Dear Parents th 18 December 2014 Some good news at the end of term:

• Following the final interviews last week for the post of Craig Beeston 10P and am sure that next year, of Headteacher at Grammar School for with the continued dedication that they all show, Boys, the Governors have appointed Mr Ian the results will start to turn their way. The U14s Cooksey, currently Headteacher at Dr Challoners under Mr Williams and Mr Samarasinghe have also High School for Girls, with effect from 1 st September had a tough season but managed to get some good 2015. wins against Queens, University College School • I will continue in my role as Acting Headmaster for and St Columba’s. They, like the other age groups, the remaining academic year and will lead the have never shirked away from the challenge, transition. I would like to take this opportunity to always turned up with good numbers to training thank you for your incredible support so far this year. and have been unfortunate with some close games not going their way. If they continue in this manner Sports News again next season, I am sure will be different. • This term over 160 Rugby fixtures have been played • The U13’s under Mr Jelski and Mr Davies have with 20 teams representing WBGS from A to D had a frustrating season. Unfortunately the A - teams. Team haven’t managed to ‘kick on’ as they would • With the pavilion works taking place at the New have hoped from last year’s successes. However, Field and the disruption that this has caused it is a they did have some highlights with impressive simply outstanding achievement and thanks must go victories over St Georges, Magdalen College and St to all for making this happen. Columba’s. A special mention must go to the U13 • The rugby club’s fixture card once again was B’s who were the ‘outstanding school team’ this bolstered with a pre-season fixture against season winning 7 out of 10 fixtures. Well done to Northampton Grammar and block fixtures added them! against Merchant Taylors and St Benedict’s Ealing. • The U12’s have had a good start to their rugby • The 2nd XV under Mr Jacobs have had a hard fought lives at WBGS with early victories over Queen season with some impressive wins, especially against Elizabeth Barnet, Bishops Stortford, Verulam and Cokethorpe, St George’s Harpenden and St even the very strong Aylesbury Grammar and are Columba’s. I have been impressed with their eagerly awaiting next terms full Saturday fixture dedication and resilience even when tight fixtures card! • st have gone against them. The 1 XV have had a very tough and • The 3rd XV have had six fixtures this season under disappointing season with a playing record of the final tutorage of Mr Welch, including Played 21 Won 5 Lost 16. There were moments to Haberdasher’s Aske’s, St Albans and Berkhamsted savour with impressive wins against local St School. Although many of the results didn’t go their Columba’s, Queen Elizabeth Barnet and Chesham way, they were all dedicated to the team and proud to Grammar. However, despite the continued represent the school on the rugby field A particular willingness from the team to train and apply mention must go to the Captain Alex Crawford U6N themselves, they couldn’t quite turn the narrow who has worked tirelessly to chase around the boys losses into victories. This, I am sure will be and get a team out. The Rugby club would just like to different next season under the continued excellent say a big thank you to Mr Welch for all of his years leadership of Julian Manieson L6P. The leaving dedicated to school rugby teams and he will be upper sixth boys must be thanked for all of their greatly missed while enjoying his retirement on a efforts in the teams over the years at Watford Boys. • Saturday morning! Finally special thanks must go out to all of the • The U16s under Mr Beere, and Mr Creak who we coaches who willingly give up their time after welcome from the DT department, have had an school and at weekends to give the boys the excellent season, winning well over two thirds of opportunity to play for the School. Those not their fixtures and once again proving to be a very mentioned already are Mr Gould and Mr Evans. • Representative honours this year went to:U18 cohesive unit. Let’s hope that their camaraderie and th Julian Manieson L6P (Herts U18); U16 Luke application continue into the 6 form next year when they link up with the current lowers. It certainly is an Benton 11T (Herts U15);U15 Craig Beeston 10P, exciting proposition. Euan Wiley 10P, Mike Onyekuru 10P (Herts U14); U14 Max Brown 9P, Tom Walsh 9G (Herts U14). • The U15s under Mr Dawson and Mr Dyson have had • The Cross Country squads have continued to a really tough season and been blighted by some improve this term with excellent performances serious injuries to key players at key stages. They locally and against the independent schools. have always rallied behind the outstanding leadership

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected] • In the District competition , WBGS were crowned 10C and Tyrone Muriithi 11B. In the tournament team champions at Senior Level, team 2 nd in Year 11 so far, they have beaten RGS High Wycombe and and 3 rd in Year 9. Outstanding individual John Hampden School and lost a competitive performances came from James Foley 7N 4 th , Oliver match against Haberdasher’s Aske’s. This should Griffiths 8N 1 st , Danny Figg 11P 2 nd and Jonny Hill ensure they qualify for the plate competition, where U6th 1 st . Oliver Griffiths has been chosen to they will endeavour to progress beyond the semi- represent Hertfordshire in the South of England final – the hurdle at which the school has fallen for Inter-Counties competition . the last two years! • The senior relay team were top state school finishers • Congratulations to all who were awarded at RGS Guildford with a respectable 10 th and 8 th at St certificates in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge Albans Boys. in November. James Ackerman U6B achieved the • There are more fixtures next half term so all are best score in the school (104/125) and, alongside encouraged to attend training on a Thursday after Muhammad Manji L6G, qualified for the British school. Mathematical Olympiad. 11 students qualified for the Senior Kangaroo, among them Luke Ashford Music News 10C – a remarkable achievement given that the Senior Challenge is aimed at Sixth Formers! The Congratulations to all students who took part in the th two wonderful Autumn Concerts towards the end of Intermediate Challenge takes place on 5 November. Wednesday evening showcased the February 2015, so members of the tops sets in talents of the Brass Ensemble, Guitar Group, Years 9-11 will have their turn then. • Saxophone Group, a Year 8 Ensemble, Senior Choir, Also in November, Muhammad Manji L6G, Oliver The Big Band, Crescendo Strings and Senior Lee L6T, Nimesh Patel U6F and Joshua Blake U6F Windband, whilst Thursday evening drew impressive participated in the UKMT Senior Team performances from the Brass Band, Junior Brass Challenge . They were disappointed not to have Ensemble, Friday Band, Senior Strings and Senior given a better account of themselves, but still Orchestra. It was a real highlight of the term to see so achieved a respectable mid-table finish. many boys involved and producing high quality • In December, the four top Lower Sixth performers performances. Thank you to all parents and friends in the Senior Challenge attended a Problem- for supporting the Music Department and creating a Solving conference at the Centre for great atmosphere in the Clarendon Muse. The next Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge . They were large scale concerts are scheduled for Wednesday introduced to University admissions test questions 25 th and Thursday 26 th March. and given guidance on how to prepare themselves • On Tuesday evening, the traditional Festival of to rise to the challenge these present! Lessons and Carols took place at St. Michael’s • Teeren Mistry 9F, Luke Hardy 9F, Ayodele Church in Mildred Avenue. Many thanks to all those Andrews 9C and Khushal Thobhani 9T competed involved in the Senior Choir, Brass Ensemble and in the school’s debut to the First Lego League . Senior Strings and to all those who attended this The standard of the regional competition was very special occasion, which was a fitting end to this high as many other schools have taken part in the term’s musical activities. competition for a number of years. Despite this the • Many boys have been taking music examinations team put in an exceptional performance and won during this last week of term and everyone will be the Robot Design competition and with spirits high able to find out their results in the New Year. Please they hope for better things next year. let Mr Hussey know about any exam entry requests for the Associated Board and Trinity Guildhall as • Politics students have had a busy couple of weeks soon as we return in January. with attendance at a politics conference where • The music timetables for the Spring Term have been they had the opportunity to quiz politicians such as issued during the last few weeks so any student who William Hague, Tristram Hunt, Simon Hughes and finds himself without one should see Mr Hussey as Nigel Farage. With an imminent general election soon as possible, or check the details on the school’s looming, it was the Liberal Democrats who have VLE Moodle, where they are available to be been making the biggest effort to woo the youth consulted or printed off if necessary. I would urge vote. Firstly, 3 lucky students got to meet Nick students to check the dates very carefully as some Clegg in person and put some questions to him lessons start on the first day back after the holiday, when he came to Watford last week. Then, Dorothy Tuesday, January 6 th . Thornhill, elected Mayor of Watford and parliamentary candidate for the Watford ward gave Maths Department News her pitch for their hearts and minds. She brought • Well done to the Hans Woyda Maths team of with her young local councillors and also Shreyas Vora U6G, Muhammad Manji L6G, Ben government minister Norman Lamb. We await the Jones 9F, Jeremy Zolnai-Lucas 10C, Luke Ashford

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected] pitches of the Conservative and Labour parties in the • L6 Computing students were treated to a lecture coming months. from Professor Stephen Laycock from the University of East Anglia in who showed Other Achievements examples of work and projects worked on by • So far 150 UCAS applications have been processed undergraduate Computer Science students at the this term, of which 35 were for Oxbridge. We wish university. These included tablet controlled robots, the boys success with their applications. retro gaming machines and the use of force • U6 Economics students won The Bank of England's feedback devices. Target 2.0 competition regional heat ; beating six • We congratulate the following members of the other schools in that region. The Team (U6) Programming Club whose programs published consisted of four presenters: Daniel Benson U6B, recently by Pascal Programming for Schools James Huszczo U6G, Vineet Rastogi U6G, James (pp4s.co.uk) are attracting viewings from a Tamayo U6T. The two researchers were Bryce growing number of countries: George Wright 10C, Parsons-Bailey U6C and Aaron Sharkey U6B. MorseCode and MovingBallWithParticles, • Well done to students from WBGS and WGGS who Nathaniel Oshunniyi L6T, chose, directed, rehearsed and managed this year’s CombinationPermutation and Alex Karet U6N, Senior School Play, ‘Mine’ which was a drama ConnectFourLaz. Program names are chosen based on a group of young people assembled in a carefully so that the students' contributions may be house by a faceless organisation – Big Brother meets found easily by Googling. the Milgram Experiment. House Events • The school has a new team of House Prefects from Trips and Visits the Lower 6th, and together with the boys in the • There are two ski trips planned for next term. In school, they have helped to raise over £1,500 so February, 34 boys and 5 staff will be travelling to far, through House points alone, for this year’s Spain (yes Spain!) to the resort of Masella in the chosen charities: Mind and The Stroke Pyrenees. Whilst another group of 23 boys with 3 Association . Every student who earns a House staff will be flying to Salt Lake City to spend the point from their teacher for good work is, at the week skiing in the resort of Solitude to the west of same time, raising money for the charity. the city. Following successful assemblies at the start of • Ski trips have been a long tradition at Watford Boys term, the Prefects have been busy organising events and that tradition continues into 2016. Trips are being for the boys such as Staff Karaoke and the Fuller planned are to Axamer Lizum , Austria in February House Debate. They have also been selling House and Jay Peak, Vermont in the USA at Easter. If you badges to the students which allow the boys to would like your son to go please reply to the ski trip represent their House with pride, whilst also letter sent by ParentMail or contact Mr Talbot direct contributing to the chosen charities. So, the race for to get details. ([email protected]) the House Cup is truly on. • So far, mufti day totals amount to £945.00 Computing News • The House Prefects will be organising more events • Year 6 Pupils from Cassiobury Juniors, Bushey as the year continues. They will be looking for Manor and Chater have attended WBGS this term for some help from the boys in all year groups. So, special Hour of Code event. The pupils created their watch this space… own version of the Turing Test using Pascal and Python programming languages. The test was Friends of WBGS (FOS) devised by Alan Turing who is the subject of the • First, a warm welcome to Archana Singh (new recent film release The Imitation Game. Much thanks Chair) and Germaine Matthews (new Secretary) to Milan Tancak L6N, Nathaniel Oshunniyi who assumed their new roles on the Committee last L6T, Dhruv Bhana 9F, Angus Finnegan 9F, Fergus month. You will be seeing and hearing more from Cutting 9F, Ben Jones 9F and George Conway-James them in the New Year. 9F for their outstanding assistance in these sessions. • Thank you so much to all the Parents who attended • L6 Computing students paid a visit to the Science the Quiz Night last month. Much fun was had by Museum to visit the new Information Age exhibition all and over £2,000 was raised. and take part in a coding session using Arduino • A huge thank you also to all the parents who controlled mini robots. supported FOS at the Christmas Concerts and • L6 Computing students also visited Middlesex School Plays which have helped us to raise an University and undertook an introduction to additional £730 for the School. Computer Science at degree level, a session • The Friends have contributed £20k to the new Café organised by the lecturing staff. This also included a Bar in the Sixth Form, a project which is a tour of the campus by student ambassadors.

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected] welcome addition to the School facilities and is particularly well received by our Sixth Formers. Spring Term 2015 Diary Dates/Events • Year 11 Mock Examinations & Study Leave • We are delighted that the move to a cashless finance Boys come into school for registration on Tuesday system has been a smooth transition and we are 6th January when exams will start. The last day of grateful for your support during this process. examination is Tuesday 20 th Jan. Normal school timetable resumes on Wednesday 21 st Jan • We are delighted that the New Field Pavilion is Senior Prize Giving – Tuesday 6 Jan 7pm completed and will be open for use after Christmas. Old Fullerians Annual Dinner – Saturday 17 We are planning an event to mark its opening in January March. Sixth Form Chamber Concert s – L6 Thursday 12 February & U6 Wednesday 1 April • Emergency School Closure – As usual at this time Spring Concerts – Wednesday 25 th and Thursday of year we would like to remind you that if there is 26 th March excessive snow or other severe weather, you will be notified of any school closures by Parentmail; www.watfordboys.org, @WBGSExcellence, www.hertsdirect.org, BBC Three Counties (103.8fm) and Heart 96.6. Otherwise school is open and pupils Watford Grammar School for Boys TERM DATES 2015 are expected to attend. Please avoid ringing the th school. End of Term 12.30pm Fri 19 Dec Spring Term 2015 th • Improve your sporting performance, get lean and Start of Term – Tues 6 January strong, strengthen core and back muscles, release Half Term – Mon 16 th – Fri 20 th tension in shoulders and hips February Yoga Classes at WBGS, Sixth Form Centre on End of Term 12.30pm Thurs 2 nd Tuesday (1915-2030) and Wednesday 1930- April 2045) evenings. Contact [email protected] Summer Term 2015 for details. Classes re-start from Jan 6th. Start of Term – Mon 20 th April Half Term – Mon 25 th – Fri 29 th May

End of Term 12.30pm – Friday 17 th . July Autumn Term 2015 Start of Term – Wed 2nd Sept (Yr 7/L6) Start of Term – Thurs 3rd Sept (rest of school) Half Term – Mon 26th - Fri 30th October Best Wishes for a End of Term – 12.30pm Friday 18th December peaceful Christmas All these dates and more can be found and prosperous New in the calendar section on the website.

Year

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]