The 103rd Annual General Inspection of the CCF was reviewed by the most senior serving OA, Brigadier Ted Flint, who is Director Logistics Information based in Bath. He visited the School three years ago to deliver the Geoffrey Pryke Memorial Lecture, and was delighted to come back as Reviewing Officer. He watched the whole contingent parade, then a complex series of drill manoeuvres by the Honour Guard, all devised by the cadets themselves. He presented awards, including a joint award to Oliver Skelly and Robbie Waller, who have served the CCF faithfully, showing excellent leadership skills, all the way from the Third Form to the Upper Sixth. Over 120 cadets took part in the day’s events, which involved such tasks as erecting a radio mast, obstacle courses, flushing out and attacking enemy forces, and survival skills. Approximately 50 parents also gave up the day to come and watch the activities, and heard Brigadier Flint warmly praise the whole contingent and its staff in a speech at the end of the day’s proceedings.

With everything set for the School’s second Blood Donation Day, the news that the equipment van had broken down and would not arrive before midday was unwelcome. It did not alter anyone’s enthusiasm to donate their blood, however, and as soon as the van arrived, Sixth Formers and teachers were queuing to volunteer. Donor carers were on hand to interview and reassure donors, answering any questions they had, and working flat out during the afternoon they made up for lost time, taking about 50 donations which will make a vital contribution to medical care.

The annual Old Girls’ Netball Tournament at Woollams took place under streaming spring sunshine, and attracted teams from the year of 1997 to the current Lower Sixth. Ranging from AS students to mums, all players were showing their competitive ability, though some were dusting off half-forgotten skills. The final was played in very good spirits between the old faithfuls of ’97 and the current U6, who finally prevailed. Play in all games was committed, but at such an event, part of the fun is seeing old friends again and comparing notes with students and former students from other year groups. With a span of eleven years amongst the players, there was a lot to talk about, and this continued through the celebratory lunch after the matches were finished.

As the political parties seek to promote their green credentials, Sixth former Sam Kirsop has won recognition for his contribution to the great green debate. He entered a competition run by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to produce a news report for newspaper, radio or television about the effects of global warming on the UK. Through this competition, DEFRA is seeking nine young climate change champions as part of the government’s Climate Change Communications Initiative. From over 600 entrants to the competition, Sam is one of the 38 semi-finalists and one of five in the Eastern region.

A member of the School’s Publications team, Sam is accustomed to handling information and technology, and this was demonstrated in his DVD presentation for the competition. Compiling materials from the BBC open archive, he reports on climate change concerns using ‘blue screen’ techniques on his iMac. The DVD also includes a factual report using text and pictures.

He is already having to cope with media pressure, as he was interviewed live on BBC 3 Counties Radio at lunchtime on 18th April, followed by an interview with The Herts Advertiser the same evening. On Friday 21st April, he is travelling to London to have a 30 minute interview with officials from DEFRA. “It’s a subject I feel passionately about,” said Sam. “It’s a global problem where people don’t realise the implications for the future, and everyone can do something about it.”

Each regional winner will go to Switzerland on a fact-finding tour, and will have meetings with a government minister about communicating ideas about climate change. Elliot Morley, Climate Change Minister, said, “All of the semi-finalists have done extremely well” and suggested that the young people would be “powerful advocates to their generation of the scale, nature and urgency of the threat of climate change. Tomorrow’s climate is very definitely today’s challenge.”

The 1st and mixed hockey teams took their skills to Germany over the Easter break to play six matches. The mixed team had the better side of mixed fortunes, winning two matches to one loss. Under Captain Paul Evans, the team beat Klipper 2-1, Azmat Rashid and Katie Punter netting the ball, but lost 1-0 against Blankanese. The team returned to winning ways before returning home, beating Berliner 2-1, the scorers being Josh Chan and Jack Kelly. The first team, meanwhile, were convincing, beating the first opponents 1-0 before thrashing Berliner 3-0. In between, they too found Blankanese too strong, losing 1-0.

The golf squad combined driving and putting with polishing their French when they played matches in Biarritz, as the members were all hosted by French families. They played very well against Chiberta, Le Phare and Bussassarry on their home courses, with particularly good play from Robert Bagshaw, Ben Courtney, Gyan Rhodes and Mr Balden. After featuring in a local newspaper, the boys came home with their golf improved, but also their grasp of French golfing terminology – le golf, le fairway, le putt, le fourball and le greenkeeper likely to make Mr Chirac see red.