Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys - News RSS Feed

Iceland Trip 2010 Photos

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Iceland Trip 2010 Photos

The High Handicap Team and Individual Golf Championships

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The High Handicap team and individual championships were held at the recently refurbished Villa Golf Club in Blackham. There was a lot of roll of the hard fairways and the scores were expected to be low. The boys did not disappoint.

I saw the individual winner Callum Peters play splendid chips and putts at the short par threes, earning him pars and his shot to the last, won him ‘nearest the pin’ and ultimately the title too. Bradley Clarkson won the year 7 tournament with a superb 44 points stableford and is obviously a player with potential who should do well in golf at this school. Harry Powney, who tied on 35 points with Callum (losing on countback), produced the tee shot of the day at the twelfth – a hit that saw him eighty yards short of a long par four! His improvement so far this summer is impressive. The quality of ball striking by Josh Knight and Jack Bardrick was remarked upon favourably upon by a former scratch player, who accompanied them for a few holes. Chris Cohen drained some putts when I was watching. Leon Jones has plenty to build on after his promising display. Connor Fitzgerald looked good from tee to green too. Nathan Mackerlie’s game is in good order and he should look to be winning the mid-handicapper in the autumn. Olly Brooks nearly holed in one on the seventh and this seemed to spur him on. He was part of the winning team along with Callum Peters and Alex Skerman.

Well done to everyone who took part and happy golfing.

Kestrels win the Y7 and Y8 Inter House Tennis

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

This was a promising tennis display with closely fought contests throughout. Kestrels were defeated by Merlins in the last match (2 1/2 / 1 ½ points) but still took the title by a single point.

Well done to runners-up Merlins and their captain Jamie Christian who played all of his large squad and performed very well himself.

Congratulations to the winning Kestrels team.

Eagles (5 1/2) propped up the round-robin league but won games in each of their matches. Ospreys (7) and Falcons (8 1/2) played well, with the latter winning 3 ½ to a ½ in their head-to-head match.

The margin between kestrels (13 1/2 ), Merlins (12 1/2) and Hawks (12) was so little, each of these houses could look to win the title next year. Well done to everyone who took part and keep practising those interceptions!

TWGSB receives the 'Investors in Careers' Full Award

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in achieving the ‘Investors in Careers’ full award. This is a nationally recognised quality award for Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and we are one of only two schools in West Kent to have achieved the Full Award.

For further information about 'Investors in Careers' click here

News from the Music Department

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Success in Music Exams
Four members of our school orchestra have successfully passed examinations in music this term.
Raphae Memon – Clarinet Grade 4 with Merit
Aaron Wye – Clarinet Grade 4
Harry Fairhead – Saxophone Grade 6
Charlie Simpson – Saxophone Grade 4
Congratulations to them all!

Junior choir at the O2 Arena
After many hours of rehearsals learning 29 songs in two parts and complicated choreography the boys were ready for their debut gig at the O2 Arena. Before the big night we travelled to Brentwood to rehearse with the musical director Robert Hymen. This was the first chance for Callum King to practise his solo in front of a warm up audience of just 1500! (insert pic of rehearsal). We arrived at the O2 Arena on 6th July in time for another run through but this time with a 23 piece band, 500 dancers, professional singers, actors and a choir of almost 5000 children from schools across the country. From where we were sitting Callum was just a yellow dot in the distance but his strong voice filled the vast space of the Arena. It was a special moment when 5000 torches in the choir were switched on during the song ‘Licenced to Thrill’ to a gasp from the audience. The experience will be remembered by the boys, I am sure, for many years to come.

‘Livewire’ Summer Party for years 7 & 8
This year the P.T.A added a live flavour to the junior disco by inviting some student bands to perform alongside the usual disco. Four bands from year 7, two from year 8 and a group of year 10 GCSE music students each played an impressive set to a very supportive audience of 360 students from TWGSB, TWGGS, Weald and Toggs. The evening was a great success and another is planned for next year. Well done to all the bands who performed in this event.

Summer Concert
Another lovely evening of entertainment by our talented musicians was enjoyed by a packed audience in the school hall on Monday 12th July. We were joined by our special guest ‘Rod’ (alias Oliver Southgate) as our compare for the evening all the way from the west end musical production ‘Avenue Q’. All our music ensembles performed as well as a number of exceptional solo items by students representing all years within the school.

And Then You Blink’
I was fortunate enough to be present at the World Premiere of a fabulous new musical written and directed by year 11 students Ollie Southgate and Jo Cheek on Tuesday 13th July in the drama studio. AND THEN YOU BLINK follows Anna, Nick, Nicole and Andrew, four post-university friends living in London who have made it into the adult world, only to realise that their hopes and dreams from their younger years just don’t come together in real life the way they planned. This is an incredibly slick production in which the five main characters gave stunning performances supported by an excellent chorus, 3 piece band, lighting and stage crew made up entirely of students from TWGSB and TWGGS. The musical is currently being developed further in workshop theatre companies in New York and London. All profits will go to I CAN (www.ican.org.uk, reg. charity no. 210031) which supports the development of communication skills in children, with a special focus on those with speech, language and communication disabilities.

C. Stokes
Head of Music

Year 8 Cricket continue to win

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

On Saturday 10th July the Year 8 cricket team travelled to Dartford GS.

Dartford GS scored 113 runs in their 20 overs.

TWGSB openers George Smith and Captain Michael Waller put on a magnificent partnership of 115 runs to win the match by 10 wickets. Michael Waller scored 65no and George Smith scored 33no. It took the boys just 16 overs to score the runs.

TWGSB win the two first prizes in the CAD Competition

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB won the two first prizes in the CAD Competition. The pupils had to produce an excellent CAD model, using software of their choice, of: an everyday object which they had to change/modify to either improve its appearance or change its use.

Danny Scott (7D) won the Year 7-8 competition and Alex Ebbage (9O) the year 9-10 Competiton.

Judges Comments

Danny Scott’s design for a get out of bed quick slope was the judge’s choice for first prize. It showed a quirky idea which had been well finished and a good grasp of the programme.

Alex Ebbage’s multipurpose wheel was the overwhelming winner by everyone concerned. It showed an in credible level of detail and a full understanding of the program used to produce a very complex piece of engineering.

TWGSB Sports Day

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

On a blistering hot Sports Day, Friday 2nd July, Merlins House dominated the competition, winning 3 of the 4 year group competitions and the overall House Trophy.

Outstanding individual performances were achieved by many, but two performances are worthy of special mention:

Charlie Taylor won the Year 9 100m with a new Sports Day record of 11.57s.
Harrison Joad won the Year 10 200m with a new Sports Day record of 24.8 s.

Many thanks to all the Staff who helped with officiating or supervision and for the Parents who attended. I hope you all enjoyed the event.
K. Downing – Head of P.E

Maunder and Clemmow dig deep as team retain Kent U18 Tennis Title

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Match score TWGSB 4 Sir Roger Manwood School (SRMS) 2

A remarkable fight back by James Clemmow meant that TWGSB was leading at half-time against a strong SRMS team. This proved vital in retaining the Kent Schools under 18 Championships.

2-1 up at half-time set up an exciting match, ultimately decided by a gutsy, battling performance by Joe Maunder in the final singles match left on court . Henry Cramer-Todd played superbly throughout and our number one, George Kennedy, although outgunned this day still played a vital part.

The finals, held at the Nevil Club, started promisingly with Maunder and Cramer-Todd in control of their best of two-set doubles. With the encouragement of cheap points from the weaker of their opponent’s pair they combined well and won impressively. However, things were not going according to plan on other courts: SRMS’s first seed single player proved stronger in the rallies than our first seed player, George Kennedy.

We witnessed a huge swing in momentum in one of the singles matches. James Clemmow, playing second singles, had been unable to pick a tactic that would work until this moment, however, noticing the player had lost his equilibrium, he seized upon the temperamental weakness and ruthlessly exploited it. We watched a spectacular display of form and he won 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.

In the doubles, to his credit SRMS’s coach managed to settle his player down. With a combination of superbly executed returns of serve, volleys, and good footwork the SRW doubles partnership ended the supremacy of Clemmow and Kennedy.

In the fourth seed match, Henry Cramer-Todd’s ground strokes and serve were far too strong for his opponent. We also witnessed some exquisite drop-shots and short-angle volleys.

We were now ahead 3-2.

This set up a dramatic finale as Maunder’s valiant opponent battled hard. Three times the players won games from love 40 down with nerves leading to countless deuces. After over an hour, Joe prevailed 7-5. The team gathered together behind the baseline to encourage him on and he pieced together some well constructed points, the odd cheap one on serve and some great deep forehands both cross-court and down the line. On match point he buried a smash to win the set 6-2, the match 4-2 and so we retained our championship.

Well done to Dan Marshall too (injured after the quarter-final) and good luck as he faces surgery on a troublesome shoulder. Congratulations to Captain Clemmow, Kennedy, Cramer-Todd and Maunder for retaining the title – let’s work towards an unprecedented third next year.

Mr Price

BBC School Report Team visit BBC Studios

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The Year 9 BBC School Report team had the opportunity this term to take a tour of the local BBC studios in Tunbridge wells with Colin Campbell, the Home Affairs Correspondent for South East. This was a fantastic opportunity for the group who worked so hard in March to produce a TV news broadcast themselves on a national live news day and was a fascinating look at how broadcast journalism works. We were shown around the radio and TV studios as well as spending time in the news room. We were then able to sit in the gallery as the live lunchtime news was broadcast and watch the show filmed and edited live on air.

Careers and Enterprise Day 2010

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Year 7s and 8s experienced a Dragons Den workshop where they carried out fast paced, engaging challenges leading towards the launch of their own business. Years 9 and 10 had a unique opportunity to develop key communication / presentation skills, study skills and CV writing. These were half day workshops and were run by Speakeasy4schools (read their feedback)

All boys experienced two further workshops. Brief summaries are below. Click here for photos.

Architecture: The boys built an enormous Tetrahedron and then saw how many of them could fit inside it once built.

Creative Arts: This was a very lively workshop which focused on careers in the Creative Arts and how Creative Arts can be of benefit in other career paths.

CSI Workshop: This forensic science workshop covered blood splatter and finger prints. The boys were able to experience wearing forensic suits.

Engineering and Digital Arts: This presentation focused on ways in which communication technology can solve crime, including using frequency selective services to block airwaves and mobile phone technology.

Engineers Don’t Stand Still: This presentation looked at the huge technology changes that have occurred within this industry. It examined the contribution of some UK engineers and innovators to our changing World. The final part of the talk looked at the range of career choices available to future engineers and the options for entering them.

First Aid: Basic first aid skills such as bandaging and the recovery position were taught.

Environmental Health: Focusing on Acoustics and Noise Control, an Environmental Health Officer demonstrated what noise is and how it’s measured. He also carried out a practical exercise using noise data to solve problems of noise.

Legal Careers: This was a practical workshop which included a mock trial, making speeches in court, trying on a judges’ gown and wig, being cross-examined.

Music Technology: Pupils chose their bass, drums, guitar and vocal samples and learnt to arrange and build a track in a style of their choice using Cubase music software

Planetarium: Half the session was spent in the dome learning about space and the other half outside discussing what space educators do, where, why and how. It was an interactive and unique experience.

Planning: Pupils worked in small groups to discuss uses for a particular site (such as the cinema site in Tunbridge Wells town centre). This workshop included not just planning but economics, highway engineering, estate management, architecture and politics.

The RAF: Team Building exercises – the activities involved bending, turning and climbing through hoops.

Science and Technology: The boys came up with ideas for making a water rocket fire higher or further and then tested it.

Sports Journalism: This involved watching the England v Slovenia match on Wednesday 23rd June and coming to the workshop prepared to write a match report and present it.

The Army: Working as a team the boys learnt how to build a bridge. They were able to examine the equipment in a rucksack and ask questions about front line service.

Click here for more photos

TWGSBs come 2nd in the Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Championship

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Cameron Smith and Craig Gazzard Year 11 who came second in the KS4 National Final of the Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Championship, held at the Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon. The pair worked under controlled-conditions on track analysis, car set-up and pit-stop strategy taking into account the varying weather conditions. A relatively low 9th position on the grid and high fuel-load meant they were soon some way behind, but a second half surge saw them move up six places in just one lap as they continued their relentless pursuit.

Over 1000 schools and an estimated 150 000 students have participated in the Challenge this year. Cameron and Craig are TWGSB’s second pair of finalists in three years, with another pair having been crowned KS3 Champions in 2008.

Year 8 Cricketers are County Champions

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Having beaten Sevenoaks School, Wilmington Grammar School, Simon Langton Grammar School and Sandwich Technology School, the Year 8 team travelled to Rodmersham Cricket Club to play Judd in the Thomas Trophy Final.

Both the coach and the captain, having inspected the wicket decided to bat first if the toss was won, and this proved a critical decision. The usually steady opening partnership was separated in the fifth over when George Smith was bowled. This brought Alistair Manser to the crease, and fortunately for us he had saved his best innings of the season for this final! Waller and Manser shared an influential partnership of 80, before Waller was caught on 65. Important contributions from Manser (39), King (18) and Mutch (16) meant that TWGSB posted a respectable total of 174 at the end of the 30 overs.

The Judd innings got off to a faltering start, with four wickets falling in the first 10 overs. While the whole team contributed in this early effort, it was the leg spin bowling of Smith, on a deteriorating wicket, which caused the batsmen the most problems. Despite some spirited efforts from the lower middle order, Judd were always behind the run rate and were eventually bowled out for 127 runs.

The whole squad has made important contributions and deserve recognition for their efforts throughout the competition. However, the role of Michael Waller cannot be underestimated. Michael, an astute cricketer, has lead the team by example, scoring in excess of 380 runs (including 135 n.o. against Sevenoaks School), and taking important wickets, including a hat-trick in the semi-final.

To win a cricket county cup is an outstanding achievement. Congratulations to all.

Squad : Waller, Smith, Manser, King, Mutch, Knight, Bissett, Gentry, Roberts, Waterman, Broom, Weller, Hall & Warwick-Browne.

3G Artificial Sports Pitch Project Construction Begins

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday 1st June our long awaited 3G artificial sports pitch project began construction.

The build is expected to take all of the summer and we anticipate being able to start using the pitch in September with the start of the new school year! The construction company are coming to the end of the strip process as you can see in the photographs and are starting the drainage works. After that the sub-base will go in and we hope to see the start of the carpeting process before the end of term.

My thanks to those parents who have contributed to the project so far. You will see that we have set up an account on 'Just Giving' in order to allow families friends and alumni to support the project if they wish.

All very exciting; and a welcome boost to the School’s facilities. We will keep the photographs updated on a fortnightly basis so that you can monitor the progress.

For more information about the Project - click here

TWGSB win through to national final of the UK's biggest maths challenge

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Craig Gazzard and Cameron Smith, both Year 11, from Tunbridge Wells Grammar School For Boys have recently won through to the National Final of the UK’s biggest Maths Challenge for Schools. This is the second time in three years that a team from TWGSB has reached the Final, with the previous team going on to become the 2008 KS3 National Champions.

With over 1,000 schools, and an estimated 150,000 pupils taking part, the team had to set up a virtual racing car in an effort to win a series of races using a range of maths, science and strategy skills. They will now be taking their place at the Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon on 24th June alongside teams from 35 other schools from across the UK.

The Challenge, which has been running for 10 years, is very popular with pupils in the 9 to 16 age range and is well known for the way in which it helps to motivate and enthuse pupils to get involved in what is sometimes regarded as a difficult subject.

Brian Richardson, the National Organiser, said, “Each year the competition is getting bigger and the enthusiasm and motivation levels seem to grow with it. We are trying to encourage young people to work together and co-operate with each other and show them that there are good reasons why we do maths at school – something that is often asked. Any school that makes it through to the Final has already done very well and is to be congratulated and, of course, they are just one race away from becoming National Champions!”

World Challenge Trip to Morocco

Mon, 7 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

During the Easter break 16 members of year 9 and 10 took part in TWGSB’s first World Challenge expedition to Morocco. This was a two week trip which was designed to stretch and challenge the pupils’ mental and physical attributes.

The trip planning started in September 2008; we held regular meetings to discuss fund raising ideas and to build team spirit. The boys found it a real challenge to come up with ways to raise the money to go on the trip. There were some great successes though. Two boys packed bags in a local supermarket for a morning and managed to raise over £500 between them. Others took part in the World Challenge sponsored run which was 10km. Most of the boys gave up great deal of their own time to raise the money by doing odd jobs for neighbours and friends. Considering the age of some of the pupils going they did a fantastic job raising the money to take part in this trip.

Finally on the 28th March 2010 it was the day of the expedition. After an early start we met with the World Challenge Leader, Glyn Evans. He was full of energy and an excellent motivator for the boys. We spent the morning checking kit and running through health and safety. The boys also organised the jobs for the day. We travelled to Heathrow on the train and boys got their first taste of what it was like to work as a team. The plane journey gave the boys their first experience of Moroccan Culture as we had an unexpected diversion to Casablanca before landing in Marrakech. We arrived late but the boys were full of excitement at being in a completely new country. The next day we travelled all day to our first stop in Tamatouche in the Atlas Mountains. This was a long day travelling by mini bus but was made better with a stop at a luxury hotel for lunch. On the menu was Tagine; this was their first but most definitely not their last experience of this dish.

We spent the next four days in the village of Hassi Labier on the edge of the Sahara. We stayed in the local guide’s family house; the accommodation was basic but it did have a hot shower which was a luxury. The boys spent three days helping in the Oasis; clearing sand and silt from the irrigation channels; shovelling sand that was encroaching on the gardens and turning over the ground to get it ready for crops. This was very hard manual labour but the boys did a fantastic job and Barack and Said, the local guides, were very impressed by their work. The boys decided to organise a football match with the local children which was an outstanding success. They integrated well into the local community and made great efforts to talk to the local children in French and Spanish. Whilst in the village the boys were able to trek up the largest sand dune to watch the sunset and they also walked to the nearest lake which was 5km away. There was also a bit of time for the boys to purchase some souvenirs such as the local head scarfs, which they learnt how to tie in the traditional Berber way. Barack and Said the local guides also educated the boys on the local customs and ways of life of the Berber people.

Before we moved onto the trekking phase of the trip, we spent the night out under the stars in the Sahara. The boys got to ride camels for the first time and experience what an extraordinary environment the desert is. We did have to make a minor detour as the first camp we arrived at was already occupied by some Italian tourists. They did not seem fazed by a group of 16 teenage boys descending on their camp. However we did move to another camp and spent the evening gazing up at the stars and listening to some excellent singing from Connor and Frazer.

The last four days were spent back in Tamatouche in the Atlas Mountains. The trek began walking through the village and the river valley before a steep ascent onto a plateau. After a leisurely lunch we trekked further up the mountain and then traversed over a number of other smaller peaks before descending into a dry river bed. This was a very long and tiring day but the boys pulled together as a team and supported members of the group who weren’t well. Day two was another hard trekking day over the mountains and then we began our decent to the village at the beginning of the Todra Gorge. On day three of the trek we got to walk through the Todra Gorge and marvel at its 300m high cliffs, after this the boys enjoyed some rock scrambling along the river bed. At the lunch stop the boys cooled of in the stream and of course they had fun building a dam. Unfortunately one of boys and I had to return back to base camp after lunch due to ill health. The others carried on up the Todra Gorge and onto a plateau where they spent the night with a nomadic family. The last day of the trek saw the group split into two teams, the first trekked back up along the road to Tomatouche. The second group lead by Glyn, chose to take the hard route up and over the mountain before descending to Tomatouche. This was by far the hardest part of trek and even some of the boys who had been suffering from sickness managed to overcome their fears and conquer the mountain. Harry Rutt almost sprinted up the road to arrive back at the hotel first.

The boys were challenged physically and mentally during the trekking phase and all should be congratulated on their amazing achievement.
The last day and night were spent travelling to Marrakech; we stopped in a mountain village for lunch and the boys were over the moon that burgers were on the menu rather than Tagine! Once we arrived in Marrakech the boys were allowed a couple of hours in their groups to look around the Souks to buy last minute souvenirs.

That night we spent our last meal together in the main square of Marrakech eating a tapas style selection of local dishes.

It is hard to write about how extraordinary this trip was for the boys and the staff involved but I hope I have given you an insight into this amazing expedition. All of the boys were a credit to the school and their parents. They all gained a huge amount from this trip and now have a new set of friends and skills that they can keep for life. On behalf of Mr Tull, Glyn and I, we would like to thank the boys for all their hard work and humour as it made the trip unforgettable.

Miss L Edwards

Year 9 and 10 Inter-House Tennis

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

In the fourth round Eagles (8 1/2 pts) met Merlins (8 pts) in a match that was likely to determine the eventual winner. Prevailing 2 1/2 pts to 1 1/2 pts the team of Tom Overy (Captain) and Chris Bigwood, Mat Dyton and Will Outhwaite effectively sealed the deal and were worthy winners by 2 1/2 clear points in the end. Well done to all who played - their enjoyment was palpable.

Why not join a tennis club and hone those ground strokes and try to play for our school team?

Winners Eagles (14pts)
Runner up Merlins (11 1/2)
Third Kestrels (11pts)
Fifth equal Hawks and Ospreys (8 1/2 pts)
Sixth Falcons

TWGSB Golf News

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Knole Golf Club course was in splendid condition and many thanks to Mr Statham and the club for hosting our summer golf championships. It was a tight head to head match between Harry Powney and James Cunnington in the second group in the mid handicap competition. A fine approach shot at the fifteenth by Harry only brought out a superb long iron to six feet by James at the next hole, which proved decisive. Charlie Beale in the other match struck the ball with increasing authority and finished runner-up on 37 points. Jack Bardrick impressed, playing some great tee shots and would benefit from more regular competition, coaching and play. Tom Parminter gave himself a wonderful opportunity with his tee shot at the downhill seventh but unfortunately his lag putt let him down. Tim Sutton needs work on posture to allow his natural timing and power to develop into Fairways in Regulation of which there were precious few!

In the low handicap championships the Sam Statham was let down by three putts early in his round and this allowed Reece Hinton to gain an advantage which he never relinquished.Statham, incidentally has had his handicap cut recently as a result of a sub-par round at a Knole club tournament, which is quite an achievement for a year 10 pupil. Reece ended up two over ,completing a sequence that has seen him undefeated throughout his school career – winning this title five times. A superior short game and course management technique in evidence right form the start, where he left himself short with an easy scramble on the difficult uphill par three opening hole. He has completed the initial stages of gaining a sport`s scholarship to the prestigious American NCAA golf system and we wish him good luck in future golfing endeavours.

Charlie Beale drove the par four fifteenth (305yards) and sunk the putt for eagle to lead a final holes charge that saw our team qualify in first position for the Kent Games Final. On the same hole James Cunnington narrowly missed a putt for birdie and scored well. Sam Statham`s 34 points were creditable off his recently awarded low handicap(6) and Rob St Pierre top scored. Bob

Mr Price

Music Pupils win Local & Live Under 16 Songwriting Competition

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Eden Fish in year 9 and Ollie Bream Mcintosh in year 10 have come first and Will Smith in year 10 was awarded 2nd place in a local songwriting competition which took place at ‘The Grey Lady’ in the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday 20th May. First prize is to be the opening act at the ‘Local and Live’ Festival which is a four day music event taking place in August 2010 also in the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. The boys have been involved in a number of songwriting workshops with Paul Dunton, a local songwriter and musician, and their final performances of two songs were judged by a panel of local professional musicians and music producers. All three boys have been invited to perform again on the ‘Grey Lady’ music stage. This is a fabulous achievement and one well-deserved by three boys who devote a great deal of time and energy to the music department at TWGSB. Congratulations Eden and Ollie and Will!

Photography prize goes to TWGSB pupil, Andrew Mason

Thu, 13 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Each year students from West Kent schools enter and exhibit at the E-Exhibition held at the Bradbourne School, Sevenoaks. The focus on the exhibition is on quality and innovation in the field of ICT as a tool for original artwork. First prize was awarded unanimously to Andrew Mason a Year 13 photography student from TWGSB. His portrait photograph was considered the most outstanding piece of work at the exhibition. His reward a digital frame and of course adulation from the other schools and visitors to the exhibition. We hope to enter the exhibition next year, so get practising, the standard is now set.

China Tour 2010 Photos

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMT

They had a fantastic time and these are a small selection from the thousands of photos that were taken during the tour. Without Regina, our brilliant tour guide, we would not have seen the amazing sights that China has to offer. Thank you!

Photo set 1 (29 photos)
Photo set 2 (26 photos)

Thompson’s dramatic injury time goal drives Wells to double

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The U19 1st XI won the Kent Cup on Friday evening. The score was 3-3 after normal time and we won 5-3 after extra-time. 64 schools entered and I'm delighted to say that we are now champions. It's also the first time that our school has won this competition in 17 years of trying!

This victory completes a league and cup double this season, which is a unique achievement.

We have had an extremely talented squad of players. They have given huge amounts of their time to school football this year including numerous Saturday mornings. I am very proud of all of them and the boys involved are a genuine credit to our school.

They appreciated the support which they received on Friday evening.

The goals were scored by Harry Thompson (2), Ashley Bell (2) and Ben McMenemy.

Click here for the full match report.

Mr Menzies

AD Schools' Analyst Competition

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Alex Burns, Yassine Noui and Marcus Chan are representing the school in this national competition run by the RSC's Analytical Division for first year sixth form students studying AS level Chemistry.

The Analytical Division’s Regions hold heats, generally during March and April, to select a team or teams, to go through to the National Final. Each team comprises three students.

Teams are required to undertake various practical analytical determinations based on problems relevant to industrial or social needs. These are judged for skill, understanding and accuracy and are intended to promote team work and safety in the laboratory. Each competition aims to provide some tasks which are relatively familiar to the students such as titrations and others which are likely to be unfamiliar, such as chromatographic separations or atomic and molecular spectroscopy. In this way, it is hoped that the competitors will learn new skills, as well as demonstrate their existing knowledge, skills and aptitude for analytical science.

More information about the competition

TWGSB Low Handicapper Trophy

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Reece Hinton retained the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School Low Handicapper trophy for the fourth year in a row. Highlight of the round a stunning eagle at the par four tenth where he drove the green and sank the putt! His putting was apparently good too, so congratlutaions Reece – keep it going! 37 stableford points off a 2.8 handicap was too hot to handle for Sam Statham, a highly promising year 10 golfer playing off 8 and Mat Cunington both of whom fared better on the back nine. At the nearest the pin signature hole par 3 fourth, a hit of some 160-170 yards down a considerable slope, Statham's wonderful tee shot drew close to 15 feet, just closer than Reece whose ball arrowed to perhaps twenty feet.

Just as pleasing is the emergence of a fine golfing squad of year 10 players.

Year 7 Inter-House Rugby

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Slideshow

In the first round match Kestrels versus Ospreys, a quick tap – was it through the mark? – by Tom Davies, started a move that ended with Will Fletcher not quite putting downward pressure as he moved the ball down over the line. Harry Duffy made an excellent break too and Phil Cunnington made one superb cover tackle. An early pass by Zafer Bahriyeli put Scott Beasley over in the corner, where he swerved inside then out showing great pace and power. Remember too that the ball only has to pass across the 22 line from a drop out. After a fine blind side break from from Tom Davis , in attempting to put the winger free on an overlap, he gave it out a bit too high; from the resulting tackle and turnover attack became counter attack , the defence turned and the opposition scored.

In the other group (Hawks v Eagles) Charlie Heaton’s pace was too much for Eagles and he scored a hat-trick of tries. Tom Edwards broke from a maul to feed Matt Gilby who ran through the gap to score. Callum King also used his pace to score and the one try Hawks conceded came as a result of a high loopy pass that was intercepted, and Tom Simmons scored.

Hawks versus Falcons was a highly competitive match starting with a try for Charlie Heaton after a quickly tapped penalty. Falcons were being outplayed at the breakdown and Lawrence Thresher relieved the pressure by spiralling a punt off a penalty, gaining good ground. The game included a clever short kick off by James Gray and good scrum half service by Andrew Jackson but the Falcons piped the Hawks to the post scoring 2 tries to Hawks’1.

Merlins overwhelmed Kestrels by 30 points by effective drive and pop tactics. Elliot Nicholds ran the whole length of the pitch to score. Jack Mitchell was quick and incisive at centre and set up a try for Louis Lindsey and finished off another inside the 22 provided by Joe Massey. In turn Massey jinked his way over from inside the twenty two as well. Fabian Kommu completed the scoring in a dominant performance.

Falcons set the tone for the match against Eagles by gathering the kick-off that went deep and a pass from George Thresher put his cousin Lawrence Thresher over for a simple score. Bradley Warwick-Browne straightened and put Lawrence Thresher into a gap after a loop and he scored again. Jack Mitchell and Bradley Warwick-Brown added further tries.

In the first semi-final Kestrels v Falcons, Bradley W-B had a great run straight from kick-off, the move was carried on by Cameron Turriff whose pick and drive play was a feature of play throughout the morning. A clever feed blind led to a try and after feeding the ball the wrong side into an attacking scrum, they regained it after a high pass led to a turnover tackle and the scrum half Ben Wallace speeding over for a try.

Merlins v Hawks was a more tightly contested affair with the first score a charge- down try by Rob Lester, which Massey converted. A terrific try saving tackle by Tom Evans brought warm applause. The turning point came after three minutes off non-stop tackling by Hawks – including heroics by Jack Ingamells who threw his body into last ditch defence – only to be thwarted by Chip Marden managing to feed Rob Lester a pass that he could accelerate onto, giving him the impetus to stretch and drive over the line. There was a strong passage of play by Hawks in the second half and they held the ball in wave after wave of attacks for minutes on end, but just could not make that final break through. A silly penalty by Merlins – given for backchat to the referee – was just the ill discipline Hawks needed and after yet one more concerted effort by the forwards they drove over the line to make it 12-5. Then began a comeback attempt: first a clever kick by Gray was knocked on by Rob Lester and Merlins were under pressure again. They broke out once in this period only for a fabulous tackle by Charlie Heaton to keep their chance of the final alive. In the last minute unable to gain success by bashing it up the middle they switched wide, only for Elliot Nicholds to steal a turnover and with the Hawks stretched they switched it cleverly and went over.

Pick of the play-off matches was a 15-10 thriller with Eagles narrowly coming out on top with Ospreys pressing close to their line at the end. A 70 yard dash by Harry Duffy started proceedings followed by Tom Simmons rolling off a maul and going blind to equalise. Alfie Talbot then “drove Will Fletcher off the ball, picked up and jumped over someone to score!” Well that’s what he said! A long pass from skipper Tom Simmons led to Alistair Powley scoring, but Ospreys’ James Cushen dashed over to bring it back to single try separating the sides. A red-faced Freddie Goldsmith (losing skipper) commented after the match: “Quite fine play. High pace”.

Hawks, smarting from their semi-final defeat, felt the need to inflict revenge and happened upon poor Kestrels who never recovered from the two try blitz that started the game. Charlie Heaton finished off quick hands after a penalty for lying on the ball swung the ball out wide right. There was one offload at boot level by Tom Evans that was first class and Matt Gilby and Jack Ingamells scored. One tackle by Zafir Bahriyeli which flattened a player was most impressive, even seen from 70 or so yards away.

The final (Merlins v Falcons) rounded off a morning of full commitment in an appropriate manner. Neither team was positioned correctly from re-starts – with men deep and wide, short and wide. It started with a drop-kick that put the attacking side deep into enemy territory straight away. Rob Lester, positioned at fly-half, proved unstoppable from an attacking scrum and a fine conversion followed by Joe Massey. Rob Lester then found Elliot Nicholds down the left flank and it was carried on inside by someone indistinguishable to this correspondent and an unconverted try followed. Lawrence Thresher powered over after Bradley Warwick-Browne was held up to start the fightback and converted his own try. Another re-start caught Merlins hopping and somewhat surprisingly Bradley W-B drove over to give a good opportunity for Lawrence Thresher to convert and quite possibly win the match and tournament, as Rob Lester received treatment. Like many a kicker before him – quite possibly trying to make the distance, who knows? - he pulled it just left of the post and Merlins had been reprieved. In extra-time the same player was tackling here, there and everywhere and sensibly took a drop goal attempt which slice-faded right of the posts. Chip Marden broke twenty metres blind to relieve pressure on Merlins which set up yet more drama: an even closer drop-goal attempt by Joe Massey which had a sizeable crowd of parents, players and coaches wondering whether he was going to provide us a “Wilkinson” moment but the ball squeaked agonisingly past the left hand post! There then followed a passage of play where everyone went up a level or two, with great tackling and defence by Falcons and Nick Wilshaw in particular, plus one pole-axing tackle by Rob Lester who repulsed one break out by Falcons down the right hand touchline. LawrenceThresher – clocking up an impressive tackle count himself – then powerfully punted to relieve yet further pressure and the ball must have travelled fifty yards or so deep into Merlins’ half. An effective chase looked likely to break the deadlock as Merlins’ tired to cover in defence and the fullback was scragged by at least four Falcons. However, the teams just could not be separated and Mr Douse called time on teams that withdrew from battle like heavyweights who have gone the distance. The drop-goal sudden death play-off was bound to be a bit of a tame finale. Successful kicks by Merlins to Falcons’ one and thus Merlins won the competition. The teams then intermingled for a photograph as if tacitly agreeing this was a tie that could have gone either way.

Mr Price

Music at the Movies Concert

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Tuesday 23rd March was a very exciting evening and the result of many hours of rehearsals in the music department. Nearly 100 students took part in the concert performing a wide range of music from film soundtracks including Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek, The Pink Panther, James Bond, and many more. Full screen projections of images from the films and a live video feed all contributed to the event and were run by a superb technical team including Will Fox, Tim Hartley and Phil Peel-Barnard. The entire concert was recorded by our year 12 Music Tech students. The evening featured a debut performance from our newly formed Clarinet choir, led by year 12 music student Jack Bennett, who performed 3 items including Hedwig's theme from Harry Potter. There were many other wonderful solo and group items including 'Help' performed by year 8 students, 'Rock'n Roll' Queen by 'The Subways' performed by a year 10 GCSE music group and our new year 7 Rock School band directed by Andrew Keeping playing 'Use Somebody' by Kings of Leon. Mr Shillito's Junior choir treated us to some of their repertoire that they are busy preparing for the concert at the O2 arena this July. The concert included two fabulous dances from the Street Dance and Salsa Groups.

All the students involved really enjoyed the evening and I was impressed with their confidence and ability to perform in front of such a large audience. Many of the students in the concert were from year 7 who have brought a fresh energy and excitement to the music department and I am confident will lead the way towards a bright future for music at TWGSB.

Slide Show

Hawks Win Year 9 Inter-House Rugby

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Highlights of the Merlins v Eagles match were a great jinking run by Tom Scott-Stewart and an offload to Keanu Sheen, who put Adam Moseley into the corner only to be swamped by the cover defence.

This was a feature of many matches where the cover tackling was exemplary throughout. In a highly competitive game, there were first half bullocking runs by Charlie Pike, powerful support play by Will Lewis and a storming run and try scoring pass by Razon Mahebub. The pace of Oliver Moran versus James Stone was evenly contested and the tie was decided primarily by Merlins’ forwards who were quicker to the breakdown. Merlins were pegged back after taking the lead so it was 5-all at half-time but they ran out 20-5 winners after a strong second half. There was also an excellent individual try by O Moran whose acceleration, eye for a gap and elusive running were impressive.

In the other game in Pool A, Kestrels prevailed against a scratch Ospreys’ team who borrowed players from other houses to supplement their four man squad. Highlights were a nice cut back by Jack Doyle, direct running by George Butler, Nick Bailey showing promise with ball in hand and George Chambers side-stepping through the pack and back line. Quote of the day overheard on touchline:”I wish we had a decent team, because I think we could win!” (Mat Clark).

In the second round of matches Sam Hawkins scored after a move that passed through many hands and a neat back of the hand pass by Stuart Hussein. Alex Fullerton’s service from the base of the scrum and support play nearly resulted in an excellent try in which he was involved twice in the a move that took them from their own half and over the try line – only for the ball not to be put down properly. A blind-side switch from Sam Hawkins to Stuart Hosiene and a fast precise pass to put the speedy Keir Burbidge in motion were impressive passages of play. Josh Harris needs to work on the accuracy of his passing but he was industrious in the loose and support play in an impressive team performance. Rob Hooker on the wing pinned his ears back and showed a turn of speed I did not know he possessed; he needs to watch his tackling technique though, as sometimes this could be judged to be dangerous play and a penalty awarded. It was a contest as close as the 15-10 score suggests.

In the other tie, Merlins versus Falcons, Cameron Tyler showed nifty feet for a powerful lad and although one or two overlaps went begging they generally managed to score even when cutting back needlessly: one shout of “overlap” and the player with the ball just keeps the flow going out wide. Jack Moore gave one lovely-left-handed spin pass for the much improved speed endurance of John James-Odeh.

Eagles needed to defeat Falcons in the semi-final deciding third tie match and this they duly did. One drop out from Charlie Pike that put Falcons almost back on their try line was a smartly executed play and the feature of this match was elusive running. One pleasing passage began with Joe O’ Brien’s smart dash down the left hand touch that he switched inside to Max Ravenscroft and then onto James Stone that ended in a try on the other side of the pitch. Another strong run resulted in Keanu Sheen dotting down and the side eventually ran out fairly comfortable winners. Jordan Veness spun the ball out well too.

The first semi-final (Eagles v Hawkes) your correspondent saw little of. Eagles were pressing the line at first against Hawks but neglected to spin it wide and fast from a highly promising five yards “touch and goal” penalty: straight down the middle was repulsed by the defence who had narrowed down. James Stone also made one early dash beating two cover defenders before being brought down well into the twenty two. Chris Coggin’s powerful accelerations into and through close supporting defenders (I saw a few of these) resulted in a long run in the clear and apparently a quickly switched penalty move - taken by the experienced Alex Fullerton - caught Eagle’s napping. In the other semi (Kestrels v Merlins), there was a marvellous fightback from Kestrels after a slightly controversial try award seemed to spark them into stronger life. This tremendous spirit typified by Harry Bransby in contesting mauls against Will Lewis and a brace of sharply taken tries by Doyle after going blind and effectively outstripping the cover defence with an outside break. Olly Moran was put clear beautifully by Jack Moore, giving him an extra yard of width with a speared spin pass worthy of a greater stage. This was a nip and tuck affair and as the minutes ticked down the game could have gone either way, the difference being a foot in touch on the sideline, an untimely injury to John James-Odeh who bravely fought his way back onto the field.

The final was exciting too, ending with Kestrels tasting the sting of close defeat themselves. Strong “blitz” tackling from all Hawks and two hits in particular by scrum-half Will Chadbon warmed the crowd in the chill conditions. Fullerton’s hand off springing blind was surprising and skilful, giving an early lead that proved vital and maybe the difference between evenly matched sides. There were errors committed in the heat of the moment – like putting the ball once into the scrum on the wrong side (Kestrels) and a neat drop goal conversion, converted, which if missed could have proved costly – but there was plenty to admire too: George Butler’s rip from the maul and powerful run down the middle to score, added to the penalty he slotted in to give Hawks a 10-7 half time lead. Just the single try was enough though to dash the trophy and huge win bonus from their grasp. Try as they could, they could not get over the line even though camped in Kestrels twenty-two for the last moments of a fitting final match: one catch by the left-winger in particular in the dying moments was sublime and kept a desperate attack going only to founder on the rock of Kestrels equally spirited defence. Well done everyone for providing such an entertaining morning’s rugby.

View more photos (PDF 5MB)

Mr Price

Blackheath and Bromley Cross-Country

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Christopher Cohen came a highly creditable ninth position at the Blackheath and Bromley Cross-Country Challenge, run at the Sparrow's Den course in Bromley. After racing in the national championships on Saturday he was well prepared to do well and even though competing against pupils a year older he fought back from eleventh to ninth in an impressive sprint finish from 300 metres out, gradually picking off the possible targets. Chip Marden also gained places in the finishing straight to finish a creditable 18th position too.

In the Open race both athletes paced themselves well and kept up a steady pace on the flat. They gained places too by pumping arms in the steep wooded section. Year 9 pupils, Alistair Bishop and Zachary Burgess came 34th and 46th respectively. This was a fine achievement considering there were athletes up to year 13 in their race.

Dr Newbold /Mr Price

Kent Winter Doubles

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Jamie Clemmow and Dan Marshall drew against Sevenoaks (3) in the quick-fire knock out format, but this was enough with wins against Dartford Grammar and Herne Bay to face Sevenoaks and Langley Park in the final round. Against Sevenoak's strong volleying first pair, Dan elected to receive – which with the benefit of hindsight was probably the wrong thing to do. Games were going with serve in what would have been an intriguing match had it been “proper set”, however, be that as it may, their disappointment at “only coming third” out of eighteen schools competing is a testament to their competitive spirit, which was seen in abundance during the afternoon's play.

Piers Jahn and Joe Storey drew against Sevenoaks and won all their other matches to progress to the final where they too came third. Highly impressive was the last match in the round robin where they needed a good win and defeated strong opposition 4-nil to win through on count back in games. All players have impressive early season form to be confident of a fine summer. Well done. Mr Price

GCSE Music Recital

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

31 GCSE music students from year 10 and 11 took part in a recital of their solo and ensembles performances in the drama studio on Wednesday 3rd March. Items included 'Rock 'n' Roll Queen' by the Subways, French Open by The Foals, Yesterday by the Beatles, Champion of the Lost by Lightspeed Champion and Karma Police by Radiohead. The standard of the performances were excellent and the students were supported by an fabulous audience of parents and friends.
Slide show
Video 1
Video 2

Lego Mindstorms NXT Robot Workshop

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Last Friday (26th Feb), TWGSB teachers Mr Robson and Mr Goddard ran a workshop demonstrating how the Lego Mindstorms NXT robot can be used to help students learn about control. This was held at St. Gregory’s as part of a day on teaching Control in primary schools organised by Advisory Service Kent. Ten Tunbridge Wells area primary schools attended, each bringing 3-5 students from Year 1 to 5. Assisting Mr Robson and Mr Goddard were three boys from years 7 and 9, Brett Kirk, Nathan Schleider and Joseph Kromm. They did a fantastic job.

The TWGSB’s 5th Screening and Awards Ceremony

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The TWGSB’s 5th Screening and Awards Ceremony was a real success and our most glamorous to date. The students, parents and staff enjoyed a ‘red carpet experience’ complete with papparrazi, reporters and security! (with special thanks to Mr Mason and Mr Jenkins), viewed the Year 13 Media Studies Advanced Production music video coursework and then celebrated excellence in the year group with this year’s Oscar awards. The standard of work this year was exemplary, from stop-motion animation to boy band videos and the evening was a real opportunity to celebrate the hard work and creativity of the students.

The winners are as follows:

Best Print Design: Sam Dowson and Mike Doberiner

Best Art direction: Jamie Craig, Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Johnson

Best Performance: Mitchell Hill, Jonny Briggs and Jack Parrott

Special Effects: Mark Scott and Nick Wallis

Editing: George Cramer Todd and Cameron Ward

Direction: Sammy Wood and Sarah Campbell

Best video: Mitchell Hill, Jonny Briggs and Jack Parrott

1st XI Football team through to U19 Kent Cup Final

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The 1st XI Football squad won through to the final of the U19 Kent Cup. On Saturday 6th February, in a very close semi-final at TWGSB the boys defeated a strong Kelsey Park team 3-2 (after extra time). The goals were scored by Chris Hulm and Martin Brain (2). 64 schools from across Kent entered this competition and we will play Ursuline College from Margate in the final.

In December the team won the league for grammar schools across Kent. This is the third time that we have won the league in the last four seasons.

This season the 1st XI has played 20, won 16, drawn 2 and lost 2. It is a very talented group of players and I am extremely proud of their achievements.

Squad:

Ashley Pickworth (vc), John Spring, Mark Simcox, Will McAvoy, Ollie Hogben, Jay Boyd, Peter Tubb, Alex D'Albertanson, Jamie Shield, Harry Thompson (c), Billy Harris, Robbie Bates, Chris Hulm, Ashley Bell, Martin Brain, Ben McMenemy, Charlie Thompson, Mushed Miah, Ben Williamson, Callum Bennett.

Crosscountry running at Wilmington

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Kent Schools' Cross Country Championships at Wilmington

6th February 2010

TWGSB cross country runners had mixed fortunes at the Kent Schools' XC Championships, representing Tunbridge Wells Borough, at the weekend.

In the year 7 race, Chris Cohen had been hoping to follow up his excellent performance at the Knole Junior Run with a top-10 finish. Unfortunately, an ill-advised rugby match the day before left Chris battered, bruised and sore and not his normal fluent self. The stiffness stopped him from going with the lightning-fast early pace and after the opening small lap, Chris was placed in the mid-20s. Determination, and a nifty piece of footwork on a tricky turn, saw Chris snatch a top-20 finish on the run-in. Starting slowly, Marcus Pattenden was with the back markers over the opening lap but his long-raking stride pulled him through to a mid-pack 42nd position at the finish.

In the Junior Boys' race Alistair Bishop lead the Tunbridge Wells runners in about 20th position over the opening half mile of the two-lap race. Over the remaining part of the lap Alistair pulled up to 15th position but looked to be tiring. Despite his fast-pace mid-race, Alistair managed to maintain his stride length and cadence to hold his position to the finish. Tracking Alistair over most of the race was Luke Bohanan and with half a mile to go a top-20 place finish looked possible but he faded on the run-in. However, Hamish Wyatt pulled through very strongly over the second lap, showing an excellent level of fitness he's gained through his main sport of swimming to come home in a pleasing 24th place, despite being in the lower half of the age-group. An out of sorts Luke followed home in 34th position, with Zachary Burgess picking off several personal targets on the way to 79th position.

Results

Y7 Boys

18 Chris Cohen 12-19

42 Marcus Pattenden 13-10

Junior Boys

15 Alistair Bishop 14-03

24 Hamish Wyatt 14-22

34 Luke Bohanan 14-39

79 Zachary Burgess 15-46

Rugby: TWGSB U15 47 Bennet 0

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Rugby: TWGSB U15 47 Bennet 0

Cumming’s brace seals fine victory

Jack Cummings was the pick of the relative newcomers to the squad – Jack Hedger, Connor Fitzgerald, Ben Duncan, Brad Nichols all having good matches too – but his speed and elusive finishing were a joy to behold. Other memorable highlights were crunching tackles – CJ Brown in midfield, George O’Reilly and Mat Saunders to the fore and Mat Hillier pole-axing a speeding winger several metres into touch. Charlie Beale led the line well and attempted to straighten and put his outside runner into gaps, combining well with Harry Salter who took good options throughout, kicking sensibly and distributing well from the base of the scrum.

Brad lets-get-ready-to-rumble-Nichol’s bullocking run and FrazierMackenzie’s quick step inside and devastating finish were equally impressive. On a day that was set for pick and drive Jack Hedger, David Bennet the powerful Reilly, “Mad dog” Lewis and the impressive Olly Spoor all made the hard yards forward, loving every minute of a fiercely contested match that somewhat belies the final scoreline. I admired the shut-out defending and the worthy opponents never stopped trying to score and made initial breaks but could not quite breech fine covering by all. Pride was evident in defence and everyone committed to the tackle. Breaks from Connor Skillen, Connor Fitzgerald and Harry Salter broke the gain line around the fringes and ball retention was due to good support play, nevertheless this is an area of play we need to develop. David Bennet secured possession well at the line-out.

One pick up and go blind from Jack Hedger involved a crunching collision, real power and a good offload. He made a fine debut impression and with such raw talent, I predict there is much to come from this young man. Dom Coleman showed no shortage of spirit and loves the fight as much as anyone on the paddock. Having softened up the opposition up front we instinctively knew when to go wide and one movement involved many pairs of hands before Olly Spoor hacked on with boot, where he might have been better to attempt a pick up or at last a drop on the ball in muddy conditions. Mat Saunders went in and then took the outside line pleasingly well too. Changing direction was a feature of play from many players.

A good half-time talk by captain Beale emphasised a need for driving further forward at rucks as a better side might smash stationary forwards back. Counter-rucking needs coaching, as do team positioning and what to do at re-starts. Danny Vigar nearly released Jack for his hat-trick but the ball was judged forward after a nice switch and go-blind set piece move. Another fly half switch and go blind was dropped by the rapidly advancing Hillier – so a reason for more handling drills in warm-up perhaps? We are by no means the finished article yet, but this was as promising a rugby team performance as I have seen in many a year at TWGSB. Well done.

Mr P

TWGSB takes part in the BBC School Report

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The students in the photograph have been selected by the school to take part in the BBC School Report.

BBC News School Report gives 11-14 year olds around the UK the chance to make their own news at school and to broadcast it via the internet.

Using materials from the BBC News School report website, and with support from BBC staff, teachers at school will help students develop their journalistic skills, and become school reporters.

Then on March 11th 2010, our school, along with others from all over the country will take part in the BBC School Report News Day.

You can find out more about the project at: here

TWGSB Football 1st XI progresses to Kent Cup Semi-Final

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB Football 1st XI progresses to Kent Cup Semi-Final as sensational performance results in emphatic 8-0 victory at Dover GS.

On Saturday 23rd January 2010 the TWGSB 1st XI made the long journey down to Dover GS for the eagerly awaited U’19 Kent Cup Quarter-Final. This match had previously been postponed on two occasions due to heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch.

An impressive 2 – 0 league victory away at Dover GS in early December meant the team was full of confidence going into this important cup game.

Following a thorough warm up the team started very brightly and quickly gained the upper hand. It was evident that TWGSB were playing the better football and there was great teamwork and maturity about their play. The first goal arrived after 22 minutes. Ashley Bell made a penetrative run down the left and reached the by-line. He left two defenders in his wake before unselfishly cutting the ball back to strike partner Martin Brain who passed the ball into the empty net. The relief from this breakthrough was evident, settling the team and dispelling any remaining nerves.

The second goal arrived after 35 minutes. Captain Harry Thompson, who produced another outstanding display in the centre of midfield, worked hard to close down and dispossess a defender. A neat one-two with Bell allowed him to go clean through 35 yards out from goal. With the keeper narrowing the angle Thompson coolly curled the ball with power over the keeper and into the top right hand corner of the net.

TWGSB were now in total control, in no mood to ease up and producing some exceptional team moves. A third goal was required to finish the game off. This duly arrived just before half time when Bell received the ball and fired a fierce drive past the despairing keeper from 20 yards.

There was no sign of letting up in the second half. On 48 minutes Thompson saw a fierce shot parried away by the keeper. The ball fell into the path of Jamie Shield who stroked the ball into the net from an acute angle.

The fifth goal arrived after some good work down the right by the explosive John Spring. His cross went through a crowd of bodies and was met at the back post by Thompson who tapped the ball into the net for his second goal of the game.

Jamie Shield provided the assist for Bell’s second goal. Bell received his pass 30 yards from goal and then dribbled at pace between two defenders before slotting the ball over the keeper.

The back four of John Spring, Will McAvoy, Ollie Hogben and Mark Simcox were at their miserly best to keep another clean sheet. The midfield of Jamie Shield, Billy Harris, Harry Thompson and Chris Hulm produced a fantastic display both creating numerous scoring opportunities and working tirelessly to help the defence. Goalkeeper Charlie Thompson did not have a single shot to save in 90 minutes.

Mark Simcox and Chris Hulm had linked up very well for the entire game. After 71 minutes Hulm played an exquisite left-footed lofted pass in behind the defence for Brain to run onto. He quickly controlled the ball, rounded the keeper with composure before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Substitutions were made at regular intervals with Harris, Thompson, Hogben and Brain leaving the field of play to be replaced by Bates, Miah, Boyd and Bennett.

The eighth and final goal arrived after 84 minutes when Bell completed his hat-trick with style. Again Hulm provided the assist by passing the ball into Bell’s feet. His clever turn preceded a ferocious 25 yard shot which dipped under the cross bar and into the roof of the net. He made it look effortless but this magnificent goal was appreciated by everyone who witnessed it.

Moreover, this final goal was an apt way to bring to a close what had been a truly sensational team performance. Every one of the 15 players contributed to this emphatic result.

The team now have a semi-final at home against Kelsey Park which is due to be played on Saturday 30th January 2010.

Dover GS 1st XI 0 – 8 TWGSB 1st XI

(HT 0 – 3)
Brain (22)
H. Thompson (35)
Bell (43)
Shield (48)
H. Thompson (52)
Bell (64)
Brain (71)
Bell (84)

Squad: C. Thompson, J. Spring, M. Simcox, W. McAvoy, O. Hogben, W. Harris , J. Shield, H. Thompson (c), A. Bell, M. Brain, C. Hulm,
J. Boyd, R. Bates, C. Bennett, M. Miah.

Coach: D. Menzies

U16 Badminton team are West Kent winners

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday 26 January, the U16 badminton team won the West Kent section of the Centre Parks National Schools Badminton Tournament and will now play Simon Langton GS in the Kent final. We are favourites to progress and represent Kent at the South East England Zonal Finals. The team is ably led by our two county players namely James Dickins and Marcus Moffitt both of whom won all of their 12 matches in the last round. They looked so assured and are consistently able to perform with a high level of skill. They are supported by the two other members of the team from year 10: Luke Ingram and Will Outhwaite.

TWGSB achieves Healthy School Status

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT

At the presentation ceremony pupils from the various schools answered questions on their school's achievements. TWGSB pupils described our new facilities for teaching Food and Nutrition, the preparations for the All Weather Sports Pitch and the updating of our PSHE Education programme.

TWGSB Football 1st XI secures Kent Schools' FA U19 League Title in Fine Style

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

On 9th December 2009 the TWGSB Football 1st XI clinched the East Kent Premier League title, a competition for secondary schools across Kent, with an impressive 2-0 away win at Dover GS.

This is a fantastic achievement and one which has been thoroughly deserved. The league has been secured with one game to spare, an away trip to Oakwood Park GS on Wednesday 16th December.

This is the third league title that the TWGSB 1st XI has won the in the last four seasons. Having suffered the disappointment of finishing last season as runners-up this squad of players has shown a genuine desire to recapture the trophy. They have ultimately achieved this through a combination of hard work, commitment, teamwork and a great deal of talent. The team spirit has also been fantastic which has helped enormously.

With 9 wins and 1 draw from 10 league games played to date the squad has matured and grown in confidence. In all competitions and friendly fixtures this season the unbeaten run now stretches to 16 games with 14 wins and 2 draws.

To seal the title the squad produced a solid all round performance at Dover GS. The players approached this game in a professional manner and the victory could have been by a greater margin. Goals from centre midfielder Billy Harris and striker Ashley Bell were enough to earn the three points.

Harris’ goal arrived after 25 minutes when he finished at the back post with a side footed finish with his left foot from 6 yards. Striker Martin Brain provided the assist with an exquisite cross from the right wing. TWGSB had worked hard to take the lead but then a few minutes later gifted Dover GS a great opportunity to equalise when right back John Spring upended a Dover GS forward inside the penalty area. TWGSB had Vice-captain Ashley Pickworth to thank when the keeper dived to spectacularly parry the resulting spot kick. It was a great save and a crucial moment in the game.

In the second half despite the heavy, narrow pitch cutting up TWGSB were able to take greater control of the match. TWGSB kept possession better than they had done in the first half and produced several fine team moves. One of these brought the second and crucial goal after 60 minutes.

The inspirational captain Harry Thompson had an impressive second half and it was he who produced an inch perfect through ball to Ashley Bell. Bell’s clever movement and pace took him clear of the tiring Dover GS defence. After some tidy touches on a difficult surface he produced a rasping right footed drive from just inside the penalty area which flew past the despairing keeper and into the net. It was an excellent goal and one which his tireless performance had deserved.

At the other end Dover GS rarely threatened as TWGSB’s back four of John Spring, Will McAvoy, Ollie Hogben and Peter Tubb along with Pickworth were at their miserly best to keep another clean sheet. All 15 players in the squad contributed to this important victory. TWGSB carved out further chances in the final twenty minutes through some incisive pass and move play. To their credit Dover GS battled all the way to the final whistle. Their keeper and centre back typified this in the closing minutes with a fine save and excellent clearance respectively.

When the final whistle arrived it was evident how much this victory and the league success meant to the players. The two sets of players sportingly shook hands and TWGSB players delightfully congratulated each other on becoming league champions.

Squad:

A. Pickworth, J. Spring, P. Tubb, W. McAvoy, O. Hogben, R. Bates,
A. D’Albertanson, H. Thompson (c), A. Bell, M. Brain, C. Hulm, J. Boyd, J. Shield, M. Simcox, W. Harris.

The next fixture is the ESFA U’18 Round 5 (Last 64) National Cup home fixture against Glyn Technology School from Surrey. This will be played on Saturday 12th December 2009 with a 10:00am kick-off at TWGSB.

In the New Year the team will travel to Dover GS again for a U’19 Kent Cup Quarter-Final.

Mr D. Menzies
1st XI Manager
Teacher in Charge of Football
TWGSB

The Daily Mail are offering schools a great opportunity to pick up some free Rugby kit

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Schools can claim the FREE Gilbert Rugby Collection Kit worth from £300 to more than £500 by simply collecting mastheads from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

1,000 Mastheads: Kit worth £300

12 Training Balls
50 Training Cones
12 Bibs
1 Ball Bag

2,000 Mastheads: Kit worth over £500

12 Training Balls
50 Training Cones
10 Bibs
1 Ball Bag
6 Gilbert Dimension Match Balls
1 Pressure Gauge
6 Water Bottles and Carrier
1 Laptop Bag
1 Team Kit Bag

Win a kicking clinic with England kicking coaches:

Not only will they receive free kit when you send us your mastheads, but schools will also be entered into a competition to win a kicking clinic with England kicking coaches Paul Grayson and Jon Callard!

Any mastheads you collect can be handed in to Mr Douse at school.

Mace Debating Competition

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

On Monday 7 December, the school hosted, for the first time, the prestigious Mace debating competition. The Schools Mace has been encouraging the discussion of controversial topics and current affairs since 1957. The competition is the largest and oldest schools debating tournament in the country, and former winners have gone on to be MPs, well-known journalists, captains of industry, senior lawyers, and prominent scientists.

Good luck to our regional winners, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls (TWGGS) and also to runners-up Bennett Memorial Diocesan School. With only the winners going through competition is fierce. I was proud of our boys as we provided two teams both of which are making excellent progress. Especially commended by the ESU judge were Joe Tarbert and James Clemmow, although I must pay tribute to the work of Dan Jennings and Ed Davy too, who were also impressive.

The TWGGS winners summarised particularly well and their second speaker spoke most eloquently and fluently as one might expect from someone returned that afternoon from an Oxbridge interview. I would say that TWGGS were a stronger team than Skinners, last year’s quarter finalists.

In our debates Joe Tarbert rebutted Bennett’s arguments effectively and provided a strong opening speech. He was ably supported by Ed Davy whose calm, relaxed manner was remarkable - as was his incisive wit - and who equalled Joe in rebutting the opposition’s first speaker. I thought we had won this debate so I had better be careful what I say - particularly as our judge was excellent – but suffice to say that these boys more than acquitted themselves in terms of rebuttal, style and tone, responding and listening. We were proposing a system of ‘presumed consent’ for organ donation and two clash points were individual rights versus those of the state (loss) and the moral imperative to act (win), so you can see how tight things were. The boys were not the finished article, but last night’s proceedings only persuades that we could go much further next year and after that who knows?

James Clemmow was a natural, taking to the floor for the first time with confidence and articulacy. He critiqued the proposition’s argument well, such that they thrice repeated themselves at one point which did seem a tad desperate! We were against the principle debate ‘This House would assassinate dictators’. I felt James impressed and with further guidance could lead our Oxford Union debating team in the New Year. Dan Jennings had less of the argument to put across, however, as with many first-time debators he learnt to settle and overcome nerves. He also was straight on the case - preparing the next debate on the VLE, entering evidence well into the evening (after completing History homework). Well done Dan. Impressive. Hard work always pays off in the end.

Thanks to Mr Eaves, the catering staff and Mrs Marchant for all their efforts. If anyone reads this with TWGGS connections pass on my best wishes to their team - they could go all the way.

Mr Price

BBC Breathing Spaces “Tree O’ Clock”

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The Eco-Club planted two apple trees on Saturday, 5th December, as part of the BBC Breathing Spaces “Tree O’ Clock” initiative to beat the world record for the most trees planted across a country in one hour. The aim was to plant over 600,000 trees nationwide which will have a lasting benefit for native wildlife, for people and for our environment.

Junior Knole Run, Knole Park, Sevenoaks

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys cross country team gave another strong performance on Friday 4th December at the highly competitive Knole Junior Run (for Year 8 and below). For many of the runners it was their first taste of a mass start, with flying elbows and sharpened spikes to contend with alongside the hilly and very challenging two and quarter mile course.

From the gun, Luke Bohanan got an excellent start in the leading bunch, with Hamish Wyatt and Chris Cohen not far behind. However, by the top of the first long climb it was obvious that Luke wasn’t using his normal effortless style and was suffering considerably as the leaders pulled away. After a slower start, Nick McDouall and Chip Marden moved through the field into the top-75, competing for the fourth position in the 4-to-score ‘A’ team. By the top of the second long climb, Luke had recovered somewhat to pull himself back into the top-20 with Chris Cohen moving up to be our second scorer. Hamish Wyatt wasn’t far behind with Nick McDouall and Chip Marden now homing in on a top-60 finish. After a steep, slippery descent Luke maintained his form on the finishing straight to gain a highly commendable 13th position, something that had seemed very unlikely to those who’d seen him after the first hill. Chris Cohen (year 7) produced an excellent run, finishing in 27th place, which bodes well for next year when he’ll be top of the age group. Hamish Wyatt in 38th place and the fast finishing Nick McDouall in 51st position closed in the ‘A’ team that gained a solid 5th place out of the 41 finishing teams.

For the ‘B’ team there were excellent runs from Chip Marden in 62nd and debutant Marcus Pattenden in 69th with Reece Beaney 139th place and Charlie Heaton 168th. Other competitors for the school were Alex Doyle in 179th position, Freddie Brushett in 203rd place and Toby Francis in 205th position.

Individual Results

1 Renny Smith (Parkside) 10-42

13 Luke Bohanan 11-42
27 Chris Cohen 11-50
38 Hamish Wyatt 12-06
51 Nicholas McDouall 12-21
62 Charlie Marden 12-29
69 Marcus Pattenden 12-35
139 Reece Beaney 13-25
168 Charlie Heaton 13-55
179 Alex Doyle 14-15
203 Freddie Brushett 15-23
205 Toby Francis 15-29

Team Results

1. Parkside 29 points

5. TWGSB ‘A’ 139 points
27. TWGSB ‘B’ 438 points

(41 teams finished)

Third place for TECHNET in the Lego League Kent Final

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB at the First Lego League Kent Final – 24th November 2009

The First Lego League is an international competition for school pupils aged nine to sixteen years and combines a hands-on, interactive robotics programme with a sports-like atmosphere using LEGO® programmable bricks. The overall team consisted of 10 players with the focus on team-building, problem-solving, creativity and analytical thinking. As part of the challenge, the team researched, planned, built, programmed and tested a fully autonomous robot capable of accomplishing the challenge within eight weeks. The teams also undertook a Smart Move Transport project where they performed research into how students get to school, culminating in a presentation before a judging panel. Additional activities at the final included an assessed teamwork task using dominos and a technical interview on the construction and programming of the robot.

This was our second year of entry into the competition and proved to be a very popular lunchtime activity supported by Mr. Goddard and Mr. Robson. Team TECHNET came third out of the sixteen teams present which was a great achievement. The team went through to the quarter finals in 7th position and then after an excellent quarter final they were in joint 1st position! Unfortunately the semi-final did not go as well as planned with the robot veering off-course and the team narrowly missed the opportunity to be in the final. The group is now more enthusiastic than ever and is already planning for the challenge next year.

TWGSB Football 1st XI stretches unbeaten run

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB Football 1st XI stretches unbeaten run to 15 games with a sensational comeback victory in ESFA U’18 National Cup classic.

On Saturday 21st November 2009 a TWGSB 1st XI squad full of confidence made the long journey to Margate for this ESFA U’18 Schools’ Trophy Round 4 tie. The match would end up being an enthralling classic.

TWGSB settled the better of the two sides in the opening exchanges and took the lead after five minutes with a neat finish from Captain Harry Thompson. The pitch was open to the elements and the blustery conditions along with the frenetic pace of the first twenty minutes meant that it was difficult to play free-flowing football. As the half wore on TWGSB gradually gained the upper hand and started to play attractive pass and move attacking football. Ursuline with their more direct style on occasions threatened Charlie Thompson’s goal. However, the back four of Peter Tubb, Olly Hogben, Billy Harris and Mark Simcox looked solid and provided the perfect platform to build upon.

Ben McMenemy and Ashley Bell both had good chances to increase the lead but found the Ursuline keeper to be in inspired form. Harry Thompson then saw his free kick from 30 yards narrowly fizz over the crossbar. Then with 35 minutes gone came the blow of losing Ben McMenemy to injury after the explosive centre forward injured his right ankle in a block tackle with the Ursuline keeper. Jamie Shield replaced him with Ashley Bell reverting from right midfield to centre forward. Alongside him was the impressive Martin Brain who was playing his first game for several weeks since returning from injury.

At half-time it was clear that TWGSB were in control but a slender one goal advantage is often not enough in football. This proved to be the case.

Ursuline started the second half well by competing for every ball and pushed for their equaliser. This arrived in emphatic fashion when TWGSB failed to clear their lines from a throw in. The ball fell kindly to the Ursuline central midfielder who rifled in his shot from 12 yards. Charlie Thompson had no chance between the posts and this equaliser ignited the cup tie. Then with TWGSB probing for a second goal came the major turning point in the game. With TWGSB on the attack Ursuline cleared the ball and Peter Tubb failed to deal with the bouncing ball. Jamie Shield found himself second favourite to catch the lively Ursuline forward who was clear through on goal from 35 yards out. Jamie Shield mistimed his sliding tackle outside the box and upended his opponent. The Ursuline players were clearly aggrieved that a goal scoring opportunity had been denied. The referee then issued a straight red card. TWGSB had little reason to feel hard done by. Double punishment followed when the Ursuline right midfielder whipped his 25 yard free-kick over the defensive wall and into the roof of the net.

TWGSB were now 1-2 down with only 10 players and 30 minutes remaining. Further misery followed three minutes later when one of the Ursuline centre midfield players saw his speculative 30 yard shot swirl in the wind and end up in the top right corner of the goal. Charlie Thompson stood rooted to the spot and his stunned reaction epitomised how all the players felt…shell shocked.

Up to this point TWGSB had dominated the game but now found themselves 1-3 down with 10 players and only 20 minutes remaining to save their National Cup campaign. With a player disadvantage TWGSB switched from 4-4-2 to 3-4-2. Youngsters Callum Bennett and Ben Williamson along with the versatile Jay Boyd entered the fray. The technically excellent Chris Hulm, the cultured Mark Simcox and the highly competitive Peter Tubb left the field of play. All three had solid games. These substitutions along with the change in formation seemed to breathe new life into the TWGSB performance.

The 10 players played with real purpose and urgency and applied relentless pressure on the Ursuline goal. Chances came and went and then on 72 minutes the team’s catalyst Harry Thompson gave the team hope with a calmly taken goal from inside the area. TWGSB’s effort levels were now nothing short of magnificent and on 81 minutes the well deserved equaliser arrived when Olly Hogben headed the ball into the path of Martin Brain who coolly controlled and then rifled his shot past the keeper from 10 yards.

The comeback of all comebacks was now on the cards and TWGSB took a 4-3 lead in the 85th minute. Ashley Bell one of the game’s outstanding performers, who had worked tirelessly all game, dribbled at pace into the Ursuline box. After skilfully beating two defenders with ease he was upended by the third defender for a stonewall penalty. Harry Thompson saw his penalty and rebound saved but kept his nerve to score with his second rebound attempt. Dramatic celebrations followed. This was the second hat-tick in the space of four days for Harry Thompson. A great deal of credit must also be given to his centre midfield partner Robbie Bates who had an excellent game and whose disciplined performance in front of the defence allowed Thompson to make numerous, dangerous attacking runs.

The referee then found plenty of stoppage time to be played. After signalling that only one minute remained he managed to find three and awarded a soft free-kick in a central position to Ursuline 10 yards inside the TWGSB half. The floated delivery was not dealt with and after an attempted clearance struck Ben Williamson’s left arm the referee quickly pointed to the penalty spot. This was an extremely harsh decision and was very much a case of ball to hand rather than hand to ball. The Ursuline centre forward duly dispatched the spot kick with aplomb. TWGSB who had worked so valiantly like Trojans felt somewhat frustrated by the official’s last gasp decision.

Two extra-time periods of 10 minutes followed. Many people wondered whether TWGSB would run out of steam. Their concerns were proved unfounded when TWGSB proceeded to dominate the first half of extra time. The second half was a more even, scrappy affair apart from Ashley Bell’s superb individual effort which the Ursuline keeper miraculously tipped onto the face of the crossbar. Coach Drew Menzies then switched the Thompson brothers in the final minute of extra-time to allow Harry Thompson to play in goal during the penalty shootout.

The final whistle brought to an end what had been a marvellous game of football and a fantastic advert of high level schoolboy football. TWGSB had thoroughly deserved to win but would have to now do things the hard way by winning the shootout.

TWGSB won the toss and elected to take the first spot kick. Harry Thompson now sporting a blue goalkeeper top coolly dispatched his spot kick. Ursuline followed suit before Ashley Bell placed his penalty with a minimum of fuss into the bottom corner. Again Ursuline replied. Martin Brain then calmly stroked his penalty home. Then came the key moment when Harry Thompson dived to his right to spectacularly save the third spot kick from the Ursuline centre forward. Billy Harris then calmly dispatched his before Ursuline scored again. This left Olly Hogben with his penalty being the chance to win the tie. The impressive centre back seemed to thrive under the extreme pressure and thumped his penalty into the back of the net. All five TWGSB penalties were expertly taken and the Ursuline keeper had failed to get near to any of them.

Jubilant scenes followed as the entire squad mobbed Olly Hogben to commence highly emotional celebrations. Every single one of the TWGSB players had contributed to this incredible victory. Master in Charge of Football Drew Menzies and Head of PE Keith Downing had witnessed one of the very finest TWGSB performances of the modern era. When facing genuine adversity at 1-3 down, with 10 players and 20 minutes of normal time remaining few people would have given TWGSB a chance of survival in this the most prestigious of cup competitions.

This is a highly talented and special TWGSB 1st XI which comprises many different qualities. The effort levels and work rate was inspiring in this match and allowed a sensational comeback to take place…one which will live long in the memory for all those involved. In years to come people will ask “do you remember the national cup game at Ursuline in 2009?” This is a TWGSB 1st XI which is unbeaten in 15 games and one that the entire school community can be extremely proud of.

Ursuline College 1st XI 4 – 4 (aet) TWGSB 1st XI

(HT 0 – 1)
H. Thompson (5)
H. Thompson (72)
Brain (81)
H. Thompson (85)

Penalties
3 – 5

H. Thompson
Bell
Brain
Harris
Hogben

Sent off:
Shield (60) - Professional foul

Squad: C. Thompson, P. Tubb, M. Simcox, W. Harris, O. Hogben, R. Bates, A. Bell, H. Thompson (c), M. Brain, B. McMenemy, C. Hulm, J. Boyd, J. Shield, C. Bennett, B. Williamson.
Coach: D. Menzies

Eclectics Magazine on-line

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

This is the ninth copy of Eclectics and the magazine team are justly proud of the finished article. We meet every day at 1:00pm to prepare the pages and ask the staff and boys who go on trips, or do something special, to make a contribution, both written and in pictures. Part of the challenge is developing expertise with the software which enables the creativity displayed on many of the pages. The aim is also to include as many names and faces as possible and to offer a wide range of topics – hence the title. Click here (3MB file)

Mrs Welford

Year 7 Football Team Make History

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The U12 football squad has reached the 5th Round of the National Cup, having defeated Wilson’s, a strong football school from Surrey on penalties in the fourth round. In a very tightly contested match that was goalless at half-time, TWGSB took the lead in the 65th minute with an excellent right foot finish outside the box by Elliott Nicholds. Wilson’s equalized in the last 5 minutes of normal time, and there were no further goals in extra-time, resulting in penalties to decide the winner. Asa Kerr- Davies was in inspired form in goal, saving 3 of the penalties from Wilson’s to add to some excellent saves from earlier in the match. Philip Cunnington and Josh Chandler scored the deciding penalties which meant TWGSB won 2-1 on penalties.

This is the first time that a Year 7 team from the school has reached the 5th round of the National competition which is a fantastic achievement for the squad and the school.

Theatre trip for Oliver Company

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

65 members of the company of our forthcoming production of Oliver enjoyed a trip to the West End to see the latest production at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, starring the comedian Omid Djalili as Fagin and Jodie Prenger as Nancy (winner of TV show ‘I’d do Anything’). Each student watched the show from a different perspective. Chorus members were delighted by the boys dancing to Food glorious food, principals watched their characters avidly picking up new techniques, musicians listened intently to the 23 piece orchestra (unusually large for the West End), and the sound and lighting crew were inspired by the wonderful visual and sound effects such as thunder and lightening everytime the evil Bill Sykes entered the stage. This trip was a tremendous team-building exercise and a chance for our cast aged 11 to 18 to get to know each other a little better. It was a great success and the students are still talking about it.

Year 7 Football squad reach Round 4 in National Cup

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to our Year 7 team, who defeated Cardinal Newman School from Hove, 3-2 in round 3 of the National Cup. Dogged defence and excellent finishing from Elliott Nicholds (2) and Ben Wallace who grabbed the winner, resulted in a great win. The squad will play another strong school, Wilsons in Round 4 on Tuesday 17th November.

West Kent Futsal Tournament

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to both Year 7 and Year 8 teams who played so well in the recent Futsal tournament at Mascalls School.Year 8A and B teams, and Year 7 B team won their competition and qualified for the Kent Finals in February. The Year 7A team narrowly missed out, losing on penalties to Hayesbrook school.

FH Taylor Relay

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB cross country team claimed their first medals of the year picking up silver medals in the FH Taylor Relays at Tonbridge. The relay comprised of six 1.1 mile legs around a twisty course at Judd School with runners taking part in a specific order of Y7, Y8, Y9, Y7, Y8, Y9.

Taking the opening leg was Charlie Heaton who brought the team home in a competitive 5th position. Taking over on leg 2 was Luke Bohanan, who represented Kent at cross country last year. Luke ran the quickest individual time on the leg, of 7-01, pulling the team up three places into 2nd position. This position was held by Alistair Bishop on leg 3 (7-39) but with Judd ‘B’ in close contention. Chip Marden and another Kent representative, Hamish Wyatt, managed to hold off the Judd runners, giving Zac Burgess a narrow lead over them at the start of leg 6. Unfortunately, a combination of a very fast Judd runner and pedestrians getting in Zac’s way saw TWGSB enter the final field 40m adrift in third place. However, Zac pulled out a tremendous finish only failing to catch the Judd athlete on the line by about a metre.

The school also fielded a partial ‘B’ team with Alex Doyle leading off, with Toby Francis acting as an honorary Y8 on leg 2. Alec Fullerton ran leg 3, having been unsure of competing due to a hamstring injury. However, a thorough warm-up saw Alec run an excellent leg (7-32) with no ill-effects.

TWGSB 1st XI delivers excellent team performance to end Brentwood’s long unbeaten run

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The two sides tested each other out in the opening twenty minutes with some free-flowing passing football, which at times was broken up by excellently timed tackles. On 15 minutes left back Peter Tubb unleashed a curling twenty-five yard effort which narrowly missed the top right corner of the Brentwood goal.

Both sides continued to press for the opening goal until Brentwood carved out a clear opportunity. With a rare one-on-one opportunity, the Brentwood centre forward looked the favourite to open the scoring. However, goalkeeper Ashley Pickworth stood up for as long as possible and made a tremendous and vital save. The half soon ended with honours even at 0-0.

At half-time Ben Williamson came on at right-back for Peter Tubb with the dynamic John Spring switching to left-back. To his credit Williamson had a solid second half and was always looking to start moves off from the back. Alongside him, Oliver Hogben, who was one of the outstanding players on the pitch, partnered the reliable Jay Boyd at the heart of the back four. Behind them Kent Schools’ keeper Pickworth organised well and went about his job with a minimum of fuss.

TWGSB grew in confidence in the second-half and became more dominant as the half wore on. Fresh from his injury lay-off Alex D’Albertanson replaced Chris Hulm with 25 minutes remaining. The excellent Callum Bennett switched from support striker to left midfield with D’Albertanson chosen to play in between the midfield and the impressive and hard-working centre forward Ben McMenemy.

On 62 minutes the deserved breakthrough finally arrived. An excellent team move saw a pinpoint delivery from Jamie Shield met at the back post by an intelligent header back across goal by Callum Bennett. D’Albertanson was in the right place at the right time to calmly pass the ball into the Brentwood net. The significance of this goal was there for all to see.

Brentwood rallied but struggled to create any clear cut chances. Their young, quick centre forward twice went close to scoring. Firstly with a sweet strike from 25 yards, which fizzed past Pickworth’s left hand post. Secondly with a free header, which narrowly missed when he really should have at least forced a save from the keeper.

On 73 minutes the Captain and man of the match Harry Thompson finished Brentwood off. Thompson had been full of energy, commitment for the entire game and it was he who instigated many of the team’s better moves. He was partnered very well in the middle of midfield by the brilliant Mushed Miah, a player who has enormous potential. Brentwood gave the ball away cheaply, D’Albertanson played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Thompson who controlled and then unleashed an exquisitely well struck low shot across goal which nestled in the bottom corner.

TWGSB players jubilantly celebrated the goal and were delighted at the final whistle. Spectators on the sidelines had witnessed a very good game of football played in the right spirit between two very good sides – some Brentwood spectators understandably felt shocked as this Brentwood team had been previously unbeaten in ten matches since the start of term. Their only other defeat being a 0-2 loss to the professional youth team Sporting Lisbon on a pre-season tour of Portugal.

The TWGSB 1st XI remains unbeaten since the start of the season having played 8, won 6 and drawn 2 with one of the draws being a 1-1 away at reigning national champions, St Bede’s.

0-2
D’Albertanson 62
Thompson 73

Squad: A. Pickworth, J. Spring, P. Tubb, J. Boyd, O. Hogben, M. Miah, J. Shield, H. Thompson, B. McMenemy, C. Bennett, C. Hulm, B. Willaimson, A. D’Albertanson.
Coach: D. Menzies

Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival 2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the TWGSB/TWGGS Gospel choir who took part in the Royal Centenary concert on Sunday 11th October, 2009 at the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells. 30 students sang in a mass school choir with students from Beechwood School, Bethany School and Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia chamber orchestra, conducted by Joseph Cullen. They performed Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart, Adiemus by Karl Jenkins and Zakok the Priest by Handel to a very appreciative audience. Well done everyone!

English Schools Cross Country Cup

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Waterhall Park, Brighton
Thursday 8th October 2009

A spate of injuries and illness caused havoc with the TWGSB teams for the English Schools Cross Country Cup but there were some pleasing individual performances, which hinted at what might have been if full teams had been fielded. In the Junior Boys race, Alistair Bishop finished in an excellent 6th position, with Alec Fullerton in a very pleasing 10th place. In the intermediate boys Cameron Knapp showed the benefits of a conservative early pace, moving through the field from the mid-20s on the opening lap to an excellent eighth place at the finish, where he still looked full of running despite the challenge provided by an extraordinarily steep hill. Also running the intermediate boys race were George Kennedy and Jack Cozens but both were forced to pull out just after the half-way point with injuries.

Join the staff at TWGSB

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Click here for details

Closing date: 16 October for the Finance Assistant.

Kestrels win Year 7 House Football

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

There was some excellent football played by all teams and there is a considerable depth of quality in this particular year group which bodes well for the future. A big thank you to the 7 Junior referees from Year 10 and the Sixth Form who officiated so competently, and to the large number of parents who supported their sons.

K. Downing, Head of P.E.

Year 7 Football Team Victorious

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB Year 7 Football Team played their first match on Saturday against Oakwood Park Grammar school. All the boys involved played very well and as a result won 7 – 1! Next Saturday morning will be Year 7 House football. Each House will select a team and it will be a great opportunity for the boys to meet other pupils and show off their football skills. All parents are very welcome to come and support.

Summer Concert: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s Music photos

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

See photos

Our talented bunch of musicians aged 11 to 18 gave one outstanding performance after another, while behind the scenes students managed the live sound mixing, stage management and front of house with true professionalism. We look forward to our next production of Oliver the musical in December in which our year 7 chorus will be performing fabulous musical numbers such as ‘Food Glorious Food’ and ‘Pick a pocket or two’. We hope to see you there.

Ms Stokes

Eagles win Sports Day 2009

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Sports Day proved to be an excellent, fun event with the whole school present. It was a pleasure to see so many colourful t-shirts (great idea Mr Douse) all representing their House with pride and determination.

Click here for photo gallery

Sports Day proved to be an excellent, fun event with the whole school present for the first time for many years. It was a pleasure to see so many colourful t-shirts (great idea Mr Douse) all representing their House with pride and determination.

Congratulations to the following forms who won for their House competitions for their year group:
7E – Eagles
8E – Eagles
9H – Hawks
10F – Falcons
12E - Eagles

Overall House Cup for all Year groups was achieved by the Eagles who gained the most points. Sports Day records were achieved by the following:
Year 8 100m – Charlie Taylor – 12.06
Year 12 Javelin – 44.15m
Year 12 80m Hurdles – 11.00m

Well done to all who were involved and especially to the competitors.

Mr Downing

Ospreys Win Inter House Junior Tennis Tournament

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

eys team of A Chapman, J Knight, E Fish, T Domeny-Johnson and L Evans won all their matches in the Inter House Junior tennis tournament, even the decisive match against Merlins who came second.

Click here for full results

TWGSB crowned Kent Schools Senior Tennis Champions

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Kent Inter-Schools Tennis Competition Having already beaten the Judd School (Last 16) and Sevenoaks School (Quarter-Final) the TWGSB Senior Tennis team arrived at Benenden School for finals day on Friday 26th June in confident mood. The coin toss pitted TWGSB against Eltham College in one semi-final with King's Canterbury facing Sutton Valence in the other. The boys would play one singles (2 sets) and one doubles (2 sets) in each match.

The players adjusted well to the early morning damp conditions and were soon on top against Eltham College despite them having a fine Kent player as their number one seed. The entire team of Dan Marshall (Year 12), George Kennedy (Year 10), Jamie Clemmow (Year 11) and Joe Maunder (Year 11) played very well to comfortably win by four matches to two. Despite losing, Dan Marshall played well in a very competitive match. The other three boys played very well to enjoy fine singles victories. Jamie Clemmow and Joe Maunder triumphed in a fiercely contested doubles match with some excellent points being played out.

The final matched us against King's Canterbury. TWGSB made the best possible start by racing into a three matches to nil lead at the halfway point. Marshall and Kennedy both won their singles whilst Clemmow and Maunder comfortably won their doubles. King's Canterbury clawed one match back when Maunder was defeated in his singles. However, once Clemmow had come back from 1 - 4 down to win the first set 6 - 4 TWGSB found themselves in an unassailable position. Rather than continue to play on in the very hot afternoon conditions the King's Canterbury coach conceded the tie and TWGSB were crowned Kent Schools Senior Tennis Champions. A fantastic achievement and the boys deserve a great deal of credit.

This young TWGSB team has a genuine chance of retaining the title next year.

Year 7 'Maths in Motion' Grand Prix News

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Daniel Kommu on winning the third International ‘Maths in Motion’ Grand Prix. Dan had to create optimal settings for engine performance, gear ratios and suspension, calculate safe speeds for the various sections of the circuit, and make decisions about fuel consumption, tyres and pit-stop strategies taking account of the weather forecast. His car set-up was then forwarded to the organisers and we were able to watch the race against schools from the UK, The Netherlands, Hungary and New Zealand live on the internet.

This was the third and final International race of the year. Daniel and Ali Manser also won the first race and came second in the other.

More info on Maths in Motion

Senior Tennis Team through to Semi Final of Kent School Tennis Competition

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The senior tennis team of Dan Marshall, Jamie Clemmow, Joe Maunder and George Kennedy have won through to the semi-final of the Kent Schools Senior Tennis Competition defeating Sevenoaks school by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling match.

Six sets were played (4 singles and 2 doubles). The result was 3 sets all but we won by virtue on the number of games won: 29 to 28 games in our favour!

Dan Marshall battled back from 4-1 down in his singles match, winning the last five games, as he adjusted to the fast pace of the indoor tennis courts.

George Kennedy's defeat of his opponent (6-1) proved equally decisive.

Sevenoaks were superior in the doubles, although Kennedy and Marshall did let a 3-1 lead slip.

This was a fine match, played in a sporting manner and we are delighted to have beaten such worthy adversaries. Bob Price/Drew Menzies

Kent Schools’ Athletics Championships, Ashford 13 June

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Josh Bentham outclassed the opposition at the Kent Schools’ Athletics Championships, winning the Intermediate Boys’ 1500m by more than two seconds with a new personal best time of 4-10.8. Also taking part was Angus Wyatt who gained a highly creditable 9th place finish with 4-39.3. Lewis Church produced a splendid double, winning the Year 7 200m and Long Jump titles, the latter with an excellent leap of 4.74m.

In the Junior Boys’ category, TWGSB provided two more finalists: Cameron Knapp qualified in the 400m as a fastest loser with 58.9 seconds, then finishing in 5th place in the final with another sub-60 clocking; Joe Newsome qualified in the 800m in 2nd place in his heat with a time of 2-16.4, then finishing 6th in his final with a time just 1/10 of a second slower. Cameron also had a very successful day in the field, clearing 1.60m for 3rd place in the high jump. Also clearing a good height in the Intermediate Boys High Jump was Dominic Ford with 1.70m for 7th position.

Intermediate Boys
1500m: Josh Bentham, 4 mins 10.8 secs (first)
1500m: Angus Wyatt, 4 mins 39.3 secs (ninth)

Junior Boys
800m Heat: Joe Newsome, 2 mins 16.4 secs (second)
400m Heat: Cameron Knapp, 58.9 secs (third)
800m Final: Joe Newsome, 2mins 16.5 secs (sixth)
400m Final: Cameron Knapp, 59.8 secs (fifth)
High Jump: Cameron Knapp, 1.60m (third)
High Jump: Dominic Ford, 1.70m (seventh)

Year 7 Boys
200m Final: Lewis Church, 29.5 secs (first)
Long Jump: Lewis Church, 4.74m (first)

KSTA Annual Tennis Champtionships

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Friday 12 June, George Kennedy (despite a long enforced lay-off with a back injury) and his partner James Dickens reached the last sixteen of the Kent Schools doubles. Piers Jahn and Alex Chapman achieved the same place in the juniors.

Sam Gold and Marcus Moffit came third in the plate competition after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

Eco Club visits Bore Place

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

To begin with there was a pizza making demonstration. The boys then made their own bases and designed their own topping using ingredients grown at the farm. Whilst the pizzas were cooking, they discovered what was grown in the organic vegetable plot and visited the ex-battery hens. After eating their pizzas, the boys had a tour around the farm learning about organic dairy farming.

Media Students hit the big time

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The boys were invited as guests of the band to the O2 where they were filming the performance part of their video rendition of the song. During the filming, they enjoyed hanging out with the band who were very friendly and gave them tickets and back stage passes to their sold-out gig in London later this year. See how similar The Script's video is to the one created by our students!! Click here

Tennis Junior Central League

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

TWGSB Tennis Year 7 and 8 teams took part in a Junior Central League triangular match versus Hayesbrook and Aylesford Sports Colleges. One team was undefeated and the other ensured a healthy lead going into the second round of matches in a two weeks time.

TWGSB Villarreal FC Football Tour

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The touring party was a genuine credit to the school and Mr Menzies, Mr Downing and Mr Price were all very impressed with the boys’ tremendous work ethic and willingness to improve as players. The training facilities we used, belonging to the professional club Villarreal CF, were excellent and provided an ideal environment for the boys to learn from top class Villarreal CF youth coaches.

Both squads played two competitive matches each and all matches were won by our talented squads. Some excellent team performances were produced. The boys demonstrated their ruthlessness in fine 13-0 and 7-0 victories over local club Artana CF for the Year 10 and Year 11 squads respectively. The future appears to be bright for football at TWGSB.

Link to slide show

Mr D R Menzies Master in Charge of Football TWGSB

ESAA English Schools Track & Field Cup

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

In the Junior Boys’ (Y7 & Y8) top points scorer on the track was Charlie Taylor with an excellent 12.8 in the 100m, with Luke Bohanan (2:29.0), Robert Pratt (5:11.0) and Jack Doyle (5:14.0) recording good times in difficult conditions at 800m and 1500m. In the field, Jens Johansson (9.25m) and Lewis Church (1.42m) recorded good performances in the shot putt and high jump respectively.

The Inter Boys’ (Y9&10) top individual points scorers were George Kennedy and Cameron Knapp who achieved 34pts, with Cameron breaking the 60 seconds barrier for 400m for the first time, with 58.6s. Other notable performances came from Angus Wyatt in the 1500m, with 4:35.0; Dominic Ford in the high jump, with 1.62m; Ed Hall with 25.7s in the 200m; Joe Newsome with 2:18.0 in the 800m; George Kennedy with 35.10m in the javelin and Mat Saunders with 10.76m in the triple jump.

Painting on display in Tunbridge Wells Museum

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The painting is part of a community exhibition and is currently on display at Tunbridge Wells Museum and gallery along with work from other community groups. The exhibition runs until Saturday 27th June.

The painting is based on the meeting between Huxley and Wilberforce to discuss Darwin's Theory on the Origin of the Species.

History is made by U16 Football Squad

Fri, 1 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

They defeated Fulston Manor 1-0 in the French Cup Final having previously beaten Minster College 2-1 in the Final of the Invicta Trophy.

The game v Fulston was a tight, closely contested match where the difficult surface made attractive football difficult. However, one piece of magical finishing from Ashley Bell was the difference, as he sweetly executed a left foot half volley into the net from 20 yards to give the team a deserved victory. A great night to top off a fantastic season for the school who have now won 3 Kent Cup Finals in one season.

West Kent Book Awards challenge the notion that 'boys don't read'

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Short lists were then drawn up in two categories, teen and young adult and over the next five months the books were avidly read by the students. Voting took place in February and on March 19^th excited students gathered at Trinity Theatre to celebrate their reading achievement and hear the announcement of this year's award winners.

The culmination of the evening put the spotlight on the winners of the 2009 awards. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke won the Teen Category and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini won the Young Adult category.

Currently living in America, Khaled Hosseini sent us this message.

"Dear West Kent Students:
Thank you so much for awarding A Thousand Splendid Suns with the West Kent Schools Themed Book Award. I am truly honored by this recognition, and touched by your appreciation and enthusiasm for this book. I am thrilled that this story of the women of Afghanistan has resonated with you. Afghanistan is a country that has been mired in war, displacement, extremism, and immeasurable human tragedy for nearly three decades. Its struggles continue today. It is my hope this novel has helped in some way to humanize the plight of its people for you. I know that for me, some of my favorite books are those that have brought me a bit closer to a distant land and its people. I hope A Thousand Splendid Suns has done the same for you. I thank you once more, from the bottom of my heart, for this wonderful award. I wish you all much success with your studies."
Khaled Hosseini

A Record First for Boys Grammar Football

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:00:00 GMT

These competitions are open to all Kent Schools and regularly attract entries of nearly 100 teams.

The U16s came from behind to win the Kent Cup beating Minster College 2-1 on Thursday evening at Tunbridge Wells F.C. A goal from Tom Meek after half time and a very late winner from Billy Harris made it a thrilling night for the school and its supporters!

This final is one of two finals for the squad: they are also playing in the French Kent Cup Final against Fulston Manor on 30 April.

Successes at the Low Handicap Golf Tournament

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

This is the lowest score ever recorded in this event and a benchmark that will be difficult to beat. Runner-up was Doug Findlay who struck the ball surprisingly well after a winter lay-off with limited opportunity to practice or play. Sam Statham, who has done remarkably well to lower his handicap to twelve in year 9, exhibited plenty of promise. Winner of the mid handicap was Ben Cook who has a vastly improved swing and who applied himself well throughout the run and scored consistently, defeating a large number of mostly year 9 pupils who showed enough skill to bode well for future championships. Robert St Pierre won the nearest the pin trophy with a fine shot at hole nine, which perked up his round well enough for him to come runner-up after a shaky start.

Bob Price

U15 Kent Cup Winners

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Boys Grammar dominated the match on Monday 16 March and were unlucky not to score in the first half. However, their quality and superior fitness resulted in an excellent second half performance and goals from Callum Bennett (2) James Irwin and Jamie Malcolm sealed a comfortable victory. Well done to all the squad and Manager, Mr Douse.

Congratulations to KS4 Badminton Team

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

A splendid achievement by James Dickens, Marcus Moffitt, Owen Smith and James Clemmow.

Painting to be exhibited in TW Art Gallery

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

To lead this huge task we are lucky to have an artist in residence: Toby Ward. Toby is working with year 12 and 13 artists and photographers to create this piece of art which will eventually be exhibited in Tunbridge Wells Art gallery.

Inter Counties Cross Country

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Luke had an excellent run and was Kent’s 5th scorer, a significant improvement over his already good run in the recent county championships. Hamish was a little disappointed with his run but more than made up for it with a gold medal performance in the Kent 100m breaststroke championships in Gillingham on the following day, to go with the 50m and 200m titles that he gained earlier in the month.

Readathon week

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Last year we raised over £2,300. This was the most ever raised for Readathon and we hope to raise even more this year. Please remember to tick the gift aid box, if you can, so that even more can be claimed by the charities.

Boys raise funds for Normandy Veterans

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

This money will enable former soldiers to go back to the scene of WW2's defining battle for the 60th anniversary of D Day later this year. Normandy Veteran George Batts visited the school to launch the fundraising drive. Videos of the visit to Normandy were sold, a raffle and a non-uniform day all contributed to the fund. Mrs Glover said: "The school will be returning to Normandy in June and this campaign will make our trip even more poignant.".

U16 Football won their Kent Cup Semi-Final

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT

They are the first team in the School's history to reach both Kent Cup Finals in the same year. The date for either of the Finals has not been finalised yet. The proposed date of 11th March for the French Cup Final has had to be moved due to a Tonbridge Angels re-arranged League game. More details will follow in the next few days.

Sportsmark 2008 award

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

In the summer terms there are tennis, cricket and athletics clubs. In the sixth form, students have the benefit of the St Johns Leisure centre swimming pool. The clubs are open to all regardless of ability (Click here for a list of practices/clubs for term 3 and 4).

Charles Darwin birthday celebration

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Charles Darwin was the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection. At the end of the lesson a photograph was taken to remember this momentous occasion.

Valerie Bloom visit

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Two workshops followed in the library where Valerie treated Year 8 boys to her poems and an energetic action rhyme to get their creativity flowing. They then settled down to the serious business of producing troilets and imagist poetry from first lines provided by Valerie. There were some excellent poems as a result and many boys surprised themselves with their skill. A selection will appear in the school magazine and others will be on display in the library. Valerie’s warmth and vitality led to a truly inspiring visit and one we hope to repeat for other year groups.

Head Teacher's Term 3 Newsletter

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Download PDF

Football squad news

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Our U15 football squad have continued their excellent form and having defeated Hurstmere (3-2) in the Quarter-Final and Abbey School (2-0) in the semi- final; have now reached the Kent Cup Final, where they will play Swadelands on a date to be fixed by KSFA.

Our U16s having secured their first Cup Final appearance before Christmas against Fulston Manor (date confirmed as Wednesday 4th March) have now reached the semi-final of the other Kent Cup final. They had excellent close fought wins against St Columbas (1 - 0) and Chatham G.S (4-4, 4-2 on penalties). The team are due to play against St Anselms or Hartsdown School in the Semi-Final on 28th February. The same squad has also won their first game in the National Cup, defeating Gladesmore Community College 2-1 in the First Round. They have now reached the last 32 of England and are due to play against Dorothy Stringer School from Brighton in the next round. A phenomenal achievement so far and long may the undefeated run continue. Well done to all squad players who have been involved since the start of the season.

Kent School Swimming Championship

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Twenty four schools were entered. Angus and Léandre did particularly well against older opposition coming away with finalist medals in individual events. This bodes very well for next year. All four boys swum well in the relays finishing ninth in both 4x50m freestyle and 4x50m medley.

Pupils want to cycle to school

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

During the week beginning January 26th we conducted a detailed survey of how students and teachers travel to school. 384 people completed the online questionnaire on the VLE. The findings show strong support for sustainable forms of transport.

The results can be viewed here. Students and teachers were asked how they would prefer to come to school. Cycling was by far the most popular option but existing routes are considered to be too dangerous. The findings support the policy adopted in the School’s new Travel Plan (Download File 2.5MB PDF). There are strong environmental and health reasons to encourage students to cycle to school, however, we are unwilling to do so until a network of traffic free cycle lanes can be created. Those of you who attended the meeting in January will know that we are keen to support the work of Tunbridge Wells Hubs and Spokes to obtain funding from Sustrans to build a network of cycle paths throughout the local area.

Senior debating team beats Sevenoaks

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The latter particularly pleased the floor by attacking the opposition's preposterous position vis-à-vis Mick Jagger: ”Surely you are not suggesting Mick Jagger will flee the country over £90.70 per week?” However, despite defeating one of our more highly academic and prestigious public schools, we were placed third and may not go through to the regional finals. This result shows we can compete with the best and win, so I look forward to future teams emerging from our gifted and talented orators. A big thank you to Mr Mason and Mr Churchill and the students who put so much time and effort into what was a gallant effort – well done!
Mr Price

Badminton victory

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT

In their draw, the boys - Owen Smith and James Clemmow (Yr 11) and Marcus Moffitt and James Dickins (Yr 10) - beat Gravesend Grammar School 5-0 and St Simon Stock 4-1. Reaching the final, they beat Rainham Mark School 4-1. Many congratulations to all. The South East Championships take place on the 5th of March.

Cross Country at Mote Park

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Josh Bentham came 1st in the Inter Boys' race. The Year 7 Boys came third overall with Hamish Wyatt (11th), Luke Bohanan (17th) and Nicholas McDouall (28th). In the Junior Boys' race, Joe Newsome came 11th and Cameron Knapp 18th. Well done everybody.

Details of times:

Year 7: 11th Hamish Wyatt (12-07); 17th Luke Bohanan (12-17) ; 28th Nicholas McDouall (12-35) (winner 11-13). The Team were 3rd.
Junior Boys: 11th Joe Newsome (15-11) ; 18th Cameron Knapp (15-33) (winner 14-26).
Inter Boys: 1st Josh Bentham 19-47 (won race by 16 seconds).