Enrichment Art

Students in Year 7 enrichment have been creating Gustav Klimt inspired zentangle patterns.

Mrs Williams

 

Gloucestershire Libraries - David Vaisey Prize – Freya Simpson-Hooper

Gloucestershire Libraries heard this year that the David Vaisey Prize committee had decided to present three awards for young people who support their local libraries and Freya has won one of these.

Freya has volunteered at Tewkesbury Library in a number of different ways over the last few years.

Here is how she has been contributing to Tewkesbury Library and also a selection of the judges’ comments.Some years ago, Freya asked if the Library would start to run a writing group for children. She attended as a child and gradually started to support the younger members of the group and enthused them with her passion for writing. One project which came to fruition in the Autumn of 2019 was a collaboratively written story about a toy rabbit who lives at Tewkesbury Library and comes alive at night. Freya was excellent at encouraging contributions from the younger ones and supporting them as we edited the final text. The story was illustrated by a local artist, printed into a book and sold from Tewkesbury Library.  Over the last year there have been occasions when I have not been available to take the fortnightly session which generally has around 8 participants aged between 7 and 14. On at least four occasions, Freya has been provided with materials and run the group herself. Realising that she was a natural leader/teacher I invited Freya to run a workshop for Shakespeare week in 2020. With a school friend, she built Caliban’s cave (big enough for small children to get inside) and prepared workshops for 4-8 year olds on the story of The Tempest. She also provided all her own publicity for me to promote the sessions. Unfortunately, we closed for Lockdown two days before she was able to deliver the workshops, but knowing Freya they would have been excellent."

Judges comments:

‘Writers and libraries, if you can’t have a room of your own, a library is the place to go and find others who share your passion. Freya’s imagination and drive has created something memorable with Caliban’s Cave as well as introducing the magic of Shakespeare to a young audience.  She also gave valuable lessons in marketing and publicity!’’

‘I was impressed by Freya’s enthusiasm and by the evidence that the activities at Tewkesbury Library have clearly enriched the lives of her writing group members; it is a shame that The Tempest project was affected by the lockdown.  Despite that, seeing the story project through to publication demonstrates her hard-working attitude, her ability to take on new skills to bring projects to fruition, and her recognition of the power of story.’

‘Such a lovely story enshrined in this excellent entry: the fact that Freya – a long time library user herself – has used her passion for writing to enthuse younger children, devising workshops and even producing a published book. Very impressive! And we absolutely loved the sound of Caliban’s cave: Freya’s ambition in seeking to introduce 4-8 year olds to The Tempest is extraordinary!’

As well as prize money of £100, the three winners feature on the David Vaisey Prize website (https://davidvaiseyprize.co.uk/) and will be introducing items at the Cheltenham Literature Festival remotely.

Anne Careless, Team Leader, Tewkesbury & Churchdown Libraries

 

European Day of Languages – Bake off

Saturday 26 September was the European Day of Languages, celebrating language diversity and promoting love of language learning.

To mark the occasion students at DRHS were invited to get involved with a variety of challenges: they could crack the code in an online Escape Room, solve quiz questions on language and culture, design a poster about a country of their choice, or bake and decorate a cake with a European theme.

The enthusiasm and response to all the challenges were amazing - how lucky those people who got to eat those stunning creation.

Please see the rest of the cake photos, here.

Mrs Loveridge

 

GCSE Pod – Motivational webinar from Cameron Parker - 6.00 pm on Tuesday 6 October

The team at GCSE Pod are thrilled to be collaborating with Cameron Parker, a renowned motivational speaker for schools and colleges. Through this collaboration we are recommending his free webinar to your students to inspire them to succeed. Including practical tips on how to use GCSEPod that Cameron will be incorporating into his session.

On 6 October 2020 for 60 minutes your students will be transported in to a fast paced and high energy webinar which will coach them on:

1.      How to prepare for the new school year, so that you can get the grades you deserve.

2.      How to get motivated, when you really can't be bothered.

3.      How to bounce back from lockdown with confidence.

4.      How to use anxiety and stress to your advantage.

5.      How to use school, so that you CAN have the future you want.

Students can remain anonymous and parents can watch with them as Cameron makes goal setting, study strategies and building confidence seem easily attainable.

"Cam was great at tailoring his work with the group to suit their needs and was so relatable to the pupils and it was clear they were captivated." Joe Sayce - Progress Leader for Key Stage Four - Acle Academy

Students can register for the webinar via https://www.gcsepod.com/free-resources/cameron-parker-webinar/ 

 

News from the LRC

Click and Collect

This week the LRC has launched the new “click and collect” loan service for students and staff to ensure that the reading momentum, built up during lockdown, continues.  I’ve been really pleased that students have already been using the catalogue, consulting the book lists and asking in person about resources and sending in their reservation forms.  

Donation

Jane Churchill, former parent, literary agent and a long-time supporter of the LRC, has kindly donated 3 boxes of contemporary fiction to us - I can see lots of gems in there, including several I've had on my wish list for a while!  There is also a box of French contemporary fiction, which will enrich the MFL shelves - French teenagers don't spend all their time reading Montaigne!

Cheltenham Literature Festival

The Cheltenham Literature Festival is moving online this year – take a look here to plan what you are going to watch:  https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/.  The Festival takes place from 2 October until 11 October and all events are livestreamed free of charge.  This is an amazing opportunity to find out about new authors and publications, without spending a fortune doing so!

If your son or daughter has any questions about authors, books, genres or how to find information, they can always email me or call in to the LRC and I will help them find what they need. 

Ms Carol Cordall, School Librarian

Follow the LRC on Twitter   @DRHS_LRC and Instagram   drhs_lrc

E-mail: library@denmarkroad.org

 

Lost Property

We have already had a lot of lost property in school.  Some has been returned to its owner as it was labelled, but a lot is unnamed.  Please make sure that all uniform, PE kit and school coats are named so that if they are lost they can be returned.  The lost property is in the hall and is easily accessible to students to look through.  If items are not claimed by the end of the school term they will be placed in second-hand uniform or sent to a charity shop.

 

Forward Look – dates for your diaries:

Monday 5 October                         

Meet the Tutor – 7BA

 

Wednesday 7 October                   

Meet the Tutor – 7BE

 

Friday 9 October                             

Year 7 & Year 12 Photographs

 

Wednesday 14 October                 

Meet the Tutor – 7M

Year 11 Excellence Evening – 4.30-7.30 pm

 

Tuesday 20 October                       

Year 12/13 Excellence Evening – 4.30-7.30 pm

 

Thursday 22 October                      

INVEST Day 1                       

End of Term 1

 

Friday 23 October                           

INSET Day – School closed

 

Monday 2 November                     

Start of Term 2

 

 

Finally, Follow me @DenmarkRoad365

Please follow me on Instagram at drhshead and Twitter @denmarkroad365.  You will see a snapshot into DenmarkRoad365 and the life of a Headteacher at one of the most amazing schools in the country.