New School Building Opens the Diana Our New Teaching Block Is Complete

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Nuntius WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys

Cross Lane, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 3AQ | Tel: 0151 644 0908 JULY 2008

New School Building Opens The Diana Our new teaching block is complete. From the second half of the summer term lessons began in the new teaching areas created for Award – Biology, ICT and Business Studies. Mathematics, Music, Languages and English will be moving into their new teaching rooms prior to National Recognition for September. All classrooms and corridors are carpeted and equipped with new furniture. Peer Support Group Prior to Whit half term, School Council members were able to have a look around the new building before the official hand-over. The new On Wednesday accommodation has been fully equipped with high 14 May a specification ICT equipment. All classrooms have computer network access and multi-media special Award projection is being installed in every classroom. Ceremony took Plasma screens are being installed on each place to present corridor and new multi-media displays will be a feature within the entrance atrium. The Diana Award to five members of the The new Music area includes two main teaching rooms equipped with music Wirral Grammar School Peer Support technology resources. Individual practice rooms will provide for the needs of peripatetic Group for their services to the school teaching. There are three new biology labs and a spectacular exterior study balcony on community. the first floor. The new ICT suite includes fifty computers in a room that can be divided for flexible use. A feature of the new building is the scope for community adult education in the evenings and the new building has a community reception and The Award winners were: Richard Crompton, Gareth conference room. Fisher, Adam Heayns, Michael Jones and Zachary Street. We were very pleased to welcome our guest The whole of the Mathematics Department is to be housed in the new building with presenter, James Buckley, a ten year old who has eight specialist teaching rooms. There are additional rooms for English and Languages produced his own peer support series to schools and these connect with other classrooms in the main building. called “Look out for loneliness”. James appeared on The new toilets are of a business conference centre standard and far removed from the television last November on “Children in Need” typical toilet facilities found in most schools. when he presented his service on a special episode of Dragons’ Den. James spoke at the ceremony and Refurbishment underway congratulated all of the boys on their achievement. The focus is now on refurbishing those areas of the main building that have been vacated and Each of the boys’ mum and dads were present to this work is currently underway and due for watch their sons receive their awards and the completion in August. A new Learning Resource school’s Chair of Governors, Mr Brian Edmondson, Centre is being created that will combine both also attended. traditional library and new ICT resources. Over the summer external works will include the The Wirral Grammar School Peer Support Group is extension and re-surfacing of the playground and a dedicated group of students who have identified a the creation of contrasting spaces for ball play and quiet recreational pursuits. range of measures to help to protect lower school boys from incidents of bullying.

Open Evenings 2008 TV “Dragon”, James Caan, who invested in James Buckley’s idea, added words of congratulations to Parents of boys who will be in Year 6 at their primary schools in September are invited to attend one of our Open Evenings on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 the award winners. September 2008. These start at 7.00 pm with two talks taking place during the evening by Mr David Hazeldine, Headteacher. “Standing up to your peer group against bullying is never easy and it takes someone with drive and The whole school will be open for parents to see the work of all Departments and commitment to succeed. I live by my motto: ‘observe for boys to take part in, and observe a range of lesson activities. the masses and do the opposite’ and whilst this has worked for me, I am delighted to see that Richard, Practice 11+ test papers will be on sale and parents and boys will be able to talk Adam, Michael, Zachery and Gareth are using it in to current pupils about life at Wirral Grammar School. their endeavour to put a stop to bullying.”

www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL JULY 2008 A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys Welcome Charity Update - Summer 2008 Dear all As the summer term is drawing to a close, I would like to take this The 2007/2008 academic year has been characterised by numerous events and opportunity to congratulate all my achievements. fellow students, the staff and most importantly all the supportive parents Our year started with outstanding examination for their magnificent fundraising efforts. results which represented a further improvement on At the time of writing, we have raised a the record levels of attainment the previous year. staggering £6,501.29 for St. John’s Hospice – a We look forward to news of further achievement success this summer with the publication of GCSE local charity providing specialist palliative care and and A Level results. support for patients with severe and progressive disease. Those who are avid readers of Nuntius will be familiar with the wide range of activities and events Since the last Nuntius Charity Update, the school calendar has been full of charity that have been a feature of this academic year. fundraisers! Most noticeably, on Monday 12th May, St. John’s Hospice visited Success at Wirral Grammar School takes many the school to raffle-off a brand new Vauxhall Corsa, complete with ten driving forms and it is a fair summary to state that pupils lessons! This proved extremely popular (especially amongst certain members of have both worked hard and played hard. staff!) and raised over £100. In a similar FUNdraising spirit, congratulations to Dave Tasak (U61), who correctly guessed that there were 486 mini-eggs in the ‘Easter Extravaganza’ and equal congratulations to Mr C Cooper for completing Residential visits have been a prominent feature of the 73-mile “Maggie’s Bike and Hike”. Sponsorship money is still being collected the Summer Term with an outdoor pursuits course on in for this – if you are yet to hand in your money, please contact Mr. Cooper Anglesey for Year 9, a Year 7 trip to Normandy, a ASAP. History visit to Russia, a Lower Sixth visit to Cambridge and at the very end of the term, a Well done to the Peer Support Group as well for organising two very successful cricket tour to the Caribbean. charity quizzes, which raised nearly £200. Year 7 and 8 students took part in the quizzes at the end of last term, being tested on sport, music, film, TV and The acquisition of our new teaching accommodation general knowledge. In addition to having fun and learning more about the PSG, has been welcome news this term and as you will they raised a fantastic amount for charity. Congratulations also go to the two read in this issue of Nuntius, our refurbishment winning teams: ‘Suicidal Sheep’ and ‘Team Brainiac’! programme is now well under way. As fundraising for St. John’s Hospice draws to a close, on behalf of all my fellow At the end of the term we say our farewells to Mr students, I would like to thank Robert Woodward for all of his support and Stuart Clarke who is relocating to a school in commitment to student-led charity events over the past year in his role as charity Lancashire, Mr Stuart Kenyon who has take a post coordinator - £6,501.29 and counting…! at the Grange School in Northwich and Miss Julia Richard Crompton - Head Boy & Charity Coordinator – 2008 / 2009 Kelly who has secured a post as Advanced Skills Teacher in English at Neston High School. In addition, we are saying farewell to Mr Shabil Syed, Miss Nicola Diss and Mr Grant McClean who have Geoff Hinde supported the school in a temporary capacity over the course of this year. to be awarded MBE

We wish all of them every success and happiness The Queens Birthday Honours List 2008 has recently been for the future. published, paying tribute to outstanding achievement and service across the entire community. Many of those honoured, including our very own Mr Geoff Hinde (Head Our new academic year commences on Wednesday of Law), have for many years been undertaking extra- 3 September for pupils and we look ahead to curricular activities alongside their professional duties and Geoff’s dedication to another year of achievements. Education and Performing Arts here in Merseyside has now been formally recognised. Finally, I wish everyone an enjoyable and relaxing summer period. Geoff has played a leading role in organising school drama productions for over 30 years beginning with ‘Burps’ in 1977 and going on to include ‘Othello’, ‘West Yours sincerely Side Story’, ‘Lord of the Flies’ and most recently ‘Little Shop of Horrors’.

Geoff is an energetic, enthusiastic and above all committed individual who leaves a lasting impression on all who have the good fortune to meet him, particularly those that played a crucial part in the MBE nomination process. His work in the David Hazeldine field of Performing Arts has extended well beyond any normal call of duty and this Headteacher much-deserved achievement stands out as an example to others.

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The New Biology Laboratories The Forensics Business At last we are in! We have dusted off all the On Tuesday 10th June, Year 9 was given the ancient stuff from old rooms and given it a new privilege of entering the world of forensic science and learning some of the skills that lease of life in the superb modern facilities – no, real life scientists use to solve murders. The we do not mean Dr Cooper. day was split into two parts, with pupils being able to get hands-on with some crime You may have been lucky enough to have been taught in them solving and attempting to find the murderer and seen the potential of the new building and how it takes of a life-like case, using Chemistry and a the school into the next era. You are lucky to be part of this smart mind! and I am sure you will agree that they are significantly better than the old rooms. The second half allowed us to meet a real forensic scientist, Steve Baker. He talked to As we settle in we are us about the real atmosphere of the job, thinking of how we making clear the differences between the can use the ‘Biology facts and the fiction, exaggerated by shows Study Terrace’. This is such as CSI and Bones. He also showed the area overlooking us images of him working in Bosnia after the the new quad and we massacres in 1995. want your ideas about how we can use it Overall, the day was an interesting and effectively. I am afraid Mark Ashton (9B) demonstrates his extremely interactive experience, both that our idea of patio skills in the new Biology lab educational and entertaining. And most importantly, we know now that forensic furniture and gas- science isn't what it appears to be on the TV shows. fired barbeque was Nathan Just 9B rejected. So now it All pupils worked well and completed the tasks set. There were many examples of is your turn! skilled practical work and it was particularly pleasing to see many good examples of teamwork – in the true spirit of enterprise. The event would not have been possible Can you think of an without money from the Business and Enterprise fund. imaginative use of this space? It has The following boys received prizes: to be related to biology and Winners Winners Good try Good try science and you Morning Nick Harvey 9B Mark Ashton 9B Adam Davies 9W Andrew Burgess can include the greenhouse in your design. We have some 9B thoughts but this, like the rest of the building, is going to be Nathan Just 9B Aarondeep Bhullar 9W Ray Anderson 9D Jamie Lee 9D used by you, the students. Put your suggestions onto a piece Tom Capon 9D James Gardener 9D Daryl Flynn 9B Daniel Oakes 9W of paper or, if you are feeling more adventurous, use ICT to Michael Stewart 9D Seam Lymn 9B Sam O’Connell 9D Andrew Sephton plan your ideas. We will use the best to make the most of 9B this space. Afternoon Kieran Cook 9L Chris Burrows 9H Jordan Fletcher 9H Jamie Davies 9H Hand your entries to your Biology teacher or Mr Nick Iatridis-Jones 9H Chris McParlan 9H Sebastian Masento 9L Michael Spink 9H White in the Biology staff room. Deadline: James Lewis 9W Gary Edwards 9W Andrew Ellis 9W Jadeja Sagar 9L Monday 8th September 2008 Daniel Salisbury 9L David Field 9L Peter Pegasiou 9W What can you do with this space? Enter the competition to Dr Bromley see your ideas come to life.

Cambridge Residential This term saw a group of potential Oxbridge candidates travelling to Cambridge for a two day residential. Fourteen students went on the trip, held to give pupils a taster of life at Cambridge University. The group stayed in student accommodation at Selwyn College, a beautiful 17th century building with excellent food. However, the students also had the opportunity to explore many other colleges as well as the city itself. In addition many subject departments were open, allowing students to get a good insight into the learning environment at the university. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and hopefully many will have been motivated and inspired by this short but sweet visit to such an amazing place.

Thanks must go to Mr Askew and Dr Randell for organising this excursion!

Max Gopfert L62

www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL JULY 2008 A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys Psychology Have you got the Stimuli time? We have! I am pleased to report that 2007/08 another four intrepid year 8 The ever varied subject matter within the Psychology A level has chemists were persuaded to opened up many enjoyable opportunities throughout the year. During represent the school at this the autumn term the Upper Sixth visited Chester Zoo to discover how year’s Salters’ competition. They had a hard act to follow as we the study of social hierarchies in chimps and orang utans can help us open up some of the mysteries of human social behaviour and won last year! Two top sleuths have reported back: relationship bonds. The Lower Sixth spent a day in school watching a brain dissection performed by a visiting brain surgeon who also “On Tuesday 13th May four students went to John Moores University in Liverpool shared stories of frontal lobotomies, schizophrenic behaviour and to participate in the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry. The day started off with a stories of the man who mistook his wife’s head for a hat! There was briefing, followed by the first task of also a visit to Liverpool University to hear a lecture by David Canter solving the crime of the theft of a silver about criminal profiling and eight weeks of satellite link-ups to a salt plate. For this we conducted psychology professor for learning support for the Upper Sixth. experiments that enabled us to find the Students have also carried out numerous psychological culprit. These experiments involved salt studies on unsuspecting friends and family and are now identification using chemical tests and learning about child development, how to improve their Bunsen burners. Unfortunately we didn’t memory and how to break make it into the top three.” social norms. Please come and Connor Sailes 8L visit us if you’d like to find out more….we’re in GSR - soon to “Later on in the afternoon the time test began. It was a challenge to control a be ‘Psy’! chemical reaction so that it started after 30 seconds. We managed to delay this reaction for 29 seconds! When the results were read out, our time was only Miss J Heymans (Head of Psychology) bettered by a score of exactly 30 seconds – so we received second prize.” Callum Bennett 8L

Not bad at all – two prizes in two years. I would dearly love to enter a team who could win the forensics challenge. So, no pressure Year 7 but can you rise to the Creative writing day occasion next year? When asked to go on a course on Saturday many Congratulations to Callum Bennett, James Highton, Sam Mooney and Connor Sailes people laughed and claimed it was too much like of 8L. Thanks for all your hard work. school, but when we went on the creative writing Dr Bromley course on Saturday 7th June it was well worth getting out of bed before midday.

We met Mrs Campbell at Rock Ferry High school at 9:25pm. She came and gave us badges, indicating which 5 out of 10 A-Level 'Framing authors we would talk to, and in what order. Success' Exhibition Whilst all of the activities were good, my favourite was Jim Frail’s. An exhibition of completed final art pieces He was a good public speaker and he taught us how to from the A-level art students took place in overcome writer’s block. He began by telling us to write down 4 school over 15th and 16th of June. The pupils words in a square: themselves were responsible for the duration of the exhibition , with the art teaching staff on XXXXX hand to act as 'assistant-to-the-artist', mounting X X and fixing work in position - an interesting role X X reversal for staff! X X X X Daytime viewing was possible for pupils and staff, but the private view which took X X place in the evening of Monday 15th XXXXX was attended by parents and other invited guests. He then instructed us to stare from word to word and decide The exhibition was a great success, which one we came to the most. He then told us to stare at that receiving praise from the OCR word and write down the first 10 words we thought of and finally Examination Moderator and all those to write a paragraph with those 10 words, using as many or as who attended. Pupils in the Upper Sixth few as we liked. felt it was a fitting conclusion to all their The day ended with an unexpected book signing. The authors individual hard work and creative were happy to sign any books we brought them, but we had no endeavour. It is hoped that the event will idea beforehand! There was a book sale, but as none of us grow into a joint A-level and GCSE knew about it, we were unable to buy anything. Fortunately help exhibition next year with the possibility of was at hand; Mrs Campbell bought a book for each of us, but incorporating other curriculum areas such I’m waiting till I go on holiday to read it! as Music and Design Technology. Well done everyone! Luke Cartwright 9H Mrs K Johnson

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Primary Science Club Wirral Schools At the beginning of the year it was unknown if the Film Festival club would be a success. The idea was to broaden the horizons of year 5 pupils from a variety of local Cineclub has been running for 5 primary schools, and also give them an insight into years now and has produced a wide secondary science. range of films in its time. This year’s The weekly lessons have involved many different activities, production is “A Story Etched in from building spaghetti towers to making model lungs and Blood and Ink”, a thriller with film even constructing a model working lighthouse! The children noir overtones that has been written improved their ICT skills by producing a poster about a planet and are now all competent to use and directed by Tom Kelsey of 11L, microscopes – although I’m not sure that viewing with a soundtrack that was head lice was popular with the girls! composed and performed by Phil As helpers, we have thoroughly enjoyed assisting Arathoon of 11H. the children whilst they take part in the activities. Looking back, we know it has been a success as An intriguing story with a twist at the end, it the children have enjoyed every part of it. The has a lot of allusions that draw on Tom’s school staff have spent lots of time and effort wide knowledge of cinema. It stars a number of sixth formers, all of whom deliver organising the activities and thanks go to Miss very credible performances. Special Clements and Miss Woods for their planning and mention must be made of Ashleigh Owen, preparation. Dr. Cooper, Dr. Clay and Miss Platt have assisted each week and thanks also go to a Cineclub stalwart, who has been acting Mr. Bousted for liaising with the various schools involved. and participating in the club since it began. His acting skills and good humour have We are already looking forward to next year!! meant it has been a pleasure having him in the club for all this time. The helpers: Nathan Denton (L63), Gareth Nye (L61), Josh Hebden (L65) and Matthew Siddorn (8D) Our film has recently been shown in the Wirral Schools Film Festival at Weatherhead Media College, the guest of UK JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE 2008 - 1st MAY 2008 honour for which was the film producer David (now Lord) Puttnam. We have had Fifty students in years 7 and 8 took part in the nationwide competition, which encourages young films exhibited in this festival every year aspiring mathematicians to challenge themselves beyond the normal routine work done in class. It is since it began and it provides a good refreshing to see the boys getting the chance to extend their thinking to solving problems of a more venue for our filmmakers to see their efforts complex nature, as this can only improve the levels of attainment among our most able and talented given public exposure and recognition. boys. The competition was held in school as usual and the results were really promising. The national average mark of 41.7 was exceeded by all but 5 of our students and all candidates with high scores I would like to congratulate and thank the should congratulate themselves on a significant achievement. following boys for their hard work in producing our current film: Results for Wirral Grammar School for Boys Production Team Certificates awarded: Best in school Jack Portbury (score 95) Tom Kelsey 11L Best in Year 7 Andrew Ellison (score 87) Ryan Howard 11H Gold 16 (scores above 70) Lewis Theobald 11H Silver 14 (scores above 55) Philip Arathoon 11H Bronze 10 (scores above 44) Richard Crompton L62 Sean Goodchild 9B The boys awarded Gold certificates were: Actors Year 7 Andrew Ellison Year 8 Jack Portbury Callum Bennett Ashleigh Owen U68 George Anderson James Highton Mark Ginnelly Ali Foroozani L62 Varenya Mehta James Graham Luke Goldsmith Matthew Sweeney L67 Gareth Horton Matthew Dobson John Ledger L67 Jack Fisher James Whitehouse Tim Bagnall L67 Ben Sanders Tommy Ridges Matthew Goodwin U67

There were no JMO (Junior Mathematical Olympiad ) qualifiers. Finally, I would also like to thank outgoing head boy Robert Woodward for his Well done to all who entered and for those who want to sample the problems served up to these involvement in Cineclub. Though pressure intrepid mathematicians, try these 2 examples; of commitments meant he could not really get involved in this year’s production, Robert 1. Which of these calculations produces a multiple of 5? has been heavily involved with the club since it began and has put a lot of work a) 1 x 2 + 3 + 4 b) 1 + 2 x 3 + 4 c) 1 x 2 + 3 x 4 into it. His ideas and editing skills will be d) 1 + 2 x 3 x 4 e) 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 sorely missed in the future!

2. An active sphagnum bog deposits a depth of about 1 metre of peat per 1000 years. Roughly Mr A Davies how many millimetres is that per day? a) 0.0003 b) 0.003 c) 0.03 d) 0.3 e) 3

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Head Boy and Starchaser Deputy Head Boy Project Steve Bennett is manager of Starchaser Appointments Industries, the UK’s commercial space programme. He is also the Physics with Following the process of staff and student nominations Space Technology lecturer at Salford and candidate interviews, the following students who University. I help out with some other are currently in Year 12 have been appointed as people on my course with volunteer follows: projects that Starchaser run. At the moment we are refurbishing a mock-up of a capsule Richard Crompton: Head Boy called Thunderbird in the University’s Space Max Gopfert: Deputy Head Boy Tech Lab. At Starchaser’s UK Headquarters Michael Ashton: Deputy Head Boy we are currently assembling the new 27 metre high rocket Thunderstar for its In addition, four new “Senior Prefect” positions have unveiling outside Salford University on 1st July. been created and each of the following students will be leading a team of seven or eight Sixth Form Prefects. By Chris McPeake (Wirral Grammar School 2000-2007) They will also be assuming a role as Student House For more information go to www.starchaser.co.uk Captains: Refurbishing Thunderbird at University Space Tech Lab Assembling new Thunderbird rocket at Starchaser Tim Bagnall: Senior Prefect (Hodgson) Matthew Smith: Senior Prefect (Lever) Kenny Wiles: Senior Prefect (Barber) John Ledger: Senior Prefect (Dodds) Wirral Civic Award Scheme The Wirral Civic Award Scheme is open to all young people, though the majority taking part are aged 8 to 12 years. The scheme can be adapted for older children if required. There are five levels in the scheme: enjoyable and rewarding. I have enjoyed Geography Fieldwork Visit: Preliminary, Arrow, Birket, Clatter and participating in the Civic Award Scheme Dibbin. For each level there are five and I am pleased and proud to have areas that participants have to complete achieved all five levels. I am sure Stockley Farm, Arley before they can receive an award. They everyone who has received an award, at are: Good Citizenship, Self Reliance, any level, is also proud of their Physical Achievement, Service to Others achievements and participation in the On Monday 14th April, accompanied by their and Wise use of Leisure. When a level scheme. Form Tutors and Geography teachers, all Year 7 of the scheme has been completed, the pupils took part in a Geography fieldwork visit to participant is invited to an award More details about the Wirral Civic ceremony to receive a badge and Award Scheme can be found at Stockley Farm, Arley, near Northwich in Cheshire. certificate, which is presented to them by www.wirral.gov.uk The farm is privately owned and forms part of the the Mayor of Wirral. Arley Hall estate. It is a modern, working dairy Kieron Ivers – 7L farm that gained ‘organic status’ in 2001. During From my own personal experience, I can say that taking part in the scheme can be the visit boys were able to see every aspect of the farm operations, including animal rearing, milking and aspects of farm business management. The opportunities for ‘hands on’ animal feeding COLLEGE WEEK 2008 provided added interest and amusement. As part This is an important week for students in Year 12 as it prepares them for the of their Year 7 Geography course, pupils study university application process that gets underway immediately in September. examples of primary, secondary and tertiary sector employment and the visit to Stockley The programme included talks by Julian Skyrme (Director of Undergraduate provided examples of both primary and tertiary Admissions at Manchester University), Fred Binley from Lancaster University activity. Alongside the main business of farming as well as a presentation by Imperial College, London. Eight departments and milk production, pupils were able to find out from Liverpool University also gave subject specific presentations. how the farm has diversified in recent years and Practical advice was provided by David Winstanley of Liverpool University has become a popular tourist attraction in the on “Finance, Tuition Fees and Student Loans” and former student, Mark region. Wood, talked to students about the experience of a Year in Industry. Students took part in day visits to Liverpool University and Leeds University Mr D Hazeldine during the week.

Another new feature this year was the attendance of Wirral Grammar School for Girls at many of the sessions.

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Continuing the Department's visits to primary schools during the summer and Jamie McMorran. The Music Society Dinner proved to be its normal Music Department term, Wednesday 25 June saw the Junior Brass group, Treble Choir, gastronomic success on Friday 11 July. Many thanks to Emily Howard, a Woodwind Group, String Group and Clarinet Quartet perform at five local professional composer and young musician for a most informative different primary schools all in the same day. Over 60 boys in total were speech, along with the other members of the forum reporting on their News involved and all the concerts were well received. When asked which was ensembles. the best performance, Kieran France, 8L, replied “Well Lane Primary Wednesday 14 May saw another outstanding collection of solo because they gave us the most biscuits”. 36 schools have now received A number of boys took music examinations this term, but with the results performances in the summer Chamber Concert. All 36 boys performed performances in the last eight years and this is fast becoming one of the not yet with us, congratulations will have to wait for Autumn's Nuntius. admirably and were well received by an appreciative audience. A Department's most important annual events. However, the results from both February’s Associated Board exams, as particular mention should go to James Everington 7D, who performed his well as various guitar and keyboard exams, did not make the Spring own composition on the piano and to Andrew Rich 10L, who also All of these groups and more performed to the usual high standard at the edition of Nuntius. Congratulations therefore to the long list of successful performed his own composition, ‘Run to the City’, a rock band piece Summer Concert on Thursday 17 July, including a first performance of the candidates below: commemorating Liverpool 08 Capital of Culture. The next chamber newly-formed rock band, who are the following members of Year 9: Peter concert will be in October – get practising if you want to be involved! Pegasiou, Jamie Charlseworth, David Field, Sean Goodchild, Ben Caveen

Name Form Instrument Grade Result Luke Ridges 7D Trombone 4 Pass Jamie Shorrock 7W Jazz Saxophone 1 Merit Oliver Strange 8B Guitar 1 Pass Ben Sanders 8B Keyboard 2 Distinction Parents’ Association News Nathan Rimmer 8D Keyboard 1 Merit With the academic year drawing Jack Fisher 8D Guitar 2 Merit Thomas Deakin 8H Keyboard 1 Distinction to a close, the PA can look back Philip Wade 8H Keyboard 1 Pass on a bumper crop of events George Wilkinson 8H Guitar 1 Distinction Matthew Dobson 8W Guitar 2 Pass which have resulted in £14,000 Tommy Ridges 8W Jazz Saxophone 2 Pass being raised for the school so far. Bradley Taylor 8W Guitar 2 Pass Andrew Burgess 9B Keyboard 1 Pass As a result, in September, boys Jonathan Barnett 9B Guitar 2 Pass will once again reap the benefits, Mark Ashton 9B Trumpet 6 Merit Kieran Mckenzie 9D Trombone 2 Pass when the school takes delivery of Alex Whittaker 9D Bass Guitar 5 Pass a new PA funded Minibus. Jonathan Cooke 9L Keyboard 1 Merit Thomas Davis 9L Keyboard 1 Merit The recent Pampered Chef evening proved to David Field 9L Bass Guitar 3 Merit be a recipe for success, with 50 participants Calum Redhead 9L Bass Guitar 5 Pass William Ekuban 9W Keyboard 1 Distinction treated to demonstrations and delicious samples Andrew McEwan 9W Piano 1 Merit of paella and stuffed croissants, washed down William Ekuban 9W Violin 2 Pass with wine and soft drinks. Also on the menu William Fenna 9W Jazz Saxophone 3 Distinction were a culinary quiz and the opportunity to Peter Pegasiou 9W Guitar 5 Merit purchase specialist kitchen equipment, which all Ryan Irwin 10D Guitar 4 Merit added up to a very enjoyable evening and a James Owens 10D Theory 5 Pass tasty profit of around £370. Ryan Boocock 10H Clarinet 4 Distinction Keith Hill 10L Clarinet 4 Pass While you are enjoying your garden over the Adam Shorrock 10L Clarinet 5 Distinction summer months, give a moments’ thought to Adam Shorrock 10L Theory 5 Pass how much brighter it would look in the Matthew Lochhead 10W Jazz Saxophone 4 Distinction springtime if you planted out some more bulbs. Ben Sharrock 10W Theory 5 Merit Order forms for the annual bulb sale will be Tom Salisbury 11B Jazz Saxophone 3 Distinction going out in early September and with all David Bayley 11B Guitar 5 Merit profits going towards providing additional Thomas Outram 11B Violin 5 Pass equipment for the boys, it is the ideal way to James Powell 11B French Horn 5 Merit Thomas Outram 11B Piano 6 Merit spruce up your garden and support the school. Gareth Hughes 11L Theory 5 Pass Craig Bayne 11W Guitar 5 Merit The AGM will take place on Wednesday 10 Thomas Keningley 11W Violin 5 Merit September at 7.00 pm. All parents are invited Haodong Zhang L6 Piano 2 Distinction and if you have never been to an AGM before, Alireza Foroozani L6 Bass Guitar 3 Pass whatever year your son is in, you are very Colin Salters L6 Theory 5 Pass welcome and we would be pleased to see you Matthew Mellor L6 Theory 6 Pass there. If you would like to get involved or just Kenny Wiles L6 Piano 6 Merit want to find out what is going on in school, Kenny Wiles L6 Guitar 6 Distinction come along and join us. For those needing a Matthew Smith L6 Guitar 5 Pass little added incentive, there will be wine, Gareth Madeley U6 Theory 5 Merit cheese and the opportunity to get to know Daniel Marks U6 Theory 5 Merit everyone after the meeting. Daniel Marks U6 Bass Guitar 6 Distinction Callum McMorran U6 Theory 6 Pass Thank you to everyone for their support this Michael Carr U6 Violin 8 Merit year; boys, teaching and support staff, Thomas Jones U6 Violin 8 Merit committee members, helpers and all parents As the long summer months get under way with a vengeance, remember that seven weeks without who have supported our fundraising efforts. lessons does not mean seven weeks without practice! Mr P Thomas

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Dead Poets Society The Dead Poets have met several times this year to talk books, eat free school sandwiches and enjoy some good conversation. Titles up for discussion included ‘1984’, ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘Brave New World’. Pupils in Year Nine who are interested in joining please see Ms Campbell by the end of term when she Moscow Report will explain the details of the initiation Wirral Grammar School boys and staff recently visited Moscow ceremony……… as part of a fact finding History trip on May 22nd. This was a Mrs K Campbell five day visit to the Russian capital, a day after the Champions league final! 40 Boys from Years 8 to 10 made up the touring party, along with four members of staff. The boys that went were John Kemp, Keiran France (both Y8), Luke Atherton, Tom SAM Learning Report Byrne, Jonathan Barnett, Sean Lymn, Tom Lymn, Andrew Burgess, Nick Harvey, Nathan Just, Michael Threlfall, Shannon Hall, Kieran McKenzie, Darren McKevitt, Chris Partington, At the start of the academic year, Self Jordan Fletcher, Gareth Mattey, Christian Watts, Will Assessment “on-line” learning was made Broughton, Kieran cook, David Field, Lisle De landes, Alex available to all pupils to support them with Keen, Sebastian Masento, callum Redhead, Aaron Smith, Matthew Brennan, Daniel Light,Gregory Harrison (all year 9), revision both inside and outside school. This Jan Greenshaw, David Lawrie, Tom Smith, Jack Yarker, Andrew new resource has proved to be very popular Kendrick, Abinhay Rao, James Owens, Tom Ramsay, Will Vick, Ben Sharrock and Sebastien with pupils. Shingler (all Year 10).

Over 95% of pupils in Year 9, 10 and 11 We arrived at Domodedovo airport and then checked in at the Ismailovo Vega hotel in Moscow, have used “SAM” Learning to support them built for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. The Hotel was clean and friendly, and the food with revision and this represents nearly 5,000 was in abundance. hours of use. Friday saw the group take in some of the sights of Moscow. We saw the Luzhniki stadium where posters and flags of the Champions league finalists were still very much in evidence. I had visited During the course of the next academic year, Moscow way back in 1983, and the place has changed considerably. Gone are the drab on-line learning opportunities will be further buildings and grayish surroundings, and in their place are the capitalist trappings of Modern Russia. extended as pupils are able to make use of a What must Lenin be thinking??! Indeed we visited the first Soviet leader resting in his Mausoleum in school “Virtual Learning Environment”. Red Square. His body has been embalmed since the 1920s, and it was a strange sight indeed!

We visited the Kremlin and it is quite a surprising place. It has many historic buildings and it was not just the centre of today’s Russia’s government. There were museums and a remarkable Russian Orthodox Church. Christ the Saviour’s church is a wonderful building, completely rebuilt by Snowdon Climb: President Yeltsin after Stalin ordered its destruction.

The boys were impressed with a visit to the famous GUM store, which today is like a huge Summer 2008 Birkenhead Pyramids structure, only better! The amount of European goods on show really surprised us. A visit to Snowdon We also visited the Moscow- Volga canal, and a fascinating trip around the picturesque Moscow Underground Metro, built on Stalin’s orders. has been arranged for The last day was completed by a cruise on the River Moskva, where we saw a lot more sights of the final this big city. I am sure that the boys were historically and culturally enriched by their visit. week of the Summer The boys visited the nearby hotel to do some bowling, and we went shopping on a seemingly Term. number of occasions where the biggest sell was of course those Russian fur hats! Even Mr Taws Students bought one! Our guide Sergei was friendly and informative, and he could not have helped us much more than he did. Russia is certainly on the change, and I bet in another five years, the place will taking part are be unrecognizable even compared to today. those who have made a significant contribution in student leadership roles over the course of the All those I spoke to spoke of their enjoyment of a trip that was long in the planning. The boys were year. They include the Head Boy / Deputy Head a credit to themselves, the school and their parents. I would like to thank them for the commitment Boy team, members of the Peer Support Group they showed to this trip, and I also want to thank Messrs Taws, Shaw and Kenyon for their support and both the School Council and Sixth Form and help in supervising the trip. Council. The intention is to provide these students Plans are already under way for next year’s History trip to Munich and Nuremberg, and I will with an extra-curricular reward in the form of a update you in the next edition about what is going on there! challenge with team building opportunities. A full report of the climb will feature in next term’s issue Report by Mr McKibbin of Nuntius.

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PSG UPDATE By Nathan Evans L63

It’s been a busy term for the Peer Support Group, and these are just some of the things we’ve been up to…

DIANA AWARD In May, the PSG Representatives for Year 7, Michael Jones, Zac Street, Gareth Fisher, Adam Heayns and Richard Crompton received the Princess Diana Award for Anti- Bullying. They are the first students on the Wirral to gain this prestigious accolade, and it was a just reward for their hard work in combating bullying as part of the PSG. Well done! CONTACT DETAILS The PSG are not just here to fight bullying, but also to help you with COASTAL WALK any other problems you’ve got. There are many ways you can Later that month, 5 of us (myself, Gareth Fisher, Michael Jones, contact the Peer Support Group, such as… Gareth Nye and Richard Crompton) and Mrs Walker took part in the - Talking to your PSG Rep Wirral Coastal Walk on behalf of the school charity, St John’s - Sending them an email Hospice. After a 15 mile trek around the whole peninsula, we were - Visiting our Myspace: www.myspace.com/wgsantibullying very tired, but it was definitely worth it, as we raised over £300 - And a text service will soon be up and running as well altogether. Don’t worry! Anything you say will be confidential: no-one else will YEAR EIGHT CHARITY QUIZ get to know about your problem. On Monday 14th April, the PSG organised a quiz for the Year 8s to raise even more money for St John’s, as well as to introduce and RECRUITMENT build on skills such as team building and friendship groups in this The PSG is looking for new members! If you are in Year 11 and year group. It was hosted by Mr O’Gorman and Miss Razbully, and would like to be a part of what we do, application packs will be the competition was fierce. We all had a lot of fun, and the winning available from the 23rd June from the Learning Mentor’s Office. The team was from 8D: Team Brainiac (Nathan Rimmer, Jack Griffith, closing date for applicants will be the 27th June, and if you’re Matthew Siddorn, James Whitehouse, Ahmed Ahmed and Luke thinking of joining, good luck! Wilding-Steele) who each received a £5 HMV voucher for their efforts. The event raised a grand total of around £100 for the Look out for more PSG-run events around the hospice. school

Race for Life SIXTH FORM INDUCTION WEEK 2008 Our current Year 11 students returned to school following the completion of their GCSE examinations to take part in our Induction Programme. During the week students were involved in a range of subject-based activities to prepare them for their new courses. Problem-solving and Team-building sessions also formed part of the programme. Approaches to A Level study and an introduction to the university application procedure were included as support activities. Students who are planning to join the Sixth Form from other schools also attended.

Short Story Competition The long awaited results of the competition have finally been On Wednesday June 4th seventeen plucky female staff announced! Haodong Zhang [L64] and Ms Campbell have agreed ran, jogged, walked or sauntered around the perimeter of on a list of winners albeit with much wailing and gnashing of teeth- Chester Zoo in this, our third ‘Race for Life’. There were the standards were so high! £30 book tokens go to Jack Fletcher, many performances worthy of note, but the fastest 7W with ‘Screams in the Night’, Daniel Siddorn 8L for ‘Red’ and member of staff was Miss ‘Speedy’ Diss. Over six Tom Kelsey 11L for ‘The Halfmass experiment’. £15 tokens to: hundred pounds were raised for research into breast Oliver Manning-Spencer 7L, Matt Siddorn 8D and Ben Sharrock 10W. Runners up, who receive a £5 book token, include ‘Kieran cancer. Until next year! Mckenzie 9D, Matt Keith 10L, Ryan Boocock 10H, Neil Oldham Mrs K Campbell 10L and Haodong Zhang himself! Mrs K Campbell

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Work Related Michael Hinchcliffe (10L) Placement: 2020 Liverpool Learning Position: Design Trainee Task(s): Given an unlimited budget and asked to design his dream home BETWEEN 16th-20th June all our Year 10 boys using the company’s state of the art software and computer graphics spent the week in a realistic working environment as Outcome: Michael had designed a home with a basketball court as a part of their work related learning entitlement. Most centrepiece and had decided to choose Dubai as its location! of the boys had managed to secure their own placements locally, and a handful had organised places at businesses in London, Manchester, Stafford Thomas Jarman (10B) and Windsor. Placement: Merseyside Police Position: Forensic Imaging Unit Assistant Throughout the week the students were visited by Task(s): Tom spent 2 days working with CSI officers in Birkenhead visiting school staff who discussed their progress and each scenes of crime and dusting for fingerprints etc. He also spent a shift in a new ‘employee’ had to complete a work experience mobile CCTV unit, helped to prepare photographic evidence for court and diary recording evidence of the week’s activities. visited a centre to talk to other police officers about the work of the forensic team. I was lucky enough to visit Liverpool city centre placement providers and here is a snapshot of what Jack Walker (10L) some of the boys I visited were doing. Placement: National Museums Liverpool Position: Work Experience Placement Trainee Tom Dennis (10L) Task(s): Jack spent the week working in a variety of departments. He Placement: The Royal assisted with curatorial duties, helped with administration tasks, carried out Liverpool & Broadgreen some research and assisted with general gallery services tasks. The University Hospitals (Dental) experience proved invaluable as Jack is now determined to pursue a career Position: Work Experience Placement Trainee in palaeontology. Task(s): Like Jack, Tom was on a placement that suited his career aspirations. He spent time working with patient files, helped to manufacture IT is this type of experience that enables the students to make informed dental prosthetics, observed lectures featuring decisions about their future education and career paths and our thanks go to dental students from the University and looked at all the placement providers for their contribution to our work related learning how the equipment is maintained and sterilised. programme. His employer said: ‘Tom has been brilliant and I wish he could be with us for another week’. Tony Boustead, Community Learning Manager

Year 7 Enterprise Activity - The ‘£1 Challenge’ ENTERPRISE was alive and well in the ‘£1 pound challenge’ undertaken by all of year 7 recently. The rules were simple. Each pupil was given £1 and challenged to raise as much money with it as possible. The pupils could work alone or form a consortium within their tutor group; if all members of the group joined then they would have £30 of working capital to start their venture.

As you might imagine the boys proved to be very resourceful and enterprising and competition among the tutor groups was fierce.

Pictured are the winning consortium from 7W; the budding entrepreneurs are Ben Cooke, Chris Chapman and Daniel Mortimer. Indeed, if you want help organising a raffle or baking and selling gingerbread men. Then these students will have the answer.

Overall, the tutor group that raised the most money as a whole were also 7W. Total money raised for St. John’s Hospice was an in excess of £500. Well done to all those who took part.

Mr P Harrison

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On 11th July 2008 Jean Blanchard Azip (pictured left) will be performing in the school.

Jean is a refugee artist based in Manchester. He moved to the UK as a lone child seeking asylum after losing his family during the war in his native Congo.

Since his arrival in the UK 10 years ago, Jean has rebuilt his life, re-educated himself and is now a successful artist. Helping others overcome difficulties and problems in their lives is Jean's passion as well as engaging in community arts, sharing his life story and experiences, artistic abilities and skills during workshops with the community. This, says Jean, is a way of giving back to the community in return for their giving him a chance to rebuild his life.

Jean will tell his story and experiences to the participants and based on this, the participants then choose to write songs, poems or can draw images reflecting all the emotions in Jean's story. They will also partake in African drumming and a refugee and asylum awareness workshop.

In the morning one of our link primary schools, Brackenwood, will be partaking in the various workshops and in the afternoon our year eights will be soaking up the sounds and sights of Africa. Reviews of the event in the next issue of Nuntius!

J HUGHES - MFL

7H have been learning Italian this week. 9BD1’s DVD for Primary

Below 9BD1 with their DVD on in the background

This month Mr Hughes’ French set 9BD1, completed a EURO 2008 FORTNIGHT DVD for primary school children across the Wirral. This summer’s Euro 2008 project from years 7-9 has been a great success, with pupils and students alike finding out about countries and languages they The DVD is to be used as a resource for year 6 teachers had previously never come across. to assist the transition from primary school to secondary school. It included the students performing a tour around This varied from 7H learning about William Tell in Mrs Jones’ history lesson (Switzerland) to 8B learning about belly dancing in Mrs Chalmer’s music lesson the school in French in line with the countdown to when and 7B (The Netherlands) learning about Van Gogh in art. language learning will be compulsory in primary schools in 2010. Thank you to all the staff and pupils who got involved in making this week a success. Wirral Local Education Pupils will be putting together all this information for their own projects about were very impressed their assigned country in their French and Spanish lessons. with the standard of the At the time of Nuntius going to press the pupils had not started their DVD and all the effort projects on the country – names will be published in the next issue. that 9BD1 had put in. J HUGHES MFL FÉLICITATIONS 9BD1!

www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL JULY 2008 A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys Brackenwood Infants - Brackenwood Juniors - Higher Bebington Juniors - Poulton Lancelyn Primary - St Andrews Primary - St John’ - St Andrews Primary Brackenwood Infants - Juniors Higher Bebington Poulton Lancelyn Primary Community Development

Extended Schools mar School-Boys & Girls Access to Opportunities & Services within our Community

AS you may recall, all boys in Years 7-11 and their parents have recently been consulted with a view to helping us to develop extended services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of our students, their families and the wider community. These services are being developed in partnership with 13 local schools and will include: Childcare; Adult Education; Parenting Support Programmes; Community –Based Health & Social Care Services; Multi- Agency Behaviour Support Teams and a variety of After-School Activities for young people.

Quality Childcare 8am-6pm: A Varied Menu of Activities: Parenting Support:

The Bebington & Clatterbridge The partnership of schools is also The cluster is looking to offer Cluster is aiming to offer high quality looking to offer homework clubs and information sessions for parents at ‘wraparound’ childcare provided study support, sport, music tuition, key transition points. This will include either at school or through other local dance & drama, art & crafts, special parenting programmes run with the providers. The aim is to work interest clubs, language tuition and, support of other children’s services towards 8am-6pm childcare all year of course, business & enterprise and family learning sessions to allow round. activities to build on our current children to learn with their parents. provision. Additional activities have been suggested as a result of the recent survey.

Swift & Easy Referral to a Wide Range of Wider Community Access to ICT, Sports and Specialist Support Art Facilities including Adult Learning:

This may include services such as speech therapy, The recent questionnaire suggested that there is a demand family support, behaviour support and (for young for activities and services that match the needs of our people) sexual health services. Some of these services community as well as the needs of our parents. The cluster will be delivered on school sites. will endeavour to ensure that all children and their parents have access to a minimum of services and activities and we will actively seek parental feedback from the wider community to review and improve these services. s Infants - St John’s Juniors

Working together with the support of the parents and the wider community our extended schools expect to develop significant, consistent and sustainable benefits. Better use will be made of our school’s facilities by opening up sports, arts and ICT facilities to the community. Adult Learning opportunities and parenting support programmes will encourage greater parental involvement in children’s learning and school-based health & social care services will help to reduce health inequality and provide additional help to parents. Finally by developing extended services the school will provide a place where our children can develop wider interests and new skills alongside study support and enrichment activities as well as a ‘safe place to be’.

Tony Boustead (Community Learning Manager) Stanton Road Primary - Thornton Hough Primary - Town Lane Infants - Bebington High School - St John’s Plessington - Wirral Gram Lane Infants - Bebington High School St John’s Stanton Road Primary - Thornton Hough Primary - Town

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WGS Orienteering PRIMARY ENTERPRISE FOR the second year running WGSB invited 120 relays report pupils from 4 local primary schools to take part in a series of enterprising activities focusing on Maths, After being unsuccessful in retaining the trophy Business and ICT. Boys and girls from Brackenwood for a 13th year and with no individual success, it Junior School, Higher Bebington Junior School, was down to the relays for Wirral to gain Stanton Road Primary School and Poulton Lancelyn anything from a year of hard work (I’m not trying Primary School spent morning sessions ‘making kites’ to dramatise this but this was the situation we and ‘building bridges’. The kite activity, led by Mr were left with) Griffiths and Mrs Brinkman, helped the pupils to understand the many different mathematical properties that a kite has. The bridge building, led by Mr Harrison and Ms Kennah, allowed those taking part to realise the importance of So, on Saturday enterprising skills such as Team Building, Communication, Innovation, Problem Solving and 17th may, eight Financial Planning. pupils from the school headed to Whilst the pupils were taking part in these activities, accompanying teaching and support Arrowe Park to race staff from each school took part in a professional development activity with Mr O’Gorman in the school relays. and Dr Warren, ICT teachers here at the school. In the afternoon the pupils took part in an Chris Kayley, Ryan ICT class which enabled them to create postcards using digital images of the activities they Mackenzie and Josh had taken part in throughout the morning sessions. They were then able to take home their Cartwright were kites and bridges, but more importantly new skills and a greater understanding of Business & competing in the Enterprise, Maths and ICT. Our thanks go to staff from WGSB and our partner schools who open (a relay for any were also assisted by Sixth form students throughout the day. age pupils with three long courses). Peter Clegg, Adam Shorrock and Michael Kayley (a Year 6 student from Poulton Lancelyn Primary School who stepped in for Isaac Barnes who was ill) ran in the Y9 BASKETBALL SUCCESS -11 race and Adam Hitchcock, Chris Chapman and Danny Mortimer ran in the Y7-8 race. This year our Basketball teams achieved unprecedented success in winning three of the five Wirral Schools’ At 10.30 am sharp the whistle went for the start of Basketball Festivals. the open race in which Josh Cartwright ran the first leg. After 20 nervous minutes the leaders appeared The U16s defeated a strong Woodchurch High School team in the final. After a tight from the bushes heading towards the spectator control opening period we ran out comfortable 47 – 23 winners with outstanding performances (a point on the course about three quarters of the way from England International. Sam Craige, Dave Colman and Sam Bailey. round which could be seen from the start) and Josh The U13s beat St Anselms 27 – 19 in an exciting final in which we played some excellent was in amongst the leaders. He came back in 4th basketball. It was a superb team performance but Captain Adam Lewin and Brad Taylor place, 30 seconds down on the leader and tagged were pick of the bunch. Ryan Mckenzie for the 2nd leg. Ryan kept up with the leading pack on the way round and came back Not to be outdone, the U12s completed the Basketball season with a superb 54 – 13 final in 3rd place, three minutes behind the leader. He victory against Woodchurch High School. Again it was a great team performance but Jack Newton and Kieran McGinley were outstanding. then tagged Chris Kayley to try and hunt down the leaders. After a few more nervous moments, Chris This is the first time we have achieved three Wirral Schools’ Basketball Festival titles in the was the first to appear out of the bushes heading to same season. Congratulations to all the players for their outstanding efforts! the spectator control with the others not in sight. He Mr P Crowley, Head of PE then crossed line a clear four and a half minutes ahead of second to claim top spot for Wirral Grammar. England Basketball Under 16’s

In the year 9 -11 race, Michael ran first for the I have been selected for the England Under 16’s boys team. This training squad started off school, followed by Peter then Adam Shorrock. The with 22 boys and with new boys coming in all of the time, but it has now been reduced team did well and finished in 5th place. In the year down to 16 boys who make up the England team. We have England training camps at 7-8 race, Adam Hitchcock ran first, followed by Chris the end of nearly every month all over the country. Chapman then Danny Mortimer. They all did very similar times in the highest participating race of the The team is training towards the European Championships that take place in August 2008 day and they finished in 9th place. in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where England will be playing against Slovenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Switzerland. The team for the European Championships will be cut down to 12 boys and I hope to eventually get into this team of 12. After all the excitement of the races everyone indulged themselves on the cake stall which was run by the At Christmas, I competed in a tournament that was held in Barking Abbey Academy in North West squad, raising funds for their Norway London. I really enjoyed the experience of playing a proper tournament with an England tour. squad. Although we didn’t do very well in the tournament, I learnt a lot from it as I’m sure most of the squad did. Next year we will be looking to expand the team. We have also been to a tournament in Mallorca over Easter where we came 3rd. This So, if you are interested, come to the meeting in was a very good result as some of the top teams in Spain were competing in it. September. No experience is required and ability I got the honour of being the captain in this tournament, which I thought was a does not matter. All I ask is that you try it. great opportunity to show some leadership skills within the team as in the future I would hopefully like to be captain of the team of 12 that goes to Bosnia. Chris Kayley Sam Craige

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YEAR 8 School and House cricket Season 2008 Wirral Cricket Club report

The Year 8 cricket team had played seven games up until Tuesday Many boys, past and present, play at Wirral 24th June. They had won 4 and lost 3. The teams they lost to were Cricket Club, the Club for old boys, open to all ages from all schools and backgrounds. Wirral good teams, but Wirral can be sure that they tried in all matches. run three senior teams on a Saturday, and a Mid Those that played in all the games were: week team, captained by old boy Nick Jones. The Junior teams run from Under 9s to Under 15s, Alex Harris (Captain), Chris Crowley David Lewis Daniel Adkins Adam Lewi,n Will and the Under 13s run two teams. They reached Callanan, Khalid Wahbi Mark Griffithsw, Jodan Cossins, Alex Griffiths, Mark Ginnelly, the Cheshire Cup quarter final, only to lose to Jordan Rimmer, Kieran Morris, Ed Kinsella and Daniel Phillips Cheadle. They are Captained by David Lewis of Year 8. RESULTS Wirral v Manchester GS result, Wirral lost by 119 runs Off the field, Wirral CC is very proud to Manchester 163 for 6, (Alex Griffiths 3 for 24) announce that it achieved Focus Club status from Wirral 44 all out (Adam Lewin 13) the ECB. This is a very significant achievement for the Club, following on from its attainment of Club Wirral v Birkenhead School, result, Wirral lost by 20 runs mark status. To look up what this means, why not Birkenhead 110 for 5 go to the club webstite on: www.wirral.play- Wirral 90 for 6 (Chris Crowley 25) cricket.com, where further information can be found. Wirral v Hartford HS result, Wirral won by 54 runs Wirral 119 for 5 (Crowley 36 not out, Daniel Adkins 19, Will Callanan 17 not out) Report by Mr McKibbin Hartford 65 for 9 (David Lewis 3 for 8, Wahbi 3 for 10, Alex Harris 2 for 10) Secretary Wirral Cricket Club

Wirral v St Edwards College result Wirral won by 65 runs Wirral 99 for 3 (David Lewis 39 not out, Adam Lewin 19) St Edwards 38 all out (Wahbi 2 for 0) Golf Tour to Lincolnshire Wirral v St Ambrose College result Wirral won by 108 runs and Staffordshire 2008 Wirral 142 for 3 (Crowley 38, Lewis 40, Adkins 28 not out) St Ambrose 34 all out (Wahbi 5 for 9, Alex Harris 3 for 10, Alex Griffiths 2 for 4) Wirral Grammar School golf club departed on Wirral v Lymm HS result Wirral won by 28 runs their third annual golf tour to Lincolnshire, having Wirral 121 for 8 (David Lewis 50, Adam Lewis 24 not out) previously toured Dumfries and Cardiff. The Lymm 93 all out (Ed Kinsella 3 for 11, including a hatrick, Alex Harris 2 for 9) common denominator again was a forecast of wind, rain, hail and high scores. Wall to wall Wirral v Stockport GS result, Wirral lost by 6 wickets rain from Bebington to Grantham didn’t look Wirral 77 for 9 (Crowley 23) hopeful but the clouds parted and Grantham’s Stockport 78 for 4 micro climate did us proud. Only several heavy hail storms prevented a good afternoon’s golf. In House cricket, the result of the competition would go down to the final game between Barber and Lever, played after the deadline for this report to be handed it! The party retired to the comforts of the DeVere Hotel at Belton Woods where we enjoyed Barber beat Dodds by 35 runs wonderful accommodation, good food and a Barber 79 for 8 (Khalid Wahbi 39 retired, Matthew McNelly 3-6) night of watching the Masters Golf. Dodds 44 all out (Kieran Morris 3-14) Saturday saw the tour party play 36 holes on the Lever beat Hodgson by 108 runs Belton Woods courses with a number of the tour Lever 145 (Mark Griffiths 50) party producing some excellent scores. Hodgson 37 for 9 (Michael Concannon 3 for 9, Brad Taylor 3 for 1) On Sunday we departed from Grantham and Barber beat Hodgson by 107 runs travelled to Whitchurch to play our final 18 holes Barber 163 for 2 (Wahbi 50 retired, Alex Harris 31, Ben Parsons 31 not out, Adam of golf with a number of boys in contention for the Lewin 26) overall winner of the tour. This was awarded on Hodgson 56 for 9 (Dave Lewis 14, Adam Lewin 2 for 1) the basis of accumulated stapleford points over 72 holes of golf. The winner this year most Dodds beat Lever (with an incredible diving catch from Ed Kinsella off the last ball!!) by deservedly for being the most consistent performer one run! over four rounds was Michael Hinchliffe. Dodds 110 for 9 (Mark Ginelly 45, Kinsella 28, James Graham 24 not out, Mike Congratulations to him on some excellent golf. Concannon 4 for 14) Lever 109 for 3 (Chris Crowley 34, Mark Griffiths 37) Thanks to Mr Metcalf for his support and company on the trip and the Wirral Golf Club is continuing My thanks to Mr Holder for his help this term and I wish all boys involved a great and to investigate new venues, possibly even abroad enjoyable future in the game of cricket and hope that they realise their full potential in where it will at least be warm rain! I will keep whatever skill aspect of the game they try to show on the field. you posted.

Report by Mr McKibbin Play well.

Mr G J Money

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Cricket - Year 10 U12 Cricket

The start of the 2008 cricket season has seen the energetic Year 10 squad Captains Matthew Stewart / Andrew Heath start with a real purpose and enthusiasm for improving and playing Cricket. The team had come off the back of a poor season and there are lots of Due to an exceptionally wet April there was very little boys in the squad who are preparing to go on the summer school cricket U12 cricket until the beginning of May. The first game tour to Barbados and St Lucia. As a team the boys all know that we have of the season was away to Merchant Taylor’s School. strong players and many match winners with either the bat or the ball. But Merchants batted first, scoring 105 – 5 off 20 overs. The boys fielded well but some of the bowling was a the most important ingredient is their ability to field and work well together little inaccurate. In reply, Wirral batted soundly with with a bowler. Whether it be the on the pitch banter or encouragement, the good performances from Andy Heath and Kieron Ivers. boys have enjoyed themselves win or lose. In the end, Wirral finished 7 runs short with 5 wickets down. Overall, a good start. We started with a friendly game against St Anselms in awful conditions at home. In a delayed start and a shortened game of 16 overs we reduced St The team then travelled to Denstone College in Anselms to 82 – 3, with excellent bowling from all of the bowlers. In reply Staffordshire who proved to be a very strong team. The it was the Beahon (37no) and Duffy (32no) show!! The boys ensured that team bowled and fielded far better on this occasion, we got the runs with an over to spare. restricting Denstone to 140 for 7. Unfortunately on this occasion the batting failed to gel, with Wirral being In the Cup competition this season we played Christleton and were well bowled out for 87. beaten due to a poor batting performance. It was a spirited effort but we were well beaten by a strong side. This dented our aspirations but we had The team made it to the early rounds of the Cheshire an excellent win against Bluecoat when we won by 6 wickets, with Jan Cup to face Bridgewater in the quarter-final, a very Greenshaw getting 4 wickets and Ronan Duffy scoring 29 not out. strong team from Warrington with a number of county representatives. This proved to be the best bowling performance of the season, restricting Bridgewater to In the home game against Denstone College we put up a very good 114 – 5. Wirral had a great start with two excellent performance with Max Power the pick of the bowlers with 5 wickets! performances from Jack Dixon, 48, and Andy Heath, Chasing 119 we struggled and only Ronan Duffy put up any resistance 38, putting Wirral in a position where they should have scoring 29. The following day we has some revenge, battering St Edwards won the game. However, some late wickets, excellent College, bowling them out for 48 and George Turner knocked off the runs fielding and exceptional Captaincy by the opposition as we won by 7 wickets. saw Wirral fall short by 9 runs (disappointing!)

It has been good working and developing the talented cricketers that there There are still games to come in the remaining few are in year 10. I hope that the boys can continue this form through weeks. Let’s hope the weather picks up and we have a the summer and do well for their clubs and for the school on tour in successful end to the season. Well done to all those Barbados and St Lucia. boys who have played A and B team cricket this season. They should be congratulated on their efforts so far. Mr A Metcalf Mr G J Money, U12 Cricket Under 14 Cricket The Year 9 cricket squad has made a good start to the season this Cricket Tour to Barbados year, with impressive performances right through the squad, with each and every member of the teams contributing. I have been and St Lucia particularly impressed with the team’s willingness to learn and to try to develop as players. With this approach they will grow into In July, fourteen U16 and U15 cricketers and two staff depart for talented cricketers. Barbados and St Lucia on a 15 day, six match tour of the West Indies. Congratulations to Peter Pegasiou who has been selected as captain.

The playing itinerary will be tough with matches Excellent performances from Sam Bowman, Michael Muise, and Michael virtually every other day against strong local Stewart have ensured that the team has performed well. opposition but hopefully there will be time to take With the school term coming quickly to an end, the Under 14 side still have in the scenery and the wonderful beaches of 3 fixtures left. I hope the boys can take what they have learnt so far this these beautiful Caribbean Islands. season into these games. I have really enjoyed working with this side. With their mature and focused approach it has made it a very successful season. See the Autumn edition of Nuntius for a full tour report! Well done everyone!!!! Mr P Crowley, Head of PE Mr S Clarke, Master i/c Cricket

www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL JULY 2008 A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys

7th Annual Primary ANNUAL RUGBY CLUB DINNER In May nearly 200 boys, parents and staff attended the 41st Annual School Schools’ Tag Rugby Rugby Dinner in the School Hall. The Guest Speaker this year was Graeme Marrs MBE, ex President of Cheshire RFU and a stalwart in local and Competition national schoolboy rugby for many years. The incessant wet weather in Spring meant we had to postpone this event until May when we were rewarded Team Captains gave their annual reports which were very well delivered with a beautiful sunny day and perfect playing and individual trophies were presented as below: conditions. 24 local Primary Schools took part in the rearranged competition, less than had originally INDIVIDUAL TROPHY WINNERS entered but nevertheless an impressive turn out! G Noonan Novices Cup Tom Parry The semi finals were tightly fought affairs with Poulton E Langton Junior Bantams Trophy Max Hunt/Simon Flavell Lancelyn – A, narrowly defeating Higher Bebington – A, 5 – 4 and St Peter and St Pauls – Wallasey, E G Hodgkinson Bantams Cup Alfie Heywood beating St Winefrides, by the same margin! The Colts Cup Jack Yarker Wirral RUFC Under 16 Cup David Taylor The final was even more hotly contested, with Poulton Lancelyn and St Peter and St Pauls level at the final 2nd XV Players of the Year Liam McHugh whistle! A golden try in the first period of extra time West Trophy Matthew Brown saw St Peter and St Pauls as the sudden death winners! It was a superb final and a credit to the excellent tag J P Howarth 1st XV Cup Benjamin Marsh rugby played by both teams. Thompson Cup Jack Dyas Kent Trophy Matthew Mullen The result meant that we have had seven different winners throughout the seven years that the tournament has been staged.

Many thanks to the sixth formers who refereed the Wirral Club Report games so efficiently, the staff for preparing their teams Wirral Rugby Football Club and Wirral Cricket Club formally merged as one so well and most of all to the boys and girls who took club in October 2007. This means that the Club can move forward to part in the competition and entertained us all afternoon. develop its facilities and playing potential in the coming months and years. Much work goes on behind the scenes that makes the Club tick. The Rugby Mr P Crowley section runs four senior teams, and many junior teams, from Under 8s Head of PE upwards. The Season starts again in September, and why not visit the website on www.wirralrugbyclub.com for further details? The Junior Colts team was particularly successful this season, and it is coached by former old boy, Steve Laddle, with many boys from this school in the squad. The Under 16s team won the Cheshire Cup, and other junior teams did well throughout the season.

Report by Mr McKibbin Secretary Wirral Club

100 CLUB WINNERS April May June £100 Sue Price W Cunningham David Woods £50 Gillian Dutton M Rawsthorn Hazel Marchbank £25 BR Hales P Wilkinson AW James

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