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IB Cohort Receive Their Results

A journey that has taken over three years from inception to final completion reached its climax this week as U6 IB students received their results on Monday.  Pupils received their results over a month in advance of  A Level students as they take their examinations earlier.  Overall results were pleasing and we wish our IB students well in Higher Education. 

I would like to remind parents that although we have Sports Day on Tuesday and some reward trips on Wednesday, lessons will continue through to Friday, where the year will reach its conclusion with formal assemblies for all pupils.  Boys should ensure that they remove all books, clothes etc from their lockers by Thursday 16th July.  Can I also take this opportunity to remind parents that in September normal uniform regulations apply.  Hair should be of a reasonable length and not excessively modish.   I would also like to stress that piercings are not permitted, and that any boy found to be wearing an earring will have it confiscated. 

Finally, in my final assemblies, I will be suggesting that boys should regard the summer holidays as an opportunity to complete some reading for enjoyment.  I would recommend that all pupils should attempt to read at least three books over the summer period, but I would be delighted to hear of any pupils who manages to read six or more!   

May I take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a very enjoyable summer break.
P A Ramsey

End of Term Friday 17th July

On the last day of term, the day will run as normal up until break, which will be extended. This will be followed by Junior and Senior Assemblies, and the whole school will be dismissed at approximately
12 noon. School recommences on Thursday 3rd September, which will be a Blue Week.

Year 10 Student Deadlines

Geography Summer 09                          13th July
French/German/Spanish completion of first
three areas of Red speaking booklet     17th July

Dates this Term

15th July    Duke of Edinburgh Gold depart
17th July    End of Term

Dates next Term

Start of Autumn Term                            3rd September 2009
Year 12 Enrolment:                                3rd September 2009
Year 13 Enrolment:                                4th September 2009
IB, AS and A2 lessons start:                    7th September 2009
Year 7 CATs tests                                    8-10 September 2009
Engaging Minds Lecture - ‘Global Ethics’
  (Sixth Form)                                        18th September 2009
Year 12 Parent Info Eve                          22nd September 2009
Curriculum Enrichment Day                    24th September 2009
Silver DofE Departs                                26th September 2009
IB Evening                                             29th September 2009
Silver DofE Returns                                2nd October 2009
Secondary Transfer
Open Eve                                              7th October 2009
Open Week                                           12-16th October 2009
Year 11 Work Experience                       19-23 October 2009
Abbey Service                                       23rd October 2009
Student deadline for UCAS
  applications                                       23rd October 2009
Half Term                                            26-30th October
Post 16 Consortium Mtg                        12th November 2009
Engaging Minds Lecture - ‘Amnesty’
  (Sixth Form)                                       20th November 2009
Year 10 Science ISA                               23rd November 2009
Year 12 Consultation Eve                       24th November 2009
Performance Review Day                       26th November 2009
Occasional Day                                      27th November 2009
PTA Christmas Fair                                28th November 2009

Cricket Round-Up

We didn’t have the greatest start to the season losing to a pretty average team from Hitchin Boys School in a friendly.

Our first game for the County Cup was against Bishops Stortford. We narrowly lost to them last season, but managed to avenge it and beat them comfortably.  In the District Cup first round the opposition forfeited the game.

We then came up against St.Georges for both competitions. It was a hard game, but we won in the last over with them getting only 2 of the 5 runs they needed.  In the quarter final of the County Cup we came up against twice runners up Monks Walk. They started well but with tight bowling we kept them down to 119 runs. We lost an early wicket but Tom Bloomfield and Alex Pate saw us home, putting on a partnership of 100.

In the Semi final against Chancellors we were confident, but found we were to play on an artificial pitch which meant we were at a disadvantage from the start. We chose to bat first but lost two early wickets. We then completely collapsed and scored only 75.  Their openers started well but we struck back and got an early wicket but it wasn’t enough and they managed to get the runs in 13 overs.

We reached the Semi final of the District and came up against Townsend. We put them in and we all bowled and fielded well. They managed to score only 75 runs.  We reached this target after losing only 3 wickets.
The final of the District was against St.Albans Boys who have won it for the past 3 years. I lost the toss and they decided to bat. Our team fielded and bowled brilliantly and they only managed to score 154.

We started well, but after Harry Kentish was caught out we fell off against a very strong bowling attack and were all out for 114.

Although we lost, it has been our most successful season and all the boys have contributed hugely to this success. I would also like to say a big thank you to Mr Lewis for his help and support.            
Richard Stunt
Yr 10 Cricket Captain

Sports Report

Sports Day is on Tuesday 14th July and we would like to extend an invitation to all parents and friends of Verulam. Please attend if you are able as your presence always adds to the occasion.
We are looking forward to seeing many fine athletic performances to finish off a hugely successful season in the County and District competitions that we have entered.

Our current Year 7 athletics squad are the District Champions at Indoor athletics and recently missed out on making it an indoor/outdoor double by only a few points a couple of weeks ago.
Our Year 9 stars were crowned District Champions and many of them were very successful at County League level this summer competing at the U16 age group.

I will be accompanying Joel McNeill and Jason Tang this weekend at the National Athletics Championships in Sheffield. Both boys have been selected to represent Hertfordshire at these prestigious championships. I will of course inform you on their progress.

In total I will be presenting over 20 medals to our athletes for their performances at the District Athletics Championships that took place two weeks ago, this is the school’s biggest haul for many years.  Well done to all that competed.

Next week I will summarise the year’s achievements and award school colours to our top performers. The final assemblies are always a pleasure for me to recognise the vast array of sporting success that happens at this school.

Next weeks VV will contain a summary of those final assemblies including full results from Tuesday’s competition                                                   

Mr P O’Connor
Head of PE