Royal Grammar School High Wycombe | News Feed

Beast in the East

2013-05-22T00:00:00

On Saturday 13th of May, nine members of the RGS staff completed the 10km run known as ‘The Beast in the East’. This was the first part of our fundraising commitment to the Mountain Rescue and Air Ambulance charities, in the wake of Tom’s accident.

We were lucky, the rain held off, and it was just in double figures in temperature. The course was varied, motocross terrain, woodland and fields. However, nothing could have prepared us for the ‘puddle’. This was a 5ft deep water/mud hole with a squidgy bottom, that was at least 25 meters across AND we had to go through it twice. Think wildebeest at migration time crossing the muddy rivers on the plains, and you will have a sort of idea of the idyll!

So, special mention has to go to Mr Hayes who came an amazing 20th in the field, completing the course in 51 minutes. Everyone had a brilliant time, all competitors and volunteers were friendly and for such a good cause, we would do it again tomorrow!

Don't forget to donate! You can visit our Fundraising page here

British Biology Olympiad

2013-05-22T00:00:00

In January of 2013 the Biology Department entered 12 of our strongest students into the 18th British Biology Olympiad, run by the Society of Biology.

This is a tough annual competition. It is not syllabus based, and instead examines students on every aspect of the biological world. It is very difficult for the boys to prepare themselves, instead they have to use their understanding of the biology that they have studied and apply this to the questions set.

Our boys did very well, better than any year before. One boy, Noah Blackmore, achieved a Gold medal and so went through to the national round, where he competed well.

Two boys, Dan Manners and James Porter, achieved Silver medals.

Ben Devoy, James Roberts and Mayowa Soyinka all attained Bronze and the remaining six students, Robert Watts, Charlie Trevethyen, Michael Tagg, Will Taal, Kaushik Sadanand and Ankit Patel were Highly Commended.

We are very proud of them.

Medical Society Update

2013-05-21T00:00:00

2013 has been a bumper year for the potential medics at RGS with thirteen out of sixteen applicants being offered places for September. Now all they have to do is to get top grades in their A level examinations!

Medicine has long been a popular choice of career amongst the students at RGS and the Medical Society was set up to support those applicants who are serious about starting along this very competitive pathway.

Getting a place at Medical school is very hard. Students have to be academically better than the best, have a wide range of work experience and extracurricular activities to show their dedication and have to self-study to achieve top grades in the UKCAT and BMAT entry exams. Even the most able students sometimes fail to get an offer and have to re-think their strategy or take a GAP year. Getting work experience is increasingly difficult but several groups of RGS students were fortunate enough to be offered a week of work experience at the Hammersmith Hospital in London.

Congratulations go to: Giles Chick (Birmingham), Keya Jafai (UCL), Liang Pan (UCL), Matthew Lettis (Cambridge), Rory McFadyen (Cambridge), Zeeshan Ghani (Exeter)Chaitya Desai (Liverpool), Maaz Khan (Kings), Jameel Jamal (Leeds), Tim Dixon (Leeds), Adam Raymond White (Birmingham), Oliver Bullock (Bristol), Hasan Ahmed (UCL).

Leavers Day 2013

2013-05-17T00:00:00

Friday 17 May marked the final day "in school" for our Year 13 boys, and they were sent off in style with a range of activities ranging from bucking broncos to softball, bouncy castles and demolition zones.

An awards ceremony followed, with prizes being given out by Mr Noyes and Mrs Tan for best efforts in all categories as well as individual form awards.

Our leavers depart today for their exams and life beyond the school. We wish them the very best luck for their new paths and hope that the last seven years has been something to look back on with pride. Their spirit, good humour and positivity today was greatly commended and a brilliant reflection on a superb group of young men.

Below are a selection of photographs of the day's events.

Review from Engineering Course

2013-05-16T00:00:00

Jacob, Will, Sanjeev and Ayush write:

On Monday 8^th April 2013, we went on an Engineering course at Liverpool University for 3 days. It was great fun; we had companies such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Rolls Royce, Transport for London (TFL) and the Royal Navy conducting projects. The companies we worked with were TFL and JLR, whilst we made a tunnel and train station for TFL and an ‘off-road’ motor operated car that had to go over bumps, up a ramp and through water, for JLR; The Royal Navy made propeller operated boats, with a ‘radar tower,’ and the Rolls Royce project was to make a turbine. On each project, we took one and a half days. At the introduction to the course, we were split into different teams of 5, we weren’t in the same team, but we were in the same group, doing the same projects.

We were marked in 3 stages

1) Planning – how much would it cost, what parts would we need and what would it look like

2) The pitch – did we all speak, what we did, team name and how we think it’s better

3) Performance – whether the structure worked, if it didn’t collapse, design/presentation and efficiency

Accommodation was very nice and comfortable, and the food was delicious. Every evening we had an activity to run. We also got lectures from each company on job requirements and how easy it was to get a job as an engineer. For a price of £175, it was a bargain!

At the end of the course, the teams that had completed the project better than other teams were awarded with a prize. One of us won the prize from TFL, for the best tunnel and planning.

U12 LEAGUE SUCCESS

2013-05-16T00:00:00

Hot off the press news:

Our U12 Rugby League team are heading to Wembley on 24 August for the National Final.

They beat Dowesdale School 52-16 at the National Semis this afternoon and will feature as the Challenge Cup curtain-raiser match this summer.

More news on this match will appear when the team return this evening.

Follow @rgshw and @rgshwsport on twitter for updates as they happen!

Summer Concert 2013

2013-05-09T00:00:00

On the evening of Wednesday 8 May, parents, pupils, friends, staff and members of the RGS community gathered to bid a very musical farewell to our latest leaving cohort as well as senior RGS musicians.

The audience were treated to a performance of Vivaldi's 'Gloria' as well as the clarinet and guitar ensembles and the ever popular Trad Jazz Band and Close Harmony Group, who ended the concert with an impromptu tribute to Mr Venvell and Mr Bolton.

A parent very kindly videoed the numbers, which you can find on a youtube playlist here.

Without a doubt, we are losing some extraordinary talent this summer, but know that our Year 13s leave us safe in the knowledge that their contributions to the musical life of the school was brilliant and appreciated by all. We wish them well.

Easter Trip Report: Morocco

2013-05-08T00:00:00

In assembly today, the World Challenge RGS team who travelled to Morocco over the Easter holidays delivered a verbal report on the challenges, successes and reviews of their journey into the Jebel Sahro (approximately a 6-7hour drive away from Marrakech). Their journey encompassed a range of geographical and cultural features as well as an impromptu football match against the local school children!

The pupils have made a short video of images to show you all what they got up to and the result is available on youtube or below:

Donated Laptops in Use

2013-04-30T00:00:00

Roger Hollingworth, Old Boy and former Physics teacher at RGS, sent in some photos last week to update us on the developments at his school in Londiani, Kenya.

It is a new school that started up in 2008 and is next door to Roger’s home. The RGS has often supported the school and in 2010 provided donations to convert a classroom into a laboratory.

In addition, RGS pupils have visited the school to assist with teaching and building work during the school holidays as part of the World Challenge programme as well as on an individual basis.

This year, the RGS donated ten laptops to the school. Roger was able to take back 5 in his luggage in January, and with the recent installation of electricity in the school, they were used for the first time!

Roger says “As expected, they have caused a lot of excitement. We are now in the school holidays and pupils are coming in each day to learn about computing. So I am having a busy holiday! We are using them in the laboratory but I am hoping to raise money to build a library/computer room later this year.”

News from Longridge

2013-04-28T00:00:00

You may be aware of our rowers' links to Longridge, where their sculls are kept and where they take to the water to hone their skills on the Thames. Rowing is a growing sport at the RGS with many successes in recent years, not least at the Boston Marathon event, but with the number of boys wishing to take part steadily growing. The Friends of Rowing (Reptiles) have recently donated a large sum of money to the school for new boats and as the summer months beckon us outside, it's never been a better time to take up the sport.

You don't have to row with the school to be able to benefit from the courses Longridge offers and you might be interested in their Half Term activites as a taster of what you can do with the school.

Longridge Holiday Activities Days in May

Every school holiday Longridge provides Activity Days for all up to 14 years old.

Between 8.45am – 4 or 5.30pm the children get to take part in a surprise selection of our activities. Starting from £40 per child per day. They could be taking part in such activities as:

Bell Boating • Climbing • Dragon Boating • Giant Swing • Go Karting • Kayaking • Rafting • Sailing • Water Orbs

Activity Days run from Tuesday to Friday starting the 28th May. This newsletter offers further details.

Land of Ice and Fire

2013-04-21T00:00:00

Over the Easter holidays, a group of 26 RGS students from Years 10 to 13 travelled with Mr Bennett and Mr Stevens to Iceland for a trip of a lifetime. Even before the trip had set off, we were all filled with excitement and anticipation; the itinerary was jam-packed with exotic sounding places, even though most of them seemed utterly unpronounceable. We flew out from Heathrow on Wednesday April 3rd, and arrived at Keflavik airport early afternoon. Our driver, Sverrir (who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Vogons from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) met us at the airport and took us on a tour of the lava fields that make up the Reykjanes Peninsular. We even strode across the “bridge between continents” where the mid-Atlantic ridge first makes landfall on the furthest South-Western tip of Iceland. Our first hotel was in the fishing village of Hafnarfjörður, in the suburbs of Reykjavik. We had a lovely dinner in a nearby restaurant and then watched the sun setting over the harbour from a great viewpoint of a glacially eroded lava cliff overlooking the town.

The next day our Icelandic adventure truly began. We met out Icelandic guide, Vilborg, who was to accompany us for the next few days. We boarded the coach and set off towards the central south of the island, past the vast Eyjafjallajökull volcano and floodplain and towards the even bigger Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Our destination was Sólheimajökull, a huge outlet glacier from the main Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Here we met with our experienced glacier walking guides who kitted us up with crampons and ice axes, and we set off up onto the glacier itself. We learnt how to use our crampons and ice axes, marching up the glacier, in amongst the crevasses, seracs and moulins. That afternoon we visited the most picturesque of Iceland’s waterfalls: the famous Skógafoss. Finally we visited the black volcanic beaches of the south coast, and marvelled at the enormous basalt cliffs and columns, making the Giant’s Causeway look like a half-finished suburban patio. The next two nights were spent at the Hotel Dyrholaey, with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape towards the Atlantic.

On Friday we drove all along the south coast of Iceland towards Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, roughly the size of England’s largest county, North Yorkshire. Our destination though today was Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s most famous and photographed glacial lagoon. The whole lagoon was full of enormous icebergs, some the size of houses, calving off the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier. We saw amazing wildlife here, including plenty of Arctic Skua, seals and even a Harlequin Duck, spotted by the keen eye of Mr Stevens!

The next morning we woke to the landscape being covered in snow, but luckily our day’s itinerary meant that nothing was going to stop us! We drove to Seljalandsfoss where we met Addi, our guide for the day, and his little run-around: a converted 40 ton NATO missile launcher! Addi had bought two of these a few years ago and converted them to transport tourists to any location in Iceland – nothing can stop these 8WD vehicles! Our trip was to take us to the beautiful valley of Þórsmörk, lying directly north of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. We trekked over the remains of the glacial lagoon of Gigjokull, drained in the 2010 volcanic eruption as the jökulhlaup (glacial outburst flood) decimated the moraine that was damming in the lake. We journeyed up to Básar, a picturesque camping ground in the shadow of Eyjafjallajökull, and climbed up palagonite tuff cliffs, sculpted by the wind, water and ice.

On Sunday we visited some of the most famous sites of Iceland: including the world-famous Geysir, with its spouting geysers and hot springs; Þingvellir, the site of the world’s oldest continuous parliament, located at the edge of the vast rift valley separating the North American and Eurasian plates; and Gullfoss, an extraordinary series of waterfalls, cascading down several levels, through narrow gorges.

Finally, Monday arrived, yet there was still plenty of excitement to come. We spent the morning exploring Reykjavik, and then set off towards the world-famous Blue Lagoon. An accidental by-product of one of Iceland’s original geothermal power plants, the water is drawn from 2000m below the lava fields, and then left to settle on the surface, slowly percolating back through the lava. The water itself is between 30 and 40oC and is rich in unique minerals such as silica, and blue green algae. After we pampered ourselves with silica mud, steam rooms and the sauna, we were finally ready to say “Takk” and “Bless” (thank you and goodbye) to Iceland.

Our trip truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, filled with extraordinary sights and experiences. Iceland really is a living, breathing Geological wonder, we all just want to go back now to discover even more!

Barbados Cricket Tour Report

2013-04-18T00:00:00

On 29 March, the Cricket tourists, led by Mr Hollyer and Mr Hayes arrived in glorious Barbados, a significant climate change from the snow and bitter chill of High Wycombe. There was no time to bask in the sunshine as their first day included a meeting with legendary West Indian batsman Gordon Greenidge and he spent time coaching the boys for their first session in the Caribbean. After an hour and a half's coaching from Gordon, we split our squad into two 20/20 teams which were then supplemented by a few very useful local lads. 'Player of the First Day' went to Jamie Daniel who top scored with 35 not out. We were treated to fantastic Bajan hospitality and the boys made the most of experiencing Caribbean wickets.

RGS High Wycombe (208-8) beat Grantley Adams (181 all out) by 27 runs, winning their first tour match after a gutsy performance with both the bat and the ball.

Our second match on tour was a far more challenging encounter but still an opportunity for the boys to prove themselves in different conditions. Wickets were hard to come by and the Wanderers batsman proved a little too good for our bowling attack scoring 149-2 with 9 overs to spare with their number 3 batsman scoring an unbeaten 75 from 73 balls.

The third tour match was a T20 match. RGS High Wycombe (150-8) lost to Deyton Griffiths (158all out) by 8 runs. Our first T20 match on tour was a very successful one despite the final result. After winning the toss for the third game in a row, we put Deyton Griffiths into bat and were forced to battle to bowl them out in 19.2 overs. Whilst we managed to bat out our full 20 overs, we struggled to get on top of the run rate and were left just 8 runs short.

This positive effort in the field and with the bat set us up nicely for our T20 that evening against King Edwards, our only English opposition on tour, who we beat. RGS High Wycombe (114-5 from 20.0 overs) beat King Edward's School (69-2 from 13.3 overs) by 1 run on D/L Method after bad light stopped play.

We were then up against our first club side, a local team called Wanderers. From just talking to people around the island, the club had a serious stronghold within Barbados cricket. We finished on 146 for 9 off 35 overs. With not as strong a total as the previous match, we knew we had to go all out in the field to win this game. Unfortunately, they won the game by 8 wickets.

With rain in the north of the island, our scheduled match against the Lodge School was cancelled. Luckily a free pitch was found close to our hotel and we picked two teams from the tour squad for a T20 match.

Our fifth match was against Queen's College. RGS High Wycombe (96 all out) lost to Queen's College (97-2) by 8 wickets. After a disappointing batting display where only Matt Haynes achieved a score in double figures, the boys worked hard in the field to limit the flow of runs. However, our total was just not enough to really trouble the Queen's College batsmen, and despite taking two good wickets the target was reached within 20 overs.

For our last match on tour we were treated to a beautiful green outfield at the Desmond Haynes Oval. However, it was quite the surprise to find that Desmond Haynes himself was not only coaching our opposition but umpiring too!

The game was a very close one and despite the result a great way to end our tour. Special mention must go to the Man of the Match Mark Eteen, who took 3 wickets for 21 runs from his 7 overs and then anchored our innings by scoring 69 runs from 75 balls. Result: RGS High Wycombe (158 all out) lost to Carlton Development Programme (174-9) by 16 runs.

With such a cricket heavy itinerary, Tuesday was our first free day to spend some time on the beach and explore the island. While Mr. Hollyer took 3 boys off to play some golf at West Morland Golf Club, the rest of the group plus Mr. Hayes spent the morning in the sun before heading into Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados.

Following our arrival, we headed for the shops and dabbled in a spot of retail therapy. We ate at the divine Bridge House restaurant, discovering the best chocolate milkshakes Barbados had to offer. After lunch, we were back on the bus and on the way to the world renowned Kensington Oval. This is where the rest of the group met the golfers. We enjoyed a truly spectacular tour around the stadium seeing the changing rooms, sitting in the Sir Garfield Sobers Pavilion and even taking an impromptu fielding practice on the outfield.

After this, we headed back home to Coconut Court.

Tour Awards:

Best Player - Mark Eteen
Team Player - Richy Alexander
Best Youth Player - Freddie Pestana
Captains Award - Jack Groom

You can read the full trip report as it happened via the tourists' blog http://rgshwbarbados.blogspot.co.uk/

Wycombe Laser Plasma Research Group

2013-04-18T00:00:00

ωycombe λaser πlasma Research Group

An opportunity for Wycombe school students to help solve the energy crisis by working on physics relevant to the global Inertial Fusion Energy project.

I am delighted to announce that we shall soon be starting a Laser Plasma Physics Research Group for local Year 11-12 students which will be based at the Royal Grammar School. It will be affiliated to the Plasma Physics Group of the Central Laser Facility (www.clf.rl.ac.uk) which is situated at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. It contains some of the brightest lasers in the country (at 1000 000 000 000 000W, the target gets far hotter than the centre of the Sun). Students will learn research methods as well as laser and plasma physics, and will then conduct computer simulations of intense beams propagating through plasma. They will also do the preliminary analysis of the results.

The group will be under the day to day leadership of two RGS physics teachers: Anton Machacek and Jennifer Crowter, Anton already being in post as a Visiting Research Scientist at the CLF. The research will also be directed by Dr Raoul Trines who is a permanent Research Scientist in the Plasma Physics Group of the CLF. The CLF has already enabled past RGS students to get stuck into research during gap years and in the early stages of their undergraduate degrees, and we welcome this venture which will enable students to get involved with research physics at an even earlier age.

Professor Peter Norreys, head of the CLF’s Plasma Physics Group has given the project his blessing: “I think it is very important to get the younger generation involved in cutting-edge science at an early stage. In my own experience, I have found that encouraging younger students to help carry out research open their horizons and gets them excited about exploring the natural world. The nation needs to rebalance its industry towards science and technology. That can only be done by enthusiastic students who are able to communicate their excitement about forefront research to their peers, customers and all stakeholders. What better way of doing this than encouraging the brightest and the best students to study mathematics and physics? … It is an excellent initiative.”

RGS students and parents are welcome to read this document for more information. While we shall be writing to the Heads of Science or Physics of local schools shortly, if you are reading this as a teacher in a Wycombe area school, and you would like to get your students involved, please email acm@rgshw.com to express your interest.

Wycombe Management Conference 2013

2013-04-08T00:00:00

Wednesday 13th March – 98 Year 12 students head to Wycombe Abbey School for our 22nd joint annual Management Conference. Five keynote speeches from major players in the business and professional worlds, one 6 quarter business game, two management games, one financial trading game, lots of food, a day and a half and one Y12 Spring Ball later, they emerge with better teamwork skills, greatly enhanced knowledge of the business world and new friendships. Many thanks to all the fantastic mentors and speakers who gave up so much time to support the students and the conference.

Les Misérables Review

2013-03-27T00:00:00

Pupils from the Royal Grammar School, Beaconsfield High School, Wycombe High School and Pipers Corner School took a well deserved bow on stage last week at the conclusion of four sell-out performances of Les Misérables School Edition.

From 20 – 23 March, pupils showcased the result of months of rehearsals and planning, under the directorship of a team of stage professionals led by British opera and West End star Richard Halton and RGS Director of Music, Tim Venvell.

After receiving much media hype for the West End and feature film versions, it seemed natural that ‘Les Mis’ would be the musical of choice for RGS this year. Auditions took place in October and after Year 11 boy Jonah Halton took the lead role of Jean Valjean, it felt natural that his musical family offered to muck in and assist the school in bringing the musical together. Les Misérables requires a large cast of able singers, especially tenors, and this was definitely the year to reveal the “hidden” talents amongst the RGS community.

Assistance in weekly rehearsals was generously provided by cast members starring in the current London production of ‘Les Mis’ who gave their time to offer suggestions and observations that certainly paid off in the four performances at RGS, each receiving a standing ovation from the audience and an additional encore standing ovation on the final Saturday night performance, given whilst snow lay on the ground outside.

Headmaster of the RGS, Roy Page, said "many people consider the school to excel in sports and exams alone. This year’s musical will prove that the RGS has an enormous diversity of talent, from groups of boys who single-handedly manage the stage sound and lighting for the show to the musicians and actors you see on stage. The number of letters and emails of commendation I have received for this performance is testament to their skill and dedication. These are school-age pupils from a range of local schools on stage, juggling their studies with this enormous undertaking. To achieve what they have achieved in this musical is truly astonishing and something they will no doubt take with them for the future.”

Medieval Day

2013-03-26T00:00:00

Another successful Medieval Day was enjoyed by the Year 7s on Monday 25 March. Pupils spent the day in the Queen's Hall getting to grips with the most kingly sport of Falconry, discovered more about Medieval life with Peter the Pedlar, and found out the latest information about Richard III from our Battle of Bosworth Guide.

Some amazing heraldic designs were also created for the Coat of Arms competition as well. Thanks go to Mr Ellis and the History Department for organising this annual event.

Psychology Talk Report

2013-03-20T00:00:00

On the evening of Tuesday 26th February, seven RGS students went to Wycombe Abbey School for a psychology talk given by Sarah Jayne-Blakemore, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL. The talk was on the adolescent brain and how it evolves as we grow.

After dinner with the Wycombe Abbey girls, the talk began with the development of the human brain. This involved how the brain changes throughout adolescence and continues to after adolescence, to when the brain becomes its adult size at the age of 30. The talk then shifted to scans, explaining how MRI work and what they are for. This part became more interesting when Sarah went on to discuss about grey and white matter in the brain. She also explained the differences in the amount of grey and white matter between boys and girls throughout adolescence. Boys had a greater amount of grey and white matter, but girls had ‘peaked’ before boys. ‘Peaking’ occurred at the same time as puberty.

Sarah went onto talk about the prefrontal cortex, located behind the forehead. She explained its many functions such as planning, decision making and self-awareness to name but a few. This was linked to the grey and white matter topic.

Next, the lecture went onto neurones; explaining their structure and how they are involved in sending nerve messages. One interesting fact that I learnt here was that a new-born baby had the same number of nerves as a full grown adult. The reason why babies haven’t able to develop all of the nerves properly is that they haven’t got the same number of synapses as adults. Synapses are the gaps in between nerve cells. Babies, in fact, have more synapses than adults. The activity level of the process of synaptogenesis – creation of synapses - is at its highest during the first few months of a baby being born. An excess amount of synapses are being produced. This was then linked back to the previous topic of the prefrontal cortex and how they back are related to each other, like the number of synapses increase during puberty but then decreases at the tail end of adolescence.

Another interesting fact was learnt when talking about how learning occurs. In the first 9 months, language sounds are learnt, like R and L sounds. In some cultures this learnt well, but in others children aren’t exposed to the R and L sounds. One such culture is the Japanese. Synapses are used to process the sounds. With this, the biology side of the talk had ended.

The next part of the talk was solely on the psychological side of the brain. Professor Jayne-Blakemore went onto discuss how the brain develops, this time from a psychologists point of view. At this point, a few of my medicine aspiring friends were bored of the talk, unlike me and a couple of others who do AS Psychology.

The professor explained how the cognitive brain develops in teenagers, using case studies from famous psychologists such as Loftus to help explain this.

I would definitely recommend any students interested in a career in psychology, medicine or even neuroscience to attend lectures like these. These lectures can give you a huge insight into what these fields are like and can help you decide if that career pathway is for you.

Sen Sivagnanam 12BP

British Physics Olympiad: Best Ever Year!

2013-03-19T00:00:00

This year, over sixty students in Yr 11-13 took part in the national physics competitions organized by the British Physics Olympiad. A record 59 of them won medal awards. We send congratulations to all who took part in these challenging examinations which require detailed, yet innovative thought, usually far beyond the requirements of our GCE/GCSE specifications.

In Yr 13, Daniel Booker, Max Sharpington, Michael Harris, James Hart, George Barton, Patrick Obijuru and Ben Passmore all gained 'merit' awards in the A2 Physics challenge. Glenish D'Silva entered despite being in Yr 12, and he also gained a merit award. They qualified for the second round, which is marked nationally, and forms the first stage of the selection of the British team who will compete in the International Physics Olympiad in July. In that competition, Michael Harris and George Barton secured gold medal awards, which puts them in the top 150 students in the country. For the first time ever, we gained four silver awards, which went to Patrick Obijuru, Max Sharpington, James Hart and Ben Passmore. This corresponds to being in the top 350 students nationally. Daniel Booker gained a first class bronze award. To put this in perspective, roughly 30000 students of their age study Physics nationally, so this is a splendid achievement.

In Yr 12, twenty-five students entered the AS Physics Challenge, and all won medal awards. Tom Commins, Alex Horn, Dan Manners and Kaushik Sadanand secured gold (roughly 80% on a very challenging paper), while Huaxian Huang, Glenish D'Silva, Sachin Patel, James Porter, Connor Warnock-Horn, Arthur Dunlop, Elliot Morris, Joe Hobson, Jamie Pavelin and Tom Poon secured silver awards. Mayowa Soyinka, Greg Speakman, Chris Williams, Ollie Fennell-Wells, James Fraser, Shivraj Jalan, Vit. Karunanithy, James North, Josh Palmer, Malavan Sreemurthy and Charlie Trevethyen gained bronze awards.

In Yr 11, two labs could barely contain the students volunteering to give up their lunch hour to sit the paper. Gold awards went to Michael Wang, Matthew Davies, Philip Sears and Kyle Macfarquharson. Henry Mercer, Ben Catling, Chris Liang, Tikshananshu Kumar, Nathan Turnball, Jacob Edwards, Shivam Bhatnager and Lawrence Good won silvers; and Ben Cisneros, Thomas Salmon, Jeremy Garrett, Jonathan Bailey, Sam Dean, Charlie Cresswell, Jonathan Rose, Zain Shabbir, Alex Waters, Zac Davies, Alex Macmanus, Shumham Bhatnager, Rob Hughes, Max Rumbol and Dylan Potts secured bronze.

I am grateful to Ms Dove and Mr Glendining who have helped me organize the competitions, and who have invigilated and marked papers.

To have so many willing competitors (Olympiad students had to give up three hours for the main exam) would in itself be a wonderful thing for any school. To have nearly all of them winning medals is quite another. I salute all who took part, and wish them every success in this fascinating subject in the years to come.

Prospective Sixth Form Evening

2013-03-13T00:00:00

PROSPECTIVE SIXTH FORM EVENING

Tuesday, 26 March

Evening starts at 7.30 pm in the Upper Library with Headmaster’s welcome.

Charity Rowing Marathon

2013-03-12T00:00:00

We are very pleased to learn of a sterling achievement from two of our boys at a recent Oxfam charity fund raiser at Marlow Rowing Club.

Our reporter writes:

The event had been organised by Naomi Riches, who is a gold medal-winning mixed fours Paralympian to mark International Women's Day on Mother's day!

Sam Williams and Nick Davison had been invited by their coach Geoff Baker to take part in a sponsored rowing machine marathon, where a goal of 150,000m was set for three hours on five rowing machines.

Sam and Nick had pledged themselves to keep one rowing machine going for two hours between them by rowing 3 x 20 minute sets each. This aim was achieved and the boys managed to row an unprecedented 29,227m in that time.

Naomi was deeply grateful and impressed by the effort, as it was by far the greatest contribution towards the overall total and she has contacted the boys personally since and commented publically that “today’s heroes truly are Sam Williams and Nick Davison, 2 hours alternate 20 minutes, 29,227m. An inspiring effort”.

The boys impressed everyone there and were great ambassadors for the school. They received a standing ovation when they had finished.

3 Tournament Wins in 10 Days!

2013-03-11T00:00:00

Year 7 pupils at the Royal Grammar School returned to school this week as champions of the John Fisher School 9s tournament, having won both the Tiffin 10s and Warwick 7s rugby tournaments last weekend.

On Friday 8 March the RGS Year 7 pupils continued their fantastic record in short-game rugby competitions this season, with victory at the John Fisher 9-a-side tournament. On a day where wintry conditions negated skill level, the boys lost their first game 10-5 to a strong St Benedict’s side. They rallied and went on to beat Tiffin, Wallington and hosts John Fisher to qualify 2nd in their group.

Meeting Whitgift in the semi-final the boys put on a dominant display to run out 25-0 victors. This set up a repeat of the first game of the day in the final. RGS quickly set about their task being a little more direct and physical than earlier on in the day. They displayed a good understanding of the conditions and changed their game plan accordingly finishing comfortable 15-5 winners. On a day suited better to 15 man rugby than 9s, the players showed true grit and determination to finish winners in a real mud bath.

Seven days previously, they travelled to the Tiffin 10-a-side tournament winning all their games, scoring 138 points and conceding just 7 across all their matches. With strong performances from an electrifying Will Roberts and skilful half backs Henry Chillcot and James Baldwin, they produced perhaps the most dominant performance the competition has seen, culminating in a 38-0 win against John Fisher School, who had travelled up from Croydon, in the final.

48 hours later and they were at it again, winning the Warwick 7s in fine style. Scoring well over 230 points and conceding just 31 across all their games, beating RGS Newcastle, Millfield Preparatory, Monmouth, and Warwick School (amongst others) along the way. Lead by the talented Tiffin 10s tournament duo of James and Henry, and blessed with strength and pace from Aaron Bello, Efan Morris, Will Roberts, Timmy Wraight, and a tireless work ethic of Oscar Thomas and Matvey Boguslavski, they always seemed in control, whoever their opposition. It is undoubtedly a huge effort winning two tournaments in 3 days and the boys, some of whom have only been playing rugby since September, should be very proud of their prowess on the pitch.

Coach David Durning said "they are a talented group of individuals but their best qualities are that they really listen and are always keen to improve. I am incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing their progression in years to come. We may well be looking at the Daily Mail Cup stars of the future.”

World Book Day 2013

2013-03-07T00:00:00

This year’s World Book Day was a great success.

The Bring and Buy Book sale proved to be very popular, with just over £260 being raised for Book Aid International in school this week. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this.

Our “Murder in the Library” competition was very popular, with several young detectives eagerly hunting round the library to find answers to the clues.

There was a real buzz in the library throughout the day, as pupils joined in the activities.

Midas Graphics

2013-03-05T00:00:00

RGSPA Family Quiz Night

2013-02-28T00:00:00

Do you think you can defeat last year's winners - the Old Masters? Assemble your team (max. 8) of family and friends and choose a name, or we can build a team for you. Your son can be in your team, or he can make a team with his friends, brothers and sisters

The cost is £5 per adult, £3 students/under 18s. This year we will not be providing supper, but there will be homemade desserts for sale along with tea & coffee, as well as a cash bar with a selection of beer and wines (for parents only!) soft drinks and snacks.

Just fill in the form and return it with payment to the Resources Centre. Mark your envelope with "Family Quiz" and your son's name & form. Please get your orders in before Monday 22nd April.

Italy Ski Trip Report

2013-02-27T00:00:00

On 16^th February 2013, Mr Scoble, Mr Ellis, Miss Lawson, Mrs Woodbury and Mr Phillips, took 40 boys through InterSki to the lovely resort of Pila in Italy.

Leaving by coach at 2.30pm on the Saturday and arriving Sunday morning around 11am we were all welcomed by the amazing sunny views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains of the Aosta Valley. With over 70km of ski runs available in Pila, it guaranteed that the beginner, the intermediate and the expert had more than enough runs to ski and test their ever developing skiing skills.

InterSki ensured that all of us had the right equipment and were divided into our appropriate ski instructions groups for the week. The boys then skied 5 hours a day and were then entertained by a series of activities organised by InterSki for the evenings. These included a Disco night, a Pizza night, an Ice cream night and a Treasure Hunt around the beautiful town of Aosta. On the last night, a presentation night was organised where the boys received their well deserved rewards for their efforts on the ski slopes from their instructors.

All in all a fantastic time was had by all.

If you are interested in going on the next RGS Junior Ski trip, keep a look out as Cormayeur 2014 will be launched soon!

Air Squadron Trophy Competition

2013-02-14T00:00:00

On Sunday 10th February 2013, thirteen volunteers from the RAF section took part in the Air Squadron Trophy Competition held at RAF Halton.

Since the beginning of last term they have given up their Thursday afternoons after CCF to train for this competition. They competed against 16 other schools in the South Central area in 7 tests throughout the day. The 7 tests included the following areas:

Fitness

Aircraft Recognition

RAF Knowledge

First Aid

Command Tasks

Shooting

Drill

The team came second or third in a number of tasks but came first in RAF Knowledge and Aircraft Recognition, which is a fantastic achievement. Competition was fierce and the team did really well overall and came 4th place. I would like to congratulate the following pupils for their time and effort in producing such a good result:

George Dean, Max Honiball, Will Jewell, Nathan Elvidge, Simon Le Roy, Danny Vick, Henry Mercer, Tom Poon, Tom Faerber, Alex Bradley, Saam Moore, Ben Passmore and Keith Wijeratne.

I would also like to thank Pilot Officer Crowter, Squadron Leader Bardoe and Squadron Leader Titchen for their help and support with the team.

Lt B S Ellis TA

Building A Bottle Greenhouse

2013-02-14T00:00:00

As the days get warmer and things begin to grow, TAA Eco Army pupils have started their planning for the warmer weather with an ambitious project to build a greenhouse... from plastic bottles. They need your help in this endeavour and a message from the team is below:

"The Eco Army was set up by Mr Bennett in 2009. We started by growing vegetables in small containers in the staff garden behind School House, but during the next year we decided to create our own spot for the Eco Army. Over that year we constructed raised beds to create our permanent plot, which is behind the tennis courts, near the boarding house. Over 50 RGS pupils have been members of the Eco Army over the years, and the Eco Army is continuing to expand every year."

"We grow a huge range of fruits and vegetables every year and produce a variety of goods that the students are allowed to take home after harvest. We raised hundreds of pounds at the School Fete last year by marketing and selling a range of seedlings. We also do a lot of practical activities including learning how to build raised beds, sheds and compost heaps."

"Every year, we try to leave a lasting legacy. This year we hope to build a greenhouse. We need a greenhouse in order to start planting early, in order to have seedlings ready for the start of spring. However, proper greenhouses cost hundreds of pounds, way out of the Eco Army budget. As well as this, we want to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, so as a group we decided to build a plastic bottle greenhouse."

"The idea is quite simple. To build the plastic bottle greenhouse we need 1,500 two litre plastic bottles! These are threaded over wooden canes, stapled to frames, and put together to build the greenhouse. Clearly, this isn’t very waterproof, but essentially it retains the heat for plant growth."

"The Eco Army is looking for the pupils of RGS to help supply the plastic bottles we need. We presented in Assembly earlier this week to announce our plans, and we thought we would contact parents directly so that you can supply your sons with the bottles to bring into school. Please can you put aside any two litre bottles you finish with over half-term and give them to your son to bring in for collection on Thursday 28th February. The form group in each year who collects the most bottles will be rewarded with a big box of chocolates."

If you have any questions or queries about this, you can contact Mr Bennett by email.

Hockey Awards Evening 2013

2013-02-12T00:00:00

TOSH

(The Organisation Supporting Hockey)

INVITES PLAYERS, PARENTS AND THE WHOLE FAMILY

TO THE

HOCKEY AWARDS EVENING 2013

THE QUEEN’S HALL FRIDAY 1st MARCH, 7:30PM

BUFFET DINNER AND BAR OPEN to 11pm

* Captains’ speeches

* Awards

* Fundraising Raffle and Table Games

For full details please download the flyer and application form.

The Spring Recital

2013-01-31T00:00:00

In honour of St. Valentine!!

You are warmly invited to the Spring Recital, Thursday, 14th February, 2013, 7.30pm in the Queen’s Hall, when some of our senior musicians will be presenting a selection of solos, duos and chamber music, and the Junior Choir will be singing a couple of light‐hearted songs. There will be contributions from the Clarinet Ensemble, a Senior Guitar Group and various chamber groups, with the Close Harmony Group and some cool jazz from our Modern Jazz Group bringing in a St. Valentine theme. It promises to be an entertaining evening, and we urge you to support it if you can – even if your son is not in it!!

Tickets are available from the Resources Centre, £6.00 and £3.00 concessions. Please return the form with your cheque, payable to the RGS, in an envelope clearly marked with your son’s name and form. If you are a member of the Friends of RGS Music (and, if not, we invite you to fill in the form), you will be given priority seating as long as you return your form by Friday, 8th February, and you tick the box telling the Box Office you are a member. You can also reserve tickets now using the RGS Online Box Office. Tickets will be ready for collection a few days before the recital.

A reminder, too, that rehearsals and arrangements for this year’s major dramatic presentation, “Les Miserables School Edition”, are now in full swing and the Box Office is now open. Demand for this is expected to be high, so you are advised to buy your tickets early on.

We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Recital.

Caterham Club Kit Arrives

2013-01-31T00:00:00

One of the Thursday Afternoon Activities (TAA) clubs we offer to sixth form pupils is the chance to build a Caterham 7 sports car through the Sevens for Schools programme.

This programme (financed by a sponsor each year) allows the boys to receive a Caterham Roadsport kit to build into a working car by the end of the summer term. Once built, the car is returned to Caterham for sale and a new kit can then be re-ordered for the next year's group.

On Wednesday 30 January 2013, Miss Eastham took delivery of a large amount of boxes and parts and today (Thursday), the team set about their first task which was to identify if all parts had correctly been delivered (they haven't) and what could therefore be built from the parts that have arrived whilst waiting for Caterham to deliver the remaining parts.

It became clear that the build manual tells you the first parts you should assemble is the front suspension. The front suspension parts had not been delivered in Wednesday's drop-off!

The team have a dedicated customer service team at Caterham who work to ensure missing parts are delivered promptly and therefore until next week's TAA session, this will have to be an issue that requires immediate rectification.

Updates on the team's progress will be posted on their web page in the Activities section of the school website or via their blog, which you can find here.

GCSE Computing trip to Bletchley Park

2013-01-21T00:00:00

In January 2013, 30 Year 11 boys in their final term of their GCSE Computing course went on a trip to the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park. The day started with an overview of the history of computing at Bletchley Park and the story of the code breakers who made such a difference to the outcome of the Second World War. All of the exhibits at the museum are working models that have either been restored or remodelled. The boys were shown a number of working exhibits of computers dating back from the end of the Second World War to the modern era.

The boys were given the opportunity to look at a working model of the computer that beat the enigma code – colossus.

As well as hearing about the development of computers over the years, the boys had the chance to play computer games from the early years of arcade games and the chance to try using a flight simulator.

The day was concluded with the boys having a lesson in Computing - 1980’s style. They had to create a famous snake game. Then they faced the challenge of trying to hack the program and change the scoring system – many rose to the challenge. The programs were written on BBC B computers.

The boys had a great time and had an excellent opportunity to apply theory from the course to practise.

All hands on deck!

2013-01-21T00:00:00

With the news that school would be open after a weekend of constant snow, staff came in extra early on Monday morning to assist the site team with clearing paths for pupils to use today. We are very grateful for the additional efforts to make the school site safe and know that it will be appreciated by boys, parents and staff alike.

Some photos of various members of staff appear below:

The Wall and The Beast

2013-01-08T00:00:00

RGS teachers will trek 69 miles along Hadrian’s Wall this summer to fundraise for the mountain rescue teams who saved the life of one of our boys.

The Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team (LAMRT) was called out last July, when RGS student Tom Lister lost his footing on a family walk in the Lake District. He plunged 200 ft, sustaining serious head injuries. An air ambulance airlifted Tom to a pediatric intensive care unit in Newcastle.

The rapid response of these highly skilled rescue volunteers saved Tom’s life that day, and he has made a swift recovery. The school will be holding two charity events, the Wall Ultra-Marathon and the Beast in the East, and the money raised will be split between LAMRT and the Air Ambulance service.

You can visit our Fundraising Page here.

Read the full story about Tom's accident and the challenge that RGS Staff will be taking on this summer on the Beast and the Wall page on our website.

Shoe Collection for Kosovo - Update

2012-12-21T00:00:00

A massive thank you to all boys and parents who contributed to the shoe appeal in aid of children and young people in Kosovo. In excess of 1000 pairs of shoes were donated on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and the Reverend Clive Collier from Holy Trinity Church in Hazlemere passes on his sincere thanks.

There is a local charity linked to the church which works in Kosovo and they work with many of the poorest families who are still suffering from the after effects of the war twelve years ago. Many of the children and young people don’t go to school as they have no shoes and they are made fun of at times.

The generosity of boys and parents at the RGS this Christmas will make a huge difference to the lives of many children and young people.

Toulouse Work Experience Exchange 2012

2012-12-20T00:00:00

During the first week of December 35 Year 12 boys took part in the annual Toulouse trip. The visit takes the form of an exchange and boys will welcome their partners back to High Wycombe in February 2013.

During their time in France, boys were involved in placements in a wide range of settings - businesses (including the mighty Airbus), schools, hospitals and shops among others - and had opportunities to use their French in a variety of contexts. The following pictures give a flavour of what they got up to.

The Young Voice - December Edition

2012-12-20T00:00:00

Carol Service ends 450th Year

2012-12-18T00:00:00

On the evening of Monday 17 December, a packed church of parents, pupils, staff, old boys, and friends of the school gathered in celebration of Christmas. The Headmaster opened the service by noting that the 450th Anniversary celebrations were now at an end and that it was a fitting tribute to end in the same place that the celebrations began in February - at the All Saints Church.

Pupils from the Salzburg exchange participated in the RGS choir, singing two traditional german carols for those gathered.

A boy from every RGS year group gave a reading from the bible and Reverend Nicky Skipworth led the prayers with a joyous reminder that Christmas was a time of great festivity and celebration - the carol service was to be our expression of thanks but also of joy for the season.

Refreshments were hosted by the RGS Friends of Music after the service and Old Wycombiensian Russell Barr was joined in the Bootlegger by some members of staff as he led his brass quartet in further carolling.

Taking Maths Further

2012-12-12T00:00:00

One of the lucky Year 10 pupils writes:

“On Friday 12th October, 40 boys from Year 10 at the Royal Grammar School travelled all the way to Aylesbury High School for a fun day of learning, socialising and getting to know how maths is everywhere we look.

“We left the R.G.S. at 8:45am and took a coach to Aylesbury High School. We arrived and then proceeded to navigate our way through the school before being put into teams with pupils from other schools and in different locations. When we got to our respective halls, were greeted by pupils of roughly the same age from the other schools in the area: St. Bernard’s, Wycombe High School, The Misbourne and The Grange. We were introduced to a new letter: i. ‘i’ is the letter that stands for the square root of minus one. It is an imaginary unit which is used, amongst other things, to create never ending smaller dimensions in gaming, television, film and other technologic businesses. It is very useful as it helps create the dynamics for liquids, fire and other moving things to make them seem more real. After learning about ‘i’ we set off to swap with the other hall’s group.

“In our teams, we started to learn about Dijkstra’s Algorithm, which helps satellite navigation systems plot quickest and shortest routes between places. We learnt how this technology can be applied to catch criminals in a CSI-themed investigation exercise. We were asked to figure out, given that the thieves of a bank have a satellite navigation system plotted for the shortest route out of a city, where they would go and also figure out where to intercept them. We eventually worked out they were going past three sets of traffic lights, so we should go to the middle set and, using our police authority, change the lights to red in the direction from which they were coming so they would have to stop, where we could catch and arrest them.

“After this fun exercise, we had lunch and then a fascinating lecture about ‘Google, gaming and Gadgets’, explaining how search engines work, how gaming is in 3 dimensions now instead of 2 back in the late 20th Century. After we had finished, we packed up, got on the coach and left for school, arriving just before school had finished for the day.

“We all had a great time, we learnt a lot, we had a great deal of fun and I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone, especially if you are looking for a future career involving mathematics.”

RIBI Young Chef Competition

2012-12-11T00:00:00

On Monday 10 December, pupils from a range of year groups participated in the school final of the Young Chef of the Year competition organised by High Wycombe Rotary Club (part of RIBI). Rotary believe it is highly important to encourage and develop creativity in young people, and this includes creativity in the kitchen.

They say of the competition:

“Cooking amongst young people is a growing interest and a valuable life skill. The RIBI Young Chef competition, in association with Filippo Berio, moves forward from strength to strength each year producing some superb quality cooking from our young people aged 11 to 17.”

RGS pupils had 2 hours from 4.00pm to create their menu for the judges Jeremy Ellis, Ivor Biggs and Peter Bryon. Seth Blackmore and Alex “Ziggy” Twine won the RGS final with two fish main courses and delicious desserts. They now progress to the regional finals at Wycombe High School in the New Year.

You can view photos of this competition event here

Juggling the Numbers!

2012-12-04T00:00:00

Five RGS boys recently attended local sessions of a fantastic maths masterclass. One pupil reported:

"I was one of the five lucky Year 9 students from the RGS who recently took part in a series of maths masterclasses held on five Saturday mornings at Wycombe High School.

"Pupils from many local secondary schools attended and throughout the sessions we were tested and puzzled on many different areas of mathematics. Using real life examples and pure maths combined, the groups unravelled the maths behind flowers, bridges, fortifications, African art, and juggling. We learned new techniques to solving problems, and thoroughly enjoyed the course.

"The most interesting of the lectures, in my opinion, was about the maths behind juggling, as there was not only the fascinating theory, but also an exciting practical going on throughout the session. Great thanks go to the lecturers for presenting and to teachers at Wycombe High School and to Mrs Coull for organising this excellent series of masterclasses for us."

The Young Voice

2012-11-30T00:00:00

Introducing The Young Voice ...

We are a Young Enterprise company at the RGS called Generation Publishing. Our aim is to provide an entertaining and insightful magazine, written by young people, for young people. We hope to be able to express the opinions and views of local young people and show them what they really want to read.

Click the image below to view the first edition of The Young Voice (pdf file, 6.52MB).

Seyvan Kellay
Sales Director
Generation Publishing
A Branch of Young Enterprise

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

2012-11-27T00:00:00

The Autumn term is a busy time in Year 9 History. Pupils have embarked on the study of the development of Britain 1750-1900. As well as looking at changes to industry, living and working conditions, one aspect of the course focuses on the evolution of sea-power and the role of the Royal Navy in expanding British influence. As such, a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was organised for Wednesday 14th November 2012.

The day included a visit to Nelson's ship, The Victory, one of the finest fighting sailing ships still around. The boys got to find out what it was like on board for the sailors and officers of Nelson's Navy. They then got to see how iron and steel changed naval warfare forever with The Warrior, a steam and sail ship. From The Warrior, the boys then got to experience what the modern Royal Navy is like through Action Stations, which included an exciting mixture of physical challenges, simulators and technological experiments.

All in all an exciting and enjoyable day was had by all.

RGS Supports Organ Donation

2012-11-19T00:00:00

We learn this week that a former RGS pupil is to appear in an ITV television programme this Thursday evening. Will Pope, who left the school two years ago, and is now studying at university, has been suffering from a serious heart condition and urgently needs a heart transplant. Will has been unable to have a heart transplant due to the chronic shortage of donor organs. He has had a temporary reprieve by having a mechanical device surgically fitted to support his heart and he is now recovering in the intensive care unit at Harefield Hospital.

But this is only temporary. He still needs a new heart.

Several weeks ago Will agreed to appear in a programme which was to follow him through the process of a heart transplant, thereby raising awareness of the need for organ donation, particularly amongst the young. As it turns out the message is illustrated more graphically than anyone imagined.

Will’s mum writes: “We urge you to watch it, tweet it, put it on your Facebook page, tell your friends by phone email and text. Include your children in this and especially anyone young you know. It's for them, most of all. Above all, register as an organ donor and tell your family. Let's change things and make a difference so that everyone, young and old, can have a better chance if they need it.”

The programme, called “Waiting for a Heart: Tonight”, will be shown on ITV1 this Thursday, 22nd November at 7.30pm.

For more information you can visit the NHS Organ Donation pages here.

Many people intend to become donors, but just don't get round to it. A key time for young people is when they make a decision whether to tick the organ donor box on their driving licence application form. It is also vitally important for all donors to tell their relatives of their wish to avoid it being overturned by those same relatives.

Children in Need

2012-11-19T00:00:00

You will hopefully be aware of our weekly collections for charity under the auspices of the Benevolend Fund. This fund means that pupils in Form Groups can contribute to a weekly chosen cause or charity as a group. With seven year groups of around 192 boys, you can imagine what great things can be achieved!

On Tuesday 13 November, a very special assembly was held by Miss Hughes and a very special guest to promote the collection in aid of Children in Need happening the following day.

The school raised over £550, including staff partaking in a "Guess Pudsey's Middle Name" competition, won by Mrs Russell in the Resources Office. If you want to find out the winning middle name, you'll have to go to Resources to find out!

RGS at the Royal Albert Hall

2012-11-14T00:00:00

On Monday 12 November, Singers Limited, RGS’ ever popular a capella singing group, hit the big time, performing in the Royal Albert Hall before 5,000 enthusiastic young people and their parents at the first Schools Prom of 2012.

Singers Limited were interviewed by Classic FM earlier in the day, (which you can watch here on youtube) and gave an impromptu performance in the Dressing Room in the bowels of the Royal Albert Hall.

See the following links for the interview, song and photos of the occasion on the Classic FM website.

Performers

Photos

Chinese Adventure 2012

2012-11-12T00:00:00

This October half term saw 45 boys and 5 staff visit China on an unforgettable new school trip. The trip was run through The Dragon Trip; a company founded in China by RGS old boy Ramsey Kerr (1999-2006). The trip consisted of a variety of exciting tourist activities and a number of very different cultural experiences. The boys visited some of China’s most famous landmarks in both Beijing and Xian including Tiananmen Square, the Birds Nest Olympic stadium, the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China. As well as this, they also visited an Orphanage and helped serve food at a Soup Kitchen for Xian’s homeless population. These experiences allowed the boys to experience a unique and very different side of China to what they may have expected.

We were also hosted by Beijing Chen Jinglun High School for the day and treated to dance and singing lessons among a host of other activities including lessons in Mandarin and Art. The boys responded in kind by giving their Chinese compatriots a very loud rendition of the school rugby chant. Other highlights also include a morning bicycle ride on the ancient city walls of Xian, a 12 hour sleeper train through the night from Beijing to Xian, and staying on a traditional farm in the remote (and cold) Qinling mountains.

All in all the trip was an incredible experience that included a perfect combination of sightseeing and cultural understanding.

The trip will hopefully run again in October 2013...watch this space!

CCF at Wycombe Remembrance Parade

2012-11-12T00:00:00

On Sunday 11th November 2012 RGSHW Combined Cadet Force attended the Remembrance Sunday parade and service at All Saints Church in High Wycombe. 60 Cadets, all of whom attended voluntarily, were immaculately turned out and showed that they could put all their drill practice to good effect by smartly marching passed local dignitaries in the high street as part of the parade. It was great to see the younger generation wanting to show their respect in such an overt manner.

Wycombiensian 2012

2012-11-10T00:00:00

The annual school magazine charting the academic year 2011-2012 is now available to read online. Follow the link below to read the review of the Royal Grammar School 2012

Read RGS Wycombiensian 2012

Service of Remembrance

2012-11-09T00:00:00

At 11.00am on the 9th November, the school held its annual Service of Remembrance.

Pupils, teachers and guests we were able to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of their country, including the pupils and teachers of the Royal Grammar School who lost their lives in two World Wars.

Wing Commander P Slee (RAF High Wycombe) read Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen' after the two minutes' silence observed in the Quad.


VIVIT MEMORIA CENTUM DUO ET VIGINTI SCHOLAE REGIAE WYCOMBIENSIS FILIORUM QUI PRO PATRIA MILITANTES POSUERUNT VITAM

RGS Songwriter through to regional finals

2012-10-22T00:00:00

A 17-YEAR-OLD wowed judges to make it through to the regional finals of a national music contest.

Lewis Cochrane has been performing his own music for years but only recently decided to enter the Open Mic UK competition.

Royal Grammar School student Lewis entered the competition after deciding he wanted to make a career songwriting and performing. He auditioned with thousands of hopefuls but only a few impressed the judges to make it through to the next round. He said: "I play piano and guitar and write my own music. I really want to become part of the music industry and this is a great chance.

"I performed my own music at the audition in Reading. I do like songwriting but I still want to perform too. Id love to write for big stars and hear them singing my songs."

Ex-RGS Musicians continue to make waves

2012-10-15T00:00:00

We are really pleased to learn that one of last year’s talented leavers, Josh Barr, has just successfully auditioned for the popular Oxford University a capella group, “Out of the Blue”.

The popularity of the group, who made a splash on TV last year when they appeared in the final rounds of “Britain’s Got Talent”, has just gone on growing, and they now tour regularly and have quite a following online. Says Mr Venvell: "Well done, Josh!!!!! Clearly all that rehearsing and performing with the RGS group “Singers Limited” gave you the start you needed!!!!!" And that’s what it’s all about............

And........

Long time leaver, Alexander Walker, who left RGS in the early 90s, has just produced his first CD recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Alex has been working hard to carve out a career as a professional conductor, and has hit upon the notion of producing a recording of a number of works for violin and orchestra by little known composer Ignatz Waghalter, including his Violin Concerto. Alexander Walker is joined on the recording by virtuoso Irmina Trynkos, and the CD is getting favourable reviews. Click here for more information.

Alex is part of a distinguished group of alumni who are currently making their way in the high pressure world of classical music. Lawrence Power, top viola player, stands out, and of course, 1960s pupil, Richard Hickox, sadly deceased two years ago, was one of the top conductors in the world until his untimely death.

Sax teacher nominated for national award

2012-10-03T00:00:00

Rob Fowler, saxophone teacher at RGS but also one of the top tenor saxophonists in the country, has been nominated for an award at the 2012 Jazz Oscars!!!! The 2012 British Jazz Awards list Rob among 4 of the top jazz tenor players in the country – you can support him by voting for him - click here!

Rob has taught sax at RGS for over 5 years now, but is not noted for his flamboyant character, indeed, he is so modest he did not tell us about this...we found out through the jazz grape-vine ...so let’s get behind him and see if we can help his nomination.....

No wonder RGS has such a great jazz scene...in Rob and of course Jay Craig, our Big Band supreme, we have two of the best jazzers in Britain today!!! Rob has been a regular player in many of the leading jazz outfits over the last twenty years....the Humphrey Lyttleton Band and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra among them.

So ....vote ROB!!

University Choices

2012-10-01T00:00:00

With last Year's A Level candidates starting their degree courses this week it is time for our annual round-up of their destinations and chosen subjects.

Our students will be heading for 53 different universities. Nottingham is replaced by Bristol this year as the pupils' favourite destination with 11 gaining a place. Birmingham with 10 candidates holds its number-two spot for the second year running.

Portsmouth at place 3 is a surprise new entry in the lists this year with 8 candidates studying courses that range from Sport and Exercise Science and Music and Sound Technology, to Electronic Engineering and Business Information Systems. Bath is back in the list, albeit at place 13, after gaining nul points last year.

From amongst the 77 courses that are due to be taken, Engineering in all its forms is the runaway winner as far as subjects go. History topped the list in 2011. Modern Languages continue to be taken by about 15 pupils each year, either as a main course or as a subsidiary.

Of the 162 students who went on to university this year:

40% went to Russell Group Universities
59% to Other Universities 59%
1% International Universities
2% of year group took an Art Foundation Course

Changing popularity of universities over the last three years

Placing	2012	2011	2010
Bristol	1	4	2
Birmingham	2	2	6
Portsmouth	3	17	24
Nottingham	3	1	12
Cambridge	3	2	8
Oxford	6	5	15
Southampton	7	18	1
Leeds	7	24	7
Durham	7	5	9
Warwick	7	5	2
King Coll London	11	8	17
Exeter	11	14	10
Uuniversity Coll London	13	8	4
Bath	13	-	5
Leicester	13	-	-

Year 7 Team Building Day 2012

2012-09-27T00:00:00

On Thursday 20th September we held our annual Year 7 Team Building day out on Uplyme field, as part of the process of helping our new boys to settle into the RGS. Each form was split into three teams and teams spent the morning working on a variety of challenges designed to encourage team work, problem solving, communication, and listening skills too! The activities were ably led by senior boys from our CCF.

Older boys may well remember some rather grim weather during their Team Building days with the view across Uplyme field diminshing in the drizzle as the day went on. Not so this year as we were fortunately blessed with a bright autumn day.

Activities are designed to be impossible unless boys work as a team and listen to and support each other. They included such challenges as "Bomb Fishing", "Magic Carpet Minefield", "Dark Mine", and "Bridging the Gap". Wooden planks, boxes, bits of rope, water cans, tents, and even blind folds were involved in one way or another, but no real bombs or minefields, of course.

Boys clearly learned a lot about themselves and their peers during the day, and as the morning progressed, more was achieved on the tasks.

During the afternoon boys worked in forms on topics such as the importance of body language, being assertive and bullying awareness.

The following photos give a few views of the day.

Rugby Tour to South Africa

2012-09-24T00:00:00

During the Summer Holiday senior rugby teams travelled to South Africa for a hectic rugby tour. Plenty of tough rugby matches were played, but that wasn't all the boys got up to ...

Courtesy of YouTube, you can find out more and view pictures and video footage of the tour by clicking here.

Fencing Success

2012-09-24T00:00:00

The RGS fencing club is pleased to report an impressive start to the 2012-13 season.

On Thursday 20th September in a match at home against Bradfield, the following results were recorded:

1st foil RGS 7-2 Bradfield

2nd foil RGS 9-0 Bradfield

1st épée RGS 7-2 Bradfield

2nd épée RGS 7-2 Bradfield

Cambridge Freshers meet in school library

2012-09-20T00:00:00

The school library was once again the venue for Bucks students who will be starting their studies at Cambridge this term.

Over wine and nibbles the new intake were able to meet and chat with some current undergraduates. We wish them a successful and enjoyable period at Cambridge.

Thanks to Laurence Smy and Stephen Armstrong for organising this year's event under the auspices of the Bucks Branch of the Cambridge Society and to the school's librarian for offering such a congenial venue as the school library.

Records Tumble at Boston Marathon

2012-09-17T00:00:00

This weekend just past, a squad of very keen rowers from RGS made the annual trip to the prestigious Boston Marathon. This renowned endurance race over 50Km from Lincoln to Boston, heralds the start of the autumn rowing season and is always enjoyed by the rowing teams from the School.

This year the event was especially exciting, as the younger rowers excelled in their classes, garnering trophies and records along the way.

Lewis Howlett, our top J13 rower, had to move up a class to compete in the J14 singles, but he not only won the event, he broke the long standing records for both J13 and J14 classes.

His team-mates in the J15 classes were also successful. Nick Davidson won the J15 single title, with Meehir Patel following him home in second place. In the doubles, James Beagles and Milan Russell completed in a very reputable 5 hours and one minute. However, the stars of the J15 doubles were Connor Howlett and Sam Williams who took first place in a new record time of 4 hours, one minute and 38 seconds, overtaking 20 other boats in the process.

Unfortunately the senior pair of Tom Commins and Rob Eyres in the J17 class had to scratch because of illness.

Run for Tom - The Update

2012-09-15T00:00:00

Last year the school heard about the launch of an amazing charity event the then Year 13 students were organising to raise money and awareness for the British Heart Foundation. Given the incredible support we have received from the RGS, we figured it was time for an update.

Click here to watch the update video on YouTube, as seen in Assembly on Tuesday 11th September.

This week the RGS staff and student body raised an incredible £825 bringing the event total to £7166: this money will fund over a month’s research: 35 days of research into heart conditions and other diseases of the circulatory system. This is incredible, but still not quite the team’s target of £10,000: 50 days of research.

Details of how you can help the team make their target can be found on their Justgiving page by clicking here:

Thank you all for your continued support, and please donate generously to help us, The RGS: help the British Heart Foundation beat Heart disease.

A special thank you must also go to the Year 7s, who have reacted brilliantly to the school benevolent fund initiative; 7BR alone raising an incredible £131! Well done boys and good luck for what we hope will be a very successful career at the RGS.

U15 Rugby Tour to South Wales

2012-09-13T00:00:00

The inaugural Junior Rugby Tour was a big success. On Thursday lunchtime the boys met at RGS full of excitement to travel to beautiful South Wales. The excitement and anticipation grew as we crossed the Severn Bridge into Mr. Durning and Mr. Doubler’s homeland.

The evening was spent ten-pin bowling and eating Chinese before an early bedtime in preparation for the busy weekend ahead. On Friday morning we were welcomed to the Vale hotel (the training venue of the Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City, and the Welsh National Team) where we were treated to a fantastic training session delivered by former Wales fly half, Lee Jarvis. Afterwards we were given a tour of the facilities by Blues head coach Phil Davis and met some of the players. In the afternoon we toured the Millennium Stadium, widely regarded by many as the most impressive stadium in the UK and possibly the world, hosting some of the most memorable sporting events of the past decade. That evening we had a very challenging fixture against a well drilled Cardiff Blues Academy learning some tough rugby lessons.

A rest day on Saturday was just what the doctor ordered after the night before. A day in the sunshine at the beautiful Gower coastline, where we played touch rugby on the beach, was a fantastic way to enjoy a well deserved rest before trekking down to Llanelli and Parc Yr Scarlets to watch George North and the rest of the Scarlets team demolish Leinster.

On Sunday we played our second match against Neath Schoolboys Under 15’s at the Tata Steel Stadium. A hard-fought match saw RGS go down 34-12 losers but the score line was not reflective of how closely matched the teams were. It was a fixture that both teams enjoyed and will hopefully be the start of a long and successful partnership with annual home and away fixtures.

Finally my thanks go out to all the pupils who made the tour so enjoyable and to Mr. Doubler, Mr. Wolton and Mr. Mead for giving up part of their holiday to allow the tour to happen. It was a fantastic way to start the season and I have no doubt it will be a trip repeated for years to come. Good luck to the U15 team this year.

Mr. Durning

Year 7 in Buxton 2012

2012-09-13T00:00:00

On the last day of the 2011/12 academic year, a group of 48 Year 7 boys embarked upon a three day Class Adventure trip in the glamorous settings of Buxton in the middle of the Peak District, along with Mrs Lane (Matron), Mr Wood (Biology), Mr Pound (Maths) and Mr Hale (Physics/CCF).

The pre-trip dance to the rain gods worked, as the miserable rain had finally stopped by the time we arrived at the campsite on Friday lunchtime. The boys were organised into four teams of 12, with each team being made up of four “tents” of three boys – so the first task was to work out how to build a tent!

With each team ably led by a Class Adventure instructor, soon all the boys were busy constructing their new home for Friday night. All that work makes a young boy hungry, so their next job was to plan their meals for the next 24 hours – on a budget! Gone were the numerous pleas for chocolate and crisps, and the boys settled on such healthy meals as pasta and noodles – supplemented with the odd hot-dog! Every team was instructed how to use the cookers, and the boys quickly prepared and cooked their own evening meals.

After all the washing up had been finished, the boys were briefed on the plan for Saturday before heading back to their tents for some much-needed rest. It’s not that easy, however, to get to sleep when you’re excited about going raft-building and rock climbing the following day!

After breakfast, the boys packed away all the tents and equipment, and were taken to their venues by minibus. Even though each team was again paired up with an instructor, standards varied in the qualities of rafts built, ranging from the unsinkable to the unfloatable! Everybody enjoyed it, and every boy ended up in the water at some point – so it was very fortunate for us that we had bright sunshine all day.

After a quick break for a change of clothes and a spot of lunch, the boys headed off to their next activity – rock climbing at the aptly named Windgather Rocks. The boys took turns scaling the side of the crags while they were being belayed by the rest of the team. They also had time to do a little bit of bouldering too, before we all headed off to our next base – a nice residential activity centre, where the boys could sleep indoors in nice, warm dormitories!

The boys had a few team games to burn off any excess energy they’d forgotten to use during the day, then we all sat down to a lovely cooked dinner of roast chicken! Some quiet relaxation time followed, where most of the boys seemed to gravitate to the games room with the table football in – I can’t imagine why! A supper of hot cocoa and biscuits was the cue for them to retire to the dorms and get some sleep, as they would all be going on a walk around the surrounding area on the Sunday morning.

Sunday was another day full of glorious sunshine and stiff breezes, lovely conditions for a walk over nearby hills! Each team had one instructor, one map, and one compass – so the boys had to take turns in leading and directing their group along the chosen path. This taught them useful map-reading and leadership skills, and they obviously worked as we all made it back to the centre before the coach arrived! The trip back seemed to pass very quickly – all the exertions of the past three days meant that it wasn’t only the boys who slept on the way back to the RGS!

The boys’ behaviour was exemplary throughout the three days of the trip, and they were all prepared to get stuck in and get their hands dirty whenever they could. Every boy I spoke to felt he had gained something from going on this trip, and in so many areas. Leadership, problem solving, communication, teamwork, cooking, orienteering – the list goes on! These skills will all be necessary should the boys choose in their later years to take up some of the other outdoor activities offered by the RGS, from the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Duke of Edinburgh award scheme (DoE) in Y10, to overseas World Challenge trips to places such as Iceland, Croatia, or Morocco as soon as next summer! In this regard, the Buxton trip gives the boys a little taster of what these are like, and it is testament to the quality of the activities offered that many boys choose to sign up to these later on.

Many thanks must go to the Class Adventure staff that looked after the boys (and us!) so well, and also to the other RGS staff who accompanied the boys over the weekend – notably Mr Wood and Mrs Lane, who cooked the staff a mean spaghetti Bolognese on the Friday night, and Mr Pound for his navigation skills on the Sunday morning walk. But the real stars of the trip were the boys themselves – they’ve all enjoyed the trip, and they’ve all learnt something from it too.

Mr Hale

Autumn Term Newsletter

2012-09-13T00:00:00

RGS Headmaster, Roy Page, writes his termly Newsletter for Parents.

You can download a PDF copy of his newsletter here.

Highlights from this issue include:

Old Boys Dinner and Belshazzar's Feast
Staff Changes
Exam Success
Site Improvements
Olympics and Paralympics

Belshazzar's Feast

2012-09-10T00:00:00

Celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe reached a peak on Sunday night with a gala concert.

Students, old boys, friends and family packed Watford's Colosseum Theatre for a Jubilee-themed performance. The programme included Handel's Coronation Anthem, Zadok The Priest, and William Walton's Orb And Sceptre March, originally written for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

Tom Aldren, a former Royal Grammar School student and, until recently, leader of the National Youth Orchestra, was featured soloist for a performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

But the highlight of the evening was an ambitious performance of Walton's oratorio Belshazzar's Feast, with tenor soloist Richard Halton.

Timothy Venvell, Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School, brought together the 450 Choir And Orchestra for the occasion. The ensemble of more than 300 players and singers featured current and former students of the school, as well as professional musicians and students from Wycombe High School.

"It's rare to hear Belshazzar's Feast performed with full brass as Walton originally intended," said Mr Venvell. "We knew it was a challenge, but we were thrilled with the success of the evening."

Guests were greeted at the entrance to the Colosseum by representatives from the Royal Grammar School Friends of Music, in Babylonian-style dress. They served sweetmeats and spicy apple tea, with the assistance of colourfully-costumed students from the High School and Royal Grammar School.

"Our vision from the beginning to was create a musical experience that everyone involved would always remember," said Mr Venvell. "For the younger students in particular, it was a wonderful opportunity to be part of a full choir and orchestra in a magnificent setting.

Nearly 700 people attended the concert, with the Heads of both schools leading a standing ovation in honour of the performers at the end.

World Challenge Iceland

2012-09-10T00:00:00

On the very last day of the Summer term, a group of fourteen intrepid explorers from Years 8 and 9, accompanied by Mr Bennett, Miss Clayton and Paul Robinson (from World Challenge), set off for a week of Icelandic adventuring.

The first day was spent buying final provisions for our camping phase, and we then travelled to Thingvellir National Park where we camped in the rift valley created by the tearing apart of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We endured a slightly damp first night, as a depression blew in from the North Atlantic, but thankfully with this passed us the weather steadily improved over the week. After taking down our camp, we travelled to the world-famous Geysir, marvelling at the impressive water spouts and geo-thermal pools, and then onto the beautiful Gullfoss waterfalls. Eventually our 4WD off-road coach took us up towards Thorsmork, a stunning wooded valley, surrounded on three sides by impressive mountains and glaciers. We also caught our first glimpse of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano: the one that erupted so destructively in 2010 and caused so much disruption to flights across Europe.

Our campsite for the rest of the week was a secluded wooded area, camping around the trees, with amazing views all around us. On the first day trekking we climbed up towards the highest peak in the area at almost 900m. We reached almost the very top, but the somewhat vertical nature of the final 100m defeated us. However, the views from the top were just incredible!

The next day though the skies were blue, the winds had settled, and we had our sights firmly set on Fimmvörðuháls: the site of the first set of eruptions in March 2010. However, the journey was not going to be easy: it was 10km journey to the crater field, with a climb of over 1000m. After only about an hour we had climbed half the vertical distance and already we were blown away (not literally!) by the awe-inspiring views in all directions: the mighty Mýrdalsjökull with the enormous volcano Katla underneath, the valley of Thorsmork and Eyjafjallajokull. After a spot of lunch near the top of a large plateau, we ventured towards the top of a cliff face, edging forwards in small groups to peer over the edge! Then we set off for our target: the volcanic crater fields themselves. The final push towards the top was not going to be easy: scrambling up fresh ash falls, using metal chains as safety holds. However, we finally made it to the top and what a sight to behold! This landscape was some of the newest rock on our planet. Crater after crater lined the horizon, with lave flows cascading down the slopes towards the valleys we had trekked from. The land was steaming and was still hot to the touch, with every colour of the rainbow in the rocks all about.

Our final day trekking was spent exploring the other side of the Thorsmork valley, through birch woodland, and crossing glacial rivers. We then set off back to Reykjavik and checked into our hostel. That afternoon we went to the world-famous Blue Lagoon, and spent a well-earned relaxing afternoon swimming around the naturally heated pools and steam rooms.

An absolutely fantastic trip, packed with life-long memories!

You can view further photos from the trip in the Iceland 2012 Photo Gallery. (Photo Gallery link at top right of front page in the media section)

Open Evenings and Afternoon

2012-08-24T00:00:00

Open Evenings and Afternoon for Prospective Pupils and Parents

Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th September 6.00pm – 8.30pm

Tours of the school will begin at 6.00pm. The Headmaster’s presentation will be at 8.00pm.

Tuesday 18th September 2.15pm – 3.30pm

The Headmaster’s presentation will be at 2.15pm followed by tours of the school.

A Level Results 2012

2012-08-17T00:00:00

We are delighted with an outstanding set of A level results with 70% A*, A and B grades. All 199 candidates have qualified for Higher Education places and throughout the full range of the achievement spectrum, personal targets have been met and improved on. The average success rate per candidate was over three grade As.

· Percentage of A*, A, B grades 70.0%

· Pass rate 99.9%

One student achieved 7 A*/A grades at A level, five students achieved 5 A* / A grades at A level and twenty two students achieved four A*/A grades at A level. Fifteen boys achieved their Oxbridge places.

We are proud of every single student who received their A Level and AS Level results yesterday - their hard work and passion for their chosen subjects is worth celebrating.

World Challenge 2013 - Trips Launch

2012-07-23T00:00:00

We are very excited to be launching our programme of World Challenge expeditions for 2013.

The official launch will take place in September, but in the meantime you can get a sneak preview of what will be on offer on the World Challenge Expeditions 2013 page.

Silver and Bronze Medals for RGS

2012-07-19T00:00:00

Silver and Bronze Medals for RGS at the British National Championships Nottingham
13th-15th July 2012

A demanding 2000 m course racing at maximum ouput . RGS had 2 crews entered and one RGS pupil racing with Maidenhead RC. All 3 crews picked up medals at this Prestigious National Event
Tom Commins and Rob Eyres in the J16 double - RGS - Silver Medal

Alisdair Butler in the J 14 Single - Maidenhead RC - Silver Medal

Nick Davison, Sam Williams, Connor Howlett, Milan Russell and Lewis Howlett in the J14 quad - RGS - Bronze Medal

For more information please see the rowing reports section

Charter Day Celebrations

2012-07-17T00:00:00

CHARTER DAY PAGEANT

Wednesday 18 July 2012

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe has a long and diverse history, dating back to the 13th Century Hospital of St. John, of which the ruins still remain on Easton Street. It is unlikely that the RGS would be standing today without the Royal Charter which finally gave the school ownership of the buildings it had been using for the previous decades.

Above: the Charter from 1562, on loan from the County Archive Collection

Today’s pageant provided a reenactment of that day's events to explain the background to the Queen's bestowing of the Charter in 1562 and it paid tribute to her award.

(See a longer version of the charter-signing on our school history page )

In preparation for the Queen’s arrival the assembled pupils and guests witnessed Lord Cecil, the Queen’s advisor and member of the Privy Council, arriving to a brass fanfare. He, along with one of the courtiers, instructed guests in the proper greetings and reverences required for Her Majesty. Queen Elizabeth I then proceeded to the stage accompanied by the court bagpiper.


Lord Cecil instructs the guests on protocol	He explains why a charter is necessary

Lord Cecil introduced the honourable courtiers and representatives from Wycombe, explaining why the Charter was required by the Borough. Wycombe representatives formally welcomed the Queen to the school.


The Mayor makes an obsequious address	Ladies in waiting

Queen Elizabeth I then adressed her guests. The Charter document was presented to the Queen to be signed and bestowed upon the Wycombe representatives.


Her Majesty addresses her subjects on the importance of education	Her Highness signs the charter


The Queens hand over the charter	The Headmaster humbly thanks Her Majesty and declares, "Henceforth this school shall be known as the Royal Grammar School"

The guests were then upstanding for the Queen’s departure from the Pageant Hall.

450 Exhibition of Historical Artefacts

Documents including the original 1562 Royal Charter were on display in The Space for our viewing pleasure

Photographs with Queen Elizabeth I, were available, and her Majesty made herself available for informal audiences.

Old Boys' Cricket Match

2012-07-16T00:00:00

Wednesday 11 July 2012 - Duncan Moore Memorial Cricket Match

We were actually fortunate to have several hours of sunshine in this terrible summer although we saw several very threatening clouds pass on either side of the ground.

Regrettably play had to be eventually terminated when a heavy shower arrived at about 6.30pm.

It was decided to play a 30 overs-a-side match.

RGS Old Boys won the toss and batted making 188 for 4 wkts (30 overs)

Captain Bob Dix led the way and was out in the last over for an excellent 94 with 7 sixes and 2 fours.

He was well supported by Sajid Zaib with 56 and Ed Furniss 20.

Freddie Owen took 2 for 25.

In reply RGS 1st team made 80 for 5 (18.3 overs) when rain put an end to play.

Charlie Etheridge made 35 not out and Mark Hughes D'aeth 29

Chris Johnson had figures of 6 overs, 3 maidens, 2 wickets for 16.

The abandoned game was awarded to RGS Old Boys.

Special thanks to Steve Noyes who umpired and scored for the whole match.

Best wishes to all,

National Festival of Music for Youth

2012-07-10T00:00:00

Following their success in the Regional Round, the Close Harmony Group, First Wind Band, and Clarinet Choir travelled up to Birmingham to perform at the National Festival in the Town Hall, Symphony Hall, and the Recital Hall respectively.

Although all the groups did the school proud, special congratulations go to the Close Harmony Group who won the the "Rock School Award" for the quality of their performance. One judge described them as "just the right mix of excellent musicianship, entertainment, and lovely voices".

Click here to watch the Close Harmony Group.

Click here to watch the First Wind Band.

Senior Prize Giving

2012-07-10T00:00:00

The Senior Prize Giving ceremony in our 450th year had as its Guest of Honour a distinguished Old Wycombiensian, Colonel Jez Bennett OBE.
Colonel Bennet left RGS in 1987 and after university attended Sandhurst before being commissioned into the Gunners and later commanded the 1st Royal Horse Artillery. He has been involved in deployments in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He currently holds a post at the Ministry of Defence.

The evening started with a musical introduction featuring James Duff playing a violin piece by Bruch with orchestral accompaniment.

Headmaster Mr Page in his address spoke of the unprecedented changes that face the RGS and all schools, singling out the changes to academy status and funding cuts. Academic standards remain high with 81% of grades at A level being A* to B. Our EBac success rate was 95.5%, the best in Bucks. The school has also seen some building developments, namely the refurbishment of the Maths block, the mezzanine study area for sixth-formers, the new Fitness Suite, refurbished science labs and the new food-technology area. A Capital Project Grant will enable us to replace all the windows in the main block, now in serious need of repair after nearly 100 years of service.

Mr Page listed the impressive series of events that are marking our 450th anniversary, including a lecture, a fete, Old Wycombiensians' sports fixtures, a gala ball that raised £40,000, the Charter Day on the 18th July and an Old Wycombiensians' dinner in September.

After awarding the prizes Colonel Bennett In his address told some personal anecdotes of his time at RGS, admitting that he committed some youthful indiscretions himself. The words of rebuke from his form master, Mr Neil Cooper, always remained with him: "There is a time and a place for that sort of behaviour, Bennett, and that was neither the time nor the place. Enough said."

Learning to work within the boundaries that are set in school helps us to master the wider opportunties and the accompanying risks that we meet after we leave. We often have to work in 'grey areas' where the the legality or ethics of the situation are unclear. It is important to work out what we really believe in so that we can work within self-imposed boundaries and still achieve our goals, whilst remaining true to ourselves.

Wimbledon Poll results

2012-07-08T00:00:00

A lot of you punters would have lost your bet. Optimism in Nadal and Dokovic was overrated but unfortunately our suspicion about Murray's chances was more accurate.

The question was -"Who is going to win the Mens' Championship?" Here's how we voted - figures in percent :

French-History Trip

2012-07-06T00:00:00

The luggage was loaded onto the coaches at the seemingly insane time of 05:45 and 160 pupils half-asleep pupils were on the way to Dover. When we finally arrived at Calais we travelled on to Eperlecques to see the infamous V1 and V2 rockets. The most memorable part for most people was the sheer size of the rocket and how much damage they could do; luckily they were never put into action. We also enjoyed the ‘AA gun-riding’.

We then journeyed to Vimy ridge, the Canadian war memorial. This memorial commemorates the many Canadians who tried to take the German stronghold. This land was given to the Canadians by the French at the end of World War One. the next stop on our itinerary was Armentières where we met our French families for the night. Most of the pupils watched the games of European Cup football and then enjoyed their first taste of ‘French ‘cuisine.

On Saturday we were in Beaumont Hamel, which houses the famous giant Caribou facing the German lines in memory of the Canadians. It gave a very real feeling to the hardships of war and how little land was gained for so many lives, as the Germans had a very good view of any troops coming towards them.

The next stop was Lochnagar, a large crater left by a mine detonated on the very first day of the Somme. At the Thiepval memorial, we paid our respects to the fallen soldiers. We then travelled back to the meeting point by coach and were then picked up by our French families.

We spent Sunday with our French host families. We departed Armentières on Monday morning and travelled to the cemetery where Frederick Youens is buried.


Laying a wreath at Youens tomb	Hamish with bagpipes

We held a remembrance service in his honour. Two coaches then proceeded to Ypres, in Belgium and two travelled directly to the ‘Bellewaerde’ theme park where we spent a couple of hours.

Thanks to the many teachers who accompanied us and shared their knowledge and expertise with the group.

Welcoming Next Year's year 7s

2012-07-03T00:00:00

On Tuesday 3rd July we were really pleased to welcome Year 6 students who will be joining us as Year 7s in September.

Boys came to us from a very wide range of schools across the area and were welcomed in an assembly by the Headmaster and their future Head of Year 7, Mr Hayes. They were then split up into their form groups for September, met their form tutors and spent some time getting to know each other, and finding out more about what we are expecting of them next year!

Prefects were on hand to look after boys and they also gave them a whistle-stop tour of the school. Later on during the morning and afternoon the boys had some taster lessens to get more of a feel for what it will be like when they join us for real in September.

Lunch was provided for all boys in the canteen, and the afternoon was rounded off with an evaluation session in the Queen's Hall.

The English Department has given new boys a task to prepare over the holidays, and if you should lose your sheet, you can find a copy of the task by clicking here.

Chemistry Challenge Awards

2012-07-03T00:00:00

We are really pleased to learn that three boys in Year 12 have received a gold award in the C3L6 Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. Gold awards were awarded to those in the top 8% of all entrants from across the country. Three silver awards were also awarded to RGS Year 12 boys.

Congratulations to Matthew Lettis, Liyang Pan and Daniel Vick who picked up the gold awards. Silver awards went to Michael Harris, Connor Price and Adam Raymond-White - well done to them too!

In addition, a further ten boys received copper awards.

450 Anniversary Concert

2012-06-29T00:00:00

Join our Facebook Group here:

Click here to book tickets online at the Watford Colosseum Website.

“Ambitious concert is a once in a lifetime event”

High Wycombe's Royal Grammar School to stage a full production of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, Watford Colosseum, Sunday, 9th September, 6.30 pm.

The story of Belshazzar's Feast is a tale of ambition and pride. According to the Old Testament book of Daniel, the writing on the wall, which appeared at the mighty banquet staged by King Belshazzar, ruler of Babylon, foretold the king’s certain doom.

If the work of the music department at The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe is not familiar to you, you might be forgiven for thinking that its latest project may be set for a similar fall. It is a full presentation of William Walton's spectacular oratorio, Belshazzar's Feast, soloist Richard Halton, with a 250-strong choir and 90-piece orchestra with full brass.

But this is no ordinary school music department. It has a proud heritage of producing outstanding musicians, like the violinist Tom Aldren, recently leader of the National Youth Orchestra, Richard Hickox, the late-lamented founder and conductor of the City of London Sinfonia, and Simon Khan, better-known as the internationally acclaimed beat-boxer Schlomo. Perhaps unusually, its annual round of concerts attracts people who come to hear the music, even though their children may not be involved.

The gala concert, to be staged at Watford Colosseum on Sunday, 9^th September, 6.30pm, was conceived by the school's Head of Music, Tim Venvell. It raises awareness of music at the RGS, and forms part of a year of celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of the founding of the school.

"We needed something spectacular and truly memorable," says Mr Venvell. "It's rare for anyone to stage Belshazzar's Feast as Walton originally envisioned it, let alone a school.

"But we have so many old boys, current students and friends of the school who support the musical activities here that I thought we could create something on a grand scale. We've all been thrilled by the response; it's going to be an incredible evening." Extra special thanks go to the wonderful students and staff of Wycombe High School.

The full programme for the evening also features Sibelius' Violin Concerto, with Tom Aldren returning as soloist, and, with a nod to Jubilee year, Handel's Coronation Anthem, Zadok The Priest , and Walton's Orb And Sceptre March, originally written for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

"We chose the Colosseum because of the marvellous acoustics and the splendour of the setting," explains Mr Venvell. “When you have an ensemble of this size, you need plenty of room and the RGS Queen’s Hall for once simply was not big enough, and nor was anywhere else in the High Wycombe area. A warm welcome will await you at Watford Colosseum on the night of the 9th September, and we hope many old boys of RGS's distinguished musical past will come and renew their links with the school and with their musical friends.”

"It's a historic concert for a historic year in the life of the school. Everyone is looking forward to celebrating our 450th birthday in unforgettable style."

Belshazzar's Feast, performed by the RGS 450 Choir and Orchestra, is at the Watford Colosseum, on Sunday September 9 at 6.30 pm. Tickets are available from the Colosseum Box Office on 0845 075 3993. Or visit www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk.

RGS's World War1 Casualties

2012-06-28T00:00:00

Mr Rose's Year 9 History set have been researching the 41 Old Boys who gave their lives in World War One.

Mini biographies and photographs are available in the About Us>Old Boys section.

You will also find there a section containing some letters home from 1915 and a link to Google maps that plots their grave locations throughout Europe.

Marlow International Regatta

2012-06-22T00:00:00

With just six week's before it would become the venue for the Olympic Games rowing events the 157th Marlow Regatta, held at Dorney Lake, attracted crews from all over the world.

RGS had one crew entered in the Junior 16 Double Sculls event - Tom Commins and Rob Eyres.

It was blowing a gale and out of the 5 entries only 3 were on the start line. However, the one crew that RGS were interested in were the boys from Walton, who had beaten them at the Hampton Head by 0.5 seconds.

The boys had an average start and were down by a few feet to Walton but they gritted their teeth and kept up the pressure. By 500 m they were up and by the 1500m mark 3 lengths ahead. Walton made a late surge but Tom and Rob held on to win by a length.

13 Teachers Race for Life

2012-06-04T00:00:00

At 11am Sunday 10th June, 1500 women, all wearing pink, descended on The Rye in High Wycombe to take part in The Race for Life 2012, and the RGS Netball Team were there; Mrs Baldwin, Mrs Roberts, Miss Evans, Mrs Forster, Mrs Sharpe, Miss Lawson, Mrs Tan, Miss Hughes and Mrs Whalley were joined by two recent RGS teachers Miss Jacobsen and Miss Brereton.

As a seasoned marathon runner Miss Brereton finished the 5k race in 27 minutes. Miss Evans graciously agreed to keep Mrs Whalley company and they finished in under an hour with the rest of the team coming somewhere in between. Mrs Whalley has set herself a target of 45 minutes for next year's event.

The Netball Team say that you can follow the link to their Just Giving page if you still wish to make a donation (as they haven't quite reached their online target yet) and they would like to thank all those of you who have already given so generously.

You can sponsor the team via their fundraising page here.

Thank you for your support!

Brunel University Visit

2012-06-03T00:00:00

The third annual visit to Brunel University offered 31 Year 9 boys a unique opportunity to glimpse at a full range of diverse and exciting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related careers as well as gaining an insight into campus life from a student’s point of view.

After a tour around the campus which included viewing the largest indoor running track in Europe where Olympic athletes were in training, the boys enjoyed a buffet lunch. This was followed by a presentation by a student ambassador on campus life and a welcome by the university’s director, Mr Andrew Kershaw, which gave the boys an early taster of things to come.

The tour included a visit to a F1 motor sports workshop where some of the current students were building their own racing car, a CGI ‘green screen’ film studio, a flight simulator in which some of the boys took turns as pilot and finally a look at the history of code breaking in which the boys tried to break an imaginary code.

German Partner School Wins Top Prize

2012-06-02T00:00:00

The Ratsgymnasium, our partner school for the last 43 years, has been recognised as the best school in the Germany in a nationwide survey of pupils.

The national student magazine UNICUM ABI conducted its annual survey to find the "School of the Year". Pupils could vote on various aspects of their school experience: How do you rate the learning environment, the quality of teaching? What extra-curricular activities and clubs are active in the school? How focussed is the school on the future? How involved is it in wider social issues in the local community and abroad ?

With an overall grade of 1.7 (a scale of 1-6 ranks all school work and exams in Germany) the school was rated the best in the country.

The prize is an open-air concert by Johannes Strate, an up-and-coming pop star in Germany, who will perform his new album on 07/19/2012 at 17:00 clock in the school quad.

Headmaster Lothar Wehleit commented : "I am immensely proud of our pupils - that they have demonstrated publically so much confidence and appreciation for their school, and that they believe that we are preparing them well for their professional future."

Croatia Trip - Year 8

2012-06-01T00:00:00

Croatia 2012

On the 2nd of April 2012, the World Challenge Croatia trip set out at 11:15. Everybody was extremely excited, and couldn’t wait to go, despite the enormous loads we had to carry in our rucksacks! After flying from Gatwick we soon got to Zagreb airport where everybody changed their money, got into the minibus, and fell asleep.

At 3:00 in the morning we pitched our tents next to the sea in the dark. When we woke up 3 hours later the view was amazing; there was a pebble beach where you could skim stones, and see an island and the Adriatic Sea. After a breakfast of cereals and milk we decided to go kayaking towards the north, where we stopped at a small vineyard.

On day 3, we set out to the mountain hut with our rucksacks, which were now lighter. It was a challenging climb but we eventually made it to the hut and relaxed for the evening. Whilst we were there we stopped to look at the river, which flowed nearby. That night we ate mush (half boiled rice with tomato puree). Fortunately, we all had sweets to compensate!

After we woke up, we walked up a narrow track to the Black Peak, which took us all quite a number of hours to reach the grassy summit. The view was stunning when the mist finally cleared. We were able to look across the National Park to see snowy peaks and vast forests. After lunch on the mountaintop we took our time over the journey back down to the mountain hut to make sure we didn’t trip over as our legs were tired. When we got to the hut and looked at where we’d walked, there was a great sense of achievement amongst the group

On day 5 we went down the mountain, stopping at a cave on the way. It was massive, approximately 30 metres high at one point and around 40 to 50 metres wide at the entrance. Compared to the Hellfire Caves it was like the biggest giant ever. I have never seen anything like it. After the descent, we went to the first camp along the river rapids course. That night we slept in tents.

Day 6 was the start of rafting. We rafted over many white water rapids and through rain until we reached the wild camp. Here we put up our tents and didn’t come out for the rest of the night as it was driving rain and the wind from a peninsula is pretty cold.

On the last day, we went over many waterfalls and rapids to get to the end of the river journey. It was great fun, and even sunny, unlike day 5. The river journey was a great way to end the expedition and one of the best parts of the trip.

CPR - Online Game

2012-05-24T00:00:00

Boys in the CCF at the RGS receive basic First Aid Training, including how to deal with someone having a heart attack. Dr Titchen, OC for the RGS CCF, is keen to promote awareness of CPR, and has come across a useful online game, which we share below.

Each year millions of people worldwide suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. The survival rate could be increased 2 - 3 times by using so-called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), commonly known as chest compressions and rescue breaths. Unfortunately, first aid is performed for 1 of 5 cardiac arrests. Why? The main problem is lack of knowledge in the society about the proper first aid.

To acquire the proper skills, it’s necessary to take part in a dedicated first aid course. However, not everyone has the time or opportunity. Hence, a good solution is to learn the principles of first aid through educational online training. An example might be a CPR first aid online game. The game is based on the European Resuscitation Council recommendations on the correct first aid in case of sudden cardiac arrest. A player with a series of simple exercises can trace step by step how to properly assess the condition of the victim, and give him first aid performing chest compressions, rescue breathing, and using the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The player can also choose “hands only CPR” version and follow the simplified algorithm of resuscitation.

Each of us can find ourselves in a situation with someone who suffers a cardiac arrest. So play the game, test your knowledge and, if necessary, seek a first aid course to enhance your skills.

Music Newsletter

2012-05-24T00:00:00

The latest Newsletter from the Music Department is now available, and you can read it by clicking here. (pdf, 498kb)

Rotary Appreciation

2012-05-23T00:00:00

This first photo shows the President of Interact at the Royal Grammar School being presented by the Chair of Youth Opportunities John White, a member of Princes Risborough Rotary Club, with a Rotary Certificate of Appreciation. The photo below shows the team of Interactors.

The President of Interact at the Royal Grammar School has ably led his team of Interactors this year. They have supported several charities including Rotary Shoe Boxes for Children in Eastern European, Save the Children Fund by organising a sponsored walk and the United Soy Secondary School in Kenya. In a very busy schedule at the Grammar School it is great that they manage to fit in such charity work in the little spare time available to them.

As a ‘Thank You’ from Rotary they are being taken Gliding at Oxford Gliding Club at Weston-on-the-Green on Friday 8th June during Half-Term. The Interactors have visited our Club twice to share fellowship, entertainment and a meal with the Rotarians”.

Leavers' Day

2012-05-18T00:00:00

They joined RGS in September 2004 and June 18th 2012 was their official last day. Head of Year, Mr Noyes, started the day by recalling those early years and embarrassed a few by reading their early, enthusiastic forays into poetry in the Wycombiensian from that period.

Then the activities got underway - the form groups rotated through ten events - bungee running, gladiatorial combat, the bucking bronco, an assault course, sumo wrestling and more.

After the prizes a bar-b-q and an ice cream from the van rounded off the morning. It was a fine, positive end to their seven years at RGS - tinged with sadness at the untimely loss of Tom Burton in Year 8, secretary Judy de Gelas and Head of Maths J.P.Stevens, 3 RGS members whom we remembered with a long round of applause.

We have been assured that the Risk Assessment for the day did cover the eventuality that Miss Munday would insist on performing her celebrated bouncy castle routine

Well done to Mr Noyes and Mrs Tan for masterminding the planning of the event and the many teachers who lent a hand in the running of the day and the canteen staff who provided the food perfectly to schedule - and to the Year 13's for their fancy dress efforts and appreciative participation.

Olympic Stadium Visit

2012-05-17T00:00:00

Mr Mead's Grand Day Out

As a reward for the RGS staff’s Three Peaks Exploits in June 2011, raising £20,000 in memory of John-Paul Stevens and Judy DeGelas, the Child Bereavement Charity very kindly offered one member of the RGS staff team a place to take part in an extraordinary and unique Charity parade. The venue? None other than London’s new Olympic Stadium! The member of staff to represent the RGS? Myself. Although the significance of the occasion - or should I say date? - was not lost... It was April 01.

But this was no joke. I actually had a ticket for at least something to do with London 2012 and would get an opportunity to do something that not many others will – walk around the stadium on the soon to be hallowed track. So with high hopes of potentially meeting a few Team GB athletes – Jessica Ennis in particular - and maybe a few other famous names whilst at the same time setting a new stadium/RGS record for the 100m. Suffice to say that I was not to be disappointed. The London Organising Committee has been busy. Very busy...

The first thing that strikes when one arrives at Stratford Station is the cheekiness of it all... What do you see first? Is it the Stadium? The Aquatics Centre (Aka the Sting Ray)? The Velodrome (Aka the Pringle)? No. Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre! You actually have to walk right through it to access the Olympic Park! And so after having resisted the urge to have an ‘Olympic Starbucks’ or ‘Olympic Wagamama’, and having negotiated the airport style security checks, I finally arrived at Park.

At first I wondered ‘what on earth?’, because the temporary stands either side of the Aquatics Centre are the first thing you see and they are just plain ugly! But this negative feeling soon subsided into one of amazement. Quite frankly, the Olympic Park is stunning and having been and seen the venues for Beijing 2008; I can honestly reveal that we Brits have a lot to be proud of. What strikes you is the scale of the park; it is a huge site! But at the same time all the major venues are within easy walking distance. It is also obvious that LOCOG have spent the money around all of the venues and not just plugged it into one or two ‘showpieces’.

The Olympic Stadium is no ‘Bird’s Nest’ or Wembley, but it is extremely impressive. After being locked up in a holding pen for 90 minutes, I then walked onto the track on a beautifully sunny afternoon and it certainly had the wow factor. Unfortunately walking around the track with thousands of others made my aforementioned stadium record attempt impossibility, and I was also amused to see various people pretending to start a race at the finishing line, but the experience was something I will never forget. I was walking on the track where hopefully Mo Farah will win the 5000 or 10,000m; the track where man may break the 19 second barrier for the 200m; the track where our real teams might actually get the baton around! Like many others, I also couldn’t help but pull off a Usain Bolt style pose and I have a photo of the moment to cherish.

It also emerged that of all the various challenger groups representing charities for various feats, we, the RGS, had raised more money than most – by about £15,000. I myself did not notice this but people in the stands heard this over the tannoys and I guess it hit me what we had done in memory of Judy DeGelas and J P Stevens last year. I also wished, and still wish, dearly that the entire Three Peaks Team could have walked around the track and not just me.

I don’t have any tickets for the Games in the summer and it is something that is a bit of a sore point. But like many others I’ll be roaring on Team GB via the TV. For those of you lucky enough to have tickets, you are in for an almighty experience. When you think about it, we really can be GREAT Britain.

450 Family Fete

2012-05-08T00:00:00

The RGS was taken over by a plethora of activities, stalls and classic cars on Saturday 5 May when we hosted the first family fete since the late 1990s. Pupils from Year 7 to Year 13 hosted a wide range of stalls from fundraising for charity expeditions to selling plants grown in their Thursday Eco Army sessions.

The event raised over £4,000 for the RGS from the stalls with a percentage of funds raised going to Child Bereavement Charity.

Highlights of the event included musical appearances by pupils and staff in a Battle of the Bands; Old Boy Derek Sharp winning Best Car in Show (awarded by the Mayor of Wycombe and Steve Baker MP); a balloon race with specially printed RGS 450 balloons and the traditional PA BBQ.

You can find the full set of photos on the RGS facebook page: www.facebook.com/RGSHW and also in the gallery here on the school website.

Hockey Team in National Final

2012-05-08T00:00:00

U14 Team Reach National Final

For the first time since 1991 when Olympian Jon Wyatt led out his RGS team to the National Outdoor Final an RGS hockey captain has repeated this honour. Jack Whelan and his U14 team progressed from the Buckinghamshire County Round and the South of England Regional Round as winners of these groups to represent the school at the National Finals. An eight team competition was held at Cannock Hockey Club near Birmingham on 24th April. The boys won their group matches to set up a re-match of the South Round final against Whitgift school (RGS won the Regional final on penalty flicks!)

Despite losing the final 2-0 in a close fought match (both goals coming from set pieces) the RGS team have punched significantly above their weight. RGS was the only State school to reach the U14 National stage and were so close to taking the title. The team has a very bright future.

Read the captain's full report here

Anniversary Photograph

2012-04-30T00:00:00

The gods must have been smiling on us on Monday morning because the rain stopped and the sun came out. One thousand five hundred and ninety-four pupils, teachers and support staff gingerly mounted the stands.

We buttoned our jackets, composed the hair, pulled back our shoulders and smiled for this unique event. It has been many decades since the entire school posed for one photograph. That was possible in the days when we numbered seven or eight hundred but it is a logistically tall-order for a modern day school.

But for the 450th Anniversary we did it, and the results will be on sale in a few weeks time.

Below - the 1870 school photo !

An Explosive Lesson

2012-04-24T00:00:00

A Geography lesson with Mr Bennett is never dull. On Monday 23 April, 9CG started the day with a bit of a bang in their Geography class. As the rain subsided, Mr Bennett took the class outside to witness the absolute pinnacle of geographical model-making, provided by Ross Wilson.

Using a battery to start a chain reaction, the model volcano (carefully placed at a distance from the spectators) was quite literally, fired up.

The result was the most inventive, yet realistic example of a model volcano that the RGS Geography Department have seen in a very long time indeed, complete with lava bombs that were, perhaps, slightly unexpected.

You can view the result here.

Parliamentary Press Success!

2012-04-23T00:00:00

Congratulations to Year 10 student Tom Roberts, who was recently invited to visit Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament as a winner of the national Parliamentary Press Gallery Writing competition.

Entrants in Tom's age group were asked to imagine that they were bidding to be elected mayor and to write a personal campaign statement expressing their vision for the future of their town.

As well as getting to meet the Deputy Prime Minister and attending a reception hosted by The Speaker of the House of Commons, Tom was presented with a special cup as overall winner in his age category.

For more information, visit the official site.

Osnabrueck Exchange

2012-04-19T00:00:00

Boys from Years 9 and 10, along with girls from Piper's Corner have been spending the week with their partners in Osnabrück, during the second leg of the annual German Exchange. They've experienced lessons in a German school for a morning, visited Osnabrück, Bremen and Cologne, taken in a chocolate factory, checked out the zoo and even been dragon boating. Hopefully they've been practising lots of German too!

You can view lots of pictures and find out more on the Osnabrück Exchange Twitter page.

U15s Daily Mail Cup

2012-04-04T00:00:00

Daily Mail RBS U15 Cup: Final Score RGS High Wycombe 12 - Leeds GS 17

Report in the Daily Mail

View the medal ceremony - YouTube clip

School Aid

2012-03-31T00:00:00

Our School Aid team saw the culmination of several months work on Thursday as the van arrived from the School Aid charity to collect one of our regular collections of used text books and stationery items that are bound for schools in Africa.

School Aid supports the advance of education in Africa by providing good quality educational materials to meet the needs of pupils in disadvantaged communities.

RGS is one of many schools across the UK that collects used text books and other items that are appropriate for schools in eastern and southern Africa. School Aid ships them over and then works with local African and international NGOs to ensure that donations reach their destination and that the impact of resources is evaluated.

Heart to Heart Run for Tom

2012-03-29T00:00:00

On Tuesday 27th March, three Sixth form students presented to the student assembly RGS Run For Tom. This is the presentation given to the school:

On 4th May 2007, Tom Burton, aged 13, collapsed as he was running into school to meet his friends that morning. Tom’s death had a profound effect on all those who knew him and it is in his memory that this event is being organised.

Click here to watch the YouTube video which was shown to boys.

In the summer of 2012, a group of RGS Sixth Formers are going to be running in events across the country to raise money and awareness for the British Heart Foundation. Each runner has pledged a distance varying from 10 miles to multiple marathons, contributing to an overall target of 1000 km: an impressive target that we hope will raise an equally impressive £10000 for the charity.

Diseases of the circulatory system are the UK’s biggest killer and are responsible for one third of all premature deaths in the UK. It is this devastating statistic that the British Heart Foundation combats. It is this devastating statistic that convinced 39 RGS Sixth Form students that it was time we did something to help.

This is an incredible event, but without your support it means nothing. The running and the distances are impressive, but it is you, the RGS community; the person who picks up their phone or goes on the computer and donates as much or as little as they can, who are going to make the difference.

There are a number of ways you can donate. The easiest way is through our Just Giving Page which can be found at www.justgiving.com/RGSrunfortom . On there, there is information on the event as well as the total donations we have received so you can follow our progress. Or you can donate by texting TOMB94 £X (where X is your donation) to 70070.

The success of this event really does depend on your involvement, so, if as well as donating, anybody would like to get involved with other fundraising ideas whether as a form, a group of friends or individually, please contact us at Info@runfortom.co.uk .

Thank you for all your support, and please donate generously.

Future School Trips

2012-03-26T00:00:00

The Director of Co-curricular Activities, Clive Greenhough, has put together a list of trips that are scheduled to take place up to and including July 2013.

It details the curriculum area, destination, timing, probable cost and eligible year groups.

The list is intended to help pupils and parents plan ahead, avoiding clashes and choosing their priorities when faced with RGS's wide choice of opportunities.

Teamwork? In Maths?

2012-03-23T00:00:00

Congratulations to the Year 10 team who claimed second place at the Bucks Regional Heat of the Team Maths Challenge run by FMSP (Further Maths Support Programme). Held at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School, Marlow, the competition involved a huge variety of questions from extended problem-solving in maths-style sudoko to quick-fire Countdown puzzles. All involved a huge element of team-work, so we are proud to report that the four RGS competitors qualified for the Final, to be held at Lord Williams’s School, Thame on 3rd May.

Festival of Young Musicians

2012-03-22T00:00:00

Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir's annual Festival of Young Musicians took place on Saturday 10th March.

We are pleased to share the following results:

In the Senior section:

PIANO: 1st Liyang Pan, 2nd Nicholas Cossins, 3rd Tom Noyes

STRINGS: 2nd Liyang Pan, 3rd James Duff and Dan Wheeler

BRASS: 1st Andrew Smith, 2nd Sam Clarke

WOODWIND: 2nd Giles Chick, 3rd Nicholas Cossins

ENSEMBLE: 2nd The Jazz Company and James Duff / Dan Wheeler Duet

VOCAL: Matthew Pope was awarded Highly Commended

Meanwhile, in the Junior section on the 3rd March, Tom Clarke (yr9) came 3rd in the Woodwind, and Matthew Clarke (yr8) came 2nd in the Encouragement class.

British Physics Olympiad

2012-03-22T00:00:00

I have pleasure in announcing the following pleasing results in the national AS Physics Challenge.

Gold Award: Max Sharpington

Silver Award: Dan Booker and Danny Vick

Bronze Award: Patrick Obijuru, Matthew Saunders, Michael Harris, Jack Maynard, Adam Raymond-White Sam Carter, Matt Lettis, Dom Browne and George Barton.

Max Sharpington’s script will be forwarded to the Olympiad office for consideration for a book prize.

The questions set in the challenge are based on the AS syllabus, but require considerable problem solving ability and lateral thinking; as well as needing a student to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar situations. They also require a student to reason using mathematics based on a practical situation. As such they are no push-over. Accordingly, the students who took part have done very well, and may be delighted with their results.

CCF News

2012-03-20T00:00:00

On Sunday 18th March, the RGSHW RAF Ground Training Team took part in the national round of the Air Squadron Trophy competition, following a clear victory at a regional level with a victory in four of the seven disciplines and a top three finish in another two. This victory was rather unanticipated as we were forced to enter a ‘B’ team due to prior commitments for some experienced members of the squad. It was thanks to an extremely strong performance from a large number of novice cadets who proved themselves to be of a very high calibre.

At the national competition, however, the competition was much fiercer. With the team being the strongest for many years, we had high hopes for the final. The first disciplines were shooting and aircraft recognition, both of which we entered with confidence after winning both at regionals. In an unfortunate situation, myself, Sgt. Easden and Sgt. Richards dropped our final shots, leaving three out of the five man shooting squad just shy of a perfect score. The aircraft recognition team also preformed well, with a multitude of high scores.

The first aid scenarios proved a test of our abilities, eventually ending as our weakest score. The drill routine ran smoothly, with high uniform marks, however we were unable to retain our position as national champions. Before lunch came the fitness test, a military ‘beep test’ and traditionally the downfall of the team. However, this year we had the fittest team in a generation.

The team pushed themselves to their limits, with Sgt. Richards emerging as the last man standing in the entire competition, bringing pride to the team and boosting the scores. The penultimate event of the day was a command task, designed to test teamwork and leadership. Thanks to a good team effort, we performed well, completing the task with minimal fuss. Finally, we took part in military knowledge, another event which we had won at a regional level. Due to consistently high scores, our score proved to be unrivalled by any other teams.

After collecting the scores, the final result was announced on parade. The RGSHW collected a trophy for a win in military knowledge, a second place finish in the shooting and a third place finish in aircraft recognition and command tasks.

Our final placing was fifth, somewhat of a disappointment to the team. However, after an inspection of the score breakdown, another point would have placed us in a three way tie for third, with a subsequent five points giving us the victory. Upon subsequent reflection, this remains our best national placing since a second place finish in 2007, something which all team members should be proud of. In addition, a fifth place finish out of over two hundred teams entering from across the British Isles, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and The Channel Islands, is a fantastic performance by anyone’s standards and makes me proud to have captained such a strong and successful team.

I predict a bright future for the team; with talent rising through the ranks and with strong support from the contingent’s officers, in particular Sqn Ldr Titchen and Sqn Ldr Bardoe. I wish them luck for the coming years and hope that the RGSHW Ground Training Team will one day be national champions.

Nationals Team:
Elliot Romney, Tom Kinnaird, Peter Richards, Matt Easden, Charles Jeffs, Simon Leroy, Ben Passmore, Nathan Elvidge, Danny Vick, Tom Faerber, Will Jewell, Max Honiball, George Dean, and reserve Alex Bradley.

Regionals Team:
Elliot Romney, Tom Kinnaird, Matt Easden, Charles Jeffs, Simon Leroy, Alex Bradley, Nathan Elvidge, Danny Vick, Callum McLean, Tom Poon, Max Honiball, George Dean and Saam Moore

CWO Romney

Fives Fixture at Eton College

2012-03-19T00:00:00

Eight pairs of RGS fives players in the U13 age group travelled to Eton College to take part in the National U13s championships.

32 pairs took part, from schools across the country.
After an initial stage where the pairs played in pools of 8 pairs, the leading two pairs in each pool progressed to the Trophy competition. The rest of the players went into the Plate competition. 7 of the RGS pairs were successful in their pools and were put into the Trophy competition.
The Plate and Trophy competitions were then decided by knock-out, with Trophy and Plate games proceeding simultaneously.
Two RGS pairs were eliminated in the first games of the 2nd round as they met other RGS pairs. They then went into the Plate eliminators.
After a series of three game matches, RGS 1 (Laith Edris and Faiz Gulistan) beat St Olaves 2. Similarly, RGS 2 (Dylan Stephens and Manazir Najib) lost to St Olaves 1. This set up RGS 1 to meet St Olaves 1 in the final where St Olaves won 2 – 1. RGS 2 met St Olaves 2 in the 3rd/4th place playoff, which RGS lost 1 - 2

The RGS 1 pair were awarded individual runner-up plaques.

The remaining RGS teams played a series of knock-out games culminating in RGS 7 (Tom Lister and Musa Umar) winning the Plate Semi-final match 3 – 0 and then going on to win the Plate Final game 15 – 1

The RGS 7 pair were awarded individual Plate winner plaques.

Olympic Speech: Change of Venue

2012-03-09T00:00:00

What does the RGS have to do with the Olympics?

Come and find out on Monday 12 March at 7.00pm, now in the UPPER LIBRARY. (Please note change of venue!)

The year was 1948 and Olympic rowing and canoeing events were both held at Henley. Some 600 beds were needed. An approach was made to Bucks County Council who “helpfully agreed to allow the Committee to have the use (rent free) of three schools in High Wycombe”. RGS was chosen as the central HQ for operations and the Organising Committee decreed that “an Olympic flag will fly at each school” along with the flags of the resident nations.

A week before the 1948 Olympic Games were opened by King George VI at Wembley Stadium, a rather smaller ceremony was held at the RGS. At the time, future England rugby international, Ted Woodward, was an already outstanding schoolboy rugby player and cricketer but he also excelled in athletics, and had recently won the 100 yards race for the RGS at the English Schools Championships in Bath. The Town Clerk wrote to Woodward explaining that he was to raise the flag for Wycombe and the Olympic Committee... The rest, as they say, is history.

As part of our series of community lectures celebrating our 450th Anniversary, the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe is hosting sports broadcaster, historian, and RGS alumnus Philip Barker, who will be giving a talk on the forthcoming 2012 Olympics on Monday 12 March 2012 at 7.00pm in the Queen’s Hall at RGS. Refreshments will be available to purchase, provided by the RGSPA.

All are welcome to attend this free inaugural lecture and you can reserve your tickets by emailing the Development Office - ime@rgshw.com

Maths Challenge Success

2012-03-08T00:00:00

RGS boys enjoyed enormous success in the recent Intermediate Maths Challenge, a national competition organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust.

Amongst the 198 boys from Years 9-11 who took part, 40 achieved a Gold Certificate and 21 earned a place in one of the next rounds of the competition. Congratulations to all the boys and thanks to Mrs Whiteley for organising the event for the RGS.

Gold	Silver	Bronze	Through to Grey Kangaroo	Through to Pink Kangaroo	Through to Cayley Olympiad	Through to Hamilton Olympiad	Through to MacLaurin Olympiad
40	65	53	5	11	2	1	2

Quizzo Results

2012-03-03T00:00:00

The quiz got underway with good performances by many of the teams.

The PA team of helpers excelled themselves, providing delicious food to add to the good natured atmosphere as the serious punters got down to the business of earning points in the fight to outperform the Old Masters.

As the evening progressed, there were quite afew teams in contention for the top spot and when the Popular Music round started it looked as if there might be a new champion team.

Alas, Miss Evans had gone over to the OM team and she provided the answers that ensured their victory.

Thanks were extended to the kitchen team, the bar team and the World Challenge 'runners'.

Click the image below to see the results in a pdf file.

The cells in green indicate that the team had played their joker on that round.

Below: The prefects' team

World Book Day 2012

2012-03-02T00:00:00

This year’s World Book Day was a great success. The Bring and Buy Book sale proved to be very popular, with just over £100 being raised for Book Aid International. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this.

Staff also joined in with the spirit of the day by reading extracts from books, poems and plays at the beginning of lessons. These were very well received by the boys.




Over £100 pounds was raised	Who's hiding behind the book ??

Guess Who’s Reading What

Our Guess Who’s Reading What competition was also very popular, with staff and pupils identifying members of staff from photos that were taken of staff hiding behind their favourite books. There was a real buzz in school throughout the day as pupils joined in the activities.

Supermarket Vouchers

2012-03-01T00:00:00

This perennial effort on the part of boys, parents, relatives and other supporters has entered the 2012 competition arena with the issue of Sainsbury's Active Kids scheme for 2012. We are once again collecting the vouchers, which will be issued from 15th February until Easter, to provide much needed sports equipment. Tutor groups are collecting in a competition which sees the most successful forms getting prizes sponsored by the Parents' Association. Please collect and give the vouchers to a boy, for his form to benefit, or via the School Office, generally.

The TESCO initiative will probably commence soon and we collect those vouchers, too.

Nestle Tokens

All year round we collect the BoxTop tokens from Nestle cereal packets. These give a cash boost to the School Library. To date we have over 2100 tokens, but more will always be appreciated. The dealine for this year's collection is Friday 23rd March, as the tokens need to be at the depot by 30th March. Immediately we have submitted this year's collection we start on that for the following year - to 31st March 2013.

Last season's collection

In the autumn we collected well over 2000 Morrison's Lets Grow vouchers and the gardening equipment, seeds and other items will be arriving soon for Mr T Bennett's TAA Eco Army to use on their allotment. The highlight of last year's efforts were the small, but perfectly formed pumpkins, which grew in time for Halloween 2011.

Kitchen equipment

Finally for now, Mrs M E Royal's cookery option on a Thursday afternoon (TAA) is always on the lookout for items of kitchen equipment that they can use in the new Food Technology suite at the back of the Dining Room. TESCO are running a voucher scheme where we can get kitchen knives at a substantial discount. Any supporters who can collect the vouchers, but have no need personally for them could consider donating them to Mrs Royal for equipping the kitchen.

Eton Fives

2012-02-28T00:00:00

The RGS team have had two tough matches recently. Just before half term, they travelled to Windsor, to compete against the Eton College team. Eight pairs to part and we managed to win one match to give Eton a 7 - 1 victory. Well done to Tom Noyes and Nathan Turnbull of Year 10 who beat the Eton U15 pair.

Last week it was the turn of Harrow School to host us. This time, we competed in 7 pairs and the results were equally daunting, but we managed to win two of the 7 matches. So, Harrow won 5 - 2, but well done to our two U14 pairs of Dylan Stephens with Manazir Najib and Laith Edris with Faiz Gulistan, who won decisively.

There are still a few more matches to come before the end of term.

Most schools only play in the autumn and spring terms, but we are hoping for away matches at Ipswich School and City of Norwich School, in the summer term.

Quizzo - Family Quiz

2012-02-28T00:00:00

Friday 2nd March 2012

starts promptly at 7:30pm

£10 per adult £6 per student

The Old Masters have been invited back to defend their (almost) unbeaten run.

Do you think you can defeat them?

Or do you want a fun evening full of laughter and good cheer with new and old friends?

Assemble your team (max. 8) of family and friends and choose a name.

Or we can build a team for you. Your son can be in your team, or he can make a team with his friends, brothers and sisters.

There are prizes for adult and student teams alike, including prizes for best team in each year group plus one for best team name.

Half time supper included and a fully stocked bar avaialable (for parents only) as well as soft drinks and snacks.

Get your orders in before Monday 27th February.

Places are first come, first served and this event often sells out!!

Click here to download the flyer and ticket application form.

Jazz Band News

2012-02-27T00:00:00

We are delighted to announce that the RGS Big band has been selected to work with musicians from the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra and leading UK jazz musicians towards a performance in the Barbican Hall. This honour has been granted to only 10 other bands in the country. The coaching takes place at the end of March with a performance on July 14th in the Barbican Hall

This news follows their recent mention in the BBC's Music magazine.

News from the Allotment

2012-02-25T00:00:00

A new group of TAA Eco Army boys from Years 10 and 11 spent their first afternoon of 2012 in the vegetable garden on Thursday.

The weather this term has meant that all sessions last half term were spent planning and preparing for the year, but luckily an unseasonably mild Thursday this week meant we could finally get outside and start some early planting. We had received three rhubarb crowns from Mr Willmot which we planted in the back of the vegetable plot.

A kilo of seed potatoes had been chitting for two weeks ready for an early planting this week. We planted them in some potato grow bags and placed them in the greenhouse so as to avoid the effects of any more frosty weather.

When the weather is a bit milder over the next couple of weeks we are looking forward to planting some more in some deep raised beds.

Next week we hope to start off some seedlings and maybe plant some more beans and peas! Exciting times!

450th Anniversary

2012-02-25T00:00:00

On Saturday 25th February the first event in our anniversary year was held in the parish church, High Wycombe.

After a welcome by the Headmaster, Mr Page, the audience of parents, governors, alumni and teachers, past and present listened to a sermon by former chaplain Peter Toller and a selection of readings. (The text below was delivered by the deputy head Boy, Kurun Kumar) The RGS choir performed two pieces.

On our 450th anniversary, whilst we celebrate the school we are today, and the school we hope to become in future years, we should also cast our minds back in reflection. Cast our minds back to our first recollections of the School that housed us for so many of our early years.

First days, first blazers, first lessons in Latin. These are our memories that, without the RGS, would not exist in quite the same way.

Our own personal memories combine with the memories of those that have gone before us to create the long history of our School. A history that has been created by the continued deposit of generation after generation's actions and recollections. Without doubt, the RGS has an exceptional history.

From our humble beginnings in the old Hospital of St John down on Easton Street, to the grand red brick building that greets our pupils now we are fortunate to have a vibrant community at the RGS, with our successes and struggles well documented throughout our 450 years.

The RGS can trace its roots back to the thirteenth century, which is a remarkable achievement that few schools can boast. This was when the Hospital of St John was founded by an unknown benefactor who unwittingly founded the School we know and love today.

As Wycombe grew, so did the demand for a good school for its local inhabitants. So in 1551 the local authorities founded a small school in the grounds of the hospital, whose lands had been given to the Mayor for the princely sum of £30 only two years before, with the stipulation that a school be built there.

For the next ten years, this small school ticked by, with no large endowment to really ensure its academic future.

Then, seemingly from nowhere, came the news that the local authorities had written to Queen Elizabeth I, asking for a stipend to run the school. Her Majesty responded on 18 July, sending a letter to the Mayor and burgesses of Wycombe which they received 3 days later. The contents of this missive were to change the course of the school forever, for this communication contained the Royal Charter.

This document held the potential for four "poor persons" to be maintained on site as well as a grammar school to be established. This allowed the school to effectively take on its first set of 'boarders'.

James the first was more generous in this case, when he rewrote the charter of liberties for Wycombe Town in 1609. His redraft allowed "unlimited" poor persons into the almshouses owned by the School.

From this point forward, the RGS began to grow in size and name. An inspection in 1908 deemed that the School (still on Easton Street, but in a newer Victorian building) was too small. The search for suitable sites began.

The school you are all familiar with now has stood upon its Amersham Road site for nearly 100 years, with one thousand more pupils now than it originally had in 1915. In the last century, the buildings have gently increased in size and varied in functionality, to suit the changing styles of teaching and learning that we have evolved, as the school itself has evolved during its history.

The ethos our school has maintained throughout its history is that we will teach all those bright young boys that come to us, regardless of financial circumstance.

The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe exists solely to develop and nurture a love of learning in its pupils and the High Wycombe community by offering an exceptional education that fully prepares all for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our methods may have altered slightly from those used historically, but we're not so different in our aims today than those we subscribed to 450 years ago.

Pancake Champions of High Wycombe

2012-02-22T00:00:00

Three members of the Year 7 Under 12 D rugby team were chosen to represent the Mayor of Wycombe in the Annual Shopmobility Pancake Race in the Eden Centre, High Wycombe on Tuesday 21 February.

Sponsored by David Griffin, the Shopmobility Pancake Race is an annual fundraiser for the local community where teams of three enter a relay race round the Dean’s Diner building in the shopping centre to win the Charity Shield trophy.

Last year’s winners, Noodle Nation, were invited to defend their title but unfortunate choices of footwear meant that they lost out in the second heat. The race was not without injury, when one of the AMG Bowling team slipped over when rounding a corner and sent his pancake flying over the barriers and onto the roundabout beyond. Luckily the runner wasn’t hurt, but the same cannot be said for the pancake.

The RGS boys’ (Liam Morgan, Tom Howe and Ryan Alford) clever relay tactics meant that they beat all of the local teams from AMG Bowling to Noodle Nation to win the trophy in a nail-biting final lap against the athletic Eden Centre Security team who were head-to-head with our champion sprinter Tom Howe, but dropped the pancake in their final toss, leaving the RGS colours to streak past the finish line as the 2012 winning team!

Pancake coach, Miss Eastham said: “We were really delighted to be able to represent the Mayor in this local fundraising race. Shopmobility offer an important service to the community and to be able to highlight the work they do in this way is fantastic. The boys did incredibly well today, beating every team in each race – they came up with great race tactics and fully deserved the win – we hope the Mayor is pleased with this year’s champions!”

World Book Day 2012

2012-02-20T00:00:00

World Book Day is on Thursday 1st March this year. Each pupil in the school will receive a £1.00 book voucher which can be used to buy special £1.00 World Book Day books, or they can be put towards the value of any book in participating bookshops. You can find information about the books you can buy and participating bookshops here:

Bring and Buy Book Sale

The library is collecting unwanted books and DVDs for a Book Sale in the library on World Book Day. All donations should be handed in to the Library by Wednesday 29^th February. Proceeds of the sale will go to Book Aid International to help buy books for schools and libraries in developing countries. The Benevolent Fund collection will also be in aid of Book Aid International. You can find more information here.

All contributions will be most welcome.

Our 450 Years

2012-02-08T00:00:00

Isabella Eastham, Director of Development, presented an assembly to herald in the start of our 450th Anniversary events. Here is her address and a link to the accompanying film

If I could offer you all one piece of advice for the day, it would be to slow down a little and look around you.

When you sit on a stool in the biology labs, be faintly thankful that had it not been for a flood, concrete cancer and some interesting building work, you’d have had to trudge up three flights of stairs to the old labs on top of the science block. When I was at school, my form room was on the fifth floor. I understand the pain of trudging up stairs.

When you check a book out of the library, know that not so very long ago, the now famous modern philosopher, Roger Scruton, was expelled from this school for accidentally setting fire to what is now the Computer Centre, then the assembly stage. He doesn’t hold it against us, as he still got his place at Cambridge.

When you knock on the Staff Room door in School House, spare a thought for the hundreds of pupils who once ate their dinner in there as part of the boarding houses we ran. It caught fire in the 1930s and the pupils all spent a few nights boarding in Godstowe School, just down the hill.

When you run over to Uplyme Fields for games, imagine what it once was like as the fields that belonged to the girls’ school Lady Verney High. The Main Block would have been the only large building you could see for miles around. The Queen’s Hall certainly didn’t exist.

If you are in Mr Pantridge’s office, take a look at his fireplace, where the motto of the Disraeli family is engraved. Coningsby Disraeli loved our school – he donated the clock tower you can see out of the window and even helped buy the land the school sits on today.

The School Blazer that you’re all superbly modelling now, used to be a LOT flashier, with wide blue and burgundy stripes. Green was never a school colour.

You’ve seen the School changing before your eyes, the old gym’s conversion to the Sixth Form Mezzanine and Maths Classrooms. You’re the last group of RGS boys to ever see the Old Gym, or the old changing rooms for that matter.

That’s a bit weird, if you think about it. You’re the last group of people to ever have seen something before it changed forever. It might seem small and insignificant, because things are always changing and there are huge world-altering events that happen without warning that impact upon us all.

But this is something you’re always going to be a part of. Some of your parents donated money towards those buildings – some of you will have had some good memories of those buildings. And now some of those buildings are gone or have changed shape and function entirely.

We are, as you know, 450 years old. That makes our head boy, Henry Dean, the 450th Head Boy we have ever had. Older than Charles Dickens, who is 200 this year. This school stood strong through two world wars, it saw London’s great fire blaze in the distance and was teaching boys before the first British colony was declared in America and before even the first daily newspaper was printed in England or Jonathan Swift wrote Gulliver’s Travels. We certainly outdate ipads, cars, televisions, hoodies and all the comforts you have in daily life today.

There are about 3,500 state secondary schools in England and only a tiny percentage are nearly half as old as us. If you think of the 52million or so people in England alive today, there are less than 100 RGS Head Boys in that group. Henry Dean and indeed all of you are an exclusive group, you’re all helping us change the way we shape the future of the School just as old boys of the past have shaped the school in their time.

When you walk between lessons today, be aware that you’re walking on a site that is 98 years old. There are 98 years’ worth of detentions, classes, lunches, blazers, teachers and games of foursquare that have gone before you and it’s really up to you in the seven years that you are here to leave something for the next generation to remember you by.

We are planning a whole year of celebrations to commemorate our history and 450th birthday, from gala concerts to balls, fairs and lectures. I urge you all to get involved in some way. You might want to host a stall or activity at the family day on 5 May, come and listen to our sports commentating old boy talk us through the Olympics and how the RGS is historically linked to that other major 2012 event. Hopefully you will have all seen the calendar of events that was given out before Christmas. Take another look and make sure you share this year with us. It is definitely something you will look back on, in years to come.

So many, many things have changed since we were founded. We’ve moved building twice, accepted girls into the sixth form on occasion (her name is recorded on the honour board in the Queen’s Hall) and now I’d like to show you a film that Year 7 made, about the school you know, the buildings you sit in, and the history you are a part of.

RGS Skiers are Italy bound

2012-02-07T00:00:00

Three RGS skiers, George Hetherington, Joshua and Matthew Penning-Lambert will be travelling to the slopes of Bomio in Italy next week for the English Alpine Championships (February 10-17)

Joshua is the defending Slalom and Giant Slalom champion. He learnt his skills on the Wycombe dry slope and now skis in Hemel Hempstead.

China Trip Yrs 9 - 12

2012-02-06T00:00:00

We are very pleased to launch an incredible trip that we hope will run later this year to the country with the world’s highest population, China. This trip is an opportunity to see both Chinese culture as well as some of the most spectacular scenery and tourist attractions on the planet. Landmarks that we will visit include the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and the ‘Birds Nest’ Olympic Stadium. China is a hugely diverse country, both culturally and in terms of its wealth and this trip offers a unique insight into life in urban and rural China. The boys will have a Mandarin lesson in a local school, giving them the opportunity to mix with Chinese pupils of similar ages. They will also be helping at a shelter for the homeless.

This really is a great opportunity to see one of the most exciting countries in the world. The trip is being provided at an excellent price thanks to the support of an old boy who is involved in the Chinese tour company.

For full details about the trip click here to download the letter, or here to download the proposed itinerary.

High Power Lasers

2012-02-03T00:00:00

On Thursday 2nd February, as part of the 'Science Outside the Classroom' series of talks organised by Ms Dove, Professor Justin Wark from the Physics Department of Oxford University spoke to a packed upper library (about 80 students, mainly drawn from Yr 10 and 11) on the world's strongest lasers and what you can do with them.

Justin grew up in the Wycombe area, went to Worcester College, Oxford in 1979 gaining his BA in 1982 and then a PhD from Imperial College, London in 1985. After great success in his postdoctoral research in the United States, he returned to the UK, and was appointed a University Lecturer in Physics by Oxford in 1995. He is a fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, and in that position has taught a number of ex-RGS undergraduate physicists - the most recent being Matthew Watson who graduated with First Class Honours this year. Justin was awarded his professorship in recognition of the world class standard of his research in 2000. We were particularly lucky to have him with us, as he had only just had a paper published in Nature detailing particularly interesting results from an X-ray laser experiment at Stanford, US.

This was a ticketed event (tickets were free) and the 80 tickets available were in very heavy demand. The presentation was informative and dynamic, the questions intelligent, and a good time was had by all. Eight students were able to have a buffet lunch with Justin before the talk and enjoyed a discussion on a wide range of subjects from GCSEs to Special Relativity.

U18 Boys National Indoor Hockey

2012-02-02T00:00:00

Four RGS pupils playing for Wycombe Hockey Club , Ben Reeves, Dan Maunder, Will Needham and Josh Mardell, were part of the Wycombe U18 Boys team which defended its National Indoor title at the weekend. Wearing brand new kit supplied by their sponsor GPL Projects Ltd, they won their first pool game against Harleston Magpies comfortably,6-1.

The second match, against National League Club Beeston, was far more dramatic. It took a moment of brilliance from the captain to finally overturn the 0-3 half-time score in the closing moments of the game.

On the Sunday morning Wycombe confirmed their place in the semi-finals with a hard fought draw against Taunton Vale, again coming from behind to draw 2-2.

An excellent Havant team full of England players stood between Wycombe and the title. The team raised their game yet again, getting the better of their opponents and as a result Havant failed to threaten with the ever present Dan Maunder imperious in defence.

The final was to be decided by penalty flicks. In all the tension, Mardell stepped up to score, and it was left to Goalie Ben Reeves, the youngest player in Wycombe’s squad, to seal victory with a great save. Wycombe were National Indoor Champions AGAIN!

U15 FRORGS Awards Postponed

2012-02-01T00:00:00

Due to Mr Wallace taking paternity leave the under 15s FRORGS awards have been postponed until further notice.

We would like to wish Mr and Mrs Wallace many congratulations on the safe arrival of baby George Wallace.

CONSULTATION TIME IS RUNNING OUT

2012-01-26T00:00:00

From Buckinghamshire County Council:

Time running out for consultation on the future of home to school transport

There are only 11 days left for parents to have their say on the proposed changes to Buckinghamshire's home to school transport policy, due to be implemented in September 2012.

The changes, likely to affect the majority of secondary school pupils, would mean that transport will only be provided to the pupil’s nearest secondary school. Under the existing policy, pupils currently receive free transport to their choice of catchment school, including grammar schools, if they live over 3 miles away from the school. If a child is from a low income family and is entitled to free school meals; a family is in receipt of maximum working tax credit; a child has special educational needs, a disability, mobility problems or is eligible on specific road safety criteria, the Council will continue to provide free home to school transport where the statutory criteria are met.

Mike Appleyard, Buckinghamshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, has already met with parents during public meetings held across the county before Christmas. Further meetings are due to take place before the consultation ends on 31 January.

Cllr Appleyard said: "Through these meetings, I have been made aware of some specific issues that had not been fully considered when drawing up these proposals and I am now seeking solutions which will be used to form the final policy. The final policy is not a done deal and remains subject to the findings of the consultation. I’m grateful to parents for bringing these issues to my attention and I encourage as many parents to come along to the meetings as possible."

The new proposals will help achieve savings of £1.4m (or 10%) from the home to school transport budget, all part of the Council’s need to cut its overall spending by 50% over the next nine years. To read the proposal in full and complete the survey online visit the Bucks County Council website pages here.

Further Information

Catchment schools are not always the nearest school. Set out below are examples of how parents may be affected by the policy changes. Examples are based on residents who live more than 3 miles away from their nearest school:

If your child’s nearest secondary school is an upper school and you live more than three miles away, they would receive transport to that school.
If your child’s nearest secondary school is a grammar school but they have not qualified for a grammar school, they would receive transport to their nearest upper school.
If you wish for your child to attend an upper school that is not your nearest upper school, you would be required to pay for your child's transport, providing spaces were available on relevant buses.
If your child has qualified for a grammar school place and the nearest secondary school is an upper school, they would receive transport to that upper school. You would be required to pay for your child’s transport to go to a grammar school of your choice - this would also depend on the availability of spaces on the bus.

The expected cost for home to school transport under this proposal would be around £10 or £12 per week over 39 weeks of the year.

There is an additional option within the proposals to extend free transport to grammar qualified pupils attending their nearest grammar school, so:

If your child has qualified for a grammar school place and the nearest secondary school is a grammar school, they would receive transport to that grammar school. If your child is a boy and the nearest grammar school is a girls’ school, we would then transport them to the next nearest grammar school accepting boys and vice versa for girls.
If your child has qualified for a grammar school place and you wish them to attend a grammar school that is not their nearest, you would be required to pay for your child’s transport to that school.

The expected cost for this additional service for grammar school pupils under this proposal would be between £20 to £30 per week over 39 weeks of the year.

Prospective Sixth Formers

2012-01-26T00:00:00

Prospective Sixth Form Evening, for boys looking to join the RGS, and their parents.

Date: Wednesday 28th March, Upper Library.

Presentation begins at 7.30pm followed by an opportunity to ask questions and have a short tour of the school.

Evening ends by 9.30pm

Old Boys' Newsletter

2012-01-17T00:00:00

To read the latest edition click here

University Challenge

2012-01-15T00:00:00

Be sure to tune in to BBC2 on Monday evening to see ex-RGS pupil , Jonathan Burley of Bourne End as he captains the Clare team to victory (hopefully) in the Quarter Finals.

Jonathan left RGS in 2007 to read Natural Sciences. He graduated last summer and is due to take up a Financial and Strategy Consultancy career in London.

Salzburg Music Exchange

2012-01-04T00:00:00

RGS Music Department decamped to Salzburg for the first weekend of December, 2011, to enjoy a third trip in the ongoing cultural exchange between RGS and the Bundesgymnasium Nonntal, a language orientated grammar school near the centre of Salzburg Old Town.

Thirteen RGS musicians took part in a series of musical activities with the young people of the BGN, as it is known, giving a lunchtime recital in the school on the Friday (2nd), sharing in a concert in the Abbey Church of the local convent of Maria von Trapp fame (see pictures above and below), and joining the cathedral choir on the Sunday morning in leading the worship at Mass, including singing the gorgeous setting of Ave Maria by Biebl in front of the packed cathedral congregation of over a thousand!

On the Sunday evening, they had the treat of attending a concert in the old hall of the famous Mozarteum, listening to Mozart’s Requiem – followed by Iranian folk music!!!! The trip was an excellent event for all concerned, and we look forward to welcoming our friends from Salzburg next December, when they will once again join with us in our carol service in All Saint’s church.

Physics Olympiad Successes

2011-12-16T00:00:00

Dr Machacek, Head of Physics, reports:

"I have pleasure in announcing this year's results in the British Physics Olympiad.

James Forsyth & Tom Crawley both gained Silver Awards, which puts them in the top 200 physics students in the country.

Andrew Smith gained a 1st Class Bronze award, while Tom Brewster, James Hart, Cameron Fitzgibbon, Bill Wright and Ashwin Aggarwal all gained 2nd Class Bronze awards. James' result is particularly commendable given that he is still in Year 12.

Bronze awards correspond roughly to the best 500 students in the country. For comparison, there are roughly 33000 students studying A-level physics in the UK, so all taking part are to be congratulated on a superb achievement, particularly given the gruelling nature of the questions which require the application of concepts in novel situations, and extensive use of mathematical reasoning well beyond that required by A-level."

io Saturnalia !

2011-12-15T00:00:00

On Thursday 15th December the RGS's second Saturnalia festival was celebrated. In the light of last year's successful event it was decided to celebrate this year in the larger venue of the Uppper Library.

The Saturnalia was a highlight of the Roman calendar, when masters and slaves swapped roles, gifts were exchanged, and the god Saturn was worshipped.

In keeping with the Roman event there was a public banquet and the raffle prize winner was awarded the traditional soft hat (pilleus) that was worn on the day.

A magnificent cake, appropriately decorated, was supplied by Mrs Freeman. Master of Ceremonies was once again Mr Shreeve (num quis miratur ? ), who wholeheartedly embraced the role. Mr Edwards doled out oracles elegantly composed in Latin.

Organising staff and six-formers helpers

We would like to thank Miss Evans and teachers of the Classics department for organising the celebration and we hope to celebrate again next year. io!

Christmas Lunch

2011-12-14T00:00:00

The Headmaster and his deputies donned their aprons and festive hats to serve the traditional Christmas Dinner to staff and pupils.

In a magnificent effort the kitchen staff and their amateur servers produced and served over 300 meals within the hour - a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Christmas Pudding and Custard.

In the words of Tiny Tim - God bless them, one and all !

"Movember"

2011-12-07T00:00:00

During the month of November a number of staff (mainly male ones) took part in the international "Movember" month, to raise both funds and awareness of men's health issues, notable prostate cancer and other cancers affecting men. Various moustaches sprouted, and progress towards the end of the month can be seen below.The video at the bottom of the page, which was shown in assemblies at school, shares more information about Movember.

Home School Transport Consultation

2011-12-06T00:00:00

Parents should by now have received a letter and leaflet regarding the Buckinghamshire County Council Home to School Transport Consultation. These have been sent home over the last few days.

The implications of the proposals could well be far reaching and we would urge parents to respond to the consultation.

The school has also received a letter from the Council and extracts from it are as follows:

"Firstly, I would like to assure you that the proposed changes to the home to school transport policy are not final and will be informed by the findings of the consultation. The views of parents, school staff and residents are very valuable to us to help gauge the impact these proposals will have. To make the policy fair to all we need as many people as possible to complete the survey either online or using a printed version."

"The online consultation opened on 15 November and will run until 31 January 2012 and can be viewed by clicking here."

"We are also running 19 meetings during the consultation period and as these have already started, we are keen to ensure that parents know about them."

"Some of the feedback from the meetings already held revolves around the fact that parents were not aware of the details of the proposals and had only found out about the meetings from friends or in the local paper."

OXFAM UNWRAPPED 2011

2011-11-27T00:00:00

Last year we raised well over £2000 in donations and gave thousands of people gifts through the Oxfam Unwrapped scheme. You can look at the whole range of gifts on www.oxfamunwrapped.com
Our shopping list is just a selection to make our scheme easier to administer.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO…….
Look at the shopping list on the other side of this sheet. There are gifts ranging from £8 to £100

Get your form to set themselves a target e.g. to collect £25 for a goat and £50 for a toilet. BE REALISTIC PLEASE!

On Wednesday 1st December your form should bring the donations, (cheques from parents payable to RGS)

HAPPY SHOPPING

Read through the shopping list and decide what your form would like to buy this year. How much is it? That’s your target for fund raising by Thursday 1st December.

When you have collected the right amount fill out your order form and return it (with the money) to room 23 on 1st Dec.

ITEM                                        COST
HEALTH CHECK UPS              £6
FEED A FAMILY                       £7
3 BUCKETS                              £7
SAFE WATER FOR 10 PEOPLE   £9
LIFE LONG LEARNING                 £10
SEEDS      £12
EDUCATION FOR ALL              £15
HYGIENE KIT                             £14
ANIMAL CARE* (COULD BE BOUGHT TOGETHER)   £17
COMMUNITY CLEAN UP   £21
FIX A WELL                                £22
PLANT AN ALLOTMENT             £24
A GOAT* (COULD BE BOUGHT TOGETHER)   £25
TRAIN A TEACHER                     £27
FARMING TOOLS                       £30
GREEN ENERGY                         £32
BUILD A BOG      £50

WATER ON TAP £95

You can check out the gifts on oxfamunwrapped.com

184 Mile Cycle Ride

2011-11-24T00:00:00

Three RGS students, two present and one past, will soon be undertaking a 184 mile cycle ride from Cardiff to Beaconsfield to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Training is well underway for the event which will take place over three days in February next year.

The route will take the cyclists from Cardiff Millenium Stadium, over the Severn Bridge and via a number of Rugby Clubs, including Twickenham Stadium, before ending in Beaconsfield via Adams Park in Wycombe!

The boys' families have all been touched by cancer in recent times, and they felt that they wanted to do something to help raise funds for research into cures for the illness, and chose Cancer Research UK as the charity to receive funds from their efforts.

You can find out more on their JustGiving fund raising page, where all donations would be very gratefully received!

National Anti-Bullying Fortnight

2011-11-24T00:00:00

Over the past two weeks the RGS has been marking National Anti-Bullying Fortnight with a variety of events and activities focused on confronting this important issue.

As part of the activities to raise the profile for National Anti-Bullying, boys have been looking at the subject in their PSHE lessons, as well as in Form periods.

Senior Prefects have presented a series of excellent assemblies related to the theme of anti-bullying. They have spoken on cyber bullying, anti racism, challenging stereotypes, homophobia, challenging norms and independent thinking. Our final assembly of the series has been on Barnardo’s and the difference this organisation makes to the lives of young people.

The Senior Prefects have chosen Barnardo’s this year as the charity they would like to support at the end of National Anti-Bullying Fortnight. To raise money for this charity, we are having a Mufti Day on Friday, 25 November when the boys can come to school in their own casual clothing, ideally wearing an item of green as this is the colour associated with the nominated charity for the day. Boys who wish to come to school in mufti on 25 November will be asked to contribute £1 towards Barnardo’s.

Cambridge Dinner

2011-11-22T00:00:00

On Monday 21 November 2011, a mix of Old Boys and current pupils arrived at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge for the RGS Cambridge Dinner, which was revived this year in order to celebrate the dinner’s 50th Anniversary. Old Boys in attendance ranged from those currently studying at the University to those who remember the School during Mr Tucker and Mr Morgan’s ‘rule’.

Conversations of life post-RGS, reminiscences of old teachers and practices filled the Old Common Room before dinner. An OW and RGS Music teacher, Mr Stephen Armstrong, read his college’s Grace (Queen’s) before a fine meal of Butternut Squash soup, Supreme of Guinea Fowl and Brandysnap Baskets with Ice Cream.

Current RGS pupils quizzed OWs on life and studies at the University over Port and coffee before a long drive through the foggy countryside back to Wycombe, courtesy of Mr Shreeve, Minibus Driver Extraordinaire.

We are putting together a regional programme of alumni dinners in University towns over the coming months. If you would like to assist in suggesting a University town to visit, do get in touch!

News from the Garden

2011-11-18T00:00:00

O fortunates nimium, sua si bona norint,
agricolas ! quibus ipsa procul discordibus armis
fundit humo facilem victum iustissima tellus.‎

We've been really busy the past few weeks, building three new Raised Beds, clearing a large area of weeds and rocks, and waiting now for next week when we get delivery of 4 tonnes (!) of top soil to fill our new vegetable beds!

(Above: hardy sons of the soil take a break from tilling)

Halloween was celebrated in style with the harvesting of our pumpkin crop, and before Christmas we hope to harvest some Spring Onions (unseasonably early!), and build a new mesh protector for our Cabbages, Broccoli and Cauliflower.


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Hopefully, our Onions and Broad Beans will survive the Winter ready for harvesting next year.

Engineering Scholarship

2011-11-17T00:00:00

We are very pleased to learn recently that former RGS student Edmund Eustace (seen on the right of the picture) has been awarded an Arkwright Scholarship in engineering, following on from the financial support he received from the Foundation during Years 12 and 13 at school. The initial scholarship resulted from Edmund taking and excelling in the Arkwright Scholarship Aptitude Test in Year 11 of his Design and Technology Course. The new scholarship follows his brilliant A2 results along with the fact that he is now studying Engineering at Cambridge University.

From the Arkwright Trust press release:

The Arkwright Scholarships Trust has awarded its inaugural Undergraduate Scholarships in Engineering to three outstanding candidates.

The Scholarships support students over the full duration of their undergraduate degrees and are worth between £9000 and £12,000 each. The Scholarships have been made possible through the generous support of The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust and The Reece Foundation. Edmund Eustace received one of two Arkwright/Reece Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships. Edmund has just started the General Engineering course at the University of Cambridge.

The three Scholarships were bestowed on the recipients at the annual Arkwright Scholarships Award Ceremonies hosted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London and Glasgow.

Dr Martin Thomas, the National Director of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, said: “Whatever the long-term effect of the changing tuition fees, more high-calibre young people need to be encouraged to choose engineering at undergraduate level. These Scholarships mark a new step in Arkwright’s efforts to contribute to this need, working in collaboration with these key partners."

Mr Michael Franklin, Director of The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust commented: “After many years of successful involvement with the Arkwright scheme, I am delighted that The LRET is extending its support to one of three inaugural undergraduate scholarships. Arkwright Scholars demonstrate not only academic excellence, but skills, abilities, initiative and energy which set them apart from their peers. Together we are giving vital, practical encouragement to one of the country’s top engineering students.”

Dr Alan Reece of The Reece Foundation said, "It gives me great pleasure to help two ambitious young people into careers that will not only be useful but also thoroughly enjoyable."

Three other boys in Years 12 and 13 at the RGS currently hold an Arkwright Scholarship.

Royal Society Medal Winner at RGS

2011-11-14T00:00:00

On Thursday 10 November 2011, Royal Society fellow and RGS Old Boy, Professor Ron Laskey, returned to the School to unveil the gift of his Royal Medal to the School in the Biology Department with Old Boys Jeremy Clare, Peter King and Dr Richard Pearson, who attended RGS during Professor Laskey’s era.

Professor Laskey won the Royal Medal in 2009 for research into DNA and cancer. He developed cell-free systems that allow processes to be studied in a test tube, in extracts from human cells, which will allow future developments in common cancer screening tests.

Professor Laskey hoped that the donation of his medal to the School and its display in the Biology Department would encourage our budding scientists and medics to pursue a career in medical research after leaving RGS. Professor Laskey left RGS to go to Oxford University before joining the Zoology Department at Cambridge University in 1983. He left behind the RGS Biology Department’s pet Cayman, named Yapp after his tendency to snap at his keepers. Yapp unfortunately died from snapping too vigorously at a heating element in his vivarium, thus electrocuting himself.

Through advances in the art of taxidermy, Yapp was still sitting in the Biology Department to this day and made a surprise appearance at Professor Laskey’s unveiling ceremony.

Four current Sixth Form pupils also attended the ceremony and lunch along with members of the RGS Biology Department and a guest speaker from Warwick University. All were deeply impressed with Professor Laskey’s career and involvement in creating the future of DNA and cancer research. Without a doubt, he will be an inspiration for our medics of the future.

Service of Remembrance

2011-11-13T00:00:00

At 11am on the 11th November, the school held its annual Act of Remembrance.

As silence was observed by pupils, teachers and guests we were able to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of their country, including the pupils and teachers of the Royal Grammar School who lost their lives in two World Wars.


VIVIT MEMORIA CENTUM DUO ET VIGINTI SCHOLAE REGIAE WYCOMBIENSIS FILIORUM QUI PRO PATRIA MILITANTES POSUERUNT VITAM

As the school clock struck 11.00, the “Last Post” , played by Andrew Smith, sounded and the observance of two minutes’ silence commenced.

There were reading from “In Flanders’ Fields” by Colonel John McCrae and from Lines from Laurence Binyon's – “For the Fallen”.

Easter Revision Courses

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Information and registration form available HERE

German Exchange

2011-11-07T00:00:00

A group of pupils and their teachers from our partner school in Osnabrück are in Wycombe for a week. The girls were paired with partners from Pipers Corner.

above: German group at Christ Church College, Oxford

They are seeing some lessons in school and will visit Bath, Oxford, and London.

We are now looking forward to our visit to the Ratsgymnasium in April.

Booked Up

2011-11-04T00:00:00

Are you Booked Up?
The Library is distributing a free book to each pupil in Year 7 in their Library lesson this week, as part of the Booked Up scheme which is run by the Booktrust and funded by the Department for Education. The boys chose the book at the start of term from a list of specially selected titles. You can find out more about the Booked Up scheme by going to the Booked Up website http://www.bookedup.org.uk/

Long Distance Sculls

2011-11-01T00:00:00

On Saturday 29th October the Marlow Sculling Head and Marlow Long Distance Sculls took place. the course runs from Cookham Sailing Club to Quarry Wood Hall, a distance of 4700 metres upstream. We had 11 boys entered into the event, which is split into morning and afternoon sessions.

In the morning session (2500m) we had 2 J14 crews - a double with Sam Williams and Connor Howlett and a quad with Meehir Patel, Milun Russel, Ollie Knightley and Greg Walkowski. The quad, formed a week before came a credible second after a very strong Madenhead crew. Connor and Sam continued their winning streak and winning by a healthy margin.

The finishing line at Quarry Wood Hall

On the starting line at Cookham Sailing Club

In the afternoon session (4700m) we had 3 J16 crews. Tom Commins and Rob Eyres in a double and Jack Rizvi and Tom Ryland in singles. In increasingly windy conditions Tom and Rob pushed hard but struggled against a heavier Pangbourne crew however the race judges deemed Pangbourne had rowed an illegal course and they were disqualified meaning the RGS boys won their age group and the event overall. In the singles Jack and Tom rowed a good race but were overhauled by the competition.

Jack and Tom also entered the Upper Thames Head in Henley he following day and managed a second despite only a few outings together.

Annual Service of Remembrance

2011-11-01T00:00:00

To all Parents and Friends of the Royal Grammar School

You are cordially invited to join us for our

Annual Service of Remembrance

and observation of the two minutes’ silence

Friday, 11 November 2011

in the Quadrangle

commencing at 10.45 a.m.

Please note:

There will be no car parking on the school site.
In order to get the boys into position, it is essential that all visitors enter the school grounds via the glazed foyer doors in Amersham Road.
The viewing area for visitors will be in the lower Quadrangle area.
If the weather is inclement, the ceremony will take place in “The Space” which is directly below the Queen’s Hall.

Prospective Sixth Formers

2011-10-18T00:00:00

Prospective Sixth Form

Open Evening

Tuesday 29th November

Upper Library

Presentation begins at 7.30pm
Followed by questions and tours of the sixth form private study areas and Boarding House if required.
Applications welcome from students from Upper Schools, Comprehensives, Grammar and Independent Schools.
Contact Mrs S Bailey for an application form or collect one during the evening.

Sparta: Totalitarian or not?

2011-10-18T00:00:00

On Wednesday 5th October, the RGS proudly welcomed Professor Paul Cartledge to the Queens’ Hall stage, in association with the Buckinghamshire branch of the Cambridge Society. The lecture, entitled ‘Sparta: Totalitarian or Not?’, drew in crowds from various local schools, and was a fascinating insight into the lives, customs and portrayals of the Ancient Spartans. Professor Cartledge is the A G Leventis Professor of Greek Culture and a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, and it was fantastic not only to hear his views but for our students to pitch some rather tricky questions of him - the Professor handled these with his customary wit and insight. We were also treated to a Greek hoplite in attendance which was of great interest, especially to the RGS boys!

Many thanks must go to John Moore, the head of the Cambridge Society in Buckinghamshire, and to Professor Cartledge himself for their hard work and support.

Financial and Commercial Director

2011-10-18T00:00:00

The Royal Grammar School has a vacancy for a Financial and Commercial Director. Click here for details.

RGS Save the Children Walk

2011-10-17T00:00:00

Dear Parents and Students of The Royal Grammar School,

I’m sure you’re all aware of the fantastic work of the Royal Grammar School staff body in response to the loss of two much loved members of staff earlier this year. The support from the students and their families was overwhelming and a true testament to the RGS community.

It is with pleasure that the Royal Grammar School Interact Group invite you to another RGS charity event: the RGS Save the Children Walk.

Many children in East Africa are facing a desperate crisis caused by prolonged drought, soaring food prices and conflict. We need your help to actively make a difference to these people's lives. On Sunday 6th November the RGS student body will be doing their bit to combat the East African crisis by completing a 10 mile walk around the local area. We encourage all proud members of the RGS community to bring their friends, families and money for a donation and join the RGS Interact Group in a leisurely walk for a deserving charity.

The meet point for the event will be the RGS Cricket Pavilion from 10 – 10.30am. The walk will start and finish at Hughenden Park and will last approximately five hours. There will also be a fancy dress competition running throughout the event with the theme: “What I wanted to be when I was 5”. There are no other directions for the fancy dress, so be as creative as you like but remember a good costume will not get you out of the walk, so make sure you bring your walking boots, warm clothes, food and drink.

In addition to the walk there will be opportunities to buy refreshments or picnic with the other walkers, so don’t forget some loose change. On the subject of money, there are a number of ways you can support Save the Children. The first is to make a donation on the day by cash or cheque, and secondly you can use the attached sponsorship form. If you are unable to make the walk, but still wish to support the cause, there will also be an opportunity at school where pupils can donate. The suggested contribution is a pound per mile per person if you feel like getting sponsored, but feel free to get sponsored more.

This is a brilliant opportunity to get involved in a worthy cause and to once again get the whole RGS community in support of a great cause.

Yours sincerely

Chairman of Interact

World Challenge Expedition to Kenya

2011-10-15T00:00:00

After a long flight, we arrived in Nairobi. We were all excited about the events that were about to unfold before us. Just the coach journey to our first campsite provided us with a taste of what Kenya held for us; we saw a couple of zebras grazing the plains and also managed to see a fantastic view of the National Park we were going to visit – and we hadn’t even set up tents yet.

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Football Match - Londiani	Camping on Mt Kenya
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Arrival of ceiling boards	Putting up the ceiling

Hell' Gate	Hell's gate

Our acclimatisation trek was up Mount Longonot – an extinct volcano that possesses an enormous crater at the peak holding an entire forest. As the peak was at 2776m, it gave us an idea of what it would be like to trek at altitude and to know our limits. The peak of Mount Kenya – our final challenge of the expedition – was at 4985m. We could all see we had a huge challenge ahead of us. However there was excitement an eagerness to go higher; we all looked forward to the challenge of Mount Kenya.


Lake Naivasha	Lake Naivasha

Masai Mara	Mt Logonot Crater

Tree plantning in Londiani	Completed Ceiling

The next day, we visited Hell’s Gate National Park. It gave us the opportunity to see close up zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and warthogs in their natural habitat. We decided to then take a water safari on Lake Naivasha. It gave us the chance to see a vast array of exotic birds such as the pied kingfisher and pelicans, and also to see hippopotamus. At the end of the day, a lot of memory space on our cameras had been filled, and we had only been in country three days!

The next day, we made our trip to Londiani, a town towards the South-West of Kenya to do our Project Phase. We were to help out a school that an ex-teacher from Royal Grammar School was working in. However, the rain had meant that the roads had become waterlogged and marshy, so we had to walk 3km to the school and our campsite. This gave us a great opportunity to talk to the students who had come to greet us and showed us the way to the school. We found out more about the Kenyan lifestyle, and we found it a useful insight into their way of life so that later conversations would be easier to understand. The project involved nailing hardboards to a complex wooden frame that had been built beforehand to make a ceiling for the classroom. This may not sound like much, but when it rains on the corrugated iron roofs, it is like someone in the classroom smashing a load of cymbals about – it makes it impossible to hear the person next to you, and makes it impossible to teach a class. The hardboard ceiling would act as a soundproof barrier. Later on, when it was all finished, and the headmaster was giving his thanks to us in a presentation, it rained but no-one noticed it. It just proved how beneficial our work had been with the school, and everyone was happy. We left a few days after, having had a great time with the students, and a wonderful cultural experience including a night spent at the students’ houses.

We then visited the Masai Mara – after the trip, most of our team reflected on it as being the best part of the trip. We were so lucky to have had the safari that day – we saw four of the Big Five in just an hour. Our guide told us that people spend several days here to see what we just saw, including one of only twenty black rhinos in the Park, a pack of seven cheetahs, and some lions on their honeymoon. The only animal we had failed to see that day was the elusive leopard, which remained so for the rest of the trip.

And finally, Mount Kenya loomed ahead of us. I, personally, had been looking forward to the mountain trek. The changing landscape of the trek was interesting. The vegetation got more and more simplistic as we climbed higher and higher, until there was just rock. The landscape was barren as we reached 4500m. There were no signs of wildlife anywhere, not even plants could survive at this altitude. The pace got slower and slower as the air got thinner and thinner. No-one had got major altitude sickness, and all was going smoothly with the trek. The final morning of the climb was the toughest day of all.

Mt Kenya Summit

The snowstorm that had occurred the previous night meant that the conditions were more dangerous and very cold. We kept pushing, and eventually screamed with victory as we reached the top, and a lot of photos were taken that day – a momentous occasion for all of us, and something that will last a lifetime.

After we had descended the mountain, and the air was thick again, we went white water rafting and visited the restaurant Carnivore as part of our R&R. Both of these were fantastic, and so we left the country having overcome many worthwhile challenges, enjoyed the breaks we had in between, and formed friendships with each other. It was a truly amazing trip.

CCF - Initial Recruits Camp

2011-10-13T00:00:00

On the weekend of the 24th and 25th September the CCF ran another successful Initial Recruits Camp (IRC) for its new intake.

This year we moved training areas from Longmoor to Bramley, with the use of a huge vehicle maintenance building in addition to the surrounding woodland and fields. The new recruits, supplemented by a Duke of Edinburgh party, had lessons in weapon handling, first aid, basic fieldcraft, camp craft and survival taught by a mixture of staff and the senior NCOs.

In total 152 RGS boys attended the camp, which proved an interesting logistical challenge for the new School Staff Instructor Mr Pasha, but one that was surmounted to ensure the programme ran smoothly.

Rowing Events Round-Up

2011-10-13T00:00:00

1st October

We had Tom Commins and Rob Eyres entered into the Wallingford Long Distance sculls. They were drawn against their old rivals from Nottingham and Pangbourne. They started strongly and had drawn level with Pangbourne, who had started first. However traffic on the river forced them to drop back and they struggled to regain the initiative.

In the final results they came in 3rd, however, with 15 seconds between them and the winning Pangbourne crew - they know they can do better

8th October

Tom Commins in Rob Eyres were entered into the Pairs Head on the tidal stretch of the Thames in London. This was a large event with over 480 crews entered. Their rivals from Nottingham were seen as their key competitors. They started last in their age group and by the end had overtaken 4 boats - they knew they had a good time but was it
good enough. A nervous wait clicking on the refresh button on the results web page for several hours paid off with a win by 2 seconds over the current national champions.

9th October

Sam Williams and Connor Howlett set off to Bedford for their first race. After a lot of hanging around at the start and despite having to almost stop when another crew got in their way they put in a great time. There was one other crew in their age group who were rowing in the last division of the day. After another long wait they found they had won by a handsome 50 seconds a fantastic result and only 5 seconds off the winning quad time which shows great promise for the future.

Next race 29th October in Marlow

Jeans For Genes

2011-10-10T00:00:00

Thanks to the tremendous effort from RGS pupils we raised £1700 last week, supporting the Jeans for Genes appeal, helping children with genetic disorders.

You can watch the video of the Jeans for Genes Band's performance in assembly on YouTube, courtesy of members of the Stage Lighting and Sound Team. Click here.

World Challenge, Iceland

2011-10-10T00:00:00

A group of 17 Year 8 and 9 boys went to Iceland as part of their World Challenge expedition in July 2011. They were accompanied by Mr Travi and Mr Hollyer from the RGS staff and a World Challenge leader, Alistair Beeley. The group flew to Iceland and then over lands to Landmannalaugar for the start of 57 mile trek thorough some of the spectacular volcanic scenery on the planet.

Day 1 proved to be the most difficult of the all of the days trekking. We had to deal with challenging weather of driving gales, heavy rain and strong wind. The boys had to set up their camp in these conditions and did so with a remarkable resilience of spirit. The hut at Hrafntinnusker was a sure welcome site after the long and tiring journey. The second say was dominated with a trek across a snow field and the glaciers which dominate the scenery around that part of Iceland.

The third day was a trek down the swan lake a beautiful settlement half way on the trek

The lessons from the first hard day of trekking were well learnt and the boys have acclimatised to the environment and were able to make good progress throughout the day. Thursday and Friday were easier walking days as most of the terrain become considerably less hilly and steep. The whole landscape was dominated by vast mountain ranges and awe inspiring volcanoes and glaciers

On the third night some of the boys had the choice to see some of the Icelandic version of the Grand Canyon .Whilst some other parts proved we need a more interesting way of getting across.

The third day we walked through the Icelandic ash desert. On the fourth night we set up camp at the end of the Ash Desert.

On the last day we went through a main gouge had to navigate some difficult mountain crossing and passed through the only forest in the whole of Iceland.

At last we reached the end of the trek and a welcome site the Husadalur site. The trek was truly rememberable and the boys showed great tannasty and spirit to complete such as arduous trip. The final part of the trip we spent in Reykjavik and we made a visit to the world famous Blue Lagoon complex

A truly fantastic and unforgettable experience, memories will no doubt be life long

Sleeping Rough for Charity

2011-10-06T00:00:00

We learn that RGS Old Boy Ed Gamester is spending this Friday night sleeping on the streets of Reading, along with work colleagues, to raise awareness and funds for Youth Homelessness.

To find out more, or to support their cause, click here to visit their fundraising webpage.

Norway World Challenge

2011-10-05T00:00:00

A group of 11 Year 8 and 9 boys went to Southern Norway in July 2011. They were accompanied by Mr Scoble and Mr Zair from the RGS staff and a World Challenge leader, Pete. The group flew to Denmark and then on to Kristiansand. Most of the luggage made it but the bag of dried foods, bought to save money in Norway did not arrive until well into the expedition.

Arriving on a Sunday meant a stop in Evja en route from the airport to buy just enough for the evening meal and breakfast the next morning. After a quick stop and an hour or so drive we arrived at the activity centre and spent the first night in Lavvos; these are traditional tents used by reindeer herders and are very similar to Tepees.

The next day was acclimatisation so that meant budget and menu planning, buying food and preparing all the kit for the mountain expedition phase. This was a steep learning curve as many of the boys had clearly not done large food shops or planned meals before. However all was completed and the tents were put up that night. This was a useful ‘dry-run’ for the camping on the mountain spoilt only by the rain making it less dry than we hoped.

On Tuesday morning we set off on foot and quickly started to climb into the hills. Norwegian footpaths are very different to those in England as they are barely visible and you have to largely follow features such as streams. We reached a plateau after a few hours of climbing and had lunch overlooking some amazing limestone scenery. After a brief stop we continued and walked past the first possible camp-site to a lake that proved to be perfect spot. This was a solid eight hours walking and everyone was pleased to be able to put down their packs and put up their tents. We did manage to see a couple of Adders on the trip, hear an Elk and spot a few Lemmings so Mr Scoble was happy.

Wednesday was an easier walking day as we had made the decision to stay at the lake for two nights. This meant we could walk with just day sacks. We climbed the highest mountain in the region getting a panoramic view over the fjord we would later canoe down. Unfortunately Adam was too unwell to do this so stayed in camp.

Thursday was a long hike off the mountain and the rough terrain meant that walking down the mountains seemed as hard as walking up them. The footing seemed to have only two settings: bog or bare rock and some boys seemed determined to get the wettest feet possible when navigating. We eventually arrived at the small town of Evja and searched for a campsite. We settled on a beach area bedside some pines and had a picturesque view of the fjord to enjoy that evening. Once Mr Zair and Mr Scoble had declared the water safe and an appropriate temperature everyone enjoyed a relaxing swim and some sunbathing.

On Friday morning the Canoes were delivered and we transferred kit to the canoes for the next phase. This phase was two days of canoeing down the fjord. We camped on an island in the middle of the fjord and again were able to relax with some swimming. The evening sunset and isolation only being spoiled by Adam throwing an apple sized rock that hit Nick in the head. After a large evening meal and good breakfast we set of and finished at a dam by mid-morning on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon was spent white water rafting on the Otra River. Due to the heavy rain in the weeks before the river was high and the rafting excellent. We managed two runs down the river and did some ‘tomb-stoning’ into the deep waters. Saturday evening was a barbecue, cooked by the staff and we had another night in the Lavvos. Everyone made use of the opportunity to have a shower (the first time for five days) and most enjoyed a break from using a trowel in the wilderness. Boys seemed to spend any spare money on Pringles, chocolate and any other processed food they could get their hands on.

Sunday was a pack, travel and flight home via Oslo. This was the first time I have taken younger pupils s most of the trips I accompany are CCF and so Year 10 onwards. Both Mr Zair and I were impressed by the development we saw in all the boys. They managed the budget well and the food they prepared was excellent by the end of the trip. They also developed lots of decision-making skills and learned a bit about forward planning. Norway is a beautiful country with some spectacular glacial scenery and unspoilt wildlife. I feel privileged to have been able to go on this trip with such a good group of pupils.

To view the PowerPoint presentation put together by the boys, visit the Photo Gallery (link on the top right of the home page).

National Award for RGS Old Boy

2011-10-05T00:00:00

Stephen Thompson (below right|) , from Bristol University’s Department of Civil Engineering University has won the Laing O’Rourke Award for ‘Best Civil Engineering Student’ of the Year for his project entitled ‘Redevelopment of the Colston Hall’.

The project that was entered for the 2011 SET Student of the Year awards was for the second phase of the development. The final year project group, led by Stephen, proposed a scheme that would demolish the existing hall, but retain the listed façade, and replace it with a new world-class multipurpose auditorium, education, backstage and operation facilities within the footprint of the current site.

Stephen was presented with his award at a ceremony last Friday [23 September] at London’s Millennium Hotel attended by more than 400 students, academics and business leaders as well as senior figures from government, scientific and technical institutions and the media.

Record numbers of entries were received from every major university in Europe with 45 students shortlisted in 15 different categories for the awards, which are supported by industry and leading research institutions.

Old Boys' Newsletter

2011-09-29T00:00:00

All the latest OB news - click here

Praise Card and Recognition

2011-09-28T00:00:00

We regularly monitor and review our school procedures and policies and recently we have looked at how we recognise our students for their effort. As a result of this review we now wish to use a new type of acknowledgement in the form of a Praise Card. The new praise cards will be sent home to the parents of students in all year groups when a member of staff notes outstanding effort. This “outstanding” effort could be in school work or extra-curricular activities and the member of staff who sends the praise card home will note on it the effort that is being rewarded. We will continue to use the Recognition System for Years 7 – 9 which also acknowledges significant effort. Students in Years 7 – 9 have dedicated pages in their pupil planners where recognitions are recorded by members of staff and we would encourage parents to note these recognitions and support us in praising their sons for their positive efforts.

We have discussed the new praise card system with our students via the School Council and all year groups have been very much in favour of this new initiative.

The new praise card scheme launches on Monday 3rd October.

History Essay Competition

2011-09-27T00:00:00

The History Department are delighted to announce the winners of the Sixth Form History Essay Competition. The standard this year was very high and choosing the winners very difficult. The results are as follows:

In first place, Andrew Simmonds, writing on ‘To what extent was the German Democratic Republic a serious attempt to create a separate, independent and long lasting socialist German state?’
In second place, Joshua Williams and his essay ‘To what extent did Margaret Thatcher benefit the UK economy during her period as Prime Minister?’
And in third place, Joe Whelan, writing a critical analysis of the Borgia Papacy of Alexander VI.

Well Done!

Scholarship Award

2011-09-24T00:00:00

Congratulations to Theodore Hill for being elected to the Organ Scholarship at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Theodore studies music at the Royal College of Music at the weekends and is a composer, pianist, cellist and superb recorder player.

Theodore has the honour of being RGS's third pupil who has been elected to an organ scholarship at Oxbridge. His two predecessors were Richard Carr and William Village.

University Destinations

2011-09-24T00:00:00

The destination and subject choices of this year's university entrants are now available. 185 candidates found places at 63 universities and are studying for 70 different degrees courses. The graphs below show institutions at which 3 or more RGS pupils will be studying.

Nottingham is the most popular university this year (last year 13th) The 2010 top choice, Southampton, has fallen to 18th place this year.

To gain an overview of subjects being studied it has been necessary to consolidate them into main areas. History has overtaken Geography this year, Modern Languages are still seen as a desirable university choice. Classics has re-entered the charts this year and if we bundle it with Ancient History, then the Greeks and Romans overtake Physics and Chemistry to vie with Computer Science and English in the top ten ! morituri vivunt diutius...

To see last year's charts, click here

2011 Old Boys Dinner a Success!

2011-09-22T00:00:00

It was with great pleasure that the RGS and Old Wycombiensians’ Club Committee hosted the annual OW Dinner on Saturday 17 September with over 90 guests sitting down to a three-course dinner served by pupils currently at RGS who were helping out for the evening in the hope of raising funds for their overseas trips.

Many diverse groups came together for the Dinner including fourteen OWs who left in 2007, a group of leavers from the 60s who boarded together in Uplyme House and Arpad Turmezei’s winning Rugby 7s team from 1971.

As the chapel lights lit up the darkening sky, Mr Page, Headmaster, gave a short presentation of the School over the past year to show the improvements being funded, recent school exam results (still breaking records year on year) and a snapshot of daily life as an RGS pupil in 2011.

Reminiscences and memories came to the fore with particular interest of the Old Gym chimney (a once popular illicit pupil meeting point after hours) which still stands despite the Old Gym’s conversion into a Maths Department and Mezzanine Study Centre.

A fantastic evening was had by all and we look forward to seeing Old Boys back next September for the 450^th Anniversary Dinner celebrating the signing of the RGS’ Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1562.

Isabella Eastham

Director of Development

The Boston Alternative Marathon

2011-09-19T00:00:00

Five RGS rowers were very disappointed when the annual Boston Rowing Marathon – 50k (31 miles) from Lincoln to Boston – was cancelled last weekend due to weeds attempting to take over the course. The boys were disappointed not just for themselves but because they had been gathering sponsorship to raise money for a prostate cancer charity and the rowing club.

However, they weren’t going to let all that training and fund-raising go to waste so an alternative marathon was set up: the same distance but rowed on home water at Longridge, near Marlow. This was in some ways more difficult that the Lincolnshire course because the boys were rowing both upstream and downstream as they rowed a loop to Cookham and back, whereas the Lincolnshire course is all downstream.

We’re proud to say that all five boys succeeded in completing the whole distance. Sam Williams and Connor Howlett have been rowing less than a year but showed great determination and teamwork in their double; Tom Ryland tackled the very difficult challenge of rowing in a single and kept going despite suffering from back pain for a good deal of the course and Tom Commins and Rob Eyres pushed themselves to complete the marathon in just over four hours, a time that could well have won them the J16 double category at Boston.

Once they’ve recovered from the aching limbs and blisters they might even contemplate entering Boston again next year!

Former teacher passes away

2011-09-19T00:00:00

Generations of OBs and teachers, past and present, will remember with great affection our Head of History and proud Welshman, David Jones. He is seen here in the 1967 photo - courtesy of OB John Saunders' website

David worked at RGS from 1958-1990, continuing to teach in Room 29 from its raised dais until he was 65 years old.

In retirement he was a regular customer each morning in the Marks & Spencer café, where he read his Guardian newspaper and kept up with RGS news from OBs and teachers who passed through.

The OB newsletter will carry a fuller obituary in its next edition.

Yr 7 Bonding Afternoon 2011

2011-09-16T00:00:00

On Friday 16th September we held our annual Year 7 Bonding Afternoon out on Uplyme Field, and for once, we were blessed with some decent weather. Previous Year 7 boys will recall not having been quite so lucky!

This year the event was designed and run in-house, largely by senior boys in the CCF. Many of the challenges were dreamt up and put together by the older boys, overseen by Mr Greenhough.

The afternoon was a great success, and the new Year 7 boys impressed the staff and senior boys, showing some excellent team work and sportsmanship. A big thank you to the organising boys for their hard work.

Two Successful Open Evenings

2011-09-14T00:00:00

The RGS has just held two very full and successful open evenings as well as an open afternoon.

The prefects and year 8 pupils took potential new year 7 boys and their parents on tours of the school where they were able to see pupils in action in a wide range of areas including sport, music, drama, and all curriculum areas. Heads of Year and parents of current pupils were also available to answer a wide range of questions.

The Headmaster wished good luck to all the boys about to sit their 11+ exam later this term.

Welcome to RGS Music Evening!

2011-09-13T00:00:00

The committee of the RGS Friends of Music would like to invite you to a "Welcome to RGS Music Evening!" which will be held on Thursday 29th September 2011 at 7.30pm in the Queen’s Hall. The evening will enable all newcomers to the school to get an idea of what the Friends of RGS Music and the RGS Music Department itself do, at the same time as hearing some splendid jazz from various RGS jazz bands.

Full details are available by clicking here (pdf, 12kb)

Friends of RGS Music AGM

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of RGS Music will be held on Thursday, 29th September, 2011, in the Queen’s Hall, at RGS, at the end of the Welcome Evening at 9.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Summer Makeover

2011-09-08T00:00:00

While staff and pupils were enjoying their summer holidays the site manager and his staff took advantage of our absence and started work on a long list of upgrades and refurbishments.


Traditional but outdated chemistry laboratory	The new look

Before: The Old Gym under conversion	After: The 6th form mezzanine study area

Current sports area - work beginning	How it will look

The new food room	1930s Maths Block room after makeover

New independent heating systems were installed. Older rooms were redecorated and false ceilings with new lighting fitted. Whole blocks were repainted and carpets, chairs and tables replaced; air-conditioning units have been serviced. Substantial work was carried out across the playing fields and lawn areas.

The IT team kept pace with computer upgrades and additional smartboards. Our Broadband connection has been upgraded to 100mbps along with new operating systems for the servers.

Major additions were the new sixth-form study area and the food room for cooking lessons. Meanwhile major work continues this term on the upgrading of the sports facilities. The chemistry labs have enjoyed their first makeover in 40 years and the improvements are clear to see.

On the Trail of Colossus

2011-09-07T00:00:00

Towards the end of the long Summer term, RGS Computing department took 39 Year 10 and Year 12 boys to the Computer Museum located in Bletchley Park.

On the wonderful summer day the boys were treated to the biggest collection of old computers in existence. From the earliest calculators to the first autopilot in the world (British-designed!) the boys saw an amazing display of glowing valves, chunky keyboards and three foot tall hard drives. Those were the mighty machines that built this country.

The boys were also very lucky to get an engaging tour of the famous Colossus – the computer that cracked the secret codes of Hitler’s generals and helped win the war.

The tour was given by Tony Sale (1931-2011, seen here on the right) the former MI6 analyst who took it upon himself to restore the Colossus after his retirement. Sadly, a few weeks later Tony passed away. But on that day, the boys were given a great presentation of the machine at work, decoding German radio signals that are still broadcast on the same frequency as 70 years ago (it’s weather reports this time, though).

The group was also given talks and presentations by the two museum curators.

After that, the boys had a visit to a room full of 1980s computers loaded with the latest in computer games circa 1986 – and they loved it! Their teachers were happy to see that even today’s generation spoilt for choice in gaming found the games of our youth incredibly engaging.

Then the boys saw the original barracks where thousands of analysts secretly lived during the war. They also had a chance to visit the Toy Museum, the Museum of British life in 1940s, and the opulent mansion itself.

The behaviour was great and the boys enjoyed this rare combination of history and technology.

RAF Scholarship

2011-08-19T00:00:00

Royal Grammar School member, Cameron FitzGibbon, is one of 50 pupils from the UK who have won a prestigious Royal Air Force Scholarship.

He put his skills to the test with the RAF on a residential course at a training centre near Norwich. Activities included climbing, abseiling, expedition planning and an overnight stay under a bivouac to develop team-working and leadership skills.

Cameron has received a £1,000 bursary as part of the award and says that he feels really honoured to have gained the scholarship.

He now hopes to develop a military career after studying Mechanical Engineering at university.

A Level and GCSE results

2011-08-19T00:00:00

A Level results - Overview

We are delighted with an outstanding set of A level results that have exceeded our previous best year with 81% A*, A and B grades. All 178 candidates have qualified for Higher Education places and throughout the full range of the achievement spectrum, personal targets have been met and improved on.

The average success rate per candidate was over three grade As.

• Average UCAS Tariff/Candidate 422.53

• Percentage of A*, A, B grades 81.0%

• Pass rate 99.7%

One student achieved 6 A* grades at A level:

Harry Alexander Economics A*, History A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Further Maths Additional A*, Physics A*

One student achieved 6 A*/A grades at A level:

Edmund Eustace Economics A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Further Maths Additional A*, Physics A* Chemistry A

Five students achieved 5 A* / A grades at A level:

Thomas Archer Economics A, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Further Maths Additional A*, Physics A*
Naeem Iqbal Biology A*, Chemistry A*, English Lit A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A
Tim Jackson Chemistry A, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Further Maths Additional A*, Physics A*
Benson Lai Chemistry A, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Further Maths Additional A*, Physics A*
Jordan Lam Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Geography A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A
Robert Wilson English Lit A*, Greek A*, History A*, Latin A*, Maths A

Three student achieved four A* grades at A level:

Ben Gill Chemistry A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Physics A*
Ewan Lusty Economics A*, English Lit A*, French A*, History A*
Jaimin Shah Economics A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Physics A*

The following students achieved at least three A* grades at A level:

Oliver Browne, Peter Chadwick, James Dow, William Eustace, Joshua Foo, Elliot Grogan,
Susruta Manivannan, Nick Salmon, Jonathan Venvell, Alex Warrilow-Wilson

GCSE Results - Overview

100% of the 195 candidates gained five grades at A*-C
100% of the 195 candidates gained five or more grades at A*-C, including English and Mathematics.
73.15% of all grades were A* or A.
The average number of subjects with A*-C per candidate was 11.
Average points per candidate 548.
95.5% achieved the English Baccalaureate.

The following outstanding individual achievements should be mentioned:

One student achieved an outstanding 12 A* grades:

Liiyang Pan – along with grade A in Information Technology, Geography and Additional Maths

Eight students achieved an outstanding 11 A* grades:

Chaitya Desai - along with grade A in Additional Maths
Thomas Hetherington
Keya Jafari - along with grade A in Additional Maths
Matthew Lettis – along with grade A in English Literature and Additional Maths
Leo Munby - along with grade A in History and Additional Maths
Jonty Purvis – along with grade A in Music
Joseph Williams - along with grade B in Additional Maths
Oliver Wilson - along with grade C in Additional Maths

Four students achieved 10 grade A*s:

Dominic Browne - along with grade A in Geography and Additional Maths
Giles Chick – along with grade A in Additional Maths
Adam Raymond-White – along with grade A in English Literature and Additional Maths
Danny Vick – along with grade A in English Literature and Additional Maths

Fifteen students achieved 9 grade A*s

Bucks Travel "Conversation"

2011-07-13T00:00:00

We have been asked by Buckinghamshire county Council to bring the following to the attention of Parents:

"Buckinghamshire County Council has launched a facebook conversation on the future of home to school transport for pupils under 16. It will run for the next two months until the end of August on our facebook page, Our Buckinghamshire, and has been created so that residents and families can tell us their views and ideas about how they would like future home to school transport policy to be shaped. The conversation can be viewed by searching for Our Buckinghamshire on facebook or by using this link.

Join in the facebook conversation - search for Our Buckinghamshire on facebook - add your own comments if you have a facebook account. "

This link gives additional information on home to school transport.

Link to BCC news release

Year 10 Enterprise Project

2011-07-13T00:00:00

Year 10 took time off their regular timetable to hone their business and presentation skills.

The project was run by Paul Garrett & Alison Collard from the Buckinghamshire Education Business Partnership and the 21 teams were mentored by local business leaders Phil Renshaw, Major David Puckey, Ruth Gunstone, Mike Burton, Martin Sheehy, Mike Watson and David Gill.

The project revolved around the new “Arts4every1” creative and enterprise centre in Desborough Road, High Wycombe.

“Arts4every1” was started a few years ago to re-establish a Community Arts Centre in the Wycombe area after the closure of the one on London Road. In September 2010 Wycombe Council gave the deconsecrated St John’s Church, grounds and associated buildings to “Arts4every1”, which is a charity run by volunteers.

The business brief that the boys were given was to develop the buildings into a thriving hub of creative activity in the Desborough Road area. The aim is not only to establish the old church as a creative centre but also, eventually, to revitalise the area around it.

The boys were asked to devise ways to fund raise, so that the venue can be developed ,as well as be imaginative in terms of the events that could be held there. In the afternoon some teams presented their ideas to the whole of the year and to the business mentors who chose the 3 winning teams.

The ideas from all the teams will be potentially useful to the “Arts4every1” charity who took away with them the materials the boys had developed through the day.

The afternoon session saw the teams pitching their project ideas so that the judges could select an overall winner.

The boys learnt valuable enterprise skills such as team work, communication and problem solving which will benefit them in their future careers.

Three Peaks Cheque Presented

2011-07-12T00:00:00

On Tuesday 12th July in Junior Assembly Mr Mead delivered a presentation on the Staff Three Peaks challenge. You can view this presentation, hosted on YouTube, by clicking here.

This was followed by a presentation of a cheque for £19,224.59 to a representative from the Child Bereavement Charity.

Senior Prize Giving

2011-07-12T00:00:00

The Guest of Honour at this year's Prize Giving was Old Wycombiensian (1968-1974) Mr Adam Wood, Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and previously a diplomat who served in several posts in Africa.

After a musical interlude by Jordan Lam. James Duff and Jonny Lane, Mr Page opened the proceedings with an account of the school's highs and lows throughout the year. He spoke movingly of our late Head Of Maths, John-Paul Stevens and congratulated the colleagues who raised over £19000 pounds for Child Bereavment in his memory with their successful 3 Peaks Challenge. He also paid tribute to staff leaving this year, most notably Mike Earl after 38 years and Old Boy, Peter Toller.

After the awarding of the prizes Mr Wood spoke of the changes he had noted at RGS since his day. He said that today's teenagers are growing up in a world with much greater uncertainties than in his day. He left them with three pieces of advice;

learning doesn't finish when you leave school
try to understand other people's perspectives
seize the opportunities that RGS has given

He concluded with an adage that he had found useful in his career: Have courage to change the things you can, accept the things you cannot change, and have the wisdom to know the difference.

Careful with our Money

2011-07-10T00:00:00

Our latest survey - taken by 540 VLE users - asked whether RGS members would stoop to pick up a penny. It would gratify the older generation that nearly 6 out of 10 would take the trouble.

Those who would decline probably reason that you can't buy anything with a penny these days; maybe it's not cool to pick up such a low denomination coin, especially when you're with your mates.

That wasn't always the case. Some of us remember when you could buy quite an array of sweets for a penny. Our parents would never pass by the humble copper coin - " Pick that up. It's the principle of the thing. If you disrespect money, money will disrespect you." or "Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves".

Maths geeks might do a calculation that would convince them - if I can pick up a penny a second then 1 penny/sec X 60 secs/min * 60 min/hour = 3600 pennies per hour which = £36 an hour. The point being that unless you make more than £36 an hour it makes sense to pick that penny up, but if you do make more than that, then it doesn’t make any business sense as you will be losing time that if used correctly could bring you greater profit.

There also used to be a superstition involved: "If you find a penny heads up, you give it away for good luck, but if you find a penny heads down, for good luck, you'll keep it around."

Of course, with silver coins we used to have fun super--glueing one to the ground, then sitting somewhere near-by and waiting to laugh at people who tried then failed to pocket it. LOL. It wouldn't be quite as much fun with a penny.

Final thought - if you don't want it, pick it up and give it to Mr Shreeve for one of his collections. He will be so grateful.

Art Exhibition 2011

2011-07-08T00:00:00

We bring you a selection of photos of just some of the highlights form the 2011 Art Exhibition, held this week in the Space.

We Will Rock You

2011-07-05T00:00:00

On Saturday 2nd July twenty-five members of the Stage Lighting and Sound Team took a trip to the Dominion Theatre in London to see the hit show We Will Rock You. That wasn't all they did though!

At the stage door (more pictures below text):

Just before 10am we arrived at the theatre stage door and were met by RGS Old Boy and former team member David Stone. David left in 2008, is now working as an in-house electrician at the Dominion Theatre and had invited us to join him for a behind the scenes tour of all things lighting and sound at the theatre. The “We Will Rock You” lighting and sound rig is one of the biggest in a London theatre and much money has been invested in it.

After an introduction, some history about the theatre and lots of facts and figures, we were up on the stage to get closer to the gear. Next, David took us down under the stage and showed us where the largest piece of set is stored (the tube station) and how it automatically rises up onto the stage when needed.

The backstage areas of the Dominion are a real rabbit warren of corridors and passageways. Lots of twists and turns and stairs later and small groups of us were 23 metres above the stage on the "grid". It is from this highest point that all the lighting bars, drapes, curtains and flying set is suspended. In the case of We Will Rock You - that is a lot of gear!

After a trip through the dressing rooms we went upstairs again to the fly gallery. This is where the flying scenery is operated from - some manually and some by computers.

It was then time to return to the auditorium to check out the huge sound control desk - one whole board of 16 channels is just for the drum kit - and then time for questions at the end. We were also very lucky to be able to watch the technical crew arrive and go through their pre-show warm ups and checks. We learned that the lighting strike (turn on and warm up) alone costs £10 in electricity! The automated scenery is run through its sequences and finally a full sound check is carried out - the bass check being particularly impressive!

After a full two and a half hours in the theatre, we took a trip down to Covent Garden for some free time and some lunch, before returning to the theatre to watch the matinee performance of the show. It was great to see all the things we had learned about being used in action in the show. The show is great, and was very much enjoyed by all. It is certainly a big production on many levels, not least the technical!

A big thank you to David for giving up his time so generously to show us around the theatre , teach us so much, and give us an insight into his working life. It was good for the boys to see another way in which skills learned in school can be used in later life.

Introductions:

Up on the stage of the Dominion Theatre:

Underneath the stage:

The sound control console (alas no touching allowed!):

Video screens put through their warm up tests:

After the show, in front of the theatre:

Campaign Garden Party 2011

2011-06-30T00:00:00

On Wednesday 29 June the Headmaster and Director of Development were pleased to welcome a number of guests – including the Mayor of High Wycombe Cllr Chaudhry Ditta and Mayoress Jane White (pictured below with the Headmaster and recently appointed Head Boy) – to the second annual Campaign Garden Party at the School. 120 supporters turned out to view the highly anticipated new Mathematics Classrooms and Mezzanine Sixth Form Study Area funded by friends, parents and Old Boys of the School.

Many guests commented that the use of space which has seen the Old Gym converted into these much needed facilities has been a tremendous achievement, particularly the addition of a first floor creating space for the Sixth Form to study. The study area will have a great effect on the way the boys learn enabling them to study in a private and quiet part of the School – an area they have never before had for their Year Group. The support the School has received is invaluable and we are deeply grateful to all those that support RGS in this way.

As Phase I of the Shaping our Destiny Campaign is now complete, work to Phase II which will entirely rework the current changing facilities in the Sports Department will commence during the Summer break. This renovation and extension of the current Changing Room block will cost in excess of £850,000.00. If you do not already support the Campaign and would like to, please contact the Director of Development, Miss Isabella Eastham, via email, who will be happy to talk you through the options available.

Many thanks to all that came to the Campaign Garden Party and made the evening a success – the Headmaster and Director of Development look forward to welcoming guests back again in 2012 when it is expected that the changing and Gym facilities will be finished!

RGS v MCC Cricket Match

2011-06-30T00:00:00

It is a yearly tradition for the Friends of Cricket at the Royal Grammar School to host a 1st XI RGS team Versus an MCC team and this year was no different.

Although the weather was dreadful in the morning the sun did manage to shine down on the cricket game. For the full match report, please click here.

Brunel University Visit 2011

2011-06-29T00:00:00

This year’s Brunel University visit took place on Wednesday 22nd June and gave 25 Year 9 students not only a taste of university life but also an insight into a variety of exciting engineering related careers.

Following a brief tour which included a state of the art lecture hall, a typical student halls of residence facility and also the Universities much prided indoor athletics centre (IAE) which is currently in use as one of the 2012 Olympics training venues, the boys were welcomed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ken Darby-Dowman.

Following lunch, the tour included a computing activity, showing how robots are ‘taught’ to follow a set of instructions, with the students actually getting some ‘hands on’ experience. This was followed by a look at a green screen TV and film editing suite that the university uses to train tomorrow’s film makers. The facility is also hired out to professional film companies and has played a part in a number of recent films and TV dramas.

The students then visited the Motor Sport Workshop where they had a look at the racing car that will soon be entered into the Formula Student UK Silverstone Grand Prix. They then visited the Flight Simulator suit, where they were given a brief lecture on basic aviation. A number of boys then got the chance to pilot the flight simulator.

The day ended with a presentation on the history of code braking and explained how ciphers actually work. The boys then had a chance to break a code in small groups.

"We're talking Rubbish!"

2011-06-22T00:00:00

We are very pleased to announce a major recycling initiative, code named "We're talking rubbish!", which launches this Thursday:

Date: Thursday 23rd June

Time: 08.45ish

Place: RGS, High Wycombe

Phase: Phase 1

Enemy: All landfill sites, everywhere

Objective: Reduce waste sent to landfill

Weapons: New red and blue bins

Method: Paper and card in blue bins

Plastic bottles and drinks cans in red bins

Crew: Boys and Staff

Like most schools, we produce a shocking amount of waste, and it is high time we did something about this. Recycling around the school has been sporadic for some time now, and this project aims to begin the process of integrating responsible waste management into our school-wide daily routines.

Phase 1 launches on Thursday 23rd June. Forms in Years 7 - 10 and 12 will all be issued with two new bins - a raspberry red one for plastic bottles and tin cans and a blueberry blue one for paper and card (how funky and exciting is that?!). Each form is being asked to nominate 2 "We're talking rubbish!" reps who will take initial responsibility for overseeing the project in their form rooms. The aim is that all boys will take responsibility for sorting their waste and each individual form will organise themselves once a week to take recyclable waste to the appropriate bins at the back of School House.

If all boys and staff get on board, and just make that minuscule effort to make sure that their waste ends up in the correct bin, then we should be able to rapidly remove a considerable amount of waste from our main rubbish bins, and reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill sites.

Phase 1 will be relaunched at the beginning of September when all year groups are back in school, but we are keen to make a start over the last few weeks this term when things are a little bit quieter.

Planned later phases of the project aim to tackle further areas of the school site - there is plenty of work to be done! We hope that boys will want to get on board and take up some leadership themselves. All ideas are very welcome to Mr Balaam! More information in due course!

National Festival of Music for Youth

2011-06-22T00:00:00

We are delighted that once again RGS will be well represented at the National Festival of Music for Youth, which takes place every July in Birmingham. The festival is based in the wonderful concert acoustics of Symphony Hall and the Adrian Boult Hall, in the Birmingham Conservatoire, which is just up the road from the famous hall built for Simon Rattle’s CBSO. The Town Hall, which is also in easy walking distance, is the other major venue.

In the first complete week of July every year, over 10,000 youngsters converge on Birmingham town centre for the biggest youth music festival in the world, and we are thrilled that RGS will be there for the ninth year running. Our Big Band, under the inspired leadership of Mr Jay Craig, have virtually got a permanent place there, going up for the fifth time in six years. Our First Wind Band are on their fourth trip in 9 years, and this year, a senior group of chamber musicians impressed the Music Mentors enough at our regional festival, held in March, to prove that we are not just a school of wind music and jazz.

If anyone wishes to attend the festival, they are very welcome. Tickets are available from the venues concerned or go on the Music For Youth website for details....it’s a fantastic atmosphere!!

The two RGS bands are playing in the morning of Friday, 8th July, and the Chamber Group, James Duff (viola), Dan Wheeler (cello), Jordan Lam (clarinet) and Jonny Lane (piano) are playing in the afternoon of the day before, Thursday, 7th July.

The performer’s letter about the trip is available by clicking here (pdf, 14kb).

RGS Leadership Day Saturday June 11th

2011-06-22T00:00:00

From 8.30am to 1pm on Saturday 11th June, 24 of our top performing prefects arrived in school to be put through their paces to solve problems, negotiate, work as a team under pressure, display leadership skills and give a mock assembly presentation.

Working in teams of six students they all performed remarkably well, impressing Mr Wolton, Mr Noyes, our current Senior Prefect team and our guest advisor Mr Stephen Bourne.

This was the next step in our selection of a new Senior Prefect Team and a short list of candidates will now be put to our prefects and staff to vote on, before the Headmaster interviews those with the greatest support.

Watch this space for their progress.

Grand Sculpture Unveiling

2011-06-16T00:00:00

On Saturday 11th June Miss Eastham, RGS Director of Development; teachers Mr Shreeve & Mrs Whalley and A level Art students were invited to the grand unveiling of world renowned sculptor, Peter Randall-Page's new work 'Glade' at the new housing development at Kingshill Grange.

RGS students were part of the original consultation & planning group and in November went to visit Peter Randall-Page in his studio/workshop in Devon. The RGS & particularly these students were praised for their involvement in the project by Mr Andrew Sturla (Taylor Wimpey), the sculptor and Councillor Tony Green, who can be seen here cutting the tape with Doug Stevens, Josh Wright and two pupils from Highworth School.

Three Peaks Completed

2011-06-14T00:00:00

The four Three Peaks Teams returned to school on Monday afternoon after conquering the infamous mountains, with all teams comfortably beating the target 14 hours time limit. There were many stories to tell and much relief among the tiredness, but also a real sense of pride at having currently raised £17,200 for our chosen charity, the Child Bereavement Charity - but donations are still coming in!

You can read the diary entries, view initial photos and find out more about the challenge by clicking here. Lots more photos from the adventure will appear on the website in due course.

If you'd like to donate towards the cause, in memory of the two much loved colleagues we lost in 2010, you can still do so by visiting our fundraising page here.

Marlow Town Regatta

2011-06-12T00:00:00

At this this year's event we had several J15 crews entered. We wanted to put in our up-and-coming J13 crews but a lack of opposition meant they will have to wait another day.

Tom Commins and Fergus Butler both won their heats in the single. In the the final, however, Fergus tangled with a buoy which resulted in him taking a swim! Tom went through to win the event.

In the quadruple sculls we had a scratch crew of Rob Eyres, Richard Gavin, Jack Rizvi and Tom Ryland, who had never rowed as a crew before. They put up a good fight but could not prevail in their heat.

In the doubles we had 2 crews - Tom Commins and Tom Ryland plus Rob Eyres and Fergus Butler. Both crews won their heats, leaving RGS vs RGS in the final. This proved to be an exciting race but the experience of Rob and Fergus was too much for the others.

RGS History Teacher in BBC Documentary

2011-06-07T00:00:00

RGS History teacher Mr Rose has appeared in a BBC Three documentary called "Our War". Mr Rose joined the teaching profession after serving a four year commission in the Army, including a six month tour of Afghanistan in 2007. Mr Rose was Officer in charge of the platoon which featured in the first programme in the series, which documents the time the battalion spent on the front line, including the loss of one of their members.

From the BBC Three website:

"This opening part of the series tells the story of a close-knit group of friends from 3 Platoon, 1st Battalion Royal Anglian regiment, who were sent to Helmand province in 2007. For most of them it was their first experience of war. The whole tour was filmed on a helmet camera by the platoon's sergeant, who captured the moment when one of his men, 19-year-old Private Chris Gray, was killed in a Taliban ambush. The film explores the effects of his death on both his mates in the platoon and his family back in the UK."

You can read more on the programme's blog page, including an article written by Mr Rose.

Parental advisory: the programme contains strong language and scenes some viewers may find distressing.

Old Boy Luke Donald is Golf Number One

2011-06-07T00:00:00

The RGS is very pleased to learn that Old Boy Luke Donald has become only the third British golfer to be ranked World Number One since the rankings began in 1986.

Luke was a pupil at the RGS from 1990 to 1996 and began his career at an early age, winning the Hazlemere Junior Club Championships when he was just 12.

We offer our warmest congratulations to Luke on this fantastic achievement.

You can find out more on the BBC website here, or on the Bucks Free Press website here.

Development Newsletter

2011-06-06T00:00:00

The latest edition of the Development Newletter is now available online by clicking here. Highlights in this edition include:

Exciting news about the completion of Phase 1 of the Shaping our Destiny building programme.
Latest Information on the Staff 3 Peaks Challenge
450th Anniversary plans

Royal Visit to RGS

2011-06-06T00:00:00

On the morning of the 6th June 1991 and after days of security sweeps and protocol-rehearsals we were ready.

(Above - The Princess meets current Headmaster, Mr Page)

Princess Diana paid a visit to the school to formally open our conversion of the old school hall to its new library status.

(Headmaster, Rowland Brown, assists in the unveiling)

She toured the school, talking with and enchanting pupils and staff with her famous 'common-touch'.

A plaque in the library commemorates the visit. For Rowland Brown it was one of the highlights of his distinguished period as Headmaster and almost rivalled Headmaster Tucker's hosting of the Queen, when she opened our Queen's Hall in 1962.

(on the left, Mr Prior, Old Boy and long-standing Chairman of Governors)

Library Display

2011-05-28T00:00:00

The Library has an eye-catching display at the moment.

Entitled “Royal Air Force: from World War 2 to Cold War”, it includes memorabilia kindly provided by Mr Page, whose father was an RAF Spitfire pilot in the Second World War.

Mrs Jones created the colourful display after she carried out extensive back ground research, and she also compiled a list of former RGS pupils who served in the War.

The students have enjoyed looking at the display, and the History Department has used the collection for background information for pupils to use in their studies.

Royal Grammar School High Wycombe | News Feed

Beast in the East

British Biology Olympiad

Medical Society Update

2013 has been a bumper year for the potential medics at RGS with thirteen out of sixteen applicants being offered places for September. Now all they have to do is to get top grades in their A level examinations!

Leavers Day 2013

Review from Engineering Course

U12 LEAGUE SUCCESS

Summer Concert 2013

Easter Trip Report: Morocco

Donated Laptops in Use

News from Longridge

Longridge Holiday Activities Days in May

Land of Ice and Fire

Barbados Cricket Tour Report

Wycombe Laser Plasma Research Group

ωycombe λaser πlasma Research Group

Wycombe Management Conference 2013

Les Misérables Review

Medieval Day

Psychology Talk Report

British Physics Olympiad: Best Ever Year!

Prospective Sixth Form Evening

Charity Rowing Marathon

3 Tournament Wins in 10 Days!

World Book Day 2013

Midas Graphics

RGSPA Family Quiz Night

Italy Ski Trip Report

Air Squadron Trophy Competition

Building A Bottle Greenhouse

Hockey Awards Evening 2013

TOSH

HOCKEY AWARDS EVENING 2013

The Spring Recital

Caterham Club Kit Arrives

GCSE Computing trip to Bletchley Park

All hands on deck!

The Wall and The Beast

Shoe Collection for Kosovo - Update

Toulouse Work Experience Exchange 2012

The Young Voice - December Edition

Carol Service ends 450th Year

Taking Maths Further

RIBI Young Chef Competition

Juggling the Numbers!

The Young Voice

Introducing The Young Voice ...

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

RGS Supports Organ Donation

Children in Need

RGS at the Royal Albert Hall

Chinese Adventure 2012

CCF at Wycombe Remembrance Parade

Wycombiensian 2012

Service of Remembrance

RGS Songwriter through to regional finals

Ex-RGS Musicians continue to make waves

Sax teacher nominated for national award

University Choices

Changing popularity of universities over the last three years

Placing

2012

2011

2010

Year 7 Team Building Day 2012

Rugby Tour to South Africa

Fencing Success

Cambridge Freshers meet in school library

Records Tumble at Boston Marathon

Run for Tom - The Update

U15 Rugby Tour to South Wales

Year 7 in Buxton 2012

Autumn Term Newsletter

Belshazzar's Feast

World Challenge Iceland

Open Evenings and Afternoon

Open Evenings and Afternoon for Prospective Pupils and Parents

Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th September 6.00pm – 8.30pm

Tuesday 18th September 2.15pm – 3.30pm

Silver and Bronze Medals for RGS at the British National Championships Nottingham
13th-15th July 2012