Reading Girls’ School NEWSLETTER

Term 3/4 www.readinggirlsschool.co.uk Spring 2014 NEW BUILD UPDATE…….

As you read through this bumper edition of the newsletter you will see the students are continuing to be involved in a variety of activities. I must say how impressed I am with the girls’ willingness to fund raise for some very worthy causes. I also want to congratulate the Magistrates Competition team and wish them every luck in the forthcoming regional finals. school, however can I please request that parents/carers support us further I value very much the support I have The Education Funding Agency specifically regarding our zero tolerance received from parents in helping to has appointed Interserve approach to facial piercings such as eye/ improve and develop RGS. I would like to Kajima consortium as the lip studs etc. Students are advised of this invite any parents/carers who may wish selected bidder under the Priority School and are expected to abide by these rules; to actively support the school further by Building Programme to design and please help us to help the students as becoming a school governor. Governors construct our new school. Interserve there are many circumstances in the have a very important role to play in Kajima will now work with the school on world of work where such expectations education and their skills, expertise and a six-month detailed design stage also exist. Students are also expected to knowledge are invaluable. If you are through to financial close in late wear the correct footwear which is flat interested please contact the Clerk to October. Construction is due to start in black shoes. the Governing Body via email at November with planned completion in [email protected]. The first day of next term is Tuesday 22 August 2016. April - school will begin promptly at It is important to me and the Leadership 8.40am and students are expected to Headteacher’s Message team to know what our students are attend in full uniform. As you can see we have some exciting thinking about the school and provide us news to impart to you. The plans for the with ideas on how to improve. The Your support and cooperation are very new school build have been received and School Council is the students’ voice much appreciated. I hope you all have a you can see the position that the new within the school. safe and pleasant Easter holiday. school build will take on our existing site. There are also a couple of artists’ Parents can also impressions that hopefully can convey have a voice via some idea what the finished build will the OFSTED look like. We are extremely pleased that website on our favoured contractor has been Parent View. successful in their bid. In the next few You are able to months there are many design meetings contact me planned and we will ask parents and directly via email other interested parties to attend a at vangus@ meeting to be able to see the plans and readinggirls. hopefully a model of the proposed new reading.sch.uk school. We will inform all interested parties of the date in due course by a The students press release via our web site and the here are always local press. a credit to the

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Senior Prize Giving of keyboards and computers on which we able to sign up to perform in the hall after have recently added Sibelius score-writing school on Fridays, as part of ‘GiG Night’. software.

2013 was rounded off nicely with our annual celebration of the previous years leavers. It was a well attended event, Pupils in Year 7, with instrumental skills (as part of the ‘Wider Opportunities’ where girls who left in Art Exhibition programme in Years 4 and 5) are now Summer 2013 received Year 10 GCSE Art completed an in-depth continuing these skills at RGS. The Music their certificates and study looking at the candy paintings of Department has flutes, clarinets, prizes. Our guest Sarah Graham. The students’ target was speaker, Shirley Anstis, trumpets, trombones, tenor horns, violins, reminded the girls of the a viola and a cello and I am extremely importance of following keen to see these instruments being used. both your head and heart Currently we are running String, Flute, in career choices and Clarinet and Brass sessions during the that sometimes the easy week and I would encourage you to steer option is not the rewarding one. your daughter towards these groups, particularly if they have had previous instrumental experience. Similarly, we are Year 10 trip to Swanage also running a Guitar club (ably led by Year 8 pupils) and have regular to create an original painting inspired by attendance of over twenty pupils. If there her work and to look closely at using tone is demand for individual or small group and blending in an effective way. The end lessons on any of these instruments or results are currently displayed in the voice, I am quite happy to consider foyer. ‘outside’ tuition; if this is of interest to you, please let me know.

In October at the start of ‘The Coastal Singing is also an Zone’ topic Mrs Cunningham and Mr Boyd integral part of took the Year 10 GCSE group to Swanage Music Making at to show the girls what they would be RGS. The School learning about and how it is relevant to Choir made their 2014 debut as part of today’s world. They first visited Old Harrys the excellent ‘Arabian Nights’ production Rock (a famous arch stack and stump) to in February (see back page) and has since look at coastal erosion and coastal gone from strength to strength, so much Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme features along the south coast. Then they so that they performed at the Hexagon Mr Boyd has worked hard to travelled on to Swanage where they theatre on Wednesday 26 March in the ensure Reading Girls’ School continued to look at coastal features and final of ‘Let’s Sing!’, a competition is now a Directly Licensed coastal erosion, extending on to look at organised by the Mayor of Reading, Centre (DLC) for the Duke of coastal management. A great day was had Councillor Marian Livingston. Edinburgh’s Award. This by all. allows us to give Bronze and GiG Night is the most recent activity to take place within Music at RGS. Pupils are Silver Awards. Music There has been a great deal of activity in the Music Department during the course of 2014 and a significant involvement from girls in all year groups. The Department is in the process of a make- over and, as such, now has four rooms that pupils are able to use. The main classroom features a beautiful Pearl drum -kit kindly donated to the school in December 2012 which many girls play on a frequent basis, as well as a large number

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s award is an break. The internationally recognised award showing eventual winner that the young person has a certain set of being the one skills: Self-management, Problem solving, who consumed Team working, Communication and the most was Mr enthusiasm, the skills the UK Commission Nichols. for Employment and Skills, colleges and The girls raised universities are looking for. Girls will over £500 during achieve their Awards by completing a the day’s personal programme of activities in four entertainment sections Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and just under A selection of employers were on hand Expedition. £200 by collecting money in town after for them to try challenges for teamwork, school. So they will be sending a total of communication, planning and creative Fundraising for the Human Appeal £700 to Great Ormond Street Hospital, thinking. CISCO systems had a green On the Friday before half term, the Year and I'm sure the money will be well used. screen to demonstrate special effects 11 citizenship girls raised £500 with a non with IT, Compass caterers had a food -uniform day, and over £150 from their RSSL Mondelez challenge, and BA had students building international food sales, and Henna. They A number of Year 9 towers of balloons in an engineering also had a permit for street collections students interested challenge. The boys from other schools and other in science and particularly loved bursting the balloons fundraising careers focusing on afterwards! Much amusement was netted another chemicals and caused by Virgin Media’s challenge – £600! The total biochemicals, were passing a band of elastic over and under to be sent to the invited to Reading each student standing in a circle holding charity is in University to look hands without breaking a circle! excess of £1200. at the work of RSSL They tried out taster sessions of different The girls chose Mondelez. RSSL is college courses such as business studies, this charity to a wholly owned construction and hair and beauty. It was support Syrian children who have been subsidiary of Mondelez International affected by recent upheavals in their which employs over 3,500 scientists country. They are hoping that a member within research and development. of the charity will be able to come in to RSSL provides opportunities to work school to pick up the donation. across a broad range of scientific disciplines from analytical research and laboratory analysis through to project management. The girls were briefed on health and amazing the number of boys wandering safety and then around with nail vanish on by the end of appropriately the morning! There was also childcare, dressed, worked where they held virtual, crying babies and Fundraising for Great Ormond with tempering tried on a maternity apron to see what it is like to be 6 Street Hospital—Man vs Food chocolate and months’ Year 11 held another fundraiser this time participated in pregnant! A for Great Ormond Street Hospital. They taste testing in individual booths. particular invited Rob Wilson MP to come along and favourite was questioned him about why hospitals need catering – where to raise funds, why wasn't everything they got to covered by the NHS? He is getting used to decorate and eat biscuits! being grilled by our girls on various Year 9 students recently attended the subjects! He took a Apprenticeships Adventure Intermediate Maths Challenge turn selling which was held at the Royal Berkshire The Intermediate Mathematics challenge refreshments, and Conference Centre at the Madejski is aimed at pupils in Year 11 or below in then said a few words Stadium. They were a bit daunted when and Wales. The challenge before the main event they arrived. Instead of staying with involves answering 25 multiple choice commenced. people they knew, they were all split into questions in one hour and is sat in school different groups and had to work in teams under normal exam conditions. The top Four male teachers bravely volunteered with students from other schools. The 40% of students nationally receive a gold, to eat not one but two large cakes and event was designed to be like ‘work’. They silver or bronze certificate in the ratio drink a pint of milk during the lunch rose to the challenge and did very well. 1:2:3 and each institution receives a Best

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in School certificate. Around Although Reading Girls’ didn’t win the 500 of the highest scorers in competition both teams performed really each school year are invited well and came away with certificates and to take part in the medals. Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad. Pupils who obtain the top score in their school may be invited to one of the UKMT "Best in School" events. We are very grateful for the help received Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial from one of the school’s Youth Workers The following students received Bronze Tina Heaford, who is also a magistrate. Competition and Silver from the recent Intermediate She helped the girls study the case, and On Saturday 8 March, a group of students challenge held on Thursday 6 February. arranged for our students to visit the gathered at . After Year 10: Reading Magistrates’ Court to see them in weeks of work and preparation, they were Sahara Pandit—Best Certifcate and Best in action working on real trials, which was taking part in one of the local heats of the Year (Silver) very interesting and beneficial for your Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Kimberley Sumner (Silver) girls. We are very grateful for her time, Competition. Ayesha Z Khan (Silver) advice and support.

Chang Shen (Silver) This prestigious competition, which has Aisha Alobaidi (Silver) been running annually since 1994, Year 9: introduces the legal system to young Emma Philpot—Best in Year (Silver) people in an innovative and exciting way. Annabel Moneim (Bronze) In the roles of lawyers, witnesses, Amasha Rajaguru (Bronze) Reading Girls’ is trying to engage with magistrates and court staff, students former students by working with a prosecute and defend specially written company called Future First. We hope to University Science Challenge criminal cases. Teams compete against utilise the Alumni as mentors to current Reading Girls’ was delighted to host the each other in real Magistrates' courts in students, possibly make contacts that will local heat of the University Science front of real magistrates. The competition be able to offer work experience Challenge. We welcomed teams from is organised by The Citizenship Foundation opportunities/internships, or potentially Emmbrook School; Blessed Hugh working with HM Courts & Tribunal raise funds for much needed projects (like Faringdon; Highdown; and the John Service. a new minibus!). With the school being Madejski Academy. rebuilt, there is lots of potential for The event was Our team for the defence was up against everyone including former students to get a little like Windsor Girls’ Team 2, then our involved, as we hope to have some University prosecution team was against Herschel exciting launch events. If you are a former Challenge— it Grammar. The girls were excellent. The student, please go to https:// consisted of usher instructed ‘All Rise’ loudly, she networks.futurefirst.org.uk/former- two minute swore the witnesses in clearly, and looked student/readinggirls and sign up to let us rounds, with starter and subsidiary impressive in her black gown. The know you are around and would like to be questions. At the end of the event, three lawyers’ questions were clear and well st kept informed. If you have friends or teams tied for 1 place, two of which thought out, and they thought on their relatives who are former students, please were Reading Girls’ teams. feet. The witnesses were believable as let them know too! You can access the Both Reading Girls’ A and Reading Girls’ B their characters, mostly remembered link and find more information about how teams were invited to the Science Day at their statements, and answered some Future First works though the parents tab Brooklands College, Weybridge on tricky questions. The defendant even on our website www.readinggirlsschool. Thursday 20 March where both teams had ‘cried’ on the witness stand. The legal co.uk. We are also encouraging the a place in the finals quiz along with adviser gave a clear and concise summary current Year 11s to join up, their link is on Highdown School who kindly transported of the case, and the magistrates listened the front page of the school intranet, us there. So, many congratulations to carefully and debated the decision in the and Miss Sipson will be talking to them Reading Girls’ A and B teams for reaching retiring room. The court artist and about it in assembly. the finals! reporter (also reserve) noted everything

20 March to report on later. Finals—Having World Book Day travelled with Ten school teams took part in our heat To celebrate World Book Day two Highdown to including Blessed Hugh Faringdon, Maiden competitions were held; a book quiz for Brooklands Erlegh, Brakenhale, Herschel Grammar, the readers and a book cover re-design for Windsor Girls’, Theale Green and St the artists! The winners of the Book Quiz Bernards. The winner of the heat was St were: Rosie College with Bartholomews, Newbury. We were very Mulhern and friendly banter proud that our team came 2nd, and are Caitlin Murray on the minibus it also through to the next round. We wish (from Year 8) was down to them all the best for the Regional heat on and the winning business. Saturday 10 May. book covers were

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designed by: Apsara Gurung and Chang jars. Christmas time we teams. They played well developing their Shen (from Year 10). They were all invited made Choir boys from confidence and skills. There were some to collect prizes and certificates from the recycled material using close games with only a point or two in it. library by Mr Williams and Miss Morgan. glue which we made Both teams finished 3rd overall. ourselves. Over the last STEM Careers Fair term we have taken Year 9, 10 and 11 Rugby Tournament Some Year 10 students part in a creative recently attended a project looking at the solar system. After careers fair at The Holt some research on each planet, we made a School in Wokingham 3D model of the system. There’ll be a which focussed on sweet treat in store for Easter – baking a careers in Science, cake in a cup. If this sounds interesting Technology, and you would like to take part in more Engineering and Maths. exciting challenges come and find us on after school Wednesdays week 2 in S3. The Year 9, 10 and 11 rugby team was BITC Careers Event competing in a triangular match against Some Year 9 students were involved in a First Lego League JMA and Hugh Faringdon in full contact careers related event organised by Back in December, rugby. This was held at Reading Girls’ Business in the Community. The event Reading Girls’ School School. The tournament took place on was also attended by students from entered two teams in what was a relatively dry day during the . to the First Lego heavy rain season so the pitch quickly League, a competition deteriorated into a mud bath. The girls Firstly, students took part in a game of where students design and build a robot played some really excellent competitive ‘What’s My Line?’ where they had to try to take part in a series of challenges to and aggressive rugby with strong tackling to guess the job of guest speakers. Then help solve a problem. The girls put in an on both sides. RGS comfortably beat JMA they had a speed networking activity excellent effort and out of the 15 teams th th but couldn’t quite get past Hugh where 2 or 3 students spoke with a that entered, RGS was placed 8 and 14 . Faringdon. volunteer for 4 minutes before moving on We would also like to thank Proctor and to the next volunteer. This gave them the Gamble for their support throughout the Sports Hall Athletics Team and Leaders chance to find out about the volunteers’ lead up to the tournament. Recruitment We had eight Year work, career path, courses they had for next year’s league begins in Term 6. 8 girls competing studied etc. It helped them realise that in an indoor not everyone knows what they want to do athletics when they leave school and that work and competition and careers often change depending on four girls who personal circumstances. As part of the Transformation Trust and were assisting as Dell partnership, RGS was invited to take sports leaders. It was a good competition part in the Powering Transformations with a mixture of sprint, middle distance, Workshop. For a week students borrowed throwing and jumping tasks which had equipment provided by DELL to make a been adapted for range of videos about issues passionate to indoor competition. them. The week was a roaring success Our girls came 3rd with lots of students getting to use brand overall and our new tablets and laptops. As a bonus, all leaders did an Year 8 students were able to take part in excellent job. the ‘Team Challenge’, where if they win against the other ten local schools, they Year 9 Inter House Benchball Thank you to BITC and the business will win a trip to the National Science The Year 9’s had their inter house volunteers from KPMG, Shoosmiths, SSE, Centre. The ICT department would also benchball competition during the PSHEE Fujitsu, Prudential, CGI, AWE, Miller like to thank the Dell Volunteers that day. It was a tough competition but 9R Construction and Wrigleys. supported the students throughout the proved to be too event. strong for the The Science Club opposition. It has been a great academic year for the PE News Final results were: Science Club. Since we started more and 9R – 1st, 9B – 2nd, Year 7 and 8 more students have joined to learn about 9S—3rd, 9A – 4th Touch Rugby science. This club is an easy way to learn and 9C – 5th. League science and have some fun at the same The Year 7 time. We started off by looking at how the Year 9, 10 and 11 Volleyball Tournament and Year 8 eye works and the tricks it can play on us. For the first time Reading Schools rugby teams For autumn we imprinted leaves on glass introduced a Volleyball Tournament. The played in a mini league with three other

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RGS squad trained very hard during lunch Year 9 Netball League and Tournament time club and extra training sessions at The Year 9 team faced some tough break time. Their commitment paid off as matches in their league and tournament they won all six of their games to win the this year but played some excellent tournament outright. Well done girls. netball with the defence having to work hard to keep out the opposition teams. U13 Cricket League They finished 4th in the league and 3rd in The U13 cricket team was mostly made up their group for the tournament. of Year 7’s so this was their first time playing cricket. There was some good Year 10/11 Netball League and batting and fielding but the opposition Tournament Year 11 Netball Team proved too strong. The Year 11 team played consistently well in the league to finish 5th. The Year 10 and Year 11 BTEC Sport class U15 Cricket 11 combined team both played in the Multi Skills Festival League tournament. They had some tough games As part of their Unit 7 coursework, the The U15 but played well. Year 11 BTEC Sport class organised a Multi cricket team -skills Festival for 48 Year 4 students from welcomed Palmer Academy. They devised eight some new activities which developed the Year 4’s players this skills in agility, balance, coordination and year from the girls increasing their sport quickness. The girls ran a well-organised time for their Duke of Edinburgh Award. festival which the Year 4’s enjoyed and Despite moments of excellence in batting, the Palmer Academy staff were very fielding and bowling we didn’t quite get complimentary on how well the Year 11’s enough runs to beat the other teams. Year 10 Netball Team assisted by Aaliah had done. from Year 7. Year 7 Netball League and Tournament The Year 7 team has had an excellent first season and has showed there is a lot more to come. They were 3rd in the netball league and finalists in the netball tournament. As a result of this they have qualified for the School Games county finals in April. Well done girls.

Year 8 Netball League and Tournament

The Year 8’s showed a lot of improvement from last year and played some very good netball. They were 5th in the league and finished 3rd in their group for the tournament.

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NTA Showcase Event Day On Wednesday 12 March the NTA held its showcase event. During the morning, all of the NTA students participated in various workshops, set up with the help of external providers. The students were Later in the day, we were privileged to The students were extremely positive involved in CV clinics; letter writing receive a visit from the Mayor of Reading, despite the torrential rain and high winds. workshops; and mock interviews. They Councillor Marian In the afternoon we then travelled to Earls also had banking and budgeting advice. Livingston. After Court to go to the ‘Destinations – Holiday Companies involved included Microsoft a tour of the and Travel Show 2014’. Here students and Barclays bank. facilities, she cut were able to meet representatives from the ribbon to the travel and tourism industry. This was officially re-open an excellent opportunity for the students the re-vamped to develop an understanding of the and renamed industry as a whole and gain new Hair and Beauty experiences. One student even Salon "Funky volunteered to eat the delicious dead Bliss". caterpillars being offered on one of the tourism stands.

Hairdressing Competition Our Year 10 There was also a mini jobs fair, with students representatives from CBEBP; Adviza; New studying hair- Directions and the Princes Trust. dressing took part in a competition to design a hairstyle suitable for a ‘Valentine Dinner’. Picking a winner was Travel and Tourism pretty difficult, the winning heads are on The Level 2 Travel display in the main school foyer. and Tourism students have been busy completing two units: Unit 1 – The Several of the external participants Travel and complimented the students on their Tourism Industry enthusiasm and interest in helping and unit 3 – themselves to improve their Understanding employability. the Nature and Effects of Worldwide Travel. They have produced some excellent work with some students achieving a merit overall. On Thursday 6 February they were fortunate to go on a trip to Windsor and then onto Earls Court. The purpose of the trip to Windsor was to experience first hand the appeal of Windsor as a tourism destination for Inbound tourists. This was a fact finding mission to enable them to complete their coursework next term for Unit 6 – UK Tourism Destinations.

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Arabian Nights

On Thursday 13 February 2014 the intriguing tales of ‘Arabian Nights’ came to life at Reading Girls’ School. This play encompassed tales of adventure and anticipation that made the audience smile and laugh as well as consider the more romantic message of this classic story – that true love is more than skin deep.

experience even more exciting and was definitely worth it. Overall I thought enjoyable, performing a melange of the outcome of the play was fantastic and modern songs, such as Jessie J’s ‘Price I enjoyed working closely with Mrs Tag’ and classic numbers like ‘A Whole Edwards, as it helped me learn my lines New World’, culminating with a beautiful and develop my acting skills. Everyone rendition of the timeless ‘Your Song’ by said they really enjoyed the play and it Elton John. was great fun to be a part of it!

The main roles were played by our very On behalf of the cast, crew and choir I own RGS acting couple extraordinaire – would like to take this opportunity to Cast: Olivia Miller and Mairead Casey – as King thank the staff members who made all of Sharazad -Mairead Casey (Y11) and Queen, who watched the stories this possible: Mr Williams, Mrs Edwards, Sharayar - Olivia Miller (Y11) unfold before them. Some of the well- Miss Morgan, Mr Greenway and Miss Dinarzad - Messia Afonso (Y11) known yarns that were acted out included Barnett. Vizier - Anxhela Krasniqi (Y11) The Story of Ali Baba and the Forty Messia Afonso—11B Ali Baba - Aisha Alobaidi (Y10) Thieves, The Wife Who Wouldn’t Eat, The Captain - Ashka Jani (Y10) Envious Sisters and not forgetting The Anxhela Krasniqi (11A), who played the Ali Baba’s wife - Kanza Manzoor (Y10) Story of the Geographers. It may not have Karim - Mollie Barker (Y11) been a classic legend from the original Karim’s wife - Emelia Heleweska (Y10) script, but this humorous skit certainly Marjanah - Katie Masterman (Y7) became a classic in its own right thanks to Geographer 1 - Mrs Cunningham Mrs Cunningham and Mr Boyd’s comic Geographer 2 - Mr Boyd timing! Haroun - Kala Coles (Y9) Sidi 1 - Sanya Hussain (Y9) Students from all years came together to Sidi 2 - Chloe Lunnon (Y9) put on an exquisite display of a Amina - Nishfa Nismy (Y9) performance that involved not only acting Sorceress/ Daughter - Joan Pyuza (Y8) but also dancing, beautiful Arabian Customer 1 - Jazmine Devkota (Y8) clothing, accessories and make-up. The up Customer 2 - Emma Philpott (Y8) and coming RGS choir added another Baker - Shisam Gurung (Y8) great element to make the whole King - Kirsten Newman (Y9) part of the King’s Vizier, writes: I felt that Eldest sister - Zeenat Jabbar (Y10) in the end, Arabian Nights turned out to 2nd sister - Lucy Lee (Y11) be much better than I initially expected it Youngest sister - Alma Dirisu (Y10) to! Many of us Steward - Ajeje Hassan (Y9) thought we would Bahman - Lauren Butler (Y9) not be able to pull it Perviz - Leah Williams (Y9) off as we were all so Parizade - Kunashe Mukupuki (Y9) busy at the time with different things. There was a Choir: lot of hard work put Ema Begum (7A) in by all of us but Sandra Borgula (10B) we were pleased Grace Ewing (7R) that it ultimately Sujana Jugjali (7R) paid off as the Hafsah Kelly (7C) production was a Danielle Maling (7S) huge success! All Jareen Rahman (7C) the extra time we put in for rehearsals Sasha Trethowan (7R)

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