Nuntius
WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL Summer 2015 A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
WGSB Messages from the Newly Elected House Captains
Gripped By Barber House Hodgson House Druvi Edirisinghe Rhys Shakeshaft Election Fever! Just a few words. Firstly I I’m delighted to have been would like to thank everyone elected House Captain for who voted me in as Hodgson Barber this year and am House Captain for next year, excited to take a lead role and showed faith in my ability in managing our House. to lead us to glory. As we all know, the road I believe that if we all work together we has been tough for Hodgson these past few can achieve great things and so I want to years, certainly while I’ve been here- we strive to include everybody in our efforts have always been scrapping it out for 3rd this year with the aim of becoming the place, which isn’t good enough for me. dominant House. Last year we showed tremendous character House Captain and Mock While I would love us to come out on top at the end of the year, I believe that to achieve 2nd place in the house league General Elections At a healthy, friendly rivalry is better than a tables and really put in a sustained title WGSB 2015 fierce one as we also need to work with challenge, however ultimately we didn’t achieve our primary goal. I want to build The 7th May will go down in the the other Houses to maximise the results on this 2nd placed finish next year and annals of history for a host of that we can achieve. At the end of the day, see more people getting involved with the reasons, but put the idiosyncrasies we need to make a positive change to not school and striving harder. Not only this of our electoral system and the only our school, but to other people’s lives but I will be putting a stronger focus on delusions of our pollsters to one through the charity we support. Thank you charity events, such as the hugely popular side and what we are left with for supporting me and I hope I can return FIFA tournaments, and possibly inter-house is the really important business the favour and repay your faith. I’m looking football competitions in order to raise as of democracy in action at Wirral forward to a productive year. much as we can. Boys. From an extremely busy Dodds House start to polling at 8.30am, through to an enthusiastic team at the Matt Callanan Lever House count at 4.00pm, the school To take over from Jack Sam Lock delivered an overall turnout of 77% Hulme as Dodds House I am absolutely delighted and some popular winners. School Captain is a huge honour. that Lever house have journalists Tom Smith and Jacob Jack has done a great job selected me to be Bradshaw captured some of the in helping us, as a house, their House Captain. excitement of the day and offer to excel to the top of the charity money I am humbled by the their own perspectives. leader boards. Unfortunately, this year we amount of you that have shown your have not been as successful with the house support throughout the school for my I would just like to add my commendation totals and this is what I campaign. First of all I would like to say congratulations to Rhys hope to change next year. commiserations to the other candidates Shakeshaft (Barber), Matthew and thank them for running, as they I want to bring in different ways of gaining Callanan (Dodds), Druvi Edirisinghe made the election an interesting and commendations, other than in sports, (Hodgson) and Sam Lock (Lever) unpredictable process. for their appointment as new such as music, chess and academic opportunities. I believe rewards are the key House Captains and I wish them I feel whoever was selected out of myself, to increasing our House Commendation well for their year of office. Well Gabe or Craig would have done an totals and further increase our charity done also to the candidates in the excellent job. Now next year lies ahead and totals; therefore I plan to reward forms and mock election and particularly to I have got a lot planned and a busy agenda individuals that contribute highly to these James Evans for steering a course for Lever house. I hope we can have a totals. I look forward to next year and the to victory. successful year and look forward to the success it will bring for Dodds! Mrs Ahern challenges that lie ahead. In Lever I believe.
Cross Lane, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 3AQ Tel: 0151 644 0908 www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
Headteacher’s Welcome Head Boy Team:
As the 2014/2015 school year Our Musical Production this year Appointments 2015-2016 draws to close, we once again take was ‘Evita’ and once again, the time to reflect on the achievements standard of performance was Following the process of staff and student nominations of the past twelve months. There is exceptionally high. Well done to and candidate interviews, the following students have a familiar rhythm to our school year Lewis Casella who was this year’s been appointed: with certain events being part of our Drama Cup Winner. Plans are Head Boy: Ben Mark Turner annual routine. No two years are now well underway for next year’s Deputy Head Boys: George Watson and Jamie ever the same, however, and there performance of the Madness Norris have been many new opportunities, musical, ‘Our House’. Senior Prefects: Oliver Webster, John successes and challenges. Fieldhouse, Aaron D’Cruz The Awards Ceremony combined and Sam Fisher Developments in our House with the House Award Assemblies System saw a very busy presented a formal opportunity to Congratulations to all seven on their successful programme of election celebrate the many achievements appointment to these leadership roles. We wish our new campaigning prior to our Election of our pupils both in the classroom Head Boy Team every success for their period of office Day in May and the appointment and in extra-curricular activities. in 2015-2016. of our new House Captains for Congratulations to all our Award Many thanks to our out-going Head Boy Team for their 2015/2016. My congratulations winners this year. exceptional services over the last year: James Evans go to Rhys Shakeshaft (Barber), (Head Boy), Joe Lawton (Deputy Head Boy), Aaron Drury At the end of the school year we Matthew Callanan (Dodds), Druvi (Deputy Head Boy), Robin Leach (Senior Prefect), Conor say our farewells to a number Edirisinghe (Hodgson) and Sam Richie (Senior Prefect), Jack Abel (Senior Prefect) and of staff: Mr Morris (Head of Lock (Lever). All boys were able Matthew Herbison (Senior Prefect). Technology) is retiring after 25 years to take part in the voting process of service; Mrs Ahern (Head of and I am very pleased to say that Politics and House Co-ordinator) is we set an example to the entire leaving to take up a new post at The nation in having a turn out that Grange School in Northwich after was significantly higher than the 19 years of service; Mrs Chalmers General Election! is moving to take up a new post at The Summer Term has seen the Birkenhead High School Academy appointment of our new Head Boy following 11 years of service and Team with Ben Turner at the helm. Miss Stebbing (Temporary Teaching My thanks to the out-going Head Assistant) is leaving to go into Boy Team ably led by James Evans primary teaching. We wish them all for their outstanding leadership and every success and happiness for organisational skills. the future. From September, we will be welcoming the following new Sporting achievements have again Welcome From Your New staff: Mr David Andrew (Head of been high on our list and there Technology) and Mr Jonas Tattersall was a notable success for the Head Boy Team 2015-2016 (Teacher of Music). Under 15s who made it through It is a great honour to have been appointed Head Boy of to the National Semi-Finals in the I would like to thank all parents Wirral Grammar School for Boys for the forthcoming year. Nat West Cup. Both our Under for the superb support that they Last year was a very successful year and great credit is 18s and Under 16s were North of have given the school again this to be given to James Evans and his team for this. Our England Indoor Hockey finalists year and I hope that all families focus this year is to continue to build upon the work and and our Basketball Under 14s were enjoy a relaxing summer break. foundations that his team set in place, to strive to an even Wirral School Champions, while Our new academic year stronger year for the school. It is also our firm intention to the Under 13s were Wirral Schools commences on Thursday 3rd strengthen the communications between all departments Runners Up. Toward the end of the September and parents should within the school in addition to the House Councils and term, our Year 9 and 10 Athletics refer to our school website for House Captains. James Evans and his team had a hugely Teams were the winners of the details of our phased return. successful year with regards to the school charity- I am in no doubt that this year will be no exception as a Northwest Track and Field Cup. For those students awaiting consequence of your continuous selfless donations and We have again enjoyed excellent examination results in the unaltered commitment and hard work. musical performances with our summer, their hard work is Chamber Concerts and termly now over; let’s hope that you The Head Boy team for the forthcoming year consists of myself, Ben Mark Turner (Head Boy),George Watson, Music Society Concerts, the last of all achieve the excellent results Jamie Norris (Deputy Head Boys), Sam Fisher, Aaron which took place in the penultimate that you fully deserve. D’Cruz, Oliver Websterand John Fieldhouse (Senior week of term. I would like to add Prefects). This is a highly committed, motivated and my thanks to Mrs Amy Chalmers proactive team who are looking forward to working who has made an outstanding with you, leading to a highly successful and rewarding contribution to Music in our school prospective year ahead. over the last 11 years and who is D R Hazeldine leaving at the end of term. Headteacher Ben Mark Turner – Head Boy
2 www.wirralgrammarboys.com Summer 2015
Hodgson House It’s hard to think that I have spent one House Matters whole year as House Captain, but we found ourselves at that point again where Jack Kelly the new House Captain would be elected. Barber House - Hodgson House Captain Daniel Dorda After a rigorous and sometimes - Barber House ‘controversial’ election campaign, the This year has Captain votes were cast and it was nice that been very it coincided with the national general exciting for Hodgson under election for Parliament. I’d like to the newly reformed house In my final congratulate the three Lever candidates system. We have seen victories paragraph Sam Lock, Gabriel Rutherford and Craig and defeats, up and downs, yet our as Barber House Captain, Ashman for valiantly fighting for position of commitment was rarely out of sight. I am I’d really like to congratulate House Captain, but after a sleepless night proud to have been part of an array of everyone in our amazing house. for them, it was revealed Sam Lock had events during my term, ranging from cake It’s been a tough year, but we’ve really achieved the most votes. pulled it through! At the moment of writing sales to the Christmas Fair, and would like this, we are proudly first on the House to take this opportunity to thank everyone Commendation totals – we’re absolutely who helped make Hodgson great this year. A deserving winner and someone who racing ahead of the competition. Due to Every House Commendation earned and I’m sure will build on the successes of the success of the £10 Challenge we were every penny given to charity truly merits Lever House this year. In conclusion, being pushed up to second place on House our outstanding achievements. I would House Captain has been a thoroughly Charity totals too. I’d like to sincerely also like to thanks Mrs Ahern for all the enjoyable experience and one that will stay congratulate everyone who took part, ‘behind the scenes’ help she has provided with me for the rest of my life. Finally, I’d and especially the forms B/KJS, B/AW to the House System and to Mrs Kahn like to thank Mrs Ahern for giving up hours and B/RR, who raised £100, £80 and £40 for supporting Hodgson every step of upon hours to marshal her troops and respectively. An exceptional effort and I the way. Whether it be for simple advice, keep the House Captains in check and I think we could all follow their example. assemblies or even large events, I could wish her all the successes in the future. I hope that we can keep up the hard work always count on her. until the end of the year and that I can say goodbye to a house that left me feeling The future of Hodgson now rests in the proud. Let’s hope that next year will be as capable hands of the one and only, Druvi good as this one! Eridisinghe, who I would like to leave with James Evans the following quote from Mark Twain: “It’s (Head Boy) Dodds House not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”. In Fide Continere. As the year draws to its Jack Hulme - Dodds House inevitable close, the time Captain Lever House for this year’s Head Boy Team to take a step back has arrived. This year has Udit Shankar This year we have strived to enhance been hugely - Lever House the presence of the team, pioneer a successful for Captain new structure to the Prefect Team, as Dodds in terms of fundraising. well as fulfil our existing roles to the The House has topped the very best of our ability. I have been charity leader boards with over As my final privileged to work with some fantastic 1500 raised for charity from loose change term as house people; Aaron and Joseph (Deputy collections alone! We’ve organised many captain draws to a close, we Head Boys), the Senior Prefect Team, successful events including a baby face can be proud of what we have the Prefects, as well as the staff and competition which consisted of pupils achieved as a house. From students that have been supportive trying to guess which baby picture was the huge success of the FIFA competition throughout my tenure as Head Boy. which member of staff and we are currently to laborious shaking of the charity pot in the process of selling raffle tickets for a around in house group time, I think we can There has been no greater honour signed Gareth Bale football shirt. My role all say that everyone has done something than serving as Head Boy, and I wish as House Captain has been challenging, for the house this year. Every House the new team the best for the coming yet thoroughly enjoyable, it has been an Group raised money within their forms but year. I hope that everyone goes on invaluable learning experience for me. I I’d like to give a special congratulations to to achieve the best of results this would like to thank Mrs Ahern and the Dr Warren’s House Group for raising the summer, from Year 7 summer exams House Council for all of their support and most money out of all the forms with Miss to A2 grades, and that whatever time wish the best of luck to Matt Callanan as McKenna’s House Group a close second. you have left here is both happy and our the next house captain! All in all, as a House we managed to raise over £1,000 which is a staggering amount, successful. and I’m sure will be greatly appreciated by The Walton Centre in Liverpool.
Nuntius 3 WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
Wirral Grammar - The Election
The 2015 election has been dominating the news of late and Wirral Grammar was keen to encourage students to be politically involved as well. We hosted an election of our own on 7th May with students standing for their respective political parties: Sean White stood for UKIP, Conor Ritchie for the Greens, George Cotcher-Riley for the Liberal Democrats, James Evans for Labour and George Head for the Conservatives. The turnout was near 80% with students from all year groups taking part by voting outside of lesson time and clearly caught by the buzz of the day. Similar to the election, the exit polls were incorrect in their estimates, predicting a surprise victory for UKIP. Labour though won the election with a strong majority, despite significant support for the Conservatives in second place. Aside from the result, what was most important was that students showed just how interested they were in having their voices heard by managing a higher percentage of turnout than even the UK election itself. Tom Smith 13B/JLH
4 www.wirralgrammarboys.com Summer 2015
Music Department Update Thursday 30 April saw another outstanding collection of solo performances in the summer Chamber Concert. All 23 boys performed admirably and were well received by an appreciative audience. A particular mention should go to the 9 boys who performed for the first time – never an easy thing to do – including the following boys in year 7:
Vinay Varghese (violin) Ben Jones (piano) Ben Ramsden (violin)
Continuing the Department’s visits to primary schools during the Congratulations therefore to the following list of successful summer term, we were able to visit 4 schools on Wednesday 24 candidates, and to the high number of merits and distinctions: June. The Junior Brass Group, String Group, Woodwind Group, Fiddle Group, Ukulele Group and Year 7 Choir, as well as a Name Form Instrument Grade Result number of soloists performed at Higher Bebington, Townsfield, Bidston Avenue & Oxton primary schools throughout the day, and Douglas Crammond 7L/TD Pop Vocals 1 Distinction over 60 boys in years 7-10 were involved. 68 local primary schools Harry Jones 8D/PM Keyboard 1 Merit have now received performances in the last 15 years, and this is now one of the Department’s most important annual events. Daniel Jones 10D/KMH Keyboard 1 Pass
All of these groups and more performed to the usual high Matthew Parkes 8H/CD Drums 2 Merit standard at the Summer Concert on Thursday 2 July, whilst Lewis Quail 9B/RR Drums 2 Merit the Music Society Dinner proved to be its normal gastronomic success on Friday 10 July. Many thanks to our Guest of Honour John Fleetwood 9D/NM Keyboard 2 Pass Mr Graham Eccles, a professional organist and Choir master Andrew Gill 13H/CL Double Bass 2 Distinction of many groups in the Northwest, for a most enjoyable speech, along with the other members of the Music Forum reporting on Hary Pickard 10B/AMC Pop Vocals 3 Distinction their ensembles. Music Daniel Carter 10L/HS 3 Distinction Theatre A number of boys took music examinations this term, but with Naseem Veevers 7B/RR Theory 5 Pass the results not yet with us, congratulations will have to wait for Autumn’s Nuntius. However, the results from some of last term’s Andrew O’Hagan 9B/JH Theory 5 Distinction exams did not make the Spring edition of Nuntius. William Brady 9D/AJ Theory 5 Pass
Jonathan Heale 10H/MH Theory 5 Pass
Tom Rogers 10/GA Piano 6 Distinction
As you are reading this, 56 boys and 7 staff will be in the middle of touring Budapest, which should include performances from the Choir at the main Cathedral on Sunday morning, as well as from the Concert Band outside the main Castle on Buda Hill overlooking the river Danube. This will be the Music Department’s 10th overseas tour, though the first for Mr Dickinson in his role as Head of Music. I have no doubt that everyone will come home with many lasting memories of what is a fantastic city to visit.
Finally - and as I always say - as the long summer months get under way with a vengeance, remember that 7 weeks without music lessons does not mean 7 weeks without practice!
Mr P Thomas Music Department
‘Nuntius on-line’ Larger articles can be found by accessing the ‘Nuntius On-Line’ link via the school website www.wirralgrammarboys.com
Nuntius 5 WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
Drama Cup 2015 Photography Winners The Drama Cup is awarded each The theme of this year’s Bebington Rotary Club competition year to the person who has made the was ‘Light Up The Community’ Two of our students, Ben most impressive contribution to this Morris (Year 13) and Rubin Holt (Year 8), made it through year’s production. This year’s winner to the final of the regional category of the competition. is Lewis Casella. Ben and Rubin were recently awarded prizes by Mr Matt Herbison and Lewis has been Peter Wilson of Bebington Rotary club. one of the longest serving The theme of this year’s school competition is ‘Nature’ and will be judged members of the in October. The prizes will be Amazon gift vouchers. If you would like to drama society enter please forward 3 digital pictures to Mr Ronayne. in recent years. Mr Ronayne He began his Community Partnership Manager acting career as a tentacle(?) in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. His first leading role was as Britney Spears in ‘We Will Rock You’. He then played the male lead, Emile, in ‘South Pacific’. Next came Bernardo, leader of the Sharks in ‘West Side Story’, and finally, Peron in this year’s ‘Evita’.
Few actors have taken on so many leading roles in school productions and Lewis has excelled in every one even though they all represented such diverse characters and demanded a wide range of acting, dancing and singing skills. Lewis was always a commanding presence on stage and generous in his support of younger members of the company. He will be missed greatly, but Next Year’s Joint Production with Girls’ School is - on behalf of everyone in the Drama Society, I wish him all the best for the future and hope he continues to perform. OUR HOUSE - A Musical Love Mr G Hinde MBE Story 15-19 March 2016
Winner of the 2003 World Book Day OLIVIER Best New Our World Book Day celebrations were Musical Awards, this bigger and better than ever this year HIGH-ENERGY, FAST with every pupil in Years 7 to 10 inclusive MOVING musical features having an ‘Author Experience’ of at least the music of the band MADNESS. one hour. It tells the story of a 16 year old boy who is faced with a moral dilemma Staff costumes included ‘Death’, ‘War Horse’, and the clever narrative shows what would have happened to his life ‘Evacuees’ and ‘ Dr Frankenstein’s Monster’. depending on which choice he made. It has huge cast and contains most This year we ran a ‘shelfie’ competition where of the hits of Madness (Our House, Welcome to the House of Fun, Baggy pupils tried to match staff names to pictures of Trousers, Driving In My Car, It Must Be Love etc). It is full of great singing their home bookshelves! The winners were Jack and dancing and a powerful story. Boniface, Ryan Hozack and Daniel Peake.
Mrs K Campbell Those of you who are fans of our highly professional productions will English Department need no further recommendation. If you are not, come along and we can promise you a great night out! Auditions for the company will take place in September.
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The Catalyst Museum On Monday 16 March, the whole of Year 7 were lucky enough to go to the Catalyst Museum, sponsored by FMC, a chemical company based in Bromborough. Our day was full of fun science experiments and interesting facts and we had a lot of fun! Each group followed a different itinerary but we all took part in the following activities: London Trip 2015 • We explored the galleries - many manual The London trip this year was one of the best trips I have ever been experiments were held in these galleries. My on. So much was packed into the two days we spent there, which favourite experiment was the mercury bubble pipe. made it feel like a week (only with 2 hours sleep!) This consisted of pumping air into a liquid tank and seeing how this affects the innards of the liquid. After an early 5.30am start, we arrived in London at about 11.00am and headed straight to the Science Museum. We took part in a Coding • “Explore your universe” which included some cool Workshop where we had to programme a robot to go around a course, science such as pouring liquid nitrogen over a which sounds easier than it was. After this we went to the Natural History super-conductor and putting a magnet over it. We Museum where we viewed many of the different artefacts and displays. made the magnet float! It was so cool”! At lunchtime we went to eat at Planet Hollywood where everyone enjoyed • We explored more galleries, about the birth of the their food and tried to avoid the camera putting us on their big TV After chemical industry and how it started in Widnes. lunch we headed for the London Eye where everyone waited looking up at the massive wheel and realising we were going to have to get on it. • “Flash Bang Show” which included many bangs When we got on it wasn’t so bad with many photos being taken. and flashes. My favourite experiment from this show was the engine experiment where the The next morning we went to the forensics activity. We had to figure out scientist poured fuel into a ten gallon bottle and what ingredient was put in food in a school which poisoned the students, then set it on fire! It exploded into flames and was which was really interesting. Once we had finished we headed off to very exciting! the grand finale, Harry Potter World. It took quite a while to get their but once we had it was worth it. Everyone went into the museum with • We went to the observatory and built 3D maps of bright eyes and pockets filled with money waiting to be spent. We saw the Mersey and bridges that supported themselves. all of the props and scenes from the movie and all had a Butter Beer. We We had a brilliant time at the catalyst chemical then headed back home - the best part of the trip was yet to come. We museum, courtesy of FMC. stopped at a service station with a KFC which was just what everyone needed. London was a great trip and everyone enjoyed every minute of it. By Matthew Byrne 7B/KJ Lewis Quail Year 9B/RR
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry trip On the 12th May Tom Carroll, Seth Collinson, Nathan Newton and Ethan Cheung went to Liverpool John Moore’s University to participate in The Salters’ Festival of Chemistry. The day consisted of two practical challenges which involved different uses of our chemistry skills. The first challenge was called “Trouble at the salt mine!” This involved three experiments which included the use of chromatography, pH and ion testing. The second practical activity, “University Challenge”, involved us cooling solutions to slow down the reaction of a “chemical clock”. The team that got the time closest to 30 seconds won. The day was fun and enjoyable and we managed to come second in the salt mine challenge. Thank you to Mr Mountford for taking us and the chemistry department for funding the trip.
Ethan Cheung 8B/AW
Nuntius 7 WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
A full day was taken up with a visit to the Berlin Wall, with some Year 9 and 10 great stories about the length people went to so they could move on the western side, and also the lengths the East German army Berlin History Trip 2015 went to prevent eastern Berliners moving over to the west. In the afternoon we took a guided visit to the Stasi (East German Secret On Thursday 21st May, 53 pupils boarded a plane Police) prison in Hohenschönhausen where our guide had actually at Manchester Airport and headed to Hamburg been imprisoned in one of the isolation cells there. The evening for this year’s History Trip to Berlin. was rounded off with bowling where both teachers and pupils’ competitive side came out. This was a great end to the day. On day one we took a guided bus tour of the beautiful city as Day 5 well as a trip to the Holocaust Memorial. This really opened our was eyes to the history of Berlin and it was very interesting to learn probably all about the representation of the Holocaust Memorial. On my the guided tour we saw many iconic buildings; the Reichstag favourite (German day of parliament the trip building) and as we the British visited Embassy. In a secret the German afternoon war town we took a where tour of the we went Wannsee inside the Conference former House, Soviet where bunker, the “Final which was extraordinary. It was a lot bigger than I had expected Solution to and we had a great guided tour. In the afternoon we went to the Jewish question” was agreed upon. The solution was written Seelow Heights where the final battle for Berlin happened during in a series of documents and they were written with censored World War 2. Here there was a museum and a very beautiful language so that if the documents were discovered the people Soviet memorial. This battle was one of largest battles of World involved could not be found guilty of horrible crimes. Following War 2, where the Soviets lost 100,000 men taking the city in our evening meal we took a tour of the Reichstag Dome. 1945. We ate our evening meal at Hard Rock Café, with many pupils spending their parents’ money on Hard Rock t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Our final day started early so we could visit the Olympic Stadium where recently Barcelona beat Juventus in the Champion’s League Final. However more famously, it is where American runner Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals despite not being allowed to compete originally. After this we took the aeroplane home and arrived home in time for bed, after an amazing tour of a wonderful city. Thanks to Mr McKibbin and all the staff for making this trip such a memorable and enjoyable one.
Cameron Crabb 10H/SLJA
Years 9/10 History The following day of our tour we took a guided tour of Sachsehausen, a former Concentration Camp. Walking round Trip 2016 this camp was spine-tingling. This was easily the most interesting part of our trip and was well worth the early rise in the morning. Boys in current Years 8 and 9 have signed up for the annual Later that day we had a guided tour of the Topography of Terror, History trip to Belgium and the Netherlands for next Easter. which shows the rise of Hitler and goes into depth about the SA They will be taking in sites related to both World Wars and a and SS. My particular group had a very good guide, who had visit to a theme park. I am sure it will be another great learning many interesting views about Hitler’s hatred towards the Jews. experience for them! In the evening we ate at Spreebrick then went for a walk around Mr L McKibbin the Berlin TV tower, which was a jaw-dropping 368 metres tall. History Department Here you could view all the landmarks in Berlin.
8 www.wirralgrammarboys.com Summer 2015
A View from RE During the course of this half term, our class has been studying the topic of Islam. We started our topic on the founder of this religion, Mohammed.
We also studied the five pillars of Islam and their meaning. As a piece of homework set by Ms Razbully, we each had to build our own replica mosque. This was a very challenging task for us, but fun at the same time. Bearing in mind we could use whatever materials we wanted to, a wide range of mosques were brought into school.
We had cardboard mosques, lego mosques, polystyrene mosques and even one or two wooden mosques. Ms Razbully was very impressed with the standard of them and Mr Hazeldine even took a sneaky look. He thought they were so good that he wanted a picture of us with our mosques. As pupils we have had a great time studying the topic of Islam. It has shown us how to appreciate religions in different ways of life. Ms Razbully has made our lessons very interactive and fun at the same time.
Matthew Farrell 7H/CD and Cameron McLure-Murray 7H/CD
The Late Sir Philip Awards Ceremony Our Annual Award Ceremony took place on 1st July. Pupils received Carter CBE awards for a wide variety of achievements including, best attainment, We were saddened best progress, best commitment, best attendance, spoken English, performance in Languages, achievements in sport and school to hear the news representation. The achievements of 130 boys were recognised and many announced by Everton more gained House Awards during the House Award Assemblies that took that life president place the following day. Mr Hazeldine started the Award Ceremony with Sir Philip Carter had his report on some of the achievement of this academic year and this was passed away. Sir Philip followed by Ben Turner (Head Boy) who gave a detailed account of the extra-curricular activities that have taken place. We were very pleased to served on the Governing Body of welcome Rev. Mike Loach, vicar from Christchurch, Higher Bebington. Wirral Grammar School for Boys for Mike was a former pupil of Wirral Grammar School having left in 1991. many years and was a true friend to Addressing the Award Winners, he congratulated them on their excellent the school. achievements and emphasised the importance of pursuing personal values of kindness, fairness and compassion for others. During his years of outstanding service, Sir Philip held the role of Principal Officer on the school’s A selection of the Award Winners and pictured here together with Rev. Finance Committee. Mr Hazeldine, Headteacher Mike Loach and Headteacher, Mr David Hazeldine said “Sir Philip guided the school through significant times of change, most notably the move to Grant Maintained Status in the 1990s and the more recent conversion to Academy status”. He was instrumental in helping to secure funding from Central Government for a building programme that saw £3.5 million invested in the school.
Our Chair of Governors, Mrs. Sheila Clarke MBE commented, “Sir Philip was a man of exceptional integrity and he took a keen interest in the life of the school and the achievements of the boys. On several occasions Sir Philip presented Awards at our Annual Certificate Evening. He was a very good friend to our school community and he will be sadly missed.”
Nuntius 9 WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business and Enterprise School for Boys
Psychology Trip to Chess Club Chester Zoo The chess club has been continuing On the 12th of February, boys from Wirral Grammar, accompanied the UK Schools by Ms Razbully, Miss Heymans, and Mr Nutt travelled to Chester Chess Challenge Zoo to study primate behaviour as part of their GCSE & A-Level Psychology courses. The day consisted of classroom based tournament that started before the Easter lectures at Chester Zoo’s Education Centre, and walk-about talks break, with all of the games now finished. from experienced keepers. We had the opportunity to apply our classroom learning of parental care and attachment theories of At the start of the tournament, there was a crucial Bowlby & Ainsworth and use Chester Zoo’s animal collection to encounter between Thomas Carroll and James Lee. The study a range of behaviours in primates. We delved deeply into latter was winning the game until he made a mistake, Evolution of Intelligence, considering the intelligence of non-human passing the initiative to Thomas. He held out for the win. A animals, looking at self-recognition and social learning. We also few weeks later, James Lee faced Seth Collinson in another examined the case study of Konrad Lorenz and imprinting, as well important match. Seth, who was on maximum points at the as the impact of imprinting on management and care of animals. time, lost, meaning that the tournament was in Thomas’ hands. Thomas beat Seth in a close game, putting Thomas The out-and-about teaching was fun and interactive, allowing into clear first place. With a few more victories he won the the entire group to get involved in both discussing and observing tournament. Second was James Lee who finished with an social organisation, communication and identification of animals. excellent score of 19/21. Third was Seth Collinson with Only slightly concerning (and also slightly impressive) was the fact 17/21. Tomas Clark also qualified for the next stage of the that the chimp enclosure was sealed off due to the chimps having tournament, the Megafinal, with 15/21. The Megafinal is a smashed a window with some rocks they had fetched earlier! And regional tournament which is held in Cheadle Hulme. From of course, the day was not complete without a visit to see the newly this year’s Megafinal, Thomas Carroll and Seth Collinson born baby Black Rhino, giraffe and tiger cubs. both qualified for the Northern Gigafinal. This was a very tough tournament so congratulations to the two qualifiers. Ben Morris B/JHH U6 We have now started a new seven round tournament involving four teachers. The tension is high as the teachers try to avoid being beaten by the students!
Thomas Carroll 8H/GE
Leadership Training Day On Friday 19th June, the Head Boy Team, House Captains and the Music President took part in a Leadership Training Day. Firstly, a representative from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Achievers International (SSAT) came into the school to help equip us with the necessary skills needed for our roles within Over the past months a select group of year ten pupils have the school. participated in a scheme called Achievers International. Achievers International is an on-line enterprise project for students, Public speaking, managing people and organising a encouraging them to understand international trading and business. successful meeting were just a few of the essential areas The group of students with the help of numerous teachers form a of successful leadership that were covered. The course company and import and export products with a partner school was preceded by a meeting in which we discussed and overseas. Currently two groups are in place, a German group, decided upon an action plan for the next academic year and Spanish group. We have already communicated with our with a particular emphasis on charity fundraising and partnership school in Spain and are hoping to contact the partner increased communication with the lower school in an school in Germany in the upcoming weeks. attempt to provide the student body a louder voice.
Joe Irvine 10H/JM Personally, I found this day highly informative and most useful. The skills which my colleagues and I have learned will prove invaluable in making us more efficient and productive leaders. This day has enhanced our arsenal of capabilities and with the mix of enthusiasm and passion which we all possess, we will be a strong unit with the ability to successfully lead and develop the school during our tenure.
George Watson Deputy Head Boy
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Annual GCSE and A-level Art Exhibition To celebrate the hard work of the art pupils over the past two years the Art department held its annual GCSE/AS and A2 art exhibition private view on Tuesday 23rd June.
The GCSE pupils completed two pieces of coursework, one based on natural structure and one on urban structures. However, the terminal examination allowed pupils to work more independently and to choose their own subject matter and material base. A wide variety of work was displayed showing the diversity of our students’ work and allowing us to celebrate two years of hard work by both the pupils and art department staff.
The work displayed by the AS and A2 pupils was much more independent, each pupil being able to develop work in their own style. Many of these pupils had the opportunity to extend their artwork through a residential at both the Conway Centre, Anglesey and a trip to Tuscany this year. These trips have formed a large part of many of the pupils’ work and could be seen referenced in their sketchbooks. These extra activities running alongside a school based curriculum ensured that our pupils have had every opportunity to excel in their art portfolio.
Mrs K Johnson Head of Art
‘Nuntius on-line’ Larger articles can be found by accessing the ‘Nuntius On-Line’ link via the school website www.wirralgrammarboys.com
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Peer Support The PSG are a team of friendly, helpful and WGSB Question Time understanding students, who offer guidance and advice to pupils who need help with Event general day-to-day concerns such as finding On Friday 20th March our school hosted its their way around the school, how to complete second BBC-Style Question Time event. their homework planner, difficulties with homework, friendship issues. The distinguished panel of politicians and community representatives, chaired by Clive Cooper, consisted The PSG reps for 2015-16 are: of: John Bell (Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Wirral South), Pat Cleary (Green Councillor), Alison McGovern (Labour MP for Wirral South), David Scott (UKIP Parliamentary Candidate for Wirral South) and Jon Tonge (Professor of Politics from the University of Liverpool).
Both parents and students had the opportunity to ask their burning questions regarding the upcoming General Election. The panel covered a wide range of topics including the recently announced budget, education, immigration and Britain’s involvement in the European Union. The event was a fantastic opportunity to see how politics affects us and a chance to see what our local politicians stand for. We look forward to the guests returning for next year’s event.
Matthew Laing Y12
If you have any concerns or need someone to talk to in school please feel free to speak to any of the PSG, Mrs Smith, or a trusted adult. Also, there is a new Anti-Bullying Email Address to email if you want to report instances of bullying or request a meeting: [email protected]
‘Nuntius on-line’ Larger articles can be found by accessing the ‘Nuntius On-Line’ link via the school website www.wirralgrammarboys.com
12 www.wirralgrammarboys.com Summer 2015
Sainsbury’s School Games Table Tennis On Thursday 26th March, Mr Taylor, along with a team of four Year 11 students (Daniel Peake, Daniel Head, James Murphy and Matthew Davies) went to represent the school in its first ever table tennis competition at the Halton Regional Table Tennis Centre in Liverpool. The competition was organised by Sainsbury’s School Games and the event hosted 15 different schools from several Merseyside districts.
The day started off with group stages and after a great round of games against some tough opposition, we finished second out of four in the group. A very tight last game in which our team were very unlucky to lose, meant we could not win a medal. Although several matches took place afterwards to decide the school rankings, after a On behalf of those involved, I would like to thank Mr Taylor and consistent run of magnificent performances from all of the team, all the staff involved for giving us the opportunity to take part in and some excellent coaching tips from Mr Taylor, we finished in a prestigious competition. We hope we can continue to improve sixth place. At the end of the tournament we were presented with our game and enjoy it as much as we have done so far. certificates from the Mayor of Halton and we were also awarded a ‘Spirit of the Games’ trophy for the best attitude during the Daniel Head 11L/MY competition. This was a phenomenal achievement for us all and we also gained the valuable experience of what it was like to take part in a competitive tournament.
‘MAKING IT’ AT ANFIELD
On 7th May I took a team of eight Year 9 boys to At the end of the day the students have the daunting task of the home of Liverpool Football Club for the latest presenting their work to a team of ‘dragons’ just as challenging Manufacturing Institute’s ‘Make It’ campaign. as facing Sir Alan Sugar and his TV team on The Apprentice. To round the day off the staff have to carry out the same task This is a whole day, demanding challenge against 15 other and present their business case to the dragons and 130 highly schools from across Merseyside. The event was sponsored amused students! by local Wirral company ‘Survitec’ who make various types of survival equipment, everything from a life vest to life boats that Mr P Ronayne can hold up to 75 people. The boys’ task was to create, cost, Community Partnership Manager manufacture, market and present a survival pod to be used in different environments.
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Annual Rugby Club Dinner IN May, over 200 boys, parents and staff attended the 48th Annual School Rugby Dinner in the School Hall. The Guest Speaker this year was Mr Matt Mullen, WGS Deputy Head boy and 1st XV Vice Captain 2008. He received an excellent welcome and spoke very warmly about his time at Wirral Grammar School.
Team Captains gave their annual reports which were very well delivered, Colours were awarded and individual trophies were presented as below:
INDIVIDUAL TROPHY WINNERS
G Noonan Novices Cup Lucas Jackson (U12 Player of the Season)
E Langton Junior Bantams Trophy Ross Ward (U13 Player of the Season)
E G Hodgkinson Bantams Cup Louis Botes (U14 Player of the Season)
The Colts Cup Ben Thomas (U15 Player of the Season)
Wirral RUFC Under 16 Cup Joe Totty (U16 Player of the Season)
2nd XV Player of the Year Jamie Norris
West Trophy Louis McGilloway (1st XV Players’ Player of the Season)
J P Howarth 1st XV Cup Jordan Price (1st XV Captain’s Trophy)
Thompson Cup Jack Nelson (Top Captain)
Kent Trophy Aaron Drury (An Outstanding Contribution to Rugby Football)
Mr P Crowley Head of Physical Education
School Grounds 14Th Annual Primary Schools’ Tag Our school grounds look Rugby Competition amazing! In May we hosted 16 local primary the ‘Golden Try’ and won 2 - 1 to take schools in our Annual Primary Schools’ the trophy. Many thanks to all the sixth All thanks Tag Rugby Competition. This year we formers who refereed the games so to the hard were blessed with good weather and efficiently, the Year 7 rugby players work of our perfect playing conditions. As usual, who acted as school liaison, staff for dedicated the event went very smoothly with preparing their teams so well and most Groundsmen, all schools enjoying a very pleasant of all to the boys and girls who took Dave Hallam afternoon. The semi finals were tightly part in the competition and entertained and Dave fought affairs with St Peter’s C of E us all afternoon. Helsby. Primary defeating Poulton Lancelyn 4 -2 and Higher Bebington Junior edging out Mr P Crowley Church Drive 5 - 4. The final was again Head of hotly contested and after two periods Physical of extra time, with no winner emerging, Education Higher Bebington eventually scored
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All Weather Pitch Appeal Year 9 Cricket Havard Law Update of 62 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead Matches played 5 became our first won 4 corporate sponsor lost 1 of the All-Weather pitch. This year has seen the Year 9 team show huge improvements on their performances last year. Their banner has been In the first game away against Calday GS, the placed on the fencing home side batted first and were restricted to adjacent to where the 84 for 3. In reply Wirral got the runs for two pitch will be built. Liz Bird and Maureen McKeever from Havard Law are wickets in just 9 overs, with Louis Botes hitting pictured with the banner together with some of our students. Liz said, ‘We are 51 and Stan Lewis 23. In the second game, delighted to be part of this project which will be an asset for the school and Helsby were the opponents in the Cheshire the community.’ If you would like to take part in the Corporate Sponsorship Cup. Batting first, the visitors had no answer scheme please contact Mr Paul Ronayne at the school or via email on to Wirral’s good fielding and bowling and were [email protected] dismissed for just 18 runs. Lewis McKeown took four wickets, Tom Palin 2 and Sam Croll 3. Elliott Verry, Callum France and Lewis Quail hit the runs off in 3 overs. In game three, Wirral their first round match, but still entertained Lymm HS in the Cheshire Cup. Athletics managed to qualify for a Regional Game 3 saw Wirral beat Lymm HS. Lymm ‘B’ final in Warrington. Here, we were scored 94 for 7 with Sam Croll taking 3 wickets, The short summer term back at full strength and won the and Louis Botes hit 41 not out as Wirral got the has resulted in the Schools’ Competition convincingly, beating a runs, reaching 95 for 3. Track and Field Athletics lot of top schools in the area. Game 4 saw Wirral travel to Kings Chester. Programme becoming There were many excellent somewhat protracted. Batting first, Sam Croll set about the Chester performances, but perhaps the most bowling with some big hitting in going to his outstanding were from Juniors : Added to this, summer 50 not out. Ably supported by Oliver Roberts Harvey Darroch (100m: 12.6, Long examinations, a certain apathy (13) and Lewis McKeown (26) Wirral made 117 Jump: 5.62m), Joshua Davis (100m: amongst some establishments for 4 off their 20 overs. In reply Wirral once 12.8, Triple Jump: 9.99m), Ross and our unpredictable climate and again bowled and fielded with good discipline. Ward (300m: 41.7, Shot: 8.99m), opportunities for boys to participate Oliver Roberts took a storming catch and Inters: Will Tyrer (100m: 11.9, Shot: in track and field athletics are Sam Croll capped a great match for him by 10.69), Jack Nelson (80m Hurdles: increasingly limited! However, we do taking 4 wickets. Tom Palin took 2 wickets and 12.4, High Jump: 1.44m), Stephen our best and this year again, there Chester fell short of their target by reaching Higgins (100m: 12.0), Josh Kenyon have certainly been some highlights. 100 for 7, Wirral winning by 17 runs. In the final (300m: 39.6). match prior to me writing this report, Kings We started the season with a ‘bang’, Macclesfield were the visitors in a Cheshire cup Our Year 7 and Year 8/9 teams again back in April, when we fought off quarter final match. Wirral batted really well successfully defended their titles some very strong opposition from St against a good Kings side, totalling 102 for 4 at the Wirral Schools’ Year 7 & 8/9 Anselm’s College to again win the off their 20 overs. Sam Croll made 22 and Louis Track and Field Championships. first event of the Summer, the Wirral Botes 61 not out in a late flurry of runs. In reply, A large number of our athletes Schools’ Relay Championships at the Kings batted sensibly against decent Wirral competed very successfully in the Oval. Our 4 x 100m and 4 x 800m bowling but their batsmen played some good Wirral Schools’ Trials and were Relay Squads from Years 7 to 10 were shots to knock off the runs by the 10th over. selected to represent Wirral Schools’ superb in the defence of a trophy we at the Merseyside Championships in have won for the last two years. I want to thank the boys for their efforts this June, including twelve Year 7 boys, term and for their attitude in particular which Our Junior team qualified for the which obviously bodes well for the has been excellent. Mr Atkinson helped out English Schools’ Track and Field future! Harvey Darroch deserves too and thanks to him! I hope that the boys go North West ‘A’ final in Wigan. Only special mention - he has been on to enjoy their cricketing careers and keep the top twelve teams in the region selected to represent Merseyside learning to make themselves better cricketers. qualify for this prestigious Meeting, in the Long Jump at the English Those who have played for the Year 9 team where competition for a National Schools’ Championships in July were: Louis Botes (Captain), Sam Croll, Lewis Final place is fierce! Our Juniors (Year McKeown, Oliver Roberts, Stan Lewis, Lewis All in all, not a bad year again, for 7 & 8) came a very creditable third Quail, Tom Palin, Cameron Daulby, Elliott Verry, Wirral Grammar School Track and in a very tightly fought Competition Callum France, Jack Gerrard, Dhruv Vassoja, Field Athletics! in which only a handful of points Nathan Bradshaw, Will Thomas, Adam Green separated the top teams. Our Inter Mr P Crowley and James Reston. team were massively depleted in Head of Physical Education Mr L McKibbin
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Visited our website recently? Mobile Phone Policy
Over the last two terms, our website has grown into a - Reminder very important source of information about the school: Our policy on mobile phones is very clear. Pupils are permitted news, forthcoming events, guidance materials, sporting to have phones available for use before and after school but achievements etc are all to be found on the website during the school day they must be switched off and out of www.wirralgrammarboys.com sight. Staff will confiscate mobile phones that are on view/in use during the day and they will not be available for collection until the end of the next school day. Parent Mail: Is your email address up to date? Ways to Keep In Touch...
The majority of parents with computer access have registered Wirral Grammar School for Boys has a an e-mail address with us and ‘Parent Mail’ is proving to be Twitter feed and we can be followed @WGSB a fast and effective means of getting letters and messages to parents. To remain effective, parents need to keep their e-mail Those with Facebook can be kept up-to- address information up-to-date. If you have not registered, or date with achievements, developments and if your e-mail address has changed, this can be amended by events through our secure, school managed logging into the Parent Mail website: www.parentmail2.co.uk Facebook page: Wirral Grammar School for Boys (Education). and following the ‘parent login’ link or by contacting the school Finance Office. To have our up-dates in your Newsfeed, simply ‘like’ this page.
Parents’ Association 2015-2016 Parents’ Surveys - The Our Annual General Meeting takes place on Tuesday 8th September 2015 in the 2014/2015 Analyses dining hall at 7.00pm. Many thanks to all parents who have reported through our Parents’ Evening surveys which are always available at our Following the AGM, there will be a Committee Meeting at Parents’ Evenings. The full analyses for all year groups will be which officers will be appointed. All parents are welcome available very shortly. Please follow the link from our website to attend. Extra support is always welcome. Details of the home page. 2015-2016 meetings can be found on our website.
Cashless Purchasing Accounts are available for ‘top up’ at the relevant paying Admission Enquiries stations but parents are also able to ‘top up’ their son’s Enquiries relating to admissions should be directed to our canteen allowance through our on-line service via Admissions Manager, Mrs Tanya Fry on 0151 644 0908 or by ‘Parentmail2’. Using our on-line facility means that boys visiting the school website: www.wirralgrammarboys.com do not need to queue up at the payment point in school.
Absence Requests Parents are reminded that the rules have changed regarding www.wirralgrammarboys.com parental requests to take boys out of school during term time. • news • achievements • events • admissions The new regulations now clearly state that “Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time”.
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