TS Climbs up League Table
The Sunday Times Parent Power supplement has printed an article on the top Independent Schools.
The survey indicates that academic performance is still one of the primary factors in parents choosing a school to send their children to. The 2007 survey combines A levels and GCSE results.
Taunton School is rated above QueenÕs College and Wellington School. We are also rated 121 places ahead of King's, Taunton in the table.
Our excellent A level results this last year have moved us further up the table. Taunton School is one of the best independent schools in the region.
Dr John Newton is delighted with this news. He believes this is a further demonstration of the very sound academic grounding that we give our pupils.
Katie Glover: (Jenkin)
Gold Crest Award Scheme
In the summer Katie spent 4 weeks at Yeovil Hospital researching into the medical condition, cleft lip and palette. She then had to present her findings.
Katie gave her talk with panache and clarity, resulting in her being invited to be the South West regional representative for the Gold Crest Award scheme. Consequently she has now been invited to London on the 7th March 2008.
This will be a major event, with representation from the major science and engineering institutions and
societies, thus a big feather in Katie's cap.
Katie Glover received her Gold Crest Award
Katie is extremely thankful to Mr
Hallows, her Biology teacher, who helped her to get interested and involved in
the Crest Award Scheme.
Dr James Penny (pictured on far right) has been invited to accompany Katie to the event.
Inaugural meeting of the TLCBS at BishopÕs Lydeard Church
On Tuesday 13th November the prestigious new TLCBS (Tuesday Lunchtime Church-Bashing Society) had its inaugural meeting. Twelve pupils, accompanied by Miss Carter and Mr Moule, leapt upon a minibus immediately after Period 5 and reached Bishop's Lydeard church 12 minutes later. Everybody proceeded to enjoy the architecture and wood-carving whilst eating their lunches. One hour later the adventure ended and everyone charged back to school.
The Junior Academics were represented in force, and there were also delegates from the Lisk Society, the Morocco Pinks and from the Cultural Studies TAD.
The purpose of the society is not only to have the occasional jolly picnic out of school. It is also to make the most of the lovely churches in the neighbourhood of Taunton.
Pupils were extremely positive about the church, and one of them declared it 'better than St Peter's in RomeÕ
Pupils listened or pretended to listen to Mr Moule go on about it. He talked about church-yard yews, preaching crosses, the richness of Somerset's Perpendicular-style towers and Quantock oak. Also mentioned was Simon Werman the carver, medieval windmills and ships, screen-carving, rood-lofts, bosses, the variety of post-reformation monuments and their local interest (someone spotted one to a member of the 'Bevan' family) as well as other things that he's now forgotten about.
On the way home pupils wrote several stanzas of a poem about the trip, and declared their interest in having a further meeting of the TLCBS in two or three weeks.
History Matters
'HISTORY MATTERS' - A NEW PUPIL-EDITED
MAGAZINE (and an invitation to look at the History Department's new website,
thelisk.co.uk)
TS historians have started their own magazine, under the able editorship of Hannah Plant (Lower 6th).
Hannah was in the top ten GCSE historians in the country doing the Edexel exam (of nearly 60,000), and is ambitious to spread the word about the various wonders of History.
There are articles from pupils in every year-group, and they range from examinations of black-berry-picking in our culture to local saints' lives. The articles are richly informative and often quirky. You can read the magazine on the history department's website: thelisk.co.uk.
Sixth Form Investment Club
The Sixth Form Investment Club is
the latest innovation at forward thrusting Taunton School. The Club meets on Tuesdays
between 11.15 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. It has a clear focus on introducing members
– all switched on lads and lasses from the upper sixth – to
investment in the widest sense of the word: not only the stock market and commercial
property but on, for example, fine wine and race horses.
Capped at a maximum of 12 because
of its policy of teaching in small groups and to the fury of the large number
wanting to join, the Club has proved immensely popular and non-members are anxiously
asking for opportunities to hear guest speakers.
This week the Club was thrilled
to welcome Mr Ian Hardcastle from HSBCÕs London HQ. Mr Hardcastle is a senior
member of the team that advises HSBC clients with a net worth of over half a
million pounds on equity and bond investment. He gave a power packed
presentation explaining how to judge which stocks to pick, at what is a
difficult and challenging time for investors.
The Club is currently split into three
teams, the Taunton School:
- Bulls
- Rams
- Tigers
All have entered into the IFA fantasy investment challenge and are currently each investing £100,000 in the competition that ends at the end of February.
The national team that shows the
greatest stock market gain in four months wins a free week in New York. One of
our teams is determined to be that winner
and Mr Hardcastle gave all three groups invaluable advice on which stocks to
plump for. He also extended an invitation to the best of the three Taunton
groups to journey up to London next spring to visit HSBCÕs investment team and
lunch with them in their client restaurant: an invitation that was greeted with
acclamation!
Mr John Sisman from Knight Frank drove down from Bristol to speak to the Club on the perils and benefits of investment in commercial property.
When asked about his thoughts on the Club so far, millionaire in waiting Charlie Walker said, Òmembership of this Club has been a tremendous eye opener – I have an entirely new perspective of the financial worldÓ.
Any students interested in commercial property are more than welcome to join the Club for next TuesdayÕs talk in L12 – on upper floor above the library.
SPORTS NEWS
Rugby: 17th November 2007
TS v Canford School
1st XV Won 13 – 5
2nd XV Lost 35 – 19
3rd XV Lost 19 – 7
Senior Colts A Lost 0 – 17
Senior Colts B Lost 56 – 0
Junior Colts A Lost 17 – 27
Junior Colts B Lost 12 – 38
Foals A Draw 12 – 12
Foals B Won 22 - 0
GirlsÕ Hockey: 17th November 2007
TS v Wellington School
1st XI Won 4 - 2
2nd XI Draw
0 - 0
U15A Draw
1 – 1
U15B Won 1 – 0
U14A Won 3 – 2
Somerset Hockey Selection
The following boysÕ have played for Somerset this term;
U14
Thomas Abell
Oliver Large
Josh Kelly
George Cook
U15
Guy Skinner
Tim Thompson
Tom Gadsby
Harry Speedy
U17
Matthew Abell
Congratulations to all involved!
Senior House Chess
This was very close! All games hung in the balance but
Fairwater ended up 2-1 winners.
Teams were:
Fairwater:
Vladislav Nesterovitch
Se-Jin Park
Jake Mendrik
Wills West:
Kelvin Hung
Charles Harington
Bryan Chan
OTHER EVENTS
HOCKEY STICK SALE!
There will be a sale of Mercian Hockey Sticks and Stick Bags on Friday
30th November in the School shop between 12.30 – 2.00pm and 3.30 –
4.30pm.
All prices discounted by
20%
Young Enterprise
Matchstick, a branch of Young Enterprise, is selling a wide range of Christmas cards in Reception. These will also be available at the Prep School and Senior School Christmas Fairs on 30th November.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Hockey Course - Monday 17th
& Tuesday 18th December 2007
Yes itÕs that time again! The Course is open to boys and girls aged 7-13 years (beginners, improvers and experienced players) and will take place over the two days from 10am to 5pm each day. The cost for the entire course is £60 per pupil and will include hot lunch on both days as well as drinks and snacks.
This course promises to be the most
exciting yet with lots of hockey tuition, including coaching by two former
international players, assisted by some of the top young players in this
country. Mercian Hockey will again lend their support and they will be
providing some super prizes, as well as displaying a selection of Mercian goods
for sale (on the Monday afternoon).
Do come along – and why not tell your friends, brothers or sisters? Lots of fun and lots of prizes to be had. Further information and application forms can be collected from TS or TPS Reception, or contact Sue Goodall on 01823 349228, by email – sue.goodall@tauntonschool.co.uk or download forms from the school website (www.tauntonschool.co.uk and follow the link ÔSenior SchoolÕ and ÔParentsÕ)
MIDSUMMER NIGHTÕS
DREAM PERFORMANCE:
Please note performance dates have changed from those in the calendar
and will now be on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th and Wednesday
5th December.
Tickets available from reception 01823 349200 from Friday 23rd
November. £3.00 adults, £1 students.
Cash/Cheque only please
The Burke: Balloon Debate
Friday 30th November at 7.00pm
Balloonists:
Annie Hayes WD
Will Grove EV
Alistair Kirby EV
Katie Roberts WD
Hannah Plant BS
Ryan Jeffries
ML
Jamie Wilman
FW
Jake Mendrik FW
Calendar Dates
Saturday 24th November:
9.00am-10.55am Choral Society Rehearsal (Chapel)
Rugby v KingÕs College (H) 1 2 3 JCA JCB (A) SCA SCB FA FB
GirlsÕ Hockey v BGS (H) U14A+B U15A+B
7.00pm-12.30am TS Sixth Form Gala Christmas Ball (Oake Manor Golf Club)
Sunday 25th November:
2.30pm Choral Society Rehearsal (Chapel)
7.30pm-10.00pm Classical Music/ Choral Society Concert (Chapel)
Monday 26th November:
4.00pm-8.00pm Shakespeare Rehearsal (Arts Centre)
Tuesday 27th November:
8.40am HeadmasterÕs Assembly: Mrs Carol Cotton ÔScars upon my HeartÕ (Arts Centre)
4.00pm-8.00pm AS/A2 Theatre Studies Rehearsal (Art Centre)
Wednesday 28th November:
8.40am HeadmasterÕs Assembly: Mrs Carol Cotton ÔScars upon my HeartÕ (Arts Centre)
8.45am Chapel by Goodland
1.00pm Sixth Form Forum (Winterstoke Room)
5.00pm-8.00pm Shakespeare Rehearsal (Arts Centre)
Thursday 29th November:
8.45am Chapel by Goodland
GirlsÕ Cross Country Relays (St AntonyÕs Leweston)
7.00pm OT French Club Dinner (Paris) (Guest of Honour: Sir Peter Westmacott)
Friday 30th November:
5.00pm-8.00pm Shakespeare Rehearsal (Art Centre)
5.15pm PrefectsÕ Meeting (Guvvy)
7.00pm The Burke: Balloon Debate (GWR)