SUMMER 2016 @Gryphon B AND E DAY Ten Tors Teams ROCK CHALLENGE WIN Trips to France, Germany and India The Gryphon School has been given a Gold Award for 2. LGBT+ inclusion in the school community. It ANNIE SINNOTT MBE follows the School’s work with Educate & Celebrate’s five point GOVERNOR OF THE Best Practice Programme. The aim of GRYPHON SCHOOL the Programme is to make as many schools as possible LGBT+ friendly by Annie Sinnott, who was one of our including LGBT+ role models in lessons, dedicated and committed governors, died discussing LGBT+ issues openly and suddenly in April at the age of 70. She will supporting students who identify as be greatly missed by all of us, and we will LGBT+. The 2010 Equality Act should remember her with much love and affection. Annie was appointed to the Governing Body ensure that those who do identify as in January 2009 as one of its Community LGBT+ are treated equally and fairly. Governors. Her positive response when ‘Fabulous Experience’ Unfortunately this is not always the asked if she would join us was typical of case, so by educating young people and Annie, she was happy to help and delighted celebrating our diversity within school In a project which is now in its sixth year, students from The Gryphon School and Sherborne that she had been suggested. As a member we are hoping to challenge Girls have again traded places to compare educational experiences. Two girls from Year 7 of our Governing Body, we have been discrimination. Even though the School and two from Year 8 spend a day in each other’s school going to lessons, taking part in extra- privileged to enjoy and share her wit, has only been working with Educate & curricular activities, sharing meals in their respective dining halls and much more. At the end wisdom, passion and generosity of spirit. Celebrate for a year, we are delighted of the exchange all eight girls get together to talk and write about their experiences. They all to have achieved Best Practice Status as said how pleased they were to have taken part in the exchange. Despite the many well as winning the Gold Award. differences between them, not least the fact that there are boys at The Gryphon, both schools, they said, have the same aims, to give the students the best education, and it has Catherine Moore Gryphon Pride been a great experience for us all. Thank you from the Yeovil Freewheelers At the end of last term The Gryphon School raised just over £470 for the Yeovil Freewheelers. The unfailing support, understanding and Yeovil Freewheelers is a volunteer unit or E.V.S. encouragement Annie has given our (Emergency Voluntary Service) based in Yeovil students over many years has been hugely District Hospital. A group of approximately 30 beneficial. Some of our students went on to members manage three motorcycles including join her at The Old Vicarage, the care home purchase costs, maintenance, fuel costs plus insurance. All our funds come from active in Leigh which she opened with her Meet the team! fundraising, such as The Gryphon School’s marvellous donation as a result of a non-uniform husband in 1984. In 2007, she was awarded Diana Webb and Jem Shackleford run our day; bag-packing in supermarkets and manning stands at local fayres and exhibitions. We are an MBE in recognition of her services to the oldest ‘Bloodbike’ service in England and are very proud of our work. We deliver tissue social care.She saw staff as being the heart ‘Blue Room’ a place of sanctuary for samples, blood, equipment and medication between local hospitals in the South West as well of any successful organisation and students who would like extra support with as to private homes. We run 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and save Yeovil District Hospital recognised the commitment, hard work, personal issues or who are finding school in excess of £60,000 a year in delivery charges. Our training and riding proficiency is always dedication and sheer ability of those at The challenging. Jem runs our hugely successful under review and the riders undergo rigorous and regular checks to ensure safety to Gryphon. She was immensely respected in Mindfulness programme. This year about themselves and to the public when we are on the road. We simply could not continue to her professional life on a local and national 230 students, 45 staff and 14 parents have provide our service without donations such as The Gryphon School’s, and we hope you level, and we feel honoured that she chose done Mindfulness courses, and we have understand that the amount you raised ensures that we are able to continue to save lives in to share part of her time and herself with us. been working with Oxford University who your local area. Thank you again, and we hope you never need our services. Steve Hillier - Headteacher have been evaluating the effectiveness of Mindfulness in schools. Diana provides Chris Thomas-Peter, YFW member and Rider Martin Surrey, Chairman one-to-one support for some students herself and, in conjunction with Heads of Young Volunteer of the Year Year, can also refer students on to a whole range of counselling services, including our Year 8 student Christopher Reed has been selected as the winner of own school counsellor and School Chaplain, the Dorset & Wilts Young Volunteer of the Year 2016. Christopher is Diane Tregale, as well as other agencies an excellent rugby player, who currently plays for our U13 XV. Some such as CAMHS, Mosaic and Mandala (for time ago he expressed an interest in refereeing and was keen to be bereavement support), EDDAS (for drug and involved with Sherborne RFC 1st XV on a Saturday afternoon. Over alcohol support), the school nurse team, the the last two seasons, he has run touch for the 1st XV, at both home In celebration of International Yarn Rendezvous, the Balsam Centre (counselling and away fixtures. Chris has not missed a 1st XV game for two years Bomb Day, the school was ‘bombed’ support for students who live in South and all the players, coaches and supporters at Sherborne RFC hugely one evening in June. Students came Somerset), Reach and Rylands Farm. We are value his contribution. He is recognised and well respected amongst in to find the quads decorated in very fortunate to have such a wide range of numerous Dorset & Wilts Society Referees, who enjoy working with multi-coloured knitting. It’s the support services available to us and all him and encouraging him in his role. Chris arrives at the club at least second time the Textiles Department students are very welcome in the Blue an hour before every game to fill the water bottles for the 1st XV. He have brightened the school day by Room. also looks after the kicking tee for our goal kicker. Congratulations, Chris! overnight yarn bombing. Nicki Edwards - Deputy Headteacher Jim Gower - Assistant Head More Rock Challenge Success Derek Boshier, second from left, with members of the Art and Photography Department Home Grown Pop Artist At the end of term The Gryphon School welcomed acclaimed artist and Old Fosterian Derek Boshier, who gave an enthralling lecture about his life and art to a captivated audience comprising of the Sixth Form cohort and Year10 Art & Design students, which packed Quarr Hall. Derek attended Foster’s School in the early 1950s before progressing to Yeovil School of Art, followed by the Royal College of Art, London where his peers of the Pop Art age included David Hockney, Pauline Boty and Peter Blake. With his work digitally projected on a huge scale behind him, Derek regaled us with stories of his life in art, including his work with David Bowie and 1970s punk group The Clash. His © Nick Scott Photography lecture was richly illustrated with his The Gryphon School has won the Southern Open Finals of ‘Rock Challenge’, an international dance and drama competition. Ten schools from dynamic range of graphic design, mixed all over the South of England showcased an eight minute performance on their chosen theme at The Guildhall in Portsmouth in June. The media and fine art and culminated in the Gryphon School’s piece was titled ‘You’ll never know who I really am’ and explored the concept of being safe on the internet. screening of two of his recent short films, Our Rock Challenge team was awarded said, ‘Our students have worked tirelessly to their talent and energy. Congratulations to shot on his ever present iPad, and featured overall first place as well as 12 individual produce such an exceptional performance them and to the teachers and staff who have hand drawn and photographic animation. awards for excellence in set design and and I am so proud of every individual that supported them throughout the process.’ As Everyone agreed it was an amazing function, entertainment, choreography, took part. It really shows that hard work and a result of this success The Gryphon School experience and our thanks go once again to concept, performance skills, lighting, determination do pay off.’ Headteacher will be taking part in the Rock Challenge Derek for so generously giving his time and soundtrack, stage crew, costume and Steve Hillier said ‘We are thrilled that The ‘premier league’ next year, competing as one for his continued support of our Year 13 character, drama, visual enhancement and Gryphon School students have done so well of the top 24 schools in the country. This Edgar Maltby Drawing Prize. student leadership.