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Monthly Archives: August 2013

Good Times at the U12s Minor Counties Cricket Festival

22 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News, Sports Blog

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Minor Counties Cricket, Minor Counties Cricket Festival, Northumberland Under 12's Cricket, RHS, rhs cricket, the royal hospital school, under 12's county cricket

The Northumberland under 12’s cricket team took part in the Minor Counties Cricket Festival held at the Royal Hospital School in August. The festival, organised by Don Topley, and was a huge success with 140 talents young cricketers from ten teams taking part. Everyone had a fantastic time with many scoring well and even a few maiden centuries. Northumberland played well throughout the week but unfortunately didn’t make it into the top three; however in their final match they gave Norfolk, the overall winners, a run for their money and played hard to the very end.


– Northumberland’s Suffolk Tour 2013 in pictures

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Napier watches future cricketing talent

19 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News, Sports Blog

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Don Topley, Graham Napier, Minor Counties Cricket, RHS, rhs cricket, the royal hospital school, U11 County Cricket, U11s Cricket

Essex star all-rounder, Graham Napier, was on hand to watch and then present the awards at the Under 11 Minor Counties Cricket Festival at the Royal Hospital School, Suffolk.

U11 County Cricket Festival_RHS

Graham with Suffolk’s Henry Bevan and Freddie Heydreich who both made notable innings at the RHS Festival

The event is in its fourteenth year at the Royal Hospital School and has become an important date in the national Junior Cricketing calendar.  Cumbria, Cleveland, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Metropolitan Essex and North Essex competed with Hertfordshire winning accolades as the best U11 county side for 2013.

Graham addressed each county team and their parents and recounted how important and valuable his own first county tour was when he was just 11 years old.  Graham said, “I remember very well my first Essex U11 tour to Taunton.  You really do bond as a team when on tour and make great friendships in your own team and also with the opponents that will last for years.  In that same Essex team was my current captain, James Foster.”

The leading batsman at the Under 11 Festival was Joe McGregor of North Essex District who won a brand new Piripiri cricket bat, presented by Graham Napier.  Joe completed two centuries in four innings for his efforts.

U11 County Cricket Festival_Graham Napier

Graham Napier with a Pembrokeshire U11 Cricketer

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RHS pupils embark on a challenging expedition to Ecuador

19 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News

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Camps International, Ecuador, RHS, royal hospital school

This summer saw RHS’ inaugural Camps International expedition, with 5 intrepid explorers heading to Ecuador for a month.  The RHS pupils joined forces with a 12 strong party from the John Warner School in Hertfordshire and headed to 4 locations within the South American jewel:  Camp Kuri Kuchi, a high altitude camp in the Andes mountains north of Ibarra; Camp Maqui in the cloud-forest at Maquipucuna; Camp Amazonia in the Amazon basin near Tena and the Galapagos Islands of San Crisobal and Santa Cruz.

Here is an account about the expedition on which Kathy Brown, Herbie Bennet, Edward Bourne, Richard Branch and Will Spurr took part:

The main purpose of this expedition was to complete volunteer project work to benefit each local community where the camps were based. Work was strenuous and challenging, particularly at altitude and in the heat and humidity of the South American climate.  There was a sense of purpose and achievement in all the camp locations, and pupils benefitted from working closely with the local people to gain a real insight into the way of life in Ecuador.

RHS group

The RHS Group

At Camp Kuri Kuchi we learnt how to make bricks from mud, and proceeded to dig, flatten, mix, squelch and produce bricks for building a tourist lodge to bring much needed income to the village.  We also learned about the way of life in the highlands: joining in with traditional dancing; learning about the Ecuadorian traditions of pottery making and embroidery; and gaining insight into the importance of the local environment and agriculture by milking cows and fishing.  The team also completed an 8 hour gruelling mountain trek to the top of the closest peak – a real challenge at nearly 3000m above sea level.

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Kathy digging for making mud bricks

Making bricks

Making mud bricks for the tourist lodge

Kathy Brown

Kathy Brown learning to milk a cow at Camp Kuri Kuchi

Maqui is the most established of the Camps, and here we had the luxury of sleeping in a bunk house, rather than tents.  Project work involved making preparations to rebuild a foot bridge as well as clearing an area of forest for a camp site, again to bring tourism to the area.  Many hours were spent moving rocks and logs, raking and digging and here pupils became the master of “the chain”, finding that many hands and good teamwork made light(er) work.  The luxury of running showers did not go unnoticed, although this luxury did not stretch to hot water!

Herbie Bennett and Will Spurr

Many hands make light(er) work

Camp Amazonia was the last of our project work sites, and many of the pupils’ favourites.  Here we worked hard on rebuilding the local school’s dining room – mixing cement to lay walls and a floor, and painting panels for the roof.  The local children would play nearby, and thoroughly appreciated swings hung into the new play area by our group.  A trek through the jungle taught us about the native flora and its use by the indigenous people as well as exposing us to the wealth of fauna in the area including wild monkeys and some of the largest insects so far encountered. Pupils learnt some of the local traditions including making headdresses and bracelets, face painting and hunting with blow pipes.

making swings

Making swings for the local children

RHS Making panpipes

Making blow pipes

Finally, exhausted but content, the pupils were ready to leave behind the cold showers, insects the size of our hands and endless meals of rice and banana, in order to experience the Galapagos.  Nothing can prepare you for coming face to face sea lions on a beach, or on the benches in town!  The highlight for everyone was the day spent snorkelling where we swam with sea lions, turtles, and well over a hundred sharks.  We visited the Darwin research centre which doubles as a breeding centre aiming to re-establish the Islands’ giant tortoise populations, and were able to get close to wild marine iguanas as they lounged on the volcanic rocks in the equatorial sun.

Herbie Bennett

Herbie Bennett swimming with a Sea Lion

At the end of a month of hard work and adventure, we were ready to return home for a hot shower and access to a washing machine.  All of the RHS pupils had surmounted challenges along the way, and had represented themselves and the school proudly through excellent leadership, positivity, hard work and a great sense of fun.  We return having forged strong friendships, with fantastic memories of the people, wildlife and landscape, and with the satisfaction of making a difference to the local communities.

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Norfolk U12s win Ipswich Building Society Trophy

09 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News

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cricket at rhs, cricket fesitval, Minor Counties Cricket, Minor Counties Cricket Festival, RHS, rhs cricket, rhs sport, the royal hospital school

Norfolk Under 12s were declared the ‘2013 Champions’ at the Minor Counties Cricket Competition, sponsored by Ipswich Building Society.

As the 140 talented young cricketers arrived at the impressive Royal Hospital School grounds for the final 5th day of the Minor Counties Cricket Competition, Norfolk U12s were leading by a single point over hosts, Suffolk, with Buckinghamshire in 3rd place, 27 points behind.  As frequently happens in junior cricket, nerves got the better of many and Norfolk kept losing wickets as they attempted to chase down 178, set by Northumberland. Approaching the final over of their exciting match, Norfolk needed 8 more runs with 3 wkts in hand and duly completed their second boundary of the over off the fifth ball to send the Norfolk boys and accompanying parents into a frenzy of celebrations.

The cheers were heard by Suffolk on the adjacent pitch, which ended the host county’s dreams of lifting the Ipswich Building Society Trophy.  Suffolk went on to lose to their ‘bogey’ side, The Netherlands, who also defeated them in the corresponding fixture last summer.

Six centuries were recorded in the 2013 competition with Niels Etmar, completing The Netherlands first ever century at Under 12 level, in their defeat of Suffolk.  The top run scorer (sponsored by Piripiri Bats) was Cambridgeshire’s Felix Serby (5 innings) who made 261 runs whilst Suffolk’s Fergus Atkins (4 innings) recorded 254 runs in second place.

The events organiser, Don Topley, said, “I would like to congratulate all the boys, coaching staff and parents on a fantastic and exciting competition.  It will probably be remembered as the best event we have had and possibly the closest fought. “

The former Essex professional cricketer added, “To see so many talented young cricketers playing such a high standard on the five adjacent RHS pitches is an inspiring sight. We were also blessed with glorious sunny weather”

Nine former boys of the RHS festivals have now gone on to be current professional cricketers in the First Class game and Topley expects many more to develop in the future.

The two RHS cricket festivals annually attract over 300 young cricketers to Suffolk, (together with their accompanying families), bringing significant income to the local communities.

Norflok Under 12s

Norfolk Under 12s with Paul Winters from the Ipswich Building Society

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Felix Serby receiving the PiriPiri bat for the Highest Run Scorer of the Festival

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Norfolk Captain, Will Grisley, receives the Ipswich Building Society Trophy from Paul Winters

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Niels Etmar scoring the first ever century for The Netherlands Under 12s

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Third Head of School for the Lambert Family!

06 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in Headmasters Blog

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Claire Lambert, Head of School in the 2012/13 academic year, was the third Lambert family member to hold this post at the Royal Hospital School. Her sister, Alice, was Head of School in 2007/8 and brother, Charlie, in 2009/10.

WO2 Charlie Lambert, Charlie Lambert, Claire Lambert and Alice Lambert

WO2 Charlie Lambert with children, Charlie, Claire and Alice Lambert in front of the Honours Board

Charlie, Claire and Alice are the children of WO2 Charlie Lambert who is based at HMS Collingwood. He has been instrumental in setting up the Royal Marine Section field day programme including some field gun training which was enjoyed enormously by the pupils involved. Claire was the last of his children to go through the Royal Hospital School.

Claire gave her final address to the School at Speech Day on the 29 June alongside Oliver Gerard-Pearse, joint Head of School, where she claimed “they clearly saved the best ’till last” when referring to being the third Lambert family member as Head of School!

Claire Lambert, Oliver Gerard-Pearce and HRH the Duke of York, KG

Claire Lambert, Oliver Gerard-Pearse and HRH the Duke of York, KG

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Choir Tour of Northern Germany

01 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News

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chapel choir tour, music at rhs, RHS, rhs chapel choir, rhs choir, RHS Music, the royal hospital school, the royal hospital school chapel choir

Earlier this Summer the Royal Hospital School Chapel Choir visit Northern Germany and choristers Sally and Lucy Watson have recounted their time on tour:

St Marien kirche, Rendsburg, after an encore

At St Marien kirche, Rendsburg, after an encore

 

Breaking up from School for the summer holidays at 5pm the previous day, many of us hoped not to see the clock tower for another ten weeks. But not for the Chapel Choir!! Some out of bed even earlier than in term time, we congregated at the music school at 0830 the next morning.

After collecting all our robes (even for the tenors and basses) and music, the Choir travelled by coach to London Luton Airport. Flying to Hamburg, we got on another coach and headed to the first rehearsal of many, in a round church in Hamburg. Then to the hostel at Horner Renbahn to get settled, and after having our evening meal, we had free time, which was used for unpacking and exploring the hostel.

Monday
With a lot of mumbling of how even the second day of the holidays was as early a wake up as at school, we had breakfast at 7.30 with surprisingly few people turning up later. From the hostel we travelled to Miniatur Wunderland, the largest miniature railway, modelled on Germany, even with aeroplanes taking off and landing from an airport! We travelled to our first concert in Rendsburg, to a full audience and had our evening meal at a pizzeria in the square afterwards.

Oli Moore and Taylor Godfrey

Oli Moore & Taylor Godfrey at the Model Railway

Tuesday
After making our packed lunches, we went to Hamburg Harbour to go on a boat trip up and down the river. There was even an English-speaking guide to tell us about the tourist attractions! Mr Saunders then showed us a tunnel under the riverbed that we had just been over. In the afternoon, we travelled to Itzehoe, where we had some shopping time before Tuesday’s concert. As we went into the church, there was a man who wanted the Choir’s autographs. We all felt famous, especially in a different country! We sang to a full audience, courtesy of the organisers of the church who advertised the concerts very well. We then had supper in the adjoining church hall in the town, prepared for us by the church ladies.

After the concert in Itzehoe

After the concert in Itzehoe with two appreciative members of the audience!

Wednesday
We took a short tube journey for our third and fourth concerts, both of which were in Hamburg. The first was at St Michaels Hauptkirche, where we went to have a rehearsal, before climbing the church tower. There were lots of steps to the top, an unreliable count of 442 was mentioned, and when we got to the top you could see a spectacular 360° view of the whole of Hamburg. After doing our shortest concert at St Michaels, we went on a route march to St Petri’s, which was ‘just round the corner…’ This seemed to be about five miles away! We were allowed free time for lunch and a bit of shopping before the rehearsal. In the middle of the concert in St Petri’s, we were joined by a howling protestor as she took stage at the head of the nave in the church, facing us in the organ gallery, twenty feet above her. Mr Crompton didn’t seem very shocked that she ‘only hit the same note as us once’ and he also said that ‘she must have thought ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ was being held here!’ After exiting the church and standing on the street outside, a couple of people thought the protestor was coming back again as a scream was heard not too far down the street… thankfully she wasn’t, and we went back to the hostel for the major event of the year – the RHS talent show – followed by supper. All acts participated, from singing with a piano accompaniment to weightlifting and rubik cube races, which had become the craze of the week.

Performing in St Petri Hauptkirche 2

Performing in St Petri Hauptkirche

Thursday
The next day we travelled by coach to a small town called Lüneberg, which had been rebuilt to the same original plans after being bombed in the Second World War, also where Field Marshal Montgomery signed the German surrender in 1945. We were allowed shopping time before travelling to Winsen, where our final concert was held, in a red brick Lutherian building, with the warmest of welcomes from a very appreciative audience. Quoting Mrs Godfrey, ‘we saved the best for last.’ We were then taken to the hall next to the church and were treated to a really good supper made by the village community.

Peter Crompton after conducting the RHS Choir

Peter Crompton after conducting the choir for the final time

Friday
It was our last day in Hamburg, and we were allowed to shop in the morning, before going back to the hostel and collecting our bags and heading to the airport for the flight back to Luton.

The Choir sang five concerts over the week, which were all well attended by the public, all thanks to the brilliant work of the church organisers and wardens who advertised the concerts in the local towns. Huge thanks must go to all the teachers who travelled with the Choir, especially Mr Saunders for organising the trip, and of course Mr Crompton, who conducted the Choir, and made everyone feel welcome. It was also special for Mr Crompton because it was his last time conducting and touring with the RHS choir. The tour was a great success and we all wish Mr Saunders best of luck with taking on Director of Music next year. Also, best wishes to Mr Crompton, for a happy and Stoke City filled retirement!

Sally & Lucy Watson

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Success for Paul at the Hoopers Design Awards

01 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by theroyalhospitalschool in School News

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design & technology, Hoopers Design Awards, Paul Stoddart, RHS, rhs design, rhs design & technology, success, the royal hospital school

Congratulations to Paul Stoddart, Raleigh, for receiving the Resistant Materials prize at this year’s Hoopers Design Awards. Paul received this prize for his GCSE Design & Technology project in which he produced a model railway carriage.

The Hoopers Design Awards are held in Ipswich annually and celebrate the outstanding work of GCSE students in this subject from across Ipswich. The competition is sponsored by Hoopers Architects and offers five awards: Resistant Materials, Graphics, Textiles, Product Design and an Achievement Award.

Paul

Paul & his model train carriage

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