Dean Close School | News Feed

National Final for Golfers

2012-05-17T00:00:00

Not to be upstaged by the National Champion Hockey Team, Dean Close School’s Golf team, consisting of Lee Cowan, Craig Graham and Mike Dawson, has got through to the ISGA (Independent Schools Golf Association) National Plate Final to be played at The Shire course in London on 27 June.

The team go through as Midlands plate winners after beating Monmouth by 18 stapleford points in the Midlands final. All three Dean Close players beat their opposite number with the best victory going to Mike Dawson. In the Finals the boys will meet 17 other schools who won their own regional competitions.

The team had targeted the new Borders League as the competition they could win this season. Here, six teams along the Wales/England border play in their own league. After having to call one match off due to the poor weather this term, the boys have to win or draw their last match against the bottom team to win this competition. So far they have beaten Malvern, St Edward’s and Christ College and narrowly lost to Monmouth 3-2 to put themselves in the driving seat in this scratch competition.

Dean Close also took a mainly second team to play Bromsgrove 1^st and won, showing the depth of talent in the current golf squad.

Ten Tors Success

2012-05-17T00:00:00

Last weekend our Dartmoor Ten Tors team finally completed a challenge they have spent the last six months training towards. The team achieved their task in a good time, and the expedition was branded a great success.

The six CCF cadets from Year 10 were Lee Cowan, Fraser Hand, Douglas Haycock, Madeleine Kavanagh, Stephen Whitford and Charlotte Williams. The event involved navigating a circuit of ten tors within a 34 hour time period, over which time the teams had to be self-sufficient with skills in navigation, camp craft and river crossing. Naturally they also need to be very fit and highly motivated.

Trialling and selection for the team started back in December 2011, when 30 Remove pupils initially put themselves forward. The final team have trained for six months for the event, travelling to Dartmoor and learning the necessary skills under gruelling conditions.

The exact route is not revealed until the day before and the team undergoes safety briefings and scrutineering, as well as having to plan their route before the 4:30am reveille. Fortunately weather conditions improved during that particular weekend in May and the route was completed at 11:30am on Sunday morning, a very respectable time with everyone in good condition, if somewhat tired.

Iain McGowan said: “All six were fabulous to be away with; focused, committed, determined and full of enthusiasm for their task. Accompanying such wonderful young people on their journey over the last six months has been a great experience for all the training and support team. We hope that after the feet have been soothed, the sunburn cooled and the body nourished, the team will be able to reflect positively on their achievement and feel in some way enriched and rewarded for their efforts.”

Jubilee and Olympic performers

2012-05-08T00:00:00

Two Dean Close pupils will perform at the most high profile events in the country this summer: The Queen’s Jubilee Lunch and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Fourth former Joe Morford is to play for The Queen at her Diamond Jubilee Lunch on Tuesday 5 June 2012 as part of the National Children’s Orchestra. Joe, who has played the cello for six years and belongs to the NCO’s Main Orchestra, is to perform for The Queen and 700 guests at Westminster Hall in London. Also attending the lunch, which is being given for The Queen by the Livery as part of the Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations, are The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales.

Joe says: “I’m looking forward to playing for the Queen, it will be an incredible experience to play in Westminster Hall and an honour to be part of this massive celebration. Being part of the NCO has given me the chance to play in some great concerts but this will be like no other concert.”

In another part of London, Fifth former Lydia Maxwell, who recently had the starring role in the School musical Calamity Jane, will be performing at the Welcoming Ceremony of the Olympics. Lydia is in the National Youth Theatre and as such was invited to attend auditions for the Ceremony. During the auditions, Lydia took part in workshops in acting and movement among large numbers, all competing for just 150 places. She will find out exactly what she will have to do at the first rehearsal in June, but she already knows that she will be wearing a wig, and that she will be singing and dancing. She says: “I was both surprised and thrilled to hear I had a place at the ceremony to welcome athletes as they arrive at the Olympic venue. This is such a unique opportunity, a once in a lifetime experience.”

NATIONAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONS 2012

2012-05-07T00:00:00

Courtesy of Take That Photo

Dean Close School U16 boys are the National Schools Hockey Champions 2012, a first for the U16 team although the U18s won in 2009. They entered the Finals competition having taken the South West Regional Championship title earlier in the season.

In the first game of the group stage they faced Ipswich School, East Regional Champions. Amid driving rain, Dean Close narrowly won 1-0 through strong defending, with a notable performance from Ben West. The second game was a tight one against Trinity School who were runners up in the Southern Regional competition, where they lost by just one goal at 1-2, but this put an inordinate amount of pressure on the boys to score point-winning goals in the third game of the group stage taking place the following day.

The atmosphere at dinner that night was subdued, breakfast quiet the following day and the journey to the stadium positively silent, a rarity for the team, such was the pressure they were facing. However, against Ermysted Grammar School (North Regional Champions), Dean Close were 3-0 up by half time and the noise and excitement levels were starting to build. A group of leaping parents then defined the moment when it became clear Dean Close had progressed to the final, even before the end of their match. The parents were watching the other qualifying game on an adjacent pitch which finished a few minutes earlier, and the scoreline was enough for Dean Close to reach the final. The two Dean Close centre forwards enjoyed a congratulatory hug before going on to win their game 7-1 with hat-tricks from Jan-Philipp Biedermann and Lloyd Evans.

A tactical change in the final against Simon Langton Grammar School, from a defensive to an attacking game, ensured a nail-biting match with the bus load of Dean Close spectators creating an incredible atmosphere of support. It paid off. An all-round team performance, with the three forwards all scoring, Dean Close took a convincing 4-0 win and the Championship title.

Director of Sport, Rhys Gwilliam, said: “The number of goals scored under such pressure shows the strength and depth of this U16 team. 15 out of 16 players in this squad have progressed through from Dean Close Preparatory School and were runners up in the U14 National Championship in 2010, being narrowly defeated on penalty flicks. Their development is testament to the standard and quality of coaching throughout Dean Close. In addition, the support amongst fellow pupils, staff and parents has been exemplary throughout the competition. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved and are proud to have yet another national title to add to the growing list of sporting accolades.”

Olympic Sport Try-out day

2012-05-02T00:00:00

In celebration of London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games, Dean Close turned itself into a ‘try-out Olympic sport' zone for the day. Year 9 pupils had the opportunity to attend workshops set up around School which provided introductory sessions to some of the sports that form the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Pupils got the chance to try out archery, judo, fencing, synchronised swimming, mini water polo, wheelchair basketball and boccia, a bowling game played in the Paralympics. Not only did this provide a fun day for the participants; it also gave them a chance to have a go at a sport they would never usually come across and a number have already shown an interest in continuing with one or more of the sports.

The day finished with a very competitively fought mini hockey festival involving seven 6-a-side teams consisting of staff, parents and pupils and afterwards, players and supporters enjoyed pitch-side drinks and barbeque.

Dean Close is running a mixed and varied programme of teaching and activity that embraces the values and sporting breadth of the Games and there is more to look forward to. Two Olympians, sprinter Jason Gardiner and pentathlete Greg Whyte, will speak at the Preparatory and Senior School speech days; there will be the planting of an Olympic Tree; a 2012km challenge has pupils and staff clocking up the kilometres towards a significant total; and there will be a free showing of the classic film Chariots of Fire followed by a quad race round around the School in the style of the film.

Headmaster, Jonathan Lancashire, said: “The whole Olympic try-out day was a total success; everyone really embraced the opportunity of such an unusual day of sport and had a super time. The wheelchair basketball was the biggest hit, which was arranged alongside the National Star College, and we are extremely grateful to them. Our full Olympic programme, which is colourfully promoted all around the School through posters, totalisers and displays, has created a real buzz and interest in the Games. The fact that it is an ongoing series of activities, from sports days, to film shows, to Chapel services embracing the Olympic values means that Dean Close has really thrown itself into the Olympic spirit of the Games coming to Great Britain.”

For photos click here

Tough guy fitness

2012-04-30T00:00:00

With the cricket matches cancelled, Mr Jones took advantage of the bad weather and decided to take some of the Year 7 & 8 boys on a fitness run around Benhall Park. The boys probably covered a distance of 7km in total which involved climbing up muddy banks and crawling through dark tunnels. They absolutely loved it!.

Mr Jones said “I would like to say congratulations to all the boys to surviving the run and thank you to all the parents who had some extra washing to do.”

For video clip click here

Prep School rides high

2012-04-28T00:00:00

The Prep School riding group have thoroughly enjoyed their first year of lessons with Mrs Paula Watson, who runs the equestrian and polo teams at Dean Close Senior School. Each week they travel down to Summerhouse for small group lessons in the ménage; they also learn stable management and pony care. All the children have their favourite pony who they look after each week.

Best EVER Music and Speech & Drama results

2012-04-23T00:00:00

Dean Close Prep School is celebrating yet another fantastic year of exam results, both musical and dramatic.

There were 42 entries for the ABRSM music exams, from flute to double bass to drumming, and pupils once again excelled. Extraordinarily, all those taking Grade 4 or above received a merit or distinction and all those taking Grade 6 achieved a distinction. In addition, there were four drumming candidates taking the Rock School Exam and every one of them received a distinction for their performances as well.

In the LAMDA Speech & Drama exams, this was the first time that Year 2 Pre-Prep pupils were entered, and combined with the Prep School candidates, they managed to beat last year's record-breaking results by quite some margin. LAMDA results as follows -

2011 2012 including pre-prep 2012 excluding pre-prep

Distinction 55 90 80

Merit 39 46 35

Pass 09 02 02

This is another astonishing set of results which not only are testament to the hard work of pupils and their teachers, but also serve as proof that Dean Close is more than upholding its reputation as the best school in Gloucestershire for Music and Drama.

Organ Appeal launch

2012-04-21T00:00:00

An audience of some 500 wallowed unashamedly (if not exactly warmly!) in this concert of classical pot-boilers to launch the appeal for a new Chapel organ. That the concert was held in Tewkesbury Abbey, magnificent as it and its organs are, says it all really – it is no longer possible to stage a concert involving an organ in Chapel because the incumbent instrument is beyond repair. And Dean Close should have an organ of distinction, to support worship, choral music and congregational singing in Chapel and to provide a suitable instrument for teaching, learning and recitals. Dean Close pupils deserve the best facilities, and it is time that the School had an organ of which Dean Close can be proud - along with the Theatre, classrooms, and astro-turf pitches for example – and which enables pupils to fulfil their potential.

Two former pupils of musical distinction, Matthew Martin and Ashok Gupta, gave their time freely in this concert, as did the Carducci Quartet and the Abbey Organist, Carleton Etherington. Matthew, now a composer and Organist of Brompton Oratory, was organ scholar of Magdalen College, Oxford before holding positions at New College, Oxford and at Canterbury and Westminster Cathedrals. Ashok was Organ Scholar of Clare College, Cambridge and is now making a name for himself as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation. Benjamin Nicholas directed the Chapel Choir (only the first week of term, no pressure!) and brought the whole performance together. A reception in the Abbey afterwards enabled the audience to share its joy at a superb concert.

The programme began with Sir CHH Parry’s anthem written for the coronation of King Edward Vll in 1902, I Was Glad. With the Abbey organ underpinning it, the Chapel Choir was able to ‘open up’; and, as those famous final bars rang around the Abbey, to give a tantalising glimpse of that heavenly ‘plenteousness within thy palaces’.

Carleton Etherington played the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, demonstrating both the Abbey’s famous Milton Organ and his reputation as one of the foremost players of JS Bach. The sound of Carducci Quartet, resident at Dean Close and responsible for string teaching across the Schools, rang around the Abbey. We had brio in the Allegro from Haydn’s String Quartet, op 74 (The Rider); and the variations in the 2nd movement of EJ Moeran’s E major String Quartet were most exciting.

Percy Whitlock’s Elegy from his Symphony for Organ and Strings in an arrangement for organ, was the first of two pieces played by Matthew Martin. Elegy is the Romantic, inter-war ‘classic’ for which this composer for organ is perhaps best known and Matthew’s sensitive interpretation contrasted with his second piece, a stunning performance (I never realised you were so fast on your feet, Matthew!) of Francis Pott’s much-broadcast Toccata, which is just about in B minor and ends on a massive F# major chord – there is no doubting when this number has finished!

The first half was rounded off by Carleton Etherington playing Widor’s Toccata (lot of toccata around in this concert) with the Chapel Choir singing the choral overlay by David Willcocks – fun!

Ashok Gupta thrilled us all, not least his former piano teacher, with his consummate playing of a Chopin Nocturne followed by a virtuoso performance of Debussy’s L'Isle Joyeuse. Some pianist! It is quite moving for those who taught and cajoled Matthew and Ashok at school to hear them play in a live concert – young men with huge talent and wonderful achievements to their names already, yet humble, self-deprecating, grounded. Thank you, both.

As if we hadn’t scaled the heights already, Laurence Kilsby of the Schola Cantorum, then showed exactly why he is one of the outstanding trebles of any generation: his control in the Alleluia (from Exsultate Jubilate) by Mozart was simply phenomenal; and Constanze herself would have been proud of the top note at the end. The choristers then sang Lift Thine Eyes from Elijah by Mendelssohn and How Can I Keep From Singing by John Scott. Carleton Etherington then played that recitalist’s showpiece, Carillon de Westminster by Louis Vierne, first played by the composer in the Cathédrale Nôtre Dame de Paris, where not so long ago the Chapel Choir, having sung the main Sunday Mass, processed out along the whole length of the nave and through the great West Doors to the massive sound of that very same organ. Dean Close really should have one!

This brings us back to the Chapel Choir and the final number in the concert, Blest Pair of Sirens. This noble setting of Milton, At a Solemn Musick established Parry’s reputation in 1887 as the leading British choral composer of his day. It was sung at the Royal Wedding in 2011 and on so many great occasions when hearts and voices are to be raised, the roof lifted, our eyes turned heavenward and ‘mixt power employ’.

It is probably not without significance that the Choral Director of Dean Close, Benjamin Nicholas, who is responsible for the exceptional standard of choral music at the School, for the direction of the Schola Cantorum, and for the new Organ project, chose to end this programme with his choir accompanied on the Milton Organ of Tewkesbury Abbey, the very organ that the blind Milton himself is said to have played, with Parry and Milton. For some of us, to sing Parry in Tewkesbury Abbey is to catch a glimpse of heaven. Perhaps Milton could have the last word on a fabulous concert:

‘O may we soon again renew that Song,
And keep in tune with Heav’n, till God ‘ere long
To His celestial concert us unite,
To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light.’

Young kids 'get down' street dancing

2012-04-20T00:00:00

Year Two wowed the Pre-Prep School when both classes performed their street dances in front of pupils and teachers during an exciting Friday assembly! Pupils had worked hard developing their performances and choreographing their work during PE lessons with Miss Scull last term. Each class learned street dance moves, chose a song, interpreted the music and practised hard to produce their final pieces. The performances demonstrated their enthusiasm and confidence and kept the audience rapt throughout – it was fantastic! We are now working on a date when the dances can be performed to parents. Well done to all Year Twos and to Miss Scull.

New Director of Choral Music

2012-04-17T00:00:00

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Bell, currently the Assistant Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, as Director of Choral Music of Dean Close School. He will also direct the boys and men of Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum. The appointment follows the resignation of our current Director who leaves us to become Organist and Director of Music of Merton College, Oxford.

Simon regularly directs Winchester Cathedral Choir in services and rehearsals, is the Co-director of Winchester Cathedral Girl Choristers, was Assistant Conductor and Repetiteur of the Waynfiete Singers, has been Guest Conductor of Southern Voices and is the Founding Director of Southwell Minster Girls’ Choir. He is also an accomplished organist, having been an Organ Scholar at Westminster Abbey and was Assistant Organist at Southwell Minster before his move to Winchester Cathedral.

Headmaster, Jonathan Lancaster, said: “We were all extremely impressed with Simon’s musical skills which are exceptional. I am confident that he will be able to build on the excellent work that Ben has put in place for the Schola Choristers and will bring some exciting new ideas to the role.”

On his appointment to Dean Close School, Simon said: “I feel that my depth of experience and knowledge of working with different Cathedral choirs of great variety will stand me in excellent stead for developing and nurturing the Schola Cantorum and the senior school choirs. One of the great advantages of the Schola Cantorum is that their schedule allows them to undertake additional projects in the form of recordings and tours – an area I am keen to nurture in the future.”

Simon has a Master of Music (M Mus) (Advanced Performance) from the Royal College of Music following his graduation with a First Class B Mus from Leeds University.

National Schools' Cross Country Champions 2012

2012-04-09T00:00:00

After a run of very successful equestrian seasons, Dean Close School have become NATIONAL SCHOOLS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONS 2012.

The School entered two teams and one Individual for the Championship which was held in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire on Easter Monday. The overnight rain and all-day persistent drizzle made the ground conditions testing, turning a tricky, twisting cross-country course into an even more difficult one. Despite this every team member rode very skilfully, each completing the course and all choosing the large bonus fences to gain maximum points. Five of the team went completely clear.

Dean Close Results:

TEAM 11 - Greg Hall, Philli Hall, Ollie Hall and James Norris
WON the OPEN to become National Schools Cross Country Champions 2012

TEAM 1 - Ginny Troughton, Philli Hall, Maddie Millington-Drake and Caitlin Belsham
PLACED 4th

TOP TEN INDIVIDUAL PLACINGS:

James Norris - 3rd
Becca Maddern - 4th
Ollie Hall - 8th

Easter Fun in the Pre-Prep

2012-03-23T00:00:00

On the last morning of term, the Pre-Prep held an exciting Easter Fun morning at school. Following an assembly about Easter, all classes took part in Easter activities in the classroom, including creating Easter bunnies, Easter finger puppets, designing Easter eggs and Easter baskets. The morning finished with an Easter treasure hunt for all children – a great time was had by all!

Pre-Prep Spring Festival 2012

2012-03-22T00:00:00

Children at the Squirrels enjoyed performing to family and friends at their Spring Festival with a varied and exciting programme along an ‘animal theme’! The concert got off to a superb start with the Singing Squirrels (the Pre-Prep choir consisting of Year One and Two children) performing I once saw an elephant with great enthusiasm. They were followed by lively renditions from the Year Two classes continuing with some ‘jungle’ songs, The Bold Hippopotamus and the Bare Necessities. Our youngest children in the Nursery then sang, marched and acted The Bear went over the Mountain to great applause from the audience! The Kindergarten also demonstrated great confidence and obviously enjoyed being on the stage, dancing and singing to the upbeat song, Mrs Bunny and followed this with Alice the Camel. We had a treat with Reception’s first song – an animal song but sung superbly in French – Le cheval fait which they followed with the lively song Down in the Jungle. The Year One classes impressed everyone with their clear words and enthusiastic, tuneful singing of the Elephant Song and Old Amsterdam. Our Spring Festival was then brought to a fantastic finale with Year Two performing an atmospheric dance to The Circle of Life – convincing the audience that we were on the plains of Africa! Well done to all the performers and thank you to parents for supporting them so well.

For photos click here

A Great Debate

2012-03-22T00:00:00

Another National Final for Dean Close, this time in the European Youth Parliament. The Lower Sixth team of 10 pupils won the Thames Valley round of the competition at the Oxford Union this week and were duly awarded a place in the prestigious National Finals in Liverpool. If they are successful in the National Finals they have the opportunity to represent the UK in an international competition held in either Amsterdam or Munich next year.

Harriet Davis and Charlotte Ivers were the main speakers and proposed a debate on education reform in the EU. The full team consisted of the following Lower Sixth pupils: Jonathan Cahill, Harriet Davis, Hannah Dodd, Zoe Firth, Charlotte Ivers, Martin Turel, Jack Woods and Jennifer Zhang.

Head of History, Paul Davies, said ”I was really impressed with their preparation which was done mostly on their own, showing real independence of thought. The Dean Close speeches in particular were very focused and commended by the judges.”

Chamber Groups in National Final

2012-03-22T00:00:00

This year, three Chamber Groups from Dean Close School won their way through to the Final of the Pro Corda National Chamber Music Festival for Schools. This was the first time that the School has entered the competition, and with two groups from the Senior School and one from the Preparatory School gaining places, made it even more fantastic that all three groups did so well. All three groups have been led by Emma Denton, part of our Head of Strings foursome and cellist in the Carducci Quartet.

The competition was open to all schools in the UK, including Saturday Junior music Colleges. The chamber groups entered at the initial stages, went into the semi-finals and then into the finals which took place earlier this month in Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks. Part of the competition involved taking part in a masterclass after each stage, allowing the competitors to assimilate the adjudicators comments and respond to them.

Prizes included a performance at the Wigmore Hall this summer (the best hall in the UK and arguably the world for Chamber Music) and/or a lunchtime concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Representing U14s from DCPS

Tinwai Cheung - violin
Hannah Brooks-Hughes - violin
Orly Giannini - viola
Andrew Whitford - cello

Representing U19s from DCS

String Nonet

Matthew Paget, Chris Paget and Ellie Williams - violin
Thomas Dyer, Boboi Rahedi and Marisol Hillier - viola
Sash Lowdon, Stephen Whitford and Alice Helm - cello

Clarinet Quintet

Amy Hayes - Clarinet
Hannah Farrugia Sharples - violin
Marisol Hillier - violin
Tom Dyer - viola
Sash Lowdon - cello

Year 6 visit Corinium Museum

2012-03-21T00:00:00

Year 6 visited the Corinium Museum in Cirencester at the end of March. The Romans settled there in the 2nd century AD and as the coach drove into the town, the driver pointed out an old amphitheatre. The circle of seats was clearly visible even though they are now all covered with earth and grass.

Inside the museum pupils looked round the galleries and saw many interesting objects from Roman times, especially the large, colourful mosaics that had been made in the town, with pictures of animals or Roman gods and goddesses. There were lots of weapons, tools and utensils as well as coins and jewelry, which showed what everyday life was like.

Everyone had a go at being an ‘archaeology detective’ with the museum staff: they examined Roman artefacts to work out what kind of person owned them, what sort of house they lived in and what work they did. Some pupils dressed up in the outfits too!

Another National Final for Dean Close

2012-03-21T00:00:00

For an unprecedented eighth time in five years, a Dean Close hockey team has qualified for the National Finals.

Earlier this season, the U16 boys’ team won the county championships and the zone round to gain a place at the West of England finals last week. They played five games beating Taunton School 2-1 in the semi final to meet Millfield in the final. The final score was 2-2 which led to sudden death penalty flicks where Millfield won 7-6, a team they had already beaten earlier in the year.

That meant the team had to travel to Essex for a ‘winner-takes-all’ playoff against Saffron Waldron High School. In a dominant performance the team won 6-1 with Lloyd Evans scoring a hat-trick.

The Dean Close U16 boys’ hockey team now goes on to take part in the National Finals on 25-26 April at Cannock Hockey Club. It is the same team that lost the U14 National title on penalty flicks in 2011.

Director of Sport, Rhys Gwilliam, said: “It has been a long journey for the boys to get to this stage, putting in a huge amount of time, effort and dedication. The level of talent within this squad equals that of the team who won the National Title in 2009. There is no reason why these boys cannot do the same.”

This qualification comes on the back of a fantastic season for the U16 girls who won the West of England Championships and came 9^th in the National Finals in what is the biggest and most prestigious schools netball tournament in the country.

U16 Netball Team Ninth in the Country

2012-03-21T00:00:00

Dean Close U16 netball girls can confidently take their place in the top 10 teams in the country after claiming ninth place at the National Finals in Basildon this month. In the group stages they played eight games, winning four and losing four and unfortunately lost their key last game which would have taken them into the semi finals.

The U16 squad claimed their place in the National Finals after taking part in the South West Regional Competition in Bournemouth. After some gruelling matches, culminating in seven wins and one loss, the squad achieved first place against the 13 other County representative schools.

The U16 Netball squad, captained by Rachel Scrase, originally qualified for the Regional Competition back in November after becoming County Champions. This is the first time in many years that an U16 Gloucestershire team has made it through to this level of the competition, and the first time ever for a Dean Close U16 netball squad, the same team who reached the Finals two years ago as an U14 squad.

Head of Girls Games, Samantha Ellingford, said: “This is a thoroughly deserved result after some very strong performances. The win was a squad effort but particular mention must go to Rachel Scrase and Rosie Abbott for outstanding accuracy in their shooting all day and to Lauren Elias who was a driven and consistent defender throughout, gaining may interceptions to regain possession.”

Results:

vs Millfield W9-4
vs Maynards W8-5
vs BGS W15-5
vs Truro W13-5
vs Dorcan Technology College L7-8
vs Parkstone W9-7

Semi Finals vs Wells Cathedral School - W12-8

Finals vs Doran Technology College W8-4

Overall Results for the U16 age group:

1st – Dean Close (Gloucs)
2nd – Dorcan Technology College (Wiltshire)
3rd – Wells Cathedral School (Somerset)
4th – Helston Community College (Cornwall)
= 5th – Maynard School (Devon ) / Bournemouth School for Girls (Dorset)
= 7th – Parkstone Grammar (Dorset) / Clifton College (Avon)
= 9th – Bristol Grammar (Avon) / Marlborough College (Wiltshire)
= 11th – Truro High School (Cornwall) / Cheltenham Ladies College (Gloucs)
= 13th – Millfield (Somerset)

Squad: Squad: Rachel Scrase (c), Rosie Abbott, Lucy Keyworth, Melissa Teague, Fey Martins, Adelaide Hollows, Clara Davis, Lauren Elias, Hattie Parker, Phillippa Hall

Julie Kent's marathon for CLIC Sargent

2012-03-20T00:00:00

Shelburne Housemistress Julie Kent will run the Virgin London Marathon 2012 to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

To watch Julie's video click here

To donate click here

Abbey congregation uplifted on Mothering Sunday

2012-03-20T00:00:00

Meeting Stuart Lancaster

2012-03-14T00:00:00

Dean Close rugby coaches had the ultimate inset training session when they travelled down to the England Rugby Training Camp in Bagshot last week.

Stuart Lancaster very kindly allowed six members of staff to spend the day at the camp, watching England train with coaches Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree. They saw two training sessions, one in the morning where the forwards and backs had separate sessions and each group went through their unit plays. In the afternoon session they watched the whole squad train together and observed the team prepare their defence strategy and aspects of the attack in preparation for the France International.

After the second session, Stuart then had a private chat with the group and openly talked about his vision, selection, philosophy and the media. This was a unique insight into the external pressures and day to day workings behind coaching at International level.

The visit was arranged by Dean Close Director of Rugby, Paul Hull, who used to coach the England Saxons (the England 2nd team) with Stuart Lancaster three years ago.

Paul set up the visit in order to have an opportunity for a rugby inset and for the staff to see what happens at the elite level of rugby.

Year 2 enjoy a Falconry display

2012-03-14T00:00:00

The Year Two children were treated to an amazing falconry display when they were visited by birds of prey from the Cotswold Falconry Centre, as part of their topic on Flight. They learnt about the different flying styles, diets and the hunting habits of owls, eagles, hawks and falcons. Some children were lucky enough to actually hold a bird with a falconry glove. Joe the Barn Owl swooped very low overhead and caused a few startled shrieks! The other thing that caused some amusement was when Scruffy the Falcon would not be tempted by any of the food! But then he decided to go for a fly....up a tree and would not return until about an hour later! Everyone had a super time and the children wrote some lovely accounts themselves the next day.

Kindergarten Trip to Dick Whittington Farm

2012-03-09T00:00:00

This term's trip for Kindergarten was a visit to Dick Whittington Farm Park. During the morning the children walked around the outdoor area looking at the huge variety of animals including goats, a donkey, birds, pigs, wallabies, reptiles, fish, owls, chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs to name just a few. They particularly liked the deer and were surprised by the funny squeaking noises they made. They could easily spot the male as he had huge antlers! One of the wallabies had a baby, called a Joey. Joey's head was just about visible peeping out of his mother's pouch. They noticed that wallabies have very big feet and long, strong tails which help them to jump, but that day they seemed too tired to jump! As they walked though the orchard the children noticed holes in the trees which had been made by woodpeckers. They do this to either search for insects to eat or to make nest holes. For lunch everyone enjoyed a picnic in Dick Whittington's castle to give them energy for the indoor play area. They had lots of fun on the wavy slides, trampolines and climbing equipment and loved diving into the ball pools. There was also a beautiful pink princess castle, which some of the girls wished they could live in! It was a fantastic day!

Year One trip to Gloucester Waterways Museum

2012-03-06T00:00:00

Year One children enjoyed a fascinating day out at Gloucester Waterways Museum, which linked to their topic on the British Isles. Everyone enjoyed creating ‘Roses and Castles’ artwork in the form of plates and water jugs. It was a challenge to squash onto a narrow boat and to experience the crowded conditions in which families lived over one hundred years ago. The tour of the museum gave all the pupils a chance to get wet operating a series of locks and to test their strength by hoisting sacks using ropes and pulleys. The fine weather allowed everyone to walk around the docks and to see the lock, the dry docks and the old railway lines, which were used to help transport goods to the local area from the ships that made their way up the canal from Bristol and Sharpness. Everyone had a really fantastic time and had the opportunity to experience history in a positive and fun learning environment.

Year 3 Trip to Birmingham Museum

2012-03-06T00:00:00

On Tuesday we went to Birmingham Museum because we are learning about Ancient Egypt. The whole of Year 3 went. We each got a booklet of questions which we had to answer.

First we hung our coats up. After that we climbed up the enormous staircase to the gallery. Our group answered questions and we saw really amazing old artefacts, all over 2000 years old. There was even a mummified crocodile.

Next we ate lunch in the schools only area. I sat at a table with Jason, Alix and Josh. We talked about the museum. Next we started walking towards the place where we were going to do the hands on mummification.

We were very excited! Whilst we were there we touched lots of old things. We even touched a human skull! We also learnt that people who wrap the bodies when mummifying people are called Wetus.

Finally we went to quickly see some Leonardo da Vinci pictures in the Art Gallery. This was a bonus. We went to the gift shop where I bought a massive pencil with a Pharoh on the end, two postcards and a ring, before we got on the coach and went back to school.

Report by: Megan, Corli, Sebastian, Jason, Hannah P, Olivia, Alex, Hannah BH and Helena.

For more photos click here

Winning Art at Natural History Museum

2012-03-06T00:00:00

Congratulations to Pollyanna Harris in Year 6 whose wildlife picture was chosen from amongst 3,000 entries to by hung at a wildlife exhibition at the Natural History Museum. As part of her prize she will have the opportunity to meet wildlife artist David Shepherd, who judged the competition. Pollyanna said, ‘It will be so exciting to go to the Natural History Museum in London, meet one of my heroes and see my picture on the wall’.

U13 Boys - County Hockey Champions again

2012-03-06T00:00:00

For the 5th year running our U13 boys' hockey team have won the County Championships after a convincing 10 – 0 win against Whitecross School. This highly experienced team have already tasted success as West of England Champions as well as Country Champions in previous years. Team Manager Jonathan Harris said, “This was a real team effort. The boys, led by Captain Will Hewer, have made us proud yet again.”

Reception visit to Puzzlewood

2012-03-02T00:00:00

Reception went on a magical adventure to Puzzlewood recently. As always the excitement started with the minibus trip to the Forest of Dean. Upon arrival, we filled our energy reserves with a small snack and then went off to explore the forest. We all dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and went on a hunt for Grandma’s cottage. After climbing over rocks and tree stumps we found her cottage and to our surprise there was Grandma....... or was it? ‘Oh Grandma, what big teeth you have!’ said all the children! ‘All the better to eat you with’ replied the wolf and all the children ran away! After that excitement we turned into the twenty-five Billy Goats Gruff and went cautiously looking for the troll – but thankfully we didn’t find him! We had a lovely picnic lunch and then it was time for a play in the indoor straw maze, which was great fun, before returning to School after an exciting day!

World Book Day at 'The Squirrels'

2012-03-01T00:00:00

‘The Squirrels’ celebrated World Book Day with many exciting and book-related activities. In classes, pupils chose favourite characters and books, wrote reviews, made Hungry Caterpillars, and created story maps. We were also excited to welcome an author to our School who read stories and explained to Year 1 and 2 pupils how he is inspired to write down his ideas, and gave them opportunities to discuss and think of some amazing ideas themselves. We also took part in lots of reading, of course! In the morning, Year 5 pupils came from the Prep School to read with Year 1. It was lovely to welcome our Prep School friends and for our children to be encouraged by them. Then, in the afternoon, all the children read with a Pre-Prep buddy – older children with younger – and took turns to share a book. It was a lovely warm, sunny afternoon and many children were able to sit outside reading to each other – it was a magical moment to see all the children engrossed, reading together and enjoying each other’s company.

Another favourite whole School moment was our ‘book character’ parade. We marched all the way to the Prep School, were admired by Prep School pupils and teachers and felt very proud of our fantastic costumes. Well done to all children (and parents!) for the costumes – a great time was had by all!

Squirrel Strings live

2012-02-27T00:00:00

Parents and children were delighted to be treated to the inaugural performance of Dean Close Pre-Prep's new orchestra group ‘The Squirrel Strings’ at the Informal Concert before half term. There were 20 excited children involved on violin, cello and viola playing two pieces - Have a Cup of Tea and Toad in the Hole under the direction of Caroline Lumsden. Indeed, one of the pieces had only been learnt the week before in their Friday practice! They all played with enjoyment, confidence and poise and were thrilled that their first performance went so well.

Also performing in the concert were many soloists on piano, cello, violin, cello and viola and it is a great testament to the inspiration and dedication of our music teachers that the children are so confident performing at a young age. Well done to all our super little musicians and thank you to the Carducci Quartet for organising such an exciting concert.

Chinese Whispers

2012-02-27T00:00:00

Year 10 pupil Angel Parker came runner up in the Beginner's Category of the HSBC / British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition 2012 for demonstrating outstanding speaking skills in a language she has only been learning for 10 months.

Angel ,who is from an English background, had only studied Mandarin for ten months when she took part in The National Chinese Speaking Competition in London in December. She competed in the Beginners Section against contestants from schools across the UK, most of whom had been studying the language for about two years. As a total beginner, she was given one of two places to go through to the Finals of the competition, which took place at the British Museum in February.

Angel took up Mandarin because she would love to visit China and communicate properly, and hopes to take her studies to at least A level. The competition was very challenging, requiring candidates to write and recite a speech in Chinese, answer two questions from the judges and translate two sentences. Of the final, Angel said "It was really nerve wracking and I thought at one point I had gone wrong. However, luckily the result went my way and I was told by the judges that I had very good pronounciation for someone who hasn't learned the language for that long. It was very rewarding!"

The competition is organised by the British Council to support and promote the teaching of Chinese as a modern foreign language in UK schools. The judging panel includes the Chair of the Edexcel Board of Examiners for the Chinese GCSE, Chinese academics and representatives of HSBC and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

The Brain Challenge

2012-02-22T00:00:00

The ‘Brain Challenge’ hosted by the Psychology Department has become an annual fixture. This year the event was expanded to include a variety of tasks to test spatial skills. Participants moved through four brain zones to complete tasks that were organised by the Lower Sixth Psychology students. In addition to racing remote controlled cars in the Quad, this year’s challenge added three extra brain challenges, including completion of a puzzle, playing Temple Run on an iPad and following written directions on a map to move to a specific location. Each challenge needed to be completed in the fastest time possible. The pupils set out to investigate whether there are gender differences in spatial abilities such as navigation, perception and rotation. The hypothesis stated that males would demonstrate better spatial abilities than females with a faster overall time on the four brain tests. The event was widely supported with both pupils and teachers participating in the challenges. After analysis of the data, the results were not as anticipated. It was concluded that there were no gender differences in spatial ability... which may come as a surprise to some!

Pre-Prep Pancake Fun!

2012-02-21T00:00:00

The Pre-Prep held an action-packed Pancake Fun day. It was a great success with every child joining in different activities throughout the day. The activities covered all areas of the curriculum including Maths and Literacy. Each class held their own activities including designing new pancake toppings, reading and writing stories, making and eating pancakes, pancake races and obstacle courses and of course pancake tossing – with real and playdough pancakes! All the children had a wonderful day.

Below, Kindergarten enjoy the fruits of their labour!

Ancient Languages Still Very Much Alive

2012-02-21T00:00:00

This year, Dean Close pupils won both the Gloucestershire Senior Latin and Greek Reading competitions held at St Edward’s School, Cheltenham on Tuesday 7th February.

The Dean Close team comprised of three sixth formers: Tom Dyer (U6), Charlotte Ivers (L6) and Lizzie George (L6) who are all currently studying Latin and Greek at A level. Tom was particularly exceptional, taking first place in both the Greek and Senior Latin competitions competing against pupils from Cheltenham Ladies College, Malvern St James’ and St Edward’s.

The contest was adjudicated by David Raeburn of New College, Oxford who was looking for accurate pronunciation and good meter. Contestants in the Latin section read a poem by Catullus and in the Greek section, they read a passage from Homer’s Iliad.

In recent years Dean Close has been able to boast an outstanding record in this competition. Head of Classics, Jon Allen, said: “Having lost our crown last year to a very good St Edward’s team it was pleasing to reclaim our pole position. Latin and Greek poetry were written to be heard, not read and so it is great to be able to appreciate the aural effects of Greek and Roman poets.”

The Classics Department has a strong Oxbridge tradition and this year Tom Dyer has a place at Oxford to read Classics and Modern Languages. The Department boasts excellent results in both languages at GCSE and A Level and in 2011, 100% of A Level Latin students achieved A*/A and almost a quarter of the GCSE year group took Latin and/or Greek with 100% pass rate, over 80% of which were A*/As.

New stage in Pre-Prep playground

2012-02-20T00:00:00

The Pre-Prep has a new addition to the playground - a stage for our budding little actors and actresses! The stage was built through the generosity of parents who donated money from the sale of second hand uniform in our second hand uniform shop. The stage was ready when the children came back to School after half-term and was an instant hit! The children love performing and we know that this will be in use every playtime.

Music Dept celebrates multiple successes

2012-02-06T00:00:00

The Music Department has been celebrating a string of good news recently -

Bea Pettifor has received no less than three offers to study French horn at Music College, all with scholarships. Although she has accepted a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, she also received offers to the Birmingham Conservatoire and the Welsh College of Music.

Tom Dyer has won a Choral Scholarship to Merton College, Oxford to read French and Classics.

Joe Morford has been selected to play the ‘cello for the main National Children's Orchestra (NCO) of Great Britian for 2012. This is the NCO's senior orchestra for children under 14 years and is the UK's most prestigious children's symphony orchestra. This will be Joe's fourth year in the NCO, which has five age-banded orchestras, and includes two 9-day intensive residential courses and concerts at major venues.

The orchestra will make several public performances in 2012, including at Cadogan Hall in London on 13th April alongside world-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber; Birmingham Town Hall on 14th April; Colston Hall in Bristol on 25th August and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 9th December.

(Find out more about the NCO and how to buy concert tickets - www.nco.org.uk)

Prep Music Scholars' and Award Holders Concert

2012-02-03T00:00:00

The Prince Michael Hall was the venue for a fabulous evening of music making by the Prep School Music Scholars and Award Holders. It was an evening of excellence, with well-prepared performances ranging from Vivaldi to jazz. An audience of over 100, including boarders from Caldecote and Fortfield, enjoyed performances with pieces up to Grade 8 standard, which culminated in all the pupils coming together to perform as an orchestra, in an intriguingly titled piece, Polka from Swanda the Bagpiper. This was a first rate evening and one that we shall certainly be repeating in the future.

Year Two Assembly

2012-02-02T00:00:00

2LT did their assembly for the children and parents about flying. Mr Robbie from the RAF section in the Senior School kindly lent them some RAF berets so that thet could look the part when they sang Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. They shared factual information that they had researched from non-fiction books and also encouraged everone else to join in with Let's Go Fly a Kite. The assembly finished with the school song.

2nd place in National Maths Competition

2012-02-01T00:00:00

Dean Close has come second in the Finals of a National Competition – the UK Senior Mathematics Team Challenge 2012. This Hewlett Packard sponsored competition, which took place in London earlier this week, saw 64 regional-winning teams including Eton, Harrow and a number of city grammars, vying for the title by tackling a number of questions and problems to be solved in a specified time frame. The Dean Close team, made up of Wesley Howell (team captain and Head of School), Wen Hau Zhou, Edmund Chan and Richard Li, was coached by another Upper Sixth Former Frank Fu. Their intense training and excellent teamwork, constantly checking and re-checking each other’s answers during the competition, helped them to secure second place. Head of Mathematics, Peter Garner, said “This is an amazing achievement given the size of Dean Close compared to some other competitors, and the broad range of mathematical ability amongst pupils.”

The team took part in the preliminary round of the competition in the autumn and reached a staggering 6th place out of 1900 schools across the country.

Have a go at the sample question below -

Prep School Swimming Gala

2012-01-27T00:00:00

Dean Close Prep School held their annual House Swimming Gala at the end of January which proved a really exciting competition with some very close races. As always, it was keenly contested with all swimmers trying to earn points for their House. The standard of swimming was excellent, with records falling in a 5 races including an individual record by Grace Greaves, the first in many years. With the continued addition of 'B' races more pupils were able to participate and compete for their House. By the end of the afternoon the results were:

Junior Boys: Yeaman
Junior Girls: Oaksey
Intermediate Boys: Oaksey
Intermediate Girls: Yeaman
Senior Boys: Caldecote
Senior Girls: Oaksey

Overall: Oaksey

Year Two Science Walk

2012-01-27T00:00:00

The Year two children went for a science walk to observe seasonal changes in the environment. They soon found that not very much was growing in the Prep School garden; however Charlie thought that was because his Daddy had picked all the sprouts! The children compared evergreen plants with deciduous trees and discussed the differences. While walking across the field the weather decided to join in and it started to rain rather heavily, so everyone had to escape and shelter in the basecamp of Forest School! Due to the previous night's snow the children were able to find clusters of ice. On their way back to the Pre-Prep everyone washed their wellington boots in the newly formed 'Shelburne Lake'! A great time was had by all, especially when they had hot chocolate back in the classroom.

Be a Chorister for a Day

2012-01-26T00:00:00

It was lovely to welcome 14 boys from a variety of different schools to our 'Be a Chorister for a Day' held in Tewkesbury Abbey on Thursday 26 January. The boys had rehearsal time at the Prep School, followed by tea with the whole School, and then drove up to the Abbey for a mini-concert with the Schola Cantorum, to the delight of parents, friends and staff. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Dean Close Sing Great Choral Work

2012-01-25T00:00:00

Dean Close School Choral Society's performance of Bach's undisputed masterpiece, the Mass in B minor took place in Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday 22 January. The Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum, The Bristol Ensemble and soloists Julie Cooper, Caroline Trevor, Christopher Watson and Giles Underwood completed the line-up for what was a memorable performance of one of the most demanding works in the choral repertoire.

Soloists Julie Cooper and Christopher Watson are both former pupils of Dean Close School and now enjoy international careers as soloists and concert singers. The hundred members of the Dean Close School Choral Society had been preparing for this performance since September.

A full review of this concert can be found on this link.

Dean Close is well-known for promoting choral singing, and in 2010 gave a performance of Verdi's Requiem in the Town Hall. Recently the choristers of Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum, who are based at Dean Close Preparatory School, sang a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and are shortly to give concerts in France.

Pre-Prep Puzzle Fun & Challenge Day

2012-01-25T00:00:00

The Squirrels held a very exciting and successful ‘Puzzle Fun and Challenge Day’. The day linked with our aim of developing the children’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills, setting them a wide variety of fun challenges and tasks during the day. Each class had a workshop session in the hall with Dr Shelley where the children had to work together to conquer challenges such as ‘Build a bridge challenge’ using only newspaper, selotape and 2 plastic cups!

The children then worked on different puzzles throughout the day in their classrooms and outside, displaying great thinking skills, co-operation and problem-solving skills – which of course was what the day was all about! The day ended with the Year 2 children testing the parachutes they had designed and made – trying to make sure their hard-boiled egg didn’t crack when their teachers dropped the parachutes! A great time was had by all!

Teachers are now using challenges and puzzles in the classroom to encourage thinking skills across the curriculum throughout the year as we believe that creative thinking is an essential part of our stimulating curriculum.

Balancing penguins! Nursery success! Successful bridge

Roadblock challenge Puzzle challenge

Poetry Competition 2012

2012-01-24T00:00:00

In this year's Poetry Competition final, the audience were treated to a wonderful range of poetry - some serious and some lighthearted - from across all six year groups. The finalists displayed amazing poise, confidence and creative ability, as each stood alone in front of the entire School! The audience was captivated throughout. Congratulations to all who performed in the competition and indeed, to every child in the School, for learning and reciting their poems so very well.

NEW Pre-Prep Strings Group!

2012-01-20T00:00:00

We are delighted to have a new musical venture in the Pre-Prep: our new strings group The Squirrel Strings! The group met for the first time on Friday 20 January 2012, and enjoyed making music and playing musical games together under the wonderful direction of Caroline Lumsden. The children made a super sound and it was exciting to watch their concentration and enjoyment during the rehearsal.

This is an excellent way of encouraging children in their music-making - when they are able to have fun and make music together, they realise they can produce a great sound with their friends and it encourages more practise! We are all looking forward to the next rehearsal and to their first performance!

Year Two trip to the Airport

2012-01-18T00:00:00

Year 2 taxied all the way to Gloucestershire Airport recently, with their small suitcases on wheels to check in at the terminal. As part of our topic ‘Flight,’ we were given a guided tour of the airport where we tracked our luggage through security and on to the plane, walked between planes and helicopters, looked into hangars, saw Air Traffic Control and stood on the ‘airside’ of the fence to watch the 11.30am arrival from the Isle of Man land and park up outside our terminal building. We had a very exciting day!

Pupils Speak Oxbridge Language

2012-01-18T00:00:00

We are proud to announce that three Upper Sixth Form linguists have received offers to Oxford and Cambridge. Pictured are the three successful applicants (left to right):

Jack Evans (French and Russian at Jesus College, Oxford), Tom Dyer (French and Classics at Merton College, Oxford) and Sam Prance (French and Italian at Robinson College, Cambridge).

Many congratulations to all three as well as to Wes Howell who has been offered a place at Jesus College, Cambridge to study Natural Sciences, and to Wenhua Zhou with his offer to Homerton College, Cambridge to study Maths.

Year 8 trip to @Bristol

2012-01-12T00:00:00

When we arrived at @Bristol, the first activity we did was a Chemistry workshop where we went into a lab and did a number of different tasks. In the first experiment, different chemicals were mixed together to produce light. Then we got a splint and dipped it into a metal salt and put it into the Bunsen Burner flame to show that different metals produced different colours. Next we put two liquids in a beaker and turned the lights off and it glowed luminous blue!

When we left the workshop we went into the planetarium. There was a big screen above and all around us and we could see the stars and some planets. We learnt about sunrise and sunset and about the Moon. Also we learnt about some constellations, like Orion’s Belt and the names of some different stars.

When we had finished in the planetarium we had free time to explore the two floors of exhibits. There were lots of different interesting scientific activities to take part in. There were some that stood out for me: a room that freezes your shadow, a mini-hurricane and a film studio where you can make your own film and TV programmes.

LIVE BROADCAST - Sunday 16 January 2012

2012-01-11T00:00:00

On Wednesday 11 January BBC Radio 3 broadcast Evensong live from Tewkesbury Abbey with the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum. The music included new works by Gabriel Jackson and Nico Muhly, and William Mathias’s setting of the canticles.

Click here to hear this recording or listen again on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 16 January 2012 at 4.00pm.

Colts A rugby have undefeated season

2011-12-13T00:00:00

Congratulations to our Colts A on a fantastic UNBEATEN season. They are “Simply the Best” !!!

The boys, coached by David Jones, have dominated many of their matches only conceding 150 points and scoring over 500 points. This dominance has been due to their grit and determination to succeed. Many opposition teams have had no answer by which to stop the stampede.

The Results

Played 15 Won 14 Drew 1 Lost 0 Points For: 516 Points Against: 157

The Team

Team: James Hunt, Kieran Cooper, Bob Odukoya, Josh Brown, Milan Samuel, Oliver Smart, Liam McKinnes, Johnny Coniam, Max Coniam, Sam Porter, Freddie Thomas, Dan Hitchins, Toby Haycock

James Hunt – Captain Fantastic. He has led the team superbly; he helped to nurture the Year 5s, helping to make them feel a part of the team. He is an amazingly powerful runner with a great understanding of the game. His kicks for touch under immense pressure have been vital and his defensive tackling has been immense; not to forget his amazing tackle to prevent a try against CCJS.

Kieran Cooper, Bob Odukoya and Josh Brown – Bish, Bash and Bosh. These three forwards have been superb with their smashing runs, working hard off the ball work, always there making the tackles, rucking superbly and doing all the hard work to create quick easy ball for the backs.

Milan Samuel – Hooker extraordinaire. He has lightning reactions when it comes to hooking the ball, having stolen the ball from many opposition scrums. He has a lovely lineout throwing technique and a true thirst for causing havoc to the opposition.

Oliver Smart – The Woodcutter; he earned his name last season and he has continued to chop anything and everything down. He has worked hard to secure the ball for the backs doing a lot of the hard dirty work.

Liam McKinnes – The Midfield General. He has controlled the forwards brilliantly throughout the season. He has electric acceleration when he goes for one of his sniping runs. He has developed a wonderful spin pass and a cheeky dummy.

Johnny Coniam – Iceman; he is also Mr Cool; nothing fazes him. Whether rampaging an opposition or under the cosh, Johnny stays calm and relaxed and has helped guide the team to greatness. He has a lovely side-step and a great appreciation of when to use it wisely.

Max Coniam – Steam Train. Max has been a massive asset to the team, whether playing in the backs or in the forwards. His positive and direct running has been a beacon for his team-mates to follow.

Sam Porter – Midfield Magic. He is an elusive runner with ball in hand and has a deadly side-step. He has great vision and sublime hands for passing the ball accurately. Sam has single-handedly held off many an attack, preventing the opposition fly-half from utilising his backs by pressurising him so quickly.

Freddie Thomas – Flying bulldozer. Freddie has been an awesome presence in the mid-field, dominating the breakdown situations and stealing many vital balls, and he has run superbly with ball in hand, scoring many tries.

Dan Hitchins – Defensive Giant. He may not be a giant in stature but he has the heart of a giant with immense defensive qualities. Dan never missed a tackle even against the biggest opposition. He has a lovely sidestep and instinctive understanding when to go for the try or when to protect the ball and recycle it.

Toby Haycock – Pocket Rocket. Toby has had an unbelievable season scoring many hat-tricks including one try where he sprinted the length of the pitch from a standing start, running past three defenders before crashing through another to score. He has great poise with the ball; his strength and power are a lethal combination, especially with his dazzling side-step as well.

Royal Albert Hall debut for Laurence Kilsby

2011-12-13T00:00:00

Laurence Kilsby will make his Royal Albert Hall and Symphony Hall, Birmingham debuts over the next two weeks. In this particular programme his co-star will be Lesley Garrett.

Tuesday 13 December at the Royal Albert Hall:

http://www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/whatson/christmas-festival-royal-albert-hall-2011/christmas-classics-

Sunday 18 December at Symphony Hall, Birmingham:

http://www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/whatson/christmas-festival-symphony-hall/christmas-classics-with-lesley-garrett

Prep School Boarders' Christmas Dinner

2011-12-12T00:00:00

There are many events that mark the course of the year, and the Boarders Christmas Dinner is perhaps the one that shouts the loudest, “The term is drawing to a close and Christmas is just around the corner! Ding Dong Merrily on high!” In fact, Turkey consumed, speeches made, the boarders gave a rousing rendition of the much loved carol (slightly altered) to the staff. Dressed to the nines, in well chosen and most gorgeous outfits, our boys and girls presented a most merry image and sent the staff off into the blustery night smiling, and full of good cheer. It really goes without saying, we are very proud of them. Merry Christmas!

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2011-12-09T00:00:00

With a cast of seventy five on the stage the musical Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Dean Close Preparatory School was indeed a very colourful spectacle.

The singing was outstanding, led by Jason Richards who played Joseph, Beth Leishman who played his brother Reuben and the narrators Izzy Fairthorne, Eleanor Gammon and Lucy O’Rourke.

Over 300 children from visiting schools, parents and friends enjoyed this very contemporary rendition of the original Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical over three performances.

Lloyd Allington, the Head of Drama at Dean Close School said, "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was sheer joy from start to finish: the energy of the actors on stage was such fun to engage with, and I enjoyed myself enormously. The quality of the central performance from Jason was wonderfully high - I found him exciting to watch, and he registered the part with such engagement and natural stage presence for an audience; so self-assured and relaxed in his role. Beth who played Reuben was special too. The lovely ensemble of the team of brothers (and sisters) was such fun to watch: I could not see a face amongst them which was not hurling itself into the songs with exactly the right focus and sense of team work.

I think Lynne Lawrene (Head of Prep School Drama) and Tim McVittie (Head of Music) did a superb job - I watched, knowing a bit of the business from the inside, wondering how on earth they achieved this standard and focus from these children. Finally the band were terrific and the set and lighting were so accomplished, and so simple: everything just worked beautifully and smoothly, that we were just able to sit and love, and luxuriate in, a lovely show."

Pre-Prep Christmas Play: The Christmas Card Shop

2011-12-08T00:00:00

This year’s Pre-Prep Christmas play was the wonderful story of The Christmas Card Shop. Father Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas Present and Snowman all thought that they were the most important card. However, the children learned that the card featuring the Star was most important of all because it represented the very special Christmas story about the birth of Jesus. The whole school was involved and every child had their special moment on stage. It was a wonderful occasion for parents and other members of the Dean Close community.

County Champions for our U11 Hockey Girls

2011-12-08T00:00:00

Dean Close Prep School U11 girls have become County Champions. They won all six of their matches, scored 19 goals and conceded none!

This means that now Dean Close School are county champions in three out of four age groups that have been played (U11, U14 & U18, second place in U16) with the U13 tournament (postponed until next term). A great result!

National Children's Orchestra

2011-12-08T00:00:00

Congratulations go to Hannah Brooks-Hughes (violin), Louis Morford (violin) and Samuel Napier-Smith (bassoon) for being accepted into the prestigious National Children's Orchestra for this year. Hannah is also very pleased to have been offered a Levehulme Scholarship. Congratulations also to Daniel Brooks (violin) who has been placed on the NCO's standby list on what is his second instrument. Well done to all.

In addition, Hannah has just got 91% in her Grade 5 theory exam, which for a seven year old girl is outstanding.

Year Twos have a practical art lesson

2011-12-07T00:00:00

Year Two LT had a super Art lesson out on Chapel Close recently. They had been studying examples of work by Andy Goldsworthy who uses natural materials to create scenes and sculptures. They explored the area and found a good supply of branches, twigs, conkers, leaves and stones. In groups they then decided what they were going to create. The results were really pleasing and we had a Tyrannosaurus Rex, reindeer and people. Andy Goldsworthy always photographs his work so we did the same and the evidence is now on display in their classroom. It was lovely to see all the children working so co-operatively on this task and to be able to see the images so clearly in the finished pieces of art.

Schola Cantorum: Ceremony of Carols

2011-12-06T00:00:00

The Schola Cantorum gave a beautiful concert in the candle lit chapel on Tuesday evening, performing Britten's masterpiece for boys voices and harp, A Ceremony of Carols. Directed by Benjamin Nicholas and accompanied by Catherine White, the boys sang to a large audience of friends, relatives, staff and pupils including the boys from Caldecote. This very tricky piece, with the boys regularly singing in 3 parts, was stunningly handled, with superb dynamic contrasts, vitality and some beautiful quiet singing. Solos were performed by Samuel Napier-Smith, Dominic McClaran, Laurence Kilsby, Salim Jaffar and Hugh Wells, with Hugh's rich last low note widely praised. Well done, boys!

Music Dept launches new recital series

2011-12-02T00:00:00

Our new recital series, Fridays at 6, was launched on Friday 2 December in the Prince Michael Hall with a delightful clarinet recital given by Amy Hayes, accompanied by Helen Porter.

The programme began with the 1st and 2nd movements from Mozart's Concerto for Clarinet, followed by the 2nd and 3rd movements from Poulenc's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and concluded with the final two movements from the Sonatina by Horovitz.

Amy is taking her ABRSM diploma on Saturday 17th December.

Panto visit for Years 3 & 4

2011-12-01T00:00:00

The Year 3s and 4s visited the Everyman theatre in town to see the newly opened pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. For some it was a brand new experience and others a part of their annual festivities but it was nevertheless enjoyed by all the children. They all enthusiastically joined in with the singing and general frivolity that accompanies a pantomime including the great chase of the hero and villain through the audience and being sprayed with buckets of foam pieces. It was an entertaining and fun few hours for both teachers and children alike and a fantastic beginning to the Christmas season.

Christingle Service for Pre-Prep

2011-12-01T00:00:00

The Pre-Preparatory School held their first ever Christingle Service in the School Chapel this term. The School Chaplain, Libby Talbot, explained the meaning behind the Christingle orange and all the children, from Nursery to Year 2, were given one to take home. The pupils were joined by their parents, governors and staff from both the Prep and the Senior School at this very special service.

The Head of Pre-Prep Carolyn Shelley said, “I felt it was important for the children in the Pre-Prep to be able to experience worship in the Dean Close chapel. A Christingle service seemed to be the perfect idea for us as our first service. All the children loved taking part - they sang beautifully, enjoyed learning about the parts of a Christingle and what they tell us about God's love, and of course, they loved watching some of the Christingles being lit.”

Choral composition premiered on Remembrance Sunday

2011-11-28T00:00:00

Remembrance Sunday at Dean Close Prep School was especially significant this year as Director of Music, Tim McVittie, composed a new anthem for the choir to mark the occasion. This lovely reflective piece was premiered in the School Chapel.

Mathematicians Win Through

2011-11-28T00:00:00

Congratulations to mathematicians Wenwua Zhu, Wes Howell, Richard Li and Edmund Chan who took part in the regional heat of the Senior Team Maths Challenge, where they won the regional heat taking them through to the National Finals on 1st February. The team had been training in earnest as the event is very much a team activity where successive answers are passed over to the other half of the team in a time limited environment.

A straightforward sample question for which they had 60 seconds was:

An interior angle of an X sided regular polygon is 8 times as big as the exterior angle.

How big is 2/3 rds of X?

(Note: this is very accessible to whole of the Senior School as the topic is taught in Fourth Form)

DCPS Charity Fair

2011-11-25T00:00:00

The excitement was palpable as the great day arrived. The children had been so busy getting their stalls ready and advertising them with countless posters dotted around the school.

After a talk from Mr Cahill about the community project in Ethiopia which we were raising money for, the CPA was converted into a cross between Harrods (where you can buy anything you could possibly need) and an African market (where no price was fixed). There was enough food and drink to feed an army with the cake stalls of Mr J Harris and Mr Gould battling for customers. Other stalls which attracted large crowds were Jimmy's Gobstopper (croquet obstacle course), water chug (don't ask!) and the T-Towels. Our brilliant swing band provided the entertainment, the pupils behaved impeccably and we were all thankful that the weather stayed kind.

The grand total raised stands at £2,355 which is a record for our Charity Fair. A massive thank you to all pupils, Form Tutors, staff and parents for making this possible.

U13 girls hockey team scoop Severnside Trophy

2011-11-23T00:00:00

Last Wednesday 23rd November the U13 girls won the Severnside trophy for 7 a-side hockey. The annual tournament features several well-known schools from the region and Dean Close Prep School have won it several times in the past; this year we beat Wycliffe Prep School, St. John's-on-the-Hill, Beaudesert and Clifton College Prep to win the tournament convincingly. The girls all played well and improved their play throughout the afternoon, with Captain Harriet Abbott named as our ' Player of the Tournament'.

Year Twos write letters to Father Christmas

2011-11-18T00:00:00

On 'Spotty Day' (whilst raising money for Children in Need 2011), Year 2LT wrote their letters to Father Christmas and then went down to post their letters in the postbox by the Prep School. This was very exciting and involved considerable discussion about how to address the envelopes. We are sure that the Post Office get a lot of mail at this time of year and will ensure the letters are successfully delivered.

Year Two day out in Oxford

2011-11-16T00:00:00

The Year Two children had a fantastic day out in Oxford. They went to the Oxford Natural Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum. In the morning the children had a workshop about fossils which included smelling and touching fossiled dinosaur droppings! They also were able to look at life sized dinosaur skeletons. In the afternoon the children explored the Pitt Rivers Museum and found a great array of exciting and interesting objects to look at.

They were all very well behaved and a credit to the school.

Year One visit ThinkTank Birmingham

2011-11-15T00:00:00

Year One enjoyed a visit to Thinktank in Birmingham to find out more about our topic on toys. We had a talk about toys from the past and made a timeline of toys from the past and toys from today. We had the chance to play with toys from three different periods in the past: Tudor times, the Victorian era and the 1950s (which were fondly remembered by some of the staff). The children found out how many of the toys were made and how the materials which toys are made from has changed over time. It was interesting to see how many toys today are made from plastic and use electricity to make them move, whereas in the past most toys were made from metal and wood. Later we had time to explore other parts of Thinktank and it was useful to visit the old vehicles area and see the original bicycles and cars that had been used in picture form to help make the timeline in our talk.

Inter-Schools Dressage Qualifier

2011-11-15T00:00:00

Dean Close sent out team to an Inter-Schools Dressage Qualifier for the first time which took place at Millfield School in November. They performed extremely well considering it was their first experience of a pure Dressage competition. The team of Becca Maddern, James Norris and Caitlin Belsham came an amazing 7th out of 19 Schools. Individually, Caitlin came 5th in her Class and Becca was 7th in hers. An excellent achievement all round.

Other equestrian news -

Jaz Head jumped a clear round in the first round of the NSEA Show Jumping Championships and went through to the last eight in the Final, where she finished in 8th position over all. A fantastic effort to be placed 8th in the whole country but, like all competitors, she would have liked to have finished higher!

Chamber Choir sings Evensong in Tewkesbury

2011-11-13T00:00:00

Dean Close Chamber Choir sang a varied programme for Choral Evensong in Tewkesbury Abbey on Remembrance Sunday. The Nunc Dimittis by the Polish composer, Lukaszewski, was particularly memorable, alongside the very moving anthem by Bainton "And I saw a new heaven". Responses by Clucas and the Howells Magnificat (Collegium Regale) completed what was a very fitting and moving act of worship at the end of such a significant day.

Ashok Gupta (OD) gives piano recital

2011-11-10T00:00:00

On Thursday 10 November Ashok Gupta returned to Dean Close and delighted audiences with his dazzling piano playing. The concert was organised by Amy Hayes in aid of Nyakatakura School, Uganda. Ashok performed Bach's Partita in D Major, two Chopin Nocturnes, Chopin's Scherzo and ended with Debussy's L'Isle Joyeuse.

The hugely appreciative audience was then treated to the most sensitive rendition of Liszt's Sospiro which brought the audience to its feet in rapturous applause. Ashok rounded off the evening with Misty, revealing his versatility.

Nathaniel Parker masterclass

2011-11-08T00:00:00

The Drama Department and Drama Scholars were delighted to welcome Nathaniel Parker (of Merlin and Inspector Linley fame), who took an acting class on The Importance of Being Earnest with four scholars (Beatrice Lawrence, Harry Lock, Jonny Cahill and Lucy Poole) on Tuesday 8 November in the Drama Studio.

Mr Parker (he prefers to be known as 'Nat') interrupted his busy schedule filming for Merlin and a new sitcom he is about to embark upon in order to give us the benefit of his experience – from his LAMDA days to his current outlook. It was extremely good for our young people to hear in his Q&A session just how difficult it is in the profession, and to be encouraged to face the realities out there. Nat was a great fund of anecdotes, and he charmed and excited us by turns through the evening, with stories on Laurence Olivier, Eddie Murphy and other famous names.

It is important that our pupils meet such interesting and successful actors as part of their programme at Dean Close, and Nat is in a long line of important visiting actors who have been here over the years; we thank him warmly for his time, and we hope very much he will come again soon.

Golf tour to Devon

2011-11-07T00:00:00

A group of golfers took full advantage of the two-week half term by trekking off to North Devon on a golfing tour. On the way down they stopped to play Burnham and Berrow Golf Course, warming up with a quick 9 holes on the Channel course before having lunch. They then took on the challenge of the Championship course which proved to be long and narrow through the sand dunes of the old links course. The tour was underway and the competition between the boys had started.

The next day was Saunton Golf Club which boasts two championship courses. The sun was out and spirits were high as they embarked on the demanding East Course. The boys were starting to learn hard lessons about playing links golf and many left their driver in the their bags knowing that accuracy was key. Lunch was a very quick turnaround because of the early October evenings and it was straight on to the shorter but more technical West Course. With slightly wider fairways the boys started to feel more at home and some big hits were common place. The scores started to improve after a difficult morning and many were close to their handicaps. The evening was spent at the cinema winding down after 36 holes of golf.

Wednesday was another early start and it was off to the oldest course in England, Royal North Devon. Again another links course but finally the wind had caught up with them and everybody had to take this into consideration. This beautiful old course was right by the sea with some of the bunkers over 10 feet high. With long rushes waiting everywhere to catch and swallow any wayward ball, teacher Mr Niblett finally lost his lucky ball on the 12th after it had survived the whole tour plus 18 holes warm up at Cotswold Hills. Hero of the day was captain Josh Chaplin who hit a 3 over par 75, the best round of the tour by far. After 72 holes of scoring golf the top 4 boys were separated by 4 points. The winner and most consistent golfer of the tour was Lee Cowan who had hit the ball beautifully throughout all three days.

Hannah Williams performs at the Royal Albert Hall

2011-11-07T00:00:00

On Monday 7th November 2011 Hannah Williams played Solo Cornet with the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band at the Schools' Prom 2011 in the Royal Albert Hall.

Hannah plays regularly with this band which was formed in 2005 and comprises players aged 12-20. On this occasion they played The Smile by Matthew Hall and Birdland by Josef Zawinul before joining forces with the East Riding Senior Percussion Ensemble and the Rock Band Innovence in a dramatic arrangement of Beyonce's
Crazy in Love.

Theatre Studies trip to Krakow

2011-11-01T00:00:00

Eleven pupils, with Mr Allington and Miss Vines (Director of Drama and Head of Speech & Drama respectively), visited the historic and beautiful city of Krakow in Poland for five days in November. The Upper Sixth Theatre Studies A Level group project this year is based on the Holocaust, for which reason the visit was intended not only to experience this great city and its culture, but also to expand the pupils’ understanding of Nazi and Communist occupations. It was their chance for some immediate and first-hand knowledge of their subject matter. To stand in the gas chambers and the crematoria at Auschwitz where so many have suffered was, our pupils felt, unbearably sad and incomprehensible. They also visited Schindler's Factory, along with its excellent exhibition, where so many Jews were saved by the humanity of Oskar Schindler (made famous by the Spielberg film).

Other highlights included the great Salt Mines (with the underground cathedral and extraordinary carvings); the "Communist" tour in a rickety bus; an evening concert in the square; walking tours of the city; the magnificent Wawel Castle, located immediately in front of the hotel creating superb views over the breakfast table; dinner out at the mediaeval restaurant. The group also encountered some extraordinary people, all of whom had stories to tell when asked: the charming elderly gentleman Salt Mine guide; the Communist bus driver, an Economics graduate whose life had clearly not been easy under the Communist regime; the very sweet guide Anna; the old lady (in mediaeval dress) employed outside the restaurant who took pride in her ability to speak English by telling her life story. It became apparent that everyone the group met had a story to tell and all had experiences and suffering hidden away.

Year Two LT make flying reptiles

2011-10-31T00:00:00

2LT had great fun making pterodactyls and other flying reptiles from prehistoric times with wings that actually moved. They used two straws, one inside the other and by pushing and pulling on the straws the wings flapped up and down.

Artists visit Studio

2011-10-20T00:00:00

Last November, famous artist and wildlife conservationist, David Shepherd, visited Dean Close with an exhibition and talk on his life and works. During that visit he spent time with pupils and enjoyed their company so much that he invited them to his house. The day finally arrived on Thursday 20th October when 12 artists (8 from the Senior and 4 from the Preparatory School) travelled down to his home for lunch and a tour of his home and studio.

On arrival they were given a warm personal welcome and made to feel relaxed and at home in the internationally renowned artist’s company. Initially they were shown a brief video which outlined his accomplished life and his passion for his work. Then, on a mystery tour, they were taken down a tunnel under his garden into a surprisingly tidy studio with amazing natural light. After this he took them into his gallery where he talked about his paintings and provided a delightful lunch.

The whole occasion was very informal and everyone chatted to him and his wife about his work, current affairs and the impact of his work on everyday life. The visitors commented on how they were taken aback by his overwhelming passion and vigour for life. It was a truly unique experience to meet this remarkable man and to get a glimpse into his amazing life.

Artists visit David Shepherd at home

2011-10-20T00:00:00

Dean Close Prep School art scholars, along with those from the Senior School, were incredibly fortunate to have had a personal invitation to visit the house and studio of legendary artist and wildlife conservationist David Shepherd. David came to talk at the Bacon Theatre in November 2010 and was so impressed by the interest and enthusiasm shown by our pupils that he insisted we came to see him personally at his beautiful Sussex home.

The long journey was worth it to be greeted by the artist himself and his lovely wife. We had a tour around his picturesque house and all enjoyed seeing how many of David’s paintings we could spot adorning the walls. We were shown a brief DVD of his early interests in steam engines and aircraft, moving through to the endangered animals which have become his passion. It was evidently only a fraction of what he has actually achieved throughout his extensive career and we were to learn more about him as the day progressed.

A highlight of the day for the pupils was a trip down into the underground tunnel that David had built to link his house to his studio and gallery, so as to avoid ever having to go out in the rain! We were then treated to an amazing lunch, prepared by his wife, and given the opportunity to chat with David about his life and heavy involvement in animal conservation. He had many stories to tell and was really interesting to listen to. David has a knack of managing to engage you in becoming as passionate and determined as he is and we all came away feeling truly inspired and ready to help save the world! Overall the day was absolutely fantastic and amazing experience was had by all.

U11 hockey girls win shield

2011-10-11T00:00:00

Last weekend, DCPS U11 girls won the prestigious Clifton hockey tournament, in which most of the top IAPS schools from the South West region and beyond were competing. The team progressed through the morning pool to the top half of the afternoon's competition, the Shield, where again they progressed through our pool to reach the semi-final. Here, strong defending, determination and a very well-taken goal saw the girls defeat the defending champions, Millfield, 1-0. In the final DCPS played Beaudesert and in a really exciting, end-to-end game the team were crowned winners by 2-1, with only a superb finger-tip save from the Beaudesert keeper denying the team a third goal.

Squad: Danielle Gibson (captain), Abigail Norwood, Katie Hunt, Georgina Acland, Lucie Watkins, Meghna Sreekumar, Georgia Mitchell, Phoebe Howell

Sir Steve Redgrave drops in

2011-10-11T00:00:00

Pupils were in for a treat when five times Olympic Champion, Sir Steve Redgrave, popped in to meet them on his way to the Cheltenham Festival of Literature. Thirty sports scholars, aged between 12-18, gathered in the Kenyon Pavilion to have their very own question and answer session with GB’s greatest ever Olympian.

Proceedings kicked off with a punchy question from a rugby player who asked Sir Steve if he had ever been ‘out drinking’ in the days before an international competition, a dig at the English Rugby Team who had just returned home from the New Zealand World Cup. He smiled, then conceded that it was very hard to maintain concentration over a six week competition and that people do need to let off steam. However, not to the extent that it can affect their final performance, noting that this opportunity only comes around once in every four years, just like the Olympics. His final quip was that he had managed to deflect the question away from himself and onto the rugby team!

When asked who inspired him, he talked about swimmer Mark Spitz who won 12 gold medals over two Olympics and as a 10 year old, that had really captured his imagination. He also told his young audience that he himself had had lots of belief from a very young age and knew his name would one day be on a trophy from the age of 15, he just didn’t know which one! By 17 he had focused on the Olympics.

Other questions covered the treatment of sports people in the media with whom he showed a certain level of sympathy, his pioneering training techniques which changed the fortunes of British rowers and which medal was more challenging, to which the answer was the last one in Sydney, mainly due to his diagnosis of diabetes three years before the games.

All the way through his interview, Sir Steve remained very relaxed and approachable, giving long, interesting answers to every question, something he is famed for! And he also demonstrated a wonderful sporting knowledge with his recall in a number of sports.

The visit ended with a scramble for autographs and photos, something he was again very happy to do. We all felt very lucky to be there.

Schola Cantorum launch new Mozart CD

2011-10-07T00:00:00

On Friday night Dean Close choristers launched their new CD at the Pittville Pump Rooms by performing Mozart's VESPERAE SOLENNES DE CONFESSORE ET REQUIEM with the Charivari Agreable Simfonie.

The evening and the new CD have both been highly acclaimed. Local music journalist Jill Bacon from the Gloucestershire Echo said -

"Despite the rafters in the Pump Room being lower than their usual abode Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum voices soared heavenward

Superbly trained by Director Ben Nicholas they produced a stunning and reverential performance of Mozart's Requiem and Solemn Vespers sympathetically accompanied by the continuo organ, strings and wind of the period Charivari Agreable Simfonie.

In the Vesperae Solennes De Confessore bold attacking entries featured strongly as few movements began with orchestral introductions. Control of breadth of dynamics highlighted the fugal Laudate Pueri followed by Laurence Kilsby's spellbinding singing of Laudate Dominum.. With an even-toned rich mellow timbre, like liquid gold, Laurence possesses a maturity of sound. His beautifully long-held Amen enthralled us broken only by the powerful chordal entry of the Magnificat with its prominent trumpet lines,

After whetting our appetite this well-balanced choir delivered an impressive performance of Mozart's/ Sussmayr Requiem. Facing imminent death Mozart poured all his emotions of fear, confusion, defiance and acceptance into this dramatic and uplifting legacy. Mozart included basset-horns, bassoons and trombones to create a darker texture which was immediately evident in the initial movement but with a warmth emanating from the vocal lines.

Taken at sensible tempos throughout, the work contained awe and foreboding (Dies Irae) entreaty (Salve me) beautiful melancholy (Lachrymosa) and drama (Sanctus). Dynamics were again well used along with clearly executed semiquaver passages.

Soloists Julie Cooper (soprano) Jeremy Kenyon (alto) Christopher Watson (tenor) and Christopher Borrett (bass) were impeccable and complemented the choir with their professionalism and exceptionally intense singing.

Ben Nicholas has created a magnificent rapport with this choir and with his encouragement and firm clear conducting the world has become their oyster.

If you missed this event it has been captured on a CD - well worth the purchase."

Remembering a great poet

2011-10-07T00:00:00

On Friday 7 October, the Mayor of Cheltenham came to Dean Close to unveil a Civic Society Blue Plaque in memory of James Elroy Flecker, the famous poet, novelist and playwright. James Flecker was born in 1884 and attended the School from 1893–1900 where his father was the first Headmaster of the School.

The unveiling was attended by members of the Cheltenham Civic Society, local MP Martin Horwood, Old Decanians and descendents of James Elroy Flecker, including his nephew James. The Headmaster began proceedings with his welcome, followed by speeches from Mr Horwood and Mr Flecker who, together with his wife and daughter, gave beautiful recitals of Flecker’s poems. After the unveiling, guests stayed for lunch.

When James Flecker left Dean Close he went on to Trinity College, Oxford. In 1910 he moved to work in the British Consulate in Constantinople and shortly afterwards married the Greek poetess, Helle Skiadaressi, before becoming Vice Consul in Beirut. Flecker is said to have caught consumption as a result of a dip in the Black Sea but soon after contracted TB and tragically died in 1915 at the age of 30. His body was returned to England and lay in the Temporary Chapel at Dean Close School. A memorial was erected by his parents and can now be seen on the south side of the present day Chapel. His death at the time was described as “unquestionably the greatest premature loss that English literature has suffered since the death of Keats”. Among his best known works are the poetry collections The Bridge of Fire, The Golden Journey and A Ship, An Isle, A Sickle Moon to Samarkand and his plays Hassan and Don Juan. See below.

A blue plaque is installed in a publicly visible location on a building to commemorate either a famous person who lived or worked in the building or an event that occurred within the building.

A SHIP, AN ISLE, A SICKLE MOON

SHIP, an isle, a sickle moon--
With few but with how splendid stars
The mirrors of the sea are strewn
Between their silver bars!
An isle beside an isle she lay,
The pale ship anchored in the bay,
While in the young moon's port of gold
A star-ship--as the mirrors told--
Put forth its great and lonely light
to the unreflecting Ocean, Night.
And still, a ship upon her seas,
The isle and the island cypresses
Went sailing on without the gale:
And still there moved the moon so pale,
A crescent ship without a sail!

HASSAN'S SERENADE

OW splendid in the morning glows
the lily; with what grace he throws
His supplication to the rose:
do roses nod the head, Yasmin?
But when the silver dove descends
I find the little flower of friends
Whose very name that sweetly ends
I say when I have said, 'Yasmin'.

The morning light is clear and cold,
I dare not in that light behold
A deeper light, a deeper gold
a glory too far shed, Yasmin.
But when the deep red eye of day
is level with the lone highway,
And some to Mecca turn to pray,
and I toward thy bed, Yasmin,

Or when the wind beneath the moon
is dazzling like a soul aswoon,
And harping planets talk love's tune
with milky wings outspread, Yasmin,
Shine down thy love, O burning bright!
for one night or the other night
Will come the Gardener in white,
and gather'd flowers are dead, Yasmin!

Kindergarten Trip to Pittville Park

2011-10-07T00:00:00

In early October the Kindergarten children went on their first school trip, which was very exciting. As it was the end of our week learning about the sound ‘p’ we went on a picnic to Pittville Park. Fortunately the day before our trip we decided to make some pink cakes to take with us, so our first stop on arrival at Pittville Park was the bandstand where we had our picnic of sandwiches, pink cakes and hot chocolate. This gave us an added burst of energy for the play area. Sienna and Archie loved playing on the aeroplane and flew to Legoland, Moosa and Lucas took it easy on the flying saucer swing and Eleanor enjoyed racing on the springy seal. Elliott and Edward took turns to drive the train and made sure that everyone bought a ticket if they wanted to ride on the train. We had a look at the animals before we left. Joshua thought the chipmunks were very funny as they darted in and out of their holes and Daisy liked the peacocks and chickens. Even getting to and from the park was exciting as we went on the school minibuses and tried to spot if we went anywhere near our own houses.

Triple County Champions

2011-10-03T00:00:00

Dean Close girls have fought their way to become U16 Netball and U14 & U18 Hockey County Champions.

Playing in swelting temperatures, the U18 hockey girls were the only school out of seven to win all of their matches, gaining the maximum points and being crowned winners for the second year running.

Results:

vs St Edward's - W2-0
vs Wycliffe - W2-0
vs Pate's Grammar - W1-0
vs St Peter's - W5-0
vs Cheltenham College - W1-0
vs Cheltenham Ladies' College - W1-0

The squad consisted of Luisa von Rotenhan, Adelaide Hollows, Lucy Keyworth, Isabel Bailey, Olivia Abbott (Captain), Bryony Davis, Jennifer Lea, Charlotte Williams, Philippa Hall, Amy Hayes (vice-capatin), Fay Jaffar, Rachael Scrase, Francesca Maspero, Rosie Abbott, Rhianna Evans, Helen Gregory, Lucy Howard and Hannah Beckett

The team now proceeds to the next stage of this National tournament which will take place later on in the term.

At the U14 County tournament, played at Dean Close, the girls also had an unbeaten run to take the title.

Results:

vs St Peters - W2-1
vs Bournside - W6-0
vs Pates - W1-0
Semi-Final vs Cheltenham Ladies College - W2-0
Final vs Chelt College - W1-0

The team now goes through as County Winners to the West of England finals after half term.

Squad consisted of Grace Ruddy, Elsa Pool, Millie Bell, Issi Fairthorne, Lowri Evans, Karen Zhang, Hattie Abbott, Emma Goldsmith, Judith Richards, Amy Porter, Lexi Sparkes, Casey Foster, Stephanie Phillips, Olivia Preece, Saffron Greenwood

In the U16 County Netball tournament played at Cheltenham Ladies' College, results were similar:

Group Games:
vs Chosen Hill - W9-6
vs Ribston – W15-2
vs Dene Magna – W19-2
vs Bournside – W19-3
vs Farmors – W6-2
vs KLB – w 7-1
vs Stroud High – W 9-5

Semi Final vs Pates – W8-4

Final vs CLC – W12-4

As county winners the girls now go through to the Regional South West Tournament in January.

Squad consisted of Rachel Scrase (captain), Rosie Abbott, Hattie Parker, Addie Hollows, Lucy Keyworth, Lauren Elias, Clara Davis, Charlotte Williams, Philli Hall, Rhianna Evans, Fay Jaffar, Feye Martins

Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral

2011-10-03T00:00:00

Dean Close Chapel Choir has been invited back to sing in St Paul's Cathedral next year having led a most reflective and uplifting Evensong in early October. The anthem was Gabrieli's 8-part Jubilate Deo which was perfectly suited to the resonance of the Cathedral.

A reception held afterwards in the Inner Temple was attended by Old Decanians, current parents and Cathedral Clergy who warmly complimented the School for the excellent singing.

Harvest Celebrations at the Pre-Prep

2011-09-30T00:00:00

In our Harvest Festival celebrations this year, ‘Water of Life’, we were thinking about water - how important it is in our lives, thanking God for his good gifts of water and the crops we grow with it. We decided to raise money for water projects in Africa to help children living in communities where there is no clean water. The children collected spare small change in empty water bottles and brought them into school on the day of the Harvest celebrations.

We greatly enjoyed performing our songs and poems and explaining why water is so important for children in Africa who often have to walk a long way to collect water.

The children (and parents) managed to raise a fantastic £392.83 – well done and thank you for your generosity!

Year One visit Sandfield Farm

2011-09-29T00:00:00

Year One enjoyed a fantastic trip to Sandfield Farm. The focus was our Topic work on Autumn. We went on a nature walk across the fields and through the woods, collecting things as we travelled along. As we walked we met a scarecrow, pulled up some fodder beat and climbed on hay bales. By the end of the walk everyone’s bag was full of leaves, twigs, nuts and other Autumn items. We all joined together and used our collection of Autumn things to make a giant picture of a tree. After lunch we used clay, twigs, leaves and nuts to make hedgehogs. We explored a wood and used our senses to listen, see and touch things that remind us of Autumn. We finished the day with a puzzle game in the orchard, where we worked in groups to answer questions and make fruit puzzles.

Dean Close Helps Heroes

2011-09-21T00:00:00

On 21st September pupils were excused from lessons to go out and raise money for the Help for Heroes, a charity supporting wounded servicemen and women.

Challenged by the Black Mountains

At 7am on a cold September morning, after strong coffee, three runners (one member of staff and two Upper Sixth) started the first leg down Shelburne Road. From then the relay progressed through ever more hilly terrain, along main roads, country lanes, footpaths and eventually fells and a mountain ridge with our baton, the Help for Heroes teddy bear (Hero Bear) passed from one set of runners to the next.

Initially blessed by cool, sunny conditions, the last 600 metre climb from Llanthony Abbey up onto the Black Mountain ridge was met with gale force winds, low cloud and hale that seemed to come up from the valleys below. Some were treated with startling views of Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains, but for most the elements made the last leg of the challenge a real battle of will to complete. Despite the weather, 21 pupils completed the final ridge with 23 having run one or more legs throughout the relay, and 13 members of staff joined them with several more in support. This was a tremendous team effort and the scale of the challenge can only be appreciated once you have faced such brutal weather and climbed such a testing slope. In the words of pupil Helen Gregory, when asked why it was so important that she finished the challenge and met with the buses waiting for us somewhere out there in the clag and rain, at the Gospel Pass, “if finishing this means we can give legs back to one of those soldiers who have fought for us, I have to finish.”

Headmaster's Whole School Walk

Those not en route to Hay Bluff spent the day walking on a route that enabled them to take in the spectacular views of ‘Glorious Gloucestershire’ including views over Cheltenham, the Devils Chimney, parts of the Gloucestershire Way and Crickley Hill Country Park. The completed walk was a distance of around 14kms. During the walk there was an opportunity to rest up at the country park, enjoy the vista and lunch (served by some familiar faces) before completing the last few kilometres of the walk down hill and home. On return to School there was an opportunity for the weary walkers to enjoy an ice cream to celebrate their efforts.

The weather was very sympathetic in Cheltenham and spirits were high. Pupils finished the day with tired legs but a sense that they had made a difference to the servicemen and women of Her Majesties Armed Forces.

All who took part during the build up and on the day should be congratulated for their efforts in raising money for such a worthy cause. The combined final amount of money raised from the day’s events (including a random £10 donation from a member of the public who asked what we were doing) was over £5000. The money raised is roughly equivalent to 5 new legs for injured service personnel. Each and every one of the people who had a positive input into making it happen should be proud that they were part of such worthy undertaking!

More information about the Charity can be found at: http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Year Two Dinosaur Day

2011-09-20T00:00:00

Year Two had a fantastic day on last week as it was their 'Dinosaur Detective Day'. They went out into the woods and had a super exciting 'Dinosaur Hunt' in teams. Latter in the day they made dinosaur skeletons out of art straws and fossils using clay and Plaster of Paris.

It was lovely to see the children all dressed up and we had explorers, cavemen, dinosaurs and palentologists.

The children decided that there might be enough food for the plant eaters but hoped that they would not become the meals for the meat eaters!

Badminton Horse Trials winner 2010 inspires DC riders

2011-09-19T00:00:00

The Dean Close Equestrian Club has become an important part of the school. Considerable success and enjoyment is being had by many boys and girls in the various Equestrian teams and those learning to ride. The Equestrian Manager, Mrs Paula Watson, and the Headmaster particularly wanted to thank all the parents involved with the Polo, Show Jumping, Eventing and Dressage teams for all their support over the years. Parents of past and present pupils were invited to an Equestrian Dinner in the Dining Hall in September.

The Guest Speaker was Paul Tapner who won the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy at Badminton on ‘Inonothing’ last year and was a member of the Australian team at the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Paul spoke brilliantly on the psychology of competition and ended with a video showing a jockey’s eye view on one of his horses as he rode around Badminton this year.

Year One Trip to Hatherley Park

2011-09-14T00:00:00

Year One went on a Science walk to Hatherley Park to investigate how we move on the play equipment. We thought about whether we needed a pull or a push to make something move. We found out that sometimes we need both forces to move. The children had a great time and put their science into action!

Tetrathletes win national competition

2011-09-13T00:00:00

Dean Close pupils, Ollie and Greg Hall, have been crowned winners in the Pony Club Tetrathlon Championships, held at Hartpury College in August. Brothers Ollie and Greg, who are currently in the Sixth Form, represented the VWH Pony Club at the competition, Ollie participating in the Open team and Greg in the Intermediate team. The Open team won spectacularly following three days of gruelling competition. The Intermediate team produced a fantastic result to snatch victory over a rival pony club after three team members completed the cross country course.

This is the first time that a pony club has taken both titles. Ollie and Greg have been training hard for the competition both in and out of School. “We were here to win this time and have been training all year”, said 17 year old Ollie. Pony Club Tetrathlon comprises shooting, swimming, riding and running, all of which can be undertaken as part of the co-curricular programme at Dean Close.

Other equestrian news from the summer includes:

In August this year, Dean Close came 16th out of 67 teams at the National Schools Show Jumping Championships. Our aim for this coming year 2011/12 was to be in the top 20 at Hickstead but having achieved this already, we will have to up our target! The School entered two teams and both did really well on perhaps the wettest August day possible. The going underfoot was horrible and there were very few clear rounds as a result. However, all bar one got round with just 4 faults. This placed the team of James Norris, Greg Hall and Philli Hall on a total of 12 faults and 16th place. So close to the top 10 which go through to a final round in the main Hickstead arena (although not up and over the Derby Bank!). The top 10 must now be our aim for next August.......

Caitlin Belsham came 8th at the Open Team Show Jumping Championships and then sped across the Channel the same day with another pony to France for a 1* Event carrying the Union Jack. She finished about half-way through an International field of 120 horses and was 2nd in the Pony Section.

The School has a Team and six Individual Entries for the One-Day Event Championships at Stonar in September. This is the most riders we have ever entered and it is great to see so many improving each year and having the opportunities to compete for Dean Close.

The Equestrian Club extends to the Prep School in September with two groups of riders from Year 4 upwards learning to ride each Thursday.

Year 7 trip to Snowdonia

2011-09-13T00:00:00

All 61 Year 7 pupils reached the summit of Snowdon. For many it was the longest walk of their lives and a memory to cherish for ever. Lots of new friendships were made and fun times had.