Head's Letter Parents Info Pack

12th September 2008 Dear Parents, Welcome back to the new academic year and I trust that both you and your family had a relaxing summer either “chilling” in the sunshine abroad or, like me, just being “chilly” watching the Olympics at home in the rain! As you know, I officially assumed the Headship of WGS on 1st September and I’m thrilled to be at this lovely school. Everyone has made me feel so welcome and, having been lucky enough to meet Big Six and Year 7 in the summer, I should get to know the rest of the students pretty quickly - I’m sure that they’ll all soon get to know me! A little background - I was born and bred in Birmingham, I attended grammar school and studied History at Lancaster. The world of high finance beckoned, but lasted only one year, and I joined King Edward VI Aston School as a teacher of History and Games in 1978. I spent twenty four years at Aston, twelve as Deputy Head, before becoming Head at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, where I have been for the last six years. Clearly, since Camp Hill is one of the best state schools in the country, it took something very special to lure me away and WGS is just that. Indeed, I was honoured to be invited to lead WGS and I arrive with the school in rude health. Record examination success A level This year’s A level results were outstanding - 100% pass rate and 80% of passes at grades A/B. These impressive statistics set a new record for the school that will be a challenging target for our new Upper Sixth. GCSE Congratulations also to last year’s Year 11 who averaged 9 A*-C passes each with almost 60% of examinations taken passed at A*/or A grade. New Staff Alongside my good self, WGS welcomes : Mr Meer Mr Davies Mr Grebe Mrs Mosley Mrs Newton Big Six Chemistry & Physics History Music PE/Games Hockey) Mr Marshall Miss Murray Miss Paxon Miss Round Mr Guard Mrs Parrans-Smith Business Studies Economics English History & Politics Music & (especially Ryder Cup and Olympic hopefuls • Many congratulations to Aaron Rai (Year 8) whose success in the world of golf is beginning to mark him out as a real star of the future. During the summer, Aaron finished joint first in the Reid Trophy, a competition for U14 players from throughout Europe. Aaron is the top golfer in the country for his age group and is a member of the England Elite squad. • Similarly, Mary Taylor, (Upper Sixth) did superbly well in the International 10M air rifle competition held at Bisley during the holiday. Mary’s team won a Bronze in the Ladies Championships and Mary won an individual Gold medal in the Ladies Grand Prix. Perhaps a Gold for Mary in London 2012? Summer Adventures Special thanks to Jim Ryan and Simon Hinchliffe who led parties of WGS students to Poland and the Picos Mountains (see their more detailed reports attached). Autumn Term Events Please find attached a complete calendar of activities planned for this term. As you can see, there’s so much going on at WGS and we’ve already had Year 11 visit to Nottingham University and an A level English trip to the Globe Theatre. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight: • • • The Friends’ Quiz night - Friday 17th October at 7pm Dickens’ A Christmas Carol - Wednesday - Saturday 26th - 29th November Christmas Carol Concerts - Monday and Tuesday 8th and 9th December Tickets for all of these events will go quickly so please obtain them as soon as possible via the General Office. Founder’s Day will be on Friday 7th November at St Peter’s Church, Exchange Street at 11.00am. Please note this is a change to the time that’s advertised in the calendar. Your son/daughter should be available for collection around 12.30pm. For the first time we are trying to put together a band to ring the church bells before and after the service as people arrive and leave: would any interested ringers contact Dr Edlin on dredlin@tiscali.co.uk, before Friday 19th September please? The Role of Parents Key to the success of WGS is the strength of partnership between your son/daughter, the school and home. Thus, to ensure the continuing development and improvement of everything we do at school, I will be looking to parents for views, ideas and help on a regular basis. Indeed, I will welcome any thoughts, criticisms, or feedback you may have about any aspect of school life at any time. And, by way of proof, I was talking to some parents in July and they expressed disappointment that the school wasn’t making the best use of email to communicate with home. Hence, at the bottom of the page, there is a tear-off slip and I would be grateful if it could be completed and returned by your son/daughter to update the school with email, mobile and land line numbers to improve contact between school and home. In closing, WGS is a fine school where the students are busy, happy and successful. However, although proud of the excellent and well-rounded education offered at Wolverhampton, we are anything but complacent. Indeed, the Governors, my staff and I are committed to taking WGS forward to the next stage of its development as one of the top schools in the Midlands and I’m very excited about what we can achieve together. With thanks and best wishes, Yours sincerely, Vincent Darby Head ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please complete and ask your son/daughter to return to their form tutor Son/Daughter’s name …………………………………………. Form …… Mobile ……………………………… Contact details Mother’ name Father’s name Home telephone number Work telephone number Mobile telephone number email address/s PARENTS’ INFORMATION PACK AUTUMN TERM 2008 Contents: • Calendar • Sports awards 2007/2008 • Letter from the Friends • General information o Invitation to take part in Savenay French Exchange 2009 o Picos De Europa o Poland Expedition o Uganda Art Exhibition & Presentation SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAY DATES Autumn 2008 - Summer 2010 ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/2010 Autumn Term 2008 Tuesday 2nd September - Friday 12th December (Half Term Monday 27th - Friday 31st October) Tuesday 6th January - Friday 27th March Spring Term 2009 (Half Term Monday 16th - Friday 20th February) Tuesday 21st April - Friday 10th July (Bank Holiday Monday 4th May) Summer Term 2009 (Half Term Monday 25th - Friday 29th May) Autumn Term 2009 Wednesday 2nd September - Friday 11th December (Half term: Monday 26th - Friday 30th October) Tuesday 5th January - Friday 26th March Spring Term 2010 (Half term Monday 15th - Friday 19th February) Tuesday 20th April - Friday 9th July (May Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May) Summer Term 2010 (Half term: Monday 31st May - Friday 4th June) WGS SPORTING HONOURS 2007/2008 SPORTS DAY – Victores Ludorum Year 7 Boys Wahab Malik Isaac Hobbs Girls Sarah Hickman Abi Houghton Philippa Brown Becky Bradley Year 8 Tom Husselbee Jonathan Crawford Themba Fraser Daniel Jones Luke Gainham Adeo Fraser Ed Vanes Mike McEwan Year 9 Year 10 Ria Wagstaff Jordan Moxey Senior pentathlon winner Senior pentathlon second Senior pentathlon third Lydia Parr Team (inter-form) trophies were won by: 7S, 8S, 9E, 10B In the Big Six athletic sports, each student had to compete in ten events, finishing with the 100 metres held on Sports Day. Boys Roshan Jakhu Alex Buckham Christopher Ryan Girls Olivia Jones Ellie Frith Hannah Lea First Second Third The Chris Walker Memorial Mile BOYS: Luke Sheldon (OW) Luke Gainham Corrado Manzai Female teacher : Male teacher : TIME: 5:10:10 5:11:38 5:23:69 GIRLS: Zoë Stirling TIME: 6:07:07 First Second Third First First Miss McAllister Dr Bradley 6:07:07 5:24:31 ATHLETICS Wolverhampton City Athletics Championships Team Year 7 Boys Third Year 8 Boys Third Year 8 Girls Second Year 9 Girls Second Year 10 Boys Second Year 10 Girls Winners Individual Year 7 Boys - Triple Jump Winner Year 8 Girls - Javelin Winner Year 9 Girls - 100m Winner Year 9 Girls - 200m Winner Year 9 Girls - Long Jump Winner Year 9 Girls - 4 x 100m Relay Winners Year 10 Boys - Long Jump Winner Year 10 Girls - 300m Winner Year 10 Girls - Triple Jump Winner *a new Year 8 record Staffordshire Championship Year 9 - Javelin West Midlands County Championship Individual Year 8 Boys - Javelin West Midlands Representation English Schools Championships, Gateshead SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETICS West Midlands Championships Long Jump 400m Shot Height Throw Club (Throw) Javelin Ball Throw Assisted Run National Championships Height Throw Distance Club (Throw) Javelin Ball Throw * National record Elliot Jones Eleanor Barnett* Ria Wagstaff Ria Wagstaff Ria Wagstaff Dan Jones April Dalton Freya Husselbee Winner Benji Pearson Winner Benji Pearson Junior Javelin Benji Pearson Gold Gold Gold Silver Gold Gold Gold Sarah Hickman Sarah Hickman Sarah Hickman Sophie Pritchard Sophie Pritchard Sophie Pritchard Sophie Pritchard Gold Gold * Silver Sophie Pritchard Sophie Pritchard Sophie Pritchard BADMINTON Wolverhampton Schools Championships Junior Boys & Intermediate Runners-up Boys League 2 BASKETBALL After a successful season the Year 9 Basketball team finished runners-up in the Wolverhampton School’s League. COAST TO COAST RUN St Bees Head to Robin Hood’s Bay (183 miles) Georgina Baker Freya Husselbee Daniel Jones Corado Manzai Jordan Moxey Mollie Parr Ajay Sharma Luke Tatton Alec Walton Jenny Wilson Completed in 26.5 hours - Fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease, to date £5,300 raised CRICKET Staffordshire County Cup U14 U12 Representative Honours Shropshire U16 Staffordshire U14 Shropshire U13 Staffordshire U12 Staffordshire U12 CROSS COUNTRY Wolverhampton City Championships (Team) Years 10 & 11 Boys Second Years 10 & 11 Girls Second Years 8 & 9 Girls Winners Year 7 Girls Third Wolverhampton City Championships (Individual Performances) Years 12/13 Boys Winner Third Years 12/13 Girls Second Third Years 10/11 Boys Third Years 10/11 Girls Third Years 8 & 9 Boys Winner Years 8 & 9 Girls Third Wolverhampton City League Senior Years 10/11 Year 8 & 9 Year 7 Colours Nick Crisp through to Semi-final Runners-up Captain Will Nield Aaron Patel Amun Samra Will Nield Tom Weston Aaron Patel Wahab Malik Nick Crisp Rory Shanks Lydia Parr Lucy Crane Georgina Baker Luke Gainham Benji Pearson Zoë Stirling Winners Winners Winner Winners John Purchase Luke Gainham Benji Pearson Isaac Hobbs JUNIOR SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS Big Six - Boys ‘A’ Third 3 FIVES Following on from the Year 8 Boys’ success in the Midlands U14 Championship Plate Competition in November, further success has been had in fixtures with King Edward’s School Birmingham, Kingsland Grange Preparatory School and Shrewsbury School. The boys participated in the Midland U14 Spring Ladder competition, along with King Edwards School Birmingham, Stowe School and Uppingham School, with Matthew Pritchard eventually securing top spot after the five rounds of competition. The boys were invited to take part in the Preparatory Schools National Championships, which were held at Harrow School on March 13th 2008, a fantastic experience for all involved. FOOTBALL WOLVERHAMPTON CITY CUP 1st XI Colours Jack Bolshaw Michael Hathaway Josh Stanley (re-award) Winners Josh Stanley Chris Evans Jonathan Purchase Representative Honours Northern Independent Schools U18 Wolverhampton City U15 & West Midlands U15 Wolverhampton Wanderers U13 GOLF Staffordshire Junior Girls and Staffordshire Ladies 2nd Team Played for Oxley Park Ladies Scratch team Colours Staffordshire Junior County Colours GYMNASTICS Wolverhampton Schools Championships Girls Individual O13 Girls (Novice) Overall Vault Floor O13 Girls (Beginners) Overall Vault U13 Girls (Club) Overall Floor Vault U13 Girls (Beginners) Second Team Overall Vault U13 Boys (Team) Overall Joshua Stanley Daniel Jones John Crawford Emily Mumford Emily Mumford Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold & Silver overall Bronze Gold Gold Gold Silver Bronze Second Third Bronze Molly Gromadzki Molly Gromadzki Ria Wagstaff Zoë Stirling Alice Baldwin Alice Baldwin Alice Baldwin Ffyona Downes Shona Wright 4 Floor Second Simran Batth Big Six gymnasts competed over two days at Deansfield against high class opposition. All performed brilliantly. Sadly, no girls came away with medals but Roshan Jakhu won a Silver medal in the Boy’s Vault ‘A’ category (squat through). Colours Molly Gromadzki HOCKEY Representative Honours Staffordshire U18 England U16, Midlands U15 and Staffordshire U16 & U15 Colours Cerys Bate Tom Bowen Michael Maddox NETBALL U19 (1st VII) West Midlands U19 (1st VII) Charles Blakemore Katherine Lloyd Alex Bandurak Nick Bandurak Winners Captain Sarah Breakspeare Champions Sarah Breakspeare Captain Sarah Breakspeare J odieHoffman South Staffordshire County Championships Winners U19 (1st VII ) U14 Winners Colours Sarah Breakspeare India Perry Chantelle Williams Wolverhampton Schools Championships U14 Winners U13 Runner-up U12 Winners Wolverhampton Schools League U18 U16 U15 U14 U13 U15B Friendly League U13B Friendly League U12 Georgia Fardon Sonia Raj Captain Jodie Hoffman Evie Carty Abi Houghton Captain Sarah Breakspeare Emily Oswald Jordan Moxey Jodie Hoffman Evie Carty Charlotte Holman Jenny Wilson Abi Houghton Winners Winners Winners Winners Runner-up Runners-up Competed Winners Representative Honours U16 Satelite Academy West Midlands Regional Talent Development Programme Jordan Moxey 5 ROUNDERS Wolverhampton City League U14 U13 U12 Finals still to be played RUGBY Representative Honours Staffordshire U14 Colours Max Dawes Rory Shanks Winners Winners Semi-finalists Captain Ria Wagstaff Sophie Warren Philippa Brown/April Dalton Benji Pearson Tom Kimpton Robert Tyzzer SHOOTING Mary Taylor, (Upper Sixth) did superbly well in the International 10m air rifle competition held at Bisley during the holiday. Mary’s team won a Bronze in the Ladies Championships and Mary won an individual Gold medal in the Ladies Grand Prix. SQUASH The U19 girls’ squash team lost their National quarter-final match to Church High School, Newcastle upon Tyne. They played well but were beaten by a team that has won the National Championship several times. SWIMMING U13 City Swim Gala (Girls) Team Gold Individual Gold Gold Silver Bronze Ellie Beech, Philippa Brown, Danni Gibbons, Sarah Hickman, Sammy Wright Philippa Brown Sarah Hickman Ellie Beech Chloe Connop, Charlotte Fellows-Cox, Rachel Isgar, Ellie Smith, Zoë Stirling, Georgia Vaughan O13 City Swim Gala (Girls) Team TABLE TENNIS Representative Honours Staffordshire U18 Nick Gilmour TENNIS Aberdare Cup (Girls) Regional winners - came 11th in the National Finals Seniors Grace Baker Cindy Harvey Katherine Lloyd (Captain) Lucy Darby Abi Houghton Wolverhampton Schools League Year 10 and under Winners 6 Wolverhampton Schools Doubles Championships Years 9 & 10 Runner-up Years 6, 7 and 8 To be played Glanvill Cup (Boys) Regional Runner-up Grace & Georgina Baker Sam Griffiths (Captain) Patrick Norton-Uhl Amun Samra Michael Inglis Henry Parocki Joshua Wicks Wolverhampton Primary Schools Big Six Mini-Green Tennis Colours Katherine Lloyd Winner Peter Lloyd NON-SPORTING HONOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2007/2008 CHESS Colours Dhrusham Patel DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Engineering Education Scheme (CREST AWARD) Gold Mark Cartwright, Tom Hedgecock, Jatinder Momi, Daniel Naylor, James Price DRAMA Honours David Bamford Michael Maddox MATHEMATICS CHALLENGES Senior Mathematics Challenge Silver Bronze Molly Gromadzki 4 7 Mark Bannister, David Turner, Jonathan Purchase*, Ben Vaughan Lucy Crane, Nick Crisp, Sean Dhillon, Joe Harper, Nidhi Mehan, Dhrusham Patel, Kit Stonier * Best in school Intermediate Mathematics Challenge Gold 10 Eleanor Barratt, Jake Evans, Edward Holden, Michael Inglis, Alistair Macaulay, Jansimran Nurpuri, Kyle Reed, Paawan Sharma, Alex Stilwell*, Jenny Wilson Silver 21 Bronze 29 • Best in school • In the European Kangaroo, Paawan Sharma was awarded a certificate of Merit 7 Junior Mathematics Challenge Gold 13 Rhys Bains, Dillon Balaggan, Ryan Colton, Carl Evans, Lewis Girling, Lawrence Green, Tom Husselbee, Shun Jevons, Aman Khosa, Henry Parocki*, Spencer Soley, Edward Trotter, Tom Weston Silver Bronze *Best in school 20 34 MUSIC Miles Lawrence becomes a member of the CBSO Youth Orchestra. Grade 8 Achievements Matthew Anderson Miles Lawrence Catherine Sargent Alec White Sophie Young Honours Mark Bannister Lisa Hughes OUTDOOR PURSUITS Duke of Edinburgh Award Bronze Claudia Gilmour Catherine Sargent Alto Saxophone (merit) Violin (merit) Alto Saxophone (distinction) Piano Singing (distinction) Singing Ben Acton, David Bamford, James Bannister, Mark Bannister, Lucy Crane, Wil D’Costa, Sareena Jakhu Picos Expedition Team Becky Bradley (8R) John Parnell (8R) John Hickman (9A) Joseph Foxall (9B) Mrs Heidi Dalzell (WGS) Poland Expedition Team Ben Acton Michael Jewes Chris Tutton Daniel Wynn Danielle Gibbons (8R) Matthew Pritchard (8R) Jordan Ram (9A) Alistair Macaulay (9E) Mr Nick Dixon (Towers) Eleanor Griffiths (8R) Charles Watt (8R) Zak Wilmot (9A) Danielle Roberts (9E) Dr Simon Hinchliffe (WGS) Alex Bandurak Francesca Ryan Sophie Whiting Mr Jim Ryan (WGS) Sam House Gabriella Ryan Oliver Wintrip 8 Friends of WGS WELCOME to a new school year here at WGS. A special welcome to all our new students, their families and of course our new Head teacher, Mr Darby. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY Mrs House who has kindly run our used but good uniform sale over the last few years will be finishing at Christmas. Her son will be leaving at the end of the school year and we need someone to come forward to carry on this fundraising opportunity for the Friends of Wolverhampton Grammar School. Would you be interested in running the nearly new school uniform stall? For an informal chat/further information please contact Carolle House on 01902 786543. AGM – WEDNESDAY 15TH OCTOBER This is to give notice of our AGM in October when the officers of the Friends are appointed and the committee members formally elected. All of the current officers except the Treasurer are putting themselves forward for re-election next year, although if anyone else wishes to stand please let us know via school. We do have a parent who has offered to stand for this position, but we welcome any other nominations for this or any of the other roles (Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary) as well. The committee members are made up from a Governor representative, staff representative and parents of students (past and present). If you are interested in joining us please come along to the AGM. QUIZ NIGHT – FRIDAY 17TH OCTOBER By popular demand the autumn term will see the return of our family quiz night, which proved so successful. Friday 17th October is the date for your diaries. Tickets will be available next week from school – see attached flyer for more information. RECIPE BOOK We are going to produce a recipe book ready to sell for Mother’s Day next year. We would like you to send us your recipes for your favourite snack, meal or cake. Anything you think other people would like to make. We will be sending out a separate flyer later in the term via the students and information will be put on our page on the website. This could turn out to be a real fun project for everyone involved with the school. THE FRIENDS Once again this year the Friends of WGS will be arranging social events and also fundraising to help provide those little (sometimes big) extras that the school fees don’t cover. In the last few years we have funded a new mini bus, a new sound system for big school, the link with Lords Meede in Uganda and the ever popular bouldering wall. If you would be interested in becoming involved in the Friends, please e-mail me at janemeek@blueyonder.co.uk for further information, or ring 01902 742800. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 15th September 2008, Head’s Study The Friends of WGS Family Quiz Friday 17th October 2008 7.30pm in the Derry Hall Tickets £2.50 (includes nibbles) A licenced bar will serve wine, beers and soft drinks. You can come with friends to make up a team of eight (or nine, we aren’t going to be too strict) or we will put smaller groups together to make new teams (a great way of meeting new people at the school.) For more information ring Jane Meek on 01902 742800 or 07730-839211 Tickets available from the General Office from next week Please complete the below form and hand it in with your money --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name ………………………………………. Phone Number ………………………….. Child’s Name ……………………………………………………………….. Form …….. So that we know who will be sitting with whom, and how many tables to set up, we need to know if you are already part of a team for the night, or if you want to meet new people and be placed in a team. Are you part of a bigger team? Yes/No If yes, who else is in the team? ………………………………………………………… If no and you want to meet new people at school tick here ………. Thank you AN INVITATION TO TAKE PART IN THE Savenay French Exchange 2009 Dear Parents, I am pleased to invite students from Years 7 to 11 to take part in the 2009 Homestay Exchange with the Collège St Joseph.( www.saintjosephsavenay.fr) The school is a private one at Savenay, an attractive market town in the Loire Atlantique area, a few miles north of the Loire estuary between Nantes and the port of St.Nazaire. We have held an exchange each year since 1990, and friendship is abundant! We travel by coach and ferry leaving on or around Wednesday 25 March just before the end of the Spring term. During the week in France we meet up at the school almost every day for excursions and activities. These are organised by our French hosts and often include trips to the coast, nearby Nantes and Saint Nazaire and visits to such places as the Yves Rocher perfume factory at La Gacilly, the war museum at St.Marcel, Futuroscope or Puy du Fou theme parks and a vineyard in the Muscadet area. We will almost certainly go to the Tepacap climbing themepark (see http://www.tepacap.fr/savenay/index.htm or just search for Tepacap Savenay) French families are among the most hospitable in the world and with just a little effort our students’ French will progress significantly.As a keen footballer I always look forward to our international match against our French friends! We won last year! Many of our students stay in touch with their exchange partners in later years and brothers, sisters and even parents get involved! Students are twinned according to interests and character. Those coming for a second or third time can stay with previous families if so desired where possible , but are also encouraged to try a new family.Any wishes you have will be taken into account. Please feel free to contact me at school or on 01902 759112 if you have any queries. DATES ( please allow a day either way for fine-tuning) Wednesday 25 March 2009 Coach leaves WGS Wednesday 1 April 2009 Coach arrives back at WGS The dates for the French visit to Wolverhampton are under discussion but will be early in the summer term . PRICE in the region of ₤350 to include all travel and trips in France, and also Alton Towers for English and French students and insurance but not pocket money or passport. If you would like your son or daughter to take part please return the slip below to me with a deposit of £50 payable to Wolverhampton Grammar School. Further payments will be in December and February, although payments may be spread over the school year by special arrangement. Let me know if you wish to apply for financial help; a limited amount is available. Three Points to encourage any Year Seven students thinking of taking part • Year sevens took part very happily for the first time in 2003 and again in the following years • One of the accompanying teachers is specially to look after you – Mrs Laurino-Ryan. • There are extra practices for first years in the language lab . Yours sincerely Vincent Raymond-Barker To V.Raymond-Barker Head of French I……………………………………..parent/guardian of………………………..in form…………….. wish to enrol him/her for the 2009 French Exchange. I agree to host the counterpart French student. .I enclose a ₤50 deposit payable to Wolverhampton Grammar School Signed………………………………………………………Date……………. PICOS DE EUROPA For the third time in recent years students from WGS ventured to the beautiful Picos de Europa mountain range in northern Spain for the annual summer expedition. The group arrived at their mountain base near the market town of Arenas on 10th July and in the days that followed they walked the length of the Cares Gorge spotting Griffin and Egyptian vultures overhead, hopefully nothing to worry about there, and spent a day or two at a local crag enjoying the challenges of roped climbing. The team reached their first major peak, Cabeza La Mesa (1605m), on the first day of a journey into the remote heart of the central massif, and went on to spend nights in remote mountain villages and climbing refuges, buy provisions from local shepherds and achieve their goal of climbing Torre de la Pardida (2596m) one of the highest peaks in the range. Three of our students ascended the impressive Naranjo de Bulnes (2519m) which required multiple pitches of roped climbing to get up it and long abseils to get down again. Others in the group explored the area around the highest summits in the region and found an adventurous new route back to base camp. The remainder of the expedition was taken up with celebration meals, trips to local markets such as that at nearby town Llanes, trying of the local chorizo and cheese, and surfing and climbing at the coast. The Picos team 2008 was: John Parnell, Danielle Gibbons, Becky Bradley, Eleanor Griffiths, Matthew Pritchard, Danielle Roberts, Zach Wilmot, John Hickman, Joseph Foxall, Alistair Macaulay, Jordan Ram, Charles Watt, Mrs Heidi Dalzell, Dr Simon Hinchliffe and Nick Dixon from The Towers). Poland Expedition 22-29 August 2008 With an early start (1am) the intrepid group of ten students set off with Mr. Ryan from WGS heading for John Lennon Airport, Liverpool with our driver Dr. Hinchliffe, to meet their connection to Krakow and thereafter onto the well known winter skiing and summer mountain walking resort of Zakopane situated at the base of the polish Tatra mountains in southern Poland. After an uneventful and safe passage the group arrived tired but excited at the hotel in Zakopane. A quick change, a bite to eat, and off to explore the delights of the town. The ice cream was particularly popular with the group, some of whom were undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and others looking for some foreign trekking and eastern European cultural experiences. After a good night’s sleep we undertook a short walk to our first mountain lodge carrying full packs which we deposited in safe storage before ordering our first bowls of Goulash and Bilosh followed by four hours of potholing in the local limestone caves. The next five days provided periods of beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery and physical effort, with the group walking up to eleven hours and often climbing twice the height of Snowdon each day, led by our Polish mountain guide Tomas, who also happened to be the local National Park Head Ranger. Accommodation was in either mountain lodges or back at our base hotel in Zakopane. The food was excellent and the Polish people were friendly and helpful. We all became experts by the end of the week in ordering our Polish food and polishing off our portions of Szarlotka (apple cake). The Tatra is a designated World Biosphere Reserve within Poland and Slovakia with one fifth of this being situated in Poland. In the area there are many wild animals including wolf, bear and Chamoix, of which we were fortunate to see the latter two. The final day of the expedition began at 5.30am with an assault on Poland’s highest mountain, Rysy at 2499m (8199 feet), which also involved a 25km (15.5 miles) walk. Unfortunately, the attempt had to be abandoned 100m from the summit due to deteriorating weather conditions, but at least the group attained a height of 8000 feet and were able to see Poland’s single remaining glacier on the slopes of Rysy. The mountain will always be there, and we will return! The final evening was spent in the picturesque city of Krakow for our farewell meal and further helpings of ice-cream. Krakow is definitely a place which warrants further exploration in the future. Look out for news of the upcoming Poland/Picos presentation evening and further news of the next intrepid adventure to Poland (Wulfrunians in search of wolves).