Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Weekly Bulletin Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3

Drama Production School Diary “Noughts and Crosses” the well-known Malorie Blackman book has been adapted and is Y11 Poetry Live Conference, The currently being performed and organised by 27 Year 12 and five Year 11 students from AGGS Mon 26 Bridgewater Hall, and AGSB. U14 Badminton Wed 28 “Noughts and Crosses” describes an alternative history where the African people gained a Y9 Options Evening, 6 - 8pm technological and organizational advantage over the Europeans rather than the other way Governors’ Meeting: Teaching, around, and made Europeans their slaves. At the time of the story, slavery has been abolished, Thurs 29 Learning and Pastoral, 5pm but there is a segregation which operates to keep the Crosses (the Africans) in control of the Mindfulness Course, 6 - 7.30pm Noughts (Europeans). Fri 30 IY12 & 13 Augsburg trip departs

The play will be performed in AGGS drama studio on Thursday 5th February and Friday 6th Sat 31 & MUN Conference, Manchester February at 7:30pm. Tickets are £3 and can be bought from AGSB or AGGS reception from Sun 1st High Monday. Tickets are very limited and so will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

AGGS @AGGSchool Follow AGGS on twitter to keep up to date with all our news: @AGGSchool #AGGS Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Careers Convention

We will be hosting a careers convention for Years 10-12 and parents on Mindfulness Course Foundation Wednesday, 11 March 6.30-8.30pm. It will be well attended including representatives from Russell Group Universities, apprenticeships and many What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is a way of paying attention – of being deeply attuned to yourself, your environment and those around you from moment to different career professions to ensure that our girls are well prepared for the moment. It is a natural state of mind – focused, present and aware. transition from school to university and employment. A full programme will be sent out via Parentmail nearer the time. Programme Structure Our weekday after school courses are taught over eight 1 1/2 hour sessions at weekly intervals. Our weekday after school courses are taught over eight 1 1/2 hour sessions at weekly Many thanks for your support. intervals. The course typically comprise approximately 25 people working together as a group. On them, Mrs Gillibrand you will learn several key mindfulness practices and have the chance to discuss these and your experience of them in the group. The training is based on the core mindfulness principles found within the course book Mindfulness, finding peace in a frantic world. by Professor Mark Williams and Danny Penman.

.b Foundation offers an alternative to our Mindfulness Skills for Life course, with shorter sessions and home practices designed to be accessible for busy people. Staff who develop a regular practice and feel inspired to go on to teach mindfulness to students could then attend a Teach .b or Teach paws .b

Venue: What are the aims? AGGS The core aims of the programme are to: 8 weeks course • Experience greater wellbeing and personal fulfilment 6.00 - 7.30pm • Practise different mindfulness tools and techniques • Select and use mindfulness techniques that will work for you Dates • Respond more wisely to stressful situations 29th January 2015 • Building your resilience to cope with work or personal demands 5th February 2015 • Achieve improved concentration, focus and creativity 12h February 2015 • Enjoy greater calm and inner peace 26rd February 2015 5th March 2015 Pupil Safety What does it involve? 12th March 2015 19th March 2015 We gradually learn to direct our attention in a more focussed way to whatever is actually 2nd April 2015 happening – whether it be breathing, the sensations in our body, thoughts and feelings, or Due to a number of incidents in the local area where young everyday activities such as walking and eating.

For more information or to book a place please email Rebecca Stokwisz, Mindfulness Lead, at stokwisz@aggs.. people have been approached by strangers, we would like to sch.uk http://allianceforlearning.co.uk/courses/professional-development/ or contact 0161 912 5912 remind parents/carers to make suitable travel arrangements for their daughters. Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Student Success Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Congratulations to Annie, 11-6, who entered Year 9 Parents’ Evening will be held on Thursday 12th February at 4.30pm her first major pole-vault competition of the year at Sheffield. She won the Northern Year 7 Parents’ Evening Feedback Indoor Championship for U17G with a new Personal Best. Annie has now jumped to number 3 in the UK rankings for her age Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent group. Well done, Annie. Organisation 9% 25% 44% 22% Waiting time 17% 33% 42% 8% Teachers’ 9% 4% 42% 54% Hosting a Japanese Student Comments

Our partner school in Japan, Nagoya High School, has a 16 year old student who would like to attend AGGS for two to three weeks shortly after half term Artwork of the Week in February/March of this year. We are therefore looking for a host family who would be willing to accommodate the Japanese girl, as a paying guest. Portrait by Ravail Flowers by Emilia The girl is about 16 years old and speaks fluent English. If any parents are able to help in offering accommodation, please contact Mr Harrison whose email address is: [email protected] Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

The Moons of Saturn: Thursday 29thJanuary, Connexions Careers Advice 3:45pm

We are delighted to welcome Professor Carl Murray from Queen Connexions have a drop in session in the 6th Form library every Mary College, University of London to the Physics department next Monday lunchtime. Any Year 12 or 13 students that would like week. He is going to talk about his research into Saturn, its rings advice, or have any queries about their future steps, they are and moons. He is a world expert in the structure of Saturn’s ring welcome to just call in. system, as a result of his involvement in the Cassini mission. (Think about this: Cassini is about 1 400 000 000 km away, yet is being monitored from, and controlled by space scientists here on earth.) Professor Murray has also been a much-valued advisor to Brian Cox in his “Wonders of the Solar System”, and is a most engaging speaker.

Students who would like to attend the talk are invited to sign up on the door near to L12. Amended Bus Times

Travel Master and M Travel have both confirmed that they will arrange an early pick up (2.30pm) on the following days when school is closing early:

• Tuesday 3rd March • Thursday 23rd April • Wednesday 29th April Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Year 8 and 9 January Maths Puzzles UKMT Team Maths Challenge

KS3: The UKMT Team Maths Challenge is taking place on Thursday 23rd April 2015 at the University of Manchester. An arrow is formed in a 2x2 square by joining the bottom corners to the midpoint of the top edge and the centre of the square If you are available on this date and would like to be considered for the team then simply answer the two questions below and submit your answers to Mr Barry in the Mathematics Department by no later than Friday 30th January 2015.

1. A bag contains £20.14 consisting of 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p coins only. If there are at least 14 of each of these coins in Find the area of the arrow. the bad, what is the least possible number of coins in the bag?

2. In a list of seven consecutive numbers, a quarter if the smallest KS4: number is five less than a third of the largest number.

A surveyor places a metre stick against the base of a large circular What is the value of the samllest number in the undeground pipe and finds the the midpoint of the stick is 8cm from list? the pipe wall.

A shortlist of pupils will be select at random from all the correct entries submitted after the deadline.

Shortlisted pupils must be available one lunchtime each week for Use this information to find the inside diameter preparation sessions. of the pipe. Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Citizenship & PSHE Corner CLUBS CORNER...

Model United Nations Club: Oxfam Youth Action Group

Meets Weds Lunch time in Room 13. Debating from 12.40 -1.15pm. Are you passionate about a local, national Year 9 upwards. or global issue? Come and make some noise about it and get others passionate Debate from a country’s perspective, attend competitions, meet new people from lots of different about it too. Do you enjoy campaigning year groups and have fun. and raising money?

The next conference is at Manchester High on Saturday 31st January – Sunday 1st February. Look out in your form time and assemblies for the projects members have been We are hosting a MINI MUN with Loreto and AGSB here on Monday 19th January. This will be a working on. great opportunity for those new to MUN to see how a conference runs, you will have Chairs who will lead you through debates, explaining things as you go. Youth Action Group meets on a Tues lunchtime in the Language ICT lab, room Countries for Manchester High MUN: Jordon, Germany & Argentina – make sure you get 14. For Years 7, 8, 9& 10. researching9 See the Manchester High website for briefing papers), bring in your consent form and please pay via ParentPay. Next week we will be hosting a visitor from Oxfam who will be looking at the projects The mini MUN, hosted here at AGGS, was a great success this week. We ended up having two the girls are currently working on. committees – Political and Human Rights.Debates explored topics such as child sexualisation and what the world can do to stop it. Great fun was had by our pupils, Loreto students and AGSB pupils. The event was great preparation for the Manchester High conference. Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Opportunities TDAS –Trafford Domestic Abuse Do you want to win a trip to New Service York? This week saw the BBC celebrate Democracy Day on 20th January. The 20th January 2015 TDAS are running a course after school Although not all students were able to attend the was 750 years since the first Parliament here in speech by the international terrorism speakerlast the UK was held. See the BBC website to catch for Year 10 starting on February 2nd. This term, they can get involved in a competition run up on the debates and special programmes is the second year we have managed by the organisation. The competition requires broadcast to celebrate Democracy. to gain funding to run the course. It is a pupils to write a short essay or create a 3-5 min film on the question: great opportunity for young people to Do you want to catch up on the news or read a book about a topic that learn about the consequences and causes How did 9/11 change the world? interests you related to Citizenship? of domestic abuse and discuss issues in a safe environment. Perhaps you would To enter the competition students should visit the Come and enjoy the Citizenship Reading website: www.since911.com/competition Corner, where you can access a selection of like to work with victims of abuse in the Any enquiries should be sent to: competition@ books at rec in room 13 or take them out and future? Maybe you are interested in this since911.com read them at home. broad area? These are an informative and informal one hour sessions after school. TDAS bring food and drinks and the course What’s in the news... will be running for 6 weeks. Speak to Mrs

Global Democracy? - Bowyer or Miss Williams to put your name Quote of the week… down for the course. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-30885212 “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. “ Franklin D. Roosevelt Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

We would like to take this opportunity to let you know Ever Thought of a Career in Teaching? about The Day, an online current affairs resource that school has You could train to teach in the primary or secondary sector with subscribed to. Three news stories are selected each day and are The Bright explained in a straightforward Futures SCITT manner, within the context of the Run by the Alliance for Learning, curriculum. Each story includes Led by Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and St.Bede Primary Academy discussion points, a glossary, (Ofsted Rating – Outstanding) several activities and links to Come and find out what we have to offer at our other relevant news and current affairs websites which makes it Open Evening a fantastic resource, providing a on Tuesday 27th January 2015 great opportunity for pupils to discuss topics using real and current issues. With a comprehensive list of subjects covered; including PSHE, citizenship 7.00-8.30pm 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 at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls pupils and parents can now access the service at home, from the school Cavendish Road, Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2NL website within the “Learning Outside the Curriculum” area or direct from (10 minutes walk from Altrincham Metro Station) http://www.theday.co.uk/ using the school’s login details: To book your place email [email protected] Login: agsg Password: theday or phone 0161 912 5912 Please visit www.allianceforlearning.co.uk/courses/teacher-training/scitt We hope that you will enjoy this resource and use it to further your daughter’s for further information understanding of and engagement in the world around us. @aflteachingsch @GM_BFET_SCITT Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 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 carersto 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 January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Hockey Results After School: We had an excellent fixture against Arnold/Queen Mary School, Lytham, on Saturday with the following results: Monday 26th: NO badminton practice as we have a match against Alderley 1stX1 lost 2-0 (against a very strong team) Edge School for Girls. Team sheets have gone out and there is a copy on the U16X1 drew 3-3 games board. U15X1 won 3-2 U14X1: won 2-1 Tuesday 27th: Year 11 v Sale Grammar School AWAY at Brooklands Sports The Year 8 girls played 7-a-side games in preparation for the National Mini Hockey Club, Whitehall Road (off Brooklands Road), Sale: own transport Competition. Also:Year 9 at Bowdon Hockey Club (change of age group U13 ‘A’ won 4-3 and the U13 ‘B’ team won 3-0 from Year 8) Year 7 ‘A’ won 4-1 Year 7 ‘B’ won 5-3 Wednesday 28th: No Year 7 practice as it is still too dark. Also: U13 Mini Hockey County Round of National Schools’ (1pm – 4pm) These were excellent results against a very strong hockey school. We have never Also:U14 Badminton County Round of National Schools’ won so many games in a morning against them. Well done girls for such excellent results.Many thanks must go to Mrs Macdonald who came with us on the coach as Thursday 29th: Years 11-13 at Bowdon Hockey Club an additional helper. It is very much appreciated. If any other mums or dads can Also: Year 7 Trafford Schools’ Badminton at School help us in away matches on the coach, please let me know. Saturday 31st: Home fixture v St Bede’s College, Manchester

Hockey Practices week beginning Monday 12th January ADVANCED WARNING – we are back at Preston Arena against Kirkham again on Monday: Year 8 and 9 Saturday 7th February. Tuesday: Years 10, 11 AND Year 7 Wednesday: NO lunchtime practice as there is a Year 8 tournament at school. Your practice this week will be on Tuesday 27th. Please sign your name in the book if you cannot play on the Saturday Thursday: Years 9 and 10 Friday: Year 8 Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Badminton Success Hockey Success

The U16 Badminton team for their performance in the Greater Manchester County Congratulations to the following hockey players who have need selected on to the Round of the Centre Parcs National Schools’ Competition. Greater Manchester U12 and U13 county squads. Each squad is made up of 20 players, so both age groups have done very well: They won their three matches in the first round 5-0 against St Ambrose Barlow Catholic School, Urmston Grammar School and Standish Community School. They U12: Nadia (7-1), Freya (7-4), Sarah (7-1), Charlotte (7-3) and Shona (7-2) then played Kingsway School in the semi-final and won 5-0. The final was played against Copley Academy and we also won that match 5-0. U13: Lizzie (8-4), Hannah (8-7), Maddie (8-3), Jess (8-6), Leah (8-5), Anna (7-5), Molly (8-2)and Alicia (8-1). To become County Champions without dropping a game is a wonderful achievement. They have now qualified for the North West Final in March. Congratulations to Annie (captain) (11-5), Alisha (10-6), Charu (11-6), Kaushiki (11-1) and Charlotte (11-4)

Congratulations goes to Annie, 11-5, who is a county badminton player and spends many a weekend playing in tournaments across the country. She entered the Macclesfield U17 Bronze Tournament and won a bronze medal in the singles event and a gold medal in the doubles, playing with a Lancashire county player as her partner.Well done, Annie. Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Netball

Netball Fixtures This Term Date Opponents Teams Venue Tues 27th Jan Sale Grammar School Years 7 & 10 AGGS Sat 7th Feb Wilmslow/Leeds Grammar School All Years Wilmslow Tues 24th Feb Trafford Schools’ Tournament Year 9 Stretford High Sat 28th Feb Bury Grammar School All Years Bury Wed 4th Mar Trafford Schools’ Tournament Year 7 Broadoak Thurs 5th Mar County Tournament U13 Stockport Sat 7th Mar County Tournament U14/U16 U14Wri Rob/U16Cheadle Tues 10th Mar Trafford Schools’ Tournament Year 7B BTH Thurs 12th Mar All Years AGGS Sat 14th Mar Cheadle Hulme All Years Cheadle Tues 17th Mar Trafford Schools’ Tournament Year 8 Wed 18th Mar County Tournament U12 Bury Sat 21st Mar County Tournament U15 TBC Wed 25th Mar County Tournament U19 Cheadle Altrincham Grammar January 23rd 2015 Volume - 50 Issue - 3 School for Girls Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Contacts PTA

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 PTA Twitter [email protected] 200Club enquiries Follow AGGS PTA on twitter to keep up to date with all our news: [email protected] @AGGSpta General enquiries [email protected] Secretary [email protected] Refreshments [email protected] Name a Brick enquiries [email protected] Garden sponsorship [email protected] 2nd Hand Uniform [email protected] For all the latest news, Please note that all PTA members are volunteers and although emails are likely to information and photos visit us at be checked on a fairly regular basis, there may be some delays in response time www.aggs.trafford.sch.uk and we ask for your patience and understanding in this regard.