2 Spring ‘10 Issue 14

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Spring ‘10 Issue 14 3

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From the Head

discovering a world of learning, from the Bristol on our doorstep to the sound of a didgeridoo. This term has been a great success and a real encouragement as we look ahead to the opening of our first Reception class in September.

W

News

OUTSTANDING opportunity and care

The many and distinctive strengths of BGS were highlighted in the latest Independent Schools Inspectorate Report for the School at the start of the spring term.

T

he report recognised the outstanding range of educational opportunities both within and

outside the classroom. It gave particular focus to the outstanding quality of pastoral care, reflected in pupils who “seize chances to take responsibility for themselves and for others and who are self-assured, friendly and supportive of one another.” Similar strengths were highlighted in the report for BGS Juniors where the care, guidance and personal development of

pupils was also rated as outstanding, with recognition given to the warm supportive relationships and environment of mutual respect.

...pupils who “seize chances to take responsibility for themselves and for others and who are self-assured, friendly and supportive of

one another.”

Confirms Headmaster Rod MacKinnon,

“These are strong features that extend right across our School and to which all staff show full commitment. I’m delighted with the report which recognises all that we are trying to develop in the School: a love of learning, and an appetite and enthusiasm for achievement in an environment that nurtures understanding, individual confidence, leadership and mutual respect.”

We have also been delighted with the findings of the Independent Schools Inspectorate who published their reports on our School in January. They are extremely positive, reflecting outstanding achievements in both care and provision. This type of independent assessment and endorsement provides an important benchmark as we continue to look at how we create an exceptional environment that will provide the best opportunities for learning and self-development, and which will enable our students

to accomplish all that they want to achieve. I recognise the invaluable support of parents and the excellent work of staff and students, all of which have contributed to making our School a success and this outstanding report possible.

Once again View is overflowing with activities and achievements from the last few months. Just a brief glimpse will highlight how impressive our students are and the energy, talent, enthusiasm and commitment they

bring to our School. Our Sixth formers especially have been outstanding, both in the contribution they make to our community and in particular in the fantastic role they play as ambassadors for BGS. Well done all of you.

hat an exciting start to 2010, not least because of the arrival of our Infants, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the expansion of our vibrant community as we welcome a new and extremely energetic young cohort into our School. They have been extraordinarily busy

CHESS

masters at

In a hard-fought tournament, Edwards’s House retained their champion’s title, beating Scott’s 5½ – 2½, in this term’s final of the House Chess.

The competition throughout the event was tough, with a 4 – 4 draw between Catchpole’s and Jakobek’s in the First Round, eventually decided in Jakobek’s favour. Many games were hard- fought, several going the full distance to the endgame, clocks ticking the last few minutes down.

Roderick MacKinnon

House chess once again proved an opportunity for students of all years to compete and, with no deference to age, both Tommy Soppitt and Aditya Shah of Year 7 defeated opponents in the Upper Sixth.

CHARITY WEEK –

it’s a

AT THE TOP TOM’S

School chess captain, Tom Thorpe Year 9, has scooped a top title, winner of the

Intermediate Section of the Bristol

Winter Congress. His success in weekend tournaments and regular wins against established adult opponents have amassed

grades of well over 120, making Tom currently the strongest junior player in Bristol.

A PERSPECTIVE

GLOBAL

BGS played host to more than a hundred students from local schools in February, at the School’s second Model United Nations Conference, an event that aims to engage young people in the work of the United Nations and world affairs.

Designed to encourage personal initiative

scream

This term’s charity week once again proved BGS students have no trouble making themselves heard, as noise levels in excess of 127 decibels were achieved with the help of Miss Brooks by pupils shouting in the library.

Their audible efforts were some of many taking place across the School to raise a fantastic £2,439 for Sense, a nationwide charity supporting deaflind children and adults.

Along with all the usual favourites

like non-uniform day, the human fruit machine and delicious cake sales, valiant staff members braved the snow and ice, plucky volunteers for “Soak the Teacher”. The prefects ran “Rent-a-Prefect” in which

the most sought-after candidates fetched a goodly sum, gathered by eager Year 7s and Year 8s. The long-awaited return staff netball match saw an easy victory for the ladies, a fitting farewell to organiser Ms Trump. The Charity Committee will also

help run Strictly BGS at the end of March, so more funds from the sale of tickets and refreshments will add to an already excellent spring- term tally.

and positive engagement, this year’s BGS conference was the brainchild of students between Year 11 and the Upper Sixth, who produced everything from invitations and debating protocols to tea and biscuits served on the day. Delegates, some from Year 10, were invited to represent over twenty countries from four continents on committees debating international issues of health, economics, the environment, politics and human rights. Morning topics for debate covered the

gamut of current world problems, from rising sea levels to the credit crunch, and in the afternoon delegates were embroiled in an emergency debate on Iranian nuclear policy. Congratulations to the top team of the day,

the BGS team representing the Netherlands, Tom Benn, Will Holmes, Conor Murphy, Joel Duddell and Amy Chappelhow. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11