WEEKLY GAZETTE - Southend High School for Girls - Home gazett… ·  · 2017-10-20Spare copies of the letter can be ... include two members of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain

SHSG

WEEKLY GAZETTE

website: www.shsg.org Edition No: 7, 30th October 2017

email: [email protected]

The week after half term we hold our 6th Form open evening for year 11 students who are interested in our 6th Form. All our own students who have met the entry requirement have an automatic entry into the 6th Form and can continue their academic journey with ease. We have kept 9 hours of face to face contact with teachers for most subjects, despite budget cuts, because we believe in investing our money in the students’ education directly and that means in lessons. For minority subjects (subjects with very few students in the class), rather than cut the subject altogether we are delivering these with slightly reduced hours. In this way we can offer subjects which other schools are dropping. Southend Girls has an alumni organisation through Future First. We have hundreds of past students registered who get newsletters and can volunteer to play a more active part in the school community eg on Careers Day or to help with university interviews or even to become a governor. There are also some who just want to re-connect with old classmates or simply want to know what is going on at SHSG. If you are a past student of Southend High School for Girls and would like to join our alumni please register at http://futurefirst.org.uk/ The front page of the website is quite straightforward; go to former students and complete the details. Applications open on 26th October for teacher training in Southend SCITT, which is based at our school. If you are interested in becoming a teacher and would like to train in Southend please apply through UCAS and look for Southend SCITT. There is more information on the school website under the teacher training tab. Over the years we have trained many outstanding teachers most of whom teach in our local schools. Indeed, we have some outstanding teachers at SHSG who trained through this school based programme and who have PGCE plus credits for a Masters degree in addition to qualified teacher status as a result of our scheme. There are substantial bursaries available for some subjects; up to £26,000 depending on subject and degree classification. Generous amounts to train and join the best profession in the world! Continuing a section on Positive Mindset. A few more linguistic changes which can change minds;

Mistakes become good mistakes

Trial and error becomes trial and improvement

Difficult becomes the next challenge

I can’t becomes I can’t YET

I can’t do it becomes what strategy shall I try next? I always think of Dyson and his failures (over 1000) before he designed a successful vacuum cleaner, or Branson who also had failures along the road to success. In these two cases the above statements hold true and really paid off. Ms Brierley, Head Teacher

REMINDERS - SCHOOL TRIPS AND CURRICULUM DAYS German Exchange with Münster 2017-18 To enable us to arrange our return visit the third payment of £100 is due by Wednesday 1st November. Please make your payment by Wednesday 1st November latest. Spare copies of the letter can be downloaded from the school website or collected from Mrs Page in the 2nd floor Languages Office. If you will have any difficulty making the payment by the due date, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Page in confidence.

Ingestre Hall A gentle reminder that there are some outstanding payments for the Ingestre Hall music residential. Payments due are available to view on ParentPay.

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Revision Resources for Years 9, 10 & 11 We have been offered the opportunity to order Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Revision resources at discounted prices. These resources are a good revision aid and cover all topics which are tested at the new GCSE. An email was sent to parents and students last Friday. If you would like to order any of these resources please make your payment via ParentPay by Monday 30th October (which is the last date for orders), print and complete the order slip attached to the email and return it to the school bank. The order form is also available to download from the school website or from Reprographics, if you do not have internet access. PLEASE NOTE, students in Years 10 and 11 had the opportunity to purchase the Revision Guide and Workbook last year so may already have copies of these two books (pictured). The other three resources on offer are new.

Mary Glasgow Foreign Language Scheme

The Languages Department is once again launching the Mary Glasgow Language Scheme for French, German and Spanish. The £6.50 subscription includes five magazines throughout the year packed with articles and activities to encourage your daughter/son to read for pleasure at home, MP3s and unlimited web access. The magazines are available in French for years 7 to 13, and Spanish and German for years 7 to 11 and are a great addition to your child’s language learning. Letters have been emailed to parents and students in years 7 to 11 and handed out in Sixth Form French lessons this week. The letter can also be downloaded from the school

website. If you do not have internet access, please ask your daughter to go to the Reprographics Office and ask for a printed copy. The annual subscription cost is £6.50 per language and payment should be with the school bank by Friday 3rd November please.

POETRY BY HEART The National Competition for years 10 -13 and NOW ALSO FOR YEARS 7 - 9! Years 10 -13 This year's competition is taking place a little earlier than previously, and if you wish to get involved please see or email Mrs Wimsett as soon as possible. The club meets on Tuesday lunch times where you can pick up tips and advice on how to go about learning and reciting poetry. You can still enter if you don't attend the club. Just talk to one of the drama captains (Caitlin S, Chloe Ann or Sophie B) or Mrs Wimsett. As always, the winner will go on to the County Finals and will have the chance to take part in the all expenses paid winners weekend. For more information and videos, take a look at the Poetry by Heart website and the details below.

Years 7 - 9 A further development this year is the National Competition for KS3 students, with the winner of our school heat, going forward into the County Finals. * * * * * To enter the school competition in the first instance, you have to choose and learn one poem from the Poetry by Heart Anthology - which is available online or in the Drama department. Remember, poetry recital is not about giving an arm-waving, acted extravaganza, but rather, a rendition that expresses an inwardly-understood and enjoyed poem. Pupils who have participated in the past have said they: *enjoyed poetry more * were more willing to take on new challenges *had a better understanding of how poetry works *were better able to use memory techniques *were more confident about speaking in public For more information, speak to Mrs Wimsett or one of our student organsers: Molly T, Jemima H or Zoe O. Mrs Wimsett, Head of Drama

Novem Consort - Southend High School for Girls

Novem Consort formed in September 2015 at Southend High School for Girls, Essex. Rehearsing together for just thirty minutes each week, the students work hard to learn demanding classical unaccompanied repertoire for performances in school and beyond, as well as competing in local and national music festivals where they have enjoyed great success this year. Highlights of the year have included receiving The Claire Singers Award for Most Moving Choral Performance at the Southend Music Festival, and their recent performance at the National Festival of Music for Youth at Birmingham Town Hall. The members of Novem Consort change each year with the departure of Year 13 students to University, therefore the dynamics of the ensemble are always changing. Our current members include two members of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and a student at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Novem Consort will be performing in the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 14th November. They also did a lunchtime concert as part of the Free Music Fridays programme at the Verdi Restaurant in the Royal Albert Hall. Novem Consort was lucky to be offered these two opportunities following their participation in the Music for Youth Regional and National Festivals, performing first at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, and the Birmingham Town Hall. Only five other ‘youth’ groups have been offered a lunchtime concert opportunity at the Verdi Restaurant, it is therefore a great honour and accolade to be invited to perform there.

Glowing Praise Received for Novem Consort from professional music critic Mark Thomas

“The question is what next for Novem Consort? As a collection of individuals, their academic and career paths will, of course, diverge. Some may become scientists, some may become historians, politicians or diplomats, and some may take up artistic professions. However, this is really a story of collective strength and cohesion as a group. One thing is for sure, they will always have music in their lives and in their souls. You can hear and feel this in their performances, and their recent lunchtime recital at the Royal Albert Hall’s Verdi Restaurant, with surprisingly good acoustics to enhance the choral sound, brought this all into sharp focus. Their varied programme mixed religious and secular pieces, with works from big names like Taverner, Mendelssohn, Poulenc and Sullivan as well as less familiar repertoire. There was even a contemporary piece with a poem set to music penned by Tara, one of their number, written for a wedding and which was particularly moving. Presentationally, they strengthened their sense of unity and oneness with coordinated outfits and accessories, with the school crest proudly displayed on their choir folders, and have an assured stage presence to match anyone you are likely to see. Jessica was calm and confident doubling up as MC for the recital, giving fun, informative and articulate introductions to the pieces - a very welcome addition to the whole experience letting us know that we were in safe hands. But most impressive of all - and this is what matters - was their sound. With a maturity that perhaps belies their years, they have developed a cultured blend with a very fine balance between upper and lower registers. This is where many choral ensembles can fall down, but Novem Consort have absolutely nailed it. You need to have a strong core of middle and lower voices to hold everything together, and with enough subtlety to allow individual lines to come through, and this they did rather skilfully. Their rich and velvety range of inner voices was superbly complemented by wonderfully pure and crystalline sopranos that didn’t overpower but created a lustrous sheen of a sound that meant that you could hear individual melodic lines melding into luscious harmonies effortlessly. This was also more than a recital of just two or three pieces. There were many works performed, and the ensemble kept the concentration and energy levels going right to the very end, which is not as easy to do as it might sound. Make no mistake; this is a quality outfit with a clear love of music, an infinite amount of enthusiasm and great care taken over their preparation and performance. Making no excuses for blatantly using a cliché, Novem Consort really does sound like a choir of angels, bringing us all a little of what we need in our lives - Dona Nobis Pacem!”

Education Perfect online learning for Languages Everyone who purchased a Languages subscription for Education Perfect has now been enrolled on the website. Students should sign in using the following details: Username: SEND+First Name+Surname (e.g. SENDJaneSmith - no spaces, not case-sensitive) Password: First name, unless previously changed by the student this year. A list of students with a subscription can be found on the door of the 2nd floor languages office. Please ask you daughter to speak to Mrs Page or Ms McKeown if they have any difficulty logging on. We hope that students will enjoy using the website and taking part in the competitions which are on offer.

Education Perfect Language Perfect Northern Championships 2017 – 7th to 14th November The Education Perfect Championships are back and SHSG has the top school in England title to defend! All students who took part in the Northern Championships 2016 and the World Championships 2017 have automatically been entered into the competition, and those with subscriptions are also entered, of course. All other students who wish to take part should sign up on the MFL office doors on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Tower from Monday 30th October. Year 7 students should ask their language teachers about the competition or come and speak to me. There are lots of languages to choose from, including Latin, Russian, Japanese and Italian, it is a great way to learn new vocabulary and fun to compete against your friends and against students across the Northern Hemisphere. Badges are awarded to the top scorers and everyone who achieves 500 points or more receives a certificate for their achievement. Ms McKeown Director of Modern Foreign Languages

Maths Online Sessions Tuesday 31st October 6:50 Maths Angels 7:15 Teacher led lesson on Arcs and Sectors, Area of a segment Thursday 2nd November 6:50 Maths Angels 7:15 Year 7 preparatory work for solving equations (which is a topic coming up soon).

Nature Club Nature Club created bird boxes from planks of wood. We have donated six of these to Essex Wildlife Trust for use at the Gunner’s Park reserve in Shoeburyness. Mrs S Brierley

PE News The under 16 athletics team was triumphant at the final of the Lee Valley Indoor Athletics Cup. SHSG finished in first place with 46 points, Bishop Challoner was 2nd with 42 points and William Edwards 3rd with 35 points. Congratulations to the team of Holly, Ezinne, Abena, Uche, Alicia, Sophie, India and Cally.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PRACTICE TIMETABLE

October to December 2017

There will be a new PE practice timetable after half term as below:

Last week the year 7 and year 9 netball squads played in the Thorpe Hall invitation netball tournament. Both teams played some good netball in their pool matches and progressed through to the semi-finals. The under 14 team met Fitzwimarc and at full time the score was equal. Two minutes extra time was played and the score was still equal. At this point the game was decided on a golden goal and after a frantic couple of minutes play by both teams, Fitzwimarc scored the first goal to reach the final. The year 7 team had an easier progression through to the final after beating Fiztwimarc in the semi-final. However, in the final match against Woodlands the score was equal at full time, and again at extra time and so it was another golden goal scenario, with the opposition once again coming out on top. Friday 13th was certainly unlucky for the “girls in green”. Well done to all the players who represented the school and on displaying some excellent netballing skills.

The year 7/8 football team had a convincing 8-0 win over Southchurch High School. The game proved a useful warm up for the tournament in which the team will play after half term. The Southchurch High goal keeper made some tremendous saves throughout the game. The PE department is very grateful for the generous donations they have received from year 10 & 11 parents, local businesses and friends of the school which has enabled them to purchase a whole new netball kit for the senior squad. The girls look super smart in their new attire and here’s hoping that they will play some outstanding netball this season to at least equal the record they set last year of being the first netball team from SHSG to reach the national netball finals!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8am Year 7 & 8 Hurdles Drills

12.20pm Football Club

Cross Country

Year 9

Netball Club

Year 11 GCES PE revision

Year 7 Netball Club

Year 8 & 9

Hockey (on the field)

Cross Country

Under 16 Netball Club

All team players Fitness Session

Year 8 Netball Club

Year 7

Hurdles club

3.30pm Year 7 Netball Club

Football Club All years (sports hall)

Year 8 & 9 Hockey (sports

hall)

PE Fixtures after half term: Tuesday 31st October Year7/8 football match vs Cecil Jones School – away Wednesday 1st November 2 x year 8/9 athletics team competing in the Lee Valley Indoor Athletics

Cup. Leaving SHSG at 2pm Thursday 2nd November Under 13 football tournament at Waterside Farm Sports Centre Somnes Avenue,

Canvey Island. Under 14 Essex Cup Netball Match vs Great Baddow – away

Dates for your diary: The regional cross country final will take place on Saturday 11th November at the Appleton School, Croft Road, Benfleet. The National Schools’ Cross Country Final is on Saturday 2nd December at Sevenoaks School Kent. The County round of the National Schools’ Netball tournament is on Sunday 19th November at the Gilberd School Colchester The regional round of the National Schools’ Netball tournament is on Saturday 27th January at the Stanborough School Hertfordshire. The Harrow School Cross Country Championships are on Sunday 4th March. Mrs S Simpson Head of Physical Education

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Dear Parents, Half-term is upon us and I am sure everybody is looking forward to a break! It is also a good opportunity, while all those uniform blazers and school bags are at home, to please check with your daughters and sons if there are any Christmas Cracker raffle tickets lurking about! And if you have not done so already, please support the school by purchasing them or alternatively return any unsold tickets to the school bank after half-term so that we can sell them at the upcoming events. Remember the prizes are pretty amazing and could make this year’s Christmas extra special: prize one is a chauffeur driven BMW to a West End show of your choice (tickets for 2 people included) and prize 2 is an Audi to drive for the weekend. Also, please don’t forget that our next meeting is going to take place at the school on Tuesday November 7th at 7pm. If you would like to attend, please contact Susanne Barton [email protected] or Rachel Jones [email protected]. Have a great week off school! Your SHSG Parents' Association

The PA has a supply of tickets for the Sealife Centre in Southend at a cost of £6 per ticket, which is quite a saving as the current entry prices are £13 per adult and £9 per child.

Adventure Island Tickets £17.00 Tickets are available to purchase from the School Bank. Payment can be made by cash or cheques made payable to SHSG –PA. Tickets for Sealife and also Adventure Island can be purchased through the school bank in the usual way or, if the school is closed, please contact the PA Treasurer Kim Foster, who has a supply of tickets as well. Her email

address is [email protected] For up to date information, please join our Facebook page: SHSG Parents' Association Thank you for your support PA Committee

THE WEEK AT A GLANCE

WEEK B

Monday 30th October Cross Country Years 7 to 13 Year 9 Netball Football Club All Years Year 7 Netball Club Years 8 & 9 Hockey Club

12.20pm 12.20pm 12.20pm 3.30pm 3.30pm

Tuesday 31st October Fitness Club All Years Under 16 Netball Club Year 7 Netball Club Latin Club Under 14 & Under 16 Netball Squad Training Japanese with Mrs Baxter (Year 7 & 8)

08.00am 12.20pm in the Sports Hall 12.20pm 12.30pm in M2 3.30pm 3.45-5.15pm

Wednesday 1st November Year 7 & 8 Hurdles Cross Country Years 7 to 13 Years 8 and 9 Hockey Club Fixture Night Sixth Form Open Evening

08.00am 12.20pm 12.20pm 3.30pm 6-8pm

Thursday 2nd November Under 16 Netball Club Year 8 Netball Club Geography Open House (All Years Welcome) Multi Event Athletics Club Years 7 & 8

12.20pm 12.20pm 12.20pm in GG1 3.30pm

Friday 3rd November

STAFF TRAINING DAY NO STUDENTS TODAY

Thought of the week …..