netherhall newsletter may 2016
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Netherhall School Newsletter May 2016TRANSCRIPT
The Netherhall School and
Sixth Form Centre May 2016
Dear Parents / Carers,
Although the weather is doing its best to persuade us to the contrary, the summer term is upon us, and with it the annual exam season is well underway. Around the school, students from Year 11 to Year 13 are sitting papers which will shape their futures and determine their destinations in September: from Sixth form centres to gaining places at Universities across the country and abroad. During this period I am always struck by the commitment shown by parents, students and staff to work together to optimise their outcomes. Not an evening goes by without students gathering in classrooms to revise, practise exam questions and seek last minute advice. Of course, this isn’t limited to classroom activities: twitter feeds, online blogs, social media all play their part in the provision. I’d like to record my thanks for all staff who willingly invest their free time to deliver these sessions.
This half term has been a memorable one in many ways. There have been some outstanding performances from many groups of our students. One example was the incredible Shakespeare Festival where we were entertained by renditions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and were treated to an amazing version of Hamlet performed by Ben Lynn (the eponymous hero) and the Sixth form Drama students. All of this was masterly shaped by our drama team: Emma Hayward, Zoe Hart and Lee Parry.
Not to be outdone, the Year 10 music students, accompanied by a group of selected students from Year 9, are halfway through the experience of a lifetime. They have already enjoyed three days of workshops and explorations into sound with the first Virtuoso Percussionist in the world, Evelyn Glennie and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Evelyn Glennie is a remarkable musician, not least because she is, herself, profoundly deaf. The students have worked to create a new piece of music which they will be performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the World Premier on 9th June in the Cambridge Corn Exchange. It’s hard to see how this could be anything other than an experience that will live in their memories for the rest of their lives.
But it’s not just been the large groups where Netherhall students have excelled. Our Sixth form team, led by our head of Product Design, Laura Heard, beat all-comers in winning the scholars Marshall bridge building project day. Congratulations go to Lauryn Barnes, Yash Ootin, Jamie Allin, Ellen Groom, Jonathon Popat and Stefania Di Bartolo. Jamie Shorey, Harry Jones and Jake Cowan succeeded in a rather different sphere: the wonderful world of Warhammer! These students represented Netherhall in the regional finals of this competition having won through the Cambridge heats. Amazingly, the boys came third and have qualified to participate the National finals to be held in London later this term. Many thanks to Luke Driscoll, Lee Parry and James Gould for leading this team. Other developments include:
Our parental intranet breaking through the 60% mark of parents of students in Years 7-10 who have signed up. Increasingly, this site will be the source of all information on students and we will be actively working to support the remaining 40% of parents to access this provision.
The emergence of two new courses within our Sixth form curriculum, offering Diplomas in Sport and Media
Substantial growth in applications for students to join next year’s Year 7 group with only four places remaining until we are officially full.
Finally, looking forward, we are making preparations for our prize giving celebrations which will take place over two nights, 28th and 29th June. These evenings replace the annual event held at West Road in the Autumn term and will allow us to expand the number of students and parents who can attend and celebrate their achievements. We have so much to celebrate it couldn’t possibly fit into a single evening!
And last, but by no means least, don’t miss the annual Netherhall Art’s Festival on 16th June which promises to be bigger and better than before. You are invited to wander around the school and take in drama, music, art, photography and, when you need a rest, to visit our traditional café in our Inclusion Faculty.
Can I finish by once again thanking you for all your support this year and I look forward to seeing many of you at events over the coming weeks.
Chris Tooley
Principal
Netherhall Local Governing Body would like to thank Jenny Koenig, who recently stepped down as Parent Governor. Jenny has been very active since 2013, chairing the Curriculum Committee, and acting as Link Governor in three areas - we will miss her energy, organisation and enthusiasm. There will be elections to the LGB in the Autumn Term. LGB work this half term has centred on how best to support Netherhall's School Improvement Plan. This is a summary of all the projects - short and longer term - that knit together to support all our students in achieving to the best of their ability. Governors are working with members of the school's Leadership Team on ten activities, ranging from leadership development and achievement and standards, through to data and IT, and finance. Finally a big tip of the hat to all the Netherhall Staff who took part in the Waterbeach Running Festival earlier this month to raise money for charity - an impressive turnout! I hope to persuade some governors - and parents - to join them next year. Full details of the Netherhall School Local Governing Body and how to contact us can be found on the school website athttp://www.netherhall.org/school-information/our-governors/. We welcome your feedback on any aspect of school life.
On Tuesday 10th May, almost 500 Key Stage 3 students completed a one-mile course around the school playing fields. Despite some rather wet weather, the event was very popular with students completing the mile in a variety of ways, including three, five and seven legged! Other students were carried around the course by their friends and one was taken around in a wheelbarrow! The event was organised by the Year 10 Vocational Studies group, who had to organise an event as part of their course. The event brief asked the group to run an event to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. They were responsible for the planning, organising and delivery of all aspects of the event including promoting it around school. One member of the group gave assemblies to Years 7, 8 and 9 and even mentioned both Charles Dickens and J M Barrie in his talk! The group also had to set up on the day and ensure that the event went as smoothly as possible. The day itself saw some very wild conditions with heavy rain in the morning. Still, the event went ahead with Mr Tooley starting the mile as the conditions eased. Some of the group sold refreshments from the hub as the competitors finished the mile. Then came the hard part of collecting the money in! At present there is still some further money to come in, but the current total stands at an amazing £1721.00 The money will be used by Great Ormond Street for a range of uses, including funding specialist equipment, research into new treatments and illnesses, the redevelopment of the hospital and patients and family services like the patient hotel that allows parents to stay close to their children whilst they are in hospital. The group are now planning to visit Great Ormond Street to hand over the money raised in the summer.
Governors Report
Art Exhibition begins 6 June - 17 June
Yr 10 Music Class Project/Dame Evelyn Glennie - 6 June
Yr 10 GCSE Catering Group Practical Exams 8 - 10 June
Yr 10 Music Class All Day Rehearsal at Corn Exchange
Concert 7.30pm - 9 June
Year 10 Work Experience 13th - 24 June
Sports Day -13 June
District Athletics - 15 June
AS Level Cambridge Arts Theatre Visit -16 June
Arts Festival -16 June
Year 8 Isle of Wight Departs -17 June
Year 9 Work Shadowing Day -17 June
Yr 12 Duke of Edinburgh practice Expedition 20 - 24 June
Year 8 Isle of Wight Trip Returns - 20 June
Reserve Sports Day - 20 June
Olympic Cup - 22 June
Year 12 UCAS Conference at ARU - 22 June
Year 7 Science Museum Trip - 23 June
Sixth Form Taster Day - 24 June
Post 16 Parents’ Information Evening - 27 June
Sixth Form Induction Morning - 28 June
Year 7 & 8 Prize Giving/Celebration Evening - 28 June
Jubilee Cup - 29 June
Years 9 & 10 Prize Giving/Celebration Evening - 29 June
Wimbledon Trip (PE Leaders) - 30 June
Year 11 Signing Off Day - 30 June
Year 13 Signing Off Day - 30 June
Year 12 UEA Trip - 1 July
Year 10 GCSE PE Hillwalking Trip - 1 July
Year 7 Author Visit - 1 July
Sixth Form Summer Ball - 1 July
Year 10 Art Trip to Cambridge - 5 July
Year 6 Induction Evening - 5 July
Year 6 Induction Days 6 - 7 July
Careers Day Botanical Gardens - 6 July
Year 11 Prom - 8 July
Inclusion trip to GOSH - 12 July
Year 9 Options Art Trip - 12 July
Spinney Show - 13 & 14 July
Sixth Form Taster Day - 14 July
Year 7 Trip to Pleasurewood Hills - 15 July
Year 10 GCSE Hillwalking Trip - 15 July
Year 12 Work Experience - 18 July
Autumn Term 2016
Thursday 1st September: Training Day
Friday 2 September: Year 7 & Year 12 only
Monday 5 September: Whole School opens
Thursday 13 October: Training Day & Open Evening
Half Term: 24 - 28 October
Monday 28 November: Training Day
Friday 16 December: Last day of term
Dear Parents/Carers,
The Cambridge News is running its
Education Awards to celebrate the
outstanding achievements of pupils,
staff and schools in Cambridgeshire.
Last year a group of Netherhall Year
10 students won the award for
contribution to the local community.
It would be great to see more
Netherhall nominations this year.
There are eight categories: Pupil of
the Year, Teacher of the Year,
Support Staff Member of the Year,
School of the Year, Contribution to
the Local Community, Young Sports
Personality of the Year, Creative
Arts Award and Science Project of
the Year.
If you know of a worthy candidate for
any of the awards please use the link
below to submit your nomination.
Students are encouraged to nominate
too. The deadline for nominations is
Friday 17th June 2016.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/
Nominate-Cambridge-News-
Education-Awards-2016/story-
29288394-detail/story.html
Yours,
Mr Chris Tooley
Principal
Netherhall students to perform their world premiere alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie at the Corn Exchange!
Netherhall students have been given an amazing opportunity to work alongside a world famous orchestra and world-renowned percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie to create a composition commissioned for Dame Evelyn’s 50th Birthday.
Day 1 The project began with students visiting Wimpole Estate for a guided tour of the working farm and exploration of the estate’s picturesque landscapes and heritage. Students spent the rest of the day in a beautiful open barn, working alongside world-renowned percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Creative Leader, Dr Tim Steiner exploring and creating sounds for their original piece.
Day 2 and 3 Students worked with Dr Tim Steiner and the Royal Philharmonic to shape and develop original ideas into an extended composition. Some tried their hand at conducting! Day 4 - 6th June 2016 Dr Tim Steiner will work with students to rehearse the composition and make any final changes. Day 5 - 9th June 2016 A final rehearsal with Dame Evelyn will proceed the students joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to rehearse and perform their world premiere on stage at the Cambridge Corn Exchange as part of the Orchestra’s residency concert on 9th June, 7.30pm.
Interested in attending this event?
Look out for the code on the Netherhall website for discounted tickets. Please contact Mrs E Snow [email protected] for more details.
Induction Parents’ Evening
Year 6
Tuesday 5th July 2016
7.00pm Atrium
● Introduction Mr Tooley - Principal
● Information from Mrs Wilders -
Key Stage Director
● Reflections from current Year 7
students
● Questions - meet staff
● Refreshments
● Information about School Uniform
● Information about Cashless Catering
& WisePay
Arrangements for the
Induction Days
Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July 2016
8.20am
Year 6 students should assemble in the main playground.
Ambassadors will be on hand to help Year 6 find which form tutor group they are in and where to line up.
Students will be dismissed from the school site at the end of each at day 3.00pm
Please make arrangements for your child to get home safely.
Please let the school know of any changes to personal details i.e home address, telephone number (particularly mobiles) and email addresses.
You can email directly to [email protected]
or telephone 01223 242931 ext 200
18th August 2016 A Level
Results
25th August GCSE Results
On Friday 13th May the Year 11's went on study leave. For many students this
was an end to 5 years at Netherhall and was an emotional moment in their
educational journey. Students are still able to attend revision sessions with
staff at Netherhall and we look forward to seeing them at the Prom on Friday
8th July. Tickets are on sale now in the Reception.
Students need to bring their "Passport" to get a discount on their ticket.
Multi Skills Festival 2016
On the 29th April 2016, Netherhall School ran a Multi Skills Festival for Year 2 Colville Primary School and Cherry Hinton Primary School students in the sports hall. The festival involved 80 children, a number of Year 10 leaders and some teachers.
Part of the year 10 Leadership course involved running a session for children, so this day was well suited to them. They were given a brief on how to set up the activity, but the organisation, leadership qualities and overall running was all down to them. Working in groups of 3 to 4, they ran a variety of activities suited to the age range, including dodgeball, running through ladders and balancing the tennis ball on the tennis racket, among others. Each session lasted 10 minutes and was full of high quality leadership, fun games, and development the children’s skills and teamwork.
Team leaders helped to guide groups round the course and helpfully motivate & encourage them. Qing, a team leader from Year 10, said ‘’the day has been a great experience’’. They were responsible for making sure the transition from session to session was smooth. Mr Millar, who helped organise the event, said ‘’It’s great to see the students working as a team and showing their skills as excellent leaders. They are a credit the The Netherhall School’’
There was a brief break during the session to ensure everyone could regain their energy, but that didn’t stop all the leaders from working hard to ensure their sessions would be ready for the next hour. A wide variety of equipment was needed, including cones, dodgeballs & bibs, all available thanks to the excellent facilities available. Overall, the festival was a fun-filled, day which was enjoyed by all. The Year 10’s now have now a broader experience of leading, and the Year 2’s an enjoyable day out to increase their health and fitness.
Written by Noah Keate, Year 10
Once again Netherhall students have triumphed at the
Innovators Project day held annually at Marshalls.
Students were required to design and build a bridge which
was then tested to destruction. They were up against Stephen Perse, Bottisham and NCA. and after a tough battle of
brains, staying power and skills, they demonstrated why Netherhall School is the best.
Congratulations to Hafiza Rahman, Anna Dunkerly, Gracie Kay, Chloe Whitmore, Ramisa Miah, Julia Rogowska for
fantastic teamwork, designing and building skills and for being superb ambassadors for our school.
Their prize is a day trip to the Jaguar Factory.
Innovators Project Day
Netherhall Shakespeare Festival 2016
As the 400th commemorative year of Shakespeare's
life draws to a height of celebration, students at
Netherhall decided to honour the Bard as only we
know - by staging 2 of his greatest Tragedies.
For the past 3 months in Drama Club or after school
rehearsals, students and pupils have been developing
short versions of Romeo and Juliet as well as Hamlet
for an audience.
Romeo & Juliet, directed by Ms Hart and Mrs
Hayward featured a large cast taken from years 7 to
10. The performance featured fantastic choreography,
a rich use of music and bright vivid passions of the
young. The more sombre Hamlet, directed by
Mr Parry, utilised the incredible acting talent that we
have in the Sixth Form - ably supported by our Year
11 drama class!
On the night of the 22nd April - the night before
Shakespeare's untimely death 400 years ago, the
support from our audience was incredible! While
some parents and friends only stayed for 1
performance - our numbers never dropped below 100
seated for the entire evening.
The Festival was a real celebration of Shakespeare's'
life and times as well as his work - and the evening
was superbly supported by:
Mrs Snow & Mr Glazebrook - leading a string
quartet that played 'Greensleeves" as the audience
arrived. The History, Languages and English
Departments for display material, the Site team and
Mr Berry for his lighting and technical support.
This is now the second Shakespeare Festival we have
staged and plans for next year are already in place.
Thank you all for your support and of course, to our
fantastic students.
Year 8 and 9 'Mathletes'
excel against
independent schools
Netherhall students celebrated
success at the recent regional
finals of the UK Mathematical
Trust Maths challenge (15 March). There were 30
schools participating in this event and the
Netherhall team managed to come second out of
30 schools, just behind the Perse.
Great thanks must go to Mrs Prince for leading the
team and for preparing them for the event.
Obviously we're
aiming to go one
better next year!
Amazing Maths Success
A Level results for Product Design students at The
Netherhall Sixth Form have recently been announced as the
best in the country for 2015. What is more, the results come out as
being in the top 5 for any subject nationally.
This information was released by Oxford Analytics, an organisation
which studies A level results across the country. They calculate the
“Value Added” score, considered by many to be the best measure
of progress as it judges the actual result against where students
started at the beginning of the course.
This news comes on the back of last year’s record breaking results for the Netherhall Sixth Form as a
whole. Chris Tooley, Principal of Netherhall, stated, “We’re absolutely delighted with this news,
recognising as it does the huge dedication of our students and staff. Design Technology is a shrinking
area, particularly at A level, so we are even more pleased that provision at Netherhall is seen as a
centre of excellence not just for Cambridgeshire but for the country.
Netherhall A Level Product
Design Results
ROOKIE LIFEGUARD
PROGRAMME
RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard programme gives your
child the skills they need to be confident in the pool or
the sea – which means peace of mind for you. Developed
especially to appeal to 8 to 12 year olds, with colourful
materials and fun, varied activities, the Rookie Life-
guard scheme teaches children how to swim and enjoy
water safely, whether in shallow or deeper water. (Limited spaces per class)
Monday 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Rookie Lifeguard Bronze
Thursday 5:30 - 6:00 pm
Rookie Lifeguard Silver & Gold
To book please contact the Sports Centre Team
01223 811121
Games
Club:
UPDATE! Since the Games Clubs latest success in the
Regional Finals of Games Workshop's Schools League for Warhammer 40,000 - we have news! As you might remember, the Netherhall team played 12 games during the tournament day at Nottingham and finished in a valiant 3rd place, narrowly missing out on a place at the National finals. Well, it turns out that the Netherhall team won so many games and achieved so many tournament points that they have actually achieved 10th best placed school overall and so automatically book a place in the National Finals! The team will once again travel to Nottingham's Warhammer World on 28th June 2016 to play for honour, glory and at least finish in the top 3! Good luck team!
English Blog Want to know what your children have been
getting up to in English this term? Recent ar-
ticles include: 'Year 9 Have Blood on Their
Hands', 'Year 11: The Gift of Written Word'
and 'Year 12 Challenge Beauty'. Read,
comment, follow and share:
englishwithmrshayward.wordpress.com
Happy reading! Mrs Hayward