WIRRALNuntius GRAMMAR SCHOOL A Business & Enterprise School for Boys Cross Lane, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 3AQ | Tel: 0151 644 0908 Spring 2013 The Island of Fire and Ice Our venture into the Icelandic depths Although the food at Hotel Hafnarfjordur was not great was intriguing, incredible and we didn’t seem to mind because the rooms more than resplendent for all 43 of 2013’s made up for it. We got on the coach for day 2 and headed for an `enthralling` visit to the Geo-Thermal Icelandic ‘warriors’. power plant. After scampering around looking for our cameras (because we realised we were stopping at The trip gave us a huge insight into witnessing, feeling the plant) we headed to Kerid where we took a walk and experiencing, first hand, many things that we have around the enormous volcanic crater lake. The lake been taught in lessons. Whether it be the magnificent was frozen, but that didn’t seem to act as a deterrent to glaciers, the awe inspiring volcanoes or the sight of 43 some as they helplessly failed at cracking the ice with teenagers at 8 o’clock every morning; we will never rocks. It was back to the coach to Gullfoss (we had forget our time on the ‘Island of Fire & Ice’… now learnt that ‘foss’ in Icelandic meant ‘waterfall’), where two water falls 33m in height plunged into the From the moment we stepped off the plane we could mile-long gorge. Also, we took a visit to Geyser to feel the bitter, cold wind against our faces so it didn’t witness the geysers and hot springs that erupt every 5 take much to get us onto a warm, comfortable and neat minutes to 100ft in the air! The evening presented a and tidy bus. Here we met our driver, ‘Otto’, who we thoroughly enjoyed meal in the Grill house and a game all saw as a powerful force of nature and someone we of bowling. all immediately warmed to. There was no rest for the wicked as we set off for the first of our experiences at Up until the Sunday it was rare to see a cloud in the the Blue Lagoon. sky. However on day three we were greeted with lots of snow. It was today that we would experience We slid into our swim wear and headed out to the the true meaning of Iceland…through what they called geo-thermal, heated pools. It didn’t take long for us to ‘Volcano Horse’. Yes- we were going horse trekking…in warm up in 37°C waters or to find the Silica mud mask the hail. For the rest of the day we got a chance to take which Sean White managed to wear for the whole in the beauty of Iceland: the snow peaked mountains time. After 2 hours we had to make the tricky and grand waterfalls and taking many photographs as task of leaving the lovely we did. There wasn’t one minute during the trip where warmth of the pool to the there wasn’t something to see, something to do or more freezing cold changing unpleasantly something to smell (sulphur in the air). rooms. After leaving the Blue Lagoon we For the next two days, we spent our evenings at a departed for our Hotel hotel in the countryside enabling us to see even more for the next 3 days; of Iceland. On Monday we went to the glacier outlet we were pleasantly lagoon where there was a range of sky blue icebergs surprised to be greeted deposited by a glacier. so on ice it was even worse… Furthermore, we with a 4 star Hotel, got to walk across the black volcanic sand beaches each room with a There wasn’t a minute to spare on the last day as one and get a group picture on the basalt rock stacks. small kitchen, sitting of the big highlights of the trip was the Glacial walk; area and healthy-sized we put on our crampons and explored the crevasses Ultimately, early (very early) on the Wednesday bathroom. It was all and sinkholes amongst the ice. It was here where morning, we were disappointed to be leaving Iceland going so well until Mr yet again ‘peer acclaimed’ Mr Organised, Druvi but we’d had such a wonderful and most incredible Taws told us breakfast Edirisinghe, gave us yet another demonstration of how experience that will take quite a lot to beat. was at 8 o’clock- not to do something. He struggles to walk on dry land Ben Mark Turner 10MH ‘Nuntius on-line’ Larger articles can be found by accessing the ‘Nuntius On-Line’ link via the school website www.wirralgrammarboys.com Articles include the South Pacific Review www.wirralgrammarboys.com WIRRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL Spring 2013 A Foundation Business & Enterprise School for Boys Next term we hope to see the Beethovens Welcome Charity Update perform in school. The Beethovens are a band from the Wirral Autistic Society, born out of Dear All Last term has seen some their aim to provide individuals on the autistic spectrum with the opportunity to communicate The spring term has been just about the shortest on great developments in through music. The money we have been record on account of Easter being so very early working hard to fundraise throughout the year our fundraising and will be going towards new equipment for this this year. Despite the shorter term, we still seem to charity work. band. The performances are aimed to provide have packed in the usual wide range of activities, boys with the chance to see exactly what that visits and events. Overseas visits to Iceland and Firstly, congratulations must go to Ms Razbully, hard work has fundraised towards, and to feel Austria have been among the highlights and I narrowly clinching our Staff Mastermind pride in this achievement. received excellent reports from both boys and staff Competition, raising money for our local about how enjoyable these visits were. charity, the Wirral Autistic Society. Thanks Our international charity, Iwele, creating links must also go to Mrs Davies, Mr Cooper to schools in South Africa, has taken more of and Mr White for taking part (remember to an educational route. The last month has seen After a very wet winter that took its toll on sports the plasma television screens, dotted around revise those specialist subjects a little bit more fixtures, the Rugby 7s Season has got off to a very the school, showing educational fact files thoroughly for next time though!) impressive start with some notable achievements. regarding inspirational individuals from South Once again we are enjoying successes at national Africa, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond On Sunday 17th March, myself, Max Hunt, Tutu, Charlize Theron and Jacob Zuma. level, as well as local and regional. Luke Wilding-Steele, Marcus Miller, James Sexty, Tom Deakin, James Dennis and Tommy Coming into the final term I’m sure that our As I write this letter, a rehearsal for ‘South Pacific’ is Ridges ran the Liverpool Half Marathon. Well great charity work as a school will continue underway and I have no doubt that performances done for the great effort put in by all boys to and we can complete the school year feeling will be to the usual very high standard. complete the run. Thank you to all those who really proud of what we’ve achieved as a sponsored us to take part in the event; it made cohort. each painful stride that little bit more bearable! The exams season will be starting very soon so we George Wilkinson - Head Boy are now entering the important preparation and revision phase. I wish pupils all the very best for their GCSE, AS and A Level exams this summer. My best wishes to everyone for a relaxing Easter House News and Fundraising Update break. Throughout the year as a Barber House Captain, I have been lucky enough to have taken part in the organisation and undertaking of numerous events within the school. Yours sincerely, Such events have helped both the school and our chosen charities, whilst also providing each of us with a plethora of exciting activities to partake in each term. The emphasis however has to be on the raising of money for worthy causes, rather than prioritising ourselves, hence this year, much of our efforts have been focused on maximising the financial help we give to the charities elected at D R Hazeldine the start of the year. We must not forget however, the way in which House and charity events benefit Headteacher the school and its pupils directly. In my opinion the most important factor of these events has been providing students with the ability to gain house points. As Barber House Captain, I am delighted to announce that Barber are currently ‘head and shoulders’ above the other houses in terms of house commendations, and this has been partly due to the participation of many Barber House members in this year’s events and activities. Worryingly GCSE Revision Support however, it is of note that many pupils belonging to other houses have begun to increase their attainment of house commendations with Leverhulme House gaining on Barber rapidly, with a close Exam time is nearly here! For anyone requiring battle for third place between Dodds and Hodgson. Furthermore, in consideration of the rivalries any extra support with revision plans/technique, formed between houses, it has been apparent that the school events have also helped pupils to coursework, or just wanting quiet time to study, GCSE develop a healthy competitive nature and a desire to achieve and succeed.