KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL HMC Co-Educational Independent Day and Boarding 3-18 years Headmaster’s Newsletter to Parents Summer 2014 As I write this introduction, the exam season is in full swing and our pupils are hopefully rising to the challenge; Dr Richard Luker, H EADMASTER'S the amount of work and time that goes into running examinations both internal and external is huge and I am KGS 2005 – 2014 very grateful to all out staff involved with the process. I I NTRODUCTION always look forward (with a little trepidation) to August when we see our pupils achieve what they have worked Richard Luker was appointed as Deputy so hard for. To all those who go on from here to the next Head in 2005, coming from Denstone stage in their education, good luck. College in Staffordshire, where he had been Director of Studies. He joined at Sport has been as good as ever and all our teams have a time when the role of Deputy Head enjoyed success in all sports and disciplines. One stand was evolving from the traditional, rather out success was our 1st XI’s draw against the MCC. On vaguely “second in command” post to a wicket that offered something for everyone, we held on a much more specific and demanding to achieve a result that not many schools who have the responsibility for the academic life of privilege to play the MCC can say they have managed. the school, notably as a leader of all Judging by the age of many of our players, the future is the academic departments and as the bright. Athletics and tennis continue to excel and despite person responsible for developing the the weather we still managed a very enjoyable and quality of teaching and learning. productive House Sports Day. There have been all sorts of tours and away matches going on and I know that the Richard has carried out this broad Games Department are busy preparing for the major tours and complex role with great skill over that are now not that far away. It is perhaps worth noting nearly a decade with us, demonstrating here that it is our commitment to sporting excellence and both a mastery of fine detail but also the opportunities we can provide for all our boys and an appreciation of the bigger picture. girls that pay dividends beyond school. To have three Much of a Deputy Head’s work is indeed Old Kirkhamians currently on international rugby duty is about infuriatingly fine detail: compiling impressive and I wonder if any other school can currently the termly calendar of all school events say the same thing? Moreover, he has been a tireless set up and led an informal “teaching and and activities; overseeing Departmental supporter of school events, be they learning” group, consisting of teachers budget allocations; managing, costing We have made a lot of progress with our plans for a new cultural, academic, sporting or social, from both senior and junior schools, and evaluating staff training; devising timetable and changes to the length of lessons and next and has always taken the time and who have much enjoyed learning off and implementing end-of-year year will be one where we continue to work on what will trouble to get to know all sections of each other. examinations for the whole school; be a very exciting, innovative and forward looking plan. the school community: Kirkham pupils organising Speech Day and making sure There will be a lot more communication on this from have found that he is fair-minded and We wish Richard every success in his all prize-winners get the correct prize September and we will ensure that everyone has plenty always on the side of the pupil. His new post as Head of Highclare School, – and much, much more besides. Yet of information on what we are doing and when. Do keep wise and considered approach has been Birmingham, where we know that his alongside all this is the need to lead an eye on the website and social media feeds for updates a feature of the many committees and many qualities will be deployed to good and encourage teachers in developing and opinions. meetings that he is required to lead, effect in a school of similar values and and teaching lessons of appropriate and he always brings a lightness of tone traditions. We hope that he will keep in scope, challenge and content for pupils There are a few notable staff changes for September to even the most serious of discussions touch with KGS and look back on his ranging in age from those just out of and we are saying goodbye to Dr Luker who goes on when appropriate. years here with affection primary school to those on the verge of to a very well deserved Headship at Highclare School university degree level. in Birmingham. Richard has been an excellent Second He is also a much admired classroom Master and I owe him a personal debt of gratitude for teacher, who has certainly practised A R Long Richard’s tenure in this demanding post making my first year run smoothly; his organisation and what he preaches in terms of the Director of Studies/Head of Sixth Form was characterised by an exemplary level wise counsel have proved invaluable. The specific roles teaching and learning process. He is of conscientiousness, together with and responsibilities will be covered by other members of committed to maximising the potential constant good humour. He is always Just where has the year gone? It doesn’t seem nine our senior team ahead of some restructuring ready for of each and every pupil, and has taught patient and approachable in dealing months ago that I delivered my very first address at September 2015; I will report more on this in the autumn Maths, Business Studies and latterly with the many issues which cross his Speech Day and commented on how strange is was to term. Economics in an original and committed desk, and can be relied upon to make a talk about a school I had yet to really discover and to manner. He enjoys new approaches to meticulous and thorough assessment of celebrate the success of pupils I did not know. As we CCF and DofE have both had a very busy year and we teaching and learning, and is committed a situation prior to reaching a decision. near the end of the summer term, I can at least now are grateful to the continued commitment and time given to innovation in the classroom. He has reflect on a year of success, change and planning with a by all our staff both in term time and in the holidays. Mr lot more knowledge and understanding of how our school Callister will be retiring from teaching from September but ticks. will remain on as Contingent Commander CCF. Sixth Form students Jessica Bevington This has been the first full year we have had the new The summer break will bring a very busy period when our and Alex Whalley have been appointed as music facilities in place and the building and the feel of support staff can finally get to the works planned that Captains of School at Kirkham Grammar the space have contributed to a real rise in popularity, need a school without pupils and staff. We are doing a School for the coming year. They bring participation and quality. We have, of course, to mention lot of work on our IT provision and there will be the usual an impressive breadth of success and one particular success, more of which will be said later in maintenance and refurbishment programme. As I write, involvement in the school community to this publication, namely Elliott Gaston–Ross who won the we are gearing up for the summer ball(s) and the lawn is their jobs. Percussion Category of the BBC Young Musician of the being readied for the marquee. Let’s hope the sun stays Year Competition and went on through to the final as one shining and we avoid the rain. Jessica is a former pupil of Kirkham of only three musicians. To see him perform on television Grammar Junior School, and is studying in front of such an audience was an absolute thrill and Finally, can I take this opportunity to thank the Governors Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Physics we are all very proud of his achievements. Elsewhere for their work behind the scenes and their support for at A Level. She is planning to take a there have been concerts, recitals and informal sessions, me in this my first year. I would also like to thank all in degree in Medicine at university, having all showcasing the depth and range of talent we have the Kirkham Grammar community for making me and my throughout her school career achieved top here. Our Choir grows almost weekly and I know that our family so welcome in school. I hope you all have a good grades across all school subjects. Jessica is Director of Music has some bold plans for next year. Our summer break and for those waiting on results, good luck involved in a variety of activities at school, organ is played again (I wonder how many people even and see you all in August. and is particularly keen on athletics: she knew we had one until the first assembly when it was acts as a coach to younger students. She brought back to life?) and we now start our working week is also a keen participant in the Duke of with a service and the ‘thought for the day’ of Reverend Edinburgh’s Award Scheme Bunday.