The Bulletin 238

FROM THE HEADMASTER

With blue skies (occasionally!), the welcome return of cricket, and public examinations just around the corner, the Trinity Term marks the countdown for our Upper Sixth Form students as university aspirations and moving on from the RGS increasingly come into focus, while also remaining very much part of our community as Old Guildfordians. The sense of belonging at the RGS remains as strong as ever. Our Careers Convention this evening is just one such illustration of this. We are looking forward to welcoming to the RGS over 100 advisors from a range of careers, 50 of whom are Old Guildfordians, the rest are parents of either present or former students. All of them are giving of their time willingly and generously; all of them are proud to pass on what they have learnt or experienced from the RGS. Our alumni have diverse passions, interests and pathways but they are all united by their pride in the School; excitingly, this community is now being further enriched as it welcomes, and embraces, all the RGS schools as our international school community continues to grow.

Collaboration and partnership throughout our school community and in the global environment have never been more important. It is a key reason why our increasingly international dimension is such an important part of our future. Our four overseas schools all very much reflect the RGS in their look, and in their outlook. To exemplify this, RGS Dubai last month had its first inspection by the KHDA, the independent schools inspection body. We are awaiting the official outcome, but I am very confident of a great result. This is testament to the school’s strong leadership team, headed up by Mrs Turnbull, since its opening in 2021 and the genuine partnership and collaboration which have been established between our partner Cognita and us here in Guildford. I am certain this collaboration will continue to thrive with the appointment of a new Principal from September.

Our links with our schools are real and tangible. For the second consecutive year we welcomed 57 RGS Dubai students from Year 7 to Guildford and, despite some typically British February wet weather, the students along with their Guildford buddies enjoyed assemblies, a treasure hunt, a games afternoon and drama, history and science lessons. Collaborations between our staff in both schools continue to flourish as we develop ways to weave enrichment opportunities into all aspects of our teaching.

This academic year has also seen many other meaningful interactions and collaborations: real demonstrations of just why our global family is thriving. In March, the School and our RGS home-stay volunteer families welcomed Year 12 students from RGSG Nanjing to share their homes, our school and our culture. Many firm friendships were formed during the trip and the week-long stay culminated in a celebration dinner at which everyone shared their enjoyment of the experience, and an eagerness to make this an annual event in the RGS calendar.

Our global family provides the next exciting chapter in our history. “ ”

In addition, there have been plenty of other collaborative events and students across our community have enjoyed many interactions with students in other schools. RGS Muscat recently opened its doors to new students and is nearing installation of new creative pieces in the school designed by students at both RGS and RGS Prep. RGS Nanjing, RGS Dubai and RGS Qatar have all welcomed experienced members of our Guildford staff and our governing body for visits and Quality Assurance Reviews in recent months.

For each one of our schools there is a genuine pride in, and understanding of, what makes the RGS so special as an educational environment. Our shared values and ethos are just one of the ways that, despite the distance between the schools and the very distinctive cultural setting of each institution, there is a strong and consistent appreciation of what it truly means to be part of the RGS. As we look to the future, our global family provides the next exciting chapter in our history, one which will be characterised by global perspective and co-operation, by collaboration and partnership, but – most importantly – by empathy and a genuine desire to make a difference to others.

INCLUSIVITY SCHOLARSHIP INTEGRITY RESPECT COURAGE COLLABORATION

OUR VALUES

SCHOOL PRIORITIES 2022-2025

Our current RGS school development priorities are Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, and Student Experience. These priorities run on a three-year cycle.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

We have focused on student and staff voice, as well as experienced external providers, to inform our strategy which is currently centred around staff diversity; developing a more inclusive curriculum; and providing additional training and support for staff and students with the aim of making our whole community more tolerant and inclusive.

COLLABORATION STUDENT EXPERIENCE

We are focusing on four areas: staff collaboration to develop and improve teaching and learning; sharing best practice between RGS and RGS Prep; co-educational opportunities and links for our students socially and academically; and linking with our international schools to provide students with cultural and academic exchange opportunities.

This is an area of continual development; however, our current focuses are on student appearance; the reporting process; academic tracking and reporting; co-curricular participation; literacy; pastoral support; reviewing the Sixth Form curriculum provision; and effective use of student devices and the possibilities that AI offers.

THE GALLERY

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 27 April

With wet conditions forecast, there may, regrettably, be disruption to the weekend cricket matches. Please check our social media platforms before leaving home and do not drop-off your son until you have had confirmation that the fixture is on. Thank you.

Wednesday 1 May

Fifth Form Study Leave begins at 4.00pm.

Concerto Concert with Southern Pro Musica in Holy Trinity Church.

Friday 3 May

Upper Sixth Form Study Leave begins at 4.00pm.

Monday 6 May

Bank Holiday Monday. School closed.

LATEST NEWS

MUSIC

This term’s Choral and Orchestral Concert took place in Holy Trinity Church and in front of a large crowd, the audience was treated to a programme of mostly English choral and instrumental music from the twentieth century. Under the baton of Dale Chambers, the RGS Symphony Orchestra took to the platform for the first half and their performance was marked by precision, expressive phrasing, and a deep understanding of the music. It included Britten’s Five Courtly Dances from Gloriana; Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite; and The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. The second half saw the combined forces of the RGS School Choir and Concerto Consort, united under the direction of Sam Orchard, perform Britten’s St Nicolas. From the hushed notes of the opening movement to the grandiose setting of the two congregational hymns that frame the work, the choir’s diction, blend, and expressiveness conveyed the narrative vividly. Their harmonies resonated within the church, evoking moments of both reverence and joy. Throughout the evening, the musicians displayed both impressive skill and musicianship of the highest calibre, making this such a memorable and captivating concert.

TRIPS

There was a full and varied programme of trips over the Easter holidays involving students of all age groups. These included: the Classics Trip to Greece; the Science Trip to Switzerland; the French Trip to Normandy; the Tennis and Surf Trip to Cornwall; the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Qualification Expedition to the Brecon Beacons; the Shooting Team Easter Camp; and the Student Robotics Finals at Southampton University. The students were fantastic ambassadors of the RGS on all these trips and enjoyed the opportunity for enrichment and camaraderie.

OLYMPIADS

Congratulations to Alexander Gillan whose score in Round 1 of the UK Chemistry Olympiad placed him in the top 15 in the country. He was invited to the three-day Round 2 in Nottingham University over the holiday where he performed impressively.

SPORTS NEWS

BIATHLON

In the Easter holidays, the British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships took place at the University of Bath. Eight RGS students had qualified for the Championships, which involves separate swim and run events from which points are added together to give a final score. Our three-man Second Form team of Jack Jamieson, Jake Mills-Hicks and Hugo Wilson secured a fantastic Gold medal in the team event, with Jake also finishing an impressive 15th in the individual event, in his first time competing at this level. In the First Form individual event, Ollie Wynn finished a commendable 61st place, in what was also his first time competing at this level.

CRICKET

The 1st XI made a strong start to the new season beating St John’s School, Leatherhead, by 3 wickets including extraordinary bowling figures of 5 for 5 for Aarush Gupta; this was then followed up by a dramatic 1 wicket win against the MCC with Tom Bull taking 5 for 15. The first block fixture of the season saw us welcome Trinity School Croydon. Although the 1st XI lost, Tom Bull hit 91 with the bat and Aidan Golding finished with figures of 5 for 32. Other highlights included a clean sweep of wins for the Under 15 teams, including 50 for Will Jennings, and excellent victories – showing the strength in depth – for the Under 13 C and D teams.

FOOTBALL

Having progressed to the Trinity Cup Final, our 1st XI came up against KCS Wimbledon. Despite going 0-2 down, a switch of focus in the second half began to see the RGS gradually come back into the game. Superb work from Fi Adeoshun and Hayden Christian helped to create the first goal for Ben Bury; Dan Yates then scored a well-deserved equaliser. Sadly, as the game went into extra-time, KCS emerged triumphant winning 4-2. It was a great game and, although just coming up a little short, a superb end to a very successful 1st XI season.

SPORTS NEWS

HOCKEY

The Under 14 boys ventured to the Olympic Park to compete in their National Tier 1 Plate Final versus Felsted School. From 1 down, to 2-1 up with goals from Charlie Wareing and Ben Keeble, to 2-2 in the dying moments of the game, it was a roller-coaster for the players and spectators alike. In an exciting and dramatic penalty shootout, the RGS and Felsted found themselves three goals apiece after five shuffles. After a nail-biting set of penalties, Zayan Ahmad made yet again a brilliant save, and Euan Thorburn stepped up to the mark and dragged the ball passed the keeper to then convert his shot into the sideboard to win the National Plate Final: an incredible achievement from such a hardworking group of young people.

GOLF

The RGS golf team has ripped up the record books making history on a number of occasions in recent months. The team –comprising Ollie George, Filip Wang and Henry Wigg – won the regional knockout competition for the first time in the School’s history. The ISGA National Finals brought together all the regional winners from across the UK, the strongest school golfers in the country. After some challenging conditions, including heavy drizzle at times, the RGS team finished as runners-up in the team competition, while Ollie also finished runner-up in the individual competition: an astonishing and memorable achievement.

MEET OUR… INTERNATIONAL HEADS

“I was delighted and proud to show the KHDA around our school during their recent inspection visit. They saw first-hand that our values and ethos at RGSG Dubai are not just words. Our pupils experience an education of colour and depth that supports them to become confident, courageous and caring individuals, intellectually curious and kind. We are very proud to be part of the expanding international family, united by our common quest for excellence, care for our pupils and a deep determination to prepare our young people to be resilient and adaptable global citizens all brought together in the spirt of the RGS.”

“A school is first and foremost a community, and in any school, the mood and atmosphere that define it are evident. RGSG Nanjing has an energy to it: a happy and positive spirit. On their return from their visit to RGS Guildford, students were excited to have witnessed the shared sense of community and values with their peers in the UK and were keen to share their experiences. Continuing to foster this happy, positive and mutually-supportive environment will ensure our students across the RGS family continue to flourish.”

Matt Ford, Head, RGSG Nanjing

“RGSG Qatar has seen our students reach their full potential through academic growth, developing as international learners and working collaboratively to achieve success. We have welcomed visits from members of the RGS staff to share best practice and experiences on how to implement them effectively in our school. We are proud of our first cohort who graduated from RGSG Qatar in 2023 with a modern education underpinned with traditional RGS values.”

Paul Williamson, Head, RGSG Qatar

Clare Turnbull, Head, RGSG Dubai

“As our first cohort begin their education at RGSG Muscat, I am proud to share with our parents the genuine sense of community and partnership that being part of the RGS brings. We all share our fundamental School Values of inclusivity, scholarship, integrity, respect, courage and collaboration. We strive to build a school community within the local setting based on our shared values. This will ensure our students are fully prepared for the demands and challenges of the twentyfirst century.”

“Our pupils in Guildford are always keen to collaborate with students in RGS schools around the globe. Last term we held assemblies, exchanged videos, and welcomed students from both RGSG Dubai and RGSG Nanjing to RGS Prep. I was hugely proud to see all pupils engaged and enthusiastic whilst learning about the lives and experiences of each other. From our boys in Pre-Prep singing songs in Chinese through to Year 6 pupils proudly touring the school site to students from RGSG Dubai, this is a simple, but powerful, demonstration of how pupils at RGS Prep are benefitting from our international community. Their knowledge of the wider world has certainly been broadened from these interactions.”

“We are proud to be a school built on tradition, but our students are inspired to embrace the future. After 500 years of evolution and change, while remaining loyal to our ethos and values, our global family provides the next exciting chapter in our history, one which will be characterised by global perspective and co-operation, by collaboration and partnership, but – most importantly – by empathy and a genuine desire to make a difference to others.”

Justin Durling, Head, RGSG Muscat

Toby Freeman-Day, Head, RGS Prep

Jon Cox, Headmaster, RGS Guildford