The Autumn Hoc Age magazine, full of pupil achievements, events, trips and good news stories across the whole school, is now available online.
“Autumn has passed in the blink of an eye … The new Year 7s are already a foot taller and the next intake for September 2022 are chomping at the bit, signing-up in droves. Where does the time go? The bloodstream of BGS flows quickly and it has been hugely encouraging to see familiar faces and new ones too, in all year groups, grab the many opportunities at BGS with both hands.
Lessons feel very much like they used to. Music recitals and concerts are the norm once again; the lunchtime and afterschool woodwind recitals have been terrific, and auditions and rehearsals for the school musical, ‘My Fair Lady’, are up and running. Sports fixtures of all kinds against various schools have been extensive, the art exhibition at Salts Mill was amazing, domestic trips are happening too, our Founders’ Day service was able to go ahead at the Cathedral … and breathe!
So, the School is in terrific shape. I wish you could say the same about me! For my part, I will have completed six years as Headmaster at Christmas. It is gratifying to see some of the things we’ve put in motion during this time mature and bear fruit, including for example our latest accolade as the 2021 Independent School of the Year Award for Contribution to Social Mobility. This recognised our Assisted Places programme and ambitions to grow provision further.
All in all, it’s been an outstanding first term and we are now ready for the holiday. To that end, may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!“
Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster
“The Junior School has been buzzing this Autumn term. A hive of activity, full of rich and purposeful learning and busy with the welcome return of fixtures, trips and whole school clubs and activities.
All pupils are enjoying participating in a rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities and many pupils have also represented the School in a range of sports including cross country, swimming, hockey, netball, rugby, invasion games and even table tennis!
We began the term by welcoming an esteemed Old Bradfordian, Sir Stephen Morris (1976) to the Junior School. Sir Stephen began his BGS career as a pupil at Clock House and enjoyed sharing his memories of the School and his subsequent journey towards becoming a High Court Judge.
Our Year 6 pupils visited Eden Camp to enrich the learning in their World War Two topic. They also prepared and delivered a sensitive and moving assembly to mark Remembrance Day, supported by Harry B, a Year 13 pupil and ex Clock House pupil who played a poignant last post.
Our STEM ambassadors where delighted to participate in the Dyson Challenge, where they learned about the intricacies and engineering requirements of bridge construction from a lead Dyson product designer. Their final cardboard bridges were so strong they could sit and stand on them. I admired their creativity and teamwork but didn’t feel it was fair to test the structures myself!
I do hope you enjoy finding out more about life in Clock House this term in the Junior Section of the ‘Hoc Age’.“
Be Social!