THE AYLESBURIAN 2018/2019 Tennis and Health & Fitness Centre Halton UK - Tennis and Health & Fitness Centre @haltonuk Chestnut End, Halton, Aylesbury, HP22 5PD T: 01296 623453 E: [email protected] www.haltontennis.co.uk CONTENTS FOR THE Tennis and Health & Fitness Centre AYLESBURIAN The magazine of Aylesbury Grammar School Headmaster’s Welcome 4 A message from the Governors 8 Staff Leavers 10 Tribute to Ben Emburey 14 House Life 15 Sport 34 School Life 67 School Visits 81 A message from the PTA 101 School Development & Alumni Relations 102 Prize Winners 112 Design and Printed by Fresh Design & Print Solutions Ltd Editor Email: [email protected] Copyright © Aylesbury Grammar School 2019. Individual articles Mr G Dallas are copyright © the author. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, Halton UK - Tennis and Health & Fitness Centre @haltonuk without the prior permission writing of the school, or as expressly Chestnut End, Halton, Aylesbury, HP22 5PD permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate T: 01296 623453 E: [email protected] www.haltontennis.co.uk reprographs rights organisations. The Aylesburian 2018/2019 3 HEADMASTER’S WELCOME Welcome to the Aylesburian years each to the School and to “The school motto of ‘Respect and magazine for 2018-2019. Once education. Priceless opportunities to Aspire’ permeates all aspects of school again, this publication stands stand back and reflect upon what it life. All who work at the school have the as the definitive historical means to be an Aylesburian. To be highest aspirations for themselves and reference for the School and a part of this historic institution, with for the other members of the school so we hope that you enjoy it. over 400 years of tradition, but also community. Their pride in the school, All our thanks go to Mr Dallas to witness the success and future of support for each other and enjoyment each student as they leave us for the of their work, create an environment for once again editing this year’s publication. next stage of their life. It is why we in which all are encouraged to flourish teach, but more importantly, why we and develop.” I was hoping never to have to repeat teach here. the words of 2015 and 2018 when We also invited a full review of our expressing our deepest sense of loss In order to validate the culture and safeguarding procedures, in order for one of our Aylesburians. However, impact of the School, we invited to verify the work that we do in this we demonstrate our true character at reviews of our core work from area and identify where we can such challenging times, and to Year other senior school leaders and improve. After a rigorous process, 10 at the time, Phillips House, and headteachers, as well as expert we were hailed as adding value to most importantly, the Emburey family, consultants throughout the year. the whole school experience in all we thank you for your strength and The Challenge Partners Network, areas. A fine testament to the work, humility. To Ben, we say goodbye, of which we are a member and now time, commitment and care of the but not forgotten. He will always be host the Aylesbury Vale Hub, came whole school but most notably the remembered, once an Aylesburian, to the school in November. With five safeguarding team and pastoral team. senior leaders from other schools always an Aylesburian. One quote exemplifies this level of and a lead reviewer, the team spent The academic year also provided care. When asked if the school kept three days immersing themselves opportunity for reflection, growth its promises, one student replied “it into the life of the school. and success across the School. went beyond that, they more than From the whole School photograph Their verdict was one of great pride keep their promises” and the report to thanking three members of staff for all involved and summed up by highlighted a culture where “Students for their selfless commitment of 25 the following quote from the report: feel happy and cared for”. 4 The Aylesburian 2018/2019 We further developed the the Watson and Brodie Trophies. A collaborative culture of the school fitting legacy for the departing Head of in January when we invited House, Mr Streat. headteachers from feeder primary In sport we were ranked by the schools to come and visit to discuss School Sport Magazine as one of the the challenges of their schools as top 10 Schools for sport nationally. well as having a tour from their ex- This is a sensational achievement, primary students. made possible by the staff and The connection between the supported by the parents. Success headteachers and some of their ex- in swimming, football, rugby, tennis students was a really proud moment and squash are all testament to the for all involved and cemented the extensive opportunities on offer to view that we are all very proud of We have increased the size and the students. our School. The comments returned quality of the changing facilities in the surrounded the range of opportunities swimming pool, and in the summer In Handball the Under 15 side are on offer at our School and the quality of 2019 refurbished the Mathematics national champions. The school was of learning that is evident. classrooms, upgraded the Drama very proud to see James Richardson representing English Schools’ FA After the examination results of studio, installed new boilers and Under 18s last season in football and 2018, the progress figures at GCSE improved the environment in Nathan McDonald, currently in Year and A Level put the School in an Geography and Languages. 11, has gone on to represent Great extremely positive position. At GCSE New recycling bins across the school Britain Under 18s in handball. the progress 8 score of 0.91 placed demonstrate our growing focus on us as the top performing boys’ school social responsibility and the future Finally, in July we invited ex- in Buckinghamshire, while the value generations. There is much to do, but Headmaster Keith Smith to School added score of 0.22 at A Level placed we are making outstanding progress, to celebrate his 90th birthday. With us the top performing school overall despite the constant challenges of many ex-staff, students, governors in Buckinghamshire for A Levels. Our educational funding. This is thanks and parents returning to share their whole-hearted congratulations to the to the amazing contributions of the memories and stories. At 90 years staff and students of the 2018 cohort. PTA, parents and alumni through the old, Keith spoke for half an hour, In 2019 we continued to face the Aylesburian Annual Fund. We thank without notes, thanking all those who changes to the curriculum with everyone for their contribution. had made the school such a success tougher, linear courses. This brings In further activities away from the during his time. many unknowns in the examination classroom, our Geology team A humble, respectful and honest process, requiring resilience, came runners up in the National recollection of what makes this a courage and excellence from all Competition. We had amazing wonderful place to learn. Respecting involved. Once again, the students success in Physics and Chemistry our traditions and history, but aspiring responded magnificently and rose to Olympiads, Computing and Maths to a bright and wonderful future the challenge with some outstanding competitions, Young Enterprise and outcomes. Engineering, and our educational The past year has once again seen visits reached as far as Argentina, Across the School we continue our students and staff excel and we Uruguay, Malawi and Borneo. to make improvements to the are rightly proud of all of them as environment and facilities. We The House competition remains the they exhibit the characteristics of our installed new gates around the vibrant heart beat of the School. With core values, to respect and aspire. 6th Form area to improve security, the array of competitions and events refurbished the IT rooms with new ensuring every student can participate We hope you enjoy this publication. hardware and furniture, improved in the life of the house. Once again CCTV across the site to ensure we Denson House have swept the board M Sturgeon are all safer. and are double double winners of Headmaster The Aylesburian 2018/2019 5 Head Boy’s Reflections 2018 - 19 It’s a hazy Tuesday morning event? Yes. But to reflect on the assemblies and other school events, in August and I’m currently year properly and to bring out more contributing to my belief that it is the sat at my bedroom desk next broadly what it has meant to me enduringly dynamic and inspiring to a pile of dusty books I was to be part of the AGS community, atmosphere of the school that has revising from two months ago. robotically working through the year had the biggest impact on me. Now seems like a good opportunity isn’t going to cut it… This atmosphere is the product of to reflect on the year just gone, As Head Boy I’ve hugely enjoyed the amazing community of people even if doing justice to a year at being involved in a variety of aspects at AGS. The friendships I’ve AGS is something of a herculean of school life. Sammy Robertson, forged have made the last seven task- there have been simply too Finn Bell and I have focussed on years happier, funnier and more many sporting fixtures, concerts, reducing the school’s environmental interesting, as well as providing the clubs, trips, memories and stories impact and improving sustainability, best support base imaginable.