The Bulletin 255 by RGS Guildford

FROM THE HEADMASTER

As far back as the 1500s, the development of character and moral instruction have been integral to the education offered at the RGS. The original statutes laid down that, "Honesty and cleanness of life, gentle, decent speeches, humility, courtesy, and good manners shall be established by all good means " We are proud that these aspects, which are at the heart of our current School Values, are as relevant now as they have ever been; our ISI Inspection Report this term echoed the sentiment of this: “tolerance, kindness and mutual respect pervade every aspect of school life. ” The Latin inscriptions on the old schoolroom walls – which remain to this day in School Room – continue to resonate: for example, LABOR OMNIA VINCIT [Work conquers all things] closely mirrors the well-known modern-day quotation “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. The combination of hard work as well as talent in our students is, therefore, potentially a heady mix.

The last few weeks have epitomised how hard graft, dedication and devotion yield remarkable results: the hours spent behind the scenes practising to allow our musicians to perform so magnificently at the G Live concert, the RGS Musician of the Year, or the Ensembles Concert; the succession of rehearsals which culminated in the extraordinary productions of Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations and Le Bossu de NotreDame; the intensive physical and tactical training, session after session, which allowed our sportsmen – notably in hockey, rugby sevens and football – to enjoy such success in recent tournaments, including our Under 15As being crowned champions in the National Plate Competition in hockey; those students and staff who have been selfless and generous with their time all in aid of charity and volunteering, resulting in over £6,500 raised this term alone; and, of course, the collective success by the whole community of an extraordinary Inspection Report where, as a school, we received the rare accolade of two Significant Strengths

The same now holds true for those students about to embark upon public examinations, and upon school examinations next term. They should take reassurance from the fact that we have every confidence in them and know they have the ability and potential to have the most ambitious of aspirations this summer. It is not enough, however, simply to wear the RGS blazer or to put on an RGS tie; it is now time for the students to reinforce this natural ability with sustained, targeted focus and consolidation. With industry and commitment, the students can fulfil their potential academically, and I wish them all the very best of luck over the revision period Work hard and the students will reap the rewards in the summer I would also like to remind them that my staff are here to provide all the support they can, both academically and pastorally If you have any concerns about any aspect of your son’s progress or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact, in the first instance, his Tutor. Our first priority will always be the happiness and welfare of every single individual in our care.

Hard graft, dedication and devotion yield remarkable results. “ ”

So, as term finishes today, I would like, as always, to offer my sincere thanks to all the staff and governors who give of their time so generously and willingly to support and inspire the students; to you, the parents, who are supportive of the School in so many ways; and most of all to the students whose talent, commitment, and, indeed, good humour make this such a wonderful community of which to be a part.

I wish you and your families a very enjoyable, restful and relaxing Easter break.

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

Road Closure

Please be aware that there will be a full 24-hour closure in operation on Kings Road in Shalford from 31 March to 17 April 2025. This will significantly impact on access to Bradstone Brook when approaching from the A281; the road will be closed from the roundabout by the Snooty Fox. This will be of particular relevance for pre-season cricket training. Please plan your route accordingly and leave extra time for your journey, both for drop-off and pick-up.

Forthcoming Events

Holiday Trips

Classics Trip to Italy

Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka

Spanish Trip to Catalonia

DofE Gold Award Qualifying Expedition to Brecon Student Robotics Final in Southampton

Tuesday 22 April

Staff Development Day 5: school closed for students.

Wednesday 23 April

Start of the Trinity Term.

Thursday 24 April

Lower Sixth Form examinations begin.

Le Bossu de Notre -Dame

A little of Paris came to Guildford this week with RGS Guildford's MFL production of Le Bossu de NotreDame, an adaptation of Victor Hugo's iconic gothic novel, brought the heart-wrenching tale of Quasimodo and Esmeralda to life with stunning individual artistry and emotional depth. For a story set in 1482, the intimate Tudor setting of the Old Building with its natural historical backdrop, intricate glass windows, and shadowy corners immediately immersed the audience in the haunting beauty of medieval Paris. Read

Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations

Alan Ayckbourn's play Ernie's Incredible Illucinations follows Ernie, a likeable kid whose vivid and wildly-imaginative daydreams have begun to manifest as sudden, absurd realworld situations. The enthusiastic and versatile young cast - many performing on stage for the very first time - delivers a sharp, funny and warmly endearing adaptation which canters through a succession of ever-more bizarre scenes at a pace.

RGS & GHS Joint Concert

Looking out over a packed auditorium at G Live, the excitement was intense at the prospect of once again hearing the tremendous, massed forces of both the RGS and GHS in their biannual Joint Concert. With combined choirs from both schools, a joint orchestra, and the additional vocal talents of the Parents and Staff Choir, the evening featured over 350 singers and musicians, filling the stage to capacity and creating an unforgettable musical experience.

LATEST NEWS

MUSIC

Gary Ryan, Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music, kindly acted as our Adjudicator for the House Acoustic Guitar Competition. The standard was predictably high. The results were as follows: Junior Class Winner – Joseph Wooddisse, Commended – Rhys Jewell; Intermediate Class Winner –Junxiang He, Commended - James Barawitzka; Senior Class Joint Winner – Toby Stone and Finn Heath. Congratulations to all the participants.

NATIONAL READING CHAMPIONS QUIZ

Two RGS teams took part in this year’s National Reading Champions Quiz, in the South England heat. Held via Microsoft Teams, the contest included 75 tricky questions on literature, in themed rounds such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Siblings and Book Designs, plus a round of brainteasers and a final round of cryptic book trailers. RGS Team A tied for second place, only five points behind the eventual winners, while RGS Team B achieved a respectable sixth place.

CHARITY

Thank you to every single member of our community who has contributed to this term’s volunteering and charity events, raising over £6,500 in the process. Our latest event, The Great RGS Bake-Off 2025, celebrated the importance of individuality, imperfection and idiosyncrasy; this year’s theme was Oops! with a focus on cakes-intentionally-gone-wrong. The winners were as follows: First Form –Archie O’Sullivan (Shrek in the Swamp); Second Form – Rory Parker (Splatter); Third Form –George Lye (Howzat!); Middle School –George Grant (Bloomin’ Disaster); and Upper School – Max Lerchster (The Mole Strikes Again).

LATEST NEWS

SENIOR PREFECTS

The Headmaster is delighted to announce the Senior Prefect appointments for 2025/26. School Captain is Alex Kay and he is supported by Deputy School Captains Adrian Groenewald and Thomas McMurray, and Deputy School Captain (Operations) Yuvan Raja. The House Captain appointments are as follows: Austen House is Cameron Brown; Beckingham House is Luke Miranda; Hamonde House is Joe Pontin; Nettles House is Jago Halliwell; Powell House is Finn Heath; and Valpy House is Henry Goodchild. In addition, the Headmaster has appointed Jonathan Bautz, Ayaan Bhagat, Ollie Crawford, Will Randles, Spandan Sahu, Angus Scott, Oliver Southwell, and Matteo Varda to the Senior Prefect team. The School wishes them all the very best of luck in their new roles.

SPORTS NEWS

BIATHLON

The RGS Third Form Biathlon Team – consisting of Alex Song, Jake Mills-Hicks and Leo Shaw – travelled to Bath University for the 2025 Great British Schools Biathlon Finals. They completed a 1,600m run first, followed by a 100m swim. Following strong performances in the individual event, the team were delighted to be crowned British Schools Biathlon Champions: an exceptional feat for a relatively inexperienced team.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Eddie Wilson and Hugo Wilson represented Surrey in the English Schools Cross Country Championships. Hugo came 64th in the Junior Boys race and was second Surrey boy; Eddie came 69th in the Intermediate boys and was fifth Surrey boy. The Surrey Intermediate Boys team came second overall: an impressive achievement.

In the Under 13 race at Danes Hill, 24 schools competed over a hilly, mixed-terrain 3k course. The weather conditions were perfect with glorious sunshine; Etienne Victor won the second place individual medal and the RGS team secured third place medals.

SPORTS NEWS

HOCKEY

A busy last fortnight of term saw a succession of cup and domestic fixtures, including blocks across the age groups against Trinity School Croydon, Charterhouse School and Portsmouth Grammar School.

In the prestigious St George’s Sixes, the senior team topped their group and then beat a strong Eastbourne College side to progress to the final against Cranleigh School. They narrowly lost a tight game 1 – 2 but to finish runners-up in a competition comprising 28 teams was an incredible achievement. In the Tier 1 National Quarter Final, our Under 16As drew 2 – 2 with Reed’s School before losing, in heartbreaking fashion, on a penalty shootout. Meanwhile, at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, the Under 15As beat Manchester Grammar School 2 – 0 in the semi-final, with a brace from Charlie Wareing, to progress to the final. In a tense and exciting climax to the National Plate competition, the RGS beat Gresham’s School 2 – 1 in the final, with goals from Olly Pickup and Jake Grant, to be crowned the Independent Schools' Hockey Plate Champions.

Charlie Hart was the only junior umpire to be selected for the umpiring team for the England Hockey School’s National Finals. Charlie umpired the Under 14 Girls Cup Final, an Under 16 Girls Semi-Final and the Under 16 Girls Cup Final. Charlie umpired alongside current international umpires during the finals: a fantastic experience.