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The Fortnight That Was … 29 February - 11 March 2016
J6 VISIT SHAKESPEARE BIRTHPLACE TRUST
J6 recently visited the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford Upon Avon on
Thursday 25 February to discover what Shakespeare did and why he became so
famous. They took part in energetic workshop sessions based on the themes of
staging, understanding prose and how to develop characters.
The highlight for many was the opportunity to meet a wig and makeup artist from
the Royal Shakespeare Company. While regaling the children with stories of
famous actors she also let slip many tricks of the trade - never use real blood, too
smelly; the advantages of using pigs‟ eyeballs and the multiple uses of porridge
oats and pairs of tights! With shows as diverse as Titus Andronicus, Matilda and
Wendy and Peter Pan, the wigs and makeup team are clearly prepared for almost
anything.
Pupil, Brooke Walker was transformed into Captain Hook, complete with a
severed hand, and Cameron Elliott into a fairy princess. The day finished with the
class performing a snippet from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
TREBUCHET BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE
Year 7 pupils have been studying castles
and how they were attacked and defended.
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Following up his studies, Sam Pickles
(pictured right) has built a trebuchet which
was a most effective weapon used to breach
the walls of medieval castles. It is built of
wood and used lead weights to give the
tension for firing. He built it with his father
and it is a really well-built and authentic
looking model.
Sam brought the trebuchet into school to
demonstrate the model in a history lesson.
History teachers, Mr Tickle and Mrs McNally
think it is a superb visual aid which adds to
pupils‟ understanding of the topic.
It fires missiles up to ten feet and
in real life that would be about 100
metres. Sam says that history is
always fun, especially if you can
make visual aids.
SING UP DAY
The Junior School held its annual Sing Up Day on Friday 4 March.
Parents, grandparents, pupils and staff filled the Junior School hall as all
the children from the Early Years upwards took turns to sing songs and
entertain the audience. Well done to everyone who took part!
J4 VISIT SULGRAVE MANOR
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On Wednesday 24 February, J4 visited
Sulgrave Manor to learn about Tudor
exploration. We met Tudor servants
called Amy and Annie.
First we got dressed, we wore clothes
made out of linen and wool. The
clothes I wore were called a bodice, a
tunic, a curtail and a coif. I felt silly in
the clothes because I don‟t normally
wear that type of clothing.
Next we went into the Master‟s house, we went to the bed chamber. We
met a toddler named Christopher and a little baby called Henry. Amy
showed us all the different types of beds and told us that the Master went
all the way to London to get the grand carved bed. I felt sorry for Amy
because she had to sleep on a little
wooden bed, which was really just a big
straw pillow with a blanket.
After that, well after lunch, we went into
a hall and we built a boat out of benches
and Matthew and Madeleine got the
steering wheel. Angus got the anchor
and everybody else had either drinks,
food, candles or soap.
Finally, we went on a treasure hunt. I was in the grey group, we were
called The Elite Explorers. We found potatoes, peppers and a very prickly
pineapple because those are some of the things that the Tudor explorers
found when they explored the world.
I really want to go back again because the bedrooms were really good and
I liked building the ship.
Report written by Poppy Hartshorne
ALASTAIR GREEN MEMORIAL CONCERT
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On Thursday 3 March, a number of senior school musicians performed in
the annual Alastair Green Memorial Concert. It was lovely to see a full and
appreciative audience supporting the performers. The Girls‟ Chamber Choir
started with a rendition of For Good from the musical, Wicked.
This was followed by a mature and humorous performance of Cole Porter‟s
Tale of the Oyster by Year 9 singer, Alexandra Smith.
Alastair Green award holder, David Shortland (pictured) (Year 8), held the
audience spellbound when he performed two
clarinet pieces, Après un Reve and Prelude.
Brothers, Robert Carter (Year 8) and
William Carter (Year 9) performed on the guitar
and clarinet respectively, showing sensitivity
towards two technically-challenging pieces. Year
7 singer, Molly Jones, provided contrast with
Arianna Grande‟s pop song Flashlight, her
confident voice filling the chapel.
Two previous Alastair Green award holders also
performed in the concert; violinist Laura Bullen
performing a duet with Director of Music,
Miss Walsh, with aplomb and determination; and
pianist Samuel Gibbs playing one of his Grade 7 pieces, Shui Cao Wu.
Year 10 musician, Lilly Hagenberg, took to the stage, this time on the
clarinet, playing Andantino with grace. Connie Westaway sang Bernstein‟s
Somewhere, demonstrating great stage presence - we will surely be seeing
her name in lights in the West End in the future!
Charlie Barker, on trumpet, performed the fun and intense Tango Argentino
by Gorb and Upper Sixth flautist, Alexandra Crook, performed the virtuosic
Suite for Flute and Piano by Widor. The concert finished with an emotive
rendition of Ed Sheeran‟s recent song Photograph by the Senior School
Choir. Many congratulations to all the performers in this concert.
MUSICAL SUCCESS
Congratulations to Charlie Goode (J6) who took part in the Kettering
Eisteddfod on Thursday 10 March and did exceptionally well. He gained
two certificates for his performances on the flute: a First Place award in
Class 41 for Woodwind, Brass or Recorder Solo (11 years and under) plus
a Second Place award in Class 42 for Woodwind, Brass or Recorder Solo
(12 years and under).
Kieron Rice-Williams (J6) gained a Pass with Merit in his Rock School
Electric Guitar Grade One exam, and was only two points away from a
Distinction. Well done Kieron!
Congratulations also to Year 8 Pupil, Christopher Leeke, who passed his
Grade 3 Drum Kit exam with 73 marks.
● PITSFORD VILLAGE NOTICE ●
PITSFORD MAYFAYRE
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The Mayfayre will take place on Monday 2 May at 2.00pm at the Sportsfield in
Pitsford. There will be an ongoing barbecue, stalls and side shows, pony rides,
classic cars and refreshments. The Crowning of a May King and Queen will be at
2.00pm with Maypole Dancing. This is an opportunity for the village community to
get together as we did successfully last year. There will also be a table top sale at
the Mayfayre. If you would like to reserve a space please contact Tony on 07979
802524.
MAYPOLE DANCING AND MAY KING AND QUEEN
Pitsford village invites any girls and boys aged 3-11 who attend Pitsford School to
join the Maypole Dancing and enter for May King and Queen. Rehearsals are on
Saturday 16 April, 23 April and 30 April at 11.45am at the Sportsfield Pavilion.
All those taking part should try to come to every rehearsal, then they will be entered
to be chosen to be crowned Pitsford May King and Queen 2016 on Monday 2 May
at 2.00pm.
Contact Georgina Miles on [email protected] or 07836 555025 or
Margaret Brown on [email protected] or 01604 881805.
PITSFORD SCHOOL FOUNDER’S DAY SERVICE
Pitsford School‟s annual Founder‟s Day Service was held on Wednesday 2
March and we remember our founders with gratitude.
Mr Toone, Headmaster, began the service by reminding pupils of the vision
of those who, with courage and vision, founded the school in 1989. From
small beginnings as a boys‟ only school, Pitsford School has grown into the
thriving co-educational school it is today.
The service in the school chapel was attended by governors and included
prayers for the well-being of the school and prayers for departed founders.
Mr Alisdair Tait, Chair of Governors, read from the memoirs of a holocaust
survivor who pointed out that some of those who carried out atrocities in
history were educated people. The reading implored teachers to help
educated young people to be more humane. We, at Pitsford School, believe
this is an important aspect of what we, as a community, are trying to do.
A candle was lit by Head Boy, Isaac Hamlyn to symbolise education as
enlightening the soul. Head Girl, Sudha Pathak, also said a prayer.
The service ended with Jerusalem, the school hymn which was written by
Sir Hubert Parry a hundred years ago.
The service was followed by a bravura
performance of a movement from an
organ symphony by Vierne, played by
Stephen Moore who also played for the
hymns.
INTERVIEW WITH EMMA WALSH, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
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Can you tell us a little about your professional background? I did my
undergraduate degree in music at Roehampton University in South West
London, studying jazz voice with Anton
Browne. I went to the Institute of Education
in London for my PGCE.
When did you join Pitsford School? I
joined Pitsford School in September 2013 as
Director of Music, previously having been at
Oakham School in Rutland as a teacher of
music.
As Director of Music, can you tell us your
short and long term vision for music at
Pitsford? My main aim at Pitsford is to
develop the status and profile of music
around the school.
Since arriving at Pitsford, I have introduced
more practical work into the classroom for Years 7, 8 and 9, including class
ukulele lessons, Brazilian Samba drumming and Indonesian Gamelan.
My aim in lessons is to inspire pupils to listen to a wide variety of music and
enable them to have the confidence to form their own opinions about the
music we study.
Long term, as the school increases in size, I hope to continue to grow the
membership of the senior choir, increase numbers of those taking
instrumental and singing lessons, and develop a school orchestra. I have
also started planning a senior choir tour for summer 2017.
What inspired you to undertake a career in teaching and how did your
love of music develop? I‟ve always loved music and according to my
mum, I sang before I could talk! I began violin lessons aged three and
piano lessons at the age of five. I come from a musical family - my
grandmother was a professional singer, my mother was a flautist and
pianist and my dad loves karaoke!
My sister and I grew up making music together for fun at home and I
attended the Purcell School of Music from the age of seven. It seemed
completely normal to me that music was part of everyday life at school as
every pupil learned at least one instrument and we all belonged to the
school‟s various choirs.
I first thought about teaching during my gap year when I worked at Edge
Grove Preparatory School in Aldenham. One of my responsibilities was
teaching music to the nursery class up to Year 1 which was quite an
initiation into the world of teaching.
After my undergraduate degree, I worked at The Leys, Cambridge, as their
Graduate Musician for a year and was inspired to do a secondary PGCE
afterwards.
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Did you play any instruments as a child and what advice would you
give to a pupil considering learning an instrument? As well as the violin
and piano, I learned the cello for a year when I was ten but was told by my
violin teacher to give it up as it was affecting my violin playing. I can get by
on the saxophone and had singing lessons through school and university
as well. I have basic guitar skills and want to improve these further, when I
have the time! If you have the opportunity to learn an instrument, don‟t let it
pass you by. One of the most common things that adults say to me is that
they wish they‟d learned an instrument at
school, or wish they‟d continued with their
instrumental lessons. You can obtain so
much from learning an instrument, not just
how to play it but skills of self-motivation,
determination, working with others and
independence.
Do you have a favourite piece of music?
It‟s impossible to choose a favourite song or piece as it completely depends
on the mood I‟m in or the day I‟ve had. One of my favourite violin pieces is
The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams as it holds a lot of sentimental
value for me. On the opposite end of the scale I absolutely love country
and western, especially anything by Dolly Parton or Garth Brooks.
How would you describe Pitsford School? Pitsford School is a lovely,
friendly school with a family feel and I think the atmosphere of the school is
down to our pupils. It‟s very different from other schools I‟ve worked in,
staff have a lot of time for the pupils and it is a similar size to the school I
attended which means that pupils bond with pupils in other year groups.
Do you have any words of wisdom for the pupils? If you have the
chance to try something new then grab it with both hands. Only make a
decision about something or someone after you have given them a fair
chance. You don‟t want to look back in 10, 20 or 30 years and say “I wish
I‟d tried that at school.”
What are your hobbies? In the school holidays, I often get the chance to
perform/sing with my sister‟s band at gigs. I love sitting down to read a
good book, enjoy going to the gym, particularly Crossfit and I love skiing.
All those have given way to wedding planning at the moment however!
LUNCHTIME CONCERT REVIEW
Our lunchtime concert on Thursday 10 March featured six senior school
musicians - all of whom are taking ABRSM or Trinity Guildhall
instrumental exams next week.
Each pupil played one of their exam pieces and for some it was the first
public performance they had given on their instrument. We wish all of the
pupils the best of luck in their exams and look forward to hearing how
they got on.
Performers: Charlie Barker (trumpet), Henry Bellamy (piano),
Laura Bullen (piano), William Carter (clarinet), Richard Liao (piano) and
Matthew Webdale (piano).
YEAR 8 SAMBA ASSEMBLY
On Friday 4 March, form 8N led an assembly on Brazilian Samba.
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As well as talking about the origins of Samba drumming and the Rio
Carnival, pupils talked about and demonstrated the different instruments
of a Samba band and explained the mestre‟s (leader‟s) role when
directing the group, including some rather strange hand signals!
At the end of their presentation they played a well known Rio Carnival
song Brazil.
Pitsford School‟s Director of Music,
Miss Walsh, then led the whole
school in building up a vocal
version of the piece. Very well
done to the pupils of 8N.
J3 VISIT STRATFORD BUTTERFLY FARM
As part of their Spring topic on „weather around the world‟, J3 visited
Stratford Butterfly Farm on Thursday 3 March.
It was an exciting chance to see, learn about, and even handle some
creatures and insects from more exotic climates.
The children had a chance to handle butterflies and spiders, as well as
the opportunity to observe at close
quarters iguanas, chameleons,
scorpions and many other amazing
animals and birds from all over the
world.
SPORTS ROUND UP…
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On Thursday 25 February, the
Year 8 girls played an energetic
game of netball against Moulton
School. The game started off
great and only got better!
Within the first quarter we had
already scored 10 goals whilst our
opposition was still on nil. With
great team support and positivity
we came through fighting, playing
all four quarters to our best ability.
The end score was 35 to Pitsford
and 1 to Moulton.
Personally, I believe everyone in our team deserves to be mentioned. I
would like to congratulate Lucy, Amelia, Cameron and Siobhan for great
defensive skills shown throughout the game, and to all of our attackers and
centre court players. Though, of course, we wouldn't have come out so
successfully without our fantastic shooters. Well done to Natasha, our star
shooter and player of the match. None of this would have been possible
without everyone‟s contribution to the game. Well played girls! Report
written by Sophia Russell
After our great success at Moulton, we arrived at the U13 Netball
Tournament on Monday 29 February with high hopes of even more
success. We played in the U13 County Plate competition hosted by
Kettering Business Academy and started with high energy levels and great
team confidence.
In the first round, we played seven games, five of which we won, one we
drew and one we lost. We had beaten Wrenn, KBA, Duston, NSG and
Wollaston, drew to Manor and lost to Malcolm Arnold Academy. These
results showed our great defensive, attacking and shooting skills.
After our first seven matches, our energy levels were running low, but we
didn't let this dampen our hopes. We were soon to find out that we would
be playing in the semi finals against Northampton School for Girls. 20
minutes later we had won and earned ourselves a place in the Final!
Excitement flew around the team, could we really win the Final? I had
never seen a team so focused and determined to do well. We were soon to
find out that we would be playing against Malcolm Arnold; a team that had
beaten us a few months ago in the season and a few hours ago in the
tournament!
With medals in our sight, we played to our very best ability. The match was
intense, with players from both teams getting a bit rough at times. Pitsford
had scored once, Malcolm Arnold next and Pitsford again. In the last few
minutes we managed to squeeze another goal in - settling the score 3-1 to
Pitsford. We had done it! I would like to thank Mrs Chacksfield for making
all of this possible and the rest of the girls in Year 8. Well done! Report
written by Sophia Russell
SPORTS ROUND UP…
On Monday 7 March, our Year 10 Netball team came 2nd in the County
Plate Competition to Lodge Park losing 7-5 in the final. The team has now
qualified for the Cup Competition at Oundle School next week.
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Now in its 21st season, the Prima Tiger Cup, is a free-to-enter contact
based tournament open to all under 10s teams. The tournament takes part
over five festivals covering the Tigers
Academy region and beyond.
Through a series of festivals, teams
play for a place to represent their
clubs in the knockout stages at
Welford Road.
This year more than 70 teams, 1,000
players, played in the regional
festivals at Lutterworth, Mellish,
Newmarket, Swaffham and
Tamworth, making this the biggestever Prima Tiger Cup season. On Sunday 6 March, Pitsford School Year 5
pupils, Ned Bellamy and Fabian Powell, played for Market Harborough
RUFC in the showpiece climax Prima Cup Final at Welford Road, beating
Moseley, to secure the 2016 title.
On Monday 7 March, our U12 Netball
team came joint 2nd in the County
Plate tournament losing out on goal
difference to the cup round. Well
done.
On Tuesday 8 March, the J4 boys
travelled to Stafford to take part in
the ISA Midlands U9 tag rugby tournament. Although narrowly losing their
first game by one point, the J4 boys quickly gathered their composure and
went on to win their next two games, eventually making it as far as the
semi-finals of the plate competition. For a first tournament, the team
showed some real promise and all players gave their best and played with
determination and outstanding team spirit.
Well done to Alfie Chacksfield, Joshua Coleman, Thisho Manorakan,
Matthew Mason, Angus McCallum-Toppin, Finn Mehta Hodges, Ben Owen,
Lewis Robson and Dylan Russell.
Menus
As all our produce is sourced locally, menus are subject to change and older pupils will
be offered additional options which are not shown here.
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Monday 14 March
Chicken, tomato and basil penne pasta with herby diced potatoes and green beans
(V) Tomato, mushroom and basil penne pasta
Chocolate krispies
Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts
Tuesday 15 March
Minced beef and onion pie served with new potatoes and sweetcorn
(V) Vegetarian fajitas with feta cheese
Lemon drizzle cake with custard
Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts
Wednesday 16 March
Roast chicken breast with Yorkshire pudding, oven roast potatoes, roast gravy, carrots
and peas
(V) Baked salmon fillet
Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts
Thursday 17 March
Thai coconut chilli chicken served with boiled rice and broccoli spears
(V) Macaroni cheese bake
Red cherry crumble with custard
Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts
Friday 18 March
Breaded cod loin served with chips and baked beans
(V) Vegetable sausages
Homemade cheesecake and muffins
Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts
What’s On Looking Ahead?
Monday 14 March
J1-J6 Football Club (Lunchtime)
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U12/U13/U15 County Netball (a) Oundle
Saturday 26 - Monday 28 March
10.00am-4.00pm Rotary Art Exhibition in
the Library
4.20pm Senior Choir
Tuesday 15 March
9.30am Kits-J1 West Lodge Farm
J3-J6 Art
J3-J6 Multisports
9.00am Year 9 Contraception Talk
10.15am Year 10 STI Talk
1.50pm-4.00pm Music Exams
2.30pm U14/U15 Netball (a) NHS
3.30pm U15 Rugby (h) Bishop Stopford
Wednesday 16 March
Monday 4 - Fri 8 April
Lower Sixth Snowdonia Trip (departs at
8.00am and returns at 2.00pm)
Monday 11 April
Summer Term begins
J1-J6 Football (Lunchtime)
J3-J6 Rounders
Tuesday 12 April
Recorders (Beginners) Lunchtime
4.00pm-4.45pm Gardening Kits-J2
J2-J3 Kwik Cricket
J3-J6 Athletics
J6 Sailing (offered to J5 if space)
Junior School Council (Lunchtime)
Squirrels-J2 Tiny Tag Rugby
8.30am Parents‟ Pilates class - JS Hall
10.10am Senior String Ensemble
2.30pm U11 Netball (h) NHS
Wednesday 13 April
3.30pm U18 Rugby (a) Bishop Stopford School Council (Lunchtime)
Tiny Tag Rugby Squirrels-J2
Thursday 17 March
J3-J4 Drama
8.40am-9.00am J6 Class Assembly
J5-J6 Running
Recorders (Intermediate - Lunchtime)
8.30am Parents‟ Pilates class - JS Hall
3.30pm-4.10pm J1-J2 Tennis
4.00pm-5.20pm Fishing Activity
4.10pm –5.00pm J3-J6 Tennis
4.00pm-6.50pm Pinnacle Climbing Centre
J5-J6 Drama (for Easter production)
Junior Swimming (J6, J5 and J4)
Thursday 14 April
1.20pm Senior Guitar Ensemble
Recorders (Intermediate) Lunchtime
3.30pm U12/U13 Netball (a) NSG
3.30pm-4.10pm J1-J2 Tennis
3.30pm U12 Rugby (a) Bishop Stopford 4.10pm-5.10pm J3-J6 Tennis
J4-J6 Cricket
Friday 18 March
J3-J4 Music (Lunchtime)
J3-J6 Dance (Lunchtime)
2.00pm J5-J6 Easter Drama Production
3.00pm Junior Easter Egg Hunt
10.10am Senior Woodwind Ensemble
U11 Rugby (a) Princethorpe
Friday 15 April
J3-J6 Dance (Lunchtime)
J3-J6 Knitting (Lunchtime)
3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Choir
J4-J6 American Football
2.00pm-4.00pm Second Hand Uniform Sale
3.00pm Senior Lent Service
Blue text denotes Junior School events
For the complete list of Senior
Activities, see the Activity Booklet
on www.pitsfordschool.com