Birkdalian 2013
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Birkdalian 2012 Birkdalian Birkdalian – 2013 2012-2013 Editorial I never realised writing an editorial for the Birkdalian would be such a difficult task. I imagined that - given the months of dedicationEditorial which have already gone into the magazine over the course of this year - the hardest part was well and truly over. I daredI never to realised suppose writing that I had an finallyeditorial conquered for the Birkdalian the huge and dauntingparticular praise.mountain Well of responsibilitydone everyone! I had been given, and that thiswould editorial be such was a a difficult mere drop task. in I theimagined ocean (tothat mix - given my metaphors). the I foolishly presumed that rustling up a few hundred words wouldmonths be ofsimple, dedication especially which in comparisonhave already to gone the pagesinto the and pagesFinally, of articlesI’d like to that thank have Virginia now Woolfbeen forwritten this thoughtfor the Birkdalian.- I havemagazine never over been the so coursewrong. of this year - the hardest part provoking quote, which I thought I’d share in a shameless was well and truly over. I dared to suppose that I had attempt to motivate at least one student to start writing Actually,finally conqueredignore all that: the huge I admit and it’s daunting a laughable mountain exaggeration, of andcreatively... the alleged ‘hardship’ involved this year has generally taken theresponsibility form of writing I had and been organisation given, and -that two this things editorial I love. Nonetheless, it is amazing how hard it can be to sum up an entire year ofwas work a merein a single drop paragraph. in the ocean Here (to ismix my my (sadly metaphors). insufficient) I attempt:“Words do not live in dictionaries; they live in the mind” foolishly presumed that rustling up a few hundred words Firstwould and beforemost, simple, I’despecially like to thank in comparison absolutely to everyone the pages who contributedAll Birkdalian this year; editors the will hard know work, by creativity now the dangersand commitment of a of ourand team pages of editorsof articles and otherthat have talented now studentsbeen written throughout for the the clichéschool like has this, been but, inspirational. in the words Mrsof AlanOwen Bennett: has done “Clichés a wonderful jobBirkdalian. running the I have magazine never beenyet again; so wrong. I don’t think I realised lastcan year be what quite an fun. unenviable That's how task they that got was. to be The clichés.” design team and photographers created this fantastic publication (which I am incredibly proud of), and Miss Hodkinson - who offered great creativeActually, vision ignore from all that:the veryI admit beginning it’s a laughable - deserves exaggera particular- praise.Many thanks,Well done everyone! tion, and the alleged ‘hardship’ involved this year has Finally,generally I’d like taken to thethank form Virginia of writing Woolf and for organisationthis thought-provoking - two Jeremy quote, Brown which I thought I’d share in a shameless attempt to motivatethings I love.at least Nonetheless, one student it isto amazing start writing how hard creatively... it can (Editor in Chief) be to sum up an entire year of work in a single paragraph. “WordsHere is do my not (sadly live insufficient)in dictionaries; attempt: they live in the mind” Editorial Team: Jeremy Brown, Shohaib Ali, Rohin AllFirst Birkdalian and foremost, editors I’dwill like know to thank by now absolutely the dangers everyone of a cliché likeAthavale, this, but, Alex in theDoody, words William of Alan Crossman, Bennett: Samuel“Clichés Mackey, can be quite fun.who That’s contributed how they this got year; to be the clichés.” hard work, creativity and Caroline Ridler, Zac Evans, Will Smith, Ammaar Rashid, commitment of our team of editors and other talented Zach Horscraft, Omar Sorour, Philip Owen, Abhrajit Giri, Jeremystudents Brown throughout (Editor the in Chief) school has been inspirational. Khubaib Ali, Elliott Winter, Anna Spring, Joshua Hatters- Mrs Owen has done a wonderful job running the maga- ley. Editorialzine yet Team: again; JeremyI don’t thinkBrown, I realised Shohaib last Ali, year Mrs what P Burch, an Rohin Athavale, Alex Doody, William Crossman, Samuel Mackey, Carolineunenviable Ridler, task Zac that Evans, was. WillThe Smith,design teamAmmaar and Rashid, photogra Zach- Horscraft,Design Team: Omar Lucy Sorour, Grant, Philip Reece Owen, Johal, RohanAbhrajit Johal, Giri, Khubaib Ali, Elliottphers createdWinter, thisAnna fantastic Spring, Joshuapublication Hattersley (which I am Phoebe Hill, Rebecca Day, Tom Hobson. incredibly proud of), and Miss Hodkinson - who offered Designgreat Team:creative Lucy vision Grant, from Reece the veryJohal, beginning Rohan Johal, - deserves Phoebe Hill, Rebecca Day, Tom Hobson Contents Page 2-19 In-House 20-27 Clubs & Societies 28-51 Curriculum 52-59 Drama 60-71 Charities 72-97 Trips & Expeditions 98-109 Music 110-137 Sport 2 I At Sutton McGrath Hartley we provide expert advice on will drafting, estate & IN-HOUSE tax planning, and estate administration. We combine the expertise of Chartered Accountants, Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners members, and Tax Specialists to help you plan for Develop future generations and to preserve your assets and business interests your child’s Wefor theirbelieve bene�it. our holistic approach, and our competitive prices when independence compared with most �irms of solicitors and banks, differentiates us Forfrom those other of providers you who haven’tof these already services. made a will here are a few reasons which may convince you to act now: A Will ensures that you decide how the wealth you have accumulated over your lifetime is passed on Kumon’s maths and English A Will future family generations study programmes are tailored affords you the opportunity to protect assets for the bene�it of A Will gives you the chance to minimise any Inheritance Tax liabilities to your child’s individual needs, Without a Will you, and your nearest and dearest, have no power over nurturing their independence and your wealth will be distributed according to the ‘Laws of Intestacy’ how your possessions and assets are distributed. You will die intestate and enthusiasm for learning. For a free initial consultation please call David Sutton on 0114 2664432 and To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a Free Assessment. quote ‘Birkdale’ as your reference. Sheffield, Crookes Study Centre Rita Rughani 0114 235 1780 3 kumon.co.uk e:www.suttonmcgrathhartley.co.uk [email protected] Edward Meadows New Staff Edward Meadows joined the Modern Languages Department in September 2012, following the retirement of Neil Deans. Edward is a German specialist and has spent several years living and working in Germany since graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2004. He has also lived in French-speaking Switzerland and teaches French as a second language within the department. Despite only working at the school for a year, Edward has already made an impression, helping to lead the Cologne study visit in Ian Dicken February 2013 and wearing traditional Bavarian dress to promote German on the European Day of Languages! We look forward to Joining our illustrious ICT Technical Support Team this academic more creative ideas in the future. year from nearby Notre Dame High School, Mr Ian Dicken is Birkdale’s new Head of ICT Systems & Communications (or ‘IT Mrs S Ryan Manager’ for short!). Mr Dicken brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role of managing and developing the IT systems for the benefit of the school community. His vision is for ICT at Birkdale to be at the forefront of the use of ICT in Nicholas Pietrek education, with ICT being used to maximum benefit to facilitate students’ learning. Jumping straight in at the deep end on his Nicholas Pietrek joined Birkdale as Deputy Head in September arrival, Mr Dicken had to rapidly familiarise himself with the 2012 from a position as a Boarding Housemaster and History wide range of different computer systems used at the school; he Teacher at Aldenham School. He slipped confidently into his was also instrumental in successfully implementing Frog - our new role, juggling staff cover requirements, resolving pastoral new learning platform. Mr Dicken enjoys the Frittata and also issues and scheduling school activities with such consummate the stuffed Portobello mushrooms at lunch, and claims to have ease that it is difficult to remember that he has only been at probably experienced some humorous moments since starting Birkdale for one academic year. His broad interests in music, at the school, but he can’t remember what happened yesterday, let alone 6 months ago (such is his workload)! His drama, rugby and cricket have allowed him to engage with many friendly and approachable manner is very much appreciated by staff and students alike, and he is very much part of different aspects of school life. He has taken on leadership of the the furniture already. Junior Christian Union and has also firmly established himself in Mr D Craddock the History Department. Nick has also allowed the pupils and staff some glimpses of his rich and varied past, perhaps most infamously through his child acting career and his relationship with his nemesis Christian Bale; if things had gone a little differently, Nick might be playing the role of Batman, rather Kym Hodkinson than supervising lunch queues! Dr P Owen Kym Hodkinson joined the Birkdale Design and Technology Department in September 2012 after working at All Saints Catholic We asked Mr Pietrek a few questions about his first year at Birkdale: School for the past three years where she taught D&T and also held Q. What have you enjoyed most about your first year at Birkdale? the post of VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) Developer. Although she has been with us for less than a year, her impact on the Birkdale A.