NEWS SCHOOLS
✒ SCHOOL STARS
Guttenplan outwits Paxman
Former Westminster School pupil and current University of Cambridge undergraduate Alex Guttenplan, 19, found surprise fame with his astonishing performances on BBC Two’s University Challenge. The student even triumphed in a battle of words with the TV show’s intimidating host, Jeremy Paxman. After Guttenplan
Paxman: met his match
correctly answered a question on the
poet Auden, Paxman responded, “Spectacularly good guess, well done,” before adding, “Maybe it wasn’t a guess. I’m sorry I insult you.” As Paxman began his next question, Guttenplan simply replied, “It wasn’t a guess.” His exchanges with Paxman became a YouTube hit and saw the Emmanuel College team captain gain a legion of admirers who christened themselves ‘Guttenfans’. Relations
between Paxman and the prodigious Guttenplan – who answered an incredible 13 starter questions correctly as his team won the fi nal 315-100 – are far from frosty, however. The TV presenter praised Guttenplan as being “like a machine” for his performance in the fi nal, while the undergraduate thanked Paxman for his “good humour”.
www.westminster.org.uk
Pupil poem is a double winner
Kathryn Cave talks to pupils
Authors share success
World Book Day was celebrated at Blackheath High School with a week dedicated to the joy of reading, involving visits by two acclaimed authors: Kathryn Cave and Jess Meats. Kathryn Cave, whose book, Something Else, won the fi rst UNESCO award for children’s literature, gave junior pupils an inspiring presentation and spent time leading story- writing workshops. “I had a great time working with the children and teachers,” said Cave. “The girls were
8 FIRST ELEVEN SUMMER 2010
bursting with well-expressed ideas.” The senior department pupils
were enthralled by Jess Meats’ tale of pursuing her dream to become an author. Her fi rst novel, Child of the Hive, was published before she was 25. Zoe Fuller, a Year 9 pupil said, “Jessica told us about herself and her struggle to become an author. She gave us the opportunity to ask her questions and she signed our books with a special message!”
www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net
A poem written by Year 11 Colfe’s School pupil Francesca King was entered into two poetry competitions – and succeeded in them both. This means that her poem, Puma, will be published in two anthologies:
Bust-A-
Rhyme and
Sparks of Inspiration.
www.colfes. com
Teacher
retires after
six decades
Music teacher Mary Johnston has retired after an incredible, near 60-year stint at Putney High School. In the 1950s, one of her initial tasks was to organise a fundraising concert in order to buy the school its very fi rst musical instruments. The £70 raised bought six violins and two cellos. As Head of Music, she went on to introduce the school to a range of musical opportunities, from opera to concerts at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall. Her contribution to Putney High School was recognised in April at a major choral and orchestral concert.
www.putneyhigh.gdst.net
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