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AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
February at AGS means House Music. The music captains have created their sets for the final production on February 5. The energy they provide to encourage the younger members of the House to actively support the event makes it a special evening. The whole production is only made possible by the Music Department and we offer our thanks to both Mr Nathan and Mr Dallas. Also our gratitude goes to Mr Phil Critchlow for his generosity, time and expertise in supporting our tireless technical crew who have produced the sound, light and recording experience for the event. We hope you all enjoy the occasion. Seeing the Foundation Hall full of parents and students demonstrates how the changes to the buildings can have such a positive impact on the School community. In the last 18 months we have seen the opening of the William Harding squash courts and the four new laboratories in the biology building. Investment of this kind secures the future for the School and the generations of students that learn here. In order to complete the refurbishment of the science facilities we have engaged in the final phase of the project - Inspiring Science campaign. The information evenings are taking place in late January and February, with campaign information available in the booklet that has been sent home. All aspects of the campaign, from the board members, to the production of the video and booklet have been done voluntarily by parents, friends of the School and the students themselves. My thanks go to everyone involved and we look forward to raising the funds required from the amazing generosity of our community. January was extremely busy with the Year 12 UCAS evening, Year 12 and Year 9 parents’ consultation evenings all being well attended. Year 11 are about to start on their pre-sixth form interviews to discuss options for A levels and we encourage them all to think about what is best for them to create the most aspirational opportunities for the future. All of these evenings are important aspects of our engagement with you and as part of the feedback process on how
the students are progressing on an individual basis. The parental survey for 2016 closed at the end of January with 766 responses (139 more than 2015). The initial results are very pleasing and we are grateful to all parents who took the time to feedback to us. Mr Dallas will communicate further analysis in due course. Congratulations to the Under 15 Handball squad for winning the Buckinghamshire County Championship. Mr McGill and Mr Rodger continue to ensure the AGS squads flourish and this victory, on penalties over Ousedale School from Milton Keynes, was hard fought. In basketball, our teams have made good progress in their respective competitions. Our Under 16 squad defeated Dr Challoner’s to win the County Cup and are now in the final 64 schools of the national competition. The Under 18s are at the same stage of the national competition, while the Under 12s and Under 14s were both defeated in the semi-finals of the County Cup competitions. Well done to all the squads and Mr McCarthy. On a cold but bright day in Hughenden Valley, our cross country runners competed in the Buckinghamshire County Championships. The Year 7 team all placed in the top 20 runners and the team won the championship. The junior team came second in the standings, while the intermediate team runners won their competition, with three runners in the top ten alone. Well done to all the runners and to the staff for their guidance. Our public speaking teams competed in the annual English Speaking Union competition, placing second and third, only losing out by a single point to Haberdashers’ School, while the Young Enterprise teams were out in force at the centre:MK during January. Further honours have been achieved by Michael Ng (Ri12) following his selection as first reserve by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust for the Romanian Masters of Mathematics competition and also invited to compete in the final of the British Informatics Olympiad at Trinity College, Cambridge in March.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
The Baker/baker paradox
“A researcher shows two people the same photograph of a
face and tells one of them that the guy is a baker and the other
one that his last name is Baker. A couple of days later, the
researcher shows the same two guys the same photograph and asks for the accompanying word. The
person who was told the man’s profession is much more likely to remember it than the person who
was given his surname. Why should that be? Same photograph. Same word. Different amount of
remembering.”
I can remember the telephone number of my grandmother who died twenty years ago but can’t call my son on his cell phone from my landline. I can remember the first twenty elements in the periodic table, can recite a first declension Latin noun and deliver the speaking part of Elvis’ Are you Lonesome tonight? verbatim. I open a cupboard and can’t remember why.
I can remember the moment I “cracked” how to remember.
Revising History GCSE, Causes of WWI, I made a list of twenty points, capitalised the first word of each and constructed a memory aid (the ruder the more memorable) from the letters. I was suddenly aware of how to train my memory. And recalling information in the actual exam became easy; all I had to do was remember the rude mnemonic and I was away.
THE AGS LEARNER
Over the previous few months I have visited classrooms across the whole School, experiencing the positive engagement and relationships that exist in all areas. A number of students have visited me to share their exceptional learning, congratulations to all of them: Tom Kemp (Ha8), Theo Nze (Ha9), William Greenfield (Pa7), Shantanu Kale (Ph7), Michael Rousell (Ph12), Matthew Gomm (De12), Oscar Almadin (Ph9), David Williams (Ri7) and Truman Alvalle (Ri7).
At the end of January The PTA held their biennial Burns Night celebration. The Selkirk Grace was given by Group Captain Burns, Station Commander at RAF Halton, this was followed by a magical performance from Mr Warner for ‘The Address to the Haggis’. Mr Sara, Year 7 parent and member of the PTA, delivered the Immortal Memory, which was extremely amusing, before Chairman of Governors, Mr Collins gave a ‘Toast to the Lassies’. With little time to draw breath, Mrs Venning stole the show with a more than accurate repost and ‘Reply to the Laddies’. The evening was supported by a host of parent volunteers and the ever present technical crew. This was Mrs Newell’s final Burns Night after inaugurating the event. She has worked extremely hard to make it such a success and leaves a fine legacy for 2018, our thanks go to her and all who contributed to make the evening extremely entertaining and enjoyable.
February is not usually a time to say our goodbyes to staff, but 2016 is an exception. Mr Khoo (IT Technician) has been at AGS since August 2012 and provided great
support to staff and students alike. His passion for learning and enthusiasm for the role will be greatly missed as he moves to Leamington Spa to be with his family. We wish him the very best of luck in his new role for the Silver Line charity. On the teaching staff, Miss Grigg joined the School in July 2013 and has taught Business Studies and Religious Studies, as well as being an integral part of the Young Enterprise provision. Miss Grigg’s dedication to the teaching of her students and commitment to the life of the School will be sorely missed. We also wish her well, as she returns to her native north east to continue her teaching career. Finally we say goodbye to Mrs Mason (Head of Spanish) who joined the School in September 2010 and has been an integral part of the flourishing languages provision at AGS. Her commitment and enthusiasm for Spanish and languages will be missed, alongside the friendship she has provided to the staff during her time at the School. Mrs Mason leaves us to take up a post as an educational consultant.
We welcome to the School Mr Kingsley, who will be teaching Business Studies and Religious Studies until July and welcome back Mrs Burnett, who will be teaching Spanish until the end of the academic year.
Finally we send our best wishes to the many visits going out over half term; the skiers to Utah, and the linguists on the Spanish and French exchanges. For everyone else, I wish you an enjoyable half term break.
Mr M J Sturgeon, Headmaster
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
How can I support my son’s revision? Nowadays, students don’t have to stumble across memory techniques, but are actively taught how to retrieve knowledge. Students in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 will be participating in presentations from Elevate Education, a company specialising in study skills which make a tangible difference to marks in examinations. All staff have also received the training so we can reinforce the skills the students are using to improve their exam performance. If you would like to support your sons at home, try the following advice from Elevate:
1. Students should finish making revision notes 3 weeks prior to the exams. The remaining time should be spent completing Practice Papers (available on exam board websites). 2. Encourage your sons to colour code topic lists for each subject Red/Amber/Green according to their understanding. They should start with the Red topics. 3. Use a colour coding system across all notes e.g. Green for Dates; Names in Blue. This will make it easier to retrieve information. 4. Use Mindmaps - electronic or paper versions (try XMind or iMindMap) 5. Process information by making Flash Cards (Anki) and Quiz Cards (Quizlet) with key information. Collaborate with other students and draw cards randomly from a hat. Try memorize or memrise 6. Set up places on Instagram where friends can photograph and upload spider diagrams and notes to share. 7. A whole practice paper can be too overwhelming in the beginning. Start by completing a section or two with notes; then shift to timed conditions without notes; mark and ask for feedback to ensure knowledge gaps are filled. 8. Temporarily block off the distractions of social media. Try ColdTurkey or SelfControl.
Moonwalking with Einstein The reason behind the Baker/baker paradox, according to Joshua Foer, author of the brilliant book Moonwalking with Einstein, The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, is that when we hear the man in the picture is a baker the fact “becomes embedded in a whole network of ideas about what it means to be a baker: he cooks bread, he wears a big white hat, he smells good when he comes home from work. The name Baker, on the other hand, is tethered only to a memory of a person’s face. That link is tenuous, and should it dissolve, the name will float off irretrievably.” Find out more by listening to Joshua Foer’s Tedtalk. And it seems to work. Students I teach may remember their first activity. All 30 have to come up with a connection between their name and themselves. “First name Duane – tallest in the class, the Great Duane,” says one; “Surname Changer – everyone laughs at me because I change my hairstyle every day,” says another. Thirty names learnt in fifteen minutes. Apparently you can save forty days a year by not having to remember things you have forgotten. Just think about that… Once again, thank you to all parents who respond to our AGS Learner updates, particularly the very creative parents who emailed last month with objects representing resilience! Please continue to share ideas that we can pass on, or contact me ([email protected]) or Gurdeep Singh, Assistant Head ([email protected]) if you would like any further information.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Thank you!
We are delighted to report that we have now raised £205,000 for the final phase of the refurbishment of the Science facilities at Aylesbury Grammar School. Thank you to everyone who has made a contribution to the fund so far. Your support is hugely appreciated.
Thank you to the parents who attended our first Inspiring Science Information Evening on 28th January. We’ve had some great feedback on the event and it is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about your son’s School, to understand our challenges and our plans for the future. The next event is on Thursday 11th February at 7.00 pm and we urge you, as parents of current students, to attend if you can. Thank you.
Your support is critical to the success of this Campaign. Here’s the overriding message from Old Aylesburian, Richard Belger (Hampden 1978) at the Information Event on Thursday evening. Richard is a major benefactor and Campaign Board Member; he is absolutely passionate about finishing this essential refurbishment:
“I sense we are at a make or break. Society has got incredible value from the education this School provides but we have now sweated the assets
to breaking point and we need to find a viable and sustainable replacement strategy for this School to thrive into the future.
This is fronted as an information evening. If there is ONE fact I would like you to hold and take with you, and PLEASE share with other parents not here tonight, then it is this; all else being equal, when compared to the average secondary school in the UK, AGS is under-funded by our political masters by £1,172,000 each year. To put that into perspective, if we need £500,000 to finish the Science project and if we were funded to the average, we would have that money within 5 months from the government rather than the 30 months we have set to find it ourselves.”
Any contribution to our Science fund, large or small, a one off donation or a donation over a number of months, will make a huge difference. Every contribution is both valued and appreciated by our students and by our staff.
At the information events we breakdown what we need to finish the Science project to clearly show that contributions at any level help to achieve our goal. As an example, if every parent gave £20 a month annually this would provide the School with an additional £320,000 each year and we would be able to finish Science in 18 months! Gift aid gives us an additional 25% on top of your contribution and so £20 means £25 to the School. Finally, please take a moment to click on the Inspiring Science links on the AGS homepage. Our students have created a fantastic film showing you the difference between the old and new labs; and the film gives you the opportunity to hear from our students clearly explaining why we need to finish what we have started.
Thank you.
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
On 7th January the Year 12 team from the “Engineering Education
Scheme” went along to the residential at the University of Surrey in
Guildford. The aim while we were there was to further our project using the
campus’s state of the art facilities. We arrived slightly dazed and confused
about what we were doing, however it’s fair to say that once we started,
we didn’t stop until the end of the two days. Once settled we were shown
to our allocated work station and started to have ideas about what we
could all be doing over the next two days. We went all over the place,
some people ended up in the mechanical workshop manufacturing
brackets and drilling holes, others got stuck into programming and
soldering circuits together. All of the time we were there, our engineering
mentor, David, and Mrs Andrews, were there to help with whatever queries
or problems we struck, of which there were many. On the evening of the
first day we had dinner at the hotel and also had to partake in an inter-
team quiz. We came a respectable
3rd out of about a dozen teams
which was satisfying. To be
honest we were all absolutely
shattered after what was a very
long and tiring day.
The second day dawned and much the same occurred, with people
soldering circuits and assembling our proof of concept model. By the
end of the second day we were finally ready to do what we had been
waiting the whole time to do; test the model. Due to the project
requiring it to be waterproof, we had to test the model in the water. The
facility given to us was a huge 12 metre long and 1 metre deep ripple
tank in the ecology labs. Luckily our concept worked and the whole trip
was proved worthwhile in the space of 10 minutes. The day ended and
we left with our heads held high. It was a
tiring but fantastic 2 days and we
achieved so much. The whole team is
now looking forward to the assessment
day in April, although we have a lot of
work to do before then!!
James Sterry, Ph12
EES RESIDENTIAL 7TH - 8TH JANUARY 2016
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
On the mornings of 11th and 14th January
2016 each half of Year 8 travelled to Neasden
(London) and then Watford to explore the
religious buildings that these places have to
offer. Leaving at 9.00 am the journey to
Neasden took almost two hours, before we
finally parked up at the Temple and had
reason to look up from our phones and unplug
from our music to admire the beautiful white
marble and limestone. After going through the
metal detector we were finally inside the
Temple complex gazing up at the wondrous
wooden and marble carving that engulfed
every room. As we walked into the Mandir
(worship area) we saw many Hindu statues,
including the elephant-headed Ganesh, and
we saw people worshipping in total calmness. We watched a Hindu prayer ceremony and we entered a state that
gave us a little insight into what Hindus feel every day. After that we went through the Hindu Exhibition
completing our worksheets as we went. I think, after watching a short video on how this marvellous architecture
was built, we were all awestruck at how much
this religion meant to Hindus as many
volunteered to give their spare time to heave
blocks of wood, marble and limestone on top
of each other to help craft this creation. The
moment that will live with me for longest is
the realisation of the sheer effort that poor
and rich Hindus alike put in to building one of
the most fantastic buildings in London, if not
the whole of the UK.
After a hurried lunch on the bus travelling
between the two places we went to the
Mosque in Watford. Although much smaller,
its beauty was obvious. The Imam welcomed
us and took us in to the Prayer Room, where
we sat on the luxurious carpet underneath
the enormous and spectacular dome. The
Imam talked to us about traditional Muslim customs and beliefs and everyone was impressed. He showed us the
positions for prayer and where he stood during the service and he recited some passages from the Qur’an and
answered our questions. We learnt many new and interesting things about this important global religion.
Fin McGourty Ri8
Note from Mrs Crussell: we are liaising with Holy Trinity Church, Walton Street, for Year 8 students to visit the
church during one of their regular RS lessons (parents will be informed when details are finalised), so that we can
consider the similarities and differences between the places of worship of the three biggest faith groups at AGS.
YEAR 8 TEMPLE AND MOSQUE VISIT
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Having been inspired by the achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes at London 2012, I felt challenged to put my physical and mental attributes to the test and see what I could do. Running has never been something that came easy to me and as an ageing ex-rugby player, running any significant distance proved a challenge. Therefore I decided to take on the challenge of running the 2013 London Marathon. Although the training went well, the race itself proved difficult and I hobbled home in 4hrs 29 mins. Having vowed never to run a marathon again, I then ran the Edinburgh Marathon, just a month later to raise funds for the refurbishment of the AGS Squash Courts. Having not achieved my personal target in either marathon, I’ve decided to have one final attempt and will run in the Virgin London Marathon on 24th April in aid of a fantastic local charity, the MacIntyre Housing Association. If I’m honest, the training is killing me!! My long run at the weekend has reached 18 miles (3 hrs) and I try and get out 2 or 3 times in the week and do a much shorter, but higher intensity, run. I’m so determined to improve my performance this year, mainly driven by the thought that I never want to do this training again. Your donations will make all the difference in keeping me accountable to this great cause and helping me stay motivated in these tough training days. Donations can be made to my Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Rambo2016 Thank you so much for all your support. Mr GJ Ramsbottom (PE Teacher, 1st XV coach and Head of Year 13)
The MacIntyre Housing Association works in partnership with care providers to deliver care and support services for adults with a variety of support needs. Registered care We aim to provide our customers living in registered care homes with a homely and welcoming environment. We pride ourselves on our services that reflect the needs of individuals. We always make sure that tenants are consulted and involved in decisions which affect their lives, and have different ways to communicate with people to ensure everyone has a say. Supported living Many of our tenants live in their own self-contained flats in new, purpose-built developments. We support our tenants to deal with the everyday tasks involved in living in their own home, including paying the rent and bills, furnishing their home, finding out about the local area and making sure their home is secure. For many of our tenants this will be their first opportunity to live in a home of their own and to develop skills to live more independently. Shared housing Some of our properties are shared homes, where tenants have their own bedroom and share a living room, kitchen and bathroom. In some houses there may also be staff available 24 hours a day to provide support to individuals. Properties can be adapted to suit the needs of individual tenants.
RAMBO RUNS THE VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON PART 2
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
DATES FOR DIARIES
8 Feb All Y12 Brook Advisory Service - Lecture Theatre 4 x Y7, 8 & 9 DT Competition - Aylesbury College 5m Y10 Parents’ Consultation Evening 9 Feb 8xY13 English Literature King Lear Study visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon Evening - 6 x Y12/13 1st Round Oxford Union Debating Competition - Oxford (RJW) 2.30pm U15 National Squash vs Highgate (H) 10 Feb 15 x Y10/12 Spanish Exchange to Murcia departs 25 x Y10/12 French Exchange to Bourg en Bresse 4 x Y10 FMSP Maths Competition at Longdean 2.30pm 1st XI vs Teikyo School (A) 3.15pm U15A XI vs The Grange School (A) 11 Feb 8am Governors’ meeting 3.15pm U16A & U14A XI vs The Grange School (A) 7pm Science Information Evening (Y10-13) 12 Feb Y11 Immunisations 80 x Y9 & Y12 Ski trip to Utah 17 Feb Spanish Exchange returns from Murica French Exchange returns from Bourg en Bresse 20 Feb Ski trip returns
Continued...
CHORAL AND ORCHESTRAL CONCERT
This year’s Choral and Orchestral Concert will take place at St. Mary’s Church on Friday 18th March at 7.00 pm.
The concert will feature a mix of choral and orchestral music from our classically orientated ensembles including extracts from Schubert’s melodic and light-hearted Mass in G. Various groups including the orchestra and choir will consist of students from both Aylesbury Grammar School and Aylesbury High School and other groups performing will include the Brass Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble and the Flute Choir.
Tickets are priced at £7.00 adults and £5.00 concessions and include refreshments. You can purchase tickets via the ParentPay system. We will not be issuing tickets for this event but when you have paid for your ticket, please print out the confirmation email from ParentPay. This will be your ticket and you will need to bring it to the event. If you have any queries regarding this then please contact the Finance Office.
SCHOOL BUSES - BEHAVIOUR AND LOADINGS
In the light of the rising number of issues at the coach park surrounding both pupil behaviour and bus loadings, Bucks County Council want to make you aware of, and enlist your help in, resolving certain ongoing situations.
They have had many complaints from parents of pupils not being able to get a seat on a given vehicle. Having discussed this with operators and coach park staff, it would seem that a certain contingent of (mainly) older pupils feel that they are entitled to 2 seats (one for themselves and one for their bags). Other pupils are simply not willing to sit next to people they do not know, especially if they are from a different school or of the opposite sex.
There are also pupils still trying to board buses other than that for which they have a pass, if indeed they do have a pass at all.
In any case, pupils, drivers and other road users are being put at risk.
Please see below the link to the Behaviour Protocol for students. We would be grateful if you could take the time to look at this with your son, along with a reminder that the rules do not stop at the School gate.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/3621767/Behaviour-Protocol-Client-Transport-FINAL.PDF
At the moment, the Anti-Bullying-Ambassadors are doing as much as possible to prevent bullying in the school. To send the message of anti-bullying and in order to tell you how to deal with this if you ever experience bullying, we have set up lots of things to help offer support. We have people writing for the newsletter, doing talks and assemblies, and at a later date, will be setting up an email helpline to assist people who may be being bullied. We will also starting regular patrols around 'bullying hotspots', which are places that we think are more common areas for bullying to take place. We will be monitoring these places, and trying our best to make sure bullying does not occur there, and if we do spot anything, we will seek support and take action to prevent it and stop it from happening again.
In addition, we will be starting up drop-in sessions in the School House to support people who are being bullied, have/are being affected by bullying or even just to talk about things.
We are doing the utmost we can to stop bullying in this school and prevent it from happening. Stand up, speak up and make a change!
ANTI-BULLYING AMBASSADORS
AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
DATES FOR DIARIES
MUFTI DAY
Mufti Day this term will be on Tuesday 22nd March. The cost is £1 and will be collected by the House Representative in each class.
22 Feb Year 13 Mock Exams - Hall 23 Feb Year 13 Mock Exams - Hall P5 All Y11 Elevate, Ace you Exams - LT 24 Feb Year 13 Mock Exams - Hall 2.30pm 1st XI vs Teikyo (H) 2.30pm 2nd XI v CGS (A) 3.30 1st & 2nd Squash vs Windsor Boys School (A) 4.00pm U16A XI vs SHFGS (A) 9-3pm 4 x Y9, 10, 11 County Badminton Finals 25 Feb Year 13 Mock Exams - Hall 26 Feb Year 13 Mock Exams - Hall 12 x Y7/8 Table Tennis Competition vs Swanbourne 27 Feb 50 x Y11 Business Studies visit to Business LIVE Conference - Paris 10.30am U16A & U16B Football vs Haberdashers (H) 29 Feb 1.30pm All Year 13 Leavers’ Photograph - Hall 2.30pm Y13 Careers talk or students not attending University 3.30pm U15 & U14 Squash vs Windsor Boys Sch (H) 4.15pm U16A XI vs Cottesloe School (H) 4.15pm U15A XI vs John Colet (H) 7.30pm PTA meeting 1 Mar Business Conference trip returns 2 Mar 27 x Y12 AS Spanish mock oral exams 2.30pm 1st, 2nd 3rd XI vs Haberdashers (A) 4.15pm U14A, U16A vs John Colet (H) 3 Mar 8am RiF Governors’ meeting HOUSE CHESS 4pm 1st & U15 Squash vs Eton (H) 7pm Inspiring Science Information Evening for OAs 4 Mar P2-5 Y12 Stem Conference - LT P2-5 Y12 Science Conference - LT 25 x Y12 History trip to Belfast 16 x Y12/13 PE visit to Revision Conference 5 Mar Y10 DofE Bronze training expedition 1 Football vs Bedford Modern School 10.30am U15A, U15B, U14A, U14B (A) PTA Quiz - Hall 6 Mar Y10 DofE Bronze training expedition 1 Belfast returns 7 Mar 50 x Y11 Practice Maths/English NFER tests 16 x Y13 A2 Spanish mock oral exams 4pm 11 x Y13 visit to theatre to see Uncle Vanya 8 Mar 16 x Y12/13 AS/A2 PE Moderation Y11 GCSE Physics Challenge 6 x Y13 A2 Spanish mock oral exams 3.35pm 1st & U15 vs St Edwards School (H) 9 Mar 2.45 1st, 2nd, 3rd XI vs Bedford Modern (A) 5pm Year 8 Parents’ Consultation Evening 10 Mar 30 x Y9-11 Follow on Intermediate Maths Challenge 4.15pm U15A XI vs Cottesloe School (H) 4-6pm Y3/4 Multiskills Tournament - Sports Hall 7.30pm 8xY13 English Lit visit to Blackwell’s Oxford 11 Mar All Y8 Chemistry at Work Day 14 Mar 60 x Y10 Geography visit to Lakes (MC) 50 x Y11 Practise Maths/English NFER tests (SLA)
SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP & SPORTS CLOTHING
The School Uniform Shop will no longer be supplying white school shirts or sweatshirts with the school badge on. We have a small number of each left in various sizes to sell, so are reducing the price of these to clear the remaining stock. Packs of 2 shirts will now be sold at £11.00 per pack and sweatshirts will be sold at £13.50 each. If you would like to order either of these please do so via the school website and we will deliver the items to your son. If you would like to check that we have the size you require in stock before placing an order please call the school office.
LOST PROPERTY
We have had a few valuable items handed into the School Office. If your son has recently lost a pair of glasses, a black leather wallet (containing money and a key), a Sony speaker, watch, memory stick or a front door key on a red plastic fob, please ask him to come to the School Office to identify his item.
In the Lost Property Office we an abundance of PE kits and coats to be claimed. Parents are welcome to come into school to look for lost items, but should contact the school first to arrange a visit.
MUSIC SOLOISTS EVENING
We will be holding a Soloists’ Evening from 4.00 pm onwards on Tuesday 22nd March. This is an occasion to showcase our young soloists playing a selection of duets and solos with some ensemble pieces in a relaxed and informal setting. If your son is a young musician in any way do ask him to sign up and participate. There is no charge so please come and support us if you can.
Big news in Malawi as President Mutharika plans to launch the first ever Malawi national youth conference, presenting an opportunity for young people in Malawi to discuss and provide suggestions towards the Malawi Growth and Development strategy. FIFA has also launched a campaign in Malawi to help support the football development there.
Where your money goes: All the money raised by students is being invested into specific focuses while the students are on the trip. Groups consist of Sports Gear - a group collecting sporting goods to donate to the Malawians and the Wheelchair and Glasses Initiative - this group is aiming to take over some medical equipment such as plasters, nets and obviously wheelchairs and old glasses. Also there is a Library Group, who's ambition is to expand the library at Malosa school. They will collect old books from primary schools and take them over to Malawi for the trip. All of these groups aim to significantly improve the lives of the children in Malawi. There are several other groups too, such as IT. Any donations can be brought to the school office.
In the weekly house assemblies, students going on the trip have been raising money from donations from fellow peers. This is a great way for other students who are not going on the trip to get involved with the project. The current totals are listed above.
Over the Christmas period, two groups took part in separate bag packing sessions as a fundraising project. In total the students raised over £2500 over the period. Lloyd Harman has sacrificed weekends by selling hot drinks at football grounds, making £650 with his efforts. Cake sales are always ongoing fundraising events, most Mondays, and are a consistent money maker for the students on the trip.
If you would like to make a donation or help in any way please do so by contacting the school on 01296 484545 (Mr Corby) or by donating to: https://www.justgiving.com/agsmalosa/
The totals raised so far by in assembly by each house is as follows: Denson £208 Ridley £139 Lee £127 Paterson £123 Phillips £110 Hampden £97 Please encourage your son to bring a donation each week.
BASKETBALL ACADEMY
The aim of the Academy is to provide a basketball specific programme, that is in addition to but
separate from, School basketball. The programme is aimed at students who are committed to their personal
development and success on and off the basketball court.
Junior Academy (Y7-9)
These students will be developing the fundamental core skills that is required for them to play basketball successfully
at any level. By the end of the programme they will be able to dribble, pass and shoot in its most basic form, all with
correct techniques. The students will develop basic hand eye co-ordination, basic foot work and body control.
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of basic court spacing and pass and move principles of offence
and correct principles of man to man defence.
2 x skills focused sessions per week
Middle Academy (Y10-11)
These students will be transferring the basic skills they have learned in School basketball or in the Junior Academy to
be able to practice more advanced basketball skills and techniques. They will be able to apply the basic knowledge
learned to begin learning more advanced tactics including zone offence and defence. They will begin a base fitness
and strength programme that will improve and prepare them for the physicality of the senior game and give them the
core strength needed to begin a more advanced strength programme in the Senior Academy.
2 x base fitness sessions with Pro Start per week
3 x skills focused sessions per week
1 x fixture per week (U16 CC, U16/18 NC)
Senior Academy (Y12-14)
These students will be at the pinnacle of the school basketball Academy programme. The programme will be focused
on enhancing advanced basketball skills and techniques and the application of these techniques in the implementation
of more advanced team tactics. The fixtures will include National League basketball to be played on a Saturday
morning as part of the programme and there will also be opportunities to obtain England Basketball coaching and
officiating awards.
2 x strength & conditioning sessions with Pro Start per week
3 x skills focused sessions per week
2 x evening team practice sessions per week
1 or 2 fixtures per week (U18 CC, U18 NC, U18 NL)
For more information about the Basketball Academy or for an application form then please do not hesitate to contact
Coach McCarthy:
Off: 01296 484545 (ext 247) Mob: 07711 826089 Email: [email protected]
JUNIOR BASKETBALL ACADEMY
The Junior Academy is open to all students in years 7, 8 and 9 at the beginning of the September 2015 term that wish to help take their basketball to the highest level possible. The practices and techniques used will focus on individual skill development. The aim of the Basketball Academy whole school programme is to develop individuals so that they have the skills and competence to compete at the most elite level possible. Students taking part in the Junior Academy will gain an additional 2 hours of basketball per week which will take place in the AGS main sports hall every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:30am – 8:30am allowing plenty of time for students to get changed and ready for morning registration at 8:40am. The cost for each student to attend the Junior Academy is a total of £150 (£100 for two terms) each for the entire year, which can be spread over 3 termly payments of £50. There may also be the opportunity for players to purchase exclusive Junior Academy kit, tracksuits and bags at cost price. If you would like your son to join the Junior Academy, please complete and return the slip below to me by Friday 29th January. A little bit about me. I am a retired professional player and now dedicate my time to developing young people and giving them the opportunity to perhaps one-day play professional basketball. I've been coaching at the school for over 10 years, during which time we have won multiple county championships and also been to the National Schools Finals. I'm head coach of the South England regional team and regularly make recommendations to the England National Team Coaches. I've recently sent players on professional contracts in Spain and England as well as a number of players who are now in the USA getting free college education whilst still chasing their dream to play professional basketball. If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Coach McCarthy [email protected] _______________________________________________________________________________________ JUNIOR BASKETBALL ACADEMY REPLY SLIP
I would like my son………………………………………………………. House/year………………………………. to join the Junior Basketball Academy at Aylesbury Grammar School for 2015-16. I am happy to pay the £100 fee (two terms) for the Junior Basketball Academy and would like to pay in (one / two) instalments.
Signed…………………………………………………………………. Date………………………………………….
