From adversity to creativity - co-curricular programme expands and flourishes

Out of adversity comes creativity and, amidst the clouds of Covid-19 that drove us into another period of remote learning, this was something clearly evident in Sherborne’s co-curricular programme. Unlike many aspects of life (and School) that have been necessarily curtailed, many activities developed and thrived, adapting to new and alien challenges with gusto. Most important, the breadth of opportunity for boys to participate and excel beyond the classroom was maintained, enabling them to develop their existing talents and discover new ones.

Music and drama both flourished. The airwaves came alive as our dramatists took their plays to our very own station, Radio Sherborne, performing and producing a host of superb radio plays. Boys had on-air forays in House plays, the senior play, Under Milk Wood and the junior show, The Turn of the Screw. This medium has been such a hit that boys are even asking to produce their own plays as radio productions, cementing this as an ongoing option for our technical thespians.

In the first national lockdown, our music staff mastered the art of weaving together remote performances, executing this to perfection for our traditional end of term concerts. For Commem, an entire virtual Gala Concert was crafted from over 800 individual recordings, involving performances by the 116-strong Choir, the Swing Band, the 89-strong Wind Band, the Chamber Orchestra, the Barbershop/Close Harmony, the Upper Sixth Form Wind Quintet and one of our string quartets.  A Leavers’ Concert, filmed by eleven of the Upper Sixth Form musicians in their own homes, was created on Final Cut Pro for broadcast on YouTube. A brand-new recording was made of the School Song (Carmen Saeculare), all remotely, involving both Swing Band and Chamber Choir, and was put together in a record 24 hours.

Lunchtime recitals were filmed and broadcast every week on YouTube. The Chamber Choir recorded at least one hymn and an anthem weekly for inclusion in a Virtual Service, broadcast internally as part of the traditional, albeit virtual, Sunday evening Abbey Service. Throughout the second period of remote learning, remote Friday recitals returned, and all weekly rehearsals took place as normal so that rehearsing a large Wind Band or a large Choir on Microsoft Teams or Zoom became second nature. The musical week was even busier, remotely, than the real world, but it also meant that boys continued to progress. Indeed, the return of genuine ensemble music in March 2021, albeit with the addition of plastic screens, made it feel as if there had been no break since Christmas - a real testament to boys and staff alike.

Our approach to outdoor education inevitably had to change.  However, the Shirburnian appetite for adventure and challenge continued to be fed. When climbing together was curtailed, staff created a suite of challenge-based activities. Boys were set physical challenges, ranging from pull up competitions to stair climbing marathons, as well as mental challenges on climbing knots and activity collages.

Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards soared, with over 260 boys, nearly half of the School, working towards Bronze, Silver or Gold levels and collectively taking part in over 1,000 activities. Thanks to the adaptations made by the awarding body certificates continued to be issued recognising the effort, skill and commitment shown in the various sections throughout the pandemic. Since their introduction, ten certificates have been awarded to Sherborne DofE participants. Activities were maintained in line with the fluctuating restrictions with boys demonstrating great resilience, communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills. Awards also continued to stack up, with 46 full awards achieved, including five Gold Awards since the first national lockdown.

The senior cadets led the charge for CCF, developing new skills including drill, fieldcraft and tactics and undertaking an introduction to weapons training, navigation, and instructional techniques. At the helm is Cadet RSM and Head Boy Will Loughlin (U6d), Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Dorset, an appointment that marks him out as a leading cadet in the county. Will was also awarded The Rifles Adjutant’s Coin and appointed as Master Cadet, becoming the first cadet in the School’s history to hold this prestigious position.

During remote learning weekly, CCF challenges were delivered on navigation, camouflage and concealment, drill, physical training, knot tying and first aid. Pupils submitted evidence of participation from home, roping in parents and family members to help. Another stand out from the CCF is the partnership with Sherborne Girls. Despite having to train separately, pupils at our sister school were supporting by NCOs delivering socially-distanced weekly lessons and we were able to hold a joint Remembrance commemoration on their astroturf.

Undeterred by the dark clouds over sporting participation across the UK, the sports department manufactured a raft of opportunities for sporting challenges and competition. Inter-school fixtures were replaced with year group based Super Rugby leagues and House Junior Olympics, providing some competitive edge whilst also focusing on development and enjoyment. There were also a number of online inter-school competitions, including sailing and the National Rugby 7s.

Even when not in School, sport remained very much part of Sherborne life. Momentum was maintained through a programme of challenges, live sessions and webinars. The department rallied to provide pre-recorded physical and skills-based sessions, as well as live HiiT sessions from our own resident Joe Wicks (aka Mr Cattigan). Interactive Zoom meetings were held with top sportsmen and webinars were delivered on nutrition and supplements. Weekly House Competitions ensured time away from screens and encouraged family involvement in activities including the Distance Challenge and the Sherborne Scavenger Hunt. 

Back in School but still with hurdles to overcome, Tim Bennett, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular) reflects back on this period, commenting; “It has been fantastic to watch the weeks unfold with boys continuing to enjoy and progress in their activities, as they adapt and flex to the ever-changing landscape. Our co-curricular activities are at the heart of the Sherborne experience and the way they have been maintained under difficult and unprecedented circumstances makes me enormously proud. This is of course down to the imagination and resourcefulness of staff, coupled with the positivity and resilience of the boys themselves.”