October 2018 Watford Grammar School for Boys Headmaster’s Newsletter In This Issue Update from the Headmaster  Headmaster’s update  News from around the Thanks to parents who have helped to reduce the traffic in Shepherd’s Road before and after school school and improve the safety of our students. Please continue to encourage your sons to walk, cycle, take public transport or use a ‘drop-off and walk’ approach to help avoid the risks associated with  Sport excess traffic on Shepherds Road. I have also contacted Highways regarding the road markings on Shepherd’s Road. I have been advised that the faded road lines will be repainted by  Music Watford Borough Council and the implementation of additional double yellow lines in the Park  Duke of Edinburgh Ward are being planned.  House Cup Over the summer, we used a grant from the Healthy Pupils Capital Fund to redesign the Sports Hall and create four changing rooms available to the School. Phase 2 of the Sports Hall project will  Libraries Week include building on top of the flat roof looking onto the cricket field and extension of the All  Friends of the School Weather Pitch. This will provide more space for games sessions, junior fixtures at the school and more space for use at break and lunchtime for the additional form of entry. The WFF funded a complete refurbishment of the Design Technology department which is now fully operational. Useful links Best Wishes for half term, WBGS website

Term dates WBGS Sport Friends of the School

Contact Us Mr I Cooksey [email protected]

@WBGSExcellence www.watfordboys.org Safeguarding Notices

Parents should have received an InTouch message from Mr Macleod providing updates [email protected] about safeguarding at WBGS. It included information on our counselling services, www.nationalonlinesafety.com, the school initiative called ‘A Mind to be Kind’ and a reminder that parents have to collect students from Year 11 and below who need to leave lostproperty@watfordboys. school during the school day. org Any concerns about the safety of any student, please email [email protected]

After half-term we will be conducting a review of our policy on mobile phone use in school. Parents, students and staff will be invited to express their views as part of this review.

Sports News

The 1stXV rugby team are through to round 3 of the National Schools Bowl, they are set

to face in the next round, we wish them luck in the future of this competition. 1stXV won the Hertfordshire County Plate on 3rd October at the one day tournament held by Haileybury School, a win against in the final secured victory.

The Development Rugby Squad played their first game of the season with an impressive

38-17 win over School 1stXV. This is the first indication of what an exciting senior rugby side we should have in the coming 2019-20 season. Highlight for U15's so far this season is a 36-19 victory away at Merchant Taylors school which has given the boys some excellent confidence heading into the rest of the

season.

U14's were part of the U14 County Rugby tournament which was hosted by Watford Boys this year. On Wednesday 10th October, 16 Hertfordshire based schools played in the one day tournament held at the New Field, it was an excellent occasion for all

involved.

Particular highlight for the U14's so far is a hard fought 12-10 victory over St George's Harpenden, avenging a heavy defeat last season. U13's are playing an exciting brand of rugby and have had some great successes in their opening matches of the season with a number of victories.

A historic Year 7 Inter-House Rugby tournament saw Rée House win the A team Lectures and tournament, competing in the competition for the first time! Groves were the overall winners of the tournament. There was some excellent rugby on show and we are very Assemblies excited for what the future holds for the new Year 7 cohort. U12 fixtures will begin after New School Year the half-term break with A, B, C and D teams all in action. Self Esteem Team So far this season we have seen 68 rugby fixtures across 24 teams offering the opportunity for over 350 boys to represent the school on the rugby field. There is a lot The Head Prefect Team more rugby to come after half-term! Cary Kochberg - Hogan Thanks to all the teachers who have given up their time to lead teams so far this season; Lovells Law Firm Mr Doodson, Mr Davies, Mr Wallis, Mr Samarasinghe, Mr Beere, Mr Meredith, Mr European Week of Willliams, Mr Eddon, Mr Silver, Mr Dyson, Mr Higgins, Mr Roberti and Miss Edmonds, Languages Without their efforts the rugby programme would not be such an outstanding success. Kishor Hariani - All Needs BC Simon Best - Middlesex University Business School

Rebuild South Africa

National Biology Week

News from around the School 7B and 7R had a very successful and enjoyable re-enactment of the Battle of UCAS applications Hastings this week. To the sound of 185 of our leavers this summer were drums and authentic war cries and armed successful with their university with homemade cardboard weaponry,

applications, including 11 who went to the boys re-enacted the key moments of Oxford and Cambridge universities. So far the game changing battle and thoroughly we have processed UCAS applications for enjoyed themselves. They then watched

52 pupils including 49 for Oxbridge and the effect of a real sword on a Medicine. watermelon and reflected soberly on the cost of war, both modern and long ago.

Careers Talks Ismaeel Yaqoob U6P appeared in the We have continued with our programme Watford Observer when he delivered a of Careers Talks this year, with two petition to Watford MP, Richard lunchtime presentations. The first was by Your son should have Harrington, calling for the politician to Richard Lyne who is a Colonel in the brought home a copy of this back the People’s Vote. Ismaeel, who is British Army. The second one was by year’s Fullerian magazine. campaigning for a second referendum on David Coombs who is a Chartered The magazine gives a any deal reached over leaving the EU, Accountant, currently working as a comprehensive overview of says those his age will be ‘hardest hit’ by Finance Director / Chief Finance Officer. all the activities of the Brexit but were not given a chance to The school is very grateful to old boys 2017-18 academic year and vote. who have volunteered. is also available online

PRE Notices

32 Year 9 - 11 students will be spending October half term in Amsterdam learning about the Holocaust. We wish them a safe and meaningful trip. Year 9 PRE students should look out for a letter after half term about their PRE trip. After half term, Year 10 students should look out for applications for the Alan Senitt Leadership programme. Please speak to Mrs Messik or Mrs Charlton for further information.

The winners of the PRE essay writing competition were: 3rd place Ayaan Shah Year 8, 2nd place Month Eppalapally Year 8, 1st place Laksham Rajaloganathan Year 10. Laksham's essay will go in the Fullerian next year. Well done to all those who took part.

History and Economics China Study Visit October 2018

32 Sixth Formers will have the

trip of their lifetime when they embark on an epic adventure to the Middle Kingdom. They will

visit the world famous Forbidden City, see Giant Pandas in their natural environment and

be overwhelmed by the scale of the Terracotta Army. They will sample all the best foods China

has to offer and be immersed in a rapidly advancing culture. Big thanks to Mrs Reid of the

Economics Department, Mr Eddon of Maths et al and Mr McDermott of History and Politics for organising this amazing journey and opportunity.

Libraries Week

The 8th October was the beginning of ‘Libraries Week’ and a busy week was organised by the Librarian and Library

Prefects. Each day a different theme in the school library was celebrated: Monday was the Library Quiz, a great turn out with over 50 boys taking part.

Tuesday a display was created showing off

our school history, put together by the History Department with our archivist. Wednesday Mrs Rafferty introduced ‘Meditation and Mindfulness’, which had an

amazing effect on the boys who took part.

Thursday PRE launched, with the Librarian, an inaugural ‘WGBS Philosophy Literacy

Award’. It was a great week, the pupils fully Friday was our last Hurrah!... (noisy) literacy embraced the many different events. Thanks based games in the library with the support to Mrs Waterman and the Year 11 Prefect of the English Department (see photos). Librarians who rose to the challenge.

In September we hosted the ‘Self-Esteem Team’ who conducted workshops with boys in Years 8-13 on topics including use of social media, body image and dealing with stress. Our Mind to be Kind project continues with all boys invited to take the WBGS Mind to be Kind Pledge:

I pledge to the following:

1. To always try to show respect to all members of the Watford Boys and wider community.

2. To always try to not act in any way that harms others.

3. To commit to one organised act of kindness in the 2018-19 school year and to take part in the weekly kindness challenge.

Why not ask your son if he has made the pledge?

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

In July 2018, 46 Year 10 boys set off (on the hottest weekend of the year) on their Duke of

Edinburgh Qualifying Expedition. Despite the heat, spirts were high and they were all looking forward to not having to get out their waterproofs (it rained non-stop on the practice weekend).

The teams walked unsupervised from check-point to check-point where they were greeted by a member of staff who filled up empty water bottles and reminded them to reapply suntan cream.

All 46 boys successfully passed the expedition phase of the award and now most have

completed up to 6 months on a skill, a physical activity and volunteering in their local community, all done in their free time. Last year also saw 5 Year 12 boys undertake the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. They too have to complete 3 sections, skill, physical and volunteering, as well a 4 day expedition and a 5 day residential. (which they choose themselves and they cannot do with any of the team). Their practice expedition was completed in similar condition to the Bronze – non-stop rain although across much arduous countryside – Dartmoor. The qualifying expedition took them to Brecon Beacons. The feedback from their assessor was that they were by far one of the best teams that they have ever had for the Gold Award. A huge achievement – well done boys. Many thanks to Mrs Pino and all the other members of staff who volunteered to help with the expeditions.

Music Update

One of the highlights for the Music Department, at the end of the summer term, was the Music Tour to the Rhineland, featuring the Big Band, Senior Strings, Senior Orchestra and Senior Wind Band. We were blessed with five days of scorching hot weather enabling us to play outside at Bad Munster and Bad Bertrich where the crowds were extremely generous with their support for us. We also enjoyed playing in the Florinskirche in the centre of Koblenz, where the resonating acoustic of the venue was most impressive. Our students were a real credit to the school, helping to display the skills of some of our talented musicians further afield!

We had some superb results in our Associated Board Music examinations at the end of the summer term. Distinctions were achieved by Theo Adam, Robin Elfsberg, Yueyang Han, William Harrison, Ken Inomoto, Andrei Makhoul, Stefan Makhoul, Christian O’Brien and Nathan Phua, whilst Thomas Farnsworth went one better and secured two Distinctions in Grade 6 piano and Grade 7 ‘cello! The students who achieved merits were Kian Asadi, Aviral Jain, Rishi Kale, Izac Rabot, Jacob Rickayzen and Hargun Singh. Good passes were achieved by Shailan Bavisi, Noah Corey, Toby Corzberg, Samuel Graham-Leigh, Tom Leach, Joe Megainey, Joseph Miller, Siddharth Nayar, Rohan Patel, Gianpaolo Piccirillo, Charlie Scott, Kirijan Vignarajan and Akshyan Vijayakaran. Many congratulations to all these students for reaching the first or next landmark in their development as a musician. We will be having s Special Visit right at the end of term and Mr Hussey will be putting these exam entries in after half term, so if you are planning to take one this term, make sure he knows about it!

We have many Year 7 musicians who have become involved in school music, which is

always a great delight. We will be looking forward to their contribution at the Autumn Concerts. Tickets will be available after half term and you will need to apply via our ticket agency, Ticket source. Full details will be given in due course, but you should be

able to hear all our large ensembles in performance as well as a selection of our smaller ensembles. In addition, you will be more than welcome to join us for our Annual Carol Service, which features the Choir and the Senior Brass Ensemble at

7.30pm on Tuesday December 18th at St. Michael’s Church in Mildred Avenue. Details about this will also be available after half term All boys having music lessons in school are reminded that their Music Timetable for the second half of this term will have been sent to them via their Gmail account. They

will not receive a hard copy before half term, so boys will need to check their email account very carefully. If any students have not received their timetable this way, please ask them to email me and I will ensure that it is resent.

We still have a few music lockers available for students to use in the Muse, so please

email me if this is of interest to anyone who would like one.

I look forward to welcoming you at our Autumn Concerts on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th October.

House Cup It has been a busy first half term for

collecting House Points in the race for the House Cup. Just over 17,000 House Points have been awarded across the 7 year

groups for excellent commitment to school life, participation in interhouse competitions and academic success. New

House are the half term leaders on 4000 After half term, we should see some more Hps and a special mention goes to Rée fund raising for The Samaritans, CALM, House currently being in 2nd place within Ali’s Dream and The Sam Keen Year 7 with just over 1000 Hps. Foundation. The New House Captains are in the process of planning a Year 7 We have seen our House Captains host Sleepover at school so please look out for their first whole House assemblies this information on this. half term. An informative experience and a chance for the year groups within the The Autumn term whole school Mufti Day Houses to gel. Useful and thought will be on Friday 14th December. If FOS EVENTS provoking information regarding our students wish to wear their own clothes to School Charities were highlighted, whilst Comedy Night – Saturday school that day, a donation of £2 can also encouraging each year group to hold 17th November made on their behalf on parentpay nearer a fund raising event. Rée House had their the time. An INTOUCH email will come out Annual Quiz Night – historic 1st House assembly with 7R and in preparation. Saturday 2nd March 2019 L6R taking the time to meet each other

Summer Ball – Friday 21st with a hand shake at the end. June 2019

Friends of the School (FOS) The school year began with the annual welcome Cheese & Wine evening for new Year 7 parents. This was a well-attended and enjoyable evening and we hope to see some more new faces at the different events planned in the coming months. The Friends of School AGM will take place at 7.15pm on Tuesday 13th November in Room 111. All parents are welcome to attend. As a part of this meeting we will be looking to fill a number of vacant positions, including Treasurer and Parent Volunteer Coordinator. Information regarding these was sent out by InTouch last week. If you have any questions, or would like to find out more please email [email protected]. We will also be discussing forthcoming events so please do come along if you’d like to find out more or get involved. Our busy schedule for the period up to Christmas includes the draw for the Grand Raffle 2018, which closed today. The draw will take place at 11am on the first day back after half-term, Monday 5th November in the school hall – please encourage your sons to come along and find out who has won the great prizes on offer. Our thanks again to Sewell & Gardner for sponsoring the raffle and one of the prizes and to Arch Climbing Wall North for providing another. Next half-term will see our first big fundraising event, held jointly with Watford Girls Grammar School. This will be a Comedy Night, with top professional comedians, held at Watford Boys Grammar School STEM Centre on Saturday 17th November. To buy tickets go online - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/553609 or click here. There is an early bird discount until midnight on 26th October if you are quick! All profits will be shared jointly between both schools. One reminder about another service the Friends of School offer – the second-hand uniform shop which is open every Wednesday from 3.30-4.15pm and the 1st Saturday of each half-term. The next Saturday opening will be Saturday 10th November from 10am-12 noon. Please do pay us a visit or send your son in to see us if he has mislaid any item of uniform or sports kit that need replacing. Full details of our events, activities, newsletters and meeting minutes can be found on the Friends of the School website at www.friendsofwbgs.org. We look forward to seeing many of you at an event in the next few months. Have an enjoyable half-term.