Portmuthian 2014 Dedication

To all those who have come before, to the many editors and contributors who, in times of peace and in times of war, have laid the foundations from which our magazine, our school, and our community continue to grow

1 Portmuthian 1883 – 1898 Portmuthian 2014 Contents

05 School News 17 New Staff 25 Features 45 Art and Literature 37 61 Sport 93 Drama 105 Trips and CCF 90 96

125 Music 133 Clubs 145 Charity 128 157 Year 13 Leavers 169 House 181 Staff Leavers 182 198 193 Editors and Thanks

2 3 Acrylic paintings by AS pupils School News news school

07 Headmaster’s Review

08 PGS IB Cohort 4 Report

09 PGS Extend

10 Sixth Form Building

Commemorating the 07 12 Centenary Charlotte Pascoe Charlotte Isabella De Guisa

09 12 Leon Tu Leon Phoebe Warren

4 5 Headmaster’s Review 2013-14: Connections James Priory school news school “the glass bridge…will become a metaphor As a school it is also our privilege to be connected with different communities, stretching well beyond Portsmouth. in its own right for the connections we make In October, around fifty pupils, staff and parents completed the Great South Run to raise funds for our link school in between past and present, and between Cambodia. As I write, a party of pupils and staff has arrived ourselves and others, as a wonderfully vibrant at Kikaaya College School in Uganda where they will be helping to build new classroom facilities. We are building and outward-looking school” links all the time with schools in France, Germany and Spain, as well as more recently in Shanghai and Pingxiang in China. I have always believed that no school is an island, even when As an IB World School with a charitable mission at our core, like Portsmouth Grammar School we find ourselves at the it is natural for us to want to make such connections and to historic heart of the UK’s only island city. discover new ways of connecting with the wider world.

As Portsmouth’s oldest and largest school, we play a major One such example has been the growth of the Portsmouth part in the educational, cultural and, of course, economic Point blog, matched now by a Junior School version, and life of the city. Indeed, only this year PGS was singled out in the potential for MyPGS, our Virtual Learning Environment, a report by Oxford Economics as a case study of a school to play a part in sharing our educational resources and ideas which makes a significant economic contribution to the local with a wider community. Now that we have the confidence community, not least through our support for the Portsmouth of being a school nationally recognised for e-safety, and Festivities which we help to attract sponsorship from local with MyPGS available on mobile platforms as a result of the businesses and Arts Council England. work of Mr Chalk and the pupils’ Digital Council, it will be fascinating to see what connections become possible thanks This summer alone, for example, around 40,000 people to the virtual dimension of our school life. attended or participated in Festivities’ events around the city, including art trails, open-air dance, devised theatre, a One of my favourite writers, E M Forster, has a philosophy groundbreaking film project inspired by the Great War, and that we should ‘Only connect’. In his novels, this applies to Mozart symphonies given a new lease of life in the cathedral people and relationships, but also to contrasting cultures and nave Dubstep style. None of this could have happened perspectives on the world. ‘Only connect,’ he urges us, and, without the school playing its part in making it happen, and like the neural connections that flicker into life in our brains, the real impact of course goes beyond anything even the anything becomes possible. most sophisticated of economic reports could measure. This summer anticipation is growing for the opening of the Similarly, it was great to see the whole of Year 12 taking part new Sixth Form Centre, due to open its doors in September. in the Social Apprentice Day in July which gave them the What seems to excite people most, however, is the glass opportunity to visit charities doing challenging but valuable bridge linking Cambridge House with the extraordinary new work within Portsmouth. Many of those pupils have now building at the centre of the quad. volunteered their services and will grow personally as a result of working with people outside the comfort zone of the As a walkway, it will offer a new way of navigating the school classroom and quad. campus, an escape route from sudden winter downpours.

But in offering a fresh perspective on a familiar space, it will also become a metaphor in its own right for the connections we make between past and present, and between ourselves and others as a wonderfully vibrant and outward-looking school.

I hope you enjoy reading about the connections made in 2013-14 in this year’s Portmuthian, and that they inspire you to be part of connections yet to come.

The Headmaster with Head Editor Gregory Walton-Green

6 Mr Priory on the roof of the new VI Form Centre 7 IB Report 2013-14 PGS Extend Cohort 4 Celebration Evening Simon Taylor Gregory Walton-Green “…the group have shown a great team spirit, news school and include a lively and enthusiastic mix of personalities and interests”

Our fourth cohort of IB Diploma pupils have continued in the our first pupil taking the Diploma in, not just their second, but All pupils entering Year 13 are encouraged to write an fine traditions of their predecessors, rounding off their two their third language - Mirabel Mwizerwa-Gikwiye is bi-lingual Extended Essay over the summer holidays, or to complete a years in the Sixth Form with some excellent results, as well as in Rwandan and French, was educated most recently before project, with support and advice from a member of staff. All an extended summer break before university terms begin in PGS in Belgium and South Africa, and achieved a superb of the essays and projects are then graded, and the winning the autumn. 38 points, winning a place to read Neuroscience at King’s pupil receives the prestigious Ithaka prize. They are presented College, London. with the custom-made award at the PGS Extend Celebration As in previous years, the group have shown a great team spirit, Evening. All the Year 13 pupils who did exceptionally are and include a lively and enthusiastic mix of personalities and Extended Essays submitted this year ranged across topics as invited to present a summary of their Extend piece to the interests. The average point score (out of a maximum 45) was varied as the use of Anglicisms in French writing (this essay by audience, and they, alongside highly commended pupils 36.1, widely accepted as the equivalent of three A grades at A Aladdin Benali, written in French, also won the Ithaka Award) from all year groups, are congratulated. Level, with 96% of Higher Level grades at 7-5 (the equivalent to an examination of the differing accounts of the sinking of A*-B according to most Russell Group universities). This of the Belgrano and a study of the chemistry of caramel This year the top Year 13 entries were from Aladdin Benali, year’s university courses include traditional subjects such formation. Creativity, Action & Service (CAS) experiences too Neil Chhabda, Molly Cranston, Tamara Manuel, Taylor as Chemistry, History and Modern Languages, along with were diverse and rewarding, from assisting with local guide Richardson, Timothy Roberts, Daniel Rollins, Zoe Rundle, others such as Neuroscience, Linguistics and joint honours in and scout groups to participating in the school’s sport teams, Benjamin Slader, Natasha Iliffe, William Wallace and Gregory Psychology & Philosophy. Destinations include Cambridge, orchestras and activities such as the Charlton Chase. The Walton-Green. They discussed a wide variety of topics, KCL, UCL, Edinburgh and Sussex. third part of the core, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), included reflecting their various interests, from the physical changes questions on the role of scepticism in knowledge claims and in the brain that occur in PTSD sufferers, to a website about A noteworthy feature of this year’s IB group is that two of a comparison of ethics in science and the arts. football, the economic pros and cons of legalising marijuana, Aladdin Benali & Admiral Lippiett with the Ithaka trophy the pupils have a parent who studied the IB Diploma in their and developing a test to detect the onset of vinegar own schooldays, so it is great to see children of IB graduates We wish this year’s Cohort 4 every success in their future syndrome in archive photos. It was a great privilege to present joining our ranks, not to mention our first siblings of former IB studies and careers and are pleased, at the time of writing, to my research to the audience of fellow students, teachers, thoroughly engaging and entertaining in his presentation, was pupils, who have joined Year 12. In addition, our Year 13 group be hearing of some excellent university degrees being won by parents and honoured guests, and I thoroughly enjoyed awarded the Ithaka prize this year for his IB Extended Essay included another Senior Prefect (Tammy Manuel) as well as our pioneering first cohort of IB pupils. listening to the other 11 Year 13s and learning about the work on the attitude towards Anglicisms and linguistic purity in the they had done to become finalists. Aladdin Benali, who was French language. Well done to all involved.

Alex Quarrie-Jones, Melissa Smith, Robert Bendell & Abie Guy get their results 8 The Ithaka Finalists 9 Sixth Form Building school news school

10 11 Triumph and Disaster In February 1914, the school’s Debating Society considered the motion that “it is desirable that the European Powers John Sadden, School Archivist should disarm”. The motion was proposed by Henry Keogh news school (whose name was later to appear on the war memorial, “By 1916, the year of the Battles of Jutland installed in the very room where the debate took place). Henry’s motion got short shrift – there were four votes for and and the Somme, patriotic pride gave way to 18 against, a result that reflected the attitude of ‘the man on the Portsmouth tram’. As one of those who opposed argued, concern about the effect it was having on “it would be foolish for civilised countries to disarm as long as pupils’ schooling.” barbarians put their faith in the sword”. As a town of such military importance, Portsmouth had In the last year of peace, a new cover design for the always thrived economically in times of tension and conflict, Portmuthian was chosen. It shows youth, represented by a fact reflected in the fortunes of the school. In 1915, the a naked boy, standing alongside a wise woman, his alma number of pupils was around 250 but by the end of the war it mater. The lesson was one that perfectly distilled the ethos had almost doubled to 412. Envelope addressed to Keith Dunn from of Portsmouth Grammar School at the time: “for King and for Disabled badge and photograph of former Head Boy Alexander Dymock his schoolfriend Arthur Cook, with cens Country”. The war brought, according to a Portmuthian editorial of (OP 1908-15) November 1914, a born-again patriotism, and “men have The editor commented on the patriotic commitment of received a revelation of its strength and glory”. Inevitably, had to be converted to cope with the Mark VII ammunition, on active service, or otherwise engaged on war work, and the generations of Old Portmuthians: “Probably, bearing in the Officers’ Training Corps (OTC) attracted an influx of had seen better days. There was also a miniature range in the number of pupils increasing year by year, class sizes grew and mind its numbers, no school in the country sends a larger eager new recruits. They attended annual inspections at school playground where the shooting was not always as the gaps between the desks narrowed. proportion of its sons into the Colonies and self-governing the Connaught Drill Hall, paraded on Southsea Common good as the bayoneting. On one occasion a stray shot struck Dominions of the Empire, bearing this motto engraven and prepared for the Western Front by taking part in tactical a man in the head as he was passing the school on the top News of the death of the Housemaster of the Buffs (later upon their hearts, and ever striving to fulfil its dictates. Verily exercises in trenches dug into Portsdown Hill. Back at school, of a tram. He was taken to hospital and eventually granted a renamed Latter), Major Skinner, while serving with the Portsmouth Grammar School has done its share in the rifle racks were installed in the gymnasium and a bayonet- payment of £70 in compensation, and five guineas in costs, by 1st Portsmouth Battalion on the Somme, reached the building up of this great country.” fighting gallows with suspended sacks was erected in the a governing body unsympathetic to later claims that he was school in the summer of 1916, His loss was deeply felt. The playground, which now echoed, not with children’s playful permanently disabled and unable to work. Portmuthian editor affirmed that his death, “together with The school’s efforts mirrored those of Portsmouth itself – a laughter, but with collective cries and grunts of aggression. countless other such examples, will serve to strengthen our garrison town and Britain’s premier naval port. It was from the Recruits received physical and bayonet training at the Lectures were put on for OTC recruits, their subjects reflecting resolve and nerve us to carry on this fight to the death, until slips of the dockyard that HMS Dreadnought was launched, Command School in Gosport and were commended for their an increasingly industrialised, modern and unsporting type of Germany is beaten to her knees and it can in truth be said that an event described as “the most important naval event facility with cold steel. warfare – bombs, machine guns, gas. Members of the school the blood, so lavishly poured by Britons in the cause of justice, leading up to the First World War”. Lloyd George was to later Debating Society reflected and argued about the rights and honour and truth, has not been shed wholly in vain.” regret the building of the revolutionary new ship, blaming it Shooting was practised by the Corps on the school range at wrongs of submarine warfare, military conscription, the for triggering the naval arms race. Hilsea, though concern was expressed that the rifles, which effectiveness of Zeppelins and, touching on a domestic issue, There were, indeed, “countless other such examples”. The the question of equal voting rights for women. In a rare show school enumerated the mounting casualties in each bi- of liberalism, the motion that “this house does not approve monthly edition of the Portmuthian, along with the heroic, of woman suffrage” was rejected by 17 votes to 13, possibly brilliant, awe-inspiring acts of incredible bravery, fortitude, reflecting a shift in attitudes generally. Women were very comradeship and selflessness reflected in the Distinguished effectively filling jobs in the Dockyard and elsewhere, posts left Service Orders, Military Crosses, the Conspicuous Gallantry vacant by men away on active service. Medals, the Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Mentioned in Dispatches, and the (two) Victoria Crosses. Young men, In April 1915, the Debating Society suspended its usual many who had been in a classroom at the beginning of the proceedings to conduct a mock trial of one Sprichwortlich war, were now proving their mettle in an unimaginable hell. Niedergeschlagen on a charge of “feloniously obtaining and transmitting to the enemy information likely to imperil the state”. The experience of war was also recorded in other ways; He was found guilty “with no recommendation for mercy”. along with the top public schools and universities, PGS advertised in The Times for men on active service to send One year into the war, it was recorded that between 600 and letters back to their school, resulting in a dozen or so upbeat 700 OPs and five members of staff were on active service. accounts appearing in the Portmuthian. And the School At their peak the numbers of fighting OPs was said to have Museum appealed for “war relics”, which was met by an approached a thousand. The School Governors, however, extraordinary array of curiosities and artefacts, including a opposed the call-up of the senior science master, Mr Hawkey, Zeppelin girder, a fragment of masonry from the ruined tower ‘whose work in the Upper Forms of the School, where boys of Rheims Cathedral, a fragment of glass from a window are approaching military age, is most important’ and whose of Ypres Cathedral, a part of a bomb from the Siege of Kut, removal would ‘seriously disorganise and impair the work of copies of the Dardanelles version of “trench newspapers”, the School’. a badge from a German helmet, an iron plate from HMS Warspite that had been pierced by a shell at Jutland, and a By 1916, the year of the Battles of Jutland and the Somme, German bomb and tear gas shell from Ypres. The safety of A class at PGS in the first year of war The Portmuthian Front Cover March 1914 patriotic pride gave way to concern about the effect it was displaying all this ordnance in cabinets in the quiet confines of having on pupils’ schooling. With eleven masters now either the school library does not appear to have been an issue.

12 13 admitted to PGS in 1884 and left in 1892 for Woolwich, then Royal Naval College.

After qualifying in gunnery at HMS Excellent (Whale Island) in news school 1895 he became an instructor of gunnery. In 1913 he joined the battle-cruiser HMS Lion, and in 1914 fought in the Battle of Heligoland Bight. In 1915, HMS Lion was involved in the Battle of Dogger Bank and in 1916, the German and British fleets clashed at Jutland.

During the battle Harvey was caught in an explosion from shellfire and lost his legs. Although mortally wounded, he ordered the magazine of Q turret on his ship to be secured Mr Hawkey with the war souvenir, Lieutenant Norman Holbrook Francis Harvey OP 1884-92 and flooded, sacrificing the men below. This brave action in and Vth Form, 1919 – from Gosport in Old Photo- the last few seconds of his life prevented the tons of cordite graphs by John Sadden stored there from detonating in an explosion that would have destroyed the vessel and probably killed over a thousand men. The death of Lord Kitchener in 1916, and the Battle of Jutland Two of Kipling’s lines, “If you can meet with Triumph Victor Rainey OP at Haine in Belgium, one of 131 OPs which claimed the lives of five OPs, all serving on different and Disaster, And treat those two imposters just the known to have died in the war ships, prompted the Portmuthian editor to reflect that it same...” resonate as the death toll and the medals are First World War commemorative “makes us realise that England really is engaged in a life and counted. Portsmouth Grammar School is proud of its Old death struggle, and that we live in stirring times, which will Portmuthians who served in the Great War - those who project not be forgotten in history.” Rudyard Kiping’s poem “If” was fought, those who survived and those who died. published later in the same edition; that epic evocation of the The ambitious school First World War commemorative perceived British virtues of a ‘stiff upper lip’ and stoicism in project – to pay respects and record the memorial or grave the face of adversity no doubt provided a timely and inspiring Holbrook VC OP of every Old Portmuthian who died in the war – was a moving reminder to pupils about what qualities they should aim for experience for those members of the school community and demonstrate when the time came. Commander Norman Holbrook was the first submariner who took part, including pupils, teachers, parents, former ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most parents and Old Portmuthians. Graves and memorials all over Until that day, the civilian war effort offered many ways to prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. He the world were visited, from France and Begium to Israel and do one’s bit, and attracted PGS support, with the raising of was born in Southsea in 1888 and, with his 5 brothers, attended Tanzania. The photographs that were taken will be included funds for various war-related causes and engagement in Portsmouth Grammar School. He left after two years at the in a Book of Remembrance which the Old Portmuthian voluntary work. With increasing food shortages because age of 13, having passed the entrance examination for HMS Club has kindly agreed to sponsor. This will be on put on Alan Alexander at Jerusalem War Cemetery visited by of the U-Boat blockade, pupils gave up three weeks of their Britannia where officer cadets were trained on two hulks on permanent display in the Memorial Library. Sophia Molho summer holiday to work on the land. With many agricultural the River Dart. Holbrook joined the submarine service in 1910 workers away fighting, the Women’s Land Army and others at a time when membership of the new elite force was very filled the breach. 32 pupils worked on 15 farms on the Isle competitive and only the very best candidates were successful. of Wight, while other boys were urged to grow vegetables In 1913, he assumed his first command, the petrol-driven A13, in their gardens. OTC cadets helped with the harvest on based at HMS Dolphin in Gosport. farms on Salisbury Plain and also volunteered to help out at the Special School of Flying at Fort Grange in Gosport With the outbreak of war a year later, Holbrook was over the freezing Christmas holiday of 1917. Of the 50 who commanding the B11 which had been built in 1906 but volunteered, 25 were accepted and employed cleaning rotary was already considered old and obsolete. On the 13 engines, washing down lorries, trench digging and cleaning December 1914, B11 dived under five rows of mines in the and dismantling planes. As a reward, some were given joy Dardanelles and successfully torpedoed the Turkish battleship rides in which pilots very successfully scared the wit out of Messudiyeh. Treacherous currents and enemy torpedoes their young passengers. and gunfire did not prevent Holbrook from bringing his craft and men safely back to the Mediterranean. B11 surfaced off Shortages of fuel led to the school governors considering Cape Helles after being submerged for an incredible nine closing the school, though there appears to be no record hours. Lt. Holbrook was a national and local hero. His First of this happening. But, during 1918, The Portmuthian Lieutenant, Sydney Winn, was awarded the Distinguished itself became a casualty of war. A paper shortage forced a Service Order, and every member of the crew was awarded reduction of the number of pages from an average of 22 to the Distinguished Service Medal. 16; what is more noticeable, however, was that the inspiring and patriotic cover had been dispensed with.

The year after the armistice, the War Office presented the Harvey VC OP school with a German machine gun in recognition “of the services of former Portsmouth Grammar School pupils”. It Major Francis John William Harvey was an officer of the is not known how many British soldiers were killed by that British Royal Marine Light Infantry and was posthumously souvenir. awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions at the Battle William Lampey at Lisjssenthoek Kirsten Goves, Imogen Ashby and Zachary Toh of Jutland. Born at Upper Sydenham in Kent in 1873, he was

14 15 Portmuthian 1914 – 1949 New Staff new staff

18 Hayley Chipman

18 Rebecca Clay

19 Rebecca Close

19 Aisling Cunningham

20 Jonathan Gilbert 18

20 Christopher Ives

21 Tracy Knott

21 Daniel Lee 21 22 22 Andrew Seddon

22 Tom de Trafford

23 Miranda Worley

16 17 Hayley Chipman Rebecca Close Aisling Cunningham Economics and Business Economics and Business Mathematics Studies Studies Miss Aisling A Cunningham has a BSc Hons in Mathematics and Statistics and Operational Research from Queen’s

Miss Hayley J Chipman has a BA Hons in Business and University Belfast where she also completed her PGCE in new staff Management from the University of Staffordshire and Mathematics. She joined us in September 2013 as a Teacher a PGCE (Masters level) in Business at the University of of Mathematics. Portsmouth. She joined us in September 2013 as a Teacher of Economics and Business Studies. If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where would you most like to be? Either Italy because it’s my favourite holiday destination or What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? Ireland. Deciding one day that I wanted a change of scenery and moving away to Portsmouth to embark on a teaching career. What are you most proud of? It felt good to change my life and live somewhere completely My degree and moving to England. new although it was hard to leave my friends and family. Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach How many opportunities are available in the school. anyone living or dead? Henry VIII - I think somebody should have taught him how to What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? treat women. Moving to Portsmouth from Ireland, meeting Liam Neeson and giving the Irish rugby team tea just before they won the If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where What is your worst fear? grand slam in 2009. would you most like to be? Spiders, small spaces and divorce! In the words of John Lennon “If I’d lived in Roman times, I’d If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach have lived in Rome. Where else? Today, America is the Roman If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects would you most like to be? anyone living or dead? Empire and New York is Rome itself.” So it would have to be would you most want to have with you? Australia. Malala Yousafzai because she has fought so hard for girls’ New York. 1. A caravan right to education 2. An electricity generator What are you most proud of? What are you most proud of? 3. Some seeds to plant vegetables My degree. What is your worst fear? Graduating from university as ‘top graduate’ for my year 4. Some high factor sun protection Birds group. I’m pretty competitive so I was happy with this result. 5. Lots of pens and paper. Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? How many pupils I have really been able to get to know, If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? How would you like to be remembered? considering the large size of the school. would you most want to have with you? I had a lot of preconceptions about teaching in an When I go into retirement I want to have my own foster Matches, a satellite phone, some comfortable shoes, a radio independent school, but PGS has dispelled all of those... PGS home. My dream is to be remembered for making the What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? and a good book. and the pupils have been more welcoming and friendly than I children happy and improving their lives, even if they are only Camped at the top of an erupting volcano in Indonesia, high had imagined, which is lovely! with me for a short time. above the clouds. How would you like to be remembered? As someone who had a good life, good friends and family and Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach made the best of everything that I’ve been given. Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach anyone living or dead? Rebecca Clay anyone living or dead? Rodger Federer to be able to tour with him and watch him History Elizabeth I play in between lessons.

If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where What is your worst fear? What is your worst fear? would you most like to be? Sharks – I was traumatised by Jaws at the age of 11. Luke Rees (You should always fear your boss) Vancouver Island in Canada. I spent a year out there and it is just the perfect place – skiing, mountain biking, bears, If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects whales and my favourite place on the planet – Tofino. would you most want to have with you? would you most want to have with you? A satellite phone, a good book, solar panels, a fridge and Juggling balls, trainers, a ball, a bat and a snorkel. What are you most proud of? chocolate. That way I can keep my chocolate cool and My children. enjoy a book while I summon help. How would you like to be remembered? Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised How would you like to be remembered? That I always make time to try something new. you? For helping people be who they want to be. The enormous range of talents of the students. Mrs Rebecca H Clay read History at Exeter College, Miss Rebecca Close has a BSc Hons (First Class) in What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? Oxford, and gained a PGCE in Secondary History from Management Sciences from the University of Loughborough Mountain biked three feet from an enormous black bear. I the University of Bristol. She joins us as a Teacher of and a PGCE in Business Education from the University didn’t dare to look behind me to see if it was chasing me in History from All Hallows Catholic School, Farnham, of Brighton. She joins us as a Teacher of Economics and case I crashed, and figured if I was about to get eaten, I’d where she was Head of History and Social Sciences. Business Studies from Hurstpierpoint College, where she rather not see it coming. was also a resident tutor in a girls’ boarding house.

18 19 Jonathan Gilbert Christopher Ives Tracy Knott Daniel Lee Mathematics History Geography Mathematics

If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where would you most like to be? would you most like to be? Québec, Canada. I lived there as a student and loved it. That is difficult as I’ve been to a lot of wonderful places. I’m

going to say East Africa – I lived there in my early twenties and new staff What are you most proud of? that experience is a large part of who I am now. The people, Raising a large sum of money for a good cause close to my scenery and wildlife are all inspiring and I would love to share heart. I felt as if I’d truly made a difference. this with my family.

Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? What are you most proud of? The sheer number of things both pupils and staff can get My children. involved in! Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? Yes. I once spent a summer travelling around North America. An amazing experience. What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? I love to travel and scuba dive and I have been lucky enough If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach to combine the two a few times. I’ll cheat and choose two would you most like to be? anyone living or dead? things – swimming with an eight metre whale shark in the I think that somewhere like Paris would be interesting and I would love to teach Prince George in the future! Seychelles and diving the famous Tiputa Pass on the Rangiroa exciting, but I wouldn’t want to live in a city for too long. atoll in Tahiti. There is a huge current pulling you from the What is your worst fear? open ocean into the lagoon and it attracts lots of larger What are you most proud of? Anything with more than two legs. species who feed there, like eagle rays, sharks and dolphins. My family – we have two daughters who are still quite young If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where and it’s always very fulfilling to be a part of their lives, watching If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects would you most like to be? Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach and helping them as they grow. Beyond that, it’s the little would you most want to have with you? I was brought up in Portsmouth and it will always be my anyone living or dead? things we do every day to help each other and there are A tricky one... My iPad, chocolate, a book, a tent and my home. I love the seasons in the UK, so if I went anywhere Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize winning physicist is a huge plenty of opportunities for those when you’re a teacher. mobile phone. else it would be somewhere with distinctive seasons, perhaps hero of mine. I’m not sure I would have been able to teach eastern USA or New Zealand! him much, but he would have been extremely entertaining Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? How would you like to be remembered? to have in the classroom. He had a very open mind and Having a piece introducing me in a major school publication! For the weird and wacky way I try to teach languages! What are you most proud of? challenged everything. Other than my family and home, I am most proud of running Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach Mr Christopher L Ives has a BA Hons in French and German three 10 mile road races (two here and one in the USA). I am What is your worst fear? anyone living or dead? from the University of Warwick and a PGCE (Masters level) in not a natural runner and they were huge challenges for me. Losing my sense of taste. I love eating. Most of the greats would probably be able to teach me a MFL (German with Spanish) at the University of Reading. He lot, but I think it would have been marvellous to have taught joined us in September 2013 as a Teacher of German. Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects Neil Armstrong and to think I might have helped him in some It is a lot friendlier than I was expecting! It’s a nice place to be. would you most want to have with you? small way to set foot on the Moon. Barbecue, lighter, vegetables to plant, salt & pepper. Then I What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? would hope to get really good at spearfishing. What is your worst fear? Definitely white water rafting down the Zambezi River! I To rely on a trusty quote, Marie Curie said “Nothing in life is nearly drowned, it is the closest near-death experience I have How would you like to be remembered? to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to ever had. As someone who helped others to achieve their goals. understand more so that we may fear less.” But I do worry about the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach anyone living or dead? If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects Bart Simpson - for the challenge. Mr Daniel D Lee has a BSc (Hons) would you most want to have with you? in Mathematics and Logic and A solar power generator, a radio to listen to, War and Peace What is your worst fear? Philosophy of Science from (because I haven’t read it), a telescope because the nights African killer bees. I once witnessed them kill 6 geese without the University of St Andrews, a should be very clear and a satellite phone. difficulty! PGCE from the University of Bath and is currently studying for a How would you like to be remembered? If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects part-time Masters in Information For being a good father and husband, because what those would you most want to have with you? Technology at Harvard University. close to me think will matter most in the end. A mosquito net, a really good pen knife, lots of paper, a pen He joined us as Teacher of and my husband would come in very handy too. Mathematics from Dubai College, Dr Jonathan H Gilbert has a BSc Hons (First Class) in UAE, where he was Academic Astrophysics from the University of Wales, a Master of How would you like to be remembered? Data Analyst and IT Programme Advanced Study in Mathematics from the University of As reliable, good company and slim! Developer. Cambridge, a PhD in Astronomy from the University of London, and a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics from the Mrs Tracy A Knott has a BSc (Hons) in Geography from University of Portsmouth. Jonathan joins us as Teacher of the University of Reading, a PGCE from the University Mathematics from South Downs College where he was of Southampton, and an MSc in Education and Training Lecturer in Mathematics. Management from the University of Portsmouth.

20 21 Andrew Seddon PE and Games What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? demotivating so to keep my spirits up I would take If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where I bungee jumped when I was in New Zealand. That was a book of quotes from Mr Shepherds weekly rugby would you most like to be? definitely exciting although I’m not too sure I would do it again. correspondence - most of which happen to be from Dolly

It would have to be in the Alps so that I could ski every Parton, but oh well! I would have to take something to keep new staff day. I grew up skiing in Courchevel, so there or Val d’Isere. Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach me entertained, hopefully I would be allowed to take an Although the other place I would love to live is America. I love anyone living or dead? ipad with a Netflix account. Netflix is one of the greatest how it gets nice and hot in the summer but also snows in the I would have loved to teach Jonny Wilkinson at school. His inventions ever - so many hours of movies and TV shows, winter so I could get a good tan and also go skiing. Plus, I’m attitude and the way he focuses on small details is incredible. it’s a dream come true. I suppose I had better take a knife a huge American sports fan I love watching NFL, ice hockey Outside of the sporting world I really admire Nelson Mandela. with me so I could make myself a shelter. I think the bigger and baseball so that would be ideal. Although I’m not too sure what I could have taught him. I knife the better. Last but not least I would want to take would have liked to have been taught by him. I also think some kind of ball, whether it be a rugby ball, football or What are you most proud of? teaching Prince Harry would make your life extremely tennis ball. There is hours of fun to be had with a ball - think In my last year at school my 1st XV reached the Daily Mail interesting, he seems to be a fun guy and would make lessons of Steve McQueen in the Great Escape. Cup Final at Twickenham which was amazing. Running out entertaining. of the tunnel at Twickenham was incredible and playing in How would you like to be remembered? front of thousands of people is something I will never forget. What is your worst fear? The main way I would like to be remembered is for We lost by a point to Warwick School but it still holds a Being buried alive scares me a lot. someone to say “Mr Seddon was a nice guy”. special place in my memory. If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects Mr Andrew J Seddon has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sport Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? would you most want to have with you? and Exercise Science from Northumbria University, The main thing that has surprised me is how quickly For food I would take a huge box of cakes from Hilsea. Sue’s where he also completed his PGCE in Secondary everything has settled into place. In a good way, it feels like I cakes are phenomenal so they would keep me going for Physical Education. He joined us in September 2013 as a have been working here longer than I have been. a while. I think being stranded on an island would be very Teacher of Physical Education.

Tom de Trafford Miranda Worley Physics and Electronics Economics and Business Studies Mr G Tom de Trafford read Engineering Science at Christ Church, Oxford and gained a PGCE in Secondary Science Mrs Miranda J Worley has a BA Hons in Business Studies at (Physics) from Homerton College, Cambridge. He joins us Sheffield University, a PGCE from the University of the West as Teacher of Physics (with Electronics) from Bishop Luffa of England and an MSc (Distinction) in Information Systems School, Chichester, where he was a Head of House. from the University of Portsmouth. She joins us as a part time Teacher of Economics and Business Studies, from South Downs College, where she was A Level Economics Course stuck on sand dunes to having a group of Hyenas run of with Manager and Lecturer in Economics and Business Studies. one of our plastic boxes whilst we were eating supper. We did quickly move to the top of the Land Rover. If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where would you most like to be? If you were free to live anywhere else in the world, where Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach Iceland – A place that heats the winter pavements with would you most like to be? anyone living or dead? volcanic energy can’t be all bad. I love the sea and really like the south coast of England. If I I would love to have taught Einstein as a child as he was Whom would you most like to teach, if you could teach were to move, I would want to be by the sea and I would like clearly brilliant but not properly stimulated. I think he would What are you most proud of? anyone living or dead? better weather so I could go sailing every day. I think a villa by have been difficult in a normal class, but it would have been Well, (apart from my three children - obviously) I am most I think Mao Tse Tung would’ve asked some interesting the sea on a Greek Island would be great. great to push him and find out what he could achieve. proud of my 21 year old self. After two years study I was questions in my class. able to read the business pages of the Nikkei Kinyu Shinbun What are you most proud of? What is your worst fear? in Japanese. The idea in the late 80’s was that I was going What is your worst fear? My children. I have an irrational fear of heights, which is not linked to how on to have a glittering career in international banking. Well I’d rather not tell you. dangerous it is. I do not like strange structures where I can see that clearly didn’t last, nor did my proficiency in Japanese; Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? that there is a drop below me. but I like to think that my current ability to recall economics If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects I am constantly surprised by the range of different things that diagrams is based on the visual memory I built up in those would you most want to have with you? are going all of the time. It is not just the number of activities If you were stranded on a desert island, which five objects years of studying Japanese characters. Endless factor 50+, as I prefer the shade, a sharp knife to cut but the amazing ability and achievements of the pupils in so would you most want to have with you? up and catch fish, a freezer continuously stocked with my many different areas, and the way different members of the A small boat (I would promise not to escape). Books to read. Has anything about working at PGS this year surprised you? favourite ice-cream (for when I get fed up with fish), staff can bring these skills out. A comfortable bed. A useful tool to help me make a home. A Just how much fun it is teaching my groups this year. Freeview or Iplayer for when I miss seeing people and Skype, radio so I could listen to music and the news. so that I can keep in touch with my family. What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? My favourite adventure was when I set off with my wife on How would you like to be remembered? The most exhilarating thing that I’ve done is accidentally How would you like to be remembered? honeymoon with a Land Rover and a map to go driving around I would like to be remembered as a teacher who inspired crashing my hang-glider into a hill at high speed – and As an adventurous and much missed great, great Southern Africa. We had many adventures ranging from getting people to achieve their best. walking away from it. grandmother.

22 23 Lino prints by Year 7 pupils Features features

26 Activities Day – Year 9 26 Anti-Bullying 27 Body Gossip with Yr 10 28 BBC Stargazing Live 28 Careers & Universities

D-Day 70 30 34 31 Duke of Edinburgh Award 32 Engineering Challenges Bea Stark Ben Priory 32 Freshers’ Fayre 33 Fashion Seminar 41 46 34 PGS Host the Gunilla 38 Lockheed Martin 35 Huanying Suzhou, China 38 PGS Website Challenge 35 International Women’s Day 39 Pancakes and Haggis 36 Ides of March 40 PGS MUN Conference 2014 36 Induction Day – Year 12 42 An Interview with Peter Snow Hilsea Groundsdog – Practical Science evening for 37 Introducing Mylo 42 Parents Michael Harvey Johannes Luckmann 37 Life Skills – Year 7 43 Roman Day

24 25 Activities on the Island Anti-Bullying Naeve Molho Competition

Beatrix Stark features “We challenged ourselves as individuals and as a team and the experience allowed us to “The judges were thoroughly impressed build new friendships” by the standard of entries, ranging from intricately detailed hand-drawn posters On Monday the 16th of September all Year 9 pupils participated in an educational activities day to become to computer-designed webpages” acquainted with new pupils, as well as building up our confidence in different activities. It was set in the fun and friendly yet challenging atmosphere of Kingswood Activity Centre on the Isle of Wight. We set off early in the morning to assemble near the ferry port preparing for the journey to the Isle of Wight.

The activities ranged from team building to more individual and challenging activities. We started with problem solving as a team which allowed us to socialise with the new pupils and work as a team to solve the different puzzles. However, some activities were slightly more challenging and hands-on like the climbing wall, the 3G swing, and one of the hardest, Jacob’s Ladder. This involved a person climbing to the top of Honor Appleby-Mell & Emma Dorricott with a petrifying ten metre pole, and then having to jump off and Body Grace Barrett from Body Gossip try to touch the orange buoy on the jump down. It tested our cyberbullying - stop by Toby Sambles nerves and, although it didn’t seem high, it had you shaking at the top. As part of the PGS E-Safety provision, inspired by anti- Gossip bullying week, Middle School pupils were given the After lunch, we headed out for an activity involving really challenge of designing a webpage to teach the whole Cicely Podmore hard obstacles which had to be completed as a team. The school community about cyberbullying. The webpages best activity was Night Line which not only allowed us to designed had to include information about what On Wednesday 29th January, Grace Barrett, a bubbly Grace discussed how the recent proliferation of smart work as a team but was challenging to individuals too. We cyberbullying is, how to stay safe online, how to report representative from Body Gossip, an organisation set up phones has led to apps such as ‘Instagram’ becoming were all blindfolded and had to hold on to each other’s abuse and means of making the internet a safer and to highlight the importance of being comfortable with your overloaded with people from all walks of life posting ‘selfies’, shoulders. However, the leader was allowed to see and more rewarding environment. image, gave a presentation to Year 10 about her own life and often with self-demeaning captions that prompt others to guide us. This activity really put the trust of others to the test the struggles that she has had with her image. She went from gush about them endlessly and therefore reassure the poster. and also allowed us to experience how our bodies react to Pupils were asked to submit their entries to Mr Chalk, being a child with no hair, bandages from head to toe due to We are constantly seeking approval about our appearance the loss of a sense. We all became a little muddy after the the head of academic ICT, and these were then severe eczema and a speech impediment, to being a singer and Grace explained that advertising does nothing to make experience and headed back to the coach. judged by Mr Lockyer, Mrs Morgan and Miss Dyer. The in London and obsessing daily over her ‘pop-star’ look to the us feel comfortable with ourselves. Instead, advertisers create judging criteria included content, quality of information point that she wasn’t sleeping at night because she was so problems that people would never have been conscious of We challenged ourselves as individuals and as a team about cyberbullying, the originality of the design, and preoccupied with thinking about what to wear. previously. They will then provide the solution whether it is and the experience allowed us to build new friendships. also technical aspects of the page. The judges were unnecessary wonder miracle creams that promise to make It was challenging from the beginning and was a really fun thoroughly impressed by the standard of entries, Grace talked to us about the problems associated with you look 30 again or hair sprays to give you a ‘windswept experience from learning new skills to meeting new friends. ranging from intricately detailed hand-drawn posters to the superficiality in mainstream culture. In today’s society beach’ look. computer-designed webpages. the media bombard us from when we wake up until late at night. Magazines featuring air-brushed celebrities set an The talk really highlighted the importance of the classic This year’s winner was Toby Sambles from Year 7 whose unattainable ideal of beauty for many in our society, and phrase of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and made us all brilliant poster was crammed with well-presented indeed even the celebrities who feature in such magazines think again about whether it really is necessary to spend time information on cyber-bullying and internet safety. As can only reach this ‘perfection’ after hours of preening and on adorning and trying to change the amazing bodies that we a prize for designing the winning webpage he won a digital manipulation. Grace also showed us a video about a have all been given. brand-new Nexus tablet! Toby’s designs along with man who spent 4 hours every day to get ready and wanted many others are available to see on MyPGS. help because his girlfriend was about to leave him because of his compulsion. This was a fun and exciting task for all involved, raising awareness of the dangers which cyberbullying can create and also enabling pupils to learn how to stay safe “We are constantly seeking approval about our appearance and Grace explained that advertising and have fun on social networking sights. does nothing to make us feel comfortable with ourselves” Ethan Hoddle attempts Jacob’s Ladder

26 27 “These events have been very well attended, Careers and suggesting that PGS pupils are exploring their Science career options thoughtfully and taking their Universities future careers seriously.” Ambassadors go James Burkinshaw features 2013-14 has been a busy year for the Careers and Throughout the year, Mrs Williams has also organised a Stargazing Universities Department. dizzying range of networking lunches to enable pupils to explore career options beyond PGS, with speakers on Tim Bustin It began in October with a very well-attended seminar medical careers in the army, accountancy and management on careers in the fashion industry, organised by the consultancy, a career in business, film-making and the Careers and Universities Administrator Mrs Williams, challenges and opportunities facing women in business. introduced by local MP Penny Mordaunt, hosted by Simon Ward OP of the British Fashion Council and Again, these events have been very well attended, suggesting featuring a panel of Old Portmuthians currently involved that PGS pupils are exploring their career options thoughtfully in a variety of fashion careers from design to journalism and taking their future careers seriously. In addition, the to retail. Over 100 pupils from PGS and other local Careers and Universities have organised trips to events schools made up an enthusiastic audience, peppering outside school, including an inspiring talk on the fashion the panel with questions about career opportunities and industry by Caryn Franklin at Portsmouth University and pathways in this vibrant £21-billion industry. a thought-provoking seminar on careers in business for women, hosted by Seaford College. In February, the PGS Careers and Gap Year Convention proved as popular as ever. We were able to include even Pupils in all year groups have been encouraged to think of life more professions than usual, with nearly 50 different beyond their time at PGS. Mrs Cross, our new Deputy Head of careers represented at the convention. Several hundred Careers and Universities, has organised a range of initiatives PGS Ambassadors at the event with Dallas Campbell pupils and parents, from PGS and a range of other to present career and university options to pupils in the schools, took advantage of the opportunity to talk to Middle and Senior schools. Our first Year 7 Careers Day took representatives from the Armed Forces and experts place in June; pupils enjoyed playing ‘The Real Game’, which On Tuesday the 7th January, PGS Science Ambassadors from the worlds of finance, law, veterinary science, introduced them, in a creative and engaging way, to life skills, were a part of BBC’s Stargazing Live Event for the third art, gap year travel, midwifery, social work, policing, including budgeting, time management and communication, year running. It’s a chance for the general public to engineering, medicine, music technology, graphic helping pupils to consider their future aspirations and explore learn about the technical side behind all of the science design, politics, and many other careers and professions. different ways of fulfilling them. Year 8s were able to role-play involving the study of the universe beyond our world At this event we were delighted to launch the new OP a range of careers, from being a GP to a bomb disposal expert – from being able to see the Mars rover up close, Network, designed to connect current pupils with OPs (!), as well as attending their own Careers Fair (visited by Year to learning about being an astronaut; from lectures happy to offer careers advice. We remain very grateful 7 pupils also) at which a range of careers, from zoology to hosted by T.V. scientist Dallas Campbell, to interactive to exhibitors (many of whom are parents and OPs) for law to sports management, were represented. We are very displays (run by PGS) on the effects of gravity and how giving up their valuable time and expertise, particularly at grateful to Year 8 parents and to OPs and local businesses for spectroscopy (analysing the wavelengths of light emitted the end of a long working day. Many other parents and their generosity with their time. by stars) can be used to discover which elements make OPs also generously helped Year 12 pupils, in June, by up the stars. providing them with invaluable interview experience and Meanwhile, Years 9s were given the task of researching a feedback regarding their CVs. range of career paths and delivering some very in-depth This year’s activities were at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, presentations to their peers on everything from scientific and even hours before the event opened to the public, A week later, Year 12 pupils and parents heard an research to archaeology, journalism and medicine. Year 10s huge queues of people were waiting to get in. An amateur enlightening address by Jonathan Tinnacher from were encouraged to consider the wide range of courses astronomy activity on the HMS Warrior allowed the public Imperial College, London, about university admissions, offered at university and were taken to the university Careers to identify famous constellations and stars, as well as before joining pupils from Years 10 and 11 at our first Fair at Portsmouth University, where over 120 universities planets. For the younger children there were reaction ever PGS Universities Fair, which featured 28 UK were exhibiting. Years 11s have been mapping out university testing boards and a ‘make your own alien’ competition universities, including Bristol, KCL, Warwick, Cardiff, and career pathways, considering not only what they want to using marshmallows. Exeter, Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow and do when they leave school, but where they want to be when Queen’s, Belfast. Professor Chris Pelling from Christ they are 25. As ever, pupils have arranged some invaluable South Today were there to make an article for the local Church College, Oxford and a PGS governor, spoke work experience for this summer, from engineering and law news, and PGS’s own Sally Hall and Hugh Summers were to those aspiring to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. to psychiatry and jewellery design. interviewed live for BBC Radio Solent, briefly explaining A few weeks previously, 60 Year 12s (and 40 Year the school’s role in the night’s events, which went on 11s) attended an afternoon talk by speakers from the It has been good to see pupils from Years 7 to 13 exploring for a good three hours of non-stop teaching, explaining universities of Cambridge and Oxford, in the DRT, their options for the future with such commitment and and occasionally being corrected by a member of the where they had the opportunity to find out more about energy and considering the sheer range of career and ‘public’ who turned out to be either a science teacher or life at these institutions and about the unique process university pathways open to them. degree level physics student. But, despite a tiring evening, of application. It was good to see such an enthusiastic everyone, including all the staff and Science Ambassadors response from PGS pupils. In July, 30 OPs currently at Captions from Top to Bottom: involved, went away with either a smile on their face or university returned to PGS to offer advice to Year 12s 1. Careers & Gap Year Convention; a little bit more knowledge in their heads. Stargazing about university courses and institutions and to share 2. Agnes Price & Charlotte Pascoe loaded up with was incredibly successful for another year running, and their experience of life at university; it was wonderful to prospectuses; 3. Universities Fair; 4. Joyce Lui & Venetia hopefully even more enjoyable too for the years to come. welcome them back. Law at the Universities Fair; 5. Nadya Bogdanova at the Careers Convention

28 29 The Bronze teams at the Awards evening D-Day 70: A week to Remember & Reflect

Adam Southey features

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition The Silver Report Charlie Henderson Zoe Dukoff-Gordon

At the end of September over 80 Year 11s arrived at a car park This year about 50 Year 11 pupils travelled to the New near West Meon to complete their Bronze expedition. We had Forest for a three day hike, the culmination of their work all completed 6 months of volunteering, 3 months learning a towards the Silver Duke of Edinburgh award. Unlike the new skill and 3 months taking part in some physical activity. hot weather experienced in the practice there were slight showers on the first day which fortunately cleared up for My group confidently set off from the car park; in the wrong the afternoon. Each group were allocated an assessor direction (evidently the navigational challenges presented by who we met with on the first morning- a new obligation the South Downs Way were too much for us). After an hour (and which we hadn’t experienced and gave a different a scramble up the side of a Victorian railway cutting) we were dynamic to the weekend! The first day involved a later back on track, arriving at the camp for the night roughly on time. start due to our meeting with the assessors which resulted in a long day’s hike. Each group managed to finish within We spent the night at the Sustainability Centre, a couple eight hours though, and we all met at the first camp of miles West of Butser Hill. Early that evening a thick fog site where we set up camp, cooked and ate dinner all CCF on parade at the memorial descended, making trips through a small, but dense wood followed by a group meeting and game of football. Our week of fame began on Sunday 1st June with our to the composting toilets somewhat hazardous, due to the star appearance on BBC ‘Songs of Praise.’ We performed fact our torches only served to illuminate the mist up to 30 The second and longest day contained a lot more Margaret Rizza’s ‘Before the ending of the day, creator of “Although it was an extremely busy week centimetres in front of us. hills which, along with our lack of sleep and aches and the world we pray’ which fitted beautifully with the title of pains from the first hike, made it the hardest day by far. the programme ‘D-Day: 70 years on’ and brought to life it was an honour to be involved in such By the time we set off next morning the fog had cleared, The route was a bit more confusing too, which resulted the emotions of the commemorations. We had filmed meaning we had to think up another excuse for getting in groups missing check points and therefore having the segment back in April, between a 5- day tour to the important national commemoration” hopelessly lost somewhere in the Queen Elizabeth Country to re do tracks and walk for longer than anticipated. Yet French Alps and Holy Week! park later that morning. We were saved by Mr Lockyer, looking despite these trials and tribulations, we all returned to the somewhat surprised to see us emerging from a bush, who campsite safe and sound, in time for songs around the While ‘Songs of Praise’ was on the air, we were frantically Finally, the last chapter of our week was to appear on pointed us in the right direction, meaning that we arrived at campfire with the teachers and a group game of ‘40/40’. preparing for the next chapter in our busy week, on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Sunday Worship’ programme. Due to the finish point on Harting Down just over our minimum time By the last morning we were all suffering from lack of Wednesday – a live broadcast of ‘Choral Evensong’ on the broadcast being at 8:10am, the choirs were called target. sleep and an extensive amount if exercise. Fortunately, we BBC Radio 3 featuring music by Walton, Howells and in to prepare on the Saturday afternoon. We were then all had less walking to do but still had to be out for seven Jonathan Dove. Howells’ anthem ‘O pray for the peace required at the Cathedral for 7am on the Sunday to put Thanks go to all the staff involved in the expedition for getting hours which allowed us all to take the walk a bit slower of Jerusalem’ was appropriate, given its call for peace, together the final touches to the service, which featured us through this final hurdle, particularly the head of Bronze with more and longer breaks. Each group finished and with D-Day very much in mind; and Dove’s exciting Howard Goodall’s ‘Do not stand at my grave and weep’ Award, Mrs Gladstone. passed and all in all it was a successful weekend! ‘Portsmouth service’ received its first broadcast to the which are words from a poem written by Mary Elizabeth world, with the compliments flooding in! Frye. The work was very movingly sung by soloist William The Silver teams at the Awards evening Pepperell, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Agnus Dei’ (from On the Thursday the Cathedral Choir joined forces with the his Requiem) which again contained words fitting for Chamber Choir on Southsea Common in the presence of D-Day. One reading in particular which I found moving Princess Anne, taking part in the ‘Drumhead Service’. We was a letter read live by a daughter of a soldier who was were seated on a stage overlooking the war memorial and on the front line 70 years ago in Normandy. the Solent, which provided a tremendous backdrop for us to sing out to! The service was challenging to sing, due to In summary, although it was an extremely busy week it the lack of acoustic and the situation of the band. However, was an honour to be involved in such important national the choirs were fantastic and responded to the occasion commemorations. immensely (as did the weather!).

30 31 Fashionable OPs present their work

Young Engineers Freshers’ Earn Awards Fayre Ben Goad Joe Bradley features This year two teams from Year 8 chose to tackle the On the 25th September the Middle School was challenge set by the Engineering Development Trust presented with a variety of clubs in the middle school which was “My school is an island”. The task was to design common room. This event is known as the Freshers’ a school based on an island including all the complexities Fayre and is held every year to get pupils involved. that this would entail (including how to provide sufficient This is a great opportunity for both pupils, to see all power, food, water and living accommodation). There the different clubs, and for the teachers, to get more were some amazingly imaginative ideas including providing pupils into their clubs. underwater marine labs, plenty of wind turbines and a games programme based almost entirely on water sports.

The teams of six pupils met at least once a week and developed a plan, wrote a report and ultimately produced a presentation board, model and a verbal presentation which they bravely gave to a panel of engineers. Both teams “The event itself, attended by parties applied for and gained the prestigious Silver CREST award normally only achieved by Year 9 or 10 pupils. The EES team Setting a Trend: from other schools in Portsmouth and of six Year 12 pupils worked for longer on a more technical project developing a securing device for tethering a lander the University, was a fascinating, myth on a comet. Their project involved working closely with OPs inspire budding busting insight into an industry in which a mentor from Airbus Group and included a residential at Southampton Solent University. Their final presentation was Britain is arguably still a world leader” highly commended and earned the whole team the Gold Yr 7 pupils signing up for Stock Mar- fashionistas CREST award endorsed by UCAS. Many thanks to Linda ket Club with Miss Close Josh Rampton Ashton and Carol Purcell for their support of the Year 8 pupils and Lloyd Ansell for his guidance of the Year 12 team. On the 11th of October an event was held in the David Russell and the commonly held belief that the only careers in fashion theatre by Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North and were models and designers, there are in fact many different Simon Ward OP, Chief Operating Officer of the British Fashion careers that can be explored in fashion. For example, the Council, as part of an effort to make young people more business, marketing, technological and management side of aware of the plethora of career opportunities in the British an industry – fashion needs people in these areas, much like fashion industry. Also in attendance were an array of more any other sector. Moreover, he asserted that university was recent Old Portmuthians, or as they preferred to be called, not the only path into fashion, that there are apprenticeships ‘Young’ Portmuthians who have gone into various different that arguably allow people direct inroads into companies and parts of the fashion industry since leaving PGS. plenty of practical experience.

This reporter arrived expecting to interview the two principle The group of ‘Young’ Portmuthians, while all being involved guests and then scurry off, but instead was extended a kind generally in the fashion industry, were very different in their invitation to not only attend the presentation but also to join background and direction. 2004 leaver Emily Morgan (née in the lunch provided for the guests, during which I was able Knight) read Spanish at Bristol and then went into a graduate to discuss in more depth the reasons behind the involvement track at the John Lewis partnership and has since worked of Ms Mordaunt and also her fascinating background. Already extensively in the retail side of fashion. Three girls who left having extensive experience in dealing with the military and PGS in 2009 and who had all benefitted from the help of Mrs the engineering and scientific industries, when presented Whitaker in undertaking a Textiles GCSE in their spare time with the opportunity to learn more about a British industry were also present and had all diverged in the course of their she chose to delve into a more creative world, that of fashion. careers. One dropped out of a degree course at Manchester University to focus her attention on her own brand called The event itself, attended by parties from other schools ‘Dumpster’ and has achieved great success, and is soon to in Portsmouth and the University, was a fascinating, myth dress Charlotte Church for the cover of her next EP. Another busting insight into an industry where Britain is arguably still did a degree in marketing and has since worked for magazines a world leader. Simon Ward, who left the school in 1976, and is currently in New York working on film sets. Another has described how his career had progressed from reading just finished a degree at Kings College London and is pursuing Geography at University to working at Selfridges while her ambition of being a fashion writer, blogging and working simultaneously training to be an opera singer for 10 years. on a freelance basis. This event showed the fashion industry After playing many of the great operatic roles on the stage as a source of viable and fulfilling careers, as opposed to in London, an after having a family, he decided to make his something to be dismissed as an unrealistic and risky direction “side job” i.e. fashion, his career. He described his current to take by parents and teachers, as the creative industries so role at the British Fashion Council, having recently been in often are. This event was a fantastic opportunity to gain an charge of London Fashion week. His message was that in insight into the fashion industry, and an unexpected treat for Jack Anson, Daniel Shillaker & Douglas James present their plans spite of the alleged competitiveness of the fashion industry this Portmuthian reporter!

32 33 HMS St Albans: International Women’s Day Helen Jackson “We enjoyed a very interesting day learning about the roles now available to both men and features women not only in the armed forces but also in the wider world that would have not existed even twenty years ago.”

On Friday 7th March, twelve girls from Years 9 and 10 were given the opportunity to visit HMS St Albans, a type 23 frigate, in recognition if International Women’s Day. The Navy, as with all of the armed forces, was traditionally male-dominated, but HMS St Alban’s Commanding officer is a woman, as are several other key ranks and ratings. The purpose of the trip was to show that times have changed and that the opportunities previously only open to men are now available to everyone.

At the beginning of the day, we met Mrs Ashton at the minibus (which involved sneaking out of assembly for some of the Year Tens!) and set off for the dockyard. When we arrived, the officer of the watch gave us a very brief health and safety briefing before taking us to the wardroom. There, Swedish pupils from the Gunilla with their PGS hosts we were given biscuits and then shown a short presentation on the Royal Navy’s role around the world and another on Swedish the ships and submarines currently in service. After some more biscuits we were divided into two groups and taken for Beatrix Stark a tour of the ship. We were shown the operations room, the Friends bridge (where some of even got to sit on the captain’s chair), the tiny logistics room and the galley, before returning to The girls’ aboard St Alban’s Every year PGS hosts Swedish students from Ockero Hosting a student is a great opportunity to learn about each the wardroom for an informal question and answer session Gymnasieskoca School on the island of Ockero, near other’s way of living. You can ask questions about their life in with the captain and her officers, which was of course paired We enjoyed a very interesting day learning about the roles Gothenburg. This unique school gives students an opportunity Sweden and then they can ask questions about our lifestyle with more biscuits. Finally, we had photographs taken with now available to both men and women not only in the to travel to different places around the world on a tall ship, the – for instance, Johanna was interested about the dialect and the female crew members next to the naval gun and another armed forces but also in the wider world that would have not Gunilla. The students continue with their lessons aboard the politeness in our country because in Sweden she said that taken at the prow of the ship in true Titanic style. existed even twenty years ago. ship as well as helping with other tasks. they often don’t say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ or ‘sorry’. I learnt that many people in Sweden live in log houses painted different Students go on a different voyage every year; for some their colours and that it is a lot more expensive there than it is here. first trip over water is across the Atlantic Ocean! This year’s group have now already stopped off at France and are I also love the Swedish style, they look so cool wearing big “We hope that our relationship with Suzhou probably making their way to Lisbon, Portugal, before going knitted jumpers and loose jeans with a Swedish rucksack. Not Huanying back to Sweden. only are they stylish, but their attitude towards clothes is very High School continues to develop and that different – here we are very obsessed with how we look but The school has a long standing association and friendship the Swedish seem a lot less materialistic and I think we should Suzhou we may see more of them in the future” with PGS. My family and I have hosted three Swedish students follow in their footsteps. Elisa Linley for three years running and each one has been delightful. This year we had a girl called Johanna. Even though you only host Off theGunilla , the students live by themselves on an island On 29th January, PGS were delighted to welcome your student for one night you make a friendship with them about the same size of the Isle of Wight but with far fewer a group of 50 students from Suzhou High School of and it is often sad to wave them off (some have said that we people. So as can you see, even off the boat, they are very Jiangsu Province, China, to the school. Their visit was can stay with them in Gothenburg though!). independent people. part of an on-going relationship being developed with the school, and the students greatly enjoyed their tour Being on a ship for two months without your family, on what Getting to know the students from the Gunilla has made me of PGS. Our existing links with schools around the might be your first voyage across water, must be very hard very enthusiastic about visiting Sweden in the future. I would world, and particularly China, are proving to be hugely and I personally think not many people here would be willing definitely recommend you host a Swedish student next year! mutually beneficial to pupils, and a large group of Sixth to do it - I know I wouldn’t! All the students have said they Formers studying Business and Economics are eagerly have created amazing bonds with each other. On the ship awaiting the first trip to Ping Xiang school, taking place they have certain tasks to do like climbing the rigging and “the Swedish seem a lot less materialistic and I in October. We hope that our relationship with Suzhou tarring the ropes, night and day watch, helping prepare the High School continues to develop and that we may see meals and clearing plates, followed by class work. think we should follow in their footsteps” more of them in the future.

34 35 Ides of March Induction Day Introducing Mylo Life Skills: Year 12 James Wheeldon Lecture Rhiannon Lasrado What a (rainy) Gregory Walton-Green

For many years the Hilsea Playing Fields have always had a features grounds dog onsite, providing extra security and another day! Sophie Mitchell pair of eyes watching over the grounds. It all started with ‘She certainly voiced her opinions on Bob Wheeldon’s dog, the Shitzu called Spike, and when he Classics very strongly, lamenting the passed away his role of grounds dog was taken over by Max, who suddenly died last year from bone cancer at the very movement in the late 20th Century to young age of 2 years old. You may remember that last year the Portmuthian reported on the sad passing of Max, but also undermine Greek achievements.”’ that resident groundsman James Wheeldon had asked the Portsmouth Grammar School if he could have another dog to Each year, around the Ides (roughly the 15th) of assist him in the grounds security. They agreed, and so Mylo is March, the date on which, in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar now the current grounds dog of Hilsea PGS. was assassinated, the Classics department organise a talk on a Classical theme. This year Professor Edith Mylo has now been at the Hilsea Playing Fields for over a year Hall of King’s College London, who studied both for and if you know him, you’ll know that he is a very placid and her BA in Classics and Modern Languages and DPhil Puzzle solving at Hilsea friendly dog. Although he is a little hard of hearing, Mylo has at Oxford University, addressed a varied group of PGS first class vision and will regularly sit on the outfield watching pupils, parents, OPs and staff on the theme of “Greek helicopters and keeping us grounds men aware of what’s Minds and the Sea.” After a brief introduction by Andrea ‘Effective memory skills, organisation tips and going on whilst we are using noisy machines. New Yr 7s enjoying Life Skills Day Bolton, currently a maternity cover teacher of Latin and an emphasis upon independent learning were Greek at PGS who was herself taught by Professor Hall, Mylo, much like Max, has a particular soft spot for the ladies, “Most of the team-building exercises Professor Hall began her lecture. among the wise words imparted to us to help enjoying the attention from all the school girls. He will happily had a twist so even the simplest us survive the next two years.’ be spoiled and in return show off some of his tricks! Professor Hall eloquently conveyed her enthusiasm for activity could be a real challenge” her subject, offering interesting insights into her recent There is no better way to reintroduce our body clocks to that As requested by many pupils at PGS, Mylo now has his very novel and her theories on many aspects of Ancient unfamiliar time before midday than to organise a visit from a own Facebook page - please send him a friend request and In September, Year 7 participated in a Life Skills Day Greek culture and history. She was a very involving motivational speaker, prior to the start of the academic year, follow his adventures. Search for Mylo Wheeldon. based upon team-building. A variety of different speaker, engaging our attention with a combination to welcome the new Year 12s. activities were available and pupils were lucky enough to of facts, humour and anecdotes, one example being So if you’re visiting Hilsea and you see Mylo sitting outside the have a barbecue for lunch, despite the rain. her public debate in Cheltenham Spa with Mary Beard The day began with a series of lectures, aimed to teach us grounds mens’ restroom please pop over and give him a stroke over whether the Romans or the Greeks were more the most effective ways of maximising our potential, using and he’ll give you a nice welcome to the Hilsea Playing Fields! The activities, some at school and some at Hilsea, important. Before the debate 93% of the audience the many resources available to us at PGS. Effective memory included “Amazon River Crossing”, “Marble Run” and in Cheltenham considered the Romans to be more skills, organisation tips and an emphasis upon independent “The Human Compass”, among others. My personal important, but afterwards 95% agreed with Professor learning were among the wise words imparted to us to help “He will happily be spoiled and in return show favourite was the climbing wall – even some of the Hall. She added jokingly that Mary Beard did not speak us survive the next two years. In fact, there were several tutors took part! to her for a year afterwards! activities designed to determine the type of learner we are in off some of his tricks!” an effort to somewhat tailor our learning routines to ensure In “Amazon River Crossing”, the whole group had to The talk was about how the Ancient Greek-speaking we get the best results possible at the end of our courses. make their way across the river using a limited number pagans were influenced by living in an area with the The speaker was engaging, his advice practical and we left, of stepping stones. This may sound easy but there was highest ratio of coastline to land area of anywhere perhaps with a sense of apprehension, but equally we were a twist – the raging current would sweep away any in the world, and she structured it around key optimistic about the beginning of the year. stepping stones that no-one was touching. characteristics of the Ancient Greeks, although there were numerous diverting digressions, ranging from After lunch, the year group travelled up to Hilsea Playing Most of the team-building exercises had a twist so even the gods and dolphins to ancient philosophers! Fields ready to spend the afternoon conducting team- the simplest activity could be a real challenge. We all Her characteristics of Ancient Greeks were their bonding exercises within the new tutor groups. Exercises enjoyed these twists as they made us think of more “stroppiness”, sense of individuality, curiosity, openness, varied from collectively completing a puzzle as fast as interesting solutions and each person seemed to have sense of humour, competitiveness, their high level possible to crossing a section of the field without touching a different idea. The tasks used different aspects of team of articulacy, their love of pleasure, and finally, their the grass. One particular activity saw each tutor group put up work – leadership, communication, strategic thinking involvement with the sea. a tent. It seemed like no mean feat until all but two people and co-ordination. were blindfolded and the two able to see were forbidden Her speech was littered with choice quotes such from touching any of the equipment. The tents weren’t Quite a lot of the tutor groups were very competitive. as “everything about Classics is political”, and she perfect and disagreements became undeniably heated but There wasn’t really an overall winner but we all thought certainly voiced her opinions on Classics very strongly, thankfully everyone escaped unscathed. it was our own tutor group! lamenting the movement in the late 20th Century to undermine Greek achievements, and fearlessly Finally, the day ended with a well-deserved barbecue. We We all really enjoyed the day and I think that the next proclaiming “I don’t find the Romans interesting.” Her were able to catch up about the long summer and become year’s Year 7s will have a good time as well. Hopefully, controversial opinions were part of her charm, and her acquainted with the new members of our year group, all in the weather will be nicer next year as barbecues are not talk was truly delightful. the September sunshine, as if someone had booked the meant for the rain! weather for us.

36 37 Lockheed Martin PGS Pupils Pancakes and… Haggis? Challenge take the Website An Action Packed Year in Challenge Daniel Hill Edward Vass & the Middle School features Naeve Molho & Ed Donnelly Lewis Chalk “One of the strongest Middle School On Thursday 27th March, a team of Year 9 PGS pupils casts in any Middle School show.” presented their Web Design Project to IBM and the client they were commissioned to create a website for, ‘Off The This has been a jam-packed year for everyone in Record’. Off the Record is a local company helping people the Middle School with plenty of events to keep from different and difficult situations. us entertained and out of trouble! The pancake ‘festival’ was a firm favourite, whilst haggis-tasting The Website Challenge has been a work related project that was a nice opportunity to try something that I and has run throughout the year with pupils developing work- many others had only heard about, never tasted. related skills. The team made up of Haraman Badial, Oscar Bird, Ben Brooks, Lauren Hughes, Catherine Leung, Naeve The house tie competition also had two rounds Molho, Izzy Sambles, Noor Shihadeh, Stella Stayt-Rickard this year, for the neatest and the quickest ties tied. and Zac Toh, were very proud to have come third in this I entered neither of these as I believed my personal challenge of modern designs and unique ideas. strength would appear later in the year, and luckily it did. Summers (the house that I belong to) won the They worked superbly as a team, completed fantastic Pancake race, and I was chosen in the relay team research, created well considered designs and produced and finished it off, ahead of other houses by at least an attractive website that met the client specification. In the a lap, with my fellow pupils; Isaac, Guy and Nikilha. Grand Final, they delivered a concise and very professional presentation highlighting the special journey they had taken The Year 8 leaving party was enjoyable for every over the last 12 weeks. person who went – the masked ball theme was a great idea by Mrs Jackson and everyone came to The team said ‘We really enjoyed creating this website and code with their mask on. The photo booth and although the website may not have won we have acquired sweets were popular, laid out next to ‘Mr Leach’s some unique skills with design and computers. Our World Famous Casino!’. The disco was in DRT and presentation skills have also increased greatly and we have everyone visited the disco at least once. Finally The winning team - Alex Dassow, Tom Ross, become more confident performing to an audience.’ came our trip to Little Canada on the Isle of Wight. Adam Watts, Matthew Doll & Henry Rhodes This was a real highlight to the year, particularly The pupils can take so much reward away from the project, for those of us trying new things like abseiling or with other schools at the event commenting that PGS were archery. “The challenge was to create a crane the outstanding team in presenting their work and their that would be able to lift a Merlin website was of a really professional standard. The real icing on the top of the cake this year was the Middle School Musical, Little Shop of Horrors. (model) helicopter.” This was as Mr Hampshire has quoted “One of the strongest Middle School casts in any Middle School On Friday 31st January a selection of Year 9 pupils show” which was a super achievement for anyone participated in the Lockheed Martin Challenge. We who was in it or took part. had previously been put into teams of five and we met in our teams with each team having their own table a One last thing that I have to say is thank-you to selection of tools. After a briefing on the challenge, we one special member of staff. It was his last year of George Charlton in the Pancake Race were each assigned with an engineer and a specific role a 37 year career. Mr David Richard Hampshire has within the team. The challenge was to create a crane been a brilliant member of the school community, that would be able to lift a Merlin (model) helicopter. introducing the Drama Department to PGS and The scenario was that a Merlin had been downed in the then recently becoming head of the Middle School desert, and the engineers had recreated this in a model. and leading the Middle School Productions every Each team had a credit card with £150 on it and we year. His last hit was Little Shop of Horrors, but the could go to the shop to buy the materials we needed. musical he has revisited and directed no less than 3 times is the Charles Dickens classic Oliver! and After the whole morning designing and building each time changing it slightly so it was a new show our crane, we spent the afternoon planning our to him and his audience. presentation which we would have to present to the other teams and the engineer judges from Lockheed So on behalf of the staff and pupils of Mr Martin. Well done to the winning team: Alex Dassow, Hampshire’s Middle School thank you for a super Henry Rhodes, Matthew Doll, Tom Ross and Adam career at PGS and hope you have a even better Watts, who all received a selection of prizes. retirement! Thank you, Sir. The team present their work Haggis Tasting

38 39 PGS Model United Nations Conference 2014 James Burkinshaw features bring certain species back from existence and a complex debate over ownership of the moon. A further discussion over ownership of the sun led to it being renamed “Kim Il Sun” at the behest of North Korea’s delegate. While the most amusing delegate was Tim Bustin, there were two highly commended, Megan Hall (Springfield) and Pippa Noble, while the best delegate was Sam Gardener.

Meanwhile the newly formed UNESCO committee, chaired by Ben Schofield, Katherine Tobin and Hugh Summers, came up with a cultural solution to the current political isolation of North Korea, with India introducing a resolution requiring the ‘Hermit Kingdom’ to take up cricket and rugby. Russia’s intervention offering to provide troops to support this initiative The Emergency Debate may have been counter-productive, resulting in the resolution, sadly, failing - but only just. Rather more convincingly defeated who may be involved in the suspected assassination. We will “The governments of the countries with pro-Russian was North Korea’s own attempt to eliminate gay rights. continue to update you on this story as the situation develops.” demonstrations have refused to allow referenda after Representing North Korea was Rob Bendell, who won the suggestions not to do so by the American government. John committee’s award for best delegate, with Louisa Dassow Over lunch, delegates began to discuss ways to avert the crisis Kerry, United States Foreign Minister has announced that he (India) highly commended and Matthew Randall the most and then reconvened in the Memorial Library for the eagerly will end any US trade with Russia and its allies if ‘even an inch’ amusing. anticipated Emergency Debate, which opened with a second of Eastern Europe aids Russia in any way. Kim Jong Un, Leader broadcast from PGS MUN News: of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has condemned The Economics committee, chaired by William Bates and the ‘imperialist’ Americans on state television and declared full Oliver Hedges, also saw significant activity on the part of North “Ukrainian nationalist groups have claimed responsibility for support towards Russian actions and is threating to mobilise Tom Harper gives a speech on behalf of the United Kingdom Korea, which attempted, but failed, to get rid of all economic the attack and the government of Ukraine has announced its 11-million man army. The government of Switzerland sanctions. There was also a resolution aiming to transfer the that it has now become clear that Vice-Admiral Alexander has declared its neutrality and has called a meeting of world PGS hosted its sixth annual Model UN conference in March, global economic system from capitalism to communism, Vitko was poisoned; early investigations by Russian authorities leaders.” involving nearly 100 delegates from Portsmouth Grammar which fell short only by one vote, after an impassioned debate. have linked the apparently ‘rare’ poison to eastern European School and Springfield School. The committee also found time to explore globalisation Nationalist groups based in the United Kingdom. Russia has Despite the plethora of problems facing the General Assembly, and counterfeiting. Most amusing was Luke Stevens, highly demanded an explanation by the United Kingdom and also delegates proposed and debated a range of initiatives which, On Friday evening, lobbying in the Memorial Library allowed commended was Tom Ross of the Democratic Republic of from the Ukrainian Government demanding that the suspects ultimately, brought peace and stability to the region, with the people to meet their fellow delegates and to choose the Congo and best delegate was Caleb Barron of India. be extradited to Russia.” overwhelming endorsement of countries - with only France resolutions for debate the following day. This was followed opposing and three other states abstaining. by dinner in the Dining Room and a challenging quiz, expertly The Politics Committee also discussed a range of interesting Chaired by Julia Alsop and Charlie Albuery of PGS, and Luke hosted by Secretaries-General, Charlie Albuery and Julia Alsop. topics, including the political dimensions of foreign aid and the Stevens of Springfield throughout the afternoon, the delegates The day closed, in traditional style, with the announcement of political situation in the Ukraine. A foreign aid bill was passed debated the metastasizing crisis, with a third broadcast the committee awards (noted above) by the Chairs. And then Delegates re-convened at 9am on Saturday, to listen to an and a political resolution was proposed, debated and passed bringing the news that: the Secretaries-General revealed the coveted conference inspiring speech in the Memorial Library by co-Secretary- by the committee. The most amusing delegate (as well as awards, which were: General, Julia Alsop, on the importance of the work completed best dressed) was Douglas James and highly commended “Pro-Russian demonstrations have ripped through the whole of by the United Nations. Delegates then headed to their was Springfield’s Liam Fleet. Best delegate was China’s Eastern Europe, including countries such as Latvia, Estonia and Best Delegation: United Kingdom committees to begin their important work. representative Harrison Whitworth. Lithuania. This has also led to a request from the government Best Newcomers: Sam Gardener (PGS) and Tom Guy of the predominantly Russian eastern parts of Moldova to (Springfield) The Security Council, chaired by Daniel Rollins and Alex At midday, co-Secretary-General, Charlie Albuery, offered an join Russia. Russia has partially mobilised over 1 million of its Best Delegate: Rob Bendell Quarrie-Jones, succeeded where the real UN has so far uplifting speech on the power of language both to parse and reserve forces and put the main army on full alert. The USA struggled, solving the current crisis in the Crimea. The to inspire. William Bates and Ross Watkins then announced has strongly criticized the actions of the Russians and has Thanks must go to: council also developed a very effective new trouble-shooting the main event of the day, via a newsflash, read by Mr Elphick- demanded that all Russian troops be stood down. NATO is Mr Peters and delegates from Springfield School for attending task force, the Tactical Worldwide Emergency Response Smith: to hold an emergency military briefing shortly. China has their sixth PGS MUN conference; Mr Robinson, Mr Burkinshaw, Committee (TWERC). However, it proved unable to reform been reported to support Russian actions. Also China has the catering staff and the marshals for their help throughout the Security Council itself to better reflect the current balance “Welcome To PGS MUN News. We are now bringing you announced a deal to import the entirety of Russia’s oil exports the conference; the committee chairs for their expert steering geopolitical power balance. The award for most amusing a breaking story. The Russian Ministry of information has to Europe, leading to panic in the European and American of the debates during the day; William Bates and Ross Watkins delegate went to Alex Quarrie-Jones (primarily for being announced that the Commander of the Russian Black financial markets. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has (and Mr Elphick-Smith), for preparing such convincing and the driving force behind the TWERCing initiative); the highly Sea Fleet, Vice-Admiral Alexander Vitko, has been found announced a three day working week in order to conserve gas thought-provoking scenarios (and such a professional video) to commended delegate was Rebecca Lecompte of Springfield dead. Internet rumours suggest that this may have been an supplies in Germany.” stimulate a controversial and contentious Emergency Debate; and best delegate was Tom Harper. assassination in retaliation for the referendum carried out on the Secretaries-General, Julia and Charlie, for presenting such the 16th of March, in which Crimea voted to join the Russian Various resolutions were debated and voted upon in order to an enjoyable quiz, delivering two excellent speeches and for all The combined Human Rights and Science & Technology Federation. American commentator Alex Jones has suggested deal with this wave of crises, before a final PGS MUN News of their work in helping to prepare the conference; and, above committee, chaired by Julia Alsop, Sampad Sengupta and that Al Qaeda is responsible while in the pay of the Illuminati. broadcast brought further challenges: all, to Ms Rickard for her indefatigability and enthusiasm in Becky Turner, had a busy day, which included an attempt to Russia has warned of severe retaliation towards any parties organising every facet of this very successful conference.

40 41 An Interview with Peter Snow

There was much excitement in the second week of current affairs, I was doing what’s happening now. So I’ve features November when television and radio presenter and had a complete switch-around now. I’ve gone from current historian Peter Snow visited PGS to give the annual ‘We affairs for the last 50 years almost, doing day-to-day coverage Will Remember Them’ lecturer, marking Armistice Day. of events and politics and military history, and now I can look Mr Snow’s new book, When Britain Burned the White back at those 50 years (and before) as a historian. So wheels House, tells the story of the 1814 invasion of Washington, come full circle: it’s very exciting. a turning point in the history of British-American relations, and a confrontation which would eventually inspire the TOM: Let’s talk about your book When Britain Burned writing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’. In his lecture, Mr the White House. Obviously an interesting character of Snow gave a fascinating and colourful account not only this period was Dolley Madison, who became a model of the events of the invasion itself, but of the many people of determination and courage. Do you think that military TOM: So you’ve talked about the lovely things about writing a always intrigued me as a journalist and now it intrigues me involved. Before the audience took their seats, however, historians should give more focus to those who are fighting in book; did you have any difficulties when writing When Britain as a writer. we sent Alex Quarrie-Jones and Tom Harper to interview or those who are affected by conflict? Burned the White House? Peter Snow himself. ALEX: Do you see any parallels between reporting the PETER: Oh, I think those affected by are always more PETER: Luckily, all the sources were written in the English news and discussing historical events? ALEX: What originally drew you to study history? important than those who are fighting in, because after language and there were plenty of manuscripts to turn to; all they are the majority. Most people who have to deal I’m very keen to get eyewitness material. If I had one wish, PETER: Well, yes, because when you are reporting the PETER: Well, just the pure excitement about storytelling! with conflict are people who suffer, or indeed people who it would have been to have been able to have written this new you are reacting to the day’s events; you have a And also a desperate curiosity about the past. I mean, I promote the conflict, but they’re not necessarily the people book 100 years earlier because I would have had much deadline to follow so you grab at the facts and try to make started from a very early age at my prep school, and even who are actually fighting in it. I mean, in this particular episode more access to correspondence between soldiers and their sense of them. Frequently, you will make mistakes, miss before that really, learning about Roman Britain and the in history for example, you’ve got 4,500 Brits and 7-9,000 families. something out or see something out of context and so Saxons and the Normans and Hastings and so on. Then, Americans in a nation of 7 million! They are stunned and on and so forth. With History, one has the pleasure to when I had to make choices, when I got to what we called appalled by what happened to their capital, and so on and TOM: Do you think that war is the most interesting aspect of look back; I didn’t cover the War of 1812, I’m a little too O Levels in those days, I had to decide what to do at A so forth. So, no, I think one has to take as much interest (if history? young for that. But I did cover the Falklands War and the Level, and I went for Ancient History, Greek and Latin... not more) in the people who are affected by the conflict. Gulf War on a day to day basis. Now I am able to reflect on and it just took off. It was terrific! I read Ancient History, And Dolley Madison (you’re right to mention her); she’s an PETER: It’s probably the most important, I’m afraid. I say I’m the events and write a much more considerably measured Greek and Latin at Oxford, so it was Ancient History all extraordinary, colourful character! The lovely thing about afraid because it’s awful, horrific and tragic. It changes ‘the piece on these wars. The ability to look back at the daily the way through, but then of course immediately I got writing this book was the colourful personalities on both map’ and ‘the map’ is always important to people; who runs a journalism that one did with a fresh perspective, thanks to into a career and was doing modern history - I was doing sides. That made it so exciting. She’s a star! country, what nationalities exist or do not exist. Military history hindsight and context, is truly fascinating. Parents’ Year Seven Practicals Roman Day Ben Goad Beatrix Stark

Almost 30 parents of pupils in Year 9 took the opportunity On the afternoon of Thursday the 3rd of July all of Year 7 to be treated like children at the beginning of the year. Our were looking forward to a Roman-inspired afternoon. We annual Practical Science Evening is a chance for parents to were not quite sure what we were going to be participating experience a “model” Year 9 lesson in the new Bristow Clavell in, however, all we knew was that it was going to be sports Science centre and get a feel for the practical experience based as we were told to change into our games kit. their sons or daughters are exposed to during the school week. The evening was a little daunting for some, many had After a short walk down to Governors Green it was clear not set foot in a science lab for years, but a fortifying glass what we were going to be doing. Year 7 were taking part of wine in the Atrium beforehand worked wonders for the in Ancient Olympic Games activities! Once we were split nerves and soon everyone was getting stuck in. The fathers into our different groups our activities began, ranging from in particular seemed to enjoy making a working loudspeaker combat fighting to heralding. My favourite activity was out of magnets, wire and a piece of A4 card in Physics while running in armour (i.e. cricket pads - not quite the same as the mothers seemed more naturally drawn to the gold metal armour!) nanoparticles in Chemistry. To finish of the afternoon there was a grand finale where a Everyone enjoyed the foaming towers in Biology, particularly chosen pupil from each group would compete in one of the as it involved plenty of blood and gore (diced liver). It was a many activities to gain a prize. We were all epically impressed pleasure welcoming parents into our wonderful new labs, I at the way George Downing could herald. Finally it was time never get tired of showing them off and we hope to repeat to head back to school, reminiscing on the events of our the event again on 1st October this academic year. own Olympic Games afternoon!

42 43 Portmuthian 1956 – 1971 Art & Literature & Literature Art

46 Andy Briggs Heroes & Villains

47 Andy Briggs Seminar

47 Dickens Statue

48 The Big Draw

49 Chawton House 49

‘Curtain Call’ Exhibition at the 50 King’s Theatre

Cricket Pavilion Play 51 Installation 54 57 52 National Poetry Day 53 Spelling Bee

53 Lost Hour

54 Summer Art Show

56 Cornwall Residential

57 Spice Island Trail

58 WW1 Project

44 45 Sixth Form writers attend seminar with Andy Briggs Gregory Walton-Green

Andy Briggs, a renowned young adult author, spent the and the difficulties in getting your work published. His main & Literature Art afternoon with a group of aspiring young writers within the piece of advice for surviving as a writer was to ‘put your eggs Sixth Form. He was not afraid to mock himself, claiming in many baskets’. For example, you should make sure that novels are easy to write and although he admits that his you have at least three books to offer up to a publisher after novels may never be considered great literary works, he attaining an agent, as they will most likely reject your first recognises his strength in plotting, evidenced by the highly novel. plotted interconnected series of novels, Heroes.com and Villains.net. Andy also explained the workings of the industry, detailing the variety of methods by which a writer can become successful. Andy was very encouraging, demonstrating the breadth of He urged all of us to become writers as writing has such a avenues available in a career in writing, including the lucrative crucial role within our society: we don’t recognise how much fields of song writing and writing advertisements, yet also of the modern world is shaped by professional writers. exposing the harsh reality of a highly fluctuating income

The Andy Briggs with Year 7 doing the Tarzan call Charles Dickens Year 7 Birthday H e r o e s a n d V i l l a i n s Lecture Day Rhiannon Lasrado Beatrix Stark “The judges were thoroughly impressed by the standard of entries, ranging from intricately “Jennings sought to demonstrate to detailed hand-drawn posters to computer-designed webpages” the audience his sculpting process, from his initial inspiration to the final Andy Briggs, the well-known young adults’ author, came to Year 7 pupils learnt that to write a great book it is essential to unveiling of the statue” give a presentation to the whole of Year 7 on his various series research the chosen topic. For instance, to rewrite the Tarzan of books, Heroes.com, Villains.net and Tarzan, recognised series Andy Briggs had to go out to the jungle and find out Roberta Everitt- Witts, Rhiannon Lasrado, Joe Muir, Freya Dery & around the world. He has also produced the movie about life there. Everything in the Tarzan series has been Caitlin Taylor with Martin Jennings at the Dickens statue Legendary, which will be released in early 2014. researched to make the book as exciting and authentic as possible. Year 7 thoroughly enjoyed this event inspiring them to write On Friday 7th February, a collection of Sixth Form students then shared his artistic process: deciding the pose, creating and create their own stories. They began the morning with a As a boy, Andy Briggs was not interested in writing until he studying English paid a visit to the Guildhall for a lecture by the mesh, beginning the modeling and taking the final piece presentation from Andy Briggs explaining his exciting career started to read comics. At this point he began to re-write the sculptor of the newly unveiled statue of Charles Dickens to be set, in the most simplistic summary of the grueling as a writer. He gave wonderful presentation full of humour them with different endings which ignited his career as an in Guildhall Square, Martin Jennings. Perhaps, his most method that lasted many months. Descendants of Dickens and fun enabling us to see what the life of a writer is like. For author. He now works at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. famous work is the statue of John Betjeman at St Pancras were among us in the audience as part of the annual birthday the second half of the morning the chosen group from each This has inspired many of the Year 7s to become writers! Station. celebrations, which are hosted in and around the city. class performed their own stories. The winners were 7X, Seb After the presentation in the DRT there was an opportunity to Algieri, Isaac Hiller and Robert Mitchell, who recounted an purchase new signed copies of his Tarzan Series. In the lecture, entitled “The Challenge of Representing As many may know, Charles Dickens had many ties to exciting story of Jack Bentley, a child who had the ability to Charles Dickens”, Jennings sought to demonstrate to the Portsmouth, in that it is his place of birth, prompting the make words become reality. audience his sculpting process, from his initial inspiration to placing of the statue here in the year of his 202nd birthday the final unveiling of the statue. He delved into the life and as part of the Dickens Fellowship – an organisation that is work of Dickens, something that he studied in depth in order prevalent in our wider community. to capture the essence of Dickens’ legacy in his artwork. He

46 47 Year 10 transform Cathedral Year 12 visit into Woodland Wonder Chawton House Ali Dyer

The Big Draw is a National Campaign for Drawing, which & Literature Art celebrates and raises the profile of drawing as a tool for thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement. The Campaign has created a new regard for the value of drawing to help people see, think, invent and take action.

In October 2013, pupils studying GCSE Art and Design in Year 10 worked on a collaborative project for this year’s Big Draw entitled ‘The Way Through the Woods’; their work was inspired by the Rudyard Kipling poem of the same name. The Kipling poem was chosen due to the wealth of visual metaphors the pupils were able to draw upon, but also due to the writer’s connections with Portsmouth - Kipling lived in Southsea from October 1871 to April 1877 with a couple who boarded children of British nationals who were serving in India.

In just three days, the pupils created a collaborative and “Failing to arrive at a petrol station ambitious installation in St. Thomas’ Cathedral which forms part of their GCSE coursework submission on ‘Trees’. They before this accident was no error of were inspired by artists such as Kara Walker and Eva Jospin in their endeavour to transform the pillars in the nave into a visual either Miss Burden or Mr Richardson” interpretation of the poem. The installation also included a soundscape layered with pupils’ recitals of the poem and the woodland sounds described vividly by Kipling. On Tuesday 8th July Miss Burden and Mr Richardson took objection. It should be noted that failing to arrive at a petrol Also on display were the preparatory studies of trees undertaken eight Year 12 pupils to Chawton House Library, Hampshire. station before this accident was no error of either Miss Burden by the pupils at the start of the school year, which showcased a Chawton House is the old home of Jane Austen’s brother, or Mr Richardson, rather an ambiguous and misleading sat nav. wide variety of drawing media and technical approaches. Edward Austen Knight, who was adopted by the family’s wealthy relatives in 1783 and inherited the property and fortune Overall the day was both useful and enjoyable, with learning The project encouraged the pupils to draw on a large scale and of the family at their deaths. Jane Austen’s house was provided valuable skills surrounding rare book collections and some explore connections between text and image. The pupils had by Edward less than half a mile from the manor house, where interesting historical context surrounding the house and to work effectively as a team under a time pressure and they she spent the last years of her life and was said have written Jane Austen’s family. The experience was useful to all taking had to take risks with the materials and techniques to achieve many of her novels. In 2003, American entrepreneur Sandy on some form of an extended essay this summer and we the desired outcome. The final product was both intriguing and Lerner started the library and since it has become The Centre would like to thank Miss Burden and Mr Richardson for the impressive and the project has highlighted that in this highly for the Study of Early English Women’s Writing, 1600-1800. The opportunity, and for a fun and eventful trip. developed digital age, traditional materials and approaches can house now contains over nine thousand books, many of which still be both relevant and innovative. are very rare, and includes writers such as Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft.

We set off at break and it took us little over an hour to arrive at Chawton where we were given a short break and then lead to the library. We all cleaned our hands in preparation for the invariably fragile books and were taught how to handle the volumes in a way as not to damage them. We all took out some pieces of interest and shortly after it was time for our highly anticipated pub lunch. “The pupils had to work effectively as After numerous burgers, nachos and chunky chips which a team under a time pressure and they exceeded expectations, we returned to the library and continued reading what we had taken out, and after an hour had to take risks with the materials or so set off home. The journey back to Portsmouth proved and techniques to achieve the desired slightly problematic, with pouring rain and the search for a petrol station growing in urgency following Miss Burden outcome.” explaining that we had ‘been on zero for a while’ it was nevertheless a surprise when we broke down just turning into the petrol station. We consequently spent the next few minutes pushing the mini bus into position in the rain, although the amusement of the situation allowed this to be done without Year 10 pupils and Art staff at work in the Cathedral A Private View of the final installation

48 49 Sixth Form Artists Transform Cricket Pavilion

Ali Dyer

Ali Dyer Into Playful Installation & Literature Art

In the Autumn term, Year 12 Artists explored the theme of ‘Play’ as part of their AS Fine Art coursework. They worked closely with Artist-in-Residence, Janet Myers, to develop their “Visitors to the private view were digital photography skills and understanding of photographic impressed by the transformation of the terminology. The pupils focussed on the Junior School pupils in the playground and edited their shots on return to the space in such a short period of time.” classroom.

In December 2013, the pupils had just two days off-timetable to work as a team in Hilsea Pavilion to create an interactive installation in the conservatory. Their work was inspired by Frank Stella and Donald Judd and was created from cardboard and acrylic paint. Working on a collaborative project of this nature encouraged the pupils to work To coincide with the Autumn Term’s school musical, ‘Mack effectively under pressure and as a team, and also developed Year 9 and Mabel’, Year 9 pupils in Art learnt about the Art Deco their problem-solving and communication skills. movement, which flourished in the 1930s and 1940s. Visitors to the private view were impressed by the The pupils generated individual designs inspired by the transformation of the space in such a short period of time and ‘Curtain Call’ characters and features in the musical and utilised Art Deco Junior School pupils from PGS enjoyed interacting with the motifs to achieve a nostalgic feel. Their designs were then vibrant installation. Exhibition transferred to lino tiles and carved. The red which appears in the final prints has been achieved through the application of tissue paper and careful registration during the printing process. The prints were exhibited in the Kings Theatre in Year 12 Artists at work November and December 2013.

The Team

Miss Dyer and Mrs Williams at the Private View Junior School pupils enjoying the installation Year 9 lino prints on display in the Kings Theatre 50 51 National Poetry Day

River Voices & Literature Art

Stutter, spatter, I race the grass, Pitter, patter Upwards and upwards, forever, Babbling, bubbling baby brook. Giggle, splashing Drip. Drop. Dribble. I crash. Wet, wet water. Season change; Spring rain The final three - Oliver Wisbey, Ben Fawcett and Bhooshitha Balaji Splashing, swishing, washing, spitting. Down the falls, rapid fury Glug-ug, glug-ug-ug. I am tormented: tormenting Year 7 Ickle little trickle. Tumultuous The Spelling Bee was split into a number of rounds, spellers Water sprinkles. Torn were knocked out at each, the words got progressively harder Wa-, Wa-, Tempting chaos, absorbing anarchy Spelling Bee and there became more struggle and confusion on how the Water falls, Gasping, I surface into tranquility word could be spelt (or should that be spelled!?). After several Beatrix Stark Released from the rock. Slipping into shallows difficult rounds and interesting spellings there were only three Season Change pupils left standing, Bhooshitha Balaji, Oliver Wisbey and Ben On March 17th a handful of pupils from all the Year 7 classes Fawcett. There could only be one winner and as the last person took part in a Spelling Bee. A small number of people from was called ‘out’ we found out our Year 7 spelling bee champion each class were picked to compete due to their high results was Ben Fawcett. Ben now has the pleasure of knowing that he in the year’s spelling tests. The fourteen pupils who made it to is the best speller in the year (for now!) The runners up could Now my world must slow, the final were: Georgie Lewis, Oliver Wisbey, Bhooshitha Balaji, also be very proud of themselves. The final three were each Chaos recedes to calmer mass, Adam Stokely, Rory Gillies, Mickey Slaven, Sophie Mitchell, Ben given a rather large bar of galaxy chocolate and an additional I let the burden slip aside Fawcett, Alice Marchant, Cameron Clarke, Ryan Zhou, Corin spelling bee cup was awarded to Ben Fawcett . Nelson-Smith, Freddy Wood and Ed Lovatt. To feed my children, help them grow, It was an exciting and somewhat nervous day for the Bequeathed to me when we were us, All the Year 7 pupils piled into the DRT, we were all excited to competitors but filled with humour and fun. Who would have Journeying to seek the tide. see how our friends performed (especially on the difficult thought all for spelling! words) though I think some of us were glad we weren’t First the drips became a flow, competing! We all took our seats in anticipation. The flow began to foam and splash, Until I found my rolling stride.

My striding stumbled, brought me woe, Ali Dyer Troubling years by me pass, ‘Time Warp’: My purpose lost, I reach out blind,

Meandering and swirling I go, Year 7 Art Exhibition at The Art Lodge Past my legacy, the fruitful banks, The final journey has arrived. In the Spring Term, Year 7 pupils explored the theme of time gave careful consideration to composition, scale and tonal as part of ‘The Lost Hour’ programme of activities taking place values in the development of their work. The artwork was on across the city of Portsmouth. The pupils produced individual display in The Art Lodge in Victoria Park from 28th March – collages and collaborative cardboard sculptures inspired by 28th April 2014. the work of American Sculptor Louise Nevelson. The pupils Year 7 work on display at The Art Lodge I cry, the crimson haunting, All down the final pass At the end, the periphery With strength to set aside the gushing blindness, Mist or cataracts of my early age. My torrent unfurls; and ebbs Cleave the root, collect the silt and pulp To a flat, iridescent expanse Of a falling season Where I prepare to begin anew Veins emptied into mine. As a new body This whetted appetite grows me, To swell and Draw breath Reach my widest. And eternally See in moving leaves my mouth and my horizon Seep Seeping onward Away It’s ever-tempting, To lose myself in frost.

52 53 Spinnaker Tower provides impressive setting for & Literature Art Annual Art Show

Visitors enjoying the exhibition

On Tuesday 8th July, the annual Summer Art Show was held at The Spinnaker Tower. 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour, this famous landmark provided a wonderful setting for this year’s showcase of artwork by pupils in Years 7 – 13. A wide range of disciplines were on display, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography and mixed media.

Head of Art and Design, Alison Dyer, said, “We were delighted to welcome over three hundred visitors to this annual event and it was a pleasure to celebrate the pupils’ achievements in the subject in such a prestigious and breath-taking setting”.

Artwork on display on the viewing deck

54 55 Sixth form residential to Cornwall provides inspiration Art Trail Success for PGS for A Level Art Examinations Ali Dyer Ali Dyer Art & Literature Art

In February 2014, Sixth Form Art pupils travelled to Cornwall “The Arts Trail provides pupils with a to gather first hand contextual research for their Art examination projects. The YHA in Penzance was the base fantastic opportunity to exhibit their work for the weekend and a number of galleries were visited in on the same platform as professional the local area, including: Newlyn Art Gallery, The Exchange and Penlee House. At The Barbara Hepworth House and practitioners” Gardens in St Ives, pupils undertook a drawing workshop with local artist Greg Humphries and learnt about Hepworth’s As part of the Portsmouth Festivities programme, this relationship with three-dimensional form and space. A year’s ‘Spice Island Art Trail’ was held on Sunday 22nd particular highlight of the weekend was a practical workshop June. Local artists and schools were invited to exhibit in at Leach Pottery in St Ives with two resident potters; pupils a number of prestigious venues around Old Portsmouth were able to construct coil pots and slab pots and even have and this year PGS exhibited alongside three other schools a go on the potter’s wheel. in Beckett Hall in Cathedral House.

On the return trip, pupils were given the opportunity to visit PGS A Level pupil, Charlotte Marchant, was awarded third The Eden Project in St Austell and experience the impressive prize in the school’s competition for her carefully crafted biodomes. They enjoyed seeing ‘The Seed’ by renowned low relief plaster piece based on combs and inspired by sculptor Peter Randall-Page in the centre of the Education Lisa Milroy. Her work will now be exhibited in the Zodiac Centre and climbing to the top of the viewing deck in the Gallery in Portsmouth Guildhall from 28th June to 8th tropical dome to take in the fantastic views and experience July alongside the other winners in the school category the rainforest climate. and the professional artist category.

The trip gave the pupils the opportunity to experience a Head of Art and Design, Alison Dyer, said, “The Arts Trail wide range of contemporary and traditional art, as well as provides pupils with a fantastic opportunity to exhibit their Year 12 pupil Paul Walker sketching in the Barbara Hep- architectural features and the dramatic Cornish coastline. On work on the same platform as professional practitioners. worth Garden in St Ives return to the classroom, the pupils were able to use their own Visitors enjoyed exploring the venues and seeing the photographs and preliminary sketches from the trip to inform vast array of artwork on display. The judges were most the development of their examination projects. The weekend impressed with the quality of the schools’ artwork and was a positive and productive experience for all, despite the Year 12 pupil Charlotte Pascoe photographing ‘The Seed’ we were delighted that the talent of one of our pupils was challenging weather conditions! by Peter Randall-Page at The Eden recognised and that she was awarded with a prize in this fierce competition”. Taking in the scenery at St Ives

Year 12 pupil Tom Horner attempting to throw a pot on Visitors enjoying the exhibition the potter’s wheel at Leach Pottery in St Ives 56 57 WW1 Archives Ali Dyer Back in the classroom, pupils produced detailed biro

Inspire Yr 9 Art drawings and careful etchings of some of the WW1 artefacts & Literature Art from the Remembrance Centre.

Project Artist-in-Residence, Patti Gaal-Holmes, then encouraged the Naeve Molho pupils to consider the idea of fragmentation and narrative through the creation of Artists’ Books. In a workshop with Pat- On the 10th of January 2014, Year 9 Art students visited the ti, the pupils were encouraged to splice the archival imagery WWI Remembrance Centre on Portsdown Hill to learn about and explore the relationships between text and photograph. the real experiences of young men in the trenches as well as to discover some historic art. We were accompanied by our Following this, the pupils selected one page in their artist in residence Patti Gaal-Holmes. handmade books and this was enlarged on the scanner – the grainy, monochrome outcomes emphasised the nostalgic Having met our tour guide, we took a moment to look at qualities of the imagery. Pupils then used viewfinders to select the spectacular view from the castle, before entering the intriguing compositions and produced tonal drawings of museum itself. The tour was fascinating and informative, with the isolated imagery. The emotive text which accompanied our tour guide offering many insights into the history up until their drawings was written by the pupils in response to their WWI. The true horror of the conditions in the trenches was imagery; it was informed by the archival records and their made clear when we saw replica trenches, full-size and made own personal, sensory interpretations of the material. as realistic as possible to the originals to look at and touch. I found the most interesting piece to be the diary of young The work produced by both pupils and Patti in response to soldier, which was so clearly written, allowing us a real insight the archives, was exhib-ited in The Square Tower in Old into his thoughts and experiences, demonstrating how much Portsmouth and the private view of ‘Moments, Memories history one small object can convey. and Histories: A Response to the Archive’ was held on 31st March. We are grateful to Charles Haskell and his team at the After our guided tour we were shown a variety of objects WW1 Remembrance Centre and to the PGS Archivist, John including helmets, grenades, bottles, and statues and asked Sadden, for providing the archival stimulus for this project. to draw one. What I found the most difficult was getting Patti Gaal-Holmes was also instrumental in encouraging the enough detail in the shading, and trying to show the age of pupils to respond emo-tively to the imagery and artefacts and our chosen artefacts in the drawing was also challenging. The Square Tower provided the perfect back-drop for this thought-provoking work. Our final activity was a historical lecture. During this they explained how this museum does not just regard everyone who participated in the war as a statistic. On the contrary, they look at each individual’s stories, accomplishments and hardships. We were told many interesting tales and learnt how people’s fate differed when their luck ran out. The stories were moving as well as informative as alongside these stories, we were shown pictures and objects from within the stories, from a 100 year old barbed wire to helmets and grenades – disarmed of course!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vital link between history and art on this trip. However we did not just learn facts and figures, we learnt that whenever we see a name there is always a story. Whether it their story is romantic, fortunate or tragic, we all deserve to be seen not simply as a name on a list, but as independent human beings, with our own stories to tell. “The true horror of the conditions in the trenches was made clear when we saw replica trenches, full-size and made as realistic as possible to the originals to look at and touch.”

Artist-in-Residence Patti Gaal-Holmes and Musician Emily Year 9 pupils exploring the WW1 archives in their Art lessons Barker at the Private View at The Square Tower

58 59 Acrylic paintings by Year 9 pupils Sports sports

62 Boys’ Hockey

66 Girls’ Hockey

70 Rugby

76 Netball

80 Cricket 74

86 Tennis

Imogen Ashby Askew Louise 87 Athletics

88 Swimming & Skiing 85 90 89 Individual Success

90 Sports Day Ajay Patel Chris Earle

60 61 Hockey Hockey

Boys’ U16 Ben Stainton The U16 boy’s hockey team completed another successful win their pool. However, the boys concluded their indoor season, which for the second year running was led by Mr. season by coming joint 5th overall in England, which is a very Gammon, joined this year by Mr. Dossett. momentous achievement and one for which all the boys

should be proud of themselves for. sports A highlight of the season was the Indoor campaign. This began with the team winning the Hampshire Cup by beating Moving to outdoor, the boys continued their successful and Bedales in a thrilling 10-0 final. This took the U16 boys hockey strong season. After a hard fought series of matches during a team through to the South Regional tournament, after Hampshire tournament, the team won the Hampshire Cup; consecutive wins the team made their way through to the taking them through to the South Regional tournament. semi-finals having finished in the top two teams in their group. The boys travelled in high spirits to Trojans Hockey Club, to Tensions were high as the team knew their indoor season participate in the South Regional tournament. The boys fought was dependant on the result of this match, with the winner well and won their first two matches, however they were guaranteed a place in the final and also the National School’s then faced with the task of playing their old rivals Whitgift; Boys’ 1st XI William Seebold Tournament. The boys worked hard to come back from being the winning team would go through to the semi-finals. 1-0 down at half time, putting in an exceptional performance Unfortunately the U16 boys were narrowly beaten, despite Our opening game was at home against a strong Milfield very open match with a relaxed atmosphere, so both teams to secure a 3-1 win against RGS Guildford and therefore a place injuries and fatigue the boys finished their season with a side who had obviously had a lot of pre-season preparation, could show what they could do and have fun in a high quality in the final. memorable match. beating us 9-1 with our goal coming from James Scott. We non-competitive game. Although we lost 6-4, there were lots were however missing 3 key players: Charlie Futcher, JJ Brown of things to laugh about, and 3 of our goals were exceptional The boys adapted well to the new indoor 5 players on the Nick Gatenby, Dave Simmonds, Sam Shingles, Jack Dry, Ollie and Sam Collings-Wells to open days, club commitments and against this team who reached the semi finals of the national pitch ruling. James Campkin, Will Dry, Will Jones, Matt Roberts, Wratten and Scott Cummings (who was new to the team this injuries; the theme of absences was one which as a team, we competition. We were therefore in good spirits when arriving Charlie Connaughton and Ben Stainton all worked hard to swap year) all made great contributions to the outdoor squad. The had to deal with all season. Nonetheless it was an eye-opening at the hotel. We went out for a curry in the evening and hit in and out of the forward line. Jadon Buckeridge and James team’s confidence and skills have improved as they progressed experience from which we could see how we could improve in the hay early as the U16’s had a game to following morning, Harper (who joined us from the U15 team) were a strong duo throughout the season. The team are looking forward to teamwork, discipline and communication. during which the rest of us played football (upper 6th vs lower and courageously supported the talented goalie Tom Woolas. what next season may bring and they hope to build on the 6th - we won). Mr Leach also organised an hour or two of The captain of the team Ben Stainton commented following successes of this year. They also wish good luck to all players In our second match against Peter Symonds we contested high ropes climbing which was great for team building, it was the game, “The whole experience definitely helped the team to who may be moving on to different schools next year. much better, losing by one goal 4-3. We had definitely a good laugh and a good way to tire us out for the long return bond and also to strengthen our play.” improved since the previous defeat but still had to work on journey. As a team we would like to thank our great coach Mr Gammon our basic passing and working together. From this game, Following the success of the Regional Indoor Hockey who has really helped us develop and bond throughout the we could see how we would be able to score goals and win Our Indoor cup run might have gone better with more Tournament the boys had secured their place in the National year. It was also great to have Mr Dossett’s input and support to games; and we beat Peter Symonds the next two times we preparation, however we lost out against a strong King School Finals. The boys battled against tough opposition help us to develop our fitness and focus during training. played them. Edwards team in our first round, which was made even such as: Ipswich and Bromsgrove, but they were unable to more difficult with the introduction of new rules (only four We then found some form and won our next three matches, outfield players) which we had no experience playing with. 2-1, 5-2 and 2-1 against Whitgift U16’s, RGS and Charter We demonstrated great passion nonetheless, and I was proud House in which 4 of our goals were scored using 3D- skills; of some of our spells of play. In the outdoor competition we something we had been working on at the training ground. were drawn against Sir William Borlaise School, a team with a We then also put a narrow 4-3 win past Portsmouth University couple of England players and who went on to be one of the after going 3-0 down in the first five minutes. After waking last four in the competition. We gave our best performance of up and showing great character and desire, we increased the season, and despite conceding an early goal, we bounced our ball pace and the goals came naturally, with a goal of the straight back and scored one in reply. Both teams contested season contender from JJ to secure our 4th. well and the possession was even, when with ten minutes to go we were one goal down at 4-3. With a player off due to a Our best win of the season came against Trinity, in which yellow card, we were forced to put all of our effort into attack everyone played their best and we achieved a 5-4 victory with to find an equalizer, contributing to the opposite effect of us two goals from JJ, two from Charlie F and one from James conceding two more goals. 6-3 was the final score which Scott. We went into half time 3-2 down having scored two didn’t reflect how closely fought the match was considering counter- attacking goals against the run of play. However, we were playing in front of their home crowd; and we really when we came out after half time we were a different team. showed ourselves our potential as a team. They suddenly seemed slow compared to our spirited energetic response, and we scored three goals in the first From then on we had some mixed results, losing to Baron ten minutes after half-time. Towards the end of the game we Peveril, Seaford and Lancing College but beating St Georges, showed great discipline to shrug off what we thought were Brockenhurst, and Bedales, finishing the season with a 4-1 some unfair decisions against us, but unfortunately conceded win against St Johns Leatherhead in which we played some one goal in the last minute. Still, a great win! particularly good hockey, playing with only ten men in the second half due to an injury. But our final match was one In October the 1st XI and the U16’s travelled to Exeter for a against the staff, which although we lost 3-2, was great fun weekend for team building type activities and two games of all round and will hopefully be a tradition at PGS in the years hockey. As some players were not able to come, our game to come. To conclude, although on paper the hockey 1st XI against Millfield 2nd XI ended in a 1-1 draw, in a game that we didn’t win any competitions, many of the performances were should have won. We then went to play Exeter School in what exceptional; and with more dedication and preparation, was in my opinion, the most fun game of the season. It was a future teams should be able to achieve great things. PGS Ist XI take on Peter Symonds College 62 63 Hockey Hockey Boys’ U14 Boys’ U13 Boys’ U12 Ethan Hoddle, Captain Matthew Cottrell Stephanie Farmer

We started the season well, with a steady win against a very The following week, we played two excellent games against This year the U12 Boys A&B Hockey teams have been an

strong Whitgift U13 side, scoring two impressive ‘sweaty’ Hampshire Collegiate School and St George’s College absolute pleasure to coach and watch the development sports goals whilst keeping a clean sheet in the process. We Weybridge, winning 8-0 both times whilst securing a well of their skills and grow as a team. Many lessons were learnt followed that good performance with an extremely tough earned team of the week award in the process. After two along the way within the 7 a-side game. Both teams started match against Kingston Grammar, who really showed us more strong performances versus Ballard and Bedales, we with a couple of defeats against a strong King Edwards how we would have to improve defensively and in the won one of our toughest fixtures of the season, beating MCS School and Magdalen College. As a result, the boys managed attack to hold our own against the better teams. They won Oxford 2-1, taking our chances exceptionally well, and almost to pull together and worked hard to develop their structure comfortably 3 – 0. keeping out their strong attack for a full match. on the pitch, winning a number of fixtures against; St John’s College, Hampshire Colligate School and Seaford College. Soon after, we had a break from outdoor hockey as we Following this, we played in the south round in the National Both 7 a-side teams played extremely well against a strong played in the South Indoor tournament. Our group consisted cup. We had a tough group with St Bedes, Tonbridge, and Kingston Grammar School team. The A team’s strong of Trinity College, RGS Guilford, John Hampden School, and Kingston; however, we gave ourselves a fighting chance defence of; Connor Lasrado, Adam Stokely, Louis Johnson the Sir William Borlaise School. We played well in all four to progress as we drew 1-1 with Bedes, and beat Tonbridge and Tom Furtado Mills, managed to deny the powerful waves games, getting better and better as we played more matches. 2-0. However, we had to beat Kingston to advance. We of Kingston’s attack. However the attacking skills of Nicholas However, we were unlucky to lose against Trinity College and started the first half brilliantly, leading 2-1 into the break. Boys U13 team Gadd, Ollie Tinson and Edward Moger resulted in a 1-0 Sir William Borlaise School and so didn’t qualify for the semi- Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold our lead and we ended up victory. The B team also played extremely well this day and finals of the tournament. losing agonisingly 3-2. Overall this season has been very successful for us. Our came together as a team, unfortunately they were not able to season started when we played Reeds at home, they were hold off Kingston’s attacks and lost 1-0 in a very closely fought We then played a return fixture against a weaker Kingston However, we picked ourselves up for the following week a strong opposition and took the lead 3-0 but quick breaks match. Pupils involved included; Jack Pearce, Chris Pratt, Grammar B team. We won the game 4-0, after a strong and beat King’s Winchester and Ryde in a two-day double made us even the score. It was the last few minutes of the Harry Conway, Edward Campkin, Tobias Sambles, Freddie attacking performance. This was followed by a match against header. Following these two wins, we played two more great match it was 3-3, then Reeds hit a ball in and a man on the Waktare, Henry Wood, Giorgio Dellesite, James Hudson, Romsey School, which we won 2-0, we were perhaps not as performances’ against KCS Wimbledon and Lancing College, post deflected it in to make it 4-3 to Reeds. As the spring term George Downing, Cameron Clarke, Amun Laly and William decisive in front of goal as much as we should have been, but winning 3-0 and 2-1. These games built up to our last game of came around the team was really improving. In the spring Doyle. we still finished our first term with only one 11-a-side loss in the season, versus St John’s College, Leatherhead. We put in term we only lost one game to MCS. One of the first games four games. another great shift, trying out some new tactics and positions, of the spring term was against King Edwards, Southampton The ability difference between the A and the B team this whilst winning 4-0. where we took the lead early with a scrappy goal put away season was minimal. This was evident when we had a The spring term brought a local derby versus St John’s by Freddie. We then got a second goal but KES answered by number of 11 a-side fixtures, where William Doyle’s attacking College Southsea, winning 6-0 very convincingly. After Overall, we had an immensely successful season, beating scoring very quickly after, but we managed to hold on and sprints up front had a positive impact to the full game. This this we faced two more good teams in King Edward VI’s, tough and easy opponents on a consistent basis. Our goal eventually won them 3-1. We also beat Churcher’s College team had to adopt a new structure and tactics with the 11 Southampton, and Churcher’s College, but we pulled of two scoring, was either ‘sweaty’, or sublime, and after many great 2-1 and St. John’s 7-0. a-side game and did so with ease. A special mention has to more solid attacking and defensive performances to win 4-0 finishes and goals from our attack, our defence, lead by a very go to the goalkeepers who made the biggest improvements and 1-0 respectively. strong back line, did very well to provide results for our hard We then had our Hampshire seven-a-side tournament, throughout the season; Jack Pearce, Chris Pratt, Thomas work on all corners of the pitch. unfortunately we came 3rd just missing out on the regionals Placintescu and Thomas Furtado Mills. Their progress would because we lost to Ryde, but a week later we played Ryde not have been possible without the technical input from Pete in a eleven a side match and beat them 5-1. We then went Norris and Adam Southey. on to beat Oaklands 10-2 and West Hill Park 10-1. With our last week of the season we had two games, the first against By the end of the season the team really came together Kings Winchester which was a good game but we were able demonstrating amazing team work and co-operation on to come away with the 6-2 win. the pitch. The game against Kings School Winchester really demonstrated to me how far this team had come. Not only In our last match of the season we had to play Cranleigh, did the boys win the match they demonstrated solidarity after quite a long drive up it was time to play. Very quickly and determination. The co-operation on the pitch to work Cranleigh took the lead but we bounced back to make it 1-1. towards a common goal was outstanding. I gave these boys As the second half came around Cranleigh were all over us, a structure and they not only played it, they evolved it to their finally resulting in a goal to make it 2-1 in favor of Cranleigh. strengths and finished the season on a high. It was a pleasure In last few moments of the game Max Terry drew a clever foul to coach these boys and I hope they all continue to play and Nick Walters took the free hit quickly but the Cranleigh hockey next year. I believe this team, if they stay together over player hit the ball away, so we were awarded a short corner the years and continue to develop, have the potential to be just before the final whistle was blown. We had to score to one of the best PGS boys’ hockey teams ever. draw the match and break Cranleigh’s win record, having won all their other games that season. We scored from the short corner and were all very happy with ourselves - after a “A special mention has to go to the great season we were all thrilled to end on a high. goalkeepers who made the biggest The team for the season was: Greg Littlehales, George improvements throughout the season; Jack Charlton, Joe Chadwick, Dom Roberts, Luca Williams, Archie Bennett, Rhydian Walsh, Max Terry, Nick Walters, Pearce, Chris Pratt, Thomas Placintescu and Boys Hockey George Whelan, Sam Horsman, Freddie Hares and myself Matt Cottrell. It was a fantastic season for us all. I’d also like to Thomas Furtado Mills.” thank Mr Hawkswell for coaching us.

64 65 Hockey Hockey Girls’ 1st XI Girls’ U16 Girls’ U15 Sophie Brigg, Captain Stephanie Farmer Mandy Day

These girls had an amazing season together. I watched Holly Baker, Lydia Carter, Alice Cheshire, Megan Dennis,

the team grow in confidence as we faced some tough Emma Dorricot, Georgia Grant, Caitlin Hoddle, Elise King, sports opposition. Notoriously strong hockey schools such as Cameron Manson, Abigail Moss, Jasmine Nash vice-captain, Marlborough College, Bryanston and Kingston Grammar Louisa Palmer captain, Elli Seebold, Elizabeth Sherwood, School could not triumph against our solid defence of Naomi Katerina Sillett, Anna Thornell, Domi Warren, Lana Watt, White, Maisie Sharp, Ella Tusler, Flippa Furniss, Ayesha Gyning, Gemma Webb Claudia Materna. Our creative midfield play included Alexi Paxman, Naomi Brigg, Charlotte Povey and Darcy Hyatt. The These are a brilliant group of talented hockey players. skilful attacking play was demonstrated from our forwards; Unfortunately they are also good at other things! Due to Anna McHale, Evie Howarth, Sophie Locke-Cooper and the netball, skiing, orchestra, orthodontist appointments (they return of Jenny Evans. must be the squad with the best teeth!) family outings, sailing, dancing, horse riding, Mack and Mabel, choir and sometimes This season was a real turn around for this team, who have unspecified commitments we have never fielded our struggled with a lack of self-confidence from defeats over strongest team. Friday night training was also not the most the years, however, they have stuck together through popular! thick and thin and have had their best season at PGS. Alexi Paxman was team Captain and was a perfect example Despite this we have battled on to field teams, even one of the determination and hard work these girls put in at occasion having an U14 boy playing in goal for us. I did tell every training session. I have to mention the entertaining the opposition teacher but I am not sure her girls noticed he training sessions which developed there team cohesion and was a boy till the end of the match! Louisa Palmer as Captain competitive nature, especially when Sophie Locke-Cooper has had to suffer endless messages from me checking that Girls Hockey First Team and Charlotte Povey ended up diving on the floor on a we have enough players. number of occasions in order to get to the ball first. The 1st XI had a promising start to the season, with excellent half. Our next match against Epsom was to be a different Special mention must go to the hard core players whose attendance at pre-season training and two wins already under story. Tenacious defending at the back from the experienced A special mention has to go to Shajmin Ali who stepped iNto commitment and enthusiasm cannot be faulted, such as Lana our belt in our pre-season friendly fixtures. Our previous Hattie Gould and determined attacking from Charlotte the team on a number of occasions, when the team was Watt, our goal keeper, who has had an outstanding season, success as a squad in 2012, attending the National Finals, Stephenson eventually paid off with a goal. Continued short and she was fully committed to every training session. saving us on many occasions from defeat. Georgia Grant was meant that this season we had a reputation to uphold, and strength in the defence and impressive saves from keeper She became a valuable member of the team and improved totally reliable and thoroughly deserved the ‘most improved we did not let ourselves down. Our commitment was Zoe Rundle kept us in the lead, the score at full time was her skills dramatically throughout the season. player’ at the awards evening. Elli Seebold has been excellent unwavering throughout the season and is apparent in our 1-0 PGS. Our final match of the day was against Eastbourne in defence and Megan Dennis has made huge progress in results, with 100 goals being scored in the Autumn Term, College. Our determination was matched and again Zoe These girls really did impress this year and every single girl her hitting and stick work. I am delighted that Anna Thornell victory in the Hampshire Cup, Hampshire Knock-Out Cup Rundle excelled herself, keeping us in the game. Break away added to the team success. I sincerely hope they all continue came back to hockey with a little encouragement and helped and Hampshire League, and qualification for the U18 South goals from both teams meant that at the end the day we to play hockey, as this year highlighted not only the success us out on many occasions, sometimes at short notice. With tournament, the best 1st XI season yet! had drawn 1-1. Reeds school qualified for next round of the you can gain from hard work and determination but the bond established players missing it was a great opportunity for competition, PGS just missing out. you can only find in a team sport. Congratulations to all the other players to break through into the team – Kira Walker and Our first fixture was against Canford, our toughest opposition. girls and I look forward to seeing them play in the senior Abby Moss with their speed and strength were a real asset to Despite a closely contested match we lost 2-0, with Canford We ended our season on a high, with a 6-0 win against hockey teams in September. the team and I hope they will continue to play next year. scoring two breakaway goals. This was to be our only loss of Bryanston, 7-0 against Frensham-Heights and 10-0 against the season and we came back fighting in our next matches, Portsmouth High School. We also enjoyed the match against Just to note that at the hockey awards evening we only winning 10-3 against Bedales and 3-1 against local rivals the OPs, their line-up including our much missed Katie managed 7 players and they did struggle to sing their song! Churcher’s College. The strength added to our squad by the Paxman, we finished the season winning 3-1 and looked Other awards went to Elli Seebold, Star Player, Gemma Webb, lower sixth was key in these well-deserved wins, with Anna forward to more friendly fixtures in 2014. Players’ Player and Louisa Palmer, Coach’s player. Reynolds, Georgie Milward, Siena Hocking and Ellie Buckley “These girls had an amazing season together. forming a solid defence, Elly Sykes, Holly Govey and Rosie We celebrated the season’s achievements at the hockey I hope the girls have not only improved their hockey Bell creating space and distributing the ball in midfield and social at Hilsea in December, and had our chance to thank Mr I watched the team grow in confidence as we but learnt about the importance of commitment and forward Phoebe Shepherd adding height to our play. Rutherford and Miss Farmer for their continued commitment faced some tough opposition.” communication with each other and the team manager. and motivation throughout our time at PGS. Their insightful Our final match of the season was outstanding with a win at Our continuing success over the next few weeks gave us coaching has been vital to our success and we wouldn’t be Kingston Grammar which just showed that when they are all confidence in the Hampshire U18 tournament, winning the team we are without them. We also presented the teams on form they are fantastic! all of our matches against Churcher’s (3-0), KES (3-0) and awards, with Rosie Bell winning Players’ Player of the season, Peter Symonds (3-1) to qualify for the Regional Tournament, Holly Govey winning Most Improved Player and Sophie Brigg which was our aim for the season. Further wins against winning Coaches’ Player of the Year. Lancing College and Bedales prepared us for Regionals, a tough competition where we would be hard pushed to This year the squad of twenty was Jem Lawson, Annie Materna, qualify. Sadly our usual slow start was to be our downfall, Elly Sykes, Emily Ford, Zoe Rundle, Charlotte Stephenson, losing 1-0 to Reeds School in a fiercely fought match with a Maddie Fletcher, Jess Kissane, Siena Hocking, Anna Reynolds, momentary lapse in concentration. In spite of the best efforts Phoebe Shepherd, Hannah Slowen, Ellie Buckley, Holly Govey, of midfielders Tammy Manuel and Sophie Brigg the resolute Rosie Bell, Sophie Brigg (captain), Georgina Milward (captain), defending of Reeds School made it difficult to break into their Hattie Gould, Tammy Manuel, and Sally Hall.

66 67 Hockey Hockey Girls’ U14 Girls’ U13 What a fantastic season it has been for the U14 girls who have just Sabrina Choi & Isabel Herbert gone from strength to strength. With over 30 girls still coming to training, even on our cold dark nights they have worked with so The U13 girls’ hockey season got off to a flying start with

much enthusiasm and passion for the sport. There have been some everyone brimming with enthusiasm and excitement for the sports amazing results this year for the entire squad including scoring a season ahead. Throughout the season it was clear that those remarkable 64 goals this season! in the squad always gave everything of themselves and made significant progress throughout the weeks; this was particularly It has been a triumphant season for the A Team who have worked evident when you consider that we played Kingston Grammar hard to win the Hampshire Cup Tournament. Mia Austin played twice this season, the first time we played them we lost heavily, superbly in goal and kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament. however, the second time we wanted to show them what we The forwards including Sabrina Leung, Sophie Forrest, Eliza were really capable of and how much we had improved which Sharp and Isabelle Sambles made excellent linking play across the resulted in us taking home the victory! D scoring several goals from the penalty spot and off the post as practiced in training. The squad qualified through to the South Excitingly, the As were awarded Team of the Week by Mr Regionals tournament where they really gelled as a team playing the Dossett following their convincing win of the Hampshire best hockey I have seen them play in the three years I have coached In2hockey competition. During that tournament they scored them. Key players that day were Lydia Buckeridge, Maria Buckeridge 26 goals in just five games; and only conceded one goal and Louisa Buckle who never stopped running, chasing down the thanks to their amazing goalkeeper Serena White. They then opposition and keeping strength in defence and mid field. The girls proceeded to the Regional competition, which was held in were extremely unfortunate to not qualify in the last minute of their Reading where even hard work, commitment and the wise final game. words of Mr Rutherford could not gain us the win.

The season finished at an all-time high for the squad where At the end of the season some awards were given at the they won the Hampshire Knockout Final against King Edward’s hockey social. The star players were Serena White & Molly Southampton, winning in the final 30 seconds through an excellent Down, the most improved players were Eleanor McDonald & ball up to Sophie Forrest who sprinted the ball into the D drawing Eleanor Bolton, the Coach’s Player was Sabrina Choi and the out the keeper and passing it across to Sabrina Leung who hit it first Player’s Player was Christie Palmer. time straight in to the goal. A well-earned finish, highlighting how far these girls have come. This season our top goal scorer was Charlie Dean with a great number of goals. The teams included Sabrina Choi, The B team have played consistently well this year, and always come Isabel Herbert, Milly Henderson, Raveena Laly, Abigail Wood, to every game full of laughter and so much energy, especially from Rebecca Hawdon, Christie Palmer, Charlie Dean, Serena White, Lily Godkin. Their best result came from beating Ryde’s A team Ella Palethorpe, Eleanor McDonald, Sophie Dennis, Charlotte 2-1 where excellent performances came particularly from Isobel Ross, Natasha Palfrey, Emily Whitehead, Emma Watkins, Isobel Porter and Laura Garratt in defence, who continually stopped them Fraser-Harris, Eleanor Bolton, Phoebe Simons, Ella Garratt, coming down the wings. Both Jasmine Foxall and Marisja Van Alice Leonard, Molly Down, Ella Johnson, Alex Lemieux, Molly Nieuwkerk, who have joined this year, have been key players in this Renton, Eleanor Wilson, Helena Pearce, Julia Martin, Rebecca team especially at creating goal scoring opportunities. Arnold and Jasmine Thornell.

The hockey social was a joyful event where a number of the girls Many thanks to Miss Linnett and Mr Rutherford who had to put won awards. The most improved player went to Charlotte Amenta- Girls Hockey up with us for the whole season! We really appreciate their help Lynch who had come back from injury this season and has and would have never done so well without them. consistently improved not only her skills but her own confidence and is a key player in defence. Players’ player went to Mia Austin who is the player every can count on to not only be always happy but to pitch. In week 5 we hosted Kingston Grammar who secured midfield and centre forward became a really instinctive make key saves every game, keeping a number of clean sheets this a 3-1 victory over the girls; however when we visited them for partnership. They also welcomed Abi Brader into defence season. Star player went to Isabella Barringotn-Clark, who always Girls’ U12 an away fixture in week 12 it was a totally different game. The alongside Anushka Kar, Nikhila Behari and Mia Glover who, with keeps me on my toes and full of so much enthusiasm and keeps all U12A’s had benefited from playing strong schools over the her determined attitude and ability to read the game, caused Rebecca Close & Suzanne Gardner the squad in high spirits no matter what. Coach’s player was given to season and this final match against Kingston Grammar, away, much difficulty for the opposition’s attack. Eve Stainton who is a key play maker at centre midfield and supports showed just how far the team had come with Alice Aklam and her team through her excellent hockey skills and good decision The U12 were eager to start the Hockey season with many Tori Toh forming an excellent partnership at the back and Rosie The U12C and D teams secured good results against King making. A special mention also goes to Megan Dossett and Sophie returning Junior School girls and new girls attending the Harfield causing trouble with her superb ability down the left Edward’s School Southampton and Kingston Grammar, with Forrest who have been exceptional co-captains this season, being pre-season sessions. Over 28 girls in a year group of 42 wing. The end score line slipped away from the girls after an both teams improving from a loss in the first fixture against the excellent role models through not only their brilliant hockey skills represented the school, with the majority of the fixtures injury in defence but they came off buzzing and regrouped same team. Both teams grew in confidence over the season; but their good organisation. putting out four teams. Team players enjoyed their into their final huddle of the season for a debrief with a very new players to the sport have shown tremendous progress afterschool practice which was always well attended, proud coach. and their hard work has prepared them for the full sized games It has been an absolute pleasure taking these girls for the last three despite the regular Monday evening downpour of rain. they will be stepping up to next year. It was great to see the seasons and seeing how they have all developed both on and off the The U12Bs progressed superbly throughout the season development of so many goalkeepers as well with Eleanor pitch the last few years. These girls were my first team at PGS and I The U12A team always kept their heads high during tough and showed some real promise for the future with lots of Matthews and Sophie Mitchell playing much of the season as will always remember their fantastic hard working attitude and their fixtures and often achieved an improved second half girls pushing for A team places. Sammy Materna moved the A and B shot stoppers. passion for hockey which I hope they will have during their time at score line. Emma Holmes led the U12A team with positive from defence to become a creative left midfielder and the PGS and beyond. encouragement and direction from the centre of the combination of Alesha Renwick and Georgie Lewis in centre Here’s to another great season.

68 69 Rubgy Rugby Ist XV PGS, it all came down to Reigate for this chapter of our lives Overall, this season has been one of the most successful to have a good ending. After an intense first 20 minutes, seasons that PGS rugby has had, winning one of the biggest with some crunching tackles coming from Perseus Wace, tournaments in the country and putting some fantastic

we were finally able to break the Reigate line and assert our performances against the top schools in the country. The sports dominance. During this fixture Jack Evans really did prove boys can proudly say that they created shadows this season why he was chosen as the Players’ Player of the season and and we are all hoping that this success can follow into the with his height and speed he was able to perform some of the foreseeable future and ensuring that PGS rugby gets the best tries this season; after an emotional day this chapter was recognition that it deserves. officially closed, ending on a high. 2nd XV

Despite spending the year in the shadow of an impressive We then pulled out a heroic victory against Magdalen College season from the 1st team, the 2nds had a remarkable season in School, Oxford. Down 10-0 at half time, with our captain almost both 15s and 7s. sent off for a series of riské tackles,w e managed to pull it back to 18-10 with three (once again) unconverted tries, followed by We started strongly with an important victory against long- a penalty to close the door. We had moved back to the fluid Rugby 1st Team standing rivals Canford, but the rugby was poor. The narrow rugby we loved to play. 15-14 victory was compiled mainly of sloppy tries, all of which The season started with a success against close rivals only fair for PGS to be awarded a Penalty try, unfortunately it were impeccably unconverted by Will Smitherman. With Suddenly we faced Brighton College away, for some reason Canford. With it being the first game we were aware of how didn’t go our way and Dulwich won the game 8-3. improvement in mind we worked hard in our next match to only 14 men turned up, luckily Ben Tucker was ready for his big tough the game would be and after a slow start we got into destroy Lord Wandsworth 62-0, a credit to hardy defence from call up from the 1st XV, pulling out an electric performance in the game with a try coming from Alex Taylor on the wing. On the next day we were into the plate competition and Rory Sellwood among others. Finally the back three in the pack our 7-43 loss against Brighton and scoring our only try in the This game also proved good practice for the forwards with were very confident that it was possible for us to win some were starting to click. game. Some of us had also played Brighton the night before for many scrums taking place and for the players to get some silverware. The day started with a comfortable win over the Firsts, so their efforts were especially commendable. The time under their belts. This success followed into our next Merchiston Castle School. The next game was against Our game had improved in leaps and bounds due to fine game also saw Dhruv Patel’s come back from retirement. game against Lords Wandsworth College with a great tackling Abingdon School. The game was very close due to PGS not coaching and a lot of fitness, exceptional chat from Mr Gallop display from Alec Walker. being as clinical as we wished, however although Abingdon such as “to win, we have to score more points than them” no The rest of our season was a disappointing succession of were in the lead, after being in extra time for five minutes we doubt also helped. But it wasn’t enough, as we lost our next cancellations, forcing the team to wait till the 7s season to Our next game was against RGS Guilford, it was also on this managed to score in the corner. The score was level and it three games to RGS, Cranleigh and worst of all Churcher’s. again show their worth. We played in the Queen Mary College day that it was the Old Boys Reunion of the 1st XV Rugby was down to Ben Tucker to take the win. With a clean strike of Our results against the first two were entirely respectable, with tournament and clinched the Cup, in an undefeated manner. team from 1963-64. Having lost to RGS in the last 2 years, the ball, Ben managed to slot it in and then came the football beautiful tries from Will Dekker, and Carl Wakeford. Considering This was a lovely end to what had been a very enjoyable season, we really wanted to play some of our best rugby. This was celebrations! In the final we played RGS Newcastle, and were in the calibre of these schools, we put up an astounding fight. and was a final chance for Mr Gallop to show his clutch control. visible in the first half when Teddy Ellis went over to take the for a challenge. There were no tries in this game which added I thank everyone who we drafted in to play for us, and our lead for PGS after an immense scrummaging display from to the anxiety, however after being awarded a penalty in the coaches and physio for putting in the time and effort to allow us Guy Snowball, allowing PGS to turnover RGS Guilford’s own last minute it was time for Dan Mould to step up and seal the Rugby 2nd Team to compete at a high level. scrum. In the second half our determination to take the win final, yet again our kickers put on a fine display and PGS were got the better of us and with two yellow cards to Ben Tucker crowned St Joseph’s Plate winners, the first PGS team to do so. and Guy Snowball; RGS were able to win the game. After the Half term came some of the biggest fixtures of After this loss, we were aware that there was plenty to play the season. One of the most exciting games was Brighton for in the rest of the season, and after two comfortable wins College away. This game was held on a Friday night under over Magdalen College and Brockenhurst, we went into the floodlights, however it is worth noting that these lights cut the biggest tournament of the year at St Joseph’s full of out halfway in the game and so we had to play the game in confidence. The day started with a win over Belfast, up next the dark for around 15 minutes. Nevertheless we played some was Solihull. We went into the game prepared and backing emphatic rugby and were in the lead, but unfortunately our ourselves to win the game, and with some strong forward discipline slipped and Brighton were awarded a penalty. Once work we were able to get a try, however after a strong Solihull again we narrowly fell short to one of the top schools in the back line they were able to gain two tries and take the win. country. Although morale was low, we were excited of the Although our chances of getting into the cup were slim, we upcoming fixture against Bryanston at home. After a fantastic knew that if we won our next game we could go into the cup. attacking display for Tom Kershaw and the formidable However, with the formidable Dulwich, who have won the defence of Dimitri Selwood and Alec Walker, PGS managed Daily Mail Cup three years in a row, it was apparent that this to take the lead. This dominance followed into the second was going to be a very difficult test. We played some of our half and we won the game 29-12 which is one the biggest best rugby in this game and really stood up to Dulwich who scores put against Bryanston by a PGS team. were clear favourites. After getting a penalty, Dulwich came back with a try. In the second half we were the dominant side Coming to the end of the season, it had hit the Upper Sixth with Dulwich defending on their line for most of the second rugby players that this would be the last time that we will ever half, with countless illegal infringements from Dulwich it was play for PGS, and after spending 7 very memorable years at

70 71 Rubgy Rugby U16 A U16 B U15 A U14 A Tom Clayton-Shepherd George Hodgkin & Jim Herbert Scott Curwood Chris Dossett

This was a tricky season for the U16 squad; with the mood We started the season with a confidence-building 29-12 win It was a pleasure to once again take on the mantle as the lead There is no doubt that the PGS U14 team of 2013-2014

in camp being somewhat lethargic from the outset and the against Canford. coach for the U15As during the season. The boys were hopefully has made great progress this season. When everything sports opening results not going their way, there was a rocky road ready to look to push on with improved skill level, commitment and clicked we played some exciting rugby, offloading out ahead. Opening defeats against Canford, Lord Wandsworth The rest of the season did not fare so well. Injuries in the A determination, from what was a pleasing U14A season. The season of contact and running the ball from all areas of the and RGS Guildford, meant that we had a lot of work to do and team meant we struggled fielding sides against many of our began with a real bump (literally) with the boys taking on a skilful and pitch. We struggled a little against the bigger, more not much time to do it. Games afternoons were going well, fixtures. The weather also played a part in cancellations and large set of Canford boys. They battled hard but were unable to stop powerful teams but I am confident that as the gap in however ,there seemed to be an issue with attendance at the disruption to our season, but the players that moved into what was a 50+ to 0 defeat, always a nice welcome back to Saturday size reduces we will be able to compete with these after school training and progress was limited. the As proved their worth and a particular mention goes to fixtures. The boys were to be commended later in the second half schools. Harry Neame, who never returned to the Bs! There were only of the autumn term when they travelled to Canford for a NatWest With a solid victory against Churcher’s College, the squad four matches played on our regular circuit and even though National Cup match. The boys were far from daunted from their The highlights of the season were comfortable started to gain in confidence, especially with some standout we didn’t win any of them, and the scores may have been earlier encounter in the season and were holding firm and pushing wins against all the Hampshire Schools (Churcher’s performances from Ben Quera and Ben Caldera. This lead to one sided, we tackled well and never gave up. Alex Shirley the talented Canford XV with 15 minutes left in the match with a College, King Edward VI School, Southampton, Lord a run of positive results against Cranleigh School and Kings and James Cameron showed the fight that was needed to scoreline of Canford 19 PGS 7. Unfortunately our boys let in a three Wandsworth College and St. John’s College, Southsea) Winchester, and team morale was on the up! However compete against stronger sides and the tough tackling of Seb tries towards the end of the match but they truly should their strong and fantastic away victories against Cranleigh and the half term break brought a very tough run of fixtures Harwood, Tim Shannon and Tom Langford always made the ability and fighting spirit. Bryanston. against Millfield, Brighton and Bryanston, which were very games competitive. demanding on the boys. At this stage of the season Ben During the busy first term the boys achieved strong wins against The team was captained by George Wilcockson Caldera was called away on cricket duty and Ben Quera Sam Gibb, Charlie Boyd and George Hodgkin with their pace, Lord Wandsworth College (40 – 17) and Magdalen College School who led from the front with some powerful running was promoted to the senior team, whilst Danny Hayes and passing and quick feet were the play makers for the team. (54 – 17), with the highlight of the season being an impressive victory and crunching tackling. Sam Drayson was our own Harry Norton where representing Hampshire U16 - this left The last 10 minutes of every game were always the most against Brighton College. After a heavy defeat to Brighton the ‘wrecking ball’, smashing defenders and offloading to the squad lacking in leadership and firepower and the results competitive and keenly fought and this reflected well on our previous season the team travelled to Brighton slightly anxious about keep the ball alive. Tom Smith guided the team from reflected this. However, amongst all this disarray, some of the determination to play to our best. what lay ahead. After an outstanding 60 minutes of strong defence fly half with some excellent passing, elusive running boys started to perform, notably Frank Zu, Lukas Quera, Sam and skilful attack the boys were delighted at the final whistle with their and brave tackling. Harry Hoolahan managed our new Messenger and Harry Neame. The standout performance of Many players had to play out of position but they adapted well deserved 34 – 26 victory. Other notable moments throughout defensive system well and made many sharp breaks the season was versus Whitgift, a very strong rugby school. well. Alfie Parrack, Matt Wells and Will Pearson found the season included the second half performance against a talented along with Chris Weil who was able to use his pace on The squad was bolstered with one or two senior players themselves playing as forwards in some games but hopefully RGS Guildford XV - the score of 49 – 17 did not reflect the second the wing. At full back Josh Cant was a rock in defence, and the team performed above and beyond expectations, learnt from the experience. We did also manage to draw half performance which read RGS 19 – PGS 17. The boys displayed making many try saving tackles and counter attacking resulting in a 21-20 victory. Alex Young and Luke Arnall back to rugby and Kalvin Cheung real courage during this period. The boys were knocked out of the whenever the opportunity presented itself. Harry Webb, discarded the badminton racket to join us. It was great to Hampshire Cup in the early stages to eventual finalists St John’s Freddie Sligo and Alex Willoughby were comfortable In reflection of a troubled season, there are some very have them all in the team. Matt Purnell, Louis Goldman and College. This meant that we were to work our way through the group in the backs or the forwards where they could use talented players in this squad and they will be playing a key Harry Dutton grafted away and little Dimitri Sautreau gave us stages of the Hampshire Plate competition after some strong wins their speed to beat defenders or to compete at the part in next year’s senior teams. The opportunity to play some of the most brave head on tackles of the games. Well we reached our way to the final. Our opponents in the final were to breakdown. In the pack Harry Harrison and Fergus with the senior teams is crucial for player development, and done to all that played, and maybe we will meet up again in a be King Edward VI Southampton - after a narrow defeat to our local Gibson were two of the most improved players of the attendance to after school training has to be compulsory, if rugby fixture. rivals just before Christmas the boys were prepared and eager to take season; both boys are strong runners and tacklers and we want to perform to the best of our ability. revenge for this result. After some tense moments just after half time, Harry has worked really hard to develop an excellent Thanks to our coaches Mr Herbert and Mr De Trafford and to the boys controlled the match from this point on and ran in two well technique for throwing into the line out. Tom Leggett Many thanks to Mr Baggnall and Mr Seddon for coaching the all the games staff that encouraged us throughout the season. constructed tries to finish the final with a scoreline of 40 – 24. also made some powerful runs and should be a force squad this year and the much appreciated parental support. to be reckoned with once he starts getting his hands U16 Rugby Team This final XV match meant that the focus would be moved towards on the ball a little more. Ben Cranny-Whitehead is 7s. The boys had two impressive runs at two strong tournaments; developing into a fine player with some elusive running the Warwick and Hampshire 7s. At Warwick they achieved some and good work at the breakdown. Joe Hunter was the large early scores in the group stages and as a result made their turnover king of the team, able to get into a fantastic way through to the cup competition. In reaching this stage of the low position in the tackle area to jackal the ball on competition there is always going to be no easy matches and numerous occasions. Will Lewis and Henry Massey they were to come second best to a quick Millfield team. The final really improved towards the end of the season and and notable achievement of this long season was on reaching the will be looking to secure a regular starting place next Hampshire 7s final. The semi final against Churcher’s College was to season. At scrum half Josh Ellard has shown some be the most impressive spell of 7s rugby during the second half of mercurial touches and could be one of our stars if he is the Spring term. The boys held their nerve and tackled everything that prepared to work harder in training. moved achieving a victory by a one try margin. This result was more pleasing considering the 50 points defeat earlier in the XV’s season. There is much to look forward to next year. We will Unfortunately they were unable to lift themselves for the final with have the opportunity to close the gap on Millfield, Lord Wandsworth College taking out the Hampshire 7s title. Canford, RGS Guildford, Brighton College and Magdalen College School, Oxford as well as test There are too many brilliant individual performances to mention ourselves in the U15 NatWest and Hampshire Cup throughout the season. It has been an absolute pleasure to have Competitions as well as the Langley School invitational spent the last two years with this group of fine and talented young tournament in October. men. I look forward to watching their progress through to the U16s and then the 1st team.

72 73 Rubgy Rugby U14 b U13 B U12 Mike Earley Simon Taylor Thomas Furtado Mills

25 Year 9 boys represented the school with never less than 1st XV with Will Lewis and cemented their places in the side. In a season which was cut short by the non-stop This year has proved to be a successful year for the U12 rugby

seventeen players being available to play on match day; their Also to the tenaciousness of Chris Earle with his try against deluge from December onwards, the U13B team squads, not only have results gone our way, but the numbers sports season is almost a mirror image of each game, slow starting Ryde; Shafi`s pace and running angles will certainly earn him showed much promise. They have a number of of boys playing on a regular basis have risen and Monday but finishing with a flurry. Several teams we played were a place in future first teams, and other players to represent players who have the potential to break into an night training was very well attended throughout the season. a level above us, but the boys never gave up and improved the 1sts are Ned Henderson, Finley Taylor, Finley Bacon, Tom extremely strong A-team, and a number who are There were many exciting areas of the season, with the as the match went on. We should have beaten Churcher’s Ross, Alex Dassow, Jake Cook, James Taylor and Barney very accomplished B-team players in their own highlight being the clean sweep away at Magdalen College, & Bryanston, and we could have beaten Lord Wandsworth; Carter. My best back of the season is Jake Cook and the best right. where the all teams displayed some very promising we finished the season off with two wins against KES and forward would have been Mark Doherty had he not deserted performances. These performances lead to all of the players Ryde. The season finished too early for us as we would have me for the first team, the award goes to Tom Ross. The season started with an excellent, tightly- continuing with their success against Poole Grammar benefited from a few more games to underpin the growing contested draw against RGS Guildford, followed by School and Oaklands. More exciting than the results was the confidence, alas the weather denied the boys their chance. The size of this continually improving team will only bode wins against John Hansen Community School (25- potential shown by all boys who represented the school and well for the future of rugby in the school. A frustrating but very 14), Churcher’s (20-14) and Mayville (25-5). This run each boy’s willingness to listen and improve. This stands us in Thank must go to, firstly, Mark Docherty, who was captain enjoyable season. of success was then punctuated by a surprisingly a good position for next year. Well done, boys, and we hope but after several good match reports was promoted to the heavy defeat to Magdalen College School (0-50) that you continue to enjoy the game next year. before winning ways were discovered again with Tom Clayton-Shepherd what was, as it turned out, a season-closing win against King Edward’s, Southampton (27-10). The U12s rugby year began with a unique mixture of boys Andrew Seddon - some having played no rugby, some that had only played U13 A The team’s success revolved around the strength under the Hampshire pilot rules and others that were used In terms of results this was a fantastic year for the U13A XV in trademark dummy switches. The centres of Connor Jones and of its forward pack, with Sean Hill and Alex to playing under the regular rules. This was highlighted in the which they only lost two games, however I cannot help but Ted Drayson proved themselves to be an excellent partnership Turner especially threatening, well-supported by team’s first outing against RGS Guildford. However, under the feel a sense of ‘what if?’. What was highlighted a couple of with Connor holding up the defenders and popping the ball to those around them who worked hard to secure dedication and patience from Mr Johnson and Mr Shepherd, times in the season was that boys need to be mentally ready Ted to put him through a gap. This is when Ted’s athletic ability possession, support attacks and tackle in defence. who on a few rare occasions couldn’t resist showing off his as well as physically. It was extremely promising to see a large really set him apart against defenders, combined with a demon In the back line, Archie Bennett and Lorne Gibson own skills, the team soon began to take shape and direction, number of boys push for A team places during a season with a hand off which meant that Ted often crossed the try line. The controlled operations very effectively at half with forwards and backs linking together to play an expansive total of 25 boys all playing their part at some point, a true credit wingers of Jack Norton, Cameron Barr and Marcus Hodgart back, and the back line showed it could play both game. Notable performances came against Magdalen to the strength in depth of the year group. Will Hickman, Finlay showed a real turn of pace when finishing off many scoring offensively and defensively with much success. College; the team were losing but did not give in and their Parson and Tom Austin proved to be a handful at scrum time, opportunities. I would like to make a special mention to Marcus Jake Gilbert at centre and Henry Gill at full-back self-belief and team spirit shone through to cap a defining supporting Ollie Lilley whose line out throwing and play around who before starting at PGS in September had never played rugby were especially effective runners, with great moment in the team’s season, eventually winning by two the park was superb. In the second row Joe Kooner-Evans, before, highlighting his excellent effort and commitment to support from the likes of Joe Wragg and Joe tries. Dan Williams and Thomas Cracknell all showed an amazing training and improving his skills. Copsey, not to mention the others who played desire to run with the ball and it is a credit to all three boys the an important part in the overall team effort for the After a long season the team finally faced St John’s College headaches they gave me when it came to selection. This year the boys participated in the National U13 Cup, in which season. where the pack soon learnt to operate as a driving force and they reached the quarter final, which in itself is an excellent the backs managed became competent at shipping the ball The back row of Max Hill, Jonny Furniss and Matthew Cheung achievement however this, and the performance at Rossyln Looking forward, the key to future success lies to the wings where most of our tries came from. Individuals were ferocious in the contact area and showed themselves as Park 7s, leads me back to the ‘what if’ I mentioned earlier. In the in working hard in both training and matches worthy of note include John Taylor, hooker, for his dedication a true thorn in the side of the opposition, the mark of a good quarter final we lost to a Brynteg team who were physical and to supplement good natural ability with a real and overall performances; Matt Barney, no. 8, for learning the back row team. Matthew also showed himself to be a well wanted to win that bit more than us. At Rosslyn Park we should determination to further improve fitness, general game and developing skills that will make him a fine player balanced runner with the ball in hand and an eye for the try line. have won our group but we switched off in our final group skills, position-specific skills and teamwork. I wish for the future; Michael Slaven, scrum half, who made plenty Tom Coyle marshalled his forwards very well and was a good game against, arguably, the weakest team in our group which them well. of breaks, seeking out every opportunity to keep the ball link between the forwards and the backs. Fenton Murphy did an meant we were knocked out. I hope that as this team progresses moving; Harry Conway, centre, Mr Dependable, his bone extremely good job of running a very talented group of backs through the school they learn an important lesson from these crunching tackles no doubt kept the try count against us and was always reliable to open up the defence with one of his two results and prepare for a game mentally as well as physically. down; Freddy Wood and Will Doyle, wingers, their lightning I wish them all the best for next season and beyond. speed outpaced plenty of our opposition; Adam Stokely and Oakley Slack also deserve mention for their pace, commitment and ability. It has been an honour and a pleasure captaining the side and I look forward to continued success next year. A special thank you must go to our coaches Mr Johnson & Mr Shepherd, who always kept us in shape with their endless fitness drills. “There were many exciting areas of the season, with the highlight being the clean sweep away at Magdalen College.”

U13A Rugby Team 74 75 Netball Netball Senior U16 Girls U16 Hattie Gould (Captain) at the Nationals Helen Prentice What a season we have had! It has not been the most Alexi Paxman The demands of training and fixtures for our U16 National

successful but it has definitely been the most enjoyable netball Squad and exams for all, coupled with some frustrating weather sports season, with constant laughter at both training and matches. With two very talented teams, U16s and U15s, combined, conditions, meant that this season can best be summarised training for the U16 National Squad began in September, as short but very sweet! The U16s have always been a very Unfortunately, we did not have the greatest of starts to our before claiming the Hampshire County Championship, talented squad and many have been involved in the U16 season, coming sixth at the Hampshire Cup, but we were with relative ease. With 12 girls in the squad at the time, National squad as well as playing representative netball for determined to make the most of the rest of season. This each player performed to a high standard, given the Team South. Due to this, there were a number of players that determination came through our training, improving our fitness majority of the team was just getting back into netball, really stepped up to the mark and made brilliant contributions at early morning training and building our netball knowledge following the summer holidays. This gave the coaches a to the A team having stepped up from the B team. and skills at training and during games. All our hard work paid good base to build upon for Regionals that took place at off during our first match of the New Year, with Flo Stow, Elly the end of January. However, for Issy Stancliffe, this would The As won five matches very comfortably dropping only the Sykes and Sally Hall dominating the mid court to create a 20-17 be the last time she would play for a while, due to a wrist home game to Canford by 2 goals. The Bs had four games victory over Caterham. Our next few matches were against the injury she managed to pick up over the Christmas holidays. and one the most memorable against Hurstpierpoint (more hardest sporting schools in the country, with the likes of Millfield later!). Even when missing key players, the group showed the and Brighton College. We fought our hearts out and played to We got off to a brilliant start at the Regional competition, strength and depth of their skills and adaptability. the best of our ability, but unfortunately this was no match for winning our first and second games by safe margin the 6ft shooters both opposition teams had, resulting in narrow of several goals. Miss Gardner knew the day would U16 National Netball Notable mentions must go to Sophie Clarke, who grabbed loses. be tough from now on, in which her point was proven the chance to play for the As in the centre court and when we lost our 3rd game to the Abbey. Putting our 1st enjoyable for all, as well as going on to beat the U19 demonstrated her balance and control of the ball and the We took the frustration from the first half of our season and loss behind us, our next big game was against Thornden, Wellington side, who also qualified for U19 Nationals. game in the match against Cranleigh in particular. Sophie turned it into success to have a flourish of victories towards a team we knew was very strong, it was a make or break Whitehead, who showed her versatility and also showed how the end. Everything we had been working on in training was it moment for us as a squad. After a spectacular display After 6 hour bus journey and eating a lot of cake to quickly she learned game skills, and earning herself the Player finally being put into practice which showed with our results, of shooting by Meg Dennis and Ash Dekker, as well as celebrate Alice Cheshire’s birthday, we arrived at a travel of the Match award against Millfield. beating Churchers 27-13 and Canford 25-24. The most exciting incredible defence from Alice Cheshire and Darcy Hyatt lodge. Whilst eating dinner, Miss Linnett organised an moment of our season was our rival match against PHS. We and a huge turnout from parents, giving us the extra Easter Egg Hunt in all our rooms, before we headed off to Travelling to Sussex in March, a lack of players due to injury took the short drive to the High School, and performed an support, we managed to take the lead, winning the game bed. The next morning, after arriving at the venue for the and exams left us struggling to field two teams but with some intimidating warm-up and pre-match cheer to focus our by just a single goal. We had qualified for the National day, we hadn’t got off to a great start, losing our first two improvisation from players and the coach and the desire to play minds on the match in hand. This seemed successful with finals in Liverpool in March. matches despite a feisty performance from Dominique ‘come-what-may’ from both Hurstpierpoint and us, we had two some fantastic performances all over the court, with Georgina Warren, as well as gaining our centre, Issy, back from very enjoyable versatility games running intertwined. PGS A Gardner and Georgie Milward getting some flying interceptions, During the two months we had to prepare for Nationals, injury. However, putting the losses behind us, we played team players were not allowed to play in their normal position. which were later converted with some fantastic shots from there were several kit meetings, in which a lot of netball our next few games ferociously. Unfortunately, it was This left Jenny Evans showing amazing defensive skills when Gracie May Jones, Zoe Rundle and Graihagh Guille. The will dress designing took place. it must not be forgotten, not enough. We lost out on a place in the semi finals by marooned in midcourt away from her beloved circle; Filippa and determination of the team on this day was the greatest I having competed in recent two tournaments, the a single goal, even though we had beaten the eventual Furniss on a real high all afternoon and especially playing in the have experienced at my time at PGS and it thoroughly paid off squad was aware and knowledgeable of how important runners up of the competition. midcourt; Evie Howarth revealing herself as a closet Shooter with the final result being 23-2 to PGS. nutrition was thanks to Miss Gardner and her excellent (watch this space!). coaching team of Mrs Prentice and Miss Linnett, who In hindsight, we are proud to be 5th in the country. On The girls have had the most enjoyable season and would like to later happily took us to Scoops, McDonalds AND behalf of the squad, I would like to thank Miss Gardner, Mrs Thanks must go to Lauren Robson-Skeete for being so calm thank Miss Gardner, Mrs Prentice and Miss Cox, for all their hard ordered us pizza in the space of just over month. We Prentice and Miss Linnett, for not only their coaching and and considered in spite of her coach’s puzzling problem of work and for making our season the best it could have been. managed to beat the PGS senior team which was tremendous support, but for an unforgettable experience. which players to put on court at any one time and ensuring a fair number of games for all and to Claudia Materna, for Coaches’ Player of the Season was Charlotte Nuttall, Players’ doing a dainty impression of Cinderella and leaving a ‘glass’ Player of the Season Georgina Gardner, Most Improved Annie trainer on the court behind her – and not realising it had fallen Manuel, and Star Player Sally Hall. off! Well done to Jessamie and Alexi for all their boundless energy and commitment all season. “A truly memorable and extremely enjoyable fixture…”…the most fun I’ve ever had playing netball, Miss!” “I would like to add my personal thanks to amazing captain Hattie and our fantastic squad “The U16s have always been a very talented squad this year. It has been a truly memorable season and many have been involved in the U16 National and one that I will treasure. I will miss PGS netball squad as well as playing representative netball for but will look forward to hearing all about the Team South.” future success of all the teams.” Suzanne Gardner Ellie Sykes, Georgie Milward, Gracie May Jones, Zoe Rundle, Graihagh U16B Netball Guille, Samantha Gibb, Florence Stow, Hattie Gould and Sally Hall 76 77 Netball Netball U15 Isobel Stancliffe

The U15 squad have had a great season, with some

convincing wins, some dynamic training sessions, a match sports against the year 10 boys (which we won, of course!) and lots of laughter. That said, we also managed to injure a few players along the way which provided the opportunity for other members of the squad to step up and we are really proud of the likes of Louisa Palmer and Gemma Webb who worked their way into the A team this season.

The squad as a whole showed considerable commitment and perseverance this season, with many girls turning up to U15 Netball train every week at the Mountbatten Centre with the U16s. At the end of the season we attended the Netball Dinner in Whilst training sessions were good, it’s debatable whether it fancy dress along the theme of ‘Under The Sea’. During the was this or the lure of Lillie Simons’ cakes, which she brought evening Emma Dorricott was awarded the Players’ Player along every week that kept people returning! The squad’s trophy, Lillie Simons Most Improved, Susie Emerton received U13 Netball commitment to training paid off when it came to matches Star Player and Isobel Stancliffe was awarded the Captaincy with some convincing victories against Portsmouth High prize. A special mention must also go to Ashleigh Dekker U13 Mandy Day School for the B team 23-13 and 14-8 for the C team against who was selected for the England U17 squad for the second “I would like to say a big thank you to all the girls Canford. The As beat the previously unbeaten side KES 36- season in a row. We are all immensely proud of her. We have regularly had 30 girls to training at after school for a very enjoyable season, and to Alice Cheshire 22 and HCS 25-9. There were, however, some much closer club which shows a fantastic enthusiasm for netball in this games with the Bs drawing against Ryde 19 all and the As Thank you to everyone who contributed to any of the netball talented year group. As always as a new coach I have tried to and Gemma Webb for helping at netball club. I narrowly losing to Canford 30-31. teams this year! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the season and give girls the chance to show me that they can play different having Miss Linnett as our brilliant coach! positions and not be stereotyped into a shooter or a defender. would also like to thank Pete Carter for his amazing Whatever your position, all the basic skills of netball are enthusiasm and support with the girls.” necessary. It is often a question of the right combinations of players and maybe players having to adapt. Last year Ashleigh Dekker was needed to play defence for school as we had excellent shooters but needed strength in defence and she is now an England shooter! Happily this year my brilliant captain U14 Abigail Wood has adapted to Goal Defence from Centre U12 Suzanne Gardner Amy Stokely At the end of the season we had the netball social where and Natasha Palfrey has moved from Goal Keeper to a most Sabrina Leung was awarded Coach’s Player. She was a vital exciting prospect as a Goal Attack. The future is looking bright for PGS netball! There was The wonderful thing about our squad this year is that no part of the A team and an excellent shooter, despite being the some fantastic progression shown from the U12s this year matter which team you were in or which position you played smallest person on the court! Most Improved went to Molly In the squad we are fortunate to have a number of players and Pete Carter did his usual amazing job of finding the we all got on really well and everyone pulled together and Gibb and Star Player went to Clemmie Gumm, both excellent who are happy to take on the responsibility of shooting, these balance between building good tactical and skill levels as worked hard for each other. After a rocky start to the season shooters and an amazing part of the team. Georgia McKirgan include Eleanor Wilson, Natasha Palfrey, Emma Watkins, well as having lots of fun. There was lots of competition in with the A team struggling to find their form, we started to was unanimously voted Player’s Player; always giving her all, Isobel Frazer Harris, Mia Dall, Alice Leonard, Emily Whitehead, the shooting circle this year with Alesha Renwick, Phoebe gather pace with strong victories against Canford, Churcher’s both in matches and at training. All in all it was a successful year Phoebe Simons and Rebecca Arnold. I would like to give Hiller, Rosie Harfield and Jessie Clarke all working tirelessly College and PHS. We went to the county round of National and we would like to pass on our thanks to all the staff who special mention to Nina Watson who has only just started to on their shooting. The constant shouting of COD (change Schools in September and all our hard work and team spirit have helped throughout the season, with a very special vote of play netball for school and is making wonderful progress. The of direction) was finally adhered to and that is exactly what came together as we went through the whole day unbeaten thanks to Mrs Spencer who has been very patient with us and ability to shoot accurately can make or break a team, so keep they did, finally realising that this was in fact the best way and took the title of Hampshire champions. Serena Graham, from whom we have learnt a great deal over the last two years. practising, girls! to lose their defenders, just as Pete had said! Nikhila Behari Sabrina Leung and Iman Alayyan rotated brilliantly together continued to be a delight both on and off the court and in the shooting circle, with Charlotte Amenta-Lynch, Lydia In mid-court there is also an abundance of talent including her gutsy performances, especially in the early season Buckeridge and Lily Godkin taking lots of interceptions Charlie Dean, Charlotte Ross, Ella Palethorpe, Mugda tournament when the girls played against U13s were and bringing the ball down court safely. This was good Godbole, Thea Morgan, Julia Martin, Sophie Dennis, extremely impressive. preparation for the regional finals in January where we played Susannah Schlosberg, Molly Renton, Helena Pierce, some great netball throughout the day. Our final match at the Phillipa Noble. Defending is probably harder to play than Coaches’ player of the season Georgie Lewis is an exciting regionals was a tough game against Brighton College, who attack as you often don’t get the recognition for stopping talent for the future and her ability to read the game and pick we had lost to the previous week. At this stage we knew we the goal shooter from even getting the ball! It takes great off interceptions with such ease shows talent beyond her would qualify for the national finals so with nothing to lost concentration and fitness to constantly mark your player. years. Well done also to Emma Holmes, Sammy Materna, we went out and played out best netball and we won by our The U13 defenders Sabrina Choi, Eleanor McDonald, Molly Tori Toh, Mia Glover and Alice Aklam who provided excellent biggest margin of the day! Sabrina was putting in shots from Down, Milly Henderson, Jasmine Thornell, Evie McAuley, Ella centre court displays throughout the season, linking attack the edge of the circle, fed brilliantly by Maria Buckeridge and Johnson, Eleanor Bolton, Ella Garratt and Nadia Vloemans and defence. Annushka Kar and Sophie Jennings both played Eve Stainton, and Eliza Sharp didn’t allow anything into the have worked very hard and did a brilliant job. matches for the A and B team, showing that there is excellent defensive circle. The B and C teams have also had very strong strength and depth in the squad. Although it is impossible to seasons with the B team winning most of their matches and At the end of season social the following awards were mention all the Year 7 girls who either came to training or the C team rocking the boat at Millfield by coming away with presented: Star Player to Eleanor Wilson, Most Improved played in matches, I would like to say a massive thank you to a good win. Players Nina Watson and Mia Dall, Players’ Player Eleanor Pete and the Year 7s for a most enjoyable season and I wish U14 Netball McDonald and Coaches’ Player Natasha Palfrey. them lots of luck for next year.

78 79 Cricket Cricket sports

U15s after their victory at the South & West Regional Play off Finals Alex Leach U15 A Willoughby coming in at number 5 were starting to cement a batting order that has struggled at times. He has certainly been The start of the main season, as ever, commenced with a head a great improver in my eyes as the season has progressed. Finn to head with Canford School. This was to be the first of three Carter and Joe Kooner-Evans were the bowlers of note in the encounters. In this match Sam Caldera showed his merit with Lord’s Taverners’ Quarter Final match. Joe, who is in Year 8, an unbeaten 99 from 101 balls and this was to be the decisive joined the team later in the season and was certainly welcomed individual effort to win the match for Portsmouth Grammar. by the bowlers as their bodies were starting to creak under the strain of such a demanding season. A casualty of this was Harry The Lord’s Taverners’ Trophy kicked off with a visit from Wratten who had been an opening bowler and a key player. Tom Griffiths, Harrison Whitworth, Joseph Brown, James Christian, Rueben McArdle, Cheltenham College. PGS batting first managed 155, mostly Reaching the Semi Final of the Lord’s Taverners Trophy was Jadon Buckeridge, Ben Quera, Ben Caldera, Alex Horton, Jack Marston (captain), due to the efforts of a late innings partnership by Cameron a fantastic achievement for this talented and driven team. Sam Collings-Wells, Andrew Marston Bartlett and Will Futcher. This partnership proved to be crucial Unfortunately the Cranleigh team that included a few England 1st XI Jack Marston as Chelternham could only manage 128 in reply due to hopefuls was simply a step too far. Cranleigh won the toss and outstanding bowling performances by Daniel Mugford 3 for 15 put our boys into the field for what proved to be a very long and Following the success of this team throughout the senior strength in depth of the team. St Georges Weybridge in reply and Ezra Hind 3 for 21. hot afternoon. Sam Caldera managed a well deserve 91 runs school, having won two national titles at under 17 and 15 could only muster up a score of 80, due to a fierce bowling spell not out and should be commended in such a difficult situation. levels, 2014 was always going to be difficult to match our from Rory Prentice, taking 5 wickets, whilst being well supported Millfeld turned up with their usual entourage, but the PGS previous achievements in our final season. But following a by Andy Marston who took 3 wickets at the other end. XI were not overawed and soon got amongst their batters This experience was certainly a learning one for the boys and comprehensive winter of training, we felt more than prepared to as Millfield won the toss and elected to bat. Somehow they it will hurt even more to know that Cranleigh went on to win continue our previous successes as a team. The side also claimed victory against Brighton College, in managed to reach a respectable 170 for 9. In response to the National final with ease. They did not however linger on the another new fixture for the school, and hopefully a long this the boys had a muddled start resulting in losing two early ‘ifs and buts’ too long as the fresher looking crew from Pompey Our season started with a tour to Oxford, which despite standing one against a team of a very competitive players. The wickets. Up stepped Marcus Horton to the crease. In the only travelled up to Bristol to sweep aside both Bradfield College and interruptions from the weather, finally gave us our first taste of hard fought victory was largely thanks to the cool head of Sam fashion he knows, Marcus bludgeoned the Millfield attack whilst Clifton College with ease to book their place at the Twenty20 cricket in the great outdoors. While our preparation had been Collings-Wells, who guided PGS home to passing 50 yet again. others around him simply had to stand by their captain. Marcus National finals at Arundel Castle’s magnificent grounds in strong, the early season frustrations continued as a number of achieved a match winning 89 runs from 76 balls to simply blow September. Saturday fixtures suffered due to more rain. The Canford fixture which was somewhat of a grudge match Millfield away and PGS rolled on with a score of 171-5 from 32 following a disappointing display in 2013, however a formidable overs in this 40 over competition. To all the boys who contributed to such a fantastic season of As the weather improved and allowed cricket to commence, we total for 267 proved more than enough, as Rory Prentice cut cricket this year, the school will certainly thank you for flying suffered our only major setback of the season, as we dropped through the top order with 3 wickets, while Andrew Marston’s The next visitors in the Nationals were Rydal Penrhos from the PGS flag high. It has been a pleasure to manage and coach out of the national 20/20 competition in the first round against 4-28 removed any hope for Canford. North Wales. They had the unfortunate task of fielding for such a dedicated group and I am sure that many of you will go a well drilled Abingdon side. The game was a low scoring affair 40 overs while our boys amassed a scorecard of 394-4 and on to greater things. Let’s hope that September brings you the in which the opposition played to their potential throughout, A rain troubled fixture at Oratory announced the arrival of new they could only manage 116 – 7. In this innings Ned Renwick success and accolade that you deserve. while our batsmen failed to occupy the crease for any extended boy Alex Horton, who claimed 4 wickets in a comfortable produced his first 100 for the school (102 from 89 not out) and periods of time. The task left for the bowlers was a tough one, victory. There were encouraging signs for the future when PGS he was accompanied by Ezra Hind who scored 79 not out from and with Abingdon requiring just 127 for victory, they came out took a group of year 10/11 players to Bryanston who returned 45 balls. the victors in the penultimate over. with a comprehensive 8 wicket victory. Look out for Mugford, Hind, Horton and Caldera who all shone in their 1st XI debuts. The next round brought about a situation whereby PGS had U15 B Mr R Marston Following this disappointing start to the season, we bounced a double header against Canford. We were to play them in back and were undefeated in all Saturday fixtures when we Towards the end of the season the team enjoyed further success both the Quarter Final of the Lord’s Taverners’ Trophy, and The highlight of the season was the 1 run victory against an took the field as a full senior XI. Notable highlights would in some friendly fixtures, beating a very strong MCC side for the the Regional Finals of the Twenty20 National competition. It U15A St John’s College XI. PGS batted first and scored 91 with include our first ever fixture against Eton College, which we first time in 5 years, largely thanks to exceptional spells from our should be noted that whilst playing these national competition James Woodward scoring 25. St John’s looked in control and won comfortably with the help of a magnificent hundred from 2 ever reliable spinners Andrew Marston and Jadon Buckeridge. matches the boys were also working their way through set for victory before the last over the match was due to be Joseph Brown. the local stages of the Twenty20, defeating King Edward VI bowled. Sam Tucker stepped forward and took 3 wickets from Thus despite the disappointing T20 campaign, all in all this was Southampton in the Hampshire Final and playing their usual 4 balls in the final over to ensure PGS won by 1 run. Notable We had our first ever fixture against St George’s Weybridge, still a very successful season. Playing with and leading this group Saturday fixtures. Unfortunately for Canford School they fell contributions throughout the season have been made from in which we found ourselves at 84/6, before fine batting of lads has being a real honour and I wish them all the best for short on both occasions and so PGS U15s played Canford Jamie Houlberg, Joe Littlehales, Henry Percival, Joe Stirrup, contributions from Alex Horton (89) and James Christian (64) the future. On behalf of the whole team I would also like to thank School at 40, 30 and 20 over formats this season and won and Arshad Fasiludeen. The two most improved players for this resulted in PGS recovering to post 240 for 9, illustrating the Mr Curwood and Mr Lavery for all their hard work over the years. convincingly each time. Batting performances by Alex season are to be awarded to Bill Barnes and James Lamerton.

80 81 Cricket Cricket U14 A Scott Curwood

The U14As have shown a good deal of spirit and

determination in what has been a challenging season. They sports have unfortunately been on the losing end of three extremely close and exciting matches throughout the season. The Hampshire Final against King Edward VI Southampton in early July should normally being a fixture of high run scoring and batsmen taking charge but on this occasion it was not the case. PGS batting first could only manage 58. Normally this should have been a comfortable victory for any team but on this occasion the boys produced a great deal of fight and self belief and were a varnish of paint on the off stump from achieving a most memorable victory. KES managed to stumble over the line 9 wickets down with their number 11 who narrowly missed losing his off stump the previous ball guiding a thick outside edge to third man for the two runs required to win the final. The Bowlers of Harry Wratten, U13 A Joe Kooner-Evans, Harry Leggett and Jai Thakrar should Andrew Seddon be extremely proud of their efforts in this and all matches throughout the season. The other narrow defeats came U14A Cricket This has been a mixed season for the U13s this year, with some against Hampton School where a 45 from Harry Wratten and very pleasing results and exceptional performances over the 3 for 16 from Jai Thakrar could not prevent a 2 wicket loss. Jai year, however they have been marred by frustrating losses in U13 B has grown in to a fine off spin bowler since the halfway point cup competitions. The Hampshire semi-final against Perins was Mr W Gammon of the season and has enjoyed the challenge of opening the especially disappointing as we were set a very manageable total bowling in numerous matches. to chase but too many wickets were thrown away and we were The U13B Cricket team developed well over the term, U14 B Suzanne Gardner bowled out cheaply. Harry Davis-Marks’ 4 for 15 was one of the although poor weather on Saturdays at the start meant The Bryanston fixture was also a great advertisement for a seasons bowling highlights and showed how bowling a consistent not much cricket was played. Howeve,r after half term close finish with our final pair being unable to finish the match It has been a really successful and enjoyable season with line and length can frustrate the opposition and produce wickets. the team started to play some good cricket and also off failing 1 run short. Earlier in the match Harry Leggett took the U14B team with much improvement shown throughout achieved some positive results. three top order wickets, he has consistently bowled accurate the team. Our first two matches versus strong opposition The start of the season produced some excellent victories against and probing opening spells with the ball and has been a great in Brighton College and Canford. A strong batting display Ryde and Churcher’s. Against Ryde, Henry Woolf’s 4 for 5 was a William Hickman, Munn Ajgaonkar and Mani Noor- addition to the team this year. by Monideep Ghosh, with 22, got us on the way to a good fantastic spell of bowling and against Churcher’s Ted Drayson, Spencer all captained the side at some stage of the score and an excellent fielding display by Jamie Mellor, Joe Kooner-Evans and Sam Scott all contributed runs combined season and demonstrated their knowledge. The En route to the Hampshire final PGS achieved victories Adam Watts and Henry Doyle put PGS in contention but the with excellent bowling including Ted’s 4 for 0 allowed us an easy highlight of the season was beating Hampton School on against Kings Winchester and Bohunt School with Wratten game just slipped away. The next match saw an excellent victory. The South East Hants match allowed all the boys playing a a sunny Saturday in June. The PGS bowlers did a fine job top scoring again in both matches, narrowly missing a win against Mayville High School A team. There was clinical chance to contribute with either bat or ball and again Joe Kooner- restricting Hampton to 92 runs the boys then went out hundred in the Bohunt fixture finishing on 98 not out. The bowling from Ed Donnelly and huge excitement as Jake Evans was the pick of the batters with 37. confidently (at times) reaching the total 7 wickets down. boys achieved two good victories in their last two regular Austin hit the stumps directly achieving two superb run outs. fixtures of the season with a convincing 9 wicket win against Mayville couldn’t reach our total of 78 and were bowled for The best game of the year was against RGS Guildford which With good bowling spells throughout the season from St George’s Weybridge with Alex Willoughby scoring 82 and 35. Another win versus Churcher’s College saw new batsman was extremely close, PGS won by 10 runs. Joe Kooner-Evans Nicholas Ng, Finley Walsh and Tom Robertson, the sharing in a 160 opening partnership with Ajay Patel who Alec Morgan score 50 not out and earn himself a call up to 69 was the highest score of the year and Joe batted with great team had control when fielding. Taylor Palmer bowled provided valuable support with a disciplined innings of 36. the A team. A great team batting performance ensured a win maturity. The energy that the team showed in the field won us the some useful spells and took wickets to help the team This victory was well set up with a strong bowling display against Lancing College and the bowlers restricted Bryanston game. Jake Gilbert’s bowling helped restrict the opposition and out when needed. Mani also improved throughout from all bowlers with George Wilcockson taking the limelight to 109 which PGS managed to pass 3 wickets down. Loren he showed excellent variations to pick up a couple of wickets. the season as he has learnt and developed his with three top order wickets. The boys experienced some Dean continued to be a force with bat and ball and built Hampton followed after half-term and some wayward bowling understanding where and how to set a field for his slow southern hemisphere Cricket with Canberra Grammar visiting some good partnerships in several games. Ed Vass has allowed them to race to 154 of their allotted overs. Two excellent spin bowling. Nick Cook developed his wicket keeping the South Coast. Canberra Grammar scored 102 with Tom been one of the most improved players showing excellent catches from Greg Littlehales on the boundary and Charlie Dean throughout the season and has turned in to a capable Baker producing a fine display of leg spin bowling taking 3 commitment to training and solid performances on the pitch at backward point allowed us to take a couple of crucial wickets. player for the team. for 11, other valuable bowling contributions came from Ned even scoring 6 runs for St George’s College Weybridge when In our innings the curse of carelessness hit again and wickets were Henderson and Alfie Edworthy. The wicket keeping skills of they only had 10 players. These runs were crucial for them not valued in the top order. Sam Scott’s 30, Max Hill’s 31 and Will The batting always gave the opportunity for everybody Ollie Wright were on clear display in this match as they have as PGS lost by 8 runs. Player of the season Mathew Crichton Donworth’s 29 gave us a chance however we fell an agonising 15 to have a game however there was some good scores been throughout the season with two impressive stumpings. showed outstanding consistency in every game and along runs short. The team spirit and the support that the team gave to from Munn, Will, George Whelan and Tom Coyle. These Ollie has also been a fantastic addition to PGS Cricket as with Ed Donnelly and Barney Carter showed real potential the boys in the middle during the run chase was exceptional. were the main batsmen to help get the team over the all successful sides need a fine wicket keeper. The team for the future. Mark Docherty had a brilliant season behind finishing line as the team were chasing in most games. has really missed the batting and bowling talents of Harry the stumps and really cemented his place as a key player Over the year all of the players made valuable contributions to Hoolahan whilst he has been injured throughout the entire which included important runs against King Edwards VI, matches, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them season, he has continued to remain a strong member of the Southampton. We welcomed Gordon Stone in to the team for their hard work this season including players not mentioned: “The highlight of the season was beating team attending a good number of home matches. The boys which added more strength and variety to both the batting Max Gumm, Ollie Lilley and Archie Bennett. I will keep a close eye have greatly appreciated his support and we look forward to and bowling line up. Congratulations to Haraman Badial for on them as they progress through the school; a piece of advice I Hampton School on a sunny Saturday in June.” welcoming him back on the pitch next season. captaining this season; a great leader for the future. would give to all of them is value their wicket, they only get one per game!

82 83 Cricket Cricket U12 B U12 C

Scott Curwood Scott Curwood

The U12Bs have been an enthusiastic, willing and a much It has been great to be able to see an U12C XI representing

improved group of cricketers. The key to the success of this PGS this season. The boys should have played six fixtures sports age group has been their strength in depth through all three but unfortunately due to poor weather and one fixture being teams and in previous years at PGS some of this team would cancelled by another school it has only seen them play three. have been regular members of an U12AXI. The team has been They should all be extremely proud of their commitment and well lead by Hector Pocock who is an all-round cricketer of energy throughout the summer term as well as their regular good ability. The boys’ first match after a slight delay due to attendance to winter nets. They lost by fewer than 20 runs wet weather saw them comfortably defeat an U12A St John’s in the matches played against Hampton and RGS Guildford College XI. Then came three difficult matches against RGS and on both occasions scored over 100 runs which is a great Guildford, Hampton and St George’s Weybridge where PGS achievement. They achieved a well deserved 4 wicket win batted first on all three occasions failed to score enough runs against Churcher’s College. I very much hope that all boys to challenge their opposition. The boys hopefully should will be ready for another season next year and continue to have learnt some valuable lessons for them to take forward show enthusiasm for the game. The following boys should in their cricketing career at PGS during these matches – be commended for their contribution to PGS Cricket this particularly the importance of always valuing your wicket and season; Roshan Sohato, Michael Harvey, Ethan Simmonds, understanding it is not always about trying to hit the ball as Oscar Tagg, Ed Lovatt, Sam Griffiths, Tom Furtado, Toby hard as you can in order to score boundaries. Matches can Tison, Vishvesh Mehta, Abhinav Jonnada, Issac Hillier, Amun we won with good defensive skills and effective running Laly and Rufus Hornsey. between the wickets. The boys did achieve a convincing 8 wicket win against Churcher’s College later on in the season, with James Crundwell top scoring and Alistair Wilson “I very much hope that all boys will be ready for taking three crucial middle order wickets. Another notable performance throughout the season was Ollie Donworth’s another season next year and continue to show innings of 26 against Hampton. Reliable wicket keeping skills enthusiasm for the game.” from Toby Wingham have been appreciated by his bowlers. John Taylor, Rob Mitchell, Stewart Training

U12 in Action

U12 A Scott Curwood

The U12As have had a successful season and achieved the team. Jack Pearce also displayed fine attaching skills as a victories in all but one of their fixtures. The highlight of the batsman scoring at a run a ball in most innings with our highest season was the tense and thrilling victory in the Hampshire individual score of the season coming from his bat in the first Final against Yatelely Manor. PGS batted first and scored a fixture against Churcher’s College, his 50 not out ensured we modest 119, with valuable contributions coming from William secured a 25 run victory to open the season. Ben Fawcett’s Doyle and Ed Moger (who has been our most consistent innings of 27 in the victory against an U13A St John’s College batsman regularly achieving scores of 20 plus throughout XI was a joy to watch with a number of well played off and on the season). Chris Pratt also produced a vital innings late on drives. In the same match Aman Khanna took three wickets to to help us reach this competitive score. Yatelely were looking ensure PGS won by 85 runs. Toby Sambles produced a crucial comfortable on 55 for 0 after 8 overs. Then the introduction innings in a low scoring match against RGS Guildford. The PGS of Toby Sambles (4 wickets) and James Hudson (3 wickets) score of 100 was too much for RGS Guildford with them failing saw Yateley crumble to 97 all out. Hudson was also busy 14 runs short. Robert Quinn has been excellent behind the taking wickets in the previous rounds of the Hampshire Cup stumps, taking three impressive catches in our victory in the taking two further 3 wicket hauls. Hampshire Cup final. He also showed his batting ability with a well compiled innings in the first round victory against West Away from the Hampshire Cup the U12’s have played some Hill Park. Henry Wood, Cameron Clarke and Matthew Houlberg impressive cricket with their depth of batting and bowling have also produced good all-round performances with both being one of their real strengths. This talent bodes extremely bat and ball. well for future success as the boys make their way through the school. The batting order has been shuffled around The boys should be proud of the enthusiasm and willingness on numerous occasions with all players looking extremely they have shown throughout the season to learn new skills comfortable in their different positions each match. Henry and apply them confidently to match situations with a great Woolf has shown excellent temperament and technical ability deal of success. The boys now look forward to representing with both bat and ball and has grown in his role as captain of Hampshire in the National stages of the competition next year.

84 85 Tennis Athletics

Boys Girls Athletics Mandy Day Steve Hawkswell Helen Prentice

This was another successful season, particularly The girl’s season started with a 4 hour long marathon match

when measured by the number of boys playing the for our senior squad of Zoe Rundle (Captain), Lara Spirit, sports sport and representing the school at all levels. We Georgie Milward and Anna Reynolds against Bedales in the have continued to offer year round access to tennis first round of the National Schools Aberdare Cup. In that initial through the early morning sessions in the Tennis week, we also had four year 7s; Alisha Renwick, Phoebe Hiller, Centre and the Junior School continue to benefit Mimi de Trafford and Tori Toh, playing in their first ever tennis from the Short Tennis offered to them after school match against Ditcham Park. each day of the week. It is via this scheme that we are seeing pupils coming into the senior school Eighteen pairs of U13 girls entered our 3rd Invitation Doubles who have been introduced to the game and have in mid-May, with the strong pairing from Churchers College developed through our own system. beating the Kings 1st pair to win the tournament. A full diary of National Schools Aegon Team Tennis fixtures followed At National level there was again some success. throughout the summer for our U13 and U15 A & B teams, So often we tend to be one top player away providing some good challenges for all players but especially from being able to compete at the highest level for Louisa Buckle (Year 9) playing in one of her first league despite much promise. At the National Schools singles match against Kings, Winchester and beating an Tournament at Eton the senior side were hampered opponent rated 8.2 in a closely fought, thunderstorm by unavailable players but still managed a good first affected, game. Of the 18 players in year 9, almost all of those round win against Wellingborough before losing to have played at least one representative match this summer a strong Cheltenham College side. In the National demonstrating the strength in depth of our U14s. Knockout Glanville Cup we had a number of good wins before losing to Queen Mary’s College in the A mixed team of Anna Reynolds, Georgie Milward, Holly final regional round. The U13 boys won their group Govey and Siena Hocking together with Adam Filip and Josh This has been a year of hard work and great commitment At the Hampshire Schools Championships we had 32 boys and in the Aegon LTA leagues and are through to the Arnold played our first ever mixed friendly at Bedales on a very from the pupils. We have had increasing numbers to training- girls competing making a strong showing of red vests. Natasha regional section which will be played in September. hot day in June and provided some exciting doubles matches particularly pleasing is the number of boys attending. During Palfrey won the U15 girls high jump with 1.48, second places Sam Ellison and George Charlton have been a for the bank of keen spectators! preseason which started in January we offer a range of went to Fergus Gibson javelin 35.27, Lana Watt shot 10.10 strong and impressive first pair for this team. training programmes for specific events: middle distance and hammer 26.19 – this was a new event this year for Lana. A number of in-house tournaments also provided some and sprints, this can include hill sprints, speed work with SAQ Also Katerina Sillett 300m in 44.3 - Katerina has moved up The senior side had a number of good results and exciting and competitive matches for both boys and girls. In equipment, resistance training, over speed training and beach from 100m to the tough 300m this season, Abigail Moss 80m played some excellent tennis in a good spirit of the 5th Parent & Child tournament held at the end of June, running! We are encouraging the pupils more and more to Hurdles 13.1. Third places went to Ashleigh Dekker discus 24.39 enjoyment and friendly rivalry. This was largely previous winners, Phil and Ella Tusler (Year 11), secured a take responsibility for their own training but offering help at all (Ashleigh is our England netballer whom I am delighted and due to the impressive captaincy of Adam Filip second victory, overcoming a strong challenge in the final times. There have been two after school clubs, 3 lunch time grateful that she competed all season in athletics for school), who organized and encouraged his team to an from Sam Ellison (Year 8) and Mum, Alison Wakelin. Two clubs and one early morning session. Many thanks to Jim Abigail Moss 200m 27.6, Adam Brown discus 25.09 and our enjoyable and positive season. The standard of events at the end of term for pupils attending After School Herbert who works with the cross country runners at fixtures only Year 11 athlete competing this year, Jessamie Waldon Day, fixtures continues to improve with block fixtures Club saw a win for Freddie Fenton (Year 7) and runner up Ella and Friday lunchtimes. hammer 20.28, again a new event for her. The intermediate against schools such as Canford and Bryanston Palethorpe (Year 8) in the Wimbledon Week Challenge and girls’ team which consisted only of PGS girls competing for becoming important indicators of our progress. the final week’s Candy & Fizz competition was just great fun! Our teams have performed very well this season with fixtures the district of Portsmouth came 3rd in the county which was a The season culminated in an enjoyable and at Marlborough College, Guildford High School, Westbourne brilliant achievement. competitive Old Boys fixture with number of U15 House, and the Trinity schools match. The Intermediate girls boys being involved. progressed to the South West Regional Final of the English In the Hampshire multi events there was victory for Thomas Schools track and field cup held at Millfield School. The team Miller who has also been selected for Hampshire in the We continue to look for more playing opportunities achieved nine personal bests; Megan Dossett was outstanding National school competition in September, 3rd place for Chris for the boys. The year 7 group contains a number gaining two personal bests in the discus and 300m. This was Weil and 5th place for Abigail Moss. Abigail and Thomas are a of good keen players and it will be good to our second visit of the season to Millfield as earlier we attended year young in this age group. see them progress to a more extensive set of the Millfield super 8 Athletics competition with U15 boys and league fixtures next year. The U14 team are also girls. We travelled down the night before on this occasion and At the end of the season we competed in the Portsmouth progressing well and gaining experience despite a enjoyed the historic Glastonbury including a run up the famous Schools championships winning the Junior girls’ and boys’ series of strong opponents this year. Josh Cant and tor by the Year 10 boys! The rest of us walked. competitions, the intermediate girls’ and were second in the Julian Standish have been particularly impressive. intermediate boys’ competition. In the Hampshire Track knock out competition 3 teams; U13 girls, U15 boys and girls qualified for the finals in Aldershot. None of this would happen without the dedication and Won Lost There were some outstanding performances with wins for Ted commitment from the staff, my thanks go to Chris Dossett, 1st 5 5 Drayson in the 800m and Amanda Rees-Frometa in the 150m. Tom Clayton Shepherd, Kirsten Cox and Helen Linnett. Many U16 2 1 thanks also to Thomas Miller and Kira Walker this year’s U15 3 5 In the Hampshire Championships Thomas Miller won the captains who have led by example. I would also like to thank U14 6 2 100m Hurdles with an English schools qualifying time of 14.1, Dawn Sotnick our sports administrator who is so much more U13 4 2 Lana Watt was 3rd 10.08 in the new 3k weight shot and James than the title suggests! U12 2 2 Fleming won the Surrey county 3,000m. With the talented athletes we have coming through, I can’t wait for next year! Ella Palethorpe, Girls Tennis 86 87 Skiing & Swimming Individual Success

Success for Portsmouth Skiers Young Sports sports Elisa Linley

Congratulations to PGS skiers who performed fantastically Person well at the Scottish Alpine National Championship and The British Alpine Championships. It was a hectic seven day of the Year of races, three days in Courchevel for the Scottish Alpine National Championship followed by four days at Meribel at Luke Robins was presented with the award for The British Alpine Championships. Nicole & Nadine Hugec Portsmouth Young Sports Person in January in a and Cameron Manson exceeded all expectations by some presentation at the Mountbatten Centre. considerable margin. PGS results are as follows: The Portsmouth Young Sports Award is run by the City The British Alpine Championships of Portsmouth Sports Council and seeks to recognise Nicole Hugec – 2nd place Super G Championship U14 achievement and dedication in young sports people. Nicole Hugec – 1st place U14 team competition skiing for A The award is presented to a young person focused on team British Ski Academy their sport, showing dedication and great potential for Nadine Hugec – 2th place Giant Slalom U12 the future. Luke has represented the school in swimming Nadine Hugec – 1st place Giant Slalom U12 and is a swimmer with Portsmouth Northsea Swimming (only top 10 UK girls competing against U14) Club. Cameron Manson – 5th place Slalom U16 Having received 28 applications that were all of an Scottish Alpine Championship excellent standard, choosing a winner was a tough Nadine Hugec – 2nd in Giant Slalom decision for the committee to make. However it Nadine Hugec – 3rd in Combi slalom was Luke’s dedication to training and the level he is Nicole Hugec – 2nd in Slalom overall competing at that made for a winning combination - Nicole Hugec – 5th in Giant Slalom Luke starts his training at 5am every morning and then training after school four days a week! It is the first time in history of PGS skiing that a pupil has finished in a podium place. Well done to the girls, and to all of the PGS skiers currently training and competing. Guy Snowball Nicole Hugec represents Success for England Swimmers Schoolboys in at the Bath and Zimbabwe Otter Cup Zoe Rundle John Baker Earlier in the year, Upper Sixth pupil Guy Snowball made it through a series of trials leading to his selection for the English Independent Schools Rugby Squad. The elite PGS entered a strong team in the prestigious national schools group of players, known as ‘The Lambs’, including Guy, swimming gala, the Bath and Otter Cup, held at the London came from across the country and played a series of Aquatics Centre. This was the first time that the Olympic pool games before heading off to tour Zimbabwe in April. had been used for a gala since the close of the Games, and so this was a particularly exciting event. Luke Robins, Brandon Guy played a large part in the four victories over the Choi, Tom Miller and Dominic Johnson all made it to the Mbare Academy, Prince Edwards School (known as the finals of both the freestyle and medley relays, which is an Harare Lions), Goshawks and finally Zimbabwe’s national excellent acheivement. Well done! under-19 side.

88 Swimmers at Olympic Pool Luke Robins 89 Sports Day 2014 sports

90 91 Portmuthian 1974 – 1981 Drama drama

94 Exonerated in Avignon

95 Drama goes to Greece

96 Little Shop of Horrors

98 King Lear

100 Mack and Mabel Review 96

101 Private Peaceful

102 Alive!

98 102

92 93 The Drama goes to Exonerated Greece Sally Leigh Filho in Avignon

Charlie Albuery In May half term, mainland Greece saw the arrival of drama budding PGS Y9-10 Thespians. The adventure began out of the sunshine with workshops led by Mr Hampshire on the Classical Greek tragic chorus. Extracts from Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus Rex’ were performed later that week in the courtyard of a 17th century monastery at the top of a beautiful island whilst our fisherman cooked kebabs for us on the beach below. Our movement skills were further developed at a Greek dance evening later that day. The cast in Avignon The Greek amphitheatres of Epidavros and Dionysus were quite literally breathtaking and the history of the ancient fortified town of Mycenae (home to the people who built the Trojan horse) just magical. Our last day involved still more climbing to the stunning Acropolis that still dominates the Athens’ skyline. All in all, this was a super trip with a super Palaisdes Papes bunch of pupils. Particular thanks must go to Jonah for his entr’act entertainment on our last night! “We saw everything from a physical theatre piece about an alcoholic water demon to a musical in nearly every European language about a broken down caravan which it turns out runs on bubbles.”

Last summer, instead of the conventional trip to Edinburgh, The Exonerated Mr McCrohon, Mrs Filho and Miss Bustard accompanied a group of ten pupils to the international theatre festival in As I knew I was writing this article I noted down the words Avignon – We were performing an abridged version of the of a woman who saw our opening night as she bumped into internationally renowned verbatim play ‘The Exonerated’. to us the next day, bearing in mind we were performing a Our two performances in the Round Tower in Old particularly wordy play in English to a largely French-speaking Portsmouth had received positive reviews, and we were all audience, this is some truly uplifting feedback: ‘I’m sorry to mightily anticipating our first performance overseas - so we bother you, but I saw your show last night – and I don’t speak boarded the overnight ferry to France with much excitement. English very well, but you made me weep. Thank you so Several games of Mario Kart, a bowl of frites, a few hours of much!’ It’s moments like that, not a packed house, that show less than blissful sleep and a possible sighting of Dwayne you that you are doing something right as far as theatre goes. Johnson later, we arrived in France. Aside from performing the show, the festival itself is an We performed in the ‘Théâtre du Centre’ a fifty-seat theatre amazing experience. As a group we saw everything from just off of one of Avignon’s many bustling squares. In the hope a physical theatre piece about an alcoholic water demon of attracting an audience to our show we engaged in some to a musical in nearly every European language about a serious flyering – for those of you unaware as to what that broken down caravan which it turns out (spoiler alert) runs means – ‘flyering’ is the act of hassling passing strangers into on bubbles. Although a vast majority of plays were in French taking a flyer for your show, with the assumption that a small and largely dialogue-based, there was a category of shows number of people who take a flyer will proceed to come to the for those who were not fluent French speakers, and these show itself. So we all busted out our best Franglais and hit the were the shows that entertained us for the week – with streets. I personally had reactions ranging from great interest Miss Bustard’s aficionado skill level at play-picking proven and rampant pleasantry to just generic profanities, but it’s this following her suggestion of a full-length retelling of Pyramus variety in the tourists and locals, much like the variety in the and Thisbe (in which I played the role of the lion, rather shows that makes a theatre festival such as Avignon’s such a well if I do say so myself) she led us on a swathe through all unique experience. The atmosphere is simply indescribable: beautiful and bizarre that Avignon had to offer. try to imagine something between a football match and the closing night of the proms and you’re getting there. Huge thanks on behalf of all of the cast go to all members of staff involved in making this trip a reality. I will end by saying We performed three shows in Avignon – despite less than that anyone who ever has a chance to go on a trip similar to packed houses we always had an attentive audience and this, grab it with both hands! You will have a truly memorable even mustered a standing ovation on the final night! week, and one that I highly doubt you’ll ever forget.

94 95 Little Shop of Horrors Daniel Hill

The Middle School Production this year was the American drama Broadway Rock Musical “Little Shop of Horrors”, which is based on a horror movie. Mr Hampshire announced this at the Freshers’ Fayre with help from a group of eager Year 8s. This was to be Mr Hampshire’s last production at the school and one of the best. By the time it had been announced, songs had already been performed in Middle School Theatre Club. Rehearsals seemed to last forever on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays but after four fabulous nights we were all sad it was over and clueless about what we were going to do with our free time! Audrey II devours Audrey I It all started with the auditions followed shortly with recalls, and l was lucky enough to land the main part, Seymour, the worker in the florist shop. My boss would be class mate and friend “Tears were rolling off the cast’s face as the Joe Brennan who I had previously worked with in another of last night ended with a speech from Mr Priory Mr Hampshire’s productions, “Oliver!” and enjoyed very much. Jasmine Reeve Foster was cast as Audrey opposite and we about Mr Hampshire.” were all ready to get going and had the Christmas holidays to learn all of our songs and lines. Our parallel cast were Sacha With a few more weeks of polishing up lines and our Hemingway from Year 7 and Isobel Fraser Harris in Year 8. The performance on stage we were set to go. With a couple more other main parts included Charlie Pereira as the dentist, Megan Sunday run-through rehearsals, production week was lurking. Fisher, Milly Henderson and Emily Whitehead as the Three During production week we almost lived at school. We ate and Street Urchins. Last, but definitely not least, Seymour’s man- stayed until 10 o’clock in the evening. It was a very exciting time eating plant, Audrey 2, was played by a group of three - Chi- for the performers and a stressful time for the directing team. Yunng Lim, Isaac Hillier and Jonathan Yang. With the band arriving and stage crew in place, we were set to go.

Rehearsals took place after school until 5:30 on Tuesdays Suddenly it was our first performance and it was our first time in and Wednesdays and then the occasional Friday lunchtime a packed audience. It was great to see so many teachers in the for the principals to revise lines and staging from the previous audience supporting us. And then came the second, third and week. Every so often a Sunday rehearsal would also pop up for fourth shows, all in quick succession. everyone to slot everything together so we knew how it flowed. Every Tuesday was for song and dance, led by Mr Johnson and Tears were rolling off the cast’s face as the last night ended Zoe Fisher and then Wednesday for lines and staging, led by Mr with a speech from Mr Priory about Mr Hampshire. We then Hampshire and this year’s co-director Miss Meadows. presented him with a gift from the cast, the original Audrey 2 drawing by Miss Dyer, signed by the cast. He very much The idea of the musical sprouted when Mr Hampshire was appreciated this. contacted about the set we had hired for “Oliver!”. The set company also had this set for a show Mr Hampshire didn’t Overall this was a brilliant experience and everyone taking part know about. I didn’t either. Mr Hampshire took the job of or watching loved it. This year’s musical was full of wonderful researching the show and came back to school being able acting, singing and dancing. This saw Mr Hampshire go off with to enter Mastermind and win with his impressive expert a bang and thus proved another great choice of a musical by Mr knowledge of Little Shop. We tried the songs in Musical Theatre Hampshire. club and “Suddenly Seymour” seeped into the Middle School. It was decided we would use the set company yet again and perform “Little Shop of Horrors”.

A few weeks before the set arrived some of the principals were out of lessons on a Tuesday to participate in a puppet workshop to understand how we would be eaten by a plant, and for Sacha and I, how to control a slightly smaller Audrey 2 than the main plant. We mastered this and then the set, costumes and props arrived ready to perform. The costumes were down to our brilliant costume mistress Mrs Giles. She hired some from Petersfield Youth Theatre, made some and bought some especially for this production.

Sacha Hemingway with Audrey II Charlie Pereira’s star moment

96 97 Sixth Form Shakespeare: “Lewis transitioned from a strong, loud King into a broken old man over the course of the play, slowly losing control over Lear’s madness as the scenes progressed.” King Lear Louisa Dassow distracted by frills and they had to focus on what was being said

This year’s VI Form Shakespeare production was, by all actors. Simon Beale’s casting in the recent National Theatre rather than shown. drama accounts, a great success. The play in question was King Lear, production was deemed controversial because Beale was a masterpiece in tragedy and from the offset an imposing only fifty-three years old. Fortunately, we had Lewis Mackenzie It’s impossible for me to give a completely impartial review of this challenge for its cast and production team. However, the at the ripe old age of seventeen. He put on an outstanding play, because of my personal involvement. I can say that everyone challenge was easily surmounted by its directors Phoebe Ruttle performance. Watching him act as Lear, it becomes very I know who went to see it thoroughly enjoyed themselves, in as and Charlie Albuery, resulting in four excellent performances easy to forget his age as he hobbles after the elusive mouse much as you can enjoy a tragedy. The novel setting brought a on the 2nd and 3rd July. or explodes with grief over Cordelia’s dead body. Lewis whole new element to the performance which helped make it a transitioned from a strong, loud King into a broken old man pleasure to be a part of. If the audience appreciated our play half as In my opinion, the exciting use of promenade theatre is what over the course of the play, slowly losing control over Lear’s much as we enjoyed performing it then it was definitely a success. made this production so special. The opportunity to use the madness as the scenes progressed. Square Tower, the Hot Walls and the Round Tower was by no means wasted. The audience followed the drama from space His interactions with his daughters were simultaneously heart- to space as the scenes unfolded. This made the piece highly wrenching and heart-warming. Goneril and Regan, played by atmospheric and gave the actors a unique way to engage with Emma Read and Lottie Kent respectively, were wonderfully Musings on the audience. cold and unforgiving. This was directly contrasted with Phoebe Ruttle’s strong but compassionate Cordelia, another brilliant Being outside for parts of the production was very risky. There interpretation of a well-known character. There is one scene ‘Lear’ Charlie Albuery were a number of factors which could have threatened the that must be mentioned for its slick execution, the eye-gouging piece; the weather, noisy traffic, noisy public, the weather. scene. It was so smooth that the true horror of the scene was Nevertheless, it paid off. The sun shone continuously, roaring completely immersive. One audience member shrieked as the In my opinion, there is something uniquely difficult about staging motorbikes were absent and the worst danger that we faced first eye was plucked from Gloucester’s eye and thrown into a Shakespeare play. Everybody, or certainly everybody likely to during a performance was an intense game of bowls that was the crowd. attend a PGS Sixth Form production of King Lear, has a strange kind being played slightly too near to the final scenes. The general of double-edged sword relationship with Shakespeare plays. They public dealt very well with our invasion of the Hot Walls; there This interpretation of King Lear went to the core of the play. tend to approach them with both an air of familiarity, a belief that were only a few confused glances at the shouting and the It would have been impossible for the sixth form to deliver an certain characters and plots should be represented in a certain way costumes, although the manacles attracted slightly more uncut version of Shakespeare’s original script. Unabridged and yet often a nigh-on complete unfamiliarity with the piece as a attention. the play can run for more than four hours. Instead, we whole, meaning certain plot points and almost any subtext have to opted for version which kept us within the hour limit on our be made almost excruciatingly explicit. The part of Lear in King Lear is notoriously difficult, because performance. The shortened script allowed the cast to spend the character is remarkably complicated. Lear represents more time on how the lines were acted, rather than merely Take Hamlet as an example, even in an hour abridged version, the downward spiral of madness, as well as the complexity grappling with the meaning of the lengthier Shakespearian everybody has a certain view of the ‘Alas poor Yorick’ scene and and vulnerability of old age. It is unquestioned by many passages. The modern costume also lent itself to this reading this has to be adhered to strictly to avoid their alienation (despite professionals that Lear can only be played by truly aged of the play, it meant that the audience wouldn’t become it being a relatively tangential scene in the grand scheme of things). Hamlet’s developing madness, on the other hand, has to be presented in way very unfaithful to Shakespeare’s original text in order to condense nearly three hours’ worth of subtle storytelling into half an hour or so. This leads to a bizarre but necessary mixture of full-on, almost-out-of-context Shakespeare and hand-holding, stripped-down storytelling.

This presents certain difficulties as a director of an abridged Shakespeare play, to fulfil both requirements of the standard audience member poor pacing is almost a necessity. These wonderful, complex sagas have to be presented as almost a greatest-hits package, with recognisable (yet often superfluous to the actual plot) moments and soliloquies loosely strung together by rushed exposition which takes the place of less iconic, but certainly no less vital and captivating, plot and character development scenes.

All of that said, directing King Lear at PGS has been a wonderful experience. I think these issues that arise naturally from the tackling of such an iconic piece can be overcome and that’s exactly what I and the rest of the cast and crew intend to do, should it be within our power.

This article first appeared in the Portsmouth Point blog.

The tragic finale of Lear Pete Rapp & Nat Charles in King Lear

98 99 Mack and Mabel: Josh Rampton, Hattie Gould Review & Annie Materna

We made the journey to the Kings theatre on the 29th of Not only were we completely blown away by the drama November fully expecting as spectacular and exquisite professionalism of the acting, singing, dancing, but also a performance as we have become accustomed to in by the technology involved. Never before have we seen a recent years. Speaking with absolutely no bias, were not musical so technologically advanced at our school - not only disappointed. Mack and Mabel was a seamless blend of the lighting and the fast-moving set (taking us from New York slapstick, light-hearted, laugh out loud humour, classic to Hollywood, from locomotives to cruise liners), but the ‘big show’ numbers, and tender, understated, often heart- use of projected video to convey the silent, black and white breaking simple dialogue. Ben Schofield was every inch the movies that Mack, Mabel and the others were creating. The stubborn, often woefully flawed, workaholic Mack Sennett. filmed scenes were brilliant, cleverly capturing the style and Opposite him Molly Cranston effortlessly embodied the movement of the original silent movies on which they were beautiful, wholesome, girl-next-door turned elegant movie based. star Mabel Norman. Their on-stage chemistry was evident from the outset and created a turbulent, often tragically With Mack and Mabel, therefore, PGS Drama has continued broken relationship that kept the audience wondering its recent tradition of stepping out of the well-known, whether the final curtain would go down on them together traditional, even tired, selection of school productions to or apart. display something much more memorable and fascinating to behold. It only remains to congratulate all those involved This production’s excellence came not only from their in Mack and Mabel, from the leading cast, to the chorus line, performances but the supporting performers. Pippa Harris to Mrs Filho and last but certainly not least the technical and held her own in a dazzling tap dancing number, Lewis musical teams who contributed to the creation of such an McKenzie and Cameron Roberts were a dynamic duo as the excellent production. Studio’s producers and Pete Rapp’s character’s gentle, sweet but alas unrequited love for Mabel touched many hearts. “Their on-stage chemistry was evident from the outset.”

100 Mack & Mabel main cast Molly Cranston & Ben Schofield as Mack & Mabel 101 Private Alive! Peaceful Marley Andrews The eerie, dimly lit interior of the Square Tower set the scene This year’s Yr 9 & 10 play, particularly apt at the centenary of for Friday night’s performance of Alive!, a devised piece

the First World War was Private Peaceful. The Portmuthan performed by Sixth Form actors and actresses and inspired drama caught up with castmembers Joe McAuley and Maisie Elliott by Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, as part of the Portsmouth to find out more about what it meant to be involved in such a Festivities. Having heard so much about it over the last few poignant production. months of writing and rehearsing, I was both excited and intrigued to finally see the culmination of all of their hard Portmuthian: So can you tell us a bit about what Private work, and I was not disappointed. Peaceful is about? The Square Tower in Old Portsmouth was the perfect Maisie: Private Peaceful was originally a book written by venue for the performance to take place, with the simple Michael Morpugo, about the relationship between two staging and striking black and white costume choices brothers facing up to their troubles at a time of war. I’ve been allowing the acting alone to take centre stage in what was interested in theatre but it was particularly exciting to know I an incredibly powerful and haunting piece to watch. Pete was going to be a part of this production in such an important Rapp and Phoebe Ruttle’s portrayal of the The Creation and year in the remembrance of the war. The Creator respectively were outstanding, with the bitter relationship between the two keeping me hooked right until Joe: The mood of the play is often stark and devastating, the very end. The audio and lighting added to the intensity of amongst more uplifting moments. It tells the story of a boy the performance, especially through the use of the repeated and his brother, Tommo and Charlie Peaceful, who have such heartbeat at the start, and the inclusion of Chopin’s ‘Raindrop a special, close bond with each other it’s often magical. The Prelude’, which brought back fond GCSE Music memories story follows Tommo and Charlie’s journey through the war but also fitted absolutely perfectly to the climactic scene and all of the people they meet on the way. It brought tears it was used in and was an incredibly moving yet disturbing to my eyes at times as it was just so sad, and really sends the moment in the play. By using the aisle between the audience audience through almost every emotion over the course as part of the stage, it further made you feel part of this of the performance. It was a tense performance, trying to intense story as the barrier between audience and performer portray the catastrophic nature of the war in action. had dissolved somewhat.

Portmuthian: How did rehearsals go? The best thing about it being a devised piece was that I had no idea what to expect, which further heightened the Although previewed as part of the Portsmouth Festivities, the Joe: This production took a lot of preparation to bring the atmospheric and powerful performance given by the cast cast and crew will be taking Alive! To the Edinburgh Fringe emotion and heart tugging moments to life., but the actors and left room for the actors to make the characters their own Festival between the 19th and 25th of August. We wish them such as Rory Greenwood (who played Charlie Peaceful) and which was an enormous success. I left the venue both lost for all the best of luck, and our thanks go to all the pupils and staff Ben Gilbert, (Tommo Peaceful) were superb. They are truly words at how incredible it was, but also extremely proud to involved in producing and performing such a powerful and talented actors and brought the show to life. There were a lot know such talented people. haunting piece. of long hard days and we had to get up early in the mornings to meet at school to rehearse. A lot of time was spent sorting and fitting costumes in the build-up to the performances too, which was stressful at times but helped us all get into character and really was the icing on the cake.

Portmuthian: And did it go well on the night?

Joe: The response from the audience was amazing; one audience member said ‘they felt almost as if they were involved in some of the scenes’. Despite the long and hard days of work, getting up early in the morning to meet at “The response from the audience was amazing; school to rehearse, it had all paid off. one audience member said ‘they felt almost as if Maisie: Yes, my favourite part of being involved in this they were involved in some of the scenes’.” production was seeing all our hard work pay off in the end. Performing it was such good fun.

Joe: One of the best things about being involved in the production was that no matter if you had a big or small part, everyone played their part well and being on the set was just such a fun and worthwhile experience, although exhausting! I was so proud to be a part of it. I loved every moment.

102 103 Acrylic paintings by GCSE and A2 pupils Trips & CCF trips & ccf

106 Barcelona

106 CCF Weekend

107 Chalke Valley History Festival 108 108 China

109 Fishbourne Palace

110 German Exchange 111 122

Megan Wynne, A2 Ella Davis, GCSE 111 Goodwood Farm Yr 8 Ski Trip 112 Hampton Court 116 National Astronomy 112 Killington 116 Conference 113 Iceland 117 Philosophy trip to Paris 114 Little Canada Physics & Geography 118 Energy Day 115 Mary Rose Day 119 Politics trip to the USA

Rutherford Appleton 121 Laboratories 122 Tower of London 123 Ten Tors Alice Priory, GCSE Priory, Alice Stephanie Choi, GCSE

104 105 Barcelona Chalke Valley Gabriella Watson History Festival Lisa Rickard After a long flight we arrived at our destination – Barcelona! During our stay we got to experience Gaudi’s most amazing CCF Monday 23rd June saw the start of this summer’s most highly on constant alert for the sound of shells overhead, and trips & ccf buildings, Picasso’s paintings and taste foods that we didn’t anticipated festival – the Chalke Valley History Festival! were showered with dirt on more than one occasion. The even know existed. Our hotel was in a great location, just experience finished with an unexpected attack from the as small walk from Las Ramblas which is the most famous Spend a The 8 Yr 12 historians turned up in suitable festival attire and German front line, resulting in deafening machine gun fire street in Spain, buzzing with caged birds, tarot readers and set off for sunny Salisbury. After navigating road works and over our heads – we were all quite relieved at this point to mime artists. At the foot of Las Ramblas is Port Vell and a large diversions, and a slight detour for Miss Rickard’s group who leave the trench and head for lunch, but very mindful that this shopping centre which we visited on the first day and bought Weekend managed to end up on Chalke Valley Farm itself, all arrived in was a luxury the soldiers of the Great War did not have. delicious flavoured ice creams, such as nutella. time to hear the first talk of the day by television presenter and on the Water historian Dan Snow. Dan gave an entertaining speech about The afternoon was filled with more varied and fascinating Every day during the trip we went to explore many buildings why History is the best subject to study, although he was lectures on subjects ranging from Elizabeth I to Italian designed by Gaudi. On one of our daily outings, we visited Charlie Henderson preaching to the converted. Unification and the importance of the Spitfire. We also the Basilica in La Familia Sagrada. As soon as we came out managed to squeeze in time for the longbow demonstration, of the underground train station the spires and towers of this In March, the Navy CCF section spent three days at The group then split to go and hear whichever speakers and and a chat with a medieval soldier who was happy to show off amazing building caught our eye. We had our own special the Portsmouth Watersports Centre for a weekend of demonstrations they wanted for the morning, hoping to how well he could move in his armour, despite it weighing a tour guide who helpfully explained the history of this beautiful kayaking in Langstone Harbour. cover a range of subjects between them. Some headed off total of 6 stone! building, showing us the wonderful stained glass windows to hear about economic history, others about the Cold War, and ornaments inside. It was sad when we had to leave The first day began cool, with a stiff breeze blowing in whilst the teachers went off to play at sword fighting at the All too soon it was time to head home, but we’ll be back at Gaudi’s Basilica, but we still had the next day to look forward from the south, leaving the cadets who had selected Tudor warfare demonstration tent. Chalke Valley next year! to. However, before we ventured out to sight see the city’s the larger, open top, sea kayaks floundering in the most famous places, each morning we went to a Language wake of those in the more streamlined, closed top Everyone met up just before lunch to go to the WW1 Trench school where Spanish teachers would help us to expand our kayaks. The closed top kayaks were however far experience – and an experience it certainly was! We were “We were on constant alert for the sound of vocabulary for the days ahead. One phrase that I learnt was more unstable, meaning those who momentarily lost all marched through the trench as ‘new recruits’ whilst shells overhead, and were showered with dirt ‘Me gustaría tener un gran helado’ which means ‘I would like a concentration quickly found themselves surrounded actors portrayed the different aspects of trench life, from large ice cream!’ by 9°c water. We spent the first morning playing a the medical station to tunnelling. All the while, we were on more than one occasion.” game similar to netball, and several capsizes later we Also, every lunchtime we were given a couple of hours to returned to the centre for lunch. go out and explore the city by ourselves. One day we went Tudor Warfare demonstration to the market for lunch where they sold sweets, oils, spices, The next day we kayaked from the water sports meats and much more. There were many coloured fruits centre on the Eastern Road round the top of Portsea hung up on string or placed on display, one of which was a Island to Mountbatten Centre, fighting the tide and cactus flower which we never knew existed. It was like a pink the wind all the way there. After a quick game of coconut on the outside but with the texture of a creamy kiwi football (Year 9s-3, Rest of Section-2), we returned inside. “Fue delicioso!” Overall, I have had the most wonderful back to the centre at a considerably greater pace. experience and can’t wait for another opportunity like this. Thanks must go to Mrs Carter and Mr Harris for organising the trip, and to the excellent instructors at the Portsmouth Watersports Centre.

106 107 PGS in Fishbourne

China Palace Daniel Hill “Few would have thought that PGS pupils

Few would have thought that PGS pupils would be We were all set to visit Fishbourne with our allocated groups with our trips & ccf dancing to “Gangnam-style” with a Chinese pensioner would be dancing to “Gangnam-style” group leaders (I had Mr Chalk and Ms Read). This was a Latin trip on in the Temple of Heaven, but this was one of the the 27th of June which happen every year to helps Yr 8 with our Latin original and memorable moments on out recent trip with a Chinese pensioner in the Temple project. firstly I visited the main Museum with artefacts and models of to China in October Half Term. Below are further of Heaven.” what Fishbourne would have had in it and what it would have been like comments and memories recorded by the pupils in to live there. Part of it is still under the main road A259! the daily log reporting on the 8 action-packed and culture- filled days in Beijing and Xi’an. Seeing the wonderful objects, including the statue of either a young Nero or the owner of the palace, Togidubnus, and the well (which After roughly 30 hours of travel, we were whisked off one of the people in my group got a bit stuck in!) provided inspiration by our local guides to have a small feast of Chinese for our project. Then we had a workshop were we studied certain food which was amazing! Everyone tried using objects and then had a look at a recreation of what the kitchens might chopsticks and some were actually successful! have been like in Fishbourne. Abi Wood and I even got the chance to dress up as Emperor and Empress of the Roman Palace. We had Mao said ‘a man is not a man unless he has climbed our pictures taken and we all had a bit of a giggle. We then got taken the Great Wall’. 3,660 (ish) steps later we had reached to watch a video about the Palace and how it was discovered. It was the top of this section of the Great Wall”. This allowed presented by Tony Robinson, who presents most of the Classics everyone in our group to become “men” or “heroes” videos that my class watch in our Latin lessons. at any rate. This elevation of human status gave us the confidence to visit the Mong tombs. This site allowed The group at the Birds’ Nest Stadium It was the palace gardens we would visit next and we completed our us to pass from the earthly world into paradise worksheet. Mr Chalk was very disappointed as he had come the year and the heavenly place of burial of many of the key The next day was our chance to see the terracotta before and a lot of fruit was able to be eaten but the fruit hadn’t fully emperors, perhaps most famously Emperor Zhu Di. warriors. We set off to the replica factory and had a grown the right size for Mr Chalk to eat but I think he did still enjoy it. chance to buy our very own terracotta warrior. Then, We then had a quick rehearsal for our plays we would be performing The evening was spent watching further surreal ability a visit to the hot springs to see the ancient baths and to the whole year group in an hour or two. as Buddhist monks performed the “Legend of Kung pools of the emperors before we saw the life size Fu” quoted to be “the most exciting Kung Fu show in warriors in each of the three excavation pits. Now for arguably the best part of the day - viewing the mosaics the world”; it did not disappoint. and several other artefacts such as the underfloor heating and the Another attempt to visit Mao’s mausoleum was again skeletons. We viewed the most famous mosaic, Cupid on a dolphin. The next day we set off to Tiananmen Square, the met with disappointment- closed again for a reason Mr Lister did argue for it being Neptune, due to Cupid having a trident historic site made famous to westerners by the man only the Communist Government would know; so in his hands and circled by several sea creatures, but after I emailed who stood in front of the tanks in 1989. Unfortunately we had longer to walk the 728 meter walkway and the palace I came to the conclusion that they have found Cupid to be the square had been closed by the Chinese admire the marble boat before taking a dragon boat riding dolphins in Rome itself and this wasn’t the only mistake in the government due to a surprise visit by President Putin. across the lake, past a giant rubber duck back to the mosaic. The morning was therefore spent investigating the shore all the time looking at the ornate buildings built 720 000 square meters complex of 9, 999 ½ rooms, for Empress Cixi. After this it was time to perform our plays and my group were one emperor palaces and courtyards in the Forbidden of the first to perform. We decided to choose Julius Caesar’s death City. That afternoon we visited a silk factory, which taught scene and with the famous phrase recited by Adam Bill and I, ‘Beware us all the story of where silk comes from. We went the Ides of March’ – there was an unexpected bit of audience It was then time to visit the spectacular Temple of on to visit the Birds Nest Stadium in preparation for participation at the end with everyone joining in with my line! Heaven used by the emperors to pray for good the evening’s show of Chinese Acrobats which were harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The amazing. Overall it was a great day and we would like to thank every teacher heavenly blue colour, detailed decoration and tea who took us and organised the trip as it was enjoyed by everyone. ceremony all acted as a way to try and tire us before Our final day in Beijing was again one of contrasts. We Roman tiles at Fishbourne the overnight train journey to Xi’an. spent the morning in a local village, understanding the lifestyle and importance of bio-gas, an extremely Bleary-eyed we arrived in Xi’an, where our local guide smelly fuel which the village relies upon. Lunch was a Alex led us to the huge Wild Goose Pagoda built to home cooked feast prepared in the Hutong streets of hold thousands of Buddhist scriptures brought back Beijing. Our rickshaw ride to and from this local family from India during the Tang Dynasty. We learnt to was a different experience of Beijing traffic which paint key Chinese characters, cycled the city walls in we had slept through on the bus throughout the Xi’an and enjoyed traditional Chinese music during week. The afternoon was then a chance to step into the Tang Dynasty Show before we finally reached the decadence and spend any last Yuen on fake designer hotel exhausted but looking forward to what the next items and silk clothing; our attention here was less on day held. the history of the Chinese people and more on the need to barter down the price the intense vendors proposed.

108 109 German Year 7 Exchange Naeve Molho & Pia Mittendorf (Germany) Geography trip to

“As we woke up early and packed our Goodwoood trips & ccf cases we became a bit anxious yet very excited for our exchange.” Farm Beatrix Stark

have things in common with them too. I also really enjoyed “We were all looking forward to different aspects of the trip the swimming pool and science museum. - for me personally, I was looking forward to see the baby piglets and new born spring lambs!” On the 21st of June – 28th June our German exchange partners came to England. It was a very unique experience As part of Year Seven’s geography project on farming for them as many had not travelled on a plane or out of the we went on a field trip to Gooodwood farm to see how country before. The Germans had a very good time with a working farm reacts to its environment and the critical interesting activities varying from going to London, a day at aspects that make a good working farm. our school and Winchester. On the last day we organised a pool party which was our last chance bonding with our Early on Tuesday morning, while everybody else was still in exchanges for some time. My exchange called Pia gave a few tutor time, Year Seven began to line up in the quad eagerly thoughts on what she thought of her trip to England: awaiting our trip to Goodwood farm. We were all looking forward to different aspects of the trip - for me personally, I What was your favourite activity? was looking forward to see the baby piglets and new born My favourite would have had to be the day trip to London, spring lambs! PGS Pupils with their German pen pals the day at school and seeing how English children live and the pool party. I also enjoyed Brighton (this is where I took my After what felt like a long coach journey we were all pleased On the 6th of April to the 13th of April ten PGS pupils who are was good fun as we got to bond together as a group with the pen pal on our ‘free day’) It was very fun and I learnt about a to see we had arrived at the entrance of the estate. We all studying German travelled to Halver, Germany for a German Germans. On Wednesday we went to Cologne and went to new place! got organised into our groups before heading off around the exchange. The exchange took place in a school called ‘The a chocolate museum in the morning. Afterwards we went to farm. First we were shown round the milking parlour where Anne Frank Gymnasium’ which our school have been in the Romano-Germanic museum. We were then allowed to Is there anything you didn’t enjoy on the trip? twice a day the dairy cows got milked. We carried on down contact with for many years. go around Cologne in small groups and we saw the famous I loved everything although we did a lot of walking through the farm to where the milk was put into bottles and labelled cathedral in the heart of Cologne. It was interesting to England! Also we got a bit confused travelling on the tube but ready for sale, left over milk would be sold on to other As we woke up early and packed our cases we became a bit experience Germanic ways of life in different places around it was very funny! business. We also learnt about the how calves are raised from anxious yet very excited for our exchange. After a quick train Germany. birth according to their future in life, either as a meat cows journey we found ourselves in Gatwick boarding our plane. Do you miss your family in Germany? or dairy cows, with each piece of information given being In no time we landed in Germany and with a swift baggage On Thursday we went to the house of history and I miss my family a bit but I have made a new family here in scribbled down onto our answer sheets. After a fully packed reclaim we made our way to Halver. On the long coach trip Beethoven’s original home. We also had free time and England. At first I had to adapt to how English people do morning we all went and had a well-deserved lunch. we all tried to remember our last German phrases before had a look at the fresh German food in the markets. When things but I have now got used to it! leaving each other and joining our new German families. we returned home sometimes my pen pal and I would go For the second half of our day we went on a long walk round After months of communicating with each other over email to the local shops or meet up with other exchanges. On What is your future with exchanges? the farm and saw the crops of grass ready to be harvested and letters it was great to finally see each other. After having Friday we were nearing the end of the week and were all I would love to see everyone again and do another exchange and made into silage. We saw the new born lambs and baby a snack I went to bed ready for a day at school that was going very reluctant to fly home as we had formed such a bond with you and maybe even more people! I hope we will see piglets (which everybody took a long time photographing!) to be a bit different. with our exchanges as well as really adapting to the German each other soon and maybe we can do a ‘private’ exchange Our day was nearly at an end but before we departed all of us way of life. On Friday we went to Phänomenta which is a between ourselves! got to try some homemade butter and crackers made at the I woke up to German music at 6:30 almost forgetting where I famous science museum was fun and unique. Later we went farm (delicious!). was and after having a snappy breakfast we walked to the bus shopping around Ludenscheid and I ate a traditional German Overall the German exchange was one of the most stop ready for the journey to school. On the way I was glad hot dog. Afterwards, to mark the end of our week we had a interesting, fun, unique and educational trips I have ever to see some of my English friends to find out how their night barbecue together and played football. been on! I am so glad to have gained many friends for was. Arriving at their school was different and it became hard a lifetime. I would thoroughly encourage anyone who to keep track of people as no-one was wearing a uniform. My Over the weekend each partner did different activities does any language to participate in an exchange. What exchange’s classmates were very nice to us all and welcomed including Germanys famous Theme Park and even a Russian people must remember is going on an exchange is about us as did their headmaster and teachers. After having different wedding. Between the girls we had a sleepover and went to communication but not just in language, an exchange allows lessons throughout the day including a stop at the ice- cream a German version of Go Ape which allowed us to really bond you to communicate within friendship and culture! So if your parlour in an art lesson we headed back home. I really liked and have to use team work and trust to conquer our goal. language skills are not too good there is still hope as after a meeting her friends and I am still in contact with many of Before we knew it, our trip was over, however, we knew we week I can assure you that you will return with at least one them. would be seeing one another very soon. foreign phrase. Exchanges open the doors for confidence and friendship and give you such satisfaction to know you The next day we attended school again and then we all went, I think being in a German school was one of the most fun and can communicate in a foreign language without being with our exchanges, to a swimming complex which even had interesting days of the exchange to discover how children helped. a steaming swimming pool outside as well as many slides. It just like us study differently in other parts of the world but also

Making new friends at Goodwood Farm

110 111 Yr 8 History Day at A Land of Fire Killington Hampton Court 2013 David Doyle and Ice Joe Bradley & Daniel Hill James Ross trips & ccf No matter what time of the year it is, or what the conditions for the whole week – and all the pupils After a long flight over the seemingly endless expanse of the On 26th of September, Year 8 went to Hampton Court Palace. As weather is like, there is always a Killington trip improved markedly. Indeed, the beginners set North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland was a sight for sore eyes. From the we walked up to the entrance, we immediately realised how rich to raise the spirits and look forward to – this year went from falls and exhaustion on day one to all air, Iceland looks like an unimpressive chunk of black rock, coated Henry VIII actually was. With gargoyles peering down at you, and was no different. However, when at 5.00 on the of them doing a part or full black by the end of with patchy snow, but I was about to find out the contrary. As decorated chimneys towering over you, it was a spectacular sight. morning of departure one hears from the Head of the week! The staff all managed some skiing also soon as I stepped off the plane, I was shocked by the quietness Once we got inside we were faced with fantastic engineering Rugby, who was staying over with me due to the and it is a real bonus to be able to appreciate first- of the place, encountering almost no one as we made our way to feats, from wine fountains to the great clock that told you facts ridiculously early start: “Doylo, I cannot open the hand the highs and lows of what the pupils have the waiting coach. Our first destination, the Viking museum, really like when the next high tide would be. When we saw the Great front door” and see the handle to your flat twisted gone through on the slopes and being able to offer highlighted the rich Nordic culture of this remote island, originally Hall, we were amazed. It was designed to make you look and stuck, one is not always sure it is going to go encouragement and, on occasion, advice. The inhabited by Viking settlers. Driving through Iceland’s capital, insignificant by the towering ceilings and multiple stag heads well! final day saw a surprise trip to Ben and Jerry’s on Reykjavik, we saw scarcely anyone on the streets, quite shocking staring down at you. Surrounding the hall, Henry showed off his the way home to mark the end of the trip and to considering it is the nation’s capital. Our final destination for that wealth by displaying nine or ten giant tapestries, which apparently The cancellation of the trip in 2012 really made us thank the pupils for their positive participation. day was a trip to the amazing blue lagoon, a geothermally heated would have cost a similar amount to a warship. The chapel in realise how great the 8 days in Vermont are and spring, made a milky blue color due to the silica in the rocks. We which Henry married his 6th wife, Katherine Parr, was amazing when we set off very early in the morning after The evenings were again filled with entertainment spent a pleasant night in a Reykjavik hotel, preparing to set off in - the ceiling was filled with bright colours and pictures, mixed in term finished, we were certainly looking forward (official as well as Gorvin’s poker evenings), the morning to explore more of this mysterious island. with lots and lots of gold leaf. to what lay ahead. A mis-communication meant swimming and flavoursome – and large meals. that we were booked onto DELTA rather than Trips to the mall; bowlaplex, where the staff On the second day we drove a long way, across the awesome When arrived we were split into groups and our first activity was a Virgin but we pressed ahead to Heathrow and maintained their unbeaten record and the cinema volcanic landscape, endless tundra and gargantuan mountains, talk about propaganda and how the Tudors used it. This was run were soon in the air and enjoying the brand new ensured all of us slept well at night. The last two stopping off at the mighty Þingvellir rift valley, the huge gap by a lady dressed up in a Tudor outfit and gave us activities such as fleet and everything that went with it. The greatest evenings saw the PGS quiz and awards ceremony. between the Eurasian and North American plates, and other huge puzzles and investigating certain areas of a photo. Propaganda is advantage was that we arrived in Boston at midday A surprise round in the quiz this year gave the lakes and canyons. As we drove along, our guide (who seemed a way of showing off, often associated with paintings. Henry the local time and the usual 4 hour trip in darkness Captains of each team the opportunity to win to know just about everything about Iceland) kept on pointing 8th would have been portrayed as the biggest thing in the picture became a very pleasant drive through some or lose it for their team. Sadly, Will Smitherman out landmarks and geographical features and explaining how so the whole world knew he was powerful. He would have worn beautiful towns and countryside, noting as ever whose team were a full 18 points ahead lost it for they were formed, and gave us an insight into the Scandinavian expensive clothes to show how rich he was, and his feet would the towns we pass on Interstate 93: Manchester; his team and has not been forgiven since. culture of Iceland. We spent that night in a large log cabin looking never have touched the ground when sitting. This impressed his Reading and Plymouth. out over the grey mass of the north Atlantic, and began the next own country as well as foreign leaders. Our final day is always shopping in Burlington. It day by visiting one of Iceland’s famous geysers, volcanic vents that We arrived, still light, and were welcomed as never ceases to amaze me how much shopping regularly spew out superheated columns of water. Over the next We then went to the palace gardens for some to eat lunch. During enthusiastically as ever by the staff of the Holiday PGS pupils (and staff) can do in virtually no time! few days we visited more amazing landforms that on one could this time we observed the gardens and all of the plants. Some of us Inn and settled everyone into their rooms before Luckily, we had the large coach with us for this have imagined crammed onto this small island, from mountains even saw Henry VIII himself and were obliged to bow down to him. gathering having a swim, having dinner and sorting year’s trip so we did not have to worry about the to mud pools and even the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, out the administration for the morning – all of luggage capacity on the way back. American Eagle; which disrupted so many international flights not long ago. We My group then went to the tennis courts. Not tennis like we know which used to be done at midnight! Abercrombie and Fitch; Gap; Banana Republic; experienced with our own eyes the terrifying impact of global it today but the good old game of Real Tennis. A slightly more Hollister – all saw their profits rise on that Friday. warming on the glaciers, and everyone left longing to return to the complicated version. This was built for Henry VIII to use in his The skiing resort at Killington is one of the biggest land of fire and ice once more. I would like to give thanks to all spare time. He was a good player at this tennis game and used to in the USA and certainly deserves its reputation for The trip ended, as ever on the last evening, the members of staff that made this trip possible, and recommend play it any time he could. being challenging for beginner and expert alike. with the traditional the 12 PGS Days of Xmas in Iceland to everyone with a sense of adventure. We coincided with a convention of ski instructors Killington and secret santa. “5 Skiing Days” rang out As we exited the palace we were all filled with a sense of awe at from all over the USA who gather there each year over the hotel along with “4 gnarly snowboarders”; the amazing architecture and artwork we had seen. Overall it was to hone their skills as well as network and enjoy the “9 hours of shopping” and of course “12 bruised a fantastic day and everyone enjoyed it so thank you to the history atmosphere, facilities and Vermont hospitality. Our bodies”. Then bed and a final sleep before heading teachers for organising a great day out! group of instructors for the week was also made home. We headed on the final morning to Boston up of old friends – and many OPs will have fond and Quincy’s Market for lunch before heading to memories of B-RAD and Big Dave! And then they Logan airport and the journey home. were off. A great trip again, thanks to the experts in their field One of the many advantages of taking the ski trip in in the USA, fantastic pupils and Messers Clayton- the USA is that the instructors delight in our pupils Shepeherd; Leach; Palmer; Stewart and Harris for and just get on with teaching them to excel. The their hard work, care and giving up some of their snow this year was, in the favourite word of the holiday to make this happen. instructors “awesome ” – there was a major storm on our first night, ensuring we had the perfect Here’s to 2014!

Dom Wood, Ali Gray, Will Sparkes, Maddie Yr 8 learn about the kitchens at the palace Fletcher & Hannah Slowen in Iceland

112 113 trips & ccf

Little Yr 8 girls at Little Canada Mary Rose Inside the new Mary Rose museum Canada Daniel Hill Day Daniel Hill Over 90 Year 8 pupils were about to have their time of their Sunday was a slightly earlier morning as it was our last day lives as we were on our way to Little Canada on the Isle of and we were all ready for the activities. My group were doing Year 8 were in for a great treat on Mary Rose Day in March, We then had a science activity with microbiology. It was Wight for a weekend with staff from the Middle School. We abseiling and catwalk which was basically walking on different with many activities going on at school and down at the helpful as we were studying microbes in biology at the time were packed and on the ferry and had left nobody back in obstacles which were up in the air. My favourite out of these brand new Mary Rose museum in the Historic Dockyard. so luckily we all knew a bit about it. We were mainly looking Portsmouth and we were in Little Canada in no time. We had had to be the abseiling as I had done this before and really at the condition of wood and the differences between rotting the site tour and were told we would complete 7 activities as enjoyed it so doing it again, it was great fun. The afternoon We started the day with a talk about the museum and the wood and non-rotting wood. Our last activity of the morning well as 2 evening activities on the Friday and Saturday. We had consisted of Aeroball and climbing for my group. Aeroball Mary Rose itself given by Admiral J Lippiett. He is the chief was a short film on the Mary Rose and how they raised it. dinner and then went into our little huts. was what I had been waiting for the whole weekend and I was executive of the Mary Rose Trust, so it was great for him to ready to go and score a lot of goals. Unfortunately I wasn’t the be giving us a talk as he was so knowledgeable. He told us all We then had the treat of going down to the museum. Being We woke up early ready for a day of kayaking and canoeing best and my pair came last but it was still a great experience. how the ship was raised and where and why it sunk in 1545. quite new we were very lucky this year to see all of the with a bit of capsizing. Then, after a nice lunch, a bit of archery We then were split up into groups to do activities around exhibits and we all got to go in the glass lift to get a better and a little ride down the zip wire. Although short, the zip wire On behalf of all the pupils who came I would like to thank school. view of what remains of the ship. As they only have one side was one of my favourite activities from the whole weekend. every one of the 13 teachers who looked after us during the of the ship and not the whole of it, they have also recreated We had to wear a harness for the zip wire and a helmet each. brilliant weekend were we learnt a lot of life skills. Particularly My class’s first activity was a ‘name the war ship’ activity, a mirror image built with plastic. Each of the three levels or Although these could be a bit uncomfortable, they did the job Mrs Jackson, as she put so much work into this weekend, but where we learnt about how war ships have developed over decks had different information and artefacts belonging to and no one fell off any of the various activities up in the air. This thank you to all the staff who gave up their weekend. time by matching the correct pictures to the correct era. We the people who would have lived and worked there. We then was followed by a little break with a quick game of football. We identified a whole range of ships, from Viking longboats to had a few classroom activities, including identifying some of were in three teams and afterwards everyone was ready for tea Spanish galleons, pirate sloops to WW1 warships. This was the artefacts found in the wreckage. and our evening activity of building a safe container for a water followed by a quiz about the Mary Rose and ship building balloon to drop and stay alive. around the time of the Mary Rose, in the Tudor era. This Overall we all really enjoyed the day and were pleased that we session was run by Miss Rickard and my group won. We had the chance to visit the new museum. Thank you to all of named all of the ships correctly and every question on the the history and science teachers that made this possible. “Aeroball was what I had been waiting for the whole weekend and I was ready to quiz, bar one, was correct. go and score a lot of goals. Unfortunately I wasn’t the best and my pair came last, but it was still a great experience.”

114 115 Dark Energy: Philosophy Trip Year 8 Alex Quarrie-Jones Ski Trip The Holy to Paris Grail of Why is it that every PGS trip must start with a piece of architecture, provided us not only trips & ccf chilly, early morning? Why must every bleary- with beautiful views of Paris but an opportunity Basi Brown eyed pupil endure the inevitable coach to further contemplate existentialist ideas, Physics journey to some airport, train station, etc? this time 896ft in the air. The evening On Saturday 5th April at 0630 I left my home for Alas, these are the sad musings of a weary included a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe where, Italy. Normally I would be a bit tired and slow going Jeremy Thomas student. However, the existential quest which to be honest, we weren’t really sampling to school, but today I was excited for the Middle an intellectual and intrepid group bravely French culture. So to redeem ourselves we School Ski Trip! When I arrived we were all set and we Year 12 Pupils from PGS were given the unique opportunity embarked upon was nothing short of a proceeded cautiously into a stone-walled travelled to Gatwick then Verona – Brescia. We arrived to attend a professional, scientific conference as part of a remarkable and brilliant trip. Parisian basement that was actually a Jazz at the Ski fitting shop and got our gear fitted. After that sixth form open morning at the National Astronomy Meeting Club. Possibly the most fun anyone had we went back to the Hotel Bezzi and unpacked. 2014. This is the Royal Astronomical Society’s premier, annual Starting in the morning at St Pancras Station on the trip was had at the Jazz Club with scientific event and was hosted by the Institute of Cosmology and travelling by Eurostar for a large part of the irresistibly groovy tunes and, shall we say, odd On our first day of skiing after we got ready we went and Gravitation (ICG) at the University of Portsmouth. day, we finally arrived at our accommodation, characters. outside the hotel to the meeting point and then our The sixth form pupils were able to listen to the first plenary the Fiap Jean Monet Hotel, in the early Ski instructors got us and sorted us into groups. I lecture of the day at the Guildhall. The topic was the search evening. Despite, our slightly delayed arrival, The final day we succeeded in the “pilgrimage” was placed into the intermediate group and our Ski for Dark Energy, the Holy Grail of Physics now that the Higgs we still had an itinerary to follow to the letter. aspect of our trip by visiting the graves of the instructor, called Carlos, took us off onto the slopes Boson has been found. The lecture was given by Professor We started by travelling on the Paris Metro foremost Parisian existentialists; Jean-Paul straight away. Sarah Bridle of the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank which combined everyone’s favourite aspects Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Afterwards, Centre for Astrophysics. Professor Bridle explained some of of public transport, from doors that opened still travelling by Metro and navigating by Mr Over the next days we spent our time skiing through the methods being investigated, such as weak gravitational before arrival to random Frenchman loudly Kirby’s unconditional butchering of French the twisting mountains of Italy and eating delicious lensing of early structures in the universe, which distorts the appealing for “un peu d’argent”. We ate dinner station names, we arrived at the Louvre and Italian food such as pasta. There were also evening shape of galaxies and allows the effects of Dark Energy to be at Le Rivoli before venturing out into the inky split up to go see our chosen exhibitions. entertainments such as quizzes, movie watching and detected. Following this lecture to the whole conference, black Parisian evening in search of the famous Post-Louvre, the group visited Notre Dame party games. Over the weeks my group and I quickly Professor Bridle kindly agreed to talk exclusively to the existentialist cafés; Café Flore and Les Deux while obviously commenting on the Disney progressed so that we could now easily ski down group of visiting sixth formers, answering some of their Magots. Unfortunately, the evening being film in which it features strongly. Then we mountains and we got better and better. cosmological questions in more depth, as well as explaining typically Parisian, the French were out in force, briefly adjourned to the hotel before heading her own career path and dual role as both mother of two and leaving us to all perch awkwardly outside one out for our last evening to a restaurant called On the penultimate night we had an evening international expert on Dark Energy. of the cafes while quietly pondering the reason Flam’s. As it turns out, Flam’s is not run by a entertainment session where we had to do the for our existence. person named Flam, rather it is an eponymous entertaining ourselves! We had acts such as The Following this useful session, the pupils were able to visit the culinary dish from the continent. Gruffalo Play, the Tonale Girls, various magicians and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) exhibition The next day we started early and made our also a fabulous fashion show! On the final day we ‘Seeing the Universe in All Its Light’, which showcases some way to the Champs de Mars to firstly attend a Unfortunately, I do not have the time packed up, said farewell to our ski instructors and left of the amazing technological developments behind the river boat cruise along the Seine River then to nor space to describe accurately the the hotel, and soon we were back at PGS where we advances in modern astronomy. The exhibits included a actually travel up the Eiffel Tower. Now, we in phenomenon that is a Flam, it’s just easier to were greeted our parents. I would recommend this one quarter scale replica of the Very Large Telescope at the Britain believe that we are relatively proficient at ask someone who went on the trip or Mrs trip to any skiers and anyone who wants to give skiing European Southern Observatory in Chile. Pupils recognised being resilient when it comes to the weather. Morgan. On that note, on behalf of all the a try! instantly the accommodation hostel for visiting scientists, However, the foolish choice of the group pupils who went, I would like to sincerely which was used to film spectacular action sequences in to begin the river boat cruise in the external thank Mrs Morgan and Mr Kirby for organising, the Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. Other fascinating seating area of the boat was not one that any of executing and allowing such a perfect trip, technological developments included mini robots, which can us could endure; I shall simply name it Kirby’s one that was certainly a unique and special be moved around to place tiny mirror surfaces at the exact Folly. The Eiffel Tower itself, whilst an incredible experience for anyone who went. point where light from a specific object is being collected. There was also a scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope, presently under development, and interesting spin off technologies, such as the use of adaptive optics in medical imaging, where blurring due to moving body parts is similar to the atmospheric shimmering which affects astronomical images.

The PGS pupils gained a real insight into the cutting edge of research in cosmology and astronomy, as well as an opportunity to appreciate, first hand, how scientists collaborate across the world to seek out the answers to the questions human beings can’t help asking!

116 117 Year 9 Geography and Physics History and Politics Energy Day trip to the USA Will Wallace Naeve Molho trips & ccf I’ve been buzzing about visiting the United States for years; I was We ventured on to Union Station, as it was time for lunch and On the 7th of October all of Year 9 spent a day dedicated In the afternoon we were able to see for ourselves how only about eight years old when I picked up Stanley Prince’s An the station is chockablock with places to eat. Us Year 13 boys to Physics, participating in practical experiments and people live in these conditions. We visited one of the tour Introduction to General Knowledge and soon was able to list, found a 1950s diner called Johnny Rockets, where we put quizzes about energy. The following week, we visited the guide’s house which looked like a big tent from the outside in order, each US President. Since then I’ve followed the goings our lives at risk by ordering a “Smoke House Double”, which Sustainability Centre with the Geography department. with a chimney roof for the fire (as she had no central heating) on in American politics and so you can imagine, therefore, that consisted of multiple layers of bacon, beef, cheese, onion We first watched a video about the importance of renewable and no TV! The plastic clear ceiling allowed light to come in I was thrilled to learn that there would be a week-long visit to and hash brown. Fortunately, though use of our legs became energy and saw different views, from solar panel companies to the room during the day as well as a few dimly lit lamps. Washington DC and Philadelphia during my final year at PGS. limited, we survived. to coal companies. After watching the video, groups gave We then came onto the big question of how she washed and However, I was less thrilled when it turned out we would need to a presentation on the advantages and disadvantages of across from her house we saw a big room with showers etc. leave for London Heathrow at 0430, meaning a 0300 wake up... The Holocaust museum was our next stop. All of us had been renewable energy. This was all powered with solar energy although in the winter taught about the devastating events which saw millions of due to the lack of sunlight they were not in use. I thought that When we emerged from security checks, we had enough Jews, Roma gypsies, disabled and gay people condemned to In the afternoon, groups were challenged to make a windmill this was one of the best sections of the trip, as I had never had time to grab some breakfast. When we boarded Delta Air Lines death by Adolf Hitler’s Final Solution. But nothing could prepare and the winning group was the one with the fastest windmill. the chance to actually go into someone’s house which felt Flight 39, many of us either used the 8 hours and 30 minutes to us for the highly personal journey through the numerous floors. Each group then explained how they had finally decided so unique and foreign compared to our own. It was a great make up for lost sleep or watched a string of films on offer. A how to construct their windmill. It was difficult to make the experience. few bravely attempted to do some revision for the upcoming A We moved on to another Smithsonian museum - this time, windmill fast enough, with even a small change making a big Level exams - I must confess that, though I tried to make a start the National Air and Space Museum, which had the models of difference. If you love Physics or Geography these two days are in reading my notes on Lenin’s domestic agenda, I struggled drones, air rafts and even the vessel which Felix Baumgartner guaranteed enjoyment because you learn in a hands-on not to resort to catching Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Frozen jumped from. At the Sustainability Centre, we experienced for ourselves and interactive way. You will see for yourselves how these and Argo. how people live with renewable energy. We visited potential different ways of living are put into practice and the places The Year 12s chose supper: another burger joint, which we Year windmill sites and discussed their advantages. The weather where people can use them. This trip is great, I especially Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia 13 boys were not overly chuffed about! The day proved not conditions helped us to see how appropriate this site was due recommend it to anyone who likes a challenge in the future served as our stop off. There was enough time to grab a quick just to push our belts to their limits, but also served as quite an to high wind speed, although the rain has its disadvantages. to see whether you can live without X Factor or Corrie! bite to eat before we sat down on the 1 1/2 hours Delta Flight emotion- testing one. We then made vehicles powered by solar power and had 1525 to Baltimore-Washington. We were, understandably, races to see how light can energise and power them. shattered when we arrived. A short bus, metro ride and walk Tuesday began with another helping of blueberry muffins, later and we were at the hostel. Our lights turned out just followed by guided tours of Congress, Ford’s Theatre and the over 24 hours since we had left Portsmouth. Mr Lemieux’s International Spy Museum, as well as a visit to the MLK and FDR announcement that we’d be off fairly early the next morning Memorials. At the US Capitol building we were led around by a “I had never had the chance to actually go into someone’s house which felt so unique and foreign was not received well. guide called Douglas, a jolly nice chap - but he did consistently refer to the fact that we British had burnt down his beloved compared to our own.” Our concern about waking up early was completely justified. Congress in 1812. We were shown the rooms that once Breakfast was provided by the hostel and consisted of muffins housed the Supreme Court and House of Representatives, and waffles, which came as a slight culture shock to the more and the Basilic. Once the tour had ended, we gained access traditional, English Breakfast-ers among us. We set off for a walk to the Senate Chamber’s viewing gallery. I recognised John around the National Mall, initially passing the White House and Thune from South Dakota and Tom Harkin from Iowa. Thune Washington Memorial. As we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, accused the Obama administration of pushing legislation that we passed the various war memorials, including those wouldn’t help women, but would gain the President’s party, commemorating the lives lost as a result of the Second World, the Democrats, a few more votes in the November midterms. Vietnam and Korean Wars. Harkin spoke of how there was institutional discrimination against women in the workplace, with the median average We were particularly struck by the design of the Vietnam income in male-dominated and female-dominated careers Memorial, as it had been a controversial conflict in which the being far smaller for the latter. US’s involvement and tactics had been highly criticised. The memorial therefore had to be sombre and full of humility, rather We walked on to Ford’s Theatre, the site where President than glory and victory - the structure was a V-shaped wall that Lincoln had been shot and killed whilst watching a production was embedded into the Earth, symbolising the scar that the 18 of Our American Cousin. The theatre housed a museum in year struggle left on the nation. When we reached the Lincoln which we learnt about Lincoln’s presidency, his leadership Memorial, we were reminded of its history as a place where during the Civil War and the background of the assassin, John Civil Rights marchers and anti-war protesters gathered to add Wilkes Booth, and his co-conspirators. their voices to Abraham Lincoln’s cry for freedom and equality. Our next stop was the International Spy Museum, which After a quick stop at a hot dog stand, we made our way to chronicled the history, development and contemporary the National Museum of American History, one of the many purpose of espionage. Much of this centred on James Bond, Smithsonian museums in DC. The exhibitions ranged from the but there were many interesting real-life gadgets (such as a gun American Wars of Independence (which was a tad awkward for disguised as an umbrella). us as British tourists!) to the development of automobiles. Mr Lemieux found himself in his element when we came across a podium in the Presidential exhibition! Yr 9 Pupils at the Sustainability Centre 118 119 Yr 8 visit the

We returned to the hostel for a chance to rest our legs, Thursday was our last day in DC. Our day started with a visit the various museums that lined the street. This was before heading for the Martin Luther King Memorial. Once to the National Archives, where multiple documents and followed by a quiz - questions focused on the history we marvelled at the MLK statue, we continued to walk around artefacts are kept, revealing the early and recent history of the of the site, which saw industrial growth, presidential Rutherford

the Tidal Basin, beneath the cherry blossoms, to reach the United States. Included were early copies of the Declaration of visits, supplies for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, trips & ccf Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. This was a highly symbolic Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights - all fundamental a civil war, one of the first integrated schools in the Appleton memorial, marked by a waterfall feature designed to represent to the founding of the nation and its commitment to liberty. country and record high flooding due to its situation the difficulties of his presidency which had been affected by We then headed for President George Washington’s house in at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah economic depression and world war. Mount Vernon, Virginia. We saw the key to the Bastille Prison rivers. Laboratories (given as a gift to Washington) and his original presidential chair. By Wednesday, we were starting to adjust to the time zone and We were then given time to explore the grounds further before Gettysburg is a massive site, so we were quite Jeremy Thomas consumption of blueberry muffins at breakfast! We promptly returning to the bus stop. pleased to learn that we’d be driving around for A group of 9 Year 8 pupils were very lucky recently to gain left to return to Capitol Hill - this time to visit the Supreme most of our guided tour. Our guide had an incredible access to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories (RAL), near Court, the place where nine justices determine whether the We were then on our way to Arlington National Cemetery. amount of knowledge and taught us, in depth, about Didcot in Oxfordshire. RAL hosts some of the UK’s major laws passed by Congress and decisions made by state courts The memorials to the Kennedys were particularly moving. the three days that were fought at Gettysburg: an scientific facilities including the Central Laser Facility; ISIS, a and legislatures are compatible with the US Constitution. This Other memorials we saw included those to the victims of the event which, initially, Union and Confederate military pulsed neutron and muon source; RAL Space, STFC’s Space was followed by a visit to Georgetown University, in the historic Lockerbie bombing, USS Maine explosion and Challenger leaders had tried to avoid - it turned out to be the Science and Technology Department and the Diamond centre of DC, kindly arranged for us by Dr Galliver. disaster, as well as The Tomb of the Unknowns. bloodiest battle of that four-year conflict. Scattered Light Source Ltd – the UK national synchrotron radiation around the battlefield were memorials to divisions facility. The pupils were all selected as keen members of It was then time to head for the baseball stadium, which meant As this was our last day in DC, visiting Arlington was a fitting end from each state, and we hopped off the coach to PGS lunchtime Science Clubs, or through recommendation a trip on the Metro. The train was heaving with Washington to a fantastic number of days. But there was still much to see on observe these and other important areas. by their science teachers. During the visit they toured some Nationals fans, heading for the game. The atmosphere at the the trip – we had an early start on Friday, visiting Harpers Ferry of the facilities, such as the ISIS beam source laboratory, stadium was incredible. Supper consisted of the ‘Dollar Dogs’ National Park and Gettysburg before heading to Philadelphia, From Gettysburg, we drove on to Philadelphia. It where negative hydrogen is manufactured using dangerous available at the stadium. Most of us had bought merchandise, Pennsylvania. was immediately clear that Philadelphia is markedly ingredients, such as caesium, and huge voltages of 90,000V. including foam fingers and baseball caps. Just before we left, busier than DC, with heavier traffic and taller Some of the pupils bravely stood on the high voltage testing the Nationals scored a Grand Slam, which sent all of us to our When we arrived at Harper’s Ferry we were greeted by one of buildings making for the city atmosphere that we had platform, fortunately switched off at the time! feet in manic excitement! the park rangers, who sent us on a fact-finding mission through expected of America. I had become accustomed to the blueberry muffins of our DC hostel, so waking to In the ISIS accelerator lab, Dr. Chris Frost, lead scientist on find that our Philly hotel had a pancake machine was the Chipir instrument, was particularly impressed by the Washington - outside the Whitehouse quite a relief! We arrived at Independence Hall, the enthusiasm and knowledge of the PGS pupils. He explained place where the Declaration of Independence and the purpose of his own project, which is to study the impact US Constitution were debated and adopted. of solar flares on microchips in mobile phones and other communication technology. The pupils were also subjected Last stop was the Constitution Centre. We walked to some shocking treatment with a Van der Graaf generator to the centre’s auditorium, where we were given and an infrared camera which could see through plastic bin a talk on ‘How To Run For President’. One task bags, revealing the person inside! involved writing a political platform and presidential speech for a candidate from the fictional Yellow and The pupils also took part in a challenge to build a balloon Orange Parties. For the Yellows were Lydia, Sophie powered go-kart and listened to an inspiring talk about and Harrison; for the Oranges were Phin, Dom Particle Physics and why human beings are so fascinated and myself. Their policies included the separation by pure knowledge that we build huge, international of Church and State, and increased education experiments such as those at CERN in Switzerland. All the spending; ours focused on the redistribution of pupils enjoyed the visit and some might even be thinking wealth and improving relations with Iran, Palestine about a career in a field where you can still get new things and China. Essentially, two progressive parties with named after you, like the Higgs Boson! little choice for the other members of our school’s party that usually side with conservative opinion.

On behalf of all sixteen PGS pupils on the trip, huge thanks are owed to Miss Rickard and Dr Galliver for their insight and important knowledge that helped broaden our experience. Above all, however, we would like to thank Mr Lemieux for organising such a truly memorable and enjoyable seven days in the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Nicholas Ng investigating moclecular modelling at RAL

120 121 Year 7 History Day at the The Ten (or Twelve?)

Tower of London Beatrix Stark Tors Challenge trips & ccf Ten Tors: either a 35, 45 or 55 mile hike through the testing whilst it was drizzling cold rain and looking rather bleak. Next, conditions of Dartmoor, undertaken by 2,400 teenagers every we positioned ourselves to start the challenge, all 2,400 of us year. The name of the event is quite self-explanatory in that on a hillside, waiting for the gun. When it went off, the empty participants have to visit ten manned checkpoints stationed landscape swarmed with thousands, each team taking their beside ‘tors’ (granite outcrops on hills) over a period of two allocated route. days in teams of six. The teams have to carry everything required to survive for this time including tents for camping The first day passed with average weather conditions and overnight. Although run by the Army from Okehampton we managed to reach a good number of checkpoints. We Camp, the RAF and RN also assist to run the event, making it a slept the night on Higher White Tor where the wind was quite large and inclusive occasion. strong but nevertheless, we all rested well. That evening, a rescue helicopter landed at a very close distance to our tents, This year, fifteen pupils from year 10 undertook the training reminding us of the dangers of the moor. process which included three preparation events. The first was a day in the New Forest in which we learnt new The fact that we woke at 4.00 the next morning and had to navigational skills. Then two training expeditions were eat a ration pack meal at that time did nothing to stop our held on Dartmoor itself over three day weekends. Here, we excitement at getting going for the second day. We came learnt further navigation and familiarised ourselves with across an old Portmuthian on one of the checkpoints who the terrain and conditions of the moors. We also learnt gave us lots of encouragement. At long last, the final tor safety procedures such as river-crossing and what to do loomed. At the finish, spectators clapped as we crossed the for countless medical and emergency situations such as line - one of only 265, out of the original 400 teams, that hypothermia and thunder and lightning storms. This also finished. The Year 12s had already received their medals. enabled the teachers to survey how we coped with the We then proceeded to eat the long awaited pasty which conditions, the navigation and of course, the walking. Sadly, had been ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ throughout the 15 were whittled down to 6 after these events and the final weekend. Nevertheless, the disappointment was crushing to team consisted of James Ross, Matthew Emery, Oliver Gent, discover that the pasty was not meat, but instead a vegetarian Albert Wassenberg, Saskia Goacher and Cicely Podmore variation of cheese and onion! along with an additional team of six Year 12s. Year 7 talk to a Beefeater at the Tower Although it was tiring at times, the experience was incredible. For the challenge, we arrived the day before and set up Not only is the scenery beautiful and wild on Dartmoor, making On the 18th of October Year 7 enjoyed an exciting trip out stretched the body so much all your ligaments and muscles camp at Okehampton. We then undertook the stringent it a lovely setting for the event, but you are put in a unique to the Tower of London. The Tower, being built in the 1080s were pulled out of their sockets. We then rounded the day off ‘scrutineering’ process where all of our kit was assessed situation where you are given a lot of responsibility and a large by William the Conqueror, has heaps of history to discover. It with a tour of the castle. to ensure that it was safe to let us out onto the moors. The challenge. Dr Webb, Mr Harris, Mr Smith and Mr Williamson was an especially good place to visit because our topic at the next morning saw a wake-up call to a track of supposedly were only a few of the teachers who passed on their skill and moment is castles and the happenings in 1066. The Tower of London has truly remarkable history with each ‘motivating’ music that blasted out of speakers across the site knowledge to us. The Year 10 team are all proud to claim that, period telling a different story as each king added to it. Many for two hours or so. It was a surreal experience for the silence after a few ‘deliberate’ detours over the weekend, we have As soon as we arrived, we were filling our note books with used the castle for different uses such as an armoury, a prison, of the early morning moor to be broken by Abba and Queen completed the first ever ‘Twelve Tors Challenge.’ interesting facts and gruesome stories about the tower where or simply a place to live. It was once even a zoo! The castle was dangerous people were held before their death. There was once the tallest building in England and was made in the most an air of spookiness and sadness as we gazed over the place robust way possible so no enemy could get in. It had layers of where Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were beheaded for defence - a moat, a draw bridge, an outer wall and an inner being a threat to the throne or simply for not being liked. This wall, a keep and a motte and bailey. They even put doors half was considered a better form of death because it was in private way up buildings so they could not be battered or broken. unlike less important prisoners who were beheaded or hanged in public. On our tour we saw the tower where the two princes were held and mysteriously disappeared, it is thought that they were Next we went into see the crown jewels which held diamonds, murdered by their evil uncle King Richard III. Opposite from rubies, sapphires and other gorgeous gems which made you the Bloody Tower was Traitors’ Gate where you would dread gasp at their incredible size. These beautiful creations will be to be brought in because you would know you were going taken out for years to come to crown the new kings or queens to die and there was no way out. You can almost imagine the of England. In 1649 Oliver Cromwell melted the crowns down screams from the tower - it was not a very forgiving place. because he thought they signified everything that was wrong with Britain, they were later reintroduced by King Charles II and Mrs Clay, our history teacher likes to take us on this trip still remain in the same place to this day. because the tower has come through so many generations that you end up leaning about all parts of history. We had really We carried on to see the armoury and the torture room, which good day and I would definitely recommend going if you have contained truly, disturbing things such as stretchers which a strong stomach.

122 123 Portmuthian 1982 – 1991 Music music

126 Ben Lister Carol Competition

127 Chamber choir recording in Cambridge

128 PGS Musician of the Year 129 House Music Competition Results 130 130 Mozart Remixed 131 Will Wallace Organ Scholar

132 134

124 125 Ben Lister Chamber – Teacher, Classicist… and Composer Choir

At the Christmas Carol service in the cathedral this year, pupils Ben: I was amazed it won. As a non-music specialist it is record CD in music and staff alike were treated to a special rendition of a new always difficult to be noticed. So I didn’t really expect anything Christmas carol sung by the Middle School Choir – special in competition with professionals as well as amateurs Cambridge not only due to the spectacular singing voices of our Middle entering items. School pupils, but because the carol itself was written by Phoebe Carter our very own Ben Lister, Head of Classics. Ben clearly has a Portmuthian: Were you inspired by any other composers talent for composing, as he also won this year’s Times Carol when writing ‘The Noisy Stable’? In January, the Chamber Choir set off to Jesus College, Writing competition with his entry ‘The Nosiy Stable’. The Cambridge for an intensive three days recording an album Portmuthian team caught up with Mr Lister to congratulate Ben: In terms of influences, there are touches of Bartok & of Christmas music. We were very fortunate to be singing him on his achievement, and find ut more about his hidden Britten and a send-up of the Alleluia chorus of the Messiah, in such a beautiful chapel, which was the perfect setting in talent! but it is very much my own style, for better or worse. So I which to be spending hours every day, and certainly made wouldn’t want to say I was influenced by anyone particularly. the whole experience all the more enjoyable. We were Portmuthian: Congratulations on winning the Times Carol staying in the college itself, which gave us the opportunity Writing competition. How exciting! How did you first get Porthmuthian: How did it feel to hear your carol performed? to experience the lifestyle of a Cambridge student, involve in composing, and the competition itself? including dining in the big historic hall and appreciating the Ben: It was extraordinary to hear it performed at the Cadogan immaculately kept grounds. We also visited Cambridge’s Ben: As I ran a junior choir at my previous school, I wrote Hall before a packed house by members of a leading London most famous college, Kings. The gothic architecture was a number of carols for them over the years which were choir. I realized that the piece is actually quite difficult to simply stunning and it was understandable how it took over a performed at the carol service in Ripon Cathedral. A couple perform well. It needs pace but the words have to be crystal century to build. of years after arriving at PGS, and no longer running a choir, clear or the humour is lost. I compiled and tidied up the existing carols and wrote an The music we recorded included all of the commissioned extra one (‘The Noisy Stable’), slightly more sophisticated Portmuthian: Will we be hearing more of your compositions works by the school, some newer versions of traditional to suit the more advanced skills of the PGS choir. However, in future? Christmas carols, and of course, some well known carols. the music department of the time were not looking for new Over the three days our singing as a choir improved material and were not interested in my collection. So they Winning the competition has certainly boosted my belief that noticeably, despite drawbacks mid-recording from lay gathering dust for a number of years. When the first Carol I have something to offer. I already have some musicals for particularly noisy birds, roof repairs and a dodgy organ stop, Writing competition was announced in the Times, I wrote a children on sale online and am currently writing the music for which certainly tested our patience on occasions! We are all new carol (serious and contemplative) which was rejected. a full-length musical based on Measure for Measure which eagerly anticipating the release of the CD in September, and I When the second competition was advertised, the day before was adapted by my Aunt (a professional dramatist) some am sure that it will be worth the wait. the deadline for entries, on the off-chance, I emailed in The years ago. What will come of it, who knows? Noisy Stable, as being ‘something completely different’. Hodie! is available from the Development Office from now. This Portmuthian team are certainly looking forward to Portmuthian: Were you surprised to win? performances of ‘The Noisy Stable’ by our school choirs in upcoming services, and will look out for more of Mr Lister’s work in future! “Over the three days our singing as a choir improved noticeably, despite drawbacks mid- recording from particularly noisy birds, roof repairs and a dodgy organ stop.”

Mr Gladstone conducting the choir in Cambridge

126 127 Young Musician House of the Year Music Competition Sam Gladstone music This year, the music department held its first ‘PGS Young Musician of the Year’ competition, a re-fashioning of the old House Music competition. Pupils performed at school in initial heats within their year group, before the finalists put on a spectacular finals performance in the cathedral. The standard on the Friday night was nothing short of astounding – certainly amongst the best solo playing I have heard at PGS. The adjudicator (Head of Performing Arts at Whitgift School) was effusive in his praise of the pupils, of whom we should be incredibly proud. Despite the close competition, Finn Carter was awarded the overall PGS Young Musician of the Year title.

As well as Finn, particularly to be congratulated are the House Music Captains (Phoebe Carter, Clare Bartholomew, Sophie Rose and Ali Gray) who worked tirelessly to motivate, cajole and inspire the performers. Grant House were very worthy overall winners. Thank you to all those who came to support the pupils, at what we hope will continue be a highly- anticipated event in the music calendar.

Kirsten Goves, Y9 Whitcombe Pete Rapp, Yr 12, Latter

Finn Carter, Yr 10, Whitcombe 128 129 Mozart Will Remixed Wallace Cameron Hall, audience member Thankfully, everything came together perfectly in the final

sound check and rehearsal. The evening went smoothly Organ music Performed on Monday 23rd of June, as part of the despite a few minor setbacks in previous rehearsals which Portsmouth Festivities, ‘Mozart Remixed’ was an incredible were to be expected due to the involvement of modern fusion of beautiful classical music and 21st century technology (slightly ironic that I’m currently writing on an Scholar dubstep. Filing into the historic and atmospheric setting iPad) and we received a positive reaction from the audience. that is Portsmouth Cathedral, the entire audience waited For the first time, the organ in anticipation, some sceptical yet excited to see what was I feel extremely privileged to have been part of the dubstep scholarship at Portsmouth Cathedral to come. The orchestra settled into place and so the first Mozart journey; it has been an unforgettable experience was not awarded to someone on piece began. It was wonderful to first hear the piece as it which has widened my musical taste to accommodate their gap year, but instead to a current should be played, no dubstep, just pure Mozart. This allowed “Dubzart”. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in pupil at the school. This honour the audience to hear the original so that they could fully the project, including Chris Bartholomew, Paul Archibald and was given to me, in conjunction appreciate the changes made by the dubstep heard later on. Mr Gladstone, and all the instrumental teachers and orchestra with my last year at PGS, and the The seamless transition between the original and remixed members involved for the dedication of their spare time to experiences that came with it have pieces was very well executed and the performance was this project. been invaluable. Most teachers and outstanding. Overall, it was a cleverly put together, enjoyable pupils may have heard me playing at programme that I’m sure everyone thoroughly enjoyed. John Pounds and DRT assemblies, Marley Andrews, composition team often slipping some cheeky tunes into my improvisations before and after Brandon Choi, orchestra member The whole experience was fantastic. After hours of the services. However in addition to experimenting with perhaps a single chord from one of the this, I have also held responsibilities at When the project was initially suggested a few eyebrows given Mozart symphonies, hearing our work be performed the Cathedral, often accompanying were raised, including my own. As classically trained in the concert was a strange but simultaneously incredible Cantate and the Cathedral Choir, on musicians, working with computer generated music was feeling and has definitely increased my confidence in my Thursday and Friday evenings. always going to be an interesting yet exciting challenge. ideas when it comes to composition. It was interesting to approach music writing from a more technological angle, Next year, I will be taking my The process began with the orchestra learning the original and learn how to construct dubstep from a very basic experiences from Portsmouth to parts through individual practice and numerous rehearsals theme or motif into an entire track through layering, drum become Organ Scholar at Canterbury on Tuesdays after school and Sunday afternoons - we would beats, distortion etc. My favourite part of the entire process Cathedral, where I’ll also be involved not have survived the three hour Sunday rehearsals without was definitely arranging ‘Eastern Jam’ by Chase and Status, with the Music Department at The the ice creams bought by Mr Gladstone!. Even though the for orchestra. Having always loved the song, having the King’s School. I’ll be applying, in majority of the orchestra were off on study leave due to opportunity to do this was incredible, and after hearing it September, to read Music at one public exams, meaning we had little time to practise as an performed so flawlessly by the orchestra, I couldn’t stop of the choral foundation colleges entire orchestra, the challenge was positively accepted and smiling for hours! Thank you so much to Chris for inviting in Oxford University. My future with hard work and determination we conquered two of us to be a part of his incredible project, an experience that I’ll (whatever that might entail) has been Mozart’s symphonies and their remixes. never forget. majorly enhanced by the year that I have had at Portsmouth Cathedral, and for that I shall always be grateful.

130 131 Various Artworks by AS pupils Pupil Responsibilities Clubs and Societies clubs

134 Amnesty International 135 Chess Club 135 Computing Club 135 German Club 136 JUNMUN 140 136 PGS Pride

Acrylic painting by Megan Wynne Acrylic painting Marchant by Charlotte an installation Detail from 139 Portsmouth Point 142 Raspberry Pi 142 147 142 Textiles 143 Wildlife Club Embroidered acrylic painting by Molly Cranston acrylic painting Embroidered by Richenda Gordon-Pullar media painting Mixed

132 133 Photography Amnest-Ice cream Chess Club and Amnes- Club Miranda Worley Chess club continued its success this year. Weekly chess

matches and tournaments in school are growing in clubs tea! popularity, so much so that we had to use an extra room for Agnes Price matches at lunchtimes for part of the year. In the autumn term we hosted Meon Cross School resulting in a narrow loss overall for the PGS teams; pride was regained in the “In the spirit of more confectionary, PGS spring with a substantial win in the return fixture. The club is Amnesty have also held two ice-cream sales expanding in 2014-15, with two club days and more matches planned against Portsmouth High, Bedales, St. Johns and (with the new Amnest-ice cream slogan now Meon Cross Schools. Come along and join the fun - all levels of ability welcome. The club runs on Thursday lunchtimes in added to our infamous Amnes-tea!).” PGS Chess Club host MeonCross SF5 for all years, or Mondays after school in SF5 for Years 7-9.

The PGS Amnesty team can proudly say it has been a productive year, looking back. A handful of students with the help of Mrs Casillas-Cross and Mrs Stephenson have covered Computing a large number of international issues in our campaigns to raise money and awarenesss, including violence in Brazil, Club Lewis Chalk women in Afghanistan, miscarriage of justice in Japan and gay rights. Pupils this year have had the chance to explore, create, share, code, develop, Our cake sale to support the removal of the anti- program and test their ideas with each other! homosexuality law in Uganda proved to be very popular This club is always a lot of fun at lunch time, as more petitions against the law were signed than cakes with spirits high on a Friday each week! Mr sold. As well as sending off a few hundred petitions we also Chalk really enjoys working with the team of increased the awareness of the LGBT community. In the spirit enthusiasts and a high point each year is when of more confectionary, PGS Amnesty have also held two ice- they take up the challenge to participate in the Contemplation - Elizabeth Howe cream sales (with the new Amnest-ice cream slogan now Fareham Byte Event. At this event, there are added to our infamous Amnes-tea!) to raise money to send arcade gaming and design workshops which off to Amnesty International. During sports day pupils had the always ignite great interest amongst the pupils opportunity to take a shot at Mr Page in our penalty shoot- and even allow them to trial a range of stage out as well as signing a petition against violence and rioting in make-up so they can be transformed into Brazil due to the start of the World Cup. Much to the delight computing gaming style zombies! Another of teachers and students alike, we have plastered the walls of the activities on offer was a demonstration of PGS with a variety of awareness campaigns which will, no of how a 3D printer works. Pupils thoroughly doubt, continue next year. enjoyed the opportunity to see this modern technology working and they are now PGS Amnesty have achieved a lot in the last year and we all planning their own future innovations! look forward to what the coming year brings. The team German Club Christopher Ives The Middle School German Club has been a real success this year. Every Thursday, a loyal band of Y7 pupils have come along keen to put their newly-acquired German to good use! We’ve played countless games, made German biscuits and watched German films amongst many other things. The main aim of the German Club is certainly to have fun with the language, but we are also keen for pupils to learn more about the culture of this fascinating and diverse country. The German club will continue next year and is open to all Y7 and Y8 pupils, whether you study the language or not! Wir freuen uns! Contemplation - Elizabeth Howe Enjoying German biscuits at German Club

134 135 Junior Model PGS Photography United Nation Pride Club Jo Morgan

(JUNMUN) clubs PGS Pride kicked off to a fantastic start this year. From the first Lisa Rickard meeting it was standing room only and supported by pupils from Years 9-13. The catering department gave fantastic Junior MUN has been amazingly well attended this year with support by providing rainbow cake and cookies and even a an influx of budding, enthusiastic Year 7s joining our already same love wedding cake when we met to celebrate same-sex dedicated Year 8 members, making M6 somewhat crowed marriage. on a Thursday lunchtime! I am very grateful to the Year 8s, particularly Douglas James, for taking the lead in presenting Most weeks begin with a pupil presentation followed by resolutions and chairing debated with confidence (and for questions, debate and discussion. Presentations so far have ensuring that the heavy box of flags always appears at the top included an exploration of the different ways in which LGBT of Cambridge House on time), however, it wasn’t long before people are treated in different countries, the link between the Year 7s were champing at the bit to present and to chair gender and sexuality / sexism and homophobia and a as well. celebration of the first same-sex weddings in the UK. We also had Phil Howe visit as an expert on gender and sexuality. A whole range of topics have been debated during the year, from animal rights and prevention of terrorism to the more PGS pride is not a ‘gay club’. It is a club for anyone who is amusing seasonal debates such as when Merlin Cross tried to against hatred and discrimination. It is a support network and ban Christmas. It was great to see lots of JUNMUN members an academic society but most importantly, it is a statement attending the annual conference this year too, with many of that PGS is proud of every one of its pupils and they should be them winning awards for their participation. proud of themselves. Look out for adverts of our upcoming events! Thank you to all my dedicated JUMUNers for an entertaining year – good luck to the Year 8s who will move up to the Senior MUN from September, but please do pop back for a guest resolution at anytime! I look forward to seeing all the Year 7s back and taking on the leadership of the club next Bell - Kirsty Hodgkins Pond - Shree Patel year as they move into Year 8. The future is bright for PGS MUN!

Melissa Smith with the Rainbow Cake Spiral by Caitlin Betteridge Reflection by Kirsty Hodgkins

136 137 Photography Portsmouth Club Point James Burkinshaw

clubs “Each issue of the magazine revealed, once again, the eclectic interests of our pupils, as well as the breadth and depth of their engagement with the world beyond PGS.”

Portsmouth Point, in both magazine and blog form, offers Once again, I would like to pay particular tribute to those PGS pupils, OPs, staff and parents an opportunity for sharing in Year 13 who are leaving this summer – many of whom their intellectual and cultural interests with the rest of the PGS formed part of the pioneering editorial team when the blog community. was launched in spring 2012, even though the limitations of space mean I can barely begin to acknowledge the extent of At Christmas, we published the ‘Belief’ issue of the magazine, their individual contribution. with 35 articles exploring the deepest questions about the world within, around and beyond, including an investigation Whatever subject Rob Bendell wrote about – from an of the problematic relationship between religion and science, atheist’s appreciation of Pope Francis to an investigation of a revelation of the role played by belief in art and music consideration of homelessness – he covered with originality throughout the centuries, a celebration of the paradoxical and style; power of fictive truth, an argument that faith lies at the heart of medicine, an examination of the enduring appeal of cults Tim Bustin not only offered wonderfully enthusiastic and and conspiracy theories, a consideration of the role of self- rigorous assessments of music (from The Who to the Manic belief in sport and an exploration of what we mean by the Street Preachers) and Formula One but searching analysis of word “truth” anyway. scientific topics such as gene patenting;

At the end of the Summer Term, the ‘Lost and Found’ issue Neil Chhabda was equally assured and incisive whether was launched, with 32 articles focused on the discovery and discussing the minutiae of football or economics; Coral by Matthew Crichton Flower by Monideep Ghosh loss that lie at the heart of human experience. Contributors marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First Callum Cross communicated his twin passions for cycling World War by examining its complex legacy and asking and music (including unjustly overlooked musical genres whether the sacrifice could be justified, as well as explaining such as Viking Metal) very infectiously; the War’s influence on the birth of Modernism and exploring the role of storytelling in remembrance and survival. Other Henry Cunnison offered cogent and critical assessments writers celebrated (seventy years on) the heroism of those of governmental economic policy, and presented an who took part in D Day while one pupil shared a fascinating equally razor-sharp assessment of sporting events from the account of his great-uncle’s experiences fighting for the Superbowl to football transfers; German Army on the Eastern Front. Articles included a consideration of the pros and cons of Scottish independence, Harry Dry brought wit and wisdom to his series ‘What Won’t analysis of the EU’s economic challenges, consideration Happen In The Remainder of the Season’ and contributed of the fate of the “Disappeared” in Argentina (in Spanish), thought-provoking pieces on economics and athletics; a questioning of the way in which we treat our dead, a celebration of the joy of LEGO and a farewell to tiki-taka. The journalistic team of Hattie Gould and Annie Materna wrote with verve and insight on a vertiginous range of Each issue of the magazine revealed, once again, the eclectic subjects, from stress relief and online shopping to the interests of our pupils, as well as the breadth and depth increasing prevalence of acid attacks, not to mention a of their engagement with the world beyond PGS, further superb review of the PGS musical ‘Mack and Mabel’; demonstrated, on a daily basis, on the Portsmouth Point blog. It has been wonderful to welcome more pupils, from Grace Gawn wrote with subtlety and sensitivity on abortion Years 7 to 13, to the editorial team this year. I also remain and the mystery surrounding Flight MH370, as well as very grateful to members of staff who have generously given communicating her enthusiasm for music and sharing a up their valuable time to contribute articles on topics from mouth-watering recipe for chocolate cake; Dark Energy to Michael Gove, Doctor Who to Lou Reed. My particular thanks to Ms Burden, Mr Richardson, Mr Thomas, Tom Harper was a prolific and authoritative contributor, Mr Stone, Mr Page, Mr Sadden, Ms Godfree, Dr Richmond, writing on Pokemon, Spanish cultural curiosities, memes, Mr Lemieux, Dr Galliver, Mr Chalk and Mr McGuiggan – as the Great War, superheroes, common misconceptions and well as to our talented magazine designer Clara Feltham. As Robert Browning’s poetry with consistent assurance; ever, praise is due to our editorial team of pupils, who have contributed blog articles on a mind-boggling range of topics Fergus Houghton-Connell was equally at home in English or Volcano by Monideep Ghosh Perspective by Katie Leader almost every day of each term (and even during the holidays). German, discussing culture, economics, cycling, music, war

138 139 Photography and football (particularly his essential ‘Teams of the Week’ Melissa Smith wrote some of the most distinctive, whimsical Club series) with conviction; and widely-read blog articles, including her explanation of why Doctor Who series 7 was so disappointing, a definitive

Thomas Penlington covered the Premier League and Formula guide to the best places to have breakfast in Southsea and an clubs One in impressive depth and detail; impassioned ‘Defence of the Nerd’;

Alex Quarrie-Jones shared his wide-ranging interests, William Wallace’s contributions included some of the most including wonderful film reviews (‘Lincoln’ to ‘Looper’), a original and subtle analysis of British and American politics critical comparison of British and American television, a that I have ever read, including admirably frank accounts of forthright critique of the Iraq War, and an explanation of why his own political and religious journeys during his time at PGS; dogs make the best pets; Gregory Walton-Green was entertaining and magisterial in Taylor Richardson demonstrated his impressive versatility, equal measure whether introducing his parodic masterpiece whether translating the poetry of Victor Hugo, investigating ‘Bram Stoker’s Fifty Shades of Dorian Gray’, paying tribute to the appeal of reality TV or asking why it has all gone wrong for Amy Winehouse and Amalia Rodrigues or offering invaluable Miley Cyrus; advice to Oxbridge candidates.

Zoe Rundle brought the same depth, detail and dexterity to I would also like to thank Ben Slader, our Photography every article, from a celebration of 150 years of the Tube to Editor, who has been tireless in his support of photography an assessment of the power of social media, while her articles at PGS, sharing the best of the work from the Photography predicting the winners of the French Open, BBC Sports Club each week, allowing Portsmouth Point to share his Personality of the Year and the Premiership were required own photography and that of other pupils each week; his reading; inventive image on the front of the ‘Belief’ issue remains one of our strongest covers to date. Finally, I want to pay special Ben Schofield shared his own subtle and inventive poetry, tribute to our Blog Editor, Daniel Rollins, who designed (and while offering erudite assessments of Modernism and the re-designed) the blog and promoted it from its inception, Beat movement and a wonderfully satirical account of an with a combination of creative and entrepreneurial flair. In outing to Ascot; addition, he was a regular contributor, writing on his religious faith, “hacktivism”, issues such as abortion and gay marriage, Sampad Sengupta presented exhilarating and impassioned and his twin passions for chemistry and photography. It Alone - Ella Howard Arabesque Shine - Ella Howard accounts of major cricket fixtures, from the England-India is no exaggeration to say that, without Daniel’s technical Test series to the Ashes, and illuminating insights into the knowledge, imagination, enthusiasm, determination and worlds of Physics and Medicine – from the miracle of energy, Portsmouth Point blog would not exist. 1,100 ultrasound to “why is there something rather than nothing?”; blog articles and a quarter of a million page views later, Portsmouth Point remains very much in his debt.

‘Abandoned Tyre’ by Oliver Stone - cover image from ‘Lost and Found’ The Edge of Glory - Ray Leach Shadows - Adam Boxall

140 141 Photography Raspberry Club Pi

Club Jeremy Thomas clubs

Increasing interest in computing and robotics has led to the formation of a PGS Raspberry Pi Club this year. The Raspberry Pi is a basic PC, costing less than £25, developed by the University of Cambridge to encourage interest in computer science. The Wildlife Club Physics Department has funded the purchase of six Raspberry Pi (Pis, Pies or Pi?... the scientific world out and about – has yet to decide on the correct plural spelling, and so for now this editor is going with the latter!) for a trial loan scheme to PGS pupils. The club has been meeting regularly, at lunchtimes, to begin some Star Copse basic programming of the Pi and to hear from pupils who are already experienced in using them. Jacqueline Tyldesley

Mr. Jeremy Thomas, Head of Physics, has also been On 15th March the Wildlife Club travelled up to Star Copse, investigating the possibilities for developing the use which is near Compton, for a day of bird ringing. In preparation of Raspberry Pi through visiting other schools in for this, the owner (who is an OP), had been feeding the birds in the Trinity Group network of independent schools, one part of the wood for several weeks. Early on that morning, where computer science is already replacing ICT several long mist nets were hung in the feeding area to catch as an academic subject. This is an exciting time unsuspecting birds without causing them any harm. Our expert, for the development of practical computing skills Graham Roberts (another OP) and year 11 pupil Matthew and the Physics, Maths and ICT Departments will Roberts then removed the birds from the net and bagged them be providing a co-ordinated programme of co- up for ringing. Eye - Katie Leader. Kaleidoscope - Mia Austin curricular opportunities for PGS pupils in the year ahead. The ringing procedure involves measuring the mass and wing size of each bird and then attaching a ring around the leg of each bird. Records are kept, so that birds that are caught again can be traced and their progress tracked. The pupils were taught how to hold the birds without injury to the bird or themselves and many fabulous photos were taken. We caught Textiles a range of species, including blue tits, great tits, coal tits, lesser Club spotted woodpeckers and nuthatch. Laura Garratt Wildlife club members said “It was a really amazing experience, seeing a massive variety of wildlife”. Thank you to all who helped organise this fantastic experience. As part of the Year 9 Monday activities programme, Chaffinch by Jack Silver Textiles was a lesser known option. However after taking part in the club it was an enjoyable experience and highly recommended to those who have any interest in sewing, designing and creating. In just ten weeks we created bunting and skirts and previously members in the club have designed and made pencil cases and other items. These were all achieved in a short space of time with only an hour to work on the projects each week, and were high in quality. It is a very relaxing and enjoyable way to spend your time after a hectic day at school and we also learned a lot about sewing machines and skills and techniques such as darting and tacking. Mrs Whitaker is encouraging and enthusiastic, resulting in thorough and also efficient teaching with interested pupils. Overall we recommend this club to all in order to try something new; if you Fountain by Adam Watts Surfaces by Adam Boxall are interested in taking part in future, contact Mrs Whitaker.

142 143 Portmuthian 1992 – 2002 Charity charity

146 Help for Heroes

147 Cross Solent Swim

147 Jeans for Genes Day

148 PGS Run for Cambodia

149 Cambodia Evening 148

150 PGS Come Dancing

Christmas Toy and Coat 153 Appeal

Sponge the Teacher 154 150 154 155 Terrible Tie Day 155 The Admin Cake Sales

144 145 Help for Heroes Jeans for Concert Genes Charlie Albuery

Day charity The Help for Heroes concert certainly seems Zoe Rundle to have consolidated its position as a mainstay of the cadre of annual PGS musical events. The tradition begun in 2011 as then-pupil Annabel “It is estimated that one in 25 Roberts enlisted an elite band of musical-theatre children are affected by a genetic performers to showcase some of PGS’s best Tom Kershaw, Dom Northey, Ben Tucker, Guy Snowball, musical talent as well as raise money for the very Jack Evans, Jack Breen, Mr Baker & Alec Walker disorder.” worthy cause that Help for Heroes Represents. Two years later the concert has changed considerably, the show-tunes specific focus has been lifted somewhat to allow for contributions Sporty Sixth Formers Each year, PGS participates in the ‘Jeans for ranging from the genteel and dulcet tones of Genes’ day which involves both pupils and staff modern romantic pop-songs through to the wearing their jeans into school. The objective bizarre musical styling of Mr Priory playing his don wetsuits of this is to raise money to help provide funds guitar and singing… about dinosaurs. for genetic research so that such disorders can be looked into significantly. Each PGS pupil and The two hosts of the evening, Cameron Roberts for charity teacher donated a minimum of £2 at the start of and myself, tried to contrast our monochrome Ben Tucker the day which enabled them to wear their jeans tuxedos with colourful and lively ‘banter’ to flesh and it was great to see virtually the whole school out the concert between acts. We managed Mr Baker led and trained a team of seven Sixth Formers over the course get involved. to cover an eclectic range of topics form the of a year to get them ready to swim 3.6 miles across the Solent in aid of Village People to popular teen book series Help for Heroes, a charity that supports war veterans and their families. It is estimated that one in 25 children are Twilight, from impressions of dinosaurs to Magic The boys, more used to the rugby pitch than the strong tides and cold affected by a genetic disorder meaning that Mike, and although responses were mixed we water of the Solent, started training in September 2012 on Tuesday 30,000 babies and children are newly diagnosed maintain we kept proceedings lively at all times. and Friday mornings before school at the Mountbatten Centre, later in the UK each year. Some genetic disorders are extended to include training on Sunday evenings as well, until they were apparent at birth while others are diagnosed However, the main credit for what proved to all able to swim 5km- 100 lengths of a 50m pool! at different stages throughout childhood, and be an amazing night for all were the acts, the sometimes into adulthood. The ‘PGS Jeans for aforementioned Headmaster and the teachers’ When the boys had all reached this target, Mr. Baker decided they Genes Day’ was held in support of this important choir were particular highlights, however the needed to toughen up, and so took them to Hilsea Lido, shut to the national cause. bulk of the performances came from pupils. public for years because it was full of cold water, mud and bricks, but Year 13 Guy Snowball traded in his usual rugby at 67m long and 5 m deep it was the perfect place to practice their The money raised by PGS will certainly go ball and studs for a colourful shirt and piano technique, build distance and get used to the cold. a long way and every penny given helps to sing the pop standard ‘Total Eclipse of the transform the lives of all affected by genetic Heart’, while the far younger Laura Verrecchia They began their sea training by swimming along Southsea beach, disorders. Donations will fund for the care locked onto a frightening intensity to perform 1.6 miles from pier to pier. This continued over the course of summer and support of children, in particular, as well a number from ‘Songs for the New World’. Ben 2013 in some really rough seas, while they swam past beach life guards as their families who are in need. Just £10 will Schofield performed a sneak-peek of Mack who needed a great deal of convincing to believe that the boys weren’t pay for 60 minutes of specialist telephone and Mabel much to the audience’s delight drowning! advice for parents caring for a child with severe and the evening was topped off by a reunion neurological genetic conditions while £100 of the middle school musical from years past On the day of the event itself, the boys had to get registered and will help fund an educational booklet, helping as the hosts enlisted a few friends to perform prepared before 07:00 at the Life Boat station, Stokes Bay, Gosport, and teachers to maximise opportunities available to the classic number from Bugsy Malone ‘Bad were then transported to Ryde by boat. They linked up with individually children with inherited learning disabilities. PGS Guys’ accompanied by some, at times dubious, assigned canoeists on the beach by Ryde marina, and following their raised well over £1000 on the day and this will dancing. canoeists for direction, they headed towards the shipping lanes. help fund a film for teenagers with a life limiting condition, helping them to come to terms All in all a great evening was had by all involved It was something of a slog, but there was the occasional excitement of with and encouraging them to begin to take and over £700 was raised for a truly worthwhile maneuvering to avoid the hovercraft, ferries, massive tanker ships and responsibility for their condition. cause. even a porbeagle shark! Crossing the busiest shipping lane in the world is not without risk! Even senior members of staff got involved by “The Help for Heroes concert coming into school in their jeans and the day One of the boys was a bit unfortunate, with his canoeist leading him gave pupils an education into the cause and certainly seems to have consolidated slightly astray, against the tide, which made the journey even more how lucky we all are. Ultimately a significant exhausting. Despite this setback, the whole team completed the swim, amount of money was raised and it will certainly its position as a mainstay of the and altogether they raised over £1780 in aid of “Help for Heroes”. Thanks go a long way in supporting the cause. cadre of annual PGS musical events.” to all involved and congratulations on an amazing achievement: Jack Breen, Jack Evans, Alec Walker, Tom Kershaw, Dom Northey, Guy Cameron Roberts & Charlie Albuery perform Snowball, Ben Tucker, and of course Mr. Baker.

146 147 Cambodia

Evening Rhiannon Lasrado

June 18th saw the Cambodia Committee’s first entertainment Tor Murphy, having spent part of her gap year in Cambodia, charity evening. It was something that we had collectively discussed working closely with UWS, was able to offer us a valuable time and time again, wanting to show the school community insight into the standard of living out there. She recounted her how their generous donations, from events such as the Great visit in an admirably candid manner, covering everything from South Run, had been used at our partner school in Chai initial culture shocks to the progress made during that time. Thom, Cambodia. We enlisted the help of some of our finest She served to highlight all the contrasts between the two performers, as well as Tor Murphy, OP, and Tim Howarth, schools, as well as remind pupils of potential opportunities to CEO of United World Schools in order to inform how much visit there in the future. As far as UWS itself goes, Tim Howarth we’ve really helped a school 6000 miles away. took the audience through the timeline of its development – from when they only had one school in Cambodia to now, The evening began with an original song from Pete Rapp when they’re on the verge of constructing their eighteenth and Ollie Edwards, to an intimate crowd in our very own school. DRT. This was followed by various performances and collaborations – from Shivani Patel and Graihagh Guille Thank you to everyone who participated on the night and to singing to Marley Andrews playing the piano. Marley went on all who have donated to this worthy cause. to collaborate with Pete and Jemima Carter in a duet with piano accompaniment. We were even privileged to watch Megan Grady on guitar and Phoebe Pexton on flute as well as the PGS Come Dancing winners, Rob Weekes and Katie Twist, perform their tango.

“Tor recounted her visit in an admirably candid manner, covering everything from initial culture Mr Priory doesn’t know what he’s let himself in for... shocks to the progress made during that time.” PGS Run for Ollie Edwards and Pete Rapp perform Cambodia Lisa Rickard

Back last year, in the absence of PGS Come Dancing (a bi- School in Cambodia. Entrants trained in a variety of ways, annual event at the school), staff thought they were safe at and with varied intensity, but nevertheless come the day of Wednesday briefings, and would not be coming under any the race it was amazing to see so many members of the PGS pressure to sign up for a gruelling charity event – until, that community out in force and completing the race for charity. is, along came Mr Dossett with his plan to get as many PGS Even more impressively, it was fantastic to see the comments people as possible into the Great South Run! made by pupils on the Portsmouth Point blog who have been inspired by the PGS team spirit, and are looking for ways to In the end though, Mr Dossett’s charm worked, and PGS was get involved in future events to support Cambodia, proving overwhelmed with the number of staff, pupils and parents that the PGS runners of 2013 were truly inspirational. A huge who volunteered to run this event in aid of Chai Thom well done to everyone involved!

The PGS Great South Run Team 148 149 PGS Come

Dancing charity

PGS has always been fantastic fun. I am a firm believer that to come to the first rehearsal only and then decide. I know pupils benefit when they see staff trying something new and I have then won as the moment they all come together out of their comfort zone and the nature of PGS CD is that and begin those first moves of the cha cha, they always fall we all learn together, so end up helping each other – it really in love with dancing, no matter what their background, and works its magic on those who take part. However, I had to the competition takes over. This, and the fact the said pupil resist, in the aftermath of the very successful 2012 PGS CD, changed his partner twice from the one I had given him the huge calls to make it an annual event. My reasoning before the second rehearsal, meant I knew I had made the was that firstly, it was a lot of work to undertake and, more right choices! importantly, I genuinely believed it would lose momentum if it became an annual event and not enough pupils would take By week three or four, I noticed a difference. The presence part to make it viable – and this is an event which needs to of the apprentices (dare I say a younger influence?) brought have a good number taking part to make it successful and in a slightly more modern twist and I began to see more lifts worthwhile. and daring moves in the choreography that I had previously seen, or thought sensible. I always leave it to James and Incredibly, two years came all too quickly and I found myself, Kelly to judge what is appropriate on the floor and continued with my trusty partner-in-dance, Lisa Rickard, making the to organise behind the scenes. Then it was Easter, the most initial phone calls to James and Kelly Prouton of Dizzyfeet, worrying time as the pupils are away for three long weeks and with whom we have had a relationship now for 8 years, to only have 10 days when back to iron out any last glitches. So see if we could organise the event again. Without them, we both the dances need to be learned and mastered over the simply would not think of putting on this event as the care holidays and it is always clear who has been able to meet up and dedication they show, not to mention the patience during the holidays and who has not! and then the expertise in cutting the music and ensuring that every dance has a breath-taking start and finish is The week before the competition itself is a mixture of selling incredible, and now that they have their own studio to run tickets, giving the couples one-to-one time with J&K and pre- in Southampton to run, their time is not as easy to take as it voting. Pre-voting was brought in for the 2012 and proved used to be! The first news was that they were expecting their a popular way for pupils and relatives who were not able to first child and so we would be joined by his apprentices and be there on the night to vote for their favourites. This year, it we would have to think about another couple for the “show proved crucial for one couple and saw them into the finals. dance” at the finals. All that was to come, but we agreed to It also helps with the publicity as we bring out the containers launch the 2014 competition and I began to drum up support with the couples’ faces on them to the quad and they can from both pupils and colleagues. promote themselves there.

Normally, this is the time of the calendar when I am avoided Then we had our moment of luck. Kai, Dizzyfeet’s apprentice at all costs and notice colleagues crossing to the other side was also appearing on a certain television programme at the of the quad to avoid me (at least, I blame the charity events time of our competition, Britain’s Got Talent. He is a member for this …) However, this year, it was something of a shock; of the Kings and Queens, a brilliant troupe who bring a 34 pupils and 17 staff signed up within a fortnight including 5 modern edge to ballroom dancing. James suggested that, as members of the Junior School. The competition was always they practised on Thursdays in Guildford, they might like to open to all-comers but the difference in the school times and come and perform for our finals night and drum up support such like has always made it more challenging for the junior from our audience. They did, and what a show it was. school colleagues. I was also adamant to bag a couple of the gap year students this year, as they are always popular with The semi-finals began to the sound of Shirley Bassey’s “Get the audience and again proved to be so this year. In the end, the Party Started” and we certainly did with a large audience I was a little uncertain as to whether all my luck would all fall thoroughly enjoying themselves and getting in the mood. apart but, apart from three members of staff and only two Lisa Rickard treated us with her partner, Sam, to a tantalising pupil couples, all went through to the live shows (as a lesser tango during the interval, showing the pupils how it should be show states!). done as it was one of the dances this year. Her performance, (or was it my House Captain ripping his shirt off at the end of The auditions began and this is always my favourite part, his dance?) certainly helped the voting and I had to fill for a watching the pupils strut their moves in front of each other, good few minutes, waiting for the results: never a good thing! some trying to impress, some trying to dominate and some The results, when they finally came, saw a shock or two but desperately wondering what they had got into and keeping as all were delighted to have taken part and we looked forward near to the fire exit as possible! I also must thank those pupils to the final on Thursday. Most shocked was the said House whom I “encourage” to take part, either because they are my Captain who then had to go home and ask his mum to sew House Captain or because I know their popularity will bring the buttons back on his shirt for the following night, never in the money. One, who will remain nameless, promised thinking he would get through! Staff winners Chris Head Judy Williams 150 151 Christmas Thursday saw an explosion of enquiries on the phone for Toy & Coat tickets and it was clear that the word was out that we had the Kings and Queens coming to dance. However, the size

of the audience just blew me away when I arrived and I was Appeal charity genuinely worried we would not fit everyone in or, more Helen Linnett likely, the pupils would run a mile when they saw what awaited them. We began by showcasing those who had At Christmas, the PGS Sixth Form supported two not made it through to the finals, along with the teacher citywide initiatives by donating new toys and old coats couples and then the competition began. The audience was which were distributed to those most in need in the city. terrific and gave a great welcome and cheer to each of the performers. It clearly had an effect as I genuinely cannot Each tutor group is originally aimed to purchase 5 toys remember such a faultless set of dances being performed. which would be given to those children in Portsmouth We waited for the counting to be completed so that the who would otherwise not receive any Christmas dedicated counters could see the showdance, and I will presents. Pupils got busy looking at websites and in count as a highlight the moment I walked out to introduce catalogues to assist them in choosing some special gifts the Kings and Queens. I have never been met with such a wall in the hope that they may make a real difference this of sound, sheer excitement and anticipation. The dance was Christmas to less fortunate young people. a reprise of the one on the show and it was genuinely superb. They received a great reception, even if it did not help them We were also very grateful to have received a hand- progress further in their own competition. knitted Father Christmas which was raffled, the proceeds of which bought additional toys for the So, 30 pupils and 12 members of staff performed in front of Christmas appeal. an audience nearly 200 for the semi-final and over 300 for the final. For the pupils, it was a wonderful first to have a Year In addition, each member of the Sixth Form were invited 11 couple, Katie Twist and Rob Weekes lift the trophy (leaving to bring in a coat that they, or a member of their family, open the possibility of a first “defence” of their title when in no longer wear so that it could be donated to those Year 13) and Mrs Williams of the Careers’ Department, who without adequate winter clothes this Christmas. had wanted to take part for some time, along with one of our Gap Year students, Chris Head, took the crown for the staff. The Sixth Form are grateful to the Salvation Army for I am so grateful to each and everyone of them for their distributing our Coats and Toys and will be welcomed efforts, notwithstanding everything else they have to do at a them into assembly on Tuesday 3 December to talk rather busy time of the school year. I am also struck by the about the fantastic cause we are supporting. Overall, Whitcombe’s Sally Hall & Carl Wakeford changes over the years: when we started, there was barely the generosity of the PGS Community far exceeded our a photo taken of the event, now Rob and Katie’s semi-finals expectations, and we are enormously grateful for the performance was on YouTube before the final even took support we received for these two worthy causes. Sixth Form pupils with the collected coats place; when we started, it was a real task to have staff take “This year, we were staggered to raise a total of part, now Dizzyfeet do a nice earner in private lessons from the staff not wanting to look bad (and you really need to £7,500 for the school’s Uganda project.” YouTube Mrs Bell / Mr Leach’s tango which threatened to raise the roof with the reaction). Champions Rob Weekes & Katie Twist

When we gather again in 2016, it will be a decade on from the first competition and the seventh one held at PGS (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014). 2006 saw the birth of an event which I truly believe is the best event of the PGS Calendar, in terms of enjoyment, entertainment value, opportunities for pupils of all abilities to shine and develop as individuals and as part of a team and, most importantly perhaps, to give the pupils skills how to make something happen for the good. This year, we were staggered to raise a total of £7,500 for the school’s Uganda project.

Here is to 2016, to the fun, the hard work and, above all, the good cause. I wonder who will be triumphant then? Whatever happens, please…

Keep Dancing!

Loading up the van!

152 153 Sponge ‘Terrible The Admin the Teacher David Doyle Tie day’ Cake Sale “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not for the Middle Lisa Rickard charity laugh”… I am not sure if Shakespeare ever thought of “If you sponge us, do we not raise cash for charity?” School The Admin Cake Sale has become a much loved event Beatrix Stark at PGS. Pupils can often be seen scurrying down to Sponging the teacher – or more recently pouring large buckets reception during tutor time or rushing to the canteen of water on us – has now become an annual ‘treat’ at PGS. This On the 6th of March Eastwood House organised an event at break before the range of delicious cakes, all baked year was particularly impressive with over £200 being raised in called ‘Terrible Tie Day’, for the Middle School. Everybody in by our admin team, sell out. This year the team raised just 30 minutes in the quad one sunny Monday lunchtime. I am Years 7 and 8 brought in a pound for Ben’s Heroes Trust, a an amazing £384 which was split between two sure this had more to do with the thought of helping out the fantastic charity which provides help and support for children charities, Help the Hospices and Dementia UK, both pupils at Kikaaya College School, Uganda than with any sort of suffering from cancer, in exchange for wearing a ‘terrible charities that are close to the hearts of Mrs Walsh and punishment or revenge for poor grades during the year, but the tie’ (i.e. any tie that was not correct school uniform) of their Mrs Wilcox. This is now an annual event – we can’t £20 note one pupil determinedly arrived with announcing that choice. The money that the Middle School has raised will wait for next year! it bought him 2 buckets and 40 sponges for his Head of House help to fund improvements in care and assistance for children who had failed to make him next year’s House Captain might being treated for cancer in the UK. just contradict my higher thoughts! Year 7 boys get the sponges ready There was much amusement to be had in comparing and It is obvious why it proves such a popular ‘sport’. We always admiring each other’s ties. Some sported loud, wacky, bright hold the event in the last week of term, adding to the jovial “It is fascinating to see some pupils who would designs while others went for a more sophisticated look atmosphere and, clearly, the fun of seeing one’s teachers with a plainer number. I myself chose to wear a long ribbon in a position to be drenched is stimulating. However, it is also not normally even put up a hand in class, around my neck tied in a bow. This may not have been quite fascinating to see some pupils who would not normally as eye catching as some of the other ties, but it was certainly even put up a hand in class, wielding a sponge with great wielding a sponge with great determination very stylish! The teachers also took part which provided determination and accuracy. I am normally happier to see one and accuracy” further hilarity; Mr Hampshire’s tomato tie was my particular of First XI cricketers, as thy usually have the aim that would favourite. Our tutor group hosted a competition for best tie embarrass any side, let alone Mr Curwood when they are Bush must have felt especially warm as they splodged their way which was won by Evelyn Davies, since her tie was thought to allegedly aiming at him! Yet, I am grateful that we do not have back to the changing rooms at the end. suit her personality particularly well! the tradition we had in my last school of custard pies (!). All over for another year and note to have extra buckets ready The day was a great success with lots of colour and humour, In recent years, we have been soaked for Barnardos, Cambodia, beforehand – we clearly deserve it! and all in aid of a good cause. Everybody was very generous sports tours, cancer charities and this year, the Uganda project. in their donations, meaning that we raised £180 for Ben’s We had a fantastic turnout from staff, all willing (to varying Buckets seemed to be must have item this year. Pupils happily Heroes Trust! This money will go a long way to help improve degrees) to be targeted for a good cause. We were ably led by clubbed together to target their favourite teacher and the VI Form the quality of life these children have. the Headmaster who selflessly took immediate centre stage on helpers were kept on the move to re-fill them in time. Luckily, in the front bench and a few well-aimed hits saw him as ‘loved’ as the end, nobody offered to buy the large containers in which the the rest of us! Indeed, if the wetter you are equals how loved sponges were kept to empty over us; saved until next year! you are as a teacher, then Mr Kirby, Mr McGuiggan and Miss Year 7 pupils in their terrible ties Ms Bush is targeted

154 155 Various artwork from PGS pupils Leavers year 13 leavers year 13

158 Destinations

162 Grant

164 Latter

165 Smith

167 Whitcombe 162 Alex Sautreau, Year 9 Year Alex Sautreau, 9 Hughes, Year Lauren

168 171 Mixed media painting by GCSE pupil Francesca Stronitharm-Cornell by GCSE pupil Francesca media painting Mixed by AS pupil Bethany Bridgen acrylic painting Embroidered

156 157 Destinations * IB Pupils

First Name Surname Destination Course

Rohan Ahlawat London School of Economics leavers year 13 and Political Science Government and History Maisha Ahmed University College London Engineering (Biochemical) Shamim Ahmed Gap Year Shahmin Aktar Queen Mary University of London Law Toby Allison Cardiff Exploration and Resource Geology Oliver Appelboam Meadows Exeter Exercise and Sport Sciences Clare Bartholomew Queen Mary University of London Medicine *Aladdin Benali University College London Linguistics (International Programme - 4 years) *Robert Bendell Edinburgh Philosophy and Psychology Jonathan Blackwell Durham Philosophy, Politics and Economics Toby Bonnett Gap Year Rachel Boylin Exeter International Relations with Study Abroad (4 years) Alex Brader Reading Mathematics Daniel Breen King’s College London International Politics Jack Breen Warwick Engineering Thomas Brett Gap Year Sophie Brigg Canterbury Christ Church Geography Lydia Brown York Politics Rohan-Sen Bungaroo University of the West of England, Bristol International Business Eleanor Burr-Lonnon Surrey Biological Sciences Timothy Bustin Gap Year Katharine Campkin Durham Modern Languages Phoebe Carter Bristol Medicine (5 years) Vicky Chau Kent Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophyics (with a year in the USA) Neil Chhabda Bristol Economics James Christian Gap Year Sam Collings-Wells Cambridge (Jesus) History George Cooke Plymouth Marine and Composites Technology Molly Cranston Nottingham English with Creative Writing Guy Cripps Manchester Chemistry (with International Study) Callum Cross Swansea Economics *George Cunningham Gap Year Henry Cunnison Cambridge (Queens’) History Georgia Davies Durham Psychology James Davies Gap Year James Davis Cardiff Computer Science (Year in Industry) Joseph Dennis Gap Year Matthew Dominguez Newcastle Marketing Harry Dry Durham Economics Luke Dufour University College London Modern Languages (4 years) Edward Ellis Aberdeen Forestry Jack Evans Cardiff Exploration and Resource Geology Henry Farrant York Economics/Economic History (Equal) Adam Filip Warwick Engineering Daniel Finch Cardiff Mechanical Engineering (Year in Industry) Madaleine Fletcher Leeds Geography *Emily Ford Gap Year Charles Futcher Birmingham Geography Georgina Gardner Manchester Criminology Grace Gawn Hull York Medical School Medicine Mun-Roop Gill Manchester Management

From Top to bottom; left to right: Mr Charles, Mr Gallop & Mr Priory perform at the Leavers’ Lunch; Issy Mackay & Alec Walker ; Rory Maclean, Ben Scofield & Alex Quarrie-Jones on Governor’s Green; The Reception-Y13 group; Leavers’ Day 2014; Tom Harper speaks for Smith; Latter Leavers; Natasha & Perseus, Whitcombe captains; Oxbridge; Leavers’ Service

158 159 Destinations First Name Surname Destination Course First Name Surname Destination Course Richenda Gordon-Pullar Leicester Management Studies and Economics James Scott York Electronic Engineering (with a year in industry) Aleksander Gorecki Keele Pharmacy Alexander Scott-Moncrieff Surrey Electronic Engineering (4 years)

Henrietta Gould Durham Economics Charlie Scutts Durham History leavers year 13 Alastair Gray Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Music (Composition) Will Seebold Cardiff Economics with a European Language (German) *Abigail Guy Sussex Chemistry Dimitri Selwood Newcastle Business Management Harry Hailwood Derby Product Design Engineering Sampad Sengupta Queen Mary University of London Medical Engineering Thomas Harper Durham History Benjamin Slader Edinburgh Medicine Tomas Harvey Nottingham Politics Hannah Slowen University of the West of England, Bristol Biological Sciences Joseph Hawkins Oxford Brookes Biology *Melissa Smith Cambridge (Murray Edwards) Modern and Medieval Languages Oliver Hedges Bristol Physics William Smitherman Gap Year Emily Hill New College of the Humanities English and Philosophy Guy Snowball Exeter Natural Sciences James Holmes Cardiff Business Management Rishi Soneji Warwick Law Fergus Houghton-Connell Oxford (Mansfield) Mathematics (3 or 4 years) William Sparkes Newcastle Medicine Jennifer Howe Durham Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations Charlotte Stephenson Newcastle Geography Isabel Howson Birmingham Dentistry (5 years) Liam Stigant Oxford (Jesus) Mathematics (3 or 4 years) Natasha Iliffe East Anglia Psychology Benjamin Stirrup Super Yacht Cadetship UKSA Rukmini Jagdish Plymouth Medicine and Surgery Nevin Subramanian Gap Year Phineus Jones Glasgow History Samantha Summers Cambridge (Magdalene) Medicine Thomas Kershaw Oxford (Worcester) Engineering (4 years) Verity Summers Cardiff English Literature Jessica Kissane Lancaster Psychology Morgan Tilling Exeter Psychology Rachel Lau University College London Biochemistry Stephanie Tindal Bristol Neuroscience Thomas Lavery Cardiff Sociology and Criminolgy Benjamin Tucker Sheffield Medicine Tom Linney Gap Year Rebecca Turner Queen’s University Belfast Law with Politics Joseph Lockwood Queen Mary University of London Geography Perseus Wace Liverpool Medicine Isabel Mackay Sheffield French and Hispanic Studies Alec Walker Newcastle Mechanical Engineering Rory Maclean Oxford (St John’s) Classical Archaeology and Ancient History William Wallace Organ Scholarship Canterbury Cathedral *Tamara Manuel King’s College London History Gregory Walton-Green Oxford (Trinity) Classics Charlotte Marchant Chichester Art Foundation Thomas Warren Surrey Chemistry Andrew Marston Loughborough Sport and Exercise Science Katie Watson Sheffield French and Ispanic Studies Jack Marston Exeter Economics and Finance Alec Webb Plymouth Biomedical Science Annabelle Materna Oxford Brookes Philosophy Daniel Wells Imperial College London Electronic and Information Engineering Reuben McArdle Der Karapetian York History and Economics Justin Wilkinson Cambridge (Sidney Sussex) Mathematics Sebastian McCue Bath Mechanical Engineering Ramy Wilson Cardiff Pharmacy Daisy Mellar Gap Year Dominic Wood Warwick Politics Roman Mikhaylenko Gap Year Megan Wynne Chichester Art Foundation Josef Moon Cardiff Metropolitan University Sport and Physical Education Natasha Morgan Bournemouth Sport Psychology and Coaching Sciences James Morrison Sussex Economics and International Development Whitcombe Leavers Zoe & Dimi give the Grant speech Dominic Mortimer Southampton Ship Science/Yacht and Small Craft Alexandra Munro-Clark Gap Year *Mirabel Mwizerwa-Gikwiye King’s College London Neuroscience Daniel Newman Nottingham Product Design and Manufacture Dominic Northey York Economics/Economic History (Equal) Katie O’Leary University College London Neuroscience Tristan Orchard Cambridge (Trinity Hall) Natural Sciences Inuri Patabendi Exeter Medicine Dhruv Patel Birmingham Medicine (5 years) Matthew Peacock Warwick Physics Thomas Penlington Cardiff Philosophy Emily Peters Gap Year James Phillips Southampton Oceanography Jack Pullen Kent Business and Economics *Alexander Quarrie-Jones King’s College London War Studies and Philosophy Joshua Rampton Oxford (St Edward’s Hall) History and Politics Taylor Richardson Leeds English Literature Timothy Roberts Exeter History Daniel Rollins Bristol Chemistry Zoe Rundle Southampton History Benjamin Schofield Edinburgh English Language and Literature Euan Scott Leicester Mechanical Engineering

160 161 Leavers Speech

Grant House Dimitri Selwood and Zoe Rundle However, potentially our most successful area over the past few years has been music with many contributions such as Emily Hill who was awarded the Phillip Barrett choral

This year has been another wonderful year to be in Grant scholarship, along with the likes of Abie Guy in the choir. leavers year 13 and when Zoe and I were reflecting on the past 12 months it Although, it must be recognised that for Grant this year was difficult to know where to start and as many of the other there were 2 exceptional individuals without whom we House captains and Heads of House will point out, taking part would’ve struggled to win the House Music competition in house activities in incredibly important. However, there is a for the second year in a row. We are of course talking about fundamental aspect that cannot be overlooked … we won … Claire Bartholomelew and Will Wallace, the latter of whom a lot! will next year go on to be the organ scholar at Canterbury Cathedral. Mention must also go to Claire’s breath-taking There are certain areas that we will look into here today which violin performance in our previous leaver’s service in front of will demonstrate the themes of commitment and variety that the entire year; not only does this take a lots of guts, but she have characterised the individuals that have contributed to life also managed to have the whole room transfixed. That was a in Grant. very special moment.

Firstly, sport has been a crucial element of the house success We mentioned earlier a key theme of commitment; this goes this year. Lead by Tom Kershaw and Sophie Brigg, we further than simply in our house. With our very own: Taylor developed a winning formula of involving as many people as Richardson, Daisy Mellor, Claire B, Richenda Gordon-Pullar possible, ensuring a mix of boys and girls. House netball was and Ellie Burr Lonnnon all contributing to the essential Sixth a highlight of the year, with girls such as Georgina Gardener, Form council, which Helped with the induction party, clearly Sophie Brigg and Claire Bartholomew pulling together being an absolute necessity. In fact induction is so important resulting in a resounding victory. Georgina Gardener was also that Mr Lockyer has been overheard stating that this annual awarded player’s player after a superb season adding a degree party is on par in with neat School uniform and healthy school of feistiness to our 1st netball team. There were also notable dinners in terms of priorities for PGS. performances on the hockey field with Grant’s own Sophie Brigg leading the 1st XI to a long but rewarding season. Also, Seb Mccue has redefined the word organisation with an impressive role in the Senior Prefect team. Other notable With boys’ hockey, Grant contributed admirably to the 1st XI, contributions include Lydia Brown with PGS in Bloom, as with James Davis and Tom Penlington featuring heavily this well as Charlie Scutts and Euan Scott winning the House year. Likewise in tennis, we had Rohan Bungaroo who no challenge cup. doubt tore up the court all year, I even heard he beat tennis captain Adam Filip on a regular basis, but that may have been A mention must also go to the one and only Neil Chabdha, just a rumour. Moving from our state of the art concrete who entertained and educated us on Leavers’ Day, ensuring tennis courts to the mud of the rugby pitch, Teddy Ellis was he is our top ‘baller’. For those of you who have no idea what a solid rock of the first team bruising the opposition whether this means, fear not as I am also completely clueless. we won or lost. He was certainly someone you thought twice about tackling in training! TK stepped up to the mark So, overall, cramming everything into a speech here this year after the bizarre and somewhat shocking injury today has been a bit of a challenge. But hopefully we have to our capitano James Holmes, who needed an operation demonstrated the range of commitments by our house on the very, very, very bottom of his back. TK became our members, this is a particular aspect we can all be very proud vice-captain fantastic, particularly in the sevens season and of. But it is the individuals within Grant that make it such a remains the most skilful player I have ever played with. special team, containing an incredible spectrum of people. For instance, the likes of Seb Mccue and Will Wallace putting Of course we can’t forget our long term 100m record holder in overtime week in and week out, compared to Toby Bonnett Nevin Subramaniam as well as our very own national fencing who preferred the more ‘part time’ approach. representative Liam Stigant, who has competed in Europe for GB at U17 level. However, all this couldn’t be done without the support of our tutors and of course Mr Gillies. On behalf of all of Grant we In the deepest and darkest parts of the school, new warriors would like to thank you for your endless encouragement. And have been born, and it is on the chess boards where they actually to everyone here today that has made all our time at do battle. Seb Mccue, with the help of his team of seasoned PGS so memorable and, as there is no doubt that whether veterans: Tim Bustin, Tim Roberts and Fergus Houghton- it’s been just 2 years or 14 years, PGS has helped form the Connell who slaughtered all possible opposition. interesting and lovely individuals here today. Good luck to you all and thank you. The arts in Grant House have also flourished over the past few years, with Robert Bendell directing the House play … and Rohan Bungaroo excellently playing ‘Emanuel’ in Faulty Towers. Josh Rampton also mentioned how one of his finest moments was co-directing the Sixth Form Shakespeare play which took place at Southsea Castle.

162 163 Leavers Speech Smith House Tom Harper year 13 leavers year 13 I’d like to begin by thanking my fellow House Captain Izzy demonstrated. Adam Philips’ enthusiasm towards tennis, Howson for being here today… but all jokes aside she is for example, is matched by Jack Marston’s capable role as currently in London performing with the brass quintet as cricket captain, whilst Callum Cross’ national recognition in part of a competition and I like to think she is here today in the world of cycling shows how some of us are even able to spirit, and spirit is something very difficult to get away from show off our skills beyond the PGS environment, an attitude when one thinks about Smith House over the past few (but which I hope will continue to grow through the school’s memorable) years. Whether brought forth by our group Smith-inspired croquet team. efforts in sport and drama or on a more local level by pupils such as Maisha Ahmed, Inuri Patabendi and Verity Summers Interestingly, one finds that red also comes to symbolise (who never seem to want to leave the Smith House Common sacrifice, and it is clear that many of you out there today Room), it is difficult to ignore the tremendous vitality have made sacrifices for the House that are definitely worth shown by all of you towards the House, the school and congratulating. Not only have Vicky Chau, Morgan Tilling one another. Such spirit has, in turn, led to some fantastic and Natasha Iliffe all kindly given up their time for Sixth Leavers Speech individual achievements on behalf of Smith House. Although Form Council meetings, but Rachel Lau has run the 200m 5-7 minutes is not nearly enough time to praise all that you every year for sports day despite the evident unpopularity of have done, to name but a few Gregory Walton-Green and the event. Furthermore whilst Ollie Meadows, Ben Tucker Latter House Alec Walker and Issy Mackay Henry Cunnison have secured offers from Oxbridge to study and Guy Snowball have consistently revealed their hidden Classics and History respectively; Ben Schofield owned the talent for flower arrangements in the annual Hanging Basket Three years ago, Latter House sang the song Gold by Spandau in with us to see how things were or to chase us about UCAS. stage as the star of last year’s musical ‘Mack and Mabel’, whilst Competition, Emily Peters took on the role as House Sports Ballet in front of the whole school in this very spot. Whilst much He was always on the case and extremely dedicated to each Alec Webb, Ben Tucker and Hattie Gould all expertly handled Captain (having never actually played for a school sports has changed since then, including the arrival of several new Latter pupil, something for which we are all eternally grateful. the demanding roles of being a senior prefect. As our winning team – well played, Emily!). sixth formers and the addition of some new tutors into the I believe however that this is Mr Doyle’s least favorite role, as song in the House Song competition suggests, it seems we House, the song’s lyrics continue to embody our House. he can often be found playing table football, to his own rules, are ‘just too good to be true’. Finally, when the colour red is mentioned I cannot help and enjoying a laugh with one of the VI Formers. Consequently, but think of courage; a trait that clearly takes many forms The members of Latter House, or ‘Latterites’ as they are more indicating his support of Latterites at a more personal level. It therefore comes as no surprise that according to colour in Smith House. Not only has ours been the only House to commonly known are what give the House its personality. Each psychologists the colour red is used to symbolise, amongst boldly decide to put a moose head in its common room, and every one of them is unique and brings something different Additionally the song references the “partners in crime”. Of other things, spirit. Within this list we also find red being used but PGS has encouraged us to do things that we would not to the House. They can be found in many different places course, Mr Doyle’s partner in crime is Mr Curwood. We are to represent energy, as last year’s Smith victory in Sports Day normally think possible. Over the years I have personally had around the school: some can be found in the library studying especially appreciative of Mr Curwood who helped us to get hard for their next exam, some can be found of the sports field the younger years into the admittedly cosy Middle School representing the school or in the sports hall carrying the House Common Room, when things started to get a little crazy. to victory in House sporting events. On the other hand, some Likewise, Mr Curwood significantly assisted our sport’s captains, can be found brushing up on their chess skills determined to Jess and Toby, in making sure there was a team each week. reclaim the Chess Cup, whilst others can be found in the Housebase, listening to music, having a quick nap or trying to However, within the Latter community, our tutors are also very claim victory on the table football table. However, a handful important people, who I know the sixth formers agree deserve a cannot be found at all as they have received a C in their most great deal of appreciation and gratitude. Mr Goad, Ms Wood, Ms recent grades and thus have been temporarily ejected from the Stewart, Mr Richardson and Mr Gilbert have provided continued House. support and encouragement to each individual. Moreover, they have given us many memories which shall not be forgotten and One of our roles, as House Captains, was to set up the helped us to enjoy school life. Middle School Common room for House assemblies which throughout the year have been both weird and wonderful. For Above all, however, thank you to Mr Doyle, Mr Curwood and example who could forget the first ever live show of Danimo, our tutors for the inconceivable amount of time and effort they Latter’s House magician (Dan Finch). Additionally, we have have put into getting us through our school careers as well as enjoyed one of Mr Goad’s notorious interactive quizzes about making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience and conclusively the school. Also, there was an assembly on heavy metal from making Latter the premier House. Year 11’s Henry Ling which left everybody’s ears ringing and a musical showcase in the rotunda. All of this, however, pales in As House Captains, we are infinitely appreciative of the comparison to the annual sermon about Latter’s history by the opportunity Mr Doyle has given us in representing the House. Head of House himself, Mr Doyle… The role has been challenging but also extremely fulfilling. We have both thoroughly enjoyed our role and it has been a great The song refers to “the man with the suit and the face” who privilege to represent Latter House. in the context of Latter refers to Mr Doyle. Tony Hadley goes on to sing “you knew that he was there on the case”. I’m sure We would like to end by wishing everyone in Latter and the none of Latter can disagree that this could not reflect more whole VI Form the best of luck. But, as a final point to the 2014 clearly our wonderful Head of House. Mr Doyle is always there latter leavers, remember, “always believe in your soul, because for us and his attentive nature meant he was always checking you are gold”!

164 165 Leavers Speech

the pleasure of getting up on stage with the very talented Ben Schofield, Gregory Walton-Green, Will Sparkes and Rishi Whitcombe Soneji as part of the annual House Drama competition. My…

stupidity in accepting the rompy role of Mr Humphries in ‘Are leavers year 13 You Being Served’ was mirrored by Greg’s frighteningly good House impression of Mrs Slocombe. On top of this, Greg himself has displayed an inclination for bravery through both his Perseus Wace & Natasha Morgan disturbing ‘Take Me Out’ video (a memory I am desperately trying to erase from my mind) as well as his unusual title for Whitcombe really does live up to its motto of being more of having written the most censored article on the Portsmouth a home than a house. Whenever we come in to the house Point blog – incidentally I am told that ‘Fifty Shades of Dorian base in the morning and at breaks and lunch times, it is always Gray’ will be on sale in all appropriate book shops by the end packed and lively! It definitely is one of the friendliest of of the summer. houses, welcoming every other house in to the house base. I would love to say that it is the Whitcombe charm that brings Obviously, our time in Smith would never have been so all the other houses in, but I am pretty sure that it the range enjoyable without our fantastic HOH Mr Elphick-Smith, who of tea and coffee that we have on offer. Tristan really does has never ceased to ensure that Monday morning assemblies work wonders with the cafetiere to make a first class cup of are - like his moustache - memorable, entertaining, and coffee. Another great addition was the mini fridge, which we bristling with unknown and thought-provoking oddities. pestered Miss Bush for so long for, but I think it is safe to say Similarly the Smith tutors of Mr Lemieux, Ms Dyer, Mrs Cox, that it was worth it! Mr Rees and Dr Howson, as well as our Deputy Head of House Mrs Casillas-Cross, have also been great sources of It seems so long ago entering Year 7, putting on the green tie support, advice and laughs during our time spent in Smith, for the first time, not really knowing what the colour meant, and for these we cannot thank you enough. but feeling safe every time you saw someone else wearing the same colour tie. Feeling a part of the bigger picture. Lastly, as I was writing this speech and searching around for things to do justice to a truly incredible journey, upon being For the superstitious ones of you out there, you may know asked what memorable things they have done whilst at PGS that green is meant to be an unlucky colour. Unfortunately someone (whose name shall remain anonymous) said “But my mum was one of those people - I remember in Year 7 I’ve made no contribution to the school… I’m some little that she replaced my green mouth guard with a white one, “I would love to say that it is the Whitcombe charm that brings all the other houses in, but I statistic in their record.” Well to you I say that the legacy that she even tried to buy me a different colour tie thinking that I we leave behind at PGS after today will be more than just wouldn’t notice, and finally telling me she was going to ring am pretty sure that it the range of tea and coffee that we have on offer.” things we have done. I like to think we will be remembered the school up and ask if I could transfer in to a less unlucky for our eclectic personalities, the friends we have made, coloured house... but Whitcombe green has always been the… questionable banter we’ve inspired, and the life-size lucky for me, and there is no other house that I would rather Year 10 we managed to win Sports Day, the first Whitcombe house musically around the school, as we’ve seen today, and images of ourselves we inexplicably seem to leave behind. be in. team to win in 14 years. Miss Howarth jumping around in I can’t forget now 17-year-old singer-songwriter Dan Breen. In fact, having searched through this year’s Leavers’ Book, delight showed how unexpected our victory was. We remain Reuben has been our Tim Cahill at chess, with individual it’s been fascinating to see how you guys yourselves want to Looking back to the beginning of Year 9 it seems so long undefeated in tug of war, with Jack Evans and Mirabel as brilliance but lacking the quality in the rest of the team. be remembered. For example, Rohan Ahlawat wants to be ago cramming in to the rotunda for the first time sitting on well as James Holmes part of our successful team. In house remembered for his infamous football chanting; Matthew the floor, looking over our shoulders at the sixth formers sport we’ve had no problem getting teams together thanks to In terms of academic success, we’ve been strong through Dominguez for his sharpness, which he describes as ‘not who were allowed to sit on the row of chairs at the back, Sports Captains James Christian and Katie Campkin. GCSEs and university applications. We’ve had five members uncomfortably sharp – like plastic scissors’; and Joe Hawkins feeling very jealous by the fact that they were able to stretch of the house receive offers from Oxbridge; Tristan Orchard, for (and I quote) “No idea. Probably something cool”. their legs, but at the same time feeling a little intimidated In school sport as a whole we’ve had James Holmes selected Justin Wilkinson, Rory Maclean, Sam Collings-Wells and Sam by them all sat in their mixture of sixth form ties. I now have as Rugby Captain, as well as a number of first and second Summers, so congratulations and best of luck to them. It’s Also, whilst Morgan Tilling believes that her infamous quest great respect for the sixth formers who every morning had to team players across boys and girls sport. We’ve even had Jack not all about Oxbridge (luckily), and we also wish the best for House Colours will seal her reputation at PGS, James shuffle us back so that we were all able to sit in the rotunda and Tristan representing the first ever croquet team from PGS. of luck to everyone on results day looking to get their first Philips sees himself as being remembered for going red out for assemblies, knowing first hand now how hard it is to Of course, who could forget that Whitcombe actually won choice university. of sheer embarrassment. An appropriate colour for the House motivate everyone on Monday mornings to do this. the Year 11 leavers rounders tournament, thanks in no small we’ve all been extremely proud to be a part of. Do not forget part to James Christian’s prowess with the bat, leading from A huge thanks must go to all of the tutors who’ve helped that in our time at the school was the 350th anniversary of the Drama has always been a big part in Whitcombe, with pupils the front. The Year 11 leavers’ day song and video were less us over the past few years, as well as to Mrs Clarke, who school’s founder William Smith – individuals at PGS are not taking part on both the senior school productions and in successful; apparently we were the first year not to win the ruled Whitcombe common room with an iron fist, and to easily forgotten. As Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “Don’t house drama. Last year started off our winning streak with song competition for Whitcombe. We definitely had the most Mr deTrafford, who took the reins when Mrs Clarke left on judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that Miranda. Big congratulations have to go to Ben for filling in fun doing it though, and the end product was worth it just to maternity leave. I know that I speak on behalf of the whole you plant”, and based on all of the fantastic memories that last minute, but still managing to steal the show with grand see Tristan in a pink feather boa during the video. house when I thank Miss Bush for her incredibly hard work you have generously given me and the school over the past total of 2 lines. This year we performed The Good Life, this whilst we’ve been in Whitcombe, especially this year with few years I can assure all of you today that our tomorrow was so much fun to perform and big congratulations to all the In other house competitions we’ve always been quite writing all of our references. Miss Bush works so hard to could not be looking more fruitful. All that’s left for me to say sixth formers who were involved. successful, consistently performing in house music. We won ensure that everything in the house runs smoothly and she is that at university and beyond never stop reaching for the house music every year between year between Year 9 and 11 has certainly made life easy for Tash and myself this year. As moon, because then at least you’ll land among the stars. Best As a house we have not always necessarily been the best thanks to a strong contingent from this year group, as well as we finish the school year and school as an era, I will leave you of luck guys, and thank you for everything. at House Sports, but we have never lacked enthusiasm. In coming second this year. We’ve been led by Phoebe Carter, with these words from Buzz Lightyear: with numerous members of the house stepping up to perform and show their talents. Tom Harvey has also represented the “To infinity, and beyond”.

166 167 Portmuthian 2004 – 2009 House house

170 Barton

170 Eastwood

171 Hawkey

172 Summers

172 Grant 172

173 Latter

175 Smith

177 Whitcombe 174 179 178 House Drama – Grant

178 House Drama – Smith

179 House Drama – Latter

179 House Drama - Whitcombe

168 169 Barton Hawkey Eastwood House report House report House report Codey Simmons & Charlotte Ross Steve Hawkswell, Hawkey has blossomed this year, going from strength coming 1st in House Dodgeball, House Basketball,

to strength in all aspects of School life. Hawkey’s House Benchball, House Netball, and Year f8 house This has been another extremely successful year for Barton talented musicians represented their house in the House Table Tennis. This year has been exceptional for Eastwood. The achievements House. The pupils have all benefitted from an excellent and Middle School competition with many performances we have earned over the past year have been phenomenal, cohesive group of tutors who have developed and enhanced the of note including that from Georgina Lewis on the House Colours were awarded to Jean-Mickael ranging from success in sport to academic studies. For the last spirit and enthusiasm which consistently leads to success for the violin. Their talents were also on display in the Middle Hopkinson and Emily Whitehead for their several years Eastwood have been neck and neck with close House and its pupils. As might be expected from a House with two School concert earlier at the end of the Autumn term. outstanding work as House Captains. Matthew rival house, Barton. But this year we have altered our approach members of staff from the Sports Department, Barton won the Here Michael Yang and Edward Moger were amongst Cheung was awarded House Colours for and come out on top: by winning in Sports Day and many varied Middle School Sports events but were pipped on Sports Day and many showing their talents. Michael was awarded his his contribution to the house in many areas house events. finished second despite some excellent performances. The most Level 8 Violin later in the year. throughout the year. Freddie Hares and Ellie difficult aspect this year has been trying to give everyone a chance McDonald were also awarded House Colours for Sports Day was a momentous day for all who took part, and to play in House teams, such has been the enthusiasm from pupils In Drama many members of Hawkey starred in the their great work in supporting the House Captains the spectators who cheered the house on with overwhelming to be involved. Middle School Production of Little Shop of Horrors in their roles as Sports Captains. enthusiasm (unless they were playing football, but the spirit was including both Jasmine Reeves-Foster and Isabel still there). Taking multiple first and second places in many track Barton pupils achieved very high levels of academic success as Fraser-Harris as Audrey, Chi-Yung Jim and Michael In addition to the usual House activities, Hawkey and field events allowed Yellow House to have its place up on the seen by twice having the highest termly recognition totals and Yang as Audrey 2. Jean-Mikael Hopkinson, Megan adventured out to Thorpe Park before the Easter podium once again. This would not have been possible without ending up as joint winners of the year-long totals. Fisher and Freddie Hares played supporting roles as break for the inaugural trip. The Year 7 pupils were the help and organisation from our Sports Captains: Gregory well as many others in the choruses. treated to “Scoops” in the last week of the Summer Littlehales and Emma Watkins; and a recently new arrival to Pupils have had an even greater involvement in producing term as a celebration of completing their first year the house Mr Seddon who has played a vital role in Eastwood’s House Assemblies this year and they have all had an active role Hawkey house has shown considerable improvement in the Middle School. sporting commitments and as a Year 8 tutor. However, our in charitable events. The aspiration to have a specific Barton in the acquisition of Recognitions throughout the success did not contain itself within one day. Eastwood has had charity to follow has not happened due to pupils enthusiasm for academic year, showing the enthusiasm and thirst for We sadly bid farewell at the end of this year to Mr countless triumphs in house events over the year, including: reacting to events happening in the world. This is understandable knowledge held by all. A real success has been the McGuiggan who has been a tutor in Hawkey and House Chess and Year 7 cross country. Less can be said for other and allows a fresh enthusiasm for each event so will be something number of both Years 7 and 8 attaining Bronze, Silver a teacher of Mathematics for the last two years. events, like: netball, table tennis, swimming and bench ball (which that we will continue to do next year. We completed the Sport and Gold certificates in each of the three terms; a Mr McGuiggan popularised the Chess Club within we won’t go into detail on). But all of Eastwood’s sporting hard Relief Mile as a house and raised over £850 as a result. Baking highlight being Mr Leach’s tutor group topping the the Middle School during his short time and has work paid off; at the end of the year numerous Year 7 & 8 pupils continued to be a favourite charity activity and we had a couple Middle School in both the Autumn and Summer terms. been an excellent tutor in the House; he leaves us were awarded sports colours - an achievement that will hopefully more “Bake -offs” which were well supported and enjoyed. The An individual effort worthy of noting is that of Amanda to teach Mathematics at Bancroft School. We wish stay with them all their way through the school. House Captains (Alex Gibson and Natasha Palfrey) and Mentors Frometa-Rees who accumulated 102 recognitions him, and those Year 8s who leave to join Year 9 in have had a more active role this year with the Friday House time over the yearly period. Smith House, a very happy future. But not all of Eastwood’s members excel in sport... This year being regularly given over to both formal and informal interaction has also been good for music, art, drama and other academic between year 7 and year 8 pupils with mutually beneficial results. Hawkey has performed extremely well all year in sport subjects. Many of the musical pupils amongst the Year 7s and 8s with a number of strong performances, including Amanda Rees-Frometa on Life Skills Day took part in the house music competition and all who took part The year ends with Miss Gardner leaving Barton to move to Abu gave accomplished, highly commendable performances. Some Dhabi and Mrs Sparkes being promoted to Deputy Head of Middle even managed to reach the final and had a close competition School but we can be confident that their replacements will in St Thomas’s Cathedral. Others who enjoy acting, dancing, continue to develop the Barton traditions of success, happiness performing and singing were sure to take part in the Middle and progress. School musical - Little Shop of Horrors. Also, it was great to see the vast number of pupils in Eastwood with an artistic talent: with many unique pieces of work on display at the PGS art exhibition, 110 metres above sea level in the Spinnaker Tower.

However, all of Eastwood’s work this year has not been due to the motive to win, but to help as well. This year we have chosen to raise funds for the Bens Heroes Trust charity. We raised over £300 over the course of the year including our terrible tie day, which saw a range of ties from cool ties to ones with completely embarrassing designs – all in aid of children suffering with cancer. This money raised has helped go towards ways for children to stay in contact with friends and family if they are unable to leave hospital and many other beneficial elements.

Finally we would like to say a massive thank you to all the tutors and Mrs Harris for another great year. Sadly we will be saying a fond farewell to Mrs McNamara and wish her all the very best for the future.

We have had a great year as House Captains and hope Eastwood will continue to succeed in the years to come.

170 171 Summers Grant Latter House report House report House report Ella Palethorpe Jules Gillies Alec Walker and Issy Mackay

This has been another splendid year for everyone in ensured that all categories were competed for and that house Grant House. Once again, we were involved with a we had the largest ensemble by a mile! Once again This year, our last in school, seems to have flown past and Shoebox appeal for orphanages in various deprived parts Grant House was the runaway winner. Euan Scott led we have been as busy as ever in our endeavours. We were of the world including Liberia and the Ukraine. Each box Grant to victory in the House Challenge and, despite delighted on our return to learn that of the 34 2013 Leavers, 30 was put together by a pupil to include gifts and essentials his involvement as part of the Senior Prefect Team, Seb had gained places at their first choice university; 2 Medics were like soap, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, toothpaste and hair McCue led Grant to victory again in House Chess. House re-applying, one pupil missed his place at Cambridge by one clips to name just a few. Although we did not collect as Drama was another highlight – Not Going Out was grade in a STEP paper so is re-applying for next year and one many boxes as last year it was still a fantastic effort and extremely funny – I still do not know how we could win pupil gained a place in Clearing. As Year 13s, it really set us off to will have made a huge difference to the children who Best Actor (Lewis Mackenzie) and Best Supporting Actress a good start as we finalised our own UCAS applications. received them. There have been many highlights this year (Weezy Flippance) and not win best play?! I would be – In sport we had many winning teams throughout the grateful to anyone who could explain this please…. All of After the traditional first assembly of the year, with Mr D giving Summers House has been great this year, the house has year resulting in Grant finishing in first place again overall the above contributed to overall victory again this year in a history of the House and introducing the new Captains and maintained a great spirit throughout the terms. Lots of pupils – Barton also finished in first place so the future of sport House Trophy – well done to everyone in Grant. Officers for the year, we got down to business as normal. As took part in all House Sports, and we won House Swimming. in Grant is assured! The sports highlight for me was the ever, it is pleasing to see so many visitors to our Housebase Others performed for House Music, where Douglas James girls’ win in House Netball with all years represented – our Our Sixth Form Council Reps (Daisy Mellor, Ellie Burr- throughout the year and on Open Morning, chosen as won the Composition category. combined teams were: Holly Baker, Clare Bartholemew, Lonnon and Richenda Gordon-Pullar) did excellent work representative of what is an outstanding example and also by Naomi and Sophie Brigg, Alice Cheshire, Ashleigh Dekker, all year to ensure that the various events were successful, pupils from other houses every day who seem to have made As well as these successes we have been able to get our Georgie Gardner, Evie Howarth, Abby Moss, Charlotte and 12 Grant pupils were excellent prefects this year. Latter their home. We are now discussing how to maintain this MyPGS page up and running, which has created new roles in Nuttall, Zoe Rundle, Liz Sherwood, Elly Sykes, Katherine I am extremely grateful to our House Captains, Zoe primus inter pares position with the opening of the exciting new the house such as Media Reps. They have been working to Tobin and Kira Walker. Sports Day was a magnificent Rundle and Dimitri Selwood, who have been a calming VI Form Centre in September. produce our new House Logo in digital format, which is now occasion with many fine performances, especially in the and steadying influence all year. They have both been shown on MyPGS. It’s also been great to see so many pupils relays – we narrowly missed overall first place by a couple instrumental in ensuring that everything in Grant continued After winning the Recognitions’ Cup for the second year on the presenting on their chosen topics in assemblies, which has of points. My thanks go to this year’s Sports Captains – to run smoothly and to raise issues with me as soon as they run, the outstanding achievement of the year was winning back done a great deal to raise our confidence in speaking in front (Senior) Sophie Brigg and Tom Kershaw, (Year 11) Naomi appeared. the House Drama Cup in February, under the fantastic direction of an audience. Brigg and Evie Howarth, (Year 10) Ashleigh Dekker and of Guy Cripps, ably assisted by Peter Rapp. Their determination Henry Cresswell-Hogg, (Year 9) Mia Austin and Tom Sadly we have to say farewell to Mrs Orchard who moves to win the cup back for Latter after 11 years was unmatched and There have been presentations on charities that we have Smith. just down the road to St John’s College as a full-time saw Guy being the first pupil to win Double Colours, having first supported, and many fundraising activities to raise money for English teacher and to Miss Farmer who moves across to been awarded them in Year 9. Again, Latter leads where other them, including for example Mrs Dray’s tutor group’s auction, House Music was another fabulous event this year – our Latter as a sixth form tutor. To those of you who are leaving Houses no doubt will copy in the future. However, the night will raising £180. immensely talented Music Captain Clare Bartholemew, school heading for pastures new, may I wish you the very live long in the memory and mention must be given to our cast: ably supported by the equally talented Will Wallace, best of luck and I hope that you do keep in touch. Cameron Roberts; Lottie Kent; Harry Norton; Laura Verrecchia; Also, this year our pupils voted for the house chant that was George Cunningham (treating us to the ‘best’ Spanish accent sang at Sports Day, as well as our newly-designed House ever); Hattie Hammans; Christian Smith; Harry Neame; Emma banner being displayed! All in all it has been a fantastic year Dorricott; Fergus Kaye and another walk on by the HoH. The with lots going on, thank you to everyone in Summers House! production was so good that Harry Norton became the first actor to win “Best Actor” for a role that was not the lead and we won “Best Programme” too.

It was not only in House Drama where we shone. Molly Cranston took centre stage in the lead role in this year’s musical at the King’s Theatre: Mack and Mabel. With Pete Rapp, Cameron Roberts and Harry Norton also in leading roles, we again see a strong showing for Latter in whole school presentations. With Ali Gray as Assistant Director, we knew it would be a success, but a truly fantastic performance was enjoyed by all who were there.

House Music, being rescued from the farce of our single participant last year, is back on course! We had a great turnout for the House Competition this year with Catriona Ellis coming second in the 9-11 composition section and Ali Gray winning the Senior Section, with Peter Rapp highly commended. It is a great move forward and we look forward very much to future success!

Sport is always in two parts for Latter: House Sport has gone through more changes with new rules about starting times and team make up, yet we battled through regardless. Again, we dominated House Sport on Mondays, the VI Form being

172 173 Smith House report Julian Elphick-Smith house A splendid landscape poster adorns the notice board immediately outside the Head of House office in Smith. It depicts, assembled by the fireplace, the faces of the many pupils who have undertaken formal roles within the House over the last year. We are particularly proud of our burgeoning pupil voice and involvement. In addition to Prefects, House Captains, Peer Mentors, Pupil Councillors and Sixth Form Councillors, we now have Sports captains in each year group, a full House Council, a Web Maestro and Captains of Drama, Music and Chess. We continue to examine ways of developing this excellent range of formal contributions and responsibilities.

Enthusiasm and example are in plentiful supply in Smith House. Nowhere was this more fully demonstrated once again this year than on Sports Day in July. A combination of athletic prowess and broad participation brought the cup back to Smith for the Latter House Drama winners second year running and the third time in six years. Success again next year will raise the Jules Rimet question! Well done to undefeated for the first term and only occasionally thereafter. all awarded half Colours, by far the largest group of any of the Rollins, Sampad Sengupta, Ben Slader, Melissa Smith, Charlotte all who took part and especially to our prized athletes Thomas We retained our House Hockey title, the boys winning all their Houses. Stephenson, Alec Walker, VI Form Council: Annie Materna, Dan Miller, Lana Watt, Katerina Sillett, Jessamie Waldon-Day and matches and a thrilling, final draw with Whitcombe sealed the Finch, James Davies, House Council: Ben Slader, James Davies, Ollie Brown who, by strong personal example, led us to further cup. The girls, sadly, did not do as well… we did, however, win Sampad Sengupta won Bronze in the Biology Olympiad; Joe Moon, Dan Finch, Annie Materna, Milly Trim, Ross Watkins, success in the Relay Cup. Tom Leggett’s inspirational work handball; rounders and come second in benchball. Then came Louis Greaves was nominated for the Institute of Cosmology Adam Smith, Nick Blois, Laura Verrecchia, Louis Greaves, and for the Y9 team promises well for the future. Team spirit was Sports’ Day and the other Houses easily beat us as they have a and Gravitation Schools Physicist of the Year; Lottie Kent was Julian Standish. Finally, we also had a third year with a Latter especially concentrated in the tug-o-war where we were only predominance of the Athletics squad. It was a fun day, however, awarded third place in the 2014 Woolf Essay prize, run by Senior Prefect, Tammy Manuel, and a Deputy Senior Prefect, just pipped by Whitcombe. and we cheered on as Eastwood comfortably beat the reigning Newnham College, Cambridge; Emma Dorricott represented Melissa Smith. champions in the Middle School to take the crown – fingers the Army Section at assembly to report on the CCF Summer The team spirit has prevailed more widely in House Netball crossed for future reports! Camp; Tom Horner took part in the Ten Tors team; Roxanne For their contribution to the House, we awarded House and Girls’ Hockey, in both of which the redwash was duly Goacher found time away from her studies to complete Colours to: Toby Allison; Jonathan Blackwell; Molly Cranston; completed once again. Boys’ hockey was only a fraction behind This year saw the re-launch of House Challenge, after a couple her Silver DoE with the Explorer Scouts; Lottie Kent became George Cunningham; Emma Dorricott; Dan Finch; Hattie and that only as an unavoidable result of traffic delays to the of years rest and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Although Editor of the Portmuthian; Ali Gray won Drama Colours – one Hammans; Georgia Henderson; Phin Jones; Fergus Kaye; Issy exemplary Futchers. we, Whitcombe and Grant won two and lost one, a brilliant of the few pupils who also won Music Colours, proving his Mackay; Annie Materna; Harry Neame; Harry Norton; Cameron The Head of House with House performance by Grant saw their points difference dominate outstanding contribution in his whole PGS career to both Roberts; Sampad Sengupta; Ben Slader; Hannah Slowen; Captains Izzy Howson & Tom Harper and they were deserved winners, Latter coming third. We House and school. Cameron Roberts also won Drama Colours Christian Smith; Laura Verrecchia look forward to a renewed challenge in the Autumn. Chess with Laura Verrecchia and Harry Norton being awarded half was equally close, however, the gift of the chess table and Colours; Alice Bennett and Tammy Manuel won Music Colours At Easter, we said farewell to Mr Dymock who moved to New another board has seen the Housebase transformed at break and Molly Cranston was awarded the LCM Diploma Certificate Zealand to take up a post there and we record our thanks for and lunchtime and we look forward to better results next time. in Music. Aladdin Benali; Melissa Smith; Danny Rollins; Molly his Tutoring of Years 9-11 and some very effective assemblies If only we had House Table football! Again, Latter lead where Cranston; Tammy Manuel and Ben Slader all were nominated on music, including his own concert! As we end the year, we others follow and our own in-House TF competition saw a for the Ithaka Prize, giving us an entertaining and varied night bid farewell to Mr Goad who takes over from Mrs Wilson as triumph for Tom Warren and Alexander Scott-Moncrieff over presenting their PGS Extend work; Aladdin won the overall Deputy Head (Academic) and is, sadly, giving up his role as James Scott and one Mr DT Doyle (!). Even the addition of prize. Finally, in this last week of term, we hear that Karena Tutor. He has simply been outstanding in his care of pupils in the much awaited new table football table could not improve Bahsoon and Charlotte Pascoe had been named as Peer the VI Form and his assemblies – blowing things up; setting light matters for the HoH who, despite having his own “unique” set Mentors. to tubes; making ice cream of questionable flavours and using of rules, saw him drop through the ranks as the year progressed. more liquid nitrogen than we thought one could get hold of at To finish the year in style, next year’s Captains of Netball, Boys 8.30am on a Monday – are simply that of legend – he will be As ever, individual successes are as much a part of Latter Hockey and Girls’ Hockey are all Latterites: Flo Stow, Roshun greatly missed! House’s year. This year, we congratulate Alec Walker who Laly and Anna Reynolds respectively. We were also awarded joined with a group who swam the Solent to raise money “Highly Commended” in the PGS in Bloom competition – even In our farewell speech at the Leavers’ Assembly, we looked for Help the Heroes; Catriona Ellis won through to England though, to our untrained eyes, the entry looked distinctly dead! back to our best moment, the House song competition selection for netball and Andy Gorvin continued his rise in and remembered that Latter sang Gold by Spandeau Ballet. Hampshire cricket through his Hampshire Academy selection We thank those who have served us well in Latter 2013 – We are ‘Gold’, being indestructible and it is undeniable that and finished the year scoring 126 not out for the Seconds; 2014: Captains Alec Walker and Issy Mackay, Sports Captains each member of Latter has contributed to an unbreakable Alec Walker, Joe Moon, Henry Farrant, Andy Marston, Will Toby Allison and Jess Kissane, Charity Captains Jonathan atmosphere of determination and enthusiasm again this Smitherman, Tammy Manuel and Jess Kissane were all awarded Blackwell and Hannah Slowen, Arts Captain Molly Cranston, year, which has provided each and every one of us with an Sports Colours with Sophie Forrest; Harry Wratten; George Drama Captain Guy Cripps, Music Captain Ali Gray, Prefects opportunity to flourish and succeed. Indeed, Gold not only Wilcockson; Josh Cant and Julian Standish in Year 9 and Year Molly Cranston, Guy Cripps, George Cunningham, Maddie echoes the colour of our beloved House but also each member 10’s Marcus Horton; Dan Mugford and Oakley Murphy were Fletcher, Alastair Gray, Jess Kissane, Daniel Newman, Danny who are golden in their personalities and capacities.

174 175 Academically, the year has seen two Oxbridge offers - to In drama, Ben Schofield took the leading role in the School’s Gregory Walton-Green and Henry Cunnison - amongst so Christmas musical production, Mack and Mabel, and a

many excellent subjects and institutions. All in the current vintage cast assembled for the comically edgy House Drama house Upper Sixth have applied through UCAS in the present production of Father Ted. Much vigour ensued, and there was session, and that year group will leave Smith as one of our deserved reward for the team via Tom Upton for the technical most successful ever at GCSE, having attained 47% of grades staging of the piece. Nat Charles, one of many who performed, at A* overall with an extraordinary 81% of grades at A and A* also excels in ‘Poetry by Heart’, and his talents took him to combined. We hope that the summer of 2014 will bring them county level competition. comparable success. We have also achieved distinction in Year 13 in contributing the year’s largest group of Prefects to Sophie Rose excelled as our first Music Captain and marshalled the School, with 22 appointments, as well as Senior Prefect, the team with vigour, care and inspiration. She has since been Alec Webb, and Deputy Senior Prefects, Hattie Gould and Ben appointed Head Female Chorister of Cantate at Portsmouth Tucker. House Captains, Tom Harper and Isabel Howson have Cathedral. It was the finest occasion of its kind that I have also done pioneering and sterling work. A fine speech from seen, and Sophie was rewarded with second place for Sixth Tom at the Leavers’ Service - accompanied, of course, by a life- Form solo on the challenging marimba, whilst Francesca size picture of the musically-in-demand Izzy - reassured me that Strongitharm-Cornell performed most sensitively and the Founder’s spirit is in good hands in the future. courageously to sing her way to similar honours. Jesamie Waldon-Day won first place for Y9-11 Composition. No Whitcombe Excellent individual attainments have been legion this year. comment on music would be complete without reference to Thomas Miller is now one of the nation’s top pentathletes Isabel Howson who has, over time, attained the JRAM Senior House report for his age, and Luke Robbins qualified for the Scottish Brass Prize and gained a place in the National Youth Brass Band. Frances Bush Commonwealth Games swimming trials as well as winning And then there is PGS Come Dancing! Such poise, intensity Portsmouth City Council’s Young Sportsperson Award. and passion from Dom Baker, Ben Webb, Rishi Soneji, Guy Our motto ‘more of a home than a House’ not only reflects the 1st VX and Megan Dossett won Best Athlete on Sports Day. Meanwhile, Guy Snowball was selected for the national Snowball, Nat Charles, Roman Mikhaylenko and, of course, Mrs the qualities and ethos of Whitcombe but can also deceive our Academically, we have had an outstanding year with Samantha Independent Schools’ LAMBS rugby team. Hugo Andrews and Bell! opponents into thinking that we are soft and less competitive. Summers and Justin Wilkinson winning Gold medals in Science Niall Houston have sailed at national level, and Ben Jackson Olympiads. Our tradition of fielding medics and engineers has participated in the National Private Schools’ Indoor Team Skiing In the sphere of the exclusively cerebral, Alexander McKirgan Charity and consideration of others is at the heart of our house continued with Perseus Wace, Phoebe Carter, Rukmini Jagdish Championships. James Phillips was made Lord Mayor’s Cadet showed outstanding initiative and capability in pursuing a with many Whitcombites taking a leading role in whole school and Dan Wells gaining university offers. This has been our best and captained the School Croquet Team with insight and summer study programme in the USA and enjoyed no small charities as well as supporting our house charity that is Jack and year for Oxbridge offers - Justin Wilkinson for Maths, Samantha conviction. success at Brown and Harvard. Mr Clayton-Shepherd’s tutor Thomas Ross’s charity, ‘Footsteps’. In the biannual PGS strictly Summers for Medicine, Rory Maclean for Archaeology & group have prevailed over all challengers in the Tutor Group competition the majority of competitors were members of the Classics, Tristan Orchard for Natural Sciences and Sam Quiz competition, whilst Natasha Iliffe and Gregory Walton- house - Agatha Newton, Ed Smith, Charlotte Knighton, Sally Collings-Wells for History. Finally, Miss Rickard’s tutor group Green reached the final of the Ithaca Prize. Roman Mikhaylenko Hall, Ella Beard, Carl Wakeford, Sam Gardner, Tia Duggan and won the recognitions prize for the Autumn term with our best excelled as our first Chess Captain and took us into second Annie Manuel. The victorious couple were Year 11 members of ever number of recognitions. place in the House competition, but with a strength in youth the House, Katie Twist and Rob Weekes, even Mr Thomas wore that promises victories in years to come. green. Shivani Patel organised the junior school talent show In January Mrs Clarke left on her maternity leave and we raising £2000 and Joe Muir and Carl Wakeford helped with received the news and picture of beautiful baby Beatrice. Mr In matters of the spirit, Megan Wynne, once again, delighted fund raising for Cambodia and Argentina campaigns. de Trafford became acting Deputy of House and has been us with her original Christmas card. In charity work, Miss Cross appointed the role on a permanent basis from September. Our has driven some excellent Amnesty International events, Participation and spirit remains strong in all House House Captains Perseus and Natasha led by example: they emphatically putting the pun in sponge whilst raising money for competitions. Most notable was the gentle comedy and gave an assembly on their different school trips in the summer, an excellent cause, and Ilana Berney’s cake sales have become excellent performances in ‘The Good Life’. It not only won Best Perseus ran in the Great South run and Natasha played Margo in a veritable institution. Play and Best Director but also Charlotte Randle was awarded House Drama. After much pestering, Miss Bush finally bought Best Actor, resulting in an overall win in House Drama. As well a fridge for the house base, enhancing our tea and coffee It was sad to say farewell to a number of tutors at the end of as retaining our title in Tug of War on Sports Day it was great facilities. the year: to our DHOH, Miss Cross, who leaves shortly with to have a guest appearance from James Holmes. We were our very best wishes for maternity leave; to Miss Gladstone also an honourable second place in House Challenge thanks Sadly we received the news that Kieran Keel (leaver in 2012) who has been worthily and commendably appointed Deputy to Harrison Whitworth, Louisa Dassow, Jonathan Entwhistle and former member of Whitcombe died in a tragic accident. Head of Y9-11; and to Miss Dyer, an exemplary sixth-form tutor and Robert Merriam. Our House Music captain, Phoebe Carter, Miss Bush attended his funeral at Oxford as did many of his in the Founder’s mould, who leaves us to become Head of Art organised a strong team, especially years 9-11 with Finn Carter peers including members of his tutor group. Other OP news in her native and beloved Devon. Their departure was marked being overall winner and Isaac Waddington coming third. - Tom Gordon and Tom Edwards came back to visit and Ian with suitably red floral bouquets, which leads naturally to the The very talented Carter sisters, Phoebe, Jemima and Lydia, Nicholson, a former House Captain, came back to the city to highest point of the year: first place in the House PGS in Bloom performed a spectacular ensemble. However, true House direct ‘Tender Loving Care’ as part of the Festivities. We also competition. Another sterling and enthused team effort. spirit was evident with Ella Beard learning the trumpet just so launched our new MyPGS page thanks for our design team- Ed we had a brass competitor. Our House Sports Captains, James Rose, Ben Ager and Haraman, and we look forward to posting The House has continued its gradual transformation into Christian, Carl Wakeford, Izzy Welsh, Ben Stainton, Louisa regular updates. Hogwarts this year with the advent of simulated library Palmer, Eve Stainton and Harrry Hoolahan not only ensured we wallpaper and a popular games cupboard, and, like Vladimir and had teams but were responsible for our second place on House Finally, we said goodbye to Mrs Carter who has been a tutor in Estragon in Waiting for Godot, we are reliably informed that the Sports. Individually, Phoebe Warren and GeOff Sherwood Whitcombe House for 8 years and to Mr Derby. Moose head will be with us tomorrow... well, soon... well, ... continue to sail competitively, While James Holmes captained

James Phillips 176 177 Grant Smith Latter Whitcombe Not Going Out Father Ted Fawlty Towers The Good Life Charlie Albuery Dom Baker Pete Rapp Louisa Dassow house As seems to be the tradition with house drama, this year’s This year, Smith House brought the parochial madness of For this year’s House Drama competition, Latter put on a “It would seem that the golden oldies stole the show as both event very much snuck up on the four directors, most of us Craggy Island to the DRT in staging an episode from ‘Father performance of ‘Waldorf Salad’, an episode of much-loved The Good Life and Fawlty Towers both launched back in 1975, having selected a play to perform little more than a month Ted’. In choosing this slightly off-the-wall sitcom, we knew British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Starring Cameron Roberts and ancient when compared to the more modern offerings of the before the big night. that a lot of hard work would have to be put in to do it justice, Harry Norton as Basil Fawlty and Mr Hamilton respectively, other houses and proof that a good sitcom doesn’t age.” but the likes of Rishi Soneji, Will Sparkes and Gina Buckle the show provided an answer age-old question of ‘what This madcap dash from inception to performance began were more than competent in portraying the Irish clergy happens when you combine a proud British hotel manager of This year Whitcombe brought green-fingers to House Drama, for Grant with the selection of ‘Not Going Out’ and more in a tongue in cheek manner, supported by the infectiously infinite rudeness with a demanding, grumpy and equally proud taking on the charming comedy “The Good Life” and bringing specifically the episode ‘Winner’ in which the central charming Gregory Walton-Green and a host of others. American?’ After giving his chef the night off, two late arrivals at back lovable characters who had either been forgotten or who character (originally portrayed by Lee Mack) has to pretend to Rehearsals began in the weeks after Christmas (hindered the hotel demand dinner and Basil does his level best to satisfy were completely new to the younger members of the audience. be blind in order to receive a prize for fraudulently winning an somewhat by Yr 11 mocks), leaving us a fairly short amount their requests, which includes cooking and making them drinks; Performing the episode “I Talk to the Trees”, I thought the biggest essay contest, with his friends progressively being drawn into of time to coordinate our episode of choice – ‘Grant unto needless to say, the hapless hotelier gets in far too deep and problem with this piece would be finding the right actors but the the lie as wheelchair-bound, amnesiac and even suffering him Eternal Rest’. The episode follows a storyline in which slapstick scrapes galore ensue. cast list filled instantly with brilliant actors perfectly fitted to every from Tourettes. As the humour in ‘Not Going Out’ is so the more elderly, crazed and alcoholic priest, Father Jack character. Edward Smith took on the dominating role of Tom heavily dialogue based, a huge proportion of rehearsal time Hackett (Ollie Brown) is pronounced dead after drinking Our two leading men did truly brilliantly to portray the small- but his sharp wit was cleverly countered by Natasha Morgan’s was spent attempting to move the piece away from a state of floor polish. Shortly afterwards Father Ted (Rishi Soneji) scale war between Fawlty and Hamilton. Cameron’s bitter, portrayal of Barbara, his ever loyal wife. Next door, I stumbled complete stasis, although in the end the directing team made and Dougal (Will Sparkes) are informed by a visiting solicitor deadpan delivery dripped with oh-so-British sarcasm, while upon Charlotte Randall who pulled off the snobby Margo with up of Charlie Albuery, Hastings Tarrant and Phoebe Ruttle (Filippa Furniss) that Father Jack has left them half a million Harry provided an exhibition in how to shout so loud it’s style and her husband Jerry became Harry Staley who mastered managed to engineer some degree of movement into the pounds in his will. The will stipulates that the two Fathers must impossible to lose an argument – the sheer volume even proved his character’s dry humour and sarcastic one-liners. script. spend a night by the side of Jack’s body, but during this night troublesome at times in rehearsals, especially ones held next Father Jack miraculously awakens – with the floor polish door to the library! They did very well to keep the jokes coming In this particular episode after a humorous encounter with The cast was made up of the delightfully northern Lewis only having brought the symptoms of death upon his body, at a blistering pace, and were ably supported by a fantastic the slightly demented Mr Wakeling (Sam Betteridge), Tom Mackenzie portraying the similarly delightfully northern not death itself. Of course the plot is embellished with both supporting cast including Laura Verrecchia, Hattie Hammans, and Barbara decide to try and coax their plants to grow by Lee (bagging the Best Actor award in the process), Charlie tremendously funny and painfully awkward moments, some Christian Smith, and Harry Neame, as well as Emma Dorricott chatting and playing music to them. The pair’s connection Henderson filled the role of neurotic best friend Tim with comments becoming particularly funny (and cringe-worthy) and Fergus Kaye as the show’s exasperated diners. Special with their plant experiment was enviable, especially Barbara’s a remarkable nervous energy and apparent discomfort. in light of scandals surrounding the Catholic Church. The trio mention must go to George Cunningham and Lottie Kent for complete devotion to her runner bean Douglas which provided Landlord Lucy was played by Eloise Flippance who may or of directors, consisting of Josh Arnold, Ben Webb and myself, their hilarious takes on Manuel and Sybil Fawlty – both had to truly unforgettable moments in rehearsals and in the DRT. may not have been acting her incredibly plausible irritation at were of the opinion that the more fun that was had, the better maintain difficult accents throughout the play, and provided the Meanwhile, Margo is plotting to become the new president of all of Lee’s actions. The cast was then filled out with always – and this was certainly reflected in our whirlwind of a final cast with many a laugh in rehearsals. Harry (Norton)’s hard work the music society, hoping to replace the absent Dolly Manshaft. entertaining supporting performances from Alice MacBain, production, which had been ‘rehearsed’ on the night with was rewarded on the night as he won the well-deserved award However, she is opposed by the stubborn Mr. Chipchase (Rory Emily Tandy, Katie Wood and Oliver Saunders. an hour and a half of the Zane Lowe show on Radio 1. We for best supporting actor. Maclean) who is determined to defend Miss Manshaft’s right to ended up missing out on the main award, but picked up ‘Best power, and her noisy neighbours who threaten to undermine Performance night, to the immense shock of all involved in Technical Production’, in light of our crazily fast, yet effective Working together for the fourth time on the house play (this her whole campaign. Charlotte’s Margo prevailed, winning not the Grant play, went relatively smoothly. Even the somewhat scene changes (credit due to Tom Upton). As many people being the first time they have co-directed), Guy Cripps and only the election but also scooping up Best Actress on the night dubious decision to have actual china cups thrown around agreed however, as House Drama goes, this year’s was a Pete Rapp worked tirelessly to put this show together, doing with her excellent performance. Whitcombe also collected the stage at the climax ended with minimal (in all honesty, close fought battle, but a thoroughly enjoyable experience. everything from sign-making to camping it up as a couple Best Director and came joint first overall, sharing first prize with three) actual smashes to supplement the sound effects. Special mention should go out to Zoe Dukoff-Gordon and of diners on the night, as well as making the award-winning Latter’s fantastic Fawlty Towers. It would seem that the golden The play is such that, had the performances not kept a Mrs. Whitaker for organising our costumes, Gina Buckle programme! While everyone in the cast was incredibly pleased to oldies stole the show as both The Good Life and Fawlty Towers pace and levity to the piece, it could have gone down like for designing our programs and Mr.Elphick-Smith for being win (well, share the win with Whitcombe house, who were also both launched back in 1975, ancient when compared to the a lead balloon, and yet ‘Not Going Out’ managed to keep inspirational and motivational from the start (as well as buying very good), winning the prize for best more modern offerings of the other pace among a pack of four very strong plays, all of which us pizza on the night). play overall was extra special for Guy houses and proof that a good sitcom demonstrated talent that only bodes well for next year’s crop – after never quite winning in three doesn’t age. of plays. tries, to clinch it in his final year at PGS is a great achievement, and a fitting I would like to say a big congratulations way to go. to the other members of the cast; Agnes Price, Sally Hall, Sophie Parekh, All in all, a very successful outing for Maisie Riddle and Tia Duggan who Latter, picking up our first (shared) were superb as enthusiastic members victory since 2003, and a great of the music society. Thanks go to time was had by all on the night. our programme designer Brandon Congratulations to the other houses Choi and to our wonderful tech crew, for what was a night of high-quality Melissa Talbot and Ben Stirrup, who entertainment, including our co- produced abnormally large vegetables winners Whitcombe house, special on demand. Of course, extra special thanks to Mr Doyle for helping us thanks go to Ms Bush for helping in with props and rehearsals time every way from providing coffee, to and again (not forgetting his show squashing our greenery and wine opening cameo). Roll on House bottles into her already green office. Drama 2015! Well done Whitcombe!

178 179 Various artwork from PGS pupils Staff Leavers leavers staff

182 Alison Dyer

182 Angela Carter

183 Bruce Derby

184 David Hampshire

186 Jean Edwards 184

186 Linda Ashton

Tinted etching by Year 8 pupil Codey Simmons 8 pupil Codey etching by Year Tinted 8 pupil Isabel Herbert etching by Year Tinted 187 Louise Wilson

188 Paul Nials 187 188 190 Paddy McGuiggan

190 Rebecca McNamara

191 Steve Dymock

191 Suzanne Gardner 191 Gappers Tinted etching by Year 8 pupil Molly Renton etching by Year Tinted Marchant plaster cast by A2 pupil Charlotte Tinted

180 181 Ali (never Alison) started at PGS as an NQT in 2006 in the Art Ali has a meteoric rise becoming Head of Art in 2010. She Ali Dyer David Hampshire Department when Gary Whitehead was HOD. At the same immediately made an impact on the Department bringing time she became known to me as she was to be a tutor in it to the forefront of life in the School. She has implemented

Barton House for Year 8. many innovations, such as using different and unique venues leavers staff for Art exhibitions including the Spinnaker Tower, HMS Warrior, Ali was and still is young, fresh faced and enthusiastic. So the Guildhall and the Square Tower. She fired up the kiln again young in fact that at her first 11 plus Entrance exam Alan and brought ceramics back from the dead taking instruction Kittermaster, a History Teacher, pointed at Ali and said to the from the great Christine Derry, selected Year groups involved candidates, “the prefect will take you back to your area”. in the national Big Draw every year, and redesigned the 6th form area of the Art Studios so that the students have a work Ali immediately got herself involved in the full life of the School room with individual pods to work in and display their art. She and during her first summer holiday in 2007 she came with has also implemented the artist in residence programme, the Drama Department to the Edinburgh fringe taking our always responded to national events such as the London production of Peter Pan. She enjoyed this so much that she Olympics and the centenary of WW1 to keep Art current, and went again a year later in 2008 with Hiawatha. has brought academic approach to Middle School art lessons.

It was a great delight that Ali was made my Deputy in the Other things which Ali has done during her time at PGS have Middle School in 2008. I even managed to persuade her that included; being on the staff of the Middle School Ski trip part of her job was directing the Middle School musical and to Tonale in Italy, introducing a Year 8 themed end of year she assisted me in direction Grease in 2009 and Bugsy Malone party, involvement for 7 years in the silver Duke of Edinburgh in 2010. scheme, being on the staff of two Drama trips to New York, being a sixth form tutor in Smith for 4 years, building sets and Bruce Derby Ali was an excellent Deputy showing care and enthusiasm designing posters for the school musicals, being on the staff Ben Goad for the younger pupils. We had many special investigations of two classic trips to Italy, and she was the Common Room spending hours in my office interviewing alleged miscreants. president for two years. When I first started working with Bruce, I must admit that Whilst this was a necessary part of the job it has to be said that I had doubts about his sanity. We were discussing the there were more light hearted moment where we would laugh She has been an inspiring teacher and she also has the rare gift Biology department’s contribution during open morning ourselves silly. of being a friend to many both young and old. For all of this and he just said “Sharks! People love cutting them up”. Ali we thank you and wish you luck for the next stage of your A number of thoughts crossed my mind at that moment; career at Exeter School. “People?! What people? Who on earth has he been socialising with? Surely not PGS parents?” And then I remembered, of course, that he is one. We really do cater Most of you will know Angela as a smartly dressed, intellectual competitive side when pushed. There’s no limit to what she for all sorts at this school... “Ugh, the smell”, was a second Angela Carter Steve Harris individual around school who will engage you in some is prepared to get involved in if it offers a good challenge and thought, “in my beautiful palace of science!” But he was philosophical or religious debate at the drop of a hat, but what an enjoyable experience for the cadets in her charge. I’m sure quite right, of course. People did love dissecting sharks about when she puts on her uniform on a Monday night? What she has inspired many to take up sailing or other adventurous heads and, what’s more they could then make a Hydrogen about when she is Lt Carter? activities, and some have even gone on to join the Royal Navy, filled, remote control shark “swim” through the Atrium. despite her. Inspiring stuff, and indeed Bruce is an inspiring teacher with When I started to help out with the Naval section on a Monday a calm and learned manner and a deep passion for Biology night, I have to say I was not entirely sure what to make of Oh, and camping, I nearly forgot, probably because Angela which is palpable. her. My initial impressions suggested that she was training doesn’t really like camping, so it is particularly notable that she a group of undercover spies, based on the fact that she and agreed to help out with the Ten Tors event this year. What’s As we got to know him better we realised that this slightly her cadets often paraded in civilian clothes and displayed not to like? Three days of wild weather on Dartmoor, in quirky man was decidedly multifaceted. He produces the quirky characteristics not always associated with the ruthless Glastonbury like mud, with highly dubious toilet arrangements most beautifully crafted notes for example. His department discipline of our cadet forces. and no showers. You should also bear in mind that this was in minutes look like they’ve been sent from Buckingham the company of three Chemists and Bob Smith! No problem, palace. I asked him recently to give me some advice on I quickly realised though that in her own special way Angela Angela took it all in her stride. the best sets for some of his pupils next year and instead was getting a great deal done even if lots of marching and of just writing “top”, “middle”, “a genius” next to each name, shouting were not her thing! I know that Angela will be very much missed by her cadets he produced a perfectly formatted table with colour coding because they told me, in fact they seemed positively stricken and a detailed comment. In the renaissance he would With a programme worthy of a member of the SBS, she has led when I explained that I would be looking after the section until probably have been a skilled calligrapher and in fact he her intrepid cadets hillwalking, kayaking, caving, coasteering, a replacement could be found. Her natural talent for making would have been very much at home in Florence in the climbing, abseiling, dinghy sailing, surfing, windsurfing , individuals feel special and supported helped many cadets as 15th Century. He is a true renaissance man, interested as SUPing (that’s Stand Up Paddle Boarding, I should point out), they froze on a climb, or abseil or who were just feeling wet much in Philosophy and Physics as Biology and Bile. We canoeing , gorge walking, this involves hurling yourself off and miserable. It came as no surprise a couple of weeks ago have had many a wonderful, far-ranging discussion in his perfectly safe and secure platforms into deep water, white when I heard that Eloise Flippance had delivered a gift about office surrounded by piles of paper and the gently deflating water rafting, power-boating, fire-fighting, that’s with real fires, half a hundredweight of Fry’s Chocolate Cream bars as a shark, still floating in one corner. cruising racing yachts up and down the English Channel and, parting gift to say thank you to Angela. of course training in sea survival, just in case some of the other We look forward to hearing of your next exploits from Freya activities go wrong. Not your mild mannered philosopher We have all enjoyed working with her and appreciated her and Jim and we wish you all the very best on your return to there! She can really look quite ‘Angelina Jolie’ in her black wet sometimes alternative take on things, and on behalf of the further education and Itchen college suit, dark glass and crash helmet and she can reveal a ruthless pupils and staff, we wish Angela luck in her new role.

182 183 David Richard Hampshire September 1977 to July 2014 John Sadden Christine Giles Many people are surprised when they hear that Mr David Mr Hampshire’s leadership and pastoral skills were put to

Hampshire started at PGS 37 years ago. Perhaps the secret effective use as Deputy Head of Latter and then, in 1980, leavers staff of reaching retirement while appearing ten years younger Housemaster of Barton. In 1987, Mr Hampshire tried his The School Archive records everything that David is variety – and Mr Hampshire’s career arc certainly marks hand at directing a Middle School production of the musical Hampshire has achieved in his 37 years at Portsmouth him out as a man unafraid of new experiences and Smike and, following a year on a teacher exchange in New Grammar School but it may not paint a picture of the full challenges. England in the United States, was invited to direct the school’s person; David’s achievements show synergy. ambitious first production of Oliver! at The Kings Theatre. Mr Hampshire read Zoology at Imperial College, qualified David Hampshire is a deeply moral person; he never cuts as a teacher at University College Durham and joined PGS In 1990 Mr Hampshire was invited to become Director corners, he is always early for events and never late with in 1977 when David Richards was Headmaster. of the first Drama Department at PGS, an opportunity he deadlines, he speaks as he finds, his judgement of situations seized with both hands while also taking a degree in the is fair and based on all the evidence and he applies a The school had recently become independent and big subject at the University of Portsmouth. Leading the Drama humane, light touch with discipline and decisions, dealing I always think of you as someone who pushed me to make changes were afoot – the young Mr Hampshire was part Department, deploying Gap Year students and Directors in with parents, pupils and colleagues in a professional the best of myself, and can’t think of anything more than of the new vanguard of teachers with fresh ideas. He residence continued alongside Head of Middle School for a manner at all times. David Hampshire is a strongly loyal one could ask of a teacher. taught Biology, Chemistry and Middle School games, and while and Mr Hampshire was appointed a Senior Teacher in person too – he will not let you down, he can be depended (Alice Gore) also was an officer for 17 years in the Army Section of the 2006. Since September 2007, he has focused on the pastoral on to support a tutor or pupil in his charge. David’s career CCF, a role which, possibly drew on some nascent acting care of all the pupils in Years 7 and 8, using the Portsmouth at PGS has always been founded on hard work - he has We always look back on our days in ‘Oliver’ with such great talents. “That was where my funniest memories come Curriculum and his experience as a Magistrate to deliver a been awarded two degrees, worked in two departments, memories. from,” Mr Hampshire recalls, “teachers becoming CCF module on Citizenship, and getting to know each and every founded the Drama Department and leads the Middle (Ali Corke) officers and not having a clue about any of it!” one of his pupils individually. He has produced Middle School School in a bonded, supportive pastoral team. He has a Plays every year, culminating in the triumph of Little Shop of genuine fondness for working with young people, bringing A great teacher, director and all round good guy. Horrors in May 2014. out the best in all of us, leading by example and giving (Tom Morris) his time willingly to adventure weekends, ski trips, play rehearsals and Drama trips galore. In every way Mr Hampshire is exceptional, but perhaps his most remarkable achievement is looking the same age now But this is still not the full man either; David Hampshire as he did when arriving at PGS 37 years ago! has a wicked sense of humour, flavoured by lines from (Scott Linnett) Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, Dad’s Army, Father Ted and the like. David can make you laugh so much that you I have some fairly strong visual memories of Mr Hampshire cry, or have to stuff a handkerchief in your mouth, often singing (carol service? School Choir?) with his chin tucked in the middle of meetings and technical rehearsals for in and his mouth slightly to one side, and of his warm and productions, where his many asides make your sides ache rich voice. with suppressing the giggles. Laughter has been the source (Ian Nicholson) of his eternal youth – older photographs from the archive show that David has changed very little in his long time at You gave me the hope, inspiration and understanding PGS. to pursue my dreams and believe in myself. Whilst many others were heading into well paid, stable jobs, I jumped Are there no flaws in this man’s character? Well, he does into the unpredictable, unstable world of acting and have firmly believe that Yorkshire is God’s own county, that it never looked back. is always raining in this country, that summers used to (Billie Fulford-Brown) be much warmer, that the weather forecasts should be believed, that traffic lights only turn red for him, and that David is a multi-talented man with a great sense of humour! many a mickle makes a muckle. Despite these obsessions I wish him all the best for his retirement. with Yorkshire, traffic and the weather he is a true friend (Roger Bluff PGS Music Department) to many of us and will be deeply missed throughout the School. We will treasure our memories of his productions I’m sure you’ve changed the lives of many more people and of the man himself – precious things do come in small than you’re aware of - and I’ll always fondly recall the many parcels. ‘Hampshire and Marriott Entertain. (David Powell)

Without your help, I would not be the person I am today. I “David can make you laugh so owe an awful lot to you. much that you cry, or have to stuff a (Kayleigh Pendry was Rackett) I also remember being extremely impressed when he handkerchief in your mouth.” returned from a sabbatical in Spain having only learned two phrases, those being “Hello”, and “two beers please”. (Callum Donnelly) David teaching Biology in 1982

184 185 Jean Edwards

David Doyle

Jean came to PGS in 1997, having thought she had retired

that summer from PHS after a very full teaching career. She leavers staff was employed initially as a part-time teacher of Geography and soon found herself as an integral part of the Common Room and PGS life. After five years or so, she was asked by Tim Hands to take on other roles in the school. These included working with Eimer Page to formalise and co- ordinate the help given to those pupils who had additional educational needs, which in turn led to the creation of the specialised department which we have today under Jo Okell. Jean also undertook the great task of co-ordinating the letters which were sent to our feeder schools, informing them of their former pupils’ progress in Year 7. Each helped Paul Nials with the SRE part of the General Studies year, Jean would read through all of these letters from programme… Year 7 pupils and gently and sensitively edit some lovely phrases which, though meant with love, might have been Finally, Jean moved to her last role at PGS. John Pitt Louise Wilson James Priory misinterpreted by the pupil’s former teachers. A good decided to bring in outside cover supervisors and Jean was example was the pupil who with great pride announced asked to put together a group of reliable individuals who Mrs Louise Wilson was returning to her Hampshire roots in the Junior School; and championing developments in that he was having a lovely time at PGS and “We are learning would act as invigilators for the public examinations. It has when she accepted the position of Deputy Head (Academic) how we assess pupils’ work, track their progress, support and so much more than we did with you”! been incredible to see how this last role has developed at PGS in September 2010. Having grown up in the Fareham challenge pupils in their studies, and how we enable teachers from a “few mates” to one of, at times, a dozen or more area and been educated at local schools – Swanmore and to continue to learn and develop themselves. However, Jean is nothing if not versatile and she found invigilators moving about the school to cater for all the Barton Peveril – it must have been appealing to be back in herself accompanying Jamie Henderson and the Music examinations we have. familiar country and with family close by. It has been great to see the positive impact that Mrs Wilson tour of Austria; fieldtrips; ski trips to Killington, where she has made in generating discussion and debate amongst her was the “chaperone”, the teacher who was always on Now Jean moves into her second retirement and, as she But Mrs Wilson also brought with her experience of very colleagues, especially with Heads of Department. I believe duty at base in case pupils became ill on the slopes. The said at her farewell in the Common Room, “It is not that I different places and schools, enriching her approach to the it is a significant compliment to her, too, that she is being pupils loved her as they knew they would receive a warm wanted to keep going, just nobody told me I should stop leadership of the academic life of PGS. Not only had she succeeded by Mr Goad, Head of Science, and one of those response (and a hot chocolate for their ordeal) and the working”. spent part of her childhood in Hong Kong, as part of a Navy colleagues with whom she has worked so closely over the teachers loved her as they did not have to take an afternoon family, she had started her career not as a teacher but as a last four years. She has helped to put teaching and learning out from skiing to sit in the base! She has fulfilled many roles at PGS and we are the better for journalist in the oil industry. Having discovered her vocation, at the heart of our strategic development as a school, and it all of them. We wish her well for the future, certain that she she was appointed Head of Spanish at Charterhouse, is excellent to know that this work will be continuing in the Another role for which Jean is fondly remembered by will return often for the plays, concerts and exhibitions that progressing to Head of Languages at Millfield School where years to come. the VI Form and, in particular by the boys, was when she she has so enjoyed supporting. she was responsible for a department of nearly 30 teachers delivering at least nine different modern languages in one of For all the busyness of her role, however, Mrs Wilson has the most internationally diverse independent schools in the found time to contribute to so many other areas of school Lloyd Ansell country. life, for which she will be warmly remembered. Not only Linda Ashton teaching Spanish at GCSE, A Level and IB, she has often Linda has been at PGS for 10 years and was a kind and Perhaps we should not have been surprised, therefore, that headed off in to the weekend with a rucksack on her compassionate teacher. She tried hard to make the pupils when we were looking for somebody to visit a new link back for Bronze DofE expeditions; donned her trainers feel at ease and would often be found working with them school in Pingxiang, China, to forge connections and develop to be part of the PGS team in the Great South Run; single one to one. Linda was always prepared to go the extra ideas for mutual educational projects, Mrs Wilson was handedly promoted PGS Extend and the award of the mile and could often be found talking to pupils in lunch instantly ready to be PGS’s ambassador. It was a trip which Ithaka prize for the most impressive piece of independent and break times. She was an ambassador for girls in presented memorable challenges: fireworks exploding research undertaken by a Sixth Form pupil; and represented engineering and would often be found encouraging girls in the streets in celebration of her arrival with little concern PGS on the education strand of Shaping the Future of into the various fields of engineering and her specialism, for Hilsea-style health and safety, and a perilous crossing of Portsmouth, a city-wide initiative to develop the confidence architecture. She also made many links with schools a mountain bridge which Mrs Wilson remembers only with and achievement of young people within Portsmouth. and organisations outside school and taking pupils on tightly closed eyes, such is her head for heights. Following Somehow, she has even found time to study for a Masters in trips to inspire their interests in design and engineering. A in her footsteps, however, will be Sixth Form Economics Educational Leadership and Management at the University of memorable project was the one she did with the Mary students in the autumn, as we look to build our relationship Bath, evidence of her own commitment to lifelong learning. Rose taking pupils to the new museum and running an with this fascinating city and school. inspiring project with the pupils in school. Many took Above all, Mrs Wilson has been a superb colleague and I am their iPod pouches home as they were so proud of their Mrs Wilson has earned a reputation at PGS for being very hard immensely grateful to her for her support and hard work in achievements through her. working and on occasion burning the midnight oil. There is her four years at PGS. She leaves us to become the Managing no doubt that her role is a demanding one, working closely Head of Bedales School where we wish her, her husband Linda worked in the Art department also and had a great with over 20 academic departments in the Senior School Dave and her children Sam, Joe and Ellen, all the best for a effect on the pupils learning and understanding of art. to ensure that high standards in teaching and learning are very happy future. Linda’s presence will be missed in many ways at PGS. She sustained; liaising regularly with her counterpart, Mr Sharkey, retires to a new life in Portugal where she is building her own architectural masterpiece. We wish her every success.

186 187 Paul Nials September 1987 to July 2014 In 2000 Paul established the training of Newly Qualified something of an “oracle” to Biologists ;tricky debates have Christine Giles and Moira Bates Teaching staff at PGS and of the 36 that benefitted from been settled by Paul’s argument, which is always evidence his immaculate record keeping and nurturing, 16 are based, as befitting any good scientist.

Paul Nials was appointed to teach Biology at PGS in still working at the school. In 2011, as Senior Teacher leavers staff September 1987 from Caterham School. He settled into with responsibility for Training and Development, he In the Biology Office, Paul was also the repository of all his new school well, contributing to teaching at all levels, led the creation of a bespoke course in leadership and resources, though it paid to be discreet when borrowing fieldwork days and sex and drugs programmes, an area in management, accredited by the University of Portsmouth: from his perfectly-organised pen pot. All members of the which he developed particular expertise, working with 17 staff have successfully completed CELM since that time, Biology Department have, at one time or another, been at Police School Liaison officers to deliver drugs education a number of them continuing on to full Masters courses in the mercy of his acerbic wit wielded with the precision of a to pupils and parents. His subsequent appointment as Education. surgeon. Head of PSHE was due recognition of his expertise in this important area of the curriculum. Paul also trained as a counsellor and progressed his own Paul Nials has played a huge part in the development of professional development by completing a Masters degree professional training at Portsmouth Grammar School, Paul was never anything but perfectly prepared in his in Education at the University of Southampton. He took contributing to Inset Days and Parents’ Evenings, guiding teaching. A former pupil writes that Paul was “a thoroughly sabbatical leave in the summer of 2003 and as a Fellow many pupils and staff. Throughout all the time we have excellent teacher who focused on the important aspects in the Southampton School of Education, published his known and worked with him, he has been immaculately of teaching: education, rather than training, supportive research into mentoring. turned out, his ties have always matched his shirts, his CCF of students both in an academic and pastoral sense, not combats have been clean and neatly pressed, not one hair afraid to pursue academic rigour, enjoyable lessons, dry Paul has been a constant in every sense of the word, from on his head has ever been out of place and he has always humour. His printed notes are still relevant to practising his immaculate appearance, his unvarying routine, his been there to listen patiently and confidentially, to give sage doctors, biologists and, no doubt, other professionals. He I could not have asked for a more supportive Induction commitment to pupils and his diligence in all aspects of advice where needed, honest opinion when required. We possessed so many qualities that make a great teacher.” Tutor during my NQT year in 2006 – 2007. Paul’s wealth his professional life. He remains the fount of all knowledge wish him fulfilment and happiness in the next stage of his of knowledge and experience of PGS and of teaching in relating to matters biological and has therefore been personal journey. Paul collaborated with the Mary Rose Trust to produce a general was invaluable. His door always remained open combined Science and History Day for the whole of Year during the seven years that followed and I am very grateful 8. The programme he devised continues to be a popular for his encouragement, advice and friendship. It is hard and stimulating cross-curricular event for pupils and is to find a teacher who has been more committed to the valued highly by staff at the Mary Rose Museum as a way of profession than Paul and I can only aspire to his levels of introducing young people to the science and technology of organisation and dedication. Paul has helped to successfully Henry VIII’s famous warship. establish the careers of countless new teachers and he will be sorely missed at PGS by staff and pupils alike. Paul had a wide range of co-curricular interests at school (Ali Dyer) as well as his academic side. These included the CCF where he attained the rank of Captain as the Regimental Paul was a brilliant mentor: always full of insights about how Signals officer with responsibility for the armoury and the to improve my teaching. His lesson observation feedback magazine. His nickname of “Gunner Nials” was earned on a was analytical and challenging, and a compliment from him night exercise when he was handling the light machine gun was a real boost. He was an oasis of calm in my first year of and nearly melted the barrel with the blank ammunition. teaching, and his organisation and attention to detail were Paul was also Head of Eastwood House for 13 years. In legendary amongst all his NQTs! Paul was ever-generous 1996 he organised a White Water Rafting Trip for the Middle with his time and his interest in my career, and I’ll always School to the Mediterranean, the Allier and Embrun and this be grateful to him for his guidance. Have a wonderful continued for a number of years. The activities of kayaking, retirement, Paul – it’s well-deserved! canyoning, sailing and windsurfing were enjoyed by pupils (Rowena Hammal) and staff alike though perhaps the 24 hour coach journeys were not the best part of these trips. “I feel I have been one of the incredibly fortunate few (or not so few, given his longevity at PGS) to have been ‘Nials’d’ as a In sport Paul coached the U12Rugby team at PGS from fresh-faced Newly Qualified Teacher. He is one of a small but 1987 to 2002 and enjoyed two overseas Rugby Tours to special breed of people where every single piece of advice he Australia in 2000 and South Africa in 2002 as Tour Manager. gives seems to improve a situation. Although his knowledge of In complete contrast Paul has stage managed productions the Teaching Standards, his thoroughly annotated induction of Oliver! and Hello Dolly at the Kings Theatre and attended folders, his incredible organisation and efficiency and stock Drama trips to Spain as well as many School ski trips– he is a phrases such as ‘360-degree-with-it-ness’ have proved man of many talents. incredibly useful over the years, I will forever be grateful for his unique sense of humour, his infectious love for the profession A further string to Paul’s bow was the professional training and his willingness to be a confidante about any situation, for of new teachers. He has worked with 75 trainee teachers he is one of life’s great listeners and advisers. All too often I still from the Southampton University School of Education think, “Paul would know what to do now” and I miss knowing as Professional Mentor, guiding them through their that his wise and comforting presence is just up the stairs. I am placements at PGS and as Curriculum Mentor for Science confident I am one of very many who wants to thank Paul as an for further trainees from Portsmouth University and exceptional teacher, mentor, friend and all-round PGS legend” Chichester. (Christopher Williamson) Paul Nials and David Hampshire with Biology candidates in 2001

188 189 Patrick McGuiggan Steve Alex Leach Dymock Lloyd Ansell At Paddy’s request I have squeezed some Irish song titles into

this article…see how many of the titles you can pick out. Steve came to PGS from the Wealdon leavers staff School and was an impressive teacher from Paddy has been with us for 2 years. A short time to show the start. He was always caring and attentive himself to be a great teacher of Maths, Middle School tutor to his pupils, giving the best of his teaching and friend to many, but he has managed that all with ease, all the time. If any pupil needed extra time leaving me breathless. he would use his free time at lunch or break to ensure the job was completed He has thrown himself into life at PGS by joining the Duke to his own exacting standards. Steve was of Edinburgh team, running the Chess Club and regularly an excellent colleague who was always losing squash matches to both pupils and staff. He has been prepared to help out in any way he could. sponged in the name of charity once already and at the time Steve ran technology club and undertook of writing, I am sure he won’t be far from the action later management of Years 7 and 8 curriculum in today. his final year. He was also a hugely popular teacher in the General Studies programme, Paddy has jumped on board with many school outings and I that this will continue in your new position at Brancroft in which his ‘Food for Thought’ sessions Suzanne was delighted therefore to have him on the Hawkey Thorpe School. Unfortunately, we could not entice your partner Sally on a Thursday afternoon were notoriously Park trip at Easter. This was a beautiful day out and Paddy down to sunny Pompey in the name of love, and so you must always the first to fill up. Gardner would have seen life as a rollercoaster, had he remembered leave us to join your uptown girl in the capital. Suzanne Gardner enjoyed a number of successes in her five years the right day and not slept in leaving Miss Cox, Mr Seddon and Steve had the opportunity to go to New as Head of Netball at PGS. Our U19 team reached the finals of the myself to entertain the masses, but we love him no matter Paddy, we wish you the best of luck in your new adventures Zealand and start a new life with his family Independent Schools’ National Cup in 2012 and the U14’s and what as we were flying without wings! as you look forward to brighter days and run away. If but was very sad to leave the PGS staff and U16’s reached national finals in 2013 and 2014. As well as netball tomorrow never comes, it will be too soon for those of us pupils. He was much admired by all and Suzanne took U12 girls’ hockey teams, senior rounders teams, As a friend Paddy, you raise me up! You always bring who will miss you dearly. In short you will be forgiven not his unique sense of humour will be sorely cricket teams and helped out with the school’s Duke of Edinburgh enthusiasm and an eagerness for life and I am in no doubt forgotten as nothing compares to you. missed in the department. We wish Steve programme. She was also an experience tourist, enjoying trips to every success for his new life Barbados, South Africa and Malaysia/Singapore.

Suzanne leaves us to take up a new role at Cranleigh School in Rebecca Abu Dhabi. McNamara Jo Okell Alex Pratley, who has gone onto King’s College London to study English Rebecca joined PGS in September 2009 from the Isle of Gappers Peter Norris, who has gone onto Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study Music Wight having taught at Ryde School and then run her own 2013 – 2014 Jason Howard who is now working at Portsmouth Cathedral private business, tutoring pupils with specific learning James Woolas who has gone to Plymouth to study Medicine difficulties. She worked in the Learning Support Department Will Pepperell has gone to Birmingham to study Biology for 5 years, implementing spelling and reading programmes Chris Head has gone to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for the Year 7 and 8 dyslexic pupils and providing an after- Adam Southey, who is staying for another year at PGS working in the History school touch typing club which was popular with many. department and the library.

As a Year 8 tutor in Eastwood, she knew her tutor groups well and was always ready to offer a listening and caring ear to her tutees, even when they had moved further up the school. She was also instrumental in helping her Tutor group raise money for Ben’s Heroes Trust.

Rebecca’s extra-curricular involvement initially included CCF and then later the Duke of Edinburgh Award for which she was a Bronze trainer. Expeditions took her to the South Downs and to the New Forest but she was always one to grab a co-curricular opportunity further afield and never more so than when she ventured to Barcelona with Mr Stone; her pastoral support and good humour were vital in ensuring a happy experience for all pupils concerned.

We wish her well as she embarks on a new project on the Isle of Wight, building up her business with local schools.

190 191 Portmuthian 2010 – 2013 Editors & Thanks & thanks editors

194 A Tribute to Keiran

196 The Team

197 Head Editors’ Report 2014

198 The Final Word and Thanks 194

196 198

192 193 A Tribute to

Kieran Keel Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise therefore that “Kieran sat behind me in the minibus giving me a running when he was invited to bring along a prop for his leaver’s commentary throughout the journey from Portsmouth on OP and Portmuthian Writer book photograph, Kieran should choose Sherlock Holmes’ all the university colleges and which ones he hoped to go to. James Priory deerstalker and meerschaum pipe. Portsmouth is where We all realised that coming to Oxford was Kieran’s dream.” & thanks editors Conan Doyle created the world’s great detective, someone Only a few years later, Kieran would be described by his Head who also liked dressing up in disguise, who was forensic in his Sad though it was for us to say farewell to such a brilliant of House, Ms Bush, as “the bard of Whitcombe House” giving analysis, and who could be as contemplative as a boy joining and intriguing pupil - to present Kieran with his leaver’s tie at a memorable assembly on the importance of love and Bob a new school in Year 4 or as impassioned as a Sixth Former the end of his time in the Sixth Form - we knew that it had Dylan’s lyrics, on another day coming dressed up as Che sporting a Che Guevara beret in a House assembly. been a privilege for us to enjoy his company for ten years, Guevara in a beret and choosing to speak for some reason in a and that coming here to Oxford was a new adventure and South African accent in an assembly on revolutionary leaders. It has been said that one of the poems that intrigued Kieran in an opportunity which made Kieran enormously happy and his A level studies was Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay“ fulfilled. And in that knowledge, I can assure you that for all of Kieran’s school record is adorned with prizes. He won a but movingly, Kieran’s handwritten message to his friends us at PGS there will always be much joy. Foundation Scholarship to the Senior School. His subject on the photograph showing him as Sherlock Holmes has a prizes range from Spanish, German and English to Science different message: “May you stay forever young.” 6 March 2014 and ICT. By this stage, university life beckoned. Dr Richmond, Kieran’s The editors would like to add their recognition of the I wouldn’t like to suggest, however, that everything Kieran did Philosophy teacher, recalls taking a group of pupils on a study contribution that Kieran made to the Portmuthian magazine at PGS was liberally crowned with laurels. day here in Oxford in October 2011: in his time at PGS, and that we continue to hold Keiran, his family, and his friends in our thoughts and prayers. One note on file records a serious misdemeanour when Kieran was in Year 9:

“Dear Second Master, I have just caught Kieran Keel and one of his friends, George Rapley, at the centre of an admiring crowd using the new IT room to watch an American Football video. They were not using the room as it was intended.”

The severity of the sanction has gone unrecorded, but clearly Kieran was already an American Football convert.

Cricket, of course, was another love of Kieran’s sporting life. The partnership of Dom Humphrey’s batting and Kieran Keel’s bowling is regularly praised in both Junior and Senior School match reports.

“He had a classic outswing delivery,” writes Head of Cricket, Mr Curwood, “full of length, always trying to tempt the batsman into an extravagant drive. Kieran would frustrate opposition batsmen with his consistency, restricting the runs and increasing the pressure; he was a captain’s dream.”

When Kieran joined The Portsmouth Grammar School, I think The intellectual fervour first unleashed in the Junior School it’s fair to say that he was looking for a little inspiration. In Year grew with some rapidity in Kieran’s Senior School career, 4 at seven years old it was clear to his parents, and would be becoming particularly evident at the time of GCSEs. soon to his teachers, that this was a young man who was eager to learn. In 2009, it was the Year 10 team of Michael Roderick, Max Jewell, Chris Hall and Kieran who won best overall delegation “I remember him being quite quiet and reserved,” says Mr at the school’s inaugural Model United Nations Conference Wadge, Kieran’s Year 4 teacher. “And then he gradually despite having the challenging task of representing Chad. became more confident and started making friends. It was wonderful to see this change, a knowing look and a twinkle in Around the same time, Kieran’s tutor, Mr Burkinshaw, the eye that showed his humour and wit.” remembers a no less scintillating performance when he decided to give his GCSE English class the choice of which Kieran quickly flourished. His first piece of work published Shakespeare play they would like to study: in the school magazine is a poem written with exactly that twinkle in the eye: “Kieran launched a passionate campaign for ‘Othello’, the centre-piece for which was an extraordinary one-man show “If I were you I wouldn’t move my lips if I were you, in which Kieran performed every single character, including No I wouldn’t at all, fight scenes, romantic scenes and crowd scenes, transfixing And boy! Your homework is in late the entire class for five minutes in what can only be described We’re the rules that rule the school.” as a tour-de-force.”

194 195 Head Editors

Report Gregory Walton-Green

It has been a real pleasure to be Head (Student) Editor for denote different types of information. However the loss was & thanks editors the Portmuthian again this year, alongside the ever-bubbly mitigated by the table of articles, organised by Ellie Burr- Zoe Rundle, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the twice-weekly Lonnon and Miss Rickard, which made sure that we stayed on meetings with the team. We have had our share of difficulties top of articles due, and even though I was no longer sending this year, with Miss Hart, our guiding light, going on maternity minutes out every week, there were frequent emails from the leave, but having the core team from last year continuing on, Senior Editors to the team and other writers. and the brilliant fresh insights, diligence, and enthusiasm of the exceedingly capable Miss Rickard, who took up the reins These last two years at the Portmuthian have been delightful. from Miss Hart for the latter two terms of the year, meant that I’ve made wonderful new friends, had a lot of fun, and most we have been just as efficient as last year in collecting articles, importantly got a substantial amount of writing done! I’m as well as having many laughs along the way. sad to say goodbye to the Portmuthian, but I know that it will be in good hands, and hopefully I’ve made a (positive) Another issue was our largely Year 13 team becoming impression on it while I was here. (understandably) focused on their final exams, whether A2s or IB, however any slight lapse in output on their behalf in I dedicate this to Yasmin Caldera, who studied at PGS for 9 the summer term was more than covered by our extensive years, and passed away in July at only 18 years old. I know organisation earlier in the year, as well as our star writers/ that she will be sorely missed by all her friends at PGS, and it editors from the younger years, such as Beatrix Stark and is so upsetting that we will never see her, in all her wonderful Charlie Henderson. One of the casualties of final exam exuberance, again. She was a brilliant, funny, charming stresses was, to great general grieving, my extensive minutes, friend and a lovely person. I cannot begin to imagine how filled with all the off-hand comments and anecdotes the heartbreaking this must be for her family. My thoughts are team made during our meetings, and all colour-coded to with them.

Editorial Team 2014 Gregory Walton-Green – Head Editor (literally a laugh a minute, or minutes) Zoe Rundle – Head Editor (Amazing, especially at keeping everyone, including Greg, in check) Ellie Burr-Lonnon – Editor (Little Miss Organised, although dubious use of English at times! – ‘gooder’) Charlie Henderson – Writer (always with his trusty Yellow Book) Daniel Rollins – Design Consultant (and resident Science man) Sampad Sengupta – Design Consultant/Reporter (and our other Science guy!) Josh Rampton – Writer/roving reporter (enjoyed going to the posh events) Alex Quarrie-Jones – (clearly an IB pupil with lots to do, his articles all arrived in the end – mostly after May!) Rhiannon Lasrado – Writer & Editor (Amazing, and handily seems to be at every event…) Julia Alsop – This year’s ‘Elusive Contributor’ Verity Summers – Design Consultant (gave advice from afar…) Naeve Molho – Writer (Never seen, but always read – our trusted Yr 9 Correspondent!) Cicely Podmore – Writer (Official Yr 10 Correspondent) Bea Stark – Writer (Little Miss Reliable, always gets the job done with a smile, sometimes the only one at meetings….) Helen Jackson – Writer (New recruit, so far so good!) Zoe Dukoff-Gordon – Writer (and already a lifesaver!) Phoebe Warren – Design Consultant & Writer (a late recruit, but looking forward to next year!) Daniel Hill – Writer (recruited in summer, an absolute star – never have so many articles been written in such short a time)

196 197 The Final Word Lisa Rickard

I have to admit that I was a little daunted when, back in December, I & thanks editors arrived at my first Portmuthian design meeting to hear the pupils say ‘We don’t really want a theme as such. No ipad, book, or satchel theme this year. Let’s go for something simple, back to the basics of a magazine’. As a first-time editor with little experience, and with the truly spectacular, carefully crafted recent editions of the Portmuthian in the forefront of my mind, I had no idea how we were going to produce an up-to-standard publication with these somewhat vague ideas from the pupils. Not to mention the sheer number of events that we would need to cover during the year – the Yellow Book really is just only the beginning. However, of course I need not have worried.

Firstly, we have the team. Despite their initial vague demeanour, I soon came to realise that they are in fact full of ideas, some of which have come to fruition and some which have not, but there were always ideas, and there were always people willing to jump into action when needed. Gregory Walton-Green and Zoe Rundle have been fantastic Head Editors, making sure we are as on track as can be. I was pre-warned by Mrs Hart about the hilarity of Greg’s weekly minutes, and I was certainly not disappointed – if we achieved nothing else in meetings we certainly had a lot of fun! We all missed these in the summer when Greg had to spend time on far more sensible activities, such as studying. Mention must be made though of Greg’s great comeback – I am indefinitely grateful for the emails I am even now still receiving from him, despite him being on holiday, with articles and captions that he has edited from his phone!

I have to also thank Ellie Burr-Lonnon for guiding me through the whole process, and particularly her impressive filing system – I would have been lost without this once the Yr 13s disappeared for exams. The rest of the Yr 13s have all done a fantastic job of balancing Portmuthian commitments with their final year of their studies; Dan Rollins, Josh Rampton, Alex Quarrie-Jones, Sampad Sengupta and Verity Summers have all pitched in with articles and advice when they can.

Charlie Henderson, despite the pressure of GCSEs, was always on hand with his trusty Yellow Book! Despite the loss of the Yr 13s in the summer, I am very grateful to all of the other members of the team for stepping up and am confident that under Charlie’s leadership, Mrs Hart will return to a strong team for 2015. Particular thanks must go to Rhiannon Lasrado, Naeve Molho, Daniel Hill and Bea Stark for their incredible article output!

Secondly, we have Nikki, our designer, who has put up amazingly well with our changing ideas through the year, interpreting our weird, wonderful or sometimes just vague concepts and conveying them with visual coherency on the page. Nikki has been endlessly patient and reassuring, and for that I am very grateful.

Lastly, to all the pupils and staff at PGS who have contributed articles and images this year. It is, of course, you who have really given us our ‘theme’ for this year. Going back to the roots of the Portmuthian magazine, ‘back to basics’, and looking at the sheer wealth of articles that we have received just this year, there is a common theme that becomes increasingly clear. Being a part of PGS is, and always has been, more than just being part of a school. Our links with the city of Portsmouth, local charities, national and even international organisations consistently shine through. It is these connections with our past, with our surroundings and with our ever-growing community that make us such a vibrant school, and which have made producing this edition of the Portmuthian such a pleasure.

198 199 Special thanks must go to:

All PGS pupils and staff who have kindly contributed articles, images, time and ideas

Bryony Hart for all her hard work in setting up the well-oiled machine that is our team

John Sadden, Archivist for his patience, ideas, and Porthmuthian history

Jason Baker for photography

Tony Hicks for images of the building of the Sixth Form Centre

James Burkinshaw for providing advice, reassurance, and strawberries for the team

Graphic Design House for printing

Nikki Francis of Duo Creative Media for her endless patience, enthusiasm and creativity, and for channelling our concepts into another perceptive Portmuthian creation.

200 HIGH STREET PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE, PO1 2LN 023 9236 0036 www.pgs.org.uk