ST. FRANCIS' COLLEGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE 2016 CONTENTS

03...... Head Girl's Introduction

04...... 6th Form Review

05...... Prep

06...... Life in the Boarding House

08...... Art

11...... Art Exhibition

12...... Drama

14...... The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

16...... Geography

17...... Mathematics

17...... Food & Nutrition

18...... Modern Foreign Languages

20...... Music

21...... English

22...... Religious Studies

23...... Science

24...... Sport

26...... House Events

27...... P.S.H.E

27...... Charity News

28...... India

29...... International Women’s Day

30...... Kanyike

32...... School Trips & International Trips

34...... School Events

36...... Exam Results

37...... Year 13 Leavers

38...... St. Francis’ Old Girls (SFOGA)

39...... 10 Photos from the Archives

Workshop with Ben Ellery Daily Mail Columnist We hope you enjoy this year's St. Francis' College

The magazine team were treated to a workshop with award Magazine; it has been a fantastic year for the College and

winning writer Ben Ellery on Monday 11th January. we hope you enjoy reading about it.

Ben spoke in assembly about how he had become a Best wishes, journalist and described some exciting and terrifying

moments when he had been working undercover; The Magazine Team: posing as a migrant in Calais and searching for a runaway Lanaire Aderemi, Lauren Aldridge, Isabel Frohlich, Abbey couple in Brasil. Hobbs, Danielle Males, Holly Scanlon, Grace Twitchett, Alix In the workshop he talked about structuring articles and got Wentworth Foster and Mrs McDermott the team to work on their own journalistic writing skills.

Cover Painting: The girls really enjoyed asking him about his work as a journalist and what it is like to go under cover. Helen Sheng

2 INTRODUCTION

I’ve always found the night before the first day of school Whilst the housemates struggled through relationship to be the most stressful. Every year whilst packing issues, mistrust and Justin Bieber lyrics, the acts stole the my things, the memories of uncompleted tasks I was show with their well-rehearsed performances – we’re supposed to do in the summer flood back in. The last- immensely proud of everyone who performed! Finishing minute recollection that you needed to buy a new ruler with a huge group selfie and dance to ‘We’re all in this (you can’t get away with a set square forever), the hunt Together’, the Lower Sixth really hoped that you enjoyed for your other hockey sock, the frantic ironing of your the Revue as much as we did! kilt, desperate to get those once-perfect pleats back in Once again this year saw our Houses going head-to-head in place - we’ve all been there. Fortunately, once the bags the annual challenges and quizzes. This year, there has been are packed, calmness ensues, and you feel more than no sweeping victory for any particular house and, instead, ready to face your first day of school. After all, there’s no each one has had its moment of glory. Athene walked away better way to start the academic year than with a shiny with the House Music trophy, Artemis impressed in the didn’t fail to deliver on their amusement and reward. We 30cm ruler and clean pair of hockey socks. Science and Geography quizzes, Selene won the sporting began the year with a successful Unison World School events and Hera triumphed in the House Quiz. The start of the year saw students from our partner school, student exchange and Sixth Form trip to Amsterdam. Unison World School in India, come to visit for three Arguably one of the highlights of all House events is Sports Other destinations this year have included Copenhagen, weeks. During their time here, they went to Cambridge and Day. After all, an excuse to cover oneself in face-paint is not Le Touquet, Normandy and a small group of our Sixth enjoyed a rainy British day: punting, shopping and visiting to be missed! House spirit was contagious and, as always, Formers were fortunate to go to Uganda in the summer. old colleges. They also ventured out to Windsor Castle, we saw some great sporting success (though perhaps not Cadbury’s World, Buckingham Palace and Brighton. Akshita Throughout the year, forms have done individual events

Chauhan, one of the visiting students said, “This was a very such as stalls and tombolas to raise money for their memorable trip. I made good friends and was also able to chosen charities, including The Darwin Centre, RSPCA, visit many historic and fun places. Brighton was the highlight In November, the Save a Child’s Heart, Aqua Aid International and Cancer of the trip for me: we went with boarders from theatre was once Research. As a school, we held the annual Recycled St. Francis’ and had lots of fun together. It was also Fashion Show and had a picnic in the Summer Term to interesting to be a part of a college in a different country again transformed, this and note the similarities and differences.” The girls from raise money for Kanyike (a project in Uganda to help fund St. Francis’ were able to experience the Indian culture, time into the winter infrastructure, clean water and education). Other events watching dance performances, listening to Bollywood Music wonderland of Narnia include our ‘Wear it Pink’ day, ‘Women for Women’ day and admiring various regional fashions within India. where students dressed up as a woman who inspires them,

The first major event for the Lower Sixth is undoubtedly and we also held a Macmillan Cake Stall. Alongside this, in the staff race!) This year’s Sports Day also coincided organising the Recycled Fashion Show, this year on the students in the Sixth Form raised money independently as with the day the EU referendum result was announced. An theme of Roald Dahl. Whilst creating numerous lollypop part of the ‘Tenner Challenge’. Members of the Lower Sixth overwhelming majority for “Team Remain” from the results and chocolate bar decorations, we were reminded of how held a Holi Event where students were able to take part in of our College referendum conflicted with the British Brexit PVA glue gets absolutely everywhere! However, we were a traditional Indian festival, listening to Indian music being vote, and so the fun and light-hearted events of Sports Day determined to transform the theatre into a room from played while throwing coloured powder and squirting water were much embraced. Mr Wonka’s Factory, ready for all the models to grace at each other. The event allowed students across the Senior the runway with their immaculately designed dresses. Aside from Sports Day, we had a great year for College School to participate in the event together and have fun The variety and quality of outfits designed by the girls sports, particularly in Hockey, with Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 together. It was a great success and raised almost £300 for was extremely impressive. Efforts made by all led to a and Year 11 coming first in their Hockey Tournaments. A thoroughly enjoyable show! particular mention goes to Year 7 who won North Herts the Malala Fund! Rounders this year, and to Charlotte Ashwin (Year 10) who In November, the theatre was once again transformed, this Finally, Results Day in August is always a mixture of nerves surpassed two school records in her swimming! time into the winter wonderland of Narnia for our Senior and excitement (though predominantly nerves). The day

School musical, ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’. The extra-curricular opportunities presented this year have is the culmination of everyone’s dedication and hard work, This was a definite personal highlight of the year for Grace, been endless. Our Music department put on some fabulous and this year’s spectacular results are a testament to this, as she was able to play the wardrobe! The performances concerts this past year, including the Latin American themed pupils and staff alike. Thank you to everyone in the brought actresses and a backstage crew of all ages together, concert last Easter where we all sported colourful T- Shirts College for making this a tremendously rewarding year and was a real team effort (especially when clearing up all and saw all singing groups in the school unite for a mass for all of us. I’m confident that next year will be another the fake snow on stage!) performance of “Evita”. fantastic tribute to the wonderful work of the St. Francis’ For the Sixth Form Revue, the Lower Sixth really wanted In addition to Sport and Music activities, St. Francis’ girls College community! to show off the scope of talents we are blessed with at have been travelling to numerous destinations abroad for St. Francis’ so, naturally we chose the theme of Big Brother. school trips. As always, this year’s College excursions Amy Lian

3 6th FORM REVIEW

A highly-anticipated event each year is the Sixth Form We finished the show with a dance to High School Musicals’ Revue - a production scripted, performed and staged by ‘We’re all in this Together’, choreographed by Lucy the Lower Sixth, but also featuring acts from younger Hebden, and invited the audience to join in with the years. Having moved up through the College and having ‘Cha-cha Slide’ as they left the Theatre. promised each year to our classmates: ‘When it’s our Each year, the quality of the acts seems to get better and turn, we’ll put on the best Sixth Form Revue ever!’, better. This year, the number of girls wanting to participate it was finally our time. was higher than ever and included a delightful mix of song With surprising efficiency, we decided on our theme – Big and dance. The ever-popular teachers’ act – this time a Brother – and started rehearsals. In order to combine all rendition of ‘We go Together’ from Grease – was sheer our ideas, contestants were not limited to celebrities, but brilliance. Miss Wallace, in her last Sixth Form Revue, was also included television and film characters. This resulted given the role of Big Brother presenter Emma Willis. Under in an eclectic mix of contestants, ranging from Beyoncé to the guise of the winner of Big Brother, she presented the Simba to Sharpay! prize to the best act. The well-deserving winner was Jessica On 12th February 2016, after a manic morning of rushing Bryant, who sang the beautiful ‘A Life that’s Good’ by around to finalise scripts and dances, it was time. During Lennon and Maisy. the show, the acts were framed by short sketches, where Not only was the Sixth Form Revue great fun, it taught us the ‘contestants’ would complete tasks set for them by Big invaluable lessons about organising a major production and Brother. One of the most memorable moments would be all the aspects that go into producing a show. Independent Danielle Males, as John Cena, being pied in the face after thinking and teamwork skills were developed as we worked answering a quiz question incorrectly! Mr Mashiri kindly agreed to provide the famed Big Brother voiceover, a task our way through to performance day and, of course, none that involved recording nearly 30 individual tracks, which of this would have been possible without the commitment, were then perfectly timed by Mrs Ekers and the lighting and enthusiasm and hard work of all those involved. A huge sound crew. ‘thank you’ goes out to everyone who helped make the Sixth Form Revue such a success. We can’t wait to see what Other highlights included Grace Twitchett as Jedward – this year’s Lower Sixth have in store. that’s right, both of them, wearing a mask on both sides of her head and turning back and forth to say her lines! By Georgie Foot

4 PREP

Prep Careers Day

In the Spring term, Prep held a ‘Careers’ day. All the girls were involved in listening to and interacting with parents, who generously gave their time, to talk to the girls about their work.

We found out that only five percent of pilots are women and we were able to see a drone used in farming. From Dentistry, Medicine, the Law and PR – the girls learned about the World of Work.

Brexit in Prep

Prep VI Debating Society were joined in June by St. Chris’ pupils for a live Brexit debate. The boys and girls were given opportunities, on the day, for research and group work providing a chance for the two schools to combine Victorian School Day their intellects. Prep Vs enjoyed a wonderful day at the British Schools Museum in Hitchin. They all looked very authentic in their white For the final vote, the Debaters were joined by the whole pinafores and waistcoats. The lessons in the galleried classroom included working sums on slates and using dipping pens to of Prep VI and the vote cast. practice beautiful copperplate handwriting. The Victorian teacher pretended to be very strict and two pupils volunteered for the dunce's hat and the cane! In the afternoon we were shown around the headmaster's house which was a beautifully preserved It was a unanimous ‘Remain’. Victorian family residence. The day brought our Victorian studies to life and was a perfect way to end our history topic.

Shakespeare does Rock!! Fête des Rois

2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death so Despite some coughs and colds our girls and staff launched into 2016 with great enthusiasm. The highlight of the week Prep V performed the musical “Shakespeare Rocks!” by was our very first French assembly in the form of a play, Steve Titford in the theatre on 25th February. As part of this written by Mrs Mackey and performed by Prep IV, V and project the girls researched Shakespeare’s life, the Globe VI. The girls acted out the Epiphany story with the dialogue theatre and the time he lived in. The girls learnt that they entirely in French. This was most innovative and I am

wouldn’t have been able to be actors in Elizabethan times delighted to say that once again your daughters rose to the challenge. Their spoken French was exceptional . Très Bon! as only boys and men were allowed to act on stage. Merci beaucoup. Last year the same girls performed their shadow theatre Thank you to Mrs Mackey, Mrs Foot, Mrs Balcombe, version of Macbeth so they are fast becoming our resident Mrs Baldwin and Mrs Bassnett for your professional help Prep Shakespeare experts! and encouragement.

5 LIFE IN THE BOARDING HOUSE

St. Francis' College Boarding House is full of girls from Boarding House Trips Lunar New Year different cultures from around the world. Being a boarder is This year we have had a fantastic time and been to some Every year at St. Francis' Mrs Moore helps us to organise a special celebration for the Lunar New Year. a completely new experience for lots of us and although at really exciting places. Woburn Safari Park times we feel homesick; we love it here. Harry Potter Studios It was terrifying and exciting when we got to hold the birds. We spent a magical day at Harry Potter Studios; it was Bletchley Park As boarders we participate in many activities such as amazing to see Hogwarts and walk down Diagon Alley. We got the chance to try code breaking at Bletchley Park. weekend outings, concerts, parties, socialising and lots Aroma Buffet We even drank butter beer! It was delicious! more. We believe it is a great opportunity for us and for We love the food at Aroma! Yummy! Visit to Windsor Castle lots of us it is a dream come true; studying in England. Climbing Wall We felt like royalty when we got to visit one of her homes. It was amazing to climb so high; some of us were really Blessed Uzamere Windsor castle is a wonderful place to visit. scared of heights to begin with.

6 It was amazing to climb so high, some of us were really scared of heights to begin with

7 ART

YEAR 9 | The Memory Portrait Project Roald Dahl Visit Fashion Designer Luke Archer's Visit

This provided pupils with the opportunity to learn how to measure, observe and understand facial proportions and learn how to record this information through drawing.

The Memory Project is a non-profit organisation that invites Art teachers and their students to create portraits for youth around the world who have faced substantial challenges such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents and extreme poverty.

The portraits help the children feel valued, important and loved. They also act as meaningful pieces of their personal history for the future.

This was run over the course of a six-week drawing project for Year 9.

This is a video of the children receiving their drawing. https://vimeo.com/165631565/9c918ca4f2

Print Workshop

8 “THE ARTS AWARD IS CHALLENGING ME TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT MEDIUMS. IT ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION AND HAVING TO LEARN A SKILL IN ORDER TO TEACH IT!” RACHEL FOSTER

9 ART

Year 9 Senior Recycled Fashion Show

Winner

Royal Academy Print Workshop

10 ART EXHIBITION

2016 Art Exhibition

11 DRAMA

Classics and Drama Performance of ‘Antigone’ her with the reward she herself wishes for, in return for we would perform at the Cambridge Junction for the very their wish. As a result, Dorcus guides all the young children first time. It was a completely new experience for some On the evening of Monday 4th July, students in Years through the village like the Pied Piper, leading them into the of the cast members, performing in a theatre open to the 7-9 performed their version of the Ancient Greek play waves where they perish. The story is a complex one and public, in front of an audience in different seating levels. We Antigone. Written by Sophocles in 441BC, it tells the tale as a whole focuses on the moral of keeping the promises of a girl torn between duty to her king and love for her were delighted that we had the opportunity to perform in family. The girls put on an excellent show and it was a truly which you make. such a venue and were so pleased that the performance went well. Later on in the day, the cast took part in some enjoyable evening. Our first performance in March took place at College, workshops as well as working with a different cast from where we were very grateful to perform in front of the another school. We learned a variety of new movements to Director herself as well as our parents. After the successful National Theatre Connections 500 enhance our synchronisation and communication skills with show, Jackie Kay took the cast backstage and gave us each other, exploring how we can present different ideas ‘Take Away’ 2016 valuable feedback on our scenes and movements. We within a story. We devised and performed in individual Each year the National Theatre’s Connections Festival discussed how we all felt about the play as whole; how we groups involving new people and created pieces of artwork provides schools and youth theatre groups across the were intrigued by the complexity of the story and enjoyed representing our own creative ideas. country with the opportunity to stage a new play to the working as a cast to devise the movements and dances. We public. St. Francis’ girls from Years 9-12 were fortunate explained how we also used various techniques such as On behalf of the cast, I would like to say a huge thank you enough to be involved in this year’s event, performing emotional memory to prepare for our roles; for example, to Mrs McDermott, Mrs Ekers, Jackie Kay and to everyone ‘The Takeaway Play’ to the director at our College Theatre, using the genuine empathy we share for each other as a who has made this year’s performance possible. Bringing as well as at Cambridge Junction in front of other schools. cast and applying it to our character’s friendships. We were the ‘Take Away’ play to life as a cast has not only enhanced overjoyed when Jackie told us she was very impressed, our friendships and knowledge of theatre, but has also ‘Take Away’ is a unique play written by poet and novelist complimenting our devised stage directions and teamwork. given us greater confidence to perform, especially through Jackie Kay, and follows the story of a town corrupted with She gave us some exciting new ideas to add to our next new experiences like at Cambridge Junction. We’ve built the possession of onions. Dorcus, a travelling poet, offers performance, so over the following month we continued to memories that we’ll never forget and we all look forward to to rid the land of the vegetable, which is metaphorically rehearse and create new features. future performances and opportunities! a drug that has gripped the young people with addiction. However, the villagers deceive Dorcus and do not repay On 30th April, the cast travelled down to Cambridge where Abbey Hobbs

12 Our first performance in March took place at College, where we were very grateful to perform in front of the Director herself as well as our parents

13 The LION The WITCH & The WARDROBE

On 28th November, months of casting, line-learning Lucy Cole who played a very convincing Mr Tumnus. It was “When I was a tiny Year 8 who was excited to have two and rehearsing amounted to the most professional and also pointed out to me by many others that the set was lines, I thought the older girls were so inclusive and easy to characterful St. Francis’ College production that I had particularly striking this year with the eclectic furnishings of talk to, and I hope that we’ve managed to keep that unity as ever seen. Confidently-acting drama students were the country house to which the children were evacuated, we’ve moved through the College.’ It seems the cast enjoy accompanied by the GSCE music group, as they sang doubling neatly as those in Mr Tumnus’s cave, all in front of the show more and more each year and can all agree on the songs from Adrian Mitchell’s adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s a beautifully painted Cair Paravel castle backdrop. sense of “relief and joy at the end of every one” knowing ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. that their practice has paid off. The cast’s enjoyment when performing was reflected in Changes were made to the usual College play this the high standard of acting displayed and the value of these Towards the end of the performance fun songs such as year, such as the use of fake snow which caused much performances is added to by what the girls gained from Mr and Mrs Beaver’s ‘Swiggles’ received large rounds of excitement on the night and added to the crisp Narnian their involvement. “It was great being in the production as I applause and their encore added to the audience atmosphere created. Other alterations included the casting got to know people from other years. I also learnt so many coming away feeling uplifted by the talents and efforts of of girls from lower down the College in main roles, often new drama skills: Father Christmas isn’t really a character St. Francis’ students. reserved for A level or GSCE students, such as Imogen you have to play very often!” said Athena Woodbridge Lauren Aldridge Harper who gave a heart-warming performance as Lucy on (Year 10). Cassidy Harvard-Davies, Mrs Beaver, also spoke Saturday night and was near note-perfect in her duet with of the “Sense of real spirit between all the years,” saying,

14 Playing Edward:

When I first heard that the College was doing a performance of C. S. Lewis’s ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’, I knew I just had to be in it, given the fact that I love the books and the films. So, when I got the role of Edmund, I was over the moon. Everything about the experience was amazing; from the crazy rehearsals, to trying on costumes, to the frantic last-minute line learning, to the actual performances. It was magical being able to step through the wardrobe into a snowy Narnia, even though my knuckles were as white as the snow as I clung on desperately to the wardrobe being moved about on stage. I really enjoyed being up there, singing, betraying my family, being a grumpy teenage boy, dying, the usual stuff. The whole cast was so talented, especially Maria and Anna, our scary White Witches and Clara and Lucinda, our singing Mr Tumnus, and we all got along really well. Everyone really puts 101% into the productions, which really makes them so enjoyable to be a part of, and also to watch. Mrs McDermott organises everything so it all goes according to plan, and, even though there are sometimes a few last Working Backstage: minute nerves, everything always goes off without a hitch, Whilst our talented actresses shone under the stage lighting, although we did nearly run someone over with the sleigh! several of us were working hard behind the Theatre wings Productions at St. Francis’ are so much fun and I’m looking backstage to ensure that the magical world of Narnia forward to see what opportunities there will be to get up on transformed smoothly between scenes, and that all props stage in the following year. were ready and waiting for action. For this performance, Isabel Frohlich we faced the challenges of rotating a full-sized wardrobe (and hiding out of sight behind it!), and lifting a very realistic ‘stone’ table - we were all grateful for the long rehearsals that enabled us to practise and perfect these manoeuvres! A little piece of Narnia was taken home with me; several snowflakes had found their way into my boot! Communication and collaboration were vital for our backstage success, and we were all so proud of the final performances.

Grace Twitchett

15 GEOGRAPHY

with a lot of snacks provided by Mr Mashiri, it was time to drive home on a very sunny day! Juniper Hall shall forever be etched on the mind of everyone who went on this memorable fieldtrip.

Osmington Bay Last year, a group of A Level Geography students travelled five hours by train with Mr Mashiri and Mrs Coles to Osmington Bay on the Jurassic Coast as part of their studies. We went during Halloween weekend, which proved to be eventful as the accommodation had hired a company to dress in Halloween costumes – I can safely say the first time we saw them we were scared and, yes, we did run away.

We conducted research of coastal erosion on the Jurassic Coast. We took many measurements of each coastline we visited, including beach height, wave frequency and sediment size (yes, it was very interesting). We did not

St. Albans Trip on the famous Tivoli gardens, the group flew back to the expect the Jurassic Coast to be as beautiful as it was. Year 7 students examined the changes that have taken place United Kingdom. Our gratitude must go to Mrs Coles and Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, were especially breath- in St. Albans since Roman times, focusing on the growth Mr Buckland who drove the party to and from the airport. taking. These areas are commonly used for location shots of retail parks and the fightback of the high street, as well within the movie industry; our guide mentioned that a Year 8 Flatford Mill, Suffolk as the impact of the floodplain on the development of Bollywood movie (Houseful 3) was shot at Durdle Door Year 8 Geography students stayed at the wonderful the town. They practised fieldwork techniques, including days before we arrived. Flatford Mill field study centre. The converted mill looks drawing a cross-section of the river and interviewing out on the scene of Constable’s famous painting of the This trip has left us with so many memories: Mr Mashiri’s shoppers as well as the important technique of keeping Hay Wain. They used GPS devices to track down clues never-ending supply of snacks, Halloween night and so your clipboard and notes dry in the rain! They coped in the gorgeous surroundings. The next day they used many more. admirably with the atrocious conditions and gained a real technology to examine geographical processes on the insight into this old town. Year 13 Trip to the Royal Geographic Society, London coastline, in a coastal resort town and in an idyllic village. The Year 13 girls spent a fruitful day at the Royal Year 9 Denmark Trip On the coast they examined managed and non-managed Geographical Society where they attended lectures by Year 9 travelled to Denmark and enjoyed not only the finest stretches of coastline at Walton-on-the-Naze. The girls also university academics on topics relevant to the A Level weather a geographer could dream of but the hospitality reflected on the impact of tourism on the area and whether specification, including Plate Tectonics and World Cities. It of Copenhagen and its various institutions. The visit different parts of Walton-on-the-Naze are experiencing gave students a glimpse into university life but also a chance focused on urban sustainability in Copenhagen, tourism in decline or rejuvenation. The data was uploaded onto a to meet students from other schools. This was a good day. “Hamlet’s Castle” and Tivoli, coasts and coastal defence in Geographical Information system so that the data could be Helsingor in the north and urban and cultural Geography. used to display complex maps and graphs. It was a fantastic The skills used were observation and interviewing. Arrival experience and greatly broadened their knowledge. The in Copenhagen was delayed due to a strike by air control fieldwork was hectic, days were long and lessons went on personnel in France, and thus began an understanding of until 8 pm in the night, but Year 8 acquitted themselves well how things are inextricably interwoven in the Geography of in their tasks and were complimented for their outstanding Europe. Visits to a school, a walk along the old quarters and academic aptitude and steely determination to accomplish past many lakes to the Danish Parliament and a boat ride tasks to a very high standard. along the harbour to look at harbour-front regeneration were enjoyed by all. The role of the Danish Youth Council Year 11 Juniper Hall, Surrey in galvanising youth participation in every aspect of Danish This traditional venue elicits varied reactions from any society was highlighted through intense debates at their student who has travelled to it in Surrey. This year, students Head Office. The importance of heritage buildings and ideas settled into the Hall for their GCSE Controlled Assessment. to tourism were discussed with visits outside Copenhagen This included preparation for the fieldwork which then (including Kronborg Castle), as was marine transport took place on the Saturday. The data collection along the between Sweden and Denmark as a gateway to the Baltic River Tillingbourne took place on a very rainy day but republics. Continental foods solicited varied responses spirits were not dampened and everyone worked together from the Year 9 students. Having met Hans Christian spectacularly well. Everyone then started the write-up after Anderson near the Town Hall and paid a courtesy call the fieldwork. Lessons finished at 8 pm and, by Sunday,

16 MATHEMATICS

Team Maths Challenge

Michell Bonuah and Maisie Burroughs from Year 9 and Emily Rumley and Lucy Taylor from Year 8 represented St. Francis’ College at the UK Mathematics Trust Team Maths Challenge. They competed in a regional final against twenty-four other schools. The competition combines mathematical, communication and teamwork skills and offers pupils another way to express and develop their enjoyment of Mathematics. St. Francis’ College finished Maths Inspiration Roadshow in fourth place!

The girls at St. Francis’ College accomplished great success in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Maths Challenge achieving 9 gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze certificates. Over 250,000 pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Maths Senior Maths Challenge Challenge with the top 6% receiving a gold certificate, the next 13% silver and the next 21% bronze.

5000 of the top students are invited to take part in a follow-on round, the Junior Kangaroo. We were delighted that five The Sixth Form A level mathematicians took part in the of our pupils; Heather Christie and Alessandra Cocevar from Year 7 and Rosalind Mackey, Jasmine Duru and Lucy Taylor UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. They achieved fantastic from Year 8 qualified to sit this paper. Furthermore, Rosalind and Alessandra’s scores put them in the top 25% of all the results with seventeen girls achieving either a gold, silver participants and they were awarded a certificate of merit. or bronze award. Particular mention should be made of Audrey Liu in Year 12 and Lily Yu and Sofie Stubo in The Maths challenges provide material to promote students’ mathematical thinking and test their problem-solving skills in an accessible yet challenging way. The UKMT is a registered charity whose aim is to advance the education of children and Year 13 who achieved gold awards. Lily’s score was high young people in Mathematics. It organises national Mathematics competitions and other enrichment activities for UK enough for her to qualify for a follow on round, the Senior secondary school pupils. Kangaroo, where she achieved a merit.

FOOD & NUTRITION

On Thursday 23rd June the Year 10 Food and Nutrition students went to London for the day. In the morning we went to

Harrods and looked at the vast array of foods from all over the world and marvelled at the extraordinary prices. We went

on to Borough Market for lunch where we could choose whatever food we fancied from a huge range of multicultural street

food. The day ended with ice-cream at the nitrogen-oxide ice cream parlour in Camden, which was the highlight of the trip.

Juliette Saunders

17 MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Le Touquet I had an amazing time in France. We went on many trips including, a snail farm, Nausicaa (aquarium), a chocolate On Thursday 30th June we went to Le Touquet! I was really Translation Bee excited as I have never been on a ferry before and I was factory, a bakery, went to the beach and had a drink at a On June 15th, four Year 9s, Michelle Bonuah, Maisie experiencing a different part of France. Once we had got on café. My favourite place that we went to was the aquarium Burroughs, Eleanor Hobson and Helen Sheng travelled the ferry everyone started going around the ferry into the because it was really interesting to see lots of different sea to Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge to participate shops and buying sweets. When we drove off the ferry on animals. The rooms were really well chosen because it was in the National Final of the Translation Bee. They were the coach, everyone said “We are in France!”. me and Sophia Davis La Camera. Some other activities that amongst the last 121 competitors out of the 7659 who we did were making delicious pancakes, walking around a We arrived in the hotel and we found our rooms: I was started the competition across the country in September. small village and filling in a quiz at the same time and playing with Clara and Emily. I was really happy with the room All participants were challenged to translate into French games outside. I would definitely go to Le Touquet again! choice because we all get along. I really enjoyed the fact that Thank you to all the teachers that chaperoned us all! as many sentences as they could across three tenses in we all had a balcony and we were talking to each other on the space of a minute. All the girls held their nerve and Alex Diedrick 7 MRY the balcony. It was really fun. performed extremely well in front of the large audience. It My favourite part of France was going to the chocolate was a challenging and stimulating afternoon and while they factory. I learnt a lot about how they make chocolate Insitut Français Tuesday 2nd February didn’t make it into the semi-finals, they were rewarded with and how they mould it and colour it. I learnt about the a medal and a certificate. Bravo les filles! Year 12 and 13 French students spent the day at the Insitut difference between milk and white chocolate. I also Français in South Kensington. The girls spent the morning enjoyed making pancakes on the last night. We all had learning about the different waves of immigration that to flip them in the air and my first pancake landed on the have enriched French culture from the beginning of the table but my second pancake landed in the pan. They were 20th Century until today. In the afternoon they enjoyed a really delicious! screening of the award-winning film Les Intouchables at When we went to the snail farm, I was a bit scared about the Ciné Lumière. trying snails. I tried one but I spat it out: I thought it was disgusting! We were also given snail biscuits which were not

National Foreign Language Spelling Bee 2016 Eleanor Hobson

Three Year 7 students, Avneet Bhamra, Alessandra Cocevar On June 15th we went to Anglia Ruskin University to compete in the regional Translation Bee. When we were and Florence Semple, represented St. Francis’ College at there we were told that we were the top 121 out of the the Eastern Area Regional Final of the National Spelling 7000-plus people who entered. Although we only made it Bee on 27th April. The girls were amongst 116 Regional to the first round of the final, I am very proud of how far Finalists out of the initial 11,000 participating pupils across we got. It was a very enjoyable day and everyone there was the Eastern Region. Alessandra went forward as one of the very good. I feel that my translation skills have improved a last 36 across three languages, but didn’t make it into the lot and this was a worthwhile experience. last four. A truly outstanding performance from all three of Maisie Burroughs our SFC linguists. Bravo! made out of snails, and they were great: they were lemon I was very lucky to be offered the opportunity to participate French Spelling Bee – Avneet Bhamra 7 MRY flavoured. When I first bit into it, it was really hard so I had in the Translation Bee. At first, I was very nervous, because to wait a while until it got soft. On Wednesday 27th April, I went to the Spelling Bee in we had to translate as many sentences as we could in a On the last day we went to the market and I always say Cambridge to represent St. Francis’ College. I was really minute, in front of about thirty other people! However, we that French markets are a bit more interesting than English scared and nervous as everyone else there was really good practised hard, and it was a great opportunity. markets. I bought a pair of earrings and some macaroons. and fast. I was glad we weren’t in the massive theatre with The Translation Bee helped me to speak more fluently The macaroons were delicious! We also went to the beach the microphone, we were in a small classroom. in the past, present and future tenses, and improved my and we ran down the hill and buried people in the sand: it French vocabulary. The trip was good fun, because we saw was great. Afterwards we went on a walk through Montreuil I was glad that I wasn’t the first or the last, I was just in the people from other schools reciting the sentences, and we and went to the bakery. At the bakery we learnt how the middle, so I heard how good everyone else was. After we were able to cheer each other on. croissants and bread are made. had gone though everyone in the room we had a break I would recommend the trip, because you can practise Then we made our way to Calais and boarded the ferry. and afterwards we found out the results. Alessandra got speaking French fluently, and it is a new and exciting I had a great time in France and wouldn’t have missed it through and she was really fast! There was this one girl who experience. for the world. It is an amazing experience and I would got through each word in two seconds and she was very recommend this trip to everyone. I had an amazing time accurate. I didn’t get through but I was really pleased on Michelle Bonuah with all my friends. This was an experience I will never how far I did get. I didn’t think I was going to get through The translation Bee was a great event to attend. Preparing forget; it was truly wonderful! the first round as I was really nervous! I had a great time for the competition improved my skills in the past, present By Avneet Bhamra 7 MRY and it was a good experience. and future tenses.

18 Après la bataille the correct rhythm. As a result, I had to sacrifice the use of rhyming couplets, since I would risk losing the sentiment of Mon père, ce héros au sourire si doux, the language itself. Suivi d’un seul housard qu’il aimait entre tous Pour sa The use of varying tenses also proved challenging. With grande bravoure et pour sa haute taille, Parcourait à cheval, several tenses, including the passé simple, I had to be le soir d’une bataille, careful in the translation of each tense into English, so that Les champs couverts de morts sur qui tombait la nuit. Il lui the final result created an air of calm before sudden panic, sembla dans l’ombre entendre un faible bruit, C’était un as the wounded soldier took aim. espagnol de l’armée en déroute

Qui se traînait sanglant sur le bord de la route, Normandy 2015

Râlant, brisé, livide et mort plus qu’à moitié, Et qui disait On 16th October, thirty-three bleary-eyed Year 11s : A boire, à boire par pitié ! Mon père ému, tendit à son and four staff left the College at 4am ready for a week housard fidèle Une gourde de rhum qui pendait à sa selle, of immersion in French language and culture in rural

Et dit : Tiens donne à boire à ce pauvre blessé Normandy. We stayed in a large converted eighteenth- century farmhouse and from there set out on a wide variety Tout à coup, au moment où le housard baissé of visits and excursions. For many, the most exciting day

Se penchait vers lui, l’homme une espèce de Maure, Saisit was our visit to Mont Saint Michel. The Abbey is over 1000 years old and sits majestically at the top of the winding, The Stephen Spender Prize un pistolet qu’il étreignait encore, narrow streets of the tiny island surrounded by water. We Et vise au front mon père en criant “ Caramba “ ! Le coup Three Students in Year 10 and one in Year 13 took up returned home on foot walking across the bay at low tide passa si près que le chapeau tomba the opportunity to enter the The Stephen Spender Prize, through rivers, quicksand and the grey mud left by the for poetry in translation this year. Entries came from Alix Et que le cheval fit un écart en arrière, tide. We also spent a wonderful day working at a children’s Wentworth-Foster, Athena Woodbridge, Charlotte Ashwin centre where the girls excelled themselves playing, chatting - Donne-lui quand même à boire, dit mon père. and Hannah Buisman. and singing to the children and making apple crumble Victor Hugo (La légende des siècles) for seventy with the help of forty 5-9 year-olds! Other Hannah Buisman (Year 13) submitted the following entry. excursions included visits to M. Martin’s Goat Farm, a visit Hannah Buisman – Commentary Entrants are required to also submit a commentary on the to the Bayeux Tapestry, and an evening spent in a local translation they have undertaken. French post-war literature is of particular interest to me Crêperie. By the end of their busy week all students felt as I find the futility of war leads to emotive and insightful they had made enormous progress in both their speaking After the Battle writing. Having studied French Novels, the Stephen and listening skills. My father, that softly smiling hero, Spender Prize gave me the chance to explore the Followed by a sole Hussar who he admired most fascinating array of French war poetry. ‘After the Battle’ For his great bravery and his towering stature, provides an insight into the paradoxical world of war, where Travelled on horseback, the eve of a battle, brutality meets morality, in the contrast between Hugo’s The night falls on the fields covered by death. forgiving father and the aggressive wounded soldier, who In the shadows, he seems to hear a muffled sound, seemed to have killing engrained in his philosophy.

It was a defeated Spanish soldier The period of the text led to the difficult translation of old Who was crawling whilst bleeding along the edge of the French words, which bore no relevance or meaning to the road, modern-day audience. After attempting to give the poem a Wheezing, shattered, pale and more than half dead, modern twist, I decided to keep to the language of the era, And who said: drink, drink, I beg you! since period features like ‘housard’ could not be replicated My father, filled with emotion, held out to his loyal Hussar in modern English while displaying the correct meaning. A flask of rum that hung from his saddle, The term ‘housard’ was particularly hard to translate due to And says: here give this wounded man a drink its deep connection with French history, therefore leading Suddenly, as the Hussar reached down me to choose the lesser known, but better-fitting term of And leaned towards him, the Moorish man, ‘Hussar’.

Seized a pistol which he still clasped, Due to Hugo’s style of writing, the enjambment throughout And takes aim at my father’s forehead, shouting “Caramba”! the poem had to be conserved. This meant trying to convey The shot passed so close that the hat fell the correct meaning while keeping to the rhythm of the And the horse stepped back, original. This was particularly difficult, as I had to match the - Give him a drink anyway, my father said. syllables of English and French words so that the poem had

19 MUSIC

Spring Concert 2016

Written by Alix Wentworth-Foster

On Thursday 10th March, girls from Years 7-13 treated us to a night of Latin American music. We were soon to find ourselves surrounded by songs influenced by Latin American roots, such as songs from musicals and twists on modern music.

Opening with a number by Five Seconds of Summer, the Rock Band set the bar high for the evening to come. A group who stood out (for the right reasons!) was Year 10 GCSE music, playing “Libertango” with an interesting range of instruments from the accordion to the double bass.

It was lovely to see how many students and staff are part of the Senior Orchestra. We were lucky enough to hear a variety of dance styles, including the famous “Mambo” of the upbeat track, ‘On Top of the World’ performed by of the leathery drum skin in a similar manner. Nigerian dance. The evening came to a close with the choirs the Year 10 Band. What followed was the Cantamus joined performing an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley from “Evita”. drummers beat the drum in ceremonies (I experienced a by the Percussion ensemble which energetically performed great feeling of nostalgia as they left the stage with a huge The amount of time and effort put in by the performers was ‘Africa’ by Toto. round of applause). clear and commitment played a key role. Performance after Throughout the night, the conductors brought the written performance showcased real talent amongst the groups. My Wade in the water, children score to life through their lively motions and intangible highlight of the evening was the brilliant performance from charismatic gestures. The next set of performances were Harmonix, from beginning to end, you couldn’t fault it! The It became apparent that we were going to visit America proof of this as eighteen alto and soprano singers from the concert as a whole couldn’t have been possible without the once again, this time to the early 1900s, some years before Chamber Choir sung joyously. Silver woodwind instruments music staff. Like the girls, it’s hard to imagine the work and the birth of jazz. The performance was incredibly lively and penetrated the air with ethereal waves producing soft preparation put in to making the concert as good as it was, uplifting as each band member of ‘Noit Animaxe’ played so thank you to Mrs Scott, Mr Herring and all other music mellow sounds and the Chamber and Senior Orchestra their instrument or sung in rhythmic fashion. staff involved. I am very intrigued to see what the Music were sheer brilliance from the string instruments whose department plan for the next concert! bows produced sonorous and lustrous sounds. The smooth The final performance sung by the ‘Harmonix’ choir was and expressive legatos of the clarinet and alto saxophone a fantastic way to end the spectacular concert. gave the orchestra the grandeur it possessed. The notes plunged emphatically and imparted a glorious The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Around the World in eighty Minutes. The word sense of triumph as they sang. It was no surprise that Read Only One Page ‘world’ certainly had links to Geography and the Mrs Goulding requested an encore in which the audience I never quite understood how a few hours can change the reference to time (eighty minutes) was clearly an gladly responded to with bursts of excitement and cheers atmosphere of any place till I stepped foot into the theatre. obvious link to History of enthusiasm. The once-formalised setting, used to enrich our minds in A Pilot and Air Stewardess introduced the acts and the form of assemblies, had been transformed. Joshua fit the battle of Jericho . . . and the walls come always made reference to a journey. We were going It’s two minutes past seven and there are loads of through a musical journey. Every act depicted a moment in tumblin' down people already time and so we were also given an insight into the culture As Mrs Goulding said in her closing remarks, the music of each place. I glanced at my watch in amazement at the high turnout of concert was a great opportunity for the girls to display their

people as I sat on the wine seats. I realised, although slightly Next up was the Jazz Band. Their performance was one talents. Indeed, it was an absolutely fantastic performance insignificant, as the cymbals clashed and the guitar strings that would have made Duke Ellington proud. The speedy that certainly ushered feelings of festivity. You cannot grow were struck delicately, that my journal, in which I was to hard-hitting rhythms of be-pop and intricate melodies as an individual if you know nothing beyond the borders document this great journey through time was the same gave the Theatre earthy grooves. After that beautiful of your world. Music is an art that allows us to learn about colour as the seats. performance we heard the magnificent voices of three choirs who performed meaningful music including a other cultures and traditions which will help in not only All performers were dressed in a black ensemble with traditional Irish folk blessing. satisfying our inexorable penchants for learning but will colourful scarves tied around their necks. The vibrant better our understanding of our world, which is the book colours of the scarves were in harmony with the beautiful I have been to several music concerts but this concert lighting effects creating a youthful exuberance evident struck chords. By introducing unconventional instruments we read. St. Francis’ College Music Department took through the audience’s wide grins. I sat anticipating the first such as the Djembe drum, the concert was very versatile. us around the world in eighty minutes and gave us the performance which turned out to be a beautiful rendition I was impressed to see five girls strike the different areas opportunity to read more pages.

20 ENGLISH

Upon arrival at the conference, we had the opportunity to begin lobbying with other delegates. We read through the The Tempest Theatre Trip resolutions proposed by others, in order to resolve a range The Sixth Form English students enjoyed a great trip to of topical problems, and signed them if we wanted to see London on Thursday 25th February to attend a production them be debated in committee. The conference officially of The Tempest at The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the begun after the opening ceremony, an assembly which Globe Theatre. involved all delegates, security and council members, along

After the play we met Mr Hetherington, who practised his with a motivational speaker as a guest. tour-guiding skills by giving the girls a tour of the Southwark Bright and early the next day, we commuted back to area focusing on some of the historical background to the Haileybury College where each of us parted to go to Elizabethan and Jacobean plays they are studying. our separate committees, ranging from Human Rights to

Autumn Concert Poetry by Heart Competition Ecology to the Environment. Once the final lobbying session had taken place, we were ready to debate the resolutions In the hour before the show began, excitement was The English Department set all girls in the College the which had gained a sufficient amount of signatures, and building inside the College theatre. Microphones were challenge to learn a poem by heart and perform it to their had also been passed by the Approvals Panel. I sat on the class. The resulting performances were very impressive and tested, a large variety of instruments tuned, outfits put Disarmament committee along with around eighty other the winners from each class were invited to perform in our together. With each run-through the musical pieces became delegates, each representing a different member-state of Poetry by Heart Final on 7th January. more vibrant, and it became clear to me, as a member of the United Nations. I personally delegated for Nigeria, the audience, that this show of 'Around the World in 80 Imogen Harper was our winner in the Years 7-9 category. meaning I had to research Nigerian interests and views

Minutes' would be captivating and refreshing. I managed Isabel Frohlich was our winner in the Years 10-13 category. on topics such as piracy, arms trade between members of state and terrorist organisations, militant groups’ use of to speak to a few girls between their busy performance Isabel qualified for the regional final of the Poetry by Heart ground to air missiles and finally, the question of limiting the rehearsals, and they were unanimous about the pride they Competition at the Quarry Theatre in Bedford on 28th increasing violence in Latin America. As a committee, we felt as performers. Scarlett Tilley and Ellie Warwick, Year 9, January; she did a fantastic job, performing two poems debated the different resolutions proposed by delegates, said 'You feel very special as the people are coming to see before a large and rather intimidating audience. resulting in the resolution either being passed or failed after you perform'. Some girls also expressed some nervousness a final vote. as show-time crept closer and closer: 'Mrs Scott has put a Model United Nations On the Sunday after a Model United Nations act of lot of effort towards producing the concert, as have us girls, observance, which involved a large chapel service, followed Earlier in March this year, from Friday the 18th to Sunday and expectations are high' (Year 7 choir). I'm sure you will by a morning of being in our committees, to end the the 20th, myself and nine other St. Francis students ranging agree that any expectations were undoubtedly exceeded! experience, a General Assembly took place which involved from Year 9 to Year 12, as well as over six hundred other all delegates, security and council members. Here, we students from across the globe, had the privilege of continued to debate different resolutions however this taking part in Haileybury College’s Model United Nations 9 Lessons and Carols review time, the resolutions proposed concerned different topics Conference of 2016. This was an event in which our from every committee. This meant that as a (very large) There was an air of anticipation as the Orchestra finished diplomacy skills were tested as we took on the task of group, we explored a broader range of stances on the their piece, and the service began. The Choir processed delegating for our assigned country. For many of us, this was prevalent issues raised. in singing O come, O come Emmanuel, with a solo at the our first time taking part in such a large conference, causing beginning. The readings were delivered by students, staff, Overall, it can be said that Model United Nations was a it to be both a nerve racking yet exhilarating experience. thoroughly enjoyable, rewarding and recommendable and the Chairman of Governors. Students from all years To prepare for the event, extensive after school planning experience, in which all of the prior planning was definitely gave wonderful performances, but one of the favourites took place in the weeks leading up to the conference, in made worth it. Haileybury College must be highly acclaimed was Long Before the Night, which was a new carol, and order to make sure that as delegates we were as prepared for their extensive preparations put into place in order for had been introduced to us this year. The evening finished as possible. During this time, we crafted our opening the conference to succeed in the way that it did. Finally, our with the Choir processing out singing Of the Father’s Heart policy statements, our position papers for each topic being thanks go out to Miss Wallace for organising our entry and Begotten, and the music echoed beautifully through the attending the conference, as well helping in the preparations debated in our committees, practiced debating and most College’s halls. for the event. importantly, gained an overall understanding of what we Athena Woodbridge were going to be involved in. By Hollie Scanlon

21 RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Unison and Year 10 Religious Studies Lesson

On Friday 25th September Mrs Elliott’s Year 10 GCSE Religious Studies group joined with the Unison visitors to research and give presentations on aspects of Christianity and Hinduism. There were seven groups in total, all with a mixture of St. Francis’ College and Unison World School students. Some of the topics examined included: ‘One God or Many?’, ‘The Role of Women in Religion’, ‘The Importance of the Scriptures’ and ‘Ideas about the Afterlife’.

Hindu Temple visit The presentations were of an excellent standard, comparing

On Tuesday 28th April Year 8 visited the Shri Swaminarayan and contrasting the issues studied in the two different Mandir (Hindu Temple) in Neasden. This is the biggest religions. It was very impressive to see what was achieved Temple outside India and is quite a breath-taking sight. On by all students in only an hour and a quarter. arrival we all took our shoes off as a sign of respect and were welcomed by a member of the Temple staff. We then watched a DVD about how the Temple was constructed. After this, we had an opportunity to walk around the main worship hall in silence. Many girls were amazed by the intricate marble carvings and the life-sized murtis (statues) of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

We then spent time walking around the ‘Understanding Hinduism’ exhibition and finding answers to questions from the worksheet. We learnt about some of the contributions Hindu scholars have made to Mathematics, Astronomy and even plastic surgery. given some food eaten at Passover, including parsley dipped Year 7 trip to Regents Park Mosque in salt water to represent the bitterness of the slaves’ tears, At 11.45am we watched the daily Arti ceremony, a unique On 27th April 2016 we visited the mosque. During our when the Jews were in Egypt. Everyone in the year thought experience consisting of prayers, mantras and blessings. trip we had to wear a scarf that covered our head to show this tasted horrible, apart from Jessica! We also had some Finally, we had a ‘question and answer’ session with another respect. When we got there we removed our shoes and matzo (unleavened bread). This was more popular! Finally, member of the Temple staff. I was very impressed by the put them on shelves so we didn’t ruin the carpets which we ate some doughnuts which Jews eat at Hanukkah. thoughtful questions asked by the St. Francis’ girls. These had mats built into them for prayer. They have lots of food which is fried in oil to remind them covered a variety of topics including family life, food, We had one of the four Imams (religious leader) show us of the story of the miracle. festivals and how religion affects daily life. around the prayer hall. While being showed around we saw

The trip concluded with a visit to the gift shop, with many Then, we examined some food packaging, so we know the prayer times on the wall which told us when you were purchases of friendship bracelets and bindis. At 1pm we what Jews can and can’t eat. We found out that “hechsher” meant to come to prayer. We also saw the Minbar (a stand went over the road to the Shayona restaurant and all is a food label that tells Jews whether the food is kosher or like a lectern). As soon as you walked into the prayer hall you were stunned by the huge chandelier. After the Imam enjoyed a delicious vegetarian buffet. Some girls even found not. We made menus for a Jewish family, following kosher. showed us around, we asked some questions and we room to buy an ice cream from the attached ice-cream We all found this really fun but quite tricky, considering that were amazed that the whole mosque held 2,500 people parlour before we returned to College. they cannot eat some meat products or eat meat and milk all at one time. products in the same meal. After we had a Q and A we were shown around the During the Holocaust in World War 2, Adolf Hitler, Jewish Museum visit exhibition about Islam which consisted of large factual who despised Jews, had about six million of them killed. On Monday 9th November 2015, Year 7 had the boards about topics such as the life of Muhammad and This really moved us all, and it is surprising to see how the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’. There was also a shop full of opportunity to experience “A Taste of Judaism”. many of them had the confidence to stand up to him. vegetarian food and some nice souvenirs, which we We travelled into Camden in London, to visit the enjoyed buying. Jewish museum. The final thing we looked at, in the Jewish museum, were

some exhibitions on the history of Judaism in Britain. The After a busy morning at the mosque we were given a During this trip we were able to taste traditional Jewish whole year learnt much about the Jewish heritage from the room to have lunch in, and talk about all that we had seen. foods, and we discovered what makes food kosher. big information boards. We enjoyed our visit and it deepened our understanding We went into a room, where we read a small part of a of Islam. Jewish book, which was about the Passover. It was called We are so happy to have been able to visit the museum, as the Seder book. After reading a bit of this, we were all we all learnt so much. It was a very enjoyable trip. By Hannah-Laura Schlote and Lauren Howland

22 SCIENCE

Heather Christie – Animal Care Club I think that the Industrial Cadets is a great experience from looking for toxins in toothpaste, to providing clues

I love Animal Care Club. It’s super fun how you get to look for me because it is all about teamwork and cooperating. from the traces left by a suspect, which is utilised by after all of Mrs Glanville’s animals! There’s a leopard gecko, The Cadets also improved my public speaking and forensic scientists. a crested gecko, some tree frogs, a crayfish, lots of stick confidence by talking to the assessors. This connection between what we had covered in insects, some black beauties (not the horse kind!) and the Ruby Lung textbooks (and are tested in those papers I mentioned) breeding snails. Every week on a Wednesday, we come in and the real-life application of spectrometry proved to us and feed the animals. Sometimes we have to get privet Snuffling in the Grounds of St. Francis’ the importance of this science whilst sparking our interest in the broad field of chemistry. (a type of leaf) for the stick insects or even change the This year I have been proud to continue my work with privet in the cage. The stick insects go everywhere – Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital, however in October we Grace Twitchett especially now there are tiny ones too. We might even get had a slightly different resident. When I met Natasha in the chance to get the geckos, Rupert and Florence, out reception to hear a quiet growl coming from the pet carrier, for a hold if we’re lucky. Hilary’s really good at pulling off I thought I must be mistaken. But no, when picking up Milly Rupert’s dry skin when he’s moulting. Rupert doesn't like it the hedgehog in my hands to place her into her new home though! I remember the time when Rupert ran away. – the first time she has been outdoors since her rescue in We got him back of course! The best bit about Animal Care the summer – once again I heard this peculiar sound. It may Club is being with my friends and learning new things about surprise you that curling into a prickly ball isn’t a hedgehog’s the fascinating animals. only defence. Milly is proof of their vocal abilities to warn off danger.

Industrial Cadets – CAD After her noisy arrival, Milly soon settled in and would

The St. Francis’ College Industrial Cadets team shone confidently potter out of her shelter for food, which I would with team spirit, confidence and presentation skills at the bring to her daily for a fortnight during the rehabilitation Celebration and Assessment Day on 27th June in Ware. period, after which she was released into our grounds. The team of Eira Bagenal, Michelle Bonuah, Eleanor In September 2016 I will be looking for a new pupil to Hobson, Ruby Lung, Mehar Magon and Ellie Warwick assist me with the care of new arrivals and to continue on (all in Year 9) worked over the last ten weeks on their the partnership with the Hospital, and am sure that these project entitled “Our healthy school”. Apart from animals will be grateful for your help! graduating as Industrial Cadets and achieving CREST Silver Grace Twitchett Awards, the St. Francis’ team also won the Students’ Choice Award for their project. What a fantastic achievement! "Spectroscopy in a Suitcase" Industrial Cadets was a challenging scheme, but it all paid On Monday 14th March, us A Level chemists opened off in the end. We learnt a variety of skills that will help us the familiar door of Dr Fengler’s laboratory to find, not later on in life. A5-sized past papers (we would receive these later that Mehar Magon week), but the benches laid out with unfamiliar equipment, The Industrial Cadets programme was a great experience. and two new guests from Anglia Ruskin University; This programme encouraged me to think about taking a Dennis and Trevor, who delivered the ‘Spectroscopy in a career in STEM. Over the ten-week period we learned skills Suitcase’ workshop. The two stations were for infra-red such as teamwork, organisation, presentation and public and UV-vis spectroscopy, and I was curious as to how a speaking. I would definitely love to do this again. portable machine could tell us so much about the unknown Michelle Bonuah compounds contained in various jars and tubes on In Industrial Cadets, I learned how to work to deadlines and the benches. overcome challenges with my teammates. The experience Before we could get our hands on the portable was both educational and fun, and the graduation day was spectrometer, we learned the main principle behind its use: really fun. spectroscopy is the study of the way light (electromagnetic Eira Bagenal radiation) and matter interact. So, by shining a beam of a Industrial Cadets allowed me to learn how to cooperate particular EM radiation onto a sample, and observing how with teammates and work to a deadline. The graduation day it responds to this stimulus, this allows scientists like us to was good fun and I met some really great people. obtain information about the structure and properties of Ellie Warwick matter. And it really does matter.

I really enjoyed Industrial Cadets. It was sometimes a bit of Whilst we could test first-hand for the components of a challenge, but it was worth it. I also really enjoyed meeting food dyes with the UV-vis spectrometer and identify the everyone else on the Celebration Assessment Day. functional groups of compounds from their IR-spectra, Eleanor Hobson specialists use the art of spectrometry for anything

23 SPORT

RECORD BREAKERS

This year’s Athletics season saw many records broken

Congratulations to the following girls:

Aele Ebai-Eyong Year 7 Hurdles

Sophie Shackell Year 7 High Jump

Jasmine Duru Year 8 200m

Lucy Taylor Year 8 800m & 1500m

Jasmine Duru, Olivia Lindsay, Ella Pentland, Lucy Taylor Year 8 Relay

‘This Girl Can’ National Campaign Tennis Tour to Mallorca (Easter 2016) of the day with a number of personal best performances. Eleanor Skipp and Danielle Males worked busily with local A 23- strong party enjoyed an Easter Tennis Tour to All pupils showed strength and determination contributing primary schools inspiring young girls to get involved and Mallorca where the sun shone, the sea beckoned and valuable points to their teams. The Year 8 team, captained stay active to lead healthy lifestyles. the tennis was played on clay courts surrounded by by Jasmine Duru and Olivia Lindsay, featured a District stunning scenery. Our Spanish coaches Xavi, Alfonso and 1500m Record breaker in Lucy Taylor and the team were They wrote and presented speeches about their sporting Laura ensured all pupils had an excellent mixture of fun also crowned winners in their age group - a first ever win experiences, how they became involved in sport, their and challenge. for St. Francis’ College! achievements and the challenges they faced along the way. Annual Sports Awards Dinner Hockey Tennis Masterclasses It was fantastic that there were 83 attendees at "The Our Year 9 Hockey Team have been incredibly successful Twins Annie and Sophie Watts (Old Girls) returned to give this season. They were crowned champions in both the Sports Awards Dinner" on Monday 27th June 2016 where our Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils masterclasses in tennis. The twins indoor and outdoor district hockey tournaments and were many awards were presented and the year’s sporting study at Fresno State University in California on a full tennis also, together with some of our Year 8 girls, U14 County achievements were celebrated. scholarship and have been representing their University in Cup Finalists! singles and doubles now for four years. They are due to Emmie Kerr and Hannah Loosley picked up ‘Sports Athletics complete their Biology degree in December 2016. Personality’ and horse riders Isabel Scott, Lucie Payne, It has been yet another successful Athletics season for Phoebe Hill and Emma Welbourne won ‘Team of the Year’. Netball Lauren Aldridge, Year 12. We congratulate her on many Our Years 7 and 8 Netball teams competed with vigour and District Athletics Championships outstanding performances and her qualification to compete deft skill at their district tournaments. Year 7 came away Our Year 7-10 athletes battled valiantly in the wind and rain in the U20 Girls ‘Hammer’ at the National Championships winners of the plate competition! at the Ridlins Athletics Stadium. They were many highlights in July 2016 at Gateshead.

24 Swimming Ashwin, were runners-up in their age group and Charlotte the 'Best All Rounder' award for the U17s after stand Charlotte Ashwin, Year 10, swam at the East Regionals in also came second in the individual event. out performances. seven events! She won Gold in the 200m Individual Medley, Horse Riding Football Silver in the 400m Individual Medley and also competed Phoebe Hill and her pony Max qualified for Nationals, for Our Year 10 girls have discovered the fun in football after in the finals of the 50m and 200m Breaststroke. Another achieving a clear in all three rounds of show jumping, with having the opportunity to try it during their curriculum time outstanding year, in fact her best to date, ensured her the height increasing every round, to reach up to 1.10m. and the extra-curricular Football Club has now built up a qualification to swim at the English Nationals in the 200m, Phoebe achieved a treble clear in a quick time finishing in loyal following. 400m and 200m Breaststroke events in August 2016. second place. Self Defence Rounders Our Year 11 Girls have been busy learning many self- Rugby Plenty of excellent batting and fielding skills were on defence techniques and have become adept at applying display as the Years 7 and 9 Rounders teams won their Catherine Cirkel (Year 10) was selected again for Herts them in a number of practical situations. Confidence in District Tournaments and the Years 8 and 10 teams County U15 and captained the side on numerous their ability to take care of themselves in difficult situations finished as runners-up. occasions. She has also been selected to join the RFU South has been evident East U15 Junior Academy. It must have something to do Cross Country with all the tries she has been scoring! Congratulations to all our Cross Country teams who performed incredibly in the recent District Championships. Cricket The Year 8 team, led by Ella Pentland and Lucy Taylor, In Cricket, Catherine Cirkel (Year 10) is already playing a came first in their age group and Lucy Taylor also won big part in Herts County U15 and U17 squads. In February the individual event. The Year 10 team, led by Charlotte she was awarded the 'Best Bowler' for the U15s and also

25 HOUSE EVENTS

House ‘Bake off’ 2015 House Music 2016 considering how everybody had ‘gone all out this year’ with By Abbey Hobbs both creativity and technique. Overall, she selected Athene The variety of scrumptiously baked and skilfully decorated as 2016's winning House, complimenting the group’s goodies, presented at the House Bake Off this year Late June this year saw Houses Artemis, Hera, Athene and enthusiasm and teamwork! certainly made it a difficult competition for our judges to Selene come together once again to compete in the select a winner. St. Francis’ House Music Competition. The contest was split “Although organising Selene for House Singing was into two categories, the 'House Solo Act' and the 'House probably the most stressful part of being a House Captain The judges, Mrs Goulding, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Lomax Song'. A solo act was put forward to represent each House (so far), having everyone’s efforts come together at the were greatly impressed with the multiple cakes and scones in the first category as well as a Queen song chosen by the end was worth it. It was really satisfying to see everyone made by House representatives from each year group. House to perform. participating, and getting to watch the other Houses’ Sophia Davis la Camera from Athene was the Year 7 performances. All the time spent listening to Queen in winner, with her exotic ‘Lemon and Seed Muffins’, in Year This year’s judge, Mrs Childs, the new flute teacher in the preparation was pretty great as well.” 8, Katie Holman from Athene with her delicious ‘Chocolate Music department, opened the event with a prayer, which Orange Scones’ and Jess Turley in Year 9 with her colourful was then followed by a warm-up of 'Here Comes the Sun,' Jessica Rowe Athene-themed ‘Purple Swirl Cakes’. Asha Noakes won performed by all the Houses. Selene House Captain the Year 10 category with her sweet ‘Banoffee Cakes’ Selene's solo act was the first act to perform, Alicia Rubert Many thanks to all the year groups and Staff, House for Hera and Phoebe Holdsworth in Year 11 for Artemis Puchalt accompanied by Erin Murray: a natural, artistic Captains, Heads of Houses and everybody who contributed with her elegantly-decorated ‘Raspberry Flower Cake’. performance of 'Let it Be'. Artemis followed with Becky to this year’s successful House Music Competition! Lauren Aldridge won overall in the Year 12-13 category Aldridge & Eleanor Hobson: an energetic and skilled with her incredible ‘Chocolate Orange and Malteser Cake’, piano duet of 'Trepak'. Hera came after Artemis with Cara representing Selene. Heanue and Jemma Starling's beautiful, harmonic duet of Congratulations to all the girls for participating in the 'The Feeling'. Last, but not least, Athene closed the category competition and for representing their Houses. Overall, the with Athena Woodbridge's graceful and heart-warming results are as follows: in 4th place, Artemis, in 3rd place, piece 'Adoration' on the violin. Mrs Chil's shared her Hera, in 2nd place, Selene and our winners for this year’s valuable feedback to each of the Houses, highlighting each Bake off, Athene! act’s strengths and offered tips for everybody to reflect on.

Thank you to our wonderful judges, Mrs Purchon and She finally announced the winners for the first category, House Captains for all their support and, of course, Athene, represented by Athena Woodbridge's violin piece.

Miss Major, who made all of this possible! The competition moved straight into the second category, Selene taking the stage once more to perform their House song, 'We will Rock you'. Creating their own backing track with the help of drums and a guitar tune, Selene pulled off an epic and an effective, powerful performance.

Artemis created an entire classroom setting, featuring Mr Hobbs as their Class Tutor. Portraying an amusing story alongside their song, 'I want to Break Free', Artemis's performance this year was definitely an intriguing and entertaining one.

Hera took to the stage in perfect formation, performing their song 'We are the Champions'. Harmonies on point, they skilfully captured the sense of how powerful one can be in a team, pulling off a fantastic performance.

Athene's 'Don't Stop me Now' was packed with both visual aids and creative choreography. From a cardboard cut-out image of a grenade bomb to a kindergarten playground car, accompanied by strong vocals, Athene's performance was full of thrilling energy and enthusiasm.

Everybody was buzzing after their performances and Mrs Childs took to the stage to announce the results. Similarly to the solo acts, she gave each House great compliments as well as advice, reflecting on their performances. She told us how challenging it had been to choose a winner,

26 P.S.H.E CHARITY NEWS

We were privileged to welcome back the team from Green Dragon Enterprise to work with our Year 7 and 8. Students were challenged to invent or innovate an ethical product. Exploring concepts such as the carbon footprint, climate change and the product lifecycle, students worked in teams to agree on a strategy and product.

Students were also introduced to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals initiative, a global pathway to achieving inclusive growth by 2030.

To challenge each student’s ability to think critically, they explored the concepts of poverty stereotypes and cause marketing.

The photographs highlight some of the fantastic presentation work produced throughout the day, which accompanied spoken ‘pitches’ by each team in the final. Charity News – 2015/6

Here at St. Francis’ College I think it is fair to say that cake stalls are a very popular way of raising funds for the many charities we support. Last year began with a very successful whole-school cake stall for MacMillan Cancer Support, which was quickly followed by our Recycled Fashion Show which raised money for Kanyike, “Wear it Pink” day for Breast Cancer Care and a “Glitter and Sparkle” day for Garden House Hospice. Form charities raised over £2000 during the year for charities as diverse as Cancer Research, Syria Relief, Vinjeru School Trust in Zambia, RSPCA and The Darwin Centre, Cambridge.

In the Spring Term our Charity Prefects, Mary Collins and Kelly Lung, came up with a practical and very different way to support three charities. They organised a collection of books for the local charity, “Just Be a Child”, which has already shipped a large shipping container full of books and toys to a remote part of Kenya. The shipping container is turned into a library upon arrival. Five boxes of sanitary products were delivered to Luton Women’s Refuge, and a massive box of underwear and unwanted bras were delivered to a UK charity, “Say Pants to Poverty”.

On International Women’s Day, girls dressed up as a woman who inspires them, and the funds raised were used to sponsor Marie Chantal through the Women for Women International Charity. Marie Chantal is from Rwanda and the funds we have raised will enable her to receive life-skills training and basic business training so she can support her four children.

The final fundraiser of the summer was the annual whole-school picnic for Kanyike. Girls in the Senior School hosted a series of stalls and games to raise money for our whole-school charity, Kanyike. Welly throwing, Sponge the Teacher and Hair Braiding were all very popular. Over the summer a group of girls and staff visited the Kanyike Project in Uganda to experience life in this sustainable project, and see the difference that the money we raise makes to these communities.

Katharine Purchon, Charity Co-ordinator

27 INDIA TRIP 2016 A sari stall on the road to Rishikesh

India was an amazing and eye-opening trip this autumn, as I was excited to experience their education, and to come forget the little things’, and she was right. I was doing so I’m sure all the girls who went with me would agree. to their lessons. much over those two weeks that I could barely remember As soon as I heard it was available to me next year, I was what I had had for dinner! Keeping my diary up-to-date was However, a part of me was worried that I would miss my filled with excitement, and as I sent in my letter of request, I fun, as I could reminisce about what I had done that day family. I had never been away from home for such a long couldn’t wait for Year 9 to come. and, in the future, I would read back what I had done and it time, let alone staying away halfway across the globe! I have always wanted to visit India: the country appealed to will bring back such good memories. In hindsight, I need not to have worried, as I would be so me, and I felt this was a great opportunity to explore this So, it has been a month and a bit since I left the airport to vast culture, from smells to spices, colours and care-free caught up in the adventure I wouldn’t worry whatsoever. embark on the unforgettable journey to India. I must say, it cows to stunning saris, spectacular festival shows and Iin fact, at the end of each fun-packed day, I would be so will be one I will never forget. splendid Bollywood movies. tired that as soon as my head touched the pillow, I would be fast asleep. Thank you to Mrs Goulding and Mrs Foster for making this It wasn’t just India itself that I yearned to experience, but a memory of a lifetime. the girls from Unison World School that I had befriended I remember someone telling me, ‘bring a notebook, and when they came in September, just the month before. write a daily diary, as you will be doing so much you may By Frances Clark, Student, Year 9

I have always wanted to Yoga by the Ganges visit India: the country appealed to me, and I felt this was a great opportunity to explore Amy ringing the temple bell this vast culture

28 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

International Women’s Day was on 8th of March. with her often fiddling her toes. She was determined to My Inspiration

St. Francis’ celebrated this day by asking the girls to dress spend hours in the gym, which she did and soon changed Frances Clark, 9SOM like a woman who inspires them. This event was ushered her mindset saying, ‘my thought process repaired my spinal We all have people we look up to. I have quite a few in by an evening event the day before. It was truly a cord’. Her final remarks that ‘our beliefs and behaviours idols, however I have spent quite a while trying to think spectacular night full of laughter and occasionally moments are interlinked’ was illustrated with the dilemma of of reflection. There was no way any woman or man left the of someone who I really look up to, and I can’t think of getting off the bed in the morning. She explained that if event without feeling stronger and more confident. a single person. we told our minds to get off the bed, we would get off

The Chamber Choir opened up the event, which took and be productive. I think that’s my problem. I can’t think of a single person, place in the Theatre with a beautiful song. As soon as but I can think of dozens of empowering and influential The audience was clearly captivated by the powerful they finished, Mrs Hayes introduced the speakers. The women who altogether become what I look up to. first speaker was Brita Fernandez-Schmidt, the Executive messages they had heard. You could tell by the smiles on Director of Women for Women International. Her their faces and their alertness and attentiveness to every Firstly, there is my mother. That’s a no-brainer, she has fifteen-minute talk highlighted the importance of addressing single word the inspiring speakers uttered. Emily Jupp, the done so much for me, given up so much for me, and social injustices that women in the world encounter on owner of Milly J shoes walked to the stage in her strikingly helped me so much that no gift I bought her could ever a daily basis. Thereafter, she played a video produced by unconventional shoes and began her speech. ‘We all have compare to what she’s given me, (however I’m sure

Women for Women centred on the struggles women in our stories to tell’ she said, and she told hers through she’d agree that a Jaguar would come pretty close, she’s war-torn areas face. She highlighted the importance of her articulate voice narrating her childhood from Jamaica always wanted to drive one). lending our voice to create a change of inspiration even if it to Bangladesh and finally acting in top drama schools in is through the hashtag She inspires me, which was created Then, there’s my Grandma, also a no-brainer. I’m pretty England. She still had an affinity for curiosity, striving to to celebrate the achievements of women. Her anecdotal close to my grandma, and I love to hear the stories of her find positive ways to contribute to the world. In growing, references to the trials and triumphs she faced in her career childhood and her travels, because she has been all over Emily Jupp spoke about how personal growth can manifest the world, and seen some absolutely marvellous things. itself in circumstances, which proved to be true when she Some day, I want to travel the world, and marvel in the lost her brother. A shoe designed in honour of him made midst of the Earth, just like she did. her realize this as she narrated that ‘our most powerful Then there are the powerful women of the celebrity

world. Michelle Obama is someone I am particularly

fond of. She always tries to help where she can, and use

her power for good purposes. She’s a lawyer, which is

a profession I have come to love, and she is a strong yet

humorous woman.

Another woman who I look up to is Amelia Earhart. She

was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic solo, and

also became the first female pilot. I have always looked

up to Amelia Earhart, because she was independent, and

achieved the greatest records and awards for her bravery.

A lesser-known woman, Laura Dekker, who is Dutch, is were incredibly inspirational, leaving us to think about the also an inspiration to me. She sailed around the world alarming fact she mentioned that ‘in modern times, it is solo when she was just 14 in 2012, and finished when more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier’. she was 16, in 2014. You might remember this in the

news, as she brought a camera with her to film the whole The next speaker, Wendy Smith, a Paralympian basketball moments come from pain’. Almost immediately after she player who represented Great Britain in the women’s journey. She wanted to start when she was 12, however received an applause, Emily Jupp gave a powerful opera wheelchair basketball team in Athens in 2004 spoke about the Dutch government stopped her from doing so. She performance that left many awe-struck. the barriers she faced in her childhood. ’I wanted to be never gave up and, two years later, set off on the journey a car mechanic’ she explained but her teachers couldn’t By eight o’ clock, guests were eating and drinking. The three her parents made twenty years earlier. She is such a understand why a girl like her would aspire to do a male- speakers met with a number of people who found their persistent woman, and she never gave up, and that’s why dominated job. Wendy did not let their doubts stop her stories and them inspiring. Photos were taken, canapés she’s inspiring to me. and worked in a garage for a short time till she was involved were munched and women inspired other women - a in a terrible motorbike accident at aged 17 and told that she These women are inspiring for me, for different reasons, definite chain reaction. would never walk again after suffering a severe spinal injury. and that’s why they are my idols. I look up to them, for While in the hospital, Wendy’s sister would spend time Lanaire Aderemi what they have achieved, and they are my inspiration.

29 KANYIKE PROJECT

After waving goodbye to our families we headed to Our time at the nursery, although most of it was spent Heathrow airport in the College mini bus driven by playing with children, involved trying to translate ‘Duck Mrs Lomax. Duck Goose’ into words that they understood. We ended

There was a sense of real excitement but also anticipation up with ‘Cat Cat Dog’ which quickly became a favourite. of the upcoming weeks, as nobody really knew what It was magical to see how the children were always smiling to expect. After a long 13-hour flight we arrived at our and happy, even though they have basic facilities to live stopover in Dubai. Even though it was 2am, none of us and learn. could resist a trip to the airport’s McDonalds. Many During our stay we were able to visit an HIV outreach card games later we were ready to board our flight to centre and found the experience was heart-breaking at Entebbe Airport. times but the staff were thoroughly professional and the We were greeted at the airport by Aidah and Dan, two clients were resilient and incredible. Miss Major and Miss members of staff and piled into two vehicles in the hot Semmens nearly fainted at the sight of a tooth being pulled Ugandan heat on the way to the Kanyike Project. The out with basic equipment but Elizabeth was strong and Kanyike Project consists of eight villages working together found it incredibly interesting. The rest of us, horrified at to improve the communities’ quality of life and maintain the the sight, were assigned to various tasks including handing on-going developments. The project uses the money that out and recording medicines given to clients, filling out we raise in order to make this happen and during our time health forms and watching people being tested for HIV there, we were able to see the various schemes that have and Malaria. While we were there we learnt that 50% of benefitted. When we drove into the Kanyike project you the population were under eighteen, however, the life could see the excitement on the children’s faces as they expectancy is slowly increasing which shows that people are all chased the vehicles down the dirt tracks. We all found benefitting from increased medical support. this very surreal and got a glimpse of what it must feel to be a celebrity. We were also able to see the great progress that has been made with the water and agricultural projects but we were We were shown to our rooms: although simple with horrified that the children had to walk a mile to get water just two beds in each room we were very grateful that for school up a steep hill because their borehole wasn't we would be sleeping in proper beds with mattresses. working. It made us realise how lucky we are to have clean, The food we were given to eat was simple but delicious. accessible water and we swore never to complain again During the two weeks of our stay in Uganda a lot of rice was consumed. We ate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, about having to walk across school to the dining room. including pineapple, pawpaw, watermelon, green beans We saw the sense of community within the project at many and sweet potatoes. Beans also came part of our daily diet; different points during our stay. St. Hilda’s Women’s Club I don’t think I have ever eaten so much rice and beans in highlighted this spirit particularly. The women met every my life. fortnight and learnt a range of craft skills which we had the

The school was one of our first things we experienced. It opportunity to see. We were also able to buy some of the was set up in 1987 with a single teacher and only a handful products they made, in order to show our support for the of children. Now they have eight members of staff, over group and enabling them to expand. 300 pupils and a recently-constructed roof. Seeing the Our trip to the Kanyike Project was definitely made lack of resources in the classrooms, such as a group of memorable by the warmth and hospitality of everyone in seven children sharing one textbook, made us realise how the villages and particularly the project staff. The children important our fundraising is. The moment we gave them on site provided us with entertainment in our spare time, the stationery and gifts that we collected was unforgettable. and were even kind enough to give us new nicknames. During our time at the school, we taught classes of various Everything we saw during our trip made us realise how age groups subjects such as Maths, English, Science and important it is to keep supporting the project. Seeing the Music. Despite being A-Level students, we struggled children without shoes and only one change of clothes was to understand the questions set for 13-year-olds in one of the many moments which opened our eyes to how their exams. different our lifestyles are. One afternoon at the school involved an exchange of We are so grateful to the Kanyike project and everyone singing and dancing, which enabled us to embrace Ugandan involved for giving us this experience and we culture as well as share ours with the pupils. We were so recommend to anyone who has the chance to go to seize impressed with their talent, but also with the enthusiasm and dedication of the teachers, who spend countless hours the opportunity. teaching them various instruments and dances. By Danielle Males

30 The school was one of our first things we experienced. It was set up in 1987 with a single teacher and only a handful of children

31 SCHOOL TRIPS & INTERNATIONAL TRIPS

Borneo The final part of our trip was our ‘relaxation’ period where more importantly, a Court of International Justice. In silent

In July 2015 sixteen girls embarked on a globetrotting we went to Sepilok on a river cruise and visited two groups we toured the palace and learnt of its importance adventure across the world to Borneo in Malaysia. The monkey sanctuaries. It was a great end to the trip and it both in the past and today as a library, court of arbitration journey started at Heathrow Airport early Sunday morning was fantastic to see the orang-utans in their natural habitat. and court of justice all with the aim of keeping and restoring where we all met. We were all very excited but nervous Overall the trip was an amazing experience and one I will peace worldwide. about the month ahead as we had no idea what was in never forget. There were highs and lows but I had such The Sixth Form returned to the UK with a better store for us. After a thirteen-hour flight and six movies later good memories and encourage anybody else to take up the understanding of Dutch culture, the victims of World War II we finally landed in Singapore where we got a connection opportunities that are on offer at St. Francis’. and International Law, having had a fantastic time exploring flight to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo. Our new base for the Danielle Males the European city of Amsterdam. month was ‘Borneo Backpackers’ in the centre of the Lauren Aldridge city. Here we ate at the local market and, for the month, Amsterdam noodles and rice became our staple diet. The market was a On Top of the World bustling place with different smells and noises, something I On 16th October at 6am, a sleepy Sixth Form traipsed onto think I will never forget. a coach for a trip that promised to be even more tiring After finishing GCSEs, I was looking forward to a well- than the early start, however much more enjoyable! Most deserved, chilled-out summer with friends. Little did I know The first phase of our trip was our ‘jungle expedition’. Here of the first day was spent travelling the 375-mile journey to that the chill I would experience would be from the Arctic we travelled to Kiulu to stay in the jungle and complete Amsterdam via coach and ferry, until finally arriving at our winds on a tiny RIB ride to 78° North precise. I had been a jungle trek. We walked up ‘killer hill’ and saw different hostel on the outskirts of the city where we enjoyed our invited along on an Arctic expedition by my uncle, Richard plants and animals on the way, even if it was one of the evening meal. Twitchett, a leading researcher at the Natural History hardest walks of my life. We stayed in hammocks and had Museum, but it was far from an ordinary family trip. to carry all our equipment on our backs. We were one of The next morning, we set off into the centre of the city, the only groups throughout the summer to make it up killer towards our first cultural experience of The Netherlands, The first day in Svalbard was busy to say the least; getting hill. One of the best parts of the jungle week was picking, the Rijksmuseum. Here we saw Dutch art alongside pieces accustomed to the northern-most ‘city’ in the world, carrying and eating a fresh pineapple after a long, hot trek. from Asia, and other European Countries, the tall museum packing bags ready to collect fossil samples, collecting rifles, The views were breath-taking and our guides were very displayed pieces chronologically throughout its height so picking up a rather scruffy sled dog, Jarle, for polar bear kind and encouraging. It was a hard but enjoyable first that the Sixth Form could climb from the early Middle ages protection (they don’t look like the well-groomed huskies week. When we arrived back at our hostel, smelly after not to Modern Art. For girls with a less passionate approach to on Eight Below in real life), and finally climbing on board a showering for a week, everybody was buzzing as we were Art than others, the afternoon offered more excitement RIB to take us from Longyearbyen to our uninhabited island onto the next phase ‘diving’. as we walked through the beautiful streets intertwined near Isfjorden. with canals to the Heineken Museum. Here the history We made a short walk to a five-star hotel where we were The boat ride instantly took my breath away. As we left of the brand’s advertising, economics and science came going to train in an Olympic-size swimming pool. The hotel the basic dock, the scene quickly became devoid of signs together to explain the success of the company and at the was amazing and we wished we could stay there for the of civilisation. There was bright blue sky (it was midnight end of the tour a 4D-experience showed us exactly what duration of the trip. We then made a boat journey across Sun), endless snow-capped mountains, and sea dotted with it felt like to be hop being made into beer. Finally, we were to a small island where we would be staying and diving. puffins bobbing up and down. I was amazed by the beauty offered a small taste of the finished product. Always ready Here we were going to be completing our level one PADI of the land, but as the clouds came over and the waves got to experience regional foods we bought waffles on the way diving course. There was one cafe on the island and on the rougher I soon realised just how extreme the environment back to the hostel and enjoyed the local speciality of spiced island lived many exotic animals included monkeys and wild was. As the waves reached three metres high, and the apple cake. boar. On our dives we saw a variety of fish and one group skipper had to stop the boat completely for safety, I felt was lucky enough to see a turtle. We then took a boat back We passed the next morning at the Anne Frank House extremely nauseous. Waves were crashing over the sides of into Kota Kinabalu for the next part of our trip. and Museum. This was a moving experience for everyone the boat, soaking my bags containing clothes for the next six and a very interesting museum showing the plight of the The project phase was in Kudat where we were going to days. My boots were filling with icy water, and the buoyant individuals involved in the Holocaust, real people so often restore a playground, build a playground and restore a body-suit I was issued with by the company was certainly quoted as statistics but each with their own family and nursery. We stayed in tepee-like huts that could only fit two not as waterproof as they promised. It was freezing cold aspirations. Those of us who had visited before agreed that people; Amy and I had a third occupant though in the form and, to top it all, the boat started spinning. I was sick over it was worth seeing twice and even more powerful with of the biggest spider we had ever seen. The project was the the side, but we persevered with our journey onwards. new clips of Anne’s father reading from her diary. From best part as it was great to meet all the children who lived By this point I was panicking that I had made the wrong here we caught the coach to a theme-park and water-park in the village with whom I played a daily game of football. decision to take this opportunity. I was the only girl, the We organised a games afternoon for all the children on outside the city before returning to safely see the city at youngest by over ten years, and only knew my uncle out the beach and they had great fun. We completed the three night from the comfort of a river cruise. Our humorous of our team. I was incredibly grateful to Jarle, the wolf-dog, projects excellently with everyone working together as tour guide narrated the sights and we celebrated the who came and sat on my feet after my sickness (we became a team. We built a see-saw and a climbing bridge from birthday of a classmate in the beautifully lit up city. firm friends over the trip). He reminded me that although scratch, which the children played with straight away. One Leaving the Netherlands, the next morning we had time for the five of us would soon be the only people in one of the of my favourite parts of the trip was handing over the one last activity as we passed through Belgium. We stopped remotest places in the world, I was not alone. Sea-sickness nursery to the mothers and children at the end of the build. at the Peace Palace at The Hague, a beautiful building but, makes you incredibly tired, and I remember closing my

32 eyes to shut out images of the waves splashing everything standing at the very top could hear what they were saying, and bread and brought some traditional Greek oils and I had to survive. and vice versa. Needless to say it’s not a myth, which was vinaigrettes. We then continued on to Delphi, most of us

When the skipper stopped the boat once more, I almost very impressive. The fact that they made the architecture getting in a couple of hours of sleep. When we arrived, we rolled off the edge just to end the journey! He whispered, so well that it could amplify sound like that without were stunned by the views that our mountain-top location and pointed to the side of the boat. The water had finally machines was amazing. After visiting the museum, we set gave us, then we checked in to the hotel, watched a calmed, and a glowing white figure rose silently out of the off for Mycenae, an old fortress on top of a mountain. The procession of mountain goats walk along the mountain side, then went to walk around the town. It soon became dark, sea: a beluga whale. It was one of the most magical things ancient ruins really provided an insight into what it would so we went to a restaurant where we had dinner and then that I have ever seen, a sign of hope. From then I knew that be like to live in Ancient Greek times, but I think that most we walked back to the hotel to sleep. I would be okay, and I was so touched to see such a sight: people were focusing on the crazy 360˚ views of the Greek countryside. We could see for miles over the mountains it was a dream come true. The boat ride was predicted to On Sunday after breakfast we went to see the ruins of and the hills, all the way down to the sea. We wandered take one hour: it took three. But I was so, so glad it did Ancient Delphi and visit the place where it is said that the around for what felt like hours, basking in the sun and Oracle of Delphi lived. The ruins were sprawled across Grace Twitchett letting out our inner David Baileys. A couple of us ventured the mountainside, and the views were amazing. There down into a pitch black, slippery cave which played home was also a museum about Delphi which was full of statues Classics Trip to Greece 2016 to more than a few wasps, but we soon hit a dead end. and was really interesting. After we had spent a couple of St. Francis’ College was just beginning to wake up as After our exploration, we drove into Nafplion to have hours looking around, we got on the coach for a four- our coach pulled away from the gates at 7:30 on a cold lunch, and we walked around the quaint town afterwards, hour journey back to Athens where we had started our Wednesday morning in March. The excitement (and and then returned to the hotel where we spent the rest of trip. When we arrived we went to the Acropolis Museum sleepiness) was clear on all our faces as we arrived at the day on the beach, messing around in the sea. That night which is an enormous building near the Parthenon where Heathrow, but we soon woke up as we froze on the short we fell asleep pretty quickly after the day’s adventures. we learned about the Acropolis and Athens and its history. walk into the terminal as we had come dressed for Greece On the Friday we packed up and waved goodbye to Tolon. After that we went to the hotel where we had dinner, and had underestimated how cold it would be this early We departed for Nafplion to watch an Independence Day and some of us went out into Athens, while some stayed in the morning. After we had checked in our suitcases and parade. Unfortunately, it was called off due to the rain that behind to sleep. gone through security, it was time for everyone’s favourite had followed us from England, so we drove to Olympia part of the airport - shopping! We had about an hour to instead, which took about three hours. We made a couple kill before our flight, so we traipsed longingly around shops of stops along the way to have lunch at a tavern which did like Chanel and Gucci, pretending we were rich enough amazing spaghetti bolognaise, and to buy snacks for the to purchase anything before we were called back to board journey. When we arrived in Olympia we left our things the plane. The flight wasn’t too long, about three-and-a-half at the hotel and went for a walk through the picturesque hours, and the food was actually really nice. We settled in town. The Sun was beginning to set and there wasn’t a to watch the new Star Wars, and before we knew it we cloud in the sky. It was lovely and warm, the trees were were touching down in a dark and murky Athens. This was covered in pink blossom and it was gorgeous. We walked followed by a three-hour coach journey down to Tolon, down to the original Olympic stadium but we didn’t go in, and at that point we didn’t think that we would be allowed in so we took lots of pictures. We came back into the town and walked around, eating ice cream late into the evening Our last day in Greece dawned bright and sunny. After and admiring the stalls and shops. We returned to the hotel breakfast we stored our luggage and then went to visit the for dinner and fell asleep that night, again exhausted. Theatre of Dionysus and the Acropolis. The ruins were

The next day dawned boiling hot and sunny, and we set off fantastic and so were the views. Greece is definitely one to explore the ancient sites of Olympia. There were lots of of the most picturesque countries I have ever visited. We ruins, including the old gymnasium that was built with the walked around Athens and we came to another smaller Olympic Stadium and many other temples and buildings. museum which displayed artefacts found in and around where we had dinner and fell asleep, leaving the exploring We spent a couple of hours there, enjoying the sun and the Acropolis. We had lunch in a traditional Greek and for the next day. taking photos of the ruins, and then we went into the actual Mediterranean restaurant and it was delicious, definitely the The next morning we woke to the sun glittering on the stadium, which was awesome. A few friends and I ran a race best meal of the trip. After that we went in search of some Aegean Sea, and a couple of miles of sandy beaches. It was and I didn’t lose! I didn’t win either but at least I’m able to ice cream, and after having eventually found some, we like waking up in a postcard. After breakfast and lots of say that I have run a race in the original Olympic stadium. returned to the hotel to get on the coach which would picture taking, we set off for Epidavros, a place that housed After we left the ruins, we had lunch in the same tavern that take us to the airport. We said goodbye to Dimitri, our the Theatre of Epidavros and a museum about more we had visited the previous day and then started a six-hour friendly bus driver, and sadly checked into the airport to go ruins that had been discovered there. There was a myth coach trip to Delphi. We kept ourselves entertained by back home. Our flight was slightly delayed, but we made surrounding the theatre: apparently, the acoustics were so playing rummy, among other things, and we stopped a it back with our fond memories of Greece that we will good that someone could stand at the bottom corner of couple of times, once in a shop/café to buy snacks, and the treasure forever. the amphitheatre and whisper, and supposedly someone other was an Olive shop were we tasted different olive oils Isabel Frohlich

33 Interview with Jacqueline Wilson

I have to write all-year-round and need to be writing all the time, so that I have something to think about, when I wake up in the middle of the night or when I am doing a boring domestic task, like shopping or the washing

34 SCHOOL EVENTS

Jacqueline Wilson’s visit to St. Francis’ College Danielle: ‘My 26-year-old sister is a teacher now and reads I may get a new idea.’

On Sunday 15th May, St. Francis’ College was thrilled to your books to her class.’ Danielle: ‘Do you prefer to write at a certain time of year, welcome Dame Jacqueline Wilson, children’s author, to give Hollie: ‘My sister came back from University to be like in the summer for example?’ a talk about her new book, Rent a Bridesmaid. Her visit was here today.’ Jacqueline: ‘I have to write all-year-round and need to be organised in conjunction with David’s Bookshop. Jacqueline: ‘That’s lovely to hear, girls.’ writing all the time, so that I have something to think about,

Jacqueline Wilson addressed an audience of over three Danielle: ‘Some of your books have been turned into when I wake up in the middle of the night or when I am hundred girls and parents in the school’s Theatre and TV programmes, such as Tracy Beaker; was she how you doing a boring domestic task, like shopping or the washing.’ she captivated the audience for over an hour with an imagined her?’ entertaining talk about what inspired her to write, Jacqueline: ‘When I first went on the set for Tracy Beaker, I The Holi Festival accompanied by amusing anecdotes from the journey that said don’t tell me who she is, I want to guess. As soon as I has led her from schoolgirl, to journalist, to famous author The Holi Event, created by the International Revolution walked in I saw this really loud kid shouting with wild frizzy and to have 104 published books to date! Team as one of their Tenner Challenge projects, was hair and I knew it was her. Danny Harman was perfect highly anticipated. Several announcements in assemblies, The pupils were really inspired by what she had to say. for the role! I think I have been very lucky with every TV colourful posters on the College’s walls and interactive “She has encouraged me to try and keep on trying and if adaptation.’ presentations later, the festival took place on the St. Francis' I want to write, I have to keep practising” commented one Hollie: ‘Have any of your own experiences influenced College field on 22nd March. Students had purchased their Year 7 girl. Another said “I liked how she talked about her your writing?’ tickets previously or on that day and were subsequently own childhood. I could really relate to what she had to say.” Jacqueline: ‘None of the experiences I have written about given a talk by a few members of the team on the “Dos directly happened to me, but I didn’t have the most and Don’ts” for the hour-long activity. The empty field was Interview with Jacqueline Wilson conventionally happy childhood. I think that leaks over already full of excitement: a range of sweets, biscuits and Our intrepid reporters, Danielle Males and Hollie into some of my books. When you read about different drinks lay on the table as though they, too, were fervently Scanlon, were very excited when we discovered that children’s writer’s childhoods, they have often had hoping the colourful festival would officially open. Jacqueline Wilson had agreed to an interview. unconventional childhoods.’ In minutes, the students rushed out of the door and in that Danielle: ‘When you write, do you have lots of projects Danielle: ‘You loved reading as a child; what were your similar fashion ate and drank. Like Suzanne Collins’ famous on at the same time or do you just concentrate on one at favourite books?’ book-turned-movie franchise, the students were equipped a time?’ Jacqueline: ‘I loved family stories. My favourite was Ballet with tools: colourful sachets and buckets of water spread Shoes by Noel Streatfield.’ Jacqueline: ‘I usually focus on one book at a time but at the round the field. A variety of cadences were harmonically moment I am promoting my new book ‘Rent a Bridesmaid’ Danielle: ‘I love that book too.’ punctuated with simple lines sung by Indian men and and have finished a new Victorian book called ‘Cloven women in similar rhythms. In no time, the coloured dye Jacqueline: ‘I used to pretend that I was at Stage School Moon’; I have just sent that to my Editor. I am also one had made its way to every single girl’s white t-shirt. If one too and that I could do ballet. I adored that book; I read it chapter into a new book on evacuees. I am not writing could rewind time, perhaps a few seconds before rainbow many times.’ them all together but I have to bear them in mind. The colours beautifully found their way to rosy cheeks and Hollie: ‘Who is your favourite author today?’ older you get the harder it is to remember all the stories. plaited braids; a snapshot of time in slow-motion would Jacqueline: ‘Two of my favourite writers are Anne Tyler, an Hollie: ‘How did you find your illustrator, Nick Sharratt?’ open one’s eyes to see the elegance and joy of the slightly American author and Kate Atkinson, a British author. Kate Jacqueline: ‘I didn’t get partnered with Nick until I was theatrical movements of the students who either avoided Atkinson wrote some detective-style books with a very working on Tracy Beaker. I went to see my Editor and said colour gracefully or choreographed their movements in attractive character in them called Jackson Brodie. I called that I wanted lots of illustrations in the book and I asked my such a manner that displayed a love for the dye and its my terrier Jackson. My twentieth century classic would be Editor if he knew anyone. He said, ‘I’ve just the person for music. The once-green lush field was now full of primary ‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath.’ you.’ Nick had published several books of poetry with his and secondary colours. Littering the field with both Danielle: ‘How would you encourage children to read, illustrations and when I saw them I thought, yes! popcorn and enthusiasm were the girls with laughter so rather than play on their iPads?’ We arranged to meet, which is quite unusual as an author hard, moments of genuine smiles had to be captured on Jacqueline: ‘I think if you take a child and sit them on your usually doesn’t meet their illustrator, but we did, and got phones and cameras which, of course, were interrupted lap and show them this is a fun thing, a sharing thing and let on, like a house on fire. Twenty-five years later, we’re still by occasional squirts of water from guns and a vivacious them turn the pages rather than swiping; hopefully that will great friends.’ combination of coloured dye caught in one’s eye; a moment turn a child on to reading.’ Danielle: ‘Do you think you might write sequels to some of accompanied with an instantaneous response of laughter.

Hollie: ‘How does it feel to have inspired so many with your older books like Cookie or Candyfloss?’ The buzz generated for weeks was worth it an hour after your writing?’ Jacqueline: ‘It’s a bit difficult because you don’t know the festival commenced. It was clearly fun and enjoyable for Jacqueline: ‘Quite extraordinary, for years I didn’t realise whether to bring the characters up-to-date or to keep them all who attended, whether it was the teachers who it was happening. I find it quite touching now when girls in the past. For the Jacqueline Wilson Magazine, I wrote watched and supervised the event or those who took your age or women in their twenties, come up to me and a story about a grown-up Tracy Beaker who has her own part in its festivity. More importantly, the International say, ‘You were part of my childhood.’ It makes me feel very child, so perhaps there could be a story about Tracy as a Revolution Team made a substantial amount of money for proud and very pleased.’ young mum. I really don’t know; I don’t like to say never as the Malala Fund Charity.

35 EXAM RESULTS GCSE Exam Success… Amazing A Level results - again…

The girls at St. Francis’ College are celebrating this morning St. Francis’ College has yet again received a set of having received excellent GCSE results. 100% of girls outstanding A Level results with 84% of grades being A*-B, achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including with 48% of these being A/A*. These results are testimony Maths and English. Of those results 27% are A* and 61% to the hard work and dedication of staff and students which A*-A. 40% of girls achieved eight or more A*/A's. A breeds excellence here at St. Francis’.

delighted Zoe Rubins achieved an amazing 13 A*s. It is known that girls excel in STEM subjects at all girls’ The Art and Music Departments are celebrating 100% schools and this is certainly demonstrated in the Chemistry A*/A grades achieved with a number of subjects receiving and Biology results where all students received A*. A all grade B or above. Overall 85% of grades were A*-B: a fantastic achievement. There was also a 100% grade A*/A fantastic achievement. pass rate in German.

Mrs Goulding, Headmistress, has said "I am very proud of Luwaiza Mirza achieved an amazing 3 A*s and has fulfilled our girls' achievements. It is good to see some personal her dream of studying Medicine. She goes to Kings College, triumphs as well as the usual sweep of outstanding London in September. An excited Luwaiza said “I’m really performances. The teaching and pastoral staff at St. Francis' thrilled with my results and I cannot thank my teachers and work very hard with the girls to ensure they fulfil their my year group enough for supporting me throughout my potential and these results are a credit to all involved. I am time at St. Francis’ College.”

delighted for them.” 83% of the girls have confirmed places at their first-choice universities. Angelica Wolanska goes to Oxford to read Languages and she says “The teachers have been a massive part of getting the results – all the extra work that they put in to support me was amazing.”

Mrs Goulding, Headmistress, says: “At a time when the nation is celebrating the successes of Team GB, it is wonderful to see our young people also achieving so much success in the academic arena. I am very proud of the girls and the staff who have supported them in achieving these ‘medal-worthy’ performances.”

36 YEAR 13 LEAVERS

37 ST. FRANCIS’ COLLEGE OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION

Guinea Pig in a Pencil Case!

Some of you may have read the series of books called Animal Ark by Lucy Daniels when you were growing up. In our house Koala in a Crisis was a particular favourite, and I remember listening to water. Girls had to walk on the left hand side of the it many times on audio tape on long car journeys! corridors and curtsey if they saw a Sister. What you may ask has all this got to do with a Many remembered the bottle green uniform, and feature on St. Francis’ College Old the Preps wearing custard-coloured socks up to Girls Association? Read on and I hope all will their knees. become clear. were encouraged to have pets in the 1970s and 80s, We were all amazed by how clearly former students and they were kept in the garden outside the Food On 26th June SFOGA hosted an afternoon tea for remembered specific classrooms. Many rooms Tech room. It was affectionately known as pets’ over one hundred former students and their families have changed their function over the years: MIT corner. Some pupils remember someone passing and friends. Some people had only left a few years used to be an Art Room, while the existing Art room a guinea pig into a classroom during a lesson. The ago, but for some former students it was the first was a common room to some students and a dining guinea pig was hidden in a pencil case and passed time they had ever been back to the College room for day girls. Mrs Glanville’s Biology lab was around the whole class without the teacher realising. since leaving many years ago. The undoubted a Chapel, and Science was taught in the RE room. Every time it squealed the girls coughed loudly to highlight of the afternoon were the tours of the Sewing used to be taught in the Music room. The hide the noise. I am happy to say it returned to its school undertaken by Year 10 and some Sixth Form Chapel had no chairs, only benches where you hutch and was none the worse for its adventure! students. Many stories and memories were would lift up the seats to kneel for prayer. Boarders Other former students told a story of how some shared – here a few which we hope you will enjoy. had a service in the Chapel every Sunday and girls climbed into the rafters above the Theatre sometimes at six in the mornings. Some people For some students who were at St. Francis’ College and dropped bits of paper down on the school remembered the Maths classrooms being boarding before 1983 the Sisters had a big influence on their during an assembly. dormitories, while others remembered climbing lives. The Sisters occupied the right hand side of out of the Maths rooms onto the balcony above the We are delighted to report that SFOGA is going the building and pupils were not allowed into the main door. from strength to strength. We now have over 1400 corridor beyond Mrs Foster’s room or through the members and have recently launched a new website Life for the boarders was very different to what it door by Miss Wallace’s room. The Sisters were for the Association which can be found on the is today. The layout of rooms has changed a lot, strict and insisted that plates were clear in the Alumni heading of the College website. As well as Dining Room before girls could have a glass of and everyone had to be in bed and quiet after information about the work of SFOGA, there is also 10pm. Ballroom dancing took place in the JCR for an interesting section on the history of St. Francis’ girls at weekends, and on Sunday night there was College with photos from the archives. Next year cocoa and movies in the JCR. One current boarder we are hoping to launch a SFOGA group in Hong commented that it sounded more fun as nowadays Kong and develop a mentoring service whereby we everyone is on their phones all the time! Boarders can use the knowledge and expertise of our former pupils to help existing Sixth Formers with their career or university choices.

For more information on the work of St. Francis’ College Old Girls Association please contact Mrs Purchon.

38 10 PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVE

Some of you probably know that, as well as being the Librarian, Mrs Purchon is also the custodian of the College archive. Over the last decade she has begun the task of sorting the old photographs and beginning to piece together the history of St. Francis’ College. Here she has selected ten photographs from each decade of our College’s history. If you are interested in finding out more about the history of St. Francis’ College do have a look at the SFOGA website where there is information and photo galleries. http://www.stfranciscollege.web-intouch.com/

07. New school uniform 1986

In 1986 a new school uniform was introduced to replace the brown blazers which had been uniform since the 1960s.

01. Lessons on the Loggia 04. Boarders’ Study Room in the 1950s

The loggia classrooms are the oldest part of our school and Any idea which room this is now? The Boarding House were built when St. Christopher were based here from shared the Broadway building with the Sisters. 1919 until 1924. Outdoor lessons were a regular part of the These studious-looking girls are probably doing their curriculum for students in those days. homework in their study room which became a Senior 08. Recycled Fashion Show 1996 School Library in 1960. The first Recycled Fashion Show was organised by the Sixth Form in 1996. Twenty years later the event is still raising money for the Kanyike Trust.

02. New Broadway Building

St. Francis’ College opened in 1933. The College was hugely successful and by 1937 it became clear that a new building was needed. Work on the Broadway Building began in 09. 75th Anniversary 2008 1938. Work was completed by September 1939 just as the In September 2008 the College celebrated its 75th Second World War began. anniversary with a 1930s day. Girls dressed up in clothes from the nine decades of the College’s history, had 1930-style lessons and watched the 1933 film King Kong.

05. Chapel Extension in 1962

By 1962 there were so many pupils in the College that they had to extend the Chapel and the Dining Room below. The JCR and Chapel Annexe were built at the same time.

03. Mikado 1945

The College put on some magnificent drama productions produced by Sister Loyola. Gilbert and Sullivan was a 10. Kanyike Project particular favourite – just look at the lavish costumes in this The Kanyike Project has been our whole-school photograph. No sign of make do and mend here! international project for over 20 years. Over the last six years, groups of Sixth Form pupils have visited the project in Uganda to help with the wonderful work being done in 06. Opening of the swimming pool in 1972 this self-sustainable community. After years of fundraising the College finally opened its swimming pool in 1972. The girls are doing synchronised swimming with tiaras at the official opening!

39 COR UNUM ANIMA UNA ONE HEART ONE SOUL

St. Francis’ College Broadway Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3PJ 01462 670511 www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk