pupils are offered the chance to take part in sporting activities during their games lessons. This has previously included undertaking conservation work at Moseley Bog. Every year, each house competes to win the Hawkesford Trophy and Tuck Trophy based on each house's performance in a variety of sports, starting in October with the cross country race involving a 1-mile lap around Aston Park located next door to the school, and academic events, such as House Drama, House Economics, and House Scrabble. Throughout the three terms, there are sporting events such as football, badminton, basketball, volleyball, cricket, rugby, rugby sevens, tennis, and hockey, and it all culminates to the end-of-year sports day at nearby Alexander Stadium for Years 7-10. Sporting visits In July 2006, 35 rugby players and five staff completed a rugby tour of Australia. Previous tour destinations have included Northern Ireland and South Africa. In the summer of 2009 a tour of South Africa was completed. Additionally, each year, a group of students, usually those studying for GCSE PE, spends one week a year at Ogwen Cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales. Here, they take part in outward bounds activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, orienteering and hill walking. Music and drama Music and Drama are both very active departments within the school. Music The Music department offers tuition in almost any instrument. All boys who play an instrument are able to join one of the many ensembles in the school, ranging from the Training Band to the Big Band, which has recorded three CDs. While the school has its own String Orchestra hosted by the infamous Davidson and Concert Band, it also has a joint Orchestra with King Edward VI Handsworth. Every ensemble performs in at least one concert a year. Several of them, particularly the school Big Band, perform in many more. The department draws senior musicians from all ensembles to form pit bands for the school productions. Each year the department is host to the annual House Music Festival in which all boys in years seven to ten have the opportunity to show off their musical talents and represent their house. The competitors are divided into several categories, by year group and instrument. Each competitor can perform in as many solo categories as they are able, and in one ensemble. The performances are judged by a visiting adjudicator. Each year the department goes on tour and in