14

View

Spring ‘10 Issue 14

Spring ‘10 Issue 14 15

View

Sixth Form

Behind the scenes Dynamic duo

Will Amott was one of many Sixth formers who put heart and soul into the production of a House play this term. While many took on acting and director roles, Will also embarked on the challenge of writing an original script. The result was a two-hour production, Bad Eggs. Performed and presented by Keen’s House, it was unanimously well-received.

“T

he great thing about House Plays is you get hooked,” explains Will. “This is my fifth. You learn, you get experience

and confidence. This year I really wanted to put all that together and do something a little more personal to round off my school career. I wanted to go out on a high point and I hope I’ve managed to achieve it.” The setting is a typical manor house

with larger than life characters. “It’s the usual House Play fodder,” admits Will. “I hadn’t done anything like it before and when I started writing there was no real direction. I knew there would be a secret and an announcement, but to begin with it was just characters taking shape. It was based on talking to friends, sharing stories and thinking, ‘what would this or that character do in this situation?’ I’m sure there are facets of my own personality all over it, which is a bit of a worry, to have people judging them. I wanted to create characters that would surprise the audience, change preconceptions.” Fortunately when Will showed the first draft to Mr Keen, he was completely supportive, offering all the encouragement needed to take it forward, which Will then did with the help of co-director Alistair Debling and their auditioned cast of fourteen. Explains Will, “Some of the funniest

bits of the script arrived in collaboration with the actors. They were fantastic. It really was an organic process. “Any project like this is about teamwork. Alistair Debling was a great co-director, thoroughly energetic and helpful, and the cast were amazing. Eleven of the fourteen who braved the stage had never been in a House play before but, by the end-of-show party, everyone was anticipating doing it again. It did make me feel quite proud.”

When it came to commenting on the final performance, Will admits to not having watched it on the first night. “Even listening to it from backstage was physical pain. I couldn’t bring myself to get up front, even though the cast were brilliant and I could hear the audience really enjoying it. The second night I overcame my nerves, sat there as an audience member and saw it in a completely different light. There was applause in between lines and that’s not usual; there were a lot of really special moments. “Would I change anything? The ending, should anyone ever want to do it again. Make it a bit simpler and induce a bit more pathos for Jo’s character. But nothing to do with the experience, which was brilliant. We were students from Year 7 to Upper Sixth and we all really bonded. You feel like one big family: House spirit is such an important thing.”

BGS musician Zoë Green has won

the first Lennox Berkeley Award

for Guitar, a prestigious national award for solo guitar performance, awarded at the Oxford Music Festival in January where she achieved a distinction for her performance. A pianist as well as a guitarist, Zoë has a place to read music at Birmingham University next year.

Meanwhile Josephine Goddard (Upper

Sixth) has already established herself as a soprano soloist of repute, regularly giving solo recitals. It is no surprise to any who have heard her that her applications to read music have been so well-received. Congratulations to Josephine, who has been awarded a scholarship, and has taken up the offer to study voice, at London’s Royal College of Music.

A gem of an opportunity in physics

‘A’ level Physics students at BGS have this term been granted special access to the world-leading Diamond Light Source Synchrotron facility at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Oxford.

Although small groups of students and the public occasionally visit the site, all 46 BGS A2 students have been invited to attend. This giant machine, which became operational in January 2007, generates brilliant beams of light, from infra- red to X-rays, used in a wide range of applications supporting ground- breaking research in the life, physical and environmental sciences. Find out more at

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk.

Sport

Best foot forward for First XI

Y8 PLAYS DUBLIN

YEAR 8 BOYS AND GIRLS GOT A TASTE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION ON A THREE DAY SPORTS TOUR TO DUBLIN THIS TERM.

King’s Hospital and Wesley College. Although not victorious, they always looked dangerous in attack. Maddy Burnell won player of the match and Holly Sawyer won player of the tour. Well done to Eleanor Robinson and Sophie Brownlow for being the most- improved players.

C

ompetition was tough for the girls who played two hard fought matches against

The boys took on King’s Hospital, a big, physical and skilful side in a match they won’t forget. In a titanic battle throughout, BGS held the lead twice, only to lose to two late tries, final score of 18 – 20. There was another close call in the match against Wesley. Despite a loss 24 – 19, parents enjoyed one of the most entertaining games of the season, full of open running Rugby, with lots of chances for both sides, and an exciting finish.

The BGS football season got under way this term with the First XI enjoying a fine run of success in the Mercian Southern League.

After six games the team was celebrating at the top of the League but nearest rivals, Malvern still had two games in hand. Despite much finger crossing that Malvern would drop some points, they didn’t. Nevertheless, well done to the BGS First XI who this time finished the tournament in a very creditable second place.

GUNWARDANA’S

SQUEEZE A WIN IN

SQUASH

In a tight final, Gunwardana’s girls’ squash team of Rebecca Guy, Chris Holmes, Laura Taylor (played first round), Jessica Chalmers and captain Charity Vincent pipped Keen’s in a 9 – 7 win, to the champions’ title in this term’s House squash tournament. Keen’s were captained by Imy Jenkins supported by Hannah Gil and Lucy Eggleston and a very promising Maddie Burnell, Year 8, completed the team. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11