NEWSLINES

More Records GCSE, A Level and IB

The GCSE and A Level results were once again well beyond even our high expectations. Mrs Brook and her Year 11 team were instrumental in producing the best results at GCSE the School has ever experienced.

91% of our students achieved 5A* - C and 78% including English and Mathematics. This is way beyond the national and Dorset averages and placed the school once again near the very top of the league tables.

These simple statistics hide a remarkable level of progress for our students in what is called CVA (Contextual Value Added). Put simply this is an indicator of the progress made by our students in terms of their levels of ability and other indicators. By this measure over 90% of our students made the expected progress of 3 levels in English and Mathematics. This is a remarkable achievement and reflects the over- all results in these two departments and the exceptional quality of teaching.

At the same time this must not detract from superb results in Design, History and Geography, Modern Lan- guages, Science, Dance – the list goes on and on. If a school intends to achieve the level of achievement we always aspire towards it is vital that all departments perform well.

Of course our statistics become even more impressive when one considers the number of students we en- ter for GCSE examinations (465) and that on average our students undertake 12.9 GCSE’s, three more than the average across Dorset. This is accomplished without any reduction in the levels of achievement, with A* and A grades well above all averages.

The School entered 405 students for A Level examinations and once again the results were exceptional. Statistics in this aspect of our work are even more complicated but the average point score of 847.7 is our best ever and a wonderful result far above that of other schools both locally and nationally, independent and state funded. Once again the CVA was exceptionally high and the independent measure used to judge achievement describes the results as ‘consistently outstanding’.

The level of A-C grades (83%) with the top A grades of 33% (6% above 2008) is a stunning and well- deserved result. Once again English and Mathematics lead the way with 33 and 75 A grades respectively. Once again this should not detract from the remarkable consistency of achievement across all subjects.

The same applies to the Internal Baccalaureate were students all passed this prestigious qualification and progressed to some of the top universities.

Every year the School is in the privileged position of being able to report wonderful results for nearly all stu- dents. This is obviously linked to hard work, commitment, continuity and staff believing in their students. No school can continue on a constantly upward trajectory but that must be our goal – to achieve the very best for all!

Printed copies of Newslines are available on request. Copies will be available in School from

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Year 9 Firstly I would like to comment on how well and quickly the Year 9 students have settled in their new school. The Year group has an upbeat ‘feel’ and staff feedback has been very positive to date.

We have given information about opportunities outside the classroom and are en- couraging all students to try and take part in at least one new club or activity. The English trip to Woman in Black was ‘sold out’ within days and further trips and ex- change opportunities have been offered in History and Modern Foreign Languages.

The Year Council has been established with one student representative elected from each of the twenty tutor groups. From this body, students went through an involved process to be selected, by the students, to represent Year 9 on the School’s ‘Student Voice’. Our nominated students are Lucy Beer, Matt Williams, Ed Uden, Robin Hollis and Jasmine Cottrell.

The Year Council have initiated a shoe box collection of educational materials to be sent to Afghanistan. This has been well supported by the tutor groups and the boxes are now in transit.

Lunchtime ‘Sport for All’ is underway with an inter-tutor group Basketball competi- tion. Hockey, Rugby and Football fixtures have also commenced (results can be viewed in the Sports section).

I would also like to remind you of some important notes for your diary. The first student Reviews will be commencing shortly and will be ready for collection from your son/daughter’s Tutor at the Tutor Consultation Evening on Tuesday 24th November.

The Year 9 Team

Year 10 We would like to thank the students for the excellent start they have made to the year.

Student’s Reviews are currently being written and will provide an informative view of your child’s progress so far this year. You will be able to discuss this at the Tutor Consultation Evening on 24th November and I would encourage all parents to attend. The Year Team will also be available should you wish to discuss any issues further. As I’m sure you are aware, Maths no longer has coursework so it is more important than ever that students take advantage of Maths Club. It takes place every day after school with the exception of Tuesdays. There is no bet- ter preparation for exams and with a GCSE mod- ule in March, it would be great to see your son or daughter there.

The Year 10 Team

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Year 11 This term Year 11s have started to contemplate life after GCSEs by both focussing on their futures as young adults by attending the Sixth Form Convention. They were able to discuss courses and opportunities and used the Connexions service to investigate ca- reer pathways. With exams looming it has been good to see the increased intensity and urgency in their studies that many students are showing. It has been noticeable that many students have adopted a more mature and systematic approach to school life.

In terms of the home-school link, as a Year Team we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those parents who attended the recent Tutor Consultation Evening; dia- logue between tutors and parents is extremely important and we value the support im- mensely. It has also been good to see the increased levels of attendance at after-school clubs as students aim to improve coursework or simply learn new skills. If your son/ daughter needs help with their studies they must seek help—teachers are ready and will- ing to help at clubs after school.

Outside of the academic realm, nine Year 11 students will soon be taking part in the Somerset and Dorset Schools Overseas Expedition—students will either be going to Nepal or South Africa and we look forward to their reports on this fantastic experience.

On the sports field the Year 11 Rugby Team have had considerable success which reached its pinnacle with an epic win over the formidable Canford School. Years 11s have also been busy planning and thinking about the End of Year 11 Prom and the Year Book. Both of these projects are well under way.

Of more immediate importance is the forthcoming Maths Exam on 13th November. All students must bring a calculator.

The Year 11 Team

Sixth Form The new Year 12 have settled in well and have made an excellent start to their Sixth Form Studies. The Sixth Form Union organised a very successful BBQ at the start of term that helped new students settle in and make new friends.

The Year 13 have been organising their applications for Higher Education and already 60 forms have been sent to UCAS. Students considering training and employment for Year 13 have had interviews and are now seen by the Connexions Service for further advice.

The Sixth Form Convention on October 8th was extremely successful and all visitors seemed to enjoy and value the events to help them make decisions about next year. It was exceptionally well attended.

Important events in the near future:

• Wednesday 4th November – Year 13 Tutor Consultation Evening

• Friday 20th November to Sunday 22nd November – Sixth Form Trip to Paris

• Wednesday 25th November – Year 12 Tutor Consultation Evening (please note this is a change of date from the School Calendar)

• Monday 14th December – Year 12 and 13 Practice Exams begin this week

• Friday 18th December – Sixth Form Trip to Oxford

The Sixth Form Team

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Fashion Show in Time for Christmas A group of students in Years 12 and 13 are busy organising a fashion extrava- ganza to help raise funds for their expedition to Kenya next summer. In asso- ciation with Travelling Trends, an evening of entertainment and an excellent range of high street clothes will be on offer at approximately 50% of its original in-store price. Most garments available will be between £8-£18—great value as we ap- proach the Christmas season. The show is for women from 14 years upwards with most sizes catered for. It will be held in the School Theatre on Wednesday 9th December— doors open at 7pm with the Fashion Show starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £3.50 and “…the team have are available from the School Reception and Dorchester Tourist Information Centre. raised over Proceeds will go towards the expedition with 5% being donated to the team's chosen charity. There will be a raffle featuring a wide variety of prizes as well as refreshments £70,000 with a before and after the show. further £58,000 The team will be travelling to Southern Kenya next July for four weeks where they will to raise by May spend time completing challenging wildlife, marine and community projects. Part of 2010.” their community project will be to spend time improving educational facilities at Muhaka and Sasenyi Primary Schools by building new and renovating existing classrooms as well as building accommodation and toilet blocks for both children and teachers. Over the past year, the team have raised over £70,000 with a further £58,000 to raise by May 2010. A variety of fundraising events are planned over the next term including quiz eve- nings, sponsored sporting events and bag-packing in local supermarkets.

If you love themed evenings out, Bryony McGarry and Madi Blitz have organised an 80's Evening on Saturday 21st November at Bryanston Club, Blandford. It will be a great eve- ning of fancy dress, a live 80's band and disco. A buffet, bar and raffle will be available. Tickets will be available shortly for £8. Details of where to purchase the tickets will be advertised locally.

Image features the team with Mrs Swaine (expedition leader), Mrs Howes and Mr Nicholls.

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Music News Although we are only just coming to the end of the first half term of the academic year, already a great deal has been going on in the Music Department. We began the term by welcoming in the new influx of Year 9s and Year 12s. This year, fortunately for us, they seem to be a very musical bunch, and lots of them have signed up for the various choirs, bands, and other ensembles that we offer.

The musical year began with a visit from ‘Swing Unlimited’, a Christchurch-based Big Band whose trombonist (Richard Curren) happens also to be a member of staff at the School. They were joined by our own Concert Band and Big Band to create a ‘Big Band’ extravaganza. The evening was structured into an open rehearsal, followed by a concert. Both “I was taken by watched by friends and family. They were thoroughly enjoyable to watch, with the highlight being ‘Tequila!’. surprise as a Barbershop The next big event was our annual visit to St Mary’s Church in Stratton. Here, students were able to per- Quartet form solos and small ensembles in a comfortable at- serenaded me... mosphere, supported by parents, friends, family, and members of the St Mary’s Parish. Notable perform- and covered my ances included Steve Reich’s Clapping Music by the face with shaving Year 13 A Level students, a flute duet from two Year 10 students – Abi Fiddik and Sarah Lewis, and a cross- foam!” year choral performance of Never Weather Beaten Sail by Thomas Campion.

On Friday 2nd October we hosted the Light Cavalry Band for our first THS Band Day. They arrived early, and we spent all morning as well as some of the afternoon rehearsing. Con- ducted by Captain Tony Adams, the Lt Cav Band, joined by our own Concert Band and Big Band, rehearsed pieces as diverse as Bach’s Prelude in D Minor, Phantom of the Opera, and Shrek’s Party. The afternoon saw a perform- ance of these pieces, and others, to an audi- ence of assorted students: including Music Stu- dents and CCF Cadets. I was taken by surprise as a Barbershop Quartet serenaded me half way through the performance – and covered my face with shaving foam! They removed this, verse by verse, with ever-increasing sizes of (plastic) cut-throat razors – terrifying! The afternoon finished with a performance from the Army Rock Band, and the audience took to their feet to enjoy a bit of dancing.

Our final event of the term – The Autumn Gala Concert, (22nd October, 7.30pm, Theatre) featured all the ensembles that have rehearsed so hard over the last few weeks. This will also be the first opportunity to hear the new Year 9s and Year 12s that I mentioned ear- lier.

Some upcoming dates for your diaries!

Choral Evensong at Bath Abbey, Wednesday, 4th November, 4pm. Vivaldi Gloria with Imperial College, Saturday 14th November, St Mary’s Church, Dorchester. Dorset County Orchestra & Castlefield Singers, Saturday 21st November, St Mary’s Church, Dorchester. Hardye’s Hop, Thursday 26th November, 7.30pm, Theatre. DASP Christmas Concert, Monday 7th December, Theatre Carol Service, Thursday 17th December, 7pm, St Peter’s Church, Dorchester

For more information, please e-mail [email protected].

Mr J Baker, Director of Music

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English News This autumn, it is an extremely exciting, dynamic term for the English Department and students alike. We received incredible news in September as two Year 10 students were winners of ‘The Guardian Young Critics’ competition. Oliver Bellamy and Chloe Jefferies, both in 10RB, were two of the ten overall winners. Oliver and Chloe wrote critical re- views of one the novels from the long list of nominees for ‘The Guardian’ Prize for Chil- dren’s Fiction. Each student won a £25 book voucher and a set of books from the long list for the school library, valued at over £150. They also attended a ceremony in Lon- don on 8th October where the winner of ‘The Guardian’ Prize for Children's Fiction was announced as Mal Peet for his novel, ‘Exposure’, which explores the world of soccer and pop-celebrity culture and the lives of three young people caught in its glare.

There are a plethora of educational trips going ahead this term. On 20th October, Year 9 students went to London to see the spine-tingling ‘Woman in Black’ and experience a truly Gothic ghost story. Year 12 students visited the Imperial War Museum, London, to learn more about life during World War 1 as part of their exploration of the lives of the soldier poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Students enjoyed a gallery tour where they examined artwork of the war, experienced the trench warfare exhibition and learnt more about the Gulf War as part of their research for the play, ‘How Many Miles to Basra’ by Colin Teevan.

Future trips include a Year 10 and 11 theatre trip to see a dramatisation of ‘The Signal- man’, a short story penned by Charles Dickens. Students in Years 12 and 13 will also have the opportunity to enjoy a performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ and there is also the chance for all year groups to travel to London to see the National Theatre’s production of ‘War Horse’, a play set during the First World War. The actors use life-size puppetry to tell a historical tale of bravery, loyalty, and reveal the extraordinary bond be- tween a young military recruit and his horse.

We are also welcoming speakers from the literary world to share their experiences of working as professional writers. On 12th November, novelist and social commentator, Will Self, will come to School to talk to the Sixth Form about his life as a writer and his novel ‘Dorian’, a re-interpretation of the Gothic horror novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, by Oscar Wilde. A week later, performance poet, Patience Agbabi, will present some of her poetry to a selection of Year 9, 12 and 13 students. She will also be running a work- shop with Year 13 students who are exploring her poems as part of the A Level English Literature course. “…a ‘virtual Year 9 students have been invited to contribute to the ‘weRead’ initiative, presented via bookshelf’ which the weread.com website, a ‘virtual bookshelf’ which encourages young people to read encourages young and share their thoughts and ideas on all different kinds of books from ‘Wuthering Heights’ to ‘Twilight’. Having been supplied with a selection of modern novels, the stu- people to read dents are encouraged to read them and write online reviews of the books. There may and share their also be an opportunity to travel to London to meet some of the writers of the chosen novels. thoughts...”

Check out THS Direct to see if you’re one of the Year 9 students who is a prize-winner as a result of the Resources Centre Induction Quiz. Every student in the Year Group com- pleted an informative tour of the Resources Centre before being given the chance to complete the quiz. Congratulations to those who won – your names are on the School Intranet!

Finally, it was great to meet and speak to so many students and parents at the Sixth Form Convention Evening. It was an opportunity to discuss the course content for A Lev- els in English Language, English Literature and Media Studies, as well as find out more about the International Baccalaureate qualification. If Year 11 students or their parents have any further questions or queries about these courses, please do not hesitate to contact the English Department.

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Monkeying Around Years 12 and 13 Early Childhood Education pupils spent the day at Monkey World during Induction this term. Observation is a core skill when working professionally with young people and so the purpose of our visit, to this excellent local resource, was to practise the technique on some unsuspecting primates! In preparation the class researched the key aspects of development and then opted to focus on the social skills exhibited by monkeys. They produced check-lists of social behaviour for 1-4 year old children and then considered the methodological and ethical constraints on observing humans.

The day of our visit was suitably clement and the journey on the school mini-bus pro- vided an excellent opportunity to get to know colleagues and also to see the risk “…then released assessment process for outings at first hand. On arrival the groups were briefed into the wilds of on the tasks and then released into the wilds of Wareham. Three staff mem- bers were also on safari and used video cameras to capture the antics of Wareham.” primates and pupils alike. One group had a very close encounter with an orang-utan suffering from separation anxiety when his keeper left; a long hairy hand poked through the railings aiming, unsuccessfully, for a student workbag. Another group witnessed parent/infant interaction between gorillas as they played gently together. Staff were very privileged to hear a keeper discussing how a chimpanzee mother had rejected her baby who had then been accepted into another social group. The male group of spider monkeys were a further delight and displayed a distinct hierarchy, cou- pled with some distinct human-like behaviour patterns.

The following day we debriefed our childcare students and received very positive feedback on the learning experience. They were also quick to link the observed behaviours to theories of development – par- ticularly socialisation. We finished with clear associative learning be- tween video clips of the day and theorists interpretations of similar behav- iours. Bowlby and Bandura were two theorists who really seemed to illustrate the interac- tions clearly.

Dr O’Donnell CACHE team tutor

Three teachers from The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, were presented with their Master of Arts degrees from Plymouth University at the graduation ceremony on Plymouth Hoe on Saturday 19th September. From left to right are Hilary Haliburton MA, Josie Howard MA and Joan Tetley MA. www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

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Girls PE (Ladies First!!) Girls extra cur- won against Wey Valley 15-4 which put ricular main fo- them through to the semi-finals where they cus this term for faced Budmouth. They played extremely girls is on Netball well and lost out in the last second of the and Hockey. game. The team consisted of Harriet Hockey club has Hitchcock, Harriet Cumber, Rebecca Wood, been really well Shannon Fry, Ellen Ball, Kessiah Element, attended, so Megan Shore (c), Heti Burn and Jessica much so that we had to move the junior Northcote. hockey to another night to accommodate the numbers. Netball has also proved to A full match report for both be very popular this term and it has been Netball and Hockey will be nice to see a large uptake in Year 9. published in the next edition of Newslines. The U16 girls netball took part in the South and West Dorset area netball tournament. Louisa Dean The team’s first match was against Head of Girls PE Beaminster where they lost 8-11, but they PE News

Fantastic take-up for extra-curricular from Years 9-13. Pupils are taking advantage of the vast opportunities available. I would like to thank the pupils for their enthusiasm and the PE staff for their dedication.

Rugby Boys’ Results 1st XV v Yeovil trial game v Milton Abbey DMC 15-12 won v QE Wimborne 27-10 lost v Gryphon DM Cup 51-22 lost U16 v Poole Grammar 45-5 won v Canford (County Cup) 17-7 won v Milton Abbey (County Cup) 51-0 won U15 v Poole Grammar 10-5 (DMC) v Poole High School 47-7 (DMC) U14) v Poole Grammar School 10-10 v Woodroffe 51-7

U15 County Triallists – Harry Smith, Will Holmes, Callum King, Chris Lawton, Hugh Vivian.

Football U19 v Shaftesbury won 4-2 v Millfield (National Cup) lost 1-3

County Triallists – Connor Flood, Neil Kellaway.

U16 v Winton (Andover) friendly won 2-1 v Winton won 2-1

County Triallist – Martin Weston.

U15 v St Edwards won 5-0 v Highcliffe won 4-2

U14 v Shaftesbury won 8-4

U14 National Cup Football Round 1 – Bye Round 2 – The Grange School w/o www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk

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Congratulations to Emily White – she has been selected for the LOCOG’s sailing photo shoot to mark 1,000 days until 2012 Olympics.

U14 Football Trials – Ross Bowditch, Brandon Heal, Sam Fudge, Adam Wash, Jonathan Rapson, Milo Shackleford, Taylor Quinton. ...hopes to be back to Sixth Form Basketball is proving to be a great success with Alex Fuhrman coaching the face Arsenal team on Tuesday evening. This is the first time the School has been involved in the U18 Dorset Basketball league. The School team is being kindly sponsored by Doug Olley, Albany Interiors Ltd.

Update on a former student Amber Guy-Kemp (who was in Year 11 last year). Amber is currently at Chelsea Football Club. Unfortunately she has injured her ankle at present but hopes to be back to face Arsenal in February.

Max Buckler and Tom Lawday have both been invited up for a Rugby trial at Bath Academy during half-term—well done and good luck!

Dorset and Wilts U18 Rugby—Nick Emtage been selected.

Mr Hughes

Outdoor Education

Cross Country Well done to the teams that attended the Colfox fixture. We were proud to see many of our runners within the top 15 with Dan Peart notably coming 2nd in the Inter boys event. The next fixture is on November 18th at Budmouth.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Year 13 Following on from several months of training, the Year 13 have set off for 3 days and 2 nights of trekking on Dartmoor as part of the practice section of the Gold Award. Successful students will then be attending the 4 day assessment in the spring term.

Year 12 The Year 12 group are shortly to be selected and those students will be taken for an initial training weekend on Dartmoor in January.

Climbing Club Sixth Form attend after School on Monday and the lower School on a Thursday night.

Kayak and Water Polo These clubs have all started well at lunchtimes on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

See Mr Bendall for details.

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THE THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL

Shop and Raise School Funds! If you buy online there When you visit the website is now an easy way to for the first time, go to the Queen’s Avenue earn vital school funds. home page and type in ‘The Dorchester By visiting eduPay- Thomas Hardye School’ in the school Dorset ment.co.uk and locat- search box. The School name and ad- DT1 2ET ing a participating re- dress will then appear as a link below, Phone: 01305 266064 tailer, our school will which you should click on. From then on Fax: 01305 250510 earn commission from the website will recognise that commis- E-mail: admin@thomas- hardye.dorset.sch.uk your purchases. Lead- sion on your purchases is to be credited ing online brands are to the School. IMPORTANT DATES participating in the service including HMV, Amazon.co.uk and New Look. You If you would like to November pay no more – there are even special speak to someone at 2nd STAFF & STUDENTS offers to help you pay less. School about this, RETURN TO SCHOOL please contact Mr 3rd Whizz Bang Science Please visit www.edupayment.co.uk for Trowbridge, Finance & more information. Personnel Manager, on 4th Choral Evensong 4pm (01305) 756802 – (Bath Abbey) atrowbridge@thomas- Y13 Tutor Cons. Eve. hardye.dorset.sch.uk 5th 6th Form Exchange to France Y11 Careers Day Do you live at Bradford Peverell? - important information German students at about School Transport THS until 12th Snr Maths Challenge The route between Bradford Peverell following the Roman Road to the edge of the 6th Y11 Careers Day housing estate at Old Poundbury has been declared unsafe for an accompanied Café Scientifique child to walk following a transport appeal to the Children’s and Adult Services Appeals Committee. 7.30 pm Arts Centre 7th CCF Range Day Anyone who thinks that they may now be entitled to school transport following this 11th Remembrance Service decision should contact The School Admissions Team on 01305 228509. 12th Will Self visit 13th Y11 Maths Module 14th Vivaldi Gloria with Election of Parent Governor Imperial College, St Mary’s Following the recent notice about the Parent Governor 16th Community Lecture Election, we are pleased to announce that the new 17th Patience Agbabi-poetry Parent Governor is Karen Weir—mother of two students in the School (one in Year 9 and one in Year 12). 18th English trip to Stratford Perf.Arts trip to Woking 7th DASP Christmas Concert 17th Carol Service, 19th Y10 Careers Day 8th St Osmund’s Music visit St Peter’s Church Dance Show 7.30 pm 9th Y10 Textiles Clothes 18th 6th Form Oxford trip 20th Y10 Careers Day Show trip Y9 & 10 Talent 6th F. trip to Paris 10th Y11 GCSE Dance Competition, Theatre A lev. Soloists—U3A Choreography 6pm, PA2 Christmas Friday Live 24th Y9 & 10 Tutor Cons.Eve 11th Y9 Operation Blitz (lunchtime) Y13 Law Case Studies 12/13 CCF Ten Tors Xmas TERM ENDS 25th Y12 Tutor Cons. Eve. weekend 26th Hardye’s Hop, 7.30 pm 14th Y11 to 12 Taster Day 6th Form Trip to Good 6th Form Practice Exams January 2010 Food Show begin 4th TERM BEGINS 27th Y12 Art trip,Twin Tates Community Lecture, 7 pm 6th Form external Y12 IB “ Brit Museum 16th Post A level Certificate exams begin 28th CCF Exercise weekend Presentation Evening December 2nd Music for Christmas If you would like further information on any article in this issue of Newslines, Cracker, 5pm please contact the member of staff concerned. 4th/5th Y12 Geog. Fieldwork www.thomas-hardye.dorset.sch.uk