Sailing trip to Barnt Green Reservoir.

by IMRAN MAJID (1987)

We turned into a narrow track from the main road. Five speed bumps later and the van screeched to a halt (sorry, the new van doesn't screech) in the Sailing Club car park. 'Cor!' said David. 'Look how high the water is now!' Indeed, the recent rains had swelled the reservoir quite a lot.
Following a mad scramble we all reappeared from the changing room more suitably clad, took sails and life-jackets and went to rig the boats (that means getting them ready to sail.)
Meanwhile Sir went to start the rescue-boat's inboard motor, only to find that it had been removed from the boat. After a few moments of intense concern, and some hilarity, he found a small outboard motor which served the purpose for the afternoon.
With a brisk onshore wind, starting out was easy and the sailing exciting. Nick seemed to prefer the other shore, but whether that was because he couldn't get back or because he found more wind there I do not know. At any rate he managed to fill his boat up with very cold water when he nearly capsized trying to come in.
After a little sail round, and posing for the camera, we had a race. Nick still had his boat full of water which he thought should be emptied out before starting the race, so he was late to the start line and it seemed that Richard and Neil in the other boat would come home first easily. However, they stopped after the first lap, something to do with a split pin, to collect a boat full of cold water. So Nick overtook and eventually won. The fact that he went round the wrong buoy in the early stages of the race simply added to the fun we had later arguing about everything.
And so it was that the afternoon finished with the boats being brought ashore and 'put to bed.' We changed and drove back to school in the rain (don't forget the bumps.) A few hours later I began to get the feeling back in my feet again when they warmed up. But it was a great sail!

My first year at King's Norton

by DARREN FROST (1987)

I like this school. It has a good name. It has one of the best Science Departments in Birmingham.
The school is old, but teaching standards are very high and in most lessons the equipment is very good. I enjoy playing badminton and table-tennis after school. The teachers are always very helpful and work hard for us.
I asked many people in my form what they thought and they all said they enjoyed coming here and felt they were learning a lot.

Taken from "The Eagle" 1987 Special Anniversary Edition.