The Bulletin 239

FROM THE HEADMASTER

With the cricket season well under way, history suggests that the RGS has an important part to play in the origins of the game. A well-known record in the Guildford Court Book talks of a legal dispute in 1598 concerning a plot of land that lay at the junction of North Street and what is now Chertsey Street in central Guildford. Giving evidence in this dispute, a gentleman named John Derrick, then aged 59, said that when he was a scholar at the Free School of Guildford, the RGS, about 50 years earlier in approximately 1550, "Being a scholler in the ffree schoole of Guldeford, hee and diverse of his fellows did runner and play there at creckett and other plaies " This reference to cricket is generally thought to be the first mention of the game in the English language. Nigel Watson in our School History provides many colourful, anecdotal references to the sport as it gained in popularity at the School; however, little is known about cricket at the RGS until the 1860s when RGS teams played matches against the town (i.e. Guildford), Epsom College, Woking School, and Sherborne. The highlight was traditionally the Epsom fixture. The players travelled by waggonette and the riders were clad in blue satin jackets and white beaver hats, traditional top hats of the time. According to Watson: “One student, Walter Clode, remembered that ‘no one taught us cricket or coached us; the boys did it all themselves. There were no professionals and no nets.’” Watson goes on to rather cryptically mention that, “Perhaps it was this lack of supervision which resulted in the death of one unfortunate boy in 1863, killed by a roller on the cricket field.”

On another occasion, students enjoyed a visit from one of the most eminent cricketers of the time, Jack Hobbs, on 25 June 1931. Sir John Berry "Jack" Hobbs was an English professional cricketer who played for Surrey from 1905 to 1934 and for England in 61 Test matches between 1908 and 1930. Known as The Master, he was widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen in the history of cricket. According to the school magazine The Guildfordian, on his visit to the RGS, "For half an hour, he delighted a large crowd of spectators with a display of batting." Jack then promised a new bat to any boy who could displace his cap which he hung on the wickets. To his surprise and embarrassment, a Lower Sixth Form student, Judd, bowled him out on his first ball with a yorker! Cricket at the RGS has gone from strength to strength subsequently, enjoying a particularly golden period in the late 1960s when a young man of outstanding promise called Bob Willis formed the backbone of the RGS bowling. Bob Willis went on to be regarded by many as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, taking 899 first-class wickets overall and playing 64 one-day international matches for England.

Being a scholler in the ffree schoole of Guldeford, hee and diverse of his fellows did runner and play there at creckett and other plaies. “ ”

Coming up to the present day, RGS cricketers have rarely had a better opportunity to develop. From strength and conditioning, to year-round nets, to high-level coaching, to immaculate wickets and outfields at Bradstone Brook, the stage is now set for the next RGS cricketer to write themselves into the history books, whether it be for talent or for sheer eccentricity!

SCHOOL PRIORITIES 2022-2025

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

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

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.

COLLABORATION

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.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

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.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Friday 10 – Monday 13 May

May we remind you that the M25 will be shut between Junctions 9 (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) from 9.00pm on Friday 10 May to 6.00am on Monday 13 May 2024. Please allow extra time for travelling to and from all sports fixtures this weekend.

Tuesday 14 May

Lower Sixth Form Parents’ Evening in Great Hall.

Thursday 16 May

Class of 2024 Life After the RGS evening for Upper Sixth Form parents in Big School.

Friday 17 May

RGS Parents’ Association Spring Social event in Great Hall.

Monday 20 May

Field Day 4.

Friday 24 May

Staff Development Day. School closed except for those taking examinations.

LATEST NEWS

DRAMA BOOK AWARDS

RGS students competed at the tenth annual Trinity School Book Awards at Latymer Upper School. Of particular note, Timmy Hatch was Highly Commended for his illustrated poem inspired by The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater.

GERMAN

William Holmes has been awarded a coveted place on the UK-German Connection’s Summer Programme. Under this scheme, which is financed by the UK Department for Education and German Foreign Ministry, 36 students from across the UK who have a passion for German are invited on a two-week language and culture course in three locations across Germany.

MUSIC

12 RGS students acted in Tormead’s production of Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The play began in an immersive outdoor setting on Tormead’s lawn with two villages being united despite their disputes over a contested valley. The action then moved into the Hall where the parable of the chalk circle was told in true Brechtian “rough and ready, spit and sawdust” style. Notable cameo performances were given by Timmy Hatch as a drunk monk, and Oscar York as the dissolute, but ultimately fair, judge Azdak.

The Concerto Concert with Southern Pro Musica has justifiably become one of the stellar events of the RGS musical year, and this year’s performance was no exception. The evening opened with Thomas McLean’s performance of Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani. Oscar Trott’s stylish rendition of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue held the audience captivated from beginning to end. In a first for this concert, the evening witnessed the premiere of a newly commissioned piece composed by Ruvin Meda specifically for this event. Ruvin, who has just been awarded the Young Composer of the Year award at The Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is fast establishing himself as a composer to watch out for in the future. His newly composed Concert Overture masterfully combined strong melodic lines, lush romantic harmonies, and outstanding orchestral colours.

Max Bruch’s Concerto for Violin in G Minor has justifiably earnt its place right at the heart of the repertoire and Alexander Gillan’s performance of the exquisite second movement reminded us all exactly why that is. James Dicker then provided the perfect finale with his performance of César Franck’s Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra. With ovations aplenty, the extraordinary levels of musicianship on display from each of the performers were astounding.

SPORTS NEWS

CRICKET

After a series of midweek fixtures in which the 1st XI beat Lord Wandsworth College by 83 runs, including 88 for Aidan Golding, and an impressive knock of 58 by Sam Bagley for the Under 16As against Cranleigh School, the block fixture was against KCS Wimbledon. Highlights with the bat included 65 for Henry Amis for the 1st XI and 88* for Adam Hafiz for the 2nd XI, and a convincing 10-wicket victory for the Under 15Cs. This was followed by the block against Reed’s School. Once again, Henry Amis with 83 and Aidan Golding with 63 led the way as the 1st XI won by 23 runs. Other highlights with the bat included Soham Data with 51 as the Under 15As also secured victory by 4 wickets. In terms of bowling at Under 13 level, there were some impressive figures with the wickets shared around: Cole Anderson (2-5), Khalil Aziz (2-10), Hugh Bayne (4-9), Eddie Manners (2-6), Kayan Sachdev (2-13), and Alex Vickers (2-14).

In the various Cup competitions, the RGS teams have fared well. In the T20 National Cup our 1st XI beat Gordon’s School by 34 runs; while in the Surrey Cup the Under 14As beat Cranmore School by 7 wickets and the Under 12As secured an 80-run victory against King Edward’s School, Witley.

FENCING

At the British Youth Championships in the Under 14 Foil, out of 87 qualifiers, Lucas Ngai came an impressive ninth place.

SWIMMING

Freddie Browne, representing Guildford City Swimming Club, qualified for and swam at the England South East Regional Championships. Freddie won 5 medals: Gold (200m fly), and 4 Bronze (in each of the 400m Individual Medley, 200m Individual Medley, 200m back, and 400m free). Freddie is hoping to qualify for the British Championships in the summer.

MEET OUR… SAFEGUARDING TEAM

= Designated Safeguarding Lead

= Deputy DSLs

Mr KP Tayar Teacher of Religion & Philosophy, Senior Housemaster

Mr JW Pressley Senior Master

Miss JL McAllister PA to the Headmaster

Mr MRF Royds Head of Upper School

Mr JDN Lythgoe Head of Upper Sixth Form

Mrs JSR Thorpe Deputy Head

Mr AC Dodd Head of Fifth Form

Mr M Bailey Head of Third Form

Mr MF Baggs Head of Lower School

Mr NW Gough Assistant Head Pastoral (DSL)

Mr I Wilkes Head of First Form

Mr JC Witts Head of Middle School

Mrs SL Kidgell PA to Senior Deputy Head & Heads of Year

Miss GE Spencer Head of Second Form

Mr AU Woodman Senior Deputy Head