Rebecca secures gold for England! - Bradford Grammar School
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SPRING
CHALLENGE 03-06
ARTS 07-10, 19
2022 JUNIORS 11-16
COMMUNITY 18-19
LIFE 20
Rebecca
Feature
secures gold
for England!
Rebecca became the first
female student in BGS history
to don an England cross
country vest – and won
gold in the process.
Year 11 student Rebecca F won gold in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
the inter boys and inter girls 4 x 1500m
relay race in the Home Countries’
International Cross Country race at
Pembrey Country Park, in Wales.
02 / 03
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Challenge
BGS hockey players
are a ‘strong force’
for the future
Welcome from
1
the Headmaster The boys’ hockey started this term
throughout all age groups. This year was the
‘The support is really good,’ first time we have fielded a genuine 1st XI
she said. ‘We’re lucky to have a side with only Year 11 and 12 boys playing.
We carried some nice accolades and running group which goes out at
lunchtimes, and we have a good
They have trained well and performed far
beyond expectations, with a decent cup run
recognition into the current (Spring) term.
2 team atmosphere so quite a lot of
us came to the finals in Kent (which being victorious against schools like St Peter’s
determined England selection.)
Said Rebecca: ‘It was amazing to be York, Sedbergh and Pocklington.
It takes some of the pressure off
Public attention was grabbed as national XC champs, a willing supporter Once again, the pages that follow selected for England so I was having friends there.’
of public benefit partnerships (Independent Schools Council), for in this latest edition of ‘Hoc Age’ overjoyed when I won gold as well.
wellbeing initiatives (‘Times Educational Supplement’), social mobility provide an impression of the calibre When you start running when As for future ambitions, Rebecca is
(‘Independent School Parent’), academic results (‘The Sunday Times’), of our young people and an insight you’re younger this is the dream happy to simply keep on running.
value for money (‘The Daily Telegraph’) and, in the language of the into their busy and rich lives. Enjoy ... you have – to one day run for
Independent Schools Inspectorate, as an all-round ‘excellent’ school. England. It’s been my goal for seven ‘I’ll keep enjoying it and see what
years, so in many ways it was surreal happens,” she said. ‘Hopefully it will
At this time of year when the blossom comes forth around BGS and life that it was happening. I really entail running more international
is renewed, we can look forward to the future with confidence. But this enjoyed it.’ races.’
is Bradford, Yorkshire and there’s no hubris. We are proud of our collective Dr Simon Hinchliffe
achievements and remain honest. Plans are afoot to keep moving LATEST BLOG … The competition saw entrants Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster at
forwards, to improve and news of soon-to-be expected developments bradfordgrammar.com/simonsblog from Wales, Ireland, England and BGS, said: ‘We were incredibly
will follow. Creating the conditions for young people to thrive is the Scotland. Rebecca, who runs with proud of Rebecca simply being
name of the game, and we are on with it! Bingley Harriers, has made many selected for England. It reflected
friends in the running world having all her talent and her hard work
competed regularly over the last training, particularly through the
few years. wet winter months. To win gold 3
was absolutely fantastic and we
She said: ‘I’ve raced against them so can’t wait to see what she and Further down the school the numbers engaging with the
many times but we’re all friends. We her thriving BGS cross country programme are excellent. Some students are developing skills
APR
MAY
JUN
27 April 3 May 15 June run because we enjoy it. We all do teammates achieve over the for the first time and others are being able to showcase their
Leavers Concert Saxophone concert Higher Education Day the training and put the effort in but next few months.’ experience in national competitions. The U14 and U13 have been
28 April 12-13 May 16-20 June if we took it too seriously it would crowned County Champions and will continue to be a strong
Open Morning Giving Day Gold DoE expedition Keep yourself take away from the enjoyment of it.’ force in future years. Well done to all involved.
CAPTIONS
1 England Inter Relay
28 April to 1 May
Silver DoE training
13-16 May
Bronze DoE expedition
17-19 June
Silver DoE Expedition
up-to-date! Like many of BGS’s athletes, Rebecca The U16 girls, having had a strong term in the autumn and ended
team, Carmarthen
2 Rebecca F, Year 11
expedition enjoys the support the school offers their cup run against Scarborough College in the quarter finals of 3 Hockey U13 boys
18 May 23 June to runners.
LATEST STORIES … the Tier 2 National Cup.
Leavers Lunch Summer Concert
“ ”
bradfordgrammar.com/news
20 May 24 June Hockey U13 boys
Year 13 Leavers Walk Speech Day
25 June
LATEST EVENTS …
bradfordgrammar.com/events … Stan A
Kamran H
Frederick D
George A
Oliver M William M
It was amazing to be selected
Year 13 Summer Ball IN THE PRESS …
Zack B Rory W
27 June https://bit.ly/bgs-press-portfolio
for England so I was overjoyed
Joe B Finlay J
Year 7 Transition Day
Harrison C
*All events may be
subject to change
29 June
Sports Day when I won gold as well.
Search for Bradford Grammar School
04 / 05
Challenge
“…”
BGS runners have enjoyed
a fabulous season ... this group of
talented young female runners
are without doubt the best schools’
team in the country.
2
They earned that crown in
comfortably winning both the ESAA
XC Cup as well as the prestigious
Theo C, Alex’s Bingley teammate
joined the BGS Sixth Form in
September and is a huge asset
BGS stars
secure host of
CAPTIONS
King Henry Relays. The team of to the squad. Theo together with 1 The BGS King
Rebecca F, Amelie L, Emily G, Carla Ben and Alex represented West Henry Relay team
2 The BGS
B, Elsa F and Grace D are currently Yorkshire at last week’s English
orienteering
orienteering squad
head and shoulders above their Schools event in Kent. Phoebe M at the British Schools
nearest rivals. They have been also made the team together with Championships
3 Ben, Henry and
achievements
rewarded for their successes with Rebecca, Amelie, Emily and Carla. Daniel with their
a trip to Slovakia to represent our We therefore had an impressive Year 9 trophy in
3 2021
nation’s schools in the World eight athletes from BGS qualify
4 Harry, William
Schools XC Event. The girls are as individuals for the ESAA XC and Henry with
1 eagerly looking forward to this Championships. their Year 7 trophy
trip in April. in 2019
Our boys are also fortunate to be
It has been a fantastic few months for 5 Emily G atop
our BGS orienteers. Over February half the British Night
Outstanding
Just to share a few more highlights invited to accompany our girls at Championships
from our leading female runners ... the forthcoming World Schools XC. term, Year 12 student Emily G became podium, 2022
Rebecca F won the English Schools We need to build on the momentum 6 Emily G punches
XC Cup race individually as well as and indeed hope that the many
British Night Orienteering Champion in the finish to win
the British Schools
her age category, following a storming
season for cross
the West Yorkshire Schools XC and successes of our Intermediate and Championships,
she ran the 4th fastest leg Senior students will help motivate 4 run through the snow at night on Ilkley 2021
7 Tom T punches
of the day at the King Henry Relays. our younger athletes.
Moor to beat the best girls in the country. the finish to win
Most recently Rebecca also the British Schools
country teams
Championships,
squeezed into the England team Building on Emily’s national success, in March, Year 9 student 2021
with her 10th place finish in the Henry S achieved a Bronze in the British Middle Distance
5
English Schools. Amelie L is Orienteering Championships at Rushmere.
the reigning ESAA Fell Champion
and Emily G was herself this year It came as BGS orienteers returned from the British Schools
crowned British Schools Championships at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, in November last year
BGS runners have enjoyed a Orienteering Champion, winning
both the classic day-time as well as
with their best ever results, leaping up from eighth in 2019 to joint
second place.
fabulous season, especially the night-time orienteering events.
Captain Emily G (Year 12) and Vice-Captain Tom T (Year 11) won
their categories, Joseph D was second Year 8 boy, and Henry S was
our Intermediate and Senior
Alex F, Rebecca’s elder brother, is
our leading male runner. Now in third Year 9 boy. The Year 9 boys (Henry, Daniel and Ben) won their
Year 13, Alex has finally been able to 6 age category, as they did two years ago. Meanwhile, the Year 10
Girls. In fact, this group of benefit from the support of a team.
Indeed, we fielded a team at the
boys (Edwin, Mustafa and James) were third, reclaiming their
podium spot from 2018. The nine counters who helped BGS to
talented young female runners King Henry Relays for the first time
in several years and the boys
second position were Emily, Tom, Joseph, Henry, Daniel, Ben,
Edwin, James, and Maya.
are without doubt the best
finished a commendable 9th. Alex
The race was the culmination of a weekend away which included
himself was runner up in the West
a night orienteering session and an Italian meal. The team boasts
Yorkshire Schools XC and his
schools’ team in the country. younger teammate Ben H was
similarly runner up in the
several county-level athletes, and we look forward to success at the
forthcoming British Sprint Championships at Leeds University in June.
Intermediate event. 7 BY DAVID ALCOCK, COACH
06 / 07
News from the
Arts
“ …
”
I think it’s really important
Music Department
1 we fundraise for this Although Christmas seems a distant memory now, the school was
filled with the sound of music-making once again as we welcomed
James’ Jamboree
fundraiser
ourselves. It’s part of the a 700-person-strong live audience for our Christmas Concert. Our
large music groups were back with a bang and it was a wonderful
weekends and hours of practice
enjoyment of the whole thing.
at home. The 17-piece orchestra
evening of music, laughter and Christmas joy. The whole of Year 7 sounded stunning and
Making flapjack for participated in a group song, ‘Oye’ with live Latin American accompanied the musical so
pampered pooches and percussion. Other highlights included our four school choirs singing well. The chorus mastered the
busking in Halifax’s Piece a variety of Christmas music, and our wonderful bands and challenging chorus parts and the
Hall are just two of the ways orchestras. Congratulations to everyone involved and to our parents main roles delivered their songs
enterprising BGS pupil James and supporters for being a wonderful audience. with panache and aplomb. It was
a truly wonderful production and
N has been raising funds for In the week before Christmas, one which will live in the memories
his trip to a world Scouting our school choirs and Senior of the performers forever!
event next year. Brass Ensemble took part in our
Nine Lessons and Carols service at And so, we turn our thoughts to our
James, 13, of Halifax, has been James was selected for the trip after Bradford Cathedral. This service is remaining concerts this term. At the
delighted to secure a place at the taking part in a jamboree day at a yearly highlight for many people, time of writing, preparations are
25th World Scouting Jamboree, Bradley Wood Scout Campsite, and this year was no exception. The underway for our Spring Chamber
in Korea, next August, which will in Brighouse, last year.
welcome 40,000 youngsters from
Joseph takes choirs sang a variety of traditional Concert and our Leavers’ Concert
and modern music, highlights being very early in the summer term, on
across the globe. ‘I’m really looking forward to going
2
part in poignant Sally Beamish’s ‘In the Stillness’, April 27th. We look forward to being
and making new friends. I think it’s children’s opera James MacMillan’s ‘O Radiant able to say goodbye and good luck
To fund his trip, James has to raise going to be brilliant,’ he added.
Dawn’ and a stunning combined- to our hard-working Year 13
£3,800 and, so far, he has been BGS student Joseph M
JAMES HAS SET UP A ‘GO FUND ME’ PAGE. choir performance of Mack musicians properly this year!
selling sweets to fellow BGS pupils, enjoyed taking part in a
FOR MORE DETAILS: Wilberg’s ‘How Far is it to
baked goods, cleaning cars and thought-provoking
https://gofund.me/5e36e79e Bethlehem?’ It really is a testament
selling flapjack made especially for
production with the Opera to our singers and choirs that we
dogs via a local coffee merchant.
CAPTIONS North Youth Company. can perform music of such beauty
He has also busked on his violin in
1 James N to such a high standard.
Halifax to raise funds and is planning
2 Table Tennis 3 Joseph M, 12, of Otley, appeared as
a Race Night at Sidal Rugby Club on A real high-point of the Spring Term
U16 girls the police officer in the production
March 12 and a sponsored Coast to
Top teams for “ ”
3 Table Tennis of the poignant children’s opera, was the joint Drama and Music
U13 boys Coast cycle ride. production of ‘My Fair Lady’.
‘Brundibar’, at the Howard Assembly CAPTIONS
The teenager, who is a member of
Room, in Leeds and the Sage in
Newcastle, the latter as part of the
Performing to a packed Hockney
Theatre for four performances in … 1 Joseph M in
‘Brundibar’
Table Tennis
35th All Saints Halifax Scouts, said 2 Service of Nine
February, this show was the
We look forward
Brundibar Arts Festival. Lessons and Carols
he’d found raising a large amount
culmination of months of hard 3 Soul Band
of money daunting initially, but with
to being able
The opera was written in 1938 by work, rehearsals after school,
the support of his family broke
the Jewish composer Hans Krasa
down the amount he needed to
raise by each month and planned
and tells the story of two children
whose plan to help their sick
to say goodbye
This term has been a busy one for Schools Table Tennis.
his fundraising activities.
Bradford Grammar hosted the West Yorkshire Schools mother pits them against an evil
organ grinder.
and good luck
Said James: ‘I think it’s really
important we fundraise for this
Individual with more than 100 pupils from West Yorkshire
taking part in eight competitions and then the Zone Finals
to our hard-
ourselves. It’s part of the enjoyment
of the whole thing. It teaches you
of the ESTTA Team Competition. working Year
courage, whether you’re asking Bradford Grammar had team success with U16 girls and U13 boys 13 musicians
properly
businesses for prizes for a raffle, qualifying as Zone Winners. The boys’ team of Aarez A, Anish M, 2
organising race nights or selling Neelen T, Billy T and Stanley W defeated Birkdale 6-2, Newcastle
sweets to pupils in school, it’s all
putting yourself out there. It also
Under Lyme 7-1 and Beckfoot School 6-2. The girls defeated
Newcastle Under Lyme school 5-3. Evie D, Emma M, Holly L this year!
makes you quite entrepreneurial!’ and Brenda N also qualified for the Regional Finals in February.
1
3
08 / 09
Arts
4
2 1
Top brass!
Congratulations to Mr Roberts,
music and brass teacher, who
will be conducting his brass
band, Rothwell Temperance,
at the Royal Albert Hall in the
Brass Band National
1 3 CAPTIONS
Championships of Great 1 Congratulations
Britain later this year. to Mr Roberts!
After finishing in the top two
5 qualifying places, Rothwell will be
representing Yorkshire and will be
competing against the best brass
bands from each region of the
Artists of country. This prestigious contest is
the term ... the culmination of weeks of fierce
competition between brass bands
1 Alice D, Year 7 from England, Scotland and Wales.
2 Francis R, Year 9
Mr Roberts has won the National
3 Maryam Q, Year 10
Brass Band Championships twice as
4 Bea H, Year 10
a cornet player with the Black Dyke
5 Ella S, Year 8 Mills Band.
6 Samee K, Year 9
7 Mahid M, Year 7 The Finals will be held in the Royal
11 8 8 Sam D, Year 10 Albert Hall in London on Saturday
9 Zahra S, Year 10 October 15 and we wish Mr Roberts
10 Amelia B, Year 7 good luck!
11 Laura T, Year 8
12 Clara M, Year 10
13 Abigail H, Year 9
9 6 14 Falaq K, Year 10
14 12
13
10 7
10 / 11
Junior
BGS artists give back!
In February, budding artists
from Years 9 and 10
welcomed award-winning
illustrator Chris Mould to BGS.
Chris is an ambassador for the Edwardian Era with fantastic
costumes for Ascot and the
children’s hospice Forget Me
Embassy Ball.
CAPTIONS Not, and pupils were
1 Illustrator Chris delighted to present him with Playing Eliza Doolittle, Jasmine M
Mould visits BGS
2 Packed audiences
a cheque for funds raised in perfectly portrayed the head strong,
enjoyed a fantastic support of the charity, thanks confident flower girl whilst also
production of ‘My
Fair Lady’ in
to proceeds from the Biennial delivering many soft and tender
February BGS Art Exhibition. moments through her beautiful
soprano voice. Tom A truly excelled
Chris’s distinctive, slightly playing the rather uppity Professor
Gothic style will be immediately Higgins who the audience grow to
1 recognisable to anyone who like, as his caring and nurturing side
enjoyed his reimagining of towards Eliza, is slowly revealed.
SPRING
Ted Hughes’ ‘Iron Man’, his Both Tom and Jasmine were
contributions to a new illustrated captivating in many of their solos,
2022
edition of George Orwell’s my favourites being the spectacular
‘Animal Farm’, or more recently, ‘I’m an Ordinary Man’ and expertly
the TV adaptation Matt Haig’s performed ‘Just You Wait’. Connor
book ‘A Boy Called Christmas’, E also brought a comedic charm to
which Chris illustrated. the smooth-talking cockney
dustman, Alfred Doolittle,
During his visit to BGS, Chris delivered showcasing his singing abilities in
a hugely enjoyable presentation on the humorous song, ‘Get me to the
his artistic career to pupils and church on time’. And George W
provided an injection of real artistic endeared himself to the audience
inspiration to the school day. as a bumbling and hilarious
Colonel Pickering. EVENTS
VISITS
As well as the performers, the LIFE
orchestra, conducted by Miss
White, shone through the overture
and interludes that encapsulated
the old-fashioned feel of this classic
This year’s musical production musical. The production team,
of ‘My Fair Lady’ was a huge expertly led by Mr Dutton,
beautifully captured the romance
2 success with sold out
of the era, with an elegant set and
audiences over four incredible
subtle lighting.
performances in early
‘My Fair Lady’ February. With over 50
students from year 7 to sixth
form involved as performers,
Huge congratulations to Mrs Sharp
who directed the production and
everyone who put so much time
delights
musicians and backstage and effort into creating such a
crew, the range of talent here successful show!
at BGS was expertly on show. BY IZZY B
audiences Based on the 1913 play, ‘Pygmalion’,
“ ”
‘My Fair Lady’ tells the story of Eliza
…
Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who
across four sell
takes speech lessons from
Professor Henry Higgins, a
phonetician, so that she may pass
as a lady in high society. It first
It was a privilege
out shows! to enjoy a school
opened on Broadway in 1956,
starring Rex Harrison and Julie
Andrews and soon set a record for show of such
high quality.
the longest run of any musical on
Broadway up to that time. With the
well-known songs ‘Wouldn’t It Be
Loverly’ and ‘The Rain In Spain’, it DR SIMON HINCHLIFFE,
transported you back in time to the HEADMASTER
12 / 13
Juniors
Welcome from 1
the Junior School 2
Headmaster
A return to
The children in the Junior
residential fun
The Spring term has seen a
welcome return of the school
residential with Year 4 pupils
School have collaborated on a embarking on a visit to an outdoor
for our Junior
education centre. This represented
variety of projects and activities the first Junior School residential
for two years due to the pandemic. 3
CAPTIONS
1-3 Year 4
residential visit
during the Spring term. The whole year group took part in
In the process, they have developed their teamwork, communication
and leadership skills.
a number of exciting activities
including climbing, raft building
and crate stacking. School pupils!
Learning to work together with
Year 5 pupils embarked upon their own self-directed enterprise project others, effectively, is an important
life skill and I have been delighted
We have seen a delighted return to
which they carefully planned and ran to generate a profit. The Year 6
STEM ambassadors worked together on an exciting digital project run by with the teamwork displayed by residentials this term, starting with
the European Space Agency, where they created code to send a digital the children. the Year 4 visit to Robin Wood and
message to the International Space Station! The whole school joined
Our Junior Journalists have been
Year 5 trip to Bewerley Park.
together to celebrate World Book Day, taking part in a whole school
activity to share their favourite books and love of reading with each other busy working as a team to ‘lift the
For some pupils, this was a first stay away from home, but they
across all year groups. lid’ on life in the Junior School.
all leapt in with two feet and did the teachers proud. These trips
I do hope you enjoy finding out
develop all sorts of skills such as collaboration, communication
more about events in Clock House
and problem solving. They continue to benefit the pupils when
this term.
APR/MAY
JUN/JUL
they return.
25-26 April 7 June
“…”
Year 3 residential trip, Sports Day
Dearne Valley
14 June
Keep yourself The children tackled a piranha pool, went weaseling, and even
completed a giant leap of faith from telegraph pole to trapeze
28 April
Open Morning
New Pupils’ Day up-to-date! at a dizzying twelve metres.
17-18 June
11-13 May
Year 6 residential trip,
Year 2 residential trip,
Borrowdale, Lake District
Mr Richard Ribeiro
Junior School Headmaster
LATEST STORIES …
bradfordgrammar.com/news
Now I’ve been to Robin Wood, In the words of one Year 4 child: ‘Now I’ve been to Robin Wood,
I know that one day I’ll be able to travel around the globe.’
I know that one day I’ll be able
Hawkshead YHA, Lake District
22 June
17 May Grandparents’ Day LATEST EVENTS …
Brownlee Triathlon bradfordgrammar.com/events
to travel around the globe ...
1 July
Clock House Prize Giving IN THE PRESS …
4 July https://bit.ly/bgs-press-portfolio
*All events may be Year 6 to Year 7
subject to change Transition Day
Search for Bradford Grammar School
Facebook – @BGSclockhouse
14 / 15
Juniors
We chat to “…”
new Clock The girls were
CAPTIONS
1 New Clock House House pupil, tremendous
and gave a
pupil, Teddy
2 The Year 6 (and
four Year 5) girls
Netball team Teddy ...
great account
of themselves
Throughout the years of Bradford Grammar
School, many new students have joined the
school at different points throughout the
academic year. Pupils and staff pride themselves
in the friendly welcome we often show, but
what is it really like to join a new school, mid-
and BGS sport!
year? We spoke to Teddy, new to Clock House
1 in January, who shared his experiences so far. BGS brought two teams: an A team
and a B team. Jaina from 5MH, who
Teddy has settled in well, however it has been difficult for loves netball said: ‘I really enjoyed it,
him to find his way around the school since it is much it was an experience that will stay
larger than his previous school. 2 with me forever!’
Teddy confirmed he has no relatives in this school, but he Mrs Jones and Miss Smith were on
Past generations has already made friends. At his old school, his form was
Clock House
the fixture too and they were very
at BGS very noisy, and due to this he had to miss out on lots of supportive on the way.
break times and PE lessons to catch up on work missed
Bradford Grammar School is a due to the disruption. Despite the miserable weather all
netballers
prestigious place of education day, the A team got into the Cup
Teddy is a natural musician and he really enjoys the semi-final by winning all seven
that generations of pupils have subject, especially playing the ukulele. games in a row. Unfortunately, their
attended over the years. It has
first loss was against GSAL (5-8) –
score high in
changed since its opening in ‘I have tried lots of new things since joining Clock House they were then placed joint third in
1548, but through further including hockey, rugby and humanities, however my the North of England, Independent
discoveries we have found favourite sports are cricket and football.’ Schools’ League.
that several of our pupils have
HMC fixture
parents, uncles, aunts, and We look forward to an update in the summer term! The B team got into the final in the
grandparents that have BY RAYYAN A Bowl Competition again Chorister,
attended BGS over the years. Durham School. At full time, the
“…”
score was 2-2. The winning team
Mr Amini, who is currently running was decided by a ‘golden goal’.
for a school governorship, attended
this school several years ago. His
daughter, Aimen, is currently in
On March 2, a team of Year 6 Annabel, who was Goal Defence
and Goalkeeper (she is very tall), had
Year Five at Clock House having
followed in his footsteps. Mr Amini I have tried lots of new girls (and four Year 5s) went to a great day out. Charlotte from 5M
said: ‘I felt very excited, and it was a
things since joining Clock Hull to play in the Headmasters’
enjoyed lessons in the classroom memory that I will never forget.’
and took his study seriously.
Mrs Jones said: ‘The girls were
Conference (HMC) netball.
House ... my favourite sports
Alizah’s dad, Mr Sohail Ali, attended tremendous and gave a great
BGS in 1997 through to 2005. He is account of themselves and BGS
now a solicitor and his good friend sport! Overall, the girls are in the
from his school days, Dr J Brearley,
is now a successful oceanographer.
He enjoyed chemistry and played
are cricket and football. top 4 teams in HMC North, and
this is a huge achievement.’
team sports such as rugby, cricket Well done to the girls and thank you to
and basketball. the staff for the opportunity to play.
BY MORGAN W AND ANNABEL W BY FLORENCE A
16 / 17
‘No one should
Arts
have to fit into
a mould in
I ended up in a quarter where there Today, as headmaster of the Junior
was only six or seven of us and it School, it’s important that our
threw me. I looked around the children become fearless in their
order to thrive.’
room at the other aspiring heads approach to learning, and that they
and I started questioning myself. have the freedom and courage to
Did this result mean I wasn’t cut stand strong if they don’t follow
out to be a head after all? I thought. the main crowd. We want to see
them comfortable to speak out
A few years ago, I went on an Aspiring Heads course. Then I spotted someone in my and contribute without fear of
There were around 100 of us and we had two days of quarter who I recognised. Earlier in repercussions, whether that’s
training followed by a smart dinner. I really loved the course, an experienced head, constructing a sentence in a
meeting other deputy heads and finding out about other of about 15 years, had given what I different way or solving a maths
schools and the way they were run. On the final day, we felt to be a fascinating presentation problem using a new strategy.
were asked to do a personality test where the room was on his specific aim to make sure
that no child in his school was Everyone is different and has their
divided up into four quarters. I can’t remember exactly
forgotten. He wanted to ensure own unique qualities. I love
what each section was for, but by the end of the test,
every child’s talent and ability was nothing more than walking around
more than 70 per cent of the room was standing in one
“…”
recognised and he never wanted to school and finding out about the
particular quarter – and I wasn’t with them! hear the words: I’m fine. He’d come children’s passions and hobbies
up with a very successful system to outside of the Clock House gates
ensure he never heard those words. and what makes them tick. One of
The students used
our pupils is a go karting champion,
So, there I was, standing in the another loves Japanese manga
print and collage
minority, questioning whether I comics. To me, this tells the child
had the right personality to be a that I’m interested in their life and
Year 6 and created
headteacher and I spied him, the that’s really important.
one who had spoken so eloquently
and passionately about the special Being different is welcomed and repeated surface
Taster Day –
qualities he fostered in his children. celebrated at the Junior School.
He was in my quarter. I thought to No one should have to fit into a patterns.
myself, I might be in the smallest mould or be the same as everyone
group, but the one who I admire else to thrive – not a member of
Art department
the most at this whole event as a staff, not our wonderful pupils,
leader is standing in my corner. He and certainly not a headteacher.
was an outstanding head, and he BY RICHARD RIBEIRO, JUNIOR SCHOOL
was a different type of leader who HEADMASTER
was making a real difference to the
lives of his students. If he could do
it, then maybe I could too. experience
Prospective students who successfully completed the
BGS entrance exam took part in a fantastic taster day
“ ”
CAPTIONS
which involved a session in the Art department in February.
…
At Clock House
we celebrate the
unique qualities of The sessions were run by Mr Thornton and Miss Hunter and took
every student
inspiration from the work of British artist and illustrator Mark Hearld
Being different is welcomed and
by creating an exciting three-dimensional printed bird sculpture.
The students used print and collage and created repeated surface
celebrated at the Junior School.
patterns. They took home a lovely free hanging piece of artwork as a
memento of the fabulous afternoon experienced in the Art department.
18 / 19
News from the
Community
Development Office
Here in the Development
Old
Office, we’ve been delighted
by the success of the 1662
Campaign for Assisted Places,
Bradfordian
which is changing lives and
widening access to BGS for
bright young people in our
region. More than 230 Old
Bradfordians and friends have
raised £1.5 million to date,
helping us on our mission
to double the number of
drop-ins
students who benefit from
Assisted Places from 10 to
20 per cent of the school It’s been wonderful to
community.
This is just the start. BGS is
welcome Old Bradfordians
launching its first ever Giving Day
on 12-13 May, celebrating all things
back to school again.
BGS with Old Bradfordians across
the world! The goal? To use the Over the last few months, student volunteers have hosted
CAPTIONS experiences of everyone here at Old Bradfordians at BGS, having the opportunity to learn
1-4 For the tenth BGS to inspire even more support more about BGS history, provide conversation and share
year, Year 9
pupils took part for our award-winning campaign. school news with locally based former students.
in our annual
Faiths in the City
We are seeking student and parent Christmas quizzes, archival school ephemera, and shared
event – exploring
various religions ambassadors to share stories about experience across the years proved illuminating and great
via different life at BGS, so that wherever they fun for students and Old Bradfordians alike!
workshops
are, Old Bradfordians feel connected
“…”
to today’s BGS. Who knows, perhaps As life returns to normal, we are now looking to expand
yours will be the story to inspire our events programme and connect with Old Bradfordians
across the generations. We are particularly interested
Young Carers
a donation?!
in seeking new, interesting venues in the centre of
To learn more about being involved,
contact Lindsey Davis at ldavis@
Leeds or Bradford – if you are able to help us access
venues for socials and networking events, please get
Christmas quizzes,
bradfordgrammar.com or on in touch via email at ldavis@bradfordgrammar.com archival school
ephemera, and
01274 553712. LINDSEY DAVIS, DIRECTOR OF
Every Thursday evening from 4.00pm until LINDSEY DAVIS, DIRECTOR OF
DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
6.00pm a dozen Young Carers from across the DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
shared experience
Bradford District come to Bradford Grammar
School to receive academic help and support
across the years
from ten Year 12 Volunteers. proved illuminating
Our Volunteers are helping the students academically in Maths, English, and great fun
Science, Design Technology or any other academic needs. The two hours
are mutually beneficial with our students developing useful tutoring and
for students and
mentoring skills and the young carers receiving academic and emotional Old Bradfordians
support. Ketisha Dale, The Senior Leader from Young Carers, has been really
pleased by the impact our sixth formers have made in just a few weeks. alike!
The group will continue to meet on Thursdays until Easter.
“ ” …
... our students are developing useful
tutoring and mentoring skills ...20
“…”
Life
After two
years’ absence
we were royally
2 welcomed by
our experts ...
3
5
1
London Classics Trip
On the trail of 4
UCL’s lively and unorthodox
production of Euripides’
CAPTIONS
the Tudors ... After two years’ absence we were
royally welcomed by our experts
‘Electra’, along with a talk from
Dr Michael Loy, gave Greek
and Classical Civilisation
as we trod in Wolsey’s steps at students from Years 9 to 13
1 Year 13 Historians at
Westminster Abbey Hampton Court, studied the graffiti insights into the staging of
2 Year 13 Historians at Despite everything, including of Tudor political prisoners in the Greek tragedies.
the Tower of London
3 Role-playing faction a very unhelpful M1, the Year 13 Tower of London and tried not to
crack our heads on the low beams The highlight for most of us,
in the court of Henry
VIII at Hampton Court Historians made it to London for their of The Golden Hinde. though, was an out-of-hours tour
4 Lounging around the of the British Museum’s Greek
Field of the Cloth of residential Tudor Trail in January. The highlight turned out to be a galleries, with an inspiring and
Gold wine fountain at
Hampton Court bespoke tour of Westminster Abbey thought-provoking introduction
5 An out-of-hours which included a proper close-up by an archaeologist from UCL.
tour of the
of Henry VII’s magnificent tomb in
British Museum’s
Greek galleries the Lady Chapel.
“…”
We also managed a good tour of
an unsurprisingly empty London by
foot and river. The final stop on the
way home was Kenilworth Castle
The highlight turned out to see how Leicester welcomed
Elizabeth I on her royal progresses.
to be a bespoke tour of It was good to get out.
Westminster Abbey which
included a proper close-up
of Henry VII’s magnificent
tomb in the Lady Chapel.You can also read
