News Summer Term 2008
English Schools Athletic Association National Championships Selection
Two Blundell’s pupils, Nic Huntley OH/W and Lizzie Wessely NC have just been selected to compete in the English Schools Athletic Association National championships in Gateshead in July. Lizzie, normally a sprint hurdler, has performed at this level for the last two years. However, she has stepped up to compete in the 300 metre hurdles. Running for only the third time at this distance she gained a place at the Nationals by winning her event at the Southwest Championships, representing Devon. Her winning time was 45.3 seconds. Nic Huntley also competed for Devon at the Southwests, finishing second in both the shot and discus. He will now move forward to compete in the discus.
National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) JAS Qualifier
The Blundell’s team of Alexa Batting, Freddie Evans, Emma Selby & Emily Wardle put on an impressive performance at the hotly contested Southern NSEA Qualifier run by Gillingham School. They were judged over both show jumps and cross-country fences, with penalties being awarded for knock-downs, speed and style. In the main competition Emma Selby led the way, gaining an impressive 4th place individually. Alexa also gained 6th place individually in the warm-up class, competing whilst injured, as her horse had fallen onto her only a few days previously. The hosts Gillingham School won the team competition; nearby school St Mary’s Shaftesbury took 2nd, with Blundell’s only 1 penalty point behind in 3rd, ahead of Prior Park in 4th, Chilton 5th, Millfield 6th, with the Bryanston team failing to complete the course. This now means the Blundell’s team have qualified for the UK NSEA Championships in November at Keysoe, Bedfordshire, along with Rupert Batting who qualified earlier in the year as an individual.
An Evening with Sir Garfield Sobers
Cricketing legend Sir Garfield Sobers entertained a packed audience at Blundell’s School on Friday evening. Sobers was visiting the school as an ambassador for his international cricket tournament held in Barbados each year. The evening was hosted by master in charge of cricket and former Somerset keeper Rob Turner. He introduced ex-Glamorgan keeper Tony Cottey who chaired a discussion session with Sobers for over an hour before a question and answer session.
The audience gave Sobers a standing ovation before they were entertained by stories of his past, special events in his life and as always the six sixes he hit at St Helens in Swansea. He also stated that on that occasion Roger Davies who almost caught one of the sixes was an old boy of Blundell’s. Sobers talked with great composure and wisdom, and commented on the future of cricket - the emergence of the 20/20 format was clearly a point of concern.
He also stated that he played many sports in his time and had even been offered a trial as goalkeeper with Everton which he declined as he said he couldn’t cope with British winters and even struggled with the summers!
At the end of a fascinating discussion he was able to give some of his time to the younger audience to sign autographs. Without any doubt this had been a very special evening for all. Blundell’s School kindly donated the proceeds of ticket sales to the Wooden Spoon Charity who were represented by Mr Bruce Priday.
South-West Track & Field Championships Selection
We have 10 athletes (covering 13 events) selected to represent Devon on Saturday 21st June at the South-West Track & Field Championships at Exeter. They are: Max Seymour: 100m and 200m, Archie Miller: 110m Hurdles, Nick Huntly: Shot and Discus, Sam Sendell: 400m, Bobby Frankpitt: 100m and 200m, Bess Menheneott: 100m Hurdles, Kiki Blyth: Long Jump, Lizzie Wessely: 300m Hurdles, Emma Selby: High Jump, Katie Robbins: Shot.
Devon Cricket Champions 2008
Blundell’s School U15 cricket team have just been crowned Devon Cricket Champions. Playing in a 20-over tournament sponsored by the Daily Telegraph they managed to win all their matches. Their first victory was a local affair where they took on Uffculme. In good conditions Uffculme had the early advantage, keeping the Blundell’s score to 22 after six overs having taken four wickets. However, Guy Clatworthy came to the crease and with a mature knock of 37 put the Blundellians back in control finishing with a total of 103. The Uffculme innings never really got going and due to tight bowling and fielding they were all out for 64.
The next match was versus Exeter School and was dominated by Devon player Jack Lily d’Cruz who smashed a fine 77. He was well supported by Archie Christie who scored 43. This made a target of 128 for the Exeter outfit. Again, tight bowling, particularly from Christie and Barnie Goss, frustrated the batsmen and they could only manage to score 67 in reply.
This set up a semi final at Torquay boy’s grammar. Having won the toss Blundell’s selected to bat first and again d’Cruz was in sparkling form scoring 59 before being caught. Ned Menheneott and Tommy Cole kept the momentum going scoring 36 & 30 respectively. The innings finished on 139. In reply Torquay were subjected to some excellent spin bowling from Menheneott who took three wickets in four balls to restrict Torquay to 44 all out.
The final versus Plymouth College was forfeited by Plymouth due to unforeseen circumstances. This gave Blundell’s the title and they now go on to play the Cornish champs later in the season.
St Ives Art Trip
We had a very successful trip to St Ives with the year 10 Artists. The weather was superb, if somewhat blustery and cold. 40 pupils enjoyed the special delights of Barbara Hepworth's studio and garden, and as usual the special atmosphere here worked its magic on our groups. We also visited the main Tate Gallery and were guided round some of the permanent collection and three special exhibitions featuring the painters Margaret Maeckelberghe and Rose Hilton, and the Master Printmaker. These were all highly relevant to our pupils' current projects and they responded with real interest and did good work in their sketch books. Year 10 were creditable ambassadors for Blundell's.
Stonar Inter-Schools Junior One Day Event Championships
Two teams from Blundell's competed in this prestigious event in a class of 200 competitors representing over 40 schools. The Red team of Sophie Birchmore, Emma Selby, Freddie Evans and Emily Mayes, and the White team of Rupert Batting, Alexa Batting, Sarah Malcolm and Emily Wardle put on a brave and impressive performance.
In the show jumping several had the odd pole down and the cross country required bold riding. Whilst the jumping phases were challenging, with only Sophie Birchmore producing a double clear with no time penalties, (several Blundellians got penalties for going too fast).
In the final analysis, even with both teams completing the competition with few jumping penalties, sadly neither were in the ribbons as the event was won on the dressage by Stonar School.
Rupert Batting, the youngest Blundellian was the highest placed in 16th place, with Freddie Evans in 17th, Alexa Batting in 19th, Sophie Birchmore in 21st and Sarah Malcolm in 22nd place.
Our thanks to our trainer Sarah Harrison, whose guidance and preparation is always invaluable when competing at this high standard.
Ten Tors success
The Year 10 Ten Tors team completed the 35 mile course by 10.15 on the Sunday morning. In perfect conditions the team tactic was to reach tor 8 by seven o'clock before setting camp. The team actually reached tor 8 by six, and rules dictated that they could go no further. Mr Case said he was amazed at the team's commitment and stamina in completing the course in such a short time. Team: Christian Gare, Freddie Evans, Ben Grayson, James Foan, Sam Anderson, Chris Bodington.
Royal Society of Chemistry Lower Sixth Analysts' competition
A team from Blundell's School competed in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Lower Sixth Analyst Competition at Bristol University on 30th April 2008, against fifteen other schools and the top students in the South West. The team of Rebecca Ley, James Evans and Matt Cole were placed third, narrowly beaten by Colston's School in second place, with Bristol Grammar School in first. The team completed a four-hour experiment as well as a detailed write-up of their findings.
Salter's Chemistry Competition
Four pupils from Blundell's School achieved second place in a regional Chemistry competition held at Plymouth University on Tuesday 28th April 2008, and with it a number of prizes including a cheque for £75. The team were:
Michael Brown,
William Browne,
Philippa Horne and
Emily Nash.
There were two separate competitions - the Salter's competition in the morning and the University competition in the afternoon, after which the pupils were treated to a display of practical Chemistry by one of the lecturers. About fifteen schools participated in the competition.
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