Heart of Herts The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College
Summer Newsletter 16 July 2015
From the Headteacher
Dear Reader, Jennifer Orchard both embark upon maternity leave. Our best wishes go to all departing staff. What a truly wonderful year we have had at Herts & Essex! Indeed, in this seventh newsletter of 2014-2015, you will see As the summer term draws to an end, may I take this that our students have been even busier and more active opportunity to thank all our readers, parents, carers and than ever. Those of you who have heard of our ‘Activities’ friends for your superb support of the school. I hope you Week’ will see that none of its wide range of inspirational and have a restful summer holiday and I look forward to the diverse happenings have been included in here; watch out exciting challenges of the academic year to come. for the special Activities’ Week edition available soon! Cathy Tooze The summer term always starts on a serious note, with Headteacher GCSE, AS and A Level public examinations looming. The whole school falls quiet during the critical six week period, Awards Evening during which time parents, friends and staff provide lots of support. We were delighted this year with the incredibly positive attitude of all our students, their superb work ethic Awards Evening and their resilience during what has become almost as much this year was a test of stamina as it is of knowledge and skills. We once again a anticipate our best ever A Level results. Watch out for good lovely celebration news on 13 August (A Level) and 20 August (GCSE). of student achievements. With public examinations behind us and summer days Stella Manzie, looming, learning resumed, fun and exciting times prevailed CBE and former and we looked forward to all the wonderful summer term Herts & Essex events: Sports Day, Awards Evening, induction of student, spoke newcomers, exhibitions, expeditions, charity events, music inspiringly of her and drama evenings, primary school pupil visits, overseas work in a variety staff, student visits and celebration assemblies in addition to of senior the infamous end-of-term Staff Entertainment. Details of positions in these and many more are included in this newsletter. public service, and of the excellent educational grounding
It was a sad moment this year when we realised that the she received at Herts & Essex. She stressed the longevity of annual visit by teachers from our partner school in Uganda, things that she learnt at the school and the significance of the Eden High School, would not go ahead due to their visas friendships she made there, which still thrive 40 years on, having been declined. However, it has been interesting to telling students to ‘hold onto your friends’. It was practical host large numbers of and convincing advice for students emphasising how they Chinese teachers who can make a difference, take on leadership roles and in so have come to us to learn doing, make a significant contribution to society.
about our teaching and The evening began with a round up of student achievement learning methodologies. in the past year: a wealth of successes in music, sport and Let’s hope that our drama both in and out of school, as well as a staggering Ugandan friends will be amount of charitable fundraising for local, national and more successful in their international causes. It was an amazing array of visa applications next achievements highlighting the broad breadth of student year. interests, experience and expertise.
The end of the academic Students from all years received School Prizes, cups and year always brings news of departures: Year 13 move on to certificates for a variety of achievements: in individual the next exciting stage of their lives as young adults off to subjects, for contribution to the school community, for extra- university and the world of work. A handful of staff are also curricular activities as well as for overall academic moving on. Three have been with us a long time: Miss commitment and hard work. It was a chance for those Christine Bruce has worked at Herts & Essex for over 20 students’ achievements to be formally recognised and years as Assistant Head, Deputy Head and lately as rewarded. Parents and staff were suitably proud of their Professional Tutor. Mrs Dany Atkins has been with us for 20 success. years as part of our secretarial team, most recently as our Work Experience Co-ordinator. Mrs Marjorie Callander Prizewinners, guests and staff were treated to a variety of leaves us after 18 years service as a Teacher of Food and moving musical pieces during the event, and afterwards Textiles and Director of Student Progress. Mrs Sarah everyone was able to celebrate with drinks and canapés in Sharpe and Mrs Mary Minton both leave to take teaching the relaxed atmosphere of the school courtyard. It was a posts closer to home, while Mrs Natasha Jukes and Ms great way to round off a very enjoyable evening. Editor
www.hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk Honour Roll Breakfasts
Congratulations to all those students in Years 8 and 10 who were awarded certificates at the Honour Roll Breakfasts which have taken place since the last newsletter. Recognition was for progress, effort and achievement. Form Tutor and Year Leader nomination certificates were also awarded for special recognition within form and year group. Well done to all students involved.
Year 8: Alice Bird, 8C, Olivia Bless, 8S, Lydia Butson, 8F, Katie Chimes, 8S, Molly Dew, 8S, Erin Evett, 8H, Jessica Gaynor, 8H, Chiara Gillham, 8C, Freya Griffiths, 8C, Alejandra Hooker-Niembro, 8L, Olivia Horrocks, 8H, Isara Howarth, 8C, Zaina Hussain, 8F, Emily Illston, 8L, Emilia Kings, 8H, Ella Piron, 8L, Harriet Playle, 8C, Josie Pretious-White, 8F, Isabella Prichard, 8S, Julia Sage, 8S, Rosalind Savage, 8H, Lucy Smith, 8S, Chloe Tippler, 8L, Ellie Trinnaman, 8F, Laura Winspear, 8S.
Year 10: Emily Allen, 10C, Rebecca Allen, 10S, Isabel Brown, 10H, April Butchart, 10H, Jennifer Conen, 10L, Emily Dutton, 10C, May Fox, 10H, Aimee Gill, 10S, Elizabeth Hood, 10C, Victoria Keane, 10H, Nicola Keane, 10L, Joanna Lambert, 10L, Amy May-Brown, 10H, Chloe Nash, 10F, Deja Norman, 10F, Kathryn Odrich- Damallie, 10S, Lauren Ring, 10F, Imogen Robertson, 10F, Natasha Robinson, 10L, Maisie Rose, 10C, Kitty Smith, 10C, Josie Sortwell, 10S, Lucy Stauber, 10L, Sophia Walne, 10S, Lucy Webber, 10F, Abigail Weight, 10S.
P A GE 2 16 July 2015
Farewell to Year 11 and Year 13
Year 11 Celebrate with pizza in the New Hall
Year 13 celebrate with a barbecue and some sumo wrestling on the field!
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 3 AS and A2 Art Exhibition Private View
It has been an exciting year of intensive work and creativity for our extremely talented AS and A2 students Art students. In June, their combined successes were celebrated at a Private View of their exhibition, ‘Studio CM23’ at the Rhodes Gallery in Bishop’s Stortford along with staff, family and friends. Once again, the standard of work was hugely impressive and, as ever, we are very proud of all their efforts and achievements. Charlotte Smith Subject Leader: Art
‘Studio CM23’
On 11 June family and friends of current AS and A2 Art students were invited to the Rhodes Centre to view the coursework, exam work and sketchbooks produced by the two year groups. Many teachers and students were in attendance at the event and were impressed by the standard of work which was displayed throughout the Rhodes Centre gallery space. As guests walked through to the gallery they were able to view the Year 12 AS exam pieces which included portraits and still-life in a variety of media. Sketchbooks which showed the planning process which went into each of these pieces which was based on the title of ‘Relationships’, were also available for guests to look through.
The Year 13 coursework exhibited in the gallery was based around a theme of students’ choice. The sketchbooks which accompanied each of these pieces enabled guests to read into the thought process behind each student’s work. Life drawing, an enrichment class taken by the majority of the Year 12 Art students - and a number of Year 13 students - was available to view in folders which further showcased the students’ drawing skills. The selection of Year 12 coursework was diverse and further demonstrated the amazing talent of the students and the work they were capable of producing. The Year 13 exam work was based on the theme of ‘Flaws, Perfection, Ideals or Compromises’ and was outstandingly impressive. It was unarguably a fantastic way of marking the end of their A Level art journey at Herts & Essex. Overall, the evening was highly successful and a rewarding way for students to celebrate their hard work and share their achievements with family and friends. Charlotte Hayden, 12D and Charlotte Ward, 12D Senior Prefects for the Arts
Photography Competition
Over May half term, we held a competition in the Library for students and staff to submit photos of themselves reading in usual places. We had some fantastic entries and the best ones have been used to make a display in the Library. Congratulations to Maya Summers, 7L, on her winning entry (we thought reading on a 3rd climbing wall was particularly impressive!) and to Katie Owen, 7H, and Amy May-Brown, 10H, for being runners up. The winners and runners up all received book tokens, so that they can continue reading in weird and wonderful locations! 1st Chloe Dash 2nd Librarian
P A GE 4 16 July 2015
A, G & T Arts and Crafts Workshop
As part of being gifted and talented in Art, ten students were invited to be involved in an Arts and Crafts Workshop on Thursday 14 – Friday 15 May. It was run by Sam McNamara, an ex-student from Herts & Essex, who was very interested to see how we would work with creativity. She is currently studying for a BA Hons in Contemporary Design Crafts at Hereford College of Arts. Sam was an amazing inspiration and knew what she was talking about. She was brilliant at teaching and explaining to us what we had to do. Our task was to create a unique range of products that we could sell and present in our own museum or magazine. These products had to be similar yet slightly different so that they could be sold in a collection.
The two days consisted of designing and creating work out of unusual materials inspired by ceramics. On the Thursday we had to do expressive mark making on paper that we would later transform into 3D objects. On this day we also practised and experimented with new materials such as: Angelina fibres, heat mouldable polyester, light and heavy weight Tyvek and insulation tape. We used hot air guns to mould, melt and shape these materials. We wore protective clothing on our hands obviously! Once we knew how to use the equipment we were allowed to make our own samples, so for Friday we had an idea of what we were going to do and how. On Friday we drew more intricate designs using the expressive markings. From this we planned our final designs so we would have a rough idea of what our collection was going to look like. From then we used our knowledge from Thursday to produce a fabulous set of ceramics.
Finally, once our products were made we set up a photo shoot and took professional photos of our glorious makings. After this we used our photos to make a booklet where we explained how we made them and what inspired us. We had lots of fun and we felt lucky to be able to experience the workshop. Josie Savage and Madelaine Orange, 9H
Sam McNamara answers some questions about her course and future plans: Did you always know what you wanted to do after you left Herts & Essex? I think by the time I had started my A Levels I was fairly certain I was going to persue the arts and had started looking at universities and places that offered art foundation courses after finishing school.
Where did your love of ceramics come from? Truly I think my love for ceramics is something that has always existed within me, but I just didn’t realise until recently. Come the end of the first year of my degree I had been really admiring the work of a potter named Patia Davis. I had fallen in love with the way her work is so gentle and fluid yet so expressive. I made contact with Patia, trying very hard not to come across as a giddy fan, and to my amazement she got back to me. Since then, Patia has taken me under her wing, taught me virtually all I know about ceramics and we have formed a close friendship. Patia is a massive inspiration for me; I would say that she uncovered my love for ceramics.
You are involved with a gallery/ceramic artist and have just had an exhibition. Can you outline what it involved? I have had a couple of exhibitions on the go recently; the first was one all the second year students and I worked on collaboratively; we came up with the idea and organised the whole thing between us. I ended up with the ‘co-ordination’ role. The individuals in the group had different jobs such as creating a name, brand, logo, social media, private view invites, posters, catalogue, securing a venue and curating. This all came together in the first week of June and, to our joy and amazement, it was a great success! The second exhibition came about from a competition where approx 35 people submitted entries; from this only 12 people were selected to be interviewed about their entry. Six of us were then chosen to create our proposed sculpture and exhibit in the Fresh Air sculpture exhibition. My sculpture and the other successful entries showed at the Quenington Sculpture Trust. This was also been a great success and a massive privilege to have this amazing opportunity.
What are you going on to do next and after you finish university? For a month over this summer I am off to Japan; I plan to travel around for a week or so then spend 24 days throwing in a pottery in a place called Seto near Nagoya. Preceding this I am planning my dissertation, which is slightly less exciting. After graduating I am looking at finding a way I can carry on making work, creating a workshop and then getting my work into galleries and selling at craft fares. I am also interested in teaching in some way. However, as yet I am unsure whether I am going to do a PGCE or teach in a different way.
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 5 Holocaust Survivor - Henri Obstfeld - Visit to Year 9
On 25 June Year 9 students were very fortunate to be visited by Henri Obstfeld a Holocaust survivor who was willing to share his experience with them and face their questioning. Obviously, as each year goes by the opportunity to see and talk to a person who has a direct link to the Holocaust is becoming ever more precious and exceptional. The students were surprised at the age of Henri, who was younger than expected. Henri was actually only two years old when the real impact of the Nazis affected his life. As a Dutch toddler, he had mercifully few traumatic memories of his own, but nevertheless his life was deeply affected. As a two year old he received his summons for transportation to Westerbork transit camp. He was unaware of this at the time but the summons would have led in quick succession to his transportation to a concentration camp and, in 1942, his chances of survival would have been non- existent. Curiously Henri alone received the summons and not his parents. His parents simply ignored the demand to present their child to Rotterdam railway station. Remarkably, the usually efficient Nazi bureaucracy did not check its paperwork and the fact that Henri did not present himself for transportation was overlooked. His parents now took precautions. They somehow placed Henri with a non-Jewish family and they themselves went into hiding. As a result of this, Henri was able to grow up during the war as normally as any very young child could, during the war years. His foster parents explained his sudden appearance in their midst by saying that he was the child of relatives who had been killed in the devastating bombing of Rotterdam in 1941. Henri’s memory of the war was therefore rather unremarkable; he grew up with a foster family who cared for him. Meanwhile his mother and father stayed in Holland and escaped the Nazis by going into hiding. Clearly Henri’s parents were exceptional and resourceful individuals who persuaded non-Jews to help them. They spent the war concealed in the attic of a primary school. During the day, while school was taking place they had to remain motionless for fear of attracting the attention of the students in the school. Even while in hiding Henri’s parents remained in contact with Henri and the foster parents. Henri’s father created illustrated books to be read by Henri and when the foster parents were endangered by bombing as the Battle of Arnhem took place in 1944, Henri’s parents in hiding somehow persuaded a doctor to drive to Arnhem and remove the foster family to the safety of the Dutch countryside, away from the fighting. Henri was amazingly fortunate: both he and his parents survived the war. His family, however, was not untouched as Henri’s grandparents, nephews and nieces were all eventually sent to their deaths in concentration camps. Henri had a very privileged experience in comparison to most Dutch Jews of the time as the tragic story of Anne Frank shows, but even he felt the shadow of the Holocaust very keenly. At the age of two, as his parents left him with his foster parents, he remembered his mother telling him that they would definitely be coming back to him. Just over two years later, half a lifetime for young Henri, when his parents reappeared at the end of the war, the first thing that Henri said was, “You were gone for a very long time.” Henri went on to have a very successful career and have his own children. He is currently one of the main representatives of an organisation for the Child Survivors of the Holocaust. Survivors of the Holocaust were rare enough given the six million that were murdered but, child survivors were the rarest of all. Henri’s unique perspective on the Holocaust was something that aroused the interest of the students. The story of the Holocaust is inevitably one that is bleak and often shows the darkest side of humanity. Henri in telling his story reminded the audience of the bravery with which some people faced the Nazi terror. Not only were Henri’s parents incredible individuals, but they were protected by the schoolteacher who took them into his school attic, by the doctor who helped transport Henri to safety and crucially by the foster parents who took Henri in. Henri was given as close to a normal life as possible. He was unaware at the time that his foster parents, for the act of mercy they showed to a defenceless toddler, risked their lives for two and half years of the war. The penalty for harbouring Jews in Holland at the time was death. The students were extremely grateful for Henri’s visit. His testimony was very measured but compelling, as he uncovered an aspect of the Holocaust of which they were unaware. Henri clearly made a deep impression on the students who appreciated the huge privilege of sharing his personal insights into the sufferings of his family. Liam Biggins Subject Leader: History
P A GE 6 16 July 2015 Library News
Carnegie Award In June, over 40 Carnegie Shadowers shared their views on the shortlisted books and voted for their favourites. Students volunteered to represent each of the books and tried to convince the rest of the shadowers that their book of choice was the best. People from every year took part, and after much debate each shadower got the chance to submit her vote. Some people struggled to choose between their favourite books, but eventually we all made a decision. Later that month, eight students visited St Edmund’s College for an inter- schools event. The students were Jessica Casey, 7C, Julia Sage, 8S, Charlotte Farren, 9L, Eleanor Philcox 9C, Katie Edwards, 9L, Isabel Cantel, 9S, Grace Ombler, 9H and Daisy Wilcox, 8H. When we arrived, we were put into groups with students from different schools. We discussed the books and there were lots of debates! We got the chance to vote for our favourite book, as well as eat snacks and mingle. We all loved the opportunity to discuss the shortlisted books with other students. When it came to the overall winner’s announcement on 22 June, everyone was nervous and excited. There were mixed emotions when Miss Dash announced that the winner was Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman, a book about a girl in the American Civil War and its aftermath. In our discussion meetings, Buffalo Soldier hadn’t been the most popular - mainly because of its harrowing historical content. But after Miss Dash explained the judging criteria we had a better understanding of why it won. We also had a party in the library with balloons and sweets to celebrate the end of a brilliant Carnegie shadowing scheme! This year’s Carnegie shadowing has been great fun. We have loved reading the different books and discussing our opinions. Charlotte Farren, 9L, Grace Ombler, 9H, Izzie Silvester,8F, Jessica Bowes, 8F.
Isabella Silvester (8F), Jessica Bowes (8F) and Sophie Bowes (8H) telling the rest of our shadowers why Sarah Crossan’s Apple and Rain should win the Herts & Essex vote. Some of the shadowers on awards announcement day
Year 6 students learn about secondary school libraries at Herts & Essex In June, we had two visits from students from Summercroft Primary School. Starting at secondary school can be a nerve-racking time for Year 6 students, so the aim of the visits was to introduce the boys and girls to a secondary school library so that they can feel more confident when it comes to borrowing their first books in their new schools come September. During their visits, the students took part in various fun and engaging activities. These included a treasure hunt, a mini research project, and a book review task. According to Summercroft’s Librarian, Helen Bird, the event was “a resounding success” and “pupils felt reassured that it wasn’t that different to the school library they were used to (albeit four times the size!)”.
It was a pleasure to welcome the Year 6 students to Herts & Essex, and I hope that they will be keen to make the most of their new school libraries in September!
Chloe Dash Librarian
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 7 Wig Wednesday
Wednesday 20 May was Wig Wednesday! Year 8 students - along with Year Leader, Mrs Jurd - donned a colourful variety of wigs and headgear to raise awareness for the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent in support of their classmate Addie Brady, who was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma when she was nine. In return for all the support the charity gave her and her family during her illness and treatment, Addie wanted to raise money and awareness for the charity’s continuing hard work with patients and their families. The Year 8 students had great fun wearing the wigs and supporting Addie wholeheartedly - they certainly turned a few heads! Competitions and bucket collections at lunchtime and break raised over £300. We were delighted that CLIC Fundraising Manager for Herts and Beds, Catherine Cadman came to see the girls in action on the day. She said, “It's a great example of how simple and easy it is to participate in Wig Wednesday, with excellent results in raising awareness and funds for children and young people with cancer and their families." For more information on the charity please click on the website link: http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/news/05-06-2015- addie-inspires-school-support-wig-Wednesday Jo Jurd Year Leader: Y8 Fundraising Totals
The school community has been busy raising valuable funds for a variety of charitable organisations over the 2014 - 15 academic year. In total students and staff have raised a phenomenal £15,415.90 over the course of the year. The Interact team organised events which raised the following amounts: Christmas Fair: £848.47 Doughnut days in October, February and May: £977.61 Own Clothes day/Sales of Red Noses (Comic Relief): £1574.27 Live Lounge in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust: £246.72
The following amounts were raised for our partner school, Eden High School in Uganda: Sponsored Walk to Hatfield Forest in October: £481.00 Open Evening Fundraisers in September/October: £282.82 Coffee Morning organised by Sue Swan: £151.00 Fundraising from Alumni Event in April: £207.27 Admin Staff Cake sale in June: £54.51 Thanks to all those who have organised, donated (and eaten doughnuts) to help all the causes!
P A GE 8 16 July 2015 Charity Abseil
On Saturday 2 May 2015, Ellie Clark, 11L, abseiled down the Church Langley water tower in memory of her much-loved Grandad who passed away in July last year after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma – a type of lung cancer caused by inhaling asbestos 50 years ago. Ellie raised over £2000 for Isabel Hospice who looked after her Grandad last year. He passed away just four months after diagnosis. Her family were very impressed with the bravery she showed that day and know that her Grandad would have been incredibly proud of her. Zoe Bradford Year Leader: Year 11 Pretty Muddy Fundraising
On Sunday 21 June a group of Year 8 students took part in the Pretty Muddy 5k Race for Life at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Linda Thornhill-Blackburn (Madeleine's mum) took part as the adult runner. Georgia Bryson, 8S, Abigail Mills, 8S, Madeleine Blackburn, 8S, Amelia Matthews, 8S, Molly Tatam, 8C, Isabelle Blakeman, 8S and Evie Rose, 8S decided to take part either in memory of relatives who have been lost to cancer or those fighting the disease. They have surpassed their original target of £300 and we would like to congratulate them on their considerable efforts and brilliant fundraising of £860 for Cancer Research UK. Jo Jurd Year Leader: Year 8 Fundraising for Cambodia
The 22 strong group of Year 12 students who will be travelling to Cambodia later in July set themselves a challenging task to raise money for equipment needed for their trip.
On 2 July they took part in a Year 12 rowing and cycling challenge starting in the school dance studio at 8.00 am and finishing at the same time that evening. A relay of students (and staff) took 15 minute turns on the cycling and rowing machines. It was a hot day (although not the hottest that week, thankfully!) but all the students rose to the occasion. Over the 12 hours they covered the equivalent of 240km. Money was collected via sponsorship and through bucket collections during lunchtime and break. Donations have also been coming in via the online fundraising page that the students set up. All the proceeds go towards buying building tools and materials which help to construct a house for a family; all the tools are then left there for the community to use to build sustainable housing in the future. At the time of printing the students had raised £936.44 of a £1,000 target.
The students will also be taking out 125 dresses - some of which have been made by the Year 10 Textiles students - as part of the Dress A Girl Around the World charitable organisation.
If you would like to donate to the Cambodia fund and help the students reach (and hopefully exceed) their target, please go to: http://gogetfunding.com/cambodia-15- hour-challenge/ Editor Year 10 Textiles students with their dresses for Cambodian children
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 9 ‘Ni Hao’ to our New Chinese Partnership School
What do you picture when you think of China? A massive province. country with a population of 1.3 billion? Food of all flavours, The school day lasts from 7.30 am to about 4.00 pm with types and cooking styles? People who are warm, students then staying most days until around 5.30 pm for welcoming and globally ambitious? I recently experienced revision lessons and extra-curricular clubs including art, all of this and more during a week-long visit there … cooking and mahjong (a Chinese game that’s a bit like I was lucky enough to take part in an exchange programme chess). Students’ timetables include just 20 minutes for organised by University College London and the Hanban lunch, followed by ‘rest Institute with the aim of establishing a partnership between time’, cleaning their Herts & Essex and a school in China’s Jiangsu Province. classrooms and eye Travelling with 12 secondary and primary school colleagues exercises, the latter of from across the UK, our trip began in Beijing, China’s which is designed to help capital city and home to 23 million people. By comparison, with relaxation and tackle London’s population is only about 7.5 million and it was China’s very high rates of here that the scale of the place really hit me as our tour bus myopia. battled the city’s notorious traffic, crawling our way past row I got to observe two lessons upon row of densely-packed apartment tower blocks. (Maths and Art) and it was Accessed through the politically notorious Tiananmen fascinating to see in action Square, The Forbidden City, once home to China’s ruling some of the conventions of Chinese education that I’d Emperors was first on our itinerary, its sprawling courtyards learnt about. Students are intensely focused on passing and grand halls designed both to impress those visitors their exams and show total respect for the knowledge and lucky enough to be granted an audience with the Emperor professionalism of their teachers. To thank them for and to demonstrate his immense wealth and power. welcoming me, I’d bought some union jack flags as gifts for the students but they quickly became the source of a joke Day two began with a lecture from Dr Zhai Zheng from the at my expense when the classes noticed they’d actually Beijing Foreign Studies University who outlined some of the been made in China! key features of China’s education system, often seen as one of the best performing in the world. The stereotypes Talking with some of the students, what struck me most (in we have in the West of Chinese children learning by rote, addition to their incredible English skills) was their level of an intensive exam-based system of assessment and of the ambition. The young people I met understood their place textbook being king still largely ring true as a result of a in the world, wanted to visit and learn from places outside common Chinese belief that diligence can make China and were fascinated about what life is like for up for lack of intelligence. The system is students in the UK. starting to change however and making more My time at the school ended with links with schools like ours in the UK is seen as signing the formal partnership one way of improving children’s independent agreement, something done with learning, debating skills and creative thinking, all great ceremony to show how seen as strengths of our education system. proud Mr Da and his staff are of Travelling from Beijing to Zhenjiang in the South their link with us. I was also East of the country used to take around 20 presented with a beautiful scroll hours by train. Now, thanks to the designed by 13 year-old student technologically advanced, 200mph ‘bullet train’, it takes just Shi Kai Wen which depicts the mountains surrounding 5 hours, an impressive example of the pace of China’s Zhenjiang and is inscribed with the names of our schools progress. as a tribute to this first step in our international partnership. It was in Zhenjiang, a city of 2.3 million people, that I got to Back in Beijing, I spent my last two days haggling hard in visit our partner school, The Middle School Associated with markets, zipping across the city on the subway to visit the Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. The some ‘hutongs’ (traditional Chinese streets) and exploring school has around 800 students aged 10-14 on a large the 2008 Olympic Park, home of the stunning ‘birds’ nest’ campus surrounding a leafy central courtyard, and with stadium. extensive sports facilities including a running track, Our final morning was, for many of us, the highlight of the basketball courts and a row of table tennis tables. visit as we journeyed out of Beijing to the Great Wall. Built The staff and students of the school were incredibly between 220 and 206 BC by Qin Shihuang, the first welcoming. Headmaster Mr Da and Head of English Ms Emperor of China, this series of fortifications snakes its Qing were my hosts for the two days I spent there and were way a colossal 5,500 miles across the mountains. delighted to be forming a link with Herts & Essex, their first Climbing just a small section of it was a breathtaking, with a school once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with an impressive outside China. piece of ancient history. They’re rightly So what did I learn from my week in China? The country is proud of their massive, the pace of development is rapidly changing school which, like widely held cultural stereotypes and its people are ours, achieves incredibly welcoming. Let’s hope our new partnership excellent results allows us to say ‘ni hao’ to new colleagues, friends, visitors for its students and and opportunities for many years to come. is highly regarded Darrell Chart across the Assistant Head: English, Media and Drama
P A GE 10 16 July 2015 Astronomy
A year ago my daughter came home asking if it was OK to do Astronomy GCSE on a Wednesday evening. As I have a strong interest in the subject myself, of course I said yes. It later turned out that the course was open to parents, so after promising my daughter that I wouldn’t embarrass her in the class, and with the knowledge that there were two other adults booked in, I enrolled.
I saw this as a chance to support my daughter as well as fill in some gaps in my knowledge, but also a chance to become more connected with the school and see how life in the classroom has changed in the last 30 years!
Of course a lot hasn't changed: the smell of the science class, rows of wooden benches with gas taps, bookshelves crammed with books, glassware drying out on the sink. There was an air of familiarity about the place, so in my first lesson I felt quite at home. Mind you, in our day, we didn’t have a fish tank in the corner of the room. The first and most obvious change though, is in the use of technology: computers, internet, interactive whiteboards and printing. We can now learn about very current events during the day such as the landing of Philae on Comet 67p or the recent solar eclipse and bring them directly into the classroom. This helps to connect learning to the outside world and hopefully gives it added relevance for the students. It also means that lessons are not so much "chalk and talk"; they are more interactive and therefore more fun.
The course has an element of controlled assessment (40%), which has meant some planning and analysis activities have to be conducted under controlled conditions. There is a lot more emphasis on planning, analysis and self- evaluation in the classroom, these are essential life skills and it’s great that these are being developed in today’s youngsters.
One thing that did impress me was the children’s confidence when standing in front of the class to deliver a presentation on one of the solar system objects. Of course, they are all experts with PowerPoint, but they were all comfortable presenting, without a hint of nervousness.
As a student, I've really enjoyed the course, and despite my prior knowledge, I have learned a lot! As a parent, I feel more connected to the school, which has served to boost the confidence I already had in the school and the teaching staff.
Whether you are a student or an adult, if you are interested in astronomy or science then I'd thoroughly recommend this course. Mrs Compton has a real passion for astronomy and you will gain a great insight into a fascinating subject. Simon Fish aged 46 ¾ Chemistry @ Work Event
On 16 June, ten pupils were lucky enough to attend the Chemistry @ work event run by SETPOINT and the Royal Society of Chemistry at Birchwood School, Bishop’s Stortford. The event was supported by a variety of scientists who usually work in industry, but who had given up their time to run the workshops. We learnt about the shapes of painkillers, how to make toothpaste, exothermic reactions and the chemistry behind candy.
In the photograph, Aleksandra Ruszcak, 10S, Caroline Scott, 10F, Charlotte Stainsby, 10F, Molly Blakeman, 10F, Jasmine Green, 10C, Elizabeth Hood, 10C, Caitlin Maxwell, 10L, Sacha Griffin, 10L, Lauren Nolan, 10S and Mary Jackson, 10C are learning about how toothpaste is made with chemists from GlaxoSmithKline – it turns out it is mostly sand and water!
As always, the students were a credit to the school and engaged fully in the activities. I know that they found the day useful and hopefully the event will have spurred them on to follow careers in Chemistry and become the innovators and inventors of tomorrow. Peter Jurd Teacher of Science
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 1 1 Daisy Pulls It Off
Year 9 drama club 'pull it off!' After a fantastic Activities Week, students were settling back into normal school life on Monday everyone, that is, except the Year 9 Drama club students. The 16-strong cast of talented actors, performed Daisy Pulls It Off to busy audiences over two shows.
Despite a short rehearsal time, last minute script panics and the seven days before the big night being out of the country, the students laughed, joked and sang what was to be the best Year 9 show to date.
Eleanor Pye, 9H, took the title role of scholarship student Daisy and her heady adventures at private school, Grangewood. Daisy, along with her best friend Trixie, played by Isabelle Cantell, 9S, get into all sorts of scrapes and even manage to find some hidden treasure along the way! The audience booed at snobbish Sybil Burlington (Harriet Chapman, 9L),quaked in their boots at teachers Miss Granville and Miss Gibson (Elizabeth Holbrook, 9F and Lily Elderton, 9C) and cheered for Head Girl and all round nice person, Clare Beaumont (Ellie-Jay Chetland Poole, 9L). The girls all worked incredibly hard and we are immensely proud of their achievements. Caitlin Hayward Teacher of Drama My Favourite Book
Mrs Curtis And here’s why:
English Teacher Although this book is set in America in the 17th century, in my mind the themes that Hawthorne explores are still This is my favourite book: relevant and poignant today.
The novel revolves around the events in Salem, a strict Puritan community. After her trial, Hester Prynne is found guilty of adultery. She is publicly condemned and humiliated by her townspeople and labelled a sinner. As her punishment, Hester and her illegitimate child, are excluded from the town and she is made to wear a red embroidered A. ‘The Scarlet Letter’ is a visual reminder to all who meet Hester of her sinful actions.
‘The Scarlet Letter’ is a story of passion and the will to survive in adverse circumstances. Hester Prynne may seem a victim and an object, but she shows great personal strength. She survives.
MFL Primary Day
For a third successive year we invited 30 pupils from local primary schools to join us for two days of language, culture and fun, in French and Spanish.
Pupils learned how to make introductions, sing songs, play language games, describe colours and shapes (going on to reproduce their own Matisse and Miró drawings), cook paella and mini-quiches.
The superb weather meant that they could enjoy their culinary efforts on the field at lunchtime, where we had an excellent picnic. Janice Freeman Teacher of MFL
P A GE 1 2 16 July 2015 National Accordion Champions
At the end of last term Imogen Miller, 9S and Sophia Miller, 7S, competed at the National Accordion Organisation (NAO) UK Championships which were held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. Imogen and Sophia won the Higher Elementary Duet with 85.5 points playing ‘Jarabi Tapatio’. Imogen was also successful in the solo categories: Musette 13 and Under, coming 1st with 89 points playing ‘Craintive’, and also achieved a 2nd place with 85 points in the 13 and Under Solo category.
Imogen has been playing accordion since Year 1 under the guidance of her accordion teacher, Mrs Stella Hughes of Hatfield Heath. She is due to take her Grade 8 accordion exam later this year.
“I am really pleased to win some trophies. I played in several sections over the weekend the festival was held, along with other accordion players from all over the UK. I really enjoyed playing in Liverpool this year. It was a really good experience and I am looking forward to playing in it again next year. This was my third time at the festival and I enjoy it more every year.
I play the button accordion, which has a wider range of notes for both the left hand and right hand parts compared to the piano accordion, which has a keyboard on the right hand side. I have played in other competitions and I have always enjoyed participating. I have played several duets at different festivals with my sister, Sophia who also plays the button accordion.” Imogen Miller, 9S Education Team
Our Headteacher, Cathy Tooze currently leads the Education Team for Bishop's Stortford's second Neighbourhood Plan. In the course of a community consultation, she and former Headmistress of Herts & Essex, Joyce Hammersley (pictured) liaised over past success and future vision for education in the town and in particular, for our outstanding school. Miss Hammersley was Headmistress at Herts & Essex from 1965 - 1989. She is now a well-known local resident who remains actively interested in Bishop's Stortford, in its education sector and, of course, in our school. Long may the traditions, values and high standards for which she stood, thrive at Herts & Essex! Editor Trainee Coaches Celebrate
This week we were able to congratulate our new coaches on their successful attendance at and completion of the Catalyst Coaching Programme. Charles Long, Jennifer McGowan, Gillian Williams, Debbie Marriott, Ellen Hall, and Jigna Patel were all awarded their certificates by the Head, whilst Dominique White and Edward Anthony are expected to receive theirs imminently.
They have all shown huge commitment to the task of becoming competent coaches, and their success will allow us to add to our capacity within school as they join our existing coaches to offer coaching to both staff and students. The overall aim of this is to help facilitate wellbeing and personal growth, and to promote within the whole school community a shared vision of everyone being able to achieve their best. Already our new coaches who are teachers are actively using their skills to facilitate and develop the learning and development of their students, and similarly support staff coaches are utilising their new skill set in their roles. Above and beyond this they are all now connected on a personal level: having taken the coaching journey as a group their shared experiences have established new relationships that add to the wellbeing of the school community.
Creating our own Catalyst Herts & Essex coaching programme over the past few terms, has been an exciting and engaging journey. Hannah Draper and I have learnt a great deal from each other and our trainees, and we are now preparing to build on our experience and lead further training programmes in September, both with our own staff and those from other local schools. The real journey is only just beginning ... Laura Anthony Learning Manager: Coaching, Counselling and Mentoring
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 1 3 Natasha Devon MBE
We are proud to share the following press release regarding a past Herts & Essex student, Natasha Devon, who has recently been awarded an MBE. Congratulations Natasha!
Natasha Devon, founder of the award winning Self-Esteem Team and Body Gossip Education Programme has been given an MBE recognising her work helping young people conquer mental health and body image issues in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Natasha recovered from an eating disorder in 2006. As a former ‘straight A’ student and champion Oxford Union debater, she was left feeling that her illness had robbed her of the potential she had as a healthy, confident teenager. Her experience inspired her to create the Body Gossip Education Programme, a class aimed at giving teenagers practical, confidence-boosting tips in a relatable way. The classes proved hugely popular and were soon praised by the likes of then Minister for Equalities, Jo Swinson, and Gok Wan, who described the programme as ‘exactly what the UK is crying out for’.
Having studied Psychology and spoken to thousands of teachers and teenagers about the challenges they face, Natasha decided to expand the range of classes offered to encompass mental health, as well as body image. After trialling her class ‘Healthy Ways to Deal with Difficult Feelings’, she formed the Self-Esteem Team in 2012 and recruited musician Grace Barrett and showbiz editor Nadia Mendoza to teach her lessons. To date, Natasha and her team have visited more than 200 schools throughout the UK and delivered classes to in excess of 50,000 teens, as well as their parents and teachers. One 17 year old student said, “Yhis lesson really made me think more positively about myself and the world”. Back in the spring term Natasha came back to Herts & Essex to speak to all students about mental health and body issues. Invited in to speak by then Head Girl, Emily Day (pictured below right), Natasha impressed the students - and staff - with her frank and candid story of her own personal issues which she overcame; in talking about them she gave valuable advice. This advice is particularly relevant to young people who are growing up in today’s media focused world.
Today, the Self-Esteem Team also offer classes in coping with exam stress, conquering self-harm and dealing with problem skin. For Mental Health Week this year they launched a campaign aimed at preventing male suicide. Their Youtube video ‘Switch on the Light’ features Stephen Fry and Professor Green amongst others and was endorsed by several NHS Trusts and charities, including regional branches of the Samaritans.
Natasha has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most credible voices on the subject of mental health, education and body image. She works alongside the All Parties Parliamentary Group on Body Image and is a pundit for ITV This Morning, Sky News & BBC Breakfast. Natasha also has a monthly column in Cosmopolitan Magazine, ‘Natasha Devon’s Confidence Revolution’, as well as writing for the Telegraph and the Independent.
Natasha’s book ‘Fundamentals: A Guide for Parents & Teachers on Mental Health and Self-Esteem’ was published in January 2015 and described by TV’s Dr Hilary Jones as ‘unique, essential and highly recommended’. It will be followed by a self esteem guide for teenagers written by the Self-Esteem Team and published in August 2015 with a foreword by Youtube star, Zoella.
Of her MBE, Natasha said: “I’m still a little bit overwhelmed by this – It’s such a huge honour. More than anything, I really want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, including (but not limited to); Ruth Rogers, founder of the Body Gossip Arts Programme, for letting me talk her ear off about my body image classes back when they were just an idea in my brain, The Herts & Essex High School and The Bishop’s Stortford High School who kindly let me use their pupils as guinea pigs back in the early days; Louise Court, Editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine for allowing me to share my confidence tips with almost 2 million women every month; Grace and Nadz of the Self-Esteem Team for being just generally brilliant, all the wonderful teachers and teenagers I’ve worked with over the past eight years and my Mum and Dad, who gave (and continue to give) me their words of wisdom and support when I decided this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
Natasha, 34, is originally from Ugley in Essex and attended Herts & Essex in Bishop’s Stortford, followed by The University of Wales: Aberystwyth. She now lives in Ealing, West London with her partner Marcus.
For more details visit www.selfesteemteam.org
P A GE 14 16 July 2015 Duke of Edinburgh - Bronze
As part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, 46 Year 10 girls recently took part in a Practice and an assessed expedition - both were for two days and one night. The first was in the Epping Forest/Lea Valley area where the girls camped at the Herts Young Mariners Base in Cheshunt, and the second was in and around North Herts and the girls camped at the Cottered Guide Centre. We were very lucky with the weather for the practice expedition but unfortunately it did rain, quite heavily, on the first day of the assessed expedition - so we all got pretty wet. However, the girls were great - their enthusiasm was not diminished either by the inclement weather or by their 12km walk, and I think they all enjoyed playing rounders, football, toasting marshmallows and singing around the camp fire, with Jessica Jones, 10S, playing guitar. It would not have happened without the adult volunteers, so many thanks to members of staff (past and present) Alison Lecky, Ian Corner, Zoe Dedman, Jo Watson and Amanda Webb, ex-students Sophie and Hannah Boyle, and to fathers of ex and current students, John Atkinson and John Wardle. We also need to thank our assessor, Tim Dedman. John Boyle Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Co-ordinator: Bronze The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze experience was definitely a challenge, as in small groups we had to navigate our way to the campsite successfully using our maps and compasses, set up our tent, prepare a cooked meal for our dinner using trangias and then camp overnight and be ready to walk again in the morning. Nevertheless, this experience was also a test of character and commitment and even though at times it seemed tough, in the end it was a rewarding opportunity that I am pleased to have completed. When we first arrived at our starting point on the Saturday everyone was all set to go, with everything we needed on our backs. We had previously planned our route and the walk to the campsite was approximately 9 kilometres long, although we were aware from the practice expedition that carrying the rucksacks made the walk far more strenuous. Similarly, when it started to rain everybody got wet and we had to quickly cover our rucksacks to ensure that everything inside stayed dry. We continued to walk, stopping for regular breaks and finding a place to have lunch - we even managed to watch part of a bike race passing by. Luckily, when we finally arrived at the campsite, after having our map skills truly tested, the rain stopped and we were able to put up our tents and begin our dinner of tortellini pasta. By this stage everyone had recovered from the walk and we enjoyed ourselves with games of football and rounders and a campfire with marshmallows in the evening. We managed to get some sleep that night; however the ducks and birds woke most of us up in the morning. At this stage we had breakfast, which in my group was a selection of cereal bars and croissants, and then we packed up ready for our final walk. In some respects this walk was the hardest so far, as even though our map reading was fairly accurate, we made one wrong turn and ended up in a field of brambles and thorns. We also had to navigate carefully through a field of cows and llamas, but when we finally made it back to be told that we had completed the expedition, it was all worth it. I would recommend Bronze Duke of Edinburgh to those who are prepared for a challenge, who are determined and who are confident when working in a team. Katie Harris, 10L I found it was a very challenging and rewarding experience. When we first began our journey our spirits were high and bubbly as we were all eager to continue and reach camp, although soon enough we had to struggle to carry on and push forward as, unfortunately, the continuous rain and amount of times we had found ourselves lost made our expedition much harder. Eventually we reached camp and enjoyed the sweet taste of victory after we had put up our tent and were resting contentedly inside. The evening was a lot of fun as there were other schools at the campsite and the rain had disappeared for a while. We played many games such as rounders, football and netball; we were all exhausted by nightfall. We then all gathered around the campfire and began to toast marshmallows, sing songs and reflect on the day. Everyone woke up early in the morning and packed all the tents and bags ready for the next couple hours of walking ahead.
Overall it was a very beneficial challenge and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to experience it. Ella Macdonald, 10C
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 15 Sports News
County Cricket success
The U15 team successfully made it through to the final match but unfortunately lost against Simon Balle to take the silver medal.
Isabelle Teall, 10F, Zoe Minton, 10L, Emily Allen, 10C, Rebecca Allen, 10S, Amy Woodacre, 10L, Jessica Barclay, 9F, Emma Wacey, 9L, Sacha Griffin, 10L.
The U13 team were unbeaten throughout the entire tournament and took the gold medal along with the county title. They will now represent Hertfordshire at the Regional finals on 7 July.
Emily Illston, 8L, Kirsty Woodacre, 8L, Rosalind Minton, 7L, Troy Metz, 7F, Leah MacFarlane, 7C, Jasmine Barry, 7A, Evie Brewer, 7L, Amber Howard, 7L, Lucy Small, 7C
District Rounders
The Year 7 rounders team played exceptionally well throughout the district tournament having only played one match together as a team before. They won all their group matches as well as the semi-final match, but lost in the final to finish second. Jasmine Barry, 7A, Harriett Clark, 7L, Troy Metz, 7F, Amy Jones, 7F, Katie Beales, 7L, Rosalind Minton, 7L, Lucy Small, 7C, Lauren Parker, 7A, Evie Brewer, 7L, Olivia Hoare, 7H. Judo Gold Medal Winners
We were delighted to receive this letter from the Chairman of British Schools Judo to tell us that Sidney Tancock, 9L, and Joely Reynolds, 9C, had both been awarded Gold Medals at the recent British Schools Judo Championships. Congratulations girls!
P A GE 16 16 July 2015 U14 Football
Our U14 Football team of Sofia Casaubon-Stovold, 9H, Alexandria Scott, 9H, Emily Curtis, 9F, Mia Richey, 9F, Jordan Hinks, 9L, Kirsty Woodacre, 8L, Emily Illston, 8L, Amy Rodder, 9S are U14 district football champions. This is the third year in a row Herts & Essex have won this competition.
This year it was a round robin competition which means everyone gets to play everyone else. Well done team!
Results: v St. Marys 0-0 Draw v Hockerill 2 - 0 Win v Birchwood 2 - 1 Win v SWCHS 2 - 1 Win v Leventhorpe 2 - 0 Win
Elizabeth Bellinger Teacher of PE Success for Miss Bellinger - British Masters 2015
The British Masters Long Course Championships where this year held in Manchester at the Aquatics Centre over the weekend of the 12 -14 June. Miss Bellinger, who is in the 35-39 years age group, competed in four events and came home with four medals. In her favoured butterfly event she dominated the field, winning gold in the 100m butterfly in a time of 1.06.61, finishing almost 8 seconds ahead of silver. She was also just 14/100s outside her own British record set last year at the world masters championships in Montreal, Canada. Later that day Miss Bellinger raced in the 400m individual medley and finished in bronze medal position. The next day saw Miss Bellinger race in the 200m individual medley where she swam close to her long course lifetime best and won silver. Her last race of the meet was the 50m butterfly where she led from the start and clocked a time of 29.66, winning gold and again was just 9/100s of a second off her British record. Triathlon and Great Swim Series
In the middle of May I had my first two triathlons of the season!
The first was the Walden triathlon. It was a challenging course and the strong winds we had a few weeks ago made it even harder! My time of 1 hour 28 mins was good enough to win my age group. Only my second ever triathlon win and I finished 4th woman overall.
The following Sunday was Newmarket Triathlon, with a slightly shorter swim (300m) due to the pool size. I was unsure how I would fair. But once again I raced hard and with only 25 seconds separating the top three in the 35 - 39 yrs age group I won in a time of 1 hour 14 mins 01 secs. This Sunday is my first open water swim of the season and it’s an aquathlon (75m swim followed by 5km run).
On Saturday 20 June I took part in the Great East Swim at Alton Water reservoir, Suffolk. It is a hugely popular competition and the number of participants has doubled since the outdoor swimming event began in 2009.
I finished 5th woman out of 340, and 2nd in my age group. Out of both men and women and all ages I finished 15th and throughout the day there were over 700 swimmers racing the course. Swimmers of all ages and abilities set off in twelve ‘waves’ throughout the day, from 8.00 am, completing in a range of distances in the open water. Some were swimming for charity and some for personal fitness goals. I then took part in the Great Manchester swim in Salford on 4 July where I came first in my age group out of 140 women. My next race will be the Great London on 18 July.
Elizabeth Bellinger Teacher of PE
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 17 A Big Thank You!
The Newsletter team, Mrs Curtis, Mrs Bradford and Mr Clayton would like to say a very big thank you to Mrs Susie Scofield who has taken so many fantastic photos of school events over the past academic year. The time she has given to us and the quality of the photography is very much appreciated, especially for special events such as the recent celebration evenings, the Alumni event in April and the many musical occasions. We are very grateful that we are able to leave the photography in her very capable hands; the results are always stunning! Editor Year 7
As we get to the end of the year I would like to say how much I have enjoyed working with this year's Year 7. I am always amazed how the girls that joined us in September have blossomed. They have been a tremendous year group, full of personality and have achieved amazing things both academically and in extra curricular activities.
I am currently preparing for the new Year 7 students in September and have begun to hand the reins over to Mrs Bradford, who will be your daughter's year leader next year. As part of my role is to oversee Key Stage 3 I will be watching over the students as they move through the school and look forward to seeing them continue to develop.
Have a restful summer break. Sally House Assistant Head: KS3 and Year Leader: Year 7 Year 8
This has been a fantastic year for Year 8. They have flourished in all aspects of school life. Academically their end of year reports were very promising which will stand them in good stead for next year. They have raised a phenomenal amount of money for different charities over the year. The most recent fundraising activities have included Wig Wednesday for Clic Sargent by 8L and the Pretty Muddy 5k Race for Life at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Articles on both appear earlier in the newsletter.
The sporting achievements are this year wide ranging and extremely impressive. Students have participated in competitions at district, regional and national levels, either representing the school or as individuals; for example the Year 8 netballers came third in the district level competitions and the Futsal Team (Years 8 and 9) are county silver medallists and district champions.
It was delightful to watch so many participate in the school production of Hairspray in the chorus and in the Evening of Dance with lovely dance ensembles. The numerous instrumental examinations and performances are too many to mention. Year 8 have also thrown themselves into other extra-curricular activities such as Maths Challenge, Numeracy Selfies and Carnegie Shadowing. Activities Week was amazing and the positive feedback from Harlow Outdoor Centre and the Theatre Company was a delight to hear. Both companies highlighted the attitude and enthusiasm of the students and their ability to work together and help and support each other as being excellent.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and look forward to next year, an important year for the students when they choose their GCSE options. Jo Jurd Year Leader: Year 8 Year 9
This has been a fantastic year for our Year 9 students! I would like to mention how proud I am of the year group from the beginning of the year when they embraced their options selection maturely, to the end of the year where each and every student got involved in our fund raising mission for the local organisation, Grove Cottage (We will publish our fundraising total shortly.).
Most recently, on 6 July, the Year 9 production of Daisy Pulls It Off was thoroughly enjoyable, proving how conscientious and dedicated the students are, even after an exhausting and memorable Activities Week! Students came into their own, as the confident characters of Beaumont School, and the show just confirmed how much the students have grown and advanced this year.
I wish all the members of Year 9 a fabulous summer. I look forward to seeing them all again in September, for our next year together, preparing for GCSEs. Claudia Charles Year Leader: Year 9
P A GE 1 8 16 July 2015 Year 10
Congratulations go to Year 10 on a very successful week of Work Experience. A fabulous number of positive reports were made by the employers to the teachers who visited the placements. The Form Tutors and I have really enjoyed hearing the students’ stories from the week. One student was invited to give a viewing of the most haunted house in Bishop’s Stortford! Another went to court to work for the prosecution where, accompanied by the legal team, she met the defendant. Placements included the Centre of for Astrophysics Research at the University of Hertfordshire, Airbus Defence and Space, the British Judo Centre of Excellence and Google. Several Year 10 students are working for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards. Well done to the group who got lost on the practice expedition but who managed to hone their map reading skills in order to complete the final expedition successfully. It was a challenge of both physical and psychological endurance. Lessons learned were never take your eyes off the map and always carry a spare pair of socks! I was delighted to receive some lovely letters from Year 10 students applying to be buddies to the new Year 7s. These students were a great help to the staff on Taster Day and for many it was their first experience of working with the Sixth Form. In September they will start to visit and lead a form tutorial once a week, as well as be available for the Year 7 students to ask questions and advice. Year 10 have exceeded expectations in the way that they have thrown themselves into their GCSE courses, contributed to the life of the school and challenged themselves in their individual interests and extra-curricular pursuits. They should be proud of all their endeavours and enjoy the well-earned summer break. Mrs Melanie Seward Assistant Head: KS4 and Year Leader: Year 10 Year 11—Celebration Evening
Year 11 ended the year with two fantastic celebrations. On the last day before study leave the year had a celebratory tea party in the Old Hall. A big thank you to Nicola Sheppard, 11L, who made cupcakes in house colours for the whole year group. The students enjoyed a photo booth, karaoke, and pizza.
The Celebration Evening at the Hilton, Stansted saw glamorous outfits, stunning shoes and beautiful hair and make-up. The students enjoyed musical entertainment from Mr Clayton and Mr Long, wooden spoon awards and lots of dancing. The students were exceptionally well behaved and a credit to Herts & Essex. You will have already seen some of the photos earlier on in this newsletter.
I would like to thank all the students who made it a lovely evening, and for my very special present.
I wish all the students every success in their exams and their future endeavours. Mrs Bradford Year Leader: Year 11
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 19 Year 12
Year 12 have been extremely busy since their return from study leave, involving themselves in a number of events over and above their studies. The week of 29 June – 3 July was their “Futures Week” where all students took part in varied activities and workshops to help them prepare for life after Sixth Form. Further details will appear in the special Activities Week newsletter.
Congratulations go to those students who recently successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Expedition in the Peak District – a fantastic achievement and an experience that they are sure to remember!
Our Sixth Form students continue to be great role models for the younger year groups and are a real credit to the school. They have displayed some inspiring leadership skills and initiative over recent weeks and their help with the Induction Days for new Year 12 students, the Year 7 Taster Day and Sports Day has been invaluable. A very big thank you and well done to all those students who have been involved.
We now eagerly await results day on Thursday 13 August – good luck to all students. Dawn Harrison Director of Student Progress: Year 12
Year 13 Prom
P A GE 20 16 July 2015 Junior Maths Challenge
On 30 April , 123 Year 7 and 8 students sat the National UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. They did very well with 31 students achieving a Bronze certificate, 14 a Silver and 4 gained a Gold certificate. The two highest scoring students, Ella Piron and Rosalind Savage in Year 8, were among 5000 students nationally to qualify for the next round called Junior Kangaroo. Again, both of them did very well in this next round and have received Certificates of Participation. Well done to all the students who took part. Certificate winners were:
Year 8: GOLD : Ella Piron and Rosalind Savage. SILVER: Amelia Sanderson, Olivia Bignall, Honor Kitson, Zoe Griffin, Daisy Wilcox, Lucy Smith, Amelia Matthews, Ella Maginn. BRONZE: Erin Evett, Maddie Champion, Isabella Prichard, Emilia Kings, Nadia Ibrahim, Gabriela Potts, Lydia Butson, Abigail Jones, Isabelle Blakeman, Jessica Bowes, Olivia Bless, Gabb Umerah, Helena Lovatt, Kirsty Woodacre, Chiara Gillham.
Year 7 GOLD: Nicole Davis and Sascha Roy SILVER: Leah Fogarty, Stephanie Berry, Tomisin Sosanya, Hannah Cooper, Abigail Lee, Holly Deboo. BRONZE: Emilia Boylan, Maya Dosanjh, Eleanor Tillbrook, Lucy Belcher,Maisie Ashman, Jessica Casey, Olivia Jones, Eleanor Mason, Isabel Ghijben, Jasmine Starr, Kate Williams, Sophie Reed, Sophie Cubitt, Freya Corbishley, Julia Collins, Katherine Welch.
Congratulations to all participants. Sheila Brown Assistant Faculty Leader: Mathematics
Head on the Blog... Twitter
Herts & Essex now has a twitter feed. You can get to it Students and parents by clicking the twitter icon on the home page of the alike will be interested to know that Mrs Tooze has website (www.hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk) or searching a regular blog on the for @HandEHighSchool. Herts & Essex Observer website. Control + click on the photo to access Forthcoming Events the blog. September Tue 1 CPD day (staff) Wed 2 Y7 begin/Y12 Enrolment & Induction Thu 3 School photos Y7, Y10, Y12 and staff Dr Peter Cochran 1944 - 2015 Thu 3 Y7 picnic Thu 3 Autumn Term begins Y8/9/10/11/13 Thu 3 Y12 Parents' Info Eve Dr Peter Cochran, who led the English Department at Herts & Essex between 1982 and 2003, sadly died on Mon 7 Y8 Parents' Info Eve 20 May 2015. A celebrated Byron scholar and former Tue 8 Y9 Parents' Info Eve RSC actor, he had a particular expertise in giving Wed 9 Y10 Parents' Info Eve students a love of drama, and of Shakespeare in particular. He directed an annual Shakespeare Wed 9 Y12 Learn2Live trip to Rhodes Centre performance for many years; they were masterpieces in Thu 10 Y7 Trip to Cuffley Camp (half year group) exploring the art of Shakespeare, and also in developing Thu 10 Y11 Parents' Info Eve the talent of the many students who cut their teeth in Fri 11 Y7 Trip to Cuffley Camp (half year group) these plays. Wed 16 Y10 German exchange students in UK Christine Bruce, teacher of English, said, “Most colleagues saw an erudite, intellectual, talented teacher; Thu 17 PE Sports Presentation evening those of us who were fortunate to work closely with Thu 17 Y10 German exchange students in UK Peter saw all of that and much more. Faculty meetings Fri 18 Y10 German exchange students in UK were never dull, with robust literary debate in Sat 19 Y10 German exchange students in UK abundance, laced with a healthy dose of wry humour. However, we also experienced Peter’s quiet, thoughtful Sun 20 Y10 German exchange students in UK kindness and generosity at close hand. We will miss Thu 24 Open Evening (school closes 1.30pm) him.” Fri 25 CPD day (no students in school) Edtior Tue 29 Y13 Drama trip to National Theatre
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 2 1 Letter from the Chair of Governors
As this is the last newsletter of the academic year, it is appropriate to reflect on and celebrate the successes Herts & Essex has had this year. The year began with the news of our students securing the best examination results in the school’s recent history, ranking the school highly in national league tables. We congratulate our students and staff and hope that we have another excellent year, with current students receiving the exam results for which they have worked so hard. Our school has been awarded Approved Sponsor status, which means we can sponsor new or existing academies. As you are aware, we have already expressed an interest in sponsoring the new schools being planned at Bishop’s Stortford North. It is our hope that we can bring our outstanding education to these new, local schools. The work we have been undertaking through the Maths Hub and Science learning partnership, both projects providing outreach support for local schools in Maths and Science, has been very successful; both schemes will develop further next year. In addition to helping other schools, our hard-working staff learn much from this experience, bringing benefits to Herts & Essex students. We have again been awarded the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) accreditation, which recognises excellence of delivery and outcomes for Able, Gifted & Talented students. Our gratitude goes to all staff and students involved in the reaccreditation. Staff and governors have been working tirelessly to improve the school’s environment throughout 2014/15. We have had some success and presently H block is being refurbished and will be back in use for the new school year. We received a grant to repair and upgrade some of the school’s flat roofs. We also have ambitious plans to build a new sports hall. However; progress is slow and finance is in short supply; I hope to give you more news on this project next term. May I take this opportunity to thank you for making the relationship between Herts & Essex and home such a strong one, and wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable summer break, enabling students to return refreshed in the autumn. Robert Fielden Chair of Governors Term Dates 2015 - 2016
Autumn Term 2015 Spring Term 2016 CPD* Day Tuesday 1 September CPD* Day Monday 4 January (Year 11 only) Begins Wednesday 2 September - Years 7 Begins Tuesday 5 January and 12 Half term Monday 15 February to Friday Begins Thursday 3 September - Years 8 - 11 19 February and 13 Ends Thurs 24 March (1.30 pm finish) Open Evening Thursday 24 September (1.30 pm finish) Summer Term 2016 CPD* Day Friday 25 September (no students in Begins Monday 11 April school) May Bank Holiday Monday 2 May (no students or CPD* Day Friday 23 October (no students in staff in school) school) Half term Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June Half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October Awards Evening 22 June (school closes 1.30 pm) Open Evening Wednesday 4 November (school closes Ends Tuesday 19 July (1.30 pm finish) (Sixth Form) 1.30 pm) CPD* Day Wednesday 20 July (no students Ends Friday 18 Dec (school closes 1.30 pm) in school) * CPD = Continuing Professional Development Occasional Day Thursday 21 July (no students in school)
Our Learning Community
The Hertfordshire & Essex High School is a strong and vibrant learning community, which inspires high aspirations in the people within it. We are a centre of excellence at the cutting edge of education. We use innovative technologies and teaching methods, which enable everyone to both give and achieve the best they can. We value the success of every individual, as well as their honesty and integrity. We celebrate creativity, foster resilience and compassion and encourage initiative and independence. We expect each person to respect others and have a sense of responsibility towards the community in which they live and work.
HEART OF HERTS P A GE 2 2