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OSWESTRIAN
T H E O S W E S T R y S c hoo l M a g a z i n e
2013/2014
The heart of
Snowdonia
National Park
2013/2014
H E ADM AST ER’S
FOREWORD
The school has had an excellent year academically
with the new curriculum bedded in and taking
good shape. All will change again in the coming
years with government reforms, but the results
the pupils are achieving are testament to the hard
work of pupils and staff alike. The extra curricular
programme of music, drama, sport, clubs and
societies continues to develop well and I am
delighted with the efforts of all staff in providing
such a varied diet for the pupils.
2013 marks the retirement of two long-serving
members of staff, Mrs Leonard and Mrs Eve,
and while you will read more about their
contributions elsewhere in this magazine, it is
appropriate for me to thank them again publicly
for all of their efforts here.
Welcome to the 2013 Oswestrian magazine.
The Oswestrian represents the events and
achievements of the past academic year and it
has certainly been a very successful year for the
school. The leavers of 2013 are a dynamic and
vibrant group who head off to university and
employment full of potential and promise. I wish
them every happiness in the future and I am
extremely confident in their ability to succeed
and face the challenges in front of them.
The future of the school is very bright with a
huge number of improvements to the school
estate taking place during the year, certainly
the new artificial pitch represents a serious
investment in the sporting facilities at the
school which I know the whole community was
desperate to see. For the first time in many
years we now have waiting lists for places and
I feel that the school continues to have a very
positive momentum going forwards.
Thank you for your continued interest and
support for our fine school. I hope we will be
able to welcome you here again during the year
to come.
Douglas Robb
2
The Oswestr y School Magazine
IMAGE TO BE PURCHASED
ADVENTURE
EDUCATION
WE HAVE HOSTED A TOTAL OF THREE WEEKENDS, ALL BASED OUT OF CAPEL
CURIG TRAINING CAMP IN THE HEART OF SNOWDONIA. EACH ONE HAS HAD
A DIFFERENT FEEL OF FOCUS DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF YEAR AND THE
CONDITIONS FOUND DUE TO WEATHER.
September
A glorious day was had out on the Snowdon
Horseshoe on our first outing of the academic
year. This was also the first foray into the hills
as part of the training package for the Swiss
Alps team whose activities you can read about
elsewhere in this publication, including their
actual expedition to the Bernese Oberland. In
addition to the Alps team, we were joined by
a smattering of fourth and third formers who
also rose to the challenge of completing this
sought-after traverse. We managed to start at
Pen y Pass and quickly gained the Col of the
PyG track where the main path to Snowdon’s
summit can be left to start the ever increasingly
rocky ascent to the narrow summit of Crib
www.oswestr yschool.or g.uk
Goch. From here the knife-edge arête stretches
out in front of you. You can pick your route with
a path just off the edge, reducing the exposure
whilst the bold will skip across the rocky crest. A
mix of both was had here with Bethan Walford
striding along the knife edge with her hands in
her pockets whilst others hugged the rock lower
down. The notorious obstacle of the pinnacles
was negotiated in a variety of ways about twothirds along the crest, with the rocky scrambling
ending shortly afterwards at a wide saddle.
Those fifth formers seeking to take hillwalking
as part of their GCSE practical were let loose
here and navigated themselves to the summit of
Carnedd Ugain where the team regrouped for a
snack in the sun and to admire the views which
3
Views from
Snowdon
Mountain
Railway
stretched out to the Isle of Man and also back
inland to our home turf of the Berwyns.
During this time the very unusual sight of a
second-world-war Spitfire made an appearance
which circled Snowdon’s summit three times
before flying off. Our group set off from
Carnedd Ugain and regained the final part of
the PyG track where we met the hordes who
were justifiably taking advantage of one of the
last weekends of settled weather and long
daylight of the year. We stopped on the highest
point of England and Wales before dropping
away from the crowds to complete the final
side of the teardrop of the horseshoe. The Alps
group took the lead and learnt how to descend
loose scree before gaining the final col of the day
just before the ascent of Lliwedd. We used the
rocky scrambly side of Lliwedd to move around
on with sneaky steps just on to its east face
which made the terrain go from easy scramble
to exposed long drop very quickly, resulting in
some comedy faces from George and Lewis.
Happy faces satisfied with their day’s work
descended to the cafe at the end of Saturday and
the groups all had bold tales to tell over their hot
chocolates with cream and marshmallows.
Once the summit of Lliwedd was passed, the
team could look around a little more and
in particularly at Crib Goch which they had
scrambled along earlier in the day. The side
looked sheer from this perspective and the folk
moving along it made the ridge look like the
back of a porcupine. The short walk out was
made along the miners’ track back to Pen y Pass
and the teams reunited before heading back to
the camp via Siabod Cafe for a celebratory hot
chocolate. The evening meal was consumed
with vigour and the group given a presentation
on mountaineering in the Alps before beds were
sunk into and a sound night’s sleep had by all.
Sunday was a little more sedate and we used a
climbing venue in Ogwen to allow everyone to
experience rock climbing. This was the first time
we could offer this activity, having been slowly
developing our climbing equipment over the last
few years. The activity was well received and is a
great activity to give participants an opportunity
to work as a team and enjoy movement over
rock in a steep setting.
4
November
A dry but chilly weekend was enjoyed where
four rope teams made ascents of some of the
best scrambles in the park over the two days.
Concurrently with this a group also traversed
the Glyderau plateau on the Saturday whilst
they ascended Tryfan by the classic north ridge
on the Sunday. The four rope teams of Alps
participants walked into Idwal with the intent of
making slick, fast work of the targeted scrambles
for the day. Northwest face route and Cneifon
arête were climbed in good fashion with all the
teams working well together and having time to
enjoy the view as they took an airy line up the
front of Glyder Fach. It was great to watch and
the young people again responded really well,
becoming organic parts of the rope through
anticipation and working with the relevant
instructor rather than being purely led.
Happy faces satisfied with their day’s work
descended to the cafe at the end of Saturday
and the groups all had bold tales to tell
over their hot chocolates with cream and
marshmallows.
Sunday was a similar story with Tryfan being the
target for all the groups via different routes, the
classic north ridge for the walking groups and
Bellvue Bastion from Heather Terrace for the
rope teams. Again, good progress was made and
the rope teams finished their scramble quickly
before heading on to the flanks of the mountain
where they wound their way up through frozen
and, at times, a light dusting of snow. The
confusing thing for us was the number of other
folk who tried to follow us through the steep
environment in their trainers and hands in their
pockets whilst we donned helmets, tied into
ropes and moved cautiously upwards. No one
followed us for long but you’d have thought
they’d have got the hint really. The walkers ran
into difficulties about two-thirds up the ridge
and decided, wisely, that discretion was the
better part of valour as the rocks higher up on
the ridge were icy and unforgiving. We all met
up again at our normal rendezvous, drank hot
chocolate and ate cake before jumping on the
minibus and making the short journey back to
school after a very satisfying weekend’s activity.
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January
During the
walk out we
watched one
of the yellow
RAF search
and rescue
helicopters
fly into the
Nameless Cwm
in less than
good visibility
with some
swirling winds
for the pilot to
contend with.
This fixture in the adventure ed diary is
becoming a reliable supplier of snow and settled
weather which was also true of this year – well,
for 50 per cent of it. Capel again was our base
with snow already lying on the mountains from
the previous week’s cold weather. The first
call was to fit crampons to boots as well as go
through a winter daysack with the participants,
which took most of Friday evening.
Saturday saw breakfast being met with gusto
and the various teams setting off for Ogwen
Valley. Xavier Griffin of 7 Rifles had joined us
this weekend so as to meet the Alps team
and he and Mireia Ballespi left with Ed Green
and his guide for the day for the Nameless
Cwm to spend the day winter climbing, a first
for Oswestry. The remainder also headed in
that direction to practise movement in winter
conditions with and without crampons as well as
learn how to stop a slip with an ice axe, this last
one being pretty easy as the snow was soft in
the first place.
Once the skills sessions had been completed the
team undertook an airy traverse of the Gribin
Ridge to the summit of Glyder Fach with good
visibility but a chill wind. Numerous climbing
groups were met at the head of the Nameless
Cwm including Mike who had taken Ed climbing
for the day as they topped out on Tower Slabs.
They joined us for the short joint over the
summit before descending steep snow-covered
slopes to the top of the Devil’s Kitchen path back
to Llyn Idwal. Tori Head put her previous training
in arresting a minor slip to good use at one point
and crampons on was definitely the order of the
day going down the compacted slippery path that
had obviously seen a lot of feet that day. Close to
the bottom the path became gravelly again and
crampons were removed to allow an easy walk
out to the vehicles.
During the walk out we watched one of the
yellow RAF search and rescue helicopters fly
into the Nameless Cwm in less than good
visibility with some swirling winds for the pilot
to contend with. We hoped it was just an
exercise as accidents in winter are never good.
As we walked the last kilometre to the vehicle
we quizzed Mike as to where they had last seen
Xavier and Miss Ballespi; they had gone their
separate ways on to different routes in the cwm
and Mike had not seen them since that point.
We arrived at the vehicle a minute before
Xavier, who arrived by himself carrying two
rucksacks which had the staff raising an
eyebrow. We quickly heard that Miss Ballespi
had fallen and damaged her ankle and that the
helicopter we had seen was in fact for her and
had lifted her to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
We took the team to Siabod Cafe to regroup
and arranged how we would transport the
participants back to camp whilst also being able
to visit Miss Ballespi. This was performed easily
and we found her in a ward in good spirits,
although she had broken her ankle. I am pleased
to say that she has recovered well from this and
will no doubt be joining us again in the coming
years’ adventures.
Sunday was a contrast in weather: the
temperature had shot up and the winds were
howling through the valleys. We thus took the
best course of action and retired to the cafe
before heading home early. The previous day
had been quite tiring so this was welcomed by
most. It also allowed us to dispatch a vehicle to
pick up and bring home Miss Ballespi who had
been kept in overnight.
5
Glacier Training
with team
Farmer on the
first day
ADVENTURE
SWISS ALPS 2013
This expedition has been sponsored through the school’s CCF
contingent and to that end has been the labour of countless
phone calls, emails, letters, MOD forms and presentations for the
last twelve months.
The last totting up of documents in the
folder for this trip totalled 26, the shortest
being a page, the longest 18 pages and the
average around three pages. It also included a
PowerPoint presentation which was delivered
back in February to subject matter experts at
Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury. A long graft
with I have no idea how many hours of toil put
into it before we’d even seen a glacier.
At times I found myself with my head in my
hands staring at a computer screen asking why
I was having to jump through so many hoops to
get the exped ratified. The long hours and extra
work were brought into sharp perspective as I
took the picture below, we had all just removed
our crampons and harnesses for the last time
after seven days of alpine mountaineering in the
Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. As
I took the picture all the hours were very much
worth putting in so these young, determined
6
people could access an activity that, but for the
MOD, would otherwise be financially prohibitive
which I hope will inspire them for life as well. All
the young people involved have my respect for
the way they have worked towards the exped
through the build-up adventure education
weekends, our week in Scotland and the way
in which they conducted themselves both
generally and technically as part of a rope team
throughout the expedition including some godawful 3.30am alpine starts.
It was here! The time had arrived! We had
finally crossed the start line of the expedition as
we boarded the small executive coach, leather
multi-positional seats and everything, for London
City airport where Swiss Airlines would take us
to Geneva airport before the three-hour train
journey around the scenic Lake Geneva to our
first night at Fiesch Youth Hostel in the Canton
of Wallais. A generally smooth transit was made
although we cut it fine with our arrival in London
which had Mr O rushing to the Swiss desk 15
minutes before final check in only to be told
that the flight was an hour late. The only real
disappointment was our much anticipated Swiss
lunch which turned out to be nothing more than
a roll. The rail system operated with expected
efficiency and deposited our weary, traveldrained bodies to the hostel just before midnight.
Asleep on the S of sleep!
The first day in country was planned as an
acclimatization day where we would travel high
but sleep back down in the valley which was
already 1,600m above sea level. We used the
large cable car in town to ascend to 2,400m
after which we traversed the now grassy ski
slopes by a good path to a very convenient
tunnel which passed through the Eggishorn to
give us the first sight of the Aletsch Glacier. The
contrast in temperature between the tunnel
and the outside air was amazing, around +20
outside but move just inside the tunnel and
it was around +2. The tunnel took us about
500m through the mountain to the other side
where a short journey took us to the longest
glacier in the European alps. Once at the edge
of the glacier the afternoon was spent revising
glacier travel and the ropework associated with
it with six participants splitting into team pea
(in honour of the green fleeces they all had)
and team farmer as they were all, well, farmers.
Crampons were also worn again for the first
time since February which took a little getting
used to along with the lazy cowboy gait this
generates in folk when they put them on. We
stayed for a couple of hours, drank, ate and had
a lesson on acute mountain sickness from Xav
the team doc before reversing our steps back
to the valley. The evening was spent packing
and drinking more water in preparation for the
move to the Konkordia hut the following day.
Wednesday was the start of our seven-day
trip into the high mountains of the Alps. We
retraced our steps back to the Aletsch Glacier
we had made the previous day only this time
we would not be coming back to the same spot
for a week. The rope teams split up and started
the trek up the gently sloping dry (no snow
cover) glacier by way of the central moraine. We
passed school groups out with guides and also
7
Caitlin, Bethan
& Mel relaxing
in the hut
The biggest accolade must go to Lewis who
took to the adage that food is fuel and ate
vegetables for the first time in his life.
some kind of scientific study looking at cores
of the glacier. The scenery was impressive to
say the least with the Aletsch stretching out in
front of us and as we moved deeper into the
range the peaks of the Aletschhorn and Jungfrau
came into view making us all feel very small. We
eventually came to Konkordia Platz which is a
unique part of the alpine region in that it is the
meeting place of four glaciers feeding into the
main Aletsch. It is from here that the Konkordia
hut can be seen sitting on a rock platform some
100m above the glacier. (It used to be on the
same level.)
It was here that the team met for the first time
the feature George eventually christened ‘the
steps of dread’. These consist of a set of metal
steps bolted on to a sheer cliff that take you
85m up to the final rocky path which runs the
last 15m far more gradually to the hut. The
steps were tackled with difficulty by everyone
this time as legs were tired and bodies not yet
acclimatized as they gave a good workout at
2,700m above sea level. This was the first hut
the team had been in and ironically we ended
up in the same room we had been in in 2007.
All were pleasantly surprised to find duvets
and pillows on the beds with Bethan being
particularly impressed with the six-person
bed which she made more or less instant use
of. Crocs are commonly supplied in the huts
to replace hot mountain boots and the spare
change of hut clothes made folk feel human
again after working hard on the mountain each
day. The group also had their first experience of
hut food this evening with a ‘cauldron’ of soup
which saw most have at least three bowls each
followed by a chicken and fruity curry and rice
(again most having two helpings each) with an
angel delight type dessert.
The following few days gave time for the team
to acclimatize so everyone ate plenty with
Caitlin and Bethan in particular surprising
themselves with how much they managed to
put away. The biggest accolade must go to
Lewis who took to the adage that food is fuel
and ate vegetables for the first time in his life.
Well done, Lewis! The following day would be a
training day so as to allow further acclimatization
and also to allow for the slightly restless night’s
sleep most would suffer from.
A slow start to Thursday followed with the
experience of a hut breakfast with fruit muesli,
bread, jam and hard cheese being the standard
fare accompanied by black tea, coffee or hot
chocolate. After this we took our time heading
down to the glacier where we practised the
skills required for travelling on a wet glacier
(snow covering the ice) and how to deal with
someone falling into a crevasse which normally
involved the person climbing out themselves
with the other two on the rope giving support
on the rope they were all tied to. Once we’d
Summit of
Monch at
4099m
The first climb
involved a
gruelling snow
slope to attack
a weakness in
the steep rock
walls where,
once crossed,
easier ground
would lead
to the fore
summit of the
Grunneghorn.
done this the instructors demonstrated the way
someone would be rescued if they were hanging
free in a crevasse so that the participants
would know what was going on on the surface
whilst they swung around in an ice-blue space.
Thankfully we didn’t have to actually conduct a
rescue. We did have one person disappear into
a hole, though, which we’ll mention later. We
only spent a few hours out on the ice before
making our second ascent of the stairs, after
which lunch was had in the form of soup and
then drink and sleep were to be had as the
lead into the evening meal. The evening meal
was again met with enthusiasm and everything
put in front of the team was hoovered
clean in preparation for the journey to the
Finsteraarhorn hut the following day.
Friday was an earlier breakfast at 06:30 after
which the team descended the stairs and
roped up ready to pass over the col at 3,300,m
after which a height loss was suffered before
ascending to the hut at 3,050m. A short
journey of only 5km, meaning it fell in line with
the acclimatization process. The rope teams
had been loaded today so as to be able to
react to the uncertain weather forecast that
had been given. As we approached the col it
became apparent that the weather was better
than forecast and it was decided that the rope
team consisting of Xav, Mr O, Ed and Bethan
would summit today. To that end they left the
other two teams to head to the Grunneghorn
at 3,850m with the option of going for the
Grunhorn at 4,050m if time allowed.
The first climb involved a gruelling snow slope to
attack a weakness in the steep rock walls where,
Team Farmer
prepaing to fly solo
on Glacier travel
8
Caitlin Jones
crevasse
jumping
once crossed, easier ground would lead to the
fore summit of the Grunneghorn. We were
under a bit of time pressure here as the sun was
now on the 45-degree snow slope we had to
negotiate through the weakness of rock. As a
result we had to move a bit and once through
the weakness slowed down a bit. The altitude
took its toll though and the way to the fore
summit of the Grunneghorn was hard won as
lungs worked hard to process oxygen and then
pass it through blood that was still generating
red blood cells to make oxygen transport more
efficient. We reached the summit with relief and
were rewarded with a an airy rocky scramble
giving a fantastic panorama which included the
Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and, closer to us, the
Finsteraarhorn which towered above every
other peak in the area. A hard decision of not
ascending the short ridge to the Grunhorn was
made at the end of the ridge owing to its being
late in the day. We had, however, climbed our
first summit of the trip.
The way down to the glacier which led to the
Finsteraarhorn hut meant a four-pitch abseil
from the col between the Grunneghorn and
the Grunhorn. This took time as there is no
room for error at all in this type of descent. This
was highlighted by Ed accidentally kicking some
scree on to Mr O below him before he started
his descent and then Bethan swinging around
and using Mr O as a soft landing with her
crampons leading on the third pitch. Evidently
they weren’t impressed with his decision to
climb the mountain that day. On safely reaching
the glacier below the team quickly set the rope
for glacier travel and started getting ‘out of
dodge!’ As Bethan put it in her write up: ‘as the
9
Team Pea
starting their
cescent of the
Ewigschneefeld
mountain was falling down all around us’ – a
touch dramatic but a couple of rock falls caught
our attention on the way down. The glacier
was a wet one and Xav, followed by Ed, led the
rope down crossing a couple of crevasses on
the way with one being quite a step. Bethan
came up to it, started inching forward to make
the step and promptly fell in with a squeal. She
went tight on the rope very quickly and to her
credit remembered the drills from the previous
day. A tired voice came from the depths of the
crevasse informing us that: ‘I can climb out’, and
after some huffing and puffing a tired Bethan
rolled unceremoniously out on to the snow.
After a six-and-a-half strenuous hours and a lot
of hard graft from both teams the summit was
reached with the final 150m height gain being an
airy, exposed scramble which was on sound rock
with big flakes and handholds to keep a hold of.
We continued our journey without a hitch,
stopping for a drink where all remaining water
was consumed before the last pull to the hut.
The distance to the hut was quickly eaten up
and we were met at the final path by Paul, one
of the other instructors, who helped coil our
rope and generally fussed over us, bless him. We
ascended up to the hut and drank and drank,
including having our first Radlers (shandies) as
celebration for the exped’s first summit. The
dorm in this hut was very comfortable with
individual beds and even carpets on the floor.
Evening meal was met with enthusiasm with Ed
and Bethan eating the lion’s share of what was
on offer after their long day. The news of our
first proper alpine start was broken to the team
and folk quickly sorted their gear then headed
to bed ready for the 3.15 start the following
morning where the Finsteraarhorn and the
Agassizhorn would be attempted.
Saturday
3.15 in the morning is never a good time to be
jarred awake, even with the attempt to lighten
the event through using Behan’s laughing duck
alarm on her phone. Bodies dragged themselves
drunkenly from their pits to attempt to force a
standard hut breakfast down in preparation for
the ten-hour day ahead. It was safe to say that
apart for functionary comments, breakfast was
a relatively quiet affair. This changed as the rope
teams started to prepare themselves 30 minutes
10
later in the kit room for departure on their
various ventures, the two teams heading up the
Finsteraarhorn starting to ascend directly behind
the hut by way of a rocky path whilst the single
team heading for the Agassizhorn had to lose
height to the glacier for their start. Both teams
managed a farewell to each other and then
headed off by the light of their head torches in
the relevant direction.
The FInsteraarhorn in the
words of Mel, Ed, Bethan
and Caitlin
We made our way up the rocky path with head
torches alight before putting on crampons and
roping up for the long day ahead of us, ten hours
according to the guidebook. Slowly plodding
along the snowy track of the glacier would get
us to a snowy shoulder before the final shark’s
fin rocky ridge which took us to the small
summit. After a six-and-a-half strenuous hours
and a lot of hard graft from both teams the
summit was reached with the final 150m height
gain being an airy, exposed scramble which was
on sound rock with big flakes and handholds to
keep a hold of. On reaching the summit Mel was
struck by a minor bout of mountain sickness and
was ill. The summit was thus quickly left and the
teams made their way down the difficult rocky
ridge with a lot of backwards down climbing
(scary). Ed and Bethan left the summit first
and after their experience of the day before
made quick progress which allowed them to
have a lengthy rest whilst waiting for the other
rope team to catch up. Once the group were
reunited, and Mel had left a lasting impression
on the mountain, the team reached their snow
trench from earlier and made good progress
back down the slopes to the hut where they
were met part way by Mr Othen who had
carried some very welcome water up for them.
We reached the hut 11 hours after leaving it and
welcomed the Radlers that met us along with
the tasty three-course dinner.
As we made our way along the glacier we
could see the line of head torches of the other
team making their way up the flanks of the
Finsteraarhorn. The Agassizhorn was more of a
snow plod compared to the other rope team’s
exposed ascent. That said it was still very tiring
as the snow had a thin crust that suggested it
would take your weight but would then give
way underneath you, making it very tiring,
especially the final 40m to the summit which
was exhausting. In George’s words: ‘The day as
a whole was challenging but worth it when we
reached the summit and were able to see two
of the most famous and iconic mountains in the
world, the Matterhorn and the Eiger’.
Lewis really enjoyed the descent, as after taking
five hours to get up it took us an hour-anda-half to get down, including the boys being
lowered down a steep snow slope the length
of the rope whilst George hummed the theme
from Mission Impossible! We also hurried as we
had to weave our way through a few serac fields
which were starting to get the sun on them
meaning a big ice block could potentially cleave
off at any moment. Evidence of this could be
seen on the glacier with a couple of chunks of
ice the size of cars resting at jaunty angles on it,
their trails from where they had detached clearly
visible. Mr O was explaining this as a serac band
to our left creaked which encouraged the team
to hasten to a safe zone on the edge of the
glacier. Once in the safe zone we could adopt
a more relaxed journey back to the hut after a
seven-hour day.
Once both teams had been reunited a
departure time was discussed over dinner
where the experiences of the day were relived,
especially the wet difficult snow late in the
day. The options of a 3.30am or 6.30am start
were given with the team choosing as a whole
the 3.30 option so as to make best progress
on the hard packed snow for as long as they
could. This surprised me, I have to admit, but
it demonstrates the sound thinking of an alpine
mountaineer which these young people were
rapidly turning into. As a result an early night
was had.
Sunday
Thai was theoretically a bit of a rest day! If
15km journey and a 3.15 am start can be called
that – but labelled that it was. A slightly more
talkative 3.30am breakfast today followed by
the team staying in the same teams they had
worked in the previous day – development or
‘Ropehood’ going on – a bit like ‘Tankhood’
in Finding Nemo. Head torches lit up the
glacier as we left under the huge bulk of the
Finsteraarhorn drawing a few ‘I climbed that!’
looks as we crossed over to the col we had to
travel over before descending to the Kondordia
Platz and then hooking right back up the Aletsch
Glacier to the Monchjoch hut. The first part of
the journey was made quickly and Konkordia
Platz reached after a couple of hours’ graft.
George literally broke the ice as he braved an
icy pool we found to have a wash, which was
in his words refreshing. We found the trench
which was the passage of feet travelling between
Konkordia and the Spinkstollen which is the
highest train station of the Eigerbahn, a railway
which goes from the Grindelwald valley through
Lewis really
enjoyed the
descent, as after
taking five hours
to get up it took
us an hour-and-ahalf to get down,
including the boys
being lowered
down a steep snow
slope the length
of the rope whilst
George hummed
the theme from
Mission Impossible!
11
the Eiger to the Col between the Monch
and Jungfrau mountains. We followed this in
warm conditions for a further seven km with
the journey taking us to 3,600m eventually. It
became obvious as we moved higher that Cath,
one of the other instructors, was suffering from
a chest infection that would only get worse with
height. It was decided that she would return to
the valley using the railway and we would meet
again in Feisch upon our return. Luckily we had
a spare instructor with us as well. Thankfully the
return to ‘thick air’ helped her hugely.
On reaching the Sphinxstollen the contrast to the
remoteness of the past few days was stark – we
were suddenly surrounded by tourists and the
associated attractions that go with them, including
a zip wire whose landing involved the riders
creaming into the snow to stop, much to our
amusement. The team were victims of unabashed
stares at the hardware around their waists
and in particular their spiky feet where many a
Japanese tourist looked at them open mouthed.
We dekitted and wandered into the station
where the most striking thing, other than the
mass of tourists, was the overpowering smell of
noodles which instantly reminded me of School
House kitchen! We didn’t tarry too long and,
once we’d seen Cath off on the train, made the
45-minute walk to the hut from the station. We
were welcomed very warmly after George and
Lewis had befriended the hut warden Heidi, who
was very excited to see a young group of British
climbers. The team had their now customary
Radlers before settling in the hut and relaxing
on the sun terrace where kit was also dried.
Tomorrow was a treat: a lie in until 6.15 with a an
ascent of the Monch which was next to the hut
and had a meagre 400m of ridge to climb.
Monday
After a leisurely 6.15 start the teams sauntered
out of the hut and wandered down the 300m of
pisted track to the start of the west ridge of the
Monch. Here we roped up in our three teams
before setting up the ridge in sun and light
winds. The teams’ acclimatization and symbiotic
relationship made for short work of the ridge
with the teams overtaking numerous other
parties on the way. The final snow crest was
steep and exposed but the passage of a plethora
of feet meant the going was straightforward,
although the exposure huge. Those with the
head could look to the right and see the Eiger, to
the left at the Jungfrau and once on the summit
straight ahead into the Grindelwald Valley some
three km below us. Team photos were taken on
the chilly summit before the route was reversed
which was a touch tricky owing to the numerous
other teams coming up the ridge. That said we
completed our day in four hours, meaning the
sun terrace was used again and sleep caught
up on before the team enjoyed a lunch of ham,
potato salad and the best cheese on toast ever.
More relaxing after a tough previous few days
and then evening meal arrived. This literally was
the highpoint of the trip as the next day would
see the team start its staged return to the UK,
starting with a descent down the Ewigschneefeld
to the Konkordia hut.
The airy
ridge of the
Finsteraargorn,
Paul Bethan
and Ed
The team were
acclimatized
now and made
short work of the
obstacle before
destroying the
balcony with all
our gear as we
were the only
team there.
Tuesday
Wednesday
The teams flew solo today whilst the remaining
three instructors made up their own rope. It
was a joy to watch team pea and team farmer
sort the ropes out, autonomously flaking it
out, putting on harnesses, tying in and taking
coils whilst chatting and generally not really
concentrating on what they were doing as it was
so ingrained now. That was until it was time to
move where each person focussed on checking
each other over and the team discussed the
distance they were apart for glacier travel and the
like. All we had to do was sit and watch to make
sure all was in order. It was and the teams set out
in good order, although the boys needed a bit of
correcting on their travel techniques at one point.
Another leisurely start before our last descent
of the stairs to the glacier below. Team pea
and farmer roped up and retraced their steps
back down the Aletsch having come up the
route they were now travelling down seven
days before. The distance was quickly eaten
up and it wasn’t long before the teams were
dekitting on the glacier’s edge and scrambling
off the ice on to the rocky path that would take
them back to the cable car and the prospect
of showers. Again the team drew the attention
of the numerous tourists and before taking the
cable car back down to the valley we made use
of the Alpina Restaurant and had a leisurely
lunch including rostis, scnitzel and pizza with
apfelstrudel to follow.
The main obstacle for the day was the serac
band at the end of the Ewigschneefeld and the
rope teams were reunited with their instructors
for this part of the journey owing to the
complex route finding and lowering techniques
required to move through the terrain. Once
through we were a short distance from the
hut and the dreaded stairs, made worse by
the fact that a military helicopter landed not
far from us on the glacier to change a range
noticeboard and then promptly took off, circled
and landed on the pad by the hut 100m above
us. That said, the team were acclimatized now
and made short work of the obstacle before
destroying the balcony with all our gear as we
were the only team there. We then played
cards and relaxed as we waited for dinner and
our final night in a hut. During the descent team
pea came up with a variation of a memory
game which started ‘when I went to the Alps, I
took…’ the list was:
Axe, Belay, Crampons, Dynamite, E45 cream,
Francs, Green Jacket, Harness, Ice Screw, Juice,
Knickers, Light, Map, Notebook, Ovomaltine
Chocolate, Picture of my cat, Queen’s face on
a coin, Rope, Suncream, Teabags, UV reflective
Sunglasses, Visor, Water, Xavier (team doc),
Yellow Crocs, Zebra.
Maybe the kit list for any future Alps trip!
Roping up for
the Monch
12
The cable car was then taken down and we
had a bit of room around us, maybe seven days
without washing properly has its benefits. On
this note a huge amount of respect for our three
girls who were worried about washing hair etc
before we left but quickly adopted just being
‘smelly and minging’ without any complaints at
all. That said, once we were back down and kit
sorted Hollywood showers were indulged by
each of them. We met up with Cath who had
travelled back from Grindelwald and enjoyed
a relaxed afternoon where the greatest find
by the boys was the same mineral water we
had been drinking in the huts for 1 CHF as
opposed to the 15 CHF we’d been paying in the
huts. The evening was spent packing and the
following day’s journey a simple reversal of the
journey out mentioned earlier with the same
disappointing roll from Swiss Airlines.
This was a fantastic exped that was helped by
the weather, the acclimatization profile, the
instructor ratio, the availability, placement and
access to the huts and the equipment from
Marmot and DMM which kept folk warm and
safe as well as lightening the load on their backs.
This said, all the previous parts of the jigsaw are
superfluous without the quality of the young
alpinists who took part. To that end I would
like to extend my thanks and admiration, in no
particular order, on behalf of all the instructors
to team farmer – George Tomley, Lewis Bebb
and Ed Green, as well as team pea – Bethan
Walford, Caitlin Jones and Mel McNeill. I’d tie
on to a rope with any of you happily.
13
ART
DEPARTMENT
The art department has offered a diverse array of
creations this year, from coffins stuffed with balloons
by Robin Edwards to silhouettes of beer bottles with
miniature people balanced on them by Daisy Tickner.
Students have gained valuable marks from researching
widely and sometimes using quirky themes to look
for inspiration and develop their thoughts visually
to begin a process of self expression, such as Leslie
Onumbu’s sticky tape men with garden tools replacing
prosthetic limbs. Appreciating beauty and form has also
been required with simple exercises such as applying
kaleidoscope effects to rotten fruit by Kristi Bruusgaard.
Peter Howle
Kristi Bruusgaard
Lower down Key Stage 3, the third form looked at
food and all the wonderful ways it has been used in art.
Making characters from biscuits and replicating them in
clay gave us an opportunity to explore the practicalities
of ceramics and glazes. I think we all enjoyed this, even
those whose work blew up in the kiln, and I was really
thrilled with the pieces that survived.
With the new Macintosh computer installed, we have
officially turned digital in some areas with students
experimenting with live action film making, animation
and pushing their photographic skills to new heights
with digital editing techniques. We will be offering
photography for A-level students from September
and will, I am sure, have fun with all the magical new
methods of finding and creating images that this
process brings.
Leslie Onumbu
Emily Morris
Art Club (Junior)
This year we have had enthusiastic membership
throughout the year from Max Bowker, Ella GalmotKerr, Phoebe Munford and Katy Scott. Other members
who participated for a term are Josh Winstanley, Laurie
Bowen, Miranda Robb, Kizzy Lumley-Edwards and
Jenny Cyffin-Jones.
Art club takes place Tuesdays after school in the
Michaelmas and Trinity terms.
Daisy Tickner
We have tackled several activities including: origami,
candle-making, model making and glass painting.
Then at the end of term we have a little tea party!
David Williams
Robin Edwards
14
Peter Howle
15
A R T & D E S IGN
TRIP TO PARIS
On arriving in the city of love, which along with London
and Berlin is one of the busiest cosmopolitan cities in Europe,
the excitement of the group was bursting to explore.
We first visited the Pompidou Centre, Paris’s
more quirky and modern gallery which
exhibited a wide variety of art pieces from the
last century including work from artists such as
Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. On looking
at the centre its modern aesthetics set the
mood for the interior. Immediately the group
was drawn to the modern art floor. The floor
exhibited a wide range of French artists with
one section dedicated to the exhibition Voici
Paris, which showed a collection from Christian
Bouqueret of French photography from the 20s
to the 50s. This collection showed all aspects
of Parisian life with artists reflecting social
messages of the time through their imagery.
This exhibition was highly influential because
we gained an insight into the avant-garde work
that these artists saw portraying social fears
and reflecting on their changing society, and of
course in the early half of the twentieth century
there were many cultural and political changes.
16
One the second day we visited the Musée
D’orsay featuring past masters like Vincent
van Gough, Matisse and Manet. The grand
and luxurious design of the gallery was in
complete contrast to the Pompidou and so
was the art. Walking round the gallery we
observed numerous art works which were
highly beneficial to all of the groups’ portfolios.
My favourite piece was La Danse au Moulin
rouge dit aussi la goulce et valetin le decssosse
which featured dancers from the Moulin Rouge,
an iconic cabaret club in Paris. The beautiful
piece emulated the passion and the atmosphere
of the club through the use of colour and
lines contrasting against its un-primed canvas
which really made the subjects stand out.
The impressionist and fashion exhibition was
interesting because of the portrayals of French
fashion through different mediums like painting
and photography, featuring artists like Renoir
whose impressionist paintings capture the feeling
of a scene rather than reproducing it, heralding a
new step in the art world, but it also allowed an
insight into Parisian upper-class culture and life
style in the 1800s.The same day we also went
to the Louvre which is the most iconic gallery in
Paris because it is home to the infamous Mona
Lisa. Having visited the gallery for the first time
I was in awe of its wide variety of art, mostly
comprising Renaissance art showing many
depictions of Christ. Although this gallery wasn’t
hugely beneficial to our current work it still was
a beauty to behold, having a rich and diverse
range of art to broaden our knowledge and
understanding.
On the penultimate day our group travelled
to the Musée de l’Orangrerie. By far this was
the smallest gallery. However, the work in the
gallery was no less beautiful than the other
galleries with the top floor dominated by the
collection of work by Claude Monet called Les
nympheas, which was a collection of large-scale
oil paintings of water lilies in and around the
garden of Giverny. They were the main focus
of Monet’s artistic production during the last
30 years of his life. Many of the works were
painted while Monet suffered from cataracts
which is remarkable because of the immaculate
aesthetics of the paintings which really emulated
the French impressionist movement because
you really have to step back and look at the big
picture to taken in the subtle hues that build
these grand pieces of art. Also on the bottom
floor there was a collection of less well-known
artists, namely Chaim Soutine whose bold and
unconventional approach to painting broke
the mould of traditional figurative painting and
who really let his perception of the subject
17
influence the painting. Parisian culture and art is
deemed so revolutionary because the various
movements and artists that emerged from it
influenced and inspired generations to come.
Paris was
everything that
we were looking
for and more
in terms of not
only art and
design but also
sightseeing,
exploring a
new culture
and a having a
welcome break.
This fruitful venture has resulted in finding artists
for our portfolios but just as importantly we
have gained and been exposed to a rich heritage
of diverse and beautiful art, the finest Paris has
to offer which I can say, having been my first
visit, has truly changed the way I look at art and
has broadened my knowledge of art and has led
me to admire so fondly this culturally diverse
and unique city which has a personality so
different from any other.
Robin Edwards
Paris in October – cold, wet and windy was the
expectation. How wrong we were! The sun
shone, the locals were friendly and the design
features were quite simply amazing. From Allessi
to Art Deco, kitchenware to furniture and
concept cars to architecture, there was plenty
to see. Pupils used images, materials and styles
to inspire them with their current portfolios,
hopefully allowing them to take a risk when
designing. Pupils and staff alike found the trip
relaxed, fun and informative, allowing everyone
to take in the delights of Paris in October.
The art and design trip to Paris was inspirational
and very enjoyable. It was exciting to be able to
visit some world-famous galleries and see lots
of famous artworks – especially the Mona Lisa!
It was useful to see some of the works of artists
and designers we have been studying in school,
and to see in detail the textures and every
individual brush stroke. Paris is an amazing city,
full of incredible architecture, including its Gothic
churches, like Notre Dame, and of course La
Tour Eiffel! I loved walking through the city,
especially as evening started to fall. And being
in the city this meant plenty of opportunity for
shopping, buying souvenirs for family and filling
our stomachs with crêpes! It was an amazing trip
and we all went home with hundreds of photos,
empty purses and huge smiles.
Thank you, Mr Pottinger, Mrs Fensome and
Mrs Price for taking us on this amazing trip!
Jasmine Tickner
Paris was everything that we were looking for
and more in terms of not only art and design
but also sightseeing, exploring a new culture
and a having a welcome break. The art that
we experienced was breathtaking, from the
modern concept pieces of the Pompidou
Centre to the grand masters contained in the
Louvre. Realizing the scale, composition, genuine
intensity of colour and marks and structures
that have created the piece you are stood in
front of is always worth a long coach journey
that leaves at two in the morning! As always, the
students were a pleasure to be with and highly
appreciative of the wonders they experienced,
returning to their sketchbooks with a new sense
of determination, inspiration and nerve to try
something new.
A ST RO N OM Y CLU B
Ethan McMorran, Lucy Lowry, Channa Naragala,
Igor Maleyko and Eduard Miskavich have all been
attending astronomy club this year. They have been
incredibly proficient at assembling the telescopes
ready for use, although owing to poor weather
conditions we have not actually been able to see
much through them this year! We did get a lovely
view of some of the craters on a crescent moon
one evening before the cloud moved in just as we
were going to take a photo! Igor made the most
impressive observations of the year, achieving a
good view of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons for
several minutes on a very cold February evening
with Mr McIntyre. Let’s hope for better weather in
the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Astronomy club
will resume again after the October half term and
run until February half term.
Rocket Science
In our first term we have experimented on basic
projectile design, with Henry Bowen developing
some good understanding of basic aeronautical
engineering. More recently we have begun the
assembly of our own compressed air rocket
launcher, where Andrew Warner has taken a lead
role acquiring specialist parts, ably assisted by
Matthew Masters.
Sue Fensome
B A K ING CLUB
Over the course of Michaelmas and Lent terms, a team of young bakers took to Guinevere
kitchen to cook up a storm of culinary delights. Mrs Coventry’s sessions involved sweet treats
such as brownies, scones, Millie’s cookies and shortbread. Miss Ballespi’s time in the kitchen
was spent making tortilla espanola (Spanish omelette), Tapas, Pasta with homemade tomato
sauce, Apple tarte and Coca de recapte (Catalan style pizza).The Michaelmas team included
Ffion Bell, Bethan Edwards, Dominic Fisher, Lucy Lowry, Ethan McMorran, Timmy Orrit,
Martin Pace-Bonello, Eleanor Regnart-Butler. The Lent team was made up of Chloe Cox,
Aarifa, Roisin, Katie, Natasha, Holly Tomley and Sian Grice.
18
19
BELLAN HOUSE
Reception Class
The reception children started their school
life in September with a positive attitude and
great determination and have continued this
throughout the year. We have welcomed Mrs
Younger into the class as a learning support
assistant and thank her for her help throughout
the year.
At Christmas time the children did extremely
well at learning their lines for the Nativity and
enjoyed performing in front of an audience.
Special note must be given to Toby Harvey who
gave a memorable performance delivering the
Baby Jesus to the manger.
In the New year we went to watch an Oily Cart
production at Theatre Clwyd. The performance
involved the children helping with the story
telling and had full audience participation,
which the children loved, especially James
Evans and Laurie Richards Evans who joined in
enthusiastically.
Throughout the year the children have enjoyed
Forest School, despite it being particularly cold
at times. A very big thank you to Katherine
Marshall’s parents, Louise and Nick, for helping
out every other week and being so enthusiastic.
A particular favourite activity at Forest School
for Chloe is collecting worms with her friends
and the ‘mud kitchen’ has seen some amazing
dishes being served up by Ruby Roberts, Olivia
Eastmond and Katherine Marshall, including
grass soup and mud cupcakes! Lola Read has
enjoyed investigating the Forest School site and
with her excellent observational skills managed
to find some slug eggs in the willow den.
In the Trinity term we had a Key Stage 1 visit
to Attingham Park along with Pre-school.
The children enjoyed a mini-beast woodland
walk with Freddie Heasmer-Jones thoroughly
enjoying hunting for bugs and Ted Furse who
was fascinated by the great crested newts hiding
under logs.
20
Congratulations go to Gabriella Owen-Langford
and Fergus Robb for their form prizes this year.
All the children in reception have had a great
year with everyone working to their full
potential. Well done to you all and we wish you
all the best for year 1. Keep up the hard work!
Mrs Lambourn
Year 1
Year 1 have had another busy and enjoyable year.
The gymnastics sessions at Border Gymnastics
were enjoyed by all. Katie Young and Melissa
Sudlow already attended the gym and were
delighted when Miss James selected them,
along with some year 2 pupils, to represent
Oswestry School at an inter-school gymnastics
competition held at the Marches School.
Congratulations to both girls on obtaining
bronze certificates.
The children all had narrations in our Nativity
play, with Oli Taylor, Harry Coutts-Britton and
Oliver Hamlett making excellent innkeepers.
Book Week was a huge success, especially the
visit from an Alien in Underpants! We were
inspired to write a class book entitled Alien
Adventures with lovely imaginative contributions
from Oliver, Harry and Kyle Rowlands.
The arrival of snow brought Book Week to an
abrupt end and it was off to Forest School to
sledge and build snowmen. The children love
our Forest School sessions and our thanks go
to Miss Morgan for always planning exciting
things for us to do. Theo Chapman manages
to climb the tree higher than anyone else and
the tree is now referred to as Theo’s tree!
Freddie Davies loves having camp fires and has
developed a liking for popcorn, whilst the rest
of us love toasting marshmallows. Kyle’s mummy
and grandma were introduced to toasted
marshmallows sandwiched between biscuits
when they joined us on a very soggy afternoon.
Kyle has particularly enjoyed our class violin
lessons with Mr Oram. Theo has been learning
drums with Mr Santry and treated us to a lively
demonstration.
Lunchtime tennis with Mr Markham has been
attended by Theo, Harry and Oli. Katie and
Melissa joined Mrs Arnold, Mrs Edwards and
myself at knitting club and we hope the daddies
will be delighted with their colourful scarves.
one second place. Oliver managed to gain
second place in the tennis ball throw, despite
having three stitches in his knee!
A sincere thanks to Mrs Deborah Tesseyman
and Miss Sue Williams (bus) for their continued
cheerful assistance.
Mrs Green
Year 2
Our class trip this year was to Attingham Park.
Along with year 2 we learnt about being servants
for the day. Freddie was particularly thorough
when cleaning the copper pans with a lemon!
This year has been an exciting and busy one for
year 2 with lots of events taking place. It has been a
pleasure to watch the children progress and mature.
Sports Day was a huge success, with medals all
round. As Katie was unwell on the day Melissa
competed against the boys in all events. Well
done Melissa on gaining three third places and
During Michaelmas term we celebrated harvest
festival with a service and collection of food for
the Oswestry food bank. In November we all
enjoyed dressing up in spotty clothes to support
Children in Need day.
21
During December some of year 2 were lucky to
have their names drawn out of a hat to go ice
skating in Festival Square. I’m happy to report
that the children returned with all bones intact
and no casualties!
The Christmas shop, organized by the Parents
Association, proved to be a busy time for us
with Olivia Philbin finding some good bargains
for her family while Will Lowry had a difficult
time making his choices!
As we have included Forest School on our
curriculum for the first time this year we decided
to plant our daffodil bulbs on the school site.
We visited the theatre in Llandudno to watch
the annual pantomime. Corey Grice and Harry
Laker nearly lost their voices shouting out and
joining in the fun!
We finished the term with our Nativity play in St
Oswald’s church with Emily Pritchard and Archie
Tulloch playing Mary and Joseph brilliantly. Every
child in Key Stage 1 had a speaking part and I
was very proud of them all for their acting skills,
remembering their lines and beautiful singing. It
was a super way to end the term.
In February we visited the Valentine’s café. The
children greatly enjoyed the cakes and drinks
organized by the Parents Association. Tommy
Freeman and Imogen Rees loved all the goodies
on offer and couldn’t decide which to choose
and sampled as many as they could!
On a sunny morning at the end of February,
we walked around Cae Glas Park to support
Oswestry’s Rotary Club appeal End Polio Now.
Lydia Willmore and Lowri Peirson were keen to
walk further than the designated four laps, while
Caitlin McCourt persuaded her mummy and
daddy to join us. A huge amount of money was
raised to help this worthwhile cause.
To conclude the Lent term Key Stage 1 held an
Easter activities afternoon proving just what a
talented bunch they are, producing cakes, cards
and baskets. Megan Hill enjoyed testing the
chocolate for the nests!
Book Week, at the beginning of the Trinity term,
was a big success. Caitlin was inspired to write
and produce her own excellent books at home
and Lowri won the year 2 prize for designing the
best pair of alien underpants!
22
Year 3
replanting
blubells
We have enjoyed two visits this term, one to
Attingham Park, experiencing life as servants in
the “big house” which Luca Ruby declared to
be wicked! Our second visit was to the Village
Bakery, thanks to Laurence and Hannah’s dad,
Mr Robin Jones. It was very interesting and
enjoyed by all, especially the bread animals we
made to take home.
Finally we end the term with Speech Day.
Congratulations to Emily, Megan and Lowri for
winning the Form prizes this year. It was a very
tough decision to make. Thanks to Miss Sue for
all of her hard work. The children are very lucky
to have her.
Year 2 are sorry to say goodbye Archie. We will
miss him very much and hope he will be happy
in his new school.
Mrs Edwards
Year 3
In year 3 we have enjoyed a busy year full
of varied activities in conjunction with the
children’s wide and rich academic timetable.
We welcomed two new pupils into the class in
September, Jack and Charlie Earley. For a while
they caused a lot of confusion amongst the
staff as they certainly live up to the name of
identical twins!
During the Michaelmas term we were once again
approached by Oswestry town council to take
part in the Oswestry in Bloom Competition.
As we have included Forest School on our
curriculum for the first time this year we decided
to plant our daffodil bulbs on the school site.
Lily Abram, Tom Evans and Archie Barr really
enjoyed this activity. The whole class were
extremely proud when we came first out of all
the competing schools in the area.
In the Lent term we welcomed Abigail Hitchen
into our fold. She has settled so well it seems as
if she has always been with us!
As a treat the whole school went to Llandudno
to see the pantomime Peter Pan. Jemima
Warner and Josh Counter were invited to go
on to the stage. They each received a goody
bag but as Josh said, “It was really embarrassing
because we had to dance for it”.
To enhance our history syllabus, we visited
Chirk Castle to explore what it would have
been like to live there around 1,000 years
ago. We experienced doing the washing,
making pomanders and being thrown into the
dungeons. However, Connie Garvey’s favourite
activity was dressing up in period costume.
In June, Bellan House celebrated the 35th
anniversary of being part of Oswestry School.
A tea party was held and Josh Owen-Langford
was chosen to recite a poem in front of all the
people who attended. Well done, Josh!
Hamish Coutts-Britton continues to attend after
school chess club with Mr Birchwood. He was
recently selected to take part in an inter-schools
competition in Hereford where he played really
well. We are very proud of him.
Mrs Arnold
Out of school, Isabella Morris continues
to successfully compete in inter-counties
gymnastics competitions and has been rewarded
with a super shield.
We recently visited the Village Bakery, owned
and run by Laurence Jones’ family. After a really
interesting tour learning about all the ingredients
and processes of making bread, we had fun
making our own creatures out of dough. Whilst
they were being baked for us to take home, we
were treated to delicious pancakes. Everyone
voted this an excellent outing!
As part of Prince Charles’ initiative to plant wild
flower meadows, we were asked to transplant
some bluebells from Cae Glas Park to a
designated area in St David’s churchyard. Harry
Roberts and Buster Read really enjoyed digging
holes for the plants to grow in. We also found a
rather eerie empty tomb there!
Year 4
Year 4 have had lots of fun as well as working
hard this year.
We were very pleased to welcome a new pupil
into the class in the Lent term: Edgar Fensome.
He has settled in well and is feeling confident
about school life at Bellan. He should be very
proud of the leaps forward he has taken in the
short time he has been with us.
We have been
on a trip to Chirk
Castle this year,
definitely enjoyed
by Mikey Philbin,
whose knowledge
of ancient
weaponry and
armour amazed
the volunteers
who were taking
the class.
We have been on a trip to Chirk Castle this
year, definitely enjoyed by Mikey Philbin, whose
knowledge of ancient weaponry and armour
amazed the volunteers who were taking the
class. Jay Richards Evans, also a new starter
at the beginning of the year, has shown he
has talents in creative writing. He wrote and
performed a particularly scary poem in the
musical concert earlier in the year and took part
in a workshop run by a local author over Easter.
Ashley Lall has continued to shine in our various
drama and dancing activities, and was chosen
to recite her poem (with suitable voices) at the
35th anniversary celebration.
23
Ben Tidridge has also shown some strategic
promise, winning the school chess tournament
and travelling to compete in the local finals in
Hereford. Although he didn’t progress further
this time, it was a fantastic experience.
In the sporting arena this class has also had
many outstanding successes: Haydn Cook does
not often trumpet his abilities, but he is a fierce
competitor in motocross at the weekends. His
various (thankfully slight) injuries attest to his
commitment and speed. He was also part of the
winning team in the NSPS cross-country with
Hector Robb and Ben Tidridge, both of whom
have become our star cricketers this year.
Jamie Faulks has been picked a number of times
for the U11 football squad, and he should be
proud that a year 4 pupil has the skills and pace
to keep up with students two to three years
older than him.
Dewi Jones has also developed his running and
endurance as everyone at Sports Day saw: the
most amazing 800m I’ve ever seen a year 4
pupil run! Hannah Pritchard has been a star in
gymnastics this year, both in school and out, her
team recently winning a regional competition.
Sam Dudgeon has progressed two belts over
the year in Kung Fu, and has become the
Northwest Semi-Contact Open champion, an
amazing achievement.
The two form prize winners Ashley Lall (progress)
and Jay Richards Evans (achievement) should be
very proud of their efforts throughout the year.
Mr Birchwood
Year 5
Looking back on the year I cannot believe
how quickly the time has passed. The early
experience of waking up under canvas on a
chilly autumn day is something I am sure the
Form will remember. Blessed with a stunning
morning, pupils relaxed whilst the headmaster
prepared a breakfast of sausages, pancakes and
honey. We had achieved two important aims:
storing up special memories and having fun.
Since the first weeks there has been a great
many smiles: not least when, during Book
Week, a visiting author Damian Harvey,
dressed Josh Garvey in a fetching caveman
outfit and pupils were able to question an
inspiring children’s writer.
In February we were all smiling at the Valentine
cafe, particularly Noah Kynaston Evans who was
in his element entertaining his guests.
Kizzy Lumley-Edwards and Alixandra HeasmerJones’ charming piano duet, as part of the
Oswestry Music Festival, gave proud parents
cause to smile when they achieved first place.
Similarly, Connor Greenwood and Daniel
Counter’s entertaining duologue from Toad of
Toad Hall firmly engaged the audience during
the Shropshire Festival of Verse and Prose.
We were fortunate to welcome Katy Scott’s
grandparents to school. They intrigued the
children as they talked about their life in the
Oliver dress
rehearsal
Natasha
Earley’s bubbly
personality shone
through whilst
enthusiastically
exploring the
Great Orme
during our snowy
trip to Llandudno.
1940s. Reuben Hibbert’s keen journalistic skills
came to the fore as he posed carefully worded
questions to our visitors.
good humour, common sense and kindliness is
testimony to the family ethos that prevails within
the school.
Towards the end of the Lent term Anna Warner
was proud to receive first prize as part of the
public speaking competition. There was great
relief all round when the real examinations
took place, especially for Archie Oughton who
managed a strong performance despite almost
losing his voice.
year 6 pupils are encouraged to show increasing
independence, self-reliance and responsibility.
This year’s prefects have all acquitted themselves
well in their various duties, the acquisition of
Bob and Barbie, the school’s goldfish serving as
a more tangible reminder of their input.
A happy class thrives and learning comes from
personal motivation and drive, which this year’s
group seem to have in abundance. The cohort
of 2007 is undoubtedly full of characters.
There are future artists, musicians, diplomats,
politicians, inventors, scientists and teachers in
abundance and most importantly characters
who care about the world and for each other.
Daniel Haycocks, a sportsman in every sense,
has made great progress this year, most notably
in his rugby performances but also within
football and cricket. Sam Freeman’s results in
cross-country and carrying the many bags he
brings to school are certainly admirable.
Natasha Earley’s bubbly personality shone
through whilst enthusiastically exploring the
Great Orme during our snowy trip to Llandudno.
Zara Iskarova, who joined year 5 for the last half
term, has impressed me with her independence
and courage whilst living such a long way from
home. Last, but not least, Luke Gambroudes’
confident performance as Joseph in our final
show of the year will, I am sure, be remembered
for creating smiles of pride all round.
Our current year 5 have made both their
teachers and parents very proud. They are
pupils who should be gratified by all they have
achieved in the classroom, on the sports field
and socially. I am sure they will form a tenacious
top class and wish them every success in year 6.
Mrs Lentink
Year 6
2012/13 has proved to be a busy and fulfilling
period as the pupils revelled in the distinction of
being the first year 6 pupils at Bellan. They rose
to the unspoken challenge of acting as positive
role models for younger members of the
school. That they have done so with cheerful
7-a-side
football team
24
Max Bowker, Josh Winstanley, Owen Jones
and Laurie Bowen have shown initiative in
conducting weekly surveys of an eclectic mix
of issues for a whole-school Record Book. Ella
Galmot-Kerr and Miranda Robb were invited to
appear on BBC’s Children in Need as a result of
Ella writing to them about staging ‘Bellan does
Strictly’. Although the event was not televised,
the pupils’ scaled down version was much
enjoyed and raised a significant sum for charity.
We were delighted to once again have the
company of David Villafane in school, and we
look forward to welcoming him back next term.
Our carol service saw year 6 retelling the
Christmas story through readings of their own
versions of the nine lessons. Choir and other
musical items, interspersed with carols in the
evocative setting of a candle-lit chapel, brought
the term to a seasonal close.
The Lent term saw year 6 pupils involved in the
crocus walk. Max designed the winning logo for
the Oswestry Music Festival and then competed
successfully (with other form members) in
the youth choir section, gaining distinction
and second place. Jenny Cyffin-Jones, Phoebe
Munford, Laurie and Max took part in the senior
school’s production of Oliver. Hannah Jones,
Ellie Chadwick, Beth Williams and Phoebe,
moved on to pointe shoes in ballet.
Negotiating Bellan stairs, and regular carrying of
school bags, acts as good fitness training, judging
by splendid performances in the recent Sports
Day with Owen and Beth scooping first places in
both track and field events and Anya Stojanovic
winning the 100m sprint. Beth and Owen were
also successful in the ‘voluntary’ 800m race. There
were notable performances from Peter Taylor,
Lloyd Edwards, Laurie, Hannah, and Ellie, but all of
the pupils are worthy of special mention for the
effort and determination they showed, and for
their tremendous all-round sportsmanship.
25
Joseph and
his amazing
technicolour
dreamcoat
Several boys and girls have represented
the school, on merit, in teams above their
age-range. Matthew Davies and Lloyd were
selected for Shropshire cricket. Lloyd, Laurie
and Anthony Suen have captained in football
and rugby. Peter kept a clean sheet as U13
goalie and Matthew showed versatility and
competence in all three ball sports. The
girls, including Bethan Faulks (shooter), have
enjoyed similar success in netball, competing
against local rivals but Jenny, Beth and Chloe
Pace-Bonello were disappointed to lose
narrowly on penalties in a recent six-a-side
football tournament. Anya has been selected
for a national squash development squad.
Mrs Rachel Bowd taking time away from her
Old Oswestrian commitments and coming in to
support groups of children.
Year 6 made the trip to the Blencathra Field
Studies Centre in the Lake District enjoyable
for Mrs Lentink, who saw a marked increase in
organizational skills and everyone developing
their independence and group work. No-one
will forget Cecilia Varbiro’s ‘bog-dip’ and Peter’s
river dive, all in the cause of science.
Mrs Tamsyn Parker continues to support
children individually as well as in class, and is
developing her particular interest in dyslexia.
From September Mrs Parker will be working at
the senior school and will be with year 6 as they
become the first form; she will be greatly missed
at the prep department.
In addition to academic work, the pupils have
prepared for ESB examinations and for Joseph,
this year’s summer show. They have also enjoyed
hosting Ming-Ming, Mun-Mun, and Llia, our
visitors from Thailand and Russia respectively.
I would like to thank the Parents Association for
purchasing the CD player so children can access
stories through audio books. Support from
parents to both children and the department is
greatly valued and appreciated.
Mrs Morris
This year’s favourite resource is the smart chute.
The construction of this chute has been of great
interest to all the children who use it, suggesting
that I am teaching a number of future inventors
or engineers!
Learning Support
We have had a busy year in the learning support
department and have very much appreciated
Welcome and thanks also go to Mrs Bonnie
Younger, who has a special interest in sensory
processing and who has worked tirelessly in
reception class. Mrs Alison Bound, amongst
other roles, has supported children with their
maths and will continue to do so next year. Mrs
Bound has used cookery lessons as a handson teaching method, with lots of weighing and
following of instructions to produce very tasty
cakes and biscuits which all members of staff
have enjoyed!
I would like to wish you all a happy summer
holiday with a gentle reminder to keep reading
and writing during the long break!
Miss Hall
It has been
a pleasure to
see so many
boys and girls
playing sport at
a higher level
than their age.
Sporting Achievements
This year has seen the prep department’s
sporting programme really take off with more
sport and fixtures than ever before. Once again
we have had competitive fixtures against the
local primary schools at U9 level which have
been even more successful than last year. The
girls have taken part in hockey, netball and
rounders for the first time in this age group,
which will stand them in good stead as they
move up to U11 level, at which they will enter
tournaments in the local area.
There has been lots of success on the sports
field this year and it all kicked off with the U11
team finishing third at the Ellesmere six-a-side
football tournament. Our boys lost 1-0 to a
last-minute goal in the semifinal but all six of
the team dusted themselves down for the third
place play off to put in a superb performance to
claim a 1-0 victory, thanks to a David Villafane
goal. Captain Lloyd Edwards then led his team
up to collect their third place medals which
capped off a fine day for the team.
Also on the football front we entered our first
ever U11 girls team in the local primary school
tournament. After only a couple of training
sessions we went to the tournament to gain
experience yet the girls excelled and made it into
the final. Our squad consisted of Beth Williams,
Anya Stojanovic, Hannah Jones, Jenny Cyffin-Jones,
Chloe Pace-Bonello, Anna Warner, Ruby Read,
Kizzy Lumley-Edwards and Natasha Earley, who all
played their part in getting to the final, which was a
remarkable achievement in itself. With a close final
locked at 0-0 after extra time the girls were forced
to settle the game with penalties. It was a scenario
nobody wanted and the girls found themselves
losing the game in the cruellest possible way. The
whole squad can be very proud of what was a
fantastic effort, considering they had only been
playing for a few weeks.
Our U11 girls continued to perform to a high
standard in both netball and uni hockey with
several fantastic wins. Anya has been selected
to take part in the England Squash Regional
Academy’s training programme after taking part
in an event at Wolverhampton. Anya has made
great strides with her squash this year and was
crowned the Gloucestershire Junior Open 2013
Girls U11 Champion, despite playing girls ranked
as highly as number six in the UK. This is an
outstanding achievement for one so young.
It has been a pleasure to see so many boys
and girls playing sport at a higher level than
their age. Anna (10 years old), Beth (11 years
old) and Anya (11 years old) all not only played
netball for the U12 team but were the standout
performers in that game. This was an excellent
achievement especially for Anna as she was
playing two years above her age. Matthew
Davies, Peter Taylor, Owen Jones and Lloyd
all played for the U13 cricket team which was
two years above their age. All four of the boys
made a good contribution to that team with
Matthew, Lloyd and Peter all going on to make
their debuts for the U14 team, which they all
Ellie
Simmonds visit
26
27
should be very proud of. Matthew in particular
has really excelled this year playing above his age
in football, rugby and cricket with the highlight
being his debut for the U15 cricket team when
he was still short of his eleventh birthday.
This really is an outstanding achievement
and we expect to see a lot of match-winning
performances from Matthew as he moves up to
the senior school and into the first form.
Other boys in year 6 to play above their age
group in both football and rugby were Laurence
Bowen, Anthony Suen, Josh Winstanley, Max
Bowker, Lloyd, Owen and Peter. All deserve
praise for what has been an excellent year for
all of them on the sports field. Daniel Haycocks
in year 5 is a close second behind Matthew as
he equalled his record of playing rugby for the
U12 team at ten years old. Daniel has shown a
real determination and never-say-die attitude
which has taken his sport to a new level this
year. This has seen him constantly perform at
a high standard and compete with boys at U12
level who are physically a lot bigger and stronger
than him. We believe next year as he steps
up into year 6 we will see more outstanding
performances from Daniel.
This truly has been an exceptional year for sport
in the prep department. It is impossible to mention
every achievement as there have been so many
positive team and individual performances.
The sports field was not the only place
where we saw our boys and girls excelling.
In the swimming pool we have seen some
exceptional swimming from year 3 up to year
6. We took victory in the year 3-5 swimming
gala against Whittington Primary School, with
standout performances from Hannah Pritchard,
Ashley Lall, Laurence Jones, Haydn Cook and
Hector Robb. Also we saw Daniel Counter,
Luke Gambroudes, Daniel Haycocks, Hannah
Jones, Jenny and Anya all go to the Northwest
Shropshire Swimming Trials with Jenny, Anya
and Daniel Counter all going on to represent
the northwest team at the Inter County gala.
The traditional prep department Sports Day
and swimming gala really showed off what talent
we are blessed with at the moment. We saw
lots of potential from our younger end of the
school with reception, year 1 and year 2 children
28
performing commendably for ones so young. It
was refreshing to see the older and younger age
groups mixing and sharing in each other’s success.
Following on from Sports Day our school was
a major player on the athletics track, getting
some fantastic results at the Primary School
championships with Isabella Morris, Lily Abram,
Connie Garvey and Hannah Pritchard impressing
for the girls. On the boys’ side Haydn, Hector, Josh
Counter and Laurence Jones all had a successful
championship. Our year 3 and 4 boys cross
country team returned to school with the Primary
Schools Shield after a tremendous season this year.
Josh Counter went up to receive the shield, which
now sits proudly on the trophy shelf in school.
The victorious team consisted of Josh Counter,
Laurence Jones, Charlie Earley, Jack Earley, Tommy
Freeman, Ben Tidridge, Hector and Haydn.
This truly has been an exceptional year for
sport in the prep department. It is impossible
to mention every achievement as there have
been so many positive team and individual
performances. The progress that the children
have made in the last two years is phenomenal.
We have gone from a school with very little
sport to a school where every child wants to
be part of a school sports club or team. I did
not think it possible to be at the level where
we are now in such a short space of time. The
enthusiasm for sport at all ages and from both
boys and girls is a sight to behold and one
which I hope will continue to grow as we work
towards our aim of being one of the finest
schools for sport in the area. Congratulations to
each and every pupil on a tremendous year.
We will continue to build our links with the
local primary schools, enabling us to provide
competitive fixtures across a wider variety of
sports for both boys and girls of all ages.
A sincere thank you must go to the Parents
Association for supplying the medals for Sports Day,
to Mr Jones and his team for keeping our facilities
and grounds in great shape and finally to Mr Robb
for his continued drive and support to ensure sport
in the prep department is the best it can be.
B E LLAN AT
BLENCATHRA
Once again, in May, year 6 travelled to the Lake District for a
week to develop their understanding of aspects in the geography
and science curriculum. The field centre is set in the southwest side
of Blencathra Mountain and offers a great panorama of pastures,
valleys, streams and lakes. It is hoped that this setting will provide
interest and inspiration to the pupils and provide them with an
opportunity to develop teamwork skills.
Day One
Day Two
After a smooth journey we arrived at
Blencathra at approx 12.30pm, settled in to our
annex (which is ideal for the group) and then
set off to explore.
Another very successful day here at
Blencathra. The morning was spent working
hard on footpath conservation activities
on the hills above Ullswater. Everyone was
really enthusiastic and worked with pleasing
determination. It was great to see a noticeable
difference in the pathway once we had finished.
In the rain and hail we had a bracing walk down
to the local village and I was impressed by the
year 6 map reading skills. The evening was
spent on team building activities – crossing a
raging river and time in the classroom learning
about John Muir. All hope to achieve the John
Muir award by the end of the stay.
After a very full day of activities finishing at
9pm, Loncsale (the annex) was silent by 10pm.
Mr Miles
During the afternoon we drove to Low Bridge
End Farm where we searched for invertebrates
in the fresh-water habitat of St John’s Beck.
Some groups even managed to net very young
salmon! Again participation level was 100 per
cent – despite more than a few with rather wet
socks. After a hearty tea we tested the new
orienteering course which some found slightly
easier than others!
All in all a day full of new experiences.
29
Day Three
We walked Latrig and reached Keswick. Despite
high winds and rain on the top there was a
super attitude from all and we managed to
collect data en route! On Wednesday evening
everyone – staff included – set mammal traps.
We were hoping to entice mice, voles and other
small mammals into the small metal traps that
were filled with hay, seeds and a small piece of
apple. All of the traps were carefully placed in a
wide range of locations. The following morning
they would be opened and we would see who
had been successful.
Day Four
On Thursday morning, after a hearty breakfast,
we all waited for Vicky, our tutor to oversee
the opening of the traps. Although a number
had closed doors we had actually only caught
three small field mice. Everyone managed to
take a close look and Jenny and Phoebe were
particularly proud of their success! Traps packed
away we headed off for our day away from the
Blencathra Centre.
The majority of today was spent either on the
water or in the water. Splitting into two groups
we went canoeing or took part in a river study.
Once again great fun was had by all. Teamwork,
concentration, focus and energy were all key
skills employed in abundance whilst canoeing
on Derwent Water. More technical skills were
employed during our river study and pupils
learnt to use a range of equipment to test
elements such as the speed of flow and gradient
of the river.
One or two pupils also tested the density of the
bog and how quickly they could sink! The evening
was rounded off with the traditional camp fire,
toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate!
Day Five
Friday was our final day at the centre. Pupils
spent the morning inside the classroom
completing records of their findings and
drawing together all that they had learned. I
was impressed by the knowledge acquired, links
made with classwork at school and the general
level of questioning that took place.
Although everyone had had a long and busy
week the concentration and effort in the
classroom was commendable. Once the written
work was completed the children divided into
groups to create PowerPoint presentations
as a summary of all that they had discovered,
explored and conserved. This activity formed
the final element of The John Muir award as
pupils were sharing their experiences. All groups
will be sharing their presentations in an assembly
once we are back at school. A final picnic lunch
at the centre prepared us for the journey home.
By 1.30pm our coach had arrived and was being
loaded up. Leaving just before 2pm we had a
smooth journey back to school – getting home
on time by 5.30pm.
A huge thank you to all of year 6 who made this
an extremely enjoyable trip. Particular thanks to
Mr Jason Till who accompanied the group. His
military organization helped to keep everything
ship shape and I saw a marked increase in the
organizational skills of certain pupils.
Thanks also to all the Blencathra Centre staff
who, as always, were wonderful. The welcome
we receive every year is highly valued. We
wish the centre well with their new plans for
hydropower and use of bio fuels which we look
forward to seeing in action next year.
BELLAN SUMMER ACTIVITIES
We were delighted that during three weeks of the holiday summer activities have taken
place at Bellan House. A wonderful team of staff planned and delivered a varied and exciting
programme of visits and activities that were enjoyed by a super group of children from
reception through to year 6.
During the first week trips were to Hawkstone Park and Follies, Liverpool Museum, Rhyl
Sealife Centre and the cinema. Week two included: Powis Castle and the Welshpool Railway,
Cardingmill Valley, Acton Scott, Llandudno and Beeston Castle.
Summer activities were completed by a very successful final week visiting Attingham Park and
its super new play area, the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Alyn Waters Country Park and Blists Hill
Museum. Both children and parents have appreciated the great opportunity to break up the
summer weeks and it has been wonderful to see everyone having such a tremendous time
together in a true family atmosphere.
My sincere thanks to all staff who have made this scheme such a success. A particular mention
must go to Miss Sue Williams who has been there throughout and never fails to keep us all
entertained. We look forward to similar schemes in the future but please remember to book
early to avoid disappointment.
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31
BOOKED UP
BUSINESS STUDIES
Once again the library has been busy organizing
our seventh annual book event, our second year
working with Oswestry Festival of the Word.
Bellan House enjoyed the hugely entertaining
and continuously energetic Damian Harvey
who spoke to all the children about writing, his
highly contagious enthusiasm had all the classes
jumping up and down all day.
Dahl Funniest Book winner 2012) also visited
the first form where Holly Tomley and Alistair
Moss received the honour of being the dark
lord’s minions! A delightful session of creating
characters and acting out the voices and actions
from their imaginations led to much hilarity,
Rebecca Hollywell producing some unusual
voices along with Evan Ellis and Natasha Laundy.
Years 4, 5, 6 and the first form, as well as
children from visiting schools, enjoyed a very
lively interactive sports themed session in the
PHC with Blue Peter book prize nominee Tom
Palmer, which ended with a rugby goal shootout
between pupils, including Aron Varbiro who
won the shootout trophy. Jamie Thomson (Roald
Not to be left out the senior school were
visited by Dr Alison Baverstock who spoke
about creative writing and publishing. Holly
Payne, Natalie Makin and Kateryna Dubrova
were particularly taken with her ideas and were
left considering her ideas.
This year the fifth form and upper sixth
business studies pupils went on a field trip to
Drayton Manor Theme Park. The fifth form
were looking at the importance of customer
service to the park and the upper sixth were
investigating the marketing strategies used.
Pupils were given an introductory talk about
the theme park and then had the chance to
sample the product.
Business studies trip
to Drayton Manor
The park is predominantly a family-run
company. It was founded in 1950 as a small
park and over time has expanded. There
are numerous rides in the park, for example
Apocalypse, G-force and rather wet water
rapids. But in addition to these rides there is
a part of the park (Thomas Land) which is
for families with young children. Additionally
there is a zoo and a safari. The target market
of the company is families, which differs from
other parks which are direct competitors in
the market, for example Thorpe Park and
Alton Towers.
Personally I would say that the best rides
of the park which I went on were either
G-force or the water rapids (despite getting
soaked). G-force was exhilarating and
exciting: its slow start built up the tension,
which was swiftly blown away by a speedy
drop and a quickened pace. The water rapids
on the other hand were very different but
just as enjoyable.
One point from the talk which I found
quite interesting is how, in order to keep
the customer service at a good level, the
company organizes staff events such as staff
team-bonding days and social events. This
encourages a friendly working environment.
In addition I also found that the way
they encourage staff to set targets quite
interesting for it motivates them to smash
their targets. If they hit their targets then
32
they are rewarded by bonuses or prizes.
This really is a great way to get employees
working hard and also seeing job satisfaction.
The third and final point I found interesting
is without a doubt the way in which they
organized the customer complaints system.
All the different departments have different
uniforms; this enables complaints to be
filtered down into the departments with
ease. In addition it helps to give a sense of
smartness and diversity to the work force.
Overall the trip to Drayton Manor was very
fun indeed and much was learnt.
George Tomley
I had a great time visiting Drayton Manor
theme park on September 28 2012! After
listening to a marketing talk given by one of
the staff members, we were able to explore
the different rides and other attractions at the
park. The first ride I went on was the Ben 10
ride which I’d heard so much about – still, I
DID NOT expect to be pulled backwards so
suddenly after a smooth ride to the top. Being
as hesitant of scary rides as I am, meant I
stuck to the slowest rides which were closest
to the ground. The scariest ride I attempted
was the Storm Force, a water ride, which was
still nowhere near as scary as Apocalypse
or Maestrol (I could tell, even without going
on them). The cable cars were so refreshing
after I’d got over the fact that I was sitting
in a wobbly box, 36 feet above the ground.
Embarrassing as it is to admit, I tried some of
the rides in Thomas Land including Jeremy’s
flying class and the pirate ship. Still, I had the
most fun on the bumper cars, were I was
finally in my zone.
Dunni Olayebi
33
The best rides of
the park which
I went on were
either G-force or
the water rapids
(despite getting
soaked). G-force
was exhilarating
and exciting: its
slow start built
up the tension,
which was swiftly
blown away by a
speedy drop and
a quickened pace.
The Marketing Talk
Christmas Enterprise Fair 2012
This was given to us by one of the members of
staff. She told us about the origin of Drayton
Manor, which was initially opened by George
Bryan, who made it a family-run business.
The fact that the whole family lives around
each other makes communication a lot easier.
Drayton Manor has a lot of competition,
the main one being Alton Towers, which is
a bigger theme park in every sense. Drayton
Manor handles this competition by switching
target markets; so while the future generation
is Alton Tower’s primary target market, it’s
Drayton Manor’s secondary target market
(Drayton’s primary target market are families).
The object of the business, as it is for most
theme parks, is to increase the visitor numbers
(by five per cent every year). Drayton Manor
found this difficult to achieve because of
factors such as bad weather and the limited
ways in which it could expand, being located
in a residential area. It tried to achieve this
objective by working on its marketing mix:
setting affordable pricing strategies, online
and family discounts, promotional campaigns
on TV, radio and billboards, constructing
new attractions using national brands and
sponsorship deals with radio stations.
A fantastic time was had by all at this year’s
Christmas fair. The PHC was full of festive fun
as pupils, teachers, parents and friends rushed
to buy their stocking-filler presents, eating the
homemade food and taking part in the games
and amusements which had been prepared by
the young Oswestrian entrepreneurs. The fair
was officially opened by Mrs Leonard.
The prize for the stall that donated the most
went to 3KDE for washing cars, which was a
tremendous effort considering how cold it was.
The Christmas photo booth run by Melany
McNeill and Minnie Hedley won the prize for
best business idea and the Christmas cup cake
stall run by Sian Grice and Amy Younger won
the best presented stall.
The new House Enterprise Shield was won by
Donne house. This is awarded to the house that
raises the most, which includes contributions
from both house stalls and individual stalls.
A huge thank you to all pupils, friends, family and
teachers for your support. A fantastic £606.61
was the final amount raised, going jointly
towards the David Holbache Astropitch Appeal
and Help for Heroes.
Investment Club
The investment club was very competitive this
year with a group of ten sixth form boys wishing
to test their financial savvy. They were given
£1,000 (fictitious, of course!) to buy and sell
shares on the stock market. The student whose
portfolio was worth the most at the end of the
competition won.
Johannas Samer took an early lead but Matteo
O’Mahoney and Jack Nyhan were in close
pursuit! Richard Herbert, Chris Blount-Powell
and Ellis McColloch also invested well but
Matteo won the final leg with a portfolio of
shares which outperformed all others.
Students also took part in the Rotary
Investment competition and team Herbert
Mahoney (Matteo and Richard) did well with
their portfolio increasing by over 12 per cent
in value in comparison to the FTSE 100 which
increased by 10 per cent over the period of the
competition. Well done boys!
34
Cpl Verityy Bowen
with Maj Evanosn on
winning the Evanson
shield this year
COMBINED CADET FORCE
CCF Summer
Camp, Warcop
This year’s annual CCF summer camp took place in Warcop, near the scenic
Lake District. This provided us with idyllic surroundings to complete our
week’s training. It was fortunate that the camp coincided with arguably
the best week of weather of the summer. Following Speech Day, the
majority of the contingent travelled up and took up residence.
Sunday
Today we had our first taste of our whole
English breakfast at Warcop, waking up at 0630.
After we finished our meal, we marched around
camp (as is necessary) to the main bus park at
the entrance to the camp. We then proceeded
to the obstacle course, just east of the camp.
There were several obstacles to complete on
the course. Quite a few of the obstacles were
inaccessible because they were intended for
soldiers and they were therefore too difficult
and dangerous for us to use. Nevertheless,
there were plenty of obstacles to cross, such as
the very entertaining rope swing, the monkey
bars and assorted obstacles such as fences
and gates which could be crossed in one of
two ways. Hugo Malim couldn’t decide which
technique to use and ended up belly flopping
on top of the gate and balancing there for quite
a while. Meanwhile Emily Lacy tried to jump off
the wall but each time landed on her backside:
everyone had a good laugh.
In the afternoon, after we had had our packed
lunches, we did the navigation stand, with
different NCOs from different CCF contingents.
We looked over the subjects of map reading, grid
references and compass navigation. After these
stands were completed by Oswestry School
and Newcastle-under-Lyme School (the school
we were paired with), we did some teamwork
activities including ‘This is a beautiful moon’ (don’t
ask!). After we were all competent in our map
and compass skills we went out and did a D of E
style map and compass task. However one group
got a bit lost! The weather was scorching, but we
all really enjoyed ourselves!
Fiona Newman and Sebastian Banks
(Fish and Pasty)
35
Monday
Our second day consisted of a day out in the
scorching sun. We did an activity called Warcop
Wanderer. This was by far the most arduous
activity of the camp. We executed a series of
attacks at platoon level. At the start we did a
series of walk and talk throughs led by some
highly knowledgeable and eloquent regular army
sergeants. The more difficult of the attacks were
on a steep hill. The terrain was very undulating
but (fortunately) we only had to practise on this
part. The second was a much flatter which was
more fortunate for us as we had to do this one.
Along with this our weapon handling drills and
marksmanship principles, and accuracy with the
rifles, with many of our school being recognized for
their knowledge and achievement on this stand.
The sections were tasked to assault a variety
of enemy positions. Using pepper-potting
techniques we shot the enemy and fell into all
around defence. We repeated this three times
in different positions: assault, support and
reserve group. Each of us fired about 30 blank
rounds of blank ammo – it took a bit of cleaning
afterwards (but was entirely worth the trouble).
All in all the day was summarized by Mr Till
(paraphrasing): “In all of the platoon attacks that
I have seen where Oswestry and other schools
took part it is the first time that Oswestry took
the lead”.
L/Cpl Channa Naragala and Cdt Emily Lacy
Tuesday
On Tuesday we participated in a first-aid course
where we learnt how to treat casualties for
specific injuries, as well as managing to gain the
Heart Start qualification. For this we practised
CPR and ran through the ‘DRS ABC’ acronym.
After lunch we then were taken to the DCCT
range, which was a huge computer simulation
of various battle scenarios allowing us to
understand the ins and out of close range
combat. Along with this our weapon handling
drills and marksmanship principles, and accuracy
with the rifles, with many of our school being
recognized for their knowledge and achievement
on this stand. While waiting for this we all
participated in command tasks to test our
teamwork and leadership skills.
36
Emily at the end
of the fourth form
field day
After the end of the stands, we were put into
a situation of mass casualty incident response
(MCIR). Here our section with the first-aid team
leader and section commander had to handle an
unconscious, non-breathing casualty, a casualty
in shock, and another casualty with shock and
mass bleeding as well as having to provide ‘all
round defence’.
This was an informative and interesting day,
which was an eye opening experience pushing
us to enhance our knowledge of the instant and
immediate first-aid.
Cpl Bethan Walford and Cdt Kyle Phillips
Wednesday
Afternoon-Ambush
We started the session at 1.30 with an
introduction to enemy contact which involved
peeling right or left to retreat from enemy fire.
This involved a ton of running but it was exciting
and enjoyable. It also got the team motivating
each other to run faster and it was a real
achievement.
We then had a break to take water on board to
keep hydrated to prevent illness; we then had
a brief off the sergeant as to how the ambush
will be set, undertaken and then how we moved
out. We then underwent a “walk through talk
through”, to fully understand how we would
achieve an effective ambush; this took about 15
minutes.
Afterwards we quickly set up a deliberate
ambush to attack the acting enemy which was
another section from the Isle of Man. After
waiting seven minutes the first shots were fired
– the adrenaline rushed through all of us as
we all fired of shots in rapid fire as the control
order was given. We then sprinted as fast as we
could to the FRV (final rendezvous), we then
patrolled out of the area to chase down the
enemy. We were contacted right by the enemy
snap ambush and we used the contact drills we
had learnt earlier to retreat as a platoon out of
enemy fire.
James Gale and Connor Hughes
Thursday
This was the day where the cadets all over the
camp were able to choose from seven different
adventurous training activities (AT). Activities
available were canoeing, kayaking, gill scrambling,
gorge walking, climbing, fell walking and mountain
biking. All were highly enjoyable from the reports
from our own contingent and other contingents
around Warcop camp. For an insight into two of
the activities, canoeing and gill scrambling were
done by the writers of this day. Ben Dugan did
canoeing which was highly enjoyable owing to the
warmth of the day and serenity and beauty of
the lake which the canoeing group had to cross.
When we reached our lunchtime destination we
scrambled in a traverse to jump into freezing cold
water. We were able to be three metres above
the water. The highlight of this activity was Rufus
Malim’s expressions when he came out of the
water: “THIS IS AWESOME!”. Verity Bowen took
part in the activity gill scrambling. They walked up
streams and waterfalls and also went into plunge
pools. At times it was quite challenging as we had
to climb against the force of the falling water.
Ben Dugan and Verity Bowen
Friday
The alarm rang for the last time of the week
to the start of the last day. As you can imagine
waking up at 0600 every day of the week filled
with exhausting physical activities, we would be
shattered, but owing to the fact it was the last
day we had the urge to put in all the energy we
had left to end the week feeling very impressed
with our efforts after giving 110 per cent.
Our first activity of the day was watermanship:
an activity that would test our skills in the
water. We even had a go in an army boat
named the Assault Mark 6 up and down the
beautiful lake. We cadets all had the great
privilege of riding and even driving the boat.
The splashing from the other speed boats
got us warmed up for the freezing water
that awaited our chilly arrival. After this great
experience on real and working transportation
army boat, we had to construct a raft using
empty plastic barrels, rope and some timber
planks. This required quick work from the two
teams and strong leadership from the section
commanders – in my case my commander
was WO2 Peter Howle who was very good at
controlling the speed at which we paddled.
Activities available
were canoeing,
kayaking, gill
scrambling, gorge
walking, climbing,
fell walking and
mountain biking.
Our objective was to paddle across a small
lake and retrieve a life ring and bring it back to
where we started and then dismantle our raft
before the other team. Both of the rafts suffered
damage to a barrel as one barrel on each raft
was not quite tied on to the raft properly. Jack
Morris called for his team to abandon ship and
after much splashing it became apparent that the
winners would (just!) be Peter Howle’s team.
37
Our second activity of the day was looking at
foreign weapons like the AK-74 and the UZI, M16,
RPK, and a few more. It was great fun handling the
weapons and learning that the man who designed
the AK74 and most of the Russian weapons used
since 1974-2013 died a poor man who never got a
penny from making those weapons.
Our last activity of the day was paintballing which
consisted of walking in a line in the forest and
shooting at the targets that popped up at us.
There wasn’t much to it apart from calling out
positions of where the target was and moving to
a different position whilst firing at the target.
After we had finished all our activities of the
week we all had an exhausted, sunburnt look
on our faces but at the same time we were
all proud of each other and more importantly
ourselves after all the running and unbelievable
amount of sweating we had done during week.
Thank you to Lt Till, Capt Jefferis and Sgt
Hayden who made this week possible for us.
Hugo and Martin
Exercise Kenyan Venturer –
Initial Selection Weekend
The conclusion to our main exam week was an
intense yet thoroughly enjoyable experience; this
was the initial selection weekend for Exercise
Kenyan Venturer based at Halton Training
Camp, in Lancaster.
After a somewhat lengthy journey across the
vast plains of Lancashire, having had the traffic
against us with only Mr Till’s music library and
Verity’s sound knowledge of car logos to keep
us entertained, we arrived at the camp, which
was to be our home for the weekend. Upon
arrival there was a clear sense of nerves felt
throughout all of the cadets, which was to be
expected as no one knew exactly how this
series of assessments would be conducted.
However, it was not long before we had our
first taste of the selection phase, which was to
complete a full kit inspection. This was where
the standard was set.
An introductory brief was then attended to
introduce us to our groups for the weekend and
indeed our group leaders, who would fight to
ensure us a ticket on the all-important flight to
Nairobi. This was where the outline for Saturday
was revealed, which was to consist of eight
different endurance tasks. We all knew that it was
essential to obtain a good night’s sleep in order
to feel fresh for the day’s activities. On returning
to our billets, we met our roommates, which we
were able to gel with almost immediately.
The Saturday proved to live up to its brief.
It was to be strenuous and demanding to
provide a physical and mental challenge to us
willing participants. After a good breakfast and
a refreshing (freezing cold) shower, we were
then set to embark on the day’s activities, which
included the anticipated and possibly feared
hill circuit, in which we had 45 minutes to
complete as many laps as possible. Sequentially
the trust walk was next on the agenda for my
group. This exercise entailed a short course
To end an
exhausting day,
we had one more
activity to go…
fitness! This
involved shuttle
runs, sit-ups,
press-ups and
many variations
of these fairly
straightforward
fitness tasks,
designed to push
you to the limit
and test your
determination.
to be navigated using only words whilst your
partner is blindfolded through a variety of
different terrains, meaning that dodging trees
and trenches was very much an issue, as well as
compensating for mounds and dips in the earth.
This enabled further bonding with our fellow
cadets, and allowed early friendships to be
established. First-aid revision was also included
and was related to scenarios that could be
faced whilst on the actual expedition in Kenya.
Understanding was crucial at this stage.
Following lunch we had four more activities to
go before our day was over, and these included
three discussion-based tasks. These tasks were
where we were provided with various situations
and had to make decisions, so they tested our
mental strength too. To end an exhausting day,
we had one more activity to go… fitness! This
involved shuttle runs, sit-ups, press-ups and
many variations of these fairly straightforward
fitness tasks, designed to push you to the limit
and test your determination. A briefing was
held after this, which told us exactly what the
exercise would include, to see if we still wanted
to continue to assessed. If anything, seeing some
fantastic photographs from past expeditions
provided a further sense of determination
amongst cadets, enabling an active final day.
The next morning allowed our bodies to feel
the full effects of the day before, and after an
awakening (boiling hot) shower and a decent
breakfast we were then able to engage in the
day of command tasks, which were designed
to test our ability to think outside the box
and communicate well with our team. After
spending Friday and Saturday bonding with our
teams, this provided an opportunity to utilize
our individual skills as part of an efficient team;
this proved a fitting end to a very tiring and
extremely rewarding experience, in which many
new friendships were created and skills were
learnt and developed.
Our places on the expedition are yet to be
decided but we are keeping our fingers crossed
that we shall be attending the future training
weeks as part of the expedition team preparing
for that desired flight to Nairobi.
Many thanks go to Mr Till for providing a
smooth ride there and back and for providing
the tunes to keep the smiles on our faces,
The fourth
from patrolling out
of their harbour area,
Cpl Dugan brining
up the rear
38
especially a fantastic rendition of a Neil
Diamond classic, which was thoroughly enjoyed
by both of us who had the pleasure of your
company for the duration of the weekend.
Jack Morris and Verity Bowen
Contingent Commander
This academic year has seen a very enjoyable
time with some good field days made by the
enthusiasm of the cadets and in particular
our strong cohort of NCOs. We have had
our strongest cohort of fifth formers staying
on with 24 making up the newly designated
Salamanca Platoon which has the purpose of
consolidating knowledge gained in the third and
fourth forms as well as give the cadets the skills
needed to become section commanders and
also take lessons. This is the first year that this
has happened and has set a model that can only
get better as the NCOs we’ve seen come out
the end combined with the right attitude are
superb. This has only benefited us as we move
into a year where these NCOs become fully
involved with the training programme. Our sixth
formers have remained reliable with section
heads of Georgina Mercer, Daisy Tickner and
Scott Vallely all achieving Cadet Warrant Officer
rank in their capacities. The steady leadership
and organization of their NCOs and example
they set have been fantastic and set the tone for
the next year. My thanks goes to them.
My thanks also goes to the other sixth form
seniors Mel McNeill, Peter Howle, Callum Lloyd
Jones, Matteo O’Mahoney and Emily Bromage,
who have all contributed to the running of
the contingent. Special thanks must go to the
Cadet RSM Ed Green who has had five years
uninterrupted service and has made full use of
the opportunities that are available to cadets,
through attending a variety of courses that have
developed his confidence and leadership skills
which can do him nothing but good as he leaves
school, and the contingent, for pastures new.
Indeed we wish all our seniors who are leaving
us all the best for their futures.
The standard of training and enthusiasm of our
cadets always makes me feel very privileged to
work with them and the annual Evanson Shield
again demonstrated the quality of our new band
of juniors as they trained and led their sections
in this inter-section, day-long competition. Well
39
done to Cpl Verity Bowen for winning it and
it was great to have Major Evanson with us to
present the shield named in his honour.
Fourth form Field Day
ascent of Snowdon
The ascent of Snowdon, the highest mountain
in England Wales, is a significant challenge and
all 32 students were delighted to successfully
reach the summit. Throughout the ascent
Sai was a great help to our Russian guests,
chivalrously assisting them over steeper sections.
As cloud licked the summit, the reduced visibility
gave an enhanced sense of adventure to the
expedition. “We’re actually in the sky” and “I
feel like champion of the world” were heard
frequently as we walked through clouds. Guy
McDonald and Matthew Bunby led from the
front, whilst James Bell, Andy Yuen, and Jack
Taylor were among the first to summit. On
descent, Matthew Thornton showed his flair for
bouldering and Katie Tomley could not resist
the challenge! Eager to get home for dinner,
Matthew Chan and Isobel Adeboyega overcame
the temptation to paddle in the edge of the icy
cold llyn with Miss James.
Over the past few years the CCF has been
pushing the responsibility of organizing training
plans and the training of the cadets and this
year was no different.
Summer Field Day
On Friday 21 June 2013 the fourth form set
off on their Summer Field Day. Half went to
Nesscliffe and the remainder went up to Capel
Curig for the ascent of Snowdon. Here they
spent the night in relative comfort and had good
hearty meals.
After a good night’s sleep and a full breakfast
the team split in two and were led by Mr
McIntyre and Mr Till and were assisted by Miss
James. They were transported up to Pen Y Pass
in two moves where they started the route by
going up the PYG track (so named after the Pen
Y Gwryd hotel). Mr McIntyre set off first so that
no time was wasted whilst Mr Till transported
the second group to the start point. Both
teams made very good progress and were at
the summit in two-and-a-half hours. After the
obligatory photo standing on top of the highest
mountain in England and Wales everyone
40
Fifth from NCOs
make a model
during the fourth
form field day
retreated into the cafe for hot chocolate,
souvenirs and respite. After a good break and a
slight reshuffle of groups the teams headed back
down, but this time via the miners’ path. This
starts off as the same route as we had originally
climbed but then branches off and descends
rapidly down to the lake of Llyn Llydaw. This
made for another perfect stop as the shores
are very beach like and allowed some braver
members of the group to take their boots and
socks off to go for a paddle, Mr McIntyre and
Miss James being one of the first to brave the
cold waters of one of the coldest lakes in Britain.
A short walk down on very well laid path took
us back to the car park at the start. Another
series of shuttles back to camp got everyone to
join the bus for the journey back to school.
The weather was very good to us and meant
that we did not need to use our waterproofs
(which always helps) but coupled with a great
bunch of students and, as ever, hardworking
staff it was an enjoyable field day that will give
the students not staying on with the CCF a fond
memory to keep. I would like to thank the staff,
Mr McIntyre and Miss James, for their neverending enthusiasm, morale boosting humour
and all-round helpfulness that made this field day
fun and enjoyable. I would also like to thank the
students for a great time and their hard work
and commitment.
RSM’s Report
achieve half of their Army Proficiency Certificate
(red star and half red star). This consists of the
learning and completion of drill, turnout (how
you wear the uniform), skill at arms and map
and compass skills (theory and practical). The
fast track is a group of fourth form and lower
6th students that join the school and wish to
enrol in CCF. The aim of the fast track group
is to bring the cadets in that group up to the
standard of the current fourth form so that
they can participate in field days and other
such events. The knowledge of Lieutenant Till
was blessed upon the fast track, along with the
friendly and approachable manner of WO2
Scott Vallely.
Over the past few years the CCF has been
pushing the responsibility of organizing training
plans and the training of the cadets and this
year was no different. Both forms along with
fast track were assigned a commanding officer
(CO) and a senior NCO, to which they could
go to sort out any problems. The fourth form
were assigned Captain Jefferis, along with the
knowledge and no-nonsense attitude of WO2
Daisy Tickner. Their job was to increase the
fourth form’s green knowledge in preparation
of their first tactical night exercise, which was
in approximately three months’ time. The third
form was gifted with the newly qualified but
eager to learn Second Lieutenant Derbridge
and the mother-like guidance of WO2 Georgina
Mercer. Their task was to aid the third form to
In the CCF third and fourth form participation
is compulsory, but the fifth formers have the
opportunity to stay on and become junior
NCO’s (non-commissioned officers) after they
have completed a method of instruction cadre
(MOI cadre). Now each year during the time
between staying on in the CCF and becoming a
Junior NCO they enter a sort of limbo, where
they have no name. Major Othen felt that this
needed to change, so after some deliberation
between Maj Othen and Lt Till the name of the
Salamanca Platoon was decided. The salamanca
is the banner that all the old regiments that
make up the Rifles now work under. The idea
of this new platoon was to give the fifth form
an identity while they were learning skills and
increasing their own knowledge to the point
I did say to the students during the welcome brief
that the day could be the hardest day that some of
them had ever experienced. I did have a couple of
students come up to me later and agree.
where they could teach not only effectively
but to a high degree. The CCF was very lucky
this year in the way that a large number of fifth
formers chose to stay on in CCF. A number
around 20 were believed to have stayed on
and this also included a good mix of males and
females which aids us in proving that Oswestry
School CCF is not only for the male population
of the school.
The first field exercise came around for the
fourth form and the newly formed Salamanca
Platoon, both working within a kilometre of
each other, but completely separate from
each other. The fourth form were working on
patrolling in the day and at night, what it was
like to be a section commander and also be
part of a large section attack. They took to this
with full steam and as far as I’m aware everyone
enjoyed it greatly. The fifth form were tasked
with gathering information on the fourth form
via reconnaissance patrols, close target recce’s
(CTRs) and observation posts (OPs) on and
around the fourth form’s harbour area. This was
all going well until one of the Salamancas was
spotted causing all of the fourth form to lie low
for an hour or so. The Salamancas didn’t stop
there. Later that evening they set up a large
ambush and waited until the unsuspecting fourth
form came past and really lit up their night!
What was worse was that the information that
they had gathered that day was put into a threesided early morning wake up call for the fourth
I did say to the
students during the
welcome brief that
the day could be
the hardest day that
some of them had
ever experienced. I
did have a couple of
students come up to
me later and agree.
41
form. The idea was that one section started
by forcing them out of the wood on to a hard
standing, a second section pushed them back
into the wood and then all three sections came
together in the wood. The result of this was a
very confused fourth form, with Hugo Malim
even dropping his Bergen at the second contact
and sprinting into the wood in a completely
different direction to everyone else. It was an
exercise enjoyed my all.
As a CCF we pride ourselves with our constant
and increasing turnout for the Remembrance
Sunday parade in Oswestry town each year.
This year we dwarfed both the local ACF
(Army Cadet Force) and the Air Cadets, with
cadets from third form through to upper sixth
taking part. And may I just reiterate how well
everyone presented themselves once again on
this important day.
With the January exams coming around and
being the head boy WO2 Vallely sadly could not
keep up with the demands of the fast track group
and was willingly replaced by C/Sgt Mel McNeill.
As the second term came round, it was time for
the Salamancas to pass out from their training
platoon and enter into the contingent as junior
NCO’s. This was perfectly timed as the next
up and coming main event was the second
annual Evanson Shield. For those who don’t
know, this is the fourth-form intersection skills
competition that tests everything from firstaid to section attacks and general team work.
The fourth form was split into six sections and
each section was given two junior NCOs to act
as the section commander and the second in
command, these NCOs were also responsible
for the training of each section. Over the nine
weeks they had six topic areas to cover and the
amount of knowledge and skill they had gained
during their time in the Salamanca Platoon really
showed, both during the training and on the
field day itself. May I send my congratulations
to Sgt Verity Bowen for winning the shield for
2013, even after her section decided to take no
prisoners and thought that two casualties was
just too taxing in the building clearance stand.
After the Evanson Shield there was a slight lull for
the fourth form as the groups were rearranged to
split the people that had decided they would prefer
to climb the highest mountain in Wales rather than
going on a night exercise in June. But they were
soon back to work planning for their bronze Duke
of Edinburgh practice and assessment.
From January onwards the third form were
busy working their way through the red star
syllabus and preparing themselves for their first
overnight exercise this June. The third form
left on the Wednesday afternoon. During this
exercise the third form were given a night
noises demonstration, explaining that sound
travels further at night, also what they have on
their persons that could make noise and what
can be done to silence them, as well as a blank
fire demonstration with some mini flares being
released. The third form also took part in a
platoon ambush where they thwarted an enemy
supply route. I have heard that it was enjoyed
Ed Green the outgoing
senior cadet hands
over his cane to in
incumbent senior CSgt
Matteo O’Mahoney
thoroughly by all involved and that it was good
fun firing blank for the first of many times.
The day after was the fourth form’s turn (for
those who chose it) to go out on exercise. A
platoon sized force led by acting 2Lt George
Tomley and acting Sgt Verity Bowen as second in
command were deployed on the southern area
of Nesscliff training area with the aim to find and
capture a small enemy force that had dropped by
parachute into their area of operations. Further
down the road, about a kilometre away, four
cadets were also deployed light (no bergans) with
the aim of what we thought was to find and recce
possible areas for further insertions, along with
causing the fourth form a little bit of grief. How
wrong we were. We collected our bergans with
little hassle but it was when we came to collect
our ammo and food we found out to our great
discomfort that George had decided the wood
right next to our ammo and food was a good
place for him to set up a harbour area and send
out multiple patrols. It was fair to say we were in
the proverbial as we did not know exactly where
our stuff was, just that it was in the area. The
result was we got chased by the fourth form for
over a kilometre and we didn’t get our ammo
and food.
The next 16 hours consisted of us sitting still
for no longer than five minutes as the fourth
form had been taught basic tracking and 2Lt
Tomley had systematically organized thorough
searches of each wooded column throughout
the entire southern area. We did not have the
chance to properly engage the enemy until the
end of the exercise where the four of us got
evacuated by transport which promptly broke
Oswestry
School
contingent
42
As a CCF we
pride ourselves
on our constant
and increasing
turnout for the
Remembrance
Sunday parade
in Oswestry
town each year.
down, meaning we had to make a mad dash
for the border while two of the team used
breaking contact drills and the other two set
up a fire position behind a hedge. That exercise
was one of the most challenging exercises
I have been on, not only owing to the high
temperature and humidity mimicking that of
a tropical jungle in some places, but owing to
the pace, always 110 per cent, and there was
always something to do. As far as I have heard
the fourth form also enjoyed the exercise. I
want to extend my thanks to the fourth form
that made that exercise so enjoyable, as well as
the fifth formers that gave up their own time
to act as section commanders and as enemy
personnel over the three days. Special mentions
to Sgt Callum Lloyd-Jones for cheating death
and escaping from the fourth form more than
once, Sgt Jack Morris who became an honorary
Welshman for that night exercise and Cpl Fatima
Lawal who was always just 30 seconds behind us
the whole time.
I send my congratulations to Matteo O’Mahoney
who becomes the new senior cadet for the
2013-14 year. I have no doubts of his skill and his
ability to lead the contingent from the front.
Finally I would like to thank all the officers and
support staff for their help in the past year as a
lot of what we have done would not have been
possible without the help and form filling ability
that they have and gave. As well as everyone
in the contingent from third form to the upper
sixth thank you for taking part and I hope your
enthusiasm continues through further years.
RSM Edward Green
43
CHAPLAINCY
Once again, at the beginning of my third year as chaplain to Oswestry
School, I am indebted to many for the kindness, friendship and support
shown to me over the past year, without which my work and ministry
here would be nigh impossible.
We are so blessed to have so many pleasant,
cheerful, co-operative and good pupils, who
themselves make the working environment
here so much easier on a daily basis. I would
like to thank archdeacon Tony Sadler once
again for his quiet support in the background,
for his friendship and generosity, and for his
contribution to chapel services during the year.
Thanks also to the Rev Simon Thorburn, vicar of
St Oswald’s, for his friendship and kindness.
This last year has been a sad year for a number
of people who have suffered bereavements. We
send them our condolences and pray for God to
comfort and sustain them in their time of sadness.
As many will know, life as a Christian is not
always easy, particularly in Christian ministry
when, very often, we can be in ‘the front line’.
Of course, Jesus never said it was going to be
easy and assured us that in the world we would
have tribulation, but to be of good courage,
as He has overcome the world. We must not
therefore expect life to be easy for us.
Since many these days don’t come across
chaplains or have much to do with them, I
thought I would outline here my job description.
The chaplain is in the school to care pastorally
and spiritually for the community (as a vicar does
in a parish). As well as a full teaching commitment
in looking after the RS department and also
working in the EAL department, I am available
during the school day and often in the evenings to
help, listen or offer advice to anyone in the school
community. I would also be very grateful if people
would let me know of any pastoral need such as
sickness or bereavement, or any other matter
that needs prayer, support or help.
Sometimes it is helpful and valuable to remind
ourselves of what we are called to do. When
I was licensed by the bishop of Shrewsbury
(under the authority of the bishop of Lichfield)
44
in 2011, the wording was as follows: ‘ I hereby
grant you licence and authority… to serve as
chaplain to Oswestry School and to preach the
word of God, to read the common prayers, to
celebrate the Holy Communion of the Lord’s
supper and to perform all ecclesiastical duties
belonging to that office upon the premises of
the said institution as long as you continue to be
employed there.’
Furthermore, on the occasion of my ordination
to the priesthood in 1997, the ordaining bishop
gave me the charge, ‘Your task is to proclaim the
gospel of Jesus Christ to all men, to call sinners
to repentance and to declare God’s forgiveness
to them. You are to teach, to baptize, to preside
at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and to
perform the other ministrations entrusted to
you. You are to care for all alike, young and old,
strong and weak, rich and poor, in the name of
Him (Jesus Christ) who came not to be served
but to serve.’
So there we have it. A wordy reminder but
essential if I am to fulfil my calling. Only with
God’s help and with the support and prayers
of those around me will I be able to start doing
what He has called me to do.
The last academic year, like most, has flown.
Very often most of the work is doing ‘the daily
round, the common task’ and not expecting
life to be one big whoopee cushion, packed
with endless thrills. The gems always come as a
surprise and there are always special surprises.
We had an excellent harvest festival, both in
Bellan and in the Senior School service (for
forms 1-3) on the morning of the Open Day,
Saturday, October 13th. The chapel had been
beautifully decorated, as always, and once again
we are so grateful to Mrs Ann Lewis and Mrs
Ruth Morris for their continued faithfulness
and support in decorating the chapel with
fresh flowers regularly throughout the year and
particularly for high days and special occasions.
This harvest was no exception. We also received
generous gifts of food from pupils and parents
which were distributed to local food banks after
the service. A big thank you goes to Mrs Leonard
for organizing this so painstakingly once again.
The Founder’s Day service was again a superb
occasion and provided us all with an opportunity to
celebrate all that is good about Oswestry School.
The hymns were sung with gusto and choral items
were prepared by our very dedicated director
of music, Mr Julian Cattley. Our guest preacher
this year was the Rev Gary Dobbie, chaplain to
Shrewsbury School, who preached an engaging and
challenging sermon in his own inimitable style. We
shall look forward to inviting him back to Oswestry
when a suitable occasion arises.
The Remembrance service was held in the PHC
on Friday, 9th November and was led by the
chaplain. The two-minute silence was observed
at 11am with the last post and reveille played
by Cameron Biles-Liddell. Senior pupils took
part in the service with readings, prayers and
poems they had chosen for the occasion. On
Sunday, 11th November, the school boarding
community led by Mr Alister Othen and the
CCF, assembled at the park gates for the annual
act of remembrance.
The carol service on the last afternoon of term,
13th December 2012, was a fitting end to a long
and eventful term. We all enjoyed singing the
traditional carols as well as enjoying some new
settings by the school choir led by Mr Cattley.
We are also indebted to Mr Chris Symons for
his continued service to the school, not least
in playing the organ regularly for chapel and
for being a willing help in special events and for
organizing musical evenings and recitals.
Incense was served once again during Epiphany
week in January as a tangible reminder of one
of the gifts given to Jesus by the Wise Men. It
is a wonderful and beautiful celebration, often
forgotten and overshadowed by the busyness
of life and the January sales. Not in Oswestry
School chapel.
Our school chapel celebrates its 150th
anniversary at the end of November this year.
The new stained-glass window designed for the
occasion will be dedicated and a short service
will be held on the morning of Founder’s Day
this year. Oswestry School is rightly proud of its
chapel and many of our students and staff have
fond memories of their association with the
building. It is the only part of the school that has
remained virtually unchanged since it was built
in 1863. Many Old Oswestrians, on returning
after many years, will make a bee-line for the
chapel. Maybe we should not be surprised
as the building stands for the permanence
and changelessness of God in a fleeting and
passing world. We need even more stability
in today’s world with so many shifting sands.
Nevertheless, it is what goes on in chapel and
what it stands for that is important and not the
bricks and mortar themselves, beautiful as the
building may be. Psalm 127 verse 1 tells us quite
clearly, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its
builders labour in vain; unless the Lord watches
over the city, the watchmen stand guard in
vain.’ What this means is that if the Lord is
not sovereign and central to all our plans and
deliberations, then we are wasting our time and
must not expect blessings. This is true not just
for the chapel but for the whole of Oswestry
School and indeed every cherished institution in
the world.
45
On Passion Sunday, the school and staff choir
participated in the service of Holy Communion
at St Oswald’s Church. The choir was prepared
and led by Mr Cattley and I was privileged to
be the guest preacher. It is good for Oswestry
School to be involved in the parish church
in order to promote the spiritual dimension
within our community and to strengthen our
connection with those who live and worship
around us and who pray for us.
Trinity Term came to an end with a very
memorable leavers’ service on the evening of
3rd July. It was a particularly poignant occasion
this time as we bade farewell not only to many
of our pupils but to three dedicated and longserving members of staff: Mrs Sue Leonard,
who had served 23 years at the school, Mrs
Catherine Eve, 22 years, and Mrs Diane
Edwards who had served 12 years. It was a
fitting occasion to bring to a close a long and
distinguished chapter in the life of the school.
We wish the them a happy retirement and
‘God speed’ along with all the others who said
goodbye that evening, including Mr Mike Mackay
who left for a new career in Qatar after working
in Holbache House and the sports department
for the last three years.
Holy Baptism
There were two baptisms during the last
academic year. On Wednesday evening, 20th
March, I had the privilege of baptising Mrs Maria
Martoccia in the school chapel. Mrs Martoccia
has worked in School House as a houseparent
for a number of years. It was a quiet but joyous
occasion attended only by her daughter Victoria,
Mr Dave Arnott and myself. We wish her God’s
blessing in her Christian commitment as she
perseveres in His service.
A month later, on Sunday, 21st April, I baptized
Rhys Owen Derwas, aged six months, of Roft
Street, Oswestry. He is the young son of Mr and
Mrs Roger Owen Derwas. Both Roger and his
father were old boys and Roger and his wife Laura
were married in the chapel. It was so apt that their
baby son should be christened here also.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is celebrated on most Sunday
evenings during the school term. I am so
pleased to see an increasing number of students
making their communion regularly, as well as
those who come up for a blessing each week.
I want to commend them for their dedication
and would wish to encourage others to do the
same. During the year we also held communion
services midweek for the day pupils in forms 1
to 3 and I am pleased that so many pupils came
forward for communion. I hope to build upon
this during this coming year and to involve more
pupils in the services.
J Gareth Parry, chaplain
46
CHESS CLUB
Chess club has thrived this year, with a good
number of keen players and some newbies.
Competition has been intense, but Mr
Mulholland still holds the distinction of being
unbeaten. However he cannot afford to rest
on his laurels – next year may yet prove to
be his nemesis!
Evan Ellis, Jacob Tidridge, Aron Varbiro
and Rebecca Hollywell have been playing
all through the year, with Sebastian Banks,
Alistair Moss and Thomas Barnes joining us
this term. Before the examination season
really got underway we were also glad
to welcome Charles Yeung, Cecilia Peng,
Natalie Wong and Eric Lin each week. The
games have all been hard fought, albeit good
natured, with no quarter ever given: touchmove is the order of the day. Variations
such as swap chess and suicide chess have
leavened the sometimes intense atmosphere,
and club members have even experimented
with their own home-grown variations.
A lively year which built on last year. Next
year promises to be even better, with some
keen players coming up from Bellan to join
the Senior School.
COOKERY CLUB (SENIOR)
A group of budding Jamie Olivers and Delia Smiths met every Wednesday lunchtime to
improve their cookery skills. Kristina Weilandt, Andriy Yevstravov, Fatima Lawal, Nelly
Liverova, Casie Zhu, Kelly Lam, Aimanehi Osime, Zoe Kuhzarani, Doris Qiong, Daniel
Chanyshev, Tobias Leung, Cecilia Peng, Hope Li, Tharan Sethi and Paige Zhang enthusiastically
made many tasty dishes including pizza, cookies, crumble, chilli con carne and stir fry.
COMPUTER CLUB
This year in computer programming club we
have started to make use of Raspberry Pi
computers. These cheap (£25) computers
are designed specifically with novice
programmers in mind. Several sessions were
spent assembling them and getting them
to work. They work best using the Python
programming language and so once the
machines were assembled club members put
their minds towards learning to program in
Python. A successful times-table generator
was made (teaching the principles of loops
and if statements) and, more recently, we
have begun to code a program designed to
feign intelligence that makes use of arrays
and lists. Benny Kong and Jacob Tidridge
have been the most regular attendees
and are now both confident enough to
experiment on their own. The next stage
of our experimentation will be to get our
programs to start interacting with and
manipulating the real world. The junior
programming club has already managed to
get a Raspberry Pi to control a set of LEDs,
and progress is being made towards our
ultimate goal of placing a Raspberry Pi on
to a moving, motorized platform to create a
working robot.
47
oswestr i a n C R IC K E T
C O M M U NI T Y AC T I O N
This year community action has built on the
strength of last year. We have had a very strong
Interact group this year lead by Alice Roberts
as president and Christian Blount-Powell as
secretary. The rest of the team has included
Matthew Masters, Sabina Rai, Vivian Mann,
Bryant Warmate and Henry Xiang. They have
organized events to raise money throughout the
year for various charities including JDRF, Children
in Need and Safe Haven. They have done this
by arranging home clothes days, face painting, a
Halloween competition and a bingo night.
shop. Pupils have also helped out in Prepcare,
forest school and Bellan. Next year we also
hope to get involved with the Project group in
Oswestry and the Llanymynech Butterfly project.
In CA we have continued to build our
relationship with Chirk Castle, High Lea House
and the Cambrian Railway but we have also
formed new links with Footfall, an organization
formed to help regenerate the town centre.
They have weeded car parks, put up window
displays, cleaned graffiti, washed windows,
planted flowers and painted murals. The Footfall
group have been very pleased with our efforts
and have been very grateful for our help.
Chirk Castle Community Action
Last term we distributed bags for Shelter and
collected many items for them to sell in their
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There have been lots of excellent students this
year who have also impressed us with their
enthusiasm and hard work but in particular
I would like to mention Igor Maleyko who is
always a pleasure to work with and Ben Issa,
who has asked for work to do even on days
when CA wasn’t running!
A number of students provided much-appreciated
assistance to the grounds staff at Chirk Castle,
assisting with a wide range of estate management
tasks and contributing to the delicate management
of ancient protected woodland. Amongst the
keenest lumberjacks were Matthew Masters,
Dimitrii Tatlok, Darcie Farnsworth, and Igor
Maleyko. At the end of the winter, we were
rewarded with some military training for the
English civil war inside the 700-year-old castle, and
a tour of the haunted rooms.
1st XI
U15 XI
Captain: Robbie Clarke
Coach: Mr Miles
Player of Season: Charlie Morris
Captain: Elliot Blount-Powell
Coach: Mr K D Evans
Player of the season: Jamie Jones
Squad: Charlie Morris, Scott Vallely, Liam Kirk,
Ryan Morris, Xavier Clarke, Matthew Gale,
Dominic Kular, Ben Dugan, Jack Morris, James
Dewing, Ardene Ruhode, Takudswa Sai, Elliot
Blount-Powell, Chris Blount-Powell.
Squad: Jamie Jones, Elliot Blount-Powell, Matthew
Gale, William Evans, Ryan Cox, Oliver Renwick,
Richard Walsh, Ingio Diaz, Paplo Suarez, Matthew
Thornton, Nick Cyffin-Jones, James Wigley, Xavier
Clarke, Oliver Woodward.
Report: An emphatic win against staunch rivals
Ellesmere was the highlight of the season and
taking into account just how close the game
was, it will forever remain with us. Skippered
exceptionally well by Robbie Clarke, the 1st XI
squad have had some notable victories including
the Gentlemen of Shropshire and Queen Mary’s
Walsall. Young rising stars Matthew Gale, Xavier
Clarke and Elliot Blount-Powell have featured
and we are certain to see their talent soar. Scott
Vallely, Ryan Morris, Liam Kirk and Robbie Clarke
will finish their school cricket careers on a high
note and they leave behind a team well versed
in how to win. Welcome addition Charlie Morris
has proved pivotal in our campaign and we look
forward to him leading the side next year. An
excellent and thoroughly enjoyable season.
Report: The season has been a game of two
halves, with the U15s winning two of their last
three games, a very convincing win against Royal
Wolverhampton with Elliot Blount-Powell scoring
59 not out and the other a close game beating
Thomas Adams with Jamie Jones scoring 52 not
out. The commitment in nets have been fantastic
and as a result the individual skills have improved.
This has been evident with Matthew Gale and
Elliot Blount-Powell both playing for the 1st team.
49
U14XI
U13 XI
Captain: Nick Cyffin-Jones
Coach: Mr Till
Player of the season: James Wigley
Captain: Xavier Clarke
Coach: Mr Miles
Squad: James Wigley (w), Nick Cyffin-Jones,
Callum Jones, Xavier Clarke, Will Baker, Matthew
Davies, Josh Blount-Powell, Lloyd Edwards,
Iwan Williams, Archie Kynnaston-Evans, Oliver
Woodward, Donald Gray
Report: A very short season for the U14s this
year with only one match played. But what a
resounding win it was, beating Shrewsbury School
by eight wickets. It was a real shame the rain had
affected the other match.
Squad: Will Baker, Josh Blount-Powell, Jacob Lloyd,
Matthew Cooper, John Darby, Peter Taylor, Lloyd
Edwards, Matthew Davies, Owen Jones, Jacob
Tidridge, Sam Champion, Lewis Tesseyman, Hoydi
Leung.
Report: This season the team excelled with
several superb performances both individually and
as a team. Captain Xavier Clarke led from the
front with his personal highlight his unbeaten 101
against Royal Wolverhampton. For a boy of 12
years old to achieve this was outstanding and he is
certainly going to only get better and better. We
also had four of the U11 team play for the majority
of the season and they will be a vital part of the
team next season. All of the boys worked well as
a team and this group of boys have exciting times
ahead. Well done.
DUKE OF
EDINBURGH
We have a 70 per cent completion rate at Duke of Edinburgh now
and have had numerous successes in young people undertaking foot,
canoe and sea kayak expeditions for the award. The department is
working hard to develop links with other schools and organizations
to assist gold participants with the residential element which many
young people find hard to complete.
Several pupils have become UKCC/BCU Level
1 coaches which is the first step on the national
coaching scheme for paddlesport. Young people
have also attained 2 star and 3 star BCU
proficiency awards in canoeing, sea kayaking and
whitewater kayaking.
Opportunities to take part in land-based and
water-based adventure education is strong with
a small cohort of young people now starting to
take a keen interest in climbing.
Pupils have sea kayaked around Mull, winter
mountaineered in Scotland and ice climbed
in Snowdonia. More recently the school
has undertaken an alpine mountaineering
expedition to the Swiss Alps using its own
qualified instructors.
Through the CCF cadets have gained awards in
skiing, summer and winter mountaineering and
also paddlesport.
50
The underpinning aim in all the above activities
is that the participants go from dependent to
independent practitioners in their chosen activities
in order for them to become pastimes for life.
Alps Training – Scotland
The truth of the matter is that we could have
probably run the skills element of the course
on the school site and surrounding areas, such
was the snowfall that clogged Oswestry and
its environs on the Thursday before we were
due to leave for Aviemore on the Saturday! We
postponed leaving until the Sunday owing to the
fact that the participants couldn’t get into school
and also that we had to spend the whole of the
Saturday afternoon digging the minibus out of
the school car park!
Sunday arrived with all the participants managing
to make it in so we could start the long journey
north. It was amazing to see the snow disappear
completely once we neared Wrexham with a
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trouble free journey to our home for the next
five days at Feshiebridge Lodge, Kincraig, just
short of Aviemore in the eastern Highlands.
Arrival saw the routines that we would be using
for the next few days quickly being implemented
with everyone chipping in to help with meal
preparations, washing up and general chores
in keeping the lodge tidy and allowing us to
pursue the reason for our being in Scotland
with a minimum of fuss. The team were great
in this respect and made the staff’s lives very
easy and our thanks go to everyone for pulling
their weight. So thank you George, Lewis, Mel,
Bethan and Caitlin.
The final piece of the jigsaw was ropework;
thankfully this was second nature to the team
owing to their having been working with ropes for
quite some time during the adventure education
weekends in Snowdonia.
The aim of the week was to practise the team
that are journeying to the Bernese Oberland in
Switzerland in travelling through snow-covered
mountains so as to use the techniques and
ropework necessary as well as develop the
psychology and personal organization required
for this type of venture.
MONDAY
The first full day focussed on winter
mountaineering skills with our venue being a
short distance from the secluded, picturesque
location the lodge stood in. An underlying aim of
the expedition was to practise the fifth formers
in navigation in preparation for their silver D of
E later in the year; this was thus achieved on
this very first day with a slow start to allow folk
to get used to new boots and carrying winter
rucksacks. The day was beautiful with light winds,
a cobalt blue sky and air clarity that allowed the
view to extend all the way to the west coast and
southern Highlands. An indication of how cold it
had been was the fact we walked across a frozen
loch before stopping in front of a large snowcovered slope which would be our venue for the
skills session for the day.
First port of call was to get everyone used to
using their boots in the varying snow conditions
so that they could move with ease in the terrain
they would encounter during the week and
also in the Alps in July. Once kicking steps, heel
plunging and other techniques had been explored
the group then combined this movement with
the carrying of an ice axe as an aid to moving
52
in the winter environment. The final piece of
the jigsaw was ropework; thankfully this was
all fairly second nature to the team owing to
their having been working with ropes for quite
some time during the adventure education
weekends in Snowdonia during the course of
the previous two terms. The only difference this
time was introducing the group to ropework
used specifically in the alpine environment and
how to change from setting the rope to covering
rocky, scrambling terrain to glacier travel. Once
these principles had been covered we put them
into practice moving over easy snow slopes and
steeper ground before changing the rope to
allow the ascent of a minor rocky rib before again
transitioning back to glacier mode for the final pull
up to the summit of the day’s objective.
Having met the training objectives for the
day we stayed high and continued navigating
around the ridgeline so as to continue enjoying
the wonderful views that were to become a
hallmark of the week. Return to the lodge saw
the taking of showers and drying of equipment
before the preparing of the evening meal which
was always a high point, as it only helped bring
the team together and also prove to be a social
point of the day with a pleasant hubbub of
chatter taking place. Tonight’s gastric delight
was quorn (for Bethan) bolognaise and rice
made from scratch with fresh ingredients as all
the meals were. The plan was set for the next
day and the evening spent drinking tea before
settling down for the good sleep this type of
exercise combined with fresh air generates.
Tuesday
Time for a proper mountain journey combined
with some technical ground to revisit the
ropework from the day before in a very
appropriate situation. A drive today to Lochaber
to climb Beinn a’ Charoiann which involved
a long walk in, large amount of height gain
and high level traverse of a corniced ridge
combined with some tricky navigation on the
way down. All the ingredients for a grand day
out! The approach today was initially through
a Caledonian pine forest next to a burn which
tumbled steeply from the higher mountains.
The sounds of the burn didn’t resound through
the forest today as it was frozen with some
spectacular ice formations around the waterfalls
we walked past on the way up through the
forest. This was also a good sign as the normally
waterlogged ground was frozen solid making
progress very easy for a change. We quickly
made progress to the forward slopes of the
mountain before turning to make for our means
of ascent in the form of the steep north ridge.
Again progress was simple as we could walk on
top of the frozen snow pack with relative ease
although that didn’t distract from the steepness
which with Bethan giving her first opinion on
that particular part of the day which wouldn’t be
for the first time!
On reaching a flat snowy bay just in front of the
ridge the three ropes teams of three donned
crampons, harnesses and helmets before setting
up the rope for glacier travel to move up the
initial slopes. As the steepness reared up in front
of the various teams they changed the rope
system and started using climbing techniques
to move over rock steps, ridges and along
snow arêtes which for many made the ascent
far easier as the mind was focussed on other
things! The summit was finally reached and the
teams took refuge in the group shelters, drinking
from their flasks and snacking as the rope teams
finished at different times. Once the three teams
were reunited the rope was changed again
for the journey along the broad ridge of the
mountain, some 1,000m higher than the starting
point for the day, again with stunning views
under a clear blue sky with light winds and firm
snow underfoot. The added hazard today was
the large cornices on our left as we moved along
the ridge, pretty to look at but stay well away!
The final summit of the day was reached and
the decent begun with the four fifth formers
navigating us to a not too obvious subsidiary
ridge which would take us back down to the
forest we had initially come up through. The
team performed very well in finding it and some
steep hard packed snow had to be negotiated
before gaining the easier angled slopes below.
These, however, seemed to be the tricky part
of the day for Bethan and Caitlin who took
it in turns to find deep patches of snow that
catapulted them forwards to face plant in the
snow to fits of giggles from both of them.
The forest was again travelled though in reverse
with the added bonus of being able to see over
to the Easain mountain group on the other
side of the glen, which was starting to have
some alpine glow appear on its three summits
from the setting sun. A great day out with lots
achieved and the team really applying the skills
of winter mountain travel very well.
Wednesday
A shorter journey to Cairngorm was to be
made today with the team leaving from the
ski area car park which put us at a welcome
600m up, a very welcome initial height gain! It
is somewhat ironic that this was the first time
the ski area had been able to open for around
a week owing to the amount of snow that was
53
drifting on to the access road quicker than their
overworked snow ploughs could clear it; this
despite the fact it hadn’t snowed in that time
either! Before leaving it should be mentioned
that each morning the team took advantage of
‘Billy’s porridge’ which was ordered the night
before and had Billy – one of the instructors –
rising early to prepare a stunning mix of oats,
fruit, honey and milk which powered tired legs
early in the day.
Today was a bit of a rest day really as we moved
through the pisted area before making our
first step on to the untouched snow pack. Mr
O was in the lead and said a silent ‘here we
go’ as he took his first step expecting his foot
to punch through the snow up to his calf as
he weighted it, but this didn’t happen! In fact
no one penetrated the snow deeper than a
couple of centimetres all day which is unheard
of in Scotland. As a result progress was quick
today and the team passed under the various
corries before donning crampons where the
hard packed snow and patches of snow and ice
made progress without the benefit of spikey feet
difficult. We disappeared into the mist on the
Cairngorm plateau and navigated to the summit
of Cairn Lochan which stood precariously close
to the edge of the steep gullies and rock walls of
Cortrie Lochan which was carrying some huge
cornices. The actual planned destination had
been Ben Macdui but it was decided to cut the
day short and traverse the rims of both Corries
Lochan and Sneachda before descending back
down to the ski area.
This was still a fair day out but the competence of
the team in moving over the terrain in crampons
meant the ground was covered quickly although
we didn’t have a view until we reached the spot
height just short of the ski area. The wind was
with us today which had the effect of icing up
people’s hair as well as each person spending
the day tucked in their jacket hoods with goggles
on, meaning the most you saw of anyone was
normally just their nose. The descent to the ski
area was made quickly and those who made the
wise choice to keep their crampons on all the
way to the car park had an easy time of it. Those
who didn’t had a more interesting time as they
skitted along patches of snow ice and hardpacked snow. We had finished fairly early and
headed for a welcome hot chocolate in Aviemore
before heading back to the lodge around midafternoon. The most popular initial activity was
lying in the very warm sun on the picnic benches
outside the lodge where a few snoozes were had.
Folk then set about exploring the forest around
the lodge, drinking tea and drying kit in the sun,
a huge contrast to the conditions the team had
been working in four hours before. Evening meal
also allowed the team to get ready for the next
day which involved an early start to drive over
to the west coast to climb Ben Nevis from more
or less sea level along the very alpine Carn Mor
Dearg arête.
Thursday
The big bad Ben was awaiting us after an ‘Oh
my god it’s early’ start from the lodge with the
minibus leaving for the west coast at 6.15am.
The team dekitting
with a stunning view
behind them
The descent to
the ski area was
made quickly and
those who made
the wise choice
to keep their
crampons on all
the way to the
car park had an
easy time of it.
Sadly Mel did not join us today as she was having
problems with her shins but the remainder
took pillows on the minibus with them for the
journey. We arrived at the north face car park
just short of 8am and after sorting gear out,
set off through the long winding forest track
that twisted its way to the start of the footpath
that leads into the north face of Ben Nevis.
Progress was made quickly here and legs that
were now used to the demands of the mountain
environment made short work of the forest
track with us emerging out of the forest some
40 minutes after leaving the car park. Previous
groups I’ve worked with have taken up to an
hour to reach the same point.
The vista in front of us was breathtaking, the
north face was plastered in snow and this mecca
for winter climbers was reported to be in the
best condition for over ten years. It certainly
looked impressive standing tall against a bright
azure sky. Having had a quick refuel from our
flasks and snacks the team then embarked
on the long grinding climb up the rounded,
seemingly never-ending west ridge of Carn Mor
Dearg which stands directly opposite Ben Nevis
to form the other side of the Corrie that sits
under the north face. False summit after false
summit was reached although a good degree of
compensation could be taken from the lack of
wind and views which extended right out to the
Inner Hebrides. Eventually we again reached the
point, as in the previous day, where we donned
crampons so as to aid progress on the heavily
snow laden slopes. We continued up with the
prospect of the view towards Glencoe and
the southern Highlands spurring us on as we
continued to weave our way up the steepening
mountain side. Eventually we saw the summit
some 500m away and tired legs and lungs were
renewed with new vigour only for the cloud to
envelop us and take away any view we thought
may be possible to be replaced by white out
conditions and a biting wind. Bethan – not one
to hide her opinion this girl! – expressed what
she thought of the situation which was not
positive.
We took a bearing off the summit on to the
start of the very alpine Carn Mor Dearg arête
which joins Carn Mor Dearg to Ben Nevis
and is some 1,000m long. Behan’s spirits rose
as she found herself on a high narrow snow
ridge, terrain she enjoys, which offered further
54
views. Not everyone was as enthusiastic about
the exposure and Lewis and George focussed
very firmly on their feet and the ground that
required their attention rather than looking at
the views Bethan and Caitlin were encouraging
them to look at. The whole team negotiated
solid snow across the entire length of the arête
before finally coming to its end and resting on
a broad final slope which ended on the summit
of the Ben with the added blessing of the now
returning sunshine.
The sop had to come to an end and the team
turned to climb what would be the hardestfought 200m height gain of the week as it just
went up relentlessly with everyone just going
from steep snow slope to flat summit plateau
with relief and even better – the summit cairn
was but 100m distance away. Another stop with
the cloud giving intermittent views was had and
the team photo of the highest people in the UK
at that time taken. We then started down and
decided to descend number four gully which
involved each person being lowered into it to
start before easy snow slopes led down very
quickly to the CIC hut which is a unmanned
mountain hostel climbers stay in at the base of
the north face. Once this had been reached we
re-joined the path which took us back towards
the north face car park without incident with the
added bonus of passing close by some grazing
red deer during the pleasant amble down the
path. We stopped just before being swallowed
up by the forest we had initially climbed through
to take in the view back along the north face
with the summit of the Ben standing tall, this
view meaning more now as we had been stood
on top of it some three hours before. Lewis
had been given the task of loading the Viennese
whirls into the bus for us to devour upon our
return and conversation turned enthusiastically
to these. Lewis became a touch withdrawn
before confessing that he had forgotten to do it,
again Bethan didn’t hold back and expressed her
dissatisfaction at the situation. Nine hours after
setting off we returned to the minibus and tired
but satisfied bodies fell into seats for the journey
back to the lodge.
We had a fantastic four days in Scotland in truly
alpine conditions and conducted training and
gained experience that will stand the team in
fantastic stead for the forthcoming exped to the
Bernese Oberland. They were a joy to work with
55
and we are all looking forward to the challenges
that the Swiss Alps will provide us. Our thanks
must also go to the Ulysses Trust for help with
funding the expedition and also to Marmot for
their support in clothing as well as the Cadet
Centre for Adventurous Training for their
support with hardware and other equipment.
Silver Training
There has been a pleasingly large spill over of
bronze participants into the silver award this
year with some 20 fifth formers enrolling on
the next level up. Even more satisfying is the
number of those who have now completed
bronze with the D of E system which has now
become far more user friendly for participants
and staff alike.
The first practice for the group occurred on the last
weekend of the Easter holidays where two teams
had a day’s revision of navigation, trangia safety,
and general principles of travelling over three days
instead of the easily survived two that the groups
had previously undertaken for bronze. The teams
then set about the task of organizing route cards
for the first day of the journey along with sorting
individual, tent group and walking group equipment
in preparation for the three-day practice they would
complete in the Llangollen area.
A slow start ensued on the Saturday to ensure
that the groups had all the right equipment as
the forecast was variable with some chilly, wet
weather to be encountered at times. Once
satisfied that all contents necessitating being
waterproofed in rucksacks and personal clothing
and equipment all worked the team set off
for their drop off which was, unusually, on the
top of ridge. This meant the teams just had to
go down with hardly any up for the first day
of their practice, a very unusual but welcome
start. The only surprise was the fact that the
recent snows were still in evidence and the
vehicles had to stop on the access road some
800m short of the top due to the snowdrift
that was blocking the way despite the recent
high temperatures and rain. The groups quickly
reoriented themselves from their original drop
offs and made a quick appreciation as to how
they would adapt the first part of their journey.
Once satisfied they set off and quickly ate up the
ground under their feet making good tie to the
first campsite at Carrog where they were given
the second day’s route which they then planned
in between setting up tents and cooking.
56
The second day started off ok for the pack up
at camp but quickly deteriorated into a horrible
wet, blowy day that had the teams buried in
their waterproof hoods to start. Luckily the
weather started to break at midday and the
teams arrived at Abbey Farm Campsite, which
takes its name from the impressive and fairly
intact ruins in its grounds, in sunshine with
light winds; perfect drying weather which was
quickly taken advantage of. The team also
treated themselves to a hot chocolate from
the on-site cafe after a testing day by anyone’s
standards. After the conditions encountered
the groups took pleasure in being able to cook
outside as well as plan the next day’s journey
in the warmth of what was threatening to be a
summers like evening.
The last day was fairly straightforward and the
groups left Abbey farm for their finish which was
very fittingly over one of the Vale of Llangollen’s
main features, Froncysyllte aqueduct. The
journey was blessed with dry sunny weather
so the teams finished in high spirits which was
much deserved after the conditions they had
been subjected to the previous two days.
The second group to undertake their practice
did so over the Friday afternoon to Sunday
of the May bank holiday weekend. The teams
replicated the journey undertaken by their peers
with the exception of the final day as they were
all brought home first thing so as to allow time
to prepare for the GCSE exams the following
week. Weather conditions were far more
favourable with no snow encountered anywhere
and if anything the dust being blown about on
the higher ridges was the main hazard as it really
irritated the eyes if you weren’t quick enough to
turn away from a gust of wind driving it.
Again the groups completed the first day well
arriving at dusk with the task of erecting tents
and cooking taking up what little light was left.
This meant that the planning for the next day
had to be done the morning of that particular
journey as well as actually walking it. A mixed
day was had with good visibility but a cold wind
that brought the odd squally shower with it also.
The teams enjoyed finishing, like their peers
previously, in sunshine at Abbey farm and again
the cafe was put to good use. The evening was
spent playing an adapted form of rounders in
the shadow of the impressive abbey remains
bathed in warm evening sunlight. Both teams
were now poised with the necessary skills and
reflective practice to ensure that they enjoy
their assessment expedition to be taken in the
last week of term where they would travel from
school to Llangollen before making a traverse of
the Berwyn Mountains.
The Assessment
The three teams made an assault on the
Berwyn hills from three different start points
which meant there was a chance the teams
would see each other depending on which
routes they took as none would stay at any of
the campsites on the same night. One team
started in Llanrhaedr and moved over the
Berwyns to Hendwr at the eastern end of the
range before moving to Abbey Farm above
Llangollen the second day with the final day
seeing the team undertaking a long day dropping
into the Glyn Ceiriog Valley before pulling out
again to descend to school from the racecourse
area. Another team reversed this route, while a
third started in Hendwr and travelled to Carrog
before heading to Glyn Ceiriog with their last
day again seeing them walk back to school. The
weather throughout was variable being mainly
dry with a few sharp showers and sometimes
humid evenings. The journey promised to be
a fairly straightforward one if the teams chose
to gain the ridges and romp along them before
descending to the various campsites, especially
the middle day of the longer route. The groups
were certainly well prepared and it was a joy
to see them packing with confidence and an
obvious level of competence you don’t always
come across at gold, let alone silver.
The teams were moved to their various drop
offs with the one team walking out of school
around mid morning. They all made good time
with fresh feet but weighty packs with three
days’ food in them. Most groups got into camp
in the seven hour requirement with one taking
slightly longer as it pulled over the main ridge
of the Berwyns. The second day was different.
Two of the groups tried to avoid the ridge and
thus made a convoluted route through the valley
which one team negotiated well, whilst the
other lost themselves for a while and ended up
putting in a long tiring day where they arrived at
dusk after staring at 8am.
They had the pull over the Berwyn ridge for
their final day and awoke tired and aching with
the prospect of a long day ahead of them. We
thought they would be a while after the trauma of
the day before but some excited and very happy
voices phoned the school at 3pm to say they
had arrived at the finish point. The team coming
from Glyn Ceiriog also walked into school having
had an enjoyable journey, although the night in
Glyn Ceiriog had been still and humid meaning
the midgets had arrived in clouds in the campsite
and intruded everywhere. The final team didn’t
arrive back in school until 7pm, having found the
double up and down strenuous with a total of
64km covered in the three days. They did time
their arrival very well though as it coincided with
the leavers service meaning that the excess food
was hovered off the servers with enthusiasm; the
platter of mini cheesecakes being destroyed in
particular. The group have all worked through the
award now and can move on to gold once they
have given their expedition presentations.
A slow start ensued
on the Saturday
to ensure that the
groups had all the
right equipment as
the forecast was
variable with some
chilly, wet weather
to be encountered
at times.
57
E NGLI S H
Visiting Thai
pupils
Once again the department has been involved in a heavy
schedule of activities throughout the academic year. In the
Michaelmas term, under the guidance and direction of Mr
Power, a school production of JB Priestley’s An Inspector
Calls was staged. The cast was drawn from sixth form
and fifth form and included Lewis Bebb, Joe Collinge,
Ted Fawke, Daniel Harriman, Jenny Hu, Natalie Makin
and Holly Payne. Joe’s decision to have the inspector
speak with a Glaswegian accent was a bold and brave
one-considering this is the head of English’s birthplace!
As well as the cast, many more pupils were involved
backstage, including Elise Fisher, Richard Herbert, Kyle
Real, David Williams, Matthew Masters, Melany McNeill
and Jenny Hu who once again who helped out with
props co-ordination. On the night some authentic musical
colour was added by Cameron Biles-Liddell who played
a range of jazz standards as the audience arrived and at
the interval. As well as pupils the department was also
indebted to Mrs Price for the set design and Mr Cattley
for recording some original music to set the mood and
tone throughout the performance. Finally a big thank you
to a whole host of staff who generously donated props
for the performance.
E AL
58
This year has been particularly busy and eventful
in the EAL department and we have been
pleased to welcome students from an increasing
number of countries. Our students not only study
functional language but are also prepared for
Cambridge English or IELTS examinations which
are recognized worldwide.
We have also been pleased to welcome
students for a two-term placement and have
been particularly impressed by Ben Issa and
Felix Hansen-Schmidt from Germany who have
achieved very high scores in IELTS and who
were declared proficient users of English on the
European framework.
Several students achieved excellent results in
their IELTS and FCE exams and in the lower sixth
special mention must go to Igor Maleyko, Kristi
Bruusgard and Frank Zhou for consistently high
commitment and results over the year. In the
upper sixth, special mention must go to Larry
Wang, Tik Wong, Jonathan Tse and Daniel Chan,
all achieving the IELTS scores required for their
chosen university courses. In fifth form, four of
our students: Joel Lo Ribeiro, Tobias Leung, Nelli
Liverova and Evgeny Efremov achieved exemplary
results in the Cambridge English First Certificate.
A selection of Thai and Russian pupils were
at Oswestry School for a three week period
that encompassed integration into lessons to
experience life and culture at a British school.
They attended lessons throughout their stay
which included EAL lessons for an hour each day.
The groups also visited Liverpool and Manchester
for a mix of culture and shopping. Other local
cultural trips incorporated a visit to the Qube,
where the students were asked to design a
postcard on their most favourite place in the
world. The postcards are now on display to the
public in the postcard exhibition in the town.
Also in the Michaelmas term the public speaking
teams once again pitched their skills against other
schools in a variety of competitions. There was a
slight change in personnel to our senior team this
year with Joe Collinge, Georgina Mercer and Robin
Williams finding initial success in the Rotary Club’s
Youth Speaks competition. Although this team failed
to progress in the BPW regional heat this year this
was not for the want of a fine performance and
indeed many an eyebrow was raised amongst the
audience and fellow competitors when our team was
not announced as one of the two to proceed to the
regional final. As a sign of the growing strength of
public speaking within the school we were also able
to blood a second senior team this year consisting of
Poppy Sanderson, Elise Fisher and Matthew Bunby.
This year they gained invaluable experience and I fully
expect them to make their mark next year.
Returning to the dramatic theme, in the Lent term
the upper sixth English literature group of Georgina
Mercer, Dunni Olayebi, Chris Jones, Ted Fawke, Chris
Jones, Sam Johnson, Alex Herbert and Tilly Hicklin
attended the Theatre Severn to watch a production of
Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage.
Public Speaking was also back on the agenda in the
Lent term when the houses all did battle once again
to see who would be crowned the inter-house public
speaking champions. The proceedings were kicked
off by Oswald, whose team comprised Robbie Clarke
(chairman), Ed Green (speaker) and Robin Edwards
(expresser of thanks). Robbie chaired the proceedings
in his own inimitable style before Ed treated us to
a very personal talk on the need for paddle sports
enthusiasts to be granted better access rights to the
waterways of England and Wales. I am told that Mr
Othen had nothing to do with this choice of topic!
This was followed by Donne, comprising Izzy Makin
(chairperson), Joe Collinge (speaker) and Paige Baker
(expresser of thanks). Joe took on his alter ego of
Jeremy Clarkson to provide us with a humorous
but thought-provoking talk on the ‘green car’ and
displayed the fine talents that had brought the school
national success last year in the BPW competition.
Whilst this was always going to be a tough group
to follow, Spooner’s team of Georgina Mercer
(chairperson), Scott Vallely (speaker) and Poppy
Sanderson (expresser of thanks) did not disappoint.
Indeed Scott’s conspiracy theory on who actually
built the pyramids provided the judges with their
favourite topic of the afternoon.
Last to go, but by no means least, were Burnaby,
comprising Elise Fisher (chairperson), Matt Bunby
(speaker) and Verity Bowen (expresser of thanks).
Matt’s chosen topic was the presentation of teenagers
in today’s society, but I am happy to report there was
no sign of a ‘Kevin’ or any teenage tantrums.
All teams performed admirably and it really goes
to show what strength in depth Oswestry could
potentially have with its public speaking and
debating teams. There was a marked raising of the
bar from last year’s competition and for an interhouse competition that is only in its second year of
existence it clearly indicates that it is only going to
go from strength to strength with each passing year.
For the second year running Burnaby were crowned
overall champions of this competition.
Sadly, owing to the rather arctic conditions we
experienced around Easter it was impossible to run
the house drama competition this year.
Looking to the future, with the arrival of our ‘poet
laureate’ in the maths department, Mr Hibbert,
our inaugural poetry writing competition has been
established and the department is also looking to
build on this creative outpouring from our pupils by
involving them in the many writing competitions that
occur throughout the year. Hopefully at this time
next year I will have even more success to report in
these new ventures that the English department and
pupils of Oswestry school participate in.
Mr A Biles-Liddell, head of English
59
ENGLISH SPEAKING BOARD
We have had another excellent year with our ESB
results. This year 109 pupils sat the exam from
year 3 in Bellan to form 4 in the senior school.
The examiners were again very impressed with
the high standards of our pupils, both in ability
and behaviour, and they said that they would
very much like to examine at our school again.
In total 109 pupils sat the exam and once again
we had a 100 per cent pass rate. This year for
the first time, however, I am delighted that
every pupil has achieved a merit or above. I was
informed by the ESB office that we were one of
the top performing schools In the country and
the examiners commented that our pupils were
some of the best they had seen all year!
This year we have had more pupils than ever
receiving distinctions in all four areas of the exam.
kyle philips
They are: year 3 Isabella Morris, Joshua OwenLangford; year 4 Ashley Lall, Freya Regnart-Butler;
year 5 Katy Scott, Ruby Read, Daniel Counter,
Luke Gambroudes; year 6 Eleanor Chadwick,
Maxwell Bowker, Laurence Bowen, Jennifer
Cyffin-Jones; year 7 Ethan McMorran, Rebecca
Hollywell, Sam Champion, Katherine Davison,
Roisin Gambroudes, Aarifa Khanom; year 8
Francesca Jones, Hoydi Leung, Matthew Cooper,
Bethan Edwards, John Darby; year 10 Kyle Phillips.
I am particularly proud of the three pupils who
chose to take the Senior 3 and prepared in
their spare time. This is a challenging exam and
is the same standard as a GCSE. They were
Kyle Phillips, Amelia Mercer and Jessica Pugh.
They worked really hard and gave excellent
performances. I highly recommend that other
students continue with this exam as it looks
impressive on their CVs and if they take it
to senior proficiency and advanced level it
will give them UCAS points towards their
university choice.
Earlier in the year some of the pupils also took
part in the Shropshire Festival of Verse and Prose.
We entered nine classes and we were placed in
the top three for most of them. Here is their list
of achievements
Public speaking (17 years and under) – Kyle
Phillips 1st; public speaking (13 years and under)
– Matthew Cooper 2nd; verse speaking (9 years)
– Alexandra Heasmer-Jones 3rd; prose reading
(11 years) – Eleanor Chadwick 2nd; duologues (11
years and under) – Daniel Counter and Connor
Greenwood 1st, Ella Galmot-Kerr and Jennifer
Cyffin-Jones 2nd, Phoebe Munford and Anya
Stoyanovic 3rd.
I would like to thank all the pupils for their hard
work and congratulate them on their success. I
would also like to extend my thanks to all the
parents, grannies, big brothers etc who have sat
through countless renditions of their loved one’s
pieces. It is much appreciated.
60
GL O B AL YO U NG
L E A D E R S C O N F E R E NC E
Over the summer holidays Harry Hinton-Hard and
I attended the Global Young Leaders Conference
(GYLC) in the United States of America. Starting
in Washington and ending in New York, via
Philadelphia, it was so much more than a two-week
sightseeing holiday.
After an exhausting seven-hour flight I met up with
Harry at Washington airport as he had flown in from
France. We were met by the conference staff and a
few other students who had flown in from all over the
World. I was hoping for a little down-time to relax
after the flight. However, once I had arrived at the
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, (which was probably
the most extravagant hotel I have ever set foot in,
complete with coffee dispensers and 50-inch TVs in
every room) it was time for the welcome. In essence
the first evening laid the foundations of the most
exciting, inspirational and busy two weeks of my life.
During the conference we would be gaining
knowledge of world politics; we had talks from world
leaders, visits to embassies and took part in mock
political scenarios. We were all allocated to a country
group, whose interests we would be representing for
the duration of the conference. These were generally
different to a student’s country of origin; Harry was
allocated to South Africa, but I was conveniently
placed in the UK group.
With visits to memorials to past presidents, the
White House, and the US State department, not to
mention the UN building, the diversity of the trip
was incredible. We had leadership group meetings
(LGMs) during the day and in the evening, where
we discussed the interests of the county we were
allocated to, as well as preparing for a mock UN
Security Council meeting and UN summit on the
last day. This was the pinnacle of the conference in
New York and actually took place in the UN building.
Here we acted as the UN, speaking for and against
resolutions and then voting in accordance with our
country group’s interests to decide whether they
were passed.
On the evening after the UN meeting we had a
farewell dinner cruise to celebrate the conference.
This was also an opportunity to take pictures, see the
Statue of Liberty and relax after a busy two weeks.
Harry HintonHard and
Matthew Masters
I booked to stay a further three days in New York
on the GYLC cultural add-on, while Harry went to
visit his grandparents who live in the US. Staying in
New York gave me the chance to see some of the
best sights in New York, the Empire State Building
and the historic SoHo district, an area important
owing to its cast-iron architectural elements. There
were also two university trips (Columbia and New
York), a quick visit to Central Park and bowling at the
Chelsea Piers. During these three days we dined at
some fantastic restaurants, including the Heartland
Brewery and John’s Pizzeria of Times Square which
served the best pizza I have ever had!
I departed on the 27th July ready to board the
plane for the return seven-hour flight after what has
definitely been the best experience of my life.
Attending this conference has helped me develop
my leadership skills further and given me an insight
to world politics. All these skills are essential to be
successful in today’s world and will remain with me
for the rest of my life.
Finally I would like to thank the Rotary Club of
Oswestry and JRP Solutions for their sponsorship and
of course my parents who enabled me to go on this
once-in-a-life-time opportunity.
Matthew Masters
61
F O O T B ALL
62
1st XI
2nd XI
U15 XI
U14XI
Captain: Scott Vallely
Coach: Mr Hollingsworth
Captain: Abdul Nyako
Coach: Mr Miles
Coach: Mr K Evans
Captain: Calum Jones
Coach: Mr Till
Squad: Scott Vallely, James Dewing, Daniel
Renwick, Liam Kirk, Christian Blount-Powell,
Ryan Morris, Alex Herbert, Robbie Clarke, James
Whittingham, Louis Fisher, Jamie McMurray,
Edward Ellis-Cooper, Robin Edwards
Squad: Nicky Lui, Isaac Adekanye, Abdul Nyako,
Dimitrii Tatlok, Aminu Zarewa, Vechslav Rudenko,
Igor, Dominic Kular, Ben Dugan, Johannes Samer,
Adebayo Kunle, Leon Fritche, Frank Zhou, Kostya
Zolotarev
Squad: James Wigley, Ryan Cox, Oliver Renwick,
Jamie Jones, Indigo Diaz, Oriol Pascual, Matthew
Thornton, Matthew Gale, James Bell, Tom
Nicholas, William Evans, Jack Taylor
Squad: James Wigley, Archie Kynaston-Evans,
Calum Jones, Iwan Williams, Ross Jones, Nick
Cyffin-Jones, Donald Gray, Oliver Woodward,
Rhys Edkins, Jacob Lloyd, Henry Bowen, Harri
Jones, Josh Munford, Dennis Bates, Xavier Clarke
Report: A difficult season but the entire squad
demonstrated their resolve time and time again.
With impressive wins over sides such as Royal
Wolverhampton, Wrekin College, Shrewsbury VI
Form, the boys showed just how much damage
they can do when they move the ball. Skipper
Scott Vallely led by example and from the front,
the engine room of the team. The midfield was
controlled by Robbie Clarke and Charlie Morris
who held up the ball and put it where it was
needed. With the pace of James Whittingham and
Louis Fisher, all sorts of problems were caused and
with the deadly Robin Edwards at full back and the
crunching tackles of Christian Blount-Powell, the
opposition wingers were often literally stopped
dead in their tracks. Centre back brick walls Dan
Renwick and James Dewing showed they have
what it takes to play at this level and controlled
our back line with confidence. Eddy Ellis-Cooper
annihilated defenders with his speed and delivered
his crossed with pin-point accuracy. Our leavers
this year, Scott Vallely, Robbie Clarke, Ryan Morris,
James Whittingham, Alex Herbert and Liam Kirk,
will be sorely missed but the mantle has now been
passed on. Next year’s team will have a huge task
to maintain our current form. An excellent season.
Report: This season saw the most successful
Oswestry 2nd XI in the school’s history. The start
of the season a lot of the boys saw this team as a
social football side and by the end of it they were
beating the first team in training matches. Captain
Abdul Nyako led his team well and all of the boys
were pushing for first team squad places by the
end of the season. This was down to the hard
work that all the boys had put into practice and
some of the pass and move football was a pleasure
to watch. I hope that this is just the start for the
second team and that next season we can push on
even further. Our Leavers Abdul Nyako and Isaac
Adekanye will be a big loss to the team both on
and off the field and will be hard to replace. An
outstanding season.
Report: From being undefeated last year to not
winning a game this year you could say it was a
reality check for the U15 football team. The team
struggled to compete with other schools’ strength,
size and speed. Even with the introduction of
some Spanish flair it wasn’t enough to boost the
team’s performances. More work is required
especially for the players hoping to push for the
school first team next year.
Report: A mixed season was had by the U14s
with a strong win against the Lakelands but it
was followed by a narrow defeat to Thomas
Adams. This buoyed the team up for a great team
performance against Shrewsbury School but
unfortunately two goals just before half time and full
time saw a disappointing result. Overall this was a
good team performance that is obviously a strong
sport for this age group. Things will look good for
next season when they step up an age group.
63
GEOGRAPHY
Geography Club
Over the course of the year, Elliot Blount-Powell,
Oliver Renwick and Kyle Phillips have attended
geography club during their Thursday lunch times.
Sessions have usually involved a healthy dose of
competition between the club members for an
edible prize and topics have ranged from world
flags to cloud identification to microclimate
fieldwork. The three members have never missed
a session and I would like to thank them for their
good humour and enthusiasm.
U13 XI
U12 XI
Captain: Dennis Bates
Captain: Tom Jones
Coach: Mr Evans
Squad: Dennis Bates, Xavier Clarke, Rhys Edkins,
Matthew Cooper, Jacob Lloyd, Sam Chesworth,
John Darby, Will Baker, Hoydi Leung, Max Clarke,
Stefan Mohammed, Josh Blount-Powell
Squad: Alex Sambrook-Jones, George Wigley,
Aron Varbiro, Ben Law, Joseph Law, Ethan
McMorran, Tom Jones, Sam Champion, James
Hiley, Jacob Tidridge, Alistair Moss, Evan Ellis, Huw
Edwards, Benny Kong, Luke Moran
Report: With 13 matches and ten wins, the U13
side proved a formidable force. Led by Dennis
Bates, the boys dug deep to dominate all of the
local sides beating some schools with double
figures. With Bates and Xavier Clarke controlling
the midfield with fluency and consistency. The
blistering pace of Sam Chesworth caused every
opposition’s defence no end of problems and the
solid defensive work of Jacob Lloyd and Matthew
Cooper ensured keeper Rhys Edkins was safe
from a lot of dangerous attacks. Rhys performed
incredibly well this season demonstrating his shotstopping abilities and cat-like reflexes. Player of the
season Will Baker scored 23 goals and has set the
standard for the school’s strikers. We can expect
big things from this year.
Report: The U12 team had a run of difficult games
playing many state schools. I was impressed by
the teams efforts giving 100 per cent every game
regardless of the scores. Special mention goes to
Tom Jones who started with the U12s and ended
the season with the U13s.
Next academic year will see the introduction
of a new lunchtime geography workshop
alongside the existing geography club. This
will be aimed at GCSE and A-level classes to
provide an opportunity for individual tuition in
exam technique, data response questions and
geographical skills.
Geography Controlled
Assessment trip
Over the weekend of 1st to 3rd February,
twelve fifth form geographers, Mr Jefferis and
Miss Johnson visited Preston Montford Field
Centre for three days of controlled assessment
work. The topic this year was an investigation of
Shrewsbury’s central business district. Students
collected data during the Friday and then
produced a superb write up on the remaining
two days, involving sophisticated use of GIS,
several complex data presentation techniques,
and the favourite activity of the weekend –
statistics! Students were in the fortunate position
of having a teacher to student ratio of 1:4 to
complete their assessment, as the group also
received specialist tuition from a field studies
council tutor.
I do not think I have ever seen a group of
students work as hard and without a single
word of complaint. The end result of this hard
work was a superb set of controlled assessment
reports and the completion of 25 per cent
64
of the GCSE course in one weekend, leaving
time to focus on revision for the remaining two
exams. I would like to say a huge thank you to
Ben Dugan, James Gale, Connor Hughes, Caitlin
Jones, Emily Jones, Laura Kendall, Fatima Lawal,
Joel Lo Ribeiro, Nelli Liverova, George Tomley,
Bryant Warmate and Andriy Yevstratov. This
group of students has set the bar for future fifth
form geographers to live up to in terms of both
work ethic and academic achievement for their
controlled assessment work.
Lower Sixth Geography
Fieldtrips
Lower Sixth geographers attended three
fieldtrips this academic year to support the
extreme weather and rebranding places topics of
their course. On 31st January, eight students, Miss
Johnson and Mr Jefferis set off for Shrewsbury to
investigate flood risk and flood management. The
morning involved fieldwork to model the impact
of extreme weather events on river basins with
different land uses. This was done by using storm
simulators to construct flood hydrographs. The
afternoon saw students carrying out flood risk
fieldwork and investigating flood management
strategies in Shrewsbury.
On 28th February, the group visited Ludlow
to investigate the impact of the town’s
food reputation on the local economy and
environment. The final fieldtrip on 7th March
visited Sutton Hill, Ironbridge and Blists Hill to
investigate how industrial heritage has been used
to promote tourism in the area.
The weather was kind to us during these trips
and the students collected data that was used to
answer several questions in their summer exam.
I would like to thank Christian Blount-Powell,
Charlie Morris, Jack Nyhan, Feyisara Obisesan,
Vyacheslav Rudenko, Tharan Sethi, Tommy Lun
and Ben Issa for their hard work during these trips.
65
Geography Fieldtrip to
the Lake District
At the start of the academic year Robbie
Clarke and Liam Kirk set off for the annual
upper-sixth Lake District fieldtrip. The idea
behind the trip is to offer A-level geographers
a look-see introduction to glacial and
periglacial geomorphology and to provide
them with numerous specific examples of
the landforms to which they will need to
refer in their essays. Cumbrian weather didn’t
disappoint – on our first foray from the
minibus, a brisk walk up to Boswcale tarn, we
got absolutely soaked. Robbie Clarke learnt
an important lesson about the need to follow
packing lists! Sodden, but still in high spirits,
we made our way down the Borrowdale
Valley, stopping regularly to see the features
we would be discussing in the classroom
later in the term. It was a long, hard day. We
crammed into a few short hours what would
normally take a whole weekend because that
was all Robbie’s busy cricket schedule would
allow. Both of this year’s geographers left,
though, with a sense of the scale, majesty (and
capricious ferocity!) of nature. Later on, in
the classroom, when obscure features were
referred to there were less blank looks than
there otherwise might have been… It was a
worthwhile trip.
Miss Johnson, head of geography
HISTORY
The lower-sixth historians visited Bosworth
Battlefield at the start of the year to
support their exam work. Poppy Sanderson,
Natalie Makin, Kateryna Dubrova, Matteo
O’Mahoney, Robin Edwards, Richard
Herbert and Dan Harriman also received
a guided tour of the battlefield with a talk
and presentation on the weaponry and
armour used at the time. There was much
amusement when the opportunity came to
try on pieces of armour!
Pupils in the second form certainly enjoyed
the opportunity to recreate the trial for King
Charles I and despite some valiant defence
lawyers in the form of Lewis Tesseyman,
Ffion Bell, and Hoydi Leung he was still
found guilty and sentenced by Dennis Bates.
The first form are showing excellent signs
of becoming public health inspectors with
some very creative and amusing reports
on England in the Middle Ages, Evan Ellis,
Rebecca Hollywell, Roisin Gambroudes and
Katy Davison certainly enjoyed exposing the
more horrible history of English streets.
This year we say goodbye to Ms Joy Evans
who has been head of history for the last
six years at Oswestry school. During her
time she has taken the children on a variety
of trips including York, Berlin and the
battlefields of the first world war.
HOCKEY
1st XI
U14XI
Captain: Paige Baker
Coach: LA Jones
Captain: Fiona Newman
Coach: LA Jones
Squad: Paige Baker Emily Bromage Jade Perry,
Georgina Mercer, Isabelle Makin, Natalie Makin,
Elise Fisher, Megan Williams, Caitlin Jones,
Bethan Walford, Laura Kendall, Daisy Tickner,
Emily Jones, Tara Severs, Becky Adcock
Squad: Fiona Newman, Emily Lacy, Arianna
Herbert, Freya Morris, Alex Dewing, Alice
Darby, Ellen Bottomley, Ella Jones, Klaudie Sum
Lui
Report: During the hockey season the girls
endured closely fought games, losing marginally
to schools who train and play on astroturf but
enjoyed excellent wins and really outstanding,
convincing and fluid performances on grass.
Notable performances were made against
Rydal. After a long journey to play them away
and facing a technically more able side, the girls
demonstrated a tenacity and the heart that is
a trademark of their play. Paige Baker played
particularly well making sure the score line was
kept down significantly. The local derby against
Ellesmere also ended in disappointment but
with the advent of our ability to play on astro
at home we are hoping that this will become
a thing of the past. Our final match of the
season saw back-to-back under 15 and first
team matches against Moreton Hall. We had a
lack of depth on this particular occasion so Issy
Adegboyega, Meggie Williams, Amelia Mercer
and Jess Pugh all ended up playing in both
matches where both were end to end with a
high degree of fitness required. The intensity
of both games is indicated by Meggie Williams
more or less collapsing from cramp in both legs
toward the end of the second game.
As we say goodbye to our grass game, we will
endeavour to buck the trend on astroturf, by
training hard and playing even harder, making
every attempt to ensure the new astroturf is
our fortress and producing solid performances I
know the 1st XI are more than capable of.
66
Report: A hard-fought season for the U14 squad
this year. This year has shown the determination
of our players at tirelessly working to outwit and
outmanoeuvre opposition. Our personal hockey
skills, attack and defence tactics, and teamwork
are beginning to emerge, which in conjunction
with increased knowledge of the game through
attendance at practices and inter-school
competitions, should allow us to take full benefit
of the new astro pitch surface next season.
U13VII (two squads)
Captain: Bethan Edwards
Coach: LA Jones
Squad: Bethan Edwards, Sian Grice, Timmy
Orritt, Lucy Lowry, Frankie Jones, Ffion Bell,
Amy Younger, Tia Owen-Smith, Holly Tomley,
Chloe Cox, Rosin Gambroudes, Rebecca
Hollywell, Natasha Laundy, Katie Davidson,
Aarifa Khanom
Report: This year the girls have played sevens
hockey. This has allowed them all to have the
opportunity to compete at inter-school level in
the provision of two, cross-year groups squads.
This has been an invaluable opportunity for
them to play with greater space, and to adapt
their grass pitch skills to astro pitch surfaces.
We look forward to having the use of our own
astro pitch next season, which will allow the
girls the opportunity to practise and play at the
pace the surface encourages.
67
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
It was close between Donne and Oswald for most of the year but Oswald clinched it by winning
sports day, which had been moved to the end of the Trinity term from the May bank holiday.
BurnabyDonneOswaldSpooner
PosPtsPosPtsPosPtsPosPts
Credits and Debits
Cross Country – Senior
Football – Junior
Football – Bellan
Football – Senior
Football – Intermediate
Music
Public Speaking
Quiz – Senior
Quiz – Junior
Rounders – Junior
Rugby
Sports Day
Tennis – 1st singles
Tennis – 2nd singles
Tennis – 3rd singles
Tennis – 4th singles
Tennis – 1st doubles
Tennis – 2nd doubles
Tennis – 3rd doubles
Tennis – 4th doubles
Tennis – Jun Girls
Tennis – Sen Girls
48130
218312
110422634
422611034
=1
8=1
8=3
3=3
3
344211026
344211026
316140
22448
110264234
341102642
421102634
110423426
110422634
46218130
312
344211026
421102634
422634110
264234110
344211026
110264234
342642110
=2
342110=2
3
344226110
421103426
Total135186193144
The year started with a trip to Oxford. Ten or so Oswestrians wandered the famous streets
on one of the most gloriously sunny days of the year. The university had laid on a whole gamut
of different lectures and events across the various departments and colleges. Pupils were
encouraged to plan their day carefully in order to make the most of the sessions on offer and
to attend the things that interested them. We started off together, though, with a tour of Balliol
College (Boris Johnson’s alma mater) where we were treated to a very informative lecture
detailing what admissions tutors are looking for in prospective applicants. Visits then followed
of the history, geography, physics and chemistry departments as well as of the Ashmolean and
the Bodleian. These were interspersed, of course – with varying degrees of frequency – by
visits to Costa Coffee and McDonalds! A valuable day was had by all, and we all left Oxford
with a renewed sense of interest in our subjects and of the opportunities that they can present
to those who study them seriously.
The year has thereafter fallen into a familiar pattern of weekly Friday lectures. Recent sessions
have included a practical demonstration of a Turing machine, a presentation of musical
symbolism and a discussion of some of the questions posed in the book Are you smart enough
to work at Google? The aim has been to be as eclectic in our interests as Edward Lhuyd (who
gives his name to the society) was in his. Wading into the discussions frequently, and with great
gusto, have been Matthew Masters, Charles Yeung, Louis and Elise Fisher, Darcy Farnsworth,
Ted Fawke, Kyle Phillips, Robin Edwards, Harry Hinton-Hard and Jamie McMurray along with
many other less regular attendees.
IC T
This has been a year of changes and innovation in the ICT department yet again. With the government’s
push to introduce more programming in the school curriculum, next year we will be switching our GCSE
ICT course over to GCSE computing. Mr Mulholland joined this year’s marking panel in anticipation of the
switchover, and Mr Birchwood has spent a great deal of time working on our new pre-GCSE department
curriculum so that students will be well prepared for the more technical demands that computing will
make. We have trialled some ideas already – many thanks to Mr Birchwood and Mr Jefferis who ran clubs
on robotics and programming. Programming has also been covered in some of the curricular lessons this
year, and students have responded well – a special mention to Thomas Kirk whose submission for his final
programming examination was of exceptional quality.
At the sixth-form level we will be continuing with ICT for the foreseeable future as it fits well with the
other A-level subjects that the school offers and plays to the strengths of our students. The practical tasks
in lower sixth have been done particularly well this year, with special mentions to Eric Lin and Charles
Yeung who both completed all the tasks to a very high standard.
Points System1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Drama and Music
40
24
16
8
Sports Day30
18
12
6
Others10
642
68
LUIDIUS SOCIETY
69
AN IN S P E C TO R CALL S
LONDON TRIP
An Inspector Calls was performed in the Michaelmas
term 2012. Set in March 1912, and at his home in the
midlands city of Brumley, industrialist Arthur Birling
is enjoying an evening of quiet celebration with his
family. Business is booming, the future is bright, and
now there is a wedding to look forward to. However,
their party is interrupted by the arrival of Police
Inspector Goole, investigating the circumstances of
a young woman’s suicide, a shocking death for which
someone must take responsibility.
sound effects, special lighting and long silences. I was
very impressed with the acting, particularly the older
gentleman who took on lots of roles.
An Inspector Calls is a play written by English
dramatist J B Priestley, first performed in 1945 in
the Soviet Union and 1946 in the UK. It is one of
Priestley’s best known works for the stage and
considered to be one of the classics of mid-20th
century English theatre. The play’s success and
reputation has been boosted in recent years by a
successful revival by English director Stephen Daldry
for the National Theatre in 1992, and a tour of the
UK in 2011-2012.
An Inspector Calls was first performed in 1945 in
two Moscow theatres, as an appropriate venue in
England could not be found. (Critics have speculated
that the play’s themes were considered too negative
and critical for wartime British audiences). When
the play had its first English production in 1946 at
the New Theatre in London the cast included Ralph
Richardson as Inspector Goole, Margaret Leighton as
Sheila Birling, and Alec Guinness as Eric Birling.
In July a group of pupils from forms 1 to 4 went
overnight to London accompanied by Mrs Price,
Mr Pottinger and Mrs Bound. To our surprise, as
we were a small group, we were allocated the
Shrewsbury Town FC coach. This meant we were
able to travel down to London in style: leather seats,
tinted windows and even a kitchen! However, the air
conditioning could have been a little better! When
we arrived in London the temperature had soared to
33 d egrees, the hottest of the year so far.
CAST
Lewis Bebb as Eric Birling
Joe Collinge as Inspector Goole
Ted Fawke as Gerald Croft
Daniel Harriman as Arthur Birling
Jenny Hu as Edna
Natalie Makin as Sybil Birling
Holly Payne as Sheila Birling
Company
Elise Fisher, stage manager
Richard Herbert, assistant stage manager
Kyle Real, lighting technician
David Williams, follow-spot operator
Matthew Masters, sound technician
Melany McNeill, make-up
Jenny Hu, props co-ordinator and makeup assistant
Music composed and recorded by Mr Julian Cattley
Set design by Mrs Mandy Price
Production directed by Mr Julian Power
70
Our first stop was at the Natural History Museum.
The building itself is incredibly beautiful and gave
us lots to look at, but of course the most popular
exhibit was the impressive dinosaur in the central
hall. The form 1 girls had a whale of a time arranging
funny photo stills whilst we were here.
After a rather warm two hours there we moved on
to the Rainforest Cafe. Here we were treated to
running water, rain, thunder and lightning and even
some mechanical monkeys! The service was very
efficient and in no time at all we were tucking into
either burger and chips or pasta.
Now we were refreshed, and having some time to
spare, we decided to walk to the theatre via Covent
Garden. On the way we passed the premiere for The
Wolverine. We all looked eagerly for Hugh Jackman
but to no avail. Still, at least we knew he was nearby!
Eventually we arrived at the theatre to watch The
Woman in Black. I can tell you that more than one of
us was beginning to feel a little anxious but there was
also a lot of excitement. The theatre was surprisingly
small and the cast only consisted of three members.
Their set was very minimal and showed that you
don’t need to go overboard in this area to capture
the desired atmosphere. They made great use of
I have to say, in the end, I didn’t find it that scary.
Not after the film. But I was certainly made to jump
by all the loud screams coming from the audience,
contributed to in no small part by some of our own
party! I was also rather nervous that she may come
and stand beside me, so I kept looking behind me just
in case. I wasn’t the only one was I, Kyle?! Relieved not
to have lost any children to the evil woman in black we
retired to our hotel and a well-earned rest.
In the morning, after a delicious breakfast of
croissants and coffee, we set off for the Westfield
Shopping Centre. We had been here three years
before and I knew it would not disappoint. We spent
about three hours here, picking up bargains in stylish
surroundings and eating lunch.
Finally it was time to head off to the Harry Potter
studios, probably the highlight of the trip. Again it
was all very well organized and efficient and we
were soon sitting in front of a film screen listening to
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. I
have to say, having watched all of the films, this made
me feel very emotional, and when the screen lifted
up to reveal the actual entrance to the magnificent
dining hall everyone gasped.
The tour took us through three stages where we
saw thousands of props, costumes and sets. We
learned how they filmed the quidditch matches,
encountered the many monsters and creatures
created by the talented animatronics teams and we
even got to see Dobbie!
But I guess most people would say the huge model
of Hogwarts castle at the end was the most
mesmerising. It took only two months to construct,
but it looked like it would have taken years!
By the end of it all, we were all very impressed and
gobsmacked, and you can certainly see why these
films cost millions to make!
That just left the long and very warm journey home, but I
think everyone will agree that a good time was had by all!
Mrs AR Price
71
Maths junior
challenge
M O D E R N F O R E IGN
LANG UAG E S
Routes into Languages
The second form went to a Routes into Languages course at Manchester
Metropolitan University. They had fun learning languages and about other
cultures, as well as becoming more aware of the importance of learning
languages for future careers and life experiences.
The group was: William Baker, Tom Barnes, Dennis Bates, Ffion Bell, Sam
Chesworth, Max Clark, Xavier Clarke, Matthew Cooper, Rhys Edkins,
Bethan Edwards, Sian Grice, Francesca Jones, Ben Law, Joseph Law,
Timmy Orritt, Tia Owen-Smith, Alex Sambrook-Jones and Amy Younger.
Exchange Trip to Besançon
M AT H E M AT IC S
The mathematics department has undergone a
number of changes this year, not least of which
has been amongst its personnel. Mr Andrew
Heighway and Mr Ian Hibbert have joined the
department as full time teachers, the latter as head
of mathematics. Mr Duncan Ritchie has also been
teaching, but in his case, only to the first form.
This year has also seen a considerable amount
of success in the UK Mathematics Challenges. In
the senior paper there was one gold for Frank
Xiao who also qualified for the first round of the
British Mathematics Olympiad. In addition to this
there were five silver awards for Larry Wang,
Mingwei Hong, Paige Zhang, Hope Li and Tik
Wong; and ten bronze awards for Dimitrii Tatlok,
Darcie Farnsworth, Christian Shao, Eason Liu,
Charles Yeung, Cecilia Peng, Daniel Renwick, Ellis
McCulloch, Ken Leung and Louis Fisher.
In the intermediate paper there were six
gold awards for Jenny Hu, Henry Xiang, Emily
Jones, Richard Christie, Andriy Yevstratov and
Anson Yu. Particular congratulations should go
to Anson Yu who is only in the third form. In
addition to this, Jenny Hu, Henry Xiang, Emily
Jones and Anson Yu all qualified for the follow
72
up Kangaroo competition, Henry Xiang gaining
a merit in this. In addition to these there were
seven silver awards for Bryant Warmate, Dominic
Kular, James Dewing, Laura Kendall, James Gale,
Oliver Renwick and Matthew Gale; and eight
bronze awards for Jack Morris, Natasha Holmes,
Gracie Hindley, Jasmine Tickner, Kyle Phillips, Tilly
Hancock, Matthew Chan and Ho Wong.
Finally in the junior paper there was one gold
award for Max Clarke. This was alongside a silver
award for Jacob Tidridge and bronze awards
for Francesca Jones, Benjamin Law and Ethan
McMorran. Congratulations should also go to the
very young team that Mr Tony Edwards took to
the Junior Team Challenge. They gained valuable
experience from this and should return next year
much stronger and wiser.
I would like to thank all the staff who have
worked to make the mathematics department a
place where students want to work and to those
students for their current and hopefully imminent
successes, long may it continue.
Ian Hibbert – head of mathematics
The journey to Besançon was long, we arrived at the school at midnight
on the 12th of December. On the first day we were all very tired due to
the time at which we arrived at our exchange partner’s house. On the
first day we had three lessons in the morning, one of which was English
which is taught very similarly to our French lessons except they are
learning English not French.
The school lunches were not very good, probably owing to the fact that it
was French cuisine we were having. I seemed to have much more familiar
food compared to other students on the trip such as Victoria Head who
ate snails at one point! By familiar food I mean that I had burger and chips
for my dinner on the first night.
At the weekend the some of us went to the ice-skating rink with our
exchange partners, where Bethan Walford managed to fall over more
than once.
My routine was a lot different to how it is back home. I had to wake up at
6.35 to have a shower and get dressed and then eat breakfast which was
bread and Nutella. We would usually get back at about 5.30pm and then
have dinner at 8pm.
The trip was a great success and I learned a great deal during the week. I
would like to thank Mrs Chidlow and Miss Moreno for their company and
the time that they gave up to make this trip be such a success.
Luke Chesworth
Spanish Food Taster Session
Most third form pupils took part in a Spanish food taster this year during
Spanish lessons. This was an exercise in applying language related to a real
situation: ordering food in a restaurant, for which they had an immediate
response, as well as to promote its cuisine and traditions.
73
MUSIC
Musical activity at
Oswestry School
There is no doubt that this year has seen a
satisfying array of musical events across the
school from the grand formal occasion of
Founder’s Day and Christmas events to the
wonderfully enjoyable production of Oliver
that saw a huge cross-section of pupils and staff
getting involved to produce such a substantial
theatrical production.
A wide array of ensembles has encouraged
pupils to be involved with music traditional
and modern with orchestral works, jazz
ensembles, electronic music, choral pieces, solo
performances on a wide array of instruments
and voices and even exploring special projects
including Icelandic folk rock.
The role of music as part of so much of
the lighter but no less important social and
entertainment events at the school has
also provided the forum for many exciting
performances, including the wide selection
of talent on show in the annual Parents
Association variety night.
Chapel Choir
Being a member of the chapel choir is an
exciting and rewarding experience but there
is no doubt that hard work and serious
commitment is required. This year saw the
establishment and first full year of performances
from our chapel choir, a group of select
choristers who have performed a wide range of
sacred music including new settings of texts that
have been composed and arranged especially for
use in services at Oswestry School.
The activity of a chorister involves training,
preparation, rehearsal and performance at all
services throughout the year, including choral
evensong each Sunday, major events such as
Founder’s Day and our Christmas celebrations
as well as enjoying the lighter side of music
including a special performance of more recent
popular music in the summer concert.
74
Vocal training is rigorous ensuring that
choristers know how to both look after their
voices with an appropriate warm up as well
as develop their technique with exercises that
develop their tone quality, stamina and control.
It is the case that there develops amongst the
group a healthy competition to be the one
who can execute the tasks in the best way, the
most popular being how long one can hold a
note with appropriate breath control.
Being part of the choir is also an important
social activity for the children working at
something they enjoy whilst also meeting the
demanding requirements of presenting music
publicly and with often quite short periods
of time to prepare. Following rehearsals on
Sunday afternoon the group enjoy supper that
is provided free of charge to all choristers in
the school refectory and this provides time
for the choristers to unwind and relax before
singing the Sunday service.
The choristers present a variety of musical
elements within the chapel service, such as
leading the hymns whilst also providing sung
settings of key prayers and responses and also
singing an anthem that is usually presented
during communion. Given this variety of input
it has certainly brought a new element to
services and allows the choristers to explore
everything from passionate hymn singing to
solo performance leading an anthem.
This year the chapel choir has included the
following pupils: Alfie Heasmer-Jones, Max
Clarke, Tom Barnes, Hoydi Leung, Kizzy
Lumley-Edwards and Alexander SambrookJones; their contribution and commitment is
gratefully acknowledged and they have brought
a whole new dimension to the worship and
musical events here at the school.
We are always looking for new members of
the chapel choir so if your son or daughter is
interested then please request an appointment
for an audition. Places are offered to pupils
following a successful audition with the director
of music. Please contact me if you would like to
discuss the opportunity of singing with the choir.
The choir rehearses at 4.30pm each Thursday
and there are services most Sundays with
rehearsals at 4.30 pm, supper at 520 pm and
service at 6.00pm, usually finishing around 6.45.
Oliver – continuing the musical
tradition at Oswestry
It was with great pleasure this year that we
presented the musical Oliver and continued
the fine tradition of staging substantial musicals
here at Oswestry School. The experience was
immensely enjoyable and saw involvement
across every area of the school with substantial
chorus numbers and full involvement of younger
pupils from Bellan.
We knew from the outset that it was going
to be a huge task to present such a popular
and well known musical. On the one hand it is
instantly recognizable and many of the songs are
well known owing to the popularity of the film
version so the children knew a lot of the music.
For the very same reason however we knew it
had to be just right if we were going to convince
an audience who would know it just as well.
Auditions and initial rehearsals took place very
early on in the academic year and we were
soon developing workshops to pull different
groups of the cast together. Mr Cattley worked
on a two-pronged attack with musical soloists
in some rehearsals whilst developing the
experience of the chorus in others. Mrs Price
was leading the acting developing characters
and group dynamics on the stage. As you can
imagine, this activity readily accounted for most
lunchtimes, afternoons and substantial chunks of
weekends; long before final rehearsals.
The key success in any such production is the
involvement and enjoyment of the cast and
crew. There was without doubt a real buzz
surrounding this production from its inception
to its realization and this was wholly due to the
enthusiastic and wholehearted commitment
and passion of the pupils that performed in
the production. Rehearsals, although often
very demanding, were exciting, varied and full
of laughter. Everyone supported each other
and the most interesting aspect is how quickly
activity like this breaks down any barriers and
how readily everyone is able to work together
and enjoy each other’s company.
The performance was very well received. Amy
Younger gave an impressive performance as
young Oliver, being amongst other things, the
first cast member to memorize all her words
and song lyrics. She worked tirelessly with
almost the full cast to establish scenes and
develop the production. Joe Collinge gave a
convincing performance as the sly and cunning
Fagin, working with a real focus on his character
and developing both his acting and singing skills
with great effort. Supporting roles included a
suitably commanding and comic portrayal of Mr
Bumble given by Jack Morris and ably supported
by a very convincing Widow Corney played
by Isabelle Makin who provided a wonderful
foil to Bumble’s pomposity with her emotional
and demanding manner. The dark character of
Bill Sykes was played by Matthew Bunby who
relished the opportunity to take on this dark
character and portray it in a strikingly chilling
manner throughout. Melany McNeill impressed
audiences with her commanding and engaging
portrayal of the worldly wise Nancy and
presented some wonderful singing during the
performance. Calum Jones performed very well
75
as the cheerfully playful pick pocket Dodger,
and even despite a heavy sporting commitment
and injury, he still was able to perform on stage
with cheeky enthusiasm.
It was a great pleasure during this production
to involve a large chorus group from Bellan
House who initially were prepared for the
opening scene in the workhouse and were soon
performing throughout the entire production,
establishing many of the crowd scenes including
Fagin’s Den and the street sellers, bringing a real
lively sense to the stage and a very large body
of actors and singers to support these grander
moments within the musical.
Overall it was an incredible experience with
the support offered by cast and crew showing
the real sense of community spirit within
the school and this came across in the two
performances, both of which went extremely
well. It was notable that even the prompt who
had been carefully placed and prepared, did
not need to utter a single line during either
performance!
The production of such a substantial show
requires the effort and enthusiasm of many
from those on stage, those back stage and the
fantastic efforts of the estates team providing
the setting, equipment and support to establish
such a large production. One final and heartfelt
thanks to all those involved this year and here’s
to the next exciting production!
Cast:
Oliver – Amy Younger
Mr Bumble – Jack Morris
Widow Corney – Isabelle Makin
Noah Claypole – William Gough
Mr Sowerberry – Connor Hughes
Mrs Sowerberry – Katie Tomley
Charlotte – Alexandra Dewing
The Artful Dodger – Calum Jones
Fagin – Joe Collinge
Nancy – Melany McNeill
Charles Bates – Rebecca Hollywell
Bet – Natalie Makin
Old Sally – Verity Bowen
Old Lady – Alexandra Dewing
Bill Sykes – Matthew Bunby
Mrs Bedwin – Alice Gray
Mr Brownlow – Alexander Herbert
Dr Grimwig – Isobel Adegboyega
Chorus:
Thomas Barnes, Francesca Jones, Paige Baker,
Arianna Herbert, Freya Morris, Fiona Newman,
Tia Owen-Smith, Andrew Warner, Holly
Tomley, Natasha Laundy, Roisin Gambroudes,
Max Bowker, Jennifer Cyffin-Jones, Laurence
Bowen, Daniel Counter, Kizzy Lumley-Edwards,
Phoebe Munford , Katy Scott, Alixandra
Heasmer Jones
Band: Igor Maleyko: bass, Richard Walsh:
cello, Mr Watson: oboe
Oliver Consider Yourself
Stage Manager: Miss Holloway
Crew: Luke Moran, Fatima Lawal, Igor Maleyko,
Henry Xiang, Bryant Warmate, Oleg Zubar,
Daniel Renwick, Siân Grice, Angus Zhu
Overall it was
an incredible
experience with
the support
offered by cast
and crew showing
the real sense of
community spirit
within the school
and this came
across in the two
performances.
Lighting: Callum Jones
Sound: Matthew Masters
Costume: Mrs Munford, Mrs Meyer, Mrs Payne
Make-up: Mrs Eve, Mrs Edwards
Prompt: David Rooney
Set Design / Painting: Mrs Price, Bethany
Hitchen, Catherine Bates, Minnie Hedley,
Emily Morris
Set Construction: Maintenance staff team
Musical Directo: Mr Cattley
Director: Mrs Price
Jazz band to folk rock
collective…
One of the aims of the music department is
to provide as much and as varied opportunity
for performance experience as possible. Also
there is an acknowledgement that ensembles
may need to adapt in terms of make-up,
style or repertoire. A case in point this year
was the development of the concert band,
which provides a basis for multi-instrumental
performances of a varied programme through
regular lunch time workshops and concert
performances. This year the members of
the ensemble demonstrated a skill set that
necessitated both a challenge and variety
to suit the range of ability and considerable
experience of some of the players.
It was not long before we had explored a
range of music through a selection of prepared
and improvised jamming sessions and we
discovered a particularly jazzy direction which
galvanized into a convincing sound rather
more quickly than we had expected. Thus we
progressed with putting together short jazz
programmes alongside a variety of other multiinstrumental projects including rhythms and
blues and classic rock and roll.
The talents of Cameron Biles-Liddell on
trumpet and keyboard, Igor Maleyko on guitar,
Matthew Masters on keyboard, Richard Walsh
playing double bass, Joe Collinge on drums
76
and occasional guests provided a yearlong
exploration of early jazz classics and a wide
variety of other improvised projects.
Having settled on a jazz programme for the
summer concert we felt that there were
other works to explore and knowing that
we needed time to rehearse the chosen jazz
works there was a need for yet another club
for a special project.
Having explored several alternative tracks
and styles and knowing that we wanted to
develop a truly multi-instrumental track that
would provide some variety and contrast in
the concert we finally settled on contemporary
Icelandic music, difficult to categorize but in
the loosest sense a combination of folk, rock
and brass band music with the piano accordion
thrown in for some timbral interest. It certainly
took some time to develop the performance
but with the help of some other performers
including Mel McNeill’s vocals and Tom Barnes
on bongos we presented an interesting
and satisfying ensemble as one of the key
performances in the summer concert.
The music department is always both
willing and interested in developing special
performances and supporting the formation
77
of music groups. If you have an idea about
something you would like to perform, develop
or create, even if you only require a little help
to set up an independent group then please
do not hesitate to contact Mr Cattley, who will
provide any support that you need.
Performance is Key
This year has continued to see the
development of some of our most talented
musicians. Cameron Biles-Liddell continues
to develop his skills across all aspects of
musical performance composition and theory.
He is currently studying A-Level music (one
year early, whilst completing his other GCSE
subjects) and studying at the Royal Northern
College of Music in Manchester with a focus on
jazz piano and trumpet. He has also taken up
the challenge of composition and is becoming
a prolific composer, turning his hand to many
different styles and types of work from piano
sonata to full scale concerti.
Richard Christie has also continued to
present performances of incredible standards,
especially notable in the Oswestry Youth
Music Festival where he again won classes to
achieve a place in the final, whilst also winning
classes performing a piano duet. True credit
goes to him balancing such a high level of
musical performance with a busy programme
of sporting events alongside the rest of his
academic study, a true all-rounder.
The other key performer this year has been
Paige Baker. Completing her final year at
Oswestry School and studying A-level music
meant that she has been working incredibly
hard to develop her performance skills and she
achieved a commendable second place in the
hugely popular solo vocal class in the Oswestry
Youth Music Festival. She has also performed
regularly at all the school events throughout the
year with a particularly stunning performance
in her final, special guest, appearance in the
summer concert rounding off an excellent year.
The orchestra has been developing this year
with a solid core of players including Richard
Walsh (cello), Hayley Martin (violin and piano),
Louis Fisher (violin), Seb Banks (trumpet),
Cameron Biles-Liddell (trumpet) and Kyle
Phillips (clarinet) along with others who play as
guests on percussion and other instruments.
We will be looking to expand this and other
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ensembles in the new year so encourage
anyone with an interest to come along and play
with the group as we explore a range of works
from the classics to contemporary film and
television scores and new compositions.
It is important to note the incredible effort and
support of a wide variety of pupils and their
parents in contributing to the activities of the
music department and its associated activities
from shows to house competitions. I would like
to offer my thanks to all those who have been
involved in any way with any of the activities
presented this year as your commitment and
enthusiasm is both a credit to you and a real
pleasure for me as I can be confident we can
continue to develop new and exciting events
for many years to come.
In the new year…
The coming academic year will be an exciting
one including celebrations of the chapel’s
150th anniversary, which will including new
musical compositions performed by both the
chapel and massed form choirs supported
with accompaniment from the orchestra and
other instrumentalists. We are also keen to
develop the vocal ensembles during the year
and encourage anyone who enjoys singing to
join the school choir who will perform in major
events throughout the year.
Early in the new year we will be presenting
a range of taster activities for instrumental
studies and specialist workshops, including
performance on the harp. We encourage
anyone who would like to take up a new
instrument or continue a previous study to
come and meet the peripatetic tutors and
arrange lessons if they wish.
The coming year is already shaping up with a
variety of events planned both in school and
in the community and we look forward to
welcoming a range of musicians to the school
to expand the experience of our pupils. Musical
activities of all kinds will be regularly advertised
across the school but if you require any further
information please contact Mr Cattley directly.
Very many thanks to all the pupils and parents
who have supported the musical activities that
have taken place this year. Well done!
Julian Cattley – director of music
N E T B ALL
U19 VII
Captain: Paige Baker, Jade Perry
Coach: Ms Willis
Squad: Paige Baker, Melany McNeill, Jade Perry,
Rebecca Adcock, Stephanie Morgan, Holly
Payne, Ellie Chambers, Elise Fisher, Alice Roberts,
supported by Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones Laura
Kendall, Jessica Pugh, Isobel Adegboyega, Amelia
Mercer, Alex Dewing
Report: The U19 squad have worked hard this
year. This squad has players who are experienced
in playing at club level, within both the Shrewsbury
and Oswestry Netball leagues, and also within the
West Midlands Regional League. They have put
in some good performances in matches, and at
the U19 County Tournament, where they came
third. This squad have the ability to work at a high
level, and when they do so, they are formidable.
Unfortunately, owing to the early year weather
conditions, resulting in fixture cancellations, they
have been denied the opportunity to show what
they are fully capable of.
U11 VII
Coach: Miss James
Report: U11 girls have continued to have the
opportunity to train and compete in full-sided netball
against both local primary schools and Rydal Penrhos.
We have run two teams made up of a mixture of
year five and six pupils in each team. This has been
a very positive move for the girls enabling them to
develop basic skills, play in competitive situations
and make new friendships. Each pupil has had the
opportunity to play in each position to develop her
positional awareness alongside her overall knowledge
of the game. This has enabled them to develop both
their strengths and their weaknesses, and consider
the demands of different roles. We are particularly
pleased with their early results against the tough
competition always provided by Rydal, with their win.
We would like to thank all players for their efforts
throughout the season.
U17 VII
Captain: Lizzie Jones
Coach: Ms Willis
Squad: Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones Laura Kendall,
Jessica Pugh, Isobel Adegboyega, Amelia Mercer,
Alex Dewing
Report: This year it was decided to develop an
U17 squad with entrance criteria of being able to
achieve high club level performance and/or county
selection. This has proved to be highly successful
and has given the girls the opportunity to push
their skills ever further, and at the same time
giving more game play to squad members within
their own age groupings. The experience and
maturity carried in this squad has shown in the
decisions they have made during play to adapt to
the opposition and to play to their strengths. This
squad, owing to its exceptionally high skill level and
experience, is very versatile. It comprises U14, U15
and U16 squad players. They have proved their
dominance in their four successful wins in their
four matches, all against U19 teams. An extremely
impressive season for this team.
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80
U16 VII
U15 VII
U14 VII
U13 VII
Captain: Lizzie Jones
Coach: Ms Willis
Captain: Jess Pugh
Coach: Ms Willis
Captain: Alex Dewing
Coaches: Ms Willis, Miss Jones, Miss James
Coach: Ms Willis
Squad: Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones, Verity
Bowen, Natasha Holmes, Caitlin Jones, Laura
Kendall, Victoria Head, Natasha Holmes, Holly
Hindley
Squad: Jessica Pugh, Antonia Laundy, Isobel
Adegboyega, Amelia Mercer, Megan Perkins,
Megan Williams, Abigail Adcock, Marissa Gould,
Jasmine MacDonald, Gracie Hindley
Squad: Alex Dewing, Fiona Newman, Hannah
Jones, Freya Morris, Emily Lacey, Arianna Herbert,
Alice Darby, Ellen Bottomley, Ella Jones, Hayley
Martin, Rosie Lacy
Squad: Chloe Cox, Roisin Gambroudes, Rebecca
Hollywell, Aarifa Khanom, Holly Tomley, Ffion Bell,
Francesca Jones, Lucy Lowry, Sian Grice, Timoney
Orritt, Tia Owen-Smith
Report: This season the U16 squad have really
showed their strength of play as individuals and
within a team unit. This proved invaluable in the
U16 County Netball Tournament, where they
successfully won every match in the rounds,
ensuring their place in the final. The conditions
at this tournament deteriorated severely, but the
girls still fought hard in the final. Unfortunately,
in extra time they lost, and were placed second.
This is still a great credit to carry. Again the
amount of fixtures honoured for this age group
has been marred by the weather conditions and
tight fixture schedule. However, they have proved
the high standard of play they now compete
at through some notable wins against Llanfyllin
and Ellesmere College, both who carry county
level players in their squads. Congratulations go
in particular to Lizzie Jones on both her county
selection, club representation, and her play in
the newly formed U17 squad, along with Bethan
Walford and Laura Kendall, who as former county
players, and Bethan’s experience at club level, have
been selected for our U17 netball squad.
Report: This squad are showing fully now how
versatile they are as netballers. This year group
carries a large squad, which enables them the
opportunity to switch positions in relation to the
opposition, and bring on fresh legs when needed.
With three of the squad players being members
of the newly formed U17 squad meaning that on
occasions they have been unable to represent
the U15 team, the squad have really been tested
on their confidence and ability. They have now
proved to themselves that they are very capable
and indeed have really pushed opposition to
meet their game. This squad indeed have had a
highly commendable victory to walk away with:
their 3-2 win against Lakelands U16 team. In the
U15 County Tournament, this squad achieved a
finalist’s position following consistent wins in the
rounds. In the final, they were beaten 2-1 in extra
time in a well fought match of an exceptional
standard. Congratulations go especially to Amelia
Mercer and Jess Pugh for selection at club and
county level and Issy Adegboyega for selection at
club, county and the regional development squad.
Report: This squad continues to develop, and are
strengthening their core skills. Their performance
in matches is becoming more fluid as they are
developing their knowledge of the game, and
integrating members into the squad. This year
group have always met tough competition from
teams in other schools, but continue to work
hard and keep their heads up. Our play in the
shooting and defending circle has really shown
improvement this year, and linking play is beginning
to come together. Particular congratulations go to
Alex Dewing for her selection at club level, her
selection for county U14 trials, and her selection
and play in the U17 school squad.
Report: This season has been the first time we
have combined two year groups to develop two
U13 squads. This has enabled players to develop
their skills and gain greater confidence in their
game play. Unfortunately, owing to poor weather,
many of the matches planned were cancelled, and
with a tight fixture schedule, were not able to be
rebooked. This has been a disadvantage because
we have not been able to gain the competitive
match experience that is much needed. However,
in practices, the teams are developing well, and
personal skills, spatial awareness and tactical
play are becoming more automated. When we
have had to play within age groups, this has been
shown to work well, indicating that our pupils are
developing as netballers and not being restricted to
positional play, which would restrict their potential
and opportunities for county selection in the future.
In the county netball age group tournament, our
U13 team came third in their pool.
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POULTRY CLUB
S W I M M ING
This school year has been a special one for the
swimming pool and the people who attend it. On
November 12th we had the honour of welcoming
Ellie Simmonds MBE to Oswestry School to
officially open the newly refurbished pool. She is an
inspiration to many aspiring swimmers and a lovely
person and we all enjoyed her visit immensely. From
then on it was work as usual and the swimming
clubs have gone from strength to strength.
I am indebted to our wonderful lifeguards,
Leon Parkes, Josh Hunt, Ellie Chambers and
Christopher Jones, who have kept everyone
safe to enjoy their swimming. These students
have worked with an excellent combination of
professionalism and enthusiasm.
We now have two thriving after-school clubs
for the students and two early morning sessions
which are well attended by students, parents,
teachers and gappies alike. This is very heartening
as the idea of leaving a nice warm bed on a winter
morning to attend a 7am swimming session really
isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe they have an
excellent teacher? We have regular 400m timed
swims where each swimmer has to attempt to beat
the time they have reached before. Three students
in particular have stood out by improving their
times by a huge margin. They are Alistair Moss,
Sebastian Banks and Rebecca Hollywell. Alistair
has already improved his timed swim by more than
two minutes since March this year.
A number of pupils and teachers took part in the
Aspire Channel Swim during this academic year.
This raises money and awareness for spinal injuries
and rehabilitation and the entrants have to swim
the equivalent distance of the English Channel in
a local pool, in stages, over a period of about two
months. We had so many swimmers keen to help
that it was achieved in just a couple of weeks.
We have also been delighted to have two
pupils who were selected and competed in the
Shropshire County Junior Schools Swimming Gala
held in Shrewsbury. Congratulations to Daniel
Counter and Jenny Cyffin-Jones. Daniel reached
the finals for his individual breaststroke and the
team achieved a very respectable second place in
the county. This was a huge achievement for Daniel
and Jenny – well done!
My students have delighted me this year and I
would like to applaud them for their efforts. To
those students leaving us this year, I wish you well
and it was a pleasure to teach you. For the new
students I have yet to meet, I am looking forward
to seeing new faces and new talent. For those
students who will stay with me, onwards and
upwards. Roll on 2013-14.
Bernie Tudhope, swimming teacher
SALSA CLUB
The inaugural year of the salsa club has seen a selection of staff and students practising their Cubanstyle dance steps each week, beginning each session with a short work-out to get tuned into the
distinct salsa rhythm (the clave rhythm) and to practise shines. Mel McNeill and Ed Green have been
regulars, with Paige Baker another stalwart last term. Marina Enrich Mila, Harry Hinton-Hard, Isobel
Adegboyega and Fatima Lawal all joined in too, not to mention the selection of staff who agreed
to demonstrate for me on very short notice! We moved from the gym to avoid clashing with the
trampolining – salsa is pretty energetic but I don’t think that is a recognized variation. Thanks to Mr
Hollingsworth for allowing us to use his room – which certainly has better acoustics than the gym –
and to the salsa club members who helped move the furniture each week.
Next year my dance partner will be able to come in to demonstrate, so I hope that we can attempt
some more complex patterns. Well done to all who participated this year.
82
The poultry club has met weekly and cleaned out the school chickens and on occasion
cooked up some of the produce in the form of cheese and ham omelettes. The president has
been Jasmine Tickner and she has been supported by William Evans, John Darby, Matthew
Thornton, Jasmine MacDonald, Stefan Mohamed and William Baker.
P S YC H O L O GY
On Wednesday 21st November 2012 the AS and A2 psychology sets attended the British Psychological
Society (BPS) Psychology 4 Students 2012 Conference at Nottingham Trent University. The lectures
considered questions such as how do we stop serious offenders reoffending? and what do chimps have
to say? We were entertained by Dr Peter Thompson, from the University of York, with an array of
optical illusion, whilst he explained how they worked. We also learned from Dr Cathy Craig, of Queen’s
University, Belfast, some of the secrets behind the design process involved in manufacturing football
boots and balls, and how to succeed in competitive sports by reading your opponent’s perceptual cues.
During the lunch break, students were able to attend “hot topics” sessions on how to make their UCAS
application stand out from the crowd and what it is like at university. This conference not only supported
areas of the A-level curriculum but provided an inspiring insight into broad spectrum of psychological
research taking place in the UK today.
On Tuesday 19th March 2013 members of the A2 forensic psychology group attended the Elizabeth Loftus
conference. Ted Fawke, Maisie Hicklin and Riyani Sidek travelled to the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster,
accompanied by Mrs Walters. In the morning session we were treated to three inspiring lectures starting
with Phil Banyard, a senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. In his presentation on the psychology
of everyday life, we were warned about the dangers of texting whilst walking and considered the complex
thought processes involved in the decision whether to hold the door open for another person. Cara
Flanagan, textbook author and senior examiner, questioned the validity of post world war two research
relating to obedience, whilst Mike Cardwell, also a textbook author, ex chief examiner and senior lecturer
at Bath Spa University, introduced us to the blossoming area of peace psychology.
However, the highlight of the day for both students and staff was the afternoon speakers. Professor
David Wilson has worked in HM Prison Service as a governor, and he conducts research involving serious
crimes and prison education, appearing on several TV documentaries and is professor of criminology at
Birmingham City University. His highly energetic discussion, ‘Inside the mind of a serial killer’, involved
him sharing anecdotes of criminal cases, whilst moving around in amongst the audience to answer their
questions. We learned what makes certain groups of people vulnerable to become a victim of crime and
questioned whether a serial killers could ever be cured.
In the final lecture, Professor Elizabeth Loftus, distinguished professor of social ecology and professor of
law and cognitive science at the University of California, Irvine, discussed ‘Memory Matters’. Her research
involves the malleability of memory and she is often called as an expert witness on the reliability of
eyewitness testimony in America and across the world. Professor Loftus gave a frank and honest account
of some of the cases she has been involved in. We learned how fragile our memories are and how they
can be manipulate both accidentally and purposefully. Both students and staff felt privileged to have to
opportunity to hear such high profile speakers and at times were somewhat star struck to be in the
presence of researchers whose work they had studied!
83
Leondari trio
Benjamin
Grosvenor at holy
trinity church
R E CI TAL S E R I E S
Recital series – a chance to
hear real music!!
Another year brim-full of quality, real music has
flashed by, and it is hard to believe that 23 years
have now passed since the series began. The
audience numbers have maintained their high
levels, and now involve music lovers from all
over the region. This is a very happy situation,
and surely reflects one overpowering fact – that
people will always be attracted to, and support,
quality presentations and performers. For this
over-riding reason, our Oswestry School recital
series is now recognized as one of the most
successful and prestigious musical ventures in this
part of the West Midlands.
Given that, there is just one small fly in the
ointment, one factor which is a cause of sadness:
the virtual total non-appearance of any of our
school pupils, or indeed families, at any of the
concerts. There are some 330 pupils in the
Upper School, and it seems to me almost beyond
belief that there can be no more than one or
two at most who would be thrilled by attending
one of these concerts of live music – that most
precious commodity – performed by musicians of
international renown and importance. Take the
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our very essence and existence, and the reasons for our
existence: it soothes and excites, consoles and arouses,
and poses – even if it doesn’t always offer the answers –
the very deepest questions. It is a bit like comparing the
Beano with, say, Dickens.
Second Sonata of Bartók. A work of fiendish difficulty
was made (in her hands) to look almost easy, and she
brought a quite remarkable maturity to bear in her
memorable performance. Sonatas by Beethoven and
Franck framed this work.
Yet surely we would all agree that a diet of little else
but the Beano would soon pall? Dennis the Menace
has his attractions, but do not flatulence and Gnasher
soon leave the artistic soul seeking just a little more?
Likewise, over-dosing on Scrooge or Tiny Tim would
soon become a bit indigestible. What is needed is
balance – ‘moderation in all things’ etc, etc.
In March, another of the great string quartets paid us
a visit. The Endellion Quartet are critically acclaimed
as one of the country’s greatest ensembles, and
their performance of Beethoven, Haydn and Bartók
certainly bore this out. This was a last-minute
substitute programme, since the original billing also
included the ex-poet laureate, Sir Andrew Motion.
Sadly, Sir Andrew was indisposed. We hope perhaps
to welcome him at a future date.
So, gentle pupil reader – if any there be – why not
gird up your artistic loins and resolve to give it a go
– resolve to attend one of your concerts? Or why
not two or three of you – a small group of openminded and adventurous friends – decide to attend
one concert? If you love singing, what about the Tallis
Scholars concert? If you play an instrument, how about
the orchestral concert featuring the violinist Jennifer
Pike – still very young and a winner of the BBC Young
Musician at the age of just 12!
THIS IS MY CHALLENGE!
WILL ANY DARE ACCEPT?
final concert last year, for example – the twentyyear-old pianist Benjamin Grosvenor. Simply to
watch and listen to this young virtuoso performer
was a breathtaking and moving experience,
memorable and mind-blowing – the very reactions
which have been behind his meteoric rise in the
international music scene, so that now he is a
familiar face round the world. And this is real
talent, not the flimsy, superficial and artificiallyblown-up ‘talent’ of the X-Factor or that ilk. This
is a talent that will last, a talent built on disciplined
practice and self-denial, right values and genuine
natural ability, a talent that is hard earned and
ever-searching, and truly inspiring to all who are
lucky enough to behold and share in it. Although
most ‘pop music’ is just awful, there is a small
percentage that is really fabulous. But even that
good stuff is – to be brutally honest – nothing
much more than very pleasant entertainment,
something to have on in the background or to
hum along to. Yes, it can reflect protest or love,
or broken hearts etc – but that is about the sum
total of what it deals with. But real music – by
which I mean great classical music – serves a
greatly different function, or rather functions: yes,
of course, it too is entertaining, but also so much
more. It is life-affirming and life-reflecting, it plumbs
If a few of you let me know, I will organize free tickets
for you.
So, to the season just ended. Two brothers – the
Katona Twins from Bulgaria – delighted a packed
audience with their stunning guitar playing. Together
with the fabulous City of London Sinfonia, we were
treated to a programme of orchestral music by Mozart
and Tchaikovsky, and (joined by the Katonas) Piazolla
and Falla. A great start to the year.
Next, another orchestra – this time the European
Union Chamber Orchestra, which since its formation
in 1981 has played in over 73 countries, often featuring
soloists of international renown (though not this time!).
Their programme included Grieg (the lovely Holberg
Suite) Tchaikovsky and the great G minor Mozart
Symphony No 40. In between, I was fortunate enough
to join them for a performance of Haydn’s delightful D
major Piano Concerto. This was a great personal thrill,
and went some way to compensate for all those early
years of scale and arpeggio practice!
Next, a PHC concert featuring just the sort of young
performer I mentioned earlier – the nineteen-year-old
Japanese violinist Chieri Tomii, with her pianist Tadashi
Imai. A winner of the Student Music competition in
Tokyo, Japan, when aged just ten, she is currently
studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
The highlight of her Oswestry programme was the
The penultimate concert was given by the Leondari
Piano Trio. Based at Whittington, the Leondari
Ensemble were involved over ten days in a new
festival, during which they played the total output of
Brahms’ chamber music – all 23 works! Our PHC
concert was one of the nine concerts they performed.
We heard four works, beautifully played – a violin
sonata, a cello sonata and two piano trios.
The final concert of the season I have already
mentioned – young Benjamin Grosvenor. We heard
a wide range of music, quite brilliantly played: Bach,
Scriabin, Chopin – and two encores to satisfy the
baying mob – including a jazz boogie-woogie as a
personal request of mine. An unforgettable finale to
another terrific year.
For the 24th season, another great line-up. The
guitarist Clive Carroll opens proceedings in October
in the PHC, playing the widest possible sequence of
styles from medieval music to rock and roll. (This
concert is already sold out.)
Then a return visit from one of the world’s greatest
vocal ensembles – the Tallis Scholars. Their specially
chosen programme – the best of the Tallis Scholars –
is in celebration of their 40th anniversary year.
In February, another marvellous pianist – Stephen
Hough – whom some of you may have seen playing in
the opening night of the BBC Proms.
The Leondari Quartet is returning (now named
the Werther Ensemble), playing an all-Schubert
programme. Finally, another famous string quartet –
the Brodsky Quartet.
Pupils – remember my CHALLENGE! (Free tickets up
for grabs for a lucky few – as per Beano.) Parents, you
too! But in your case please contact Mrs Grice (01691
681135) for reduced-price tickets.
CJ Symons
85
ROUNDERS
1st IX
U16
U14
U13
Captain: Paige Baker
Captains: Lizzie Jones and Bethan Walford
Coach: Ms Willis
Captain: Alex Dewing
Coach: Miss Jones
Coach: Ms Willis
Squad: Paige Baker, Mel McNeill, Natalie
Makin, Holly Payne, Kristi Bruusgaard,
Natalie Wong, Ellie Chambers, Elise
Fisher, Georgina Mercer, Rebecca
Adcock, Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones,
Laura Kendall, Alice Roberts, Kate
Dubrovna, Poppy Sanderson, Fay
Obisesan, Daphne Akpan, Darcie
Farnsworth
Squad: Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones, Verity Bowen, Natasha
Holmes, Caitlin Jones, Laura Kendall, Victoria Head, Natasha
Holmes, Holly Hindley, Fatima Lawal, Emily Jones, Alice Gray,
Victoria Head
Squad: Alex Dewing, Fiona Newman, Hannah
Jones, Freya Morris, Emily Lacey, Arianna Herbert,
Alice Darby, Ellen Bottomley, Ella Jones, Hayley
Martin, Rosie Lacy
Report: The U16 have, as always, come into this season fighting.
It is disappointingly for them, a short season owing to public
examinations for them and competing schools. However, this has
not marred their enthusiasm, with them returning during study
leave to play a fixture against an U19 squad. This year group have
a great sense of fair play and cohesion between them. This is
evident in every practice session and in every match they play. Their
development over their years at Oswestry has enabled them to
be versatile and skilful players who show dignity, pride and grace
regardless of result, but who are always driven to achieve more.
Report: This is the first year that we have entered
into the North Shropshire School’s Rounders
League. This has enabled us access to a greater
number of matches this season, through our
draw in the league. The U14 squad have shown
great improvements in their knowledge and
understanding of the game, being exposed to
novel tactics employed by opposing teams. This
has expanded the squad’s awareness and use
of their own tactics, and their need to respond
appropriately in competitive situations. It is
pleasing to see the improvement in skill level of
the squad. They are beginning to organize and play
to their strengths, producing increasingly better
performances with greater consistency.
Squad: Chloe Cox, Roisin Gambroudes, Rebecca
Hollywell, Aarifa Khanom, Holly Tomley, Ffion Bell,
Francesca Jones, Lucy Lowry, Sian Grice, Timoney
Orritt, Tia Owen-Smith, Natasha Laundy,
Katherine Davison, Amy Younger
Report: The focus this year was on
fitness and with an original squad of
17, it was clearly apparent that the girls
were keen for a successful season. With
a new team kit and a positive attitude,
all girls performed to the best of their
ability. With some colossal hits from
Natalie Makin and some fine leadership
from Paige Baker, the 1st IX deserved
their victories this term. However
strong we were with the bat, we
improved exponentially as the weeks
progressed but it was in the field where
we shone. Aggressive and attacking was
the game plan for our fielding stints
with backing up and communication
being the backbone of our game. A
thoroughly enjoyable season and one
which resulted in genuine team unity.
I could ask no more form these girls
as they trained as hard as they played.
Thank you, girls.
86
U15
Captain: Antonia Laundy
Coach: Miss James
Squad: Abi Adcock, Isobel Adegboyega, Marissa Gould, Tilly Hancock,
Grace Hindley, Antonia Laundy, Jasmine MacDonald, Amelia Mercer,
Megan Perkins, Jessica Pugh, Jessica Tomley, Megan Williams
Report: This year has allowed the opportunity
for all the girls in forms 1 and 2 to participate
in inter-school competition. Standing as an U13
squad the girls have competed against teams in
the upper end of this age range. This has required
our younger pupils to sharpen their focus on the
game, and its inherent skills. It has been rewarding
to see the progress that has been made over this
period of time. For our older players it has been an
opportunity for them to take more leading roles
within the squad, alongside developing their tactical
awareness and skill level. We are now in a position
where self confidence in ability has dramatically
risen, teamwork and support is strong, and
enthusiasm for this sport is high. The motivation
and determination shown by the girls in these two
year groups is a testament to their development as
sportswomen.
Report: The U15 have had a fantastic season playing in the North
Shropshire Schools Rounders League. The squad has been very
consistent with many outstanding performances this season,
demonstrating formidable ability and technically efficient striking and
fielding skills. The group cohesion and spirit of the team has indeed
proven to be a strength. Their consistent application of hard work and
extremely high team morale has secured many wins this season against
some strong opposition. Sterling efforts have been demonstrated by
Abi Adcock as bowler, Antonia Laundy as backstop and Jess Pugh and
Amelia Mercer covering first and second base respectively, creating
little opportunity for their opposition to be successful. Marissa Gould
and Megan Perkins have indisputably exhibited high standard of play
throughout. All girls have given solid performances throughout the
season and the versatility of group has paid dividends whenever a
change of position was required. A huge well done to the U15 squad,
you have been a pleasure to watch and coach. Thank you to all the
players for their efforts throughout the season.
87
RUGBY
88
1st XV
U15 XV
U14XV
U13 XV
Captain: Mr K Evans with Mr A Othen
Coach: Sam Johnson and Josh Hunt
Coach: Mr Till
Captain: Calum Jones
Coach: Mr Hollingsworth and Mr Miles
Captain: M Cooper
Coach: Mr K Evans
Squad: G Panfilov, A Bowns, M Mahoney, M
Henderson, A Yevstratov, N Nottingham, S
Johnson, C Blount-Powell, C Morris, D Harriman,
E Green, S Vallely, C Lloyd-Jones, H Hinton-Hard,
J Dewing, K Real, M Powell, G Tomley, L Bebb, E
Ellis-Cooper, K Zolotarov
Squad: Ben Bellamy, Martin Pace-Bonello, Tosin
Bamidele, Hugo Malim, Guy MacDonald, Harri
Jones, James Wigley, Ryan Cox, Oliver Woodward,
Elliot Blount-Powell, Callum Jones, Abou Darbo,
Inigo Diaz, Josh Munford, Matty Gale, Matthew
Thornton, Oli Renwick, Richard Walsh
Squad: Bethan Walford, Lizzie Jones Laura Kendall,
Jessica Pugh, Isobel Adegboyega, Amelia Mercer,
Alex Dewing
Squad: M Cooper, L Tesseyman, A SambrookJones, Joseph Law, Ben Law, T Barnes, D Bates,
R Edkins J Lloyd, X Clarke, W Baker, C Jones, S
Mohammed, J Darby, M Clarke, S Chesworth, H
Lung, T Jones
Report: It has been a very good term for rugby,
with many wins and a big squad to select from.
We started our games with a huge win against
King’s Chester 55-7. This was followed by a close
game against Adams’ Grammar, losing 18-5; this
involved our U17 team. We then continued to
improve with convincing wins against Shrewsbury
School 44-0 and Shrewsbury Sixth-Form College
37-0. For the first time we entered a Wrekin
sevens tournament where we lost in the final to
Adams’ Grammar whom we had beaten in the
group stages. Special mention goes to Angus,
Terry and Sean.
Report: A disappointing season was had for the
U15s but this did not dampen the spirits when
it came to playing or training. A heavy defeat by
Shrewsbury School was not helped by the fact
they brought all their available players to ensure
fresh legs were on hand at all times. This is not the
U15s’ favourite sport but they all took part and
got stuck in so credit must go for that.
Report: This year it was decided to develop an
U17 squad with entrance criteria of being able to
achieve high club level performance and/or county
selection. This has proved to be highly successful
and has given the girls the opportunity to push
their skills ever further, and at the same time
giving more game play to squad members within
their own age groupings. The experience and
maturity carried in this squad has shown in the
decisions they have made during play to adapt to
the opposition and to play to their strengths. This
squad, owing to its exceptionally high skill level and
experience, is very versatile. It comprises U14, U15
and U16 squad players. They have proved their
dominance in their four successful wins in their
four matches, all against U19 teams. An extremely
impressive season for this team.
Report: This was the first year that most of these
players had done rugby at a competitive level, and
this showed early on in the season with crushing
defeats against Bishop Heber, Burton Borough
and Adams’ Grammar. But not all was lost. The
U13s showed improvement and performed
extremely well in the sevens competitions. With
many footballers in the team, the sevens format
looks like the perfect game for this age group.
Special mention goes to all the team members for
working hard and never giving up.
89
SCIENCE
Science live!
On Monday 19th November 2012 Oswestry’s
team of fourth and fifth form scientists visited
Manchester for the annual GCSE Science
Live! conference. A group of inspirational
scientists, each experts in their respective
fields, took to the stage to wow the audience
with their research. First up was Professor
Robert Winston, a pioneer of IVF treatment
and renowned communicator of science,
who discussed his research into fertility
with reference to studies from frogs’ eggs
and sea urchins to transgenic mice and the
benefits of this research for human fertility.
This was followed by a session from chief
examiner Stewart Chenery, who reviewed
some useful revision and examination tips
for the GCSE students. Andrea Sella spoke
beautifully about chemical processes, using
chemicals on the stage to illustrate his points.
He used ideas about rabbit reproduction
and chemical equilibria to explain how zebras
got their stripes. Professor Jim Al-Khalili gave
an enthusiastic lecture about time travel,
discussing how Einstein’s Theory of Special
Relativity means that we could conceivably
travel forward in time by travelling at the speed
of light but that we could not travel further
back in time and how wormholes make this
possible. Dr Kate Lancaster gave a fascinating
and very cutting-edge talk on how nuclear
fusion (rather than nuclear fission) may one day
play a key role in solving our energy problems
and how she is part of the team that are
currently working to make this a reality.
Competitions
The Chemistry Olympiad and the Cambridge
Chemistry Challenge are both competitions
aimed at stretching A grade A-level students.
They contain interesting and challenging
questions on real and relevant chemistry,
raising awareness of what the subject is all
about and developing some of the skills
required for study at university and beyond.
There is no doubt that the questions papers
are demanding. Damilola Adekunle did
90
extremely well to achieve a bronze award
in the Olympiad and a copper award in the
Challenge and Vanessa Ikebudu performed
fantastically well in the Olympiad, achieving a
silver award.
Biology Challenge 2013
Biology Challenge is an online competition run
by the Society of Biology, which takes place in
schools across the country for years 9 and 10,
our third and fourth forms. Questions are set
on the topics covered in most general biology
courses for pupils of this age but the Biology
Challenge will also reward those students
whose knowledge of the subject has been
increased by reading books and magazines,
watching natural history programmes and
taking notice of the news media for items of
biological interest, students who are generally
aware of our natural flora and fauna.
The 2013 competition took place between
the 4th and 22nd March and 530 schools
registered to take part, involving 31,000 pupils.
This is the highest number of registrations
since the competition started. The following
pupils must be congratulated on their excellent
efforts in the challenge:
Silver award: Kyle Phillips (who missed out on
gold by one point!); highly commended: Richard
Walsh and Oliver Renwick; commended:
Antonia Laundy, Jessica Pugh, Matthew
Thornton and Matthew Gale.
In these hands-on sessions, group activities
and a range of bio-artefacts were used to
discover the classification hierarchy comprising
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus
and Species, how and why scientists classify
species, the role of taxonomy and DNA in
zoos, the main threats to biodiversity, reasons
for conserving biodiversity, methods of
conservation, the role of Chester Zoo in both
in-situ and ex-situ conservation, ecological
footprints and the sustainable use of resources.
Trips
Junior Science
On 1st March 2012, ten spritely AS biology
students took to the school minibus for a day
at Chester Zoo. Whilst the day was largely
spent enjoying wandering around the site,
observing the various animal activities, including
the new baby elephant and giraffe, the day was
interspersed with two educational talks from
a member of the zoo staff on classification and
genetics, and biodiversity, conservation and
sustainability.
On the 7th of June, the second form piled
into a coach and headed off to Chester Zoo
to engage in a day’s experience of ethology.
Headed up by Mr Derbridge, who had regaled
them with a story of long, and sometimes
tedious, hours spent in the dusty attic labs in
Bristol University studying and recording the
minutiae of Mediterranean wall lizard behaviour
(podarcis muralis – yes, the name is forever
branded on his mind), we all spread out on a
zoo quest to locate the animal of our choice
and commence observation! Matty Cooper
and Lewis Tesseyman both ran up quite a bill
on their mobile phones, calling Mr D every few
minutes to give him the latest on the nonappearing giant otters. It seemed as though
the sun was too hot and the animals too shy.
Not to be discouraged, they went off to view
something else.
The highlight of the day had to be when Mr D,
Matty Cooper, Andriy Zubar, Hoydi Leung et al
fluked a visit to the African painted dogs just as
the keepers wheeled in a calf-carcass and the
dogs began tearing it apart. OUCH! We were
glad not to be in there ourselves.
All in all it was a fun and productive day. Once
Mr D had prised Timmy Orritt from the gift
shop and we were all happily ensconced once
more on the coach, we headed home. Oh,
and another thing… thanks (of a sort) must
be given to Sam Chesworth (aka, the Chezza)
for ‘serenading’ us with a hearty, and very
voluminous, rendition of Skyfall by Adele.
OUCH! Again.
91
TRIATHLON
S TA F F N E W S
Mrs Sue Leonard has retired after 20 years at
Oswestry School. She originally came here to teach
home economics but there was soon a vacancy to
take charge of Guinevere, which she successfully
filled for a number of years. She went on to become
head of the first and second form, and she was a
regular visitor to Bellan House. Though she moved
out of boarding some years ago, she continued to
play a full role in the school as head of her section,
adding textiles and history to her teaching and
supporting a variety of school events and being a
committed supporter of Burnaby House.
Also retiring is Mrs Catherine Eve who arrived
here in 1991 to take charge of the learning support
department, during which time she wrote book
reviews for Dyslexia Action. She took on many other
roles during her time here: head of Spooner House,
charity co-ordinator, ASA swimming teacher (being
a fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers) and
the school co-ordinator for Talking Newspapers for
the Blind. She supported the school in many areas,
notably the sixth-form balls, the school choir and
school productions. In her first year she was Mrs
Barnado in Carrots and it is a little-known fact that
she was an experienced actor elsewhere, having
appeared in the Chester Mystery Plays, the Chester
Fringe and having trained at the Globe Theatre. In
her retirement she intends to continue writing book
reviews, working for Dyslexia Wales, digging the
garden, taking up blues harmonica again, but most of
all spending more time with her husband John, who
retired from Oswestry School a few years ago.
Mrs Diane Edwards has also retired after 12
years at Oswestry School. She set up the learning
support department in Bellan House and ran it
for six years, as well as being a classroom teacher
and a teacher in the learning support department
in the Senior School. Mrs Edwards was often
involved backstage in school productions applying
make-up to the actors. Indeed she hopes to
continue with her interests in theatre and
gardening. We wish her, Mrs Eve and Mrs Leonard
the very best in their retirement.
Other leavers were Ms Joy Evans, who left as head
of history this year to pursue other interests; Mr
Mike Mackay who left boarding and games to take
on coaching in Qatar and Mrs Frances Rowe, who
left the catering department. Our best wishes to
them all.
We welcome to the school Mr JR Squire to teach
history and English, Mrs LJM Martin to teach textiles
and design, Mr DA Chetta to run the learning
support department and Miss L Williams to join the
staff at Bellan.
SHOOTING CLUB
Leader: Lt J Till Best Shot: Hugo Malim
Participants: Alex Sambrook-Jones, Will Baker, Ethan McMorran, Hugo Malim, Channa Naragala,
Eduard Miskevich, Amy Younger, Fran Jones, Katie Davies, Alister Moss, Tom Barnes, Donald Gray,
Henry Bowen, Iwan Williams, Seb Banks, Robert Duncan, Richard Walsh, Oliver Woodward, Josh
Munford, Morgan Powell
This year the shooting club has had a complete new breath of life, with the school now being affiliated
with the National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA). We also got the target rifles serviced and
zeroed which means they actually hit the target now. Joking aside, the standard of shooting has
got a lot better with the hope of taking part in some competitions with neighbouring schools like
Ellesmere College and Shrewsbury School as well as some national competitions like the Country Life
competition. I would like to thank Mr Andy McMorran who has helped us run the range and Mr Tom
Ryelands who serviced the weapons and has vowed to come and help.
92
With the exception of beating Ellesmere, this event is without doubt the most enjoyable day
in the school calendar. It brings together parents, peers, spectators and PE staff in united
support of these brave souls who put their bodies through the mental and physical torment
of a gruelling swim, cycle and run. All who enter deserve the highest praise and those who
win deserve the highest accolades as this is certainly not for the faint hearted. The winners
were: open age: Roger Dugan, Jo Jefferis; U16: Richard Christie; U13: Sam Champion, Rebecca
Hollywell; U11: Dan Counter, Alfie Heasmer Jones; U9: Josh Counter; teams: the Law family.
TA B L E T E NNI S
Oswestry School table tennis club has had
another exciting year with some of the older
boys joining the Oswestry and District Table
Tennis League. Eric Ma, Jack Yuen and Eric Lin
battled local teams every Wednesday evening
during the season, with the faithful support of
Charles Yuen who quickly learnt the complicated
task of scoring. The team lived up to their local
reputation and took the second division title
along with other tournament awards. Between
them they gained an impressive seventeen
trophies for the school. Louis Fisher, Robin
Edwards, Ellis McCulloch, Preston Anu, Daniel
and Renwick have thrashed out some close and
exciting games.
The standard of the fourth form and below
players, who meet during Thursday lunchtimes,
has dramatically improved this year thanks to
the efforts of two local TT coaches who have
kindly donated their time to the school. Jamie
Jones, James Bell, Ryan Cox, Matty Gale, Mathew
Thornton, Sherlock Fung, Pablo Suarez, and Inigo
Diaz have all improved their forehand smashes
dramatically thanks to the training offered by Jim
Reeves and Graham Poole. Aron Varbiro, Evan
Ellis, Huw Edwards have exercised a greater
control of their play and the ones to watch next
year are Andy Yuen and Mathew Chan, whose
hard work and enthusiasm is leading them
towards the junior league.
Susan Fensome
93
we emerged from the 11km Mont Blanc tunnel into
the gorgeous valley and glorious sunshine. Before
retiring to the hotel, however, there was the inevitable
passage through ski hire, to be fitted up with skis, boots,
helmets, poles and boards. Following a bowl of pasta
(incidentally I calculated that over the week the party
consumed around 300 bowls of the stuff!) we met
up with co-ordinator Becks, who would be our guide,
helper and general saint for the week. It is such a small
world; Becks lived in Oswestry for five years and has
previously taught at the local comprehensive school, yet
was randomly allocated our group. Finally arriving at the
Hotel Norden Palace, we went off to our rooms, took
a much-needed shower, and prepared for the week’s
skiing and snowboarding.
S K IING
94
BASI 1 Success!
Snowsports Easte
During the Christmas holidays Jamie McMurray
and Matteo O’Mahoney were selected to take
part in or the Interski scholarship training scheme.
Together with eight other skiers from schools in
the UK they spent one week in Pila, Italy, being
sponsored to take the BASI (British Association of
Snowsports Instructors) Level 1 course. They were
given skiing outfits to keep and all accommodation
and board was provided free of charge. Jamie and
Matteo passed the course under the watchful
eye of their BASI trainer Andi McCann. Not
only did the course improve their personal skiing
performance, but they also learnt a lot about the
skill of teaching others. Both boys had a brilliant
time and are looking forward to returning in April
2013 for the BASI Level 2 training.
The snow conditions were very good with lots of
fresh powder. The group stayed in the centrally
located 4* Norden Palace Hotel, which at times
appeared to be run by Basil Fawlty! The group
were in fine spirits throughout the trip and each
pupil made excellent progress.
Fifth former Ben Dugan was nominated to attend
an Interski scholarship selection day on Friday 5th
July at the Trafford Park Chill Factory. If selected
Ben will be trained as a BASI instructor during the
2013/14 ski season.
Skiing in the Aosta Valley
Congratulations to Scott Vallely who was awarded
a 5* distinction in skiing and also to Edward
Green, 5* distinction, deemed to be the best
snowboarder on the mountain!
The weather on the first two days was not ideal, cloud
and snow showers covering large portions of the Pila
resort. Nevertheless the group was in very high spirits
when we met our instructors. Three Italian maestros,
instructors from Pila’s ski school, the largest in Italy, were
on hand, along with snowboard instructor Dave and,
creating something of an Oswestry reunion, OO Callum
Morris, who had the task of instructing the beginner+
group, the group in which Freya, his sister, was learning.
The beginners set off to the nursery slopes to master
the art of not falling over every five seconds, the
advanced group shot off down to the first chair-lift, and
my intermediate group spent the day revising skills that
we had learnt previously. The evening was filled with
something the Italians do very well, proper ice-cream at
a proper gelateria!
Tuesday dawned, still cloudy, but today my group faced
a new challenge: avoid Richard Herbert at all costs, who
was enjoying life on the pistes, but less so when faced
with a narrow forest track. Miss James didn’t manage
to avoid him on one such occasion, and proceeded to
jump right over him and a tree stump, lose both skis
Megan Williams, Louis Fisher and Ben Dugan
were filmed for the prestigious Interski scholarship
scheme. Also out in resort were Matteo
O’Mahoney and Jamie McMurray, both successfully
passing their BASI 2 examination.
Finally, Wednesday brought sunshine, with all runs open
and glorious weather, meaning topping up sun cream
was the order of the day. It was on this day that many
members of my group, including myself, took on a black
run for the first time; for those non-skiers and boarders,
a black is the hardest grade of run. With some fantastic
instruction from Patrick, and a great deal of scared
muttering, we all made it down without a fall. Mrs
Chidlow told me later on, that historically Wednesday
is injury-day, but aside from a few stiff legs and some
goggle tan, we all made it through to the evening, when
ice-skating awaited.
The good weather didn’t last though, and on Thursday
the mountain was completely clouded-over, with
visibility very poor. The après-ski event however was
the interski disco, an event eagerly anticipated by some
of the younger members of the party; seeing various
members of staff covered in fluorescent paint was
entertaining.
Friday and assessment day. Today we had to be at
our best, as we would be judged by our instructors
for which star certificate we were to achieve. The
presentation evening proved how every one of us had
performed above the expectations of the instructors.
Congratulations to Scott who achieved a 5* distinction,
the highest award possible. Ed was also listed as the
best snowboarder on the mountain at that time.
Friday also brought the news that Jamie McMurray
and Matteo O’Mahoney, who had been in Pila on the
Interski scholarship, had both passed their BASI 2 level
award, meaning they can now go out and teach on the
mountain.
One final day of skiing beckoned, before the pack-up
began, and within four hours of coming off the hill we
were on our way home. A big thank you must go to
all the staff who took part in the trip: Mr Mackay, Mr
Pottinger, Miss James, and most of all to Mrs Chidlow for
organizing the whole thing. As a final trip for the three
members of the upper sixth – Scott, Ed and myself –
we all agree that it was by far the most enjoyable ski
trip, and one which will remain a very good memory for
a very long time.
On Saturday 6th April, 28 pupils, four staff and
two OOs set off on the long journey to the
Aosta valley in Italy; despite this being the quickest
journey I’ve undertaken whilst participating in
four skiing trips with school, it was still 20 hours
from Shropshire to northern Italy, which in
anyone’s language is a long time. But eventually,
and forward-roll into a snow drift. Miss James actually
became known as the “gymnast” by our instructor
Patrick, owing to her tendency to not fall over very
much, but when she did it was usually spectacular.
Tuesday night was pizza night where we were all treated
to a mountain of thin-crust pizzas; needless to say Scott
Vallely’s and Ed Green’s huge appetites meant not a
great deal was left over.
Joe Collinge
95
SPEECH DAY 2013
My Lord, Bishop Mark, Mayor and Mayoress,
Governors, Parents, Pupils, Old Oswestrians
and friends: good morning. May I extend my
own warmest of welcomes to you all on this
Oswestry School speech day. We are blessed
with glorious sunshine for our day; what a
contrast from the unwelcome water feature
that ran through the marquee last year. I would
like to particularly thank Bishop Mark ( and
his wife Amanda) for joining us this morning.
He returns to the scene of a glorious sporting
past as the chairman has mentioned, but this
is where he also played for the Headmaster’s
XI against the school two years ago, a lovely
moment: bowler’s name Shrewsbury! I speak
to you this morning in the sure knowledge
that at least half of you would prefer not be
here, bearing in mind there is the small matter
of a rugby match in Sydney this morning. As
a headmaster you are very happy to accept
that as many as half of any audience might be
listening to you at any time; I am quite certain
that I am well below that figure this morning.
To all of you who are glued to your smart
phone please feel free make it obvious if the
Lions score: fist pump, cheering, whatever
takes your fancy.
Today is an opportunity for me to update you
on progress at the school over the last twelve
months and also to look forward. This has
again been a very busy and successful year.
The work that the governing body and senior
management team have been undertaking has
finally brought a strategic plan to fruition which
will guide us over the next five years. Key to
this plan are measures to ensure that we are
achieving as high an academic standard as we
can with the range of pupil ability that we enjoy
here; I use the word enjoy very deliberately.
Academic exclusion is a route that we will not
be pursuing and I certainly wouldn’t consider
such a route as a desirable luxury; we are very
proud to be as inclusive as possible in this
school.
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something new are fantastic ways to allow pupils
to grow. The dramatic and musical performances
this year are clear evidence of this.
I feel that it is important to raise the ambitions
of the pupils at every turn, the academic
programme that we are now offering is
certainly ambitious and I believe can satisfy
the most enquiring and the brightest of
minds. Oswestry is and will remain fully
and unashamedly committed to academic
excellence under my headship.
The strength of this school is and always will
be that it is a school where pupils don’t get
lost, where we focus on the character of
our pupils and develop their resilience, self
discipline and creativity. Pupils must learn to
learn for themselves and not simply receive
instruction. I believe that this can be achieved
in a framework of strong discipline, a focus on
manners, on integrity and respect and above
all in a school which places high expectations
on its pupils. The new mentoring scheme
which we have championed this year under the
direction of Ms Nancini is determined to make
sure that no pupil can fall between the cracks
or retreat into the shadows. I feel strongly
that every child is talented and we are here to
unleash that talent. In simple terms, personal
is a word that I feel best summarizes our
approach to education at Oswestry.
I arrived in Oswestry three short years ago;
I am sure it doesn’t feel that short to some
of the staff. Although impressed and pleased
with both the academic and pastoral work that
was in place my feeling was that the extracurricular provision of sport, culture, drama,
music and clubs and societies had room for
improvement, as headmasters are adept at
saying: ‘could do better’. I feel three years later
and due solely to the commitment of staff that
we are now offering a programme of which
we can justifiably proud. Results of course are
a clear indicator and certainly on the sporting
front we are delighted with the progress that
Mr Hollingsworth has been able to achieve.
But participation is also important and allowing
pupils that chance to perform, compete or try
There are
individuals whom
I will mention,
however the
reality is that
everyone involved
in the school
deserves thanks.
Owing to the continuing financial health of
the school, for which I thank all of you seated
here today, we have been able to undertake a
number of projects since I addressed you last
year and the estates team under the guidance
of David Jones continues to deliver. The ‘digital
skeleton’ wireless network has been in place
since September and I believe will transform the
educational provision we offer during the next
few years. The swimming pool was completely
refurbished and reopened by the delightful
and inspiring Ellie Simmonds in November. I
know the pupils have appreciated the warmth
and quality of the pool during the year. As
the chairman has already observed the most
obvious and visible project is the new artificial
pitch which you can see behind the marquee.
This represents the culmination of several years
of fundraising and surplus income from the
school and at £500K it has not come cheap,
but we were determined to deliver a stateof-the-art facility and have not cut a corner
at any stage. The school is hugely indebted to
Andrew Legge OO who responded to one
of the round robin emails about the pitch by
saying that he had just retired after a lifetime’s
career of building artificial pitches. He has sat
at every turn and ensured that the project has
been best value and best quality. I also again
acknowledge the huge impact of one of our
governors, Martyn Bracegirdle, on the estate:
he is demanding and determined; between
Andrew and Martyn the contractors for the
pitch have been placed under the microscope
and I can assure you that the pitch will last a
very long time indeed. There are no fewer than
seven major projects due over the summer,
ranging from further improvements to the
boarding facilities and new changing rooms for
the girls to upgrading and improving classroom
blocks. All of this is of course only possible due
to an even hand on the financial tiller which our
bursar Phil Bowd brings to us. Thank you, Phil.
We are all working towards developing facilities
that do justice to the wonderful children that
we educate here and this process will continue.
Those of you who were here on Thursday
will have enjoyed an excellent evening with
Henry Blofeld from TMS, an occasion that has
established a small nest egg for the next major
sporting project.
Of course not everything we do with the estate
is all utilitarian and the projects which bring
beauty to the school are equally impressive.
The refurbishment of the chapel last year will
be followed this summer by the installation
of a new window to reflect the 150 years
at school since the chapel was built and the
children have been fully involved with the
design of this project. This will also be joined
by the installation of beautiful York stone
paving up the path to the chapel thanks again
to the generosity of Martyn Bracegirdle. The
installation of a three-metre high bronze eagle
in the corner of the school was as a result of
the astonishing generosity of Clive Knowles
from the British Ironwork Centre out at Aston
on the A5. Clive has been instrumental in
bringing sculpture to the town in the form of
the Oswestry urban safari and the eagle sits
pride of place at the head of Oswald’s Well,
a true town landmark. Thank you so much to
Clive, Ben, Jo and all of the team for their time
and generosity.
I come to the point in my speech where I
will say some more ‘thank yous’. There are
individuals whom I will mention, however the
reality is that everyone involved in the school
deserves thanks. To the staff I thank you again
for your forbearance and support. Nothing
can improve or change without them and I
again thank them for stepping up to the mark. I
absolutely realize that I am a demanding person
to work for and that you are increasingly busy; I
hope the children will always acknowledge the
extra mile that the staff go to. To the governing
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We are blessed
with glorious
sunshine for
our day; what
a contrast from
the unwelcome
water feature that
ran through the
marquee last year.
body thank you for your continued support,
energy, wisdom and dedication. The body is as
dynamic, purposeful and strong as it has been
in my time here. I particularly wish to thank
two new governors, both former and hugely
experienced headmasters: Tim Moore-Bridger
who will now become the vice chairman and
Michael Symmonds.
I thank particularly Karen Lentink for the
superb energy and determination that she is
bringing to the prep department at Bellan. Last
but by no means least I thank Lucinda for all
that she does behind the scenes.
We have five members of staff leaving us this
year. Mike Mackay has been a member of the
sports and boarding teams for the last three
years and I thank him for the huge enthusiasm
and hard work that he has brought to the role.
As his head of department would put it, he is
quite some boy. He moves on to a new career
in Qatar and we wish him all the best. Frances
Rowe has been a key member of the catering
staff for 12 years and retires today, a well
earned rest. Thank you, Frances.
Dianne Edwards has been a much-loved
and patient member of the learning support
department and we have already made a
presentation to these staff earlier on.
This marks the final speech day for Bruce
Morgan who has been a governor for over
20 years, serving as vice chairman for many of
these years. A former pupil and former parent
his support has been unrivalled and I thank him
for this. He has been a sage advocate of the
school and has brought a huge amount of pride
and passion to the board. Wherever he has
travelled he has trumpeted the school and its
qualities whether that be at a cricket match, on
holiday in Venice or in Abuja where we spent
a memorable trip recruiting pupils last year.
Bruce, thank you so much for all of your help
and support; Sandie, you can now have your
husband back.
I thank you all again for your continued support
for the school. These remain tough times and
we at the school are absolutely aware of this.
Parents, grandparents, trust funds, savings
accounts, nest eggs, former holiday homes:
thank you all. I hope that we are able to enjoy
this lovely weather for several weeks to come
and that everyone remains relaxed and happy
throughout the summer.
Thank you again.
Douglas Robb, 7th July 2013
As the chairman has already detailed, Sue
Leonard and Catherine Eve leave us after many
years of outstanding service and I wish to echo
his words and give them my own personal
thanks. Please give them both a well-earned
second round of applause.
SIXTH FORM
Social Enterprise Club
Throughout this year the social enterprise club
was joined by pupils from the lower and upper
sixth, led by Ms Nancini. We started the year
with a barbecue in September, which allowed
existing and new pupils to integrate fully within
the sixth-form community, as well as create
strong friendships between the pupils of the sixth
form. As a club, we were invited by McMillan
Nurses to take part in their coffee morning – Mrs
Makin helped to transform the PHC with lovely
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floral arrangements, our best china was in use
and Matthew Masters, Cameron Biles-Liddell
and Richard Christie played piano to add to
the ambience: we raised £162.01 for McMillan
Nurses. The annual sixth-form theme night was a
huge success. This year the theme was Halloween
– Harry Hinton-Hard won the best costume as a
convincing zombie.
The social enterprise club was invited by Mr
and Mrs Dewhirst to support ‘Cry’ (Cardiac
Risk in the Youth). Their son Mathew, a pupil of
Ellesmere College, had tragically passed away in
the summer of 2012. Mathew’s passion for rugby
was widely known, and therefore we held a
form tag rugby competition. We were touched
that Matthew’s father attended the event,
which raised over £520. The staff team were
victorious in this competition and it is hoped
that this event may go on to be an annual charity
event. In March, we held our annual quiz night
competition, attended by both parents and pupils
– an opportunity to kick-start the revision which
was led by the quiz master Joe Collinge.
On March 22nd, we hosted our annual sixthform spring ball, at the Walls restaurant in
Oswestry. In attendance were over 130 pupils,
staff and guests who bravely battled through
snow drifts. As ever, the club have provided
support for the Derwen and Orthopaedic fetes
where the creative talents of pupils such as
Natalie Makin, Darcie Farnswoth, Alice Roberts,
Sabina Rai and Elise Fisher were put to good
use. The girls were complimented on their
wonderful manner – they are great ambassadors
for the school. As the year ends we are still
busy, planning our leavers’ barbecue for the
entire sixth form.
The club has been instrumental in fund raising for
shelters around the school site, to provide a social
space for the younger pupils – it is a credit to the
group that the idea came from the enterprise
club and that it is a fitting tribute to their work
to see the first shelter completed up the hill
before some our members leave. I would like
to thank all members of the club for their work
and commitment. I would like to also thank Issy
Makin who has demonstrated tireless enthusiasm
and energy in the face of a range of challenges
and finally, Christopher Jones. He is a young man
who is tremendously modest and yet without his
industry and enterprise leading the club we would
never have achieved the targets we have and nor
would we have had so much fun.
International Students Evening
Lower-sixth students Igor Maleyko, Tharan
Sethi and Feyisara Obisesan recently took part
in the Oswestry Rotary Club ‘International
Students Evening’ at The Walls restaurant.
The three students addressed the assembled
audience about themselves, their country and
their aspirations for the future. They were a
little nervous as they had to use a roaming
microphone and speak without notes. That said,
they managed to deliver interesting speeches,
which received much applause. Igor, who was
asked to make the draw for the raffle, pulled
out the name of former school governor Jayne
Middleton, who won the bottle of wine!
At the Council Chambers
Sixth formers from Oswestry School visited the
council chambers in the Guildhall to meet the
celebrity Adam Corbally, who took part in the
well-known BBC series The Apprentice. Adam
engaged immediately with the pupils who listened
carefully to his every word and anecdote. He
gave an inspirational presentation about his family
background, his education, his success as a market
greengrocer as well as his other businesses and
enterprises. He also gave interesting and amusing
insights into his experience on The Apprentice.
The message was ‘believe in yourself, turn a
negative experience into a positive one, never
ever give up on yourself and always be yourself’
which led to a lively question and answer session
following his presentation where the pupils fired
off searching questions.
99
The Decimus Society
The Decimus Society is a forum for philosophical
discussion and is open to all interested members
of the Sixth Form, academic staff and the
local community. It meets once per term in
the evening for a paper and discussion and
operates as a university seminar. Members
are encouraged to present their arguments as
academic papers to the society.
Abbreviated Decimus paper (2005) specially
prepared for The Luidius Society March 2013
I, Niall Francis Lambkin, hereby assert and
give notice of my right under section 77 of the
Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988, to be
identified as the author of this essay.
APPEARANCE AND REALITY
The Matrix
In some not too distant future a war has
been fought between human beings and
the intelligent machines they created. The
machines have won and now Earth is shrouded
in perpetual darkness, the sun having been
deliberately cut off by the humans in a vain
effort to starve the machines of inexhaustible
energy. How this was achieved is not made
clear but the tactic has rebounded savagely
on the architects. The atmosphere is now
unnaturally dense with, presumably, the dust
and detritus of some catastrophic global act.
Carbon-based fuel has long been exhausted.
But not all is darkness in this world; without
sunlight almost all organic life has perished,
but through their cleverness human brains
have survived and herein lies the salvation of
the machines. When fully conscious, that is
to say, when fully alert and exercised, human
brains generate ceaseless electrical fields and
it does not go unnoticed by the machines that
a fully occupied brain can produce enough
energy to illuminate a 40watt bulb. In this
energy deficient world the victorious machines
need power and fully occupied human brains
can generate a readily available source of
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machine vigour. Hence the victors feed off
the vanquished. Humans are reared like
factory creatures in an enormous machine and
constitute, in their entirety, a vast rechargeable
battery which can power the artificial
intelligences. How the humans are actually
produced, in the absence of normal sexual
relations, is not made clear in the narrative, but
once engendered they are kept in a state of
‘sleep’, their bodies immersed in reservoirs of
vital fluids, their brains and minds perpetually
stimulated and directed by their captors. As
the manipulated brains ‘dream’ their lives
the machines graze upon their nourishing
electrical fields. It is clearly an efficient and
impressively logical use of the vanquished by
the victors, untrammelled by any kind of moral
considerations.
The artificially induced mental lives of the
human cows are set in an infinitely complex
virtual world known as The Matrix. The Matrix
is conceived by the machines as a coherent
and internally consistent narrative which is
shared by all the human brains plugged into
it, so that each brain perceives a completely
natural world filled with all the detail a human
might expect in his day to day existence. All
his hopes are there, his desires, his needs, his
fears and hates, his loves and pleasures, all his
projects, dispositions, jealousies, ambitions, his
religiosity and scientific scepticism, his faiths,
his disappointments, his pain and dreams and
illusions – all these are here and experienced.
There are mountains and oceans, sunsets and
starry skies, political parties, wars, famines,
sunburn, sex, cancer, schools and universities,
holidays, money and death. The world is in
every detail as rich and interesting as we would
expect it to be. But the brains which have all
this experience, along with their bodies, are
in fact floating in baths of fluid deep inside
the bowels of some gigantic farm machine
controlled by other machines. One brain is
‘watching a late twentieth century sci fi movie
in a multiplex’, another is ‘arguing with his wife’,
and yet another is ‘dreaming of independent
wealth and freedom’ – but there is no cinema,
or wife, or daydream; there is only the fluid
filled baths, the experiencing brain, the grazing
machines and The Matrix. Or is there even this?
Fortunately for the captive battery humans
there is a residue population of war survivors
holding out against the machines. They
are hidden somewhere deep beneath the
devastated planet surface and they know about
The Matrix. The artificial intelligences, however,
know of its existence but not where it resides
and the film narrative turns to detailing the
efforts of a small band of ‘awakened’ human
desperados and their attempts to circumvent
The Matrix, all the while battling against the
efforts of the machines (in the form of the
Agents [the historically interesting ‘men in
black’]) to keep the existence of The Matrix a
secret. Their mission is to unplug humanity from
its virtual existence and reveal to it the true
nature of reality. The film ends with the hero,
Mr Anderson (Neo, to give him his hacker’s
name), being transfigured into a crusading
messiah and the audience left in no doubt that
although there is a fight ahead, the artificial
intelligences, so clean and coherent in relation
to their human enemies, will eventually meet
with retributive justice.
This, in essence, is the plot of the movie The
Matrix. From the philosophical point of view it
is of interest because it deals – albeit in a very
superficial way – with the age old dichotomy
of Appearance and Reality. The conviction that
such a distinction can be made leads to intense
debate in the fields of epistemology (theory of
knowledge) metaphysics (how things are) and
philosophy of science concerning the status of
our claims to knowledge – the adequacy of our
representations. On a basic level our conviction
that it is possible to distinguish between
Appearance and Reality leads us to question
whether what we see, think and feel is true or
illusory. Even in the fields of ethics and political
philosophy we are led to distinguish between
true good and apparent good, between justice
and merely the semblance of justice. And in
our most desperate moments we might even
be led to believe that all is illusion and that the
universe consists only of appearances.
APPEARANCE AND REALITY
The initial force of the Appearance/Reality
dichotomy comes from what is known as the
argument from illusion. Take this as an example.
Person A sits in a bar with a pint of Guinness
before him. It has been recently poured and
beads of condensation glisten on its chilled
side. It is a black, Roman pint. We may ask,
what is the relation between A and the pint of
Guinness? It can be described in the following
way: there is the perceiver A and the object of
perception (pint of Guinness). A’s perception
of the object is due to a causal relation; the
object causes A to see it due to a complex
physical process of light emissions, optic nerve
stimulation and cortical assimilation etc.
Let us now take person B. B is lying in bed. He
is warm, comfortable and asleep. But in his
sleep he is sitting in a bar and before him there
is a chilled pint glass of Guinness beaded with
condensation and collared like a Roman priest.
The description of the causal relation between
B and the object of B’s perception is here far
more problematic. But the result is the same.
Both A and B perceive a pint of Guinness in all
its detail. Both drink it and relish it. Qualitatively
their experiences are indistinguishable – yet
A’s perception is veridical and B’s hallucinatory.
If this is the case, as it appears to be, what
conclusions can we draw? Can we, in fact, ever
be in a position where it is possible to say: this
is Reality and that is mere Appearance?
Let me first take the story back as far as Plato
and consider his great allegory of the cave.
Socrates: Now compare our condition with
this: Picture men living in a cave which has a
wide mouth open towards the light. They are
kept in the same places, looking forward only
away from the mouth and unable to turn their
heads, for their legs and necks have been fixed
in chains from birth. A fire is burning higher up
at their backs, and between it and the prisoners
there is a road with a low wall built at its side,
like a screen over which puppet players put up
their puppets.
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Glaucon: All that I see.
Socrates: See, again, then men walking under
cover of this low wall carrying past all sorts of
things, copies of men and animals, in stone or
wood and other materials; some of them may
be talking and others not.
Glaucon: This is a strange sort of comparison
and these are strange prisoners.
Socrates: They are like ourselves. They see
nothing but their own shadows, or one
another’s, which the fire throws on the walls
of the cave. And so too with the things carried
past. If they were able to talk to one another,
wouldn’t they think that in naming the shadows
they were naming the things that went by? And
if their prison sent back an echo whenever one
of those who went by said a word, what could
they do but take it for the voice of the shadow?
Glaucon: So.
Socrates: The only real things for them would
be the shadows of the puppets.
Socrates: And with that he will discover that
it is the sun that gives the seasons and the
years, and it is the chief in the filed of the
things which are seen, and in some way the
cause even of all the things he had been
seeing before. If he now went back in his mind
to where he was living before, and to what
his brother slaves took to be wisdom there,
wouldn’t he be happy at the change and pity
them?
Glaucon: Certainly.
Glaucon: Certainly, he would.
Socrates: Now see how it will be if something
frees them from their chains: when one is
freed and forced to get on his feet and turn
his head and walk and look towards the light –
and all this hurts, and because the light is too
bright, he isn’t able to see the things whose
shadows he saw before – what will he answer,
if someone says that all he has seen till now
was false and a trick, but that now he sees
more truly? And if someone points out to
him the things going by and asks him to name
them, won’t he be at a loss? And won’t he take
the shadows he saw before as more real than
these things?
Although the purpose of the allegory is to
illustrate the “four states of mind”, the two
degrees or kinds of belief and two degrees
of knowledge, it does at the same time serve
to show the basic distinction between what
is taken for reality and what is really reality.
Although Plato doesn’t talk in terms of
Appearance and Reality, clearly the allegory of
the cave can be interpreted loosely in these
terms. The cave is the realm of appearances,
for the prisoners see nothing but shadows and
take these for real objects. It is a virtual world,
like the world of The Matrix where things are
not what they seem. All is insubstantial and
deceptive. But when a prisoner is released and
dragged to the surface, and is shown the sun
and all that the sun illuminates, then he knows
the insubstantiality of all that he has seen
before – recognizes all that he has previously
perceived as mere shadow and falseness.
At first he is blinded by the revelation, but
soon his senses become accustomed to the
real world and he is anxious to return to his
erstwhile companions and tell them of the
sun-drenched surface. But they think him crazy,
think him mad. And why should they believe
Glaucon: By Zeus, they would.
Glaucon: Much more real.
Socrates: And if he were forced to look straight
at the light itself, wouldn’t he start back with
pained eyes? And if someone pulled him up the
rough and hard ascent and forced him out into
the light of the sun, wouldn’t he be angry? And
wouldn’t his eyes be too full of light to make
out even one of the things we say are real?
Glaucon: Yes, that would be so at first.
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Socrates: He would need to get used to the
light before he could see things up there. At
first he would see shadows best, and after
that reflections in still water of men and other
things, and only later these things themselves.
Then he would be ready to look at the moon
and stars, and would see the sky by night
better than the sun and the sun’s light by day.
So, at last, I take it, he’d be able to look upon
the sun itself, and see it not through seemings
and images of itself in water and away from its
true place, but in its own field and as it truly is.
him if they have no real grasp of what it is he is
trying to tell them!
probes. He is, in fact, trying to find a way of
relieving JV of her violent epileptic seizures.
For Plato it is moral as well as an
epistemological tale. The sun represents
Goodness and the prisoner’s journey to the
surface the arduous journey of the human soul
seeking out Truth. For our purposes, though,
the cave is The Matrix and all that we perceive
therein is a deception – an appearance of
reality – a virtual reality – but not reality itself.
It takes Morbius and his friends to drag Neo
kicking and screaming out of the cave before
he can distinguish Appearance and Reality. In
this case there seems to be no Goodness, no
sun to illuminate. Reality here is altogether
black and horrific – a world ruined by
aggression and warfare, a world dominated by
intelligent machines feeding off actively engaged
human consciousnesses farmed in reservoirs
of fluid nutrients. Reality is a nightmare which
drives at least one of the ‘awakened’ to prefer
the world of Appearance to that of Reality. It’s
Plato in reverse!
So, the situation is this. A fourteen-yearold girl who suffers from violent epileptic
seizures is lying in an operating theatre. She
is fully conscious and her temporal lobe is
being explored by a neurologist who is using
electrodes attached to an EEG machine. In
order for the physician to find the area of the
brain responsible for the seizures, the girl must
guide him by reporting what sensations she has
as he probes the specific surface area of her
brain. As Penfield touches a certain part of the
temporal lobe suddenly, and with complete
vividness, JV finds herself in the grass meadow
being terrorized by the snake-bag-man.
But we can move away from parables, myths,
allegories and popular twentieth-century movie
fictions to the more objective view of scientific
investigations. What has scientific research
to tell us about how things are and how they
appear to be? In the end science can tell us
very little, but it can make us wonder about
the nature of Reality – that is, of what lies
outside of ourselves – of what might be called
‘the objective universe’.
During the 1930s a young fourteen year old girl
known as JV had the following experience. It
is summer and the day is perfect. JV is walking
through a meadow of tall grass, following
her brothers who are some distance ahead.
Suddenly a shadow falls across her path and
there is a rustling of grass. JV turns and sees a
faceless man, his face sponged out by the bright
sunshine, and he is holding something indistinct
but writhing. He says: “How would you like to
get into this bag with the snakes?”
The strange, but important, thing is that JV is
not walking through the grass meadow, but is
in fact lying, fully conscious, on an operating
table in the Montreal Neurological Institute,
and standing over her Wilder Penfield is
exploring her exposed brain with electronic
The encounter with the snake-bag-man had
actually occurred seven years previously and
although JV was not physically harmed, she
had been very frightened and the event had
come to haunt her dreams. The trauma of the
event came to be inextricably linked with the
epileptic fits.
Penfield’s experiment is of fundamental
importance because it shows that the mental
life (at least part of the mental life) of an
individual can be mapped onto the cerebral
cortex (which is the most recently evolved
layer of the human brain and associated with
higher order consciousness). By placing his
electrodes on other parts of J.V’s brain he
managed to evoke other experiences – some
of a vivid memory type, others of mere
colour sensations etc. In principle at least,
it seemed that a sufficiently wise and adept
physician could so manipulate the brain to
produce, in rich and vivid detail, a whole ‘life’ of
experience, all completely lucid and coherent.
This idea of brain manipulation is not new –
it can be traced back to at least Descartes’
discussion of the logical possibility of an
omnipotent and malevolent demon which
deliberately deceives human minds into
thinking and doing the things they think they
think and do. In its most modern incarnation
the deceiving demon scenario is known as
‘brains in vats’ and one can clearly see that this
is the premise which underlies the narrative of
The Matrix.
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Here we get to the heart of the matter.
Consider the following: one night you fall
deeply asleep. Into your room, silently,
enters a team of surgeons who administer a
general anaesthetic. They shave your head
and cut away the top of your skull. Now with
consummate skill and patience they sever your
optic nerves, all other nerves entering your
brain and finally the brain stem leading to the
column of nerve fibres which run the length
of your backbone. Carefully they lift your brain
from your head and place in a vat of fluid
nutrients. This will keep your brain (and you)
alive for the time being. But the surgeons have
to act quickly – they need to get you and your
brain back to their laboratory before you die.
A helicopter waits outside and you and your
abductors rush away into the demonic night.
Once in the laboratory, you (your brain, still
in its bath of nutrients), are prepared for
‘reconnection’ to a sensory input machine.
Previously this has been your organic body,
but now it is a sophisticated computer which
will ‘feed’ your brain with impressions. With
precision and infinite care every nerve fibre
which enters your brain is attached to an
equally fine electrode which in turn is linked
directly to the computer. There are now
millions of these electrodes hooking you up
the computer which will begin soon to send
electrical impulses into your brain in specific
patters, just as your original nervous system
did. The result will be that when you wake up
you will be in bed. You will stretch and yawn,
get up, stagger to the bathroom, take your
ablutions, look in the mirror and inspect your
face as one does, get dressed, breakfast, kiss
your loved ones goodbye, leave the house,
feel the sun on your face and the wind in
your hair, suffer the slight indigestion from the
rushed cornflakes and toast, feel apprehensive
about the examination you are going to sit
in one hour’s time and blush because the girl
next door waves. You do and feel all these
things. But do you? You certainly feel things,
but you do not do anything because you are
now a brain in a vat – but you don’t know this.
Cleverly there has been (from your point of
view) complete continuity of experience from
the moment you went to sleep to the moment
you wake up. Your present experiences are
entirely consistent with those experiences
104
of yesterday. When you went to sleep you
passed through your initial dream sleep
into unconsciousness. During this period of
unconsciousness you underwent (without your
prior knowledge) serious surgery – your brain
being removed efficiently and carefully into a
vat of sustaining fluids and your nervous system
replaced by an advanced computer. The period
of unconsciousness then passes into a dream
sleep and eventually you wake up and begin a
new day. As far as consciousness is concerned
the period from the moment you fell asleep to
the moment you wake up is seamless.
The day passes well enough and you now find
yourself attending a Decimus Society meeting.
You are sitting down and you are feeling
the slight headiness of alcohol and of trying
to attend to the ideas being presented. But
there is no Decimus Society, or paper, or seat.
Everything that has happened to you today has
been illusory – everything you have seen and
felt and heard and smelt has been an illusion.
Yes, you have been thinking, but the sensory
input stimuli you have received correspond to
nothing outside of your brain.
Can you prove otherwise? Pinch yourself.
You feel pain. But this proves nothing – it is
all fed to you – it is all part of the illusion. So
where does this leave us? It leaves us with the
impossibility of proving that we are not brains
in vats! Now, if this is the case, how can we
justify our belief in an external world – that
is, how can we justify our belief that a world
exists independently of our perception of it
and one which causes those perceptions?
Your consciousness should now be transfixed;
could this all be a dream from which I might
at any moment awake, or could this all be
a dream from which I will never awake? In
the 4th century B.C. Chuang-Tzu dreamt he
was a butterfly – but then when he awoke
he wondered if he might not be a butterfly
dreaming he was a man.
Some dreams are so vivid and indeed lucid
that one can never be sure that what you
are experiencing under these conditions is
dream or reality. And of course this is the
problem – there does not appear to be any
sure test to distinguish vivid/lucid dreaming
from perceptions received in the ‘real’ world
under normal circumstances. On the other
hand we generally have no problem in making
the distinction because our dreams have
that quality – that ‘dream’ quality which is
sufficiently remote from our waking experience
to assure us that what is dreamt is not real.
all the while the patient was fully conscious
and reporting back. In this sense each patient
had the experience of a dual consciousness in
which he was aware of lying on the operating
table whilst re-living, in perfect detail, events of
the past.
But the brains-in-vats experiment is different.
Here what your brain experiences is not a
dream at all, in the strict sense. Your brain is
awake and asleep during the normal sequence
of events, as it would be if it still nestled inside
your head. The difference is that when your
brain is awake it sees things, hears things, smells
things, tastes things and touches things – but
you have no eyes, ears, nose, tongue or limbs!
It takes little imagination to conceive of the
next possible step of sensory and perceptual
manipulation of the kind that lies at the core of
The Matrix narrative. If neurological research
continues apace, with its present rate of
success, then it should be possible to probe
not only the regions of the cerebral cortex but
also the deeper regions of the mammalian and
reptilian brain – the cerebellum and brain stem.
Such comprehensive probing would throw into
doubt all of our perceptions. Maybe my mind
is at this moment being manipulated so that
I think comprehensive mind control is only a
future possibility when in fact it is a present
reality, and this is not the end of the 20th
century but the middle of the 22nd.
Descartes discusses this kind of perceptual
deception in his Meditations. In this work he
supposes that all of what we take to be the
external world, including our bodies, is an
illusion deliberately created by an ‘evil genius’.
“I will suppose that…some malicious demon of
the utmost power and cunning has employed
all his energies in order to deceive me. I shall
think that the sky, the air, the earth, colours,
shapes, sounds and all external things are
merely the delusions of dreams which he
has devised to ensnare my judgement. I shall
consider myself as not having hands or eyes, or
flesh, or blood or senses, but as falsely believing
that I have all these things.”
Descartes’ purpose in devising this thought
experiment was not to seriously suggest that
this indeed was the case; he merely presents
the scenario as a logical possibility because
he is interested in arriving at some feature of
human experience which could not possibly,
under any circumstances, be put in doubt, and
once arrived at this feature would constitute
certain knowledge and from this foundation
the rest of reality could be derived.
This kind of demonic deception is clearly an
abstract or metaphysical fantasy physically
conceived or realized, at least in part, by the
Penfield experiments. Penfield, of course, was
a neurosurgeon attempting to alleviate the
symptoms of violent epileptic seizures, not an
‘evil genius’. By probing areas of the patient’s
cerebral cortex he was able to produce in
the patient’s mind experiences more vivid
and real than mere dream or memory – and
These speculations throw up what
philosophers call ‘the problem of knowledge’
which might be rephrased as ‘how do we know
anything for sure?’
If our minds are our brains – that is, if it is the
case that what we are as psychological beings
simply is the operation of our brains – that
brain activity and experience are one and the
same thing, then the whole of our experience
is equivocal.
Why so?
Because there are several explanations for that
experience.
We suppose that the whole of our experience
is a stream of nerve impulses, a flood of electrochemical discharges washing over and through
our brains, and we commonly suppose that
such impulses are caused by objects existing
outside of our brains – outside of our bodies,
independently of our perceptions. So, there
is a tree out there in the external world and
I do not see this object until a complex series
of physical events take place on the macro
and microscopic level at or near the speed of
light. I ‘see’ the tree when my temporal lobe
is in a certain physical state. This is what we
assume and take for granted. But Descartes’
105
meditations, Penfield’s experiments, brain-invats fantasies – all these point to alternative
explanations of human experience, explanations
of equal explanatory potency. If we are inclined
to dismiss the ‘evil genius’ explanation or
the brains-in-vats explanation on grounds of
implausibility, then perhaps we should look to
our prejudices and predisposition for the need
for truth and certainty.
Make sure you understand the puzzle. What is
at stake here is the credibility of the positivist
ideal that everything can be determined
scientifically. Science is essentially an empirical
enterprise – that is, it places great weight
upon the evidence supplied to us via the
senses. However, the brains-in-vats thought
experiment undermines the very idea of
sensory evidence. It is impossible to know that
you are not a brain in a vat on the grounds of
sensory evidence. And if you believe you are
not a brain in a vat then this belief cannot be
disproven, empirically. Such a belief is said to
be ‘evidence-transcendent’.
So, we cannot know for sure whether the
external world exists. Our knowledge of
anything, therefore, is severely limited and may
in fact be entirely false. Einstein and Leopold
Infeld put it this way:
“In our endeavour to understand reality we
are somewhat like a man trying to understand
the mechanism of a closed watch. He sees
the face and the moving hands, even hears its
ticking, but he has no way of opening the case.
If he is ingenious he may form some picture of
a mechanism which could (my emphasis) be
responsible for all the things he observes, but he
may never be quite sure his picture is the only
one which could explain his observations. He will
never be able to compare his picture with the
real mechanism and he cannot even imagine the
possibility of the meaning of such a comparison.”
From the epistemological point of view we
are like men groping in the dark, trying to
make sense of our sensory evidence and
hoping that our emerging picture of reality
is accurate. We can never be certain about
our models of reality – they may all be false.
We must, therefore, be satisfied with what
can be achieved epistemologically – and that
is the coherence and practical value of our
models. We can never be sure that our models
correspond to reality out there (assuming
it is even meaningful to talk of such a thing),
but if our models cohere – if they make
sense, have explanatory potency and issue in
practical and technological spin-offs, then why
worry too much about whether they are true
or false. Do they work? This at least is the
more unreflective and positivist key question.
Besides, the models we live with and direct our
lives by may well be more comfortable than
the reality that lies outside and beyond them.
In The Matrix one of the ‘awakened’ finds
reality so oppressive he turns on his comradesin-arms, saying he prefers the deception of the
machines – at least in the deception he can eat
good meat and drink fine wines and admire
beautiful women.
N F Lambkin
1.Technically it doesn’t matter what this induced world looks like. Human brains that have known no other world will take whatever
perceptions they experience as ‘natural’. What matters is the complexity and richness of experience for it is the richness and depth of
experience that generates the electrical activity, not the specific content.
2.The twist here is this: that the human characters who have escaped the machines and now live in and out of The Matrix as part of
their offensive drive against tyranny, might yet be still plugged in. Their sense of freedom and their minor victories against the machines
might all be manufactured by The Matrix. They think they are unplugged but how do they know? Perhaps there never was a war
between humans and machines in the first place – this also is part of The Matrix.
3.Republic Book V11 (514 – 517). “‘The Republic of Plato’ A Version in Simplified English”, by I.A.Richards., Litt.D.
4.The ethical implications of how a superior species might treat an inferior one are discussed in Meat-Eaters Ride the Waves of
Phlegethon by N.F. Lambkin, Proceedings of ‘The Decimus Society’ 1999.
5.Penfield, Wilder. The Cerebral Cortex in Man in “Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry”, 40:3 (Sept. 1938).
6.Descartes, Rene. Meditationes de Prima Philosophia, 1641. (See in particular the First Meditation:
OF THE THINGS OF WHICH WE MAY DOUBT)
7.Einstein, Albert, & Leopold Infeld. The Evolution of Physics. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1938.
106
Control, Alter, Delete:
Apocalypse and our love affair
with the microchip
By J Collinge UVI
Paper presented to the Decimus Society
Friday December 7 2012
I, Joe Collinge, hereby assert and give notice
of my right under Section 77 of the Copyright,
Design and Patents Act 1988, to be identified
as the author of this essay.
In many years the Earth will die. That sounds
blunt but as the sun becomes a Red Giant in
its dying years it will swell massively in size,
and Earth, now just a barren ball of melting
rock due to the increased temperatures, will
be consumed by the sun’s fiery sphere. That
will be the end of the planet itself, as a physical
object. But the thing that makes this planet so
special however is life and we might usefully ask
if there is a similar social apocalypse waiting in
the wings to snuff us out.
At the moment Earth is the only known planet
to have life on it though I personally share the
view of Professor Hawking that there is, in all
probability, another planet out there in the
vastness of space where intelligent life can be
found. Moreover, the human race is the most
advanced species on this planet, both mentally
and physically. Dolphins may well be intelligent,
but there are physical reasons why dolphins do
not maintain orchards as do humans. Likewise,
no human will ever produce wool as well as a
sheep, and I doubt sheep would ever design
and manufacture a machine capable of turning
their wool into Christmas jumpers. Of course
these are ridiculous examples, but the point is
made: we are the not unimpressive synthesis of
mental capacity and physical ability. But we are
not perfect. Physically we are not – otherwise
we would all have the athleticism of Jessica Ennis,
the brain of Stephen Hawking and the looks of
Channing Tatum or Rachel Weisz. Neither are
we mentally perfect. We make mistakes. The
human race has made billions of mistakes and
will make billions more before its time is up.
Some are insignificant; buying someone a Sprite
when they asked for a 7-Up for example. There
are also mistakes that are catastrophic. On 6th
March 1987, the ship Herald of Free Enterprise
left the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on its way to
Hull. An employee forgot to close two of the
rear car doors, and subsequently fell asleep as
the ship motored out of Zeebrugge harbour.
Within an hour the ship was capsized and 193
people were dead. Similarly, on 27th March 1977,
a KLM Boeing 747 was waiting to take-off in fog
at the end of the runway at Los Rodeos airport
in the Canary Islands. At the same time, a Pan
Am 747 was taxiing down the runway in the
other direction, trying to find a turn-off point.
Captain Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten misheard
an air-traffic controller, and believed he had takeoff clearance. He accelerated down the runway
towards the Pan Am jet and 583 people perished
in the ensuing collision. Mistakes are unavoidable
when humans are involved.
When the British were expanding their empire
back in the 19th century they relied on ships to
carry goods from the Far East. But navigation
calculations had to be performed by men with
pencils and they inevitably made mistakes which
subsequently led to problems: ships bound
for Hong Kong ended up in Manila or Macau.
The man who stopped these men with pencils
getting their sums wrong was Charles Babbage,
and he unintentionally began both the revolution
of calculation and the possible downfall of
mankind. He designed the first mechanical
computer. Admittedly, it was simply a calculator
that was around 12 feet long and 8 feet high
and required you to spend a lot of time flicking
switches and pulling levers. But astonishingly,
when the Americans got hold of a British made
one in the 1990s they tried to perform hugely
complex ballistic calculations for high-velocity
rifles with it, and it worked perfectly. Babbage
had in fact invented the computer.
All computers are really just calculators of an
impressive sort. They do maths, incredibly
quickly, but what there actually is ‘in the
machine’ are merely thousands of represented
and manipulated ones and zeros. This maths
can be massively important to society:
Colossus, the world’s first electronic computer,
cracked the Lorenz cypher (Adolf Hitler’s
private code to his generals on the Western
Front). It saved thousands of lives on D-Day
when six days before the invasion it decoded a
message about a Panzer tank division closing in
107
on an intended landing beach and consequently
gave allied Generals time to again think through
their strategy. This is an example of computers
making a positive contribution to human life.
But Colossus, like so many great inventions,
was flawed. The name says it all really; it filled
a large room and contained 2,000 electronic
valves. Although I’m not an electrical engineer
I know that valves can reach hideously high
temperatures and they can become extremely
unreliable. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the
Xerox Corporation in San Francisco began
working on microchips and that’s when
progress really started to accelerate.
Whereas Colossus was novel and affected
society on a dramatic scale (i.e. helping the
Allies stop Hitler), microchips generally
work on a much smaller scale. And on this
smaller scale they have made just about every
mundane day-to-day job a lot easier. Searching
for anything has become much easier; for
example, if I wanted to find out who won the
gold medal in archery at the 1980 Moscow
Olympics I previously would have had to go
to the library, search for the relevant book,
then search through that book for the correct
information. Now all one has to do is type
in ‘archery gold Moscow 1980’ (with total
disregard for the laws of grammar) into the
behemoth that is Google and the answer zaps
up on screen almost instantaneously. We live
in the age of the information superhighway,
though quite whether our leaders want this
is another matter; think of the United States
government’s quarrel with Julian Assange.
Equally, the microchip works on the huge scale
allowing every aspect of major industry to
function with a level of efficiency that Babbage
could only have dreamed of. The level of
information processing a chip is capable of is
mind-boggling. The only thing my iPhone’s chip
contains and “sees” is lots of ones and zeroes.
And yet it ‘knows’ that when my finger touches
the screen in a certain sequence it has to
play a certain song, open a certain application
or call a certain person. And the amazing
thing is that we take this for granted. I cannot
imagine how life would be without all the
microchips surrounding us and working with
us every day. They have completely changed
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humanity forever, and there is no turning back:
scientists are pushing forward the boundaries
of computing and electronic intelligence
more than ever before. Bill Gates, founder of
Microsoft said, “If General Motors had kept up
with technological process like the computer
industry has we would all drive $25 cars that
do 1,000mpg.”
But what the microchip doth give with one
hand it taketh away with the other. It seems
these days the number of great mechanical
inventors is declining. Between 1870 and 1930
the automobile, telephone, television, the
computer itself, the jet engine, zeppelins, the
vacuum cleaner, neon light and crayons were
all invented. But since I was born in 1995 the
only major society-contributing inventions to
note are the gas fuel-cell, self-cleaning windows
and Viagra, and Viagra’s contribution to society
is the subject of a very different discussion.
Cyberspace is by far our greatest technological
feat as a species, but it has progressed so
quickly humanity hasn’t really caught up. “It
is appallingly obvious our technology has
exceeded our humanity,” were the words
of Albert Einstein, quantum lord and master
mathematician; a man who died in 1955.
Incidentally, IBM supremo Thomas Watson
proudly claimed that year that, “The world will
probably eventually need 5 computers.” The
average UK home contains over 100 in one
form or another.
This is another issue and leads me to my main
point; our dependency on the microchip.
Without it schools and other essential facilities
would have no lighting, heating or water as
all utility providers use powerful computer
systems. We would have virtually no way of
contacting each other, with the exception of
face-to-face conversations or a letter. But even
a letter would struggle to reach its destination
with the printer not being able to print stamps,
or the postman unable to access his van
because the central locking uses a microchip.
Because the microchip has come to dominate
our day-to-day lives we welcome its obvious
benefits, but one day, if the balance of power
in the world swings too far one way, we might
not be so charmed by its potential.
The superpowers are developing weapons
capable of producing an electromagnetic pulse,
or EMP. An EMP is caused by detonating a
nuclear weapon in the upper atmosphere. The
radiation surge causes a pulse that destroys
anything with an electrical circuit. Russia,
the United States and the United Kingdom
are all capable of producing weapons that
could produce substantial EMPs and in fact
any nation with a nuclear weapon capability
can to an extent produce an EMP. This is
not such a worry for the present day West
(including Russia) but it is a major worry that
the ‘Democratic People’s Republic’ of Korea
has nuclear weapons and that Kim Jong-un is
not endearing himself to western states. If a
third world war were to ensue the likelihood
is it would be fought between a collection
of Western and Asian nuclear powers
(UK, USA, France, India) and ‘third-world’
nations with nuclear weapons and intolerable
aspirations: elements within Pakistan’s Islamist
extremist movements for example, or a
seriously destabilized Middle East, or North
Korea questing to rid the world of decadent
capitalism. The number of unstable countries
with nuclear weapons is already a concern:
many commentators believe the situation looks
bleak. The EMP released by any of the nations
capable of producing the required explosion
would be devastating. If one were detonated
above Greenland for example, Western
Europe and the whole eastern US seaboard
would grind to a halt. Food production would
end, transport would effectively cease, and
chaos would ensue. Money would become
worthless pieces of paper and metal, and
the economy of every country would be
damaged irretrievably. The world’s population
would shrink, disease would spread, and the
apocalypse (in terms of the developed world)
would commence.
day. Schools are full of half-open, half-filled
exercise books. The local fairground has signs,
kiosks and rides ready for the children. And yet
it has remained completely uninhabited for 26
years. The city is slowly decaying. This is what
we have created for ourselves.
The image above is a view of Pripyat, a
concrete ex-Soviet city of 50,000 people, every
single one of whom was evacuated in 1986
after the disaster at the nearby Chernobyl
nuclear facility. It has been left to its own fate.
It is a perfect viewing platform to see what
would happen if an EMP were used. Houses
are left as if the family had gone out for the
Computers do have their failings. If a
computer incorrectly counts the ones or
zeroes, any piece of equipment can go wrong.
This can either be on a very small scale (i.e.
you select the band ‘Queen’ on your iPod
and it instead selects ‘Queens of the Stone
Age’), or on a huge scale (the USA’s earlier
Mars probe got confused between metric
and imperial measurements and so instead
The EMP threat was born out of progress in
electronics, computing, and advances in the
field of nuclear energy and weaponry. Indeed,
as the Americans gained Turing’s knowledge
of mathematics and computing, as well as the
building of the first Colossi, they used this
knowledge to develop the Manhattan project,
culminating in 1945 with a clear demonstration
of nuclear destructive power over the cities
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Computers have
created some of the greatest weapons of the
20th and 21st centuries. Some of the most
modern military aircraft, such as our own
Eurofighter Typhoon and the now retired
Harrier jump jet, have been fly-by-wire. This
means that computers control the aircraft’s
control surfaces; without this technology the
Harrier would never have got off the ground
due to the titanic complexities of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL); the Eurofighter would
get up into the sky, but very quickly plummet
back to terra firma. The Typhoon has been
designed around computers and therefore
can afford to be as aerodynamically unstable
as it is. The technology within keeps the plane
airborne and the pilot can perform daring
attack manoeuvres. No-one knows the true
death toll due to computer-controlled military
equipment, but it is most definitely in the
hundreds of thousands, possibly millions. Think
of the problems in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo
– three conflicts in fifteen years that the United
Kingdom has been involved in, and our Western
computer wizardry has in all probability inflicted
many a wound upon many a family.
109
of landing smoothly on Mars it ploughed
into the ground at high speed). The biggest
problem with computers, ironically, is the
fact they still need programming by a human
and, as I mentioned previously, humans make
mistakes. My computer will flash up a banana
that I have spelt a word wrong. However, it
did not realize that I typed the word ‘banana’,
rather than the more appropriate ‘spellcheck warning’. Computers carry out human
error unobtrusively so long as the mistake
is spelt correctly and it obeys the laws of
English grammar. The amount of hardship
simple malfunctions cause is obvious to see.
My old iPod had a tendency to just switch off
of its own accord, and then had the cheek
to say “iPod shut down due to incorrect
usage: System checks commencing.” You can
understand how frustrating that is on a long
car journey when you’re parents insist on
listening to Abba or Ken Bruce’s Popmaster,
or even after the last Decimus meeting when
I praised the Viking quartet’s contribution to
modern popular culture.
This is all down to incorrect programming or
mistakes in the manufacturing process. The
only way to solve this is to make computers
self-aware. Microchip self-awareness is a
devastating scenario imagined nicely in the
Terminator trilogy. Computers do not like
being attacked, hence the development of
commercial security software available for
our computers. They will defend themselves;
minor scenarios include my laptop shutting
itself down when it becomes too hot (again, a
malfunction caused by a manufacturing error
by Acer resulting in the cooling system not
working properly). Major scenarios would
be a computer rejecting human instruction
to cease its current operation. Terminator
2: Judgement Day featured this, with Arnold
Schwarzenegger forcing someone else to
destroy him, as he “cannot self-destruct”.
Computers and microchips can only become
suicidal whilst we are programming them.
Lockheed Martin found this out to their
disadvantage when their D-21 photographic
reconnaissance drone had a habit of flying
straight into the ground. This became an even
bigger problem when it kept happening over
the Soviet Union and Mao Zedong’s China, all
the result of a programming error.
110
An even more worrying prospect is machine
self-awareness becoming a reality. To use a
military-based hypothesis again, the Royal
Air Force currently use MQ-9 Reaper drones
armed with Hellfire missiles. If one of these
missiles failed to launch the drone controller
could order it to fly kamikaze-style into
the target causing destruction and enemy
casualties. However, the self-aware drone
could perceive this to be a threat and instead
go rogue, taking aim at its programmer. This
would be incredibly devastating if the rogue
in question were a nuclear missile. Effectively,
we would end up with a new world war:
humans against machines, with neither side
winning. If the nuclear weapon/EMP scenario
I imagined earlier were to occur humans
and machines would be wiped out, unless of
course the machines were intelligent enough
to understand how to minimize the effect of
EMP. Should this be the case the machines
would rule supreme and all of humanity’s
achievements would become meaningless.
‘Exaggeration’ is the word that is probably
springing to your mind right now. This is all
massively hyped speculation. The reality, on
the contrary, could be that self-awareness
only makes computers more efficient at the
jobs we select for them. But think about it
next time your security software tells you
your computer is under threat. The software
is scouring the hard drive, searching for the
trojan/virus/spyware/malware, desperate to
save the computer from damage or ‘death’.
In this respect we are not too different from
these machines – Homo sapiens have a natural
survival instinct, and it seems that computers
do too. All of this should scare us, but perhaps
because none of us seem to plan beyond our
own generation or our children’s, we are doing
nothing about it.
Those who know me well know that I am
a huge fan of the rock band Muse and one
of their new songs contains an appropriate
observation I think: “The fundamental laws
of thermodynamics will place fixed limits
on technological innovation and human
advancement. A species set on endless
growth is unsustainable.” That is what we are
heading towards.
Now that could be interpreted in several
ways. One could say that this refers to overpopulation and the inevitable conflict that will
arise when many people with differing opinions
come into contact. A religious person might
argue, “This is due to our endless quest for
knowledge and the ignorant disobedience
of the teachings of God/Allah/Buddha/
insert-deity’s-name here.” But I believe the
unsustainability of our species will be caused
by humans endlessly trying to ignore the
aspect of the second law that concerns the
limits of technological advance. One theory
is that we have already become slaves to the
machines when previously they were slaves to
us. Humans in all walks of life work tirelessly to
keep machines working perfectly. Computers
require our undivided attention, especially
when they stop working. This is what I call
the Computational Cycle of Doom. Humans
needed jobs doing so they invented computers
to do them. These computers needed humans
to operate them and these humans in turn
had to create new computers to operate the
old computers, which in turn need humans
to operate them, et cetera. The only way to
interrupt the cycle is to create machine selfawareness, and this will lead to the unsavoury
issues I referred to earlier.
The point of the computer was to make
certain tasks possible: mathematical problems
that would either take the average human
far too long to computate or simply required
too much brain power. But now thanks to
the computer, and indeed its offspring the
internet, humans are far more ‘clinically’
knowledgeable than they were 150 years ago.
By using the term ‘clinically knowledgeable’
I am referring not to medicine but to the
type of knowledge itself. It is much more
black and white, less emotive and clinically
clean. Wikipedia is a prime example. The
way the pages are written suggests an almost
clinical way of thinking. Each event, action or
occurrence is documented succinctly. We each
know more useless facts about the universe
than previously. For instance, I ‘Googled’ the
word ‘radio’ and I’m only one click away from
learning that in 1895, Alexander Stepanovich
Popov built his first radio receiver. I have no
idea how this information will ever benefit
me, except perhaps on a difficult gameshow.
Yet I now know this fact. All of our heads are
full of random pieces of information that we
would probably not have garnered had the
computer not been invented; the only way
to previously learn about Mr Popov would
have been to know exactly which book to
search for in a library. The computer has had a
dramatic effect on Britain’s libraries with fewer
and fewer people using them each year. Even
books themselves have changed; I could have
saved a reasonable percentage on the price
of Stieg Larsson’s ‘The Girl with the Dragon
Tattoo’ on Amazon, one of the world’s biggest
online retailers of books, had I purchased the
e-reader version. Yet I decided that I would
rebel against the technological revolution. It’s
not that I’m a Luddite, but I do like owning
a physical object rather than some more
software of endless ones and zeroes. This is
the reason I prefer buying CDs and DVDs to
downloading music and films respectively – it is
my small but individual stand against the rise of
the machines.
Money, sex and power; the three things that
supposedly make the world go round. All three
of those things would be radically different if
the computer hadn’t been invented, although
I’m sure that Babbage and Turing didn’t quite
envisage the second item on the list to be
advanced so much by the computer. Well let’s
talk about money, something that none of us
have enough of, and the other guy has more
than he needs. Money is the single greatest
saviour and evil on earth. Anyone can have
some of it. It may be nowhere near as much
as they need, but at least everyone can own
some money. It just so happens that there are
millions with only a few bucks, and there are
only a few with billions. And the majority of
those billions are held on computers. The stock
markets, all tax records from developed nations
and every bank account record are all held
electronically – a worry if the system crashes or
we face an EMP. Of course logistically holding
every penny you own in cash is difficult and if
the world dealt with everything in cash, income
generated through intercepting the money in a
criminal way would massively exceed the money
actually being traded in business. Fort Knox
currently holds 4,500 metric tonnes of gold,
currently worth around £170 billion. But to hold
that much gold, which takes up a lot less space
than the cash equivalent, Knox (or officially the
US Bullion Depository) needs to be absolutely
111
colossal and is guarded by a 22-tonne vault
door, several layers of electrified fencing and
barbed wire and an Army base opposite. This is
precisely why money is held electronically today
– to build a structure like Fort Knox in today’s
economy is pointless because it would probably
cost the same if not more than the value of its
treasure, so obviously storing it on hard disks
makes fiscal sense. But much more than that:
the computer has revolutionized the way we
spend money – eBay, Amazon, Play.com and so
on; online shopping is now the thing that relieves
the agony of shopping for thousands of people
every day. Studies show that our wallets should
be helped too as we are less likely to impulse
buy what we cannot see or touch.
Therefore as a result of the computer our
wallets become slightly fatter when we shop
online. Unfortunately, so do we. The way
computers now control machinery means
that far fewer people are doing physical jobs:
at factories, in mines, on oil rigs or on ships,
planes or trains. That last example, operating
a train – used to be the preserve of the
strong, hardy and tough. Now, driving a train
involves sitting down and pressing buttons
which are linked to a computer. And it is not
just adults who are becoming “curvy” due to
the computer. Research by Dr Robert Klesges
at the University of Memphis shows that if a
child sits at a computer and just browses a
social networking site, or watches a computercontrolled television, they actually burn fewer
calories than if they were staring at a blank wall
(i.e. doing nothing), and with the truly vast array
of TV channels available (all using computercontrolled satellites) there is now more and
more television available to us, meaning we
are more likely to sit down on the sofa and do
nothing as we mindlessly watch ‘A Chopper
is Born’ on Discovery Turbo, Sky Channel
523 – the number 523 emphasising just how
much television is being pumped into millions of
homes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This is a huge problem. An inadvertent
experiment took place in 1998 in Bhutan. This
small Himalayan kingdom had no television
prior to 1998 and life was relatively simple.
You farmed, milked your yaks, had a round of
archery and then meditated. But 14 years ago
full 27-channel Technicolor was introduced
112
to the people and the effects were shocking.
Suddenly, drug crime existed. Heroine found
its way into the nation’s headlines with
gruesome murders committed as a result
of the drug’s presence. ‘Commercialisation’
entered the Bhutanese dictionary – farmers
were now choosing a certain brand of oil
for their tractors, mothers were buying a
certain type of nappy and teenage girls a
certain brand of skin-whitener. The Bhutanese
government claim that television and the
internet bring knowledge and knowledge brings
empowerment. But give too many people
too much power too quickly and things can
become rapidly nasty.
There is no doubting the ubiquitous and
for the most part positive influence of the
computer. Kidney dialysis is one example.
Without computers patients with failing kidneys
would have no alternative but to wait for a
transplant, and that can take years on the NHS,
an organisation that depends on computers
so much. Marvellous medicines and machines
have been developed using computers and the
result is a healthier and more prolonged life.
In the world of crime-fighting, the computer
has advanced detective work beyond belief
with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
machines used by forensic scientists to analyse
crime scenes. A far cry from the 1970s when
the average policeman was armed with nothing
more than a notebook, bit of common sense
and a pointy helmet. Another obvious benefit
the microchip has provided is the advance in
facilitating communications: even as recently as
Rorke’s Drift, Ypres, the Somme and WWII
the British military used pigeons as postmen,
delivering vital messages to soldiers on the
front line. Of course pigeon delivery had its
problems; pigeons could not read maps nor speak
English, so telling them where to go was tricky.
We’ve learnt now that signals are easier to send
successfully without navigation and targeting
issues. So long distance telephones began to be
used, but messages and conversations were easy
to intercept or eavesdrop upon. Underneath
Whitehall is a private bunker used by the war
time Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his
chiefs of staff. This was where discussions of
highly secretive information took place – Project
Manhattan, the North African conflict, plans
to develop a supersonic aircraft. However, the
Axis scientists managed to tap into the personal
phone Churchill used to call President Roosevelt.
They heard every single word the two leaders
exchanged and subsequently changed tactics to
inflict the maximum damage on the Allies. The
incident brought the dangers of using old copper
wire for covert message transfer to the forefront
of British boffins’ minds. Radio waves required
less actual cable and machinery but again, waves
are easily intercepted.
Satellites are harder to destroy, but getting
them up above 62 miles (the general definition
of the beginning of space) is difficult and was
especially so during the Cold War when the
West and East kept tabs on each other with
high-flying reconnaissance aircraft. Just keeping
them in orbit up makes physicists reach
for the aspirin. Telstar was heralded as the
world’s first satellite and much was made of
it. The Americans, though, exploded a huge
nuclear weapon in the upper atmosphere
and ironically an EMP was produced. This
energized the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belt.
The resulting radiation surge damaged Telstar
which went out of service only 7 months after
launch. Other satellites have not had enough
momentum to keep them in the mesosphere
and have plummeted to Earth whilst others
have lost contact with their masters and
quite literally vanished into outer space.
Anyone who has Sky will also know that on a
particularly stormy day you can lose all signals.
Communication satellites are also big. And by
big I mean they are leviathans. The Goonhilly
Satellite Earth Station on Cornwall’s Lizard
Peninsula is home to Arthur. He’s a satellite
dish that weighs 1,118 tonnes and is 25 metres
in diameter. The basic point is: satellite dishes
are impractical. But mobile communications
technology has come to the rescue here and
no one can deny that this technology has
transformed the lives of most human beings on
the planet – and largely for the best.
But here’s something that should worry you
though. The second you use the internet, your
mobile phone or another device with some
kind of connection to the digital world, your
location can be traced (via those huge satellite
dishes) to within 2 or 3 feet. Great if you’re
an overprotective parent, less great if you’re a
rebellious teenager.
So, to sum up: the computer has very
definitely changed our lives for the better.
Communications, military hardware, transport,
medicine, education, knowledge dispersion,
the list is long. The computer has taken hold
of human development and strapped it to
a Saturn V Rocket. On the other hand, this
progress has been a real challenge for humans
and we haven’t ironed out many of the kinks
yet; it should not be forgotten, therefore, that
this impressive progress has brought with
it significant and worrying threats, for the
computer has created new and devastating
prospects for humanity that may ultimately end
the world. And that’s reality: the computer
may come to bring about mankind’s downfall
be it through massive destruction ordered by
our military leaders, a colossal accident on the
stock market, or simply a revolution in machine
intelligence. The words of Karl Stromberg, the
megalomaniac from The Spy Who Loved Me,
always come to mind whenever I see a piece
of the world’s most advanced tech: “Observe,
Mr Bond, the instruments of Armageddon.”
Yet we only have ourselves to blame for being
imaginative in one direction only. Had Charles
Babbage not invented the computer our lives
would not be anywhere near as advanced and
easy as they now are. But we would remain
on this blue and green spot in space for a lot
longer if he had not invented the computer.
We do not have billions of years left; we shall
not see the sun become a red giant; we will
not see the world melt in high temperatures
and absurdly high levels of radiation. Why not?
Because computers will have killed us all off
before then.
And we are, I claim, in immediate danger
also. I brushed over the subject of Bhutan
but it serves as a salutary lesson: lives can be
ruined thanks to the computer. Humiliation,
persecution, bankruptcy, abuse, death and
exploitation have all been channelled through
the computer age, and this issue of social
disorder is what is urgent, immediate and
worrying. We need to discuss this matter now
and resolve the issues before it is too late.
113
OSWESTRY SCHOOL
PATRON
The Rt Hon The Earl of Powis
GOVERNORS
Chairman: Mr P Wilcox-Jones
Vice-Chairman: Mr T Moore-Bridger,
Mr PM Bracegirdle, Mrs E Channon, Mr P
Evison, Miss BY Gull, Mrs E Hill-Molenaar, Mr
R Morgan, Mrs A Morris, Mr I Payne, Mr MS
Symmonds, Rev SG Thorburn
Bursar and Clerk to the
Governors:
Mr PA Bowd BA, ACA
HEADMASTER: Mr DRK Robb, MA, MEd
ACADEMIC DEPUTY HEAD:
Mr TJ Jefferis, BSc, MSc, PGCE
PASTORAL DEPUTY HEAD:
Ms SA Nancini, BA, PGCE
DIRECTOR OF STUDIES:
Mr TE Watson, BA, BSc, PGCE
REGISTRAR Mrs S Hicklin
HEADS OF YEARS
Mrs JN Meyer BA, PGCE; Mr KD Evans BA,
PGCE; Mr N Derbridge, BSc, GTS; Mrs KL
Lowry BSc, Dip HE, PGCE; Mr D Hollingsworth,
BSc, PGCE; Mrs IJ Chidlow, BA, BEd
ACADEMIC HOUSES
BURNABY Mrs CE Turner
DONNE Mrs IJ Chidlow
OSWALD Ms M Ballespi Cierco
SPOONER Miss LA Jones
BOARDING HOUSES
GUINEVERE Miss LA Jones
HOLBACHE Mr NW Pottinger
SCHOOL HOUSE Mr DP Arnott
SPOONER COTTAGE Miss JM Holloway
TEACHING STAFF
Ms M Ballespi Cierco, BA, PGCE
Mr A Biles-Liddell, MA, PGCE
Mr JRH Cattley, BA, PGCE
Mr DA Chetta, Cert Ed
Mrs IJ Chidlow, BA, BEd
114
Mrs CM Coventry, BSc, PGCE
Mr N Derbridge, BSc, GTS
Mr EA Edwards, BSc, PGCE
Mr KD Evans, BA, PGCE
Mrs S Fensome, BA, PGCE
Mrs CE Hadfield, BEd
Mr AB Heighway, BSc, PGCE
Mr IP Hibbert, BEd
Mr D Hollingsworth, BSc, PGCE
Miss JM Holloway, BSc, PGCE
Miss SE James, BSc with QTS
Mr TJ Jefferis, BSc, MSc, PGCE
Miss JM Johnson, BSc, PGCE
Miss LA Jones, BSc, PGCE
Mr NF Lambkin, BA, MPhil, PGCE
Mr RM Leonard
Mrs KL Lowry, BSc, Dip HE, PGCE
Mrs LJM Martin, BA, PGCE
Mr JS McIntyre, BSc, PGCE
Mrs JN Meyer, BA, PGCE
Mr J Miles
Miss S Moreno Kalashnikova, BA, ESOL, PGCE
Mr MA Morris, BSc, MA, CELTA
Mr AR Mulholland, MA, PGCE
Mrs SC Munford, BA, PGCE
Ms SA Nancini, BA, PGCE
Mr AD Othen, BA, QTS
Rev JG Parry, BA, PGCE, CTM, CELTA
Mrs PA Payne, BA, MA Ed, PGCE
Mr NW Pottinger, BA, FAHE, PGCE
Mrs AR Price, BEd
Mrs EC Renwick, BSc, PGCE, RSA Cert SpLD
Mr DE Ritchie, BA, PGCE
Mrs N Selby, BA, PGCE
Mr JR Squire, BA, PGCE
Mrs LJ Stephens, BEd
Mr CJ Symons, BA, PGCE, ARCO
Mrs E Tureniec-Jordan, MEcon, ACIL
Mrs CE Turner, BA, PGCE
Mrs DV Walters, BSc, PGCE
Mr TE Watson, BA, BSc, PGCE
Mrs A Willis, BEd, PGC Autism & Inclusion
Mrs LM Worthington, BA, PGCE
OSWESTRY SCHOOL BELLAN HOUSE
Mrs K Lentink, BEd (Head of Bellan)
Mrs D Arnold, Cert Ed
Mr MJ Birchwood, BMus, PGCE
Mrs AL Bound, C&G Cert LS, HLTA
Mrs S Edwards, Cert Ed
Mrs A Green, Cert Ed
Miss S Hall, BA with QTS, Cert Reading
Recovery, PGCE SpLD Dyslexia,
PGCE Autism and Inclusion, FRGS
Mrs B Lambourn, BEd, EYPS
Mrs SJ Morris, Cert Ed, ATCL, MIFL
Mrs RJ Rodenhurst, BA, PGCE, CELTA
Miss C Thompson, DDI, PCertLAM
Ms L Williams, BA, PGCE
PREFECTS AND HEADS OF HOUSES
Head Boy and Head Girl:
James McMurray and Elise Fisher
Deputy Head Boy and Deputy
Head Girl:
Charles Yeung and Melany McNeill
Prefects:
Christian Blount-Powell, Robin Edwards,
Ellie Chambers, Katherine Dubrova, Darcie
Farnsworth, Louis Fisher, Daniel Harriman,
Hope Li, Callum Lloyd-Jones, Natalie Makin,
Igor Maleyko, Matthew Masters, Melany
McNeill, Charlie Morris, Feyi Obisesan, Matteo
O’Mahoney, Holly Payne, Sabina Rai, Zain
Rajput, Daniel Renwick, Alice Roberts, Poppy
Sanderson, Tharan Sethi, Natalie Wong,
Charles Yeung
Heads of Houses:
BURNABY (Mrs Turner)
Kateryna Dubrova, Igor Maleyko, Alice Roberts
DONNE (Mrs Chidlow)
Richard Herbert, Natalie Makin, Matthew
Masters
OSWALD (Miss Ballespi)
Christian Blount-Powell, Natalie Wong
SPOONER (Miss LA Jones)
Callum Lloyd-Jones, Holly Payne, Daniel Renwick
115
2013/2014

here - Oswestry School

Transcription

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