The Bulletin 248 by RGS Guildford

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Some things never change; they just become different. In around 350BC, Aristotle coined the phrase Man is a political animal in his work Politics. In that period, politics revolved around the affairs of the polis, the city, and as such it was necessarily more inward looking, more focused on self-gain and benefit. And yet Aristotle asserted that humans are inherently social beings who naturally form communities and political structures, and that participation in these communities is essential for achieving a good and meaningful life. Fast forward 2,500 years and the same phrase arguably resonates all the more despite, necessarily, having a more global outlook.

In today’s rapidly-changing world, political awareness is more crucial than ever, especially for our students who, as we regularly assert, are the leaders and decision-makers of the future. Understanding the political landscape equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and influence the society they live in. And yet it is more than that. Political awareness is not just about understanding politics, it is about being an informed, engaged, and responsible citizen.

The widespread participation in the RGS Mock General Election earlier in the year and the interest in the recent US elections both highlighted the fact that our students do recognise their responsibility. It was, however, the recent RGS Model United Nations Conference which for me best illustrated this engagement. This is the fifth time that we have hosted our RGS MUN Conference which, this year, welcomed 240 delegates from 22 different schools. In addition, it provided the opportunity to give our First Form students first-hand experience of the workings of a conference.

As George, one of the RGS Secretary Generals, so articulately outlined as he addressed his fellow delegates at the beginning of the Conference:

“In democracies, as a general rule, what the people really want, they get. With articulate and compelling speakers and debaters, people can be convinced that the issues that really matter –democracy, liberty and peace – do matter. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Ozone Layer, time and again, we have shown that with competent leadership focused on important problems, the world can be made a better place.

And neither is the United Nations a futile institution. It has not prevented all wars, and it will fail to prevent many more, but as the principal forum for international diplomacy, it is invaluable, because in spite of diplomacy's shortcomings, it remains the best way to preserve peace.

I hate to reuse the cliché, but it is true. We are the future. And that is why events like this conference, which hone our skills of debating and probing with critical questions, are so important.

You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you. “ ”

Yet the most important thing of all is that we engage with politics, especially as we young people feel increasingly frustrated and disillusioned, because politics matters. In the words of Pericles "You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you."

Model United Nations could not, I agree, be more important in the current climate. It encapsulates perspective and putting oneself in the shoes of others, delicate negotiation and respectful interaction, reflection and compromise where appropriate, collaboration and teamwork. It nurtures informed citizenship, critical thinking and analytical skills, empowerment and advocacy, global responsibility perspective, social responsibility, preparation for leadership and so much more. I passionately believe that by fostering political awareness, we prepare our students to take on the challenges of the future and contribute to a more just and equitable society. Encouraging political awareness among students is not just empty rhetoric, it is an investment in the future of our democracy and our world.

INCLUSIVITY

OUR VALUES

COLLABORATION

SCHOOL PRIORITIES 2022-2025

Our current RGS school development priorities are Collaboration, Student Experience and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. These priorities are in the final year of our three-year cycle.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

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

COLLABORATION

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 enrichment opportunities.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

This is always 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.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Registration

We continue to be grateful to you, as parents, for your support with registration. Keeping your sons safe and accounted for is always one of our highest priorities. We would ask for your support in the following aspects.

Please always copy in rgs-office@rgsg.co.uk, as well as your son’s Tutor, to any illness, medical/dental appointment or absence requests which are sent to relevant staff members.

In the event of illness, the School must be notified on every day of absence.

We will not authorise absence requests sent in via the student themselves. Communication must come from a parent/guardian.

Permission must be sought from the Headmaster for an absence lasting a whole day or more, with as much notice as possible.

Saturday 30 November

Annual RGS Christmas Fair from 1.00 – 4.00pm. Open to the whole community, including family and friends.

Thursday 5 December

Ensembles Concert in the Auditorium.

Friday 6 December

Charity non-uniform/Christmas jumper day.

Tuesday 10 December

Afternoon and evening Carol Services in Guildford Cathedral.

Friday 13 December Term ends.

So four medieval alchemists attempt to bring the lifeless poet back to life by inviting a group of his best-known pilgrims to tell their tales, as the caped Chaucer watches on from the luxury of the front row, with members of the audience tasked with keeping an eye on him and the cast regularly checking on his wellbeing. Back on stage, the lively Tabard Inn provides the setting for a breathless whirlwind tour through medieval times with a series of energetically raucous tales: religious legends, courtly romances, racy tales, saints’ lives, allegorical tales, beast fables, medieval sermons, and alchemical accounts. With atmospheric lighting, vibrant costumes, and a set which absolutely captures the zeitgeist of the time, the audience is whisked away from the world of the 21st century into the midst of medieval England.

Right from the opening scenes between the charismatic double-act of Jocasta (Will Petersen) and Michelangelo (Monty Membery), the audience is swept along in a rip-roaring rollercoaster of feel-good fun, playful antics, and on-stage participation. Unsuspecting members of the audience suddenly find themselves thrust into the very heart of the action and the image of the whole Auditorium passionately and vociferously chanting “Help! Help! The fox has stolen our cock!” will stay long in the memory.

Each of the tales is very distinct with colourful, flamboyant characters dominating the stage throughout: from the smooth-talking swindler the Pardoner (Ethan Logue) who kicks off proceedings; to Sir Codsbrain (Oscar York) with his opening line, “Hello, ladies! Come here, and I’ll give you a knight to remember!”; to the sassy, bawdy wife of Bath (Hella Camidge) brimming over with attitude and one-liners; to King Arthur (Alex Hinton) as the deliciously eccentric, absent-minded, bumbling buffoon; to the belching, boozy Miller (Thomas Tallis); to the comedy suitors, the suave, charming hero Nicholas (Theo Odhams) and the hapless drip Absolon (Timmy Hatch). The richness and diversity of the characters are a real strength and the talented cast effectively breathes life and personality into these larger-than-life characters.

But the greatest strength of The Canterbury Tales is, undoubtedly, the fact that it never for a second takes itself too seriously; puerile absurdity, cheeky innuendo and slap-stick humour are never far from the surface. A theatre production is not a five-star show without an unintentional comedy smooch with a pair of buttocks, followed up by a red-hot poker planted in the same bodily part, with the odd fart included for good measure. The pilgrims energetically clucking as chickens, comedy chase scenes, the cock-a-doodle-do cock belting out a song, the love scene between the hen and the cock (fertilising some free-range eggs!) or the bedroom scene with Sir Codsbrain and his new bride… it’s simply impossible to pick out just one highlight.

As the toe-tapping ensemble number finally brought the tales to a close, the sustained applause was richly deserved. Rude and lewd, colourful and vibrant, with just the right balance of clowning around and story telling, if this tour de force couldn’t bring Chaucer back to life then nothing could. And whether the pilgrims succeeded in bring Geoffrey back to life (and, indeed, whether there is a mystery guest appearance at the end), well, that would be telling… And as the cast belted out at the end, “In fellowship of pilgrims are we all”, indeed, we are… and we are all definitely the better for it.

LATEST NEWS

ACADEMIC

Our annual ILA (Independent Learning Assignment) /ORIS (Original Research in Science) Presentation Evening is, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of our Scholarship for all programme. A packed Auditorium of students, parents, staff, visiting students and friends of the school were treated to nine wonderful presentations by members of our Upper Sixth Form. The calibre of this research shone through in all of their presentations; even more impressive was the confidence and poise with which they were able to present their findings, carefully explaining

complex concepts in an accessible and engaging manner. The panel of judges, after lengthy deliberation, ultimately selected Joel Sellers as the winner of the ORIS category, for his creation of a plastic polymer library using Raman spectroscopy. Thomas Dowson was the winner in the ILA STEM category for managing to unravel the nuances of knot theory; while Ruvin Meda was selected as the winner of the ILA Arts/ Humanities category for his magical film music composition.

ART

The annual Smoothey competition commemorates Mr Ronald Smoothey MBE, a long serving Head of Art at RGS in the 1970’s who received an MBE for his services to art education. This year’s theme was Opposites and the winners of the Junior entry were Emile Tahir and Rory Parker with Junxiang He, Olaf Johnson and Aryan Petras receiving Highly Commended in this category. Theo Odhams and Ayaan Bhagat won the Senior entry and Highly Commended awards went to Andrew Kuang and Archie Secrett.

MUSIC

A very busy fortnight for the Music Department has seen a number of highlights. The Joint Schools’ Chamber Choir travelled up to central London to sing Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral under the iconic dome for the third time. The choir rose to the challenge and sang the service in front of a crowded cathedral. From the opening responses to the soaring lines of Howells’ magnificent setting of the Evening canticles Collegium Regale, the choir was on top form and sang with a real sense of poise and sensitivity; Edgar Bainton’s beautiful anthem And I saw a New Heaven was undoubtedly the highlight of the service. Particular congratulations should be given to both Oscar Ford and Ben Pilkington for performing the solo at the start of the Nunc Dimittis so sensitively.

Our Advent Service, taking place by candlelight in the atmospheric setting of Holy Trinity Church, is structured around the plainchant of the Seven Great Advent Antiphons, sung so hauntingly by the RGS Schola Cantorum, interspersed with readings and reflections on Advent's meaning. The singing was of the very highest quality and added to what was an intensely moving and atmospheric service.

Six RGS bands performed to an appreciative audience of parents, staff, students and friends at The Boileroom. The bands performed a diverse repertoire including songs by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day, Franz Ferdinand, Foo Fighters and Oasis. The many hours of practice and dedication had clearly paid off and it was a vibrant, buzzing event in an iconic local live music venue.

Congratulations also to Oscar Ford who is through to the final of the BBC Senior Chorister of the Year competition. Described as “stealing the judges’ hearts” by British composer and conductor Bob Chilcott, Oscar was praised for his “very beautiful voice” that showed “great control”. We wish Oscar every success in the final, which takes place this coming Sunday, 1 December.

There were 60 entrants for this year’s House Piano Competition and the Adjudicator, Sanae Nakajima, commented on the extraordinary depth of skill on display in all classes. The winners of the various classes were as follows: Junior (Beginner to Grade 4) Cole Anderson (Winner) and Alexis Solomonides (Highly Commended); Intermediate (Grades 5 – 6) Jonas Xie (Winner) and Henry Mankabady (Highly Commended); and Senior (Grade 7+) Ruvin Meda (Winner) and Joseph Ryan (Highly Commended).

Congratulations to all the students who took part.

SPORTS NEWS

CROSS-COUNTRY

In the District Cross-Country competition at Charterhouse School, 26 runners from the First to the Fifth Forms participated. In the Junior Race, the RGS team really excelled with our top four runners: Etienne Victor in first, Hugo Wilson third, George Holmwood fourth, and Theo Patel fifteenth. In the Inters Race, Eddie Wilson came second: an impressive achievement. This meant that in the Ed How Memorial Trophy, the RGS came second out of 11 schools that qualified. Tom Shorter at Under 13s, Etienne, Hugo and George at Junior Boys, and Eddie at Inter Boys have all now qualified to represent Guildford.

FENCING

In the FCL LPJS Under 14 foil event, Lucas Ngai finished as a Bronze medallist. The event had a large strong entry of 47 fencers. Lucas fenced superbly and won all the fights in his poule and won his L32 and L16 12 – 5 and 12 – 2 respectively. He then defeated the Under 14 GBR Number 2 in the QF by 12 – 2 before losing in the SF to the GBR Number 1 by 12 – 10.

SKI RACING

FOOTBALL

The Under 16s suffered cup heartbreak in the Surrey FA County Cup first round against Glenthorne School. After a tight 1 – 1 scoreline, with a slick team goal and composed finish from Noah Luu with seven minutes, the game went to penalties. The RGS narrowly lost out 7 – 8 on penalties but showed real character and showed promising signs for the future.

William Courts and Charlie Courts have both qualified to participate in the English Alpine Ski Races in Bormio during February half-term. In addition, Charlie will be representing the RGS in the Inter-schools and BSA Ski Race competition in Verbier.

FIRST TEAM HONOURS

The latest student to receive a First Team Honours Cap is Tom Bull who has represented the RGS cricket, hockey and rugby teams at the highest level: an example to others for his courage, integrity and teamwork, and a fine allround sportsman.

The last fortnight has seen RGS sides challenging themselves as much with the quality and strength of the opposition as the weather conditions; cold, wind, rain, and mud have all made regular appearances! Against Skinners’ School, the senior matches were closely contested: the 1st XV drew 28 – 28, while the 2nd XV narrowly lost 7 – 8, and the 3rd XV continued their excellent recent form with a 25 – 20 victory. Other highlights of this block included victories for the A and B teams at Under 16 and Under 15 levels.

Despite the driving rain, muddy pitches and wind gusts of over 40 miles per hour, all 18 scheduled fixtures against Abingdon School were able to go ahead; there were some excellent games and a great opportunity for all RGS rugby players to work on their wet weather game plans! There were a succession of really tight fixtures including a 19 – 17 victory for the 3rd XV, a 20 – 19 victory for the Under 16As, and a 17 – 15 win for the Under 14As.

SWIMMING

The 66th English Schools Swimming Finals were held this year at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham, a fabulous venue, built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It is a relay competition for the fastest 30 schools in England, and quite possibly the first time that the RGS have qualified in all three age groups, a fantastic achievement in itself. The Junior team of Eoghan Fuller, Dujun Huang, William Browne and George Robinson smashed their qualification time in the regional round by over four seconds to reach the final but were just touched out into fourth place by Kings College. They also made the final in the Freestyle relay, coming home ninth in another very close race. Our Intermediate team of Dario Alampi, Alex Song, Freddie Browne and Ralph Cotonet did a fantastic job in both their relays, coming 24th in the Medley and 22nd in the Freestyle. Our Senior team of George Fowler, Thomas Fowler, Dylan Fuller and Zack Grover knew they were the first ever RGS team at this age group to make the finals and swam superbly, coming 27th in the Medley and 25th in the Freestyle.