Clifton College News: Butcombe

Genesis Global School

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Clifton College prides itself in offering pupils amazing opportunities to develop international links through educational, cultural and sporting visits abroad. The benefits of these excursions far outreach the planned objectives and lead to establishing the foundations for global citizens of the future.

This ethos extends to the staff too and collaboration between Clifton College and Genesis Global School in Dehli, India, has recently been established. Visits have previously been made by Dr Wendy Bowring (Head of Butcombe) and Mr Mark Moore (Head of College), who paved the way for closer links to be created between the two schools, with a return visit from Genesis last summer.

This Easter, Mrs Julie Molesworth (Deputy Head Academic - Pre), Mrs Fiona Hallworth (Director for External Relations) and Mrs Rachel Griffiths (Butcombe), spent three days at Genesis Global School working closely with their Senior Management and teaching staff. For our part it was sharing our expertise and experience in a number of areas that this newly established school wished to develop. Valuable professional dialogue ensued throughout the visit and our hosts kept us busy!

The penultimate day of the trip, however, could not fail to be the highlight - a visit to the Taj Mahal! This impressive piece of architecture and art lives up to all the expectations and made the journey even more worthwhile.

We are grateful to our hosts, particularly Mr Pramod Sharma (Principal) and Mrs Neeti Bhalla Saini (Head Junior School), for their meticulous planning and attention, well beyond our needs.

Mrs Julie Molesworth
Deputy Head Academic

Summer Serenade

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Given by Clifton College soloists with the Bristol Ensemble on Sunday 29th April, 2012.

All are welcome to this Annual Concert for the Guild of Friends of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Tickets are priced at £15 each for adults and £10 each for Over 60s and Under 16s. Tickets will be available on the door.

6.30pm Drinks and Reception, with the College Chaplain, The Rev Kim Taplin giving a tour of the Chapel before the Concert, for those who may be interested to learn more of its features.

7.30pm-9.30pm Concert

Further information.

Butcombe Sport Relief Eggstravaganza

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

This year, the official Sport Relief date was the 23rd March, but as many of the Butcombe children were busy with the Spring Show on that day, Butcombe decided to hold their Sport Relief event on the following Friday, 30th March, a great fun way to end the term!

The day was full of both Easter-related and sporty themes. All the children and staff dressed up as their favourite sports star or in sporty outfits in return for a donation to Sport Relief.

Butcombe also raised money for Sport Relief by selling official sweatbands in the School office. On the day, each class took part in an Easter-themed ‘Sport Relief Mile Egg-and-Spoon Relay Race’. What a fun and exciting way to end the term’.

Please enjoy browsing our gallery of pictures.

Raising the bar

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Sport at Clifton continues to improve at a pace, with some fantastic team results to inspire and set a high benchmark for others to follow.

Butcombe

Butcombe actively participate in a wide variety of sporting activities with great enthusiasm. On the rugby front they were able to field three U8 tag rugby teams against the Downs School at the beginning of the season, two teams in the Beaudesert U8 tag rugby festival in November and also hosted an extremely enjoyable rugby festival of their own on the Close.

The U8 girl’s hockey played two teams against The Downs School, narrowly losing but gaining their first experience of playing in a school match and they all gave a very good account of themselves.

As well as the team sports Butcombe run a huge number of sports clubs and activities from Judo and Karate; where a large number of children have moved swiftly up the Gradings, to swimming and chess and many more.

Pre

The Michaelmas term was another hugely successful and enjoyable term for sport in the Prep school. Boys and girls across all age groups once again showed a real enthusiasm and passion for sport from the swimming pool, the rugby field to the hockey pitches at Beggars Bush.

The girls played hockey as their main sport and had a very successful season highlighted by the 1st VII qualifying for the Nationals IAPS Finals. The girls played well at the finals and finished 5th overall, an excellent achievement. Well done also to the 2nd VII who had an unbeaten season. The 1st XI and Under 12 girls were tournament winners at Cheltenham, with the U12 VII also Severnside winners. The 6th and 7th VII were also unbeaten and for the first time the Pre also fielded an 8th VII. 100% of girls at the Pre played in school matches, a fantastic achievement.

The younger girls have also been excelling, the U11A were Severnside tournament winners and the U10As were unbeaten in school fixtures and were tournament winners at the Millfield and the Severnside tournaments. Conceding just 7 goals whilst scoring 64 shows how well the girls played. All ages and abilities had a season to remember with only a few loses across the whole spectrum – a remarkable achievement.

Not to be outdone the boys have had an excellent season on the rugby pitch. The 1st XV played 14 matches and won 10 of them giving them an impressive win rate of 72%. A special mention should also go to the 3rd XV who lost only one of their 10 matches. The Pre also played a 7th XV for the first time and the boys who took part did themselves and the Pre proud. The 1st VII team played some superb rugby to win the Severnside Rugby Sevens Tournament at Beaudesert. Over 90% of the boys including all in the Lower Pre have represented the School on the rugby field, with 60% of those games resulting in a win or a draw.

The Cross Country team had a great term which culminated in 8 pupils being selected for the Bristol Schools team. They will be competing at the Avon Schools Cross Country Championship and if they do well they could be selected for the County team, good luck to them all.

Upper School

Girls’ hockey had an excellent 2011 season. The U18, U16, U14 won the County tournaments, all qualifying for the Regional Finals showing the strength and depth across the age groups. The seniors performed well with Captain Saskia Barnes leading her team to big victories over Cheltenham and Marlborough. Lily Owsley has continued to dominate School matches, her England U18 selection well deserved. The 2nds had a notable win over Dean Close and the 3rds and 4ths worked hard all season. The juniors in particular dominated the hockey circuit with three unbeaten seasons for the U15A, U14A and the U14C. The juniors played 42 matches in total, only losing 3.

The U15A scored 36, conceded 9 and the majority of the squad were instrumental in winning the County U16 Final; reaching the U16 Regional Finals, after qualifying through the preliminary rounds. A special mention to Anna Sibley who captained the U16 squad, it was a tough experience with a young team, but it is looking very promising for this coming year when they will be at the top of their age group.

The U14A have a very impressive set of statistics! In their school matches they scored 63 goals and only conceded 2. In the County and Regional Finals they scored a total of 48 goals and conceded 4, which is why they became Regional Champions and will represent the West at the National Finals. The girls have worked very hard and they will continue to train in the Lent term for their tournament in Cannock on 29th February.

The 1st XV had the most successful season for 10 years; winning ten matches out of twelve. This equals the number of victories achieved by the unbeaten team of 2001 who won 10 and drew one.

Despite losing their first match against Taunton the 1st XV team then put together 9 straight victories. The highlights of the season which featured many close games were wins against Cheltenham 20–13 (Away) and a nail-biting 22–17 victory against Bromsgrove, but last Saturday’s victory 17–15 against a Sherborne team who boasted England U16 internationals was probably the most dramatic of the season – and a moment every player will remember forever.

Clifton’s 1st XV played for four trophies and won four, a feat which will be a real target for future 1st XV’s. The squad have been actively helping junior players in games sessions and they have set an ethos of hard work and teamwork that future 1st XV players should aim to emulate. Their discipline on the field has been a key factor, never blaming any teammate or referee for mistakes but just getting on with the job of playing rugby and enjoying themselves.

Captain and No 8 Max Cresswell has been an inspirational leader; Vice Captain Will Watson kicked many vital penalties and conversions; however the whole squad have been tremendous and a wonderful advertisement for schoolboy rugby.

Match results: Taunton School: Lost 8–13; King’s Taunton: Won 22–10; Bromsgrove School: Won 22–17; Bristol Grammar School (Bresnahan Trophy): Won 16–3; St Edward’s Oxford: Won 44–10; Marlborough College (Governor’s Cup): Won 22–12; Prior Park: Won 48–0; Bristol Grammar School: Won 21–3; Blundell’s School (Colquhoun Cup): Won 18–3; Cheltenham College: Won 20–13; Old Swinford Hospital School: Lost 10–20; Sherborne School (John Craig Cup): Won 17–15.

It has been 10 years single Clifton has won a Rackets trophy in the boys’ Public Schools Singles tournament – until now. Sam Byron-Evans was the last, winning the Renny Cup in 1991, although it is testament to sport at Clifton that the first ever girls racquets open competition at Queen’swas between two Cliftonians, Lucy Piggott and Emma Powell, when Lucy won the day.

In December Ben McGeoch showed great skill, determination, desire and a lot of composure to bring the Renny Cup back to Clifton. He came through the first four rounds without conceding a game. He met the Number 2 seed in the semi-final and came through with a 3–1 win, hitting the ball very cleanly and accurately.

In the Final Ben was up against Goldie (Eton). It was a tense first game as nerves crept, but Ben showed his steel by taking the first game 15–7. In the second, there were some fantastic rallies and Goldie pipped Ben 16–13. The third was another nail-biting encounter but Ben served really well at crucial times in the game and won it 15–12. Ben dominated the fourth, playing quality rackets and served brilliantly, winning the game 15–4 and the match 3–1. Ben has worked extremely hard at his game all term and thoroughly deserved his win.

U8 Tag Rugby Festival

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Butcombe recently held a very enjoyable rugby festival on the Close for Year 3 boys which was attended by teams from BGS, QEH, Clifton High, Torwood House and Butcombe. Against the backdrop of the picturesque Upper School buildings the morning was a huge success with some fantastic skills on show from all schools and some real enthusiasm from the children. A large number of parents cheered on their children and were able to keep themselves warm up with a warm drink and selection of delicious refreshments.

At the end of the morning each child was presented with a certificate and a world cup mini rugby ball as a memento. We hope to see everyone back again next year.

Photo gallery

Butcombe Book Fair

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

The Butcombe Book Fair took place in October. This is always a very exciting day in the Butcombe calendar. As well as promoting reading, and a love of books, the children had the opportunity to come to school dressed as a character from our theme. This year the theme was ‘Time Machine’. A lot of thought went into the costumes of both the children and staff!

In their classes throughout the day the children also participated in a number of historical activities.

The highlight of the day is always the Grand Parade, all children paraded around the playground in their costumes giving everyone an opportunity to see the wonderful creations and to identify the characters or time in history they are from.

After the parade, parents had a chance to browse the Book Fair and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a cake.

A big thank you once again to all the parents and staff for their support at the Book Fair. £1,521.94 was made on the day of which Butcombe, the second hand books stall made £68 which will be used to buy books for the Butcombe library. The sale of tea, coffee and cakes made £303.70 and this money will be donated to a literacy charity.

See the Photo Gallery.

Poetry Week

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

"The best fun I ever had at school"

"That Poetry Slam was the best fun I ever had at school", one six year-old said. Her friend, nodding in agreement, then asked, "Can we do it again?" The girls were not alone. The very many positive replies and feedback Butcombe received in the aftermath of its first-ever Poetry Slam, the culmination of October’s Poetry Week, has been exceptional.

For one week the poets Claire Williamson and Glenn Carmichael joined the children and staff at Butcombe for a poetry-writing workshop. Children throughout the school, from Nursery to Year 3, met each day to listen, write and perform poems. Together Claire and Glenn helped children aged 4 to 8 years-old prepare a piece of original poetry which they wrote, devised and then performed in front of a live performance.

Poetry Week

Monday
Poetry Week began with a whole school assembly that Claire led. In it Claire introduced the children to performance poems like 'The Duck-billed Platypus'. Afterwards children met as a year group in Butcombe's Hall and played poetry and word games. They listened to different styles of poetry, explored the effects that various rhythms can make and combined poetry with actions.

Tuesday
Glenn held a writing workshop on Tuesday. Throughout the day he met with different year groups as the children, split into small groups, brainstormed ideas on selected themes linked to classroom topics. Reception wrote about The Jungle, Year 1 on Houses and Homes; Year 2 chose Fire! as their theme and Year 3 selected Rocks and Stones. Tuesday's sessions were electric as staff and children rushed to write down the ideas, words and phrases thrown at them. In Reception and Year 1 children worked towards compiling one poem they could all share. In Year 2 and 3 children instead worked as part of a small group, each with their own scribe. Our goal was to compose at least twelve lines of poetry. Somehow, in just 45 minutes, many managed much more.

See the gallery

Wednesday
On Wednesday Claire returned and led the children through an editing session. Together Claire, teachers and children picked through their poems, pulling out the ideas or words that fit snugly into a line or rhythm, twisting and turning words about. If Tuesday's session was feverish with verses bandied about, this session was calm and reflective. Children sat back. They listened and judged. They picked out lines and rhythms that would be easy to perform and discarded those words or verses that jarred.

Thursday
Thursday's session began with an assembly on poetry by Clifton’s Headmaster, Mark Moore. Mr Moore read The Pied Piper to the children, a poem familiar to many. Afterwards the children met with Claire and began rehearsing in earnest. Lines were practised, costumes were arranged, actions were sampled. In Reception and Year 1 the children worked on a routine they could act out together and as a class. In Year 2 and 3 children met in their groups and stitched a performance together, rehearsing alone, with teachers and then in front of others.

Friday
On Friday the Poetry Slam arrived! The morning was spent refining performances and speaking aloud clearly and collectively. Claire and Glenn were both on hand to hear and help children put the finishing touches on their last rehearsals. The lunch bell sounded early as children and teachers returned to their classrooms to fetch their costumes and steady themselves for their big performance.

By the time the children arrived in the Pre Hall about 150 parents were in the audience and gallery. Mr Giebus opened proceedings by introducing Claire and Glenn to Butcombe’s parents. Together they explained the origins of Poetry Slams and led the children in a rendition of 'We Love Presents!' Also on hand was the Pre's Annie Beavis who had the unenviable task of judging the competition and selecting the winners within each year group.

Reception, in jungle costume, took the stage first and performed their piece, 'Jungle Rumble'. Year 1, in their pyjamas and robes, followed with 'Home Sweet Home'. The ending to the poem they wrote with the lines “Don’t forget to turn off the light. "Click" was one of the afternoon's highlights. Mrs Beavis asked both year groups to take a bow and then awarded Best Performance to Reception and Best Poem to Year 1.

Year 2 followed. Stepping onto the stage in the Pre Hall, they performed in small groups. Six groups performed their Fire! poems in their red, yellow and orange clothes, a striking sight. Year 3, in beatnik black, ended the Slam with a series of versatile and outstanding performances of their Rock and Stones poems. The confidence of these six, seven and eight year-olds, the sheer range of their poems and their delight in each others' performances were most impressive. Mrs Beavis commented on each group in turn and, after much deliberation, awarded goal medals to the winning groups.

The afternoon ended with a grateful salute to Claire Williamson and Glenn Carmichael, the children, staff and many others who made Butcombe's Poetry Slam possible. Special thanks must also go to the Headmaster of the Pre, John Milne, and Liz Pafford for allowing Butcombe to stage the Poetry Slam in their Hall. It was an event that will live long in the memory of those who attended it.

Year 1 Synagogue Visit

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

This week Year 1 visited the Clifton College Synagogue where they were shown around by Jewish pupils and Mr Greenbury, who is Head of the Polack Centre at Clifton. The children learnt about the Jewish faith and the strong connection Clifton College has with the Jewish community. During the visit we were shown a very special scroll written by a Jewish scholar. We also saw a special prayer shawl (tallit), skull cap (kippah), a beautiful candle still (Menorah) and a horn!

Butcombe Rugby Festival

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:01 GMT

On a glorious September afternoon the Year 3 boys took on the Downs School in a tag rugby festival. Every boy took part in one of the three different matches held on the Close’s Big Side 3. The Blues, Whites and Stripes sides all acquitted themselves well in what was, for many of them, their very first competitive match in Clifton’s colours. Scores were high on the fast pitches. The Blues side alone fought a rousing 14-14 draw as each school ran up over 25 tries on the day. At the final whistle boys from both schools shook hands and then led their proud parents to a post-match tea put on in the Upper School Dining Hall in their honour. Congratulations once again to players from both schools on a great day out.

Enjoy the gallery.

Organ and Dr Fox Festival

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:01 GMT

FESTIVAL EVENING
14th October 2011

Choral Evensong • Reception • Recital • Dinner
with
Guest Recitalist, Duelling Organs, Big Screen Presentation

Download a brochure for details

Download a booking form

Booking closes Monday 26th September

All pupils, parents, staff, supporters and friends of Clifton College are warmly invited to a very special musical evening on 14th October 2011 in which pupils and staff, past and present of the College, join to celebrate two major events in the history of the College.

In 1911, the grand four-manual Harrison and Harrison organ which adorns the West Gallery of the Chapel was completed to serve the needs of the newly extended chapel. One of the most effective public school organs in the country, over its hundred years it has been the training ground for several generations of organ scholars and musicians, and has also been the subject of several major recordings. In its 100th year, it is maintained in excellent condition by its original makers, with recent overhauls equipping it for the coming decades of its life in the twenty-first century.

1931 saw the arrival of the seminal figure of Douglas Fox (1893-1978) as Director of Music at Clifton, who served more than a quarter of a century in the post. As a former pupil he was the inaugural music scholar of Clifton College (1907-1910), later organ scholar of the Royal College of Music, London, and Keble College, Oxford, created Doctor of Music (Edin.) in 1938, and awarded the O.B.E. in 1953. A brilliant and humane musician, he was most noted for his one-armed performances, following his wounding in the Great War, as a nationally renowned organist and pianist. For many Cliftonians he was the great if not the ‘onlie’ begetter of their musical enthusiasms. 2011 is the 80th Anniversary of Douglas Fox arriving as Director of Music at the College.

Download a full brochure and booking form for the specially arranged series of events on 14th October, which will serve as a wonderful occasion in which past and present members and supporters of the College join to celebrate the wonderful musical legacy enjoyed today.

Clifton College News: Butcombe

Genesis Global School

Summer Serenade

Butcombe Sport Relief Eggstravaganza

Raising the bar

Butcombe

Pre

Upper School

U8 Tag Rugby Festival

Butcombe Book Fair

Poetry Week

Poetry Week

Year 1 Synagogue Visit

Butcombe Rugby Festival

Organ and Dr Fox Festival

FESTIVAL EVENING 14th October 2011

FESTIVAL EVENING
14th October 2011