Author: Simon

Celebrating individual successes is an integral aspect of life at TBGS. In usual times, we would invite students and parents to Celebration Evenings; however, due to coronavirus restrictions, our celebrations took a different format this year, with gatherings in November for Upper-School Students, during morning registration.

Students in last year’s 11 and 12 were awarded in a number of categories. Firstly, students were awarded specially selected book prizes chosen by Heads of Department and kindly sponsored by Wollens. Glass keepsake paperweights, designed by OurGlass, Cockington, were awarded for all-round progress by the end of year 11, or for excellence and contribution in the sixth form. We also awarded our special school-prizes, including Drama, Musician of the Year, and Triumph over Adversity.

The morning gatherings with years 11 and 12 complete our celebrations for academic year 2019-20, following similar events for the lower school. In all, nearly 200 students have been awarded prizes, a testament to their continued dedication and determination to succeed, despite the unusual challenges faced through the past year.

Enjoy a summary of the news from the last academic year in the most recent edition of the school magazine, Torquin.

You can also see the highlights of the year in this picture reel.

Although unable to hold our usual lower-school Celebration Evening this year, due to coronavirus restrictions, undeterred we held small year group gatherings in September, during morning registration.

It was really important for us to be able to award and celebrate the achievements of students for academic year 2019-20, especially when so many had demonstrated heightened resilience and determination during the home-learning period.

Students in last year’s 7-10 were awarded for either progress, attainment, endeavour or Aude Sapere (a special school prize for individual triumphs).

As usual, students were awarded a certificate and gold lapel star badge. More importantly, each student had a personalised tribute message from their Head of House, explaining why they had received the award.

The morning events, in the Centenary Hall, were filmed, and parents invited to enjoy a virtual viewing of their sons receiving their awards; hopefully, the socially distanced celebration this year will be just as memorable to the students involved – congratulations to all prize-winners.

Welcome back assembly by the Blake senior team, Pierre, Will, Will, Bilal and Tom.

Determined not to let 2020 pass without an edition of Torchella, we decided to run the Music Festival virtually this year. We were hugely impressed with the enthusiasm and adaptability shown by the students in contributing to this, so much so that we ended up with over an hour and a half’s worth of music broadcast on the final day of term via the school website. You can enjoy it again below!

The challenges of recording bands live resulted in a larger number of solo performances than usual, giving students the opportunity to really showcase their skills – I shouldn’t mention individuals but check out in particular the dance tracks from James Johnson, the sheer speed of Jude Ellacott’s xylophone beaters, and the multi-talented songwriting talent that is Samuel Newman.

Some bands found imaginative ways to play together, be it socially distanced performances outside the Stable Block, or multi-tracking audio and video (see the very impressive Year 11 Jazz Quartet).

A new take on a Music Festival, but a highly enjoyable way to end the school year.

Following what has been a strange time for everybody, the PE department decided to ensure one of the school’s annual flagship events maintained its place on the school calendar. Even though a little different in makeup, the staff planned a series of events that could be accomplished by students at home, hoping to stir up the traditional competitive and community spirit amongst the houses.

The day was set for 16 July, the penultimate day of term, as an opportunity for students and staff to start the summer wind-down. Yet students and staff gave their all through the day. After each event was launched at a set time, almost all year 7-10 students (and most staff!) took part, uploading their times, distances, and photos, as tutors and Heads of House cheered from the side lines (virtually, over Microsoft Teams), whilst the PE staff collated the scores, live on the website with running totals and virtual medal awarding. The only thing missing was the ice-cream van.

Sports Day began with a video opening ceremony from Mr Prince (his 24^th and last sports day at TBGS), followed by 5 events spread out over the course of the day, including Mr Adderley’s 20-minute run challenge, Mr Passenger’s paper throw, Mr Last’s rapid jump, Mr Porter’s TriFit, and Mr Hunt’s standing long jump.

Mr Lawrence conducted the closing ceremony through an online video, announcing Gilbert as the winning sports-day house for 2020. Well done to the competitors from all houses for giving their best, right up to the end of the term! You can see a few action shots in the highlight reel below.

In response to the last challenge, pupils and staff have chosen a film of their choice and portrayed it in a manner of the choosing: photograph, art, music and drama.

Assembly to the students in Ralegh on the experiences of lockdown.