Summer 2018 | Issue 28 The Newsletter of Flixton Girls School Proud to lead the... HEALTHY LEARNING TRUST HEALTHY MINDS • HEALTHY LIVES • HEALTHY FUTURES Dear Readers, In this issue of Excel... Latest News................................ 4 Firstly I would like you all to know how Strictly FGS................................. 1 Community News........................ 6 utterly impressed I have been with all of Faculty News............................... 2 Sports News............................... 8 the girls taking both external and internal examinations this year. The Upper Sixth and the Year 11 have been especially positive in their attitude and mind-set towards examinations this year showing great resilience, determination and commitment. Our proactive strategies to support the health and well-being of students and staff through our commitment to the Healthy Learning STRICTLY FGS Trust has been key in transforming the culture here at FGS. The range of activities and opportunities celebrated in this edition of Excel is exceptional. As you will know we are looking at the possibility of creating additional time for students and staff during the school day to enable more students to take part in this wonderful range of activities. We will make a decision regarding the timings of the day at the end of the trial and consultation. Many thanks to the whole community for sending in your thoughts which are invaluable in helping us to make the right decisions. Finally it has been my privilege to interview Staff at FGS really showed their flair for learning and select the new Junior Leadership Team for in our ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ extravaganza. 2018 and I am delighted to announce that Erin This one night only event took many hours of dedicated rehearsals and commitment to learning. Jones in Sixth Form has been appointed as our Contestants included Mrs Hazeldine, Mrs Trussell, new Head Girl with Laura Kasongo, Phoebe Ms Schofield, Mrs Hulse, Ms Johnston, Miss Kelly, Tanner and Breanna Bradshaw elected as our Miss Eccleston, Mr Owen and Mrs Buckley. new House Captains. The judging really came down to the wire as a Please have an dance off was required to determine the overall enjoyable, safe and winner of the golden globe trophy. Mrs Hazeldine relaxing summer and Mrs Trussell showed their true resolve and ready for an exciting performed for a second time before the judging start in September. panel finally crowned Mrs Trussell as the deserving winner. Congratulations to all the performers. Julie Hazeldine The sell-out audience really enjoyed this very entertaining evening and we hope this can be Headteacher repeated next year. @FlixtonGS - FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS www.flixtongirls.com 2 | News from the Faculties Summer Art Exhibition CREATE FACULTY We were delighted to open our doors to showcase Healthy Eating Week the GCSE work of our students in Art and Design, May saw a variety of form activities with snacks and breakfast choices. Photography, Graphics and Textiles. Thanks to Both students and staff were able to try new tastes and ideas. Plus the everyone who attended and celebrated our students’ ‘Smoothie Bike’ really attracted a crowd during lunch time with a queue hard work and dedication. of willing assistants. Art Therapy Mrs Vekstein has been working closely with students who love Art, inspiring them to produce fantastic portraits. This wellbeing activity is a relaxation technique which allows self-expression. production; supported COMMUNICATE FACULTY by the Onatti cast. Additionally Year Donated Whiteboards 9 and 10 GCSE We received new interactive whiteboards German students were donated from the University of Manchester. entertained by the The MECD team are delighted to have all-German speaking found a sustainable use for eight electronic production ‘Hausarrest. whiteboards, which came from the This fun theatrical Oddfellows building and have been happily story about Finn’s received by our students and staff. Mr really bad school report Deakin Business Director said: ‘Thanks uses key vocabulary very much for the whiteboards - they have to compliment the been successfully installed into our English students’ current classrooms and help to provide a different learning in a clever experience to learning here at FGS. Simon and entertaining way. Atkinson from University of Manchester and FGS year 7 students Sophie Jones, Faith Pitts Garrett and Asha Sethi. Northern France Trip Twenty four students and German Visitors accompanying staff embarked Eighteen year 9 and 10 German students visited FGS in a joint arrangement on their Northern France, Opal with Wellacre. The group from Kiel in North Germany visit annually Coast adventure, leaving very bringing boys and girls to gain experience of life within an English speaking early to catch their ferry. The school. The visitors were paired with students for their three day exchange trip included visits to Aqualud providing experiences of learning in context and allowing both sets of Waterpark, Nausicaa Sealife students to develop their language skills. Frau Steinkamp, Head Teacher Centre, Lille – capital of the commented: Our students have really enjoyed their time here and said they Hauts-de-France, Plopsaland enjoyed experiencing an all-girls school. theme park and cultural evening activities. Many students Onatti expressed how they loved the Year 8’s experienced an entirely French spoken trip particularly the waterpark production as part of our Health and Wellbeing and sweet factory visits. All in all day in April. The play was a delightfully they felt they had experienced humorous collection of different storylines French language beyond the linking five different teenagers who live on the classroom; whilst making some same street. Our girls got fully immersed in the fabulous memories. @FlixtonGS - FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS News from the Faculties | 3 PARTICIPATE INVESTIGATE FACULTY FACULTY Students were invited to Young Musicians participate in ‘ChemQuiz’ - the competition at Students from across all year groups Manchester Metropolitan competed in this years ‘Young Musician of the University in conjunction Year’ competition. The categories included with the Royal Society of Chemistry. Our team, instrumentalist from elementary through to who only came together for the quiz, won the advanced (grade 3 or above), ensembles and best teamwork award – congratulations Zahraa vocalists from KS3 and KS4. Dudha year 10, Olivia Waugh year 9, Seklie Huk and Isabelle rose year 8. Performing Arts COLLABORATE Students from KS3 & KS4 enjoyed the delights of a professional production in the form of FACULTY Our guest judge Graham Smith reviewed all the Kindertransport, at the Opera House and Blood participants whittling down winners from each Brothers at the Palace Theatre. Eid Celebration category to: Elementary: first Aliyah Kanaris More theatre options including Aladdin, School of Students and staff celebrated – trumpet, runner up Eloise Bailey – guitar; Rock and Matilda are arranged for later this year. the end of a month long intermediate: first Tayler Shepherd – piano, fast with a party, for those runner up Ella Fagan – drums; advanced: Sinead As a follow up to this years ‘A Step In that participated and Brooker – violin, runner up Amy Styles – bass Time’ musical extravaganza – auditions have their friends, where they guitar. Vocalists KS3: first Isabelle Rose and commenced for our 2019 production of enjoyed samosa, pizza, runner up Namumba Kawala. Vocalists KS4: first Mary Poppins. Watch this space for future hot chocolate and cake. Breanna Bradshaw and runner up Niamh Green. performance dates. Congratulations to all who participated. GCSE Dancers East Meets West Party EMI Grant Our year 9 and 10 students have worked with Following a successful grant application by Mr Bruno Perrier, a professional dancer from Boy Blue Entertainment, an internationally renowned Deakin, Director of Business and Finance our street dance company. This practical experience music department have been able to purchase really embeds their learning and performance a selection of musical instruments. Zoe Gilpin, Hannah Whiting and Faith Pits Garrett were the proud recipients of three brand new clarinets; whilst Ellena Wood received a new flute. The Our celebration event, part of Respect Week, encouraged students to learn more about our diverse cultures by experiencing foods, music, games and activities from around the of the piece, whilst providing a detailed world. Activities understanding of how and why the production included learning came together. to write in Arabic, Henna tattoo’s, £1000 was awarded by EMI Music Foundation The Arts Award snail tasting and and allows more students to access the power Our KS3 dance and drama classes have been French boules. of music. Kate McKenny, Charity Coordinator - working towards this nationally recognised This wonderful EMI Music Sound Foundation said: ‘It’s wonderful qualification. Students take part in arts activities, team effort really to hear the new instruments have made such watch live performances, share their experiences celebrated the a difference to your students already. Our and research an artist who inspires them. It has been different cultures trustees will be delighted to hear the impact the a fantastic opportunity for our girls to showcase here at FGS. instruments have had and I hope they are enjoyed their skills - the best of which are performed at the for many years to come!’ Summer Spotlight on 12th July. ‘LIKE’