17^th December 2009

Dear Parents

To suggest that the Term has been anything less than busy or highly demanding for everyone would be a massive understatement. You will know from previous letters that I am determined that this school goes from strength to strength. The academic stretch that characterises such a large proportion of lessons, the range of sporting and extracurricular activities, the dedication of staff – vital ingredients for a school that was ranked in the top 50 when our A-Level and GCSE results were published last summer.To use the vernacular, World Languages Day did what it said on the tin. A most enjoyable day where boys had the opportunity to acquire the basics in a large number of languages, guided with great skill by staff at the school – everything from Afrikaans to Russian with Lugandan in between. Anna Hammonds did a great job organising the event.In mid-September, the Biologists made their annual pilgrimage with Pat Rose to Juniper Hall. As ever, it was a truly memorable experience as students savoured the delights of quadrats, belt transects and river flow rates, whilst considering the environmental implications of coppicing. Most particularly and of great significance, our Year 12 and 13 Biologists were able to put into practice recently acquired theory.  This was briskly followed by theatre trips to see ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘Katrina’ organised by Jonathan Mann, a Year 11 information evening where John Corcut and I took parents through the potentially hazardous journey of GCSE coursework, mock examinations, study skills, post 16 options and exactly how GCSE grades are calculated. The following evening John Corcut was on duty again. This time it was the ‘Shawshank Redemption’ – a joint theatre trip with Heathfield School. If you have read any of the reviews, you will be aware that the multi Oscar-winning film has been turned into a play and it has taken the West End by storm. We were lucky to witness this theatrical milestone.I would be remiss if I failed to mention the incredible turnout for our Speech Night. For those of you who attended, you will be aware that it was literally standing room only. If you were not there, you missed a treat – readings and recitations by the boys, prizes, cups, speeches and light refreshments. The perfect end to the first month of the academic year.A week later, it was the ‘Settling-in’ evening for parents of all new students. I am pleased to report that it was a most enjoyable evening for all concerned as we discussed the progress of the newest members of the school’s community.Between 11^th and 16^th October, Jonathan Mann, Charl Weyers and Gene Law were in Scotland. They were accompanied by Year 11. It was that time of year again – the Geography field trip where mountain biking, a distillery visit and an analysis of a coastal spit, to name but three, were the order of the day.With half term just around the corner, the 1^st XI soccer team coached by Warren Halford beat Ealing College 6-1. During the half term holiday, Year 11 boys spent their time experiencing  the wonderment of work experience with an impressive range of local companies.  In a dramatic display of gritty determination, the School cross country team also showed what it was made of at the Harrow AC Schools Challenge. David Daodu, Matthew Mendis and Daniel Pope all appeared in the top 10 with Neal Patel, Omar Jackson and Arman Motavalli being placed not that far behind. All boys should be proud of their achievements. David, Matthew and Daniel were awarded school colours.In early November, students in Years 11 to 13 took part in the Senior Mathematics Challenge, where Avi Patel received a Silver Award, and the Sixth Form Geographers travelled to Snowdonia to acknowledge the delights of sand dunes, mountain climbing (Cader Idris to be precise) and fluvial morphology.. This was briskly followed by Mock AS and A-Level examinations and a 1^st XI soccer match against John Lyon - we won 3-1.Towards the end of the month, there was a trip to the O2 to see the ATP tennis finals, GCSE modular examinations took place and we staged our Sixth Form Scholarship examinations. Scholarships were offered to the following boys who are currently in Year 11 - Spenser, David, Tofunmi, Asad, Llimahl, Ambouyan, Oluseyi, Ateeb, Prithvi, Quincy and Neal.With admissions in mind, it is worth highlighting that 25 sets of parents attended our Open Evening in October and 38 boys have set our entrance tests during the second half of this term. I am grateful for the support you are giving the school. Many prospective parents have mentioned that the reason why they have put their son forward for a place is because of your recommendations. Without doubt, that is the very best form of advertising any school can have. The consequence of the above is that numbers are looking healthy for September 2010. Additionally, Registrations have been made to 2013.Earlier this month, we held a Parents’ Evening for Year 12 and Year 13 parents, Sixth Form Geographers went to a conference in London,  the House soccer competition took place (Trojan are top of the table) and we joined forces with Buckingham College Preparatory School for a Christmas Celebration at St. George’s church in Pinner View. It was a predictable formula - carols, Christmas songs, recitations and readings, but most enjoyable for the performers and congregation all the same.The Sixth Form debating society has met regularly during the Term to consider some of the weightier matters of the day. Eagerly anticipated and well attended, it is without doubt an essential part of Sixth Form life at BCS.Additionally, members of the Sixth Form very much enjoyed their recent paint balling trip as it was a rare opportunity to combine controlled aggression, cunning and a certain measure of luck. Gene Law bravely trod where no Sixth Form tutor had gone before and had the bruises to prove it. On 28th November, 20 students and three staff raised the magnificent sum of £1200 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Messrs Corcut, Law, Weyers, Jobson, Parekh, Sonigara, Tanner, Wiltshire, Akram, Ansarinejad, Bergamini, Fagbuaro, Hong, Patel (Avi), Pattani, Siddiqui, Sundavadra, Harirahman, Jeyaratnasingham, Patel (Kishan), Pope, Parisutham and Wilson, we salute you.Earlier this week, Jonathan Mann organised a trip for staff and students to see ‘Wicked’, we all enjoyed a fabulous Christmas lunch and some festive entertainment, and we bade farewell to each other at the final assembly of the term.On the technology up grade front, the information on our website has now been brought up to date, 10 laptops are now available for students’ use in the Library during lessons, a ceiling-mounted computer projector now graces the Assembly Hall and the History room on the first floor is now equipped for computer projection. Next Term, I will be adding interactive SMART boards to a number of classrooms around the school, extending the wi-fi network and ensuring that data logging facilities are enjoyed by our Scientists in the Sixth Form. This is in addition to £5000 of new expenditure to enhance the stock in the School Library.Additionally, I have been enlisting the support of boys in Years 7 to 10, to help me develop a Virtual Learning Environment for the school. My initial aim is that by the end of January, all students will be able to have access to a wealth of curriculum-based, online resources that will enable them to extend the work that they have done in the classroom and to give them the tools they need for independent learning.We have also received a £5600 grant from Harrow Council. This is directly due to John Corcut’s excellent work with our recently published School Travel Plan. The School Council has met on a few occasions. Its discussions have focused on lunches, break time activities, virtual learning environments, recycling and fizzy drinks. I look forward to more lively debate in 2010.In conclusion, on behalf of all the staff at BCS, I should like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kind regards

Simon H Larter