NEWS AND VIEWS FROM WEST BUCKLAND SCHOOLSUMMER 2020 IN FORM The choruses and accompanying dance routines were slick, highly energetic and infectiously catchy and the chorus threw themselves into every high kick, hip wiggle and gymnastic move. It was impossible not to feel uplifted and slightly exhausted in equal measure!! The show features some great characters and there were some notable individual performances. None more so than Olivia Roscoe, who played the main character, Elle Woods, and Maddy Brent, who played lovelorn Paulette Bonafonte. Congratulations to Emma Kent and her amazing team who choreographed, coaxed, clothed, miked-up, made-up, rehearsed and transported week after week and night after night. Also, to Dom Carter and his fabulous band, who raised the production to an extra level. This year’s musical production of Legally Blonde was an outstanding success, with the senior cast performing for three nights at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple in February. Shortlisted in the Independent School Awards for Boarding School of the Year for the second year in succession, the school is recognised for the high standard of boarding across all ages, together with our outstanding boarding facilities in Sixth Form and for the wide ranging activities available for our boarders. In addition, Corporate Vision magazine has awarded the school ‘Most Inspirational Day and Boarding School - South West’ for its approach to learning, our newly shaped curriculum and our impressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak. School Becomes Multi-Award Winner West Buckland has been recognised twice in recent weeks, for the quality of its boarding provision and for its inspirational teaching, especially during lockdown.From the Headmaster It seems strange concluding a year that we didn’t quite complete and I want to start by thanking everyone for their herculean efforts during what has been a year of two halves, both requiring enormous commitment, energy and enthusiasm. As the great Billy Graham once said, ‘Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has’ and although adversity is as discomfiting as failure when we’re in it, the riches it delivers are just as precious. I have referred to the Psalms quite a bit during this period and the interesting thing about Psalms is that they were often songs from the heart formed in the quiet spaces during adversity. The message is that you must ‘be still’ to find those nuggets. In the case of this year, the nuggets have been many: from the outstanding Legally Blonde; to the wonderful art and music that came out of lockdown; the creative learning and quirky challenges; and success in our sport. All of this has enriched and strengthened our community. I believe our time in lockdown will have taught us a lot more about ourselves if we are willing to listen, such as how we deal with our family and how we organise our time and activities. We have discovered routines that work for us and learnt to recognise the feelings that lead to happiness and those that bring on stress or anxiety. I have loved the responses to the challenges we set. Not just the positive engagement with the home learning programme but the sense of community created through the other various activities. Necessity being the mother of invention is not just another cliché – the content of this magazine shows what amazingly adaptable creatures we are and that we rarely settle for not adapting to the challenges and demands around us. An added bonus of having a virtual concert was being able to listen to students playing with their parents! The event was compèred, live, by Prep Director of Music, Dominic Carter and Senior Head of Music, Emma Kent, in what was to be her last concert before she left for new pastures. This was a wonderful way to sign off what was an extraordinary term and, fittingly, the concert was closed with a stunning performance on the saxophone by Year 12 Max Lo, overall winner of the House Music competition. In the absence of the annual Summer Concert, once again we were able to call upon the power of technology to enable us to stream a ‘live’ summer concert, featuring individual and ensemble performances from both Prep and Senior students. Live Streamed Concert 2Cute Bugs, Pirates and Unexpected Dinosaurs Despite only having half a year in school, the Prep children still managed to produce a plethora of musical plays and general ‘dressing up’ days. The Nursery children enjoyed dressing up as creatures from the Ugly Bug Ball and acting out the famous story, whilst proving that even bugs can be cute. Prep 5 and 6 performed ‘Hook and Peter Pan - How It All Began’ for two nights. As always, it was great fun with enthusiastic performances and hearty singing, with Mr Carter understudying for the real Capt Hook, who was temporarily waylaid during the dress rehearsal! The annual Nativity and Christmas play provided the perfect send off at the end of the Christmas term. Our Pre-Prep raised the roof with ‘Jungle Rocks’ while the Nursery and Prep 1 Nativity included the surprise addition of a dinosaur and sheep taking a very realistic nap! The West Buckland Prep and Senior students were asked to run their Exmoor individually and then submit their times and videos online – collecting points for their house. The challenge was embraced across the whole school, including Prep students and their families. However, the thirst for competition stretched further than that with our international and OWBA community also enjoying the chance to stretch their limbs. Despite everything, the event once again showed why it is so loved (and feared) by all who have ever taken part. Not even a pandemic could stop us from running the annual Exmoor, only this year it was slightly different. Virtual Exmoor 3Despite the restrictions of lockdown, a recent statistical review by the South West Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme has shown that West Buckland is one of only three schools in the South West with more than 100 pupils completing the award at all levels. We also have the most golds in the County and the third highest number in the South West. The new ECA programme has seen more students than ever involved in outdoor education activities including camp craft and climbing, where there was considerable success in the Interschools Championships. With this in mind we are very excited about the new school timetable which will enable even more scope to get involved in extra-curricular activities. DofE and outdoor activities 4We were county netball champions in several age groups with six girls selected to play at representative level. The rugby season saw both the U15 and U14 teams crowned North Devon champions, the first time ever, topping what was our most successful season for many years. The 1st XV had a terrific season and we will all remember them knelt in prayer after an agonising loss, bowed but not beaten in spirit. The U15 rugby campaign went a long way into the National competition and seven boys have represented the County. Staying outside the classroom we have seen the introduction of sub-aqua and three pupils represented Devon in cross-country championships. We look forward to returning to a full sports timetable soon. This year saw one of our most successful sporting seasons ever. We were national finalists in tennis and gymnastics and regional finalists in nearly all girls’ and boys’ hockey age groups, including indoor West finalists. In addition, eleven pupils played at representative level. Sports roundup 56 With a reputation for outstanding careers advice, our Sixth Form biologists had the opportunity to learn from expert medics how to perform various surgical techniques with hands-on experience. Mr Luke Brunton, Mr Michel Kenaan and Mr Owen Sparkes, who work in the orthopaedic surgery department at NDDH, came to teach the students how to use a scalpel and how to perform two different types of suture. Mr Danny McRae showed students how to insert a chest drain and how to remove air and fluid from the chest. Meanwhile, Mrs Katie Cross taught students how to repair a bowel using suturing techniques and Dr Liz Shawcross showed the students how to insert and remove Nexplanon, a contraceptive implant. We were so grateful for their time and it was an unforgettable experience for the students. Northern Lights, Volcanoes and Riding Monster Trucks in Iceland Medical experts give students real-life experience of surgery Thirty eight lucky pupils from Year 10-13 spent a magical five days in Iceland during October half term. The team were lucky enough to have some fantastically clear weather for the first couple of days, meaning that they had a clear view of the stunning Northern Lights on the first night. The recent cold had made the landscape a frozen and snowy wonderland. They also visited the famous Geyser, saw spectacular waterfalls, and spent time bathing at length in geothermal pools fed by hot springs, before walking round the rim of a volcano and enjoyed caving in a lava tube. But perhaps the biggest highlight was driving in monster trucks onto an ice cap! A truly memorable trip to one of the most stunning countries in the world.7 Prep 5 and 6 studied Japanese art and the style of Matisse, respectively, as art projects during their online learning. Prep 6 were set a number of different tasks related to Matisse’s methods, including creating abstract shapes that reminded the pupils of something and making cut paper images or drawings based on the title The Sword-Swallower, from Matisse’s book, called Jazz. Finally, they were encouraged to design a stained-glass window and the results were stunning. Prep 5 also produced some beautiful Japanese artwork . based on Notan light and dark art, origami and original watercolours inspired by the wave painting of Katsushika Hokusai called the Great Wave off Kanagawa. Inspiring Art Projects for the Prep Children Students Excel at LAMDA exams The 35 students who took their LAMDA exams this year have done exceptionally well in their recent exams. Anouska Chunilal Moberly gained a Distinction in her Grade 8 Solo Acting exam, giving her a gold medal, becoming the youngest student to achieve this. Almost all our students received a Distinction: Amelie Preston, Distinction at 84% in Grade 6 Verse and Prose Recital; Eva Greensmith gaining a Bronze Medal at Grade 6 for Public Speaking, with 77% and a Merit; and Anna Davies receiving a Bronze Medal for Grade 6 Solo Acting, with 87% and a Distinction. Jonty Beglin gained a Distinction and 84% in Grade 5 Public Speaking. Our youngest students, Elsie Barnard, gained an impressive 85% and a Distinction for Grade 3 Solo Acting. Our international students have also taken part in LAMDA exams, with impressive grades, especially Philip Lofqvist, with a Distinction in his Grade 6. 8 Gymnasts Hear of ‘Nationals’ Win by Text! Our amazing Under 9 gymnastics team saw off the competition to take first place in the U9 two-piece category, at the National IAPS Championships, at the end of last year. However, due to a cross-country event the following morning, they had to leave before the presentation, so they received a text telling them they had won, on the journey home! The West Buckland team were competing against sixteen other schools and over eighty participants in total. The team deserve huge congratulations and a special mention goes to Rumi who came joint first in her category, beating over eighty other girls. Online learning provision wins widespread praise The school’s speedy response following lockdown and subsequent successful online learning programme, has won widespread praise from parents as well as recognition from other schools. In a survey of parents, 93% were satisfied with the online provision and many have praised the professionalism of the staff and the level of communication with home: “I haven’t heard of any other schools that have done anything like as well to keep the show on the road.” “I just wanted to send a big thank you, to you and all your staff (including the IT team). The communication that we have been receiving is amazing and we really appreciate it.” In addition, the school welcomed key worker children at school throughout the lockdown period. As well as participating in their normal timetabled lessons, along with their peers, they have been taking part in a range of activities under the watchful eye of members of staff. All these processes were very quickly acknowledged: “You’re all doing an incredible job.” “Hugely appreciate the effort that has gone into making this happen.” “Thank you very much for your huge efforts, really commendable.” The team went on to win the South West Milano Team and South West Floor and Vault Competitions, both at the Under 11 age group, sharing many individual impressive results. They earned the right to represent the region at the National Finals for each, but unfortunately were denied the opportunity due to coronavirus. The senior gymnasts were also keen to continue to compete despite the lack of ECA time and therefore they attended practices with the prep girls in the holidays and worked independently at home to learn their routines. Ellen, Martha and Arabella demonstrated what can be achieved with commitment and were also very successful.9 Prep children studied The Hungry Caterpillar as inspiration to learn about measuring; used the story of St George and the Dragon to make their own swords and shields; studied the landscape of Lundy Island; drew insects that they found in the garden and botanical illustrations of flowers; and finally took stem and leaf cuttings to make their own potatoes. The older Prep children took the opportunity to study Japanese art, as well as practicing the techniques of artist Matisse, with the Prep 6 doing their own stunning stained glass designs. Reception children raised £615 for NHS Charities Together. Whilst some raised money by running, cycling and playing football, others bounced on their bed and even chose to be holed-up in their bedroom for 24 hours with their big brother! In the Senior school, students have been making weather forecasting videos; using Tintin to learn their French vocabulary; Out of Adversity Comes Ingenuity keeping fit with fabulous fitness videos from Miss Venner and Mr and Mrs Robinson; and creating web and social media campaigns to persuade us to buy all sorts of ‘essential’ gadgets! Whilst the environment has been the topic for art and geography, music has also featured, with our virtual House Music competition producing some fabulous solo performances as well as lovely family ensembles. Mr Monk’s Family Quiz Nights became a popular feature on the calendar and the virtual Exmoor Run brought together the West Buckland community. Finally, the various challenges set by staff during last term exposed some extraordinary talent – who can forget Josh’s ‘bin juice’ drop kick from the half way line, or his ‘behind the back’ teabag throw?! Out of adversity comes ingenuity and this was on display in bucket loads over the past four months. We have been widely praised for the level of engagement and quality of online learning that has been offered since the schools were shut back in February.Next >