Summer 2015 e n i z a g a M e l a V e r o m k c a l B

- n a m r o N e

n Positive Street Art Project a J

A mural depicting the history of has gone of Art and Photography, Mike Fenton-Wilkinson, and as two) through a series of workshops organised by on display in the town. The 18 panel painting on the street artist, Peter Sheridan, has taken nearly two ArtsLink. Lizzie Kingsbury, from wooden fence in the Old Market Car Park was years to produce. Local historian, Katherine Barker, and ArtsLink’s Jennie Loader, have been instrumental officially gifted to the people of Sherborne last provided a wealth of factual information and the in bringing this exciting project to life. Do go along month. The mural, which was designed by our Head mural was painted by the community (some as young and see it, it’s fabulous.

Sports Awards The Gryphon School once again honoured its sporting stars at its annual Sports Awards Evening. Students and staff were joined by Donna Creighton, a member of the British Skeleton Team. Miss Creighton presented the prizes and gave an inspirational talk. Students from all Year Groups were honoured for their achievements both on and off the field. There were awards for all sports from football, rugby, netball and athletics to dance, equestrian, karate and skiing. Students were also recognised for their leadership qualities and for being Sports Leaders.

Chef Scholarship for Gryphon Student Lauryn Neal in Year 11 and John Ireland in Year Miss Creighton spoke about her career. She A Year 11 pupil, Tom Goodall, has secured a 13 were named as the Senior Sports Personalities encouraged the students to ‘never leave a sport Specialised Chef Scholarship at of the Year and Chloe Perham and Oliver Hebbard with regrets, ensure you have given that sport Yarn Bombed! Bournemouth and Poole College. This is a in Year 9, were the Junior Sports Personalities of everything.’ She went on to tell them, ‘It might prestigious three year Advanced Students came into school one day this term the Year. Chris South, our Director of Sport, said, not happen straight away, or on the 2nd, 3rd or Apprenticeship which offers the opportunity to find they had been yarn bombed. When ‘We are very proud of all our young sporting even 4th attempt, but with hard work, focus and to train in all aspects of professional cookery the school Knitting Club had an abundance of talents. It was a wonderful evening and a determination success can happen, never give up to the highest level. The Scholarship is donated wool and old knitting projects given marvellous way to celebrate their achievements.’ on your dreams’. arranged by the Royal of Culinary to them, the members knew just what to do Arts and is managed by The Bournemouth with it – create an up-cycled patchwork and Poole College. Students are sponsored blanket, packed with different colours, by individual hotels and restaurants where Gryphon Arts Festival textures and fibres. Where best to put it for they work during their training including everyone to see? Of course, on a tree in one Claridges, The Ritz, The Dorchester and The Gryphon School held its first ever Arts Festival this of the busiest parts of the school! The yarn Chewton Glen. Because of the high profile of term. We showcased the creative talents of our students bombing was inspired by some Year 8 fabric this course the competition for places is over three evenings in early July. Parents and students construction homework and the Knitting Club fierce and with only a 30 student intake Tom were able to visit the Art & Design Exhibition, see Drama staff members took about a month to each has done incredibly well to be offered a and Dance performances and attend Music events, including knit squares and rectangles which they place. Tom has been attending the Junior ensemble and solo performances and a performance from stitched together to fit the measurements of Chefs Academy at the college and achieved our Big Band. the birch tree in the School’s first quad. The second place in their ‘Masterchef’ style final surprise, which also included a decorated with his Chocolate Fondant dessert. He The Drama Department’s GCSE and A level students rubbish bin, certainly brightened the place works at the Rose and Crown in Trent, where performed some of their exam pieces and KS3 drama up and put a smile on everyone’s face as well ex-Gryphon pupil Marcus Wilcox is Head students’ put on a production of ‘Our Teacher’s a Troll’ by as allowing students to explore textiles Chef. Tom has been an enthusiastic and Dennis Kelly. Visitors were also able to hear music outside of the classroom. dedicated Catering pupil at the Gryphon. students’ exam compositions as well as seeing the many Jenny Salmon – Head of Textiles We are delighted that his commitment has live performances. paid off. Sally Baxter – Design and Technology www .gryphon . .sch .uk iGryphon Mobile App Out Now! iGryphon, the official mobile app of The Gryphon School has been released and is available for students now. Once downloaded, students can log in using their normal school details and access a range of vital information. The app allows students to read notices posted by their Mindful Matters teachers, access their lesson resources and homework tasks via iLesson, check their A recent article in Time magazine looked at timetable through ePortal, contact their why some people are able to ‘bounce back’ teachers and classmates through our email from traumatic events more easily than others. system, and all whilst on the go! It noted that some people have better resilience to stressful events than others and In addition to these exciting benefits, the that Mindfulness meditation can help to build iGryphon app comes with Office 365 Salters’ Festival included. Office 365 entitles each and that ability to cope. It has been used in the US Marines where it was found that personnel every one of our students to the Microsoft who had taken a Mindfulness meditation Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint course had less emotional reactivity to mock and Excel, as well as access to Microsoft’s of Chemistry cloud storage solution, OneDrive. This can ambush situations and were able to recover more rapidly than those who did not. A group be downloaded via the iGryphon app and Four of our Year 8 students spent a day at the grounds, the team took part in the ‘Tardis of championship BMX riders were also taught installed onto a range of mobile devices, University of Bath Chemistry Department challenge’. They were racing against time to Mindfulness. They performed much better at as well as Windows and Apple based taking part in the annual Salters’ Chemistry develop a highly precise cooling agent, again the next major competition, taking gold, silver laptops and desktop computers, or used Festival. The students, Rachel Munn, Will using all their practical scientific skills and and bronze whereas in a previous equivalent installation free via the cloud. Oswald, Frederick Stone and Angelina Raja knowledge. Alongside their scientific ability competition they had not been placed at all. Vijayasenan were set a number of practical the students were also judged on safe working To download the free iGryphon app simply As well as behaving with better stress challenges in the laboratories. The team, who practice and team-work. visit the Google Play Store or Apple’s resilience they also reported feeling less were competing against ten other schools iTunes. A Windows phone version of the anxious. At The Gryphon we have been doing All four students thoroughly enjoyed the day from across the South-West, came away with application is on its way, as is a version for work with our students, helping them develop and gained valuable experience working in a third prize, winning a valuable set of Molymod parents. A desktop version of the app is coping strategies for stressful situations such university laboratory. The visit was finished for the School. also available to students without a as exams (but hopefully never ambush off with a fun ‘pops and bangs’ lecture mobile device at: situations). As awareness of Mindfulness The morning was spent on a forensic science delivered by two of the University’s Chemistry http://intranet.gryphon.dorset.sch.uk. grows it is good to know that what we are task where they performed a number of professors which was an explosion of colour working on here at The Gryphon has not gone chemical tests to identify the suspect of a and light. If you require any help or support in unnoticed. The Mindfulness in Schools Project crime. After lunch and a tour of the University Teresa Bramley - Science downloading the app simply visit the (MiSP) asked if the School could host a iHub, recently set up outside the Careers Mindfulness Awareness morning. Office in the LRC. Run by Miss Roslund- Representatives of more than 20 schools in Dementia Action Alliance Gustavsson in conjunction with our the area came to see how we implement Student Digital Leaders, the iHub is the Mindfulness here. Members of staff and home of Bring Your Own Device Support students described their experience of launched in Sherborne and can assist you with any issues that you Mindfulness and how it has helped them in experience in using your own device at front of the assembled guests. MiSP is the school. main organisation in this country for promoting mindfulness in schools and its founder, Richard Burnett, can often be found Homework on TV or the radio explaining his work. Jem Shackleford - Mindfulness Facilitator Moving Online from September Over the last year the school has been trialling the use of iLesson, our Virtual Learning Environment, to set homework A group which aims to raise awareness of dementia has been launched in Sherborne. The activities online. This allows students to Dear Parents, Sherborne and District Dementia Alliance was inspired after Gryphon students took part in the access the task description and any We know mental health problems are more Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge for Schools. The students, working with Mrs Lizzie support materials instantly, to message common than a lot of people think – one in Kingsbury, who is the driving force behind the venture, helped sign up local businesses and and receive additional support from their ten young people will experience mental organisations as a first step in establishing a ‘dementia friendly’ community in Sherborne. More teacher, and to receive reminders when a health problems by the age of 16. That’s why than 100 people attended the launch event in last month. The aim of the due date is approaching. All of the we think that it’s important to talk about group is to raise awareness of the condition and empower people with dementia to prevent homework activities are then collated into mental health. By being more open about feelings of isolation. It will also promote opportunities for people with dementia and for their students’ personalised digital diaries, mental health we can help people know families and carers in a bid to help them live more inclusive lives in the community. without the need for them to accurately they’re not alone, and start to take the taboo record homework tasks in their planners. out of something that affects us all. That’s The reaction to this trial from both why we’ve decided to support the Time to students and teachers has been incredibly Change campaign in our school. Time to positive and from September all Change is England’s biggest programme to homework tasks will be set online using end the stigma and discrimination faced by iLesson. In addition, in September parents people with mental health problems. The and guardians will be provided with their programme is run by the charities Mind and own iLesson login details. This will allow Rethink Mental Illness and funded by the you to login and check the homework Department of Health, Comic Relief, and the tasks currently assigned to your son or Big Lottery Fund. To help us, Time to Change daughter, to see whether they have been has provided resources to support parents / Holocaust Memorial Day 2015 completed or not, and in some cases see guardians, including 10 top tips for talking the mark received. To help students who about the topic of mental health. We will be At the end of last term Year 9 marked The Gryphon School’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day by do not own a personal device capable of holding a Parents’ Evening on Wednesday welcoming Holocaust survivor Henry Schachter to share his testimony. Mr Schachter survived the accessing iLesson, every Year Group will 23 September where this important area in Holocaust by being fostered, aged 5, by a Catholic family in Belgium. His parents both died; his be running a homework club in an IT room maintaining the health of young people will father on a death march and his mother in Bergen-Belsen. Mr Schachter’s presentation was on at least three lunchtimes a week from be discussed. Information regarding the work followed by a question and answer session to enable students to understand better the nature of September. In addition to this, TRAX, our on Mindfulness that is carried out in the the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth. He was joined by Mr William Bergman, after school homework club, takes place in School will also form part of the evening and who gave his testimony for the first time to Gryphon students. Mr Bergman showed students his IT3 after school. Your son/daughter will you will have the chance to ask questions. own death warrant which somehow the Nazis had forgotten to destroy. The visit was part of the receive a letter outlining all of their IT Please put this date in your diary now! Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all year round Outreach Programme, which is available to access opportunities during the first week Jackie Brighouse – Head of Health and Social Care schools across the UK. back in September. Jem Shackleford – Mindfulness Facilitator Anna Louise Griffiths – Second in RE Matt Doble - Computing

2 Business and Enterprise Day happens in June every year with staff and students all off timetable for the day. The day

y focuses on students developing a range d of enterprise skills such as working as part of a team, thinking outside of the box and communication and

a negotiation skills which are crucial n during their school life and for their future. Each Year Group focuses on a different activity for the day, as shown below: a D

YEAR 7 Year 7 students were inspired and captivated by making a difference in the community. the Movie Maker Day that was delivered by The Sherborne in Bloom team were busy CragRats. Teams of students developed their own planting and digging, those in primary schools

s movie idea which included making a trailer, acting and nurseries helping out in classrooms and up- out a scene from their movie and character keeping outside areas too and some students e profiling. The eventual winner was a team called volunteered at Stourhead and Yeovil Country #so awkward - well done to the team from 7HBY! Park. I have heard nothing but positive comments s Their movie idea revolved around the idea that from our Year 9 students and they all seemed to hard work at school pays off. s enjoy their day. Those they worked with have also been full of praise, describing students as a credit presentation. In the afternoon session, a selection After the event James Merry, the Lead Tutor of to the School and their families. of teams was asked to present to their peers and

i CragRats, said ‘This was an amazing Moviemaker

e the judging panel decided that the team who Day at The Gryphon which is always a highlight of ART PROJECT designed ‘Feu du cirque’ (Madness of the Circus) the year and the students’ passion and enthusiasm To commemorate the 10 year anniversary of The was the winning team. One judge commented that r for the tasks was so energising to see.’ Little Gryphons Nursery, a group of Year 9 students their concept was unique, their presentation well- were also involved in producing a piece of art work rehearsed and that they were confident presenters.

n to display at the Nursery. Each student painted an Well done! Kelly Hodges – Business YEAR 8 image of an animal (representing the key groups at An influx of visitors from a wide array of careers the Nursery) onto a canvas all of which are going to i p joined Year 8 for what was an amazing day. From be mounted together and displayed within the Motorsport Engineering to Web Design, Farming Nursery. I’m sure the staff and children at The Little Joint Primary and Agriculture and Photography, Mrs Lizzie Gryphons will love it.

r Kingsbury arranged for an expansive range of local s Schools Concert business people to partake in our Career Shop. TEXTILES PROJECT Earlier this term we held our second highly Throughout the day students undertook three Another group of Year 9 students were involved in successful Joint Primary Schools Concert at workshops learning about the skills needed for up-cycling old clothes to make a window display The Gryphon School. This was a culminating three careers of their choice from the 27 available. for the Sue Ryder Charity Shop in Sherborne. The e Helen Lacey from RedBerry Recruitment spoke to event showcasing both vocal and u Charity Shop provided some bags of old jeans and instrumental work rehearsed and learned the whole Year Group about the skills employers t-shirts and the nine students involved turned over two terms by a range of students in look for and how to create the best possible them into something else! Staff and students are t seven of our local Primary schools (Abbey, impression for potential employers. very much looking forward to creating the window Sherborne County, Trent, Yetminster, Bradford display and if you are passing by, do stop to have a Students were hugely positive about the day, Abbas, Bishops Caundle and Buckland

B look at their creations. saying ‘The speakers were inspirational’ and ‘The Newton). Our thanks to Stacey Hobday for workshops were very interesting and I got a lot out her enthusiasm and vocal brilliance in n of them.’ Who knows, maybe we have a budding leading the combined schools choir for the Author/Illustrator or Graphic Designer in our midst! YEAR 10 SingUp project this year, and to Dorset Music The National Enterprise Challenge team delivered Service for their financial support. an engaging day to the whole of Year 10. Teams of

E YEAR 9 students created a new ride for a theme park, Val Mizen also led various combinations of All Year 9 students once again took part in focusing on a target market of their choice. They Primary Schools in singing and in Community Volunteering for the day at primary had to stick to a budget and come up with a unique performances of Samba and Blues. A massive schools, nursing homes, nurseries and selling point as part of the challenge. The Sports thank you to all the Primary School staff for environmental placements, amongst others. The Hall was a hive of activity and there was a real buzz their help and support in the arrangements day was a roaring success with Year 9 students as teams discussed their ideas and formulated a and success of this event.

3 Students raise over £8,000 for Charity We are very proud to announce that we have raised over £8000 in the past school year for local, national and international charities. The causes we have supported range from Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance to Young Epilepsy to Oxfam to name but a few! Our Ten Tors students have shown a huge amount of initiative in their fundraising efforts; they Challenge have held a Summer Fayre and made an attempt on the Human Dominoes world record as well as the usual cake stalls, raffles and sponsored events. As usual Year Teams have chosen their own charities to support and the School Council has decided which charities benefit from our termly non-uniform days. Supporting our community in this way is very important to us and we always ensure that students learn about the causes they are working for and the vital work that they do. Computing & ICT Nicki Edwards – Deputy Headteacher trip to Thorpe Park June saw approximately 50 Year 9 students from the school take a trip to The Gryphon School entered two teams into this year’s Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor run by Thorpe Park to examine how the 1st Artillery Brigade. The twelve Gryphon students who took part have been training hard since attraction makes use of Computing and September. The challenging weekend tests students’ navigation, endurance and teamwork over ICT. Students took part in a Thrills three different distances. Only 80 per cent of teams who start finish the event. Workshop where they were shown how Programmable Logic Controllers are used The Year 10 and Year 13 students who Steve Hillier, Headteacher, said, ‘This is a to control the rides, how modelling participated learnt navigational skills, first aid famously arduous and challenging event and systems are used to ascertain the amount and the importance of teamwork as well as we are immensely proud of all the students of G-force a rider feels when designing a undertaking gruelling training walks around who trained so hard and who took part. Our Daisy Baxter in Year 11 has secured a ride and what operating systems are used Mere Down, Cheddar Gorge and Dartmoor. thanks also go to The Gryphon staff who made place at The Somerset Performing Arts on the rides (from Windows XP to The Gryphon Teams benefitted from the help it possible by helping and supporting them.’ Centre for Education (the SPACE) for her bespoke software). Students learnt how and experience of which Sixth Form studies. The SPACE is a every ride is run with two computers (one regularly enters teams. The help of its staff purpose built state-of-the-art facility for providing the back-up) and the amount of was invaluable both during training and with theatre training and students perform proximity sensors and lasers used backup logistics. Volunteers regularly in the Tacchi Morris theatre on throughout the Park, runs into the site. Daisy danced and acted her way Hopes were high for the team from Year 10, Needed thousands. The sensors are used to gain through a two day workshop to gain a attempting the 35 mile bronze route, and the The school is looking for parent volunteers data that can be analysed on the coveted place on the Performing Arts team from Year 13 tackling the 55 mile route. to create a pool to help train students computers such as the amount of water to course. A member of Yeovil Youth Theatre, The first day dawned wet and windy as both undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Awards spray at riders, the temperature of the Daisy has performed in Cats, The Addams teams prepared to pit themselves against and the Ten Tors Challenge. No skills are track, the weight and speed of the cars Family and Grease at The Octagon. She Dartmoor, the weather and the distances. necessary although a desire to help young and at what point in the ride to take your has taken part in several school Thankfully the weather brightened up and the people develop and a love of walking is picture! The computers also have data on productions and has represented The Year 10 team completed the 35 mile route desirable. queue times and people movement Gryphon in the Rock Challenge dance easily coming home nearly five hours inside Full training will be given. Contact throughout the Park. Students were also competition for the past three years. Well the limit. Sadly, despite trying valiantly, the [email protected] for set the challenge to work out the ride done Daisy – we will look for your name in Year 13 team failed to make the cut-off times details. algorithm for the safe execution of a ride lights soon! and were ‘crashed out’ by the organisers. as they went around the Park. The Park is still working towards becoming the first completely queue less theme parks in the country through the use of Wi-Fi and smartphone technologies. It was an amazing day and the students had a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how computing is applied to real world situations rather than simply theory in the classroom. Nigel White – Head of Computing

German Exchange I was on the German Exchange last year and so knew what to expect but this time I looked after two German girls instead of one. The Woodturning Club German partners all spoke extremely good English so most of the It has been my great pleasure to teach time it was like having a prolonged sleepover with two friends. Both woodturning to Year 7 students this year. Mrs girls were very nice and even brought presents for me and my family. Sally Baxter suggested the lunchtime club While they were staying we went out and did lots of fun activities. In after seeing a pen turned by my daughter Amy order to make sure they got a good feel for English culture we ate and Mr Marcel Dal Din took on the mantle of lots of English food, such as roasts and apple crumble and took them to historic towns like Bath and Lyme Regis. We spent the weekend shopping overseer and introduced me to the School’s and sightseeing and I discovered lots of interesting things about German culture that I didn’t know beforehand. I found the experience incredibly workshop. The children started by making enjoyable and I would strongly advise that if you have the opportunity to take part in the German Exchange, even if you are only having a German partner to stay, that you do so. candle sticks to get used to the tools and Caroline Hawkins – Year 10 lathe. We progressed to turning pens out of purple heart wood and have just finished turning a set of skittles and balls. We are Achievement award for Gryphon student ending an enjoyable year by the children Gryphon School student, Ben Norman, who is in Year 11, has been recognised as the ‘Most Improved Student’ for his hard work at the North exploring their creativity to turn a curio or Dorset Technical College in Shaftesbury. Ben, who is a Performing Engineering Operations pupil, received his award at a ceremony in object of their own design. Shaftesbury earlier this term. Chris Mason – Woodturning Club

4 Journey to Central St Martins I was on my knees in my school library, delving into the fashion section. I was pretty tuned in to the world of fashion designers, but something struck me as I flicked through the pages dedicated to the likes of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo. An Art College called Central Saint Martins kept popping up, making appearance after appearance across each fashion designer profile.

From the age of 8 I would draw mini designs I was determined to finish my portfolio before in paper books inspired by the fashion shows my interview date in February 2015. I’m a on Blue Peter. I loved the idea of designing, perfectionist, and I couldn’t settle for my but I never imagined it being a career. I didn’t current work, I wanted to show them my Gryphon student realise this could be a job or that you could passion for Art and Design by including work I take it further in education. My love for completed for myself as well as my A2. I was wins prize in garment construction and GCSE textiles up early sitting on my bed in an EasyHotel opened my eyes to the possibility of a job in still finishing off one of my sketchbooks an national poetry the fashion world, whether as a fashion hour before we got on the tube! We were told stylist, a journalist or a buyer. to put our portfolios in a studio at CSM and competition return in 7 hours. That was it. No feedback, no It was always the designer I wanted to be and communication. A Year 13 student has won a prize in a knowing that most successful fashion prestigious national poetry competition. designers studied at Central Saint Martins, I A month later I hadn’t heard anything but Matt Ward was commended in the set my sights on getting in. I realized that a on 30 March, I was on a bus home from Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. place at the world renowned Fashion Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty at the The theme was Cells and attracted entries Department grants you a platform to success V&A. The exhibition was incredible and the ranging from biological cells to prison and recognition. It’s the Oxbridge of the art museum is a stones’ throw from CSM, I was cells, monastery cells to computer cells. world. I fell into the state of wanting to go feeling pretty discouraged, but there was a Matt’s poem, Purblind, was one of only six there so much that I had severe anxiety and seed of hope still there. With 3% battery left winners chosen from 727 entrants self-doubt in my ability. on my phone, I got an email announcing that I representing 425 schools. Matt was had got into the Fashion Foundation! I just sat presented with his £250 prize at a In Year 12, I applied to the Fashion on the coach and cried, probably much to the reception in Christ Church, Oxford. He Foundation course, requiring an A2 portfolio amusement of the other travellers on the was delighted to be chosen as a winner of the best pieces of my work. CSM look at coach. and said ‘Competitions like the 2500 portfolios and accept only 350 UK Christopher Tower Poetry Prize are a students onto the course and to top this It was a joy to be able to tell my parents, Ella really great way to motivate your creative pressure off, the university were so vague Amazing Art destinations and my Art teachers. What made it even writing and a chance, if you win, to get about what they wanted in the portfolio - I better was that Boo Walters from the other A2 some insightful feedback from We recently received the brilliant news was living in the dark for about a year. Art class at The Gryphon also got onto the professional writers. The topics set by that three of our Year 13 Art students had However, I was mentored throughout the course. With 3000 applicants this year, more these competitions to base your ideas secured places at world renowned Art process by the fantastic Art Department we than ever before, and the course being cut around are also excellent as a source of education establishments. Rhiannon have at The Gryphon and by ex-fashion down at the last minute to 150 places, it’s just inspiration for your writing and a sense of Davies and Boo Walters will undertake designer and family friend – Ella Oxford who incredible that two students from this challenge, which makes having your work the Fashion Foundation Course at the attended CSM in the 1980s (the year above fantastic Sixth Form have achieved this! recognised all the more rewarding.’ prestigious Central St Martins, London John Galliano). She knew exactly what they and Hannah Judge will study at the Matt’s tutor, Mrs Linda Mumford, added, wouldn’t want and gave me some cut-throat I’m just so thankful and excited for next year. Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. ‘We are all very proud of Matt’s but honest advice about certain pieces in my The future is unpredictable, but I know that Our best wishes go to all of our talented achievement. He is a talented writer of portfolio. I discovered throughout the process everything happens for a reason, and that Art & Photography students embarking prose fiction as well as poetry – watch out of putting it together that experimental there are great blessings in store for me. I upon the next stages of their creative for his name in the future!’ textiles were my strength. I grew my own can’t wait to embrace the challenges and development. fabric out of bacteria for my last project, and opportunities with open arms. All the winning entries can be seen on the Mike Fenton-Wilkinson did strange things like molding stamps in Head of Art & Photography Rhiannon Davies – Year 13 Tower Poetry website where the talented between plastic bags. young authors read their own poems. www.towerpoetry.org.uk

Personal Training at the Sports Centre For those of you who use the Fitness Suite Year 11 Leaving Day after school, and are looking for a little Once again the last day before the May Half Sports Hall for fun on bouncy castles followed There was a fantastic atmosphere all day and purpose or a change of direction ask us about Term was a special one as it was the last day by a BBQ. The bouncy castles were a great hit once again Year 11 were a credit to the personal training. Our rates are £25 an hour so of school for Year 11. They were going on with many of the students letting their hair School. It was a poignant day for me as you could group together and spread the cost study leave and then, for some, moving on to down and rediscovering their inner child! another Year Group comes to an end and the of our qualified instructors. Or take out our continue their education elsewhere. The day After lunch everybody tidied themselves up students move on to new things and fresh special membership of only £32.50 for started with an English Literature exam but for a final Assembly in Quarr Hall. It was a challenges. They are a wonderful group of unlimited use of the Fitness Suite and two 30 once this was over the celebrations really lovely event where personal statements were young people and we all wish them every minute personal training sessions. Contact the began. Students said goodbye to their tutors given out and students remember the last five success in the future. Centre for more details. and continued The Gryphon tradition of years of their school career with the help of a Steve Fox – Head of Year 11 signing polo shirts before heading to the few photos from the past! Over the summer holidays the Fitness Suite is open all day from 8.30am, and it’s just £3 a session or £17 for 30 days unlimited use. Exeter Maths School There is also our very popular children’s holiday activities throughout the summer Congratulations to Lewis Day, Rowan Preston, Oliver Tucker and Gabryel Mason- Williams who have been offered from 8.30-5.30pm for only £15.50 places as weekly boarders at the prestigious Exeter Mathematics School. Exeter Mathematics School is a Sixth Form a day or £62 for the week, check out school that is jointly sponsored by the University of Exeter and Exeter College. It has been created to meet the needs www.dorsetforyou.com/gryphon-sports-centre of able Mathematics students throughout the South West. for more information. Robin Prince – Maths

5 Where are they now?

Since its launch last term many past students have been signing up to our new Alumni Database and telling Aus what they are dLoing now. We Ulove to hear their storMies so if you know of any fNormer pupils who haveI yet to make contact please tell them to go to http://www.thegryphonalumni.co.uk where you can also see the stories of those who have already let us know about their lives after The Gryphon. Current pupils find it enormously inspiring to hear about the successes of their predecessors and keeping in touch enables the School to tell former pupils what is going on at the School now and to inform them about future events.

n s t nsins Alex Redma Elly Robert Jessica Scot Jo Cou

I graduated from the University of Surrey with I left The Gryphon after Sixth Form in 2010. I I graduated as a Dentist from The University of Having started university in the October after I a 2:1 in Business Economics and an award for then followed my passion for the arts and Bristol in June 2014. By far the best experience left The Gryphon, my first year at Oxford was Best Overall Student on my course. While at studied Photography at Falmouth University in of this five year course was my dental elective, spent studying topics I would be examined on university, I joined the Swimming and Water Cornwall, graduating in 2013. In early 2014 I in which I spent three weeks volunteering at a in the first-year exams. This involved a number Polo Club and was Water Polo President in my was fortunate to be given the opportunity to children’s hospital in Cambodia. This was an of aspects within music, such as music history final year. Since university, I have been a volunteer with the government scheme opportunity to provide pain relieving dental and technical writing. Now I am in my second Business Analyst for a debt collection company International Citizen Service (ICS). I worked treatment to hundreds of Cambodian children, year, the work I am doing is all in preparation but am now on a three year graduate scheme specifically with the sustainable development many of whom live in poverty. I learned a great for the final examinations for my degree and it with St James’s Place Wealth Management. charity Raleigh International. My placement deal during this time, both personally and has stepped up a level both in amount and in As part of this I am studying towards a Masters with Raleigh was in India, a country which had professionally. A reflective account of my difficulty. During my time here so far I have in Wealth Management at Loughborough seven years previously vividly captured my experience can be read on the young dentist been involved in many different musical University. Part of my current role is working interest whilst on a school trip with The website: http://www.theyoungdentist.com ensembles, including playing viola in with the Finance Projects Team to implement Gryphon. During my time in India I lived and /uk/volunteer/articles/729-dental- orchestras, plays, operas, and my college string an Enterprise Resource Planning system across worked alongside local volunteers in a small volunteering-abroad-a-reflection . quartet, and singing in my college chapel choir. the business. This is a software system that and under-developed village. Our aims were to I am currently working as a Dentist in Outside music I currently play in my college’s automates and integrates the core internal provide much needed education to the Amesbury, Wiltshire whilst working towards women’s badminton team, and participated in business functions of an organisation, provides community as a whole, focusing primarily on further postgraduate qualifications with a view a student consultancy programme last term. a single source for all company data and allows basic health and sanitation issues. Since my to specialise in the future. In November 2015 I With plenty of social events happening for greater efficiencies in planning and time in India, sustainability and the will be returning to Cambodia with the charity throughout term there are many opportunities analysis, transaction processing and reporting. environment have become keen interests of ‘Dentaid’, to volunteer my dental skills in to balance out the full-on workload. ‘My time at the Gryphon School was very mine alongside further travelling. prisons, schools and orphanages. I ran the memorable, my teachers’ enthusiasm for the `’I always found The Gryphon to be upbeat, London marathon to help raise funds for this subject had a huge impact on my learning and encouraging students to be ready to embrace trip. I accredit them with my progress and success the new.’ ‘The Gryphon is an incredibly supportive at work.’ and encouraging network of people, who helped shape the first steps of my career.’

Max Harding d Jobbins After leaving Sixth Form, I went to study ine Awa Freddie International and European Law at The Hague Christ University in The Netherlands. The course is in I left The Gryphon Sixth Form in 2011 and went emmons English, but there are students from over 60 I left The Gryphon School four years ago. Since on to study Politics and Philosophy at the Laura S different nations, and they provide learning then, I have been studying Dentistry at the University of Southampton. I became involved experience about countries of which I was University of Birmingham. Dentistry as a course in student journalism and was the founding I attended The Gryphon School from Year 7 and previously ignorant, as well as being great has been really good, as it literally lets me have editor of the University’s first satirical left in 2013 having studied Geography, Classics people. I am currently living with four a feel for what working as a dentist is all about. newspaper (the Southampton Spectacle). In (Ancient History) and Applied Business for A Bulgarians, two Chinese people, a Latvian, an Treating patients has taught me lots, not just 2014, I won my first short story writing prize, Level. During my time at The Gryphon, I took Italian-American, a Russian and another Briton. about teeth and diseases, but also about being became a regular contributor to Southampton’s up many responsibilities, including being a I can safely say that my university life is never professional, caring and empathetic in Wessex Scene student news site and was Year 11 and Year 13 prefect. After my A Levels dull, and it has completely fulfilled the everything I do. I also had an amazing shortlisted for Guardian Student Columnist of I went to Swansea University where I am international experience I was looking for. I do opportunity to get involved with the HCPT the Year. In 2015, I was the writer who currently studying Geography, focusing on miss England, but it’s close enough for me to charity. This charity takes children with launched the Hippo Collective’s blogging Physical Geography. At university I am both a visit fairly regularly and see the friends I’ve disabilities to Lourdes for a week, giving the pages. I am currently studying a part-time MA member of the Geography Society and Dance made whilst at The Gryphon . children a fun filled holiday and allowing their in Creative Writing at Southampton and Society. When I graduate, I am hoping to take a ‘I have very fond memories of The Gryphon’ families to have respite. The helpers in each working part-time in The Gryphon School Post Graduate Certificate in Education in team fund their own expenses and raise money Library. It’s wonderful to be back at The Geography. for each child. It was such an amazing Gryphon and I’m enjoying myself immensely. ‘Some of my happiest memories are from experience to see the children having a great ‘The Gryphon had (and still has) a strong when I was at The Gryphon and the staff are so time and full of smiles and laughter. personality. It is a vibrant community that supportive’ 'The Gryphon School is a harbour of highly brings out the very best in its students.’ talented teachers, who not only deliver premium quality teaching, but also go above and beyond for each student.' 6 Where are they now?

Copyright Nigel Andrews 2015: http://bit.ly/1J32tzs Mission to Rwanda SixSixth Form tstudent Lauhra Skerritt was co mmissFioned by Sherboorne Literary Fesrtival to cream te a visual interpretation This summer, eight students from The of the Festival’s slogan, For Lovers of Good Books and Creative Expression. ‘Laura has done a great job, and the Gryphon Sixth Form will be joining eight photo shoot was huge fun’, says the Festival’s Schools/Youth Events Coordinator, Lucy Beney. ‘It is a very students from Sherborne Girls to undertake a imaginative interpretation, which we hope will encourage students to come to this year’s Festival and discover the joint mission to Rwanda, organised by The joys of reading and writing’. Laura’s photos are being used on social media and in other publicity to promote the Amakuru Trust. The students have raised over Festival, which this year will run from 14 -18 October. It will include a full programme of events for children and £5000 to pay for the opportunity to young people, once again based at The Gryphon. Laura will begin a Foundation Degree in Fine Art at Yeovil College experience this diverse and engaging cultural this autumn. experience. They will be teaching in Rwandan schools and working with a street project to support young people affected by poverty and deprivation. The students will also be visiting memorial sites in order to pay their respects and learn more about the victims and horror of the Rwandan genocide. As part of this experience, students will then spend time after the trip raising awareness of the ins Amakuru Trust, the charity who support this Jo Couns amazing project and disseminating their experience to a variety of audiences in the A very tongue in cheek take off of East 17’s version of the local area. ‘Stay another Day’ performed by Year 13 tutors was one of the highlight of this year’s Year 13 Leavers’ Assembly. We would like to say a massive thank you to Sophie Webster who also produced a short video of each Year 13 Tutor Groups’ workshops covering ‘what employers want’, CV writing and interview skills individual farewells and tutor comments. The event also run by a representative of Inside Knowledge. Representatives of Cardiff included a mixture of serious, and not so serious, awards and a University and Cardiff Metropolitan University as well as JP Morgan, BAE BBQ lunch. After exams our Year 13 students enjoyed a Systems and Waitrose also provided students with information about a range spectacular Leavers’ Ball, which for a second year running was of opportunities in HE, training and employment. We were delighted that for held at the George Albert Hotel near Evershot. The Ball, the second year running Dr Richard Harvey, Professor at the School of our largest to date, included pastel vintage style floral Computing Sciences, University of East Anglia spoke to all Year 12 students arrangements, champagne reception, two course meal and planning on going to University. Dr Harvey, who was educated at Foster’s disco. A huge thank you to the Ball Committee for organising School in Sherborne, is Academic Director for Admissions at the University. If you would like to donate to this worthy this wonderful event and particularly to James Matthews and cause or find out more, please see the Christian Jones who were our star DJs for the evening. Year 12 As I am stepping down as Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for Sixth following link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving. students had the opportunity to crystallise their future plans Form at the end of this term this will be my final newsletter. It has been a com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/show in our Progression Day in June. Whilst students planning to huge privilege and pleasure to work with so many fantastic colleagues, FundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=grypho move on to university registered for the 2016 UCAS cycle and supportive parents and, above all, wonderful students over the last 10 years. nandsherbornegirls&isTeam=true were supported in a personal statement writing workshop, our Reading stories from past students who have signed up to our alumni fills me Jen Jacklin – Head of Year 13 non-UCAS students attended a comprehensive programme of with immense pride and I like to think that their time in the Sixth Form may have played a small but important part in their successes. I shall be handing over the reins to Mrs Philippa Huggins, our current Deputy Head of Sixth Form, and shall be returning in September on a part-time basis supporting Higher Education progression. Jane Tutton – Head of Sixth Form

Gryphon School students honoured by Sherborne Rotary Club Two Sixth Form students have been rding awarded Aubrey Allen Leadership Max Ha Awards by the town’s Rotary Club. Both students were recognised for making an outstanding contribution to their school and the local community. Emily Hall and Arthur Morris are both in Year 13. Their Head of Year, Jen Jacklin, said there could Lessons from Auschwitz be no worthier winners. Following a Holocaust Educational Trust seminar from Zigi Shipper, a survivor from Auschwitz, and discussion about Both students have taken on important responsibilities at The Gryphon our expectations of what we would find, feel and think about our experience in Poland, we set out on a truly including being Peer Mentors and Paired Readers supporting younger enlightening experience. Our first stop was at the Jewish cemetery in Oswiecim which was desecrated during the students. Emily has also volunteered at Abbey View Nursing Home and Nazi occupation and where the tombstones have been restored by those living in the town since. This helped our been a member of the student panel for the Friends of Yeatman Hospital. understanding of the effect of the Holocaust on the town and showed the stark contrast between then and now. She hopes to study Medicine at Southampton starting in September. The camp at Auschwitz seemed to breathe the efficient ruthlessness of the Nazis. This was reflected in the shocked silence within the group and the heavy and cruel ethos that the histories of the buildings carry. We felt our Arthur has been a Lead Prefect and a diligent member of the School emotional energy drain when at Auschwitz-Birkenau the horrors of the age were explored and we discussed the Council and a Student Governor committed to helping improve the School effects on all those involved. In the closing ceremony of the day we reflected on what we had learnt and what we and articulately representing his fellow students. Arthur plans to take a can teach. A follow up seminar and talk in Exeter brought together our thoughts about conveying messages and gap year and to apply to read Medicine in 2016. sharing our unique experiences. The lessons led by the Holocaust Educational Trust and our visit to Auschwitz were truly life-changing and will remain with us forever. We will, together with the other students who attended Steve Hillier, Headteacher, said, ‘Emily and Arthur are both outstanding the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, use this to spread a message of tolerance and acceptance in the hope that members of the community and their commitment to helping others is an persecution is eradicated from society. inspiration to us all.’ David Roberts and Gabrielle Dryden – Year 12

7 Sport Student Focus Representing Team GB In her first year of competition Amy Northam, who is in Year 7, has made the qualifying time to represent the GBR Biathle squad in Portugal on the 18 July in a world tour event. Biathle is a continuous race that involves a run, then a swim (this time in the Atlantic Ocean) and then, trainers swiftly back on, another run to the finish. She will be one of the youngest competitors in the age bracket by up to two years. On Sports Day 2015 returning from Portugal she will then head up to Salford to compete in the National Biathle competition at Salford Quays in early August. This is another qualifying event as well as the In another battle against the elements this year’s Gryphon Games took place on the last Friday fourth race in the GB series which concludes with the sixth race in Weymouth at the beginning of in June. The event is all about mass participation with a whole school approach to sport, which September. involves all pupils and all staff at the school. On the day there were more than thirty different activities going on at the same time. Pupils in Years 7-10 were competing against each other in Girls’ Sport their Tutor Groups with the Sixth Form helping staff with the running of the events. These ranged from traditional activities like the 100m and football, to the less common such as Girls’ Sport this year brought about some cycling and classroom games. fantastic results. Year 7 teams finished the Triple Crown winners having won the Yeovil This fully inclusive Sports Day, brought an atmosphere of enthusiasm and enjoyment across and District finals for Hockey, Netball and the school as students battled it out for the sought after Inter-Tutor Group trophies. The Rounders. There are a number of girls whose weather held up for 4 out of the 5 activities on offer, but the newly created tug of war events performances were outstanding , in and the 4 x100m relays were held on a later date. particular Alice Proctor, Ashley Taylor, Abbie Foote, Gemma Alford, Faye Nickisson, Jodie Even though the rain eventually stopped play the Sports Day proved to be hugely successful Genes and Mya Jackson. for all involved. We look forward to next year! Olympic Double Trap Medallist Year 8 consolidated their performances from Alan Cummings - Head of PE and Sport Earlier this term one of our students, Harry last year and reached the finals in both Maunder, who is in Year 11, won the Junior Netball and Rounders taking home the silver Bronze Medal in the Olympic Double Trap medal on both occasions. There were discipline at the standout performances from a number of Championships at Kippen Lodge in girls including Charlotte Higgs, Katie Giles, Scotland. The competition was part of a Maddie Conduit, Jasmine Moore, Hannah series of selection shoots which Harry Symms, Lauren West, Hannah Roberts and hopes will lead to his selection for a place Nelle Curtis. on the Great Britain team. He will take part Year 9 did not make finals this year for any in two more selection shoots this year, one events unfortunately, but took part in many in Wales and one in Hertfordshire before well fought games. Stand out players of the going to Italy in late August to shoot in the season include: Emma Reynolds, Ellie Italian Green Cup. Harry has been shooting Chandler, Georgia Holder, Libby Davies, since he was 9 and taking part in Rowan Legg, Chloe Perham, Nicole Corpuz- competitions since he was 10. Harry, who Briones and Francis South. only took up Double Trap last year, has his sights set on competing at the highest level Year 10 again proved a force to be reckoned in the future. His aim is to take part in the with on both the Hockey and Netball pitch, Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. We all wish moving on to and winning the finals, a him every success on his journey to get into fantastic achievement! Players of the Year to the British Team. be recognised for their outstanding commitment are Issy Johnson, Josie Mitchell, Lucy Hunt, Lois Hill, Georgia Tailby, Chole

g Hellyar, Kate Kendall and Niamh Dennett. n

i Year 11 finished their sporting careers at The i Gryphon with poise and finesse. The Hockey

k Athletics Team showed improvement having won

S The Gryphon School has had a very successful athletics season. Nine of our students who attended

some pool games and the Netball Team a North Dorset trial were selected to represent the area at an event in early June where they all

– again made it to the finals. After four years of losing to Preston Academy in the finals performed extremely well with Amy Northam and Chris Reed setting personal bests. Michael Biss r they pulled a two goal win out of the bag at and Natasha Jones did so well they qualified to represent Dorset at the West Schools’ Athletics e just the right time to finish on a high. The Competition at Kings Park later that month. In a strong field, they ran really well and finished 6th, b Sophie Faber who is in Year 9 is a successful players who must be commended include; which is a fantastic achievement. a slalom skier. This season she has won silver Georgie Long, Lauryn Neal, Sophie Ward, F medals twice in inter club races and she has We also attended the Gillingham Athletics Leah West, Natalie Yeo and Amy Dick-Read. been training with the Senior Performance competition. This is a team event, where

e Laura Harry - PE

i Squad at Snowtrax in Christchurch. She has each event competed in, scores the team

h also been to the Alps to train with the British points, based on performance. This meant More Popular than Ever!

p Ski Academy and competed for The Gryphon that many of the students were taking part School in Les Houches, France in the Equity We have over 45 students from Years 7, 8 and 9 in events they would not usually do to gain o Inter School Slalom Ski Racing taking part every Thursday in a Fun Dodgeball extra points. The students involved were a S Championships. Here she was up against Club. This is great to see as the Club is aimed at credit to the School, willingly doing the competitors from all over Europe and students who do not represent the School in events for the good of the team. Fantastic finished a very respectable 27th overall. She other sports and therefore do not always get the performances saw the Year 7 boys finish is now taking part in the summer race series chance to play sport after school. This club gives 2nd , Year 8 boys finish 3rd and Year 8 girls which entails a series of regional races on them that chance and we have been really finish 1st. dry slopes across Southern England, London popular all year with large numbers attending and South Eastern England for ‘Team Capture the Flag and Astro Football activities as We also attended the Year 9 and 10 Athletics Competition at Bryanston. Stand out performers in Snowtrax’ in the Girls U16 age category. well. It is great to see so many students simply this were Isaac Atherly who won his 200m and Long Jump; Sam Yeo who broke the 1 minute She is preparing for more national and having fun playing sport. Chris Barker - PE barrier in his first competitive race over 400m and won; and Lucy Kirk who won the High Jump international competitions later this year. for Year 9 girls. s

t Chris South – Director of Sport t a O z i

L The Gryphon School, Bristol Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4EQ

: r

o School and Sixth Form – T: 01935 813122 • F: 01935 816992 • E: [email protected] • Conference Centre – T: 01935 810103 • F: 01935 816992 • E: [email protected] Nursery – T: 01935 810112 • F: 01935 816992 • E: [email protected] t i d The Gryphon School is a company limited by guarantee • Registered in England with Company Number 08130468 E