The
andprint
Headlines
Issue 6 14 October 2016
The weekly newsletter of
Sandringham School
There has been considerable press coverage around
the issue of selection and Theresa May’s drive to
develop more Grammar Schools in England. This has
sparked considerable debate in the education sector and
I know that many families have also been talking about
this issue. It is too early to say where this will end up
but I thought it would be useful to give some thoughts
from the school on this matter.
The governors will be meeting in November and
some of this time will be spent considering the
proposals from the DfE and how these might impact on
education in this area. It is very clear that the move to
comprehensive education has helped to significantly
raise outcomes for young people from all backgrounds.
We know this because statistics demonstrate how many
young people are achieving highly, staying on in
education
beyond
16 and
progressing to
apprenticeships and higher education. In the 1950’s,
with the then Tripartite System including heavy
selection to Grammar/Secondary Modern schools, a
mere 12% of the student population achieved these
type of goals. Now it is the vast majority who
experience a successful time at school.
We can also look at counties that continue to run a
Grammar School/Secondary Modern regime where
data shows that the majority of students apart from the
most able do less well than the national average.
Anecdotally, Headteachers who work in areas where
there is selection talk of significant social divide and
how the system automatically benefits those who are
able to afford such education through, for example,
private tutoring to improve chances in the 11+
examination.
So, where does this leave us? We are very fortunate
in this area to have schools that are high performing
and extremely collegiate in outlook, who work together
for the wider benefit of our community. Any move to
selection may destabilise this educational offer and
potentially create a divide between communities.
It would be very useful to receive any comments
and views you may have on selection prior to the
governors’ day on Monday 28th November. If you do
have any thoughts, please send them to Lesley Dunkley
who will collate them for use at the meeting.
Headteacher’s Commendations for
week ending 14th October
Ellen Wang
7B
Computer Science
James Burnett
7D
Computer Science
Ralph Whitworth 7D
Computer Science
Ruby Sheppard
7E
Science
George Barnard
7S
Computer Science
Graciela Fritsch-Bernal 7S Computer Science
William Hughes 7S
Computer Science
Henry Oldroyd
7S
Computer Science
Flinn Chapman
7V
Computer Science
Matthew McCree 7V
Computer Science
Jacob Dicks
7VG
Computer Science
Samuel Posner
7VG
Computer Science
Toby Rushton
7VG
Computer Science
Kieran Gauthier
8B
English
Freya Holmes
8B
English
Ethan Bisco
8E
English
Elisa Piovano
8E
English
Lily Morris
8EE
Philosophy and Ethics
Megan Harman
8K
English
Gemma Honey
8K
English
Kallum Chohan
8S
English
Grace Hill
8S
Technology
Archie Houlden
8S
English
Julia Bartholomew 8V
English
Francesca Hayes 8V
English
Zoe Holliday
8V
English
William Huke
8V
English
Keisha Solanki
8V
Technology
Keisha Solanki
8V
English
Charlotte Frankl 9B
Science
Joshua Mulberry 9D
History
Alice Hill
9E
Science
Isla Quinn
9K
Science
Lois Blow
9V
Science
Akos Molnar
9V
Geography
Zain Choudry
11D
French
Megan Jones
11K
English Literature
Erin Breen
13ANL PE
Hannah Gill
13ANL PE
Charlie Brisbane 13ELK PE
Steven Branch
13MMA PE
Joshua Farraway 13MMA PE
Ryan Travis
13MMA PE
Thomas Turner
13MMA PE
Alan Gray Sandringham School Academy Trust
Headteacher Registered in England No. 07523557
DIARY DATES
House News
14 October
18 October
Fo$S Pop Quiz 7:30pm
Year 9 Battlefields Trip Parent
Information Evening 6:30pm
20 October
Whole School Photograph
24-28 October Half Term
2 November
Autumn Concert 7pm
3 November
B$V Post 16 Evening 7pm
4 November
Yr 9 Battlefields Trip
8 November
Yr 11 Parent Information
Evening 6.30pm
15 November
Yr 13 PTC
15-22 November Book Fair
17-19 November ‘Vaudeville’
24 November
Learning Review Day
25 November
Occasional Day
Please visit our school website for the most up-to-date
diary dates
HOUSE WHO’S WHO
Name Ravi Chopr a
How long have you been Head of House? Just
over one Month!
Which clubs/activities did you take part in at
school? Any spor t that was on offer .
What are your current interests and activities
outside of school? Spor t plays a big par t in my
life, I’m usually watching some kind of sport on TV.
I enjoy playing as well, I’m currently searching for a
few teams/clubs to join.
Word of the Week
F is for… fundamental
adjective
1. forming a necessary base or core; of
central importance.
“the protection of fundamental human
rights”
noun
2. a central or primary rule or principle on
which something is based.
"two courses cover the fundamentals of
microbiology"
What is your happiest memory from when
you were at school? When I made Senior Basketball Captain at School.
Which three words would you use to describe
yourself? Calm, Passionate, Focussed
What’s the best thing about your House? We
put the ‘win’ in Darwin
Which House event are you looking forward
to most this year? It has to be Spor ts Day. Huge
event in the House Calendar and as a PE Teacher I
look forward to it anyway. The competitive element
makes for a great atmosphere.
In one sentence, what words of encouragement would you offer students in your House this
year? It may sound obvious but I would str ongly
encourage everyone to take part in at least one event.
Every point adds up in the end and we want to beat
the competition!
ABSENCE LINE 01727 799564
Absence Email: (Available 24 hour s)
[email protected]
Please report A LL absences before 9:15am on
the first day of absence. This should be followed
up by a letter on return.
Be ahead of the game! Check out Sam Learning:
Stuart Kemp, Assistant Headteacher
www.samlearning.com
The UK’s number 1 exam practice and revision site that
everyone’s talking about.
Scientist Live trip— Student
Perspective
On 22nd September, Year 11 got the chance to go
to New Scientist Live in the ExCel centre, in London.
The day consisted of lectures and activities and was
split up into four main sections - Brain and Body,
Technology, Cosmos and Earth.
As me and my friends were having the first look
around to see what kind of activities were there, we
saw Tim Peake in a virtual reality simulator! We then
went to a talk about gender stereotypes and the
psychology behind them, it was really interesting and
we learnt about the way the brain develops those kind
of stereotypes.
It really gave me an idea of psychology, especially
since I'd never studied it before. After the talk we then
walked around and went to get our bodies 3D scanned,
which was a small box filled with 96 cameras to get a
full body picture. After that we went inside a person's
brain with Alzheimer's, through a simulator and it was
really eye opening as you could never fully understand
the illness without stepping into someone's shoes.
We continued to walk around and do activities
there, such as making a lava lamp out of vitamin C
tablets, oil and water, caveman hand painting using
straws and a clam along with eating bugs.
My favourite part was, by far, getting tested as if I
was an animal. In this activity you were put into a small
pen with people dressed like rats with lab coats and
were made to do activities, like running up and down
and optical illusions, while other rats watched you.
It sounds strange but at the end you were given a
bracelet that told you if you were smarter or dumber
than a rat. I got smarter. At the end of the day I felt I
had a more in depth knowledge about the different
aspects of science. I would definitely recommend this
Jessie Forsythe
11K
Last Thursday, a group of Year 11 students
experienced the UK’s largest festival of Science,
Technology, Ideas and Discovery at New Scientist Live at
the ExCel in London.
This was a really exciting opportunity where we got
the chance to witness fascinating demonstrations, lectures
and exhibits. From the origins of the universe to the
secrets of our own minds. The atmosphere of the whole
convention was buzzing.
Personally I really enjoyed going to a lecture about
whether we, as human beings, are too clean.
Stanley MacMurray
11B
Dance News
Clubs
Clubs are now in full swing preparing for Velocity 2017
It’s not too late to come along to the following clubs;
Striding Out - KS3 dance = Wednesday @ 3.15
Contemporary Club – Yr7+8 = Tuesday @ 1.25
KS4/5 Club – Thursday @ 3.15
Dance T-Shirts
T-shirts letter deadline is Friday 14th October but if you
missed the deadline please email the school as the order will
take place on Monday 17th October.
Vaudeville
Tickets are selling fast so make sure you have brought
your tickers from the Sandpit box office or online. All
students involved need to have returned the reply slip to a
member of the Arts team along with a t-shirt and DVD order
if required. Please make sure all students are signed into the
‘Vaudeville’ Google classroom to receive up to date
information about rehearsals.
Please follow the Dance faculty on Twitter
@SandringhamDanc to keep up to date with events, articles
and information.
Claire Meeking
Director of Learning: Dance
Fo$S News
Fundraising Events & Activities
Coming Soon to The SandPit Theatre
Pop Music Quiz Night – TONIGHT
Doors/bar open 7pm for 7.30pm start, Main Hall.
Monthly Prize Draw – Tuesday 1st November
It's never too late to join, with the deadline for
new entries being the 24th of each month. Our next
draw is to take place on Tuesday 1st November. One
payment of £12 gives you 1 number and membership
for a whole year, £24 gives you 2 numbers, £36 gives
you 3 numbers etc. The more entries we have, the
bigger the win! Get your forms into Kate Carpenter
via
the
red
box
or
email
[email protected]
An Evening with Ian
Waites &
Camilla Dallerup
Saturday 15th October
7.30pm
Join Ian Waite & Camilla Dallerup from STRICTLY
COME DANCING plus pr ofessional singer Paul
Amer & guests for a spectacular evening of dance,
singing and stories from their time on the BBC hit show.
This up close and personal show promises to be a night to
remember. Camilla, one of the original professionals and
champion in 2008 is joined by her professional partner
(and ladies favourite) Ian Waite who has appeared in
nearly every series of the show. During the show, Ian and
Camilla will perform some amazing Latin and Ballroom
routines and tell their inside stories from Strictly Come
A number of the key committee members (Chair, Dancing. PLUS, meet Ian & Camilla for FREE after the
Vice Chair and Secretary) are stepping down after show!
two years at the helm and Fo$S will cease to exist if
new post holders do not come forward. Whilst I appreciate that parents have many other commitments, I
would ask you to consider if this is something you
Dotty the Dragon
could do with a group of friends?
Saturday 29th October
11.30am & 2:30pm
Christmas Extravaganza (FREE entry)
Saturday 3rd December – 11am to 3pm
Including Christmas Market shopping stalls,
Christmas Café serving refreshments including hot
food & drinks, mince pies & mulled wine, Tombolas,
Fun Zone, Prize Draw Raffle and lots, lots more …
Committee Meeting/AGM
Wednesday 16th November – 7.15pm Room
D11
Fo$S meetings are a great way of meeting other
parents of the school whilst having your say about
where the monies raised, through our fundraising
events, are distributed across the Faculties. Everyone
is welcome, so please join us at our next committee
meeting on Wednesday 16th November.
Donations – Tombola items
Lots of wine, beer, spirits and chocolate needed!
The tombolas are always very successful stalls at our
Christmas event so please start collecting now to
bring in on LRD Thursday 24th November.
Donations – Gift Stall items
We would also be grateful for any good quality
unused gifts so bear in mind any gifted (but unwanted) items you could pass our way on LRD Thursday
24th November.
Help on the Day
We will be sending out a request for volunteers
after half term and we really can’t run this event
without your support so please consider giving up a
couple of hours on the day to help us make this the
best Christmas Extravaganza ever!
Tracy Downing
Fo$S Member
Dotty is a baby fire dragon. She lives at the top of a
mountain with her grumpy dad, Mr Dragon. In the village
below, everyone fears for their lives, for dragon’s eat
children! Or so they believe. But Dotty would never eat
children! Not ever… Blunderbus is proud to present this
enchanting fairytale adventure with a very happy ending.
This clever new show comes to life with an irresistible
blend of live music, fabulor puppets and high energy
storytelling. Little people aged 3-7 will love this funny
heart-warming tale. But big people will have lots of fun
too.
Rachael Peacock
SandPit Theatre Manager
PE News
Fixtures
Saturday 15th October
Y7-10 Rugby V Nicholas Breakspear School
Monday 17th October
Y10 Basketball V Sir John Lawes (A)
Tuesday 18th October
Y9 Basketball V Queens (A)
Y10 County Cup Rugby V Parmiters (A)
Wednesday 19th October
1 XV Rugby V Roundwood Park (A)
Senior Netball V Beaumont (A)
st
Thursday 20th October
Y9 Rugby V Kings Langley School (A)
News
On Thursday we hosted two National Cup ESFA
boys fixtures with the Y8 boys playing Rickmansworth
and the Y11s playing Cedars Upper School. The Y8s
played well, however went down 2-1 in a performance
with lots of positives. The Y11s fared better with a 2-1
win through 2 goals from Callan Deradour. Ben Aikin,
however was involved in a nasty challenge towards the
end of the game and had to be replaced as he broke a
bone in his ankle. We wish him a speedy recovery.
The Cross Country team again were in action last
week at Verulam School. In the Junior Boys race
Tommy Wilson finished 2nd after a string of impressive
performances, Louis Vaile and Ivan Raath also ran. The
Inter boys saw 3 boys finish in the top 6, with Alex
Smith winning the race, Bryce Breen was 3rd and Evan
Howgego 6th. Elliot Breen ran superbly again in the
Senior boys race for another top 10 finish. Ellen Bennett,
Yasmin Howgego and Caitlin Watkins all also ran in the
girls race performing exceptionally well once again.
The Senior girls Netball team went to Berkhamsted
Girls School last Thursday where they played some
fantastic netball, however, the current County
Champions proved too strong for us and they
overpowered us in defence, making quick breaks to their
unfaltering shooters. But, even though we lost, the girls
should be proud of their performance, where they made
some excellent interceptions and were able to move the
ball around to break through a tight knit defence. MVP’s
Chloe Pettengell and Frankie Hammond, who were both
outstanding.
On Friday the U13 girls football team had a long
journey down to West London to play Chelsea Academy
in the ESFA National Cup 1st Round. After arriving in
plenty of time and warming up, the opposition were very
late. The girls eventually got started and dominated from
early on. We eventually won the game 2-0, even if it
could have been more. The 2nd round draw takes place
this week.
Well done to the Y7-10 Football teams who played on
Saturday V The Hemel Hempstead School. Both the Y7
and Y9 teams won away to a traditionally strong
footballing school. The Y7’s won 5-1 with a hat trick for
Liam Watters, whilst the unbeaten Y9 team won 5-2. At
home the Y8’s played out a 0-0 stalemate with some
superb defending on display. The Y10 game started well
with an early goal for Luke Smith and us dominating
possession, however after 15 minutes a Hemel player
fell awkwardly and broke both his radius and ulna having to be taken to hospital to be operated on. As a result
the game was abandoned.
This week also saw the Year 11 and Senior District
netball Tournaments. The Year 11’s played well in all of
their games, but were unable to capitalise upon shooting
opportunities and eventually lost out to some very strong
opposition. The Senior team played well throughout the
tournament and we unlucky not to make it through to the
semi-finals. MVP Michelle Irwin, with some fantastic
attacking play.
On Monday the Y9 boys played Queens in the U14
County Football Cup. The boys performed very well and
came out 4-2 winners in a tense game. This now puts the
team into the 3rd round.
Tuesday saw the Y10 Rugby team go to Harpenden
to play St. George’s in the 1st Round of the U15 Natwest
Bowl competition. The team were outstanding and
played superbly together taking the win 34-7 against a
Rugby specific school. This is a great result and
demonstrates how far the school has come in recent
years in the sport.
For more news, fixtures and results don’t forget to
follow us @SandringhamPE on Twitter and at
www.sandringhamsport.co.uk
Andy Cracknell
Director of Learning: PE
We have once again been recognised as
having outstanding commitment to School Sport
with a @YourSchoolGames Gold Awar d!