WYCLIFFE TIMES - Saturday 5th October 2019
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WYCLIFFE TIMES SPRING
2019
BOLD & LOYAL
Wycliffe creativity at its best
Wycliffe pupils let their creativity shine “To this end, the development and should inspire hope and compassion rather The ease and confidence of the cast and
through in the Senior School’s latest performance of set pieces gained some than irritation. crew was evident backstage, and this old
delightful sparkle and stardust from some lovey was filled with pride and admiration for
successful Drama production, Annie. The tragedy that is Mrs Hannigan was given
up-and-coming stars of the Sibly stage: the way that they took control. There was a
extra spin by our Wycliffian leading man:
Wycliffe’s Head of Drama, Andrew Golightly, Isobel Lister as Molly and Hywel Farrow- genuine professionalism and a willingness to
Noah Murray wasted no time masculinising
says casting should always speak for itself Wilton as Drake dominated a well-rehearsed take risks and support one another.
the role which meant she had the voice
and be a natural selection from the talent and choreographed ensemble in Hudson
of Brian Blessed and the physicality of Mrs Golightly spent 136 hours on this
available. Street Orphanage and Warbucks’ domestic
a formula one racing driver in drag. He production and deserves a medal along with
“There may well be a slight tussle for the staff.”
deserves an award for pure nerve, vim and Mrs Russell and the entire cast and crew.
principle parts, but a genuine performer The principal actors took their cue from the gusto! Plaudits aplenty to Mr Wheeler, Mr Hayes (set
will recognise the scope for roles within the confident and accomplished Gracie who design), Mr Mallorie and Mr Murphy (AV). A
Wycliffe pupils work very hard and often
ensemble; key to the orphanage, Warbucks imbued Annie with an assured ‘joie de vivre’ warm thanks to costumers: Freya Roe and
do more in a day than might be expected.
mansion, Times Square and the White and the vocal chiaroscuro of an orphan who Mrs Murphy and a welcome to choreographer
Directing the school production must take
House,” he said. Miss Debbie Handley.
this into account, said Mr Golightly.
I absolutely love what I do “Often, the longed-for outcome might not be
apparent until the first performance which
will be in embryo. Everyone must keep their
“I was always into drama as a child but it “My advice to pupils is go and see every
nerve and trust.”
was when I went to Wycliffe Prep School show you possibly can. If you want to
that I got my first real opportunity. I went make a career of drama you have to love Matthew Cole and Nicky Jennings (Rooster
on to get involved in any play or drama it. It can be very hard to find work, most Hannigan and Lilly St Regis) arrived with
club I could throughout my school career, of which is project-based and you spend a cheeky, seedy and faintly creepy roles,
as well as studying Drama for GCSE and A lot of time wondering where your next pay scamming their way to the penitentiary!
Level. cheque is coming from. I absolutely love Atolani Oyewumi (Oliver Warbucks) explored
what I do.” his burgeoning maturity and physical
“Aside from the experiences I gained
presence bringing heart and a shy charm.
through my involvement with Drama at Jenny Wicks (P SH 1990 – 1998), Deputy
It was fascinating to witness the effect
Wycliffe, it allowed me to start building Theatre Manager for the Cheltenham
that different audiences had on their
up a network of theatre contacts, many of Everyman and owner of Gloucestershire-
performances which might vary depending
whom I’m still in touch with now and who based Jenny Wren Productions –
on peer pressure.
have given me opportunities. www.jennywrenproductions.co.uk
Wycliffe Open Day - Saturday 5th October 2019
Senior School: 9.00am - 12.00noon Prep School: 10.00am - 12.00noon
2 News
Robotics team makes it to finals
The Wycliffe Robotics Team takes part lot of time and effort into building the
in a competition called Vex Robotics. robot, but hadn’t tested it enough, and
This year’s game is about flipping had to do a lot of hasty re-engineering
plastic disks to show our team’s colour, on the day.
while the opposition tries to flip them
We reached the semi-finals of the
back to show their team’s colour.
second competition which qualified
We’ve been to three competitions this us for the national finals in Telford. It
year with the robot we designed, built was our first year at the nationals and
and programmed. The core members it was an invaluable experience, and a
of Brendan Ind, Matt Butler, Faith-Ann wonderful opportunity for the team to
Fitzpatrick, James Waller, Hamish meet and compete with the strongest
Armstrong and James Colvin had put a teams in the country.
Musicians
shine in
masterclasses Year 9 pupils explore
options for the future
One of the highlights of the annual Wycliffe
Music calendar is Flutes and Strings Day,
and this year’s event was no exception.
We were fortunate to be joined for the
day by Leicester flautist and conductor, Jo
Conquest, and local professional violinist
Justine Tomlinson, who led a series of
masterclasses and workshops to a group
of musicians from both the Senior and Prep
All Year 9 pupils were involved in ideas in front of a judging panel.
Finding out about
Wycliffe’s Enterprise and Options Delivering a PowerPoint presentation
Schools.
Day which took place in the Sports in front of your year group can be a GCSE options
Our pupils learned such a lot from our daunting experience but all groups did
Hall. Following on from the Enterprise Morning, we
visitors and had the opportunity to try really well, with the majority of pupils
held our annual GCSE Options Fair, whereby
out new approaches to learning their The Enterprise part of the day was taking a turn at the microphone.
parents and guardians of Year 9 pupils were
instruments and develop a variety of skills. run in partnership with the education
Pupils came up with a wide range of invited to spend time with us talking to GCSE
arm of GFirst LEP (Local Enterprise
One of the highlights of the day was Year ideas. The winners were Group 3 with subject teachers in order to find out more
Partnership) who presented pupils with
13 flautists Fenella Purkess (Ivy Grove) their ‘Airo-Charge’, a wind turbine about the two-year GCSE courses on offer.
a business challenge where they had to
and Jessica Taylor (Lampeter) playing as fitted underneath an electric car
come up with a product. As well as the core subjects of Maths, English
soloists with our String Group to perform designed to charge it when it is slowing
and Science, Wycliffe has 14 optional GCSE
Cimarosa’s Concerto for Two Flutes. In 2019 GCHQ is celebrating its down. Tobias, Mia, Matt, Daniel, Edie
courses including four Modern Foreign
centenary so this year’s theme was and Naomi not only demonstrated
The day concluded with a well-attended Languages, Product Design, Art, Music and
‘Technology over the next 100 years’. a sound and viable idea to look
concert in the Chapel, featuring a number Computer Science.
Their idea had to meet at least one of after our planet, but they answered
of very high quality performances.
the four criteria set out by GCHQ: questions confidently and gave a great The afternoon was incredibly busy with over
presentation. 17 stands, staffed by GCSE subject teachers
• Ways to communicate
and Year 11 pupils who were able to interact
They are now through to the finals at
• Education technology with Year 9 pupils and parents and discuss the
GCHQ in Cheltenham on Friday 10th
content and appeal of all of the GCSE subjects
• Looking after our planet May where they will deliver their pitch
that we offer.
• Home technology again in front of GCHQ staff, GFirst staff
and other local school teams. They will The GCSE Options process is a long and
Pupils were split up into 14 teams receive support in honing their idea well considered one, which culminates in
and, aided by seven visiting local and presentation from the Careers discussion at the Year 9 Parents’ Evening in
businesspeople, worked collaboratively Department and school staff and their May, following summer examinations, and
to share ideas, develop an idea within Business mentor during the lead-up to thus ensuring that all pupils start Year 10 in
the theme, consider marketing and the final. September with well-informed insight into the
finance aspects before pitching their courses they have chosen for GCSE study.
Business trip reveals secrets Forest School proves a hit
of the marketing mix Wycliffe’s new Forest School is proving a
huge success with the children in Lower
Prep.
making a maze, building a den for teddy
bears, playing games and creating a
collage using natural materials.
by Gillan Blankley-McDonnell, Year 10 all about the castle as a business, its use
Forest School is an educational concept What do the children enjoy most? James
of social media and other promotional
Year 10 Business pupils spent a busy day in where children go to the same natural Nelson likes toasting marshmallows,
approaches as well as outlining the range
Cardiff and had the opportunity to visit both space on a regular basis to play and Darcy Poole likes making hot chocolate
of products that the castle offers and the
Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium. learn. and Archie Gidman enjoys finding sticks.
pricing for these.
The aim of the day was to find out how It brings children out of their comfort
After lunch we visited the Principality
the marketing mix is used in business zone and allows them to calculate and
Stadium. Our guided tour was informative,
which includes product, price, place and manage risks, interact with peers in a
and included a visit to both the home
promotion. different outdoor setting and enables
and away team changing rooms, the VIP
them to complete challenges that are not
We had a guided tour of the castle and then hospitality suite and the opportunity to walk
available to them on a day-to-day basis.
the opportunity to talk with the Education down the tunnel for a pitch side inspection.
Officer, Elizabeth Stevens. She explained Activities have included chopping wood,
Subject Focus: Modern Foreign Languages 3
Senior School pupils in Berlin Workshops during a visit by Shukutoku Sugamo High School
Language barrier?
Not here at Wycliffe The Onatti Theatre Company performed in French in
the Prep School
Pupils start learning languages from writing and receiving letters and cards. French
the moment they arrive at Nursery and Year 9 pupils went to the Prep School
Thirty pupils from Years 7 and 8, along with
to see the Onatti Theatre Company
continue that journey through to Sixth five members of staff from the Prep School
perform a play in French. The pupils
French Department are preparing for a
Form. really enjoyed it and we are so lucky to
fabulous trip to Normandy.
have this collaborative opportunity with
Children are first introduced to French in
At Senior School, the dynamic Modern the Prep School.
Upper Nursery (age 3-4) through songs,
Foreign Languages department offers French,
dances, action rhymes and games. They We celebrated Shrove Tuesday with
German, Spanish and Japanese.
learn to say their name, count to 10, and say some delicious crêpes, with the Year 9
how they feel. Department Head Mr Ben Urquhart says the pupils taking part in the cooking. A look
IGCSE content is very broad, allowing pupils at the ceilings of the classrooms reveals
In Reception and Year 1, pupils continue
to take ideas and turn them into rich cultural that the operation was a complete
to have lots of fun and enjoy singing and
experiences. success.
playing in French. They learn bigger numbers
and can talk about the weather outside. “With Sports and Leisure we take a look at
Spanish
sporting activities that the French enjoy
In Year 2 pupils start talking more about Year 9 pupils researched The Day of
which are perhaps unfamiliar to pupils, for
themselves, about their age and birthday for the Dead in Mexico and designed their
example free-diving and the wonderful Tour
example. The most exciting moment in their own adverts for a Spanish Estate Agent Le sac français is used for Year 2 pupils
de France,” he explains.
French lesson is when they wait to see who selling a property in Spain.
gets to take the ‘sac français’ home for the “Within Education and Employment there In December pupils travelled to Berlin for the
Studying food and health provided Year
week. In the bag is Matou the French cat with are superb comparisons and contrasts to be German Christmas markets.
10 pupils with the opportunity to emerge
a story book and a recipe for a French cake. drawn between school life and working life
themselves in a tapas experience in the
in France. Having staff who have lived and Japanese
Years 3 to 6 enjoyed a visit by the Onatti International Fair on the Spanish stand.
worked extensively in France provides a great In November a Japanese school (Shukutoku
Theatre Company. They performed Ticket
insight and pupils make good observations Year 11 and DY enjoyed a Sixth Form taster Sugamo High School) visited Wycliffe. They
pour l’Espace, a wonderful, interactive play
on the difference between the two education day, entitled “Tourism in Spain” where pupils gave presentations to our Japanese pupils
about Jack, an English boy, who had won
systems.” had to sample one of the A level topics which (Year 9, 10, 11, DY and Sixth Form) about
a competition to go into space as part of a
is cross-curricular with Business, looking at Japan and Japanese culture, as well as giving
French project. The Senior School trip to Paris in 2020,
the impact of tourism in Spain. Year 12 pupils workshops on various aspects of Japanese
including a half-day in a French school, will
Year 7 and Year 8 pupils were joined by a are studying cultural topics such as Hispanic culture such as calligraphy and origami.
really bring this to life. Then there is food and
group of Year 9s for the theatre performance. gastronomy.
drink and the huge celebration of all things Year 9 pupils are studying hiragana (the
La Salle des Enigmes was set in an escape
comestible. The biggest event is the Spanish trip which basic Japanese alphabet of 46 characters/
room and pupils had to assist the actors in
takes place this month where 30 pupils and sounds), learnt about Haiku and wrote an
finding the clues they needed to get out. Mr Urquhart said Sixth Formers really
three members of staff will be visiting Mar English Haiku to submit to the Ito En Oi
immerse themselves in the study of the
Year 5 pupils are corresponding with pupils Menor, Spain - with a special event this year Ocha Shinhaiku Contest. Year 10 pupils are
book and film that are part of the A-Level.
from a school in La Genté. They have been of a ‘mud bath experience’! studying katakana (the Japanese alphabet
“The teaching and learning goes beyond
getting to know their French pen pals by used for foreign words, names, and places in
A-Level and into degree-level research on the German the Japanese language).
themes, techniques, settings and characters As part of the Year 9 Christmas party, pupils
of the works. had a look at the Austrian Christmas and NYE Year 11 pupils are consolidating previous
traditions and learnt to dance the waltz. knowledge of characters and preparing for
“Effective communication, working in teams
the GCSE exam in Japanese in listening,
and adapting knowledge from multiple This term, in celebration of World Book Day, speaking, reading and writing.
subject areas to solve real-world problems Year 9 pupils learnt how to describe and
are all relevant to future roles. Advanced recommend their favourite books. This was Year 12 pupils are embarking on the new
language learning helps considerably with a collaboration with the Library’s World two-year Japanese A Level course, studying
the development of these skills.” Book Day initiatives and the posters are up another 400 kanji and developing skills in
all around campus (in the School House, reading, translation, listening and writing on
the Dining Hall and in the Modern Foreign a topic area.
Languages block). Year 13 pupils are preparing for the Japanese
They are also looking forward to the A2 exam – practising essay-writing on
traditional German cookery session and the two stories they have read as well as
the Austrian baking session later on in the continuing to develop their skills in reading
summer term. and translation.
Year 1 pupils learn the days of the week in French German book reviews for World Book Day
4 Learning Beyond the Classroom
We’re blasting into
outer space
Science Week
Upper Nursery children have been studying
space. They made a space rocket which
they used to blast off into space and learnt
about planets. The children used the
computer to find out information about
space travel using clips of Major Tim Peake
fires imaginations
and other astronauts, finding out things
such as how they brush their teeth, wash
and prepare food. They also made their own
planets and painted alien pictures.
Children from all years had the “It is a chance to learn about areas that into outer space and then an exploration of
opportunity to do something out of aren’t always covered by the national the international space station.
the ordinary during the Prep School’s curriculum or areas that genuinely
Pupils from Year 5 visited the Oxford
Science Week. fascinate the pupils. Hopefully in the long
University Museum of Natural History and
term it is the cherry on the cake that
“Science Week is a chance to celebrate the Pitt Rivers Museum. They completed a
inspires pupils into careers in Science.”
Science and explore it beyond what is workshop on evolution using exhibits from
always possible in the lab or classroom,” Children from Reception to Year 4 and the archives that the public don’t get to see
said Mr Tom Holroyde, Head of Science at Year 7 and Year 8 pupils got the chance or handle.
the Prep School. to explore space in more depth through a
Year 6 pupils visited ‘We the Curious’
360˚ explorer dome. This included a trip
Science Museum where they played some
games on evolution, using some great
I didn’t know Science could be so interesting! resources beyond the means of school.
Maths skills put by Katie Nichols, Year 6 seemed like it would never end. They then had a chance to explore the
many hands-on exhibits the centre has to
to the test ‘We the Curious’ at Bristol was, in a word,
curious. I didn’t know Science could be so
But, unfortunately, it did. And as for my
favourite, I don’t have one! Only, I will
offer.
Wycliffe’s top sets in Years 9, 10, 11 “Children in the Prep School are lucky in
interesting! It definitely is exactly what its pick a favourite floor. The top floor is
and DY took part in the United Kingdom that we do loads of Science, compared with
name describes! slightly more sensational than the ground
Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Intermediate most schools,” said Mr Holroyde. “Science
floor, but overall, it is positively the best
Challenge. First, we got split into two groups. Then, Week therefore, is a chance to showcase
museum I have ever been to.
the first group was going to do a fossil some of the areas of Science beyond that
Many pupils achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold
workshop while the second group were After lunch we did the fossil workshop age group’s curriculum and hopefully
certificates and some did well enough to be
allowed to have a look at all the exhibits which was very informative, because they inspire them.
invited to take part in the next level of the
upstairs and downstairs. taught us about evolution as well and
competition. “Great Britain has a proud history of
how different animals survived in different
Anyway, I did the exhibits first and I was producing some of the greatest scientists
Results included: Ethan Chivers (Silver) habitats. At the end we played a fun game
awestruck. If I’m being honest here, I ever, and so it is important that we
Best in Year 9, Jerry Xue (Gold) Best in Year where we had to pick seeds out of a tray in
wasn’t expecting much. But this was continue to encourage and enthuse the
10, Jerry Jie (Gold) Best in Year 11 and 30 seconds with a ‘beak’ of our choice.
AMAZING! There was so much to look at, it next generation.”
Madeleine Palmer, Fengtian Wang, Jacky
Zheng (Gold).
In March we hosted the annual team Maths
challenge for Years 8 and 9, with visitors
Fire is my favourite discovery
from 20 local schools.
by Charley Thomas, Year 5 We went to a special room to eat our
Our team consisted of two pupils from Year sandwiches, since if we dropped crumbs
Year 5 went to the Pitt Rivers Museum
8 (Jaden Bartlett and Sam Hursthouse) and on the floor pests would eat them, and
in Oxford. First, we had a briefing on the
two from Year 9 (Sarah Shakir-Apps and lay their eggs, letting larvae climb into the
wonderful day ahead of us.
Ethan Chivers). The team enjoyed the day display cases and feed on the items.
and performed well. Next, we got to go around the Museum
Finally, we went to a room full of artefacts
trying to find our picks on the best scientific
As ever, the most popular event was the and had a funny little chat about evolution,
discoveries or inventions of all time. My
relay at the end, which involves significant before going on an exciting treasure hunt
favourite discovery was fire because
amounts of running - unusual for a Maths around the Oxford University Museum of
it opened up endless possibilities for
event! Natural History.
mankind.
Wycliffe Community 5
We shall go to the ball Ward’s House defends its quiz title
Year 11 and Development Year pupils dressed For the second consecutive
to impress for one of the social highlights of the year, Ward’s House have
year - the Year 11 and Development Year Ball. come out on top in the
competitive Inter-House
More than 90 Year 11 and Development Year
Quiz. Each year the Houses
pupils attended, looking gorgeous in evening
compete in a battle of
gowns and dinner jackets. They enjoyed canapés
knowledge in a bid to win
and drinks on arrival, a three-course meal and
the coveted PASS Quiz
professional DJ.
Trophy.
The Ball marks the interlude between mock
This year the semi-finals
examination period and the run-up to the
were the tightest they have
summer GCSE examination period. A great
been in the tournament’s
evening was had by all. Freddie Searle provided vital answers
four-year history. The final
at crucial moments.
between Ward’s and Lampeter was
well supported. An exciting moment of high drama
arose as an appeal from one of the
Ward’s dominated the game. Hywel
teams led to a five-minute ‘extra
Farrow-Wilton and team captain
time’ quick-fire round. Lampeter put
Alex Hannard were particularly quick
up a good performance but it was
on the buzzer, whilst regular stalwart
second time unlucky for the girls.
James Colvin and late replacement
Pupils share their cultures
Wycliffe’s annual International Fair African stand. Mrs Lisa Wisbey, who
was a celebration of the School’s manages the event, said: “This was
rich diversity with 19 countries a wonderful whole school event.
represented by our international The vibe was fantastic and our
pupils who showcased their international pupils showed great
countries wonderfully. commitment to the event which
really stood out.”
The stands had lots of delicious
foods and they showcased their Pupils and teachers votes following
countries in many different ways the event gave the following results:
which included Kimono dressing
Best newcomer: Belgium and
on the Japanese stand, a football
Romania
competition on the German stand,
introduction to flamenco dancing Third place: Scotland
on the Spanish stand, some Second place: Jamaica
delightful Jamaican punch on the
Jamaica stand and traditional First place: South Africa
instrumental music from the South
It’s as easy as Pi for our What a ‘baa-utiful’
mathematical Prep pupils Spring visitor
Children in Nursery, Reception and Year 2
Year 5 pupil Charley Thomas got a standing ovation at had a special Spring visitor. The lamb was
assembly when he recited the number pi to a massive very popular and pupils loved having the
220 decimal places. opportunity to ask lots of questions about
how to look after animals on a farm, including
Pi is the number you get when you divide a circle’s
where they sleep and what they eat. Special
circumference by its diameter. Extending the known
thanks to one of our parents for kindly
sequence of digits in pi is very difficult because the
number follows no set pattern.
bringing the very welcomed visitor to school.
We’re revved up with green
Charley received national media attention for his
achievements with reports in The Daily Telegraph and a
power project
live appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. by Takara Harris, Year 8
A range of pi activities and challenges were organised Four pupils from the Prep School and seven Senior School
for pupils to mark Pi Day (14 March - “3.14” in American pupils joined together to build a green-power car.
date notation). These included creating pi art, writing
Once it is built we will be racing our creation at the
nonsense verse in “PiLish” and finding evidence of
greenpower race on May 12 at Goodwood Motor Circuit.
circular buildings.
So far Harris Knight, Jaden Bartlett, Euan Gladwin and I
The year group winners were: Year 3, Elizabeth Nelson
have started to fit the steering mechanism and are nearly
for some brilliant Pi Art; Year 4, May Epton for some
finished. I am really enjoying my activity this term and I
superb Pi Art; Year 5, Charley Thomas for his recital; Year
am excited about racing our car.
6, Jamie Davis for two super pieces of Pi Art; Year 7,
Iris Parker for a beautiful piece of Pi Art, Year 8, Takara The Senior School pupils working with me are: William
Harris for a nonsense verse in PiLish. Adams, Isaac Bienemann, Josia Chan, Lucy McKerrow,
Naomi Opaleye and Rohan Howard-Robinson.
6 Learning Beyond the Classroom
Enterprising Young Dragons are on the up
by Lucy McKerrow, Year 9 including marshmallow cones, candy handmade Valentine’s cards, heart-
cane reindeer and Christmas dog treat shaped keyrings, heart-shaped bath
Wycliffe Young Dragons are an
bags. Our sales were so good that we bombs and rose petal soap. Once again
Enterprise group of seven Year 9 girls
sold almost everything. We were able to the sales were successful and it really
and we have had a busy year so far.
cover our costs and make some profit, showed great team effort and planning
In the Autumn term we got involved in of which some has gone to our charity from all of us.
Global Enterprise Week and prepared ‘SOS Children’s Villages’ which supports
The seven Year 9 girls involved in the
for the Stonehouse Festival of Goodwill. children in communities across the globe
Young Dragons are: Lucy McKerrow, Sosa
We spent ages thinking about creative with education and medical care.
Ozakpolor, Sarah Shakir-Apps, Sophie
and innovative ideas and decided upon
Our creative streak helped us to come Izon, Catherine Lomer, Nomande Daniels
assembling and selling festive treats
up with some wonderful ideas such as and Lara Walker.
Concert heralds the
arrival of Spring
We love our weekly Ballet
All Nursery and Lower Prep children enjoy
weekly Ballet classes with dance teacher
Kate Mead.
“As well as being a
great deal of fun, it
gives children a sense
of achievement and
performance, and
definitely helps to
strengthen the body
along with balance,
musicality and
posture,” says Mrs
Mead. This year’s Spring Concert saw more One of the highlights of the concert was
than 40 pupils perform a varied the Year 13 Girls’ Choir, formed especially
Children are
programme of music on the theme of for the concert, and their beautiful
encouraged to
Music from Stage and Screen, ranging performance of You Are Not Alone by
expand their
Stephen Sondheim.
independence skills from a vocal duet from Wicked, to an
by putting on their orchestral selection from West Side The evening concluded with a rousing
own shoes, daps Story, to the Jazz Band playing the massed performance of One Day More
and coats with adult help as necessary. In theme from Mission: Impossible. from Les Misérables, arranged especially
Nursery children have the opportunity to by Mr Davies.
practise undressing and dressing for ballet It was lovely to be able to make a feature
of the Year 13 musicians, who will be Congratulations to all of the musicians
sessions with support provided according to
leaving us at the end of the academic on producing such a consistently high-
level of need.
year and have contributed so much to quality range of performances.
Wycliffe Music during their time here.
Our best ever World Book Day
by Abigail Opaleye, Year 7 To make it a little more interesting Overall, the day was very successful
each tutor group also had to prepare and enjoyable and it was definitely the
World Book Day is always a very
and perform a short presentation best World Book Day the Prep School
exciting day as everyone gets to dress
or play of their chosen book during has ever had!
up as any character they want (as long
assembly on World Book Day.
as the character they’ve chosen is
Thriller and Sci Fi Author Bryony
from a book). Everyone gathered in the Studio
Pearce gave a talk and workshops
Theatre with their wild and wacky
Instead of choosing any character in the Library as part of the Senior
costumes. There was a range of
from any book, we had to choose a School’s World Book Day celebrations.
different books that the different Year
book as a tutor group and decide as Bryony and pupils discussed feisty
groups had chosen, and all of them
a class who was going to be each females, story inspiration, character
were fun to watch.
character. torture and ‘what if’.
Learning Beyond the Classroom 7
Turning back the clock to be a Tudor
by Joseph Downey, Year 8 and learn how to hold the various because you could understand what it
weapons and load the muskets. was like in those times visually because
Year 8 pupils went to Worcester to learn
there were items that we hadn’t seen
about the Tudors, when Henry VIII was At the candle and quill workshop we
before so it was very exciting.
ruler. We were split into three groups learned about how they made candles
and did four activities each; a lecture on back in the Tudor time and how they Finally we went to the main hall and
the weapons in the Tudor time, a talk on wrote. Everybody had to make a candle learnt about cannons and how and
how they wrote and who went to school, out of beeswax and write our name in where they were fired.
a free roam tour around the museum Medieval handwriting.
The cannons were interesting because
and finally an activity on cannons.
In the museum there was a room where we learnt what to do when you fire them
During the lecture on weapons, some you could dress up as a Tudor. The free and how they put the ball in the cannon.
pupils were chosen to dress up in armour roam of the museum was very good
Futures Fair fires Wycliffe enters into
the Brexit fray
pupils’ aspirations
by Peter Woolley
A group of Year 12 Politics pupils went up to
Westminster for a tour of the Palace and then
to watch Ministerial Questions with Jeremy
Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, being grilled at the
despatch box.
Wycliffe Futures Fair was attended by
36 institutions including USA colleges, When flicking through the order paper, we
UK universities and apprenticeship noticed that at 12.30pm the Prime Minister
providers. was scheduled to deliver a statement – yet
another one – on the progress regards the
They transformed Sibly Hall into a
EU withdrawal negotiations. As 12.30pm
professional exhibition hub with their
approached, we observed the chamber filling
eye-catching displays. Airbus brought an
up with all the major players taking their seats
interactive wind tunnel and Jenny Wicks
on the front benches.
(P SH 1990 – 1998), Director of Everyman
Theatre, brought puppets to The Wycliffian Speaker John Bercow dramatically called the
Society (TWS) stand. PM to her feet who then proceeded to deliver
a U-turn regarding a possible extension of
Year 12 pupils arrived first and, with
Article 50 in order to prevent further cabinet
the start of the UCAS cycle next term
resignations (although she obviously didn’t say
in mind, the hall became alive with
that!).
chatter and conversations about entry
requirements, course modules and What ensued was a fine example of ‘Punch
accommodation types. Year 11 arrived & Judy’ politics with Jeremy Corbyn and the
Gloucestershire’s leading and prestigious Labour Party (as well as Brexiteer Tories)
next and more gizmos and gadgets, pens
engineering companies (Renishaw, Airbus, shouting down the PM’s proposal. Whilst
and prospectuses, leaflets and literature
Rolls Royce, GE Aviation), St James’s Place often criticised by the public – especially
were handed out amidst discussions about
Wealth Management (Finance) and the as the nation is on the brink of such a
post-18 options.
British Armed Forces. constitutional crisis – it is part and parcel of the
Year 9, as always, got stuck in straight
On the Arts side we had University of parliamentary process and for us spectators in
away, enthusiastically chatting to all
the Arts London (UAL) and Bristol Old the public gallery, it was extremely illuminating
exhibitors and competing for the most
Vic Theatre School, Scottish universities to witness such a political pantomime in the
prospectuses they could bring away with
were represented by Dundee and London flesh.
them.
universities by Royal Holloway, School of front, Sporting Elite (USA Scholarships),
On leaving via the central lobby we noticed the
The last hour was dedicated to non- Oriental and African Studies [SOAS] and, Burnett Global Education and Study
media giving live updates of the debate for the
obligatory year groups (Years 10 and 13 for the first time, a private university – New Options (Australia and New Zealand) were
lunchtime bulletins. Jacob Rees-Mogg – leading
and Years 7 and 8 - a first for the Futures College of the Humanities. present and, as always, busy.
member of the ERG group – was keen to get
Fair - and parents. Years 7 and 8 engaged
Local and popular-with-our-pupils- Miranda Holden, Careers Manager, said: “I in front of the Sky cameras to explain why this
really well, drawing praise from exhibitors
universities were Birmingham, have since had many conversations with extension should not be granted. If you are
for their enthusiasm, their intelligent
Loughborough, Bristol, Cardiff and pupils about careers and course decisions, willing to trawl through YouTube, you can catch
questions and their general preparedness
Swansea. Business and Law were sparked by attendance at the Careers Fair. Wycliffe pupils lingering in the background
for the fair.
represented by Hult International and the And that is what it is all about!” willing and able to offer a view. Unfortunately,
Exhibitors in attendance included some of University of Law. On the international we didn’t get the chance.
Putting their skills to the test
Chemistry is a practical subject and both
the GCSE and the A Level courses involve a
series of required practicals.
Our pupils excel at these and so, every year
we send teams to the Bristol University
Chemistry department which hosts two
Royal Society of Chemistry Analytical
Chemistry competitions. One competition
is for GCSE pupils and the other for A Level Wycliffe’s GCSE team Year 12 pupils taking part in the Chemistry competitions
pupils.
about 15 teams from schools in the region. enjoyed the demonstration lecture in the Georgina Loring (Year 10) and Madeleine
The pupils carry out a series of different afternoon. Palmer (Captain, Year 11). These pupils
This year, Wycliffe was represented by
analytical procedures which test their worked superbly as a team and secured
Amy Peevers, Grace Guerrini and Robert The GCSE competition involved pupils from
practical ability and their theoretical third place against some strong and well-
Denning in the Year 12 competition and the Years 9 to 11 and we were represented by
knowledge. The competitions each have drilled competition.
team worked hard during the morning and Sohil Rai (Year 9), Murdo Matthews (Year 9),
8 Charities and Extra Curricular
Cadets enjoy formal dinner
The Annual CCF dinner is an opportunity to say OW Maj James Brackley was invited to give a
farewell and thank you to our senior cadets short speech on what the CCF and military had
as well as educate them in the etiquette of done for him.
formal dinners.
Finally Capt Archer the Contingent Commander
This black tie (and Mess Dress) event was a presented the five most senior cadets with
lovely introduction for the cadets into military thank you gifts; these were CSM Jacob Palmer,
Mess life. The CCF also invited parents of the CSjt Lauren Turbott, CSjt Cullan Lloyd, Sjt
senior cadets and a few guests to help us Maisie Spiers and Sjt Tillie Graham.
celebrate the commitment and service shown
The final part of the evening was the
by the senior cadets.
announcement of the new CSM for
Rev McHale and Mrs Buckley were invited as 2019 - 2020; Dan Harris.
they are both leaving the College this year and
Pupils find their voice
for speaking contest
For the very first time this year,
Wycliffe took part in the Rotary Club
Youth Speaks Competition.
DofE new participants on Sugar Loaf This competition aims to offer young
people the experience of speaking on a
DofE groups busy with public platform as a member of a team,
enabling them to formulate ideas on
training hikes topical subjects whilst providing the
There have been some memorable opportunity of learning and practising high
expedition training hikes this term: first standards of expression, presentation and
to Sugar Loaf Mountain in early January appearance.
where some participants were learning We were fortunate in having the Rotary
the ropes for the very first time in Club support us in running an internal Maddie Haydon and Isobel Watson, ‘Why it criteria by two associates of the Rotary
excitingly windy conditions. competition in January, where 20 pupils is important to visit Mars’, by Lily Gibbons, Club, the winning entry was awarded
Then, Year 9s had a lot of fun tobogganing from Years 7 and 8 took part with great Takara Harris and Sam Hursthouse, ‘Plastic to Lily Gibbons, Takara Harris and Sam
down hills from Standish Woods on their interest and enthusiasm, with no shortage and the environment’, by Harry Hulley and Hursthouse, with their presentation on
Bronze training weekend in early February. of nerves, with each member taking on the JJ Adams, ‘The Abolishment of slavery’, ‘Why it is important to visit Mars’.
Finally, many thanks to Mr Waller for role of either the Chairperson, Speaker, or by Adam Searle, Abigail Opaleye and
Vote of Thanks. The three went on to represent Wycliffe
organising an orienteering exercise for Charlie Hart, and ‘Clive Lloyd’, by Sebastian
at the district finals in Maisemore,
the large Silver group; they are now well The topics presented were far-ranging, Forrest, Miles Menon and Gabe Kakoz.
Gloucestershire. All three pupils worked
prepared for the Forest of Dean adventure namely ‘An unjust society’, by Alice All pupils can be very proud of their efforts. extremely hard in preparation for this,
in three weeks’ time. Soon to follow will Tomblin, Maddy Small and Katie Hanson, It is an experience which they will take polishing both their presentation content
be the Gold trip to the Black Mountains at ‘Why Google Translate should not be used forward with them in the hope of them and delivery, and represented the school
the start of the Easter break. as a learning tool’, by Lewis Crabb-La Hei, continuing to practise their public speaking magnificently through delivering their
On another note, the launch of two Nissi Akhator-Stephens and Katie Nichols, skills in the future. presentation with great distinction.
rewarding volunteering opportunities ‘African Child Poverty’, by Katie Rathbone,
With the competition judged under strict
are both in care homes: on a joint DofE/
Art initiative Mrs Green is organising
an outdoor mural painting project at
Scarlet House in Ebley, and a lively mixed
nationality group have met dementia
sufferers in the first of their weekly visits
Airgineers off to a flying start
by Alex Reynolds, Year 10
to The Grange Care Centre in Stonehouse.
Airgineers is a new activity club, launched
Finally, Miss Kneller’s fundraising this year with kind help from the PASS
team has collected over £150 for the (Parents’ Associaton of the Senior
Teenage Cancer Trust this term by selling School).
refreshments at public events and
organising competitions such as ‘Guess For the first few weeks we designed our
the number of sweets in the jar.’ drones on computers using 3D modelling
software. Once we had a final design, we
printed the drones on the school’s new
3D printer. We have printed six drones in
different colours and materials.
Our next challenge was to put all of the
electronics on them, even a tiny camera
that allows us to fly them with the picture
projected inside a head set, known as
first person viewing.
though we have crashed a few, one even venue; the Sports Hall.
We had to connect the drones to a breaking up in mid-flight!
Our aim is to start racing each other
radio controller and configure the flight
Now we are working on refining our through gates and under obstacles.
controllers to ensure stick movements
flying technique by adjusting the trims. We have learnt a lot in a short space of
resulted in the correct flight movement
With most of the faults sorted we are time and hope to compete against other
on the drone. Most of them are now flying
Bronze Hike to Standish improving our flying skills in our new schools in the near future.
The Wycliffian Society 9
OWs do their part for charity
OW Tim Bruce (S 1971 - 1973) may be new. Having worked in housing for most need for safe and affordable housing is
retiring from full-time work but, for him, it is of my career I am very excited to ride on urgent, and as a team, we can improve
just the beginning of something new. behalf of The Fuller Center for Housing,” said housing for hundreds of folks in need.”
Tim.
Six days after he leaves his role as Strategic Tim is paying all his own costs and he
Asset Manager at Wiltshire Council, Tim will “In the process I will be raising funds, will be stopping en route to help the
be flying to Seattle for a 3,500-mile cycle seeing some spectacular scenery and charity repair and renovate the homes
ride. volunteering on build sites to support the of seven families.
affordable housing efforts in America and
The challenge, which is through 15 states, “I’ve never attempted anything like
around the world.”
from Seattle to Washington DC, is the first this before, but that just makes the
Tim has ever done but he believes it will be He hopes to raise $4,500 for the American challenge more exciting,” says Tim. “If
an experience of a lifetime. social housing charity. “Donations are you don’t set yourself a challenge, life
vital to the ride, facilitating a large ripple can seem more like a treadmill than a
“The cycle ride is the start of something
effect which extends all over the world. The trip through wonderful landscapes.
“I used to cycle a bit in my youth. I
support Seb, his Justgiving page is:
Good luck Rob and Seb think the longest journey was from
http://ow.ly/pvWI50kgIBc. Gloucestershire back to my old home
OW Seb Poccard (C 2007 - 2012) is
To read more about Rob's story visit in Buckinghamshire. I am training hard
running the London Marathon to raise
http://ow.ly/jyKp50kgIBh. and I see this as an opportunity to
money for fellow OW Rob Camm
change my life.”
(C 2005 - 2012) who was involved in a Rob Camm, congratulations on your
life-changing accident in 2013 that left trainee solicitor contract with Osborne Donate to Tim’s challenge at:
him with tetraplegia. If you would like to Little starting in September. www.timbruce.co.uk
TWS Calendar
May
Announcements
Sat 4th Wycliffian Day including sports Congratulations to:
10:00am Registration
10:15am - Tours around campus, Chapel
12:00pm open
11:00am AGM
11:30am OW Cricket starts
12:00pm Buffet in the Pavilion
1:00pm Boathouse open, refreshments
and a chance to get out on the
water
2:00pm OW Tennis starts
4:00pm Afternoon tea in the Pavilion
6:00pm – Informal TWS Drinks at
8:00pm The Bear of Rodborough,
Gloucestershire
Sun 5th Wycliffian Golf at Cotswold
Kate Rennicks (PSH 1987 – 1997) and her
Tee off Edge Golf Club. A chance for
from 2pm an informal game of golf with partner, Carl Jacklin, celebrated the birth
Wycliffians. For further details of Alfred (Alfie) Ryan Jacklin. He arrived on
or to register your interest 29 November 2018 at Gloucestershire Royal
please email Phil Hale/Rob weighing 8lb 1oz.
Well done Helena
Rennicks at
owgolf@yahoo.co.uk
Sun 12th The Wycliffe Choral Society,
Wycliffe Chapel
The Wycliffe Choral Society Helena Sherwood (current staff and OW P exercises or ideas to keep the members
perform Rossini’s Petite Messe IG 1994 – 2003) was named National Pony interested, whilst continually improving
Solennelle. Please visit Club Coach of the Year at the Pony Club both their own skills and their horses’
www.wycliffechoralsociety.
Coaching Conference 2019. technique.
org.uk for further details.
Thurs 16th Wycliffian Drinks Reception, The Pony Club received lots of nominations “Helena was Branch Team Coach at all the
6:30pm – London for the 2019 awards, and the selection Area Competitions this year, a role at which
8:30pm TWS are hosting drinks panel had the difficult task of assessing she excels at - she is positive, encouraging
in The Judge’s Courtroom each nomination. Helena Sherwood is from and thorough with her briefings, but also
at Browns, Covent Garden,
Minchinhampton Pony Club. great at giving members positive feedback
80 – 84 St Martin’s Lane,
WC2N 4AG if things don’t go to plan. Not only did
The nomination form to the Pony Club
Helena give up several days to support our
Mon 20th TWS Golf Society Spring said: “Helena is a motivational coach who
Marcus Dodd (PC 1991 – 2004) and Charlie members but she didn’t want to be paid, as
Meet at Weston-super-Mare always gets the best from her pupils, she
Golf Club, BS23 4NQ Wood celebrated the birth of Freyja Aria she said how much she enjoyed doing it.”
is always smiling and cheerful and is able
12:00pm Coffee and roll Wood last year, on 31st July 2018.
to get her pupils to respond and improve Our pupils are very lucky to have
1:00pm First tee time. Prizes and
To keep up to date with announcements by having a positive and encouraging Miss Sherwood in the Wycliffe Sports
evening meal. Cost £48 per
head, email visit: www.wycliffe.co.uk/the-wycliffian- approach. department and we are delighted that her
owgolf@yahoo.co.uk to book society/births-deaths-marriages/ effort has been recognised by The Pony
“She also puts a lot of thought into her
Club.
July lessons, she will always come up with
Fri 26th Cheltenham Cricket Festival Deaths
11:00am One-Day International We sadly say goodbye to: Ronald Hodge Please let us know of any HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
Tri-Series Under-19 England v (JSH 1937 – 1943) died May 2018 announcements to go in the
India. The Festival Hospitality You can ‘Like’ our Facebook page
Robert Protherough (JSH 1937 - 1944) next edition or if you have any
package. Tickets £74 per follow us on Twitter
person, max 2 per Wycliffian. Jim Dickenson (H 1943 – 1945) suggestions for future events. @wycliffealumni, Instagram
30 tickets available. Tony H Morris (PH 1943 - 1949) Contact Victoria Vicary, Wycliffian @thewycliffiansociety and join our
(William) Ian Andrews (W 1953 – 1956) died LinkedIn group ‘The Wycliffians’.
For more information and to RSVP for Society Manager at TWS@wycliffe.
March 2018.
each event please contact the office on co.uk
TWS@wycliffe.co.uk or phone To read any obituaries visit:
01453 820439 (numbers required for catering.) www.wycliffe.co.uk/wycliffian-obituaries
10 The Wycliffian Society: OWs giving back
One person can
change the world
John May, Tristram Southgate, Rob Lister and OW John Duncan OBE (J H 1969 - 1976) has had a distinguished career in the Diplomatic Service holding
Richard Chatham
key roles in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in NATO. He writes about how Wycliffe prepared
It’s rewarding to give him for that career, after coming in to hear Year 12 Aspire presentations.
I have been clearing out my late father’s
back to Wycliffe attic and came across some of my report
by OW Richard H Chatham, cards which make amusing reading.
Wycliffe was something of a culture
(P J H 1956 - 1963)
shock for me as I grew up in Kenya.
Having spotted a request from Wycliffe, I
Also I was dyslexic, but not diagnosed until
offered my services in helping to assess Year
my 50s so spent my school years yo-yoing
12s in their Aspire programme. This involves
between the fast stream and the normal
the pupils choosing a career which they
stream and between the top five in class to
consider would be suited to their abilities
the bottom three.
and interests and making a presentation
about the career. I was frequently found on the naughty step
outside during prep and was always up to
This presentation, made before their group,
pranks including chaining the school gates
tutor and assessor, would show the abilities
together early one summer morning.
and qualifications required and the pathway,
or ways, to those qualifications. It would also But my teachers must have seen something
show the benefits of such a career choice as I was eventually made a school Prefect.
and why the pupil had made that choice, Philip Desprès was a huge influence. He
and the ability to present that information to taught English as though it was a mix of
an employer or a university entry team. Sociology and Psychology. I loved it and it
proved a huge boon during my later career.
So what is the benefit of such an exercise
David King (Prep School) gave me such a John Duncan with President Barack Obama
to those taking part and what could I
solid grounding in French that I was able to
offer to them in assistance? Over the last
get into the Sorbonne after leaving Wycliffe. world for better or worse and that person There have also been the scary moments
50 years or so since I left Wycliffe, the
can be you, whether it is by planting an and at least two where I didn’t think I would
world of commerce, manufacturing and As to my life after Wycliffe, 38 years in the
idea, winning an argument or leading a escape alive, but the journey has also been
industry has changed dramatically and we Diplomatic Service (I originally wanted to
negotiation. huge fun. Unleashing the creativity and
may never guess at what our children and join the Army and was passionate about
natural enthusiasm of British Diplomats
grandchildren will face during their working the CCF) it has been the most extraordinary I have also learnt that all success depends
completely confounds the public’s
careers. experience. It has taken me from the on the team and I have had some
stereotype of what we are capable of.
deserts of the Sahara and the Amazonian extraordinary colleagues, both inside and
However, one thing that is certain, they
jungles, to the mountains of Albania and outside the Service.
will need to present themselves well. I
Kosovo; a journey from “An office next to
regularly train individuals and groups and
the toilet in the French embassy in Tirana”
judge county and area competitions for
debating, public speaking, situation vacant
(as the Telegraph put it) to the council OWs giving back find out more about TWS as well as quiz
our OWs. Jenny said: “An honest question
chambers of multilateral diplomacy in from one pupil about how much I earned
applications and other similar events. I
Brussels, Geneva and New York, from OWs Ollie Hart (P H 1983 – 1993) and was sensible – theatre production is a
found it rewarding to be able, in some small
being Charges d’Affaires “en pied”! to Jenny Wicks (P SH 1990 – 1998) came career you do because you enjoy it.” Ollie
way, to use the skills I have learned to help
Ambassador and Governor. back in March to help man our Wycliffian was blown away by one Year 9 pupil who
the pupils at Wycliffe.
For me, diplomacy has always been about Society (TWS) stand at the Futures Fair has taught himself a variety of coding
So what did I think of the presentations I organised by Careers Manager, Mrs languages.
people and trying to make the world a
heard? I was amazed at the ability of one Miranda Holden. Ollie Hart is a Director at
better place, while defending the interests Thank you to OWs John May (W 1977
or two pupils who made their excellent Sage and has 20 years plus experience in
of one’s country. It has been an immense - 1982), Tristram Southgate (J S H 1971 -
presentations in a language different from the IT industry, including cyber security,
privilege to have been able to live that 1982) Rob Lister (P H 1981 - 1986), John
their mother tongue, amazed at the depth while Jenny Wicks is Deputy Theatre
vision, to meet and frequently spend time Duncan (J H 1969 - 1976) and Richard
of research and understanding one had for Manager for the Cheltenham Everyman
with world leaders from monarchs and Chatham (P J H 1956 - 1963) who came to
medical qualifications and, for one pupil, I and owner of Gloucestershire-based Jenny
princes to presidents, from the head of the Wycliffe to share their expertise with some
made no notes at all, so engrossed was I in Wren Productions.
Catholic Church to Balkan warlords. Year 12 pupils who are honing their career
their presentation.
From them I have learnt the importance of Pupils and parents visited the stand to presentation skills during the Aspire event.
the individual. One person can change the
Thank you to the OWs who have given their time this term.
Netball Football
It was a match well played as OWs took
OWs gave it their best in a Netball
on Wycliffe pupils with a score of 4-0
match against Wycliffe pupils. The
to Wycliffe. Pictured: back row (from
score was 34-17 to Wycliffe. Pictured:
left) Seni Oyewumi, James Elliot, Seb
back row (from left) Izzy Garnett,
Pender, Seb Barnett, Greg Mason, Sam
Natalie Newport, Lily Reeder, Georgie
Dunne (Captain), Seun Somoye, Louis
Febery, Holly Tyler (Captain), Daisy
Garbett, Oscar Routleff-Jones, Seyifunmi
Bing. Front row: (from left) Martha
Adenugba. Front row (from left) Isaac
Burgess, Elena Azcona, Lucy Haynes
Fearnley, Harvey Abbot, Hammond
Ozakpolor, Henry Pritchard, Tom StanleySport 11
The Colts A team have continued
Boys take up challenge
to flourish, playing some exciting
Meet our 6-a-side champions Prep School Football has once again Football at times, scoring great goals,
A number of schools came to the Prep School to seen every boy represent the school in but were unfortunate to lose to the
take part in the 42nd Annual Wycliffe 6-a-side matches and many excellent displays eventual winners in both the IAPS
Football tournament for Under 11s and Under of leadership, sportsmanship and skill 6-a-side and Severnside 6-a-side
13s. have been noted across the age and tournaments.
ability ranges.
In the Under 11s, the Wycliffe A team progressed It has also been exciting to note how
Culminating in their fantastic many boys took up the challenge of
to the semi-finals, whilst the B team performed
championship winning 6-a-side improving their performance in order
admirably, going down by just a single goal in
performance, the 1sts have developed to gain selection for the next team
each of their fixtures.
Wycliffe A played out draws against St John’s, as a team becoming more confident in up, and this has provided excellent
In the Under 13 tournament, Wycliffe came Tockington and Hereford Cathedral, whilst front of goal, and proving themselves competition for places, a healthy,
out on top. The B team competed admirably, claiming victories against Llandaff, Wycliffe B and a defensive force to be reckoned with, positive mindset towards school sport,
including notching a victory against Llandaff. QEH to retain the trophy, albeit on goal difference. conceding very few goals across the and a pretty successful season of
season. Football.
Season is off to a positive
start for 1st Senior Football
The season so far has been a very
positive one for the 1st Senior Football
team. The combination of fast, skilful
attacking and a resolute defence has
meant results have almost always gone
in the team’s favour.
The first game was probably a slight
mismatch against Monmouth Under 16, a
We even met
5-1 away win, but it indicated the strengths
this Wycliffe team possesses and the style
an Olympian
of play that would become a massive
feature of the team’s future success.
on our tour
Confidence was boosted by a hard-fought by Isla Skelston, Year 8
2-1 win over St Edward’s Oxford and things
Year 8 went on a a Sports tour in London
were looking good again at 5-1 with 25
School Llandaff saw the 1st team collect a crucial time in the game against Clifton, to experience and see amazing sporting
minutes to play against Cheltenham
another three wins, scoring nine with only Oleh brilliantly saved a penalty and made facilities. It will definitely be a trip that
College. However, the team conceded four
two in reply. Notable performances in the a 3-0 win look slightly more comfortable none of us will forget.
goals to make it 5-5 with only moments to
play. games so far came from Ethan Goring, than it actually was. Our first stop was Wimbledon. We were
Matthew Cole and Ollie Aluko. very lucky to have a guided tour around the
Many teams may have accepted the While Ollie hauled Wycliffe back into the
It’s also important to note that 19 players game against King’s with an offside line grounds. We went on to play against Danes
comeback and wished for the final whistle,
have represented the 1st team so far, due breaking run and emphatic finish. The Hill but unfortunately we lost 16-21.
but this Wycliffe team wasn’t finished and
one last chance was taken to make it 6-5. to injuries and unavailability. Many have game ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The The next day we set off for West Ham
The captain, Mateo Sanchez Muñoz, was played out of position and shown great tenth game of the term was the return Olympic Stadium. The stadium towered
the stand out player that day, scoring four maturity and effort to help when called fixture versus Cheltenham College. It above like a mountain, you couldn’t even
goals including the last-second winner. upon. wasn’t quite a repeat of the earlier game, see the top. It was incredible to think that
but did end again in Wycliffe’s favour, 2-1. famous athletes like Mo Farah had stepped
A 2-1 win at King Edward’s, Bath came next The next two games versus Clifton College
Under 17 and King’s College, Taunton could The team have won nine and drawn one to where we stepped. We got to run on the
and helped to end January with a 100%
have easily ended in defeat, but for Oleh in this point. Hopefully an undefeated run can 100m warm-up track for the Olympics
winning record. Games against Dauntsey’s,
the former and Ollie Aluko in the latter. At continue to the end of term. and then on to the Orbit slide next to the
Hereford Cathedral School and Cathedral
stadium.
The second to last activity of the day was
Dubai 7s proves tour great success swimming in the Olympic pool. To make
it even better, we met the world-famous,
five-time gold medallist Ellie Simmonds.
Finally everyone had a track session and
The Dubai Rugby 7s Tour will long be
long jump training on the outdoor 400m
remembered for the varied cultural
track.
experiences, the unique activities
undertaken and of course, the Rugby. On the final day we went to the
international Lee Valley VeloPark. As soon
Thirty-three players from Years 11, 12
as we stepped on the track my feet started
and 13 trained incredibly hard in the six
tingling. I just wanted to ride. It felt like I
weeks leading up to the tour. Before the
was flying! I went on the sides which was
tour even started, this seemed to bring
like scaling cliffs.
the boys and coaches closer together
and foster the spirit and unity that only a
finding some form to also win their exciting day at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.
trip such as this can develop.
matches. There was a memorable opportunity to
The first competitive matches were in cycle around the Yas Marina Grand Prix
This was great preparation for the circuit in Abu Dhabi and some of the tour
Abu Dhabi against The British School Al
tournament played a couple of days party even managed to take in a Pakistan
Khubairat (BSAK) where the Under 18
later back at Dubai College. Here the Super League T20 cricket match.
squad started with a 10-a-side match
opposition were very impressive and
and then both Under 16 and Under 18
challenged the boys to produce their best The best of these fun activities was
squads played a series of 7s matches.
in matches against Jumeirah English definitely the 4 x4 Desert Safari, which
This produced some fine performances
Speaking School (JESS) and the hosts. also included a traditional barbecue
with the Under 16s proving too strong
evening meal, followed by some
for their opposition and the Under 18s In between the Rugby there was an delightful belly dancing.You can also read
