From CLS's Second Master: Gary Griffin
A little about me
I started teaching at CLS in 1981, when I was appointed by the then Headmaster James Boyes, as a member of the History & Politics Dept. I had completed my first class honours degree from Exeter in 1980 and gained a distinction in my Post Graduate Certificate in Education from London University's Institute of Education in 1981. My first form was 3B1 which I shared with Tim Metham (a member of the chemistry Dept) and my first form captain was Jerome Read, now an internationally renowned water polo player.
In 1986 I was appointed as Head of Third Form by Martin Hammond and in subsequent years I became Senior Teacher (Administrative), Assistant Headmaster and, since 2007, Second Master. In this current role I deputise for the Headmaster and am responsible for pastoral and disciplinary matters, which includes working with the six Year Heads, the Learning Support Department, the School Nurse, the School Counsellors and the Prefects. I am responsible for the welfare, health and safety of all pupils and staff and am the designated Child Protection Officer.
I am responsible for the day to day running of the School, chair SMT meetings and attend Board of Governors' Meetings.
Additionally, I have overall responsibility for the maintenance of the School buildings and playing fields and the ancillary services which enable the School to function smoothly. These range from HR and Catering to Building Works and Security.
As you can see, I have a busy and wide-ranging job. Incidentally I also do some teaching in the History and Politics department!
Latest post: 13 July 2010
The summer holidays are now upon us and the boys do not return until Tuesday 7 September, unless of course they are coming in to collect exam results. 'A' level results are due on Thursday 19 August and GCSE/ IGCSE results the following Tuesday.
As you will have gathered from my previous blog, there was a lot going on in the last week of term and everyone now deserves a well-earned rest. Our Fourth Form spent the last Monday morning of term at the Girls' School at an international development conference which was very popular. Our Third Form also took part in a joint venture with CLSG on the Wednesday. Half our boys went to the Girls' School to learn about film making and direction. Half their girls came here to take part in Drama Workshops, many of which were organised by Old Citizen Simon Cumming. All went well!
On the Tuesday we held our Jazz Evening which attracted over 400 guests. It was a magnificent occasion. In glorious sunshine we heard the Jazz Band, the Big Band, smaller ensembles, soloists and the Close Harmony Group perform in the Courtyard with food and drink aplenty. The Friends of CLS organised a raffle and an auction for charity. It was a great success!
The Staff played the First XI at cricket at Grove Park on Wednesday afternoon - again in wonderfully sunny (and hot) conditions. In a closely fought match the Staff won by one run on the last ball of the match, thanks to the batting of our Australian Gap year student who is with us until Christmas. No South African mercenaries needed but we were thankful for Jack Paxton's expertise from Down Under. It certainly provided me with an interesting match report to read out in the final assembly of term - last Friday.
Speaking of the last day of term, we practised our Security Alert evacuation procedures on that day. With the whole School first gathering at assembly points in the building and then walking to a place of relative safety half a mile away - near Temple tube. Again all went to plan. The Staff then had a celebratory barbeque in the afternoon and went away suitably happy and relaxed.
We said goodbye to four members of staff: Matthew Close (Geog), Jonathan Ratnasabapathy (Maths), Alex Dixon (RE) and Jim Allman (Maths) who are moving on to pastures new or retirement and we wish them well!
There are some major Summer Works going at City on during the holiday, including a new Sixth Form Common Room, two new Chemistry labs, new toilet facilities, a hospitality area in the Dining Room, refurbishment of classrooms in the Modern Languages Dept. and a range of maintenance projects from a new roof to new boilers. When we return in September not only will we have better facilities we will also have a very full school - currently estimated to be well over 900. Have a good summer!
25 June 2010
The last few weeks have been very busy at City but then when aren't they? School exams and GCSEs have come and gone, Sports Days have taken place at Grove Park, the lower school forms have been on various expeditions, the AS exams have ended and the Junior Sixth are back to start their A2 Courses.
But that's just the bread and butter day to day existence. There have many other exciting and hugely impressive events since my last blog entry. I would like to mention the very successful Tate Modern Dinner which raised over £250,000 (which, after matched funding by the Corporation, will reach £500,000) for the Bursary Appeal. We had speeches from three OCs (Professor Bernard Silverman, the Government's Chief Scientific Officer and the two Akinfala Brothers - Michael and Sam) who had benefited from bursaries in their time at the School and from Gerald Ratner, the infamous jeweller, who had once said that his firm's products were crap. It was good to see one whole table occupied by Old Citizens.
Slightly more recently we had a very well attended Alumni Reunion for OCs who left in 2000-2002. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy returning to their School, went on visits around the building and ate and drank to excess! In this past week there have been four sell-out performances of the lower school's production of Bugsy Malone in the Winterflood Theatre. The boys (and girls from CLSG) were outstanding as we have come to expect at CLS and the audiences showed enormous appreciation of all the hard work and commitment shown by the cast and directors.
On Wednesday England played Slovenia in the World Cup, kicking off at 3pm. This potentially at least posed problems for us since it would mean virtually no staff or boys would have been able to see the match. So, we decided to suspend lessons for the afternoon from 2.40 and allow the boys to watch it in the Great Hall on a giant screen placed just in front of the organ. The atmosphere was electric and the support unceasing. Just hearing the whole School sing the National Anthem was moving, but when Defoe scored the goal the Hall erupted! Obviously no health and safety rules were breached and we had plenty of staff to restore order. The whole event was great for morale and I think the boys appreciated being given the chance to watch the game. (By the way those who didn't want to could do private study instead).
Equally satisfying was this week's Sponsored Walk from Hampton Court to Kew which the vast majority of boys outside the Fifth and Senior Sixth took part in. On a gloriously sunny day the boys, along with their counterparts from CLSG, had a great time and raised lots of money for Malaika Kids, the chosen charity for the year.
As we approach the last two weeks of term there are still major events to look forward to - not least the Lower School Concert (29/6, the Charity Bike Ride to Edinburgh, the Leavers' Ball (1/7), the Second Form Beaufoy Festival (5/7) the Summer Jazz Evening (6/7), the Summer Fayre (8/7) and the end of term (9/7)!
Incidentally, we currently have three members of staff in Philadelphia (USA) at the International Boys' School Coalition Conference and the CCF are about to go on the D of E trip to Bavaria and Adventure Training in America.
Finally I should mention two members of staff who are retiring this term. The first is Mrs Sandra Allchorn who has been the School receptionist for over ten years and the second is Mr Jim Allman who has been teaching Maths here for over thirty years. They have been loyal and inspiring colleagues and we wish them all the best as they begin their well earned retirement.
2 June 2010
CLS has now reached half term and we are well and truly in the middle of the exam season. Most AS exams will be over by the end of next week, A2s take off next week and GCSEs (and IGCSEs) are about half way through. The Senior Sixth went on study leave last Friday, after an interesting couple of days of high jinx. They decided, amongst other things, to cross the Millennium Bridge in beach wear and go for a swim in the Thames - not necessarily a wise a thing to do and yet they were all 'brought home' safely by the two Acting Heads of Sixth Form. On the Friday itself they came into school dressed in Mardi Gras costumes (!) and played a few practical jokes - some of which were funnier than others! At their final assembly they were joined (rather bravely I thought) by a number of Old Citizens who saw a side of the School that was not familiar to them. Tim Levene spoke about the JCC - in a very upbeat and amusing manner and the leavers listened intently to his message - which was essentially to keep in touch with us. They then played the video they had made for the occasion - under the expert direction of Harry Michell. If you would like to see it type in 'CLS Leavers 2010' to your search engine or YouTube and you will get a very entertaining and moving farewell from the lads themselves. The Headmaster is trying to decide whether we could use it for publicity material. See what you think!
It is internal school exam week when we return on Monday, which you might remember includes sports days for most years and expeditions at the end of the week for the younger boys. These are intended to be a treat after their hard work in the preceding few days. On the Thursday we are holding our regular fund raising dinner at the Tate Modern when Old Citizens (some much younger than others) will explain to the guests why they should be supporting the bursary campaign at CLS. The Jazz Band and the Close Harmony Group will be performing too.
This will be final blog before this term's lower school production of Bugsy Malone. There are very few tickets left but applications to the CLS Reception might still be lucky. It will be an excellent show and well worth the £5 admission price. Hope to see you there!
10 May 2010
Just an update on last week's blog. CLS's First XI won the Bromley & District Football Cup Final last Wednesday, 3 - 0 against Charles Darwin School at Selhurst Park. A large turnout from staff and boys cheered them on to a magnificent victory which they thoroughly deserved. Simon Moses scored a hat-trick. The Under 12 Team are runners up in their year group of the same competition. The Under 19 Water Polo Team finished fourth in the national competition this weekend in Walsall, which was an excellent outcome. They were knocked out in the semi final by the eventual winners.
The Conservatives won the CLS mock election last Thursday, as far as the boys were concerned. In the Staff Common Room the Lib Dems won! Perhaps we should attempt some kind of coalition too?
Tomorrow (Tuesday 11 May) is the Summer Concert. Everyone welcome to attend free of charge, though a collection for the Charity Appeal will be taken. No tickets required. Any Old Citizens who attend are welcome to join the HM's guests in the Asquith Room for a pre-Concert drink at 5.45.
Advance warning that "Bugsy Malone", the Lower School's Drama Production for this term is being performed on Mon 21 - Thursday 24 June. Tickets available from Reception. (The Wednesday performance is at 4.30; the others at 7pm). The Lower School Concert will be held on Tuesday 29th June.
The Fifth Form go on GCSE Exam Leave at the end of the week and the Junior Sixth (AS) on Wednesday 19th May. The public exams are almost upon us!
1 May 2010
The new term resumed on Wednesday 21 April with absences amounting to approximately 17% for the first few days because of the Icelandic dust, which had also taken its toll (ironically) on the Classics trip to Pompeii, which had to be cancelled. During the holidays CCF camps, a lower school trip to Normandy and an Upper School exchange to Barcelona went ahead as planned and were very successful. Something like 150 trips and visits are organised at CLS each year (including 25 overseas) which is way above average for schools like ours.
At the end of term the Headmaster announced the four new School Officers for the forthcoming twelve months - these are selected from the top senior prefects who were elected back in November. The positions are: Head of School (Ed Stroud) and his three Deputies, Administrative (Sam Clinton Davis), Affiliated Prefects (Joseph Ataman) and External Liaison (Freddie Evans). This year we also appointed a senior prefect to oversee the peer mentoring scheme. He is Orestes Nicolaou. We wish all of them the very best as they carry out their duties. Their appointments, along with notices relating to their predecessors and the award of scholarships, appeared in The Times and The Telegraph on 21 April.
Already this term there have been great successes in the fields of Art, Maths and Physics with CLS boys winning national awards for their performances in various competitions. Last Wednesday also saw the annual Brass Concert which is always well attended and many parents were delighted with the varied programme put on from classical trumpet pieces to Beatles and Swing band numbers.
On Wednesday 5 May the First XI appear in the Bromley and District Football Cup Final, to be held at Selhurst park (Crystal Palace's ground). Kick off is at 2pm if any of you can make it. We play Charles Darwin School and are hoping for a good turnout from supporters. On Friday the Under 12 A Team play in yet another cup final. I will report back next time on their success.
On our return after the Monday bank holiday we are being visited by Mr Graham Jones (ex-HM of Repton School) who is appraising David Levin. All staff, 200 parents and several JCC members have been sent surveys to comment on the Head's performance over the past five years. Mr Jones will be in school for three days interviewing staff, Governors, prefects and boys. He will then feedback to the Head, the Chairman of Governors (Rev. Stephen Haines) and the Town Clerk (Chris Duffield) on Friday.
Finally I should mention that CLS is holding its own mock general election on Thursday 6 May and I hope to report back, in my next blog, the outcome of the ballot. Will the boys and staff reflect the wishes of the nation?
22 March 2010 - Monday Assembly speech
Those of us who work at CLS, whether as teachers or pupils, often take it for granted that it is a busy school where so many activities - of a high standard - go on throughout the year.
Even by our own high standards, the two last weeks have been extraordinary ones. You will remember last Monday we heard about great sporting successes in swimming, water polo, football, basketball and fencing and there have been further examples of this during the past seven days. This is true of boys in all age groups and we congratulate them on their endeavours.
But last week it wasn't just sport where CLS excelled.
Starting with Drama, I must say how impressive The Winslow Boy was. The cast were truly outstanding, the pace was maintained throughout a long and demanding play and the whole production was excellent. Many guests including Governors, Parents, Livery Company Masters, and retired colleagues told me afterwards that could not get over the high quality of the performance. I should also mention the crew backstage and of course, the play's director, Mr Hilton Dennis. Well done to all involved!
Next, I would like to congratulate the cadets and officers who took part in last Wednesday's CCF Parade and Inspection. There's no doubt that we were blessed with good weather, but the whole day went off well. The Inspecting Officer made it clear how pleased and impressed he was with the activities, the parade and the large number of awards that were presented on that day. Hundreds of parents and other guests attended and were equally delighted with all they saw. So, well done to all involved on the day!
Thirdly, I must talk about the musical concerts and recitals which took place - no less than three! On Tuesday there was a really delightful Old Grammar Recital where the youngest boys in the School performed beautifully and indicated that we have boys who have great musical talent some of who are only ten years old. The two OG forms do not attend this senior assembly on Mondays but I hope their Head of Year, Mr Kerr, will pass on our congratulations to them in the Junior School Hall. On that same night an instrumental recital of older boys was going on in 201 with large numbers of participants and parents just to show that talent is spread throughout the school. On Friday there was a Mufti Lunchtime concert, featuring soloists and the String Orchestra who not only performed to the highest of standards but also raised money for the Charity appeal at the same time. Yesterday large numbers of boys and girls from CLSG were in this Hall rehearsing for tomorrow's Spring Concert. Congratulations to all of you involved in these musical activities.
Fourthly on Saturday we hosted the annual CLS Model United Nations conference with schools travelling from all over Britain to attend this marvellous spectacle. Thanks must go the boys and staff who gave up their time to make this such a successful event. It further puts City on the map.
I could go on a talk about the clubs and societies, the production of the weekly Citizen, the charity fund raising, the election of prefects, the School Parliament members who offered their advice at a public meeting last week and the First Form's visit to the Museum of London and maybe even the impressive January AS and A2 results.
But time is pressing, so let me just say that we shouldn't take all these things for granted. It's you, and the Staff who help, that make them happen.
Have a good week!
15 March 2010
The Admissions round for September 2010 is now largely over; all offers have been made at 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ and acceptances have been received. We will have a full School with two Old Grammars (of 24 each) four First Forms (of either 24 or 25 each) and six Third Forms (of 24 each). The total number of boys in the School will be in the region of 910. This is remarkable in the current economic climate and says volumes about the status and reputation of CLS.
Last week we had two high profile speakers. On Tuesday BBC's Jeremy Paxman addressed the Politics Society (in a packed Great Hall) and on Wednesday the Archbishop of Canterbury visited the School, to be interviewed by the editor of The Times and to answer questions from the floor. On both occasions CLS boys asked challenging and articulate questions as the speakers commented afterwards.
We also held our Higher Education Forum (with guests from London, Oxford and Cambridge Universities) to introduce the Junior Sixth to the UCAS process and the options available to them. It seemed to go well and the boys now have plenty to think about!
This week the Winslow Boy is being presented in the Winterflood Theatre (Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased on the day at Reception). Performances begin at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday and 4.30 on Wednesday. You would be most welcome to come! The cast comes from CLS and CLSG and is being directed by Matthew Hilton Dennis (of the English Dept).
On Wednesday is the annual CCF Inspection. Again OCs are more than welcome to come to see it. Arrive any time between 10 and 12 and see what the cadets are currently up to. Our partner state school, St Thomas the Apostle, will also have their contingent present.
And don't forget that our Joint Concert with CLSG is next Tuesday (23rd March) at 6.30.
City Sport continues to impress and I will write more in my next blog, but as a taster I can mention that Swimming and Football teams have seen great success recently...
1 March 2010
During half term I was invited to a fund raising lunch hosted by Will Sheldon and Guy Hindley (who left CLS last summer after their A levels). They are intending to go out to Tanzania during their GAP year to help build and stock a library, as a project run by READ International, which had been their chosen charity when they were in the Junior Sixth. That year's Charity appeal raised a large sum of money which was then match funded by the government. Now Will and Guy are providing hands on assistance and the lunch was designed (and cooked!) to help with the costs of their trip. They cooked a four course meal for 38 of us which takes some doing and it was a great success! If any OC wants to donate any money to the cause they could send a cheque, made payable to READ International, to me at CLS and I will ensure it gets to the right location.
Last Thursday there was another in our series of Alumni Reunions, this time for those in the world of creative arts. Old Citizens from over fifty years ago met recent graduates and undergraduates and had a most enjoyable time. Michael Apted attended and was keen to point out that CLS really had changed his life. Coming from a working class background in the East End, his education at City and beyond turned him into the great world renowned success that he is today. Many of you may remember he made the TV series 7-Up and the sequels which followed a group of children as they grew up in the sixties, seventies and beyond. I remember being shown it when I was training to teach in 1980. If you would like to be kept informed of future reunions, please contact Karen Sage, our ARO whose email address is featured on this web page.
Advanced warning that the English dept's play, The Winslow Boy, will be performed in the new Winterflood Theatre on 16, 17 and 18 March. Tickets are £5 each and available from Reception. (Cheques made payable to CLS). Come and see what the new theatre is like and how our collaboration with CLSG is going from strength to strength.
22 February 2010
Half term has now ended and we are back in the full swing of things once again. The week before we broke up saw a number of important events at CLS.
Monday was the Fifth Form Parents' Evening where boys and their parents were able to discuss the mock GCSE results, options for the Sixth Form and targets for the Summer. It was also the first of the three performances in the Winterflood Theatre of 'HAM', a play written and directed by one of the Senior Sixth, Harry Michell. The plot involved a group of students who were trying to put on their own production of Hamlet and the problems they had from auditions to rehearsals and from publicity to the eventual performance (or lack of it). It was witty and well produced - all the more impressive since they only has about two weeks to get their act together (so to speak)!
Tuesday saw a visit from the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Rev. Stephen Haines, who observed a number of lessons throughout the day, had lunch with members of Common Room, saw the final practice of the Old Grammar and first Forms before their concert and attended the briefing laid on by the Director of Admissions for those of us who were due to interview candidates for the September intake. Later that evening there was the Lower School Concert which featured boys from the younger years; in all about 250 boys took part! There were items performed by the Second Orchestra, the Junior Wind Band, Junior Brass, Saxophone and Flute Ensembles as well as Jazz and solo pieces and the grand finale provided by the Junior Choir who sang two traditional African songs. The Great Hall was full of appreciative parents and the whole evening was a great success. Music at CLS goes from strength to strength, under the guidance of the Director of Music, Paul Harrison and his two assistants, Julia Jones and Michael Holiday. If you get the chance to come to one of the many concerts and recitals, please do so. I am sure you will be impressed.
Then came the Reserve Days - these are the days when the school timetable is suspended and a large number of activities take place on and off site, some of which extend throughout half term. So, for example, there have been overseas trips to the USA (Music and Drama), Germany, France and Spain (Modern Language visits), Geneva (Physics) and the annual Ski Trip (also to North America). There have also been CCF camps, a Classics trip to Hadrian's Wall, Geography Field trips (to the Docklands), History and Economics visits (in London), Sports events (at home and abroad), Work Shadowing (often involving OCs) and Art and Drama Workshops on site. In addition, we have interviewed hundreds of prospective pupils at 10, 11 and 13 and carried out an audit of the building to see what improvements can be made in the months and years ahead. We are particularly excited at the prospect of a completely refurbished and expanded Sixth Form Common Room and some new Chemistry laboratories on Level 5 - due to be finished this Summer holiday.
So, as you can see, there is a lot going on at the School. We are confident that all is going well and will continue to do so. We still need to guard against complacency of course and we are not unaware of the current economic downturn, but - all in all - City of London School seems to be weathering the storm so far!
5 February 2010
The end of another busy week at CLS and half term is within sight! At Monday's assembly Dickie Jones (President of JCC) presented International Club ties to two Second Formers who represent GB in Fencing and Chess in competitions which go well beyond their own ages (Under 19 and Under 16 respectively). An article about them is on the front page of The Citizen this week.
On Monday evening we said goodbye to our Chinese visitors who had been with us for a week, staying in the homes of boys at City and girls from CLSG. It was the return leg of the exchange last summer when an enormous party of boys, girls and staff spent three weeks in Beijing and other parts of the Peoples' Republic. The School put on a Chinese buffet and presentations were made. It was a great success.
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr John Bercow, came to CLS to address the Fifth and Sixth Forms and very interesting he was too. He spoke for about twenty minutes on his role, the functions of parliament and the importance of politics and political participation. He then took questions from a packed Great Hall - on a range of issues from the expenses scandal to the next election. Clearly a very able and articulate man, he could have been educated at City! (But wasn't)
This week we have appointed a new Classics teacher, two deputy heads of year and an assistant to the timetabler, all of whom begin in September. Interviews for next year's intake of boys have begun today and will go on over the next week or so. It looks like we have a very impressive number of able boys queuing up to get into CLS which is a healthy sign in these difficult economic times.
Last night was another Alumni reunion; this time for OCs who work in or are interested in working in the financial sector. It was attended by over 50 people which was equally encouraging!
25 January 2010
Last week was a busy week at CLS - the week of Entrance Examinations for the September 2010 intake. On Monday we had approximately 650 candidates take papers for 10+ entry (still called Old Grammar) and 11+ (still called First Form). On Wednesday we had a further 150 boys taking papers to come in at 13+. Traditionally at the younger age groups about two-thirds come from state primary schools and one-third from independent prep schools. At 13+ it is almost exclusively prep schools. The pattern was mirrored again this year. From the figures you will see we have an enormous number of boys trying to fill the 150 places available. Interest in the School is high and rising. We have enormous numbers of parents attending prospective parents meetings throughout the Autumn Term, which is most encouraging.
Equally pleasing is the number of offers our Senior Sixth boys have received for places at Oxford and Cambridge; this year it is 28 and must be approaching a record. Of course they now have to get the grades in the Summer Exams, but we are pleased and optimistic about their prospects.
I am looking forward to seeing those of you attending the Alumni Reunion this evening (25th January) which is intended for those who left in 1987-89. It starts at 6pm and if any would like tours of the School I am sure we can arrange something for you. There have been many changes since you left but I think you will recognise and remember most of the facilities. ICT may well be the exception!
With the mock GCSEs and the A Level modular exams coming to a close, we can begin to get back into the usual routine next week; it will be half term before we know it!
12 January 2010
Well, the Spring Term has started today - as scheduled and despite the 'adverse weather conditions' as the train operators call them. In fact, over fifty Senior Sixth Formers had to come in yesterday to take AS exams even before the new term got underway! AS and A2 modules dominate the next three weeks for the senior boys and GCSE mocks begin this afternoon for the Fifth Form. The CCF returned from their ski trip in Bavaria - all in one piece - they had almost as much snow as we have had here.
Ben Costley-White (OC) left the teaching staff at the end of last term to take up a commission in the Royal Navy; he had been with us for almost three years as a teacher of Biology and ICT. So we welcome a new colleague - Julia Cumming - to take over his classes. We also have a new GAP year student with us - Jack Paxton - from Australia who will work at City for the next twelve months, doing a variety of jobs, including helping out with our Games programme. He told me it was 40 degrees Celsius when he left Geelong five days ago; the contrast in temperature has been quite shocking for him. He has yet to experience the cold winds of Grove Park...
Those of you unfortunate enough to travel on First Capital Connect (Thameslink) will have experienced the appalling service over the past few months - not enough drivers, trains etc and it has been even worse in recent days. So many City boys, and indeed staff, have to suffer poor journeys into school. If any OCs have any influence in the world of rail services, please do your bit to try apply pressure on what must be the worst train operator in Britain. Of course, if the alternative is to use the District line, then Blackfriars tube station is closed until 2012, so that provides further disruption for us. Despite this, the School is in good heart and we look forward to a productive and successful 2010.