D I A R YD I A R YT H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E B L U N D E L L ’ S C O M M U N I T Y I S S U E N O : 13

w w w. b l u n d e l l s . o r g

Girls cricket: A fantastic season

I N S I D E :

Time well spent:Holiday workingand learning

Sports Day: Junior recordbreakers

Blundell'sCommunity newsand events

Academic achievementand activities - curricularand extra-curricularprovision at Blundell's

In and Out ofthe Classroom

B l u n d e l l ’s

The above photograph shows the Head of Blundell’s, Mrs Nicola Huggett,with the Mayor of Tiverton, Mrs Janet Rendle, and her consort, Mr JohnRendle, together with the Town Beadle and Mace-Bearer, before enteringthe Chapel on Old Blundellian Day. It is customary for the Mayor to attendthe event, and to respond to a toast in his or her honour at the luncheon.Indeed, this tradition almost certainly dates as far back as the creation ofthe post of Mayor of Tiverton nearly 400 years ago, in 1615, when thetown received its Royal Charter of Incorporation. The first Mayor, RichardSpurway alias Hill, was a nephew of Peter Blundell, and over the yearsmany mayors and members of the Town Council have been closelyassociated with the school: either as governors, masters, former pupils, orparents of pupils - in fact, the present Mayor and her husband, an OldBlundellian himself, had two sons at Blundell’s in the 1990s.

Classic view

Front cover: Rowan Carew, Freya de Lisle and Oscar Mustard after winning theEnglish Speaking Union’s national competition to find the best young public speakers.See their report on page 6

Blundell’s is a key West Country independentschool which supports and guides youngpeople to achieve their very best in whateversphere they choose. Founded in 1604, thisday and boarding school for boys and girlsaged 11 to 18 is a vital community with a richhistory and a great appreciation of the needto move with the times.

Blundell’s School TivertonDevon EX16 4DN Tel: 01884 252543 E-mail: info@blundells.org www.blundells.org

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Nicola Huggett

Head

The start of the new academic year is always a time of excitement andthis is certainly true at Blundell’s. As I begin my first autumn termhere, I can hardly believe that I have been part of the community forless than a year. Over the last two terms, the determination,commitment and creativity of Blundellians, past and present, hasamazed me and I know that you too will enjoy all that is celebratedwithin these pages of the new Diary. It is the Head’s privilege to beable to experience and enjoy all the many challenges that themembers of our community set themselves throughout the year, andI have been so impressed by all those who have contributed to theactivities - inside and outside the classroom - that are featured here.

Whilst in recent weeks we have celebrated, with our pupils, their excellent examination resultsand well deserved places at the universities of their choice, it was during speech day that I wasable to pay tribute to the pupils and staff for all they have done: climbing mountains, both literallyand metaphorically, raising huge amounts (£20,000!) for charity, winning trophies and prizes,creating works of art, performing in both drama productions and music of the very highest qualityand generally enjoying the great range of pursuits on offer. Historically, and in particular sincethe famed Neville Gorton’s days as Head Master, the breadth of variety in co-curricular activityhas been a treasured facet of Blundellian life. I sincerely believe, as he did, that pursuing differentinterests in addition to the rigours of academic work, no matter how demanding they are,encourages young people to be interesting, cultured and versatile. Blundellians play as hard asthey work, set their sights high and fill every moment, whilst still remaining outward lookingand outward thinking individuals.

With all these wonderful opportunities to lead, participate in and enjoy, you might be forgivenfor thinking that we had little time for future planning. This is most certainly not the case andright across the community we refuse to be complacent about the need to continue to broadenour horizons, as our predecessors for the last four hundred years have always done. As a schoolwe will now move forward to implement the first stage of our new school strategic developmentplan which, through a number of different structural changes, will give our pupils the confidenceto embrace change in a way that ensures they are ready to make their mark on the future. Ourplans, which have brought our whole community together in the making and are summarisedon the website, will be important first steps to build the school’s strength in academic and pastoralprovision whist maintaining the things we treasure and are renowned for: warmth, generosity,teamwork and a healthy competitive spirit which seeks to achieve the very best.

I thank the staff and pupils for their energy and commitment and the parents, Old Blundelliansand many other friends of this school, past and present, for their enduring support that makesall things possible. There is a very evident happiness factor at Blundell’s which stems from thesatisfaction of a job well done. Each and every member of the community contributes to this andwe appreciate all the wonderful benefits that this positivity brings.

The Head’s NEWS

H E A D ’ S I N T R O D U C T I O N

Every year tennis clubs and schoolsaround the UK sign up to the Save theChildren Tennis Tournament to raisemoney for the charity. Blundell’s has beena regular supporter of the initiative for thelast nine years and in 2012 raised morefunds through the tournament than anyother school. Even more money (£3,200)was raised at this year’s event, mostlythrough the tremendous efforts of SchoolHouse in obtaining sponsorship. Many ofthem dressed in fancy dress too, making

for some verycolourfulmatches(thoughpossiblydifficult to playjudging bysome of theoutfits).

The girls’tournamentwas won byEllie Acfieldand Ottilie

Play tennis, have fun, save lives

Cameron Seymour making a break for thetryline against RGS GuildfordInset: The Blundell’s U16 rugby team at thepre-season festival

Rugby Festival On Saturday 31st August Blundell's hosted the third annual U16 pre-season rugbyfestival. The festival saw twelve of the top rugby schools from around the countrytaking part in a fiercely competitive and memorable tournament. It was a fantasticday and fine weather allowed for fast paced, expansive rugby. The standard wasvery high and all the teams should be commended for this. Bedford Schoolemerged victorious at the end of the day, beating Abingdon 19-7 in the final.

Mundy in a very exciting final againstMillie Attwell and Sparkle Menzies, whilefor the boys Jack Dummet and JackGibbs won a closely fought final againstEd Smith and Jack Watt. Several otherprizes were also awarded - for the mostpolite on the day (Phoebe Clarkson),most sponsor money so far (Issy Fraser,£200) and for fancy dress. The winnersof the tournaments and possibly therunners-up go through to the regionalround of the tournament, usually held atan indoor centre in September and theregional winners go on to the nationalfinal.

The adult tournament, won by KateWright and Sue Norman for the Ladiesand Michael Bennett and GeorgeWilliams in the Mens, raised £350.

Save the Children is always keen tohear from volunteers who could organisetournaments in their local community orhelp at the national finals and can becontacted ontennis@savethechildren.org.uk for more details.

Some of thepupils intheir fancydress outfits

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Blundell’s NEWS

Judit Lam (Year 10) has used her artistic talents to raise morethan £400 for the charities Women of Worth (WOW) and theErme Valley Riding for the Disabled Group. She sold herpaintings in a silent auction and several of them created abidding war, with one painting fetching £120 worth of bids.Judit also produced postcard versions of some of her pieceswhich were sold for 50p in school. She paints a variety ofsubjects including animals, people and townscapes andprevious work has included a portrait of David Attenborough,commissioned by Blundell’s biology department. Othermembers of GH have also been fundraising in support ofthese causes.

Art raises funds forgood causes

Several brave members of staffvolunteered to be ‘splatted’ with wetsponges by School House whichraised £100 for the Red Cross.

Splat!

This was a fantastic eventshowcasing some of the musicaltalent at Blundell’s and raising£800 for the Devon CommunityFoundation at the same time.The performers were JodieAtkins, Jess Atkins, Rory Clark,Hector and Aeneas Michalopoulosand the Djibouti Breakfast Barand many of the pieces wereoriginal compositions. Look outfor these rising stars in the yearsto come. The event wasconceived and organised by thepupils’ charity committee co-ordinated by Rowan Carew.

Blundell’sUnplugged

Congratulations to SamTalbot (Year 9) who wongold at the English SchoolsAthletics AssociationChampionships in thejunior boys' 75m hurdleswith a time of 11.34seconds. Sam wasunbeaten throughout thepreliminary rounds andwent into the final as thefastest qualifier from theheats. His achievementwas particularly impressiveas he hadn’t done anyhurdle training in morethan a month and couldn’tfit in any last minutetraining as he was on aschool cricket tour in theweek before the event.Sam has had a greatseason in schools’ trackand field; he is top of theUK pentathlon rankingsafter taking the South Westtitle and will compete atthe National Schools'Combined Events inSeptember.

NATIONALWINNER

All 45 students who took London Academy of Music and DramaticArt (LAMDA) examinations in the summer passed and 22Distinctions and 18 Merits were awarded.  Distinctions areawarded to students who achieve 80 marks or more and fourBlundell’s students did extremely well by reaching over 85 marks:Ella Clancy for her Grade 6 (Bronze Medal) Acting exam; HenryMules for his Grade 5 Acting exam; Bethan Wesley and FrancescaThornton Wood for their Grade 4 Devising Drama exam.

Also scoring very highly were Felicity Charlesworth (Acting),Courtney Nation (Acting) and Maxime le Chevallier (Using SpokenEnglish). Medals were also awarded to Thomas Golden andLawrence Gash (Gold Medal Acting), Oliver Tobey (Gold MedalPublic Speaking) and Jack Webber (Bronze Medal Acting).

LAMDA students took partin a presentation eveningwhich showcased a widevariety of talents

Judit Lam with one of her fundraising paintings and EllaReade of Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled Group (left)and Linda Rutherford of Women of Worth

LAMDA

You can keep up to date with thelatest Blundell’s News atwww.blundells.org/admin/news.htm

DON’T FORGET

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Blundell’s NEWS

Pippa Vos (Year 11) organised a GH Charity Quiz toraise money for Epilepsy Action and is picturedholding the cheque for £60 and with the prizewinners: Charlotte Orrell won the prize for ‘What isthe meaning of life (in 20 words)?’; Silvie Mills andIzzy Shaw were joint winners and won a £5 vouchereach, while Tash Nicholson won the Year 10 prizeand Maddie Dart the Year 9. Katharine Sendell (notpictured) won the Year 12 prize.

GH Quiz

The outgoing head boy and girl team of LewisSteer and Charlotte Routledge revived a

Blundell’s tradition in their final term at school- keeping pigs! This was once a perk of beinghead boy and Lewis and Charlotte decided to

reintroduce the custom. After seekingpermission and the permits required, two

saddleback cross pigs arrived in the summerterm and were named Russell (after the

famous 18th century sportsman Parson Jack,a former pupil) and Randall (after the recently

retired second master). The pigs werequartered near Westlake and had a very

sociable time, receiving regular visits duringbreak times, before and after school and for

biology lessons.

These little piggiescame to school

Photo: APEX

The hugely successful Under 13 girls’hockey team were runners-up in anexciting final at the recent England HockeyNational finals. The team, representing theWest region, had beaten off challengesfrom schools from across the country -Queenswood (Herts) 2-0, Kirkham (Lancs)1-0, Trent (Notts) 2-0 and reigningchampions Cranleigh (Surrey) 2-1 to cometop of their group. In the national final theyplayed Eagle House (Berkshire) and,despite playing a very good match, theBlundell’s team could not repeat theirgroup games performances and lost to astrong side. All ten girls put in greatperformances throughout the tournamentwith Anna Gabbitass, Millie Attwell, EllieEmo and George Pitts in particular playingextremely well.

Young hockey stars

The U13 hockey team with their coach Mr JamesMayes

Once again the TivertonFriends Group of Children’sHospice South West will beholding a food and craft fairon Wednesday 30th Octoberfrom 10.00am to 7.00pm.Last year’s event was a greatsuccess, raising £4,000pounds for this wonderfulcause. The aim is to have arange of craft, art and foodstalls providing an opportunityfor an early start to Christmasshopping all under one roof,together with demonstrationsfor adults and activities forchildren. Tea, coffee andcakes will be availablethroughout the day.

There will also be anotherchance to track downpresents at the Friends ofBlundell’s Prep SchoolChristmas Market onSaturday 16th Novemberfrom 10.00am – 12.30pm.

Early Christmasshopping?

For the second year running agroup of Blundell's girls (alsoknown as The Pink Ladies) ranthe Torbay Race for Life andraised £1148. Aside fromdonations and sponsorship, thegirls also hosted a cake salewhich helped go beyond thetarget of £1000. They hope toraise even more next year forCancer Research UK. LauraSkinner and Millie Blackmorealso took part in Race for Life inExeter raising even more for thecharity.

In the Pink

Blundell’s NEWS

The team of The team ofElliot Finch, GabrielCheung and OliverPritchard-Barrett (Year 12)won the South West heat ofthe Engineering EducationScheme (EES) schoolscompetition with theirbench top wind tunnel. In avery intense contest, theyhad to submit their report for the judges' scrutiny, give a 15minute presentation and an in-depth interview to test theirunderstanding and impressed the judges to secure overall firstplace in the competition. The team also entered the projectinto the National Science and Engineering Competition (NSEC)and were awarded with the CREST (Creativity in EngineeringScience and Technology) award for ‘Creativity in a Project orOutcome’ and won a plaque plus Amazon vouchers. Inaddition, their project was one of only ten projects nominatedfrom the South West area to go through to the finals of thecompetition in London next year.

A number of the projects featured in the last Diary have beenwinning awards and accolades for the teams and individualsinvolved.

Three teams in Year 8 successfullycompleted their Go4SET projects workingwith engineers from Pell Frischmannand Mouchel over a ten week period.The projects chosen by the teamswere ‘Community Sports Venue’,‘Eco Stadium’ and ‘Eco ArtsClassroom’. They were judged atthe Big Bang South West at ExeterUniversity and the judges werevery taken by the high standardand very professional reports fromthe Blundell’s teams. As part of theproject the teams also went on acompany visit to Mary TavyHydroelectric Power Station.

Forty two pupils in SchoolHouse have been awardedtheir Bronze CRESTcertificates, awarded by theBritish Science Association, forthe projects they have workedon over the last two terms. The standard of the projectswas impressive to see at therecent STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering andMaths) celebration held inschool and pupils were able toexplain and answer questionsfluently about their projects,which varied from toothpastedevelopment to designingchocolate bars or clothing fortriathletes, testing washingpowder to making a solarpowered kit car.

The team of Sam Coombe,Curtis Pitts, Holly Keevil,Tom O’Brien and BenCharles competed in theDevon Young Enterprisecompetition where theysold their ‘kiwicase’, alever arch file protectormade from locally sourcedmaterials andmanufactured locally.

Sales exceededexpectations andthey were left withonly two productsat the end of theday. They wereawardedrunners up andinvited back toan innovationfair.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Oliver Pritchard-Barrett’s extension leadfor use in the construction industry anddesigned as part of his Design andTechnology AS project, won him the topprize in the North Devon ManufacturerAwards for schools. In front of anaudience of 200, includingrepresentatives from many largemanufacturing companies, andup against more than 60entries from other schools,Oliver was awarded a cutglass trophy, a certificateand a £100. Thejudges describedhis extension leadas a veryaestheticallypleasing andextremelyinnovative design thatwould be suitable forgoing into mass production.

PROJECT UPDATE YoungEnterprise

Go4SET

CREST

The Eco Arts Classroom display

ENGINEERING SUCCESS

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Earlier this year the school welcomed the IndependentSchools Inspectorate (ISI) team into its midst. After a weekof lesson observations, interviews, examining pupils’ workand watching activities, attending chapel services, meetingsand assemblies and eating in the dining hall, the inspectors’report concluded that Blundell’s is highly successful inachieving its aims with pupils experiencing a ‘wide-rangingeducation, based on an excellent curriculum’. Amongst themany areas identified as excellent in the report wascurricular and extra-curricular provision: the inspectorsnoted that the academic curriculum is ‘a very good, wideand balanced programme’, while the activities programmeis extensive and enthusiastically embraced by pupils andstaff alike. These pages highlight some of the provision thatso impressed the inspectors.

The full ISI report can be seen on the website.

The winning team with Mr Tim Dykewho won a long service award

In and Out

Blundell’s School has been entering the EnglishSpeaking Union competition for over 25 years - atlast reaching the national final in 2013. For us ithad been a very long journey, starting with threerounds in Year 10 before going the full distancein Year 11, each time prepared and accompaniedby Mr Dyke, our English teacher.

To win the entire competition after a mesmerisingday in London was both unexpected andimmensely fulfilling. On reflection, we think thatwe were fortunate enough to touch on a winningformula. With regards to what it takes to becomethe winning team, the general consensus is agreat cliché - a team needs to enjoy thecompetition. The speaker must relish his or herresearch, be knowledgeable, passionate aboutthe topic and most of all enjoy the occasion itself.The chairperson should take delight in setting thetone of the event and the questioner mustgenuinely be intrigued by the speaker’s choice of

of the Classroom

More than 300 schools fromacross England and Walesentered the English SpeakingUnion’s competition to find thebest young public speakersand, at this year's final, theBlundell's team of RowanCarew, Freya de Lisle andOscar Mustard were crownedthe winners. In addition, Oscarwon the individual category asOutstanding Personality,which was judged by a ballotfrom amongst the audience ofall the schools competing andtheir supporters, whileBlundell's Head of English TimDyke was presented with along service award by theESU. Here the team reflectson taking part in thecompetition.

Blundell’s team

To support the ASspecification in Biologythis term, sixth formersvisited the ElectronMicroscopy Centre inPlymouth to find outabout the differentmicroscopes availablefor use in science

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Eight lucky sixth formers,together with Dr Whalley andMr Wynell-Mayow, travelled toLondon earlier this year, intenton cultural betterment andscholarly endeavour.

After successfully negotiatingLondon streets and ‘mindingthe gap’ in the underground,we arrived at that beacon ofart and culture, the BritishMuseum. Students had beenprovided with guidelines as towhere all the cool ancient stuffwas, but were free to checkout the many other treasuresof the museum, including theclock collection and theJapanese rooms right at thetop. Happily, the rarely openRoom 16 was ready andwaiting, so students had theopportunity to view thebeautiful sculptures from theTemple of Apollo at Bassae upclose.

The next intellectualadventure was a talk hostedby the Virgil Society, about themotif of ‘purple’ in the Aeneid,which has been (and will be)studied by all the students.Although they were theyoungest attendees by a longstretch, the students were allable to gain something fromthe lecture, even if it was theobservation of some of themore ‘interesting’ charactersinvolved in classicalscholarship.

Dr Jo Whalley

Oscar Mustard on hisway to winningOutstanding Personalityin the competition

topic. Spontaneity makes a team performancemore engaging in competition, and through aclear yet relaxed frame of mind this can beachieved. Confidence and a winning mentalitymake a team even stronger - being determinedto ‘give it your best shot’ is vital to succeed. No matter what is being said, someone withpresence and flair on the floor will catch theattention of both the audience and the judges,something that can be vital in a four-roundcompetition.

The competition itself was greatly enjoyable,with eight articulate schools from acrossEngland and Wales taking part. We quicklyascertained the calibre of the competition as itprogressed, and we knew that matching thestandard set would be no easy task.

Once the speeches had been made we foundthe competitors to be as equally fascinating as

the subjects they had picked. We all foundmuch in common with our colleagues,especially Oscar, who spent most of the intervaldebating Formula 1 with a fellow enthusiast.

The ESU’s public speaking competition finalwas a tremendous experience not just for usbut we believe for everyone involved. Theopportunity to speak at such a stage of thecompetition was a hugely significantachievement for all students, and is somethingthat no doubt will be on everyone’s CV for thefuture. The beauty of the competition is that itenables students to express themselves in frontof the public, a skill that is no easy task foranyone. We believe that the competition trulyprovides the foundations for one to build uponone’s ability to stand up and speak; so easy tosay and so difficult to do effectively.

Rowan Carew, Freya de Lisle, Oscar Mustard (Year 11)

Studying the Classics in London

talks their way into winning national final

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‘...thou I am not myself a scholar, I will be the means ofmaking more scholars than anyone else in England.’ This statement, attributed to Peter Blundell, highlights theimportance of scholarship to Blundell’s for over fourhundred years. In recent years, Blundell’s pupils havebeen able to take advantage of an increasing range ofopportunities to satisfy their thirst for learning, with agreat deal of success. We are particularly proud of ElliotFinch’s recent commendation from Peterhouse,Cambridge, for his Kelvin Science Prize essay, on thesubject of the Higgs boson.

Indeed, the ISI inspectors confirmed that our pupils have‘excellent attitudes towards their learning, being willing,co-operative and eager to succeed’ and their engagementin our ‘excellent’ curricular and extra-curricular provisionis exciting. This year, we have launched the annualscholars’ dinners, an essay prize competition and a seriesof scholars’ events which open pupils’ eyes to a widevariety of different aspects of learning and scholarship.Compulsory for those who hold formal scholarships, theyare open to all and have proved immensely popular.

The essay competition, launched in June, is open topupils with an interest in a range of different academicdisciplines. Pupils will submit an essay on titles such as‘Deep Sea Living, it’s a tough life’ for the juniors or ‘Couldthe trade deficit with China be solved with 3D printing?’for the seniors. Essays require a high level of researchand engagement in topics which are not necessarilytaught in the classroom.

Finally, the Scholars’ Societies are changing fromSeptember 2013. Students now have a chance to discussdifferent areas of interest in mixed age groups and a widevariety of different activities are on offer. With all Year 7and Year 8 members of the Society having theopportunity to learn ancient Greek, older pupils will beoffered mini classes in Rhetoric, Esperanto and thesearch for a Common Language, Philosophy and the linksbetween the worlds of Science and the Arts. We thinkPeter Blundell would be very proud of the celebration ofscholarship and the love of learning shown by pupils athis school in recent times and we congratulate staff andstudents on their enthusiasm and commitment.

Mrs Clare Sherwood, Director of Studies

When I was invited to a summer Maths camp atBalliol College, Oxford after scoring well in theMaths Challenge, I was naturally apprehensive.Despite enjoying the subject, I doubted thatspending a week of my summer doing nothingbut the subject would be quite my idea of fun.However, I accepted the offer and in hindsight Ican say that this was a good decision.

During my stay in Balliol, I was challenged by some very high levelmaths, most of which was at university standard or even above. Icannot truthfully say I understood all the maths that I was faced with,but this added to the experience. We were given the privilege oflectures from some of Oxford’s greatest mathematicians, and alsoreceived small group tutorials from their tutors.

I also experienced a taste of life as a student at Oxford; sleeping instudent accommodation and eating in the grand halls in Somerville,Christchurch and Balliol. Alongside all this was the chance tosocialise and during that week I met some people that I doubt I willever forget.

Grace Curtis (Year 11)

Maths at Oxford

Balliol College, Oxford Picture: Ian Taylor

In and Outof the Classroom

‘During my stay inBalliol, I waschallenged by somevery high level maths,most of which was atuniversity standardor even above.’

‘Is reading books so important?’ is one of the subjects for thejunior essay prize

TheScholars’Society

Pic

ture

: Ian

Tay

lor

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A Field Day is held every term when most of the pupils goout on a variety of excursions with the aim of extendingtheir educational horizons. Bath is the site of an annualvisit as the city and the Roman Baths are the main settingsfor the Year 9 Latin textbook. This year 9L had alreadymade their own excellent guidebooks in advance and sothere was much anticipation and excitement surroundingthe annual visit to the Baths and museum.

As part of her delivery of GraphicProducts (Design Technology),Mrs Armstrong Williams hasbeen keen to forge links with thelocal businesses involved indesign. The Year 10 artgroup were lucky enough to haveMalcolm Buttel, the CreativeDirector from the companyOxygen, visit them in class andexplain how designers work inindustry to a client brief. Heanswered many questions, gavea presentation of recent workand then offered individualfeedback on the student’scoursework ideas. It was a highlysuccessful andenriching afternoon with muchlearnt. The visit also opened uplinks for possible workexperience for the students asthey progress into Year 11. Mr Buttel commented: ‘Thestudents here are doing exactlywhat we are doing in business,following the same process withsome very imaginative work.’

YEAR 10 STUDENTS display their giant polymer of Nylon they made in chemistryfrom the individual building blocks (monomers) of 1,6-diaminohexane and decandoyl chloride. The students dissolved the monomers in solution; one in the oil-based solvent hexane and theother in a water-based solvent also containing sodium carbonate. The oil-based solvent floats ontop of the water-based solvent (like oil on water) and where they meet the monomermolecules join together in a ‘condensation polymerisation reaction’ forming nylon. The studentscarefully pulled out this layer of nylon and passed over lubricated glass rods as shown in thephoto. As the nylon, formed between the two solutions, is removed, more nylon forms toreplace it resulting in one giant molecule (polymer) billions and billions and billions ofmonomer units long.

Experiencing Design

Chain reaction

Out in the field

On arrival, they had a quick tour ofthe city, looking at the beautifularchitecture before going onto a tourof the Roman Bath complex. Therevamped museum is extremelyinteresting and packed witharchaeological exhibits as well asinteractive displays. There are also‘Romans’ who sit around the GreatBath with whom some of the grouphad a photo opportunity. The pupilsparticularly enjoyed seeing thereconstructed hypocaust systems, aswell as the coins, jewellery, greatspring and the temple courtyard. 9Lreally enjoyed their day out to theRoman Baths - they had lots of fun,as well as learning lots.

Issy Fraser’s photo of her Field Dayvisiting @Bristol

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There were some impressive entries for GCSE and A level artexams this year when sculpture, textiles, paint, pastels andphotography were amongst the mediums used by thestudents to convey their ideas and inspirations.

Blundellian artists have had a busy few months withexhibitions of work at the Gloss Gallery in Exeter, photographyat Clare House Surgery in Tiverton and submissions to theSaatchi Art Prize for Schools competition.

ArtIn and Outof the Classroom

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I found Grease really enjoyable but verytiring. It was great fun getting to know thecast better than I did before and we all gotalong really well. I don’t think manypeople actually understood the stress andtiredness that came with the wholeproduction, as well as the enthusiasm andenergy. Now I realise how committed weall had to be because when we didn’t turnup to rehearsals or learn our words it washard for us and the rest of the cast. I thinkthe thing that everyone found the hardestwas getting into character as we all didn’trealise without being in character orhaving the energy the whole thing did notlook good. The energy level put into it washuge but we got through it and it wasenjoyable doing the performances morethan anything else.

Tash Nicholson (Year 10)

I found Grease one of the most challengingproductions I have been part of, mostlybecause of the amount of energy that hasbeen required to pull it off. At the start ofthe production I would never haveimagined the effort that would be neededand the journey that I would go on. I thinkmost of all during Grease I have enjoyedmaking new friends and strengtheningfriendships with existing friends. Duringthe past few months I have been askingmyself whether it was really worth all thetime, but as we took the stage for the lasttime I think that everyone knew that it wasworth it and I know that I am lookingforward to more challenges in productionsover the next few years.

Henry Mules (Year 9)

DramaStudents at Blundell’s experience the historical,cultural and practical aspects of drama as part ofthe curriculum and also as an activity of theirchoosing. There are at least two major schoolproductions each year as well as plays performedby year groups and boarding houses. The School islucky enough to have the fantastic Ondaatje Hall touse as a venue and a host of talented musicians tosupport the productions.

During the summer term, Years 9 and 10 put onGrease, the dynamic musical set in 1959, whichfollows the fortunes of a group of teenagers at anAmerican high school. The main storyline concernsDanny and visiting Australian Sandy who enjoy asummertime romance that seems likely to endwhen Sandy goes home. However, Sandy stays onand enrols at Rydell High School which Dannyattends, but their relationship is affected by theneed to be cool and look tough. It’s a musicaltailored to appeal to teenagers - and the twoteenagers who took the leads in the Blundell’sproduction recount their experiences of taking part.

‘

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Top: GCSE art by RexSouthwickMiddle: Stina Ding’s A levelcourseworkLower right: A level artexam by Josie VosLower left: GCSE art byFrank Thornton Wood

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hilst the academic andsporting programmes atBlundell’s are animportant aspect ofmany pupils dailyroutines, they form onlypart of the overall

package which Blundell’s offers to further theentire education of the pupils who passthrough our doors. Another importantopportunity for pupils is the Activitiesprogramme which offers a range of new skillsand interests to try on two days a week. Pupilssign up to activities which are changed on atermly basis and, for many, it provides theopportunity to shine in ways which are perhapsnot so accessible in the classroom or on thesports field.

The programme is delivered through a mix ofBlundell’s staff offering activities which reflecttheir interests and through the use of externalproviders who bring particular skills and

expertise to the programme. Although using thelatter often means that a cost is attached to anactivity, it does allow Blundell’s to offer a widerrange of activities, many of which requirespecialist qualifications to run and which wecould not offer otherwise. Sometimes the mostpopular activities are surprising; cookery isperhaps the unexpected favourite amongst theboys and the girls are some of the keenestmembers of the Boxercise class.

The programme is about to go through anexciting period of change as Mrs ArmstrongWilliams takes up her new post of ActivitiesCoordinator in the autumn term. She is alreadyavidly reading feedback from pupils which willhelp her shape and transform the futureprogramme of activities at Blundell’s and it isher aim to help pupils to have more interestingactivities on offer and more places available insome of the more popular activities, so there areexciting times ahead.

Mr Douglas Morrison, Activities Coordinator 2012-13

of the classroom

WCookery is a popular

activity with boys andespecially those in

the sixth formpreparing for life after

Blundell’s.

Activities at Blundell’s

In and Outof the Classroom

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Taz, a Southern

White-faced Scops

Owl, is a great

favourite amongst

the Blundell's

falconers

The activity of Falconry is onethat brings new life toBlundell's....literally. Twice aweek Hawkridge Bird of PreyCentre come from Exmouthwith stunning birds of prey andteach us to feed and fly thebirds, as well as talking to usabout anything we would everwant to know about thesebirds - their socialinteractions, their needs andwhat is necessary if we everwant to keep one of our own.This year we had the pleasureof flying kestrels,eagles, hawks and owls andthe highlight was the newarrival of Taz, a baby owlwhich we first met when hewas a couple of weeks old. Ifyou see any wild birds flyingbehind Popham, come over andsay hello!

Falconry

Amongst the activities carried out by the Blundell’sGardening Club this year was a project to helpbees. Sarah Chesters, the Royal HorticulturalSociety’s principal education officer at Rosemoor,invited the club to plant out a metre square raisedbed which was to be on display during the summerhalf term holiday. As bee numbers are in seriousdecline our theme was a garden to attract theseinsects and hopefully to encourage visitors to dothe same.

Bees are brilliant pollinators and help horticulturistsachieve great results in gardens, allotments, patiopots, troughs and even hanging baskets. Theyprefer plants which provide easy access to theirpollen and nectar so we chose single floweredvarieties which are more popular than moreintricate types. The pollen is needed to feed theadult bee whilst the nectar is collected to nourishtheir young. It is important to provide a rich sourceof these nutrients throughout the bees’ lifecycle(March to September) so maintaining a well-stocked garden as the seasons come and go isvital. With a little thought, effort and at small costwe can all create bee friendly habitats.

The Gardening Club

This has once again been a very popular choice of activity with a largenumber of enthusiastic players taking part once a week. Despite therebeing a constant stream of new players every term, new players areable to pick up the necessary skills and understanding of the rulesrequired to join in playing games quickly, which has made the activityfar more enjoyable for everyone.

Each session begins with various drills which help with theunderstanding of the different tactics and throws. After this we splitup into teams to play a round-robin of games against each other. Thestandard of play has improved steadily throughout the year; howeverwe have had to contend with the British weather which has at timesmade ‘hucking’ a Frisbee virtually impossible.

Finally, we have been fortunate to have Coach ‘Scraggy’ from the GBUltimate Frisbee team working with us and we would like to thank himfor all his hard work on our behalf.

Will Stark and Freddie Carew (Year 9)

Ultimate Frisbee

The biennial inspection of Blundell’s Combined CadetForce (CCF) was carried out this year by Brigadier MartinSmith of the Royal Marines, who was impressed by allthat he saw. CCF uses a military-style ethos to developand foster qualities of confidence, good character,integrity, responsibility, teamwork, moral courage, andphysical and mental determination through a variety ofactivities. At Blundell’s, CCF is compulsory for all pupilsin Year 10, when cadets complete the Army ProficiencyCertificate – which consists of learning a variety of skillsboth of a military nature and general outdoor skills suchas map reading. Many pupils continue with CCF andfrom Year 11 develop their leadership potential and worktheir way through the cadet rank structure.

CCF

Left: Tom Adams and Theo Belcher (Year 9)with the bee-friendly garden

14

This year a group of aspiring and enthusiastic physicists fromBlundell’s School embarked on a challenge to record a short film ofspace. The process took place during the astronomy club activity; theaim was to send a 1kg ‘Hwoyee’ weather balloon to space carrying acapsule with recording equipment inside. The students who took partwere Natt Jungmeechoke, Emily Nash, Hugo Lau, Tom Tran, TristanFree, George Williams, Tom Stevens, Gabriel Cheung and Elliot Finch.

The student-led project involved arranging the recording equipment,heating packs and tracking system in the capsule as well asconfiguring the electronics, the attachment of the capsule to theweather balloon and also the parachute release mechanism. The totalcost of the project came to £364.14, a reasonable total cost consideringthe high price of helium, the camera, balloon and parachute whichmade up the vast majority of the price.

After contemplating the difficulty of the task, the students decided itwould be possible to also conduct an experiment in space as well asrecording the exterior of the capsule during flight. After a session ofbrainstorming ideas the final idea was to carry out an experiment onsome DNA. The investigation would involve observing the effects UVlight and the extreme dehydration conditions of space would have onthe DNA. The strands to be experimented on were a 100kbase strandand a plasmid containing the glowing jelly fish gene and an antibioticresistance gene.

Due to inclement weather, the balloon could not be launched in thesummer term but we hope to launch it into space in the autumn.

Astronomy

The PhysicsSociety

The Psychology Club activity has had another successful year, being open toall Years 11 - 13, regardless of whether they are doing Psychology A Level, asa way of finding out more about the subject. During the course of this yearwe have looked at some challenging mental illnesses such as OCD andschizophrenia and considered the implications of them in the lives of asufferer. We have watched films such as A Beautiful Mind and Girl,Interrupted to query how Hollywood portrays mental health, as well aslooked at documentaries asking questions such as what is sleep and why dowe dream?  All of these activities raise pertinent questions about what itmeans to be human and how we see others and it is engaging for those whodo Psychology at A Level as well as those who are just interested to dabble.

One pupil who has opted to take the Psychology Club activity this year isCorren Kvesic (Year 12): ‘I chose to do the Psychology Activity as I enjoyPsychology A Level and wanted to learn more about the subject and thingsthat were not on the syllabus. I enjoyed the films and documentaries that wewatched in the activity as I learn well through visual media, but Mrs Weaverexplained them and asked questions to add to our understanding. I alsoenjoyed discussing the issues raised by the topics we discussed and goingdeeper with them.’

Psychology

Sixth formers in the Physics Societyorganised a ‘Safe Egg Challenge’ in whichteams throughout the school took part. Tobe in with a chance of winning such aprestigious competition, they needed tobuild a contraption from common materialssuch as paper, balloons and bin liners, toprotect their egg from the perilous 25mdrop from the very top of Blundell’s iconicclock tower to a target below. A complexscoring system meant teams had to impressjudges across four key areas: egg survival,accuracy, material economy and design flair.

The survival of all teams’ eggs demonstratedthe wealth of engineering potential presentat Blundell’s. But it was the team of BonniePrice, Annabel Chatwin and Imogen Cotton(Year 8) who triumphed in the end. Theirclever use of cubic and cylindrical paperforms coupled with extreme symmetry putthe whole of the sixth form’s designs toshame. Unfortunately, however, suchingenuity displayed by all the participantsdid mean that it was an event devoid of anydramatic landings for the restless crowd ofspectators gathered below.

In and Outof the Classroom

The winning team

15

Throughout the term we have been learning ancient Greek in Thursdayactivities. We are a small but passionate group and have thoroughlyenjoyed getting to grips with the unique technicalities of the Greeklanguage. It has been a challenge to adapt to the different techniques it hasinvolved. However, we have worked together and thrived on the subject. Wehave particularly enjoyed learning the vocabulary and linking the words withmodern English. With Mrs Milne’s excellent guidance, we have progressedmassively throughout the term. She has made it an interesting experienceby providing highlighters, booklets and cakes!

We have decided to continue ancient Greek next term and look forward tothe possibility of taking it for GCSE. It has been both a privilege and apleasure to have taken part in this activity. Or should I say ‘te ... kai’ whichmeans ‘both...and’ in Greek! The activity has involved learning the Greekalphabet, learning vocabulary, practising writing in Greek, translating bothGreek and English sentences, word derivation and general fun! This hasbeen an excellent activity and we are looking forward to next year for evenmore advanced and better work.

Grace Casely, Hatty Nash, Jenny Prevett and Jonathan Lane (Year 9)

This year, croquet at Blundell’s has reached newheights of drama and popularity, mainly due to itsdedicated players: Giles Taylor, Hamish Friend,Matt Thomas, myself, the elusive Charles Fitzroyand a cheeky appearance from David Kellett, allled by the expertise of Rev. Hunt. Despite beinghindered on several occasions by the weather andalso the lack of designated croquet lawn (outrage),the season was epic to say the least.

A shaky start to the season heralded a victory forHamish, with strong performances from the Rev,Giles and me (see above picture), thwarted cruellyby being ‘pegged out’ at the closing stages of thegame. The numbers of croquet players was cutsignificantly by exam leave, but Matt, Fitzroy andRev played a couple of great games, even in therain, in which I could not partake. With a newlocation established for the croquet lawn outsidethe astro, the team reassembled again after theexam period for another heroic match. This timeGus and Giles finished first and secondrespectively, having got ahead from the main packat an early stage, generally dominating the game.The final match of the season was a more low-keyevent. Unfazed by the rain, Gus, Giles, Hamishand the Rev set out into a pairs match with sometricky conditions. Giles immediately charged intothe lead, leaving his partner, Hamish, at the mercyof myself and the Rev. However, some cunningplay resulted in Hamish leaving us behind as welland, despite a valiant comeback stemming fromsome strong team work on our part, we wereunable to catch Giles and Hamish, who had simplygot too far ahead and both pegged themselves outbefore either of us.

We all wish Blundell’s croquet the best and hopethat next season will bring an equally exhilaratingtime for all those involved, and with the whisper ofinter-school matches I believe this could be amajor turning point in the croquet scene atBlundell’s. We strongly encourage all students toparticipate in this up and coming sport, which hasalways been a pleasant, yet viciously competitiveway to spend our Thursday activity this term.

Gus de Falbe (Year 12)

Croquet

The Sub-Aqua Club

Ancient Greek

Any pupil in Year 10 or above can begin to learn to SCUBAdive with the club: it takes about a year to become qualifiedand to learn how to make sure your skills and abilities keepyou safe whilst allowing you to have the best time ever!

16

I have been given the task of describing what it’slike to take part in the Ten Tors challenge in just afew hundred words. This I believe is not nearlyenough to truly portray our experiences on themoor. What I’m going to write about is the mostimportant characteristics which I believe areneeded to undertake the Ten Tors challenge.There is a certain character which the Ten Torschallenge attracts, some people already have it,others build it through their experiences but it isseen in all who manage to cross the finish line.What I’m referring to is the tenacity in anindividual. This virtue is drawn out of everyindividual when they find themselves losingfaith. But it is within these lows that thischaracteristic can truly be seen.

The second virtue that Ten Tors builds is valour.The word valour means strength, value, worthand courage: ‘Courage is not simply one of thevirtues, but the form of every virtue at its testingpoint’ (C.S.Lewis). Ten Tors is designed to bedifficult and test even the strongest and mostprepared people. Due to this you willundoubtedly experience many lows, but moreimportantly many highs. These experiencesshared in a small team of six can build verystrong bonds which then lead to the foundationsof true friendships.

The third and final virtue I will talk about is hope.Hope that you do not get an injury. Hope thatthe weather stays good. But also hope that afterthe weekend is over, you can walk away proudof your achievement and take your rightfullyearned medal. There is an ethos to the Ten Torschallenge, an ideology of the person taking part.The name Ten Tors carries weight to it, a respectthat can only be earned. In a weekend whichsaw a record number of participants drop out,with weather conditions described as the worstin decades I am proud to say that both the 35and 45 mile teams finished with all members inthe team. I believe that every individual in eachteam portrayed these characteristics in even theharshest of conditions.

I would like to thank Mr Morrison for organisingthe Blundell’s Ten Tors and also Mr Guy, MrWynell-Mayow and Mr Roffe-Silvester for theirmuch-needed help in the many practice walks. Iam going to end with a quote by Martin LutherKing Jr, which I believe truly summarises the TenTors challenge: ‘The ultimate measure of a manis not where he stands in moments of comfortand convenience, but where he stands at timesof challenge and controversy.’

Harry Bodington (Year 12), this year's 45 mile team leader

Ten TorsDespite only having afew hours’ sleep due totorrential rain, the twoBlundell’s Ten Torsteams were in goodheart when they tookpart in the weekendchallenge and evenmanaged to jog overthe finishing line. The35 mile team arepictured above rightand the 45 mile teamabove with author andleader Harry Bodingtonon the far right

These experiencesshared in a small teamof six can build verystrong bonds whichthen lead to thefoundations of truefriendships.

‘

’

In and Outof the Classroom

17

While the Expedition Section is usually themost memorable part of D of E, pupils alsoundertake Volunteering, Skills and PhysicalRecreation sections. It is possible to completeall of these through Blundell’s varied Activitiesand Games programmes.

Pupils are also encouraged, with parents’permission, to volunteer in their localcommunity, with sports coaching, charityshops, residential homes and primary schoolsbeing the most popular destinations. Often,pupils use their special skills or interests forvolunteering; for example, Rowan Carewplayed his guitar at a local residential home,and our sports stars Jodie Atkins and TorzieBoylett volunteered to coach younger pupils attheir local club. Bryce Clark helped furtherafield, using a work experience placement in aTanzanian hospital as a start to his Goldvolunteering, which he is continuing by raisingmoney for the hospital.

Pupils enjoy making a difference to thecommunity and often continue volunteeringafter finishing their Award. Gemma Robbinshas continued to help the disabled daughter ofa neighbour. Jordan White volunteered atDevon Community Foundation, and when she

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Blundell’s

returned there for a Work Experience placement,she was given a real project to work on.

Employers are often impressed by applicantswith a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as itdemonstrates, as Ben Charles (Year 11) recentlywrote of his Silver expedition: ‘valuable life-skillssuch as realising the importance of teamwork,and not giving up when you’dlike to, but pushing yourselfinstead’. It also shows theability to stick at a task over aperiod of time, as each sectionmust be done for three, six, 12or 18 months. In theory, a GoldAward contributes UCAS pointswhen applying to university,although we find that they don’tcount for many academiccourses. Still, it is worthchecking with individualuniversity departments.

Whatever the motivations and benefits,participants gain confidence, independence,empathy, new friends and new interests bydoing a DofE Award.

Ms Isobel Scott, D of E Co-ordinator

Huge rucksacks, huge blisters, lost tent-pegs, lost maps, lost teams andoccasionally lost staff; these are all features of Duke of Edinburgh’s Expeditions.Even if you haven’t done one yourself, or known someone who has, you mighthave seen groups of happy, singing, or tired and lost teenagers in thecountryside. Some of them might have been Blundellians. In 2012-13, a record100 Blundell’s pupils completed a D of E expedition, with up to 200 activelyworking towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

Matthew Baughan (Year 9)worked voluntarily in a localcharity shop as part of his D of E award

As part of the Volunteeringelement for his Gold D of Eaward, Bryce Clark is raisingmoney by drawing portraits inaid of the hospital in Tanzaniawhere he went on a workplacement

18

Science Discovery USA

Top: Exhibits at the AmericanMuseum of Natural History

Above: Elephant training at theNational Zoo

Middle: With Dr Kennet Floresinvestigating rocks

Bottom left: Studying rock andsediment samples

Bottom right: The behind thescenes tour at Intrepid Sea, Air

and Space Museum under aBlackbird plane

19

We started off in Washington D.C. wherewe visited most of the memorials andmonuments in the city as well as themuseums. At the National Zoo we werefortunate to meet and talk with one of thecheetah keepers, learning about theirenrichment and movements. We were ableto watch an elephant training sessionbefore moving on to the AmazoniaResearch Centre where we could see thework currently being conducted by thezoo’s team of researchers before watchingan orang-utan named Batang participatingin a Meta Cognition test where shecompleted a series of tasks on a touchscreen computer.

At the Air and Space Museum we were ableto stand next to prototypes and sometimesthe real versions of Hubble Telescope,Apollo 11 command module, Enterpriserocket boosters, Sputnik and even touchsome moon rock collected on a mission.Another highlight was the Natural HistoryMuseum, where we all went to the specialexhibition Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.Here we were able to investigate the role ofgenomics in the modern world and thinkabout how genetic factors that affect diseaserisk may lead to a change in lifestyle.

New York saw us visit the AmericanMuseum of Natural History, this time fortwo private tours. One session was hostedby Dr Kennet Flores, a leading geologist in

his field looking at subduction zones andplate tectonics and most recentlyinvestigating the movement related todifferent forms of Jadeite in Guatemala. Heallowed us to explore his rock samples andproblem solve how to separate these intodifferent colours (involving licking therocks!) and subsequently attempt to rankthe rocks according to age and depth. Hethen took students further behind thescenes to see how to polish, cut and viewrock and sediment samples through themicroscopes for identification. This wastruly a unique experience with a fantasticscholar and Dr Flores has certainly inspiredus all into looking a little more into Geologyand Geoscience.

At the Discovery Centre we saw Dr Gunthervon Hagen’s plastination exhibition, BodyWorlds: Pulse. This display of humancadavers and body parts carefullypresented to show the muscles, organs,connective tissues and nervous system, aswell as artificial joints and replacementswithin the body, was truly amazing. Wewere not only able to view these up closeas they would appear in a live body but wewere also fortunate enough to view theeffects of everyday life on the body, such assmoker’s lungs, cancerous tumours,emphysema, stroke damage, how obesitycovers the internal organs in a thick yellowlayer of fatty deposits and even the damagedue to arthritis of the joints.

The rest of our New York experienceincluded a visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air andSpace Museum, on board a realdecommissioned US aircraft carrier. Hereour behind the scenes tour saw us travel toparts of the ship not open to the public aswell as underneath a Blackbird plane andright next to the Enterprise Space Shuttle!

Our first day in Boston started with a visit tothe newly refurbished aquarium before wemoved out onto the water, travelling some15 miles out to sea to Stellwagen BankNational Marine Sanctuary in order towatch for whales. We were very lucky tosee an adult female in full fishing mode;she kept diving down revealing her tail tothe boat much to the excitement of all onboard.

Sunday saw us spend nearly four hours atHarvard University, first on a guided tour of‘Hahvahd’ (we don’t pronounce our Rswhilst in Boston) where we learned aboutthe founding and history of the ‘Yahd’ aswell as how to make an application toHarvard, where students would stay,classes they might expect to take and alsothe very important financial implications ofattending such a place…..who knewHarvard students are mostly there on someform of bursary, no loans?

Miss Karyn Wilson, Head of Biology

This year’s Science Discovery USA trip took us toWashington D.C., New York City and on to Boston,Massachusetts. We had an action packed ten days awayvisiting a number of world renowned institutions andexhibitions and on top of this we were also especiallyprivileged to participate in some private behind thescenes tours and to meet some of the top researchers intheir scientific fields.

Left: In Boston with theHarvard statue

Right: Separating rocksinto different colours –

by licking them!Bottom: Boston by

water taxi - the onlyway to travel

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Jodie AtkinsIn the summer I got involved in aleadership course called RotaryYouth Leadership Awards basedat the outdoor pursuit andadventure centre at Okehampton.I was sponsored by TivertonRotary Club to take part. We didactivities such as canoeing, rockclimbing, mountain bikingabseiling, and kayaking; thescariest activity was freeabseiling off a 125ft bridge!I thoroughly enjoyed the RYLAcourse. It really stretched me interms of what I thought I couldachieve. I met some amazingpeople from all different placesand learnt a lot about leadershipin different areas, be it in asports team, work team orcommunity.

In the future I plan to do a yearfoundation diploma in Art andDesign then move on to do adegree in Geography, butalongside of that I want to travel,do volunteer work abroad and getinvolved in adventure pursuits.

The summer holidays are not just for relaxing! Many of the sixth form use the timeto gain new experiences, often with future employment in mind. Here some ofthem describe what they’ve been up to and their future plans.

ACTIVEHoliday

Elliot FinchI did lots of engineeringcourses, mobilecommunications,nanotechnology andstructural engineeringSmallpeice courses aswell as astrophysics and

advanced engineering courses at ImperialCollege London. These involved takingvarious engineering and science challenges;we carried out many projects from makinggold nano-particles to constructing bridgesand then had to present our findings to aboard of judges.

Why I chose this: I like engineering and afterdoing the EES and previous courses this wasa great opportunity, expanding my knowledgeand interests.Future plans: I will do an engineering degree.It will help me to develop my interests andleave doors open for me.

Jack FriendI spent a week atTaunton Hospital and aweek at Tiverton Hospital.I was very fortunate to beable to see a range ofmedical specialties inaction. Highlights

included seeing caesarean births, watchingangioplasty and seeing general theatreoperations at Tiverton Hospital. I feelincredibly privileged to have had thisexperience.

Why I chose this: I wanted to gain experienceof what working in a medical environment islike. Future plans: Although I thoroughly enjoyedthis experience, I have decided not to pursuemedicine as a career. However, I wouldrecommend that anyone consideringmedicine did similar experience as it isincredibly helpful in the decision makingprocess and incredibly worthwhile.

Bethan ReadeThroughout my summerholidays I volunteered atErme Valley Riding for theDisabled. I spent the startof the holidays preparingnine disabled riders, ofvarying learning and

physical disabilities and their steeds, fivehorses, for the National DressageChampionships for RDA at Hartpury Collegewhich they had earlier qualified for. Wetravelled away for four days, a lifetimeexperience for all participants!

Why I chose this: I chose to do this to showsupport to a charity close to my heart. Itdevelops my ability to interact with those withcommunication difficulties such asdeveloping my own sign language skills. Future plans: My future aspiration is tobecome a physiotherapist and this will helpwith my application.

Tom YoungmanI did three days workexperience at thecommercial propertyconsultants Jones LangLaSalle in London. Iviewed what they did on adaily basis and helped

out on some small tasks. I worked with theHigh Street retail section of the companywhere they are involved in many high streetproperties. I was amazed by their work ethicsand knowledge about the market.

Why I chose this: I chose do to this workexperience because I realised that property isa market I am seriously considering enteringas it is related to Geography and Economicswhich are two of my A levels. I also hope thiswill aid me in writing my personal statement. Future plans: I hope to go to university andstudy a straight Geography degree and thenmaybe a Masters in Surveying so I amproperly qualified to go into the propertyworld.

21

Kate EastmondI spent two weeks at aphotography studio inLondon, called HangarSeven. My job role wasassistant helper: thismeant looking afterclients and colleagues,

checking items in and out and making surethat the studio kept running.

Why I chose this: I chose to work at HangarSeven as I had previously done a weeks’worth of work experience for them inFebruary 2012. I enjoyed my time there somuch that I asked if they wouldn’t mindhaving me back and they said yes.Future plans: I hope that after leavingWestlake, I will be accepted to studyInternational Development at the university ofmy choice.

Nixie AcfieldI went to Brewin Dolphinshead office in London. Itis the largest Investmentmanagement firm in thecountry and they investclient’s money in manyways, mainly thorough

the London Stock Exchange. I spent a lot oftime with the Investment managers whodesign portfolios for clients and otherinstitutions and invest their money intocompanies. I also spent some time with theResearch team.

Why I chose this: I chose this type of workexperience as I am interested in the stockmarket and want to do Economics atuniversity. Future plans: To study Politics and Economicsat university and pursue a career that isEconomics related.

Jordan WhiteI spent a few weeks inboth July and Augustqualifying to become botha lifeguard and aswimming teacher. This took place at the ExeValley Leisure Centre

where both the practical (e.g. timed swimsand teaching half hour swimming lessons)and theory elements (e.g. law/legislation andstroke analysis) were taught.

Why I chose this: I chose to becomequalified to be able teach others a useful skillthat they can also enjoy. Future plans: I want to get my A-Levels andsecure a place at university studyingmedicine.

Harry BodingtonI spent two weeks in Thailand shadowing doctors in different Chiang Mai hospitals. I got areal feel for the opposite end of the medicine spectrum. Witnessing many of thetraditional Thai treatment to some conditions, such as using acupuncture was a real eyeopener. Also having a chance to go elephant trekking, playing with tigers and being ableto swim in a waterfall found deep in the rainforest was an awesome experience I willalways remember.

This work experience has been an invaluable asset in helping me decide my futurecareer and boost my personal statement. I am planning on taking a gap year spendingseveral months working in chalets on a ski season and then with the second half I willhopefully travel around the rest of Asia and Indonesia. After my gap year I hope to get into university to study natural sciences.

Alistair Chilcott and Olivia SeeWe went to Dar es Salaam, thecapital of Tanzania, to work inBuguruni School for the Deaf.We spent the majority of thetime either teaching thechildren and many of theteachers English and Maths;helping the school manage thechildren’s hearing aids moreefficiently by teaching themhow to fit them, labelling themand showing the teachers howto carry out hearing aid testsand entertaining the childrenafter school. This wouldtypically involve playingfootball, organising a netballteam for the girls, or openingan art club, computer club andthe very old and dusty library.

Why we chose this: Theopportunity came up through afriend of Olivia’s mum, andafter further research both ofus knew it was something wewanted to do.Future plans: We would bothlove to go back to Tanzania andAfrica, and would wanteveryone to experience whatwe both did.

Sam MillsThis summer, for someunknown reason, Idecided to enrol in anintensive Latin course atDurham University. The days consisted ofthree hours of taught

sessions with a university professor followedby lectures in the evenings. Surprisingly Iactually quite enjoyed it and it was fantasticto meet some of the people applying for thesame course as me.

Why I chose this: It was a good opportunityboth to get a feel for university life at Durhamand to improve my Latin. Future plans: I am applying to study Classicsat a variety of universities. Afterwards, I’minterested in pursuing a career in journalism.

igning up to a six weekvolunteer programme inTanzania isn’t the mostobvious way to spend asummer after A Levels;however, it wassomething I was keen to

do as I was looking for ways to help outother people. I was inspired to undertakesuch a trip after hearing about variouscorrupt practices in African governmentswhich often means that unfortunately, inmany cases, people do not receive muchneeded aid.

The English Speaking Union was very kindin giving me a grant in order to help outwith my fundraising. I received £400towards my trip, which went a long way inhelping to provide much needed teachingaids and other equipment to try andimprove the educational needs of thechildren.

I hadn’t really thought a huge amountabout what to expect when I arrived inAfrica. The first thing that hit me wasdefinitely the sheer lack of resources, in allsenses of the word, whether it was food,clothing, communication or educationalaids. I was able to integrate with the local

communities through classroom repair andteaching projects which made me feel as ifI was making a difference. On a personallevel, I felt as though I was learning moreabout myself through being able tochallenge myself both physically andemotionally in such culturally differentconditions.

The trip definitely made me value theimportance of the education which I havebeen so fortunate to receive and the pureluck of which family you are born into andin which country you grow up. The classesin which I taught had an average of 150students with many of them having to sit onthe floor due to lack of benches whilstbeing taught by their teacher. What struckme most was the eagerness of the childrento learn, despite their desperatecircumstances.

I also completely underestimated howbasic some of the facilities would be,namely the fact that we had to wash usingbuckets of cold water and hand wash everyitem of clothing using a bar of soap – it’ssafe to say that survival in Africa willundoubtedly stand me in good stead foruniversity and for the domestic skills I willbe needing!

Having mentioned all the challengingaspects of life that most people in Africaface on a daily basis, it is clear that evenwith nothing, they are content and alwayssmile at you. I was only there for six weeksbut having had a ‘taste’ of Africa, I wouldlove to be able to continue supporting theschools I visited in and around Arusha andDar es Salaam. One thing is for sure, it wasa life changing experience which enabledme to broaden my horizons, open my eyesto underdeveloped countries and stepbeyond my comfort zone.

I would recommend such a trip to anyonewho is willing to challenge themselves, andtry something new as it was anunforgettable and thought provoking tripwhich taught me invaluable life lessons.

Georgie Cummings

S

My summer in

Africa

ACTIVEHoliday

22

23

Having been at Blundell's for 30 years,you're abandoning us all in favour ofretirement. What do you plan to do with allthe spare time on your hands? First of all, I know I have to do somethingdifferent as you all go back in September,so we are planning a road trip around theNE coastline, starting with Whitby(Dracula), then Lindisfarne (VenerableBede), the site of Culloden, and maybeeven Edinburgh, one of my favourite citiesafter London. Thereafter, a few months tothrow away the impedimenta of 37 yearsteaching, then I really have to write thebook I have been threatening to researchfor longer than I care to remember, of theconspiracy behind Jane Austen's death(there wasn't one) and how her affair withJohn Keats made him start writing decentpoetry at last in May 1817 (no, they nevermet). Bodices will be ripped!

What is your most memorable moment atBlundell's?Most definitely winning the ESU PublicSpeaking competition this year. Secondlythe version of the Mysteries in OndaatjeHall at which we nearly crucified RobinCorden for real, and in which I actuallyacted as the Third Shepherd, and playedin the Band with the most wonderfulRomanian gypsy violinist who by amazinggood fortune had joined the sixth formthat year, with Jamie and Moray White onguitars. Third has to be my final Chapellast term, with everyone singing BattleHymn of the Republic, joining in on theInspector's final speech, and so kindlyapplauding me out. A very MrChips/Browning Version moment!

What will you miss most about Blundell's,aside from the more than slightly dodgybanter of the boys in this year's EnglishGCSE set 1? Why not the latter? The response of theintelligent, quick and cheeky has alwaysbeen the greatest joy; knowing that youwere getting through to people forty yearsyour junior, and sharing the same delightin books and jokes.

What hopes do you have for the future ofyour domain, the English department? Better GCSE results than I have managed,and more people rediscovering the joy ofEnglish A level, especially King Lear. Youcan't ALL be doctors or lawyers folks!

Had you been allowed to change the runningof the school in any way, no matter howmuch hair the governors would tear out,what alterations would you have made?Voluntary rugby, enabling all to opt forwhatever sport they preferred andeveryone to wear blue blazers.

Do you intend to keep up the photography,perfected during many a hockey match,after your retirement? NO! I have acute RSIs from taking andediting 25,000 photos a year. Though thestaff have very kindly given me a muchsmaller and lighter camera to have formyself, so who knows... 

Do you still hope to battle for the rights ofyour brethren in the state sector ofteaching? We all remember the roadsidecampaign of last year, complete with hi-vizjackets, flags and tea flasks!

I am terribly sorry for those coming intothe profession over the past ten yearswho will probably have to work until theyare 68. Can you imagine having to put upwith me for eight more years? Or how itwill feel to have most of yourteachers kicking the bucket before theyhave the chance to retire!

Is there anything that you would have donedifferently during your career?I always wanted to go on the stage, until Itried it for two summers with the NationalYouth Theatre and realised that I didn'tfancy living out of a suitcase. Publishinghad its attractions for a while. I mighthave gone to Stowe or Bedales when Ihad the chance. But I have no regrets atall.

What would you choose as your three'Desert Island' books? Captain Corelli's Mandolin; any TerryPratchett; Cornwell’s Vagabond Trilogy.

Who is your hero or most inspirationalfigure? A really tough one this, as so manysupposed heroes turn out to have had feetof clay. Pratchett for sure. OliverCromwell? No, it has to be Don Quixote -the Man of La Mancha who tilted atwindmills, wanted life to be romantic, andfailed so gloriously.

Finally, if you could sum up your time atBlundell's as a cake, what type of cakewould you choose, and why? Definitely fruitcake: once you spit out allthe nuts, it's really sweet, and oftenunexpectedly fruity! (sorry about that).

Tim DykeInterview by FREYA DE LISLE

BEFORE TIM DYKE HUNG UP HIS MANY HAT(S) (HEAD OF ENGLISH, TUTOR,BLUNDELLIAN EDITOR, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REP, I/C DEBATES ANDTHE BOOK GROUP, PHOTOGRAPHER, PANAMA, FEDORA TO NAME A FEW)AND CAMERA AFTER THIRTY YEARS AT BLUNDELL’S, FREYA DE LISLE TOOKTHE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A FINAL INTERVIEW WITH HIM.

IT’S GOODBYE FROM HIM

Blundell’s SPORTS

RECORD BREAKING

24

In the Senior Boys (Over 16)competition FH proved to have toomuch strength in depth, with JackWebber winning three events supportedby Calum Findlay, Tom Woofenden andMichael Bennett with one apiece. ForOH the winners were Harry Bodingtonx2, Jack Friend, Andrew Hamilton andJosh Roberts. Jack Webber broke MaxSeymour’s 200m record (2008) in awinning time of 23.3 and Jack Friendbeat Lewis Ryan’s 1500m record (2004)with a time of 4.40.5

In the Senior Girls competition GH werethe stronger overall, with their winnersbeing Holly Keevil x3, Millie Blackmore,Corren Kvesic, Abi Lunn and BethanReade. Holly Keevil equalled LizzieWessely’s 2008 record in the 200m witha time of 28.4. The NC winners wereElly Yard x2, Charlotte Routledge, LucyReynolds and Sarah Kinsella.

The Junior (Under 16) Sports Dayshowed the incredible strength in Years9 and 10 with no less than thirteenrecords being broken. The Junior Girlscompetition went right to the wire withthe GH A string relay team just holdingoff the NC B string team to secure a142 -137 win. In the boys FH were wayahead all the way through andPetergate’s two relay teams both beattheir OH counterparts to secure secondspot overall.

Left: Archie Stoneman leading DougalGlaisher in the 1500m

THERE WAS AN EXCELLENT TURN OUT FOR THE ANNUALSPORTS DAYS AND IT WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASING TO SEETHE U6 FROM WESTLAKE FULLY SUPPORTING THEIR OLDHOUSES. THIRTEEN RECORDS WERE BROKEN AT THEJUNIOR EVENT AND THREE AT THE SENIOR EVENT.

Sports Days

25

Blundell’s SPORTS

The Junior record breakers were:

Victor Ludorum (Senior) – Jack Webber FH

Victor Ludorum (Junior) – Sam Talbot FH

Victrix Ludorum (Senior) – Holly Keevil GH

Victrix Ludorum (Junior) – Tash Finchett NC

Far Left: Lucy WallikerLeft: Finn NeusingerRight: Tash FinchettBelow: Sam Talbot leadsthe field

Event Record Breaker Time/Distance Previous Holder

Junior Girls 100m Tash Finchett NC 13.6 Lizzie Wessely 2007

200m Tash Finchett NC 28.1 equalled Lizzie Wessely 2006

High Jump Lucy Walliker NC 1.51m Emma Selby 2007

Triple Jump Lucy Walliker NC 9.05m New event

Junior Boys 80m Hurdles Sam Talbot FH 11.4 Tom Fayers 2008

100m Sam Talbot FH 11.8 Harry Edmanson 2006

200m Alex Kilbride P 24.5 Charles Newson 2007

300m Will Scott OH 38.6 New event

800m Archie Stoneman P 2.04.5 Jack Lilly D’Cruz 2008

High Jump Sam Talbot FH 1.74m Max Venables 2005

Shot Ivan Leung FH 11.86m Nick Huntley 2005

Discus Finn Neusinger OH 39.95m Jack Eadie 2005

Relay FH 50.2 OH 2007

The Junior Sports Day showed theincredible strength in Years 9 and 10with no less than thirteen recordsbeing broken.

‘’

26

irls cricket has reallytaken off this year atBlundell's. Thanks totheir coach, PaulDiamond, arrangingplenty of matches, aswell as an opportunityto play in a school

tournament, the girls have been kept busy andhave had plenty of practice. We are lucky tohave a number of players that playcompetitively for Devon outside of school,giving our teams an extra boost. In fact, wehave had a vast age range, with girls fromevery year joining in training on a Thursday.The junior girls have been so committed thatthey even train after activity time on Thursdaysfor an hour and a half!

GAbove: Some of the cricket playing girlsRight: Under 13 player Millie Attwell

I have been playing cricket forfour years now, having firststarted playing it in the gardenwith my brother and dad. As Iwas at the local cricket club alot I started to join in with theladies team training. Havingplayed rounders, I foundcricket was quite similar. Ienjoy all the different forms ofcricket such as T20 or 40 overmatches. I also enjoy workingwith others amongst the team,but individual performances are also crucial and I like that combination. I enjoy training and playing at the school; the activity set up on aThursday is great to practise and focus on some of the basic parts of yourgame and to experience different bowlers and styles of cricket duringmatches and training sessions. This season I was appointed captain of theU15 girls Devon squad and we won the South West T20 championships.In the winter there is a county training session once a month and ofcourse within the season we play county matches and those for our clubteams. Playing within school is good to practise skills and experiencedifferent styles of cricket and different bowlers and new situations duringmatches and training sessions.

Emma Jackman (Year 10)

Emma Jackman in action

27

So far this season, all of the teams wereunbeaten until a recent match against theU13 Devon Development Squad who beat usby only nine runs! We have had matches atU13, U15, U16 and U18 level with many ofthe School House girls playing well abovetheir age category. Many of our matches haveseen enormous wins of eighty runs or more!In the school tournament, our first team wonall of their matches to come out triumphant. A special mention should go to Eva Lloyd whoalso picked up a trophy for the best bowler ofthe entire tournament, chosen by Somerset’sWomen and Girls Head Coach, CarolineAtkins.

Blundell’s SPORTS

We are incredibly lucky to have the facilitiesthat we do at Blundell's, which allows the girlsto play on perfectly maintained pitches. WithPaul as our coach, the girls are able to get thebest possible coaching, as well as also beingable to come along to simply have a go. Thegirls dedication has been phenomenal and weare starting to see some real potential beingdeveloped. It has been a great season and thegirls have done fantastically well. This is onlythe start of girls cricket at Blundell's and I amconfident that we will have many morematches next year, as well as many moresuccesses.

Miss Becky Prescott

i/c of Girls Cricket and Head of Girls Games

‘The girlsdedication hasbeen phenomenal and we arestarting to seesome realpotential beingdeveloped.’

Girls Cricket

28

Blundell’s SPORTS

29

At what age did you start riding and whendid you enter your first competition?I don’t remember when I started riding Iwas so young. My sister and I were ledout by my mum whilst we were sat in awicker basket. I entered my first propercompetition when I was about five yearsold when my dad used to run around withme on a lead rein.

Describe the skills involved - how much of itis well-trained horse and how much therider?There are many skills involved as a ridersuch as patience, determination,adaptability to make those split-seconddecisions when things go slightly wrongduring competition, composure to stillperform under immense pressure andcontrolling your nerves as it affects thehorse’s performance. A horse with naturalability does make our job as a rider easierbut in no way can they do it bythemselves. One of the hardest skills as arider is to produce and train horses to astage where they can compete safely andwe have to do little to help them; thistakes years of careful training.

Outline the highlights of your career as anequestrian so far?The highlight of my career was definitelycompeting at Haras Du Pin, which is athree day event in France where Irepresented Great Britain. Wearing theUnion Jack on my saddle cloth wassomething I never expected to do, andrepresenting your country in any sport orform is just amazing.

What are the joys of competing?The joys of competing are definitely theadrenalin you get at competitions, theprogress you make throughout the seasonand doing well always helps. One thingthat is also amazing about competing inGreat Britain is the amazing estates andvenues which we get to compete in, andalongside all the professionals who will

one week be competing at the Olympicsand the next you’re competing againstthem at a local event. The social side ofEventing is always good fun andsupportive and you meet some greatpeople through it.

What would a typical day of training a horseinvolve?With horses I set up their training eachweek, building and adapting to what hasgone before and with specificcompetitions as an aim. As in any sporthorses both have to do fitness and skillstraining. They would usually carry outtwo fitness sessions a week, have onelesson with a trainer, do some skills workat home by myself and they get either oneor two days off in the field. Also bearing inmind their long-term competition seasonand what time you have to try and peakthem for the major competitions.

Blundell’s SPORTS

As Blundell’s most successful equestrian to date leaves the (school) field, we find outhow he has reached the heights of representing GB at the sport, the highs and lows ofcompeting and juggling this with school work .

SPOTLIGHT ON

How have you managed to juggle this withschool?It’s extremely difficult to juggle both; thisyear has been especially difficult withthree horses to ride and do my A2s. Ithink that maybe this year I have struggledto reach my full potential with my ridingor exams. I have to do a lot of work in thelorry on the way to competitions andtraining, with many late nights it’sextremely tiring and I have to be veryorganised with my time. Blundell’s hasbeen good to me with allowing me timeoff for some competitions.

‘The Blundell’s equestriancommunity is very luckyas they work as a greatteam and everyone isalways willing to helpeach other...’

On wet or snowy winter days or when youhaven’t felt well, how have you motivatedyourself to turn out to see to your horses,train, compete etc?I have to admit sometimes I struggle tomotivate myself to go outside in the awfulweather but at the end of the day horsesare animals, they have personalities andemotions and you have to put yourself intheir place and think how you would liketo be looked after. With motivating myselfto train in awful weather I think if I go outand ride now I’ll be one up on all thosepeople that didn’t bother to go out andtrain that day.

There are several good young riders comingon at Blundell’s; what advice would you givethem to encourage them to reach the levelyou have achieved?You have to enjoy it; if you enjoy ridingthen you’ll have a more positive attitude,determination and you’ll want it more. The Blundell’s equestrian community isvery lucky as they work as a great teamand everyone is always willing to helpeach other which makes it more fun andeasier; I think this is vital in keepingpeople riding for as long as possible. Alsonever give up, riding is one of the mostdemanding sports with the extreme highsand lows that we have to deal with.

What’s next for you?I’m taking a gap year and start working forcurrent British Number one, William Fox-Pitt, in November and taking my horseManyoshu with me. I’m aiming Manyoshuat the under 21 national championships inOctober and to be long listed for theUnder 21 Great Britain team next year.

Rupert Batting

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The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

It is with great pleasure that I can write and thank you for supporting our AnnualFund so generously this year; we have been able to undertake the majority of theprojects featured in our 2012/2013 request for support. Many of you chose tosupport the Olympic Legacy element and your recognition ‘pin badges’ should nowbe with you. Our Annual Fund appeal for 2013/2014 will again focus on the wishesof individual boarding houses to make them more of a ‘home from home’.

We are grateful to the Devon Territorial Army Association who very kindly supportedour request to obtain a new Standard for the CCF; this will be proudly displayed for

the first time at the Remembrance Service in November. Thanks must also go to a huge number ofsponsors who have supported various events and activities for Blundell’s this year, including TotalProduce, Chatham Marine, Knight Frank, Exe Valley Eggs, Rhino Rugby, Western Counties EquineHospital, National Westchem, Maslands, Missina Horseboxes, NJT, Philip Dennis Foodservice, Firewatchand Stapleton Farm Yogurt.

The Careers Mentoring Directory is about to go live on the website and we are very grateful to allmembers of the Blundell’s community who have most kindly assisted in delivering this initiative. It isanother step towards our desire to provide Blundellians with support beyond their time as a pupil withinthe school. The Business Directory continues to be a popular first port of call for those seekingbusinesses and services offered by the Blundell’s community. If you would like to know more about eitherof these initiatives, please do contact us.

We have had a busy year with events both at Blundell’s and further afield; please do read the individualevent summaries for more coverage. We have a full list of events given on the back page but are veryexcited to have our London Dinner at the Oxford and Cambridge Club this November and a dinner inDusseldorf to reunite our Blundellian Community in Germany. Our featured profession for our reception inOctober will be those (that we know about) who have or are working within the world of Property and/orAgriculture, so please do let us know if you haven’t already received an invitation from us but are involvedin those professions. The comedy night with Dom Holland in January promises to be a lively andentertaining evening; please do support and obtain your tickets for any of these events as soon aspossible.

We are hoping to introduce ‘a breakfast with the Head’ on a termly basis, a reunion of Blundell’sFoundationers and a ‘generations of families through Blundell’s reception’ in the near future. If you wouldlike to know about any of these, again, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Once again thank you so much for all your support in so many different ways; it really does make such adifference to the Blundell’s experience, both for current pupils and pupils of the future.

Welcome

Amber Oliver

Amber OliverDevelopment DirectorTel. 01884 232324Mob. 07825 734440a.oliver@blundells.org

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Emily Roffe-SilvesterDevelopment OfficerTel. 01884 243262devoffice@blundells.org

We were delighted to welcomesome of our 1604 Societymembers to lunch with the Headat Blundell House this summer; itwas a wonderful opportunity tothank those who have pledged tosupport Blundell’s in a bequest.Obviously this is a very personalarea and support can be givencompletely anonymously if sowished. A Gift in your Will makesa significant difference,regardless of the amountpledged, to the lives of currentpupils and future generations ofBlundellians. If you would like toknow more about making a gift,please contact Amber Oliver on01884 232324 for a confidentialdiscussion.

1604 SOCIETY

31

DevelopmentOffice Initiatives

e are currently settingup a Career MentoringProgramme wherementors from variousprofessions who wouldbe willing to giveguidance and advice to

our current pupils and recent leavers areincluded in a directory. There are many careerpaths available and we hope our mentors will beable to give insight into the pros and cons of aparticular career or industry. We believe this willhelp give pupils and recent leavers the extraconfidence when leaving Blundell’s to followtheir chosen career path. If you would like to joinour Career Mentoring Directory or if you can

School Careers andMentoring Programme Nick Holt, Career Mentor for

pupils interested in the law

Woffer advice or work experience placements,please email the Development Office for moreinformation.

This year we will be hosting a careermentoring session on 15th November for pupilsinterested in the law as a career with Nick Holtand James Bullock who both have many yearsexperience in the legal profession.

After the success of our Medical Mentoringevening last spring, we will again be hosting amentoring evening in conjunction with ourProfessional Reception which will focus onProperty and Agriculture. The career mentoringevening for pupils will take place on 10thMarch.

Medical mentoringduring the SpringTerm 2013

‘There are many careerpaths available and wehope our mentors willbe able to give insightinto the pros and consof a particular careeror industry.’

PeterBlundell

32

Forthcoming Events 2013/14

Please join us for an exclusive tour of theHouse of Commons by kind invitation ofNeil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton.The New Palace of Westminster - thecorrect name for the Houses ofParliament - stands on a historic riversidesite which links it with the origins ofParliament and the ancient palace of theNorman kings. No other Parliamentbuilding in the world is as instantlyrecognisable as the New Palace ofWestminster. It is impossible to walkthrough its corridors or dine in itsimposing refreshment rooms without adeep sense of awe. It is a unique venueand a very special place.

If you are interested in attending thisevent please contact the DevelopmentOffice as soon as possible.

The tour will take place at 12 noon andwill be followed by a buffet lunchaccompanied by Neil Parish. Ticketprices for the tour and lunch are £30 perperson.

House of Commons Tourand Buffet Lunch - 11th October 2013

Blundell's School, founded in 1604, wasmaintained for the first three hundredyears of its existence solely by theprofits from its properties in the town ofTiverton and, more importantly, from thelarge rural estate of West Prawle insouth Devon. The school has alwaysbenefited from a constant influx ofchildren from farming families, andduring the 20th century it boasted aflourishing Agricultural Society amongits activities.

Blundell’s is still rich in property andagricultural connections and we will behosting a reception on Saturday 19thOctober celebrating these ties formembers of the Blundell’s Communityincluding OBs, past and current parentsand supporters. Our guest speaker forthe day is former member of staff andformer Chairman of Governors DavidFursdon. David is a Commissioner for

Property and Agriculture Reception19th October 2013

David Fursdon will be the guest speaker at the reception

English Heritage and the Crown Estateand runs and owns Fursdon Estate,which his family has owned for morethan 750 years.

If you are a member of the Property andAgricultural Community or would like tomeet with members who are, pleaseinform the Development Office and wewill be pleased to send you an invitation.

Blundell’s Community London Dinner 8th November 2013

Hare and Hounds Alumni Run14th December 2013

Calling all Alumni runners! Theannual Alumni Hare and Houndsrace will take place again this yearat Wimbledon Common, Londonon 14th December. This is theoldest Alumni race in the UK andthe team is keen to defeat Eton thisyear who pipped them last year bya few points! If you are an Alumnirunner and would like toparticipate, please get in touchwith the Development Office.

Our Annual London dinner increases inpopularity each year and we are delightedto invite Old Blundellians and Blundellianparents past and present to join us onFriday 8th November at The Oxford andCambridge Club by kind invitation ofBlundell’s governor, James Bullock (P 81-86).

The club was formed in March 1972 bythe amalgamation of the United UniversityClub and the Oxford and CambridgeUniversity Club. The latter dates from ameeting of members from the two

universities held at the British Coffee House,27 Cockspur Street on 17th May 1830, withLord Palmerston in the chair.

This will be a great opportunity to meet oldfriends and to make new contacts from theBlundell’s Community and we hope that youwill wish to attend either as an individual,with your partner or to make up a table offriends for the evening. The dress code willbe black tie. Speaking at the dinner will bethe Head of Blundell’s, Nicola Huggett, whowill reflect on her first few terms at theschool, and Barnabas Hurst-Bannister whowill be an engaging, entertaining andinspiring after dinner speaker.

If you would like to attend please inform theDevelopment Office. Tickets for the event willcost £80 per person (£65 for those under 25)which will include a three course meal with adrinks reception on arrival and a half bottle ofwine during the meal.

The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

Many German pupils have studied at Blundell’sand we are eager to host a dinner reception inGermany to meet with Old Blundellians andparents both past and current. We will be holdingthe dinner at the Willkommen im Belugarestaurant in Carlstadt, Dusseldorf on the 17thJanuary from 7.30pm with a drinks reception anddinner. If you are currently living in Germany orthe surrounding areas or will be visiting thislocation then, please do join us for this event.The dinner and drinks reception is £40 per ticketand we would love to see as many from theBlundell’s community as possible.

33

he centenary of the First World War is coming up nextyear. To mark this historic event, Old Blundellian TimCourtenay (OH 54-59) will be leading a Pilgrimage toYpres, the Artois and Somme regions ahead of theexpected deluge of visitors from across the world. Tim is

a career Royal Marine and has taken some 3,000 visitors to Europeanbattlefields, principally those of the two World Wars, for more thanten years.

This is a great opportunity for members of the BlundellianCommunity to visit these landmark areas and to learn a bit moreabout those who lost their lives in WW1, which included more than200 Blundellians. We will visit many of the OB graves and memorialsduring the tour.

We have secured preferential accommodation close to all the sites itis planned to visit. Travel by luxury coach from Blundell's, ferrycrossing and all guiding will cost £200 based on a party of 20delegates. Additional costs will be accommodation and meals;double/twin room at €70 per person per night or single room €63 perperson per night including breakfast; three course evening meal withwine €32 per person per night. The only other costs will be cafelunches en route.

The initial draft programme is available to view on the DevelopmentOffice website under forthcoming events.

Tim Courtenay (OH 54-59) on the rightwith the late Alan Fradgley (SH 34-39)presenting a Blundell’s wreath

A Blundell’s wreath tocommemorate OldBlundellian soldiers

The ‘Winter Lunch’ season is nearly upon us, whereOld Blundellians and partners meet on the secondWednesday of the month to enjoy an informal lunchat 12.30pm at the Colin Beale Centre, followed by ashort talk by a speaker on any manner of subject.We are always keen to encourage new faces tothese events and so please do make contact withJanet Wooff (GH 80-82) if you have not been beforeand would like to know more, or indeed if you havean interest you might like to share at one of thelunches in the future. Janet can be contacted on01884 232010 or email admin@obclub.co.uk.Please note places have to be booked by the datesspecified. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Winter Lunches

Blundellian Battlefield Tour of the Western Front

T24th to 28th April 2014

Dinner in Germany

Blundell’s will be hosting aComedy Night on Friday 17thJanuary in aid of charity. ComedianDom Holland will host the eventand two other comedians will alsobe performing. Dom has been a

professional comedian for more than twentyyears, becoming one of the best and mostrespected comedians of his generation. He canbe seen regularly on television, on such showsas Have I Got News for You and The Royal VarietyPerformance. The Sunday Times described himas ‘The UK’s master of observational comedy.’Tickets are available from the Main Office andtickets for pupils will be sold at a discounted rate.

Comedy Night

34

Due to the popularity of last year’sRussell Run dinner which was heldafter the Russell Run, we will beholding another Black Tie dinner onSaturday 22nd March 2014. Pleasesave the date for this enjoyableevening which will include a drinksreception and three course meal. Wewill be celebrating the achievements ofour sports men and women.

Blundell’sSportsman Black Tie Dinner

We will be holding a Blundell’sreception at Henley Royal Regatta bykind permission of Patrick Penny (W78-83) on Wednesday 27th June. Wewould like to invite Blundellians whoare interested in this popular rowingevent to view races throughout the dayand enjoy a lunch in the Steward’senclosure tent. If you would like moreinformation about the day includingticket prices please contact theDevelopment Office.

Henley RoyalRegatta Reception

Were you in a band whilst atBlundell's, or maybe since then?Would you like to reform for onenight only for an exclusive Blundell'sBand night at the 100 Club in OxfordStreet, London?

We are looking for former andcurrent band members who wouldlike to help us stage an event at thisunique venue. Contact theDevelopment Office to register yourinterest.

Put the Bandback together

or the first time, the OldBlundellian Club worked withthe Blundell’s DevelopmentOffice to organise a daycombining the traditional

elements of OB Day and incorporating aGaudy for OBs at school between 1950 and1970. The result was an excellent day inJune with a record number of 140 OBs andpartners sitting down to lunch in themarquee on Big Field.

Proceedings began on Friday evening with adinner organised by Peter Price (W 58-63)in the Tiverton Hotel. At the AGM in theBeale Centre, which started off Saturday’sevents, the Chairman reported an excellentyear for the OBC with a large range of wellsupported events for OBs of all ages andinterests. In line with the club’s policy ofencouraging younger OBs to return toBlundell’s, two new committee memberswere elected, both of whom are undertwenty five.

The Chapel congregation was larger thanusual as most OBs attended and enjoyed asermon from David Hamer (Chaplain 73 -01). The lesson was read by Robert Beale(M 59 - 64). Fortunately the weathercleared up and a total of 170, including 30staff, had pre lunch drinks in or outside theBeale Centre.

Old Blundellian Day

Lunch was provided and served by theschool catering team who did an excellentjob. The President for the Day was RobertFox (OH 59 -63) who not only kepteverybody awake during his post lunchspeech, but was also very entertaining.

After lunch many OBs took the opportunityto visit their Houses and see new schoolbuildings as well as visiting thecomprehensive exhibition of 1950 to 1970memorabilia set out by the school archivistin the Modern Languages Department. Teain the Beale Centre followed, the OBsplayed the school at tennis and watchedBlundell’s win a cricket match on Big Field.Around 40 people attended the meal in theevening.

OB golf at Tiverton Golf Club followed onSunday morning. All in all it was a verysuccessful and varied OB Day. The OBCwould like to thank the Development Officefor help in organising and running the dayand Old Blundellians for attending in suchgood numbers.

A more detailed account of the OB Day and

Gaudy written by OB Peter Price can be

seen on the OBC website

www.blundells.org/obclub

FThe Head Mrs Nicola Huggett addresses OBs atthe lunch on Old Blundellian Day

The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

35

Parents, both past and present,along with OBs and former staffmembers gathered at the historicGreenway House, the formersummer home of Agatha Christie,for a house and garden tour andlunch reception. Despite thedreary weather conditions, thegroups enjoyed the gardenswhich included the Peach House,a mini-cemetery of Agatha’sanimals and fantastic views of theRiver Dart.

The tour of the house was ofgreat interest to all and gave areal insight into the lives of bothAgatha Christie and her familyincluding her husband, thearchaeologist Max Mallowan. Thehouse and garden were a greatsource of inspiration for many of

Agatha’snovels,includingFive LittlePigs,TowardsZero, DeadMan’s Follyand manymore.

Inside one of Agatha Christie’sgarden conservatories at Greenway

Former governor Mike Bull and JulianStreet (W 50-56) admire paintingsinside Agatha Christie’s summer home.

A selection of Agatha Christie’s

famous novels

Our fourth Annual Charity Golf Day at Dainton golfcourse was a terrific success with teams comprised ofOld Blundellians, past and present parents, staff,sponsors and supporters competing for theChampionship title along with individual prizes. We were again very lucky with the weather and whilethe teams enjoyed a quick bite to eat we also hosted amini-putting completion which was jointly won bycurrent parent Nick Dyke and supporter Peter Smith.

The winning team was Hal White, Tom and John Lower(supporters) and Andy Fields (current parent); NickHancock (current parent) was the top scoring male,Shaneen Smith the top female, and Richard Aldridge(NC 56-60) was the top scoring Old Blundellian. All theteams completed the course in time for a drinksreception in the courtyard before a well-deservedcarvery dinner which was followed by a charity rafflefor both the Devon Air Ambulance and The PeterBlundell Foundation Award bursary provision. A varietyof prizes were awarded on behalf of our sponsorsFirewatch, Dainton Park Golf Course, Stapleton Yogurts,Philip Dennis Foodservice, WestChem and JollyVintner.

Many thanks to all those that participated in this year’sgolf day: we hope to see you all again next year!

Garden Tour of Greenway House

Charity Golf Day

36

Our 4th annual casual London drinks receptionat The Light Bar near Shoreditch was a greatsuccess with close to 100 OBs and parents inattendance. We were thrilled to see so manyBlundellians from all walks of life including OBsfrom 1940 to 2009! It was also terrific to seesome current and past parents this year and wasa great chance for everyone to meet with NicolaHuggett.

A special thanks to Old Blundellian James Goff(M 75-79) and Brett Sullings (FH 98-03) for alltheir help in enabling this event to happen;without their support it would have not beenpossible so we thank them for their generosity.

Old Blundellians enjoying a pint after work at theLondon Drinks Reception

he local British Legionapproached the school with aproposal to mark the 60thanniversary of the end of the

Korean War. John Hollands (OH 46-51)very kindly gave a talk to the currentpupils and other war veterans on hisexperiences in the Korean War andwhat inspired him to write the book‘The Dead, The Dying & The Damned.’The book was originally banned fromBlundell’s school library because theHeadmaster objected to some of theTokyo 'R and R' scenes in the book.

Mr Hollands was introduced by formermaster Charles Noon (Master 72-02)who spoke about John’s time atBlundell’s and his highly successfulcareer as an author. Many pupilsqueued after the talk to get a copytheir books signed by the author. Hisfirst book What a Fag is currentlyreceiving quite a revival in the schoolshop; get your copy while stocks last.

Korean WarLecture

John Hollands (OH 46-51) with fellow warveterans and Charles Noon, former Master

The Light Bar – 6th June 2013

London Drinks Reception

Above: Ron March (NC 55-60),Peter Price (W 58-63) and ChrisMiles (M 55-58).Top: The Head meets OB NigelBarnes (SH 42-47) and CharlesKnocker (FH 50-54).

with John Hollands (OH 46-51)

TCurrent pupils lined up to get their bookssigned by the author

The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

37

The Mayor of Tiverton for 2012/13,Councillor Janet Rendle, was delighted tobe able to use Big School as the venue forher charity concert in July. Andrew Barloworganised all the musical arrangementsand accompanied the three OBs whoperformed at the concert.

Hana Skarkova (nee Srubarova) from theCzech Republic was an Ondaatje Scholarat the school from 1995-1997 and Mr andMrs Rendle were her English guardians.Hana performed classical songs whilefellow Old Blundellians Bella Barlow (GH99-06) sang numbers from musicalcompositions and Rosamund Harpur (GH03-10) performed on the flute.

All three performers are professionals whowaived their fees to perform at Blundell’sagain. The evening was a great successand more than 180 guests attended,raising almost £2,000 for Mayor Janet’stwo charities - Tiverton Hospiscare and theMayor’s charity. DVDs of the concert areavailable to purchase and all profits willsupport the Mayor’s charities. If you wouldlike a copy please contact John Rendle(SH 62-66) john@mellguards.eclipse.co.ukor 01884 254914.

Mayor’s Concert

Perfomers included Old Blundellians BellaBarlow, Hana Skarkova (nee Srubarova)and Rosamund Harper

More than 180 guests attended helping toraise £2000 for the Mayor’s Charities.

ld Blundellian BellaBarlow (GH 99-06)recently returned to theschool to take part in theMayor’s Concert as a

guest vocalist (see left). It was fortunatefor concert goers that she could fit it intoher busy schedule: she has beenperforming in cabarets all over Londonand during the summer was working asAssistant Musical Director of Soul Music– a new musical based on the novel byTerry Pratchett. Through her writing,she’s also been asked to collaborate onthe new musical, Poppy. But it all startedwith the song she wrote, inspired by thetitle tracks used for the James Bondfilms. In an article for the Starscreenerwebsite (an edited version is kindlyreproduced with their permission), Bellareveals more about her inspirations andplans for the future.

Bella initially wrote the Bond styleAnother Life To Live over two years agoas part of her music degree, but afterhearing Adele’s smash-hit Skyfall shedecided it was time to head back to thestudio and get recording.

‘I’ve always wanted to record thesong’, Bella says, ‘but after finishinguniversity I moved on to teaching as wellas performing in a variety of stage andmusical theatre shows. There was alwaysso much going on that I had to put it ona back burner. But when I heard Skyfall Ithought of Another Life To Live straightaway and I decided now would be theperfect time to record it.’

And record it she did. With oneversion already available on SoundCloud,Bella is overwhelmed by the positivefeedback she has received. ‘Thecomments from people have beenwonderful, especially via Twitter. Therehave been so many people requesting to

OB PROFILE

buy it I’ve decided to release it on iTunesand I’ve even got the opportunity torecord it with a full orchestra which I amso excited about!’

But Bond isn’t her only inspiration.‘My musical style is very much popmixed with musical theatre - a crossbetween KT Tunstall with a bit ofGoldrich and Heisler. I’ve also alwaysloved Victoria Wood’s style of comedysinging, that was another huge influencefor me growing up - so much so that I’mactually in the process of recording asong in a similar style. One of myultimate goals would be to write andperform a comedy song with MirandaHart - she’s so funny’.

Bella’s not only a talented singer,though. She also has a lot of theatreexperience, including a sell-out run atthe Edinburgh Fringe starring in Side BySide with MCG Theatre in associationwith Highly Strung Productions. Comingup next is a performance in the cabaretLove and Facebook at The BatterseaBarge, and later this year she’ll also betrying out life on the other side of thecamera, directing a musical atGoldsmiths University.

When she’s not busy performing ordirecting, Bella also finds time to leadperformance workshops for children whoare interested in musical theatre, as wellas offering private tuition in musicaltheatre, singing and piano.

And before we go, there’s one morething we just have to ask. ‘My favouriteBond? Pierce Brosnan, without a doubt.He’s just absolutely gorgeous!’

Since this article was published,

Bella has recorded the song with the

orchestra that played at the Mayor’s

Concert and a link to the song is on her

website www.bellabarlow.co.uk.

OBella Barlow

Old Blundellian

38

An end to end game which saw the OBsrespond magnificently to the school's openinggoal resulted in a 6-1 victory for the school. TheOBs found the school's energy and organisationtoo much for their weary legs towards the finishof the second half. Matt Pynn (W 94-99) is to becongratulated on his 12th consecutive cap for theOBs.

Sports weekend 15th March 2013

OBs v Pupils - Football

The annual squash encounter between the OBsand the school is seldom an event withoutexcitement and this year the OBs were able tosecure a second win! Earlier in the afternoon,two thrilling battles took place at the No 2 andNo 4 spot. Jess Mudge (GH 04-11) returned fromBirmingham to play Joe Pyne in a gruelling fivesetter which Joe won 13-11 in the fifth. In asimilar, bruising encounter, the OB number fourPhil Hancock (M 70-75) played William French inanother nail-biter which also saw the school win13-11 in the fifth game. Grant Dee Shapland (P71-76) at No 3, returning to grace the courts forthe second time in four years, beat Gary Abdoll3-0. In the No 5 slot Peter Melville-Shreeve (OH98-03) made his debut for the OBs and put up avaliant performance but was perhaps a littleoutgunned by the unorthodox but effective shotcombinations of Matthew Oddy. Peter lost hisgame 3-0 to leave the OBs in second placeoverall. Blundell’s won 3-2, outrunning the OBsbut there is always next year!

OBs v Pupils - SquashAbove: Alex Rew (TH 84-89)takes on Tom McPherson(recent leaver 2013)Below: A friendly photo withOBs and pupils taken beforea fierce match

We had an entertaining if wet fives matchagainst the OBs. It was a tough but goodnatured battle. The OBs got the upper handwinning 114-72, experience and cunningwinning over youthful vigour and enthusiasm.There were many good games and pupils TomMcPherson, Alistair Chilcott and Jack Webberplayed particularly well in the singles. HarveyScott and Tom McPherson fought hard in thedoubles against Alex Rew (TH 84-89) TimLewis (W 71-76) as did Alistair Chilcott andJack Webber, winning one of their games 11-9. Suguru Saito and Sam Combe turned thetables on Wayne Enstone and Chris Hedley-Dent, pushing the second game to agentleman’s draw of 10-all!

All in all it was an excellent match played ingood spirit.

OBs v Pupils - Fives

Sport

39

Kate Pyle (GH 87-89), now Kate Wheatley, organised tennis with theschool on OB Day and it was a great pleasure to see a mix of OBsenjoying early evening tennis. The emphasis was very much on takingpart and camaraderie rather than Wimbledonesque competitiveness - nogrunting and no referees!

After last year’s retention of the Olympic Cricket Trophy, a quiet OBcricket year was anticipated. However, Chad Murrin (FH 69-73),invigorated by 2013 triumphs, added to the OB fixture list and producedsome excellent sides. The fixture against the school was competitive andof a high standard with the OBs just winning. Denstone Wanderers, OldTauntonians and the South Wales Hunt were seen off comprehensivelywith Graham Poulton (SH 67-72) making a welcome return to OB cricket.

Sport is an integral part of OB Club activities and more information aboutmatches is available on the website.We have recently been asked by theLondon Old Street Onions Rugby team if there was a possibility of OBsforming a rugby team in the area, so if any London based players areinterested, please get in touch with the OB Club. Similarly, we can helpOBs with contacts and help in organising other sporting events.

Despite having a full set of players for most of thematch, the OBs were in danger of being humiliatedas the school 1st XI established a 5-0 lead. At thetime, a composed finish from Matt Stones (P 01-08)looked little more than a consolation as the OBseventually got on the scoreboard just before half-time from the penalty spot.

During the break, Simon Higgins (OH 03-08) had tomake an abrupt exit. This signalled a change infortunes for the OBs. Hockey player and GraduateAssistant James Mayes put his whistle away andwas substituted on and started sliding the ball allover the pitch! The midfield of Bess Menheneott(NC 02-09), Ben Shelbourne (FH 05-12) and HarrisonBriggs (OH 10-12) dominated, and JamesWaddington (P 98-05) struck a great reverse-stickgoal as the OBs threatened a remarkablecomeback, but at the end of time it was a win forthe school.

OBs v Pupils - Hockey

Old Blundellianplayers get ready

to take on thepupils!

Tennis and Cricket

Save the Date: Old Blundellian Sporting Events

OB Sports Weekend hockey (co-ed), netball, squash and fives onFriday 21st March and football on the 22nd. The Annual ReichwaldFives Tournament will be held on Sunday 13th October 2013.

The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

40

Magpies Veterans Shoot The team admiring a great shot by DavidBentata (FH 51-56)

Team Captain Peter Ward (FH 1959-1964)on left

In November 2012 an Old Blundellian,who also happens to be my son, informedme that he would be riding as part of theFundsmith team in the Cape Argus inMarch 2013. Investigation revealed thatthe Cape Argus is the biggest timedbicycle race in the world and involvesriding a bicycle 110km round the CapeTown peninsula with 35,000 others, someof whom have competed in the Tour deFrance and the Olympics. As the steadydrizzle set in over Tiverton for the next sixmonths, I thought I would rather like tobe riding a bicycle in clear air and atemperature of 30 degrees in Cape Townin March, so I entered the race.

The application form required previousracing experience and I, ratherpathetically, was only able to say I rodequite fast to school when I was young along time ago. But I was accepted andthe Fundsmith team shirt arrived in thepost. Fundsmith is an investmentcompany set up by Terry Smith, a wellknown City figure, for whom TomArmstrong (M 91- 93) works. I sufferedmuch negative banter from those whoremembered me driving the 50m fromFH to the squash courts.

I will spare readers the details ofpainful training throughout the Devonwinter and experimentation with multiplepairs of padded shorts and saddle angles.I duly arrived in Cape Town in March,wandered into the rented FundsmithCamps Bay mansion and shook handswith Simon Kneel (W 79 - 84). I had lastseen Simon 30 years earlier in a Physicslab at Blundell’s. It turned out that one ofhis great Cambridge friends was amember of the Fundsmith team andSimon had agreed to pace his friend inthe Argus. Simon has lived in Cape Town

Cape Argus 2013for many years with his wife and theyboth enjoy outdoor pursuits.

I arrived at the start in Cape Town at6am on 10th March with two OBs as thesun rose over Table Mountain, dressedimmaculately in black Lycra with the bikeI had disassembled, flown with and thenreassembled myself. Riders are groupedin pens of 1000 or so and released at thesame time. At 8am, my pen headed offdown the east side of the Cape peninsula.The most frightening thing is theproximity of other riders and the need toride at approximately the same speed asthem in order not to be knocked off. Theday warmed up to 30 degrees and wecrossed the bottom of the peninsulabefore ascending Chapman’s Peak, thestiffest climb on the course. Wedged in agroup of 10 cyclists across the road withonly a gap of a metre separating the riderin front and the rider behind from me, Ihad no choice but to rocket down awinding road at about 50 mph with a cliffface on one side and a 50m drop to theocean on the other.

I finished in six hrs and joined 25,000others in the drinks tent for well earnedbeers. The OBs beat me comfortably butI employed the Duckworth Armstrong ruleinvolving dividing time by age to convincemyself I had beaten them and wasdelighted to have been faster than 5,000starters. One fall and some minor grazeswere the only downside.

Next year’s race is on March 9th2014. South African OBs are keen tohave a gathering over that weekend.Entries for the Argus open on 1st Sept2013. I’ll be there - how about an OBteam?

Paddy Armstrong

The Annual Magpies Veterans Shoottook place on 11th July 2013, luckilyonce again in the sort of idyllic weatherconditions we've seen during therecent past. Just one team had beenbooked, but by Murphy's Law sevenpeople turned up, so two of us had tostand down. I had no problem inexercising captain's prerogative (quite arelief, actually) but I did feel somesympathy for Richard Price, whoarrived well in time, but just after theteam card had been signed. Wewere rather fortunate in knowing thatDavid B (Club Coach) would turn up,because he had the only rifle, and notfor the first time everything dependedon his letting everyone else use it, andin coaching them individually. Good jobthat he's such a clubable fellow!

The actual shoot, though dry, wasbedevilled by a fresh, variable andveering breeze, which affected therighteous and unrighteous alike, andresulted in the top teams missing theusual quintet of possibles. Despite thisbeing their first open range venture thisseason, Magpie stalwarts DavidBentata (FH 51-56), Hugo Brooke (NC49-54), Mike Chandler (P 60-65), ChrisBarker (P 60-64) and Robert Bentata(FH 82-87), performed with verve andpanache, and although the final scoreof 204.8 lay rather towards the lowerend of the spectrum, manifestlyenjoyed the experience.

Team Captain Peter Ward (FH 1959-1964).

41

Devon Air Ambulance Helicopter Tour

Saturday evening was familiarisation withchildren getting to know one another and‘the lads’ making significant inroads into apin of Otter beer. British Bulldog on BogField brought back memories and somecompetitive tennis kept the children happy.

On Sunday morning several OBs slippedinto Lycra and helmets and the inauguralride of the Old Blundellian Cycling Club tookplace out to Huntsham with a few seriousriders going on up Golf Ball Hill. The

Old Blundellian Camping

Big Field was transformed into ahelicopter pad for the afternoon when weplayed host to the Devon Air AmbulanceTrust’s new helicopter. This was just oneof a series of drop-in visits that the newhelicopter made across the county.Blundell’s School is one of DAAT’s officiallanding sites and the tour allowed aircrewthe chance to familiarise themselves withthe new aircraft and landing site.

We welcomed more than 200 localvisitors, many of whom received apersonal tour of the helicopter by a DAATpilot. Exeter Chiefs Rugby players, CraigMitchell and Jack Arnott, were alsopresent and signed autographs for the

visitors. Blundell’s School pupils donateda selection of artwork which was sold inaid of DAAT and refreshments wereavailable to the visitors.

Devon Air Ambulance is one ofBlundell’s favourite local charities andthe school has raised over £500 in thelast year to support the new helicopter.This event is one example of the way inwhich Blundell’s works with thecommunity to support local goodcauses.

proposal for Club formation was put up byJames McRae whilst enjoying a pint at theRedwoods Inn on the way back and wasenthusiastically supported by all includingRob Russell who had ridden from his homein Portishead to Blundell’s the day before.Readers interested in an annual ride pleasecontact James via the Old Blundellian Club.

Sunday lunch was a barbeque followed byan amazing meal put together by KateMcIver who had driven down from her farm

Alex Scott organised this year’s camping trip again and did a fantasticjob. Forty Old Blundellians, partners and children pitched tents next toWestlake on Saturday 24 August. The Beale Centre acted as a focus andcomfort station with campers having use of the pavilion showers, theswimming pool and the tennis courts.

that day. A diligent approach, as always,allowed OBs to polish off both the Otter andthe wine in the Beale Centre before retiring.The sun shone on Monday morning and,after a cooked breakfast, a swimming galatook place followed by lunch and departure.We are all looking forward to next year’sevent which, hopefully, Alex will againorganise.

The Development Office and Old Blundellian Club

Exeter Chiefs players Craig Mitchell (left)and Jack Arnott flank the Head and DAATOperations Director Nigel Hare with thecheque presented by the school

The inaugural meetingof the OB Cycling Club

JANUARY 201413th Winter Lunch, Speaker: James Wyeth (OH 46-50)

Beale Centre Contact: OB Club17th Blundell’s Germany Dinner Cologne, Germany

Contact: Development Office17th Blundell’s Comedy Night in aid of charity, Big School

Contact: Development Office

FEBRUARY 201412th Winter Lunch, Speaker: Major David Waterworth (NC

58-63) ‘Devon Army Cadet Force Duke of EdinburghExpeditions to Spain’ Beale Centre Contact: OB Club

MARCH 20148th Annual Veteran’s Russell Race Blundell’s School

3.30pm race Contact: Development Office10th Property and Agriculture Career Mentoring for

pupils Beale Centre 6.15pm - 8.00pm Contact: Development Office

12th Winter Lunch, Speaker: Bart Wielenga (SecondMaster) topic TBC, Beale Centre Contact: OB Club

21st OB Sports Weekend (hockey, netball, squash and fives)Contact: OB Club

22nd OB Sports Weekend (Football) Contact: OB Club22nd Blundell’s Black Tie Dinner Big School, 10am to 6pm

Contact: Development Office or OB Club

APRIL 201424th Western Front Pilgrimage European Battlefields28th Contact: Development Office

JULY 20142nd Henley Royal Regatta Reception Henley-on-Thames

Places strictly limited Contact: Development Office

OCTOBER 20134th Big Band Charity Concert

Big School, 7.30pmContact: Main Office

9th Winter Lunch, Speaker: Michael Imbert (FH 46-48)‘Preservation and Conservation’ Beale CentreContact: OB Club

11th London Tour and Lunch at the House of Commons

Contact: Development Office13th The Reichwald Trophy, Fives Tournament

Blundell’s School. Contact: OB Club17th Quiz in aid of CLIC

Big School, 7pm. Contact: Main Office18th Allegri String Quartet

Big School, 7.30pm. Contact: Main Office19th Property and Agriculture Reception Lunch

12pm Big School Contact: Development Office

30th Food and Craft Fair

In aid of Children's Hospice, Big School 10am - 7pmContact: Development Office

NOVEMBER 20138th Music Scholars Concert

Big School, 7.30pm Contact: Main Office8th London Dinner, Oxford and Cambridge Club

Contact: Development Office13th Winter Lunch, Speaker: Lieutenant-Colonel Tim

Courtenay (OH 54-59) ‘The Trucial Oman Scouts’ Beale Centre Contact: OB Club

15th The Law - Career Mentoring for pupils

Beale Centre Contact: Development Office16th Christmas Market

Blundell’s Prep School, 10am to 2pmContact: Development Office

21st Wine Tasting

in aid of charity, Ondaatje Hall, 7pmContact: Main Office

DECEMBER 201311th Winter Lunch, Speaker: Peter Price (W 58-63) ‘You

cannot square the circle to how the circle was

squared for my favourite Blundellian hero.’ BealeCentre Contact: OB Club

14th Hare and Hounds Alumni Run

Wimbledon Common Contact: Development Office

FORTHCOMING EVENTSBlundell’s Community

Development Office

Amber Oliver Development DirectorTel: 01884 232324 email: a.oliver@blundells.org

Emily Roffe-Silvester Development OfficerTel: 01884 243262 email: devoffice@blundells.org

CONTACT DETAILS

Old Blundellian Club

Janet Wooff OB AdministratorTel: 01884 232010 email: admin@obclub.co.uk

Paddy Armstrong OB SecretaryTel: 07799 066966 email: pa@obclub.co.uk

Please visit our website for more informationwww.blundells.org and click on Development Office or OB Club

Main Office

Carole Francis Tel: 01884 232401