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ENRICHMENTSenior School enrichment ActiVitieShowell’S School, llAndAff, has a reputation for excellence. Alongside the outstanding academic programme, the Senior School girls are given the opportunity to take part in a wide range of enrichment activities. the clubs on offer are held during the lunch break and after school, and most of them are run by our enthusiastic staff. there are also competitions and events in which the girls can become involved. extra-curricular activities introduce girls to new opportunities, thereby broadening their horizons, and encourage the development of a range of skills and qualities, e.g. creative thinking, events management, entrepreneurial and business skills, team-work and self-confidence. this leaflet outlines the extensive range of enrichment and well-being activities on offer.

Dr Sara Southern, Head of Senior School

The Howell’s Awardthe howell’s Award is an opportunity for girls in Year 7 and 8 to be rewarded for active participation in school life. it takes account of their contributions to the Senior School house system, service, extra-curricular activities and learning about themselves through PShe sessions and residential experiences. in all year groups, it is awarded at three levels: achievement (during the year), achievement with merit and achievement with distinction. As part of the Award, each year group participates in a residential experience to encourage team-building and house involvement. As a result of popular demand, we hope to expand the scheme to allow Year 9 girls to participate in the Award.

in addition to the annual award, special achievement and effort are recognised weekly through the howell’s Award ‘Star of the week’ scheme. A girl who is featured as ‘Star of the week’ on the howell’s Award notice board is rewarded with two points for her house. in this way, the scheme is linked to the school’s overall house system through both the criteria for the Award itself, awarded in a ceremony at the end of the Spring term, and rewards for effort and achievement throughout the school year. Booklets are collected periodically to allow the monitoring and communication to staff of girls’ achievements and special mention is given to those who participate fully in order to encourage girls throughout the year.

the howell’s Award was devised to improve the girls’ well-being by rewarding effort and achievement outside the academic. it is a successful scheme which encourages them to engage positively with each other and staff and emphasises the value placed by howell’s on girls’ attitudes, personalities and contributions to school life.

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SportSCompetitions and Rallies

gDSt rallies, tournaments cardiff and Vale and competitions Schools’ tournaments

● Swimming Gala ● Hockey: Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Under 15 and Under 16 and Senior● Senior and Under 15 Hockey ● Netball: Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and Senior● Senior and Under 15 Netball ● Cross Country League & Championships (All age groups)● Senior and Under 15 Lacrosse ● Athletics Championships and Knock-Out Cup team events (All age groups)● Athletics Competition ● Tennis: Aegon League Competitions Under 13, Under 15● Tennis Tournament ● National Schools Team Tennis Competition● GDST Day of Dance ● Gymnastics Championships

Other competitions

● Independent Schools’ Rounders League (All age groups)● Lacrosse GDST rallies, West Schools Rally, Welsh Junior and Senior Rally. Training and matches with Cardiff Lacrosse

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SPortSHowell’s promotes fitness for lifehowell’s School offers a wide range of sports activities and clubs at lunchtime and after school. health and fitness are taken very seriously and all girls, whether keen members of school teams or not, have numerous opportunities to keep fit through taking part in a variety of physical activities. the school recognises that participation in sports also helps to enhance performance in academic subjects.

“The best thing about Howell’s is sport because the PE teachers really encourage us in PE lessons and to join a lunchtime or After School club. Howell’s also encourages us to play in matches, and this boosts our confidence.” Gopikaa, Year 8

Extra-curricular Sports Activities

Autumn /Spring Term (typical timetable)

Years 7-9 Years 7 & 8 Years 10-11

● Hockey (1½ hours) ● Badminton (30 minutes) ● Netball (1½ hours)● Netball (1½ hours) ● Hockey (1 hour)● Lacrosse (1 hour) ● Lacrosse (1 hour)● Fitness/Running (30 minutes) ● Swimming (1 Hour)● Swimming (1hour) ● Fitness Suite (lunchtime and

after school)

Summer Term (typical timetable)

Years 7-10

● Tennis for Beginners (30 minutes) ● Tennis League Under 13 and Under 15 (1 hour)● Rounders (1hour 30 minutes) ● Athletics (1 hour)

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SportSRoundersrounders practices are held during the lunchtime and after school for all year groups. matches are played throughout the Summer term against local schools and other independent Schools as part of the independent Schools’ rounders league competition. Under 14 and Under 16 players may have the opportunity to attend welsh team trials.

SwimmingSwimming club is held every week after school throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. Girls have the opportunity to improve technique and stamina and to complete the ASA badge scheme. A swimming gala is held each term. Girls have the chance of selection for the cardiff and Vale Schools’ team.

Cross Countrythe school competes in the cardiff and Vale Schools’ cross country league races and in the Schools’ championship races. Girls are selected for the reebok cross country challenge events and for welsh Schools’ championship races. A ‘running for fitness’ club is held every friday during the lunchtime break.

CricketKwik cricket club is held during the Summer term. the school enters the lady taverners’ Under 13 and Under 15 indoor cricket competition.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award SchemeAll girls in Year 10 are invited to participate in the Bronze Award part of the scheme. the two-day practice and qualifying expeditions are held during the Summer term. All participants must undertake a physical activity, a volunteering activity and a skills activity to gain the Award.

Year 11 girls who have completed the Bronze Award may advance to the Silver Award. the three day expedition is completed during the easter holidays.

Year 11 well-being fitness programmeAll Year 11 girls take part in a well-being Pe Programme, with each group participating in two activities during the afternoon. one of these activities is ZUmBA, which is taught by mrs Justine Austin, a qualified and dynamic Zumba teacher. the other activities are Swimming for relaxation, fitness training in the fitness Suite and Sports hall and ‘how to deal with stress’.

“This is a chance to enjoy being active as well as to relax. I have really enjoyed doing Zumba but had almost forgotten how enjoyable it is to go for a swim at the end of the day!”Katie, Year 11

OpportunitiesGirls have the opportunity to play in teams at different levels: house, school, cardiff and Vale Schools’, and even represent wales. in the past they have represented wales in hockey, cricket, netball, lacrosse, athletics, rounders, cross country, swimming, trampoline, sailing, ice-skating, horse riding and rock-climbing.

Fair Play

Players on the various squads are rotated to give as many girls as possible the opportunity to play.

Hockey ClubGirls have the opportunity to represent school in all years. matches are played against local schools in friendly fixtures and a team from each year group competes in the cardiff and Vale Schools’ tournaments throughout the Autumn and Spring terms.

Players from Years 7 and 8 play in the Under 13 South wales Sunday league tournaments held every month during the Autumn and Spring terms.

Netballteam practices are held for all year groups. matches are played throughout the season against local schools and other independent schools. A and B teams are selected in Years 7-10 to give as many players as possible the opportunity to play competitive sport. cardiff and Vale Schools’ tournaments are played at all age groups.

Lacrosse Clublacrosse club training is held every thursday after school for all players in Years 7-11. matches are played against schools in monmouth, Gloucestershire and wiltshire. teams in Years 7-10 play in the Junior welsh rally and in the Junior and Senior west Schools’ rally.

The school has a direct link with Cardiff Lacrosse Club, giving players the opportunity to develop their competitive skills and match-playing experience by playing and training on Sundays.

Tennistennis practices are held for beginners and improvers during the Summer term. teams compete in the Aegon Schools’ league competitions against local schools and in the national Schools’ team competition.

AthleticsAthletics practices are held during the Summer term for all girls who wish to develop their running, throwing and jumping skills and to take part in cardiff and Vale Schools’ competitions held at leckwith Stadium or Jenner Park, Barry. friendly events are also held against local schools for Years 7, 8 and 9. other athletic competitions include the indoor Sports hall event and the GdSt Athletics rally.

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ClubsclUBS“The best thing about Howell’s is the number of clubs available. From Debating Club to Netball Club, from Lacrosse Club to Reading and Reviewing, there are lots of opportunities. The amount of effort the teachers put into the clubs is amazing!” Isobel, Year 8

Art ClubsPhotography Club Photography club gives the girls a chance to explore their environment and learn how to take successful photographs. we look at composition, viewpoints and lighting. the girls them learn how to manipulate their images using Photoshop on Apple mac computers. An exhibition of their photographs makes an exciting end-of-year climax for the girls.

Art Clubthe Art club provides the opportunity for girls to explore a wider range of media and techniques in a small group situation. An example of the kind of project undertaken is for the girls to design and make a shaped cushion based on their initial letters, using batik and a sewing machine.

Charitiesthe girls are involved in many charity events which improve their team-working and communication skills. the charities we help vary every year. recently, we have raised funds for the noah’s Ark Appeal, the George thomas hospice, cancer research wales, tenovus, The Size of Wales, an indian orphanage, a school in lesotho and a Bolivian Street charity. the girls have achieved this through various activities, such as cake and sweet sales, washing cars, and sponsored walks. Children in Need is an annual favourite fund-raising occasion, where the girls from each form use their initiative and creativity, as well as developing their entrepreneurial skills.

in Year 11, girls are invited to join the college rotary interact Group, which organises a range of social and sporting events to raise money for charities both at home and abroad. rotary also runs several competitions for young people, some of which are open to members of the Senior School.

Chess Club (additional fee)

open to all standards, including beginners, each session is a mixture of teaching (with the aid of a large demonstration board) and playing. the girls play each other and then move on to take part in the UK chess challenge, with the top scorers progressing to the wales mega final. Although the emphasis is on the fun of the game, there are recognised educational benefits of playing and studying chess in terms of thinking skills and resilience.

EisteddfodAll girls participate in the renowned school eisteddfod, which is a highlight of the year for many of them. the activities include themed subject-related homework competitions and staged competitions including recitations, singing, instrumental performances, reading, drama sketches and dance. the house captains enthusiastically direct the house choir competition and there is a high level of friendly rivalry between the houses. Girls submit their poetry compositions and the winner is proclaimed at the prestigious Chairing of the Bard ceremony.

Entrepreneurial ActivitiesGirls in Years 7-10 are given opportunities to enter into business and entrepreneurial competitions. recently, the Year 10 girls took part in the coca-cola real Business challenge. the rBc is linked to the curriculum: it challenges girls to tackle a business task set by coca-cola enterprises. this is work-related learning at its most engaging and an opportunity for a whole year group to develop enterprise skills that will give them a competitive edge in today’s job market. the challenge gives girls a chance to pitch their business wits against other schools. the best student teams are invited to regional finals to work on a live challenge alongside coca-cola business experts. Years 7-9 are mentored by the Year 12 entrepreneurial team, who use £15 of the money they raise to challenge each form to make more money.

Year 11 enjoy an entrepreneurial Programme. the aim of the programme is to give girls the freedom to run a fund-raising activity using their initiative. the girls benefit from inspiring speakers and mentors. recent teams have arranged a number of events including nail painting, discos, waffle making and selling items at lunchtime. they have developed their team-work skills and worked within tight time constraints. each student has to take responsibility for organising a float, purchasing merchandise, making posters, calculating prices etc. in order to make a profit.

Geography ClubGeography club encourages the girls to explore geographical issues and ideas further. this includes preparing news items for the BBc School report, assemblies on environmental issues and playing geographical games to develop their knowledge of the world.

History Clubhistory club meets weekly and carries out a range of lively activities, such as quizzes, historical ‘treasure’ hunts, watching ‘horrible histories’, making models and creating history plays, which can then be filmed. the club often makes a contribution to the welsh heritage competition and has won many prizes, ranging from money for department resources to books and dVds, and a tour of the BBc studios.

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ClubsHorse-Riding Clubnew to hSl in 2012! howell’s riding club is for girls in the Senior School to participate in competitions organised by the national Schools’ equestrian Association. initially girls will compete mainly at grass roots and unaffiliated events in the wales and west region.

Language Clubs Language Clubthis club is open to all girls to help them develop a more global awareness of language and culture. the activities include correspondence with our sister school in lesotho, comparing ‘happy Birthday’ songs in different languages, making celtic rune bracelets and celebrating the chinese new Year. the emphasis is on learning whilst having fun!

Hispanic Clubthe hispanic club is open to Years 7 and 8 and takes place weekly. the aim is to encourage and promote knowledge of the hispanic world, including Spain, Portugal and latin America. this involves a range of different activities, both cultural and linguistic, in english, Spanish and Portuguese. the girls are encouraged to come along and have fun with games, quizzes and music!

Latin Clubthe maximus latin club is open to all girls in Year 7 and takes place weekly. the aim of the club is to encourage and foster an interest in the ancient world, by exploring the rich cultural and linguistic heritage which has an enormous influence on the way we live and think today. Activities include mythology, games, quizzes, puzzles, the spells of harry Potter and similar popular fictional works, along with creative opportunities for art and craft.

Russian Club this is open to Year 10-13 girls. the emphasis is on learning the cyrillic alphabet, developing basic speaking skills through role play, and gaining an awareness of a different culture – across the different russian-speaking countries of the former USSr.

Library Extra-Curricular Activities Kids’ Lit Quiz – Autumn Termeach break-time during the Autumn term there are quizzes that test Years 7 and 8 girls’ knowledge of children’s books. each year, a team is put together for the ‘Kids’ lit Quiz’ – an international competition that celebrates the ‘sport of reading’. in 2010, the howell’s team went through to the finals held in edinburgh and competed against teams from all over the world.

Reading and Reviewing – Weekly, All Yearthe reading and reviewing club meets in the library every week for members to share their love of books and reading. they can find out about books that they might enjoy reading and share their own favourite reads with the group.

Carnegie Shadowing – Summer Termeach year, a group of Senior School girls is chosen to represent howell’s in cardiff’s carnegie Shadowing event. the team, along with others from local schools, have the opportunity to create and perform a short play based on one of the carnegie Award shortlisted books. the performances are held at the Gate Arts centre in roath, and family and friends are invited to be the audience.

Film Fridays in the Library – weekly, all yeareveryone is welcome to the friday film in the library at lunchtime. Girls bring a snack and relax on the sofas and beanbags. recently, the group has enjoyed ‘tangled’, ‘Snow white and her huntsman’, ‘diary of a wimpy Kid’ and ‘the hunger Games’.

Maths Clubmaths club involves fun mathematical activities that all can enjoy, such as origami (making a cube), 3d bubble shapes, fibonacci Patterns, logic problems, mathematical games such as ‘Set’, ‘rush hour’ and ‘fractions Game’, ‘nrich’ activities from the Nrich website, weaving ‘Valentines hearts’, and preparing for the Junior maths challenge. the girls have a lot of fun exploring maths outside lessons, in a less formal atmosphere.

Musical Activities music is an important part of life at howell’s and all girls are encouraged to take part. the school offers a comprehensive range of music groups, so that every student has the opportunity to participate. these range from repertoire and Senior orchestra to Jazz and chamber ensembles as well as the Youth and Senior choirs.

Senior Choirthe Senior choir has performed over the years with many international artists and has also recently performed in Beijing and Vienna. the choir rehearses on mondays and wednesdays 1:50-2:35 and mondays 3:45-5:00. the choir is a four-part female chorus and members are selected after an audition.

Jazz and Chamber Ensembles

Senior Jazz group performs at a variety of school events as well as in external charity functions. rehearsals take place on wednesdays 3:45-4:45 in the octagon. Girls need to be Grade V standard.

Youth Jazz group rehearses on tuesday 1:30-2:00 in the octagon. Girls in Years 7-9 are welcome.

Small chamber ensembles, rock and pop groups are organised for those girls who express an interest, e.g. flute ensemble, wind quartet, string quartet, piano trio.

Repertoire Orchestrathe repertoire orchestra is open to any student who has been playing an instrument for a year. the orchestra rehearses on thursday lunchtime 1:50-2:35 in the octagon.

Senior Orchestrathe Senior orchestra accepts girls who are at Grade V and above in standard. rehearsals take place on thursdays 3:45-4:45 in the octagon.

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ClubsIndividual Music Tuition (additional fees)Visiting teachers come into school to teach a variety of musical instruments (mainly individual lessons; however, some group lessons are offered for brass, guitar and violin).

individual lessons are offered in:

Voice/Singing: classical and musical theatre. Brass: trumpet, cornet, french horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium, tenor hornGuitar: classical, Jazz and rockPercussion: drum Kit, Band/orchestral PercussionPiano: classical and Jazz PianoStrings: Violin, Viola, cello, double Basswoodwind: flute oboe, clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone.

Drama, Musical Theatre and Speech Classes (additional fees)

Speech, drama and Group musical theatre classes are popular in the school from Year 7 to Year 13 and take place in lunchtimes, after school and on Saturdays. the focus of these lessons is to encourage and develop effective communication and performance skills. the work finds an audience in school plays, concerts and assemblies. Girls are also prepared for examinations of the london Academy of music and dramatic Art (lAmdA). Speech examinations include Spoken english and Public Speaking, the Speaking of Verse and Prose, and reading. Acting, mime and musical theatre examinations may be taken individually, in pairs or as a group. these lessons provide an opportunity for each student to develop a range of vocal skills and to acquire the confidence which comes from being able to communicate effectively.

Debating Clubdebating club is for those who love a good argument! debating has a long tradition at howell’s, and is an enjoyable way to develop analytical skills and ability to think on one’s feet. recent debates have focused on whether uniform in schools should be abolished and whether harry Potter should be made a compulsory text for english literature study at GcSe. in the future, we are hoping to put forward willing teams for the international competition for Young debaters.

Public SpeakingPublic speaking is a popular activity at howell’s, with several teams from the Senior School entered into a wide range of prestigious public speaking competitions, giving girls the chance to develop their communication skills and increase their self-confidence.

Chrystall Prizethe chrystall Prize award is a GdSt Public Speaking competition set up in memory of chrystall carter, a legal advisor to the GdSt. open to Year 11 girls, it is a demanding challenge that requires the commitment to prepare and deliver a lengthy speech and also the ability to respond with focus, pace and intelligence to a range of questions.

Rotary Youth Speaksrotary Youth Speaks is open to girls in Years 7-13. teams of three, competing locally, deliver their thoughts and feelings on a topic, with the opportunity to progress to national finals.

English Speaking Unionthe english Speaking Union offers the chance to take to the stage as part of an annual team-based public speaking competition with other schools across the country and, if success beckons, across the world. the competition is open to teams of three girls from Years 10 or 11.

Radio Clubled by college students, this new club encourages the Senior School girls to submit stories and ideas for the new radio station.

Science Clubthis club is for Year 7 and 8 girls to have fun doing exciting science experiments. these range from ‘investigating what’s living in the pond’ and looking at microscope specimens to making lava lamps and custard bouncing balls. other activities include ‘fire writing’ and making rainbows using acids and alkalis.

Urdd (The National League of Youth in Wales)

Annually, our girls have the opportunity to compete at national level in the Urdd eisteddfod. this can involve a range of performance styles: singing, recitation and dance. over the years, the school has been successful and performances have been televised on S4c. these activities encourage good teamwork and help to build confidence. the Urdd eisteddfod is a unique opportunity for our girls not only to experience our rich welsh culture first hand but also to be an essential part of its preservation and help to secure the future of the welsh language.

Well-being and non-curricular tripswell-being and developing interpersonal skills are an important element of a howell’s education.

in Year 7, the First Twenty Days programme helps girls settle into the Senior School with ease. the girls experience a variety of activities, presentations and events, supported by their form tutor. this programme includes a visit to the Urdd centre at cardiff Bay. they take part in team-building activities including climbing and bowling. Staying overnight at the centre helps the girls get to know each other and their tutors.

After the girls complete their end of year summer examinations, they are offered the opportunity, as a whole year group, to spend a week at the llangrannog Urdd camp in west wales. By the end of the school year, the girls deserve a well-earned rest and a chance to have a good time! llangrannog is the perfect place to relax, have fun, and reflect on the year. it is also an opportunity to practise their welsh if they wish! Activities are numerous and varied, from skiing and go-carting to discos and quad biking. come rain or shine, the girls are guaranteed to have the time of their lives while enjoying arguably wales’ prettiest beaches and its idyllic coastline.

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ClubsSenior School Ski Trip the Senior School Ski trip is open to girls in Years 8 and 9. Past trips have been organised to france, italy and Austria. Girls of all abilities are welcome to participate, including complete beginners. in addition to a great deal of excitement on the snow, evening activities such as ice skating, swimming and bowling provide an opportunity to relax with friends at the end of a tiring day. the week culminates with a slalom ski race.

Language Department Tripsin the Senior School the girls are regularly invited to extend their knowledge of the languages they are studying via cultural visits to france, Germany, Spain and italy, as well as within wales for welsh learners. these visits provide girls with the opportunity to use the languages studied and to learn more about the history, geography and culture of the countries themselves. recent trips have included stays in llangrannog, Glan llyn, Paris, cochem, freiburg, cologne, cantabria, Granada and rome.

“Residential trips are an amazing opportunity to see new places and get to know new people. I feel really lucky to have been given the opportunity to travel with the choir to Vienna, go skiing in Austria and visit Paris. You get the chance to know other girls and the teachers well and learn to travel without your parents. Howell’s provides many opportunities for trips for girls of all ages in the Senior School.”Hannah, Year 11

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Howell’s School, Llandaff Cardiff Road, Cardiff CF5 2YD

Telephone: 029 2026 1832Fax: 029 2057 8879

www.howells-cardiff.gdst.net

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