On the 29th March five boys from year 10 took part in the Toyota Technology Challenge. The event was held at the science and technology centre in Bristol. After submitting an electronic presentation the boys had been selected to go to the final where they had to compete against other schools to program a remote control vehicle through an obstacle course.

The vehicle completed the course and the boys gave a very good presentation as team Legion to the panel of judges made up of senior staff from Toyota UK.

Over 300 teams entered the competition and the boys did very well to achieve second place in the South West Region.  The Team were Joshua De Gromoboy (Captain), Liam Weight, Callum Howell, Alex Malaki and Luke Staton.

Last Friday the biennial inspection of the school’s Combined Cadet Force was carried out by Air Commodore Barbara Cooper, the highest ranking female officer in the RAF.  We were also joined by the commander of HMS Somerset, Commander Paul Bristowe, who is a former School Captain.  All cadets acquitted themselves superbly well throughout the day.  Needless to say, the inspection was passed with flying colours; a testimony to the hard work of the adult volunteers, the senior cadets and cadets of Bournemouth School CCF.

To launch their final two writing projects of the term (descriptive writing and a historical play), Year Seven took a short coastal journey eastwards to Keyhaven and Hurst Castle, to use their senses and absorb the atmosphere.  The weather and the ice-cream van, this year selling a distinctive turquoise bubblegum flavour, made their usual impact on the memory, but it may be best to let the boys of the Darwin house group give you an idea of their day in their own words:

As we drove into Keyhaven the first thought that popped into my head was of a sheltered, friendly community. As soon as the class got off the coach we could tell it was going to be a day full of walks, wind and work. The harbour was very muddy and there was moss coating the old stone walls. All the small boats and dinghies were stranded and balancing on their daggerboards. The air smelt of dirty algae and salt. Behind me I heard the masts of sailing boats rattling from forceful gusts of wind. Doves and seagulls circled above, singing repetitive songs.

A stream gushed out of a thin opening in the wall and a majestic swan glided with it further and further into the harbour. In the yard were yachts supported by unsturdy and fragile rusty barrels with chocks of wood placed on top, looking as if they were going to topple over with one tiny breeze. It was interesting to read the names of the boats and I saw: The Alde Lady; Bizzy Lizzy; Iris and Nellie. I saw coiled rusty chains stranded in the shallow water.

Walking through the country was a great way to clear the mind. It was full of flowers of all sizes and colours, distracting you from the dark clouds forming overhead. We also spotted some fennel, which stank of aniseed or liquorice. There was a field of barley swaying in the breeze, like a football crowd performing a Mexican wave.

To my left was a marsh in which thirteen rotting wooden shafts stood, covered in seaweed. We walked three quarters of the way at the top of the ridge fully exposed to the brutal wind and savage shrapnel-like shingle.

The castle has not really got a defined style; the original Tudor castle has had lots added on ever since its establishment; it looked more like a fort that had been refurbished every hundred years.

Its cold grey walls had stood up to hundreds of years of war and so many more to the ferocious elements and had come through in awesome style. We entered the castle through a small and insignificant gate and entered a humbling courtyard. Inside we looked at all of the rooms and imagined what it would have been like for the soldiers living there all those years ago. It was of great interest as it had many layers of history engraved upon it. From the fort of Henry VIIIth’s era to Word War Two, soldiers had served there for over four hundred years. In the centre we came across one part where they lived with their families. It was obvious someone would notice the 32 ton guns, so we had to take a look. The size was incredible, and the shells were as thick as a person.  After lunch we had a look at the old wartime theatre, where there were models of pianists, guitarists and actors, who looked slightly spooky! From the top of the roof there were amazing views of the Isle of Wight. The day had gone in a blur and if I had counted how many steps we went up and down it would have been in the hundreds.

Thanks to James, Jamie, Chris, Jake, Joseph, Finn, Michael, Daniel, Tom, Tim, Max, Matty, Sol, Sam, James CB, from whose reporting this is compiled.

Last Tuesday, on the 21st June, as part of the Bournemouth Police initiative, “Surround a town”, our students were delighted to be able to work with the police and emergency services to raise their awareness of road safety issues. A team of road safety experts spent the day with groups of Sixth-formers, discussing safe driving issues and sharing information on techniques the students should use and things to avoid.

Two groups of students were lucky enough as part of the day to be invited to visit the Trading Standards conference at the B.I.C. where they were shown how to assess a used car if they wanted to buy one: points to look out for, and things to consider before making such an expensive purchase.

Students found both aspects of the day extremely interesting and helpful – even though the safe driving element was purposefully hard-hitting and left them with much to think about. In addition, younger pupils gained a lot from being shown round one of the mobile police vehicles used in number plate recognition as part of the police “No excuses” campaign for safer driving.

On 22nd June a group of 9 gifted and talented linguists from year 8 went to Southampton University for a day of intensive language work, to further develop their linguistic proficiency and heighten their enthusiasm for languages.

The day started with a two hour session on the selling of Fairtrade products, each pupil working in a team with pupils from the other participating schools. The groups were working like seasoned colleagues within minutes, and all pupils were contributing enthusiastically on the subject of Fairtrade. This topic of international significance clearly caught their imagination, judging from the comments made and the standard of work produced.  They said that they had covered a huge amount of language, and that they were impressed that they had been able to complete the final task.  They produced posters in a foreign language advertising Fairtrade products, and these were entered into a competition. Two of our students Prabhakar Bhamidipati and Alex Cox were among the proud prize winners. 

In the afternoon the pupils sampled taster sessions in Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese.  They returned from these sessions fired up to start learning a new language.  The point of this was to show how easy it actually is to start a language which is generally considered to be difficult.  One hour may not be enough to demonstrate this, but the experience of learning alongside other gifted linguists was not one they will forget soon.  The learning flew along at an impressive speed.

This brief peek at language learning at University level amongst other talented linguists showed the pupils what they can do with their abilities, and that no matter which profession they choose, their linguistic ability will be of great service to them.

Alex Cox (8N), Oliver Rockett (8N), Alex Chatfield (9T) and Alex O’Neill (9N) took part in the National finals of the Team Maths Challenge which was held in London on Monday 20th June. Having won the regional heat which took place at Corfe Hills school in March the four students were given the task of presenting a poster on the theme of “The Golden Ratio” as preparation for the rounds that would take place in London. Out of 96 teams the students came tenth. This is their best performance having won the regional round for the last three years and making the National final for the last three years. Their performance during the previous years has been 24th out of 75 teams and last year they finished 34th out of 80 teams. Each year the team changes because of the requirement to have two students from Year 8 and two students from Year 9. In all three years the team has been led by Mrs Barnes. Well done to all concerned.

Members of a Lower Sixth English group spent a double lesson at Stourhead in Wiltshire on Tuesday afternoon encountering Palladian architecture and a pictureseque landscape garden. Students enjoyed the interiors of the house and the rich collection of furniture, books and paintings, which captured the scenery of the continent, particularly Italy; they soon got to grips with the essential difference in spirit between classical and romantic art.  A walk round the garden in warm sunshine was a particular pleasure, as they visited the terraced lakes that are filled by the spring at the source of the Stour, passed into the shade of the lakeside grotto with its striking statues, enjoyed the gothic cottage, the Pantheon, and temples of Apollo and Flora where they enjoyed readings of poetry by Pope, Byron and Keats and an extract from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' capturing a similar country house visit. Absorbing cultural contexts by exploration in the company of observant friends seems a good way to learn, provided, of course, that it can end with cakes and lemonade in the shade of a tree.

Oxford or Cambridge? Twenty-six students attended the Oxford University Open Day to find out whether it might suit them, and if they might suit Oxford. Several more went off to attend the Cambridge Open Day.  Later they will pool ideas and find out the more technical details of what they have to do if they are going to apply, as there is much to be done before the early part of September ... not least the perfecting of their Personal Statements.

Despite a dreadful weather forecast, the sun shone and the students enjoyed their day in Oxford. Some went to Corpus, some to Magdalen, others to Merton, and some to Oriel.

Some of them will surely decide to apply to join the Bournemouth School students who have succeeded each year in gaining places. Others will have decided it is not right for them, and will make sound choices in favour of other universities or to go straight into the world of work. But it is good that at this time of the year Sixth Form students go across the country checking out a wide range of universities and making up their minds about which courses, and where, to apply to for university.  We wish them all the best of fortune.

I am delighted to report that the overall effectiveness of the school was graded as “Outstanding” following the Ofsted Inspection in September 2011.

The inspectors were particularly impressed by the way in which excellent levels of academic achievement are achieved whilst ensuring the outstanding personal development of all students.  Typically, the inspection team encountered students who were enthusiastic to learn, making consistently good progress and were enjoying school. Furthermore, it is reported that students are proud and committed to their school and make a very strong contribution, both as leaders and participants, to many activities and events.

The inspectors found that the school’s curriculum, ethos and expectations promote students’ outstanding spiritual, moral and social development, resulting in a very harmonious school community.  The school has an ethos of celebrating success and its commitment to students’ care, guidance and support, through a house system described as the “heart and soul of the school” was identified as making a significant contribution to excellent achievement and high attendance.

All aspects of the school’s sixth form provision were considered “outstanding”, with placing students’ personal responsibility as a keystone for success being said to be highly valued by the students.  Inspectors commented that the relationship between teachers and students are very positive, and that the sixth form is justifiably highly regarded as providing an outstanding education.

Whilst we are, of course, delighted with the inspection outcomes we are not complacent.  There are areas of our work that can be strengthened and will be using the report as a springboard to effect further improvement for our present and future students.  We are particularly grateful for the support of parents in helping us foster a culture of mutual respect, good behaviour and attendance, high participation rates in extra curricular events and outstanding levels of academic achievement.

Our Sixth Form Open Evening was held on Thursday 3rd November. However boys and girls from neighbouring schools continue to be invited to apply to join the Sixth Form, while places are still available.

However places are limited, and applications are being received steadily. If you are interested we do recommend that you do not delay your application, as these will be processed according to the date on which they are received.

What makes us a different choice for your Sixth Form experience?

• Students can choose to study up to five A Levels within timetabled lessons
• Students can choose from a unique range of A Level subjects which can prepare them for any career or university course
• Boys and girls in the Sixth Form have their own separate uniform based on a Business suit
• Boys and girls are expected and encouraged to play as full a part in the wider life of the school as they can.

On Tuesday 8^th November thirty three students took part in the Senior Mathematics Challenge. This is the first of three individual UK Mathematics Trust Challenges that will take place during this academic year. The challenges, organised by Leeds University and sponsored by The Actuarial Profession, are lively, intriguing multiple choice question papers, which are designed to stimulate interest in mathematics.

Congratulations to all who took part in the event and particular congratulations to Daniel Chatfield who gained a gold certificate and also secured a place in the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad. The results were as follows: two students gained a gold certificate, thirteen gained silver certificates and six gained bronze certificates.

There is plenty more happening this year with the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, open to students in Y11 and below, due to take place on Thursday 2^nd February 2012 and the Junior Mathematics Challenge, open to students in Y7 & Y8, due to take place on Thursday 26^th April 2012.  

Over the weekend of 3-5 February 2012, nearly 200 Scouts from the Royal Navy Recognised Sea Scout Groups around the country met at HMS RALEIGH to compete in the National Sea Scout Swimming Gala. The prestigiuous Otter Trophy is a fantastic shield almost as big as our younger members that dates back to 1930's and has been competed for annually in all years except during the war.

This year our 13-14 years Scout team of Alex Scott-Duncan, Ian Westhead and Zhen Lim (Poole) were triumphant in winning their age category overall and proudly hold the trophy for their age group for their efforts. The Scout Squadron team of the above and including Robert Petrie, Gregor Scott-Duncan and James Ozanne all came runners up this year.

In the older age group our swimmers put in a sterling performance and scooped some consolution prizes.

Staff Officer Sea Scouts Lt Cdr C A Cahill RN remarked on the positive behaviour of the Scouts and the respect and enthusiasm they showed whilst at the gala.

Congratulations to Rory Lindsay, John Spawton, Tom Donnelly and Nathan Hoyle in Year 11 who recently won the County Schools Badminton team competition. The team now progress to the regional finals in Exeter on Thursday 15 March 2012 as the Dorset Schools representatives. We wish them the best of luck!

Congratulations to our Junior Maths Team, Richard Efezeybek, Sam Oliver, Oliver Rockett and Alex Cox. They competed against 14 teams, some from Salisbury and Shaftsbury, at Corfe Hills School in the regional final of the Junior Maths Team Challenge. The team, who scored 212 points from a total of 240, were told that they won by a considerable amount.

The team will now compete in the National Finals in London in June.

As the University offers season draws towards a close, once again our students are celebrating great success in achieving offers from the highest universities.

Seven students have offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge next year - a tremendous achievement! In addition several other students have offers to study to become doctors, dentists, and vets - arguably the hardest of all courses for which to gain acceptance - and more still await the decision of their chosen universities.

Even as we await the last decisions from the universities we are starting the process for the next generation of our students. A coach group will begin investigating if such courses are for them; then on Wednesday 18th April the whole Year 12 group will attend the Connexions University Convention at Bournemouth University;  and on Monday 30th April at 7pm students and parents of Years 11 and 12 are invited to an evening in school on potential Oxbridge entry led by a visiting Oxford University Schools liason officer - which should be of interest and help even if the student is not at all sure that this is something they would like to try.

On Friday 23 March we welcomed Bournemouth West MP Mr Conor Burns, who took part in a question and answer session with 6th Form Government and Politics students, as well as assisting us with appointing the new senior prefects team.

Mr Bonds

Head of History/Politics

Each year, several young people are appointed to serve as the Lord- Lieutenant’s Cadets.

They are selected from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, the Air Training Corps, and the Combined Cadet Force and also from the civil uniformed youth organisations; Scouts, Girl Guides and the St John Ambulance from across Dorset.

When on duty, Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets assist the Lord-Lieutenant as required, often on parade for Royal visits and act as ambassadors for their organisations and the young people of Dorset.

Cpl James Sidwick from Bournemouth School CCF, was selected this year to assist the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers and has already accompanied her on many occasions including the opening of the new Poole Lifting Bridge by HRH Princess Royal in March 2012.