AND FINALLY ...

Barton Science Centre wins RIBA Regional Award

The School has received a highly prestigious RIBA Award, with judges commending its “brilliant” Barton Science Centre.

The state-of-the-art, three-storey building was among the winners in the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) South East Awards, an annual competition which celebrates the very best of architecture in the UK. The winning regional projects will now go on to compete for national awards later in the year.

The building was designed by architectural practice BDP, and was funded in part by the many hundreds of donors who contributed to the school’s ‘Excellence for All’ campaign over a period of several years.

RIBA judges found that the purpose of the new space, “To inspire a new generation of young scientists,” had been achieved, and that the centre “delivered the very best teaching spaces on every level” The awards citation stated: “Overall, this is a brilliant new science building with a respectful and intelligent approach to the refurbishment of the existing building.”

A ‘Wheel of Books’: Upcycling in action!

A recent addition to the Smythe Library is a wonderful Wheel of Books, created by Whitworth Housemaster and DT Teacher Will Biddle.

Will’s creation is nearly seven feet tall, contains 270 real books, took many months to create and is proving to be quite a talking point for everyone who has seen it. The structure is now displayed in the Library’s entrance.

Inspired by a similar installation at the British Museum, Will, himself a former Tonbridge pupil, set about creating his own piece. Helen Precious, the School’s Head Librarian, was able to provide outdated and damaged books, which fitted in with the DT Department’s Upcycling activities.

The boring of the holes in the books took most of the Wednesday afternoons of the previous Michaelmas Term. The frame was designed by Will using Computer Aided Design, with technician Chris Martin assisting with the fabrication and welding.