Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Weekly Bulletin th Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST June 13 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7
School Diary Abbie’s mathematical success Mon 16 Y12 Maths Lecture, P2 onwards Earlier this year, Abbie (12-3), who is studying Tues 17 Governors’ Pay & Personnel, 5:15pm maths and further maths, entered the Liverpool Maths AS Transition Day (am only) Mathematical Society “Open Challenge ‘14”, a Wed 18 Y8 off timetable competition for students in Year 13 or below and Maths AS Transition Day (am only) won first prize. Thur 19 English Trip to Stockport She was recently presented Governors’ Finance, Buildings & Estates, 6pm NWGT with £100 of vouchers and Sat 21 MUN Conference at MGS a certificate at an award evening of mathematical Sun 22 MUN Conference at MGS recreation at the University of AGGS Liverpool. Well done, Abbie! @AGGSchool Follow AGGS on twitter to keep up to date with all our news: @AGGSchool #AGGS Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Michelle Harrison’s visits Year 7
On Tuesday 11th June author Michelle Harrison came to visit Year 7 pupils to talk about being a writer and spoke about her new book, One Wish, which is currently Waterstone’s Book of the Month. Michelle told Year 7 about how she gets her ideas, showing us images that inspired the setting, location and characters in her new novel. She also explained to us how she managed to have her work published. This was definitely a lot harder than we ever imagined and she also told us some really interesting things about the world of writing, including what it’s like to be published in different languages. Michelle also stayed for a book signing and spent some time talking to the girls about her novels. One year 7 said: “I already own all of Michelle Harrison’s books so it was brilliant to see her in person and get my books signed”. Another said: “I had never thought about being a writer before but Michelle pointed out that writers don’t just write novels, but songs, film and TV scripts, so it’s really made me think.” Michelle’s one wish was to see her books in film and she left a signed copy of her novel The Thirteen Treasures as a prize for the person who can write the most interesting and beautifully decorated wish. See Miss Devlin if you would like to enter! Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
AGGS Alumnae Art Exhibition and Drinks Reception Thursday 26th June, from 7pm. Join us for an exhibition of our A
Level Artwork and a “Since leaving AGGS, I’m now leading drinks reception. Take a successful career, working for a global the opportunity to blue chip company.”
ELLIE HALLWORTH catch up with former ENGINEER pupils and staff and find out how AGGS has changed since you were here. We can confirm that the main hall is still Where are they now?
decorated with the Know a former Altrincham Girls’ Grammar School pupil or member of staff who has a story to tell? lion wallpaper! Ask them to get in touch with us to tell us where they are now at [email protected]
To confirm your attendance or for more details, please contact: [email protected] Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
History workshop Results day: Thursday 21st August 2014 The History Department has If you meet the entry requirements on GCSE results organised a workshop for a group of Y12 History students on day and wish to take up your place to study in the Wednesday June 18th 2014 at Sixth Form at AGGS, you will be required to enrol The John Rylands Library. The . To do this, please workshop is called: ‘Archive by 12 noon on results day Encounter: Remember Me see Miss Lally in the hall to confirm that you wish to Kindly’ and is linked to the take up your place to study your chosen subjects. Library’s First World War Any requests for changes to subjects should also Exhibition ‘Aftermath’. Students will be given an opportunity be made on this day. Subject changes cannot to study letters which were exchanged between be guaranteed and are dependent on timetable a soldier, Herbert Eckersley, and his University Professor, T F availability and class numbers. Tout, in 1917. If you do not enrol by 12 noon, your place will be offered to someone else. Careers Talk
Frances Hyde will be giving a talk on A Career in Speech and Language Therapy on Wednesday 18th June in Room L6. All pupils are welcome to attend. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Composition Competition
Greater Manchester Police Male Voice Choir (GMPMVC) and Cantare Ladies Summer Choir are looking for a new choral work to complement their first joint concert in summer 2015. They are holding a composing competition open to anyone under Serenade 30 years of age. th If you are interested, please click here to find out more: Wed 9 July 7pm http://www.aggs.trafford.sch.uk/downloads/Music/Composition-Competition.pdf
This promises to be a lovely concert, showcasing most of our orchestras, ensembles, choirs and some soloists. Only 1 ticket per family may be Drama Blog purchased until Friday 20th If you like drama, why not check out the AGGS Drama blog at June, when more should be http://ilovetheatrestudies.wordpress.com available. This is to ensure all performers are able to have access to at least one ticket. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Quiz Night
• Are you a receptacle of useless information? New Club • Do you often wish you could show off your Ms Turner will be starting a knowledge and impress the people around you? French film club for Year 7 • Have you got 5 friends? and Year 8 in Room 3 on Fridays If you’ve answered ‘YES’ to any of these statements, Ecuador Team at 12.45. Bring your own lunch A has the perfect night out for you. with you. Join us on Thursday 3rd July from 7-9:30 pm at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls to pit your wits against 11 other teams in a bid to become the Altrincham All Stars (also known as the 6 smartest people in Altrincham).
Tickets for the event are £10 per person and teams require 6 French Trip October 2014 people per team. Each ticket guarantees the bearer upon demand: a fish and chip supper, at least one group prize and the chance to Girls in Year 8 who are going on this trip support a great group of girls on their way to Ecuador. are reminded that the full cost MUST be paid by the end of this term. For many of Tickets are available from Miss O’Hara in the English office and you, this means another £325. You can are limited in number, so get your closest friends together, get your see on ParentPay how much you owe. tickets and start picking that all important team name! Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST STEM Mini Maker Faire BioArtAttack
Mini Maker Faire: Saturday 26th July and Sunday 27th July 2014 The Society of Biology has just launched a competition designed to encourage young people to bring science and art closer together, Manchester Mini Maker Faire is back for its third year at the by producing a piece of biology-themed art through collage, model Museum of Science and Industry on 26th and 27th July 2014. A or sculpture, and to capture the whole process using time-lapse showcase of invention, resourcefulness and creativity, it’s a place photography. The closing date is 22nd August so you have plenty where people show what they’re making and share what they’re of time to get creative! learning. You could use anything you want and create just about anything This year, we’d love to feature young makers at the Faire. Whether related to biology. Entries can be from individuals or from groups of it’s a school computer, technology, science or craft club; if you are up to 6 under-18s. making things we want to see them. To find out more and apply to be a maker, visit the Manchester Mini Maker Faire website: For more details, please see Miss Russell or visit http://makerfairemanchester.com/mmf2014/ https://societyofbiology.org/get-involved/biologyweek/bioartattack for more details. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Great British Space Dinner Buses on Open Day (25th) The UK Space Agency has launched a competition for school children between the and 26th June ages of 7 and 14 to design a British-inspired, balanced and exciting meal for British ESA Goodwins buses are unable to alter astronautTim Peaketo eat during his 6 month mission to the International Space Station their bus times on Open Day and on (ISS). The winning contestants will be invited to develop their ideas further with celebrity 26th June. chef Heston Blumenthal, and these ideas will be turned into real space food that will be Travel Master have launched to the ISS. They will also be invited to an event that will include a live link up with confirmed that they Tim during his stay on the ISS. will undertake the 706 service at 1.30pm on The challenge is open to classes, other groups (such as after-school clubs, Scouts, Guides, 25th June and then commence pick up etc) and individuals. There are two categories, one for primary level children and one for at Parrswood at 9.45am on 26th June. secondary level children, with one winner in each category. Children will need to design a British-inspired meal for Tim to eat in space, taking account of normal nutritional principles as well as the constraints ofspace (such as handling, packaging and preservation). Sainsbury’s Vouchers Entries must be submitted by noon on 30th June 2014 to the UK Space Agency via email or post. Please can you all save Sainsbury’s For an entry form and further details, follow this link: vouchers for school PE equipment. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-great-british-space-dinner There is a box near reception where you can post them.
Thank you Mrs Finch Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST Competitions in Science and Biology
If any pupil is interested in entering one of these competitions, please see Miss Russell for more information or the noticeboard outside L3. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Science Catch Up Sessions Japanese Exchange Students HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! If you are in Year 11 and you take double award science (Core and Additional) and you want to take A level sciences, you should attend Could you host a Japanese student next term? catch-up sessions after your GCSEs. During these days you will: - carry out some of the practical work that girls taking triple science In recent years, we have successfully hosted Japanese home stay students in have carried out the autumn term. We are looking forward to hosting two more students from Nagoya International High School next term to help them improve their English, - learn about concepts that were not part of your course but are learn about our culture and experience the English lifestyle. required for A level - be provided with resources and extra online information to ensure We need families who could host one of the girls for either a term or half-term you are confident about starting science A levels in September 2014. from September. This is a wonderful cultural exchange programme and we hope to maintain and build on the links we have established. It is an excellent opportunity to get to know about Japanese culture and get to know a young The dates for the sessions are: student from a fascinating part of the world! Wednesday 25th June all day and Thursday 26th am only: Biology catch up The girls are high achieving, responsible and independent. A very generous Thursday 26th June pm only and Friday 27th June all day: Chemistry weekly living allowance will be paid to the host families. catch up Monday 30th June all day and Tuesday 1st July am only: Physics catch up
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Miss Miller as soon as possible by telephone on 0161 912 5912 or by email to millerj@aggs.trafford.sch.uk Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST Citizenship & PSHE Corner What is happening in Citizenship and PSHE?
CLUBS CORNER... What EXTRA CURRICULAR activities are available within Citizenship and PSHE?
Model United Nations Visitors- Year 10 lessons MUN is back this week. If you are coming to Last week Year 10 had visitors within their General PSHE and the MGS conference be sure to attend this Citizenship lesson. These visitors were from Phoenix Futures and have week. given interactive sessions Next Conference: MGS June 21st & 22nd. The about the dangers of drugs school will be representing the delegation of and raising general awareness Nigeria. about illegal substances. FOR DETAILS OF COMMITTEE PAPERS PLEASE SEE THE MGS WEBSITE.
Being a good local citizen Youth Action Group Where? Multimedia Room Have you ever spoken to your When? Tues lunch time- bring your lunch. parents about being a blood donor? Do your parents do it...? Youth Action Group members are Would you like to do it in the future? hard at work pulling together all Find out more at: the things they have been involved http://www.blood.co.uk/news-media/campaigns/national-blood-week/ with to try and achieve the Youth Ambassador Badge. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST Regular Events What’s going on in the news? National and Global Events We like to keep everyone up to date with Do you have an article that you think is interesting? things that are happening around the country If you follow the news and find an article you are interested in, why and across the globe that relate to Citizenship not share it with the rest of the school. Check out your year group’s and PSHE and other subjects. Each week you focus and put the article onto the ‘What’s Going on in the News? can take some time to visit the websites of Board’ in Room 13. different organisations or do some research of your own into how you can understand Year 7: local news focus Do you want to catch up on the news more about the issues for which each day is Year 8: national news focus or read a book about a topic that raising awareness. Year 9: international news focus interests you related to Citizenship? Year 10: comparison of newspaper articles Come and enjoy the Citizenship Reading 13th June: Children’s Hospice Week Year 11: analysis of a newspaper article Corner, where you can access a selection of 14th June: Blood Donor Day books at rec in room 13. 15th June: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day World Bug Buster Day 16th June: Refugee Week, What’s in the news... Small Charities Week, World Bike Week Trojan horse affair 17th June: World Day to combat BBC News - Trojan Horse: Ofsted Desertification and says schools were targeted: Drought http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27763113 18th June: Autistic Pride Day Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Charity News
Ronald MacDonald House is one of the We would like to take this charities our Charity committee supported opportunity to let you know this year. Parents or pupils may be about The Day, an online current interested in registering independently for affairs resource that school has subscribed to. Three news stories these 2 fund-raising events. are selected each day and are explained in a straightforward manner, within the context of the Great Manchester Cycle curriculum. Each story includes On Sunday 29 June, Manchester is hosting the discussion points, a glossary, Great Manchester Cycle featuring 13 and 26 mile several activities and links to distances, across a city based circuit. Children are welcome, and can even other relevant news and current cycle for free! affairs websites which makes it There is only 1 month to go, so register now via a fantastic resource, providing a http://www.greatcycle.org/Event/ and get in touch with Sarah.Jackson@ great opportunity for pupils to discuss topics using real and current issues. uk.mcd.com to let us know if you are taking part for Team Manchester With a comprehensive list of subjects covered; including PSHE, citizenship House. and translated stories, this resource is currently available to the pupils and teaching staff at school. However we are also pleased to let you know that pupils and parents can now access the service at home, from the school Great Manchester Swim website within the “Learning Outside the Curriculum” area or direct from If cycling isn’t your thing, why not try the Great Manchester Swim, held at http://www.theday.co.uk/ using the school’s login details: Salford Quays on Saturday 19 July. Swimmers of all abilities are welcome on this 1 mile course. All you need to do to be part of this unique event is Login: agsg register at http://www.greatswim.org/events/great-manchester-swim, email Password: theday [email protected] to let us know, and arrive on the day with your wetsuit! We hope that you will enjoy this resource and use it to further your daughter’s understanding of and engagement in the world around us. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
AGGS NOTICEBOARD Pupil Safety Collecting pupils after school Important Safety Notice As always, please can all parents/carers remind their Following the recent letter regarding Homework Club and We have received several reports about school daughters to consider their personal safety when travelling the use of the library after school, please can parents/ pupils having their mobile phones stolen on their to and from school and ensure that arrangements are in carers make arrangements to collect their daughters way home from school. Please can all pupils/ place for the after- school journey, especially in the dark and agree the time and place before coming to school. students be vigilant, keep mobile phones out of sight evenings. The school library closes at 5pm. Parents/Carers are asked not to approach other pupils, and remember to be aware of personal safety. especially girls they do not know, to go into the library to pass on a message or to inform their daughter that they are waiting to take them home. Your support in this Fixtures at the Devisdale matter is most appreciated. Please may we ask all parents/carers to ensure that, Road Safety when attending sports fixtures at the Devisdale, they Please can all pupils/students remember the need to be park considerately and do not block the drives of local careful when crossing between sites. Mobile phones and Reminder to parents regarding residents. Please also avoid parking on the grassy areas. any other electronic devices should not be visible when Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated. crossing between sites. Pupils/students should stop at the after- school detention zebra crossing, look and listen to make sure it is safe to Notifications to parents of an after- school detention cross, and never assume the traffic will stop. It is absolutely for pupils will still be sent by letter (either posted or After- school activities prohibited for pupils/students to cross the roads between through ParentMail) and not by a text message. the school sites anywhere except at the zebra crossing All pupils/students are expected to change into full or by using the traffic island on St Margaret’s Road. Any school uniform following an after- school activity. Pupils/ pupil/student who does cross anywhere other than the students are not to travel home in their PE kits. two safe locations, will be reported to the Headteacher. Car Parking We should like to remind parents and carers to ensure that, when collecting girls after school, they park considerately and do not block or use the driveways of local residents. Please also avoid parking in the bus stop space. There is a danger that cars which are not parked safely and appropriately will cause a hazard. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Tennis
Results Practices / Fixtures Week Beginning Monday 16th June We have started our Aegon tennis matches in earnest. Lunch time Practices: ALL lunchtime practices as planned EXCEPT NO Year 7 practice Wednesday The Year 10 ‘A’ and ‘B’ team had to play against each other as they were in the lunchtime as all staff are at the athletics competition. same section. The ‘A’ beat the ‘B’ 6-0 After School: The Year 8 ‘A’ team beat Lymm High School 6-0 and Loreto Grammar School 5-1. Monday 16th June: Year 8 This team will progress through to the next round of this national competition. Tuesday 17th June: NO Year 10 practice as Mrs Finch is at a staff meeting The year 8 ‘C’ team played against the ‘A’ teams of Fallibroome High School and Wednesday 18th June: NO Year 7 practice as Mrs Finch is at the Athletics in Warrington Altrincham College of Arts. Year 8 ‘B’ Aegon match v Sale Grammar School and They Beat ACA 6-0 but lost to a very strong Fallibroome team 6-0, but there were Poynton High School. Mrs Greenhow has kindly agreed a few close scores. Well done, girls, for not giving up. to take this match. Thursday 19th June: Year 9 practice (if Mrs Bamford is available to take it) Unfortunately, the fixture against Stockport Grammar School had to be cancelled Also … AWAY Year 9 match v Sale Grammar School at due to thunder and lightning and heavy rain. I would like to apologise to those girls Brooklands Sports Club and parents who had already arrived at Stockport. The match was cancelled at Saturday 21st June: NO match this weekend. the last minute because of the weather. Usually, matches are cancelled at around 7.30am. At that time the weather was fine so we kept the match on. On numerous As always a confirmation of the week’s practices will be on the games board from occasions in the past we have cancelled because of the forecast which has ended 7.45am on the Monday morning. It is up to ALL players to check this as soon as up being incorrect. On this occasion it was spot on! arrive at school, so they know what is going on.
Rounders
Congratulations to the Year 10 rounders team who are Trafford Schools’ Champions. After beating every team in their group, they faced Loreto in the semi-final. They easily beat them 8 1/2-1 and took on St. Antony’s in the final, beating them 7-2. There was some outstanding batting and fielding from the whole team. Well done to Genevieve, Amy, Rosie, Mollie, Alex, Ellie, Tara, Charlotte, Gaby, Simal, Ros and Anum. Please note there will not be a Year 9/10 rounders practice on Wednesday 18th June after school due to the English Schools’ Athletics competition. Altrincham Grammar June 13th 2014 Volume - 48 Issue - 7 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST PTA Contacts If you have any enquiries about the PTA and its fundraising efforts or meetings, would like to volunteer to help or join, and would like to contact us, here are some useful contact email addresses for your reference: Covenant Scheme enquiries [email protected] 200Club enquiries PTA [email protected] General enquiries PTA [email protected] Secretary PTA [email protected] Refreshments PTA [email protected] Name a Brick enquiries PTA [email protected] Garden sponsorship PTA [email protected] 2nd Hand Uniform PTA [email protected] For all the latest news, Please note that all PTA members are volunteers and although emails are likely to be checked on a fairly regular information and photos visit us at www.aggs.trafford.sch.uk basis, there may be some delays in response time and we ask for your patience and understanding in this regard.