Learning How Sticking my neck 2 To Fly 5 out for turtles! Ian Hislop Visits Ashmole Juniper Hall Trip 3 Academy 6 Editor of Barnet Athletics i Newspaper Championships 4 Visits Ashmole 7 Year 7 Music Selling Cookies 5 Concert 8 for Charity

A s h m o l e A c a d e m y

Autumn 2014 Volume 3, Issue 9 Message from the Head Prize Giving

continued to do extremely well both at A level and at GCSE. At GCSE, for example, the 5 or more A* to C pass Evening rate fell nationally by 7% yet Ashmole’s results went up to 79%, maintaining the success of our students amongst the top league of comprehensive schools in the country, as well as locally. Well done to every student and a big thanks to every teacher and parent/carer for their help in making that happen.

The Autumn Term is as busy as ever. The school marked the anniversary of the start of World War I with a week of curricular activities. More about that Dear Parents, Carers, Friends and in the next edition of the newsletter. Students Our new Sixth Form Centre is now In these short wintery days with in full use by the Sixth Formers who Christmas approaching, the summer seem to enjoy the full benefits of the seems so far away. However, we must centre. Any parents/carers who are at in our first @shmole of 2014/15 the school on a Saturday with a letting, congratulate the students on their will have seen that the Starbucks café is examination successes. now open between 9 am and 3 pm on Dr Dan O’Hara congratulating Alice Hunter – 13M1, the winner of the Nationally exam results fell at GCSE that day. Grayling Prize and A level. With all the changes that are occurring with examinations, and Finally, the school has submitted a new with exams becoming more difficult, bid to secure a primary free school. We N Thursday 13th November, He presented awards to all our this so called volatility in results will now eagerly wait to hear the results of ODr Dan O’Hara, who is the prize winners including sports continue for some years to come. this, probably in March next year. Senior Lecturer for the English colours and special awards. BA, from New College of the Afterwards, he spoke to the At Ashmole, our commitment is to Season’s Greetings to everyone provide stability to our students and Humanities was the guest of audience of over 200 students the community. I am therefore very Derrick Brown honour at our annual Prize Giving and 400 parents about his own pleased to report that Ashmole students Head Teacher Evening. experiences at school.

www.ashmoleacademy.org 2 Focus on Talent @ Ashmole

Learning how to Fly – Chasing the Dream

me it’s different. For me, it means So I went and did it alone. I flew exploring the world every day, 2 traffic patterns by myself and having the best job in the world, returned to land just before sunset being in the best office in the with a perfect smooth landing. world, with the best views in the Touchdown: the first chapter into world from 35,000ft. becoming an airline pilot complete After years of being on the ground, and a step closer to my dream... looking up skywards, I decided Next summer I aim to have with my parents that I would be completed my PPL, and after starting flying lessons. During my Year 13, start the rest of the flying two month long summer holiday licenses required: I still have a in Greece, I learned how to fly. long way to go! I know how I’ll During this time I flew 20 flights get there and I’m sure I can make registering 23 hours in my logbook my dream a reality with personal in a Cessna 172. I then completed motivation and support from my my FIRST solo flight. very supportive family who are It was a very dusty and windy proud of me. evening and I didn’t think I Alexandros Zabetas 12J1 T only 16 years old, I have for flying and aviation from a would actually get to fly solo and I would have to wait until next Aalready flown solo and I very young age. I remember See my video (Cessna 172 PPL summer. However, to my surprise am halfway through my Private daydreaming in class, gazing into Flight Training in Greece) on my instructor said to me “Now Pilot License. I’m on my way to the skies at the condensation YouTube becoming an airline pilot. Here is trails from aircraft flying over it’s your turn to do it alone!” – I was ready for it. I wasn’t scared. Visit my YouTube channel to my story so far. and wondering how they can fly. For you, flying probably means I had learned all the checklists, follow my progress: youtube.com/ I have always had a passion crowds, queues and delays, but for emergency procedures off by heart. aeroalexGR Khush Patel Golfing Achievement Whitewebbs GC. I went along with informative and talked to me a lot A: I’ve got a feel for what it’s like him to one of the sessions (he wasn’t about what is required to become a to play in a highly competitive very good). My dad asked if the professional golfer. international field and learnt how club offered junior lessons. They to be more independent. Also as I Q: How did you feel winning the did... These lessons took place at the played so badly in the first round, I regional final? weekend in small groups. From there had to learn how to snap out of a bad I built up my golfing skills and that’s A: It was a bit of a surprise to situation and press the restart button. how I got into the game... be honest. The final was during This helped in the end as I played my GCSEs, two days before my fairly well in the second round and Q: Did you meet anyone famous chemistry exam, so there was a finished with two decent rounds in during the competition? lot of pressure. I had to play each the last two days. A: The competition was created by round then rush straight home to EAR 12 student Khush Patel Q: Who is your golfing idol? Sir Nick Faldo. He was there at the get revision done. In the last round closed with a level-par round of Y final for the whole 5 days, he watched I was in contention so I felt more A: At the moment it has to be Rory 71 to win the Faldo Series us prepare and play and offered short confident to win amongst the top McIlroy... For the fact he has won South Championship earlier this year clinics on how to play certain shots players. When I came off the course 2/4 majors this year. Also the way in June. He recently participated in etc… During the second practice I didn’t know that I actually won he composes himself on and off the the Faldo Series Grand Final hosted day I was on the range practicing. until I saw the leader board. I rang course. My idol uses to be Tiger, but my mum straight away. She thought I have lost some respect for him since by Sir Nick Faldo at The Greenbrier, He came over and gave a one to one I was joking and even checked on the he did what he did... I still look up West Virginia, USA in October. session for about 30 minutes or so. internet for the live scores. She was to him as he has a certain charisma It was quite nerve racking at first Q: How did you get into golf? over the moon. when on the scene. because I didn’t want to hit bad shots A: For my dad’s birthday my mum in front of him... But I managed to Q: What have you gained from this Interviewed by bought him a few golf lessons at avoid that. However he was quite experience? Sophia Karydis, 12J

www.ashmoleacademy.org Gifted & Talented @ Ashmole 3

Ian Hislop Visits Philosophy Club

NE of the most enjoyable are interested in and that we may Oaspects of Philosophy Club is not have the time to learn more the sheer range of topics that are about in our other subjects. With covered. We can go from discussing growing numbers attending each the importance of feminism in week, there is never a shortage of our society, to debating about unique ideas, enabling us to view Mr Brown with Ian Hislop the ethical issues surrounding important issues from different the death penalty, to questioning perspectives. N Friday 11th July, Ashmole his views on such topics as politics, whether, as humans, we really do Academy played host to the religion and education. Sabrina Matica-Hickey O have free will. Philosophy Club well-known editor of satirical 13M1 The occasion proved both allows us to discuss topics that we magazine ‘Private Eye’, Ian Hislop. enjoyable and inspiring for students Mr Hislop, also famous for his and staff alike. Student Anthony participation in satirical quiz Constantinou said ‘I loved it! The show, ‘Have I Got News for You’ whole event left me feeling that it along with historical documentary is possible to achieve anything in and film work, was interviewed your career if you work hard and by Assistant Head Teacher, Rob MedSoc enjoy it’. Current Head Girl, Lily Hague. In front of an audience Gandhi, said ‘He was great, funny, HIS year as part of MedSoc, in of Year 12 students and staff he original, a breath of fresh air!’. Tpreparation for my university answered questions on his work at application, I have been taking part ‘Private Eye’ and on TV and gave Mrs Lawrence in weekly debates regarding current topics in the news and learning about the NHS system. As a long member of Year 13, we have started exam to organise these debates, picking consisting topics circulating in the news. of five Successful Applicants Over the last few months we have different sub- been busy finessing our personal sections, with FTER a year of hard work and successfully gaining a place to statements and gaining further the aim of testing your timing skills Anail-biting interviews we are study medicine at Birmingham work experience to get a full insight and intelligence. This is one of two delighted to be sending 3 students University, with a clean sweep of into our chosen area of study exams required by universities who off to study medicine and dentistry. A*s. Brandon Blanche impressed – whether medicine, dentistry offer these courses, whilst the other Shannon Rafique, former Head his interviewers at Bristol or veterinary science. My work BMAT exam was sat by students in Girl, achieved A*A*A which sees University and achieving all As at experience placements not only mid-November. Throughout this her off to study Medicine at Kings A Level is now starting off on his helped me to better understand time we have supported not only College London. Nicola Lewis path to become a dentist. We wish medicine as a career but I also hope each other and are grateful for the had to participate in a series of all the students the best in their I will get an opportunity to discuss advice and help provided by our tough mini interviews which are studies and look forward to hearing it during the interview stage. teachers. now part of the interview process from them about their first term! In summer many of us sat the Sophia Panayi which many universities adopt, UKCAT examination; a two hour Miss Moll 13S1

www.ashmoleacademy.org 4 Gifted & Talented @ Ashmole

Editor of i Newspaper The Vision Senior Visits Ashmole Conference at Imperial Academy College London

N Sunday 21st September technique for the BMAT and N Tuesday 14th 2014, myself and four Year UKCAT entrance examinations. October Oliver Duff, O O 13 students went to Imperial There were also a number of Editor of the i Newspaper, College London to attend the organisations and other medical Britain’s fastest growing Vision Senior Conference. This schools such as UEA, St George’s daily title visited Ashmole was a one day conference for University, Barts and the to speak to aspirational students applying to School of Medicine and Dentistry students in Years 12 & 13. study medicine and it was run by and they hosted stands during Oliver is currently medical students from Imperial lunch. This was an excellent the youngest national College School of Medicine. opportunity for us to ask any newspaper editor in questions we may have about The day included inspirational the country. He was medical admissions, training or lectures, tutorials on medical interviewed by Rob Hague, the medical profession. ethics, entrance exams, personal Assistant Head Teacher statements as well as mock Overall, I really enjoyed the and answered questions interviews with feedback. The conference and feel that it has on his career, interests lectures gave us a flavour of what prepared me for all aspects of the and ambitions. This was a career in medicine is like-from medical school admissions process. followed by questions from your time at medical school, I would 100% recommend students including one through the junior doctor years, anyone who is interested and from Year 12 student Sanika to life as a hospital consultant motivated to study medicine to Raichura who wanted to and wrote in his newspaper the or a GP. One of the lectures was attend this conference when they know “How often do the skills following day about his visit to “the presented by Professor Lord are in Year 13 - it is a once in a learnt in lessons come in handy in excellent Ashmole Academy” and Robert Winston who discussed lifetime opportunity given and I real life?” Aaron Rahman, also from commented that “If the students many different paths you can say take it! Year 12, asked “Should 16-year- I met are in charge in 20 years I take after qualifying as a doctor. olds be allowed to vote?” think we’ll be alright.” Parisah Hussain The tutorials consisted of ethical 13M1 Oliver was clearly impressed Mrs Lawrence scenarios in interviews and exam

Potential Candidates Visit Oxbridge for Advice on Applications

N Thursday 9th October institutions. and Monday 13th O Accompanying Ashmole October, fourteen potential staff were also given the Oxbridge candidates were opportunity to meet with given the opportunity to Dr Andrew Bell, Admissions visit both universities to gain Tutor at Gonville & Caius invaluable advice on their College, Cambridge in order applications. This included to discuss the admissions advice on admissions tests, process with him and interviews and college tours gain some important along with opportunities guidance on supporting our to chat with the admissions Oxbridge candidates in their teams and current students applications. about applying to and studying at these famous Mrs Lawrence

www.ashmoleacademy.org News @ Ashmole 5

Year 7 Music Concert Sticking my neck out for turtles!

went towards the sea by waking up every hour to check they weren’t disorientated. Hatchlings are attracted to the strongest light (the natural light is the moon reflecting on the sea) but as nests are often on tourist beaches, light pollution from beach bars is frequent. If we did see hatchlings, we dug a 12 metre long trench for them EFALONIA, a Greek island, to crawl to the sea. This crawl is where I volunteered this K imprints the exact location of summer with Wildlife Sense, the beach on their brain so they N Thursday 23rd October The interval then followed helping protect endangered know where to return to nest. It I performed in an amazing where we got biscuits, one of my Loggerhead Turtles. O also allows them to stretch their music concert at Ashmole favourite parts! Duties, like ‘beach surveys’, flippers as they’ve been in an egg Academy. The theme was ‘No.1 The 2nd half of the concert started at 5.30am: we looked for for 45 days! hits’ and there were great songs started with Ashmole Advanced a nesting mother or hatchling Free time was spent exploring that all the parents knew. Strings playing an impressive tracks before tourists arrived, and the island, swimming in hidden arrangement of ‘Bohemian made sure protected nests hadn’t The show was opened by the coves, recovering at camp from Rhapsody’. Although I been vandalised. On ‘harbour Ashmole Barbershop Octet and tiring shifts, and spending time was backstage for this part patrol’ in Argostoli, the capital, we I loved watching them from on with like-minded volunteers who of the concert, I could hear monitored the behaviour of adult stage. The first form to perform mostly studied Zoology, like I hope the performances from 7S2 turtles and checked for any fishing was 7N1 who opened with a to do next year. It was a fantastic (Tragedy), 7M1 (Bring it All hooks stuck in their bodies. This strong performance of ‘Wimba experience, even if challenging Back), 7M2 (Just the Way you was scientific research which our Way’. Following this was a lovely at times: cycling hilly terrain for Are) and 7S1 (Fireflies). My form project leaders collected and we performance by 7N2 singing hours to shifts in temperatures over loved hearing the performances. then analysed the data. ‘Waterloo’. 7S1 continued 40 degrees. At the end, we all went on stage with an emotional, eye watering Other duties included ‘excavations’, for the finale where we sang Only one in a thousand hatchlings solo by Isabelle Mettle, followed digging up a nest which had gone ‘Dancing in the Streets’. I think survives and the most magical for by one of my favourite songs, over its 70 day hatching time. the audience loved it! me was helping them to sea. ‘Sail Away’. 7J2 put on an ‘Boxing’ was exciting too: it meant astonishing performance of the Alexander Paphitis spending the night on a beach in Audrey Bourdais-Paull Queen song, ‘Under Pressure’. 7J2 pairs ensuring that the hatchlings 13S1

Safe Drive, Stay Alive

N Friday 24th October, I thought the Safe Drive, Stay Alive event was deep I found Safe Drive, Stay Alive very moving, OYear 13 students attended a and hard hitting. I thought hearing the collision survivor particularly the part where the father of a young girl road safety event in Edmonton speak was particularly emotional, talking about how who had died in a road accident came out and told his aimed at young people who his fiancé and friends left him. Seeing how the event story. I think that the event touched and challenged affected some of my peers was quite moving also. I everyone that attended. may be new drivers or about to think the event was very effective and also educational. learn. It was run in partnership with local authorities, London Ambulance NHS Trust, Even though we had heard some of the information London Fire Brigade, the An invaluable experience I’ll remember for the rest of before in school, the fact that we were given first hand Metropolitan Police and my life. A real eye opener for the responsibility we have accounts by a Police Officer, Paramedic and Fireman had as drivers and prospective drivers to take care when Transport for London. a tremendous impact on us all. We were also talked to driving and the lives we play with every time we step by a man whose child was killed by a driver who lost Ms Moon into the car. The whole event was a real eye opener control and a man who was paralysed as a result of his to the dangers of the road and how we, as future speeding. These accounts were particularly emotional drivers, will be able to reduce these dangers as much and the effect was evident straight away when we got as possible. back on the coach and everyone put their seat belts on.

www.ashmoleacademy.org 6 News @ Ashmole

chance to show their work beyond the classroom. A panel of almost 40 expert judges, from across the Art art world, selected the finalists, whose work will be exhibited at E are very pleased to The Strand Gallery from 23rd Wannounce that the Art November until 6th December. Department Auction raised Winners of the competition will be £873 for the Ashmole Academy announced in December, as well Development Fund. A big thank the Judges’ winner, there will be you to all those parents and friends a ‘People’s Choice’, chosen by an who purchased the works of art. online public vote and an Auction Two paintings by former A-level winner - the artwork that raises Arts student, Mohadesh Moein the most in auction. We would Shirazi have been selected for the appreciate your support in voting final of Upstart Art competition. for Mohadesh by following the link The Upstart competition was https://up-start.co.uk/entries/ launched this year to give sixth school/ashmole-academy. formers in Greater London a Ms Campbell

Year 12 Geography Juniper Hall Trip Stratford Trip

N Thursday 2nd October, having on the community around O46 year 12 geography the area. To collect our field students went on a fieldtrip to data we visited four sites which Stratford, East London. We did included: Site one - the Olympic this as part of our Unit 2 work on Park, Site two - Carpenters Estate, investigating the need, strategies Site three - Meridian Square and and successes of Rebranding. Site four - The Broadway. In each Before venturing out in Stratford, site we drew field sketches, took we designed and created detailed photos and completed the surveys/ UR three day visit to own weather diaries. Not all questionnaires, perception analysis questionnaires to gather evidence Othe scenic wooded of our time was spent in the and environmental quality surveys of rebranding and why it is needed valley in Surrey was not only 18th-century country house, to conduct on the day for our in this urban place. educationally essential, but also we collected data in the nearby fieldwork. The trip was incredibly helpful in refreshingly rural, encroached centre of Guildford and went When we arrived in Stratford allowing us to see and experience within the chalk North Downs. to a rebranded pig farm that we had a walking tour of the the result of the rebranding of We had the opportunity to learn is now Denbies Vineyard, also Olympic Site seeing the Olympic Stratford first hand, which then how to use a large variety of treated ourselves to a visit to the Stadium, Velodrome, Aquatic consequentially gave us the meteorological tools and were local bowling alley on the last Centre and the park as it is now. opportunity to judge the success of even shown a weather station evening! Overall, it was a highly A representative from Newham the rebranding. on the Juniper Hall grounds informative trip. Council gave us a talk about that reports to the UK Met Alicia James-South Zangi Chingole the legacy of the park and the Office, to collect data for our 12S1 12M2 Olympics and the impact it is

www.ashmoleacademy.org PE @ Ashmole 7

Barnet Athletics Rugby Community Day Championships HE current Year 9 Barnet also there supporting the team Tschools Rugby champions were and allowing students to get a real invited to attend the Saracens insight into what it is like to be a HE school athletics team Community Open Day. The police man patrolling the streets of Tcompeted in the annual Barnet owner of the Rugby Saracens, London. Athletics Championship in July. Nigel Wray, has the largest sporting Miss Murphy With many students in the team memorabilia collection in the not only competing but placing in world. Mr Wray allowed the team events last year, the expectations for to receive a guided tour of the medals were high. Steven Madgin stadium where the team had the performed excellently in the Year esteemed privilege of walking 7 boys 800 metres winning the over the official London 2012 gold medal and becoming Barnet warm up track, holding a number Schools Champion. The same of Olympic torches, seeing the accolade went to both Micah signed Rugby ball that Johnny Cox and Daniel Coker-Ojo who Wilkinson kicked to win the 2003 won the Javelin and Long Jump Year 8 Boys 100 m Champion World Cup and even saw the first respectively. Ruhkia Johnston Alex Truscott warming up on original team sheet put together also took third place in her debut the official London 2012 warm by Alex Ferguson in his first match up track. performance in the 100 metres. in charge of Manchester United against Oxford United. After the tour, the team were then allowed Ifeanyi Okechukwu Learning to to watch a live training session of be a member of London’s riot the men’s 1st team. The police were police.

Year 9 Rugby Team in the media area at Allianz Park.

Steven Madgin winning the 800 Micah Cox collecting the Javelin The Year 9 Rugby Team m gold medal. gold medal. watching the Saracens Rugby Team train.

Senior Netball Success!

ONGRATULATIONS to the Senior Netball Team for regaining the CBarnet Senior Netball Cup! The girls were victorious in a very close final against Public School and won the match by 1 goal. 20 netball teams from the borough attended the annual competition held at St James’ Catholic High School so it really was a fantastic achievement. The stand out performance came from Captain Jenny Orriss and the team look forward to further success in the league this year following on from their unbeaten start. Daniel Coker-Ojo collecting his Ruhkia Johnston collecting her 200 m gold medal. bronze medal in 100 m. Miss Murphy

www.ashmoleacademy.org 8 News @ Ashmole

Jack Petchey Award Selling Cookies for Ceremony Charity

At the recent Secondary Transfer Evening a small group of Year 9 and Year 10 GCSE Catering students worked very hard making 700 cookies in 2 1/2 hours and sold them to the prospective parents, making £330 for Pancreatic Cancer U.K.

SPECIAL Jack Petchey Prize money is spent on extra AAward Ceremony was held resources and equipment to help all in North Finchley on 2nd July students at Ashmole. to celebrate the achievements of Any student or teacher at the Barnet prize winners over the year. school may be nominated, and This included 7 of the 9 Ashmole then the School Council will select winners, who proudly attended those they consider most worthy with their parents. for awards. Jack Petchey Award winners are L. Thurley Ananya Churchill 10S2, Katie Burbridge 10J2,Emily Wilson 10J2, Amy nominated by their peers, winning Nugent 9S2, Selin Somez 9S2 Mikaella Mousicos 10N2 and Terence £200 for a variety of achievements. Dobson 9J2

School Direct Dates For Your Diary Autumn Term finishes on Friday 19th December at 1.00 pm Ashmole Academy, in partnership with Spring Term starts on Monday 5th January at 8.40 am Copthall School run a very successful Week 2 School Direct Teacher Training Scheme. We offer both School Direct Salaried Spring 2014 and School Direct Tuition Fee places. First Half Term Monday 5th January – Friday 13th February Our HE partner is the Institute of Half Term Monday 16th February to Friday 20th February Education, University of London. Second Half Term Monday 23rd February – Friday 27th March Staff Training Day Monday 23rd February For 2015/16 we will be offering places A s h m o l e in the following subject areas: Summer 2014 A c a d e m y First Half Term Monday 13th April – Friday 22nd May Mathematics, English, Religious Education, Physics, Chemistry and May Day Monday 4th May Biology. Half Term Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May Cecil Road, Southgate, London N14 5RJ Second Half Term Monday 1st June – Monday 20th July Tel: 020 8361 2703 Fax: 020 8368 0315 If you are a parent who is interested (Last day for students – Thursday 16th July) E-mail: [email protected] in becoming a teacher or have family/ Staff Training Days Friday 3rd July (Provisional) Website: www.ashmoleacademy.org friends who are interested in teacher Friday 17th July, Monday 20th July training, please contact Ms Foye, HR Manager, at kfo@ashmoleacademy. Other Dates For Your Diary org or telephone 020 8361 2703 22nd January Year 7 Parents Evening x2206 for an informal discussion. 5th February Year 11 Parents Evening 12th February Year 8 Parents Evening 5th March Year 9 Parents Evening Scan the code with your 12th March Year 12 Parents Evening smartphone 26th March Year 10 Parents Evening to take you 21st April Year 8 Options Information Evening straight to the school website. 23rd April Year 8 Options Guidance Interviews

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