Birkdalian 2012 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 think Brown, 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

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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 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 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. No two days are ever the same so the role is always an exciting one and full of fresh challenges. School environment has been, to say the least, measurable. As well Q. What was your funniest moment since arriving at Birkdale? as adapting and fitting in well to her new department, she has co- A. A rather recent incident – during the exams Dr Myatt went to use the gym whilst an exam was taking place. It would ordinated the drama production lighting and stage sets; involved seem that the invigilators did not pick up on this and when he came out he found the Sports Hall deserted and locked. her S4 form in many charitable ventures in aid of International By all accounts he was banging on the door for a while until someone came to get me to let him out! China Concern and the Nepal appeal; she runs a homework club; Q. Which historical character would you most like to meet? has entered a group into ‘Zool’, an IT based games competition; has A. Too many to pick one – Jesus, Julius Caesar, Arthur Wellesley, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill … accompanied the S3 boys on their annual camp to the ; and surprisingly managed to convince several members of staff, including the Headmaster, to take part in a Sumo- Q. What is your favourite school dinner? Wrestling match, once again for charity. Within the Design and Technology Department it is evident to see from her A. Every one of them but I am particularly partial to the puddings. teaching and after school commitment that she is passionate about her subject area and has sensitivity to those she Q. And most important of all………Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday? teaches, encouraging each to aim high and succeed. Birkdale is fortunate to have such a talented and energetic young A. I’m actually a Liverpool fan so I shall remain neutral on the subject. member of staff on the team and who knows what she will get us involved in next year! Mr R Cottom

5 6 Sarah Rose Charlie Higson’s Visit to Birkdale Sarah Rose joined the Pre-Prep staff in September in a part time capacity as a Teaching Assistant. She works with the PP2 and PP3 In October the world famous author Charlie Higson visited to talk about his latest book, The Sacrifice, classes every afternoon. Sarah has recently completed a Masters part of The Enemy series. His talk covered many things, from his new book to the TV show he used to write, The Fast Degree at the in International History. Show. Before joining the team at Birkdale Sarah worked as a supply All of Lower School and some visitors from were ushered into the Heeley Hall after lunch. There was Teaching Assistant throughout a number of schools in Sheffield excitement in the air as the man we were expecting casually strolled into the hall, and started preparing for his speech. and she hopes, in the future, to do further research into how The crowd were silenced, and Tom Hetherington introduced us to the author. History is taught in schools. Mr Higson started his talk by explaining the basic plot of his series of books, The Enemy. In the books, everyone

Keith Brook MBE

One day in August 2000, Keith Brook, standing by a his generosity of spirit, kindness, wisdom and utterly small field in Kokhana, Nepal, made a decision. Having altruistic approach as well as his extraordinary spent some weeks teaching in a small school that was commitment over a long period of time are what sets fighting a losing battle against decay, he was touched by him apart. His personal Christian faith underpins all that the Headmaster’s desire to build a school on some land he does - he is totally generous and self-sacrificing with owned by his family - this one small field. Keith said, ‘I his time. He has the capacity to believe in people where over the age of 14 has been infected with a disease think we can help with that.’ others may not; he leads by example to encourage pupils that normally kills you, but sometimes turns you into a “There was excitement in the air And so it was that Keith took on Arjun’s vision, raising to give of their best. zombie-like creature. There are a few surviving children, as the man we were expecting money and overseeing the building, resourcing and Keith is so self-effacing that he would never dream of who are living in various places including a Waitrose and casually strolled into the hall...” supporting ‘The Peace Garden School’. Now it is a thriving, being nominated for any kind of award. So, it was with a Buckingham Palace. The plot of the series is basically how newly built, well-resourced school that is gaining such huge sense of pleasure and great satisfaction to all who these children survive against the odds. impressive results that the education minister on a recent know him, that we heard the news he has been awarded He then went on to tell us why he created this new series visit commented that the results at SCL (School Leavers an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Well done, Keith. of books, when he had already had huge success with Certificate) rivalled well-to-do middle class schools in You deserve it. the Young Bond series, and why he hadn’t continued Kathmandu. One ex-pupil has started a Medicine degree with those books. He made The Enemy series because in the UK and another student is now studying Medicine Mrs S Burt he wanted to create his own story, to, as Mr Higson in Russia. put it, ‘mentally scar some children, so they will always Keith has enabled many people to visit Nepal with the remember my book!’ The new series contains much more express aim of serving. This has been a labour of love, suspense than the Young Bond books, as you always knew involving huge amounts of administration and fundraising that James Bond was going to survive. In The Enemy, you for the projects in Nepal, including the building of a school don’t know if anyone is going to survive; people are killed and church in a leprosy colony. Over £175,000 has been off frequently, and in increasingly bloody ways. raised. After the speech had ended, we had a chance to buy the Keith encouraged Birkdale parents who are doctors or new book and previous titles, which could then be signed dentists to come to Nepal with him. The health of the by Charlie Higson. Overall, the talk was very enjoyable, children has improved so much they have reached the and was full of comedy and funny facts. Charlie Higson correct UNICEF levels. visiting Birkdale was definitely one of the highlights of the All this, from just one brief visit to a small field thirteen Christmas term. years ago. Keith’s energy, drive, persistence, inspiration, leadership, Josh Michalowski

7 8 Staff Farewells Jenny Witte

In the summer of 2013 Mrs Witte and her family will bid farewell to Birkdale Prep School and the as they set sail for the exotic climes of Beijing to begin Kate & Martin Rose a new and exciting chapter in their lives at a fantastic International School. After eleven years at Birkdale, Kate and Martin Rose came to Birkdale in 1991, ostensibly inspiring and transforming in a variety of roles, our sad for a term’s teaching! They are finally leaving the building loss will be China’s gain, and we all wish them every (like Elvis?)/ us in 2013. They have experienced three success in their new venture. Headmasters in the course of their time at Birkdale and overseen changes and developments in the resources of Mrs Jenny Witte arrived at Birkdale Prep School in to inspire others has brought about the transformation the school for Art. September 2002 as a teacher in PP2 and as Pre-Prep When the Roses first arrived Art took place in one room that now represents the Pre-Prep Department at Birkdale English Coordinator. It was not long before her classroom School. in Caxton and then later on shared the DT Department. was being transformed into a place where the boys could Now, thanks to their supervision, the school has the Her warmth, friendship and humour will be missed by all explore their imaginations and thrive as Mr Meadows, the boys, parents and colleagues. A huge debt of thanks fabulous Art Suite in the Westbury Building. the Caretaker, was persuaded to construct all manner of Many Birkdale students have gone on to illustrious will be owed by future generations of boys who will exciting resources to fuel the boys’ enquiring minds; a enjoy the facilities of Belmayne House as her work and careers in the art world thanks to the inspiration and hallmark of any boy who has been fortunate enough to encouragement of Kate and Martin; many individual contribution towards this project has been immense. stage in their vocation as artists. They are both well have Mrs Witte as a teacher. Birkdalians have been able to follow careers in On 3rd June 2006 life in the Witte household changed renowned in the art world for their work; Martin has In April 2008 Mrs Witte became the Head of Pre-Prep and architecture, theatrical and fashion design and recently dramatically too, with the arrival of Joshua. It seemed several portraits in galleries both national and local, a short while later moved into her current classroom to one student achieved a prestigious scholarship at the only a blink of an eye before Joshua was also at Birkdale Kate has some of her superb work on show in Sheffield take charge of a PP3 class. One of her past pupils, Shane, Courtauld Institute. Just as important, however, is the fact and he too will be missed by all those who know him. Cathedral. They intend to do more painting of their own. said, ‘Being in Mrs Witte’s class was fun. Every day started that the excellent quality of student Art work has graced Max summed it up for all those boys who wanted to They will be missed at Birkdale but their new ventures with us on the carpet and Mrs Witte would talk to us the corridors of Birkdale and enriched the environment share their memories of Mrs Witte, ‘It was great being will be significant elsewhere. about what was going to happen that day. It was always of the whole school. The Sixth Form Art Trip, which the with Mrs Witte. She made every day fun and interesting. We shall follow their careers keenly and wish them both going to be an important day. Friday was my favourite as Roses have organised annually, has become legendary in It was hard work, but for a good reason – I still have that well. we would do drawing and have Golden Time.’ stuff in my head!’ its own right as a means to experience the cultural riches Her huge investment of energy, dedication and ability of the capital. Mrs M Daly The Roses are not retiring but graduating to another Brian Jones Connor Berry Brian Jones joined us at very short notice in September 2010 to cover Dr Newton’s recovery following an all the sports events, after school clubs and fixtures that accident. This was originally only supposed to be a few I have been able to attend, alongside games lessons have weeks, but weeks turned into months and Mr Jones has been really good. A highlight of the sporting calendar was now been here for three years. As well as taking over taking the U11 football team to the HMC tournament and Physics groups, he has taught Lower School Science and winning! Overall the school is a joy to work in and I love has also taken on some Chemistry teaching. He has been coming to work every day.’ very adaptable to a rather unpredictable situation and

his enthusiasm for Physics and Astronomy have been Mr Berry’s help has been invaluable in assisting Miss infectious. He quickly established himself with both staff Connor Berry has been this year’s gap student at the Frewin with DT lessons and in the Sports Department and students as a respected, helpful and friendly teacher, Prep School. He recently graduated with a degree in and he has enjoyed passing on his knowledge of and love but perhaps will be most remembered for his excellent Ancient History and Archaeology. From September he for History to the boys. Mr Berry has thrown himself lifetime stage debut as Del Boy. It is a great regret to me will be studying for a PGCE in History at the University wholeheartedly into life at the Prep School and is dearly that Mr Jones will not be joining us again in September, of York. loved by the boys and staff alike. His dry sense of humour and I wish him a successful and happy future. ‘Some of the best things about the job are the helpful and cheeky smile will be greatly missed. and friendly staff who have helped me to settle in. Also, Dr W Newton

9 10 today. John Hall Memorial Lecture Given By Michael Palin Michael Palin then unveiled a brand new portrait of John Hall, which commemorates both the man and his work at Birkdale. Once the picture was unveiled, Michael spoke about his travels across the globe with not a hint On 15th March, ex-Python and travel guru Michael Palin Michael Hepworth, who talked about the profound effect of a stutter; his subject matter ranged from the BBC’s visited Birkdale to give an entertaining and touching that Mr Hall had had upon Birkdale, from his excellent insistence that he was the one single person capable of lecture in memory of his Geography teacher - and the relationship with the pupils to his acquisition ofthe helming the programme ‘Around the World In 80 Days’ former Headmaster of Birkdale – Mr John Hall. The evening began with a presentation of flowers to John Hall’s widow, Mrs Dorothy Hall, upon the announcement that it was her 89th birthday. It was at this moment that Dr Owen handed over proceedings Endcliffe building, culminating in his decision to expand (only later to discover he had been fifth choice), to being to former pupil the age catchment of the school up to 16 years. This recognised by an Inuit on a remote island as Sir Galahad of John Hall and lecture truly showed the (still resonating) effects that from ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’; and he was ex-Headmaster John Hall had on Birkdale, raising it from near-bankruptcy greatly entertaining throughout. He also talked about of Birkdale, Revd and setting it up to become the accomplished school it is the amount of time and effort which goes into each programme he presents, and the many different people involved. The lecture was both informative and amusing, even if Palin’s off-kilter humour had not been to the taste of John Hall who, when interviewed by the BBC’s ’Comic Roots’, stated that whilst he understood that Michael had a small following his style of humour was ‘not to his taste’. Overall the evening was a touching tribute to Mr John Hall, the Headmaster and man who played a significant part in making Birkdale into the well-respected school it is today, and a great recognition of the people whose lives he touched and influenced in profound ways.

Thomas Hetherington

11 12 Engineering Eco Schools Competition

Birkdale boys from S1 and S2 competed with pupils from Eco-Schools is an international award programme that toners could be recycled with the batteries and so the Notre Dame, Aston Academy and Tapton School, in a guides schools on their sustainable journey, providing a school has been doing this. challenge run by Lego and sponsored by the Institute of simple framework to help make sustainability an integral We have begun to further increase the recycling schemes Civil Engineers. part of school life. Eco-Schools enhance the curriculum in school by showing students what things can be recycled and get the whole school united behind something and encouraging them to keep up with this. To further The aim was to build and programme a robot to move important. Birkdale School has recently achieved a Silver discourage people from throwing plastic bottles and cans around a large model city after an environmental disaster Award which focuses on strengthening pupil leadership in regular bins there are plans to put in more bins for and to repair the damage that had taken place. The robot and whole school involvement. The pupils involved in recycling in the Fifth Form and Sixth Form areas. has various motors on it which are each operated by promoting an eco-friendly school have held regular The TV bulletin board outside the Heeley Hall is now being Labview software, the same industrial software which meetings to instigate a number of projects which are now used to get the Eco Committee’s news and information is used on the Mars Probe and the Hadron Collider. The up and running including successful battery recycling, a out to the school. Birkdale Post is also going to be used pupils had to programme the robot to manoeuvre itself pond completion and a bike shelter to encourage pupils to inform parents about BEST activities each term so that around objects within the city and initiate wind turbines, to cycle to school. they can encourage their children to get involved. block a burst dam and pull down an old industrial chimney The Walk-it Scheme, which started extremely well in and replace it with a new environmental chimney. its first year, began to dwindle towards the end of the BEST year, so we decided to revitalise the system. Some of The teams worked hard all day enjoying completing each the committee members came up with an action plan of the challenges set and the overall winners were a group After last year’s success with BEST (Birkdale Eco Schools to get Walk-it working including improving the layout of of girls from Aston Academy. Lego commented that all of Team), when the school gained the Bronze Eco Award, the record card, changing the way cards are distributed the teams competed well and that the standard was high we were determined to continue on as eager as before. and collected to make it easier for pupils and offering an throughout and that they look forward to this being an With the Bronze Award we had come up with an action incentive to encourage students to take part. annual event hosted at Birkdale. plan and actioned it successfully throughout the year. In the summer holiday of 2012 the Eco committee’s first This involved small things like getting new bike sheds, major scheme, the renovation of Johnson Pond began cleaning the Sixth Form Common Room and a battery to take place. This scheme was completed with the help Games Brittania recycling station. of the school grounds staff and some outside help. The In our first meeting of the year we discussed howwe pond is scheduled for clearing so that wild life can now be

Birkdale boys from S2 entered the Games Brittania computer games design competition 2013.

Henry Wigfull, George Roebuck, Joe Jackson and Shahid Qadar spent their lunch times desiging a new character, level, enemy and minions for the 2D platformer game “Zool”. The boys entered the competition and made it through to the finals held at Sheffield Hallam University. They spent the day with professional game developers from Sumo Digital (Sheffield based game design company), graphic designers and illustrators who helped could get more members from younger year groups introduced creating a new eco system. Hopefully it will be them turn their idea into a playable game. and some more Sixth Formers involved to replace those used for Biology lessons in the future. that had left. We also discussed how to improve on the We hope to begin the process of achieving the Green Flag The boys worked tremendously hard on the day and successes from last year, including things such as the Award for the school in the next year. Please help in any came in 2nd place. Judges were amazed at the talent and Walk-it Scheme and the Johnson Pond. Over the course way you can to support new and existing schemes and the creativity of the Birkdale boys and, who knows, next of the next term we also evaluated the battery recycling increase our chances of getting the Green Flag Award. year they could go on to win the competition. scheme, which went well with students filling the battery bins within a few weeks. We also found out that printer Josh Utting and Sam Clark.

13 14 Asterley many pupils put in with their being a number of notable individual performances particularly on Sports Day where House Reports Many pupils have enjoyed participating and supporting Obi Ezi set two school records, in the 60m dash and with Asterley House in a wide variety of different events this a team of his fellow S4 boys in the 4X100m relay. Effort year. could also be seen in the amount the House raised for This past year has followed up on those previous successes. The House competition in general provides a wealth of charity, which is a very encouraging sign, in what could Hall House started well, with successes coming soon after opportunities to get involved, too numerous to mention well be the most important of event of them all. the start of the year. A victory in the House Swimming here in its entirety and it is always invidious to highlight Credit should go as always to the Prefects led by this Hall Gala with great performances from everyone put Hall certain events over others, as all events have their merits, year’s House Captain Jordan Bethel who produced a in a great position early on in the year. Throughout the however I would like to mention the following: The memorable short film to mark his seven years in Asterley It has been an absolute privilege to captain Hall House year Hall House has shown unrivalled determination and Music competitions are always of a high standard and a and particularly his year as Captain. over the past year. I remember being in S1 many years enormous effort, with a full team being put out for every tremendous amount of time, organisation and skill goes Getting involved in the House in events that you are good ago and wondering how the Prefects came up with all single event we have faced, regardless of the outcome, I in to them and so well done to all involved. The Lower and at, but especially in events that you are not particularly these wonderful ideas for assemblies. could not have asked more. Middle School Drama performances were both of a really good at, provides all pupils, of whatever age, the Hall have been a dominating force throughout the high quality and Josh Utting and Henry Siddall in S5 and S4 opportunity to learn new activities including leadership Never for a second did I think I would have to do one myself, majority of the House events over the year, putting respectively deserve great credit for their leadership roles. and service skills. Trophies will come and go and events let alone captain the House. The part of being a member of continuous pressure on all the houses to step up and Josh was involved again in a winning Middle School Public will be won and lost but these aforementioned qualities Hall I remember, perhaps more than anything, is how talented perform, with particular acknowledgement going to Speaking team with all the age group teams performing will endure. Well done to all involved this year. the members of the House always were; whether it was in S2 for their outstanding performance in House Drama creditably in this activity. In sports the largely modest the House Quiz, or House Rugby. From the sports field, to earlier in the year. results were not reflective of the amount of effort that Mr M Clarke music, to academics, there was exceptional talent in all areas. In the end Hall placed a very narrow second in the Leadership is another area in which the House has excelled, running for House Cup behind Griffiths. Despite this with the help of my two Vice Captains Oliver Morton and narrow defeat, I am still incredibly proud of the entire Matthew Wyman, along with all the other House Prefects, House for their performance over the year. I would like involve keeping your dignity as I’ve found out this year. being paramount in the organisation of House events; from Griffiths to wish my successor all the best and hope that they are Don’t be too dictatorial and don’t be too soft but most the biggest events like Sports Day, to the smallest like House able to regain the House Trophy next year. The unofficial guide to House success: importantly, when you have to participate in House Chess Competition; not to mention the countless House Choir make sure you sing. Also make sure you do a assemblies. Their support has been unparalleled and I cannot Duncan Lewis 1. Be part of a good House. great assembly, with Hannah Burdall’s assembly on thank them enough. Jobs, money, food, none of it matters in comparison to the `beginnings of the universe` and William Gaines’s being a part of a good House. If you’re in Hall, Heeley assembly on` Belgian cheese` being many pupils’ personal or Asterley, I’m afraid you`re struggling from the start. highlights of the year. Don’t beat yourself up about it though when you lose in a “And the winner of Sports Day is Heeley House”. The Heeley House event. It wasn’t your fault; you were just unlucky 4. Have a great boss. words of Dr Owen were greeted by the rapturous when the `sorting-hat` sorted you badly. Mr Rodgers - enough said. applause and celebration by Heeley members. Was this enthusiasm of every student who has participated and the victory that would at last secure Heeley the House performed for Heeley has been outstanding. 2. Participate in anything and everything. 5. Don’t throw eggs at children. Cup? Once part of a great House you need to participate as This is pretty self explanatory as doing it will likely cause Their application is mainly as a result of the hard work much as you can and this has certainly been the case you get egg on your face (literally). I did this in one of my Jump ahead 2 weeks as Mr Pietrek announces the overall and leadership skills of Joanne Twomey, who has directed this year in Griffiths. Due to mass participation in events House assemblies and with the benefit of hindsight this results at prize giving, “In 4th place Asterley, in 3rd place the House with confidence and expertise. She has been as wide-ranging as House Drama to Volleyball, there was not my greatest idea. Heeley...... ,” the runners up and winners ably assisted by a good team of Prefects with particular has been a huge amount of success this year. We have names were lost in a wave of disappointment! support from Stephanie Twomey, Matthew Bradley and always had a full team in any event, even having 4 or 5 Due to the combined efforts of `Team Griffiths` we James DaCosta, all of whom received colours for their subs in the House Football. This has been extremely have succeeded in retaining the house trophy this year. This academic year 2012 - 2013 has seen some memorable efforts. impressive to see and every member of the House has Everyone has worked very hard towards this goal that victories for the House including: football, tug’o’war, done themselves proud. Mr Rodgers set in September, and more importantly badminton, rugby, hockey and of course the blue ribbon As I write this report I have just appointed a team of everyone had a great time and lots of laughs on the route event of Sports Day. Unfortunately, when we did not win Prefects to lead Heeley into the new academic year. 3. With great power comes great responsibility and to victory ! an event we tended to finish in 3rd or 4th position which loss of dignity. in the end was our undoing. And so it begins once more... If you become a House Prefect make sure you’re a good Joseph Willis House Prefect. It seems a bit simple but every one of Regardless of event positions, the commitment and Mr M Potter the Griffiths Prefects has done this. This doesn’t always

15 16 Prep In House Swap Shop

In the Easter Term, as part of Climate Change Week, the Prep School had a Swap Shop. This was to encourage the boys to value the importance of recycling. In assembly one morning Ms Black announced that we were going to have a Swap Shop. This is where you bring in up to four items, give them to your Form Teacher, and he/she will give you tokens equivalent to the number of items you brought in. Tokens can then be spent at the Swap Shop. Some of the items on sale were: computer games, board games, books and even a skateboard. House Rugby P3 and P4 were split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams within Everyone thought the Swap Shop was amazing, and a great opportunity to give some things away and get things you their school houses, with both teams’ points counting would prefer at no cost. towards the overall trophy, for the annual House Rugby competition. The ‘A’ team tournament was a fantastic affair with a deciding fixture settling matters at the death. Charles Wigfull Osborn House entered the fray as favourites due to their multitude of talent but Roberts and Westbury both quietly fancied their chances. The opening round went as expected with crushing victories for Osborn and Roberts over Westbury and Martin respectively. The second round again saw Osborn win comfortably, this time against Martin. The other match was a far closer affair. Westbury led Roberts 17-7 at half-time but a superb second-half fightback saw Roberts run out 29-17 victors. This meant the final round of games effectively saw play-offs for 1st and 2nd, and 3rd and 4th. Westbury proved too strong for a spirited Martin outfit and they claimed third spot with a 29-5 victory. The ‘final’ was a brilliant game. It swung back and forth several times before Osborn House, thanks to a late try, snatched glory with a 26-21 victory. The ‘B’ team competition took a similar mould with Osborn and Roberts again claiming the top two spots, but this time with Roberts as victors. Martin also turned the tables on Westbury by finishing third. This meant the overall positions were decided on points difference. With Martin conceding comfortably the most points in the ‘A’ competition, this meant they finished in fourth with Westbury in third. First and second were separated by 24 points across the two groups with Roberts finishing second to Osborn who just about managed to live up to their ‘favourites’ moniker.

At Birkdale School all the boys wore poppies and proudly Remembrance showed their support and respect for all the British men and women fighting for their country.

We hope all the boys understand how important this charity is and how much courage, spirit and pride these men and women serving Britain have. On Thursday we had to practise the hymn for the Remembrance. At first we were rusty at the song but at the end it was like angels singing. On the day of the Remembrance we sung it even better. The teacher who deserves a mention is Mr Kirkham. He does an enormous amount of work on Remembrance Day and for the school Remembrance Service. The amount of time it must take to put together a brilliant power point like Mr Kirkham does, shows the support he has for Remembrance. He wears his uniform with poppies on it and it looks quite magnificent! When we had the 2 minute silence everyone stood still and respected it. After the 2 minute silence the bugle was played by Sam Davis and he played The Last Post. Everyone definitely got the message about how important this was. This was a successful and greatly told Remembrance service at Birkdale Prep School. We will remember them.

Joel Spillings, Troy Ramanathan, Alec Lawrie

17 18 learning_A6_general_23_march_learning_A6_open 19/03/2012 10:30 Page 1 general_open_A6 24/6/11 11:12 am Page 1 Snowdrops Pre-School for rising 3’s at Ashdell School

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phone: 07958 320134 For19 a full list of services visit our website; www.suttonmcgrath.co.uk email: [email protected] web: www.antiqueoillamps.co.uk (in partnership with Classic Summer Houses) CLUBS & SOCIETIES known as the most basic skill. Mr Briggs, who is amazing They have created a game called ‘Infection’ which runs Circus Skills at juggling, encourages us to practise and we have a Enterprise Club on Omnicraftservers.com. The boys are currently building juggling period in which everyone tries to learn. connections with Sony Play Station, Microsoft and Personally, I enjoy riding the unicycle and plate-spinning Sheffield Hallam University and each of these companies A team of four pupils from Birkdale won the because I am quite good at these two skills. are attracted by the advanced level of game construction Circus Skills is a club for people interested in the arts of Entertainment Category of the inaugural TeenTech Though many people enjoy and practise other skills, the and programming. the circus. Run by Mr Briggs, Circus Skills is held every Awards which was held at the Royal Society in London recently acquired unicycle is the most popular as people Joshua Anderson said: ‘Infection took months of Friday lunch. recently. love the challenge of riding something with one wheel. programming and coding. Each person had a clearly There are a mixture of skills to be learnt, including juggling The TeenTech Awards are an award winning, industry-led Anyone interested should definitely come along. Even if defined role. We used all our own soundtracks, graphics, initiative, founded in 2008 by Maggie Philbin and Chris code and mechanics, YouTube videos, backgrounds and Dodson to help the “X Factor” generation understand game strategies and we would now like to market the their true potential and the real opportunities available game so we invite everyone to ‘Get Infected’ and play the in the contemporary workplace. game .’ Of the thirty-six teams who made it through to the finals, eleven winning teams were invited to Buckingham Palace by TeenTech Patron HRH the Duke of York so that he could present them with their prizes personally. The four who visited the Palace were Joshua Anderson, Philip Bladen, Micah De Silva and Ethan Yap (all S4) and they were accompanied by Miss Kathy McKay who is the teacher in charge of Enterprise at Birkdale and who History Video Club is to be credited with enabling the team to achieve this Meeting up with friends to watch Rowan Atkinson’s accolade. After visiting the Palace and meeting Prince finest role as Blackadder on a Tuesday lunchtime is one Andrew, Philip said: ‘It was a fantastic day. Seeing inside of the highlights of my school week. Buckingham Palace was a memorable experience and you are unsure, you can come for a week and test your Blackadder, in addition to being hilarious, features (with balls, ring and clubs), diablos, plate-spinning, devil to have the opportunity to meet Prince Andrew was circus skills. historical characters such as George IV and Elizabeth sticks and learning how to ride the pedal-go orthe tremendous.’ I, with hints of social developments at the time - for unicycle. Deep Focus is a new Game Design Enterprise, which Rohit Pawar instance the first dictionary. Doubtless the parents who The main skill to learn in Circus Skills is juggling, as it is creates original game ideas using existing platforms that read the Birkdalian will recall how Blackadder, when it can be commercialised and sold to a wide target market. first appeared on our television screens in the 1980s, was at the cutting edge of comedy, and it still stands out today. This is your son’s chance to enjoy it to. Our modest group of regulars to Mrs Savage’s historical film This society is excellent on many levels. It can simply society are always looking for new members to enjoy provide intellectual stimulation by listening to two great history and unlimited humour. Debating Society speakers arguing the key issues surrounding a difficult topic. Alternatively, it can encourage deep thought in Max Doody Debating Society takes place every Thursday lunch in constructing arguments in the position of speaker or the lecture theatre. It provides a marvellous forum in questioner. Finally, the role of chairing the debate is one which a wide variety of contentious issues are raised, that is decided at the start of every session and has been the topic having been decided the week before. Topics used on more than one occasion for assessment in GCSE debated have included: ‘Is Britain a broken society?’, ‘Do English. further scientific advances mean abortion laws should be redefined?’ and, the well-attended, ‘Has science In conclusion, the ability to speak publicly is a coveted one today and participating in these informal, enjoyable “lunchtime debates is without lunchtime debates is without doubt an excellent way to doubt an excellent way to acquire these skills for many years onwards. acquire these skills for many Samuel Mackey years onwards.” rendered religion irrelevant?’

21 22 Mitchell, Alex Bland (all S3), Harveer Narula and Henry Word Games Club Writers’ Club Chess Club Wigfull (both S2). Byron Hemingway and Miles Hemingway were both selected for the 8-player Under 16 team, which came second in a prestigious annual national In Word Games Club there is a variety of board games The Writers’ Club presents an opportunity to unleash Chess is flourishing at Birkdale, with weekly clubs tournament at the start of this season. At the South that test your range of vocabulary and your use of creative spirit without the limitations of pressure for held on Wednesday lunchtimes and after school every Yorkshire Megafinal in June 2013, Miles Hemingway won language. Such games include the classic Scrabble, exams, or a mark at the end; the atmosphere is a lot Thursday. Players of all ages and abilities are given a the Under 14 section (the 7th year in a row that he has which most people will have played. lighter than lessons and the work rate is (more often warm welcome, and pupils can choose to attend either won his section), and Harvey Cao also won a trophy for A popular one is Taboo, which is where there are two than not) determined by the quality of Mr Lidbury’s or both of the sessions. finishing runner-up; in the Under 13 section, Harveer teams and on someone’s turn, they have to explain a biscuits. Narula won a book prize for narrowly missing out on first word without mentioning a list of other words, and the The weekly clubs place. The most impressive achievement of the year to rest of the team has to guess that word. Another fun There are a variety of contests open for entry in all of The emphasis in the lunchtime club is on playing quick date was the part-qualification for the Under game is the Yes! No! Game, which features a host who the types of creative writing, whether poetry, a short competitive games, with players arranged into mini- 14 squad by Miles Hemingway; he has been the highest asks a series of questions, and the other players must story, or something else, and we had much success leagues in a ladder-based system. The competitive ranked Yorkshire player in his age group for several years, answer without saying yes or no, or any word similar to last year. Out of the competitions we have entered, element to the games keeps the players on their toes, and after previously playing with the National Squad, them. we have had acknowledgement, success in the house and competition is fierce towards the end of each half and finishing in the top 20 in the British Championships I enjoy Word Games Club because there are many fun writing competitions, and even a publication in a small term when promotion and relegation are at stake. in 2012, is again working towards qualification, which games to play and it also can help your English skills. anthology. Of course, this is all optional, and the best Chess is taken more seriously in the after school club, involves playing in a series of tournaments held around thing about the club is the fact that it is writing for the with regular coaching provided using a demonstration the country for the highest rated players. He now needs Yanhao Wang sake of being creative; that is the attraction for meas board, analysing openings and playing through famous only one more strong finish to earn a permanent place in it is a good chance to learn about what sort of writing games to illustrate various points. The coaching is usually the squad – we wish him well. inspires you and others the most, making it a good place in a seminar style, with all players involved; there is also to test any ideas, no matter how mad, and try to develop one to one coaching provided to work with each player to Staff v Pupils our writing skills outside of the classroom. iron out any weaknesses. This year, for the first time, we held a staff versus pupils chess match. Needless to say, it was embarrassingly one- Italian Club Sam Davis Birkdale hosts major junior chess events sided with the well-coached and more experienced team Birkdale hosted a major junior chess event (the Sheffield roundly beating the staff. We hope to make this a regular Grand Prix) during the Christmas break, which was fixture, and hopefully the staff can put up a better fight attended by over 120 players from around Yorkshire and next time! This term we chose to do Italian club. Mrs Ryan ran this activity during Tuesday lunchtimes. As you can probably beyond. Birkdale was well represented, with 15 pupils guess, we learn some basic Italian using techniques such as games. The focus is on learning enough Italian to survive participating, and enjoying a good degree of success, with The clubs are run by Mr Hemingway, who is a qualified a holiday. Therefore booking hotels, ordering snacks and buying train tickets feature on the curriculum, whereas two trophies and several medals awarded to Birkdale chess arbiter, and who co-runs the SASCA chess club in tenses and adjective endings do not. As always with Mrs Ryan there is a confectionery prize after each game as well players. Sheffield; he is also the Sheffield Junior Chess Secretary as heavy use of an Eeyore beanbag! Earlier in 2012 Birkdale hosted the Sheffield Areas Schools and sits on the Yorkshire Chess Association committee. Finals, which is restricted to Sheffield-based players, and We are very grateful to him for giving up his time. William Stasi and Joshua White is likely to host the event again this year. There were more than 50 players at that event, again with strong representation from Birkdale pupils.

House chess As well as hosting open tournaments, Birkdale embraces its own House Chess Championship every year, which is run by Mr Alsop. The current holders of the trophy are Hall, with a talented array of players.

Individual achievements Birkdale has produced some fine chess players, with more than 10 pupils selected to represent Yorkshire in the last 2 years from Under 12 to Under 18 level, including: Byron Hemingway, Zach Smith, Henry Hart, Alex Robertson (all S5), Miles Hemingway, Archit Singh, Harvey Cao, Josh

23 24 Senior CU and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future. Obviously, if you are doing all sections of the award it is a big time commitment and we thought very carefully Prep & Pre Prep Clubs before enrolling. However, we are glad that we did. This year has been another busy year for the Senior Working with different people has been challenging Christian Union, and attendance has been as highas especially in unfamiliar environments but it has helped ever. Once again CU has seen a variety of speakers from to improve our communication skills. The team work on local churches and within school (including Aidan Smith, expedition is also really important. We had a great first Daniel Jenkinson and Dan Viner). All of the talks this experience in our groups in March when we did our year have given an insight into different areas of the practice training in the Peak District, walking form Edale Christian faith, even dabbling into the work of Douglas to Hayfield. The focus was on navigation skills but we also Prep CU Pre Prep CU Adams and Chris Huhne. Each session has - as well as began to get to know each other a lot better. However, the obligatory cake and drinks, often provided with our practice training in July in the Ullswater area will be panache by Alex Doody - been centred around the Bible the first real test! and a discussion of its contents, which has often resulted Prep Christian Union has had another great year. Lots The CU for boys in PP1, PP2 and PP3 meets on Monday of P1 boys joined and brought with them enthusiasm in differing interpretations. The resulting discussion George Kitchen & Azamat Akhmedov lunchtimes. These are some of the things the boys have and debate has helped members to explore their own, and questions. We have continued to play games, watch enjoyed doing this year: and each other’s, faith to a greater depth. Prayer videos, listen to talks, pray together and occasionally, has, as always, been central to the meetings and each when the mood takes us, sing, or something like it! We “Watching movies about Jesus and other people from the session has ended in prayer, with members discussing began the year capitalising on Olympic fever by looking Bible.” their worries, concerns and hopes beforehand. One of this year’s highlights was Dr Owen’s visit, during which ‘It’s Friday it’s five past one it’s ....’ “We pray for our families and people who are ill.” he talked to the CU about finding his faith and his experiences of living as a Christian. Meetings haven’t “We ask God to help us and other people.” been limited to Friday lunchtimes and many members at Bible Characters and which team they might have been of the CU upped sticks during February half term and on. The second half-term covered the topic of ‘The God “We say thank you to God for lots of different things.” travelled to The Oakes. While there they spent time with of Abraham - who is He and what is He like?’ In the Easter other Christian Unions from Sheffield and, as well as term we looked at what it means to be a Christian before “We sometimes sit in a circle and pass a cuddly toy round discussing their faith, enjoyed some of the many outdoor finishing in the summer with a contemporary look at the so we know whose turn it is (to pray).” pursuits available at The Oakes. The weekend was spent Ten Commandments. The on-going commitment of the in an old Georgian house and the gorgeous seven acre boys and the enthusiasm with which they take ownership “We like singing songs and are starting to learn some new gardens which encompass it, so it’s easy to see why the of Christian Union is very encouraging as is the willingness ones.” weekend was such a success. This year has been another they have to pray for each other’s needs. Finally for those year of group encouragement and personal development parents old enough to remember ‘Crackerjack’ we have Anybody in Pre-Prep is welcome to come along whenever in the CU; here’s to the next. pinched the slogan to remind the boys, ‘It’s Friday it’s five they want – we look forward to seeing you soon. past one it’s....’ Thomas Hetherington

DofE

Why do Gold D of E in the Sixth Form?

More than fifty L6 students have enrolled in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this year, so what are they hoping to get out of it? The website says that it gives all young people the chance to develop skills for work

25 26 Jun/Jul 2013 New Size:Layout 1 16/5/13 11:14 Page 40

LADIES BRANDS AT TWINKLE TOES

With all the up-to date footwear styles, including pre-walkers to juniors and seniors, from school shoes to specialised sports trainers, waterproof boots to slippers and others with half sizes plus multi width fittings. From great kids brands including Start-rite, Rhino & Angry Angels, Ricosta, Camper, Converse, Hi-Tech, Richter, Ecco, Angulus and many more. Our friendly, expert staff are on hand to advice you and ensure you get the perfect fit! Cu CURRICULUM Onatti Theatre had us on the edge of our seats. Company Drama aside, we enjoyed learning some new words and knowing that they would feature in the play gave us the Languages On Thursday 13th December the Onatti Theatre will to learn them even better. Getting the audience Company came to visit Birkdale, and what a splendid involved is always a winner. visit it was indeed! Getting a pupil onto the stage was a great touch as it The play was based around a guy with a bit of a dilemma. made him feel proud and able to speak French. All of drawn against Leicester High School and for the second, One minute he had a girl round, then in the blink of an this however really means nothing compared to the great unprepared debate and had to oppose the motion that eye he had another to deal with. facial expressions. Both of the actors had a good sense ‘It would be better to invite Delia Smith than Jamie French Debating The play was an all-action piece that was gripping and of humour, were superb actors and had a special touch Oliver as a dinner guest.’ Building on the tips given in the when it came to interacting with the audience. Competition: workshops, the team convincingly won this debate. “Getting a pupil onto the stage was Unfortunately, it did not give the team enough points to a great touch as it made him feel I feel overall that this visit has helped our French and reach the final. Nevertheless, the atmosphere for this we would like to thank the Onatti Theatre Company for War of the Words! challenge was fun and relaxed and the students enjoyed proud and able to speak French.” visiting. improving their French communication skills through the A Sixth Form debating team of four represented Birkdale Christian Mills medium of debating. School in a regional French debating competition held at Trent College, near Nottingham on Friday 16th November. They took part in two debates, both in French, one prepared and one unprepared. In addition, they attended workshops to improve their public speaking and presentation skills. In the first round, the prepared debate, the Birkdale team was drawn against Trent College and was proposing the motion that ‘A good education can took an active part in the floor debates. only be had in a private or EYP Enthusiasm The Committee for Security and Defence (SEDE) selective school.’ Having demonstrated great team solidarity and were praised for only narrowly lost the first On 6th March two teams from Birkdale took part in their excellent use of direct responses in the floor debate. debate, the team was then the regional heats of the European Youth Parliament James Caven delivered a passionate and convincing competition. speech on methods of tackling extremism across the The Committee for the Environment (ENVI) were EU with Michael Grayson offering one of the best extremely proactive and received great credit from the summations of the day. The rest of the team, Kate Beard, judges for their willingness to volunteer and keep the Dan Brunt, Will Hardy, Ami Kular, Dan Keel and Caroline debate going. Rik Giri opened the competition with a Ridler, worked very hard in the floor debates to retain a proposition speech advocating the benefits of promoting commanding presence. stem cell research across the EU and an effective The day concluded with a debate in French which summation was provided by Dan Cleveland. Prannay Kaul was impressively opposed by Caroline Ridler. Later, led the resolution on solutions for youth unemployment contributions were welcomed in other languages during with a superbly well-researched speech which he the floor debate and Fadi Al-Zubaidi made his mark in summed up with clarity and precision. Fadi Al-Zubaidi Arabic. delivered a commanding speech on the importance of The standard of debating was extremely high across all adopting a common opt-out policy on organ donation participating teams and unfortunately neither of Birkdale’s for the EU which was summed up by Oliver Sharrard with teams was selected for progression to the national finals passion and insight. Other members of the delegation, but that takes nothing away from the excellent job that Rebecca Ridsdale, Chand Muthoo and Shreyas Srivatsa, they did in flying the flag for European relations.

29 30 The Fox The Fox

There was once a fox in a hole The fox moves through the woods S1English Then there were vicious trolls Moving swiftly, sniffing for its prey. The trolls said “give me all your chickens” The time is night and the clouds cover Then the fox said “trolls, you got to be trippen” the moonshine making the light all grey. When it catches the scent of the rabbit The fox ran away with the chickens quite quickly its nose pulls the lever that will activate. A Sound of Thunder down to the ground. And the trolls ran and chased the fox all the way to the city The natural instinct to hide by the leaves “Finally this will put me at the top of the villain list of The fox had run out of breath, he was in trouble that work as bait. The T-Rex is strong, big and amazing, great evilness.” Or so he thought. Bang!!... Bang!!... “Finally But the trolls never made it because they got in a jumble The rabbit’s edgy shadow comes near With its giant unbreakable claws. she’s alive!!” Jack screeched, of all things he had managed to The fox was very humble and the fox gets ready to strike. An unstoppable steam-roller over the trees. create a living dinosaur that he could control. Then his tummy started to rumble The rabbit comes closer and closer and closer still Screaming like a car horn, “Walk to the door, and then cause rampage!!” Then he started to grumble until it gets too close and the fox kills it with one bite. Rattling the world. Then the fox went home and took a bite of the chickens head. So back the fox runs Destroys everything in its way. Josh Hattersley He went to his bed and thought maybe I should have had a its prey hanging from its With skin like armour that can’t be broken, rabbit instead! drooling mouth. If only It is the greatest creature on the land. The Hungry Fox rabbits had more wits. It towered so great no one can fake, Jabar Bika Will Gray That it is greater than everyone. The fox was hunting in the night, The great T-Rex glistening in the sun, It gave all creatures a terrible fright. It could scare anyone, A little mouse was running about, And it doesn’t need a sword. The Great Oiled Beast The hungry fox was looking around. S4 Poetry The great oiled beast standing tall and high, Jonathon Smith The mouse saw the fox and gave a shriek, Teeth like sharpened daggers and breathe that smells like Within a second it was in his teeth! rotting flesh, Fox The tasty treat was now digesting, Several hundred bones wrapped in a thousand tons of meat, The Unbreakable Corner But the fox’s stomach was not resting. Eyes like two boulders that send a chill down your spine, A flame of orange and red The stick lays in the corner, With every stride a large quake, down the valley it goes, Peering through the river bed What is it? All nibbled and blooded He wanted more, so much more, The roar like the sound of thunder, The furry eyes of the beast, The tip all worn and withered and warped and wearied, To catch with his enormous claws. The beast that towers above all, Leering at me, waiting to meet Blood drips off the end, fresh, but from whom? Up ahead a chicken farm, The reptilian lord and almighty ruler, A man stands by the wall, breathing, just breathing. If he didn’t try then he will starve. Legs like huge machines all working together, The liquid silver long and sharp His word is venom, but his hissing persists. Back in time the machine goes and there it is the great oiled About to tear apart Slowly and silently he crept up, beast, The creature of black and white A woman lays in the corner, Up towards the chicken hutch. Rifles at the ready but the beast shows no fear, A cow resting, the grass below what is she? All battered and blooded, He smelt the meal that was so near, Footprints decimate the landscape, About to take a heavy blow Rolling down her cheek, the stains of blood and tears, anguish. Thought nothing of what was to fear. Broken trees but will there be broken bones, Off her nose, a battlefield of broken contours, It sees the machine it turns and walks away but that is NOT Blood over on the brown Drips her sadness, echoing round the room, Over the hedge a noise was heard, the end, With teeth, the shape of a frown It stops at the door, the window, never heard. A click of a gun? The fox was scared. BANG out comes the shell, With a whoosh and a Whishhhhh He turned and ran, his stomach empty. The bullet soars through the air, It leapt on the grey slimy fish The man, the stick, the woman, His heart still beating, good and plenty. Deep into the skin it goes, In that order, and that order only. He was running back when his luck changed, Blood, blood everywhere, It called to the sky Off the man drips sweat, laughter, his dignity, all gone. Two rats ran out, all eyes engaged. Roar, roar fills the air, With its curly locks Off the woman rolls sweat, cold blood, a whimpering plea. The fox was quicker, moving first, SLAM! Down to the ground, A fox Down the stick in his hands rolls torment, hate, He leapt forward with a mighty burst. Final breaths no more sound, Silent and still But back comes nothing, nothing could come back. Off goes the huge machine, One quick snap, the rats were dead, The eyes close, The stick breaks, ‘Another!’ Stomach full, home to bed. Dinosaur down. But no one stands behind him, alone. Ethan Briddon A curled up bundle, full of dreams, Beyond the room, nothing, no comrade, no extra bat. He wakes up refreshed, for what the day brings… Oliver Hutchins Rampage!! He strikes again, but the pole is snapped, It fights for her, she need not strike back at him. “Bring me the Co2 before this gets out of control!!” Jack Dan Casbolt The world fights for her, her equality, now. screamed. His best henchman Rob brought the test tube containing the precious pure CO2. Sadly, what he didn’t realise The stick will never be fixed. is that he is about to create something so big, so scary that even the army wouldn’t be able to take this great monstrosity Sam Davis

31 32 Left:Lucy Grant Below: Rebecca Day AS Graphic Products Senior DT Work Concept Model Camera Display units

Tom Sempers Ray Khan A2 Product Design Devraj Singh Rowan Franks GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Resistant Materials A2 Product Design Ski storage & Rolling Stone magazine rack Tennis Racket holder Car Detailing unit Preparation unit Henry Lennox Jack Oliver A2 Product Design GCSE Res. Mats. Off Road Mountain bike trailer Football boot dryer

Joe Harrison AS Systems & Control BB Gun moving target Jack Lockwood Jack Oliver Jonty Holtum AS Systems & Control GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Resistant Materials Longboard speedometer Games console storage Tennis Ball storage and use William Cooper A2 Graphic Products Samsung Sound System Shop Display Stand

Mario Maher A2 Product Design Designers Desk with Sound System

Henry Singleton Felix Doonan AS Product Design GCSE Res. Mats. iPad holder Cup-cake stand

33 34 Senior Art Work

Chris Wells U6

Alex Parmar S2 Angus Bishop U6 Dan Mardapittas U6

Jack Parmar L6 Charley Barker U6

Henry Rossi U6 James WaddingtonU6 Barclay Brown S1 Max Doody S3

Jack Parmar L6

Sam Marsh U6

Henry Rossi U6 Elliott Brown S2 Jaza Syed L6 35 36 THYME quite sure if that is its proper name). In the Hankie Dance lots of people dropped their Hankies. S1 China Day Finally there was the opening ceremony of the Confucius Classroom where there was entertainment and plenty of 490-492 Glossop Road, nibbles. The best thing about the ceremony had to be We started the day not knowing what to think, it was all Broomhill, Sheffield S10 2QA when the dragons appeared and started winking at the Telephone: 0114 267 0735 a surprise. First we did Origami. It was a brilliant thing audience. I enjoyed the prawns wrapped in filo pastry – @ThymeCafeS10 to start the day with. We made Christmas Trees and they were lovely! WWW.THYMECAFE.CO.UK Snowflakes. Mine all failed miserably! Next we did the spoken Chinese Language where we were all learning William Colton about the language and traditions of China. After that we did Calligraphy where we learnt to draw different characters of the ancient language of China. It was really fun! Tai Chi was probably the most laid-back and relaxed lesson of the day. It was all about channelling your energy and weight into one focused point of your body. It was really relaxing. We finished early and enjoyed a game of football before lunch. Then we did some Chinese Dancing. We learnt two dances: The Peacock and the Hankie Dance (I’m not

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THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT Macbeth Visit On Wednesday 14th November the Prep department enjoyed watching the Shakespeare Theatre Company as they performed Macbeth. Prep Curriculum In the show all the Prep boys had a chance to take part. Some boys already knew the story because they had seen the joint performance between Birkdale and Ashdell in the Summer Term last year. This performance was different because the actors were adults and there was no singing. In the morning Prep 1 and 2 watched the show and got the chance to play different parts. In the afternoon it was Prep 3 and 4’s turn.

Everyone enjoyed the day, even the teachers.

History Day Sam Beahan and Harry Jones

On Thursday 22nd November Birkdale Prep School had a History Day. It was great fun! Science Visit The Prep boys all dressed up as historical characters. During period 9, the whole school came into the hall for a costume parade. Mr Leighton called classes up one at On 11th March Professor Gillian Ghering, from Sheffield University’s Astrophysics “We had a brilliant day. We loved it.” Department came to talk to the boys in Prep. The theme of the science talk was ‘Very a time to show the rest of the school their costumes. Cold Things’. Prof Ghering asked the boys to There were some great costumes! Rory Shuttleworth think about different temperatures they were and Freddie Parlby dressed up as two Victorian chimney aware of. She got boys to come up and put different places (eg the Sahara, Antarctica) and processes (eg boiling sweeps which made them look so alike. Rafal Faraj wore a water) on a temperature scale. Then she went on to explain how cold liquid nitrogen was. She lifted a flask of liquid brilliant costume of a Turkish ruler and Harry Burch came nitrogen onto her desk and ladled a spoonful out onto the floor. There were gasps of amazement as it rolled over the as Harold Godwinson with an arrow through his head. floor and produced clouds of condensation. Everyone found it very funny when Charles Montgomery (Mr Kirkham) met Winston Churchill (Mr Burch)! Prof Ghering went on to show how Bluetac can be turned into a nail, raw eggs can be solidified, balloons can be Altogether we had a brilliant day. We loved it. shrunk or even exploded using liquid nitrogen. Chrysanthemum flowers were frozen and the boys were able to crush the hard petals. At the end of the demonstrations the boys asked a wide range of questions relating to different Adam Lashen temperatures and how liquid nitrogen is made.

Lego City As part of Prep 2’s work on electricity in Science the boys have been building circuits. To enhance their understanding they were given the opportunity to build cities out of Lego. This generated lots of excitement and enthusiasm. Working in teams the boys built houses, sports arenas, cranes and flats. The city also included a train track and they were able to make their trains move up and down the track, by reversing the circuit. The houses contained lights, which the boys wired up so that the lights came on. This was the perfect chance to demonstrate why lights are wired up in parallel rather than series, rather than just seeing the effect in circuits built in the lab.

39 40 World Book Day

The Prep School celebrated World Book Day on Monday 25th February. As the doors opened to start the new half term an array of book characters filled the corridors. The boys were thrilled as they identified who their friends had dressed up as. The boys had some fabulous costumes; you could meet the Gruffalo, Where’s Wally, James and the Caterpillar from the Roald Dahl story James and the Giant Peach, amongst many others. The PP3 boys had a special theme for Book Day and all came dressed as knights. Later in the day they were joined by a ‘real knight’ who invited them to a banquet in the school hall. A great parade was held to give an opportunity for all the boys to see each other’s costumes. It is superb to see the enthusiasm the Birkdale boys have for reading and books. This day gave an opportunity to discover new authors and stories.

41 42 The Sheffield Wednesday Football Stadium is my favourite Our story beings in the times when icon powder was still place to be. The BIG, BULGING Wednesday ground stands in around: in medieval times. the middle of a busy, bustling shopping and residential area. Our hero Charlie (a powerful wizard) known as Red Mark Writer of the Month The slightly sloping pitch is surrounded by 40,000 screaming, hears a proclamation that everyone with icon powder would shouting (swearing) fans. be rewarded richly. The rusty turnstiles creak annoyingly like an old person’s bones Now of course you think you know how this goes. You don’t as we all push our way through. usually. The hero comes back and wins the princess but there Lift to your eyes The loud, lousy opposition are moaning about losing like is no princess here so what is the reward/ we’ll have to find The pond weed coated in algae boring babies. The blue and white seats climb all the way up out won’t we. Stare intently the stand to the epic roof. When the ground is empty white Where were we? Oh yes! I remember. Red Mark set off to find The glimmers of the sparkling water. chairs spell out “THE OWLS” against the blue chairs. The smell two cups. They were filled with icon powder. These were the The shines might possibly tell stories of the jungle of greasy, fried sausages and burgers drift around the ground cups Vizzini and Westley drank from in the battle of wits which Fantasies of fluttering butterflies, crawling insects. making my mouth water crazily like a giant waterfall. can be read about in The Princess Bride. Resting gracefully in the gentle breeze I can hear the strong grunts of the players when they hit the Now Red Mark got out and found a troll, bashed it on the The bright colours of the autumn trees ball down the field. The fans are chanting LEROY! LEROY! head and went on. Then he came to the Desert of Dreariness Golden patterns that weave on chameleons’ backs As Lita gets the ball and gifts a through ball to Helan, who in Gildor. To avoid getting bored of everything he took his Banks of leaves falling in rhythm. thunders down the white line and the ball screams into the very large packet of evil thins and threw the contents into the Caterpillars munching on the juicy leaves goal to the roar of the fans, cheering on their feet. I am lost desert because he liked a good fight. With lovely colours on their backs. in a sea of arms. The band is going wild on the drums and Then he walked into the desert… and came out alive and not trumpet. I see the board jumping up and down and saying 1-0. bored at all. I know not what happened in there but he was At the end of the game the crowd comes to life and shows tired and a small walk got him to the Hills of Hospitality where Magnus Ryan their appreciation. We all go home happy like we had been to he rested. Early one morning Steven and Sam were going to their air raid Toys-R-Us. Then a day’s march brought him to Wrestle Valley. He slept, shelter. Without warning a bomb went off in front of them and Luke Richards then a quick run, about a minute, got him to White Mountain. Sam died. Steven was still running to the shelter. When he got there his Mum and Dad were waiting for them. Unfortunately Nobody goes down it. Not unless they are wearing good luck Charlie Houghton their house was destroyed. Meanwhile they built a new house charms. One day I was lucky enough to be given a tour of it, only but it was in a Blitz zone. They found out it was in a Blitz zone because I had saved Bob’s life. because that night there was fire circling round the house. “Oi Joe,” he whispered, “Do you want a tour of the alleyway?” One dark night, Bjorn crawled on his hands and knees to the Mum went outside to see what had happened. The fire killed Bob was usually a very jolly boy who was slightly obese but you cliff edge of the Viking encampment. The loud and cheerful her. Luckily the others escaped to a friend’s house. wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. He had started to Vikings were feasting on a plump and succulent chicken. They There was an old, wooden, dusty bed in the far right hand shuffle down the main road at a leisurely pace, so I just tagged were singing and drinking merrily around a camp fire. Sam Richards corner of the room. Under the bed there were four gas masks. along with him. Bjorn was looking for a golden bracelet. He knew the Vikings There was a box next to the bed that you wee and poo in. “Er… yes, OK, I’d love to.” I exclaimed nervously. While we had it somewhere in their camp. As he peered over the camp Pants There was a cupboard in the left hand corner. Hammered on were sauntering along the road a million and one thoughts boundary he felt his heart beating faster and faster and sweat Zigzag pants the wall there was a picture of the big, old, dirty dog. raced through my mind. What would happen? Would we get appeared on his forehead. Funky pants kidnapped? Before I knew it, we had reached the alleyway. Suddenly he had an idea! He crept as quietly as a mouse over Colourful, cool comfortable pants Sam Raw “Over here!” Bob hissed impatiently. to the tents and he saw some water jars beside them. Groovy pants It wasn’t as eerie as I thought it was it was actually quite a nice He thought to himself, “If I could put these special herbs into One, two, three In 2010 there were two boys called Bobbie and Derek. They their water, when they drink it, they would fall asleep.” were on a school trip to a gloomy, wet and damp graveyard. In place. Looking around, there were loads of luxurious buildings on either side and the sun was shining down upon us. Just as he had thought, they all drank the special water either the distance they could see a zombie jumping up from a grave. after their evening meal or before going to sleep. It was getting nearer and nearer… “Get in here!” a distinctive voice commanded me. I crawled into a Merlin Hancock pile of old boxes stacked one on top of the other and sat down. Gradually one by one they fell asleep. Without delay Bjorn Chapter 2 tiptoed into the camp and grabbed the golden bracelet. “Oh But then a person came out of a nearby cottage. He looked “There is only one reason why we’re here,” Bob said in an evil manner. “Business!” no!” he cried. One of the Vikings had woken up. He just ran Pants suspicious and he had a pitch black hood. He pulled a massive and ran as fast as his legs would carry him, not even stopping Symmetrical pants Then a menacing look appeared on Bob’s face, tucking away any sledgehammer from his back and smacked the head off the to look behind him until he reached safety! Cool pants zombie. Then Dracula came out of a nearby forest and walked kindness he had shown previously… Chippy, nippy, whippy cosy pants nearer to their teacher and grabbed her shoulders… Adam Lashen Colourful pants Chapter 3 Alistair Olivo Crazy, comfy, thick pants The man went for Dracula but he fell in a ditch. Luckily he When I looked out of my window on a winter’s day Spiky pants had a karate teacher with a black belt and then he kicked him. I saw snow falling like confetti drifting to the ground One, two, three The leg went straight through but then Bobbie remembered I saw snow covering my garden like a white blanket there’ll be a vacuum cleaner. So he ran inside and brought it I saw icicles like daggers ready to strike Joel Kennedy back. Bobbie sucked Dracula into it but Dracula reached up I saw frosted glass like feathers swirling around and broke the vacuum cleaner and went for Bobbie… I saw a duck sliding around on the ice like a baby trying to Chapter 4 walk Amazingly Bobbie pulled a match out of his pocket and I saw an icy road with a surface like polished glass burnt Dracula but it came back to life in the dusty and damp All when I looked out of my window that winter’s day. graveyard. Will Smith Max Broadbent

43 44 Quiz Team Sheffield Young

The 9th annual Sheffield Young Artists Exhibition was held this year at on 3rd and 4th May. This year, for the first time, Birkdale Prep School entered And so to the National Final, held in the Speech Room Over 1000 pictures were exhibited from school children the National Prep Schools’ General Knowledge Quiz of Harrow School in Middlesex. The boys had been doing across Sheffield aged 5 to 18.All of the children involved Championship run by Quiz Club. The first round was held plenty of cramming, particularly on their ‘weaker’ areas received a certificate. Sixteen boys from the Prep School at Ashdell School, and featured two teams from each of art, classical music and historical battles. By the time were taken by Miss Frewin and Mr Connor to see their Art Exhibition of Sheffield’s independent schools. Each team had to the final came around, they couldn’t have been better artwork on display. include one person from each of P1, P2, P3 and P4. prepared. Despite another slow start, the team soon got Harry Burch’s picture was chosen for the Art in the It quickly became clear that our teams possessed some into their stride and, after eight of the forty questions, Gardens Exhibition in the Botanical Gardens in September remarkable general knowledge as the rest of the city were nicely placed in third out of the twelve teams. 2013. was swept aside. As only one team could progress to the Sadly they could not keep pace with the leaders and fell November saw the hosting of the annual Prep School Regional Final, the contest soon boiled down to which back into the chasing pack but still managed to exhibit Art Exhibition at the Curator’s House Café. Birkdale team would hold their nerve. It came right down an amazing general knowledge, particularly strong on For the second year in a row the event was a huge to the final question of 40 before James Makepeace, the geography questions - confidently knowing which success. Every boy in Prep 4 had their painting exhibited Max Farthing, Arav Bhattacharyya and Rafal Faraj saw countries border Montenegro! P4 Board Games and some of the sculptures were also selected for display. off the fantastic effort of Arush Bhattacharyya, Anshu Going into the final few questions, the boys could still The theme was ‘dreams and memories’, which filled the Madhuvrata, Chris Carter and Adam Lashen to book their have realistically finished anywhere between second Curator’s House with a wash of colour. The weird and place in the next round. and seventh but eventually had to settle for sixth wonderful monster sculptures were certainly a talking Travelling to North Yorkshire for the semi-final gave the place - still a fantastic achievement given that over 300 point. boys another chance to show off their fantastic array of schools entered the competition. The trophy was won, A glass of wine and a canapé or two were enjoyed by eclectic facts. Despite a slow start, the boys soon found relatively comfortably in the end, by Northwood Prep visiting parents and teachers which made the evening their feet and grabbed the lead, eventually securing safe from Hertfordshire, but Birkdale not only finished sixth a sophisticated affair. We were delighted that the passage to the final. nationally but were also the highest placed school from exhibition stayed up in the café for over a week and it has the North of England. The team can be incredibly proud been fantastic to hear so many encouraging comments of their achievements in this year’s competition and are from the public. already looking forward to another assault on the title in 2014. Very well done boys!

Mr Cooper Adam Lashen

Lewis Roberts

Haroon Tarq Ronan Sahni

45 46 Prep Art Work

Jake Chan Thomas Sheard

Anirudh Mohanamurali Matthew Morris

Tim Griffin Tim Burton Simon Peng

Joshua Kane William Pollard Harry Burch

Andrew Charlish Charles Hartley

47 48 showed us the cutting gear and the hose. We squirted the water at cones and tried on the helmets. The boys Pre Prep Fairy Tales enjoyed the visit. Joshua Rowland

On 19th September during Pre-Prep hymn practice by the boys. We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the everyone was amazed as a wardrobe full of fairy tale dramatic S5s for their time and help. characters was delivered. To expand on the fairy tale theme, the boys had a dressing Mrs Fletcher un-wrapped a huge parcel to discover up day when all of the Pre-Prep came to school dressed a wardrobe. Out of this burst Jack from Jack and the as their favourite fairy tale character. Beanstalk, a pair of very ugly sisters from Cinderella and a pair of king’s men who couldn’t put Humpty together Alexander McGlone and Charles Wigfull again. After an astonishing assembly the boys returned to their classrooms where there was another surprise waiting for them. In PP1 the two king’s men still needed help to put Humpty Knights Visit Christmas Lights Poem Dumpty back together again. The boys came up with incredible ideas to fix him. One boy suggested a ladder might have prevented the problem! Yesterday we had just come out of assembly when Nostalgic images fill my dreamy head, In PP2 Jack arrived, tired out after running away from the suddenly a knight came in called Harold! I think about Christmases past. giant by climbing down the beanstalk. He told the boys He forgot everything because he fell off his horse when Childhood memories…Old stories; old Christmas cards; about the giant’s castle which was covered with exotic he was jousting with his brother, William. When Harold old and young laughing faces. jewels from all over the world and they heard about the came in, he said “I don’t know what a book is and I don’t A shower of dancing, sparkling, shiny stars. rare singing flowers and orange grass. know how to read”. He had no idea what anything was, Appled with baubles, the Christmas tree stands. In PP3 the very ugly and very crazy sisters, who were because the year he came from was 1270. He had a Beautiful candles. called Prunella and Olivella, paid a visit. They were school bag but he didn’t know what anything was. He Lanterns like diamonds and jewels. outraged and terribly upset that they had lost all their did not know what a phone was. At snack time he threw Christmas lights! fortune because their sister had had a book published his food on the floor. And he looked at a book and he By PP3KR and they hadn’t. The sisters were distressed because they remembered about being a knight. had been forced to do all of the cleaning since Cinderella had married the prince, and they had no new clothes to Ewan Gillott and Simon Peng wear. They consulted the boys for ways to help them. PP3 responded by promising to publish a story telling the girls’ point of view and to design some new clothes for the sisters. All the boys had a wonderful morning and the teachers Firefighters Visit were delighted by the creative work which was produced

PP3 met modern firefighters and discovered the many improvements made in firefighting since the Great Fire of London. We have been learning about the Fire of London. We looked at how the fire started and how the people tried to stop the fire. We talked about how fires are fought today. A fire engine arrived at our school but there wasn’t a real fire. It came to school so that we could see how fire fighters put out fires today. The fire fighters showed us around the fire engine. They

49 50 Pre Prep WOW work

Duncan MacColl

Derun Zhou

Fergus Cooke

Leo Kyeremateng

Theodore Pitfield

51 DRAMA A View From The Bridge

just with their entrances, but also with their positioning. This was most obvious at the opening of the play, in which a group of longshoremen are hard at work about two metres from the front row of the audience, where I was seated. It helped that the characters weren’t simply restricted to the stage, and the atmospheric sounds dramatically increased the realism. I was immediately drawn into the story.

The actors did an excellent job building up the tension as the play progressed, especially through their tone of As Marco is being led away he spits in Eddie’s face, disgracing him in front of the entire Italian-American community. I found this scene so memorable thanks to “The moment that stood out the brilliant performance of the actors and their ability the most for me was the scene to convey the sense of fear and confusion so well to the audience. Most noticeably, instead of pretending to spit where, after Eddie has betrayed in Eddie’s face - as I had seen in another performance of the cousins to the Immigration the play - Marco actually spat at Eddie. This may seem like Bureau, the officers arrive and a small, insignificant piece of the entire production, but I can guarantee no-one in the audience expected it. arrest the cousins for entering the Throughout the play, all the gritty events of this tragic country illegally.” story were perfectly and realistically portrayed; and that, more than anything else, is the sign of good theatre.

voice and body language. They were able to keep the Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed A View from the Bridge, audience on the edge of their seats during intense scenes, and thought the performance of the actors was excellent. whilst also making us laugh during the more comical Their commitment and dedication created a truly In December 2012, I went to see the school’s production sections of the play. successful production, and they genuinely brought the of Arthur Miller’s famous play A View from the Bridge. play to life. A View from the Bridge definitely surpassed The story takes place in 1950s New York and features Their use of American and Italian accents enhanced my expectations and I’m looking forward to seeing the Eddie Carbone, an Italian-American longshoreman, his their performance, delivering their lines consistently in next school production. wife, Beatrice, and her niece, Catherine. their correct ethnical tone, even through large pieces of Rohin Athavale dialogue. Although they seem to be a pretty normal and loving family, the arrival of Beatrice’s Italian cousins, Marco and Lighting and music were also used to great effect. The Rodolfo, starts a series of events which ultimately spiral music helped build the atmosphere and complimented out of their control. The audience is kept in the know the actors’ performances, while the lights artistically drew by Alfieri, the lawyer, who acts as both an omniscient the audience’s attention to the most significant events narrator for us, and as an advisor for Eddie. on stage as they were taking place, subtly affecting the mood. The props and set, most of which were made or As I had studied A View from the Bridge for nearly six provided by people in the school, were very convincing months for my English Literature GCSE last year, I was and helped the audience immerse themselves in the very interested to see drama teacher and director Miss story. The moment that stood out the most for me was McDonnell’s interpretation of the play. And I wasn’t the scene where, after Eddie has betrayed the cousins to disappointed. the Immigration Bureau, the officers arrive and arrest the cousins for entering the country illegally. The cast made fantastic use of the space available - not

53 54 Guys & Dolls

One thing in common between the Birkdale Drama Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”. Department and New York City is that they both never While we may not have seen them throughout the sleep. This Easter term, Miss McDonnell teamed up musical, we certainly heard them, and those who with the Music Department to present their unique participated in the ensemble for the songs certainly interpretation of Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls. This hit deserve praise, as well as the crew behind the stage Broadway musical from 1950 won several awards and making sure the lighting and props were working for the was eventually adapted into a film in 1955, so there was

performance. The wonderful efforts from the ensemble clearly no pressure for the cast and crew! Rest assured, and the backstage crew really helped create the energetic the students delivered, to produce a truly fantastic atmosphere that the musical deserved. Each of the three production full of drama, comedy and music. nights ran flawlessly and the production team behind the musical merit huge credit for this. Nathan Detroit, The Big Apple’s resident gambler, was played superbly by Sam Oliver who gave a convincing To my mind, getting up on a stage and singing as well as enactment of the New York swindler. Eager to convince acting to a well known musical is not an easy thing to do, Nathan to abandon his shady lifestyle was long-term and to do that for three nights in a row is something all “The wonderful efforts from the that participated can be proud of. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and felt proud of all those who contributed ensemble and the backstage crew towards the excellent result! really helped create the energetic atmosphere that the musical James Anderson deserved.” lover Adelaide, who was portrayed magnificently by Lucy Grant. The performances of Sam and Lucy brought the story to life and allowed the audience to really connect with their characters on a personal level.

Stand out performances were also notably drawn from James Grant with his depiction of Sky Masterston, which included an outstanding rendition of the classic “Luck be a Lady”, and Josh Utting with a memorable recital of “Sit

55 56 Prep & Pre Prep Drama The Descendants On Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June, Prep 3 and Prep 4 boys put on a spectacular show called ‘The Descendants’. ‘The Descendants’ is an amazing production, written by the Prep Head of Drama, Mrs Carter. It is a mix of comedy, action, funny voices and spoilt pharaohs. Nativity The play begins in the early 1920s. Howard Carter and Luke Carnarvon are on the trail of a secret Egyptian tomb. Upon its discovery, they decipher a series of strange hieroglyphs relating to the tomb. Howard Carter posts The Pre-Prep boys gave us yet another stunning Nativity a map of its location along with a translation of the treat this year. hieroglyphs to his family, lest the pair never return… The age-old story was touchingly retold. The PP2 The play then moves to a century later. Luke and Henry, boys played Roman soldiers and mega-cool wise men the descendants of Carter and Carnarvon, discover that a complete with shades. The PP1 boys were shepherds and criminal gang is after the map and the secret of the tomb. innkeepers knock, knock, knocking on doors and singing The gang successfully devise a plan to get the information “The boys all sang and danced they need via the assistance of a pizza delivery company their hearts out to a selection of and a well-known television quiz show. Determined to reach the tomb before the gang, Luke and fantastic songs bringing us back to Henry head for Egypt, followed by a team of detectives, what Christmas is really about.” who are also hot on their trail. On arrival at the tomb, Luke and Henry find that they are expected by the Ancient and dancing beautifully. Egyptians, who have set the tomb up like a night club and The PP3 boys all spoke their lines clearly from Joseph and health spa to keep them entertained over the 4000 years his carpenter friends to space-age angels in shiny suits. they have been incarcerated in there. Soldiers, innkeepers and newsreaders were there and of In order to win the Stone of Gor Raa, and prevent the course a fabulously bling-laden Herod singing “I am the criminals from seizing it, Luke and Henry find themselves one and only”! contestants in a strange quiz show that will determine The boys all sang and danced their hearts out to a the fate of the world. selection of fantastic songs bringing us back towhat Christmas is really about. Everyone from boys to parents to teachers all thought it Thanks go to all of the Pre-Prep staff, Mr Jones and his was brilliant. So thank you to Mrs Carter for putting on a band and especially to the incomparable Mrs Fletcher for fabulous show. “Best Play Ever!” producing such a delightful show. Charles Wigfull

57 58 The Good, The Gnome & The Baddy

This year’s Pre-Prep play was a magical story involving cowboys, talking gnomes, dancing cleaners and a group of school boys on a trip who have to save the local from closure and, along the way, reform an evil, bullying cowboy! There were some stellar performances from the PP3 boys who all spoke their lines clearly and with expression. The cleaners performed a wonderful dance routine with their feather dusters including a display of break dancing from Joshua Rowland. As always, it is a joy to see the boys performing their parts so confidently, especially Thomas Smith, who played the part of the gnome so well in a full beard and hat on one of the hottest days of the year! A special mention must go to two boys who, owing to illness, heroically stepped in at the eleventh hour to take on extra parts: Joey Howard and Ben Inman. It was wonderful to see the PP2 boys performing “Home, Home on the Range”, a (lemonade) drinking song (sung in French) and then inciting the audience to revolt with a rousing rendition of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Miserables. The PP1 boys sang their songs delightfully, too. None of this could be achieved without the incomparable Mrs Fletcher; writer and director of the play and the Pre- Prep staff who helped the boys to learn all of the songs, many of whom can be heard quietly humming the tunes which are now firmly implanted in their heads! Well done Pre-Prep!

59 Ch CHARITIES International China Concern Nepal

International China Concern is a Christian development organization that changes lives by bringing love, hope and The bright sun was shining over the tall hills while chaos opportunity to China’s abandoned and disabled. ensued below as a range of people scurried to their It is still the case in China that hundreds of thousands of babies and children with disabilities continue to be abandoned destinations…This wasn’t Nepal, but rather Oakholme each year. Training for Chinese nationals working in social welfare is limited and many have little or no understanding Road on 19th March. Several meetings, a night on the of how to care for those with special needs, leading to high rates of mortality. In many state-run orphanages there cold hard floor of Castle Dyke, hundreds of lentils and could be up to four babies in one small crib and typically one caregiver left to take care of 17 children with varying many injections had led up to this moment as I lugged degrees of disabilities. my suitcase into the lecture theatre. For almost 20 years International China Concern has partnered with the Chinese government to develop social welfare Around twenty hours later we landed in Kathmandu for China’s neediest children – the abandoned and disabled. and were greeted by an uncountable number of people ICC HAS TWO KEY PROJECT AREAS: demanding to push our trolleys before demanding a We were then given a tour of the village where the 1 RESIDENTIAL CARE & SERVICES through the provision of group homes, medical services, therapy, education large tip, along with taxi drivers and a heavy stench of majority of the pupils that attend Bungamati and the and vocational training smoke that seemed to linger in the terminal. If airports Peace Garden School live. In general the women seemed 2 BRINGING AN END TO ABANDOMENT through community education, public awareness, parent support and are a good indicator of what a city is like then I would to do the hard work while the men seemed to sit on the outreach programs side of the road playing cards and smoking. Projects are predominantly managed by Chinese nationals with support from dedicated international volunteers, “The thing that amazed us the both in China and abroad. most was the prolonged cheering In August 2011 a group of Birkdale Sixth Formers travelled with Mrs Higham to spend 3 weeks in Henyang, China and applause that greeted us as working as volunteers for International China Concern and this year Birkdale Senior School have chosen to support the organisation through our charity fund raising projects. we walked into the playground.”

say Kathmandu’s is fairly spot on. The drive to the International Club gave us a fascinating insight into the vibrant and chaotic scenes of the city. The following day we visited the three schools which we support. At the first stop in Bungamati we were treated to silk scarves, cultural dances and 7 Up. Yet perhaps the thing that amazed us the most was the prolonged Later that day the skies closed in on us just in time for our cheering and applause that greeted us as we walked into visit to the Peace Garden School, where we experienced the playground. It was if we had actually done something a large thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain and to deserve it. hailstones the size of ping pong balls.

61 62 The next day we set off on the long journey to Nayapul getting them to draw Christmas cards, the images ranged where we started the four day trek up to Poon Hill and from a village scene to two mushrooms on a blazing fire. back. After an easy first day we enjoyed the comforts Aside from the teaching we visited many of Kathmandu’s of our first tea house in Tikhedhunga where I think it’s tourist attractions which allowed us an insight into the fair to say most of us remained oblivious to the climb bustling scenes of a rapidly growing nation held back by its own poverty, giving the AS geographers among us a “ I have to say it is certainly one great experience of a subject that comes up just weeks of the best things I have ever later in our unit one exam! done in my life.” Having only started at Birkdale in September and not knowing many of the people, I was unsure about whether to go on the trip. Yet our experiences certainly up to Ghorepani that we had to face the next day. To brought our group together. The trip has been a fantastic many getting up at five in the morning to walk up a hill in experience and I have memories that will last a lifetime. the freezing cold would not seem like a great idea. But Before I went to Nepal, people always told me it would when you’re in the Himalayas you automatically adopt a be a life changing experience and to be honest I was a mentality where the prospect of seeing the sun rise over little sceptical about this but in the end, it was. I saw the some of the highest peaks in the world is thrilling. I have other side of life, the one most of the world’s population to say it is certainly one of the best things I have ever experience and the rich minority may prefer to ignore. done in my life. After the trek we spent a night in the relative luxury of Caius Lacey where we rode an elephant around the jungle for a couple of hours before later seeing a rhino. On our arrival back in Kathmandu we started our final teaching preparations. Anyone who has been to Nepal would know that you can’t plan anything in advance; teaching was no exception. Yet as the week progressed and we got to know the class better we gained their respect and learned that for them to concentrate we Tough Mudder had to promise them sweets at the end of every lesson, something I’m sure many teachers (and dentists!) would probably frown upon. Another thing that could be At 5:15 am on Sunday 5th May, 15 Birkdalians awoke to guaranteed is that when we set them work, we would the realization that today they would have to complete receive something very interesting that often wasn’t the toughest event of their lives. Some claimed it was Pokhara’s Hotel Asia. During our stay the Holi festival what we had asked for. the toughest in the world... was in full swing which led to all of us getting covered in When we asked if they knew what Christmas was before 5 hours later, standing at the start line, the nerves were dried paint. Just when we thought the accommodation starting to kick in; some tried to hide it with relentless couldn’t get better we arrived in Chitwan National Park, over-enthusiasm, whilst others went very quiet. After where we stayed in rooms that would even be considered a somewhat rushed warm up, both teams lined up on luxurious in the western world. the start line ready to recite the ‘Tough Mudder’ pledge. Yet the highlight of our stay has to be the elephant safari Finally, after months of training (well, most of us anyway), we were off! “Tough Mudder was a fantastic opportunity to get fit AND promote quality teamwork between teachers and pupils.”

The course itself, consisted of 12 miles of muddy terrain, interspersed with 23 obstacles that ranged from 3m wooden walls to jumping through fire into muddy

63 64 Charity Events water; needless to say, it was challenging. Four miles in we encountered our first true challenge, the ‘Electric Eel’. The obstacle involved crawling through mud whilst “...after a few hours and another It has been an eventful year supporting the school’s dose of electric shocks the charity International China Concern (ICC) as well as Birkdalians finished.” Birkdale’s on going commitments in Nepal. Fund raising events have included some old favourites, such as non- uniform days (which raised £2296) and the Nepal Jumble surrounded by 10,000V wires. However we all managed Sale as well as some new ideas including a Staff Sumo to succeed in getting through without being shocked too Wrestling match. hard! The course weaved onwards for another 8 miles, Charities Week in the Easter term raised a total of £1780 with injuries and cramp beginning to take their toll on for ICC through cake sales, bacon butties stalls and, the both teams, but after a few hours and another dose of ever popular, Penny Race. Griffiths House managed to electric shocks the Birkdalians finished! bring in the most money although Hall House won the Penny Race due to some amazing tactical donations of In conclusion, Tough Mudder was a fantastic opportunity silver coins. Band Night, charity concerts and Comedy to get fit AND promote quality teamwork between Night, as well as many other events and sales, further teachers and pupils. In total we raised over £6000 for boost the total. Pupils and staff who took part in Tough three charities that the school supports: ICC, Helen’s Trust Mudder raised a fantastic £6,000 to be shared between and Nepal charities. Overall it was a great experience and the school’s charities. Special mention has to go to forms I would like to thank all the pupils and staff for making it S4H and S4R with the help of Miss Hodkinson and Miss what it was. Randall, who have managed to raise nearly £900 by organising Hot Dog Sales, Cake Sales and, the amazing, Tom McKane staff Sumo Wrestling competition, in which even Dr Owen and Mr Pietrek were persuaded to participate. With the Charities Fair still to come the final total for the year is not yet known, but we look forward to handing over a large cheque to ICC in the near future.

Thanks go to Dr Myatt, Miss Hodkinson and the charities committee for all their hard work and to Mr Brook for his on-going work coordinating links with, and fund raising for, schools in Nepal. Lastly thanks must go to all parents, pupils and staff who took part and donated the money, without which none of this would happen.

65 66 SUMO-RAMA FOBS

The highly anticipated Sumo Wrestling competition opponents, Mr Brook and Mr Allen respectively, and Mr Over the past twelve months, FOBS have continued in was definitely a winner! took over the school in the Easter term. As expected Julian conceded defeat to Mr King, showing he really is their commitment to raising funds to help to broaden the The Summer Ball took place on 8th June at Baldwins Friday 15th February was a far cry from the average king with a convincing victory! opportunities offered to pupils throughout the school. Omega. This was the third year that Ashdell and Birkdale lunchtime, as we swapped the overly excited S1 It then came down to an all marital affair in the ring as Grants awarded this year have benefited both the Prep Birkdale have united to organise an excellent evening, pupils for trembling teachers who were almost ready to Mrs Clark took on husband and Geographer Mr Clark. and Senior Schools including: refurbishment of the including high quality entertainment from Octopus and conquer the dreaded Dohyō. The ‘battle of the sexes’ resulted in Mr Clark proving his Johnson Pond; installation of a covered bicycle shelter; ‘Super J’; culinary delights prepared by Baldwins; and the With competitors fully dressed in the traditional attire worth and coming out the winner. The afternoon’s events six satellite trackers for DofE expeditions; provision of opportunity to relax amongst friends. of a skimpy Muwashi assisted by a fully inflated ‘fat suit’, concluded with ‘The showdown’ as the Headmaster faced tents, film club books, lab coats & storage boxes. These Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone and Dr Abouzeid ready to take charge, the tournament off against his Deputy; Dr Owen vs Mr Pietrek. In a close grants have been made possible through the continued who has supported our events throughout the year; to finally got underway as a whole host of wrestlers from match, Dr Owen was victorious in the final. support and generosity of parents and staff. the form reps for their continued support; and of course the illustrious staff room were prepared to lock horns. It was a tense tournament between the teachers, but it Our range of social events got off to a great start in the to my highly efficient FOBS Committee - you are a great It began with an all female tie as the Drama department was for a good cause which is this year’s chosen charity; Autumn Term 2012, with the Quiz Night hosted by our team to work with! represented by Miss McDonnell took on the Scientists International China Concern. It was played in high spirits new quiz master, Jayne Kitchen. The event was a sell-out represented by Miss Randall and it was fair to say the and raised a superb £250. and Jayne kept everyone on their toes with her fabulous Heidi Wragg Scientists took the early lead as Miss Randall stepped out range of questions. The traditional pie and peas supper, FOBS Chair of the ring a winner. We then saw Mr Cottom take on Mrs Reece Johal served at half time, was delicious and provided everyone Pickford; Mr Cottom was victorious as he pulled his weight with a chance to rejuvenate their grey cells before the for the DT department. Next into the ring was Mr Clifford second half! The prestigious FOBS plate was awarded to who faced off against Mr Parker. Clear favourite, Mr this year’s winning team.....Parson’s Pets! Parker didn’t disappoint as he stormed to a comfortable Our next Quiz Night has been set for 22nd November, and victory. Mr Kenyon and Dr Myatt both conquered their I know Jayne is already planning a really broad spectrum of questions! In March, I had the pleasure of judging the Pre-Prep

decorated Easter eggs. The designs were lovely, conveying a wealth of artistic talent - including super-star eggs, aliens, Humpty Dumpty and ‘anything goes’ eggs. It was a hard decision, but the most imaginative designs were selected from each class, and each winner was presented with a chocolate Easter egg. The inaugural ‘Kids Under Canvas’ BBQ and camping event took place in May at Castle Dyke and was highly popular - despite the very poor weather, nearly sixty tents were pitched, accommodating boys and their parents from Pre-Prep through to Prep 4. Ann Cousins did a sterling job organising this event and Meem’s tuck shop

67 68 Charities Week Prep Charities

The Prep School’s charity this year is Helen’s Trust. This is a local charity which was set up in memory of a local The ever popular playground games and cake sales were woman, Helen Lyon, who was diagnosed well received as was the Non Uniform Day which raised with breast cancer at the age of 40. She was determined £490 for Comic Relief. throughout her illness to live as normal a life as possible On the Friday the boys were treated to a visit from London Olympic Games Bronze Medal winner, Karina Bryant, as Harvest Festival “Prep school raised £3683.86 for the part of the Superschools project. Karina gave us an insight three charities. This is a fantastic into her Bronze medal fight, a demonstration of basic total and everyone involved should judo techniques with the help of the school judo club and be very proud of themselves.” encouraged the boys through their exercise circuit. These A couple of weeks before we celebrated our Harvest Festival, the boys listened in earnest to an assembly given by Chris Marriott from the Jubilee Food Bank. He told the boys about various different ways in which they can be generous and also how important it is to give with a happy heart. He explained that there were people here in Sheffield who needed their help and he set them a challenge. If they wanted to give to the appeal, they should try to sneak their goods into the crates at the school entrance without anyone noticing. This message obviously had a big impact on the boys. One member of Pre-Prep was found trying to sneak his snack into the donation crates! As we approached our Harvest Festival it was incredible to see the huge quantities of food gifts the boys had collected. In fact when Chris Marriott arrived to collect the crates his car was filled to bursting. We have received a very kind thank you letter on behalf of the Food Bank and we sincerely hope our gifts have made a difference to other families in Sheffield.

and, eventually, to die in her own home. activities raised an amazing £1896.89. Helen’s Trust helps and supports people in North In total, including cake sales and playground games, the Derbyshire and Sheffield who wish to make the same Prep school raised £3683.86 for the three charities. This choice. They provide nursing care, equipment, transport is a fantastic total and everyone involved should be very to and from the hospital, etc. All of the support is tailored proud of themselves. to the individual’s needs. A big thank you goes to all boys, parents and staff for all In February the Prep School enjoyed a busy week of fun their support and generosity throughout the week and and fund raising beginning with Prep 4 pupils and some especially to Mr Oakey for his hard work in organising all brave members of staff who took to their bikes in a two these events. day Cycling Marathon. 680 miles and many aching legs later the challenge was complete. This raised £951 for Helen’s Trust.

69 70

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TRIPS & EXPEDITIONS café, sat amongst some of the world’s top physicists. The visit proved to be very informative and we finished the CERN 2012 day off with another filling fondue.

We spent the next morning on a boat tour of the scenic Lake Geneva, contemplating what we had learnt the previous day. Or at least that was until we heard there was a world BMX competition taking place in town, and In September the Physics Department gave nine Sixth weeks. However, after a long journey we decided it would we rushed off to cram one last activity into an already Form Physics students the opportunity to visit Geneva be best to have an early night, preparing ourselves for inspirational weekend. on a weekend trip to learn about the Large Hadron the many exciting opportunities promised by the days to Ciaran Doyle Collider (LHC) and the pivotal role it plays in the world come. of Particle Physics. The trip began in earnest the following morning with an We arrived late on Thursday evening, abuzz with early walk through Geneva on the way to the Palais des excitement at the prospect of visiting the world’s largest Nations, one of the UN’s headquarters. Outside the palace laboratory, in addition to the many other highlights we were enthralled by a monumental 40ft sculpture of a Geneva has to offer. The trip itself could not have been broken chair, dedicated to landmine victims. Being guided scheduled for a better time, the apparent discovery of through the palace was a special experience, but the the Higgs Boson having been reported over the previous afternoon proved to be just as interesting as we toured

modern youth hostel, with its comfortable rooms, well- stocked shop, restaurant and ample study areas. Cologne Trip From the first full morning, we were out and about in the city centre. Some students completed a questionnaire, Geneva itself, learning about the city’s history and other interacting with the locals and finding out more about unique features. The evening offered an opportunity their culture. Others were out taking the photos that they to sample yet another of Geneva’s famous attractions, Cologne 2013 will certainly be an excursion that lives will use in their GCSE oral exams. In the afternoon we put perhaps the one many of us had been anticipating the the studying to one side, and we headed to the beautiful most – fondue! long in my memory. The 5-day trip was my first as a teacher at Birkdale, heading into unknown territory on spa town of Bad Ems. First, the students carried out a a dark February morning, accompanying Mrs Ryan and quiz around the town. Despite returning with details such On the Saturday we visited CERN - the main focus of the as the names of the local newspaper and trusty dental trip - and after a short journey over the French border a group of ten Senior School pupils from S4 to Lower Sixth. surgeon, nobody (including, embarrassingly enough, we were shown a facility dedicated to explaining the the “quizmaster” teachers) managed to find the church! science behind the LHC. We then went on to delve over The aim of the trip is to provide students, with important After the quiz, we’d all worked up an appetite, so we took 100m below ground to visit the Compact Muon Solenoid a short ride up the mountainside by funicular for “Kaffee detector (CMS), one of the particle detectors at CERN. examinations approaching, with an opportunity to study German whilst surrounded by the people and culture in und Kuchen” (coffee and cake). Lecker! That evening, we Between learning about the fundamental particles of the swapped a gentle descent by funicular for the rough and universe we still found time for food, eating at the CERN this fascinating country. We stayed at the city centre’s

73 74 tumble of Aqualand, and its full range of water slides – some were certainly not for the faint-hearted! A great time the accomplishment of the tasks which was going to be was had by all. assessed when scoring us, but rather our ability to co- Edale ordinate as a team in both the delegation of tasks and The next morning, we took a trip up Cologne’s touristic showstopper – its majestic cathedral. The views from the the effectiveness of the leader. As there was a significant top are superb, and you quickly forget the more than 500 steps you’ve just climbed. After their trip up the cathedral, monetary incentive to perform well in the tasks, every students were given time to explore the city for themselves, and to get those all-important souvenirs for family and group certainly attempted to work together - with friends back home. Next, it was back to the youth hostel to work on projects before heading out later that evening to varying degrees of success. The activities included: river the bowling alley to see the wide variety of bowling styles our group had to offer. This year’s ostentatiously described Lower Sixth crossing, Towers of Hanoi (an iterative mathematical Development Course began on 8th November with a puzzle included for reasons unknown on an outdoor Our final full day in Cologne started with a delicious detour prompt 8:45 start (though for those blessed enough pursuits trip), climbing tower, tower building, archery, to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. It is an interesting place, to live in the Hope Valley, the chosen route granted an orienteering and an assault course, which the entire highlighting the origins of chocolate, as well as the journey extra 45 minutes in bed - or in my case, additional time team had to cross with no more than two people falling. from bean to bar. We made sure we took full advantage of to pack). This led to a 9:45 arrival time in the network- the free samples on offer. Next, it was the Sport Museum. It deprived village of Edale. Six activities were completed on the first day and four on was fascinating to see sport history from another country’s perspective, and the students certainly enjoyed the chance to play football on the museum’s roof. Just don’t kick the ball too hard – it may end up in the Rhine! Later that day, we had one last study session, and some students completed a controlled assessment that will make up part of their GCSE grade. We finished the day with a table football tournament, with students making one last-gasp attempt for sporting glory on German soil.

The next morning we set off on the long journey back to Sheffield. All were agreed that this had been a really worthwhile trip, and would certainly go a long way towards helping students maximise their potential in the upcoming exams.

Mr E Meadows

the second, which resulted in us finishing the outdoor As implied in the title, the trip was founded on the basis aspects of our first day by 16:00. Unfortunately, this did of developing the Lower Sixth into a generally wiser and not result in us being allowed to rest for the remainder of more mature cohort, but this is certainly not an exhaustive the day, as earlier we had selected a task based on logic, aim; indeed, the trip also brought many unacquainted planning or drama. I am not aware of what the other persons into contact, thus causing new friendships to two tasks entailed, but in the planning task we were form and causing a more pleasant atmosphere amongst asked to build a race track out of bamboo poles, string the year group as a whole. and guttering, with the strict rule that at no point could the track be supported by the ground. We were then The trip attempted to accomplish these goals by dividing permitted to test the time taken for a tennis ball to go the year into randomly selected groups and assigning down the track before making predictions on how fast a them to various outdoor-based tasks, each of which tennis ball, a golf ball and a table tennis ball would go tested a different set of skills. The one common trait down. We would then be given penalty points for every that was made explicitly clear to us was that it was not tenth of a second (!) our predictions failed by. By guessing

75 76 the coefficient of friction of the gutter and noting that My placement was in a department store called Monoprix, which sold everything from food to clothes and homewares. acceleration due to gravity was equal for objects of My uniform was a red store sweatshirt over jeans or leggings and my duties mainly entailed stacking shelves and similar shape - with occasional hints from Dr Owen and dealing with customer enquiries, which tested my ability to understand and respond quickly to spoken French – even Mr Clifford regarding the motion of the ball - this was if my limited knowledge of the shop layout meant sending someone off in the wrong direction once or twice! Other made considerably easier. students’ placements included a creperie and a musical instrument repair shop.

Our final activity of the night was ‘the cabaret’, in which Public transport to and from our places of work was another challenge; fortunately, Monoprix is on the main shopping the groups were instructed to prepare for a variety of street in the centre of Rouen and is easily accessible from the suburbs where I was living. I felt like a true Rouennaise different parties by: making a cake out of cardboard, icing travelling to and from work on the Metro every day. To add to the authentic French experience, public transport said cake, making a card and delivering an appropriate operators were staging daily one-hour strikes during October, so each day presented the challenge of finding out speech. Irrespective of who won this activity, Ollie which hour the buses and trams would not be running. As my working day finished mid-afternoon, I had time to Sharrard and Ed Turner’s speech on Cameron and Henrietta’s wedding surely would be the comic highlight of the trip for many.

Our second day began with the rather oddly-timed run at 7:00 in the morning, in which each runner was awarded points for the position they finished. Whichever team had the fewest points at the end won; however, teams finishing consecutively were granted a 240-point reduction. This was followed by the remaining four activities, a final briefing and finally the coach journey back to Sheffield and general rejoicing as mobile signal returned.

In conclusion, I have no doubt that the trip succeeded explore the city’s historic streets, to visit the beautiful Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen and the wonderful Musée in the targets specified, with the non-conventional list of des Beaux Arts, and to climb the clock tower of the Gros Horloge, which dates back to 1389. activities actually being fun - as opposed to getting lost on a rain-soaked moorland (an image usually associated The three of us travelled as part of a larger group of sixth formers from schools throughout the country, and we all with an outdoor trip in the Peak District). met up again as a group on two evenings during the week; these social activities helped us to forge new friendships with other like-minded Francophiles and I’m sure we’ll continue to keep in touch. A special mention must go to Mme Samuel Mackey Fierens and her family, who did so much to make me feel welcome in their home; it was so valuable for my French to be immersed so completely in the language - both at their home and at work - and I found myself thinking in French after only one week!

I would recommend this experience to all A level French students. It’s an experience I shall never forget and I would love to return to Rouen in the not-too-distant future, to get to know this lovely Normandy city even better.

French Work Caroline Ridler Experience

It is a truth universally acknowledged that in order to learn a language one must spend time speaking, reading and learning the language.

With this in mind, three Birkdale sixth formers set off on an overnight journey by road and ferry to meet their host to go off with our French families, we began a week in families in the historic city of Rouen during October half which our independence and fluency in French would be term 2012. However, this was not an ordinary homestay, stretched through total immersion in the French culture but a unique chance to do some work experience with real and way of life. French businesses across the city. As we each separated

77 78 Imperial War Mallorca Exchange

Museum This year was the first year that Birkdale had taken part in the Mallorca Exchange trip and I have to say I am glad we did. Of course, everybody was nervous when we On Wednesday 6th March 2013, the S3s went on a touched down in Palma but the celebrity-like welcome History trip to the Imperial War Museum North in that we received was a sign of the hospitality that we Manchester. would be shown throughout the trip. This trip was organised to help us learn about our current The people at the school always said hello and shook topic, World War Two. The coach journeyed through my hand. The family were incredibly welcoming and Snake Pass and into Manchester for about two hours, made sure I was never hungry. My exchange partner before arriving at the car park of the museum. One of the was great, ensured I wasn’t bored, spoke good English if first things that we noticed was the height and design of I didn’t know what I wanted to say in Spanish and most a tall tower thrust out of the roof of the building. This was importantly had Fifa on PS3. the Air Shard, which stands thirty metres into the air and gives a magnificent view of the Manchester skyline. We spent hardly any time in the house. On the weekend we met up with others also on the trip and played football There were two main exhibition areas which we explored. with the teams English vs Spanish (English always winning The larger one contained the majority of exhibitions, of course). During the week we went out on expeditions including silos. These silos were separate places, scattered with school, my favourite being the trip to Porta Pollenca. throughout the exhibition area, and provided information We then met up with ‘our Spaniards’ when we returned about a specific topic. The smaller exhibition area, called and spent the rest of the day with them. With all the trips Saving Lives, was about how medicine developed through and activities the week was soon over and we had to wartime, and how it played a role in saving lives. In sadly return to the inevitably freezing Sheffield that we addition, at every hour in the main exhibition area there left behind. was a 15-minute Big Picture Show. This was a 360° video that played on the walls of the museum while the light To anybody thinking about going on this trip, I have to say dimmed down. These too, like the silos, gave information go for it! I don’t know anybody that didn’t have doubts about specific topics. before we left. Similarly I don’t know anybody that didn’t forget about them by the second day. It is a great week, During our exploration throughout the museum, we took the families are awesome and on top of all of this; my notes on our selected group of people during the First Spanish improved no end. I would have been devastated World War, the Second World War and the Cold War. This if I had missed it. included soldiers, women, and children. Afterwards, we had to write a report to conclude what we found out in Joe Wait the museum.

I think this trip provided an insight into the lives of people at wartime, and also how people reacted to the bombings of urban areas.

Yanhao Wang

79 80 The next day, we travelled to Khatarras, to see the glorious water holes that are the foundations of many Moroccan towns, such as the water museum at Sources Mimouna. We then hit the fossil museum, which was very, very Morocco interesting. Next we faced our greatest challenge - Desert Jeeps. This may sound fun, but when you don’t know which end your dinner is going to come out, it can be a real challenge. Our driver, Big Al, told us he was an aspiring desert rally driver, and to the sounds of North African RnB, we reached our desert hotel at the beginning of the Sahara. I say ‘hotel’, but In October half term, twenty six rugged adventurers and it was more of a desert camp. We were to sleep in huge carpeted tents, at the foreground of a magnificent backdrop, fearless geographical guides - Clark, O’Toole, Newton which mere words cannot describe. We proceeded into the sand dunes on camel back for around an hour, before and Cottom - set off from Gatwick Airport on a journey stopping at the peak of the highest dune. Here we disembarked and watched as the sun set over the sand, with the to the Sahara. Atlas Mountains in the background. The awesome sight signalled the end of the first half of the trip, as we rode back We landed in Marrakech Airport and were immediately to our desert tents. hit by the warm air and smell of goats. After dropping our The next morning we started our return journey back to the far-off city of Marrakech. A few too many groggy faces bags at the first, and finest, hotel, Amine, we ventured Our next port of call was the town of Ouzarzate, the told of a night haunted once again by ‘the bug’. The next night we stopped off in Ouzarzate; however, on this night into the famous souk, the Djemma El Fna Square. Here, Hollywood of Morocco. Here, we saw film sets from we were allowed to venture as a group to sample the we took our first taste of Moroccan culture, where we Gladiator and Jewel of the Nile, and we walked on the live night life. There was no night life. In the town centre saw street dancers, monkeys and trinkets. Our wits were set of the massive fantasy series Game of Thrones, where we found ourselves being watched by hundreds of local tested as we were offered various substances by the we saw all the main characters and were wolf whistled Moroccans, who had evidently not seen tourists very market vendors, one of whom called out to me: ‘What do by raunchy soldiers. We stayed in the Hotel Azghor, by far often, and so we cautiously turned back and ran to the you want my boy? Coffee? Cola? Hash? Cocaine?’ Oh, the and away the best accommodation on the trip. However, hotel. wonders of Marrakech. here the voyage takes a frightful turn for our group of

adventurers. The following morning we began our intrepid journey Our last few days were spent in Marrakech, where we toured a magnificent hundred-year-old palace and an across the infamous Haouz Plain. It was at this point we We came across an enemy that would ravage the whole ancient mosque. We also visited Marrakech’s biggest met Nabeel, who would become our beloved travel guide. troupe, a foe so powerful there was no way of stopping it, pharmacy, where we wondered at a concoction of We ventured forth through the High Atlas Mountains, a even with the help of those dodgy prescription drugs Dr colourful chemicals in jars - drugs from all over the sight to behold, veering across a sheer cliff face that had Newton bought from a street vendor - the stomach bug. African continent. Here we bought samples of cheap claimed the lives of a similar party of Moroccans just a We left Ouzarzate, to travel through the coveted Valley saffron, and teas, and aphrodisiacs (the latter bought by an unnamed sixth former). As I look back on this excursion, few months earlier on a similar coach. We quickly picked of a Thousand Kasbahs. On this stretch, we learned of I have with me many memories and experiences to take with me for the rest of my life. up on a few Moroccan phrases, such as ‘lench’ which Nabeel’s love of Kasbahs - Moroccan mud castles. We means lunch. stopped for another couscous ‘lench’ but this time we were treated with a side of mystery meat. This did not Jordan Bethel We stopped after a few hours for ‘lench’, which consisted help the stomach bug. It spread like wildfire. We stopped of couscous and courgettes. This menu seemed to be a every ten minutes (give or take five) for each casualty. constant theme throughout the trip, much to our disdain. The Gorges du Todra relieved some of the queasiness, Through the High Atlas Mountains we saw impressive due to its beautiful high cliffs and the pristine stream geological features, such as Fold Mountains and igneous running through the centre. rocks. We also saw lots of goats.

81 82 happened. We were taken on a tour with props, to Malham Tarn represent the leaders of the 3 armies: the Lancastrians, Bosworth the Yorkists, and the Stanleyites. After this we had a very interesting show where we learnt On 11th November 2012, a group of U6 biologists went all about the ranks of an army and the weapons and to enhance their field study skills at Malham Tarn, armour that type of soldier would have; for example, a Settle. With the nights drawing in, it was a race to the I am writing about the trip that was taken by allof peasant wouldn’t have much, if any, armour, and would first woodland study site. S1 on 20th May. After a long coach trip, starting at 8 probably have some sort of farming tool for a weapon. Armed with woodland identification keys on iPads, the o’clock in the morning, we arrived at Warwick Castle, Then we went through a short exhibition about life at the group were off sampling and identifying the abiotic and a prestigious landmark and important place of history, time of the Battle of Bosworth. biotic factors of different habitats. With taught sessions where many colourful yet bloody things have happened. until 9pm, the bunk beds were welcome after aquick So all of S1 had a really good time out learning about break watching TV in the common room. The following When we visited we entered through the portcullis, these impressive times in history, and bought a few morning, as the rain turned to sleet, we went straight where we decided to put Sushain Razdan in the stocks! souvenirs from it as well. to transect work in a freshwater environment. Again, the students linked biotic and abiotic factors, further Bailey Neal enhancing their identification skills. Once all the raw data was collected, we walked quickly back to the bus. It was freezing! Jordan helped to keep spirits up with one of his many ribald songs. sampled adapted plant life using a transect and gathered first-hand evidence of succession taking place. Once back at the centre, we set up light and dark boxes, to help the understanding of photosynthesis. However, After a quick lunch it was time to head back on the bus, the best bit was when mammal traps were set up that ready for school on Wednesday morning. evening. The next day when we looked into the traps, we had caught three mice and a vole! They were named, Miss M Randall and then released to energetically sprint away onto the lawn. This helped students think about our mark-release- recapture technique in a real-life context. Later we walked to a peat bog, and learned about its importance in nutrient cycles and its function as a carbon trap. We So our trip was off to a good start. The first thing we did was enter the Kingmaker, where we were taken back to medieval Warwick to join Richard Neville as he prepared his large household for battle. You can find out how weapons were made, how armour was crafted and see what medieval life was really like with sights, sounds and smells, the smells not being that nice.

We then witnessed the power of a life sized trebuchet, when an 80kg rock was flung into the air at 160 kph! Then we had an enjoyable walk around the castle towers, unfortunately there were a lot of steps to climb; but the view from the towers was worth it.

After this we visited the Gaol, a medieval prison where prisoners were thrown into tiny pits, in pitch black darkness! Afterwards we had a brief lunch outside the coaches, and we were off to an equally interesting battlefield in Bosworth. It was the Battle of Bosworth field, where the deciding battle in the War of the Roses

83 84 Spanish Trip things in there, but it was also really interesting learning about what types of torture have been used in the past and what is still used in some countries today.

I’m sure that everyone who went on the Spanish trip to Again, we returned to the hotel to have a very nice Cantabria found it great fun, but also improved their evening meal, play football on the beach, which was Spanish skills greatly by talking to Spanish people and great fun, and fill in our diaries in Spanish. translating Spanish to answer questions. There was a perfect balance between relaxing on the beach and On Saturday, we went to a huge wildlife park called having fun and learning, which made it an amazing trip. Carbárceno where we saw wild animals in enclosures so big that they could have been in their natural habitat. It was an early start on Thursday morning so that we We saw gorillas and bears (osos) being fed, along with could make it to the airport for the flight to Bilbao, but a bird of prey demonstration and many other things. everyone was looking forward to the trip. Once we After having lunch, we drove to Santander where we did arrived in Bilbao, we headed straight to Magdalena Park, another, longer town trail which was great fun before Santander, where we had a great hour or so on the beach going on a ferry trip around the lake. After that, we before buying ice creams (and practising our Spanish went in excitement to a café where at last we could have skills!). I bought a lemon ice cream which was delicious! churros. Churros are a bit like doughnuts but crunchier After that, we went to our hotel where we could sort out (and covered with sugar!) and usually served with a mug our rooms and have our evening meal. of very thick hot chocolate. The combination is delicious but filling, and most people could manage at most six! Each night, we had a great dinner in which we all had new We headed slowly back to the coach, and then back to foods that we all really enjoyed. On the first night, we the hotel. had some breaded fingers of cheese and ham, along with pasta with tomato sauce and a rich chocolate tart. Sadly, Sunday was the last day of the trip so we got up early to have breakfast and zoom off to the airport to fly On Friday morning, we visited prehistoric caves at Puente back home. The trip was amazing, and one of the best Viesgo where we were given a tour (in Spanish – it was a I’ve been on. challenge!) of the amazing caves and prehistoric drawings. We saw some incredibly old paintings of animals and the Will Cassels inhabitants’ hands, which were painted in a really clever way. In the afternoon, we visited a small town called Santillana del Mar where we did a fun town trail (in which the morning of 2nd October, preparing ourselves for we talked to Spanish people and answered questions a non-stop day rushing around London. Who knew it on our sheet) and went to Museo El Solar, which was would be so great? a torture museum. There were some really gruesome Globe Theatre Trip Two effortless journeys on a train and the Underground took us to our destination - the Globe Theatre. It is situated in Southwark, right beside the murky Thames, It’s not often Birkdale students go on a one-day trip to and was described by our guide as the best place for London. Perhaps it’s the incredible distance that puts well-to-do people in Elizabethan London to, ahem... people off, or the packed streets... or the exorbitant let their hair down. This often involved pubs, inns and train fares. I can imagine what you’re thinking - surely brothels - although not necessarily in that order. a day isn’t enough? The Globe Theatre was the centre of entertainment at the When the Lower School visit the capital, they take time, and could (apparently) hold up to 3,000 spectators. a leisurely three days to enjoy themselves. Even the The original Globe burned down after an accident with a impressive London Research Trip can only manage to cannon - allegedly, someone had the bright idea of using complete the necessary work in two days. However, real gunpowder in the middle of Henry VIII, and simply English Literature and Drama students are obviously forgot to aim away from the theatre itself. The beautifully- “made of sterner stuff” (a Shakespeare quote, who thatched timber building only lasted an hour, before it knew?). So, there we were at , early on

85 86 had completely burned away. The play was wonderful. Rail, for making the trip possible! Thanks to the teachers, amphibian boat. This was pretty cool to drive into a river I am incredibly lucky, as I am completely immune to that too! “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” without sinking. The water was like fairy dust spraying baffling modern ‘logic’ which compels modern students - Samuel Johnson into your face and once we were on the river we were so to automatically insult any work of Shakespeare; in fact, I close to the water that you could touch it. Shhhh don’t found The Taming of the Shrew to be legitimately funny, Jeremy Brown tell anyone that the ramp was next to MI6 which made us seriously clever and shockingly outrageous. The unique feel like top secret spies. location allowed for a novel style of acting; the Globe production started brilliantly, with a drunken-looking man We went past the Houses of Parliament where the seats who slowly staggered onto the stage, before collapsing for the House of Commons are green and the House heavily. I have to admit, I completely fell for the opening of Lords are red. In the House of Lords the seats have trick - I presumed it was an inebriated audience member, London Trip speakers on so they can fall asleep but they are still spoiling the performance - before eventually realising it listening! was a character in the performance - Christopher Sly. When it was all over we went out of the river up the ramp After taking a tour around, I can definitively saythat Hold on tight! Birkdale S1 boys went on an exciting trip and on our way back to the London Eye. the modern reconstruction is well worth a visit. It is an to London. My favourite part was the duck tour because Harry Fletcher incredible Elizabethan-style wooden monstrosity. The we had loads of fun but we learnt loads too. We learnt Globe’s approach to theatre is unbelievable too; actors about the London city area and iconic buildings like the could walk freely among the crowd, and were able to Shard. Did you know that it cost 5 million pounds to buy interact with the audience in a way that most modern an apartment in the Shard? We saw the place where performers can only dream of. And I suppose it is this Charles Dickens was in prison because his dad was in Chatsworth Trip which makes the Globe so unique and spectacular. At debt. That is where he got ideas for some of his stories where the task was to draw a picture of something that one point in the proceedings, a cheerful-looking woman because of his experience as a child. would remind me of everything that I did at Chatsworth. in the crowd who was tucked right up next to the stage The first activity that I did was the maze; it was very We had a tour around Chatsworth gardens. We started was (accidentally) sprayed in the face by a falling cup of Then the most fun thing happened: we went down this confusing. The maze was a trick. The side that we went at the greenhouse; it faced to the south so that it would water, which had been (purposefully) dropped by one road and took a run up going faster and faster, down in was the wrong side and we had to go round to the get twelve hours of sunlight a day. Then we moved up to of the actors. Although - I assure you - this was not the a ramp and SPLASH!! we were in the Thames on an other side of the maze. The rest of the maze was just see furniture made out of carefully cut hedges; there was main reason I greatly enjoyed the play, it certainly added guessing. It was very hot and we had left our drinks a sofa, table and a bed. We also saw willow sculptures. to the entertainment! To me, our visit represented the outside so we were very thirsty. We saw a sort of apple thing called Revelation which is important social event which an Elizabethan performance I made it to the middle after about seven and a half one of the most recent fountains. The water rises into at the Globe would surely have been. minutes. I then helped other people figure it out before the apple and as more water goes in the lower the apple I left the maze and got a drink. The maze was very good goes and the whole thing works on hydraulics. The leaves Looking back at it, there must have been a hilarious fun and I hope I get to do it again. then close on the apple and the water spurts out of the moment when the teachers cruelly decided that the top; it looked very interesting. English Literature students should join in with the drama I also did some drawing and sketching with Mr Julian Tom Crossman workshop. Now, I understand prose. I appreciate iambic pentameter. I’m fine with rhyme. But I think I speak on behalf of all the English Literature students when I say that we were quite out of our depth in attempting to find some dramatic ‘skill’ - although many of us loved it nonetheless. My personal highlight (sorry, but this is a school report, after all... I’m contractually obliged to have a personal highlight) was probably hopping around the room, trying to hold a pose (it turned out this was a futile effort). Congratulations to all the Drama students for effortlessly showing us their enviable skills, by the way!

Thankfully, we returned to Sheffield Station on time, at around 11.30pm. We had successfully accomplished a great trip to London, including an excellent evening which we spent chatting in Covent Garden. So - thanks to British

87 88 understanding. They rose wonderfully to the challenge day even harder to do, resulting in extra care being taken Battlefields Trip and they produced entertaining and enlightening ideas Welsh 3000 Challenge in placing your feet. The long slog up Snowdon was a and history. tough way to open the day but the amazing sunrise made it worth it. The utter rockiness of the Glyder section made this middle section particularly hard to do also – On yet another snowy and icy day in the coldest March A 4 AM start is not particularly enjoyable on a Saturday, surely the last section would be kinder! But no – this was for 50 years the triennial History residential trip departed and waking up knowing that there will be roughly 30 the longest section, and every member of the team was from Birkdale School with 29 Middle School boys bound miles of tough mountain hiking makes it even tougher. flagging by this point. for Normandy. This is needed tough when the challenge to be done may Following in the footsteps of the soldiers who crossed the require a whole 24-hour period. Climbing the ’14 peaks’ Despite the brutality of the task, we did manage to English Channel in the D Day landings in 1944, they visited (15 summits however) is a tough physical challenge and complete it, arriving back at a tent-filled car park at about significant places such as Pegasus Bridge, the Memorial it involves reaching the summits of the 15 Welsh peaks 2:30 AM (a completion time of about 22 hours) where we Museum at Caen, the American Cemetery at Colleville over 3000ft ideally within 24-hours with no transport were all ready to grab some well-earned sleep. Everyone above ‘Omaha’ beach and the ragged promontory at between sections. The aim of our challenge was to have succeeded, but especially well done to Jarrod Beedle (S5) Pointe du Hoc. A visit to the Bayeux Tapestry also allowed a team of school students and staff that walk each of and Mr Cook for managing to handle all three sections an insight into an earlier, different invasion in 1066 of the three sections (the Snowdon, Glyder and Carnedd (most of those involved did two). England by the Normans. sections) and to reach each summit within the 24-hour En route to via La Coupole (a museum made from time limit. Each member of the expedition team received The team managed to raise just over £4000 for the Welsh a V2 rocket bunker), they arrived at the medieval city of sponsorship prior to the doing this event in order to raise Air Ambulance. Special thanks to Mr Clark and Mr Allen Ypres that was destroyed by fighting in the First World money for the Welsh Air Ambulance service. for organising this event. War and then beautifully rebuilt. Visits here included the trenches at Sanctuary Wood, the field hospital at Essex Needless to say, this challenge was extremely tough. Each Ross Toward Farm, the dark and foreboding German Cemetery at ascent and descent was demanding and was particularly Langemarck and the largest British War Cemetery at Tyne rocky in places. The dark made the start and end of the Cot where Mr Clarke conducted a short and poignant wreath laying service followed by the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. This study tour was informative, thought-provoking and very enjoyable. In addition to visiting the various sites, pupils were asked to deliver related presentations in groups during the evenings to enhance their

89 90 Hadrian’s Wall Trip

On a bitterly cold and dank Monday morning 18 Latin students set off to Hadrian’s Wall via Newcastle on a trip designed to give us helpful first-hand experience of life in the Roman Army. After arriving in the north east we took the Metro to Segedunum Fort where we learnt of the history of the site from Roman times right through to the present day. We also explored a reconstruction of the nearby baths and got our first glimpse of the Wall. We then headed back into Newcastle city centre where we checked into the youth hostel and ate dinner before going to the theatre for our evening entertainment in the form of the dark humoured play ‘The Ladykillers’. The next day we took a minibus trip to Hadrian’s Wall where we visited the Fort of Vindolanda. We took notes on some of the findings on site (including the famous letters) and had a good look around the site. We also learnt about the excavation process. Then we headed to the Roman Army Museum where we took more notes which will help massively in the preparation for our GCSE exam on this topic. We then went back to the train station where we stocked up on food before the journey home. Overall it was a very helpful and useful trip with some good laughs along the way.

Ben Dockrell

Pensarn

was kayaking where we spent most of the time playing games including an interesting take on football and Certainly before going to Wales for a week of DofE Silver several hilariously unsuccessful attempts to switch kayaks practice, my attitude was that, having been sufficiently without falling in. The expedition itself was fairly similar frightened by the stories of last year’s participants, it to the DofE Bronze we had done the year before although was going to be pretty awful. Of course you must accept our area of Wales was considerably more remote than that Wales is a rainy country, and that gorge walking the Peak District and so there was a general feeling that and raft building will get you pretty wet but once you you were exploring areas for the first time, which added looked beyond the constant damp feet there was actually to the excitement quite a lot. However as much fun as very little to complain about on what turned out to be all of this was, the greatest thing about this camp was a very enjoyable week. Effectively the camp comprises the time spent with your friends, playing cards round the of several generally water based activities combined table, football on the sunny, jellyfish infested beach and with a one night expedition and all of this is organised generally just having a good laugh while learning a lot by the CMC centre staff who were always friendly and about yourself and others- a very good experience. helpful towards us. One particularly fun activity for me Alex Davenport 4H

91 92 Prep Trips Lake District

If I could sum up what the P3 Lake District Trip was about I would have to borrow the words of Walt Whitman from his Song of the Open Road ‘I think heroic deeds were all conceiv’d in the open air, and all free poems also, I think I could stop here myself and do miracles, I think whatever I shall meet on the road I shall like, and Castleton whoever beholds me shall like me, I think whoever I see must be happy.’ A brilliant trip, organised by Mr Oakey, that encompassed the best of boys’ adventures in the most picturesque On Friday 10th May Prep 2 set off to Castleton. Our place. first stop was the Real Fudge Shop in the village. Mr Fudge showed the boys how he makes the fudge and From the coach, steam train and boat journey to our final gave them samples to taste. They were then able to buy destination at Broughton-in-Furnace through to all the bars to take home, choosing flavours such as: chilli, white activities: Raft-building and Kayaking on Lake Coniston, chocolate, lemon meringue, salted caramel. The list was Ghyll scrambling up Church Beck, Hill walking at Sickle endless. After a short walk over the fields, we arrived at Pike or the Team Challenges at the Kepplewray Centre, Treak Cliff Cavern just in time for lunch. Then we went the boys developed a special bond. A bond of friendship down into the cave to learn about the history of the caves and camaraderie that was built on: learning new skills, and Blue John. Following another walk along the banks supporting each other and becoming more independent. of the river, we arrived at the Hollowford Centre; our Heroic adventures indeed! base for the next two nights. Mr J Leighton After a full English breakfast on Saturday morning, the boys undertook a full day’s activities. These were: High Ropes Course, Assault Course, Orienteering, Zip Wire and Archery. Over the course of the day the boys showed great determination and courage and also conquered some of their fears.

In the evening they entertained staff with their own version of Birkdale’s Got Talent! There are certainly some budding magicians, singers and comedians in P2. We had a good night’s sleep and arrived back at the Prep School on Sunday morning, tired but happy.

93 94 Day 4 White Post Farm Our first activity today was a very interesting visit to the ‘Ecomusee de la Baie du Mont St Michel’. The boys learned all about the flora, fauna and industries of the bay. After a picnic lunch the boys donned their old clothes On a very windy day in April PP1 set out by coach to visit ready for the bay crossing. They listened carefully to White Post Farm. After quite a long journey we arrived ‘Woody’ our experienced guide as he explained the rules and were met by our guide Mervin. He showed us where for a safe crossing. Our two hour walk across the sandy we could have our snack and where the teachers could and muddy bay included the opportunity for boys to have their coffee! First of all we went to feed the geese create a quicksand area and safely sink to their knees. The and ducks who were all very hungry. Mervin made sure boys had a fantastic time and were shrieking with delight! we all had plenty of animal food. After that we went to see the sheep and llamas. We had to hold our hands flat when we fed the animals so that they didn’t nibble our fingers! After that we saw cows with very long horns, pigs with their piglets and a wallaby with a joey in her pouch. After our yummy packed lunch we watched some goats being milked and learnt a song with actions about this. We had a chance to handle some small animals including some mice and a guinea pig. After a quick ‘hello’ to the reptiles we headed home, tired out but full of chatter about the day we had had.

Day 2 France All the boys had to be woken this morning; the sea air had tired them out! An 8am breakfast was necessary as a very busy day was planned. The morning was dominated by moving visits to German and American war cemeteries. On 29th June 2013 the P4 boys and five intrepid staff set At the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha forth on the annual P4 trip to Normandy. The following Beach the boys were able to watch a short film depicting Clumber Park extracts are taken from Mr Burch’s nightly blog… the experiences of five American families who lost Our second task was to find a card in our blue box, then relatives in World War 2. unscramble the letters on the card to find the name of Day 1 A short coach journey to Arromanches, where we had our group. Our group was called squirrel. We had to We enjoyed a traffic jam free journey to Portsmouth and a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the ‘Mulberry On Monday 23rd June P1 went to Clumber Park. When we design a badge. were thankful to see a very calm sea. The crossing began Harbours’, was followed by a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry. arrived we ate our snack and then had our photograph in lovely sunshine with the boys being able to be on deck Once again the boys were fascinated by the opportunity taken while the weather was sunny. Mrs Taylor put us Our third task was to go on a trail which led us to the to observe the ships in the historic Portsmouth harbour. to view this wonderful historic artefact. Bayeux Cathedral into groups by calling out our names; I accidentally went woodland play area. When we got there we played A calm crossing was enjoyed by all then it was time for was next on the itinerary and did not disappoint. to Mr Leighton’s group when I was supposed to be in Mrs “Aliens Attacking Earth”. Monty and I were the aliens. a 90 minute drive to La Grand Ferme. On arrival at La Simpson’s group. My group consisted of Adam, Monty, Madoc, Cameron and Joseph were people. Grand Ferme we received a very warm welcome from Day 3 Madoc, Andrew B, Cameron and Joseph. the centre staff and there was just time for some hot After a slightly later breakfast rucksacks were prepared Our fourth task was to find different types of leaves, a chocolate before the boys crashed out. and pocket money handed out ready for another busy Our first task was to build a den using canes, string, tape piece of moss, fern, a pine cone and different grasses Sunday morning began with a lovely breakfast of cereals, day. In their groups the task was to buy a picnic lunch and tarpaulin. We tried making it like a house but when along the trail. On our way back we found them all. croissants and French bread! Soon it was activity time for their whole group with a set budget from the food Monty and I went inside the wind blew it down. The and the boys spent half the morning baking bread and stalls at Villedieu des Poeles market. This was achieved second time we built it the same way and got nearly all We stopped for lunch, the teachers cooked sausages on a the other half learning circus skills! After lunch it was remarkably well, (perhaps the staff may have guided our group inside but the wind came again and blew it BBQ. I was VERY hungry and I ate three hot-dogs with lots off to the beach for the annual sandcastle competition; some of the choices!) and many of us could not wait for down. The third time was more successful. We built the of ketchup. After lunch we had play. We played football. for the record it was Mrs Oliver’s group who caught the lunch. den against a fence. Monty used the scissors to cut thistles My team won 2-0. Thomas and I did some roleplaying judges’ eye with a fantastic ‘tortoise creation’. The sun A short coach journey took us to the goat farm of Monsieur so we didn’t get prickled. It started to rain so we all ran and then it was time to go on the coach... back to school. shone and the boys had an ice cream before we headed Martin at Montchamp. After lunch Monsieur Martin inside our den for shelter but thankfully the rain only THE END OF A GREAT DAY back to base. explained all about his herd of 40 milking goats. The boys lasted a few seconds. Adam Fox learned all about his farm and then had a fantastic time grooming and feeding the goats. 95 96

MUSIC Joint Sixth Form Choir Choir Trip to Cologne Trip to Durham Cathedral The 6th Form Choir (joint with Sheffield High School) were invited to travel to Durham on the May Bank Holiday to sing a choral evensong in Durham Cathedral. Led by Mr Jordan, they performed works by Walmisley and Kirwan In December, with Christmas round the corner, Sixth the world-famous chocolate museum. Here, we got first- to a very high standard. Composer Jon Kirwan, who Form students from Birkdale and Sheffield High School hand experience of chocolate creation from bean to bar, was singing in the tenor section, was delighted by the were given the unique opportunity to experience as well as delicious free samples. The shop was just as performance - Walmisley joined the ‘choir invisible’ long German Christmas celebrations, and sing traditional impressive, with hundreds of chocolates on offer. It was English carols in the immense Cologne Cathedral, the almost an anticlimax to move on to our final concert, at “Alongside rehearsing and taking largest in . the local Catholic church of St Pantaleon’s. Though the part in the service, pupils spent part entire service was in German, and some singers had lost of the day exploring Durham and their voices in the intense cold, the congregation were still appreciative, and congratulated us all after the service. enjoying the sunshine!” By now, it was so chilly that snow was falling, but some of the group braved the bitter cold and made a last visit to ago so we can’t be certain of his reaction. Alistair Jellinek the Cathedral Market, whilst others wrapped up warm in (S5) was also given the opportunity to play the closing the hostel - a far better idea in hindsight. voluntary on the organ, giving a fantastic performance of Nun Danket Alle Gott by Karg-Elert. The next morning, it was with regret that we left Alongside rehearsing and taking part in the service, pupils Cologne. Most of the journey was spent singing carols spent part of the day exploring Durham and enjoying the and the return through Belgium hardly felt like 10 hours. sunshine! Eventually, we reached Calais, where Mrs Wallace of Mr J Kirwan Sheffield High School rewarded antics such as losing music, misinterpreting dress codes, and singing with a sore throat, by handing out prizes. As we drove on After setting off at midnight, then going on a seemingly through the night towards Sheffield, everyone looked Band Night endless journey by coach and ferry, we arrived exhausted back happily on the weekend, and agreed that the trip in Cologne, in time to enjoy the authentic German should have been longer, but all good things must come cuisine available at the Neumarkt, a traditional German to an end. Whilst the singing was the main reason for the Band Night was once again a huge success with an Christmas Market, before finally getting some welcome trip, there was so much more; the markets, the museum, excellent standard of musicianship from a range of sleep at the hostel. the sense of camaraderie, and the joys of conversation. bands and solo acts. The Music Department are pleased to announce that the event raised over £200 for the The next day, all of the lunchtime and afternoon rehearsals Alex Doody school charity, International China Concern, and look finally paid off when we sang in the nave of Cologne forward to an even bigger and better Band Night 2014. Cathedral. It was truly humbling to perform in such an awe-inspiring space, where curious tourists gathered to hear us sing. Afterwards, we were given time to explore more of this impressive building. Some of the group chose to climb to the top of the Cathedral. Personally, I preferred to stay on the ground, visiting the Cathedral Market instead, and trying rich, German hot chocolate.

At our next location, the Maritime Market, our renditions of ‘Away In A Manger’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ were sufficient to draw a crowd of curious Germans, who enjoyed the carols so much that a stall-owner offered us free (non-alcoholic) Gluhwein. But the best thing about the Maritime Market was its close proximity to

99 100 Summer Concert 2013 welcoming back Old Birkdalian Dominic Ridler on drums. The concert came to an exciting close with the massed ranks of the Big Band - now expanded to include 9 saxophones - performing ‘Street Life’, ‘All Blues’ and ‘Morocco’. Once again the pupils excelled themselves throughout and continued to show that instrumental and Birkdale musicians have once again provided us The first half ended with the school Brass Band under the vocal performance is very much alive and well at Birkdale. with a fantastic array of concerts and performances direction of Jonathan Beatty performing a selection of throughout the year. A large number of pupils have four pieces including the very popular and well received Dr S Pitfield had the opportunity to perform solo items at informal Bond theme ‘Skyfall’. ‘Solos Concerts’ held in the Octagon as well as in the more daunting setting of school assemblies, which are The second half began with the Male Voice Choir - once regularly opened with a musical item. The Christmas again humour to the fore with a hilarious performance Concert was the first opportunity of the year for many of ‘Man or a Muppet’. This was followed by Senior Sax of the school’s ensembles to display their talents and Ensemble, conducted and directed by Laura Beavers -

the Summer Concert on Thursday 2nd May provided a their second piece ‘Don’t Shoot the Duck’ performed with fitting end to the concert programme for the year. rhythm section provided by Mr Bish and Mr Jordan, also

As always a considerable number of hugely varied groups and ensembles took part in the Summer Concert with in excess of eighty pupils taking part. The concert began with a performance of ‘The Lark Ascending’ by the String Orchestra, conducted by Mr Jordan and with a solo from Tom Hetherington. This excellent performance was followed by ‘The Typewriter’ - soloists on this occasion included Mr Bish, Dr Pitfield and Dr Owen on the typewriter!

Other performances in the first half included Girls’ Choir, Junior Sax Group - with a particularly noteworthy rendition of ‘Blue Moon’ - Ensemble 1,2,3 conducted by sixth form leaver Tom Hetherington and Wind Ensemble.

101 102 meet and perform with Sue. This visit was facilitated in co-operation with the Sheffield Music Academy and will Octopus Activities Sax Masterclass be, I hope, the first of many joint ventures together”. The world renowned Scottish saxophonist Sue McKenzie held a Masterclass for Birkdale pupils on Friday 16th November.

Octopus is the ideal band to play at fund raising and Sue, who is a graduate of the Royal College of social events where guests can tune in or out of the Music, is one of our country’s leading contemporary performance as much as they like, and we just trundle along in the background. “What a huge honour to welcome Sue McKenzie to Birkdale School.” In September we played at the Whirlow Hall Farm Fayre, (in very gusty conditions), the rescheduled Charities Fair saxophonists. She has given UK and Scottish and the Old Birkdalian reunion, but an appearance in premieres of many new works for saxophone by November in the Firth Hall as part of a Yorkshire Cancer composers such as Gavin Bryars, Graham Fitkin, Joe Research event was unfortunately cancelled at the last Duddell, Karen Tanaka and Amy Quate. minute. However, we did manage to get to the vast cathedral that is the Sainsbury’s supermarket vestibule on Dr Spencer Pitfield, Head of Instrumental Studies Archer Road to play for Christmas shoppers in December. said; “What a huge honour to welcome Sue This turned out to be a bitterly cold experience, but McKenzie to Birkdale School. She is an acclaimed we were able to raise some money for Nepal projects. and world renowned performer and teacher and all Another December gig was held in the much warmer our saxophonists enjoyed greatly the opportunity to environment of Dobcroft Junior School at their Christmas Fair, after which the organisers made a donation to Nepal as well. In the summer we played for the FOBS Ball and at Prize Giving.

Rehearsals are always fun and the band members continue to grow in skill and confidence as they try out new techniques and ideas. We’re promoting the expressive potential of mutes at the moment with the brass - just need to work out something similar for woodwind now.

Mr A Sanderson

103 104 Music Activities Prep Music

The wide range of music groups at Birkdale Senior As you can see from this very brief round-up, the musical School continue to pull in great numbers of pupils eager opportunities at Birkdale are as plentiful and wide ranging to participate in playing, singing or even writing their as they have ever been, and will continue to be so thanks Choir Sings at Meadowhall own music. Here is a selection of some of the musical to the hard work and commitment of the pupils and activities which can be heard along the Senior School teachers. Santa arrived at Meadowhall to the accompaniment of singing from 30 Birkdale Prep School boys, aged 6 to 11 corridors at all hours of the day: Mr J Hollings years old, who sang with exuberance and gusto accompanied by music played on the guitar, flute and piano.

The Male Voice Choir attracts impressive numbers, and Along with real reindeer pulling Santa on his sleigh to his grotto, a spectacular symphony tree and an abundance forms a winning combination along with Mr Jordan’s of real snow, they sang lots of different carols to bring a very special Christmas spirit to the event. The evening was cheesy arrangements. The String Orchestra, after losing supported by lots of shoppers who were able to participate in the grotto launch. a few key players last year, has kept up its high standard, recently demonstrated with a stunning rendition of The Lark Ascending in the Summer Concert, showing how sensitive and quietly they could play. The Brass Band, containing the “Everlasting Trumpet Row”, as more and more trumpeters turned up throughout the year, is ably led by Jonathan Beatty who, as a player in leading Brass Bands for the past 25 years, puts on programmes of proper Brass music, including the traditional and the not so traditional. The Wind Ensemble plays wind quintets where each player’s talent can be demonstrated. Likewise, the Sax Group plays more complex pieces every year as the players develop. The Junior Sax Group also feed this, as well as putting on impressive performances themselves. The Big Band continues to thrive and can Peripatetic Concert be heard playing at many events both for the school and external organisations. Its new Thursday morning slot At the end of the Christmas term Pre-Prep boys and their helps with attendance, even if it sometimes takes one parents were treated to a special concert by members of song for most of the band to wake up. our Instrumental Department led by Dr Pitfield.

For less experienced players Ensemble 123 continues Mr Bish introduced the guitar demonstrating a number of to grow, bridging the gap for players who have recently exciting and different styles of music. This was followed by started or are not confident enough to join the main cello teacher Mr Collingwood. Thereafter Mr Thompson groups yet. This year it has been ably led by sixth former dazzled both parents and pupils alike with a varied and Tom Hetherington, who has done a fantastic job, and I most interesting selection of short pieces on different hope he has learnt from the experience. The Rock Band types of trumpet. Club pulls together groups from the lower end of the school, and the Composers’ Club helps students develop The concert was rounded off by Dr Pitfield, who played their composition skills and put them into practice. us the clarinet. A large number of both Pre-Prep and Opportunities for students to perform their own work Prep boys learn a musical instrument in school with our are provided by regular composers’ concerts and outstanding instrumental teachers. As a result of this competitions. excellent concert many others have also now opted to learn an instrument!

105 106 FOMAPA Prep Music Day The pupils had such fun exploring various musical genres including musicals, jazz and classical orchestral music. The concert at the end of the day, performed to the Birkdale Prep School’s Festival of Music and Performing On Wednesday 26th June our inaugural Prep Music Day rest of the school and to the boys’ parents, was a truly Arts is always a very enjoyable event. It is an opportunity took place. wonderful success. Many congratulations to those boys for our boys with musical and dramatic talents to who took part and we hope very much to undertake a perform in front of their friends and teachers. We also Pupils from both the Pre-Prep and Prep departments similar day of musical endeavour in the next academic welcome our friends from Ashdell and Sheffield High joined together in a day of varied music making, which year! School to come and perform too. concluded with a Gala Concert in the school hall featuring a massed orchestra of over 55 musicians. Special thanks to Mr Jones for arranging the orchestral Each year a special guest is invited to the Prep School music, playing the piano and leading the choir and to all to adjudicate the children’s performances. This year we Led by Dr Pitfield, our Head of Instrumental Studies, involved in organising the day and leading rehearsals. were delighted to welcome Mrs Ann Bird. a team of brass, string, guitar, woodwind and voice specialists coached the pupils in varied ensemble Dr S Pitfield There were a tremendous number of entries this year rehearsals, massed vocal rehearsals and, finally, the hugely exciting combined orchestra. “It is very encouraging for children just starting out learning an instrument to see how quickly improvements can be made through diligent practice and commitment.” with a wide range of instruments played. Everyone is given an opportunity to perform and there is a super range of abilities with boys from PP2 playing alongside P4 boys. It is very encouraging for children just starting out learning an instrument to see how quickly improvements can be made through diligent practice and commitment. Every child received a certificate for their effort and an encouraging comment from Mrs Bird.

Some boys then took part in the two music concerts the following week for their parents. We thank Mr Jones for his commitment and continual encouragement which make these events such a success. Guitar Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble is a group open to all young guitarists (P1-P4), held every Monday at 1pm in Mrs Taylor’s room. To join you must be Grade 1 standard or over and be able to sight-read confidently.

In Guitar Ensemble you must bring your guitar to every and do the same. We practise these two pieces each session. When the session begins Mr Bish gives you a piece session until we are ready to perform them at events such of music which is divided into 3-5 parts. Once you receive as Prize Giving and assemblies. Playing at these events is your piece, you may choose a part. When everyone has great fun and can earn you many house points. We learn chosen a part including Mr Bish, we practise playing our several pieces throughout the year and at the end of each various parts in harmony with the other guitarists. session Mr Bish gives us sweets.

Halfway through the session we are given a second piece Rafal Faraj and Sebastian Hiller

107 108 Band Night Unplugged one of their three songs (Walk, Keep Your Head Up and Patience).

On Friday 28th June Birkdale held its annual unplugged Following ‘Kill the Light’ were S4 band ‘Between the Lines’. Band Night. This event continues to grow in popularity, Killian, Ben, Obi and Ayo have been playing together and this year nine acts took part. since S1 and their experience is beginning to show. Their rendition of The Past Recedes by John Frusciante, The evening kicked off with Ethan Yap and Micah De a complex piece written in 7/4, was captivating. After Silva performing a stunning instrumental arrangement of this came finger-style guitarist Keryn Turner. He gave an Payphone (Maroon 5) by Sungha Jung. The next act came impassioned performance of Ben Howard’s Only Love, from the Sheffield School of Rock and Pop, which takes followed by a mesmerising arrangement of This Modern place at Birkdale each Friday after school. The boys (Joe, Love by Bloc Party. Our final two acts came from the L6. Will, Louis and Shaun) gave a confident performance of Chuck Doey performed a mammoth seven song set, which the original song they’ve been creating this term. The involved shredding on a 12-string acoustic guitar! This crowd then welcomed Joe Wait to the stage. Joe is is not something you see every day. Their performance a seasoned performer and gave a very accomplished of Tenacious D’s classical comedy song Tribute, was a vocal performance of Through Glass by Stone Sour. We personal highlight. Finally came C.R.O.W.S. with a slick then had our second band from the Sheffield School four song set, including the popular original Scumbag of Rock and Pop. Jakey, Matt and Alex (there’s two of Sid. Lead singer James Grant closed the evening with a them) performed their original song, displaying good stunning performance of his own song Home. This was a musicianship. Next up were 3/5 of ‘Kill the Light’ (Will, perfect way to end the evening. Dan and Sam), our final band based at Rock and Pop. This Special thanks go to Mr Bish for organising, and running, group continues to grow in confidence, and demonstrated this event. their versatility by each member singing lead vocals in Mr J Kirwan

Prep School ABRSM results

Samuel Beahan E flat horn Grade 3 Pass Arav Bhattacharyya Guitar Grade 2 Merit Tom Broadbent Guitar Grade 1 Merit Ethan Clark Trombone Grade 1 Pass William Downes Piano Grade 1 Distinction Bhavesh Grover Guitar Grade 3 Distinction Patrick Owen Trumpet Grade 3 Distinction Thomas Stobart B Flat Cornet Grade 2 Distinction Lewis Wainwright Violin Grade 1 Distinction

109 Sp SPORT The U15s went into the season as a very inexperienced Hockey team. However, their first ever game together was a nail Sport biting 50 – 49 loss away at Havelock Academy. The team This past season of hockey at Birkdale, has seen some gained some confidence from this and played well all phenomenal growth. The seeds that were sown last season registering a useful victory at Morley Academy, year have led to the expansion into 4 teams at U13, U14, Leeds. Tom Bradley and Colby Rowland were particularly U16 level, as well as the already existing 1st XI. effective. The U13s have completed their second year and have A young U13 squad found themselves out sized but continued to bring out some talent. Many of the S1s who Badminton they have gained experience for what should be a more are in the team have not picked up a stick before the start successful second season. Beating Kings School, Wakefield of this season, but, they have developed into a strong was a very satisfying performance. Jabar Bika was a star team of players, captained by Josh Michalowski of S2. This year Birkdale entered two badminton teams into the in each game recording over half of the team’s points and They have mostly played much more experienced teams Center Parcs National Schools Badminton Championship. gaining selection for the U13 Derbyshire squad whilst and although they put up a strong fight, unfortunately One team was comprised of Key Stage 3 students and still an U12 player. Josh Hattersley also gained county their efforts did not translate into any victories this the other was Key Stage 4 students. honours. season. Given the enthusiasm the S1s have shown this year, hopefully, they’ll continue on next year, and beyond. The first round was against other local schools in Sheffield. We look forward to great things next year especially as the Due to the sheer number of S3s this season, an U14s The KS3 team travelled to the EIS to play the first round. U12s have been very impressive in the Arrows Basketball team was formed, led by Lucas Ward of S3. While not Unfortunately, after some tough competition, the KS3s lost to Tapton School (the eventual third place team with an Sunday Tournaments. playing many matches, the squad have shown quality that entirely county-standard team). They, therefore, didn’t get through to the next round but did put up an extremely matches their heart. Some of the U14s have stepped up good effort. Mr A Oakey and played matches for the U16s and Lucas himself has played in the 1st XI. This year group have now completed The KS4 team went to Abbeydale Park Badminton Club to play their first round which they won comfortably, with some their second year together, and it is my hope that they great doubles play from all the team. The second round was against other schools in . Compared to will continue to go from strength to strength. the Sheffield round this was a breeze and once again Birkdale destroyed the opposition and became South Yorkshire Champions.

This put us through to the county round with a place in the national finals at Center Parcs at stake. It was a tough day, with one team including the England U16 number one singles player and many other county players taking part. Unfortunately we lost some very tight games and eventually finished fourth in Yorkshire. Well done to both teams, especially the KS4 team of Ethan Yap (S4), Brannon Lee Chong (S4), Will Watson (S4) and Andy Ellwood (S5) and also Joel Ford (S1) for some great performances for the KS3 team.

Brannon Lee Chong and Ethan Yap Basketball

Following last year’s successful introduction of an Under 19 basketball team the sport has grown in popularity with the addition of U15, U13 and U12 teams representing the school.

The U19s had another encouraging season winning 5 of 7 games with some impressive play. Daniel Jenkinson has been the outstanding player. He has been well supported by a large, enthusiastic squad ably coached by former pupil, Matthew Oakey. Wins against Loughborough Grammar School and Rishworth were highlights this season.

111 112 U15 Football Tour The U16s have enjoyed a remarkable season, participating against Churcher’s College, the former school of the Captain a goal which the winger even admitted was a cross. in a local tournament, in a similar vein to last year. Led by of the Cambridge team. It was a memorable day, with Nevertheless, we went into half time with a slight 2-1 Callum Ward of S5, the team has seen the development some quality hockey being played. We were unfortunate On 14th March the U15 football squad set out to advantage. After the break we piled on the pressure on of some new players, namely Alistair Jellinek, and Rowan to lose 7-0, in our match, but the team gave it their all, Newcastle, arguably the home of football, with Mr what was a tiring Tyneside defence. However we wasted Franks. In the tournament they finished a respectable despite Churcher’s fielding several England U18 players, Rodgers and Mr Clark. Here, knowing the previous some good chances and then Tyneside scored 2 goals second, losing in the final to Ecclesfield. The team finished and thoroughly enjoyed the match. I would like to thank all efforts of the school, we planned to do what no other almost immediately after each other. However, we kept with 11 goals, with Miles Langdale top scoring with 5. the parents and Dr Owen who came with us to support us. years had done before…to win all 3 matches on the trip. on going and trying to score past a keeper in fine form. This aim looked possible after defeating RGS Newcastle Will Savage broke through and scored his second to comfortably 8-1 with yet another fine performance by level the game at 3-3 with around 5 minutes left. With star striker Curtis Morrison who stole the show with a the momentum in our favour we were desperate to find 4 goal game including a fantastic chip to clinch his hat a winner. With 1 last chance we put everyone into the trick. box and as the ball was whipped in from the corner, Ross Toward scored an incredible first time volley to seal Later that day we all went to see the Europa League clash an unbelievable win which capped off a fantastic tour between Newcastle and Anzhi Makhachkala at St James perfectly. When the final whistle went, the celebrations Park. Newcastle won with a last second goal resulting in began. Birkdale had won all 3 games on the Newcastle

This past year has been a year of transition for the 1st XI. Overall, this past year has been a great success. I am The majority of last year’s squad left, with only myself, proud that my tenure as Captain coincided with the Vice-Captain Joe Wait, and Joe Harrison remaining. This growth I have seen. I know I leave Birkdale hockey in good left the squad needing a major overhaul. Fortunately hands, and I hope the growth continues. I want to thank the new players settled in very quickly. This year, there Mr Brook and Miss Randall for their coaching, and to my have had some remarkable fixtures, with matches predecessor Jamie Hollings on his return to assist. I wish often showcasing the talent Birkdale has to offer. We my successor Joe Wait and his Vice-Captain Joe Harrison major celebrations around the Geordie city. We went to tour, something which had never been achieved before. have had some good matches against Tapton, Dronfield the best of luck next year in leading the team. St James Park again the following day, however this time and Ashville College. It has also been encouraging that for a tour of the ground, which the team really enjoyed. I would like to thank the 13 other players who travelled some of the U16 players have also made the step up and Venkhat up to Newcastle for making it such a memorable tour and regularly appeared in fixtures with Akul Purohit deserving Sivakumar After the stadium tour we played our next fixture against Mr Rodgers and Mr Clark for organising such an excellent special mention for his final tally of 5 goals and 3 assists Newcastle School for Boys which was once again won in trip. in 4 games. fine style 6-1, and another hat trick for Morrison. That Joe Wait has continued evening’s entertainment featured an all you can eat Jamie Bywater his excellent form, from buffet and a trip to the cinema, again something that the last year to finish with team enjoyed enormously. 10 goals and 7 assists. Finally, Birkdale had Our final day saw us check out of the the special honour of hotel and straight into our final game of partaking in the Varsity the tour, and the season, against Kings, Hockey Matches between Tynemouth. Here, we wanted to complete Oxford and Cambridge. the feat that would see us defeat all 3 Old Birkdalian and a sides in the tour and cap off what would former Hockey Captain be a fine season. The game started Oliver Lobo has been brightly with a goal from Will Savage. But, appointed as Oxford’s a quick counter saw an equaliser from the Hockey Captain for this opposition and they then followed with year, and Birkdale was many wasted chances. On the stroke of invited to play a friendly half time however Maxwell Jones scored

113 114 1st XI Football found in the performances of Tom Ward and the Johals and I would like to thank Mr Morton and the rest of the The 1st XI season this year was somewhat shortened due team for their commitment this year. to a combination of poor weather and a disappointing first result in the Boodles Independent Schools Cup Tom McKane which saw Birkdale meet a strong RGS Newcastle side and unfortunately come up short to lose 3-1.

dominated the game, teamed with two hailstorms, which halted the encounter for minutes on end. Birkdale dominated the match from start to finish, and in any normal circumstances, would have run away with the Birkdale to get the equaliser. game. However the game ended 0-0, with several chances Although we only had 5 matches, we managed to score a spurned to take the game away from the opposition. staggering 28 goals; here are our results from this season: Birkdale 4-4 LGS Looking to next season, there is reason for optimism, Hull Collegiate 0-6 Birkdale with many promising players coming through the ranks. Hill House 4-4 Birkdale Although we will be losing the experience of Nathan Birkdale 7-0 Woodhouse grove Kearsley, midfield control of Robbie Village and Tom Rishworth 1-7 Birkdale Wright, and the sprightly escapades of the versatile Sam The season’s highlights include two tournaments at King’s Marsh, I have reason to believe that the squad will mature School Chester: a six-a-side tournament in which Birkdale Everyone who played in the A & B teams really enjoyed into filling these roles in the future, under the watchful were unlucky to come up against some extremely strong 2nd XI Football their time playing for our school team, and all of the staff eye of the ever enthusiastic Mr Julian. teams in the group stage, and then an eight-a-side enjoyed watching. The parents who made the journey competition. In this tournament Birkdale played some to come and watch our home and away games were Lewis Baines cracking football, beating last year’s winners, helped by The football season for the 2nd XI has been one really supportive and they looked like they were enjoying the experienced head of Jordan Bethel and an up coming decimated by inclement weather to the point that only every minute of it, just like all of us were. This was a talent in Allen Assamoi who I am sure will be a stalwart two fixtures were played. very memorable season for the U12s and we hope to go in the 1st XI for many years to come. The bulk of our U12 Football undefeated in all of our football games in the years to games in the Christmas term were cancelled so the first Our first outing saw us travel to Leeds Grammar School, come. opposition we faced were an extremely strong Leeds where, although the lads endured a heavy defeat against Grammar School team to whom we were unlucky to lose a very impressive Leeds side, there were nonetheless The U12 football team was particularly strong this year. Dan Casbolt 3-0. The end of the season saw some strong performances a couple of encouraging performances and there was It was a great season which saw us go undefeated all in which Birkdale defeated Woodhouse Grove and were no shame in losing to a vastly superior side on the day. season. Our first match was against Leeds Grammar also unlucky to lose to the Old Birkdalians on penalties. In the second game we came up against High Storrs in School which was one of our hardest games, but we still In an underwhelming season, hope for the future can be unimaginably poor conditions. A howling crosswind managed to draw 4-4, with a last minute free kick from U13 Football

Birkdale U13s have had a promising football season this year with two wins and several losses, which is a great improvement on our last year’s performance in which we didn’t pick up a point in all of our games. However, these results don’t truly reflect our actual performance, as many of our games were very close and we were unlucky to lose. Part of this success was due to new additions in the team including Sam Veall in midfield and Jake Oldridge who has moved to Goalkeeper. Birkdale have also only conceded a few goals over the season, which is partly due to the solid centre backs in Ed Oldridge and

115 116 by scoring from an improbable range. This new score line would have most certainly satisfied both sides, but in the U15 Football last two minutes, a mistake from the opposition centre- Alex Parmar, as well as some great goalkeeping from Jake back placed Will Savage one-on-one with the keeper and Oldridge. The midfield has also been very strong this year he scored in the top corner giving Birkdale a fantastic 3-2 with Josh Michalowski and Laurence Franks in the centre, Coming into the U15 football season, everyone was victory. and Myles Fletcher and Benedict McKenzie Smith on looking forward to the long season ahead. With a new The season ended on a high with the much anticipated the wings. Although we haven’t scored many goals this coach in Mr Rodgers and the Newcastle Football Tour Newcastle Football Tour in which we won all 3 of our year, striker Tom Simms has still had a very good season on the horizon, the team looked confident and excited matches. (See separate tour report for full details.) holding up the ball well and bringing other players into going into the opening matches. However, these two play. opening games were cup games against a very strong I would like to thank all of the players who featured in the Arnold KEQMS School, Blackpool side and the reigning fixtures this season including the B team who claimed a Despite the fact that we had some difficult and unlucky Sheffield School’s Cup Champions Chaucer. Both games great 3-0 victory over High Storrs B. Finally, a massive games, we have had a very solid and consistent season were lost 5-4 on penalties. thanks to Mr Rodgers who not only organised the teams and hope the improvement will carry on next year. Many for the matches, but also for organising the whole of the thanks to Mr Heaton for coaching us this year and thank The Easter term began excellent Newcastle trip. you to all the parents who supported the team. with losses to both Leeds Grammar School and Jamie Bywater Laurence Franks Hull Collegiate. However, in our next fixture we claimed a fantastic 10-1 U14 Football victory over - featuring an astonishing 5 goals from Curtis Morrison. Our form This season has been challenging for us. We started off with a thrashing from Leeds Grammar School 8-2 which did continued with an amazing not help our morale. We also competed in the Sheffield Schools Cup in which we won our first round match against 7-1 victory over local rivals and then lost our second round match 7-2 to Chaucer who were much better than us. Half way Hill House, again with an through the season we drafted in a new Goalkeeper in Tom Kerry who became one of the most improved players of astonishing performance the season. Our best result came against Hull Collegiate away which we won 6-0 and we also had a good result against from Morrison who this Hill House away which we won 7-2. Youssef Farag and Carter Bradder scored a handful of goals between them in time scored 4, as well as a these matches. This was our second season with Mr Parker so we knew what he wanted from us in terms of attitude fine long range effort from and commitment and on the whole we have improved significantly as a team this year. We are all looking forward the captain. However, our to another season as U15s and the possibility of going on the football tour to Newcastle next year with Mr Rodgers. next game against Fulneck School would not be as Lucas Ward easy due two squad players featuring in representative football for the city. In typical windy and blustery conditions at Castle Dyke, the game kicked off and it soon became apparent that the conditions would make it very hard for both teams. Fulneck dealt with the conditions much better and scored two goals before half time. We knew that the wind and the slope would be in our favour in the second half, so, after an inspirational team talk from Mr Rodgers we set out and dominated right from the off scoring a quick fire goal from Matt Lawrie. However, Fulneck defended well and with missed chances it looked like the game would slip away from what seemed to be our grasp. But, with around 7 minutes to go, Maxwell Jones took advantage of the conditions

117 118 U16 Football round 4 of the Cup and out of the Vase without playing a thank Mr Potter and Mr Depledge for giving up their time to coach us and each and every player for making it a hugely game! Losses to Harrogate GS, QEGS Wakefield and then enjoyable season. Lady Manners were a low point of the season. However an excellent win over Hall Cross saw the season end on Amritjit Kular The Under 16s football team had a mixed season. With a high. awful, cold weather conditions many games were My thanks go to Matt Bradley (Captain), Dan Viner and cancelled, so we didn’t get to play as much as we would Will Gaines for their tireless enthusiasm. have liked. Mr R Heaton There were two games played during the Christmas term, which were in the Sheffield Cup. The first round was a very evenly fought contest against Hinde House, and with goals from Tom Ward, Allen Assamoi and Rowan Franks, Development Team the game went to extra time where we managed to win 5-3. A deadly finish from Freddy Eko helped us on our way to the second round. However, disappointment followed For some it was the last term of rugby of their schooling in the next round with a 4-1 loss away at Newfield, life and, although the majority of results didn’t go our despite good performances from Miles Langdale and Jack way, I could not have asked for a more committed team. Harrison. The opening fixture saw us against the tough opposition of Nottingham High School, a well-known rugby school. In the Easter term we only managed a handful of games We started the game well with some good strong tackles due to the abysmal weather. Losing to Leeds Grammar 5-0 from George Colton and U12 Rugby was the low point of the season, despite Dan Downing’s Tom Brown, however, a best efforts to make some defensive clearances. Our game lack of concentration led against High Storrs was cancelled after twenty minutes Nottingham to a couple We have had an amazing season. We started with an because of gale force winds and hail - also known as a of early scores putting impressive win over Hull, with Harry Oldridge getting typical day out at Castle Dyke. Birkdale on the back foot. most of our tries. We have had more notable wins against A brilliant try from Tom the likes of St Anselms, Ratcliffe College, Silverdale and However, the season ended on a high when we managed Brown brought the home many more. We were undefeated all season, even though to beat Hill House 3-2 thanks to two goals from Joe side back into the game we were against some tough opposition. We were able to Fowler and a good team display. Overall, the team can but Nottingham appeared win all our eight fixtures quite convincingly, and our vital be pleased with their efforts and look forward to a good to be too strong on the statistics are very impressive – we conceded 46 points, season next year. day. Although we lost this and scored 386! game we could take many Our key players were Harry Oldridge, Stefan Perunovic, Tom Ward positives from it, but we Kareem Eissa, Sam Davison, Sam Yellops and George knew we had to work hard Burch. Harry Oldridge was our leading try-scorer and an on the training field. The amazing tackler. Stefan is a great runner and a strong next game saw Birkdale forward. Kareem is a great tackler and runner on our 1st XV rugby play Fulneck School. wing. Sam Davison is a great kicker and team player. Sam Birkdale won comfortably Yellops is also a great runner and catcher. George is a very with tries from Taurai good rucker and tackler. All our squad have worked very Despite losing many of the team from the previous Mbakada and Adam Turner hard for each other and many lads have been involved season the 1st XV got off to an excellent start by sealing a promising victory. from the full group of 40. Although not everybody has defeating Hull Collegiate School 65-0 in their first game. The hard work had paid played every game, the boys have continued to develop A tight game against Worksop College followed ending off. Everyone had worked their skills in training and everyone has improved. in a 19-0 loss, but a 0-0 score for the second half was their socks off at training and this determination was We would like to say a big thank you to Mr Dymock, Mr very pleasing. Away to Mount St Mary’s was a tough test, rewarded. Probably the best performance of the season Cooper, Mr Depledge, and Mr Rodgers for all their input followed by a walk over against Wickersley in the second was against Hall Cross School, where we demonstrated and guidance during the term. round of the Daily Mail Cup. good attacking play, especially in our kicking game. We have had an amazing rugby term and are already The fixture against Ratcliffe College at Castle Dyke Commitment to both training and matches throughout looking forward to the next year! followed, producing a very gritty 7-5 victory. Another walk the season was excellent, and this showed through in over against Barnsley Sports Academy put us through to the level of intensity seen in every game. I would like to Fergus Dobbs

119 120 U14 Rugby weren’t often conceded cheaply. The team’s highlight numerous injuries and cancellations. However, I think was the Ratcliffe College match, where our only aim was all the boys will agree that the highlight of this time was Rugby this year was, in the words of Highlander Jamie to try and avoid defeat. With tries from Youssef Farag, receiving some top quality coaching from Mr Byron. The Joseph, ‘like a war, easy to start, hard to stop and Eoin Doyle and Thomas Farrell, the team picked up our extra time spent working on our handling seemed to pay impossible to forget’. most memorable win of the season by 37 – 33. off as our backs became increasingly threatening from After last year’s minimal success we weren’t going into With help in training and tactics from our coaches, Mr set-pieces. As this gelled with Mr Woodley’s expertise the season with any degree of confidence. With only Depledge and Mr Kenyon, we have run through a very with the forwards, we began to look like a much stronger two full squad training sessions before our first match we successful season and look forward to playing some unit going forward. Rugby Sevens in the Easter Term. Thanks to all the effort put in by the coaches and the boys, it turned out to be another successful season for Youssef Farag our squad.

Tom Bradley

1st Xl Cricket loss of only 1 wicket. A 40 over game against Stockport followed the break for exams and again some excellent bowling by Dan The 2013 season started with high hopes and a fixture Cleveland kept Birkdale in with a chance but it was not to list which promised some stiff challenges for the 1st Xl. be eventually losing by 6 wickets. didn’t know what to expect. But, with our new coach, This was proved to be so with a heavy defeat in the first My thanks to all the boys who have represented the we played out for a win. The pack had become more fixture of the season against The Grammar School at School this term but especially Captain Jordan Bethel synchronised and understood each other’s movements Leeds. who played his heart out for the team. better. We saw good cooperation between Fraser McCarter, Joshua White and Ched Uchegbu and added A midweek game against Hull followed, with Birkdale Mr R Heaton power in the rucks by William Burch and Jacob Barrett. showing they had recovered well from the lessons learnt The backs were now quicker out of the blocks and firm at Leeds. Hull Collegiate were bowled out for 59 in 17 in defence and with strong tackling from Eoin Doyle, overs and the Birkdale top order made short work of Thomas Farrell, Ben Roberts and Jonathan Davies tries reaching the target in 9 overs for the loss of opener Adam Turner, a 9 wicket victory. The highlight of the season followed with the MCC U15 Rugby arriving at Castle Dyke for the first time. The ground looked immaculate and with the Castle Dyke weather being kind to all it was a great match. Probably the strongest MCC side to take the field against Birkdale was I was given the honour of captaining the U15 side for restricted to 160 - 4 off 49 overs leaving Birkdale about the 2012 rugby season. It was an eventful season that 40 overs to reach the target. The opening MCC attack of was not made easy by some of the harsh conditions and Ward and Rush were lively and Birkdale did well to try to more than our fair share of injuries. avoid defeat, losing the last wicket with only 9 balls of the match remaining. The season kicked off with a positive start, taking down The National T/twenty competition was the following day Nottingham High School and Hipperholme which were in the first round against Kings Pontefract and in the sec- and Birkdale produced a great performance to defeat both won without a huge amount of stress. Things were ond round against Hill House. Sadly we came to a halt as Silcoates in the 1st match by 6 runs to set up a final looking good as we began our campaign in the Daily Mail we were drawn against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School winner take all game against St Peters (Dan Cleveland Cup, a knock out competition featuring some of the best in the third round, which is well known as a very strong 52 and Henry Rossi 44). However chasing a target of 164 schools in the country. rugby school. We battled valiantly but sadly came up Birkdale lost early wickets and fell well short in the end short of a win. but a great day was had by all. The confidence we had brought from our early victories An easy victory over Repton followed with Birkdale followed through into the cup, as we came out victorious Our second half of the season was, sadly, interrupted by reaching the meagre target of 44 set by Repton for the

121 122 U13 Cricket

The U13s have to be one of the best travelled teams around! The way the fixtures have fallen this year, the team has played a lot of away matches that have taken them as far away as Shrewsbury. They have certainly played a lot of matches and enjoyed a successful season. Although they have fallen at the occasional hurdle, the team has won the vast majority of its matches and overcome some formidable opposition. Notable U14 Cricket successes have included reaching the semi-final of the Northern region of the National JET Cup and winning the Sheffield Schools’ Trophy. Over the course of the The under 14s had a mixed start to the season. Good season 23 boys have represented the school which has performances in the field restricted our opponents to meant that over a third of the S2 pupils have played low targets which we should have been able to chase representative cricket. Throughout there has been a down. Unfortunately we were unable to turn these into terrific team spirit and the team has been ably ledby victories due to lack of form for the batsmen. Nick Lowe who has also been playing cricket for South In the second half of the season all of our top 4 chipped Yorkshire for whom he recently scored 140 not out. Other in with runs and there were wickets for at least 8 of notable performers with both bat and ball have been our players. Mentions must go to Vikram Singh for his Chris Chung and Abinav Mohanamurali who have acted wickets with the new ball and top order runs; William as vice-Captains throughout the season. Jake Oldridge Burch for his dependable wicket-keeping and important has been impressive behind the stumps and the bowling innings with the bat; Idris Ali for his lusty blows at the of Alex Parmar and Alfie Oakley has meant that wickets end of the innings and his bowling; Youssef Farag’s have regularly tumbled. The future of cricket is bright at bowling improvement has been a highlight of the season; Birkdale! Joshua White for wickets and runs. Also thanks must go to Thomas Kerry, Miles Hemingway, Thomas Farrell and Mr N Pietrek Haris Nazir for turning up for every game and giving their all despite knowing that they might not get a bat or bowl. There are others who we could thank but it would go on for pages. U15 Cricket Joshua White and Vikram Singh

U12 Cricket victories for the B team in games against Hall Cross and Ranby House. Heading into the U15 cricket season, all of the players (S3). We then travelled over to Wakefield to play Silcoates held high hopes for the season ahead. However, the School in one of the closest games of the season. Batting The U12s have played a lot of cricket this season in two Matthew Darke has impressed greatly with his pace team got off to a shaky start with a heavy defeat to first on a very hard batting surface, Birkdale achieved competitions as well as friendly fixtures against a range bowling this season whilst Harman Puni has been Leeds Grammar School, mainly due to a lack of training. an admirable score of 103 which was contributed to by of schools. relentless with the bat and in particular his 51, retired After pulling ourselves together, we secured a great nearly every team member. Despite the bad weather against Silcoates. My personal highlight was my 5 wickets victory over Hull Collegiate featuring an impressive 57 the team pulled off a 10 run victory thanks to fantastic In the David English Bunbury cup we won the South including my maiden hat trick against Hull Collegiate but N.O. for Shashwat Jha. We then headed into our heavily bowling and fielding. Yorkshire area competition and, at the time of writing, this wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional anticipated encounter with King Ecgberts in the T20 The highlight of our season was the final game against we are looking forward to the county semi-final against wicket keeping of Sam Yellops who took 3 stumpings and Knockout Cup. Despite an impressive knock from Nick Ratcliffe College. Birkdale batted first reaching a score QEGS. In the last week of the summer term we were a catch! Lowe (S2), we were not able to defeat an impressive of 124 for 5. This was followed by one of the most delighted to win the Sheffield Schools’ Trophy, scoring 59 side, losing narrowly in an exciting match. Once again devastating opening spells in Birkdale history leaving all out in the final with Harman Puni bowling superbly to Finally, a big thank you to Mr Depledge for all his advice, though, the team pulled together and defeated both Fir Ratcliffe on 24 for 6 after 10 overs. Thanks to some great take 5 wickets. Josh Wilkie takes full credit for captaining coaching and patience throughout the season, to my Vale and in the Sheffield League, both fielding and follow-up bowling, Ratcliffe were bowled out the side in this series of matches as I have been on county teammates and also to our families who have come to games featuring impressive partnerships between Jamie for 65 giving an excellent victory to epitomise what has duty for Yorkshire. watch! Bywater and Shashwat Jha. been an excellent season. It was a fitting end! After half term the side defeated Lincoln Minster School In other schools matches we have beaten St Olaves, Sam Davison with half-centuries for Shashwat Jha and Joshua White Jamie Bywater Silcoates, Hill House and Hull Collegiate. There were also

123 124 Netball Griffiths were the most consistent and ended upthe overall winners.

The 2012-13 season was very competitive for the Netball Colours were awarded to Steph Twomey for Birkdale Netball Team. Over the Autumn and Spring outstanding performances in attack and for being an terms, the team won six and lost four matches. Three excellent captain. Twenty two players represented of the four defeats were close and in each case, Birkdale Birkdale School during the year and each one deserves were able to win the return fixture. congratulating in the part they played in a successful season. A large squad signed up for training in September and attendance of both L6 and U6 was excellent throughout Mrs B Thaw the term. After Christmas, there was a break for exams and then the majority of the L6 players were involved in rehearsals for the school musical ‘Guys and Dolls’. Reduced numbers resulted in two very welcome late season additions, Dan Jenkinson and Jack Lockwood. Both boys are all round sportsmen with a background in Basketball. They picked up new skills and tactics quickly and became crucial members of the team, strengthening defence with their speed and agility. Although unusual in the UK, ‘Mixed Netball’ is popular in other countries, (particularly Australia) and it was encouraging to see how well fixtures worked with a mixed team.

House Netball also involved mixed teams and resulted in an unexpected winner. The majority of ‘A’ team girls were in Heeley but in a very tight ‘round robin’ competition, Sports Day

The Senior School Sports Day was held at the EIS in Sheffield and this year it was won by Heeley House in a tightly fought contest. There were some excellent performances on the day with 3 school records being broken: S4 4 x 100m Relay record Asterley 51.74s S2 60m Tom Simms 7.75s S4 60m Obi Ezi 7.07s The Victor Ludorum title was won by William Hardy and the Victrix Ludorum was Sarah Bower.

125 126 U10 Cricket Areg Gotoh have the technique and some hard work in the nets over the winter will prepare them to occupy the Prep School Sport crease alongside Romir come Prep 4. The U10 cricket season began brightly with an In the B team, much of the play has mirrored that of the encouraging victory over Bradford Grammar School. A team, with again some steady bowling and work to be The team worked hard on their bowling throughout done on the batting. the season and a number of boys improved their skills, A personal thank you goes to Mr Depledge for all his help in particular the accuracy of their bowling, which has this year. seen a steady decline in the number of extras gifted to the opposition. Victories against St Olave’s B, Stockport Mr Dymock Cricket and, in a cracker of a game, The Elms were largely built on good work from the bowlers. There were a number of useful spells over the year but the most consistent was The summer of 2012 saw the U11A team reach the William Oakley, who has remained economical all year National Hardball Cricket Finals for the second time and has led the wicket taking with 11 victims. in four years. A squad of 10 travelled down to Oakham On the batting front Romir Singh has hit 101 runs School in the final week of the summer term to take on without being dismissed, including a beautiful 31* schools from all over Britain. Following a fantastic day’s against an excellent Nottingham High attack and a highly cricket, the boys finished seventh in the country having entertaining 26* against Stockport. However, an over faced close-fought encounters against other prestigious reliance on the runs of Romir was exposed on occasions schools including Millfield (Somerset), Whitgift (Surrey) when his services were required by Yorkshire and results and Packwood Haugh (Shropshire). The staff who suffered, with defeats against Bronte House, Hymers accompanied them were immensely proud of their College, Nottingham High and GSAL. William Oakley, efforts and everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed a day Luke Whittington, Alex Darke and the much improved that will live long in the memory. U11A Cricket

against Nottingham High School went our way and the U9 Cricket winning run continued. In three different formats, the U11A cricketers played only Ampleforth stood in the way of the ‘Yorkshire The whole year group travelled to York to play St 19 matches, winning 12 and losing 7. In the longer Champions’ title for the second year running. Needing 7 Olave’s and even with a rain storm, thoroughly enjoyed format, 20/20 or 16/16, they won 7 of 11 whereas in the off 9 balls, knowing that the last over was to be bowled themselves with the As and Bs gaining big wins and the shortest format, the HMC Six-a-side with only five overs by an extremely fast county bowler, an unfortunate run- This has been an outstanding season for the U9 cricket Cs narrowly losing in the final over. Unfortunately the per innings, they lost two out of three. Their exit after out changed the target to 12 from 8, which proved too squad. The whole year group has represented the school winning run came to an end against QEGS, where our the quarter-finals was compensated by a one-run win much. and the A, B and C teams have played a total of 15 poorest batting display of the season cost us dear and in over QEGS. All four lost matches in the longer format were by narrow games, winning 13 of them. a cracking game of cricket we lost by 25 runs. In the Yorkshire Hardball, the ‘paired’ format with 12 margins, either single figure runs or last over finishes. All During games lessons and after school training the boys This is an outstanding group of cricketers who show much overs per innings and each wicket losing five runs, they were really good games of cricket played in an excellent have worked really hard on their technique and have promise for the future. I am sure they will continue to won 4 out of 5 (one of which was conceded). Having spirit. quickly mastered many of the finer points of match work really hard at their game and I look forward to seeing reached Yorkshire Finals and beaten Bradford by 5 runs, Haroon Tariq led from the front by scoring 417 runs at play. The fact that the whole year group plays so much them progress through the school. Very well played lads! more than a run-a-ball followed by Cameron Hartley on playground cricket and that so many of the boys play for Mr Burch 204 and Karan Salvi on 122. Tariq’s average was 32 and clubs outside of school, has helped immensely and made he was also the leading wicket-taker with 14, closely my job a lot easier! followed by Sam Beahan with 10 and Tom Robinson and The season began with a comfortable victory against Mohith Koganti with 9 each. Lewis Farrell kept wicket Bradford Grammar, which was quickly followed up by with great consistency and Lewis Roberts always gave 2 victories against Silcoates on a baking hot day. The loyal support. B team travelled to Ranby House and managed to beat Mr Kirkham their A team by 43 runs, which was a very encouraging result. The next game for the A team was against The Elms and, despite a rather sluggish performance, the boys managed to overcome their opponents by 63 runs and hopes were beginning to rise for an unbeaten season. A close game

127 128 U11B Cricket section of the Cup, St Marie’s eliminating them on this Barlborough Festival and progressed very well from except for a mad three minutes where all of Leeds’ points occasion. The annual Invitational Tournament there. Encouraging wins against S. Anselm’s and Bradford were scored, the Birkdale defence was unbelievable. Following last year’s unbeaten season in pairs cricket, proved a more welcoming opportunity for silverware and Grammar filled us with optimism as we headed towards The boys put on a cracking show against a very spirited this group of boys have had a bit of a reality check whilst the boys would duly oblige behind the inspirational goal a tough new fixture against Leeds Grammar School. Nottingham High side. Were it not for a last minute try, playing the longer form of the game. It took a while for scoring form of football captain Karl Lűbs. The winter Although the A team lost heavily to a formidable Leeds Birkdale would have snatched their seventh victory of the some of the squad to become accustomed to trudging break allowed for a recharge of batteries and the drawing team, the B and C teams gained fantastic wins and all the year in a wonderful rollercoaster of a game. back to the pavilion as soon as they played a false shot. up of a battle plan for the year’s major event, the HMC boys learnt a great deal playing such tough opposition. The 9-a-side season closed in traditional manner with a Despite this, they managed to adapt reasonably well and North of England Football Competition. Placed in a group We notched up further wins against Silcoates, Ranby rugby lesson from QEGS. Despite the score line, the boys performed admirably as the season went on. alongside Barnard Castle, hosts Hymers and Bronte House and Hymers College, before the winter weather did all I could have asked of them. There have been a number of impressive displays, notably House, the boys would start slowly but progress was interrupted the season. The season ended with the Lyndhurst Sevens tournament. the demolition jobs done on Stockport and Hymers. On confirmed with some impressive passing displays that Not playing for a few weeks because of snow was not The boys made it to the semi-final and gave everything the flip side of this there were resounding defeats against were beginning to draw admiring glances. The quarter- the best preparation for facing the toughest matches of they had against Richmond House, but, try as they might, impressive sides from QEGS and Bradford. A real positive final saw a match against sporting rivals QEGS. Despite the season and the QEGS boys demonstrated just what a we just couldn’t snatch a winning try and the game ended however, has been that even in defeat the boys have a size and strength disadvantage, the slick passing play tough game rugby is in giving us a lesson in rucking and 5-5. Sadly a coin toss was used to send the unbeaten learnt things and many of them are now better players as of the Birkdale boys saw them progress to a semi-final tackling. The Birkdale boys responded brilliantly to this Birkdale side home early. a result. The game against St Olave’s was a prime example against Leeds Grammar School, where a Ben Lowe goal and went on to finish the season on a high with victories Despite the heart-breaking ending, this season has where, but for some indiscipline with the ball leading to deep into injury time gave them a spot in the final. There against Nottingham High School. As we look forward to undoubtedly been a very successful one. a few too many extras being conceded, a 2-run loss could they would face defending champions RGS Newcastle, next season, this year group can have great confidence. easily have been a victory. the only other undefeated side in the competition. Once Many thanks to the loyal band of parents who travelled Mr Cooper Despite the boys still seeming more at home in the pairs more Karl Lűbs would have the satisfaction of lifting a the length and breadth of Yorkshire supporting us. Thank format of the game, I expect them to flourish next year trophy having scored and created another for Lowe you also to Messrs Clark, Lockwood, Dymock and Cooper as they enter Senior School. There are many in this squad leaving Birkdale an HMC Champion for the first time. The for their help and support this year. who should be aiming to break into the ‘A’ team at U12 season ended with an impressive victory over Stockport Well done, boys, good luck for next year. level whilst there should also be immense strength and thanks to a Ben Lowe hat-trick, and a thrilling 4-4 draw depth come 2014 in order to put out ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams. with Hymers. Overall this was a tremendous season for a Mr Burch It has been a very enjoyable year and I wish the boys very talented bunch of footballers. every success in S1! Mr Dymock Mr Cooper

U11A Rugby U10A Rugby The rugby season began with the HMC VII’s Tournament which gave the squad the opportunity to flex its muscles. Football U9 A,B & C Rugby A place in the final group was well deserved; however The season started off in brilliant manner with the first Leeds Grammar School and St Olaves proved formidable, five fixtures all won.A hard-fought victory over Bradford leaving Birkdale settling for a creditable third place. Other was followed by a wonderful first-half display at Bronte early fixtures produced encouraging results and it would The diminutive yet skilful U11 team began their campaign This was a hugely successful season for the U9 age House that blew the opposition away. The second be November before the team tasted narrow defeats at back in October, competing in both the Sheffield Schools group. For the first time in many years every single boy half was less eventful setting a precedent for the year, the hands of Hymers and Ranby House. League and the preliminary stages of the English Schools in Prep 2 represented the school in a rugby match. In showing how the team could be outstanding at times and January began with the Harrison Cup and once again National Cup. With little outdoor practice behind them total, the U9 A, B and C teams played 21 matches and lackadaisical at others. Birkdale struggled to overcome Leeds Grammar School they would finish runners up to deserving winners Nether won 13 of these. This obviously bodes very well for the We had further victories against Hill House, Silcoates and who blocked their progress. A few cancellations due to Green in their league section, while only goal difference future of both Prep and Senior School rugby. S. Anselm’s. However the performance of the season was snow were followed by a win against Nottingham High prevented them from progressing from the regional The season began with 3 encouraging wins at the at Leeds Grammar School. Leeds was a strong outfit but, School which served only to mask the disappointment of

129 130 defeat by rivals QEGS. was better than ours and Leeds ran out deserved winners. process: RGS Newcastle, Ashville College, St Olaves and The conversion to the VII’s format was met with much A big win against Silcoates followed before we clashed the hosts, Leeds Grammar. optimism. The Warwick Tournament saw Birkdale drawn with Hymers. In arguably the game of the season, every We had further notable victories in the 12-a-side games in a group with The Croft, winners of the U11 National boy involved played with great heart. This was by far the against: Leeds Grammar, Nottingham High and Bradford Schools Rugby Tournament. We couldn’t prevent them best performance of the season as they each gave their Grammar. However, either side of these victories were from winning the group but settled for winning the Plate all in a fantastic 30-30 draw. a couple of tough losses against QEGS and Hymers. As section, excellent consolation given the high standard of As good performance led to boys being promoted to disappointing as these were the boys learnt a lot of the tournament. Mr Cooper’s A side, it was a changed side that lost to valuable lessons and could identify areas to improve The season finished with mixed emotions. Birkdale Nottingham before the final game of the season saw the upon. looked to defend the Lyndhurst VII’s Tournament and lift boys face the mighty QEGS. In a funny game, Birkdale had The success of the season has come with great reward to the Elms VII’s Trophy. Having coasted through the group most of the ball but were still soundly beaten despite a certain individuals, with Sam Beahan, Ben Lowe, Ronan stages, the boys overcame St Martin’s Ampleforth in a good performance. Sahni and Karl Lubs all making the step up to play in the great semi-final to set up a replay of last year’s final with Overall there were some great performances throughout A team at times. Hymers, who would prove too difficult to overcome. the team. The strength throughout the team should Mr S Depledge Some fantastic Rugby was played and the season ensure that next season is a positive one for the U11s as contained some excellent moments. Thanks must go a whole. to all boys involved and to Mr Depledge who provided Cameron Hartley excellent support. Mr Berry

Mr Dymock Many congratulations to Cameron Hartley of P4O who has been selected to play for the North of England’s Independent Schools’ Barbarians Rugby Team. Cameron attended the U11 trials at Ampleforth College in September and obviously impressed the selectors. Cameron has captained the Birkdale Prep U11 Rugby Team this season and we are delighted for him that he has received this recognition for the hard work he puts into his Rugby.

U11B Rugby Basketball This has been a very successful season for the U11B U10B Rugby team. The results and performances on the pitch have been to a very high standard but, along with this, the Birkdale Prep School has continued to take part in the During this season, for the first time ever, we have been development and inclusion of a number of individuals monthly Derbyshire Arrows Local Central Venue leagues. able to put together 4 teams at some tournaments has been the most pleasing aspect of the campaign. The Under 11 and Under 12 teams are grouped together offering even more boys a chance to play. Fielding two Having been relatively successful at U9 level, I inherited The season kicked off with a very impressive start by for these games meaning our Prep 4 teams have often Under 9 teams at times has shown we have strength an U10B team with promise and ability. It soon became beating Bradford Grammar 64-0 away. The score line played against older teams. It has been encouraging to and depth at that age group. Strong and consistent clear there was pace in the team and they had a good was a little unexpected but the performance on the pitch see how the boys have responded to this demanding performances from our younger players have shown the balance with strength and depth. The first fixture saw warranted it and gave the boys a lot of confidence for the challenge. This has led to some excellent performances future is in safe hands. the boys travel to Bradford Grammar School in optimistic upcoming games. The highlight of the season was to come throughout the season and should stand them in good It has been a very enjoyable and encouraging year on the mood and they used this positive attitude to pull off a next with us being crowned HMC Rugby 7s Champions. stead next year. basketball court with numbers of boys taking part as high resounding victory. This was a great achievement as we had done no specific Tom Robinson, Cameron Hartley, Lewis Farrell, Lewis as it has ever been. We returned to West Yorkshire in November to face 7s training ahead of this as we were in the middle of Roberts and Corben Ollivent combined to form a very Leeds Grammar School who proved to be much tougher the 12-a-side season. This success was made even more competitive unit and have all been talent spotted by the Mr A Oakey opponents. The rucking and tackling of the opposition impressive by the calibre of opposition we beat in the Arrows Basketball Club.

131 132 Ronan Sahni HMC Cross-Country Following last year’s cancellation due to horrific Prep Sports Day weather, the story couldn’t have been more different in 2013 as the sun shone and there was hardly a cloud in Congratulations to Ronan Sahni for receiving a Silver A team of ten travelled to Barlborough Hall determined medal in the International Orienteering Competition. the sky at the HSBC Sports Ground in Dore. to defend their crown won last year. The U10 race took whilst Freddie Parlby won the Prep 2 award. In Prep 3 Ronan took part in a 5 day International Orienteering In their House groups, the boys took part in eight events place first and Birkdale finished 9th out of the 11 schools, standings were very close as Will Smith narrowly defeated Competition which was held in Istanbul, Turkey. He was throughout the afternoon: 50m, 55m hurdles, 400m, although pleasingly, of the 50 entrants all of our runners Damon Geering to the trophy. Prep 4 saw a wonderful asked to present the Union Flag at the opening ceremony shot putt, long jump, triple jump, javelin and cricket finished inside the top 35 including Alex Darke (12th) competition with the top 3 separated by just 18 points. where all 26 flags were represented and then joined ball throw, collecting points for each activity to count and Finlay Barnett (15th). Corben Ollivent had set a fantastic new school record in together and displayed on each of the 5 days. for the individual competitions and House competition. The main event of the afternoon saw 54 boys take part the hurdles with a time of 9.34s and he finished in third During the event Ronan ran around a predetermined Every boy that took part did so in the right spirit and the in the U11 race. Despite a valiant attempt Birkdale were place. George Wood put in a superb all-round display to course with the aid of a map and compass. There were over encouragement for each other was fantastic to see. pipped at the post by Bradford Grammar and Lyndhurst. finish second but it was George Tupholme who became 700 competitors from 26 different countries participating The House competition was dominated by Osborn with With four of the five runners’ scores to count, it was the P4 Victor Ludorum winner, ensuring he has now won at the event. Each day was held at a different location Roberts in second followed by Westbury and then Martin. pleasing that Birkdale’s qualifiers all finished strongly the competition every year in the Prep department. around Istanbul with days in both Europe and Asia. Ronan Individually there were some fantastic performances. allowing the boys to pick up the bronze medal. Only Ben The only other school record broken was in the cricket held his cool during Andrew Charlish dominated the Prep 1 competition Lowe (10th) broke into the top ten but elsewhere Karl ball throw as Sam Beahan threw 41.5m to break the old the final day sprint Lűbs (15th), George Wood (19th) and Tom Clarke (20th) record by over a metre. event. He took the all finished in the top 20. The day ended in great fashion with the Prep 4 House silver medal behind Tug-O-War competition which was again won by Osborn, a Russian but in this time narrowly defeating Westbury in the final. front of a Ukrainian It was a fantastic day! competitor in the Boys 10 and under category.

Swimming Gala

This year the House Competition went down to the last As well as a trophy, this earned Ronan a place in the race before it was decided with reigning champions charity race, the traditional finale to proceedings. The Osborn and Martin still in the hunt. Sadly for the latter, staff lined up ready for a breaststroke race but sadly Roberts won the P4 relay meaning that, for the second for our previously unbeaten swimming coach Mr Mills, year in a row, Osborn retained their crown. Ronan took it upon himself to swim front crawl and won, Roberts managed to win the final race in a new school relegating his coach to second with Mr Dymock third, record of 1 minute, 13.19 seconds, knocking over three followed by Messrs Cooper, Burch and Berry. A great seconds off the previous record. The only other record ending to a great afternoon. broken was in the P1 relay where Roberts again knocked over three seconds off the previous best with a time of 1 minute 45.91 seconds. The individual prizes were very close in all four year groups. The P1 award was shared by Monty Sharp-O’Reilly and Tim Burton while in P2 Charlie Flann retained his crown. The P3 trophy was a close-run thing as no single boy won more than one race but Luke Richards grabbed the title thanks to an impressive all round display. This year’s P4 have immense strength in depth and no fewer than five boys had a genuine chance of winning the individual prize but it was Ronan Sahni who took home the glory, narrowly pushing George Wood into second place.

133 134 Pre Prep Sports Day

The forecast was decidedly iffy. We were not destined few. It was lovely to hear the boys cheering each other to enjoy the glorious sunshine of last year’s sports day. on. However, the Pre-Prep are made of strong stuff and we When they had completed all of the activities, Mr Dymock all piled onto the coaches in anticipation of a fantastic totted up the points to find the winner. Miss Harrison’s afternoon at the HSBC ground. team of zebras were the victors and the winning House As usual Mr Dymock had organised everything beautifully. was Westbury. The boys were divided into Houses and then into smaller Parents took their tired and happy children home and teams. Each team included boys from each year group thankfully the rain arrived too late to spoil what was a and they all competed together to win points for their wonderful afternoon. Thank you to all of the parents team and their House. and grandparents who turned up the cheer the boys on. There were lots of events for the boys to enjoy: broad Special thanks go to Mr Dymock for all of the hard work jump, hurdles, bean bag throwing, an obstacle course, he put into the event. ball throwing, football and rugby skills, to name but a

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