The Portmuthian, Autumn Term 2023

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Contents Page Portmuthian: Now in a New Format Welcome to PGS New Staff Freshers Fair Year 7 Getting to Know You Day Year 9 Getting to Know You Day Year 7 Welcome Service Department News Drama Sports Geography Languages History Maths Music English School News An Interview with Mr Payne House Shout Guys & Dolls Fireworks Photo Safari Outdoor Pursuits DOFE Bronze DOFE Silver DOFE Gold DOFE Awards Evening Sneak Peek into the Junior School Languages Week Harvest Festival A Day in the Life of a Teacher Shakespeare Workshop Thanks from the Editor

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The Portmuthian: Now in a New Format Below is an article by John Sadden, school archivist, who outlines the significant changes both Portsmouth and ‘The Portmuthian’ has experienced. Over the years, our magazine evolved, changed its name and continued to capture the spirit and achievements of the school until it transitioned to digital publication in 2023.

1883 was an eventful year in Portsmouth. The town’s first public library, infectious diseases hospital and communal baths were opened, and an armoured cruiser, Imperieuse, was launched from Portsmouth Dockyard. Meanwhile, a nine page publication named The Portsmouthian was launched with considerably less pomp and splash at The Portsmouth Grammar School.

The new school magazine superseded The Record and Portsmouth Grammar School Chronicle, a publication produced by some of the older pupils which very soon sank like a stone through lack of support. This started as a hectographed paper in 1881 and, because of this technique, must have had a very small print run. Otherwise know as a jellygraph, it was evidently a messy and unsatisfactory business.

One P G Wodehouse character, who used this technique to run off a school magazine, declared, “This jelly business makes one beastly sticky. I think we'll keep to print in future." The editors of The Record came to the same conclusion, and some later editions were properly printed, but this did not prevent its demise through lack of interest. Unfortunately, no copies survive in the PGS Archive.

The new magazine, then, was a brave venture, launched against the tide in a sea of apathy. But, unlike The Record, this publication had the approval of the Headmaster, Mr Jerrard, who put the Classics Master, Reverend C D Williams, on the Editorial Committee. With this endorsement, authority and perhaps intimidation it was considered that pupils might be more encouraged to contribute.

The idea for a school magazine is thought to have originated with C P F O’Dwyer, a scholarship boy who joined the School in 1879 and left in 1884 having obtained an Open Exhibition for Classics at Wadham College, Oxford. He played a leading role in the editorial team of The Record and appears to have been the primary editor of The Portsmouthian during its first two years.

The aim of the new publication was stated in its first editorial: “We ask you to support The Portsmouthian, because it may be a means of spreading useful information, of suggestings (sic), improvements, of ventilating ideas, of encouraging good deeds and censuring bad ones”. Then came a plea which countless editors have expressed in different ways, and with varying degrees of desperation over the years, “Write for it, or it will perish of inanition. Buy it or it will die of debt.”

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PORTMUTHIAN According to the accounts, the first issue sold 208 copies, possibly a ten-fold increase in the circulation of its ill-fated predecessor. As there were 300 boys and 12 Masters at the School at the time, a good majority appear to have taken an interest. Given that some boys’ sole purpose in buying it was probably to see their names in print, the number of copies sold happily exceeded the number of names printed.

Around a half of the first edition was devoted to sports, including a report on a rugby match played by the School 2nd XV against the Royal Academy at Gosport. The School was “completely overweighted and overmatched”, wrote the kindly reporter, whose kindliness took precedence over his duty to report: “We will spare their feelings and refrain from giving the exact score”.

Whether anyone felt that the tuppence (2d) they had handed over for the new magazine deserved a fuller account of the rugger, or at least the score, is not known, but in the first editorial came a question: “Has anyone a grievance?” “If so,” the editor wrote, presumably hoping to get some easy copy for the next edition, “let him exercise his British faculty for grumbling by writing to us”.

The response was far from overwhelming, suggesting that pupils at the School were either happy, happily indifferent, or scared of the consequences of grumbling aloud. The editors published regular reassurances that noms de plume were acceptable, though all correspondents had to include their real name with submissions to demonstrate good faith. Perhaps having a member of staff on the Editorial Committee had something to do with the lack of take up.

The Portsmouthian appeared twice a term but soon expanded to 12 pages, despite the lack of response to appeals for reports, articles and literary contributions. In 1891, a poem with the title, The Editor, appeared, evidently written by a harassed pupil who lived in fear of the persistent and slightly menacing editor who lurked around corners, demanded copy and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

A grand opportunity to grumble came in the 1890s, when there were suggestions that The Portsmouthian name should be changed. The Portusian was advocated by one correspondent and dismissed with a scholarly snort by another. In 1894, the Science teacher H T Lilley found an inscription on an ancient seal belonging to the Mayor and Corporation which included the Latin version of the town’s name, “Portemutha”. As a result of his research, the editor declared that “the name of our magazine has been changed to Portmuthian, which is certainly far more euphonious than the old title of Portsmouthian”. It also suited the classical academic aspirations of the School but was not appreciated by some: “The name change is a great change for the worse and not for the better”, penned one anonymous writer with utter conviction and clarity.

But the name change was not all. The versatile Mr Lilley also designed “a new and most artistic title page” which upset another correspondent who ridiculed the design of the crest for its perceived heraldic inaccuracies, incorporating what he described as a “worm-eaten butterfly on a pin”.

Many articles and letters appear to have come from staff and Old Boys. By 1896 the magazine was described as “flourishing”, not least because “the pecuniary support received from the Old Boys is more substantial than it has been of late”. Not unconnected with this support was an expansion of news about former pupils in a column called “Old Boys` Chronicle”, a precursor of the Old Portmuthian magazine and Opus.

Over the years, the loudest and most persistent grumbling came from the editors themselves. One, new in post and writing for the December 1901 issue, embraced the festive spirit with a world weariness beyond his years: “Although the prerogative of editors from time immemorial has been to indulge in frequent grumbling, and although we, in this, our first editorial, feel strongly tempted to follow the example set by our illustrious predecessors, nevertheless, in view of the near approach of the festive season of Christmas, we will refrain from enlarging upon the many trials of an editor’s existence…”.

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PORTMUTHIAN To be fair, the attempt to fill six editions that year had failed and the writer was clearly feeling the heavy burden of responsibility.

By 1933, the magazine was being published once a term, but the message was unchanged. The editor posted an appeal for contributions on the school noticeboard and, eight weeks later, complained that only four articles from members of the school had been received. “Is this good enough? The success or failure of any issue depends not on the boy sitting next to you, or on any other person, but on YOU.” The first photograph, a formal portrait of the First XI Cricket Team, appeared in 1898, but it was to be several decades before pupils’ photographs and artwork were to appear. As well as giving pupils the opportunity to share their interests, hobbies and artistic talents it was a godsend to editors anxious to fill space. And so, by the 1950s, amid erudite essays, cartoons and humorous poems, Deane Clarke was able to share his passion for photographing steam trains while Alan Scaife contributed prize-winning ornithological studies. The Portmuthian’s lively “magazine” content was, according to one editor, “leaven to the reports”, which often made for very dry reading.

Inevitably, perhaps, some boys’ humour and comment went beyond acceptable limits. Whether the Anti Portmuthian magazine was made up of the work of spurned contributors or was a parody is not known, but an extract was reproduced in The Portmuthian aimed at demonstrating its shameless character involving the printing of a four-letter word (which was censored). Fifty years later, the editor was positively encouraging subversiveness, but not on his watch: “So many things go on beneath the unruffled surface of the School that this magazine cannot report them all: and, being an official publication, it cannot describe what really happens. May we suggest that someone assumes a nom de plume, and writes – in an entirely unofficial and unsubsidised publication – the behind the scenes story of school life”.

Unfortunately, if this suggestion was taken up, the account didn’t make its way to the PGS Archive.

But there has always been an occasional dash of mild subversive humour in The Portmuthian to rub against the prevailing conservativism of the School. As early as 1895 the following advice was offered: “Always cut your name on every desk you use… it will probably be the only way in which you will give the school a chance of remembering you.” Ironically, it is the record of pupils’ achievements and talents in The Portmuthian that survives, rather than the desks.

The Portmuthian archive offers us is a unique and valuable record of life at PGS, a treasure trove of facts, arcane, trivial and fascinating. Its references are sometimes obscure, the history bitty and incoherent, but each edition reflects the time it was written, both in content and in design. If there is one constant it is the PGS spirit that, notwithstanding the occasional grumbling editor, shines through in its grim determination, ever since its launch in 1883, to keep the boat afloat and to proudly show in its pages what PGS has achieved and is capable of. The hardcopy edition stopped being printed, like so much else, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and started to be published, annually in digital format. Almost coming full circle, the Portmuthian had its last annual publication in 2023 and now enters a new phase of life as a termly publication, published online. Rather than just reflecting on the accomplishments and events of the Senior School and Sixth Form the 'new' Portmuthian will also include the Junior School. The editorial team has also expanded to include the Junior School Journalists team. A new era, but with a nod to the past.

Mr Sadden School Archivist

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A Warm Welcome to PGS!

PORTMUTHIAN Mrs Abercromby Teacher of Classics What are you most looking forward to at PGS? Becoming established with my classes and contributing to the extra-curricular activities at PGS, like music, and at some point in the future hopefully either running or helping to run trips both in the UK and abroad and establishing a Classics play.

If you didn’t teach your subject, what subject would you teach?

Probably either Maths or History.

What’s your favourite thing about your subject?

The vast range of stories and history that can be accessed, especially in their original language so you can in a sense converse with the men and women who lived during the period (Ancient Mediterranean) I study.

Ms Allman Teacher of Classics What made you want to work in this school?

As an OP, I have always thought that I would like to return to PGS as a teacher at some point in my teaching career. I was particularly keen to work in a school which would allow me to teach Latin and Classical Civilisation across the age range; I also love the fact that Ancient Greek is offered on timetable!

If you didn’t become a teacher, what would you have become?

A Royal Marines Musician, or possibly a solicitor.

What are three books that you’d read over and over again?

Circe by Madeline Miller; Mythos by Stephen Fry and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

Mr Andrews Deputy Head (Teaching & Learning) What made you want to work in this school?

Knowing of the School and having visited with sports teams, the School’s stature and its ethos of excellence were a big draw. When I did my research and came to visit the School, the vibrancy of the School’s community was hugely impressive.

What are three books that you’d read over and over again?

Keynes & Hayek by Nicholas Wapshott – a well-written and accessible text that sets out two economists’ views on the philosophical divide at the heart of Economics.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – the most powerful ending of a book I have encountered (and many lessons relating to economic migration that are relevant today).

Tinker Tailor Solider Spy by John le Carré – I’m a huge fan of le Carré’s writing and really enjoyed this book, written during the Cold War and which was once voted the best spy novel of all time

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Miss Brown Teacher of Science What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

My most valuable life experience so far has been going to University. I grew up in a small rural village so getting to experience living in a city and the independence that comes with that was really valuable. I also learnt a lot of life skills that are commonly not taught to you until you have to do them!

If you didn’t teach your subject, what subject would you teach?

I would teach DT if I had to pick another subject.

What are you most looking forward to at PGS? I am looking forward to getting involved with opportunities beyond teaching biology and getting to meet lots of new people, as well as teaching A Level Biology as my previous school only went up to year 11.

Miss Cervi Teacher of German If you didn’t become a teacher, what would you have become?

A doctor.

What’s your favourite thing about your subject?

The opportunity that learning a language provides to experience life in a different way from the one that you may be familiar with.

What made you want to work in this school?

I greatly value the emphasis that PGS places upon both academic study and the extracurricular activities that develop students’ confidence this reminds me of my own secondary school experience.

Mrs Cowdell Head of Year 6 and Community Action Leader What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

To try other things. I stepped out of teaching to work for a STEM charity for 5 years and while it felt like a mammoth decision at the time, it was the best thing I ever did and I learned so much about the world outside of the school gates.

What made you go into teaching?

I wanted to work with children because they are fun and unpredictable, so every day is different.

If you didn’t become a teacher, what would you have become?

I would have been a weather girl :-)

PORTMUTHIAN Mr Evans Gap Year Assistant What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

My most valuable life experience has been moving away from home directly after finishing school. It is a strange feeling to leave school and jump into another, but in doing so I am learning more about myself and the world around me.

What are you most looking forward to at PGS? I am looking forward to all the potential music that I can get involved with, as well as meeting lots of fresh faces and different people.

What made you want to work in this school?

Working at PGS will give me incredible opportunities and a chance to develop my character, as well as enabling myself to gain experience in a field of work that I am still finding my way through.

Ms Guerreiro da Silva Theatre Technician What made you want to work in this school?

The opportunity to work in the field that I enjoy whilst being in a positive and encouraging environment.

What are you most looking forward to at PGS? I am looking forward to learning new skills and help pupils see the magic of technical theatre.

Mr Hipperson Head of Economics and Business What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

When I was at school, I really disliked maths and found it very challenging. When I got to university there was a lot of maths in my degree and I had to play catch up as it was expected that we understood it without really being taught. There was no other option but to teach yourself if you wanted to succeed, so I did. It is amazing what you can really do if you put your mind to something, no matter how hard you find it or whether you are ‘naturally good’ at it. This is something that I carry into my teaching every day and why we must all have belief and high expectations of what we are capable of achieving.

What are you most looking forward to at PGS? Having had a year out whilst I settled my family into a new life in Portsmouth, I am really looking forward to being in a classroom teaching and challenging those studying Economics or Business.

PORTMUTHIAN Mr Rahman Years 5-6 Teacher, Maths Lead YR-6 What made you want to work in this school?

As a former pupil of the Portsmouth Grammar School, returning to the establishment where my educational journey began was certainly a special opportunity. I am passionate about teaching, having always had high expectations of my pupils and Portsmouth Grammar School is renowned for the high quality of educational provision on offer What are you most looking forward to at PGS? I have a passion for numbers so I am looking forward to heading up mathematics in the Junior school and developing the subject in exciting new directions. I am also looking forward to working with such a dedicated community that are equally passionate about continually developing their pedagogy.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

Back in 2018, I completed the Hajj which is a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. I feel especially fortunate to have completed this journey before the travel restrictions imposed by COVID in following years.

Mr Schmit Junior School Form Teacher and Head of Year What made you want to work in this school?

Every now and again I think it is important to have a change in order to keep yourself fresh. I was very excited when the opportunity came along to work at PGS as I knew it would help me grow as a teacher. I have lived in the local area for a long time now and it has a reputation for excellent facilities, keen learners and friendly staff.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

All of life's experiences are valuable but I think that losing a few thousand pounds on a TV game show (when I was younger) helped develop my resilience massively!

If you didn’t become a teacher, what would you have become?

Probably an archaeologist as I was (and still am) fascinated by history and the thought of making a significant discovery. I would also love to be an architect as I love graphical design.

Mr Venter Head of Rugby What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

No matter who you are or what you have achieved/accomplished in life, it can be taken from you at any point. Appreciate what you have and be thankful for all the blessings you receive everyday What made you go into teaching?

Becoming a Sports Coach and inspiring to bring the best out of someone by helping them not just on the sports field but also in everyday life.

What’s your favourite thing about your subject?

Seeing an individual develop confidence in themselves and not giving up, seeing the individual improve and get better as a person or athlete/player.

PORTMUTHIAN Mrs Jay Teacher of Art What are you most looking forward to at PGS? Over the summer, I was looking forward to being back in the classroom and getting to know my classes. Art’s an amazing subject because it allows you to explore and interrogate whatever you are interested in and every year the lines of enquiry change so you’re always on your toes. The range of ideas in my current year 12 class are really exciting (from exploring the mental health crisis in schools in China; to the sumptuous joy of Selfridges; feminism and misogyny; famous cannibals; people watching). We talk a lot and we learn a lot. And my lower school classes are a joy and working really hard everyone’s embracing playing with materials and discovering what works and what doesn’t. And it is of course a complete pleasure working with the PGS Art Department: Mr Peebles, Mrs Law and Mr Llewlyn – I’m loving our snatched cups of tea and cake – Mr Peebles is a great baker.

Mrs Nolan-Davies Teaching Assistant What are you most looking forward to at PGS? Being part of an excellent team, who have children at the heart of what they do.

What are three books that you’d read over and over again?

I enjoy the classics, and am a big fan of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

Having my 3 children.

Mrs Oliphant Estates Administrator What made you want to work in this school?

After many years of working in London, I decided I wanted to work more locally, particularly somewhere which was meaningful and important to Portsmouth. PGS was the perfect place. nd high expectations of what we are capable of achieving.

What are you most looking forward to at PGS? Having worked remotely for the last few years, I am looking forward to coming into work and being part of a team again.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far Training for and completing the London Marathon made me realise that seemingly impossible goals are achievable with a bit of hard work, grit and determination (and a lot of sweat and tears!).

PORTMUTHIAN Ms Jeffrey Pre-School Assistant What made you want to work in this school?

PGS has a great reputation, and an ethos and values that align with my own.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

Working with a great team of people with shared values…and the lunches!

What are three books that you’d read over and over again?

I work with young children. One of my favourite books I love to read with them, and have read again and again, is ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen. On a slightly more advanced reading level, ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ by Michelle Magorian and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

Having my first child. Having him completely changed my perspective on life and helped me realise that being happy myself was as important, if not more important than, than keeping everyone else happy.

Revd Redding Teacher of Biology What made you want to work in this school?

My previous teaching experience has been in selective schools and I think this is the sort of school I’m best suited for. I was also attracted by PGS’s emphasis on co-curricular activities.

What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

I’m really looking forward to classroom teaching again, having had a career break. Also tutoring my Year 13 group and being involved in CAW and Ignite! in Year 12.

What are three books that you’d read over and over again?

The Bible, Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan What has been your most valuable life experience so far?

Getting married and having 4 children!

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We have also Welcomed:

Miss Keeble Year 4 Teacher

Miss Canter

Junior School Form Teacher and House Leader (Jerrard House)

Miss Palmer Year 5 Teacher, Geography Lead

Mr Ayling

Teacher of History & Politics

Miss Rechel

Gap Year Assistant

Mr May-Clingo

CCF School Staff Instructor & Transport Manager

Mr Wehrle

Teacher of Mathematics

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Freshers Fair As the sun set on summer and September rolled in, students at Portsmouth Grammar School eagerly anticipated the return to campus for the start of a new academic year. With backpacks filled with books, a sense of excitement filled the air as students stepped onto the familiar grounds of the school. What added to this excitement was the highly-anticipated Freshers Fair, a vibrant event that marked the beginning of a year filled with co-curricular opportunities and enrichment.

The Freshers Fair took place during the first week back at school, turning the main quad into a bustling hub of activity. The sun shone brightly, and colourful stalls were set up by various clubs, societies, and co-curricular activities, each vying for the attention of eager students. One of the standout features of the Freshers Fair was the sheer diversity of co-curricular offerings available at Portsmouth Grammar School. From the Drama Club to the Literary Society, the Coding Club to the Photography Society, there was truly something for everyone. Students had the opportunity to explore their interests and passions, and many found themselves excitedly signing up for multiple clubs.

PORTMUTHIAN What made the Freshers Fair truly special was the active involvement of students themselves.

Seniors and club leaders were on hand to talk about their experiences and encourage younger students to get involved. Their passion and enthusiasm were infectious, inspiring many to join clubs they might not have considered before.

The Freshers Fair generated an electrifying buzz throughout the school. Excited chatter, laughter, and the occasional burst of applause filled the air as students explored the different options available to them. Teachers and staff members were also present, offering guidance and support to students in making their choices. The Freshers Fair not only provided students with opportunities for personal growth and skill development but also helped build a sense of community within the school. Students from different year groups mingled, shared stories, and forged new friendships over shared interests. With the enthusiasm generated at the Freshers Fair, it is clear that Portsmouth Grammar School is poised for another year of co-curricular excellence. Students are looking forward to exploring their passions and talents while developing valuable skills beyond the classroom. Here's to a fantastic year filled with learning, exploration, and the pursuit of passions!

What made the Freshers Fair truly special was the active involvement of students themselves.

Seniors and club leaders were on hand to talk about their experiences and encourage younger students to get involved. Their passion and enthusiasm were infectious, inspiring many to join clubs they might not have considered before.

The Freshers Fair generated an electrifying buzz throughout the school. Excited chatter, laughter, and the occasional burst of applause filled the air as students explored the different options available to them. Teachers and staff members were also present, offering guidance and support to students in making their choices. The Freshers Fair not only provided students with opportunities for personal growth and skill development but also helped build a sense of community within the school. Students from different year groups mingled, shared stories, and forged new friendships over shared interests. With the enthusiasm generated at the Freshers Fair, it is clear that Portsmouth Grammar School is poised for another year of co-curricular excellence. Students are looking forward to exploring their passions and talents while developing valuable skills beyond the classroom. Here's to a fantastic year filled with learning, exploration, and the pursuit of passions!

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Year 7 Getting To Know You Day

On Thursday 14th September, the whole of Year 7 made the short walk to Governors Green for a day off timetable to get to know each other. Now a couple of weeks into the academic year, pupils have had the opportunity to meet pupils in their tutor group, house, and class set, but with 106 pupils in the year group, at this stage in the year there will still be many pupils that each Year 7 will have never met. Getting to know you day provides a further chance to meet new people and build new bonds. To support this, we randomly mixed the groups so pupils are not with those in their tutor group or class, and tasked each pupil with chatting to someone new that day.

PORTMUTHIAN Luckily, after days of torrential rain ahead of the day, the sun came out for us! Pupils moved round a rotation of activities that promoted team building, group problem solving and communication, as well as enjoying a foraging walk before lunch. The day was rounded off with ice cream and ice lollies for all. Below are some quotes from Year 7 about the day: ‘I enjoyed being able to be my absolute self for the day’ Harry Evans ‘We played lots of fun games such as the header and catcher games and splat’ Joe Rawlinson ‘It was a chance to meet people we had not yet spoken to’ Ava Armstrong It was lovely to hear at the end of the day that each and every pupil had met and spoken to someone new - exactly what we hoped from the day!

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Year 9 Getting To Know You Day On Monday the 11th of September, year 9 got a full day getting to know new teachers and peers and making new friends. We had loads of fun doing many various activities, including a treasure hunt around Old Portsmouth which was very fun, an escape room which took us all around the school trying to find clues, and loads of inflatable entertainment at Governor’s Green. There was an interactive zone, an amazing assault course, a football area, but everyone's favourite was clearly the inflatable body tug of war, with a special event of Mr Doidge vs. Mr Hipperson, which was absolutely hilarious! Mr Doige pulled so hard that Mr Hipperson fell over. The teachers did a great job of getting to know the students and the students getting to know one another, and it was a great opportunity for the new members of the PGS community to know what our school is all about: enjoying and being yourself and being part of the school community.

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Department News

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Drama In the first half of the Autumn term, those studying GCSE and A-Level Drama had the opportunity to take trips to see two theatre productions – firstly an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, devised and performed by the theatre company Frantic Assembly at MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton, and secondly, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, performed at Chichester Festival Theatre. These were highly contrasting pieces of theatre, and so it was interesting to be able to watch and compare the two.

PORTMUTHIAN Frantic Assembly’s Metamorphosis was a highly physical, non-naturalistic piece, and the story was interpreted as an expression of the dangers of a capitalist society and the effects these can have on workers labouring under one. It was interesting to note how these effects were represented theatrically, for example through the advertisements projected onto the back of the stage at various intervals throughout the play, and of course through the image at the crux of the story – the transformation of Gregor Samsa into a beetle, performed masterfully in this production by Felipe Pacheco. Though the production was difficult to watch at times due to its length and constant intensity, it was fascinating to witness how Frantic Assembly interpreted certain aspects of the story and were able to turn it into such a unique piece of theatre.

Year 11 and A-Level students were also fortunate enough to have Chichester Festival Theatre come into school to run a workshop before we saw their production of A View from the Bridge that afternoon; the workshop was focused on adapting page to stage, and it provided useful context for the production as well as encouraging us to consider more carefully conscious decisions about characterisation and staging. The production itself was dramatic and powerful and focused on pertinent themes such as family, poverty and immigration. Both trips were highly enriching and provided perfect opportunities for us to develop our understanding of drama outside of the classroom.

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Sports

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Squash Over the summer, Alex Broadbridge played in the European Junior Squash Open, losing in the semi-final to the eventual winner. Alex then travelled directly from Cologne to Amsterdam to compete in the Dutch Junior Open with Hattie Broadbridge. Alex made the quarter-final where again he lost to the eventual winner. Hattie finished 8th in the Girls’ U15 competition where she was also knocked out by the eventual winner.

Two days after returning from Amsterdam, Alex flew off to Melbourne to compete in the World U19 championships. He was the youngest player on the England team and he finished 39th in the World; an amazing achievement in itself, and Alex still has another two world championships to play within his age group, should he be selected.

This term has seen the PGS U16 and U18 Squash teams move into the next round of the National Schools Cup, with wins over Bryanston School, Petersfield School and Winchester College respectively. Well done to Alex Broadbridge, Will Aldridge, Hattie Broadbridge, Seb CairnsAllen, Rory Paterson, Oliver Hunt and George Powell.

Swimming The U13 team took part in a six team friendly gala at Churcher’s College. The pupils competed in individual races and a series of relays, including a mixed relay finale, with enjoyment and success achieved by all. The Girls Team of Christina Stylianou, Kayla White, Rachael Edwards, Laila McLaughlin, Sophie Clay and Ava Armstrong finished second overall. The Boys Team of Ellis Temperley-Chapman, Bahy Baderelden, Toby Taylor, James Kan and George Shivjee finished third overall, giving PGS an overall second place for the combined scores.

Congratulations to all of our swimmers for taking part.

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Girls Hockey U13s The under 13's have continued to improve throughout the season and have regularly managed to fill four teams on a Saturday. There have been some excellent fixtures for all of the teams with the D's holding on to an exciting 3-3 draw with City of London Freeman's. The A's have continued to work hard and stay determined even with some injuries to a couple of key players throughout the season. With the main achievement finishing fourth in a very challenging Hampshire Cup competition of 16 teams. The B's have continued to train hard and enjoy their hockey this season and I know they will look forward to playing again in Year 9. The C team have always been very competitive and are always looking forward to their Saturday fixtures. The Middle School Coaches Player of the Year was awarded to Scarlett Warr as she was always a very important member of the A team. Notable mentions and winners of Year 8 coaches' players were Florence Fernandes and Sasha Haworth for both always turning up to training, checking team sheets and happy to play for any team and multiple teams if needed. Keep up the good work Year 8.

U14s Those attending and playing matches continue to improve with their passing strength and accuracy. Our Game sense has also improved with the defence transferring the ball and making better passing decisions under pressure. We, however, have struggled to link our attack and defence at times due to inconsistent attendance and availability. The girls always play with a smile but have found it difficult to train with their full potential when so many changes to their starting line-ups are made each week. I hope this changes next year so that the girls are able to reach their full potential, as we have the making of a strong team when all are available.

U15s The Year 10 cohort for hockey has been outstanding this year. There has been a real sense of desire to be involved and a wanting to not only represent the school and compete, but to win as many matches as possible. The U15s Bs go into their last weekend fixture having won every match which could mean a Grand Slam season. These girls have shown determination and consistent progress throughout the term. A number of the B team girls have gone on to make the step into the A team. The inclusive nature of the cohort has also allowed for a thriving A team who themselves have had an impressive season. Only lost on three occasions in tight circumstances. The girls have brought energy, enthusiasm and a desire to improve which has really been the key to their success this year. I can say with confidence that this group of girls have been the most fun group to work with and indeed they have made significant steps towards being a successful Senior squad when their time comes. Thanks must go to all the parents who have supported from the sides and encouraged the girls throughout.

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Rugby It has been a pleasure watching the U12’s improve throughout the Rugby season. Their individual skill level and game awareness has developed greatly. The U12A’s have played entertaining rugby showing increased confidence with ball in hand. Impressive tackling technique has been shown by Fynnley Domone, Frazer Robertson and Archie Brown. LJ Howard has organised the team well when in attack. When in open play Cam McCall, Rielly Tosspell and Edison Hickey have shown excellent footwork and speed in attack. Most improved player has been Abraham Ibharokhonre. The U12B’s have shown excellent team spirit. They have achieved strong wins against Gordons, City of London and Bishop Wordsworth’s. Harry Carnegie, Brodie Macdonald, Max Keen and Ben Jeffrey have led the team when in defence. Angus Martin, Teddy Oliver, Sam Jolly and Dylan Horner have run well when in attack. The U12C’s have worked extremely hard on their game attending after school training regularly. Impressive performances have been shown by Harry Evans, Dougie Lewis, Abdu Elbadri and Rayaan Razeem. The most improved players have been Aiden Shindi and Shriyan Patel.

Mr Scott Curwood - Coach

PORTMUTHIAN U13 A The U13 season began with a local Derby against Churcher’s College. The squad had prepared well and were looking forward to the first away fixture of the season. Excellent work in the forwards from both James Kan and Felix Lowe kept PGS in the game all the way to the end where we unfortunately lost 4 tries to 2. This was followed by two excellent victories which saw the team beginning to find a more fluent style of play, attacking at pace with greater depth. A close-fought battle with Gordon’s school was followed by a convincing win against Ryde with some excellent leadership on the pitch from Harry Brockhurst as team captain. The Ryde match saw much link play between forwards and backs with strong running from Alex Cameron and Alex Czyz being followed up with excellent support play from Ed Jude always managing to be in the right place when needed, linking to several backs tries orchestrated by Toby Taylor.

The latter part of the season was curtailed by an unfortunate run of poor weather meaning that pitches were unplayable and at the time of writing only one match was able to run during the second half of the season. A tense and hard-fought battle with Bishops Wordsworth saw both teams ahead at different points in the game. Three tries were scored in the final minutes of the game, but it was Bishops Wordsworth who edged ahead with just 1 minute remaining. A tired PGS team struggled to support some fine attacking play from Alex Czyz and Henry Hayes and opportunities went missing with the ball turned over at the breakdown and excellent work over the ball from the opposition.

A season’s result of won 2 lost 2, does not show how far the U13A team have come this season, as they have been forced to find more creativity to unlock increasingly organised opposition defences. This season allowed the side to develop skills both in their tactical play from different areas of the pitch, more competitive scrummaging and work at the breakdown which will continue to be a focal point in ensuring greater ball retention next season.

Mr Mark Hipperson - Coach U13 B U13B team: The season kicked off with a very tight game against Churches, conceding a try in the last two minutes of the game that lost the match. This was a great learning opportunity as players were still finding their field positions and roles within the team and gave a great focus for training. The team bounced back and worked hard in training, which led to the team winning all but one of the remaining matches in the season. It has been great to see the players develop individually and as a team over the course of this term. Some outstanding performances were made by Max Mitchel – with his try-saving tackles, Josh Webb with the highest try count on the team, Zac Jones – with his promotion from the C team into the B team and Olie Cole for his leadership of the team this year. With the season ending all players have shown great development this year and show good promise for the future of PGS Rugby.

Mr James - Coach

PORTMUTHIAN U13 C It has been great seeing the u13C’s develop this season into a confident team and the willingness to improve. They have worked extremely hard on their game attending after-school training regularly and making the most of the games lessons together to develop into confident rugby players. Matches were played with great team spirit and the boys played their hearts out every time they represented PGS. Thanks to all the C-Team players for their ongoing efforts to make sure everyone involved enjoyed it.

PORTMUTHIAN U14A The U14A team has enjoyed an exceptional season, with seven wins out of seven matches during the regular season: Vs Churcher’s College - WON 35-5 and 19-5 (National Cup) Vs Gordon’s School - WON 47-17 Vs Ryde School - WON 60-17 (National Cup) Vs Christ Hospital School - WON 52-0 Vs Bryanston School - WON 17-10 Vs Bishop Wordsworth’s School - WON 53-17 The front row of Spike Sizeland, Freddie Robinson, Jacob Grimshaw and Daniel Edwards have provided go-forward at scrum and breakdown time. Jacob and Dan have really strengthened their all-round games this term. In addition, Spike’s ball carrying in the open is of real importance to the team, as is the post-match song-leading capability of Freddie (as well as his playing contribution on the pitch!)! The second row of Fraser Ndahiro, Jiawen Hicks and Luke Tunniciffe have made plenty of tackles and added physicality to our defence. With even more confidence and hard work, they will all become good ball carriers for the team too. Harry Barden and Gus Coote in the back row have provided a high work rate and all-court game with plenty of tackles and carries. Lance Carroll at Number 8 has made huge inroads with his ballcarrying and destructive tackling, and Harry Carlin, as Captain and openside flanker, has led the team brilliantly both on and off the pitch. Harry’s influence at the breakdown during matches and high work rate and competitiveness have allowed us plenty of balls to play with. The halfbacks of Tommy Hodgetts, Harry Slight, Elliot Athawes and the recently arrived Austin Shaw have directed the team around the pitch beautifully. Tommy (before his injury), then Harry and now the arrival of Austin have provided excellent service from scrum-half, which has then allowed Elliot at fly-half to get the backline moving at pace. We are blessed to have such a good range of ball players in the A team and I do not doubt that they will all push each other on to even greater heights over the coming years. The ever-present centre combination of Oscar Hickey and Fred van der Wee have excelled all season together, and they complement each other well. Fred’s destructive running and tackling, alongside Oscar’s distribution and game smartness. The outside backs of Oli Yang, Daniel Komolafe, Samir Akram and Josh Johnson have provided the pace and finishing power out wide. Oli in particular has just been sensational in his ability to beat defenders and score tries out of nothing. Daniel and Samir have been strong ball carriers and good defensively, whilst Josh at fullback has been a rock defensively, and also beaten plenty of would-be defenders in attack with his footwork and speed.

We still have two matches to play, including a National Cup match against a very strong Canford School side, but I am confident that we will give them a great test!

A big thank you to all of the parents who have supported the boys all season long. Your good company and enthusiastic but respectful support is much appreciated.

Mr Copeland - Coach

PORTMUTHIAN U14B The U14B season began with a triangular on one of the hottest days of the year. Despite the challenging conditions the boys did well and won their fixtures against Shiplake and King Edwards Southampton.

Our first loss was on Saturday 23rd September against Churchers College. Although the result was 12-5, we won the second half.

Following Churcher’s we had an away fixture at Gordon’s School. The team won 22-5, for which they deserve praise, given this was a fixture they lost the year before.

A match-winning streak continued with a 43-12 win away at the glorious Christ’s Hospital school, and an emphatic 29-0 win over Bryanston.

The season sadly finished with a 34-0 loss at home to Bishop Wordworth’s School. However, with 5 wins and only 2 losses, they should consider this an excellent season. Daniel Edwards, Luke Tunnicliffe, Matthew Roberts and Jiawen Hicks all deserve a mention for achievement and well-deserved selection to the A team. Well done boys.

Mr Murray - Coach U14B The U14B season began with a triangular on one of the hottest days of the year. Despite the challenging conditions the boys did well and won their fixtures against Shiplake and King Edwards Southampton.

Our first loss was on Saturday 23rd September against Churchers College. Although the result was 12-5, we won the second half.

Following Churcher’s we had an away fixture at Gordon’s School. The team won 22-5, for which they deserve praise, given this was a fixture they lost the year before.

A match-winning streak continued with a 43-12 win away at the glorious Christ’s Hospital school, and an emphatic 29-0 win over Bryanston.

The season sadly finished with a 34-0 loss at home to Bishop Wordworth’s School. However, with 5 wins and only 2 losses, they should consider this an excellent season. Daniel Edwards, Luke Tunnicliffe, Matthew Roberts and Jiawen Hicks all deserve a mention for achievement and well-deserved selection to the A team. Well done boys.

Mr Murray - Coach

PORTMUTHIAN U15 A The 2023/4 season for the rugby U15’s A team started with learning new skills and aspects of the game. We started the season with a small tournament, hosting King Edwards VI and Shiplake College; unfortunately, we lost both games, however, two weeks later, we had our first National Vase game against the Island Free School and proceeded to win 52-7, we were going through to round two, against Embley School. We trained hard to give us the best chance of winning. We finished the game against Embley with a score of 23-21 getting us through to the third round, against King Edward VI. The game was a tough, physical match; however we were playing well, but unfortunately, we lost 36-5. Our season progressed with hard training, and we thought we could measure our increase in performance, as we were due to Bishop Wordsworth School, to whom we had lost 42-0 last season. A physical encounter but a well-deserved 19-19 score line prevailed. As a squad, we have undertaken a dramatic change in the way/style; we play from that of year 9. The squad has enjoyed our new challenges and looks forward to the seasons ahead. We would like to thank our coaching staff for their commitment to coaching at PGS. Max Broomfield - Capt (Year 10) U15B The season started with a round-robin tournament against KES and Shiplake College. While we managed a resounding victory over KES, Shiplake proved a little more tricky as the injuries on the day started to mount. Most notable was Jamie Taylor who broke his leg in a tackle, unfortunately ending his season.

However, the fixture was a great test of where we were and the ambitions we had for the forthcoming season. Stand-out contributions came from Archie Southers and Jamie Taylor.

Our first fixture took us to Churcher’s College and although we suffered a 17-41 defeat there were encouraging signs of the ambition and the style in which we wish to play. The team’s leap in progression from previous games was noticeable.

Next up was Gordon’s School. This was a chance for the team to put down a marker both for themselves and other schools. The progress was evident in terms of aggression and ball speed.

Tackling was very good and Gordon’s had no time to play and were suffocated in attack and harried in defence. We ran out 24-5 winners.

Next up was possibly our longest trip to Bryanston, always a difficult fixture and butterflies were evident. Unfortunately, we were only able to field 12 players. Bryanston gracefully agreed to do the same.

The first try came from Will Ostler who cut a great line and scored a try with three Bryanston players on his back. Jeremy O’Hea then showed impressive running and managed to bump several of the opposition off and did a very theatrical swallow dive over the line. From there the floodgates finally opened.

We suggested that Bryanston might like to put on all their players. This only resulted in PGS going up a gear, eventually running out 41-0 winners. A complete performance from the team and something to be incredibly proud of. The team stuck to the game plan and an excellent result was achieved.

Since September the improvement has been remarkable. Tackling and handling have leapt ahead of where we were, the team are a credit to the school.

Mr Kedward - Coach

PORTMUTHIAN 16A This rugby season has been exciting, to say the least. In the beginning, we faced many challenges with our most frustrating one being our severe lack of players; for many training sessions, we had barely even 12 players consistently train. However, all was not lost as the players we did have were ones who were dedicated to our team and willing to push ourselves to the maximum.

As a squad following our first couple of matches (in which we had to play with limited players), we began to gain more motivation and hope after a rough year 10 season. This motivation seemed to translate into us gaining some more players, after a couple of easy wins we moved into our first major challenge of the season, a team which thrashed us last year, one of our main rivals, Ryde. Expectations were low but as we have seen from this season when we are expected to lose we always seem to show up. After 70 minutes of pure grit and determination and some excellent performances, we managed to secure a 29-10 victory. Some notable performances from that game were some excellent tries from George Musselwhite and some quality tackling from Adam Cotterell. Following this victory team morale saw a huge boost, as we saw just what our team is capable of. Our captain Tom Rait helped rally up even more players so that finally we were able to have a full team at last. Our skills saw notable improvement on both sides of the ball. But I believe that what makes our team special is our heart. We have been consistently outsized throughout the season with many teams being bigger and stronger than we are but we still always managed to answer back with grit and passion. Our defence has been the highlight of our season so far, with an impressive +121 point difference. There have been many examples of goal-line stops where we have just hit tackle after tackle, denying teams the opportunity to score points. Our first main hurdle came against a strong KES team, it was in this game where we didn’t have our full team and had to ask two players from the year below to step up and play with us. A lot was riding on this first cup game and even after 70 minutes of solid performances, it was our lack of our main team and simple mistakes that lost us this game. This would prove to be the catalyst for change. With newly gained players and the lads playing with more energy and charisma, we started performing well and picked up some great wins against the likes of a feisty Bryanston team and a talented Bishop Wordsworth squad. Our heart would prove to be the resounding factor to our success, our team would put everything into every run, pass, and tackle with bench players such as Marcus Richardson capitalising off of their game time. This whole season can be described as a success. Our team has had an opportunity to bond and grow our skills. As the end of the season dawns upon us, we have one more match against Ryde. This game away from home will be a true test of our attitude and mindset as a team and we will look to finish in style with a win. Much can be said about every member of our team, whether it be the skills with carrying the ball such as Charles Goodwin and Finely Steele or the solid tackles put in by Tom Pritchard, Ivan Critchley, and Adam Cotterell. Our forwards with some great mauls and lineouts called by Ben Robinson alongside some exceptional rucking from Henry Moorhouse, Alex Brine-Howe and Tom Rait and special moves performed by Meru Shrivastava and Tom Symington. Despite some departures, our squad is excited at the possibility of playing rugby for the First XV next year and we can only imagine that we will keep on improving as a squad. As this season is coming to a close it can only be said that even when everyone wrote us off, we didn’t write back.

Tom Rait - Capt (Year 11)

PORTMUTHIAN 2nd XV As I write this some of the Year 13 players will be preparing for their last game for school this afternoon against UTC. Evan Kelly, Luke Wiseman, Lochie McGuire, Henry Ball, Andrew Davis and Charlie Kettle as the core players will give their best efforts as always, and I hope they enjoy the game. We have had a bit of a stop-start season so really appreciate their continued commitment - hopefully, all have enjoyed rugby at PGS. The Year 12s have been excellent with many pushing for the 1st team already. It has been great watching both Year groups gel and to see Piers gather a high kick, Rufus make a great attacking run and Evan and Charlie bash through oppositions. I have been thinking of highlights over the season and some gritty defence in the last game of the bowl competition comes to mind with some excellent tackling to defend the win. Will Chapple flying out of defence from our goal line and Matt Guyver just tackling everything lodged in my mind. A particular mention for Ollie Davidson who has shown real skill and maturity in his approach to every game. Thanks also to Henry Ball for his leadership.

Mr Herbert - Coach

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1ST XV This has been an excellent season so far for the 1st XV. We started well with two strong performances at our pre-season fixtures, the first being an unbeaten day at Churches’ tournament which included big wins against the hosts and rivals Canford, followed by another two wins against Shiplake and KES at Shiplake’s triangular event. Unfortunately, our first Vase game ended in a narrow defeat to Lord Wandsworth College, however, after arriving to find the changing rooms upgraded with inspirational messages above each player's shirt the team bounced back well putting 60 points on Ryde in the next round. The team has progressed well this season, scoring an impressive 500 points so far, with highlights including Jake Wood’s first half hattrick against Christ Hospital, George Buckle’s driving mauls that are no match for any defence and our record points scorer Henry Collins on a very impressive 133 and counting.

However, despite the success this season has brought, our defeat to an unbeaten Bryanston side was arguably one of the highlights this year. The team battled relentlessly for 70 minutes in both defence and attack and scored an excellent team try to take the game right to the wire at 7-7, but a last-minute penalty took the game to a 10-7 loss. Our victory over City of London Freeman’s was another notable season highlight. Despite going into the regional final as favourites a combination of strong opposition and weak defence resulted in us going into half-time the trailing side, yet belief in our attack systems and some strong carries from the forward pack led by captain Ed Frazer ultimately led to 36-19 win that highlighted how far the team has come this season. Reflecting on the season so far it is hard to forget some memorable moments off the pitch, including the cross-bar challenge refereed by Jack O’Sullivan where the winner received a KFC or the bus karaoke on the way back from Brockenhurst College where we were taught some classics by Mr Venter and Mr Copeland. Sadly the season is drawing to a close, but in the 15s strong results so far have meant we will continue our run in the National Bowl where we now progress to the quarter-finals and in the 7s many of the team will have the opportunity to continue representing the school in our own South Coast 7s and the national Rosslyn Park tournament.

Henry Langford - 1st XV V Capt (Year 13)

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Geography

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Brighton On the 12th of October Year 9 pupils were treated to a trip to Brighton to undertake some research. We were separated into groups of 4 and sent off to interview passers-by about why they were there, how long they were staying and how frequently they visited Brighton. It was interesting hearing why people were in Brighton on the same day as us - many were there for work, some were tourists and some lived there. We also did 2 counts of the number of pedestrians who passed us. This was a good opportunity for us to practise our data collection skills and no doubt we will be using the stats in future geography lessons! There was also some time for fun, despite the i360 Tower being unexpectedly closed. Thinking on their feet, the teachers arranged for the groups who finished their fieldwork in time to visit the upside-down house on the seafront and have an ice cream, which helped ease any disappointment at the Tower being closed. All in all, it was a great day - a good mix of work and fun.

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Hengistbury Head Exploring the Geology and Coastal Management of Hengistbury Head: A Field Trip Nestled on the picturesque coast of Dorset, Hengistbury Head proved to be an ideal destination for Year 10 geographers from Portsmouth Grammar School. The journey to this iconic headland was not just an exciting escape from the classroom; it was a valuable opportunity for students to engage with the real-world applications of geography. Their field trip to Hengistbury Head provided a platform for practical learning, fostering an in-depth understanding of geology and coastal management.

The day was filled with activities designed to unlock the mysteries of Hengistbury Head, a place where the geological landscape takes centre stage. Students began their exploration with field sketches, capturing the unique geological features that define this remarkable coastal area. The diverse rock formations, varying sediments, and ancient fossils were laid bare as students sketched with keen eyes and a sense of wonder. The hands-on experience allowed them to see how the geological composition of the headland contributes to its distinctiveness. One of the main questions guiding their investigation was: "To what extent does the geology of Hengistbury Head make the area a distinctive landscape?" It was a question that encouraged students to delve deep into the geological history of the site and uncover the secrets hidden within its rock formations.

PORTMUTHIAN In addition to field sketches, students conducted questionnaires to gain insight into how different stakeholders perceive the coastal management techniques implemented in this area.

Coastal management is an essential aspect of maintaining the integrity of this fragile ecosystem.

Understanding the perspectives of those involved in preserving the coast is crucial for a comprehensive analysis. The students' inquiries yielded a rich tapestry of opinions and ideas that provided a holistic view of the complex world of coastal management.

The day's adventure also included constructing beach profiles, an exercise that helped students visualise the topographical variations along the coastline. By measuring and plotting these profiles, the young geographers gained a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature of coastal landscapes.

An exciting highlight of the trip was the land trains that transported students from one end of the headland to the other. The bumpy ride, despite the lack of suspension, added a dash of fun and adventure to the day. It was a well-deserved reward after hours of diligent fieldwork.

Technology played a significant role in the students' exploration of Hengistbury Head. They had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and spatially located data using tools like Survey123 and ArcGIS. This experience allowed them to work with real-world data, helping them better comprehend the complex factors affecting the coastal management of the area.

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London The Year 12 Geographers had a day out in London on Thursday 16th November, with a dual purpose of visiting two of their case studies and learning techniques for their Independent Investigation. The pupils had a tour of the Olympic Park in the morning (a case study in rebranding) and then got the DLR to the London Docklands to explore the once derelict and now financial hub. Pupils collected data on air pollution, microclimates, pedestrian numbers and environmental quality which they will use to answer two hypotheses back at school. Pupils also had a lesson in getting the underground – first lesson, hold on!

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Languages On the 26th of September it was International Languages Day. During break and lunch there was a photo booth dedicated to the modern foreign languages, an opportunity for everyone throughout the Senior School. In our Year 9 Spanish lesson we were privileged to learn about three different languages from students in year 10. We learnt about Turkish, Jamaican and Danish. I found this very interesting as you notice every language is so different, for example Turkish words are in completely opposite orders. I felt like it was very intriguing learning about these languages compared to Spanish as every language is unique and has its own ways of speaking. We learnt the basics of hello, how are you and more in Jamaican, the emphasis on letters in Danish. Overall it was amazing to listen to and learn about these other languages and I think it was brilliant to celebrate foreign languages on this day.

By Chloe Smith

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Spanish Exchange Our pupils engaged in the enriching Spanish Exchange were overjoyed to play host to their counterparts from our esteemed partner school, Marianistas. This experience served as a heartfelt return of the wonderful hospitality they themselves experienced in Vitoria last October. Venturing beyond our school gates, the week unfolded with exciting trips to Winchester, the Dockyard, and the awe-inspiring Spinnaker Tower.

Adding a touch of cultural and historical immersion, PGS pupils joined forces with their Spanish peers to meet the Mayor in Chichester. The visit also included an insightful tour of the cathedral, offering a deeper understanding of our local history. This collaborative exploration and exchange of cultural insights created lasting bonds between the pupils.

The entire week was a harmonious blend of learning, cultural exchange, and shared adventures.

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in orchestrating this memorable week and ensuring its resounding success. To all who contributed – teachers, pupils, and organizers – thank you for your dedication and hard work. Hasta pronto, amigos! We eagerly anticipate the next chapter in our cultural exchange journey.

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History

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Kent On Friday the 6th of October the members of Year 9 who did not go on the Ypres trip visited a reconstructed Great War trench in Kent at the Detling Showgrounds. We were shown about by Mark Ingarfield from the Centre for Experimental Military Archeology. We could view life in the trench and learn about things like cooking and nursing in the Great War. We were even lucky enough to be able to hold some artefacts from the Great War - shots and bullets. The trench network is 150 metres long and crosses a piece of woodland and was built using the same techniques as those in the Great War. The walls were lined with sandbags so that they would not collapse, and we saw a periscope that the soldiers would have used to look over the trench without being shot. The trip was arranged and organised by Mrs Neil and was a great learning experience for all who participated

Ypres Firstly, I would like to point out what a wonderful experience the Ypres trip was. Everyone that went broadened their outlook on WW1 and had a great time.

The two coaches heading to Belgium promptly left Portsmouth after the school day had ended.

There was no traffic and the coach made it to Dover with a lot of time to spare. The ferry crossing only took an hour and we were on our way through the north of France and into Belgium. We were at the hostel by one o’clock in the morning.

The first thing that we did was visit the small but unimportant Brandhoek New Military Cemetery. Buried there alongside many brave soldiers is one of three people to have received two Victoria Crosses. His name is Noel Chavasse and he was a British military doctor who served and died near Ypres. Alongside being a doctor, he was an Olympic athlete. Another cemetery that we visited (Poperinge) contained 3 graves of people who were executed, the largest at any cemetery. These soldiers would have been executed for several reasons such as desertion.

We then visited the Talbot House, a wholesome alternative to the bars that flourished in a town a few miles away from the front line. It was uniquely open to all ranks, officers and men. It provided a place for rest, relaxation and humanity for soldiers on leave. It has a chapel, garden, library and games room.

PORTMUTHIAN A British dressing hospital, Essex Farm, was where we went next. This is where John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. Dressing hospitals were the first place a wounded soldier could expect to receive some medical aid. Doctors could conduct triage and emergency surgery before passing casualties onto field hospitals. These dressing stations were around 5-7 miles from the front line. Alongside the dressing station is the Essex farm cemetery where the youngest known casualty is buried, Private Joe Strudwick of the Rifle Brigade, just aged 15 when he died.

Bois Coraert or Bayernwald (Bavarian wood) was the only German trench system that we visited during the trip. They were developed by the Germans between November 1914 and the 17th of June 1917 when the system was captured from the Germans by allied forces. Adolf Hitler served near here in 1914/15 where close by he was awarded the Iron Cross while working as a company runner. He returned to visit after the fall of France in 1940. Even though this trench system is reconstructed, it remains probably the best preserved trench system in this area.

Hill 60, sometimes known as Polingeek (Caterpillar) crater, was fiercely fought over in WW1 due to its vantage point. The sheer size of the crater was immense when we visited it during the trip.

The hill was the scene of the 19 miles planned to be detonated on the 17th of June, 1917 at 03:10.

Four failed to explode (one went off in 1956 after a lightning strike). Underground mining began in early 1915 as British miners (paid three times the amount as ordinary soldiers) tunnelled towards the German lines using the ‘clay kicking’ method. This method involves the miner lying on his back with a metal attachment to his boots. He will push his feet into the tunnel wall and bring the loose soil towards himself. The shafts were 30m deep and 429m long. On the 9th of November, the 1st Australian tunnelling company took control of the tunnels. Their job was to make sure the Germans did not discover the explosives or cut the cable for detonation. When the explosion went off, at 3:10 in the morning of the 17th of June 1917, the German front lines were obliterated, leading to the allied forces overrunning the hill. The explosions could be heard across the channel in London.

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After we had had supper, we walked into Ypres to visit the Menin Gate, where they were holding a ceremony to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Great War. The Menin Gate marked the start of the infamous Menin Road that led out of Ypres towards the front line. Tens of thousands of soldiers passed through these gates, many of them never to return. It was one of the many ancient gates of Ypres, but was destroyed during the Great War. It was rebuilt as a memorial for those British and Commonwealth soldiers who had lost their lives but had no known grave in the Ypres area. In total, 54,896 men are commemorated here. It was found, however, that the Menin Gate was not large enough to hold the names of all of the missing. The names recorded there are of soldiers who died between the outbreak of the war and the 15th of August 1917. The names of the further 34,984 missing soldiers who died between the 16th of August 1917 to the end of the war are engraved on carved panels in Tyne cot cemetery. One Old Portmuthian is commemorated here, Lieutenant Wilfred C Anderson, whose name is on panel 31/33.

On the final day, we had a guided tour of the In Flanders Field museum, which is in central Ypres. This museum was very useful at showing us the general history of the Ypres area but also talked about different aspects of the Great war.

Our final activity was visiting Clone Valley cemetery which was a small cemetery that was funded by the local people. We also visited Caesar’s Nose, a largely Welsh cemetery amidst a scenic cornfield. This cemetery was called Caesar’s Nose as the section of trench that ran alongside the cemetery looked like Caesar’s nose. Nearby to both of these cemeteries, is the Yorkshire trench and dugout. This was an excavated British trench section from 1917 that, unsurprisingly, included a dugout.

We left Ypres at around 15:00 on Saturday and returned to school at around 9:30 pm.

The amount of History that everyone learned during the trip was astonishing. It just goes to show what a great trip it was. Thank you to all of the staff that came on the trip, you made this wonderful experience possible.

By Wilbur Palmer Ward

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Visiting Speakers In the Autumn Term 2023, both the History and Politics societies played host to a number of outside speakers after school on either Tuesdays and Thursdays. The speakers included Dr Edward Howell from New College Oxford who discussed the intricacies and complexities of North Korea and Dr Jon Hemmings and Major General Matthew Jones (both OPs) who explained the importance of History to their current careers as a senior intelligence officer in the British Army and a strategy lecturer with the Asia Pacific Forum. We were also entertained and challenged by Andrew Murray, lecturer in Art History at the Open University and also twin brother of our Head of Classics, who explored some of the history behind the Super Mario Brothers film. The term was rounded off by a talk by Mr Lemieux surveying the US 2022 midterms and what they might tell us about the 2024 presidential elections, and of course, the ever popular Christmas quiz complete with some festive food.

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Maths This term, we have many Maths events running that allow pupils to experience Maths in inspiring and challenging ways. We had the individual challenge of the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and the Maths Olympiad for Girls as well as the Ritangle and Cipher Challenge team competitions. There are many successes to celebrate where the pupils excelled on a national level and had a lot of fun in the process, with some results still to come. Below is a summary of what has been achieved.

Pupils studying Mathematics in Years 12 and 13 and selected pupils from Year 11 took part in the UKMT Senior individual Maths challenge. This is one and a half hours of problem solving, using Mathematics in ways that are different to what they have seen in the classroom. Over 700,000 pupils take part nationally with the top 66% achieving certificates in the ratio of 3:2:1 for Bronze, Silver and Gold respectively.

The top 1000 pupils get invited to participate in the Olympiad with the next 6000 pupils in the country get invited into the next round called the Kangaroo and of those, both of which are incredible achievements, put pupils in the top 1% of pupils nationally. The results are below: Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

Gold

2

9

12

Silver

3

11

11

Bronze

3

15

13

Olympiad Kangaroo

2 2

9

10

Proportionally the number of golds in each year group is up on last year and to have 21 pupils going through to a Kangaroo round and 2 qualifying for the Olympiad (Andrei Toader and Will Todd Yr 13) is amazing and a real credit to those pupils.

For these next rounds, the top 25% receive a distinction and the next 40% receive a merit. We are still waiting on the results of them, but all pupils who qualified should be incredibly proud of their success.

Further to this, we partook in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls again this year, with 9 of our best Sixth Form female Mathematicians taking part. 4 pupils achieved a merit (Belinda Chau, Jiali Hicks in Year 12 and Aurora Zhou and Christine Zhou in Year 13) which is amazing and 2 pupils achieved an outstanding Distinction (Gianna Ho and Chelsea Chen in Year 12).

Sixth Form pupils have been taking part in the Integral Ritangle competition and University of Southampton Cipher Challenge. These competitions run over a period of 10 weeks with different problems being released first weekly then daily until the final problem in the middle of December. A number of teams entered this national competition and as we build up to the finale, enthusiasm and expectations remains high.

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Music

PORTMUTHIAN The first six weeks were a whirlwind of musical activity — with 15 performances and daily music in assembly, our musicians have been busy and creative! It has been wonderful for the PGS Community to be responding daily to music made by members of our community. Our weekly lunchtime recital series on Mondays continues to provide an opportunity for solo performances in front of a small and supportive audience, and it has been particularly lovely to feature solo and ensemble performances from pupils daily in our assemblies.

The term and academic year began on day one with Chamber Choir singing for the welcome service for the new Year 7 pupils in the Cathedral, swiftly followed by a high octane Samba workshop for our Music Scholars with Portsmouth’s Samba Batala Band. Our 30 musicians really threw themselves into the complex rhythms and were even able to “step” and play. They were sounding like a samba band in no time at all!

In week 2 PGS Brass took to the Baker Barracks, where they proudly provided the musical accompaniment for the recommissioning ceremony of the 137 Java Battery. After eight years of suspended animation, this unit is once again ready to embark on a deployment to Estonia.

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The morning of Friday 29 September found musicians being treated to an exquisite recital from members of ‘Anemos’, a professional wind ensemble featuring our very own Miss Kingsley at the piano. Music scholars, award holders and the PGS Music Sixth Form cohort were in attendance and enjoyed not only a performance of this beautiful trio which profiles particularly luxurious writing for wind, but also a lecture recital on Neo-Classicism given by our Upper Sixth students James and Alex. Their lecture was extremely impressive in its scope and analytical detail, with both James and Alex highlighting salient features of the work, delving deep into how classical elements can be treated when viewed through a twenty-first-century lens. A question and answer session with the musicians of Anemos revealed the realities of ensemble playing, the context of Poulenc’s work, how chamber music differs from other performances, and how we approach our scores with intelligent musical decision-making. The questions from our pupils were thoughtful and insightful and gave them great credit. James and Alex are to be warmly congratulated on their writing of a highly competent academic lecture delivered not only in front of their peers but in collaboration with professional musicians. Thanks are also due to Miss Kingsley and the members of Anemos who performed and generously took questions with such enthusiasm. The morning was the perfect intersection between performance art and the rigours of academia and highlighted to both pupils and teachers alike the interdependence of the two aspects of our discipline.

PORTMUTHIAN Orchestral Day On Tuesday 3 October, the Music Department held a successful orchestral experience day that brought together pupils from the Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form, along with 30 visiting musicians from West Hill Park School and The Prebendal School. Throughout the day, the musicians collaborated to form a large orchestra of 140 pupils, as well as a string orchestra, wind group, brass band and jazz ensemble working to prepare and perform for parents at the end of the day. The day was a resounding success, uniting pupils of all ages and showcasing their talents. The final pieces left the audience thoroughly impressed, demonstrating not just the capabilities of their children but also the power music has in bringing people together.

Changing Voices Evensong - 9 October 2023 As a Cathedral Choir School, our links with the Music Department at Portsmouth Cathedral are very important to us. A large number of the boy (treble) and girl choristers are PGS pupils. When boys’ voices change they have to leave the choir, however, we aim to keep the boys singing in our Changing Voices group to teach our musicians how to access and use the exciting new tenor and bass voices that develop. It was fantastic that evensong at the Cathedral on October 9th was sung by our Changing Voices choristers, many of whom had been trebles in the choir. We were joined by the Changing Voices from Guildford Cathedral for this service to create a combined choir of 15 young male voices. The blend and balance of the group was excellent and the canticles arranged by Mr Hemmings for Changing Voices from Martin How’s Old Palace Service really allowed the boys to show off their fine phrasing and shaping of melody line. Tom was an excellent Cantor for the plainsong psalm and the choir sang this with precision and tasteful phrasing. Herbert Howells’ beautiful anthem My Eyes for Beauty Pine finished the service. The hymn and final voluntary were played by Year 13 musician Sam Bertenshaw, with real security and authority.

Autumn Concert 11 October 2023 String orchestras, jazz ensembles, big band, concert band, trumpet quartet, massed voices of year 7 - the Autumn Concert on 11 October had it all! After just 5 weeks of rehearsals, the Music Department was proud to present an evening of electrifying performances. Our young String Sinfonietta players who opened the concert with music from Pirates of the Caribbean played beautifully with a real sense of poise and ensemble. The house was brought down by Students’ Collective whose sophisticated, tight ensemble jazz performances raised the temperature.

Concert Band’s performance of Star Wars marches brought the world of the silver screen vividly to life. The first half ended with all of year 7 (100 voices in all), accompanied by the 40-piece Concert Band, singing a medley from The Lion King; it was fantastic to hear the energy and enthusiasm of these young singers who also managed some beautiful lyrical moments as well.

The second half of the concert opened with a classy fanfare for four trumpets, followed by PGS Brass in a programme of music from the Beatles to Bond and a Tuba solo feature! The concert closed with a phenomenal performance by the Big Band featuring hugely impressive improvisation from the trombone, trumpet and saxophone departments. This sent the audience home with a spring in their step! Thank you to all our musicians (nearly 200 performers) who gave us all such an enjoyable evening of music.

PORTMUTHIAN Lunchtime Live 12 October 2023 Many congratulations to our music scholars in Years 11 to 13 for a truly wonderful lunchtime recital as part of the Lunchtime Live series at Portsmouth Cathedral on 12 October. Elliot (Year 13), Harry (Year 11), Joshua (Year 12), James (Year 13) and Will (Year 12) treated the audience to beautiful performances on trumpet, piano and recorder. This was a real oasis of calm and tranquillity during the busy week with music from Gershwin to Goedicke. Congratulations and thank you, also, to Miss Kingsley for her sensitive accompaniment.

Cathedral News As choir school for Portsmouth Cathedral, the 25 choristers who sing daily in the cathedral have had a busy start to their year. We extend our congratulations to Noah and Daniel, who are the Head Choristers and to their Deputies, Stanley and David. In addition to their regular Tuesday, Friday and Sunday services the boys have sung for the Old Chorister’s Association, the annual commemoration service for Seafarers and the installation of the new Canon Chancellor. The girls have had an equally busy and successful half term including singing for the annual Royal Marines Commemoration Service with the full Marines Band and a join evensong at Guildford Cathedral with their Girls Choir. The next half term sees the girls singing a live broadcast of Choral Evensong on Radio 3 on Wednesday 1 November and going on tour to Belgium in December. Look out for the cathedral choir live on BBC 1 on Christmas Eve as they broadcast Midnight Mass.

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English On 23rd and 24th November author Sufia Ahmed visited PGS. Sufiya is an established author of children’s and YA fiction, as well as a regular writer for The Independent. Before her full-time writing career, Sufiya worked in advertising and in The House of Commons. In 2010 Sufiya set up the BIBI Foundation, a non-profit organisation, to arrange visits to the Houses of Parliament for diverse and underprivileged school children. Students had the opportunity to ask Sufia questions and to hear a talk on her incredible work writing children’s stories.

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School News

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An Interview with Mr Payne What was your happiest experience at PGS? That’s a good question. I don’t think I have a single happiest experience that I really really enjoyed, this job is not an easy one, but nevertheless, it’s been enjoyable — partly because it’s challenging. There are particular things that I look upon fondly: the first Giving Day, I enjoyed …

House Shout, which was great, I think that was a lot of fun … so no single memory, but lots of things that have contributed towards a really good time.

Do you have a most embarrassing moment at the school?

Yes, but I’m not going to share it. Actually, I will share it, because it’s funny — for a long time, a large part of my job was the COVID stuff, which was not a job that I ever thought I was going to be doing. So when COVID happened I was the obvious person to sort of lead the school’s response, which included communicating with parents. And I wrote a long letter to parents about the advice that we were receiving from the NHS, and I included a reference to ‘pubic’ health instead of ‘public’ health … so that was quite embarrassing. But I think it’s important in this job to be able to laugh at yourself.

Just generally — it doesn’t have to be in this school — but was there a colleague who inspired you in your life? Or is there a valuable lesson that you’ve learned from your co-workers?

Good question … when I was successfully interviewed for the position of Head that I’m moving to, I referenced a former teacher of mine, a chap by the name of Ed Beasley, and Ed helped me as a teacher when I needed help most. And that was a very powerful contributor towards my becoming a teacher, and trying to make sure that I did the right thing for young people too.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen since joining PGS? The biggest single issue was COVID, which became my job for pretty much a year and a half, it became my career … but when I arrived, we still had a vertical House system and a sort of horizontal pastoral system, and there was a lot of confusion from pupils, staff, and parents, as to whether it was heads of House or heads of Year that managed things.

So I think making that change, now there’s no confusion.

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And what message would you give to the person taking your place at the school?

When I first arrived, people spoke about the community at PGS as being something special. And it really, truly, is. This is a very special school, and I feel very privileged to be able to work here.

What are your next steps?

I’m moving to be the Headmaster at Bedford Modern School, which is in Bedford, north of London. My children and my wife have already moved up there - they moved up there in the summer, so this term has been quite difficult. But my children have started at the school already and they’re really enjoying it, so I’m looking forward to getting to be a headteacher and being able to see my family.

So be honest — will you miss PGS? Absolutely! I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been difficult at times, it’s not a job that is easy, and there are parts of it which I will … not miss, if I’m really honest. But the vast majority of the job I will miss, and the people, which is what makes every school, I will miss enormously, yes.

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve had to do as a teacher?

Probably still COVID, to be honest. Going into teaching, I didn’t think I would have to learn about the basics of microbiology and have to send whole classes of pupils home and do Test and Trace and organise COVID testing and all that stuff, which was horrific, at the time - but I think we can look back at an institution and be proud of our response.

What’s the most memorable piece of work you’ve ever marked?

I remember … and this is not a PGS story, I marked an extended project at one of my previous schools, it was on cartography. I’m a geography teacher by trade and a sixth former had written a piece of work about cartography that was quite frankly the most remarkable piece of student work that I’ve ever read. But, attending the EPQ celebration at the end of last term, there is some amazing work here. It’s just one of the joys of the job, really, people are incredibly talented, especially the ones that we’re lucky enough to work with, and it’s just been a pleasure.

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House Shout A vibrant and close-knit community of students thrives at The Portsmouth Grammar School.

Now among the school's cherished traditions, House Shout stands as a testament to the spirit of camaraderie, competition, and talent. With eight distinct houses, each bearing a unique legacy, the House Shout has become a celebrated event that encapsulates the school's commitment to excellence and teamwork.

House Shout is a musical competition where each house prepares a captivating performance that incorporates singing, dancing, and theatrical elements. The event took place in the school quad, which provides an ideal stage for the students to express themselves and compete for the coveted House Shout Trophy.

One of the most remarkable aspects of House Shout is its ability to bring together students from diverse backgrounds and talents. Whether you're a budding actor, a talented singer, or a dance enthusiast, House Shout provides a platform for every student to contribute to their house's performance. This inclusivity fosters a sense of unity and teamwork that goes beyond the classroom, forging lasting friendships and memories.

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While unity is a central theme, House Shout is still a competition, and the houses take their performances seriously. Careful preparation goes into crafting the perfect act, with each house striving to outdo the others. The rivalry was intense, but it was a friendly and constructive competition that pushed students to excel in their chosen art forms.

House Shout was not just about competition; it was also a celebration of creativity and talent.

Students were encouraged to explore their artistic sides, experiment with different genres of music and dance, and push the boundaries of their creativity. This freedom to express fosters a culture of innovation and originality that is a hallmark of PGS. Each House Shout concluded with a grand finale where all the houses came together to perform a collaborative piece. This finale, often a medley of songs and dances, was a reminder that, despite the fierce competition, the students are all part of one big PGS family.

The Portsmouth Grammar School's House Shout was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of unity, talent, and creativity. The eight houses, Smith, Whitcombe, Hawkey, Latter, Eastwood, Summers, Barton, and Grant, came together to create a memorable event that reflected the values and spirit of the school, with the ultimate winners being Smith and Hawkey!

Through House Shout, PGS continues to foster a sense of community, teamwork, and excellence that will shape the lives of its students for years to come.

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Guys and Dolls

When the curtains fell on our school production, there was an indelible mark left as our remarkably talented pupils took to the spotlight, enchanting audiences with their captivating rendition of 'Guys and Dolls' at the New Theatre Royal.

A resounding congratulations and bravo are in order for the phenomenal cast, whose performances transcended the ordinary, immersing spectators in the glamorous world of Broadway with each spellbinding scene.

Our applause also extends beyond the actors to the tireless crew working behind the scenes.

Their meticulous efforts breathed life into the production with seamless precision.

And lastly, we must also congratulate our incredible orchestra! The harmonious melodies resonated throughout the theatre, skillfully orchestrated by the talented ensemble. Their musical prowess added an incredible layer of enchantment, elevating the entire experience to unprecedented heights.

Congratulations on three consecutive nights of pure theatrical brilliance! Here's to the cast, crew, and orchestra for crafting a truly spectacular and unforgettable production of 'Guys and Dolls'!

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Fireworks OFF WITH A BANG! Thank you to everyone who joined us at Hilsea Playing Fields on Sunday for our annual fireworks display! Even though it was damper than we had hoped, it was a brilliant evening! Well done to our golden ticket winners, who enjoyed an indulgent banquet of sweet treats and access to the best view of the fireworks in our Pavilion.

Photo Safari Competition

Felix Lowe

Mithila Sharker

Varansi Patel

Daniel Edwards

Ava Francis

Stanley Hill

Rory Bayles

Eric Hoelzi

Hattie Monk

Tiger Johnson

Samir Akram

Max Gofton Oscar Hickey

Marie Mitchell

Patrick Harrison

Bella Crawford

Harry Barden

Haohan Lu

Olive Gold Alex Spaldin

Emily Irvine

Florence Fernandes

Tiger Johnson

Harry Carlin

Tiger Johnson

PORTMUTHIAN In this year's Photo Safari competition, the judging panel comprised three distinguished professional photographers: Bob Marchant, Christopher Gonta, and Colin Barker.

Renowned for his proficiency in fashion, beauty, and still-life photography, Christopher Gonta brought his distinctive eye to the evaluation process. Colin Barker, a former advertising photographer turned personal project enthusiast, provided a unique perspective centred on West Sussex and his globally photographed project featuring Caspian horses. Meanwhile, Bob Marchant, a seasoned advertising photographer, captivated the audience with his journey into the mesmerizing realm of high-speed liquid photography.

Pooling their diverse backgrounds and preferences, the judges collaborated to meticulously select the winning entries. Following thorough deliberation, four exceptional photos emerged as standouts: 1. Tiger Johnson 2. Harry Carlin (on theme Compassion) 3. Edward Stirling 4. Aryan Khan To inspire participants, Bob Marchant shared insights from his own creative journey, emphasising the significance of unwavering faith in one's creativity, continuous skill refinement, and the exploration of innovative techniques.

Congratulations to the winners, and a resounding thank you to all contributors who played a pivotal role in making the Photo Safari competition a success. Let's collectively continue to celebrate and foster the creativity of these promising young photographers.

Aryan Khan

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Outdoor Pursuits

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DOFE Bronze Singing, sore backs, and a lot of fun. During the summer term, we embarked on our bronze DofE expedition after completing a fun six months of other activities. Individually, we went out of our comfort zone and learnt new skills, then come together at the end for two days of hiking through the * South Downs.

For volunteering, I (Eleanor) worked in my local charity shop where I learnt how to engage with customers and cater to their needs. I enjoyed the experience as my social confidence developed throughout my time working there. Secondly, I spent three months dancing for my physical section at the start of the year, and I then spent six months doing singing lessons out of school which I enjoyed as I love singing.

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For my sections, I (Harriet) coached a U10s team at my local hockey club, which gave me experience with communicating with others. Furthermore, I also did singing lessons for my skills and hockey at my club for physical, both of which I already did so they enabled me to aim for goals whilst doing my hobbies.

After a long day of walking, we settled down in Ditcham Park School as we built our tents and met up with all the other groups. Once we finished, we enjoyed a few games of football and cricket, surprising ourselves with even more energy and building up our hunger even more.

Cooking caused mayhem among the seven of us, as uncooked spaghetti didn’t bode well for some of our stomachs and led one of our own to a minor illness. Luckily, we had done a first aid course! All the excitement tired us out, and soon enough we were tucked into our sleeping bags and ready for a good night's sleep.

The next day we set off bright and early and were ready to get the final day done. While making our way to our next checkpoint, we all needed a morale boost and decided to write a song as we had a ukulele, and both enjoyed singing. Our song explained the excitement of the walk and was just so catchy that we couldn’t stop singing it. As the song spread, we had the pleasure of performing it to our group leaders at the end as we waited for our parents to pick us up (literally!).

All in all, we had a brilliant time and cannot wait for silver!

Many thanks for the opportunity, Eleanor Mead and Harriet Burrell (Year 11)

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DOFE Silver Before our assessed expedition, we did our practice expedition and went to Dorset, where the weather was beautiful. Walking next to the cliffs was scary but the views along the coast were amazing. Even though we were tired, a smile was brought back to our face when we could see the leader at the next checkpoint, telling us we were getting closer to the camp sites. At the campsite, we had fun playing card games and cooking, with some of us being so tired and hungry that we started nibbling on dry pasta. On the last day, we saw people from other schools also doing DofE, with us nearly finished we tried to encourage them as they were just starting.

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For our assessed expedition, we went to the New Forest, where it was harder to navigate. All was going well until the second day in the afternoon, when it started to rain nonstop. When we got to the campsite, after being lost for an hour, we quickly put up our tents and tried to stay warm. Mr Gillies said that it only rained one time before us in the many years he has done DofE, so I think we can count ourselves as special. However this didn't stop us. On the last day, the sun was shining, we had recovered from the day before and set off. At the end, my friend and I sprinted to the end, happy that we finally finished our expedition. It was a great experience, even better than bronze, and I can’t wait for Gold DofE! Folademi Odofin (Year 12)

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DOFE Gold

My name is Reuben and I am one of the year 13’s who completed their gold DofE in Scotland last year. It was a great experience and one which our group of 7 thoroughly enjoyed. During our first term during ignite, we planned out our expedition, with everything from route cards and maps to meal plans and flight bookings needing to be completed before we could set off.

When the time came we took a flight from Heathrow to Inverness airport and then took a taxi to our youth hostel in Pitlochry. We then completed 2 days of canoe training on Loch Rannoch and the River Lyon. During this time we cooked meals together as a group in the hostel kitchen.

Then we were off on our first expedition on Loch Tay and the river Tay, getting our first experience with wild camping and living independently on the water.

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After the first expedition, we had a short break at the next hostel in Aviemore. We used this time to rest and prepare ourselves for the final expedition. Our final expedition started on Loch Inch and took us all the way to the coast of Scotland near Spey Bay. Spending all day on the water and having to pack all of our possessions into our canoes every morning made for an interesting organisation challenge.

Overall our experience was great fun, and we all learnt a lot about living independently, cooking our own food and generally managing all of our time alone, along with canoeing and camping skills. The trip was amazing fun and we would all highly recommend it.

Rueben Thomas (Year 13)

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Celebrating Achievement: The Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening at Portsmouth Grammar School

PORTMUTHIAN The Portsmouth Grammar School DofE 2022-23 season was one that was full of successes.

The Year 10 pupils enjoyed yet another beautiful summer of walking on the South Downs in and around the Queen Elizabeth Country Park area. Thanks must go to the large team of DofE staff who made it possible for the 14 teams to complete their expeditions. This experience sets the tone for the Award programme at Portsmouth Grammar School which continues to be very popular with pupils and parents.

The Year 11 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their time on the Dorset Coast and then exploring the New Forest in their efforts to complete the Silver Award. This combination of terrains always throws up a variety of navigational challenges that add meaning and reward. There was certainly a real sense of achievement in the air as the pupils presented to their assessors postexpedition. Well done yet again to those pupils who took up this challenge post-GCSE exams.

There is no doubt that this can be a daunting prospect after an intense period, but as ever the pupils used this as an opportunity to decompress and enjoy what our regional countryside and nature has to offer.

Both Bronze and Silver awards boasted a completion rate of touching 80% which is a remarkable achievement by both cohorts. When pitched against a 40% completion rate as a national average, this surely shows the dedication and commitment shown by all involved.

The Gold Award continues to be an attractive opportunity for a number of our pupils entering the sixth form. The lure of a Canoeing expedition experience in the wilderness of the Scottish countryside saw 26 pupils make the journey northward to test their grit and skills.

Congratulations to all involved in this expedition and thanks must go to those staff who gave up their Summer break to support such a venture.

The future of DofE at Portsmouth Grammar School looks ever bright with sustained numbers of 90+ for Bronze, 50+ for Silver and 35 pupils for Gold in the 2023-24 cohort. With 175 pupils taking up their DofE challenges this year, a final message of thanks must go to all staff who volunteer to support groups, be assessors and facilitate expeditions.

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A Sneak Peek into the Junior School

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Junior School Languages Week We had a wonderful time celebrating Languages Day! We took part by sharing our own language experiences as a group and using greetings from our friends’ home languages. We sang songs with greetings from around the world and talked about what it is like when we hear other languages when travelling. In the art area, we created flag collages using a range of media and in the home corner, children tried on different traditional clothes from around the world. We have such an exciting range of languages spoken in the Pre-School this year and it was wonderful to have a particular focus on this as part of Languages Day. Language skills and the diversity of our Pre-School children are something we will be recognising throughout the year and particularly through our current topic.

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Harvest Festival On Tuesday 3rd October we went to the Harvest Festival!

After the Brass Band, the Purreli Orchestra and the woodwind orchestra went to the DRT (The David Russell Theatre). We all rehearsed in different places and then we all came together and performed in front of all the parents. We all had cookies and drinks and refreshments afterwards!

From my view as a Tuba player, I think Tuesday was really eventful! We played with the Senior school to create a whole Orchestra of Purreli Orchestra, Brass Band, Woodwind and Jazz! In the end, we ended up practising the same piece to put together with everyone to play to the parents.

The orchestra had people from other schools and the seniors came which was an amazing experience. We all played a piece called Pirates of the Caribbean and we were playing the part of the Medallion and we joined up with the woodwind orchestra and jazz.

Now that we have all this knowledge, we hope that you fall in love with an instrument and start learning!

By Wren Freeman and Maya Tsutsui (Year 5)

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A Day in the Life of a Teacher Have you ever wondered what a teacher feels? The annoyance of children being silly. The hard work they put into making a day AMAZING for you? Now... I think that we need more appreciation for our educational help. So now try and think of the mindset of a teacher...

Teachers may commonly think: ‘Please be quiet’ or ‘Just sit down.’

‘Concentrate’ and ‘Hurry up!’

Children chatting around and teachers still trying to educate them makes them truly empathetic and filled with love and care for their students. So, we must help them as they keep supporting us in our learning as they keep striding onwards to their goal, keeping our brains sharp and in form. You may think ‘Why is my teacher so mean to me’ well actually they are just trying to keep you safe. They feel our pain, our struggles, and our preferences. The teachers are trying to put you with people you enjoy being with, but sometimes... they don’t. And that is because they are putting you with people you work well with. Teachers sometimes forget things and that is not their fault, you just can't take teachers for granted but that does not make them bad, it just makes them unique, and special.

Maya Tsutsui (Year 5)

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Year 5 Shakespeare Workshop

Year 5 had a wonderful start to their new English topic ‘The Tempest’ with a brilliant workshop delivered by Shakespeare Rewired. They had the chance to act out the play and get into character with fabulous costumes – there was lots of laughter and an array of fantastic acting!

The children had lots of fun seeing the play come to life and learning about each different character. They also got the chance to see two trained actors act out part of the play and had a meaningful discussion around how to use their voices and bodies to convey meaning for a character.

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Editor Thanks As we turn the pages of the final chapter of this termly edition of the Portmuthian Magazine, I am filled with a mixture of pride and gratitude. It is with great pleasure that I extend my deepest thanks to four remarkable individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping the beauty and substance of our beloved magazine. Fola, our brilliant editor, has been the compass guiding us through the intricate seas of words and ideas. Fola's dedication to precision and knack for capturing the essence of each piece has been the bedrock upon which the coherence and fluency of our magazine are built. Sabiha, our design virtuoso, has transformed mere words into visual symphonies. Her artistic prowess has graced each page with a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality, creating an immersive experience for every reader. Sophia, our talented writer, has woven tales and insights that captivate the mind. Her ability to articulate profound thoughts with eloquence has added depth and resonance to the pages of the Portmuthian Magazine.

Dawn, our vigilant proof reader, has been the guardian of our editorial integrity. Her meticulous eye for detail has ensured that every comma is in its place, every sentence flows seamlessly, and the magazine, as a whole, stands as a polished testament to our commitment to excellence.

Together, Fola, Sabiha, Sophia, and Dawn have crafted a magazine that blends a culmination of creativity, dedication, and passion. Each of them has brought a unique set of skills and perspectives, enriching our magazine with diversity and depth. As the editor, I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of working alongside such an exceptional team. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the Portmuthian Magazine have not only made this edition a success but have also set a standard for future endeavours. To Fola, Sabiha, Sophia, and Dawn, thank you for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. As we close this chapter on 2023, I eagerly anticipate the next one, confident that with a team like ours, the journey ahead will be as remarkable as the one we've just concluded. With gratitude, Rebecca Champion Editor-in-Chief, Portmuthian Magazine Ms Champion Editor of the Portmuthian