The Owl 2020

The Owl 2020
Distribution of Prizes
PARENT INFORMATION
EVENINGS
Parents were enabled to ask any questions
and raise any concerns that they may have
had at the Parents’ Information Evenings
that were held in June. The Principal, the
three Vice Principals and the Heads of Year
were in attendance on Zoom for each
meeting. There was also a virtual parents’
meeting organised by the Principal and Dr
Brown on Wednesday 17 June at 6 p.m. to
address some of the most pertinent issues of
Fourth Year in relation to their GCSE
course. Each pupil in the school was also
contacted at least once via telephone also by
the Principal or one of the Vice Principals,
as well as their Head of Year.
Zara Meadows
VIRTUAL RELAY
In the summer term, there was an abundance
of fun to be had outdoors, while still
maintaining social distancing guidelines.
The Transatlantic Virtual Relay took place
across all four houses, and was won by
Currie, who led from start to finish. Shaw
edged out Cairns by 7miles for second
place, with Pottinger finishing the race off
in fourth place.
Zara Meadows
Distribution of Prizes
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
2019 – 20 ACADEMIC YEAR
Traditionally, the Principal of the Academy
delivers his or her report covering the previous
academic year at the Annual Prize Distribution
ceremony – one of the highlights of the School
calendar which is an opportunity to gather
together as a community to celebrate the
achievements of our pupils. However, these
are extraordinary times and, like many of our
normal activities, Prize Day has been curtailed
by the restrictions imposed by the Government
in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This
report is therefore, a written record of the
achievements and successes of the past
academic year, the 234th in the School’s
history.
The 2019 – 20 academic year began in the
normal busy fashion with the publication of
examination results, induction of new pupils,
welcoming back current pupils and staff and
settling down into the familiar rhythm of
school life. Little did any of us know what was
to come in the Spring term as a result of a virus
that few of us had heard of back in September
2019. We welcomed new members of teaching
and support staff to the Academy during the
course of the year and are delighted that we
have been able to attract such well qualified
and experienced colleagues who joined a staff
who continue to excel in their energy and
commitment to the School. Following a review
of roles within the Senior Leadership Team, a
number of new internal appointments were
made in pastoral roles and the Examinations
Team.
At the end of this year, we said farewell to two
long-serving members of the Biology
department – Mr Roly Jamison and Mr Trevor
Baldwin. Formerly a pupil of the school, Mr
Jamison’s natural exuberance in the classroom
will be sorely missed. I doubt many pupils will
ever forget his demonstration of peristalsis by
drinking a class of water whilst standing on his
head or his spectacular experiments. However,
I would surmise that Mr Jamison derived just
as much pleasure and sense of satisfaction
from his contribution to the extra-curricular
side of the school as he did in the classroom.
He was fully involved in many aspects of
school life but in particular played a significant
role in every school production since he began
teaching, either as Director, Producer or Stage
Manager, and this followed his own
enthusiastic involvement as a performer whilst
a pupil of the Academy.
Mr Baldwin made a significant contribution to
the School through his involvement in every
aspect of school life as a teacher, Senior
Teacher and Governor and also through the
academic, pastoral and extra-curricular
curricula. In addition to his expertise in the
classroom and his pupil-centered approach to
pastoral care, Mr Baldwin led the Air Training
Corps in School for many years. In this role,
he upheld the values that we hold in high
regard – service to others, charity work,
respect and independent learning. Mr Baldwin
was an outstanding teacher who was wellrespected
by pupils and his colleagues for his
professionalism and commitment to the
School.
With a combined 72 years ’service, Mr
Baldwin and Mr Jamison transmitted to
generations of Academy pupils a love and
understanding of Biology that many former
pupils have carried forward into their adult
lives. They both stand as role models for the
positive impact teachers can have on the lives
of their pupils. Both are wished every success
as they move forward into new opportunities
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