Royal Grammar School CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 2024-2025 Please see the named person in charge for further details
ART CLUB (GCSE) Tutor i/c: Mrs G C Francis Open to Year 11 Fine Art and Graphics pupils. This teacher-led session helps support the current GCSE course. The additional time enables the boys to take a rigorous and explorative approach to their sustained body of work. Held on Wednesday lunchtimes in Art 1, 2 and 3. ART CLUB (Junior) Tutor i/c: Mrs G C Francis Open to Years 7–9, Modelling Club is designed to offer students an opportunity to try out new 3D art techniques for the first time. This club is run by our Subject Ambassadors.. Students that participate in the workshops will try their hands at designing and making their very own model using a variety of media, including mod-rock, clay, cardboard and paint. Held on Tuesday lunchtimes in Art 2 ART CLUB YEARS 7-9 Tutor i/c: Mrs G C Francis This club is a self-directed club. If you love creating your own art and simply have no space or opportunity to do so, come along to Art 2 on Thursday lunchtimes, to relax and create- The art equipment will be at your disposal. You can also use this opportunity to complete your art homework if it is easier to do this at school than at home. BANANAGRAM CLUB Tutor i/c: Mrs S Tan Year 12 Bananagram Club is on at 1.30pm on Fridays in L7. Sometimes focussing on a theme, join to play the game where you create as many words in a grid as possible. Fun, non-competitive and friendly – staff are welcome too! Mrs Tan will confirm when the club will be starting via the FT Notices. BIOLOGY SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mr L Rowe-Elliott The Biology Society is a discussion group led by the Biology Ambassadors. It is open to any student in the school who wishes to talk about Biology with other like minded students. Participants are encouraged to put together their own presentations on topics that extend what is taught in Biology lessons. Outside speakers are also invited to speak to the group. All years welcome, it will run on the last Wednesday of every month. BOOKCLUB Tutor i/c: Mrs L Payne (Librarian) Open to all year groups, we will read and discuss all types of books that are available in the library – including non-fiction and specific genres such as horror, science-fiction and manga. We will be also shadowing the book awards such as the Carnegie Awards, the Booker Prize and the Waterstones YA Book Prize. A friendly informal club run by the librarian and the library Ambassadors, this is for both keen and reluctant readers – join up to get involved and become a RGS reading champion! Thursday lunchtime in the library. BOARD GAME CLUB Tutor i/c: Mrs L Payne (Librarian) Screen Free lunchtime in the Library with board games. Everything from chess to Uno! All games provided or bring your own. For all year groups. Limited numbers. Wednesday lunchtimes. BRIDGE CLUB Tutor i/c: Mr K Watson Open to all year groups. Classes taught by experienced instructors on Tuesday lunchtime at 1.25 in Science room G2. Playing Bridge can be used for the skill section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and RGS Sixth Form 360 ͦ Award. CAREERS SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mrs Thakrar
To offer peer-to-peer careers support such as help with GCSE choices; Tips for picking A Levels; Information about next steps; Learning about a variety of different careers and pathways. Raising your careers profile now and getting ready for the future! Every Wednesday lunch (13:30) starting 25th September in Room 1 Junior Block for anyone (Y7 to Y13) CCF ARMY, RAF Tutor i/c: Sqn Ldr Matthews Open to Year 10 and above. The CCF provides activities to promote the qualities of leadership, responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. Activities include flying, camps, range shooting, field exercises and military knowledge. They take place on Thursday afternoons and at weekends. There is an annual charge for membership. CHRISTIAN UNION (CU) (All Year groups) Tutor i/c: Mr S J C Booth Snacks, games, new friends and learn more about Jesus and the Word. Any questions? Contact Mr Booth (sjb@rgshw.com) Tuesdays at 1.30pm in L9. CHESS Tutor i/c: Mr H David Members of last year’s Chess Society can meet again, as before, Lunch 2, in Room 9 on Wednesday lunchtimes. New members from any years welcome – we have experienced players willing to help you learn. This year, we aim to put together a competitive team and start entering local and national competitions. Please speak to Mr. David for more information. COMPUTER PROGRAMING & ROBOTICS CLUB Tutor i/c: Mr D Travi Open to all boys, Computer programming is the process that professionals use to write code that instructs how a computer, application or software program performs. Times and Venue: G4 Wednesday lunchtimes. COMPUTER SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM Tutor i/c: Mr D Travi We will be exploring – through talks and discussion – various advanced algorithmic concepts along with the maths that is important to CS, such as Graph Theory. Later in the year, there will also be chances to participate in group competitions and events. Any Year 11 - 13 students who are interested should come along to Room G4 on Mondays at 1.20pm. CUBING Tutor i/c: Miss Kingsley Targeted at students in all years interested in cubing, or helping and participating in the Rubiks Cube Competition before the end of term. Wednesday break times in Room 33 and open to all years interested. DART KARATE Tutor i/c: Dr J W Titchen DART is a practical karate system focused on self-defence. It is known for its legal underpinning, close-range tactics and pressure testing scenario training. DART Karate classes have a strong emphasis on fun impact training, paired exercises, underpinning theory and good biomechanics. RGS classes have been held in the Sports Hall on Wednesdays after school since 2004. Classes are open to all year groups with beginners always welcome. Instructor John Titchen teaches locally in addition to delivering karate and self protection seminars throughout the UK, Canada, the USA and Europe. Please note this activity is run by an external company – for all enquiries, please visit www.dart-selfdefence.com THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD Tutor i/c: Mr D Clatworthy – dofe@rgshw.com
With nearly 200 students taking part each year, DofE is at the core of RGSHW’s Co-Curricular provision. Open to Year 9 upwards, participants have the opportunity to progress through all levels of the Bronze/Silver and Gold Awards, learning and developing new skills along the way. Each level of the award has four sections to complete: Volunteering, Skill, Physical and Expedition, with additional Residential section at Gold Level. Our Expeditions run at various times throughout the year and challenge students to step outside their comfort zones while undertaking a 2-5 day self-sufficient journeys be that locally in the Chilterns to more adventurous Wild Country in the Brecon Beacons or Lake District National Parks. FRENCH CLUB Tutor i/c: Mme Godley/Mme Dudrey It’s all about French! Whether you’re totally new to French or already know a few words, our French Club is THE place to have fun while boosting your language skills. Expect cool games, fun competitions, delicious cooking sessions (Vive les crêpes!), exploring awesome comics like Tintin and Asterix, and even watching French movies and videos! And…. Oh la la let’s not forget the legendary French Club Kahoot quizzes! Plus, with our Y13 French ambassadors Thomas & Alex joining in this year, it’s going to be even more epic. Learning French has never been this fun! Come hang out, laugh, and say “Bonjour!” to new friends. À bientôt! Tuesday lunch in L5 Year 7-9 GEOGRAPHY CLUB Tutor i/c: Mrs F Chandler Years 7-11, is a chance for everyone to enjoy some fun games and activities, to find out more about the world we live in. It meets every Monday, second break, in Room 17. GEOPOLITICS SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mrs F Chandler Years 10-13, is a chance to consider and discuss the geographic influences on power relationships in international relations - and the effects it has on our world. The society meets every two weeks on a Tuesday, second break, in Room 19. HISTORY SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mr S B Taylor Open to all students. The History Society provides an opportunity to debate and discuss all aspects of history, the Neanderthals to the Space Age. It takes place every Tuesday, second break, in Room 21. HOMEWORK CLUB Tutor i/c: Mrs S Tan Open to Years 7–10. A permission slip must be signed by a parent before a pupil can join and attend whenever he wishes to. Homework club runs Monday to Thursday in the Library, 3.35–4.45pm. ISLAMIC SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mr Durning & Dr I Wilson To provide all Muslims at the school an area to pray and grow in their faith. Meets everyday in the Upper Library at 13.25. ITALIAN CLUB Tutor i/c: Signor Pizzuti Ciao ragazzi! What about learning another language and culture? The Italian Club has finally landed at RGS! Join the club every Friday from 13:30 to 14:00 to learn and have some fun with games, quizzes, tasty cooking demos and much more! Whether you want to learn the best pizza recipe  , know more about vespas , football or, "most importantly" how we use gestures when we speak , this is the right place for you, regardless of whether you already have some knowledge or you have never learnt the language of the Bel Paese. Don't forget to bring your own lunch! Vi aspetto! Meet in L1 - Language Department.
Y10&11 LANGUAGES LUNCHTIME DROP-IN Tutor i/c: Miss Sheppard / Ms Langan / Mr. Booth Want to practise general conversation questions ahead of your speaking exam? Stuck with a particular grammar point? In Year 11 and want a way to be forced to revise vocabulary in the lead up to mocks and real exams? Then come to languages lunchtime drop-in every Monday in L2. Sixth form language ambassadors and MFL teachers for all 3 languages will be on hand to answer questions, practise speaking and test you on vocab. You can drop in for 5 minutes or 10 minutes, or stay for the whole of lunch, or as long as you need. Regular practice, little and often, is what makes the difference! Start date: 23 September MATHS MENTORING Tutor i/c: Mrs L M Woodbury Maths mentoring is open to all year groups and is a great opportunity for students to work on improving fluency with Maths skills that they find more challenging. Students will be paired with a fellow student mentor who will help guide them through a requested challenging topic. Attending Maths mentoring will help improve students’ understanding of Maths, change the way they approach and think about maths topics, and also help improve their grades in Maths. Maths mentoring is also an opportunity to get help with any homework that you are struggling with. However, maths mentoring is not just for those who are having immediate difficulty in maths. Maths mentoring is additionally open to those who need to recap a topic before a test, or to consolidate extension material of recently taught topics. Maths mentoring is also a fantastic way for the mentors to improve their communicative and notational Maths abilities as they may need to provide an alternative means of explanation to students, which will improve the mentors’ critical thinking skills. Students can sign up via their Maths teachers. Regular attendance is encouraged to get the most help from Sixth Form mentors. All Maths mentoring occurs at lunchtime in the Maths block. See below for relevant dates and times: ● Maths Mentoring is every Tuesday Lunchtime in Rooms 33 and 34. Currently open to Year 11 but extended to all Year Groups after October Half Term. ● Maths Mentoring for Level 2 Further Mathematicians is every Wednesday lunchtime In Rooms 32 and 36. MATHS BATTLES CLUB Tutor i/c: Mr F J Butler A Maths Battle is a competition between two teams of students, where each team presents their solutions to the opposition who challenge their answers. The idea is similar to that of a sports team, so competing regularly and training in between the competitions is expected. RGS Students compete every half term against each other and frequently compete with students from other schools. Maths Battles are run with the help of WeSolveProblems charity. The club is held on Thursday 3.45 to 4.45pm. MATHS CHALLENGE CLUB Tutor i/c: Mr T Woolliams Maths Challenge Club will take place one lunchtime a week in Room 32 (which day this is will be confirmed in September). Any students interested in solving mathematical problems and doing mathematical challenges are welcome to attend. It gives students in all year groups from Years 7 – 13 a chance to familiarise themselves with the UKMT Maths Challenge Papers as well as the opportunity to try out some of the Maths Team Challenge games and problem-solving activities. We also run sessions on a variety of recreational Mathematical ideas and discoveries. It will be especially beneficial for those entering the UKMT Maths Challenges, Grammar School Mathematician of the Year or Hans Woyda competitions as well as those students attending Maths Battles. However, all abilities and ages are welcome. The Maths Challenge Club is led by the Maths Subject Ambassadors which is a team of 9 very talented and dynamic Year 13 Mathematicians. MATHS STEP & MAT CLUB: Tutor i/c: Miss S Kingsley Maths STEP Club runs every Wednesday afternoon Periods 7 and 8 in Room 36 in the Maths block, and the Maths MAT club runs every Thursday afternoon Periods 7 & 8 in Room 38, and both are coordinated by the Maths
Subject Ambassadors. The STEP club is open to anyone in Year 13, and MAT club is open to anyone in Year 12 who are interested in solving challenging Maths problems and are recommended for those considering mathsrelated degrees, and will need to take a Maths Admissions Test (MAT) for their chosen University course. The focus is on solving and discussing questions from STEP, MAT and other entrance tests and competitions. MEDICAL SOCIETY (Medsoc) Tutor i/c: Mrs SudhakaranMr Rowe-Elliott & Mrs Thakrar The Medical Society is for students in Years 12 who are interested in pursuing a career in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry or an allied subject. We support boys in their application to Medicine, including giving help with UCAS applications, personal statements, work experience and interview practice. We have regular meetings and external speakers who come in and address the students. We are also aiming to have meetings for Year 11 students to provide an insight into the academic requirements and personal qualities for studying medicine. Meetings will take place in Biology and dates will be announced during the first few weeks of September. Every Monday lunch. MUSIC ACTIVITIES The Music Department will send out details of each ensemble/band as and when the rehearsals are ready to begin each term. Students will be contacted directly, but if any student has a specific request to join an ensemble, then they are welcome to speak to Mrs Jashari or Miss Cave. Tutors i/c: Various (see below) 2025 RGS Musical open to anyone (often depending on parts available) by audition in October - involving weekly rehearsals leading to four performances of a show in March 2024. RGS Big Band for Grade 6+, spaces permitting, please enquire with the music department to join this. Directed by Mr J Craig, Mondays after school at 3:40pm. RGS Swing Band open to Years 8-11 who are Grade 4-7. Directed by Miss Cave/Mr Chitham-Mosely, Friday Morning at 8:40am. 1st Wind Band open to Years 9-13 who are Grade 5-8+, wind/brass/percussion instruments welcome. Monday lunchtimes at 1:25pm. 2nd Wind Band open to Years 7-10 who are Grades 2-5, wind/brass/percussion instruments welcome. Tuesday lunchtime at 1:25pm. Senior Orchestra combined Senior String Ensemble and 1st Wind Band, occasional Monday lunchtimes at 1:25pm. Junior Orchestra combined Junior String Ensemble and 2nd Wind Band, Tuesday lunchtimes at 1:25pm. Senior String Ensemble open to Years 9-13 who are Grades 5-8+, Monday lunchtime at 1:25pm. Junior String Ensemble open to Years 7-9 who are Grade 2-5, Tuesday lunchtimes at 1:25pm. Senior Choir for students in Years 9-13 with Tenor or Bass voices. No audition required. Monday and Thursday mornings at 8:40am.
Altos Choir for students in Year 8/9 with changing/lower treble voices. No audition required. Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8:40pm. Trebles Choir for students in Year 7-9 with unchanged/higher treble voices. No audition required. - Year 7 Trebles choir: Wednesday morning at 8:40am - Year 8/9 Trebles choir: Tuesday morning at 8:40am Chamber Choir for students in Year 7-13, consisting of trebles, altos, tenors and basses. Directed by Mrs Jashari and Mr Chitham-Mosely, Friday Lunchtimes at 1:25pm and Friday after school 3:45-4:45pm. Mini Close Harmony for Years 7-9, anyone who is a keen singer is invited to join! Takes place on Thursday lunchtimes at 1:25pm. Close Harmony join by auditioning, open to Years 10-13 singers. Rehearsals take place on Thursday lunchtime at 1:25pm. Senior Chamber Ensemble(s) open by audition/invitation to Years 10-13 musicians who are Grade 7/8+. Please see music staff for further details. Trad Jazz Band(s) by invitation - please see music staff for further details. PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Mr J Webb Room 8 – Starting after October half term, Monday lunchtimes for students in all years. The purpose of the society is to give students a platform to freely debate and discuss ideas around life, death and fundamentally how we should live our lives. Students are very welcome to attend without contributing if they wish. POLITICS SOCIETY (Polsoc) Tutor i/c: Mr S Taylor Open to all students for discussion and debate on current politics and political events. Meets every Monday second break in Room 21. THE PRIDE GROUP Tutor i/c: Ms Wheeler Open to all in the LGBTQIA+ community, or those who are questioning issues of their own gender and sexuality. This well attended club meets weekly to provide support and advice for young people and safe social space. Casual, open and welcoming. Regular social events are planned this year including pizza evenings, bowling, cinema trips and theatre visits. We have begun to develop links with other school communities and plan to continue to grow and strengthen these links this year. The focus is on inclusion, diversity, tolerance and kindness. We meet every Friday lunch time in the Drama Studio.
PUBLIC SPEAKING SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Miss N McDonagh / Miss N Wafa This society will be open to all years, and will take place in Room 26 on Thursday lunchtimes. No preparation or certain skill level is required, and students will not be forced to speak if they don’t want to; they can still benefit from the guidance given and listening to others performing. Ultimately, the purpose of these sessions is not only to give students a better understanding of what makes a public speaker truly powerful, but also to give them a platform to practise this skill, and in doing so, improve over time. There are lots of opportunities to take part in debating competitions which can be excellent experiences and are good preparation for university and beyond. THE ELIOT CLUB – POETRY SOCIETY Tutor i/c: Miss N McDonagh For anyone interested in performing arts, literature, and open mic discussion, come along to Room 26 at 1:30 on Mondays. There will be opportunities to write, present and discuss everything from the written word to music and film. THE RGS GAZETTE (THE SCHOOL NEWSPAPER) Tutor i/c: Miss N Wafa The RGS Gazette is the school newspaper and is open to students in all year groups. Now in its fourth year, the Gazette is written, edited and designed by students and offers a great opportunity to communicate with the school community and get an insight into how a paper operates. We aim to publish an issue every term and are always on the look-out for talented and enthusiastic journalists. Please speak to Miss Wafa for more information. The Editorial team meet twice every half term in Room 10. ROWING Tutor i/c: Various The RGS Boat Club is open to boys from Year 8 upwards. Novice rowers begin by attending an introductory course over the Easter holiday in Year 8. Rowing training takes place on the Thames in Marlow after school Monday to Friday and across the day at weekends. Coaching is provided by a team of qualified and experienced coaches who deliver the programme, which is founded on British Rowing’s best practice in sculling technique. During the winter, land-based training takes place at school during the week with on-water sessions at weekends. Boys compete in races locally and at national level, where we have had considerable success over the last few years. The Club values highly the support of parents, particularly through Friends of RGS Rowing, which allows us to participate in these events and to offer rowing to boys of abilities ranging from novice to aspiring international athletes. For all enquiries, please contact Mrs C Henry cah@rgshw.com SCIENCE CLUB Tutor i/c: Miss A Brown Science club is open to students in Year 7 and Year 8. Students will carry out independent investigations over the course of approximately 12 weeks working towards the Bronze CREST award. Places are limited. Location - C1, time - Monday lunch. SPORTING ACTIVITIES Tutors i/c: Various There are a wide variety of sporting activities on offer during break, lunchtime and after school, some of which are seasonal. Please refer to the Co-Curricular Schedule, issued via school comms each half term, for the most up to date information. A link to the current schedule can be found on the Sports page of the school website. Pupils may sign up for these activities via their SOCS Cocurricular account. If you have a query, please contact Mrs C Henry (cah@rgshw.com) or Mrs L Patten (LAP@rgshw.com). STAGE LIGHTING AND SOUND TEAM Tutor i/c: Mrs N Jashari Open to a limited number of boys from Year 9 upwards. Activities occur whenever there is a need and boys must apply to join.
TABLE-TOP ROLE-PLAYING GAMES Tutor i/c: Mr H David Open to all boys. TTRPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons are interactive experiences that use improvisational storytelling. Players assume the roles of heroes, undergoing an adventure; the direction of the story is also randomised by using dice to show the outcome of certain choices or actions adding depth to the story as a whole. Beginners Welcome – with no pressure to take part. Currently there are 6/9 groups who meet in Room 22 Thursday & Friday lunchtimes and Y12 who meet after school every other Friday. WARHAMMER CLUB Tutor i/c Mr Alex McDonald-Smith Warhammer Club is an RGS society open to all year groups. Warhammer is a hobby that engages young people with fun games and collectable miniatures, encouraging them to develop skills and gain confidence through building and painting the models whilst developing friendships and social skills. Whether you wish to fight skirmishes in a world of fantasy battles or command armies in the grim darkness in the far future, the Warhammer hobby has something for everyone. Club members typically bring their models to a session, where they can either build and paint or battle their models against their friends. The Club welcomes both experienced hobbyists and novices and aims to develop the hobby skills of both. Every year we also run a painting competition and, when possible, visit the global headquarters of the Warhammer hobby, Warhammer World. We meet every Tuesday after school in B3.
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