This year we marked the fourth NSB Find Your Voice Challenge. This event is named after Morcea Walker, a governor at NSB who has given so much of her time to ensure that all students have a voice and are able to use it effectively. The evening opened with Max Harris playing his guitar, alongside Freddie Love and Hussain Qureshi, who did a fantastic job presenting the event.

We were fortunate enough to be joined by an esteemed panel of guest judges:

• Mrs Harvey-Hodges – MFL Teacher at NSB

• Hugh Shields – Current Year 13 student at NSB and Saints Academy player

• Ellen Chivers – Actor and voiceover performer

• Alex Le Guével – Former NSB student now working for Matchroom Boxing

Each judge came to the stage and shared their own thoughts on how oracy has helped them in their lives and careers. All 15 finalists delivered outstanding speeches. This year there was also an extra twist, where eight students would progress to the Trust Final, where they will compete against finalists from Northampton School.

It was a difficult decision for the judges, but they eventually came to their conclusions:

• 3rd Place: Leo West – Speech on social media

• 2nd Place: Caleb Bone-Hill – Is Father Christmas Evil?

• 1st Place: Riley Loynd – Supporting Children in Care and Breaking Stigma

Every speech was phenomenal. Well done to the eight students who made it through to the Trust Final, which will take place on Monday July 13th. We wish them the very best of luck and hopefully we will see an NSB winner. A special thank you to Mrs Greenway and Ms Hasan for their consistent support with the event and for teaching the Oracy Programme at NSB.

We are one for one in this week's trilogy of National Cup Rugby Semi-Finals after the U14s delivered a sensational performance on Tuesday in front of a bumper home crowd to defeat and blank fellow Cup Giants Sedbergh School by 17 points to 0. Huge well done to all the boys, Head Coach, Mr Hewitt, Miss Alderson and the U14 coaching team of Mr Holding, Mr Gough and Mr Crofts for navigating through a very tricky seven rounds with 179 teams now knocked out and just two left. It's a quick turn around to the final which is being played next Tuesday at Oundle School - kick off 12 noon. The match will be live streamed - link to be advertised on NSB Rugby Social Media.  Interestingly for a National Cup, the opposition is a Welsh School - Ysgol Glantaf.

Huge well done also to the U15B rugby team who have enjoyed an incredible unbeaten season to date against top quality opposition in their block fixtures. This week they took on Prince William School in the County Cup Semi-Finals at home and were on point both defensively and in attack to triumph by 38 points to 12. Best of luck to such a talented NSB team in the County Final - opposition and date to be confirmed.

This weekend it's the turn of the U18s and U15As in their respective National Cup Rugby Semi-Finals at Aylesbury Rugby Club. We would love to have a big NSB support on both days:

U18s - 2.20 pm v Campion School - Saturday

U15s - 3.45pm v Warwick School - Sunday

Fingers crossed for the U14 Basketball Team and the U12 Football Team who are both playing their National Cup Semi-Finals as this is being written. The U14 basketballers will be trying to follow the lead of the U16s who had a great win in their last 32 round against Chauncy School on Monday evening. This year's sporting success at the school has been truly remarkable with so much more still to come!

 

Michal Wojcik, one of our Y11 students, is managing to balance his studies with being extremely busy and proactive outside of school as Mrs Greenaway reports:

Michal was invited to speak to 'Annabel' from BBC Radio Northampton as part of this year’s Young Hero Awards launch as he was one of last year’s winners. The BBC wanted him to share his experience of receiving the award, what it meant to him personally, and how things have developed since then. It was also an opportunity to encourage others to nominate inspiring young people in their communities.

Over the February break Michal also attended a Youth Voice Event and Youth Strategy event at University of Northampton where he was interviewed for the "Free to Talk" podcast. He spoke with youth groups about the National Youth Strategy, and how it will have an effect here in Northamptonshire.

The School Orchestra has recently been working with NSB alumnus and emerging composer Will Donaldson. Mrs Yates reports:

Having recently completed his university studies, Will is now establishing his professional career, specialising in composition for film and video games, alongside a strong interest in Music Technology.

Will has composed a Piano Concerto which will receive its premiere at the School’s Spring Concert on Wednesday March 11th, with Year 12 student Noah Grant performing as piano soloist. The orchestra will also perform the piece at the Music for Youth Festival on Saturday, March 21st.

At both events, Will will introduce his concerto, offering valuable insight into his compositional approach and the inspiration behind the work. This collaboration not only provides our students with the rare opportunity to work directly with a young professional composer and perform a newly written work, but also reflects the Music Department’s strong commitment to maintaining meaningful relationships with our alumni, encouraging and supporting them as they establish their careers. 

 

Finally we are immensely looking forward to our annual Dance Festival - 'Junction 26' with all NSB dancers on Friday evening and then performances from schools across Northamptonshire on Saturday evening. The quality of dance on display is always exceptional and it's no surprise that both nights are already sold out!

 

Richard Bernard

Headteacher