PRINCESS HELENA COLLEGE NEWSLETTER Wednesday 5th July …fluencycontent-schoolwebsite.netdna-ssl.com/FileCluster/PrincessHe… · our choice of take away and many girls really enjoyed

PRINCESS HELENA COLLEGE

NEWSLETTERWednesday 5th July 2017

To keep updated with the latest news from PHC or to find out more about the items in this newsletter, please visit our website:

https://princesshelenacollege.co.uk/Latest-Newsor follow/like us onTwitter & Facebook

SPORTS AWARD EVENING REMINDER

On the 16th September, PHC will be hosting the Sports Awards Evening to celebrate all those who have participated in sports over the year.

We’re delighted to welcome as our keynote speaker for the evening, Tony McMurray, who set off to climb Mount Everest in 2015 and was on the mountain when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck. Tony will tell of his unique journey to Everest, as well as what it was like to experience and survive a quake on the highest mountain on earth.

To book tickets, please return the Sports Award form or email Deborah Keenleyside, [email protected], by Monday 10th July 2017.

SPORTS NEWS

DISTRICT TENNIS 2017PHC was represented by 4 girls at the tournament:Kanwal Gill and Millie Hammond played in the ‘A’ tournament whilst Molly Robb and Sophie Lewis played in the ‘B’ tournament.Molly and Sophie lost 3-5 to John Henry Newman, drew 6-6 with Hitchin Girls and 4-4 with St Francis. As a result, they were runners up and were presented the silver medals.Millie and Kanwal beat St Francis 6-1, and beat Hitchin Girls 6-4. They went through to the final where they beat Priory 6-1. They were awarded the gold medals.

COUNTY LEAGUE ATHLETICS MATCHES

As the smallest school to be part of the Hertfordshire Athletics League, our Year 7/8 and 9/10 teams did exceptionally well to qualify for the Plate Final.

The Year 7/8 team finished 8th and there were some excellent performances from Nike Esho who won the HJ (1.48m) and Asher Cliff-Afemari who won the LJ (4.80m) and came 2nd in the hurdles (12.3s). Maisie Hamilton ran a very gutsy 800m, took 3rd place on the finishing line, and broke the school record which she had been chasing all season (2 mins 40.7s). Fiona Roberts set a new pb in the discus and Maisie threw a new pb in the javelin.

The Year 9/10 team finished 4th, just 3 points behind third which is highly commendable. Great performances came from Reti Adoghe who won the 100m (13.4s), Jorja Haider who won the discus (24.60m), Tilly Johnstone who ran extremely well to finish 2nd in the 800m (2.43.3), Molly Robb who threw the javelin 25.82m to finish 2nd and Jenna Dawes, who came 2nd in HJ (1.40m).

This was a lovely finish to my career at PHC. Watching the girls give their absolute best on the track and in the field was brilliant. I hope they continue to do well in the future.

Mrs Keenleyside

SPORTS DAY

Thank you to Lucy Withers Year 10 student who produced a great video about Sports Day: https://youtu.be/db-hF8E-jS4

INTERHOUSE SPORTS RESULTS

Overall Sports Score1st - Windsor2nd – York3rd – Gloucester

TennisYear 7&8 – YorkYear 9-11 – WindsorYear 12&13 – GloucesterOverall Winner - Windsor

Rounders Year 7 – GloucesterYear 8 - 13 Windsor Overall Winner - Windsor 

Swimming  Year 7-9 WindsorYear 10-13 Gloucester & Windsor Drew

RS TRIPSBHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR, HINDU TEMPLE

Year 7 visited Bhaktivedanta Manor, a Hindu Temple where they were fully engrossed in daily Hindu worship and living. This trip was to support their learning of this religion, and truly begin to understand how Hindu beliefs affect their practice.

The girls were involved in a variety of activities including: Q&A, a tour of the community and temple, cart rides, feeding the cows,  dressing up in traditional Hindu clothing, witnessing a shrine ceremony, eating traditional Hindu food and having their

hands and faces painted. The day ended on them having the opportunity to buy a souvenir of their day.

The girls were able to extend their knowledge and thoroughly enjoyed the activities on offer at the Temple.

ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL

Year 9 spent a day visiting St Albans cathedral where they we were able to develop our own understanding of the history of the Cathedral. After completing a tour around the area, the group completed a number of tasks and also went over some reflection questions with Miss Stanford to add to our information sheets. We had the opportunity to look around the market stalls and shops with our friends which definitely was great way to end the day.

“I really enjoyed the St Albans Cathedral trip as it was a nice experience to visit a much known cathedral and I learned a lot about the history, architecture and religion. It was an enjoyable and fun experience and I had the chance to spend time with my friends whilst learning something new.”

Year 9 Student, Anjali Gohil

Congratulations to alumni, Georgina Kilby who received a First Class Honours Degree in Biological Science from The Royal Veterinary College, London.

PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS

Year 8 visited the Jewish Museum in Camden. This was a workshop aimed at supporting their work on Judaism and, in particular, develop their understanding of the Holocaust.

The girls were involved in a workshop in the morning where the museum ran a variety of activities which supported their RS and History lessons. The highlight of the day was when the girls were able to hear a first hand account from a Holocaust survivor,

Bernd Koschland, who told us of his escape through the Kindertransport.

His story, optimism and inspiring words resonated with us all and it is an experience the girls will remember for a long time. 

THE JEWISH MUSEUM

BOARDERS FINAL WEEKENDWe spent a very emotional  final weekend together; some girls had their parents visit for lunch, others stayed together to enjoy a lovely picnic after the morning speeches on Saturday.  The girls had the opportunity to shop in Hitchin one last time before the final Mix and Mingle of the year. We dared to be a little more adventurous  with our choice of take away and many girls

really enjoyed the sushi from a newly opened Japanese restaurant. Cards and presents were then exchanged to say goodbye to the girls and staff who will be leaving the House in the summer. There were a few tears, followed by some very energetic dancing in the Old Hall, to celebrate the friendships we gained in this amazing little community.

On Sunday the mood lifted again as we enjoyed a BBQ & pool party together, including a first pool swim with our rescued duckling Pip.

As we face some big changes to the Boarding House this summer it seems fitting to reflect on what has been an amazing year. We have welcomed so many new boarders to our House since September - some of them are permanent, others spending as little as a few weeks with us, but every one of them has contributed to the House and made it such a vibrant place to live.

Thank you to everyone who has boarded with us this year. We wish you all a safe journey home and hope you have a refreshing and fun filled summer holiday!

Miss Haines

On the 27th June, Mrs McPherson, Head of Sixth Form,

held a UCAS afternoon for our Year 12 girls.

The afternoon consisted of a number of tasks and

presentations that would help to guide the girls on

completing their UCAS application process. This included

a great presentation from Jane Marshall from Imperial

College, London about the ‘do’s and don’ts of writing a

personal statement.

SIXTH FORM NEWS

THE SUMMER CONCERT 2017

The summer concert on Thursday 15th June was a feast of music, ranging from Bach to Bizet to James Bay and beyond. Students of all year groups were represented, with many of the year 7s taking part in the choir or as soloists. It was particularly nice to hear two of our short-stay visitors, Cecilia and Marina Fernandez, who played their piano pieces beautifully. Other accomplished performers were Amber Davies (voice), Michelle Chengaose (voice), Isabella Sandberg (cello), Kanwal Gill (piano), Asher Cliff-Afemari (guitar), accompanied by her sister Gabrielle and Clemmie Sayers (voice), accompanied by her sister Maria. Groups included the PHC Players, Year 7 choir, the Young Voices (years 8 & 9) and the Senior Choir. The senior band with Eduvie Emagha as lead vocalist gave us ‘Proud Mary’ and Saoirse Heydon sang and played Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good.’ Highlights of the evening included the piano trio, which played a movement from Haydn’s Trio No 6 and our advanced soloists - Vivian Li (piano), Elly Lee (voice), Maria Sayers (piano) and Joey Mok (piano) who performed superbly.

Congratulations to all the performers and thanks to the very appreciative audience.

C. Neaum, Director of Music

LAMDA RESULTS

The LAMDA results are in. Everyone did really well with 100% pass rate. Just over 50% scored a distinction in Acting, Public speaking and Verse and Prose.

We had lots of high scores in the 90’s. These came from Esme Morison, Phoebe Lewis, Elly Lee, Emily Pattison-Blain, Maria Cunningham, Phoebe Morison and Hafsa Usman. 

We also had many girls taking two exams on the same day. Well done to the following who achieved distinction in both exams; Esme Morison, Megan Rees, Hafsa Usman and Darcey Perricone.

Catherine Stacey

UPCOMING EVENTS

D of E Sliver Award Practice and Assessment expedition returns: Thursday 5th July evening.

English School’s Athletics Championships: Friday 7th July

GCE A Level Results: Thursday 17th August

GCSE Results: Thursday 24th August

1st Day Autumn Term: Wednesday 6th September

Sports Award Evening: Saturday 16th September

SPEECH DAY 2017

This years Speech Day took place on Saturday 1st July. Sandra Currie, CEO Kidney Research UK was our keynote speaker and delivered a powerful talk. She recalled the decisive moments in which she decided to ignore the opinions of others and followed her intuition, becoming a confident and independent woman. Speaking on the various sectors and jobs in which she worked. she encouraged the girls to believe they can achieve anything, as long as they put their minds to it. She concluded her talk with a motivational quote from Marie Curie; “Nothing in life is to be feared, only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

Head Girl, Kit Spicer concluded the proceedings by delivering a super speech. She provided insight into what she had learnt whilst at PHC, and offered a ‘tip’ to the girls which was to ‘learn from your own mistakes, to grow and become your ‘own’ person here.’

Following the formal proceedings the Year 13 and their parents enjoyed a lunch with staff whilst the other year groups enjoyed picnic lunches in our beautiful surroundings.