STRS in the News - Autumn Term 2002

 Clive Stuart-Smith returns to present Rugby Awards at Final Assembly

One of the school's recent leavers Clive Stuart-Smith (seen here with Mr I J Gallagher) took a break from squad training at Kingsholm where he is a member of the Gloucester RFC squad currently riding high in the Zurich Premiership League, in order to present the rugby trophies, colours and merit awards at Final Assembly.

Whilst at Rich's Clive gained international honours with English Schools and he has been included in the England International Squad.



Dave Edwards receives the Senior Rugby Trophy on behalf of Northgate.

The Assembled Rugby Award Winners

 Individual Achievements

Congratulations to:-

Richard Farrow (7B) on setting a new UK U13 record for 1500 meters indoors. Richard ran the distance in 4 mins 59.7secs at Cardiff's indoor athletics facility.

Shaun Hopkins (U6T) on his selection for the Gloucestershire U18 rugby team.

Samantha Lyons on her selection for the All england Netball Association 'talent squad', a major achievement along the route to full international honours.

Jonathan Maxted (8R) on gaining two gold and three silver medals at the Bristol Festival where he also won the trophy for the best U15 solo acting.

William Russell (11B) on his selection for the Gloucestershire U16 rugby team.

Alex Thomas (9S) for organising a 'Football in Drag' event at school, collecting the fees and sponsorship, and thereby raising over £340 for BBC's "Children In need" Appeal.

 Canon Peter Nunn Retires

Canon Nunn is well known to Sir Thomas Rich's and he has been a loyal supporter of the school for over twenty years, latterly as Vice Chairman of Governors. He has just retired as our local parish vicar and both he and Mrs Jane Nunn have now moved to Worthing.

His final visit to the school was to take our Remembrance Assembly on 11th November, at the end of which we presented him with a claret jug engraved with a picture of the Bluecoat Boy and a message of thanks from Sir Thomas Rich's.

Canon Nunn was appointed vicar of Holy Trinity Church in 1979 and became a Governor here the following year. His two sons, Philip and Julian, were both students here. We shall miss his jollity and wit, his sharp intellect and his warm hospitality.

We wish both Peter and Jane a long and happy retirement.

 Design & Technology Graphics Suite completed

Our new Design & Technology Graphics Suite was completed and handed over to the school during the first week in December. It has been fitted out and will come into operation next term.

The D&T extension includes additional storage space and an office. The new room will be used for 'clean' design work including computer-controlled technology.

This completed a significant project which involved converting a D&T room and a Computing room to a new Art Studio and the conversion of two Language Rooms to a new ICT Suite - this work was finished during the summer holidays.

We are also indebted to our Parents' Association which approved a grant of over £13,000 to upgrade our computer workstations.

 U13 Rugby teams still undefeated!

At half term the U13 Rugby "A" & "B" teams remain the only Rich's teams to be undefeated so far this season.

Well done to all squad members for their commitment to training and their determination and team spirit on match days. A special mention too should go to the squad coaches Mr C D A Carter & Mr P J Brown. Keep up the good work and here's to an equally successful second half of the season!

 New Life Band visit STRS - Friday 18 October 2002

The Tanzanian Dance and Drum Band "New Life" brought a refreshing blast of African rhythm, movement and song to the school assembly stage today. Several members of staff joined selected pupils to dance to the New Life rhythms, much to the delight of colleagues and students alike!

Organised through the good auspices of parent Mr Denley and the Emmanuel Church in Cheltenham, the band members also spent the rest of the morning talking and working with several classes.

Areas of focus included -

Talk about differences between Britain and Tanzania; conditions of housing and work; the area from where the group comes; historical background; (Geography & History)
The rhythm of their music and how it can be used in poetry; culture and traditions; (English)
Beliefs, Vision and Mission; use of music in their Christian ministry in Tanzania and abroad; (Religious Education)
Musical traditions of Tanzania & East Africa; different styles; playing methods and descriptions of their instruments; chances to join in. (Music)

More about the band .....

 Venture Scouts Success at Dragon Boat Regatta - 6 October 2002

The 44th Gloucester helped power the Gloucester Scout District Dragon Boat to second place at the annual regatta held at South Cerney this weekend. In atrociously wet conditions, the District Boat was just pipped into second place in the Junior Shield by Cheltenham Young Taverners, whose aggregate time was a mere 1.7 seconds faster. The 44th are regular supporters of this impressive and exciting event and as in previous years they filled over 70% of the paddling positions in the District Boat.

.... new news coming shortly ...

Compiled by PCR