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 Dept., 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 dept.!
Latest post: 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.