The

HeronThe Newsletter of Loughborough Grammar SchoolEdition 3 June 2012

June 2012

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HMS DiamondWing Commander Peter Sergeant (Contingent Commander) and Lieutenant Tony Payne (founder member of the Contingent’s RN Section) were present on board HMS Diamond on Friday 1st June as it came into the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth firing a 21 gun salute to signal the start of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend.

They were guests of the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Ian Clarke RN, who invited them to join the ship’s company in paying tribute to the Queen’s 60 year reign.

Following the arrival into port, there was a “street party” on board in which the entire ship’s company and guests were royally entertained with appropriately themed food and drink.

June 2012

On ParadeThe Annual Review on Saturday 28th April was conducted by Wing Commander Simon Lane (OL and former Contingent Commander), accompanied by Wing Commander David Arthurton (OL) and Major Alex Dart (OL). A rain affected morning did not dampen the spirits of the cadets who performed admirably in the prevailing conditions and the Annual Inter-Section Field Gun Competition was won by the Royal Naval Section, wresting back the trophy from the Army Section which had spoilt their winning streak in 2011. The decision to have a hot buffet for lunch was welcomed by all!

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The Year 11 Theatre Studies group presented three thought-provoking pieces based on the murder of Stephen Lawrence. These moving and chilling dramatic productions were superbly acted records of the killing, the seemingly endless search for justice and the eventual trial. A fourth play depicting closure for the Lawrence family is something for which we would all wish.

Colour of Justice

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June 2012

June 2012

Presenting two very different interpretations of the same play as their AS examined piece was never going to be easy, but the Year 12 Theatre Studies group rose to the challenge magnificently in giving the audience an evening to remember. Splendid performances brought out a whole range of emotions, including a little dark humour – a memorable experience!

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As part of the New Directors’ Season, Run, written and directed by Benjamin Chang, showcased the acting and musical talents of students from both LGS and LHS. The involved plot, which examined the influence of racketeers on society, allowed for some fine performances.

Sri Lankan Safari

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June 2012

I had a very clear aim when I set out for Sri Lanka and it was achieved almost immediately – I

discovered for myself what I had been assured by others that Batukanaththa, the school and

community, had desperately needed our help and had used our funds and resources really well;

also that Rebuilding Sri Lanka, our partner charity, was a superbly focussed and people-led

organisation.

In Batukanaththa it was obvious that we had made a huge difference to the lives of children and

families. It is now unquestioned that all children go to school and the quality of the teaching

and the school facilities are now good . We have more immediate work to do to meet the expansion

of the school - and that is the focus of our current fund-raising – and, very importantly for the

future, we have a platform for a long-term relationship that will involve both volunteer workers

and further support as needed.

As for RSL, it clearly has brilliant people working for it and it is very closely connected to the

village communities. It takes real care over its resources, gives excellent feedback to donors and

there is complete clarity about its target - education and reading.

In fairness Mr Evans had said all this before, but to go and see it for myself and to spend time

in the communities and schools has been both a privilege and a wonderful opportunity.

Our fund-raising at Loughborough used the obvious connection of the Test match in Galle to

suggest to the boys that they wear cricket kit on that first day, the last Monday of the Easter

term. Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka we managed to get 20 youngsters to that first day, children

who had never seen a city before let alone a cricket match of any description. Vic Marks, my

Oxford Captain of many years ago, was able to tell this story on TMS at around 9.00 am

English time.

In the previous week, because of the generous co-operation of the England players and

management, we had been able to take a small number of older children to the second England

warm-up game in Colombo. There the children had been able to watch a session in the nets

and meet some of the England players. Again that was an extraordinary and eye-opening

opportunity for the children. I am sure that their experiences, their shared stories and mental

pictures of those two cricket adventures, will stay long in their memory.

On my return to England after a month in the heat of Sri Lanka when I hardly ran at all, I was

very pleased to complete the Paris Marathon in a time no slower than London in 2008! I relied

on the fitness I had acquired in Devon over January and June running with Tess. This was the

focus for the Hog Roast on Sunday 6th May, the final Batukanaththa-directed fund-raising.

Our last (very friendly) pigs provided the centre-piece and the evening was much enjoyed and

very well attended.

In combination, taking the boys’ fund-raising, my own and the Hog Roast together, we

have raised over £8,000 which will certainly cover the refurbishment of the abandoned upper

building at Batukanaththa, paying for a new roof, the sub-division into classrooms, complete

redecoration and an upgrading of the electricity supply for better lighting and fans.

My very sincere thanks goes to all of you, parents, boys and colleagues, for your very generous

help and support.

PB Fisher

Headmaster

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June 2012

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The Diamond Jubilee came to LGS a day early – June 1. Boys from Years 7, 8 and 9 put on a traditional fete where darts were thrown, hockey and golf balls hit, assault courses run, wellies whanged and, above all, sponges were thrown at bedraggled members of staff with amazing accuracy.

Break-time saw the whole School assembled in the Quad for cakes and drinks after which the Endowed Schools’ Fanfare Trumpeters led everyone in a hearty rendering of the National Anthem.

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June 2012

Matt Hampson TrustThe now annual inter-form 7-a-side event, played largely in the fog, was again a great success. Not only did a large number of boys thoroughly enjoy the rugby (and the hot dogs!), they also raised over £750 for the Matt Hampson Trust.

We’ve Won the CupThe LB Cup to be precise. On a damp evening in April at Kettering Town’s ground, a 1–0 score-line secured the trophy against a well-drilled Oundle XI. The travelling support for the team was fantastic; as one steward remarked: “That’s the most noise we have had here all year”!

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June 2012

Trevor’s TurfWith the start of the new cricket season, albeit considerably delayed, teams had the opportunity to try out the re-laid First XI square. The new wickets will not be used until next season, but they have Mr Tunnicliffe’s approval and are looking good.

A Clean Sweep...well, almost! It may have happened in previous seasons but LGS’s success in four Rugby County Cup Finals is a truly remarkable performance. The Under 13, 14 and 15 XVs won easily, but the Under 16s fought a titanic battle against Uppingham and secured a dramatic victory with a drop-goal minutes from time.

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©2012 No unauthorised use or duplication of images or editorial content. Loughborough Endowed Schools is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Number 4038033 and is Registered in England & Wales. It is a Registered Charity, number 1081765.

The Registered Office is 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2DU.

From hot springs in the Bay of Naples to snowbound slopes in the Austrian Tyrol to the white-heat of American politics, the experience of a school trip abroad once again enthused and delighted those involved during the Easter vacation – well some did go across the pond!

Far & Away

Loughborough Grammar Schooladmin@lesgrammar.org

Tel: 01509 233233www.lesgrammar.org

June 2012