'I took part in the Making Links Challenge 2022 where I had to make a presentation about the topic of “change in the global business environment”. The feedback I received inferred that I had formulated a well-organised and critically thought-out presentation about the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in today's rapidly changing society. Following my success in reaching the finals, I was privileged to have the opportunity to connect and network with top city lawyers at one of the best law firms in the UK. Best of all, I was given a £1000 reward for reaching the finals which will go towards helping disadvantaged students at NSB gain insightful work experience placements and support for their academic studies'.

Mr Druker, supported by Mr Jackson, took our NSB Big Band to the National Concert Band Finals in Manchester during the holiday period - Mr Druker outlines the story of what was an incredibly successful day for our talented musicians in his report below:

'Our playing time in Manchester was at 10.50am and amazingly at 6.45am in the morning we had the whole band in C5 "raring" to go... ish!

The event is a critically judged performance with only a handful of ensembles being put through from Regional Events last term - we achieved a Platinum Award in December at Nottingham High School, thereby gaining an automatic place in the Finals.

The band were impeccable in all aspects and achieved another Platinum Award today (highest possible award) - this is their 5^th Platinum Award in a row since 2018. The band since that time has obviously changed considerably - only Christopher Trotter remains from the Regional Event in 2019 prior to Covid. 

We were also awarded two soloist awards (Alexander Astill and Oliver Waddington).

Some of the band also played with NMPAT ensembles, as well as performing with NSB and several NSB students came away with an incredible three Platinum Awards which highlights how highly both NMPAT and NSB are held in the national field.'

Eight of our Year 12 drama students represented the school at the Royal & Derngate Theatre over the holiday period, performing the play ‘Like There's No tomorrow’ as part of the National Youth Theatre Connections programme. After the performance, the day ended for the students with a challenging drama workshop as well as an inspirational opportunity to meet with the original cast and writers. Mrs Hasan sent a glowing report on the day:

'The students were outstanding and represented NSB with professionalism and brilliance - I couldn’t be prouder - they were a real credit to us'.

The students involved were:

• Alicia Kiloh-Munns
• Darcie Tanner
• Zoe Holloway
• Yasmin Potter
• Meryem Ercan
• Chloe Bird
• Charlotte Clipston
• Karolina Velisca

Many congratulations to current and recent former NSB students who earned England caps during the Easter Break. Lewis Glennon, Harry Leeke and Shea Gilder represented England in an International European Water Polo competition and Isaac Round, Ashley Kitchen and Ethan Round represented England in U18 and U15 Basketball respectively with Isaac captaining the U18 team. On the theme of Basketball, the very best of luck to the NSB U17 team in their National Cup Semi-Final this afternoon against Myerscough College, Preston.

An incredible number of boys from the NSB U15 rugby team - six - have been selected for the Northampton Saints U15's PDG (Player Development Group) which is the elite squad for this age group in the regional catchment area for the Saints. The boys have all been training with the Northampton Saints coaches over the Easter break and will continue to do so over the forthcoming months. This reflects very well on the students, the rugby infrastructure of the school as well as on the outstanding U15 coaching of Mr Barker and his team.

From left to right:
Findlay Choat, Reagan Brown, Thomas Ritchings,
Josh McAndrew, Josh Sothcott, William Hunter

Finally, we are really pleased with the positive response to our appeal for nearly new uniform and immensely grateful for the many kind donations provided by parents/carers at the start of this term. If any other parents/carers would like to donate uniform, this can be brought by students to the school’s ‘Student Services’ in a bag prior to the start of the school day. We will initially be offering an opportunity to purchase nearly new uniform to the parents of Year 6 students who will be joining us in September and then we will open this out more widely to current parents in Term 6, ahead of the next academic year

Richard Bernard
Headmaster

Follow NSB on Twitter: @NSBSchool