The View From My Study 20 March 2026
A few weeks ago young Boris (3rd Form) won his age group in the global Scribbledibble writing competition. This was closely followed by Finn (6th Form) whose entry in the Time to Write competition made it into the top ten from over 3000 entries. We also had five pupils selected for the finals of the Sir Philip Sydney Essay Writing Competition at Shrewsbury School and then our 6th Form Academic High-Fliers competed in the London round of the World Scholars Cup where they achieved great success in the debating and writing contests (among others). You can read more about the WSC below but the highlights are that from over 45 teams, the BG teams (of 3 people in each) finished 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th and returned home with more silverware than Buckingham Palace. This included the achievement of Rapha who was named ‘top overall scholar’ from among the nearly 200 individuals.
Coupling those achievements with the scholarship news that we have been receiving, it serves as a pertinent reminder of the outstanding levels that some of our children reach. To date, BG 6th Form pupils have achieved:
- 8 Academic Scholarships
- 2 Design & Technology Scholarships
- 3 Performing Arts Scholarships
- 4 Music Scholarships
- 2 Sports Scholarships
Four 11+ scholarships have been awarded to 4th Form pupils too (in sport and academic).
It is important to celebrate achievements like this when they happen but BG is about far more than just scholarships of course. Not every child can be a ‘scholar’. It does not guarantee success and nor does it mean that if you do not have the label then you cannot reach high-flying levels. All children can achieve with the right attitude and approach and at BG we try to celebrate the progress of every child.
Without doubt, we have some very talented children in the School and so I applaud all for their achievements and thank my colleagues for all their hard work in supporting and preparing the children so well.
Talking of colleagues, we say goodbye to Caroline Morgan during the Easter holidays after eleven years of outstanding service to the School in the Admissions office mainly. For many parents, especially boarders, Caroline’s was the first BG voice you spoke to and she nurtured many long-standing relationships with the school. We say thank you and wish her well as she heads off to run the International Admissions at Headington School.
We also send best wishes to Mr Potgieter and Miss Venter who are heading back to their native South Africa over easter to tie the knot. We look forward to welcoming them back as Mr & Mrs P next term.
And so… after the pulsating rhythms of High School Musical, the rings of We’re all in this Together still in my ears, the Easter Service this morning and a final Prize Giving, we reach the end of term. I wish you all a very good holiday and some cherished family time. I would like to say a big thank you to all my colleagues at BG for all their efforts this term. As always they have been dedicated to their tasks and sought to make the school as happy a place as it can be.
