Richard Hale School
Science and Engineering Academy
DOCTRINA CVM VIRTVTE
31st March 2017
Dear Parents
Senior Colours
Achievement certificates and colours were awarded to senior students in a packed hall this morning. They
covered a wide range of activities and included teams and individuals that performed at District, County and
National level.
Competition was fierce for the Senior Team of the Year Award with a number of strong teams being
nominated as follows:
Senior Football Team
Year 11 Football Team
Senior Cross Country Team
Senior Boys Athletics Team
Senior Swimming Team
St Paul’s Choir
400 Years of Hale actors and musicians
Dragons Apprentice - Team Fresh Start
Year 10 Young Enterprise Team
In the end the award went to the senior 4x4 team who reached the world final of the 4x4 competition and
came 6th overall and was awarded best pit display. They were worthy winners having represented the school
at regional, national and international finals. Congratulations to the team of Jake Haslam, Josh Davies, Barty
Pitt, Henry Vincett-Wilson and Kieran Gunn.
Success does not come without effort. Teams and individuals do not reach national and county levels of
performance by accident; they have a talent that is nurtured by coaches, teachers and parents. They will all
have practiced or rehearsed for many hours.
To achieve academic excellence and to maximise their own potential they need to put the hard hours into
revision over the next few weeks. They can massively improve their life chances by thorough preparation for
their exams.
My own top tip would be to be aware of time bandits that can disrupt revision and ultimately affect final
grades. Plan to work without the distraction of social media, friends, mute mobile phones, and avoid Facebook
and Twitter. Build communication breaks into daily revision programmes if really needed!
French Exchange
Last week we said 'au revoir' to our 35 French Exchange students and their three teachers. They spent a week
with Richard Hale and Presdales' Year 9 and 10 families, experiencing life in Britain. The students visited
London; going to The Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Science Museum and taking a cruise on the Thames.
Our students and their partners also visited Cambridge, where we had a tour of the city and went punting on
the River Camb. A wonderful day was had by all and we were very lucky with the weather, cold but thankfully
no rain! A visit to Hertford Castle and a meeting with the Mayor, followed by afternoon tea with the students
and their families bringing in lots of wonderful homemade afternoon tea bakes brought the week to a close.
We would like to say a big thank you to our families for hosting our French students and extending them a very
warm welcome. We are looking forward to visiting Nantes again in November!
Science Talk
To continue our National Science Week and 400th Anniversary celebrations, we had a guest speaker in school
on Tuesday. Simon Watt is a biologist, science communicator and TV presenter who founded the Ugly Animal
Preservation Society to elect the nation's ugliest animal (won by the blobfish), and aims to raise awareness of
Headmaster: Stephen M Neate
Richard Hale School is a company limited by guarantee (company no. 08572898) and exempt
charity registered in England and Wales at Hale Road, Hertford, Herts. SG13 8EN
Tel: 01992 583441 Email: [email protected]
the conservation of endangered species - and not just cute pandas! Our Year 7-10 students, plus sixth form
Biology students, learnt about how many 'ugly' species have evolved, and how important they are: for example
over 150 new medicines have been found in frogs. We also invited 150 pupils from local primary schools, who
also thoroughly enjoyed the talks, one student said it was the 'best trip ever'!
Our final activity is a competition for Year 7-10 students to create the 'best evolved organism', using
adaptations from various organisms that they have researched. Entries should be handed in to their Biology
teachers after Easter, and prizes will be awarded soon after. More details are available on Google Classroom.
Hopefully Simon's talk will have inspired some more ideas of the weird and wonderful adaptations organisms
use to survive which students can use in this task.
Model MUN Conference
Richard Hale had a significant presence at last weekend's Model UN conference at Haileybury. The conference
replicates the official United Nations conference in NY, demanding that every delegate is able to handle an
array of global issues and to provide diplomatic solutions to problems affecting the environment, global
politics, economics and human rights, for example. The Haileybury event is the largest and perhaps most
prestigious in the UK, attracting well over 500 students from the UK and beyond. All of our student delegates
contributed a great deal (eg writing resolutions, discussing issues in committee and speaking at the full
General Assembly) to a very long and demanding weekend. Well done to all those involved.
Maths Challenges
Two weeks ago two Year 8 students (Matthew Crosby and Daniel Fitzgerald) and two Year 9 students (Kai
Smith and Toby Goddard) took part in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge Regional final at Bancroft’s School,
Woodford Green. They achieved a very respectable 8 th place out of 28 schools. On Monday this week the Year
8 students were joined by two others (George Clarke and Toby Golding) to take part in the Herts for Learning
Year 8 team challenge in Bishops Stortford. The boys worked really well as a team and not only achieved 1st
place in their heat but also scored a higher mark than in any of the other heats to reach the final of the
competition which will take place sometime next term.
Photo Gallery and 2017 Merchandise
Please be advised that photographs and 2017 merchandise can now be purchased via the website either under
the About Us/Photo Gallery section or Alumni/Merchandise section. This will replace the Wisepay facility
currently used for purchasing 2017 merchandise. To view all items available, please click here.
2017 RHA Annual Dinner
The Richard Hale Association held their Annual Dinner last Friday evening at The Priory in Ware. Some 146 old
boys and girls enjoyed reuniting with one another and listening to great speeches from former Headmaster,
Mike James and Honorary President and contemporary thriller writer, Lord Michael Dobbs, who regaled
anecdotes of his time as adviser to Margaret Thatcher! The RHA held a very successful auction and prize draw
which together raised over £5,000 with proceeds going towards the 2017 Development Fund. A special thank
you must go to John Atkinson, Matthew Botheras and Sue Homan for organising the event.
Rock at the Castle 2017
We were delighted to receive the news that Hertford Town Council have chosen the school to be the main
beneficiary for this year’s Rock at the Castle which will be held on 6 th August 2017. Rock at the Castle is in its
13th year and has become a well-established and successful event within HTC’s annual events programme.
This will be a fantastic opportunity for the school to continue with its fundraising efforts in the quest to raise
funds for the new sports hall. Further information about the event will be sent out in due course.
Chamber Music by Candlelight
Tickets are selling fast for our second Chamber Music by Candlelight evening of the year, taking place on
Thursday 27th April at 7pm in the Recital Room. You will be treated to performances by our many smaller
ensembles, including (amongst others) the Piano Trio, String Quartet, Flute Ensemble, as well as a range of
senior student solos. Complementary canapés and fizz will also be served and guests will be seated at tables
for a more relaxed atmosphere. Tickets are in advance only and are priced at £10 Adult, £5 under 18 and can
be purchased by bringing cash or a cheque (made payable to Richard Hale School) to the Music Office. Please
also indicate who you would like to be seated with, if you have a preference. Please contact
[email protected] for more information or to reserve tickets.
A Level Recital
Two of our Year 13 students, Mark Rider and Alice Shrimpton, gave a wonderful lunch recital yesterday of their
programmes which will they will be submitting for their A Level work. They each performed a 12 minute
programme of a selection of works, demonstrating superb stamina and preparation. Staff and students
enjoyed the opportunity to spend a relaxing lunch break listening to such quality performances. There will be
further lunch recitals after Easter.
Woodwind Recital & Masterclass
Our woodwind students (flute, clarinet, saxophone & oboe) will be giving an informal recital on Thursday 20 th
April at 7pm in the Recital Room. Students of all abilities will be performing as well as the Flute Ensemble and
our newly formed Junior Wind group. Parents of boys who play these instruments should have received a
letter with details; please contact [email protected] if not. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge
for the concert but refreshments will be on sale. This will be followed the next day with a special masterclass
for clarinet and saxophone players led by Rachel Coe, an ex-student and professional clarinetist.
Sport
Rugby - Year 7 Hertfordshire Schools’ Rugby ’10 a-side’ Tournament @ Berkhamsted School took place this
week. The team played 7 matches, won 4, drew 1 and lost 2, results were:
Samuel Ryder
Won 10-5
Hockerill
Drew – 5-5
QE Barnet
Lost 15-5
Hemel Hempstead
Won 10-5
Leventhorpe
Won 25-0
Hitchin Boys
Lost 20-10
St Georges
Won 25-0
Swimming - a busy month for the final galas of this season's school swimming, kicked off in fine style with no
less than six of our boys representing East Herts at the Hertfordshire Senior School Swimming Gala held on the
3rd March at Hemel Hempstead. A very full night with Sidney Thompson, Connor O'Sullivan, Finn Menich, Neo
Metz, Ben Williamson and Will Charles sharing 13 events between them and helping to contribute to East
Herts 3rd place overall in the combined team event. Full results can be viewed here:
http://www.hertsssa.org.uk/uploads/5/2/5/3/5253152/170303_hssa_sec_i-d_results___scores_v3.pdf
The Hale swimming squad rounded off the last of the District League's swimming galas in true style, with
dominance in the individual events, picking up no less than 7 golds out of the 12 available, along with 20 golds
for our swimmers in 5 of the 6 relay events. Special mention must go to Ben Williamson who secured gold
with a personal best time of 27.20 seconds in his intermediate 50m freestyle race, setting a new PB and only
just shy of Will Charles' gold winning performance in the equivalent senior event with an astonishing 26.66
seconds. Hale dominance in the pool underpinned another first place overall for the Hale swimming team this
year - well done to all of our swimmers this year.
Football - the Year 11 football team played St Marys in the U16 District Final at Cheshunt on Wednesday and
unfortunately lost the chance to gain some silverware. The game started brightly with an early goal for Hale
but the team never reached the level they are capable of and went into half time 3-1 down. The second half
saw more effort and a willing to close the ball down but alas the final score was a 5-2 loss.
They have been superb all season and hopefully they can pick themselves up ready for their U16 County Cup
Final against Verulam after Easter. This final has been arranged for Tuesday 25th April at Hertford Town FC, KO
4pm. All support is welcome with an entry fee of £1 per person. All money raised will go towards Macmillan
Cancer.
Pupil News
Congratulations to:
Steffan Jones, Year 12, took take part in a trial game for the WRU Welsh Exiles, played at Christs College,
Brecon last Sunday. Steffan played a significant part in his side's 8 tries to 3 victory and on the back of his
performance, Steffan has been selected to play for the U17 WRU Welsh Exiles against the Cardiff Blues at
Cardiff Arms Park on the 9th April.
Harry O’Hare, Year 8, and Joshua Langley and Charlie Gates, Year 9, are starring in Splurge and Havoc at the
Hertford Theatre in May. Full details can be obtained from the box office – 01992 531500.
Ethan Primett, Year 7, took part in the National Schools Cross Country Championships for Year 7 Boys recently
in Loughborough. Ethan finished in 12th out of a field of 153 athletes and was the first boy home for
Hertfordshire.
Stephen M Neate
Headmaster
Forthcoming Events
April
Tuesday 18th
Monday 24th
Tuesday 25th
Wednesday 26th
Thursday 27th
May
Monday 1st
Tuesday 2nd
Wednesday 3rd
Thursday 4th
Friday 5th
Monday 8th
Tuesday 9th
Wednesday 10th
Thursday 11th
Saturday 13th
Monday 15th
Tuesday 16th
Wednesday 17th
Saturday 20th
Monday 22nd
Tuesday 23rd
Wednesday 24th
Friday 26th
Summer term begins
AS / A2 German Oral Exams to the 21st
Year 10 Exams to the 25th
Year 11 MFL Controlled Assessments to the 28th
Year 8 Exams to the 28th
Year 10 Work Shadowing to the 28th
Junior Maths Challenge
Chamber Concert
Bank Holiday – School Closed
AS French Orals to the 4th
Senior House Athletics Field Events
Senior House Athletics
Year 8 Options Evening
AS / A2 Art Exam
Year 8 Options Assembly
AS / A2 Art Exam
MLF Visiting Theatre Group
Year 10 DofE Interviews to the 9th
AS / A2 Art Exam
Year 7 Bude Parents’ Meeting
Year 10 Parents’ Evening
Bronze DofE Practice Expedition 1 to the 14th
Public Exams start through to the 29th June
Year 7 Exams start through to the 26th May
Timing of the School Day changes
House Bake Off
House Bake Off
Year 10 History Trip Parents’ Meeting
Year 6 Treasure Hunt
Bronze DofE Practice Expedition 2 to the 21st
Year 9 Exams start to the 9th June
Year 8 Parents’ Evening
Leavers’ Lunch
Year 7 Exams End
Monday 29th
June
Monday 5th
Forthcoming Weeks
Monday 3rd April
Tuesday 18th April
Monday 24th April
Tuesday 2nd May
Monday 8th May
Monday 15th May
Monday 22nd May
Monday 29th May
Monday 5th June
Monday 12th June
Monday 19th June
Monday 26th June
Monday 3rd July
Monday 10th July
Monday 17th July
Year 8 Options Deadline
Half Term Week
Return to school
Easter Holiday
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Week 2
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Week 2
Half Term
Week 1
Week 2
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