27 May 2016 Dear Parents

Good News at the end of half term:

 Following a rigorous selection process we are Compton Cup will be given to the student who delighted to welcome our new team of 50 Senior has made the most progress in instrumental Prefects. They are led by a Head Prefect Team lessons this year. Details about the concert will be comprising Rohan Finnegan L6F, Jesse Rist L6T, posted on the school website so that you can Greg Wood L6P, Samir Patel L6B, Kishan Mistry purchase tickets. Please remind your sons that L6G, Kumael Bilgrami L6G, Lewis Morley L6B, rehearsals will continue for most of our students in Robert Russo L6T, Thomas Cooney L6B and order to prepare for the event. Thomas Gwynne-Evans L6C. Following a further  We had a most enjoyable Founders’ Day service selection procedure, which included a vote by staff at St. Mary’s Church on May 5th. Congratulations and students, Samir Patel has been appointed to the to the Senior Choir and the Senior Brass Ensemble post of Head Boy and will lead the Head Prefect for their excellent contributions to the event and to Team. Congratulations to all those appointed; they Paul Greally, 9N, who played Hubert Parry’s have already made an impressive start in their new Chorale Prelude based on the Old 104th at the roles. conclusion of the service on the organ.  On behalf of Mr McGinty and the Senior Leadership Congratulations also go to Tristan Vermeulen, 7N, Team, I would like to thank this year’s Senior Anthony Lo, 10T, and Yeuyang Han, 7N, who Prefect team for their contribution to the School. provided musical performances for the Founder’s Day celebrations held at the school. Music News  Instrumental Timetables for the second half of  We were delighted with the results from the the summer term can be downloaded, viewed and Associated Board of Music after Easter, as they printed by visiting Moodle on the school website. reflected the hard work that our students had put in Mr Hussey advises boys to check lessons very to their preparation for these exams. Benedict carefully as some lessons have had to be added on Buffery, 9P, secured a Distinction for his Grade 2 different days to complete the allocation for the bassoon examination and there were Merits for Tom year. Boys in the Upper Sixth are reminded to Gwynne-Evans, L6C, (Grade 7 trumpet), Jesse Rist, return their music locker keys as soon as possible, L6T, (Grade 5 guitar), Rob Russo, L6T, (Grade 5 so that these can be issued to younger students voice), Victor Raineri, 11B, (Grade 4 bassoon), who have requested one. Max Henn, 7T, (Grade 3 saxophone), Aarush Lal, 8P, (Grade 2 viola), Morgan Springer, 8T, (Grade 2 Sports News trumpet), Ken Inomoto, 7G, (Grade 1 guitar) and  The 1st XI cricket team have bounced back after Alex O’Sullivan, 9N, (Grade 1 piano). All students a tough season last year playing 7 games and requesting Associated Board exams for this term winning 5. A special mention must go to the two should be able to take them in the last week of term. Stock brothers, Ed Stock 9B scored a century on The exact times of these will be communicated in his debut against Bishop Stortford High School. due course. Tom Stock 11B is the leading wicket taker so far The Annual Music Competition took place at the this season with two 5 wicket hauls against UCS end of April and was adjudicated by Mr. Phillip and . Next term we look forward to the Thomas, the Director of OperaHerts. 180 performers annual MCC and Old Fullerians fixtures and the played their prepared pieces and it was a real delight Cokethorpe Tournament. to share in much high quality music-making. Our  The 2nd XI had a brilliant first term winning all 6 adjudicator was also very impressed by the standard of their fixtures, Seb Plunkett L6C and Toby of our students. Once again, many thanks and Brown U6P both scoring heavily with the bat and congratulations to all the students who took part. A Josh Pickard 11C being the star with the ball selection of our Prizewinners will be performing in taking 16 wickets in 6 games. the Summer Concert which is to be held on  The U15s have had a very strong start to the Thursday June 30th in the Muse Auditiorium. We season playing 7 and winning 6. After beating St will be awarding the Rosebowl to the student(s) Columba’s by 113 runs they are through to the 3rd who impressed the most and we also hope to award round of the County Cup hoping to get back to the the Kienitz Cup to individuals who have shown final after a two year break. Jonny Napier 10F and great commitment and dedication to school music Ali Shah 10G have been very impressive with the during their time at Boys. The Nigel

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]

ball and Devang Arya 10P and Kailum Patel 10C are  So far this season there have been successes again in fine batting form. in all age groups. The senior tennis team got off  The U13s have also made it into the 3rd round of the to a good start in April by beating Haydon School County Cup beating both Sandringham and St in the National Schools' Championship, before George’s. Snehaan Das 8N and Yuvresh Malhotra losing to St Albans School who had a junior 8F have both contributed well with the bat and Wimbledon player in their team. Nick Hatcher Rahul Ashar 8G has been superb with the ball taking U6N won his last ever school match in doubles 15 wickets including a hat-trick against UCS. with Dhillon Dodia 11T and he now passes the  The U14s have had a mixed start to the season mantle of captaincy to Greg Wood L6P. The winning 5 out of 8 games, they are through to the senior team will be in safe hands for next year's 3rd round of the County Cup and will be looking to matches which begin in September. make it 3 winners’ medals in 3 years. They have  The Under 15 A tennis team has not lost a match been a little inconsistent losing to local rivals St this season and has now qualified for the county Albans and Aldenham but have had fantastic wins semi- finals for the third straight year at Under 15 against John Lyon, UCS and QEB. level, having easily beaten Haberdasher’s Aske’s  The U12s have made a fantastic start to their WBGS Boys’ School, St Albans, cricketing careers winning 7 out of 8 matches this and St Columba's School losing only one game in term. Two boys have really stood out this term, Ben the whole match. No sets have been lost by any Beesley 7F and Toby Elliot 7F have both scored student all season. In their closest match this over 200 runs with the bat. Toby Elliot has also been season at the time of writing, the team beat the star man with the ball including match winning Parmiters School 8-4 after having to default 2 sets figures of 4 overs, 7 wickets for 11 runs in the 1st due to injury. Captain Patrick Evans 10P has been game of the season which puts him top of the ably supported by the number one player Ali honours board. He has taken 14 wickets so far this Habib 8P as well as Sam Pullen-Merriman 10B, season. Jack Shute 9N and Sameer Kanji 9F.  The Athletics season has started well for both Junior  The Under 15 B team has so far beaten and Senior teams competing in the Herts County Haberdasher's Aske’s Boys’ School and Aldenham League. Notable performances so far have come School, but narrowly lost to Kings Langley 8-4 from Alex Hayes 8T who is unbeaten so far in after the number one player Oliver Griffiths 9N Triple Jump and James Foley 8N who is also pulled out due to illness. The last match of the unbeaten in the 300m and has broken a school season could be against which the record. Practice continues next term on Mondays team would have to win 12-0 to stand any chance after school. of qualifying for the division 2 county semi-finals.  Early Warning – Sports Day Monday 11th July. All  The Under 13 A team beat Haberdasher’s Boys' students in Years 7-10 and L6th Senior Prefects will 7-6 in a close fought match before losing be at Woodside Stadium for the day so parents are subsequent matches to St Columba's School, St asked to try and make travel arrangements to get Albans and Sandringham. boys directly to the stadium. Mr Beere will write to  The Under 13 B team are still in with a chance of parents after half term with more details. qualifying for the division 2 county semi-finals having beaten Aldenham School and Kings  The Tennis season began with the first ever Watford Langley School. Ashlyns School and Edgegrove Boys tennis tour to the La Manga Club in Spain School are left to play after half term. Dylan where the 17 boys from Years 7-12 had the Ackenson-Sergant 7F and Alejandro To- opportunity to play tennis for at least 5 hours a day Salvatierra 7N deserve special mention for their on the clay courts in sunny Spain. The boys played contributions towards the team's successes as do many tournaments in both singles and doubles and Toby Benton 8T and Fred Roberts 8P. also had two hours of coaching every day. Amar  More than 60 boys played in a Road to Budhdeo L6T beat Greg Wood L6P in the singles Wimbledon Competition this term too, which final and Amar Budhdeo and Alex Richman 8C beat was open to players in Years 7-9. Oliver Dunn 7T Greg Wood L6P and Ayaaz Bukhari 10F in the won the Year 7 competition beating Alejandro To- doubles final. The plate singles competition was Salvatierra 7N in the final and then both qualified won by Alex Nazareth 9P who beat Dylan for the main draw. The numbers 1 and 2 seeds, Ackenson-Sergant 7F in the final. The doubles plate Sameer Kanji 9F and Jack Shute 9N respectively, competition was won by David O'Brien 10P and met in the final, having beaten the number 3 and 4 Jamal Hussain 10N. The boys vastly improved their seeds Oliver Dunn 7T and Alex Richman 8C in tennis playing skills during the trip. the semi-finals. In a tough final the top seed and defending champion, Sameer Kanji 9F, was beaten W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]

by the number 2 seed Jack Shute 9N in two tough Trips & Visits sets.  On Saturday 23 April, Lewis Morley L6B, Samir  Thanks must also go to Angie Gunn from Patel L6B, Jesse Rist L6T, Kumael Bilgrami L6G Cassiobury Tennis Club and West Herts Tennis and Nathaniel Oshunniyi U6T were among a Club for the use of their facilities as well as to the select audience of 500 young people nominated to members of staff, Mr Matthews, Miss Shah and attend a Town Hall event in Westminster where Miss Callow who have helped out this season. President Barack Obama met young people to  Well done to the sailing team (Tim Hire 8G, discuss current issues. President Obama told the Zebedee Jacobs 9N, Matthew Bennett 8G, Ollie potential leaders of the future to "reject pessimism, Tatersall 9G, Charlie Scott 8B, Chris Bradley 10F) cynicism and know that progress is possible". The who beat St George’s in a match this week by students felt privileged to attend this memorable winning 2 out of 3 races. event.  Information about next year’s 23rd Sail France trip  All of Year 7 visited St Mary’s Church, Watford will be available straight after half term. If your son Mosque and Watford Synagogue as part of their is interested, please look out for an InTouch PRE work. message or contact Mrs Parks at the School.  The parents evening for those boys going to Holland in October half term will be on Thursday Maths News 29th September at 7pm. Parents will need to bring  Following in the footsteps of our success in Year 7, with their son’s EHIC card, a photocopy of their a team from the school won the Year son’s passport and an up to date photo of their son 8 Maths Challenge, once again beating some very with his name on the back of it. Please note that strong competition from local schools in the final. EHIC cards do expire and passports must have Many congratulations to the victorious team: Jacob least 6 months on them from the date of travel. Haddo 8N, Joseph Noble- Jackson 8G, Marco  Jay Uka L6T and Jake Hall L6F visited Auschwitz Marabese and Ben Mansell 8F. as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Project  In the UKMT Regional Team Competition, our and Holocaust Education Trust. Year 8/9 team of Charley Smith 9G, Hayyan Khan 9C, Thomas Connor 8G and Tom Wall 8B enjoyed a Other Achievements day of mathematical problem solving including  On 14 April, Year 11 Drama students performed relay races and crossnumbers at Ashlyns School. their final exam pieces for the external examiner Once again, competition was fierce and the team and an audience of parents, students and staff. came a creditable joint second, narrowly losing out Their performances were all of an extremely high to Parmiter’s School in the last round. standard, covering everything from a highly  Congratulations on achieving Merit certificates in stylised performance of ‘Metamorphosis to a the UKMT Intermediate Kangaroo go to Max darkly humorous presentation of The Trial to an Adam 9T, Suhail Merali 9F, Ben Jones 10F, Luke emotionally realistic ‘Journey’s End’ and a Hardy 10F, Justin Ho 10C, Srivatsa Garg 11T, powerful devised piece, written by the students, George Wright 11C and Harry Burke 11F. In the entitled ‘Privacy’ based on the information UKMT Intermediate Olympiad for the top 500 revealed by Edward Snowdon. The boys are to be nationally in each of Years 9,10 and 11, Charley congratulated on their creativity, commitment and Smith 9G, Luke Ashford 11C and Ethan Honey 11G acting skills. Many thanks to the Yr 10 Drama also received highly commendable Merit certificates GCSE class for providing excellent technical and Hayyan Khan 9C received a Distinction and support to ensure everything ran smoothly. Medal placing him in the top 100 Year 9  Yr 10 Drama GCSE students attended a matinee mathematicians in the country which is an performance of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog exceptional achievement! in the Night-time’ at the Gielgud Theatre.  Congratulations to all Year 7 and Year 8 students  Shiv Rajababoo 7P participated in the Watford who took part in the UKMT Junior Maths Festival for Speech, Drama and Music and won Challenge on 28th April. An outstanding 82 a gold medal for verse speaking in the year group students were awarded certificates; 40 of them Gold. 7-8. He was invited to participate in the Final at Particular congratulations must go to the 4 boys in Watersmeet Theatre in March. Year 8 who qualified for the Junior Olympiad:  A Lower Sixth Young Engineers team entered the Tom Wall 8B, Joe Dixon 8C, Marco Marabese 8N Engineering Education Scheme competition and Jamie Lai 8G. A further 18 boys qualified for with their project designing a prototype for the the Kangaroo Competition and both of these Pluto Rover. The team was sponsored by follow on rounds will be held on 14th June. Finmeccanica and built their rover to a design specification based on Nasa's requirements. The W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]

team were awarded a CREST gold award for their Friends of the School project.  A huge thank you to all the parents who supported  Santosh Shah 7P, Hamish Starling 7C and Vishruth the Friends at this term's Parents Evenings and Dhamodharan 7N went to Peterborough to represent concerts. Supporting such school events has WBGS at the Regional Final of the MFL Spelling helped the Friends raise a great deal of extra funds Bee Competition. They all performed really well for the School. Huge thanks also to the Parents against very stiff competition from a large number that supported the WBGS Golf Day on Thursday of schools. 12th May 2016 at Pinner Hill Golf Club. Much  Hamish reached the semi-final for French and fun was had by all. The Friends would like to Vishruth reached the final for German coming third extend their heartfelt thanks to Jay Garvey for overall. Vishruth will now go on to represent the doing such a fantastic job in organising this event School in the national competition on 1st July. The which raised much needed funds for new boys were impeccably behaved and a credit to the playground equipment for all the students. school.  Bollywood Barn Dance, Saturday 25 June. Ticket  The Year 9 STEM day took place last week and all sales for this event are still on the low side so the the activities went extremely well and all the boys RSVP date has been extended to Friday 3 June. were engaged and clearly enjoyed the experience. Please book your tickets as soon as you can  Amaan Manji 9C spoke at the EU children's through Archana Singh at [email protected] referendum arguing to remain in the EU on the Please support this end of year event which is topic of law and sovereignty. He did an outstanding raising money towards improving the outdoor job with his convincing and well researched rhetoric space for our boys. helping to swing the children's referendum to a  The Friends continue to discuss the development 'remain' overall vote and earning himself an of contact between the school and parents and you interview with editor of First News, Nicky Cox should be receiving a Parent Community Survey MBE, for LBC radio. Lewis Macleod 7G, Joe Page on this after half term. Please do make an effort to 9G, Zach O'Malley 10B and Ebrahim Raja 10B all respond as it helps shape future social ideas for the attended the debate and provided thoughtful and Friends. considered comments.  The next Family Draw winner will be selected at  Archie Stevens 8P has successfully auditioned for the end of the Summer Term. The Family Draw the part of Marcus in the upcoming musical “The Go has raised £688 so far this year. Please join if you Between” playing at the Shaftsbury Apollo. We can, it’s only £25 per year and details can be found wish him the best of luck! at http://www.watfordboys.org/NewsArticle.aspx?id  The Year 8s have had a busy half term confirming =156’ their GCSE options and completing their summer  The Friends will need parent helpers to help out exams. They must now concentrate their time on at the dance and the Year 7 Fun Day on Saturday continuing with their studies in line with 9th July and you will hear from Deborah Bush expectations until the end of year. They also have soon asking for your help. Generally, the Friends the opportunity to complete a self-directed project are always looking for new members and/or for Mr Beere, details are on Moodle in the Year 8 helpers to join the Executive Committee and/or section. help out at fund raising events, so please join or  We look forward to seeing Year 8 parents at the help if you can. Always feel free to contact the “Preparing for GCSE Success” presentation Chair, Archana Singh or Secretary, Rachael Speirs evening on 16th June 7-8pm when we will issue on [email protected] should you have any your son’s options allocations and introduce a questions. All parents are welcome! variety of strategies which should help to transform the way your son accesses his GCSE education.  Demand for good quality second hand uniform  Year 11 have started their GCSE Summer has increased significantly. Can we please ask you examinations in fine spirit. There has been an to send in any items of second hand uniform to the excellent attitude from all and we wish them luck in School Shop asap. Please make sure the items are their final exams after half term. of good quality and they are washed and ironed.  Work Experience - a reminder that all Year 11 Please mark the bags School Shop and drop off students should contact their work experience them at the School Reception during school employers at least two weeks before their start date opening hours. on Monday 4th July to introduce themselves and arrange an interview. Art & Literary Week

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]

 Our Literary Arts Evening will take place on WBGS Literary Evening – Monday 27 June 7pm Monday 27th June and includes: poetry recitations Prizewinners’ Concert & Art & Design Exhibition from our Year 10 poetry by heart winners; speeches – Thursday 30 June from 5.30pm – 8pm. from our Year 9 Public Speaking competition Year 11 Clearing Up and Sixth Form Subject winners; filmed performances of GCSE drama Information Day – Thursday 30 June 8.30am – students performing scenes from a range of texts 1.00pm. including Journey's End; our writing competition Year 7 Activity Week – Monday 4 July – Friday 8 winners will read out their work and be presented July with certificates. This event also includes a guest Friends of the School Fun Day – Saturday 9 July speaker. Sports’ Day at Woodside – Monday 11 July  The Annual Art and Design Technology Cricket Supper – Wednesday 13 July Exhibition takes place on Thursday 30th June from A Level Results – Thursday 18 August 9.00am 5.30pm till 8pm in the main school hall. This is an GCSE Results & Surgery – Thursday 25 August exhibition of all the GCSE, AS and A Level work 9.00am. from both the Art, and Product Design/Food Technology departments.  It is a celebration of the talents, creativity and hard- Dynamic Hatha Yoga takes place in the WBGS Sixth work of WBGS students and Sixth Form DT Form Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. students from WGGS over the last two years. We Improve your health; develop strength, flexibility and invite you to attend the Private View of this stamina. Cyclists and runners - watch your outstanding display and to join both staff and performance improve. Discount for WBGS families. students in celebrating their achievements. Contact: Linda Rafferty [email protected]  There is free entry to these events and refreshments (British Wheel of Yoga (Dip);CNHC;ITEC) available. Staff, parents and students are all very welcome to come and support this event celebrating our brightest talents. A reminder will be sent out via InTouch closer to the time. We look forward to seeing you there.

 We were delighted that our bid for a Condition Watford for Boys Improvement Fund (CIF) grant for a new STEM TERM DATES 2016/17 Centre was successful. Work on the project will start in September and should take about 40 weeks. Summer Term 2016 Students should benefit from an impressive purpose Half Term - Mon 30 May – Fri 3 June built development which will integrate all the STEM End of Term – Friday 15 July subjects and provide a flexible learning Autumn Term 2016 environment. Start of Term – Fri 2 September (Years 7 & L6) Start of Term - Mon 5 September – (All year groups) Best Wishes Half Term - Mon 24 October – Fri 28 October End of Term – Wed 21 December Spring Term 2017 Start of Term – Mon 9 January Half Term Mon 13 Feb – Fri 17 Feb End of Term – Friday 31 March Summer Term 2017

Start of Term – Tues 18 April

Half Term - Mon 29 May – Fri 2 June

Summer Term 2016 Diary Dates/Events End of Term – Friday 21 July

“Preparing for GCSE Success” Presentation Evening All these dates and more can be found on the website. - Thursday 16 June 7-8pm

L6 Study return to School – Monday 20 June

U6 Leavers’ Lunch – Friday 1 July 1pm.- School

Closes at 12.15pm

Year 11 Work Experience Week - Monday 4 July

W: www.watfordboys.org T: 01923 208900 @WBGSExcellence E:[email protected]