Page 1

WEEKLY BULLETIN — 13 may 2016

From the Headmaster

Last night I had the chance, in front of parents, to thank this year’s Upper Sixth Form students for making

such a unique contribution to RGS in the years that they have called this their school. As students move on

to new challenges and opportunities, last night was a chance to celebrate the community—and its clear

identity—this group of young people has created. It was also a chance to remind students, as they go on to

great things, that they can do anything they set their hearts on. To the students: take with you as adults

the lessons of childhood—hold on to your dreams, explore your talents, never abandon your

principles and be all that you can be. The rest of the school continues to be as busy as ever with trips, activities, rehearsals and performances—there is so much to do in amongst the learning and inevitable end of year preparations. Revision will have started, and we can all look forward to the fun activities towards the end of the summer term including many sporting and House events. In Maths, I am delighted to share with you that Fifth Former, Connie Bambridge-Sutton, has been invited to be a Senior at this year’s UKMT Maths Summer School for Girls at St Anne’s, Oxford. Gaining an all-expenses-paid place on this prestigious course is a fantastic achievement. As a Senior, Connie will be helping others as well as having the chance to take part in some sessions specifically for the seniors. Well done Connie. This year’s Bevis Hillier Writing Trophy—a Fifth Form writing competition that has been running at RGS since 2009—has been won by Oscar Subuh-Symons. Renowned English art historian, author, journalist and Old Reigatian, Bevis Hillier once again very kindly judged the shortlisted entries for the writing competition. Producing some exciting pieces, there clearly exists within the year group quite a number of talented writers and artists. The students were set the challenge of writing on one of three titles: Followed, The Secret or The Musician. The creativity with which the students approached this competition was deeply impressive. Oscar’s piece insightfully dramatised the impact humans are having on the planet – his piece, and the other shortlisted entries may be read here. Earlier this week the RGS Physics department set up its 8" reflector telescopes to project the image of the Sun onto a piece of white paper mounted on a drawing board, just in time to see the first moments of Mercury's path across the Sun. Many students were able to see the transit of Mercury which is a fairly rare astronomical event with the next transit due to occur in 2049. As Mercury orbits the Sun, it sometimes comes directly between the Sun and the Earth. This week was just such an opportunity to observe directly the Sun's nearest planet passing across the disk of the Sun. I am enormously grateful to Mr Ed Stonard who set up and explained what was happening in the perfect spot to catch students and staff as they passed between lessons, and on their way to and from lunch.

Page 2

FROM THE HEADMASTER

As part of their A Level English Literature course, Sixth Form students thoroughly enjoyed Michael Pennington in King Lear, perhaps Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy. The performance at the Richmond Theatre supported the Upper Sixth as they saw the play they have been studying for A2 exams brought to life, though the characters were less so by the dénouement. For the Lower Sixth, it was a fantastic spectacle as an introduction to their study of the play next year. On Wednesday, the Onatti Theatre Company returned to RGS to perform their third languages play this year, Les Garçons. This time it was the hilarious tale of a teenage boy trying to win back his former girlfriend whilst she was babysitting a toddler. There ensued a comical succession of mishaps until the return of the toddler’s parents. The students enjoyed watching and participating in the play and we look forward to seeing Onatti return next year. Cadets enjoyed a variety of weather conditions in the mountains for the CCF National Navigating Award Scheme weekend. Five bronze and five silver awards were achieved in just two days of some complex micro navigation in places! Well done to all involved. (photos attached) Student News Following try-outs, Leah Beglan and Grace Beglan have been invited to join

the Surrey Squad for Squash. They will also be representing Reigate & Banstead in the P&G Surrey Youth Games in June.

Machayla Dewdney competed in the Phoenix Tri Aquathlon Series securing first place in the Tristar 3 girls category (13-14 years old) by completing a 300m swim followed by a 3km run with an overall time of 00:18:50.

Finn Skinner has been invited to join the Harlequins U15 Development Player Programme.

Sport News In the Southern Schools Invitation Golf Tournament at Reigate Heath GC

Olly Kail finished fifth in the boys individual event whilst Charlotte Bader and Chloe Bader were runners up in the girls team event.

Please continue to email me via headmaster@reigategrammar.org with any news items, questions or feedback. With my Best Wishes Shaun Fenton Headmaster

Remember to send results from the Reigate & Redhill Music & Drama Festival to Mrs Green

In the Bulletin this Week

A Level English Literature 2

Bevis Hillier Writing Trophy 1

CCF National Navigating Award

Scheme 2

CCF Update 3

Diary Update

DofE Notices 3

E-Safety Workshop 3

EVO Hockey 3

Harlequins U15 Development Player

Programme 2

Harrison Catering Street Food 3

House Events in the Summer Term 3

King Lear 2

Onatti Theatre Company:

Les Garçons 2

Parents’ Online Payment System 2

Phoenix Tri Aquathlon Series 2

P&G Surrey Youth Games 2

RGS Physics 1

School Notices 3

Change of Address

Lateness

Pre-arranged Absence

Sickness

Surrey Squad for Squash 2

Tristar 3

UKMT Maths Summer School for

Girls 1

Upper Sixth Form Farewell 1

Vacancies 3

PARENTS’ ONLINE PAYMENT

SYSTEM

The following trips, services and items are now available

for payment via the Parents’ Online Payment System.

TRIPS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT

Biology – Nettlecombe Court Final Payment

Classics – Bath and Caerleon

German – Berlin 2016

History & Politics – USA – 2nd Instalment

Junior Ski 2016

Climbing Elective

English – King Lear

English – Shakespeare’s Globe

Page 3

From Miss Cooper—E-Safety Workshop Please do keep an eye out for two documents which are

being sent to parents summarising the E-Safety Workshop presented by Murray Letham on Monday 25 April.

Harrison Catering—Street Food For the next two weeks commencing Monday 16 May

and Monday 23 May Harrison Caterers will be providing pop up street food in the main playground at lunchtime from the H-Van. NB: cashless payment will be in operation.

EVO Hockey Please follow @HockeyRGS on Twitter where

information about RGS Hockey will be updated regularly. This will include general information and updates on our achievements. Please also see the separate flyer about EVO-RGS Hockey Camp details (places are filling up fast).

CCF Update RAF Flying: 18 May, 0645-1400hrs (Now Full) CCF Climbing Weekend: 17-19 June, 1400-2000hrs

(places available) CCF Tri-Service Field Day: 25-27 June, 1600-1700hrs

(details to follow) CCF Static Line Parachuting Course: 2-3 July, 0600-

1900hrs (places available) CCF Tri-Service Summer Camp: 4-9 July, 0900-

1300hrs (details to follow) Vacancies We currently have the following vacancies at Reigate

Grammar School: Accounts Payable Clerk CCF Contingent Commander Marketing and Events Professional Headmaster’s Administrative Assistant/

Secretary If you know anyone who may be interested in applying,

please ask them to download the information from the RGS or RSM website or contact Mrs Dawn Holmes on 01737 229327 or hr@reigategrammar.org.

Important DofE notice Please remember these DofE expedition dates for the

summer and autumn terms and please try to keep them free. There are no easy alternatives for students who cannot make these expeditions.

26-28 June: Silver Practice (current Fourth Form) 2-5 July: Gold Training, S Wales (current Lower Sixth Form) 13-17 August: Gold Qualifying, Mid Wales 7 October (Activities Day): Silver Team Building Exercise 7-8 October: Bronze Qualifying (current Third Form) 15-17 October: Silver Qualifying Dates are also to be found on the blog here https://

rgsdofe.wordpress.com/dates/. Students must complete two DofE expeditions at each level, training and qualifying, if they wish to pass their DofE.

Reply slips for the Silver (Fourth Form) expeditions must

be returned to Mr Collins as soon as possible.

House Events in the

Summer Term Wednesday 25 May First, Second & Third Form House Swimming (14:15-15:50) Friday 24 June First Form House Drama (all day) Friday 1 July House Sports Day Saturday 2 July First, Second & Third Form House Cricket, Mixed

Tennis and Rounders Tuesday 5 July First, Second & Third Form House Tug of War Tuesday 5 July First, Second & Third Form House Quiz

Important Notices from the School Office

Change of Address Please remember to update your home contact details on

the Parent Portal or by emailing the School Office via MainSchoolOffice@reigategrammar.org if there are any changes to students’ home address and/or personal circumstances.

Lateness If your child is late, they must sign in at the school office

so that our registration records can be updated accordingly.

Pre-arranged Absence For all pre-arranged absences (such as medical/dental

appointments) a Student Absence Form should be completed. Forms may be downloaded from the Parent Portal and should be emailed to the School Office via absence@reigategrammar.org with a copy to the Form Tutor in advance of the absence. Students must sign out at the office at which point the forms and reason for absence will be checked.

Sickness A number of students are contacting parents direct when

they feel unwell. Please ensure your child is aware of the sickness procedure. If they feel unwell during the day, they should go to the School Office where they will be assessed and cared for appropriately. The office staff will contact parents if necessary. Thank you for your assistance in helping us to care for your child.

NOTICES

Page 4

Diary dates Changes from the published calendar are in BOLD

May 14 Sa Cricket v Tiffin: U14B, U12B (A) 09:30 U15B, U13B (H) 09:30 1st XI (H) 11:30 2nd XI, U14A, U12A (A) 14:00 U15A, U13A (H) 14:00 Girls' Tennis v Caterham: U14A&B, U13 5 pairs (A) 09:30 U15A&B, U12 6 pairs (H) 09:30 Tonbridge Outdoor Ultimate Tournament (A)

12:00-18:00 15 Su 16 M First Form Maths: Happy Puzzle Company (RR)

09:00-13:00 Girls' Tennis v St George's: U15 (H) 16:00 Staff Meeting (PMH) 16:00-17:00 Drama: Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal 16:00-17:30 17 Tu Fourth Form Geography trip to Cuckmere 08:45-17:00 Cricket v Royal Russell: U13A (A) 16:00 * NEW * Pastoral Care Committee 16:00-17:00 Girls’ District Athletics League: U13, U12 (H) 16:30 18 W CCF Flying Experience (RAF Benson) 06:45-14:00 Boys’ & Girls’ Athletics Track & Field Cup (A) 10.00 Drama: Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Rounders v Woldingham: U12AB&C, U13AB&C (H) 16:30 Boys’ Tennis: U15 South Surrey tournament (St Bede’s) 16:30 * NEW * Cantata Choir (RR) 19:45-21:45 19 Th Golf v Brighton College (RHGC) 14:00 District Rounders v Oxted: U15A&B (A) 15:30 I'm a Geographer… Get Me Out of Here! event for junior

schools (PMH) 16:00-18:00 Ultimate Frisbee v Windsor Boys’ (H) 16:00-17:30 Music: Informal Concert (RR) 16:15-17:15 Rounders v Dunottar: U14B&C, U13B, U12B&C (H) 16:30 Reigate & Redhill Music & Drama Festival Concert

(Harlequin Theatre, Redhill) 19:00 20 F Second Form History trip to Ypres, France 06:30-22:00 Third Form Classics trip to Caerleon Roman Fortress

and Bath 06:45-20:30 Cricket v Kingston GS: U12A&B (A) 14:30 Ultimate Frisbee v Windsor Boys’ (H) 16:00-17:30 * NEW * 21 Sa Girls' Tennis v Woldingham: U14A&B, U13A&B, U12A (A) 09:30 Cricket v Eltham College: 2nd XI, U14B, U13B (A) 09:30 U15B, U12B (H) 09:30 1st XI (H) 11:00 U14A, U13A (A) 14:00 U15A, U12A (H) 14:00 22 Su 23 M First Form Geography fieldwork (River Tillingbourne) 08:40-15:50 Fourth Form Art exam (Art Studio) Cricket v KCS Wimbledon: U14C (H) 14:00 Girls' Tennis v Lingfield ND: U14 (H) 14:30 Form Tutor Meeting 16:00-17:00 Drama: Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Governors: Governance & Risk Management Meeting

17:30

24 Tu Fourth Form Art exam (Art Studio) MFL Mastermind 09:00-15:30 Upper Sixth Form Dram visit to V&A Museum

Archive (London) 10:00-16:00 * NEW * Second Form Tadworth Court Run 12:30-15:50 * NEW * Drama: Choreography Slam Dress Rehearsal

(DS/6FC) 16:00 * NEW * Drama: Choreography Slam (DS/6FC) 19:30-21:00 25 W Second Form Spanish trip to Andalucía, Spain (departs) Governors: Foundation Sub-Committee Meeting 13:00 House Swimming: Juniors 13:45-15:50 Drama: Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal 16:00-17:30 Girls’ Tennis v Notre Dame, Cobham: U13 (H) 16:15 26 Th Golf v Tonbridge (Wildernesse) 14:00 Girls' Tennis v Lingfield ND: U15 (A) 14:30 Music: Lower School Summer Concert rehearsals 16:00-18:00 Boys’ Tennis v Hawthorns: U12 (A) 16:30 Rounders v RAAS: U13AB&C (A) 16:30 Music: Lower School Summer Concert (St Mary's

Church) 19:30-21:00 27 F First Form French trip to Château du Broutel (departs) DofE: Third Form Bronze training expedition (by

invitation) (departs) Foundation Golf Day (Reigate Heath Golf Club) 12:00-21:00 Term ends 15:50 HALF TERM 28 Sa DofE: Third Form Bronze training expedition (by

invitation) (returns) 29 Su Second Form Spanish trip (Andalucía, Spain) (returns) 30 M First Form French trip to Château du Broutel (returns) 31 Tu Golf v Pedagogues: Ladies (RHGC) 14:10 June 6 M Staff Training Day: School closed to students (except public exams) Drama: Much Ado About Nothing cast Shakespeare

workshop (DS) 09:00-16:00 Golf v Staff: Juniors (RHGC) 16:30 Governors: Education & Welfare Committee Meeting

17:30 7 Tu Term starts 08:30 District Rounders: U13A&B (Oakwood School) 15:30 Golf v Epsom College: U13 (A) (Walton Heath GC)

15:30 Heads of Department Meeting (Rm15) 16:00-17:00 Drama: Lemons, Lemons, Lemons Third & Sixth Form (DS) 16:00-17:30 Fourth & Fifth Form (DS) 18:00-19:30 Public Performance and discussion (DS) 20:00-21:30 8 W Drama: Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal District Athletics: U12 (H) 12:00 Boys’ Tennis v St John’s: U15, U14 (A) 16:30 11+ Parents' Information Evening (PMH) 19:30-21:00 Cantata Choir (RR) 19:45-21:45 9 Th Girls’ District Athletics League: U15, U14 (H)

16:30 Parents’ Forum: Drugs 19:00-20:00

For all sports news, fixtures, results, venues etc. please visit the RGS Sports pages: link.