Mr Mayor, Madame Mayoress, Mr Henderson, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of School

This evening we congratulate our students on their progress and achievement and also recognise the contributions many have made to the life of the school and the wider community.

I will begin by reporting on the summer examination results

Borden’s ‘Class of 2011’ achieved the school’s best ever A level results. Among them were fifteen students who gained three or more A or A* grades. These were: Charlie Bowling, Thomas Cantor, Daniel Catlin, Jimmy Collins, Thomas Crosswell, Kyle Dawney, Robert Elgar, Thomas Gray, Oliver Hyde, Jack Ithell, Prajesh Jadejah, Oliver McKean, James Philo, George Tretyakov and Joseph White.

Thomas Croswell, Mark Cryer, Jack Ithell and Joseph White included 2 A* grades among their results. Top marks went to Thomas Cantor who attained 3 A* grades together with 2 A grades.

We are delighted that these students used their talents so well and can now take up their places on very competitive courses in prestigious universities.

In addition to these outstanding results there were many students with very pleasing outcomes and excellent progress . Several of these students are also here this evening to receive prizes and our congratulations.

The successful efforts of students and their teachers resulted in 52% A*- B grades across the board. Students throughout the year group are to be congratulated on their results and thanked for their contributions to the school community. We wish them well as they begin a first university term or start a career.

Last September one of the points I made to the ‘class of 2011’ in a start of the year assembly was that part of growing up is learning how to deal with situations when they go wrong. This followed disappointing AS results from students who were, at that time, the best qualified year group to begin A levels at Borden. During the next 10 months they matured in outlook, raised their work rate and reaped the reward for hard work. The current Year 13 students need to do likewise. Those here this evening to receive Year 12 prizes did of course work hard and achieve well. Some students did underperform. They, like those in the ‘class of 2011’, have the talent to achieve outstanding results and now need to be ambitious and disciplined in seeking to achieve this.

Last month Borden’s Year 11 students celebrated the outcomes of two years hard work. There were many outstanding results and also solid achievement from students who worked hard, attained good grades and had a just reward for their positive attitude.

At the top end of achievement 17 boys attained 8 or more A/A* grades among their results. They included Connor Baulf, Jamie Blackbrow, Robert Cooper, Jack Gleeson, Jack Hales, Jonathan Hendry, Casey Murphy, Samuel O’Sullivan, David Robertson and Matthew Woodhill.

Many other boys met their targets and made good progress. 99/103 students (96%) attained 5 or more A* – C grades including English Language and Maths. What we need now is real success in making the transition from GCSE to A level in Year 12.

 I will now turn to student achievements in other spheres of school life

At the end of March, many here this evening were amazed and delighted by the artistic and emotional brilliance of Borden’s production of Jesus Christ Super Star. The production involved a total of 70 people on stage, in the band and backstage. Students were drawn from throughout the school, and adults throughout the staff. It was a resounding success.

Group work and project work have become increasingly important in the curriculum as vehicles for intellectual and social development within school. This reflects the demands within careers that many students will follow. Whether in an office or a laboratory, an engineering site or a design studio or in the work of a committee in the House of Commons, the ability to communicate and work constructively as part of a group has become increasingly important.

Two examples in school are Citizenship projects in Year 9 and Business of Enterprise projects in Year 10. The Citizenship projects this year were focused on charities. The links, awareness raising and overall outcomes demonstrated the outward-looking capacity and resourcefulness of our students. It has been a good year generally for students making lots of individual and group contributions to charity fundraising. In Year 10, the school’s representative group in the Business of Enterprise regional final, held at Barclay’s Headquarters in Canary Wharf, won the prize for best presentation.

Borden was the only school to be invited to send 2 teams to the Kent Alcohol and Drug Awareness competition. The boys concerned used drama as their chosen medium and won 2nd and 3rd prizes at the final in Sevenoaks.

In the area of Design Technology Matthew Woodhill and Robert Cooper were both successful in their application for an Arkwright Scholarship , a most prestigious award in the field of Design and in partnership with industry.

Student initiative was key in organising Borden’s Got Talent – the first year when student acts predominated- and Battle of the Bands, two enjoyable occasions where individuals and groups could showcase their talents to appreciative audiences.

The school squash team performed tremendously well in their first entry to the National Schools Squash Championship . After winning their group they beat Charterhouse School in the last 16 before losing 3 matches to 2 in the quarter finals to Eton College. Several of our other sports teams reached the quarter final stage of Kent Cup competitions; the Year 7 Football team and Year 8 and 9 Cricket Teams. The Year 9 Rugby team lost narrowly in the semi finals of the Kent Shield.

At Borden we emphasise the importance of developing and maintaining good quality relationships in school life. In this context I was very pleased to hear that those boys who took part in the Y8 peer mentoring course in the summer term were commended hugely for the way they embraced the training. This term, as Year 9 students they will be mentoring new boys in Year 7.

In July we thanked a number of staff for their work at the school.

Miss Asiedu is embarking on further studies at the University of Kent. Her contribution to Science and role as a Year 7 Tutor have been very much appreciated.

Mr Carter leaves after 3 years at the school as a Social Sciences teacher.  He did much to develop further Y9 citizenship GCSE and has now moved to Sussex. 

Miss Reiner established herself as a most versatile and effective member of staff, teaching English, Geography and Science and co leading World Challenge. We wish her well in her new post at Fulston   

Mr K Carter leaves to carry out a mix of further study and teaching and we wish him success in this new path.

Mr Barratt takes up a Head of Department post in a school in West Kent. We wish him success with his new responsibilities

Mr Bonney, a former school captain, who acted as our PE Technician takes up a place at Portsmouth University to study Sports and Exercise Science.  

Mr Farr completed his Graduate Trainee year in Physical Education with an outstanding final assessment.

A special word for Mrs Taylor who retired in March and gave a great deal to students over many years not only in terms of teaching but also in terms of care for the individual, and encouraging an enquiring and cultured outlook on life .

We wish all the staff who are leaving every success as they set out on their new paths, and we thank them all for the contributions they have made to so many aspects of school life.

Before concluding, some final words of thanks and congratulations.

Firstly to Mr Jenkins and Mr Robbins who have each completed 30 years service at the school and still convey energy of purpose and keen interest in their students and subjects.  

Secondly I wish to register my thanks to all staff and to governors for their dedication throughout the past year.  Teachers and support staff have worked together to provide an interesting learning environment, support for students and parents, and, as ever, an exciting programme of educational visits at home and abroad. Governors give unstintingly of their time to advise, support, monitor and provide strategic direction. My thanks to you all.

It is now time for our students to be centre stage and so, Mr. Chairman, I turn to the Honourable Mr Henderson to present the awards.

Harold Vafeas

This evening we congratulate our students on their progress and achievement and also recognise the contributions many have made to the life of the school and the wider community .

In Year 11 excellent GCSE results were achieved by a number of boys. 28 attained 8 or more A/A*s while 66/129 achieved 5 or more. This resulted in 40% of all grades at A*/A. In terms of the quality of grades at GCSE this is the best that Year 11 students have achieved and moves attainment standards to a new level. We expect great things from this year group in the Sixth Form. The challenge for current Year 11 is to keep this up so that these higher standards become consistent and sustained.

A number of Year 12 students achieved encouraging results at AS level. They have the talent to achieve outstanding results and now need to be ambitious and disciplined in seeking to achieve this. It will, at the same time, need consistent improved effort from many in the year group to achieve their potential in 2011.

Last month, Year 13 students celebrated their A level results. There were outstanding individual and departmental achievements. The quality of grades, overall, was not as strong as we have come to expect over the past few years. This reflected lost opportunities in Year 12 when some students stubbornly believed that having achieved respectable GCSE results by improved commitment in the latter half of Year 11, this was a process that could be repeated at A level.

Part of growing up successfully is learning how to deal with situations when they go wrong. Students and staff worked really well together in Year 13 so that there were substantial improvements in grades and a real sense of common purpose. Overall, as a school, we were short of A grades and the new A*, but the improvement in B and C grades for individual students meant that they were able to obtain the courses and universities they had hoped for. It was also notable that Year 13’s last day on timetable was unblemished, with no silliness, many ‘thank yous’, lots of genial good humour and a very good example set  by our senior year group to other pupils of how to celebrate in a way all could enjoy.

One discovery on that day was that Mr Paine, who was on the eve of retirement, had achieved cult status within the year group not only for his Maths teaching, musicianship and motivational talks over the years (usually when individuals had done something wrong) but also for his uncanny resemblance to an American action hero.

I do hope that the successful experience of last academic year has helped our students to gain the necessary learning and life skills to cope and thrive in their University environment.

At  A level, there were particularly strong results in Economics, Geography, History and Spanish where the proportion of A*/B grades ranged from 63 to 85%.  At GCSE more than 60% of History and Statistics students achieved A/A*s and more than 50% in English Literature and Mathematics.

As part of this report I would like to give a few examples of the wide range of activities and achievements of our students beyond their studies.

In sport Year 8 had a very successful year winning the U13 Kent Cricket Cup and the U13 Kent School Games Basketball Regional competition. The U15 team won the Kent School Games Hockey Regional competition.

A number of students represent Kent in their chosen sport, and several also compete at regional or national level. They include Mark Cryer and Tom Moore. Mark is competing in the national schools athletics championships this weekend while Tom has won representative honours beyond Kent for hockey. Tom is one of the many boys and girls who have flourished as members of the Old Bordenian Hockey Club.

In the British Land UK Chess Challenge Alastair Thomas went through to the Gigafinal and also played for Kent. Robert Gower and Divyansh Manocha also went through to the Gigafinal and each was Supremo for his age group.

Year 11 students reached the final of the Kent County Council Drugs Awareness Project and performed their piece on stage at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford to an audience of 650. One of our pupils Tobias Illingworth won the best actor award.  Year 11 Drama students put on a production of John Godber’s ‘Teechers’ which was well attended and enjoyed by the middle school pupils, as shown by the excellent standard of entries into the review writing competition. This competition was won by Robert Cooper.

Students and teachers produced a very successful talent show at the end of the year which raised funds for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Most notable for their efforts and endeavours were members of 9KB who participated in the choir, choreographed a dance routine and created a very impressive and entertaining film parodying life at Borden. Two Sixth forms students Ben Jones and Jason Williams won the audience vote for their comic musical performance.

Sixth Form students took part in World Challenge their fundraising and team work culminating in an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and project work in a Tanzanian school.

Continued links with primary schools provide curriculum enrichment for younger pupils in modern foreign languages, sport and other subjects. The Aim Higher Club, run by a team of staff, provides interesting learning activities for Year 5 and 6 boys for a significant part of each school year. Student Sports Leaders help in the running tournaments.

Y9 Fair Trade projects, education and fund raising activities are having an impact on the school community. This was in addition to money raised for Breast Cancer and Shelterbox through non-uniform days. A team of Year 8 students enjoyed the fierce legal arguments of a mock trial.

The Christmas Fair, the Pantomime, visits abroad, exhibitions of students work and numerous lunchtime and after school clubs all add to the richness of school life and broaden experiences for students.

In July we thanked and said goodbye to number of staff.

Mr M Robbins our Graduate Trainee in Physical Education contributed a great deal in a short time and coached the Year 8 cricket team to victory in the U13 Kent Cup. We wish him every success in his new post at Fulston Manor School.

Mr Foster our PE Technician will take up a place at Liverpool John Moores University to study Applied Sport Psychology.

Mr Tanton worked in the Art Department during Mrs Nyemann’s maternity leave. The quality of GCSE and A level Art exhibitions demonstrated the way in which he seamlessly fitted in and taught to a high standard. We wish him well for the future.

Miss Simpson left Borden to become Head of Humanities at Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Leicester. She has had an enormously positive influence on good practice in teaching and learning in the school. Students have rightly acknowledged her care for their progress and achievement. GCSE results, in particular, have regularly outperformed those of most grammar school History Departments in Kent and Medway. We wish her every success in her new post.

Mr Paine retired last month after 33 years at Borden. During this time he headed the Computing and Mathematics Departments and has been a member of the school’s leadership group since 2000, with responsibility as Deputy Headteacher for the past 7 years. Throughout his career he has been passionate about standards, pupil welfare and the moral purpose of education. His calm and well considered handling of demanding situations and wise counsel to colleagues have been greatly appreciated. He will be greatly missed. We wish him every happiness in the next phase of his life.

Last year I said that good learning and positive relationships are at the core of school life. Much has been achieved in the past few years by students, staff, parents and governors working together. There is always room for improvement, and this year we will be seeking ways to move both academic standards and pupil welfare and development on to the next level. In terms of consultation we have parent and student views from surveys in 2009 and parent comments from throughout the past year to draw upon. Student representative bodies are being reorganised and revitalised this term. Staff have taken part in developmental working parties and governors continuously act as critical friends of the school. There is a strong sense of working together.

Before concluding I wish to register my thanks to staff and governors. I count myself very fortunate as a Headteacher to have the support and dedication that I have experienced from both groups throughout this past year.

It is now time for our students to be centre stage and so, Mr. Chairman, I turn to Professor Peter Vujakovic to present the awards.

Harold Vafeas

To update Old Boys of the school who don’t have access to the local newspapers, the following articles related to the school have appeared in the last few weeks.  The first one (next 2 clips linked) relates to the recent decision by the Government not to take forward the schools building programme initiated by the previous Government.

The next article celebrates the success of the current BGS under 13 cricket team.

And finally, whilst we have published a good deal of information in recent months about the Remembrance activities by Old Boys within the Association, the following article shows that the school also still involve current pupils in such activities.

When I was at School in the 1960′s it seemed that you had to be over 60 and have grey hair to be a Governor – well it seems I now qualify on both counts. I have been a Governor for BGS for 10 years now, 3 of them as the Old Bordenian Association Governor. It started because my son was at the School and I applied to become a Parent Governor. There were several others also applying and the process had to go to a vote among Parents and each applicant had to product a paragraph or so about themselves. I noticed from the other parents that I was the only one from the Isle of Sheppey so I prominently mentioned this in my statement and I think I got most of the votes from the Island which catapulted me to stardom as a Governor – a sort of ‘Sheppey’s got talent’?

There are now 18 Governors – Five Foundation Governors, Two County Council Nominees, Six elected parents, Two elected Teacher Governors, One Elected Staff Governor, Two co-opted Governors. You will be interested to know that there are 5 Old Bordenians on the Governing body (Denis Jarrett, John Shepherd, Robert Hough, Alan Wilson and myself, and 6 if you include Giles Ford, the Clerk to the Governors. So you can be sure that the interests of the School are being given extra attention by these six former pupils.

The Governing body has 4 sub-Committees: Finance, Staff and Personnel, Premises, and Pastoral & Curriculum(which also includes the Disciplinary committee). Each year there are 3 Full Governors meetings, plus at least 4 sub-committee meetings. All Governors are allocated to a particular sub-committee mostly according to their choice and field of expertise. I am in the Pastoral & Curriculum committee, and also on the Disciplinary committee. I don’t really know how I ended up there because I thought Pastoral was something to do with the countryside and I cannot usually spell curricullum. The P&C committee deals with all aspects of teaching, assessing results and reviewing relevant policies such as anti-bullying, or bullying as it used to be called when I was at School. The Disciplinary committee deals with the very serious issues that arise from time to time between pupils, and occasionally with staff. There are very strict guidelines laid down for these hearings because there can be significant legal consequences. It is not just a question of waving a red or yellow card.

Now most of you are thinking that I am writing this during a long and boring meeting, well you are wrong. There is plenty of business to discuss, much of it being of critical importance to the running of the School and in particular, planning for the future – and I do find it very interesting. My background has always been in sales and marketing, so I look at the School as a business model which produces the best education within the constraints of its budget, while adapting to the challenges of the future. The UK education system does have a language of its own and it takes some getting used to, especially its acronyms. For example, here is an extract from a recent report….

“At GSCE the CVA for 2008 was 1005.2. The APS per student of 478.9 met FFT model B, and the figure of 97.3% of pupils gaining 5 A*-C met FFT model D. 95.6% of pupils gained 5 A*-C including English and Maths and 92.9% gained 2 or more A*-C grades in Sciences. 2009 GCSE results again met FFT B for aps per student(488 compared with FFT B 483) but were slightly lower than FFT B for 5A*-C  including English and Maths(88% compared with 90% FFT B). “

A Governor has to understand what goes on in the School without getting involved in the detail which is not as easy as it sounds. A broad overview is needed on all issues. The phrase “ a critical friend” is often applied to a Governor and this is quite correct in my opinion. There is indeed a National Strategy for Governor Support and Training, and a national annual Governor Conference. You can even get a BTEC Advanced Certificate in School Governance. So if any of you out there have the opportunity to become a Governor of any school, I challenge you to take it – you will enjoy it, even if you are under 60 and do not have grey hair.