Spring
Newsletter
Marc h 2013
It is fitting that the
yellow brick road
appears on the
front of our latest
newsletter as the
Wizard of Oz
proved to be a real
highlight of the
Spring Term. The
production was an
excellent example
of the whole school coming together ably
supported by parents and community
partners. Thank you again to everyone
who was involved in making it such a
success. We were also delighted that Rory
Stewart MP was able to attend the
Saturday matinee performance which he
thoroughly enjoyed.
“Read more” often features in people’s
“Top Five” when it comes to things they
would like to find more time to do. At one
time or another we have all experienced
the real pleasure that a good book
provides whether we read it ourselves,
read it to someone or if we are really
lucky, have it read to us. Our Spring
Newsletter has a big focus on the ways we
have been promoting reading in school
this year as part of the school
curriculum but also as an enjoyable
activity in its own right for both
students and staff. Please support our
work in school by continuing to
encourage your children to read for
pleasure at home. The Summer Term
will also see a “makeover” of our
beautiful and well used library. AGS
students will be consulted in this
process as we seek to develop the
library as a focal point within the
school.
I hope you enjoy reading all the articles
in the newsletter which once again
illustrates the scale and diversity of
opportunities available to AGS students
thanks to the work of a dedicated staff
team.
Finally, on behalf of staff and governors
may I wish you all a restful Easter
break. If we are really lucky some
spring weather may appear to see off
the wintry end to March.
Andrew Lund
“Eat Your Words” To celebrate
World Book Day on Thursday 7 March,
staff and students at Appleby Grammar
School flocked to the Library to “Eat
Your Words”. The Library was open for
anyone who wished to read a book
during lunchtime and eat a treat at the
same time. Packed with eager readers
and cake eaters the Library came to life
to celebrate the joy of reading. Thanks
to all staff and students who put their
books down for long enough to allow
them to bake cakes for the event and
well done to everyone who got involved.
We do hope you enjoyed the
opportunity to “Eat Your Words!”
AGS SIXTH FORM
Your window of opportunity
Reminder: We return to school
after the Easter break
on Monday 15 April 2013
IN THE COMMUNITY...
...FOR THE COMMUNITY
The school offers a whole package which
fully equips students for the next step
whether it be university, work or an
apprenticeship.
REMEMBER - application forms should be
handed in as soon as possible.
Page 2
Grandparents’ Party
On Wednesday 19 December,
Appleby Grammar School
hosted their traditional
Grandparents party! This has
been a great highlight of the
school year, for the students’
grandparents. There were
exquisite profiteroles, rich
chocolate tartlets, little delicate
pastries and lots more
delectable goodies provided by
the Year 10s. They were
involved in baking and cooking
scrumptious high tea treats for
the guests to enjoy, while they watched the entertainment; Year 8 students performed their terrific, wellrehearsed dance routines, of all genres, including street and rock ‘n’ roll. We did our own share of dancing
when we did the ‘Birdie dance’ and the ‘Hokey Cokey’! There were lots of amusing party games for us to
enjoy, including ‘pass the parcel’ (with a twist, it contained bizarre and humorous forfeits!).
We interviewed some grandparents and asked them what their
views on the party were. “I loved the party, I was especially
impressed when the Year 10s came in, in their chef whites and
hats! Very professional! The food tasted divine, I wouldn’t have
found better in a 5 star restaurant!” said Judy Craig. The pinnacle
of the party was when Santa arrived! He offered vibrantly
coloured gifts to all the delighted grannies and grampies!
Overall, the party was a great success .
Jenny Linsley and Evie Turner—Year 7
Page 3
2013 Ski Trip to Risoul
A party of 46 AGS students and teachers had an excellent week’s skiing in Risoul, Southern Alps (France). They had
return flights from Manchester to Grenoble, and a scenic three hour transfer to the resort via Gap. They received full
board accommodation in hotel Le Morgan, a club hotel very convenient to the slopes in the centre of Risoul village.
Ski instruction for four hours per day was provided by four English speaking “Ecole du Ski Francais” instructors and
progress was dramatic, with many of the group gaining the internationally recognised beginner through to level 3 and
bronze ski qualifications.
On the final day all students skied over the mountain pass and into the neighbouring resort of Vars, to experience the
skiing conditions in another valley/resort. Outside of lesson time students were able to practise their skills by skiing
with accompanying members of staff. The snow and piste conditions were good, with snow on arrival and then later
on in the week, with glorious sunny blue skies in between enabling fantastic views of the Ecrin Mountains and good
views toward Briançon and Ebrum.
Students enjoyed a busy schedule, skiing all day and a full evening programme which included, a town trail, bum
boarding, luge ride, a quiz and games evening, and a pizza evening at the local La Cherine restaurant on the final
evening.
The Alpine village of Risoul also provided additional evening attractions such as a floodlit ski and jumps displays, and
local Alpine produce markets. On the Thursday night we had a presentation in the hotel of ski awards by the 4 ESF ski
instructors. Some of the students took the opportunity to prastice skiing skills toward their GCSE PE exam award and
gained video evidence for moderation purposes. The ski course offered students the opportunity to develop their ski
technique and foreign language skills, mix and make new friends (English and French), experience the beauty of the
Alpine landscape and improve social and organisational abilities.
Andrea Dixon - Curriculum Leader of Expressive Faculty
Page 4
Bayeux 2013
At the end of March, when winter seemed to have returned
with a vengeance, a group of 40 excited and enthusiastic
Year 8 students embarked on the annual study visit to
Bayeux in Normandy, France. Only several days before their
departure the students had experienced a French cultural
day; cooking and tasting dishes that were typical of the
Normandy area, and learning about cheese making and
Impressionist art. However, nothing could quite prepare for
the real thing…
The adventure began with a long overnight coach journey,
broken up with rest stops as we made our way along the
motorway network towards the Channel Tunnel. I could
barely believe that people could
actually want to eat McDonalds
at 2am, but eat it they certainly
did!
Once in France, the first stop was
the town of Rouen which was
slightly cold and wet, but
everyone found a new surge of
energy once we reached the
Centre itself in Bayeux and
settled in for the week to come.
The weather also improved
accordingly and we were
extremely fortunate to enjoy dry
days with occasional blue sky and
sunshine.
All were in awe of the 1000 year
old Bayeux Tapestry, and
enjoyed other experiences such
as shopping in a typical French
market and visiting Mont St
Michel (now returned to an island after hundreds of years of silting). Mr Draper entertained us all with his attempts to
speak French and has now returned with a small but effective repertoire of greetings, as well as an unhealthy amount of
French cheese and sausages.
The highlight for many of the students was our day trip to Paris and Mr Mills regaled
us with his very comprehensive guided tour around the main highlights of the
capital. This was in fact also the first year in many that we were able to reach the top
of the Eiffel Tower. In addition, we detoured to drive the length of the Champs
Elysées where Miss Bell tried her best to spot celebrities!
The day on the coast at the D-Day landing beaches was moving and many a
discussion was had as to the reasons for war. This was difficult to explain when faced
with a sea of thousands of immaculate white crosses filling the Normandy war
cemeteries.
The students were complimented on numerous occasions during the visit for their
fantastically positive attitude to all that we did and saw, and for their exemplary
behaviour throughout. I was proud to have been the leader of the visit, and
congratulate all those who participated in it. My thanks must also go to all the staff
who gave their time and energy to help make it the success that it undoubtedly was.
Watch out for more of Mr Mills’ excellent photos on the AGS website...
Miss Rowan
Page 5
Mock Trial Success
This year, AGS entered
two teams into the
Cumbria Mock Trial heats
in March, an event run by
Citizenship Foundation
that teaches students
about the law, and also
improves their speaking
and listening skills. It
involves a lot of hard work
from students so
everyone who
participated should be
congratulated.
Originally, the heats were
to be at Kendal
Magistrates Courts on the 15 March. However, when this changed to the 11 March we pulled our Team B out of
the competition. That left Team A, all Year 9 students, left to represent the school. Although Team B didn’t take
part, they still put in the hard work and showed determination to be prepared. It was only the difficulty of fitting in
rehearsals that left them unprepared.
On the 11 March, our team set off at 9:15 towards Kendal. However, it wasn’t as simple as that. The snow was very
hazardous on the roads and many buses failed to come in. We looked like we would be several sandwiches short of
a picnic! Credit should go to those participants who made their own way to school when their bus didn’t come.
Despite this, we were still missing 2 people so two participants from Team B stepped up to the plate. They deserve
our gratitude for that, as both of them were in unfamiliar roles which others had been practising for months.
By hook or by crook, we stumbled our way to the start line, where nerves started to kick in. The full team was:
Defence Lawyers 1&2- Lawrence Howard and Edward Dale, Prosecution Lawyers 1&2- Chelsea Dunbobbin and
David Anderton, Defence Witnesses 1&2- Abe Butterworth and Jade Poyner, Prosecution Witnesses 1&2- Victoria
Howard and Chelsea Walton (reserve), Magistrates- Jack Hutt, Eleanor Wass and Susie Guest (reserve), Usher- Jade
Clark and Legal Advisor-Georgia Cross. We also brought a reporter (Megan McWilliams) and an artist (Emma
Dunham), whose respective works will be entered into separate competitions.
The prosecution and defence sides performed against the prosecution and defence of other schools around
Cumbria. The prosecution faced Ullswater Community College, and the defence locked horns with Ulverston
Victoria High School. All the schools performed commendably, but we came out thinking that we had the edge. It
did not matter about the verdict; judges watched us and marked us out of 10. To win, it was first judged on
whether we beat our opposing teams. We had beaten both of our teams, and so had Dallam. It then went to how
many points we were awarded and the winner was…Appleby Grammar School!
We now progress to the North of England Finals, still in Kendal.
Lawrence Howard
Page 6
National Leeds University Maths Challenge
Year 9 and 10 students recently took part in
the National Leeds University Maths
Challenge. It involved some testing questions
designed to really make the students
think. The results were as follows:
From Year 10 Robbie Jacob Whitworth
achieved the best result in school and
a Silver Award; Tom Fynn also
achieved a Silver Award. Olly
Gutteridge, Alice Shaw, Joe Gutteridge,
Rob Aldam and Beth McDowall all
received the Bronze Award.
Edward Dale achieved the best in Year
9 and the Bronze Award; Alistair
Barker also received a Bronze Award.
Pictured above, from the top, are Tom Fynn,
Rob Aldam, Robbie Jakob-Whitworth and Beth McDowall
English Department - Student of the Month
Below are the English Department’s students of the month:
January
 Mrs Griffiths – Dylan Critchley Y11, Connor Farrimond Y11, Lucy Gardiner Y11
 Mrs Cross – Matthew J Harrison Y8, Jack Overs Y10
 Mrs Bainbridge – Dylan Murdoch Y7, Emma Williamson Y7, Heidi Maughan Y9
 Miss Proctor – Matthew Hodgson Y10, Edward Miller Y9, Millie Evans Y8
 Mrs Farnan – Blake Forrester Y9, Megan Hudson Y9
 Mrs Swinburne – Ryan Hindson Y11
February
 Mrs Griffiths – Will Rogerson Y9, Connan Dixon Y9, Kirsty Elliott Y11
 Mrs Cross – Joe Forrester Y11, Jake Wyldes Y8
 Mrs Bainbridge – Gracie Hardman Y7, Hannah Sowerby Y9 Graham Leslie Y10
 Miss Proctor – Jake Metcalfe Y7, Chloe Jackson Y7, Kahn Stout Y7, Harry Mayer Y7, Daniel Hall Y7
 Mrs Farnan – Robert Elliott Y10, Jamie-Lee Crawford Y10
 Mrs Swinburne – James Wharton Y11
Page 7
Appleby Grammar School Friends
The English Department have recently received a kind donation from the Appleby Grammar School Friends
which has allowed us to purchase an exciting new piece of classroom equipment. Visualisers – cameras
which are permanently connected to a projector - are becoming increasingly common in classrooms and
allow teachers to show things to the whole class using the large screen display.
Much of the work we do with our visualiser involves providing students with instant feedback on their work;
there’s no better praise for students than seeing their work displayed on the large screen at the front of the
classroom as an example of what a successful response could look like. Equally, there’s merit in allowing
others to evaluate a student’s work and comment on what they consider to be strengths and areas for
improvement.
No matter at what point in the lesson the visualiser is used, students are instantly engaged and intrigued
about what they are about to see. Constructing a text from scratch can be a daunting prospect for many
students; however, with a visualiser, they can be guided through the process step-by-step in a collaborative
and accurate way.
We would like to extend our thanks again to AGSF for the donation which has allowed us to purchase our
very own visualiser.
Mrs Cross, Curriculum Leader of English
AGSF are due to meet on the
30 April at 6pm and the 18 June at 6pm
AGSF - Uniform Exchange
EVERYONE WELCOME
Appleby Grammar School
Friends have supported the
AGS Science department
through funding the
purchase of biotechnology
apparatus needed to
amplify and separate
fragments of DNA. The
ability to do this is
foundational to much
investigative work in
modern Biology,
Biotechnology and Forensic
Science.
Science Workshops will be
taking place on 2 and 3 July.
If you have any good quality school uniform
that is no longer needed please can you send
it into school FAO Mrs Houston, we will be
setting up a Uniform Exchange in the near
future.
T h a n k Yo u
Page 8
Hard Work Pays Off for Charities
On 26 October last year students took
part in a sponsored walk or a silence
with the aim of raising more than
£10,000 which has roughly been the
amount AGS have raised for the last six
or so years. The school has a tradition
of charity fund raising which goes back
decades and which is a vital part of our
Citizenship Programme. This year AGS
have presented cheques in the sum of
£1,326 to the following charities:

Year 7:
RSPCA

Year 8:
Cancer Research

Year 9:
CHUF (Child Heart Unit Fund) Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

Year 10:
The Mo Farah Foundation

Year 11:
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)

Year 12/13: Great North Air Ambulance
The students in each year group voted for the charities which they wanted to support, suggestions for which
came from personal experiences in some cases. Other fundraising events have taken place which included
sports matches, quizzes, competitions, raffles and the occasional disco!
Nick Mills - Deputy Head
Page 9
What’s On - South Africa 2014
Forty two students from Y8 and Y9 are well down the road of fundraising for their trip to South Africa in 2014. We
have £30,000 to raise and 18 months in which to do it. Baking cakes has been a great source of income: you can
buy them at school and if you are really lucky at the bus stop! Bag packing has brought in the most money so far,
and we have two more days booked in at Morrison’s at Kendal over Easter. As you can see we have lined up a
number of events over the next few months and we hope to see you there!
Mrs Howard
Have you ever wanted to walk across
Morecambe Bay?
You could realise a dream and walk accompanied by Cedric
Robinson the Queen’s official guide to Morecambe Bay’s
dangerous sands. Cedric is celebrating his 50th year guiding
people across the sands. Join us
on Sunday 15 September 2013 at
2pm from Arnside to Kent Bank,
we can get the train back! The
walk is about eight to nine miles, you should wear comfortable shoes or trainers that you
don’t mind if they get wet! Bring all the family for a memorable day out. A £5 fee would
be charged in aid of the Appleby Grammar School cultural trip to South Africa in 2014.
Obviously for any students going on the trip we would like you to get sponsorship from
family and friends. Cedric holds full public liability insurance. Numbers are limited to 150
places, please contact Karen Addison by emailing: [email protected]
Fundraiser: The Avengers (PG) Friday 26 April 7pm at
Fundraiser: 'Bike or Hike and Hearty lunch' Sunday 5
Appleby Grammar School. Film with
May lO.30am at Dufton Village Hall. Pay
'Superhero Supper' and licensed bar.
Watch out for more on the day £5. Marked 20 mile bike ride
Tickets available after Easter £6.50 child, £8
news on the Hog
on quiet fell side roads or marked 5 mile
adult and £27 family. Your favourite
hike up beautiful Dufton Pike to enjoy
Roast and Disco
superheroes Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and
which is due to take the views followed by home made soup
Captain America from the classic Marvel
and roll, home made cake and a drink
place on 29 June.
comics assemble together on film for the
back at Dufton Village Hall.
first time!
Page 10
Work Experience 2013
At the beginning of March 2013, 109 Year 10
students were placed on a week’s work experience
with local businesses throughout Eden but also as
far afield as London, Manchester, Rugby and Preston
in order to find the correct placement for them. The
workplaces included various jobs including an Army
Training Camp, Primary Schools, Farming and Crown
Courts. The students thoroughly enjoyed their
experience in a working environment and it
determined for quite a few that this was the
particular career path that they would want to
follow. Very positive feedback was received from
their prospective employers on a week’s work.
Students Enjoy Footie at Carlisle
We left school at 9.45am and we went on a bus to Carlisle. Most of us enjoyed it. Our team was called
Appleby United. There were two teams, on one team was James Wilson, Shannon Wilson, Harry
Errington, Hayley Hetherington and Kevin Clark. On the second team were Adrian Lee, Christopher
Madden, Bradley Hodgson, Ben Ward and Timothy Knight. The teachers that went were Miss Ousby,
Miss Land and Miss Donnelly. We met two Carlisle United football players . Hayley Hetherington was in
goal and James, Shannon and Harry were passing to shoot. We had a break for ten minutes before we
started again and we had one hour for lunch. We sat down and ate our lunch and waited until we were
told to go and play again. We got our certificates at 2 o’clock and left Carlisle to come back to school.
We sat in the library and read a book until it was time to go home.
By Hayley Hetherington and James Wilson
Page 11
Curriculum Day: 12 March 2013
Page 12
Sixth Form Events & Speakers
Curriculum Day
The aim of Curriculum Day was to
improve awareness about employment
opportunities and improve the
employment prospects of all our Sixth
Form students. The day was split into
three sessions. Session One
concentrated on Apprenticeships, this
included information about what an
Apprenticeship is, opportunities in
Cumbria, and how to gain an
Apprenticeship.
Following an early break there was a
speed dating type activity in
the second session where
there were workshops on;
 Application Forms
 How to find vacancies
 Completing letters of
application
 Curriculum Vitaes
 Interview tips & tricks
 Interviews
These workshops were delivered
by Cumbria County Council,
Stobart Rail, Appleby Heritage Centre,
Job Centre Plus, Barclays Bank, AST
Signs, HF Holidays, Mark Williamson
and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.
D ON ’ T FORGET :
9 JULY 2013
SIXTH FORM
TASTER DAY
The morning was well worthwhile for all
students, however eight lucky students
were successful in gaining a
guaranteed Apprenticeship Interview
with Cumbria County Council. The
successful students were: Cameron
Munro, Megan Worswick, Josh Higgins,
Imogen George, Oliver Binks, Tom
Haworth, Tom Evans and Callum Mills.
The final session of the day was
focussed on safety with the
emphasis being on Road Traffic
Awareness (RAT training)
which was presented by local
Fire and Rescue personnel. Four
local firemen delivered a question
and answer session on road
awareness. This was supported with
very graphic videos of car crashes.
These certainly shocked the audience.
Later we went out to see the fire engine
where the firemen demonstrated a
variety of tools they used to cut the car
doors off cars to free passengers.
Some students even got to sit in
the fire engine!!!
A big thank you to the
above organisations and to
Mark Williamson without
whom Curriculum Day
would not have been
possible.
And finally …….
Rachael Faustino, a former AGS student, now a
qualified nurse in Guildford has agreed to come in
to talk to the Sixth Form about NURSING.
A2 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STUDENTS
- Sixth Form Presentation on:
Effects of Binge Drinking
Page 13
Lisa Lees - Social Worker
ADVICE & GUIDANCE
ASSEMBLIES
Lisa is a social worker based in Penrith. Her work varies all
the time and she is keen to state that no two days are alike.
Some of her work includes going to court to support
families in custody battles, or supporting
families or young vulnerable adults or
sometimes just working at a desk. She says
the best parts of her job are when she feels
she has made a difference with families.
However there are always negative aspects of
the job. These can include removing the child from
their birth parent to ensure the safety of the child.
completed a BTEC in Child
Development Studies. Lisa felt that she wasn't quite ready
for university so she deferred going for a further couple of
years. During this period she worked in a nursery
which helped her gain extra experience and save
money for university.
Lisa, who is a former QEGS pupil left school at 16 and went
to Newton Rigg College for two years. Whilst there she
A newly qualified Social Worker could earn around £20000
rising to £35000 with experience.
Lisa attended St Martins College (now the
University of Cumbria) where she studied for a
degree in Social Work. Now qualified a variety of career
options have become available to her.
The National
Citizen Service
Kendal College offers high quality degree level programmes.
Students can enjoy a special relationship with the
university, with many students progressing from a
foundation degree, by completing the final year of a full
degree course.
T
If you have ‘A’ Levels, you can take HNCs/HNDs or
foundation degrees which might be a good option for you.
All of which have options to ‘top-up’ to a full degree. You
can study programmes on a full or partitime basis. A full
time foundation degree takes from one to three years.
Along with other people your age you’ll take part in different outdoor
activities and develop various skills. You’ll also be given the
opportunity to create a project you really care about and bring it to
life in your local area.
Fees vary and are currently £5,000 per year for a full-time
foundation degree and £3,500 per year for part-time. There
are a number of grants, loans and bursaries available to
students to help with the cost of fees, materials, living costs
etc. The college provides advice and support to all students.
his is a once in a lifetime opportunity that helps you build
skills for work and life, while you take on new challenges and
meet new friends.
It runs in the spring, summer and autumn. It’s a short time
away from home to take part in a team project that will help your
community.
You’ll live with your team on one of the NCS sites for two weeks.
While you are there you will take part in a range of various activities,
learn lots about yourself and make new friends.
A huge part of this project is developing and growing your skills.
At the end of it all you get to take part in the NCS graduation to
celebrate your achievements.
Further information at: www.ncsyes.co.uk/
STUDENT FINANCE
We had an assembly about
student finance at university.
This included information about:
Further information at: http://www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk OR from the school website
Page 14
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”
A huge thank you to all our sponsors, the production could not have taken place without their generous
support:
Appleby Bakery, Appleby Manor Hotel, Arnison Heelis Solicitors, Broom Nursery Long Marton, Center
Parcs - Whinfell Forest, D R Cannon Carpets (José Faustino), F S Potts and Sons, H Pigney & Son,
K T Driving, Mr & Mrs S Atkinson, Kirkby Thore Filling Station, Mike Addison Optician Ltd, Robinsons
Coaches, SJ and PE Hetherington, Stoneriggs Farm & Stud, Taylor and Braithwaite Ltd, Tim Coburn,
Waitings Drainage Ltd, Wild Rose Caravan Park, and Witt-Woo Photography.
Also a big well done to all the cast, backstage team, staff and all other helpers for your effort and
commitment in making this production such a success.
Mrs Houston - Deputy Headteacher
Page 15
Page 16
THE
GRANT
Thank you to the Foyle Foundation for their extremely generous grant of £11,750 to enable us to refurbish
the stage. This will cover new drapes, lights and technical equipment. We hope this will be in place before
the summer holidays and we will be able to have a grand opening!
Review: Country Boy’s Struggle
We went to the hall and met Max and our first impression was that he was
mint. Max instructed us by improvised rap. We all made a circle and had
to get there in less than three seconds. We warmed up our vocal chords
with interesting methods then he taught us the basics of beat boxing.
Once we knew the basics we split off into groups of three or four and
started making a beat. Then we took turns to perform our rap to the rest
of the group.
Max told us to get in groups of two and number ourselves one or two then
count up to three between each other saying one number after the other.
Next we did the (yes and) exercise where you start a story and then your
partner adds on to it. Max then gave us a little snippet of his performance
that he was later going to show at Centre 67 in Appleby. Finally, we filled
in an evaluation sheet for his company and Fin said thanks on behalf of all
of us. We had a great time, the bell rang and we went home. We would all
love go come back and do it again and get really good at beat boxing.
By Benedict Barnes Year 8
Below are quotes from some of the students who attended the session:
“It was great fun” - Connor P
“It was good to learn to beat box” - Connor S
“It was epic learning how to beat box—it was totz amaze” - Will R
“It was great fun learning new things” - Owen
“It was good” - Byron
“It was cool beat boxing” - Tom W
“It was the exact opposite of boring” - Tim
Page 17
Visit to the Stobart Group, Carlisle
A big thank you to Jeff Broadhurst, Training Manager (Rail) of the Stobart Group for hosting AGS students for 2 sessions
at their depot in Carlisle. The students had an insight into the workings of the group on the Stobart Rail Training Ground
and also had the chance to try their skills on the “big boys toys” they have on site. Both groups thoroughly enjoyed the
sessions and are very appreciative to the Stobart Group for giving them the opportunity.
Page 18
AGS Bookworms
We want as many people as possible - staff, students and parents - to share in
the love of reading. Therefore, with each new edition of the school newsletter
we will feature the top books of all time as nominated by a member of staff and a
student. We would also like to invite parents to contribute their nominations if they wish, by emailing
their choice to the school’s email address; [email protected]
We start in this newsletter with the top 5 books chosen by Mr Lund, followed by James Robinson (Head
Boy) and Samantha Ree (Head Girl).
Mr Lund
1.
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
2.
The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graham
3.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
4.
Testament of Youth - Vera Brittain
5.
South Riding - Winifred Holtby
James Robinson
1.
The Harry Potter Series - J. K. Rowling
2.
The Alex Rider Series - Anthony Horowitz
3.
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket
4.
Tuesday’s Gone - Nicci French
5.
The Captain Underpants Series - Dave Pilkey
Samantha Ree
1.
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
2.
Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austin
3.
Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
4.
My Sister’s Keeper - Jodi Picoult
5.
The Road Less Travelled - Scott Peck
What would your top 5 books of all time be?
Page 19
Success for AGS Student & ‘Dave’ at Crufts
On Thursday the 7 March I got up at 3.30am in the morning to start my journey to Crufts,' the greatest
dog show in the world', I was very excited as this was the first time going to Crufts and competing with
my dog 'Dave'.
When we arrived I found my bench
and got settled then I had a
practice in the ring with Dave
getting used to running on the
special 'green carpet' that they
have at crufts, Dave was fine and
very settled, I got changed into my
show outfit and got ready for my
first competition of the day, which
was the YKC Junior Handling
competition and I came second in
the 6-11 hound and terrier class, I
was so pleased as getting placed at
Crufts is very hard to do. Next I
had the breed competition to focus
on and I was in a class of 12 this
time not with junior handlers but
with adults and it was a big class, I
was over the moon when Dave and
I came second, I could not believe
it, my first Crufts and I came home
with two second places.
I really enjoyed Crufts and it was
quite funny as I kept getting asked
if I was the boy off the tv
programme and some people
wanted their photograph taken
with me, it made me smile. Now
we are getting back to normal and
entering the shows for the rest of
the year, I have already qualified
for Crufts junior handling 2014 and
also for Junior Handling Association
Semi Finals at Richmond later on in
the year, I will keep you all posted
on any good wins we have over the
next few months. I hope you have
enjoyed my report.
James Winkley-Balmer
Page 20
Wimbledon here we come…?
Tennis coach Gary Payton has
been coaching our aspiring tennis
stars over the last few months at
Appleby Grammar School. Two
groups of gifted and talented
young sports men and women
were identified by the PE
Department and given the
opportunity to receive free
coaching on a Thursday between
4 and 6pm.
After Easter many of these students will be representing the school
in the Cumbria schools tennis leagues, where they will play
opponents from all over the county in after school matches. The
winners of which will then go through to a regional round later on
in the Summer.
Year 8 Cricket Team are Eden Champions!
It was a cold wintery day and we were on a bus
heading to Penrith. We arrived at Penrith Leisure
Centre and made our way to the pitch ready to
bowl. We were off to a shaky start as we lost to
UCC but we were steaming to win our next game
against QEGS. We beat QEGS so we had made it
to the final which was between Appleby and
QEGS. With all the encouragement we received
we managed to win the competition and are now
through to represent Eden in the county round.
All the team played fantastically well during the
competition!
Owen Hindmarch - Captain Y8 Cricket Team
Y9 Gymnastics Judges host and run
Gymnastics Final
Page 21
Y9 PE students
volunteered to be trained
in their spare time to be
able to judge key steps
gymnastics.
The Eden Sports
Partnership kindly funded
a gymnastics judging
course held at Appleby
Sports Hall in February.
This was attended by
nearly forty Y8 and Y9 students who used their skill and judgement to assess primary gymnastics
performance. Twenty of the Y9 students were selected by Mrs Dixon to represent the school and help run
and organise the Eden District Key Steps Gymnastic Final alongside the Eden Sports Partnership based at
Kirkby Stephen.
Students judged
either vault, floor or
body management
routines performed
by Year 1 & 2, 3 & 4
and 5 & 6 Eden
primary school
students.
All of the 130 Eden key steps gymnasts plus the Appleby Grammar School Judges
Y9 PE gymnastic judges
giving due care and
consideration to their
judging of the Key Steps
Primary Gymnastics
Competition.
Bookends - AGS Staff Book Club
About two years ago Mrs Houston and I decided we would like to hold a Book Club open to all staff at AGS, with
the aim of choosing books we wanted to read and then meeting together each half term to discuss them.
Since then we have read a huge range of novels, ranging from the classics to modern fiction, Booker Prize
winners, autobiographies and ‘page turners’. We have loved, hated and tolerated them in turn, but we have all
relished the opportunity of reading books we might not have chosen for ourselves, and then indulging in a lunch
time get-together to eat cake and discuss what we have read.
Here is a selection of our book choices up to now…
Her Fearful Symmetry
The Radleys
How I Live Now
One Day
The Winter Ghosts
The Distant Hours
Remains of the Day
Mister Pip
Island of Wings
The Help
The Summer of the Bear
44 Scotland Street
If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things
Swimming Home
A Christmas Carol
I Remember You
The Girl You Left Behind
Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found
-
Audrey Niffenegger
Matt Haig
Meg Rosoff
David Nicholls
Kate Mosse
Kate Morton
Kazuo Ishiguro
Lloyd Jones
Karin Altenberg
Kathryn Stockett
Bella Pollen
Alexander McCall Smith
Jon McGregor
Deborah Levy
Charles Dickens
Yrsa Sigurdardottir
JoJo Moyes
Cheryl Strayed
The next book we are planning to read is “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey;
a beautiful first novel set in the wilderness of Alaska in the 1920’s. A review of this book
will appear in the next newsletter, and you can follow our reading choices on the new website.
Why not take some inspiration from the Staff Book Club? Along with Mrs Cross and Mrs Donnelly, we are now
hoping to start a student Book Club in conjunction with our hopes and plans for the library. Further details will
follow. Also look out for suggested reads in the library, written by students, for students, a new regular reading
feature in the school newsletter, the top five books chosen by a member of staff and a student, starting with Mr
Lund, James Robinson (the Head Boy) and Sam Ree (the Head Girl).
Did you know that one third of households in the UK don’t have a single book in them? We want to change that,
and open up a world of possibility to those who haven’t discovered why reading really does matter.
Miss Rowan
Appleby Grammar School
Battlebarrow, Appleby –in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6XU
T: (017683) 51580 E: [email protected] www.appleby.cumbria.sch.uk