STRS in the News - Summer Term 2003

 Final Awards, Cock House Winners and Head's Message

18 July 2003

Final Day Assembly culminated in the presentation of Colours, Merit Certificates, Cups & Trophies. Winner of the Cock House Trophy was Eastgate. Cricket Cups were also presented; in addition to the Junior Indoor Trophy (a new competition this year) and the Junior House Cricket Cup - both of which were convincingly won by Southgate - Chris Surman of Year 7 (& Southgate!) received the Centurion Cup in recognition of his 104 scored against Kings, no mean feat at any level!

In summing up the very full and successful year at Rich's, Headmaster Mr Kellie wrote in the School's July Newsletter -

'Every year we seem to pack more and more into school life. Over the past 12 months there have been significantly more educational visits and activities, both curricular and extra-curricular, than I can ever remember. Rich's culture has always been to support such activities which provide real insight, inspiration and lasting memories for pupils. We are most fortunate to have such a hard-working staff who commit untold hours to enhancing our pupils' education way beyond the confines of timetabled lessons. I wish them and our pupils a thoroughly deserved, relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday.'

Award Winners at Final Assembly

 Rich's Cricketers Superb in Calypso Cup U12 County Final

14 July 2003

Facing Crypt in their second competition final within 3 days, Rich's U12 proved their worth and depth of talent by inflicting what was in the end a comprehensive 49 run defeat, to round off a very successful season undefeated - played 10, won 10.

Enjoying the lovely surrounds of Hatherley & Reddings CC Chargrove Lane pitch and some gloriously hot, sunny weather, both sides rose to the challenge of providing some exciting and proficient cricket to the delight of the generous and supportive spectators clustered under the shadier spots around the ground!

Niall Drury (27), opening this time, continued to impress as he worked the ball around the field to keep the scoreboard ticking over and although he lost his opening partner Angell in the first over, he found ample support in skipper Chris Surman (17) whose stroke play quickly accelerated the score to 6-an-over before he was beautifully yorked by Dowdeswell. New batsman Ruxton - always a threat - found himself returning immediately, having played on, as Dowdeswell (3-15) struck next ball.

Drury and Ellis (25) kept the run-rate at well over 5-an-over until the introduction of some well flighted spin from Biscoe disposed of Drury and put the brakes on the scoring. Ellis and Guilor (17no) negotiated a few tricky overs, batting sensibly to keep wickets intact during the critcial mid-phase of the innings, before gradually accelerating again in the final few overs, when Ellis was out stumped giving Trigg the 'charge'. Will Latter added a valuable 10 runs off 5 balls to see the innings close at a respectable 118 for 5.

A sharp chance put down first ball and 16 runs off Crypt's first 2 overs left Rich's wondering if this was not going to be their day. However the opening bowlers re-asserted their line and length - Surman ripped out his opposite number Quigley's middle stump and Ruxton did the same to Parmar's off stump - to rock Crypt back onto 20-2 of 5 overs.

Drury and Guilor took over the bowling duties and supported by some outstanding fielding pegged back the scoring rate, with only Dowdeswell (29) able to take full advantage of anything loose.

At 56 for 4 off 13 overs it was still "game on" - obviously Ellis didn't think so as he bowled 3 magnificent overs of flighted leg spin taking 4 wickets for 5 runs and stopping the Crypt challenge dead in its tracks. It was left to Ruxton to finish off the tail and terminate the innings at 69 all out - victory by 49 runs.

By winning this, the U12 County competition, Rich's now qualify for the U13 National competition of the Calypso Cup, to be played next summer. Well done & Good Luck to them then!

 Staff Leaving

July 2003

We bid fond farewells to 3 members of staff at the end of term:

Mrs J Grocott who has taught History and Classical Civilisation at Rich's for over 13 years, as well as promoting Hockey as a school sport. She is returning home to south Wales.

Mr J Nehra who has taught Physics since 1999 when he moved here from Canada. He continues his world tour of teaching by taking up a post in the Cayman Islands!

Mr D Stone who joined us as a Chemistry teacher in September 2000 and proved his fitness and commitment to extra-curricular activities by getting involved with badminton and basketball clubs as well as running the gruelling Cotswold Marathon with a team from the school's Venture Scout Unit. Mr Stone is going to a teaching position in Bangkok, Thailand.

We also lose the services of our Site Manager Mr W McCormick - affectionately known as "Jock" for reasons that become obvious when one converses with him! Jock joined us as caretaker in July 1995 later becoming Site Manager. It was due to his ingenuity and improvisation that the school has been so well maintained - his worth to the school will only become apparent now that he's not there and all those little jobs, that he took in his stride and used his many talents to fix, mount up requiring the paid services of skilled tradesmen to sort out.

 Rich's Welcomes Ugandan Visitors

10-16 July 2003

Following the very successful visit by Mr. Seales and Mr. Crewe to Uganda earlier in the year we were delighted to welcome to STRS our Ugandan visitors Mrs Petronella Lujwala (Headmistress) and Mr Ben Lwigale (Head of Physics and ICT). Familiarisation with the English school system, lesson observation and curriculum planning, although important components of their visit, were not allowed to dominate their days. Excursions to places of local interest and visits to concerts and the theatre ensured an action packed week. The good humour and overt friendliness of our visitors have made a lasting impression on us all and we look forward to furthering our link with the PMM School in Jinja which has certainly been strengthened by this visit.

To coincide with this visit a number of activities were organised to enable pupils to enjoy the richness of African culture and to understand some of the issues which face Africa today. Martin Parks from Christian Aid spoke of the Aids crisis and the unfair trade rules. The drama "Chocolate" by the Fairgame Theatre Company provided a thought-provoking insight into the suffering and poverty caused by unfair trade.

8T took up this theme and set up a fair trade tuck shop, selling a staggering £200 worth of fair-trade products during the week. On Wednesday the gym vibrated to the sound of African drumming. In the course of the day over 100 pupils were able to beat out rhythms. Other pupils enjoyed taster sessions in Swahili from Tanzanian Leopold Chaligha (right) whose enthusiastic teaching was much appreciated.

Fund-raising continues - on Monday Will Rees (10R) and Jonathon Lowe (9R) organised a 'Gig for Uganda' which raised about £120 and so far, a total of just over £3,500 has been raised i.e. our target of being able to fund the education of 20 poor girls has been reached. Congratulations to all who organised events, to those who ran them and to all who contributed. This has been a magnificent effort, with a most worthwhile outcome.

So "Jambo, jambo" everyone. "Hakuna matata".

 The Pond in the Conservation Area

July 2003

The pond is looking good at the moment in spite of a recent pollution incident. The water lilies and marginal plants are giving a superb flowering display and there are many organisms thriving in the waters with butterflies and insects visiting the surrounds. We haven't yet spotted the kingfisher this year but live in hope!

For more details and pictures click here

 Niall Drury inspires U12s to Victory over City Rivals Crypt

10 July 2003

Man of the match Niall Drury turned in a splendid all-round performance to help Rich's seal a 38 run victory over Crypt in the U12 City Challenge Trophy.

With openers C Surman and O Ellis both back in the hutch for ducks, Niall and Ben Ruxton set about seeing off the Crypt openers and then building a large total. Their cause was helped by some wayward bowling leading to some 30 extras but this should not detract from the purposeful stroke play and running that these two exhibited as they posted a 110 run 3rd wicket stand, before Ruxton was out just 4 runs short of his fifty.

George Angell (12no) kept the momentum going with Drury who finished on 61no in a final total of 155 for 3.

Crypt started well and the Rich's bowlers returned the extras favour but some tidy bowling by Guilor and Drury (4 overs 1 for 8) ensured that Crypt had no realistic opportunity to threaten the Rich's score. They finished on 117 for 7.

Well done to Rich's U12 .... and good luck - they meet Crypt again next Monday in the Calypso Cup Final!!

Many thanks to the Rotary for sponsoring and organising this event - their support of local school cricket is very much appreciated!

Chris Surman with his team and the U12 City Challenge Trophy!

 School goes "Drum Crazy"

9 July 2003

As part of its Africa Week, the school resounded to the beating of African rhythms, with classes of students attending several workshop sessions to discover and beat out themselves the intricacies of African drumming.

Everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves and there is rumour that in September a drumming group may be created!

Many thanks to 'Drum Crazy' for staging the day's activities - for more information check out their website at
www.drumcrazy.co.uk

U15 Cricket Team Retain City Challenge Trophy

8 July 2003

In a repeat of last year's U14 final, Rich's faced a Beaufort side eager to avenge their defeat of a year ago.

Put into bat Rich's lost opener Ellis first ball and made slow progress, finding the Beaufort bowling difficult to get away. Although Blencowe put away the rare loose ball, momentum didn't pick up until Barnard joined Roberts and started to find the gaps in the field and dot balls became singles and twos. Rich's eventually posted 110 which did not really seem enough given the very fast outfield and true batting wicket.

Nerves perhaps on both sides produced a topsy-turvy first few overs of the Beaufort reply - wickets and wides left them ahead of the ask-rate but vital wickets down : 25-4 off 4 overs.

Rich's fielded well and with their bowlers maintaining better control of line they made Beaufort fight for every run. In spite of a late flourish which threatened to turn the game against them, Rich's kept control of matters to keep Beaufort down to 97-9 at the close.

Well done to Cieran Conway and his team!

The Victorious U15 Cricketers!

 Individual Achievements

Mr I R Bowie, our Head of Science, who was nominated for a Teaching Award, a so-called Plato, in the Secondary Science Teacher category. Two members of the assessment panel spent a morning in school, observing Mr Bowie and talking to colleagues and pupils, as a result of which he was short-listed. At the awards ceremony in Bristol Mr Bowie was given a Certificate of Special Commendation (and £250 for the school), a thoroughly deserved honour.

James Broady (7B) who swam at Millfield School and Bath University, where he achieved national qualifying times for the 100m and 200rn breaststroke - he will swim in the national age group championships in Sheffield at the end of July.

Robert Payne (8T) emulated James' feat, in the same two events. Robert also won 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the Gloucestershire Championships.

Thomas White (9B) who finished 2nd in the 50m freestyle competition in the Welsh National Championships and completes our trio of swimmers who will compete in the national championships in Sheffield.

Matthew Hopton (7B) who swam for Tewkesbury at the Western Counties Youth Games at Millfield School and helped them achieve third prize.

Richard Farrow (7B), City athletics champion at 800 metres.

Kun Hu (10S) on being awarded a place on the prestigious Salter's Chemistry Camp at Bristol University.

Robert Litchfield (10R) who represented Gloucestershire Army Cadets in the Cadet 100 competition at the Inter-Services 'Skill at Arms' meeting at Bisley.

 4 New Junior Records Set at Annual Sports Evening

11 June 2003

Once again the annual sports evening was well supported as boys from years 7 through to 10 ran, jumped and threw for their houses in earnest competition. Special thanks should go to Mr Gallagher for yet again co-ordinating the whole event in seamless efficiency and for especially arranging a fine summer's evening for the occasion!

New records were set as follows:

Peter Moore - Year 8 Shot - 11.05m
Chris Surman - Year 7 Javelin - 28.54m
Richard Farrow - Year 7 1500m - 4min 51.1sec
Ben Ruxton, Chris Surman, Andy Clegg, Richard Farrow - 4 x 100m Year 7 Relay - 56.22sec

After all the effort and exertion the final positions were:

Position	House	Points
1st	Southgate	289½
2nd	Westgate	274½
3rd	Northgate	250½
4th	Eastgate	208½

  For a full report and photographs click on the runner!

Soccer Success for Rich's U12 & U13 Teams in City Cup Finals

May 2003

Congratulations to the U12 & U13 Soccer Teams who overcame tough opposition in the City Cup Finals.
The U12s beat Brockworth 1-0 and the U13s beat Crypt 2-0.

Under 12 Team

Under 13 Team

 Founder's Trail

May 2003

Year 7 pupils spent a Wednesday morning in Gloucester exploring the school's history.

Why not find out more about Sir Thomas Rich and the founding of our school?
Follow the Founders Trail ....

 Sportsmark Award for Tommies!

The school has received a "Sportsmark Award" from Sport England. This recognises our well-balanced physical education curriculum and our extra-curricular programme which offers all students access to a wide range of opportunities, together with sporting links with the local community.

We are grateful to the many staff, especially the hard-working PE staff, who contribute towards providing these opportunities, giving much of their free time at lunchtimes, after school and at weekends in the process.

 1st XI Reach County Cup Soccer Final

30 April 2003

Having enjoyed an outstanding season the 1st XI Soccer team just failed to put the final icing on the cake when they met a resilient Sir William Romney in the U19 County Cup Final.

The game was played immediately after the Easter break at The Lawn, home ground of Forest Green Rovers and incidentally of several of the opposition! Wet and windy weather did not provide the best conditions for exciting football and perhaps the occasion got the better of one or two of the STRS side. Sir William Romney adapted themselves better on the night to both the occasion and the conditions and won deservedly by 3 goals to 1, leaving the STRS boys to rue what might have been had they performed to their usual high standards for the whole ninety minutes.

Coach Mr Tony Barton puts the STRS side through their paces in the pre-match warm-up.

 International Links Flourish for Rich's Staff & Students

April 2003

Leading up to and during the Easter holiday there were several emissaries from Rich's sent to foreign lands!
The links below will take you to their travel diaries ....

Spanish Trip

Göttingen Exchange

Uganda Partner School Visit

 Individual Achievements

Congratulations to:-

James Broady (7B) who won Gold medals in the 100m & 200m breaststroke at the County Championships. James was therefore selected to swim for Gloucestershire at an inter-county gala and at the Western Counties Championships at Millfield in which he won Silver & Bronze medals.

Matthew Hopton (7B) Jonathan Maxted (8R) & Nathan Young (7R) who each won Gold medals for recitation at the Cheltenham Festival.

Michael Thomas (STR 1994-2001) on his selection for the full England men's water polo team. He was a member of the team which won the North Sea Cup in Belgium by beating Denmark, Sweden, Ireland & Scotland. Michael was our School Captain in 2000/1.

William Godwin (STR 1995-2002) on being made Queen Scout at Easter. William was our School Captain in 2001/2 and Chairman of the 44th Venture Scout Unit.

Click here for more details

Nicholas Walkley (U6C) on being awarded the Maud Wright Memorial Shield for his outstanding service to the National Youth Brass Band. Nicholas was also invited to play cornet with the Williams Fairey Brass Band from stockport, the current national champions, in a CD recording weekend.

Katrina Woolcock (L6S) on successfully gaining a place on a British Council 'German Pupil Course'. Katrina is only one of twelve pupils who will spend two weeks in either Braunschweig or in the Berlin/Brandenburg area.

Richard Farrow (7B) who ran the fastest time ever by a UK U13 for the 800m indoors - 2 min 20.9 sec - in Birmingham. Richard already held the best UK time for 1500m indoors but managed to lower that as well by a further 6 seconds to 4 min 53 sec.

 House Cross-Country Successes for Northgate, Eastgate & Westgate

The House Cross-Country competition ran its course (!) during a very warm final two weeks of the Spring Term and once all the runners had been clocked in from their foray onto the "Hill" (although one young year 8 was heard to call it something else!) the final results were announced:

Senior Cross-Country Winners 2003 - Northgate & Eastgate jointly
Junior Cross-Country Winners 2003 - Westgate

Well done to all those who ran the course this year, especially in such warm conditions.

 League Tables put Rich's 14th in the country

At the end of the Spring Term we saw more school 'League Tables' when the government published the A-Level "Performance Tables". Headmaster Mr Ian kellie writes -

Our A-Level results last summer were our best ever so we were not surprised to find Sir Thomas Rich's ranked as 14th in the country. This was an excellent achievement by last year's Upper Sixth. We have never tried to be an examination factory, our students achieve excellent results because of our ethos in which everyone is encouraged to develop confidence and to achieve their best results across a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular activity. Outstanding A-Level results are but one measure of our success.