2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Magazine Dovecote Festival marks reopening of one of the area’s oldest buildings and redevelopment progress
Drama! Outstanding productions of Romeo & Juliet and Antigone
Sport! Yarm’s rugby players tour Australia
Transformed!
Academic! Why we’re still top of the league
Foreword
Official opening of Dovecote: page 8
What an amazing year… It always gives me great pleasure to write the foreword to the Yarm School magazine because it encapsulates all that is so special about the School. We are fortunate to have wonderful teachers and support staff who do such an excellent job. The School is full of pupils who contribute enthusiastically and achieve such great things. They are all a pleasure to work with and a source of great pride to me. The school year 2010-11 was packed with pupil endeavour and successes across our mind-boggling range of activities. Our marketing manager, Lynsey Hannah, has done a superb job recording and reporting on as much of it as can be squeezed into this publication and I thank her for all her hard work. Sport, music, drama, CCF, outdoor education, trips and House reports are all represented, along with a record of the amazing redevelopment programme and appreciations of retiring Governors and staff. As you turn the pages and immerse yourself in the activity of the year I hope you will feel a little of the pride that I have in the School and all who belong to our friendly and supportive community. Enjoy our magazine! David Dunn Headmaster
Fashion Show: page 32
Rugby tour of Australia: pages 57, 58
Best foot forward: page 54 2010/11
Magazine Dovecote Festival marks reopening of one of the area’s oldest buildings and redevelopment progress
©Yarm School 2011 Drama! Outstanding productions of Romeo & Juliet and Antigone
Sport! Yarm’s rugby players tour Australia
Transformed! 2 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Thanks to Yarm School staff, parents and pupils who have contributed to this year’s magazine.
Academic! Why we’re still top of the league
Editor: Lynsey Hannah LJH@yarmschool.org Designed and printed by The Specialists in Communications www.thespecialists.org.uk
www.yarmschool.org
Contents
Exploring Brimham Rocks: page 15
In the Lakes and Dales: page 20
Romeo and Juliet: page 26
Royal Academy workshop: page 44
Language trips to France, Germany and Spain: pages 46-47
Grand designs: pages 52-53
Rowing challenges: pages 64, 65
Sports Day: pages 68, 69
Exam triumph: page 74
Inside this year’s Magazine Foreword................................................................................................................................General n..................2 Contents.................................................................................................................................General n..................3 Welcome.................................................................................................................................Starters n.............4, 5 Farewell....................................................................................................................................Leavers n.............6, 7 Dovecote/What a difference a year makes.............................Redevelopment n.............8, 9 In at the deep end...........................................................................................................1st Year n...............10 Girls win out – again!.............................................................................................Sixth Form n...............11 Freewheeling/Two weeks in France.....................................Outdoor Education n...... 12, 13 Fontainebleau/Brimham Rocks................................................Outdoor Education n...... 14, 15 Junior caving...........................................................................................Outdoor Education n...............16 Winter skills...............................................................................................Outdoor Education n...............17 Skiing.............................................................................................................Outdoor Education n...... 18, 19 First and Second Year trips...........................................................Outdoor Education n...............20 First and Second Year Outward Bound..............................Outdoor Education n...... 21, 22 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.........................................................Outdoor Education n...............23 Busy year for cadets.................................................................Combined Cadet Force n...... 24, 25 Romeo and Juliet/Acting talent for all to see...............................................Drama n...... 26, 27 Duologues delight/Antigone...................................................................................Drama n...... 28, 29 Hitting the high notes......................................................................................................Music n...... 30, 31 Fashion Show/Dance Showcase...........................................................................Textiles n...... 32, 33 Spotlight on Aidan, Bede, Cuthbert and Oswald....................................Houses n.......34-41 Art A-level and GCSE/Royal Academy workshop/Rolf Harris....................Art n.......42-44 www.yarmschool.org
On the Battlefields............................................................................................................History n...............45 Hadrian’s Wall.......................................................................................................................Classics n...............45 France, Germany and Spain trips................................................................Languages n...... 46, 47 Out and about...........................................................................................................Geography n...............48 Plant and animal species/Independent learning....................................Biology n...............49 Enjoying mathematics....................................................................................................Maths n...............50 Arkwright Scholars/D&T techniques.........................Design and Technology n...............51 Grand designs.............................................................................Design and Technology n.......52-53 Best foot forward...............................................................................................................Textiles n...............54 Eco-Schools.............................................................................................................. Eco-Schools n...............55 Rugby tour of Australia, Rugby...................................................................................Sport n.......56-58 Boys’ Hockey, Girls’ Hockey.............................................................................................Sport n.......59-61 Netball............................................................................................................................................Sport n...... 62, 63 Rowing..........................................................................................................................................Sport n...... 64, 65 Cricket, Tennis...........................................................................................................................Sport n...... 66, 67 Sports Day...................................................................................................................................Sport n...... 68, 69 Chess...................................................................................................................................... Activities n...............71 Study leave beckons.....................................................................................................5th Year n...............71 And so, goodbye......................................................................................................Sixth Form n...............72 Yarm School Association.....................................................................................................YSA n...............73 Exam results.........................................................................................................................General n...............74 School appointments..................................................................................................General n...............75 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 3
Welcome
Mr Jonathan Ferstenberg
Mrs Emma Harrison
Mr Adam Morrison
Miss Kate Woodhead
A world of experience Mr Jonathan Ferstenberg brings to Yarm School a very varied background and a wealth of experience as he takes up the role of Director of Studies. He grew up in Florida in the USA and then went to Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he got a B.A. in History and English, with a subsidiary in World Religions. Mr Ferstenberg’s first major teaching post was teaching English in Hikari-machi Junior High School, a small 11-14 school in the Japanese countryside. “I was impressed by how much of a family the school was. Students helped clean the school and would step into the teachers’ lounge to chat with their favourite teachers. Plenty of students were there in the summer playing sports and the school was also busy at weekends. It was a really nice community where they cared about the children.” While in Japan, Mr Ferstenberg met his future wife, Helen, a teacher from England. After his time in Japan, Mr Ferstenberg went to Columbia Law School in New York and attained a Juris Doctor in law. He briefly practised shipping and aircraft law at the New York office of an
international law firm, but opted to return to teaching. Mr Ferstenberg then taught Government, World Civilisations, Modern Asian History and Culture, Law and Sociology in two schools in Connecticut. “The biggest difference between teaching in the USA and the UK is the freedom teachers have in America. There was no national curriculum and no public exams. Teachers could design courses that played to their strengths and interests. On the other hand, when I came to the UK, I was very impressed by the depth of knowledge and analysis required at GCSE and A-level. The great thing about Yarm School is that we get the best of both worlds: intellectually challenging material and a bit more freedom.” In 2001, Mr Ferstenberg and his growing family moved to the UK. After teaching briefly in a comprehensive school in Southport, he moved to the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. Over the past ten years, he has held several positions, including Assistant Deputy Head, Head of R.E., PSHE and Citizenship, and Head of General Studies. He
has also taught History, Politics and Economics and run the Debating Society. “I really enjoyed being at the RGS and I got a lot of experience working with staff and students and developing new programmes, but I am very excited about coming to Yarm School. Yarm has an outstanding reputation – everyone I meet speaks about it in glowing terms. It is already clear to me that the staff are very dedicated and the students are bright, articulate, friendly and proud of their school.” When he’s not teaching, Mr Ferstenberg spends time with his wife and three young children. He is a member of the Wranglers Debating Society and a keen runner. We welcome Mrs Emma Harrison to our History Department this year, as Head of History. She will be replacing Mr Crookes who has stepped down as Head of Department but will continue to teach on a part-time basis. Mrs Harrison joins us from Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough where she is a History teacher and in charge of the Gifted and Talented provision.
New Head of Prep School Mr Bill Toleman, who takes up the post of Head in September, joins the Prep School at an exciting phase of the redevelopment project. Educated at St. Columba’s College, Hertfordshire, Mr Toleman went on to read Geography at Nottingham University. Mr Toleman has a wealth of experience and joins the school from Worcester where he is Deputy Head at King’s St. Alban’s, the junior school of the highly regarded King’s School, Worcester. Mr Toleman, a previous Head of Games, enjoys most sports including rugby, cricket and surfing, although he has some trepidation about surfing in the North Sea! He said: “I am delighted to be taking up the position as Head of Yarm Prep School and to be joining such a happy, vibrant community at this exciting stage of its development. “The new facilities, just recently constructed, are superb. I am particularly looking forward to getting to know the pupils, parents and staff when I arrive.” Also joining Mr Toleman at the Preparatory School as Deputy Head is Mr Gavin Stone. Mr Stone joins the school from Lanesborough School (The Junior School of RGS Guildford).
4 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Welcome
Mrs Helen Walton
Mr Peter Skerratt
Reading-born Mrs Harrison moved to Derby at the age of five and attended Ecclesbourne School. She then went on to read History at Christ’s College, Cambridge. Whilst at university, Mrs Harrison was a keen sportswoman and participated in a range of sports, including rowing. She also represented Cambridge University in the Varsity match in Water polo. After working in a bank for 3 years, Mrs Harrison went back to university in York to study for her PGCE. She has been teaching for 6 years – all of which she has spent at Macmillan Academy. During her time at Macmillan, Mrs Harrison was involved in a range of activities from the Somme battlefield trip to rock climbing in the Lake District. In her spare time, she enjoys watching all kinds of sport (tennis and football in particular). “I am exceptionally excited to be moving to Yarm School, I am looking forward to the challenge of being Head of Department and cannot wait to get involved in all aspects of school life.” Mr Adam Morrison also joins the History Department this year. Educated at RGS Newcastle, he then went on to the University of Leicester where he read History. After leaving University Mr Morrison taught as an un-qualified teacher at Newcastle School for Boys, for a year, before deciding to study for his PGCE at Cumbria University. Since qualifying as a teacher he has worked at Hermitage School, Chester-Le-Street. Mr Morrison enjoys playing rugby and has represented Northumberland under 18s and Leicestershire under 20s; currently he plays for Gosforth RFC. Also a qualified rugby referee, he will be involved in school rugby and cricket. A keen football fan, Mr Morrison supports Newcastle United and attends both home and away games when he can. “I am very much looking forward to contributing to the wide range of extracurricular activities at Yarm.” Outside of sports Mr Morrison has an interest in music and he attends concerts during his spare time. Also a keen traveller, he journeyed around Europe last summer, exploring sites of historical interest such as the Berlin Wall. An interesting fact about Mr Morrison is that he has been previously taught by two current members of staff at Yarm School and he is looking forward to working alongside his former teachers. Miss Kate Woodhead joins the Chemistry Department this year having just completed her PGCE at Oxford University. www.yarmschool.org
Mr Tim Parker
Miss Woodhead was educated at Loughborough High School and University College, London where she gained an Msc in Chemistry. Still fulfilled by her studies, Miss Woodhead has been busy over the summer writing her PhD thesis. The topic of her PhD is high-pressure chemistry: “for three years I have essentially squeezed small, brightly coloured powders between two diamonds, and then shone a laser or x-ray beam at the sample to see how it has changed. Unfortunately, this is quite a costly area of research, as the diamonds tend to break every so often!” During her time at UCL, Miss Woodhead was given the opportunity to work at Europe’s largest synchrotron radiation facility, based in Grenoble, France for a total of five months, where she honed her French. Outside of work Miss Woodhead enjoys fencing, which she started whilst at university and although she considers herself as an enthusiastic amateur, she has taken part in a number of national and international competitions. Another of her hobbies is horse riding which she hopes to pursue this year. Mrs Helen Walton also joins the Chemistry Department this year. Educated at Andrew Marvell School, in Hull, she then went on to study Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at Warwick University with the intention of working in the pharmaceutical industry. During her third year, Mrs Walton changed her plans and decided to train to be a teacher after a module in education. After completing her PGCE at Hull University, she headed north for her first teaching job. For the past 12 years Mrs Walton has worked at Hartlepool Sixth Form College, for nine of those years as Head of Chemistry. After having three children, Mrs Walton decided to reduce her hours and for the last three years has worked as a parttime Chemistry teacher at the college. Mr Peter Skerratt joins the Classic Department this year as a talented graduate trainee to work alongside Mr Killick and Mr Hall. Bristol-born Mr Skerratt went to Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School. He then went on to study at Durham University where he gained a First Class degree in Classics. Mr Skerratt has been working for Christchurch, Durham as a student worker since qualifying. In his spare time he enjoys going running with his wife, Alice, whom he met at university, playing squash and football. Mr Skerratt also enjoys playing the piano and reading. An interesting fact about Mr Skerratt is that he
Ms Rebecca Bownas
almost didn’t make it to university to study Classics, as he was contemplating having a go at making it on the ‘big stage’ with the rock band he was playing in (Bass Guitar) at the time! Mr Tim Parker, a passionate sportsman, joins the Geography Department this year having just completed his PGCE at Sheffield University. Mr Parker was born in Sheffield where he was educated at Birkdale School. Before starting university he took a gap year and travelled around Australia, New Zealand and North America. Mr Parker studied Geography and Planning at Newcastle University. He enjoys most sports with a particular passion for rugby which he has played at a local and county level. Other sports Mr Parker enjoys include cricket, rock climbing, mountain biking and mountaineering. He was involved in competitive mountain biking at university and is currently ticking off a number of long distance routes. Mr Parker has sailed dinghies and yachts, completing a number of passages across the Irish Sea and along the Atlantic coastline. He is also a qualified Advanced Open Water PADI scuba diver and PADI Rescue Diver. As if that was not enough, last year Mr Parker competed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships finishing in the top fifteen. He will be a great asset to the Geography Department as well as assisting in boys’ sport. Ms Rebecca Bownas also joins the Geography Department as a Graduate Trainee. Educated at Caterham School in Surrey, she then went on to study Geography at the University of East Anglia. Ms Bownas has since been working as a Sports Gap Year Helper and a private tutor. Whilst at Caterham School Ms Bownas gained county honors in netball and national honours for lacrosse. She also represented Great Britain for trampolining until a serious back injury meant she had to retire. Recently Ms Bownas has co-founded a lacrosse club for girls aged 8-18 which has proved to be very successful. Ms Bownas enjoys playing netball, lacrosse, skiing and running and has an ambition to complete the London Marathon! A keen traveller, she has undertaken many research projects including rainforest conservation in Indonesia and building a new water pump for a local community in Kenya. “I am really looking forward to joining Yarm School and am hugely excited about bringing my sporting and geographical experience to the school.” Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 5
Farewell
Time for Mr Brown to relax a little… Mr Richard Brown joined Yarm School as Head of Science in 1984, only six years after its foundation, as one of those courageous early teachers prepared to take the risk of joining a fledgling school with an uncertain future. Since then he has played an important role in its development and success, both in the classroom and in the world beyond. Under Mr Brown’s leadership the science department became a flagship for Yarm School and he helped lay the foundations for its central role in the School’s academic life today. For some years after the bulk of the Senior School had moved into the Friarage, the Science Department continued to teach on the old Grammar School site, until eventually moving into the current Tate Building. Mr Brown has held important pastoral responsibilities as Housemaster and Head of Year. More recently, as Senior Master, he has supported student and newly qualified teachers as they join the school, has organised staff training days and has very efficiently administered the staff professional review and development scheme. Unlike the vast bureaucracy of some national schemes, Mr Brown has insisted on the benefits of concise writing and minimal paperwork, demonstrating to everyone’s benefit that sometimes ‘less is more’. Beyond the classroom Mr Brown has given his time generously in a host of ways but especially in supporting the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions and in leading adventurous overseas travel for older pupils, including trips to Morocco, Peru and Nepal. Stepping down from those in the past couple of years, he has thrown himself into leading groups of First Years walking more
Mrs Louise Findlay receives farewell gifts from the school 6 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Mr Richard Brown contemplates his retirement locally; his devious treasure hunt being particularly memorable. We wish Richard a long and very happy retirement and hope that he will be a frequent visitor to the School when golf and his grandchildren give him some free time! Mrs Louise Findlay joined Yarm School in 1987 and in 1991 was promoted to Head of Art until Ms Stebbings took over in 2010. Over those years Louise Findlay presided over
significant growth in the department, with ever more pupils choosing to study art at examination level. The overall standards achieved have been superb and feedback from external examiners has always been extremely complimentary. Under Louise’s guidance the department flourished and she passionately helped to encourage pupils to develop their artistic prowess. Louise retired at Easter after 24 years of loyal, outstanding service to the School. We thank Louise Findlay for her outstanding service to the School. Everyone knows that Louise Findlay is a brilliant teacher and a brilliant artist, so here are ten things you may NOT know about her: 1. When she was a student, she lived in Hogwarts School (or Alnwick Castle, as it was known then) 2. She is an accomplished guitarist 3. She is a qualified dry-stone-waller, and used to build walls for the North York Moors National park 4. Her name is an anagram of “Yes, a fluid lion” 5. In 1993 she came within a whisker of being blown up by an IRA bomb 6. Her daughter Rebekah recorded one of the best albums of contemporary folk music in 2009 7. She is a passionate gardener 8. She once went to prison (it’s ok, she was doing research for her Fine Arts degree show) 9. Her name is ALMOST an anagram of “a fine soul lady” 10. Although she won’t admit to being afraid of flying, you’ll never get her up in a plane (she enjoys coaches, though). www.yarmschool.org
Farewell
Promotion for Yarm Director of Learning Mr Toby Spence joined us four years ago in the newly created post of Director of Learning and made a magnificent contribution in this capacity and in other important areas of school life. Mr Spence joined Yarm from Bootham School, where he was a very successful Head of History. His passion for the subject has shone through in his teaching here, where his pupils have found him interesting, well prepared and a reassuring support when facing the complexities of the examination system. He will be remembered for his striking use of visual images and his enthusiasm for field trips. Mr Spence also joined us with a proven track record in Outdoor Education and has made excellent contributions to the School’s ever expanding programme, sharing his knowledge, skills and passion for fell walking and rock climbing, in particular. Recently he took over the rather laborious task of managing the School’s Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh programmes, coping efficiently with the accompanying bureaucracy. To his major role, as Director of Learning, Mr Spence brought his breadth of mind and interest in learning across the full range of subject areas. As well as the massive task of overseeing the production of all school reports, Toby developed our study skills programme and introduced valuable new initiatives, including Assessment for Learning, pupil Academic Reviews and target setting, and the beginnings of a Habits of Mind programme. Looking back he has achieved a considerable amount in only four years through meticulous consultation and careful planning. Mr Spence leaves us for a much deserved promotion to be Deputy Head at King’s Tynemouth, the school he attended as a boy. He carries with him all our good wishes for the future. Also leaving the school this year is Mr Andrew Birkhead, a very experienced teacher from Nottinghamshire, who came to live here last year to help us out temporarily. He did an excellent job but has decided to retire and return to Nottingham. Miss Camilla Selby also joined us on a temporary basis to cover for Mr Logan’s prolonged absence. She leaves to join The Windsor Boys’ School. We wish Andrew and Camilla the best for the future. At the end of the summer we said goodbye to our Outdoor Education Graduate Assistant, Mr Matthew Haydock. We thank him for his energetic and enthusiastic support of our outdoor education programme this year. He leaves us to take up a position in the Lake District. www.yarmschool.org
Long-serving Governors move on Two long-serving Governors stepped down from the Board at the end of the academic year. Mr Moray Bisset, former Headmaster of QEGS Junior School, Wakefield, was one of several Governors who worked particularly closely with our academic staff, sharing his wealth of experience with us. In Mr Bisset’s case, he was especially valuable as a Governor focusing on the Preparatory School and chaired the Preparatory School Sub-Committee latterly.
Mr Moray Bisset at a Yarm Prizegiving
At the end of this term we say goodbye to Mr Terry Findlay and Mr Dennis Henderson, Chemistry and D&T Technicians respectively, and Mr Tony Farrow, Caretaker. Without the dedicated support of non-teaching staff the School would not run as smoothly. All three have served their departments and the School loyally and we thank them sincerely for their hard work, wishing them all a long, healthy and happy retirement. Dr Paul Chapman retires from his post as Director of Studies this summer. Since joining the School in 2003 he has been a superb colleague and ambassador. Dr Chapman has overseen significant curricular changes, the enhancement of our academic reputation through his constant push for improved systems and practices. Highly respected regionally and nationally, Dr Chapman has been a pleasure to work with. We are delighted that he will remain with us next
Mr John McDougall brought vast experience from his engineering background to our redevelopment project, as well as his business acumen. As a Governor at Teesside University also, he was well versed in the running of large educational institutions and a tremendous asset. Governors support the School on a voluntary basis and are extremely generous with their time and support. I thank Moray and John most sincerely for their friendship, support and encouragement and hope they will both be very proud of the developments they have seen at Yarm School and will remain close friends of the School. We are delighted to welcome two new Governors to the Board from September 2011. Mr Alastair Waite is a well-known local accountant and businessman and Mrs Femi Ajekigbe is Deputy Head of a special school in Middlesbrough with experience and expertise in special needs provision. Both have children currently in the School and are looking forward to developing their relationship with and supporting Yarm School further. Mr D M Dunn Headmaster
year in a non-teaching, part-time capacity as Senior Master to assist with various management functions. You will still see him around and he will still lead his outdoor education trips! In the Geography Department, Mr John Logan will be stepping down from his teaching responsibility after 31 years’ teaching at Yarm School. He will remain with us on a part-time basis, maintaining his responsibility for co-ordinating Educational Visits and assisting with a number of other duties. We thank him for all his dedication to PE (former Head of PE) and Geography. Mr Phil Crookes has stood down as Head of Politics and History and moved to a parttime timetable. Mr Crookes has led the History department with distinction since 1989. He will be succeeded as Head of Politics by Mr Stephen Edwards and as Head of History by Mrs Emma Harrison.
Sponsored walk A number of staff completed a sponsored walk along Hadrian’s Wall over the half term break in May. Miss Redhead, Mr Emerson and Mrs Leary were joined on odd days by Mr Rye, Frau Heinen and Mrs Barker, in addition to other friends and family. The walk raised £1,407 with the money being split between the SCBU at The Friarage and 4Louis, a charity which donates memory boxes to bereaved parents. Many thanks to parents and staff for their support. Miss N E Redhead Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 7
Redevelopment
Dovecote celebrations Fun-filled festival for official opening The Dovecote Festival was held on a glorious summer’s day during June to celebrate the opening of the newly restored building. The day was fun-filled with a great number of events and activities. Former pupils’ sport was especially popular, with Mr Hardy enlisting year group teams going back over a decade for the rugby tournament. Well done to the class of 1999 and their team manager, Mr John Logan, on their victory. Mr Booth seemed to take non-stop Cellar Ghost Tours, there were numerous practical workshops and the pupil activities, such as the rides and stalls, were extremely popular. Martin’s hog roast had sold out in advance and all the catering was delicious. The Mayor of Stockton declared the Dovecote officially open, after which the time capsule was buried by members of the School Council. The pupils had been deciding what artefacts should go in the three boxes – Yarm at Raventhorpe, Prep School and Senior School – to be opened on the 100th anniversary on the founding of the School in 2078. After the formalities, we were entertained to a programme of wonderful music and recitals.
The Mayor of Stockton officially opened the Dovecote
Left: Mr Hall has a splashing time. Below: the Old Boys Rugby Tournament winners
8 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Redevelopment From our time lapse camera‌
The steel structure of the auditorium
What a difference a year makes! Michael Horsley constructing the new lockers
Tony Farrow and Kevin Collins train new caretaker Paul Hodgson www.yarmschool.org
Since the demolition of the old Dining Hall the school campus has been transformed over the course of the past year. During the previous summer holidays the construction site was flattened and foundation works started with 250 piles being driven into the ground. During October the foundation works were completed and the steel frame for the classroom block was erected. Unfortunately the winter was unkind to the build and work slowed as the snow arrived. By the end of January, Miller had made up the time lost due to the snow and the concrete slab for the auditorium was poured, the internal walls in the classroom block were built and the windows were installed. The steel frame for the auditorium was erected during February and in March the large preconstructed steel beam for the roof was installed, completing the frame. Since the spring, both internal and external works have progressed significantly and the new classrooms will be ready for September. As if the riverside development was not enough to keep the School busy, the yurt was completed over the summer, a new science laboratory was installed, the D&T department was repainted, the old huts were demolished and over 200 oak lockers were constructed. Next year, we will see the completion of the riverside development and landscaping at the Senior School. And work has already started at the Prep School to construct a modern and fully equipped Early School. Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 9
1st Year
In at the deep end On the first Saturday of the school year, members of the First Year came into school for Discovery Day. They were joined by a number of staff and some very helpful Fifth Year and Sixth Form pupils. The weather was sunny and fun was had by all! One of the tasks for the day included designing and building a raft to rescue some Sixth Formers who were stranded at the other side of the river. This was a fun task which involved working as a team with creative thinking. Some of the rafts were very stable and easily made their way across the river, but the other rafts… well, let’s just say that some people got very wet! Another of the tasks was the swamp challenge, where teams have to cross a dangerous shark infested swamp (better known as the school car park) without touching the ground. To do this they only had two planks of wood and some bricks: a very difficult challenge indeed! As well as getting their whole team across the swamp, they also had to carry a number of special bonus items, making the task much more taxing. The final task was to complete a walk along the Cleveland way. Some of the tasks were physically demanding, others were mentally stimulating and one even involved getting very wet, but hopefully they were all fun! The aim of the day was for the First Year
10 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Our first week at Yarm was packed with fun… we had a barbecue where parents were invited to come along. I love Yarm School and my friends do too and I would like to say thank you to the many teachers who helped on the Discovery Day. Zahraa Maiter I like how different Yarm School is to primary school and all the new things I have tried and done. Aran Banerjee Everyone has been so nice and helpful, helping me settle in, new friends and learning new things. Annabel Jones pupils to get to know each other a little better. This aim was definitely achieved and everyone was getting along very well by the end of the day, with many friendship groups formed. The end of the day was celebrated with a BBQ. All of the First Year pupils, their families and the staff who had been involved in the day enjoyed the BBQ. It was a lovely way to socialise, as well as getting some well deserved food after a hard, but fun, day’s work. Thank you to the catering and estates teams and thank you to Mr Dunn and Mr Woodward for cooking at the BBQ. Mr C Mulligan (Head of First Year)
I have really enjoyed my first few weeks at Yarm School. At first I was very nervous but now I love it. Francesca Caswell The highlights of my first few weeks in the Senior School have been seeing friends again, the sport, the food and the lessons. Thomas Adebayo
www.yarmschool.org
Sixth Form
Girls win out – again! The new cohort of Lower Sixth students celebrated the end of the first week of their Sixth Form career with the now traditional barbecue. It was good to see so many smiling faces – Martin’s food generally has that effect on people! Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth alike loaded up on burgers, sausages and chicken with a sprinkling of salad to make it all super-healthy. Many thanks to Martin and his team for laying on such a feast. With Oswald having won the Danish Longball earlier in the week, attention now turned to the second of the inter-House competitions: Tug o’ War! Aidan and Bede seemed very well matched and I feared our ancient rope would snap before we saw a victory, however, superior technique prevailed and Bede won by 2 tugs to 1 – advancing to the final. Cuthbert and Oswald had a rather less balanced competition with an under-strength Oswald team decisively trounced 2-0. Cuthbert went on to a more demanding showdown against Bede and, with some serious effort on display, went on to a 2-0 victory. Well done, Cuthbert! Upper Sixth, despite mounting a serious challenge this year, were no match for the youthful power of the Lower Sixth and I am pleased to report that the girls continued their unbeaten run of victories over the boys. You really need to read that rule book, chaps! Dr A M Goodall (Head of Sixth Form)
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 11
Outdoor Education We caught up with Crayston Renner to find out about his experiences from going on trips and activities organised by the Outdoor Education department.
Just do it! What trips have you been on since starting at the school? I have been on loads! I calculated I have spent about 75 nights away on trips from canoeing to rock climbing and international trips such as Joshua Tree.
What have you enjoyed the most about Outdoor Education? Definitely canoeing and kayaking. The school’s proximity to the river is ideal.
What skills do you think you have developed through participating in Outdoor Education? I think I have improved my organisational skills significantly due to all the planning involved before setting off on trips. Also my level of competency at different activities has increased.
What do you do outside of school? I do a lot of canoeing and kayaking. I am currently working towards a coaching qualification – I was encouraged to do it by one of the instructors that helped out on a trip. I hope to use the skills learnt both in and outside of school.
What are your Outdoor Education aspirations? To continue to improve my general competency level at a range of activities and sports. To achieve the national governing body instructors’ qualification. Also I would like to go to the Alps to climb and kayak.
What advice would you give to First Year pupils? Give different activities and trips a go. Don’t let other people talk you out of something before trying it for yourself.
A keen group of pupils, ranging from First to Fifth Years, descended on Dalby Forest near Pickering for a day of mountain biking. The trails at Dalby are purpose-built tracks that include lots of extra challenges, such as drop-offs, small jumps and sharp corners. We made the most of the day and I was really impressed with the level of progression that everyone made. There were a few incidents, as is always to be expected, nothing serious, but full points should go to Callum White for several ‘over the handlebar’ moments! Mr R Van Opstal
12 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Two weeks in the Arriving at school on the morning of 7 July, the six pupils and three staff members were only certain of one thing: that we were going to the Central Massif area of France for two weeks of outdoor and cultural adventure! Somehow we managed to squeeze into the minibus all of the necessary kit required for a wide range of different activities. Whilst on the ferry from Dover we made the necessary adjustments to the minibus to make it legal on the continent. Headlamp deflectors in place and tachograph machine on, we set off from Dunkerque for the long drive south. After a six hour stop in a rest area, where we bivi-ed under the stars with just sleeping bags and a further morning of driving, we arrived in Mende, a town in pretty much the middle of the Massif Central. Once the tents were up, we went for a well-deserved cold drink in the main square, before returning to the campsite for an early night after our epic 900 mile drive. The following two days were spent canoeing/kayaking on the River Tarn, which winds its way down a spectacular limestone gorge. In places the gorge rises vertically for hundreds of metres from the crystal clear water. Occasionally the cries of eagles could be heard and vultures could be seen soaring on thermals high above us. Moving ‘base camp’ down the valley to Augausac, we had to source a new baker to provide the required daily ‘neuf croissant et quatre flute’ for breakfast and lunch. Having spent the previous two days paddling, we decided to do some sightseeing, so drove the ten minutes or so down the valley to Millau, which is probably most famous for its
impressive viaduct, the world’s highest multistayed viaduct at 343metres – its highest point. The visitors’ centre was great for providing local information, not least because it was air-conditioned, which in 35-40ºC heat was welcomed by the whole group! After taking lots of photos of each other, ‘holding’ up the viaduct, we headed to La Boffi. Despite some members of the group being afraid of heights, everyone completed a via ferrata moderate grade route, which was easily
Freewheeling www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education
great French outdoors 250 metres above the valley floor on a near vertical rock face. The iron rungs and steel cables to which we were all clipped, provided reassurance and confidence, allowing us to watch the eagles that we had seen the day before from much closer up. The following day was very humid and hot, so we decided to check out the show caves. The cave was amazing inside, with a mini funicular train taking us down to a huge open cavern with stalagmites, stalactites and columns that were ten times bigger than anything we had ever seen before. In the afternoon, some people went to look around the beautiful historic city of Millau, whilst some of us had a go on the white-water slalom course. Travelling away from the Gorges du Tarn area, we drove towards the Mediterranean coast to the River Orb, camping at Le Poujol, at the top of a very good grade 2 with a bit of grade 3 section. We spent the following day on this very long 25km section of river, some people finding it more tiring than others, especially Greg in his four-feet Kingpin (short kayak). Included in this section of river was a weir, complete with a 15 metre chute allowing canoeists to pass. The metre drop at the bottom of the chute took us all by surprise, but everyone remained in their boats. Having paddled the most interesting section on the River Orb, we headed north, crossing the Millau viaduct on the peáge motorway to get to Langogne, at the start of the river Allier, where we camped at a campsite higher in altitude than Ben Nevis! The next day we hired mountain bikes and completed a mammoth 40km circumnavigation of the reservoir that feeds the Allier. This included some short, steep uphill climbs, long downhill sections on wide gravel tracks and a very short, steep, technical downhill ‘stage’ featuring obstacles such as low branches, an eroded track and the odd fence crossing the way ahead! It was a great day, though we were all shattered by the end. The following day we went on a ‘Velo Rail’, which is a metal cart, with a bike style drive system, which runs along the old railway that contours the edge of the Allier Valley. This was tiring work on the way
www.yarmschool.org
up, however, after an hour or so we turned our ‘Velos’ round and cruised down the hill, reaching a maximum speed of 13mph (worked out by David). It may not sound fast, but on a small cart with metal wheels, running over the metal railway tracks it felt very fast! Now thoroughly biked-out, we went out for a late lunch of Croque-Monsieur, before returning to the campsite for homemade pancakes, with every filling imaginable, including my personal favourite of sausage, lardons and maple syrup.... Getting withdrawals from paddling, we went to an 18km section of the Allier which was grade 2, with some slightly more technical grade 3 sections. Everyone got down safely, with only a couple of minor bumps from capsizing. Unfortunately the route from the get out to where the minibus was at the get in, was a long and hilly bike ride for Mr Haydock, so by the time we had boats loaded up
it was getting quite late. We eventually found a campsite in the tiny village of Prades, which has got to be the most car (never mind minibus) unfriendly village in the area, with narrow streets and rough roads, but expert driving got us to the campsite. The following morning we had to leave the campsite as there was a large group coming, so we drove down the valley to Langeac, where we found a spot at a huge municipal campsite next to the river. That evening we booked ourselves onto what was described as a ‘€12 set menu meal with entertainment’ at the campsite. At 8pm we turned up, not really knowing what to expect and were met with a display of traditional French dancing, which Richard joined in with! Then we walked down the road to the community hall, where the meal was served; it was a locally sourced French meal starting with air dried ham, lentils and terrine with baguette. This was followed by veal with dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables. Then came the live band, which performed numerous songs, including a variety of covers and their own music. A dessert of local cheeses was served and then there was yet more dancing which went on till late! Waking to good weather, it was decided that we should complete another via ferrata. This time everyone did the moderate route, before some went back to complete the ‘dificile’ route. Coming towards the end of our trip, we started to head north, this time, to the town of Fontainebleau. Arriving in the early afternoon, we had a look around the impressive Château Fontainebleau and its vast grounds. Heading back to the campsite we went out for pizza, before beginning a very competitive and closely fought game of crazy golf! All of the students would like to thank Mr van Opstal and Mr Haydock for organising the trip and Miss Biro for coming with us to help overcome the language barrier! Crayston Renner Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 13
Outdoor Education Fontainebleau
high Climbing In the last week of the Easter holidays Mr Van Opstal led a group of 12 to France for a rock climbing trip. We went to the well known climbing district of Fontainebleau, famous for being the centre of the world’s bouldering scene with endless sandstone rock formations. Each day we visited a different climbing site to experience different problems. The problems were colour coded according to ability from yellow routes for beginners to advanced black routes. There was a wide range of ability levels on the trip from some individuals who had never climbed to those who were very experienced. We worked in teams, with one person ‘spotting’ whilst the other person tried their hand at the problem. The help from the teachers was fantastic and soon everyone had improved their climbing skills. On the Wednesday afternoon, when it was too hot to climb, we went into the town of Fontainebleau and visited the beautiful chateau, as well as the very nice cafes. It was a great experience and everybody enjoyed themselves. On the campsite there was always a nice atmosphere as the whole group joined in to help cook and clean. In the evenings we played games whilst the teachers planned the day ahead. The food was always nice with typically French lunches which consisted of baguettes, cheese and meat. Over lunch we had time to rest our hands and feet and went back to climbing feeling refreshed on the afternoon. The trip was so much fun and we want thank Mr Van Opstal, Dr Tulloch (who made us laugh a lot) Mr Haydock and Miss Hannah. We would definitely recommend it! Abigail Toller and Georgia Whitehead 14 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education
Squeezing through those cracks! In September, a group of pupils from Second and Third Year went to Brimham Rocks for a day of climbing. There are a wide range of rock formations which provide different climbing levels from beginner to expert. We started in the morning by bouldering (climbing without ropes) on some smaller rocks and squeezing through some tunnels. These climbs were good fun and warmed us up for what was to come later in the day. In the afternoon we progressed onto some more difficult climbs rated ‘hard’ and ‘severe’. On these climbs we had to use our toes a lot more as some of the holes were very small. We had a fantastic day and many of us are now keen to keep climbing. Thanks to all the staff who gave up their Sunday to help us climb. Rebecca and Jo Jo Booth
Brimham Rocks www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 15
Outdoor Education
Deep underground A group of eight enthusiastic pupils set off on the junior caving trip, keen to experience the mysterious world underneath the Yorkshire Dales. We started off exploring the legendary Longchurn system with pupils keen to find all nooks and crannies. Besides having great fun in the process students learnt about the landscape and its formations. After a brief pit stop for a late lunch we headed to the impressive Kingsdale Master Cave. The cave is set deep into the hillside and to enter the cave we abseiled into the main chamber. All students were in awe of how the 7 caves join together in this main chamber. The next day we headed to a cave called Calf Holes and completed a ‘through trip’ where we went in at the top of the hill and emerged at the bottom of the hill at the resurgence after abseiling. The enthusiasm and maturity of the group allowed us to explore these systems that otherwise would have only been explored by older students. Well done to everyone and I hope that the next bunch of First and Second Years are so keen! Mr R Van Opstal
16 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education
Winter skills in Scotland In February we ventured off to Scotland with Mr Van Opstal, Mr Chamberlain and Mr Haydock for three days of winter mountaineering in the Cairngorm National Park. On the first day, we learnt about our technical equipment before setting off into Corie an t-Sneachda for an introduction to moving on snow and ice, with a highly experienced mountain guide. We were greeted by 90mph gusts in the Corie together with near blizzard conditions, but nonetheless we had training on how to use ice axes and crampons effectively before retreating back to the bus. By the end of the afternoon we were all tired from being blown about and were thankful to return to our comfortable hostel in Kincraig. On the second day we had a full, action-packed
day out on the hills, ascending Cnap Corie na Spreidhe from Corie na Ciste. We effectively put our training into practice and used ice axes and crampons which were absolutely essential on the icy peak. Scaling the summits provided great views of the whole Cairngorm plateau and even investigating some previously occupied snow-holes. On the final day, we went back into the Corie from day one and went to a crag called Aladdin’s Buttress, where we tried our hand at ice climbing. It really was one of the best weekends of my life and I thoroughly recommend all the Second and Third Years to go on it next year. Despite a lot of falls, tired shoulders and hurting feet, we all agreed it was an amazing trip! Thank you to the staff for making this trip possible. Dominic Abbott
Snow holing in the Cairngorms In March a group of 13 Fifth Year pupils, including three intrepid girl adventurers, departed on an overnight night snow holing trip to the Cairngorms, Scotland. After a very long drive the group arrived at a white snowy location. The party quickly unloaded, rigged up and set off on a long walk into the snowy mountains looking for suitable snow drifts, which were up to 4m deep in places! Then groups of four students dug out their own snow shelters (this took most people four hours). The shelters housed an entrance, a corridor and a half height shelf, where they later spent the night. The evening was much appreciated by all the exhausted pupils as it was a well deserved chance to rest, in a good relaxed atmosphere. The expedition was best described by Joshua Woodward, who said “the overall experience was great and although the walking was tiring, it was worth it when you got there”. The trip, which was led by Mr Van Opstal, www.yarmschool.org
Mr Chamberlain and an out of school mountaineering instructor, was a great success. Without exception everybody on the expedition enjoyed it and all said that they would definitely do it again. Thanks to all the staff for making it such an enjoyable yet exhausting experience. Molly Bean Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 17
Outdoor Education
Ready for the slopes During February half-term pupils from First to Fourth Year set off for the ski trip to Austria, on an epic 27-hour coach journey. We arrived about lunchtime the following day at the ski hire rental, where we picked up all of our equipment and then made our way to our hotel. We skied in the Zillertal Valley and, despite the junior and senior trips being separate, we always managed to bump into the other group (literally!). Over the course of the week we skied intensely in our groups, at times we braved the tough, misty and icy conditions. However, the beautiful weather on the last day made up for it, so much so that we managed to sunbathe during lunchtime. Some of the group even felt brave enough to wear some fluorescent tutus over their salopettes and it was not just the girls! Every night 18 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
we were treated to some entertainment which included bowling, swimming, a quiz and a traditional Austrian Tyrolean evening. A favourite with the juniors was the tobogganing which was where each pair raced down the mountain on a track, similar to a rollercoaster. However, the highlight for many was the teachers and instructors dancing at the disco on the last night, including a moon-walk performed by a teacher (his name is not to be mentioned!). The Tyrolean evening was also very memorable and it involved two other schools. Yarm Seniors and Yarm Juniors competed against each other at the authentic Austrian activities such as yodeling, Austrian dancing and cow milking. Special recognition must go to Tom Mavin and Robin Croft for sawing the log in less than half the time of the other competitors. All the pupils involved had a fantastic time and we would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff who gave up their time to take us on this trip. Molly Bean and Elizabeth Medley www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 19
Outdoor Education First and Second Year Trips
In the Lakes and Dales A new development in the Outdoor Education department in the past two years has been a programme of walking and camping trips for First and Second Years. Starting in January of First Year with a day trip to Wharfedale (this year we had to wade through floods!), it has included an overnight trip using
20 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
the Leeds University Selside Centre and climbing Pen-y-Ghent, Mr Brown’s devious Treasure Hunt (with river crossing!) and camping/walking around Buttermere. Second Years have camped in Langdale and Borrowdale, as well as crashing in a derelict Dales cottage in the snow. A small group are braving the wilds of the North West of Scotland this summer to test out what they have learned by way of navigation and looking after themselves in remote locations. Around 40% of each year group has been on at least one of the trips. As well as being very enjoyable, these trips develop valuable qualities of teamwork, self reliance and initiative. Thanks to Mr Lomax, Mr Brown and Mrs Barker for making them possible. Watch out for further developments in the next academic year! Dr Paul Chapman www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education First Year Outward Bound
Leaps of faith Towards the end of term, a group of 88 excited First Years set off to the Outward Bound Centre on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District. After a long coach journey we finally arrived at the centre, where it was raining, and were met by the lovely instructors. Everyone was put into small groups and allocated an instructor who would stay with them for the whole weekend. The groups all followed a slightly different programme, but they all had the same opportunities to work as a team, face personal challenges and to get very wet! Some of the adventurous activities included hill walking, caving (in an old mine), gorge scrambling, rock climbing, abseiling, raft building, jumping in the lake and the jog & dip which involves running from the centre to the lake and then jumping off the jetty. There were also team building activities
www.yarmschool.org
such as Jacob’s ladder and the nightline. The weekend is not just about fun, teamwork and challenges. There is a duty rota to follow, pupils have to tidy up after each other, make their own
bed and keep their bedroom tidy. This aims to teach responsibility and self-reliance. The pupils managed this quite well on the whole and I hope that Mums and Dads noticed a few tidier bedrooms when we got back! One of the highlights of the weekend was the talent show, which was hosted by the glamorous Miss Cottrell and Mr Hall. We witnessed some amazing talents but, after much deliberation, the judges finally decided that Naman Garg, representing Hillary Group should be the winner with his very funny impressions. On Sunday afternoon we all returned to school after having a fantastic weekend, making new friends and getting to know each other (and ourselves) much better. Mr C Mulligan (Head of First Year)
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 21
Outdoor Education Second Year Outward Bound
A chance to
explore
During the penultimate week of the Summer Term the Second Year headed to Keswick in the Lake District for an adventure. In two halves, the year group enthusiastically set off for the Lakes whilst the other half stayed at school to take part in the Independent Learning Project. The programme was action-packed from walking and climbing to sailing and mountain bike riding. The week gave pupils the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and try new activities or develop new skills. Mrs G Leary (Head of Second Year) 22 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Outdoor Education Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The year was another busy one for many pupils working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Expeditions took pupils working towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards to various remote areas of the UK. A group of leavers enjoyed 4 days of walking and visiting the archaeological sites on the Isle of Mull. Despite the horrendous weather they completed the expedition successfully, although we did get stranded after the expedition as the wind stopped the ferry service! Other expeditions were based around Loch Awe, Glen Coe, and the Great Glen which provided fantastic walking and canoeing locations. Over the October half-term we again experienced horrendous weather conditions, students pulled through and impressed the external assessors. “The toughest conditions that I’ve ever seen a group carry on in”, said an assessor of 20 years. During the Easter holidays there were 6 different Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. This time based around the Lakes, where we were blessed with kinder conditions, the students enjoyed Derwent, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Langdale and Caldbeck valleys. Over the Summer Term expeditions for the Bronze Award were based around the North Yorkshire Moors, with many pupils getting their first expedition experience. Pupils that have successfully completed their Bronze Award can choose to go onto the Silver and subsequently Gold Award. To find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award please see Mr Rye (Bronze Award) or Mrs Guest (Silver & Gold Awards). Mr R Van Opstal
www.yarmschool.org
Expeditions far and wide
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 23
Combined Cadet Force Cadets enjoy a cracking Easter camp On 6 April, four Yarm school cadets and Captain Connery rushed off before the end of term, for the first Yarm School CCF Easter camp at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Unlike previous camps to Shropshire and Germany the journey was relatively short. The next day, half the cadets were fortunate enough to go flying in the Grob Tutor – the RAF’s basic trainer at RAF Church Fenton. As there were only 15 cadets attending the camp each cadet was able to get an hour-long flight (in comparison to the usual 20 minutes) where we were able to perform aerobatic manoeuvres and navigate as far as Ripon. The remaining cadets were performing weapons handling drills in preparation for the afternoon. These drills are to ensure that each cadet is safe to use the standard issue British army rifle on a range. During the afternoon we shot the Cadet GP rifle, with most of the Yarm cadets scoring highly. The next day, whilst the rest of the cadets were flying in the beautiful weather, the others visited the simulator centre, which provided entertainment for the afternoon. We were also able to go gliding in the evening, in the Vigilant motor glider, which was a particularly enjoyable activity. Perhaps the highlight of the camp was on day four when all cadets visited RAF Leconfield, one of the main search and rescue bases for the east coast. We were shown around the base and the Westland Sea King (the search and rescue helicopter used by RAF Leconfield) then, much to our surprise, we were told we would be flying in one later. All cadets waited with eager anticipation for the flight: flying in a helicopter is a particularly rare event for cadets. All cadets got to experience a 20-minute flight in the helicopter and it was an interesting and enjoyable flight. After the great experience of the helicopter, all the cadets were taken to the adrenalin assault course centre which is familiar to the Yarm cadets, as we frequently go there on field days. Not only was the camp thoroughly enjoyable but also several cadets were successful in bringing home prizes. Josh Atkinson, on his first camp, did very well and impressed many of the officers and was awarded ‘Most Improved Cadet’. I won the Camp Drill competition and Greg Evans, who having performed well throughout the week, was awarded ‘Best Cadet’. Although Richard Addison did not receive any award, he scored very highly in events like shooting and leadership. The cadets would like to thank Capt. Connery for attending and Mr Mist and Flt Lt. Harandon for arranging everything. Harry Runnacles
24 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Showing promise, despite the weather Yarm School CCF pupils braved the horrendous weather conditions in the Autumn Term to take part in an annual CCF/ACF march and shoot competition, held on the wild training area of Catterick Garrison. Graham Mist and Mr (Flt Lt) Harandon, a former CCF pupil at Yarm, were also in attendance. This event is open to all CCFs and ACFs in this part of the country with 40 teams entering. We were the chosen ones, well chosen to be the first contingent to start the competition! The competition includes an inspection of all uniform and equipment, four stands, first aid, skill at arms, field craft, and map and compass, all including theory and practical tests. After the
inspections, the pupils set off on a six mile march using map and compass. It was pouring with rain and they looked like drowned rats, and that was at the start of proceedings! Luckily the pupils were in good spirits. Unfortunately, Yarm did not win but on the whole the cadets showed promise even in the horrendous weather. A big well done to Jack Taylor, Jack Harrison, Barney Rankin, Chris Elms, Crayston Renner, Josh Woodward, Matthew Cant and Harry Runnacles. Thank you to Mr Harandon for his help and support, and tales of your good old CCF days. W02(SSI) G A Mist
It has been another busy year for the CCF with two training camps and the inaugural regimental dinner. The year started with continent competitions followed by the Remembrance Day parade. Each year it is a privilege to take part in the Remembrance parade and provides an opportunity for the contingent to pay their respect.
The first regimental dinner was held at Christmas which celebrated achievements within the contingent during 2010. The training camps took place during the Easter and summer holidays at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and Crowborough Training Camp, Sussex respectively. The training camps are designed to develop the cadets’ military skills such as shooting, field craft and leadership. They are also a great way for the cadets to build relationships which are vital when working as a team. Thank you to Officer Mist, Harrington, Mulligan and Pyke for their help and support in running CCF activities throughout the year. Next year, we are looking forward to our biennial inspection, in which we hope to pass with flying colours. Captain P Connery (Contingent Commander)
Busy year for Yarm’s CCF
www.yarmschool.org
Combined Cadet Force
‘First Steps’ give taste of cadet life The Exercise First Step took place in a very pleasant setting at Catterick Garrison and provided an opportunity for our new recruits to experience a little of what the CCF here at Yarm School has to offer. A total of 15 recruits left for Park Wood and West Wood not really knowing what to expect apart from that they would be sleeping out under the stars and not in a tent. As we got close to Catterick, black clouds looked to be hanging over our luxury accommodation. Sgt (Finn) Finnley, our instructor from 11 Cadet Training Team, was full of doom and predicted that we would get drenched. Sgt Finn showed the recruits how to construct a Basha (shelter), constructed using a 3x3 metre plastic camouflaged sheet, string and pieces of wood. Although a very simple structure, it is proven military structure to stay dry whilst sleeping. The recruits then went away and impressed Sgt Finn
with how well they had listened, erecting their home for the night (individual x2 & x3 detached properties). Next it was time to be introduced to the standard military issue 24 hour ration pack, enough goodies to eat and survive on. For entertainment a paint balling patrol range was set up. Working in pairs the volunteers were sent out on a patrol looking out for strategically placed targets, once the target was spotted they were to engage and carry on patrolling. Everyone was in their sleeping bags and under their bashers by 23:00hrs and then at 23:05hrs the heavens decided to open and it continued to rain until 09:00hrs. Fortunately, no one got wet and the shelters stayed up. Following breakfast at 07:00hrs, everything was packed away and ready for the navigation exercise at 09:00hrs. It was a perfect First Step with the recruits speaking highly of the new skills they had learnt, new friends they made and how they had survived a night in the woods with only a sheet as shelter. Well done to the First Step Crew. W02 G A Mist
Christopher’s a commando Christopher Elms actually volunteered to go on a School Commando Course, a week long course where individuals are put through mental and physical pain (for fun) by members of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, at Oakhampton Camp, Plymouth. I would like to congratulate Christopher on completing all of the challenges that were put in front of him at the course. He is one of five CCF cadets from Yarm School to have attended a commando course. W02 G A Mist Christopher’s reflections of the course: It was an extremely arduous and challenging week. There was a lot of physical training, before and after breakfast, as well as lessons throughout the day and into the evenings. These included weapon handling, shooting ranges, map reading, navigational exercises as well as survival skills and field craft. We were pushed hard by the instructors, but it gave everyone a greater sense of achievement once the task had been completed. The most demanding part of the week was the world famous commando endurance course, six miles running across the challenging terrain of Dartmoor training area. This challenging course includes tackling numerous obstacles along the way that had to be crossed, climbed, thrown over and crawled under. Also, the renowned fully submerged tunnels filled with dirty and very cold water. The week finished off with a 24 hour navigational exercise, including close quarter battle lanes, sleeping out with the minimal amount of kit – an insight in to life as a commando. This was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience, which took a lot of organising and planning. Thank you to Mr Mist for arranging all the transport and helping me to get on to the course. Christopher Elms
‘Terrific ten’ are top ambassadors for the school Ten cadets made the 284 mile trip down to East Sussex for the CCF Summer Camp at Crowborough. Each cadet sported very bright lime green hoodies designed by myself to get the cadets noticed! In the end we did not need our hoodies. The ‘terrific ten’ were recognised throughout the week by our spirit, commitment, humour, military skills and a ‘Just Do It’ mentality. The cadets had a very varied week that included shooting, canoeing, raft building, completing an assault course, learning survival skills, signals and drills. All the instructions for the tasks were given by Regular members of the armed forces. The camp finished with a competition which involved all elements that the cadets had learnt throughout the week.
www.yarmschool.org
Solihull School was our partner school with which we trained throughout the week. We built good relations with them during the camp and we hope to carry out yearly events with them. Yet again, our cadets performed at 100% and throughout the week they continued to surprise each other and themselves. There were some outstanding achievements during the camp. Callum Bendelow gave everything on his first camp. Anna Elms and Kathryn Marshall completed a mile and a half run with Anna sprinting to the finish ahead of the rest. Jack Harrison and Barney Rankin shone above all others, including our friends from Solihull, taking charge of a massive platoon attack. Harry Runnacles, Matthew Cant, Chris Elms and Georgina
Appleyard displayed fantastic shooting skills. Throughout the week some cadets were not only promoted once, but twice. Jack and Barney were promoted twice for their leadership skills and input on all activities, a Yarm School first! Congratulations to the terrific ten on giving your all, never giving up, your humour and being excellent ambassadors for Yarm School. Good luck for the future to Jack, Barney and Georgina who are leaving school to new futures. Our younger recruits have big boots to fill, but you have shown that you are capable of great things. The CCF is always looking for new recruits, so if you like the sound of what the cadets get up to, come on and give it a go. W02 G A Mist
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 25
Drama
Romeo and Juliet The credits from the programme showed the scale and ambition of this Sixth Form play. Though main character and cameo roles alike sparkled, I have not singled out individuals. The importance of this production was that the actors and non-actors all contributed to the moods of exuberance, tender love, menace and deep despair that run through the most famous love story in English. This production was not set in some sanitised romantic past, but recognisably here and now, with its out-of-control teenagers whose adolescent hormones blind them to common sense and who kill with a smashed bottle. Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 shoot-em-up version, Tim Pender brought his vision to what could be Teesside in an intimate, at times frighteningly confined, promenade production. Imagine what it would be like in your town or village if there were warring teenage gangs. Those who went to see this play felt some of that fear, for this was theatre, not a visit to a theatre. Gang members shoved their way through audiences who were moved on by Security, broken ‘glass’ glittered evilly and water splashed over bystanders when Juliet thrust Romeo out of sight in a formal pool. The audience could not be detached, distant, critical – we were involved. What was so special? Well, there was the Tardis effect. I entered, and found myself in a different world. In the centre was a raised platform, looking up I saw gothic windows, ahead of me was the Sycamore Beach Theatre, around the walls were video screens... the Church Hall had been transformed. What was also special was the sense of fun in the lively first half of the play, with its vibrant singing, 26 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
dancing and jokes. We were shown a society where thoughtless young people had as good a time as they could. A physically assertive Romeo, who obviously worked out, fell for a touchingly childlike and almost gangly Juliet who stayed in her jammies much of the day. They were recognisable teen types, and yet they were individuals. A shiver of fear ran down my spine whenever the smartly blackshirted Capulet gang appeared – they projected
real menace; flamboyant Mercutio pranced and joked and then died, his vital life snuffed out by youthful stupidity. I felt a real sense of grief. Romeo’s reaction to his friend’s death, which led to his own tragedy, seemed both understandable and inevitable. But to my mind, this production brought home Juliet’s tragedy. She was the victim of a society where even grown women had little power, having to live through others. Aunts helped (or didn’t), their meddling drawing the catastrophe closer. Juliet was a child on the brink of womanhood with no one to help her. The curse uttered by her father was heartless; her bravery was futile. Tim Pender is a teacher as well as a talented and tireless director. No matter how limited the number of main parts, a teacher/director strives to make sure that everyone who wants to be involved has something to do. Texts are treated creatively. Shakespeare wrote for the actors he had; Mr Pender cast those Sixth-Formers who volunteered, giving everyone something worthwhile. Mrs S M Rea
www.yarmschool.org
Drama
Talent for all to see Aidan
Bede
And the winner is… Cuthbert! There it is, out of the away, the announcement made. But with performances of such a high standard across the board, there were no losers here! I would love to mention every performer, director and assistant, but with over 110 pupils involved, it is just not possible. Oswald got the evening off to an entertaining start. Bradley Howard’s comic antics and clever timing stole the show, but he was ably supported by Rafe Skippings, Dominic Abbott and Connor Robinson as his trusty servants. The First Years added to the buzz as the wasps and jury, and were led confidently by Ellie Fulford. I feel I must mention Georgia Wood who was only on for a few lines as the cook, but I thought she delivered a wonderful performance – one to watch for the future. Aidan followed with a very different piece about the tribulations of young love. The applause that greeted several of the opening scenes showed how cleverly this had been directed by Megan Geddis. I liked very much the way the action was choreographed and by directing action out to the audience, it really engaged. Gautham Kannan proved another strong comedy actor who was willing to take on any part. Yazdan Isfahani’s
www.yarmschool.org
Cuthbert
confidence shone through and he had a real presence on stage. Olivia Weatherhead and Anna Elms carried the plot forward effectively. Bede House’s adaptation of Nanny McPhee was cleverly shaped by directors Vidya Shyam-Sundar and Josie Neasham. They had strong performers to work with and got the best out of them. Natalie Grundmann’s Lady Stitch was wonderfully over the top, Andrew Brennan’s Cedric, suitably cowed and Rachel Brennan’s Nanny McPhee, elegantly controlled. There was real depth in this cast and Chris Baczkowski, Oliver Grundmann, Mark Phellas, Kim Guest, Lily-Grace Frank and Emma HornerHarker all made the difficult task of being naughty look very easy. Cuthbert ended the evening with a really strong ensemble piece. There was genuine focus throughout and lead directors Alex De Jong and Elle Robinson, assisted by Ahmed Saeed Maiter and Emily Folkes, had a clear vision and the skills to take their cast with them. Matthew Bonavia’s portrayal of the blind Graham was very clever – eyes focussed just beyond his face, an open stare, a cheeky grin to tell us all
Oswald
we needed to know. Anand Krishna was natural and intelligently measured as the playwright who decided to tell his story, and the immediate family, played by Daniel Brennan, Jennifer Dunn and Rosie Ravenhall all impressed. It is hard to pick out individuals here – this was a real team performance. Adjudication was by Dr Chapman, Dr Goodall and Mr Boddy, and thanks must go to them – it is a job where you can upset a lot of people very easily, but the positive words offered were totally in keeping with what was a wonderful evening of drama. As someone who has watched each performance evolve, I know how hard everyone worked. Talented actors flourished under strong direction, and it is perhaps the directors who deserve the highest praise – the standard of their leadership really was outstanding! Mr T Pender
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 27
Drama
Duologues delight Thanks to all those who took part in Junior Duologues – what a wonderful evening! Eventual winners, with a performance that balanced strong line-delivery with great physical acting, were Philip Pyke and Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani.
Junior winners, Philip Pyke and Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani
The variety of texts and the quality of the acting made this probably the best duologues ever. Congratulations to all who took part, especially Intermediate winners, Daniel Brennan and Emily Scott, and Senior winners, Alex de Jong and Megan Geddis. What a great evening! 28 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Intermediate winners, Emily Scott and Daniel Brennan
Senior winners, Alex de Jong and Megan Geddis
www.yarmschool.org
Drama
Greek tragedy a triumph As the mother of invention, the necessity of using the Church Hall as a theatre space has led to some highly successful selections and productions over recent years –Shaffer then Shakespeare and now Sophocles’ Antigone. Just as there is a simplicity to the space, there is a simplicity to the plot and action. Following the Theban civil war, the dead Polyneices is decreed a traitor and the newly crowned Creon denies the body its ritual burial. One sister, Ismene, weakly supports her King: the other will not. Antigone disobeys Creon and buries Polyneices’ body, allowing his spirit access to Hades. His authority denied, the disobeyed King Creon demands punishment. Retribution brings tragedy. Antigone is first immured in a cave then hangs herself. Creon’s son, Haemon, who loves Antigone, stabs himself. Eurydice, Creon’s wife and Haemon’s mother, kills herself and dies cursing her husband. The gods punish the proud. Sophocles offers great passion and great debate: What is justice? Who comes first, family or state – natural or civil law? When should state control provoke civil disobedience? What makes for good or bad governance? How should we treat the dead? Reason or instinct? Big ideas presented with compelling simplicity. Matthew Bonavia showed Creon as a ruler out of his moral depth, a rigid authority driven to frustration, increasing anger and ultimate powerlessness. Daisy Catterall’s Antigone was unbending in her resolute resistance and captured the righteous energy of the oppressed and unjustly treated. Megan Ravenhall, as her sister Ismene, presented a poised fragility
www.yarmschool.org
Antigone: Fourth Year Production
and weakness – vulnerability and cowardice rather than pragmatism. And Andrew Brennan made a great step forward as an actor with his performance of Haemon – a naturally dutiful son
forced to stand up to and face-down a tyrannical father. Jacob Hodgson-Stokes reported injustice with a compelling spark of madness in his eye, a totally credible witness to double suicide. Natalie Grundmann’s Eurydice cries out as a wife and mother swept away by fate. The Theban Chorus was led by Rachael Brennan with a discipline and timing typical of the entire cast. Miss Robinson’s live piano gave the little space a suggestion of depth. Mr Hall’s production was characterised by economy – words not action: the story was allowed to tell itself. The dictum that less is more was embodied in Anand Krishna’s compelling performance as the blind seer, Tiresias. Certainly no Cassandra, a seated Krishna delivered his prophecy with a chilling forebodence: he warns Creon that injustice will lead to the death of his son and that Greece and the gods will despise him. Still Creon is resolute. It is the Chorus, the people of Thebes, who finally persuade the dictator to recognise his fault… but too late for tragedy. Mr P Telfer Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 29
Music Lower School Concert is on song During the Summer Term, pupils from First to Fourth Year provided a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment, showcasing their musical talents. These evenings provide an opportunity to perform in an informal and friendly atmosphere, and the items are always very varied in style. Congratulations to all those who took part. Second Orchestra: Bizet: Seguidilla Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Lloyd Weber: Phantom of the Opera Victor Sampson – piano Eionadi: Igiorni BOCC Quartet Purcell: Rondo from The Faerie Queen Ashirbad Roy – violin Puccini: O mio babbino caro Bethany Dang – piano Gedike: Minature in D minor Cellophane Traditional: Yankee Doodle Georgina Whitehead – voice Gershwin: Summertime Daniel Woodward – ‘cello Boccherini: Minuet Pretzel Quartet Traditional: Scarborough Fair Schubert: Marche Militaire Ashirbad Roy – Piano Cornick: In the groove Sarah Hill – voice James Rae: Rachel and the boys Recorder ensemble: Offenbach: Can Can Mancini: Baby Elephant Walk Strauss: Pizzicato Polka
30 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
The high notes Making music at the summer concert
It has been another busy year for the Music Department with some excellent performances. It is difficult to mention each one but congratulations must go to all who have performed in the concert series this year, especially to the younger pupils and to those who performed in the Lower School Concert. My highlights of the year include the choir singing at York Minster, the Fantasia Christmas carols, the Choral Society at Durham Cathedral with Bach’s St John Passion, the Funk Band performing at Tessa Urwin’s Wedding and the orchestra playing in all the major annual concerts. Once again, the standard continues to rise. At the end of the academic year it was fantastic to see the First Year pupils entertaining the audience at the Lower School Prize Giving. The pupils delivered a rousing performance of Yarm School (once Penny Lane) and Viva la Vida. It was evident that so many pupils continue to enjoy making music and I look forward to the opportunities the new auditorium will present.
A big thank you to so many pupils who have contributed to the performances mentioned above, especially those students who leave us this year to go on to greater things: Jane Perry, Caroline Lywood, Andrew Johnson, David Elliott and Hattie Leggett. This year we said goodbye to three colleagues: Rhianna Turner (Piano), Rosie Midgley (Voice) and Stephen Munro (Guitar). These well respected musicians have been succeeded by other wonderful musicians; Alison Gill (Piano), who studied at the Royal Academy of Music, Stuart Henderson and Alison Trowsdale, guitar tutors who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, Penelope RandallDavis (Voice), from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, John Forsyth MBE (Guitar), and Nikki Lycett (Voice), who studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire. So many pupils have achieved and are achieving excellent results with the hard work of the music staff and I thank them for their work and commitment. Mr K R Brown
Singing at York Minster During the Autumn Term, Yarm Choir set off for York Minster. This was my first time singing with the Choir at the Senior School so I was very excited. When we arrived at York Minster, we went up to the song room and practised singing Choral Evensong for half an hour. Then we were allowed to go out into York, which was lots of fun as we found the sweet shop! We then returned to the Minster to get ready for the Evensong service. We practised a little more but soon it was time was the real thing. The organ music played quietly as we entered the Quire and at exactly 5:15pm the bell struck to call the start of Evensong. It was amazing to see how many people attended the service, both parents of Yarm pupils and the public. We started with Psalm 23 ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’ followed by the first sung Responses and the Magnificat. Next we sang the NuncDimittis, Prayers and second Responses. Finally we closed the service by singing the
anthem ‘Love Divine’ by Howard Goodall. I really enjoyed singing and hope that we are invited back to this fabulous Minster very soon. Thank you to Mr Brown for directing the Choir and the rest of the Choir for their hard work and excellent singing. Toby Reid www.yarmschool.org
Music
Yarm School musicians in action at the summer concert. A full audience appreciated a superb event
First Year sing Yarm School and Viva La Vida www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 31
Fashion Show Eco fashion
High Street
Textile garments
Style on parade Eco fashion competition Congratulations to all the Eco fashion entries. It was an incredibly difficult task to judge the amazing creations produced by the designers this year. Team work, skill, imagination and creativity wowed the audience on the night. Thank you to our Fifth Year Oswald pupils, Imogen Byrne and Mitali Agarwal for bravely deciding on the winners. First Year: Model Flora Leith Ross. Made by Flora. Second Year: Model Jo Jo Booth, team: Rebbecca Fry Rosie Ravenhall, Amelia Bernard, Catriona Mclain, Jo Jo Booth. Third Year: Model Jenna Hobbs, team: Jennifer Dunn and Jenna Hobbs. Third Year: Model Olivia Weatherhead, team: Alice Riby, Sarah Toher, Olivia Weatherhead.
32 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
The Cuthbert House Fashion Show featured a range of fantastic garments made by our textiles students, as well as those from the High Street. The evening was enjoyed by a full audience in aid of a very worthy charity, the Butterwick Hospice. The hospice looks after adults and children who are terminally ill, giving them holistic care and pain relief. We are very grateful to the shops which kindly lent outfits to be modelled – Ruby Heels, Reverie, Social, Elfin, Kate Fearnley, Leggs, Curious Jewellery, Jules B and Affleck and Moffat. Models were also supported by a number of local salons which styled hair to give a professional ‘model’ finish. Thank you to Toni & Guy (Stockton) Saks (David Lloyds and Yarm) and Contemporary (Yarm). The raffle was a huge success. Thank you to the shops which donated prizes: Fruit Stop, Borrelli Deli,
Traditional Sweet Shop, Marina and Rudby House Antiques. Garments made by GCSE and A-level textile students were highly professional and looked stunning on the catwalk. Eco-Schools participants also made their own very creative eco garments, into which a great deal of effort had gone. On the catwalk, the models ‘strutted their stuff’, even the Early School pupils managed to strike a pose at the end of the catwalk. The evening was planned by Sixth Form students. They had spent an enormous amount of time contacting and visiting shops and running rehearsals, whilst balancing A-levels and coursework deadlines. Congratulations to them all on such a successful event, especially thanks to Caroline Spratt, Eleanor Robinson, Harriett Leggett, Preeti Chaudhury and Young Kuk Noh. www.yarmschool.org
Dance Showcase/Fashion Show
Fashion fusion The fashion and dance show held in February was a great success, with over £1,400 being raised to aid recovery in Pakistan after the floods during 2010. Around 60 Sixth Form students were involved in modelling, dancing and there was also beat boxing talents! The theme of fusion was present throughout, including in the music selected which ranged from Imran Khan to Michael Jackson. The show was action packed from start to finish featuring fashions from Yarm High Street to Asian wear. Overall the night was a great success. Thank you to everyone who was involved: Hera Sabiq, teachers, students, and of course the audience! The money raised will no doubt be appreciated by the 14 million people affected by the floods. Vidya Shyam-Sundar and Hashim Mahmood
Dance Showcase 2011 What a fantastic evening! The dance showcase provided a platform for many talented pupils to perform a wide variety of dance styles, influenced by their culture and interests. Styles varied from ballet, bangra and bollywood to street, hip hop and ballet. The show opened with a lively performance of Candyman, in which the dancers squeezed onto the stage to dance around Yazdan, our solo male dancer this year! Each dance routine had been carefully choreographed from start to finish by Miss Serdecka, Miss Hole or in some routines by the pupils themselves. With over 50 dancers and 26 routines it is hard to single out any performances, although the solo performances took a huge amount of courage and were faultless. The evening culminated in a stunning finale
www.yarmschool.org
to ‘Ik Ka Barra’ with all pupils dancing with glow sticks to emphasise their movements. Well done to all the dancers and to Hera Sabiq and Vidya Shyam-Sundar, the Dance Captains. Congratulations to Miss Serdecka and Miss Hole on choreographing and directing a fantastic evening.
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 33
Aidan House
Motivated and hardI was delighted to be invited to take over as Head of Aidan House upon Mr Mulligan’s promotion to his role as Head of First Year. Being new to Aidan House I was looking forward to getting to know everyone and, at the end of this year, I have not been disappointed, it has been a privilege to become a part of such a motivated and hard-working House. I started the year with a rather bizarre House assembly in which Mr Thompson and a number of ‘volunteers’ helped me to mix a cake. I hoped to demonstrate that a successful recipe is one in which there is the right blend of ingredients, in the
Flora Leith-Ross shows her true colours for Aidan 34 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
right proportions, each with different properties working together to produce a result which is far more than one could achieve on their own. Some of us are like the icing or the cherry on cake – immediately visible. Others are more like the flour – not at all obvious, but absolutely essential. I see the Aidan House mix like this – everyone blending their strengths and weaknesses to produce a great result. And we certainly have produced some great results this year. We achieved the highest Mark Taylor and James Thomas with staff 5-a-side team number of House Credits conditions we experienced in December. As we awarded – so well done to everyone in First to Third could not put on the usual party, we redoubled our Year who helped with this. These were awarded efforts on the hampers and were able to supply 50 for great homework, excellent team work and hampers, each with a hand-written card, and a box co-operation and sometimes for the countless of chocolates together with a variety of other treats, unseen acts of generosity and service to others that all delivered in a smart Yarm School shopping bag! were a hallmark of the original St. Aidan after whom The House funds that would have gone to provide we are named. for the party were hastily diverted into the form of Our October fundraising was very successful, Sainsbury’s shopping vouchers and each recipient thanks to the hard work of the many pupils (and of a Hamper got a £5 voucher as well. Not as much parents) who donated, sold and bought hundreds fun as a party, but very useful and evidently much of cakes, gallons of pink lemonade, sweets, etc. appreciated, judging by the letters of thanks we Breast Cancer charities benefitted from these received. Perhaps a case of every snow cloud sales, and those of badges, places at a Sixth Form having a silver lining? and staff Pilates class and many other ventures – During the spell of bad weather, Mark Taylor and including Nick Thomas’s magnificent sponsored James Thomas organised a football tournament run – to the tune of £2,315.10! A great result that which proved to be a great success and the money we hope to build on in October 2011! they raised will go towards the 2011 Christmas We had to take the very sad decision to party. cancel the Aidan House Christmas party for Although the senior citizens were not able senior citizens who are residents of Challoner to enjoy their Christmas party, other members House, in Yarm, during the terrible weather
First Year Aidan on Discovery Day www.yarmschool.org
Aidan House
-working House Captain Sarah Scott with First Year girls on Discovery Day
Marcus Taylor – House Captain 2011-2012 enjoying the Sixth Form meal of Aidan House managed to enjoy some good times in the course of the year! Discovery Day was enjoyed by all and it was great to see the then new First Years getting stuck into their many different challenges. First Years and Sixth Form helpers alike enjoyed a wet and wild time at ‘Wet ‘n Wild’ along with members of Oswald House. Joe Rigatoni’s provided the venue for a very successful Sixth Form meal. Sports Day was superb – we may not have won the shield off Bede (yet!) but the members of Aidan House were mutually supportive and involved in a whole host of ways. It was wonderful to see the younger members of the House decking themselves in red and showing their support so enthusiastically.
Harry Cooper – House Captain 2011-2012
Nick Thomas setting off on a charity run with Richard Kessell as first aid back-up
I wish every happiness and success to those members of Aidan House who moved on from Yarm School at the end of the school year, especially our House Captain, Sarah Scott and Vice Captains, Richard Hall and Barney Rankin. I would like to thank them for all their hard work and commitment during the year. The school year 2011-2012 brings with it two new House Captains – Harry Cooper and Marcus Taylor, and two Vice Captains – Lucy Taylor and Christopher Elms. I know they have lots of ideas and enthusiasm and I look forward to Aidan House moving from strength to strength under their leadership. Mrs S Pyke
A prayer written by St. Aidan: Leave me alone with God as much as may be. As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore, Make me an island, set apart, alone with you, God, holy to you. Then with the turning of the tide prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond, the world that rushes in on me till the waters come again and fold me back to you. This shows how important service to others was to St. Aidan. He was not just concerned with himself, but with the busy world beyond. First Years with hampers ready to deliver to Challoner House www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 35
Bede House
High five for Bede’s Sports Day record Once upon a time, on tropical Bede island lived a special bald eagle. Legend has it that it builds its nest from discombobulated beasts and enjoys cheddar cheese. It frequently attacked cars, shredding them like mozzarella, leaving the area smelling of petrol. The pessimistic islanders were faced with a conundrum; how to dispose of this awesome creature without much of a kerfuffle and without causing a biohazard. Then one day, during a games lesson, they decided to cellotape some pulverised sand to its nest to cause pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. A careful knowledge of physics would be required! The plan back-fired though as, when the idea was described, everyone ran away and slammed the door on their blue houses. It seems that they all suffered from hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia! The eagle lived on.. The short story above contains the favourite words, subjects, cheeses, colours and smells of Bede House as voted on during our last meeting of the year. Together we have learnt many things throughout the year, including: How the tenets of Tae Kwon Do – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and
36 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
VC Tyler holding the raft together indomitable spirit – apply to our daily lives in school; the names and interests of various members of Bede House from different tutor groups than our own; that a stone-paperscissors knock out contest with over 100 competitors can be run in around five minutes; and, was that a forest of human trees on the Paddock steps one break time?
Sports Day Bede House was unstoppable in claiming their fifth consecutive Sports Day shield. Such a reign is unprecedented in the School’s history and, judging by the margin of victory, I don’t think Bede’s possession of the shield is in danger for a few more years at least. I wonder if, by the time the shield finally leaves the House of Bede, our ongoing undefeated streak will be beaten by any of the other Houses before the time
www.yarmschool.org
Bede House
VC Katie capsule is unearthed in the Dovecote?! Thank you to everyone for their efforts with particular thanks once more to the Fifth Year and Upper Sixth who came in during their holidays to help win it again for Bede. It makes such a difference on the day.
House Officers I should like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my team of House Officers for the year. The team consisted of Captain Josie Neasham, and vice-captains John Liddle, Kate Pleydell and Tyler Whitehead. The team have been involved in the activities of Bede House all year including assisting with Discovery Day, the music quiz, charity week, Bede House does ‘A Question of Sport’ and much more. I was especially grateful for the parting words of wisdom they shared with us all in assembly. The team for next year will consist of Captains George Cooper and Kate Desmond and ViceCaptains Roisin Burrows-O’Donoghue and Alex Grundmann. I have already been impressed by their organisation and I know they are well respected amongst the pupils of Bede. Congratulations all. I should also like to extend my congratulations to Bede students Vidya Shyam-Sundar and Jessica Thornton, both of whom will be School Officers (Captain and Vice-Captain respectively) during 2011-2012.
Tutors After several years as a Bede tutor, we said goodbye to Mr Webb but hello to Mr Parker who will be getting to know Second Year Bede from September.
Amy ‘Emerson’ Winehouse at the Bede music quiz www.yarmschool.org
Other memories of Bede House 2010 – 2011 (in no particular order) Amy ‘Emerson’ Winehouse at the Bede music quiz; Half of the First Year immediately sinking their raft while VC Tyler literally held the other boat together; A member of the First Year (who shall remain nameless) nobly putting himself out for the benefit of the groups – I shaln’t forget that act of leadership; Toasties stall 2, revenge of the ridiculously busy charity stall; Spontaneous outbreak of Carol singing; Hearing how all our hard work raising funds the previous year would help children at the Mulberry Centre through ‘Caitlin’s Library’ in assembly; Valentines messages announced via microphone at lunchtime; The winning joke in the Bede House Joke Competition (What do you get if you push a piano down a mine shaft? A Flat Minor) – Bedeles the Dog is on his way to Fourth Year Bede for next year.
Dr Prideaux presents cheque to Caitlin’s Library to present cheques, on behalf of Bede House, for £800 each to Caitlin’s Library and the Great North Air Ambulance. A big “Thank You” to all pupils, parents and staff who have supported the charity work of Bede House this year in some way. This could be by running activities, donating prizes, attending events, buying sweets from our stalls or one of myriad helpful things that our fund raising depends on. I, and I am sure the charities, really appreciate it.
Charity work
Next year
This year, pupils of all ages made an excellent contribution towards raising money which included: cake stalls, A Question of Sport competition, sweets, toasties, valentines messages, carol singing and much more, raising funds for our main charity WaterAid, with superb individual efforts raising monies for Caitlin’s Library, Thomas’ Dreams and Children in Need. For last year’s House charities, I have been able
Plans for next year are already forming. What can the new First Year bring to Bede? Which tutor groups will manage to make the ambitious target of raising £500? What event will our new House Officers come up with for you? Will a sixth consecutive sports shield come our way? All of this and more from the rising Suns of Bede House; illuminating Yarm School and, indeed, the World. Dr P D Prideaux
Captain Josie on Discovery Day
VC John on Discovery Day Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 37
Cuthbert House
House drama champions – again!
What have we done this year to make us feel proud?
More participants than anyone else in the Music Festival
Brilliant Sixth Form meal
Fun at First Year bowling
Winners of Sixth Form tug-of-war
How many people can you fit in a canoe? Not many!
38 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Fabulous outgoing captains: Ellie, Young Kuh, Richard and Alex – thank you!
www.yarmschool.org
Cuthbert House
Gorgeous new sparkly banner
Fabulous Fashion Show
Megan breaks the record at Sports Day
Lots and lots of money raised for Butterwick Hospice
Lots of money raised for Children in Need
Loudest cheering at Sports Day – first for house spirit!
Cuthbert Ho use forever!
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 39
Oswald House
A bumper year for charity Congratulations and thank you to everyone in Oswald House for making 2011 a bumper charity year. Pupils, Tutors and talented House Officers have worked tirelessly and have been extremely creative to raise a large sum of money for a variety of charities. The year was kicked off with Discovery Day, the new First Year Oswaldians showed off their skills at a wide range of tasks, well apart from raft building skills! They then went on to make a big splash at Wet ‘n Wild, it was clear the pupils were keen to have fun and get involved with House events. This was also an early opportunity for the dedicated House Officers to show their impressive leadership skills. The Sixth Form meal was a great success and an excellent start to the social side of Sixth Form life. Thank you to House Captain Lauren Hewitt for her 40 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
organisational skills. “Movember” was an early opportunity for Oswald to support a new charity. Pupils wanted to support the teachers who chose to grow a moustache for the month of November to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer. House members got involved by baking huge moustache cakes to
selling drinks and we were able to donate £200 to the charity. The Christmas shoe box appeal was once again a huge success. Thank you to everyone who donated filled boxes to support the Convoy Aid Romania Appeal. The organisation was thrilled with Yarm School’s contribution. In February love was in the air! Oswald House seized the opportunity to bring a little romance to Yarm School, sending Valentines roses on behalf of pupils and raising money for childhood leukaemia. Oswald was approached by the charity Lepra to see if the House would support the cause. Lepra delivered an inspiring and moving assembly, educating pupils on the disease Leprosy. It was an easy decision for Oswald House to agree to support Lepra. Pupils enthusiastically dressed up in 80’s clothing, lycra and leggings, for a sponsored aerobics event which raised over £1,000. My www.yarmschool.org
Oswald House In harmony on Acoustics Night sincere thanks go to the families and friends who generosity supported the event to make this such a huge success. The annual fashion show included Oswald eco fashion garments. The garments were inspirational and highlighted the abundance of skills and creativity from all age groups. Charity week was packed with fun, games, candy floss, pancakes and ‘soak a teacher’. Mr Hardy brought to our attention an education sponsorship program in Zimbabwe. It is a privilege for Oswald House to send funds to Churchill School in Zimbabwe which will enable a child to receive an education for a year. We intend to continue this sponsorship for the pupil’s five year school career and we look forward to finding out about their progress. The incredible talent of pupils who do it “their way” at the Acoustic Concert was inspirational. Thanks go to Chris, Guy and Jack who brought the event together seamlessly. The traditional Roseberry Run was held in May. Thank you to all those who were involved and of course Mr Van Opstal, as once again his expertise saw everyone safely up and down the hill (including me). Team spirit and dedication continued until the end of term. Well done to Alena Din who has recently joined the school and Oswald House, and broke records on Sports Day, you may be our secret weapon for next year! Unfortunately we did not win, but next year’s House Officers told me the outlook for 2012 is looking very bright indeed. My special thanks go to House Captains Chris Mackenzie, Lauren Hewitt, Vice Captains Guy Stokeld and Emily Cardew, who have worked hard to make this year such a success. Well done Oswald on a bumper charity year! Mrs A Jackson
Games of darts and selling Valentine’s Day roses all helped swell our charity coffers
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 41
Art A-level
Georgina Mitchell
Isobel Irwin
Harriett Leggett
Harriett Bradbury
Katie Gorwits
Lewis Deans
Siri Gowda
Jane Perry
Safina Roberts
Megan Geddis
Emily Gloag Alice Hughes
Jack Petch 42 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Josie Wearmouth
Caroline Spratt www.yarmschool.org
Art
Kate Pleydell
Lucy Smith
Chloe Marsh
Carla Whittingham – photography
Charlotte Oliver
Eleanor Jenyns Kathryn Armitage
Emily Folkes
Kate Desmond
GCSE
Lydia Dixon-Fagg
Emilia Mack
Bethany Darragh
Hannah Attewill
Georgia Slade
Matthew Herbert www.yarmschool.org
Imogen Byrne
Sarah Gardner
Hannah Lofthouse-Hill Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 43
Art Edinburgh inspiration
Royal Academy workshop Our A-level art students were treated to a one-day lifedrawing workshop ran by the Royal Academy of Art’s outreach programme. The workshop was ran at a fast pace with students drawing the model in a variety of poses, in quick succession, focusing on creativity rather than perfection. Charlotte, the workshop leader, encouraged experimentation with charcoal and colour chalks to depict light and shadows when drawing the model. Students normally work from photographs, so it was a fantastic opportunity to refine their observational drawing skills. The workshop leader commented on the excellent standard and quality of work produced by A-level students. It was also mentioned that the standard of work was similar to art colleges!
Fifth Year GCSE Art students travelled to Edinburgh to visit two Galleries, the Dean Gallery and the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art. We arrived at the Dean Gallery and set off to look at the artwork and when we had found a piece we liked we sat down to sketch it! There was an exhibition on called ‘Another World’ which focused mainly on surrealism, including one larger than life metal robot in the café! We then moved on to The Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, where we were taken aback by the giant set of chairs and a table, under which we could walk, designed by Robert Therrien. This installation had the ability to make you feel very small, a little like Alice in Wonderland. After a few hours, we returned to the Dean Gallery, picked up our belongings and made our way back to the train station. On the whole, our group said that they much preferred the Dean Gallery to the Modern Art Gallery, but there was something there for everyone. The day was an enjoyable experience and the whole group would like to say a big thank you to Ms Stebbings and Mrs McCormack for taking us. Grace Hadlow and Imogen Byrne
Yarm School artists meet Rolf Harris Two budding artists, Callum Potts and Fraser Allison were invited to meet famous Australian artist, Rolf Harris. Earlier in the year pupils were challenged to paint a portrait of Rolf by Platinum Gallery. Out of the entries one winner could not be selected so both Callum’s and Fraser’s work was chosen. The gallery also displayed work from other pupils around the area Rolf sat to sign autographs. Rolf spent time admiring the artwork before presenting Callum and Fraser with a signed book.
44
www.yarmschool.org
History/Classics
On the Battlefields For many years now the Battlefields trip has formed an integral part of the GCSE historians’ experience of the subject. What on paper can appear as a casual four day meander around Northern France and Belgium emerges as a significant and impacting exposure to the realities and challenges faced in the First World War. The trip is linked to the pupils’ coursework, visiting numerous sites to explore the reasons behind the military stalemate as well as the various attempts devised to break this deadlock. So much physical evidence remains, from the towering memorials and innumerable cemeteries scattering across the landscape, to the remaining scars of trench networks. Such is the nature of the trip that the opportunity to amble across no-man’s land
becomes a heightened, even moving, experience when realising the impossibility of this simple act for so many men during the years of war. At various significant sites, the pupils are presented with informed talks that allow them to pursue investigative exercises. At several sites the pupils read poetry, written at the time of the war, an attempt to express the inexpressible in the face of what for us are unimaginable circumstances. These pockets of reflection or moments of contemplation allow for a relief from the barrage of factual information involved. The trip is always a deeply maturing one, with
pupils fostering a deeper realisation of the efforts and engagements of a previous generation, as well as one that requires them to lock in with the challenges of trying to understand the decision making of an earlier age. Pupils will now be spending part of the summer wrestling with these issues as they begin to construct their coursework based on the visit. My thanks as ever go to the numerous colleagues whose participation allows such trips to happen, as well the pupils whose interest and engagement in this visit makes it all so very worthwhile and meaningful. Mr S Edwards
Romans at Hadrian’s Wall Several different year groups had the opportunity to visit various Roman sites in the post-exam period. To judge from their comments afterwards, they seem to have enjoyed their trips and learnt a good deal. Here are some thoughts from First Year pupils Rosie Eldabe, Neve Crane and Harry Brown: “On Wednesday 9 June we went to Hadrian’s Wall on a Classics trip. As soon as we got to the Roman Army Museum, we watched a film about Hadrian’s Wall. The wall was built to keep
www.yarmschool.org
out barbarians. There were lots of jobs to be done at the Wall, these included turret duty, hunting, night duty and delivering pay chests to the forts. After that we had a talk on Roman weapons, the talk was delivered by a centurion dressed in armour. To show us what the armour was like he got a volunteer to try some on. After that he used ten volunteers to show a formation called the Tortoise: this protected the whole group by covering everyone with the shields. “We learnt about joining the army and who wouldn’t be allowed to join: eg you can’t be a slave, must be unmarried and you should be righthanded. During the day we went on a walk up to the Wall, I learnt that the Wall was either 10 feet or 6 feet wide. Learning about the Roman’s food surprised me most because I thought that you wouldn’t have had much food in the Roman army but in fact you got lots.” The following week some Third and Fourth Year pupils were able to visit four different sites in the Hadrian’s Wall area. At Brunton Turret they discovered why there was a change of plan about the width of the Wall; at Chesters Fort they went round the best preserved Roman bathhouse in
the country; at Carrawburgh they learnt about the worship of that strange Persian deity Mithras; and at Vindolanda Fort they were given a fascinating talk by one of the leading archaeologists while actually watching the excavations in progress. Have a look at the Vindolanda website; but if you want to dig there, beware: bookings start on 1 November and places are usually snapped up within the first three hours – a very un-tortoiselike speed! Mr H A Killick
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 45
Languages
Journal d’une participante à Mardi, le 5 Avril
Jeudi, le 7 Avril
Aujourd’hui un groupe d’élèves de Yarm School est parti pour Lisieux à 7 heures du matin. Le voyage était long mais nous attendions notre visite avec impatience. Nous sommes arrivés plus tôt que prévu, ce qui nous a donné plus de temps pour faire la connaissance de nos familles. Cependant nous étions tous fatigués après le voyage, donc la plupart des familles nous ont laissé nous coucher tôt.
Aujourd’hui c’était notre première excursion. Nous sommes allés à Arromanches où nous avons visité le cimetière de Colleville. Nous sommes aussi allés regarder un film sur la guerre qui a eu des vidéos de la guerre. C’était très émouvant. Après, nous sommes allé faire les courses dans Caen, c’était génial!
Vendredi, le 8 Avril
Mercredi, le 6 Avril
Aujourd’hui nous avons participé avec nos correspondants à deux cours. J’ai eu deux heures d’anglais. C’était très intéressant de voir la différence entre le langage des cours en France et en Angleterre. En France, ils apprennent beaucoup plus le vocabulaire et la grammaire que nous. Aussi, ils font plus de travail oral. Ensuite, nous avons fait une visite autour de
l’école de Notre Dame. C’était bien et l’après midi nous sommes rentrés chez nos familles d’acceuil. C’était le premier temps que nous avons eu avec nos familles et c’était bien. Mais, la plupart de nous sommes sortis – nous sommes allés, par exemple, au bowling ou au jardin public.
Aujourd’hui nous avons visité la Basilique de Lisieux, qui est dans l’honneur de St Thérèse qui a grandi à Lisieux. C’était trés joli. Nous avons aussi passé du temps à Liseux à manger ou à faire les courses. Nous avons déjeuné dans l’école à la cafeteria. C’était délicieux! Ensuite, nous sommes allès visiter le cimetière allemand de St Désir. C’était joli mais triste. Finalement nous sommes allés au supermarché. C’était très grand, il a eu tout.
German exchange is a big success During the October half-term break, 17 Yarm School pupils set off for the German exchange to Werther. After flying to Düsseldorf, we met our exchange partners with whom we were to spend the week. The following day we met at the bus station and travelled to Wolfsburg to visit the Autostadt, and the world famous Volkswagen factory, which everybody agreed was really interesting. Later in the week, we enjoyed a guided tour of Bielefeld and its well known castle, Sparrenburg. My favourite day of the exchange was when we went to school with our exchange partners. It was really interesting to see how a different school system is organised. Other visits included going to Bremen and Cologne, and of course, Dr. Oetker World, which was a lot of fun and also provided some excellent shopping opportunities and a chance to practise using our German! We all got along really well with our German partners, who were kind enough to put on some social events over the weekend, so we all had a good time at bowling and ice skating (despite some minor injuries on my part!). So thank you to Mrs Leary for organising such a great trip and Mr Emerson and Mr Leary for accompanying us! Eloise Richer 46 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Languages
l’échange Français à Lisieux Samedi, le 9 Avril
Après nous sommes allés à Festyland qui est un parc de loisirs – il y avait beaucoup d’attractions. C’était chouette et nous avons eu de la chance parce que Festyland venait juste d’ouvrir ce weekend.
Nous avons passé le weekend avec nos correspondants et leurs familles. Quelques-uns sont allés à Paris où à la plage. Moi, je suis allée au marché à Lisieux. J’ai trouvé que le marché était fantastique et animé. J’ai acheté du fromage pour mes parents. Après nous sommes allé à Deauville où Johnny Depp a une maison! C’était un bel endroit avec une plage. Il y avait un spectacle de cerf-volant – c’était très bien! Le-temps était aussi excellent. Finalement, nous sommes allés voir un match de basketball. Les équipes ont été Lisieux et Rennes. C’était le dernier match de la saison mais malheureusement Lisieux a perdu.
Lundi le 11 Avril
Dimanche, le 10 Avril
Aujourd’ hui je suis allée avec ma correspondante voir le stand de marché de son père à Caen. Le marché était très, très grand et était plein de gens.
J’ai pensé que c’était super! Ensuite nous avons mangé dans un restaurant de pizza – c’était un très bon repas.
Aujourd’hui nous sommes allés à la jolie ville d’Honfleur. Cette ville a un petit port avec des magasins et il y avait un carrousel qui était très populaire. Ensuite nous sommes allés au Mémorial de Caen. C’était très informatif et émouvant parce que c’était graphique. Après pour notre dernier voyage nous sommes allé au zoo – c’ était une surprise puisqu’ il n’ était pas prévu mais c’ était excellent. J’ai trouvé que l’expérience a été intéressante, utile et très bénéfique. Molly Bean
Checking out what’s happening in Madrid During Easter a group of 12 pupils studying Spanish at GCSE, AS and A-level went on the Spanish Exchange. Loaded with chocolate and sweets to last the journey, we got on the bus to begin our exciting journey to Madrid. We arrived in sunny Spain at 5pm, getting off the plane to a warm gust of wind. We arrived in Barrio Del Pilar to meet our hosts with slight trepidation and soon settled down to a good night’s sleep after the traditional Spanish greeting of kisses. In the morning, we took the metro to
www.yarmschool.org
Reina Sofia, a museum which displayed a grand array of modern art pieces – one including a blank canvas with a black dot in the middle. Impressive! For the first three days we had three hour long Spanish classes. Although we all got a lot out of these classes, many of us felt out of our depth when talking about Spanish football! Every day we ate our packed lunch in the Spanish Quarter in Madrid. We fed any leftovers to the local pigeons; they liked our white salami and pickled asparagus sandwiches! On the third day we visited the Museo del Prado,
which was full of classical art. During the final two days we were able to make our own way home on the metro. We took the wrong metro twice and proved geography was our forte. Thankfully, we arrived back at our apartment only half an hour late and so were still able to spend the night reading magazines and relaxing. On the penultimate night, after a long day in Toledo, there was a horrific thunderstorm. Lightening was striking and roads were transformed into fast flowing rivers. Unfortunately, Ellie and Natalie were stuck outside in it. Overall the trip was fantastic and we have many memories to take away with us! Thank you to Señor Chamberlain and Senora Menzies for making the trip so interesting and enjoyable. We all had a great time. Abi Gittens and Ellie Montgomery
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 47
Geography
Out and about It has been a busy year in the Geography Department which has seen several groups going out on visits and excursions. It all started on a wet Sunday morning in September when a group of eager First Years embarked on the annual visit to Stump Cross Caverns and Brimham Rocks with the Geography Society. After watching a film about the geography of the caves’ formation, we entered the caverns to find an extraordinary array of stalagmites, stalactites and columns with many different formations or shapes such as the Wedding Cake and the Butcher’s Shop. By the time we left Stump Cross and completed the short drive to Brimham Rocks, the rain had eased somewhat. After lunch, the group enjoyed exploring the rock formations, scaling some of the smaller rocks and burrowing into some tiny crevices. Before we knew it – it was time to return to school! Also in September, the GCSE Geographers travelled south for a residential trip to the excellent Cranedale Centre, near Malton. An activity-packed itinerary saw the group consider management issues along the Holderness coastline from Flanborough Head to Mapleton and brave the rain to collect plenty of river data from the upper stage
48 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
of the Derwent in the North York Moors. This served to supplement concepts and themes previously covered in class with some excellent case study evidence. It also allowed the pupils to generate plenty of primary data for their coursework projects. All in all, the group had a very successful and productive couple of days and were good company to boot! In February, a small group of AS Geographers completed a visit to the East Yorkshire coast to complete some fieldwork on coastal management and rebranding for their summer examinations. A chilly day in Bridlington, looking at sand dune
succession and coastal resort decline was followed by a glorious day in Scarborough considering the rebranding strategies employed in this once great seaside town. The students had to work particularly hard due to the size of the group, and they had to consolidate the work each day with study in the evenings. That said, they were very focused, great company and were incredibly well dressed for a group of geographers. Well done Simon, Kristina, Jess and Laura on that front especially! Last, but not least, the whole First Year completed their annual visit to the Derwent Valley with both the Geography and Biology Departments after the internal exams in June. It was a busy couple of days, but they were packed with opportunity and experience – from working out the difference between and Elm and a Beech tree in the woodland to hearing the distinctive call of the Curlew on the moorland fells… and not to forget reliving the grizzly end of the original Blanchland monastery at the hands of marauding Celts. That is not a combination you experience in your everyday classroom. Both pupils and staff enjoyed and really threw themselves into the experience and it provided a perfect end to a busy opening year in Senior School. All this – and we have not even mentioned the exploits of the Geo-photography club, which, in its inaugural year, recorded the progress of the school development whilst also looking at Geography through pictures in tasks such as ‘my favourite place’. More to come next year! Mr A O Newman
www.yarmschool.org
Biology
Plant and animal species studied in the field In October, the Upper Sixth Form biologists visited Newcastle University’s internationally-recognised Dove Marine Laboratory at Cullercoats, near Newcastle, to study how living and non-living factors affect the distribution of plant and animal species on the North East seashore. After a comprehensive introduction by the Education Officer from Newcastle University’s Department of Marine Sciences, we gathered our quadrats and identification charts and went out
onto the shoreline to perform our main study. Setting out a number of transects on the rocky shore we looked at the effects of position up the shore, wave action, dessication, predation and competition to name but a few, on the types of plants and animals we could find. During the morning of data collection out on the rocks, the overhead misty conditions together with the abundant seaweeds made for slippery rocks. Two of our party ended up doing some of
their data collection in a position far closer to their subjects than they had intended! After identifying our barnacles from our limpets and our sea lettuce from our saw-toothed wrack, the return to the laboratory meant lunch of the traditional sea-side fish and chips (no, sorry that was tuna sandwiches and crisps) then in the afternoon we had a quick look at the data we had collected before our trip back to school. Dr K Perry
Independent learning Second Year pupils took part in the Independent Learning Project during the penultimate week of term. Whilst one half of the year group was at Keswick, the other half faced the ‘Dragon’s Den’ and scripted medieval plays. Pupils were challenged to design and manufacture a board game and present it to a panel of industry experts. Pupils were tested as the judges quizzed them on their marketing plans, finances and ethics. The amount of effort pupils put into the day was evident in the board games and presentations and the judges were extremely impressed. There were many innovative ideas, so watch out for some developing entrepreneurs. The second challenge involved pupils working in groups to script and perform a medieval play. Each group designed a coat of arms and background information to their play. There were some very entertaining performances.
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 49
Maths Yarm team rises to difficult maths challenge On 23 March a team of four pupils from Second and Third Year represented Yarm School at the regional finals of the team Mathematics competition organised by the United Kingdom Maths Trust. Olivia Weatherhead, George Atherton, Oliver Grundmann, and Greg Takoor tackled four rounds of difficult mathematics. In the first round they had to work as a whole team to answer 10 questions. Before they broke for lunch the results were announced so far –
with Yarm in the lead! The third round consisted of several sets of four questions where the answer from the question was needed to find the answer for the subsequent question. If they failed to get one answer then all the following answers were wrong. To add to the pressure they had to finish these before the team they were competing against to get the bonus points! Following this round the pupils had slipped to second place.
The final round was the most active of all the rounds. The team was split in half and placed at opposite ends of the sports hall. One half of the team were given a question and they had to return the correct answer to a marker and take the next question to the other half of the team. Following this final round the results were announced and the team were disappointed to find they had slipped to fourth place overall. Well done to the competitors and better luck next year!
Prep School maths for fun In June, Year 6 pupils from the Prep School spent a morning in the Senior School Maths Department doing maths just for fun, assisted by some of our Lower Sixth mathematics students. The Fun Maths Roadshow is a collection of maths puzzles created by The Liverpool Mathematical Society to give pupils the opportunity to ‘experience mathematics in a nonconfrontational setting in which everyone succeeds, the keywords being enjoyment and challenge’. Pupils of all abilities threw themselves into the puzzles with great enthusiasm and were a credit to their teachers.
Proving that maths can be enjoyed Second Year masterclasses In March, four Second Year pupils attended Saturday Masterclasses at Teesside University for Gifted and Talented mathematicians. Chirag Gopinath, Ahsirbad Ror, Gregory Takoor and Richard Zhang participated in activities ranging from Maths Magic to Rubik´s Cube activities. The underlying theme of the classes was to show pupils that mathematics really is everywhere and to enrich their experience of mathematics.
50 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
At Yarm School, pupils of all ages have the opportunity to take part in mathematics competitions, from the Junior Maths Challenge in First and Second Year to the Senior Maths Challenge in Sixth Form. Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates are awarded according to the marks obtained. Earlier this year, 86 people from Third, Fourth and Fifth Years took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge, and of these 57 were awarded certificates and six were invited to sit the Grey or Pink Kangaroo papers. In this year’s Junior Maths Challenge, there were 15 Bronze, 21 Silver and 13 Gold awards, and one person qualified for the Junior Olympiad. The Kangaroo and Olympiad papers are further papers for those who score highly in the challenge. These, like the Maths Challenges, are split into different papers for different age groups. Not only are there these individual challenges, but there are also team competitions. The maths challenges are organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust and are sat by pupils in thousands of schools nationwide.
I have found some of the questions challenging and intriguing. They pose questions in a format unlike those in the curriculum. Occasionally there are humorous problems which amuse pupils as they work towards a solution. For example I recall a question in which a hamster, by the unusual name of Horatio, had a strange appetite for clock faces. We were asked to deduce, from the remains of gnawed clocks, on which clock Horatio had eaten the greatest sum of numbers! The Maths Challenges enable children of different age groups to compete against each other and also provide an environment where they can enjoy the stimulation of maths puzzles presented in a fun way. Some people dread mathematics because they think that it is a difficult and humourless subject but the Maths Challenge encourages and inspires people to enjoy challenging puzzles, to think “outside the box” and experience the fun of mathematics. In this way I think that the Maths Challenges are a worthwhile experience. Abigail Orr www.yarmschool.org
Design and Technology
Achievement: from left, Graham Goodier, Max Birch, Andrew Merson, Matthew Langford, Erik Anderson, Richard Kessell
Top of the league table In October, six members of the Lower Sixth Form had a very important engagement at the Institution of Engineering and Technology on the bank of the River Thames in Savoy Place, London. Erik Anderson, Max Birch, Graham Goodier, Richard Kessell, Matthew Langford and Andrew Merson joined 258 other 16 to 17 year olds from around the country to be presented with their Arkwright Scholarship certificates. An Arkwright Scholarship is hard earned and those achieving such awards are considered to
be amongst the most talented young men and women in the country. Yarm School has a long history of involvement with the scheme and always encourages talented Fifth Years to just ‘have a go’ because the application process is a very worthwhile experience in its own right. Aside from the status that comes with such an important award, scholars benefit by £500 and they may also have the opportunity to work with their sponsor during holiday periods. In 2010/11, as has been the case on a number of
occasions, the school achieved more scholarships than any other school in the country. This is testimony to the drive, ambition and talent of its students. The school is proud of its position, comfortably at the top of the league table of awards. Congratulations to our Arkwright Scholars for 2011/12: Matthew Cant, Josh Sunley, Stuart Scott, Crayston Renner and Cameron Dixon Mr D V G Dunn
Design and manufacture techniques for Yarm Primary Pupils from Yarm Primary joined the Design and Technology Department over the course of two days in the Summer Term to learn about design and manufacturing techniques. The task this year, to design, manufacture and personalise a desk tidy. After an initial briefing the pupils sprung into action, visiting the different workstations to complete the various components of their desk organiser. By lunch time each group returned to Yarm Primary with a beautifully designed and highly decorative desk organiser. The pupils (and teachers) from Yarm Primary had a thoroughly enjoyable time and were very thankful to Mr Dunn, Mr Day, Mr Stewart, Mrs Jackson, Mr Henderson and the Sixth Form helpers.
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 51
Design and Technology
Andrew Brown – Telescoping Mountain Bike, A-level
Isobel Irwin – Executive Desk, A-level
Grand designs The D&T Product show was once again a huge success. It is a great platform to showcase the work that pupils produce within Design and Technology Department. As usual the GCSE and A-level projects were impressive with a high standard of craftsmanship evident in the pieces. The projects ranged from a beautifully constructed wine cabinet, a Norwegian sledge, a telescoping mountain bike to an elegant chaise longue. The textiles garments were also displayed with a few students choosing to model their pieces on the night. From an Olympic 2012 dress to hand embroidered evening dresses the collections were imaginative and inspiring. The evening was rounded off with a delicious barbecue, prepared by Martin and his team.
Josh Sunley – Cider Press, GCSE 52 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Jane Perry – Car Storage System, A-level
Oliver Prattley – Drum Stool, GCSE www.yarmschool.org
Design and Technology
Kate Pleydell – Chaise Longue, A-level
Harry Runnacles – Card Table, GCSE
Adam Watson – Coffee Table, GCSE
Simon Eastham – Drinks Cabinet, GCSE
Alex Cheung – Teenager’s Chair, GSCE www.yarmschool.org
Crayston Renner – Camp Fire Cooking Frame, GCSE
Adam Edmondson – Piano Stool, GSCE Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 53
Textiles
Best foot forward During the last week of term, the GCSE and A-level textiles students took up the challenge of making a pair of shoes. The shoe workshop was a day long course where we learnt about the process and the materials for shoe making and then went on to produce a pair of sandals. We were all given individual themes and we were keen to incorporate these into the designs. The shoes were difficult to make, and required a 54 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
high amount of precision to make them fit correctly and to make them look professional; I never realised making shoes would be so complex! By the end of the day, we were all happy with our designs and how they had turned out. I really enjoyed the day and I would like to thank Miss Elizabeth Dunn for running the workshop and teaching us many new skills and Mrs Jackson for organising the day. Helen Elston
“Who knows, at the next fashion show pupils may be making their whole outfit from dresses and shoes in textiles to even their own jewellery in their silversmithing D&T lessons!” – Mr Dunn
www.yarmschool.org
Eco-Schools eco kids material and clothes collection raised £109.20
Eco fashion: Flora Leith-Ross wears a milk bottle garment
Wear green for the day – Eco week Yarm Eco Schools donate a composter to Yarm at Raventhorpe
Teachers’ Fairtrade banana challenge
Mr Emerson studies the Eco page in his planner
Yarm Eco Schools donate garden tools to the Prep School Richard Zang helps load the eco kids bags
Winning Eco fashion design made out of bottle tops and crisp packets
Eco-Schools www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 55
Sport Rugby tour to Australia July-August 2011
Rugby Tour
Trip of a lifetime
We flew to Sydney on 25 July and transferred to our hotel. After breakfast we did some light training for a couple of hours then went down to Sydney Harbour for our jet boat rides. The next day we caught a ferry to Manly, where we walked to the beach and spent most of the rest of the morning training and playing. In the afternoon we travelled back to Sydney and walked to the base of the Skytower in the Westfield shopping centre where we enjoyed spectacular views of Sydney and the surrounding area from 250 metres (820 feet) in the air. We visited the Olympic Park later in the week and went on a tour round the ANZ stadium which was the Olympic Stadium in 2000, but is perhaps more famous as the place where England beat Australia in the 2003 World Cup final. We travelled to St Ignatious College in Riverside to meet our first hosts ready to play our first fixture against St Ignatious. The 2nd team lost 52-0 and the 1st team were narrowly beaten 26-24. The match was rounded off with a presentation and speeches 56 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
followed by a barbecue (what else in Australia?) On Sunday we flew to Brisbane and travelled by coach to All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast to meet our new hosts. Whilst in Brisbane, we went on a four wheel drive tour to Mount Tambourine. We travelled up rough terrain to the top of the mountain and then visited the tambourine rainforest and the impressive Curtis Waterfalls. We then travelled away from Mount Tambourine to the fertile valleys
below the MacPherson Mountains and stopped for lunch. After lunch we relaxed in Spring Canyon with everybody able to practice using a bullwhip, throwing a boomerang and swimming in the very cold waters of the creek. Tuesday saw our games against All Saints, the 2nd XV won12-20 and the 1st team had a convincing 7-35 victory. Next day we headed off to the southern end of the gold coast to Tungan where we were met by Queensland Surf School for our surfing and body boarding lessons. The next fixture was against Ipswich Grammar School. The 2nd XV lost 56-5 and the 1st XV continued their winning form at 19-41. Moving on to Townsville, we were collected by coach and transported to the Billabong Sanctuary. We watched crocodiles being fed and were able to feed wallabies and many wild birds. We were also able to handle snakes and baby crocodiles, even a tame wombat! After spending a day with our host families we www.yarmschool.org
Sport
As well as the rugby, the boys enjoyed some of the many other activities Australia had to offer
assembled for the matches against Townsville on Sunday 7 August. The 2nd XV went down to a very strong Townsville U17 side by 50-10. The 1st XV soundly beat a Townsville U19 Invitation side 10-45. From Townsville we caught the ferry to Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is a tourist resort and nature reserve, it is part of the Queensland National Park and houses the biggest colony of koalas living in the wild in Queensland. We spent the whole day on the island relaxing and enjoying some water sports. The following day we boarded the coach for Cairns. We drove for about three and a half hours and stopped at the River Tully gorge to go white water rafting. We were kitted out in life jackets and helmets and with our paddles took to our rafts to paddle down the river. We successfully negotiated several level 2 rapids and a number of level 4 rapids. We even swam some rapids! In Cairns, the 2nd XV played Trinity Anglican School 1st XV and were beaten 22-7, the 1st XV played St Augustine’s College and won 0-34. From Cairns we journeyed two and a half hours by sea cat out to the Great Barrier Reef. We anchored at the Michelmas Cay and were able to snorkel out onto the reef. We enjoyed a buffet lunch on the boat and viewed parts of the reef further away in a semi submersible boat. We left Cairns and flew to Sydney then travelled by coach to Bondi Beach. We had a few hours in Bondi before leaving Australia for our return to school on 13 August. The tour party of 42 boys and 6 staff enjoyed a wonderful tour in beautiful weather and I can honestly say that it is a trip we will remember for the rest of our lives. More information about the tour and photographs are available at http://yarmschoolrugby. wordpress.com Mr L Foggett www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 57
Sport
Rugby
Under 12s Plate winners
South Africa visit St Peter’s
Mount St Mary’s 7s
Country call up for rugby players With a young squad, the season ahead for the two senior sides was always going to be demanding. The first 1st XV soon got to grips with playing packs much bigger than their own and ultimately won more matches than they lost. However, as much as the 2nd XV battled they only managed to record one victory. Unfortunately for both of these teams the bad weather wiped out three weeks of rugby just when they were beginning to find their form. We had a good number of boys who Action against Woodhouse Grove 58 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
represented their region and even country! Isaac Kibirige and Josh Hall played for Durham U18s, Isaac also represented the National ISB’s. Scott Bird, Alexander Metcalfe and Isaac played for the North Independent School Barbarians. Fola Ajekigbe represented Durham U16s and Zack Kibirige played two tests for England U17s against France and Scotland. Zach received a late call up for England U18s, staying in Australia to meet them after the school tour party departed to go home. As well as representative success, we were also very successful in the Durham County Cups with the U12s, 13s, 15s and 16s all winning their competitions, which is a tremendous achievement. All of the junior teams recorded victories against a number of our local competition and are developing a good style of running rugby. Mr S P Hardy www.yarmschool.org
Sport
Getting better every year Boys’ Hockey
Yarm School hockey continues to improve year on year. We now have a good foundation of players and this year we have competed in many national tournaments, both indoor and outdoor games. A substantial number of players, both boys and girls, play at county and regional level. This was evident at the County Annual Awards night where I was really proud to see so many Yarm School players achieving awards for ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘Most Improved Player’. The U14s had a very successful season and were the team which achieved the most this year. The team competed in Leeds at the Northern Finals and narrowly missed out on a place in the National Finals. The U15s had an undefeated season playing some excellent, if unconventional, hockey. Andrew Brennan and John Phellas were star players, both future 1st team players.
www.yarmschool.org
The U12, U16 and U18 teams were all finalists in the County Cups. The U13 team competed in the county round of the Yazoo national seven-a-side cup and qualified for the Northern Finals. This provided valuable experience which will be useful for the future. This year two of the school’s hockey teams embarked on weekend tours. The U18s headed up to Edinburgh and played fantastic hockey against some of the top schools in Scotland. The U14s tour headed south playing at various venues. The U14s tour was highly successful, as they remained unbeaten and the boys had chance to gel which bodes well for their future development. Next season, we hope to build on our achievements whilst continuing to enjoy our hockey. Mr P Grainge
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 59
Sport
Girls’ Hockey U15s in action
Record to be proud of Unfortunately, due to the severe weather at the end of 2010, the hockey season came to an abrupt end with some teams not being able to finish the scheduled matches. Based on the results, we have selected our players of the season and can publish the top scorers for each squad – see table, below. Choosing the players involved some very difficult decisions, as a number of girls shone for their respective teams. Lower down the school the U12s and U13s were unbeaten all season including wins over Barnard Castle, Durham School and Leeds to name a few. These two year groups have had a fantastic season. The U14s lost to Leeds and Red House, drew with Scarborough and then went on to win all of their last four matches. This squad is playing very
U12s U13s U14s U15s U16s/ senior
Top goal scorer
POS
Amy Sotnick (11) Kathryn Jackson (14) Sophie Allick (5) Hannah McCullagh (3) Sarah Bradley (8)
Lily Pollock
60 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
well and I have high hopes for them next season. The U15s had a much better season than last year. The draw against Scarborough’s U16s team was a highlight, what a great performance! The team also beat Leeds for the second season running. Rachel Brennan, Daisy Catterall and Emily Scott all stood out as excellent players. The senior team started slowly but improved as the season progressed. Lack of available players cost us a win at Durham but we beat Giggleswick for the first time along with good wins over RGS Newcastle, Egglescliffe and The Mount School. We drew with St Peter’s but then struggled against schools like Barnard Castle and Pocklington. Both are large boarding schools therefore there is no shame in this. I think we have improved with the additions
of Jess Blakey, Katie Carter and Georgia Gate who enjoyed her best season in the 1st team. The nucleus has remained with our Lower Sixth providing excellent strength through Roisin Burrows O’Donoghue, Tash Donaldson, Sophie Briddon, Becky Kay and Harriet Bradbury continuing where they left off last season. Our leavers, Caroline Spratt, Livi Desmond, Becky Potts (excellent captain for the 2nds and their best player) Georgia Gate, Rachel Moule and Sarah Scott will be missed for their commitment and humour but the battle will continue next season. Thank you to all girls who have played hockey for the school this season and to Mr Emerson, Mrs Gratton, Miss Hole and Miss Cottrell for their continued support. Mrs N E Redhead
Serana Gate POM vs Giggleswick
Holly Clark Lily Grace Frank Hannah McCullagh Vicky McGarley
www.yarmschool.org
Sport
1st v Barney
U14 team
2nd X1 girls vs Giggleswick
1st in action – Vicky McGarley
1st vs Pocklington www.yarmschool.org
U12s scoring vs Barney Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 61
Sport Netball
We are the We have had some great results over the netball season and here are just a few: The U16B, U15B, U14A, U13’A’ teams are all district tournament champions. We reached the finals in all except one of the tournaments, which is a fantastic achievement. The 1st team has continued to improve with a number of new girls stepping straight up into the team and propelling us to new heights. They have enjoyed wins over Barnard Castle, Giggleswick, Polam Hall and Durham High School to name a few. The 2nd Vll team also had an excellent season beating Sedburgh, RGS Newcastle, Leeds, Barnard Castle and Scarborough (amongst others) – losing only one game all season, to St Peter’s. The 3rd Vll and 4th Vll teams were only able to play a handful of matches, as other schools struggled to field teams, but both had excellent wins along the way.
Fond farewell to our leavers… aka ‘how will we cope without you’? A special mention and thanks go to the Upper Sixth girls who are leaving and who have worked so hard this season (and the last seven years for many of them) producing some fantastic results: Hattie Leggett, Olivia Desmond, Sarah Scott, Vanessa Bartley, Becky Potts and Esme Montgomery. You will be missed for your sporting prowess and personalities. Thank you to all girls (and staff ) who have played, umpired, laughed, shivered, been soaked, but mostly enjoyed a great netball season. Mrs N E Redhead
Left: 1sts in action – Hattie Leggett Above: U12Bs at District Tournament 62 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Sport
champions!
Top: U12s vs Polam Below: 2nds vs St Peter’s
Team
Player of Season
Most Improved Player
U12 ‘A’
Amy Sotnick
Lily Pollock
U12 ‘B’
Sorrel Eaves
Ella Waite
U13’A’
Holly Clark
Jo Jo Booth
U13’B’
Catriona McLain
Amelia Bernard
U14’A’
Lily Downs
Emma Horner-Harker
U14’B’
Yasmin Gibson
Olivia Alexander
U15’A’
Ellie Montgomery
Molly Bean
U15’B’
Helen Elston
Lizzie Medley
1st V11
Jess Blakey
Natasha Donaldson
2nd V11
Sarah Scott
Sarah Bradley
3rd V11
Sophie Briddon
Rebecca Duggleby
4th V11
Elle Corney
Esme Montgomery
Netball statistics including tournaments
Played: 90 Won: 62 Drawn: 5 Lost: 23 www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 63
Sport
Rowing challenges Women’s senior squad at Durham Regatta The 2011/11 rowing season proved to be very interesting on many fronts! A new format of having two training camps a year rather than one was introduced and it yielded good results in the regatta season, both local and national events. The Under 14s had their own training camp in the October half term, and the senior camp took place in the last week of the Easter holidays. On the national front, a bronze medal was achieved by the J14 boys’ quad at the Junior Inter-regional Regatta with the J15 boys’ four just missing out on a medal coming in fourth place. Unfortunately, the National Schools Regatta was one of the least successful events for some years. The weather produced some of the most challenging conditions on the final two days. None of the Yarm entries managed a medal with the J14 boys’ quad coming closest with a fifth place. However, the J14 boys’ quad along with the J14 girls’, managed a Gold medal in their events at the J14 Championships in Peterborough four weeks later. For the second year in a row, Yarm managed to 64 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
pre-qualify two crews for Henley Royal Regatta. An exceptionally quick Shiplake crew beat the eight. The quad had a tough draw beating Malvern Prep from the US in the first round before losing to the finalists Walton RC in the quarter finals. At the National Championships the U14 boys just missed out on a medal coming 4th. The highlight was the boys’ coxless four winning the bronze medal. They were the first non composite crew with the gold and silver medal going to crews formed to race in the home international. Therefore we won the club coxless four title. Yarm School Boat Club is now entering a development year with the senior boys’ squad, but
House Regatta
next year looks brighter for the girls. The girls have been developing over the past couple of years and 2011/12 should prove to be a great season for them both locally and nationally. On the GB squad front, current and former pupils have delivered exceptional performances. Andrew Brown, having just finished his A-levels, was selected for the GB pair in the GB Junior Worlds team over the summer. Andrew finished sixth in the B final of the men’s pairs. Former pupil Katherine Copeland was selected to row in the first Senior World Cup in the nonOlympic event of women’s lightweight single sculls where she won a silver medal, she then went on to the Under 23 World Championships in Amsterdam, where in tricky conditions she became World Champion in a new record time over the 2km course. John Preston and Rachel Gamble-Flint also raced at the event putting in great performances in their quad and doubles races respectively. Thank you to the parents and staff who attend the regattas in support of the school. We look forward to next year! Mr A Clark www.yarmschool.org
Sport Rowing
Below: J14 boys’ quad – Spencer, Lawson, Teague and Wong won all local regattas as a crew and J14 Championship Gold
J15 girls winning women’s novice 8s at Durham Regatta
House Regatta – mixed quad event
Kessell, Grundmann, Brown and Taylor. Top quad at Henley, lost out in second round to eventual finalists Walton RC
J14 girls’ quad on their way to winning the quad event at the J14 Championships www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 65
Sport Cricket
Hit for six One of the aims for a cricket master is to try and ensure that the boys will continue to play cricket in clubs up and down the country long after they have left school. To this end I feel that this has, therefore, been a very successful year with more and more boys playing at an increasing number of clubs around the area. This will be to everyone’s benefit. With the school season becoming shorter as the boys advance through the years, due to the increase in the number of exams, it is essential that if anybody really wants to fully enjoy everything that the sport can offer, they become a member of a club. I am often asked by parents which club should their son or daughter join and my answer is nearly always the same… the closest! Cricket is a game to be enjoyed for life and shared with others and always reflects people’s true personalities. That is why one of the highlights, this year, was arriving up at Green Lane part-way through the U15 match against Barnard Castle. At the time Barnard Castle were about 80 for 5 when one of our parents came up to me and said how pleasant the last hour had been because he could see the Yarm players working together as a team with a collective objective and helping each other. In his words, “how nice it is to have seen them mould into a team over the last few years,” again something that needs to be an aim for a teacher. As a team the U15 had a good year with some outstanding performances. Akshay Peddada starred with the bat ably supported by Tom Robinson, who again gained County Honours. Useful runs throughout the season came from Josh Laverick, Dheeraj Viswanath, Anand Krishna and captain Yousaf Majid. The star bowler was undoubtedly Yousaf Majid. He took 3 – 17 against Durham, 2 – 20 against Barnard Castle and 3 – 9 against King’s Tynemouth whilst all the time demonstrating the virtues of line and length. The most successful team this year and the one that has developed more than any other was undoubtedly the U14s. Steven Alexander and Richard Knaggs were selected for Cleveland Schools Cricket Association and deservedly so. Both boys carry themselves so well on a cricket field that they are a credit to themselves and their 66 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
families, but also the way that they perform rubs off on other members of the team and therefore they have been a delight to work with. However, it is not only about the two county boys. Alex Gunn performed well throughout the season and in the final match demonstrated a selflessness that others should recognise. He sacrificed the chance of gaining a 50 so that the team could benefit. By doing so, it meant that Yarm would eventually win in what proved to be a tight game. Also worthy of mention are the all-round skills of Kieran Johnson, the Mohammad brothers and the developing wicket-keeping by Jamie Doyle. Well done to the whole squad. The U13s had a hard season but there were glimpses of hope for the future. The captaining and all-round performances of Sam Wasson, the bowling of Dominic Vasey, the explosive hitting of Charles Guthrie and the development of such players as Max Tennant and Sam Field give such hope and I look forward to them developing further next year, which I am sure will be a year with greater success. As with the dawn of every season the U12s are always an unknown quantity, but I must say that this year they have shown themselves to be a team of real potential and I am really looking forward to watching their progress over the next few years. Thomas Gaffney and James Burdon were selected for Cleveland Schools, they both played throughout the season with pride and distinction. But again the most pleasing thing with this group is the strength in depth that the year group shows. Other notable performances were the hard hitting and pacey bowling by Louis Wood, the accuracy of Dominic Pott and Rahul Padmanabhan, all of which combined to give victories over Ampleforth, King’s Tynemouth and RGS Newcastle. To all the boys, and there are many, who have turned up week after week to practice I say thank you to you all. In what has been a short season everybody should be congratulated on how they have carried themselves and performed on the cricket field. I, for one, am already looking forward to the summer of 2012. Well done. Mr C Thomas
U13 cricket team
U12 cricket team
U14 cricket team www.yarmschool.org
Sport Some great tennis at Eton
Courting success It has been another very busy and successful season for the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams, with some great performances all round. This season the effort and enthusiasm shown by the boys who have played, not only for the A teams but also those who represented the school right through to the D teams, has been outstanding. We were involved in many midweek league matches for the U13 and U15 age groups. In total, almost 50 boys played in the teams at those ages. This is a great achievement and shows how popular tennis is at Yarm. Once again we were successful in winning nearly all our A team league matches in both age groups. Therefore the U15 side of John Phellas, Alex Gunn, Alex Reed, Liam Turner and Michael Alexander will represent Cleveland in the knockout stages of the Aegon National Tennis Cup, starting in September. In the B, C and D team league matches, we won all matches across the leagues with the exception of one draw and one loss. In the North of England Championships we were represented at each age group: U12, 14, 16 and 19. The senior teams gave strong performances, with pairs reaching Cup Quarter Finals, last 16 and also Plate Quarter Finals. At Pocklington School it was the turn of the younger boys and we entered two pairs in both the U12 and U14 competitions. The performance of all players was very pleasing and they showed superb attitude and commitment, some of them exceeding expectations. In the U12 tournament the pairings made it to the quarter finals and plate quarter finals before succumbing to a very strong pairs. In the U14 event, the top pairing were unable to play, but their replacements played some really pleasing tennis great tennis with Sam Waanders in good form. Again both pairs reached at least the last 16 stage. The girls have played a total of 46 sets of tennis www.yarmschool.org
Tennis
Jo Jo and Sammy winning 25, losing 19 and settling for two draws in a friendly. I have tried to involve as many girls as possible this year including the First Years in preparation for the league games as U13s next year. Many girls have represented school for the first time in tennis and I am really pleased with this. Sam Reed, Jo Jo Booth, Serena Gate and Anna McDaid are Division 1 South winners after beating Red House and Conyers. They unfortunately could not play in the next round against Durham South as both Sam and Jo Jo were in London at the National Independent Tennis Championships on the same day. The U15s did not play as many matches this year due to exams so the U14s stepped up a year in many of the fixtures. For this reason we have not selected Players of the Season and Most Improved Players for this age group.
Teams across all ages (U13-U19) were at Eton College for the annual tennis event, National Independent Schools’ Championships. As a school we played some great tennis and gained respect from spectators for the way the teams competed, and the spirit and support that was evident to all. The senior boys’ and girls’ teams drew tough opposition but both teams played some solid tennis. The girls ended up going out after playing two difficult rounds against both of Epsom’s pairs, but as they were a year young they showed excellent potential. The senior boys won their first round match and then had a tremendous game against Nottingham High School. The tie lasted for hours, with the top pairing of Isaac Kibirige and Stephen Alexander going into a deciding tie break set, only to be pipped at the post. In the U15 boys’ teams, both pairs played good tennis, especially Alex Gunn and Michael Alexander. In the U13s tournaments, both the boys’ and girls’ top pairs achieved some great results. Due to a huge increase in the number and standard of the teams entered, a re-shuffle of the competition saw the teams play over two days, with pool stages on the Sunday determining who progressed to the cup and who into the plate on the Monday. Both top pairs won most of their games and went through to the cup, which again was played in a pool format. The pairing of Sam Waanders and Mark Phellas battled hard and reached the last eight of their competition, a top achievement. Not to be outdone, the girls’ pair of Jo Jo Booth and Sam Reed did very well indeed and played some superb tennis, eventually finishing in the top six in their cup competition. With tennis at Yarm growing every year, we look forward to another great season. Mr C A C Webb and Miss N E Redhead
Player of Season U12s: Izzy Sizer U13s: Jo Jo Booth and Sam Reed (joint award) U14s: Sophie Allick Most Improved U12s: Neve Crane U14s: Lucy Quigley Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 67
Sport Megan’s record run
Sports Day
68 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
Sport
Alena Din, athletics champion
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 69
Sport
Sports players hailed Yarm tops orienteering league for fifth year in a row This year we have had a phenomenal orienteering season with the junior squad winning the league after round 5 with another two rounds to go. The senior squad consisted of some novices and a couple of experienced runners racked up one first place, two second places and one third place, finishing third overall. The junior squad competed in all seven rounds and achieved five first places and two second places. With this record they, unsurprisingly, finished first overall with more than twice as many points as our nearest rival. This result of first in the junior league means that Yarm School has won the league for five consecutive years. A very well done must go to all our runners over the last five years, as well as those who competed this year for their excellent efforts and magnificent achievement.
Over 120 pupils and parents spent an enjoyable evening celebrating a year of senior sport, at the beginning of May. Individual awards were presented to the players of the season and to the players’ player for each sport. The latter award is for the player who had made the most impact on and off the field as voted by the pupils. Congratulations to all the winners. The guest speaker, former pupil Alex Leigh (famous for his starring role in the Take That video) talked about his time at school and the role sport played in his life. The evening culminated in the award of the overall contributions to Yarm School sport. The awards went to Issac Kibirige and Olivia Desmond. Both students have done so much more than just play sport: they assisted and took the lead in several sports. Issac and Olivia are good examples of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
Player of the season
Players’ player
Rugby
Issac Kibirige
Scott Bird
Boys’ Hockey
Ben Tombling
Barney Rankin
Girls’ Hockey
Victoria McGarley
Alexandra Metcalfe
Netball
Harriett Leggett
Sarah Scott
Boys’ Rowing
Andrew Brown
Jack Taylor/ Ben Jones
Girls’ Rowing
Abigail Sadler
Georgina Metcalfe
Cricket
Nicholas Thomas
Tennis
Issac Kibirige
Overall contributions to Yarm School sport
Boys: Isaac Kibirige Girls: Olivia Desmond
Cup winners, from left, Tom Mavin (U15s captain), Dominic Pott (U12s captain), Zach Kibirige (U16s captain) and Charles Guthrie (U13s captain) Yarm played in four of the five County Cup finals this year. The U13 side started the ball rolling with a skilful and comprehensive win over St John’s 34-10. Next up, the U12s who were involved in an absorbing contest with Emmanuel College. Both teams gave it their all and in the end it was a well- deserved draw 5-5, therefore the cup was shared. The U15 team also faced Emmanuel College, who, on the day, had the pace and ability to score tries at will. Despite the early setback of losing John Phellas to injury, they displayed good skill and willingness to off load in contact and when using the space they created many
70 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Sport
scoring chances. The pace of the team proved too much for Emmanuel with Yarm winning 26-12. Finally, the U16s faced a battle getting through to the final, as they were drawn against the might of Macmillan College and their huge pack! Despite the mismatch in size we were fiercely competitive at the tackle and contact area. With a backline full of pace and power every time they got the ball to a space they threatened the try line. The forwards were real stars battling all the way and helping to ensure a fine win 24-17. Congratulations to all the sides playing this year. www.yarmschool.org
Chess/5th Year
Yarm’s Chess contribution recognised Yarm has hosted an early autumn tournament for school Chess teams for over a decade. Often a hundred or more children from all over the area have been packed into the old Theatre, or more recently the Marquee. The School has also entered the national Chess competition for school teams for 20 years or more, winning the north east zone three times and often being runners-up. One year the team did very well in the inter-zonal stage and reached the last 16 schools in the country. Furthermore we have hosted various weekend or evening events – notably simultaneous displays by Grandmasters David Bronstein and Daniel King and former British Chess Champion Bill Hartston. So it was fitting that at the Lower School Prizegiving the Northern Counties Chess Union presented Yarm School with a very fine wooden Chess board, set and clock. This award recognises the contribution made to Chess locally over several years. In the 2010-2011 season the team began with a 6-0 victory over Gosforth Middle School, followed by a 4-2 win over Lisle Marsden Primary School, Grimsby. That got Yarm into the zone final. But our opponents were Nottingham High School, a real David versus Goliath match, and the 0-6 defeat came as no surprise. The team was now in the “Plate” competition for zone runners-up; but again we came up against strong opposition and could only manage one draw and five losses against a strong team from Leeds Grammar School.
Thus it has been a season of mixed fortunes. Four players did well to score two wins out of four games – Marcus McLaney, Christopher Baczkovsky, Naman Garg and Harsha Mane. But more practice, especially by joining local clubs, is the only route to further success. Mr H A Killick
Study leave beckons The Fifth Year enjoyed a day of fun and games before departing the school to start their study leave. After a morning of football, volleyball and various other activities the pupils enjoyed a delicious barbecue followed by a water fight at Aislaby. I have really enjoyed working with the year group and wish everyone success for the future. Mrs J Guest
www.yarmschool.org
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 71
Sixth Form Upper Sixth Form students marked the end of their formal schooling with the traditional leavers’ day service and leavers’ dinner. I wish all of the Upper Sixth students every success – Dr A M Goodall (Head of Sixth Form)
And so, goodbye…
Jack and Georgina, School Captains. Right, Mr Pender with his Theatre Studies group Martin and his team served up an excellent leavers’ meal for us, reminding the students of one of the treats they would be missing as they move on to university; a standing ovation for the Sodexo team at the end of the meal was as spontaneous as it was fitting. Thanks to Young Kuk Noh for putting together a slide show that brought back so many memories for the students. School captains, Jack and 72 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
Georgina, very aptly summed up some the high points of the last few years and we were treated to an acoustic performance from Hattie, David and Tony. Thanks also to Katie Gorwits for the heartfelt tribute to Mr Brown on behalf of his tutor group as he marks 27 years loyal service to the school. Dr A M Goodall (Head of Sixth Form) www.yarmschool.org
YSA
At the summer ball in June…
Loyal supporters The YSA has had a busy year with the return of the Christmas craft fair and a new Chair elected. The year was kicked off with the new parents’ evening, the first social event of the year. It is a great event for parents to meet each other and learn about the role of the YSA, as well as finding out about up and coming events. In November, we saw the return of the ever popular Christmas craft fair. The Sports Hall and Dining Hall were filled with stalls and visitors buying presents for the festive period. Meeting Santa was a highlight for most the children, with a train ride all the way to grotto. At the AGM, Fiona Attewill stood down as Chair and took on the role of treasurer. Ruth Langford was elected to be the new Chair. Ruth is a mother of three, with a son in the Sixth Form and two daughters who left the school in 2008 and 2005 respectively. The YSA quiz night was held in March, and with question rounds following a golden theme there was something to keep everyone on their toes. A delicious curry interval provided time to refocus efforts for the final rounds. The winning team was no surprise to those who regularly attend school quizzes… Mr Ravenhall’s team. The summer ball was a great way to roundoff the year. Martin and his team cooked up a storm with a delicious three course meal. Synergy function band provided fantastic music that ensured the dance floor was full all night.
In good ‘elf… at the Christmas craft fair www.yarmschool.org
Next year, we look forward to another great range of events including a possible tapas night, Christmas craft fair and the annual summer ball. Look out for the programme in September. We thank Fiona for all her hard work as Chair over the last three years and we are thankful she remains on the YSA. Thank you to Ruth for her continued support of the YSA and taking on her new role as Chair. Also thank you to everyone who attended the events in support of the school.
A special guest at the Christmas craft fair
Fun and games night, November Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 73
Results
A vintage year!
We have broken many records this year and are thrilled with the exam results. At A-level, the recently-introduced A* rate is up to 18.3% from last year’s 15.4%. The A*-B grades were up almost 7% from 77.5% to 84.3%. The pupils this last year took more A-level modules than any predecessors, achieving a record average number of 4.68 A-levels per candidate. This is a really good indicator of pupil ambition. Overall, therefore, the average number of UCAS points per pupil was a new record high of 482 (compared to 471 last year). All three Oxbridge candidates secured their
places (well done to David Alban, Richard Hall and Hamza Qureshi) and 13% of the cohort got into medical school – a fantastic achievement. Two pupils – Hamza Qureshi and Mark Taylor achieved four A*s. There were some pupils who overcame lots of personal difficulties to achieve personal successes too, which are hidden amongst the spectacular top grades. They did well as a year group, with virtually everybody happily securing university places. The GCSE results are absolutely superb! Our A* rate is up from 28.9% to 36.9% and comfortably our best ever. The A*-A rate is 12% up on last year and, again, our best ever by 6.5%. The mean number of passes was a new record at 10.4 GCSEs per pupil. We have several pupils who managed to secure straight A* grades. The twins, Caitlin and Imogen Prasad, each got 12 A*s in exactly the same subjects. Matthew Cant and Akriti Nanda also got 12 out of 12 A*s. Ben Ferard scored 11 straight A*s. This top grade was liberally spread across the rest of the year group. The results in Chemistry and Physics were quite staggering with both subjects scoring 67% A* passes. Textiles, a newly introduced subject, scored 77% A* and has rapidly become extremely popular at all levels. Congratulations to all the teaching staff on these results. It is a reflection of their tremendously committed support and ambition and that is recognised by us all. Above all, well done to all our hard working pupils. Fantastic! Pictured, Caitlin and Imogen Prasad who each achieved 12A*s
74 Yarm School Magazine 2010/11
www.yarmschool.org
School Appointments
SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS SCHOOL YEAR 2011-2012
www.yarmschool.org
CAPTAINS OF SCHOOL
Ben Tombling and Vidya Shyam-Sundar
VICE CAPTAINS
Ahmed Saeed Maiter Nicholas Thomas Jessica Thornton
Emily Folkes Hera Saqib
SCHOOL PREFECTS
Max Birch Jessica Blakey Roisin Burrows-O’Donoghue Christopher Braithwaite Fiona Brown Elliott Burke George Cooper Harry Cooper Kate Desmond Rebecca Duggleby Catherine Fenby Emily Folkes Graham Goodier Siri Gowda Alexander Grundmann Emily Hadlow Laura Hall Jonathan Han Josephine Wearmouth HOUSE CAPTAINS
Geoffrey Hazelton-Swales Alice Hughes Richard Kessell Matthew Langford Hashim Mahmood Ahmed Saeed Maiter Jack Petch Eloise Richer Hera Saqib Vidya Shyam-Sundar Emma Sisk Marcus Taylor Nicholas Thomas Jessica Thornton William Toher Ben Tombling Hugh Wallis Simon Walton
Aidan:
Harry Cooper Marcus Taylor
Christopher Elms Lucy Taylor
Bede:
Kate Desmond George Cooper
Roisin Burrows-O’Donoghue Alex Grundmann
Cuthbert:
Georgia Neaum Davis Zoe Wall
Emma Sisk Hashim Mahmood
Oswald:
Max Birch Richard Oakenfull
Harriet Bradbury Rebecca Duggleby
VICE CAPTAINS
Yarm School Magazine 2010/11 75
Yarm Preparatory School Grammar School Lane Yarm TS15 9ES Email: prepschool@yarmschool.org Telephone: 01642 781447 Yarm School The Friarage Yarm TS15 9EJ Email: admin@yarmschool.org Telephone: 01642 786023 Yarm at Raventhorpe 96 Carmel Road North Darlington DL3 8JB Email: yar@yarmschool.org Telephone: 01325 463373 www.yarmschool.org