Fullerian 2018-19

Watford Grammar School Watford for Boys WD18 Rickmansworth7JF. Watford Road, 01923 208900 Fax: 01923 Telephone: 208901 Website: www.watfordboys.org E-mail: [email protected] @WBGSExcellence Twitter:

The Old Fullerians’ Association enables Old Fullerians to meet or keep in touch with one another as well as with the school and its staff.

Its over-riding objective is "to further the interests of the School by giving it every assistance."

This year we raised over £5,000 for the School’s upgrading of its Sports facilities and completed similar fundraising amounts for the STEM Centre last year. All of the OFA membership fees are re-cycled back into providing the School with financial support every year.

The Annual Dinner in the School Hall in January brings together 200 old boys to enjoy fine dining with guest speeches as well as opportunities to network. The Old Fullerian clubs for cricket, football and golf are a great way for old boys to get together and share in their sporting passions - new members are always welcome.

Membership is just £15 per year, which supports our OFA activities and helps us provide ongoing support for the school. To become an OFA member or get involved with the above OFA events, please contact our Chairman, Joe England - [email protected]

Old Fullerians’ Association The Fullerian 2018-19

Headmaster’s Notes 2 CONTENTSSchool Life 6 English & Drama 35 Trips and Exchanges 40 Music 58 Art 66 Sport 72 Staff Leavers 90 Clubs and Societies 92 School Prizes 95

Editor: G Aitken Design: Many thanks to John Dunne. Thank you very much to all those who helped with the production of this year’s Fullerian. Watford Grammar School for Boys Rickmansworth Road, Watford WD18 7JF. Telephone: 01923 208900 Fax: 01923 208901 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.watfordboys.org Twitter: @WBGSExcellence

Student Editors Front Cover Design A number of sixth formers have suggested and carried out some Nathan Phua (11N) is the designer of this year’s of the original pieces in this year’s magazine. I am particularly cover. He is an outstanding young photographer grateful to David Mortimer for his enthusiasm and commitment to and has won more than one national photography Watford Football Club, Teachers’ Talents, QSA, and dogged chasing competition. In 2018 it was the prestigious Canary up of other articles. Josh Patel and Christopher Tang also deserve Wharf Young Wildlife Photographer Competition, and a mention. Nathan independently researched, applied for, and Many thanks too to all those teachers who have given won the junior category. For the competition, Nathan generously of their valuable time to write themselves, agree to be had to capture the flora and fauna of the area around interviewed, and remind students to write articles, and most of all Canary Wharf. thank you to all those students who, by agreeing to write, have The Art Department selected this beautiful, given such a full picture of the life of the school. striking piece of Nathan’s artwork for the front cover. GA GA

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 1 HEADMASTER’SWhat do we NOTES value? ike 1981 and 2005, the summer of 2019 will be set of core values, in our case, drawing upon the contributions remembered for a remarkable cricket contest. of boys, staff, alumni and governors. The exercise itself was England’s first World Cup victory was scintillating, illuminating and thought-provoking, ultimately yielding a clear ridiculous and uplifting. In theory, it was even set of six values. predictable, which is rarely true of English sports Excellence and Endeavour: The pursuit of excellence in every teams on the biggest stage. England went into realm through hard work and determination will ensure that each theL World Cup as the favourites and delivered, but they did so burgeoning talent is developed. Our effort will make a difference following a miraculous transformation from the side that was because the prizes in life go to the dogged and determined. routed by Bangladesh in the group stage in 2015. Much of this is Creativity and Individuality: We should seek to invent, attributable to the exceptional talent in the team today, but that experiment, take risks and have fun as we solve problems in our alone would never have been sufficient – after all, many other rapidly changing world. Creativity will always be critical, perhaps English teams in multiple sports have been replete with talent, even more so in a world of increasing computational power yet failed to win a global tournament. and Artificial Intelligence. Respecting and drawing upon the

The story of England’s metamorphosis can also be uniqueness of each individual and their capacity to contribute to explained through the development of a simple team culture the common good will ensure that our collective effort is rewarded. that players from different backgrounds could buy into. The Integrity and Kindness: Our wellbeing is driven by our captains, Morgan and Root, developed their own philosophy sense of self-worth and our interactions with others. This will be using the simple visual reminder that the players see and wear enhanced if each and every one of us aspires to a life led with every day. Each of the three lions was afforded an individual integrity, with ethical convictions underpinning our actions so that meaning, one for courage, one for unity and one for respect. we all seek to do the right thing in a reliable way at all times, even The crown that tops them all represents the team – a precious when no-one is watching. To draw upon Gandhi’s words, we can vessel owned by no single individual, to be passed on to the be the change we wish to see in the world by making an effort to next generation. Articulating a set of values was important, improve the lives of others, to be kind, for no reward other than the but what was far more impressive was the desire of the squad knowledge that we may have made a difference. to live by them and use them to drive the team to achieve the Articulating these values represents a starting point, ultimate prize. One could argue that they bought into the motto but living by them will be a greater challenge – one I hope of Watford Grammar School for Boys and went ‘forward with that we will all be able to embrace. In reading this edition of preparation’ – Sperate Parati. the Fullerian magazine, you will find examples of these values Preparing our boys for a lifetime of success is a underpinning this year in the life of the School – they are readily rewarding and exciting venture, particularly since the future identifiable and very encouraging indeed. With consistency and is so thoroughly unpredictable. This is the core mission of the persistence, Watford Boys, like the England cricket team, will school and it is one that we take very seriously. To support this be a world-beater! mission, like the England cricket team, we have developed a

2 THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 Friends of the School he Friends of Watford Boys you to everyone who attended; we will be our fundraising goal this year and have Grammar School organise running another Comedy Night with WGGS bought a new bike shed for the school. a range of fundraising and on Saturday 9th November 2019 – tickets This will be installed over the summer social activities and events on sale from September. holidays ready for September, and we throughout the year, as well Our next big fundraiser was the hope it will then encourage and enable as supporting a number of annual Quiz Night, which was a huge more boys to cycle to school. We have schoolT activities, such as providing drinks success, selling out 3 weeks before. Those also made a number of smaller grants to at school plays and concerts and serving who managed to get a ticket squeezed different departments within the school, refreshments to staff to keep them going once again into the STEM centre and details of which can be found on our through parent-teacher evenings! We enjoyed a fun night stretching their minds website at www.friendsofwbgs.org. All also run the second-hand uniform shop to answer a wide variety of questions information on our planned activities, which is open every Wednesday from 3.15- posed by Mr Cooksey as Quizmaster and tickets for forthcoming events, and other 4.30pm and the 1st Saturday of each half- accompanied by delicious and plentiful information can also be found here. term in the Old School House. This sells a food prepared by Punjabi Gourmet. Additionally, if you would like to range of good quality school uniform and The final half term of the year saw get involved with the Friends, or find sports kit, from prices as low as 50p. the return of our very popular baking out more about what we do, you can get For the first time this past academic masterclasses, kindly hosted by Mrs in touch with us via the website or at year we held a joint event with the Parent Zachariah, Food Technology teacher [email protected]. We are always Association of Watford Grammar School for at the school. The class was fully pleased to welcome new parents or those Girls, something we are keen to continue booked within an hour of places being with a connection to the school who’d to do. This was a Comedy Night, held in made available and 12 parents, some like to get involved in some way. You the STEM Centre at WBGS, which proved accompanied by their sons, learned how don’t have to attend meetings, and any to be a fabulous venue for a social event. to make shortcrust pastry in the form of a amount of time you can give, however With almost 200 tickets sold, it was a lively lemon tart. We hope to run more of these small, is always appreciated. As well evening in which we were entertained by masterclasses next academic year. as helping to directly benefit the boys 3 professional comedians and a compere, The Friends of WBGS have had through fundraising efforts, it is a fun way and with the high-quality acts interspersed another busy year, only made possible of meeting other parents and being more with short intervals everyone had an with the on-going support of parents, involved with the school community. opportunity to catch up with friends over teachers and the entire school community. Amanda Rafferty a drink and much laughter. A big thank We are pleased to report that we achieved Chair, Friends of WBGS

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 3

PREPARATION

IS EVERYTHING This did wonders for my son’s “ confidence. The small group created “a positive and productive atmosphere.

GCSE & A LEVEL REVISION COURSES

0174 27 7THE4 FULLERIAN43 2018-1940 WWW.JUSTINCRAIG.AC.UK

Fullerian Ad A4 July 2019.indd 1 01/07/2019 09:44 PREPARATION EliasTaylor A Watford Grammar School Boy Elias was 16 when he was first diagnosed with Leukaemia and still at school. I will always treasure the memories we shared together, at IS EVERYTHING He beat his leukaemia three times with state of the art treatment at UCLH, school, at university and beyond, and I can honestly say that I’ve never which is a centre of excellence for haematology cancers, but died last year met someone quite as strong and unique as Elias. He will always be a at the age of 22. Elias’s friends and family want to donate a substantial super hero in my eyes. sum to UCLH Haematology Research fund, that will be ring-fenced for this Elliot Freer research project known as The Elias Taylor Vegas After Party. Elias personified everything that is good about Watford Grammar When I think back to my time at WBGS, Elias will always be at the School for Boys. He was charismatic, hardworking, positive, witty, forefront of my memories. We were put in the same form on day one and likeable, determined and courageous. became friends instantly. Elias had an ability to light up a room, particularly through his More often than not, we chose to sit together in the lessons that Brian Badonde and Arsenal football impersonations! He was an all-round we shared, and I like to remember us as a sort of infamous comedy sportsman, a true team-player, who always played with a smile on his face. double act (until the teachers decided it best to separate us!). One of Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Elias in some way. He our favourite games was trying to make each other laugh when one of was a truly special individual and a role model to so many. His warrior- us was reading out a segment of text - this never ended well for me, Elias like mentality and positive outlook is something I try to echo today. always had me in stitches! I am proud to call Elias one of my closest friends. We miss you. His humour, spark and passion for all things he cared about always shone. This was highlighted by him always showing up to Giorgio De Lucia support the 1st team and telling me to ‘move it!’ whenever I stopped We were very lucky at school. Our friendship group was diverse working hard during a game. and talented. Playing sport of any kind, was a big part of our lives; Elias was loved by so many and he made an impression on training most days, come rain or shine. To be a part of that you needed whoever he met, wherever he went. I will always treasure my memories determination and we always aimed for our best. Elias did all of those of him, and I am proud of be part of the team creating a legacy that the things. And more. We were lucky to have grown up as teenagers special man deserves. together, laughing at lunchtime in the canteen to the latest drama Douglas MacDonald unfolding in the corridors. That is what we loved about our friends at school. Everyone had a strong identity and those memories are as Teachers’ tributes strong as ever now. There have been many special boys who have come I have very happy memories of Elias. I had the privilege of being both his Head through the main doors in Year 7 and we were lucky enough to spend 7 of Year and History teacher. Elias was certainly irrepressible, enthusiastic and years with another. Elias Taylor. Our friend. highly amusing with his brand of quick witted humour. As important were his Cameron Wells academic capabilities and Elias was definitely a hard working student and devoted to doing the very best that he could. As well as having the respect of

It’s difficult to summarise what my best friend Elias was truly like in just a few his teachers he also had the total respect of his peers. His friendly and loyal words, but I’ll try my best to do him justice! From the moment we met in the nature were highly valued by all those who had the good fortune to spend time school quad during a game of Fumble, which he had no doubt just dominated, with him. His fortitude and courage in the face of adversity was greatly admired.

something convinced me to spend the ensuing years right by his side. Elias was a an exceptional and truly inspirational character and It could have been his ability to make me cry with laughter in WBGS was honoured to have had a such a special pupil and I know that the Sixth Form Common Room, impersonating the previous night’s TV he will be remembered with great affection by all those who had the characters as though they were standing in front of me. It could have pleasure and privilege of knowing such a truly exceptional young man. “ been our shared love and obsession with football, with Eli sparking Ross Panter endless debates on how Arsenal would somehow outperform Chelsea This did wonders for my son’s this time around. (Ridiculous I know!) My very first lesson during my teacher training year was with 7G and a confidence. The small group created If neither of those, then it must have been Elias’ ability to make very able Elias took to gymnastics like a duck to water. Luckily for all of a positive and productive atmosphere. me feel so incredibly comfortable. I knew I could speak to Eli about us, gymnastics was a short-lived unit of work and it was on the rugby “ absolutely anything and I’ve no doubts that he will stay with me in some field where I remember him most. He was a great PE student all round capacity, to guide me through troubled times in the future. having studied GCSE and A-Level alongside competing for the school in our teams. His A-level years became very testing as he missed a lot of school for his treatments but his tenacious attitude to his studies resulted in some very well deserved grades. Alex Beere

I have very fond memories of teaching Elias at GCSE. He was a pleasure to teach and a real joy to have in and around the classroom and school. When you think of the ideal WBGS student he was a bit of all the traits we like to see in our finest of men – wise, quick witted, cheeky, irreverent, effervescent, enthusiastic about his studies, a friend to everyone and GCSE & A LEVEL REVISION COURSES dependable. He will always have a special place in my memory. Johnjo McDermott

01727 744340 THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 5 WWW.JUSTINCRAIG.AC.UK

Fullerian Ad A4 July 2019.indd 1 01/07/2019 09:44 SCHOOLMoira and LIFEthe Sixth Form Cafe or members of the sixth form, where as year 7s might get upset. boy was mortified and came up afterwards and many of the teachers, there is Moira has an incredible capability to apologise. no other figure as well known as to remember names and I remember But it’s not just the boys who see Moira Moira in the sixth form cafe. She is when I first joined the sixth form, she had as someone important in their daily school lives an individual as universally liked remembered my name despite me not and I asked Moira if the sort of relationship she asF none other, and it was truly a pleasure to even remembering if I had ever told her, had with the boys and the staff was special to be able to sit down and interview her about yet she doesn’t have a method her. She replied definitely and that in the past her time at Watford Boys, the history of the One of the useful things about such she ‘d never really thought of herself as being a sixth form centre and her relationship to the regular contact with us is that Moira gets ‘people person’ and said that when interacting generations of boys at the school. used to reading body language so she knows with customers it doesn’t matter if it’s the head Moira has been working at Watford when something isn’t right, when something of the school or a student. Boys for ten years and she started out is off. Obviously that happens a lot during Thank you Moira in the main canteen, before different the exam season, but Moira can usually David Mortimer. L6P catering companies took over. For three spot when somebody isn’t his years after that Moira ran a little sixth normal self and check we’re OK. form cafe over by where the pasta bar is So Moira is in a good position, now. For years and years they had wanted not a teacher, but not our mum. Sociology the cafe over at the sixth form centre, She explained that she thinks and eventually it was approved and this she has a ‘lick of respect’ from us The start of my A levels experience saw me October will be its seventh year. lot, and that is what makes her opting to study English, Politics and Sociology. When I asked why Moira believes like working here, This article aims to give all its readers a never she was selected to be the designated cafe I can’t remember Moira before seen insight into Sociology. Studying worker at the sixth form centre, she replied ever getting angry with us, she this subject at the girls’ school allows for many it was because she supposed they thought is known for her friendly cheerful privileges such as a change of scenery and also that she had common sense and could run smile, but she did say that her a beautiful morning walk back to the boys school it singlehanded. It was also a lone role pet hate is people ignoring the through sunny West Watford after lessons. and unlike the others, Moira was happy to signs and putting bags on the Specifically, learning about socio cultural take it on and prefers it in the sixth form table. She was upset once, influences and the structure of society through café. It’s less noisy than the canteen and at because she had been angry, the eyes of various sociologists who share least she can tell sixth formers to ‘shut up!’, which was so unusual, and the contrasting perspectives, provides a holistic, relevant source of education overall. As this was an entirely new subject, it motivated me to further my understanding of the course content extracurricularly which further benefited my other studies such as politics where transferable, applicable links appeared. I am fortunate to be accompanied by Matthew Kenny and Luis Gomez on the back row of the classroom where we display our diligent attitude to learning every lesson. On behalf of everyone else, we wish Miss Leonard all the best and thank her for being a conscientious, helpful and superb teacher. Rishi Parmar L6T

6 SCHOOL LIFE Wildlife at WBGS

Not many people think of schools in throughout Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, general as places where wildlife thrives. Surrey and even in some parts of London! Yes, it is widely noticed that there are They can be identified by their distinct many plants, but most are unaware of the tail, which is a large v-shape. incredible biodiversity schools have to Apart from birds, there are a offer. This occurs here at WBGS, and here vast number of pollinators on site. The is a quick guide to the school’s wildlife. most numerous are bumblebees, and a Firstly, one of the most remarkable, handful of honeybees. These can be found but one which most of us find annoying, pollinating the plants near the canteen, because they are so numerous is gulls. and the table tennis tables. These plants The population of gulls has declined have also attracted a few species of swiftly over the course of the year, but butterfly, the most common being small can still be seen on the roof of the Main tortoiseshell, holly blue and brimstone. In Building sometimes. They thankfully April 2018, a rare painted lady butterfly, Visit from the excrete on us a lot less, due to numerous from northern Africa, was found too. visits from Stella the Harris’s hawk, and Overall, many species call WBGS Animal Kingdom litter being thrown away in the right home. To expand the range of biodiversity, On what would usually be a normal place, where the gulls can’t get at it. initiatives and societies in the school are Friday morning, in the hall we The most common species of gull working together to plant more trees, were introduced to a plethora of which frequents the school is the black- which will benefit our wellbeing, as well as creatures from the Animal Kingdom, headed gull, and this small gull is very helping wildlife flourish. Also, a wildflower such as adaptable amphibians, common in the UK. In winter, their heads meadow will soon be created at the far misanthropic mammals, bashful are completely white, with a small black end of the field, which will increase the birds and lean lizards, all with spot near to their eye and, in summer, their number of bees and butterflies on site, their assortments of feathers, heads become a brownish or black colour. and once this is successful, nest boxes, scales and fur, and we learnt how There are also herring gulls, which are bat boxes and hedgehog homes will be over thousands of years, they had slightly larger, and have long, yellow beaks placed on trees, and at the orchard by adapted to their environments with a red spot on them. They are very the Muse. We should all be hopeful that through evolution. Highlights of competitive when it comes to food, fighting within the next year, the school will be this visit include being able to hold for control over the rubbish bins. They can a thriving environment for students and these magnificent creatures in our be seen more often in summer, when many nature to coexist harmoniously. very own hands. I was one of the migrate from Africa to the UK! If you would like to learn more lucky few to hold one, a writhing, To see another of the school’s avian about wildlife and nature in Britain and scaly gecko, and a restless eagle visitors, you have to look high up. On a beyond (and occasionally some practical defecating on the floor, making daily basis, red kites can be seen soaring work) Wildlife Society runs in 107 on pupils and teachers alike giggle at above, looking for prey such as mice Thursdays, when announced, and you the revolting sight. Overall, I believe and voles. These are birds of prey, which can also join the Urban Niche Project, run that this was a fantastic treat for have slowly moved out of the Chilterns in by Mr Rowe. year 7, as some of these creatures Buckinghamshire, and now can be seen Kabir Kaul 9T genuinely took my breath away. Jeffrey-Lee Zimmatore 7F

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 7 Year 7 Activity Week My favourite activities were the zip wire I am going to be writing about two of the I am going to be writing about one of the at Phasels Wood and kayaking at Tolmers. activities that I did on activities week which activities I took part in throughout my I have my kayaking qualification so I were; tunnelling (caving) and raft building. couple of days at Phasels Wood Activity already knew how to kayak so to challenge Raft building was on the first day of activities Camp. This activity is abseiling, one of myself, I picked the most uncontrollable- for my group (8) and group 9. We had a full the things that I am most certain, at looking kayak I could find. Whenever I hour to make our rafts and an extra hour to that time I would not be able to do. The turned at speed, my back would fly out on sail them. The instructors taught us how to abseiling was around 7-10 metres above me as if the boat was trying to capsize! We tie our knots and how to build the raft, but the ground. For some time I had had my did some fun games like kayak volleyball our group wasn’t very good at it and ended eye on the Ice Wall, which was made of which my team (smiley face) won. At the up receiving a lot of help from Miss Webster. hard polyester. Only a couple of people end, we did a race. I got a good start and After a bit more than an hour, our rafts were had gone up until it was my turn. Luckily that was how it stayed. Good. I won. built and we were ready to get on the water. the few people that had gone before me In the past, I’ve not been very The rafts were made of wood and barrels and had raised my confidence which helped good with heights. Actually, that’s an worked surprisingly well. We played a few me a lot on my way up. As I got half understatement (sad face). The zip wire games with bottles that you had to collect to way up, my nerves were crawling, but I was about 5-10 metres high, which isn’t get points: black bottles scored 100 points; couldn’t turn back by that point so I went very high at all. As I was being clipped in, grey bottles, 10 points and blue bottles, 1 up the rest of the steps. As I walked up all I felt was excitement. I really enjoyed point. After having a go on our rafts (and to my instructor, I was clipped on to the it but you can’t have me doing something splashing everyone!) we disassembled them railing, and told straight away to lean that involves heights without me having and all jumped into the pond. I really enjoyed back. I was very scared and shocked; I at least one scary moment. This time it rafting and we worked on our team building was so worried, there weren’t any more was while lowering myself. I pulled the as we had to row in coordination. My group, cables to clip on to and more nerves shot lowering device slightly too far back and on the first day of Phasels also did tunnelling/ up my spine. I leaned back and… walked. I fell really fast down until the safety device caving. I went in first with Saad behind me. was walking horizontally, it felt great. That locked it and I stopped but, for me, the We didn’t have a torch as we forgot to bring was one of the best experiences in my life; zipwire was the best activity. Overall, I one and we were crawling blindly through that is why activity week was one of the really enjoyed activity week. the muddy tunnels. We completed the first greatest weeks of year 7. Lochan Pennant-Shah 7N course easily as well as the second one but it Daniel Blyskosz 7N was scary as we were in the pitch black and someone in our group got stuck for a short period of time. Overall I really enjoyed activity week as I made many new friends and had a great experience! Jamie Sewell 7N

8 SCHOOL LIFE The Hawk

Many students would have noticed the The results were largely effective presence of a new friend around the school; and the response was extremely some have even been able to take part in his positive; the use of the Harris’s time combating seagull-occupied quads. I hawk is a humane, economically am of course talking about The Hawk. viable (in comparison to methods such A Biology teacher by training, Mr as bird spikes) and largely undisruptive Cooksey has had an interest in birds and method of pest control. No seagulls are the natural world from around the age harmed in the process and the promise of of 7 which hasn’t really disappeared. He a turn handling the hawk to any volunteer is often travelling to nature reserves in litter pickers proved a good incentive to Britain and across the world to experience encourage recycling and cleaning up the the extraordinary beauty of nature. school site. In October last year, whilst on a The gull activity in the school is family hawking trip for his son’s birthday, down presently, partly due to the hawk Mr Cooksey had an idea. During the and partly due to the seasonal movement day, he discovered that many of these of gulls. Mr Cooksey envisages the hawk magnificent creatures, hawks, were often being brought back into use in the winter used for pest control. Being wholly aware allowing students another opportunity to of many boys’ complaints about the watch a magnificent creature at work. But seagull problem which this school has for now, the hawk is on a break from school been plagued with for a number of years life resting up until he is inevitably called he decided that the use of a hawk could back to save us from whatever seagull be a great way to dissuade seagulls from related terrors lie in the near future. invading the school grounds. Josh Patel L6N

Dynamic Hatha Yoga Classes

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings - weekly Saturday mornings - monthly

Watford Grammar School for Boys, WD18 7JF

Improve your energy, strength, flexibility and well-being – on and off the mat

Runners and cyclists – watch your performance improve with Yoga

Come along for a taster class – £5

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 9 Planetarium Experience

Picture this, you walk into the main hall and Going inside and it was like being there is a gargantuan dome sitting there, right sucked into some sort of creature. In my were the chairs should be. You take off your opinion, it was amazing. Inside there was a shoes and bags, and squeeze through a tiny projector that projected 360 images. And we gap, and once you are inside you gaze into the were in the middle. It was like we were in cosmos, with stars as far as the eye can see. space. For me, it was the closest experience I Sadly, you did not just step into space, had to being in space. but an inflatable mobile planetarium, which When it comes to the educational was set up from the 10-12th June 2019. Once perspective, it was quite detailed, while we got in, we sat down on the hall floor, usually making it fun all the same. The 3D perspective inhabited by students during assemblies, and definitely helped. It was fun to watch and to the show began. learn. Due to the dimensions of the dome, we To summarise, it was one of the could hear some of our friends whispering highlights of the 2018-2019 year for me. It was from the other side, and we could hear fun, educational and, to put it in one word, the teacher a lot louder. Around us were awesome. constellations such as Orion and the Canises. Jayden Shah & Harry Harvey 7N We were then shown a view of the sky of what we thought was currently happening, due to The planetarium was a fun and enjoyable the digital clock at the bottom, but, with the visit which many people enjoyed and loved. touch of a button, it was night time. It was very interesting and helped make We then delved deeper, taking in the science more fun and easier to understand. view of a rather unknown star in the middle of Space is a tricky topic which is quite hard the solar system called the Sun. We discovered to comprehend but the planetarium was a it is 1.2 MILLION times bigger than the Earth, different form of teaching. It was an inflatable yet it is a dwarf star! planetarium.Inside it was a huge space where Taking a closer look at the Orion there were stars everywhere on the roof itn constellation, we discovered the ‘Betelgeuse’ was an amazing experience.Its experience star, which is the ninth brightest star in the was quite similar to most planetariums. We entire night sky! learned about many different things like stars. We then observed how all of the stars The instructor to the whole event was very in the night sky are made up of different nice and made it easier to understand. The elements, and how our planet, Earth, is most instructor answered all the questions clearly likely made up of dead stars. Wow! to a good extent. The projection of all the All in all, this was an excellent images was clear and the sound was great. It experience, which we were fascinated by, is definitely a better alternative for people to and would thoroughly recommend. We shall engage and listen than a standard lesson. Fun remember this the rest of our lives. Fact:Scientists say that in a billion years the It stood out from everything else in the sun will engulf Mercury and Venus but might main hall. It was just a bizarre sight. You have as well swallow the earth but it will not engulf chairs on the right, chairs in the middle and Mars because it will be out of reach. on the left is a giant dome; out of the ordinary. Mark Kurian 7G

10 SCHOOL LIFE Harry Bibring BEM 26th December 1925 - 31st January 2019

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Harry having himself to be no angel at school and the way in which he talked only spoken to our year 9 students the week before. so fondly about his dear mother and auntie. We were so incredibly fortunate to have Harry visit us We will miss Harry terribly. For me personally, he became every year for the past ten years. On his most recent visit, he a grandfather figure. He would ask every year how my own was his normal sprightly self. He refused the lift to the top of children were. He loved to tell me about his own grandchildren our new STEM centre and marvelled at the technology and or what he had got up to that weekend. He was no ordinary 93 design of the building. He spoke with the same passion and year old. determination he had shown and even commented that he had His legacy will be with us at Watford Boys forever and we never visited a school so close to home or so many times. promise to keep the promise he always made us say at the end Harry not only made a huge impact on ten years worth of every talk. of year 9 students but also on over 40 members of staff who TC heard his testimony over the years. We loved how he explained Harry Bibring Talk On Monday the 22nd of January, Year 9 was closed to Jewish people. Shortly after this, his mother was sent had the privileged experience of listening From then on he really started to to a concentration camp where she was to a talk of a holocaust survivor. His name notice many of the things that were being brutally murdered. However, he and his was Harry Bibring and he was one of the shut down to his people, most notably his sister both took their chance in England most amazing men that I have met. For memories of Kristallnacht and when he and had a very lovely life. starters, he was 93 and came in to the was expelled from his school because of Not only by sharing his story was hall looking about 65. As well as this, he his religion. His mother and father tried to Harry such an amazing man, but also by was passionate and seemed like he really emigrate but were not successful in their the things he did. For example, he recently cared about sharing his horrific story to efforts. However, the Kindertransport cycled the last mile in charity ride by going everyone he could. came into use shortly after this and he on the train line that the Kindertransport He was not like a lot of Holocaust and his sister both travelled to England took all those years ago. He was still survivors. He was proud and confident via this train line. They both lived a very very active in the Jewish community and in sharing his childhood growing up in happy life with foster parents after this did all he could to help share and open Austria in the war years. He was born in and were so strong to stay together and people’s eyes to this horrific genocide that 1922 and had a pretty normal childhood, look after each other during this wartime took place and to stop those that have growing up with his mum, dad and sister. period. happened and are still taking place today. Harry’s eyes started being opened to the Towards the end of the war, Harry He was a man that really lived his life and real world when in 1938, his favourite area received the tragic news, via a letter enjoyed his years on this earth. to go and play sport, the ice skating rink, from his mother, that his father had died. Reuben Messik 9B.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 11 Young Enterprise

entered the Young Enterprise “Company Programme” It was great to speak to people and to listen to their thinking it was just a way to earn a bit of money. feedback and hearing their opinions helped us look at problems However it turned out to be far more. Having got from a different perspective, which I feel helped us develop our started, my materialistic drives disappeared as the team problem solving skills and communications skills. imagined, sourced, and packaged a product that we felt For me this included money management, team work would help students and people who feel they lack the and leadership (and its challenges!). Selling to the public and self-disciplineI when it comes to putting away their distractions. presenting at the competition have boosted my confidence and This is how “Focus” was born: a simple concept of a locked box the whole enterprise has given me a drive to be better. Indeed, in which to place your mobile devices for a fixed period of time using my understanding of how a business works, I have carried enabling you to focus on a specific activity. on as “one man company” and, using these newly acquired The Young Enterprise experience for me has been skills, continue to make sales, achieving greater profit margins. amazing. I have learnt many transferable skills which will help Young Enterprise would not be possible without the me later on in my life and although our company did not excel external business mentors who give up their time and share in the competition phase, we did excel in personal development. their experience and knowledge and Mr Chase who makes the whole thing happen, giving up lunchtimes, Saturdays and evenings in the process. Kunal Bhardwaj L6T

12 SCHOOL LIFE Young Engineers The Young Engineers project is the name the school gives to Back at school we had weekly meetings where we discussed those who take part in the Engineering Education Scheme run what work we had done and what work we would do for the by EDT. This scheme exists to encourage those aged 16-17 to upcoming week. This process carried on for the rest of the project. take an active interest in engineering and help guide them to a However, towards the end we met up a few times outside of school potential career path in engineering as well. to ensure we had a finished minesweeper. Our team consisted of six people: Inesh Ahuja, Aland Amin, During this time, there were a few problems we had to Aryan Jain, Archie McCann, Owen Lawson, and Sachin Solanki. overcome. One of these was the issue of the chassis; the original Each of us had different areas of expertise - some were better at chassis we planned to use ended up being too small and fast coding and programming, others had experience with design and for our purposes. We were able to overcome this by using an making things, whilst some of us just were keen - however, there already made chassis from an older product and repurposing it were two things that brought us all together; we were all young for our design. Another issue we had was with getting both the and had an interest in engineering, something that made us the data from the GPS module and the metal detector to be sent to perfect (or at the least suitable) Young Engineers. the remote base of operations at the same time. Eventually we However, we wouldn’t have been able to do it all by were able to do this by using an Arduino Uno for the GPS and an ourselves, so we were assigned a sponsor. In our case it was Arduino Due for the metal detector. Both of these sent the data Leonardo, an aerospace, defence and security company. The to a Raspberry Pi which in turn sent the data to a PuTTy terminal company provided us with our brief as well as a few mentors to on a remote laptop. help check our progress and make sure we stayed on task. At the start of the project we were given various different briefs to choose between. In the end, we settled on designing and building a remote control minesweeper that could actively search for landmines and IEDs and send their location back to personnel stationed at a remote location. We chose this brief not only because we found it interesting and a real challenge, but also because of its impact on the wider world; there are many places that are still affected by undiscovered mines and this project would help to identify them while minimising harm to civilians and any personnel using it as well as the animals and wildlife that live To close out the project we organised day meet ups together in the area. to work on coding and testing after the workshop and our mentor After deciding this, we immediately set about researching was able to get us a further workshop day at Leonardo where we the possible ways to build the minesweeper. The initial research learned about the company and saw its antenna testing facilities topics were for the movement, the method of detection, and the and prospects for the future whilst working on our code and circuit communication between the minesweeper and a remote base set up, overseen by our mentors. of operations. In the end we decided on a land-base 4 wheel set With this our project was complete and the R.C.M.O.D up that used metal detection (more specifically pulse induction) (Radio Controlled Mine and Ordinance Detector) was ready to be to detect the IEDs/mines. For mapping, we decided to use an presented to the world. We went to the presentation day where Arduino GPS Module, and that this data along with the data we gave a presentation to a few judges and had a display stand from the metal detector would be sent to a laptop program at the University of Hertfordshire. The experience was extremely where personnel at a remote location could read it. useful in giving us a taste of what it was like to be an engineer To help us build our minesweeper, we attended an and each of us very much enjoyed it. The chance to see the organised workshop at Loughborough University, where we projects of other schools was also rather cool as well. In all, it is set about creating the physical minesweeper (i.e. the chassis an experience that I would definitely recommend to any future and coil). We faced a few problems here and we weren’t able engineers entering the lower sixth next year. to create a finished chassis, nevertheless we managed to The team wishes to thank Leonardo, our mentors and Mr leave with a working coil and pulse induction board - our metal Chase for providing us with the opportunity and for supporting detector was finished. We also came away with a much clearer us throughout the project. plan of what we wanted to do in the rest of our available time, Owen Lawson L6G which helped us crack on towards finishing the project.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 13 Go4SET STEM Lectures Throughout this year, through a Over the past 10 weeks, I have been teamwork really showed through when series of twilight lectures Mrs Groves a part of the Watford Grammar Boys it got to the fourth week of the project: and Dr Cianci brought us a delightful 2019 Go4SET team. It has been an we had come up with NFC-based ID range of speakers showing the links opportunity of a lifetime and I have cards which would be connected to a between different subjects and the picked up so many skills along the database allowing someone to be opportunities in STEM. These were a way that I would never have learnt registered quickly and easily with no wholly entertaining, enlightening, and otherwise. In summary, Go4SET, for fuss or chaos. Later on, we figured that enriching experience for all, and I look those who don’t know is an 2-3 month these cards have multiple uses - not forward to seeing what next year brings. project which focuses on opening just for registration - also for instances The lectures started with an the minds of young people to the such as games sign-outs and location unusual combination of maths and world of STEM (Science, Technology, trackers. Once the code/programming biology, as Dr Andreas Weisse shared Engineering and Maths) and revealing for the NFC cards was complete, it was with us a trio of innovative applications of the hard work and dedication needed time to construct the prototype, with statistical analysis in her talk, “Genetics, to create a working prototype. three electronic mediums - the NFC card, superbugs and... maths!” Understanding First, we took a team vote the card scanner and the card reader. why we may now know why some genes to decide which topic to cover in our A few weeks later it was are more successful than expected was product. After the votes were counted, competition day - a great chance to show an interesting discovery, and I enjoyed it became clear that we all had our the judges what we had produced. At learning how computational biology and minds set on making small changes to the beginning of the day, we set up our mathematics can help combat antibiotic our school to make it a more efficient display stand with our prototype placed resistance. Despite the technical level, and energy-saving place. We created in front. The hands-on demonstration of Dr Weisse’s enthusiasm was contagious a survey asking selected teachers the NFC card in action proved popular amongst the audience. questions to expose the pressing issues with both the students and the judges. Professor Jon Butterworth gave that the school experiences right now We were lucky enough to meet one of us a tour of recent discoveries in the that we could potentially solve using the guest judges, an employee of Apple second talk, Journeys into Particle technology. This left us with three that inserted components of the iPhone Physics. His talk was themed around main problems to solve: Ventilation/ into the circuit. He - along with some of his book, A Map of the Invisible, which Air Conditioning in the Main Block; the other employees who worked for I highly recommend, whether you don’t Registration Delay, and Litter around the Leonardo’s - also gave us all a perceptive know what a photon is or you’re starting School. Although these are all important insight into the world of STEM. At the a Particle Physics degree. I found it problems in our school waiting to be end of the day, we all earned our Bronze fascinating to learn how the data at resolved, by producing Comparison Industrial Cadets Certificate and Badge. the LHC was used to show that the Matrices we all agreed that the time Finally, I would like to say a big Higgs Boson exists, and the details that wasted at the start of the lesson by thank you to Mr Chase (who made Professor Butterworth shared about the doing a manual register is vital therefore the whole project happen) and our present and possible future of particle was the most significant to address. two External mentors from Eaton who physics were inspiring. Then... I-REG (our newly created ID helped us every step of the way Rounding off this year’s lectures, card prototype) was born. The power of By Riyan Shah, 9B we looked to the future as Sir John Holman reminded us of the importance of chemistry across a variety of applications, from cleaner energy to the use of materials, with a focus on mitigating climate change. He gave unparalleled advice concerning the careers that chemistry offers, which I’m sure will resonate with the audience as they consider their future. A fantastic end to an excellent year. My thanks to Mrs Groves and Dr Cianci, who organised the events, and of course to the wonderful speakers. Here’s to another year of STEM twilight lectures! Jamie Barrett 12C

14 SCHOOL LIFE STEAM Fair On Monday 8th July, after we returned from a frantic weekend saving apps. Not only this, both Glaxo-Smith Kline, Britain’s of last-minute preparations and checks to our projects, WBGS largest pharmaceutical company, and Imperial College London, hosted its inaugural STEAM Fair. STEAM is an acronym which provided representatives. While GSK’s aim was to spread the represents Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Maths. word about its apprenticeships and graduate schemes, with The Fair was put on in order to inspire younger students to leaflets and freebies, Imperial furnished us with two exciting participate in the various engineering project opportunities that demonstrations - of hydrogen powered remote control cars and our school provides. These range from Year 9 Go4SET in which a diseases quiz activity. Throughout the fair, there were plenty of teams create a project based on one of a variety of briefs, to Dr inquisitive teachers, as well as the Year 7/8 students who came Cerezo’s Spectral Analysis Astronomy Club in which students in to investigate. the upper school are encouraged to participate in the analysis Overall, the STEAM Fair for me was an excellent opportunity of real telescopic graphs, which will be used to build and to show off the projects we had created, and, in addition, it was calibrate the James Webb Space Telescope. brilliant to see the younger students considering participating The STEAM Fair provided a great opportunity for the in the future. To feel like we had inspired them was a nice students involved in these activities to present their results to sentiment. younger students and teachers alike. There was a wide variety of Hamish Starling 10C stalls, including remote-control robots, and health and money-

STEAM Fair The STEAM fair is a good way to learn about new practicals and to collaborate with other students. This a great example of learning new things and having fun. When you join the club you get to choose a variety of projects that you would like to start, for example: bath bombs and water rockets. During this project you have to collaborate and show your ‘out of the box’ thinking. Altogether this is a great club that improves your knowledge about science. Rishaan Patel 7G

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 15 Classics Competition

For this year’s Year 8 Classics Competition, the boys could First prize was awarded to Robin Elfsberg in 8G, who submit anything from a model to a research essay, a performed submitted an astonishing story, inspired by Ancient Mythology group play to a creative piece of writing - and there were some and History. He researched ancient authors such as Herodotus very impressive contributions across the classes. and then wrote an 11 page story that showed off an incredibly The models that were made, including the incredible Spartan mature and natural writing style. Helmet made by Elia Lauzanna in 8B were displayed in the An extract of his story can be found below. library ES Beasts Blood and Darkness Robin Elfsberg 8G

“Watch your mouth, Lucius!” who turn into wolves at will. A friend told he sat on the log. His green eyes rolled “Sorry, sir.” Lucius drew his cloak, purple me that his friend said that his legion upwards and he brushed his black hair and stamped with the golden eagle, closer once saw one who looked like he was away from his eyes. “How can anyone around him. “I mean, it seems illogical, for hunting with a bronze spear and a bow, have yellow eyes? Besides that, the something to be worse than three gods but he didn’t look like an ordinary man- he ‘garble’ about getting away from his lands put together. Is it in any scriptures? Oh had hairy palms, pale skin, sharp ears, a and his packs could just be a term to refer wait, but that wouldn’t be like you knew.” unibrow and yellow eyes- and he howled to his tribe. Honestly, your generation are Gaius pouted at this- he was illiterate, and at them in some garble to get away from such liars.” wasn’t about to learn anytime soon- and him and his pack’s lands.” Gaius’ face reddened at the decided to shut up. “Yes, because that sounds incredibly statement, and it looked to Lucius as Lucius’ face softened- poor lad, it likely.” Paulus said sardonically, giving an he held his breath that the whole affair wasn’t like he was really trying to be impression of leaning on something as was going to go downhill very quickly. It horrible- when you were as old was always best to not argue as him, insults were just a thing with someone higher than you that men who were mutual in power- a simple rule of life acquaintances said to each for most. He hoped Gaius knew, other. He looked at Gaius and or the recruit would probably told him, “I was only joking, be too foolish to live. He was filius. Come on, tell us more.” glad to see that his fears were He was sceptical of these tales in vain- Gaius seemed to have anyway- having been stationed unusual diplomatic skills for a in India and seeing nothing person of his age. “Sir, if you of half-beast men, satyrs please, I am simply trying to or nomads with slit nostrils relay what someone has told and bandy legs like Pliny the me. It is not necessarily the Elder had written- but wanted truth in my eyes.” He turned to encourage the new blood back to Lucius and continued anyway. Gaius’ eyes lit up at the narrating. suggestion and he began to tell eagerly. “Well, the beasts that blend with the snow are supposed to be just some type of deer whose coat changes with the seasons, but I assure you, the others are much more serious.” His voice lowered as if for effect; Lucius still didn’t believe that anything that had been said that was true yet. “The wolf-kin, who are called Neuri, are supposed shamans

16 SCHOOL LIFE Maths Team Challenge In the Autumn 2018 term, a team of 4 sixth formers: Charley Smith In February 2019 we went to the National Finals in (c), Parth Pandya (VC), Ben Jones and Luke Hardy represented Westminster. The five rounds on this occasion included a relay, a Watford Boys in the senior team maths challenge. The first round shuttle, a group round, a crossnumber and a poster competition involved a regional heat hosted by Merchant Taylors’ School where on the subject of ‘approximations for pi,’ which we had to research 24 schools in the local area competed for 1st place to qualify for the and prepare for beforehand. A number of different ideas later, we national final in London. After an intense afternoon of fast-paced had lots of material prepared to take with us. The whole day was maths problem solving in a variety of different formats, the WBGS full of intense maths; over 100 teams packed into the hall and we team managed to come in 1st place, defeating all of the other knew we were amongst the best sixth form maths students in the mostly private schools. country. We eventually finished the day in 48th place after having It all came down to the final round known as the shuttle. not got off to as good a start as we wanted. Up until this point we had only got one question wrong dropping Although we were slightly disappointed for not quite bringing 6 marks, Merchant Taylors’ had full our best on the big day, we were all very marks. During the first two shuttles both proud of an incredible achievement, schools finished well within the bonus and coming in the top 50 schools in the time and were totally relaxed. But in country, being beaten only by private the third shuttle Merchant Taylors’ got schools, was a really positive thing for stuck on question 3 and dropped 9 us to take away from the day. points, and in the final shuttle they A big thank you to Miss Farhan dropped 12. Meanwhile, keeping a cool for taking us on both occasions, and head, the WBGS team collected 24 out well done to all of the team; we hope of 30 points in the same two shuttles. to do even better next year! This means that our team lost just 12 Team consisted of: Charley Smith, marks out of a possible 180 in the entire Parth Pandya, Ben Jones and Luke Hardy competition, an amazing achievement Parth Pandya L6R and qualified for the national final in central London, winning the regional heat for the first time ever. German Translation Bee When I heard that I had got through to the next round of the cheering for my school taking part in the finals, as some people Translation Bee, I was elated. I couldn’t believe I had been had made it through. chosen to represent WBGS in a competition. We went back to the school, and arrived at 9:00 in the As I was walking to the Girls School, I was getting nervous evening. I was so tuckered out, so I had a quick lunch, a shower as I realised what was about to happen. However I tried to and fell asleep. The next day, I didn’t want to go to school, but remain positive. We met the girls at their school and then took I had to. the 2 hour mini bus journey to Queen Katherine’s Academy. It Overall the trip was tremendously fun. I hope to get in felt like it took forever. When we finally arrived, I thought the next year when I am in year 9! school looked like it was covered in swimming pool tiles. Andrei Makhoul 8G We split off into our groups of German, Spanish and French. I went off with the German group. When we entered the room where our competition was to take place, I felt extremely nervous. Then we started. One by one, each student came up to do their translations. Then my name was called. I got up, and started translating. While I’m not sure how well I did, once I finished my go, I felt a sense of relief. We had a half-hour break until it was time to see who got a place in the finals. You could feel the tension in the room while everyone was waiting to see who got through. I was not chosen, but I wasn’t disappointed, rather, happy for everyone who had got a place. I did enjoy

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 17 Model United Nations WBGS Model United Nations (MUN) Society was founded in Taylors’, John Lyon and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Schools. October 2018 by a group of students who aimed to educate The team worked extremely hard all year round students about current affairs, topics in international debating and discussing solutions to current world issues relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda, and and has a great vision to continue this journey for many develop their public speaking and debating skills. MUN is a years to come. The WBGS MUN Executive team as of next world renowned organisation that runs in many schools and year will be Mustafa Shah, Haider Nathani, Shreyash Singh, universities across the world. Parth Pandya, Joseph Mohan and Answin Rodrigues. The Essentially, MUN allows participants to role play as support from all teachers involved has hugely driven a lot of diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated hard work and dedication throughout the process and this session of a committee of the United Nations, such as the would not be possible without them. We look forward to Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants the many conferences ahead of us and the great successes research a country, take roles on as diplomats, investigate to come and will be continuing to run the regular weekly international issues, debate and develop solutions to world sessions to build a new team of bright minded delegates. problems ranging from the Syrian refugee crisis to ending Founder and Secretary General child slavery. Mustafa Shah L6N From the start of the year in October, we began our journey by running regular Tuesday lunchtime sessions and getting in the flow and familiar with the MUN procedure. We had many fruitful discussions on various topics such as nuclear disarmament, gender equality, curing poverty in third world countries etc. After a few weeks of rigorous training we entered our first conference at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School where one of our delegates, Shreyash Singh 12N, won the first award for most commendable delegate. This success motivated the team to enter for more conferences where we won awards at every conference attended; Merchant

Shell Bright Ideas Challenge The Shell Bright Ideas Challenge is an sea level, where individuals could capture the driver’s compartment and be used extracurricular competition linked to them and extract the energy. The batteries by the train’s central systems. Secondly, STEM subjects. The challenge involves require oxygen to store the energy, which the stations would need to incorporate children aged 11 to 14 designing a solution would be generated via electrolysis. The a slope so that the trains could use the to an energy crisis that a city may face in oxygen produced from this process would gravitational potential energy which 2050. All the groups met up on a weekly go into the batteries which would then be would convert to kinetic energy as they basis where they were kept up-to-date loaded with energy. move down the slope. with information about the programme A different team - The Super By Theo Adam 9T & Dev Datt 9F and were provided with resources to help Savers (which included Theo) - decided plan their ideas by Dr Sadler (who was to make use of unused running it). Each group then had to decide wind renewable energy what their idea would be and do the and convert it to useful necessary research. energy that could be used One team - Energeo (which included to partly, or even fully, Dev) - designed an alternative means of power a train. There were generating renewable energy by using two parts to their idea. hydrothermal vents. The idea was that Firstly, the trains would pressure of the gases emitted from these have a compact turbine vents would spin turbines located on nets, mechanism attached which would generate energy by spinning to the front of them. generators. This energy would then They would convert the travel to lithium air batteries, located in kinetic energy created to hydrogen balloons. These balloons would electrical energy, which carry the energy within the batteries to could be fed back to

18 SCHOOL LIFE Maths in Motion Maths in Motion is a Formula One racing Over the next few months, with many races Since Easter we have been running the simulator where you pit your (in your against both national and international Maths in Motion Club every Tuesday eyes) perfectly tuned car against other competition, we did indeed qualify for one as Tim and Thomas focused on their students in the hope that by the end of of just 30 places in the World Final that took impending GCSEs. the 10-minute race you will stand at the place in late June. When building the car the boys have top of the podium. For the last 7 years, The 19th June quickly rolled around to consider the amount of fuel to put into Maths in Motion has been running at our and the pair, Tim Hire and Thomas Connor, the car, what tyres to place, whether to school with undoubted success, and this both 11G, would plan and set up their car have pit stops to change the tyres for year has been no different. in 2 hours under the close surveillance different weather situations and extra fuel, The year began in the wonderful of the Maths in Motion team. The race as well as trying to make their cars go the new STEM centre packed with budding would take place at 1:30 and would be fastest. The students decide their workshop Year 7s eager to prove to themselves, watched by everyone who had attended adjustments through 4 categories, in order their friends, and students in older years Maths in Motion that year. Starting in an to get the fastest features on that race how much of a whizz they were at this amazing 1st place on the grid, there was an track. This helps them work out the safe new found Formula 1 racing simulator aura of unbridled hope which would surface speed their car can run at. The students game. Although some lost interest after a itself as our car moved up and down the then fill in the features and race speeds few weeks, the more determined Year 7s leaderboard in the form of cheers or moans. of the race track. Next, they race their stayed the course and were joined by the Unfortunately, we set our sights slightly too car each time increasing their speeds for more experienced students from years 8 high and crashed out from an agonising the practice lap in order to have a perfect to 11, including ourselves, who took on second place. speed in which they race. They must keep running the weekly meetings. The teachers running Maths in in mind that they want to race at the fastest Our first Maths in Motion win was Motion have changed over the years, but speed possible in order to win however exhilarating. The saying ‘to win a race one thing has never changed - the fun. must also keep in consideration that going you must first finish the race’ is most Back when we first started the club in Year too fast will make them crash and on definitely applicable to Maths in Motion, 7, it became immediately clear that there the occasion, overheating with the engine because it only takes one feature being was an underlying fine art to being fast. temperatures. Keeping this in mind, the slightly too fast to sentence the car to Pole positions would seem unrealistically boys try and create perfect cars to compete an engine fire or a crash. Part of the fun fast, especially when comparing your times against all their friends’ cars. of the simulation is watching the race to those on the Maths in Motion monthly Well done to Tom and Tim who took unfold, the indescribable tension in the leaderboard. However, over time, our race part in the final, despite not winning. room as you wait, and hope, to finish times began to drop and our car began to Maths in Motion is an exciting and a the race intact. Unfortunately, on too finish closer and closer to the top spot. brilliant opportunity for anyone interested many occasions we had the unfortunate Who would have thought that the in Maths, Formula 1 or just a STEM-based experience of reading ‘Thomas-Tim has rookie team who won the back of the grid club as it is lots of fun. Thank you to all retired due to mechanical failure’. award in Year 7 would win Summer Fun Race the students that participated this year As the weeks wound down to of 2017 and represent WBGS at the World and we look to see you again next year Christmas, anticipation was high for the Championships in 2018 and 2019. ...when we hope to once again reach the International Christmas Fun Race, where Throughout the year, Maths in World Final! teams from around the world would race Motion has run very smoothly and that Santosh Shah (10P) their school’s best car against each other. could not be done without the help of and Kirijan Vignarajan (10N) Much to our surprise, the Watford Boys’ Mr. Chase. We would also like to thank team managed to pull a 3rd place with everyone who turned up and hope to see prizes ranging from the infamous Maths in you next year - along with anyone else Motion Clock to a pencil. interested and (of course) many of the As the new term began after new Year 7s! Good luck to Santosh and Christmas, our focus was set on qualifying Kirijan……... for the Maths in Motion World Final, the Tim Hire 11G and Thomas Connor 11 G epitome of the Maths in Motion season.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 19 Queer Straight Alliance

erhaps the most salient social rights issue that QSA was that he wanted to give a sense of identity to gay people has existed in our lifetimes has been the debate in order to solve a sense of isolation. One of the more poignant and significance of LGBT rights. In 2013, same- questions that many of the people there had asked themselves sex marriage was legalised in Britain, and this had been ‘What if I am the only person like this?’ is something that is considered, by the majority However, there was an intuitive sense of debate within of the population, to be a right for same-sex QSA that was hard to ignore. One incredibly potent issue that couples.P However, that was a very recent development, and came up consistently during my visit was the debate around there are some genuine grievances about how our society as a the LGBT identity in media and within society in a wider sense. whole treats LGBT issues. In an informing discussion, Bourke said, ‘I don’t think it is QSA (the Queer-Straight Alliance), therefore, serves an underrepresented in many walks of life. In Parliament, we have incredibly important role within WBGS, as the focal point for openly gay MPs. Diversity quotas help to ensure we aren’t debate for LGBT issues. Mr Clark, the teacher who runs QSA, excluded from jobs of all kinds, and more celebrities come said that he felt always really disappointed with the fact that out with each passing year’. There wasn’t a universal sense nobody ever came out while they were here. James Bourke, amongst the attendees of QSA that gay people were universally one of the co-founders of QSA, said ‘In many schools (such as oppressed, and there was a considerable understanding of the our own) I feel like LGBT views are under represented. There is complexity of these issues. Another fascinatingly complex issue hardly any talk about the issue and while I have not experienced that came up was the issue of Pride. For those who don’t know, that much homophobia myself, there are students who have Pride is an outdoor event, held every June, that celebrates LGBT been subject to abuse. QSA, I think, begins to help to address culture. this issue.’ One member of QSA who had quite a strong view on this My visit to QSA was an enlightening one, as I had expected issue, Taylor Gower, was vehemently against Pride as an event. the group to be one that was primarily an area for young men When I asked him about his views on the event he said, ’Pride, to find others who are like themselves, a place they can identify I’ve always hated it. It’s not acceptance it’s differentiation. with. To a degree, you might agree with this assessment, It’s almost embarrassing’. An important thing to understand because, as Bourke cites as the on of the reasons for creating alongside these comments is the value Taylor, as well as others in QSA, place upon the identity of the Gay community in the wider media. Alex Tierney, also a member of QSA, said that ‘While it raises the awareness of LGBT issues, I believe that it does so in a way which is potentially negative for outward perception. Pride is a celebration of difference, but I don’t think that the idea of difference is a good thing, as it can potentially be too polarising to others in and out of the LGBT community’. 偉 福 中 文 學 校 One of the more interesting discussions I had was with Josh Watford Chinese Community School Patel, one of the few straight attendees of QSA. I asked him why Head of School: Mrs. Peony Hutchinson he attended the club when there was no immediately obvious Founded in 1998, WCCS prides itself in providing reason for him to do so. ‘I had always been a pro-LGBT advocate, Chinese language teaching in a community environment. and I wanted to understand more about the community’. One We offer Chinese classes in Cantonese and Mandarin. element that he stressed to me was the concept of the identity The school is a voluntary organisation with our around homosexuality and heterosexuality, Josh had a pertinent volunteering teaching staff who are interested in community language teaching. Our GCSE results have a message,’ I have always been kind of one of those people that 100% A / A* record. has felt the need to identify as straight, and I’m trying to not care Cantonese Classes: Reception-Year 9 and GCSE about that part of my personality anymore. I think that while Mandarin Classes: Reception-Year 9 sexuality, just like race, is an important part of our identity, (GCSE class to follow the year after next) we need to ask ourselves just how important that part of our Adult Mandarin Conversational Classes: personality is’. Beginner and Intermediate Times: 10:30 – 12:45 every Sunday during Term Time Queer-Straight Alliance is a club that is profoundly Venue: Main Building, important for an all-boys school such as ours, because it is Watford Grammar School for Boys a valuable outlet for the diverse nature of our school to be Annual Fees (text books included): £180/£190 GCSE expressed. For everyone who is reading this, please do get Tuck shop and badminton club for parents! in contact with Mr Clark if you want to attend this club, gay Next academic year commences on 9 September 2018. or straight, as this is an opportunity for you to take part in conversation and perhaps to feel like part of a group that is hard  www.watfordchineseschool.co.uk to find in the environment that we are in.  [email protected] David Mortimer L6P

20 SCHOOL LIFE David Weston Watford Boys has always regarded the you should know that you challenged the to say they thought it was brilliant and well being of its students as important ignorance of so many people that day, and that they wanted to do a blog post on it.” and one of the ways of ensuring this is if every gay teacher shared your courage, Following this, a number of other making students feel safe at school. then the world would be a much better gay teachers felt that they no longer had David Weston had been a student place - not just for gay men, but for all of to conceal the fact that they were gay to at Watford Boys before going on to Oxford us. For that I thank you.” their students. What is important about University to study Engineering. He David was so pleased with the this is that it allows our students to feel returned to Watford Boys Grammar School impact that his assembly had made on the safer in discussing the subject. to begin his career with us as a teacher. student that he posted the letter on social David Weston is now chief executive David quickly impressed colleagues media and was shocked by the reaction. of the Teacher Development Trust, and pupils with his enthusiasm and He said: “Within 15 minutes it had more a charity committed to promoting the commitment both to his subject and to than 100 retweets. The media response continuing professional development of all those he worked with. David had a was astonishing, ITV got in touch, then teachers, and says, “No-one should have clear ethos – that when you are a teacher BBC news and 5Live, newspapers - I’ve to hide who they are at work. As teachers you are a role model for your students, been blown away. It’s had nearly 10,000 we are marking, preparing lessons - it’s and that was clear in the way he went retweets and favourites and it’s been relentless. But we are role models too and about his work, always diligent, cheerful posted on facebook pages and got more we have got to model being comfortable and helpful. At some point during a than 40,000 likes; on one facebook page with ourselves, happy and confident to conversation with our then head teacher, it was seen by 1.7million people. It’s young people in our schools.” Martin Post, David mentioned that he been amazing, someone from the Ellen GA would like to be open about being gay DeGeneres Show in America got in touch if anyone asked, and also talked about doing an assembly about homophobic language though it wasn’t designed as a ‘coming out’. The head agreed. So in 2010, David addressed the school with an assembly about what it means to be gay, the law and homophobia and also why bullying of any sort was hurtful and isolating. As with any lesson David gave, the assembly was meticulously planned and its contents held the students’ attention. At the end, David announced his engagement to the man he is now married to. On the way out of the assembly, there was barely a ripple, just the odd comment, ‘Uh, well I guess he must be gay then,’ and off the boys went to their lessons. David stayed with us for a few more years and a number of colleagues attended the ceremony for his civil partnership/wedding. As teachers, we often wonder how much impact we have on students. In David’s case the impact became worldwide. Four years after the assembly, a pupil emailed him a heartfelt letter of thanks which gained millions of views on social media and a phone call from the Ellen DeGeneres Show in America. The pupil wrote, “I just wanted you to know how inspirational your assembly was, and how much of a positive impact it had on the school... I know this message may seem a little pointless but I really felt

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 21 Economics Debate Competition On the 18th June, a group of 11 Economics spoke about the economic world and invaluable to not only Max and Sahir, but students, led by Mrs Reid, took the trip working in the field, as well as passing to all of the Economics students who took down the road to Haberdashers’ Aske’s on her invaluable knowledge on free- part in the trip. It was fascinating to see School for Girls, to attend the Inter- market economics. After an impressive how the concepts we learn about in our school Economics Debate Competition. first debate between Habs’ Girls and Economics A Level could be applied in Max Adams and Sahir Patel (of Turner St George’s, where Habs’ emerged real life situations and how the debaters and New house respectively) were the victorious, the Watford Boys were ready showed how economic theory is so representatives for Watford Boys, and to face off against Haberdashers’ Boys. integral in achieving social developments were to debate against Haberdashers’ The topic to be debated; ‘This House in the context of each debate. The talk Boys in the second of the three debates believes that given its environmental from Victoria Hewson was also one to that afternoon. impacts, containerisation is a luxury we be remembered, as she spoke about her Upon reaching Habs’ Girls, our can no longer afford’. After an excellent stance on free-market economics, using debaters were met by a reception of opening statement by Max and equally analogies that most of us most likely had private school opponents, who all had no good support from Sahir, the boys had never heard of before, and presenting doubt also endured weeks of research in Habs’ on the ropes, and with confidence an argument most of us had likely never preparation for their debates. The first and teamwork characteristic of Watford considered. The trip was a typical example event on the agenda was an address by Grammar, the boys were able to win of some of the excellent opportunities Ms Victoria Hewson, Head of Regulatory comfortably. A third debate was to follow that Watford Boys and the Economics Affairs and Research Associate at the which was won by Latymer School. department give to the students. Institute of Economic Affairs, who The whole experience was Amaan Manji L6C

What better way to end a school day than an hour or so of yoga. Linda Rafferty has been running sessions after school for a while now and, having never done yoga before, I thought I would give it a go. My body has been contorted in so many ways and I still can’t always remember the names for all the moves, but I have enjoyed the yoga sessions for so many reasons. Linda sets the mood at the start with her diffuser of essential oils which permeate around the room and this creates a calmness that helps us to unwind after a long day at work. There is much emphasis on breathing during the session which I have transferred to everyday life as well as yoga; for example when I’m struggling to get to sleep at night. The stretches have provided strength in the core as well as arms and legs and the whole body seems to benefit, including the mind. After a busy day sorting out Year 11 issues, my hour on a Tuesday has been the antidote to taking that stress home. I have found friendship with my yoga buddies and a respect for this form of meditation and relaxation. I hope to join Linda’s evening class next year when I leave WBGS as I have so enjoyed her classes. Thank you CC Staff Yoga 22 SCHOOL LIFE Duke of Edinburgh Expedition On a Friday Morning, sixty Year 10 students, along with seven teachers and three Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award 6th Formers boarded the coach to Tring to begin our Practice Expedition. Given it was two weeks before our end of year exams, and revision was in full swing, perhaps the level of excitement was a bit surprising. For those that don’t know, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a scheme designed to get young people involved in the community and doing some physical activity. It was created in 1956 by Prince Phillip, and is now offered and recognised in over one hundred countries. There are three levels to achieve, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and each one builds on the previous one. For example, the Bronze Award requires participants to spend three months volunteering at a local not-for-profit organisation, three months doing a ‘skill’, and three months participating in a physical activity. Participants must also undertake three months extra in a chosen section, as well as a two-day expedition hike in the local countryside. Throughout these sections, participants get the chance to meet new people of all ages outside of school, and to bond with their fellow students on the expedition. There are plenty of ideas online for what activities to undertake, such as helping to run an event or helping out in a charity shop for Volunteering, trying a new sport for Physical, or learning to play an instrument the feeling of us all. After a night of howling gales, one tent collapse, for Skills. Personally, I competed in an online code breaking and wishing we could sleep in the cabin like the teachers did, we competition, volunteered at the Cassiobury Parkrun, and gained woke up, bright and early to walk the remaining 15km back to school. my Taekwondo Black Belt. Whatever you choose, you are sure to This brought the total kilometres walked to just short of a marathon enjoy the activities. across the two days, at around 40km. It was a long slog, especially Which brings us to the expedition, which it’s fair to say since the teachers walking with us on the second day were often wasn’t enjoyable for everyone. The expedition entails planning and different to the ones on the first day. This meant that they were following a route. The participants are then driven to somewhere far ahead of, and often having to wait for our groups. There was a in the countryside, walk for a set number of hours to a campsite, surprising variety of possible routes to take on both days that meant finally cooking their own meals before sleeping in a tent. we weren’t always on each other’s tail and turning the corner to see Friday 26th April was the date of the Bronze DofE practice another group just ahead was always exciting. expedition. On arrival at Tring, we collected our maps and On arrival at school, we were greeted by Mr Rowe’s equipment and proceeded to walk to Phasels Wood Campsite. excellent Ukulele playing and many rather anxious parents, Over the next two days, we would be walking all the way back which was a nice surprise. It’s fair to say it was a difficult to Watford Boys. experience, simply because of the distance and the weight of On the first day, we walked through fields of crops such as the backpacks, but definitely “worthwhile as it teaches map oil seed rape and sugar beet and passed through villages such as navigation and camping skills” as Luke in 10C put it. Cholesbury, Wigginton, Hawridge, Botley and Chipperfield, on a Overall, I think DofE is well worth doing, because getting route, which totalled around 24 km in all. On arrival at the campsite, outside as well as meeting new people is something really with tired legs and sore feet, we pitched our tents and sat down to positive, however our opinions are divided as to whether to a good meal, which we cooked ourselves using Trangia stoves and proceed to the higher levels. the pasta we had brought. One student said of the cooking that “It The expedition is difficult, to say the least, especially was a challenge, but an interesting one,” which I think encapsulated for the higher tier awards, but at the end of it, there is a real sense of achievement, and you get an award, which no one can take away. In fact, surprisingly few participants gain the award, which makes it something really special. As Deborah Meaden said, having the DofE “tells [her] an awful lot about that person. [It tells her that] the person was trying to grow themself, [and she can learn] an a lot about the way they will work with [her]”. If DofE can win you Dragon’s Den then what’s not to like? You can speak to Mr Mason, who is the Chemistry Prep- Room for more information about any of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Hamish Starling 10C

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 23 Watford’s FA Cup Run: Season 18/19

atford FC is a true family club that is a pain FA Cup Semi-Final: Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Watford: to follow. I started to get into football by Sunday 7th April: Wembley watching Watford. They bring young boys and Possibly the best game I have ever been to (on par with the girls into the sport by being a family club, the Leicester game). I went to the game feeling very nervous first in the history of the game. This was a club because Wolves were level with us in the league and didn’t createdW on history and brought up the ranks of English football seem to have a lot of issues with their defence, unlike our by Elton John and Graham Taylor and now by the Pozzo family catastrophic one. They were good going forward and had a who have taken a club, about to enter administration, to the lot of potential with Jota, Neves and Jimenez. Even their right- Premier League and FA Cup final in about 6 years. back scored! They came at us very early on and got a few shots However, today, I want to talk about the most prestigious away leading to a corner on the right-hand side. Wolves had and well-known Cup competition in the world: the FA Cup. a fantastic corner routine and scored a well-worked goal. We were still in the game though and went up the other end with Third Round: Woking versus Watford: a Gray shot being incredibly well defended by Wolves Captain Sunday 6th Jan: Kingfield Stadium Conor Coady and away for a corner which came to nothing Woking was the lowest ranked team in the competition and the apart from half-time. With about 60 minutes on the clock, Raul pressure was on Watford to do the job at the Kingfield stadium. Jimenez scored a fantastically taken goal coming from an assist However, a Troy Deeney classic and a Will Hughes wonder goal by Matt Doherty. As some Watford fans were beginning to say saw us through in what was a convincing win from Javi’s side. ‘It’s happened again. We had got to the big stage and bottled The pressure was on but Watford rose to it. it.’ The next 41 minutes were incredible. We were down and out and the Deulofeu came on for Will Hughes. His first goal was Fourth Round - Newcastle versus Watford: nothing but outstanding. He saw the space and found it with a Saturday 26th Jan: St James’s Park fantastic curler from the inside of his boot. It was Messi-esque This was another convincing performance, perhaps trying to and was voted the best goal of the FA Cup campaign. compensate for Watford’s embarrassing loss to Newcastle in We still needed a goal and time was running out. Everyone November which, up till then had been in the relegation zone. thought that we were going to lose 2-1 and that was that, but Hornets’ boss changed his entire side for the FA meeting. the ball was launched forward and Troy Deeney produced a Will Hughes grabbed himself an assist as he set Gray on goal very clever tactical foul to gain a penalty. VAR gave me a heart- for his 4th of the season. Ben Wilmot proved an asset as his attack. It took ages going through whether it was a ‘pen’ or not goal-line clearance stopped an equaliser which eventually but when it finally showed: “Penalty” on the screen we knew led to the decisive goal which sealed the game. It was a good there was no way Troy was missing this. And we were right; a performance at a usually tough away ground. thumping penalty took this extraordinary game to extra-time. A nervy start began with Wolves piling on the pressure. A Fifth round - Queens Park Rangers versus Watford: Friday 15th February: Loftus Road quick counter-attack was all we needed and Gray broke forward This was a game which we probably should have lost. The with a perfectly timed pass to set a man of the match Deulofeu way we played was atrocious and QPR piled on the chances, through to win us the game. Amazing. Scenes. The Watford especially right at the end when QPR Captain Toni Leistner put end went crazy and so probably did the Wolves fans. Watford over from a few yards and missed a chance to force extra-time. had produced a comeback in a big game. That doesn’t happen Capoue’s goal proved vital after a well-worked corner was often! The full-time whistle brought genuine tears to many fans missed by Cleverley and fell perfectly for a well taken half-volley -both Wolves and Watford alike. Watford were heading to an FA by Capoue. It was a tough game but top clubs win games when Cup final for the first time in 35 years. they have to and this is what Watford did. FA Cup Final: Manchester City versus Watford: Saturday 18th May: Wembley Sixth Round - Watford versus Crystal Palace: Saturday 16th March: Vicarage road I’m not going to talk about the game because it was awful for Palace at home to get to an FA Cup semi-final? You wouldn’t 70 minutes and we were playing a side whose bench was worth have it any other way, would you? Our first (only) home game more than our whole team and we should have gone 1-0 up but of the cup campaign and what a game it was! There is always for a donkey up-front in Roberto Perarya. I think the experience doubt in people’s mind when we play Palace. Their style of really brought the school, the town together. It was amazing football and especially that man Zaha always ruins us. This seeing all the posters, scarves and flags around Watford. There was proven when Adrian Mariappa lost the ball and Batshuayi, even was a showing in Cassiobury Park. This really brought the Palace striker, coolly slotted home for the equaliser. We all people at school closer together and some of the teachers were know the story: lead, sit back, concede and then lose. But it wearing scarves in preparation. Everyone was talking about it was not to be, thankfully, as an in-form Andre Gray was brought and wanted Watford to win. However, it wasn’t meant to be but on to fire Watford ahead just 2 minutes after entering the pitch. as fans it was a fantastic experience to be waving our flags as Andre Gray, the man who had missed sitters last year had just the city fans were quiet. sent us to Wembley. The Vic filled with noise and joy: Que sera Till next year, sera right? Reuben Messik 9B

24 SCHOOL LIFE Mr Matthews comes to terms with Cup Final defeat…

1903: a year that brought comfort to thousands of Watford the showpiece event of English football. For me it began with my fans on 18th May. As Man City scored four, and then five and students showing me the TV images that had been entertaining then six in the 2019 edition of the FA Cup Final, shell-shocked them over the Easter holidays, of me getting over-excited after Hornets leafed through their programmes or consulted their Deeney’s penalty. Then as the big day approached and the town phones, frantically trying to find out the record margin of defeat was bedecked in yellow bunting, the anticipation at school was in a Final. And they found 1903: Bury 6 Derby County 0. It had reaching fever pitch. For me that meant that in the middle of the happened before! Man City 6 Watford 0 was the joint record but Upper Sixth’s last day, Mr Hussey and I found ourselves being not the outright record: one crumb of comfort on an otherwise whisked away to Watford’s training ground, to support David as deflating afternoon of football. he interviewed Tom Cleverley and to meet several other players Such a humiliating defeat on the biggest stage in domestic who, like Tom, appeared in the Final. football, even against a team with the resources and pedigree And so to the day itself: the tradition, the atmosphere, of Man City, was undoubtedly painful. Returning to school “Abide with Me”, the bizarre spectacle of Troy Deeney on Monday, sympathy was in short supply from boys who introducing the team to the Duke of Cambridge. And the flags. supported other teams: the chickens coming home to roost The stirring sight of 28,000 Watford fans putting the history after my bravado throughout the Cup run. I spent the morning books to one side as the goals rained in, showing pride in their removing sixes and zeroes from the Google Classroom stream team, and eliciting the praise of the opposing fans, pundits and of my Year 9 class (at least they were doing Maths, of a sort…). even royalty. We were under no illusions: there are far more And yet the day itself had been about so much more than important things in life than football. But sport can still be one just the football. Having fallen in love with my local team whilst of life’s great joys, and in that 20 minutes of flag-waving and myself a student at Watford Boys in the nineties, it was a day song, while wounded, we wanted to show what it meant to us I never dreamed I would see. Watford’s only other Cup Final for our little club to be on the biggest stage. And to share it appearance on 19th May 1984 (three days before I was born!) with those who suffer from the same affliction of being besotted was the stuff of local folklore. When the manager from that time, with our team. For me that was the school friend with whom I Graham Taylor, returned to the club in 1996, we dared to dream still attend games, our mothers sitting in the top tier, the boys good times may be around the corner again. It was quite a ride: from school who remind me of myself as a teenager, the former successive promotions, a Premier League debut. My bond with students of mine I met in the concourse, and the colleagues, the club was forged in a way that I hope will be mirrored for parents and friends I came across outside the ground. those boys currently at the School who have enjoyed Watford’s And so yes, it was a game for the history books. Yet the recent successes. But at the time, Watford always looked out of roll call that matters is not that of record Cup Final defeats, but place at the top table. And in the Cup, there were two semi-final the collective memory of Watford fans. We are a club whose exits at Villa Park in 2003 and 2007, followed by that second trophy cabinet consists of Runners Up, not Winners, medals, painful Wembley defeat to Palace in 2016. but among those, this year’s adventure will always sit proudly: But this season, we looked like we belonged. There was a League 1983. Cup 1984. Cup 2019. record Premier League finish of 11th (having been in contention for 7th until the last few games of the season) and the incredible journey to the Cup Final. In recent years, for sheer emotion, only Deeney’s last gasp winner against Leicester in 2013 can rival the semi- final victory over Wolves. 0-2 down until the 79th minute, then Deulofeu scores the goal voted the best in the tournament, Deeney equalises from the penalty spot in the 94th minute, and Deulofeu completes the comeback in Extra Time with another sublime finish. And that signalled the start of six weeks of increasingly giddy excitement as the club, the town and the school prepared to see Watford feature in

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 25 David Mortimer’s Interview with Tom Cleverley

How has the season been for you? Why do you think the fans and the Is there any character in the Watford Mixed really. On a personal level it’s Watford community have taken to Javi dressing room who always stands out? not been great; I’ve been injury hit and so well? Well, I’d say that the loudest would be I’d liked to have played a lot more. My Well, yes, he’s a bit of a cult hero, isn’t he? (Etinne) Capoue. Our best dancer would fitness just hasn’t been the same since I I think it’s the way he goes about himself, be Isaac Success. The biggest joker missed pre-season and I’ve been playing there is absolutely zero ego with him. would probably be Cathcart. He’s got dry catch-up. However, watching the team He’s important for the club because even humour. Generally it’s the British lads who do so well on a collective level has been the lads who are not playing won’t have a really get his jokes. brilliant. We’ve spent most of the season bad word to say about him. I think that’s in the top half and managed to get to the a good measurement of the success of a Talking of that, Watford is a very cup final so it’s been brilliant for the club. manager. multilingual and multicultural club as well as the town itself. What effect does You arrived here in Watford for the second So, for the Cup Final, are you looking that have? time a couple of years ago, how has the forward to the party atmosphere When I first came here, it was a lot club changed since your earlier spell at amongst the Watford fans? different. I think there were 16 different the club? Definitely, the semi final was the game nationalities and it was quite hard to click. Yes, under Gino (Pozzo)’s ownership I where i was the most gutted to not But now I think we have a perfect balance. could tell the difference as soon as I came be involved this year. Just seeing the We’ve got a British spine and we’ve got back. It’s clear how ambitious the club atmosphere our fans created and then the foreign flair. We’ve got young and old. I had become, how things had changed comeback and celebrations after. It was think we are just a balanced squad and it around the training ground, and on a one of those days you want to be involved works now. monthly basis we are constantly trying in. I’ve been involved in a cup final once to develop ourselves as a club and as a before and been on the wrong end so I’m As a Watford fan, one of the most squad. I think all of that comes from Gino’s looking forward to Saturday. Whatever amazing things about the last few years ambition. It’s impressive. happens everyone’s going to have fun. was to see great foreign players come in. You’ve scored loads of great goals for What are your personal aspirations? Yes, there have been people of great the club. My personal favourite was Good question. Well, I’d say just to be quality like (Roberto) Pereyra and (Gerard) against Arsenal last season. What is your playing at the top level for as long as Deulofeu and obviously keeping hold favourite goal? possible. I’m coming up to having played of Doucs (Abdolaye Doucoure). It’s not Well, that goal against Arsenal is probably 200 premier league games next year and that long ago that he (Deulofeu) won the right up there. I scored an important it will be my tenth straight year in the league at Barcelona. He can be anything one ten years ago now against Sheffield Premier League so just to build on what he wants to be really. I mean on a one Wednesday, a freekick. I think for me I have already. I’ve got two children so off game, he can be a game winner. It’s personally it is the Palace goal. I’d had they take up a lot of my time. My aim is to amazing to see where the club is going. such a tough spell, a tough year and it continue to improve everyday as a player It’s good to have a strong squad. just made all the hard work and lonely and as a man. days in the gym feel worth it - coming on Does Javi Gracia drink Sangria? and getting the winner obviously against I’ve never seen it personally so, I’d say no. one of our big rivals. For me, that was the David Mortimer L6P most important.

You were here when Javi (Gracia) came in weren’t you? What changes has he made? When he first came in we were quite an open team, conceding a lot of goals. He organised us, we turned into a very organised team. Since then, the manager has grown in confidence and we learn a lot from him, how he wants us to play. Because of that we’ve been developing.

26 SCHOOL LIFE EE Shoot 2019 On the 18th and 19th of May 2019 myself and Siraaj Shah were collect us, and drop us on site (an hour and a half later) which filmed for an EE commercial in a luxury London apartment. happened to be a primary school playground. We were greeted Since then we have been seen on over 200 million TV with catering and other refreshments before being escorted to screens during the Champions League final and upwards of the film location a few miles away. four million before every Love Island episode, not to mention The set was situated on the second floor of a set of luxury cinemas and YouTube! apartments in East London, with the filming taking place on It started on the 14th of May, a Thursday after school its large balcony. Around us space was restricted, with the where I was intercepted by a street casting crew outside of the apartment teeming with producers, directors and thousands of Burger King on Watford High Street. They took my name and age pounds worth of camera equipment as well as camera operators and proceeded to ask me to react to my phone as if Watford had and extras. scored a goal, recording me as I did so. The filming commenced about 30 minutes before kick off, I walked away without another thought of the interview in order to set the scene and include the reactions of the players until four days later when I received a phone call. It was asking emerging from the tunnel and onto the pitch, in virtual reality. whether I would be able to feature in a TV commercial for EE on Our authentic reactions to all the goals were recorded for a set the day leading up to and of the FA cup final. At first I rejected of City and Watford fans. When the game ended, we were taken the offer due to the fact that I had already purchased a ticket for back to base camp before having a car drive us back to Watford the final, and in my mind it was simply not a possibility to miss an hour and a half later. a game of this magnitude. However, with the help of Saatchi Again on Sunday we were driven to the site to fill in & Saatchi’s vast advertising budget, the director (Henry Alex- and retake shots from the previous day. This was however Rubin) managed to convince me to feature in his advert. a repetitive and timely process. Overall my experience of In order to create the most authentic reaction possible for Watford’s journey to the FA cup final was mainly viewed through the final, I was requested to pick a friend to feature with me in the perspective of the EE commercial. It was an amazing the commercial. For this I picked an Old Boy of the school: Siraaj opportunity and experience and one that I wish to take forward Shah, who was delighted to accept the paycheck. with me forever imprinted upon my memory. On the morning of the 18th, a car was sent to my house to Tasman Townsley L6R

Mental Health Forum The Mental Health Forum was an event organised by the psychotherapist, and until her recent retirement our SENCo, with Wellbeing Head Prefects, Ayo Fasanya and Ethan Meller and over 30 years’ experience of supporting the emotional wellbeing superbly presented by the Head Boy, Colm Finnegan. The key of students at WBGS and Sean McCullagh and Peter Tierney, aim of the forum was to encourage an open conversation Managing Director and Director respectively of the construction around men’s mental health, thus breaking down the taboo and contractor TGM, who are kindly sponsoring the “Mind To Be Kind” preparing the young men of Watford Boys for the mental health initiative in school. challenges that they may face as they enter adulthood. The panel discussion chaired by Colm Finnegan was a The evening began with a speech from Sally Olohan MBE, great way of providing a variety of expert opinion on men’s Head of Student Support and Residential Life at the University mental health, which was to prove to be extremely beneficial to of Westminster and, formerly, Head of Student Support Services both parents and students in attendance. We are also pleased at Nottingham Trent University for 20 years. She gave an that the event raised £300 out of voluntary donations for the invaluable insight into her experience and knowledge of mental school’s mental health charities, CALM and Samaritans. Finally, health at university. This was then followed by a panel discussion as a Head Prefect Team, we would like this to become an annual and an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions. event in order to maintain mental health as a priority for the The panel included Harry Biggs-Davison, a trustee of the charity school. Papyrus; Joe Owers, a youth councillor at MIND; Dr Gaye Gunton, Ethan Meller U6P

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 27 Teachers’ Talents Many of our teachers have interests that they pursue avidly that are well outside the area they teach. Some sixth form English students interviewed a number of teachers to find out more.

Ms Wood (English Department) speaks fluent Spanish How did you learn Spanish? I lived in Madrid for several years and moved there without being able to speak Spanish, so by necessity, I learnt while I lived there. Learning a language this way is very different to a school- based approach. The first thing you learn is to react in conversations; you pick up set phrases which give the false impression of fluency. “Qué bueno!” and “Qué gracioso!” can carry you through a number of initial conversations, but you quickly flounder when you have to tell your own stories. So I went to classes and took part in language exchanges - this is where you meet someone for coffee and spend half the time speaking (or attempting to speak) in your chosen language, and the other half reciprocating, allowing the other person to practise their English. This can be rather halting at first but gradually your fluency and understanding develops. It’s a bit like a radio with bad signal, at first you just pick up single words and lots of static, and slowly there is less Mr Brookes static until finally you can hear and understand (Design and Technology Department) what’s going on around you. and African Tree Frogs Mr Brookes does not spend all of time in the DT rooms. At home, in the evenings, What are the differences between British and he cares for his three White’s tree frogs, named Kermella, Lily and Jeremiah. Mr Spanish culture? Brookes had an interest in nature from an early age, but is unable to have any pets Personal space and physical contact! I think with fur due to his asthma. However, still intrigued by nature, he gained interest in the Spanish naturally stand far closer to their the reptilian and amphibian worlds, where frogs eventually grabbed his interest. listener in a conversation – it’s only when you find It is probably this love of nature that leads to his love of woodwork and design yourself leaning back in a conversation that you technology. realise the British like a good two to three feet of Mr Brookes keeps his three frogs at home in a large vivarium, full of foliage, distance in a conversation. small logs and a constant supply of UV light that mimics the daylight cycle. He Casual displays of affection are quite is also connected with two large charities that work towards rescuing frogs from different. I watched a Spanish police officer being mistreated, and rehomes these frogs, giving them a brighter future to look absent-mindedly stroking the hair of his forward to. The effects of this marvellous work is easily demonstrated by the colleague, which struck me as natural, unguarded oldest frog Mr Brookes keeps, Kermella, who is currently 18 years old, despite affection between two friends, whereas here, it the average lifespan of the White’s frog being 15, demonstrating the impact might be deemed invasive. that rescuing these frogs has. There is also Lily, who came to Mr Brookes as a malnourished, skinny frog with “red leg” an infection caused from malnutrition How do you think this has benefited you? and mistreatment. Now, however, with lots of TLC (and crickets for dinner) she I would recommend the experience of living is healthier and happier than ever. This hobby does however have a serious abroad to students, not just from a language- background, as the world’s frog population is in danger from the chytrid fungus, learning perspective, but because it makes your a fungus common in tropical countries that is incredibly fatal to frogs, and is the world larger. You might find a place you feel more cause for the last remaining golden toads to be taken into captivity in order to at home than your actual home, or a place that try and conserve and save the species. Biomedical scientists are even looking makes you really glad to live where you do, but in into developing plasters from tortoise skin, due to its “breathable” nature. A final either case, your frame of reference will become interesting fact about these amphibians is that they have no gag reflex, and to broader - which can only be a good thing. swallow their food actually push it down their throat with their eyeballs! David Mortimer L6P Ben Roig L6F

28 SCHOOL LIFE Mr Wallis (Games Department) Birds I’ve been into nature and the outdoors since a child. I used to go walking with my grandfather around Ashridge golf club (looking for golf balls as he was captain there) and he would point out the different types of trees, mushrooms and wildlife including birds. I really started to take more of an interest in birds after I was playing cricket in about 1995 when I was 15 at John Paul Getty’s ground at Wormsley Park in Buckinghamshire when I saw a single red kite, swooping around all day. That was a rare sight in those days. I thought it was an eagle but my dad told me the story of the red kites troubles in England and Wales and how they were now being reintroduced. Mr Grinham (Geography Thankfully it’s been a real success story and now they are abundant. After that I took Department) Hockey a particular interest in the raptors in particular. Mr Grinham has been a sedulous and I have never been a ‘twitcher’, in which people travel to see single birds and tick cooperative member of the WBGS staff them off their list, but over the years I have been all over the country and just enjoy a for years and has not only assisted in the walk, a good pub stop (or two) and the companionship with my friend who I used to Geography department but also in the spot with before he sadly passed away this year. We would set ourselves a challenge Sports department ensuring students with to see how many different types of birds we could see in a day and regularly saw over interests in hockey improve and play to the 50 (if you look out of your kitchen window you will probably see 10-15 that you know best of their capabilities. without knowing much about birds). Mr Grinham attended Loughborough When I’m not teaching, playing or coaching sport, I always try to get out and University in Leicestershire where he amongst nature as often as I can. It’s a great escape and stress reliever and it’s studied Politics and Geography but also amazing how quickly one can learn names of all types of wildlife without even trying. played hockey to a high standard. Playing I always carry a set on binoculars in the back of my truck because you never know at university wasn’t enough to satisfy Mr when something interesting will be staring back at you! Grinham’s passion for hockey, and he GW was successful in joining a hockey club in North London called Southgate. This club played in the national league - the football Mrs Marshall equivalent of the Premier League - and (English Department) Mr Grinham started there when he was Sewing and Knitting 18 years of age and continued there for another 16 years. Indoor hockey is quite At what point did your interest in sewing and popular in eastern regions of Europe, and knitting come about? Southgate were also represented by Mr I was taught by my mother and it’s one of Grinham at the European indoor hockey those skills we don’t get taught by our parents finals in the Czech Republic. anymore because you don’t need to learn how Mr Grinham had the task of to make dresses; you don’t need to learn how captaining Southgate from 2005 - 2007. to knit, because you can just go out and buy After his 16 year career at Southgate Mr clothes. In common with a lot of people of her Grinham coached locally at West Herts generation, my mother did know how to make from 2014 - 2016 when their first team her own clothes, she did know how to knit, was in the National league. Only recently probably because in the years that she grew did Southgate get a warm return from Mr up in it was a more important skill to have. And Grinham who is now the head coach there, that’s because if you didn’t have that capability training the first team and looking after the during the war years, you didn’t get new clothes Junior Development. and she carried on making hers on for the rest In 2007 Mr Grinham made his of her life. It is something I have picked up debut for the Welsh national team after again in adult life. undergoing camps and trials to arrive at I enjoy doing sewing and knitting and I this milestone. He had competed in many think it is very therapeutic. It takes a lot of time international tournaments with Wales and I think it is a skill that has been lost, to including the Home Nations (consisting some extent, but it is also a skill that is generally of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland); admired. When I make something that looks on tour to Belgium where he played good, I’m able to take pride in it. I make clothes their national team and had a fixture for a lot of people including my children. There in Prague and also participated in the are other members of the English department Hockey Euro Championship in Portugal who have been the beneficiaries of uniquely 2007. Mr Grinham played internationally designed sleeveless mittens, alterations and for Wales for approximately 1 year and repairs of clothing. said he really appreciated and benefited David Mortimer L6P from his time there. Qays Judge 9G

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 29 Dr Purcell - Drums How did your passion for drumming begin and what do you most enjoy? I turned 50 a few years ago and hadn’t played an instrument at any point up till then other than occasional practising on a piano. When I thought about it I realised that one thing I regretted was not playing a musical instrument. After thinking about it for a while, I thought what could be so difficult about hitting things and so I gave drumming a go. I figured out very early on that hitting things is quite difficult, if you wanted to do it in time or with a consistent pattern. Despite the fact that I found it quite difficult, I persevered and after about two years I went from being a beginner drummer to a bad drummer, and progressed since. About three or four years ago, a group of friends and I formed our first band Mr Eastley which was an interesting experience at middle age. So a number of us started (Maths Department) rehearsing and performing, and initially it was a complete and utter disaster. has been a professional However, with lots of practice and a dozen or so performances later, we were Chorister at least decent and even got paid! Then, bizarrely, the band broke up but now I’m in my second band and we’re still practising and we’re still playing gigs occasionally. What was the original university research Playing with other people is definitely the highlight and also the challenge of you were doing before you went into being given a new piece of music, which I can’t immediately play. It takes a couple music? of weeks to get at least the bones of something together where I then practise it I was researching how to make a better and improve it to a point where I can perform with people. version of a DVD or a better version of Playing live is the most fun and rewarding, though it is the most stressful by a blu-ray: how to put a terabyte or so of far, even if it’s just down in a small pub, it’s still pretty enjoyable. storage onto a single optical disc. At the time I was doing this I used to sing up with Do you find it difficult to balance your particular hobbies and other the Exeter College, Oxford Chapel Choir at responsibilities? How would you encourage others to approach their hobbies the weekends at the Sunday services. whilst surrounded with studies or other responsibilities? Why did you change career to singing? Now my family has all grown up I have a lot of time, so this is a perfect time. I think it’s I’d been doing post-graduate research quite difficult to balance learning a musical instrument whilst you’re studying or in an for a few years, but had always had an intensive career. To learn to play a musical instrument you have to play it every day and if interest in music. I had played the violin you don’t have the time then it’s very hard to schedule it. The advantage of learning to play since I was about 8 or 9 and had played an instrument when you’re young is that you can learn quickly compared to when you’re the piano since I was about 8. I had also older, when it takes longer. So I have to spend more time practising. But now I’m lucky as played the organ and had been singing I don’t have as many commitments, so I spend a lot of time hitting things. since I was very young. So I dropped Jack Osborne l6G the research and followed my interest, which musically is early music, by that I mean Bach and earlier. At the time, there weren’t many places you could study that, it was either Basel in Switzerland, which at the time only took students who spoke fluent German. Otherwise it was the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague in the Netherlands, and they didn’t require you to speak Dutch. So I went out to Holland where I did a Bachelors and a Masters, and I was out there for 6 years supporting myself by doing singing as paid work. I was part of an ensemble that performed quite a lot across Europe and across to New York and Boston doing late medieval music. This was music that people didn’t really know how to perform because the manuscripts are hideously difficult to decipher. These were late fourteenth century, so the notation they were using was very, very different and people had a nasty habit of reusing parchment for things like tax returns, making it even more difficult to read. David Mortimer L6P

30 SCHOOL LIFE Ms Kotecha (Modern Foreign Languages) Dance

How did your background in dance begin? I started dancing when I was four, whilst abroad in Kenya. I was sent to Indian classical dance classes and carried on all the way through till I was about 16 working through grades as you would with, for example, musical instruments. However, I had to stop just before my GCSEs because exams took priority. But between the ages of 16-25 I decided to carry on mainly as a solo performer as this meant I could choreograph my own performances and wear all the clothes I wanted, and select my own choice of music As a dancer it’s often more creative and fulfilling being able to do this. When I was 22, I decided to rejoin a group for the first time and I had a lot of fun with them but when you get into the world of work, many people give up their hobbies because they think that they don’t have time.

How do you balance dancing and teaching? Is finding a balance between social activities and teaching the most difficult? For me, I think that dance is my way to relax, unwind and get away from everything. The main thing is allocating time to each day, no matter what’s going on, you need a certain part of your day just for yourself. For some people that means just going out and going There are also mental health benefits of a hobby like for a walk somewhere and for me it meant my music and my mine too. It gives you have that energy, space and time within dance. When you have lots going on you feel that it’s not as yourself to become who you want which helps makes you a important to keep what you love outside of your studies or your whole person. job. Sometimes I can be tempted to not dance, but I make my When doing your A levels, the one thing to not forget self and the after effect is that I feel fulfilled and really glad that about is your hobbies so that you can’t carry them on at I did it and would have regretted it if I had not. I feel energised university or wherever you go. and healthier too. David Mortimer L6P

London Marathon Runners The students in the school are active fundraisers for charity and this year some staff have been going several extra miles including Mr Russel-Ponte and Mr Nutter. Mr Russel-Ponte ran the London Marathon in aid of a charity called Womankind, which works with women’s charities and movements around the world to provide employment opportunities, training and shelter to women and girls who would otherwise have very bleak lives. Since the charity was set up in 1989 it has supported over 18m women and girls worldwide, helping them transform their lives for the better. Mr Nutter also ran the London Marathon in aid of Afghan Aid, a charity set up which helps rebuild Afghanistan’s economy and empowers its people to enjoy a better life after decades of unrest and war. We were pleased to have the opportunity to support both these worthwhile charities and also have two marathon runners on our staff.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 31 EPQ Extracts The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) allows each student to embark on a largely self- directed and self-motivated project. Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea and decide on their finished product. It requires detailed independent research and meticulous planning.

Is it possible to make a tenor ukulele at home from scratch?(Edited) James Cox U6N

Introduction However, Wandel did use many steps which I (Aelterman 2009) which gave me useful I wanted to make a musical instrument to test found a little confusing, as explained later, so advice to reduce the possibility of errors. my woodworking skills and to push them to the I preferred using other videos with different Following the guidelines outlined on the limit. This is because an instrument requires methods for certain techniques. website I attempted laminating which was high precision in order for it to work and it is My next research area was that of successful and it saved a substantial amount something that I have never done before as learning to bend the wood in order to shape of money. my experience has only been to make furniture the sides of the instrument. I researched Another process which I researched and small items. I had originally planned to many ways such as steam bending, using a further was the kerfing in the body of the make a violin. However, due to the complexity bending iron and using a heating blanket. instrument. The purpose of this is to add and specific nature of violins, I knew I would The most common method to bend the sides surface area for the glue when joining the need further guidance from a teacher. So, I of a ukulele was steam bending. This means sides to the front and back panels. Wandel decided to make a ukulele. This was still a very inserting the wood in a steam box, waiting used offcuts from the bending of the sides to complex task but it allowed me more flexibility approximately 20 minutes for it to become do this. Instead I researched other methods with the design and I was able to adapt some flexible and then quickly compressing it into as I felt there could be a superior method to of the parts, for example, materials and one of the moulds and letting it dry. However, increase the surface area. I came across a features of the instrument to express my own after the wood dried and I took the oak out method mainly for guitars but also sometimes tastes. This, more importantly, allowed me to of the mould, I noticed many black dots had ukuleles. The method is where strips of wood fully research and find out how to make the developed on the surface. Initially I thought have slits cut into them allowing for easy product independently. At the same time, I it may be mould from moisture in the steam bending and flexibility. I found a very useful could prove to myself that I could succeed box and lack of sufficient drying to the wood. video by Rowan Dicks (Dicks 2016), which without guidance. However, after further research (Sketchglass demonstrated a simple way to cut the slits 2016), I found out that the black spots were including the making and setting up of a jig Research actually iron oxide stains caused by prolonged to allow repeated cuts at the same distance My main resource for gaining information exposure to water and metal. The iron oxide apart quickly and accurately. was YouTube. This was very helpful as I reacts with the tannins in the wood and Another area of the build that I could watch the processes unfold as well stains it black. To rectify this problem, I had to explored was the bridge. Personally, I did as being shown how to do them which is order some more timber. However, this time not find Wandel’s bridge visually appealing very useful when it comes to learning new I ordered American Walnut as I envisaged as he had visible screws at the bottom of skills. The most informative resource on an aesthetic contrast between the front and the body and a loose piece of wood which YouTube was from the channel by Matthias back panels. After the complications with increases the tension in the strings. This Wandel. His playlist of videos alongside his steam bending I explored other options; the method looked simple to complete however website ‘woodgears’ explained the processes next possible method was to use a bending the aesthetics suffered and I really wanted thoroughly. This was his first time building iron. As I researched, I found out that these the ukulele to not only be a functional a ukulele and therefore this meant that he bending irons cost upwards of £100 and this instrument but also a work of art. Therefore, did not skim over any areas and he used was also true of a heating blanket, so I tried I used the more traditional bridge method common, instead of specialised, ukulele searching for other ideas. Whilst researching which I had seen many other designs using tools which many other videos used as they bending wood, I came across the process of which I believed looked superior. This were created by professional makers. I also laminating which is when very thin pieces traditional bridge was glued to the front found it interesting that Wandel included of wood are glued together, inserted into panel below the sound hole. a professional ukulele maker, Pat Hawley, a mould and dried. I had not come across There is a vast number of different to explain how he undertook some of the using laminating before on ukulele builds, as means to finishing a musical instrument, processes on a different ukulele so it was this is not a common approach. I used a very therefore I researched the different methods useful to compare the two different methods. informative website, Canadian Woodworking, on several different websites (including Maz

32 SCHOOL LIFE 2011, Orpheo 2012) which included gloss, and I don’t have the facility to do this at matte or painted. I chose the gloss finish as home, although a can of spray varnish would I thought it would look more professional. have still given a better finish than using a Within gloss there are many different brush. In terms of the fretboard, if I had used varnishes to use which include acrylic, a CNC router, I could have made the fretboard polyurethane, polyester and nitrocellulose. I much more accurate as it would have cut the decided to use polyurethane after weighing slots for the frets perfectly perpendicular up the advantages and disadvantages to the sides and at the right location to the of the other possibilities. The benefits of nearest 10th of a millimetre. Instead I used a polyurethane is that it provides a hard hand Japanese saw which I tried my best to protection so it will withstand use and be as accurate as possible with, but it could light scratches and it will also not alter the have been improved with a machine. Also, if I colour of the natural wood which many other was to make another ukulele I would choose finishes do. I also learned from many forums a different wood species for the front and that polyurethane, if applied too heavily, back panels as oak does not have a smooth can make the wood species appear fake, surface even after thorough sanding due to therefore I thinned it down with white spirit the deep pores in the grain. Instead, I would which was recommended by many luthiers use another species such as maple or spruce. with a 50:50 ratio (Yeltsin 2002) and this also allowed a further even surface coverage. The school’s Head of Music Stephen Hussey comments: Budget What impressed me the most about the My original budget was £40. The initial ukulele was the attention to detail that had purchases remained under this budget. been given to the instrument, not only the However, after the complication with the quality of the finish, but also the precise oak sides, I had to purchase the American positioning of the metal frets, the perfect Walnut which resulted in exceeding the placement of the tuners on the back of the budget by £6.87. headstock and the beautiful contrast in the two woods used for the construction of Evaluation the main part of the instrument. Creating This project was a huge success as I was a musical instrument is not just about the able to make a fully functioning instrument. looks, however, and having played the I was able to teach myself a few chords to strings, they were perfectly in tune and on play and strum to check the ukulele fulfilled playing a few chords, it was clear that this its purpose. However, I know it is not perfect instrument was capable of producing a very as I feel there are a few things that I would do rich sound. This is not a quickly constructed differently if I was to make another ukulele instrument thrown together for a school in the future, such as the finishing. If I had project. Much love and dedication has gone used a spray varnish in a spray booth, instead into its construction and it is very evident of using a brush, it would have given a that the technician has an incredible level of smoother finish as it would have had a more craftsmanship even coverage. This, however, is expensive

Holocaust Memorial Day On the the 4th of February 2019, Watford Boys Grammar pictures we were shown showed malnourished people, and Kings Langley Schools went to the Watford Synagogue child labour and families being split apart. for the Holocaust Memorial Day, where we were greeted by We went back to the hall to have a testimony from the Rabbi, who gave us a few words about the theme “Torn Mr Goldberg, a survivor who told us about his suffering From Home” and what happened to the Jews. and how he was treated. After the testimony, we had 1 After we had been split into groups, we took part in minute of silence to remember the 6 million Jews who a workshop in which we did a knowledge quiz about the were affected by the holocaust. To start the silence, the Holocaust and were shown pictures and inhumane laws of Rabbi lit a candle. Overall, we learned how the Jews were how the Jews were treated and their human rights taken mistreated and how the children and parents felt when away from them. We were informed about ghettos and they were split from their family. the harsh environment surrounding them. Some of the Aizaz Haq 9F

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 33 To what extent is heritage a good justification for Southern pride in the Confederate Battle Flag? (Edited extracts) Osman Zahoor U6P

The Confederate Battle Flag has been a recurring feature in American “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institute of slavery --- the current affairs and politics for over 150 years, since the end of the greatest material interest of the world”. This highlights how the Confederacy American Civil War itself. In 2015, there was a shooting at the Emanuel fought to retain slavery for economic benefit, and therefore that it is wrong African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, which killed 9 to show pride in the flag since it promotes the institution of slavery. This African Americans. This was an atrocity, but it had a disturbing link to in turn highlights how the flag has little to do with Southern heritage the Confederate Battle Flag. The shooter, Dylann Roof, was pictured and reinforces the argument for hatred. The flag has also been heavily before the shooting posing with a variety of flags that advocated white associated with racial supremacist groups which have taken to using it supremacy - this included the Confederate Battle Flag. This brought the frequently. The Klu Klux Klan, America’s most famous white supremacist question of the flag’s heritage into the sphere of public debate, which group, used it in the 1950s and 1960s during the civil rights movement. This further led to controversy over the role the flag played in history and was part of a campaign to prevent desegregation, as the group believed that whether or not it should be supported. Additionally, South Carolina whites were superior and should remain separate from black people. The Governor Nikki Haley’s decision to ban the flag from the Capitol grounds fact that the flag was so readily adopted before by these groups emphasises in July 2015 further fuelled controversy over the flag. its connotations with racism and hatred, less so heritage. Ultimately, the In order to begin to analyse the heritage of the flag and what flag would not have been employed in popular culture later if it was not interpretations can be drawn from it, a closer look is needed at the history used during this period. As discussed earlier, the Dixiecrat Party, founded of the flag. The flag first came into use during the American Civil War, which in 1948, was another group that heavily used the flag to protest against lasted from 1861 to 1865. The war began when 11 states seceded from the the civil rights. Therefore, this association with opposition to the civil rights USA from 1860 to 1861. This was over the issue of slavery, as Abraham movement represents how many groups used the flag to protest against the Lincoln decided to ban slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation across integration of blacks into American society. The problem in why there is so the Union. In this context, the flag was used as the battle flag of the army of much pride in the flag is due to historical revisionism. This illustrates how Northern Virginia but was not the official flag of the Confederacy. It was the this interpretation of history largely draws upon revisionist history to justify battle flag of Robert E Lee’s military unit, one of the most renowned generals its cause. This emphasises how the flag has been distorted from its original of the civil war. After the civil war, the flag was incorporated into several purpose, and that original purpose was to promote racism and slavery. states’ flags, including Mississippi in 1894, Georgia in 1956 and was placed Relating to the question, this could perhaps highlight how heritage is in in the Southern states during the 1950s and the 1960s. Part of the reason fact hate, and therefore the argument for pride in the Southern pride due to of this surge in the number of Confederate Battle flags was due to the rise heritage is essentially advocating hate. of a new political party in 1948 called the Dixiecrats. This was led by Strom However, the argument for heritage must also be considered. This Thurmond, a senator in South Carolina, and advocated racial segregation justification explains why many Southerners support the flag, as they during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the see it as an essential part of their history and heritage. Heritage refers only state that still has the Confederate Battle flag in it is Mississippi, which to the origins and background of the South, and in America’s case refers widely rejected to change their flag in a 2001 referendum. Various groups to how the unique identity of the South was created. This is described still advocate for the use of the flag like the Sons of Confederate Veterans, by Wright and Esses who argue that, “For some, the flag is a symbol of a which argue for the use of the flag. This has led to two sides developing Southern heritage predicated on heroism and sacrifice”. This is explained on the issue of the Confederate Battle flag and is the reason why I wanted as the flag to many represents the struggle their ancestors underwent to research this topic, due to the heated controversy over this piece of and the bravery they displayed. Consequently, history plays a big part in historical memorabilia. On one hand, people argue that the flag is hateful. support in the flag. Wright and Esses also argue that “Often combined This is due to the flag’s association with slavery during the civil war, its use with this view is the position that groups in opposition to Confederate by racial supremacist groups, its use during the civil rights movement of symbols are engaged in a cultural genocide and revisionist history”. This the 1960s and the historical revisionism associated with the flag. However, can be justified, since the Confederate Battle Flag was a fairly prominent many also argue that the flag is a symbol of regional pride. This is because part of Southern history, and therefore simply ignoring can be seen as it is a reminder of the plight of the southern people, it is an integral part revisionism. The flag can also be seen as part of Southern popular culture. of southern history, and it is a sense of asserting independence from the This is due to the flag’s numerous pop culture references in the 1970s federal government. This essay will analyse the historical interpretations and 1980s. Particularly, was the TV show, Dukes of Hazzard, which ran and uses of the flag to ultimately determine whether or not heritage is a from 1979 to 1985. This show featured a Confederate Battle flag painted good justification for Southern pride in the Confederate Battle Flag. on the roof of the car that the main character drove and was immensely Firstly, there is evidence to support the argument for the flag popular. Therefore, many Southerners grew up with the flag as a part of representing hatred in America. In the American Civil War, the flag’s use the popular culture at the time. This partly explains why support of the needs to be analysed to determine the ultimate purpose of using of the flag. Confederacy, and thereby the Confederate Battle Flag, is partly influenced The Confederacy ultimately rebelled due to slavery, because the Southern by heritage and nostalgia. Therefore, many of the flag’s supporters reject economy was largely deindustrialised, and so still depended largely on slave the history of the flag and prefer to view it from a modern perspective as labour. As Keegan (2009) describes, “The South remained, as the North representative of Southern culture and history. Another key argument is had been in the 18th century, agrarian and rural, with most Southerners the symbolic ethnicity associated with the flag. Gans’s theory suggests living on the land and working as subsistence farmers…”, highlighting that as the South becomes more like the rest of the country, younger the deindustrialisation associated with the Southern states. Therefore, southerners will be more supportive of the Confederate Battle flag—a the use of the Confederate Battle flag can be associated with the fight to symbol that they associate with their heritage.” This argument aligns with retain slave labour for economic gain, and thus it has negative connotations the heritage argument as it proves how Southerners are desperate to among many Black Americans and so this disproves the argument for the retain a sense of regional identity, seen by their desire to represent them flag representing heritage and supports the argument for hate. This can be as rebellious and different to the rest of the USA as an attempt to seem further justified by looking at the constitutions of the states that seceded. unique. This provides some justification for pride in the Confederate Battle For example, the top of Mississippi’s Confederate Constitution states that Flag as a consequence of heritage.

34 SCHOOL LIFE Macbeth Theatre Trip Harry Baker Review Something that has always impressed me is the wealth of From the oppressive blackness of the Autumn night, the Barbican’s towers opportunities our school provides in all sectors - from Physics rose as behemoths of light. Its architecture has long been revered as an icon of to PRE, and it’s fair to say I wasn’t disappointed by our most Brutalism,English a modernist menhir indicative of the postwar pragmatism that existed &recent speaker, HarryDrama Baker. For those of you who don’t know, in London. From the stuffiness of the coach, the true extent of the complex was Baker is a “Slam Poet”, who was born in 1984. In fact, he concealed, with only the unapologetic concrete facade visible. studied maths, but as he pointed out to us, this hasn’t held From the heart of this urban jungle, it was bizarre to think that moments him back! He was the world’s youngest Slam Poetry champion later we would be returning to the heartland of Scotland - Dunsinane, Glamis, in 2012, meaning that for him to come to our school to perform Forres, Inverness. The rolling lowlands of medieval Perthshire could not be more some of his poetry felt like a great honour. For year 10 and 11 alien to the Barbican centre’s harshness. However, the austerity of the buildings especially, it was also an excellent experience when it comes to stood in contrast to the warmth emanating from within. The atrium (cavernous as analysing poetry for our English lessons. it was) buzzed with energy. The excitement was palpable. The Scottish Play was Harry had a variety of poems to recount to us, with soon to begin. topics ranging from bees to Paper People. His poems were full Walls panelled with russet fabric and piped with bronze, the theatre of devices which made them stand out when performed, such itself was regal. As the lights dimmed and the curtains parted, the voices as alliteration with Paper People. This made them thoroughly of the crowd fell silent. For many of us, this was not just our maiden trip to exciting to be a part of. In addition, Harry’s intensity when see Macbeth, but Shakespeare as a whole. For months we had studied his presenting, and the almost “different persona” he used to work on the page, but now we were to experience its life on stage. As the perform his poems, as opposed to when he was telling us three witches entered, it was clear this was going to be unconventional. about his life was refreshing. A personal favourite of Harry’s For one, the witches appeared to not be witches but instead girls in poems was ‘falafel löffel’ which recently hit the headlines pyjamas clutching teddy bears. This was quite a contrast to the hags on the due to its mix of English and German lyrics. With a call and heath. The unexpected setting, characters and costumes were sewn together by response mechanic, it got many of the audience members an ominous digital clock which hung above the stage - counting down, without excited, while the idea that it could be immersive for two explanation. Christopher Eccleston, playing Macbeth, wore army fatigues as he disparate populations seemed fun to me. The playful way in spoke in Jacobean English, a conflict which highlighted the eternal relevance of which Baker created this poem, by mixing words that were the play’s themes - the danger of ambition and the allure of evil. fun and similar, was interesting because it brought back the Niamh Cusack translated the manipulative, ambitious and cunning of idea of having fun with poetry, into our minds. Having read Lady Macbeth to the stage with ease, but also revealed the fragility of the woman significantly more 19th Century poetry than one could hope within. The terror and instability in her voice as Macbeth returned from King for with the AQA Anthology, it was nice to be inspired again by Duncan’s murder shed light on her lack of confidence. Stumbling around in Act some modern, humorous poetry. Five muttering “Out damned spot”, minutes before her suicide, Cusack presented The idea that we took from Baker’s talk, that poetry a character who was broken. can encompass so many disciplines seemed something quite As the events of the play transpired, two features of the play remained transformative, because I personally found poetry a little boring permanent. The first was the Porter, a character who appears in only one beforehand. His Paper People poem is a merry exploration of scene, but in Findlay’s version, sat idly at the back of the stage throughout. As plosives, yet really it’s a profound metaphor about civilisation, the tyranny of Macbeth’s despotism caused the death count to rise, he began and politics. In addition, having studied maths, but to end up to mark each fatality with chalk; by the time of Macbeth’s death, the formerly as a poetry performer demonstrates the versatility of poetry. black wall was marked with the scrawls of tallies. The victims of his reign were The idea that poems can be entertaining, that they can describe numerous, yet the relationship with Eccleston had been established, and your interests, and that they can be fun but simultaneously empathy for his position remained. symbolic was really exciting, because it changed many of our The second constant was the clock. As it counted down, Macbeth’s reign attitudes towards poetry, and English as a whole. became ever more unstable. Upon dropping below ten minutes, Macbeth’s Overall, Harry Baker’s talk was entertaining, informative insanity was clear, his belief in the witches fixed and his fate sealed. At five minutes and eye-opening. He described his life, and his achievements, Macduff had invaded Scotland and Macbeth stood in denial. As the clock tipped but interspersed his story with some excellent poems, leaving us into the final minute, the tension had reached its height; the two armies faced each with life-lessons as well as English ones, and overall a lot to think other at Glamis and Macduff revealed the equivocation of the witches. A weakened about. However, the most prominent question in our minds was: Macbeth, without wife or witches, madly begins to duel. Wie viel Falafel ist zu viel Falafel? The clock tips into the tens as swords clashed onstage. (How much falafel is too much falafel?) Macduff’s sword makes contact. Hamish Starling 10C The clock hits zero. Macbeth’s head topples to the floor.

This clock highlighted that Macbeth’s fate was predetermined. His final breath dictated by its final seconds. Upon the coronation of King Malcolm, the clock blinked once again to life, the digits illuminating the witches, watching from the wings. Outside, harsh lights of the Barbican precinct lurched us back into reality. As the coach returned through bleary London streets, the atmosphere had shifted. A reflective mood hung like fog. The innards of the great beast of the Barbican had moved us and the experiences of the night were impressed upon us. Luke Dale 11F

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 35 Year 7 Jack and the Beanstalk Travel Writing Inspired by The Great Exhibition Pantomime Trip Years Ago Review extracts I remember, years ago, when I was just a child. The walk to the panto was fun as I got to have a chat with There was a place where I would wander, my friends and had a bit of exercise while I was at it too. The across a heaven of things. Reeled in by strings scents and diversity of the market were mouth-watering. of curiosity, In the performance itself, I felt like the acting was and held back by nothing- relatively good, although there were parts here and there Mazes of porcelain and marble gates, where it was a bit iffy. cages of beasts that boast patriotism, power. The actual setting and context of the plot had been A palace of glass, a tower of ice, a crystal mansion, twice changed dramatically. However, I found the set quite removed and made to last aesthetically pleasing and it was extremely complex. much more than just two generations. The songs they sung were quite outdated (early to Surges of excitable men, nervous mothers with mid 2010s) yet they still had some modern tracks in there giddy children, (e.g ‘Baby Shark’); the audience was very enthusiastic, but pointing at remnants of a stolen culture. “Look at the train-!” it was made up of mainly Year 1s and 2s. It carries more weight than you could ever know. Harry Harvey 7N “Is that a gun?”- “No, don’t be daft- I really enjoyed the performance of Jack and the Beanstalk it’s a trophy, of a war because I feel like the actors really engaged with the that only Britain has won.” - audience by making funny jokes, asking people up to the But don’t reward cabinets always expire? stage and singing songs. They wither, and their glory will surely soon The storyline was very creative and slightly different to retire, to ruin. the normal ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ most people know. All What will happen? Something unseen- of the actors were extremely talented at acting, singing and Nothing could clear Britain’s unclean screen of a smoke-stained, fire-burnt sky. dancing, which enabled them to really catch the audience’s As wheels turned attention. The atmosphere was electric as the audience and cogs revolved, applauded loudly, some of them shouting and cheering, which Something unholy was being made. made it additionally exciting. As well as that, the music helped Hidden in glistening water, to change the mood for example waiting for the entrance of the a castle of animals, a circus for Kings. evil Knightshade. It was the embodiment of an Empire- I think that the backstage crew did well to quickly to see their world in a grain of land- change the sets between every scene. It was beautifully Not just any land, it’s our land, the King’s decorated to an impeccable standard. The artists also did Great Plan, a great job with all of the costumes and props which made stretching between colonies, cities, towns- each character easily identifiable. I could look down All in all, I really enjoyed my visit and would all I wanted, but Britain said it clearer: recommend it to anyone who likes a laugh. Her prestige and pride would never waver. Rahm Moore 7N - Except she could. Except she did. I remember, not so long ago, when England’s The pantomime itself was generally good. It was Jack and the treasures Beanstalk but set in Switzerland, with a sassy cow, a gullible turned to dust, burned to ash. Jack (isn’t he always), a bouncy fairy, an intelligent girl, a mother It returned to the state who made many ‘dad jokes’, an evil giant, a henchman who it was born in. was secretly a cook and a town mayor who looked down at Jack. Her lovers roared, but did nothing to help, It didn’t matter- it was all part of the show! The original plot of Jack and the Beanstalk was 85 years, lived! altered to include references to modern-day trends like but only 83 to go. Fortnite and Baby Shark, as well as including Watford (Jack 25 acres left of a broken palace, had come from Watford). It also included an extremely all reduced to anguish, because unnecessary romance between Jack and the girl, and Jack’s our precious rewards went up with it. They say the fire lit up the night, mother and the town mayor (who was the father of the girl). They say it went down in glorious flames. The performance put on by the actors was very But what’s Great about culture, entertaining. Nevertheless, I still felt that the storyline and when it’s not our name acting could have been improved (apart from the cow — being called out among the wreckage? that was perfect acting). If it isn’t her name being cried? But then I suppose it’s just a shame, Joseph Haddo 7N that no one really died. Christopher Tang L6T

36 ENGLISH Persuasive Speeches Inequality in a Meritocracy In this school, there are many talented, intelligent people capable of in change, helping to render our generation the most warm and fantastic things, some of whom will inevitably proceed to have their tolerant of differences: races and genders. But our society is not name engraved in history with a remarkable legacy. But somewhere reflective of that shift, instead, society is overcome by nostalgia for in the world, perhaps the forests of Finland or maybe the villages of superiority. Vietnam, is someone far more capable than all of us combined. We One of the most controversial affairs in my life has been the will never hear their name. foreign intervention in the Middle East, and some of the atrocities Talent, ability, skill - they are distributed equally throughout the in Iraq and Syria. Could the Iraq War protests be right? Could it be world, but opportunity is not. When we strive for a meritocracy, it leaves the influence of greed or the seduction of wealth and power? Did it a feeling of hopelessness engraved in some people, that they have been cost blood? Whether you believe that the Iraq War was a necessity to left down. Finland and Vietnam are a considerable distance away from remove an oppressive tyrant and protect the world from the possibility us, but inequality and injustice is not. Less than ten minutes away is the of weapons of mass destruction, or if you believe it was an illegal abuse exact personification of inequality, food banks which themselves are now of power that defied the protests of the British public, nobody can struggling, despite people relying on them for survival. They are the reality question the disasters that followed. of the flaws in a meritocracy; that in one of the wealthiest economies, no Iraqis are ordinary people, that shared the same lifestyle we matter how hard some people work, some people will never progress as do, the same type of institutions that we do, the same emotions that far as they should. we do. But the comparison between the sights before and after the But this extends to beyond than just wealth. Perhaps the invasion are heavily broken. They are the failures of our meritocracy, most clear failure of meritocracy is racial inequality. but they shouldn’t be. Emmett Till, a fourteen year old black boy, would become an Whether it be the buildings in Iraq or the collapsing food icon of the Civil Rights movement. The story of him being snatched banks, the killing of fourteen-year-old Emmett Till or the killing of from his home and lynched for supposedly flirting with a white twelve-year-old Tamir Rice, the Rwandan genocide or those being woman in 1955 is shocking to us. His murderers were acquitted. But slaughtered across the world from China to Sudan today, inequality we don’t need to look to 1955. is rooted in our disregard for human life. If we’re considering the contrast between racial inequality in the Could we ever lose our freedom when others are losing theirs? last century and the last decade, it is impossible not to mention the Would we care more then? If we did, perhaps then we would achieve killing of Michael Brown in 2014. Killed by the police sworn to protect peace…peace that is more than just the mere absence of war. him, Michael Brown’s body lay on the street for over four hours. That’s Angela Davis once said that “in a racist society, it is not degrading, that’s significant, that’s…horrible. And sadly, it reminds us of enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist”. We should those lynchings decades earlier, a warning, perhaps, of the dangers to embrace and apply those words to all forms of injustice, we people of something they have no control over: the colour of their skin. don’t. We comfort ourselves in the false pretence that we live in a The unjustifiable choking, shooting and beating of Eric meritocracy, that tragedy is inevitable, and that accountability is an Garner, Philando Castile and Freddie Gray reflects the state of inconvenient necessity. inequality in the supposed “land of the free”. But it was the lack Perhaps we feel too powerless to intervene, or we are too of justice that caused the most resentment to the establishment, ignorant to care, but the loss of value of life, of blood, has infected that in all of those cases, the killers were either acquitted or not every part of our society, every situation of inequality, every case indicted. Sound familiar to Emmett Till? where someone has been failed by an attempt of meritocracy. And The dogs that followed each peaceful protest after a black sadly, yes, I mean it when I say “infected”, not affected. American was shot dead, the choking of tear gas and the horrible Ibrahim Chaudry 10G videos that went viral, all created a movement that has resulted

Why teaching first aid should be compulsory I think First Aid should be compulsory as part of the school life! But we can change those statistics around if we learn first aid. curriculum. When I talk about First Aid I don’t mean how to treat First aid can prove very useful in many scenarios. For instance burns and small cuts. Yes, they are useful skills. But, I mean asthma in the mountains, remote areas or the ocean, help could be too far attacks, allergic reactions, breaking bones, deep cuts and people away for your injured friend, but first aid could keep him alive until being unconscious and not breathing. First aid for these things are that help arrives. In the city, emergency services could be too busy simple but life saving. How many people have witnessed first hand and not be able to come soon enough. any of the situations I just said? I bet most of you have. I know that you are thinking learning about first aid is boring. During my time researching this topic I found some shocking Yes I agree, but if it saves lives I will learn about it. The main reason facts and these were published by the Red Cross. 5% of adults don’t you should learn first aid is it will save lives, keeps you safe as you know or have enough confidence to perform first aid; 7/10 adults will be able to identify dangers. It will keep streets safe. Yes there don’t know enough first aid to help if someone collapses and is has been a lot of news about stabbings recently, but you could keep unresponsive and breathing; 7/10 adults don’t know what to do if a victim alive until emergency services arrive. Help might be too far someone is bleeding heavily; 8/10 adults don’t know what to do if a away as I said, and it can make your friends feel safe. Imagine what baby is choking. Isn’t it scary that if you had choked as a baby, it is it would feel like to save someone’s life. probable that your parents wouldn’t have known how to save your William Farnsworth 7N

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 37 ‘But I haven’t got a favourite book’

This was the cry from members of the English Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien department when they were asked to write a ‘Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.’ paragraph about their ‘fave’ book. People read for Whilst it is impossible to choose just one favourite novel, this would be my all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of places, and desert island choice, partly for its sheer length but also for the fact it contains whether the book is one with paper pages you can everything that a great novel should - action, romance, myth, evil, heroism, love, turn over, or on your phone where you slide them friendship and characters of short stature. For this I am happy to ignore the across, or an audio book, it still counts. fact that Tolkien was a bit of a misogynist and revel in the glorious antics of that So here are a selection of books that the famous fellowship. I do confess to sometimes skipping over the poetry/lyrics but English department chose to write about. It’s not overall his writing is of such high quality that I immerse myself in the journey of a reading list, but parents or boys might like to dip the epic again and again, and keep going back for more. into some of the books. Mrs Marshall

The Penguin Lessons The Shipping News Guns Germs and Steel by Tom Michell by Annie Proulx by Jared Diamond A Year 7 boy recommended this to me. This beautifully crafted novel by the Following a recent school assembly which It’s true story about a young teacher who American Pulitzer prizewinner, Annie Proulx featured this book, I read ‘Guns, Germs and travels to Argentina in the 1970s and is set in the fierce, bleak Newfoundland Steel’ by Jared Diamond. In this non-fiction accidentally rescues a penguin from an oil landscape. It is a great comfort read book, Diamond gives his explanation of slick and smuggles it back into boarding dealing with some serious and rather why different human societies around the school. Juan Salvador (the penguin) sombre, timeless themes but awash in love world developed in different ways and becomes an integral part of school life and quite funny in parts. It is a multiple at different speeds. His fundamental and brings out the best in everyone who page turner with plenty of mysteries to argument is that developmental differences meets him - a book about friendship and unravel as you go along. The book is rich in different societies are not because of any the unconditional love that you get from is metaphor and borders on magic realism genetic superiority or inferiority, or cultural animals. The book does touch on politics at times. superiority or inferiority, but because of in Peron’s Argentina, but it’s really all The protagonist, Quoyle, has made fundamental geographical differences. So, about the penguin. A rewarding read for some bad decisions in his life but becomes for example, European and Asian societies any age. less submissive, gaining confidence in inevitably developed new technologies Ms Howard himself over the course of the novel. The (agriculture, writing, industry, etc) more novel traces this extraordinary journey quickly than South American societies NW by Zadie Smith toward self-discovery when he returns to because the terrain, climate, and available NW is set in North West London and his ancestral home. Now in a place where natural resources in Europe and Asia follows a number of different characters life is as rough as the weather and secrets were far more amenable to technological all of whom are both complex and funny are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a development. – we feel sympathy for them but also job as a reporter for the local paper. What I like about this book is pity. The language is very informal, with A wee gem of a book. Enjoy. that its central argument is so clearly, plenty of swearing in places, but this convincingly, and logically articulated. Its takes nothing away from how seriously Mrs Rafferty central argument is also very important we might take each character. ethically and morally; at the time the book The characters feel familiar to us; A Handful of Dust was written (1997), and even today, many they are young, living in London, have jobs, by Evelyn Waugh people consciously or subconsciously believe that some people or cultures are but also find themselves in challenging This 1920s classic novel is full of biting satire in some way fundamentally superior to situations (drug abuse, birth control, and captures the 1920s English society others. Diamond’s book does an excellent turbulent finances) but ultimately we can with all its contradictions, hypocrisies and job of disproving this belief, and is very learn something very touching about each conflicts. The “bright young things” of this informative and interesting too. of them – kindness and dedication. We are new generation that Waugh focuses on fascinated by them just as often as we’re are shamelessly self absorbed and utterly Mr Gregory devastated for them. vacuous. The novel’s pitiable hero “Tony Zadie Smith has a powerful, relevant Last” is a loveable buffoon and my heart voice that young people need to hear; we bled for him as one of the last relics of can learn so much from her wit, insight and the Victorian honourable gentleman, commentary on immigration, womanhood struggling to survive in a ruthlessly selfish and whatever ‘Englishness’ might mean in society. The pathos that Waugh creates in this increasingly polarised society. this novel is second to none. Mr Clark Mr Roy

38 ENGLISH Short Stories by Anton Chekhov Chekhov was indeed the master of the short story. His description of place is light but convincing so by the end of the first paragraph of any story UNIQ Oxford you are immediately in the countryside, or Yalta, or an apartment, but it is the characters and the human condition that are Chekhov’s concerns and English Trip these are timeless. On the 7th-11th April 2019, I was lucky enough His writing is magical, spare and easily readable, but often so funny to be offered a place at Oxford University’s it makes you laugh out loud at the weaknesses of people, but never in a very own UNIQ residential course. This trip cruel way. Life is often tragic too and in a few pages, Chekhov manages would grant me the experience of living the life to blend comedy and tragedy in stories where you hope for the best, yet of an English Oxford undergraduate for 4 days, realise that the outcome ultimately is inevitably ordinary, especially in and much to my parents’ surprise, everything Lady with a Lapdog, where a serial philanderer, Gurov, has an affair with a was paid for by the university - food and travel, married woman who is not much older than his daughter. At first he finds but most importantly, free food. her constant need for reassurance ‘pathetic’, yet despite himself, he falls in Studying English at Oxford was uncharted love with her, and despite ourselves, we find ourselves liking him. waters for me, considering the fact that A Levels But don’t stop at Chekhov’s short stories. If you get a chance to see were stressful enough. It was a new experience, one of his plays – take it! but with it came a sense of familiarity, and it was Mrs Aitken an opportunity for me to explore my own interest Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier in literature. A book I come back to time and again is ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier. It Upon arriving at St John’s College (where I was published in 1938 but somehow always feels much more modern. The would be staying for those four days), I met my story is told from a brilliantly restricted view point, part of the enjoyment fellow English group - all of which were girls, except for the reader comes from trying to work out how much of what we are one other boy. After exploring the other beautiful told is an accurate reflection of events and how much is imagined by our colleges in Oxford, I found that there was a lot narrator. more to the university than the stereotypical hard- It’s a psychological thriller set against the Gothic backdrop of a working, know-it-all students who lived there. sprawling manor house, called Manderley, and its gardens (the ominously Above all, I was lucky enough to make friends with named “Happy Valley”). Along with its psychological intrigue, this book people there who were passionate about their includes lots of exciting action - sunken ships, deranged strangers wandering subjects, a rare but insightful experience when it the beach, mysterious deaths and possible ghosts. It’s a book that lingers with comes to English. you long after you finish reading it. Whether it was friendly rivalry between Ms Woods the English and Chemistry students at UNIQ The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or the knowledgeable professors who taught My current favourite book is one that lots of people have told me about and Shakespeare, I enjoyed my experience at Oxford. said I should read but I’d never really got round to until recently. It is a book To be honest, I dreaded the hard work that would originally written in French and a friend of mine has made a translation; come with the residential, and the countless hours she asked me to read it to make sure it read well in English. It has been of lectures and seminars I would have to attend. translated many times into English and many other languages. The book is Thankfully, I soon discovered that yes, it The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It’s a bit of an oddity. I suppose was possible for Shakespeare to be interesting – it’s a children’s book but it has fascinating messages about life, love and so much to the point that I didn’t mind writing a 2 imagination. I hadn’t expected it to be anything more than a children’s fantasy hour essay at the end of it all. Despite not having novella in which the narrator visits a series of different fantasy lands. It’s very read “The Tempest” to great length beforehand, short and a quick read and a book that shows that something quite slight can I found myself enjoying the play, and writing carry powerful messages. extensively about it. Who knew that I would be Mrs Hill so interested in the use of drama/theatre in Famous Five Series Enid Blyton Prospero’s last speech? Memories of becoming a reader Oxford is a beautiful city. The architecture was classically archaic, with a sense of traditional Growing up in a family where reading was considered superfluous and even homeliness, and buzzing with student life. From self indulgent, trips to the fortnightly mobile library were a daring and defiant bubble tea to pesto pasta, there was much to gesture. My earliest memories of being allowed to walk down to the bottom of eat and do in the town. Having said that, free my road where the mobile library was parked are ensconced in reading Enid time was a rarity, and we started the day at 9 am, Blyton’s The Famous Five series. I can still vividly recall the excitement with and ended around 6 pm. However, the sense of which I would choose my book and rush home to read it. I adored the ‘tom community and family that I felt during my four boy’ character of George, yearned for my very own Timmy and relished every days was definitely something to remember. mystery the group of young cousins found themselves embroiled in. Having Passion for English is not as common as it diligently read through the whole series, painstakingly taking care to read sounds, sadly, but I found it - at Oxford. them where possible in order, I then discovered the Nancy Drew mysteries. Another ‘strong’ female lead and a whole new set of mysteries to be solved! Christopher Tang L6T Mrs Bains

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 39 TRIPS &Kentwell EXCHANGES Hall Year 9 trip to Paris Kentwell Hall is a year 7 History day trip Our group then went round the back of Everyone was showing the signs of an which the History department organised as the hall, in search of the alchemist (someone early rise when we met Jeff, our coach the ‘closest thing to going back in time to who makes potions). The alchemist carried driver for the trip, at around 7 on Sunday the Tudor period’ that could be experienced. out a set of experiments, creating flames morning before we left for Folkestone. The Tudor manor has been set up with and chemical reactions from gunpowder and After an uneventful trip across the the activities and people that would have some sort of unknown liquid. This was the Channel, and without an Octopus in been there in 1588, the year of the Armada. only kind of scientific knowledge in the Tudor sight (sorry Miss Streets) we arrived Everyone is dressed up and speaking as if in period. at Vimy Ridge, where we learnt of the Tudor times and the students are expected to On the way to archery, our group bumped Canadian sacrifice in WW1, and walked join in and by trying the activities enjoyably into another WBGS group. They asked if we had around the battlefield. learn what it was like to live in Elizabethan seen the ice cellar and told us that we had to England. Here is an account of the day from check it out. The ice cellar was underground and the perspective of a student: out of the way of the sun, therefore it was cold. We arrived in a field in our Tudor The ice cellar was used for preserving foods that costumes and had our lunch. We then couldn’t be kept in the house, otherwise they walked to the entrance (the time portal) and would go off. exchanged our money into Tudor currency. £1 At archery, we first learnt how to make = one Tudor penny. It was a small coin, similar an arrow with natural materials e.g. goose in size to a 1p piece, but silver. feathers, wood and reeds. After that, we We walked through the time portal then had a demonstration on how to shoot (a tunnel) and entered through the gates of a longbow. The instructor pulled back the Kentwell Hall. Our first stop was a tent, where string easily. He asked if Mr Silver wanted a they taught us how to hold a pike (a long go….. Mr Silver tried to pull it back, but he The hotel and its food was basic, spear). To hold the pike you must have the only managed to pull it back to his chin! but thankfully we didn’t have to spend bottom of the pike by your foot and your right After a rest, we made our way to sword too much time there as another early hand by your ear. You then pull the pike up and fighting school where we were shown the morning took us to Central Paris and put your left hand underneath your right hand, stances, the methods and tactics used for sword the Pere Lachaise cemetery, where pull up and then put your right hand under the fighting with a dagger in your other hand. we saw generations of Parisian dead bottom of the pike. Most of our group achieved On our way out we went via the gift buried, as well as memorials to the this, although some found it challenging. shop and exchanged our Tudor coins back into Holocaust. Soon after we left for the Our next stop was the main hall pounds. Basilica Sacre Coeur, which commanded followed by the kitchen. Here, we found It was a sunny day in nice surroundings beautiful views with the sun blazing people making handmade ravioli, by putting and, by taking part in everything we saw, we down from behind. The Eiffel Tower and a small amount of green paste into the had a very enjoyable day as well as learning Les Invalides were next up, before we middle of one square sheet of pasta dough. a lot more than books could teach us about drove sedately past the Louvre and the We were surprised to find that this was an Tudor times. In my opinion though the best beautiful Notre Dame, where not much English Tudor food and not a modern Italian part of the trip was when our group was damage was visible. Continuing our tour one. In the next room, we found a woman taught how to hold a pike because it was the by coach, we drove along the Champs creating a sort of biscuit. She explained to us most challenging thing I’ve done in History Elysees to L’Arc de Triomphe and our and another group how to make and colour this year! final stop at the restaurant. each biscuit, using natural dyes from plants. Charlie Sylvester 7R We said goodbye to our guide who had been describing the history of each of the historic landmarks in Paris before getting back to the hotel to be ready for the next day - Disneyland. A complicated road and sign system ended our hopes of arriving on time, but nevertheless we still had a great day where the weather was, again, perfect. Then, inevitably, came the last day, where we said goodbye to our hotel and left for the long road to Calais, stopping only for lunch at the Hypermarket. It was an uneventful journey, but as we crossed the Channel we yearned for an end to the massive drive. That soon occurred, as we arrived at Watford nearly an hour early, the perfect end to a perfect trip. Henry Peart 9N

40 TRIPS & EXCHANGES Year 12 Politics trip to Parliament and the Supreme Court

arlier in the Spring term, politics students from After this we walked across Parliament Square, with its across Year 12 embarked on a trip to Westminster, statues of famous world political figures such as Winston Churchill to see the sights of both the Supreme Court and the and Nelson Mandela, and entered the Supreme Court, centred in Houses of Parliament. Students met outside of the Middlesex House. Rather confusingly, the building does not just Houses of Parliament at the start of the day, and first contain one court, but six. Created in 2009, the nine judges sitting visited the Houses of Parliament. in the Supreme Court may be sitting in any one of these courtrooms, EThe day started off in Westminster Hall, with a tour guide deciding important cases from across the Commonwealth. In the explaining the detailed and, at times, inspiring history of the case that the we were hearing, for example, the defendants were surrounding buildings. Important historical events were mentioned, from Trinidad and Tobago. The Supreme Court, being a newer such as the partial destruction of the buildings through war, and the institution than Parliament, however, was rather less well designed; subsequent rebuilding of the House of Commons. As we were being this came to show during our visit, and we were underwhelmed by taught about British political history, they could see notable MPs the comparatively basic design. (and Lords), such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, walking past. We returned to the Houses of Parliament later in the day to We were then shown around the Houses of Parliament and observe the sitting MPs doing their work from across the country. were allowed to enter the debating chambers. We noticed the After seeing John Bercow in the flesh while he was opening stark differences between the relatively luxurious decorations of Parliament’s proceedings for the day, we walked up to the viewing the House of Lords, with a lavishly decorated throne where the gallery to see the House for the day’s sitting. Starting at around Queen sits once a year, and the drab, green decoration of the 2:00, the MPs first discussed an issue on defence and military House of Commons. Touring around the House of Commons, we funding, and then we had the opportunity to see Theresa May had important parts of the chamber pointed out to us such as herself answering questions to Parliament which the Speaker’s copy of Erskine May, a book detailing Parliament’s was truly a gift. The topic of the day was, in a surprise to conventions, and a commemorative plaque to Jo Cox behind her nobody, Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May had a face off in favourite seat in the Commons. the House of Commons filled with passion and controversy. The topic specifically discussed that day was the idea of indicative votes on Brexit, a concept with hindsight we can now recognise as insubstantial. However, you could not help but be swept up in the Westminster drama, and the political inferno that we had the privilege of taking part in. After the official trip with the school ended, a few of us including myself took the opportunity to wander around Westminster. The most significant thing that we were able to do was meet the ‘Stop Brexit’ man, Steve Bray. To meet the activist himself, who stays outside parliament to protest against Brexit almost constantly, was a great and unexpected experience David Mortimer L6P and Adam Gale L6P

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 41 Normandy and D Day Landing Beaches

he trip began with a very early yet glorious start in Reveille at 06.30 was followed by plenty of croissants Watford where we met our much appreciated driver and coffee/hot chocolate rations. Then we headed off into the Mike Fellaizi, before we set off for our Portsmouth Norman stronghold of Bayeux to visit the medieval tapestry that crossing. Fears of poor weather jeopardising our depicted the full story of why and how William invaded England crossing were unfounded as the Brittany Ferry we had in 1066. This masterpiece really brought home to the students Tcommandeered for the assault sailed smoothly for Sword Beach. why the area was so important to preserve in Allied hands. The All on-board found the ship well stocked and many gathered tapestry is evidence of the last successful invasion of England strength below deck and out in the beautiful sunshine thinking of and the Allies endeavoured to make sure it didn’t happen again. the journey ahead. Once we disembarked in Ouistreham and all En route, the drive past the British War Grave at Bayeux with its personnel were accounted for we headed to Merville Battery. Here 4,144 headstones drummed home just how hard fought for this we recalled how an Old Boy Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway of area was. The famous epitaph across the memorial poignantly the 9th Parachute Battalion had been given the objective of reads “We the descendants of the people conquered by William, destroying the battery along with his troops. However, when his liberated his homeland’. We also visited the medieval cathedral battalion arrived over Normandy, their parachute descent was built by Duke William, which showed just how successful, dispersed over a large area, so instead of over 700 men, only 150, sophisticated and skilled the Normans had been. with no heavy weapons or equipment, arrived at the battalion After our nourishing lunch rations of atun mayonnaise assembly point. Regardless, they pressed home their attack avec salade baguette and Norman chips we gazed out over and succeeded in capturing the battery against all the odds. The Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. The weather began to improve citation for Otway’s Distinguished Service Order stated that his over the site of the first major landings of Allied troops. This “utter disregard for personal danger had been an inspiration to museum and beach town gave the students an opportunity all his men” and visiting this amazing site and exploring each to explore some of the weaponry, uniforms, technology bunker showed boys some of the sacrifices made for us in this and strategies that the Allies had to adapt in order to land part of the conflict. successfully on June 6th 1944. We then were lucky enough to At 17.30 hours we all regrouped for our transport towards visit the 360 Cinema, which detailed in glorious technicolour Le Clos de L’ancien Pressoir. Once on the road to our next exactly what it was like to land on these beaches and survive rendezvous we studied informative military films that set the the assault. scene for what we would be up against. Band of Brothers After the film, we were transported to the extensive Caen highlighted the amazing efforts that were made on both sides of Peace Memorial which housed artefacts from WWI, WWII and the English Channel before, during and after major operations. the Cold War with such a great degree of detail that we could At Le Clos which would be our camp, our hosts Bob and Yvette have easily spent the rest of the trip exploring the bunker made us feel warmly welcome and all boys could practise and extensive library. The museum focused in large part on their pigeon French. This dusk feed of pasta and saucisson the Resistance to the Nazi occupation of Vichy France and was enough to set us up for a well-earned rest by 22.00 in what became of the Jewish population of France during the preparation for the journey on Sunday. There was some down Holocaust. All of this fascinating material reinforced much of the time to play football with each other and students had a chance learning we had and would continue to do across our journey. to write up their diaries and send messages home.

42 TRIPS & EXCHANGES Mont St Michel Over the summer half term a group of 48 students from Watford Boys were lucky enough to have the chance to go and visit Normandy and while we were there, visit a spectacular castle on an island called Mont Saint Michel. The island was originally called Mont- Tombe, however it later became known as Mont Saint Michel. St. Aubert, the bishop of Avranches built a small chapel there after he had a vision of the archangel St. Michel. It Our next stop was the first liberated building and installation of the D-day quickly became a pilgrimage centre and in 966 landings: Pegasus Bridge. This was the sight of the Horsa glider landings and AD an abbey was built there. In 1203 it was seizure of the most important bridge crossings in the region and we were privileged partly burnt down when King Philip II of France to cross the bridge in the glorious sunshine. We finally made it inside the amazing made an attempt to try and capture the mount. museum filled with WWII artefacts and an original Horsa and bridge, but it was the He then decided to compensate the monks by knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide Sandrine which really made the visit all the paying for the construction of the monastery more understandable. The journey ended with a visit to the German cemetery at Le which became known as La Merveille which Cambre which brought home to us the sacrifices made on both sides. translates into The Wonder. An amazing fish pie banquet was rustled up for our return and after a long The island was then fortified in 1256 and day in the field we were treated to a four course feast. managed to resist sieges during the 100-year It was difficult for the troops to reveille on Monday morning given all the war from 1337 to 1453 and in the French Wars activities of the previous day, though the coffee and croissants were again very of Religion from 1562 to 1598 The monastery welcome. The journey to Mont St. Michel was long, but worth it as the boys then began to decline in the 18th century and could catch up on their reports and rest whilst taking in the Oscar winning there were only seven monks living in it when Saving Private Ryan, which documents activities on all sides of the channel it was dissolved during the French revolution before, during and after the offensive. The medieval citadel standing on a and turned into a prison. The prison was closed granite outpost has played a key part in Norman records and it felt like walking in 1860 and the grounds of Mont Saint Michel through a thousand years of history as we scaled the narrow, steep streets to were restored by 1920. the Benedictine Monastery. Due to the changing tides our visit was limited, but During WWII the Germans occupied The there was the chance to pick up some local provisions and souvenirs. We then Mount and showed little to no respect for its headed off to the American sectors with our lunch rendezvous being the church heritage; in fact bored Luftwaffe airmen even square at St Mere Eglise, where US parachutists had come under great fire from penned their names into the walls and their German troops stationed nearby. We visited the thrilling US Airborne Museum carvings are still there today. The merchants which allowed us to experience some of what jumping out of a plane at night inside the village had to change their shop signs under heavy flak fire might have been like and visited the church of St Mere to German to accommodate their new visitors Eglise with the stranded parachutist still attached to the belfry. and during WWII, 325,000 Germans visited The Then we headed past Omaha beach on our way to the cliff heads at Point Mount while only 1000 French people managed du Hoc where the extensive bunkers and fortifications remain as a poignant to visit the historical monument. During the memorial to the efforts of young US Rangers sent to scale the cliffs and capture retreat after D-day as a last act of disrespect the strategic vantage point. We paid our respects to fallen soldiers at the to the monument a German soldier machine largest American Cemetery at Coleville Sur Mer and noted the number of young gunned the statue of the founding bishop. casualties who had died on 6th June 1944. During the war, The Mount was not militarised By breakfast on day four the sleep deprivation was taking its effect and today except for a 5 man observation post as it had was the day we had to pack up our camp and move out to the fascinating V2 Rocket very little strategic value for the Germans and site at La Coupole before setting off back home. On the way back we had a picnic was mostly used as a place to rest by retreating lunch in Le Touquet, before the treat of the final episodes of Band of Brothers and Germans. It had its 1000-year anniversary in the smooth “underthesea” crossing via the Eurotunnel ahead of schedule. 1966 and sees 3,500,000 visitors every year This was an action packed and thoroughly enjoyable visit. It could not Toby van Bergen 9F have been done without the help of the good humour and knowledge of Mr Roy; the sporting knowledge and iron-livered resourcefulness of Mr Silver; and the quick wittedness and organisation skills of Mr Chase. We also needed to thank: our excellent coach driver Mike, who managed to safely transport us; the planning of Dr David Favager at Galina International Tours; Mrs Marks in the Finance Office who sorted out all the expenses; Matron Wilson who made sure everyone came back healthy; and Mrs Sylvester for collating all the information and Mr McDermott for being the Officer-in Charge. Last and not least, this trip would not have been a success without the spirit and enthusiasm of the boys who came with us. Well done one and all on another successful mission! JM

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 43 China Trip

fter having started studying China at the Hutongs are actually specially protected historical areas, as beginning of Year 12, I was fascinated by the many had been destroyed in the mid-20th century due to country itself, especially because it was set to China’s programme of rapid industrialisation. We were even become the world superpower by as early as fortunate enough to have lunch with a very kind family who 2030. I was also interested in ancient Chinese lived in the Hutongs, which gave us an excellent taste of Chinese history as well, relating to the old dynasties and cuisine. Following this, we returned to our beautiful hotel where Aemperors, which were explored in great detail during this trip. we slept like logs after a long day. After having set off from Heathrow and a quick stopover The next day began with a visit to the Temple of Heaven. in Finland, we eventually made the flight to Beijing, with a great This is a vast, sprawling complex of Taoist buildings which had opportunity to catch up on all the summer blockbusters! Upon been used by ancient Ming and Qing Emperors to pray for good arrival, it was very early in the morning in local Chinese time, harvests and ultimately prove their ‘Heavenly Mandate’ to rule. and as we left the beautiful Beijing International Airport, we We also had the opportunity to sample all manner of Chinese suddenly realised just how warm it was! Our coach first took teas. A clear favourite amongst everyone was the Oolong Tea. us to the Hutongs area of the city, and we were shown around Afterwards, we visited the Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing, by our two very informative guides, Richard and Aaron. These which had been built from 1406 to 1420 for the Chinese Emperor

to live in. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 from their facial expression to their army rank, and seeing them and still has over 980 surviving buildings within it. Certainly, all together gives you a great idea of the power of the emperor. walking around the site gives you an impression of the sheer Visiting a nearby factory which made replicas allowed us to buy might, power and opulence of the ancient Chinese Emperors. mini versions of the statues, which were just as detailed and This area is located within the wider Tiananmen Square, built in awesome. Next up was a calligraphy session, where we were 1651 as the political heart of China, with numerous government taught how to write Chinese characters, how Chinese painting buildings being located there as well as it being a rallying was done, and given free time to practise. We then got to visit ground for Chairman Mao. Following this, we got onto an the Muslim quarter of the City, famous for its market, and tried overnight sleeper train to begin the next part of our journey out many of our haggling techniques with the local market further inland in Xian. owners, including ‘Wo hen qiong’ (I am poor) and ‘Wo bushi When we arrived in Xian, we checked into our grand Meiguo ren’ (I am not American). Needless to say, they did not hotel, which had a stunning view of the city below from our work very well! At least I was able to get the famous ‘Little Red rooms. After a hearty breakfast, we met with our guide Benny, Book’ of Chairman Mao’s sayings! whose sheer enthusiasm kept us entertained and excited The following day, we began by visiting the famous throughout our entire stay in Xian. He took us to the Terracotta Xian City Wall, which surrounds the entire city, and presents a Army museum, where we saw the many statues in a deep wonderful opportunity for cycling as we soon discovered. This underground pit. They had been built by the first Emperor of wall is one of the most complete city walls in China, and one China in as early as 210 BC, Qin Shi Huang, who believed he of the most comprehensive military defence systems to date, needed an army to guard him in the afterlife. The 8000 statues having repelled invaders since the 7th century! After this, we were discovered in 1974 and include amazing levels of detail, then visited the Huiling Service Station, an important NGO in

44 TRIPS & EXCHANGES China founded in 1990 which focuses on supporting those with fortifications that had been periodically build, rebuilt and mental disabilities. After an introduction, we were treated to maintained between the 6th and the 16th century to protect wonderful performances by the pupils at the station, as well as the northern borders from the Mongol invaders. The wall itself many fun activities like dancing to the Macarena and having a is 21,196km long, even though 30% of it is missing from its calligraphy practice session. It was truly inspiring to see how original build. However, the only part of the wall we could walk this NGO brought happiness and support to many struggling was the Juyongguan section, the most accessible as it is the groups in China, and they deserve to be commended for their best maintained area. The walk is certainly tiring, especially amazing work. It was a nice end to our visit in Xian as we hopped in the heat, the view from the top is certainly a worthy reward back onto the overnight sleeper train. and it really allows you to appreciate the sheer amount of hard On our return to Beijing, we visited the magnificent work and effort that went into building a wall like this. After a Summer Palace, which was built as early as 1750 by the deserved chill-out, we then ventured to the Ming Tombs, the Dowager Empress to be a summer resort. It was famous for mausoleums and final resting place of the 13 emperors of the being burned down by the British and French during the Second Ming Dynasty, as well as the perfect opportunity for a group Opium War in 1860. You get a real sense of the ancient imperial photo. In the evening, we were lucky enough to try some architecture through the many pagodas which surround the Chinese cuisine via a Peking Duck Banquet, which was certainly palace, and we were even fortunate enough to go on a Dragon a great culinary experience. Boat ride across the resort, which allowed for some wonderful After this, we packed up and headed home. This trip was views of the palace and some epic photos. After the relative certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I will never peace of this area, we visited the vast Beijing Zoo. This occupies forget the great experience I had across the entire journey. For an area of 89 hectares, including 5.6 hectares of lakes and me, my favourite part has to be climbing up the Great Wall and ponds. It is the oldest zoo in China and has one of the largest the absolutely stunning view from the top. I would very highly animal collections in the country. The clear highlight among recommend this trip to any budding historians or economists! these collections were the Giant Pandas located at the Panda By Osman Zahoor U6P House, which we got to observe relaxing and eating plenty of bamboo, a surely envious life! Watching those pandas gorge on bamboo clearly made us very hungry, and next we visited the Wangfujing ‘Snack’ Street in what felt like a very modern district of Beijing compared to the ancient Hutongs which we had seen. The selection of snacks was certainly unique, with scorpions being among many of the culinary delights, although I’m told that they taste just like chicken! Bright and early the next day, we headed to the Olympic District in China, famous for hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The sheer size of the ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium and the ‘Water Cube’ area were stunning and a real demonstration of Chinese power in the modern era. After this, we decided to indulge in more capitalism by visiting the Coca-Cola factory in Beijing, where we watched corporate videos to learn about the company history and culture, visit the massive production line, and sample some of the sweet, fresh Coca-Cola, which was welcome in the warm weather. With some dinner, we then went to the Red Theatre in Beijing to watch the Legend of Kung Fu Show, which was a stunning fusion of modern dance with Chinese traditional martial arts. This unique and spectacular performance was presented by China Heaven Creation International Performing Arts Co, China’s leading production company. The next day was our last in China, and what better way to end than to visit perhaps the most famous monument in China, the Great Wall! This was a series of stone and earthen

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 45 Classics Trip to Germany uring the May half term, top and were all astonished with the unique a group of Year 8s and 9s views from the dizzying heights. However, went on a trip organised by simply viewing the tower below and seeing the Classics department the amazing architecture was breath-taking to Germany. 55 of us went; in itself. it’s fair to say that nobody On the way home on Friday, we cameD back unchanged- we all took a bit of stopped in Belgium. We ambled through the Germany with us back home. town of Tongeren to see the Gallo Roman As we approached school at 3 in the Museum which was all about the Romans. morning, some of us still had no idea if From the strange to the magnificent, we saw we’d made the right choice of leaving home it all. We then continued home, beginning at this godforsaken hour. Of course we to miss everything already. were all tired, but it’s common knowledge This trip was amazing and with the that when a Watford Boy is tired, they and cultural significance. The stained blend of Instaperfect scenery, endless seem as hyped as ever. We hopped on glass windows were enchanting. After an entertainment and enriching education, it the coach and began the scenic journey exhilarating day, we travelled to Boppard, was one of the best trips many of us had to Germany’s oldest city, Trier. When we a picture-postcard village, befriending our been on so far. You can make new friends, arrived at the youth hostel, we dumped coach driver Ryan along the way. strengthen old friendships and fall in our bags and headed straight down the On Wednesday, we travelled to love with the grandeur and elegance of Moselle River, into town, and back again. Koblenz for a day trip- the sights from the Germany. This trip could even help you It was here that we had our first-hand Ehrenbreitstein Fortress was “ausgezeichnet”. in your lessons, like German and Latin, encounter with the charm and splendour We enjoyed a panoramic view on a cable car Classics and History. of German architecture and heritage. ride over the Rhine, basked in the sunlight on Caleb Huang 9B On the next day, we travelled to the a cruise down the Rhine and tried weird and Amphitheatre- it was unforgettable. With wonderful flavours of ice cream by the Rhine. the perfect balance of education and At least nobody fell into the Rhine. Later, we exploration, we climbed up the unkempt stuffed our faces with Italian pizzas. Most of banks of the seating area whilst learning us watched the Arsenal vs Chelsea game, of the grisly scenes of violence the Romans but those of us who didn’t want to watch the famously enjoyed in such amphitheatres. football sat outside, watched the darkness We then strolled down to the Roman baths. engulf the land and told horror stories by The winding tunnels and dimly lit boiler the river. rooms had a sense of mysterious nostalgia, On Thursday we went to the Saalburg once being the pumping heart of a bath so Fort, where Mr Pegler (yes, THE very Mr elegant and grand, now a cryptic relic of the Pegler that many in the school will remember past. Afterwards we travelled to the Porta for all the right reasons) gave us a tour. This Nigra. This gate still towers over the shops was such an amazing sight because most of nearby ominously- the gate has, like many it was rebuilt- we were able to learn about other fascinating places on our visit, seen what historians 100 years ago thought the history go by, from revolutions to oppression, fortress was like. Then we went to Cologne divisions to unity. We then paid a quick Cathedral, once the tallest building on earth. visit to Trier Dom, or Cathedral, which hosts Most of us survived climbing up the 533 priceless artefacts of historical, religious steps of the Cathedral. We had a race to the

46 TRIPS & EXCHANGES Design and Technology Trip to Alton Towers Physics Trip On 22nd October, the Year 10 Design and Technology classes set off on a trip to to Thorpe Park Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire. Leaving very early, the journey took 3 hours and When we arrived at Thorpe Park we everyone was enthusiastic, deciding which thriller rides to go on. We were all excited received our tickets and then were about the rides and educational value of the trip and were given booklets to keep dismissed to roam free around the ourselves busy on the journey. park. We went on rides such as the After arriving at around 10 am, we rushed off in groups of threes to go on some Swarm, Flying Fish, Stealth and roller coaster rides. My friends and I went straight to the Nemesis, a ride that lasted Colossus. This was fun and very less than a minute but it gave me a taste of the intensity of thriller rides. We then educational as we could see and went on the dark and mysterious TH13TEEN, which had jump scares. There were estimate the safety, velocity and many educational purposes to the trip including considering the different joints and speed of certain rides. This helped material to construct the structure. us to complete the interesting Later, we all regrouped and did an educational Wicker Man activity. We were and highly entertaining pamphlet given a brief presentation about the history of Alton Towers and the new Wicker of questions that had to be Man attraction. We were split into groups of 5 and assigned a task: to build our own completed. miniature Wicker Man ride out of small wooden blocks called Kaplan. The goal was to We went to the STEM fair get a small ball (representing a roller coaster car) through a hole, a twist in the ride and were able to do an assortment and travel from start to finish without stopping. of fun and interesting games Some interesting rides were constructed. Afterwards, Miss Moody let us ride such as a virtual reality tour of the real-life Wicker Man - the only wooden ride in the UK. There were many loops a human digestive system where and twists, including a dive through the iconic Wicker Man’s head, which we all found you could see what happens to fascinating. a person in real time and there Following this, my friends and I decided to give Oblivion a go. The Oblivion ride was also a motion control of the is by far the shortest and yet the scariest ride at Alton Towers. You travel upwards 34 year old game Super Mario in an open car, and then stop, teetering over a ledge, looking across the resort Brothers, where the action you did grounds, before plummeting over a 90 degree angle for 55 metres through a large in real time was replicated into the and seemingly endless hole into a deep pit. The ride went so fast all I remember is a game. We were also able to try a small scream. new VR rollercoaster experience Lastly, feeling like daredevils, we decided to try the infamous Smiler attraction. where you sat in a moving seat The long wait was worth it because, looking up, you can see the terrified faces of that moved to replicate the those on the rollercoaster as it takes them on the ride of a lifetime. When we settled adrenaline and feeling of a real in the open car, a slogan saying ‘Join Us’ welcomed us and without a moment’s notice, rollercoaster. There was also an we were spiralling. There were tight turns, a 90 degree drop, free falls and even parts advanced programmed robot that where we were upside down! could react to its surroundings Throughout the day I had learnt quite a lot about bonding as a team and making and be interacted with. The whole friends that I had not been friends with previously. I found out that teamwork is very experience of the STEM fair was important as well as friendship. extremely interesting and a very After a tiring day, we all met at the entrance and took a group photo. The journey good insight into the future of back to Watford Boys was full of chatter as we all discussed what thriller rides we had technology and the advantages of been on. We all thoroughly enjoyed our day out and would like to thank Miss Moody, using it in the classroom. Mrs Dreiser, Mrs Parks and Mr Ferguson for organising the trip and accompanying us; To end the day we were we all had a great memorable day and learnt a lot. allowed to explore the park for a Magadev Adam Kuha Kumaran 10F bit more where we went on more rides and could see more how many pieces of equipment work to keep people entertained. We gained a lot more experience than we would have gained from being stuck in a classroom and it gave people the chance to tackle studying in a way that we are not usually able to by seeing something happen, rather than us read about it. Christian Barden 10P

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 47 Physics trip to CERN The world’s largest experiment- the Large Hadron Collider located at Any new laws or essential decisions have to be agreed by the ‘Big Five’ CERN in Geneva, Switzerland aims to understand the building blocks of nations- The United Kingdom, The US, France, Russia and China (who all the universe by accelerating particles to relativistic speeds (more than own a permanent seat within the security council) before being passed. 99.9% of the speed of light) for collisions. Detectors present around the Throughout the tour, we were shown facilities, pieces of art and LHC such as the ATLAS detector take approximately 40 million snapshots historical remnants donated to the headquarters such as a conference per second of particle collisions (which is almost as many selfies as Kim room built in 2008 - entirely funded by the Spanish Government (at this Kardashian takes) to try and comprehend what exotic particles have point Dr Cerezo was quite intrigued) and a painting of a building that’s been produced. And fortunately, thanks to the physics department, 17 of always facing you no matter which direction you look at it from. Though us Upper Sixth students were able to visit CERN in February 2019. we weren’t permitted to go inside, we were able to watch a debate We arrived in Geneva on the evening of the 17th where we checked happening in one of the conference rooms which was cool. Rather in to the Ibis budget hotel, a stone’s throw from the airport. Honestly, the ironically, the UN gift shop was also selling Swiss army knives. place seemed too good to be a budget hotel in my opinion. In the evening, the whole group went to a restaurant where The next day was the main part of the trip- our visit to CERN. We we had cheese fondue. Despite the really strong and hard to ignore first visited The Globe of Science and Innovation, where we all began waft of cheese, I got used to it and enjoyed the meal - not as much pointing out the equations we recognised from physics lessons written as Dr Cerezo however who ate a whole pot of melted cheese! on a small statue outside the building. Once inside, we learnt about the Finally, after frantically packing our stuff in the morning and fascinating main experiments conducted at CERN through interactive checking out of the hotel, we paid a short visit to the Botanical presentations such as the ALICE experiment which aims to understand Gardens and visited the town centre again - this time to snag as further the behaviour of subatomic particles called ‘quarks’ by much Swiss chocolate as we could before our evening flight back generating temperatures 100,000 times hotter than the centre of the Sun! to the UK. We also learnt how these ambitious endeavours had allowed CERN Generally, I found the trip to be an awesome experience with scientists to develop technologies that we use every day, such as the so much to take away from it and it was a nice treat after enduring World Wide Web (which if you didn’t know was invented at CERN in 1989) the Upper Sixth mock exams before half term. Thank you to Dr Later, we took a brief ten-minute coach ride through the picturesque Cerezo and Dr Cianci for organising a wonderful trip. countryside to another CERN facility where CERN scientists effectively Harshul Jolly U6C explained the intricate physics behind how the LHC is able to create conditions similar to the early universe, just after the events of the big bang. Now if the idea of accelerating protons to insane energies for collisions sounds unsafe and sounds like it has a chance to cause an apocalyptic event, there’s no need to worry as protons are carefully ‘dumped’ if unused. Overall, the experience at CERN was truly fascinating as we could gain primary sourced knowledge of particle accelerators and relate those ideas back to what we learn as part of A Level Physics. As a person who’s keen about technology, it was awesome to go to the facility to view the machines at the forefront of innovation, providing present data to cutting edge physics experiments. We concluded Monday by walking around Geneva town centre. The next day, we headed on over to the UN Headquarters. The UN was established shortly after World War Two and its current objectives are to maintain international peace, promote democracy and protect human rights. We were first given a tour of a few of the assembly halls and a brief run through of how issues are debated. 48 TRIPS & EXCHANGES The National Physical Laboratory Trip

n 10th July 2019 some first with my eyes open but I still didn’t We then rejoined the other group boys from our school quite make it. They also had an infrared who had done the same tour but in were invited to the app on an iPad to show temperature: reverse and walked across the car park National Physical blue is cold and hot is orange. We also to see a hydrogen powered Honda car. Laboratory (NPL) in used thermometers shaped like pens to Andrew explained how it worked, about Teddington. Dr Cianci and measure temperature. it dispensing water and the pros and DrO Pozzi organized it and Mrs Avis came We then split into two groups. cons of running a hydrogen car such as along too. Sports Day was scheduled for My group went to see a perfectly round not having hydrogen refueling readily the same day, but this awesome invitation tungsten metal ball which is worth available. saved us from this event! (Sorry sports £300,000 because of how many hours Some apprentices came to meet us fans!) I was very glad as otherwise this it takes to polish and shape it. The lady and explained that they were studying involves constantly applying sun cream there also told us about the kilogram science after GCSEs and earning money and having to drink water every minute! calibrated in 1889 which is the standard as an alternative to A levels and a degree, When we arrived after a one hour drive kg. It has to be kept safe in a vault as air although they could go on to university on the coach, Andrew (retired scientist) and dust can affect its mass. after the apprenticeship if they wanted to. hosted us and taught us about lots of In another lab we saw some huge We then had lunch before getting on the different physical experiments. but very sensitive equipment used to test coach for the return journey. I thoroughly There was one experiment where stresses on megastructures like the struts enjoyed it and I think other boys should there were plain wooden dolls (like the on deep sea oil rigs and the space shuttle be able to go too. Russian Babushka stacking dolls) and two to forces of more than 1000N (100 tons)! Taylor Omer 7R volunteers (us) had to measure the mass of the dolls. There was an experiment with blue plastic pads. Three of them were stacked together and the top one was heavier than the other two. If you picked them all up together with one hand they felt very heavy but upside down they felt light. I took part in an experiment called “Walk the Plank” where I had to walk from point A to point B with my eyes shut. Andrew told me to count the steps

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 49 Ski Austria ur adventure on snow started with an epic journey idea of going on a school ski trip I would tell them definitely to go on the roads of Europe. It took twenty-four hours because the skiing was incredible. We had so much fun! to get us to our Austrian resort, passing through We were lucky to have plenty of variety. For the first two a whole series of different countries. We started, days, we went to the resort that was closest to us and then, for excited and full of energy, at around 7pm at the third and fourth days, we went to a different resort and then school, but had calmed down a bit by the time we for the final skiing day we went back to the first resort. arrivedO at the hotel a day later. What about the food? The breakfast - well let’s just say it Although the journey was long and tiring, it was nowhere wasn’t the highlight of the trip. It included frankfurters, toast, near as bad as I thought it was going to be. We had fun on the sliced meat and cereal and it filled you up and kept you going until coach, played games and prepared ourselves for the week to lunch which is why I actually thought it was good. But the lunch, come. Some boys were experienced skiers, some had never by contrast, was lovely. After a tough morning skiing, we had lunch been before, but all of us were excited. each day in the resort and it was always very tasty. Dinner was When we got to the hotel, we went to our rooms and dropped different every night, including curry, chicken spaghetti bolognese off our stuff. Then we went straight to the ski rental shop to prepare - because no school trip is complete without spag bol. for the slopes. That bit was very easy as all the equipment was Every day after skiing, we did an activity, known in the skiing already arranged and waiting for us. Boots on, helmets in place, world as après ski. This included swimming (with fireworks overhead and we took to the snow the following morning. from the Opening Ceremony of the Nordic World Championships!), a On the first day, like the rest of the week, the weather was quiz and also a night of tobogganing. There was also a disco, a trip to amazing except for the last day when the morning started off Innsbruck and even more. My favourite activity was the tobogganing freezing cold and it snowed all day. Although it wasn’t as nice as the because although it was a very long journey up to the start, it was heat we had had on the mountains all week, it was refreshing. The all worth it when we got to the bottom. When going down, the speed sun was shining and it was really hot considering where we were, you could get to was brilliant. The toboggans were fast and easy to but the snow was still very easy to ski on. In fact, the slopes stood crash but the crashing was one of the fun parts of it. up amazingly well to the conditions - even though the sun was After a week up in the Austrian mountains, it was time for beating down, the slopes didn’t turn slushy because of the heat. us to come down and just like the journey there, the journey The instructors were very friendly and the skiing was back was nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to fantastic. All standards were catered for, with beginners making be. We were all tired, a few people had bruises and none of us huge strides and advanced skiers pushing themselves down wanted to see another Austrian frankfurter for a while. But we testing black runs. I had never been skiing with the school before all had lots of great memories of a wonderful week away. I can’t and, like plenty of others, I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was wait to do it again next year. a superb experience. If anyone is unsure or nervous about the Jasper Parsons 8P

50 TRIPS & EXCHANGES The Salters’ Institute Festivals of Chemistry The Salters’ Institute Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters’ Institute. Their objective is to help promote the appreciation of Chemistry and related sciences amongst the young. This year in addition to the Year 8 day they added a day for Year 9s and our school was lucky enough to get a place on both. Four boys from Year 8 and four from Year 9 were chosen to attend. Although there were many contenders, the boys were selected on the basis of good behaviour and a love of science. RS

On Tuesday the 2 April 2019, Thomas Robbins, Shivan Fernando, Caleb Huang and Dev Datt travelled to UCL to attend the Year 9 Festival. We learned new things, new elements, and used new equipment. The Lab was huge! We were eager to do the practicals, which were pretty complicated. We had to synthesise some paracetamol, purify it and then measure how pure it was by testing the melting point, doing colour tests comparing it to some pure Paracetamol from the chemist and finally some infrared spectroscopy. These are tests students usually only get to do and learn about in A-level chemistry! Our team did a pretty good job, though maybe our Paracetamol was a little soft but the tests showed it was reasonably pure. The final part of the day was a small lecture taken by a jolly professor. It was strange but interesting and he ended by making some ice cream which we got to eat. It was a great day. Shivan Fernando 9T Finally, there was a demonstration of solids, liquids and On Thursday 4 April 2019, Reeshan Chohan, Christian O’Brien, gases. Professor Andrea Sella used dry ice to explain many things Trishan Mistry and Meyer Louka travelled to UCL for the Year 8 including density and the difference between dry ice and normal ice Competition. but our favourite part was at the end. He said he was going to make We were all very excited, as we didn’t know what to expect. a ‘soft solid’ and all of us were confused. He added custard, cream, Our first task was to solve a crime. My group had to identify the chocolate and raspberries to a big metal pot. It was all very strange. presence of substance X in some powders from several reactions Then he added liquid nitrogen, mixed it all up and made ICE CREAM. while the other group used chromatography to identify an ink. We were all thrilled because we all got some to eat. This made a fun These results were used to identify the criminals in a crime. After end to an extraordinary day. lunch we had to design an experiment so that when two chemicals Trishan Mistry 8N were mixed together in a conical flask, the reaction had to cause an X visible at the start under the container, to disappear in exactly 60 seconds. The team that were the closest to 60 seconds would win. When practising, our reaction happened too fast so we put it on ice Year 10 PRE Trip to slow it down. During the competition, we got the X to disappear in 61 seconds and came third out of about 15 schools! We were very For our year 10 PRE trip we went to the local church pleased with our achievement. and the Watford mosque. We had to take a worksheet on our trip to write down any information we were given by the imam and priest. We all had a very interesting time looking around these holy places of worship which helped us understand why people attended them and what it means to them. It was very interesting as we got a chance to see the general layout of a church and mosque and see the differences between them. During this trip, we had some time to ask the priest and imam some questions. This enabled us to gain a further understanding which we may not have got the chance to learn in the classroom. Overall, the trip was very informative as well as enjoyable. Issa Jamil 10B

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 51 Amsterdam

t the start of the November half term a group of of them into a cell meant for 2 to 3 people - by Nazi standards. boys from Watford boys woke up nice and early After 14 hours he opened the door and 10 people had died and for a 7.00 start. We all got on the coach and left many had burns on their skin as the cell had been newly painted Watford Boys for what would turn out to be a and as they got thirsty, they stated to lick their sweat of the wall 12-hour coach journey. After arriving in Belgium, as it was so hot being bunched together. This caused a reaction we went into a service station and the police which produced sodium nitrate, which burned their skin. When Ahad a look at our coach, which was interesting. the camp commander opened the door, he was horrified, and After a 12-hour coach journey we got to our accommodation he tried to cover it up, but he was sentenced to go and fight on where we had a nice meal before making our own beds and the Eastern front were he later died. These two stories are sadly going to bed. The next day we woke up and went to a military only a glimpse into the atrocities that went on there. cemetery near to where operation Market Garden took place We also visited the Anne Frank museum which gave us in WW2 which was an operation meant to shorten the war by an insight into the conditions of going into hiding and how a year by taking five key bridges. Sadly, the final bridge was horrifically the people in hiding lived. They could not flush not taken and all people on that bridge were killed or taken the toilet during the day due to a fear that it might be heard, prisoner. The people who attacked that bridge all knew that and they had to rely on friends to bring them food and. with the odds were not in their favour, however still they went and rationing, there was never enough to eat for them. And this was tried to save lives but putting their own lives at risk. As we were how they were treated just because of their religion. there we looked around and noticed that everyone was buried On the last day we got to see the Portuguese synagogue with the same type of headstone, from the newest recruit to a which began construction in 17 April 1671 and we got to go general. You had to go up close to realise what rank they were. inside and see where services are held; there was also a winter After that we went to Camp Vught, a concentration camp synagogue within the compound which was much smaller and in the Netherlands, A misconception which a lot of people have was designed to be warmer for the cold winter months. There is that concentration camps were only for the Jewish population, were also a torah there, however I could not read it. Finally, we but it was anyone who the Nazis did not like. We split in to two got to see the Hollandsche Schouwburg which was where all of groups and had a tour guide who took us around and explained the Jews in Amsterdam had to go when they were called up to go everything very well. There were two particularly sad stories I to a concentration camp. After the war there were some efforts would like to tell. The first involved a lot of children. The camp to convert it back into a theatre. However due to its associations commander was annoyed about the children as they had to with the Holocaust not many people wanted to go so it was feed them, but they would not work effectively just costing converted into a memorial. We got to have a look around and them money. He then decided to pack all of them onto a train there were some pictures from the time, and it was an insight and sent them to Sobibór. There was a newborn baby and when into the brutality of the regime. the commander found out he took the baby and looked after After this we left for the long coach drive back Watford. It it for 6 months and then sent him and his mother to Sobibór. was an experience that I don’t think I will forget in a long time so Sadly, all of them died. The second story is about two women I would like to say thank you to Mrs Charlton, Mr Roy, Dr Sadler, who got into a fight. An Officer broke it up and when he asked Mr Doodson for giving up the start of their autumn half term and who started it, no one spoke. The camp commander came to making this possible. investigate, and still no one spoke. He was furious so he put 74 Toby van Bergen 9F

52 TRIPS & EXCHANGES Battlefields Trip

history trip that I had at our enormous hostel, where we had a an enjoyable dinner. Many of my friends dreamed of for the last quick dinner. However, we were told that played various games and enjoyed the two years had become we had a special service to attend before company of our each other and went to a reality and I was day one of our trip came to an end. We then bed for a much needed sleep. determined to make the went to the Menin Gate for the memorial most of it with my friends. service held each evening dedicated to the Final day AWe were taught and read and seen many unknown soldiers who died on the Allied The days started with a walk to the centre documentaries about the world wars, and side in the First World War. of Ypres, where we visited the Flanders the many thousands of soldiers who had Fields museum named after the poem given up their lives for the freedom we Day two ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae. The enjoy today. After our early breakfast, we were hustled next stop was to the St. George’s Chapel, The Battlefields trip started on the onto a ferry and taken to Arras, a city where we saw a plaque dedicated to the 7th February 2019 on a coach that left in northern France to a special museum staff and students who died from various Watford Boys. It lasted for the next three called the Carriere Wellington. At the schools and colleges in the UK, close to days, was packed with visits to various museum, we watched a mind blowing our hearts and minds. memorials, war cemeteries, a Sunday 10-minute clip about the Battle of Arras. At last, we were given an opportunity market and shopping and sightseeing. It was named after a former underground to venture out to a Sunday market, where quarry that was part of a network of we tasted delicious Belgian chocolates Day One tunnels used by forces of the British and other delicacies and bought souvenirs The long journey of several hours with Empire and Commonwealth during the to take back home. Food was fresh, tasty scenic views of the farmland of France First World War and I must say that I really enjoyed the trip started after we crossed the English Our next stop was to the Canadian to the market. Channel. Our first visit on 7th February was Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, Finally, we went The Canadian Hill 62 to Tyne Cot Cemetery. It is a massive World which commemorates the Newfoundland Memorial that commemorates the actions War One memorial dedicated to the Allied forces who were killed during World War of the Canadian Corps in defending Ypres. troops who died in the area of Zonnebeke. One. Newfoundland at this time was a The Hill 62 is the highest bit of land and 62 We were told that this was the biggest allied separate nation bordering Canada. There metres above sea level. We went through a memorial in Europe. We saw on either side was a statue of the Canadian moose. series of trenches, where we experienced of the gigantic memorial two German pillar- Afterwards, we went to Thiepval muddy wet tunnels and saw how soldiers boxes which thousands of Allied soldiers Museum where there was a massive might have suffered during the war. It was had lost their lives in capturing. monument dedicated to the unknown a life changing experience, which I will not After laying a wreath, we set off to soldiers whose bodies were never forget easily. our next cemetery which was a German war recovered after the Battle of the Somme Reluctantly, we waved goodbye to cemetery called the ‘Langemark German in 1916 that occurred at the small village Belgium. Our coach made its long journey War Cemetery’ on a small strip of land that of Thiepval and its surroundings area. We back to Dunkirk where we got a ferry back was dedicated to soldiers who fell in the also saw a mine crater near Thiepval. to England. area. Against the tradition, the gravestones Following that we went to the I would like to offer my appreciation are all faced down. We then went to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. The Vimy Ridge to our teachers Mr Silver, Mr Panter, Mrs Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 - a was a strategic location in France and it Barnes and Mr McDermott, who put up with converted chateau that is dedicated to all was captured by the Canadians in 1916 our noisy conversations and mischief. We sorts of military uniforms, underground and the memorial is dedicated to the thoroughly enjoyed the trip and learned to tunnels, and nursing information used in Canadian soldiers who were killed during appreciate the many thousands of soldiers the War. the war. On the way back to hostel in who gave their lives to the freedom we By the end of the long first day, we Belgium, we visited a memorial dedicated enjoy today. ‘Lest we forget’! all were exhausted and the coach drove us to Moroccan soldiers who fought for the MagaDev Adam Kuha Kumaran 10F to the hostel for the much needed rest, but French Empire at Vimy. the organisers had other ideas. We arrived After another hectic day, we had

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 53 Civil War Re-enactment t’s the morn’ of the 29th of June, 1644. You are rushing the group learning how to use a sword, one group learning how to Parliamentarians to fend off Cropredy Bridge, in a bid to use a musket and two groups learning how to use a pike. The win the English civil war, for king and country. You feel the groups rotated until every group had gone through each activity rush of adrenalin, the wind rushing through your hair. The (groups would learn how to use a pike twice). Parliamentarians level their pikes towards you. You do not We were taught the different positions for a pike and hesitate to raise your musket, take aim and… how to get to them (often using the left hand to control it). We IBut how did this all start? finished with a bit of marching with the pikes. Instead of using Well, let’s head three days before the 375th anniversary actual pikes, we were given one bamboo stick each and used of that very battle. We are going to 26th June 2019, when ‘The that as whichever weapon we were learning. Sealed Knot’ came to WGBS to re-enact the battle and exhibit For the musket, we were taught the positions that the many artifacts from the 17th Century. musketeers stood in. We then pretended to fire our ‘muskets’ Year 7 met in the James Theatre and started the day by (bamboo sticks) row by row. After firing, we would move to the listening to ‘the Sealed Knot’ give the backstory to the battle. back of the musketeers. After every row had fired, we sat down Some interesting facts are that the battle was during the English and watched a real musket be fired twice! Civil War and the parliamentarians didn’t originally want to For sword fighting, we were told not to stab as you could execute King Charles I but wanted to replace his advisers. be easily deflected and then split into pairs to practise one on Then they showcased the weapons involved in the English one battles. This one was lots of fun as we were competing Civil War: the pike, the sword and the musket. They showed how against each other. to load a musket, what a sword fight would have looked like To end it all off, we re-enacted the battle of Cropredy and some positions that a pike man would have used. These Bridge, two groups on the parliamentarian side and two on the included ‘control your pike’ (the bottom of the pike on the floor royalist side. The battle was chaos and we had learned so much and your right hand holding it) and advance your pike (pike that very few people were hit by anything. They kept blocking resting in your shoulder and right hand holding the bottom). the attacks! After break, we were split into four groups, each named It was a very enjoyable day that we will remember for after a battle in the English Civil War, and each group went to years to come. learn how to use one of the three weapons I mentioned - one Joseph Haddo 7N

54 TRIPS & EXCHANGES Year 10 Geography Field Trip

n the 20th May, 123 football, card games such as ‘Cheat’ the local food (Nando’s) before taking boys and 10 staff or ‘Blackjack’, or to simply relax in the the 45 minute trip back to the Discovery embarked on the trip to common rooms. Centre. Margam Park in South We were split into our classes For our final investigation, we took Wales where we would during the day for the fieldwork, each a short coach trip to Newton beach. Here spend the next 5 days doing one of the three geographical we recorded data for our enquiry into investigating,O recording, and finally enquiries focusing on Ogmore River, the effectiveness of coastal management reviewing data. This was of course the Newton and Porthcawl Coastline, or on the South coast of Wales. We spent field trip that takes place every year Cardiff Bay. For our first activity, my class the day walking along the beautiful as a vital part of the GCSE Geography surveyed the river, beginning near its coastline, in blazing sunshine, mapping a course. We set off at 9am from school source in the Welsh hills and ending at beach profile and evaluating the coastal and following the lengthy coach journey, its mouth, where it meets the sea. This defences. These included a large sea we crossed the impressive Severn Bridge allowed us to study the main part of the wall, rock armour (or rip rap) and a and entered Wales. river’s course from which we could gather breakwater, all of which we assessed It was early afternoon when we a lot of data, including measuring the for effectiveness, safety, and cost. We arrived at the Discovery Centre in Margam width, depth and flow speed. There was were then allowed free time to explore Park to be greeted by the staff who would even an opportunity to wade into the the quiet town of Porthcawl - including be guiding and teaching us during our river in order to collect data for those who Subway and Poundland! stay. After finding our rooms (and fighting were brave enough. Throughout the week we had for who would get the top bunk) we were Next day, my class ventured into been having lessons both morning and taken by the staff on a guided tour of the Cardiff Bay for our investigation into afternoon with the staff at the centre in park. Thankfully, the weather was sunny urban regeneration. This bay has been order to relate what we had studied to and warm, allowing us to create a field man made in order to improve Cardiff’s our coursework and this was concluded sketch of the area from atop one of the appearance and to create an area for on Friday with one last lesson linking it many hills. On our way back we even saw activities such as fishing and boat trips. It all to our exam. Then at 11.30 we climbed some of the red deer that roam the open was a cloudless day with the sun reflecting aboard the coach for the long journey space. perfectly off the water’s surface. Following home. We arrived back at school worn Fullerian articles describing this a relaxing stroll round the picturesque out and many of us red with sunburn, trip have always complimented the food bay, we arrived at Mermaid Quay, which but with a sense of accomplishment and and our first dinner showed us that this contains the Millennium Centre and The memories of a trip we will never forget. year was going to be no exception. After National Assembly for Wales (or Welsh We have followed up the field trip back in food, we were allowed free time to play Parliament). In the shadow of these class with the writing up of our findings huge buildings we collected and then more exam style questions to our data. This included an prepare us for our GCSE next year. EQA (Environmental Quality We would like to thank Miss Assessment) of different Edmonds for organising the trip as well areas and pedestrian counts, as Miss Field, Mr Grinham, Mr Chase, Mr followed by a questionnaire Adcock, Mr Roy, Mr Rowe, Miss Barrett, for the local people - a Mr Beere and Mr Dyson for accompanying task that proved very us on our exploits. Thank you for making challenging as people were the trip the success it was! very good at avoiding us By Daniel Cheek 10P when approached! The day concluded with some free time to explore the bay and

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 55 Year 7 Trip to the Europa Centre of Languages

French

We met at 7am on a damp morning at cinema and bought a ticket for The On a rainy Monday morning, we arrived school ready for our trip to the Europa Incredibles. I bought a funny chapeau at school early, ready to have a French Language centre. We boarded the coach from le magasin. experience. and travelled around the M25 to the centre Unfortunately parce qu’il “pleuvait When we arrived at Haricotville, in Essex. When we arrived we went into a à verse” we couldn’t play football outside. we were only allowed to speak French. classroom with a member of staff who “Au lieu de jouer dehors”, we went to the We were given our credit cards and got briefed us on France and its language. cafeteria and ate our lunch. We got back to wander around the old French town Our first activity was to go shopping. to the bus and returned to school. “buying” anything from fruit and veg and We were given a guide and moved from It was good to practise our French bread to cinema tickets. The highlight of shop to shop asking the staff for various speaking and we had a good time. the school trip was going to the French goods. The first shop I visited was la Matthew McGinty 7R café where I had a pain au chocolat and boucherie [butcher’s] where I ordered a pancake. We learnt lots of new French jambon [ham]. I had to describe the shop vocabulary and it was fun playing shop. owner and what the shop looked like. Unfortunately, because it was Next, I went to la boulangerie [the raining, we could not go to the park for bakery] and bought cinq croissants. our lunch, so we came back to school and After we went to the market I bought watched the Simpsons movie in French. une aubergine et deux pommes. Having C’était genial! practised our French for shopping we went By Alex Twyford to the shop in the centre and I bought un pain de chocolat and jus d’orange. We also role played going to the

Spanish The Europa trip may have cost a lot but it was worth it. The first impression I had at first was that I might be bored all day because it looked a bit uninteresting on the outside and inside it just look like a classroom. But when we started doing the activities I had so much fun. We bought things with pretend money and we learned new words. I remember in one activity we would buy things from a shop that sells clothes and one of my friends put on a dress and made some funny jokes. We even bought real food. The staff members were really nice and some people got prizes for a competition we had. I would say, it was a most interesting, fun school trip. Jay Yang 7G

56 TRIPS & EXCHANGES German

On 6th June 2019, Year 7 pupils learning German visited the On Thursday the 6th June a group from Year 7 went off on a Europa Centre of Languages in Hornchurch, Essex for a full German trip to the Europa Centre for Languages in Essex. day, engaging German trip. Arriving at school at 7’o clock in the The Europa Centre is set up to be like a small European morning, we set off on a very long drive, before finally reaching town, but inside a building. There were a selection of shops and our location. businesses such as a bakery, butchers, cinema, and cafe. There Inside the centre we started to line up outside a room. was even a train station and doctors. None of these were real As we entered the room, we were given cards with a letter and of course! a number on it. After waiting for five minutes, a lady came and While we were there we learnt about many things such started handing out booklets to fill in during the trip. Then she as how to order from a cafe. For example, at the cafe we would explained, in German, what we supposed to do in our booklets ask to buy something in German then we had pay the person and told us to complete some pages. Afterwards, she also behind the counter. We also learnt how to buy something from a explained the meaning of the letter and number on the cards shop using the German words and then ask how much the item given out before entering the room. The letter meant what we wanted to buy would cost. There was also another activity group you were in and the number what person to match the to do while we were going around the centre. At the start we person’s description on the back of the booklet and the first were given a plastic card (like a credit card) with a letter and three to complete the booklet and sign it would win a prize each number of the back. Each number corresponded to a fictional in school later on. person. Every time that we went to a new place in the town Later, we were split into four groups: A, B, C and D. Then, we could ask questions about our mystery person until we had leaders of our groups took us to the main part of our building, discovered lots of facts about them. It was a race to find out all where there was the city (‘Stadt’ in German) to explore. My of the information the quickest! group followed our leaders to half of the buildings, taking Overall, we had a really enjoyable day. We had plenty of down notes in the booklet about the owner of the shop and the opportunities to practise our German vocabulary. The best bit objects in the buildings in German before the break. During the was eating the food that we had ordered in German from the break, most people went to the cafe to buy food. Most people cafe. forgot to find about their mystery person, so they had to catch Drew Tallon 7C up on that. After the break, we swapped leaders and finished exploring the city. Then, we returned out booklets to the staff and we got ready with our bags to go to the park to have lunch. Afterwards, we got on to the coach to go to school after the tiring, engaging and fun trip. Reyhan Kothari 7B

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 57 Autumn Concerts

he first of the two Autumn You Worry ‘Bout a Thing, Neal Hefti’s rendition of them. The Junior Brass Concerts took place on Cute, Count Basie’s Moten Swing and Ensemble players were also in fine form Wednesday November Nick Capocci’s Donut King. The group’s with Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Aloud as 28th and featured seven performance was superb with wonderful well as Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the of our ensembles. The solo playing from Roshan Parmar on kit, Friday Band, with plenty of new recruits evening commenced with Paul Greally on piano, Matty Doulton on impressed with the popular This is Me TheT Senior Brass Ensemble performing bass and Matthew Kenny and Thomas from the Greatest Showman followed Tea for Two and Autumn Leaves, two Bartlett on trumpet. With a good influx by the theme tune to The Incredibles. MUSICjazz standards expertly arranged by Alan of young string players in September, the To finish the first half, the Brass Band Fernie for ten-piece brass. With more Crescendo Strings performed particularly excelled with a set of three pieces, than half of the group moving on to well with their programme of two pieces, firstly the Royal Air Force March Past by university at the end of last year, we John Lunn’s Downton Abbey theme tune Walford Davies, in the 100th year of their welcomed three new trumpet players, and Tchaikovsky’s Trepak. The concert existence, Philip Sparke’s Interlude from two new trombonists and a tuba player finished with the Senior Wind Band The Year of the Dragon during which to the fold, but any thoughts that it playing three pieces, Coldplay on Stage, Reuben Gluck shone with the trombone would take a long time to rebuild the America by Bernstein and a tribute to solo and finally, the foot-tapping Happy unit were dispelled very quickly, the Aretha Franklin in the form of Wasson’s by Pharrell Williams. Following a further group giving a superb rendition of these The Legends of Soul. Once again, the helping of mince pies and mulled wine pieces on the evening. One real highlight performance was superb and the final provided by the wonderful Friends of was the performance of the solo in piece provided the necessary rousing the School, and the Christmas raffle, Autumn Leaves by Matthew Kenny on the finale to an evening of musical excellence. the second half witnessed our two final Flugelhorn. The Junior Guitar Ensemble With a further seven groups groups, the Senior Strings and then the then performed the traditional Japanese performing on Thursday and with 260 Senior Orchestra. The Senior Strings song Sakura alongside an early Christmas boys involved, over twice the number played the Elegie from the Serenade by Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem whilst performing the previous evening, the Tchaikovsky, a most beautiful rendition the Senior Guitar Ensemble performed audience was likely to be on the large of the piece. The Senior Orchestra Mason Williams memorable Classical size and indeed it was, with parents and performed four pieces; the catchy Rites Gas. It was good to see ten guitarists friends packed up to the rafters! The of Tamburo by the American composer, taking part in ensemble performance, start to the evening’s proceedings was Robert W Smith and this was followed by and it would be excellent to have some in explosive fashion with the Percussion two difficult Prokofiev compositions, the more of our guitar players in school swell Ensemble providing a dramatic rendition March from the Love for Three Oranges the ranks at future concerts. The Clarinet of one of Mr Holling’s creations utilising and the Montagues and Capulets from Ensemble had been rehearsing during the timpani, tuned percussion, taiko drums, Romeo and Juliet, used regularly on the term for another musical event, but when bass drum and cymbals. The 71-strong television as the theme music to the we heard that this had been cancelled, Senior Choir then performed three pieces; Apprentice. The evening was rounded the Autumn Concerts would provide the Ben Parry’s arrangement of Gaudete, off with Gershwin’s music to Strike Up group with a perfect platform to show Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Don’t Cry for Me the Band. The orchestra, enhanced with their talents through Clare Grundman’s Argentina and the light-hearted Is this promoted players as well as a few of Bagatelle, a wonderfully light, the way to Amarillo? The performance our outstanding musicians from year 7, divertimento that was skilfully played was full of contrast and well-controlled performed superbly bringing the two by the group. The last group to perform and a special mention must go to the days of wonderful music making to before the interval was the Big Band newly-recruited year 7 singers who had a great climax. Congratulations to all and this group performed four numbers, worked particularly hard on these pieces those involved in making these events another Stevie Wonder Classic, Don’t this term to produce such an excellent so special.

Festival of Lessons and Carols

The Festival of Lessons and Carols took were able to participate in the three other 7, the Senior Choir sang extremely well. place on Tuesday 18th December in St. congregational carols, Hark! The Herald Following the brass recessional Fanfare Michael’s Church. Following a selection Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem on Carols, Paul Greally completed the of introductory voluntaries played by and O Come, all ye Faithful. The Senior evening with a wonderful performance of Paul Greally on the organ, the Brass Brass Ensemble also added an extra Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D minor BWV Ensemble started the service with In dimension with their excellent descants. 140. Congratulations to all students who Dulci Jubilo, setting the mood for the The choir only carols were Gaudete, The took part in this event to make it a very Christmas celebrations. Sam Waddell Wexford Carol, Carol of the Bells, Since the special evening to mark the end of our sang the opening treble solo in Once in Day the Angel Came, Away in a Manger, school music for the calendar year. Royal David’s City very effectively and Christmas Lullaby and Torches and with the large audience of parents and friends some wonderful new voices from year

58 MUSIC Senior Prizegiving

Senior Prizegiving took place in the first in keeping with the overarching theme of week back after the Christmas holidays. celebrating success. As a prizewinning The Fuller Quartet with Justin Ho and young composer from the UK, Paul was Jerry Yang on violin, Andrew Lai on viola commissioned to compose a piece for an and Reuben Gluck on ‘cello performed international composition project, ‘250 the exquisite opening movement from piano pieces for Beethoven’ to celebrate Smetana’s string quartet No. 1 in E minor the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven’s entitled From my Life. The performance birth in 2020 and we were very privileged was also exquisite, the players to hear his creation for the first time. clearly empathising with Smetana’s The piece captured and reflected the autobiographical musings detailing his dark brooding world of Beethoven’s late love of music and art and it rightly received period of composition and had everyone a tremendous reception at the end. The listening intently to the first airing of this musical interlude was given by Nicholas composition. Congratulations and thanks Watt on the piano, a very evocative to these young musicians who provided performance of Liszt’s rather tender such rich and diverse performances to and dreamy Sonetto 123 del Petrarca. enhance our evening of celebrations. Nicholas captured some wonderful colours in his delivery of this masterpiece. The final musical item was performed by Paul Greally and it was very much a first for Prizegiving, but something very much

Ingredients: About 20 enthusiastic members of staff. A couple of catchy modern songs. Rehearsal time snatched at lunchtime or after lessons. Add the missing magic ingredient - an amazing, patient and Recipe for good-humoured music teacher, willing to put up with our errors and spend her time coaxing us through the tricky harmonies - a Staff Choir the incomparable Mrs Cox!

Once again, Mrs Cox and her glamorous sidekick Mr Hussey on environment. (Remember, if you sing a wrong note, you can the piano have given up their time and given us the opportunity always blame the person next to you… although not if you were to be part of a great experience. Despite the choir only practising one of the apprehensive soloists!) this term (and never having all members of staff at all rehearsals), What will we do next year without the talented Mrs she was able to wield us into an effective singing weapon which Cox’s firm downbeat of the baton, always ready to rescue stormed the Summer Term Music Concert and vanquished the altos, and back up the sopranos, recharge the tenors the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Lunch with resounding renditions of and buck up the basses? We’ll hold that note, and sound out ‘Hey Brother’ and ‘A Millions Dreams’, hopefully providing the the consonant at the end while we wait to see. audience with as much entertainment and enjoyment as the JM choir. And even the rehearsals were fun, providing us with a chance to let someone else do the teaching, whilst giving a brief change of pace and culture in a safely non-judgemental

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 59 Spring Concerts

The first of our two Spring Concerts Henn in great form on the clarinet, taking of two Frank Bridge Miniatures, Valse took place on the evening of Wednesday on the Benny Goodman solo role, whilst Russe and Marche Militaire played by our 27th March. The evening started with Roshan Parmar developed his kit solos young Piano Trio. A little later we were the Senior Brass Ensemble performing superbly as the piece progressed. The witness to a dynamic and thoroughly a celebratory piece by J S Bach, Gelobet next item was in complete contrast to outstanding rendition of the first sei der Herr mein Gott, a rousing opening the exuberant mood just created; Pie movement of Smetana’s String Quartet piece played superbly by the group. In a Jesu by John Rutter sung very movingly in E minor entitled From My Life played lighter vein, the ensemble performed Alan and beautifully by the Senior Choir. There by the Fuller Quartet. Justin Ho, Andrew Fernie’s arrangement of Charles Trenet’s followed a very effective rendition of Paul Lai, Jerry Yang and Reuben Gluck, all Beyond the Sea, a clever composition Langford’s arrangement of Skyfall and extraordinarily fine musicians who, under starting with a quotation from Benjamin then the Brass Band and the Senior Choir the tutelage of Jane Faulkner, have given Britten’s Dawn Interlude on the solo joined forces for a piece composed by some wonderful performances in the past trumpet of Tom Bartlett, joined by Samuel Hazo called Today is the Gift two years, but there was an amazing Owen Bunn and then finishing with a written as a tribute to Rosa Parks and depth and maturity to this one. Their quotation from later in the piece, written her struggles on behalf of civil rights contribution to school music has been for the trombone section. The piece over fifty years ago. The performance immense. The two guitar groups were also featured a wonderful solo from the was extremely moving. The Brass on good form and under the guidance principal trumpet, Matthew Kenny in the Band then finished their set with super of Peter Gates provided the audience centre section. The saxophone ensemble performances of Henry Samuel’s Kiss with a Haydn slow movement and Led then graced the stage with a performance from a Rose and the lively Manhattan Zeppelin’s iconic guitar hit Stairway to of Mark Goddard’s Freestyle and then Skyline by David Shire. Following the Heaven, Manas Balla taking on the role the theme tune from Cagney and Lacey interval, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scherezade of the lead guitarist. The second half of by Bill Conti. Since most of the players Suite was performed by the Crescendo the concert started with a very moving in the saxophone ensemble are Big Strings with a wonderful solo from the performance of the Allegretto from the Band players, it was a quick turnaround leader Isaac Boxall. The final musical Serenade for Strings by Elgar and by for them for the next ensemble. Fresh performance was given by the Senior way of complete contrast, the Pizzicato from their magnificent workshop a Wind Band with their exciting programme Polka by Johann and Josef Strauss. The month before with the Patchwork Jazz consisting of Michael Giacchino’s rest of the Senior Orchestra then joined Orchestra, or Jazzwork Patch Orchestra as Symphonic Suite from Star Trek and Paul the strings for a performance of William they are sometimes known, the Big Band Murtha’s Selections from the Greatest Mathias’s Processional and a newly triumphed with a wonderful set of four Showman. This was an excellent way to discovered work by Robert Sheldon, pieces. Wes Montgomery’s Four on Six end the first of our two concerts, pieces Dansas Cubanas. This was a lively and featured brilliant solos from Paul Greally full of very hummable melodies and the entertaining finale played superbly by on piano and Will Leach on tenor and large audience showed their approval. the group. Many congratulations must then Matthew Kenny and Tom Bartlett Thursday’s concert started with the go to everyone who took part in the produced a superb rendition of Basie’s Friday Band and excellent performances two evenings to provide 27 excellent Duet for two trumpeters. Charlie Scott had of two pieces, Oye Coma Va by Tito musical items from 14 different musical organised the delivery of an arrangement Puente and Turn the Beat Around ensembles. All participants played their of Another Day from La La Land and this arranged by Larry Norred. The Spring part in making the evenings memorable proved to be a real hit with the band Concert traditionally sees the work of and I would like to thank everyone of you and was played extremely well. The final some of our chamber ensembles come for your commitment, loyalty and passion item was Louis Prima’s foot-tapping and to fruition and so we were treated to for making music. Long may it continue! energetic Sing Sing Sing which saw Max a lively and characterful performance

Founders’ Day Celebrations This year we were back at the Parish in the Choir area, we were able to fit the Headmaster’s reading, the Senior Choir Church, St. Mary’s in the middle of the Senior Choir very comfortably in as well. sang the anthem, Pie Jesu by John Rutter. High street after a two-year absence whilst This year we took year 7 and year 9 up to This was performed beautifully with the the church was being upgraded with new the church and once everyone was seated, trebles in great form as they effortlessly seating, lighting, heating and a whole host the brass performed Bach’s Gelobet sei caressed the extremely high melody line in of other modifications. We were astonished der Herr mein Gott, a rousing and excellent a few places. The second hymn was a more by the transformation of the building and introduction to start the proceedings. rousing and triumphant one, Come Sing delighted that we could now easily fit the The first hymn was a more reflective and the Praise. Once again the brass, organ Senior Brass Ensemble into a newly built topical one, Make me a Channel of thy and voices combined to great effect with staging area rather than a more squashed peace¸ featuring a beautiful descant in Matthew Kenny again providing a final area by the organ. With the new staging in the final chorus played magnificently by descant to great aplomb. The congregation the centre of the church and fewer pews Matthew Kenny on trumpet. Following the then listened in silence to the Allegro from

60 MUSIC THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 61 the Concerto del Signor Meck composed the school Founders’ Day celebrations in the also played Debussy, one of his Arabesques by Walther and performed by Paul Greally main school hall. The event was enhanced and Kaeshav Anand played Liszt’s Feux on the organ. This was played with great by four stunning solo performances on the Follets. Many thanks to all our musicians for skill and virtuosity on both keyboard and piano. Firstly, Yueyang Han performed the lending their great talents to celebrate those pedal board alike. Whilst some of the school first movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique who had the wisdom and insight to set up witnessed the excellent service at church, a sonata, then Conan Li played Doctor Gradus the school foundation over 315 years ago. similar number of students were enjoying ad Parnassum by Debussy. Caleb Huang

Prizewinners Concert 2019

This year’s Prizewinners and Performers’ Justin Ho on violin. Traditionally, the concert of Stars and Skyfall. One other highlight Concert took place on Thursday June 27th allows our junior ensembles to showcase was the inaugural performance of Yueyang and it was a real treat for all concerned. There their talents and this year was no exception Han’s own composition, Miniature for Piano were some wonderful solo performances in with the Friday Band, Percussion Ensemble, Trio, which received great recognition. the first half from William Dunn on clarinet, Junior Brass Ensemble, Junior Guitar Group, Following the final item, the Director Kevin Gashi on piano, Archie Agnew on Piano Trio and Crescendo Strings having of Music thanked Mr Simon Hester for his horn, Stefan Makhoul on flute, William their opportunity and taking it extremely superb accompaniments throughout the Vandy on trumpet, Kaeshav Anand on piano well. The Senior Choir also took centre evening and then the awards of silverware and Matthew Kenny on trumpet. Perhaps stage in the first half to perform two songs took place. The winners of the Rosebowl the show was stolen by Kaeshav Anand written by the group Queen, Radio Gaga were Justin Ho, Andrew Lai, Jerry Yang performing Feux Follets, arguably one of the and Crazy Little Thing Called Love whilst and Reuben Gluck, collectively known as hardest pieces of piano music out there. The the Staff Choir in its third year performed the Fuller Quartet. Their performance of performance seemed effortless and despite Hey Brother and A Million Dreams from Smetana’s string quartet, From my Life was its complexity, musically rewarding and the Greatest Showman. Following a speech one of the standout moments from the the smile on Kaeshav’s face revealed that from the Director of Music thanking Mrs Music Competition held back in early May this was a special moment. In the second Caroline Cox for her excellent work with the and was rightly chosen by our Adjudicator, half the excellent soloists were Sivanujan Music Department during the past fifteen Claudio di Meo. The Jean Walford Rising Sivakumaran on vina, Nicholas Watt on years, The Crescendo Strings made her Star Award went to Noah Stone this year piano, Ben Smith on ‘cello, Noah Stone on particularly proud with their performance for his outstanding performance of the violin, Archie Sarna-Howard on ‘cello and of three pieces, I Dreamed a Dream, City Allemande from Bach’s 2nd Partita, a very

62 MUSIC mature rendition from a young gentleman who has great potential as a musician. The Kienitz cup was awarded to Thomas Bartlett for his outstanding support of school extra-curricular music, playing in at least six different ensembles each week over a period of 7 years. An incredible achievement and feat of dedication. The Nigel Compton cup was awarded to three students, Stefan Makhoul, Yueyang Han and Rory Bartlett-Tisdall for their superb achievements in instrumental lessons during the year. Stefan had progressed rapidly on the flute to be in a position where he is taking his Grade 8 exam in July. Yueyang had progressed rapidly on the piano to be able to tackle the Diploma in July and Rory Bartlett- Tisdall had started on the clarinet this year reaching Grade 3 in nine months. Three very deserving young students and we wish them all the best with their continued studies. As ever, we would be in the concert hall until early into the morning hours if everyone who had gained an award played in the concert, but of course, congratulations must go to all of the 39 winners and to everyone who entered into the spirit of the Competition. Long may it continue. Finally, thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to another highly successful year of concerts. SH Kaeshav Anand Kaeshav Anand is an outstandingly talented piano player who has sailed through grades without any struggles. He started playing piano when he was turning 7 and got his first diploma at the age of 9. One year later he attained his second diploma, the LTCL, a diploma that is the equivalent in standard to the final year of a degree, which was a huge achievement because it was a world record as he was the youngest person to get 2 diplomas. OCTAGON MUSIC SOCIETY Throughout the years he has performed in many musical school events and has received many trophies and awards. Classical music concerts at Kaeshav says that he would like to be a professional pianist. the Clarendon Muse, Sundays at 4pm At the age of 10, he won an Under 14 Romantic piano competition and an Under 16 Jazz competition which is a prodigious 20th Oct 2019 COLIN CURRIE (percussion) achievement as he competed against older teenagers. Also, at the age of 10. He participated in the Rickmansworth Young Musician 17th Nov 2019 JAMAL ALIYEV (cello) and of the Year where he got through to the final and played against MARIA TARASEWICZ (piano) extremely talented musicians, some of whom were 19-year-olds who had been playing more then ten years longer than him! 19th Jan 2020 LUKA OKROS (piano) Kaeshav is also a very popular student and people rd respect him because of his musical achievement. It is 23 Feb 2020 TRIO MARTINU (piano trio) mesmerising to see him play in concerts and different musical 15th Mar 2020 RODERICK WILLIAMS (baritone) events. Lastly I would like to state that Kaeshav is well (piano) rounded student, doing well in and IAIN BURNSIDE all subjects. For full details of the Society and the If you would like to see programmes visit octagon-music.weebly.com Kaeshav perform here is his channel where he uploads Piano Single tickets at £16 are available at videos. The piece he is playing is octagonmusic.ticketsource.co.uk (no booking called Feux Follets and pianists fee). All persons under 26 years are admitted say it is well known as being difficult to play - but Kaeshav can. FREE (ticket required). www.youtube.com/channel/ For Season tickets at £60 for all five concerts UC-300sSGhmlc3I3a4UjUdVg contact Henry Moring on 01923 231917. Alex Marabese 9N

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 63 Music Competition Winners 2019-07-02 Lower and Middle School Ensembles =3rd Shivan Fernando 9T, Violin 2nd & 3rd mvts from Concertino for 1st Piano Trio (Isaac Boxall, Ben Smith & Soetufantens Sondag - Ole Bull Trombone - Ferdinand David Yueyang Han) =3rd Alejandro To-Salvatierra 10N, Violin March Militaire – Frank Bridge Five Madrigal Stanzas - Bohuslav Martinu Lower School Percussion 2nd Archie Agnew & William Harrison 1st Lucian Buxton 8B, Drum Kit I’ve Got Rhythm – George Gershwin Upper School Strings Own Improvisation 1st Andrew Lai U6G, Violin 2nd William Harrison 7B, Drum Kit Upper School Ensembles Scherzo in Cm - Brahms Yabba Dabba - Troy Miller 1st Fuller Quartet (Justin Ho, Jerry Yang Andrew =2nd Jerry Yang 11B, Violin =3rd Connor Fung 7N, Drum Kit Lai and Reuben Gluck) 2nd mvt from Sonata in A - Cesar Franck I’ll be There - Halland, Halland and Dazier Allegro Vivo Appassionato fro Quartet =2nd Reuben Gluck U6C, Cello =3rd Isaac Finkelstein 7T, Drum Kit in E Minor - Smetana Elegie - Faure We Will Rock You - Queen 2nd ‘Jazzwork Patchwork Orchestra’ =3rd Justin Ho U6C, Violin (Ben Post, Ben Mansell, Jacob Haddo, Polonaise de Concert Middle School Percussion Charlie Scott, Praveen Kathiryasan & no 1 in D Op 4 - Wienawski 1st Laksham Rajaloganathan 10N, Drum Kit Thomas Connor) =3rd Nicholas Watt U6C, D Bass Own Composition Me – Ben Post Mvts 1, 2 and 4 from Sonata in Gmin - Eccles 2nd Maulik Tripathi 9B, Drum Kit Noisy Neighbour - Noam Lederman Beginner Piano Lower School Woodwind 1st Pranav Sivakumar 8G 1st Will Dunn 8C, Clarinet Upper School Percussiion Agincourt Song – Anon Now get this! - Roger Perceli 1st Matt Cutmore 11C, Drum Kit 2nd Aaryan Lal 8C, Recorder Communion of the Cursed - Ice Nine Kills Lower School Piano Vivace and Allegro - Corelli 1st Kevin Gashi 8F Lower School Vocal =3rd Toby Corzberg 8N, Flute =1st Archie Agnew 8C Masquerade – Karen Tanak One-Part Invention - James Rae =2nd Theo Guerra 7N Proud of your Boy - Alan Menken =3rd Christian O’Brien 8F, Sax =1st Lucian Buxton 8B Ridicolosamente - Prokoviev Take Five - Dave Brubeck =2nd Alexandrou Chiriac Do you Hear the People Sing? - There Sleeps TItania – William Alwyn Middle School Woodwind Michael Maguire =3rd Fillipos Markogiannopoulos 7R 1st Stefan Makhoul 10G, Flute =2nd Nikhil Nair 7R Chanson De Matin – Elgar Hypnosis - Ian Clarke Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen =3rd Mruthyunjai Satheesh 7C 2nd Siddarth Nayer 9B, Clarinet =2nd Jason Dominic Reekhaye 7R The Penguin- Richard Lane no 1 from The Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite Hey Soul Sister - Train - Paul Reade 3rd William Harrison 7B Middle School Piano 3rd Jonathan Goldsmith 9T, Sax A Thousand Years - Christina Perri and David 1st Kaeshev Anand 9N The Pink Panther - Henry Mancini Hodges Feux Follets – Liszt =2nd Caleb Huang 9B Upper School Woodwind Middle & Upper School Vocal Arabesque – Debussy 1st Ben Post 11B, Sax 1st Vitalijs Strelcuks 10B =2nd Yueyang Han 10N Dis Alyscamps l’amo Souspire - Maurice Wiegenlied - Brahms Prelude in D BMV 874 - Bach =2nd Louis Cardoso L6G, Clarinet 2nd Zachary O’Malley U6B 3rd Conan Li 9C Concerto Mib Maggiore - Frantisek Krommer My Way - Frank Sinatra Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum - Debussy =2nd Tim Hire 11G, Bassoon 3rd Solomon Linington U6B Tarantella Op.20 - Ludwig Milda O Delmio Dolce Ardour - Gluck Upper School Piano 3rd Rikesh Chauhan U6B, Oboe Open Concerto Class 1st Nicholas Watt U6C Couvre Feu - Adrien Barthe 1st movt from Sonata in F -Beethoven =1st Andrew Lai U6G, Violin 2nd Marco Marabese 11N Beginner Brass 1st mvt from Concerto no. 1 in Gm op.26 - Bruc 1st movt from Sonata Pathetique - Beethoven 1st Drew Tallon 7C, Trumpet =1st Matthew Kenny L6F, Trumpet 3rd Fred Roberts 11P Lullaby - Unknown Concerto - Arutunian Nocturne in C Sharp Minor – Chopin 2nd Justin Ho U6C, Violin Lower School Brass 2nd mvt from Concerto no 2 in Gmin Op 63 Beginner Strings =1st Archie Agnew 8C, French Horn - Prokofiev 1st Yathushan Vignarajan 8G Romance - Saint-Saens 3rd Noah Stone 7C, Violin Violin Polonaise – Mozart =1st William Vandy 8N, Trumpet 1st mvt from Symphonie Espagnole - Lalo Lucky to be Me - Leonard Bernstein Lower School Strings 2nd George Digby 8T, Trumpet Lower & Middle School Guitars =1st Ben Smith 8F, Cello Rondo for Lifey - Leonard Bernstein 1st Aaryan Lal 8C The Hipster – Aaron Minsky 3rd William Harrison 7B, Euphonium Un Dia de Noviembre - Leo Brouwer =1st Noah Stone 7C, Violin From Ragtime to Riches - 2nd Kayan Patel 7R Allemande from 2nd Partita – Bach Mark Nightingale Mionga - Juan Antonio Muro 2nd Alex Hollis 7T, Cello 3rd Harris Felton 8F Intermezzo Sinfonico – Mascagni Middle School Brass Sons de Carilhoes - Pernambuco 3rd Nikhil Nair 7R, Viola 1st Theo Adam 9T, Euphonium Pierrot’s Serenade – Martinu Chanson Boheme - Bizet Upper School Guitars 2nd Kabir Kaul 9T, French Horn 1st Imran Omerdeen 11T, Guitar Middle School Strings Raider’s March - John Williams Asphyxia - Co Shu Nie 1st Archie Sarna-Howard 10T, Violin 3rd Owen Bunn 10N, Trumpet 2nd Avishar Dutta 11C, E guitar Scherzo in C Min – Brahms 2nd mvt from Zangief Theme - Yoko Shimomura 2nd Siddarth Nayer 9B, Violin Concerto for Trumpet - Haydn No 1 from 2 Mazurkas – Wienawski World Instruments =3rd Aryan Kaul 9N, Violin Upper School Brass 1st Sivanujan Sivakumaran L6N, Veena Romance Shostakovich 1st Matthew Kenny L6F, Trumpet Thilana BRINDAVANI Athi - Dr M =3rd Shivan Fernando 9T, Violin Concerto for Trumpet - Pakhmutova Balamuralikrishna Soetufantens Sondag - Ole Bull =2nd Thomas Connor 11G, Tuba 2nd Aaryan Lal 8C, Tabla =3rd Alejandro To-Salvatierra Serenade & Scherzo - Leroy Orstransky Unknown =2nd Nathan Phua 11N, Euphonium 3rd Anirudh Ganesh 7T, Mridangam Middle School Strings Midnight Euphonium - Goff Richards Maha Ganapathim - Anon 1st Archie Sarna-Howard 10T, Cello =2nd Thomas Bartlett U6N, Trumpet Melodie - Frank Bridge Bands Ballet Suite - Tchaikovsky 1st 10N Band (Yueyang Han, Bob Chan, Owen 2nd Siddarth Nayer 9B, Violin =3rd Joe Pilny U6G, Trombone no 1 from 2 Mazurkas - Wieniawski Bunn & Alejandro To-Salvatierra) Excerpts from Symphony no.3 - Mahler Cheerleader OMI =3rd Aryan Kaul 9N, Violin =3rd Reuben Gluck U6C, Trombone Romance - Shostakovich

64 MUSIC Paul Greally: Organist and Composer

Paul Greally is one of our very talented musicians who, in the well as the Lord St Audries prize for the highest overall mark for Lower Sixth, achieved Associate membership of the Royal a candidate under the age of 19. College of Organists. This is an exceptional achievement made Paul is also the winner of a number of competitions for a all the more remarkable by the fact that Paul walked away with variety of compositions from choral singing to jazz. prizes for the highest mark nationwide in the practical exam, as

Josh Patel our current Head Boy interviewed Paul

Some call him a god among men. By In terms of composing, your focus So are you worried about narrowing some I mean me. Paul Greally’s talent on seems to be mainly classical your field too much? an organ, piano or even percussion are In modern composition, the term Classical, I would still say I’m quite broad, I focus on well known across the school; he’s built you have the big C or the small c, the two quite distinct things but at the same a reputation as a formidable musician big C being a very specific period, but way I am closing off doors like Piano and and composer with perfect pitch and the that is not really considered to be true drums. You wouldn’t think it, but Piano ability to play any song from memory. My composing because its kind of copying and Organ are really quite different. The first memory of Paul is in fact his music. someone else, it’s called a pastiche so question I always get is: ‘Is organ just a Before even starting here at Watford I’m trying to be a lot more modern now so piano with multiple keyboards?’ Boys, I heard a piece he had arranged for the commission I’ve just sent off has more a Watford Girls concert; even then in Year modern techniques in it. I do occasionally What are you planning to do next? 5 or 6 his incredible talent was obvious like to compose pastiches in a Baroque Well the obvious thing is university, I’m to all who heard it. I managed to sit down style, for fun. hoping to take an organ scholarship with Paul to have a little chat about his somewhere, but what troubles me love of music. Is there anything in terms of musical a bit is that I feel I won’t have much genres that you haven’t done but time for composing at all because the How did you become interested in music perhaps would like to try? courses they have for studying music in the first place? I’m very much lodged in the western music academically, they really don’t allow I was born into a musical family, my world, I have pretty much no experience much in that regard. It is all about history mum was a harpsichordist and is now a with anything else really; so maybe and theory, there’s a bit of composing piano teacher, so I started learning piano exploring music from other cultures. but it is usually pastiche. There’s one big and this kind of grew. I then moved into thing at the end which is the final project, playing the organ and composing; All my I imagine it’s a bit like speaking a but that is judged very subjectively so sisters are trained in music, so we’ve got different language you have to be careful. recorder, flute, piano and some drums. Yes, the scales or the modes are Josh Patel L6N completely different, so it is exactly like You’ve done quite a lot of composing, speaking a different language, the way would you say that’s your main that certain chords pull and catapult you passion? into a new place doesn’t really exist in I’m kind of treating it equally to organ at other scales so it is a completely different the moment, but hopefully in the future I way of writing. can stitch it into some big things. You seem to be doing incredibly well So let’s talk a bit about the things that for someone of your age and breaking you’ve had commissioned or you’ve boundaries in some respects, so how written for events are you dealing with this recognition, is Recently I was one of the winners of a it something you enjoy? competition called BBC Proms Inspire, It’s nothing really. It’s nice to know that I submitted a two minute long piece my music is out there, not necessarily for clarinet and piano. The prize of that because people want to find it or will find was to have it put on the BBC website. it but it’s just nice to know there’s a little There’s also a commission for the BBC starting point for me. singers which is a prestigious choir run by the BBC. That will come out in about 2 Is there anything that you feel that months or so (at time of writing) hasn’t gone to plan in a musical sense, or you could have done better I used to really enjoy playing the drums, I still do but I feel I’ve let myself slip in that place as I haven’t been doing any practice, I wish I’d kept it going.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 65 Art Trip to Warner Bros Studios his year, on the 12th February, I and about thirty relaxing and a nice break from the hustle and bustle. It included other boys were invited to go to the Warner Bros creating our own paper houses and a comprehensive look at ARTStudios as part of an Art Trip. Naturally, I was how artists created an atmosphere in their sets and props. delighted since this was my first time ever to visit Now that everyone was hungry, we at long last took the studios. The day began with a hearty walk to off to the cafe. Although all of us had our own lunch, we still an exclusive bus station for those going on this took this opportunity to try the famous Butter Beer, laughing tour,T and I was lucky enough to get the front seats at the very as one by one we got our own foamy moustaches. The most top, so I enjoyed a panoramic bus journey while chattering with accurate description of this that I could think of would be my friends, who were all as eager as I to jump off that bus and “caramel cola with some foam on top”, which certainly makes explore the Harry Potter palace. for an interesting combination. Outside the cafe stood more After about half an hour we arrived at the front entrance, iconic features, like the Knight Bus, Privet Drive and the bridge which already caught everyone’s attention - three of the chess just outside of Hogwarts, as creaky and crooked as ever. I pieces from the Philosopher’s Stone stood in the rusted glory, particularly liked Privet Drive, with the living room in a perfect surrounded by a wall filled with pictures of magical newspapers. freeze-frame of when the letters fell in through the chimney, After waiting eagerly we finally scrambled inside, where some each one suspended in air, as if by magic. guards checked our bags for security purposes, and where Our final few stops would lead us through the most we took a picture altogether as a group; all of us were smiling spectacular display ever. As I walked into the room I was met cringeworthily in front of Hogwarts. with the most magnificent model of Hogwarts ever. Around Our first stop was in a large box-like room with a broad, 6 metres tall and 30 wide, it was used to film the shots of panoramic screen which showed how other people felt about Hogwarts from the outside. I walked down the winding ramp their visit here. Then we were led to a second room by a guide around the exhibit and gazed with awe. It looked amazing and were - “surprise, surprise” - a second short film was displayed, nothing like anything like I’ve seen before. Just past it was a this time with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint room dedicated to all the people who had helped create these explaining their experiences as being part of this studio. What movies, from actors to cameramen. Now all that was left was the happened afterward really surprised me (warning: spoilers extremely pricey gift shop! ahead); the entire cinema screen slid upwards to reveal the I loved this trip and I hope everyone else did as well. Who iconic Great Hall in all its glory. With admiration we roamed I really need to thank though are Ms. Woods and Mrs. Dreiser through, taking photos and whispering with each other. It was for organising this trip and giving us this magical day (no pun almost like in the movies, except obviously the roof wasn’t intended). twinkling with stars as we see in the movies - we have special Jakub Skop 8P effects to thank for that. Just when I thought things couldn’t get better, we entered When I was told that I had been chosen to go on the Warner a massive gallery filled with every set and prop imaginable, such Bros/ Harry Potter studios tour, I flew off my feet, because I had as the potions classroom, Hagrid’s Hut and Ministry of Magic, never been to the Harry Potter World before and I really wanted but my favourite had to be the Burrow (Ron’s House, for the to taste butterbeer and all the other famous Harry Potter less Harry Potter literate). In my opinion, a little movement can sweets. I didn’t enjoy the walk to the station because all the way spruce up any set, and seeing the sewing needles sew or the it was loud, with smelly cars and buses everywhere. When we knife chop vegetables all by itself was very cool, even if I knew got to the Harry Potter bus I was disappointed that there was no how it worked. shrunken head in the front of the bus or a loud bang as the bus In this hall I and my friends also had a photo taken in started moving, but unfortunately you don’t take the midnight front of a green screen, where we dressed as wizards in our bus to Harry Potter world! own Hogwarts robes (I chose Ravenclaw) and rode on our I was amazed by how much detail was put into everything broomsticks, and at the end of it all we got small receipt with in the building: Diagon Alley; the head of the big snake (book 2); an online link to our photos. Finally, because of a certain special but what I loved the most was the front hall and the miniature event, I managed to talk to the artist who drew every single one model (at the end of the tour) of the whole of the castle and part of the portraits that hang on the walls of Hogwarts, and it was of the grounds. Although they hadn’t included the Forbidden quite amazing to see how much detail went into each one. Forest in the model, just seeing the miniaturised castle took my After about an hour, we met up in front of the Forbidden breath away. Overall I loved the experience of the Harry Potter Forest. It was dark and gloomy, and somewhat disappointing studio tour with the school - hope you get in! since you couldn’t admire the brilliant props with the low Lucian Buxton 8B lighting and occasional lightning, but still really great to see it for the first time. We moved onto our workshop, which was

66 ART THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 67 Dominic Reed

Zach O’Malley

68 ART Nicholas Watt

Jack Osmond Saahil Arora

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 69 Art Trip to New York imes Square, Central Park, the Big Apple, New York Nearly every evening, we ended up in Times Square where City. NYC is home to some of the most famous and the atmosphere was electric! Being a picky eater myself, the historical landmarks in the world, not to mention meals that we had were fantastic. For dinner we ate at awesome the amazing art. In October 2018, we departed restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe and the Bubba Gump, from Heathrow on a long, comfortable flight to JFK the Forest Gump inspired restaurant. During our time in New airport. We arrived in the late evening in time to see York City, we also got to celebrate Harry and Josh’s birthdays. theT skyline lit up on the coach to the hostel. We also saw the Ground Zero memorial and visited Central Every morning we had tight schedules and we began Park. Everyday we got some free time where we were able to do by eating a scrumptious breakfast, which was a five minute what we wanted whether that was visiting other monuments, walk away. Throughout the week we relied on the subway to shopping or eating - we all had a great time. get around the city. The jam packed schedules were filled with Param Tanna 10G loads of exciting activities and more than enough free time. Our trip was a great way to enhance our vision into the World of Art as we visited many art museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim museum and also the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI). These museums were very interesting and helped us to learn about more artists and techniques which could help us in our future art topics. However many of us found some of the other landmarks even more exciting. For the duration of the trip we got to visit the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Times Square. These were three of the most exciting landmarks in my opinion. The view from the top of the Empire State Building was unbelievable and the lights on the buildings were stunning. We had a whole different perspective of the city when we took a boat ride to Liberty Island and saw the beautiful skyline during the day. Also, we saw the statue up close and also visited Ellis Island which was really informative for all of us.

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THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 71

W A Carr & Son Ltd_FPA_YHBW70.indd 1 14/09/2018 09:34 Rugby 1st XV

This year the 1stXV won 2 pieces of was playing University College School. finish our chances in the first half and SPORTsilverware, won 9 and lost 9 matches. Our They were a very strong team which beat with neither team wanting to make any fixture card was filled with some of the the Mill Hill side that we lost to earlier in mistake, the half time score was 0-0, but best rugby playing schools in the country, the season. Max Brown scored in the last with the bench coming on in the second with the likes of Mill Hill, Merchant play of the first half and we went into half half, we dominated and won the game Taylors’ and Aylesbury Grammar Schools; time positively, but 10 points down. We 20-0, scoring 4 tries and winning the first we knew that we were going to have to dig came back into the game with two tries year of the Maughan-Williams cup. deep all the way throughout the season. allowing us to narrowly win the game The end of season awards went to We started the season slowly and 23-22. After UCS, we played Sandringham Ayo Fasanya for Most Improved Player and lost to two very strong Richard Hale and School in the National Bowl semi-final to Max Brown for Player of the Season. A Mill Hill sides. However, despite this, we and with a 54-10 win we eased our way huge thank you must go to Mr Dawson, Mr worked hard in training and bounced back into the final where we met Glyn School. Doodson and Mr Wallis for all of their hard in the National Bowl against Isleworth and Despite being ahead at half time, a long work this season, giving up countless Syon Boys’ School, convincingly winning season had taken its toll and Glyn ran amounts of time and energy to make the 60-7. From gaining this much needed away with the game in the last 10 minutes WBGS rugby season successful. confidence we went to the County Cup and eventually we lost 34-15. tournament at Haileybury School. Early But the whole of the season had Squad: Matteo Ponzini, Festus Mensah, on we were knocked out into the Plate but been built up to the match against QE Joshua Pressler, Ayo Fasanya, Charles after this we beat Queen Elizabeth Barnet, Boys. This was because this year the Manieson, Thomas Wright, Jack Shute, St Columba’s College, and Verulam School Maughan-Williams cup was created. This is Kaden Elsey, Max Baker, Max Brown in the final to win the County Plate. hopefully now a new tradition that will be (Capt), Louis Harris, Angus Finnegan, Beating Haberdashers was one of competed for every year between Watford Ethan Meller, Waleed Malik, James the highlights of the season; tries from Boys and QE Boys. The cup is named after Foley, Benjamin Adonis, Joseph Mohan, Max Brown and two from James Foley, two hugely influential former heads of Aron Finkelstein, Connor O’Donnell, Kai one of which was a length of the pitch rugby from both schools, John Williams Tunstall, Zachary O’Malley, James Milford, sprint, helped us come back from a losing from WBGS and David Maughan from QE Edward Stock, Shay Rafter, Colm Finnegan, position at half time to win the game who together have given over 70 years of Sean Dieobi, Joe Sewell 25-15. Another highlight of the season service to Hertfordshire rugby. We didn’t Max Brown U6P

U16 The U16s have had yet another outstanding did anyone give up. The U16B’s playing senior rugby squad for the next couple season, with both the A team and B team record was played 5, won 4 and lost 1 of years. At the rugby awards evening, finishing the season with strong positive to the St Columba College U16A team, a James Foley won the A team Player of the playing records. The U16As playing record tremendous achievement for the B team. Season and Tom Kennard won the A team was played 7, won 5, drew 1 and lost 1 The highlight of the season for Most Improved Player. I’d like to thank Mr to a very strong Merchant Taylors School the A team was against Richard Hale Wallis for giving up his time to coach us team. With a squad not at full strength, School. Even though it was our first and make our incredible season possible. we went in at half time 29 - 13 down, game of the season, it was probably our but in the second half we brought it best performance. We played away and Squad: Connor McShannon, Silithan back to 36 - 36. Unfortunately, on the ‘hammered’ them 57 - 0 which was a great Balasingam, Sageeran Sudagaran, Kai last play of the game they broke through result as Richard Hale have always been Tunstall, Kai Zhou, Ben Post, Peter Shaw, and scored under the posts to make it tough opponents for us. Another highlight Kaden Elsey, Joe Sewell, Shay Rafter, 43-36 to MTS. It was very disappointing to for the U16s was the number of boys that Patrick Casapao, Tom Kennard, Alex Hayes, have lost but we were able to take many were called up to play senior rugby for the Chris Mensah, James Foley (Captain), Luke positives away with us from the game. We firsts, seconds and thirds, showing the Wall, Fred Roberts, Luca Ponzini, Harry showed great passion to come back in the strength of the squad we have. Henderson, Nathan Bloomfield way that we did and never at any point We look to have a very promising James Foley 11N

72 SPORT U15 It has been an extremely rewarding through, as we were determined to come done to all involved this year. year of Rugby for the U15s. The A team back and win. played 10 games, winning 7 and drawing We could not have had the success Squad: Arham Butt, Sebastian Wynn, Ajeet 1 - an excellent set of results. In previous and improvement if it hadn’t been for the Prabu, Rory Conboy, Roshan Shah, Harry years the boys have struggled to get the fantastic coaching from Mr. Beere and Mr. Burke, Joshua Hurst, Daniel Goudarzi, winning edge, however the improvement Meredith, who gave up countless hours Ben Beesley (Vice-Capt), Dylan Ackenson- of the team this year was tremendous. consistently through the season to help Sargeant, Sidney Sarpong, Owen Bunn, Along with this, we must remember that us benefit as a team, and we definitely did Joseph Bailey, Matthew Schofield, Tobias we play mostly the same opposition each so. All of the boys owe them huge thanks. Elliott, Deen Hussain, Simon Kato year, so to come away winning 3 extra Another achievement for the U15s Ben Beesley 10F games this year is amazing. I’m sure the was the prestigious ‘Team of the Year’ team would agree that our highlight game Award that was announced at the Rugby of the season was a massive comeback supper, much to the delight of Mr. Beere. victory over rivals Merchant Taylors. We Along with the team were down 14 - 0 at the end of the first half achievement, we against a very strong, well drilled side. had some individual However, we did not let our heads drop. highlights also with In the second half, the team regrouped Tobias Elliott winning and galvanised to bring the game back, Player of the Year winning comfortably, 36 - 19. The true and Rory Conboy the spirit and grit of the team really shone Most Improved. Well

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 73 U14 After a tough first two years of rugby at Now this was a special day for us: our to Mr Williams and to Mr Eddon for giving Watford Boys, everyone really wanted to best performance of the season in all up their time to make us better rugby start the season on a high. Unfortunately aspects. Two tries from Zaki Brister and a players and better people. Your work is for us, Richard Hale School was our first conversion from Finn McLean was enough much appreciated. opponent and having beaten us by 50 to win 12-10 and to see off a strong points in the previous season we knew rugby side - last season we had lost Squad: Harry Hauff, Muhammad Faizan it was going to be tough. We ended up this match 55-5. This shows that even Shahid, Elorm Dumor, Joel Karet, Pedro on the losing end of a 52-0 hammering. though we didn’t get all the results we Santos, Oisin McGuinness, Jack Law Our next opponent, St Columba’s College, wanted, we have progressed massively as (Vice-Capt), Shad Rasha, Fred Maggi, took the lead shortly before half time and a team since last season. Unfortunately, Finn McLean (Capt), Reuben Messik, scored three tries in quick succession to we couldn’t continue this winning run and Zaki Brister (Vice-Capt), Qaim-Ali Ravji, claim the victory. slipped to defeat against Haberdashers’. Dilan Varsani, Enzo Lim, Ibraheem Khalil, We slipped again to defeat against A game that we knew we could win was Suleman Ali, Vishal Prabakaran, Yujin our fierce rivals Merchant Taylors’. Another next, against University College School. Choi, Oliver Biddiscombe-Neale big game followed this against St Albans We played well and managed to clutch Finn McLean 9P School, who we beat last season 40-30. up in the last play and equalise, 20-20. A However we were not to get a similar result disappointing end to the season was to this time round and narrowly lost. Next follow this though, with three losses in a up, Watford Boys were proud to host the row. However, a few Year 8s stepped up first ever one-day County Cup tournament. and performed admirably against Mill Hill, This was a chance to show everyone what with Ollie Frederickson producing a Man we could do. We played our best rugby so Of The Match display in his debut game far in the tournament, progressing to the for the year 9s. plate tournament where, unfortunately, we Though it was a tough season, the were beaten by St Benedict’s School but team has shown tremendous resilience in a display that showed we really could and a brilliant desire to do well with compete with the best. regular attendance at training sessions. We took this team spirit into the next Reuben Messik received the award for the fixture versus St George’s, Harpenden. Most Improved Player. Finally, a thank you

74 SPORT U13

The 2018 season was the best so far for the U13s. After a promising U12 season with mixed results, we really started to become a team this year, recording seven wins, one draw and just one loss. There were some excellent results this year as well, beating Haberdashers’ Aske’s School 6-3, an emphatic 10-2 win against Queen Elizabeth School Barnet and an 11-2 thumping of Tring School. Even our draw was a great game, with WBGS taking the lead with a minute to go and then Magdalen College School scoring an excellent try with a chip into space and a dramatic dive over the line. Our best performance was against Haberdashers, where we really came together and recorded a great win, having lost 5-1 the year before. In the defeat against St George’s, we didn’t play the conditions well. There was heavy rain and we were trying too many offloads and tricks. However, after that defeat we were more tactical in how we played and very comfortably won the rest of our games. Eman Nyamutenha won the award for Player of the Season, scoring a lot of tries and being very solid in defence. He rarely missed a tackle and made an incredible number of breaks. He was also one of the driving forces in our huge scrum. I don’t remember losing a scrum all season because of our enormous pack. Overall, it was a great season for the U13s. I would like to thank Mr Silver and Mr Dyson for doing an excellent job coaching this year. I look forward to playing again next year, and seeing what this team with its great potential can do.

Squad: Akash Hetti Arachchige, Charlie Cockerell, Keshan Karunagaran, Anthony Mutebi Kigobe, Emmanuel Nyamutenha, Jakub Skop, Ollie Fredrickson (Capt), Ashley Bunn, Harry Grinham (Vice-Capt), Max Bilbie, Daniel Shannon, Zachary Venn, Daniel Olaniran, Dylan Balchin, Bertie Elcock, Daniel Jovanoski, Peter Cutmore., Luke Flynn Ollie Fredrickson 8P

U12

This season has gone very well with the started fast scoring within the first minute was thrown and the opponents intercepted, A team winning 6 games and losing 2. and from then stayed in control of the game. winning the game. We lost 10-15. We got off to a flying start managing to Unfortunately our defence slipped towards We have still to play in the County hold on against Haberdashers with some the end and we let a few tries before taking 10-a-side Cup at Berkhamsted School and great defence which lead to a Habs’ player control and winning with a score of 60-20. go to the competition full of confidence knocking the ball on giving WBGS a 15-10 After that we faced Hitchin Boys School thanks to the great work put in to us this win to start the season. After that win, we where we didn’t manage to get any sort of year by Mr Roberti and Mr Meredith. We went to Queen Elizabeth’s Boys School with foothold and ended up losing 10-50. thank them for all their effort and patience high hopes and, with a real team effort, Then we played University College with us as new rugby players. managed a comfortable win of 5-30. School; that was a hard game in the This season I feel we have really Our next task was away at Aylesbury beginning and we lost a player to injury, come together as a team and put in some Grammar School, who pushed us hard. which demoralised us. We went into big team efforts. We’ve put down a great Going into the last fifteen minutes it was halftime losing by a small margin, but we marker and now need to back this season close but two late tries managed to seal the came out and started strongly and once we up next year. win, with the final score being 10-25. had taken the lead our defence really didn’t Next we had Richard Hale School who let much get past it. The game ended with a Squad: William Harrison, Daryl Akum- we knew would be hard to beat. It was a hard fought win of 50-30. Ojong, Jamie Sewell (Vice-Capt), tough game and going into the last twelve Our last game was a re-match against Sam Serag, Aled Johnson, Asher minutes we were three tries down. A real Queen Elizabeth Boys School. It was always Futerman(Capt), Fabio Ponzini, Jacob team effort took us back into the game and, going to be hard with four players missing Thomas, Matthew McGinty, Alec Maggi, with three tries in quick succession, we were to injury, but they showed tremendous team Noah Billett, Alfie Jackson, Theo Guerra, back level. Finally, we scored the winning try spirit in still turning up to support us. Many Ben Chase, Jacob Manieson, Luca Rose, ending 30-35. of the boys really stepped up to fill the gaps Charlie Sylvester, Archie Jackson, William After a few hard away games we had a left and played really well. It was a tight Buckley, Dani Blyskosz home match against Tring School where we match but sadly, in the last play, a loose pass Asher Futerman 7R

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 75 Alex Lozowski. Alex Lozowski, born on the 30th of June 1993 - making him 25 - is a former student of Watford Boys Grammar School, but now plays Maughan - professional rugby for both Saracens and England in many positions but most recently as a centre. Alex was born in the London borough of Brent to Lisa and Williams Cup Robert (Rob) Lozowski. Rob was also a rugby player, playing at the This season was the first season in which a new London Wasps and making 263 1st team appearances and becoming cup, the Maughan – Williams cup, was competed captain in the 1988/89 season. Rob Lozowski was also capped by for between Watford Grammar and Queen England against Australia in 1984. Elizabeth’s School. The cup is named after two At Watford Boys, Alex enjoyed and was successful at various directors of rugby: John Williams from WBGS and sports including football where he played for Chelsea Academy up David Maughan from QE. John and David’s work until the age of 16. However, he was released but had other offers has not only allowed for rugby in both schools from teams like Watford and Norwich but by that time he was to flourish but has also enhanced Hertfordshire’s focusing on bigger and better things like getting into university and county rugby, making Herts rugby one of the top getting a job. county sides in the South of England due to their During university, his rugby developed and Alex was called up combined 70 years of service. for the Yorkshire Carnegie, formerly known as the Leeds Carnegie, The inaugural Maughan-Williams Cup game where he made 26 appearances, gaining 195 points in all within took place under lights at Finchley Rugby Club. 2013/14. He mostly played as a full back and as fly half. Alex Watford Boys’ support was led by Jacob Culshaw impressed the Carnegie so much that he even won the Leeds Young with his drum and barmy army, which didn’t stop Player of the Year award. At the end of the season he transferred to chanting for the whole game. The game was Wasps for the 2014/15 season. watched by many old boys of the school including Alex played very frequently and often came off the bench the likes of Don Barrell and Alex Lozowski, with for Andy Goode, playing as a fly half making 116 points in his over 400 others. The wind was very strong and in 27 appearances for Wasps. He was also nominated for the LV the first half, neither side gave an inch, with many breakthrough player of the season in the LV cup. Alex, like his dad, knock ons and forward passes and the first half also played for Wasps, but had fewer appearances before he left for was dominated by set pieces and slow ball. The Saracens. half ended 0-0. After some subs and a change Since January 2016 Alex has played for Sarries. He has made over to the game plan, we were confident going out 40 appearances and also has 243 points for the club in all competitions. of the sheds for the second half, despite being Since joining the club he won the premiership and most recently he against the wind. We started quickly and through played in both the European cup final and the premiership final winning a powerful effort from Ayo Fasanya went 5-0 up both. Alex also made his England debut in June 2017 against Argentina within the first 10 minutes of the second half. After in England’s test series, defeating them 38-34. Most recently he played our bench came on, we dominated the game. Our against Japan in a convincing 35-15 win. hard work throughout the season allowed us to Jamie Sewell 7N. score three quick tries and win the game 20-0. A special mention must go to several year 11s this year, who stepped up and played most of the 1stXV season. Including two try scorers James Foley and Kai Tunstall in this cup game. We hope that this year’s game has initiated a new tradition between the two schools and that every year from now can be very competitive with some silverware to be fought for. A very special thank you must go to Mr Dawson for all of his work to organise this event. He spent hours of his own time researching the history of Watford and QE and ensured that the game and post-game events ran smoothly. Mr Dawson was even able to contact John Williams and David Maughan, both of who were able to come to the game, watching it together and presenting the cup after the game. We hope that the Maughan – Williams cup can be a tradition that continues long into the future. Max Brown U6P

76 SPORT Rugby & Cricket Tour to Spain

Originally, this cricket and rugby tour was planned for Sri Lanka, Foley scoring a calculated 45 not out in the first match and Ben however, due to the tragic events that had occurred there, the Beesley hitting an entertaining 37 not out in the second match tour was rightly cancelled. It looked highly unlikely that we were to help the Watford Boys team to victory. going to go on tour, until one lunchtime, when Tom Kennard The rugby players hoped to follow the cricketers’ success approached Mr Samarasinghe, pleading if there was any chance on Wednesday as they faced a well-drilled, local Almeria Rugby we could plan a new tour to somewhere a little closer to home. Club side. The game was split into four twenty minute quarters So after much discussion and rapid organisation by Mr Wallis because of the high temperatures and, for the first two quarters, and the finance office, it was decided that the new destination the game was evenly balanced with both sides having their fair for our tour would be Spain, and more specifically, a 5-star share of chances. However, in the third and fourth quarters, resort called Desert Springs in Almerìa. the Watford Boys team were just too strong for the opposition We met at school at 3:00 AM sharp on Saturday 13th July, as the hard training earlier on in the week proved worthwhile. ready for a 6:30 AM departure to Alicante airport. We arrived Watford Boys eventually ran out comfortable winners, with the at Desert Springs at around lunchtime, and experienced the game finishing 71-7 to Watford, against what was really tough blazing heat for the first time. In the afternoon of that same opposition contrary to the score line. A special mention must go day, the cricketers had their first net session and the rugby to Man of the Match, Tom Kennard, who scored a wonderful hat players their first training session, becoming acclimatised to trick in his last game of rugby for Watford Boys. the fierce dry heat on the pristine, green turf of the Desert We were also treated to a squad picture with Sir Ian Springs training ground. After a tiring training session, there Botham, who has an apartment at the complex and kindly gave was no better way to cool off than in one of the many stunning up his time to meet and greet the players. swimming pools at Desert Springs. The facilities, the accommodation, the food and the After a couple of beneficial training sessions for the activities on offer at Desert Springs were top class and enjoyed cricketers over two days, it was game day on Monday. The by everyone throughout the tour. We would like to say thank cricketers faced the Desert Springs XI in two gruelling T20 you to everyone at Desert Springs for their excellent hospitality. matches in the ruthless heat. The Desert Springs XI even Also, a huge thank you must go to everyone in the finance included a couple of players who play for the Spanish National office, Mr Wallis, Mr Jacobs, Mr Samarasinghe and Mr Roberti Cricket team so it promised to be a tough yet well balanced for making this very successful tour happen. match. The Watford Boys team won both matches with James James Foley 11N

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 77 Cricket 1st XI

The season started with a T20 pre season to win. Our chase was dominated by Toby always against the Old Fullerians and this tournament. The first of these came Elliot who scored a brilliant 40 before year was no different. The Old Boys batted against Merchant Taylors’ 2nd XI in which being controversially run out, although it first and were restricted to 181 all out as Ben we chased 135 for the loss of 3 wickets. appeared that the bowler had dropped Beesley took 3 for 30 and I took 4 for 28. A We then faced Reading Blue Coat School the ball before he removed the bails. We few batsmen got starts with Harry Kendal where we were unable to defend a below still managed to stumble to 157 for 9 and getting 34, Ben Beesley getting 31, and Ed par total of 135. were inches from winning when Jamie Stock scoring 20 odd. However it was the We started the season proper in Milford thought he’d struck a 6 in the final partnership between Sully Manzoor and excellent fashion, bowling Hitchin out for over but was denied by the fielder. me that took us close to the target before I just 58 and the runs were knocked off We then played our annual timed struck a 4 to win the game and take me to without losing a wicket. Our second game game against the MCC. They batted first, as fifty at the same time. came against St Albans School who we usual, and posted 220 for 6 in an excellent All in all it was an excellent season tend to struggle against; that proved to fielding and bowling performance from us. with only 3 losses, and special mention be the case again as we rarely looked like However our top order batsmen failed as must go to James Ryan and Ben Beesley, getting close to their score of 174 and we we faltered to 125 for 9 in a drawn game. our opening bowlers. Ed Stock batted limped home to 108 for 9. We bounced Our penultimate game came against beautifully throughout the season and back from this loss with an excellent the touring Wesley College from Australia Player of the Season was Yuvresh Malhotra. run of five wins including a victory over and a brilliant bowling performance from our rivals Haberdashers’ Aske’s and a us again restricted the opposition to Squad: Edward Stock, Yuvresh Malhotra, crushing defeat over John Lyon in which just 148 for 9. Our chase didn’t really get Kailum Patel, Harry Kendal, Sulaimaan we posted 172 for 3 and then proceeded started as we lost wickets regularly and Manzoor, Tobias Elliott, James Foley, to bowl them out for just 71. We also beat looked out of the game at 93 for 9 before Ben Beesley, James Ryan, James Milford, St George’s College, UCS and Aldenham an unbelievable 10th wicket partnership of Snehan Das, Angus Forrest, Priyansh School in our run of five wins. Following 56 between James Ryan and Jamie Milford Gajera these wins we played Forest School in a took us over the line with an over to go. Edward Stock L6B T20 in which we attempted to chase 165 Our final game of the season is

78 SPORT 2nd XI

This season has been a rollercoaster for bowlers were on good form with off- 2nd XI Squad: Jacob Culshaw (Capt), the 2nd XI with no two games being similar. spinner Khush Pau taking two wickets in Angus Forrest (Capt), Robert Curwen, We finished with two wins from five. one over. This left us chasing 111 for the Adam Gale, James Ryan, Joseph Mohan, Our season began at the New Field win. With a big point to prove with the Khush Pau, Abdullah Raja, Aarush Lal, against Hitchin 2nd XI. WBGS bowled first, bat, the team played brilliantly, chasing Usmaan Maududi, Aaron Treon, Snehan knocking their opponents over for 103; the runs in 16.2 overs - Snehan Das with Das, Jack McRae, James Foley, Ben Sahir Patel’s two wickets causing a top- an impressive 60*. Dominic, Charley Smith, Alex Chase. order collapse. With the bat, the home team Next, WBGS travelled away to Forest Jacob Culshaw U6N were impressive with a 68 run partnership School. We chose to bat first and it seemed between Robbie Curwen and James Foley to pay off with the team scoring 132-6, taking WBGS to their first win of the season, including a nice 39 from James Ryan and R. Curwen - 37*, J.Foley - 31*. a “huge” reverse sweep 6 from Angus After a thrilling first win at home, Forrest. However, the game was taken the 2nd XI went back down at the New down to the wire, with Forest eventually Field to play St. Albans - hoping to make chasing the total with three balls to spare. it two-from-three at home. Once again A mention must go to Abdullah Raja who the bowling was good from the home took 3-21. side, with Angus Forrest taking 2-19 from We then lost our final match against his four overs and St Albans making 112. Habs’ with a dismal batting performance. However, the batting was not up to par as For the season our highest run-scorer wickets fell in succession leaving WBGS was Robbie Curwen with 80 runs and our 89-7 from their 20 overs. top wicket-takers were Angus Forrest, Sahir Looking to bounce back, we then Patel and Abdullah Raja, who all took 5. headed to St George’s for our first away game of the season. Once again the

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 79 U15

The U15s have had a fantastic year of Mentions must go to Tobias Elliott for an one who has represented the A team for cricket. Playing 11 games and winning 7 excellent 100 against John Lyon and James their commitment and dedication, it has was an immense effort, especially due to Stock for another good year with the ball. been a pleasure to play in the team for the the tough opposition faced this year. I’m We must also thank the sports staff past four years. Well done to all the boys sure the boys will agree that the highlight for all of the time and effort they put into and I shall look forward to more success of the season would be the victory at the the season. Mr. Samarasinghe spends in the future. Berkhamsted six-a-side tournament, in a lot of his time organising fixtures and which we beat the hosts and other highly attending training, and Mr. Wallis who Squad: Kairu Edwards, Ben Beesley (Capt), skilled cricketing schools, which led to managed the side very well this year; we Tobias Elliott, Dilan Gunawardena, Joshua our final victory over Aldenham School. owe them a huge thank you. Adonis, Dhruv Desai, Priyansh Gajera, Furthermore, the team achieved the spot Sadly, this season marks the last Neeyam Patel, James Stock, Harvir Sanghera, as County Cup semi-finalists, however time we will play together as a team, so Sayam Azhar fell short to a strong Haberdashers’ side. I would personally like to thank everyone Ben Beesley 10F U14 The U14s had a tough season, playing UCS was the next game, and the Chohan guiding us to a small total with 32 11 games, winning 5 and losing 5 with tensest game of the season. We batted not out. Our batting remained a problem an epic game against University College well, scoring 136/6 in our 20 overs. After in the next few games, alternating School tied on the final ball. Led by Mr some good bowling by WBGS throughout between losses and wins. A good win Dyson and Mr Eddon, the season started their innings, UCS needed 7 off the last against QE was followed with an improved with a loss to St Albans in near arctic over to win. A thick edge going for three performance with the ball and in the field conditions at a blustery Woolams. Fielding left them needing 1 run to win with 2 to beat John Lyon. Our final game was a in the coldest conditions that most of balls left. Aarav Banga held his nerve win against Highgate, another tense affair us have played cricket in, we started off and bowled the batsman middle stump. with the team holding their nerve in the well, but in the end St. Alban’s 175 was Next ball, the batsman dropped him short, final over to win by 3 runs. too much for us to chase. We experienced Aarav fielded off his own bowling and his immediate improvement in the next game direct hit at the stumps tied up the match. Squad: Charlie Moore, Yash Parikh, against Merchant Taylors’, where Maheen, A thrilling finale! Aarav Banga, Husayn Merali (Capt), Eesa Harry and Prab all played a year up and The team carried on playing good Siddiqi, Rishi Chohan, Ansh Shah, Fred made contributions, with Maheen scoring cricket, bowling well but needing to MaggiBhavya Shah, Amveerjeet Gurung, 72. MTs were restricted to only 84, with improve with the bat. Charlie Moore took Shayan Patel Amverjeet Gurung taking 3/11. 5/6 against St Columba’s, with Rishi Husayn Merali 9F

80 SPORT U12 Playing 11 games, the U12 team good performance and we bowled them Top performers with either the bat won 5 and lost 6. Having reached the all out and recorded a comfortable victory. or ball were: Khrishan Patel, Ammaar semi-finals of the County Cup, we have In the quarterfinals, we played St Bandali, Nikhil Nair and Amun Sharma. done well for our first year of secondary Columba’s College at home. Bowling first, school cricket. A notable victory against we restricted them to 98-5. We chased Squad: Ammaar Bandali (VC), Ben Chase, Queen Elizabeth Boys was when we won this total down pretty comfortably, only Rhys Doshi, Anirudh Ganesh, William, thanks to Nikhil Nair’s 55* and Khrishan losing a couple of wickets. In the semi- Harrison, Aled Johnson, Atiq Khan, Aarnav Patel’s 4 wickets. This game went down final, we played Habs’, who we had lost to Kochhar, Alec Maggi, Nikhil Nair, Rian to the very last ball, when we needed by 65 runs earlier in the year. They batted Parikh, Aarav Patel, Kayan Patel, Khrishan one run to win. In the first round of the first, scoring a chaseable score of 125. Patel(C), Jed Rickayzen, Mruthyunjai County Cup against Aldwickbury School, After a good start with the bat, we were Satheesh, Amun Sharma we batted first and managed a reasonable chasing down the total well, but towards Khrishan Patel 7F score of 127 thanks to a good partnership the end, we lost our way and gave away from Amun Sharma and Ammaar Bandali. our wickets and were bowled out for a In the second innings, everyone put in a disappointing 98.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 81 Hockey

1st XI The 1st XI had an inconsistent season with The season finished on a high with a Played 11 Won 4 Drew 1 Lost 6 some good performances interspersed good victory under floodlights against with some heavy defeats. The School Aldenham. It was a fitting way to send off Squad: Max Brown, Waleed Malik, Sahir secured good victories against Aldenham, our Year 13 cohort of players. I wish them Patel, Alexander Marmor, Kailum Patel, Bancroft’s and John Hampden GS. every success in the future and I hope Ethan Meller (Capt), Louis Harris, James The latter a 4-1 victory, coming in the that they continue to play hockey, as we Milford, Robert Curwen, James Ryan, National Plate competition, was probably would love to see them back for the Old Angus Forrest, Amaan Manji, Connor the strongest performance the side put Fullerians game next season. O’Donnell, James Foley, Sulaimaan together all season. This led to a third The team was superbly captained Manzoor, Max Baker, Oliver Withell, Jack round tie against a strong Uppingham by Ethan Meller, who won Most Improved Aitchison School side, with WBGS unfortunately Player in the end of season awards for unable to replicate last season’s run of his exploits in goal. Player of the Season form in the National Plate, losing 0-7. award went to Waleed Malik.

2nd XI The 2nd XI had a very successful season School, St Georges, Kings College School Played 7 Won 4 Drew 2 Lost 1 losing one fixture all year. The season Wimbledon and Aldenham School. The Squad: Jacob Culshaw (Capt), Ben started with an attritional 1-1 draw team was captained this season by Jacob Walldock, Jack Shute, Joseph Mohan, against a spirited Haberdashers’ side. Culshaw, with Luke Hardy winning Player Kartigan Navaneethan, Ewan Cooney, This was followed by a more entertaining of the Season. Edward Stock, Aaron Treon, James Cox, 2-2 draw against St. Albans in a game Devang Arya, Justin Ho, Luke Hardy, WBGS should really have won. Wins did Varun Dodhia, Daniel Ezekiel, Sachin follow though, with the 2nd XI gaining Chotai, Oliver Withell, Dion La, Alexander good victories against University College Nazareth, Sulayman Khan

U16 The U16s had a positive season winning 4 Bishops Stortford and Merchant Taylors, Played 7 Won 4 Drew 2 Lost 1 of their regular season fixtures. The side both by a goal. The side was captained Squad: Matthew Field, Ben Post, Fred progressed in the National Plate to the by Tom Kennard, who was also Player of Roberts, Kaden Elsey, Harrison Francis, third round, finally being eliminated by the Season. Alexander Hayes, Sulaimaan Manzoor, Trinity School, Croydon. The side gained James Foley, Harry Henderson, Thomas credible victories against Haberdashers’ Kennard, Joe Sewell, Keval Sikotra, Imran Aske’s, St Albans, UCS and KCS, Omerdeen, Alex Richman, Shay Rafter Wimbledon. The losses were against

U15A The U15s had a stop start season been victories but for a hint of rustiness. Squad: Sebastian Wynn, Akshyan which was disrupted by the weather in the There is undoubted potential in this team Vijayakaran, Cem Harwood, Dylan middle of the season. This seemed to halt and we look forward to the challenge Ackenson-Sargeant, Rahul Mehan, the momentum the side had gathered as of entering the U16 National Cup next Kairu Edwards, Tobias Elliott, Matthew a result of early season victories against season. The team were ably captained by Henderson, Matthew Schofield, Irfaan both Haberdashers’ Aske’s and St. Albans Ben Beesley. Player of the Season went to Kanji, Sayam Azhar, Oliver Dunn, Neeyam Schools. Draws against KCS, Wimbledon goalkeeper Sebastian Wynn. Patel, Akshay Mehta, Joshua Hurst, Ben and Bancroft’s School could easily have Played 7 Won 2 Drew 2 Lost 3 Beesley (Capt)

82 SPORT U15B The season started badly for the U15B, the team performed well even though Squad: Nathan Allen, Rory Conboy, Harry being unceremoniously beaten by a good we lost narrowly to KCS Wimbledon and Burke, Roshan Shah, Kyle Shah, Ahmed Haberdashers’ side 0-4. Performances did Merchant Taylors. The final game of the Akbar, Yusuf Khan, Joshua Adonis, Robert pick up and the following game saw a season was a 0-0 draw v Aldenham with Drake, Louie Weissand, Krish Mamtora, battling 2-1 victory away at St. Albans. a star performance from goal keeper Rory Zak Chorbachi, Joseph Bailey, Simon Kato, Our final victory of the season came in a Conboy who went on to be awarded B Anshul Prusty 6-1 demolition of UCS. That was clearly team Player of the Season. the high point of the season, although Played 6 Won 2 Drew 1 Lost 3

U14A The U14s had a tricky season after making the victory over KCS Wimbledon, where Played 11 Won 1 Drew 2 Lost 8 the transition from 7-a-side to 11-a-side Ibrahim Khalil scored a hat-trick and we Squad: Pedro De Almeida, Aryan Patel, full pitch hockey. The commitment of won 3-2. It was disappointing to draw our Shad Rasha, Fred Maggi, Eesa Siddiqi, the squad was outstanding with close to final game v Aldenham, a game we felt we James Zhao, Finn McLean Husayn Merali twenty different players representing the should have won, but all in all the season Shailan Bavisi, Ishan Patel, Rahy Premji, team. Coached by Mr Doodson and Mr was far more positive than our results Ibrahim Khalil, Dylan Patel, Bhavya Shah, Dyson, training sessions were always fun suggested. Ansh Shah, Zaki Brister, Hayato Figurado, and whilst results didn’t always go in our Player of the Season went to Shad Hammad Mughal, Reuben Messik, Tom favour, the squad enjoyed their hockey Rasha for his tenacious work in midfield Leach this year. The highlight of our season was and defence.

U14B The 14Bs season mirrored the A team performances this season with Qays Squad: Haroon Sohail, Juvan Ganesh, for large parts. We had a large squad of Judge moving into the team and bringing Charlie Moore, Yash Parikh, Jack Law, Jack players, with lots of opportunities for a lot of energy to the team. Vincett, Qaim-Ali Ravji, Haroon Sohail, people to play. We managed to achieve Krish Patel, Rahy Premji, Shayan Patel, three victories through the season, Played 9 Won 3 Lost 6 Joshua Thasan, Kaeshav Anand, George beating KCS, Wimbledon 6-0, St Albans 1-0 Dyer, Albert Lushaku, Rishi Chohan, Arun and Aldenham 1-0 in the last game of the Gill, Dylan Mistry, Zaki Sediqi, Eshaan season. There were some breakthrough Alag, Qays Judge

U13 Mini Hockey The U13s played 7-a-side mini hockey this commitment from the players in the B, U13B Nabeel Akhtar, Sahenn Arya, season and we were able to field teams C and D teams. Hockey at U13 level is Debayan Dey, Ollie Fredrickson, Kayden at A-D level. This meant that over 40 looking promising and hopefully we can Kukadia, Rahul Patel, Ben Smith, Max boys were involved in competitive fixtures build upon these foundations in seasons Bilbie, Ashley Bunn, Peter Cutmore, throughout the course of the season. With to come. William Dunn, Elias Botiz, Kevin Gashi, the teams playing their first competitive Rohan Thakker matches this spring it was always going U13A Elia Ali Lauzzana, Rory Bartlett- U13C Max Gardner, Kai Patel, Ayaan Shah, to be challenging at times. Tisdall, Kesi Edwards, Bertie Elcock, Emmanuel Nyamutenha, Daniel Olaniran, The U13A had a fantastic season Harry Grinham, Lucas Hart, Yusuf Saleem, Benji Blyskosz, Kevin Gashi, Raiyan Khan, winning 5 of 7 games in their regular season. Mark Harwood, Kayaan Chander, William Anthony Mutebi Kigobe, Jasper Parsons, They also showed very strong performances Dunn, Max Bilbie, Peter Cutmore, Kayden Bilal Ahmed, Raahil Batonkee, Lucca Patel at the U13 County tournament, losing Kukadia U13D Raihan Kazmi, Neil Nair, Sajjad narrowly to Bishops Stortford in the semi- Nathani, Anwesak Pant, Prem Jani, Raiyan finals, before finishing 4th overall. Khan, Isaac Boxall, George Clark, Bilal It was very pleasing to see so much Ahmed, Vir Tanna, Dylan Yadav

U12 Mini Hockey The U12s also got their first taste of Haberdashers’ and Aldenham Schools. It that this is just the start of their hockey mini hockey in the second half of the was very pleasing to see so many boys journey and wish them every success in spring term this year. We fielded teams representing the school in their first half the future. at A-D in block fixtures v St. Albans, term of hockey at the school. We hope JD

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 83 Sailing

2018 Autumn term was a great success with the re-introduction of sailing to boys in Year 9. 44 boys from Yrs 9-11 along with one 6th former completed 32 sessions at Bury Lake Young Mariners. The average attendance was over 13 boys per session and many of the Yr 9 and Yr 10 boys were first time sailors or beginners. A fair handful of boys who attend Learning Support sail throughout the term. Oliver Tattersall, our Yr 12 student has been extremely helpful. Ollie attended all the Yr 9 sessions at BLYM in his free period to assist with instruction. He is currently an Assistant Instructor at BLYM and it is Ollie’s goal to go on and qualify as a Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Instructor. The racing sailors ‘Squad’ from Yr 11, narrowly missed 1st place in a NSSA Single Handed - Team Event last October where there were 30 Teams competing representing a range of counties and schools. There were over 150 races Why do I like over the course of the weekend and both of the teams from Watford Boys did exceptionally well in very cold and hockey? windy conditions. Each team raced at least 10 times. The B team won 6 out of 10 and finished I like to play hockey because of so many reasons. When I play an impressive 11th out of 30 in the I develop key skills that are needed in everyday day life like league. The A team did even better by communication, friendship and teamwork. I also like playing winning 8 out of 10 and finished 2nd in hockey because it is fast which makes it challenging. the league which gave them a place in Hockey is a great game to play as it keeps you physically the semi-finals. They won the semi-final and mentally tough and strong. It is a game for all ages and and progressed to the final that was abilities. You can still play even if you are retired and in your closely fought and went to a tiebreaker later years, you are still able to play hockey! race in which they unfortunately lost to Compared to football where many have to retire the Derbyshire A team. young, hockey is a much safer sport and injuries are A team: Tim Hire 11G, Matthew Bennett much more infrequent. Although the ball is harder than 11G, Abby Hire (WGGS) in football and there are hard sticks, it is rare to get B Team: Thomas Farnsworth 11B, as serious injuries as you get in football. The rules are Charlie Scott 11B, James Turvey 11G different to football as there is no off side and you can In early March 19 the ‘Squad’ dribble more which makes it fun. and I had a fabulous day as guests of Studies have shown that hockey is also one of the the Sailing Academy at Royal Hospital best sports for your brain; playing hockey gives you a School, near Ipswich. The boys sailed in brain boost and because of the endorphins released in Fireflys in preparation for a NSSA Double these brain boosts, the feelings of depression, anxiety Handed Team event taking place on and stress are released. Saturday 23rd March in Oxford. Originally As well as hockey being great on a health level and we had entered two teams, each of four on a mental health level, hockey is also great because it boys, however, as the event is massively helps you meet lots of new people. I have learned this over subscribed, just one Watford Boys on a personal level and as I play more and more I am team will be there. recognising lots of people I have seen before and I am We are very grateful to Ed Sibson, building great friendships. This shows that hockey is a Director of Sailing at RHS, who has great gateway to friendships and relationships. enabled the boys to have this fantastic Harry Grinham 8C opportunity at no charge at all for the past two years. Philippa Parks continues to

84 SPORT Sailing actively support the dinghy racing at school and accompanied It was during the summer holidays of 2011 that I learnt to sail the boys to Oxford on 23rd March. Despite the tremendous effort whilst staying with my grandmother. At the end of the summer, of the team: Tim Hire, Matthew Bennett, Thomas Farnsworth most people stop sailing until the next spring, but I wanted to and Charlie Scott, there were no medals on this occasion. carry on. Many clubs have boats available to borrow and I was Many thanks must go to Julian Hire who has been a able to borrow an RS Tera to take part in their training. It was tremendous help. He has assisted driving a safety boat every the enthusiasm of two dinghy instructors at the local club that Wednesday afternoon for the Yr 11/12 sessions and has come encouraged me to continue sailing through the freezing winter, along most Tuesday afternoons to help with rigging, launching proving to my parents that I was keen! and coaching of the Year 9 boys. At the end of my first winter, Dad bought me a second hand Sailing continues this summer with a number of boys RS Tera, with which I could begin to take part in local regattas. becoming very competent in our two mainstay dinghies: The Getting my own boat meant that I took responsibility for its Pico and Funboat. maintenance and preparation for each weekend. Competing in N Ferris the RS Tera class provided me with a foundation in the sport, of which there are many parts: what tactics and strategies I should utilise on the race course, which built my judgement, anticipation and spatial awareness; making sure I know all of the rules of racing; the weekend routine of packing up the boats and preparing to go racing; meeting new friends that I have kept as I moved into different boats. Unfortunately, the transition to another larger boat was necessitated by me growing 30cm in two years. I, therefore, began sailing the slightly larger double-handed RS Feva (bravely with my sister!), with a third sail (or spinnaker) for the downwind, which was a more complicated and faster boat. This required improving my communication skills so that I could work as part of a team, and building resilience to deal with disappointment. It was during my time in the Feva that I joined the group known as Burnham Squiddies, who provided the basis of my group of sailing friends. Many had also come from the RS Tera, and we often meet up in varying places around the country (and even Europe) to compete in National and International events. Along the way I have got to know sailors from many different countries including Australia, South Africa and America. Two years later and I have continued to grow, and the boat appeared to shrink around me until I could no longer sit without having my knees around my ears! I then chose to move into the RS Aero (similar to the Laser class used in the Olympics), a boat which I could not grow out of, as it catered for both youths and adults by having three sail sizes. Due to being an adult class, the boat requires increased physical performance, focus and concentration. Fitness therefore became a priority to be competitive, and I joined the cross country club and took part in the London indoor rowing championship in school. I continue to relish the challenge and adrenaline of racing, especially when there is lots of wind which increase the speed of the racing. In the future, I aim to keep improving in small segments to try and beat those people who I currently look up to, which requires me to have a greater understanding about the physics of the boat, meteorology and topography that is impacting the race course. Furthermore, I have now passed my dinghy instructor course which concentrated on the teaching, communication skills and safety awareness required to allow me to pass on my enthusiasm to young sailors and give back to the sport. Tim Hire 11G Photos taken by: Peter Newton, Tim Olin, Peter Fothergill and Andrew Peaty

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 85 Cross Country

We began the season at the Royal Masonic School district event. forward to running various in the Parkruns across Hertfordshire Mr Wallis and I spent one break time picking the runners for each week during the summer. the senior team. Unfortunately Mr Dawson came in and told The future of Cross Country at our school is looking us that the majority of our team were going to play Rugby that exceedingly promising with runners from years 9 to 11 including weekend. Luckily Sanjef stood in and we travelled to RMS with Adam Serag, Josh Hurst and Qaim Ravji who constantly 4 solid runners. We just missed out on a trophy despite great outperform their peers. performances from Sahir Patel and other runners. We did go Tom Wright U6C home with some silverware, but only because the organisers bought a new trophy and we kept the old one that we had won the previous year. The second fixture at Royal Grammar School Guilford was cancelled but gave us plenty of preparation time for the 70th meeting of the Judge Cup. I really enjoy this fixture because it involves the best runners from each year group. I believe it is really inspiring for the lower years to run with senior sportsmen, and shows a great representation of Watford Boys Cross Country. Both Adam Serag and Josh Hurst deserve recognition for their quick times which beat runners in years above them. The trip home from Tiffin school, however, was anything but quick, with heavy traffic and interesting short cuts from Dr Hedges. We also missed out on the National fixture at King Henry 8th School in Coventry as it was A-levels open evening and strong runners were missing. However, the team looks

Year Sports Day Position 10 9 8 7 Final Combined Scores 1 T 179 N 188 N 182 G 171.5 1st New 669 2 N 173 F 187 G 164 R 169.5 2nd Groves 602.5 3 F 153 T 140 T 158 B 149.5 3rd Fuller 600.5 4 P 147 B 133 F 157 C 138.5 4th Turner 590 5 G 146 G 121 P 148 P 134.5 5th Platt 544.5 6 C 128 C 119 C 135 N 126 6th Caffio 520.5 7 B 102 P 115 B 98 T 113 7th Bushey 482.5 8 R 0 R 0 R 0 F 103.5 8th Rée 169.5

86 SPORT Sports Day

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 87 Tennis

This season has been a great success for the U13 A team, which won the matches in the round robin stages, for the County Cup. this year consisted of 5 players, and each of them brought So, along with A team we travelled to Queenswood, to battle it something different to the team. The number 2 position was out for the division 2 trophy. Unfortunately we didn’t win against Kian Asadi, the number 3 seed was Kayaan Chander and the Longdean. Yet again we had to play a close Doubles match. place of the 4th seed alternated between Max Pendry (who This time we weren’t so successful, but we still had one match, played as number 4 for the round robin stages) and Abdullah to decide if we were going to come 3rd or 4th. For the fourth Siddiqi (who played in the semi finals and finals) and I captained time this season it went to a deciding doubles match which the team. The year started off with a disappointing loss to we won! I am very proud of the team for keeping their heads Richard Hale, but the team quickly moved on and we managed up throughout the tournament and it was great fun playing to qualify for the semi finals winning the rest of the matches. We alongside them. then had to play Richard Hale again, in the semis. This time we were much better prepared and we had our revenge and thus Tennis Players of the Year qualified for the finals. Unfortunately we lost, but the team was U14 – Finn Mclean amazing with very positive attitudes. It was so much fun playing U13 – Kayaan Chander/Dylan Yadav with them, through tense and happy moments. U12 – Max Pendry/Kian Asadi I would like to congratulate Will Dunn for being a great Most improved Players captain and leading the B team to a solid position in the County George Clark 8C and Filippos Markogiannopolus 7R Cup. On behalf of the A and B team I would also like to say a big thank you to Mr Doodson for organising and supporting Dylan Yadav/William Dunn 8C us throughout the season. Mr Roy was also a big help taking us to a number of the matches and also supporting us with positive comments that boosted the team’s mindset. The B team for this year was Abdullah Siddiqi (who played in the round robin stages), Max Pendry (who played in the semi final of the County Cup and 3rd and 4th play off), Filipos Markogiannopoulos, Jacob Manieson, Jai Satheesh and me, the captain. The U13B team had a tough start to the season, playing against a very strong side: Richard Hale. We were able to win one singles match and one doubles match overall against the opposition. This was a good start to the year, considering that we had never played together before and a friendly that we could take notes from. We then faced a strong side of Haberdashers. Filipos and I came through to win a close deciding doubles match. This win over Haberdashers gave us a boost in confidence and more experience for the next matches. We convincingly

Table Tennis The 2018-19 season for table tennis has performances throughout this competition U16 Player of the Year – Adam Saharoui been hugely impressive. As well as boys but what was more encouraging was how U14 Player of the Year – Rahy Premji/ training on a Wednesday after school, the boys came together in each year group Adam Durrani Wednesday lunch time and Friday before and performed excellently as a team. school, there has been a huge increase Individually, some in boys participating in their free time. boys made it to the county Thanks must go to Dr White and Eli Baraty finals in with they performed (our professional coach) who have given extremely well. Rahy Premji, up a huge amount of time to coach the Adam Saharoui, Husayn students and supervise the playing of Merali all making it to table tennis on numerous occasions. the last 16 of the county Competitively - again we were very under 16 competitions successful, winning the district competition and Ammaar Bandali, Jabir in under 13 and 14 age groups, and coming Dhalla, Husayn Merali made second in the under 12 and 15 age groups. it to the last 16 of the under There were some superb individual 14 competitions.

88 SPORT Basketball Badminton The 2018-2019 has probably been the most successful season for basketball This has been another successful year for the ever at the school. We fielded a team in all age groups and played a total of school’s badminton sides. Throughout the year Ms 30 fixtures. The year 10 team won their district league and only lost one of Webster has run a hugely popular and successful their games. The newly formed year 7 and 8 and 9 teams finished second badminton session and the improvement that the in their leagues. There are several players from the year 10 team who are boys have made has been extremely noticeable and now regularly attending senior squad training and will probably represent this has led to an extremely successful season of the school senior team in year 11. Players to watch out for from this team competition. are Sidney Sarpong, Sebastian Wynn, Nabil Miah, Harvey Barber Hall, Toby Both our under 14s and our under 16 sides Elliott, Harry Burke, and Daniel Goudarzi. Sidney is on the verge of being made it to the County Cup finals, in which both teams able to dunk the ball. This is impressive for a year 10 students. played against local rivals Haberdashers’ Aske’s. The success of the year 8 and 9 teams is in large part due to their Unfortunately, the U16s (made up of Shashank dedication to early morning training. Throughout the whole year (not Madhukiran, Edward Chen, Adam Saharoui and just the basketball term) these teams have trained every week with Dilan Gunawardene) lost in their final match but the session starting at 7:30am! Thanks go to Mr Silver for his excellent the under 14s went one better and beat Habs’ efforts with coaching year 9 and for Mr Higgins for his coaching of year ensuring their qualification to the regional finals. 7. Mr Silver will be taking his team through to year 10 and tells me about The regionals were always going to be an extremely the passing vision of Louis Pulley, the rebounding skills of Elorm Dumor, hard task, but the boys played superbly, beating the leadership skills of Hassan Hamid, the defensive hussle of Jonathan schools from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, to Nwebube and the shooting prowess of Drew Mistry. only come up short against the highly prestigious The senior team came 2nd in their district league but focused their Bedford School meaning that they narrowly missed efforts in the North London Schools league. This is the first time Watford out on qualification for the national competition but Boys has entered a team in this league. It comprises mainly private schools securing a spot in the top 10 in the country. Well (including Habs’, Berkhamstead and UCS). We managed to finish second in done to the following boys involved, Qaim Ali-Ravji, the league winning 7 of our 8 fixtures, the most impressive of which was a Krish Mahbubahni, Husayn Merali, Bhavya Shah, 57-49 win against UCS. Our performance in the league qualified us for a semi Anish Despande and many more throughout the finals play off place. Here we lost by just two points to UCS in a nail-biting season. encounter. Our key players in this team were Matt Field, Nebi Babu, Sean Badminton U16 Player of the Year – Edward Chen Dieobi and Reggie Gonzales. Our aim next year is to win this tournament! Badminton U14 Player of the Year – Qaim Ali-Ravji GC JD

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THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 89 Ross Panter always maintained, for example, that the most has done for Watford Boys, especially in the Ross, one of our longest serving members of staff experienced teachers should teach the most Music Department. We wish her every success (30years) is and always has been a truly wonderful challenging classes, whatever the students’ age in her new role as Assistant Head at Nower Hill colleague, highly effective and committed in all – a principle she practised as well as preached. A School in Pinner. Our loss is their gain. he does and calm in scenes of chaos, like the old passionate teacher and educationalist, Maureen SH History Office. He is an excellent practitioner who was also a refreshingly no-nonsense pragmatist, STAFFhas a real thirst for learning which the studentsLEAVERS a problem-solver, someone who gets things Richard Davies adore and gives him legendary status from early done– whether that thing is the construction of The Aztecs considered the number 13 to be very on in their school careers. Ross has also been the school timetable, or a difficult conversation sacred, as it was used to represent time and an excellent role model for the countless new that just needs to happen. completion. Thirteen may often be dramatised members of staff and Heads of Year who have Indeed, Maureen was an astonishingly as the unlucky number in various modern flourished under his guidance. He has never resourceful colleague. She always embraced civilisations, but here at Watford Boys, it must failed to offer practical help, advice and humour. modern technology, securing the English also be special. We are celebrating 13 years Passionate, competitive and sports-mad Department an IT suite and a plethora of interactive of inspiring contribution from the school’s best are just a few of the words that students and whiteboards and, in recent years, engaging fully pun-ster and leek-loving Classicist. Whether it is staff have used to describe Ross as a teacher with the new environment of the online classroom. leading our boys to outstanding results in their and colleague. Ross has promoted History And in leadership, she always found solutions. The Latin examinations, contributing to the wider passionately and effectively leading our British knottier the problem, the calmer and more creative life of the school by taking a yearly rugby team History GCSE courses. He has also been a very her response. Even the problem of hosting the or keeping us all guessing over how Welsh he successful PE teacher, and still has the mind of an English Department on what turned out nearer actually is with that fluctuating accent… this excellent athlete, taking part in many of the staff the time to be the evening of the 2005 Champions school will ever be grateful to Mr Davies. student fixtures. League Final was solved – just re-arrange a bit Famous for his snoring on school trips and Valued by his colleagues as an excellent of furniture and the timing of the food, and hey his assembly on leeks, Mr Davies will also be travelling companion, Ross has found himself presto! Legendarily generous in her hospitality, at remembered for teaching Latin in a way that accompanying school trips to Communist Russia, the same time she leaves the school’s timetable keeps this special language light-hearted and Cambodia, Classics trips to Greece and Italy and and staffing situation as lean as husband Greg at fun. Far from reciting declensions and silent- many many other places. He has well-honed peak fitness, mid-athletics season. No waste there, translating tasks, his classrooms have so often useful shepherding abilities. and no wasted time in her incredible service to been laughter-filled and full of encouragement. Ross has been a quietly remarkable head Watford Grammar School for Boys. Richard has been an extremely popular of year 7. It is a mark of his exceptional ability JM form tutor, teacher and colleague. There are as a head of year that the broad range of needs so many who are sad to see him leave but we of students joining in year 7 are dealt with using Caroline Cox know that this retirement is more than well sensitivity, patience, and firmness when required, Caroline joined the Music department 15 earned. We would like to wish him the best of yet the extent of his involvement often goes years ago and the continuing success of the luck for the adventures that lie ahead and do unnoticed because of the quiet, very unassuming department has a lot to do with the stability hope that he won’t forget us too quickly. way in which Ross has carried out this vital role. that has been maintained during this time, and ‘Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.’ – Everything We will miss Ross’s wryly entertaining daily Caroline has played a big part in that, helping it changes, nothing ceases. presence in the staff room, where he has been a secure excellent results at GCSE and A Level. She Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book XV, line 165 regular fixture at morning breaks since his arrival is an excellent classroom teacher and a superb ES at the school in 1989. Head of Year; she cares about the staff on her We all wish you and your family the best for tutor team and continually eases the workload Vinni Uberoi your retirement, happy travels and success with of her form tutors by staying fully up-to-date Whilst no doubt there are many teachers and your garden and thank you for all your dedication with any issues, following things up immediately, pupils here who will feel similarly, the Chemistry to the school. always with her positive and uplifting smile. Department, in particular, will miss Vinni Uberoi. JM With extra-curricular music, Caroline has She has been with us for a little over thirteen made a big impression on our string players years, having been offered her position whilst Maureen Hill often challenging them with some of the great completing her PGCE here. We are losing an Maureen Hill has retired, just a sixpence short of works of the repertoire, Tchaikovsky and Elgar’s excellent and inspirational teacher. Vinni has 25 years’ sterling service to the school. In her time Serenades for Strings and Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite, proved to be a caring and efficient Key Stage she has served the English department and the to name but a few. More recently, she has taken Co-ordinator and a great practitioner in the school leadership team with dedication, integrity on the Staff Choir, and has enjoyed sharing her laboratory. I addition she was an excellent and and calm good humour. The list of responsibilities love of singing with the group and just like Gareth much appreciated sixth form mentor. she has held is too long to detail, but the Malone, she has been able to wave a magic wand Some while ago we enjoyed Vinni and highlights include her tenure as a progressive and mould a rather diverse group of individuals Romy’s wedding. Now, it is always a joy to see Head of English and 15 years’ service as an into a successful choir! She has also had the her with their three, delightful and clearly adored Assistant Headteacher to Messrs Post, Allchorn responsibility of organising the Annual Music children. Vinni is leaving us to focus upon them, and Cooksey, in particular looking after staff Competition, and this has always been a highlight rather than other folks’ kids. Who can blame her? development and the school curriculum. of the school calendar for the boys. Vinni has made many friendships here and Maureen will be remembered as a colleague Aside from music, she has thrown herself we do hope that she is able to stay in touch. of great integrity, with passionately held views into many things at Watford Boys, taking part Thank you, Vinni. in trips with other Departments along with Two on the teaching of English – a champion of CS discussion-based, collaborative learning; the craft World Challenges. She has assisted with sports of the process of writing; the value of speaking fixtures, particularly athletics, and has always enjoyed walking with D of E students. She has Lucy WIlliamson and listening skills; the importance of exposing Lucy Williamson has been a fixture within the been a Staff Governor for five years, and she boys, through literature, to others’ perspectives Biology Department for a number of years. She has been on the ALT team. Peer mentoring was (especially the female perspective); the value of led the department for part of her time at WBGS initiated by Caroline and is now a fundamental reading (a fantastic long-term advocate of the and has done an excellent job in the classroom part of the mentoring across the school. Library and ‘Summer Reading’) - and equally - as an organised, efficient and likeable teacher Caroline is efficient, effective, effervescent, passionately held views on education in general: who students trust and respect. Mrs Williamson a great role model and a great listener. We will she always sought opportunities for all and has proved her versatility in running trips miss her very much and thank her for all she always challenged lazy elitism or misogyny. She including World Challenge to Kenya and several

90 STAFF LEAVERS Biology field trips; of late she has even turned Ollie Clark Jack Doodson her hand to teaching some Chemistry with her Ollie Clark is a charismatic and inspirational Jack has been with the school for two years and usual aplomb. Having felt it is time to seek a teacher. Ollie Clark first walked through the had thrown himself at everything in his time. new challenge and a change in routine Mrs school gates in year 7, and returned to us as an He has taken rugby, hockey and cricket Williamson has decided to teach girls. LSA after studying English at university. In his teams as well as tennis this year. He has The Biology Department, her students and third incarnation at Watford Grammar School committed to his time at WBGS and as I am numerous friends around the school would like for Boys, Ollie appeared as a teacher and one sure you would all agree has had a huge impact to thank Mrs Williamson for all she has done at with many strengths. His passion for all things on school life. So many people have got to WBGS and wish her all the best in her new role in the world is consistently transferred to his know Jack and have shared the responsibilities GR students. All of Ollie’s classes are truly inspired around...often picking up his folders, clothes, Rafa Cerezo Balsera by his teaching style and enthusiasm. keys and wallet and everything else he has left Rafa joined the school in 2016.has been a huge Ollie has never been afraid to tackle lying around. asset to the Maths and Physics departments He controversial issues in society through literature, Even though he has been here just two is extremely highly qualified and has brought online articles and fantastic class discussion. Ollie years so many of the students know him as considerable expertise to both departments, was brave to take on the QSA club after doing his he has taken an interest in so many of them. particularly in the Sixth Form. He is very well- Stonewall training and he gave a long overdue safe He is a caring, fun and talented teacher and liked by the boys, who were initially taken aback space for members of the LGBTQ community to will no doubt be a great hit at his new school by this exotic new teacher from Spain, but were meet regularly to discuss issues. Chancellors. quickly won over by his diligence, care, sense of As a form tutor, Ollie was always approachable Good luck! humour and sheer brilliance as a teacher! He has and he was well liked and respected. He took this MG devoted much of his free time to supporting Sixth role very seriously and gave the highest quality of Formers and Year 10 students in some very high pastoral care to all of his students. Many of their Oliver Tromans calibre projects. Those involved in the “Higgs lives are so much the better for his input. Ollie was also Oliver joined in February 2018 initially as a Hunters” project were invited to present their enthusiastic and committed to his two afternoons a maternity cover. findings at Oxford University and the professors week at the new field as a Games teacher. He has been a form tutor to 8F for the last there were hugely impressed by their work, which Oliver has been a real pleasure to work year and has become a key part of our A level was later published by CERN, resulting in a fully with and he moves towards Bristol with his teaching team. funded visit to CERN, where, amongst other girlfriend. I am sure that he will not be away The students have enjoyed his passion for things, the boys were wowed by Rafa’s capacity from teaching for long. We wish him every knowledge and thirst for academia. for cheese consumption! happiness and success for the future. We wish him the best as he takes his new role. He has been a wonderful colleague: a breath DR TC of fresh air and someone who always brings a smile to our faces. We wish him the very best for his return to Spain and hope he knows he is always very welcome back at WBGS should he ever wish to have another sojourn in England. PJM

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THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 91 Clubs & LawS Societyocieties A discussion with Mr Macleod What is the importance of having a law society? achieving or business centred career, you can qualify as a solicitor or There are a lot of students at Watford Boys who would enjoy and be accountant as they both offer very good foundation steps for various successful in a career in the law but they may not have the confidence business or public life centred jobs, and these do nor require a specific or thought about doing it as a career, so the Law Society might degree, but can be done as a post graduate course or conversion course. encourage them consider it. Mr Macleod described the opportunities available to qualified solicitors. There are supposedly 150,000 qualified solicitors, with a What was your pathway into law? smaller number of barristers. Solicitors can work in big city firms or I did my degree in English Language and Literature whilst at Oxford smaller high street firms and some companies have their own in-house University, with the idea that I wanted to be a teacher. However, I didn’t team of lawyers, and solicitors also work in government. want to go straight from school to university and then straight into What is really important is that you choose to study things that teaching. I thought that law looked interesting and could possibly be so you enjoy and think you’re good at, which most commonly overlap. interesting that I might end up doing it forever so I did what they call the There will be tremendous opportunities open to you whatever subjects CPE (Common Professional Examination) in law, which is the one year you choose at this school. Whatever you do within our curriculum conversion course, but I did it part time over 2 years after I left university. opens up a plethora of opportunities. I worked full time in a law firm and went to college on a Saturday. This law firm subsequently offered me a contract to become a trainee solicitor. What did you find most interesting After finishing my CPE, I did the legal practice course, which during your time as a solicitor? is the full time vocational course which you do to become a solicitor, A lot of the cases were quite exciting or amusing when summarising for a year at the University of Law in London. The firm I trained at the actual case, where people were fighting over the ownership of lyrics specialised in entertainment, media and telecommunication law, so and pictures. Most notably a case centred around the ownership over it specialised in clients that were in particular industries, all emerging a famous set of children’s story pictures between the company owning fields in the new telecommunication and media sector, such as film copyright or the person who drew them. Cases included pop songs, companies and TV broadcasters. where people had used borrowed lines from other texts. After two years, I qualified as a solicitor but later, I realised Many cases sound interesting when you first talk about them, that my heart was not completely in it and that it wasn’t right for then the work is very often quite dry, pondering over documents and me. What I really wanted to do was to be an English teacher, so in discussions during meetings. my late 20s, I stopped working in the law and became an English There are so many different opportunities that there will teacher in Watford Boys. probably be something that will suit anyone pursuing the field. If you want to be a City lawyer, someone situated within the City of London How important do you feel it is when choosing A levels and in a big firm, you need to be someone that gets As in their A-Levels GCSEs to think about career prospects? and a 2:1 in their degree from a reputable university. Many students from Watford Boys believe they’ve got to do medicine, Jack Osborne L6G engineering or maths. However, if you are interested in having a high

Sixth Form Book Club Science Club If you’re an avid reader, or even just peruse some books What is Science Club? Science club is an after-school activity for Year from time to time, then Mrs Marshall’s book club is the 7 pupils. Even though the club takes place out of school hours it is place for you. Topped off with delicious homemade organised and hosted by the school’s dedicated science teachers. It is an snacks - cookies, cakes, and other baked goods - it’s an excellent opportunity for us to extend our learning by performing fun and opportunity to delve into engaging literature of all types. interesting experiments. The study of science allows us to understand the It’s open to everyone who’s interested, not just English history of the world, how the natural world works and even how we could Literature students, and tackles controversial texts improve it. As new secondary school pupils, we have many unanswered like ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ and contemporary questions about the world around us. At the club we are given the dystopias like Naomi Alderman’s ‘The Power’. opportunity to obtain answers to these science related questions. It is also It’s not all serious though, and we have also have a chance to interact and make new friends amongst the Year. fun reading fantasy tales and different takes on traditional The day that I went, we learned about how hot air balloons children’s stories like ‘The Book of Lost Things’. work. We were able to create a DIY parachute, from random materials. Meeting once a month, it’s a brilliant way to spend Before long, we tested out if it would support an egg from cracking. your lunchtime, engage in conversation, and eat some In my opinion, the club feels more hands on and more informal than delicious food. Thank you to Mrs Marshall for investing science lessons. We are allowed to get up from our desks and create her time in creating such an involved group. something with our peers. Some would say this is the best part of Kushal Thobani U6T and Rudi Watford U6T science. Shaan Pandya 7G

92 CLUBS & SOCIETIES Senior Christian Union

This year has been an enjoyable one for the Christian Union. There is always a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere For the first two terms, we followed a video course that broke (with snacks!) at our meetings, and they are open to all, down the story of the whole Bible into easy, bite-size chunks. regardless of religious background or viewpoint. We enjoy Following the theme of the Kingdom of God, it took us from discussions with those from other faiths or no faith at all, and the start of Genesis right through to the fulfilment of God’s the purpose of our meetings is to discuss issues relating to the promises in Christ. Bible rather than imposing our beliefs on others. More recently, we have been considering various If you enjoy talking about the big questions in life, controversial topics that have been in the news recently, such whether you’re a believer or not, look out for our publicity at the as abortion, euthanasia and modern day politics. We have start of next academic year! sought to apply the wisdom of the Bible to them, and this has Oliver Tattersall L6G been well received by those who have attended. Louis Cardoso L6G

Politics Society In 205 on a Thursday lunchtime, all things Politics are explored. Politics Society continues to offer better debate and events From weekly reviews of the news to mock votes, satirical videos than any other school society and will continue, I’m sure, to go and VIP visits, there’s always something engaging in Politics from strength to strength next year. The Society is attended by boys Society. In the past year, reflecting on the volatile domestic and from all year groups and, over recent months, it has been great to international environment, we’ve had all manner of events and see growing numbers of Y7 and Y8 students get involved. If your visitors. We’ve had Q&As with local political figures, including son is interested in and has an opinion on the news, Brexit, who Richard Harrington MP, Mayor Pete Taylor and Binita Parmar from should be PM and/or videos of Boris Johnson rugby tackling small the Watford Conservatives. We’ve hosted other Parliamentarians, schoolchildren, please encourage him to come along. And don’t including Helen Grant MP and Lord Adonis. And we’ve had several forget, coming along means you get to eat your lunch in a warm blockbuster Brexit debates, including one with representatives classroom… a much appreciated blessing for much of the year! from UKIP and the People’s Vote movement, which was attended Archie McCann L6G by over 300 students from Watford Boys and Watford Girls. We’ve also watched and discussed political movies, including the Channel 4 production, Brexit: An Uncivil War, which analysed the role played by Dominic Cummings and social media on the outcome of the 2016 EU Referendum. The Society is run by a group of Sixth-Form Politics students, supervised by Mr Ponte, which gives them an opportunity to discuss and go beyond the topics they’ve learned in class. Together with Ben Roig, Luke Dejager and Luis Gomez, it has been my great pleasure to run Politics Society this year, and I will hand over the reins to the next group of Lower Sixth students in September with a heavy heart.

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 93 I was looking through clubs and societies after many talks on the benefits of Baking extracurricular activities when I saw this. I had not paid close attention before, and Club therefore never noticed this, but I seemed to have a bit of talent from the regular lessons, so I decided to go and realised and Food that I was quite successful which made me enjoy it even more. I carried on going, This year as part of my Duke of Edinburgh and it is very satisfying to make dishes Volunteering activity, I have had the Technology and desserts, so I continued going in the privilege of working with an assortment summer, able to perfect the recipes that Year 8 Baking Club has again proved to be of year 8s in Baking Club. The experience were the same and learn more; this has very popular this year and our bakers have has been exciting and has shown me the also inspired to read a vast array of cook been dazzling us with their gastronomic many ways I can help other students books and bake and cook at home. bakes on Monday nights after school. around the school whether it is helping This are not the only reasons why I Each rotation has culminated in a bake off them put things in the oven to judging have enjoyed it, because it also teaches and it has been difficult for the judges to them and their skills on the last week of not just specific things to do but also choose the winners. Notable star bakers term Bake Off. This opportunity has been skills, like time management and flavour were, Andrei Makhoul 8G, Adam Rafferty a real pleasure and it is great to think of combinations, which help many people 8P and Dominic De Jong 8B how much I can help others. not only on an academic level but also in Baking Club this year has had a Christian Barden 10p life, plus eating is fun! new twist with the additional help of two Year 10 GCSE students who have been Dominic De Jonge 8B Through the 4 years of Food Technology I supporting the sessions as part of their have had, it has been amazing. We have I really enjoy Year 8 Baking Club because it bronze Duke of Edinburgh voluntary work learnt many aspects about the science is fun. You get to make food that you don’t experience. Finn Roberts and Christian behind the food especially through normally do in Food Tech. I have made Barden 10P have really helped and the investigations carried out on raw Shortcake biscuits, Scones, Lemon Drizzle encouraged the year 8 boys to enjoy and ingredients, the mixture of spices and Cakes and Vegetable Tart. My favourite get the most out of the Baking Club. It food safety. recipe is for Lemon Drizzle Cakes as they has been rewarding to see the boys from During the GCSE course we have made were very tasty. Baking Club also relieves different year groups working together. some quite outstanding dishes incorporating stress as you only focus on baking. the different dietary requirements of all age HZ Prenesh Myuran 8G groups. Here we developed vital skills such I have really enjoyed Baking Club this year as time management, multi-tasking and I am supporting year 8 Baking Club as part of because it is fun and relaxing and helps dovetailing our time plan to name but a few. my Duke of Edinburgh voluntary experience. I to take any stress away, and also it is a One of our highlights was the 3 hour practical have helped the year 8s in elements that they life skill and could help you in life. I took at the end of year 10 which required the use cannot do. Because I do food tech for GCSE part in Baking Club because I wanted of all of the skills and theory learnt during I have experience in this field and have the to experience cooking at another level the year. It has been a hard task to combine knowledge which is key for the task of Baking and to learn new recipes and to get into the theory and practical elements in order Club. Christian and I help every week on a cooking regularly. to produce great tasting and scrumptious Monday and we hope the year 8s enjoy the meals; however through the guidance and Rayyan Hassan 8B club. Even though we are doing this for our support of Mrs Zacharia, we have achieved Duke of Edinburgh Award and trying to help I am in Baking Club because I love cooking. many of the goals set whilst enjoying the young people get better at cooking we would I have made many dishes such as lemon course, having fun and producing highly do it anyway as it is a lot of fun. drizzle cakes, cheesy scones, pizza, and edible food. shortbread biscuits just to name a few. Finn Roberts 10P Raheel Rajabali 10T and Santosh Shah 10P These baking club sessions have inspired me to bake many more masterpieces. With Finn and Christian helping me and all the other bakers to perfect our baking it has been lots of fun. This has also given me an extra bonus on life, as it’s a basic life skill. Rayaan Ali 8C

94 CLUBS & SOCIETIES Year 11 Lower Sixth Upper Sixth For excellence, effort and progress For excellence, effort and progress For excellence, effort and progress during during the GCSE course during the Lower Sixth course the Upper Sixth course Art Martin Hillman Art Jack Osmond Applied Robert Silver Prize Adnaan Ali Biology Fraser Ghai Biology Dylan Gordhan Applied Science Uddeshya Saini Chemistry Pearson Prize Rythaan Pratheepan Chemistry Justin Ho Art JR Smith/Southern Prize Dilan Chauhan Classical SCHOOLTrey Tallon Computing Akshat Tripathi PRIZESBiological Science EJ Slinn Prize Euan Wiley Combined Science Nirusan Jeyarajasingam Duke of Edinburgh Ayooluwa Fasanya Biology Harison Selvanayagam Computing Anant Shah Angus Finnegan Chemistry WR Carter Prize Callum Crockford Drama Trey Tallon Louis Harris Classical Norman Marrow Prize Thomas Barkshire English Language Chi Tang Justin Ricafrente Computing Raul Patel English Literature David Mortimer Ryan Tanna Debating Luke Ashford Food & Nutrition Kian Songra Economics Adithya Puravankara Debating Srivatsa Garg French Le Vesconte Prize Abieshek Prabakaran English Literature Ayodele Andrews Economics Joshua Pickard Games - Athletics Oliver Tattersall English Literature Thomas Bartlett English Lang & Lit FH Vince Prize Kieran Knight Games - Cricket Edward Stock French Le Vesconte Prize Thomas Bartlett English Literature FH Vince Prize Adem Berbic Games - Hockey Sahir Patel Geography Thomas Bartlett French RF Smith Prize Adem Berbic Games - Rugby Jack Shute Games - Cricket Kailum Patel Cricket Tommy Thompson Prize Thomas Stock Geography Max Adam Games - Cross Country Thomas Wright Cross Country Rod Sadgrove Alexander Foley German Shiam Sugarnan Games - Hockey Max Brown Elite Sportsman FH Openshaw Prize Thomas Milford History Parth Pandya Games - Rugby Max Brown Hockey Stanley Rous Prize Ralph Curwen Latin Paul Greally German Akshar Abhyankar Rugby Stanley Rous Prize Craig Beeston Mathematics Charles Smith History Osman Zahoor Geography PE Posner Prize Olutobi Odanye Music Paul Greally Mathematics Rikesh Chauhan German William Sullivan Prize Aaron Durn Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Hayyan Khan Music FW Thomas Prize Roshan Parmar History Sir Fredk Pedler Prize Dhillon Dodhia Physical Education Robert Curwen Philosophy, Religion & Ethics Colm Finnegan Latin Ethan Honey Physics Sahir Patel Physics Mehul Vyas Mathematics Keith Turner Prize Luke Ashford Product Design Ethan Jackson Politics Connor O’Donnell Mathematics Keith Turner Prize Ethan Honey Spanish Hayyan Khan Product Design James Cox Music FW Thomas Prize Victoria Longstaff Tomlinson Prize for Exceptional Endeavour Psychology Reese Patel Philosophy, Religion & Ethics James Thomson Zebedee Jacobs, Kelsey Trevett Spanish Nikhail Vaswani Physical Science Philip Proffit Prize Srivatsa Garg Excellence in GCSE examinations Sport & Physical Education Kailum Patel Physical Science Philip Proffit Prize Luke Ashford Aron Finkelstein, Sulayman Khan, Young Engineers Thomas King-Cline Physics Loydell Prize Mitchel Ford Haider Nathani, Sachin Solanki, Paul Greally, Young Engineers Rikesh Chauhan Politics Brearley Prize Daniel Booth Charles Smith, Hayyan Khan Product Design Dillon Fisher Exceptional Progress in GCSE examinations Psychology Cameron Ghai Robert Curwen Spanish Stanley Rous Prize Max Venning Sport & PE OFA Prize Euan Wiley Student Support Work Neil Hart Prize Darryl Giffts Joshua Lister Nicholas Stathakis Guest of Honour Other Achievements U6th Leavers The Baroness Thornhill MBE 185 of the 2018 leavers were successful with their university applications. 120 students went to Russell Group Dorothy Thornhill, Baroness Thornhill, MBE, was the first directly elected Universities including 11 who secured places at Oxford and mayor of Watford. She was the Liberal Democrats’ first directly elected mayor, Cambridge. and was also the first female directly elected mayor in the United Kingdom. She Sport The following students were selected to represent their served as Mayor of Watford from May 2002, until May 2018. counties in sport: During these 16 years, she is proud to have transformed the parks and Upper 6th Tom Stock Cricket Hertfordshire U18 Lower 6th Max Brown Rugby Hertfordshire U17 open spaces with new facilities, completed the Thomas Sawyer Way and Music Tom Watts progressed the health campus project to enable the hospital to stay in Watford. represented the school in the National Youth Orchestra. Her highlight every year was honouring volunteers at the Audentior Awards Nicholas Watt and seeing communities work together to make Watford a more positive place. represented the school in the National Youth Inspire Programme. Andrew Lai, James Farnsworth, She was nominated for a life peerage in August 2015 and was appointed a Reuben Gluck, Nicholas Watt Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours. represented the school in the Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra. Dorothy was Assistant Head teacher at Queens’ School in Bushey for Art Jaseepan Seralathan, Daniel Miller several years and had a teaching career spanning over 25 years. She resides and Milo Walsh Year 11 had their work on show at the National in the Oxhey area of Watford, where she was a borough councillor for several Students’ Art Exhibition at the Mall Gallery London. years. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Thomas Mohan, reading, watching rugby and football and visiting old churches. She describes Thomas Gwynn-Evans were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards herself as “an avid viewer of Coronation Street”. She is an Honorary Vice- by HRH Prince Edward. President of Watford Football Club. She is married to Cllr Iain Sharpe, a fellow Liberal Demo

THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 95 Thank You

The Headmaster, governors and staff of Watford Grammar School for Boys would like to thank the parents, alumni, friends and organisations who have supported the school during the year. Gifts of time, expertise and money to the school continue to make a real difference to the education of our students.

Friends of Watford Grammar School for Boys Watford Fuller Foundation The Old Fullerians’ Association All parental donors to the school

Affinity Water Pabulum AECOM Young Engineers Philippa Parks Ash Logistics Limited SETPOINT Eaton Sewell & Gardner Engineering Development Trust Synergy Construction Howard Wilson and Property Consultants Ltd Laing O’Rourke Thames Water Leonardo Tuskar Construction Services Ltd Mapac Wohl Reach Out Lab Met Coaches Young Enterprise Opro

Senior Prefects to May 2019

Head Prefect Colm Finnegan

Leadership Team Akshar Abhyankar, Ayodele Andrews, Nicholas Bush, Rikesh Chauhan, Ayo Fasanya, Angus Finnegan, Ben Jones, Ethan Meller, Connor O’Donnel, Matteo Ponzini, Kushal Thobani

Prefects Hassan Ali Dylan Gordhan Charles Manieson Khushal Thobhani Mervin Arulsothy Luke Hardy Sanjeayan Mathivannan Akshat Tripathi Chukwuebuka Attuh Louis Harris Teeren Mistry Kavyesh Vivek Thomas Bartlett Justin Ho Charlie Mogose Mehul Vyas Sam Benson Ashvin Kapilan Rohan Nathwani Tom Walsh Paddy Caskey Tom King-Cline Sam Netscher Thomas Wright Sachin Chotai Daniel Leung Joseph Pilny Osman Zahoor James Cox Jack McGee Ebrahim Raja Varun Dodhia Jack McRae Ryan Tanna

96 THE FULLERIAN 2018-19 YOUR LOCAL AGENT

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Fullerians Full Page AW.indd 2 12/07/2019 17:28 Watford Grammar School for Boys Rickmansworth Road, Watford WD18 7JF. Telephone: 01923 208900 Fax: 01923 208901 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.watfordboys.org Twitter: @WBGSExcellence