The Voice Issue 26

Issue. 26
THE VOICE
17 JUNE 2022
As part of the long standing St Albans School tradition,
all First Form classes experience a residential trip to the
School’s Welsh outpost in the Brecon Beacons. The time
spent at Pen Arthur away from home, with friends and
not the normal range of electronic gadgets to hand, puts
a real focus on the relationships within the group and
on the activities all the boys share. It was 1.1's turn first
followed by 1.3.
Amongst the football and games around the farmhouse,
the boys experience plenty of trips out in the area. Pupils
visited Carreg Cennen Castle, an imposing ruin on the
crest of a hill, the perfect place to work out defensive
strategies, or to retreat into its underground bunker
down a long, dark tunnel.
As if one subterranean experience was not enough, the
boys also went caving, exploring some of the network of
chambers under the hills, before re-emerging into the
air to walk down the Ystradfellte Valley and under the
famous Porth-y-Ogof Waterfalls.
BACK TO PEN ARTHUR!
Pupils also visited Pembrey Country Park beach where
they had fun splashing in the water, building sandcastles
and playing on the beach. The boys also enjoyed a trip
to Dolaucothi Gold Mines where they learnt about
Victorian and Roman mining and panned for gold.
With such a range of activities, challenges and
experiences, it is no wonder the boys returned
exhausted. But they also returned enriched and
enthusiastic, full of memories of all they had achieved.
More adventures will follow, as class 1.2 is up next for
their expedition!
@SASHerts stalbansschoolherts sasherts
www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

THE VOICE 2
MINI-BREAK TO DORSET
Second and Third Form pupils really enjoyed their
recent activities trip to Dorset. Pupils had the
opportunity to try out a variety of activities from pickaxe
climbing to canoeing! On their second day, they
enjoyed various water sports including kite surfing,
stand-up paddle boarding and sailing. It was chilly at
times and only nine students braved the water again in
the afternoon for kayaking! More adventures followed
the next day, but a highlight at the end of the day was
the staff vs pupil frisbee match, with the staff vastly
outnumbered. The boys enjoyed some trips out; one
group went hiking to Corfe Castle and the others
enjoyed a day at the beach. Back at camp, axe throwing,
fire starting and water sports continued to entertain! On
the last day of the trip, students enjoyed a final chance to
splash around and capsize each other on the lake. Before
heading home, awards were presented to all pupils who
made an outstanding impression during the trip. A big
thank you to Mr Spencer for organising it all.

3
THE VOICE
VISITING THE CATHEDRAL ARCHIVES
As part of their Friday Afternoon Activity of working in
the School's Archive, Lower Sixth Form Pupils, Daniil
and David, visited the Archives of St Albans Cathedral.
It was a fantastic opportunity to see and handle some
unique artifacts and explore other parts of the building,
which are usually closed to the public, and learn more
about the rich history of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral Archives contain materials pertaining
to the life and faith of the Cathedral over the course of
its history. While only a few manuscripts and charters
survive from before the Reformation, the Archives are a
treasure trove of photographs, books, letters, drawings
and other documents which tell the story of the
Cathedral and Abbey.

THE VOICE 4
UMRIO CHARITY CHALLENGE
The 24-hour touch event in support of UMRIO took
place on the first day of the Easter holidays involving 137
pupils. The challenge was led by the Sixth Form Sports
Scholars as part of their leadership initiative. Pictured is
Robert Malengreau who runs UMRio and Mr Walmsley
together with Nikki & Anne from the Woollams Second
Hand Uniform Shop, which donated an additional £1000
to UMRio. Together with the money raised from the
24-hour touch event, the impressive total sum raised is
£4,500.
UMRio’s mission is to use rugby, education and
healthcare to create a safe space, creating an environment
for children and young people in Rio’s most vulnerable
regions, where they can access and forge new
opportunities, develop and pursue their aspirations, and
build confidence in their own identities.
St Albans School has had a connection with UMRio,
since the 2017 South American Sports Tour, in which
pupils had a pen pal scheme before their trip and
fundraiser. During their trip, they met on the beaches of
Rio to play touch rugby. In 2018-2019 there was another
fundraising action, in addition to UMRio pupils coming
over to England to watch the Varsity game between
Oxford and Cambridge (they are two of their main
supporters, with Robert being a former Oxford Blue).
They were hosted by St Albans School families who
attended the 2017 tour to South America.
You can find more about UMRio through: https://umrio.
org/
Thank you to Mr Burger, Mr Turley, Miss Hodson,
Miss Whittle, Mr Odgers and Mr Daurge for giving up
their time to support and volunteer and to Mr Forsyth,
Mr Fisher, Mr Kenward, Mr Orme and Mr Smith who
volunteered in the early hours of the night and morning.

CRICKET
5
SPORTS NEWS
ATHLETICS
THE VOICE
The U14s performed strongly in the County Cup
match against St George's School last week. The team
secured a dominant 166-2 from 20. A solid chase got
St George's School to 111-5 in reply but some steady
bowling and good fielding secured the victory.
On 20 May we celebrated a fantastic evening of
tennis success at the Lawn Tennis Association
Tennis Awards. Congratulations to Fifth Former
Ben, who won the Young Person of the Year
Award! We did not go home empty handed
ourselves, as St Albans School was presented the
School of the Year Award.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Take a look at what's happening on our social media accounts! Follow us at:
@SASHerts stalbansschoolherts sasherts
Well done to our athletes for such successful
performances at the County Championships this
year! Zac, Henry, Luca, Matt and Ethan were
awarded for the 800m, 400m, 1500m and Triple
Jump. Congratulations to all!
TERRIFIC TENNIS TRIUMPH
Congrats to the Lower School Science
Photography Prize winners Matthew M,
Karthik and Matthew W. 17
Thank you to Beechwood Park School for
inviting us to give a cricket masterclass.
Great to see pupils so enthusiastic. 17
Thanks to Killigrew School for a
fantastic Partnership Book Club, we loved
the collaboration & your messages! 13
NEWS COMING SOON...
20 - 24 June Activities Week
25 June Parents' Summer Ball
28 June Middle School Drama Club
Performance Showcase
30 June Leavers' Graduation
30 June - 1 July Lower School Drama Club
Summer Show
1 July Sports Day
28 June Art, Design & Technology 2 July Founders' Day Service
Summer Exhibition
and Festival
Keep an eye out for Sports Fixtures on our website