Round Square in action
September 16, 2011
Lots to report on since last Saturday. The weekend went well - the third form thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Bushcraft, and photographs will appear on the news page. I found them mid-way through the skinning of rabbits and the building of dens. Although the weather wasn't brilliant, they returned buzzing and in good spirits.
On Monday, Mr. Timmis gave an assembly looking at the different way people react to change, using the example of Sean Gaffney who overcame the huge challenge of having his leg amputated. He participated in the Tough Guy competition in 2011, and his story - delivered expertly by Mr. Timmis - proved to be an excellent illustration of someone embracing change.
The lower school and upper school have taken their MidYIS and ALIS tests, which will form the basis of the Challenge Grades for this coming year and beyond. As the school works towards increasing academic achievement, this new system will improve pupils aspirations and challenge them to aim higher.
After a number of years of discussion, a vote was held in school yesterday to ask the boys in the school what games they wish to play in the Lent term. The debate over hockey vs. football has raged long enough, and allowing pupils a vote on the matter not only embraces the democracy ideal of Round Square, but also ensures that everyone in the school is able to have a voice. I'll share the outcome on this blog next week after I've announce it to school.
The first matches of the season were played yesterday, with a brilliant performance from the 1st XV against Thomas Hardye School which saw them beaten by only 4 points. Excellent play from George Cotterell, skillful Captaincy from Dom Barrington - who shows great potential - and a deserved Man of the Match award to Evy Martin Smith. Football against Clayesmore ended in a 3-2 victory, with Anthony Bentley-Buckly scoring the first and the third goal, with included a sublime free kick for the third goal to win the game, and the second goal from Jonty Ellis. The team came back from two nill down to win in the last ten minutes. Josh Parry and Ewan Wright were given Men of the Match.
The casting is nearly finished for the school play this term The Resistable rise of Arturo Ui and I'll publish this on my blog in the near future. I'm off to the Archant School Show in London, and here we've got a busy weekend with the younger pupils off to Westonbirt School for a social, and social evenings and trips out for the rest of the school with quad biking on Sunday.