Spring 2016 Final

Old Aylesburian News
No 17
Dear Old Aylesburians
Once again we are nearing
the end of another active
term
with
significant
achievements in many areas
of School life. Over the
Christmas break the new
solar power system was
commissioned. The panels
can generate up to 48kW of
power which feed into the
School and the local grid. As
well as benefitting the
School financially through
lower electricity costs, this
also helps to lower our carbon footprint.
Phase Seven, the last phase, of the Science
Refurbishment project, started in earnest in January and
further enabling works have begun to prepare the former
classroom, S1, for its conversion to a Physics laboratory
in the coming months. The final phase of the project will
involve refurbishing S1 and P3 to finalise the five
Physics laboratories on the ground floor of the Science
Block, as well as moving upstairs to refurbish the five
Chemistry laboratories and preparation room. Raising
the funds to complete this final phase is a priority for the
Development Team in the coming months and I would
like to thank the Old Aylesburian community who
showed their support at the recent Information Evening
kindly hosted by Old Aylesburian, Paul Buckland, at his
offices in London. All aspects of the campaign, from the
board members, to the production of the video and
booklet have been done voluntarily by parents, friends
of the School and the students themselves. Many Old
Aylesburians who gave initially have continued to give
their time and financially. Lee Cobley, Richard Belger
and Stephen Shipperley have been presenting to
parents and alumni. We are well over half-way with
£265,000 pledged already, with nearly £100,000 having
been pledged in the last 2 months, and £160,000 being
awarded to the School from a number of local and
national Trusts and Foundations. Some further
donations would be really useful in getting us to
£300,000, and having a ‘good news’ story before we
SPRING 2016
approach parents again next term. It is our absolute
priority to complete this essential refurbishment and my
thanks go to everyone involved. We look forward to
raising the funds required from the amazing generosity
of our community.
This term has been extremely busy with students
involved in a variety of pursuits. We have had success in
the Chemistry Olympiad, the British Informatics
Olympiad and further Maths success in the Jaguar
Maths in Motion. Our first STEM Conference was held
in early March for Year 12 students. We welcomed
guest
speakers
from
GlaxoSmithKline,
British
Petroleum, BMI TRADA, INNOVATE and a molecular
biologist to present to the students. Our thanks go to all
our speakers and Mr Symington for organising the
event. Our senior debating team have won through to
the Oxford Union Schools’ Debating competition and in
sport, our Under 15 squash team finished as the fifth
best team in England at the national squash finals in
Nottingham, only losing one match to eventual
champions, Ackworth School. In rugby, our Under 13s
won the plate competition at the Bedford Modern 7s and
it is great to report that our Under 19 Basketball team
are through to the last 4 in the National Cup after
beating Brockenhurst College 57-42.
In the forthcoming summer term we will host the ever
popular Sportsman’s Dinner on Friday 17th June, please
do get in touch if you would like to reserve a table or
individual seats. The annual OA Sports Day will be on
Wednesday 29th June and the OA Football Tournament
on Friday 15th July. We look forward to welcoming
back OAs from all generations including our recent
leavers who will then be on holiday from university.
Finally, on Friday 29th April we will be hosting Cabaret
Night in the Foundation Hall, further details can be found
in this newsletter and we would be delighted to see our
OA community at this event. Please get in touch with the
Development Office if you would like to secure tickets
which are sure to sell out fast.
We wish you all a happy Easter break.
Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
INSPIRING SCIENCE
WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT
An amazing £265,000 raised to date – Thank You!
We are delighted to report that we have now raised £265,000 for the final phase of the refurbishment of the
Science facilities at AGS. This means we are now in a position to refurbish 3 out of the 7 remaining Laboratories
which are desperately in need of updating.
From this….
To this….
THANK YOU
Thank you again to everyone who has made a contribution to the fund so far. Your support is hugely
appreciated and we now have enough funds pledged to start work on the final two Physics laboratories. The first
Chemistry laboratory will swiftly follow and AGS students will start to benefit this academic year.
In order to raise our target of £500,000, we need to achieve gifts within a scale of giving. The School can
tailor-make a giving package to suit your own personal circumstances, which can include a one-off gift or gifts
spread out over 30 months, paid on a regular basis.
To reiterate, any pledge, large or small, will have an impact, and to make it easier to donate we are encouraging
our donors to set up standing orders over a 30-month period to specifically support the final phase of the
refurbishment. A regular donation can make a huge difference (and will have less of an impact on your monthly
outgoings).
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
INSPIRING SCIENCE
For example, a relatively painless £30 per month, with gift aid, will give the school £1,125 for the
project and £50 per month will give the school £1,875, and so on.
PLEASE SUPPORT US AT ANY LEVEL YOU
ARE COMFORTABLE WITH
Please take a moment to look at the scale of giving
triangle to the left. The number in the triangle is the
number of people we would ideally like to make a
pledge at each level to hit our target. This is the
theory of achieving our goal, but the actual break
down of pledges may prove to be very different.
The positive news is we have already achieved the
big numbers at the bottom of the pyramid. We have
bid for and been successful in winning single grants
for £100,000, £50,000 and £10,000 which has
massively boosted our total. We are now seeking
participation at the other levels (or any level).
To explain, the amount in brackets (£) is the amount a
donor would need to give to the School on a monthly
basis. The amount to the left of the brackets is the
total cost of that pledge to the donor over 30 months;
and the final amount in £ on the right is the amount
the School would receive in total after claiming gift
aid.
Note, if you are a higher rate tax payer you may be entitled to claim tax relief of 20% or 25% of your gross gift
to the School – the difference between the basic rate of tax and the higher rates of tax.
If you are able to support us please complete the Donation Form on the website and return it to the School
Development Office. You may also complete the Donation Form on line, simply go to the AGS website,
should you prefer.
If you would like to discuss this Campaign with one of the board members please get in touch with either
Alison Cox, Development Director, on 01296 480276 or [email protected] or Lee Cobley, Old
Aylesburian and Campaign Chairman [email protected].
Every contribution is both valued and very much appreciated. Thank you in
anticipation of your support.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
STEPHEN SHIPPERLEY (HAMPDEN 1977 )
The following is a copy of
the speech that Stephen
Shipperley,
Old
Aylesburian (Ha ‘77),
Campaign
Board
Member
and
Major
Benefactor to Science
made at the Inspiring
Science Information Evening for parents in February. It
perfectly sums up Stephen’s motivation to support the
School both with his time and financially. Our sincerest
thanks to our three Old Aylesburians who are playing a
leading role in the Campaign Board and supporting us in
our quest to complete this essential refurbishment
project; Wing Commander Lee Cobley (Ha ’76), Richard
Belger (Ha ’78) and Stephen.
My name is Stephen Shipperley and I am an AGS Old
Boy and I have been asked to explain why I have given
money to the school and will continue to do so.
I am also here to make the case for you to do the same
and to take that message to other parents and old boys
who are not here this evening.
I came here in 1970, was joined by my brother Peter a
year later. I have daughters, so no Shipperley offspring
have come here since, as Peter’s sons and my
daughters have been educated in Oxfordshire.
I was taught science when I came to this school over 40
years ago and the science labs were past their sell by
date then. Peter Larkham, who recently retired, taught
me science here and encouraged me to return and
re-engage with the school and I am glad I did. He
explained to me the plan to refurbish the labs and the
obvious challenges presented by the old facilities. The
obvious ones being the disadvantage to pupils and
teaching made difficult by a poor environment and out of
date facilities, and the less obvious ones i.e. attracting
and keeping the best science teachers.
I was more than a little shocked by the old labs. The day
after Peter showed me the labs here, I was given a
guided tour of the science labs at a private school in
Oxford. The contrast was stark. On the one hand
superb, modern facilities fit for purpose; and here old
labs, bit dingy and poor facilities. And yet this school
produces more Oxbridge scientists than the Oxford
Private school – but it is in spite of the facilities.
When I reflected on the contrast, my first emotion was
one of unfairness followed quickly by anger and
indignation – how could “the government” allow such a
great establishment like this to exist with sub-standard
science facilities – not fair / not right / something should
be done about it.
As we have heard, AGS is the 6th worst funded
secondary school in the UK. AGS is underfunded by
about £1.2m per annum compared to the average. What
are the options

Get angry with the politicians – nothing will
change.

Wait for the politicians to change the funding
formula; we could wait forever and even then they
will probably get it wrong (I can’t see politicians
going out of their way to help a selective school in
Bucks!!)

Or we can do something about it – self-help – take
control of our own destiny
So that is what this Inspiring Science campaign is about
– us taking control and solving the problem ourselves.
This is a wonderful institution. But the reality is that if
this school wishes to maintain its standards – and in a
timescale that benefits your children – then we have to
become increasingly self-sufficient whilst at the same
time maintaining this as a totally inclusive institution that
develops exceptional talent regardless of background –
the boys that this school produces will be the future
wealth creators and entrepreneurs of the future and we
need to invest properly in them.
So there are 1300 pupils that every year have the
privilege of a Grammar School Education and each and
every parent needs to help address this monetary
shortfall now for the sake of your children in the school
and for future generations.
I come from a pretty ordinary background, but I had 3
lucky breaks in life; my parents, this school and finding
the right employer. This school not only gave me a great
education; it gave me a clear set of values and
principles, the overriding ones being that it is mostly
about what you put in that determines what you get out;
take responsibility for your own destiny.
Firstly, I am not a Scientist - studied History/Politics/
Economics and gave up Science at O Levels. So why
am I giving to this campaign? None of my children are
here or been here, (all girls) my reason for giving is
about giving something back to an institution that
changed my life for the better. I am keen that this all
inclusive, wonderful school will continue to change the
lives of your sons and young men for generations to
come.
So that’s why I have given and I am unapologetic in asking you to do the same. History shows the power that
groups of determined people have in bringing about
change. So contribute what you can, the more affluent
more, the less affluent less, but let’s all do something.
There will be the satisfaction in realising that we have
each played our part and together contributed to help
truly talented students from whatever background get the
chance to show and prosper, now and in years to come.
I rest my case.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
GIFT AID
Since launching our Inspiring Science Campaign we
have had a number of OAs enquire how gift aid will
work on any donations made to the Campaign. The
tax system allows donors to maximise their gifts in a
number of ways as Aylesbury Grammar School is a
recognised charity (registered charity number
1089244). All gifts made by UK taxpayers can be
augmented by Gift Aid, which increases the value of
any gift by 25% at no extra cost to the donor. Please
read below for further information.
Gift Aid
Higher rate taxpayers can also claim back 25% of the
value of the gift themselves. Furthermore, taxpayers
paying the 45% rate of tax can claim back even more
meaning, in effect, that whatever they give is worth
nearly double to the School. To claim tax relief, enter
your gift in the Gift Aid section of your tax return.
For example:
Tax rate
You give
AGS
receives
Cost to you
20%
£800
£1,000
£800
40%
£800
£1,000
£600
45%
£800
£1,000
£550
To qualify for Gift Aid, you must pay an amount of UK
Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal
to the tax that the school will reclaim on your
donations in the appropriate tax year (which runs
from 5th April one year to 5th April the next).
To ensure that we can claim Gift Aid on your gift, you
simply need to sign the declaration on the donation
form when making a gift.
You can make this claim on your Self-Assessment
tax return.
Self-Assessment
If you complete a Self-Assessment tax return and are
entitled to a tax refund, you can choose to have all or
part of this repayment given to the School. To
nominate Aylesbury Grammar School to receive all or
part of your tax refund, you must make that clear on
your Self-Assessment form.
Gifts of stocks and shares
Since April 2000 individuals have been able to claim
income tax relief on gifts to charity of most stocks and
shares, whether resident or non-resident in the UK,
when calculating their income or profits for tax
purposes. This is in addition to the existing relief
from Capital Gains Tax.
To calculate the amount of tax relief, an individual
should deduct the value of their donation from their
taxable income for the tax year in which the donation
is made (a tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April). The
amount they can deduct is the market value of the
shares on the day of the gift plus any incidental costs
of disposing of the shares such as broker's fees.
Donors can claim relief at their top rate of tax on their
Self-Assessment or Corporation Tax return.
For example:
A donor gives a gift of 2,000 shares in a company,
which he bought for £6,000 and now have a market
value of £10,000. The broker's fee, paid by the donor
to arrange the transfer is £50. The tax deduction is
calculated as follows:
Claiming back higher rate tax
If you pay higher rate tax, you can claim the
difference between the higher rate of tax 40 and/or
45 per cent and the basic rate of tax 20 per cent on
the total 'gross' value of your donation to the school.
Original cost of shares
£ 6,000
Current market value of shares
£10,000
Broker's fee
£ 50
For example, if you donate £100, the total value of
your donation to the School is £125 - so you can
claim back:
£25—if you pay tax at 40% (125 x 20%)
£31.25—if you pay tax at 45% (£125 x 20%) plus
(£125 x 5%)
Deduction against income
£10,050
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
GIFT AID EXPLAINED
Assuming the donor is paying income tax at the
higher rate of 40%, their income tax bill will be
reduced by (£10,050 @ 40%) £4,020. This
effectively means that the donation of £10,000 will
actually cost the donor just £6,030 after tax relief
(£10,050 - £4,020).
The donor will also save the Capital Gains Tax that
should have been paid on the increase in the value of
the shares (from £6,000 to £10,000), which is
£4,000. The current rate of Capital Gains Tax for
individuals who pay above the basic rate of tax is
28%. Therefore, in effect, the donation has only cost
them £4,910 (£6,030 - 28% of £4,000), which is less
than half of the value of the gift.
Qualifying stocks and shares
The shares that qualify for income tax relief are listed
or dealt in on a recognised stock exchange, whether
in the UK or elsewhere, including shares traded on
the Alternative Investment Market; units in a
UK authorised unit trust; shares in a UK open-ended
investment company (OEIC); and holdings in certain
foreign collective investment schemes (schemes
outside the UK that are equivalent to unit trusts and
OEICs).
How to donate stocks or shares to Aylesbury
Grammar School
If you are interested in making a gift of stocks or
shares to the School, we would advise you to seek
advice from your financial advisors. Please also
outline your intention to the Development Office and
we will assist the process.
BENEFACTOR PIN
The photo to the left shows our new benefactor pin which has recently been produced
for Aylesbury Grammar School. These pins are given to all new donors to our
Inspiring Science Campaign in recognition of their personal commitment to the
campaign.
OUR NEW BIOLOGY BUILDING
As you are aware from the last OA newsletter on Wednesday 14th October we officially opened the new biology building. For those OAs that were unable to attend the opening we thought you would enjoy seeing some
photographs of the new laboratories. The science students at AGS are enjoying using the new facilities and
benefiting daily from all aspects of the new labs.
Thank you to all our Old Aylesburians who have donated so generously to allow our current and future students
to learn in 21st century facilities.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
For the launch of our Inspiring Science Campaign we were inundated with biographies from OAs who were
inspired by Science at AGS. Over the next few editions of this newsletter we will share these with you. It is clear
that many OAs have very fond memories of their time at the School and were taught by many inspirational teachers.
LEE COBLEY
(Hampden 1976)
Chairman of the AGS Inspiring
Science campaign, Lee studied
Physics, double-Maths and French at
AGS, gaining a place at Bristol
University to read Mechanical
Engineering.
“As a teenager, I enjoyed tinkering with
engines and was keen to study an
Engineering degree. Mr Hancock’s
enthusiasm inspired me to get the
grade in Physics I needed for a good
University place.”
“I taught Science and Maths at secondary school before joining the Royal
Air Force in 1986.”
Lee taught Engineering Science, Leadership and Communication Skills to
cohorts of RAF officers, and enjoyed a 25-year RAF career in Training
Management and Human Resources.
“I had some enjoyable tours: three and a half years in Cyprus training the Forces personnel, and 2 years in
Holland supporting the Educational needs of the UK Forces.”
“My most challenging, but rewarding, tour was with the NATO Training Mission in Baghdad, 2007-2008,
working in the Green Zone with a range of European allies.”
“The Science teaching at AGS provided me with the foundations for a successful career in Engineering and Training. “
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
DR. JULIAN GILBERT
(Denson 1980)
Now the CEO, Acacia Pharma Group
plc, Julian studied Chemistry, Biology
and Physics at A level.
“I was lucky enough to be inspired by a number
of teachers in Chemistry and Biology; in
particular, Peter Larkham and Joan Taylor in
Chemistry, and Ian White in Biology. They
enthused, encouraged and taught with smiles on
their faces making it fun (most of the time).”
“I went on to study Pharmacy at University of
Nottingham and stayed on to do a PhD in “Novel
Drug Delivery.”
Julian subsequently joined the pharmaceutical industry, and
co-founded two start-up pharmaceutical companies and is a
co-inventor of both companies’ lead products.
“The first company, Arakis, was sold for £107 million in 2005 and its lead product is now marketed by Novartis
for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), alone (Seebri®) and as combination
product (Ultibro®).”
“The second, Acacia Pharma is still going. Our lead product BAREMSIS™ for the management of
post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is in late stage development and a registration filing seeking
marketing authorisation will be submitted quarter 4.
“The science teaching at AGS stimulated my passion for
Chemistry and Biology and provided me with the foundations to
bring new medicines to the market.”
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
NICK PILKINGTON (PATERSON 2015)
We were delighted to hear that OA Nick Pilkington was
recently selected to network at the LSE Finance
Conference amongst other final-year and postgraduate
students across the country. Nick, who is currently
studying for a Bsc in Finance and Investment Banking at
Reading University explained how the day worked.
“The inaugural LSE Finance Conference hosted at the
Rosewood Hotel brought together high profile industry
professionals with students from universities such as
Imperial, UCL, Oxbridge, Warwick and more for a day of
lectures, panel discussions and networking. After an
application process I became one of a handful of first
year students to be chosen, alongside others that were
mostly final year undergraduates and postgraduates. I
felt very privileged to represent the University of Reading
and the ICMA Centre.
The conference commenced with a talk by Vincent Oratore of American International Group (AIG), who spoke
about regulation in the financial market. This was followed by Professor Paul Sweeting, Head of Research at
Legal and General who built upon the previous presentation with his lecture on The Basel Accord and other
frameworks in the financial sector.
After a short break we were audience to a panel discussion hosted by Mike Carrodus of Substantive
Research. The discussion was centred around the future of research and the new way investors and
institutions pay for it. This was really interesting as it brought together the creators and clients of research
information, who all agreed in the new direction that it should and will take.
During a buffet lunch we had the opportunity to network with some of the brightest minds studying finance. This
was very overwhelming, especially being first-year students and the first event of its kind I had attended!
Nevertheless, I gained contacts that will hopefully be beneficial in the future.
When we returned for the afternoon session we had a very engaging and fun lecture from Paul Craven on
behavioural economics with some incredible games and examples to demonstrate his points effectively. This
was followed by a conference call with Jorge Villa of the IMMDF who provides funding and loans for business
and market developments in the Middle East, inspiring entrepreneurship across the region.
The event was closed by the Rwanga Foundation, a charity set up to support the people across the Kurdistan
region of Iraq. Since its creation just over two years ago, it has helped just under 1 million people including half a
million immigrants that have been displaced by the ongoing wars being fought in the region. It was a truly
inspiring speech delivered by one of its trustees, Rashad Korkis and one of the volunteers, Santiago.
My thanks go to the LSE Business and Finance group for hosting the event at the spectacular Rosewood Hotel.
It was an excellent and worthwhile day.”
Nick is currently seeking an internship in banking or a finance related role for the summer of 2016. If anyone has
an opportunity in this area please do contact Nick directly on [email protected] to discuss further. Thank
you.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
RAMBO RUNS THE VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON
Not long to go now and the training continues to be a challenge.
Just before half term, I suffered a hamstring niggle whilst out
running and this, together with the AGS ski trip in Utah, cost me 3
weeks of training. Coming back off this, I was worried that the
break in training would have set me back significantly in my
preparations for April 24th. Last weekend though, I ran a 20 mile
race in the Milton Keynes Festival of Running, and happily
suffered no adverse reaction to the injury or the layoff from
running. I’m running the Silverstone Half Marathon this weekend
and will then look to do one more long run of 20 miles before
beginning to taper down as we approach the big day.
I’m so determined to improve my performance this year, mainly
driven by the thought that I never want to do this training
again. Your donations will make all the difference in keeping me
accountable to this great cause and helping me stay motivated in
these tough training days. Donations can be made to my Just
Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Rambo2016 where you
will also find information on the very good cause I am supporting.
Thank you so much for all your support.
Mr G J Ramsbottom (PE Teacher, 1st XV coach and Head of
Year 13)
THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE
The English department were delighted to invite a
touring theatre company, run by former student
and Head Boy Rob Thorman, back to school this
month. Rob runs the company and is a former
President of the Cambridge Footlights. The live
performance of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – a
compulsory text for the GCSE English course, was
enjoyed by all and a fantastic opportunity to
enhance classroom learning.
Above: Rob Thorman,
former Head Boy (Ri’07)
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
HOUSE MUSIC
House Music was again a triumphant event this year, with Lee House taking the honours after a difficult decision for our guest adjudicator, Mr Daniel Mace (Denson 2001). Mr Nathan, Director of Music presented a
jubilant James Taylor, Lee House Music Captain with the winner’s trophy. The standard was extremely high
and the emotion at the end demonstrated the energy, passion and creativity that goes into creating this event
from the students, technical crew and staff. Well done to everyone.
Above: House Music Adjudicator and OA Daniel Mace, above right: Director of Music Mr Nathan presents James
Taylor with the cup
We would be delighted to hear about your experiences
of House Music when you were at AGS. Please do
email [email protected] and share your
memories.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
MUSICAL DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
A LEVEL RECITAL – WEDNESDAY 13TH APRIL
I would like to invite you to this year’s A Level Recital which will be taking place in the Upper Music Room
from 2.00 pm until 4.15 pm on Wednesday 13th April.
This is a time when our Sixth Form students, who are taking A level music, will be performing their
examination pieces on their chosen instruments in preparation for the examiner’s visit. The session is very
much a trial exam run and it is an opportunity for parents, OAs and friends to hear the students in a solo
context and for us to celebrate their tremendous talent and dedication.
If you are a local OA and can join us it would be really appreciated. Please do not feel obliged to stay for the
whole session, simply coming along and joining us to hear a couple of candidates (roughly 30 minutes) would
be really beneficial as it would provide the students an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.
CABARET NIGHT—FRIDAY 29TH APRIL
Following 5 action-packed years at the Waterside Theatre in the centre of Aylesbury we have had to deal
with the unfortunate news that the theatre would not be available for the 2016 event. So, the Cabaret Night
2016 returns to ‘its roots’ being held on Friday 29 April in the AGS Foundation Hall from 7pm till midnight.
Far from being downbeat regarding the venue change, guests will enjoy 5 hours of fantastic music provided
by the amazing students of AGS and indeed AHS, a cash bar run by the PTA, hot supper and other
refreshments throughout. The dress code is relaxed smart/casual and as long as you are in possession of
your dancing shoes you will be in the right place!
Seating will not be pre-booked this time around – there will be tables to pull up a chair to but no need to
group yourselves officially beforehand, just come along and enjoy!
Tickets for this year’s event are priced at £15 each and include your hot food choice. Please ensure you
indicate which food choice you would like when purchasing your ticket(s).
Food & Refreshments:
Joining us on the evening of 29 April will be Ashridge Delicious providing guests with their hot supper option
between 8pm and 10pm from their food van in the quad. One portion is included in your ticket price with extra
portions available to purchase on the evening for those with a larger appetite!
http://ashridgedelicious.co.uk/catering/giant-pan-catering/the-giant-pan-experience
For your pudding we have staff from The Works on site with their ever popular ice-cream bicycle with a
tempting choice of ice-creams and sorbets to satisfy your sweet-tooth and boost the energy levels before the
dancing kicks off! Please note pudding is not included in your ticket price.
http://eatattheworks.co.uk/bike/
Do get in touch via [email protected] if you would like to purchase a ticket for this event.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
FROM THE ARCHIVES
We were fortunate to be sent
a copy of the school song by
a former pupil who attended
Aylesbury Grammar School
in the early 1950s.
The
original is now framed and
hanging in the main corridor
at the School.
ARTICLE FROM THE BUCKS HERALD IN 1907
We were delighted to find the following article and photograph in our archives. The article was published by the
Bucks Herald on 25th May 1907.
The Aylesbury New Grammar Schools opened by the Right Hon. Lord Rothschild
The new Grammar School, which has been erected in Walton Road, Aylesbury was ready for occupation in May
1907 and the boys were transferred from the old buildings in St. Mary’s Square.
Description
The new School is a one-storey building, with a separate entrance at either end for boys and girls and cloak and
changing
rooms
conveniently
adjoining. A wide, well-lit corridor
leads from each entrance to the
Central Hall, which is the interesting
feature
of
the
building.
Six
classrooms are provided together
with a large lecture room, art room
and
a
thoroughly
up-to-date
laboratory accommodating twenty
pupils. There are also two common
rooms for the teaching staff, head
master’s room and two dining rooms
for the pupils. All the principal rooms
are heated by hot water, in addition to
fresh air stoves. Covered playing
sheds and bicycle houses have been
provided in the boys’ and girls’
playground, with asphalt yards and
tennis courts at the rear of the school.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
AGS GOVERNORING BODY PROFILES
Aylesbury Grammar School is fortunate to be supported by a very strong team of 18 governors. We will be
profiling a selection of these governors over the next few issues of the Old Aylesburian Newsletter. The
Governors of AGS are enthusiastic and committed, supporting the School, its leadership, regularly monitoring
and providing challenge. They meet termly in committees and as a full Governing Body. The three sub
committees of the Governing Body are Learning & Teaching, Community & Development and Resources
including Finance.
Jim Collins, Foundation Governor, Chairman of Governing Body
I am a Foundation Governor and currently Chairman of Governors. My association
with Aylesbury Grammar School started in 1969, going through seven happy years at
the school before going up to Cambridge to study Natural Sciences in 1977. I
rejoined the school community as a Parent Governor while my two sons were at the
school, and was impressed that the standards and ethos were as high as ever - the
main changes I noticed were that the technology is more advanced and most of the
teachers are now much younger. I am an actuary by profession, working with a
relatively new insurance company in the middle of the City of London. This keeps me
busy and out of trouble, but provides many opportunities for enjoying music and
theatre across the capital. At the same time, over the years I’ve learned how to relax
on the commute so that I can enjoy the benefits of living in the Chilterns to the full.
Having spent most of my life in and around the Vale of Aylesbury, I know all the main cycling routes, and
continue to enjoy the flatter ones on a regular basis. These days, though, my participation in team sports is
limited to being a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers. As a beneficiary of the grammar school
system, it will be no surprise to learn that I wholeheartedly support it and the opportunities it offers. Being a
governor these days comes with a lot of responsibility and is very time consuming, especially with the
funding constraints under which the school has to operate, but I feel privileged still to be able to play my part
in one of the finest schools in the country.
Gillian Miscampbell, OBE, DL, Foundation Governor
A Governor of AGS since 1977, a Foundation Trustee and its Chairman for a number of
years, retiring as Chairman in 2014, a parent and grandparent of AGS alumnae.
Elected to Bucks County Council in 1977, Chairman of its Education Committee
1985-89, and Chairman and Leader of Bucks County Council 1989-93. A Member of
the Council of the University of Buckingham from 1985-2003, Chairman of its Finance
and General Purposes Committee 1993-98 and Vice Chairman of its Council
1998-2003. Chairman of Aylesbury Vale Health Authority 1981-93 and Chairman of
Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust 1995-2001. A Member of the Milton Keynes
Development Corporation Board 1992-94 and Area Manpower Board 1985-88. A
Founder Trustee and Director of the Buckinghamshire Foundation 1999-2006.
Chairman of Aylesbury Conservative Association 1975-78 and Vice Chairman of the
Conservative National Women’s Advisory Committee 1979-80.
Kevin Hardern, Co-Opted Governor
I have lived in Aylesbury since 1987, my two sons came through AGS in 1990s. I
was elected as a Parent Governor then and since have served as Chairman for eight
years, currently I am a Co-opted governor. I am a member of the three main
subcommittees and have a strong drive that we should ensure every child achieves
their potential during their education. I worked in computers and project management
in financial services up to 2004, since then have run my own consulting company. I
am a Board member of Young Enterprise locally and am responsible for property
management and volunteers at Aylesbury Methodist Church and Centre.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
AGS GOVERNORING BODY PROFILES
Graham Gate, Appointed Governor, Vice Chairman of Governing Body &
Chairman of Resources (Inc. Finance) Committee
I am married and have two sons at AGS. My background is in engineering and project
management. I am a divisional Director working for Rolls-Royce developing power
stations around the world, I travel widely, particularly to the developing world, gaining a
real insight into the competitive global environment that our children will enter.
On the governing body, I apply my business skills to support the school leadership in
maintaining and developing infrastructure together with financial management.
Educationally, my particular interest is science and technology; critical to maintaining
our leading edge in wealth creating fields. I believe strongly that we must create
excitement around these subjects. In my spare time, I enjoy mountain and road biking,
participating in the occasional road sportive. In younger days I rowed and coached to a relatively high level,
winning national championships in various categories.
Paul Bown, Foundation Governor
I have been a Governor at AGS since 1998 and became a Foundation Governor and
Trustee in 2007. I attended AGS as a pupil from 1962 to 1969 before going to
Manchester University where I graduated with a degree in Economics. My business
career has largely been involved in the property industry. I spent 27 years with
Connells Estate Agents with the last 10 years (up to 2000) as Chairman and I
currently own and run Waterside Investments, Chearsley Developments, and
Chain-Movers all of which deal with various aspects of Property investment and
development. Over the last 15 years, I have also taken on board non-executive/part
time assignments, largely on behalf of Venture Capitalists. These include Executive
Chairman of Bennetts Insurance Brokers, Director of Luxury Productions (Film
production company which produced the Luxury Travel show for Sky TV) Chairman
and part owner of P & A Music Productions. My outside interests include Lions Club International (Past
President of the Bicester club) skiing, golf, classical music, the theatre, foreign travel and global stock
markets. I live with my wife Elaine in Chearsley, our 2 children Jeremy (who attended AGS as a pupil 1995 to
2001) and Lucy having now flown the nest. As a Foundation Governor and Trustee, I take a very keen
interest in the School’s property development matters and the investment performance of the Foundation’s
investment funds.
Paul Buckland, Foundation Governor
I am a former student of the school (having left in 1984) who has lived locally (aside from
a few years overseas) all my life. After attending AGS, I graduated in law from Exeter
University and then took an MSc in Management at Oxford University (which involved
playing quite a bit of rugby). I then spent five years in the engineering construction
industry, three of which were spent in Asia working on petrochemical projects. Returning
home, I then went to Law School and qualified as a Solicitor in 1998. Since then, I have
been working in the City for Devonshires Solicitors, becoming a partner in 2000. My main
specialisms comprise capital projects (including the delivery of schools, health and care
facilities), public private partnerships, renewables, procurement, affordable housing,
construction and more general commercial work - all in all, a pretty mixed bag. I love
watching rugby and cricket and, if I had more time on my hands, would spend more time
fishing and driving classic cars. I have three nephews currently at AGS, each of whom I
hope will leave the school with the same level of affinity and pride as I did.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
DRUDGERY IN THE SCHOOL GARDEN
John Reed (1938-1946) recently sent us the amusing snippet of school life in 1938.
“When we arrived at AGS in 1938 and entered Form I we soon discovered that Miss Taffs, our form mistress,
had a large rose garden on the school field, that extended from the Head’s orchard almost to the gymnasium
(now the canteen), and we also learned who would be weeding it – us! We were expected to fill a container
full of weeds every gardening afternoon. We were not given bags or buckets to put them in, oh no! Nothing
easy like that: some days earlier we had been sent up to the Market Square to cadge a trug each from a
stallholding fruiterer, in our own time, of course. The garden had already been dug over by the school
gardener, Charlie Miller (usually known as Ben Gunn) who had left it immaculate, almost weed-free and with
every knob of earth the same size. So when we started to work the story of the Israelites and their
bricks-without-straw came to mind. Now between the orchard and Miss Taffs’ garden there was a narrow
strip of unused land, at the far end of which Miss Taffs kept a bonfire on which our damp weeds were
supposed to burn, but usually they didn’t. One day a few of us decided to edge past the bonfire to see what
lay beyond. We found a 6 foot deep ditch separating AGS from the cemetery / Hazell’s. What’s more, its
banks were covered with every species of weed that blew…corn in Egypt! It was then a simple matter to fill
our trugs with just enough weeds so as not to arouse suspicion, and our problem was solved!”
TOM POLLARD REMEMBERS
Tom Pollard (1938-1943) got in touch with us after receiving the latest Aylesburian Magazine. “My mother
died in 1933 so I was sent to live with my Grandfather, Charles Pollard MBE, at St.Mary's Villa in Granville
Street (former home of Rutland Boughton). Grandfather was the retired Police Chief in Aylesbury and one of
his contacts told him that a new teacher at AGS was a "conchie". Grandfather's two eldest sons served in
WW1, and his two youngest had enlisted for WW2, so he had strong feelings on this matter. He said that if a
new teacher arrived in the classroom I was to go to him and say that my Grandfather had said I was not to be
taught by him, and to leave the class.
My prayers were not answered and the new teacher duly entered 2A; I complied with Grandad's orders and
went to the Boys' Toilet at the end of the block, awaiting a summons to the Headmaster, caning, and
expulsion, to be followed by a life of farm labour. However a few minutes later I was joined by some of my
classmates from 2A, and after about ten minutes we were shepherded back to 2A by Mr.Beechey, and life
continued as normal.
I am very grateful to the boys who supported me, because they had no idea why I left the class; without them I
am sure my life would have been very different.”
PUTTING OAS IN TOUCH
We were delighted to hear from Steve Briggs’ wife following the last newsletter. Steve celebrated a big
birthday this January and Mrs Briggs wrote to ask if we could put her in touch with Steve’s former teacher
Dennis Lack to see if he could pass on his birthday wishes to Steve.
Mrs Briggs wrote “My husband Steve was certainly anything but a high flyer at school and from the stories he
tells it was only his sporting prowess that stopped him from getting into serious trouble although it sounded
like he managed to get into plenty of scrapes anyway! He said it was through the influence of Mr Lack that
he became interested in Town Planning and having gained a university place and completed his degree he
went on to have a very successful career in planning. Not only did Mr Lack influence Steve in this way but
as Steve nears retirement he is talking about going back to developing his art – Steve remembers Mr Lack
with great affection”
Warrick Bailey (Ridley 1958) also got in touch following the article in the Winter newsletter about the Reunion
of 1965 which Dennis attended. Warrick resides in Scenic Rim, on Tamborine Mountain and was interested
to read that Dennis now lives just about an hour from him in Australia. We put them both in touch and they
are due to meet up very soon.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
OA NEWS
John Hartley has recently retired after 12 years as Headteacher at Saffron Walden County High School .
John studied engineering at Cambridge University and began his teaching career over 38 years ago as a
physics teacher at Aylesbury Grammar School. After a while at AGS John spent time at comprehensive
schools in Crawley and Swindon before arriving in Essex in 1991 to become deputy head at Moulsham High
School in Chelmsford. His first headteaching appointment came at Notley High School in Braintree in 1998
and then he subsequently took on the role at Country High. Mr Hartley will continue to work at the school as a
mentor and as a resource for other schools within the Saffron Academy Trust two to three days a week in
term time but he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, reading, travelling and playing golf.
We wish John a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Thank you very much for the Old Aylesburian Newsletter. I enjoyed my time at AGS from 1939-1945 and
only left to further my education at Goldsmiths College University of London. As teaching was not a reason
for dodging call-up to the forces if one was declared fit for service, it meant a two year course – then
additional service. I was offered a teaching post in Grimsby in September 1947. As it was then a County
Borough it ran all its own services from Education to Police and Fire Brigade. November 1947 saw me in the
army and after my two year stint as a soldier back to teaching until retirement in 1986. I did manage a B.A
Education from Hull on the way.
A Robins, Grimsby North East Lincs
CABARET NIGHT AT AGS
CABARET NIGHT
Friday 29th April 2016 7.00 pm – Midnight
AGS Foundation Hall & 2nd Bar Area in the
Sixth Form Common Room
Tickets £15
Includes a paella style main course
Bar, puddings and coffee will be available
Tickets are on sale via [email protected]. Please note tickets are limited and will be sold as a “first come, first served”
basis, do get in touch soon if you would like to attend.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SPRING 2016 OA NEWSLETTER
OLD AYLESBURIAN AND AGS MERCHANDISE
Old Aylesburian Tie
Designed
using
an
interpretation
of
our
School colours, our OA
tie has been very well
received at events so far
this term. We have stock
available at £10 each and
so please get in touch
with the Development
Office if you would like
one.
We also have a limited number of branded AGS
umbrellas in stock. Please do get in touch with the
Development Office if you would like to purchase
one at £25 plus postage and packaging or
alternatively you can collect personally from the
Development Office.
DIARY DATES
Cabaret Night Friday 29th April 2016
Foundation Hall, Aylesbury Grammar School
Sportsman’s Dinner Friday 17th June 2016
Foundation Hall, Aylesbury Grammar School
OA Cricket, Squash and Basketball and Afternoon Tea Wednesday 29th June 2016
Headmaster’s Quad and School Field
OA Football Tournament & Pizza Supper Friday 15th July 2016
Always a great competition with a coveted AGS cup on offer!
CONTACTS
Alison Cox, Development Director
[email protected]
Nikki Taylor, Development Assistant
[email protected]
Aylesbury Grammar School, Walton Road, Aylesbury Bucks HP21 7RP. www.ags.bucks.sch.uk
We don’t want to lose you, but if you want to unsubscribe to this newsletter, please email or write to the Development Office. If
you know of any other Old Aylesburians who would appreciate a copy of this newsletter please do let us know.
Kindly printed by Cartridge World Aylesbury using remanufactured toner cartridges.
32 Parton Road, Aylesbury HP20 1NG 01296 434666 [email protected]