RGS Review Spring 2015

SPRING 2015

INSIDE Near Space Experience for RGS Weather Team Record Oxbridge Offers Approval for New Learning Centre National Swimming Championships Success Harlequin Concert Coram Boy Production Sells Out St James’ Palace Visit for DofE Students Model United Nations Conference

RGS Twitter Feeds Contact the school departments using our individual Twitter addresses Headmaster @rgsheadmaster

RGS History @RGSHist

RGS Geography @RGSGeography

Reigate Grammar @ReigateGrammar

RGS Politics Dept @RGS_Pols

RGS Trips @RGSTrips

RGS Careers @RGSCareers

RGS Library @RGSlib

RGS Bird @RGS_Bird

RGS Computing @rgsComputing

RGS Maths @RGSMaths

RGS Cranston @RGS_Cranston

RGS Art Department @RGSArtDept

RGS Music @rgs_music

RGS Hodgson @RGS_Hodgson

RGS Biology @BioRGS

RGS Physics @RGSPhysicsDept

RGS Williamson @RGS_Williamson

RGS Business @RGSBusiness

RGS Lower School @RGSLowerSchool

RGS Ultimate @RGSUltimate

RGS Chemistry @RGSChem

RGS Foundation @foundationRGS

RGS Weather @RGSweather

RGS Economics @RGSEconomics1

RGS DofE @RGSdofe

RGS Rugby @ReigateGSrugby

RGS English @RGSEnglish

RGS Sport @RGSSport

RGS Cricket @RGScricket

RGS Drama @RGSDrama

RGS Classics @ClassicsRGS

RGS Modern Languages @RGSLanguages

Catch Up Online As this newsletter illustrates, RGS is an actionpacked school with a wealth of news and activities happening around the clock. To keep up to date visit our website or join in with RGS online via the below channels; School website: www.reigategrammar.org

RGS Twitter Feeds: As listed above

Facebook: www.facebook.com/reigategrammarschool

Headmaster’s Welcome dedication demonstrated by

learning more about what we have

both staff and students is

achieved in this latest edition of the

what makes RGS special.

RGS Review.

This positive drive and appetite for success has

Our enthusiasm and commitment to

been demonstrated in so

do our very best, no matter what

many ways over the past

the challenge, is what defines us.

term, from our Weather

At RGS, we will continue to support

Team reaching near space to

each other and achieve together.

the myriad of sporting Headmaster’s Welcome

achievements and the packed

Yours

I could not be more proud of the

programme of music and drama

Shaun Fenton, Headmaster

Reigatian Community, the energy and

performances. I do hope you enjoy

Welcome New Reigatians!

The new First Form raised the roof of St Mary’s Church during their Admissions Ceremony, the students’ formal welcome to the school as new Reigatians. The entire First Form joined voices for their rendition of All of Me under the direction of RGS Head of Choral Music, Mrs Tali Glynne-Jones and were greeted with rapturous applause from parents, grandparents and teachers. The ceremony saw the students inducted into their school houses by the Headmaster and the House Captains.

The new First Form also enjoyed a wholeyear group party with ice-breaker games which included tug of war and the Egyptian mummy challenge!

To hear what our First Form thought about their first term at RGS, in their own words, visit: www.reigategrammar.org/videogallery

/ReigateGrammarSchool

RGS House Update Bird, Cranston, Hodgson and Williamson enjoyed

Foodbank Challenge

a packed term with inter-house challenges testing

The collective efforts of the four

their mettle and fund-raising efforts at the fore.

RGS houses filled two car loads worth of food for a foodbank which supports those in need throughout the local area.

Run Reigate

terribly shiny

The RGS houses were out in force to

boots put into

support Reigate’s inaugural Half

action, Bird took

Inter-House Hockey and Rugby

Marathon. RGS House teams manned

the lead with

The final weekend of term saw a

the water stations and encouraged

Williamson named runners up.

fine display of sporting competition played out on both the astro turf and

runners along the route whilst Fourth Form band Outside the Box entertained

In Fine Voice

real turf of RGS Hartswood. Grit,

the crowds in Priory Park. Isabel Wood,

The annual House Singing Competition

determination and a great deal of

whose design ‘The Spirit of Reigate’

saw Bird House take the House

brightly coloured face paint saw

was featured on the medals given to

Harmony award and Williamson the

Williamson House win the Rugby and

thousands of runners on the race day,

House Shout. The whole school

Cranston House reign supreme in

received a presentation version of her

gathered in the Sports Hall for the

Hockey.

medal from Race Director Mr David

hotly contested competition.

House Bake Off

Kelly. Funds raised from the run

Cross Channel Fundraising

Cookies crumbled, bottoms sagged

Children’s Trust; Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and East Surrey

It took just one school day for

made it through to the final of the

Samaritans.

members of Hodgson House to row

House Bake Off. With Christmas

supported three main charities: The

and only the finest culinary creations

the equivalent of the English Channel

themed sweet treats baked and

Gun Run Fun

and back again (a distance of 70,000

decorated, the very willing judges

The RGS playground was transformed

metres) and thereby raise over £500 to

tested on taste, appearance and

into a gladiatorial arena to witness

help protect the Web Valley Wolf Pack.

adherence to the seasonal theme

colour pitted against colour in the first

The money will help vaccinate the pack

before declaring Cranston and

House Gun Run. With CCF training and

against rabies.

Hodgson joint winners.

Record Oxbridge Offers A record breaking 15 students have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge Universities following a five month long application and selection process with notoriously tough interviews at the universities. 10 of the 15 offers are for science based subjects including Medicine, Physics and Biochemistry with the remaining offers for Politics, Philosophy and Ethics, Music, Classics and Economics and Management. incredibly strong year for university offers with many

Congratulating the students on their success, Shaun Fenton, Headmaster, said: “Our focus is ensuring that students gain places at the universities that are right for them. I am absolutely delighted that our students have achieved these offers both for the individual students concerned and because the number of Oxbridge offers is also a barometer for the overall university application round. It has been an

students already holding four or five offers. They are a very talented and hardworking year group and they all deserve their success.”

The record offers from Oxford and Cambridge follow last summer’s unprecedented A Level results at the school, which saw RGS placed as the top co-educational school in Surrey*. 94 per cent of all grades at A Level were either an A*, A or B grade. (*Sunday Times Parent Power ranking of UK independent schools)

Approval For New Centre Of Learning A transformational £4million new centre of learning has been given approval by the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council planning committee. The decision was given at a planning meeting held on 14 January and paves the way for a summer 2016 opening for the new building.

Headmaster, Shaun Fenton, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to receive such support for our plans. This major capital development represents a giant leap forward for the school. It will bring a quantum leap in our already strong facilities to help us deliver a first-class education for the children in our care.

We are honoured that Sir Peter Harrison and his family trustees continue to be so supportive of Reigate Grammar. I am Reigate based charity, The Peter Harrison Foundation, has

humbled that their support will enable the school’s biggest ever

confirmed a £4million donation to support the new centre

capital building programme over the next few years.”

which will host a university quality learning-resource centre and a large flagship library situated at the heart of the Reigate

For more details and images of the new centre of learning

Grammar School campus.

visit: www.reigategrammar.org /New-Centre-of-Learning

Remembrance Service Armistice Day saw Reigate Grammar School stop to remember the fallen. All students, teachers and support staff gathered in the school’s playground for the school’s traditional Remembrance Service.

The RGS Combined Cadet Force Corps of Drums paraded to mark the start and end of the service. Readings were given by Head Girl Dannie Harris, Head Boy James Taylor, Second Form student Eleanor Muller and by former student Major Dale Taft who left RGS in 2000 and is now in the Royal Corps of Signals. Sixth Form student and bugler Maddie Fisher played the Last Post to mark the two minutes’ silence which was followed by the school’s chamber choir, Polyphony’s, poignant signing of Abide With Me. As with previous years, Old Reigatians, parents and grandparents joined the service and afterwards laid wreaths at the school’s two war memorials which remember RGS students lost in the First World War and the Second World War. Former student Lieutenant Helen Oliphant (RN) gave the reading at the

community reflected on those students who fought in the

laying of wreaths at the school’s WWII memorial garden.

battlefields and lost their lives in the Great War. To view a film commemorating their sacrifice visit:

Marking the centenary of the start of WWI, the entire Reigatian

www.reigategrammar.org/videogallery

Mark Ramprakash Evening Cricketing legend Mark Ramprakash took centre stage in the Sixth Form Centre as he recounted his career out in the middle and on the dance floor as winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The evening consisted of live music and singing from the excellent RGS Swing Band followed by a Q&A hosted by BBC Newsbeat reporter James Waterhouse.

Not one to shy away from his opinions, Mark took questions from the floor, gave a candid insight into his cricketing career, favourite players he shared the crease with and the current affairs issues that have plagued the England senior cricket team over the last few months.

A fantastic evening was had by all and thank you to those who all attended to support the Changing Lives Campaign.

Monologue Slam

The RGS Drama Department was delighted to welcome students and industry professionals to their inaugural ‘Monologue Slam’.

Students were invited to perform a monologue of their choice and were able to receive high-quality feedback.

Many students audition for professional parts on screen, stage and television in addition to shows produced in-house, so this was a perfect opportunity for them to brush up on their skills and receive tips from the professionals.

The judging panel included Ben Marks Casting Director, Jacky Davis Director and Voice Over Artist, Alexa Cruickshank Director of Communications for The Brit School and Helen Mumby Agent for Macnaughton Lord.

All England Insight For Economics Students Economics and Business Studies students had the opportunity to look behind the scenes at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, better known as The Championships or simply, Wimbledon.

During the visit the students were able to see how the renowned club maintains its position as the world’s premier tennis event and maximises revenues during just two weeks of the year.

The students discovered how a careful balance of tradition, routine and innovation has enabled tennis to flourish and in turn support a unique business model.

St James’ Palace Ceremony for Gold Award Students With 27 students in attendance at a special Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards presentation at St James’ Palace in November, RGS was the largest school group to receive their Gold Awards from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness spoke to each of the groups and chatted enthusiastically about their awards. In total nearly 40 RGS students achieved their Gold award last year making the

students embarked on Bronze expeditions and Silver team building

school the highest ranking school for Gold Awards for the

activities during the first half of Autumn Term. The Bronze group was

third year running.

the largest number of students ever fielded by RGS in one expedition, whilst the Silver group undertook raft building, mountain

The future for DofE at RGS looks equally strong as almost 200

biking and canoeing. /ReigateGrammarSchool

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT As the Autumn Term drew to a close, families, children and all in the RGS community gathered together to enjoy an enchanting Carols by Candlelight service at St Mary’s Church.

With pews overflowing, the gathered crowd echoed the choirs’ and musicians’ performances in full voice as the service of Carols and Readings retold the Christmas Story.

Fun In The Great Outdoors The Purbeck Coast provided a stunning backdrop for the half term Outdoor Pursuits trip, RGS’ 35th trip to the Brenscombe Centre. The Second and Third Form threw themselves into a host of activities including cycling, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, laser clay shooting, archery, walking, bowling and tubing in the Splashdown Centre in Poole. A tired but happy crew returned to Reigate ready for a half term rest.

Ensembles Concert RGS’ smaller ensembles had their chance to shine at the Autumn Term’s Ensembles Concert. A wonderful evening with memorable performances from the Percussion Ensemble who performed Pirates of the Caribbean and from the Guitar Ensemble. The evening welcomed performers from across the age range and was for many of the younger ones their first concert performance

Model MUN Brings South Easts’ Students To Reigate Over 300 young visitors joined RGS to take part in Reigate Grammar School‘s 18th Model United Nations conference.

The event saw students from schools across the South East debate world issues as they mirrored the activities of the real United Nations. Teams of three or four students took on the role of a country and debated a range

The surprise emergency demonstrated to

of issues spanning environmental, economic and

students how the United Nations and its

world health challenges triumphing the point of view

member countries react to real life

of their adopted country. RGS students represented

disasters.

the United States and Luxembourg in addition to organising and hosting the conference.

Commented RGS teacher Mrs Mariu Hurriaga, who helped the students organise

During the event a staged emergency was

the conference: “Model United Nations

announced to test the ‘countries’ on their response.

gives everyone involved an insight into the

The fictional invasion of Kazakhstan by Russia saw

challenges involved in sensitive world issues

the countries’ delegations swing into action with

and a brilliant platform for debating current

emergency committees reacting to the political and

affairs. The Model UN at Reigate Grammar

human impact of the disaster. The committees

is almost entirely run by the students who

debating each area agreed collective responses to the problems

are passionate about world affairs and the possible solutions

and outlined what they believed to be the best plan of action.

and pathways available to countries working together.”

6Plus Talk

Anthony Nolan Talk

Oliver Griffiths, Executive Director in the Government’s

Peter Hodes, a volunteer for the Anthony Nolan

Shareholder executive, and leader of the team setting up the

Organisation, gave a presentation to the Sixth Form

UK Green Investment Bank, gave a fascinating talk to RGS Sixth

on the Register & Be A Lifesaver (R&Be) Programme.

Form students as part of the 6Plus programme. Mr Griffiths spoke on how the Green Investment Bank’s investments will

R&Be trains volunteers to deliver presentations to 16

produce enough renewable electricity to meet energy needs of

to 18-year-olds about bone marrow, blood and organ

three million homes. Mr Griffiths,who joined the Civil Service in

donation. The aim is to allow young people to make

2002, has

informed

specialised in

choices

domestic and

about

international

whether to

micro-economic

register as

policy and

potentially

answered many

life-saving

questions put to

donors in

him by our

the future.

students. /ReigateGrammarSchool

MATHS SUCCESS ADDS UP

RGS students were adding up their success after securing accolades in the Senior

Maths Challenge and the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. The Senior Maths Challenge saw 14 students gain Gold with Fifth Form student George Cull receiving the Best in School award. Six students are through to the next round. In the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls, Jessica Stoyle and Maria Ionescu were both awarded a Certificate of Distinction which is only awarded to the top 25 per cent of participants.

Choral Concert RGS’ many choirs gathered at St Mary’s Church for the annual Choral Concert which featured performances from Junior Girls’ and Boys’ Voices, RGS Singers, Polyphony, the Barbershop and Quintus in addition to a stunning recital from the Choristers and Gentlemen of the RGS Godfrey Searle Choir. There was a moving tribute to Remembrance alongside a collection of beautifully performed pieces from all who took part.

Ghostly Grammar Halloween cast a long shadow as the Ghostly Grammar drama production saw the audience promenade around the school accompanied by narrators and a ghoulish band. The audience enjoyed eerie retellings of stories which recalled a fictional history of the school and its earlier residents. The audience was revived by a warming bowl of pumpkin soup after the show in the Sixth Form centre.

David Walliams Gives On-Set Tour Senior drama students were treated to a behind the scenes tour of a TV filming set thanks to Old Reigatian, David Walliams.

The best-selling author, actor and comedian was in the Reigate area filming on location for a new television project. David took the opportunity to show students interested in a career in drama and TV production how a set works and what goes on during filming.

During the day, the students met the Director, sound engineers, cameramen, make-up and props staff in addition to enjoying the delights of on-set catering during lunch with David Walliams.

Engineering And Medics Gather At RGS Two specialist careers evenings saw RGS play host to established and ‘keen to be’ Engineers and Medics.

Speakers from a range of fields within Engineering, both recent graduates and career engineers, gave inspiring speeches to students from the Third to Sixth Forms. The speakers imparted their experiences in the field and gave valuable insights into their successes.

RGS’ inaugural Medicine Careers Evening welcomed doctors, junior doctors, medical students and representatives from medicine related careers who each shared their knowledge and important pointers. Many of the speakers were themselves Old Reigatians now either studying or working in the field.

/ReigateGrammarSchool

Activities Day Pens and pencils were secured in cases as students abandoned their desks and classrooms to make the very most of Activities Day. A varied programme saw each year group and subject area expand their knowledge in the wider world.

WHIPSNADE ZOO The Second Form met Whipsnade Zoo’s newest arrival, a one-month old elephant, and enjoyed being soaked by the sea lion show, whilst the First Form leapt into the world of their wizarding hero at the Harry Potter studio.

SURREY HUMAN PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE Sports Studies students tested their knowledge and their bodies at the Surrey Human Performance Institute where they took part in a number of Physiological tests, including Bioelectrical Impendence Analysis, Isokinetic Dynamometry, Spirometry and Lactate Threshold tests.

THE HUNTERIAN MUSEUM Philosophy and Ethics students visited the Hunterian Museum where they discovered a variety of pickled animals and fascinating skeletons and conducted a mini-anthropological field study, watching people in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and discussing higher order questions.

THE OBSERVATORY CENTRE The Third Form visited The Observatory Centre at Herstmonceux and augmented their Physics learning with hands-on exhibits, a Telescope tour and a Science Show and spent time reinforcing their Physics knowledge.

USA Trip To New York & Washinton Senior History and Politics students hopped across the pond to take in the sights of New York and Washington as they trailed the Pilgrims and cast ahead to the forthcoming US presidential election.

The students spent a fascinating afternoon with Sunday Times columnist, politics blogger and Old Reigatian Andrew Sullivan.

Third Form Trip To Berlin Third Form language students enjoyed a short break in Berlin taking in the sights of Alexanderplatz and the impressive TV Tower.

A packed itinerary saw the linguists test their language skills, sample different German food and cover much ground visiting the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedaechtniskirche, the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Memorial, Postdamer Platz, the East Side Gallery in addition to the Technik Museum.

German Exchange Trip RGS families welcomed ten students from the Bischรถfliches Pius Gymnasium in Aachen into their homes for a very successful German Exchange Trip.

The students joined in lessons at RGS and enjoyed trips out to London and Brighton before RGS took their turn to swap schools as they headed out to Germany.

The Christmas markets of Aachen and Cologne Cathedral featured on the agenda along with time with the German host families. /ReigateGrammarSchool

Local History Behind Sell-Out Show

Coram Boy

1720 with the support of famous artists Handel and Hogarth and later moved to Redhill before being closed in 1935. Students attending The Foundling Hospital in London, and later in Redhill,

Students at Reigate Grammar School performed a four-night run of Coram Boy, an adaptation of Jamila Gavin’s Whitbread Award-winning fiction, as the Autumn Term term drama production.

were referred to as ‘Coram Boys’ or ‘Coram Girls’ in honour of the Hospital’s founder.

The cast of over 70 pupils told the tale of two boys from vastly

A chance discovery during rehearsals found that pupils at

different fortunes in a plot which illustrated the darker side of

RGS were descended from a Coram Boy. The current

18th Century England. The story explored a web of changing

pupils’ great grandfather was taken to the London Foundling

fortunes and subtle intrigues but ultimately concluded with

Hospital as a baby in the early 1920’s and moved to the

good triumphing over evil. The villain of the piece and lead role

Redhill hospital in 1926 remaining there until he was old

of Otis Gardiner was played by 17 year old Cris Zaccarini and

enough to train as a professional and move on. The family

the female leads of Mrs Lynch and Alexander Ashbrook were

generously shared their great grandfather’s experiences and

played by Dannie Harris and Emily Hart respectively.

written records with the students involved in the production and were invited to see the play as guests of the Headmaster.

The story’s key message of philanthropy was inspired by Sir

A friend of the family, a ‘Coram Girl’ who had also grown up

Thomas Coram who established the first home for abandoned

at the Redhill Foundling Hospital, was also able to attend the

children. The Foundling Hospital was established in London in

performance with her family.

PIANO MASTERCLASS

BRIGHT HORIZONS FOR TARA

Young pianists took part and observed a

Sixth Form student Tara Hallam has gained a place on the highly

Piano Masterclass given by ABRSM

sought after Accenture Horizons Gap Scheme, having successfully

examiner Jan Newman. Jan was inspiring

negotiated a comprehensive and challenging testing and interview

and clearly the RGS musicians learnt so

process. The scheme will give Tara a fantastic opportunity to gain

much from her.

business experience with Accenture during her gap year.

Belize 2014 - The Sequel!

So popular is the Sixth Form trip to Belize that an extra visit was squeezed into the October half term.

Each visit is unique and this time we recorded ‘firsts’ in spotting the rear end of an elusive jaguar (and its tail swinging tantalizingly from the forest canopy as we

went in pursuit) and experiencing a herd of peccaries (jungle pigs) sweeping passed us as we were observing the bats in a Mayan tunnel.

The howler monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary have clearly latched onto social trends, as one young member of the troop grabbed a mobile phone and took a selfie! Not to be outdone, a nurse shark nudged Miss Godbold out of its way to photobomb her filming of a beautiful spotted drum (reef fish) on one of our dives.

Harlequin Concert Members of the RGS community joined together at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill for the autumn Orchestral Concert which proved to be yet another outstanding musical performance by students from 11 to 18.

Highlights of the evening included a moving rendition of Elgar’s Nimrod by the Concert Band; the Intermediate Strings Orchestra’s controlled and precise performance of Dvorak’s New World Theme and the Symphony Orchestra’s unplanned encore of Music from Aladdin which was brilliantly executed.

Students Hit The Slopes As the end of term bell rang, students young and old headed for the slopes for pre-Christmas skiing and fun.

Junior Ski Trip Over 70 students from the Second to Fifth Forms were greeted with a distinct lack of snow as they arrived at the ski trip base camp in Saas Grund, Switzerland.

Happily, the heights of Saas Fee enjoyed huge amounts of snow throughout the trip. The weather was unbelievably warm (10 degrees at mid-station on departure day) which, combined with the snow, meant that all 12 beginners were totally proficient within the first two days.

Senior Ski Trip 45 students and five members of staff spent a very happy seven days in the French resort of Serre Chevalier. Although much of the Alps suffered a lack of snow, the students were lucky to have a vast area to ski on. Within a day all of the beginners were going down blue runs and by the end of the week they were happy to take on red runs too. The week was over far too quickly!

The Snow Ball A magical winter wonderland was the backdrop for the PFA’s sparkling Snow Ball which raised in excess of £14,000 for the school. The sell-out event saw the PFA Ball Committee work tirelessly to transform the Concert and Sports Halls into a winter paradise complete with a forest which sparkled with frost and a snow dome.

The CCF Take On Land, Sea And Air CADETS BUILD THEIR SKILLS

proceedings and this year’s guest speaker was Colonel Lamb,

Cadets from all three sections of the Combined Cadet Force

Assistant Head, Teacher of Geography and Contingent

(CCF) attended Napier Barracks in Folkestone to undertake a

Commander at Eastbourne College.

Method of Instruction Cadre. All the cadets passed the course and congratulations should go to Maddy Withers, Nick Ingram,

RAF BENSON

Hana Peacefield and Charles Lee who achieved Distinctions. It

All three sections made full use of Activities Day to put their

was a very intensive weekend for both staff and cadets but was

CCF skills to the test in the field. The RAF Section attended

enjoyed by all and provided a new corps of student

RAF Benson where all 23 cadets enjoyed an Air Experience

instructors.

Flight in a Grob Tutor.

CANOE SUCCESS Congratulations to CCF cadets Rachel Buchan, Isaac Osterreicher, Edward Saunders and Ati Sidir who all passed their British Canoe Union (BCU) 1 Star Award..

CCF MESS DINNER The Peter Masefield Hall played host to the annual Combined Cadet Force Mess Dinner with the school’s Officers, Senior NCO’s and other invited guests in attendance. The school’s Corps of Drums opened

BRAMLEY ARMY CAMP The Army Section attended Field Training at Bramley Army Camp and were ably led by C/Sgt Oliver Harvey and Sgt Daniel Studholme receiving much praise from the adult staff members.

PORTSMOUTH The Navy Section spent a damp but fun weekend engaged in Afloat Training in Portsmouth.

Simon Singh Uncovers Simpsons’ Secret Maths Leading author and science journalist Simon Singh visited Reigate Grammar School to reveal the mathematical secrets of TV hit The Simpsons. Students were agog as Simon unveiled the maths puzzles and jokes imbedded in the show that had previously slipped under their noses. From binary numbers to equations to cutting-edge theorems, Simon explained how the writers of the hit show, which features characters Bart, Homer and Marge, are themselves well trained mathematical minds who layered the show’s more obvious jokes with a deeper appeal to fellow mathematicians. Simon also gave the audience a whistle stop tour of cosmology and the history of the Big Bang Theory and notable mathematicians from history.

CHEMISTRY STUDENT REACHES BEYOND GOLD Having secured a place in the top 50

awarded his roentgenium (a metal more

Institute’s Christmas Lectures) presented

students in the country in the 2014

expensive than gold!) medal at the Royal

Rhys with his award prior to Rhys giving

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, Upper

Society in London. Dr Peter Wothers

a talk to the gathered audience on his

Sixth Former, Rhys Thomson, was

(who previously delivered the Royal

favourite element, palladium.

Weather Station Near Space Adventure A weather balloon launched by pupils from the Reigate Grammar School’s Weather Club and Geography department reached near space.

After months of planning, weeks of building and negotiating with the Civil Aviation Authority the students sent three highdefinition cameras, a meteorological sensor and three GPS trackers on a three-and-a-half hour journey into the stratosphere - 100000 feet (about 30.5 kilometres) above earth.

very exciting project off the ground, particularly those in the DT department who helped with the build.

The RGS student and teacher run weather station has been ranked as one of the top 30 global weather sites. The station’s analysis of regional weather and weather events, notably the floods of 2014, have been featured on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme. To view the weather balloon footage and

The launch site for the balloon was at a MetOffice research

find out more visit: http://rgsweather.com/ or follow on

facility which gave the school special access for the day with

Twitter: @RGSweather

help from MetOffice staff. The balloon’s flight was 3 hours 30 minutes and the pressure at max burst altitude was 100x less than at sea level.

Temperatures around the balloon fell to minus 70C before the balloon burst and fell to earth at a site forecast the night before. The team then used GPS tracking to recover the payload which included GoPro footage of the fall back to earth.

Congratulations to the outstanding student team comprising George Beglan, Fraser Cadman, Louis Chambers, Jasmine Hull, Chris Meredith, Piers-Rex Murray, Harry Persand, Edgar Povey, Tom Tatham and Matthew Taylor and thanks to Mr Collins, Mr Klein, Mrs Ramsden and all who helped to get this

/ReigateGrammarSchool

Sports Roundup England Hockey Selects Reigate Grammar Sports Ground

England Hockey has selected Reigate Grammar School’s new hockey centre as the base for their first set of Coaching Club Workshops, one of only eight host venues across the country to be chosen. The decision follows the opening of RGS’ second all-weather pitch and investment in professional coaches across hockey, netball and rugby. England coaching sessions will begin at the RGS Hartswood sports ground this season.

Shaun Fenton, RGS Headmaster, said “This is an exciting development for the school, for

England Hockey and for the town of Reigate.

We are delighted that our new hockey centre will now benefit not only our students, and the local community clubs that practise there, but also host England Hockey coaching.

Coming so soon after the opening of the centre, the recognition by England Hockey is a real pat on the back for the team who have worked so hard to deliver a spectacular new facility.”

HOCKEY

intense game ensued but RGS narrowly missed out on a place

National Hockey for Captains

in the final and qualification to the Nationals by losing 3-2.

Upper Sixth Form student David Gent has played his first

Given their novice status in the indoor arena, the girls were

National League Hockey match following pre-season regional

proud to achieve third place overall in the South.

hockey trials. This means that both the Boys’ and Girls’ 1stXI RGS Hockey Captains now play National League Hockey:

Celebration Season Sees Girls Add to Silverware

Harriet Mitchell (East Grinstead) and David (Oxted).

Hockey players of all ages are celebrating a season of top wins!

The school’s 1st XI have secured wins in the South Surrey

RGS Girls Hockey Crowned Surrey Champions

Hockey tournament and the South Surrey Indoor Hockey

RGS’ Under 15 Girls’ Hockey team has been crowned Surrey

tournament in addition to gaining silver in the Surrey Indoor

Champions 2014. The girls secured the title after six strong wins

Hockey Tournament and bronze in both the Surrey and South

against rival schools: St George’s Weybridge (2-1), Sir William

Indoor Hockey championships.

Perkins’s School (2-0), Tormead (2-0), St John’s Leatherhead (1-0), Woldingham School (4-0) and Greenacre (4-0).

Not to be outdone by the senior team, the school’s 2nd XI team secured a win in the District Senior B team Hockey Tournament; the Under 15 team was crowned winners of the Surrey Hockey County Champions and the Under 13 were Runners up in the East Grinstead Tournament.

Record County Call Ups A total of 22 RGS sportsmen and women have been called up to represent their county in Commented Mrs Becks Wickham, RGS Head of Girls’ Hockey:

Hockey, the highest number of selections

“The Under 15’s showed great skill and demonstrated some

attained in one season by Reigate Grammar School. Surrey has

flowing team hockey which really shows how their professional

chosen 20 RGS students for age groups ranging from Under 13

training has paid off. They scored a great number of goals and

up to Under 17 with Laura Hawrych and James Hawrych

remained undefeated in the tournament. Congratulations on a

selected by Sussex to play in the Under 16 and Under 17 sides

fantastic achievement.”

respectively. 18 year old Harriet Mitchell has been training with the National Age Group Squads and will hear about her

Indoor Hockey Regional Final Bronze

latest selection for England in March.

RGS Under 18’s Indoor Hockey team has proved a force in only their second season playing indoor hockey. The team’s

Surrey U17: Amberley Hodgson, Catriona Lynn

performance at the South Indoor Regional finals on 30

Surrey U16: Lilly Pinggera, Chloe Stimpson, Peter Doherty

November saw them come runners up in their group beating

Surrey U15: Ella Cross, Bea Norton, Tom Sullivan,

Bradfield College and Seaford College but losing to the eventual winners Sir William

Max Clarke, Archie Trevor Surrey U14: Timea Culverwell, Stephanie Weber, Taylor Weber, Sophie Nathan, Finlay Skinner Surrey U13: Ellie Heron, Amy Wickham, Ella Woods,

Borlase 2-0. The RGS

Tom Garmston and Alex Corbett have been

girls went on the play

invited to extra goalkeeping training sessions

Beaconsfield High in

Sussex U16: Laura Hawrych

the semi-finals and an

Sussex U17: James Hawrych

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London and smashed their own target of a top 15 finish by comfortably securing a sub 10 placing.

Mrs Claire Cline, RGS Head of Swimming, commented: “It has been a truly amazing day for swimming at RGS. In the Medley the team had qualified in 18th place so were placed in an outside lane for their heat. With it being our first experience of the Championships we were secretly hoping for a top 15 finish as this seemed a realistic goal to us. The boys swam exceptionally well in their heat to finish in a time of 2.23.31, four seconds faster than

RUGBY

their qualifying time and placed

Surrey Rugby

them 3rd in their heat.

Selections Five Reigate Grammar

We watched the second heat

School students have

closely and there was hope we had

received a call up for

made the final. It was an anxious

the Surrey Under 16

wait but eventually they

Rugby Squad. Their

announced the boys had qualified

selection follows Laurie

in 9th place in the final!

Overtoom’s selection for the Under 18

“There were plenty of cheers and

Surrey rugby squad.

smiling faces all round from team

16 year old Lucas

Reigate Grammar as the final

Overtoom, Max Coyle, Paul Marshall, Alex Skinner and Joe

approached, the boys were very nervous but ecstatic to know

Gregson were all selected for the Surrey Under 16 Rugby Squad

they were going to finish in the top 10 nationally. They put in

following a strong performance over the previous months.

a superb performance with a near perfect take over from Tomos to Owen (a heart stopping moment!) and were placed

Commented Doug Cooper, RGS Head of PE: “This is a huge achievement for the boys and highlights the great strength that lies within the RGS Under 16 squad, a year group which has truly shown its mettle over the past few seasons. Selection for the Under16s at this level is the first step on the pathway towards International Honours and I believe that the boys have a bright future ahead.

SWIMMING Top Ten National Success for RGS at Olympic Pool RGS’ debut at the National Championship Finals saw the team placed in an astonishing seventh place despite never having entered the championships before. The team of Owen Knowles, Patrick Florida-James, Tomos Knowles and Bertie Coomber travelled to the Olympic Pool in

7th. To leap up 11 places is amazing.”

NETBALL

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING

Senior Netball Enjoys winning start to season

Cross Country Team

The 1stVII Netball team is celebrating a stellar first half of the

RGS Girls’ Cross Country teams took part in the District

season with a string of wins that begun with the Fast Five

competition with 11 schools and up to 70 competitors in

tournament in September and has progressed to see the girls

each race. The First and Second Forms won their team events

secure a place in the Surrey Finals. To gain their Surrey Finals

with First Formers Lily Grant, Lucy Broderick and Katie

place the U19 girls beat nine teams including Putney, Cranleigh

Mackison all finishing in the top five; Emelye Kenyon-Brown

and James Allen’s Girls’ School. Overall the RGS side played

won the Second Form race with Evie Keast and Isabella

eight matches and won six to secure their place with one

Cunningham-Brown also finishing in the top 10; the Third

match lost by just one goal.

Form team came fourth with Taylor Weber and Stephanie Weber finishing in the top 10. The Fourth and Fifth Form race combined as intermediates and won their team event with Clara Grinyer finishing second, Laura Hawrych fifth and Anna Anderson sixth. Charlotte Robinson was our sole senior runner and she finished eighth.

RGS runners Lily Grant and Lucy Broderick recently represented Surrey in the West Midlands Inter Counties Cross Country Competition. Lily was first for Surrey and fifth overall, whilst Lucy was second for Surrey and sixth overall.

Not to be outdone by the girls, RGS boys performed with distinction at the District Cross-Country. First Former Theo Lewis won a very closely contested race with a strong sprint

The girls have also won the South Surrey Tournament following

finish with notable efforts also from Patrick Florida-James

a nail biting finish against Woldingham School. The hotly

(fourth) and Jack Wilson-Smith (seventh). In addition, Oscar

contested match went to extra

Subuh-Symons (second) and

time during which a golden goal

Henry McCann (third) ran

sealed RGS’ tournament win.

strongly in the intermediate age category to secure selection

National Schools Netball

for the Surrey Championships

Championships

in January.

Congratulations to the Under 14 and 1stVII netball teams who took

British Modern Biathlon

part in the Surrey Round of the

Five RGS students travelled to

National Schools Netball

Solihull to take part in the

Championships. Both teams played

British Modern Biathlon

fantastic netball and the Under

Championships. Machayla

14’s beat St George’s and drew

Dewdney (First Form) was

against Croydon High. The 1stVII

placed 24th and Tomos Knowles

went a step further to achieve 3rd

(First Form) 33rd. In the Under

place in their section, putting them

14 boys category Jake Maxwell

in 6th place in the county. This

won the swim and after his run

result also puts them as the second placed co-educational

was placed seventh overall; Owen Knowles was placed 19th;

school netball team in Surrey – a fantastic achievement. Well

and Patrick Florida-James 21st. Whilst the Under 14 team just

done to all girls involved, most notably the four Under 13 girls

lost out on a medal (being placed fourth) they were the second

playing up an age group.

highest school team competing against club teams.

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