Clubs and Societies

Over and above the various outdoor pursuits, sports, music and drama activities that are detailed elsewhere on this website, Shrewsbury also has a whole range of thriving clubs and societies, giving pupils the opportunity to further their interests or to discover completely new ones.  Additionally, most academic faculties run their own societies, and their meetings often welcome distinguished academics who are leaders in their field and are happy to come to Shrewsbury - The Geographical Association is one such example.

The Societies Fair is held at the beginning of each academic year in the Library, and gives new pupils the opportunity to find out for themselves all that is on offer.

Astronomical Society
Weekly meetings are used to introduce observing techniques and to learn how to use the School's wide range of optical telescopes.  We also have access to the 2m Faulkes telescope in Hawaii, which can be used via the Internet for deep sky observations.  In addition there are evening observing sessions and occasional trips.
Please see the Astronomy section under Physics that gives a lot more detail about the Society - including its outstanding achievementof winning the UK Space Experiment Competition in 2008, as a result of which its experiment design is now built and in orbit.

Bastille Society (History)
The Bastille Society is the School's History Society and is loosely connected to the Shropshire Historical Association (which holds its meetings at Shrewsbury School).  It meets at irregular intervals for lectures and talks both from outside speakers and from school staff.  There are also occasional trips.

Beading and Wirework
Beading and Wirework is offered as an activity for the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Beekeeping
The Beekeeping Society has flourished at Shrewsbury for over thirty years. Each year new members are invited to attend a series of talks to introduce them to the intricacies of honey bees - their natural history and how beekeepers manage colonies in order to get a crop of honey. There are two apiaries in the school grounds, with a total of ten hives.
After passing a proficiency test, members of the Society are allowed to take charge of a hive and produce honey from it, either for sale or more usually for home consumption.  The flavour of the honey is excellent, with the principal nectar source being the many lime trees on the school site and in the Quarry park nearby. Honey from three hives is sold in the School Shop to raise money for charities working to help subsistence farmers in Africa.

In 2011, one of our Fifth Form students was selected to represent Britain (one of a team of three) at the International Young Beekeepers competition near Vienna.

Please also see Selby Martin's article in the Summer 2011 edition of The Salopian: Beekeeping at Shrewsbury.

Building Society (Architecture)
The Building Society is the frivolous name for the School's Architectural Society.  At its fortnightly meetings, one of the members or an outside speaker gives a short paper on some aspect of architecture.  From time to time the Society also visits houses and other sites of architectural interest.

Business Club
The Shrewsbury School Business Club brings in prominent speakers from the world of business and the economy to talk to those studying Business Studies and Economics about topical issues.  These talks are also of interest to anyone thinking of business and management at university or for a career.

Chess Club
The Chess Club meets in the Moser Library in Societies' Hour, and is open to all year groups.

Christian Forum
Christian Forum provides an opportunity every week for interested pupils, whatever their beliefs, to examine some aspect of Christianity. We take a passage from the Bible as the starting point for our discussions, often by hearing a short talk from a visiting speaker.

Classical Society
The Classical Society exists to promote the enjoyment of Classics outside the classroom.  Its main activities are lectures by visiting speakers and trips to see productions of Classical drama done by professional groups such as the Actors of Dionysus.

Creative Writing
The Creative Writing Society meets every week and is open to any interested Salopian writers. Meetings usually involve a mixture of writing exercises, workshops closely focusing on particular aspects of writing and group feedback on pieces submitted my members.
From time to time the society arranges for established writers to visit the school, read their work and lead a writing masterclass.

da Vinci Society (Arts)
The da Vinci Society regularly hosts visiting speakers from all walks of the visual arts - architects, artists, photographers, art historians, museum curators, advertising executives, gallery owners - all successful practicioners in their fields and oftern representing the best in contemporary visual culture. All these talks are held in the Art School lecture room and two boys/girls from the UVI each year are appointed as Presidents of the Society, and their role is to introduce and thank our speakers and help entertain them over dinner afterwards. At each dinner a different group of Sixth Formers are invited to enjoy a convivial meal and an opportunity to discuss the arts further.
Recent speakers include Sir Hugh Roberts, Keeper of the Queens Pictures and Works of Art, Martin Parr - one of the most successful photographers alive, and Dr Paul Taylor (OS), Deputy Keeper of Photography at the Warburg Institute, London.

Darwin Society (Science)
The Darwin Society is the School's Scientific Society and puts on a  series of academic lectures throughout the year (roughly 4 per term in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms). It has two presidents who are Upper Sixth students, and is run by Steve Adams, Head of Science.  The lectures are mainly (but not always) pitched at Sixth Form.

Debating
House debating takes place at both Senior and Junior - in the Michaelmas and Lent terms respectively. Each House is invited to put forward up to two teams of three members each, and all teams participate in the first three rounds; those that accumulate the most points go through to the quarter finals.
School debating also takes place throughout the school, and teams are selected from the participants to represent the school in parliamentary debating competitions at regional and national level. 
The major parliamentary debating competitions include:
- The Oxford Union Debating Competition
- The Cambridge Union Debating Competition
- The Observer Mace
- The Bristol Union Debating Comptition
- The National Competition of Young Debaters
We have had a dedicated squad of sixth formers attending our Tuesday evening practice sessions, and have taken teams to a number of competitions.

French Society
All Sixth Formers studying French are automatically members of the French Society, whose aim is to develop students' interests in French culture outside the classroom while having a good time.  The students are encouraged to find interesting plays or films to go and see, to organise social events or to invite guest speakers.

Geographical Association - Shropshire Branch
All geographers at Shrewsbury are automatically student members of the Shropshire Branch of the Geographical Association.  All lectures take place at School, for members of the public as well as other schools in Shropshire and our neighbouring counties.  Please see our Geographical Association page.

Heseltine Society (Politics and Philosophy)
The Heseltine Society, where we discuss politics and occasionally philosophy, flourishes at Shrewsbury with regular Monday evening meetings where discuss contemporary issues. Recent past speakers have included The Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as well as our local MPs.
Recent past members of the Heseltine Society include James Kingston, President of the Oxford Union, and Michael Webb, whose recent articles on Afghanistan have been published in The Economist.

Historical Association - Shropshire Branch
Shrewsbury School hosts and runs the Shropshire Historical Association.  Please see our Historical Association page.

Judo
Judo sessions are taken on Thursdays by Judo coach and regional British Judo Association Chairman Roger Houston.

The Medical Society
Run by Torin Morgan (TSM), the Medical Society is for sixth formers interested in a career in medicine. Through the year, speakers are invited to come and talk to the students about life in this most demanding and fulfilling of professions. Often speakers are recent Old Salopians who are able to describe vividly their experiences of the highly selective application and interview process. They paint a picture of what it is to study medicine at University, and then to practise it both in UK hospitals and around the world during their "electives". No punches are pulled  - it is not an easy life - and some L6 students decide that, in fact, medicine is not for them... In the Michaelmas Term of the U6, a weekly seminar is run for those hardy few, maybe 8-10 pupils, who have committed to making an application. We consider the ideal UCAS personal statement; compare the different medical schools; prepare for the special entrance exams like UKCAT and BMAT; and discuss current affairs in the NHS so that there is plenty to say at interview.

A new initiative in the Lent Term of 2012 was a special meeting with OS medics, followed by dinner, for 25 of our Sixth Form pupils.

Millinery
Millinery is offered as an activity for the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Model United Nations
The Model United Nations is a role-playing game for those interested in international relations, diplomacy and debate. Shrewsbury teams usually take part in 5 conferences a year, including conferences in London, Edinburgh and Paris.
Delegates at MUN conferences represent different countries with varied interests and values, negotiating and debating international solutions to pressing international problems.
Pupils meet every week at sessions, chaired by their peers, to debate resolutions on issues as varied as internet censorship, human rights, euthanasia, combating terrorism, preventing nuclear proliferation and mitigating climate change.
The students who participate gain a lot from it, both socially and educationally, learning that co-operation is just as important, if not more important than, competition.

Newman Society (Philosophy and Religion)
The Newman Society meets once or twice a term when it can attract a speaker of sufficient calibre in the field of philosophy and religion.  Membership is restricted to members of the 6th Form.  The aim is to stimulate discussion in a spirit of openness and free inquiry. 

Newspaper - The Public Nose
The Public Nose is the School's newspaper, and has one clear aim - provide a voice for the students of Shrewsbury School. The paper is led by the L6th formers who work towards articles of interest to the pupils of Shrewsbury School, but anyone can write an article and submit by email (publicnose@shrewsbury.org.uk).
With a proud tradition of effective and entertaining journalism at Shrewsbury School, this publication offers the chance to develop journalistic ambitions and creative writing styles, whilst making sure that the students' voices are heard.

Oenology
This activity is for all those with an interest in wine, and can accommodate up to 12 members of the L6.  No previous knowledge is required; indeed it is ideal if one approaches the course with an open a mind as possible.  A willingness to contribute one's opinions is the only real must.  The course focuses on both the wine making process and the pleasure that can be derived from drinking.  Field Day trips included Wroxeter Roman vineyard, and the pairing of wine with local produce.  The wines of France make up a large part of the course, though wines from the new world, dessert wines, sparkling wines and unusual grapes/regions will also be included.

Ornithology
Every Thursday afternoon, a small group of students head out to spot and record birds in the country.  The aim each year is to see over 100 species in Shropshire and this involves visiting and walking in some of the finest scenery in the country.  We often visit a good local pub after our afternoons out to write up what we have seen and it is hoped to keep a record of the society's findings year on year.  Field Days take us out to North Wales, Gloucestershire and Norfolk.  Students are provided with equipment and field guides.

Quiz Society
The Quiz Society aims to encourage students of all years to improve their general knowledge and the speed at which they can recall it.  We have regular competitive quiz matches.  The highlight of the year is the Schools' Challenge in November, but there are also more light-hearted competitions throughout the year.

Recycling
Sudents in the Lower Sixth collect paper, cardboard, aluminium cans and other recyclables from all classrooms and deposit them in the School's central recycling area.  They also supplement the House recycling schemes. Field Day vists are arranged to  the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth; Pink Skips, a recycling business in Telford; and the Hockerton Housing Project near Nottingham to see an example of green living.

Salopian Ventures
Salopian Ventures is an organisation run by a small group of lower sixth pupils, which markets Shrewsbury School merchandise.  Its aims are to provide unique school-related products for the benefit of the whole community; to raise money for worthy charities; and to provide valuable experience for the students of running a real business.  Items range from pens, mugs and tankards all the way to framed prints and cases of wine, all of which are uniquely created for us.  Salopian Ventures have raised well over £100,000 for charity in its 25 years of existence.  Please see the Salopian Ventures page for more information.

Sidney Society
The Sidney Society is named in commemoration of the School's most famous literary figure Sir Philip Sidney (1554-86).  Throughout the academic year, the Sidney Society arranges: formal lectures and competitions two or three times a term; directed talks (internal or external speakers) aimed at particular groups of either GCSE or A Level students, particularly for revision during the Summer Term; 3rd Form conversaziones once or twice a term; 6th Form soirees - poetry readings, talks, papers by students, films - anything that's not on an exam syllabus (again once or twice a term); theatre trips, reading trips etc.

Spanish Society
The Spanish society aims to help students prepare for both A2 coursework and for foreign travel by increasing students' exposure to Hispanic culture.  Plese see our Spanish Society page for more information.
Tiddlywinks

Wargaming
An informal club that uses all forms of wargaming but especially Warhammer.  There are opportunities for model-building and strategy games and also trips to the Games Workshop and the National Games Day at the NEC

Young Engineers (Greenpower Racing)
A small group of Third and Fourth form boys in The Young Engineers Group will be found in the workshops on Wednesday afternoons, arranging their time around their sporting commitments to build a racing car.

The car has to be built to Formula 24 Regulations to take part in the National Greenpower Electric Car Racing competition, competing against over 160 teams of 11 to 16 year olds from across the country. 

The team travel across the country to Silverstone, Darley Moor, Castle Combe and Aintree, competing in track days and four hour endurance races.

The 2011 regulations for the Greenpower Electric Car Racing require six new type of batteries (instead of the two 12-volt batteries that have previously  been used), which has made quite a dent in our budget.  However, we are extremely grateful to QUEST 88 Ltd, a Shifnal company that supplies mobility solutions for disabled children and adults, for generously providing the team with a wide range of parts so that the boys can update and improve our car ready for next season's races.