BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

8
Newsletter November 2012 Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School The official Bishop Vesey’s Twitter account is @BVGS1527 Follow us on Students take the lead! So many exciting events, visits and opportunities in the space of just a few weeks since the Sum- mer update newsletter. We are well underway now in the aca- demic year 2012-13 and can al- ready detect a sense of real ur- gency and commitment about the school. Student leaders, of all ages, are ever more prominent, organising and hosting our house and school events. It is particu- larly pleasing to see so many of our former students returning to offer assistance and support. We are indebted to our benefactors from the wider Vesey Commu- nity and Vesey families for the tremendous financial support we are receiving to maintain the ‘additionality’ which offers stu- dents such a wide-ranging feast of activities for their personal devel- opment beyond the classroom. Sincere thanks to all who are contributing to the well estab- lished ‘Vesey Experience’. The School is in good heart. Lord Mogg OV re-visits his alma mater Year 7 and Year 10 pictured here carrying out experiments in the Science Laboratories. Year 7 were involved in an investi- gation to compare the solubility of three different sizes of sugar parti- cles. Notice the intensity and preci- sion of our young scientists as they apply themselves to the tasks in hand. Year 10 were investigating Refrac- tion - how light behaves when it passes into and out of glass blocks. (Section 5.4 of Unit 1 GCSE) Andrew Cotterill, School Captain 2010- 11 came back to BVGS for a Head- teacher’s Forum Lunch with students in Year 11, inspiring them to aspire to places at top universities. He promoted the study of Modern Foreign Languages as well as talking about volunteering. Andrew had just been part of the Olympic Games 2012 army of willing helpers, who by their model, along with the athletes themselves, have helped to inspire a generation. Lord Mogg OV 55-62 Chairman of Ofgem, Chair of ERGEG and Chair of Governors at the University of Brighton, above with members of Year 8 School Council. He had lunch with Sixth Formers discussing the next hundred years of energy and met Old Veseyans over tea, including his German A Level Teacher Roy Cash. L-R Headteacher Dominic Robson, OVA Chairman Roger Crees, former Chairman of Governors and OV Peter Randon, Lord Mogg, Roy Cash and Executive Head David Concentration and Solutions in the Laboratories!

description

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Transcript of BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 1: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Newsletter November 2012

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School

The official Bishop Vesey’s Twitter account is @BVGS1527 Follow us on

Students take the lead!

So many exciting events, visits

and opportunities in the space of

just a few weeks since the Sum-

mer update newsletter. We are

well underway now in the aca-

demic year 2012-13 and can al-

ready detect a sense of real ur-

gency and commitment about the

school. Student leaders, of all

ages, are ever more prominent,

organising and hosting our house

and school events. It is particu-

larly pleasing to see so many of

our former students returning to

offer assistance and support. We

are indebted to our benefactors

from the wider Vesey Commu-

nity and Vesey families for the

tremendous financial support we

are receiving to maintain the

‘additionality’ which offers stu-

dents such a wide-ranging feast of

activities for their personal devel-

opment beyond the classroom.

Sincere thanks to all who are

contributing to the well estab-

lished ‘Vesey Experience’.

The School is in good heart.

Lord Mogg OV re-visits his alma mater

Year 7 and Year 10 pictured here

carrying out experiments in the

Science Laboratories.

Year 7 were involved in an investi-

gation to compare the solubility of

three different sizes of sugar parti-

cles. Notice the intensity and preci-

sion of our young scientists as they

apply themselves to the tasks in

hand.

Year 10 were investigating Refrac-

tion - how light behaves when it

passes into and out of glass blocks.

(Section 5.4 of Unit 1 GCSE)

Andrew Cotterill, School Captain 2010-

11 came back to BVGS for a Head-

teacher’s Forum Lunch with students in

Year 11, inspiring them to aspire to places

at top universities. He promoted the study

of Modern Foreign Languages as well as

talking about volunteering. Andrew had

just been part of the Olympic Games 2012

army of willing helpers, who by their

model, along with the athletes themselves,

have helped to inspire a generation.

Lord Mogg OV 55-62 Chairman of Ofgem, Chair of ERGEG and

Chair of Governors at the University of Brighton, above with

members of Year 8 School Council. He had lunch with Sixth

Formers discussing the next hundred years of energy and met Old

Veseyans over tea, including his German A Level Teacher Roy

Cash. L-R Headteacher Dominic Robson, OVA Chairman

Roger Crees, former Chairman of Governors and OV Peter

Randon, Lord Mogg, Roy Cash and Executive Head David

Concentration and Solutions in the Laboratories!

Page 2: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 2 November 2012

Leo wins Biathlon

Congratulations to Leo Karski 7BL who won

Gold on 30 Sept in the Yr 7 Boys West Midlands

Biathlon held at Tudor Grange Sports Centre,

representing BVGS. He swam 50m in 30.63sec

and ran 500m in 1.33.32mins., beating the 2nd

placed runner by 00.02sec! He swims four times

a week with Boldmere and City of B’ham Swim-

ming Clubs and hopes to reach the National

Biathlon Finals at Crystal Palace in March.

All Star Students

L-R: Tom Andrew, President of BVGS School Council 2011-12 and 1st XV scrum-half achieved a record

5 A* grades at A Level this summer whilst Andrew Hyslop and Andy Quach scored ten A*s at GCSE.

New Online Resource for all the Family

Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition: Britannica

Online School Edition is a unique online resource packed full of

articles and multimedia. Britannica offers students vast , accurate

and up to date resources ideal for in-depth research, homework

or fact-finding. Its four age-specific areas contain a variety of

clear, current and accurate information for all the family.

Britannica is accessible at the link below. The school ID will

be required to login . The ID is available from the school

library. http://school.eb.co.uk/storeschoolcard?id=bishopveseysgs

Over 60s Computer Course

Now well established as part of our offer

to members of the local community, this

popular course allows those who are

less familiar with modern technology to

develop computer skills, ably assisted by

volunteer Sixth Formers who provide

this service through the Sixth Form En-

richment programme. Our students have

been praised for their patience and help-

fulness in this option. The course will be

run again from February.

Fireman Dan Young Firefighter

and First Aid Course Congratulations to Daniel Beggan 9R who

graduated from the Sutton Coldfield Fire Station

Youth Project on 6 October following a 20 week

gruelling course under the guidance of Blue

Watch Commander Nigel Cox.

The course enabled recruits to participate in

sessions such as using fire service equipment, drill

yard exercises, fire-fighting, search and rescue,

dealing with road traffic incidents, first aid, CPR

and road safety.

Following a demonstration of their skills, each

recruit was provided with a certificate by Group

Commander Simon Shilton.

We hope that Dan’s experience encourages more

of our students to ‘have a go’ at community re-

lated courses and extend their learning and influ-

ence for the common good. Well done, indeed!

Record Results BVGS 2012 Record Results at A Level

and GCSE will be published in The

Sunday Times Parent Power

League Table this November. We

expect to be comfortably in the TOP

60 state secondary schools in the coun-

try with our excellent results this year.

Our league position is a reflection of

the huge effort of individual students

and all staff. We believe that our high

scoring school records will be beaten

by future generations of students

through hard work, perseverance,

determination to succeed, strong pa-

rental support and the special Vesey

brand of outstanding care, support and

guidance from our first-rate staff. BVGS

results reflect a Vesey Community wide

effort to help our students.

Talent alone is not enough!

Page 3: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 3

BVGS Newsletter Page 3

Year 7 this academic year have benefited from the kind and generous support of Patrons and Friends of Vesey Music, who through discrete

financial support for the musical life of the school, have helped to provide additional experiences. All members of Yr 7 will have lessons in brass in-

struments and special vocal tuition to build more choirs and choral ensembles. We are indebted to John Clemson, Head of B’ham Music Service,

who is helping us with our initiatives for Music and who has provided the instruments for this exciting new dimension to the life of the school.

The student Alpha Course organised by senior

Christian Union members Mark Poniatowski and

Emily Riley has been running after school on Tues-

days during this term with 15-20 attendees meeting

for food, to listen to a talk by a guest speaker and to

discuss some of the most pressing questions in life.

Jenny Chester (pictured) is a voluntary youth

worker with the Walsall Faithworks team.

Tom Naraine, OV 08, is helping with CU on

alternate weeks, as part of his year working with the

Sutton Vineyard church. Christian Union meets

weekly in Room B4.

The Alpha Course at BVGS

Junior Soloists Concert On 9 October, 13 junior soloists offered a delightful

evening of high calibre entertainment and polished

performances to a packed audience in Big School. A

range of instrumental and vocal items led to a wonder-

ful showcase event. Our ambition for Vesey Music,

providing more and more platforms for performance

and developing a range of new initiatives, is already

bearing fruit. All members of Year 7 are engaged in

brass tuition and all have singing lessons. We are enor-

mously grateful to the Patrons and Friends of Vesey

Music who have offered discrete financial support to

underpin the developments for our young musicians.

Pictured above is Nick Lee 10R who starred at the

recent concert with his performance of Remembrances

from Schindler’s List. Nick is working towards Grade 8

and plays with B’ham Schools Symphony Orchestra,

Academy Orchestra and Bournville Strings Orchestra.

Join us for the Christmas Concert on Tuesday 11 De-

cember in Big School at 7.30pm. Another musical treat

in store!

English Department A busy start to the term with the launch of drama classes and creative writing classes in

Year 7 led by Sarah Slater and Karen Gutteridge. Also launched is RAW during

Wednesday lunchtimes for aspiring writers and enthusiastic readers organised by Claire

Callan and Sandra Holland. At KS4, Year 10 students have started their courses

promptly and most GCSE English Language students have completed their first controlled

assessment worth 10% of their GCSE. Year 11 students continue to prepare for their

upcoming January examinations in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature,

Meanwhile at AS level, five students attended a master class in reading poetry at the

University of B’ham organised by Kate Steadman. Next half term: Year 11 revision

classes on Mondays after school, AS revision classes for U6 retaking modules on Friday at

1pm in B5 and an AS trip to Shakespeare's birthplace.

Sixth Form Enrichment: Young Investors

On 8 October, 24 Sixth-

Formers undertaking the IFS

Student Investor Challenge as

part of their Enrichment Pro-

gramme were treated to a talk

by Liam Collins from the IFS

Institute in London. As part

of the Investor Challenge

students have to invest

£100,000 in a range of virtual

stocks and shares. They were given top tips about how to choose a company to buy shares

in and how to monitor share performance. Students then presented their chosen share

portfolios to Liam, justifying their investment decisions. Liam kindly commented that BVGS

was the first school he had visited where students had presented their own ideas with such

conviction to him. The prize for a team which has generated the most money from their

share portfolio by February is a place in the regional final, the first stage towards the final

prize - an all-expenses paid trip for the winning team (plus their teacher) to New York.

Page 4: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Teachers joining BVGS this year

Page 4 November 2012

As a former BVGS

student, Natalie is

delighted to be

back in the school

for her GTP

training year. She

graduated with a

BA Hons in

Modern Languages

from Durham

University and will

b e t e a c h i n g

German and French at the school this

year. Having lived and worked in Russia,

Natalie is very passionate about the

Russian language and culture and is

currently providing our students with

the opportunity to learn Russian during

their lunch break. Natalie is a keen

netball player, playing for Wyndley

Netball Club, and during her time here

co-founded the school’s netball team

alongside former student Jessica

Hughes. She is looking forward to being

involved in all aspects of Vesey life.

Nata

lie A

dco

ck

S u h a i l

graduated

with a

d e g r e e

i n L a w

from the

University

of Liverpool in 2010. He decided on a

career in teaching as an undergraduate

student and whilst doing his degree he

carried out work experience at a local

grammar school and was employed

during the holidays as a revision mentor

at the school. He took a gap year,

travelling and working as a private tutor

to law students. Whilst completing a

PGCE at Edge Hill University he

completed a work placement at a local

college as well as at the grammar school.

After completing his PGCE, he is now at

Vesey’s teaching Law to sixth form

students and Citizenship to lower school

students. He is a fan of rock climbing and

cycling.

Su

hail O

ugra

der

R i c h a r d

Jeffries qualified

with a BEd

(Hons) in Music

i n 1 9 9 7 ,

and taught at

Four Oaks

Primary School

f o r 1 4

years. with

responsibi l i ty

for Music. He directed numerous con-

certs, musical performances and shows

in that time. He always encourages

young people to get involved in playing

an instrument or singing, and in April

2005 founded the Four Oaks Cluster

Choir. They recently reached the cate-

gory Finals of Choir of the Year 2012.

Since 2005, he has developed several

other community choirs of all ages and

now works with nine different choirs

per week, including a choir for teenag-

ers, a Training Choir for young children

and the newly formed Vesey Voices.

Ric

hard

Jeff

ries

Davina is

the latest

addition to

the Physics

Dept. at

B i s h o p

V e s e y ' s

Grammar School. She has studied both

in the UK and in Germany and is part

of the new Year 7 Science Club team

which will run Vesey's first ever Science

Fair at the end of this academic year.

Davina is pleased to have joined the

Vesey Community and is enjoying both

her teaching and role as a Year 8 Form

Tutor. Enthusiastic and hard-working,

she contributes to the Vesey aims of

academic excellence and preparing

young Veseyans to become responsible

influential members of society.

Davin

a J

ackso

n

C a m i l l e ,

who is

from near

Lille in

Nor thern

F r a n c e ,

graduated

in 2011

from the Université Catholique de Lille,

where she gained a Masters degree in

English. She worked as a foreign

language assistant at Benenden School,

Kent during 2011-2012 and was a

French lecturer at Centenary College in

Louisiana for a semester in 2010.

Camille says she is happy to do her

GTP training at Bishop Vesey's this year

where she is teaching mainly French

along with some Spanish later in the

year.

Cam

ille

Carp

en

tier

Daniel Everett

BA in History

and English from

the University of

B i r m i n g h a m

joined the His-

tory Department

in September

2012 having pre-

viously taught for

six years at Heart

of England School in Balsall Common,

and voluntarily for one year in the

Dominican Republic. He hopes to play

his part in ensuring the History De-

partment continues its recent success.

Daniel has also enjoyed seeing the

Senior Cross Country Team make a

successful start to their season and is

looking forward to playing an active

part in athletics at BVGS.

Dan

iel E

vere

tt

C h r i s t i n e

N w a n k w o

joined us in

S e p t e m b e r

2012 as a

teacher of

Business and

E c o n o m i c s ,

having previously taught pupils from over

35 different countries in an international

secondary school in Tenbury Wells,

Worcestershire. Her enthusiasm for

Business stems from her time working

with a number of key businesses in the

West Midlands whilst working as a Finan-

cial Recruitment Consultant, prior to

entering the teaching profession. Her

ambition for the next year is to contrib-

ute further to the department aim of

raising the profile of Business and Eco-

nomics in the school, and to allow all

students to develop skills and aptitudes

which prepare them for the world of

work or a career in Business.

Ch

rist

ine N

wan

kw

o

Alex graduated

from the University

of Birmingham this

year with a degree

in Geology and

Geography and is

currently working

as an Instructor in

Geography and

Games, with an

aim of attaining

QTS at the end of this academic year.

He is keen to get students to not just

be interested in Geography academi-

cally, but to follow issues closely out-

side school and to engage with topics

that are currently affecting the world

and people’s lives on a global, as well as

a local scale. In doing so he hopes they

can then go on to take full advantage of

living in a global society and help ad-

dress some of the problems which their

generation especially will have to face,

such as climate change and a shift to-

wards sustainable energy.

Ale

x J

on

es

Over the past five

years David has

represented England

at U18, U21,

E n g l a n d A

(Outdoor) and

Seniors (Indoor) and

Great Britain Youth

i n v a r i o u s

t o u r n a m e n t s

throughout the

world including Junior World Cup and

European Championships. He knows all

about time management in order to be

able to play and train at this level and

also have time for his academic studies

and other activities. He played for

Berliner Hockey club - a very different

experience, learning about German life

and cultural differences, alongside his

hockey. To enhance this experience he

took intensive German lessons

completing up to level A1.2. Now back in

England he plays for Cannock Hockey

Club in the top league in England.

David

Beckett

Page 5: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 5 BVGS Newsletter

Non-Uniform Day 11 October 2012 - £887 raised for Islamic Relief

On Thursday 11 October, students came in non-uniform to support a water project being run by Islamic Relief. Two former students Zeeshan Ali OV 02 from the charity and Ali Nagi OV 12 held assemblies for Year 7-10 to promote the work of the charity. Pictured here in Big School: L-R Helen Pitt, Charities Co-ordinator, Zeeshan Ali, Domi-nic Robson, Headteacher and Ali Nagi.

Students pictured below going about their normal lunch-

time activities in mufti, enjoying a day in aid of a good

cause. Evidence of Vesey togetherness and working for

the benefit of others less fortunate than those of us who

enjoy the great privilege of life at Vesey’s.

Jeavon Porter-Fraser

BVGS 2005-10

We were shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely

death, following a severe asthma attack, of Jeavon Porter-

Fraser, who left BVGS in 2010, having made his mark most

notably through Vesey Sport. A great athlete who broke

the U15 100m record in 2009 which had stood since 1994.

In Junior Rugby he was the full-back star of a memorable

U13B-U15B team. At U14B he appeared in 11 matches,

scoring 26 tries and 3 conversions. Always full of energy

and bounce, outside school he not surprisingly enjoyed

trampolining and paintballing. He brought a lively and

cheery enthusiasm to all he did. Popular and endearing

amongst his peers, well known wherever he went, with an

infectious smile and a relaxed attitude, he brightened the

lives of all he met. He will be sorely missed and we extend

our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to his family at this sad

time. His funeral at St Philips’ Cathedral in Birmingham was

a celebration of his life and reflected his personality through

which he always looked on the bright side. We are indeed

the richer for having known Jeavon for whom there will be

a special Memorial and Thanksgiving Service here at BVGS

in Big School at 11am on 21 December, to which we invite

all who shared his short but memorable life.

Page 6: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 6 November 2012

Attain Travel is a proud sponsor of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Sports

BVGS Rowing continues to flourish with over 60 students involved in two Wednesday afternoon senior sessions

Having gained promotion to Midlands Div, 2 Veseyans are

finding their feet and after a couple of defeats recorded a

superb away victory over a previously unbeaten Stafford

side. With all players now available after some early

season injuries Captain Sam Irvine OV 03 is confident

of further success. 2nd XV have got off to a great start

recording three 50 point victories out of their first four

games of the season. 17 year old Ali Careless has been

particularly impressive. BVGS Head of Rugby Zak

Feaunati, No 8 for the Veseyans draws a trio of

opponents in this photo, before slipping a pass.

The first regatta of the academic

year took place on Sunday 14

October in Bedford, where our

best finish of the day came from

the school’s first ever women’s

double sculls involving Sasha

Collins and Head of Lower Sixth,

MFL teacher and Rowing Coach

Min Egan. Both in strong posi-

tions in this photo, with blades all

nicely aligned. The standout

performance of the day came

from Robert Huskisson who

ranked well in his single scull

category beating crews from

Bedford Modern and Emanuel

School. Rowing is fast becoming a

major sport and more and more

girls are involved.

Photo: Stu Small

BVGS students have once

again entered the Concept 2

Indoor National League this

year. Sessions run at

lunchtimes under the supervi-

sion of Brian Davies with L6

student, Dan Offen, coach-

ing Yr 7 as part of the Young

Leaders programme. Time

trials have just taken place for

the national league. Students

in teams of 4 row 125m each

and submit a time for the

500m completed. So far Yr7

are ranked 52/88 teams, Yr

10 18/50 teams and best of all

Yr 11 8/55 teams across the

country. A sport with an

excellent following at BVGS.

Indoor and Outdoor Rowing in full swing as the Regatta and Time Trial seasons begin

This year the netball squad has 24

players who have so far played

two tournaments. The practice

tournament with Fairfax and

Bishop Walsh was a warm up for

the regional tournament on 3

October. This was a great

experience, playing four different

teams and holding our own.

Unfortunately we did not progress

through to the second round but

we had some wins and a good

morale boost for the season to

come.

BVGS Teacher is National Champion

Psychology Teacher Naima Field became Na-

tional C O19 Ladies Champion at the British

Championships held at the NIA in July. At this

two day event, Naima was in second place going

into the final day. She then raised her game,

performed at her best and came away with the

Gold medal and title of National Ladies Cham-

pion. An exhilarating sport as seen in the pic-

tures. Naima is able to offer tuition to Sixth

Formers on Wednesday afternoons at Wyndley

and Elise Robinson L6 will now prepare to

compete in the British Schools Championships.

Page 7: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

BVGS Newsletter Page 7

2nd XV, based on the foundations laid at U16, game understanding, a good work ethic, and continued player development, have made a good start with wins

against Northampton Boys’ School, King Henry VIII, KES Aston and Trent College with an agonising two point loss to RGS Worcester. P5, W4, D0, L1 F141, A36. The U16s have had a positive start to the season with a record of P4 W3 L1. The season started with an extremely encouraging performance against a strong and physical Northampton side. A fine bit of individual play by scrum half Oli Hobin set up at last minute winning try for George Hawkins, leaving

the final score at 17-14. A narrow loss to RGS Worcester has been followed by strong victories against KES Aston and Trent College. The U14A have had a fantastic start to the season with 3 wins and 2 defeats against some very strong opposition. A spirited display against a powerful King Henry's pack was the pick of the bunch with Vesey finishing the game with a solid 31-17 win. Zach Davison has also scored a number of tries out wide, set up by some quite brilliant and creative play by a promising and developing back line. U13As have had two good scores against RGS Worcester and King Henry VIII but have

struggled against some very good sides, especially Northampton and Ellesmere. Will Poland has led his team very well from fly half and has scored many tries with his darting breaks down the blindside and has defended superbly. The standout player in the forwards so far is Declan Mee, whose spectacular contact skills and work rate complement his long range kicking for goal and touch. P6 W2 L4

Rugby Round-up: After a slow start to the season with two heavy

defeats to Northampton Boys and RGS Worcester, the 1st XV bounced back with a great win over King Henry VIII 26-21 winners. Then it was

KE VI Aston. Vesey’s started very well, dominated so much of the game

but could not convert pressure into points. Eventually Vesey’s held on

to win a tight game 10-7 with Aston almost snatching the win in the

final play of the game. Another heavy defeat followed to a very physi-

cal Trent College team. The Vesey spirit was back for the KE Lich-

field game in the Daily Mail Cup Round 2, with Vesey winning 41-0

with two tries to Dan Offen and Adam Joseph-Kerr. P6 W3

L3.Notable performances so far this season Darius Paszkowski,

Nathan Felton, Dan Offen and Cameron Pallister.

Hockey Round-up: 25 students and 3 staff enjoyed a pre-season four day Hockey Tour to Belfast, with fixtures against Irish Champions Banbridge

School and later Methodist College. P4 W0 D1 L3. An excellent occasion to learn, develop and bond against such challenging, national-ranked opposition.

There was time for a tour of Stormont, indoor go-karting and an

open top bus tour of Belfast, seeing the peace walls and murals as well as the Titanic quarter. Off then north up the coast to visit the Giant’s Causeway. A huge success on and off the pitch in terms of

development. Special thanks to teachers Chris Howell, Dave

Goodwin and Kevin Doughty for the organisation and leadership.

The 1st XI have benefited from the Ireland tour with back to back wins against Adams G.S 4-3 and Loughborough G.S away with a superb 3-2 result,

before a real tussle in a home match with Warwick School - final score 4-5 after leading 4-3. 2nd XI have had some excellent results with convincing

wins over Adams G.S (5-0) and Nottingham H.S (5-0 with Lewis Chatham scoring a hat-trick). The U15s equalised in the last minute to draw 1-1

with Solihull, Sam Davis scoring the deserved goal. The U14s started with a 2-0 win against Adams G.S with Ben Green and Ben Moore scoring.

Page 8: BVGS Newsletter Autumn Half Term 2012

Page 8 November 2012

Last half-term we offered more opportunities for students to act as

host/compères and speakers at our public and Vesey Community

events. (Left to right and anticlockwise) Callum Delaney and Brett

Waldron from Year 9 spoke at the Year 8 Information Evening about

their experiences in Year 8. Ed Elliman spoke at two Year 7 Wel-

come Evenings to parents and students about his life in Year 7, empha-

sising that the more you put in, the more you seem to get out. Josh

Hall, Joe Perrin and Jordan Orchard compèred the recent Junior

Soloists Concert in Big School helping to create a warm atmosphere

amongst our capacity audience and drawing highly appreciative re-

sponses for our top performing junior musicians. Josh, Joe and Jordan

were successful in securing places as compères for this event from ten

candidates, following auditions held by Ben Woodford 11R and Leo

Morton 9G, both of whom have significant experience as public

speakers on stage in Big School. Other students who have been in-

volved in this new initiative: Tom Jones L6 and Steven Mapp L6

spoke eloquently at the Year 10 GCSE Information Evening and Ed

Elliman, Dominic Devine, Balamrit Sokhal and Kieran Hender-

son all in Yr 8 spoke at the Open Evening/Morning in September.

New Public Speaking Opportunities for 2012

Cross Country Running A very good start to the new season with the Senior Team re-invigorated and keen to fill up the trophy cabinet again. Despite the E-Coli outbreak in

Sutton Park, sensible precautions were taken and nine teams took part in the Annual Pairs Race. Our top runners, Captain Sam Lacey and New

Veseyan Ben Topley, took the main prize with a fast time. For the first time in many years Vesey also took the Team trophy with Megan McBrien

and Mark Poniatowski completing the foursome. In the first Sutton Schools’ race at Bishop Walsh, Vesey once again dominated the event with

three winners Year 7 Leo Karski Years 8/9 George Beirne and in Years 10/11 Sam Davis all bearing the Vesey mitre. There are two more

Sutton races this term with the finale at Vesey on Wednesday after the half term break. It starts at 3.45pm with the Sutton Primary Schools’ race.

Sam Davis L-R Megan McBrien, Ben Topley, Sam Lacey and Mark Poniatowski Sam Lacey in action

Paired runners set off in opposite directions in Sutton Park