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CRGS News
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As we reach the end of a busy and exhausting term, we can look forward to a restful Christmas break. Paradoxically, time seems to have flown so quickly that the start of term is still a remarkably fresh memory. A great deal has been achieved in the course of the term, and as we approach Christmas, there is no sign that things are letting up. Students should have settled into their work routines by now and should be looking to pick up the pace next term. For the examination students with modules or mocks after Christmas, the vacation has to be a period of consolidation and revision as well as rest. It has been pleasing to see the students involved in so many worthwhile activities this term. The Colcestrian which was published in October highlighted the key events of last year; this year will produce just as much material for the next edition of the magazine, it appears. The rugby teams have been competitive on the local circuit, and the 1st XV, fresh from their summer tour of South Africa, reached the last 32 of the Daily Mail cup. The Year 7 teams have been showing a lot of promise and are the ones to watch in the future. The “Coast of Utopia” was a successful Sixth Form drama production, performed under the expert guidance of Mr Dowling, and John Rutter’s “Bang!” showcased the talents of the school choir. The whole school musical production this term was “The Bartered Bride” which tested the abilities of all involved to the limit. Everyone came through with flying colours, and the challenging opera was perfomed with professionalism and panache. It reminded me just how rich we are in instrumental, singing and acting talent at the school, and how spectacular the lighting, sound and stage production are under the able direction of Mr Booth and Mrs Sawford. Mr Olive and Mrs Billowes combined well to put on a truly memorable show and are to be congratulated on their first joint production. I have been grateful to CRGSA for their work on behalf of the school this term. The Autumn Fayre, New Year 7 social, wine tasting and quiz evening were all popular and successful events. The Association is currently funding the refurbishment of the changing facilities in the swimming pool and continues to support the school in a variety of ways. This term has been particularly demanding for the Upper Sixth students who have applied for Medicine or to Oxbridge as they have had to take tests and prepare for interviews alongside their A-level studies. My thanks to the parents and governors who have helped prepare the students for the interview process. The students involved should know if they have an offer by mid-January and I wish them every success in this highly competitive selection procedure. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with CRGS a restful Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2010 promises to be another exciting year for the school and I look forward to seeing all the students refreshed and ready for the challenge of the new term on Tuesday 5th January. K L Jenkinson I write this end of term message in the knowledge that reports of many of the activities and trips that are taking place at the moment will not make the newsletter deadline and will be missing from these pages. This week alone we have had the choir visit to La Rochelle, the Year 9s visit Paris, the Royal Grammar Schools’ Cricket Festival in High Wycombe and a Year 12 trip to Oxford. The wide variety of activities and trips bring a real sense of joy to this time of the year and I am grateful to the teachers who make these worthwhile and enjoyable experiences possible. This summer’s big event is the 1st XV rugby squad’s tour of South Africa. This will be an exciting cultural experience for the boys as well as a real test of their rugby ability. We will know more of the character of the 1st XV by the end of the tour and we will have a pretty good idea of how they will fare in the domestic season. On the academic front we were visited earlier this term by Ofsted. It was a specific inspection looking at our provision for e-safety. We were judged to be good, and the ICT team came in for special praise. There is an article below which gives more detail of the inspection. Ever mindful of the health & safety of our students, we have been following with interest the development of the swine flu outbreak. Advice is changing weekly, and the latest advice is that schools should continue to stay open in the normal course of events. The emphasis appears to have changed from containment to treatment. If individuals develop the symptoms of swine flu they should stay at home until they have recovered. Anyone who has had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus, should stay at home for seven days and inform us of their situation. We will naturally inform parents of any developments at CRGS and put information on the website and crgsonline. It is helpful having an email contact for all our parents, and if you have not yet sent us your email address, I would urge you to do so by contacting Kate Watson in the school office (KWatson@crgs.co.uk). We say farewell this year to a number of staff. Mr Warren retires after over 30 years at the school. Miss Romero, Mr Rowing, Mr Smy and Mr Buxton move on to pastures new. I would like to thank them all for their contributions to life at the school and wish them well in their new ventures. As we approach the holidays, we can look back on a very happy and successful year at the school. The vacation is a time to relax and recharge our batteries so that we can all return in September refreshed and ready for the new challenges ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the examination students every success in August and remind parents that we are on hand to help, advise and support, if necessary, once the results are published. You will read in the school magazine published early next term, more details of the events and achievements of this academic year as well as some fascinating reviews. In the meantime may I wish everyone associated with the school a most enjoyable summer holiday. Yours sincerely Mr K Jenkinson The senior and intermediate teams performed very well in the national finals of the BPW and Rotary competitions respectively. The senior team of Jacob Wilson, Rilly Chen and Laura Millar were named national runners-up and awarded the Anne Simms trophy. Jacob won an award for being the best chairman in the competition and was described by the judge as having the “X factor”. The competition in Oswestry was of a very high standard and the CRGS team put in an excellent performance despite the fact that main speaker Rilly Chen was a late stand-in for Robert Parini who was on the school’s Classics trip. Rilly brought a Chinese perspective to the topic ‘what do we learn from history?’ and showed her insights and intelligence in responding to some very probing questions. The intermediate team of Jack Wilby, Jake Humbles and Afham Raoof represented the school with distinction in Somerset. They were representing not only CRGS but also London and South East in the national finals. They ‘wowed’ the audience with their speech on ‘why learn a language?’ but unfortunately did not get the judges’ vote on the day. Nonetheless they performed impressively and enjoyed the experience of competing at a national level. As a prize they were rewarded with a tour of the BBC, a visit to the Houses of Parliament and tea with Baroness Hayman, Lord Speaker in the House of Lords. My thanks to Mr Smy who coached and accompanied the team throughout the competition. Mr K Jenkinson Music Department News The Summer Term is always packed with activity for musicians – with no fewer than seven different public performances scheduled for our ensemble groups and orchestras. Students who might not immediately perceive themselves as “musical” may have surprised themselves. Not only did Year Eights compose and perform their own symphonies – every single student in years Seven to Nine prepared an instrumental or vocal performance for the end of year exams. These were individually listened to and assessed by either Mr Olive or Miss Romero, in addition to the group papers, taken by all tutor groups, in Composition and Music Listening. The Performing element is an important part of the end of year assessment, because communication of ideas is such an integral part of the study of music. Students who learn an instrument as part of their extra-curricular activities already have practice in this – but it doesn’t mean they automatically score higher marks than those who don’t. How they use the instrument they have chosen to communicate the ideas behind their piece is as important as technical correctness. The progress of the individual is also taken very much into account. Many of the students chose to present their own compositions, either alone, or with a group of friends, and this led to some very exciting performances. Electric, acoustic, classical, heavy rock, percussion, woodwind, strings or brass instruments and styles were all explored in numerous combinations – demonstrating the infinite variety of creativity that’s constantly being explored in Elyanore House. Our ensemble groups and extra curricular activities are also moving from strength to strength. Preparations for the Summer Concert have been carrying on, with many of our orchestral and Big Band players coming in from study leave to rehearse. First Orchestra have been working on Haydn’s Clock Symphony, while the Full Orchestra’s repertoire has been extended to include the final movement of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony. Life in choir has been busy as ever, with repertoire to prepare for the tour of La Rochelle. The younger members of the choir have started learning John Rutter’s opera “Bang” which is being produced by a team of our current Year Elevens in the Autumn Term. Musicians will be playing at Speech Day; at the Old Colcestrians’ Day; at the SCITT evening for trainee teachers and at the Year Seven Induction day during the run up to the summer holiday. Mr Plackett’s guitar ensemble will be taking part in the Colne Valley Orchestra’s annual event at the school – and Big Band already has a booking to play for the CRGSA next term. It was particularly pleasing to witness the enthusiasm of a group of our lower school students who were invited to provide entertainment at the Social Evening held in the hall for the parents of next year’s Year Sevens. Members of Miss Romero’s Junior Strings and Junior Winds Ensembles played and sang in various combinations at the start of the evening – then stayed on to talk to visitor. As ambassadors for music at CRGS they were superb – speaking with great eloquence and sincerity about the joys of instrumental learning and ensemble playing. One of the most important messages communicated by the boys was that music is not just for an elite selection of expert players – several of them demonstrated how, with a little help and encouragement, even a newcomer to an instrument can make a pleasing sound and have a great deal of fun into the bargain. Mr L Olive To first qualify to be in the race a Duxford at all we had to make a folder which gave the development and initial planning of the car. We overcame a lot of difficulties in making the prototype, the first of these was what material we were going to use. We started using PVC but this was too heavy then we tried to use a very light foam board. This was not suitable as it could not transfer the power through the gear train. The third material we tried was thin aluminium sheet. This was so thin it bent out of shape when we put the motor on it. The winning material was in fact a mixture of the foam board and aluminium sheet. We stuck the aluminium to the bottom of the foam board and this was strong enough to support and hold the gears in place. One month later we found out that we were through to the next round of the challenge and that in nine weeks we would be in Duxford racing. We were quite pleased to get through to the South East Regional Final of the Toyota Technology Challenge and looked forward to the day in Duxford on the 27th of April where we would race the solar powered car we had designed and built. After finding out that we had proceeded to the next round in the competition, it finally dawned on us that we may need to actually do some work towards making our car work. The prototype which we had produced during our folder work and one crucial flaw, it didn’t work, due to the flexibility of the foam board that we used. From the time we found out to when we were due to race, we had 9 weeks, easy. However, we did nothing towards the car during the first three weeks; apart from discuss what we were going to do that evening, rarely speaking about something even vaguely related to the car. The will to get the car finished gradually increased within the group as we began to see the vehicle come together. For the week after Easter we were in every lunch time trying to slightly change the car to affect the steering. By the Monday morning, day of the race, we were not entirely prepared, but were quietly confident that our machine stood a solid chance of seriously competing We left school at 8:15am for Duxford Imperial War Museum knowing we had the journey time to brush up on our presentation and final car details. When we arrived at the museum we were invited into the education sector at the back of the airspace building and lead inside. Firstly an introduction to the day was given by a representative from Toyota. Each team was given a schedule and the first item on the list was to give our presentation to a panel of very highly anticipative judges. After giving our speech we were asked a few design questions about the car. To first qualify to be in the race a Duxford at all we had to make a folder which gave the development and initial planning of the car. We overcame a lot of difficulties in making the prototype, the first of these was what material we were going to use. We started using PVC but this was too heavy then we tried to use a very light foam board. This was not suitable as it could not transfer the power through the gear train. The third material we tried was thin aluminium sheet. This was so thin it bent out of shape when we put the motor on it. The winning material was in fact a mixture of the foam board and aluminium sheet. We stuck the aluminium to the bottom of the foam board and this was strong enough to support and hold the gears in place. One month later we found out that we were through to the next round of the challenge and that in nine weeks we would be in Duxford racing. We were quite pleased to get through to the South East Regional Final of the Toyota Technology Challenge and looked forward to the day in Duxford on the 27th of April where we would race the solar powered car we had designed and built. After finding out that we had proceeded to the next round in the competition, it finally dawned on us that we may need to actually do some work towards making our car work. The prototype which we had produced during our folder work and one crucial flaw, it didn’t work, due to the flexibility of the foam board that we used. From the time we found out to when we were due to race, we had 9 weeks, easy. However, we did nothing towards the car during the first three weeks; apart from discuss what we were going to do that evening, rarely speaking about something even vaguely related to the car. The will to get the car finished gradually increased within the group as we began to see the vehicle come together. For the week after Easter we were in every lunch time trying to slightly change the car to affect the steering. By the Monday morning, day of the race, we were not entirely prepared, but were quietly confident that our machine stood a solid chance of seriously competing We left school at 8:15am for Duxford Imperial War Museum knowing we had the journey time to brush up on our presentation and final car details. When we arrived at the museum we were invited into the education sector at the back of the airspace building and lead inside. Firstly an introduction to the day was given by a representative from Toyota. Each team was given a schedule and the first item on the list was to give our presentation to a panel of very highly anticipative judges. After giving our speech we were asked a few design questions about the car. This has been another bumper term for CRGSA. How could things get better after last term’s ceilidh, we wondered? Answer – the May Ball followed by the Triathlon and Treasure Hunt. First, the May Ball at Le Talbooth. Somehow we sold too many tickets but managed to squeeze everyone in. The marquee was decorated in resplendent fashion, the string quartet delighted their audience with their exquisite performance and the food was scrumptiously delicious. Thanks to the generosity of the donors and the enthusiastic bidding of our diners, we enjoyed a truly exhilarating auction, alone raising £2,500 with successful bidders securing visits to the House of Commons (thanks to Bernard Jenkin MP), River Colne, the Crown at Stoke-by-Nayland, Newton Green Golf Club and a beach hut at up-market Frinton-upon-the-Sea (darlings!). The dance floor was jam-packed, led by a particularly revelous group of staff. Dignity was preserved by the presence of Messrs Jenkinson and Chambers, each with their charming wives. Mr Chambers, however, only avoided being fined for dancing with his hands in his pockets for the second consecutive ball by a shortage of time. Jilly Blaxill, Gillian Whittle, Sharon Ketley, Jennine Pook and Sarah Barnard gelled into an elegant, joyous and successful subcommittee who are to be congratulated on their event which will be talked about for a long time yet. Over £6000 was raised. For the second year Colin, Pati and Jake Humbles organised the Triathlon. Their attention to even the most Lilliputian of details was faultless. We had team events as well as individual and a choice of long or regular course. The competition was intense yet fair. The brave and loyal stewards benefitted from their thermals and umbrellas. Such was the spirit of the occasion that even though competitors recorded different times, everyone was considered to be a winner and all those who completed the course received a prize. The Triathlon has now become a regular fixture in the school calendar. The Treasure Hunt was attended by 17 families who followed clues around the town and back to school in glorious sunshine. Superbly organised by Nicky Allen, this event not only raises funds for the school but also welcomes families of next year’s Year 7 intake into the CRGS community. We have had such fun organising and participating in our events but the real thrill for us is converting funds into tangible benefits for the school. Mr Olive has written of his thanks for the baritone and tenor saxophones we funded that enabled the formation of the CRGS Big Band. Mr McEvoy’s sports department now has proper landing mats for the high jump and cushions for the rugby posts with smart new sheds to store them in. As before, we have funded Speech Day prizes and ties for the choir. We remain determined to find a way to refurbish the highly embarrassing changing facilities in the school pool. Our early difficulties in this project have not dampened our resolve. We remain steadfast. Next term we start again with the Autumn Fayre on 19th September. Volunteers would be greatly appreciated as would gifts of tombola or raffle prizes, cakes, books and games, plants and so on. The AGM follows on 6th October at 7.45pm in the school library. All parents and guardians are welcome, especially those wishing to join committee. On behalf of CRGSA I wish you a happy summer holiday and to those expecting exam results a successful one too. Marcus Harrington, Chairman, CRGSA The RGS Cricket Festival for 2009 is being hosted by The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire. For more information on the festival, please visit www.royal.vm.bytemark.co.uk. The Spring Term has been full of activity and showed no sign of letting up as we approached the final days. The Classics and Ski trips departed and the public speakers went to compete in National Finals over the Easter break. The U14 rugby team successfully defended their title of Essex Champions, and the final week saw the production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. All these experiences are valuable, enjoyable and very much part of life at CRGS. It has also been the term of modules and mocks, and the GCSE, AS and A-level students are now facing the challenges of the final examination term. I feel the Easter vacation is the ideal opportunity for the examination students to consolidate much of their learning, and I would advise them to work hard over the break. In this way, they will be ready and prepared to make the most of the final run-in. Revision undertaken now will relieve the pressure when the examinations loom closer. I will be in school on a number of days over the holiday period. If students would like to come in and study in school, they should contact me via the school office to arrange a time. I was delighted with the news that CRGS had been awarded Specialist Status for Languages from April as a result of its designation as a High Performing Specialist School. The Science Specialism has been a great benefit to the school and wider community and we hope this additional Language specialism will have the same effect. With this newsletter you will receive not only the dedicated Science newsletter but also for the first time a Music newsletter. This will give you a flavour of the work of the Music department. The performance of the choir and orchestra at the Schools’ Prom this term was excellent and a credit to the new Head of Music, Mr Olive. As you will see, it was just one example of the music being made at CRGS. There will no doubt be a Languages newsletter produced in the future so the information parents receive will continue to increase. If you have a view on the timing of the release of such documents would you please let me know. We have tended to assume that an end of term publication is more likely to be read over the holiday period, but this might not necessarily be the case. Work is currently underway on the next edition of the School Magazine. We would like to make this self-funding and are looking to attract 16 advertisers who would be prepared to pay £250 for a quarter page advert. If you would like a slot in the magazine, please contact Mr Clark or me to indicate your interest. It is issued to the Old Colcestrians as well as the school community so has a wide circulation. I will finish this end of term message with a reminder of the importance of high standards in behaviour and appearance at the school. The newsletter provides me with an opportunity to communicate with parents on such matters as well as to celebrate the many achievements of our students. CRGS has unashamedly high expectations, and we expect all our students to share them. We are grateful to parents for supporting and reinforcing our stance and for ensuring that we can concentrate for the most part on reinforcing positive behaviour. I mention this solely to remind all in the community of something that underpins everything we do and can so easily be taken for granted. K L Jenkinson It was a pleasant surprise to see CRGS at the very top of the official league tables for A-level results when they were published in January. We had anticipated being second nationally on the basis of the provisional unofficial data released in the summer but were delighted to find that we were in fact 47 points above the second school, Hampton, and 70 points higher than the next state school, Colyton. The official DCSF table is based on Average Points per Student. This is the second year running that CRGS has been placed top nationally and this generated some media interest. The Independent featured the school in one of its articles and acknowledged the importance of the school’s ethos to its success. Headmaster, Ken Jenkinson, said: “The 2008 students worked extremely hard to achieve the very best results they could and thoroughly deserve this ranking. CRGS is keen to combine depth and breadth in its sixth form curriculum and so prepare its A-level students for the challenges of university and beyond. It is reassuring for the students to know that they can progress to university and enter the world of work with the confidence that they can rival the very best around.” The CRGS public speaking teams have enjoyed success in a variety of competitions this term. Two of the teams have won through to the National Finals this month and will represent London and the South East. The senior team of Robert Parini, Jake Wilson and Laura Miller won the regional heat of the BPW competition in Newmarket earlier this term. As Robert will be on the school Classics trip at the time of the finals, Rilly Chen will take his place and speak on the topic of the lessons of history. We are pleased that Rilly has stepped in at late notice and wish her well. The junior team of Jake Humbles, Jack Wilby and Afham Raoof progress to Somerset and the national final of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition. Their topic is learning foreign languages, and they have been impressive winners of the three previous rounds. A CRGS Year 11 team performed very well in the regional final of the ESU competition held at Culford School last week but lost out to a very strong Oundle team. Dan South, Joshua Creek and Adam Littlewood represented the school on this occasion. A senior team won the Colchester area round of the Rotary Competition in February but were edged out in the district final in Chelmsford. Gregor Irvine spoke entertainingly on the topic of ‘The British Sense of Humour’ and shared his Scottish perspective on the subject. He was ably supported by Laura Millar and Jennifer Petty. |
Upcoming Events
Tue Mar 16 - Thu Mar 18 Much Ado About Nothing 7.00 p.m. Fri Mar 19 Issue Yr 12 & 13 Reports Mon Mar 22 Yr 12 Geography Field Trip (returns 26th March) Mon Mar 29 Yr 12 Parents’ Evening 4.30 - 7.30 p.m. Thu Apr 1 Classics Trip Departs (returns 8th April) |