spent the day developing new skills and, of course, having fun.

In Art they worked with paper clay, at relief print-making, frottage and painting and produced some fine work to show at the end of the day.

Drama involved them in a range of drama exercises into which they enthusiastically threw themselves. They explored vocal skills and looked at states of tension and then used this in small group improvisations in a concert of achievement at the end of the day.

Those who opted to sing worked energetically on Britten’s ‘Old Abram Brown’, Geisler’s The Orchestra Song and Elton John’s Hakuna Matata. The

result was some very good four-part singing of which they can be proud. As a result of all of their hard work they were able to perform the pieces to an appreciative audience of parents and staff in their section of the concert at the end.

The orchestra first practised the sight-reading of a variety of pieces and quickly began to blend as an ensemble producing an increasingly confident sound.

They were joined by a small number of musicians from Malvern College and were able to perform two of the pieces, ‘Songs of the Sea’ and ‘I know him so well’ in the final concert very successfully indeed.

An enormous amount was achieved in a day; there were some very promising performances, some very good pieces of Art and some most entertaining dramatic cameos.

Well done to you all.

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

Our Equestrian Painters Presently we have two accomplished equestrian painters in the College Stephanie Schohl and George Bartlett. Stephanie’s large composition of her sister Anneka riding a smooth gaited Icelandic pony graces the

corridor in the Main Building. Stephanie is now becoming something of an expert in painting a range of animals. George Bartlett has been awarded his official Jockey status and paints the marvellous creatures he loves

to ride and race. George is currently gaining equestrian experience with Venetia Williams in her established yard near Ross.

Tim Newsholme, Director of Art

Pride and Prejudice The Junior Play

As a devotee of Jane Austen, I was very excited when Keith Packham, Director of Drama, announced his intention to stage Pride and Prejudice as the Junior Play.

The production incorporated numerous dramatic touches that expertly served to transport the audience back to the early years of the nineteenth century and provided wonderful entertainment for the final evening of the academic year.

Particularly comic was Abigail Hefferan whose voice, facial expressions and gestures brought life to Mrs Bennet as only Alison Steadman has managed to do before and she was more than ably supported by Sam Goldblatt, whose real appreciation of timing helped him to make the most of Mr Bennet’s famously cynical comments. Elizabeth and Darcy, played by Georgina Farmer and Jamie Nicholls, were brought to life superbly well and excellent casting meant that I could mention virtually everyone who acted in the show.

Two weeks of rehearsal time had been lost because of the enforced school closure but Mr Packham produced a play which can stand memorably alongside previous successes. Well done to all, this Austen fan really enjoyed herself!

Lynne Hallett, teacher of English

William Law, Jamie Nicholls and John Guilbert

Isabella Petzinka

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Sir Andrew Motion lectures at Malvern We celebrate National Poetry Day at Malvern in a number of ways each year and this year the celebrations were three-fold. On 8th October the school day was filled with activities based on the poetry of heroes and heroines.

biography). Big School was packed to bursting.

small-scale heroism and thus an entirely fitting end to our poetic celebrations.

He chose to share several poems including a poem about his father. The pastoral scene painted here was a powerful evocation of

Laurence Odlum, Jack Metherell, Rebecca Unger

At Chapel the school compared dynamic heroes from Shrek to St George and the Lower Sixth were treated to a poetry café in the Grub. Break-time gave the chance for megaphone broadcasts of the favourite poems of staff and pupils and the chalking of a banner of heroic epithets. At lunchtime all the houses had a range of poems to digest alongside their food.

At the same time 70 prep school visitors had a lively day including a Harry Potter inspired lunch and they watched in awe as Adam Crisford from the International Centre for Birds of Prey flew his owls through the rafters in Big School. Later Mat Windle (former Junior Poet Laureate, Birmingham) inspired them to write poetry about themselves and their own life experiences and at each turn they asked more and more questions.

The crowning event of the festivities came a few days later with the visit of Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate. Sir Andrew conducted a workshop on the work of Philip Larkin (the subject of his prize-winning

CREATIVE WRITING – some poetry winners The creative writing year started very well indeed with success in the Ted Hughes Young Poets’ Award run by The Elmet Trust and Calderdale Libraries. Anna Llewellyn (FY, No.6), came first in the 11-14 age group with her evocative poem ‘The Sorrow Storm’, which paralleled a storm outside the house with painful events in a person’s life. Joshua Penrice (FY, No.2 ) came second with his humorous poem ‘The Gods of the Sea’, in which a brave little boy goes to ask the gods to stop causing mayhem with the elements. Anna won a cash prize of £100 and Joshua won £50 and both were obviously delighted to earn money for doing their Hall!

Lynne Hallett, teacher of English

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

A New Home For Number “It is lovely,” exclaimed by glass and this allows us to look out over an Old Malvernian from the College and the Hills.

No.7 when he visited the new No.7 boarding Lastly, I am going to tell you about me - my house and this is exactly name is Ikemba Ihejiahi. I am in the Sixth how we feel about our new Form and I have a single room on the second home. I can take you on a bit floor which measures more than three metres of a ‘virtual tour’ if you stay – for the readers who do not know what this with me… means, I can cart-wheel three times from one wall to the next and I am not a small We are located between No.9 lad (not many people in boarding schools and the Art Centre – the grey roof, are able to do cartwheels in their rooms so about the size of a cathedral, sits on three readers, you have got to come see this). I storeys each with its own function. The main have a personal bathroom and a study desk entrance leads to both Ellerslie House and that has a fitted light under and bookshelves our house and the ‘Surgeries’ for each house over. Under my bed is a place for shoes and are located here - not for medical operations I have a good wardrobe. That’s why we are but for most others; these are the hubs of smiling in the new No.7. the Houses where our House Assistants are based. Mr Eglin our esteemed Housemaster Ikemba Ihejiahi No.7 lives at the end of the corridor and we can reach him very easily.

Pupils have accommodation on all three floors but on the first floor there is our dining room – a room with a spectacular view. We have retained the old house-boards which carry detail of our house history and our cups are displayed over the door. The computer room and telephone rooms with a library are also on this level.

The top floor is mostly a social floor but with accommodation for some of the Sixth Form. Junior and Senior Common Rooms are located here and they are most certainly an improvement on what we have had in the past. Part of the front wall is replaced

The Royal Visit On 16th October we were honoured to receive HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York KG at Malvern when he came to open the new boarding houses and the Sports Complex. From the outset our royal visitor was upbeat and enthusiastic – eager to find out about what makes Malvern College work.

His enthusiasm was genuine and the visit took on a very relaxed and enjoyable hue.

Sarah Angus, Housemistress of the new Ellerslie House and Dan Eglin, Housemaster of the new No.7 were presented to the Prince who then spent time with the pupils outside, chatting to them about their new accommodation. En-route to the new Sports Complex he stopped to talk to other groups of staff and pupils, at each stop making it easy for everyone to welcome him and answer his questions.

As he unveiled the plaque in the Sports Complex Prince Andrew spoke about his

impressions of the school. He said “As a former naval officer and captain of a ship, you learn pretty quickly what is good and what is not so good about that ship. Over the years, I’ve come to measure educational facilities in the same way – and I have to say I find there is nothing lacking in this establishment. My message to the pupils is this: you should grasp the opportunities this

school offers you with every hand you have, as the activities, education and environment you are in are second to none when it comes to expanding your mind, body and spirit.”

He left by helicopter, which was skillfully turned on a sixpence and immediately rose high above our heads to make a farewell. It had been a wonderful day.

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Michael Vaughan opens the Cricket Centre The pupils and staff were delighted to meet Michael Vaughan, England’s ex Captain of Cricket, and his wife Nichola when he formally opened the Cricket Centre on Friday, 16th October. Representatives from Worcestershire County Cricket Club were present with Tom Newman, Master i/c of Cricket at Malvern (Housemaster of No.5) and professional coach Tim Roberts (ex-Northamptonshire County Cricket Club) along with Mark Hardinges (exGloucestershire CCC and Essex CCC) and Matthew Cleal (exSomerset CCC) who are also teachers at the College. The

Grand Opening of Sports Complex sporting guests for an informal question and answer session : the aforesaid Michael Vaughan, Jason Leonard, ex England rugby player, ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, ex-England cricketer Graham Gooch and dual Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Inverdale is a past master at gently extracting anecdotes and indiscretions from his guests and, one after the other, they all entertained us with fascinating and humorous insights into the world of professional sport. Like many, I guess, I could have stayed all night. Alas, I had to go and I knew that my “Of course, this used to be a swimming pool,” impression of the whole occasion as being I told my neighbour, “and you’re sitting a rip-roaring success was confirmed when in Lane 4.” “Rubbish,” she scoffed, “Pour I saw all the taxis lined up outside. You yourself another glass of wine.” But she had always know it’s been a good do when taxi to eat her words when Lord MacLaurin, the drivers mill around in little groups, looking Chairman of the Council, made that very impatiently at their watches. point in his welcoming speech. We were all there to celebrate the opening of the new Andy Murtagh, ex-Master i/c Cricket and Sports Complex and I don’t suppose there ex-Housemaster of No.5 and No.7 was a man jack amongst us, either in his cups or not, who was not greatly impressed by the stunning building and the fabulous facilities. The cricket nets alone, opened earlier by Michael Vaughan, were to die for and brought to mind the old shed we used to practise in during wet weather down at Hampshire – and we were professionals!

Not to mention the new (proper-sized) swimming pool, fitness suite, dance studio, squash courts, shooting range and other state-of-the-art amenities incorporated in this… this… complex. Aptly named, because I had got lost in it earlier.

But Malvern doesn’t do razzmatazz, I said to myself as we searched for our table in the new Hospitality Suite, with flashing lights, loud music and colourful displays erupting all around. Well, it does now, I was forced to reconsider when the stage was illuminated with brilliant spotlights picking out the Malvern crest, looming large and luminescent, as a spectacular backdrop.

Then the Head called us all to order to say Grace and the world tipped back on its axis.

Over coffee and chocolates, the suave and avuncular figure of TV presenter, John Inverdale, took to the stage to introduce his

school’s 1st XI cricket squad put on a display of fielding in the eight court sports hall and batted in the new nets, to demonstrate how useful these facilities will be both for the school and for WCCC who are using the centre as their indoor training facility.

The boys were very excited to bowl a few balls at and thrilled to be able to meet him – he may just have been, to some of them, the most important visitor of the day.

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

Come and Try! The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory School enjoyed a ‘Come & Try’ morning as part of the programme of events arranged for the weekend of the Opening of the Sports Complex. Pupils from Years 7 and 8 were able to try out the College’s new sports facilities and to experience activities ranging from Fencing, Basketball, Indoor Hockey and Climbing, to use of the Fitness Suite.

“Sportshall Athletics” On Sunday 18th October five preparatory schools took part in a “Sportshall Athletics” event as a grand finale to a weekend of fun and sporting activity.

The teams took part in running, throwing and jumping events as well as obstacle and relay races which were expertly led by Ed Parsons, ably assisted by a number of our students from the College who acted as team managers and officials. Parents cheered the pupils on from the viewing gallery and this all made for a fantastic atmosphere. S. Anselm’s from Bakewell in Derbyshire had made the longest journey but were rewarded when they were named overall winners of the day. Our congratulations go to them and thanks to all those who supported the event.

Lucy Fences for Great Britain Lucy Henshall made an impressive start to the season in her Great Britain Fencing debut in the Women’s Epee Cadets International competition in Portugal. Out of a team of twelve from Great Britain she was the second highest ranked Briton, finishing in 10th place overall in the competition.

Malvern College Director of Girls’ Sport and Triple Olympian Christina Boxer had much praise for Lucy. “It is so important that young competitors rise to the challenge

of representing their country and Lucy definitely has a very mature approach for a 16 year old.”

Lucy trains with coach Matt Haynes at the Malvern Hills Fencing Club and with fencing instructor Lynne Melia at Malvern College.

Her next competition is the Welsh Open on 14th November.

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Will Vanston squares up for the tournament at Queen’s Will Vanston (No.9) is seeded 2 in the U/16s Public Schools’ Singles Rackets competition being held at the Queen’s Club this December. He is a left-handed player whose real strength lies in a double-handed backhand which he hits with such power and precision. His movement around court is good with nimble footwork and he serves quite brilliantly with a large amount of cut on the ball that creates significant difficulties for the returner. He has already been a finalist at Queen’s where he was seeded 3 in the U/15s singles competition last year and he reached the semi finals of the doubles competition with Will Wright (No.9) after they were seeded 3. He is a nationally seeded squash player and he plays a bit of tennis too. It looks as though he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Mark Cox, Director of Sports Liaison presents Will with the Junior Single’s trophy for tennis

Worcestershire County Cricket Club starts its winter training at Malvern The players have had their first training session at the new Sports Complex – it was a gruelling test of fitness with the new strength and conditioning coach Ross Dewar. For the duration of the winter and in bad weather in the summer the club will use the Malvern facilities for their 1st XI, 2nd XI and Academy training. Antony Clark is very pleased to have them here; he says “Together we have designed a complex which offers one of the best indoor cricket facilities in the country which will be enjoyed by the pupils and the community as well.”

The Sports Complex will be open to the public for tours on January 30/31st 2010.

Tom Newman, Master i/c Cricket, Malvern College, Damian D’Oliveira, Academy Director and Assistant Coach WCCC with members of the County Cricket squad, Antony Clark, Headmaster.

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

Cricket Tour to South Africa We take a team to Cape Town in February 2010 to play against local schools and clubs.

We shall of course do a bit of sight seeing but we have a tough programme of cricket planned, not least because we know that the South African sides we play will be well prepared and just at the end of their natural cricket season. As part of the preparations for the tour we held a fund raising dinner in the new Hospitality Suite and this was a great opportunity for Malvernians past and present to support cricket at Malvern.

The evening included a tribute by George Chesterton to Andy Murtagh who ran

the cricket at Malvern for 28 years. Guest speaker Chis Cowdrey entertained us all with his cricket stories and he enlisted the help of guest Graeme Hick, the test and county cricketer, in raising funds for the tour.

“We had a memorable evening,” said Tom Newman – Master i/c Cricket, “the support for cricket here is strong and talking to OMs returning for this event we realise how important cricket has been for them in the past and how important it will prove to be for these tourists in their school careers”.

Freddie Gardiner, Odge Davey, Will Meredith and Simon Harwood

Open Morning 2009 Blue skies helped make the campus look splendid for Open Morning this year.

There were tours of the new Sports Complex and of the Boarding houses new and old and our Sixth Formers did a very good job of guiding families around.

The Headmaster spoke to all our guests at lunch in the new Hospitality Suite to welcome them.

Our next Open Mornings will be on Saturday 1st May and Saturday 9th October.

For more information please contact us t: +44(0)1684 581 515 e: registrar@malcol.org www.malcol.org

Graeme Hick

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Ferrets’ Race With a crop of new, young runners in the College, the Ferrets’ Race is an early chance to take a look at the running talent that dwells amongst our Foundation Year. Most of those watching at the finish of this race on the Senior usually have no idea at all of who will appear first by the Theatre entrance and heading for the funnel.

This year Ben Novac Adzovic (No.7) was the lad at the front, in fact easily at the front, finishing in a time of 13:37, a full forty seconds ahead of nearest rival, Ben Cooke (No.5). No.7 won the team event for the boys and took the team trophy. For the girls, Emily Humfress (No.3) was first across the line in a time of 15:11 but it was No.4 who celebrated the team victory for the girls.

Richard Hookham, teacher of Modern Languages

September 2009

The Junior Ledder Who needs fireworks when the younger College runners put on such a dazzling display?

November 2009

to finish, Alys Marr (No.3). Vicky has the satisfaction of knowing that she has won the very first trophy to be presented to the new Ellerslie House, a great accomplishment.

Third for the girls was Amy Cooke of No.8.

After recent rain the course was expected to be a comparatively slow one. Winner for the boys was, as in the Lent Junior Race eight The winning boys’ team was SH, comfortably months before, Will Wright of No.9 who ahead of nearest rivals No.1. For the girls finished in a time of 25:28. This was well No.3 won the cup and No.8 were second. ahead of his earlier time of 25:40, in spite of the conditions - an excellent performance. So, with the Ferrets’ Race and the Junior Race Second in the boys’ race was Jonny behind us, we look forward to the third of Betteridge (No.5) (26:03) and third was the larger Inter-House races, the Ledbury Charlie Plummer (No.2) (26:47). Similarly Run in March. The advice is, as always, get for the girls, last year’s winner Vicky Moritz your training started now!

(EH) was again the one to raise the trophy.

While Vicky’s time of 28:48 was six seconds Richard Hookham, teacher of Modern slower than in March, she was nevertheless Languages over three minutes ahead of the second girl

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

Pringle Trophy Competition 2009 Royal Marines CCF detachments from around the country compete against each other in this close-fought contest. Malvern came second in 2008 and so it would prove to be in 2009.

cadets were also required to take on the infamous Commando endurance course. This was followed by the more controlled but no less demanding challenge of the Drill test.

Nine of the best cadets in the Royal Marines attachment took part this year. The 2009 team included four members with previous Pringle experience, and was led by Jamie Paterson, who along with Lawrence Beesley-Peck and Hugo de Haan, was returning for his third crack at the title. The seniors’ ability to lift the newer cadets up to the required standard would be crucial.

Alas, the final overall result placed Malvern College second.

Whether Runners up or Winners this was a truly impressive performance. Jamie Paterson (SH) (also the College’s senior cadet) led from the front and was ably assisted by Lawrence BeesleyPeck (No.5), Hugo de Haan (SH) and Henry Ma (SH). The newer members of the team – Ed Cooke (No.5), Oliver Marshall (SH), Peter Martin (No.9), Alastair Higgins (No.7) and Matt Cramp (No.2) – should feel proud of their performance, and their determination to achieve at the highest level.

The venue for the event was the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, Devon and the nearby training area on Woodbury Common. Tasks included Section attacks, casualty evacuation in a simulated minefield, first aid and weapon handling tests and the

Willam Davidson, teacher of Modern Languages

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The Duke of Edinburgh Award At Malvern the number of students achieving the required tasks to gain the Award at its various levels is growing. There are currently over 100 pupils attempting to gain the Bronze award and over 100 now registered for the Gold Award.

To gain their award pupils have to complete tasks under various sections to achieve an overall score of competence. Unsurprisingly the expedition part of the course remains the most popular; it allows those who participate to pit themselves against the outdoors and to experience, at close hand, our stunning countryside. Typically we might go to the Lake District or Snowdonia and always these trips bring out the best in individuals and bind groups of them together.

valuable chance to find inner physical and mental strength in the process of learning how to be self-reliant outdoors.

Parameters of the Award widen as national competition emerges and pupils are presented with the opportunity to log their own progress on the Internet, but this award

remains the ultimate broad-based challenge for schools, providing not competition between pupils, which it discourages, but a personal challenge to enable pupils to grow in confidence.

Philip Wastie, Co-ordinator of the D of E Award scheme at Malvern College.

Other sections of the award, which embrace the acquisition of skills, physical achievement and volunteering, also require initiative and inventiveness and here students often create their own status targets. We encourage this approach because it makes for a much more varied experience and it helps maintain the true spirit of experiential learning, empowering pupils to shape their own experience of the award.

It is not always easy going however. Fell walking and all of the outdoor pursuits can be a real challenge and our experience is that pupils embrace the task wholeheartedly, pushing themselves to the limit of their own capability. Always accompanied by experienced staff, this is, for the pupils, a

House Singing 2009

Staff Profile: Lorraine Atkins, Head of Geography

The House Singing competition sets the term off to a flying start and this year was won by School House with No.3 in second place.

Mr David Evans, Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral School, was the guest adjudicator.

Likes: Cooking, doing up old houses and swimming

250 pupils took part in the competition which was held at the Malvern Theatres; Mr Evans commented on the professionalism of all the pupils involved.

Hates: Chewing gum and Big Brother

House No.7 performing their song

Joined Malvern College as Head of Geography in 2007. Married with four children aged 20 to 9 years.

Part of the D of E team for Bronze and Gold. Has set up a link with Birmingham University for an annual Geography Masterclass programme at Malvern, there have been two so far.

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Malvern View • Autumn 2009

FOOTBALL Girls begin to make their mark Last year we launched Girls’ Football at Malvern College with tremendous success.

The girls finished the season with a 4-1 victory over Wellingborough who were the runners up in the finals of the Independent Schools Football Association competition.

Our footballers have been a delightfully enthusiastic squad of players in an intriguing blend of ages and nationalities.

This term, the Malvern girls have continued where they left off with over twenty of them regularly attending training and excellent performances being put in at U/16, U/17 and U/18 levels. The highlight of this season so far has been winning the Independent Schools South-West England U/18 Six-a-Side Tournament in September. After progressing confidently through the group stage and the semi-finals, the Malvern College team, including several of our younger girls, won

the final against Chilton Cantelo after a tense penalty shoot-out. In October, our U/17 six-a-side team put in a spirited display getting through to the quarter-finals of the National Independent Schools Tournament and to indicate their strength across the age ranges, they were undefeated in their three matches in a local schools U/16 seven-a-side

tournament just before Half Term. The squad is now eagerly preparing for a programme of eleven-a-side matches scheduled for later this term and the Lent Term.

Joe Gauci, Director of Studies and i/c Girls’ Football

New Girls show Sporting Promise Success in sport requires a positive attitude as well as physical ability and this year’s Foundation Year is really showing promise.

In both Hockey and Netball they have won the majority of their matches this term and 13 members of the Hockey squad have been selected to attend the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Junior Development Training Centre.

Emily Humfress, a sports scholar, has been selected for Worcestershire County Netball squad; she has also excelled at Rounders and Cross Country. Selected to represent the school in the first round of the English Schools Cross Country Cup, she finished in 10th place, racing against girls mainly a year older.

Olivia Barnes has been so impressive in the position of goalkeeper that she has secured her place in the Girls’ Football team despite being the youngest player in the squad.

Christina Boxer, Director of Girls’ Sport

Future Activities YOUNG MALVERN Summer programme of activiies Week 1 Monday, 26th July – Friday 30th July Week 2 Monday 2nd August – Friday 6th August Booking begins after Christmas.

Enquiries: +44(0) 1684 581 500