here - Stafford Grammar School

Stafford Grammar School
Magazine
2013-14
Contents
Messages3
Your Year: Your Summary
5
Fitzherbert Summary6
Anson Summary7
Talbot Summary8
Head of Sixth Form
9
The UKMT Mathematical Challenges
10
“Knock Knock”: 8F’s Comedy Gig
11
What’s Cooking???12
Interview: Madame Weetman
13
Foreign Languages Day14
The German Trip15
SGS French Trip to Brittany
16
An Interview with Scarlett Baker
19
Grammar: by Scarlett Baker
20
Room 10123
Duggal on Self-Checkouts
24
Existential Showers, Georgie Mabey
25
Year 8 Poetry27
Survive and Thrive28
Sixth Form at SGS29
Music at SGS31
Westside Story34
James and the Giant Peach
35
Drama Pieces36
A fond farewell37
Getting involved at SGS: Adam Handford 39
CABBAGES41
Ski Trip42
Sports Day43
District U12 Rugby Competition
44
World Number 2! Emma Hamplett
45
Duke of Edinburgh Award
46
Saying goodbye to the old...
48
...and welcoming the new!
49
A Message from the Editors
W
elcome to the new online Stafford Grammar School magazine. This is an easy
way for students, parents, and prospective parents to have a look at the events
and achievements of individuals and the school over the past academic year.
You can navigate your way through the online magazine, reading about what we do here. With
photographs and interviews taken and written by the students themselves, you have the opportunity to see what kind of possibilities there are for students at SGS, and a hint into the interests of our students and their real desire to get completely involved in everything.
We hope you enjoy having a perusal of this online magazine!
Mrs Griffiths and Miss Rodrigues
A Message
from the Headmaster
W
elcome to the new SGS online magazine.
We hope it gives a flavour of what the
school and its pupils are all about. Whilst
academic work and public examination results obviously matter, they are not the main measure of a “good
school” in my opinion. Extra-curricular activities including school trips, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions,
sport, music and drama develop skills and qualities
that are more important in terms of preparation for
a fulfilling adult life. Happy children are usually busy
children and this year has been no different than any
other in that I do not know how some of our pupils
manage to pack so much into their days.
Mr Darley
Your Year
A summary
A
s we have reached the end of another academic year we decided to find out some of the
highlights from this year from the pupils. The following questions were presented to our
current year students and here are some of their answers;
1.
How had this year differed from last?
This year the amount of work I have had to complete has increased as well as added revision for
Controlled Assessments – Lucy C, 10A
This year I have found it more difficult because it is a lot more serious as it is the start of my GCSE
course and I now have to do Controlled Assessments – Josh F, 10A
It was more difficult than last year because we had more work but this year I have found English a
lot more enjoyable – Harry K, 9A
It was a lot harder at first because I had more work and had to excuse myself from lessons now
if I wanted to miss one but I also found it very enjoyable because I got to make lots of lovely new
friends – Ishy, 7A
I found this year a lot more enjoyable and fun because I now have much more freedom – Henry,
7A
2.
Describe any activity/event/project that you have enjoyed this year. Why was it so good?
I enjoyed taking part in Duke Of Edinburgh because I was able to spend time having fun with
my friends whilst walking – Katie D, 10A
This year I particularly enjoyed participating and winning the district rounders tournament as it
was a very different experience to my regular activities that I take part in – Chris B, 10F
I enjoyed taking part in the production of West Side Story as I
found it to be a very good experience – Caitlin C, 10T
I liked the Business and Economics days that we took part in
because they let us express ourselves and do what we want –
Ellis, 9A
3.
What has been the highlight of the year for you?
Going on the French trip and taking art in the activities over
there – Luke, 7A
My highlight was taking part in our form challenge which was a Santa’s Grotto because we
raised so much money for charity – Eleanor, 7A
There wasn’t one event that stuck out for me because the whole year was great – Ishy Raja, 7A
All of the sports activities that I have taken part in such as the hurdles because I never have
had the chance to do them before – Ben C, 7A
4.
Have you got any advice for the pupils in the year below you?
Make sure you do all of your homework the night that you get it – Chloe, 7A
Don’t worry about anything and enjoy yourself – Noah, 7A
Make sure you revise properly before tests so that you are prepared – Lucy, 10F
5.
Summarise your school year in 3 words.
Exciting, New, Interesting – Chan, 10F
Busy, Amazing, Cheerful – Ben C, 7A
Great, Good, Fun – Maddie, 7A
Year Summary:
Fitzherbert
E
very year there are many highs and some lows in the life of a House at Stafford Grammar School.
2013-2014 has been no different for Fitzherbert House. Winning competitions is brilliant but no
House can win everything and the competitions would become boring if they did. The highlights for
me are when an individual or team produce a performance that is worthy of their great potential.
Over the last few years, we have struggled in the competitions that require the participation of a large proportion of the House in order to challenge for success, such as the Great Egg Race and the Baking Competition. I have always adhered to the principle that voluntary participation is a more rewarding experience
than any sort of coercion. A highlight for me this year was when our entries in the Great Egg Race were as
high as those for Fitzherbert and Anson. This is largely due to the great efforts by the tutors, form managers
and event captains. When we also had some success the competition itself, I started to believe that we may
have even won. As it turned out we had not but this did not change how I felt. For me, the performance was
still a highlight of the year.
I always have high expectations of Fitzherbert House, going into every event hoping that we will do our best,
and that our best will be good enough to win. Sometimes, competitors give performances which exceed my
high expectations and this is always a highlight. This was the case with the Public Speaking Competition. I
was obviously pleased that we won, but it was the way in which some of our speakers performed that makes
me proud.
In both the Swimming Gala and on Sports Day we came second. On both occasions there were some very
impressive performances within the House. On both occasions some competitors were not available on the
day. Another highlight for me is how easy is was on both occasions to find replacements. People step forward
and say “Yes Sir, I’ll do it!” even in unpopular events. That sort of House spirit makes me proud.
Do I have targets for the coming year? I would like the members of the House to be as successful as possible,
but my real targets are in effort rather than outcome. I want us to represent ourselves well and to do our best.
If that brings us the victory, even better.
Dr R Foster
A
Year Summary:
Anson
nson House has enjoyed another highly successful year and I never cease to be impressed with
the commitment and community spirit from every person in the House. It is the dedication and
loyalty of everyone in Anson which creates a great House and makes my job a pleasure. The overwhelming number of entries and willingness to get involved has ensured our success in many events. For
example, our third consecutive victory in the Baking Competition was secured by some impressive cakes
and the enormous number of entries.
We approached all polyathlon events with enthusiasm. There are some people who put themselves forward for everything and are totally dependable (I hope you know who you are) but everyone in the House
is willing to play their part. This means that Anson wins the Junior, Intermediate and Senior polyathlon
competitions: an incredible achievement. I was equally delighted with our victory in the Swimming Gala.
This is always a nerve-racking event and what pleased me most was having a full team on the day. Similarly,
although we came second in the Public Speaking competition, the time dedicated to preparing speeches
and the nerves endured on the day, show real commitment. Commitment is one of the values that I really
admire in our pupils. People who turn up for events when they are not feeling their best, or juggle commitments or swim with broken fingers! Sports Day this year, just like last year, was an outstanding success for
Anson and I felt so proud of my pupils when the result was announced. Whatever you did on the day, how
ever big or small you thought it was, you helped to secure our victory.
Some Anson House events have become something of a tradition and I have to thank Mr Harwood for
organising another enjoyable sponsored walk and, along with all of our other challenges, raising a large
amount of money for charity and our sponsored child in Malawi. The annual Big Fat Quiz was very well
organised and enjoyable. The Christmas sing-song might not raise any money but it certainly raises the
spirits and is one of my favourite assemblies of the year! When I introduced an appeal in House assembly
for Christmas shoeboxes to be sent to children living in poverty, I was overwhelmed by the number left
anonymously in my classroom. That tells me something about the character of the pupils in Anson House.
Recently I received a letter which said that being part of Anson House had built confidence and self-esteem. I found that very touching and it reminded me of why we do what we do and why it matters. Each
year when we hold our House assembly to say goodbye and good luck to the Upper VI and Year 11, I feel a
mixture of sadness and pride. I always hope that being part of the House has left something in their character and thinking which will remain when many of those things learnt in classrooms are long forgotten.
A quotation from a Chinese philosopher which I have read more than once in House assembly says: ‘Watch
your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.’ We
are a successful House because we think we can be. We are not a spectator House, we are doers! We never
back down from a challenge and we don’t let each other down. When someone is having problems, Anson
people are more likely to walk towards them than away! I have a House full of fantastic young people with
an enormous range of talents and I am proud of every one of them.
Mr L H Thomas
Year Summary:
Talbot
I
t has been an interesting year in Talbot. We have had highs (like the Hobbies Exhibition where our
displays were simply stunning and successes in hockey and rounders) but a number of lows too (like
the Swimming Gala where we came an unfortunate third due to technical points losses and illness
- honestly, we were robbed!). However, even then in the midst of Gala defeat, watching Ryan Hopper
and Megan McCandless breaking school records made me so proud to be part of the House; their performances were simply stunning. Indeed this has been typical of the atmosphere at most events – even
when struggling to win we have persevered and given of our best and no one has let the House down in
any way, shape or form. Another thing that has struck me over this year is that the vast majority of our
Talboteers are fantastically supportive of the House and its endeavours – even if they have not directly
taken part there have been supporters on the side-line cheering and ‘out-shouting’ Mr Thomas. Huzzah!
As an Assistant Head of House your direct involvement in events and their organisation can be limited
by your responsibilities as a form tutor which, of course, is a role that is vitally important and one that
should never be undervalued. Indeed, without this year’s tutor team I would have been totally scuppered, so thanks so much folks! I have totally enjoyed the task of stepping into Mrs Shaughnessy’s shoes
(not literally, obviously, as I cannot walk in heels and what with my bad ankle from the Sixth Form
match….). Getting to know each and every member of the House with my occasional visits and regular
assemblies (which I hope have made an impact and made the House think a little) has been great, I just
hope I have not scarred young minds with my Photoshop exploits?
I have so many pupils to thank for making this year ‘one to remember’ that my list of names would fill
this entire piece. Their contributions have included: an absolutely fabulous new logo which is the envy
of the other Heads of House; the Talbot song sung with such vehemence at our Christmas bash; some
of the most ridiculous suggestions for a House motto that had me chuckling for weeks; tasty cakes and
biscuits; a strong House Committee keen to get involved and organise and take the pressure off me; and
smiles, simple smiles and chuckles that have alleviated the pain of losing that vital fixture.
What does the future hold? The new Committee have a lot to live up to but are a fantastic bunch and
I have high hopes for how they will conduct themselves in their roles. I firmly believe that all of our
Talboteers are ready to board ‘Talbot Airways’ (bit of a House in-joke) on a journey to greater success in
2104-2015. Watch this (air)space!
Mr C Anderson
Mr Green:
Head of Sixth Form
T
his year has been a busy and action-packed year!
The prospect of joining the Sixth Form for new students is always an exciting one, as they change from being
a pupil to a student with their own study areas, a common
room as well as their first taste of independent study time.
We say goodbye to many students who have certainly made
the most of their time at Stafford Grammar Sixth Form.
Saskia Ashley deserves a mention as the outgoing Head of
School, as do Oliver Van der Linden and Lydia Price who
have been supportive and caring deputies. Scarlett Baker,
Mahir Bhoora and Emily Caplan have now taken over the
position of leading the new Prefect Team and have already
made a very positive impact in the Sixth Form and around
the School.
While there is an abundance of activities to be involved in,
including mentoring, drama productions, sporting competitions, Young Enterprise, music ensembles, house events
and Duke of Edinburgh, every student’s priority has to be
to achieve their very best in public examinations. This year,
we wish every success to those students who leave our Sixth
Form to embark upon careers or university courses and I
would like to congratulate them on an excellent set of A2
results.
Now we welcome a new group of students who have a lot to
live up to and have every opportunity to develop their personal skills and qualities to prepare them for the future. The
Sixth Form really is an opportunity for all and I encourage
all students to take advantage of the things that appeal to
them and perhaps to try something new.
Mr Green
The UKMT
Mathematical Challenges
T
his year has been one of our most successful years with 7 of our students being invited to take part in the follow-on rounds.
In the Junior Challenge for Year 7 and 8 pupils we gained 5 gold, 8 silver and 19 bronze certificates.
Our Year 9 and 10 pupils were most successful in the Intermediate Challenge gaining 4 gold, 19 silver and 10 bronze
certificates. Kathryn Barton, Meera Mahesh and Kevin Dos Remedios performed exceptionally well and were invited
to take part in the European round. Lewis Darlington did even better and was invited to sit the IMOK Olympiad
round in which there are 6 problems to be tackled in two hours (and he enjoyed doing it!).
In the Senior Challenge our 6th form students gained _ gold, _ silver and _ bronze certificates. Ritush Dalmia was
invited to take part in the Senior Kangaroo European round whilst Sarah Taylor-Knight and Yash Gupta qualified to
take part in the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.
For the regional finals in the Team Maths Challenges at Keele University Kathryn Barton, Omar Haque, Sanjush
Dalmia and Charlotte Howdle made up our junior team, and Yash Gupta, Ritush Dalmia, Sarah Taylor-Knight and
Mahir Bhoora were in the senior team. They all acquitted themselves well and more importantly enjoyed the events.
Well done to everyone!
“Knock Knock”
8F’s Comedy Gig
O
n Friday 16th of April, 8F performed a set of sketches, puns and one liners to a crowd of school pupils. This was to raise money for motor neurone disease, and the charity is called, Just FABulous.
We had a good turnout of both teachers and students and
we even managed to make Mr Thomas laugh! Mrs Hollinshead said, “Very entertaining and well rehearsed”
We
to
Even
“so
had everything from ‘doctor, doctor’ jokes
a
speech
about
the
purple
blahblahblah.
our fellow classes, 8T and 8A said that it was,
bad it was good!” and “absolutely fantastic!”
‘Just FABulous’ raises money to help Fabien Plassard
who last year was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, pay for treatments not reimbursed by French Social Security and to contribute to research into MND.
We appreciate all
ceeded to raise a
the support and have sucsubstantial amount of £161.57!
What’s Cooking???
M
r Chef is Stafford Grammar School’s own fantastic chef. He has been delighting us with some scrumptious,
freshly cooked food over the past few years and understandably so, as he has been in the trade for 30 years
and was previously a chef at The Savoy in London. We know we are lucky to have someone with such
culinary skills, but there were still a few things Jenny and Olivia (year 8) wanted to find out about our expert chef.
What would be your last meal?
I would have to say toast…it sounds odd, but I love the simplicity of it!
Do you like working at the school?
Yes! I didn’t think I would take to working with children straight away but I can see how appreciative and honest they are and I admire that.
What is your dream job when you were 9 years old?
When I was 9 I wanted to be an astro-physicist.
What is your favourite meal to cook?
My favourite meal would have to be ginger, chilli, butternut squash curry!
What is your favourite time of the year and why?
I love the summer most, because it is the time when the flowers are in full bloom.
What do you cook around that time and why?
I would make salads, keep it fresh and light. I would also include fresh watermelon in some dishes!
If you had to swim in a sauce, what would it be?
That is simple! I would swim in chocolate sauce; it is yummy and definitely the only way to drown…
In three words, what were your first impressions of the school?
Friendly, appreciative, happy.
Interview:
Madame Weetman
1. How did you feel when you first moved to England?
As many of you already know, my younger years revolved around basketball. I started playing when I was 9 and from
the age of 16/17, was playing for both the first and second teams. I also found crossing the Channel very hard as I
knew that things will never be the same again, very unlikely to play the sport which kept me grounded for so many
years. My parents found it very difficult too, especially my mum who thought that she was going to lose me forever
moving here and my twin sister felt that she was losing her other half I suppose.
2. How many detentions do you think you have given out over the time you have been here?
I suppose that Mrs Robson knows the real answer to that question! However, I do not think that I have given that
many detentions.
3. What was your favourite subject when you were at school?
P.E was and is still is my favourite subject, after French, of course! I am a bit of a dare-devil would try anything, as
long as it is safe! I also loved languages.
4. If you could be an animal, what would you choose to be and why?
Personally, I always loved horses, from the ground though, as I managed to fall of fthem whenever I had the opportunity to ride them! I suppose they are beautiful animals, tall, elegant, faithful to their rider, but most importantly,
they move very elegantly.
5. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
Of course, being teacher, it would be great if I could scan all the books to get marks automatically with the comments
as well. That would save me so many hours in the year. My second wish would probably to have consistently good
weather for the respectable seasons. Very sunny and hot from May to September and some nice crisp snow in the
winter. Lastly, being a mother, I would obviously wish that my girls grow to become independent, happy, respectful
and successful citizens.
6. If you could choose 3 celebrities to go to the pub with, who would they be?
Since watching the films “4 weddings and a funeral” and “Love actually”, my first choice would have to be Hugh
Grant, for his natural charm and his British ways. In the last series of “I am a celebrity, get me out of here…”, I thought
that the winner Kian Egan was so lovely and genuine. It would be nice to hear his stories. Finally, I would probably
have to choose Miranda, from the TV programme. I think she is great and would be a real laugh in a pub.
7. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?
That is easy. As I am a very bad traveller, it would have to be the power of transportation. How fantastic to just have to
click my fingers and end up wherever I want. I could still be living in France and work here. On a more serious note
though, as my parents are getting older, I am always thinking on how fast I could go back to France if I needed to.
The German Trip
To Munich
Foreign Languages Day
P
orc rôti and quiche au fromage were on the menu at Stafford
Grammar School as pupils and staff ordered their lunch in
French during a European day of languages.
The lunchtime caper was one of the activities served up to celebrate foreign languages and to encourage youngsters and adults to hone their
speaking and listening skills.
“I think British people should learn a language. Everyone else can, so
we’re on our own if we don’t. British people abroad ought to have a go
because if you say something, even if it isn’t perfect, then at least you’ve
attempted it,” said Matthew Jackman, year 11.
And with 28 bi-lingual students at Stafford Grammar speaking more
than 16 languages between them, organisers decided to expand the
event to embrace countries outside Europe. Five of the students called
in at neighbouring Stafford Preparatory School to teach younger children greetings in Arabic, Afrikaans, Cantonese and Polish.
Olivia Smith, year 8, commented: “I love languages. Lots of people feel
that because others speak English there’s no point. But I think if you
want to communicate properly and understand them, then you should
know their language. The best bit was ordering my lunch in French.”
Meanwhile SGS also linked up with Aston University to promote its
Routes into Languages competition, where pupils aged between 11 and
14 were asked to make posters about other countries, with the winning
designs being framed and displayed at the university.
I
n June, the German department took Year 8 on their annual trip to Germany. This year the destination was Munich and on the itintery were trips around the city, a variety of museums and the
magical castle of Neuschwanstein. A fabulous time was had by all.
SGS French Trip to Brittany
T
he main aim of the trip was to mix linguistic experience with fun. And haven’t we just done that!!! I am very
grateful to my wonderful teachers team who accepted the mission to support me on this trip without having any
idea of what to expect. So, I would like to say “Un grand merci” to Mrs Smith, Miss Lewis, Miss Roberts (a former
student at SGS), Mr Robson and Mr Thomas. The students were given a diary to fill in on a daily basis and were asked
to produce a journal over the summer holidays. Here are the highlights from our three winners: Mollie Green for Anson
House, Charlottes Harries for Fitzherbert and Emma Benson for Talbot.
Madame A-L Weetman
The Journey
Mollie: When I woke up on the first day of the French trip I was really tired! It was 12:40am!
I got up very slowly, but got dressed very quickly because I was so excited.
Charlotte: We arrived at school at 1:30am and jumped on the bus. I enjoyed playing cards
and games before getting on the ferry! We travelled from Portsmouth to Caen. There was a
lot to do - there were cafes, restaurants, shops, a cinema room and our own private lounge!
Mollie: We watched the Hunger Games and made loom bands. We had a quiz, which was
won by Fred and Matthew Garnett. We also had a silent disco! Everyone had a pair of
headphones which had two different tracks to listen to. Nobody knew which song you were
dancing to! That was my favourite part of the journey. We got off the ferry at 3:30pm and
set off for the hotel in Brest, in Brittany.
Charlotte: When we finally got to the hotel we unpacked and had dinner. After that I put my
pyjamas on and because of such a long tiring day I went straight to sleep.
Day One
Charlotte: We were woken up at 7:15am and went to a French school and played games.
We played volleyball, handball and football, before teaching the French class how to play
rounders.
Mollie: After a delicious lunch we went outside and spoke to our penfriends. I watched
my penfriend and her friends rehearsing for a dance performance.
Charlotte: We went to some classes with our penfriends, where we did quizes about English and French culture. It was really good because it required a lot of communication
and we even had to act some things out. After that we went to a music lesson, where we
practised and watched the “cup song”.
Mollie: After our day at school we said goodbye to our penfriends and went to the Château d’eau, a panoramic crêperie. We had to climb LOTS of steps to get to the crêperie.
When we eventually got to the top, we had a sweet pancake and a drink. The view from
the Château d’eau was beautiful, and you could see for miles.
Charlotte: After dinner we went swimming! There were rapids and
Jacuzzis and slides everywhere. It was amazing and so much fun. We
could race down the slides. After such a busy day I went straight to
bed, exhausted.
Day Two
Charlotte: Today we went to see an anchor from a huge shipwreck. It was enormous – I
could fit in a small hole inside it. After this we went to the market, where we tried to
speak in French and order our lunch. In the afternoon we went to a theme park, where
there were lots of different rides. I loved “Mambo” because it made you really dizzy. Later in the afternoon we went shopping.
Mollie: After dinner we went to laser tag. When we arrived we were put into teams. We
all got our gear on and got ready to start shooting. I got shot a lot of times and came last
in our group!
Charlotte: Unfortunately my group was beaten too! I wasn’t very good at laser tag but I
really enjoyed it anyway. Luke Barnett was the overall winner and so he could stand on
the podium.
Day Three
Charlotte: Day after day it got harder and harder to wake up! Today we travelled to a
lighthouse called La Pointe Saint-Mathieu. We had a guided tour up to the top (163
steps!) before watching a film about the history of the lighthouse.
Mollie: The museum was very interesting – we looked at some pieces of ship wreckage,
which had crashed near the lighthouse. We then had fun on the beach playing volleyball.
Charlotte: I really enjoyed walking along the sea front with everybody. After lunch we
visited an aquarium. One of my favourite animals to see were the penguins. We watched
them dive and swim. There was also a really cool glass lift that I loved because we were so
close to the fish.
Mollie: When we left the aquarium, we went to the town centre to do a visual quiz. We
had an hour and a half to complete the quiz and were allowed to go into cafes and shops.
A French man tried to help us. It was kind of confusing because he didn’t know much
English and we didn’t know much French, but we quickly figured out what each other
was trying to say.
Charlotte: That night we went bowling. Although I am not very good at bowling, I had
lots of fun, not just playing but watching.
Journey Home:
Charlotte: At 6am the next morning it was time to go home. We had a much shorter
coach journey to the ferry this time. During the crossing, each of us were awarded prizes. My friend Molly got a prize for the biggest suitcase. I got a prize for being the best
anchor decoration (because I fit inside the anchor!).
Mollie: I got a prize for losing my phone and then finding it in my shoe!
Charlotte: When we got back to school, everyone’s parents were waiting. I jumped off the bus to tell my mum
and sister about my fabulous French trip!
Emma Benson’s conclusion of the French Trip: Our journey to France was amazing! My favourite parts were the
Theme Park and the Aquarium because there was so much to see and do there. I particularly liked the ride called
“The Bumper Boats” because these often got out of control and you ended up spinning around like a confused
compass! I thank the teachers who took their time to plan and organise this wonderful voyage and I am sure that
I speak for the rest of the year group too!
An Interview with Scarlett Baker
T
he position of Head of School is carefully considered by the powers that be. This year’s appointed Head Girl
is Scarlett Baker. Scarlett has been a student noticed by teachers and peers alike, for being someone with
wit, charm and sincerity. Since starting at the school, she has always had a fantastic work ethic. However,
it is her personable, approachable and sociable personality that also makes her such an ideal candidate for this position, as people feel willing and able to talk to her about anything. Here she tells Mrs Griffiths about her role, her
time at SGS and her hopes for the future.
1. How did you feel being selected as Head Girl?
6. That’s great advice - I remember you doing your own thing as far back as Year 7! Where do you see yourself in
10 years time?
Hopefully having a successful career that I love and doing something good for other people. I’d like to go into
something English-related. I’d hope to be having a good time and enjoying life.
8. Tell me something few people know about you!
I was blown away! It is a huge responsibility, but I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to help and engage with
other people, particularly lower down the school.
About ten minutes before the assembly when Mr Darley announced that I was Head of School to everyone, I face
planted in my heels on the way to assembly, cut all my legs open and ripped all my tights. Not to mention that a lot
of people saw this. I think I was a tad too excited.
2. What is your role as Head Girl?
9. Who do you admire?
As Head Girl, I supervise prefects and define their roles. I attend meetings with Mr Green and Mr Darley about
the smooth running of sixth form. I also spend a lot of time making sure lower school pupils are okay and try to
help those with problems.
I really respect JK Rowling. Not only is she talented, but she overcame rejection to become hugely successful. Also, I don’t want to sound cliched but I have to say my Mum. I admire her attitude to life. I’m guilty of
over-thinking things, but she takes everything in her stride.
3. What do you enjoy most about being head girl?
10. Can you sum up your time so far in school.
The badge! On a serious note, it’s nice that people recognise that you are trying to help them. Pupils are friendly
and smile at me when I’m walking around.
I couldn’t have asked for a better time at school!
4. Are there any aspects that you find less enjoyable?
Thank you Scarlett. Turn to the next page, where
Scarlett elaborates more on her time at school.
Obviously the speech at prize giving is very daunting - speaking in front of so many people! Another part of my
job that I’ve found difficult to get used to is dishing out detentions. I haven’t actually given out any detentions yet
and will feel quite strange doing it!
7. You have been heavily involved in drama in school. What has been your favourite production and why?
Annie! I loved playing the part of Miss Hannigan and the role had a huge influence on me. I was in Year 9 and not
very confident. In fact, I refused to sing in front of anyone right up to the week before the show opened. Playing a
drunk character in front of so many people was brilliant. It gave me lots of confidence and definitely changed who
I am as a person (not that I am now an alcoholic!).
5. As Head of School, other pupils look up to you. Is there any advice you could give to those in lower years about
succeeding and enjoying school life?
CHILL! People have given me this piece of advice so many times. It is important to try and not get stressed out
about the small things. Also, take advantage of all the opportunities that the school gives you. When you get to
sixth form you realise how much you’ve done and how beneficial it’s been. Most importantly, be yourself and don’t
get caught up in trying to fit in with other people.
Right: Scarlett and her peers in this year’s LAMDA
production of Cabbages. For more on Cabbages
see PAGE
Grammar: An in-depth
discussion of my time at
Stafford Grammar School
High school – an unknown and exciting journey that all of us as 11 year olds were eager to get stuck into.
Yet in order to access that excitement, the heavy grey clouds lingering over our heads entitled “Verbal
Reasoning” and “Entrance Exam” stood clearly obstructing our path. Reflecting back on myself as an
enthusiastic (annoyingly hyperactive) 11 year old, I laugh profusely at my attempt at Verbal Reasoning. I
had never done a single paper in my life until I sat there on that lonely exam desk, wondering if I could
keep the free ‘Stafford Grammar School’ pencil placed on my desk. I cannot forget (I have tried) one particular question on my paper: ‘If a horse is tethered to a stake in a field, what shape will the eaten grass
be?’ If like me, you answered with ‘a square’, perhaps maybe you got too excited about the free pencil, and
lost all sense of concentration, and common sense in that exam. A square? Seriously?!
Despite this, in 2008, I made it into Year Seven, and joined the mighty 7T. My first day was an epic failure. Back in the days when you were allowed to exit the canteen by the blue steps at the side of the building, I slid down what seemed pretty much all of the steps. To this day, my friends still bring that back up,
and cry with laughter about it. In Year Seven, the friendship groups became established, and I was part
of the “Turtle group.” The group of people that walked around school with every book and piece of kit or
equipment possibly required, thrust upon their shoulders, in a HUGE iconic Stafford Grammar bag. Not
only did these huge “shells” (bags) make us look like turtles, the nickname was apt as, due to the constant
heavy weight crushing our vertebrae, we were rather slow in getting to lessons. My particular bag was
adorned in Velcro and no one would walk next to me because I use to rip peoples tights on the material
by accident if they walked next to me.
Some less-embarrassing highlights of Year Seven were making a Motte and Bailey castle, which I think I
dedicated my life too, and of course: the French trip. I’ll never forget the crazy water park, watching Mr
Thomas taking competitive to new levels in Mini Golf, and the fact I spent all of my Euros on Olives.
Year 8 was one of my favourite years at school. You’re no longer the new ones at the bottom of the school,
and you don’t have to sit on the front row in assembly (wahoooo) and most importantly, you get the
German trip, one of my favourite school trips. Year 8 was also my second year of doing Public Speaking,
and attempting to make something in the Egg Race that actually worked (it never did). In Year 8, I also
took on an ‘Individual Challenge’ to climb – I say climb (more “slow walk”) up as many peaks as I could
in the Lake District. I probably haven’t done that much exercise since, but I’m pleased that I took on that
challenge now because it was very testing for me.
Year 9 was the year I started to think I was really cool (still do) as I hoisted my school skirt up, ditched
the horrendous Velcro bag to a handbag, and got rid of my plaits. School became a fashion show. Year
9 was the year my extreme passion for Drama was really evoked through the school’s first musical of
‘Annie.’ Having taken part in LAMDA and Public Speaking since Year 7, my confidence was boosted by
portraying the totally intoxicated “Miss Hannigan” (see my earlier interview). I wish I could relive it all
over again.
by Scarlett Baker
Years 10 and 11 seemed to merge looking back, as the sole concentration was on GCSEs. Year 11 I can
say was one of the hardest years at school, knowing what was coming, and not having experienced
anything like it before. For 2 years, I held a constant battle against Science and Maths in wanting to do
well, but seeming to take so long to understand the subjects. I worked hard and thankfully it paid off.
Getting a B in Maths is one of my greatest achievements, though it tore a shred into my heart (there
comes the Drama student within me) that I was one mark off an A. To this day it still infuriates me!
There was no greater feeling though than opening the envelopes on results day and hugging and crying
with my friends. That’s definitely a moment I’ll treasure.
And so, Lower Sixth, my most recent year, and the year I can truly say I have learnt the most from both
inside and outside of lessons. I decided to take on English Literature, English Language, History and
Theatre Studies as my four AS options, and although at times challenging, I am without a doubt, glad to
have done so. Not only this, but in April I was given the role as Head Girl, for which I am exceedingly
grateful, and the badge is just so cool! On top of this, I decided to do Gold Duke of Edinburgh this year,
which was easily the hardest and most physically demanding tasks I have ever done in my whole life,
and having passed it, I have learnt an incredible amount.
Coming up into the Sixth Form is a totally different experience, as I now enjoy greater independence,
and have met some really lovely new people. And as I move onto my last year at Stafford Grammar
School, (tears fall onto the page as I write this) I realise with amusement that as much as I have grown
and developed, in many ways I am still that awkward Year Seven falling down stairs, only this time in
my heels (this did actually happen, and I have scars to prove it) wearing oversized and weird glasses.
In my last year, I’m really going to embrace every opportunity, because this experience at school has
been an amazing one, where I have learnt so much about myself. And I shall leave this school next year,
with a huge smile on my face – especially because I survived 7 years without getting a single detention
(touch wood!!).
Room 101 What annoys your teachers more than anything?
10F have been using their registration time to present their pet hates to the class. Among the things that
were banished to Room 101 were…. They then asked their teachers what they would put in Room 101.
Some of their answers were surprising!
Mrs Smith despises bananas because “they spoil a good smoothie”.
Mrs Griffiths would gladly get rid of “Reality” TV shows because “they encourage ridiculous behaviour and morals.”
Mr Lamplough has become very disillusioned by the England
World Cup team. They should be consigned to Room 101 because “we were knocked out early!”
Mr Beckett hates wasps because: “They serve no purpose whatsoever”.
Mrs Darley would gladly ditch olives because she “can’t stand
them!”
Mr Anderson is irked by people who throw litter. This act suggests “they have no regard for the world!”
Mr Godwin is irritated by people who don’t put their names on tests or their work. He argues that this
is extremely annoying!
Mr Thomas loathes shopping, more specifically, Christmas
shopping. This is because “there are too many people crowded
in one place.” The shopping isn’t even worthwhile because at
the end of it you receive gifts you don’t want!
Mrs Lonsdale feels passionately about the neglect and abuse of pandas, because, well, every pupil knows
that Mrs Lonsdale loves pandas.
Mr Jones has a secret hated of flutes. Apparently they scare
him!
Miss Lewis feels sick at the sight of velvet and cannot bear to
touch it.
Mrs Ayirebi would live without the internet. She thinks that it
is “like the Wild West – dangerous and uncontrolled!”
Mr Green could not decide which he hated more – Lack of consideration for others; selfishness; celery or Maroon 5!
Mrs Pickavance is not a fan of Chihuahuas because they are not
“proper dogs”!
Miss Rodrigues has a fear of spiders and would happily never
see one again. She says, “If we are so happy with two legs, why
do they need eight? I never know which way it will run!”
Room 101:
Existential Showers:
Duggal on Self-Checkouts
Why showers are under-rated
I
t is not just teachers who have a long list of things they would gladly eliminate from their lives forever. Here, Yasmin (L6) makes a convincing argument for the obliteration of self-service checkouts.
“Whilst attempting to think of something more philosophical or profound to place in Room 101 to
create at least a slightly intellectual impression of myself, I was once again subject to the intense attraction of the self-checkout system in Tesco. Though I would be lying if I said I had some sort of an
epiphany, I can say it dawned on me that these futile works of disappointment are a main source of
irritation in my life. (However I am happy for you to believe that this five hundred words of rhetoric
came to me in a flash.)
As Mr Thomas has ensured that I am more than familiar with the key components of a persuasive article, I feel obliged to highlight the pros of the self-checkout system, before I obliterate their significance.
Well, let’s see…they’re quick, easy and convenient, correct? The perfect tripartite construction. Conversely, if you are as savvy as I am with the humble machine which promotes making shopping nippier
than the classic ‘beep…beep’, then you will know that this is all false.
The first trial and tribulation I aim to exhibit is the trifling issue of the checkout not being prompt in
the slightest. The vegetables and low fat yoghurt pass through in an efficient manner, but once one
arrives at the Krispy Kreme donut (or five), suddenly it takes an age to purchase; it’s requesting the
code, you don’t have the code, the shop assistant takes three attempts to key in the code - it all just gets
moderately out of hand. Once you’ve negotiated around the intolerable scanner and trudged back to
the confectionary aisle to return the items that would just be too much effort to pay for, the bagging
becomes a hurdle. YES, my item is in the bleeping bagging area. It becomes comparable to a game of
Jenga, attempting to balance your items so that they satisfy the machine’s request, then watching in
horror and exhaustion as they teeter precariously. Also, as I’ve left in suggestion boxes in every leading supermarket, I am an advocate of self-checkouts installing those gadgets which remove tags from
clothing. Six months ago, I was walking from school to the train station, planning on catching a train
to my dance class in Birmingham. Britain’s skies brought a miserable frost that evening, so I decided
to pop into the supermarket and buy a jacket. Little did I know that six months later I would find the
security tag remaining on the hood.
Though it might seem petty to have taken the time to evaluate the proficiency, or lack of it, of self-checkouts, I ask you to wonder whether, in the time you have read this, you could have even got one donut
past the scanner. So let’s just take it old school, ok? Stick to what we know, leaving the awfulness of
those unaccommodating machines behind.”
E
nough of the complaining. Georgie (L6) joined SGS in September and would like to share with
you her thoughts on showers and why she thinks they are under-rated.
“In my opinion, showers are one of the best modern inventions of all time. They are the perfect antidote to sweaty sports, wet, cold walks and groggy mornings. In contrast to the luxurious bath, showers
are quick and relatively soulless – you can’t light a candle in the shower, or read your favourite book.
Despite this though, the ritual of standing under a hot shower for 10 minutes, maybe more, produces
its own miraculous effect.
Existentialism, as defined by the dictionary, is “A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the
existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development
through acts of the will”
That’s quite a mouthful, but essentially it’s about having an awareness
of yourself, and asking that ever-pressing question: “Why are we here?”
The rhythmic stream of the shower seems to unleash these thoughts
more so then the bath – how often have you just stood in the shower
pondering life? For many, it’s also precious alone time, allowing us to
think things through without interruption or distraction.
Sometimes, the shower is about having conversations that you can’t
have; thinking about what you’ve said to someone, what you’re going
to say to someone, what you wish you could say to someone. It’s even
possible to imagine that the running water is washing a bad day down
the plughole, and allowing you to emerge from its steamy depths as a
clean slate.
So you see, despite their apparent mundaneness, showers can offer us
a wealth of benefits that far outreach their practical purpose. And the
most remarkable thing? I thought of this whilst standing in the shower.”
Poetry
Year 8
Swiftly
Tragically
Tragically the water runs red with blood
Tragically snuffed us good
Tragically knives were stained
Tragically wives were pained
Tragically bodies lay
Tragically love starts to decay
Tragically fingers pull another trigger
Tragically the death toll grows bigger
Tragically Earth knows gore
Tragically we still made war
Tragically another shot fired in the name of
treason
Tragically there is no reason
Alex J
Swiftly the fox leaps on land
Swiftly the seagull scans the sand
Swiftly the eagle takes to the sky
Swiftly the swallows fly up high
Swiftly the acorn falls to the floor
Swiftly the gale slams the door
Swift is the breeze that carpets the land
But swiftest of all is the cheater on the
ground
Suspiciously
Suspiciously the old wolf cried
Suspiciously the innocent girl died
Suspiciously the man had a knife
Suspiciously there was no life
Suspiciously the trees swayed
Suspiciously the body lay
Suspiciously it was quiet
Suspiciously there was no riot
Amelia C, 8T
Softly
Softly the ballerina covers the floor
Softly the mouse potters through the door
Softly the wind passes through the air
Softly the hound gains on the hare
Softly the bird sings its song
Softly the others sing along
Soft is the music at the ball
Softest of all the feathers fall
Ellie D, 8A
Carefully
Carefully the lion places his paw
Carefully the judge determines the law
Carefully the tree sheds its leaves
Carefully the wind blankets the sea
Carefully the bee settles on a flower
Carefully the king uses his power
Carefully the clouds progress across the sky
Carefully the hands on the clock tick by
Carefully a feather falls from a bird
Carefully the cows form a herd
Carefully the bird lays down in his nest
Carefully the chicks get a good night’s rest
Amba Godwin-Bratt
Survive and Thrive:
Sixth form at SGS
How to get the most out of SGS
S
tarting a new school can be daunting, but have no fear, the current Year 7s are here with some great advice for those new to the
school.
The Teachers
Charlotte: If you need help then teachers are always there to help and
guide you. There is also Mrs O’Donnell (the nurse) who will talk to you
about anything.
Molly: Every teacher is different – some are stern, some are kind, but
they all know what is right for us and will guide you in the right way.
Rory: The teachers are enthusiastic. I guarantee that you will learn
something new each and every lesson throughout the year.
Making Friends
Molly L: There is no need to worry. I started here not knowing anyone
and I have made lots of friends. Everyone was really friendly and kind.
Joe L: Be nice and friends will come to you.
Stanley: On the first day try to go over an introduce yourself to someone.
Avoiding Detentions
Detentions are nothing to worry about if they only happen occasionally,
but there’s lots you can do to avoid those dreaded lines!
Charlotte H: If you are missing an academic lesson for an extra-curricular activity you must excuse yourself 24 hours before the lesson.
Joe: Never eat outside the canteen unless you are on a bench.
Charlotte B: A tip I have is the night before school I pack my bag using
my timetable so if I’m running late in the morning I don’t have to rush
and make mistakes.
Charlotte H: “Keep your skirt and tie at the right length and always
remember to ask before you take off your blazer!”
F
or all those sitting their AS and A Levels, there are times when tensions run high. However,
sixth form is not just about work, work and more work! This year our sixth form pupils have
had a lot of fun too, with trips ice skating, fancy dress for charity and the school panto (which
is written and performed by the sixth form) to name just a few of the experiences on offer.
Music At SGS
T
ake a look at the impressive calendar of our music department for this academic year. As you can
see, all musicians and singers were kept extremely busy!
Oct 21st- Our school rock & pop stars competed for the title of Battle of the Bands. Nova Fiasco were the
winners, with a band consisting of Adam & Harry Handford, Jack Trubshaw & Adam Rowley.
Dec 15th - The choirs of SGS & SPS were invited to sing at the Symphony Hall as part of the Birmingham Salvation Army Christmas Concert. Our Big band also accompanied the singing. This was a very
exciting opportunity where the pupils were able to perform to a full house, in one of our country’s
premier concert venues.
Feb 10th - The Music Department Festival Final. Following a week
of auditions, our finalists performed to a professional adjudicator,
this year it was Dr. Stephen Cobb. This year’s winners were Charlotte Howdle (junior) & Joe Yates (senior).
March 4-7th West Side Story
Nov 22nd- We had a fantastic concert with Danielle Hope, the West End Star & winner of Andrew Lloyd
Weber’s TV show ‘Somewhere out There’. Other local schools joined us for an afternoon Master Class
and evening concert.
March 22nd- Newcastle festival, a day to remember where SGS
came home with the winning trophy from every class it entered.
The ensembles which took part were the Sax Group, Big Band &
Concert Band.
April 29th - The Orchestra did its first professional recording, to
produce a cd of their music.
Music At SGS cont...
June 25th - Our Choral day was bigger than ever this year! We were really pleased to be able to welcome
local Primary schools for an afternoon of music making, with a super evening concert that followed,
enabling the children to perform for their families’ entertainment.
July 1st-8th - The end of our busy year was completed by a brilliant time away on tour,with the Concert
Band to Barcelona.They played 5 concerts in & around the city, Visited cultural sites & had a very successful tour.
In addition to all of these events, the music department also took on a variety of other engagements.
Westside Story
James and
the Giant Peach
P
upils have delighted their teachers and parents with a whole host of productions this year. West
side story was a real challenge for director Mr Jones and his dedicated cast, who not only had to
master acting and singing, but also dancing! As the photographs below illustrate, they pulled it
off superbly!
M
iss Lewis and Miss
Rodrigues did a fantastic job in bringing Roald Dahl’s James and
the Giant Peach to life in June.
The set was spectaular and the
budding lower-school actors
had the audience in fits of giggles throughout.
The directors had this to say
of their students: “We are
completely blown away by the
professionalism of every student involved. These students
have amazed us with their
ability not only in showing
their true dedication and enthusiasm, but in their abilities
to inspire us in ways we never thought possible for such
young people.”
A fond farewell
Drama Pieces
W
est Side Story and James and the Giant Peach were certainly the show-stoppers of the school year, but let
us not forget the other entertaining and brilliantly performed plays devised by the Drama Department and
their talented performers.
KS3 Drama Showcase (December 2013)
A range of students from KS3 showcased their best pieces of work to an audience of over 100. The pieces of work explored a variety of acting styles from Epic theatre to Shakespeare. The evening was a huge success and really showed off
the talent we have here at Stafford Grammar! (Pic 1)
“DNA”
9T worked hard together in order to transform their class into a working theatre company. They produced their own
version of Dennis Kelly’s DNA, working together to act, direct, write and produce the final performance.
KS4 & KS5 Showcase – 4:48
Three Year 12 students performed a section of 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane on 1st May 2014 to a slightly scared audience. The students really pushed themselves with this new style of shocking theatre. (See picture below)
Year 11 devised piece – Molly Darley / Darcy Evans
Year 10 TIE – Caitlin and Leah
W
e are very sad to be saying goodbye to four of our greatest talents this year. Adam, Joe,
Becky and Ellie have all contributed greatly to the school and have wowed many an audience with their show-stopping performances. They will be impossible to replace, and we
wish them the very best of luck in their future lives.
Getting involved at SGS
A
dam Handford has been the star of many a show at SGS and now the time has come for him to move on to
pastures new. We wish him all the best for the future. Here he reflects on his time at school.
1.
You have been heavily involved in many productions at SGS, what first got you interested in acting
and singing?
I’ve been doing productions ever since I played Joseph in
the Year 1 nativity. Despite being so long ago I can still
remember my lines – funny how that doesn’t happen for
exams! When I moved to middle school, I went to a theatre school in Wolverhampton, where I learned improvisational techniques, received coaching on acting and a
small amount of dance lessons. The company would put
on a show every 6 months and I was fortunate enough to
land the White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland. I got a
leading role in the following production of a lesser-known
show that included me doing my first attempt at drag! As
far as singing is concerned, Beauty and the Beast was my
first attempt at performing solo. Singing has been a very
recent discovery for me but it’s now a passion of mine.
2.
Do you get nervous on stage? If so, what do you
worry about?
Nerves have got to be the number one thing that concerns me. People sometimes don’t believe me, but before
any show or concert I become a huge shaking wreck. Be
it performing in the school musical, at Symphony Hall or
even practising in front of my Mum, I always get nervous. The key to doing well in these things is to perform to
the best of your abilities, no matter what they are. Unfortunately for me, I grew up with my Dad playing in a top
brass band and I was always surrounded by professional musicians. So for me, the best has got to be perfect.
That’s why I get nervous. Nerves can help me though.
On stage, you’re able to take that nervous energy and
make use of it when you’re performing. I never get tired
in a show, and it’s because of my nervous disposition.
And then at the end, you get another kick from knowing
it went as well as you could have done it. And that is why
I do it. That’s why I reduce myself to a nerve filled mess
– because the feeling of exhilaration during and after
performing is amazing. I’ll never stop being on a stage!
3.
What has been your favourite production at
school and why?
Each show (from the “Canterbury Tales” in year 7 to “Our
Day Out” in year 9, “Beauty and the Beast” to “West Side
Story”) has had a different group of people in the company, with a completely different character and at a different
times in my school career. Obviously, the musicals have
been the best for me mostly because they were so challenging! Beauty and the Beast got me to sing on stage on
my own, having to know a set of lines that then also correspond to a musical score. I had to pick it all up fast. It
was a difficult time for me personally and the show kept
me being normal and gave me something to work at.
And then I did “Les Miserables”. Being Javert
was intense, a privilege to portray, though it made me
wonder why I had been cast the antagonistic role two
years running! I took a gamble and decided to let my
hair down for the role, literally. I grew my hair for 7
months with the aim to attempt the Javert ponytail.
In the end I ended up just shy and slicked it all back.
The whole setting of Les Mis in school seemed very
surreal and I got to know a lot of people and together we put on the best 4 nights performance in my life.
Finally, I took to the streets in “West Side Story” and met my biggest challenge. Dancing! The change
from a haunted French police officer to a rebellious gang
leader in the streets of New York was a big step, followed
by another step, a clap and a kick! For the most part, I
feel that West Side Story was my favourite production
at SGS. Right from the first couple of rehearsal the company, especially the Jets, bonded together and it was
non-stop fun all the way to the last night of show week.
I felt that I gave it my all for my last ever show with SGS.
5.
What is the hardest part of being in a production?
The hardest part in a production, especially at a
school, isn’t the long rehearsals or having to learn
lines. It’s the 3-4 week period over Christmas, when
there’s so much happening with concerts, exam
mocks and being off for 2 weeks. For a rehearsal schedule it’s a problem for the cast and it can be frustrating. It’s always around that time when everything starts falling into place, and then we don’t rehearse for a month and have to
redo a lot. Unfortunately it’s a factor that cannot be avoided. It adds a bit for drama to the rehearsals you might say!
6.
What did you enjoy most about taking part in school productions?
The best part about being in any production is the way that it brings everyone together. In a school environment, no-one
would expect an upper sixth former like myself to mix with year 7’s. But through the shows, all of those involved and all
year groups simply become the cast. I can’t think of a better example than the lads in West Side Story. Doing long rehearsals for the prologue and fight scenes we spent many hours as a big group. And we were all in the same boat; none of us had
danced before. We all helped each other out, learning routines and stunts and dialogue. The Jets were a clan, we all went
around school calling each other by our character name. I still have Matt calling me “Buddy Boy”. You make good friends
in a school production, be it becoming closer or an unexpected friendship. That is the best part about a school production.
7.
Do you have any advice for any budding actors/singers lower down the school?
My advice would be to take every opportunity handed to you. Honestly, if you think it looks like fun or a
group of your mates fancy a go at it, just do it! Whatever gets offered, take it and I guarantee you it won’t go badly. You’ll never come to any harm by trying something. The musicals and the choirs are fantastic. If you’re reading this, thinking, “I really want to do that” there’s nothing stopping you. Be a part of everything that you can and
gain as much experience as you can. There’s no feeling quite like performing and it has been the best part of
the last 7 years for me at SGS. There are some fantastic opportunities available from the music and drama departments that involve professional musicals, theatre trips, meeting West End singers and getting to know the industry.
Finally, summarise your time at SGS in three words.
Musical. Inspirational. Awesome.
CABBAGES
T
“
his year’s LAMDA Production was Cabbages. Written and directed by Mrs Darley, the play was
tremendously entertaining, providing the audience with moments of hilarity and shock in equal
measure. Here, the very talented Mrs Darley discusses how Cabbages came to fruition.
plant one up on stage. Mrs Deakin and
Mrs Packham were brilliant in bringing their gardens into school and leaving them with me for a week and so the
set was born – completely organically
of course!
As with all the plays I write CABBAGES had a number of starting points: firstly, I knew who I
wanted to be in the cast and it happened that they were all female. Secondly, I knew that I wanted
to write another comedy. Thirdly, I knew I wanted it to be a one-act play lasting around 75 minutes
and finally, I was aware of the performing space I was working in, so had to write the play with that
in mind. I try to write plays that can be performed anywhere (with the idea that one day, in my pipe
dreams, I will take them to a professional stage). I like to use the auditorium as much as I can as I am
not too keen on presenium-arch theatre. I like both the set and the performance to spill off the stage
and the audience to feel part of the experience.
I enjoy situational comedy but to be honest, how the idea of an allotment came, I have no clue. My
initial idea was an adult ballet class and as I started, it gradually found its way to an allotment; that’s
the way it is when you’re writing – the ‘ink’ just seems to flow and take you on a journey. I am sure the
writing process is unique to each writer and I have approached each of my plays in different ways. With
CABBAGES, the story flowed as the characters developed; there were a few things I knew I wanted
from the beginning; I wanted the bomb and I wanted a pregnant girl but beyond that, at the first point
of writing, I had nothing more in my mind, the story just sort of evolved and revealed itself as I wrote.
When we go into rehearsals, I am continually rewriting and
adjusting the script right up to the first performance. That’s one
of the advantages of working with original in-house material; it
can be adjusted throughout the rehearsal process. CABBAGES
was great fun to put together. The cast decided they wanted to
work with an accent and we tried many with varying degrees of
success. We decided to go with Welsh as we had Leah, our native Welsh-speaker, on board. I think the girls were absolutely
brilliant at it too.
Speaking of the cast, I have to say that each and every one of
them was completely committed to CABBAGES and they came
to every rehearsal full of enthusiasm and ideas. They were a delight to work with and made me so proud to have them on the
team. I am excited that they all want to be a part of the next
production. I personally hate using flats or backdrops; I prefer the set to look 3 dimensional as much as I can, so I knew
I had to get a shed; a lovely parent donated one. I also wanted a ‘working’ allotment so thought I’d go the whole hog and
I absolutely loved working on CABBAGES and can’t wait for the next play
to go into rehearsal in September!”
O
“
ne of the stars of the show, Leah Banwell, stunned the audience with her amazing welsh accent. Here she discusses the rehearsal process and reflects on the performance.
Rehearsals for CABBAGES took place for an hour after school every Friday for six months; towards the end, rehearsals increased to weekends extra days in the week, where everybody showed
their real commitment in the preparation for the performances. We also edited the script several
times as a group to add more colloquial and humorous lines. Mrs Darley, our LAMDA teacher, wrote
the play which meant that these alterations were welcomed and it was an exciting process seeing the
production change and improve as we went along. It was also extremely daunting, yet funny to know
that we all had to adopt a Welsh accent and well-known stereotypical welsh phrases, as well as find our
own costumes, which mostly consisted of gardening wear; hats, gloves and wellington boots. The final
and probably most interesting task was assembling the allotment on the stage; we actually built a shed
and started growing grass, weeds and vegetables to add to the set. This took a lot of time and effort due
to watering and nurturing the plants, however we all agreed that we thought this gave the whole play
a more natural and realistic feel. The final performances of CABBAGES were completely successful in
my eyes; we all worked so hard on characterisation, from gestures and actions to facial expressions for
each individual character. We also, and probably more importantly, had so much fun doing it; I guess
that was the biggest success for me.”
Ski Trip
Val di Fiemme, Italy
Sports Day
W
D
uring February half term, 40
pupils enoyed a fantastic 5
days skiing in Italy. The hotel accommodation was outstanding
with a high standard of food. All pupils made good progress in their skiing lessons with SGS now boasting
several high class skiers. Night time
entertainment included a quiz night,
ice skating, karaoke and a fancy
dress disco where the staff demonstrated their superior dancing skills.
Pupils also enjoyed a friendly dance
off against another School. The pupils acquitted themselves well finishing a credible second out of two! Despite Mr. Mole’s dramatic wipe out,
an outstanding time was had by all.
ith the date set at Friday 13th June and all the preparations
completed, Mr. Harwood closely watched the weather forecast as the day got closer. However, all concerns were for
nothing as the day dawned with glorious Australian sunshine! This was
greeted wonderfully well by the time keeping staff who had decided that
their annual dressing up theme this year was “all things Australian” as a
tribute to Miss Rodrigues who was leaving the School to emigrate “down
under.” A wonderful day of Athletics ensued with gutsy performances all
round, dramatic finishes and more records broken. Individual winners of
the main trophies were;
Junior Victrix Ludorum Tori Hamplett who won the Junior Girls 300m,
800m and Javelin with a throw of 30.9 metres
Junior Victor Ludorum Ryan Hopper who won the Junior Boys 70m
hurdles, 100m and Long Jump
Senior Victix Ludorum
Lucy Chambers who won the Senior Girls
300m, 800m and Long Jump
Senior Victor Ludorum Will Proud who won the Senior Boys 75m hurdles, 400m and High Jump
The team competition was won by ANSON completing a historic clean
sweep of all the sporting competitions run throughout the year which
includes the Junior Polyathlon, Intermediate Polyathlon, Senior Polyathlon and Swimming Gala. Well done, ANSON.
District U12 Rugby
Competition
T
he final District Schools Rugby Competition took place at Stafford Rugby club. The tournament,
organised by Tom Williams at Walton High saw 7 Under 12 teams battle it for the title.
A great turnout of over 100 players from Stafford Grammar, Walton High, Blessed William Howard,
Christ Church Academy and King Edward VI provided many exhilarating matches.
World Number 2!
W
ith the Athletics Association changing the Women’s Javelin weight from 600g to 500g this
year, Emma Hamplett was faced with a difficult task of altering her technique before the
start of the Athletics season.
However, Emma approached the task superbly and put
in an extraordinary amount of training at Cannock and
Stafford Athletics club throughout the winter period.
Emma has been rewarded with outstanding results in all
her events.
On 1st June, Emma recorded a new personal best throw
of 57.14 metres which easily gained her first place. Emma
went on to win her County Championships and also
capture the ISA National title at Alexander Stadium again
with a throw of 52.21 metres.
On 21st June, Emma re-gained her Mason Trophy title by
throwing 52.12 metres which again secured her place at
the English Schools Championships.
Most games were evenly contested and decided by only the single try. Stafford Grammar and Walton
High rose above the rest though, with Stafford Grammar eventually winning the title after being undefeated throughout.
Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager said, “It was great to yet again see over 100 boys playing
competitive rugby. The five tournaments this season have seen over 500 players compete in all secondary
age groups. A big thanks to Stafford Rugby Club for hosting all matches and especially to Tom Williams
for his organisation. Also congratulations must go to Stafford Grammar for their victory in the Under 12
championship.”
On 12th July, Emma won the English Schools title with
a throw of 52.21 metres, beating her closest rival by a
whopping 9.21 metres! Emma gained selection for the
England team and travelled to Cardiff to compete at the
SIAB School’s International event which pits the best athletes from the Home Nations against one another. Again,
Emma had a fantastic competition, winning the event by
recording a throw of 51.52 metres.
Emma is currently ranked number 1 in the UK at U17
level. We wish Emma all the best for the future.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
D
uring the Summer term, 11 pupils carried out their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Dartmoor, and 34 pupils successfully completed their silver award expedition in Edale. Well done to
all involved, and, once again, thank you to Dr Crane and his excellent team for their support.
F
ourteen pupils, Dr Crane, Mrs Saxon and Mr Harwood spent two weeks in July in Morocco as
part of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. It really was a once in a lifetime experience for all
those involved and the teachers were very impressed with the way that everyone coped in the
heat. Congratulations to all who took part.
In all 32 pupils completed the Bronze award, 30 pupils completed the Silver award and 13 completed
the Gold Award. What an achievement!
Saying goodbye to the old...
T
he sixth form BBQ has developed into an annual event. Led by “Chef ” Green, Head of Sixth
Form, the Upper Sixth had an afternoon of food and fun to say farewell to each other and
their teachers. We wish them all the very best of luck in their futures and look forward to
hearing how they get on in their lives after SGS.
...and welcoming the new!
T
his year’s New Pupils Day was a huge success. September’s Year 7 pupils were given an action-packed day of team-building, taster lessons and meeting and greeting. The day was
rounded off with a quiz supported by the current Year 7 pupils. We look forward to welcoming everybody back in the new school year.