The Cryptian 2020-2021

The Cryptian

AYear in the Life of the School

Headmaster’s Welcome

I am delighted to be writing the introduction to this edition of the annual Cryptian magazine, which tries, as always, to capture the life of our busy school and OC community.

This edition certainly does that, and it is remarkable to note that so much has been still able to take place at school despite the enormously disruptive year we have experienced due to Covid-19. The pandemic has certainly curtailed all our lives, and the rich tapestry of school life has been interrupted by the closure of schools, and the cancellation of so many of the events, trips and activities that make school life so rich and rewarding for both students and staff. I must thank everyone connected to the School for the incredible perseverance, support and care for the Crypt - its students, its staff, its parental body and OC community - over the last year or so. We are indeed fortunate to have such a generous, committed staff body at Crypt, who care deeply about their students, their school and its purpose, and have shown

themselves to be a remarkable group of people across this pandemic in keeping the work of the School going, even during periods of lockdown. Our students have shown themselves to be an equally remarkable group of individuals, persevering through the restrictions on their school and wider lives. My thanks go to our parents, who have been incredibly supportive of the School, as have our OCs. It has been a privilege to both lead this school over that period and to be a part of that vibrant, caring, tolerant and resilient Crypt community, who together make the School what it is today.

Continuing the work and life of the School has been challenging for staff, for students and their families over the last year; however, I think we can look back on this period in the long history of the School, with great pride and satisfaction that we not only kept school life going, but that we collectively rose to the considerable challenges of our time and, through our work, further strengthened the values, the vision and the work of the School.

Thank you then to everyone connected with the School for their effort and support over the last year. I feel immensely reassured reading through the magazine that so much has indeed carried on despite everything and we can now look forward, we hope, to the return to a greater degree of normalcy in our lives and in the life of the School.

For me, the highlight of the school year was in both September and then again in March 2021, when the students and staff returned to school following the then national lockdowns.The School provides a wonderful space in which our young people can grow, develop, learn and progress together; however, without students and staff, it is but an empty set of buildings with its purpose, its work and mission suspended. Their return breathed life back into the school and renewed that strong sense of purpose, of mission, we have here: to help support the development of responsible, caring, knowledgeable,informed and, above all, tolerant and respectful young people, ready to make a difference to both their own lives and the lives of others too.

We can look forward to the next few years in the life of our school with great assurance: confident in our values and our vision; in the strength of our staffing body; in the energy and enthusiasm of our students; in the support of our parents and OCs and in the sure knowledge that our work here at Crypt really matters. My thanks to Bernadette Warner, for taking on the huge task of editing this magazine and to the generosity of the Old Cryptian Club for their financial support for the publication and editing ofThe Cryptian.

With very best wishes,

Nicholas Dyer, Headmaster

Head Students:Alice Gee and Harvind Sandhu

We, Harvind andAlice, are so excited and grateful for being given the invaluable opportunity to be the Crypt School's Head Students. We both see this as a responsibility to represent our fellow peers and set an example which followsThe Crypt School values. Being selected to lead our student executive team was such an honour and we are ready to take on this leadership role to help our team achieve its full potential.

This is also a role in which we look forward to the prospect of enhancing our Crypt community through new initiatives and programmes.Alice hopes to start inter-year conversations about pressing issues, for example, mental health, and gain a strong understanding of the student body's views on the matter to go forward from there; aiming to raise awareness and challenge preconceptions and stigma. Harvind wishes to start a mentoring programme in which experienced Cryptians can take new students under their wings and help guide them through the beginning of their journey atThe Crypt School. We both look forward to working with the student body and Crypt Multicultural Society to carry on raising awareness of issues faced by marginalised communities, which we are certain will contribute to strengthening our school’s diverse community.

We are devoted and committed to this responsibility, and we anticipate working with our student executive team to set an example and upholdThe Crypt’s values and reputation.

Year Groups

Year 7

MrAndy Hart: It has been a toughYear for the year7 students but I am proud of how they have coped with all challenges.Thankfully, we managed to run our transition days so in September they felt more settled and even the start of term gave them another chance to get to know each other and to find their way around. Sadly, the first casualty of the Covid year was theYear 7 residential.This is often an integral part of the transition programme so it was such a shame to lose it but they were quickly into their stride despite missing their time away

To help them settle in, we ran numerous lunchtime clubs including: music, hockey, rugby, chatterbox, netball, space club, debating, chess, story writing, futsal, cross country, drama, basketball, board games, art, raspberry pie, dodgeball programming, hide and seek and kahoot club. We hope there was something for everyone and those that got involved really enjoyed them.

It was a shame that the school production and numerous sporting opportunities were not available but I know inYear 8 many students will be keen to get involved.As we move up a year, things are still not the same but, with a residential, skiing, school production and the house competition to look forward to, we are all eager to get back to some kind of normal

Year 8 residential

Mr Harry Winsor:TheYear 8 residential trip to CulmingtonManor, Shropshire, was a great success.Taking 97 students away at any time is a challenge but, in these most testing of times, it was even more so.The students were impeccably behaved and got stuck into all of the activities from the get-go. Highlights included seeing students who previously claimed to be scared of heights, conquer their fears to make it around the high-ropes course and the crate stacking challenge; the kayaking and

canoeing sessions, where many decided to test the waters (quite literally, often unintentionally); and, of course, 7.15am Wake and Shake! Other activities theYear 8s tried included archery, rifle shooting, climbing, obstacle courses and mountain biking.Thanks to Mr Hart and Mrs Williams for their outstanding organisation of a very enjoyable trip.

Year 9

MsAlice Green: Our currentYear 9 students are confident,enthusiastic and clever students who challenge our thinking and make changes for the better.They have had a difficult year; virtual learning and social distancing making their lives very different from 'normal' school life. Due to the pandemic, extra-curricular activities have been few and far between but when opportunities have arisen,Year 9 have stepped up to the challenge!

InTerm 1, it was decided thatYear 9 required a student panel. We felt this was integral to the development of this year group which contains the first cohort of girls.The panel has 7 members, both males and females, and they have been used to understand the needs of the year group and to strengthen the relationship between students and staff members.The students have met with Mr Dyer several times this year and have already set up a box which enables their peers to voice any concerns anonymously - this is something they requested themselves.As well as representing Year 9, the panel has been used on many occasions to represent the year group and have now been involved in several staff interviews. Most recently, the group were challenged to create a team building event which highlighted the school values.

1 Orienteering

● X10groupsof 15

2 OldCryptianspeeches

● 2-4speeches

3 Vintagesportsday

● Eggandspoon

● 3leggedrace

● Tugofwar

● Relay

Inteams,nominate:

Eggandspoonx1

3leggedracex3

Tugofwarx2

Relayx4(batons)

Miniwhiteboards

4 Paint‘n’Chill

● Minicanvas

● Paints

*Pleasebringanold tshirt/apronwithyou.

Outsideonschool grounds.

AG,CMi,JN, RJ,RC Responsibility

Hall-150chairs setup.

Athletics track/sports hall/field

AG,CMi,RC, EL Respect

CCD,AG,CMi, EL.GBr Resilience

Field/marquee

5 Catapultcompetition Field

AG,CMi,RC, EL,CCD Tolerance

AG,CMi,JN, RC,MD Perseverance

What did you plan?

Here is what some of the students had to say:

Elliot: I didn’t plan all that much. I was mainly there to help people with getting certain materials, and doing jobs that they didn’t have time to do. I went to the art room a lot, as we needed coloured paper and string.

Alyssa: Much like Elliot, I wasn’t one of the main planners behind the day, I was also there to help with supplies and make sure everyone had what they needed for the day to work. We went on trips to the art room as well as the music room and the PE office.

How did the day go?

Elliot: The day was so much fun. Although the weather wasn’t as good as we might have hoped, everyone still enjoyed themselves, which was the main objective we wanted to achieve. A lot of people didn’t follow the task perfectly, but what do you expect?! The main thing was that everyone had fun.

Alyssa: From the perspective of someone on the panel, I think the day went great, though the weather wasn’t exactly perfect; however it was still fun to go outside in the rain with your friends. I saw more people being excited about the activities once they did them, then complaining about them, which is a good thing, I hope.

What is it like being a member of the student panel? Have you made any changes to the school for example? What’s next on your agenda?

Elliot: Being a member of the student panel has been a fun experience. Being able to spend time with people from the school that I wouldn’t usually be spending time with has been a very positive experience for me, and I’m very excited to continue to do so, and build stronger relationships and friendships. I’m not sure what everyone else wants to do in the future for student panel, but I would like to try and help the school with fundraising as there are multiple things, such as new practise rooms for music, that need to be built, and I would love the student panel to organise fundraising to help with it.

Alyssa: For me, being a member of the student panel has been super fun, but also I’ve had moments of stress. Seven people from different “friend groups” coming together to make change for the school, to make it better, has been amazing. In the future, I’d love to take more students’ suggestions for making Year 9 better as I believe the 7 people alone shouldn’t have the final say.

Year 10

Mrs Georgie Herbert:This academic year has been arollercoaster forYear 10 students.They made a fantastic start back in September and began their GCSE courses with enthusiasm. We were impressed and proud of how well they settled back into school after the prolonged lockdown period followed by the summer holidays.Although most of them were taller than their Head ofYear inYear 9 it felt like they had come back intoYear 10 even more grown up and a little wiser.

As you know from January to March the majority of students were directed to learn from home.Year 10 students took this seriously and even found time to get involved with extracurricular challenge activities. When face to face learning in school began again, the year group settled well and worked hard.

Many of ourYear 10s are pursuing their Duke of Edinburgh awards, so this will be a challenging and exciting time for them.

InYear 11, their Head ofYear will be Mrs Sturge and we wish them every success both now and in their future.

Year 11

Mrs Charlotte Sturge:To say that this has been adifficult year is an understatement.To say that it has been a difficult year for those going through their examination year is also a huge understatement.

In September of this academic year, the students had already endured several months of lockdown and were hoping to return to some kind of normality - that did not happen.

Despite these challenges,Year 11 students have been amazing.This does not mean that some have not struggled, but that was to be expected. What has been wonderful is that, despite these struggles, they have still been excellent about letting us know how they were doing. As we know, it is not always easy to say we are finding things tricky, even as adults.These young people stepped up to support each other and to work hard.

They also remained focused and we were able to still put on a number of the very important events which we do every year. It was great to continue our work with ‘Maximise’who put together a great virtual session on study skills and coping techniques and also to have our wellbeing session which was led by the ‘NCS’. Year 11’s involvement and willingness to listen to the advice given during these sessions will, I am sure, stand them in good stead for the future.

Thanks to all parents and guardians who have been wonderful in supporting their children and our school during this time. We are a community and at times like this it shows just how important a community is.

It was good to see everyone on results day; now please remember that we have not gone anywhere and would be delighted to receive the odd email from students and will try to answer any questions that they have.

I hope they have had a restful summer and are now ready for an exciting and fulfilling future either atThe Crypt School or elsewhere.

As we said at the information evening the road to success is not a straight line; it has many twists and turns, but you will get there whatever path you take.

Year 12

Mrs Hannah Swain:Year 12 have had a different year,following on from what was a very different end toYear 11 last year where school suddenly closed to them in March and they were left without exams or indeed any summer plans until returning to school in September! Given this long stretch away from school, it was clear to see their excitement and happiness at being back when they joined us for their induction days in September; I have never known such an enthusiastic reaction to a simple school quiz!

After a brilliant first month back at school, Covid then struck again and the whole year group had to self-isolate for two weeks before the October half-term, but feedback from all theYear 12 teachers was amazing; they couldn’t believe how well our students were coping with and committing to online learning.

This positive picture continued into the winter and throughout the longer period of home-schooling from January to March, where several of our students impressed us with their fundraising efforts for charity.

The return to school in March saw the beginning of the much-anticipated application process for Head Boy, Head Girl and Student ExecutiveTeam, which has just ended with our new team of 12 starting their duties by helping organise theYear 11 Summer School, involving running a student panel and filming a new tour of the school. Harvind Sandhu,Alice Gee and the team already seem to have taken to their responsibilities with ease and confidence and we look forward to seeing them flourish inYear 13.

To celebrate the end ofYear 12 exams this year, the Sixth Form team organised a team building day where students participated in a range of challenges including climbing, rounders, tower building and egg dropping. We were very impressed by how they all threw themselves into the various activities and delighted to see the year group all together again in a year where opportunities like these have been few and far between!

Year 13

Mr Matthew Bevan: September 2020 brought an even greatersense of promise and anticipation for ourYear 13 students embarking on their final year at the school than in other years. Having spent much of their first year in the Sixth Form learning from home and encountering new and challengingA-level content, students were determined to do their best academically, and to make the most of the time learning in person at school. In the face of an ever-changing picture regarding how theirA-levels were to be assessed, we were so proud of their resilience, adaptability and maturity throughout; the year group really epitomised the values of the school in their collective response.

A-level teachers, the Sixth Form pastoral team, and the students themselves as caring young people supported one another throughout, from being sent home once again in October for remote teaching, to the long period the whole school went remote again from January to March. Despite everything,Year 13 students flourished and grew stronger as individuals. Regular assessments set by teachers were sat in exam conditions in the Hall throughoutApril and May, extending the normal period over which public examinations would usually take place, and the final day in school forYear 13 students wasThursday 20th May. We marked this occasion with a final assembly together in the Common Room with Mr Dyer, Mr Biggs, Mr Bevan and form tutors, when every leaver was given a

special Old Cryptian 2020-21 tie in recognition of their resilience. It was a great final morning together, full of good feeling and thankfulness for their time at the school, whether over seven years or the last two.TheYear 13 leavers’do took place in July as an outdoor event due to COVID. It was a fantastic night for both staff and students and a great send off for a wonderful year group.

Inclusion

This academic year saw us take big strides in our inclusion agenda.As a school we have a responsibility to ensure all aspects of school life are inclusive for all students, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexuality. Likewise, we must ensure we instil accepting behaviour and educate students to understand the impact discrimination has within society.

Black History Month took place in October and students across all year groups took part in a series of form tutor activities which discussed each aspect of racial discrimination and the promotion of influential role models from Black History.The Black Lives Matter movement mainly took place while we are at home in lockdown; however, Black History Month created the perfect platform to educate students about the global impact of the movement in the wake of the Gregory Floyd murder. BHM culminated with an inspiring student-led assembly. IbrahimAhmed and Harvind Sandhu inYear 12 were joined by Daniel Roderick inYear 13 who shared their own personal experiences of racial discrimination and views on the schools’impact in supporting and educating students on such difficult topics.

In line with BHM, Pride (LGBTQ+) Month was also celebrated in June.Aseries of tutor time activities alongside a number of video links and resources were shared with students inYear 7-10 andYear 12 helped prompt discussion and encouraged students to understand the differences in sexuality and gender identity as well as real life examples of sexual discrimination and positive role models.

As in society, more and more students are struggling with their own identity, and as a school, we all have a responsibility to ensure we are creating a safe environment for all students to feel comfortable and supported regardless of whatever they may be dealing with on a personal level. It goes without saying that members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle more with their mental

health than anyone else. It is concerning that one in eight people from the LGBTQ community who are aged 18-24 have attempted to take their own life which reflects the importance of us covering Pride Month in so much detail this year.

Our celebration of Pride Month, like Black History Month, finished with a whole school assembly led by students.Two former head boys, Ollie Ramsey and Jamie Evans, who left us in 2014 and 2020 respectively, shared their thoughts and opinions about coming out and how the school had previously supported them.The assembly then finished with Xav Coupland, a current student in Year 12, who kindly agreed to share his story with the rest of the school. Xav joined us inYear 10 from a school in Jersey as our first ever transgender student and his ‘eye opening’story told us everything that is wrong about some people’s perception of being transgender.

Celebrating global events such as Black History Month and Pride Month has now given us the perfect platform to raise sensitive but hugely important topics. We are looking forward to building on this work even more next year, ensuring all aspects of school life continue to be outward thinking and inclusive for all.

MrAshleyBawden

Careers

Andrew Lloyd, CareersAdviser writes about Careers in a Covid World:

All areas of school support have of course been impacted by the pandemic. Careers is no exception. We lost two opportunities to host our highly successful Careers and Higher Education Fair, a loss to our students and indeed visitors who have in previous years been impressed with the experience. Aperhaps bigger loss has been the opportunity to build upon our first year of planned work experience forYear 12 which took place in 2019.There is no doubt students emerge from this with greater personal awareness and confidence about the world of work and their ability to build upon it.This is of great interest to employers and it is no coincidence that several of our recent leavers have secured opportunities with employers with whom they have spent valuable time.

We can expect virtual work experience to remain a legacy of the pandemic and perhaps it levels the playing field for students without the privileged access to certain professional networks. Wouldn’t it be good if we could challenge employers and schools to actively champion this?

We of course had to adapt our careers provision. During the lockdown period, careers guidance interviews continued online with the added benefit in a few cases of involving their carers. Our firmly established programme of Career InsightTalks forYear 12, which usually happen in the summer terms, could not take place face to face with students but again we stepped up to the online challenge with virtual visits from a range of professionals that included ex-students in medicine, engineering, cyber security, and journalism to name but a few. It was not without technical issues beyond our control and we will welcome a return to actual visits when this is again possible. Continuing with our use of online technology, Unifrog is one of several careers and higher education tools at the disposal of students and their carers.This is now embedded across all year groups and will become a major vehicle of our careers education delivery towards meeting the Gatsby benchmark objectives.As I write, ourYear 12 students have received an online presentation from the University of Bath to kick-start a programme of support for students planning higher education choices in 2022, which we hope heralds a full return to normal.

Despite difficult labour market circumstances, several of our recent leavers have secured apprenticeships to commence in the autumn or sooner. Many employers are noticeably late with their recruitment processes and new opportunities are only now emerging. Those as yet unplaced are perhaps wisely taking a planned gap year to review plans or gain the work experience missed in the last 18 months.

Finally, it is with heavy regret that I am leaving my post as CareersAdviser atThe Crypt School this summer to work independently in the guidance sector. I have enjoyed the role immensely and it has been a privilege to work with the school's staff, students and parents. Careers education and guidance is a constant challenge among many for schools but I know the school's commitment to it is undiminished by the pandemic experience.Thank you.

Year 7 Paintings

Year 8 Cards

Year 8 Day of the Dead

Year 6 intoYear 7

When our newYear 7 visitedThe Crypt in July, they practised wax resist and construction skills.

Business and Economics

Year 10 students were treated to an insight into the challenges of running your own business from Boombocs and DeadLoud founder, Jonny Williams, when he hosted an online event during March. Speaking to all GCSE Business students Jonny talked about his journey fromA-levels to degree to becoming a successful sound engineer, working for world famous artists such as Kyle,Tom Petty andAll Saints. When the pandemic hit, his work dried up and, as any entrepreneur would, he took on a new challenge by selling sustainable fashion - DeadLoud.

The talk highlighted the challenges Jonny faced, such as the increased competition, operating solely online as well as trying to launch a crowdfunding campaign. It was an excellent opportunity for our students to speak with and hear from someone who is doing what we are teaching in the classroom and to hear first hand their views and experiences.

‘I am grateful to Jonny for giving up his time to speak with our students to share his experiences. It is always great to hear from young entrepreneurs and the journey they have had to achieve success’ commented Chris Germaine, teacher of BusinessatThe Crypt School.

Year 10 student Olly said ‘It was interesting listeningto someone who had set up their own business and hearing about the mistakes Jonny made and how he was determined to succeed. It has given me the opportunity to think about my future and to understand that sometimes things don’t go according to plan’.

Students have been working hard this academic year in Business to increase their knowledge and understanding of the outside business world. One of our biggest focuses has been how the pandemic has affected not only consumers but the businesses themselves. Students have completed business profiles detailing key facts and information about the topics we have been studying in class to illustrate a deeper understanding of the key study points.

We have also been lucky enough to gain 12 iPads for the Business and Economics department. This has meant that we have been able to continue some of the excellent online strategies used during online learning and implement these into our classroom teaching, allowing our students to fully engage with a variety of different teaching strategies.

Our Economists have enjoyed several interesting Challenge Day activities where they have pushed themselves by evaluating fiscal and monetary policy in the UK context. We had a Chancellor of the Exchequer competition which was won byThomas Joslyn who predicticted the expansionary policies the government would announce in the March Budget.

In Economics, we also had an online talk from one of our ex-students, Matt Nash, who spoke to our currentYear 12 and 13 Economics students about his apprenticeship in the Department of Economic Services. Our students felt inspired and motivated to explore a career in Economics further.

This year, drama has not been able to flourish in the normal way atThe Crypt.As the pandemic took us online, we worked as creatively as possible and tried our best to keep our students performing.At GCSE andALevel, monologue rehearsals and performances continued online successfully.

Unfortunately, there was no production this year, which is normally a highlight of the school calendar; however, we did finish the year with a wonderful house drama event which enabled students to perform again.

One exciting activity which recently took place was Stage Electrics lighting company coming in to deliver workshops.These involved the company, who provided lighting and sound for our Grease production in 2019, using new lighting desks.These desks have been made by the company in Bristol to make teaching and learning about lighting accessible for both teachers and students.This was a successful day which was delivered by RichardThompson from the company and the students' feedback will now go towards market research for the new product.

Design and Technology

It has been a great year in DTwith pupils back in the workshops and undertaking practicals again. There has been a hive of activity and it has been great seeing the pupils enjoying themselves and developing their skills.

From bottle openers to board games it has been great to see the excitement and enjoyment on their faces as they analyse, design, problem solve and develop, seeing their creations and ideas come to life.

It has been a busy one too with the GCSE andALevel pupils starting on their NEAelement for their exam, with lots of exciting ideas being investigated.

English

Competitions

Year 7s and 8s have certainly made their mark in the various competitions held this year in the department, including Poem of the Month and the external ‘Young Writers’competitions: ‘Imagine’ and ‘Unsolved’. These competitions have provided a forum for our budding creative writers to share and publish their work, and have switched a spotlight on to reveal some of the writing talent that lies within our student body. Notable mentions are Mantra Chizari, a promising young poet, having won Poem ofThe Month twice this year; Chris Chindah, another POM winner and already a published writer; then we have CallumAjayi, Celeste Feld, George Edgeworth andAnais Gibbs, who all succeeded in having their work selected for publication in theYoung Writers ‘Imagine’ competition.

POEM of the Month - September

Poem of the month- October

The

Captain

I’m the captain of this ship

I’m the master of the sea

Nobody, nobody will tell me what to be.

On my road to destiny

Happy smiles and free -

I’m not a puppet on strings; I fly high on my own wings.

I’m the captain of this ship

I’m the master of the sea.

The leader of my destiny is only me. by MantraChizari

of the Month – November 2020

The Poppy

Here we are as we stand in silence

To think about unimaginable violence

All the peace we have today

Is because of the people that went away. In that war families were apart

But the call of duty was the thing in heart. In the end when the guns were quiet

Aflower grew from the traces of riot

With the middle as black as restless nights

And the petals as red as murderous fights. That flower we wear with pride

As we honour those in the war who died. by MantraChizari

~ On the following pages are some entries from external competitions ~

Poem

I hope I’m not too late.

On one fair school day, The trees thought they were sick of this way Of people littering and not giving any thought

To the way plastic was used in things they bought.  So I watched their roots crumble and stand To support the huge trunks with faces in command. Their branches as thick as my arm, People shouting “Don’t do us any harm!”

Yet their branches curled around  Their bodies and lifted them off the ground!

I took shelter behind the bin And saw the trees’ gnarled faces wear a grin. Worried what might happen to my friends next I ran forward all perplexed,  “What do you want?”

A tree looked at me, eating a child’s croissant

“We want clean grounds!” it let out a shout; “We want clean rivers filled with trout!”

“We want you to love nature and take care of it too!”

“What did our hills and mountains turn into?”

“Okay!” I yelled, “But how to do all this on my own, do tell!”

“Tell all your family, tell all your friends! Make this war with nature finally end.”

“Alright but let my friends go, then we will make the deal.”

“That’s a shame,” I heard one of them mutter, “They would’ve made a pretty great meal.”

The tree gave me a green leaf from his very own head, “To remind you of the deal,” it said.

It smiled at all the kids below.  Suddenly its features started to glow. Then in a hurry

The world became blurry And I woke up with a start

A green leaf in my hand and a beating in my heart.

“It must have been a dream, my friend,” but it seemed to appeal. Dream or not, real or not, I kept my side of the deal!

‘Imagine’

Imagine there were no trees

No leaves on the trees

No safe air to breathe.

Imagine there were no birds

No tweets and chirps

No fertilised earth.

Imagine there was no dirt

To plant the crops in That we need and yearn for.

Imagine there was no fresh water

by Mantra Chizari

Nothing to drink In hot summer’s weather.

Imagine there was no heat

No hot holidays

No summers on the beach.

Imagine there was no light, No electricity, No torches, no phones No fire burning bright In the darkness of the night.

Imagine there was no life, No creatures no bugs, No humans in sight.

Imagine there was nothing. No way to think. No way to breathe. No humans, no us. Nothing to believe in, Just eternal blackness.

Joy and Darkness

Dashing, darting, reeling; Oh, such joy is in this feeling! Free-falling through an abyss, Such wonders and utter bliss. Fluid blue glass surrounds me, My life, my home is in the sea.

Surely no-one could take this elation, And turn it into devastation?

Perhaps I spoke too soon, Ashadow lingers casting gloom. Suddenly I’m all alone, Far away from my seabed home.

Sharp knotted fingers grasp at me, In no direction can I flee. Yet still darkness looms overhead, My small-finned body fills with dread. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, Might I end up frizzled and fried?

As I look to the left, I see my school, Searching for me inside a rock pool. I swim to them as fast as I can,

by Callum Ajayi

But I’m stopped by the net of a fisherman. I flip and gnaw to get free, To the friends that await me.

I find a hole and swim through the gap, Out of that deadly trap. As I turn around it is gone, Hauled away with a fisherman’s song.

Me, I escaped that fate, But I shudder to think of those too late. Now the seas are far more depleted, And soon our race may be defeated.

So do hear my pleas, Do not over fish our deep blue seas.

Just a Simulation

Is life just a simulation, Or are we robots on a secret operation?

Is life really real, Or are we being controlled by a big wooden wheel?

Is there an escape to the life we live Or are we finished with nothing else left to give?

I sit and wonder every day While the blue sky is gone and the sky is grey.

Is it real life, Or is it just a fantasy?

This I will never know Until it’s my time to go.

Silence Imagine There’s nothing. Nothing at all: No humming of birds. No roaring of cars. No chatter of children. No bark of dogs.

by CelesteFeld

by George Edgeworth

No muffled whispers. No crying. No laughter. No love. No hate. No emotion. Nothing.

Just silence.

S i l e n c e.

Through the Lens of a Feline

Humans are gone, Perished all way along, Their body slammed shut, Vanished away from earth. They didn’t clean plastic! They didn’t help climate! They didn’t reduce deforestation! They didn’t stop hunting!

Bear with me for I am literally right, Why did Earth endure this plight? Now humans are extinct and are gone, Animals are in sync with this new norm.

The future can’t be changed, It’s ahead and right above, Your mind – there and just beyond, That yawned too fond to correspond.

The courage they didn’t stand up against, It’s humanity they lost, Urbanity had become a calamity, Civility is lost.

Sleeping in those cosy beds, With a bowl full of kibbles to munch, It was hard living without them, And wild hunting got out of touch

The earth now blooming with dignity, The planet thriving with life, Anew beginning will set forth, With the explosion of new life!

by Anais Gibbs

Through the lens of a feline I see, The future is uncertain, There sure is a hope we foresee, For tomorrow is bright for you and for me… RishiIyer

Anew Crypt student magazine made its debut this year: The Scrypt. Lead editors Maddison Lee and HarryThomas have coordinated a large team of student journalists across the school, under the auspices of Mr Cobb’s journalism club, to put together the first edition.

Liberty Brignall writes about her experience of English at The Crypt School before she goes to Oxford University

"Before I started sixth form at Crypt, I knew that I wanted to study English Literature at university TheA-Level English Literature course reinforced this, as it allowed me to analyse and evaluate texts in greater depth. More importantly, it continued my passion for the subject through the study of works I greatly enjoyed – the poetry of John Donne – and a novel I now consider one of my favourites – Atonement.There were many challengesto remote learning, but the opportunity to spend English lessons working, largely independently, on our coursework was a positive for me. It felt like a glimpse into what studying English at university may be like.

At the same time as this, I was beginning to write my personal statement, having decided to apply to Oxford.After sitting the ELATin November, I was invited to an interview in early December, which, because of the pandemic, was to take place at school, onTeams. My mock interview the week before had gone well, but I still, inevitably, feared being asked an impossibly obscure question or being given a poem I didn’t understand. I was surprised, then, when my immediate reaction upon finishing my interview was to say I really enjoyed that.A-Level English enhanced my passion for the subject and made me more confident about articulating my opinions, so the opportunity to discuss literature at length was, in hindsight, exciting.

The day Oxford gave out their offers fell, fortunately or unfortunately, on my eighteenth birthday. I was, as a result, both delighted and relieved when I logged on to UCASTrack and saw I’d been offered a place.As I prepare to start university in October, I am excited to explore a broader range of literature, both medieval and modern, and to spend three years studying a subject I love."

The English Department and whole school wish both Liberty and Kaleigh (another of our Oxford students) all the best of luck and look forward to receiving updates.

Food Technology

GCSE successes in a Covid year.

Geography

Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, we are delighted that we have been able to continue to provide the current generation of Crypt students with nearly all the full range of geographical activities we would normally offer.

The year started positively with all students back in the classroom but soon we had to embrace the new routines of blended and remote learning.Teachers quickly became adept at adapting lesson materials, setting up breakout rooms and using every tactic possible to encourage students to contribute in lessons. During the second lockdown (January - March 2021), the use of visualisers was invaluable and allowed staff to use diagrams to explain how river landforms were created, highlight the intricacies of the DemographicTransition Model, model the detail required in a written answer and much more.This enabled students to continue to follow the normal curriculum which ensured the GCSE andALevel students could really demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in the final assessments.

Running fieldwork proved more difficult but, despite the setbacks, we are on track to complete all the required fieldwork withYears 10 and 12. There was disappointment at the start of the year when rates of coronavirus infection rose in Iceland and the residential trip planned for October 2020 had to be cancelled. We hope that once travel is possible again that we will be able to arrange a new trip to Iceland in the future.

After rearranging the date three times,Year 12 finally visited Northleach in December 2020. A slightly chilly morning was spent observing the features that give the town its unique place characteristics as well as collecting data on traffic levels and noise pollution. Students always benefit from seeing a place in person and this trip really helped to make sense of the photos that had been shared in lessons.Ahighlight of this trip is rapidly becoming the chance to sample the high quality chips and this year’s selection did not disappoint!

Birmingham was the second destination for theYear 12 geographers. In contrast to the cool weather in Northleach, students were able to enjoy the sunshine of June for this visit. Once again, we walked through the redeveloped areas alongside the canal and visited Brindley Place - another case study covered in the Places topic. Students used digital apps, such as Survey 123, to record their perceptions of different locations along this route. This data was then efficiently transformed into a GIS map back in school. The second part of the visit provided students with the opportunity to hone their interview techniques by

speaking to members of the public whilst, again, using digital technology to record responses using Google Forms. The resulting data allowed analysis techniques using Excel to be taught back in school. Without a clipboard in sight, students were fully immersed in using modern techniques which is required when completing theALevel Coursework.

Having not run any fieldwork forYear 10 in 2019-20, it was wonderful to be able to take theYear 10 geographers into Gloucester city centre once again. Students behaved impeccably following the various

COVID restrictions without complaint. Data covering land use, pedestrian counts and environmental quality was accurately recorded with many students also managing to conduct socially distanced questionnaires with members of the public. Follow-up lessons have focused on presenting the data using techniques such as trip-line maps, isoline maps and located bar charts. The final task was to decide whether Gloucester city centre does provide a high quality experience for visitors - a question which always leads to conflicting views.

Just before the summer break,Year 10 completed their second day of fieldwork inThe Forest of Dean.The chance to paddle in Blackpool Brook is always popular with the GCSE students and even more so on a hot day in July. We were able to return to both Mallards Pike Lake and Wenchford where students measured different features of the river (width, depth, velocity, pebble size and vegetation cover) in order to determine how the river changes downstream.

In the lower school, the opportunities to conduct fieldwork in school were restricted by the need for year group bubbles to not mix; however, Miss Barnett adapted theYear 8 environmental quality survey task so that students could complete this at home during the second lockdown period. The chance to get outside during a lesson and escape from Google Meet for a few minutes was appreciated by many inYear 8.

Particular thanks go to the various geography teachers who have supported these trips: the expertise of Mr Biggs, Mrs Longhurst and Miss Barnett is always invaluable. Mr Jones ably covered Miss Barnett’s lessons whilst she was on maternity leave and willingly assisted with the variousYear 10 trips. His conscientious approach to lesson planning and enthusiastic delivery will be missed when he leaves the geography department at the end of the summer term. Miss Patton is taking over from Mr Jones and will cover the remainder of Miss Barnett’s maternity leave. Having trained with us in the autumn term, it was a pleasure to welcome her back at the start of July so that she could meet some of her classes and, more importantly, help out with the finalYear 10 trip in July. We are looking forward to working with Miss Patton over the next year.

Government and Politics

It has been a fascinating year for those studying Politics at school: the Brexit deal in January led to the UK leaving the EU after nearly 50 years of membership, fundamentally changing the nature of UK Governance and the study of it; the continuing pandemic dominated all aspects of governance and societal interactions; elections, particularly in Scotland, cast doubt on the nature of the UK's union of nations itself, and the US election, and the subsequent storming of Congress, demonstrated to everyone, just how fragile democracy can be.

For students inYear 13, the year continued to be very disrupted and, with exams cancelled in January, students focused on ensuring that the course content was covered in enough depth to enable them to sit a series of assessments from which their finalAlevel grades were determined. Well done to all theYear 13 Politics students for persevering through the course.

Year 12 enjoyed their first year of politics studies, and were constantly reminded through the events of the year, just how important politics is to each and every one of us.

Trips and visits haven't been possible this year, but lots has happened to enrich the learning of our students, particularly inYear 12. For example, an International Relations lecture on the 'War on Terror' organised with the University of Gloucestershire was appreciated by all who attended, and generated lots of discussion.

With over 20 students planning to study politics next year inYear 12, the future looks bright for A-Level Government and Politics atThe Crypt.

History

Diversity and inclusion have been the characterising themes of the History Department this year at The Crypt School.There has been a lot of work done to reinforce the vision of history as being more diverse and complex than we often consider. Just as medieval history is not limited to its kings and queens, we have been broadening our scope of enquiries by highlighting to students that women, BME, LGBTQ+ and the working classes are all part of a wider shared history, rather than being separate topics to be studied in isolation.

The year kicked off with celebrating Black History Month, which reiterated the idea that ‘black’and ‘white’history are intertwined in one united history.This event saw powerful speeches made by Crypt students on their experience of racism, along with form time activities exploring controversial areas like Colston’s statue, and where the roots of the Black Lives Matter movement lie. As a department we have diversified our curriculum further, and these changes have been made in tandem with the Crypt School Multicultural Society. It was great to see so many energised students talking passionately about how history should be taught and how sensitive topics should be discussed. We have reviewed how certain topics likeTrans-Atlantic Slavery or the British Empire could be taught in a ‘decolonised’way. We’ve also introduced a new module toYear 9 – ‘The making of modern Britain’– which explores how the NHS, Windrush generation,AlanTuring and female ‘trailblazers’have shaped the UK over the last 60 years.This has gone down well with our Year 9 students who have shown great interest in howThe Crypt School values have been developed.

As always, we have had some outstanding individual contributions to the History Department this year. Finch Neville (9B) presented an outstanding presentation on the impact of the Korean War to his peers as part of our Cold War study. Imogen Colenutt and Poppy Savory created a display based on their experiences on the ‘Lessons fromAuschwitz’trip last year. Within this display, QR codes link to pictures taken by them on this trip.You can view them by scanning Figure 3. OurYear 9 groups also investigated aspects of the Holocaust – some of which can be accessed by scanning Figure 4.

Finally, we inaugurated the ‘Peter Hobbes History Prize’for those Crypt students willing to undertake original research into an Ex-Cryptian. Entries were submitted over the summer and the winner will be announced on Speech Day at the start of next year. (Please see below for further news of this.)

Hopefully next year will allow us to take students out to see some of their favourite historical sites first hand!

The Peter Hobbs Biographical HistoryAward

Peter Hobbs attendedThe Crypt School from 1949 to 1957. Including serving in theArmy, he went to Exeter College Oxford as an History Scholar.AMain Board Director of an international pharmaceutical company,The Wellcome Foundation (from whom came the board table in the school Crush Hall), Peter was then appointed as the first non-Police Inspector of Constabulary responsible to the Home Secretary for the inspection of police forces in England and Wales.A Director of the Home Office Forensic Science Service and the International Vice President of the Institute of Personnel and Development, he also founded the now large charity, the Business Disability Forum. Currently, Peter is a Director of Kent College Canterbury and of the Canterbury ArchaeologicalTrust.

Congratulations to Kaleigh Parkes who won the awardthis year. Here is what she wrote:

Gloucester’sGreatestSon

Are-evaluationofthelifeofGeorgeWhiteeld,c.1714-1770

EarlyLifeandEducation

GeorgeWhiteeldwasbornattheOldBellInn,Gloucester,on27thDecember1714.Thebuilding,aJacobeanmerchant’s house,stillstandsonSouthgateStreet-albeitasaCosta.Whiteeld’sfamily,however,werenotmerchantsbutinnkeepers, andwhilstbynomeanspoor,helackedtheprivilegedstartinlifeaordedtomanyofhispeers.

Giventhis,thevalueofWhiteeld’seducationatTheCryptSchoolcannotbeoverstated.Uponcompletinghiseducationat TheCrypt,Whiteeldlackedthemeanstocontinuetouniversity,soworkedwithhisparentsattheinn-aheavyblowforthe academicWhiteeld,whorecalled:“adearyouth,nowwithGod,wouldoftencomeentreatingme,whenservingatthebar, togotoOxford.Mygeneralanswerwas‘IwishIcould.’”

Sureenough,WhiteelddidcometoattendPembrokeCollege,Oxford-albeitasaservitor,thelowestrankof undergraduate.Alongsidehisstudies,andinreturnforfreetuition,heactedasaservanttothefellowsofthecollege:cleaning rooms,carryingbooksandequipment,andassistingwithwork.ItwasatOxfordthatWhiteeldconvertedtoMethodism, andhepreachedhisrstsermonatStMarydeCryptChurchin1736,aweekafterhisordination.Thiswasthebeginningof theevangelismwhichwouldcometodenehislifeandcareer.

BethesdaOrphanage

In1738,WhiteeldtravelledtotheAmericancoloniestoactasaparishpriestinSavannah,Georgia.Whilstthere,heidentied theneedforanorphanage,andalongsidehispreaching,thefoundationandmaintenanceoftheBethesdaOrphanagebecame oneofthetwogreatoccupationsofhislife.

Sinceitsfoundationin1740,Whiteeld’sinstitution-theBethesdaOrphanage,BethesdaHomeforBoysandnowBethesda Academy-hasbeenacontinuousresourceforboysinthearea.Inthe18thcenturyorphansweretaughtatradesotheycould makealivingasadults,andgivenmoralandreligiousinstructionwheretheymightotherwisehavegoneastray.Althoughno longeranorphanage,theBethesdaAcademyinthe21stcenturycontinuesWhiteeld’slegacyof“aloveofGod,aloveof learningandastrongworkethic.”1

TheGreatAwakening

Today,Whiteeldisprincipallyrememberedasagreatevangelist.Inthishewasnotunique-hismovetoAmericacoincided withtherstGreatAwakening,aperiodofreligiousrevival.Thereligiouslandscapewasdominatedbypowerfulpreachers, ofwhichWhiteeldwasoneofmany.

1 http://www.bethesdaacademy.org/ RetrievedAugust2021

ItwaspreciselyWhiteeld’sintensepowerandconviction,however,thatsethimapartandledhimtoberegardedas“perhaps [...]thegreatestevangelicalpreacherthattheworldhaseverseen.”2Whiteeld’spreachingwasalmostrevolutionaryinits methods-hesoughttoengagetheheartaswellasthemindofthelistener,andreachedouttothosewhowereleastlikelyto attendChurchservices,preachingout-of-doorstominers,working-classpeopleandAfrican-Americanslaves.Itwasinthis waythathedieredmostfromallofhispredecessorsandmanyofhiscontemporaries.

SlaveryControversy

Theterm‘TheGreatAwakening’maybeaswellusedtodescribetherecentpre-occupationwithandre-evaluationof slaveryasitwasthepre-occupationwithreligionin18thcenturyAmerica.Certainly,likereligion,thetopicofslaveryis divisiveandemotive.Forthisreason,anevaluationofWhiteeld’slifeandworkinthisdayandagewouldbeincomplete withoutit.

GeorgeWhiteeldwasanownerofslaves.Thiscannotbedisputed.Uponhisdeathin1770,50blackslaveswereemployedat theBethesdaOrphanage,andalongwiththerestofitsproperty,passedintotheownershipoftheCountessofHuntingdon. Thiscannotbeseen,however,asevidenceofcruelty,orjusticationforslanderordefamation.WhiteeldwasamanofGod, buthewasalsoamanofhistime-andin18thcenturysouthernAmerica,aroundafthofwhitelandownerswerealso ownersofslaves.

Whiteeld’srelationshiptoslaveryiscomplex.Althoughwecanneverbecertainofhisexactviewsorjustications,itshould benotedthathisuseofslaveswasnecessaryforthenancialviabilityoftheBethesdaOrphanage.Itiscertainthatwithout themtheorphanagewouldnothavesurviveditsinfancy.

Certainly,inallotherrespects,WhiteeldwasprogressiveinhisattitudestowardsAfrican-Americans.Heviewedthemas equaltowhitemenintheeyesofGodandwasoneoftherstevangeliststopreachtoslaves.Wecanbealmostcertainthathis treatmentofslaveswashumane,guidedbyhisopenletterof1740,inwhichheaccusedfellowslaveholdersofinhumanity:“I thinkGodhasaQuarrelwithyouforyourAbuseofandCrueltytothepoorNegroes[…]Yourdogsarecaressedandfondled atyourtables;butyourslaveswhoarefrequentlystyleddogsorbeasts,havenotanequalprivilege.”

PhillisWheatley,therstpublishedAfrican-Americanpoet,publishedthepoem“OntheDeathofGeorgeWhiteeld”in

Writtenwhileshewasstillinslavery,thepoemgivesusaglimpseofWhiteeld’sattitudestowardsslaves,andtheirs towardshim:

“TakehimmydearAmericans,hesaid “Beyourcomplaintsonhiskindbosomlaid: “Takehim,yeAfricans,helongsforyou, “Impartialsaviourishistitledue...

Whiteeld’sownershipofslavesmaybetaboointoday’sworld,butitcannotbedeniedthathisattitudeswere impressivelylenientforhistime.

2 Kidd,Thomas S. (2014). George Whitefield: America'sSpiritual Founding Father.Yale University Press.

Legacy

OurseparationfromtheworldofGeorgeWhiteeld,withitsreligiousfervour,slavery,prejudiceandinjusticecanmakeit dicultforustoappreciatetheremarkablelifethathecarvedoutforhimself.Hiscareerspannedtwocontinentsandalmost halfacentury,andinthattimeheinspiredmillionsofpeople-blackandwhite,richandpoor-withhiseloquentpublic speakingandgenuinereligiousbelief.EvenifthemajorityofmodernreadersdonotshareWhiteeld’sbeliefinsalvation,we canappreciatethatheguidedhisaudiencestogreatercontentmentwithandunderstandingoftheworldandtheirplaces withinit.

Hisworkwasnotonlyspiritual,andhisestablishmentoftheBethesdaOrphanage,aswellashispioneeringtreatmentof blackslavesandworkingclasspeople,isalegacythatlaststothisday.Forthesereasons,IcannotdenyWhiteeldthetitlethat haspreviouslybeengivenhim-thatofGloucester’sgreatestson.

Mathematics

Maths challenges

Each year the UKMTorganises competitions for the brightest mathematicians in UK schools, and we like to enter them each year.

November brought the Senior Maths Challenge, aimed at VI form. We like to enter the brightest fromYears 9 to 11 as well, but year group bubbles meant that this time we couldn’t, with the exception of fourYear 10 students.This, together with a reduced number of entries, led to a dip in results on previous years, although over half received either gold, silver or bronze awards and the students enjoyed it.

Best in school wasAllen Li inYear 10, who, as well as winning a gold award, qualified for the successor round, the Senior Kangaroo.

Sadly Covid restrictions meant the team events did not run this year, and we did not have enough time after the second lockdown was announced to switch to the online version of the intermediate challenge aimed atYears 9 to 11. With luck we will be able to run these next year.

Year 7 and 8 sat the Junior Challenge in March and did really well. Over 60% received gold, silver or bronze awards, compared to 40% nationally.Ten students qualified for a successor round, the most we have ever had progress this far.There were particularly strong results from Hannah Palmer [8W], best inYear 8, and Harry Wheeler [7B], best in school.

Here is one of the questions they got right, for you to try. (Answer is on page 58.)

Modern Foreign Languages

Linguist of the Month

Our highly coveted Linguist of the Month competitionran again this year.You can use the link below to see the 163 students who earned this during last year. Congratulations to you all and keep it up!

https://twitter.com/CryptMFL

It goes without saying that this has been a difficult and challenging year, but I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to all the students who engaged so well with online learning over the lockdown period. Whilst online learning is certainly not ideal, our language teachers have been able to discover new and creative ways to teach languages using technology. We will certainly continue to make use of these when (fingers crossed!) we hopefully return to some form of normality in September.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to ourYear 11 andYear 13 students for their application and engagement with the rather gruelling assessment process we undertook to put together their GCSE andALevel grades. We were determined that all students would have the opportunity to put all their hard work over the duration of the course to good effect and consequently, be able to demonstrate their skills to the fullest extent. I hope you all enjoyed a restful summer break before the next step in your lives.

Normally at this time of year, I would be filling these pages with pictures, stories, and student experiences from our range of cultural events and foreign trips that have taken place; however, due to the ongoing pandemic and subsequent restrictions on travel, these have sadly not been able to go ahead this year.As you can imagine, this has been a huge disappointment for staff and students as foreign trips in particular are a cornerstone of our modern languages programme, offering a unique cultural experience and context to underpin students’ learning within the classroom. Despite this, we remain optimistic that restrictions will be eased somewhat next year, allowing us to restart at least some of our trips, and once again introduce Crypt students to sights and sounds of Cologne, Paris, Berlin, the Rhineland and Barcelona.

Additionally, our annual cultural visit from Shukutoku Sugamo Senior High School in Japan was also unable to take place but we look forward to welcoming them back when circumstances allow.

The lack of trips and cultural visits this year did allow us to turn our attention to our Key Stage 3 curriculum. Since last September, we have allowed students to focus on one language inYears 7 and 8, thereby giving them the curriculum time that is comparable with what many schools abroad devote to learning English.The idea underpinning this is that it will allow students the opportunity to really master their chosen language and allow those students who are linguistically inclined to become as proficient and as comfortable as possible in a second language, in the way that many young people in other countries are in English.

We also welcomed several new staff into the department this year: Mr Pennington, who is our new teacher of German, Spanish and French, joined us in September.As well as being an outstanding classroom practitioner, Mr Pennington has already contributed hugely to the reform of our Key Stage 3 curriculum. We were again fortunate to welcome two native language assistants to the department: Ramona Müller in German andAnna Meers in French. Both have made a huge contribution to developing ourYear 12 and 13 students’spoken skills and cultural knowledge whilst helping them to prepare for theirA-Level assessments. We look forward to welcoming them back in October.

We also send our gratitude and best wishes to Ms Swain, who is temporarily leaving us to go on maternity leave.As many students and parents know, Ms Swain is an outstanding and dedicated language teacher, and she will be greatly missed within the school over the next year. We wish her all the best for the birth of her first child.

For the upcoming year, we are delighted to welcome MissAlex Morgan into the department. Miss Morgan is a graduate in French and Spanish and is joining us after completing her PGCE at Cambridge University.Alex worked with us during the summer term to get to know the students and the school before she now starts in earnest in September.

In late September, we celebrated Crypt Day of Languages with a range of tutor time and whole school activities.Among these was a competition for the many bilingual students in our diverse school community to produce a study guide to their native language. Congratulations to Jude Smith and Harvind Sandhu who produced hugely informative guides on Italian and Punjabi, respectively.

In the absence of the usual trip to Paris,Year 12 French students also prepared a French speciality feast to recreate a Paris restaurant in the classroom, as part of theirA-Level studies of ‘La Patrimoine’in March of this year:

Agroup ofY8 German linguists have also been meeting regularly to begin a letter exchange with IGS Göttingen-Geismar, a school based near Berlin. Unfortunately, lockdown restraints as well as school closures here and in Germany have meant that we have not managed as many letters as we had hoped, but we sent our first parcel of letters and goodies in November. It was exciting to receive our replies on our return to school in March.

Our second parcel has unfortunately still not arrived in Germany – even though it was sent inApril!

In addition to writing to their penpals, the students have played lots of vocab games on Blooket, as well as used their culinary skills to make traditional Spaghetties! Unfortunately, we have not been able to travel to Germany this year, but that did not stop us from experiencing a bit of German cuisine!

Roman commented "es war spannend" and Fin said, "es war sehr gut!"Thomas thought it was "creatively brilliant" and others "loved having spaghetti ice-cream with ‘Bolognese’sauce" and thought "it was delicious - a definite must do for anyone visiting Germany!"

At the beginning of next term, we hope to be able to conduct a “virtual” meeting with the school via Zoom. New members are always welcome! We are also expecting to set up a similar penpal programme with a French school in 2021-22.

To finish, I would like to say a huge ‘merci!’, ‘danke!’& ‘¡gracias!’to students, parents, and staff for all their hard work and support over the course of this trying year and I will finish by hoping you all had a restful summer.

This year has seen many changes and developments for the music department. Opening after a national lockdown meant we needed to adapt and progress which we managed with the hard work and effort of both students and staff.

Due to new regulations and restrictions, we were unable to rehearse in mixed-year group ensembles, but this did not stop us from creating and enjoying wonderful music. Each year group formed bubbled ensembles including instrumental groups (led by Musician in Residence, Marcus Kong) and choirs (lead by Mr Whittaker, Mrs Hughes, and Mr Bevan). These quickly became very popular. Some were featured in our virtualAutumn concert along with many talented soloists and duetists fromYears 7-13, most of whom were expertly recorded in school by Malcolm Hannaford, with help from Ben Hannaford-Waddington (Y11), Matthias Kelay (Y11) and Marcus Kong.

The next large scale school event was our Remembrance Service, which saw many of our talented smaller choirs joining together into a massed virtual choir to sing MalcolmArcher’s ‘For the Fallen’ alongside ourYear 13 and staff choirs performing the congregational hymns. Lily Mountford (Y13) played ‘The Last Post’exceptionally.The final item was a lovely rendition of Parry’s ‘CrossingThe Bar’, by our virtual choir of staff, sixth formers and former students.

OurAnnual Christmas Carol Service (again virtual) was a huge success, showcasing many of our talented bubble-choirs and instrumental ensembles alongside some amazing soloists from our sixth form students, and the debut performance of our staff choir!The service was a splendid mix of carols old and new.Afantastic end to the calendar year!

Even though the Spring term saw the country in another national lockdown, this did not hinder the enthusiasm, perseverance, and hard-working nature of our students. We went forth with our plans for a KS3 concert.The combined efforts of several students fromYears 7-9 recording their pieces at home were commendable and meant the concert was a great success. Shortly after that, we had our Virtual KS4/5 concert which was also self-recorded by students; they did a fantastic job and all efforts culminated in a wonderful evening of music.

The School’s Founders’Day was also virtual this year, however all our students and staff rose to the occasion and produced impressive performances of Brewer’s ‘Magnificat’and PItoni’s ‘Cantate Domino’with theYear 13 choir (along with guest staff and music teachers) singing a charming

rendition of ‘O Radiant Dawn’. Soloists included Damon Knott (Y12), Jessica Edwards (Y12) and Lily Mountford (Y13).

Our final event of the year was a Summer Concert, where soloists, choirs, and instrumental ensembles from each year, as well as our staff choir, contributed to a beautiful event! Everyone performed excellently and throughout the year have shown that music is an extremely important aspect of school life and what a difference music can make.Afantastic way to end the academic Year.

We would all like to thank Malcolm Hannaford and his talented team for the hours and skill they contributed to make our year of music such a success. MK

Music in the Classroom

The lockdown period has given the music department a fantastic opportunity to showcase new innovative teaching methods in the classroom.Throughout the year, all students have been given opportunities to compose in the classroom, using music technology to perform and listen to a wide variety of musical styles.The demands of online teaching enabled us to create some very engaging GCSE andALevel analysis lessons, which all our students enjoyed. Our KS3 classes continued to sing (at home through Google Meet), give class performances, present imaginative compositions (on Musescore and Soundtrap) and listen to musical styles from Mozart to Jazz, Orchestra landmarks, pop/rock and multicultural music. I would just like to thank our amazing pupils and their parents for continuing to become fully immersed in our musical journey.

I would also like to thank our wonderful staff team including our outstanding Musician in Residence, Marcus Kong, who was thrown in at the deep end and has continued to prepare, rehearse and energise ensembles for virtual concerts, support classroom music, undertake administrative tasks, support our visiting teachers, help organise and manage concerts, put together a “safe/distanced” rooming schedule for instrumental lessons and many more daily tasks. Brilliant work!Thank you also to Rebecca Hughes for her tireless support of classroom music and online teaching and our amazing visiting music teachers.You are fantastic!The future is very bright for music in the school. We have some incredible lessons, events and projects lined up for next year. Keep an eye out!

Julian Whittaker, Director of Music

PE and Sports

NottheyearwewouldhavelikedforPEandSport.Despiteallthechallengeswehavefacedweareproudof whatwehavestillachievedthisyear.Studentshavegainednewexperiences;manyhaveplayedcompetitive sportinterm6andallhavecontinuedtoworkhardthroughouttheyear.Thankyoutoeveryonewhoengaged duringlockdownandallstudentswhocontinuedtotrainhardatclubs.Weareexcitedforthenewschool year,creatingnewexperiences,playingmorecompetitivefixturesandofferinganotherrichandextensive extracurricularprogramme. Hereiswhatwegotuptothisyear:

Strava

Duringthelockdownwecreatedahouse competitionknownas‘thePEStrava challenge’.Werecognisedthatphysicalactivity wascrucialtokeepingphysicallyandmentally fitoveradifficultperiod.Eachhousewasset thechallengeofvirtuallyracingfromLands’ EndtoJohnO’Groats.Wewereamazedbythe wholeschoolcommunity connectingwitheachother andenjoyinggettingoutforawalkorrunthatwedecided tokeepthiscompetitiongoing.

Leg#2,wetravelledfromJohnO’GroatstoParis.

Leg#3,wetravelledfromParistoRome. Welldonetoallwhowereinvolved,wecouldnotbe prouderofourschoolcommunity.

Virtual lessons

AllstudentstookpartinonlinePElessonsduring thelockdown.Eachmemberofstafftookitin turnstoplanadifferentworkouteachweekforPE teacherstodelivertoalltheirgroups.Thankyouto allstudentsthatgotinvolvedandkeptusall motivatedandsmiling.

Cricket Seniors

The1stXIhadadifficultyearplayingthreefixturesagainstsome verystrongopposition. HighlightsincludeCaptainJoel Birchmore'shalfcenturyagainstTommies,andAlexBorleytaking 3for23againstKing's,Gloucester.ThankstoJoelforhiseffortsin leadingthesidethisyear. Despitenotregisteringawin,theveryyoungsquadbodeswellforthefuture.

Mr Windsor

Year 10

Year10cricketerssawtheirperformancegounbeatenduring theseasonatbothAandBlevel. Evenwithareducedfixture card,performanceshadtobeproducedandtherewaseven lesstimetolearnandadaptfrompreviousgames.

Results:

TheCrypt129for7vNewentCommunitySchool94for7.

TheCryptwonby35runs.

TheCrypt209for3vMarlingSchool51allout. TheCrypt wonby158runs.

TheCryptA136for6vDeanCloseA100allout. TheCryptwonby38runs.

TheCryptB126for7vDeanCloseB126for8. Tiedgame.

TheCrypt185for9vTheKing'sSchool92for6. TheCryptwonby93runs. Halfcenturionsincluded:

SebastianPascoe51*vMarlingSchool

ZacharyMountford54*vMarlingSchool

AbdullahBham52*vTheKingsSchool

Duringtheseason,theenergyanddesiretoimprovewasobviousfrom theyeargroup,with20plusboysturningupfortrainingeachweek, alongsideanymatchesscheduled. Reflectiononpreviousperformances openedadialogueforself-reflectionandtheidentificationofplansthe boyswantedtoimplementinordertogetbetteratwhattheydidonthe field. Workingasateamtosupportandchallengeeachother,itwasa pleasuretowatch,umpireandcoachtheboysthisseason.

Respect,determination,winninghabits.

Mr Germaine

Year 9

Year9crickethavehadamixedseason,winningtwooftheirfourgameswewereabletoplayinTerm6.The highlightwasdefinitelythefirstgameagainstMarling,winninginthelastover,however,theteamwerealso

onthewrongsideofanailbitingfinaloverwinagainstKing’s.Standoutperformancesasalwayshavecome fromJackMitten,JoeTuttyandSamReynoldswithboththebatandball,butthisyearalsofoundnew cricketersinEnzoRegazzoni-WoodandEvanHalewhohaveprogressedmassivelyinallaspectsofthe game. Mr Bawden

Year 8

Havingstartedwithalotofoptimism,itwasafrustratingseasonfortheU13 cricketersonlymanagingtogettwogamesinthebooks,losingtoastrongMarling sideandHolmleighParkU14s.It’sbeenayearofdevelopment,whichwillallow theplayerstimetoreflectonhowtoimprovefornextyear.WelldonetoShubham Maratheforcaptainingthesideindifficultcircumstances,andHarveyFellforhis tidylegspinbowling.

Mr Windsor

Year 7

Afterwhatseemslikeaneternityofwaitingforthegoaheadtobegincompetitiveschoolfixtures,theunder 12shavemadeaverypositivestarttotheirprogramme. Withover30studentsregularlyparticipatingon Mondayafternoonsandremainingafterschoolinthenetsfor practice,thesquadgotofftoapositivestartathomeagainst NewentSchoolandwonby5wicketsafterknockingoff104in thefirstinningsofa20overgame.

PatientbattingbycaptainNirvaanJainbuiltupasteady partnershipwithAlessioBautista-Tateandalthoughwelost someearlywicketswemanagedtobuildupascorewhichwas challengingbutcompetitive.IttookawhileforNewenttoscore runs,whichwaspossiblytheirdownfall,astheirmiddleorder triedtoincreasetherunsperoverbutleftittoolate.

Excellentfieldingandbackingupprovedtobethedeciderwith wicketstakenfromEthanLovegrove,RosieReynolds,2fromJackMcKerrowandcatchesfrom Bautista-TaiteandRishiIyerclosedthegame.

AnotherhomegameagainstMarlingsawtheteamcontinuingtheirsuccesswinningby8wickets. Excellent performancesandstrongbowlingcamefromNirvaanJain,AlessioBautista-Taite,EthanLovegroveand HarryWheeler.

King’s,Gloucesterprovedtobestrongoppositionastheywonthetossandelectedtobat. HarryWheeler andNirvanJaintookawicketeachastheoppositionreachedatotalof142.Inreplyafterlosinganearly wicket,topscorerJordanIfil30,NirvaanJain25andConnorMacwhirter16collectivelypulledtheruns closetoacompetitivegamebutfinished23runsshort. Welldonetoalltheplayersinvolved. Manythanksfortheenthusiasmduringpracticeandgamesandthe supportoftheparentsthroughout.

M Carolan

Rounders

Ithasbeenwonderfultoplaysomefixturesduringterm6.TheCryptgirls havebeenenjoyingeveryaspectofrounders. Theyhavebeencommittedto trainingeachweektopreparefortheircompetitivematches. R Cantin.

Seniors

Onlyonematchforourseniorgirlsthisyearunfortunately,butwhatagameit turnedouttobe.CryptwelcomedHomleighParkinacompetitive2inning30 ballmatch.ItwasaclosegamewithCrypttakinga23-21½winoverall.An

excellentdisplayofsportsmanshipandteamworkthroughout.Welookforwardtoourup-comingmixed seniorroundersfixtures.

Year 9

AgreatstarttoroundersforourYear9s,withatotalof1winand1lossundertheirbelt.Ithasbeengoodto watchthegirlsbackinactionaftersolongoutofschoolcompetitivesport.Specialmentionmustgoto BridgetBlackstoneforherexcellentleadershipascaptainthisseason.Also,a‘welldone’toAlyssaMansell andherwonderfulbattingskillsasshemadeherroundersdebut.Agreateffortallround.

Abig‘thankyou’toWillowArmstrong,BridgetBlackstoneandSachiRegazzoni-Woodwhoalsotookon coachingrolesthisyearandhelpedtorunourYear7girls’roundersclub.Theyhavebeenexcellentrole modelsfortheyoungeryearsandbrilliantcoaches.

Year 8

Duetothelockdownlastyear,ourYear8girlswereyettoexperience rounders.Despitethisyearbeingtheirfirstseason,ithasbeenagreat experienceforallinvolved.InatoughfirstgameagainstHomleighPark,we lostby5½rounders.Sincethen,wehavedevelopedandlearntalotandIam lookingforwardtoputtingthisintopractice.AspecialshoutouttoKate McCurrichforbeinganexcellentcaptainandwelldoneall.

Year 7

OurYear7girlswereabletoexperiencetheirfirstsecondaryschool competitivesportfixtures.TheYear7shaveworkedhardthisterm developingtheirskillsinroundersandhaveregularlyturnedupto club.Wehavemanagedtofield2brilliantteams,andbothhave achieved1winagainstSevernValeand1losstoDenmarkRoad. WelldonetoAmiraMacey-Michaelforherexcellentbowlingand SophieCornishwithhersuperbbattingskillsthisseason.

Athletics

English Schools Cup

Greateffortfromthe4teamsthatattendedthiseventinOxford.

Thejuniorgirls’teamwasamixtureofYear7andYear8withoutstanding performancesfromMarthaCampbellandRosieReynolds.Theteamcame5th overallwhichbodeswellfornextyear.

ThejuniorboysmanagedtohaveafullteamofYear8studentsplusAmielfrom Year7.15pointsisourbenchmarkforanoutstandingperformance,and thiswasachievedby:EmmanuelDaramola,RhodriEdwards(inbothof hisevents),NolanFassai,AlexAshley,FinnDuncan,CasperStanitaand JamesFish.Thismovedtheminto3rdplaceoverallwhichisareally goodperformance.

TheintergirlsteamwasexclusivelyYear9athletes,soitwasalways goingtobetoughforthembutgreatpreparationreadyfornextyear.Elle GriffithsandKiaraDixonweretopperformersforthegirlsandhelped themto5thplaceoverall.

Theinterboysteamsufferedsomelatewithdrawalsbutitwaspleasing toseeacoupleofboysstepinatlatenotice.15pointsorabovewas achievedby:OlamideOdukunle,KaiPearson,TheoEvans,SamPowell, KieronGrinyer,SebPascoeandJacobBullingham.Thismovedtheteam intoanimpressive3rdplaceoverall.Itwasashamethatthiswasthe onlyathleticeventoftheyear,butitwaslovelytoseetheteamcompete.

Year 9

ThistermtheYear9girlsmanagedtoexperiencesometouchrugby. ThiswasledbythefantasticcommunitycoachesatGloucester Rugby.Itwasabrilliantexperienceforourgirlstoreceivesome top-levelcoachingandplayinatouchmatchagainstPitville School.TheteamachievedagoodwinagainstPitvillewithRuthLe MaistreandAlyssaMansellbeingnominatedasoppositionsplayer ofthematchandAngell-LeiReillyreceivingcoach’splayer nomination

Weareverythankfultothecommunitycoachesthatsupportour schoolinmanysports.

Seniors

Aftermissingover12monthsofschoolrugbyduetothe pandemic,bigplansarebeingputinplaceforSeptemberand thenewrugbyseason.EveryWednesdayforthelastfew weeksofterm,studentsinYears10,11and12havecome togetherandworkedalongsideeachotherintheiryeargroup bubblesforpre-seasontraining.Over20Year11smaketheefforttocomeintoschoolwhichreflectsthe boys’desireforrugbynextyearaswellascatchinguponasporttheyhavemissedsomuchoverthelast year.

Thefocushasbeenmainlyfitness-basedactivitiesandconditionedtouchrugbytorefocusskillsaheadofthe competitiverugbyseasoninSeptember.Massivewelldonetoeveryonewiththeireffortsandwelook forwardtoseeingtheCryptrugbyshirtinmatchesagainnextterm.

Tennis

Year 7 & 8

Ithasbeenwonderfultoplaycompetitivetennisfixturesonourcourts. Thisisthefirsttimewehavebeenabletousethecourtsfortennis lessonsandfixturesandtheyhavebeenthoroughlyenjoyedbyall. Years7and8competedinamixeddoublesmatchagainstastrong DenmarkRoadside. Theresultswere:Crypt3doubleswins,and5 singleswins.DenmarkRoad5doubleswinsand4singlewins.Stand outperformerofthedaywasConnorMacwhirterinbothsinglesand doubles!

Severn Stars NovaAcademy

TheCryptSchoolstudentshaveenjoyedbeingnew additionstothegroupofSevernStarsNovacentresthis year. Thefirstseasonhasbeenamassivesuccessandlots ofimprovementshavebeenmadebyall.Overall,the girlsplayedatotalof6games,won5andlost1.Bigthank youtoTheCryptschoolforallowingMissCantinthis opportunity,SueWaltonforbeingthebestmanager,Kylie BenardieforherS&Cexpertise,EdArcher(Athlete Academy)forincredibleprovisionandfinally,theplayers andparentsfortheirhardworkandcommitment.

WealsohopetoseemoregirlsfromTheCryptschoolintheNovaacademylikeKiaraDixon.Welldoneto oneofourownforsuchafantasticachievement.BringonCryptNova2021/22season-itissuretobea goodone!

Rowing

Thisyearwewereabletoexperienceanamazingopportunitywith GloucesterRowingClub.SomestudentsfromYears7,8,9and12took tothewateronthecanaltolearnthefoundationsofrowing.Thiswasa greatexperienceandonewhichallstudentsinvolvedwillremember. WatchthisspaceforpotentiallyafutureOlympicrower. Ifyoudidwanttobeinvolvedinrowingmakesuretocontact GloucesterRowingClubdirectly-allabilitiesarewelcome.

AthleteAcademy

Throughoutschoolandlockdown,ourAthleteAcademystudents haveremainedcommittedandfocusedwiththeirtraining.Athlete Academygivesstudentsaccesstoawiderangeofstrengthand conditioningprovisionsincludingprofessionalcoachingand specialistequipment.Thisallowsstudentstoimprovetheir movementwhichleadstoabetterperformanceintheirsport.Thank youtoEdArcherandKylieBenardiefortheiroutstanding expertiseandcoachingindevelopingourathletes.Asaschool,weareextremelyfortunatetohaveAthlete Academy.

House News

Atthistime,wewouldnormallybeabletotellyouallaboutthewealthofhouseeventsinwhichourstudents hadparticipated.Sadlythepandemichashitthehouseprogrammereallyhard.Sofartheeventswehave beenabletoruninclude:

● Crosscountry

● CharityShoeBoxes

● Maths

● TBall

● Badminton

● Minisportsday

● Kahoot

● HartBall

Asthisgoestopresswearestillhopefulabouthaving:

● Drama

● Sportsday

● Rounders

Thehousecompetition,however,ishavingaroll-over,soallpointsgainedthisyearwillremainupto Christmaswhenthewinninghousewillbenamed.

WearealsohavinganamechangeandWhitefieldisbeingrenamedTheDavidWabosahousewhilstBrown willbechangingtoTheJoanCookhouse.Let'shopethatnextyearIamabletoreportonalotmoreevents regardingtheHouseCompetition.AH

Psychology and Sociology

Psychology

Year 13 psychologists joined the sixth form at the same time as Miss Plummer and Mrs Stobo joined the department so, together, we have shared a unique sixth form experience of online learning, videoed lessons and virtual chatting.The students were instrumental in teaching the staff how to teach virtually and made the whole process enjoyable and a relatively easy conversion.

Year 12 students have been just as enthusiastic and this year we had several take up the opportunity to enter ‘The Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition and Challenge’which provides students with an opportunity to engage in university-level research and writing. Next year, we hope to have teams of students enter the 2022 Royal Holloway Psychology competition where each team has to create a video, separate poster with audio explanation, and then explain their research at a live event.

Next year we look forward to welcomingYear 10 students into the psychology department as GCSE psychology gets up and running for the first time atThe Crypt School. Miss Plummer and Mr Windsor will be teaching our firstYear 10 co-educational cohort all about memory, child development, and social influence in year 1 and crime, sleep and dreaming, and psychological disorders in year 2. We are so excited about this new course and are looking forward to introducing it in September.

Sociology

This year has seen the first cohort of sociology students complete theirA-Level at Crypt.The students have had a bizarre experience with the pandemic interrupting their learning, but their response to online lessons and current affairs has been fantastic. Last summer, they took the opportunity to write up a research project investigating how the various events of 2020 might be considered from functionalist, Marxist, feminist, and postmodernist viewpoints. Students looked into situations related to Covid or Black Lives Matters such as: the increase of domestic violence during lockdown; the difference in experiences of life at home between genders; ethnic differences in incidences of Covid-19; the experiences of the elderly during lockdown; how Covid-19 has impacted the educational experiences of children from low-income households; differential treatment of the young and old during the pandemic; the disparity between appreciation and pay for NHS key workers.

With the go ahead being given by the Department for Education for the Wheatridge Primary School inAbbeymead,Year 12 students wrote to Mr Dyer informing him of the educational needs and experiences of children from lower-income households and how their education can be affected by both material and cultural deprivation and internal school factors such as labelling and subcultures. The students rose to the challenge of applying abstract learning to a real-world situation.

Year 7 and 8 sat the Junior Challenge in March and did really well. Over 60% received gold, silver or bronze awards, compared to 40% nationally.Ten students qualified for a successor round, the most we have ever had progress this far.There were particularly strong results from Hannah Palmer [8W], best inYear 8, and Harry Wheeler [7B], best in school.

Chemistry

Despite the turbulence of the past year, science teaching and learning has continued in full force! The science team committed to developing a diverse range of remote learning opportunities, most notably a sequence of at-home experiments for all year groups.Year 7 made pinhole cameras to develop their understanding of reflection; distilled pure water using a saucepan and a marble; and explored chromatography using permanent markers and kitchen roll!Year 8 made convection currents using food colouring and water, investigated heat transfer and insulation, and took part in the RSPB Big Garden Watch.Year 9 made models of the atom andYear 10 made their own mini-neutralisation reactions using baking soda and vinegar.Year 11 investigated iron, conditions that cause rusting and methods to prevent the corrosion of iron and steel.

An outline of our other extra-curricular activities is included below:

Chemistry RSC Olympiad Competition - January 2021

We did not let a national lockdown in January stop us entering the RSC Chemistry Olympiad!

AllYear 13 chemists were offered the chance to enter this prestigious competition and 12 students accepted the challenge.The RSC adapted the competition, and the students were able to complete the challenging written paper at home but had to have their cameras on whilst doing so.The competition enables ambitious students to encounter problems and challenges from beyond theA-level specification on topical issues.

This year we received 3 Silver and 5 Bronze awards. Many Congratulations to: SilverAward: James Harrison, JoeAllen and Lily Mountford

BronzeAward: Pralisha Shrestha,Adam Greaves, MatveiSinden, Peter Comer andTaku Dhewa

RSC Chemistry Top of the Bench Competition - January to March 2021

Four students fromYears 9 to 11 competed as a team in the Royal Society of Chemistry 'Top of the Bench' competition earlier this year, winning the south west England competition. In March, they went on to compete in the finals against 30 other regional winners from across the UK and Belgium, where they came in an admirable 6th place! Well done to Prem Magdum (Year 9), Naomi Peet (Year 9), Samuel Powell (Year 10) andAlex Ochiagha-Egbon (Year 11)! We are really proud of these talented chemists and we look forward to entering a new team next year.

RSC Schools’Analyst Competition

- May 2021

Agroup of twelveYear 12A-level chemistry students took part in the new-look RSC Schools’ Analyst Competition. Normally involving a trip to the University of Bristol, this year kits were dispatched to competing schools and the students descended on Lab 4 for three hours of tough investigative chemistry.Tasked with identifying unknown materials using a variety of analytical chemistry techniques (familiar and unfamiliar), the students excelled in demonstrating their adaptability and subject knowledge. The students had great fun and this competition was an excellent boost for their confidence in practical chemistry. Congratulations are due to our winning team ofAidan Davey, Emmanuel Osemwengie-Omobude and Jude Smith.

Med Soc - all year

Across this year, students inYear 12 who are interested in studying medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, and related subjects have been attending MedSoc.This is a lunchtime club run by Mr Bowen focusing on pathways into studying these subjects, as well as life working in the medical field.

Old Cryptian George Hawker-Bond, who has recently secured his place as a foundation doctor working within the NHS in Oxfordshire, gave his time to speak to ourYear 12 pupils about his journey into medicine. Ciaran Hollywood, school governor and practicing breast surgeon, also gave his time to talk about his life working in the NHS, and the evolution of his day-to-day job as he developed his experience as a surgeon. We hope to include more speakers from across multiple medical disciplines (to include nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine) to widen the aspirations of our students. We would welcome contact from Old Cryptians who are interested in contributing to the career goals of our young adults.

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge - June 2021

The majority of theYr12 chemistry students have recently entered the Cambridge University Chemistry Challenge which is a challenging written paper. It offers questions in a variety of topics and styles that are beyond theA-level specification, but with logical application of their knowledge, should be accessible.

It is excellent preparation for the more challenging second year of theA-level course and their final exams. We wish them the best of luck!

Year 7 Eco Club

Agroup of 16Year 7 students have been chosen as green influencers.They are working with an EnvironmentalYouth Worker fromYoung Gloucestershire to plan and run a project that will benefit the environment.There is funding available for their project and they will be given support to bring their ideas to life over a period of 6 weeks.This could include reducing plastic waste, planting trees, increasing biodiversity in the school grounds etc - whatever piques their interest.

We look forward to seeing how they build on the excellent work carried out byYears 8 and 9 last year (introducing recycling bins around the school, responding to theAustralian wildfires, working to reduce the plastic sold in the canteen).

Biology

We have been most fortunate in two great clubs being run by currentYear 12 students.

Jude Smith: During the running of The Biology Club,we have had amazing opportunities throughout the year to promote biology in and around the school, with the creation of posters during lockdown to explore biodiversity and the fundamentals of nature and habitats. We were then given the most amazing opportunity of hatching chicks to observe and see the visible life cycle of chickens, with naming and observations being done.All of these have provided great ways to get involved in biology and science within Crypt and further activities will be done to spread the love of science and nature throughout the school.

Harvind Sandhu: The Carbon Conscious Cryptians (CCC) was founded out of the interest in living sustainably. It is one of the ways many of our members can find respite from the constant fear of impending climate doom! We work to encourage our members and the school as a whole to develop eco-friendly practices as simple as switching to reusable water bottles and face masks. We are proud to have started a group to not only foster greener habits within our Crypt community but raise awareness on the impact of our carbon footprints.

Aspecial mention also goes to Marcia Shore who achieved a Commendation in the British Biology Olympiad in March this year.This is a national competition that challenges and simulates students within the field of Biology and is an opportunity to expand their experience and talents. Well done, Marcia!

Physics

Space Club

This year has seen the introduction of a weekly space club at Crypt. Students have been having lots of fun, for example: making ice-cream comets, model rockets, star maps and designing alien life forms. The space club have also recently received a donation of an optical telescope that they hope to put to good use when the darker evenings arrive.

Arkwright Scholarship Space

club

This year has been the first year that Crypt school has been involved with theArkwright scholarship. The scholarship is set up to provide successful students with a link to an engineering company, where they will receive financial support and also the support of a mentor throughout theirA-levels. They also undertake a project under the guidance of their mentor. Despite the school closure severely disrupting the application process, we have one student who made it to the final interview stage and is waiting to hear whether they have been successful.

Physics Olympiad -Years 11 and 13

This year, Crypt physics students took part in some of the British Physics Olympiad challenges. Although some of these had to be conducted online due disruption, Crypt students were able to secure the following medals: Gold – 2 medals, Silver – 3 medals, Bronze – 3 medals.

We hope very much to be able to reinstate participation in the Olympiads toYears 10 and 12 again next year and also that our other competitions and challenges will be running again. These have included the GirlsGetSet, Flying Start and Lego Robotics challenges that have all not taken place this year.

Religious Education and Philosophy and Ethics

The start of the year saw Mr Wordingham join the department, returning to his own old school! He has enthusiastically embraced his first year and, in particular, has enjoyed teaching the Philosophy side of theA-Level course.

In Key Stage 3, some new units were introduced to diversify and expand the curriculum; these included a topic on LiberationTheology which explored how the oppressed can be empowered and focused on the biographies of some key figures within this movement.Also, a new unit investigating the experience of being a Muslim teenager in Britain today developed our students’ understanding of the diversity and prevalence of Islam both in their local area and nationally. OurYear 11 and 13s made excellent progress despite the challenges of more periods of remote learning. We were definitely very glad to have them back in the classroom discussing and debating in person rather than as small squares on a screen!As always, we were sad to seeYear 13 leave but, at the same time, very excited about the amazing range of future pursuits and adventures that they have ahead of them – we do hope they keep in touch.

Many thanks to Jude and Clemmie, and Miles andToby, respectively, for agreeing to be in the Open Evening videos promoting the subject. Although this year has been limited in terms of our extra-curricular provision (we were sad to have to cancel the plans for the trip to Krakow in December), congratulations go to theY12 students who participated in the John Stuart Mill Cup team; they competed very well for the school’s inaugural entry.Also a note of thanks to Anthony (Y8), Joshua (Y10) and Chantelle (Y12) for writing and recording such lovely prayers for our digital Founders’Day in July.

PuzzleAnswer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hJrwpd5ujE

David Waboso was our inspiring guest speaker. https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/civil-engineer-profiles/david-waboso

In his own words: My engineering degree meant I had an aptitude for mathematics, so I initially became a maths teacher at a school in East London. I have some incredible memories that helped build my confidence in addressing large and challenging audiences.

I then joined Arup, which was constructing the Essex section of the M25, followed by other engineering firms including Nichols Group, and Bechtel.

In 2003, I was asked to join the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) as its technical director. Representing the UK at the European Rail Agency proved useful in understanding the thought processes elsewhere.

I joined London Underground (LU) as the director of engineering, a first job being to manage the replacement of the ‘temporary’ signalling on the Jubilee line. Another challenge was ‘cooling the Tube’ as more trains result in more energy dissipated and rising temperatures.

I also had responsibility for other line upgrades including the Victoria line and station upgrades, including Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street and Bank, all of which used innovative procurement that incentivised value not just cost. For all this work on LU, I was awarded a CBE in 2014

Remembrance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY2uPcpXwmk&t=6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUIU-eWH5UM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pYM4BgaNPk&t=2454s

KS4 and KS5 Showcase - March 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdrvLJga8k8

World Book Day - March 2021

Despite World Book Day being a much quieter event this year because all the students were learning from home, we were still visited byArthur Dent (“Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”) and Doctor Grant (“Jurassic Park”). Well done, Mr Joe Nicholson and Miss Meghan Hayes. Local author, Jane Ryan (Missing Dad series), also made a video especially for our students.

Day - June 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CWqsMp-oes

Summer Showcase, July 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUYBbueZnso

School Library Update

Read for Good, Gloucestershire is an organisation which works to engage children with reading for pleasure.They do this because they know reading changes lives!

Look here to see inspiring ideas to encourage children to read for pleasure: https://readforgood.org/reading-inspiration/

In May,Years 7 and 8 were invited to take part in the Read for Good Readathon.Any money raised went towards buying new books and graphic novels for children who are in hospital for extended periods of time. Several students worked particularly hard towards their goals.There were three main prize winners:Amelia Price for extreme reading (on the raised platform of a forklift truck!),AlexAshley for raising the highest amount of money, and Joshua Jones for reading the most.Two other people were commended for their efforts: Jamie Dean and Fergus Brint. Well done to all of them!

In June, Read for Good, Gloucestershire also donated loads of books, magazines and comics to the school to be distributed for the summer. Many students were surprised and delighted to receive these.

EPlatform/Wheelers, the school’s new digital reading platform, came online this year. We now have access to 1500+ eBooks and over 800 audiobooks.There is anAccelerated Reader section and instructions for use have been sent out several times. It is available on the school iPads or any device owned by the staff and students of the school via an app which can be easily downloaded.

Over lockdown, students took part in a Library Lockdown Challenge.This involved a variety of activities associatedwith promoting reading.As you can see to the right, Jasper completed quite a few of them. Below are other examples of the contributions sent in.

⇐ Alice read under the stairs like Harry Potter. Edward and Max read to their sisters. ==>

Erika andAllen made and used quills to write out their favourite poems.

Lovely to see Callum, Charlie, Rishi and Josh reading at home.

Several students sent in book reviews. Others read newspaper articles and talked them over with their family.

Emily wrote her own mini story and turned it into a mini book andAllen read all summer!.

Earlier in the year, Mrs Warner applied for and was awarded a generous grant from the Siobhan DowdTrust. In collaboration with Helene Hewitt from SuffolkAnthology https://theanthology.co.uk/ an independent book shop in Cheltenham, students representing every year selected books they wanted to see in the library. When these were delivered, it was these same students who had the first look at them! Here you can read an article about it in SoGlos: https://www.soglos.com/culture/49762/New-life-injected-into-local-school-library-thanks-to-book-fund

Word of the Week

Every week, a challenge word is included in the Daily News and on the board outside the library with a definition and some example sentences. Students can earn merits for using the word accurately in any of their school work. Amongst others, students have used ethos, epoch, loquacious and ubiquitous in German, Science, History, RE, English and Maths!

Clubs and Societies

Duke of EdinburghAward

The 2020-21 Crypt Duke of Edinburgh programme year has been a strange one. With the 2020 lockdowns affecting last year’s cohort expeditions the decision was made to delay the launch of the BronzeAward and SilverAward toY9s andY10s but to continue with getting theY12s started on their GoldAward. 14 signed up, 8 to do a walking expedition and 6 to do a canoe expedition - the highest number enrolled so far.

Whilst they got started on their volunteering, physical and skills sections, the DofE team, with Live LifeAdventure (LLA) as our trusted activity provider, got to work on planning and providing the expeditions last year's cohort missed out on. We had to work within the COVID-19 regulations so overnight camping was not allowed but the upside of that was they all got to go home for a decent night’s sleep. Over a very warm weekend in September, theY9s completed their training with two days walking in the Cotswolds. Unfortunately, their qualifying expedition was very wet but the benefit of being able to go home, warm up and dry out meant they all came back in high spirits the next day to finish their expeditions.

The lockdowns also meant this cohort had trouble getting their other activities started or completed but many have thought outside the box and found ways to do their volunteering, physical and skills at home, and we are now seeing these guys completing their Bronze awards. We continue to encourage them to get these finished and hope we will have plenty of certificates and badges for Mr Dyer to hand out in the end of year assembly.

Yet more lockdowns this year led to even further delays in launching the Bronze and Silver award programme but we finally announced the start in March and were blown away by the response. 92 Y9 students signed up for Bronze, our biggest cohort ever atThe Crypt and our first co-ed one too! Only 13 signed up for Silver but, not discouraged, we worked out how to do that within the new guidelines. This year's Silvers are getting a bit more of a challenge than normal as they are joining the Golds in a more remote area for their qualifying expedition in the summer holidays. That’s great for the future as we’ll have to find somewhere even more exciting to go by the time they are inY12 doing Gold!

Another lockdown drawback meant we were not able to run our normal DofE lunchtime clubs and enrichment sessions to start

their training but, again, LLAcame up with alternatives and we held land-based and water-based training days for all the participants inApril at school, in the Cranham area and on the RiverAvon. It was wonderful to see so many young people out enjoying the countryside after so many months stuck in school, at home and being limited to their gardens and local footpaths.They had great fun playing in the fields and on the water in the breaks between their training sessions as you will see from the photos.

The expedition programme started in earnest after the May school holiday.Ten members of staff volunteered to assist with these and our admin staff have provided essential support throughout the year. Our Bronze practice expedition was again a lovely sunny warm weekend and theY9s had the added benefit of being able to go home to sleep again.They all got a bit lost, found their way back to the right paths and enjoyed the challenge as well as the amazingly clear views from the top of Painswick Beacon.

The Bronze qualifying expedition up and around Cleeve Hill was a bit cooler and wetter but that did not dampen their spirits, in fact, they competed to see who could get the muddiest! I think the tents won that competition which now creates a few problems for the DofE team as we have to wash and dry 40 tents over the summer holiday!All the Bronze participants passed and now have to complete their other sections to achieve their awards.

The Silver teams successfully completed their practice expeditions beside and on the River Wye in cool but dry conditions.They have planned their qualifying expedition routes and the canoeists are looking forward to seeing a different stretch of the River Wye whilst the walkers will be following the Offa’s Dyke path across the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons.

The Gold teams had a more challenging and very hot weekend to contend with for their practice expeditions. Lessons were learnt about sun protection and how many calories really are needed for a more challenging expedition both on the hills and on the water.The two walking teams are due to walk from The Black Mountain to the Black Mountains for their qualifying expedition and the canoeists will be paddling from north of the Brecons almost down to the end of the River Wye for their more challenging expedition. I’m looking forward to seeing their presentations on the projects they are doing as they travel.

For me, as DofE Manager, it has been another very strange year. Plans were made then changed and then changed again.Allowances have been made for lockdowns and DofE HQ have adapted the programme to allow our young people to complete their awards as

best they can in these challenging times. I was saddened by the death of the awards founder, the Duke of Edinburgh. He presented my Gold award at St James’Palace many years ago and asked everyone present a question and listened very carefully to all the answers. I am pleased that the

award scheme will continue to grow and evolve under the guidance of his younger son, Prince Edward.

I’m still waiting for my first ever Gold award holders to get their invitations to Buckingham Palace to receive their GoldAwards but we hope to hold a Celebration Evening in school early next year to acknowledge their and all the other award holders’achievements and showcase some of the amazing things our participants have done to complete their Bronze, Silver and GoldAwards.

Many thanks as ever to all the staff that support DofE within school - from the Headmaster as DofE Licence holder; to the teachers and support staff who work as DofE Leaders and assessors; to those that help with the admin, act as emergency contacts or even just promote the award to the students - their help is hugely appreciated and advertised on their doors with DofE signs. DofE atThe Crypt School could not operate so successfully without this amazing team!

Alison Peake, DofE Manager

Samba Group

Mrs Hughes is leading an exciting newYear 10 Samba group which can be heard all over school - and we love it!

This is an inclusive group run by Mrs Rodrigues and some sixth formers, designed to stimulate discussion around issues of race, religion and culture. It was founded in October 2020 following the death of George Floyd which sent shockwaves around the world.

Iby says: We felt it was increasingly important tocreate a safe space where people felt comfortable discussing issues which were often deemed taboo. Ultimately, this club is open to everyone and is run fortnightly. People can come and listen, learn and share.

Cross Country Running

Led by Mr Julian Boon and MrAndew Kaighin, students and staff regularly run at lunchtime.

Year 12 choir

Anew endeavour from the music department,Year 12 choir practises have been held every Thursday morning and there is no audition. Ideally, everyYear 12 student will join!

Students have been working with an EnvironmentalYouth Worker fromYoung Gloucestershire. andThe Ernest CookTrust which engages young people as Green Inluencers to promote youth-led environmental social action.

We have a group of about 15Year 7s who have met with the representative once a week for 6 weeks. She has inspired them to come up with projects that they can implement at school.They have split into 4 groups and they are looking to plant trees, grow wildflowers (2 groups) and set up a birdwatching area by adding bird feeders and bird friendly plants.The group have had to learn project management skills and work with a budget of £360 in total - with one group managing to get hold of free trees fromThe WildlifeTrust. We are hoping to implement the projects in September - November, and over summer they've been given a load of ideas for volunteering opportunities with which they can get involved locally if they like.

Their commitment and enthusiasm has been impressive! GB

Charity

Year 8 Bottle Tops for LINC

In addition to other charitable endeavours in school, and following on from their involvement in the Eco Committee,Year 8 wanted to make a difference and they did so by collecting milk bottle tops for charity. Therefore, they set about collecting to raise much needed funds for LINC, a leukemia charity based in charity. From something that would have been sent to landfill students collected milk bottle tops by the thousand, all of which were sent to a specialist recycler in Hampshire and any money raised donated to LINC. During the academic year,Year 8 collected 18 bags full of bottle tops. From September 2021, we hope to roll this out to the whole school, to collect even more bottle tops which will reduce the amount being put into landfill and raise money for LINC.

Mr Germaine, tutor of 8R commented: 'I am really pleasedhow students and their families have got behind this initiative. It builds on the caring ethos of The Crypt and the values we stand for.'

Mask-making forYemenAppeal and Tewkesbury Food Bank

Staff Focus

Staff Reflections

ArchieTravis, one of ourYear 9s, worked for several months with two friends to make affordable face masks. They sold the masks to make money for theYemen Appeal. When their fund reached over £500, they then gave money to theTewkesbury Food Bank.

Archie said he wanted to contribute to people having a hard time and to change some people’s poor perception of teenagers.

We think he was successful on both counts!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=798731490872576

Beth Copeland-Jordan reflects on her time at The Crypt Full Circle (sort of…)

ThefirsttimeIsteppedthroughthedoorsofTheCryptSchoolit wasSeptember2001,Iwas16andabouttoauditionforthe musicalBugsyMalone.Irememberwalkingthroughthosewhite weighteddoorsandbeingconfrontedbytheenormousCrush Halltable,oftencoveredinbags,or,backthen,sixthformers loungingaboutagainstit(thathascertainlychanged).Some mayhavefeltthattheentrancewasimposing,butIneverdid, insteadIfeltlikeitwaspresentingsomethingtome-theideaof opportunityandcommunity.Andthatwasit.Iwasin.Forthe nexttwoyears,althoughIattendedRibston,Ibecamepartof TeamCrypt(whichalreadyhousedthelegendsofMrStanlakeandMissSturge);whetherthat wasplayinginthejazzband,beingamemberoftheCryptPlayersorattendingEnglishlessons withMsYiendtodiscussthefemaleperspectiveonliterature.Itiswithoutadoubtthatmylove ofDramaandperformingwascementedduringthattime,alongsidemakinglifelongfriends (includingmeetingmyfuturehusbandhere!).I’llneverforgettheoutdoorperformanceof ‘MuchAdoAboutNothing’,oraconcertwhereweallplayeddifferentobjectsratherthan instruments.TheCryptFamilyembracedmeasoneoftheirownandIlovedbeingapartofit.

InMarch2020(beforetheworldturnedupsidedown),Iwasgiventheopportunitytowalk throughthosefrontdoorsagainandalthoughithasonlybeenashortstay,ithasbeen wonderful.Onceagain,theEnglishandDramaDepartmentshavebecomemyhome(butnow thatDramaofficeismineandMissGreen’sinsteadofMrGriffiths’andMrsEvans’-butthat

sofaisstillthere…bewareofthatsofa!).Ihavefoundlike-mindedsoulswholoveliterature, LoveIslandandlaughing(sorry–thatalliterativetripletisappalling)acrosstheschoolandI willbeforevergratefulforthesupportandkindnessthestaffhaveshownme.Thestudents havebeenoutstanding;Ifeelprivilegedtohavetaughtmyclasses,andtheirabilitytomakeme laughwhilstalsotearingoutmyhairisauniqueability.AsIwalkoutofthosedoors20years on,IwillleaveknowingthatTheCryptSchoolwillalwaysbeabletoembracepeopleandbring themintotheircommunity.Thankyousomuch.

Marcus Kong reflects on his time at The Crypt School

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Musician in Residence for this year (2020-2021), I feel that I have gained some very valuable experiences and learned important skills which I will take forward with me to university and beyond. Having been a pupil of the school for the previous 7 years, the transition from student to teacher was a weird one but gave me insight and was made easier by the amazing support from all the staff.

I worked with students both in the classroom during lessons and outside with extracurricular clubs. Both allowed me to develop my leadership and communication skills as well as helping me consolidate my own knowledge, which really helped when I was supporting GCSE/A-level classes. Helping teach the higher-level classes was a highlight for me and so was running the instrumental ensembles. I got to see my students grow and develop over the course of the year which was amazingly satisfying. Working with Malcolm Hannaford on the recordings for all the school’s virtual events was another highlight. It was very challenging but just as rewarding. It pushed my organisational skills and made us have to adapt from the previous ways we would have conducted the events. Overall, the experience I have gained from being Musician in Residence this year has been highly insightful and useful and I am very lucky that I had the opportunity for the job.The role has helped me prepare for my future endeavours.The next stage in my musical career is in September where I will be going to Cardiff University to study music. I definitely hope to return to the school to visit and hopefully help with future music/drama events such as Founders’Day and the school productions. I would like to thank all the staff and students ofThe Crypt School for allowing me this amazing opportunity and giving me great support throughout. I will miss the school very much.

Andrew Kaighin reflects on his time at The Crypt School

What has been your main job atThe Crypt?

I have mostly covered lessons where required and taught across History, Government & Politics and also Geography with all year groups.

What else have you done?

During my 5 years at the school I have had the privilege of overseeing the Year 11 leavers committee each year. I have also supported Pupil Premium students across the school and helped run the cross-country and athletics club. In addition, I have enthusiastically participated in staff sporting events.

What has been the best thing about working here? The school ethos and sense of community.

Is there anything in particular which you will miss?

Mainly the students and their enthusiasm about school life and learning.

Do you have one highlight you would like to share? Too many to mention!

Do you have any advice for the students? Work hard, but most of all enjoy The Crypt School which provides you with great opportunities.

How about for the staff?

Enjoy the challenge and how the students challenge themselves.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

I will look back fondly on my time at The Crypt, and will take great experiences into my new role at Cirencester College. I'm also hoping for an exciting season following Cheltenham Town in League 1 after a successful promotion season last term!

Staff Spotlight

We said a fond farewell to the following staff:

Andrew Lloyd has been the School CareersAdvisor sinceSeptember 2017, providing students through one-to-one interviews with impartial and expert advice, guidance and support as they seek to understand the varied and ever changing nature of further study and careers. He has recently redrafted the careers policy and is moving careers guidance more firmly into lower school so that students are better prepared for their upper school decisions.Andrew introduced the Unifrog website, which has been fantastic for all year groups. He ran several careers fayres alongside Sue Wales. He introducedYear 12 Work Experience which has proved valuable. He developed the careers talks in terms 5 and 6, increasing the number of contributors.This went online during the pandemic. He is responsible for the establishment of the Careers and Higher Education library on the library terrace with a good range of resources ( it had been two shelves in the main library ) and a suite of online tools via the intranet. The school is now in a far stronger position to gain a quality award for its work in careers. Andrew moves to a well-deserved retirement/freelance

Andrew: I’ve worked in many schools in the countrybut I have to say this one has been outstanding in terms of whole-school buy-in by the tutors. The students are so engaged; it’s no surprise that we regularly get compliments from employers and universities.

Alice Green is moving to Wales to take up a new postthere. Alice joined the School in September 2016 as a newly qualified teacher, and quickly impressed with her energy and excellence in the classroom. Her drive and strength shone through. She was soon appointed Head of Drama and has been an outstanding subject leader and, more recently, Head ofYear. She gave 100% in every role. We shall rememberAlice for many things, but perhaps her direction of a number of outstanding school musicals will last long in the memory.

Students said:

●I remember being surprised about getting a main part and then terrified and then I loved it.

●Miss was my head of Year and she seems quite strict but she’s actually really kind.

●I wish she could stay because we loved doing the plays.

●Miss trusted us to work in the Drama Studio and she really helped with our devised pieces. Mr Nick Dyer says: I know she will be sorely missedby her students, particularly her Year 9 year group. We wish her every success and believe she will fulfil her ambition to lead a school in the not too distant future.

Ms Alice Green, Head of Drama: Beth Copeland-Jordan has only been at the School since September, but has certainly proved an exceptional teacher of both English and of drama. I know her students will miss her greatly, as she moves to a promoted post in a local school in the city. She has brought her knowledge and experience of drama to Crypt and has helped massively in the development of the curriculum.

Her focus this year has been sculpting more of a skills based curriculum to prepare students at KS3 for GCSE andALevel courses including incorporating diversity and inclusion into the schemes of work. She has worked onAnne Frank inY7 and successfully introduced a new text 'Skellig' to the year group. During online learning, Beth helped to plan and deliver lessons across the key stages. She creatively planned an advertising scheme of work for Y7 andY8 which involved students creating and recording radio adverts.This enabled the department to remain creative whilst virtual.

At both GCSE andALevel drama, Beth has shown her passion and love for the subject. Most notably, directing monologue performances forY10-Y13. She is an honest, innovative practitioner who cherishes the teachings of Stanislavski and is always keen to teach and develop physical skills using FranticAssembly techniques. She has a keen eye of detail and provides excellent feedback for her students.

Ms Daniella Rodrigues, Head of English: Beth has fullyimmersed herself into the English department and her energy, enthusiasm for the subject and sense of humour will all be missed. She has made such a huge impression on us and our students in such a short amount of time but someone so amazing couldn't turn down an incredible promotion and opportunity. She has been able to integrate her passion for two different subjects perfectly and for that, we are so grateful. Thank you, Beth, for enriching both our lives and those of the students!

Mr Nick Dyer, Headmaster: Beth is an extremely hardworker and a team player who will be missed at the Crypt school, most of all for her integrity and energy. Even with a socially distanced year, Beth has fully immersed herself intoThe Crypt School life and taken the time to get to know many staff members who will miss her humour and joy. We wish her all the best on her new exciting adventure and hope she keeps in touch.

Anna-Marie McCormick has taught mathematics at Cryptsince September 2017, helping support the work of many of our able mathematicians. Her time at Crypt has also coincided with the arrival of her children andAnna now wishes to relocate home to be nearer to her family. She introduced and ran the school equestrian society however the prohibition on mixed year group activities meant this was unviable on her return from maternity leave

Andrew Kaighin has been our cover supervisor for anumber of years, covering lessons for absent colleagues. He has also taught history to the lower years and ALevel politics and history. His contribution to school games is also noteworthy, particularly to cross-country.Andrew leaves us to take up a lecturing post in

Cirencester, where his outstanding subject knowledge in both history and politics will be most valued by all his new students.

Andrew: During my 5 years at the school I have hadthe privilege of facilitating the delivery of end-of-year hoodies. I have also supported Pupil Premium students across the school and helped run cross-country & athletics club.

Claire O’Neill leaves the School this Summer aftereight years of outstanding service. Starting as a teacher within the philosophy and ethics department, she then became Head of Department. It is no coincidence that student numbers have increased both at GCSE andA-Level during this time. Claire's ability to test the thinking of all students has seen them thrive within her classroom. Her work has gone far beyond her classroom alone, as she has also taken on the role of Oxbridge coordinator, mentoring and coaching the many students who apply fromThe Crypt School to top level Universities. Her work in this area and indeed as a key part of the Sixth Form tutor team steering students through the UCAS process has been invaluable. Claire's commitment to the broader development of Crypt students, has also been evident through her involvement in World Challenge expeditions and the school badminton club. She moves onto Dean Close School as Head of Department with our every best wishes and we will all dearly miss all that she has brought to the School, especially the many sixth form students she supported to aspire to the most competitive universities in the country. RSt and ND

We are also saying a farewell to our staff interns, Marcus Kong (music) and James Dobson (PE) for their workand support of the school over what has been a tremendously challenging and busy year. Marcus has helped support the work of the music department, whilst James has supported the work of the PE and games department, and volunteer each day when we had the Covid-19 testing site in the Sports Hall.

The following staff went on maternity leave and then added new members to our Crypt community:

Swain welcomed a little girl.

Jess Barnett and Ms Rachel Linott welcomed little boys.

Ms

Ms

Aspecial tribute must go to Sue Wales.

Mr Nick Dyer: Sue Wales joined the School in 1997as the data administrator, and in 2000 became the then Headmaster's PA, a role she has undertaken with great skill and dedication, and no doubt considerable patience ever since. Serving four Headmaster's can't have been easy, but I for one have always been greatly indebted to Sue for making me, at least occasionally, look well organised and efficient in my work!

Although Sue has worked closely with four heads, her work in school has encompassed so much more than her official title suggests. Sue has combined her PArole, with that of SchoolAdmissions Officer, undertaking for many years School HR, advertising school events, liaising with staff, pupils, parents and acting for many years as Clerk to the Governing Board of the School. In fact, Sue has always been at the very centre of our school life, making sure everything runs smoothly, that issues are dealt with, that concerns are taken on board and that everyone connected to the School feels valued, supported and included. Staff are always going to Sue if they have an issue or concern, if they want a person to listen to them and indeed for so much more besides - often chocolates and cake! Indeed, I know that parents and students have also found in Sue that person with whom they can talk, and someone who will listen to them as well. Over the pandemic, she has always been in school, supporting our work and effort to keep school going - I'm not sure if Sue ever sleeps - it appears not!

In short, Sue has been not only at, but is the beatingheart of our school and we will all miss her daily presence greatly.

I am delighted though that Sue is staying on as ourAdmissions Officer, a role she does so reassuringly well, not only for Crypt, but for the 7 Gloucestershire grammar schools as well, as our G7Admissions Officer.Therefore, Sue's long relationship with Crypt will thankfully continue for some time yet. However, we won't be seeing Sue in school each day - that reassuring, positive, happy daily presence will disappear.

What a wonderful legacy Sue leaves - the culture we have here at Crypt - which is very much Sue's: welcoming, supportive, caring and uttley generous.

Our thanks go to Sue for everything she has contributed so richly to our school and our best wishes for her (partial) retirement - when she can spend more of her valued time with the family she so cherishes.

Recognising long service

Several members of staff were recognised for their long service, this year.Their loyalty, commitment and hard work is much appreciated. Unfortunately, some people were more camera-shy than others so we don’t have pictures of absolutely everyone at the actual event.

●Toni Bayliss10.5 years

●Catherine Brooks10.5 years

●Andy Hart10.5 years

●Susan Glock10.5 years

●Joanne Hitchins10.5 years

●James Bridges11 years

●Chris Cobb11.1 years

●Eileen price11.5 years

●Nick Dyer11.5 years

●Ashley Croft11.8 years

●Stephanie Williams12.1 years

We gave a warm welcome to the following members of staff in 2020/21:

●Ruth Carey - Head of Biology

●Bathany Copeland-Jordan-Hore - Drama teacher

●Diane Duxbury - Maths teacher

●Annie Hall - Physics teacher

●Meghan Hayes - History teacher

●Joseph Nicholson - English teacher

●Tom Passmore - Biology teacher

●Benjamin Pennington - MFLteacher (Assistant Head of Department)

●Laurence Wordingham - RE/Philosophy and Ethics teacher

●Felicity Hemsley - School secretary

●Lesley Smith - Operations manager

●Paul Bright - Cover supervisor

●Clare Jakeman -Teaching assistant

●Karen Whiting -Teaching assistant

●James Dobson - PEApprentice

●Marcus Kong - Musician in residence

●Samuel Baller - Dramatist in residence

●MichaelAnwyll - Examination invigilator

●Charys Bailyes - Examination invigilator

●Christine Le Maistre - Examination invigilator

●Sheridan Walker - Examination invigilator

●Max Williams - Examination invigilator

●Romona Muller - Language assistant

●Anna Meers - Language assistant

We give a warm welcome to the following new staff this year, 2021/22:

Once again, we are most fortunate to have been able to recruit a well-qualified and talented group of individuals who will join the School in September, enriching school life with their energy and new ideas.

We are delighted to welcome

●Mr SamArmistead - Head of Business Studies and Economics

●Mrs Sally l’Anson – Head of Drama

●Mr MarkYoung - Head of RE /Philosophy & Ethics

●Mr Philip Jones - Mathematics teacher

●Miss Niamh Patton - Geography teacher

●MissAlex Morgan - MFLteacher

●MrsAbirami Kumar - Computing teacher

●Mr George Roberts – Drama teacher

●Andrew Bayliss - Site premises manager

●Helen Michaluk - Careers advisor

●Richard Jones - Cover supervisor.

We are also very pleased to welcome back some of ourYear 13s

●Daniel Webb – Dramatist in Residence

●James Gabb – Musician in Residence

●Ollie Good – PE intern.

Thank you to the Trustees

The staff ofThe Crypt would like to thank theirTrustees for all their support and the various kind gifts offered during the year.At the end of term, we received these delicious hampers of goodies, offering us “their sincere and grateful thanks to all colleagues for your tremendous hard work and for your continued commitment to the life and work of the School, during what has been another demanding year”.

Floreat Schola Cryptiensis:

Founded in 1539, the School's vision is derived from the Latin motto “Floreat Schola Cryptiensis”: floreat means “to flourish” and atThe Crypt we wish all our pupils and our young adults in the sixth form, as well as our staff, to flourish in all that they do both in school, and in their later adult lives.

This vision, that everyone atThe Crypt will flourish, is underpinned by our five key values of Crypt school life:

● Perseverance – in achieving one’s aims and ambitions

● Respect - for oneself and for each other

● Responsibility – for one’s own progress and development and that of others too

● Resilience – in the face of challenges and adversity

●Tolerance - of others, of all faiths, of different cultures and lifestyles

To ensure every pupil, young adult and all members of staff can flourish, we have our five key Pillars of school life. These are:

●Our open, tolerant and caring school culture, which is built upon the five key values as out above

●Our rich knowledge-basedcurriculum, which is deliveredby our specialist academic departments and specialist subject teachers, who are supported in their work by a dedicated group of professional support staff

●Our outstanding focus onpastoral careand pupil wellbeing

●Our commitment to each pupil’s and young person’spersonal developmentthrough which they develop essential key skills and personal qualities

●Our positive behavioural code, which asks all pupils and young adults to take increasing responsibility for both their own and for others’learning and progress.

For more detail about the school, please visit our website: https://www.cryptschool.org/

http://www.oldcryptians.org/

The School and the Club share in the joint publication of the magazine that was born in 1907.

Our primary purpose remains the collection of news and information about the School and Old Cryptians. We aim to collect articles and reminiscences, whether serious, satirical or humorous across the widest age range possible. Photographs are ever welcome.

The Editorial Board will be responsible for the style and content of the annual publication, the management of its production and the budget. We shall consider all articles that are submitted. In turn the editors will retain the authority to make a selection of the articles to be published and of their precise length and use of language.

Areminder that we are moving to Direct Debit for membership fees collected through the GoCardless service - details on the website https://oldcryptians.org/membership/direct-debit/

Please also sign up to the LinkedIn grouphttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/7410920/

As always, please encourage friends/colleagues who were at the school to join, or at least sign up to the LinkedIn group - the more members and interested parties we have the better we will be able to support the school and former pupils.

The Cryptian 2022

All contributions for the next edition must be sent (by email attachment if possible) by the middle of July 2022 to:

Duncan Miller 2,Tweenhills Cottage Gloucester Road Hartpury Gloucester GL19 3BG

Email: duncan.a.miller@gmail.com Old Cryptians

PresidentialReflections

ItisahugepleasuretotakeontheroleofPresidentoftheOld Cryptians’clubfor2021-22andwritetoyouinTheCryptian-a publicationIfirstwroteforasastudentbackinthe1980s! We’vebeenthroughadifficult18monthsandallfaceddifferent challenges. Ihavehighrespectforthestudentswhohavehadtheir educationdisruptedduetolockdownsandtotheteachersatthe schoolwhohaveadaptedsoquicklytokeeplearninggoing.

AsfortheOldCryptians’Club,mypredecessor,AdamAshby,tookon anextrayearasPresidentandhadbeenbrilliantguidingitthrough thepandemicandkeepingthecommitteemeetingsandbusiness,as faraswecould,going.We’reatapointnowwhereweneedtothink aboutthefuturedirectionoftheclubandhowitcanbecomemore relevanttoformerstudentsandtotheschool.Anyideaswillbe gratefullyreceivedasweplantobuildonourlonghistoryandkeep theclubthrivingwellintothefuture.

Aswestarttogetourfreedomsbackwecanlooktotheclub blossomingagainand,withfingerscrossed,togettingtogetheragain attheannualdinnerinMarch2022. Socialoccasionslikethatare extremelyimportantfortheclubtorekindleoldfriendshipsand makenewones. Moredetailsassoonaswehavethem.

Finally,mythanksgotoeveryoneattheschoolinvolvedinputting TheCryptiantogetheragain.It’snomeanfeatistestamentto everyone’senthusiasmfortheschool.Ilookforwardtobeingatmany oftheeventsoverthenextyearwhenwecanallgatherinperson againandcelebrateeverythingTheCrypthastooffer.

Steve Knibbs (1981-89)

TheOldCryptians’CentenaryBursaryFund2001

Strategy for 2021

FortunatelytheCOVIDpandemicisshowingencouragingsignsof easingallowingtheGovernmenttoremovemostrestrictionsasof July19th.Withschoolopenmostofthecurrentyearasimilarpolicyto previousyearshasbeenmaintainedinprovidingBursaryawardsto deservingstudentsintheirrespectivefieldsasoutlinedbelow.Asfor 2020,travelhasagainbeenexcluded.TheBursaryhasthisyear supportedaninitiativefromtheschooltoestablisha6thFormfundto helpstudentsaffectedfinanciallybytheeffectsofthepandemic.

AlldonationstotheBursaryfundareappreciatedasthemainaim remainstobeself-sufficientbymatchingthelevelofexpenditurewith thenecessaryincometomaintaincurrentstudentawards.Banking dataareasfollows:AccountnameOCBursaryFund;SortCode 40-52-40;Accountno00010216.

Bursary Finances

Asummaryofthefinancialpositionasat31stDecember2020wasas follows:-

Balance held in Bursary funds

RECEIPTS

£95,570

Income from donations and interest£3,493

During2020£2,000waspaidoutinbursariesandafurther£2,500 wascommittedtotheschool’s6thFormfundtosupportstudents affectedbythepandemic,asmentionedabove.Thisamountwaspaid overinearly2021andsowillbereflectedinour2021figures. Atthetimeofwritingthisreportthetotalfundsstandat £94,383, reflectinga net deficit intheyearof£1,187.WeurgeallOld Cryptianstoseeiftheycouldcommittoanongoingdonationofjust

£50tohelpusgettoourtargetof£100,000asquicklyaspossible. Theadditionalhelpwegavethisyeartocurrentstudentsinfinancial difficultiesshowswhatadifferencetheBursarycanmake.Detailsof whereyoucansetupastandingorderisshownbelow,andalso pleaseensureyouprovideuswithyourdetailssowecanreclaimthe additionalgiftaidfromthegovernment.

Bursary awards 2021

TheTrusteeswerepleasedtoaward8Bursariesthisyearandheld theawardsceremonyatschoolonJune23rdinthenewcricket pavilion.ThefollowingstudentswererecommendedforBursariesby Cryptschoolstaff.

Academia(6thform)DonuKolani

JackEvans

Art,Music,Drama

Sports

BramAllen-Bowdry

BenHannaford-Waddington

DanielCrowe

TianneKlaric

TomPritchard

Technology/EngineeringMatveiSinden

The 1539 Society

The1539SocietyhonoursalumniandfriendsoftheCryptschool whosinceinaugurationin2001havebeenbenefactorsoftheBursary Fund.Membershipofdonorsisacknowledgedwiththepresentation ofaspeciallapelbadgeandsignedcertificate.Currentlythereare90 activeindividualdonorsinthescheme.PresentTrusteesareRichard Browning(Chairman),CliveThomas(Treasurer),MikeBeardand RichardBriggs.

FulldetailsoftheOCBursaryFundcanbefoundontheclubwebsite www.oldcryptians.org. Detailsofhowtomakeregulardonationsor leaveabequestinyourwillcanbeobtainedfromthetreasurer,Clive Thomaswhosecontactdetailsare:-

Old Cryptians 5

16 Quat Goose Lane, Cheltenham GL51 9RX.

Tel No 01242 216885

Email: clive@clive-thomas.co.uk

Extended support

ApartfromStandingordersandDonationsmadetotheBursaryFund, furthervaluablesupportcanbeprovidedbymeansofagiftthrougha WillbyaddingaCodicil.TheBursaryasaCharitypaysnotaxongifts andfurthermoreyourestatewillbenefitbyreducingtheamount liableforInheritancetax.Thismaybecarriedoutwiththehelpofa Solicitororbydrawingupyourowncodicilbystatingthefollowing:-

● Igive…….Pounds(£)totheOldCryptiansClubCentenaryFund (RegisteredCharityNo 1094627)

Furtherdetailscanbeprovidedbyourtreasurer,CliveThomas.

Richard

Browning (1952-1959)

Chairman of the Trustees

Part2. TheOCCYear2020-21

A final message from outgoing President Adam Ashby (1973 - 1978)

Well,thatwasastrangetenure! 6monthsgettingmyfeetunderthe tablewiththehelpofpastpresidents (thanksJasonandRichard),3months planningandpreparingfortheannual dinnerandAGM,1monthunplanningthe annualdinnerandgettingthecommitteeup andrunningonlineand14monthsofremote meetingsanddealingwiththeimpactsofthe pandemic.

AlthoughI'mnotthefirstpresidentoftheclubtoholdtherolefor2 years,IfeelsureIamtheonlypresidenttohavenotdeliveredasocial event;soIwillhaveaplaceinOCChistory,althoughnotforwhatI hadhopedatthestartofmyyear.

Ithasbeenapleasureanda privilegetohavecommunicated withsomanyformerCryptiansover thepastyear,althoughtingedwith sadnessatthosewehavelost-my thoughtsgoouttoallfamilieswho havelostlovedones.

I'vementionedJasonSmithand RichardBriggsashavingprovidedgreatassistanceatthestart,Peter Hobbscontinuestosteerusallontherightcoursewithhisunrivalled committeeandclubknowledgeandit'scomfortingtobeabletocall onthesupportandguidanceofallthecommitteewhenneeded.I'd liketothankespeciallyFrancisAldhousewhohasprovided

significantdataprotectionguidanceandexpertisewhichwillbe evidentinthenewwebsite.

IlookforwardtomeetingupwithfellowOCshopefullylaterinthe year;inthemeantime,pleaselookafteryourselves.Ifyouhavethe chanceandmeansto,don'tforgetthattherearealwaysopportunities tosupporttheClub,theBursaryFundandtheSchoolfinanciallyor withtime.

OvertoyouSteve.

Floreat. Adam Correspondence

From Robert Biggs (Staff)

DearAdam,IjustwantedtoemailyouandtheOldCryptianstosaya massivethankyoufortheYear13Leaversties.Wegavetheseoutto studentslastThursdayandthereactionwasfantastic!Moststudentsput thenewtieson straightawayanditcreatedarealbuzzaroundthegroup. ThestudentsmassivelyappreciatedthegiftfromtheOCandwealso gavethemouttheinstructionstosignupandjointheOCClub.

Iaskedafewstudentsforsomefeedbackonthenewtiescomparedtothe usualOCtiesandagainthereactionwasverypositive.Theylikedhaving thedate(2021)onthetiesandsaidthatthiswouldbeagreat‘keepsake’ totakefromschool.AfewwouldalsoliketopurchaseatraditionalOC tie,soI’mnotsureifyouwouldbeabletogiveussometiestosellon resultsdayonTuesday10thAugust?

Thankyouagainandbestregards,

RobBiggs

Stuart Hopkins (1945-53) sent in a recollection from his university days.

IlearnmanyinterestingthingsaboutOCsfromtimetotime. Ithinkitwassomethinginthemostrecent“Cryptian”whichledme toanonlineinvestigationwhichresultedinthediscoverythatthe headofthebiochemistrydepartmentatUniversityCollegeLondon,at thetimeIwasstudyingchemistrythere(1953–1956),wasanOld Cryptian,ProfessorErnestBaldwin–andIdidn’tknowthatatthe time.

Thebiochemistrystudentsattendedourthirdyearlecturesinorganic chemistryandIwasunawarethattheirheadofdepartmentwasan OC.Sadlyhelivedonlytoage60,havingdiedfromcongestiveheart failure,aftersufferingfrommyotonicmusculardystrophy.

He also comments on the virtual concert performed by the School Orchestra:

ManythanksforprovidingthelinktotheconcertwhichIhavevery muchenjoyedthisevening.

Allofthepupilswhocontributedtotheconcertwhichwewereable watchthiseveningperformedsowell.Theviolinistsperformedthe intricaciesoftheornamentsanddouble-stoppingsocleanly.Another performancewhichimpressedmesomuchwasthatoftheChopin Nocturne.IhaveanexcellentCDoftheNocturnesandthepiano musicoftwoorthreeofthem,andIamwellawareofhowdifficult theyaretoplay.

Theanthem“Ifyelovemekeepmycommandments”broughtback happymemories.Isangtenorintheschoolchoirandoneyearwe sangthatsameanthem;I’veforgottenwhetheritwasattheFounders’ DayServiceoratthePublicSchoolsFestivalintheCathedral. Inthesummerof1950wejoinedwiththelovelysopranosandaltos

fromRibstonHalltocommemoratethebicentenaryofthedeathofJS Bach(itisnecessarytospecifywhichBachasthereweresomany composersinthatlargefamily).Weperformedthechorusesofhis ChurchCantataNo.61,“ComeRedeemerofourRace”.Inowhavetwo CDsofthatCantatabydifferent,famouschoirsandorchestras. Takingpartinthatwasexhilarating;myonlycriticismisthatwe shouldhavesungitintheoriginalGerman"Nunkomm,derHeiden Heiland",becauseitiseasytosinginGerman(tosinginFrenchisan entirelydifferentmatter!).

We“imported”professionalsoloistsforthewonderfulrecitativesand arias,butIfeelcertainthatTheCryptandRibstonHallcouldhave providedsoloistswho,withsufficientpractice,couldhavecoped. Needlesstosay,wehadfrequentrehearsals,TheCryptandRibston Hallcombined,throughoutthefirstfewmonthsoftheyearandthey wereextremelywellattended!

Againwithmybestwishes,andmythanksformakingpossiblesuch anenjoyableevening.

Howard Allen writes

GordonJones(1942-50)was90onthe14thAugust.Heisapast ChairmanoftheLondonOCS,pastPresidentoftheOldCryptians’ Club,andthelegalmindbehindtheBursaryFund. Hehashada distinguishedcareerinlawinLincoln’sInn,majorcharitableworks, andwasafinesportsman,includingplayingforGloucesterRFC.

Heisourmostseniormember.

Charlie Hannaford writes

Ihavebeenwatchingthe2020/1Olympicswheretheextremeheat andhumidityhasbeenamajorfactorforthecompetitorstodeal with.FiftyyearsagoIfoundmyselfontheRFUCentenaryTourof JapanandtheFarEast.ThetwoInternationalsversusJapanwereby farthemostdemandingconditionsIeverplayedin.

IhavebeenimpressedwiththenewOlympicsportsintroducedthus appealingtoayoungeraudience.EdLeigh(1986-1991)wasan excellentcommentatorwiththeBBCTeam.

From Charlie’s book “A History of the Crypt School 1539-2018”

Ed Leigh became a regular enthusiast at the Robinswood Hill Dry Ski-slope. He became a professional snowboarder and wintered for many years at Val d ‘Isere and became wind-surfer instructor in the summer. After an accident he went into journalism’ writing articles on extreme sports. From 2007, he presented Ski Sunday and has commentated on snowballing at the 2000, 2010 and 20018 Winter Olympics. At the London games he was part of the team that covered Beach Volleyball and BMX cycling.

Mike Nuth (1947-55) writes

Thosewerethedays–andafinealliterationtoo!

Cutting from the Western Daily Press 1958

More news from Howard Allen

Probablyourmostbountifulcontributor,Howard,tellsmethatHe andGillcelebratedtheirDiamondWeddingAnniversaryonthe2nd September2021. Congratulations!

Old Cryptians

PART3. ARTICLES

This is the third of a series of articles by Charlie Hannaford – see previous editions of the magazine for the first two. – Ed.

Eightyyearson.SomereflectionsonthetimesofOldCryptiansfrom 1941to1942.

AdolfHitlerhadassumedthatGreatBritainwouldenterinto negotiationsafterthefallofFranceinJuly1940.Thefailureofthe LuftwaffetodefeattheRAFintheBattleofBritainbySeptember 1940meantthattheinvasionplanswerepostponed.However,the BlitzbombingcampaignagainstmajorcitiescontinueduntilMay 1941.AfterpressurisingRomaniawithitsvitaloilsuppliesand BulgariatojointheAxis,GermanforcesinvadedYugoslaviaand GreeceinApril.TheBritishandCommonwealthtroopsinthedefence ofGreeceandCreteweredefeatedbyMay.InNorthAfricaGeneral RommelandtheAfricaCorpstookadvantageofthesituationand advancedtotheEgyptianborderandbesiegedTobrukonApril10th. ThevitalSuezCanalandtheoilsuppliesoftheMiddleEastwere underthreat.SympatheticgovernmentsinIraqandVichycontrolled SyriahadtobeforciblyputdownwiththehelpofIndiancolonial troops.WewerestillfightingFascistGermanyaloneatthistimeand thiswasalowpointforWinstonChurchill.

However,onJune22nd1941,HitlereventuallyinvadedtheUSSR. Thisdecisionwasdrivenbyhislong-termhatredofcommunismand theSlavicrace,coupledwithhisdesiretoexploitthe‘livingspace’ anditsnaturalresources,especiallygrainfromtheUkraineandoil fromtheCaucuses.Since1939,theUSSRhadbeensupplying GermanywithmuchneededresourcesandStalin,nowour comrade-in-arms,wastakenbycompletesurprise.Theenormous war machine,consistingoffourmillionAxistroopsadvancedonthree frontsdirectedtowardsLeningrad,MoscowandKiev.Therewere rapidandextensiveterritorialgains.Intheearlymonthsthree millionprisonerswereherdedintocampsinhorrendousconditions, andbytheautumntwomillionhaddiedofstarvation.Thosewho survivedweremovedtoslavelabourcampsinoccupiedterritories. DeathsquadsorganisedbytheSSfollowedtheinfantryandthus

beganthemassshootingsofJewishcivilians.Overthenextyearabout onemillionarethoughttohavebeenmurdered.Asthe Russiansretreated,inaremarkablefeat,theytransportedtheirvital engineeringfactoriesbytraintolocationsbeyondtheUrals mountains,andthenembarkedonascorched-earthpolicy.Duringthe hotsummermonths,theAxisforcesover-rantheBalticStates,andby SeptemberLeningradwasbesieged,KievcapturedandtheUkraine seized,andafurther600,000prisonerswentintocaptivity.Hitlerwas confidentthatthecommunistregimewouldsooncrumbleunderthe hugelossesandpressureandtheywouldcaptureMoscow.It appearedthatthefearsoftheAllieswouldsoonberealisedandthis riskyventureofawarontwofrontswouldbejustified.Thiswas anotherhighpointforNaziGermanyandthesituationlookedgrave indeedHitlerwasconvincedthattheUKwouldbeforcedtoseeka negotiatedpeace.TheGermanswerenowmakingprogresstowards Moscow,andbyNovemberPanzertroopswere25milesfromthe Kremlin.However,Hitlergreatlyunderestimatedtheproblemsofthe ever-extendingsupplylinesandthepoorstateofthetransport system,andwinterwasfastapproaching.

HitlerhadalsomisjudgedthecapacityoftheUSSRtoreplacethe hugelossesfromtheirpopulation,whichwasdoublethatof Germany.ByNovemberJosephStalinwasinformedthatJapan,a traditionalenemy,wasnolongerathreatintheFarEast. ExperiencedRussiantroops,fullyequippedforwinterwarfare,were secretlytransferredbytheSiberianrailwaytotheMoscowfront, wheretheGermanshadbeenchecked,initiallybythemudandthen thefreezingconditions.OnDecember5th,these300,000troops attackedandpushedtheGermansbackfromMoscow.Hitler’sarmy hadsuffereditsfirstdefeat.Hehadmisjudgedthepowerandruthless controlofthecommunistsystemtomobilisetheirarmedforcesand workforce.In1942,new,extensivefactorieswereoperating

behindtheUrals,utilisingthevastnaturalresourcesandproducing tanks,planesandarmamentsinhugequantities.Womenand childrenworkedeighteen-hourdaysinappallingconditions.Onlya totalitarianstatecouldhaveresistedtheonslaught,butStalinalso reliedontheresilienceandpatrioticfervouroftheRussianpeople. Hitler’svisionofaquickvictoryhadfailedandhewouldnowhaveto fightthewarontwofronts.

TensionsintheFarEasthadbeenbuildingsince1937,whenImperial JapaninvadedChinafromtheirsatelliteprovinceManchuria,where theyhadexploitedthecoalandironoreresourcesandthepopulation since1931.TheseizureofPekingandthemassacreofover250,000 civiliansatNankingintheirbrutalwarofexpansionshockedthe world,andincreasedthepressureontheUSAtosupportthe beleagueredChineseNationalists.TheUSAweredeterminedto maintainthelong-standinginternational‘open-door’tradepolicy withthehugeChinesepopulation.ByJune1940Japanhadforced VietnamandCambodia,bothVichyFrenchIndo-Chinesecolonial territories,toallowthemtosetupmilitarybases.Thisdirectly threatenedtheBritishcoloniesofMalaya,SingaporeandBurma,as wellasthePhilippines,protectedbyAmericantroops.

InAugust,ChurchillcrossedtheAtlanticon-boardHMSPrinceof WalestoattendthehistoricNewfoundlandConference.Thiswasthe firstwartimemeetingofthetwoleaders.Lend-Leasewasexpanded andbillionsofvitalsupplieswerepromisedtotheUSSR.Itwas agreedthatAmericanescortshipswouldprotectconvoysinto Icelandicwaters,nowtobegarrisonedbytheUSA.Thisescalation inevitablymeantthattensionswouldincreaseintheBattleofthe Atlantic.SuppliesweretobesentbytheArcticconvoystoMurmansk inRussiaviaIcelandandthedangerousNorwegianwaterscontrolled byGermanforces.SignalmanEddieNorrisDFM(1928-33)servedon theseconvoys,andthisoutstandingOldCryptianwasposthumously awardedtheArcticStarin2013.ItwasagreedthattheUSSRneeded morehelp,andinSeptemberajointAnglo-Sovietforceinvaded PersiaanddeposedtheAxisfriendlyShah.Thisensuredthatasteady flowofarmamentsreachedthedesperateRussianforcesviathe Persiancorridor,aswellassecuringtheoil-fields.

TheyalsodiscussedtheimplicationsofthebrutalwarinChina.They agreedthatmoresupplieswouldbedeliveredtotheChineseviathe ‘BurmaRoad’anddemandedthatJapanwithdrawfromIndo-China. TheincreasinglypowerfulJapanesemilitaryleaders,wereconvinced thattheexpecteddefeatoftheiroldfoetheRussians,bytheir Germanallies,wouldfinallyforcetheUKoutofthewar.Whenthey refusedtowithdraw,theUSA,supportedbytheUKandtherefugee Dutchgovernment,decidedtoact.Theyraisedthestakesandin 1941,imposedacripplingtradeembargoandsevererestrictionson oilexports.AtthistimetheUSAcontrolled90%oftheworld’soil

Old Cryptians 15

production,whilstGermanyandJapanonly3%.TheUKwas dependentupontheUSAforoilsuppliesalthoughtheArmyandRoyal NavybasedinEgyptbenefittedfromthe5%availablefromtheIraq andPersianoilfields.Japan’sresponsewastoconsiderahigh-risk strategy,whichinvolvedtheseizureofthenecessaryeconomic resources,suchastheoil-fieldsintheDutchEastIndiesandBurma, aswellastheextensiverubberandtinsupplieswhichweretobe foundinMalaya.Theyfeltthetimewasright,indeed,theirdestiny,to replacetheEuropeancolonialempireswiththeJapaneseEmpire.To dothistheyneededtoeliminatetheAmericanpowerbaseinthe PhilippinesandtoneutralisetheUSPacificFleet.TheUSAandtheUK realisedtoolateinthedaythattheyneededtimetoreinforcethe

PhilippinesandSingapore,andsonegotiationsdraggedonin1941. Therewasawidevarietyofstronglyheldopinionsandagreatdealof mistrustonbothsides.TheJapanesecouldnotagreetoahumiliating withdrawalfromChina,whichhadcostthemamillioncasualties,and sopositionshardened.ThehardlinersinWashingtondidnotbelieve thattheJapanesewouldoptforwaragainstthevasteconomicand humanresourcesoftheUSA.Eventuallytimeranoutforthe moderatesonbothsides,andtheJapanesefleetsetsailandremained undetectedasitapproachedHawaii.

OnthemorningofSundayDecember7th1941,theJapanesefleet executedabrilliantandsurpriselong-rangeattackontheAmerican navalbaseatPearlHarbor.Intwowaves,400bombersandlow flyingtorpedo-bombersfromsixJapaneseaircraftcarrierssankthree battleships,andnineteenmajorshipswereputoutofaction.TheUS battleshipfleethadbeencrippledandover2,500werekilled. Fortunately,thethreeUScarrierswereatsea,butafterthreehours theJapanesehadgainedcontrolofthePacific.TheAmericanpeople respondedwithcollectiveoutrageandevenstridentisolationists demandedrevenge.OnthesamedaytheAmericangarrisonin ShanghaiwascapturedandFrankGeldart(1914-22),atobacco trader,wasinterned.In1961hebecametheDeputyChairmanof BritishAmericanTobacco.

DayslaterinanactofhubrisHitlerdeclaredwarontheUSA.Winston ChurchilltravelledtoNorthAmericawiththeHeadsofStaffonHMS DukeofYorktodiscussthefuturecombinedstrategy.On-boardwas CharlesHill(1923-29).WhilststayingwithFranklinRooseveltin

Washington,ChurchilllearnedthatHongKong,afterovertwoweeks ofheavyfightinghadsurrendered,and7,000troopsandBritish civilianswereinterned.Attheconferenceamomentousdecisionwas taken.DespitethehumiliationinthePacific,NaziGermanywas designatedasthemajorthreatandshouldbedefeatedbeforethe finalthrustagainstJapan.TheUSAimmediatelyreactedtothecrisis andCongresssetthebudgetatastaggering52billiondollars,of which50billionwasallocatedtorearmament.Thearmyandmarines weretobeincreasedfrom175,000to1.8millionmen.Withtheirlong experienceinmassproductionthehugeindustrialgiants,suchas GeneralMotorsandFord,switchedtotheproductionofbombers, tanks,freighters,escortshipsandaircraft-carriers.Therewasahuge increaseinthework-force,especiallywomen.Thenationwasonthe moveandtheGreatDepressionandunemploymentwasover.

OnDecember10th,inanattempttopreventtheamphibiouslandings inNorthMalayafromIndo-China,HMSPrinceofWalesandHMS RepulsesailedconfidentlyfromSingapore,butwithoutadequate aircover,andweresunkbytorpedo-bomberswiththelossof840 sailors.Lt.DavidWilliams,sonoftheoutstandingHeadmasterofthe CryptSchool,DGWilliams(1920-1950),aswellasJohnGale (1935-39)survived.Theexperiencedbattle-hardenedJapanese seizedtheairfieldsandgainedcontroloftheair.Theyoutflankedthe poorly-equippedBritishandIndiantroops,andadvancedsouthwards relentlesslyandbyFebruarytheAlliedforceswerebesiegedin Singapore.Inthechaosandconfusion,CaptainGregoryBrookes,who lefttheschoolin1903,broughttroopsfromIndia,andevacuatedthe woundedandselectednon-combatants.Later,hewasawardeda KnighthoodforhisservicesasMasteroftheBritishIndianSteam NavigationFleet.EdwinReeves(1922-26)servedasaRoyalNaval pilotandsailedforSumatrawhilstSingaporewasundersiege.Ina heroicactiontheboatwassunkbyaJapanesecruiserandhewas killed.FrancisCulpinhadworkedfortheShellOilCompanyinJapan, andwasinSumatrawhenSingaporefell.Heescapedwith2,000

othersinacargo-boatandtheywerefortunatetoreachCeylon.He joinedNavalIntelligenceandactedasaliaisonofficerwithAmerican forcesinthePacific.WingCommanderCulpinwasawardedthe LegionofMeritforServicestothePresident.

TheJapanesehadonly30,000troopsoutsideSingaporeandwerelow onsupplies,buttheycontrolledthecity’swatersupplyandcould havecausedgreatciviliancasualtiesbyuncontestedbombing.The civilianandmilitaryleadershadtotallyunderestimatedtheJapanese. Aftersevendays,andwithnorealisticchanceofrescue,Singapore surrenderedonFebruary15th.Over70,000British,Indianand Australiantroopsweremadeprisoners-of-warandjoinedthe50,000 capturedintheMalayancampaign.Amongstthosecapturedwas LanceCorporalGriffiths(1928-36),whoplayedforthe1stXVfor threeyears.HewasshippedtoTaiwanwherehediedinabrutal work-camp.‘Titch’Gardiner,amanagerofarubberplantation, labouredonthenotoriousBurma-Siamrailway.Over25%of prisonersdiedinatrociousconditionsincaptivity.MajorLindsay Vears(1893-97)wastheADCtoHHtheSultanofPerak.Attheageof 60,hewasmadegarrisoncommanderofPenang.Hespentthree yearsinChangiGaolwith3,000othercivilians.Ft.Lt.ColinEwan,a futureHeadmasteroftheCryptSchool(1950-1961),wasalsotaken prisoner.ThisdefeatwasacolossalhumiliationforChurchillandthe BritishEmpire,anditencouragednationalistgroupsinMalaya, BurmaandIndiatopursuetheirclaimsforindependence.

ByFebruary,BorneoandSumatrawereoverwhelmed.InMarch,the DutchfleetsupportedbytheUSAwasdefeatedoffJavaandtheDutch EastIndiessurrendered.FromMarch1942untilMay,the1st Battalion,oftheGloucestershireRegiment,providedtherear-guard fortheretreattowardsRangooninBurma,whichwastheportof entryforAnglo-AmericansuppliestotheChineseNationalistsbyway oftheBurmaRoad.Lt.JackPitchford(1926-34),Captainofthe1stXV, waskilledinaction.Therefolloweda900-milelongfighting chaoticwithdrawaltotheIndianborderwithamillionrefugeeson theroads.Only15,000troopsreachedsafety,whilst40,000,mainly Indiantroops,werecaptured.HerethemonsoonseasonfromJuneto Octobergavethemrespite.JapanesetroopsenteredManilaon January2nd,andafterbitterfightinginafour-monthsiegeofthe BataanPeninsula,theAmericanandPhilippinesoldierssurrendered. Theseprisonersweresubjectedtoinhumanetreatmentonthe infamous‘DeathMarch’tocampsandlaterincaptivity.Withthe successfulinvasionofNew-Guinea,theJapanesehadinfourmonths achievedalltheirobjectives,aremarkableachievement.Japan believedthatbynowtheGermanswouldhavedefeatedtheUSSR,and

theUSAwouldbefullyoccupiedintheAtlantictheatrein supportofadesperateUK.

ThehugeexpansionoftheirJapaneseEmpirebroughtconflict betweentheArmyandNavyleaders,withregardtoformulatingtheir futurestrategy.TheArmyweremoreinterestedinfinallydefeating theChineseandpressingonintoIndia,whilsttheNavywantedto luretheUSFleetintoadecisivecarrierbattle.Theydecidedto eliminatetheAustraliansinPapua-NewGuineaandcapturePort Moresby,thusdirectlythreateningAustralia.InMay,intheBattleof theCoralSea,just800milesnorth-eastofQueensland,theresultwas inconclusive,butsignificantlytheinvasionforcewascancelled.The USAhadbenefittedfromthecrackingoftheJapanesenavalcodes whichenabledthemtoconcentratetheirlimitedresources.OnJune 4th,attheBattleofMidwayinthePacific,

aidedagainbytheworkofthecryptanalysts,inaseriesofbrilliant aircraftraidsfromcarriers,theinvasionfleetwascrushedwiththe lossoffourofitscarriers.Thiswasconsideredtobethemost decisiveandsignificantbattleinthePacificWar.TheJapanese expectedvictoryandfeltanegotiatedpeacewouldfollow,afatal miscalculation.Fromnowonitwouldbeafour-yearbloodywarof attrition,involvingjunglewarfareinNewGuinea,andamphibious beachlandingsonheavilyandtenaciouslydefendedislandatolls.

SinceMarch1941,GeneralRommelhadbesiegedthevitalsupply portofTobrukandformedastrongdefensivelineontheEgyptian border.Therehadbeenasteadybuild-upof100,000British,aswell asCommonwealthtroopsfromAustraliaandNewZealandand equipment,including700tanks.InAugust,the2ndRoyal GloucestershireHussars(RGH)joinedthe7thArmouredDivision,the elite‘DesertRats’.OnNovember18th,thelong-awaitedOperation CrusadercommencedandtheformidableAlliedforcesswept forward,andduringaweekofheavyfightingmorethan300tanks andtheircrewswerelost.VictorywasonlyensuredwhentheTobruk garrisonbrokeout,thusendingthe240day-siege,andtheAfrica Korpswasforcedtoretreat.TheAlliedforcesadvanced500milesand capturedBenghazionDecember7th,whichwasovershadowedby eventsatPearlHarbour.Inthisconflict18,000Alliedsoldierswere killedorwounded.CorporalPeterLangston(1923-31)wasinaction aroundBenghaziinDecemberinhisCrusadertankwhenitwashitby

aPanzershellandwaskilled.TheDesertAirforcewas activeduringthistimeandanumberofOldCryptiansweremembers. Ft.SergeantMontyMarvin(1930-39)waskilledinaraidaround Tobruk.PeterCannam(1927-34)wasshotdowntwiceinaction,but survivedandbecameasquadronleader.

AfterthefallofSingapore,twoexperienceddivisionsof35,000 Australiantroopsreturnedtotheirthreatenedhomeland.AnIndian divisionandanarmouredbrigade,aswellasRAFsquadronswere transferredtoIndia.InJanuary1942,Rommeltookadvantageand withtheItaliansrecapturedBenghazi,seizedtheairfieldsand advancedtowardsthewell-fortifieddefensiveline,westofTobruk. HereinMay,themonth-longcriticalBattleofGazala,thenewsof whichwasfollowedcloselybythefamiliesinandaroundGloucester, endedindefeatfortheallies.TheoutstandingGermantank,anti-tank crewsandtheirleadersprovedsuperior.SergeantsKennethWilkins (1929-34)andArthurByard(1930-35)werebothkilledinthis closelyfoughtbattle.BynowtheRGHhadlostsomanymenand tanksthattheyceasedtobearegiment.OnJune17thafterheavy bombardmentTobruksurrenderedand33,000prisonersweretaken, includingLeslieSysumoftheHussarsandOsborneEllisoftheRAF. CharlesA’Bear(1926-37),whowasawardedaMilitaryMedalduring thisaction,JohnRigby(1930-36),afuturePresidentoftheOCCand SergeantKenProbyn-Skinner(1926-37)retreatedwiththeallied forcestowardstheEgyptianborder.ThereattheBattleof Mersa-Matruh,anotherdefeatledtothecaptureofafurther6,000 prisoners,includingCaptainPercyWorkman(1910-16).Allthegains madewithOperationCrusaderwerelost.Thissix-monthcampaign wasconsideredRommel’sgreatestvictoryandhewaspromotedto FieldMarshalbyajubilantHitler.TheBritishandCommonwealth forceswereforcedbacktoElAlamein,50milesfromthenavalbaseat Alexandria,thusthreateningtheSuezCanal,theMiddleEastandthe oil-fieldsofIraq.TheforeignciviliansinCairostartedtopanic.Many ArabsinPalestineandEgyptgavereluctantandonlypassivesupport.

ThefuturePresidentofEgypt,AnwarSadat,wasjailedforconspiracy withGermanspies.ForthreeweeksRommelhammeredawayina desperateattempttobreakthrough.However,thedefendersweretoo strongandbothsides,nowexhausted,wentonthedefensive.The newsofthehumiliatingsurrenderofTobrukandtheimminentthreat toEgyptreachedChurchillinWashingtonandwasanotherlowpoint.

Roosevelt’simmediatereactionwas,“Whatcanwedotohelp?”

Churchill’sresponsewasarequestfor300ofthelatestSherman tanks.Heexplainedhisplansforabuild-upofforcesinNorthAfrica whichwouldincludetheAustraliansandNewZealanders,nowthat theUSAhadguaranteedthesafetyoftheirhomelands.Criticallythe President,againsttheadviceofhismilitaryadvisors,was sympathetictotheBritishplanforajointcampaigntodefeattheAxis inNorthAfricaintheautumnanddelayingthecross-Channel invasionuntil1943.ThiswastheonlyfeasiblewaythatAmerican troopscouldengagetheenemy.ItwasagreedthattheUKatomic researchbehandedovertotheAmericans.Thus,thehugeandvastly expensiveManhattanProjectwassetinmotionwiththeintentionof producinganatomicbomb.TheAllieswereconcernedthatGermany hadthepotentialtoproducesuchaweapon.Detailsofotherresearch projectswerealsosharedinrecognitionofAmericansupport.Oneof thesewasthedevelopmentofthejetenginetakingplaceat Brockworth,whereEdwardScriven(1928-34)wasworkingwith FrankWhittle.Hewaskilledinanair-raidintheareainApril1942.

AfterthesuccessfuldefencearoundMoscowinDecember1941, Stalinwentontheoffensiveonabroadfrontinthenewyear,butwas checked.InJanuary1942,attheinfamousWanseeConferencein Berlin,the‘FinalSolution’becamethestatepolicy.Afarmore efficient,industrialscaleeliminationoftheJewsinEuropewassetin motion.TheJewsintheghettoesinPolandwerethefirsttobe roundedupfor‘resettlement’totheEast,andendedupincattle truckstobetransportedtotheexterminationcampsandthegas chambers.Bytheendof1942,fourmillionEuropeanJewshadbeen died.Thewarwouldprovetobenotonlyawaragainsttyrannyand oppressionbutalsoagenocidalwar.ByJunetheRussiansagain wouldconfrontthefullweightoftheGermancounter-offensiveand losseswereheavy.ThistimetheirobjectivesweretheCrimea,the oil-fieldsoftheCaucusesandStalingradontheriverVolga.Stalin demandedinvainforaninvasionofFrance,thuscreatinga‘Second Front’in1942.Thiswasunrealistic,buttheAlliesdidmakeamajor changeinstrategy.AirMarshallSirArthurHarriswasappointedin chargeofBomberCommandinFebruary1941.Headoptedafarmore ruthlessapproach,whichwassupportedbyChurchill.Inordertoaid theRussiansandtotakethewartotheenemy,itwasdecidedto increaseandconcentratethebombingcampaignonGerman industrialcities,regardlessofciviliancasualties.Harrisbelieved

passionatelythatsuchanintensificationwouldaffectthemoraleof thepeopleandwouldeventuallycausetheregimetocollapse.Healso thoughtthatthiswouldnegatetheneedforacostlyinvasionof France.Theeffectivenessofthenight-timeraidsimprovedgreatly withtheintroductionofthenewfour-engineLancasterbomber, whichcouldflyat20,000feetandcarryamuchbiggerbomb-load. However,thesecitieswereveryheavilydefendedbysearchlights, flak-fireandnight-fightersandthenumberofplanesandcrewlost rosedramatically.In1942,fewerthan50%ofallbomberAlliedcrew memberssurvivedthe30sortiesrequiredfortheirtourofduty.

ThefollowingOldCryptians,allsergeantswerekilledin1942.Arthur Gale(1934-36)inaraidonCherbourgandGuySelwyn(1931-36), whowasinthefirst1,000bomberraidonCologne.RichardBircher (1933-38)andSamuelWitchell(1934-38),bothmembersof76 Squadron,werekilledinsimilarraids.PeterPitchford(1932-37), brotherofJack,perishedwithhiscrewinaraidontheRuhr,whilst HenryBurley(1920-25)waskilledapproachingNorthGermany.The bomberscouldbereplaced,buttherewasgrowingpressureon trainingnewcrewmembers.PilotOfficerEricCryer(1921-30),Jack Kirton(1929-35)andLeslieBrownwerekilledinflyingaccidents.All werefaithfullyrecordedin‘TheCryptian’magazinebytheSecretary oftheOldCryptians,PercyBall(1911-17),Staff(1924-44),andHead ofRugbyandCricket,whoknewallofthem.

ThefallofFranceinJune1940greatlytransformedthethreattovital importstotheUK.HeavilyprotectedU-Boatbaseswereconstructed inBrittanyandfoodimportsweredownby30%.TheRoyalNavyhad severelyunderestimatedtheirthreatandsobeganthelongest, largestandmostcomplexnavalbattleinhistory.CoastalCommand protectedshippingintheChannel,NorthSeaandthewestern Atlanticapproaches.ThefollowingOldCryptiansjoined.BillBray, (1926-32),JohnLawrence(1932-38),laterAirViceMarshalland CBE,RonTiley(1932-36)andIvorSims(1932-36),whowas awardedtheDFMforGallantryin1942.SergeantWilliamParnell (1931-36)andhisbrotherHughParnellDFCalsojoined.Williamand hisseven-mancrewwerekilledonanti-submarinepatrolfromthe OuterHebridesinDecember1942.SquadronLeaderKennethBruce (1926-31)hadsupportedtheevacuationfromDunkirk,andlaterwas onpatrolfromLiverpool,andthentheShetlands.Hewaskilledoff NorwayinApril1942.SamBridges(1932-38),basedinCornwall,

wassearchingforU-BoatsintheBayofBiscaywhenhewaslost. RaymondFarmer(1935-40)alsobasedinCornwall,flewSpitfires andwaskilledovertheChannel,atjusteighteenyearsold.

TheUSAwereveryslowinprotectingtheshippingsupplyingtheUK, especiallytheoiltankers.By1942therehadbeenagreatincreasein thenumberofmerchantshipsandsubmarinesoperatinginthe AtlanticandespeciallyoffthecoastofAmerica.Theincreased effectivenessofCoastalCommandandtheextensionoftheAmerican andCanadianescortvessels,forcedtheU-Boatcommandersto developnewsuccessfultactics.Theywereco-ordinatedinto wolf-packswhohuntedatnight,andlargelyonthesurface,thereby reducingtheirdetectionbysonar,enablingthemtobeasfastastheir prey.Theyconcentratedtheireffortsinthemid-Atlantic‘Gap’,where therewasnoaircraftcover.Theywereaidedbythecrackingofthe Britishnavalconvoycodesin1942,andshippinglossesincreasedby 40%intheAutumnof1942.Unfortunately,theGermansmade changestotheirEnigmamachinenetwork,whichmeantthatthe brilliantcryptanalystsatBletchleyParkwereinthedarkformuchof 1942andthingslookeddesperate.TheBattleoftheAtlanticbecamea deadlystruggleofattritionplayedoutinthemostappalling conditionsforbothsides.

1941startedwiththeBlitzstillinprogressbutendedwithan ideologicalandgenocidalwartakingplaceintheUSSR.Thebombing ofPearlHarborandthedefeatofHitler’sformidablearmyoutside MoscowinDecember1941,changedeverything.Thehumiliating defeatsinMalayaandBurmaandthesurrenderofSingapore,and laterTobrukin1942,werethelowestpointsofthewarforChurchill. ThiswasonlyexacerbatedbythegrowinglossesintheBattleofthe Atlanticandtheaircampaigninwhichmoreandmoreyoung Cryptianleaverswouldtakepartin.Bylate1942,Germantroops wereattheVolgaandLeningradseemedabouttofallandthe oil-fieldsoftheCaucuseswerewithinreach.Themostpositive developmentwasthattheUSAwasinthewarandthevast,efficient, industrialcomplexquicklyproducedthehugequantitiesofwar suppliesfortheglobalstruggle,whilstmillionsofyoungAmericans embarkedontheirtrainingforserviceinthePacificandacrossthe Atlantic.

Moredetailscanbefoundin:

“AHistoryoftheCryptSchool1539-2018”byCharlieHannaford. “TheLostGenerations”bySimonBirch,SarahBirchandRayPocock.

Pleasecontactmeifyoufindanyerrorsorhavemoreinformation thatisnotintheabovehistory.

charliehannaford8@gmail.com

Charlie Hannaford (1956-64)

COVID

Atthetimeofwritingthis,weareallonewayoranotherpreoccupied withcopingwithandmanagingtheeffectsofCovid. Isuspectbythe timethisispublished,therewillbesomelighteningofthisbut replacedwithworriesastohowitwillallbepaidforandhowto functioneffectivelyagain.Thishasallbeenagreatshock.

Ourpredecessorsfacedworse.Onlyafewyearsago,Oxford ArchaeologyexcavatedthemassburialatWootononLondonRoadin Gloucesterwhereatleast91peoplehadbeentossedintoalargehole inthesecondhalfofthe2ndCAD.Educatedguesseswerethiswasthe resultoftheAntonineplague,asmallpoxepidemicwhichsweptthe RomanEmpirebetweenAD165and189.Plagueswerenot uncommon–threeRomanEmperorsarerecordedasdyingofplague andsomehistorianslaythefallofthelateRomanadministrationsof CirencesterandGloucestertotheAnglo-Saxonsdowntotheplague ofJustinianinthe6thC.(TheRomanArmymayhavequitaround410 butthereismoreandmoreevidencethatthevariouscivic administrationscarriedonfunctioninginverymanyplaceslong afterwards)TheplagueofJustinianisthoughttohaveledtothedeath ofapproximatelyhalfthepopulationoftheknownworldandisnot matchedasfarasweknowuntilthearrivaloftheBlackDeathin 1348.

IhavebeenshieldingdowninKent(sinceMarch2020)onanancient estaterecordedbytheAnglo-Saxonsinthe790s(Kentlandrecords areveryfull.)Archaeologistshavebeendigginghereforover20years andwithinafewhundredyards,wehavea4000yearoldarrowhead, Bronzeagepottery,anIronAgefarm,Romanbuildings,twoAnglo Old Cryptians 24

Saxonburialgroundsandtheyarecurrentlyexcavatingthehouse builtbySirJohndeBeauchamp,beareroftheRoyalStandardatCrecy, GovernorofCalaisandAdmiraloftheFleetin1348.Demolishing earlierbuildings,wethinkhemovedhisHQfromDovertooursite(in opencountrybutonaRomanroadandequidistantfromSandwich wherelayhisfleet,DoverwhichwasthefastroutetoCalais,and Canterbury)becausehisintelligencesourceswarnedhimthat somethinginsouthernEuropewaskillinglargenumbersofpeoplein citiesandtowns.Hewasright.Idon’tknowwhathappenedin GloucesterbutinCanterburyin1349,therediedtheMayor,allthe Burgessesanditisnowthought,twothirdsoftheinhabitants.Sir JohnsurvivedforanothertenyearsandourRentRollsshowno deathsontheestatethatyear.

Plagueremainedpartofordinarylife,revivingwithvirulenceevenin moderntimes–Pepyswritingaboutitin1665inLondonandof courseotherdiseaseswererife.Therewerenolessthansixcholera pandemicsintheUKinthe19thCwiththousandsdying.Anditonly subsidedwiththedevelopmentofimmunizationbyPasteurand vaccination.Moredevastatingbutstillsurprisinglylittleknownisthe 1918‘flu’epidemicwhichkilledmorepeoplethandiedinthewhole oftheFirstWorldWar.Asfarasweknow,thatmutatedand disappeared.

Weshouldbeastoundedattheamazingsciencethathasdeliveredus aworkingvaccineinunderayear.Youhavepartofit.Thetableinthe CrushhallwastheBoardtablefortheWellcomeFoundationaround whichsatthescientistswhonotonlypioneeredthetechniquesfor thebiologicalmanufactureofinterferonbutwhosefinanciallegacyis alsotheanalyticalfacilitiesofplacesliketheSangsterInstituteat Cambridge,thesophisticatedanalyticaltechniquesofwhicharenow soimportantincombattingCovid.

Peter Hobbs (1949-57)

GoldenEpisodesinCryptianHistory

Scholastic: 1890-1939

Itisnotoftenrecalledthatinthesecondhalfofthenineteenth centurytheschoolwasinthedoldrums.Theschoolwasextinctfrom 1859-1863andreopenedundertheheadshipoftheManxpoet,T.E. Brown.Hisheadshipwasshortlivedandtheschoolrecoveredvery slowlythroughtheleadershipoftheRevChristopherNaylor,the37th Master(1867-1906).

Howeverin1866thenumberofboysonrollhadfallento66.An examinerremarkedinthisyear‘thattheschoolhadinpointof numbersfallentoitslowestebb’. In1867therewereonly49boyson rollandnoboy‘hadproceededtouniversityforseveralyears.’

Attheturnofthecenturythenumbersonrollhadrisento103andby 1906to130.Thesixthformhadonlythreestudentsandthiswas verymuchduetothepolicyoftheheadmasterwhowasinsistentthat thesixthformshouldremainatthatlowlevel.

Howeverin1906majorimprovementsfollowedwiththe introductionofnaturalscienceintothecurriculum,thecreationofa sixthformandtheappointmentofspecialiststaffinarangeof teachingsubjects.Themostinfluentialdevelopmentscameinscience upontheappointmentofA.A.K.Whitehousewhorendered exceptionalserviceinhisyears–1908-1941–whilstonthestaff.In 1910hesetupasciencesixthformandoversawtheexpansioninthe take-upofboysstudyingsciencethroughouttheschool.In1917there were86sciencestudentsandin1920thisnumberhadgrownto190.

In1939RolandAustin,adistinguishedOldCryptianandthe ProfessorofLatinattheUniversityCollegeofCardiff,publishedhis splendid CryptSchool,Gloucester. Thisisessentiallyalegaland administrativehistorythatcommemoratesthe400th anniversaryof thefoundationoftheschool.Intheappendicesthereisalistofwas compiledbytheheadmaster,D.G.Williams,ofUniversityHonours, 1890-1939.

Icommendthisremarkablelistofscholasticachievementstothe attentionofthereader.Theextentofthestudents’successinfaceof themostintensecompetitionfromstudentsofthehighest intelligenceandfrombestknownschoolsinthecountryissimply amazing.Thismarksarenaissanceinthehistoryoftheschool.

ThroughoutthisperiodTheCryptremainedasmallschool–by1939 –therewerenomorethan350boysonrollandthesixthformwas alwayssmallinnumber.Thusinthiscontextsucharollofhonour mustbeset.

Therangeofscholasticsuccessfrom 1890to1939 insummaryisas follows:

● No of Scholarships to mainly Oxbridge Colleges

Classics - 30

Science – 17

Mathematics - 12

History – 9

Modern Languages - 1

● Townsend Scholars to Pembroke College, Oxford -12

● First Class Honours at University- mainly at Oxbridge

Classics - 22

Science - 13

Mathematics - 5

English - 2

Modern Languages - 3

Theseimpressivedetailsrepresentatributetothestudentsbutalso tothosewhotaughtthemandpreparedthemforacademic competitionatamostdemandinglevel.

Sixth Form 1935

‘Nolessthanfiveawardswerewonin1928andeightin1935. Amongstthemweresomefamousnames-E.H.F.Baldwin,W.N.S. Hoare,A.A.K.Whitehouse,J.C.T.OatesandA.R.George.’

The Headmaster and Prefects 1935

Cryptians

Rugby Football: 1922-1975

In1920D.G.WilliamstookuphisheadshipoftheCrypt.Hewasa mostdistinguishedclassicist–ascholarofCorpusChristiCollege, OxfordandhegainedafirstinClassicalGreatsin1909.Hehadalso playedrugbyforhiscollegeandpriortothathehadplayedfor LlandoveryCollege–aWelshschoolwithahighreputationforrugby.

Intheautumnof1922the Cryptian recordedthat‘RugbyFootballhad beenadoptedinsteadofAssociation’.A.C.Paget,thenaboyatthe School,recalledthata‘DemonstrationRugbyMatch’wasarrangedin whichtheHeadmasterplayed:‘DuringthegametheHeadwas broughtdownbyaterrificflyingtackleandIthinkthatconvinced everyonethatwe’dlikeRugger’.

Fromthesehumblebeginningsrugbyfootballcametoprosperinthe extra-curricularprogrammeoftheSchoolandthe1stXVsoonwas competinginatoughinter-schoolfixturelist.Severalboyswon representativeschools’honoursandmanymorewentonto successfulcareersontherugbyfieldafterleavingschool.

International Players

PriortotheintroductionofrugbyintotheSchoolin1922,both Frank and Percy Stout inthelate1890swonfullcapsandalsoplayedfor theBarbarians. FrankalsocaptainedtheBritishLionsinTest matchesinSouthAfrica.

Grahame Parker, arguablythemostaccomplishedofCryptian games-players,wonaDoubleBlueatCambridgeandwascaptainof theuniversitycricketteamin1934.Heplayedcricket,too,forGCCC bothbeforeandaftertheSecondWorldWar.HewonEnglandrugby capsatfull-backin1938againstIrelandandScotland.

Graham Parker

Charlie Hannaford some33yearslaterwonthreeEnglandcapsand alsoaRugbyBlueatCambridge.HewasamagnificentNo.8andwas veryunluckynottohavewonmanymorecapsduringanincompetent periodinteamselection.

Peter Butler wontwocapsintheearly1970s.Hewasasupreme goal-kickerandexceededtheimpressivefeatofEricStephensasthe recordholderforpointsinaseasonforGRFC.

John A’Bear in1936touredwiththeBritishIslespartyinArgentina. HewasalsotheyoungestevercaptainofGRFC.

Gordon Hudson wonwar-timeinternationalhonours(1942-45).He captainedGRFCandplayedmanytimesforGloucestershire.Hewasa

tremendousback-rowforwardandunluckynottohavewonfull internationalhonours.

Grahame Parker, Gordon Hudson, Richard Smith and Charlie Hannaford allworetheBarbarians’shirt.

Ed James and Howard Meadows wonBluesatOxford. BrianGreen and Dick Smith wereselectedforEnglishtrials.

Inadditiontotheseimpressiveperformers 16 OldCryptians representedGloucestershireduringtheyearswhenthecounty championshipwasthehomeforaveryhighstandardofrugby. Another 10 representedseveralothercountyteamsstretchingfrom HampshiretoDurham.

R.C. Hannaford E.J.F. Stephens R. Smith County Championship Final 1971-72 v. Warwickshire

Gordon Hudson, Dick Smith, Charlie Hannaford, Eric Stephens and Peter Butler playedfortheWesternCountiesinmatchesagainst theAllBlacksorFijiansinthe1960s.

Nolessthan 28 CryptianshadthehonourofwearingtheCherryand WhiteshirtofGRFCduringtheyears1922to1975.

Schools’ Internationals

Inthepostwaryears Bill Smith, Dennis Wilshaw, John Hart, Tony Marmon, Bernard Stephens, Mike Pickard and Peter Bera allplayedforthe 15 Age Group whilst Hugh Roe, Howard Allen and Charlie Hannaford woninternational honourswitheitherofthe 18 or 19 Age Group.

Aswiththelistofscholasticachievements thesportinglistisagainremarkablein particularwhensetinthecontextofthe smallsizeoftheschoolandnotleast,ofits sixthformduringtheseyears.

Bernard Stephens

Thepersonalscholasticandsportingachievementsasdescribed hereinareindeednuggetsinthehistoryofourschoolandmustbea sourceofprideforwhocherishtheirassociationwiththeirschool.

R.C. Hannaford P.E. Butler R. Smith

County Championship Final 1972-73 v. Lancashire

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

Past President of OCC, Honorary Life Member of OCC and former editor of The Cryptian.

MatthopeslockdowndiarywillbeaChristmashit

AGloucesterinsurancebrokerhaspublishedhislockdowndiaryto raisefundsforlocalNHScharities.

MattCass,aDirectorofCass-StephensInsurancesinBarnwood,has puthistongue-in-cheekpostingsfromFacebook,whichhekeptupfor 100daysduringthefirstlockdown,intoapaperbackande-book whichisnowavailableonAmazon.Hehopesitwillbecomeapopular stockingfillerintherun-uptoChristmas.

Thebook,whichisbasedona“ZombieApocalypse”,tellsofhis strugglestomaintainsanitywhilehomeschoolingthechildren,not beingabletogooutexceptfordailyexerciseandlivinginfearof runningoutoftoiletpaper!

Mattexplainsinhisintroductiontothebook,“I'vealwaysbeenabit ofajokerandlikedtoentertainmyfamilyandfriends.WhenIused upthetoiletrollinthedownstairstoiletrightatthestartoflockdown andtheheightofthepanicbuying,Ithoughtitwasaperfecttimeto postsomethingfunnyonsocialmedia.

“Whatstartedoffasabitoffuntohopefullyputasmileonpeople's facesduringwhatlookedlikeadecidedlydepressingperiodturned intoamammoth100-daydiarywithpeopletuningineverydaytosee whatIwouldputnext.

“WhenmyfriendPaulandIhadfinishedacharityrunandwere enjoyingourfirstpintinapub(postlockdown)ImentionedthatI wouldlovetowriteabook.HepointedoutIalreadyhadinmy lockdowndiary.Ijustneededtogetitonline.”

Matt,47,livesinLongfordandwasthePresidentoftheRotaryClubof Gloucesterduringthelockdown.Thee-bookcosts£3.99,withthe paperbacksellingfor£19.99.AllroyaltieswillgototheCheltenham andGloucesterNHSCharity.Thebookisavailableat https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P52ZFKN

4. Obituaries

Barrie Gordon Sims (1953-60)

BarrieGordonSims,78,aresidentofColumbia,Maryland,diedof Covid19onFriday,November27,2020atGilchristHospicein Towson,Maryland.

BarriewasborninGloucester,England,on May16,1942,toGordonandLillianSims.He grewupwithhissistersJulieandHeatherand attendedtheCryptGrammarSchool.After graduating,hebeganalongcareerwithGCHQ asacomputerscientist.Whileworking,he achievedaBachelorofSciencedegreein Maths.

Barrie'sfamilywashissourceofprideandjoy.HemarriedPatricia MurrinofGloucesterin1963andtheirmarriagewasblessedwith threechildren,Colin,Philip,andJennifer.Themarriageendedin divorce.In1986,hemarriedTraceyTaaffeManningofColumbia.

In1983,BarriemovedtoColumbia,Maryland,tocoordinate intelligenceworkwithhisU.S.counterparts.Laterheworkedasa programdirectorforComputerSciencesCorporationand subsequently,EagleAlliance,bothinservicetotheNationalSecurity Agency.Healwaystooksatisfactioninhiscontributiontowards makingtheworldsaferforhistwobelovedcountries.

Barrie'sfaithwasimportanttohimandhewasverycommittedtohis Baptistchurches,bothinGloucesterandinColumbia.Asitstreasurer, hehelpedtoshepherdBrunswickBaptistChurchinGloucester throughgrowthandthebuildingofanewfacility.Helaterservedas treasurerforover20yearstotheColumbiaBaptistFellowship(CBF) inMaryland.Formanyyears,herepresentedCBFontheOakland MillsInterfaithCenter(OMI)boardofdirectorswhere,duringhis termaspresidentoftheboard,heoversawamajorbuilding expansionandrenovation.

HeissurvivedbyhiswifeTraceyManningSims,histhreechildren, ColinSims(AnnetteBeattie)ofHampshire,PhilipSims(Michelle Sullivan)andJenniferSims(GrahamWollington)ofEssex,histwo stepchildren,LauraManningAttridge(AndrewAttridge)and ElizabethManning,andhisgrandchildren,MatthewSims,George Sims,MargaretAttridge,andSeanAttridge.Heisalsosurvivedbyhis sistersJulieBriffett(GeraldBriffett)ofHereford,HeatherHarvey (RobertHarvey)ofGloucester,andnumerousnieces,nephews,great nieces,andgreatnephews.Hewaspredeceasedbyhisparents, GordonandLillianSims.

DonationsmaybemadeinhismemorytoParkinson's UK(www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate).

Tracey Manning Sims

B.A. ‘Brian’ Jones (1944-1953)

BrianwasapastpresidentoftheOldCryptianClubandhewasheld inthehighestesteembothwithintheCryptiancommunityandthe worldofMotorRacing.HediedofCovid19whilstinhospitalonNew Years’Day2021.Hewas85.

IneveryaspectofhislifeBrianpossessedenormousenergyandhigh motivation.Hewasanaturalleaderandasourceofinspirationtoso manypeople.Hisskillinthemanagementofpersonalrelationships wasimmenseaswashisloveforhisfamilyandcountlessfriends.

ThemajorityofhisformativeyearswerespentinTheOval, GloucesterthatBrianoncedescribedashis‘earthlyutopia’.InJanuary 1944heenteredtheJuniorSchoolandthenproceededtoSenior Schoolin1946.

TheValetesectioninthe Cryptian ofDecember1953containsan admirablesummationofBrian’scommendableachievementsand inputsintothelifeoftheschool.

HewasaPrefectin1952,aSecondPrefectin1953andalsotheHouse CaptainofBrownHouse.Hewasawardedhis1st XVColoursin 1951-53andhewasaninspirationalCaptainofRugbyin1952-1953

andforpartoftheseason1953-1954.Hewasafinelefthanderin tennisandwasthe1st VITennisChampionin1951andhewonhisin Colours1951-1953.

Brianwasamagnificentathleteandin1953hewonhisAthletic ColoursandrepresentedtheCountySchoolsAthleticTeam.Inthe sameyearhewasselectedtocompeteintheEnglishSchools’ NationalChampionshipsinUxbridge.Hislongstrideandsprinting techniqueenabledhimtotakeaverycreditablefourthplaceinthe 440yardsatseniorlevel.

ThroughouthislifeBriansharedwithhisolderbrother,Gordon,a warm,lovingandcompetitiverelationship.Gordonalwaysclaimed thatthe100and220yardssprintswerehisdomaininany competitionwithBrianbutheconcededthatBrianhadtheedgein anydistancebeyond220yards!

Brian’sflaironthestagecametotheforeinShaw’s TheDevil’s Disciple. In1953Briangaveamemorableperformanceastherascal ChristyDudgeon.Hisgiftforhumourandhisstrikingvoicegavehis audienceatStStephen’sHallmuchpleasure.

1n1953BriandecidedtoleaveschoolattheAutumnHalfTerm.He wassoontocommencehisNationalService.Hewascommissionedin theRoyalArtilleryandduringhisservicehecompletedatourof EgyptandJordan.Oncebackincivilianlifehewithdrewfromhis placeatStLuke’sCollege,Exeter,andinsteadtookupamarketing rolewithBPandalsolookedafterthecompany’smotorsport sponsorship.

Intheseasonof1956-57,Brianmade21appearancesforGloucester R.F.C.Helovedtorecallhisdebutwhenhewascalledupontoplayat NeathinDecember1956.Hedescribedhisexperienceofhow weighingnomorethan13stoneshimself,hewasstandingatthefirst line-outnexttothegreatWelshicons–RoyJohnandReesStephens–amerethreeorfourstonesheavierandthreeormoreinchestaller. Theycongratulatedhimonhisperformancethatday.

BrianplayedanotherninegamesforGloucesterin1957-58.Hewas alwaysapopularplayerwiththesupportersintheShedatKingsholm astheylovedBrian’sdashandcommitment.Herespondedpositively totheircallof‘comeonGinger’–agoodheartedreferencetoBrian’s mopofredhair.

InawordBrianpackedalotintojust30firstteamappearances.His commitmentontherugbyfieldasineveryactivityinhislifewas whole–hearted.HemadehisfinalappearanceinMarch1958aswork commitmentswithBPprecludedinvolvementwiththeclubthathe hadsolovedtoplayfor.

WhenBPwoundbackitsinvolvementfrommotorsportinthelate 1960s,BrianmovedtoBrandsHatchwherehebecamethegeneral managerofMotorRacingStables,thecircuit’sracingschool.

IntimeBrianmovedintocircuitcommentaryandbythelate1970sas ‘TheVoiceofBrands’hewasleadingthecircuit’sBritishGrandPrix teamofannouncersaswellasbeingthemanon‘themic’atpretty mucheverycar-racingfixtureinbetween.

Old Cryptians

Brian interviewing Ayrton Senna

ThecurrentbossJonathanPalmer,whotookpartinnumerousraces thatBriancommentatedon,hassaid‘BrianJoneswastoBrands HatchwhatMurrayWalkerwastoBritishF1.Bothweresynonymous withthemotorracingtheycoveredandhadwonderful,distinctive andcharismaticvoices.’

Brianwasnotonlythe‘VoiceofBrands’buthewasagenialperson whoneverpassedonanopportunitytosupportanyonein motorsportthathebelievedin,whetherthatwasadriver,journalist oranaspiringfellowcommentator.

TypicallyBrianclaimedthathewasnotnecessarilythemanforthe hardcorefanandthathisjobwasmoretoentertainwives,girlfriends orchildren.Inthishesucceededmagnificentlywithhismemorable baritone,slowpaceddeliveryandhumour.

ThewriterisproudtorecollecthisfriendshipwithBrianthat commencedinTheOvalinourformativeyears.Hewas,too,formea mentorandasourceofideasandpracticesintheartofleadership andmanagement.

Brianwasblessedwitharichveinofcamaraderieandbonhomie. Thushisjovialpresenceenlivenedanysocialgatheringthathewas partyto.Hisheartylaughterandgiftasaraconteurwillneverbe forgotten.

HewasinitiallymarriedtoRitaandtheybegat(afavouritewordof Brian)FayandTim.Theformer,nowanartist,hastwoverytalented academicsons.TimfollowedBrianintomotorracingandnowlivesin Australia.Brian’ssecondmarriagewastoRosandtheybegat Charlottewhoproducedtwograndchildrenfordotinggrandparents.

OnbehalfoftheOldCryptians’ClubIextendcondolencestoBrian’s wife,Ros,andfamilymembersandhisbrother,Gordon.

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

R. ‘Dick’ Sheppard (1941-1946)

DickSheppard,theformerstuntdrivingworldrecordholder,diedon 1March2021.Hewas90.

DickwasborninGloucesterandlivedinthecityallhislife.He becameaCryptianin1941andleftschoolattheendofthefifthform inthesummerof1946.

Hecalledhimself“TheWorld’sMostProlificStuntmanas documentedbytheGuinnessBookofRecords.”Andheoften commentedthathehadappearedintheGuinnessBookmoretimes thananyoneelse…eventheeditor.

Hisfirstworldrecord–oneofhisfavourites–wasin1969whenhe rodeanex-armymotorbikethrougha100foottunneloffire.The recordcouldneverbebrokenasitwaswithdrawnfromthebook afterfourpeoplehaddiedtryingtobeatit.

Cryptians

Dickwasveryproudofhisachievementasthetoppoints’scorerin StockCarRacingforfourconsecutiveseasonsandofhis autobiography.

Inretirementhebecameapopularpublicspeakerandformorethan fifteenyearsheadornedtheoutsideofhishomeinStroudRoadat Christmaswithanamazingsystemoflighting.Hisdisplaysattracted manyviewersandheraisedmorethan£40,000forcharity.

NotsurprisinglyDick’sfavouritefilmwasTheItalianJobinwhichhe wasacarstuntdriver.

Dickwasmarriedthreetimesandwasthefatherofninechildrenand onestep-daughter.Hewasaproudgrandfatherand great-grandfather.

Theclubextendscondolencestohiswife,Phoebeandfamily members.

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

Thefollowingisextractedfromhisobituary publishedinPunchlineGloucester.

AfterattendingCaltonRoadJuniorandCrypt GrammarSchool,heearnedaplaceat CambridgeUniversitybutoptedforajobina motorcycleshopinstead.

Hesaid:"AtschoolIwascanedquite frequentlyandthreatenedwithexpulsionmorethanonceforbeinga rebel.Iacceptedthatbecauseitwasusuallyquitetrue.

"Thefewmasterswhoownedcarsusedtohandmethekeysduring themorningsothatIspentthelunchhourcleaningtheplugsand pointsandgenerallytuningtheircarsattheoutofboundsareain frontoftheschool,whilemypalsplayedfootballintheplayground.

"ThisIdidmorefortheloveofenginesthananyfondnessIfeltforthe teachers.Thehappinessthisgavemecontinuedthroughoutmylife wheneverIgotthemaximumperformanceoutofanengine,whether itwastowinastockcarraceorachieveanewworldrecord."

Professor John Morehen (1953-56)

WearesaddenedtolearnofthedeathinJanuaryofJohnMorehen. JohnspokeattheschoolPrizegivingin2008.

ProfessorJohnMorehenwasborninGloucester,andattendedthe CryptSchoolfrom1953-56beforecompletinghisschoolinginBristol. AfterthreeyearsasOrganScholaratNewCollege,Oxford,hemoved toKing’sCollege,Cambridge,wherehetookaDoctorateof Philosophy.HethenworkedinWashingtonDConthestaffof WashingtonNationalCathedralandofTheAmericanUniversity.He returnedtoEnglandin1968tobecomeSub-OrganistatStGeorge’s Chapel,Windsor,whereheplayedtheorganformanyRoyalandstate occasions.In1972hejoinedthemusicstaffofNottinghamUniversity, whereheisnowEmeritusProfessorofMusic.

Asalecturer/recitalist/adjudicatorJohnMorehenhastouredthe USA,Canada,EuropeandAustralia,andhewasaregularBBCRadio3 recitalistforoverthirtyyears.Hehasgivenmorethan100radioand televisionbroadcastsintheUKandabroad,and,asamusicalscholar, haswrittenextensivelyaboutRenaissancemusic.In2003hereceived theDegreeofDoctorofLettersfromNottinghamUniversityforhis publishedwork.

MuchmoreinformationonJohn’sfascinatingandsuccessfullifeis availablefromhiswebsite,http://www.morehen.com

Ourcondolencesgotohisfamilyandfriends.

Derek Pearce (1934–1939)

Wearesaddenedtolearnofthedeathof OldCryptianDerekPearcewhoweheard fromlastyearwhenhewrotetotellusof

hismeetingafellowCryptianinhiscarehomeinNorwich.

Despiteleavingschoolaged14,withoutanyqualifications,hewona scholarshiptotheRoyalAgriculturalCollege,Cirencester–andwon thebeststudentoftheyearaward.In1961,hewenttotheUnited StatesandbecamethefirstfarmerinBritaintograduatefromthe advancedmanagementcourseatHarvardUniversity’sBusiness School.

TheEasternDailyPresshasafullobituaryofDerek https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/obituary-farm-businessmanager-derek-pearce-6514960wholivedaninterestinglifeandwas wellrespectedinthefarmingcommunity

Robert Ireland (1949-57)

WearesaddenedtolearnofthepassinginOctober2020ofBob IrelandwhowasattheCryptSchool1949-57andwhohadspokenat the475thanniversarydinner.Bobwasapioneerofairtravel magazinepublishing.

John Allison MRPharmS (1946-53)

WearesaddenedtolearnofthepassinginOctober2020ofJohn AllisonMRPharmSwhowasattheCryptSchool1946-53.

JohnwasamemberoftheRoyalPharmaceuticalSocietyand practisedformanyyearsintheLindendistrictofGloucester.

ThankstoDr.GrahamRussellforpassingthenewsontous.

Peter Power MbChB (1942-49)

WearesaddenedtolearnofthepassingofOldCryptianPeterPower whowasattheCryptSchoolfrom1942-1949beforestudying medicineatBristolUniversityMedicalSchoolwithfellowCryptians

AlecHorton,GrahamRussell&BryanGreen. Hewasforatimein GeneralMedicalPracticeinGloucester.

Hemade135appearancesfortheOldCryptianRugbyClubfrom 1951-1971.

ThankstoDr.GrahamRussellforpassingthenewsontous.

Old Cryptians

Peter Hendy (1954-62)

IfirstbecameawareofPeteHendywhenIreachedthefifthform.he wasagiantinmanywaysandaterrifyingsightashechargedaround theplayingfieldswitharugbyballinhishands,orevenadiscus. AsIgottoknowhimbetterIfoundhimtobeagoodfriend,gentle, withasenseofhumour.Hetriedtoteachmetosail.Ataskhe undertookwithgreatpatience.Iwas,afterall,anonswimmerscared ofwater!buthesucceeded. Hewasaschoolprefectwithauniquestyle.Whileotherswould shoutatlurkersto'getoutside'Petewouldlookatthelurker,nodat thedoorandquietlysay'please)andoutwouldgothelurker-no fuss.

AtStLuke's,wherehewasknownas'Adam'.Hemademanyfriends whichhekeptallhislife.Reunionswillnotbethesame.Ididn'tcome acrosshimallthatoftenatExeterashewasinhisfinalyearwhileI wasinmyfirstandwediddifferentsubjects.Iimaginehisteaching styleasuniqueandnottocopied.Hedidtellmethatononeteaching practicewithaclassoffirstyearsheshoutedatthetobequiet.Allthe girls,andnodoubtmanyoftheboysburstintotears,hewas mortifiedandnevershoutedataclassagain.

Wewereinthesameathleticsteamwhereinadditiontohisdiscus throwinghewouldgetarelayteamtogetherwithsomechumswhich wouldcompeteintherelayrace.Oftenbeatingtheopposition! Hewouldsometimescomeintomycollegeroomearlyinthemorning andcollapseonthebedexhaustedfromwhateveritwashe'dbeenup to,heneversaidIdidn'task,butitwouldn'thavebeenanythingtohis discredit.Ithinkanythinglikethatoccurred,ifatall,inhisfirstyear. IshallkeeprememberingbitsandpiecesoflifewithPete/Adamasno doubtwillallthosewhoknewandlovedhim.Especiallywhenthey meet.AsIsaidamuchlovedman.

Nino Pelopida (1955-63)

Charlie Hannaford writes:

PeterHendydiedonApril8thattheageof77.Hegrewupin Hucclecote,andwaseducatedatTheCryptSchoolfrom1954to1962. Hewasacharacterfromthestartashehadaglasseyeduetoa childhoodaccidentandbytheageof15waswelloversixfoot.He eventuallyaddedanothersixinchesbythetimehecaptainedthe Old

1stXVandplayedfortheCountyXVinhisfinalyear.Hewasincredibly powerfulandmybrotherBobwasnotimpressedwhenPeteentered theDiscuscompetitiononSportsDayandwithoutanypracticebroke hisschoolrecord.

Petepassedhisdrivingtestearlyandhisclosefriendswerethrilled whenPeteborrowedhisfather’ssixcylinderFordZephyr.We progressedtotherecentlyopenedRossSpurmotorway,whichhad littletrafficandwithnospeedlimitinplaceorindeedsafetybeltshe brokethe100mphbarrier.Hewasakeenonyachtingandmanyofus enjoyedthehospitalityoftheHendyandStevensonfamiliesatthe SouthCerneylakes.IrecallgoingononeoftheannualEastertripsto theLakeDistrictorganisedbytheschoolandcatchingathroat infectionwhichmeantIhadtostaybehindtorecover.Petewas exceptionallykindandhelpedmebackfromagruellingwalk.

Inthesemorerelaxedtimes,whenHealthandSafetyissueswasnot onthedailyagenda,theChemistryLabswereopentoSixthForm studentsatlunchtimes.Onedaythefootballgamesintheplayground cametoahaltwhenalargeexplosionemanatedfromLab3andhalfa dozenwhitecoatedstudents,nogogglesofcourse,emerged surroundedbyacloudofblacksmoke.Needlesstosaywerecognised Peteleadingthewaytosafety.BynowHoraceEdwards(1950-1981), theesteemedHeadofPEandRugby,whoattendedStLuke’sCollege, Exeter,supportedPete’sandlaterNinoPelopida’sapplication.Like many1stYearstudentsPeteledafullsociallife.Hisnaturalopenness, senseofhumourandlargerthanlifecharactermadehimavery popularstudent.Ihavewitnessedmanyrugbyplayerswhohave takenonthechallengeofspeeddrinkingbeer.However,Ineversaw anyonefasterthanPete.Anunusualclaimtofame,perhaps,which addedtohisotherqualitiesmadehimacharismaticcharacter. Ninorecallsthathewasagentlegoodfriendwhohadagreatsenseof humour.Petetriedtoteachmetosail,ataskheundertookwithgreat patience,especiallyasIwasanonswimmerandscaredofwaterbut hesucceeded.TheywerewereinthesameAthleticsteam,wherePete orAdamashewascalledinhisstudentdays,excelledinthediscus.In 1967,NinorepresentedWalesasasprinterintheCommonwealth Games.NinorecallsthatPetehadaknackofmakingfriendswhichhe regularlymaintainedbyreturningtoCollegereunionsandwasmuch loved.

PetetaughtChemistryandBiologyatMarlingSchool,Stroudfor nearlyfortyyears,anextraordinaryachievementandwasaSenior Tutor.Likeallthebestteachershehadnoneedtoraisehisvoiceto makehispointandencouragedawiderangeofpupils.Intheradical re-organisationofeducationinthe1960’smanycomprehensive schoolswereintroduced.In1965MarlingSchoolwasamalgamated withStroudTechnicalSchoolandprovedtobeanenlightened decision.Petemadeitclearthathefoundthisenvironmentmoreto hislikingthanthemoreselectiveandoftenrestrictiveatmosphere thathehadexperiencedatTheCryptSchoolinthe1960’s.

Peter’sfriendof40years,IanBucknall,recordedanobituaryinthe BisleyNewswhichdescribeshisimmensecontributiontothe community.PeterlivedinBisleywithhiswifeMarjorieandwasactive intherestorationofthelocalchurchandtookupbellringinginthe 1970’s,eventuallybecomingTowerCaptain.Herehepassedonhis skillsandguidancetoyoungermembers.Heplayedthetubainthe ChalfordBrassBandandorganisedtheBisleyFunRun,ahalf marathon,formanyyears.Hewasafoundermemberofafolkgroup andfor25yearsspenthisweekendsasa“caller”foravarietyof functions,barndancesandcharitableeventsinthelocalStroudarea. HewasthelifeandsoulofthepartyaftersucheventsoftenatThe BearorTheStirrupCup.Hisotherinterestsrangedfrombeekeeping, homebrewing,PubQuizzes,hillwalkingandhisdogs.Ianreflects thatPeterwasabigmanwithabigheart,largerthanlife,fullof energyanddrivewhopositivelyinfluencedthelivesofsomany people,youngandold.Hewasaninspirationalfiguretosomanyof us.

Addendum

To give you an idea of the limited number of Staff who complete more than 35 years of service in the same school I record those who have done so at The Crypt School in its history. Abraham Heague, Headmaster(1656-96) is only passed by the Reverend C. Naylor (1867-1906) who as Headmaster for 39 years stabilised and built up the school in the difficult years at this time after the ineffective and short tenure of T.E.Brown (1861-63). Naylor was responsible for the move from Eastgate Street to the school’s spiritual home near St Mary de Crypt at Friars Orchard in Southgate Street. Sir Thomas Rich’s moved out of its buildings to make way for the Guild Hall in Eastgate Street and took over the premises of the Crypt School and stayed there

until 1964. Despite these achievements it was Brown who managed to have a House named after him when the House system was revamped by the outstanding Headmaster D.G.Williams (1920-1950). Williams appointed the following staff who formed the backbone of the School for many years including the war years and the move to Podsmead in 1943.

Old Cryptians, A.C. Paget, (1930-1968 ), Head of Mathematics and A.L.C. Smith (1930-1967), Deputy Headmaster. J.T.Whiteley (1921-1962), Head of Foreign Languages and Deputy Headmaster. A.W.Walton (1931-1970), Head of Classics. These stalwarts were all dominant figures very active in Pete and my time. Later, John Skinner (1952-1988), Head of History and Head of Cricket for many years and finally, Deputy Headmaster was another who taught at the Crypt all their working lives. Later it was unusual for staff to stay in the same school and many retired earlier than before. The only recent comparison with Pete is the much admired Nigel Coombes (1964-2001)

Ninohasinformedmethathewastimedandheswallowedapintin 1.9seconds!..Iamsurethisistrue. Fortheyoungerandmore inquisitiveamongstreaders,Tryitperhapswithwaterandseehow yougeton.

Clive Grafton writes:

ImovedfromBirminghamtojoinfirstyearin1956andlefttostudy medicineatBartsin1963.

TheheadwhenIarrivedwasColinEwanwhodiedsuddenlyfroma heartattack. Icannotrecallthenameofhissuccessoralthoughhe wasthereformylasttwoorthreeyears.

IwasayearbehindmygoodfriendPeterHendyandsucceededhim ascaptainofrugby. CliveMitchellwastheheadboyinmylastyear andbecausehewasaway,Idugthefirstdirttostarttheswimming pool.

MyfamilymovedawayfromGloucesterandthenlaterImovedto Canada. HenceIhadlosttouchwithmyschoolfriendsandthe school. IwasreconnectedbyCharlieHannafordwhocontactedme aboutPeter’sdeath. Sadtimesthatmayprovegoodreconnections.

J.H.L. John Hopkin (1943-49)

ThedeathofJohnhasbeenannounced.Hewas90.

Johnenjoyedamostsuccessfulcareeratschool.HewasaPrefectin 1948andHouseCaptainofHenley.

Johnwasamostablelinguist.In1948intheHigherSchoolCertificate heobtaineddistinctionsinFrenchandSpanish.Hewasalsoawarded aStateScholarshipandhewontheModernLanguagesPrizethatwas presentedonSpeechDay.HealsowonaplaceatQueen’sCollege, Cambridgetoread ModernLanguages.

Johnwasaverykeenrugbyplayerandonlythedepthofsporting qualityintheschoolatthetimepreventedhimfromplayinginthe1st XV.However,hewasawardedhis2nd XVColoursandhewascaptain ofthe2nd XVin1948.Healsoplayednolessthan346timesforthe OCRFCduringhiscareer.

AfterhisNationalServiceJohnproceededtoQueensCollegeand predictablyhewaswellplacedinbothpartsoftheModern LanguagesTripos.

InhisprofessionalcareerJohnwasanofficerintheInlandRevenue. John’swife,Eunice,surviveshimandtohertheClubextend condolences.

Howard Allen (1947-1955)

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