Denmark Road News Issue 2: December 2018
Dear Parents/Carers This is the final newsletter of this calendar year and our last newsletter as High School for Girls as from the New Year we will officially be known as Denmark Road High School. The vision of discover, realise, honour and shape will come to life in the work that we will do together. This school is like being in another world. It is amazing. At times, we have to pinch ourselves to check that what we are experiencing is actually real. Just this week students entertained us with their house drama performances and delighted us with Victorian market stalls during the lunch break. On this day alone students raised £1600 for charity and a further £400 to support the school and its development of drama. Today the performances in our Christmas carol service in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Action was truly stunning. The students performed a song written by Mike Haynes, former Head of Music at our school, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease earlier this year. It was an honour to have him and his family with us for the service. The collection raised £758 for the charity. In our final assembly, we presented a cheque to GDASS (Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service) of £2,650 raised during our Charity Concert held earlier in December.
This school is the gift that keeps on giving. We give of our minds through our actions and most importantly, we give sincerely from our hearts. Merry Christmas
Claire Giblin Headteacher
Page 1 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Victorian Day & ‘A Christmas Carol’ – INVEST Day – House Drama
All students were off-timetable for the day and took part in a variety of activities themed around ‘A Very Victorian Christmas’. The day was non-school uniform with the recommendation that students and staff wore Victorian style dress. The money raised from non-uniform went to the Make a Wish organisation - https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/ House Drama which was been expertly produced by Year 13 House Drama Captains. This was a 5-Act production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with each Act performed by a different House to the whole school. Additionally, some students performed monologues and duologues which were performed at the start of the day. An external adjudicator judged both of these. Students in Years 7-11 had two short Victorian-style lessons in the morning on topics such as Latin and poetry. These were organised and led by Year 12 students. There was a wonderful Christmas market at lunchtime. Students from Year 7 - 11 tutor groups ran stalls selling food, popcorn, candyfloss, drink, gifts or running games. Profits went to the make a wish organisation. A very successful production of A Christmas Carol, as well as the winning monologues and duologues, was performed in the evening to parents/ carers. A full write-up of the winners will be in the next newsletter.
Page 2 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 House Art Competition
Well done and thank you to everyone who entered House Art 2018. We were very impressed by your range of different approaches to convey your ideas of the theme ‘Colour’; ranging from digital art, collage, painting, textiles, sculpture and pencil. We were spoiled for choice with 50+ entries and it was lovely to see them all on display in the hall. Everyone who entered has received points for their houses for their great artwork and for supporting their house. Well done to all of the Year Group Winners and … Congratulations to the overall winner Niamh Beard in Kyneburga house! Organised by Amy Fitzgibbon, Emily Middleton and Lucy Brittain in Year 12. Highly commended for their creativity and effort: Maisie Willmore 7M
Sarah George 7K Esme Grange 7M Winners! Top: Overall Mia Wilson 7M winner Niamh Charlotte Boast 7Be Beard, Year 7 - Faith Benson 7K Kyneburga. Sophie Dumbleton 7Be Above left: Year 7 Sophie Green 8K Winner, Martha Green - Julia Kriznic 8M Hartland. Above Catherine Barritt 10M right: Year 8 Iman Haq 10Ba Winner, Rosie Well done everyone! Wood – Barwell. Right: Year 9 Winner, Maryam Hussain - Barwell. Planets: Year 10 Winner, Amelia Clarke – Mynd. Eye: Year 11 Winners, Hafsah Amer and Anamaria Pana. Kyneburga
Page 3 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Sri Lanka Netball Tour update Boys Rugby
The inaugural overseas tour for Denmark Road is fast The boys have had a good season so far approaching. Some girls have been very busy fundraising. in rugby. The total so far is 2 wins and 3 We hosted a very successful 'Pizza and DVD' evening for Year losses. 7 and Year 8 where 'The Greatest Showman' was sung at full Since Denmark Road started playing volume! Recently many girls gave up their Saturday morning rugby this is the best record for the boys to do 'bag packing' at Marks and Spencer in Cheltenham. In ever. Victory against Pates started our total well over £1000 has been raised. Some of this will be season off well. There has been going towards a charity we are visiting when we are out exceptional play from Jimmy Speller, there. The Foundation of Goodness was set up after the Obed Tayo and Ollie Bailey this term. Tsunami struck the island. It provides healthcare, They have not only played well accommodation and education for those who were and still individually, but really helped pull the are affected. team together and coach them on the There are also many girls doing individual fundraising such as field. attending local fairs selling homemade cakes and goods. We are now heading towards basketball If you would consider sponsoring the team kit please feel free and football season, with our first fixture to contact [email protected] against Ribston. Many thanks. Mrs King Good Luck boys! Mrs King
Biathlon – Isobel Watt, Year 7 Isobel, 7BE recently participated in a series of Biathlon events culminating in being selected for, and competing in, the British Modern Biathlon Championships on 24th November 2018. The Championship was held at the John Charles Sports Centre in Leeds. When you register for these events you have to state your school and so Isobel would have been shown as representing HSFG. Here are Isobel’s results, summarised below: Event Date Position Swim (50m) Run (800m) Total Type of Event Points Cirencester 29/09/18 2 Time: 38.97 Time: 3.00.03 2036 Regional/Qualifier Points: 1036 Points: 1000 Abingdon 14/10/18 11 Time: 38.31 Time: 3.03.23 2006 Regional/Qualifier Points: 1054 Points: 952 Leeds 24/11/18 40 Time: 37.99 Time: 2.56.46 2120 National/Championships Points: 1066 Points: 1054
Isobel intends to compete again next year in the U13s which will see an increase in distances to: 100m swim/ 1600m run. More information about these events can be found here: https://www.pentathlongb.org/events/ modern-biathlon-series/season “I went to Leeds to compete in a national modern biathlon. I competed at the John Charles sports centre. I ran 800m and swam 50m. The run was on a track and the swim was in a 50m pool. It was a brilliant experience and I would definitely do it again.” Isobel
Page 4 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Quadcopter Final
Here are some of the photographs from the final in Birmingham in December. The write-up will be in next term’s newsletter.
Well done girls! 2018 has seen a significant rise in students signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with 92 at Bronze, 40 at Silver and 8 at Gold level. This is fantastic to say the least and I am proud to see so many students going on to complete their award and also progress to the next level. So far there are nearly 40 who have actually completed their Bronze award this year – well done! A new initiative asking for expedition support from parents/carers has been very well received and there are nearly 20 who have stepped forward to volunteer – thank you. Last but not least – a big THANK YOU to all support staff, teaching staff and SLT for their U13 hockey team finished runners-up in their Tier 2 County input into helping the DofE run at school tournament. They now progress to regional finals at – without this it would not happen. Millfield School in March. Thank you, Mr S Rhodes, DofE Manager
Page 5 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Nettlecombe Biology and Geography Field Trip – October 2018
Introduction but now that I've used the theory in practice, I The residential field trip for A Level Biology and appreciate the branch of Biology and have gained a Geography is now an annual feature on the school lot of confidence in myself when doing field work. calendar. This year saw a change of venue to Nettle- Lydia McGregor-Bravo combe Court in Somerset, which was closer and Whilst at Nettlecombe we did many different more convenient than our previous destination of experiments, including line transects and kick Devon. Whilst at the centre, students gained sampling in the stream, all of which developed my practical experience of various aspects of their technical skills. We also did experiments that courses that they would otherwise just have to weren’t to do with PAGs. I enjoyed this very much study using textbooks. The Biology students as it involved catching field mice. The four days worked very hard, and studied a wide range of spent there allowed me to gain further knowledge topics including ecological sampling techniques, which I can take into my higher education. The statistical analysis, conservation, classification and landscape in which we stayed was beautiful, completed two of their required practical activities. however there was limited signal and very weak Wi- A highlight for many students was the opportunity Fi!! Anya Teague to plan then carry out their own investigation into During our trip to Nettlecombe, we went to both an area of ecology that interested them. The Porlock Bay and Watchet. In Porlock Bay we learnt Geography students had time to learn a variety of how to carry out data investigations, such as beach skills such as beach profiling, coastal management profiling and the importance of sampling methods. including cost benefit analysis and rural re-branding In Watchet we carried out observations as well as to name a few. Students were then given time to having the opportunity to speak to locals about collect their own primary data for independent perception and identity. This was hugely beneficial investigation and start the write -up. for my NEA, and enjoyed it greatly as I gained a lot The centre had worked hard to tailor the activities of knowledge from community members. I also to suit students from the High School, especially for really enjoyed exploring the town. I most enjoyed those students who studied both Biology and staying at the Field Studies Centre, especially the Geography A Levels. There were many highlights to amazing cakes! I learn how to carry out surveys and the trip, which we are sure the students will other methods of collecting data effectively so that I remember for a long time. could generate data towards my NEA. Meg Hill However, we think that it is only fair for the Joint Biology and Geography students to give their account of the trip too. You During the time at Nettlecombe, we spent half can read the views of students in the articles that collecting and reviewing data for geography follow. Mrs Slatter and Mr Scott, Trip Leaders coursework at Porlock Bay and we learnt valuable
Biology techniques for our investigation, and the other half Throughout the four days, we carried out a range of carrying out PAG’s for biology. The most enjoyable practical activities such as line transects up a hill, part of the trip was when we walked to a local kick sampling in a stream and quadrats measuring stream and caught organisms with a net and moorland succession in the Quantock hills. On the calculated the abundance of them, discovering last day, we were able to plan our own investigation many new species we’d never seen before. We also and carry it out correctly - using the skills we had learnt many new sampling techniques from our learnt in the days before. In all honesty, I found the tutor Verity, who helped us through these busy last day useful in not only consolidating my skills days. We had a small group to work in which meant but also discovering that planning and carrying out we all got to know each other really well and could experiments weren't too bad. My opinion on this bond with new people. topic has also changed – when we were learning it, I Katy Hill & Issy Kwong didn't Page massively 6 of 25 - understand Denmark Road Highit and School I didn't Newsletter like – Weit, Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Year 7 Art Textiles – Artist Studies
Year 8 netballers after a coaching session with Severn Stars player Ella Powell-Davies
Page 7 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Year 8 Antarctica Flag Competition
Year 8 Geographers have had the chance of taking part in the Antarctica Day Flags Competition 2018/2019.
Senior Team Maths Challenge at Wycliffe College
On the 21st of November, we were part of a team of four students competing in the Senior Team Maths Challenge at Wycliffe College. Of the seventeen groups there, we felt a little intimidated but at least we knew what was coming - thanks to our practice sessions each Wednesday. The first went very well (with only one of the ten questions being incorrect), but the second was by far our strongest and we dropped just one mark. We were amazed to hear we were in the top five groups at the interval and this certainly spurred us on into the third and final round. Everything seemed to be going well until the last half of the last round, where a chain of mistakes resulted in a huge loss of potential points, just as the competition ended. At the end, we thought we must have lost our high position with the disastrous end to the third round and it got worse when the 17th position card was placed on our table. To say the least, we were shocked – things had been going so well! Third place was announced and then we heard ‘High School for Girls’ in second place! We checked the card again and found it was for a different school. We were second in the whole of Gloucestershire and we are looking forward to returning next year to defend our
reputation.Page 8 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Emily Middleton and Kimberley Richings (Year 12) Final Piece from Year 9 Art - Birds
Charity Concert – 4 December – In aid of GDASS
Congratulations to all those students who performed at the recent Charity Concert in aid of GDASS in Gloucester Cathedral. It was a wonderful evening with a real mix of music from Silent Night by our Flute choir to The Magic Flute Overture by Mozart performed by the orchestra to several Christmas favourites by the Year 7 choir. Thank you to our wonderful Music Department who give up so much of their time for these amazing events. We will let you know in the next newsletter how much the concert raised for GDASS.
Page 9 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 LRC News The LRC is looking festive, with the tree and magazines, the first of which was published windows decorated by our students, the Winter in 1920, covering 1919-1920. It records the Bookmark competition is underway and we are retirement in 1919 of Miss Barwell, who about to start on wrapping the Mystery Loans and had headed the school from 1895 and preparing for the annual Christmas jokes next week. oversaw its move to our present site. The
Staff are currently sending me information about proposal of a “sister school” to cope with the best books they ever received as gifts and a the “state of overflow” was also noted. So display of these will be going up on the notice many things which we still do were also boards to provide us all with some inspiration and part of school life 100 years ago: the ideas of new books to try out. election of prefects, drama performances,
raising money for charities, and careers talks (“the various careers open to girls at the present day”); others might be less familiar, such as the Script-writing competitions and charging subscriptions to use the Library..! A Games Club was
The usual Clubs have been meeting in the LRC set up and we played our very first hockey match st regularly. The Origami Club in particular has seen a against Pates 1 XI, the result being 1-2. Finally, after fabulous revival – so well done! The Year 7 Murder a number of creative pieces by students, including Mystery group and the Year 11 Readers attract a one with a vision of life in the year 2000 (students regular number of followers. lived on Mars, not in Matson!), there are Just a quick mention of the Year 9 Denner/Blue Coat Shakespeare quotes about various school depart- Book Award, our joint reading activity with Sir ments. These magazines offer a fascinating window Thomas Rich’s School. We will be hosting the into the past and illustrate the continuity of life. debates and meetings this year, so it is essential The new Library Prefect Team are now settling in to that our Year 9 Team members are committed to their roles and I thank them for their hard work and seeing this through and attend regularly. reliability. Their contribution makes such a difference Mrs Judith Case (STRS Librarian) and I are presently to the LRC. The Year 12 Team comprises: deciding on our long list (usually 9 contemporary Bhavya Byju, Jess Duffy, Amy Fitzgibbon, Grace books/authors and 1 classic/children’s classic). In Fowles, Evie Harrison, Anna Hubbard, Emily the meantime, Year 9 students should be reading Middleton, Jordan Scurr, Eloise Sowden and Hannah Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. All the LRC copies Twyning. Nicole Cheong and Hannah Mattholie in have been borrowed, but this book is widely Year 13 continue to provide valuable help whenever available in Gloucestershire Libraries and can be they get the opportunity. reserved and sent to your local branch on I’ll be distributing the latest Scholastic Book Club request/online. Once again, I thank Safiya Ginwalla leaflets before the end of term. The leaflets are also in Year 13 for giving up so much of available online and the HSFG account is now open her time to make this a success so for orders. Please visit http://schools.scholastic. that we can represent our School co.uk/denmark-road to make your selection by 1 well. Please ask your Year 9 January 2019. If you want to make a paper based daughters to consider participating order, please have orders and cheques (made – there will be a range of genres in payable to SCHOLASTIC) in by the last day of term. the final list and it will be an enriching All purchases benefit the LRC – 25% of the value of experience for those who choose to take part. orders is “banked” as credit for the LRC to use for The Carnegie Writers, who meet every first Friday of new books. Books will be delivered to HSFG early the month, are working on a few research projects: next term. Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will take Aethelfledd, the Lady of the Mercians; famous place in March as usual. As ever, just a reminder that former students; and what Denmark Road Girls did all online journals and other such resources are during World War 1. I’m looking forward to seeing available from your home at all times. Students can the results of all these! Thank you to Mrs James for look at the LRC’s Google Site (Online Resources page) her support with this group. for access to journal articles and much more. Over This last project particularly has involved my the holidays I am happy to answer emailed questions about how to use them. searching through searching through the school attic lookingPage 10 of 25 for - Denmark old Gloucester Road High School Hi Newslettergh School – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - IssueCarol 2 – December Cordall, 2018 Librarian magazines,
Follow the LRC on Twitter: @HSFG_LRC Year 8 Art Textiles
Page 11 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Year 10 Product Design – Chocolate Moulds and Chocolate Making
Year 10 Product Design students went cross-curricular yesterday! Over the previous weeks they have been learning about plastics and the moulding/forming processes used to manipulate it in their lessons. As a project they have made chocolate moulds using two methods as a point of comparison. One set of moulds was made of clay using basic hand processing whilst the second made use of CAD/CAM and the laser cutter. All were then vacuum formed to create reusable chocolate moulds. They seemed to have a great time finally getting to grips with utilizing their moulds in the Food Technology room, melting the chocolate and layering the different flavours to create a fantastic array of designs in all shapes and sizes. I can't wait to see the photographic evidence of the 'set' chocolates... I am sure they were all consumed by the end of the day! Mrs Bailey Teacher of Design & Technology
District Swim Gala Year 7 and 8 students with their Christmas boxes, ready On Tuesday 20th November DRHS took to be collected by the Christmas Box Appeal and sent to part in the District Swimming Gala at children in Southeast Europe #givingatchristmas GL1. We took 20 students from Year 7-13 to represent the school. It was once again great to see our older age group swimmers guiding our younger Year 7 team through the process. Great team spirit as well as individual performances from the girls. It is a great event that enables all the swimmers to meet each other from other clubs and schools and compete in a strong, friendly environment. Our senior team finished in 3rd position and KS3/4 finished in first position. A great performance by all.
Miss Wilkes
Page 12 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 German Exchange – Visit to Gloucester
On Monday 12th November the Denmark Road girls were delighted by the arrival of their German exchanges at around 3:45 pm. They were greeted with the typical wet English weather. We then took our exchanges home and got to know them better. Throughout the week, the German exchanges visited interesting attractions in England, including Gloucester cathedral and Clifton Suspension Bridge. Multiple activities were also done with the Sir Thomas Rich’s students outside of school hours, for example visits to Kaspa’s and Airborne. On Friday the joint trip took place, with all the English and German students going ice skating, which was great fun and only slightly painful! Later on students, staff and families gathered at the Barn Dance, where we learnt more about the 40 year history of the exchange and took part in energetic and entertaining dancing. After a weekend spent with the families, the German exchanges departed on Monday, with only a few tears, to visit London for a couple of days, before returning to Germany with lots of lovely memories. Rebecca Greenough
Dissection Club After the success of Dissection Club last half-term, This dissection club was really good fun, it is lovely we decided that this half-term we would be to see so many people interested and involved in dissecting sheep's lungs. We were lucky enough to science. get complete sets of lungs, with the trachea, We hope to see everyone back again for another oesophagus and voice box attached. This proved dissection next half term! very valuable to everyone who came along to the Ella Stokes and Rhian Pembridge, Y13 club, as it allowed us to see and understand how different organs and tissues interact with each This time for dissection club we dismembered a other. This time, Rhian and I were on our own, in sheep’s lungs. This included the trachea, the voice separate classrooms, due to the high number of box and the oesophagus. We particularly enjoyed people who wanted to come. Although standing in the process of cutting open the lungs and learning front of a room of 30 students on your own is a about the different bronchioles. There was plenty little nerve-wracking, it was great fun, and for the of room to handle all off the components and we first part of the session we explained a little about got to listen to Ella (who is in Sixth Form taking her the lungs to our groups. We talked about how they A level biology) explain all the workings and the work, the different structures within the lungs and functions of the breathing system. There were what they are made of, and lastly what to look out remarkable components of the sheep. Poor sheep! for when they were carrying out the dissection. However we still had an exquisite time gaining Then they were off! They worked in groups of wisdom about the different blood cells and about 4 - 5 students, taking it in turns to dissect especially the foam coming out the bronchioles. different parts of the lungs. One activity I We would definitely recommended this club, but it suggested they do was to put a small section of the is not for the faint hearted as it was quite lung tissue in a beaker full of water, and then put a gruesome at times! small section of the trachea or oesophagus in the Brooke Richardson and same beaker. The lung tissue floats, whereas the Thi Chakraborty, Y7 other tissue doesn't, which demonstrates how the The club was really enjoyable; not only did we lung tissue has a lot of small air sacs called alveoli. dissect a sheep's lung, but also learnt about Being able to physically see what is happening respiration, got to cut up a lung ourselves and we often helps a lot of people to understand what is were allowed to experiment with it. Overall it was going on - I know that I find understanding the really fun and informative and I can't wait for the structure of tissues and organs and what they do a next meeting! lot easier if I have dissected them! Bella Hollingworth 9H
Page 13 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Art Textiles – Year 7 & 8 Recycling Competition Brief: Create a two or three dimensional form using recycled paper. The work should incorporate hand or machine stitch in some way, but can also be glued, folded and manipulated to create the form.
Page 14 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018
Year 11 Public Speaking Competition
“Every year, the English Speaking Union runs a read my speech in the school newspaper coming public speaking competition. We have entered out later this month! School started back up two teams, and each team is comprised of three again, and it was time to deliver my speech for members: a speaker, who delivers a five-minute the very first time. Amazingly, of the nineteen speech on a topic from a given list; a questioner, who had originally coveted the position, only four who interrogates the speaker; and a chair, who had shown up! It went far better than I’d introduces and summarises the speech.” expected; and, as you’ve probably gathered from I listened intently as Mrs Southwell explained the the fact that I’m writing this article, I made it onto rules of the competition. I’d received an one of the two teams enigmatic email a week prior about a ‘public I attended meetings twice a week from then speaking opportunity’, saying that all those onwards. We spent much of our time speculating interested should come to the meeting being held about our chances of getting through; naturally, about it. As a year 11 scrambling for things to put we assumed that, with only two of the six teams on my CV, I’d decided to go along. in our heat going through, both slots would go to “If you are interested in being a speaker,” Pates. We didn’t bother ourselves too much Mrs Southwell continued. “I suggest you write about the outcome though, as we enjoyed our your speech over half-term. It can be on any one lunchtimes together. of the topics from the set list I’m about to project On 27th November, it was the day of the on the board.” competition. From the start of lunchtime to the I was rather torn as to which position I wanted to start of the competition (a total of four hours), we pursue, or even if I wanted to compete at all. I quizzed, complimented and constructively was immediately attracted to the role of speaker - criticised each other. Some of our friends even but then immediately repelled upon seeing that brought McDonalds to share (and you know the so were nineteen other students. However, when saying: ‘a team that eats McDonalds together is a I saw ‘why the government should prioritise team that wins together’). Nervous, excited, saving the environment’ on the list of potential frightened, prepared, and oh-so-many-things, I topics to speak on, my mind was made up; I had was about to give my speech. listened to a radio show on the subject that very Five minutes of surprisingly-not-too-terrible- morning. How serendipitous! speech later, the questioner stood in front of me, Even just writing the speech gave me anxiety. It firing unfortunately insightful questions from left, felt as though I was baring my soul for the whole right and centre. I answered with some on-brand World to judge (excuse the hyperbole). ‘organised waffle’, and then it was all over. Nevertheless, I persisted with my research - I I decided that, whatever the outcome, this tried to address the issue from the often experience had most certainly been a worth- overlooked social and economic angles - until I while one. I’d gone from barely audible to found that I’d formulated a very strong opinion projecting like a nobody’s business; from just on the matter. If you want to know why, you can about knowing what a tree was to talking proficiently about factoring environmental depreciation into GDP; from standing stock still on the stage to taking steps forward and even making hand gestures (now that, my friends, is the mark of a skilled orator). The judges gave their usual pre-amble about ‘it’s the taking part that matters’, and then, after what felt like an eternity, gave the results. And… my team didn’t get through. But the other Denmark team did. And they beat Pates. So, you know. Every cloud. Hannah Davie, 11NC
Page 15 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Art Textiles – Year 7 & 8 Recycling Competition
Page 16 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Art Textiles – Year 7 & 8 Recycling Competition
A-Level Art Textiles: Explore and refine work
Page 17 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Cheltenham Syncro Club Kingsholm Primary School – Short Stories Cheltenham Synchro competed for the first time in the Free Team event at the National Age This term 8BA have been completing a Short Story Synchronised Swimming Championships at GL1 in writing unit in English. As part of this, they worked November with a minimum team of 4 swimmers in collaboration with Kingsholm Primary to including 2 from Denmark Road, Amelia Gregory create a story for a specific audience (their Year and Anabella Phipps. 5s). The project involved the two groups of The girls did their best but sadly it did not go students exchanging ideas and plans and feeding according to plan. For a medium sized club like back to each other. HSFG then students visited Cheltenham just being there was a huge Kingsholm to read their completed stories in achievement. Well done girls! genres as diverse as comedy, fantasy, historical and horror. Mr Fitch Visit to Modern Foreign Lectures at Stroud High School On Wednesday 28th November, MFL lectures were held at Stroud High School for Sixth Form linguists, organised by the Association for Language Learning (ALL). Six students from HSSF were lucky enough to be able to attend. The lectures consisted of talks in German, French and Spanish, by staff from Universities, themed around cultural topics. For example ‘Jugendkultur’, which informed us about interests and pastimes of young people in different eras in German speaking countries, from the 1950’s to today. In the French lecture we learnt about what defines French heritage and identity. These lectures will be particularly beneficial with regards to our studies, as each talk was on a topic that we study during our A-Level courses. In addition, it was also useful for developing our listening skills as each talk was given in the target language and therefore served as a test of our knowledge. Overall, the trip was very enriching and we each Our victorious Table Tennis Team – took away knowledge that we can utilise in the Well done girls! future! By Leah Beechey
Anoushka Davies sparring in the Taekwondo heavyweight yellow belt girls’ category - placing second overall in the Welsh closed championships
Page 18 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Christmas Card Competition WINNER! Sophie Fry 8M
Well done, great entries!
We’re making communication easier, faster and more effective I’m pleased to advise that we’ve introduced a new service - School Gateway. This means that we can share information such as personalised lesson and exam timetables, achievements and assessment results with parents more quickly via email, text, online and smartphone app. You can also use the app or website to receive key news and updates from the school, view and let us know of any updates to your own details and send information to us our attendance officer. What you need to do now Download the app: If you have a smartphone, please download School Gateway from your app store (Android and iPhone). The app shows the same information as the website PLUS you can send app messages to the school for FREE (for example updates to attendance) – this will also save the school money when we send text messages. OR Visit the website: www.schoolgateway.com and click on ‘New User’. You’ll receive a text message with a PIN number. Use this PIN to login to School Gateway. Can’t activate your account? If you’re having trouble activating your School Gateway account, it may be because school doesn’t have your current email and mobile phone number on record. Please call us on 01452 543335 or email [email protected] and we’ll update the details on our system. We hope that you will find School Gateway a valuable way to keep up to date.
Page 19 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Year 5 & 6 Visitors from Kingsholm Primary
We were delighted to welcome Years 5 and 6 Kingsholm Primary girls during terms 1 and 2, for the first of their ‘University Sessions’ held throughout the academic year. The sessions are designed to offer wider experiences and opportunities to work with our students. During the autumn/winter sessions, Kingsholm girls had the chance to take part in English and Drama sessions, as well as a wide range of science experiments including dissecting a sheep’s lung and creating rainbows.
The sessions also gave our dedicated Year 11 Sports Leaders the opportunity to coach the girls. Sofia Moran-Casanova commented “Over the last two sports leader sessions, we have had the opportunity to work and coach trampolining with the Years 5 and 6. It was an exciting new challenge as we were able to guide them through new skills such as pike and straddle jumps, as well as also learning to adapt to the new school circumstances. We were able to acquire new key skills when leading a group of young children and The girls fully threw themselves into the sessions overall it was a great learning experience for us and embraced every moment. all!” They were full of positive comments including: We are very much looking forward to the next sessions, beginning in February including working "The teachers and students gave us new with Geography, Music, Computing, Design and challenges and I did things I had never Technology, Languages, Physical Education, the done before” Arts and the library. “I really liked touching the lamb’s wind “Everything was really challenging, but pipe and making a rainbow. I also really really fun”. enjoyed the English as it made me feel “My favourite things were dissecting the calm and relaxed.” sheep's lungs and trampolining!”
Miss Wickson
Page 20 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Highlights from Year 13 Art
Sixth Form Life Modelling Class
Page 21 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Year 9 Mono Printing
Careers Whether you’re deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we’re here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/careers
Year 7-11 Student Absence Line: 01452 543335 (Press 1 when prompted and leave a message) or email: [email protected] or School Gateway Sixth Form Student Absence Line: 01452 543335 (choose the option to report Sixth Form absence) or email: [email protected] or School Gateway
Page 22 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 PLEASE NOTE: All payments On-line School Shop for trips, clubs and activities We now have the facility of an on-line school shop must be made via Parent on our website here (under parental information). Pay. The school no Parents/carers can pay for items on the shop with longer accepts cheques or a debit or credit card and students can pick up the cash. We have been expanding the use of ParentPay items within a couple of days from reception. for permission slips, school fund donations and payment options for upcoming events. We also expect over time to extend this to catering. Contagious Diseases ParentPay is far more secure for both school and Please can parents/carers let the school know parents as a means of making payments, especially immediately if their daughter/son has contracted as it gives an immediate receipt and confirmation of a contagious disease? It is important that we are payments. It also allows us to fairly offer trips with aware of this so we can notify community limited capacity on a “first come, first served” basis. members accordingly. Over 90% of families are already using ParentPay on a regular basis. For those who need to sign up, feel Thank you in advance. free to email [email protected] for login details, advice and assistance. Parking Term Dates 2018-2019 Please would parents/carers refrain from parking on the zigzag or yellow Term 1 Wednesday 5 September – lines in front of the school at any time Thursday 18 October 2018 during the day. Parking on these lines Term 2 Thursday 1 November – Friday 21 endangers both pedestrians and cyclists. December 2018 Term 3 Monday 7 January – At no time should parents/carers drive onto the Friday 15 February 2019 school site unless previously . We really do not Term 4 Monday 25 February – Friday 5 April 2019 want students to be walking amongst moving Term 5 Tuesday 23 April – Friday 24 May 2019 vehicles, as this can be dangerous. We would be Term 6 Tuesday 4 June – Friday 19 July 2019 grateful for your support in this matter. Student Medical/Non-Medical Appointments – Forms Bad Weather - School Parents/carers should fill out a medical form for all hospital, orthodontist and emergency doctor appointments. Regular Closure Information doctors/dentist appointments should not be made during In the event of bad weather or other school hours. Non-medical forms should be filled in for holiday reasons information on school closure requests, music exams and any other non-medical reason. can be found on our website or Facebook: Both forms are available here. A week or more’s notice should www.hsfg.org or: be given if possible. Forms can be filled in and emailed to www.glosclosedschools.com [email protected] or [email protected] The information will also be available on Hard copies are also available from reception and the Well- the local radio station. Please also check Lostbeing PropertyCentre. the bus company websites for their up-to-date information: A large amount of items is lost each week within school. Please encourage your daughter/son to look after their own property Bennetts: www.bennettscoaches.co.uk (and seek to locate it rather than just buy a new one!) Whilst staff Willetts: www.willettsofyorkley.co.uk will make every effort to return named items to students it is the Aston Coaches: responsibility of all students to care for their possessions and seek www.astoncoachesltd.com to locate lost items. Students’ property is brought into school at Marchants: www.marchants-coaches.com their own risk. PE Kit Please also make sure all PE kit is labelled, including the bag. Trainers should be predominately white with no Velcro and no black trainers please.
Page 23 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Can you help? GCSE & A Level Examination Certificates GCSE and A Level certificates are now available to As a part of our careers collect, from reception between 8.30-3.30 Monday curriculum, we want to Friday. Certificates will only be given to family to ensure our students members/friends if an email is received giving are prepared for the Further Education and the permission. Current students can pick up their working world. As a part of our programme, certificates from the Sixth Form Office. we provide mock interviews to all year 11 students. Every year we are extremely grateful to the people from industry and parents who Fundraising give up their time in order to provide this Well done to everyone who helped to raise opportunity. an amazing £832.10 for Children in Need. If you are new to the school or feel you would be willing and able to get involved in being a 'mock interviewer', we would be pleased if you were to make contact with us. Please contact Mrs King ([email protected]) who And £778.36 for SAVE THE CHILDREN from is co-ordinating the event this year. the Christmas Jumper non-uniform day.
What’s on?
Carols In The Park Collection of Students for Appointments Saturday 22 December 2018 The school operates strict safeguarding procedures
FREE and takes responsibility for its duty of care for Enjoy an evening of enchanting Christmas carols in students seriously. Therefore, we would be Pittville Park. Adding to the festivities, visitors can extremely grateful if parents/carers would abide by warm up with mulled wine and tuck into mince the procedures set out for all students in the main pies. There’ll even be a snow machine too! school. Venue: Central Cross Cafe, Pittville Park, Any student, who needs to leave the school site Cheltenham, GL52 2DX during the day must be collected by a parent/carer Times: TBC. Admission: Free of charge. or named individual for that student, from the Telephone: (01684) 879150 MAIN RECEPTION. Students will need to sign out at the Well-being Centre and they will then meet their Family Crib Service at Gloucester Cathedral parent/carer in reception. Sunday 23 to Monday 24 December 2018 Please be aware that we cannot make any FREE exceptions to this procedure for any student in Gloucester Cathedral will host two Family Crib Years 7-11. Services this Christmas, complete with a lighting of Please make sure that we hold up-to-date details for the Christmas Trees; offering the perfect your daughter/son. Please remember that only the celebration for the festive season. contacts detailed on your daughter’s/son’s data Dates: Sunday 23 to Monday 24 December 2018 sheet can collect them from school. Times: From 3.00 pm. Admission: Free of charge You can also email [email protected] at any time with Telephone: (01452) 528095 new telephone numbers or email addresses or log in to your School Gateway account to make changes. Parents/carers are also requested not to park on the school grounds, or on yellow lines outside the school, when collecting daughters/sons for appointments.
Page 24 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018 Dates for your diary
Monday, 24th December 2018 – Friday, 4th January 2018 - Christmas Break Term 3 (2019) Monday, 7th January Term 3 begins. This is Week 2. D of E Bronze Award Session A – First Aid and Equipment (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm Tuesday, 8th January Art and Art Textiles mocks this week Monday, 14th January Week 1 Year 11 Mock Week in Hall Tuesday, 15th January D of E Bronze Award Session A – First Aid and Equipment (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm Wednesday, 16th January Governors’ HR and Pastoral Committee meeting – 6.00 pm Monday, 21st January Week 2 D of E Bronze Award Session A – First Aid and Equipment (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm PTA Committee Meeting – 7.30 pm Wednesday, 23rd January Governors’ Teaching and Learning Committee meeting - 6.00 pm Thursday, 24th January Early finish for students at 2.30 pm Sixth Form Open Evening – 5.00-8.00 pm Monday, 28th January Week 1 D of E Bronze Award Session B – Basic Map & Compass Skills and Expedition Food (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm KS3 Chamber Concert – 7.00 pm Tuesday, 29th January INVEST DAY 3 Wednesday, 30th January Governors’ Communication and Engagement Committee meeting – 6.00 pm Monday, 4th February Week 2 D of E Bronze Award Session B – Basic Map & Compass Skills and Expedition Food (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm Wednesday, 6th February Year 8 HPV Vaccinations Governors’ Business Management Committee meeting – 6.00 pm Thursday, 7th February Intermediate Maths Challenge Year 11 Parents’ Consultation Evening – 4.30-7.30 pm Friday, 8th February Year 11 ‘Step up’ trip to Oxford Monday, 11th February Week 1 D of E Bronze Award Session B – Basic Map & Compass Skills and Expedition Food (choice of 3) – 3.45 pm Tuesday, 12th February House Dance (am) Wednesday, 13th February Full Governors’ Board Meeting – 6.00 pm Friday, 15th February End of Term 3 at 3.30 pm Saturday, 16th February School Ski Trip leaves (returns 22nd)
Monday, 18th February - Friday, 22nd February - Spring Break
We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape
Page 25 of 25 - Denmark Road High School Newsletter – We Discover, Realise, Honour and Shape - Issue 2 – December 2018