Issue No. 141
Dear Parents
Later next week our U14 and U16 touring cricket teams
leave for Grenada. We wish them well in all their travels and
games! A week in the sunshine plus plenty of cricket – it
doesn’t get much better than that!
Mrs Dyer should be back on Monday and we’re grateful to
Miss Bonfiglioli who has covered her lessons and who will
be back again in a few months’ time when Mrs Pegg will
begin her maternity leave.
In a hurry? Click below the link you require and it will take
you straight to the article:

Years 7, 9, 10 and 12 Assessments.

Message from the Exams Office

Year 7 PSHE

Clothing Appeal – Boys’ Clothing and Shoes

Clothing Appeal–QEH Clothing Cupboard

Remember PE and Games kit.

Health Centre email address

Mumps

Reading Well Shelf Help Books for Young People’s
Mental Health

Chamber Music Concert, Wednesday 8 February

Bristol Cathedral Art Exhibition

RP and Classics Trip to Italy – Parents’ Information
Evening

Sixth Form General Studies

Spanish Hospital in the Theatre!

Year 7 Readathon – Thank You

Model United Nations

Author Visit – Annabel Claridge

Year 7 Capture the Castle

Maths Senior Kangaroo 2016

Ten Tors training on Exmoor

All aboard!

Year 9 MasterChef Challenge

Unwanted Lego?

Gold Merit Certificate

Sports Results

Years 10-13 Careers Events at Churchill School

Life Cycle UK Bikeability Courses
Letters available on the Parent Portal this week:
Whole School Clubs and Activities List, Spring 2017
Year 7
Sponsored Hike, 8 February
Year 9
MasterChef Challenge
Year 9
Parents’ Evenings, March 2017
Years 10-12
Berlin History Trip Update
Year 12
Positions of Responsibility in Year 13
Years 7, 9, 10 and 12 Assessments.
These will be available on the parent and pupil portals from
4pm on Monday 13 February. Please find some time to
discuss these with your son in order to celebrate success
and identify ways to further improve. If you have any
problems,
then
please
contact
the
school
on
[email protected].
Mr J Martin
Deputy Head (Academic)
3 February 2017
Message from the Exams Office
For parents of boys taking GCSE/IGCSE, AS and A2 exams
in May/June 2017.
All students taking an exam were issued with a statement of
entry/timetable in December. These can be found on the
Parent Portal.
Students can also access them via the Pupil Portal.
Some exam times are arranged internally, i.e. MFL
speaking, Science practicals, Art, Photography, Drama and
Music.
All those who have to go into isolation will be informed
separately after half term.
Mr P Kirby
Exams Officer
Year 7 PSHE
We have started a new topic on relationships so this week
we focused on the importance of communication by looking
at the words we use. Pupils were only allowed to choose 6
words which they then had to use to send and share
messages with other members of their form. In the end they
built up a bank of 24 words by swapping and trading words
with other members of the class. This led to an interesting
discussion of the importance of non-verbal communication,
the value of certain words over others and the ease with
which our words and messages can be distorted if we aren’t
clear enough. We concluded that good communication is
essential to good relationships. (Owing to the author visit
7Z will do this activity next week)
Ms J Sharrock
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Clothing Appeal – Boys’ Clothing and Shoes
We have been approached by the Za Foundation, a charity
which supports and educates 300 orphan and vulnerable
children with after school clubs in the Nkomazi region of
South Africa. They are desperately short of boys’ clothes
and hope that the QEH community can help. If you have any
boys’ clothes or shoes which your sons no longer need,
please ask your son to deliver them to Mr Ellis’ office by the
end of February and we will pass them on to Za. Half term is
a great opportunity to have a clear out!
Mr W Ellis
Assistant Head (Operations)
Clothing Appeal–QEH Clothing Cupboard
While you’re having a clear out for Za, please gather up any
old style white PE kit and cotton rugby shorts and shirts for
SOS KIT AID . The charity distributes sports kit to countries
where the children have very little and to sport coaching
programmes that change lives home and aboard. This is
your chance to get rid of any old style kit you still have, and
give it to a worthy cause!
Please send clean kit in bags to school by Tuesday 28
February – they must be clearly labelled “Friends Clothing
Cupboard charity donations”
Mrs N Brenchley
Friends of QEH
01
Remember
PE and Games kit.
Please remind your son(s) to bring their PE and games kit
home before half term next Friday.
Health Centre email address
As Nicky Burns and Juli Escrit work on various different
days in the Health Centre, we have set up a central email
address that both nurses can access. Therefore please
now use [email protected] for all email
correspondence on any medical issues. Thank you.
Mrs N Burns and Mrs J Escrit
Health Centre
Mumps
You may have heard on the news that there is a potential
cluster of Mumps in a nearby sixth form college. Mumps is a
contagious viral infection that used to be common in
children before the introduction of the MMR vaccine.
It’s most recognisable by the painful swellings at the side of
the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person
with mumps a distinctive "hamster face" appearance.
Other symptoms of mumps include headaches, joint pain
and a high temperature, which may develop a few days
before the swelling of the parotid glands.
With this in mind, we ask parents to check that their
children have had both of their MMR vaccinations in order
to protect against this virus and if they suspect their child
has Mumps, they should remain off school and contact their
GP for assessment. For further details regarding Mumps, its
symptoms, complications and treatment please click here.
Health Centre
RP and Classics Trip to Italy – Parents’
Information Evening
A reminder that the information evening for parents of boys
going on the RP and Classics trip to Italy, is on Thursday 23
February at 7pm in the QEH Theatre. It is important that
each pupil is represented at the meeting.
Mrs R Stevens
Head of Religion and Philosophy
Sixth Form General Studies
Year 12 and 13 students enjoyed an honest, passionate and
also witty presentation from Emma Cole who visited the
school on Thursday, as part of the Sixth Form General
Studies programme. Emma contracted the HIV virus as a
young woman in the early 1990s, when understanding of
HIV/AIDS was rather different to today. The boys asked
plenty of insightful questions as Emma delivered a thoughtprovoking session covering areas of sexual health,
relationships, medication and social stigma, and the warmth
of the applause at the end was very richly deserved - thanks
Emma!
To commemorate 26 years of living with HIV, Emma is
running the 26 miles of this year's London Marathon, raising
money for 'Body and Soul', a charity supporting young
people who have a positive HIV diagnosis. Any donations
are welcome at
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmmaColePositiveVoice. She is
also happy to be contacted by anyone from the QEH
community via Twitter @emmacolehiv.
Reading Well Shelf Help Books for Young
People’s Mental Health
Bristol Libraries have been given funding by the local health
authority to provide free collections of the Reading Well
Shelf Help books in public libraries and secondary schools.
'Shelf Help Books for Young People's Mental Health'
recommends books for 13-18 year olds, with advice and
information to help young people understand and manage
their mental health, wellbeing and emotional resilience. The
collection of books is now available in the Counselling
Office. Further information can be found at here.
Mrs A Robbins
Librarian
Chamber Music Concert, Wednesday 8 February
Next Wednesday, there will be an hour long mixed recital in
the QEH Theatre. Please come along and hear students
from all year groups perform popular gems from Western
Classical Music. Soloists will play a wide range of repertoire
from Bach through to Balakirev. This is free event and no
tickets are required.
Mr T Harrison
Assistant Director of Music
Bristol Cathedral Art Exhibition
The annual Bristol Cathedral Senior Schools Art Exhibition
will run from 10 – 21 February. We will be exhibiting pieces
by our GCSE and A-Level students and I invite you to come
along to view their work. The exhibited pieces are always of
a very high standard and well worth a look.
Mrs N Dyer
Head of Art
Spanish Hospital in the Theatre!
Hispanists from Y8 to 13 enjoyed a play from a Spanish
touring theatre company about Alejandro, Lucia, Facebook
and how not to get a girlfriend. It was an interactive play
and a number of boys got a chance to show off their acting
and language skills. The Oscar went to Reuben Hothersall
for his part as a sick man in bed who nearly steals
Alejandro’s girlfriend.
“Muy bien” - O.Morris. “Really helpful for my Spanish” –
S.Gittins. “I was surprised how much I could understand” –
J. Stoodley. “It was really fun to be picked to go on stage
and interact with the play” – J. Sale. “Muy cómico” – C
Cutland.
Year 7 Readathon – Thank You
We have received a lovely thank you message from the
charity, who will using the funds raised at QEH to buy brand
new books and storyteller sessions for the children at
Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital. We have also been
chosen to receive a book bundle because of our efforts.
Well done, Year 7!
Mrs A Robbins
Librarian
available to borrow from the library and you learn more
about her book on the website.
Mrs A Robbins
Librarian
Model United Nations
Last Sunday, a group of QEH Sixth Formers made their way
across the Triangle to BGS for a day of debate and
discussion with students from across the region. However,
as this was the Model United Nations, they were
representing a variety of nations’ viewpoints when
discussing the great issues of the day. After last year’s
(Y13) Saudi Arabian delegation provided our sole first entry
to the competition, this year, three delegations were made
up of QEH students, representing Italy, Mexico and New
Zealand. Across the day, the delegates went off to separate
committees where they discussed issues ranging from the
international economy to disarmament, before coming back
together at the end for a General Assembly where they had
to react to an international crisis situation. This was the
very first experience of the MUN for all the QEH students
that took part and they certainly held their own among some
more experienced delegations. Indeed, James Palmer (Y12)
was singled out at the final awards ceremony for his
excellent contributions to his committee’s proceedings.
With this experience behind them, let’s hope that this year's
delegates can return to even greater success in 2018!
Dr A Burns
Head of History
Year 7 Capture the Castle
On Tuesday, Year 7 visited Chepstow Castle as part of their
studies of Norman castles. The weather held off, and the
boys thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the castle, seeing at
first hand the way that the castle had developed from its
initial construction in 1067.
Mr T Appleby
Maths Senior Kangaroo 2016
Author Visit – Annabel Claridge
Annabel Claridge made a return visit to QEH on Thursday
and spoke to pupils in Year 7, in the Library.
Annabel came to introduce the research topic that Year 7
pupils will begin in the Spring Term on endangered species,
by talking about the ongoing research that she has done on
her Young Adult (YA) novel, The Rhino Farm. She began the
session by reading an extract from her book. Annabel spent
more than an hour talking about the plight of the Black
Rhino, which at current estimates will be extinct in 10 years
and the reasons behind poaching. The boys were riveted
and asked lots of very intelligent questions. Boys who
purchased a copy of the book had a further opportunity to
ask questions during book signing. The Rhino Farm is
Very well done to the following boys who gained certificates
in the UKMT Senior Kangaroo that took place at the end of
last term:
Yuchao Fan
Merit
Andreas Richardson
Merit
Albert Li
Caleb Smith
Matt Shaw
Seb M’Caw
Thomas Bradley
George Cherry
Aydin Caglayan
James Smithson
Mr R Martineau
Head of Maths
Ten Tors training on Exmoor
Training for this year’s Challenge shifted to Exmoor last
weekend. For the twenty two potential 35 Milers, it was their
first chance to test their camping skills as well as walking
and navigating with full expedition packs. For those in Year
11 hoping to tackle the 45 Mile route it was a chance to get
reacquainted with map reading. After the snow of the
Brecon’s a fortnight earlier, Exmoor was milder but wetter.
The Black Mountain in South Wales awaits those who
choose to carry on: traditionally not such a temperate
environment!
Mr A Calder
Head of Outdoor Pursuits
Year 9 MasterChef Challenge
The MasterChef Challenge for Year 9 is underway and I
hope the boys have already managed to safely prepare and
serve one dish! The coming half term may be an
opportunity to try something new or to perfect a family
favourite. The deadline for all completed forms, with photos
of their three dishes, is Friday 10 March.
Mrs E Conquest
Head of Year 9
Unwanted Lego?
All aboard!
As part of their current study of the growth in Bristol in
Geography, all Year 7 pupils recently spent a morning afloat
exploring the changes that have occurred around the
Floating Harbour. Our extremely knowledgeable skipper
told us about how life along the harbour side has changed
over recent decades, all the while steering the good ship
Bagheera skilfully past other boats and resting cormorants.
This part of Bristol has certainly been transformed since the
1980s, warehouses and wharfs closing to make way mostly
for luxury flats and offices, as well as larger schemes such
as the Watershed, the Lloyds building and the MShed.
Mr P Amor
Head of Geography
Thank you to the families who have already generously
responded to my plea for unwanted Lego. However, even
more would be welcome! It doesn’t have to be in kits or in
the packaging with instructions.
The D&T department would be very grateful for any
donations to enable us to carry out a project. Simply stick it
in a bag and ask your sons to drop it off with me. Thank you.
Mr A Hughes
Head of DT
Gold Merit Certificate
Congratulations to Ashe Raymond-Barker, Year 9, who,
having achieved 60 merits, has received his Gold Merit
Certificate.
Mrs E Conquest
Head of Year 9
Sports Results
Football v King’s School, Worcester
1st
won
2-1
2nd
drew
0-0
3rd
won
4-1
U14A won
4-1
Jack Downes scored all 4!
U14B won
9-2
Will Bryant scored 3
U13A won
8-0
Ed Moody and Charlie Dashfield
both scored 3
U13B lost
5-1
Rugby v Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham
U12A won
45-10
U12B drew
20-20
U12C lost
30-15
U12D won
25-15
Years 10-13 Careers Events at Churchill School
The following careers events will be taking place at
Churchill School. If you would like to attend, please click the
link to register your interest.
Focus On Engineering – Thursday 23 February, 5.45-8.00pm
(GKN, Airbus, Network Rail, UCW, BEMA, ICE, Cavendish
Nuclear, University of Bath)
Focus On Creative Industries – Thursday 23 March, 5.458.00pm (Journalism, Acting, Stage Management, Games
Design, Costume, Production and more)
Ages: Both events are for years 10, 11, 12 & 13, but the
focus is on options after sixth form.
Venue: Churchill Academy & Sixth Form, Churchill, North
Somerset BS25 5QN (15 minutes south of the Airport just off
the A38)
Details: On Eventbrite and Facebook Events page:
https://www.facebook.com/helping16to21s/
Life Cycle UK Bikeability Courses
Life Cycle UK are running Bikeability level 2 & 3 courses
during the February schools break. Please click the link for
further details.
https://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/childrens-holiday-course