Congratulations to Kaiden Hitchins in Year 8 who is the fastest 12 year old in the UK at breast stroke! Last Saturday, Kaiden went to London for a Sprint with the Stars swimming competition. He raced against Adam Peaty and other swimmers in his age group. He is currently the fastest 12 year old in the UK in the Breaststroke event and he came 2nd in the Freestyle final. This is a wonderful achievement and we are extremely proud of him!
HM Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022
The Queen provided unerring stability for our nation throughout her reign, reflecting many of the enduring values for which this country is known and of which we are proud. As was so evident in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, she was held in great affection and regarded throughout the world with deep-seated respect. Knowing that the Queen’s death could prove upsetting or evoke painful memories, we have asked pupils to show consideration and sensitivity to others and we have reminded them of the support available.
We hold the Queen’s family in our thoughts and prayers at this time and think of King Charles III as he faces the prospect of assuming the throne after his mother’s long and hugely respected reign.
The Queen cared deeply about her responsibilities, about her subjects and about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I encourage pupils to care deeply about what they do and how they do it – as they will then achieve excellence; to care for our world and for others, remembering that a different approach will often be needed and appreciated according to the individual; and, finally, to care about and for themselves, as we cannot care effectively for others if we do not look after our own well-being and the balance in our lives.
The Queen’s character reflected much of what Britons like to think of as the best of themselves; modest, uncomplaining, thrifty, intelligent if not necessarily intellectual, sensible, feet on the ground, unfussy, a dry sense of humour with a great big laugh, slow to anger and always well-mannered.
Some quotes from the last two days:
“With her attentive and enquiring mind, she became the greatest statesman and diplomat of all.
It was with that indomitable spirit she created the modern constitutional monarchy.”
“She would regard it as her own highest achievement that her son, Charles III, will follow her own extraordinary standards of duty and service.
Millions of us are trying to understand why we are feeling this deep and personal and almost Familial sense of loss.
Perhaps it’s partly that she’s always been there, a changeless human reference point in British life.
We are coming to understand in her death the full magnitude of what she did for us all.”
“Think of what we asked that 25-year-old woman all those years ago – to be the person so globally trusted that her image should be on every unit of our currency, every postage stamp, the person in whose name all justice is dispensed in this country, every law passed, to whom every minister of the crown swears allegiance and for whom every member of our armed services is pledged if necessary to lay down their lives.”
“Think of what we asked of her in that moment. Not just to be the living embodiment in her DNA in the history and continuity and unity of this country but to the figurehead of our entire system, the keystone in the vast arch of the British state, a role that only she could fulfil.”
“The Queen was the rock on which modern Britain was built.”
“The Queen was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.”
The Queen had a very strong sense of duty and she was determined to dedicate her life to her throne and her people. She was a great comfort to many and was ever present being a centre point in a rapidly changing world.
There are many elements of the Queen’s character such as her sense of duty and service that are fine examples that our HGS community can look up to and emulate. These character traits will stand King Charles III in good stead.
God Save The King.
Stay well and safe.
Be kind to yourself and others.
Best wishes,
Dr Bird
Our congratulations go to Kai Dawkins in Year 11 who won the Bronze medal at the 2022 World Karate Federation Commonwealth Games. He only missed out on the Final by 1 point! The event was held at the University of Birmingham and Kai stayed with the England team on campus. A wonderful achievement and a great experience.
Kai also competed at the Banzai Championships in Berlin recently where he won a Silver medal. Again a great achievement and we congratulate him on his success.
It is with a sense of profound sadness and loss that we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She led a life of steadfast duty, was an inspiration across the world and devoted her life to the service of others. As a mark of respect, we are flying our Union Flag at half mast in line with National Mourning Protocols. We will also hold a 2 minute silence this morning in memory of Her Majesty as a mark of respect and to provide an opportunity for our community to reflect on her life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Queen’s family at this time. May she rest in peace.
We were recently contacted by Peter E James who has written a biography of his father called: a Life of Science and Serendipity.
It is a fascinating and wonderful read.
Dr James was a pupil at HGS between 1947 to 1954. He was a member of Peel House and was in class 1C. He was a good athlete, football player (broke his wrist playing against the Old Boys in 1953), squash player, cricket player and cross country runner! The 11 year old Brian shocked everyone by finishing second in the school cross country 5 mile run and as a result set up a betting line with odds of 2 to 1 to win with his fellow pupils but unfortunately that year he came 30th and had a large pay out to make! Good to see that HGS spirit! Brian also enjoyed taking part in school productions. After A Levels in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Brian went up to Wadham College, Oxford and read Chemistry. Brian was the first of his family to attend University and is testament that HGS and the Grammar School system does what it says on the tin as the son of a working class Milkman successfully after hard work, grit and determination went to Oxford and had an illustrious career as an academic ending up as:
Dr Brian R James BA, MA (Oxon), D.Phil (Oxon), Postdoctoral, UBC Fellow, RSC
Our Next Open Evening will be held on Thursday 15th September 2022 between 4pm and 7pm. All welcome!
We have just received the LAMDA results for the exams taken in July. They are testament to the hard work and resilience of our students and their LAMDA teacher Mrs Reynolds.
