The Bulletin 250 by RGS Guildford

FROM THE HEADMASTER

As the opening days of January have been dominated by damp, grey, miserable weather conditions, so I firmly believe that the eccentric and idiosyncratic are all the more important in bringing colour and variety into our daily lives. Individuality is a key factor in enriching any community and we are so lucky that the RGS is a tolerant, inclusive environment filled with genuinely sparky, rich and diverse characters who are confident and happy in their own skin and also keen to forge their own paths. After all, if you walk in the footprints of others, you will never make any of your own.

This week marks the anniversary of the death of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, known more commonly as Lewis Carroll, who died on 14 January 1898 aged 66. Lewis Carroll and the whimsical, wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland would not, on face value, have an obvious connection with the RGS. Flamingo croquet, mad tea parties, jam tarts, the appearance of Humpty Dumpty do not, regrettably, feature highly in everyday school life. And yet the links are compelling. Carroll first came to Guildford in 1868 when his family moved to The Chestnuts, a house close to the castle. This residence became a retreat for Carroll, where he found solace and inspiration away from his academic duties at Christ Church, Oxford. The tranquil surroundings of Guildford provided a perfect backdrop for his creative endeavours. At the end of his life, Carroll’s funeral was held at St Mary’s Church and his resting place is The Mount Cemetery, both in Guildford. Guildford is veritably dotted with allusions: The March Hare pub; the traditional hat shop Mad Hatter; the statues of Alice with her sister watching the rabbit go down the hole near the former Debenhams store; the permanent exhibition in the Guildford Museum; to name but a few. Indeed, the RGS collaborated with the Rikkyo School on a bilingual (English/Japanese) drama production of this literary masterpiece a few years ago.

With charismatic characters, a compelling storyline, and memorable quotations, Alice in Wonderland continues to fuel the imagination with creativity and possibility. The RGS has certainly not been exempt from equally colourful individuals and the School History is testament to this. In 1947, Ronald Smoothey joined the staff and “he was instantly liked by the boys, this flamboyant newcomer clad in sports jackets, slacks, and broad, square-knotted ties.” His legacy remains in the Smoothey Art Competition which to this day champions the eccentric and the unusual. The late Terry Jones epitomised the RGS spirit whereby he took what he did seriously, but he certainly didn’t take himself too seriously. In his Foreword to the RGS Oral History he speaks of “a treasure trove of colourful and often hilarious details and anecdotes” from those interviewed about their memories of the School which, as he goes on to say, “cannot hide the affection which most of us have for the old place!” And in more recent times Old Guildfordian and actor Simon Bird has certainly continued this rich tradition of originality and individuality.

If you walk in the footprints of others, you will never make any of your own. “ ”

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a belated Happy New Year and I hope 2025 is a rewarding, healthy and enjoyable year for us all. As we look forward to the next 12 months, we should never forget the quirky and the kooky, and perhaps we can also learn something from Lewis Carroll at the same time:

As the Mad Hatter said: “Have I gone mad?”

“I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers.” said Alice. “But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

INCLUSIVITY SCHOLARSHIP INTEGRITY

RESPECT COURAGE COLLABORATION

OUR VALUES

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.

NOTICES

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 by the Headmaster for an absence lasting a whole day or more, with as much notice as possible.

Forthcoming Events

Wednesday 22 January

Careers in Law Seminar in the Auditorium (for Third Form and above). Book here.

Tuesday 28 January

Oxbridge Seminar in the Auditorium.

Wednesday 29 January

Third Form Parents’ Evening in Great Hall.

Book tickets here

LATEST NEWS

BRITISH PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

This year, there were 3,777 entries from 550 schools (a 20% increase from last year) in the UK; schools overseas made the total number of scripts over 9,000 entrants. Once again, RGS students impressed winning a succession of awards: 5 Commendations, 10 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 3 Gold including 1 Top Gold from Yuvan Raja; Daniel Hughes and Sam Thevenon also secured Gold. Ronit Sachdeva gained Silver which is impressive in the Lower Sixth.

NATIONAL COMPETITION

Aahan Panda won a prize for his T-shirt design in the national Show Racism the Red Card competition. Guildford’s MP Zöe Franklin, together with Southern Regional Manager of the competition Martina Barton, met with Aahan and the Headmaster in the Chained Library. Aahan talked about his winning design and the importance of this campaign in raising the profile of this issue in schools.

SPORTS NEWS

CROSS-COUNTRY

12 RGS students competed in the Inter and Senior Knole runs at Sevenoaks School. The Inter race comprised a 5.1k course and the Inters a 9.4k course in freezing, snowy and crisp conditions. Our athletes performed well and, although not securing medals, emerged with credit in challenging conditions.

FENCING

In the Surrey Youth Fencing Championship Under 18 Épée, our fencers impressed. Ben Kamstra finished as Silver medallist, Max Lerchster as Bronze medallist and Seb Wallage came in a creditable seventh position.

FOOTBALL

Football made a welcome January return with 75 Sixth Form footballers representing the School in a block fixture against Sutton Grammar School. Four of five wins for the RGS teams included a comprehensive 5 – 0 victory for the 2nd XI with a brace from Zack Grover.