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Adams' Grammar School Headmaster's Newsletter
 
Adams' Grammar School 
Headmaster's Newsletter  
 Christmas Issue 2015  

As we draw to the end of 2015, I would like to thank all our pupils and parents for your support during my first 12 months as Headmaster.

On Monday I attended the London Haberdashers’ end of year meeting to tell them about the last 12 months at Adams’ and this was a wonderful opportunity to share with them all the amazing things our pupils have achieved.  Our annual school production involved our biggest-ever cast and pupils are already busy rehearsing for not one but two big school productions next year.
 
Following the success of this year’s tour to Sri Lanka, which was a wonderful opportunity enjoyed by many of our hockey and netball players, our rugby players are currently busy training for their rugby tour to New Zealand in the summer. Meanwhile our history students have recently toured Russia and all of our Year 7 pupils have had the privilege of visiting the Haberdashers Hall this term. 
 
We have celebrated many individual pupil achievements too in DT, chemistry, geography and maths to name just a few and celebrated some great sporting moments with both national and international sports players.  
 
Our music department introduced its first ever Music Colours evening this year and along with the many concerts and live at lunch sessions, is once again organising a music tour to Australia next year with Ringwood Secondary College students coming to us first in March.  They also have a very special treat lined up for us in January with national competition winners The Sons of Pitches coming into school to run some workshops. Pupils will also be preparing for our annual House Music competition in March with two new categories including a new music cup for a chamber music class.
 
All of this is of course just a snapshot of many wonderful things that have and are happening at Adams’.  As I reminded the boys and girls at last Friday’s whole school assembly, we are a magnificent school with tremendous opportunities for everyone.  We must continue to work together and not let anything overshadow all the many terrific achievements of our pupils. 

 
Gary Hickey

Headmaster

Christmas in Junior Boarding

Longford Hall was filled with Christmas cheer on Friday night as parents gathered to watch their sons perform in the junior boarders’ Annual Arts Evening. The 50 junior boarders delighted their families with musical performances, readings and sketches causing much amusement for everyone. Read More

Arkwright Scholar

Congratulations to Thomas Cross who has been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Scholarship at a ceremony in London. Thomas is pictured with a representative from the Haberdashers' Company who sponsored his application. The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships support young people from across the UK who have the potential to be industry’s future leaders in engineering and technical design. 
 

Star Wars comes to Boarding

The Star Wars force awakened early at Adams' when our catering department held a special themed evening meal for our boarders. Music, slide show and fancy dress costumes created the perfect setting for the themed evening of scrumptious food served by Princess Leia and Chewbacca, to name but a few. Read More

Rugby playing Chefs on tour

In the summer 2016 a group of Adams’ boys will take part in a tour of Hong Kong and New Zealand. To raise money for the tour the PE department held a wonderful evening of food and horse racing for parents and supporters.
Read More

Dixon Cup

The Dixon Cup was a wonderful day and evening enjoyed by the pupils and many parents. Many congratulations again to Darwin House for their win. DVDs of the full evening performance are now available from Reception priced at £10. You can also view Talbot's winning Dance routine on our YouTube Channel.  
 

Smedley Cup

Many congratulations to Darwin who took the Smedley Cup yesterday after a closely fought contest. 

Commendations

The latest Headmaster, Taylor and Peterson Commendations are now available on the websiteMany congratulations to all pupils whose hard work has been recognised.
 

A winning picture for Charlie

Assistant Headteacher Camilla Whitney-Thomas recently launched a brand new art competition to Year 5 pupils in our local primary schools, inviting them to draw and paint their very own picture of the front of Adams’ Grammar. 

Charlie's winning picture was displayed along with all the competition entries at the school’s Christmas Shopping Evening and his picture will soon appear on the cover of a brand new Adams’ Grammar School brochure.
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The Sons of Pitches play AGS

In January, we will be welcoming back Old Novaportan, Joe Belham, who has recently found fame with a Cappella group, The Sons of Pitches, who appeared on television a few months ago. Joe credits his early experience of performing in House Music with sparking his love of ensemble singing.

We are delighted that the The Sons of Pitches will be visiting the school on Thursday 28th January 2016 to do a workshop with a group of students. There will also be a unique opportunity to see the group in concert in the evening at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10.00 and are available from the Coach House on a first come, first served basis.

Food Bank Appeal

On behalf of our Charities Committee, we would like to thank everyone who has donated to our Food Bank Appeal.  This time of year can be a very difficult time for many and the Food Bank is really grateful to all the pupils and parents who have supported the appeal so generously.

More CCF success

The annual Air Squadron Trophy for CCF RAF took place at RAF Cosford last month. For the first time ever, AGS entered two teams with the A team being crowned champions on the dayRead More

AGS visits Russia

Over half-term a group of pupils took part in the first ever Adams' trip to Russia. They visited cultural sites in both Moscow and St. Petersburg including St. Nicholas Cathedral, Red Square, the Kremlin and also had time to fit in a trip to an ice hockey game and a Russian folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace.

Many thanks to the History department for organising this trip which is sure to be a highlight of school life for those who took part.

Fancy dress netball competition

Our netball players enjoyed a fabulous afternoon last week when they competed in a Christmas netball tournament at Wolverhampton Grammar School. The dress code for the day was fancy dress!
Read More

Hockey reports

The latest hockey reports can be read on the school website.

Read More
 

Dinner Dance enjoyed by all

A fun evening of dining and dancing was had by parents, family and friends at Goldstone Hall on Saturday 5th December. Organised by our successful fundraising AGS Society, the evening raised an incredible £1,700. Huge thanks to all who supported another AGS Society key fundraising events.
Read More
 

Shopping evening raises £1,600

A very big "Thank You" to everyone who supported the AGS Society's recent Christmas Shopping Evening.  The event raised over £1,600, all of which will be used to support our school and our students.  Special thanks to the small musical ensemble of pupils for keeping everyone entertained with music throughout the evening, all the shoppers and stall holders, the parents who kindly donated cakes for the cafe and the many helpers on the night. 

Dates for your diary

Monday 4th January  - School begins
Tuesday 26th January - MUFTI day
23th/24th January - Boarders' Exeat Weekend

Friday 12th February - PD day
15th -19th Feb - half-term week
Tuesday 8th March - House Music
12th/13th March - Boarders' Exeat Weekend

Thursday 24th March - Term Ends
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