The Bulletin
Friday 13 May 2022
Issue 204
From the Headmaster The first public examinations for schools were introduced by universities in 1858 in response to demand from schools for a way to assess their pupils’ attainment. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate was officially established on 11 February 1858 and the first examinations took place later that same year. There were two examinations – junior for those under 16, and senior for under 18s – and they took place in local centres: schools or any suitable venues like churches or village halls. To ensure strict confidentiality, presiding examiners travelled from Cambridge to the various centres, usually by train, wearing academic dress and carrying a locked box containing the question papers. How things have changed! Exam timetables were gruelling and, to exacerbate the pain, fell just before Christmas. Junior candidates sitting their exams on 17 December 1858, started their day at 9.00am with Pure Mathematics and finally finished at 8.00pm when the time allotted for the Latin paper ended. Even though these were the first ever set of examinations, the post-exam reports were scathing, passing comment including, “Their [the candidates’] answers, even when accurate, showed a general uniformity of expression which seemed to imply that meagre handbooks had been placed before the students to be memorised and that little attempt had been made by their instructors to excite the interest of their pupils by questionings or remarks of their own.” Our boys, therefore, join a rich tradition dating back well over 150 years and with the term fully underway, so the thoughts of many of our boys – and indeed their parents! – are now focused on examinations. This marks a stage in the school year when the whole community is united in its attention on, and preparation for, the challenges ahead. In this phase of the students’ education those learning habits which we continue to embed come to the fore: the tenacity to persevere and to deal with setbacks; the skill of imitation to replicate exemplar material and approaches; the criticality to challenge and question; the reflection to evaluate and improve learning; the independence to plan, take responsibility and have pride in every element of preparation; the aspiration to demand the very highest standards; and so I could go on. The boys should take reassurance from the fact that we have every confidence in them and have seen genuine potential which they undoubtedly have the ability to realise. Equally, however, just putting on an RGS blazer is no guarantee of success; this is where our learning habits and the necessary discipline, dedication and industry are key in allowing our boys to reap the rewards they richly deserve. Striving for excellence and harbouring healthy ambition are admirable traits which epitomise our community; to unlock this potential, however, the boys must be confident and happy and not afraid to express their concerns or worries, especially at times of stress. A caring and compassionate environment and a mutually supportive ethos is at the very heart of our philosophy. If we can nurture a culture where our students have the confidence to be honest about their feelings, to share their concerns, and to seek help when required, then they can tackle the challenges ahead with greater confidence. Showing vulnerability is, in fact, to show great strength. I wish the students all the very best of luck over the revision and examination period. would also like to RGSGuildford Registered CharityINo. 1177353 remind the boys that my staff are here to provide as much support as they can, both academically and pastorally. If you have any concerns about any aspect of your son’s progress or wellbeing, please never
From the Headmaster I wish the students all the very best of luck over the revision and examination period. I would also like to remind the boys that my staff are here to provide as much support as they can, both academically and pastorally. If you have any concerns about any aspect of your son’s progress or wellbeing, please never hesitate to contact us. As a community, we are all united in wanting the very best for your sons.
Latest News MATHEMATICS: All the Second Form and some First Form boys took part in the Junior Mathematics Challenge. The results were exceptional with 96% of the boys achieving an award, including 59 Golds, 45 Silvers and 24 Bronzes; six boys qualified for the Junior Mathematical Olympiad (top 1,200 in the country) and 32 boys for the Intermediate Kangaroo (top 10,000). Jack Thompson (2E) and James Kelynack (1E) achieved full marks; Julian Zou (1S) was only one correct answer away from this feat. THEOLOGY: In the Cambridge Theology Film Competition, Fifth Form students Andrew Brett, Stuart Brown and Seth Cade won the competition in their age-group category with a sophisticated and insightful investigation into How artwork has shaped modern Christianity. YOUNG ENTERPRISE: In the Young Enterprise South Surrey Showcase Competition, RGS Sixth Form teams swept the board with Everdry, MD Ollie de Gentile Williams, awarded Best Marketing Team for their RGS branded towels; Dendros, MD Dev Atara, winning Best Teamwork for their sustainable stationery set; and Showersmart, MD George Rudman, securing Best Innovation for their uniquely-designed, high-pressure shower head which monitors water usage. Company of the Year Showersmart now progress to represent Surrey at the South-East Regional Finals.
Sports News ATHLETICS: A busy few weeks of inter-school competition have seen RGS athletes impressing on track and field alike. Highlights have included an overall first place at Epsom College for our junior teams and at District Sports a record number of RGS athletes qualifying for the Surrey Schools' Athletics competition; our Second Form team again secured first place. BASKETBALL: The Under 18s produced two tense nail-biters for their final matches of the term, narrowly beating Guildford County School 58 – 57 when they took the lead for the first time in the match in the final seconds, and then losing in an equally tense finale 49 – 52 against Charterhouse School. CRICKET: After victory for the 1st XI against the MCC when Rohan Gupta (L6) scored 62, highlights of the full block fixture against KCS Wimbledon included an excellent three-wicket win for the 1st XI with Tom Humphreys (L6) scoring 59 and success for the Under 15As with Thomas Bull (4B) making 79 on a tricky wicket. Other individual highlights included George Wilson (4A) with 54 for the Under 15Bs, Oliver Pickup (1L) with 50* for the Under 12As, and, earlier in the week, Harry Griffiths (2R) with 74 and Arran Chandran (2P) with 74* for the Under 13As against Howard of Effingham School. Against Reed’s School the 1st XI continued their fine start to the season with a seven-wicket victory. Tom Humphreys (L6) impressed again with 50 and Henry Amis (4A), despite being in the Fourth Form, scored 58 on only his fourth appearance for the 1st XI. The Under 13Cs and Under 15Cs both recorded good wins. Other highlights included Alex Jourdan (3P) scoring 55* for the Under 14As in an eight-wicket win against a strong Charterhouse School team. FENCING: Five RGS fencers were chosen to represent the South East region in the British Youth Fencing Championships. Xavier Wallin (5P) finished seventh, winning five out of his six fights in the poule. In the last 16, Xavier also had a stunning 15 – 5 victory against the current Under 18 Public Schools’ champion. SAILING: The RGS sailing team competed in the Southern area regional championships; despite variable conditions, our A team ended up in fifth place, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals. RGSGuildford
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