Cover: AS Photography by Jack Ratcliffe The magazine of Bredon School, Gloucestershire Issue no 5 Welcome 2 What a year! End of year 2016-2017 4 Bredon truly embodies an all- News round up 14 round education; inspirational teaching, world-class support Enrichment activities 20 and a phenomenal array of activities for our pupils to Trips, adventures and discoveries 26 engage in. Sports and healthy lifestyles 34 Bredon‘s distinctive character Special events and community involvement 46 and calm atmosphere is leading the way for an The arts 56 enriched education for pupils with Unique Learning Profiles Special guests and visitors 64 (ULPs). The foundations of Spotlight on boarding 66 our learning principles are based on our 4Cs (confidence, Interviews with Head students 68 creativity, character and competence) model, found In your words 71 within the Cavendish Education logo, and an ethos which seeks to ‘think differently, teach differently, learn differently’.This is evident throughout the school and The Bredonian magazine provides many examples of this. Congratulations to the pupils and to our dedicated staff team. I hope you enjoy the read. Very best wishes,
Aatif Hassan, Chairman of Governors and Founder of Cavendish Education Welcome to the fifth edition of the Bredonian Magazine.
When you walk into the classrooms at Bredon you can sense the abundance of creativity that is all around.
The staff are using many different skills and techniques to bring their subjects to life; this can range from using marshmallows to explain the DNA system in a Biology lesson to using towels to show the movement of tectonic plates in a Geography class.
This year I have been astonished by the creative talents and entrepreneurial spirit of our pupils. Over the past 12 months we have seen pupils writing and reciting their own stories and poetry, constructing go-carts, producing volcanic models, creating amazing animations, organising their own mini festival and charity events and even cooking their own barbecue meals.
The Bredonian magazine is designed to give you a slice of life at Bredon but there is simply too much to include everything.
I am very proud of all our staff and pupils and we hope you will enjoy reading about our year.
Mr Koen Claeys Headteacher
3 Welcome ACTIVITY WEEK
Activity Week is always action- packed and sees our pupils heading off in many different directions each morning to experience something new.
There were simply too many activities on offer for us to include photographs of everyone and everything but here’s a little taster of a fun- packed week! Thank you to all the staff who made this possible.
The Juniors kept busy close to home by focusing their efforts on the gardens; they planted an apple tree, transformed some old hose into fencing, cleared the willow hut and planted the rockery.
Years 6 and 7 visited Raglan Castle in Wales where they enjoyed exploring the ruins and watching an archery demonstration.
Year 8 visited the Black Country Museum where they enjoyed learning about life in Victorian Britain, had the opportunity to sample traditional cakes, sweets and chips, and they even went down a coal mine! Others visited Worcester Commandery where they learnt about the English Civil War and had the chance to load > WORCESTER COMMANDERY a cannon, drill with a pike and to try on armour! FOREST OF DEAN > Year 9 took to two wheels and had a great time on the cycle tracks in the Forest of Dean, CYCLING including the Pump Track.
Year 11 and Sixth Formers enjoyed lots of different activities including Go Ape, Go Karting, Dry slope Skiing and Tubing to name a few! The Sixth Form also enjoyed sailing at the ever popular Croft Farm.
RAGLAN CASTLE > WALES > GO KARTING
4 End of year 2016-2017 End of year 2016-2017 5 Sports Day was a great success; plenty of Three Counties Show A super set of results again for excellent results and performances and this Bredon School pupils and the year’s official photographer for the day was Our boarding pupils enjoyed Farm Manager, Jenny Parkes: Year 12s Tom Finn. We think you’ll agree, he their visit to the Royal Three • Year 8s Erin Murray was managed to capture some wonderful moments. Counties Show during a awarded Highly Commended particularly warm weekend in the Junior Sheep Handling. in June. As well as having a good look round the show • Year 8s Eloise Bates was and its various attractions, awarded 2nd place in the they were also there to support Junior Pig Handling, their peers who were taking part in the Grand Parade - • Year 9s Eddie Egginton carrying the name boards for secured 1st place in the the various breeds. This is a January-born Large White tradition that Bredon School Gilt Class. has been supporting for a number of years and it is always great fun!
Thanks to the (fairly rare, but very welcome!) hot weather, our animals were feeling the heat and were being looked after brilliantly by our pupils. Our Large White piglets were even treated to a soothing wet towel treatment before they took to the ‘stage’ to be judged! Swimathon Showing our animals at this The summer 2017 prestigious show requires Swimathon once again our pupils to demonstrate saw pupils and staff dedication, patience, excellent undertake lengths of the animal knowledge and care, pool to achieve an overall as well as finding the self- distance of 26 miles; a confidence to take themselves distance chosen to reflect and their animal into the ring the first marathon race and talk with the judges. held in London in the 1908 Olympics when the race went from Windsor to Westminster, crossing London Bridge on its course. To reward and refuel both swimmers and spectators, there was an amazing array of London-themed traditional delicacies to try Our Junior School pupils were captured at lunch, including meat pie helping to prepare a path through with suet crust, jellied eels the Orchard field ready for Sports Day. and London bread pudding! What great team work on show! Congratulations to all our swimmers.
6 End of year 2016-2017 End of year 2016-2017 7 8 End of year 2016-2017 End of year 2016-2017 9 FOUNDER’S DAY 2017 AWARDS LIST
Years 1-6 Years 7-9
he Chairman of Charley Allen Lawrence McGee Harrison Morton Deaville T Laporte Clay Pigeon- Most Improved Shot Cavendish Education, Aatif Lower Junior Prize English Hassan, opened the special James Martin Thomas Hobbs Sara Wilson day with a very warm welcome Upper Junior Prize Mathematics Y7 Most Enthusiastic Outdoor to everyone. He spoke with Spanish Technology- Wood Ed Achievement Young Performer’s Award Drama Climber of the Year real passion about what Mitchell Brooker- Smith Bredon offers its pupils through Hal Blakeney Adam Pena Y8 Most Enthusiastic Outdoor Ed its genuine depth of curriculum Geography Science Y8 Achievement Y7-9 Farmer of the Year and opportunities for all. Clay Pigeon Shooting- Best Gun Joeli Hunt Georgie Watkins He highlighted specific English Science Y8 Computing Rory Deakin Young Countryman Award achievements by pupils and All Round Behaviour Charles Wilkins told of the incredible resilience W John Trophy for Diligence Science Y7 Charlotte Thompson and respect demonstrated Jamie Allen Y7-9 Most Improved Canoeist Olivia Lowe Reading by Bredon pupils when facing Technology Food James Harrison sad losses. Ivan Barritt Community Service to Junior Landing Maths Noah Wildenstein The Reverend Chris Moss Science Technology Textiles was thanked for the twenty Young Performer’s Award Singing Max Reen one Bredon Founder’s Day Dylan Ingram Art services that he has opened History Cecelia J John Cup all Round Initiative and attended and he was Harrison Warner presented with a gift of thanks. Jack Chase History RE Tom Forbes Outgoing Head Boy George Ruby Clutterbuck Geography Martin demonstrated his Art and Craft Music confidence and enterprising Guest speakers Helen Glover and Steve Backshall Alysia King Spanish Coby Baker nature through the retelling of Religious Studies an amusing tale about the sale Two wonderful guest speakers through hard work, dedication Learning Improvement Award Junior Community Service to Boarding of chilli plants! And outgoing were then introduced; TV and belief. Helen spoke of Dylan Kirwan Head Girl Milly Mackenzie presenter, naturalist and relentless hours of practice Georgina Munday Information Technology Westlake Cup for Endeavour Sportsman of the Year spoke eloquently about her adventurer Steve Backshall and the sacrifices she made to Gardener of the Year Y9 Most Enthusiastic Outdoor time at Bredon and how it had and two-times Olympic gold become the best in her sport. Ed Achievement Billy Taylor made her believe she could medallist and three times She also brought along her two Lucy Bliss Trophy for Perseverance Eloise Bates achieve and ‘fit in’. World Champion rower, Helen Olympic medals and received Music Aoife Laxton Elizabeth Brown Prize for Most Improved Glover. They blew us away with huge applause in recognition The Happy Cup Milly (pictured) also led the their energy, enthusiasm and of her amazing achievements. Art 600+ strong audience in a endless wonder at the world North Blakeney Following the prize giving, Junior Farm Club Award Sky Redfern lovely rendition of ‘Happy and the opportunities it can Junior Sportsman of the Year Drama Birthday’ for her father who offer if you put your mind to it. there were solo singing was seated in the front rows! performances by Ivan Barritt Ryan Staudt Erin Murray Forest School Junior Gardener Award Physical Education and Harrison Morton Deaville Junior Swimming Champion Steve urged pupils to whilst George Martin and Stef Maddox Chukwuma Emma McSpadden always try and never Evans rounded up proceedings Junior Athlete of the Year Learning Support Award with a beautiful rendition of Junior Cross Country Champion regret failing; as he Lauren Hayward Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Sound Charlotte Hocken Cache Childcare said ‘this is the best of Silence’. Drinks and canapés Junior Sportswoman of the Year were served on the lawns. Junior Sporting Achievement Outside Eddie Egginton way to learn’. School Athlete of the Year Tomi Osunsanmi Max Attwood Junior Adventure Training Residential Cricketer of the Year Helen spoke of her childhood Camp dream to be an Olympian and how she later managed to realise this ambition
10 End of year 2016-2017 End of year 2016-2017 11 AWARDS LIST CELEBRATING EXAM SUCCESS
Years 10-13 Eve Egginton Sam Morton Our pupils achieve many great Subject areas with stand Alexander Smith Physical Education The Sugar Bowl things throughout their time out performances were English Horse Rider of the Year at Bredon and when it comes Photography, Art, Craft and Harrison Smith Samuel Thomas Freddie Harper Under 16 Players Player of the Year to exam times, they don’t Design, Foreign languages Poetry and Literature OCR Level 2 Business disappoint! and Science. Jacob Kelly GCSE Science Bertie Leschallas Most Improved Rugby Player of the year Mathematics OCR Sport Level 3 In the Summer 2017 A Level/ Bredon’s thriving Cisco Design and Technology- Engineering Tom Hobbs Level 3 equivalent results, Academy also saw some Cisco Academy GCSE George Martin (pictured) Climber of the Year Learning Support Award our pupils yet again achieved excellent results and Tom Barker Jamie Drinkwater some excellent results, numerous pupils secured Elizabeth Jay Prize for English Endeavour Football 1st XI Player of the Year Religious Education Sportsman of the Year The Houldsworth especially in the BTEC arena further education placements Cisco Academy GSCE Cup where a 100% pass rate was and reputable work
Samuel Bethell George Botsford achieved. placements. Drama The Mathew Cup for Initiative The Bateman Cup for Service to School The overall A Level pass rate A week later and the school Alicia Kidd Rugby Film Studies (the overall percentage of was celebrating GCSE and Kayaker of the Year Hospitality and Catering grades A*-E) was 100%, with BTEC Level 1&2 results. Elena Artigas Elizabeth Smith over half of our pupils gaining Senior School Pastoral Across the BTEC subjects, Modern Languages an A*- B grade. For AS Level, Y11 BTEC Agriculture Samuel Thomas the pass rate was 86% with there was a 100% pass rate Design and Technology- Food David Allen Cup Overall Achievement and 63% of the GCSE results OCR Health Care and Early Years just under half achieving an A*-B grade. were graded A* to C Grade, James O’Riordan Elizabeth Morris with 17% of the grades being Geography Sportswoman of the Year History AS A*/A. James Readstone Duke of Edinburgh Tassilo Von Moreau Mr Claeys said “There are many other fine The Humanities subjects Abbot Trophy- All Round Contribution Gold Award History to Sport achievements across the school and we are performed particularly well; The Fielding Cup for Cricket Thomas Bowers Ike Airhart in Geography, History and George Botsford immensely proud of everyone’s successes. Science Level 2 Asdan COPE David Hird Jamie Drinkwater Religious Education, 80% Senior Cross Country- The Moprac Cup All of the results show the progress and Alfie Fallon George Martin of pupils obtained an A* – C ASDAN PSD Charlie Mahoney Bertie Leschallas commitment that each of our pupils have made.” grade. Stockman of the Year Swimmer of the Year- The Harris Twig Josh Pettigrew Community Service to Middle Landing Sophia Smith Millie Mackenzie • Art, Design and Photography Benjamin Bailey Senior Hockey Player of the Year There were some outstanding saw 90% of pupils achieve Science Entry Level The Betty Thomas Cup for Public individual performances: an A* - C. Speaking Alastair Messore Community Service to Boarding- Girls OCR Businsess Studies Level 3 Elena Artigas received an Landing The John Brown Cup for • All pupils sitting the Cisco Academy Level 2 D of E Achievement A* for Spanish A Level, an A Additional Science exams George Botsford Rachel Higgins for Travel and Tourism and a C also achieved an A* - C 6th Form All Round Effort Mathematics A Level Bertie Leschallas in her EPQ. The Talbot Trophy for Endeavour Grade. OCR Level 3 Business- The Gomery Trophy Michael Wood Rodrigo Garbayo achieved There were some great The Odyomo Cup for Effort Senior Most Improved Climber of the Year an A* in Spanish and, along individual performances: Tristan Weir Christina Vassiliades The Houseman Cup for with Jay Toman and Gordon OCR Information Technology Senior Canoeist of the Year • secured Greatest Contribution to House Fautz, achieved an A in A Level Samuel Thomas Jack Stolt Alex Jarisch Photography. two A* grades, three A Most Improved Shooter of the Year Epee Club Fencer of the Year Jamie Drinkwater grades and a Merit in his Sharp George Martin, outgoing Oly Austin Archie York BTEC. Art Senior Sporting Achievement Outside George Botsford Head Boy, was awarded School Thomas • Eve Egginton received Ike Airhart Merits in both his BTECs Y10 BTEC Agriculture CCF Uniformed Public Service Engineering Baruch Heijmans Bulder for Agriculture and Applied eight GCSEs overall, Thomas Finn Jarrett Science, along with a C in his achieving an A, five B Adam Egginton A Level Art Physical Education Extended Project Qualification grades and two Cs. Most Improved Rugby Player Samuel Bethell Young Farmer’s Cup Photographer of the Year Dowdeswell (EPQ). Players Player of the Year Gordon Fautz A Level Photography
12 End of year 2016-2017 End of year 2016-2017 13 NEWS ROUND UP BLOODHOUND The first testing of the They were invited along by Bredon student Jack McCune was nominated Bloodhound supersonic car a Bredon parent, who is also in the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) took place at Newquay airport a Director of the Southern annual awards and was awarded with ‘Highly in October and Bredon’s Cisco Communications Group, a Commended’ in the BDA Young Person’s students were there to help. company involved with the category, 2017. test day. As well as being an exciting opportunity to get Jack’s journey to the BDA stage had been a behind the scenes of this long and challenging one; he joined Bredon in incredibly rare event, it was September 2016 on a phased return to school also an opportunity for our after a number of years of absence linked to his pupils to talk to the engineers previous school where his daily struggles with who built the amazing vehicle, dyslexia were so misunderstood. and to look at possible future apprenticeships. It was a long road back for Jack but now he is happy, he is attending School on a full time Their main task on the day basis and his teachers describe him as ‘thriving’. was to help members of the He uses assistive technology programmes at general public who attended school to help him with his written work and the testing to connect to the in an incredible demonstration of the progress WIFI network and register he has made over the last twelve months, he on the Bloodhound Project. took to the stage at the renowned Cheltenham Literature Festival to read aloud an extract from a book he contributed to, with the Gloucester Hospital Education Service, whilst recovering.
Well done Jack, we are all very proud of you.
‘HIGHLY COMMENDED’ IN Bredon School scooped learning and enables them THE BDA YOUNG PERSON’S the prestigious ISA Senior to gain valuable practical ACADEMIC School Award for Academic skills which they can take CATEGORY, 2017 EXCELLENCE Excellence and/or Innovation forward in to the next stage in November. The award was of their lives, whether that JACK MCCUNE made in recognition of the be into paid employment, year-long work experience an apprenticeship or Further programme introduced by or Higher Education. Mrs Morris and Mrs Jupp for Previous placements have students in Year 12. even resulted in offers of permanent, weekend and Rather than a short, one week holiday work. work experience activity, Bredon instead sends its Year Well done to everyone 12 students on a year-long involved and also to our experience, attending their fantastic students for doing so chosen work place for one well in these placements and day a week alongside their being great ambassadors for usual studies. The programme the School. supports our pupils’ vocational
14 News round up News round up 15 Year 5 River Models see how much effort went Year 8s were set a Christmas into the models. Mr Claeys project to produce a Year 5 Geographers made river and Head of Geography, Mr ‘Glaciation’ model or models in order to learn about Monk happily appraised an presentation and the the main features of rivers. accomplished selection. work which was produced exceeded all expectations. Isabella and Archie produced The time, effort, energy and edible volcanoes. Pictured is knowledge has been truly Isabella with her outstanding exceptional. Some students NATURAL PHENOMENA (and geologically accurate!) created edible models baked creation. A future Bake- whereas others included Off winner, maybe? explanations of the glacial features. Jamie, Sara and James created labels and even a hand out to describe these!
Volcanoes
Year 9 Geographers excelled themselves with the best collection of 3D models of a volcano ever seen at Bredon! Imaginative, accurate and inspired, it was wonderful to
Snow at Bredon The cold weather didn’t stop the activity on the farm There were a couple of though and despite frozen big snow falls in the winter pipes, Year 9s Emily and In March, pupils embraced speeches. We had some months and our boarders Nell helped to carry water to Shakespeare Week; a national deep and dark speeches from had a great time building the animals – in fact, several annual celebration designed Julius Caesar spoken with snowmen, having snowball hundreds of litres of water to give school children passion by Georgie and Jason. fights and even trying their were carried to the animals opportunities for enriching and Mitchell gave his own twist hands at tobogganing. over the course of just one enjoyable early encounters to Marc Antony’s speech whilst day. Thank you for your hard with Shakespeare. we heard some well written work and help. soliloquies from Oscar. Year 7 re-enacted a modern version of “Romeo and In Year 8, it wasn’t just Juliet” to give them a deeper performance that was understanding of the plot. Year showcased; James, Seb and 8 performed a Shakespeare rap, Leo were keen to show and designed to ensure they fully talk about their model of the understood the background Globe Theatre, complete to Shakespeare’s life! with 16th century health and safety issues! We also had two To celebrate Shakespeare’s amazing cakes produced by birthday in April, Years 8 and Alysia and Nell. One made with 9 took part in their very own a quill, parchment and knife Shakespeare Festival where based on Julius Caesar, and they gave their own take on the other in the shape of the a whole range of plays and Globe Theatre.
16 News round up News round up 17 Foxhole Clementine, Junior pupils continue to Foxhole Caityln and spend one session per week Foxhole Coral and calves. on the farm also and it is one of their favourite times of the week; providing them with practical opportunities and a chance to take on animal husbandry responsibilities.
Their tasks include cleaning out the livestock, herding, moving and setting up new areas for the animals to live, sorting the sheep by breed, helping to feed any young animals whose mothers may not be able to support, as well as weighing and feeding different animals. Working in coordination with Farm Manager Jenny also allows the children to demonstrate listening skills, as the animals will not be happy if they get their meals wrong!
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS ON THE FARM THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THREE NEW PEDIGREE SOUTH DEVON HEIFERS AND THEIR CALVES, A COUPLE OF LARGE LITTERS OF PIGLETS AND LOTS OF NEW BORN LAMBS.
A couple of our pigs will be This was judged on the going to the Three Counties information about the flock Show in June as they have and the breed that was been registered as pedigree available on the display and will therefore be shown boards on the pens. and used for breeding. There was also a 3rd Place The Farm made a successful in the Stock Ewe class of return to the North Somerset the Any Other Native Breed Show in May after a break Sheep section with one of of several years and was our Badgerface ewes. This awarded 1st Place in the Breed class was for ewes that have Board Competition - Sheep bred and reared a lamb in the Section. present lambing season.
‘Dave’ the pig sleeping off the stress of having just welcomed a new litter.
18 News round up News round up 19 The Combined Cadet Force has had another successful The Duke of Edinburgh year with over 30 students now actively involved. Award 2017/18 has been a busy year with the Duke of Edinburgh’s award for more students than ever before getting involved. There have been walking expeditions in the Forest of Dean, the Malvern Hills and the Brecon Beacons and our canoeists have taken to the Rivers Wye, Avon, Severn and Thames.
We have introduced the Bronze award Our Cadets have taken to the Year 9s with an amazing level of part in the Tewkesbury participation. They have been exploring Remembrance Parade, the wonderful local countryside of undertaken adventure training Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and in Snowdonia and participated have experienced outstanding weather in the central camp last conditions. summer in Nesscliffe. The Silver award group has been learning The cadets have been training to negotiate the locks of the Avon and the in Drill, Camp Craft, Weapons Thames while experiencing less than ideal Systems and Physical Training, weather conditions! culminating in a blank fire exercise and camp in Cumbria Mr Lister and Mr Wood went And our intrepid Gold award group has during the summer term. to Pirbright in December to experienced the faster more rural rivers see Old Bredonian Jay Toman of the Wye and the Severn. Ruben Evans, Rowlie Melville- pass out from army basic Jones, Archie York and Edward training after leaving Bredon We have also had the immense pleasure Checkley have all been last summer. It was also great of seeing nine Bredon students complete promoted and now take a lead to see so many other Old their Gold award with a number of role within the cadets. Bredonians there to offer him them attending an award ceremony congratulations on his big day. at Buckingham Palace.
20 Enrichment activities Enrichment activities 21 Years 7, 8 and 9 take part in two Overnight Adventures each year. Attending in tutor groups with their tutors, the focus is on developing team work, organisation and personal skills. For some there is also the opportunity to work on anxieties around staying away from home or changes to normal routines.
Mindfulness is also incorporated into the trips, such as a fireside meditation before bed or solo time in a wood. With society beginning to realise the power of concepts such as ‘Wilderness therapy’, ‘Nature deficit disorder’ and the positive exposure to ‘Risk benefit’, it is wonderful that our children are already experiencing this as part of their education at Bredon.
Students are able to experience learning outside the classroom in a variety of settings; problem solving, supporting each other, using initiative and learning about the natural environment all help to develop self-esteem with students learning in a very hands on, kinaesthetic manner.
22 Enrichment activities Enrichment activities 23
This year, the pupils have focused on bush craft, survival skills and cooking outdoors, as well as learning how to build shelters and make tent pegs. They are also experts at lighting fires to cook food and boil water; pizza pockets, cowboy stew, hot chocolate and nettle tea have been the favourites this year!
Our Key Stage 2 pupils have skills and cooking outdoors, been enjoying their weekly as well as learning how to sessions in our wonderful build shelters and make tent Forest School where they pegs. They are also experts develop confidence and self- at lighting fires to cook food esteem through hands-on and boil water; pizza pockets, learning experiences. cowboy stew, hot chocolate and nettle tea have been the This year, the pupils have favourites this year! focused on bush craft, survival
Forest School can be used for creative time too and pupils have made charcoal drawings, wood cookies, weaving frames and elder necklaces. They are also increasingly confident using tools such as loppers, bow saws, hand saws, bill- hooks and whittling knives and Dowdeswell Jarratt they are able to assess hazards and manage risks safely.
In addition, the forest also provides a great opportunity for children to play and relax. They are given time and space to play imaginatively, to be creative and make or build things, as well as time to Sharp Thomas be alone with their thoughts if they wish.
24 Enrichment activities Enrichment activities 25 SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP CAMP THE WILDERNESS CENTRE
EXPEDITION
Year 8 and 9 Geographers No trip to Snowdonia would completed a successful be complete without a day in expedition to the stunning the mountains, enjoying the Snowdonia National Park glacial features and summit in November. of the ‘Y Garn’. This provided a valuable lesson to all as to The group stayed in a how the weather can change mountain bunkhouse and very quickly on a mountain – the students took charge; we saw sunshine, wind and shopping for breakfast, lunch hail, to name but a few! and supper supplies, and even Under starters orders for the raft race rustling up a rather wonderful Walking to the summit allowed Problem solving activity Spaghetti Bolognese for the students to identify and dinner. learn how glaciers shaped these features. The views were The group had the opportunity amazing on the way up and to go trampolining in an old back down through the ‘Devil’s Slate Mine. Called ‘Bounce Kitchen’. The group also visited Below’, it was amazing - if not Electric Mountain, a Hydro- Team work required a little strange - as you could Electric Power Station which for crate stacking see other people bouncing supplies ‘peak time’ power from below, or even above you! within an existing slate mine.
Joel emerges from the tunneling system
Max taking abseiling in his stride
26 Trips, adventures and discoveries Trips, adventures and discoveries 27 In October, Bredon’s kayak in which to compete; the The group also took part in a They also went for lunch racing team took to the skies 15km long course and the steel pan workshop and were and a visit to Eshe’s Learning TRINDAD TRIP and made the 10 hour flight 6 km short course. There invited to celebrate Diwali Centre, a local school for to Trinidad and Tobago to are a number of categories with a local family. Having students with dyslexia and take part in the Maritime too, including youth, singles, been invited into their home, other SpLDs. Our pupils Ortoire River Race. Now in women’s and doubles and they enjoyed a wonderful met their pupils and the its eighth year, the event is the months spent training feast of vegetarian dishes, all Eshe’s staff were given a hosted by the Trinidad and beforehand certainly paid served on banana leaves. gift of Bredon apple juice, Tobago Canoeing and Rowing off for the Bredon team - there which the Principal said the Federation. were some amazing results teachers would enjoy at their right across the group. Christmas social gathering! Competitors come from across the world to take part Congratulations to all our and there are two distances competitors.
LONG COURSE: 3rd place Youth Single - Rab 5th place - Callum Morris. Blakeney. Time 28m 56s Time 37m 25s 2nd place Youth Double SHORT COURSE: - Callum Gray and Euan 1st place Youth and 2nd Steadman. Time 61m 45s overall - Luke Warrington. 10th place Sea Kayak Time 22m 25s - Alex Jarisch. Time 34m 7s 2nd place Youth and 2nd 5th place Youth - Sara Wilson. female - Charlotte Thompson. Time 32m 41s Time 24m 50s Recreational Kayak - Max 1st place Youth Recreational Von Hagen. Time 34m 11s Single - Matthew Cooley. Time 32m 11s Recreational Kayak - Tom Palmer. Time 58m 54s
if you’ve travelled that far, it would be a shame not to sample everything that Trinidad and Tobago has to offer and our pupils certainly had an interesting and varied trip Pupils and staff enjoyed breakfast smoothie, a visiting all these attractions.. a sumptuous Caribbean- coconut and bean soup, themed lunch as a ‘send off’ curried goat, sizzling spare GASPAR GRANDE PIPARO MUD VOLCANO and ‘good luck’ to the pupils ribs and BBQ sauce, doubles ISLAND AND GASPAREE CAVES who were competing in the – a traditional Trinidad bread COVIGNE RIVER TRAIL kayak river race in Trinidad. dish - with curried Channa MARACAS BEACH LA BREA PITCH LAKE - coconut icecream and BOTANICAL GARDENS Bringing a taste of the Trinidad barfi – all washed
UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES Carribean to Bushley, the down with Bahama mama EMPEROR VALLEY ZOO MACQUERIPE BEACH FARM RESEARCH CENTRE Catering Team excelled punch! Lucky us! CARONI SWAMP themselves with a tropical BAMBOO CATHEDRAL
28 Trips, adventures and discoveries Trips, adventures and discoveries 29 SKI TRIP | RISOUL, FRANCE MINDFULNESS RETREAT
In April, twelve students took part in a Mindfulness-based Retreat at Parkwood Outdoor Centre in South Wales.
A group of 11 students spent a fabulous week in the Resort of Risoul and Vars which is located in the quieter Southern Alps area and offers over 200km of piste.
The focus of the trip was A canoeing session allowed to enable pupils to bring the group to enjoy a good Mindfulness into everyday work out in the Canoe life. They took part in practises Olympics, then settling to in and outdoors and the enjoy some “Mindful drifting” activities included Mindful allowing the boats to slowly walking; slow, solo walks to drift around the lake whilst enable participants to really they lay back and focused notice their surroundings and on the sights and sounds. to become absorbed in the detail of moss or a tree or to watch the flow of a stream. Designed to take the mind Everyone came away having learnt ways to away from everyday thoughts bring Mindfulness into their lives, taking time and worries, moving out of the to pause and be, and providing tools to help ‘auto pilot’ mode of walking to A week of excellent conditions An instructor took them each day, the energy levels being present and living in the with any stress and anxiety at School and home. enabled the group to make through Snow Parks and were still high enough to enjoy now. great progress and, just as Boarder Cross courses and evening activities as varied as importantly, to learn to support Slalom racing proved to be a snowshoeing, luge ride, quiz, Mindful practise was and encourage each other popular way to finish a session. games and movies. And as the appreciated by all before bed, even in the ‘hangry’ hour just There was also some off-piste start of the Winter Olympics helping to settle the mind before lunch! The students also skiing on fresh powder snow had coincided with the trip, from the day’s activities and worked on independence and to really test those skills! some of our inspired students excitement, to reduce anxiety organisational skills; arriving on enjoyed watching the pros about being away from home time and with all the right kit. Even after five hours skiing at work! and to enable a restful night’s sleep for all.
30 Trips, adventures and discoveries Trips, adventures and discoveries 31 Junior Residential 2018
In May, our Key Stage 2 pupils went to the Frank Chapman Centre in the rural outskirts of Bewdley where the children stayed in camping pods. The trip consisted of a two night stay and the primary focus was team building in order to boost the children’s self-esteem.
During the trip, the group was blessed with beautiful sunshine but despite this on the first evening, managed to find a very muddy walking route through the Wyre Forest. The pupils traversed along a narrow stream dodging obstacles as they went. They all ended up covered from head to toe in mud, which most were quite delighted with!
After a quick classroom test to complete the ‘Punch Congratulations to Ruby, On the second day of the trip, the pupils session and some activities Trail’. Using their maps, they Jack and Joe who managed did a mixture of Bushcraft, High Ropes to master basic map reading, had to find certain points to punch the most holes! and Mountain Biking. All the activities compass and orientation skills, along the trail and punch were thoroughly enjoyed and it was they were put straight to the holes in their trail sheet. a chance for the children to prove to themselves that they are capable of anything. Some children who struggled to ride a bike were whizzing round the site by the end of the activity and some more experienced riders were even ‘getting air’ over kickers and going over obstacles!
On the last evening, there was a camp fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows; this provided the necessary sugar rush for the children to run about playing until bedtime!
The final day’s activity was Geo-caching and this gave the pupils a chance to work on their navigational skills. Despite being visibly tired, the children stuck to task and managed to find the majority of clues!
The following four ‘fun’ awards were handed out:
1. Happy Camper – Yr 3s Freddy 2. Best Manners – Yr 4s Barnaby 3. Perseverance – Yr 6s Coby 4. Most Helpful – Yr 6s Ruby
32 Trips, adventures and discoveries Trips, adventures and discoveries 33 ISA NATIONAL RUGBY 7S they lost a close game to St BREDON IS PROUD OF THE Martin’s but were able to hold In March an U16 7s rugby team their heads high after the VARIETY OF SPORTS ON ventured to Maidenhead RFC school’s first ever participation OFFER FOR BOTH TEAMS to take part in the ISA National in a National 7s tournament. tournament. AND INDIVIDUALS After raising money through sponsorship from FAB, the boys had a brand new kit and training gear to debut at the event. The Bredon 7s drew a very tough group pitted as they were against the last two tournament winners. They held their own and although they lost both matches, they were close and there was only a try or two in it.
The team qualified, through SENIOR SPORTS SESSION points scored, for the plate Improving bouldering, semi-final where unfortunately climbing skills and confidence at Redpoint Climbing Centre in Worcester.
SENIOR INTER-HOUSE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: HOCKEY, SHARP V JARRETT Jarrett won this game and The Senior Girls netball team The U18 football team were the overall winners of the won a thrilling game against enjoyed a great victory against tournament. Great enthusiasm LEARNING NEW SKILLS Kingham Hill School, winning Lucton School winning 4-0. and skill on show from all Y11 practice their backhand 22-10. There were some great The goal scorers were Oly teams. flick serve in Badminton. performances and teamwork Austen, Kai Grimes and Henry on show from all of the Baring Fowler (2x goals). players. Player of the match was Grace Clutterbuck.
34 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 35 THE GLOUCESTER CANOE In the Division 9 event Rab ATHLETICS MARATHON was our best at 6th, Matthew 7th, Max 12th and Sara 13th. Nine athletes were selected Great results from Bredon All of them achieving their to represent the South Kayak Paddlers. best results in this division. Worcestershire District at the Hereford and Worcester Christina gained a great Another great result was County Athletics trails in 2nd place in Division 8 and Callum, our Head Boy teaming June - the highest number is looking at promotion up up with Mr Barnicoat in the of participants Bredon has a division as a result. Division 4 Doubles event. had achieve at this level for Charlotte and Luke, making They secured a great win and several years. their doubles debut, won their it secured Callum in Division Division 9 event and are also 6 Singles class looking at promotion up a division to 8.
CROSS COUNTRY
There have been some great results in cross country this year. At the County Cross Country trials David Hird finished 1st in the U20 category, David Evans finished 7th in the same category and Erin Murray was 9th in the U16 category. They all qualified to take part in the ISA National Cross Country finals.
In the Hereford and Worcester County Cross Country Trials Sam Bethell ran really well despite some JUNIOR HOUSE RUGBY Winners of Group 2 were awful weather and even some snow COMPETITION Severn, captained by Freddie during his race! Sam managed to Soosalu. Player of the match achieve his personal best and was Houses Severn and Avon went was Rebeccah Wall. still smiling when he crossed the head to head to compete for line. The picture shows the conditions the House Cup. Winners of Toby Bushell demonstrated at the start! Group 1 were Avon, captained super sportsmanship by Joseph Woodworth. Player throughout and was awarded of the match went to Jack Gott. with the Sportsmanship Award.
36 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 37 NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS
DAVID HIRD David’s career on two wheels continues to go from strength to strength. He finished 14th in the National Cyclocross event in November and was one of just four boys selected for the West Midlands Regional Team in mountain biking. The team finished finished 4th overall in the National competition.
In addition David regularly competes in Cross Country competitions and has secured some impressive finishes this year including 1st place in the U20s race in the County Cross Country Trials.
JAMES READSTONE James is a member of the Gloucestershire County U16 Hockey Squad. He has completed South West of England regional trials and is waiting to hear if he has a place in the September training camp. James is the youngest regular player in the Gloucester City Hockey Club Men’s first XI. James has also achieved his Level 1 Assessed Hockey Umpires award.
GEORGIE WATKINS Georgie is a TSC Clay Shooting Academy member and was awarded the Izzy Docherty Award for consistent effort MIGUEL JULIANO TOM TOBIN this year. When collecting his award it was noted that Miguel has successfully Tom has qualified as a “Georgie puts 100% effort into completed the selection Level 1 rugby referee and is MITCHELL everything he does. He has phases and is now playing working towards his Level 2 an amazing attitude and is a regional rugby in his home qualification. BROOKER-SMITH pleasure to teach”. Throughout country, playing for Madrid. the year Georgie has improved in all areas of shooting and KAYDN WINDOWS STONE Mitchell is part of the British competing as a member of the LAUREN MURRAY has become a key part of Kaydn gained a place on the Shooting Talent Pathway England Team at the Home Lauren is playing rugby for the the shooting team with some Gloucestershire County U18 and has recently gained a International Competition Tewkesbury Ladies U18 team. fantastic TSC results. rugby team. place on the England Senior to be held in Scotland in She has also had county trials Team to shoot the Olympic August. Mitchell has also for the Gloucestershire Team. Skeet discipline in Clay been selected to shoot for Pigeon Shooting. He will be Gloucestershire County.
38 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 39 OLIVIA LOWE Olivia is part of the TSC Clay Shooting Academy. She was awarded Most Improved Academy Member of 2017 at their awards ceremony in January. Olivia has worked incredibly hard at her shooting at school and at other grounds on top of her regular academy sessions. She is a very dedicated sportswoman and has a fierce attitude when it comes to winning.
SHOOTING It has been another strong year TSC OXFORD – DECEMBER • The Senior team put in of performances for Bredon’s a solid performance with Clay Shooting teams. With • Mitchell Brooker-Smith 40s for David Evans, Jacob many of the students now got the highest score Kelly and Sam Morton. also part of the TSC Academy overall to qualify for the and taking part in numerous final scoring 44/50. He was TSC UNIVERSITY competitions, the results have the youngest boy in the CHAMPIONSHIP final and finishes 4th overall. been excellent, including: In the TSC University • Olivia Lowe finished 4th Challenge, Jacob Kelly and 1ST Team Rugby in the ladies final. Olivia Lowe wowed as some of the youngest competitors TSC OXFORD – MARCH and were crowned top boy A record-breaking day with and top girl; over 200 competitors taking • Jacob shooting an part. impressive 93 to win high • Olivia Lowe won the ladies gun. round with a solid 42. • Olivia shooting 85 to take TSC OXFORD – OCTOBER • In the Prep category, high gun ladies. the Bredon team finished • Georgie Watkins (Prep) second overall with an finished in 1st place with impressive combined score a score of 47/50. of 172 including an • Mitchell Brooker-Smith individual high score of finished in 2nd place with 45 for Georgie Watkins who 1ST Team Football 1ST Team Hockey a score of 47/50. finished 2nd individually.
40 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 41 1ST Team Netball 1ST Team Rounders U14 Cricket U14 Football
1ST Team Cricket Kayaking U14 Hockey U14 Netball
Shooting Team - Prep Shooting Team - Senior U14 Rounders U14 Rugby
42 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 43 In June, Bredon hosted its annual Colours Dinner to celebrate sporting achievements.
The guest speaker was George Boulton, former Hartpury College Rugby player. George took pupils on a journey of the knocks and triumphs he has experienced in his playing career and explained to the pupils that in sport and life you should always work hard and show humility; these traits do not require talent, it is just up to you to apply them.
Many pupils received either full or half colours for representing the school in sports teams. A variety of sports -related trophies and awards were also awarded, from ‘ Player of the Year - Hockey’ and ‘Sportsman of the Year’ to ‘Most improved Player - Football’.
“IN SPORT AND LIFE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS WORK HARD AND SHOW HUMILITY; THESE TRAITS DO NOT REQUIRE TALENT, IT IS JUST UP TO YOU TO APPLY THEM.” Guest speaker was George Boulton
44 Sports and healthy lifestyles Sports and healthy lifestyles 45 Christmas Celebrations The FAB Christmas Fair was a great success with lots on offer MALVERN HILLS WALK for pupils and parents alike. Tasty sausages and fruit juices Students took part in a sponsored event to raise were served up by the FAB money for various charities. parents who had also created a beautiful grotto for Santa. There were stalls galore with gifts, trinkets, artefacts, confectionery and various ‘have-a-go’ games. Also with us for the day were ‘Winston’s Wish’ with their four legged patron Mimi, and Hop Skip and Jump; two of Bredon’s nominated charities for the academic year.
Palmer and Howells ensured that everyone was treated As well as providing some to the most scrumptious much needed exercise and Christmas dinner with all the physical challenge – it is a trimmings. The dining rooms 15 kilometre route with 1000 were beautifully decorated metres of ascent! – it also and there were crackers and provides a great opportunity party poppers on the tables for students to spend time as well as snowman ice outdoors with their new Tutor creams and the most amazing and Tutor group and lays Christmas yule logs to enjoy. the foundation for a fun and A very big thank you to Angie productive year ahead. and her team. The weather held out and a Well done to everyone who very enjoyable time was had took part in the Malvern Hills by all! walk.
46 Special events and community involvement Special events and community involvement 47 At Easter we were back at the Three Counties Showground for CountryTastic; a one-day event designed for young children to learn more about the countryside, food production and animals. This year’s show theme was sheep and we were only too happy to bring along a number of our resident sheep including Beltex, Badgerface and Welsh mules. We even had Old Bredonian Lizzie on hand to help out! FAB parents, pupils and staff had a During the course of the weekend, we brilliant time at the Malvern Autumn were lucky enough to bump into the very Show in September. Continuing with talented poet Lewis Buxton who writes our sponsorship of the World of Animals poetry as part of the renowned Nationwide section, we took along a number Building Society campaigns. Lewis wrote of our animals who proved to be very and performed a poem especially for our popular with visitors both young and old. students.
“For the boy who watches letters card-shuffle on the page, For the girl who sees numbers on a calculator run away, For the kids whose limbs are a law unto themselves, Each of you is a photograph, your faces still developing.
Your voices are loud as football anthems, Your teachers are artists, Considering every angle and showing you different ways of seeing the world.
For every page turning boy and tree climbing girl, Every fourteen year old with bright apps for eyes, Every Year nine with hands like hammers, fingers like spanners, Every sweet sixteen that is learning the language of sheep farmers, The best thing you ever made was time for each other.
Your world is a tree, ready for you to climb, And the higher you go, the more hand holds you’ll find, So book lovers, carpenters, accountants, future photographers, poets and playwrights, Wherever you go in life, remember, You have found us. We are your tribe. We are Bredon School.
Lewis Buxton Photo courtesy of Countrytastic 2018 Countrytastic of courtesy Photo
48 Special events and community involvement Special events and community involvement 49 BFest!
The Sixth Form Business the weight of the cake Studies students worked hard competition (the cake was VISIT as part of their studies to designed by Mrs Wood and plan, promote and manage a featured the school’s chosen TO charity and community event three charities), hook a duck, at school. face painting and even sponge throwing (poor teachers!). GAUDIO Called BFest, the event laid on a number of activities for pupils There was also a huge array to enjoy including inflatables, of food to try including a pig table tennis, archery, a guess roast, a BBQ, game pie and
homemade breads, all washed down by tasty mocktails and Bredon School apple juice. The Sixth Formers invited a number of local food producers along to sell their wares and local butcher Ben Creese came Year 12 Business Studies Adam is himself dyslexic and along to give a butchery students made a visit to the group spent some time demonstration. Gaudio in Tewkesbury. discussing entrepreneurialism, Our very own Catering and the strengths of dyslexia and Hospitality BTEC students also Gaudio designs and the ability to think differently did a cookery demonstration. manufactures awards; their and see connections and It was a great day with lots commissions include trophies problems (particularly in a of brilliant planning and team and cups for the BBCs business setting) that nobody work on show too. Masterchef, ITVs The Pride else would spot. of Britain, the Radio 1 Teen Awards and even Formula 1. Gaudio is an incredibly creative workplace and it Adam Hutchinson, Gaudio’s really appealed to all our inspiring CEO, gave an students who were fantastic excellent tour and talk and our ambassadors for Bredon and pupils saw all aspects of the came away so inspired by business from order to design, everything they’d seen through to manufacture and and heard. dispatch.
DESIGN A TROPHY COMPETITION A number of Year 7 students meet the residents in person. began a pen-pal project It was a lively afternoon with Following our visit to Gaudio, exchanging letters with the a singer performing songs Adam launched a competition residents of Tewkesbury Fields from all eras. for Bredon School pupils to Care Home in Bushley. design ‘The Most Inspiring’ The residents loved having award which Gaudio will make The students tell the residents the children around and the and which will be presented all about their week (good children enjoyed chatting to on Founder’s Day 2018 to the and bad!) and the residents Gracie in particular! Some of pupil who has demonstrated let them know about their the gentlemen residents enjoy their best effort and dedication likes and dislikes in return. a good game of cricket and to their studies throughout have expressed an interest their time at Bredon. The pupils were invited to in joining the students to Tewkesbury Fields to enjoy a watch a game in the summer. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and to RHS For the third year running, the Junior School entered Spring Festival the Schools Challenge garden competition at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. RHS Highly WINNER THIRD Commended
After judging, The best result Most innovative Campaign the Juniors the school has use of recycled To Protect were awarded > achieved, to date! materials in a Rural England garden category (Worcestershire branch)
Facts:
Mark Harwood-Brown, Education Coordinator from the Three Counties Showground and Chris Collins, landscape designer and ex Blue Peter Gardener helped to inspire the Juniors with a very The show theme, set by railways and the addition of Another prominent aspect The garden was open to the special pre-show workshop. organisers, was ‘Best of British’ the Bank Holiday Act in 1871. of the garden was the beach public over the course of the and after much deliberation scene; including Victorian four day festival and the pupils The Junior garden contained our Juniors decided to design Victorian plant hunters bathing huts, sandcastles, spoke with great enthusiasm some very special plants; and name their garden, ‘Oh helped to shaped many of Punch and Judy shows and and confidence about their Calliope geraniums, a new I Do Like To Be Beside The our gardens today and it was ice cream. design. Well done to you all. type of geranium that has Seaside’ – a theme which those collectors that inspired taken 14 years to develop! grew from Harry Taylor’s initial the pupils’ formal Victorian It took three days to create A special thank you to Mrs The Juniors used two colours idea of Fish and Chips. area in their garden, to include this amazing masterpiece at Larner, Jenny Parkes, Mrs of Calliope in their final design, Horse Chestnut, a Money the showground with each Prudden and staff in the a red (used to represent the The garden was based on Puzzle and a Japanese Maple. of the year groups working Technology and Geography raspberry sauce found on the growth in popularity of Other aspects of the garden tirelessly to keep progress departments for your help ice creams!) and a red/pink seaside holidays which started were inspired by Gertrude on track. Their extraordinary with this project. splash. in Victorian times and was Jekyll, a Victorian writer, artist efforts were duly rewarded. boosted by the opening of the and garden designer.
52 Special events and community involvement Special events and community involvement 53 Bredon held its very first Musical Showcase in April, allowing students to perform their chosen piece in front of a supportive and encouraging Junior Nativity audience.
Thanks must go to Year 13s Callum Gray (pictured) who organised the event from scratch with limited resources and lots of imagination. Royal Albert Hall
Our choir had a great time in November taking part once again in the annual Scratch Youth Messiah event at the Royal Albert Hall.
The event showcases 1,500 young singers from youth There were seven sets Pictured are some of the choir enjoying choirs all over the country the sights and sounds of London. of performers on the day, who come together to sing including Harrison Morton- Handel’s Messiah with Deaville as ‘The King’ himself, professional orchestra and Our Year 7s have been having Elvis! The air was electric as soloists. a great time learning to play each performer gave it their the ukulele and guitar. Here all, thoroughly entertaining All members of the Bredon they are enjoying a jam their peers and teachers. choir were brilliant and really session! The Juniors’ original nativity Lots of parents, grandparents Well done to you all. enjoyed their trip. We are so performance was cancelled and friends came to Bredon proud of our students for taking due to a heavy snow fall – to enjoy the play. The part in this prestigious event. who would have anticipated performance was brilliant and snow at Christmas-time? - so the costumes were amazing. “Bursting with pride instead, our wonderful pupils Bravo! after hearing the pupils had a couple of extra weeks sing Messiah at The of practice and eventually Royal Albert Hall. What took to the stage in January to perform ‘Straw and Order!’. an amazing experience for all.” Parent
54 Special events and community involvement Special events and community involvement 55 War By Lauren Hayward
Culture By Tokia Tomooka
GCSE Art Exhibition Pheasant Owl By Harrison Smith By Maddy Bue
Iceberg By Sam Bethell
56 The arts The arts 57 A Level Art Exhibition
Paper Flowers By Thomas Finn
Cows Horses By Daniel Barber By George Waterfield By Thomas Finn
Faces By Leon Westbroek
58 The arts The arts 59 Archie York PHOTOGRAPHY GCSE Photography
Jack Ratcliffe AS Photography
Thomas Finn A2 Photography
60 The arts The arts 61 Christina Vassiliades GCSE Photography
Archie York GCSE Photography
Lauren Murray GCSE Photography
Kaydn Windows Stone Jaden Higgins A2 Photography AS Photography Briar Cull AS Photography
Max von Hagen Jack Ratcliffe A2 Photography AS Photography
Sam Bethell GCSE Photography
62 The arts The arts 63 SPECIAL THE GUESTS WAINWRIGHT & VISITORS LECTURES OLD BREDONIAN JAY TOMAN
The ‘world’s fastest blind man’ Steve Cunningham and his dog Waffle visited Bredon to give an inspirational assembly.
Steve, who went blind in childhood, has achieved some amazing feats including becoming the holder of the blind land speed and powerboat records. He was also the first blind person to fly a plane around the UK and Steve spoke about his journey he has captained the England from despair to success and Blind Football team and been left our pupils inspired to a member of the England break their own barriers and Blind Cricket Team. achieve their ambitions. The Sixth Formers have grit and determination. Josh some wonderful anecdotes enjoyed hearing from a variety delivered his talk with honesty, to relate. Flora inspired several of speakers this year as part integrity and a great sense students to consider this of their enrichment sessions, of humour. The students experience for themselves. Three of our pupils and talking to families who The Wainwright Lectures. described him as ‘truly And, most recently, Jay Toman represented Bredon School were considering sending their inspirational’. One speaker who generated returned to school to talk to at the Shrivenham Defence children to Bredon. They were a lot of discussion following A number of Old Bredonians the Sixth Form and the CCF Academy ‘Boarding Schools a credit to themselves and their his visit was Josh Boggi, an have also given lectures, about his first year serving in Fair’ in February. families. Afghanistan war veteran, triple including Jonathan Bishop the Army. He talked about his Bredon has supported this amputee and motivational who came to talk about experiences and training and special event for the last Award-winning chef, speaker. Landscape Gardening and is clearly loving his chosen couple of years. It brings Shaun Naen, visited Bredon running a business. Jonathon career. together schools from the in November and gave a It was incredible to hear how has won six Royal Horticultural surrounding counties to help demonstration of several Josh overcame his initial life- Society medals from Malvern, Other speakers have included Forces families to find the right Chinese dishes to the Year changing experience which Hampton Court and Chelsea the Malvern Hills Conservators, school for their children. 7s. Shaun who trained at Ecole coincided with having reached shows. the Severn Area Rescue Lenorte in Paris also created the pinnacle of his career in Association and many more. Pupils Matthew, Meg and sweet and short pastry dishes the army, but also how he Flora Thompson, who left Charlie had a great time with the Year 10 GCSE Catering picked himself up following Bredon last year, kindly helping to set up the stand and Hospitality group. a number of set-backs during returned to talk to the the rehabilitation process, students about her experience moving on with even more at Camp America and had
64 Special guests and visitors Special guests and visitors 65 Boarding at Bredon is busy to work with the animals PERHAPS THE BEST BIT OF and exciting with a massive and around the farm estate. ALL THOUGH – WHEN THE variety of activities and clubs SNOW FALLS AT BREDON, Nurturing the ‘Field to Fork’ on offer, with something to suit AND DAY PUPILS CAN’T all ages and interests. ethos, here are boarders Eloise and James ‘dressing’ GET IN TO SCHOOL, THEN Farm club takes place every a duck and a pheasant which ALL 84 ACRES BECOMES A Monday and covers different were shot and hung on BOARDERS’ PARADISE! activities each week. Our a nearby estate Boarders have the opportunity
There has also been kayaking sessions, golf, a jogging club, sessions with a fitness coach, a cooking club, board games and much, much more! At the weekends, activities have included bouldering and climbing at a nearby climbing centre, the ever-popular mountain-boarding – a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard! - and grass sledging, trips to theme parks, trampoline parks, local towns to go shopping and laser tag. The school often receives feedback from the places we visit saying how polite and well-behaved our boarding pupils are and we agree!
66 Spotlight on boarding Spotlight on boarding 67 INTERVIEW WITH INTERVIEW WITH HEAD GIRL - CLAUDIA HARVEY HEAD BOY - CALLUM MORRIS
Q. WHAT HAS BEING HEAD BOY TAUGHT YOU? THE BIGGEST THING FOR ME HAS BEEN LEARNING HOW TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC. MY CONFIDENCE HAS INCREASED AND I’VE REALISED WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO OFFER YOU OFFER TO OUR YOUNGER SUPPORT TO OTHERS. STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR REMAINING TIME AT SCHOOL? DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE WHO YOU ARE AS IT CAN WORK IN YOUR FAVOUR.
Q. How long have you been When it was first announced Q. Who has been an Q. How long have you been Q. Has it been enjoyable makes it very unique and at Bredon School? I was shocked and excited, inspiration to you during your at Bredon? working alongside Claudia has definitely helped me I’ve been here for just two but raring to go! time at Bredon? I’ve been here for a long time; and the rest of the prefect to achieve. years. My friends have been an 11 years. It’s been great. team? Q. What has being Head Girl inspiration and seeing them Very much so; they are Q. What piece of advice Q. Can you sum up what taught you? achieve things with my help Q. What is your greatest friendly and encouraging. would you give to our Bredon School means to you Lots of things but tolerance has been great. personal achievement younger students? in no more than five words? has been an important skill to date? Q. In your opinion, what is Take every opportunity that I’d say: unique, courageous that I’ve developed. My Q. Do you have a memorable It has to be passing my exams it that makes Bredon School the school offers you. and friendly. confidence has also improved moment? and finding out my grades. so special? and I now have a better Yes, a very funny and The support you receive from Q. What’s been your greatest understanding of who I am. memorable moment was Q. How did you feel when you the teachers is great. Whatever personal achievement to date? being ‘attacked’ by one of the were appointed Head Boy? you decide to do they are It has to be being appointed rabbits on the school farm... I was ecstatic and very proud happy to support you. The Head Girl. it wouldn’t let go of my arm! of myself. way in which you are taught
68 Interviews with Head students Interviews with Head students 69 INTERVIEW WITH MAX VON-HAGEN SENIOR PREFECT AND CHAIR OF SCHOOL COUNCIL
Q. How long have you been at Bredon School? I’ve been at Bredon for four years. Q. Have you enjoyed it? I have! School has given me some really good opportunities and I have made friends with some amazing people. It has been tough at times but I don’t regret one part of it. Q. What has been your greatest personal achievement? Getting good grades! Since being at Bredon I have found out that I’m actually better at academics than I originally thought. Q. You were appointed as Senior Prefect last year with specific responsibility as the Chair of School Council. How did you find it? It has been tough but very rewarding. If you can find the best way to work with people then you get better results. Different people have different strengths; if you can work to these strengths then there’s definitely more success. Q. WHAT NEW SKILLS WILL YOU TAKE I’ve also realised that it is AWAY FROM YOUR YEAR AS SENIOR important for other people to have the opportunity to put PREFECT? forward their own thoughts IT HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO LEAD and ideas. MEETINGS AND HOW TO ASK Q. Do you have any words QUESTIONS THAT GET ME THE RIGHT of advice for our younger ANSWERS. IT’S A LOT HARDER THAN students? I THOUGHT! Don’t give up!
70 Interviews with Head students IN YOUR WORDS
“My (daughter) has been at Bredon for about 6 weeks. She is unrecognisable! The confidence that she is developing is amazing to see. She has actually started reading!! Finally I have hope for her future. Thank you, Bredon - what you do is magical.” Parent “My son has only been at the school (for a short time), but already we are delighted to see a profound improvement in his wellbeing. The stress he carried constantly throughout the last few years at his previous school has fallen away and we’ve seen our happy, good natured son return. Thank you, I just wish we’d found Bredon sooner.” Parent “(Bredon) really helped me with my dyslexia and got me out of my shell.. Now I work for tech companies in San Francisco, which I don’t think I would have achieved without the support I got.” Old Bredonian Pull Court, Bushley, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 6AH T: 01684 293156 | E: [email protected] www.bredonschool.org