Solihull SchoolThe Greyhound

SUMMER TERM 2013

This year’s Bench enjoying the annual soiree in the Alan Lee Pavilion.

Pupils meet HRH Prince Charles at the official opening of the £20 million Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. See inside for more on the School’s visit to the Hospice.

Simon Mayo came in to speak to Lower School pupils about his series of books based on a character called Itch. Simon, an Old Sil (1970-73 Windsor) finished the morning with a book signing session.

The Greyhound Interviews…Mr Perrins, Music

How long have you been teaching?

Probably too long but in reality 34 years!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The amazing variety from teaching right across the School to working with so many talented musicians in the different choirs and instrumental groups. Then there’s the annual Musical too, which is always great fun.

Why do you like teaching music?

When you think about it, music is part of everyone’s life and you can’t say that about many things. The thrill of realising that you have helped even one person to connect with music is such an amazing feeling!

If you had to choose your last meal what would it be?

If I’m allowed three courses then it would have to be lobster bisque, pasta and a really creamy lemon mousse.

What’s your favourite piece of music and why?

That’s a really tough one because it would depend on the mood I’m in! It could be anything from the late 19th century which is my favourite period, but almost certainly something by Mahler whose music encompasses every emotion and feeling: maybe his ‘Resurrection Symphony’.

If you could meet a musician or composer from any period of history, who would it be?

Another difficult one! There are so many interesting characters. But it would probably be Beethoven because he changed the direction music was going in at the beginning of the 19th century. There are so many questions I’d like to ask him but we might not get very far as I don’t speak German and he probably wouldn’t hear me anyway!

Visit the School Facebook page to see photographs of last week’s fabulous visit from Happy’s Circus. (22 April)

Swimming: Abigail Humphreys had a fantastic swim on the first day of the Easter holidays in Portsmouth, swimming the 800m freestyle in a time of 8:59:20. (17 April)

Staff Achievements

Mrs P Cramb Nominated for the Annual German Teacher Awards for her initiatives and commitment to German teaching. The awards take place at the German Embassy on 25th June.

Miss Hannah Smith & Mr Christopher Mayer Player & coach at Leicester Ladies Hockey Club. The team won the National League title this season, and qualify for the European Championships in May 2014.

Mrs R Hadley-Leonard Following successful completion of the AMDIS Diploma (achieving top student award) and for commitment to Marketing in Schools, invited to join the Executive Board of AMDIS (Association of Marketing and Development in Independent Schools).

Mrs J Wilde Received the highest critical acclaim from ‘Behind the Arras’ for playing the lead role of Martha in Hall Green Little Theatre’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (‘Forget that this is an amateur production. This is theatre at its best. Performances like this don’t come that often on any stage’).

Mrs H Miles As a member of ‘Ruby’s Runners’, has completed the Worcester half-marathon and The Great Midlands Fun Run. So far they have raised £5000 for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. More half-marathons planned for the Autumn.

Mr B Sandford-Smith Guitarist in the ‘Steve Rogers Band’, who have recently supported T’Pau and Deborah Bonham at the O2 Academy in Liverpool and Burgess Hill Theatre. Also due to play at several festivals this summer.

Lord Hunt Visit Lord Hunt with members of the new Middle School Bench, after speaking to the Lower Fifth about parliament and politics.

Boys’ Choir tour to Norway

On June 5 the School’s Boys’ Choir performed in the Bergen International Festival, joining the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, chamber orchestra, two organs (played by Mr Walker), the Bergen Boys’ Choir and three soloists in an electrifying performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem under the direction of renowned American conductor Andrew Litton. One eminent critic described the performance, to an audience of 1400 people as well as many others worldwide on Norwegian national radio, as ‘highly charged’, being left ‘stirred and humbled’. The tour also included a spontaneous concert in the home of Grieg, a walk up Mount Ulriken and a refreshing swim in a fjord. It was very special for us to have Mrs Brough with us on her last trip.

Rounders: The Third Form made a great start to the season last week. The U12A won 14-7 and U12B won 13-5 ½ against Princethorpe. (29 April)

Lucy Allen, Libbie Thomas and Alexander Browse attended the Engineering Education Scheme celebration day with their mentors from Jaguar Land Rover at Cranmore Park. (25 April)

Bergen-Solihull Choral Exchange

During April, twenty members of the Bergen Boys’ Choir visited Solihull to launch the Bergen-Solihull Choral Exchange. The weekend consisted of many hours of rehearsals with our Boys’ Choir, as well as plenty of social time and international football matches. The Bergen Boys’ Choir enjoyed a trip to Oxford and both choirs sang in Coventry Cathedral. The weekend culminated in a joint service in Chapel, including two Norwegian hymns, and a farewell party.

Academic Retreat

Ms Harford and Mr Anderton took eight Upper Sixth students up to the Mountain Cottage in Snowdonia over half term for an academic retreat. Days were full of revision, good food, evening fires and laughing. The students were a delight and worked really hard.

Athletics: Well done to all our athletes last night. The U16 and U14 girls beat St Martin’s and RGS Worcester. The U16 boys also won against KES, RGS Worcester and KE Camp Hill. (8 May)

The annual Battle of the Bands has raised lots of money for the School charities, £457.21 in total. It was a fabulous evening. (1 May)

Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award presentation - St James’ Palace, London

Seventeen students from the Upper Sixth as well as Old Silhillians studying at various universities were in attendance at St James’ Palace, London, on the morning of Wednesday 13th March to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Students from Solihull School constituted by far the largest group and were spoken to by designer and broadcaster Linda Barker before receiving certificates from His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh himself. Jessica Singer and Sonali Phillp were questioned by the Duke about where they had completed their expeditions and Sonali also spoke about completing her ‘Residential section’ in India where she helped out in an orphanage. This year with the current upper Sixth Form, we have seen record numbers of students complete their Gold Expedition, mainly on foot in the Welsh mountains but some sailing around the Isle of Wight. Well done to all!

Double success for Charlotte

Congratulations to Charlotte Beesley who has been accepted into the prestigious National Youth Theatre. Furthermore, her musical talent was on show this term as she composed a piece of music, ‘Remembrances’, which had its premiere at the Summer Concert.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

This term and over the Easter holidays, our intrepid Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students have braved eight foot-deep snow drifts, hail storms and sub-zero temperatures on expeditions in Snowdonia, the Malverns, Shropshire and the Peak District.

Pet Service 2013 The Pet Service has become something of a tradition in School Chapel as we give thanks for our animal companions. A variety of dogs, rabbits, gerbils and a snail came to the altar for a special blessing as we asked the prayers of St Francis, patron saint of animals. A great time was had by all with lots of fun songs and Junior School pupils reading lessons and prayers.

Young Enterprise update: Spotted Zebra won Best Finance Award at the Birmingham and Solihull Final. Congratulations team. (15 May)

Pupils raise over £1,600 from non-uniform day. (8 May)

Young Enterprise

Two Young Enterprise companies made up of Lower Fifth students were successful at the recent Solihull area Young Enterprise Competition. Spotted Zebra won ‘Best Company’ and ‘Best Company Report’ and secured a place at the Birmingham regional final, held at Birmingham University, where they went on the to win the prize for ‘Best Financial Management’. Mydas gave a unique, reflective and humorous presentation which was a big hit with the audience and secured the prize for ‘Best Presentation’. All of the students put in a great deal of effort and the School should be very proud of them.

Solihull School at the cutting edge of science research

Solihull School is one of eight schools participating in a professional research study being led by doctors and scientists at the University of Birmingham. The study is investigating adolescent sleep and its impact on academic performance and general health. Shell Form pupils will be completing an online survey and 7-day sleep diaries and are the only teenagers in the country to have access to wrist-worn devices (actigraphy) that will monitor their sleep habits. The research study is the largest adolescent sleep investigation in the United Kingdom and findings from the research have already been published in major scientific journals.

Sleep Out for Charity

This term saw the inaugural Solihull School Sleep Out. Pupils from the Fourth Form initiated the event, after reading the novel Stone Cold by Robert Swindells. Over 70 pupils and 10 staff slept in the School Quadrangle for one evening on Friday 3rd May, with nothing to protect them from the elements except for a sleeping bag and cardboard boxes. The School was supported in this event by generous donations of breakfast from the local branch of Pret a Manger and much needed cardboard from the John Lewis Solihull store. Money raised from sponsorship of the evening has exceeded over £2000.

Botanical Gardens

On Wednesday 22nd May, the J1s went on a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston, as part of their study of the artist Henri Rousseau. The day started off with a ‘Backpack Challenge’ in the Tropical and Sub-Tropical Houses, followed by the pupils sketching plants in all the Glasshouses. The day culminated in running down the hill and having fun in the Play Area! A great time was had by all!

Harvey & Beth from the Junior School proudly presented a cheque for £1643 to Margaret Wall, of Save The Children, during our assembly this morning. (15 May)

Chapel – The Chamber Choir are singing Motet: Every time I feel the spirit arr. Bob Chilcott (19 May)

Amazing Artist-in-Residence – Steve Lister! The J3 children were all inspired to become great artists of the future, when local ‘Pen and Ink’ artist, Steve Lister, came into School to amaze the children with his fantastic eye for detail. Steve ran a workshop for all three J3 classes to demonstrate how he creates his contrasting black and white images of various locations, and the children then worked on their own images of St Alphege Church, applying and adapting Steve’s techniques. It was a fabulous opportunity to learn how to draw more technically, and the J3 pupils will hopefully be far better artists because of this experience.

A Viking makes a Visit

‘Thorgil the Viking’ from Freshwater Theatre Company came to visit the J1s. It was brilliant to meet him, if not just a little bit frightening, and we learned even more about the Vikings!

Lower School House Music Competition held today, with a wonderful variety of musical skills and styles. (24 May)

Cricket: U14A beat Bishop Vesey in the quarter final of the County Cup. (16 May)

Lorely Burt visits the Junior School

Solihull Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt with the Junior School’s winning Liberal Democrat campaign team in the Mock Elections. From left: Guy Tomlinson, Emily Baker (Deputy Leader), Max Penney (Leader) and Jacob Yip. Max was voted Prime Minister of the Junior School by a 100% turnout at the polling booth. His deputy, Emily Baker, will take over the reins of leadership in September when Max moves into the Lower School.

Down on the Farm

On Tuesday 11th June, the J1s went to Ash End Children’s Farm in Tamworth as part of their Geography Curriculum. They had a fun-packed day of feeding lambs, kids (baby goats, not themselves!) and ducks, holding chicks and ducklings, collecting an egg to take home for their tea, looking at pigs, piglets, shire horses and foals, visiting the Falconry Centre and seeing a Tawny Owl and an enormous Eagle owl, spending their money in the shop on souvenirs, and having a great time in the play area. Lots of learning and fun took place on this super trip!

Go for Gold!

Pupils in the Junior School entertained a packed Bushell Hall over two consecutive nights with their performance of Go for Gold.

Science Day Fun!On 21st May, J3 and J4 took part in a Science Day where they learnt about the Earth, Sun and Moon. The National Space Centre brought their Star Dome and the children enjoyed learning about the constellations. The Sixth Formers helped make the day a success by running parallel events on the planets. Great fun was had by all.

Sponsored Decathlon for the Norman Laud Association

Every child in the Junior School has been asking friends, family and neighbours to sponsor them in aid of the amazing work done by the Norman Laud Association (http://www.normanlaud.org.uk/). On 7 June, they had massive amounts of fun in the sunshine, taking part in a charity decathlon for the Association. What could be better than Welly Wanging instead of doing Maths, Space Hopping instead of doing Science or diving under a cargo net instead of doing a comprehension? Thank you so much to everyone who has been extremely generous with sponsorship.

The Junior School Council visited the Norman Laud Association’s Homes for Children and Young Adults with special needs to see the extraordinary work they do. They came back to School to present an assembly to inspire the Junior School pupils to raise much-needed funds to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Chapel – Girls’ Choir sang Anthem: Corpus Christi Carol, Britten (9 June)

School Choir and Bergen Choir featured on Midlands Today tonight. (29 May)

PGL Weekend

The J3 pupils visited Boreatton Park PGL Centre, near Shrewsbury, for a weekend filled with team-building activities, physical challenge and adventure. It was a memorable experience for all involved and everyone had a wonderful time.

Strings master class with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra violinist David Gregory

On June 11th violinist David Gregory came to School to give a strings master class, the first of a series of CBSO Stay Tuned workshops we are introducing in the Music Department.Sixteen pupils participated in the master class and many others came to listen. The 3-hour session was informative, inspiring and uplifting.

Old Boy Tom Bates celebrates his wedding at School. On the School Facebook page you will find a video of the bride arriving in a helicopter. Congratulations to you both. (17 June)

Rugby: Conor Joyce (Leaver 2011) is captaining Ireland U20 at the moment in the Junior World Cup in France. They have, to date, beaten Australia and Fiji! (10 June)

Summer Concert

Over 150 musicians took part in the Summer Concert in a range of instrumental and vocal ensembles. There were also impressive solo performances from Charlotte Beesley, Oscar Street, Georgia Cherry and Daniel Murphy together with duetting pianists Maxine Perroni-Scharf and Megan Lloyd. William Hughes, Ben Perrins, Alanna Wall, Amy Parry, Charlotte Sasse, Imogen Hanson and Lydia Roll also had important solo roles in smaller ensembles. The concert also saw the world premiere of ‘Remembrances’ by Charlotte Beesley with Libby, Thomas, Abigail Smith and Dominic Martens providing the instrumental accompaniment. The concert ended in royal style with the Chamber Choir, Senior Choir and Symphony Orchestra celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation performing music from the 1953 Coronation Service. Dr Jukes’ technical wizardry resulted in explosions of patriotic streamers for the grand finale!

Vocal and Informal Concerts

The Music Department held another of its regular Informal Concerts on Wednesday 15th May. These concerts are designed to offer performance opportunities to pupils of all ages and abilities, and this concert encompassed various instruments and singers covering all age groups within the School. There were some really excellent performances, even from some of our youngest performers.

The Vocal Concert has become an annual event and was held on Thursday 20th June. Junior and Senior pupils took part in this varied evening of song; some items were from the shows, some pupils sang charming little items written especially for the younger voice, and there were also some incredibly mature and accomplished performances from our senior singers, with ‘farewell performances’ from some of our Upper Sixth. This was another enjoyable evening to round off the term – indeed the school year.

Chapel Choir- Battle of Britten and other music!

During this academic year the Chapel Choir has been participating in a world-wide celebration of the centenary year of English composer Benjamin Britten (Britten100). On 23rd June, during the annual Governors’ Service, the Boys’ Choir and Girls’ Choir performed movements from his complex Missa Brevis as well as presenting a rare performance of his Psalm 150 with orchestra. During the final evensong of the year the Chamber Choir performed the oratorio masterpiece Rejoice in the Lamb, with leavers Julie Whiting, Tom Wilde, Henry Camm and Simon Turpin singing the (mostly) witty solos. During this service we also said farewell to long serving choir members Oscar Street, Imogen Harrison and Rebecca Took.

The annual Leavers’ Service was held in the School Chapel on Thursday 23 May. The Chapel Choir rose to the occasion with a broad mix of music including Parry’s rousing I was Glad, Chilcott’s breathtaking Every time I feel the spirit by and a tear-jerking Go forth into the world in peace by John Rutter.

Recital by Florentina Harris and Oscar Street

On Monday 20th May we were treated to a splendid evening of varied music from Florentina Harris and Oscar Street when they presented their joint recital in the David Turnbull Music School. Both students have achieved advanced levels in singing, and also in violin (Florentina) and trumpet (Oscar) so we had high expectations and were definitely not disappointed.

Their selection of vocal music included opera, French, German and English songs, show songs and duets (with some wonderful humorous moments!) There were violin pieces by Vivaldi & Tchaikovsky, a rendition of a bluesey piano number, and a very effective trumpet trio where Oscar was joined by his trumpet tutor, Mr. Hugh Pascall and fellow Sixth Former Joe Price. The highlight was the encore number with their ‘return of Christine & Raoul’ from The Phantom of the Opera, singing ‘All I ask of you’. It was certainly an evening to remember!

Music Successes

Congratulations to Charlotte Sasse (violinist) who achieved two first prizes at the Dudley Music Festival. Also, she has been given a place in the prestigious CBSO Youth Orchestra for next year. She will attend a week’s course in October half term and then next February half term.

Congratulations also to the following singers who achieved first prizes at the Northfield Music Festival: Danni Blake, Katie Williams, Chris Bevins, Henry Camm, Oscar Street and Florentina Harris.

Following the Northfield results, Katie Williams was invited to sing again at the Prizewinners’ Concert while Florentina Harris was awarded the Nancy Cull Championship Cup for the best performance from all the adult class winners.

Upper Sixth Leavers Celebrations

This year, celebrations for our Upper Sixth Leavers were held over two days filled with fun, laughter and tears. In the final Chapel Service, J1 troopers were presented with a special award by two current J1 pupils and Jerusalem was sung at great volume for the last time collectively. Mr Brattle and Mrs Brough, who are both retiring, received an impromptu standing ovation from the Upper Sixth. On the Friday morning students gathered in the Assembly Rooms for a breakfast reception and informal photographs before moving back to School for a final assembly in the Bushell Hall. They then made their way to Balsall Common Rugby Club for a final BBQ and a chance to sign each other’s leavers’ books and to wind down. It was a fantastic celebration of all that the Upper Sixth have achieved in their time here.

Charlie Hadley (Junior Boys), Adina Bailey (Inter Girls) and Molly Eales (Senior Girls) have been selected to compete at the English Schools. (17 June)

Athletics: Adina Bailey won the Inter Girls shot put on Saturday in the Masons Trophy (10 counties were there) and Charlie Hadley won the Junior Boys Triple Jump. (17 June)

Spanish Study Visit to Orihuela

During the Easter Holidays, Esther Domingo and Lydia Jones from the Lower Sixth and Poppy Eales, Iain Rodriguez-Brown, Joseph Lankester and Fraser Waddell from the Upper Fifth visited Orihuela in the province of Alicante in the Valencian region of Spain.Orihuela is the home of our partner school, Colegio Oleza, with whom we have a well-established exchange programme, and the principal kindly offered our GCSE and A-Level students of Spanish the opportunity to spend some time in the school preparing for their oral examinations.

During their stay in Orihuela – during which time they were accompanied by Coni and Pablo, our Chilean Gap Year students – Solihull students spent quality time practising their Spanish with students and teachers from Colegio Oleza. They also enjoyed some very warm Spanish sunshine and hospitality, climbed a mountain and visited Alicante, the capital city of the province.

All the members of staff with whom Solihull students came into contact were very impressed both with their linguistic ability and with the open-minded way in which they engaged with Spanish people. Mr Morgan and Ms Campbell greatly enjoyed accompanying the students concerned and both agree that they made a great deal of progress and represented the School very admirably indeed.

Solihull School in the News: Charley Gregory, our very own tennis star, was highlighted on ITV Central News last night. (25 June)

Tennis: U12 girls’ tennis team won their matches against King’s Worcester 5-3 today. The girls played really well. (21 June)

Leticia’s Kenyan Adventure

Congratulations to Leticia Salmon who has recently won a nationwide Ministry of Defence competition. She will be spending three weeks during summer 2014 in Kenya to partake in charity work in a local school. While in Africa, she will also climb Mount Kenya.

A Chilean Summer

Lydia Jones looks forward to furthering the links with our friends in Chile over the summer.

Old Girls’ Reunion

This term we welcomed 140 former pupils to the Old Girls’ Reunion. The day included a tour of the School plus a spot of afternoon tea, and many old friendships were rekindled. This was followed by dinner at the Memorial Club House, Copt Heath.

Visit to the new Marie Curie Hospice

The Lower Fifth Religious Studies classes began the half term by visiting the new Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. We were greeted by the resident chaplain who told us about his role in the hospice, and he asked us to consider our own spirituality and discuss it with each other. We talked about what we believe and the reasons for this, and it was interesting to hear the way these questions were answered by our peers. We were then given a tour of the hospice by some very welcoming staff. Everywhere was light, spacious and peaceful: a huge effort has been made to create a space that’s as comfortable as possible for patients. A particular highlight was the beautiful garden with a specially commissioned fountain, which the rooms look out onto. It was a privilege to be able to visit and see the amazing work that has been done.

Aegon Classic Tennis Championships

On Wednesday 12th June, 18 Third Form tennis players were lucky enough to go to the Aegon Classic Tennis Championships at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The pupils had the opportunity to attend a coaching session and received a free racquet and set of balls. In between the rain showers, some world class tennis was on offer and the pupils learnt a huge amount from watching. A smashing day out!

Summer Term ‘Teams of the Week’

U14A Cricket Team

Excellent 7-wicket win against King’s School, Worcester

Easter Term Trip Leaders

Providing pupils with some fantastic experiences

British Biology Olympiad Team

Outstanding success in the 2013 Competition

Crisis Charity ‘Sleep Out’ Team

Innovative Fundraising

Team of Chilean GAP Students

For making a fantastic contribution to Solihull School life

Benchers 2012/2013

A fantastic team effort for 2012/13

ISGA Matchplay Plate Golf team

Superb victory over Dean Close in the Regional Finals

1st XI Cricket Team

Excellent victory versus RGS Worcester

Girls’ Ski Team

Tremendous performance at the CESA Midlands Race

Middle School Debating Team

Excellent performance throughout the term

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Solihull School, Warwick Road, Solihull West Midlands B91 3DJTelephone Numbers: School Offi ce: 0121 705 0958 Admissions Secretary: 0121 705 4273 Bursar: 0121 705 0883

Fax: 0121 711 4439 Email: admin@solsch.org.uk Web: www.solsch.org.uk

Tennis Success for Charley

J4 pupil Charley Gregory has been selected to represent Great Britain in an U12 International Team Tennis Event being held at Queenswood School, Hertfordshire this week. Alongside Great Britain, teams from Croatia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria are also competing in the fi ve day event.

Cricket squad prepares for Barbados

The Senior Cricket Squad will embark on a three week tour of Barbados on 5 July, competing in the Sir Garfi eld Sobers biennial tournament. This will be the fourth occasion that the School has entered the event. The Tour Party will consist of thirteen players and be accompanied by Mr Paul Jackson and Mr David Hemp.

Solihull School Senior Cricket Tour

Barbados 2013

Standing: Fahd Janjua, Anthony Szarmach, Jonny Allen, Duncan Wigley, Oli Haley, Tom Johnson, Alex Cromie, Louie Turpie Seated: Richard Bradley, Nick Hooper, Darryl Brotherhood (Captain), Jamie Hughes, Nick Starkey