Bronze Medallists Rob Payne, Jack Mullins, Tom White & Will Middleton
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Having won through from their regional heats at Millfield School, STRS swimmers Rob Payne, Kit Turner, Jack Mullins, Tom White & Will Middleton went on to greater things at the Bazuka National Schools Gala held at Middlesborough. In the Intermediate Freestyle 4x50m Relay, the STRS team finished 4th in their heat and 9th overall. In the Medlay Relay, the team pulled out all the stops, coming second in their heat and then they swam to a terrific third place in the Final. Tom White recorded the fastest leg with 24.59secs, which is within the senior national qualifying standard - a fantastic result. Well done and congratulations to the team!
Bronze Medallists Rob Payne, Jack Mullins, Tom White & Will Middleton
School league tables published this week yet again proved that our students achieve highly and Sir Thomas Rich's is still one of the very top schools in the southwest. Whichever way one looks at it - national examination results, 'value-added' performance indicators - Rich's rides high, in the top 3 of all secondary schools within the county.
Rich's Bright Young Future
Old Richian & Explorer Dan Wright returned today from his camel trek across Northern India - The Caravan of Light. He brings with him a wealth of tales and pictures which he will soon be presenting at a Lecture at the school. (Dates to be announced).
Until then why not visit The Caravan of Light website to read the expedition logbook and find out more about the trip and the Light Up the World charity it was promoting.
Just click on the camel to find out more!
We are pleased to report that six of our Sixth Form students have been offered places at Oxford or Cambridge University colleges, following rigorous entrance examinations and interviews. Providing all goes well with their final A2 examinations in June, the following will take up undergraduate studies as follows:
Samuel Johnson - Engineering at Jesus, Oxford
Jack Milton - Earth Sciences at Hertford, Oxford
Jack Keevill - Modern Languages at St Peter's, Oxford
Tom Roberts - Geography at St Catherine's Oxford
Daniel Whisson - Mathematics at University College, Oxford
Jacob Loftus - Mathematics at Corpus Christi, Cambridge.
We wish all six the best!
In recognition of its high academic achievements, especially in the fields of Science, we are pleased to announce that Sir Thomas Rich's has earned the specialist status of Science College. Here is what Headmaster Ian Kellie has to say about this prestigious achievement ...
We were delighted to be told in December 2004 that we have been awarded Science College status by the Government, to go alongside our Language College specialism which we acquired four years ago.
How can schools have two specialisms? In the summer of 2004 the Government asked its major Departments to produce Five Year Plans - the Department for Education and Skills issued their aims which showed that they intend to develop 'what works' - thus, for example, popular schools will be allowed to expand. Specialist Schools are very much seen as a success story, typically they are popular and high achieving. So the DfES said that it wants every secondary school to become specialist and that schools which have completed their first four-year phase of specialist status will be encouraged to apply for a second specialism.
Why take on a second specialism? Money is one of the incentives. As a Language College we attract an additional £129 per pupil each year, a second specialism qualifies for a further £60 per pupil per annum.
Why Science College status? Our science laboratories were, of course, built when the school moved here in 1964. They are showing their age. We refurbished L5, one of the chemistry laboratories, in the summer of 2004 and this was a great improvement - but expensive. The additional funds will allow us to continue this programme of refurbishment. Science College status also recognises our strengths in science and mathematics, and complements our Language College and Sportsmark Gold awards. The aim is eventually to gain recognition of our excellence in all fields of study.
What are our plans? As a Language College we have built strong links with local primary schools (for example, we provide their teaching in modern languages) and secondary schools. We shall build upon these to develop support in science and mathematics.
When the Government introduced the idea of Beacon Schools, Sir Thomas Rich's was one of the first. We then became the first Language College in the county. When the Government introduced the idea of School Achievement Awards, we were one of the first recipients. We are honoured now to be one of the first schools in the country to be awarded two specialisms.
.... new news coming shortly ...
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