SUMMER TERM 2013 Solihull The Greyhound School This year’s Bench enjoying the annual soiree in the Alan Lee Pavilion. Simon Mayo came in to speak to Lower School pupils about his series of books based on a character called Itch. Simon, an Old Sil (1970-73 Windsor) finished the morning with a book signing session. Pupils meet HRH Prince Charles at the official opening of the £20 million Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. See inside for more on the School’s visit to the Hospice. Swimming: Abigail Humphreys had a fantastic swim on the first day of the Easter holidays in Portsmouth, swimming the 800m freestyle in a time of 8:59:20. (17 April) Staff Achievements Mrs P Cramb Nominated for the Annual German Teacher Awards for her initiatives and commitment to German teaching. The awards take place at the German Embassy on 25th June. Miss Hannah Smith & Mr Christopher Mayer Player & coach at Leicester Ladies Hockey Club. The team won the National League title this season, and qualify for the European Championships in May 2014. Mrs R Hadley-Leonard Following successful completion of the AMDIS Diploma (achieving top student award) and for commitment to Marketing in Schools, invited to join the Executive Board of AMDIS (Association of Marketing and Development in Independent Schools). Mrs J Wilde Received the highest critical acclaim from ‘Behind the Arras’ for playing the lead role of Martha in Hall Green Little Theatre’s The Greyhound Interviews… production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (‘Forget that this is an amateur production. This is theatre at its best. Performances Mr Perrins, Music like this don’t come that often on any stage’). How long have you been teaching? Mrs H Miles Probably too long but in reality 34 years! As a member of ‘Ruby’s Runners’, has completed the Worcester half-marathon and The Great Midlands Fun Run. So far they have What do you enjoy most about your job? raised £5000 for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. More half- marathons planned for the Autumn. The amazing variety from teaching right across the School to working with so many talented musicians in the different choirs and Mr B Sandford-Smith instrumental groups. Then there’s the annual Musical too, which is Guitarist in the ‘Steve Rogers Band’, who have recently always great fun. supported T’Pau and Deborah Bonham at the O2 Academy in Why do you like teaching music? Liverpool and Burgess Hill Theatre. Also due to play at several festivals this summer. When you think about it, music is part of everyone’s life and you can’t say that about many things. The thrill of realising that you have helped even one person to connect with music is such an amazing feeling! If you had to choose your last meal what would it be? If I’m allowed three courses then it would have to be lobster bisque, pasta and a really creamy lemon mousse. What’s your favourite piece of music and why? That’s a really tough one because it would depend on the mood I’m in! It could be anything from the late 19th century which is my favourite period, but almost certainly something by Mahler whose music encompasses every emotion and feeling: maybe his ‘Resurrection Symphony’. If you could meet a musician or composer from any period of history, who would it be? Another difficult one! There are so many interesting characters. But it would probably be Beethoven because he changed the Lord Hunt Visit direction music was going in at the beginning of the 19th century. There are so many questions I’d like to ask him but we might not Lord Hunt with members of the new Middle School Bench, after get very far as I don’t speak German and he probably wouldn’t hear speaking to the Lower Fifth about parliament and politics. me anyway! Visit the School Facebook page to see photographs of last week’s fabulous visit from Happy’s Circus. (22 April) Lucy Allen, Libbie Thomas and Alexander Browse attended the Engineering Education Scheme celebration day with their mentors from Jaguar Land Rover at Cranmore Park. (25 April) Bergen-Solihull Choral Exchange During April, twenty members of the Bergen Boys’ Choir visited Solihull to launch the Bergen-Solihull Choral Exchange. The weekend consisted of many hours of rehearsals with our Boys’ Choir, as well as plenty of social time and international football matches. The Bergen Boys’ Choir enjoyed a trip to Oxford and both choirs sang in Coventry Cathedral. The weekend culminated in a joint service in Chapel, including two Norwegian hymns, and a farewell party. Academic Retreat Ms Harford and Mr Anderton took eight Upper Sixth students up to the Mountain Cottage in Snowdonia over half term for an academic retreat. Days were full of revision, good food, evening fires and laughing. The students were a delight and worked really hard. Boys’ Choir tour to Norway On June 5 the School’s Boys’ Choir performed in the Bergen International Festival, joining the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, chamber orchestra, two organs (played by Mr Walker), the Bergen Boys’ Choir and three soloists in an electrifying performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem under the direction of renowned American conductor Andrew Litton. One eminent critic described the performance, to an audience of 1400 people as well as many others worldwide on Norwegian national radio, as ‘highly charged’, being left ‘stirred and humbled’. The tour also included a spontaneous concert in the home of Grieg, a walk up Mount Ulriken and a refreshing swim in a fjord. It was very special for us to have Mrs Brough with us on her last trip. Rounders: The Third Form made a great start to the season last week. The U12A won 14-7 and U12B won 13-5 ½ against Princethorpe. (29 April) The annual Battle of the Bands has raised lots of money for the School charities, £457.21 in total. It was a fabulous evening. (1 May) Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award presentation - St James’ Palace, London Seventeen students from the Upper Sixth as well as Old Silhillians studying at various universities were in attendance at St James’ Palace, London, on the morning of Wednesday 13th March to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Students from Solihull School constituted by far the largest group and were spoken to by designer and broadcaster Linda Barker before receiving certificates from His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh himself. Jessica Singer and Sonali Phillp were questioned by the Duke about where they had completed their expeditions and Sonali also spoke about completing her ‘Residential section’ in India where she helped out in an orphanage. This year with the current upper Sixth Form, we have seen record numbers of students complete their Gold Expedition, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award mainly on foot in the Welsh mountains but some sailing around the Isle of Wight. Well done to all! This term and over the Easter holidays, our intrepid Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students have braved eight foot-deep snow drifts, hail storms and sub-zero temperatures on expeditions in Snowdonia, the Malverns, Shropshire and the Peak District. Pet Service 2013 The Pet Service has become something of a tradition in School Chapel as we give thanks for our animal companions. A variety of dogs, rabbits, gerbils and a snail came to the altar for a special blessing as we asked the prayers of St Francis, patron saint of animals. A great time was had by all with lots of fun songs and Junior School pupils reading lessons and prayers. Double success for Charlotte Congratulations to Charlotte Beesley who has been accepted into the prestigious National Youth Theatre. Furthermore, her musical talent was on show this term as she composed a piece of music, ‘Remembrances’, which had its premiere at the Summer Concert. Athletics: Well done to all our athletes last night. The U16 and U14 girls beat St Martin’s and RGS Worcester. The U16 boys also won against KES, RGS Worcester and KE Camp Hill. (8 May) Pupils raise over £1,600 from non-uniform day. (8 May) Young Enterprise Two Young Enterprise companies made up of Lower Fifth students were successful at the recent Solihull area Young Enterprise Competition. Spotted Zebra won ‘Best Company’ and ‘Best Company Report’ and secured a place at the Birmingham regional final, held at Birmingham University, where they went on the to win the prize for ‘Best Financial Management’. Mydas gave a unique, reflective and humorous presentation which was a big hit with the audience and secured the prize for ‘Best Presentation’. All of the students put in a great deal of effort and the School should be very proud of them. Solihull School at the cutting edge of science research Solihull School is one of eight schools participating in a professional research study being led by doctors and scientists at the University of Birmingham. The study is investigating adolescent sleep and its impact on academic performance and general health. Shell Form pupils will be completing an online survey and 7-day sleep diaries and are the only teenagers in the country to have access to wrist-worn devices (actigraphy) that will monitor their sleep habits. The research study is the largest adolescent sleep investigation in the United Kingdom and findings from the research have already been published in major scientific journals. Sleep Out for Charity This term saw the inaugural Solihull School Sleep Out. Pupils from the Fourth Form initiated the event, after reading the novel Stone Cold by Robert Swindells.