Headteacher's Bulletin - Friday, February 2nd 2024
Mitch Johnson, award winning children's author and school alumnus officially launched his fourth book: "Toxic" at school on Wednesday. After cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the rededicated 'Mitch Johnson Library', Year 7 & 8 students enjoyed presentations in the Theatre related to the themes of his new book, set in the Amazon rainforest. Our Millionaire readers were also engaged in a fantastic creative writing workshop, and many students also had their copies of "Toxic" signed by Mitch. We hope that as a result of the visit students are inspired to write about topics they feel passionately about and to have their books published in future years!
There has been a great deal of competitive activity in the Maths department over the past few weeks. Mrs Kwei-Tagoe reports:
'It's been a busy fortnight in the Maths Department! On Wednesday last week, three of our finest Senior Mathematicians - Edward Rushmore in Year 11 and Joel White and Harry Leeke from Year 13 sat the second round of the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO2) as well as the final round of the Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC). The BMO2 is an entry point to the training and selection programme for international competitions and only a small number of overall applicants are invited to enter, so even having the opportunity to sit the paper is a fantastic achievement! It is worth noting that both Joel White and Harry Leeke have already secured offers from the University of Cambridge to study Mathematics next year!
On Wednesday this week, fifty of our budding mathematicians across years 9, 10 and 11, competed in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC), hoping to emulate NSB student Edward Rushmore, who last year earned himself a place (reserved for the top 1.5% scorers) at the UKMT Training Camp in the summer at Queen's College Oxford, based on his Olympiad results in this tier.
We wish the boys every success - they deserve it for all of their dedicated preparation!
A highlight of the School Calendar is the annual NSB's Charity Handover for the donations raised during Charity Week. Mrs Greenaway, who coordinates the Charity Week at the school, oversaw the event and reports:
10 of our chosen charities attended the event in the School's Wellbeing Hub. A 'Welcome Speech' was delivered by Alicia, Owen, Katie and Emerson, our Head Boy and Girl and Deputies which outlined all the amazing endeavours that the students took part in during Charity Week. Joel, from the Leadership Team, spoke passionately about his time spent with Mbekweni School in South Africa; the school we have supported for several years, and the rest of The House Leadership Team spoke with clarity about each charity and presented cheques to:
- Always A Chance,
- BacZachislegacy
- CoppaFeel!
- Cynthia Spencer Hospice,
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
- Diabetes UK
- En-fold
- KidsAid
- Pasic
- The Lowdown
The attendees were very impressed with the students and their eloquence and endeavour, as well as with the amount raised - £12,400. The event also gave everyone the chance to network and to hear about all the good work that is happening across Northamptonshire and further afield.
Last week, Ms Hasan took a group of Year 10 students to The Guildhall to perform a short extract from the Connections play they are working on for the Holocaust Memorial at The Guildhall. The performance was very well received and Ms Hasan supplied this report:
Holocaust Memorial 2024 - Friday 26th January
Last Friday, Miss Jones and I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of Year 10 students to the Guildhall, Northampton, to participate in the annual Holocaust Memorial Service. We were there for two reasons, to provide music for the opening and closing of the service, as well as providing a dramatic extract to mark the ‘fragility of freedom’ the theme of this years’ service. Mason Huo and Auguste Yoong played beautifully and were both praised for their professionalism, musical excellence and overall code of conduct throughout the service. The drama students were also praised for providing a moving extract taken from the National Connections project we have been rehearsing since October, called Wind/Rush Generation(s).
It is always such an honour to see how beautifully our students represent Northampton School for Boys at such important events. They upheld professionalism and maturity throughout the service and spoke openly and respectfully to some of the delegates afterwards who congratulated them on their integrity.
On the musical theme, 'The NSB New Year Jazz Spectacular' lived up to its name last Sunday with stirring performances from the NSB Big Band and Folk Group matched by inspirational levels of play from the BBC Big Band and jazz vocalist extraordinaire, Claire Martin.
In sport, the U14 rugby team are facing off this afternoon against Berkhamsted in the National Cup Quarter Finals, the same school who NSB U12 A/B/C/D teams had a clean sweep against on Wednesday, with great spirit displayed by all 8 sides on show. Best of luck also to the U12Bs in their last 16 National Cup tie this afternoon and to the 21 NSB students representing Northamptonshire at the Anglian Trophy at Burghley House in Stamford tomorrow. This is the final stage for qualification for The English Schools Championships in March, the pinnacle of School Cross Country. It is by far the most students we have had selected to run at these prestigious championships, and we are extremely proud of the way the NSB Cross Country season is progressing.
The U14 and U16 football teams have enjoyed days out this week at the home of England's official Training Camp - St George's Park, where they played in tournaments against other top school/club sides under the coaching expertise of former professionals taking their UEFA 'A' Licences. Both NSB sides performed valiantly with the U14s beating Thomas Telford in their respective final to take the title.
I mentioned in a recent bulletin that Ethan Buckley from Y9 had been selected as one of the best regional Water Polo players to play in the Duke of Cambridge Cup. I'm delighted to report that Ethan's team won the competition - here is Ethan proudly displaying his gold medal:
We were honoured to be invited by the English Schools Football Association to send 3 students to conduct the draws for the Quarter and Semi Finals of the 17 National School Age Group Cups. National Cup winning captains from the last two years, Harry Brown (U13 B Team Captain), Charlie Ablett (U13 A Team Captain) and Luca McCourtie (U14 A Team Captain) are pulling the names out of the hat at the Hawthornes Stadium (home of West Brom) later this evening - with detentions looming if they don't draw NSB at home in the numerous Cup draws we are still battling in!
Finally, I'm delighted to report that Oliver Scola (Yr13) has broken the 100m British U18 Heavyweight Record in Indoor Rowing this week. Oliver recorded a time of 13.9 seconds beating the previous record of 14.0 set by a Reading Blue Coat School student in 2018. This is a remarkable feat since Oliver is returning from a torn ACL and meniscus at the end of August and is only just returning back to exercise. The school rowing coach, Andy Graham thinks he has a real shot at beating the World Record of 13.2 seconds with a couple of weeks training behind him - so watch this space!
Richard Bernard
Headteacher
