The Lion - Issue 38 by Bablake

THE

LION 05

NEWS & VIEWS FROM BABLAKE SCHOOL ISSUE 38 AUTUMN 2005

PERU

Bablake Diary Tuesday 15 November Autumn Music Concert

Wednesday 23 November Entry to Sixth Form evening

We met at school at the unsocial time of 2am, looking forward to a 12 hour plane journey to Lima, Peru’s capital, before flying internally to Cuzco, a small city in the south, originally the centre of the Inca Empire.

Monday – Saturday 21 – 26 November International Week Saturday 26 November International Evening of Music and Food Tuesday– Saturday 6 – 10 December Drama Production Family Matters Monday – Tuesday 12–13 December Carol Services Thursday 15 December 1st XV Rugby v KHVIII Friday 16 December End of Term Wednesday 4 January 2006 Entrance Examination Thursday 5 January 2006 Spring Term Begins

In this issue Action Events Careers Arts Opinion Travel Sport

2 4 5 6 9 10 14

AFTER A FEW days in Cuzco, we were ready to start the first of our two planned hikes. We came by coach to the start of the Inca trail, where the Urubamba River empties into the valley from the Machu Pichu national park, under a swaying rope and wood bridge. Here we met our porters – 36 men for the 20 of us hikers. During the second day we hiked through the Hullabamba village to an “off the beaten track” temple, guided by Marcos-Antonio, a Peruvian boy from the village. The first pass, Dead Woman’s pass, was due to be reached the next day, but the steep ascent started here. It was here that several of the group had begun to suffer with the heat, altitude sickness and stomach bugs, Marcus being the first to be hit. The next morning, Graham, our group leader, declared that the worst of the sick would have to leave the trek and follow the trek back to the start. Walking down was the most empty, disheartening feeling, having waited and trained for so long for this trek. The rest of the group began the

daunting task of climbing Dead Woman's Pass – at 4215m, the highest point on the trail. Woken at 4am by the porters, who bore cups of coca tea, we climbed a low peak as the sun was rising. The Sun Gate, through which you can see the first views of Machu Pichu, provided a huge sense of achievement when reaching it later that morning. At Machu Pichu, the group was reunited. The sick people had caught the train to Machu Pichu after staying in a hostel. After a tour around the Inca site, we travelled back by train. A few days rest in Huaraz left us ready for the Alpamayo circuit, the second hike lasting 11 days. We travelled to the starting campsite where we swam in boiling natural springs before the hiking started the next day. The next few days of the hike took us past huge lakes, each one a different shade of blue, grey or green. We trekked to the base camp of the Alpamayo Mountain where a glacier ran down into a lake. Nester informed us that it was here Touching the Void had

been filmed and he had in fact been the technical director. The fifth trekking day led us over a high pass Punta Union at 4750m before descending to our campsite. The final pass we negotiated on the penultimate day of the Alpamayo circuit was possibly the most spectacular. After climbing a steep, dusty path, the next valley opened out in front of us, with snow capped peaks covering every gap in the skyline. From here, we even saw an avalanche rumble down from one of them. The final campsite was set in a flat valley with a large glacier lake in. Naturally, we had to go swimming, but it was probably the coldest, most painful experience. The final day saw the sun rise and spread quickly up the valley. We spent the day walking up to a glacier at 5200m under the Pisco mountains peak, the highest climbed all holiday. At the end of this trek, it was noted the only people not to become ill on the holiday was “the so solid crew” Elliott and Lisa. K

Bablake School

Bablakeaction

CCF SUMMER CAMP PENALLY While almost everyone else contemplated eight weeks of holiday, we were busy packing for CCF summer camp. On Saturday morning 34 cadets, comprising 21 boys and 13 girls, and three staff set off by coach, accompanied by a minibus of equipment, for the long drive to Penally Training Camp, near Tenby, in South Wales. After the long hot five hour journey we finally arrived and, following some welcome refreshments, set about collecting bedding and moving into the billet accommodation. Then followed a briefing when the camp layout and rules were explained and we were introduced to the 8 Canadian cadets who were joining our contingent for the week. They had been specially selected to tour CCF camps around England

for the summer, so it was an honour to have been chosen to accompany them. Our first day’s activity was on the gallery range – a new experience for all, taking turns by sections in shooting at targets 100 and 200m away and operating the targets in the butts. Temperatures were rising and set to soar for the rest of the week. Luckily for us Monday was an easy day in terms of physical activity. The morning began with an interactive lecture on how to become a good leader, which led onto the cadets completing a series of command tasks. After a quick lunch, the cadets

Ex-pupil becomes one of the country’s elite James Przybek qualifies as a Royal Marines Commando 20 year old James Przybek who left Bablake School in 2001 has just become a Royal Marines Commando, successfully completing 32 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world and has been awarded his coveted Green Beret. A number of James’ family and friends enjoyed the Green Beret Presentation and passing out parade at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines at Lympstone in Devon on Friday 22 July 2005. The Green Beret has been the distinctive hallmark of Commando troops since World War 2, indicating that those who wear it have attended and passed a gruelling and physically demanding test of endurance, by displaying the Commando qualities of unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage, determination and high professional standards. All at Bablake are delighted with James’s achievement and would like to offer congratulations to him. K

were transported to Penbrey Country Park for the orienteering competition. Archery followed back at camp, which seemed popular with the boys. Tuesday was our ‘day off’, but no time for resting! Due to the continuing glorious weather, cadets enjoyed a variety of activities After an early rise on Wednesday morning, we were transported to Templeton Airfield for the two day exercise. This started with a series of military skills lessons from regular soldiers, including patrolling, section attacks, basha building, signals and orders. Once darkness had fallen, cadets set out on another patrol. Maybe this time they were off guard, however, because it was their turn to be ambushed and captured. They were stripped of their weapons and marched to a holding area on the far side of the training ground! Moments later, friendly forces disrupted the enemy, allowing the cadets to escape – and so began the long trek through enemy controlled territory as they made their way back to base without being captured again. Congratulations to Adam Hughes and his section who were the first back undetected, closely followed by Gary Grewal and his section. After an all too brief sleep, all cadets were ready to move again at 06.30 hours and patrolled to the enemy stronghold. With battle won, great cheers were heard, cadets were then shipped back to camp for a well earned shower and rest Cadets spent Friday in cooler activities; kayaking, rock climbing and abseiling. A BBQ had been organised for the evening followed by presentations. After a hearty meal washed down with gallons of orange squash, during which pictures were taken and contact details exchanged with our Canadian friends, the cadets all sat in silence as the camp commandant announced the prize winners. With 12 schools and well over 200 cadets being present on the camp that week, we eagerly listened to the outcome. The best CCF award for exercise ‘Unforgiven’ goes to Bablake School, for their enthusiasm, determination and bags of energy. Even more to come; this was followed by ‘the award for the ‘best cadet on camp’ goes to Emily Payne from Bablake School’. The evening was spent packing and preparing for the journey home, followed by a little relaxation in the NAFFI for the cadets and in the Mess for the staff. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

“Morale improved after setting up camp and pupils were soon munching on biscuits and drinking hot chocolate.”

DoE AWARD SILVER ASSESSED EXPEDITION On a warm Saturday afternoon, 27 post exam fifth years and four members of staff set off to Wales. The assessed groups would walk 30 miles during the following three days. At the campsite we were met by the traditional Welsh drizzle, but BBQs were lit anyway and the groups began to get nervous about the navigation and hiking required of them in the imposing Welsh countryside. The groups were dropped at their start points early the next morning, and the weather looked reasonably kind. As the groups arrived at the checkpoint the teachers began to wonder the whereabouts of one group of girls. Our worries were confirmed when we heard that the group was in trouble due to an injury. We were impressed that two members of the group had positioned themselves high up on a hillside with a fluorescent survival bag to alert us to their position and the injured girl was then quickly located and safely moved to the minibus. We were further impressed then by the girls who set off and completed the rest of the day’s walking, arriving at the campsite well into the evening. Day two was much less eventful, though it was Liam’s birthday so he celebrated by tying balloons to his rucksack and his group sang Happy Birthday to him along the way. The dark clouds rushed across the sky, but there was only the odd shower. Some groups had some navigation challenges, but eventually everyone arrived at the campsite. The final day was sunny and the groups all set off early from the campsite. There were again some navigational problems, mainly due to one group not actually having a map of where they were walking! By the miracle of mobile phone contact, a map was delivered to them and they continued on their way. One group almost had to give up due to blisters, but with just a few miles to go, the injured soul hobbled to the end. So, on reaching the minibus, emergency rations could finally be devoured and many could congratulate themselves on completing a challenging few days in Wales. GOLD DoE EXPEDITION SUMMER Sun, showers, rain, wind, gales and sleet. You name it, we experienced it. One moment we were applying sun tan lotion, and the next we were frantically searching for our waterproofs, hats and gloves. With weather like this, it just had to be another D of E expedition!

DoE GOLD & SILVER EXPEDITIONS

Towards the end of the summer holidays, 33 U6th and 28 L6th students travelled up the M6 to the Yorkshire Dales. Some were looking forward to the week’s expedition in ‘wild country’, others were slightly apprehensive about the prospect of walking 50 miles in four days carrying all their kit. On reaching Kirkby Stephen, the L6th began a rather short walk around Nine Standards Rigg, leading them to the youth hostel where they were staying for the first night. The U6th on the other hand were busy finalising the routes that they had carefully planned months before their A2 exams had started. They were to begin their assessed expedition the next day, so after meeting their assessors, it was an early night for them all. The next day, staff said good luck to the five assessed groups as they all set out on their routes. We would see them again in the evening, so it was time to turn our attention to the L6th. In their groups, carrying full packs and accompanied by a member of staff, they set off on their sunny 22km hike. All pupils did exceptionally well, as good team work and navigational skills enabled them all to complete the task. Tired pupils then set up camp whilst the staff went to check on the assessed groups who were on the other side of the valley. As the bus got nearer to

the groups, it was clear that it had just rained and rained and rained. One by one, the groups turned up, dripping wet and clutching soggy maps. Morale improved after setting up camp and pupils were soon munching on biscuits and drinking hot chocolate. Over the next two days, the weather picked up and L6th pupils completed their daily expeditions around James Herriot country with ease. They were particularly unimpressed with one campsite, which had no drinking water, toilets or showers, so in true Ray Mears style, had to ‘survive’ the night until Mr Hyde came to the rescue with plenty of bottled water. Friday was soon upon us, which was the final day of the expedition. The L6th walked from Malham to Settle, and were pleased to see the finish point around midday. It was then off to the local shops to buy fish and chips before settling down in a pub to watch the cricket. All the U6th assessed groups turned up by mid afternoon, very tired and weary, but pleased to learn that they had passed their expedition. After a short debrief from their assessors, it was time to begin the long journey back to school, all pleased with their achievement. So what next? The current U6th are now planning their 50 mile route early next year, before embarking on their assessed expedition in August. K

Bablake School

Bablakeevents Shell Mini Olympics

Other events

The first major school event of the year was the Shell Mini Olympics. Predictably, even before the first event had taken place, there was a great deal of deliberation over the weather. Thankfully, the rain stayed away and the sixth annual Olympics went ahead as planned. This year, there were eight events which ranged from the obstacle course to the extremely popular and rather obscure event known as welly-wanging. As usual, there was a fantastic turnout of enthusiastic Shell formers, accompanied by their enthusiastic parents who shouted encouragement whilst their children were talking the challenging courses set. The day proved to be a great success. As they say, it’s the taking part that counts but it’s also the winning! Huge congratulations to CROW House who were the deserved winners as they took the crown for the boys and were joint with FAIRFAX house for the girls, thus winning the overall title. Many thanks to the House staff and the sixth formers for the hard work that went into the organisation of the event and also to the Parents’ Association for providing refreshments. K

INTER-HOUSE PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST Anyone who attended last year’s Inter-House Public Speaking contest and thought that the result was close – and after all only seventeen points out of a possible total of three hundred separated the four houses – should have come along to this year’s event. The school theatre was again the venue, and a large audience saw Bayley triumph by a single point over Fairfax. Wheatley and Crow, however, both did themselves enormous credit: they were within eleven points of the winners. Bayley’s winning trio of Jamie Stefaniak, Sareena Kainth and Sam Brown spoke on the subject of Obesity and how it threatens modern society. Jamie, the main speaker, skilfully addressed this serious subject in a fairly light-hearted way, but one which was sensitive to its sufferers and engaged his audience. Puns at the expense of fast food outlets formed a recurring theme of his speech. The main speakers of the other three teams also brought a great deal of rhetorical potential to the day: Kate Byrne spoke passionately against bull fighting; Jonathan Smith railed against the exploitation of sweatshops; Hannah Sheard sensitively addressed the most emotive subject of the contest, euthanasia. The Chairpersons and proposers for each team ably supported their colleagues. Overall, these pupils, all of whom are in the Second, Third and Fourth forms, proved that the future of Public Speaking and Debating at Bablake is in very safe hands. K

Jane Tse, House Captain, Crow House

INTERNATIONAL WEEK

Monday 21 – Saturday 26 November INTERNATIONAL WEEK INVOLVES A WHOLE VARIETY OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT BABLAKE. SATURDAY WILL BE THE KEY OCCASION AS FAR AS PARENTS ARE CONCERNED WITH A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE TO BOOK INTO. THESE RANGE FROM CHINESE, ITALIAN AND INDIAN COOKERY TO AROMATHERAPY, AFRICAN DRUMMING AND BATIK. IN THE EVENING WE WILL HOLD AN INTERNATIONAL CONCERT, FOLLOWED BY FOOD FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS USUALLY A BUSY BUT SUPERB DAY.

YOUNG LINGUIST COMPETITION At the beginning of the Summer holidays, four pupils – Saba Ghadimzadeh, Mubeen Iqbal, Jamie Stefaniak and Jennifer Bufton – represented the school at the Young Linguist of the Year competition at Nottingham High School. All pupils performed very well and, although they didn’t win, were praised for the high level of their language skills. This year’s competition will take place shortly at Warwick School, so fourth and lower sixth-form pupils – work on your language skills! K JUNIOR QUIZ On Wednesday 27 April, the Junior Quiz Team, comprising Sam Mason, Emily Sheard, Jonathan Smith (Captain), and Oliver Towlson, travelled to King’s School, Worcester to compete in the Regional Rounds of the nationwide Schools Challenge. In the first rounds, we were drawn against King’s, Worcester and Wrekin College. The first game, against King’s, started well, but the boys from Worcester fought back strongly to win the game 480:370. Although we then went on to win the game against Wrekin College, Worcester also won against them, which meant that it was King’s Worcester who went through to the semifinals. The eventual winners of the Regional Final were King Edward’s High School. Congratulations to the team for their enthusiasm and willingness to play, and we look forward to next year’s matches. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

careersnews

Please log onto www.2morrow-2day.com to discover what the Bablake Careers Department has to offer. There is also a register there for any parents, former students or friends of Bablake who wish to help in any way. Our next event is a Careers Convention on Thursday 2 February (6–9pm). It is open to 2nd Years and above. We are also seeking Work Experience placements for our L6th between the 3–7 July.

LEAVERS Destinations – top universities and most popular courses now listed on our Careers website. Gappers – three students are taking advantage of gap schemes. Two were placed by Year in Industry – Naveen Jaspal is working for Rolls Royce in Derby while Sunayna Lakhanpal has been placed at National Grid. Holly Garrett was accepted for IBM’s highly competitive Pre University Employment programme. VISITS In September the Royal College of Surgeons arranged their second WIST Surgical Workshop on Bablake soil. As hosts, we welcomed prospective medical students from other 6th Forms in the region, Bluecoat, Dixies, KHVIII, Kingsleigh and Rugby School. Students were able to test their suturing skills and interrogate a consultant surgeon. Marine Rooke gave a clear idea of the life open to students on the seas and Melanie Powell led a Working Lunch on the Year in Industry scheme. U6TH Work Experience: all our students received most fulsome praise from employers for their application to their placements. An account of Stretch, the Journalism project can be read later in this newsletter. L6TH This year group has returned flushed with excellent GCSE results and has been given a checklist of ways to stay ahead of the rest: So how do students stay ahead? Be a leader, teamworker, decision-maker... 1. Look for Taster Sessions. Universities offer these in the holidays. Is there a better way of showing a university you are keen on them? Check their websites or email individual departments. One student who

attended Liverpool University’s Dentistry course was recently offered a place without an interview. 2. Open Days – be careful you don’t miss these over the year. Most universities hold them in the Autumn and, in the Summer, Post AS exams. A few departments (e.g. Art and Design) hold theirs in the Spring Term. Register for them in advance. There is no problem visiting on ordinary days but ensure the departments know you have attended. Obviously don’t miss too much school doing this but similarly it is dangerous to apply somewhere you have not visited. 3. Courses – a number of companies/ professional bodies offer excellent insight courses for a range of degree disciplines. Just be wary of those that seem expensive. 4. We have bought Degree Course Descriptions. This CD-ROM offers a brief summary of over 120 degree disciplines and will be available on the network. 5. Work Experience – you spend the final week of the Summer Term on a placement. Mrs Scott arranges the majority of these and further details will follow after Half Term. You cannot have enough Work Experience so start talking to people working in your chosen field – an afternoon is often as valuable as longer. The Careers Convention (Feb 2) will be helpful. 6. Network – don’t forget friends’ parents, former students, Bablake Reunited etc. 7. Be Professional – you will have the chance to submit a CV and USP for analysis over the L6th. Attend the Mock Interview Morning in the U6th. Make sure you meet these challenges. It’s your choice! Professional behaviour does impress employers and admissions tutors. 8. Research is vital – check Department websites and online brochures carefully. How many A*s are wanted? Which hoops must be jumped through? Are scholarships/ bursaries available? Is a degree invaluable – some professions value field experience more?

9. Read Round your subjects – explore outside your courses. Know which broadsheets offer excellent weekly supplements on Law, the Media, IT, Education. Use email digests. Take up extension work – CREST, Olympiads, Engineering Education Schemes etc. Get Top Grades. 10. Throw yourself into Extracurricular Activity – Drama, Sport, D of E, CCF, Young Enterprise, Charity/ Voluntary work, Student magazine, Student Council. 11. Brit Gaps – 9/10 month programmes Post A2s offered by the Year In Industry, KPMG, IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Accenture etc not only bring you cash but offer fantastic management training and job opps that may never be offered to final year undergraduates. 12. Look for Opportunities! Bursaries are available for top grades at a number of Universities. Over the next few months the year group will submit a CV for assessment and work on Unique Selling Points. It will also begin to consider Options beyond AS/A2. and nominate its Work Experience placements. 5THS Options beyond GCSE have been explained and a CV / Covering Letter challenge has been met. Asda offered ‘interviews’ to over 50% of participants in the challenge set over the summer. Laura Dean walked off with a copy of the new Franz Ferdinand album and is to be congratulated for receiving the highest score for this competition in the 5 year history of our association with Asda challenge. Eileen Huddleston from Walsgrave’s Asda is thanked for her attention to over 70 application forms. Sally Pike from Connexions started a programme of individual interviews and a number of students have sat ‘Careers Brief’ – a programme that assesses AS/ A2s to suit students’ interests and abilities. 3RDS Following their work on career aspirations, examination of gender stereotypes and research into the Careers Department website (www.2morrow-2day.com), next term students will receive guidance on choosing their GCSE options. 2NDS This year group will be encouraged to attend our Careers Convention in February and can look forward to visiting a refurnished Careers Library. SHELLS The Shell forms visit the Careers Department in the summer term for an introduction session where they meet the Careers staff, view our resources and are introduced to our website. BABLAKE’S CAREERS DEPARTMENT – NATIONAL FOCUS Mr Woodward, Head of Careers, was asked by the Gap Year Company to answer enquiries from students across the UK who were awaiting GCSE and A Level results. He led 2 online chats on/ around the respective Results Days. Dr Charlotte Uhlenbroek, the BBC’s zoologist and Tom Griffiths, founder of the Gap Year Company were fellow participants in the series of online clinics. K

Bablake School

Bablakearts Art department summer exhibition The Summer Term is always a very busy time in the Art Department with the 5th Year leavers and the Upper Sixth taking external examinations. As always the results were excellent with some A and AS students gaining full marks in some units – a fantastic achievement. At the end of the exam courses, exhibitions of the students’ work were held in the school hall, which were greatly enjoyed by the pupils, staff parents and visitors. The work displayed showed a wide variety of approaches to many initial ideas, the students showing excellent skills in drawing, painting, graphics, textiles and 3D work. All the pupils are to be congratulated on the outstanding work and the effort they put in to achieve such high standards. Visits to galleries and other places of interest form a vital part of the Art Curriculum and give students an insight into Art History and Arts and Crafts from other cultures. During the year we have visited the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Haywood Gallery and the Tate Modern and the Pitt Rivers Museum. This term the 4th Years are to visit Kew Gardens to look at the work of Dale Chihuly and at half term the Sixth Form went to New York on an intensive Art Study Course. The department continues to support many other aspects of life at Bablake and encourages pupils to take an interest in all areas of art and craft in this country and around the world. K

The Merchant of Venice

2005 Music Tour to Budapest Summer 2005 saw the return of the Bablake Music Tour, this year to Budapest, Hungary. Blessed with 40°c temperatures, the group enjoyed walks around Lake Balaton, rides on the children’s railways, and a visit to the outdoor baths, as well as a tour of the city, before performing a concert each night. Staying in the Hotel Eben, we were lucky to be close to the transport system, which proved useful, on the rare occasions we didn’t have the use of our tour guide (such as on our ‘shopping day’ in the city centre). The food provided, and the authentic Hungarian Goulash was definitely a success! Heviz played host to the group’s first concert, and we found ourselves singing in what seemed like an outdoor greenhouse environment! Working through the heat, the choir, led by Mrs Tatum and Mr Sutton, performed brilliantly, and included a Les Misérables medley by Schoenberg, in their repertoire, before the orchestra’s rendition of My Way. Singing the solo Frauenliebe und Leben, Sarah Corrigan wowed the large audience we had attracted, and the choir’s performance of the Hungarian folk song See the Gypsies by Kodaly was extremely popular.

Our next concert took place in St Imre Church, where Chloe Whittle’s Flute Sonata by Poulenc and her duet of the Rondo by Mozart, played with David Cheetham on the oboe, were greatly received. The choir sang a variety of pieces, such as Goodall’s version of Psalm 23, and Liszt’s O Salutaris Hostia, and the orchestra provided a relaxing atmosphere with their version of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue. The third and final concert of the tour, maintained the church programme of the previous evening, including a violin duet of the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by Simone Willis and Laura Dean. Having visited Kodaly’s home in Budapest, we were delighted to perform See the Gypsies as an encore, and this provided a high on which to end the string of performances. We said goodbye to Budapest in style, with a relaxing evening boat trip on the river which separates Buda and Pest. With a 3am flight, we left the city very tired, but having thoroughly enjoyed our time in Hungary, and looking forward to next year’s tour. K

Towards the end of last term we were invited to be one of 400 schools across the country to become involved in the BBC’s One Night of Shakespeare project. The scripts were those used in BBC2’s Animated Shakespeare programmes and we were presented with Tom Stoppard’s version of the script of The Merchant of Venice. There was only a fortnight given to complete the project, which was to culminate in a performance at the Playbox Theatre in Warwick on Sunday 3 July. A young and very enthusiastic cast learnt their lines quickly (mostly), attended intensive rehearsal sessions, created imaginative options for the various locations, and created a very successful and slick final performance. There was a friendly and energetic atmosphere within the group, and it was good to be involved in another high profile project which led to a performance in a professional theatre. This term the play was performed at Bablake on the 8 and 9 of November and can be seen again on Open Evening. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

katewalsh

The team meet up at the offices of ETC in Harrogate

Kate Walsh headlines gig for the Jordan Accardi Appeal Ingredients: O

Kate Walsh to headline – has released her album Clocktower Park on Kitchenware Records, home to The Editors.

Supporting: Ten o’Clock Scholars, Emily Jackson (former student) and Handcrafted (Ross Harrison, Rosie Tressler, Paul Wye, Chris Walters and Melissa Walton, Bablake 5th Formers).

Tickets: £8 from Mr MGA Woodward (mgaw@bablake.coventry.sch.uk)

All profits go to the Jordan Accardi Appeal

Awareness also being raised for Amnesty’s Protect the Human campaign.

Buy now to avoid disappointment.

Cooking Time O

Wednesday 30th November

7–10pm

Outcome O

Musically invigorated and vigorously entertained audience

Hoping to raise £1000+ for Jordan Accardi

The event will be reviewed by Stewart Kingscott from BBC Cov and Warks. K

having a stretch... Once again our L6th Journalists lived in a Pressroom in school for a week. We travelled to ETC in Harrogate, the leading student magazine and were visited by the Evening Telegraph. The second issue of our student magazine has drawn great praise from staff, parents and professionals in the Media alike. It was a pleasure to work with such an excellent team. The following comments explain its impact! “Hard copy arrived this morning and looks splendid – you must be delighted with the result! Congratulations on the magazine, it’s a credit to the team. Great colour and design, and obviously some very good writing – and special mention to the creator of the Lego photo story, which I think is just ace, a great idea! We’re all really impressed with the finished product and will be liberally poaching from it in the future of course. Ahem.” Russ @ ETC “I just wanted to say how very, very impressed I am! This is miles better than a 6th form magazine has any business being, and I think some of the design puts other magazine design rather in the shade... it’ll get read, for a start, which is more than ever happened to the one I was involved in back in my distant school days... All the best, and do pass on my genuine congratulations to your talented team” Evan (Editor of ETC) “Wow! This is excellent. It has real attitude and personality. I was impressed by the design last year so I knew what exciting things to expect but with this issue the content is what really dazzles. Creative headlines,

photography and ideas, well-paced interviews and strong writing. Well done to everyone – please pass on my congratulations. All the students must have worked so hard and believed in it – because it shows. It also feels really well rooted in Bablake life – with so many magazines you have no idea where they come from and that’s really important. I only wish you were doing this whilst I was there, rather than teaching me servus /serve / servum... I’m sure there are press awards you could enter this for. WELL DONE!” Fiona Sibley (Design Week) “Wow, that magazine is impressive. Better than so much of the media.” Keri Wills (Press Officer, Warwick Arts Centre) K

Bablake School

Bablakearts

GCSE textiles exhibition Once again this year our Textiles GCSE students produced excellent results, all achieving top grades. Garments produced include items suitable for a magazine spread based on the 1960’s to the 1980’s, products for sale in an Art Gallery and costumes for a local theatre production. These are some examples of their work.

Victorian ball gown by Charlotte Kaye

Medieval ball gown by Fiona Brown

Wow Factor from the 1960’s by Lavanya Puri

Waistcoat and purse by Jennifer Elen

New Romantic jacket by Danielle Payne

EDINBURGH FRINGE 2005 O

Bablake’s 19th continuous year at the fringe

24 plays performed in Edinburgh during this period

This year Nicholas Nickleby

Group in three flats

One for 14

One for 5

One for 4

All ate in big flat

Flats near city centre and only a few yards from each other

Self catering meals

Edible by and large

Outstanding washing up

Early nights all week

Typical day – leafleting, performing, other shows

Most saw 10–12 shows including

Opera in Concert at Usher Hall

DFP + Ravi didn’t go (Opera Haters)

They saw middle aged comedian

Had lots of visitors – staff, former pupils, former staff

Group performed on stage in High Street

All in all quite a good week. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

Bablakeopinion

YOUR SHOUT TARA KATTI

Before ‘Live 8’ the Coventry Evening Telegraph interviewed a few Bablake pupils seeking teenage views on whether Bob Geldof’s plans would make a difference to long standing third world poverty

“

...the clips were effective ...put pressure on leaders ...send world leaders to Africa ...G8 leaders should cut debt

After the concert Stretch interviewed these pupils again, to find out if they thought ‘Live 8’ had made a difference and what they thought world leaders could do to help make poverty history.

arrangements with leaders to look after their countries. They could put pressure on the African leaders to use more money for housing, water and immunisations rather than big palaces.

Faith Hannon I didn’t think Live 8 would make a difference, but now I think it has. There were so many people involved in it and it wasn’t just all about the music: I think the clips of film they played were effective. Cancelling debt will help, but the world leaders need to be more constructive. It’s not just charity the poor countries need.

Nisha Panchal People went to Live 8 to see the artists, like Madonna and U2, but there were minutes of silence when people thought about what was happening in Africa. I think it would be better to send world leaders to Africa to experience it for themselves, instead of wasting money on things they don’t really need.

Ira Kleine Most people just went to the concert for the music, so I’m not sure if it made a difference. I’ve heard that some debt but not all got cancelled. I think it would be more useful for the world leaders to make

Tom Brown I think Live 8 raised awareness of the poverty situation. It showed what people from all over the world can do when they come together too. The G8 leaders should cut debt and fund help/relief for the poorer countries. K

“

Bablake School

Bablaketravel Disneyland Paris

BABLAKE INVADES FRANCE & BELGIUM After a long, but not so hot summer, staff and pupils from the fifth form were desperate to return to Bablake. AT 5.30 AM on Sunday 4 September we assembled inside the School gates and waited expectantly. We were not confused about when the new term would commence; we had forsaken the final few days of the summer to experience some additional learning. The aim of our three day excursion was to familiarise ourselves with the conditions of life on the western front during World War One. Our guide, Mike Salt, would help to recreate the scene, entertaining us with tales of heroism but also bringing home to us the harsh realities of war. Some of the staff had made the trip before, but old and new alike were eager to get underway. Having arrived in Calais we quickly over-ran the meagre resistance offered by the local authorities and continued our progress towards the Allied lines. Over the next three days we explored trenches and tunnels, the last remnants of a system of fortifications that stretched from the North Sea to Switzerland. We examined artefacts, visited museums and cemeteries. This was the fifth year that the battlefields trip has been offered to our GCSE students and once again they upheld the character of our School.

Munich exchange

With our invasion of mainland Europe a success, avoiding casualties and loss of life, we were able to return to school in time for new term. Bablake’s invasion party Field Marshall M. Salt, General J. Grantham, SergeantMajor P. Goodyer, Captain C. Imber, Captain K. Baker, Captain A. Chowne, Captain C. Friebe Privates: Laura Dean, Lauren Newbury, Melissa Walton, Kirsty Mabbet, Eleanor Donaldson, Jennifer Gardner, Rhys Horton, William Chamberlain, Alex Jones, Daniel Booth, Deniz Kog, Paul Wye, James Hancox, Andrew Hextall, Oliver Millerchip, Barat Joshi, April Sellors, Mark Hardy, Bradley Bosher, Tom Dubock, Hannah Sheard, Matthew Hall, Sarah Reynolds, Christopher Walters, Craig Lawlor, Steven Robilliard, Rebecca Stuart, Simone Willis, Jack Mohammed, Mark Lam, Christopher Popplewell, Christopher Cooke, Natalie Jones, Henry Swanson, Alex Owens, Phillip Hefford, Paul Hollingsworth, Oliver Lowson, Serjia Hadjitofi, James Stefaniak, Dominic Watson, Lauren Shorrocks, Kyle Green, Sam Brown, Thomas Bend, Alex Parvis, Liam Meade, Kate Brankowski, Laura Lawrence, Matthew Fellows, Sean Mulhern. K

After a considerable build-up period and seemingly endless GCSE examinations, a group of 34 fifth form pupils and four staff set off for Paris immediately after the end of the summer term. A smooth overnight ferry crossing and the comfort of Ken’s Coach saw us arrive during the rush hour in Paris for a brief tour of the city. Much enjoyment was also gained from us arriving the day after London had successfully bid for the 2012 Olympics as we watched workmen hastily dismantling posters and signs advertising the unsuccessful Paris bid. Following a boat trip along the Seine, one group went up the Eiffel Tower in heavy rain and winds while another ventured down town to attempt some shopping. An evening meal at the hotel and an energetic game of football ended the day ready for taking on Mickey Mouse and friends next day. Two days of adventures round the theme park and studios followed with all the rides and scenery experienced, pictures taken with Disney characters and souvenirs purchased. The highlight for many (apart from Mr Rhodes’ dreadlocks and hat) was the filmed stunt show where several Bablake students were selected from an audience of thousands to appear in the making of a movie. The rollercoasters proved attractive too, with some students being fortunate to share a car with Mickey and Minnie mouse with a picture to prove it! For most of the time the weather was kind but a torrential storm as we were leaving the park saw flash flooding and a group of soaked students and staff. After the fun and enjoyment came the long tedious trip back but it still couldn’t diminish the good time had by all. K

On 2 July this year two Lower 6th German students joined a party of 19 from Coventry and Warwickshire schools to travel to Munich for two weeks work experience. As in previous years this was a memorable time. It was agreed that Munich is a great place to improve your German! The city offers plenty for the culturally aware and plenty for those who prefer discos and pop festivals! Working in a kindergarten or after school club turned out to be much more rewarding than anticipated and lots of little friends were made. The return visit took place the first two weeks in September. The German students were invited to a Quiz night (in English!) a guided tour round Stratford one evening and as they were in the Midlands, an Indian meal in a restaurant. Staff are very grateful to the schools both in Munich and this area for hosting the students and also to the parents who make it all possible. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

Updates on reflection We were both deeply affected by the barracks at Birkenau. We reflected on the comfort of our own beds and decided we would construct a Birkenau style bed and place it in the front of the Bablake Foyer. We then made ‘teardrops’ from coloured paper and asked people to write their feelings and thoughts on them. These teardrops were then scattered onto the bed symbolising the incredible amount of tears shed on the ‘so called beds’ at Birkenau. We also made and sold commemorative ribbons and the money we made from these sales paid for a memorial plaque which was put on a bench overlooking the school grounds in the hope that our visit would be remembered by future students at Bablake. To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, we held assemblies at Bablake and were also invited to give a presentation at another local school, Pattison College. Members of the community were also invited into Bablake and viewed our displays. One gentleman was so impressed that he invited us to go to BBC WM on Sunday 30 January for a live interview. On Monday 31 January an article appeared in our local newspaper detailing our thoughts. On Holocaust Memorial Day we had the privilege of taking part in a memorial service held at Beth Shalom with survivor Bob Rosner whom we were also honoured to have lunch with. Previously to the memorial service we had invited Prince Harry to join us; unfortunately he was not able to attend on this occasion. We thank Bhavna and Lisa for their commitment over the past year and again congratulate them on becoming the Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors for 2005 and look forward to following the forthcoming year and the activities they take part in.K

SHELL FRENCH TRIP Friday 1 July 2005, just after midnight... All sensible people are in bed but six members of staff and 42 Shell pupils and their bleary eyed parents are assembling in the turning circle for the annual Shell French Trip to the Nord Pas de Calais. Thankfully, everybody was early and we were able to leave on time. There were no problems on the trip down to the Channel tunnel apart from someone feeling sick. We stopped en-route at a service station for essential supplies (Cappuccino, hot chocolate, muffins etc.) and for the use of the “facilities”. Despite being tired the Shells didn’t get much sleep. There were no delays at the Channel Tunnel and on arriving in France we headed for the military cemetery at Etaples where we found the grave of a former Bablake pupil who was killed in WW1. After a minute’s silence we laid a wreath at the cenotaph and headed for a local café for breakfast. After breakfast we went for a walk around the market where we had a chance to practise our French. Then off to Aqualud water park in Le Touquet for lots of splashy fun. Highlights included the Rapids, the Black Hole and Twister. This year we were very lucky that the outside was open as well and we were able to use the monster water slides. After lunch it was a quick trip to the Bowling Alley where we had a smashing time knocking the pins over. When we were finished there was a little time for the arcade games, air hockey and table football before sitting down for a cordon bleu meal.

The chocolate pudding was fantabulous! Off to the boarding school, quick exploration and then bed, perchance to dream. Breakfast bright and early and then off to Boulogne to visit Nausicaa Sea Life Centre. This was enjoyed by all but especially recommended are the sea lions and the touch tanks. We had a picnic on the ramparts of the old town of Boulogne, a quick walk up and down the main street (super sweet shop at one end, ice cream at the other!) and then off to the chocolate factory. After an informative visit and tasting followed by the chance to but some chocolate (allegedly for presents but most didn’t last long enough to get home...) we went back to the boarding school via the hypermarket for more essentials (coke, sweets, biscuits, cakes etc.) where we had a Hawaiian themed barbecue. Bed, breakfast, pack, tidy. Then tidy up again (properly this time!) and off to Bagatelle Theme Park. Loads of wonderful rides (Pirate Ship, Log Flume, 3D Cinema etc.). Luckily it was a nice day but not too packed and we were able to go on most rides within a few minutes. Alas all good things come to an end and it was time to leave and return to England via the Channel Tunnel. We arrived back at Bablake late on Sunday night happy, excited, exhausted and, for the staff, relieved that yet another Shell Trip had returned successfully and safely. All we have to do now is start planning the next one. K

Bablake School

Bablaketravel CLASSICS DEPARTMENT VISIT TO HADRIAN’S WALL September 23–25 2005 Five and a half hours after leaving school, twelve third year pupils, Mr Swales, Mr West and Miss James unfolded themselves from the mini-bus at the Once Brewed Youth Hostel, half a mile from Hadrian’s Wall, ready to settle in and have dinner. Later that evening, we drove to Milecastle 42 where we understood just how cold a Roman auxiliary would have been while patrolling his section of the Wall, and admired the unspoilt view of the stars, complete with a visible Milky Way. We returned to Milecastle 42 the following morning, before walking a three mile stretch of the Wall to Housesteads. There we marvelled at the Roman ingenuity and forethought in the architecture of their granaries, which kept the water out; and their latrines, which kept the water flowing continuously. After lunch in Hexham, we continued our tour, stopping at Corbridge Roman town, where pupils followed the audio guide. We then visited the museum and had tea at Chesters Roman Fort, before we wandered around the fort and its baths, with the niches from the changing room still in good condition. Finally, before dinner at the Twice Brewed Inn and a quiz, we stopped at the temple of Mithras, which is the best preserved example in Britain, and gives a good impression of the mystery religion practised by Roman military offices. On Sunday, we walked another section of the Wall, via Greatchesters Fort situated in a farmer’s

CLASSICS TRIP TO ROMAN BATH All pupils from the 4th form who study Latin and Classical Civilisation travelled to Bath to explore the site around the still active hot spring. In the classroom session, Latin students were quizzed on the grammar and precise translation of the Roman name – Aquae Sulis, and students of Classical Civilisation showed off their knowledge of the gods that were worshipped there. After the talk on ancient Bath, pupils had the chance to handle artefacts which visitors to Aquae Sulis would have used almost 2000 years ago. Scrapers and oil bottles were examined, and some brave pupils tried to imagine and re-enact the experience of pouring on the oil, rubbing it into the skin and scraping it off with the blunt metal strigil. After lunch, with free street entertainment, we took the audio tour around the museum, which is built around the ancient baths and temple complex. There is still much to see, including a gilt bronze head of Minerva, an altar where sacrifices would have been performed, as well as the sacred spring itself, with the innumerable curses written to the goddess and thrown into the water to ask for vengeance for some crime. K

field, passing turrets and milecastles along the way, before driving on to Birdoswald. There, Jefficus the Roman soldier told us about his life serving in the army in Britain, and demonstrated his weapons with which he and his comrades fought the Celts. Pupils had the opportunity to try on auxiliary and legionary armour and could appreciate just how terrifyingly efficient the Roman army was in their tactics in war. The pupils obviously thoroughly enjoyed their visit, and are to be commended on their excellent attitude and inquiring nature, which was proved by the books about Hadrian’s Wall that were bought and the intelligent questions and observations that were made throughout the weekend. K

The Lion | Autumn 2005

Charity news UPPER SIXTH BIOLOGY FIELD COURSE After a long summer break, on the Monday before school commenced the Upper Sixth biologists departed on a four hour coach trip to Dale Fort in Pembrokeshire, Wales. When we arrived we were met by glorious sunshine, and also a short trek up a “hill”. After a talk on the “do’s and dont’s” of the field centre we spent the night lying on a cliff – it was clear this was going to be a tough week! 7:30am, wake up time. Everybody was bleary eyed after hardly any sleep thanks to a certain group of boys playing Punjabi MC at 2am in the morning. Breakfast was followed by a lecture on Rocky Shore Ecology and then some hands-on experience sampling and measuring limpets (to Mr. Bramley’s delight). In the afternoon the group went to a different beach and performed an exhaustive survey of the invertebrate animals and algae found on a sheltered shore. After another early start on Wednesday, we walked to the nearest salt marsh where we were told we had to cross the “Deep and Treacherous Gulley”! Congratulations should go to Caroline who has added her name to a long line of victims sucked into the mud of the ‘DATG’. That afternoon we started work researching the theory behind our respective coursework investigations.

Thursday – coursework day – the day everyone was dreading! We continued working in the lab or library until 2pm when the tide was out, in order to do the practical aspect of the coursework. There was a range of experiments including: investigating the effects of exposure on growth of bladderwrack; investigating the effects of exposure on the morphology of limpet shell and investigating the difference in ratio of apertures to heights between dogwhelks from rough and sheltered shores. After working until 10 o’clock (or eleven for some people), the biologists took a well deserved rest. Since we had managed to stay dry all day, it was time for us to get wet – a water fight broke out. Friday – home time! Some coursework analysis was done during the morning and in the afternoon the group departed from Dale Fort. Not much sleep was had on the returning journey for fear of the “marker pen”! Finally, we reached Bablake at 6pm. An enjoyable time was had by all and it has proved an invaluable experience for our A2 coursework. K

GEOLOGY A-LEVEL RETURN TO BABLAKE This term sat the re-establishment of Geology as a full-blown subject within the 6th Form at Bablake. Even before the new term had started the students were whisked away for an introductory field trip, which started with graphic-logging in the Forest of Dean. Next it was underground at Hopewell Colliery before finally reaching the beach at Portishead where a variety of geological structures could plainly be seen.

Last year is going to be a hard act to follow and we are not even going to try! At the end of the summer term we had actually raised £25,000 – an amazing amount partly due to the Tsunami disaster and fund raising for Jordan Accardi. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by pupils, parents and staff. This term we started off by giving support to Mrs Billings, a member of our Modern Languages department, whose son Matthew was very ill last year with meningitis. Mrs Billings and a hardy team of fit young ladies took part in a sponsored run to raise money for Meningitis Research and we were able to give two weeks’ charity collection of £500 towards her target of £2,000. During September we always celebrate Harvest. The Shells, 2nd and 3rd year made up beautiful harvest baskets and delivered them to our elderly neighbours together with flowers and homemade cards. The 4th 5th and 6th forms and staff gave their harvest gifts to Murray Lodge, Norton House and the Bridge drop-in centre. These are establishments that provide services for people living on the fringes of society, people who do not have what we all take for granted – food, shelter and clothing. At the end of September Mrs Surgey organised the staff to hold a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Nurses. This was well supported with many delicious home-made cakes on sale and raised £150. As well as thinking about our immediate neighbours, we wanted to continue our support to Making Poverty History. We have decided to help Farm Africa, an organisation that gives help to some of the poorest people in sub-Saharan Africa. Subsistence farmers are given a goat that provides the means to escape poverty and transform the lives of many people. A goat costs £27 and each class has been asked to buy as many goats as possible by organising fund raising events as well as the weekly collection. We will continue to support Farm Africa all term and hope to have a herd of goats by Christmas! Finally, we are still collecting old spectacles, used ink cartridges, mobile phones and foreign currency for “Help the Aged”. Also, adult clothing that can be taken to the drop-in centre for the homeless in Coventry. Please send them into school. Thank you for your continuing support. K Pam Goodwin and Alyson Heath

Bablake School

Congratulations CONGRATULATIONS GO TO: The Shell and Second year Mathematicians, who achieved Gold (11), Silver (28) and Bronze (40) certificates in the national Junior Maths Challenge competition. The pupils who achieved Gold awards are ranked in the top 4% in the country. James Lambert, Sam Brown and Emily Payne on being selected to take part in the Maths Kangaroo (the second round of the intermediate Maths Challenge) competition. James and Sam were awarded certificates of merit, which at this level is an outstanding achievement. Jamie Stefaniak on gaining a silver Crest award for his work on “Natural Indicators” and gaining second place in the regional final at Birmingham University. Paul Best on being chosen to play for the Midlands U14 Cricket team as well as the Warwickshire U14 and U15 teams. Paul has been selected to join the England U15 winter training squad of players and will be part of the team going on tour to South Africa over Christmas. Paul also scored two centuries this season for the School U15 cricket team. Philip Walker on being selected to join the British sailing team for a Competition in San Francisco at the end of June. Paul Lam on his continuing Chess success and being a member of the winning England team in the Glorney Cup tournament. Lauren Deeth-Kelt on being awarded a County Music Service Scholarship Award. Marie Low on being selected as a member of the Andantino recorder group in the Coventry Performing Arts Service. Holly Payne on being chosen to represent the Midlands Schoolgirls (U16) in Hockey. Matthew Bingley on being chosen to represent the English Schools’ Division 6 swimming team at the National Championships. The U15 Cricket team on winning the delayed District U14 trophy beating Coundon Court by 6 wickets. The Boys’ U13 Athletics team and the Girls’ Intermediate (4th and 5th years), Junior (3rd year) and Shell (U12) Athletics teams on all winning their respective Coventry Championships. The Boys’ U13 Tennis team on winning the Coventry Schools’ Team Championship. The U15B and U14 A and B Girls’ double tennis teams on winning their respective Coventry Schools’ doubles Championships. The U12 Tennis team on winning their group in the Coventry U12 Novices tournament and to Roseanne Elkington and Bethany Sargent on winning their zone final. Melissa Parvis on winning the U15 singles tennis competition All four Rounders teams (U12, U13, U14 and U15) on winning their respective Coventry Schools’ Rounders leagues. A clean sweep! The U15 girls Hockey team on winning the Loughborough Invitational Hockey Tournament. The Senior Netball squad on winning the U19 Coventry Netball tournament, scoring 117 goals and conceding 12 in their five matches. The team now go on to represent Coventry in the West Midlands Competition later this term. The Headmaster is always pleased to hear from parents and pupils about individual successes and achievements outside of school. Information can be given to him at any time.

Bablakesport HOCKEY & NETBALL TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA 2005 During the summer holidays, 35 senior & U16 netball & hockey players and 5 staff went to South Africa on tour. They were based in Cape Town for the first half of the tour at the Protea President Hotel. It was an excellent hotel and having the Australian rugby team staying there at the same time was a bonus! We had an unforgettable ferry crossing to Robben Island. The crossing was so rough that there were no more trips for the rest of the day once we had returned to the mainland. In the afternoon it poured down with rain but thankfully matches against Paarl Girls’ School were able to go ahead. The visit to Langa Township was a moving experience and there was a tremendous friendly atmosphere at the matches against the township sides. On the day of the excursion around the Cape Peninsula the sun shone and we saw some spectacular views, especially from on top of Table Mountain. After a busy day of sightseeing we finished off our time in Cape Town at the Africa Café. We had a fantastic meal of several different African dishes and enjoyed the singing and dancing afterwards. Stellenbosch was our next destination. Mountain biking through the winelands proved to be rather adventurous and some girls lost control of their bike on the downhill descent. Knysna was the next stop. It is very picturesque and the girls found it to be a good place to do some shopping. Matches were played against Knysna High and Oakhill School. Oakhill were very hospitable and put on a brie (barbeque). The chef at the hotel in Knysna was also very friendly and provided two excellent evening meals and birthday cakes for Clare Reynolds’ 18th and Jessica Thompson’s 16th. From Knysna we travelled to Port Elizabeth, but on the way we stopped off at an Ostrich farm. Some of the girls got to stand on ostrich eggs and some of them got to ride the ostriches. In Port Elizabeth we played Theodor Herzl School at hockey. All our opposition were very friendly and welcoming. From here we had a day excursion to the Addo elephant park. It was an amazing day and very exciting to get so close to the elephants in their natural environment. All too soon our time in South Africa came to an end – well, it very nearly got extended due to South African Airways being on strike – and we were on our way home. The tour had been very successful; the girls had won 11 matches, drew 1 and lost 2. The girls were very appreciative of being able to go and experience the cultural and sporting differences that South Africa has to offer. They were a pleasure to take on tour and hopefully have some unforgettable memories to treasure. SUMMER TERM Following the success of the Inter and Junior teams winning the Coventry School Championships, the U14 team came 3rd with Danielle Smith winning the individual shot competition. The U13’s first event was a track and relays competition. Bablake won 5 out of the 6 events to become the overall winners. The Shells were an enthusiastic group and their hard work paid dividends because they won the U13 Coventry School championships. Alice O’Connor won the discus competition and Phillipa Collison won the hurdles and the high jump. Lijana Kaziow and Siobhan Robinson are to be congratulated on being selected for the West Midlands athletics team. Congratulations also go to the rounders teams, U15, U14, U13 and U12. Bablake took a clean sweep and won all four Coventry Schools rounders tournaments. Bablake also enjoyed success in the Coventry School Tennis Championships. Melissa Parvis won the U15 singles and Rebecca Devall came runner up. Rebecca Wells reached the final of the U13 singles competition. The U15 ‘A’ pair, Lauren Shorrocks and Laura Dean finished runners up in the doubles championships. In the U15 ‘B’ and both the U14 ‘A’ and ‘B’ competitions, Bablake took the trophies. Congratulations go to Elizabeth Collison and Isabelle Moran, Ira Kleine and Joanne Simons as well as Rebecca Devall and Orlaith Norton. Roseanne Elkington and Bethany Sargent were zone winners in U12 novices’ tennis tournament. AUTUMN TERM The summer training and selection for the U16 Midlands team have been taking place. Holly Payne is to be congratulated on being selected for this squad and we wish her good luck in the tournament held at Millfield during half term where the Midlands team play the other four regional teams in the country. No sooner were we back at school from the summer holidays then the U14 Millfield weekend and the Loughborough Festival of Sport were upon us. The U14s had an enjoyable weekend and gained a lot from the matches. On Saturday the ‘A’ and ‘B’ netball teams lost narrowly, then on Sunday the hockey team put on a strong performance to win 5-1. At the Loughborough festival the U12 netball performed well for their first fixture in the senior school finishing 3rd out of 14

The Lion | Autumn 2005

teams on goal difference. Two Bablake teams took part in the U13 netball competition. The ‘B’ team did very well to finish 5th out of 15 teams and the ‘A’ team came runners up to Nottingham High on goal difference. In the hockey tournament Bablake comfortably won their section, scoring 24 goals, a close semifinal against Loughborough High with a 2-1 win took Bablake through to the final where they beat King Edward’s High School 4-0. On Wednesday 5 October Bablake hosted the U19 Coventry Schools Netball tournament. The Bablake team put on an excellent display of netball, scoring 117 goals and conceding only 12, to win the competition and now look forward to the Warwickshire Schools tournament next month. County hockey players 2005/6 season U17 Jade Payne, Holly Payne, Lisa Bird U15 Lauren Boon, Samantha Brindley, Amy Harwood, Lucy Horn, Lijana Kaziow, Jodie Neale, Abigail Rewhorn, Charlotte Weaver U14 Rachel Hollinrake, Rebecca Sewell, Roya Ziaie Netball county players 2005/6 season U18 Hannah Davies, Stacie McDermott, Jenna Thompson, Jessica Thompson U16 Lauren Carpenter, Lara Jackson, Meisha Nicely, Roxana Ziaie U14 Rachel Blakemore, Amy Harwood, Rachel Hollinrake, Georgia Horn, Emily Jackson, Ella Morrell, Alice O’Connor, Shannon Thompson, Uma Venkata Raman, Roya Ziaie U15 tennis team CONTINUING SUCCESS FOR PAUL BEST As a result of some outstanding performances for both Warwickshire and the Midlands, Paul was selected for the England U15 development squad, based at the National Cricket Academy at Loughborough. He recently learnt that he has been selected as part of a fifteen strong squad to tour South Africa in December and will be included in the National side in a series of matches in the summer. We offer our warmest congratulations and wish him the very best of luck in his association with the National side.

Some heavyweight support in South Africa BOYS’ TENNIS U13 Squad Philip Catherall, Conor Jones, Christopher Reynolds, Christopher Haidar and Oliver White. U15 Squad Alex Parvis, Lewis Jackson, Mathew Hall and Sam Willacy. There were differing fortunes for the two Bablake sides during the Coventry rounds of the Nestlé Schools Tennis Championships. The U18’s won all four qualifying matches in order to play Finham in the Coventry Finals. Some determined and resolute tennis resulted in a 5–1 victory, with the team qualifying to represent Coventry in the West Midlands round of the competition. In the final, Philip Catherall, who had been outstanding in previous rounds, lost his only match of the competition. There should also be a mention for Oliver White who came in to replace Conor Jones, who was not available to play. He acquitted himself very well and with the match producing many long rallies he kept his concentration to win 6–4. Chris Haidar playing at No 4 and Chris Reynolds at No 3 remained unbeaten throughout the competition. In the West Midlands round the school team was drawn against King Edwards, Cheltenham, who proved to be strong. Phillip Catherall was the school’s only winner with a 6–2 victory over their number one. The U15’s did not perform quite as well, although they came against some very strong opponents with national ranking points. They recorded victories against Cardinal Wiseman and Stoke Park but defeats against Bluecoat and Finham prevented them reaching the final stages of the competition.

Paul Best in action ENGLISH SCHOOLS ATHLETICS SUCCESS Both the boys’ junior and intermediate teams have enjoyed fantastic results in the English Schools Athletics Competition this season. The junior team comprising both shells and 2nd years finished second in the Coventry Area Round and qualified for the Midlands ‘B’ final to be held at Saffron Lane, Leicester. The intermediate team of 3rd and 4th years did even better, winning the Coventry Area round with a fantastic team performance to qualify for the Midlands ‘A’ final to be held at Tipton. K

Bablake School

Bablakeupdate HEADMASTER’S NOTES

STAFF NEWS

At the time of writing, a hectic term is nearly half over, a huge amount of work has been done in and out of the classroom, and still more endeavour and achievement are promised for November and December. I have been pleased to see around school a great sense of commitment to the whole of the very broad range of activity that comprises a Bablake education. Many thanks for making sure that so many of our students will be available for our Open Sessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning (11/12 November). Our students are the best possible advert for the school as we seek to recruit their successors (on whom the future health of the school depends), and the Shell formers – full of their six-week-old first impressions of the school – are its most valuable advocates. Even on showpiece occasions such as Open Sessions, visitors readily appreciate the hallmark of Bablake School: its belief that happy, confident boys and girls who enjoy being at school, who respect, admire and, above all, like their teachers and who find the whole educational experience broad, empowering and exciting will learn best – and thus achieve the best exam results. There is a unique atmosphere about Bablake, and I know that parents appreciate and value it. So please tell your friends who are looking for secondary schools (or sixth form places) for their children that they cannot afford not to look at Bablake. Schools are not all the same, even if their exam results are similar. You know how special a place Bablake is: but ethos and warm inter-personal relationships are the hardest (though the most vital) aspects of education to communicate through advertisements and publications. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of the real thing are the only ways – and parents can help us. K

Two long serving and much valued members of staff, Mr W I Appleby (Head of English) and Mr R L Warmington (Director of Sport), will both retire at the end of this academic year. Their replacements will be announced in the next newsletter. In the meantime, we extend our sincere thanks to both of them for all the excellent work, dedication and superb teaching they have produced in the many years they have been at Bablake – 22 for Mr Appleby and 21 for Mr Warmington – and wish them every happiness for a long and enjoyable retirement. They will be sorely missed and very difficult teachers and colleagues to replace. K

ACADEMIC NEWS August saw us celebrate, once again, excellent GCSE and A level results with the very high pass rates of previous years at both GCSE and A level not only being sustained but also improved upon. With the exception of two or three of the leavers, all of last year’s Upper Sixth year group who applied to go to University this month were offered places at either their first or second choice university and are now enjoying their first few weeks of Higher Education. We have made a number of successful appeals against some of the results we did not feel reflected the true attainment of our pupils at both GCSE and A level in several subjects. At the time of writing 15 pupils have had their grades changed and we are still waiting the outcome of more appeals. A full analysis of both the GCSE and A level results is attached to this newsletter. K

Stuart Nuttall Headmaster

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