NEWSLINES

www.thomas-hardye..sch.uk

Page 2 Newslines

We are now nearly at the tance of homework and them have been involved in end of the first term for Year keeping up with the work the Sport for All competition 9 at Thomas Hardye School. rather than leaving it all to and coming along on Thurs- I am pleased that the stu- the last minute. There are day lunchtimes to play Bas- dents have settled in to their homework clubs which run ketball. As well as all the studies and are starting to after school, and a large other clubs and activities become more independent majority of the students are they belong to, please con- in their learning. attending these, but if your tinue to support them with We were pleased to see so son/daughter is not then this. many parents at the Consul- please encourage them to You will be surprised to tation Evening in November. do so. From experience learn that we start the Op- We appreciated your posi- their final GCSE marks can tions process for Year 9 tive comments and also the be affected greatly by the quite early, and this is linked helpful suggestions you work ethic they adopt early in with the next set of Re- made. We hope that you will on in Year 9. views which will go home in feel able to contact us if you STUDENT VOICE—a group of the spring term. Therefore, have any questions you students who meet regularly some important dates for need to discuss, as commu- with Dr. Melvin and the Year you to put in your diaries for nication between home and Co-ordinators have been next term are: school is vital in supporting elected by members of the your daughter/son, not only various Year Councils. This FEBRUARY 9TH – REVIEWS academically, but also so- group meet regularly and go home this week. cially within the school envi- have their own intranet FEBRUARY 23RD – OPTIONS ronment. Please also look space on the school website EVENING. at your son/daughter’s pro- and their email address is SUBJECT CONSULTATION file on TH Direct using their [email protected] EVENINGS – student user name and hardye.dorset.sch.uk please Half year ‘J’ - Tuesday 3rd password. Hopefully you feel free to email them with MARCH can access everything prop- any thoughts/suggestions Half Year ‘K’ – Thursday 5th erly now. you have—the parent voice MARCH ACADEMICALLY—The stu- is important too. dents are well in to their EXTRA CURRICULAR—The We hope you have an enjoy- studies with the various students have involved able Christmas and wish you courses they are studying in themselves in a vast array of a Happy New Year from the Year 9. We would appreci- extra-curricular activities this Year 9 team. ate your help in ensuring the term. In particular I am students realise the impor- pleased that so many of Mrs Chittenden

It was very encouraging to On Wednesday 10th Decem- 10VW finished worthy cham- see so many parents at the ber a group of over 40 stu- pions but each tutor group recent Tutor Consultation dents attended The Clothes played their part. Our thanks Evening. We hope you found Show at the NEC in Birming- go to Mr Goulding for run- the evening informative and ham to complement their ning this lunchtime competi- worthwhile. Any issues technology option of Tex- tion. raised with the tutors should tiles. Our end of term Presenta- now have been addressed. Unfortunately the Year social tion Assembly is due to be Please feel free to contact event due to take place this held on Tuesday 16th De- the School if you have any term has had to be post- cember. During this special questions you need to dis- poned until 6th February assembly students will be cuss as communication be- 2009. This will give the Year recognised for their achieve- tween home and school is Council more time to sell ment and commitment over vital in supporting your son/ tickets and promote the the last term. This year the daughter both academically event. We hope the year school is awarding special and socially within the group support this worth- ties in four categories: School. while charity fundraiser Academic achievement, A large number of students event. Our thanks go to Mr Community involvement, from Year 10 were involved Bewley and the Year Council Performing Arts and Sport- in the Science Modular ex- who have put in a lot of work ing achievement. Each de- aminations on Thursday 20th towards this event. partment within the curricu- November. Hopefully these The Sport For All competi- lum has the opportunity to students will receive the tion has been well sup- nominate students who de- results they deserve. ported by the Year Group. serve recognition for their

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Newslines Page 3 work and effort in their stud- Tutor groups have been pre- The Year Ten Team of Year ies as well as contribution to paring and collecting items the extra curricular side of for Christmas Hampers Co-ordinators and Tutors school life. This is a new which are distributed to would like to take this venture for the School fol- families in the community. opportunity to wish all par- lowing discussions raised The School would like to ents and students through Student Voice meet- thank you for your contribu- ings. tions on behalf of the recipi- a very Happy Christmas and ents who live in Dorchester. best wishes for 2009.

Year 11

This has been a very busy pressures from these are go to the staff who gave half term for all Year 11 stu- now over, there are contin- their time and effort to es- dents. The tutor consulta- ued demands for course- tablish this opportunity. tion evening directly before work. It is essential that Our final Presentation As- half term was very well at- students now start to plan sembly this term will be in- tended, providing an oppor- and use their time wisely in troducing the new Rewards tunity to discuss progress, the build up to the final ex- System which has been the provide guidelines for aminations next year. ‘brain-child’ of Student coursework, examination A reminder to parents that Voice. Students will be preparation and revision Reports are due home to- nominated to receive ties for and options at 16+. wards the end of January achievements in the follow- The returns for next year’s 2009, closely followed by ing categories: Performing Sixth Form have proven to Subject Consultation Eve- Arts, Community, Academic be very high, with 80% of nings on 29th January and and Sport. the Year Group indicating 3rd February. Miss Civil has taken on the their intention to return here For the Remembrance Ser- onerous task of compiling a to study. A Sixth Form vice on November 11th, over Year Book for the students. Taster Day was organised on 2,500 students assembled A number of students have the 15th December, which outside the School memorial placed orders – but the has enabled all students to gates. Their exemplary be- more we get, the cheaper experience ‘Life and Study’ haviour clearly showed the the final product, so if your in the Sixth Form. The indi- respect they give to this oc- son/daughter is still vidual experience was based casion. ‘thinking about it’, please around choices they have Twenty Year 11 students encourage them to bring in already indicated for next have now successfully been their £10 deposit. year. We also felt it impor- trained as Mentors and A big thank you for your con- tant to provide alternative some were invited to attend tributions to the Christmas opportunities for those stu- the First Anti-Bullying Con- Hampers. These have been dents who have opted to ference in October. Two delivered to Social Services leave Thomas Hardye next letter boxes have been es- for distribution amongst year. Over fifty students tablished in school and an e families in need and the ventured to Weymouth Col- mail address set up for stu- elderly in and around Dor- lege, where they had hands- dents who wish to access chester. on experience on a variety of this excellent service which With the end of term now vocational choices. A fur- has been co-ordinated by Mr finally in sight, we are look- ther sixteen students were Dean. ing forward to our final day given a guided tour of King- We congratulate Sean Bone, at Tower Park. A selection ston Maurward College and Rob Farmer, Conner McKee, of the latest release films visited Paragon Training in Jake Gale and Ed Godrey on has been booked. Weymouth for further infor- their winning entries in the We would like to take this mation on apprenticeships Films for Learning Competi- opportunity to wish stu- and ‘on the job’ training. tion. This was sponsored by dents, staff and parents a Students have recently com- Microsoft. Merry Christmas and look pleted external modular ex- Year 11 students linked to forward to welcoming, what aminations in Maths and the George Green School promises to be Science GCSEs. The stu- Project had an exciting and a very success- dents’ conduct and positive rewarding experience on ful 2009. approach to these was most their return visit to London encouraging. Although the earlier this month. Thanks T. Brook

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 4 Newslines

Sixth Form Madrid—A group of Year 13 we took a late plane back to Tutors are working with the Historians and Spanish stu- London returning in the students in academic tutori- dents visited Madrid at Half early hours of the morning als to discuss how they Term. The theme of the visit after an exhausting but thor- might close the gaps. Many, was the reign of Philip II oughly enjoyable trip. however, are performing far (1556-1598), who sent the Union—The union has been higher than their minimum Armada against England. extremely active this term, predicted grade. After an early arrival in the organising a welcome BBQ PSHCE—We repeated the city the group explored “old” in September and a suc- “Safe Drive, Stay Alive” pro- Madrid, its churches, narrow cessful social in November. gramme with Year 12 this passageways and Muslim It has been particularly ac- year. This was a very hard- background. It was origi- tive in raising money for hitting presentation about nally founded as a fortress charity, supporting a cam- driving and road accidents town by Spanish Muslim paign to raise money for which had a deep impact on rulers to protect their terri- “Naomi’s House”, a chil- students. This was mainly tory from Christian attack. dren’s hospice, raising over due to the witness state- Students finished the after- £600.00. It also supported ments by those involved in noon by exploring the the Children in Need appeal or affected by a major traffic “Palacio Real”, the royal raising in one day around accident. We have also had palace of the monarchs of £700.00 with a variety of the local health team in to since the 18th Cen- events, including a massive raise awareness about Chla- tury. This contained the cake sale. Union officials mydia and sexually transmit- personal armour of Philip II have been very active in ted diseases. and his family. Madrid is seeking student views, want- IB—students have continued most exciting in the evening ing to continue to improve to be active in the commu- when people shop, socialise the Sixth Form. One exam- nity. A group spent a day “...a very hard hitting and eat. Every evening we ple is the ongoing negotia- clearing scrubland near Sy- presentation about made the most of the time tions with the company who dling as part of a butterfly visiting galleries, shopping run the canteen which is conservation project. An- driving and road and experiencing a variety of now open all day in the Sixth other group has organised accidents which had restaurants, from paella to Form Centre. an old people’s Christmas a deep impact on tapas. On the second day UCAS—All Year 13 students Party for Rowan Cottage. the party visited El Escorial, have been working hard to Amnesty International—The students.” the palace of Philip II out- apply for routes after the Amnesty International group side Madrid, a huge austere Sixth Form. The vast major- in Year 13 are supporting monastery including the cell- ity, 395, are applying for the annual greeting card like rooms from which Philip Higher Education and tutors campaign. They raised ruled his Empire. This was have worked hard with stu- awareness in assemblies an unforgettable experience. dents to write personal across the school and have The next day we took the statements and references. been encouraging Sixth fast train to Toledo, the reli- Many are now getting offers Form students to send gious capital of Spain. which is very encouraging. “messages of hope” to Toledo is a remarkably un- Others have all had Connex- those whose human rights changed medieval city, ions interviews to help them are being violated across known as the “City of Three make decisions about em- the world, and letters of pro- Cultures”. Up until the 16th ployment and training. test to relevant govern- Century Christians, Jews and Academic Work—Most stu- ments. They have displayed Muslims lived here side by dents have made a very these messages of hope on side in a mixture of cultures positive start to their new A2 a Christmas tree in the and beliefs. The final day or AS courses. All students spine. The group has also was spent visiting the con- should now have their mini- planned a PSHCE lesson for vent of barefoot nuns, mum predicted grades. Year 9 students about the founded by Philip’s sister, These are the minimum 60th anniversary of publica- and still patronised by the grade they should achieve in tion of the Universal Decla- King—it was like going back a subject based on their ration of Human Rights. four hundred years in time. GCSE results. This gives Year 9 will also be writing The afternoon allowed time guidance as to how well stu- their own messages and to see Philip’s art collection dents are doing when they letters. in the Prado, as well as compare these grades with Paris—In November 45 Sixth other well known master their predicted and potential Formers visited Paris for the pieces. After an early meal grades in the reviews. weekend. Saturday started

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Newslines Page 5 with a coach tour of the ma- Saint Chappele, Eiffel Tower, Century and Pere Lachaise is jor sites of Paris. All students Galeries Lafayette, Louvre, the largest cemetery which went up the Arc de Triomphe Musee d’Orsay. On Sunday contains many famous Pari- to get a splendid view of the group visited two famous sians and Oscar Wilde. Eve- Paris in the most glorious sites, the Parc des Buttes ryone had an excellent ex- clear November weather. Chaumont and the Pere La- perience and made the most Afterwards groups chose to chaise Cemetery. The park of the weekend. visit the major places of in- was made from the rubble of terest that they wanted to medieval Paris when it was “…” see including Notre Dame, knocked down in the 19th

T he sun s ets over the Eiffe l Tower

d l, Madri cio Rea de Pala ts outsi studen Year 13

id l, Madr Escoria S s at El aint Cha Battle ppelle— Hall of som the Roya e of the l Chape finest s l in Paris tained g contain lass in th ing e world www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 6 Newslines

Girls PE News What an excellent term us girls have had in the PE Department! Well done to all hockey and netball teams, to our swimmers and cross-country runners and to all of you who have come along to extra-curricular clubs.

Hockey and netball clubs are well underway with practices every week and attendance numbers high.

Hockey—On Monday evenings there is hockey club for U14 and U15 girls and there is netball club for U16 and Sixth Form ladies. On Wednesday evening hockey club is for U16 and Sixth Form ladies and on Thursday evening netball club is for U14 and U15 girls. All clubs run from 3.45 pm until 4.45 pm—all girls are welcome. County hockey trials are in progress. On Friday 26th September the U17 and U19 assessments took place, at- tending these were Jenny Stuart Smith (U19) and Lily Hiscock (U17). Both have been invited back to the next round. The U15 trial happened on Wednesday 1st October and Katie Clutterbuck and Gabby Placidi were invited back to the next assessments. Girls’ hockey has started the season very well, with impressive performances against tough opponents. Team members have consistently been turning up to training and have had a determined and focused attitude which has positively contributed to their match success. Sixth Form ladies’ hockey—more girls are required at training no matter what ability they may be!

Netball—Netball club is running all term with the majority of fixtures being played after Christmas with many already in the diary. However there have been a couple of area tournaments this term. The U16 team played in the Area Tournament and were second. Both Abbey Northway and Abi Bingham were outstanding during the tournament. The other players who were excellent also were Chantelle Cottrell, Olivia Smith, Lauren Gordon, Natalie Hall, Shannon Diment, Izzy Jackson, Phoebe Wilson, and Avril Riglar. The U16 team beat All Saints, Wey Valley and Budmouth and lost to Woodroffe. The U15 Area Tournament is on Wednesday 4th February at Budmouth starting at 2.30 pm—we would welcome any support from parents. The U14 played in their Area Tournament at Budmouth and were also second. The girls played brilliantly and I would like to congratu- late Kerry Gorham, Ebony McCarthy, Kizzy Russell, Natalie Priestley (Captain), Hayley Rooks, Lily Doherty, Caroline Goode, Gilly Woodsford, Alice Cunningham, Abi Simmons, Harriet Burton and Amber Heinrich for their excellent efforts and thank the girls for their enjoyable company on the day. The U14 team beat All Saints, Wey Valley and Budmouth and lost to Woodroffe.

Girls Football—A good start to the football season with the girls team winning their first match 4- 1 against QES, Wimborne, putting them through to the next round of the county cup tournament. Many of the girls play for County and/or for local football teams. So far in the season the girls have made it through to the semi-final of the County Cup after a successful away match against last years finalists Budmouth with a 4-3 win. During the Budmouth match Harriet Freeman scored a hat trick and Amber Guy-Kemp scored a pen- alty. The girls have been training every Thursday evening after school with Miss Priest and Miss Aldred—any new players are always welcome.

If you are not coming along then think about joining us next term—make it a New Year’s resolution! With clubs including aerobics, water polo, football, netball, climbing, badmin- ton and kayaking (catering for all abilities) we can offer you something to get your pulse- rate up. Don’t be frightened, bring a friend along and have a laugh. We’ll be glad to see you.

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 7 Newslines

The Physical Education department has continued its momen- Boys PE News tum and shows no sign of slowing up until the Christmas holiday. Since half term the boys have focused on Football and Basketball. The Rugby season has culminated in the annual Rugby 10s tournaments held at Dorchester Rugby Club. The final event of the Rugby fixture calendar, the 1st XV 10s Tournament is due to be played on 10th December. Once again clubs are well attended across all years.

Rugby 1st XV St Edwards Daily Mail Vase 21 – 0 (lost) Poole Grammar Friendly 47 – 7 (lost) U16 10s Tournament Cancelled (weather) U15 10s Tournament Winners U14 10s Tournament Winners Football U19 Poole Grammar County Cup 5 – 1 (lost) U16 BGS “ “ Q’ter 3 – 0 (won) Budmouth “ “ Semi 4 – 2 (lost) U14 Colfox “ “ 4 – 2 (won) Basketball U16 Wey Valley Friendly 9 – 31 (lost) U15 Wey Valley Friendly 29 – 32 (lost) U14 Intra Year 9 THS Tournament

Congratulations to Tom Wade and Thomas Hillyar who have been selected to represent the Under 14 Dorset Football team. Also to Callum King, Hugh Vivian, Chris Lawton, Will Holmes and Harry Smith who have successfully earned places in the Under 14 Dorset Saxons Rugby team.

Mr G Hughes (Head of PE)

English For the English Department, dents examining the work of bers of Year 11 were treated this term has been buzzing performance poet Patience to a ‘Lord of the Flies’ work- with exciting extra-curricular Agbabi were fortunate shop as part of their revision activities as we keep our- enough to meet and work of the text for their GCSE selves busy to ward off the with Patience herself when, English Literature exams winter chill. on 25th November, she next year. The Pilot Theatre came to the School to per- company ran the workshop The infamous trip to London form some of her poems and the students were also to see the spine-tingling and run a 2-hour workshop lucky enough to go to the ‘Woman in Black’ went with Year 12. This was a Lighthouse Theatre to watch ahead on 7th October as stu- superb experience for stu- their performance of the dents from Years 9 and 13 dents and teachers alike as William Golding classic. shuddered and screamed it is so rare to be able to Meanwhile, the Year 11 through the supernatural interact with the person GCSE English Language and thriller. As always, it was a whose literary works are Literature coursework dead- wonderful journey into the studied in class. line of 12th December is fast world of the Gothic, inspiring approaching! Students are the Year 9 students with As an additional learning busy checking all work has ideas for their GCSE Media opportunity, on 4th Decem- been submitted, improving Studies coursework and the ber, Mr Dennis Silk visited pieces as appropriate and Year 13s with thoughts for the School to present a making the most of after their Gothic synoptic exami- Community Lecture on school coursework clubs to nations. World War 1 poet Siegfried ensure they achieve the Sassoon and the Great War. grade they deserve. th On 15 October, as part of Tickets sold out for this the new AS-Level English event and the lecture was May we take this opportunity Literature courses, Year 12 particularly useful for stu- to wish everyone a Happy visited the Imperial War Mu- dents in Years 10 and 12 Christmas and a fantastic seum to inform their studies who study the poetry of New Year! of ‘Regeneration’ by Pat WW1. Barker and the poetry of Miss Lincoln Wilfred Owen. Those stu- Eager not to miss out, mem- www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 8 Newslines

DORSET LOCAL AUTHORITY ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS – 2010/2011

Admission authorities (local authority and the governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools) are required to consult on their proposed admission arrangements once every three years (unless arrangements have changed from the previous year).

It is intended that the proposed admission arrangements for 2010/2011 for:-

• Community and Voluntary Controlled schools in Dorset will be subject to consultation during the period 5 December 2008 to 30 January 2009, • Voluntary Aided and Foundation schools in Dorset will be subject to consul- tation during the period 5 January 2009 to 1 March 2009.

Any person or group wishing to inspect the proposed admission arrange- ments for any school or group of schools during the stated periods is asked, in the first instance, to contact the Director of Children’s Services (Ref: PDF), Dorset County Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ either in writing, email ([email protected]) or telephone on (01305) 224200.

SIGNED Mr John Nash, Director of Children’s Services, Dorset County Council

DATE 5 December 2008

Seasonal Greetings from Dept M

6th Form Examinations In January there are examinations for Years 12 and 13—all are 1½ hours in length.

C1 (4721) Friday 9th January (am) C2 (4722) Tuesday 13th January (am) C3 (4723) Thursday 15th January (am) S2 (4733) Tuesday 13th January (am) M2 (4762) Friday 9th January (am) “Do the washing UK Maths Challenge (Senior) up for your The results from this high level maths contest are superb. Particular note:- parents on Year 13—Top 3: Naomi Anderson, Ross Argent, Emeny Lamb + 13 other excellent students. Christmas Day.” Year 12—Top 3: Ed Nicholls, Hannah Sanderson, Michael Fielding + 17 other excellent students. Year 11—Top 2: Ed Godfrey (best in school). Tim Lawson (2nd best in school). Other students who took the exam early and did very well—Matthew Lawson, Max Hammick, Lewis Kershaw, Katie Holmes, Victoria Howard.

Maths resources for Sixth Form students wishing to do well in their examinations. http://www.mathsnetalevel.com Your maths teacher will supply you with a password and username so that you can log on and use the site.

Things to do at Christmas:-

1. Buy a nice new calculator. 2. Buy a really good pair of compasses. 3. Buy one of those pencils that you click and more lead appears. 4. Buy a special calendar to note down dates and times of exams and events. 5. Do the washing up for your parents on Christmas Day.

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 9 Newslines

Music It has been a after year we are invited back. For the past busy and months the choir had been working on the vibrant term Evensong repertoire for the Evensong Ser- in the Music vice. We spent most of the day rehearsing Department, and just making sure we all knew what we with groups were doing for the service at 4 pm. The rehearsing anthem we sang there was Bob Chilcott’s hard on a ‘Just as I am’ which was sung beautifully weekly basis and magnificently. We also sang Herbert to ensure Howell’s Nunc Dimittis and Magnificat and that the of course, the Byrd Preaces and Responses many per- which we all spent hours practising! All in formances all it was a most enjoyable day to sing at we have had Bath Abbey and the choir was a tribute to have all the School….and what a nice surprise to been of top see our old Head of Music, Mrs Barry! quality. Coming in as the new Head of De- partment, I am delighted with the amount James Rodgers, 10BA of talent we have in the School across such a wide variety of musical styles and genres, The Hardye’s Hop on Thursday 20th Novem- and I am really pleased that so many stu- ber was a free school concert consisting of dents are keen to get involved and show off jazz, pop, rock and other music. The con- what they can do. Staff have done a won- cert gave students an opportunity to per- derful job of rehearsing the students, and form in school groups as well as solos and in turn students have shown their commit- in other ensembles they had put together ment and team spirit. Concerts have in- themselves. cluded a visit to St Mary’s Church in Strat- ton, Jazz for a Hospice Poetry evening, the The first half opened with school groups Autumn Gala Concert, singing at Maiden Flautissimo and Jazz & Improvisation Castle House Retirement Home, performing Group. There were many soloists, some for the Dorset Primary Care Trust, regular performing their own songs and GSCE Mu- Friday Live Concerts, performing for the sic compositions. Sixth Form band ‘Sock University of the 3rd Age, a visit to Bath Ab- Puppets’ made everyone laugh with their “The highlight of bey, the Hardye’s Hop and Belshazzar’s original song The Pirate Song and closing Feast in London’s Cadogan Hall. Still to the first half were members of WOW per- the term was a come are the annual Carol Service, Con- forming extracts from their production of performance in certs in the Spine every lunchtime in the Pirates of Penzance. last week of term, the DASP Christmas Con- front of HRH the cert and visits to the Middle Schools. The After the interval the second half opened Prince of Wales” highlight of the term was a performance in with The Bear Necessities performed by front of HRH the Prince of Wales. We are Year 10 & 12 music classes. There were always looking for more people to be in- more soloists and small ensembles includ- volved with the Music Department – both ing renditions of Blink 182’s All the Small as performers, and as audience, so do Things and Marigold by Nirvana. The Tho- come along to events and find out more. mas Hardye Dancers made an appearance, Below are two reports from this term’s con- accompanied by Flautissimo and The Salz- certs written by students, which I hope you burg Swingers who all recently performed in will enjoy reading. on the music & dance trip in July 2008. The evening closed with the TH Mr J Baker, Director of Music, Dancers and Concert Band with a compila- and the TH Music De- tion of songs from the partment hit musical Hairspray.

On Wednesday 12th Overall it was an enter- November the Thomas taining evening of mu- Hardye Singers travelled sic and dance in a re- north to Bath to sing in laxed environment, Bath Abbey. The 7th making it enjoyable for Century Abbey is a performers and audi- beautiful place to sing. ence alike. The choir sings there every year, and year Cat Christie, 11JL www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 10 Newslines

Theology & Ethics Department, trip to Rome and the Vatican City Ciao dall'Italia! During half term, we took twenty students on a trip to Rome and the Vatican City. We left Dorchester at half past twelve on Sunday morning, already a little tired, but quite excited. Despite reports to the contrary, Alitalia airlines were brilliante, and we arrived at our hotel in Rome on Sunday morning looking forward to seeing the sites.

Students threw coins in the Trevi fountain, and made a wish

“...Christopher Williams and Jeanette Harrison, were also able to see the Pope …”

Chris Williams and Jeanette Harrison meet the Pope

In the first two days, students visited the Colosseum and the Forum, and took a guided walk around some of Rome’s many ancient churches. Other sites visited included the Cas- tel Sant’Angelo, the Gallery of Modern Art, Borghese Park, the Piazza Navonna, the Cappuc- cin crypt, the Pantheon and the Catacombs of St Callisto.

We attended the Pope’s Wednesday address, held outside St Peter’s Basilica, and listened to the Pope’s message of unity and family, in several languages. As he gave the Apostolic blessing, and read out the names of a few visitors, he included the students and staff of , which was met by a loud cheer from all of our students! Two students, Christopher Williams and Jeanette Harrison, were also able to see the Pope close up, as he stopped his “popemobile” and blessed them!

Students spent the rest of the day in the Vatican City, visiting the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, the Crypt of the Popes and the Basilica, as well as climbing the 600 steps to the top of the Basilica Cupola. It was a long climb, but the view was well worth it!

Mr Harris

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 11 Newslines

Signing in ...

James Waddingham (11JL) recently passed Level 1 British Sign Language and was pre- sented with his certificate by Ursula Murley (Hearing Support Advisory Teacher) and Nicki Paull (Hearing Support Communication Support Worker). James is now working towards Level 2 British Sign Language. James is one of a small number of students across the country who have the opportunity to study Sign Language as an option at school. We are very pleased with James' achievement and wish him luck with his Level 2 coursework and assessments.

Ursula Murley, Hearing Support—Education Extra

A big thank you to the parents and students for Christmas Cheer in the Community

This is just to say a big thank you to all the know that they too parents and students who donate gifts to are thought about the Christmas charities every year. at Christmas. They often have very few All tutor groups are asked to fill shoe boxes personal posses- and these have already been collected and sions and so we will be distributed by the Christian charity like to give them group. gifts that they would probably not The Year 9, 10 and 11 tutor groups are buy for themselves. asked to prepare hampers for one of two groups in the community and these are then Every year I am both collected and delivered by Social Services. amazed and delighted by the The groups are either families with children response of our students and their parents or elderly people. and I thought that it is high time that I say a big thank you to everyone. The Sixth Form groups are asked to bring in gifts for the women at the Women’s Refuge. May I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas This is because lots of groups donate gifts and a Happy New Year. for the children and food for a really good Christmas dinner, but the women need to Mrs H Cooke

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 12 Newslines

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Page 13 Newslines

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Newslines Page 14

Business and Community Another busy year is already well under way in this area of school life and the items below are intended to provide parents with just ‘a taste’ of the Business and Community part- nerships already achieved this year.

1. Links with The Enterprise and Skills Company

• Business Education: Year 11 students attended a ‘Working Lunch With Pizza Hut’. This taster workshop helped our students to understand the everyday issues which impact on the business. The Pizza was good too. • Travel and Tourism: Year 12 students participated in the ‘Welcome Host’ pro- gramme. In so doing, they looked at the skills required in providing high quality cus- tomer care. Every student passed the course and gained approved accreditation in this field. • Applied Business Education: Year 12 students participated in the ‘Make it in Market- ing’ programme, a one day crash course filled with interactive and hands on demon- strations that put marketing theory into practical examples. • Applied Business: Year 13 students experienced ‘Teambuilding Circus Style’. This enterprising programme was totally hands-on and required the students to learn a range of circus skills and then market, plan and perform an end of day show. • Travel and Tourism: Hosted by Palmair and in partnership with Bournemouth Airport, Year 12 and 13 students began the day with a tour of the airport. The realm of a fully functioning airport was covered from a business perspective with a specific focus on imminent expansion plans, customer retention and job diversity. The afternoon ses- sion gave students hands on experience in the work of cabin crew and aircraft safety. “...and required the students to 2. Links with The Castle Institute: Tony Boyden and his team came into school on 26th learn a range of and 27th November, to work with our AS Level Business Education students on the sub- ject of ‘Setting Up In Business’. circus skills....”

3. Work Placements: Mr Cain continues to provide support for any Year 12 or Year 13 student who is seeking to gain a Work Experience Placement. Where possible, students are visited whilst they are on their placement and upon their return they have a full place- ment debrief, based on the employer’s evaluation of their performance. Most placements last between three and five days. Thanks go, as always, to Mrs S House for all her admin- istrative support and valued advice in relation to the Work Placement process.

4. Other Business and Community Activities:

(a) Poundbury Systems: On 7th October, Sixth Form Computer Studies students were invited by Poundbury Systems to attend the ‘NOW VAN’ and familiarise themselves with the advanced technologies therein. In conjunction with Poundbury Systems, we also sub- mitted an application for the ‘Linking with Schools – Dorset Business Awards’, but in spite of a strong bid this proved unsuccessful.

(b) Melcombe Day Centre: On Wednesday 19th November, our Dance students per- formed at Melcombe Day Centre’s Annual Tea Dance, at The Rembrandt Hotel. This gave our students valuable experience of performing in public, whilst also serving to provide Melcombe’s clients, who suffer from dementia, with valuable visual stimulation. A couple of weeks later, on 3rd December, some of our Year 11 GCSE English students visited Mel- combe Day Centre to interview, and socialise with, their clients with a view to writing up their life history in the first person. The stories produced by the students will contribute to their non-fictional writing coursework. Our visit was really well received and the stu- dents gained a better understanding of the needs of people with dementia.

(c) Age Concern Christmas Party: Our Year 12 IB students are well under way in the process of organising a Christmas Party for members of Age Concern, on Wednesday 10th December. It should be a great afternoon.

Mr Cain

www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Newslines Page 15

KEEPING DORSET’S YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE ONLINE

Internet Safety for Parents Do you know what your child does online AND WHO THEY COULD BE TALKING TO? Are you comfortable discussing new Internet technologies such as Social Networking sites and Instant Messenger? Would you benefit from the opportunity to talk to profession- als working in this field?

Whilst the Internet is a wonderful tool and has become part of our everyday life, par- ticularly for our young people, we realise that without appropriate safeguards in place this tool can and does put our young people at risk of abuse and serious harm.

If you’d like to learn more about current and emerging technologies and to find out about the methods and approaches you can take to protect yourself and your children, then please come along to one of the Parents’ Evenings being held across Dorset, where you will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from SWGfL, Dorset Police and other professionals.

2009 DATES & VENUES—7 pm – 9 pm

DATE VENUE Tuesday 13th January

Thursday 15th January Lockyers Middle School Corfe Mullen

Tuesday 20th January The Gryphon Sherborne

Wednesday 21st January Lytchett Minster Upper School

Thursday 22nd January

Tuesday 27th January St Mary’s Middle Puddletown

Wednesday 28th January The Wey Valley School

Thursday 29th January & Sports College

Tuesday 3rd February

Wednesday 4th February The Thomas Hardye School

Thursday 5th February Sturminster Newton High School

Tuesday 10th February Queen Elizabeth’s School Wimborne

Wednesday 11th February Sir John Colfox

Tuesday 24th February The Grange Christchurch

Wednesday 25th February Wareham

Wednesday 4th March Emmanuel Middle School

Please note the material covered in these sessions is aimed at parents/carers not students and there- fore it will not be suitable for your child to attend.

For further information please contact Safe Schools and Communities Team on 01202 222844 [email protected] www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

Dance News

This term has seen a number of student performances. These provide stu- dents with a goal and also allow parents and friends to see the work pro- duced and appreciate the level of commitment and effort involved. The THE THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL school Dance Show on 13th November involved 80 students from all dance courses and extra curricular clubs performing a range of work. A group of Queen’s Avenue students also performed at the annual tea dance for the Melcombe Day Dorchester Hospice. On 8th December, Year 13 Performing Arts will be performing the Dorset DT1 2ET musical Stepping Out as part of their unit 5 assessment. On 13th December we have a sharing of Year 11 choreography coursework in PA1. Phone: 01305 266064 Fax: 01305 250510 E-mail: admin@thomas- Students have been to see professional work performed live and have also hardye.dorset.sch.uk had professionals working with them. Earlier this term Influx Dance Com- pany spent two days working with the Year 11 groups, creating dance pieces with them which will form part of their coursework. We have been lucky to IMPORTANT DATES see two very exciting performances so far this term. On 20th October, 50 students attended a trip to see Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company at the 2008 Lighthouse, Poole, and on 5th November we saw Richard Alston and Danc- December ers at the Northcott Theatre Exeter. On Saturday 15th November students 19th Dance Competition & have the opportunity to work with choreographer Hofesh Scheter and his Sixth Form Trip to Oxford company during an intensive workshop. TERM ENDS

2009 January 5th TERM BEGINS Yrs 12 & 13 External Exams begin (end 30th) 7th English Theatre trip— Romeo & Juliet 19th Yr 11 Reports home this wk 28th Battle of the Bands Final, Theatre 7.30 pm 29th Yr 11 Consultation Evening, (Subjects) - Half Year N 30th Choir to Hilfield Friary 5pm (return 31st) February 2nd Yr13 Reports home this wk 3rd Yr11 Consultation Evening (half year T) - (Subjects) 5th Intermediate Maths Challenge; Yr12 Philosophy & Ethics Study Day 9th 6th Form Biologists— Darwin Day; Yr9 Reviews home this week Have you been to our Community Lectures? 10th Sci trip to departs (returns 17th) One important feature of having Specialist School status is our commitment 12th 6th Form trip to to hold at least five Community Lectures a year. Three lectures have been departs (returns 18th); held this year already, with audience size averaging over 400. Have you 6th Form Recital Evening, been to one of these? If not, why don’t you come along to some, or all, of Recital Room 7.30 pm the remaining lectures listed below. They are free of charge, but admission HALF TERM BEGINS FOR is by ticket only, available from School Reception two weeks prior to each STUDENTS AT 3.30 pm 13th STAFF DAY & THS musi lecture. cians to Poole Lighthouse Workshop (all day) Thursday 15th January—Fire, Flame and Explosion 23rd RETURN TO SCHOOL Thursday 26th February—Songs of the Stars: the real Music of the Spheres Yr 9 Options Evening Tuesday 17th March—Tommy – The British Soldier on the Western Front Monday 27th April—Permanent Happiness

If you would like further Look forward to seeing you there. information on any article in this issue of Newslines, Mr Cain please contact the member of staff concerned. www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk