Page 3 - Bloxhamist 2017-2018

NEWS

Headmaster’s

review of tHe Year

he 2017-18 year ended in playing for the 1st or 4th team, your
celebration, with summer contribution matters here. Last year,
Tsunshine lifting everyone’s we fielded 15 boys’ hockey teams and
spirits. Students and staff have given 11 for girls; 16 netball teams; 12 rugby
their best in a year which has seen teams and 13 cricket teams, statistics
triumph on the stage, studio and sports which underline our belief that sport is
field. for everyone at Bloxham. An impressive
29 students have achieved regional or
The weather leant a pleasing backdrop county honours in sports as diverse
to our annual art exhibition in June, as rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis,
displaying the best of our students’ netball and equestrian. Meanwhile, the
work across all year groups. The following students have represented
exhibition came quick on the heels their country in their chosen sport: Alfie
of Oxfordshire Artweeks, which saw Barbeary (rugby, England), Charlie Yates
scores of visitors to our art studios. We (equestrian, Wales), Josh Vaughan (target
are so lucky at Bloxham to have such “An impressive shooting, GB) and Emily Cavender
beautiful work decorate our school and (cricket, Scotland). Huge congratulations
I am proud we could share it with our 29 students have to them all.
community. Away from the campus,
Bloxham students’ have exhibited at achieved regional It’s not just the sports teams which
the Ashmolean Museum, for Young have done well this year. I am delighted
Art Oxford, and as part of the Oxford or county honours by the growing popularity of debating
Brookes University photography in sports as at Bloxham, with teams participating
competition. And I must also give my in Model United Nations events in
congratulations to Harry Denison- diverse as rugby, debates as diverse as the control of
Smith, who won the competition to malaria, the impact of rising sea levels
create this year’s Bloxhamist cover. cricket, hockey, and the future of the Guantanamo Bay
detention camp, with two Bloxham
The Music Department, too, has tennis, netball and delegates receiving Highly Commended
inspired us this year. In November, awards. Meanwhile, Probloq, the
the Chapel Choir was honoured equestrian” 2017-18 Young Enterprise team, is one
to perform Evensong at Lichfield of the strongest we’ve ever had and
Cathedral, drawing praise for their was a modern re-telling of William it’s no surprise that the company has
accomplished delivery. Closer to Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The young collected several awards, including
home, they were joined by the cast and crew impressed sell-out Highly Commended Product, for their
Chipping Norton Choral Society audiences with their compelling contactless card protector.
for a magnificent performance of production. In a stripped-back
Vivaldi’s Gloria and by the Adderbury performance, they delivered the play’s There’s no doubt that Young Enterprise
Ensemble at our paradise-themed complex themes and dark central introduces its competitors to many of
Gala Concert in March. Amongst the message with impact. Meanwhile, the skills they will need later in life and
many concerts and recitals, another the cast’s decision to make the tribe this is a theme we consider regularly
stand-out moment was the jazz band’s genderless added a modern twist to at Bloxham. Our Careers Department
performance alongside professional Golding’s mid-century classic; bringing works tirelessly to help prepare our
group The Big Shake Up in February, extra meaning to today’s audience. students for the future – from hands-
together delivering a loud and lively on Making the Headlines workshops
set to parents at their New Orleans Jazz Sport runs through Bloxham’s DNA. Of at The Guardian to engaging talks
Night. course, as Headmaster, I want to shout from accountants-turned-magicians,
about the trophies. But I also want to young Bloxhamists get a wealth of
This year’s annual drama production send a message that whether you’re information about life after school.

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