Easter training has rowers on the edge of their seats
April 2010
20 members of years 11, 12 and 13 rowed through the rain at their Easter training camp as they refined their technique before one of the most important goals of their season, the National Schools' Regatta in May.
"We concentrated on seat racing, with the rowers switching from boat to boat to work out what our best line-ups would be," says geography teacher Rachel Harris, who accompanied the team to Dorney Lake alongside their two rowing coaches – sisters Natasha and Abigail Carpenter, who both went to St Paul's. "During the first two days, they each rowed eight 1-kilometre pieces. We were cycling to the lake every day with 20 girls on bikes like something out of The Sound of Music," adds Rachel.
Now Rachel and the current team hope this year's spirit will go on to inspire another generation of rowers at St Paul's. "The team has created a racing video to summarise the year so far," Rachel says. "On Wednesday, they showed it to a year 10 assembly in the hope that plenty of that year group will sign up to join next year's team."
Eight days at Easter with the National Youth Choir
April 2010
Meg Griffiths's first encounter with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain came last autumn when she successfully auditioned for the fun, challenging ensemble. During the Easter holidays, she joined her fellow singers - boys and girls aged between 14 and 18 - for eight days of rehearsals that culminated in a concert.
"The whole experience was incredible," Meg says. "The staff were more like peers and made it extremely easy for me to settle in, even though I'd never done a rehearsal course before and many other people were on their third or fourth. The days were full of hard-core rehearsals but two social activities each day loosened us up."
The intensive week allowed the group to put together 12 pieces for the final concert. "We had a full range of sopranos, altos, tenors and bass and the sounds we produced in full rehearsals were mind-blowing," Meg says. "The final concert with our a cappella memorised pieces was unforgettable. I learned so much from the friends I made and the conductors – I will definitely go on the next course in the summer."
Being here 