St Albans School

Sixth Form physicists gained valuable insight into the technology of particle acceleration on a visit to the Diamond Synchrotron in Oxford. An opening lecture explained the physics behind the accelerator and the many experiments which are at the cutting edge of research into medicine and technology.

Inclement weather did not deter concertgoers from attending and enjoying a fine evening of varied musical performances from the departing Upper Sixth students. This is always a celebratory occasion and yet a moving one as well.

Lower School pupils have engaged with the techniques of a number of modern artists – and have sold their work for charity. They were given the opportunity by art teacher Kumel Lillian, who presented them with photographs of iconic artworks by a number of renowned artists.

Robbie Lightowler has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Aquathlon Championships in London in September, following his performance in one of the three qualifying events organised by the British Triathlon Association.

The St Albans School U18 football team capped a magnificent season by retaining the District Cup, overcoming a dogged Verulam School side in a 2 – 1 victory under the floodlights of St Albans FC’s Clarence Park stadium.

Students visiting the Selex buildings in Luton were able to talk to many recent graduates who now work at the company and explore some of its work at the cutting edge of engineering, including battle simulation and the anechoic chamber.

The climax of the Spring Term concert brought the audience to its feet, as Michael Neale and the School Orchestra surged through the first movement of Grieg’s Piano Concerto. This tour de force was the powerful end to a varied concert which once again demonstrated the wide talents of pupils in the School.

Why should we study Humanities? This was the question posed to an audience of Lower Sixth students by Professor AC Grayling. Professor Grayling began by describing a world without any interest in the Humanities – no History, no Geography, no Literature.

In accordance with tradition, the Stephen Hawking Society lectures concluded this year with a high profile talk followed by a celebratory dinner. Dr Diane Aston from the Institute of Materials gave a fascinating lecture on Materials in Action, covering the four classes of materials: metals, ceramics, polymers and composites.

The Easter break presented opportunities for numerous activities, including Duke of Edinburgh expedition training, the annual Easter Tennis and Cricket camp to Millfield School and the ski trip to the Italian mountains.

A rare performance of a contemporary Concerto for Classical Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio was the highlight of a vibrant evening of jazz, combining the talents of students and professionals. Nigel Woodhouse, the School’s classical guitar teacher, played the solo part in Bolling’s concerto, backed by a trio which included percussion teacher Phil Craig.

Third form students flew a sortie to the RAF Museum at Hendon to carry out reconnaissance about the nature of air warfare as part of this term’s study of the Second World War.

Pupils from the Upper Sixth, members of the French Poetry Club, had a taste of the future during a visit to the School by world-renowned 20th century literature specialist, Professor John Flower. In the first session of a rewarding afternoon, an open Oxford-style tutorial, the pupils read essays and commentaries on the work of Nobel Laureate, François Mauriac, Le Noeud de Vipères.

A day at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich gave First form pupils a chance to visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World. Students were taken on a ‘tour bus’ guide of the Universe at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

Charlie Oliver has won First Prize in the Jowett-Sendelar Essay Competition, a national Classics essay writing competition. There were 226 entries from schools such as St Paul's, The Perse and Manchester Grammar. His essay task was to select one of the Roman emperors and one leader from the 20th or 21st centuries and discuss which of the two should be regarded as the more successful leader.

The School played host to three published writers for the First Form Creative Writing Day. John Mole, Fred Sedgwick and Alex Keller were invited to hold masterclasses in an all-day event for the Year Sevens, who were all admirably dressed up as famous characters from fiction.

St Albans School’s athletes have run into the record books again, winning the King Henry Cross Country Relay in Coventry for a 10th time. Facing stiff competition for Judd and Marling Schools, as well as the ever-improving Shrewsbury and Harrow Schools, this was no mean achievement.

Pupils and staff had a taste of the Far East when Chartwell’s Paul Smith visited as guest chef to help the School’s catering team to produce a stunning Japanese menu as a celebration of the new refectory.

Twelve of the School’s top musicians performed in a public lunchtime concert in St Peter’s Church. Featuring singers and instrumentalists, the Music Scholars and Music Bursary winners took part in the well-established St Peter’s Concert season, which raises money for Grove House Hospice.

Play the music not the piano… The louder you play the more relaxed you need to be… The accompaniment must be present but not there.' These are three of the paradoxes articulated by internationally renowned pianist and Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music, Joanna Mac Gregor, in a thrilling evening of teaching and playing.

Lower Sixth formers juggled their business and economics knowledge to win through to the finals of the annual Institute of Chartered Accountants’ business competition, BASE 2013. The six St Albans students were competing against seven other schools, including strong teams from Bedford Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, but they made an extremely good presentation to the judges followed up by some very succinct answers to the panel’s questions.

The School’s runners have again been excelling in various events around Great Britain. The AAA Championship was particularly noteworthy, with individual gold medals for both Lizzie Bird and Eleanor Hunt in the women’s U20 and U17 events, while the U15 team won the team gold medal, as well as the Challenge Cup and the clubs’ trophy. Mark Pearce, running particularly well at the moment, won the silver medal in the men’s U17 category.

A new dining experience has just opened in St Albans – the School has opened its new refectory at the beginning of the spring term. In a continuation of the School’s Development Plan, the old gymnasium, out of use since the opening of the Sports Centre, has been converted into a modern, bright refectory which comfortably accommodates pupils and staff diners at lunchtime, as well as providing a breakfast service and snacks at break.

The U14 rugby team triumphed under lights in the inaugural final of the Hertfordshire School County Cup at the OA Rugby Club. Having been beaten by the opponents, Watford Grammar School, earlier in the season, St Albans had a tough match in prospect. However, early pressure from the kick-off and excellent defence saw two tries scored in the first half of the match and Watford hardly left their own half for twenty five minutes. St Albans led 14-0 at the break.

George Harrison, the long-standing and highly successful School Cross Country and Athletics Coach, has been awarded the accolade Coach of the Year by England Athletics. The Award recognises George’s services to coaching, marking years of bringing out the best in young athletes. In the superb setting of the John Lewis Westfield function room, with its full panoramic view of the Olympic Park...

The Intermediate Cross Country Team has won the English Schools Cross Country Cup for an unprecedented third time in succession. The runners defended their title on a hilly, muddy and slippery course in Bolton, against competition from all the top running schools in the country. The challenges of the course were suited to our team’s style and training and the boys dominated the race from the start.