I must give a special mention to the House Captains who organised such a musical treat for us with House music. I love this event. It showcases leadership as it is entirely down to the Sixth Form House Officials to organise. The event delights us with music and drama interludes from across the school and year groups. This year, as in all years, we were amazed by existing talent and discovered others for the first time.

It has also been a busy start to the year in STEM related activities.

Year 12 students are involved in an engineering project and the sixth form have been busy running the KS3 Biology club. We have had a very successful start to the regional rounds of Cyber First School’s Award where our team ‘The Mini Marshmallows’ have been notified last week that they were the top scoring team in the South West Girls’ Competition 2022. They have been invited to the National finals which are due to be held in January. Well done team!

We have had an extremely popular Chess club running all year who have continued to meet weekly for practice sessions and have taken part in competitions online. We are pleased to recognise the following students as Highly Commended for dedication and commitment to Chess Club:

Zoha Ashraf

Bethany Mawby

Naila Hidouci

Khushi Pachipulusu

Anshutha Raj

Shreya Gupta

Isabel Johnson

 

Full STEM colours are awarded to Jaime Ashworth for successfully running and overseeing Chess Club. Thank you for your dedication and leadership.

Student participation in the life of the school not only enriches them, but is marked with the accumulation of House Points.

The totals to date are as follows:

1st	Barwell	1627
2nd	Bearland	1597
3rd	Hartland	1562
4th	Kyneburga	1542
5th	Mynd	1475

Enrichment is a beautiful word. It encapsulates a beautiful thing. Enrichment enables us to engage in things we might not usually do, or to deepen a passion. It encourages us to challenge ourselves, to be creative, to immerse ourselves in another world, to satisfy our being, our souls.

With many events yet to come the leaderboard may change remarkably over the coming terms.  All to play for!

 

Enrichment is about going beyond.

Exploring.

It embodies freedom, personality, individuality.

This academic year is the year of enrichment. Of continuing to enhance our offer to introduce our young people to the best that has been thought and said. Ambitious as ever, perhaps even to create what others will contemplate with awe and aspire to and wonder.

My message to students, well actually to all of us: If you’ve been meaning go to a new club or take up a new challenge – do it. If you enjoy a club or activity but your friends don’t – do it anyway. If you’ve tried but haven’t been selected for the team yet – stick with it. If there isn’t yet a club or group you want – create it.

We are looking forward to more enriching times in 2022. In the meantime, make the most of your well-earned holiday. Look after yourselves, make time for people you enjoy spending time with and things that make you happy.

Happy holidays one and all.

Claire Giblin

 

 

Student News

Jasmine Went 8M

 

Jasmine Went in 8M has achieved a distinction for both her ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and Grade 8 Clarinet exams.

She also recently auditioned to perform in the West End where she was successful. She will be performing in ‘ West End does Christmas 2021’ hosted by Maureen Lipman with performances
by all the lead stars of the West End shows.

 

 

Christmas Wreath

As it is coming up to Christmas Lily Wainwright 7M and her family made a wreath themselves made out of ferns, leaves, cooked orange and other pieces of nature.

 

 

 

Design and Technology

In preparation for Christmas celebrations around the world, Year 7 and Year 8 students are participating in a 'Gingerbread Challenge' in their single one hour lessons.  In groups of up to three they are mixing ingredients, cutting, baking and icing their creations.

 

Art

 

Self-Portraits

Year 7 have been busy this term creating their self-portrait final pieces inspired by the artist Amedeo Modigliani.

 

Birds

Year 9 have worked hard this term to complete their mixed media final pieces, developing their creativity, independence and understanding of a variety of techniques and materials.

 

 

Christmas Card Competition

Below are some fantastic entries in our Christmas Card Competition. 

Digital Elves - Julia Koczorowska 

Christmas wreath - Catherine Bailey 

Christmas mug - Rajneet Gill

Denmark Road tree - Jasmine Ravishankar

Christmas tree and Santa sleigh - Josie Yee

 

It was a difficult choice, but we are pleased to announce that this year's winning entry goes to:

Josie Yee (Christmas Tree and Santa Sleigh)

 

Music

Some of our Year 7 Music classes have been learning a festive song during December, and although they did not get to officially perform the song they all had lots of fun singing 'Winter Wonderland /Here Comes Santa Claus' during the lesson

 

The orchestra have been working hard this term preparing for the charity concert next term on the 8th February.  For our final rehearsal of the year we performed 'A Christmas Festival' by Anderson.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful musicians who have attended orchestra rehearsals this year.  It is a real privilege to have live music back in the Music department again after such a long time.

 

Geography

Year 7 have been doing a map skills unit in geography, and as part of their work on relief, 7H had a homework task to create their own 3D model, using the layer colouring technique they had studied in the lesson. Here is an excellent example by Rosie Jones, who produced a model of Cadair Idris, along with a photo of when she went there herself. Well done Rosie, and all of 7H, on some excellent work.

 

Textiles

Students in year 7 have been studying the work of Sophie Standing, an internationally renowned textiles artist. They will be making kimonos to include imagery of animals studied, inspired by Standing next term.

 

 

Students are currently working on completing kimonos as part of their coursework. Fantastic outcomes from their practical days.

 

We also have a couple of pieces from GCSE students, an artist study and practical developments. 

 

English

As part of our English curriculum, Year 7 students are studying "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. 

There is a great description of a high street just before Christmas, where various shopkeepers display their wares. The following is all one sentence:

"There were pears and apples clustered high in blooming pyramids; there were bunches of grapes, made, in the shopkeepers’ benevolence, to dangle from conspicuous hooks that people’s mouths might water gratis as they passed; there were piles of filberts, mossy and brown, recalling, in their fragrance, ancient walks among the woods, and pleasant shufflings ankle deep through withered leaves; there were Norfolk Biffins, squab and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the oranges and lemons, and, in the great compactness of their juicy persons, urgently entreating and beseeching to be carried home in paper bags and eaten after dinner. "

 

Dickens loved a particular apple called a "Norfolk Biffin", a type of cooking apple that is now quite rare. 7BA tried out this apple to see if they agree with Dickens about how tasty this apple is:

"They tasted like stewed apples"

"They were delicious."

"They are amazing."

"They were sweet and juicy."

All agreed that the apples were entreating and beseeching to be eaten.

 

 

Year 7 Craft Club with Art Leaders 

Students have loved creating a variety of crafts at our weekly lunchtime club organised by our amazing Year 13 Art leaders, Esha, Holly and Fliss.

 

 

Lunchtime Workshop

Jewellery making is still going on - we have had 83 students attend. Many have attended multiple workshops. Due to exceptional demand this will be continuing next term.

 

 

Carol Concert Link

 

On Wednesday 15th December we held our Christmas Carol concert at St Catharine's Church. It was an evening full of festive cheer with beautiful performances by our talented Students and Staff. We have been lucky enough to obtain a copy of the recording and are delighted to share this with you below.