News Spring Term 2012

The U13 Sevens squad won their second tournament, which happened to be their home event. They beat St Peter's Lympstone 37-5, Mr Folland's St John's Chepstow 28-24 and Heathfield 48-0 in the pool before easing past Truro 22-10 in the semi-final. Having suffered a couple of early injuries, including losing star back Archie Stoneman, the same seven had to play the last three games without a break. In the final against Mount House the tiredness began to show but tigerish tackling and ball-winning by Jack Lockwood, Tobias Francis and Hugh Hamilton-Green secured a steady supply of possession for Sam Maunder to keep Will Vickery, leading try-scorer Alex Kilbride and the indefatigable Will Klinkenberg pressing forwards. With about a minute to go Will K chased back half the length of the pitch to make a try-saving, and possibly match-winning, tackle 10m from his own line; having won the ball as well, he set off back up the field where various teammates were dragging themselves up off the ground. Will then found Will V who side-stepped into the opposition half before a beautifully timed pass put acting skipper Hugh H-G free to gallop the rest of the way and score under the posts, much to the relief of coach Mr Saunders.

Jack and Dominic have been selected, for the second successive year, to tour S Africa with the Devon U15 cricket squad. The tour will commence in February half term and will last three weeks. There will be six matches starting near Johannesburg and finishing in the Cape Town area. Jack is a wicket keeper, batsman and a member of Premier League club Heathcoat. After last year's tour Jack actually played several matches in the club senior side and is looking forward to the challenges of South Africa. Dominic plays for Sidmouth and is an off spin bowler and models himself on Graham Swann. Chairman of Heathcoat club John Smith said he was delighted that Jack had been selected again and was certain that he would be a great ambassador for the club and the county.

Will Klinkenberg Yr 8, qualified for the National Biathlon Finals at Crystal Palace recently when he finished 3rd in the Regional Finals held at Bath University. In only his second Biathlon event, out of 58 competitors Will came 6th in the 100m Freestyle in a time of 1.05.26 and 5th in the 1,000m run in 3.15.46. His trophy was presented by the World Junior Pentathlon Bronze Medalist, Freyja Prentice, who has already qualified for the Olympics this year.

The U13 Rugby Sevens squad made a very promising start to the season by winning the inaugural St Peter's Tournament. Captained by the impressive Archie Stoneman, they comfortably won their pool by beating Mount House, King's Hall and St Peter's B. In the semi-final they cruised past Exmouth College, setting up a grand finale against the hosts. St Peter's took a deserved lead and held it until close to the end. However, with two minutes to go, following strong work in the contact area by Hugh Hamilton-Green and Will Klinkenberg, Archie Stoneman broke free and scored two decisive tries. Jack Lockwood then completed the victory by burgling the ball close to their line and scoring the third try. The whole squad played their part, the others being Will Vickery, Alex Kilbride, Tobias Francis, Monty Crowe, Mack Butterfield and Sam Maunder.

Pictured are members of years 7 and 8 from SH, avidly waiting to purchase cakes at a sale recently. The pupils all went home and baked a wide variety of shortbread, flapjacks, cupcakes, buns, chocolate brownies and even prawn crackers. These were then sold in break time in aid of Children in Need. Senior Housemistress Kate Wolford said the response was overwhelming and the sale managed to raise over £200.

Year eleven pupil Sapphire Reed Yang, from Blundell's School, has just been crowned double National Champion in Tae Kwon Do. Sapphire, who only took up the sport just over a year ago, won the awards at a recent tournament in Telford, Shropshire. Competing in the 14-18 age group she managed to come first in the Team and Patterns section of the competition. As a member of the Tiverton Tae Kwon Do Club Sapphire trains three times a week and clearly the effort has paid off and she would strongly recommend this sport to anyone looking to keep fit.

On Tuesday 29 November, Year 11 students from Blundell's took part in a work experience preparation event organised at the Tiverton Hotel with business partners from a variety of local companies. Participating companies included Red Earth Developments, MJA Pro- Engineering Services, the Army, Graphic PLC, Stags, Flybe, Fine Furniture Design, Keystone Law, Best Western, Route 2 and Eco-friendly holidays.

Students were continually assessed during all the morning activities with the business partners applying criteria that employers feel are vital in the workplace. Activities included: preparing a C.V, researching target positions and companies, writing letters of application and presentation skills all of which were put to use in a mock interview situation.

At the end of the morning one student from each group who had demonstrated the greatest 'entrepreneurial spirit' was 'hired' by the business partner with the organised treat of lunch at the Tiverton Hotel!

The work experience day was a great success because it gave all the students a chance to think in more detail about different options for future careers as well as teaching them to handle applying and interviewing for future jobs. Sue Norman

An intrepid group of year 10 artists have produced a portrait of the Head Master. Using a process called Solar Plate printing they have each been responsible for creating a section of the face using a variety of mark-making. Detention or distinction, that is the question!

The Winchester Fives Doubles tournament always attracts the very best schoolboy players on the circuit and this weekend was no exception. Our team of Wyatt-Haines, Oddy, McPherson and Cumberlege equipped themselves admirably playing with great presence and at times a sublime synthesis of power, skill and intelligence. I have not seen Samuel or Matt play better and the match against Bradfield 1 lasted over an hour, contained several rallies of 40 plus hits, and their victory (13-15, 15-13, 16-14) to reach the semi-finals was testament to their superior fitness, determination and teamwork. It was certainly exhausting to watch. There is no embarrassment in losing to St Paul's 1, probably the best pair in the country, in the semis and at times we looked tantalisingly dominant. Unfortunately Tantalus groaned and Sisyphus smiled. All very promising for the forthcoming season and both pairs should feel very proud of their performance.

The 1st XI cricket team toured Sri Lanka at Easter this year, led by Master in Charge of Cricket and former Somerset wicket keeper Rob Turner. Traditionally, touring sides have combined their fund-raising for the tour with a contribution being donated to charity. This year the cricketers organised many events including Pig Racing, a Blundell's Got Talent evening and an Auction of Promises. As a result the boys were able to donate £1250 to the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) and £300 to BIBIC which is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome.

The boys also took with them two sets of cricket shirts and cricket equipment to support one Blundell's twin school in Saraputra which was affected by the Boxing Day tsunami. Pictured is Sarah from ELF receiving the cheque from Mr Menheneott, Mr Turner and pupils Jack Grandfield and Sam Wyatt Haines.

Brothers Jack and Leo Dummett competed in the national Grass Track Championships at Danebury in Wiltshire recently. Jack has been riding his bike competitively for the last four years with much success. At the Danebury event 11-year-old Jack won the 125 British championship over a series of three events against riders from all over the country. His younger brother, 8-year-old Leo, also managed a podium place coming third in the Auto Cadet class. He was thrilled at the win and stated that he would like to beat his older brother in the future. The biking calendar runs from March until November and so the boys have been putting in a huge amount of time during the year practicing and competing – their hard work has clearly paid off.

For the year 9 field day we went to Haldon Forest Park near Exeter, a site run jointly by The Forestry Commission and the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural world (CCANW). The purpose of the centre is to encourage artists to respond to the natural environment and exhibit their work and in many cases make site specific pieces. We did exactly this! They explored the themes of Environment and the Natural form through drawing creative writing and sculpture. There was also time for them to soak up the scenery and get a little exercise on an extended walk following one of the chosen trails.

Sixth Form artists travelled to London for Field Day to see a particularly special exhibition at the Royal Academy. Degas and the Ballet is an extraordinary collection of drawings, paintings and photographs demonstrating how the artist utilised the media to explore the figure in movement. As the L6 has just started their course in life drawing this show was even more relevant and helpful, proving that there is really no substitute for seeing the real thing. Lots of good drawing and sketchbook work was completed and the photographers were able to take some useful shots of city life and architectural details for their coursework and a live project to create printed glass panels for a London office.

Hot on the success of winning the South West Schools ODE the Blundell's Team of Saskia Simonson, Maddie Simonson, Alexa Batting and Rupert Batting went on to the UK Inter-Schools Championships held at Stonar The team produced very good dressage scores of 28, 36, 38, 32 respectively and with only one collecting 4 faults in the show jumping, they were well placed going into the cross country phase. The course was fair, but still caused significant trouble, however all four of the team completed clear and inside the time. With three of the team finishing on their dressage score they could not be beaten and were thrilled to take the title of National Senior Eventing Team Champions. Sarah Harrison, the Blundell's team trainer commented "This was a prestigious title which has eluded Blundell's until this year. I am delighted for them, as it is well deserved".

Blundell's Junior Novice team of Didi Eaton, Lydia Stuart, Bird Wood at their first Championships came a very respectable 5th out of 24 teams, with Lydia gaining 3rd place individually. The Junior Intermediate Team of Lola Watt, Lydia Stuart and Eleanor Ansell also came 5th in the closest fought class, as only 1 penalty separated them from 2nd place. Lola Watt also came 3rd individually. Collectively, this was the best representation of Blundell's at the Championships in the 25 years it has been running.

Former England star and current Somerset Cricket captain Marcus Trescothick paid a visit to Blundell's school this week. Marcus is on a charity cycle ride from Bristol to St Austell raising money for Children's Hospice Southwest. En route he will be visiting all the hospices and some schools to raise awareness of the good works carried out by the charity. He is being sponsored by Chartered Bank and was accompanied by employees of the bank. His visit to Blundell's involved receiving a cheque, from 1st XI cricketer Harrison Folland, for £1100 which was raised from a home clothes day recently. Marcus then donned his pads and challenged the pupils to bowl at him in the outdoor nets before he and his entourage departed on the next stage of their trip to Barnstaple. Master in charge of Charity fund raising Henry Roffe Sylvester said it was a pleasure to be able to donate so much for such a good cause.

A day of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem has earned Blundell's School an Independent School Awards Nomination for the Best Independent-Maintained School Collaboration. This recognises an initiative that involves an independent school working with state schools. The Forensic Science Day conceived and organised by Blundell's Science Department brought primary school pupils from nine local schools into Blundell's to examine and investigate a carefully prepared "murder scene" complete with chalk body outlines and fake blood. Assisted by Blundell's staff and Year 12 pupils the children examined all the evidence and, having identified the murderer, were rewarded by sweets and a finger print kit.

Blundell's is proud and pleased to have been nominated for this award in 2011, the first year the school has put forward a submission. The aim of these awards is to reward schools that have been particularly successful within the independent sector and to acknowledge the excellence that has been achieved. This is another accolade after the school's superb OFSTED report. The winners of each category are put forward to be judged for the Best Independent School 2011. The winners are announced at a ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 16 November 2011.

"We are extremely pleased to be nominated for this award" said Head Master Ian Davenport "particularly as it was for such an innovative and enjoyable project which really inspired the children from the local schools and allowed us to strengthen our collaborative links with the community. I know the chalked body outlines and crime scene tape round the Chemistry Department startled a few parents who were dropping off their children but we think it was well worth a few worried phone calls! Certainly the Heads of the primary schools involved are waiting with baited breath for the next project."

The Independent School Awards are supported by businesses including Coutts Bank, Charities Aid Foundation and HSBC Merchant Services. Roger Black MBE, will be the speaker at the awards ceremony and will present the awards to the winning schools.

During the summer holidays a selection of photographs and paintings were exhibited at Gloss Gallery in Exeter as part of their Rising Stars exhibition. This was a wonderful opportunity to show work beyond the confines of the school and the exhibition was very well received. Congratulations to Ciara O Kelly, Lauren Kalsi, Ben Prevett, Otis Baxter-wright, Jess Berry, Alice Lindley.

The results from this year's summer London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations were excellent. Several subjects were taken including Acting, Devising Drama and Speaking of Verse & Prose. All 19 students passed with strong grades with the majority of them achieving Distinctions and several being awarded over 90 marks which is a remarkable achievement. Well done to all of those candidates. Mrs Winsley & Mrs Reed are delighted for them. The next LAMDA exams will take place at the end of February and this year we have nearly 50 students opting to take LAMDA lessons.

Four aspiring young rugby players from Blundell's school have recently been chosen from many to be a part of the under 16 Devon team. The boys have been playing rugby from an early age and are currently playing at U16 and U15 levels. Pictured left to right are Andrew Hamilton, Jack Maunder, Paddy Canterbury and Toby Pilkington.

Fifteen year old Toby Pilkington is a natural ball player who relishes the opportunity to control the game from fly half. Paddy Canterbury is also fifteen and is a utility back playing at Fullback and wing. He is a fearless defender and is equally good in attack using his pace to score many tries. Fourteen year old Jack Maunder plays at scrum half and has excelled despite playing out of his age group. He has a very good pass and is looking forward to developing his game at a higher level. The only forward is hooker Andrew Hamilton. He has worked very hard at his game over the years and has improved considerably and clearly impressed the selectors. Coach Dan Richards said all the boys have worked hard over the years and fully deserved their selection and hoped that they will all learn from the experience.

Year 7 pupils were treated to an excellent day of Art activities at Broomhill Sculpture Park and Woolacombe Bay. The sun shone throughout and some very good work was produced, first sketching from the exciting array of artwork in the woods followed by the building of ambitious sand sculptures. The sculptures were judged by a willing member of the public and whilst noting the high calibre of work (a giant tortoise, jellyfish, and unicorn to name a few) the mermaid was voted 'Best on Show'. Many thanks to Miss Drew for organising the trip.

I am delighted with the provisional A level results. The pupils and staff have worked very hard together to ensure real success. In recording 73% A* to B grades the pupils have done extremely well; these results are a reflection of their hard work and enthusiasm. The UCAS points per pupil figure (380) is by some way the highest recorded in the history of the school. Among many strong aspects of these results is the doubling of the A* rate, which shows strong evidence that the ablest pupils are rising to the challenge of performing at the highest level. It was also especially pleasing to see that nearly 50% of the grades were at A* or A grade. Nearly 30% of the year group achieved three A grades or better thus demonstrating the academic strength of the year and is testimony to the strong relationship forged between the teachers and the pupils. A significant number of departments recorded A* to B rates well in excess of 80%. All those who held offers from Oxford and Cambridge achieved their required grades; indeed most pupils will be headed to the university of their choice. We are awaiting the results of a number of enquiries made to the various examination boards; therefore it is likely that these results will improve. Ian Davenport