National Association for Able Children in Education
Handsworth Grammar School is a member of the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE).
Oxford Visit
On Thursday the 10th of May 10 Year 10 students were given the opportunity to experience the cloistered environs of the UKs top Universities on a visit to Oxford. The visit was organized by Keble College but also took in a tour of New College and a landmark quiz around Oxford city centre. Students were shown around by current undergraduates from both colleges and treated to lunch in Keble’s hall (“It’s just like ‘Harry Potter’!”). HGS students behaved in an exemplary fashion and asked lots of questions, although their map reading skills on the city quiz left a lot to be desired. All-in-all it was a thoroughly interesting and inspirational day.
NP Duck
HGS Old Boy Memoir Published
Charles Horton who was a pupil at HGS in the early 1900s recently had his memoir called Stretcher Bearer! Fighting for life in the trenches published by Lion Hudson. Charles volunteered in 1915 for the Royal Army Medical Corps after gaining his degree at Birmingham University. The Library has been kindly donated a copy of the book by his granddaughter and it will provide an excellent reference point for the study of the First World War as well as acting as a testimony to the men of Birmingham who experienced the horrors of the trenches.
Old Boy Returns to HGS Assembly
Errol Lawson returned to HGS recently to deliver an inspirational talk in assembly to Year 11 as they embarked upon their GCSE study leave. Errol’s theme was overcoming limitations and striving to be the best a person can be even against the odds. Errol is the acclaimed author of From The Post Code to the Globe and drew on his personal experiences to inspire HGS students so that they feel empowered to overcome their limitations and realise their potential.
Young Musician of the Year 2013
On Thursday 25th April some of the school’s most talented musicians competed for the titles of Young Musician of the year 2013 and Most Promising Young Musician 2013. This year there were a wide range of ages and variety of instruments. The following students participated: Samuel Lau (piano), Hamza Chaudary (guitar), Sahibpreet Bhamra (tabla), Atul Verma (piano), Jon Ho (flute), Ryan Xam (piano), Krishan Lawrence (guitar) and Jack Harris (piano).
This year’s judges had the unenviable task of selecting the two winners from a field of very strong performers. Whilst the judges deliberated, last year’s winner Yunchen Zhu, gave a very good performance of the first movement of Haydn’s B flat major piano sonata. The winner of Young Musician of the Year 2013 was Ryan Xam, and Most Promising Young Musician of the year 2013 went to Sahibpreet Bhamra. Both performers demonstrated excellent technique and communicated their music well to the audience.
The competition is always an enjoyable evening of music that demonstrates some of the excellent talent within the school. If you missed it this year, then come along in 2014.
M. Ward
Music Department
