For celebration of art and design... Newsletter turn to pages 8 and 9 Summer 2019 No. 60 Student leadership roles a family tradition for new head girls

GSAL gold DofE award recipients at Buckingham Palace with Mr Scott A golden year for GSAL DofE (L-R) Conor Green, Charlotte Manley, Ailsa Gorman and Toluwanise Olusoga A record number of GSAL pupils achieved the much-coveted Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award The new head girls at GSAL, Charlotte Manley and Ailsa Gorman, have the makings of a good team… this year, with 27 current pupils and five former having joined the school together in nursery, they students earning the top accolade. know what makes each other tick. Accompanied by head of outdoor learning, Mike Scott, 21 They also have valuable insight into what the role entails current Y13 students made the trip to Buckingham Palace for as both are following in the footsteps of an older sibling; the gold award ceremony. Charlotte’s brother Will was head boy in 2011-12 and Ailsa’s The Earl of Wessex presented the certificates and remarked brother Tom was head boy in 2014-15. on how impressed he was to see so many from GSAL, a fitting Joining Charlotte and Ailsa on the student leadership tribute to the hard work that goes into achieving such a team for 2019-20 are two head boys, Conor Green and prestigious award. Toluwani Olusoga, who both joined GSAL in Y7. Current pupils receiving their awards this year are: Harris The quartet took over their roles when the current Y13 Aldridge, Edward Clark, Nathan Daniels, Leyan Edhem, Julia students started their study leave for A-levels. As well as Fierek, Emma Hope, Hollye Hudson, Gabrielle Jackson, James being important role models to students, the leadership Jackson, Emma Johnson, Beth Jordan, Rohan Karthik, Nicole team’s responsibilities include representing the school at Kelly, Omar Ladak, Abbie MacLeod, Katie Mahoney, Stephen events and facilitating good communication between staff Rawes, Emily Sambidge, Saskia Simmons, Roshan Singh-Morgan, and students. They head up a sixth form team of school Georgia Sixsmith, Robert Southby, Issie Sutton, Lucy Toogood, prefects, faith leaders, faculty leaders and house captains. Holly Tunstall, Georgia Turton and Elise Waldron-Hoines.

Physics pupils in Y8 won gold for GSAL when they took part in the 13th annual Physics Olympics at St Peter’s School, York. Ruby Gratton, Alexandra Hall, Rohan Ratnalingam Stop press… and James Robertson beat teams from 27 other schools to win.

@TheGSAL GSAL life Summer 2019 Malawi meals project receives vital funding from St James’s Place GSAL’s Malawi project has received a boost thanks to a charitable donation that will fund a daily meal for vulnerable children and adults in the Thyolo region.

For over 30 years the school’s students and staff have been supporting Receiving the cheque from Martin Teal of St James’s Place are Orla Weaver (centre) and Barry Brindley communities in Malawi by raising funds, donating goods and giving practical help, under the leadership of retired deputy for over 100 elderly people, as well as for six years; a further few days visiting a head Barry Brindley. clothing and blankets. In addition around game park and Lake Malawi; and the final The Zikomo Trust, the charity set up 60 orphans and disadvantaged children week in the Thyolo region, including a day by Barry to support projects in Malawi, are fed at Malama daily and attend nursery. at the Malama Feeding Station and Nursery. applied to the St James’s Place Charitable This summer 44 students will visit The students will also put the Foundation , which agreed a donation of Malawi for a three-week tour, with Barry finishing touches to six newly built £2,500 specifically to support the costs of Brindley and a team of GSAL staff. classrooms in primary schools, funded by the Malama Feeding Centre and Nursery. They will be based for a week at the Zikomo Trust, by painting the Every day the centre provides a meal Kamuzu Academy, where Barry taught Malawi national curriculum on the walls.

Talented mathematicians at GSAL Students have been taking part in additional maths activities to test their go further knowledge and ability to think with maths beyond the school curriculum. The GSAL team came second at Junior Maths Challenge, eight the Y10 Maths Feast 2019 students in Y7 and Y8 qualified competition, while at the Pop for the next rounds. Maths Quiz at the University of Two Y9 students, Leeds Y7 and Y8 teams came Oluwaseyitan Olusoga and Katya second and fourth respectively. Rawat, were nominated for the Meanwhile, students in Y9, Y10 Royal Institution Mathematics and Y11 achieved great success Masterclasses at the University in the UKMT Intermediate of Leeds, where they attended Maths Challenge with 19 scoring sessions for six weeks on topics highly enough to progress to ranging from knots, statistics, the follow-on Kangaroo and 3D Nets, the power of 2, chaos (L-R) Katya Rawat and Oluwaseyitan Olusoga Olympiad rounds. In the UKMT and cryptography.

2 No. 60 GSAL life Message from the Principal We live in exciting times – always! As we prepare School by Dr Graham Purves, who joins from Portsmouth , for the move of Rose Court pupils from where he is Assistant Head (Teaching to in September 2020, we have made key and Learning). Dr Purves is also an Oxford graduate and holds a PhD in appointments at GSAL for the next chapter in its atomic physics from Durham University. long history. Two new Vice Principals will help to He has experience in large, city-based independent day schools like GSAL lead the project to create a single school community where he has held leadership roles from age three to 18 on one site. encompassing curricular and co- curricular briefs, and the Mrs Gabrielle Solti joins as Vice South Hampstead High School, to Leeds, implementation of digital learning for Principal and Head of Primary School, where she has strong family ties. She maximum impact in the classroom. a new position created to lead the is the daughter of Sir Georg and Lady We continue to look forward all new unified primary phase that will Valerie Solti, and her mother is an old the time – we have just completed the be formed by merging Rose Court and girl of Leeds Girls’ High School. latest, comprehensive pupil survey and Junior School. Mrs Solti graduated in It will be sad to bid farewell to the school strategic review, with a new history from the University of Oxford, Mr Neal Parker, who heads off to development plan for the coming years. and has a wealth of teaching experience Southampton after seven successful With ambitious plans for the future and in state and independent sectors, in both years at GSAL, to take up his new a new team in place, we look forward coeducational and single sex schools. position as Principal of King Edward VI to keeping you updated as we welcome She moves from London, where she Grammar School. He will be replaced Gabreille and Graham to join the is currently Head of the Junior School of as Vice Principal and Head of Senior positive and vibrant GSAL community!

Dr Graham Purves is pictured with GSAL Principal, Mrs Sue Woodroofe, and Mrs Gabrielle Solti (Photo: Justin Slee)

3 GSAL life Summer 2019 Learning together Nursery pupils and and linguistic development in young children, and by spending time playing Y13 students have been with the three- and four-year olds from learning from each other. Rose Court, they could observe their natural use of language in a relaxed and Although the lesson they spent together fun environment. looked like play, there was some serious It was a great learning opportunity learning going on too. The A-level for the little ones too, who had an English language students are studying introduction to the wider world of Nursery pupil Yasser is pictured the link between cognitive development big school! with Y 13 student Vidya Premraj

Queen’s Scouts from The , pictured during the celebration event at Windsor (photo courtesy of The Scout Association) Royal celebration for 20 Queen’s Scouts Explorer Scouts at GSAL have enjoyed a record-breaking year, with an unprecedented 20 scouts earning the Queen’s Scout Award.

This is the highest award possible for GSAL’s Scout Leaders are Annette Saumit Benkalkar, Robbie Brew, Edward a member of the Scout movement, and Jones, Sandra Bavill and Alan Naylor, Clark, Thomas Coates, Phil Curran, GSAL’s award winners were among 400 who said: “Having followed our scouts’ Luke Evans, Sam Evans, Miles Falivene- Queen’s Scouts who gathered at Windsor development from Cubs through to Rook, Lucas Fallon, Paul Greathead, Castle for a national day of celebration. Explorers we are extremely impressed Christian Heath, Harry Hirst, George The event, attended by Prince Edward, by their commitment and this ultimate Hughes, Ethan MacDonald, Stephen the Duke of Kent and the Chief Scout, Bear achievement. We were proud to share Rawes, Harry Richmond, Sam Slater, Ben Grylls, included a parade by the scouts their special day at Windsor.” Whittaker and Matthew Winter, all Y13, and a service in St George’s Chapel. The successful Queen’s Scouts are: plus Adam Phillips from last year’s Y13.

4 No. 60 GSAL life How to build a teddy bear den Pupils in Y1 Y10 students Zuzu Borland (left) and Faris Khan (right) show Marty Jopson have been the laser cutter during his visit to the design technology workshop at GSAL busy building Young scientists dens for their to benefit from teddy bears. Otley Science The outdoor activity was a chance for the youngsters to put into practice what they had been learning in science and design Festival partnership technology on materials and joining techniques. It also challenged them to work in teams and develop important GSAL is the new sponsor of the Otley skills like resilience and learning from mistakes… and it was lots of fun too! Science Festival, in a partnership which is set to develop even more fun and fascinating activities for young people.

The week-long festival has run at attend festival events. Otley Courthouse every November Marty Jopson, of Otley Science since 2008, drawing in a wide Festival, said: “We are immensely audience from schools and the grateful to all our sponsors and we’re general public. delighted to welcome GSAL as a It relies on partnerships with local festival partner. Their support will organisations to continue developing enable us to extend our outreach work its programme and meet its goals, in local schools.” including engaging children with GSAL Principal Sue Woodroofe science and encouraging them to said, “Otley Science Festival brings explore related career options. science to life for schoolchildren With expert scientists among its across the region. We’re excited to be staff and alumni, GSAL will deliver working together to inspire young exciting demonstrations and people about the endless possibilities activities for science-loving young of science.” people. As part of the sponsorship, The festival runs from 11 to 16 GSAL will also provide free transport November 2019. For further details (L-R): Alana, Elsa and Jovan to local partner primary schools to www.otleysciencefestival.co.uk

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The talents of pupils, staff and the wider musicians. The concert finale was arts community were showcased at the Fauré’s Requiem sung by the school Arts 19 third GSAL Arts 19 Festival of Creativity. choir, augmented by staff and parents. The biennial festival was packed with There were drama workshops and drama, music, art and all things creative performances too, including a group of Festival throughout the school, opening with Y10 students who created and the ever popular Jazz Club featuring performed an original drama devised student singers performing with a with professional theatre practitioners showcases professional band in a jazz club setting. on the theme of Espionage, and using The musical centrepiece was the original music composed by students. Choral and Concerto Concert at Leeds The festival closed with GSAL GSAL Minster featuring three student Gumbo!, a night of vibrant music from soloists performing concerto GSAL’s jazz groups and big band, as well movements, accompanied by an as some jazz instrumental teachers. talent orchestra of pupils and professional

The cast of Espionage

New Lord Mayor kicks off term of office at GSAL

Councillor Eileen Taylor Councillor Taylor, who took performed her first official up office the day before the engagement as Lord Mayor of tournament, said: “I may be new Leeds when she presented the to this, but I’m not new to football. prizes at the Leeds Inter-School It unites everyone and you make Youth Cup 2019 at GSAL. new friends, while it gives you The football tournament was great energy and keeps you active.” hosted by GSAL and saw Y5 and The defending champions St Y6 pupils from 10 Leeds primary Paul’s Catholic Primary School schools compete for two trophies were definitely in it to win it – the cup or ‘Champions League’ again, but had to settle for the and the plate or ‘Europa League’. ‘Europa League’ title, beating St Patrick’s Catholic Primary Wykebeck Primary School. GSAL School triumphed in the Principal Sue Woodroofe ‘Champions League’ winning presented their trophy. their final 3-0 against St Peter’s Now in its second year, the Church of England Primary Leeds Inter-School Youth Cup School, and received their trophy was set up in 2018 by a group of Councillor Taylor presents the trophy to the from the Lord Mayor. football loving volunteers. team from St Patrick’s Primary School

6 No. 60 GSAL life Students raise funds for Yemen appeal GSAL’s Islamic Society has again shown its support for Penny Appeal, the Wakefield-based charity providing humanitarian aid around the world.

With help from fellow students, their families and generous sponsors, the society ran a fundraising event which made £2,289.96 for the charity’s Ben Wheatcroft and Jamie Smallbone Yemen appeal to supply medical aid and nutrition for families affected by conflict and famine. The call for action was Jamie and taken after GSAL Muslim students were moved by hearing Ben talk their and seeing reports of Yemen’s human crisis. Together, the school’s Muslim faith leaders way into top Khalil Benkhalil of Penny Appeal is pictured receiving along with the student Islamic a donation from GSAL’s Islamic Society members debating final Society hosted a family event to Eesha Umer, Arsalaan Malik and Haniya Farooq, raise the much-needed money. all Y13, and teaching assistant Nema Saeed Two GSAL students were the joint youngest finalists to reach the grand final of Y5 experience life in the Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition. a Victorian workhouse

Y 11 pupils Ben Wheatcroft and Jamie Smallbone were among 120 top teams from the UK and international rounds at the final in the Oxford Union. Pitted against mostly sixth form students, the debates were challenging with the teams only learning the motion and whether they would propose or oppose, 15 minutes before each debate. Jamie and Ben are active members of the senior debating society at GSAL where they hone their debating skills. GSAL students achieved other notable Daniel Pexton practises his copper plate writing in a Victorian classroom debating successes this year. Y13 students Sam Kunin and Saumit Benkalker won Dressed as chimney sweeps, maids, gardening and rug ragging. They also the Manchester schools debating paupers and navvies, Y5 pupils - and experienced a Victorian school competition and both also came third in staff - embraced the life of Victorian classroom and learned of the the individual speaker competition. England at the Ripon Workhouse and responsibilities of the board of Mona Albazi Y11 and Amy Alexander Y12, Gardens Museum. Guardians, which gave them an made it to the novice final of their first ever The pupils were met by the understanding of the dire situations competition at Nottingham University’s formidable matron who sent them off faced by some people. Schools’ Debating Competition. to earn their keep in potting, laundry,

7 GSAL life Summer 2019 Talent on display at ADT exhibition

The creative talents of GCSE and A-level artists and designers were on display at GSAL’s annual ADT exhibition. A viewing evening of their work was arranged for family and friends and the displays remained on show throughout the following weeks for the enjoyment of fellow, students, staff and visitors.

8 No. 60 GSAL life Talent on display at ADT exhibition

9 GSAL life Summer 2019 Awards recognise student entrepreneurs for business success Enterprising students from across were recognised for success in business at a special awards evening hosted at GSAL.

LEAP (formerly Leeds Enterprise presentation and website Advisory Programme) provides categories, achieved profits of well students aged 14-19 with real life over £1,000 by selling a range of business experience, and holds the branded sweatshirts. annual awards ceremony to With 15 award categories and celebrate their achievements. There certificates for all participating were 19 companies this year from students, there was something for four schools - Bradford Girls’ everyone on the night. Other GSAL Grammar School, Co-op Academy award winners were: Priesthorpe, Woodhouse Grove Sock ‘n’ Roll, Best Stand at the School and GSAL. December Trade Fair in the The winner of the coveted Best Merrion Centre; Nova 11, Best Logo; LEAP Enterprise Company 2019 The Little Gift Shop, Best The Snug Cartel receives the Best LEAP Company award: (L-R) Karen Rodriguez, Holly Altman, Steve Webber, managing director was The Snug Cartel, a team of eight Administered Company; and of Westcom Networks, Lucy-Anne Olutayo-Daniels, Maia Craven, Y12 students from GSAL. The Snug Voyager, Special Award for Sales Charlotte Manley, Casey Singleton and Megan Hodge (photo courtesy of Powerhouse Digital Photography) Cartel, which also won the Enthusiasm and Perseverance.

One of the UK’s most famous doctors Professor Robert and scientists, Professor Robert Winston tells students Winston, visited GSAL to share his thoughts on the potential for science use science wisely to be used or abused.

His talk to students from Lord Winston is Professor GSAL and five other Leeds of Science and Society at secondary schools started Imperial College London, and with a history lesson pioneered new treatments to including some shocking improve in vitro fertilisation examples of how science had (IVF) and pre-implantation been misused. Pupils also diagnosis. He is well known learned more about the for his TV and radio work innovative work Lord including the long running Winston has done with other BBC documentaries Your Life scientists, to improve fertility in Their Hands and Child of treatments and screen Our Time. embryos to help parents carrying faulty genes to have healthy babies. Professor Robert Winston with his audience at The Grammar School at Leeds

10 No. 60 GSAL life Y6 have fun in France During May half term, children and archery. Other visits during their stay staff from Junior School enjoyed a included a snail farm, a goat farm and wonderful trip to northern France. a supermarket. The first day included a visit to As Y6 are studying WW1 in history Amiens cathedral (a UNESCO world this year, they spent a full day visiting heritage site) and a stop at café where significant sites in the region. The they all ordered their own drinks. The museum of the Somme in Albert gave children also put their French and them a fascinating insight into life and team-working skills to the test to buy conditions in the trenches, and at the their lunch at the market. Thiepval Memorial they found the At the 18th century château where names of 14 they stayed, pupils enjoyed outdoor old boys and laid a wreath. They also pursuits with trained staff in the 88 stopped off at the Lochnagar crater and acres of grounds, including an obstacle saw preserved trenches at the Canadian course, crate stack, fencing and Memorial in Beaumont Hammel.

Violet Jones concentrates on making slime during science week Junior School science week is a journey of discovery The focus of this year’s science week at Junior School was ‘journeys’.

Five jam-packed days exploring the theme included visits, workshops and practical Y6 at Amiens Cathedral activities like planting trees to reduce our carbon footprint; visiting speakers from Network Rail and British Airways to explain how electric trains work and how planes take off; GSAL transport workshops Former foreign correspondent with Y4 to investigate how the combustion engine works; Y6 lessons onsite at the on why we’re building walls school’s Energy Centre to understand the application of electricity in the real world; The former diplomatic Divided: Why we’re living in an age of walls. a hair raising assembly and fun slime Earlier in the day he had addressed workshops with Y5 from Fab Lab and a Y3 editor of Sky News, Tim A-level geography students from GSAL, trip to the national coal mining museum. Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form Proving that science is fun, the pupils Marshall, visited GSAL College, and St also took part in marble runs, games with to give his unique insight Aidan’s CE High School. His Sunday catapults and magnets, a new House Times No 1 bestseller Prisoners of science competition and national poster into our global society. Geography is recommended reading competitions, as well as learning lots of for A-level geographers. science songs. A real treat was a visit In a talk hosted by GSAL on behalf of Tim is founder and editor of from sixth form chemistry students who the Milim ‘Words for All’ Festival, Tim the current affairs website sang the Periodic Table song. discussed the themes of his latest book www.thewhatandthewhy.com

11 GSAL life Summer 2019 Animal magic for Reception pupils Reception pupils at Rose Court have had great fun learning about farm animals and domestic pets as part of their topic ‘all creatures great and small’.

Scarlett doing some bark rubbings in the Rose Court garden Pupils take their art lessons A very well-groomed guinea pig – thanks to (L-R): Misha, Teddy and Halle outdoors

At a visit to Hesketh Farm they Veterinary Clinic, who brought experienced the life of a farmer and along Rosie the well-behaved Y2 pupils have been learning about art ‘en had an opportunity to feed the new cocker spaniel. The children were plein air’ this term… and loving the lambs and calves. They also met baby given the opportunity to use the opportunity to work outside. guinea pigs and week-old piglets, plus microchip scanner to scan for the Activities included taking bark rubbings collected eggs from the hen house dog’s details and chip and they loved in the Rose Court garden and a visit to the and held some of the new chicks. dressing up as vets and exploring Skelton Grange Environmental Centre for a Next up was a visit to Rose different x-rays of animals. natural outdoor art lesson. Court from a vet from Holly House

12 No. 60 GSAL life Fun in the sun for Nursery children

The sun shone brightly for they had to find and scan Nursery pupils when they held hidden QR-codes in the a Garden Day at Rose Court. school grounds. The children took part in a They also planted variety of garden-themed hanging baskets for the activities, including a treasure outside areas and enjoyed a I’ve found one… Amelia scans a hidden QR-code in the Rose Court garden hunt with a difference where picnic lunch in the sunshine.

All about Y3 experience the Romans at life down the pits Y3 pupils heard first-hand Royal Armouries accounts of life down the pits when they visited the National Roman history came to life for Y4 Coal Mining Museum and pupils when they visited the Royal learned what it meant to ‘be Armouries in Leeds and came face brave and take risks’. to face with a scared Iceni warrior. The bleak reality of a life spent underground Through her storytelling they was delivered by learned how the Romans made ex-coalminers, who her life difficult and all about gave the children an the dramatic life of Boudicca. opportunity to They touched Roman artefacts, experience a typical acted out the death of King day. For some, this was Prasutagus and decorated their faces with woad ready for a real adventure, battle against the Romans. whilst for others, an In a second workshop, they hour was absolutely were put through their paces by enough! a Roman centurion, marching Children were also with precision as the Latin taught about different instructions were given and rock types and how arranging themselves into a coal had formed, giving them a great head start tortoise formation to protect Sebastian Watson (front) themselves with shields as the Michael Harper looking for learning all about makes fossils, while fierce in battle enemy attacked. rocks and soils. Joshua Treliving looks on

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GSAL life Summer 2019 SPORT

Strong performances from Junior School swimmers Junior School swimmers had a successful day at this year’s HMC swimming championships.

Individual successes included wins for Isabel Radbourne Y4 in the U9 breaststroke event, Dexter Rosenberg Y5 in the U10 Junior School swimmers are (L-R): Freddie Hopkins, breaststroke and Aaron Ratnalingham Y6 in the U11 breaststroke. Dexter Rosenberg, Daniel Pexton and Joshua Barlow The U10 boys won their breaststroke and freestyle relay race and were overall HMC champions. The U11 girls finished third overall after all of their races, a fantastic effort. Junior School boys IAPS National Finals at the London Aquatics Centre, with finished third out of all the schools taking part in the championship. Joshua Barlow coming third in the backstroke. To top off a successful season, Dexter Rosenberg became Another excellent year of swimming with outstanding national champion when he finished first in the butterfly at the performances from everyone, well done!

GSAL rounders supports Medals all the the national game way for gymnasts The GSAL gymnastics squad has enjoyed GSAL has pitched in with Rounders representing the country in matches. another successful year, winning a raft of England, the sport’s national Mrs Kate Nash, head of girls’ PE, medals at competitions. governing body, hosting a two-day said: “Playing against such high level In the Leeds Key Steps Championships event at the school. competition was a really positive both the Y3 and 4 foundation and Day one saw the Independent experience for the girls from local advanced teams won silver medals, as did School Series, a new player schools, and they absolutely loved it. the Y5 and 6 advanced teams. The girls development initiative for Y8 girls, A number of them even impressed also achieved a collection of individual which took the format of a round- the England coaches with their medals on all pieces of apparatus. robin tournament between GSAL, standard of play.” At the annual HMC competition, held King’s School, Macclesfield, and at RGS Newcastle, the squad achieved a Queen Ethelburga’s. GSAL’s U13 team clean sweep, winning both the A and B team won the competition. competitions. Phoebe Owen and Lulu Day two was a festival of rounders, Beaumont achieved individual success, featuring England U14 and U16 teams tying for the bronze medal. The success of and teams from GSAL, Harrogate all of the girls is testament to their hard Ladies’ College and . work, dedication and motivation. Earlier this year, two GSAL players The squad is: Sophie Ahye, Lulu were selected at trials for Rounders Beaumont, Katie Gray-Nicholson, Olive England, with Alex Bedford Y10 playing Gray, Ava Harris, Darcey Herridge, Jessica for the U16s and Rosie Robinson Y9 Kendall-Smith, Katie Letharby, Leela for the U14s. They attended regular Madan, Evie Marlow, Phoebe Owen, training days and weekends England players (L-R): Rosie Elsa-Rosa Sperandio-Teodorani, Elsa throughout the winter and are now Robinson and Alex Bedford Spyrou, Emily Varley and India Vilarrubi.

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No. 60 GSAL life

Alfie is a national boccia champion

Alfie Yates Y8 has another title to add to his tally in the sport of boccia, after taking on the country’s top players in the Boccia England Cup Finals. During the two-day competition, held at EIS Sheffield, Alfie played six matches, notching up an impressive 64 points and only conceding three on his way to the BC5 classification title. He made history in the process as this was the first year that BC5 Winning cross country squad players have competed in the cup finals. Alfie has a busy training schedule with his club and the England development programme, as well as putting in many hours Junior cross country teams of practice at home, earning himself the nickname ‘Mr Dedication’ from his coach! celebrate season of wins The cross country season may have through numerous rounds. Not only given way to warmer days and did they represent GSAL, but also athletics competitions but, with the whole of Leeds, in a competitive many gruelling, windy and sodden regional race at Temple Newsam. early-morning training sessions Three of the Y5 runners, Jessica under their belts, the teams had a Baxter, Abigail Kingston and Will successful season with victory and Everitt also managed placings to placings in several events. qualify for the nationals a few weeks In the LSAA leagues, both the U9 later at Prestwold Hall where boys’ and U9 girls’ teams finished in Jessica and Abigail helped the West second place, while the U11 boys’ and Yorkshire Y5 girls’ team become girls’ teams went one better, with both national champions. coming first in their respective leagues. To round off the season, GSAL At the Leeds schools and held its annual invitational cross regional competitions, all teams country event, with many local from Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 qualified schools participating. Alfie in action at the Boccia England Cup Finals GSAL equestrians show how it’s done GSAL has fielded its first team in an equestrian event… and made a winning start.

Show jumpers Bella Thurston be held in the autumn, where all Hynes Y11, Ellie Looker Y8 eyes will be on the prize of the and Caitlyn Blasket Y8 took national final in spring 2020. first place at the National The GSAL equestrian Schools Equestrian team is managed by Miss Association regional qualifier, Christina Simpson and Mrs held at Northallerton Shirley Jeffs, and from Equestrian Centre. This September, will be open to all impressive debut qualifies students with access to a Ellie Looker on Wotist, Caitlyn Blasket on Bailey them for the regional round to pony or horse and transport. and Bella Thurston Hynes on Gilby Boy

15 GSAL life Summer 2019 Full representation for GSAL at national netball finals

GSAL was one of just two schools to qualify in all three age groups for the finals of the England Netball National Schools Competition 2019.

The U19, U16 and U14 all played in the national finals, held at Stanborough School, where the seniors enjoyed the greatest success. They progressed all the way to the final but were pipped at the post by Worthing College to finish as runners-up. GSAL has an impressive record in national netball competitions. Since the school was created in 2008, GSAL teams have won 11 national titles, both at the England Netball National Schools Competition and in the Independent Schools Netball Cup. This year’s finals brought to 32 the total of national finals contested by GSAL across these two competitions. GSAL’s head of netball Cath Johnson, who coaches the U14s, said: “Our players show tremendous dedication throughout the year, in and out of school, with most also involved in representative and club netball. I’d like to thank Kate Nash, Alex Young and all our coaches, whose long term commitment has enabled the GSAL U19, U16 and U14 netball teams girls to compete consistently at the highest level.”

GSAL badminton season ends on a high The 2018/19 badminton season has seen unprecedented achievements for GSAL’s teams, who enjoyed city success and strong progress in the national competition.

The teams dominated the the semi-final of the national Leeds League, winning five competition. While they out of six categories. missed out on a place in the Congratulations to the senior national final, all three teams boys, KS4 boys and KS4 girls, finished as runners-up. KS3 boys and KS3 girls. Dr Faisal Motashar, who In Badminton England’s is on the coaching team for National Schools GSAL badminton, said: “Our Championship, three of four students have shown GSAL teams became West outstanding talent, tenacity Yorkshire champions in the and commitment. With the county round hosted at support of their coaches GSAL. As county champions, Geoff Thompson and Barry the KS3 girls, KS4 girls and Courtman, they have KS4 boys qualified for the deservedly ended the season KS3 and KS4 badminton teams pictured at the regional round, equivalent to on a high.” county competition hosted by GSAL

GSAL Life is edited and written by Alison Knight, [email protected] and Rachel Cockburn, [email protected], students and staff.