Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3RB Email: [email protected] Tel: 01303 251125
NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2019
Dear Parents & Carers
It is difficult to believe that another school year draws to a close - my first as Principal. Time flies when you are having fun, so the saying goes and certainly this academic year we have all worked hard to make sure that the girls experience fun at school and a fun school!
Whilst national agendas focus on ‘narrowing gaps’ and ‘closing gaps’ and concentrate almost exclusively on purely academic outcomes, here we have been busily filling gaps with experiences and opportunities to enliven and enrich our curriculum, develop character traits like self-confidence, resilience and commitment and that will create memories of school to last a life time.
As ever, work continues apace with the FSGBacc, with further exciting developments on the horizon. Our first big school production in several years - Annie, has just had a stunning 3 night run. We are busy working on an exciting new project for, and with, our Nepalese community, via The British Council. Mr Easton, our lead on Computing & Digital Literacy is working on a new Lego League robotics venture and on creating our very own ‘Escape Room’. Our Radio Station is currently recruiting the first wave of presenters, ready for a September launch. 45 cadets are set to commence CCF in September. Our Language Ambassadors are already out in our own school community, leading lessons here and at local primaries and girls continue to enjoy the bikes, the climbing wall, cheerleading and of course expedition season is well underway with Duke of Edinburgh. All the while, the day job of planning, teaching, marking and reporting continues and this year some 4650 examinations have been taken between Ys 10, 11 and 13 at both GCSE and A Level.
It is testament to how much we do as a school, that this part of school life rarely gets a mention in newsletters. It is also a reflection that our curriculum and our core purpose is driven by the unshakeable belief that exam results are what the girls get; they do not define who they are and will play only a part in shaping who they become. Our academic curriculum then is only a part of what we do.
Even at this late stage of the year, with the exam season now behind us, there has been no let-up in the opportunities and experiences provided. Girls have enjoyed Sports Day, Mountain Biking & Kayaking trips to Bewl Water, trips to London, Quex Park, Charivari, National Archives, Women in Engineering events, our first cheerleading performance, our annual Listening Project in History, our Careers Fair, seeing their teachers perform at FSG’s own Strictly Come Dancing, Blue Sky Theatre Company Visit and we are about to embark on the final three days of ‘enrichment’ with all that entails - trips to Boulogne, White Chapel, History Workshops etc. etc.
Charlie Chaplin, in his movie The Great Dictator, considers that with our increased knowledge of the world and of each other, it is possible to become cold and cynical, that we can ‘think too much and feel too little’. ‘More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness’ he says.
22 July 2019 Pg 1 So, as my first year as Principal draws to a close, I reflect on the things that I hold dear and that drive me in my actions and drives us as a school in our actions every day. These are the importance of kindness in our school and in our dealings with each other, the importance of optimism and the importance of recognising what a contribution each of us can make to each other and to the world. Picking up again with that Charlie Chaplin speech I ask our girls to….
‘Use your cleverness well. More than just knowledge you must have wisdom. You have the power, the power to create and spread happiness. You have the power to make this world a world of reason, a world where science and progress and knowledge and wisdom will lead to all people’s happiness. You have the power to make this life free and beautiful and to make this life a wonderful adventure’
I take the opportunity to thank all staff for their endless hard work and commitment to the girls. I thank our girls for their continued hard work and their willingness to have a go and get involved and for making FSG such a wonderful place to be and I thank everyone for their support over this first year. We have achieved a lot together.
We welcome girls back to school on Tuesday 3rd September 2019, but in the meantime I wish you all a restful and peaceful summer.
Mr Mark Lester Principal
International School - We are busy working to become an International school, which will increase the opportunities for girls to engage with their school aged counterparts internationally and in time, perhaps even visit them at home. We have begun this work by linking, initially with a school in Kathmandu, Nepal, chosen because of our large Nepalese community here in school and in Folkestone. Below shows our girls video conference with school girls in Nepal.
22 July 2019 Pg 2 Annie
After a 7 year hiatus, we welcomed back the return of the big school production with ‘Annie’. A stunning show with girls involved in all aspects of the production, from backstage crew, lighting, sound, set design and creation, make up and of course our stunning cast. After months of rehearsals, the big night finally came and to rapturous applause. Parents and visitors could not believe the talent of the cast and the quality of the production. Three stunning evenings, all accompanied by a 21 strong orchestra with present students, past students, parents, future teachers (our new DoL Music - Mrs Katrina Livingston) and Miss Welch (History Dept) all under the masterful Mrs Braddy.
22 July 2019 Pg 3 Strictly Come Dancing FSG
On Friday 12th July 2019 we saw a return of last year’s first ever Strictly Come Dancing FSG.
Having worked on their routines in clandestine fashion over several months’ preparation, it was Mr Quinn who kicked off the show.
Dancing to the Van Halen classic he ‘jump’ed from the stage to the dance floor before sweeping an awaiting Mrs Fenton off her feet.
Despite stiff competition amongst the seven couples it was Mr Birkman, who won for a second consecutive year, with his new dance partner, Mrs Harvey, with their rendition of ‘Time of my life’ from Dirty Dancing.
No one puts Mrs Harvey in the corner!
Guests were also treated to professional dance displays from our very own Mrs Morrison, who organised the whole event.
Girls had a night of entertainment at the hands (and feet) of their teachers and some £800 was raised for charity.
22 July 2019 Pg 4 ART
Year 8 Students contribute to ‘Lasting Memories’
In June, Y8 students painted pebbles in their art lessons as part of a community art and heritage project called ‘Lasting Memories’ to commemorate 100 years since the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
‘Lasting Memories’ culminated in the creation of seven giant poppies on Folkestone beach on 28th June and was organised by a local art group called the East Cliff Creatives. The poppies were created from around 54,000 Folkestone pebbles painted with eco-friendly paint. Each pebble was painted with a design and was an artwork in its own right.
The Poppies represented the seven months between the Armistice of WW1 and eventual peace, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28th 1919. Each poppy represented stories from seven themes that impacted on the local community during this time such as Spanish Flu, voluntary aid detachments, peace celebrations, refugees from Belgium, Canadian troops and rest camps.
The students painted 644 pebbles, with some very intricate and thoughtful designs, well done Y8!
‘Fantasy Fiction’ proves a fitting theme for Charivari this year!
It was all drums and glitter on Saturday 6th July as Charivari, Folkestone’s Street Carnival, wound its way from The Stade, up the Old High Street, to the Leas.
22 July 2019 Pg 5 This year’s theme was ‘A night at the movies’ and the procession provided glimpses into the genres of action adventure, science fiction, horror, musicals, world cinema and fantasy.
Twelve Y9 FSG Art students were given the genre of ‘fantasy’ and chose to create builds of Totoro (from the Studio Ghibli animations), Fawkes the phoenix from Harry Potter and the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. The workshops took place over 3 days in the Strange Cargo factory in Cheriton where each group worked with a carnival trained local artist. The first day involved creating the structure out of willow witheys and bamboo, the second day was covering the builds with tissue and latex and the third day (the really fun day) was spray painting and decorating the builds with plastazote foam and BLING! (more glitter than you have ever seen!).
The parade itself was on a sunny day with the drums transforming the town into a ‘babel of noise’ and the builds bringing gasps and smiles to the crowd that lined the streets. Well done to all the students involved, especially those who did a sterling job carrying the builds on their shoulders.
22 July 2019 Pg 6 Students turn into explorers with a trip to Quex Park
In July, Year 9 art students visited the Percy Powell-Cotton museum at Quex Park in Thanet which features an array of exhibits acquired from the Far East. Students had an opportunity to handle a range of exhibits such as an elephant’s tooth (it was about 2kgs and the size of a rugby ball– we also learned that they occasionally spit out their teeth so you don’t want to be standing close by when they do!) and also considered some of the ethical issues behind the artefacts, comparing a leopard skin fur handbag confiscated from customs with a leopard fur pelt from a creature in captivity who had died of old age.
Students then had the chance to explore the museum’s galleries, taking photos and drawing in their hand-made recording booklets. As it was a gorgeous summer’s day, they had the chance to have lunch (and enjoy an ice cream!) in the beautiful gardens and then explore areas such as the fountains, kitchen garden and greenhouse. In the afternoon they explored the Powell-Cotton’s house which has been preserved exactly as it was in the 1940s, evoking a strong sense of stepping back in time.
Back at school students took portraits of each other with SLR cameras in the photography studio with Mr King and then used Photoshop to edit their portraits with the photos of creatures and artefacts they had taken on the trip creating ‘zoomorphic’ artworks….
22 July 2019 Pg 7 Year 9 students become young illustrators
A small group of keen illustrators were invited to create drawings for ‘The Heart of The Woods’, a children’s story written by Martin Riley that explores the relationship between an old miner and his grandchildren, and one that touches upon the mining heritage in Kent.
The group generated a wide range of illustrations during the three-day workshop and those that are selected will be put into print.
This is part of a larger collaboration with Primary schools and year 12 Dance students from FSG.
The performance itself will involve the story (narrated by Martin), dance and music (written and composed by David Burridge) - all of which is being written and choreographed based on his story.
(Above) Students pitch their character ideas to Martin…
An exhibition of all of the illustrations created for Martin’s book, as well as the performance itself, will take place in November. More details to follow on the school website in September…
22 July 2019 Pg 8 Generating some wonderful illustrations…!
22 July 2019 Pg 9 Year 11 students have a taster of ‘plein air’
On Friday 28th June, Y11 students were invited to take part in ‘en plein air’ workshop in preparation for their A level Art course. The lovely sunshine set the perfect scene for the activities during the morning and the group were free to work in many of the beautiful areas within the school grounds. Inspiration was sought from artists both traditional and more contemporary, such as John Piper and Van Gogh and the students used a wide range of media to explore ‘landscapes’.
Art Department creates ‘Annie’ Props and Set Designs
The Art department contributed to the end of year show ‘Annie’ by designing, making and installing the props and sets. A keen group of students from years 8, 10 and 12 also took part: Lexun Chen, Alice Tomlin, Amelia Gibbons, Ada Sadowska, Emily Bach, Rachel Earle and Amy Hillman. A special thanks to Mr King for his engineering and construction skills, without his support the show would not have had the range of props made to such a high quality, to Miss Turner for her on-going designing skills and direction, to Mr Smith for his ‘American Eagle’ and to Miss Moll, who supported Miss Turner in the stage surround ‘skyline’.
A special thanks to Miss Becky Moll
After joining the school in September 2018, as maternity cover for Mrs Hulme, Miss Moll leaves FSG at the end of Term 6.
On behalf of the Art Department and all of the students that Miss Moll has taught throughout the year, we would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ for all that she has contributed and the opportunities she has provided for our students.
We wish her all the best for the future.
22 July 2019 Pg 10 REWARD TRIP
We recently took some girls to the Chatham Snow Sports Centre to try out their Snow-Tubing and Tobogganing.
ENGLISH
High Achievers in English
A huge well done to the following students who have been awarded the English Certificate of Excellence:-
Term 5 - Emilie Blanks, Beth Woolcombe, Grace Norman, Isobel Barber, Markeeta Farrant, Chloe Kelly, Tamzin Riches, Jenna Ball and Manon Brissaud-Mounsdon;
Term 6 - Sophie Smith, Charlotte Hastie, Alice Parry, Klara Hansen, Rachel Jones, Morgan Bailey, Irina Temerel, Ellie Parris and Aimee McCarthy. Congratulations to them all!
22 July 2019 Pg 11 FSG do the Greatest Showman!
Singing, dancing, glitter, what more could you want from 185 Year 8 students who spent the day revelling in activities based on the hit musical ‘The Greatest Showman’? From start to finish they had amazing energy and left school feeling they could achieve anything! Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron seem to have that effect on people!
The day was packed full of carousel activities where the girls indulged in creating mood boards where they had to celebrate who they are and who they aspire be in the future. They enjoyed cutting out pictures from magazines and creating a visual idea of what their future might look like. This was accompanied with the song ‘This is Me’ and it linked to the idea of accepting yourself for who you are, and never letting anyone “bring you down!” They raised the classroom roof with this as we belted out the lyrics in order to build empowerment.
Additionally, also involving this classic song, students took part in a half hour dance workshop, that involved learning a routine based on the choreography by Ashley Banjo, where he helped the ladies ‘Full Monty’, aired on Channel 4 earlier this year to raise awareness for breast cancer. Again, the message behind the routine was to enhance self-confidence; by performing a whole routine together no one was singled out, and everyone put in what they wanted to.
Lastly, they explored the history behind the film. Whilst director Michael Gracey made a superb box office smash hit and embraced everyone’s differences and ‘curiosities,’ the real P.T Barnum was somewhat different to how Hugh Jackman portrayed him. Although he did give people from all backgrounds a chance, and he did put together the greatest show, there are facts that suggest he was not as considerate and caring as we first thought. They also delved into the lives of Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, whose affair with Barnum was purely fictional - the girls were happy about that! Additionally, they investigated the legendary Tom Thumb and his showbiz wedding; Jo-Jo the dog face boy, and discovered who the real bearded lady was - sadly, she could not sing like Keala Settle.
We finished the day gathered in the hall with a sing- a-long to the whole film. It was very hot in there but the girls were incredible. They whooped and cheered and even booed! It was like being at a panto! The movie is empowering and when it ended with 15 minutes still left of school to go, we played ‘This is Me’ and ‘Come Alive’ and the girls truly did! They sang and danced until the pips interrupted, even us teachers all joined in!
It was a lovely day had by all and an enjoyable way for the girls to start their wind down for the holidays.
22 July 2019 Pg 12 GEOGRAPHY
During June, on two separate Fridays, the Year 12 Geographers took part in 2 full field trip days at Camber Sands and Folkestone, where they were gathering critical data for their assessed coursework pieces, designing and organising group work data collection methods of their own, to be able to answer the hypotheses they set.
They worked really effectively in groups to gain large scale data sets for their titles and collaborated really well as a class to achieve this.
Their hard work and commitment was exemplary.
The girls made sure they ALL had the data they needed despite all studying their own unique titles.
22 July 2019 Pg 13 HISTORY
Kew - Visit to the National Archives
On Tuesday 2nd July, Y12s made their way to Kew, not on this occasion to enjoy the beautiful gardens, but to turn left at the bridge and head for the National Archives instead. They were there to conduct some research into the American Civil Rights movement and see what documents survived which cast a light on British reactions to the protests. It proved to be a fascinating afternoon and students were able to handle, under the guidance of a Kew education officer, documents relating to the American and British governments, and key figures such as Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
Students received valuable tips and training on the sorts of questions to pose when looking at primary sources and how they could develop their research after the visit. Our education officer was truly inspirational and I am sure many of the students went away wanting to work at Kew or in archives as a result of her enthusiastic and eye-opening workshop.
All-in-all, it proved to be a fascinating and highly informative trip and I am sure the students’ coursework will be that much better as a result!
22 July 2019 Pg 14 Auschwitz Project
Every year the school selects two Year 13s to participate in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project. The LFA Project aims to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust. This year, Anna Philcox and I were chosen as ambassadors. In January, Anna and I spoke in school assemblies about our experiences of the LFA project. We emphasised the importance of remembering Holocaust victims as ordinary people who had lived very different lives and in diverse communities across Europe. During our orientation seminar, we had the opportunity to hear the powerful testimony of survivor Zigi Shipper. One of the most disturbing parts Zigi recalled was the transport in cattle trucks.
In November 2018, we visited Poland and the town of Oświęcim. This emphasised to us how the Holocaust tore people from their homes and survivors could not return to the lives they had once lived. Afterwards, we went to Auschwitz I. It was shocking to see discarded shoes, saucepans and glasses. This showed us how most victims never got to tell their stories, leaving us with more questions than answers when we learn about the Holocaust. In another room, there was the ‘Book of Names’ which listed millions of victims. It was overwhelming to look at, but behind the names, we can see ordinary people. Sonia Schilowick was a Polish dressmaker; in Ukraine Petr Schilz was the Manager of a hospital and Uriel Schimanovitsch was a Watchmaker.
Then we went to Birkenau. Today, there are only remains of Birkenau; there is no museum. Something that really stood out to us was when a rabbi explained how our words are free - ‘hunger’, ‘winter’ and ‘pain’ cannot fully describe the complexity and horror of the Holocaust. At the end of the day there was a memorial service. Three weeks before, the attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh had happened. As we lit candles, we spoke about how remembering the Holocaust is important, now more than ever.
Also, in January, we spoke at a ceremony at the Folkestone Methodist Church to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. It was a moving event with music and many other students speaking on the subsequent genocides.
During the Washington, D.C. trip in February, Mr Higgins and a group of Year 13s visited the US Holocaust Museum. It was an incredible experience. One of the most poignant parts was walking on cobblestones from Chlodna Street which had been in Warsaw Ghetto. We also saw many artefacts. I was particularly shocked by the copper bowls, forks and tin spoons which had been recovered from the camps. These objects were so significant, because without a bowl, prisoners couldn’t eat.
On Monday 18th March, Year 10 students were privileged to meet and listen to Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich. Mala spoke of growing up in the terrible conditions of Piotrków Trybunalski Ghetto and living in fear when she was hidden from the authorities. She also spoke about the horrific deportations and her appalling experiences in Ravensbrück and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. Listening and asking Mala questions taught us the dangers of prejudice and the importance of standing up to hatred today.
Participating in the LFA Project has been a moving and powerful experience. I encourage younger years to apply in the future. By Irene Szmelter
22 July 2019 Pg 15 Debating Society - end of year round-up
The doors have closed on another successful and hugely enjoyable year for the Debating Society. Our debating chamber (Room 803) is heaving with silverware from all the national debating and public speaking competitions that our students have taken part in. These range from the Youth Speaks public speaking competition run by the Rotary Club to Mock Magistrates (run by the Citizenship Foundation) and the English Speaking Union public speaking competition.
Every Thursday lunchtime, come, rain or shine, students from right across the school, from Y7 to Y13 have met to debate the burning political, ethical and social issues of the day. These have ranged from, ‘Is a bad deal really better than no deal?’ to ‘Should the elderly be banned from driving?’ to ‘Should summer holidays be shortened?’ In addition, at the end of each term we hold ‘Tag wrestling’ debates’, where teams pick up and run with an unseen debating topic drawn at random from a hat and try to make a convincing case for their side as quickly and effectively as they can.
The Society has had a number of esteemed visitors this year too, among them local politicians Damien Collins and Tracey Crouch - a former student at FSG.
Looking forwards, we will be offering sixth formers the chance to take part in a new competition - The Bar Mock Trial Competition and in the autumn the doors of the Debating Society will open once again for our regular Thursday meetings. So if you haven’t done so already, ‘Make a date to debate!’ and join FSGs hugely popular Debating Society!
22 July 2019 Pg 16 Canada Day
Jorja Smith represented the school for Canada Day this year.
The event commemorates the close partnership between the people of Canada and the United Kingdom in conflicts past and present.
By tradition, during the service of remembrance children place flowers on the headstones of servicemen buried at Shorncliffe Cemetery to commemorate their bravery and sacrifice.
The service has continued almost uninterrupted since the end of WWI and it is with great honour that our school takes part every year.
Jorja represented the school at the service, having written a successful application to attend. Her moving words and reflections marked her out as the perfect candidate to represent our school community.
Many thanks to the local council and armed services for organising this truly moving service of remembrance.
Listening Project
This summer was the fifth successive year that we have staged our ever-popular Listening Project.
As mentioned in my introduction to the day, the idea was shamelessly stolen from the Radio 4 programme of that name and shares the same aspirations to encourage people to come together and engage in meaningful conversation about key events in their lives.
In previous years, the themes have ranged from childhood holidays, to best friends and favourite toys.
This year the chosen focus was my favourite teacher!
Like them or loath them, after our parents, teachers are arguably the most influential people in our lives.
22 July 2019 Pg 17 They open our minds to new worlds, challenge our perception of existing worlds and shape the adults we all eventually become.
Once again, it was a wonderful day. The girls as ever were entranced by the stories they heard from our visitors, or ‘esteemed guests’ as we like to call them.
They in turn loved the opportunity to reflect on their own childhoods and the changes they have seen.
The day was rounded off with tea and home-baked cupcakes, themed around favourite teachers.
My favourite was the student who had etched a charming portrait of her favourite teacher at FSG, Miss Goodchild.
Many thanks too, to our student pianists, Dora and Lily who played so beautifully whilst we enjoyed our tea and cakes - hopefully there were a few cakes left for you to sample at the end!
All participants will receive a souvenir magazine of the day and if you couldn’t make it this year, and you feel you fit into the ‘esteemed’ bracket, then do come along next year, when the theme will be ‘My favourite relative when I was a child.’
22 July 2019 Pg 18 Green Landslide in the FSG Mock Elections!
In the week leading up to the European Parliament elections (May 23rd) FSG students had an opportunity to have their say as we held our very own mock elections.
Tutors made time to explain what the elections were about and who was standing. Despite a slow start nearly 200 students eventually voted over four mornings and lunchtimes. Those wishing to cast a vote had to go to a polling station where their names were crossed off the electoral roll in exchange for a ballot paper. The ballot papers we used were exact replicas of those used in the South East Region so students could get a genuine feel for the whole process.
Whilst the Brexit Party were the main beneficiaries in the real thing, our students came out very strongly for The Green Party, echoing the local election results in Shepway earlier in May.
Under the rather brutal d’Hondt voting system the Greens swept 8 out of the 10 seats available, with Labour and Liberal Democrats taking the other two. Labour missed out on a second seat by only a single vote, whereas the Conservatives missed out altogether with only 6.81% of all the votes cast.
Greta Thunberg - an influence at the ballot box?
Congratulations to Year 7 for the highest turnout (32.8%) which came closest to the actual turnout in Shepway (38.6%).
Many thanks to Mr Higgins, Eve Hartley and Amelia Colley for their help in manning the ballot boxes.
22 July 2019 Pg 19 MFL
FSG Language Leaders
Over the past couple of weeks the Year 9 Language Leaders have been busy training and preparing for their first assessment.
On Friday 21st June we went to Sandgate Primary to deliver a taster session, which included cultural facts, language, games, food, music and dance. It is fair to say that fun was had by all!
Once the Language Leaders had met their classes, we then visited the school again on Friday 28th June to teach in the classrooms. The Language Leaders had planned their lessons from scratch, creating their own resources and activities. They had to study the Scheme of Learning of Sandgate Primary and develop a lesson that would fit into their curriculum, while at the same time taking into consideration all the different components of a lesson. It was great to see how enthusiastic and engaged the children at Sandgate Primary were throughout the lessons.
The feedback our pupils received from the teachers at Sandgate was great too, and the children were all asking them to come back soon. We were all impressed by the enthusiasm, leadership and organisation skills the language Leaders demonstrated. They did themselves and the school proud, while being ambassadors for MFL and fostering a love of languages in young people.
22 July 2019 Pg 20 PE
Rounders
Year 8 - recently played in a Shepway and Ashford tournament at Highworth. We were a bit nervous in our first game against the March Academy, unsure of the opposition. However, we were convincing winners 7 ½ to 3 ½ rounders. In our second match against the North School, we began to grow in confidence. Some smart fielding and good communication meant we got seven of their batters out and restricted them to scoring only ½ a rounder. Some excellent batting followed from FSG, which meant we won the game 8 ½ rounders to ½ and were through to the semi-final.
We were playing Highworth! We won the toss and elected to field first. The girls were brilliant! We either stumped or caught eight of the Highworth batters out and restricted them to only 3 ½ rounders! Our turn to bat, knowing 4 rounders would be enough to make it into the final. We worked well together as a team and scored a lot of ½ rounders and 4 full rounders, winning the game 7 ½ to 3 ½ rounders.
We were into the final against The Folkestone Academy. Another particularly strong performance in the field followed and with Sunny, Grace and Ellie leading the charge with the bat, we scored our highest total of the tournament. We won the game 9 rounders to 2 ½! First place and gold medals!
Congratulations to all of them - Ellie Spice, Leanne King, Grace Norman, Maddie Stubbs, Sunny Rabone, Millie Boxer, Sydney Quarterman, Izzy Jeffery, Jess Burgess and Aisha Clayson.
Year 10 - also took part in the Shepway/Ashford Rounders tournament at Highworth and they played the following games: - Folkestone Academy 6½ - 9 FSG, Highworth 2½ - 5½ FSG, Marsh 6 - 15 FSG, Towers 7½ - 8 FSG and North 2½ - 7½ FSG.
As you can see our team won all five matches, some more convincingly than others. The thing that impressed us the most was the girls’ sportsmanship. When they got stumped or caught out they didn’t throw their bat, when they caught or stumped out an opponent, they did not celebrate wildly, when they absolutely whacked the ball for miles (Lottie McVittie) they did not take the mic when running round to score a rounder.
I (Mrs Chan) was immensely proud of the students and it was a very positive reminder of why I enjoy my job! Congratulations to them all, some of them may not have represented the school before, therefore they have achieved extremely well - Lottie McVittie, Phoebe Clayson, Amy-Louise Fawcett, Cerys Price, Mia Johnson, Mia-Cen Christian, Tanya Patel, Lucy Tordoff and Isla McCoubrie.
22 July 2019 Pg 21 FSG Cheerleading Squad
On Saturday 29th June the Cheerleading squad performed at Harcourt Primary’s summer fair.
This was the girls’ first public performance outside of FSG. The squad performed a whole group warm up and then showcased many stunts.
After many weeks of preparation, the girls performed their large group routine and the stunt group performed their own routine. The girls were enthusiastic, full of energy and performed brilliantly to a large audience of children and adults.
I would like to thank the girls for all their hard work and dedication this year and a big thank you goes to the families and friends who came along to support the girls! Miss Johnson
22 July 2019 Pg 22 CAREERS
This term has been exceptionally busy for the Careers department! We have hosted several exciting initiatives to help our students get a flying start in their future ambitions, exploring and experiencing the work place.
FSG Careers Fair
On Tuesday 9th July we welcomed over 15 local employers to the school as part of a Careers Fair, in which every year group had an opportunity to ask questions, explore new opportunities and try out some new skills.
Students had the opportunity to experience how Border Forces use service animals to find restricted materials, start a business from scratch with TrooFoods and experience EDF Energy’s power plant at Dungeness in immersive VR.
Although these are selected highlights, we are appreciative for so many companies taking time to support the day and the students made the event a success through their insightful questions and enthusiasm to start new conversations.
Next year’s event is already in place for 30th April 2020 and we would welcome enquiries from local businesses who would like to support us.
Young Enterprise
Keeping with the entrepreneurial spirit, since January a selection of our Year 10 and Year 11 have worked hard to start up, run and market their own companies.
Within these two companies, Tobee Tote and Beach Gems, the students have made all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name and product to managing the company finances. Students sell to the public and fellow students alike with pop up shops on YE Market Place, the dedicated online sales platform.
Throughout their journey these students have gained the practical business experience, adaptability, entrepreneurial mind-set and employability skills needed to secure successful futures and I have been full of pride to see the resilience in bringing their business ideas to life.
22 July 2019 Pg 23 Tobee Tote - are Rosani Ale, Chloe Carroll, Natalie Chwalibogowski, Rachel Earle, Scarlett Esson, Runica Ghale, Hattie Hopper, Chloe Kelly, Sophie Morris, Charlotte Nixon, Bethany Page, Sujana Pun, Bilina Rai, Sneha Rai and Zofia Szajrych. They have been selling personalised tote bags with a particular focus on charitable donations for bee conservation.
Beach Gems - are Eksha Chongbang, Alice-Marie Cookson, Abigail Gaskin, Rebecca Lightman, Katariina Parry, Tanya Patel, Prachi Sapkota and Lucy Watts and they have been selling attractive upcycled jewellery, using reclaimed beach glass from Folkestone beaches.
A special mention to Chloe Kelly and Sophie Morris for their own extra commitment to the project over the last few weeks, rising to the challenge and overcoming obstacles with resilience. Well done!
We look forward to welcoming all students in Year 10 and above to take up the reins and set up their own exciting companies when the scheme starts up again in September 2019.
Year 11 Work Experience
68 students from Year 11 took the opportunity to explore their future ambitions in July, by taking a week to experience employment with a variety of our long-standing local partners, including Dover Harbour Board, Anna House Vets, Care Excellence Ltd, White Cliffs Country Project and Guy Holloway Architects, amongst many others.
As a department, our focus is always on reflecting the placements students really want to try, not ‘off the hook’ placements from a stock list. As a result, we have offered some incredibly diverse placements this year with some interesting places! Here are some highlights.
Molly Grogan (above, first from left) spent a week with our corporate partners at Transport for London, exploring employment opportunities in engineering, working alongside the Major Projects team.
22 July 2019 Pg 24 As part of her work experience Molly worked on the site of the Northern Line Extension at Battersea Power Station, major works on the Silverline tunnel, took part in conflict management training and was part of the weekly TfL Planning Meeting.
This project in conjunction with TfL is a unique experience for our students and we look forward to growing the numbers having this “money-can’t-buy” opportunity next year!
Amelia Frayne began the week researching refugee support at Kent Refugee Action Network in Canterbury before flying out to learn first-hand at the United Nations in Geneva.
Natalie Chwalibogowski took on a challenging and dynamic hospitality role at the Chesterfield Hotel in London, with corporate partners Red Carnation Group, voted No 12 in the Top 40 Hotels in the UK. Her enthusiasm and high levels of customer service, reflected in a job offer!
Internships
Looking forward to our next academic year, we are introducing an internship scheme for Sixth Form students, affording them 10-20 weeks of meaningful work experience to provide enrichment opportunities and beneficial support for employers.
If you, your company or a contact you know of might be interested in offering such an opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Kennedy on email: [email protected]
22 July 2019 Pg 25
DIARY DATES
Examination Results
‘A’ Levels - Thursday 15th August 2019 GCSE’s - Thursday 22nd August 2019 9.30am to 11.30am
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
Term 1 2019 Tuesday 3rd September to Friday 11th October October Break: Monday 14th October to Friday 25th October
Term 2 Monday 28th October to Wednesday 18th December Christmas Break: Thursday 19th December to Friday 3rd January 2020
Term 3 2020 Monday 6th January to Friday 14th February February Break: Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February
Term 4 Monday 24th February to Wednesday 1st April Easter Break: Thursday 2nd April to Wednesday 15th April
Term 5 Thursday 16th April to Friday 22nd May Bank Holiday: Friday 8th May May Break: Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May
Term 6 Monday 1st June to Thursday 23rd July 2020
22 July 2019 Pg 26 Page 1 FSG History Department Newsletter
LOVE Issue 1 AND The Penfold Papers SERVE July 2019
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: V for Victory! V for Victory! 1 So here we are at the end of We Will Remember Them 1 another year. This should be a time for quiet Pigeon Post 2 contemplation; a time to Operation Pied Piper 2 reflect on what has been achieved. Women with Wings 2 ------This year, FSG History Penfold Recommends Department has been lucky enough to visit many Penfold’s very own History teachers incredible places around the have drawn up a list of Second World UK (and even further afield!) War recommendations for this issue: From Year 7 to Year 13, we have experienced a dazzling Mr Higgins: Visit the Secret array of trips with our Wartime Tunnels under Dover fantastic students. Castle. And if you’re a film lover, ‘The Book Thief’ (2013) is one to We have danced to the watch. This academic year has also Europe. So, for this first piper’s tune at Penshurst seen international issue, The Penfold Papers Miss Utting: Go to the Cabinet War Place, traversed the trenches Rooms in London. Or if you’re at Hill 62 in Ypres, somehow commemorations taking takes the Second World staying in Kent, visit the Battle of survived the London place around the world. War as its theme. Britain Museum in Hawkinge. Dungeons, marvelled at the Indeed, a little over a month th Mary Rose in Portsmouth, ago, on 6 June, we This year we celebrate the th Miss Welch: My favourite place is the paid our respects at the honoured the 75 contributions of Second National Portrait Gallery in Anniversary of the D-Day World War animals in London. A photograph of Alan Imperial War Museum, loitered in the lobby at the Landings. ‘Pigeon Post’, children in Turing from their collection has ‘Operation Pied Piper’ and recently been chosen for the new £50 Houses of Parliament, D-Day or ‘Operation women in ‘Women with note! handled priceless documents at the National Archives and Neptune’ was the largest Wings’. Each of these Mr Hager: I recommend that Sixth even scaled the Washington seaborne invasion in history, articles have been Form students read Robert Service. Monument in the United and paved the way for the researched and written by States! liberation of Western FSG History students. Mr Mannerings: My favourite film is ‘The Gathering Storm’ (2002). It features the late Albert Finney as Winston Churchill during the We Will Remember Them ‘Wilderness Years’. 2018 marked 100 years those that have fallen in The importance of since the end of the First battle since. remembrance is beautifully World War. Purple poppies may also captured by John McCrae in have been seen. They his poem ‘In Flanders Last November we wore commemorate the animals Fields’, written in 1915. red poppies to remember that served in the war and the millions that died in the showed incredible courage. One line holds particular conflict. We also remember resonance as time goes by:
‘The torch; be yours to hold it high.’
Page 2 The Penfold Papers 2019
Pigeon Post When humans waged war against Dickin Medal. One of these the UK and saved more than each other, they often enlisted pigeons was William of Orange, 2000 lives. the aid of animals as comfort and working for British military military support. In the past, intelligence. At the Battle of Another heroic pigeon was Mary horses, elephants and camels Arnhem in September 1944, of Exeter, who transported were used to carry men and communications were a problem important messages across the supplies as well as dogs to track for the allied troops; the few English Channel back to her loft enemies and pigeons carrying radio sets had malfunctioned, and in Exeter. Mary displayed her Pigeon recipient of the Dickin Medal for vital messages. German units had surrounded endurance in war despite being bravery the airborne forces. injured three times and surviving Pigeons have long played an a bombing of her loft. important part in war. Due to William of Orange was released their speed and homing ability by British soldiers on the 19th These animals and many others they were often used as military September at 10:30 and he have aided us in war or simply messengers in WWI and WW2. arrived at his nest box at 14:55. provided friendship in hard times Because of their bravery, 32 The message he carried was one as mascots and companions. pigeons were awarded with a of few to make their way back to Animals in War Memorial, London By Poppy Woods Year 8
Operation Pied Piper Evacuations started on the 1st For the students on the train, rewards . However, he was later September 1939 under the everything was merry with a s ent away so that the foster family code name ‘Operation Pied sing-along and the only issue could house one of his teachers. Piper’. Here Hannah Johnson struck at 10:30 when they were Poc ket money was given to tells the story of a family told they would have to wait indulge at Woolworth’s for their Evacuees leave Folkestone, Kent member who was evacuated. another two hours to eat their stamp collections. Nevertheless,
sandwiches! air-raids would often haunt their In May 1940, Cyril Powell (11) sleep. and his brothers Desmond (7) When Cyril and his brothers and Reg (9) were evacuated. arrived at Dursley they were Cyril was given a permanent They met at Dovercourt given tea, then felt almost like foster home for the 18 months he Station with their bags and gas cattle being chosen. Cyril was had left until he returned home. masks ready to be torn away finally chosen by a foster There he reunited with a fox from their parents. family who ran a farm where terrier where many days were he enjoyed many days of spent exploring and collecting London evacuees on a farm in working there with many wildflowers. Canterbury, Kent By Hannah Johnson Year 9
her connections to propose the Women with Wings creation of a women’s section As soon as Britain’s men were for the ATA, who ferried military of the ATA. She was appointed recruited for war, the role of aircrafts from factory or repair head of the women’s branch women changed. All of a sudden, facilities to storage/operational and won an MBE for her women became the backbone of units. In 1936 she was the first services in 1942. the country. woman to be awarded Air Ministry's Second-Class Due to Gower’s persistent Pauline Gower of the ATA Women during WWII were able Navigator's Licence. efforts, the women of the ATA to change perceptions of the eventually began flying the roles they could fulfil, thanks to In 1938, Gower was appointed a Hurricane, Spitfire, and the women such as Pauline Gower, a civil defence commissioner in Lancaster bombers. Gower died British pilot and writer, who went London with the Civil Air Guard. in 1947, and was awarded the on to create the women’s section Later that year her work on Harmon Trophy for being a of the ATA (The Women’s Air women in aviation ‘Women with world outstanding aviator. Transport Auxiliary Service). Wings’ was published. By Mae Bovingdon Year 8 Pauline Gower was born in 1910 When the Second World War in Tonbridge, Kent. She worked broke out, Gower made use of Members of the ATA