THE MAGAZINE FOR PALMERS GREEN HIGH SCHOOL
2015/16
ASenior word from the Head
A word from the Head I have greatly enjoyed reading the proof copy of this magazine which features some of the many great moments in the life of PGHS in 2015-2016. Thank you to all the girls, staff, parents and friends of the school for making this such a vibrant and exciting year. After 15 very exciting and happy years as Head of PGHS I cannot quite believe that this is my last term. However, I am thrilled that this term will see the second PFA Christmas Fayre after such a successful inaugural event last year (caused by the postponement of the 2015 Summer Fayre due to building works). When I first arrived at PGHS there was no PFA and over the last 15 years it has been super to work with generations of committee members who have provided many opportunities for the school community to interact and develop friendships, whilst also raising a significant sum of money for the school. Thank you! As always it is wonderful to celebrate the individual and collective successes of our girls, and in terms of academic attainment in external examinations I would like to congratulate our most recent cohort of GCSE/ IGCSE students for their achievements. Thanks go to all the staff for their part in ensuring that our girls enjoy considerable success in exams and in particular for the sustained high levels of achievement which has kept PGHS in first place in The Sunday Times Parent Power league table for small schools for six consecutive years from 2010 to 2015. In addition, my thanks go to all the staff, teaching and support staff, for their commitment to the school and the girls, including the current academic members of the SLT, Mrs Karen Thompson (Deputy Head) and Miss Hannah Lucas (Assistant Head) and Mrs Sarah Harney (Head of Nursery and EYFS Lead). The dedication, professionalism and expertise of generations of staff help to ensure first class education at PGHS and led to excellent inspection reports in 2005 and in 2011. Thank you! The enthusiasm of teaching and non-teaching colleagues for upholding the aims and ethos of the school has been remarkable, and I am greatly indebted to all those who have selflessly given additional time and energy to promote the well-being of the girls (through providing superlative pastoral support as well as inspirational academic challenge), all of which has helped to ensure a positive future for the school. Looking through this magazine and weekly newsletter I am particularly grateful to Mrs Debbie Simmons (Marketing Officer), Miss Veronica Bennett (Office Manager) and all the Administrative staff who ensure that communication with parents is timely, friendly and professional. Thank you!
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It has been a particular pleasure to celebrate the career success of both former pupils and former members of staff. Welcoming our alumnae back to PGHS is particularly wonderful and we do hope that our most recent leavers will continue to keep in touch. The support for and genuine interest in the pupils’ educational experience from members of the Education Committee has been enthusiastic and greatly valued by the staff. In addition the school has benefited tremendously from their input and the “critical friendship” of the school’s main educational consultants – Mrs Sue Vale and Mrs Judy Jones. Thank you all! The school has been exceptionally well-supported by members of its governing body who have given many hours of outstanding service to support its development – and I am immensely grateful to each and every governor (past and present) for giving so freely of their time and expertise. In particular to the Executive Committee, Mr Dermot Lewis (Chair of Governors), Mrs Melanie Curtis (Vice Chair of Governors and Chair of the Education Committee) and Mr Jeffrey Zinkin (Chair of F&GP). I have been privileged to work with the Governors’ Buildings/Development Committee, the Finance & General Purposes Committee and five different bursars on a range of different projects, including the building of the Alice Nursery, the office extension, the Elizabeth Smith Hall and the staff room development. I am confident that, with Mrs Angela Monty as the school’s new bursar, PGHS will be in very good hands and run in a professional manner with attention to detail. Thank you for allowing me to shape the ethos and destiny of PGHS for the last 15 years. I have really enjoyed my time as Head of PGHS and I look forward to hearing all about the success of the school, its pupils and staff in the years to come. I am sure that members of the school community will welcome my successor, Mrs Wendy Kempster, as warmly as they welcomed me in 2002. I wish her every success and happiness in her new role, and trust that you will enjoy reading the lovely letter of introduction which she has written to you. With very best wishes and many thanks,
Mrs Christine Edmundson (PGHS Headmistress 2002-2016)
Letter of Introduction
Letter of Introduction I am extremely proud to be the new Headmistress of Palmers Green High School and have been made to feel very welcome by the school community. I am really enjoying getting to know everyone and have been very impressed by the energy, drive and enthusiasm I have encountered already. I have moved to Palmers Green High School from Loughborough High School where I was Deputy Headmistress for 5 years and prior to that I worked at Nottingham Girls’ High School as Head of Mathematics and for a period of time as Assistant Headteacher. Throughout my career I have led on a number of academic and pastoral roles which culminated in becoming Acting Headmistress of Loughborough High School in the summer of 2015.
To support what I do at school, I have trained as an ISI inspector and am accredited as an Advanced Skills Teacher. I have been a Governor for over 15 years in three different schools from infant through to secondary. I have been married for 25 years and my husband works as a senior leader in Further Education. We have three sons, two of them studying at university and the eldest who is a recent medical graduate. I enjoy singing and until recently was a member of the Nottingham Bach Choir. I keep fit through running, cycling, swimming and playing tennis. I look forward to meeting you at one of the many school events this year and working with members of the whole school community to take Palmers Green High School forward as the vibrant, happy and successful school that it so clearly is whilst preserving its ethos and character. With best wishes for a happy and successful year ahead.
Wendy Kempster (Mrs)
Alice Nursery The girls from the Alice Nursery have enjoyed many trips and activities during the year. Annual highlights included the Christmas play, Sports Day, trips to Forty Hall and Willows Farm and visits from Uncle Vic and his Mini-beasts, the Edmonton Fire Brigade and children’s book illustrator Loretta Schauer. Girls have also produced lovely work to display on the walls.
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The Alice Nursery
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The Alice Nursery
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A visit from children’s book illustrator Loretta Schauer
Uncle Vic and his Mini-beasts Lots of creatures including snakes, frogs and cockroaches visited the Alice Nursery with their owner Vic.
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The Alice Nursery
Forty Hall Visit The Alice Nursery girls enjoyed a lovely morning out when they visited Forty Hall in Enfield. The girls went back in time to find out how people used to live in the house. They were very busy trying out different activities: making butter (and singing the butter making song), making fancy shaped bread, trying out old fashioned toys, putting on a hat and ruff, finding out what people used for a toilet before houses had bathrooms and designing fancy cakes. It was a lot of fun!
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The Alice Nursery
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Nursery Natvity
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The Alice Nursery
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A visit from Edmonton Fire Brigade Alice Nursery girls enjoyed a visit from Edmonton Station fire-fighters to support their topic ‘people who help us.’
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The Alice Nursery
Girls celebrated the Queen’s 90th Birthday in June by decorating crowns, designing the Queen’s knickers and baking fairy cakes. Some were a little disappointed that she wasn’t making a personal visit to the Nursery.
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Celebrating the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Sports Day The Alice Nursery girls were very lucky as their Sports Day was blessed with some sunshine! The girls had fun taking part in all the different races including traditional favourites, such as the egg and spoon race and the sprint, as well as the ‘put your shopping in a basket and run’ and ‘pick up your doll, put it in a buggy and run’ events. Many thanks to all the Alice Nursery parents who were able to come along and give the girls lots of encouragement. Everyone celebrated afterwards with a big picnic in the garden.
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The Alice Nursery
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Willows Farm
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The Alice Nursery
The Alice Nursery girls enjoyed a special ‘Summer Fun’ activity day. They pretended they were on holiday at the seaside and everyone painted a large pebble, decorated a flag to grace a sandcastle, played a fishing game and made their own sandwich to eat at a picnic.
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Summer Fun Activity Day
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Lower School - Preps
Preps Reception Schoolwork
Design and Technology Year 1 Design Skills Project
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Lower School - Preps
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Year 2 Vehicles Project
Visit from children’s book illustrator Loretta Schauer Girls in our Prep Department enjoyed a visit from the illustrator, Loretta Schauer, who showed them some of her book illustrations and ran creative workshops for the Prep Department.
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Lower School - Preps
Year 1 Schoolwork
Not a dry eye in the house for Year 1’s Mothers’ Day Assembly
Year 1’s fantastic trip Year 1’s super to the Tower of London scientists were excited to start their new topic on sound!
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Lower School - Preps
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Year 2 Schoolwork
Year 2’s wonderful class assembly on Florence Nightingale
The Great Fire of London Assembly by Year 2
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Lower School - Preps
Year 2 reading to Reception
The Prep Christmas Play - “The Landlord’s Cats”
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Lower School - Preps
On Wednesday 29th June, it was the turn of the Prep Department to have their sports day. We loved going on the coach and for some of us, it was the first time we saw the Walker Ground. We were so excited to see what our PE teachers had in store for us!
Year 2 Tie-Dye Topic
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Prep Sports Day
The Prep girls took part in lots of races. Our favourites were the obstacle course, the egg and spoon race and of course... the welly throwing challenge! We had a skipping race, the sack race and a sprint race too. The good thing about sports day is that everyone gets a sticker, even if you don’t come 1st, 2nd or 3rd. At the end we all received a certificate for taking part. Assembly Report by Riya and Leyla (Year 2)
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Lower School - Preps
Prep Department Summer Trip to Shepreth Wildlife Park
Prep Activity Day Girls and staff in the Prep Department had a super time being a ‘Queen for the day” as part of their Prep Activity Day. Girls used mountains of glitter, glue and gems to create crowns, jewellery and other “regal” paraphernalia. A happy, royal procession of girls could be seen leaving the school with their parents at the end of the day.
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Juniors
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Juniors Design & Technology Year 3 Packaging Design Project
Year 5 Mechanical Toy Project
Year 4 Alarms Project Year 6 Pewter Casting Project
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Lower School - Juniors
A visit from children’s book illustrator Loretta Schauer Girls in Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a visit from the illustrator, Loretta Schauer, who showed them some of her book illustrations.
Johnny Zucker Author Visit
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Lower School - Juniors
Year 4 poetry
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Year 3 visit to Verulamium Museum (St Albans)
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Lower School - Juniors
Year 4 trip to Hatfield House On Thursday 17th March, Year 4 visited Hatfield House. As we could not go into the palace straight away, we went to see a game of tennis. They played tennis in a very strange way. The balls were bouncing off the walls and the tennis rackets were a completely different shape. This was how Henry VIII would have played. After a while, we were introduced to a man called Thomas Tallis, one of the King’ s favourite musicians, and he played the lute for us. We rehearsed the song we had learnt in music for the King, and Thomas accompanied us on the lute. Catherine Parr was there too, and she showed us the painting that she was going to give to the King as a present. She was worried that Henry might be cross with her and we all know what he did to queens that he didn’t like! It was a picture of the whole family including his daughters and son. Finally we got to meet King Henry VIII himself. We bowed to the king as we entered the room and sang our song while the lute was playing. Then the king told us all about his troubles and how he didn’t know what to do. After we had finished, we saw the gardens including a maze which had a fountain in the middle. Next we met Nicholas who told us about bows and arrows and how they could kill a lot of people. He asked us which teacher to test the arrows on and we all said Mrs Pauk. She was not impressed! Whilst we were having our lunch, we met Lady Salisbury who owns Hatfield House. She told us that she had lost her dogs and was trying to find them. She was very friendly and chatted to all of us. Finally what visit would be complete without a trip to the gift shop? We also visited the rare breeds farm and got to play in a model of Hatfield House. We had a very interesting and enjoyable day and learnt a lot about the Tudors. Assembly Report by Zaara and Lara (Year 4)
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Lower School - Juniors
On Friday 22nd April, Year 4 took a stroll down to Winchmore Hill Green. We did this because in our Geography lessons we were studying the past of Winchmore Hill. We started off walking down Hoppers Road so that we could look at the houses to get evidence of how old they are. Most are made of red brick; however, some are more modern and you can clearly see where the old row of houses ends. Some of the windows of the houses are made from beautiful stained glass. Older windows, called sash windows, are opened by pushing and pulling them up and down. Sadly, many have now been replaced by plastic but they do keep houses warmer. Nearly all of the houses had labels or names attached to them. One wealthy owner in Edwardian times had tudor roses added onto the house, probably to signify the family’s wealth.
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Year 4 walk to Winchmore Hill When we got to the Green, we were amazed how some things had changed and yet others had not. We saw the old bakery which is now a house. One of the other places was originally a grocery shop called Buckle & Vaughan. It was eventually sold to a different company who changed its name. Now it is a restaurant called – you guessed it – Buckle & Vaughan! We spent our time comparing photos of what Winchmore Hill Green is like today. Did you know the original horse trough is still on the green, although it has now been moved and is filled with flowers! We had an interesting walk, although the weather could have been better! Assembly Report by Year 4
Year 5 enjoy a visit to Downing Street On Thursday 9th June, Year 5 went on an exciting trip to Downing Street. We travelled there via railway (for the first time on a school trip – yay!) and during the journey we got a few compliments as we were little angels! Once we got through the gates and were outside the door, we took a few pictures (Miss Lucas had one with a policeman) and then an overjoyed Miss Robinson got to knock on the door and we were given a tour around Number 10. We were told to sit down at a table (Athina sat in the Prime Minister’s chair). Next we were told about its history and how it used to be Whitehall Palace, until it was destroyed in 1698, by a fire. Amy’s godmother, Rosie, then joined us and we were shown around the magnificent rooms and the gardens. We admired the plants while most people ran around like headless chickens, excited because they were in the Prime Minister’s fantastic garden. There were flowers and geraniums and
more beautiful plants there. The rooms had gorgeous furniture and some of us held the Olympic torch of London 2012. We also listened to two ghost stories, one was about the White Lady. Afterwards we looked at some of the famous buildings of London including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. We would like to thank Amy’s Mum for organising such an amazing trip. Assembly Report by Gemma and Grace (Year 5)
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Lower School - Juniors
Year 5 trip to Flatford Mill On Wednesday 11th May, Year 5 went on a residential trip to Flatford Mill. We were all very excited because we had heard how amazing the trip was from the current Year 6’s. On our journey we made a stop at Dedham. We were allowed to play in the playground for a bit before going around Dedham and learning about its history and different types of buildings like grade 1 and grade 2 listed. Finally, we made it to Flatford Mill and saw the beautiful Willy Lott’s cottage, as portrayed in John Constable’s painting, The Hay Wain. After a fire drill (which was so unexpected that some people forgot their shoes or even brought their hairbrush with them!) we started our activities. Over the course of 3 days we completed navigation challenges, compass work, treasure hunts, hidden history mysteries and lots of walking! We also got to see a lot of the wildlife and experience life in a different location. By the end of the trip we were exhausted but we had great fun. We would like to thank Mrs Edmundson for coming on the trip (even though she did pour water over us!). Assembly Report by Alex and Eloise (Year 5)
Black History Month Year 5 presented a well-researched and thought-provoking assembly on Black History Month.
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Year 5 study Ancient Greece
Lower School - Juniors
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Year 6 visit to the British Schools Museum Year 6 stepped back in time to the Victorian era at the British Schools Museum.
Year 6 trip to Cuffley Woods Year 6 had a fantastic time at Cuffley Woods where they took part in a series of problem-solving challenges and completed obstacle courses.
Enfield Cross Country Championships
Year 6 visit to Durga Puja
Girls from Years 5&6 performed fantastically at Enfield Cross Country Championships. Well done girls!
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Lower School - Juniors
Junior Sports Day The Junior Department had a fun filled afternoon at their Sports Day. The Juniors really enjoyed themselves and the event was well-supported by parents, relatives and friends.
Year 5 & 6 House Netball Matches
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Congratulations to Red House who were overall winners!
Lower School - Juniors
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Junior Prizegiving and Show The Juniors put on a splendid production of ‘A Wonderland Adventure’ at their Junior Prizegiving evening. Well done girls!
Junior trip to Lambourne End On Friday 8th July the Junior school went on a trip to Lambourne End. We did a range of activities including roping over water, and everyone fell in (apart from Renee). The second activity was abseiling (which was terrifying for most of us!) Leroy our instructor, helped us to strap into our safety belts and helmets. There were two different activities, one was rock climbing to the top of the tower, then abseiling down. The second activity was climbing up inside the tower and abseiling backwards from a ledge down to the ground. Our last activity was caving and we began by putting our boiler suits on, which were like onesies. We then put our knee pads on and set off down the dark tunnels. We travelled through tunnels big and small (even Miss Lucas did the first one!) and once we went through the tunnels twice we had to go by ourselves through an easy route as fast as we could! Mrs Bhundia’s group won with the time 1 minute and 46 seconds!
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Senior School
Seniors GCSE Art Exhibition 2016
Prithi Uthayananthan
Phoenix Edwards
Mariam Ibrahim
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Kiyanah Forbes
Rimsha Hussain
Rebecca Tidmarsh
Christine Salami
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Sophia Wright
Salsabil Choudhury
Isobel Gordon
Sherazah Imran
Senior School
GCSE Design Portfolio Work
2016
Design & Technology Year 8 Audio Amplifier Project
GCSE Controlled Assessment Practical
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Senior School
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Year 7 had a fantastic time on their PGL trip
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Senior School
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History Year 7 Trip to The Tower of London On Friday 20th May, pupils in Year 7 went on a school trip to The Tower of London. The purpose of the trip was to support us with the project entitled ‘Castles’ that we are currently working on in History. On arrival at the historic castle we first admired the crown jewels of past Kings and Queens that are exhibited in the Jewel House. We were fortunate enough to see the sceptre and orb and many collections of solid gold crockery. Outside the building there are guards protecting the crown jewels, who change every hour. We then moved on to the Bloody Tower – the tower where it is said that the little princes were murdered, and to the execution site where scaffolds were erected for private executions, The Martin Tower, The Salt Tower, The Broad Arrow Tower, The Chapel of St.John’s, The White Tower and the curtain walls. We were all fascinated by the exhibitions that gave us a real insight into what life would have been like both at the castle and in medieval England. After we toured the castle we were free to have our lunch, go to the gift shop and return in groups to see the exhibitions we didn’t have the chance to visit during our initial tour. After lunch, there was an interactive talk about the Battle of Hastings and how to defend and attack a castle. We are learning all about this in our history lessons so found this particularly useful for our upcoming exams. Assembly Report by Year 7
Year 9 Trip to Belgium
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Senior School
Geography Year 8 Go Fossil Hunting in Folkestone!
The Year 11 Geographers and staff enjoyed their field trip on the Isle of Wight
International Day Year 8 and their teachers worked hard to prepare for our annual International Day celebration which was fabulous fun. The girls produced interesting display boards of facts and figures about their chosen country, dressed up in traditional costume and performed
dances as well as preparing and serving the local food. This year there were 5 groups: Greece, Mexico, Pakistan, Morocco and Germany. We had two months to prepare for this special occasion. Each group was extremely busy making many posters, researching their countries, making artwork, organising outfits, making delicious food, learning songs and choreographing dances. Each group did exceptionally well and we all enjoyed dancing along to each group’s songs (so did Miss Henry and Mrs Billingham). Assembly Report by Jacqueline and Anjali (Year 8)
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Senior School
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Year 9 thoroughly enjoyed their trip to St Albans and the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Enfield’s Youth Parliament Congratulations to Ruvini in Year 10 who was duly elected as a member of Enfield’s Youth Parliament along with Georgia as her deputy. Nineteen schools took part across the borough and fifty-six pupils stood for election, including five candidates from Palmers Green High School. The five short-listed candidates from PGHS all attended the evening at St Anne’s School in London Road. The Mayor of Enfield was in attendance, along with other key council representatives. The results were announced by Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection. Cllr Orhan said: “The contribution made by the Enfield Youth Parliament is invaluable because it gives the council real insight into the concerns of younger residents.”
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Senior School
Modern Foreign Languages Year 7 Trip to Boulogne Very early on Friday 8th July, pupils from Year 7 set off on a day trip to Boulogne in France. The coach took us to the port of Dover where we caught the ferry – Pride of Canterbury to Calais in France. The crossing was very smooth and the weather was calm. We arrived in the port of Calais in the late morning. Once we had all got back on board the coach, Derek, our driver, took us to a restaurant called “Samoria” for a late breakfast of Croque Monsieur. Once we had all finished our breakfasts we explored the fields outside and then visited a nearby shop called La Ferme de Bouquet where we were all intrigued by the miniature music boxes on sale. I bought one that plays a tune called la flute enchantee. We then got back on the coach and made the short journey to Boulogne. In Boulogne we saw colourful fans and French shops in the town square. After taking a look around and filling in our booklet, we decided to do some shopping and explore the new town. After a long, long walk to the beach, we finally arrived and almost immediately ran into the sea which was a big mistake as it was so cold! After taking lots of selfies we went to the restaurant where we all managed to flip crepes (well most of us) and covered them with lemon, sugar or nutella. We all finally got back home around midnight exhausted and ready for sleep. We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip! Assembly report by Eloise and Samah (Year 7)
Year 10 Trip to the Loire Valley
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Seniors enjoy the Onatti Spanish play
Senior School
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PGHS attains excellent rankings in the International Vocab Express Challenge Once again our Year 10 and 11 pupils entered the International Vocab Express Challenge and were delighted to have been ranked 10th place in the overall championship. In the Spanish Championship our girls secured 2nd place and they came 18th in the very hotly contested French Championship. Well done to all the girls who contributed to our school entry and excellent rankings!
Excellent GCSE results yet again for PGHS Girls!
Palmers Green High School girls yet again achieved excellent results in their GCSEs/IGCSEs with 99.1% graded A*-C grades and 61.3% graded A*/A. The top three students collected a total of 31A* grades with our starry Head Girls Mariam and Christine achieving straight A*s across the board. Christine Edmundson, headteacher, said: “Congratulations to all our students on their amazing results. We are delighted that they are celebrating their well-deserved examination successes. Thanks to all the staff and parents whose hard work and encouragement enables the girls to achieve so much in so many aspects of school life in addition to their academic studies.� The girls will go on to a sixth form of their choice including Henrietta Barnett, North London Collegiate, Dame Alice Owens, St Michaels, Latymer, Woodhouse, Aldenham, Headington and Downe House.
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Senior School
Year 11 Leavers’ Sixth Form Courses Peri Alpay Leila-Sarai Awolola Salsabil Choudhury Nicolle Coote
The Latymer School Woodhouse College Woodhouse College St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School Roshni Dahya Henrietta Barnett School Phoenix Edwards Headington School Kiyanah Forbes Woodhouse College Isobel Gordon Camden School for Girls Rimsha Hussain Ashmole Academy Mariam Ibrahim North London Collegiate School Sherazah Imran Woodhouse College Annick Jenkin Woodhouse College Radhika Kansara Woodhouse College Sophie Katsiavriades Aldenham School Morgan Miller St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School Kimberley Odewole Ashmole Academy Tracy Owusukwaah Woodhouse College Yameera Patel Dame Alice Owen’s School Jessica Rosengarten Roedean School Christine Salami Henrietta Barnett School Rebecca Tidmarsh Winchmore Hill School Prithi Uthayananthan Henrietta Barnett School Sophia Wright Dame Alice Owen’s School
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Chemistry, History, Mathematics, Music Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology Economics, History, Politics, Psychology English Literature, French, History, Politics Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics Art, Drama, English Literature, Geography English Literature, History, Psychology, Sociology Art, English Literature, Classics, History of Art English Literature, Media, Psychology, Sociology Biology, English Literature, History, Mathematics Art, English Literature, History, Law Drama, Economics, English Language, Geography Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics English Literature, History, Politics, Spanish English Literature, French, Media Studies, Sociology Art, French, Geography, Statistical Mathematics Biology, Chemistry, French, Mathematics Drama, Music, Psychology Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics BTEC Level 3 Sport & Exercise Science, CTEC IMedia, Computing, Digital Art Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology Art, Business Studies, Sociology
Senior School
We welcomed one of our former pupils and neurological surgeon, Miss Narin Suleyman, as our guest speaker at Senior Prizegiving in November. Having joined PGHS in the Nursery, Narin left at the end of Year 11 in 2004, and went to The Latymer School where she studied Chemistry, Biology, History and English Literature at A Level. After sixth form she joined King’s College London University to study Medicine, fulfilling a prediction she had made when she was in the Juniors. One former member of staff, Mrs Lesley Dufton, shared her memories of Narin’s enthusiasm for Year 4 Science, writing:
“Narin was in my very first class when I came to PGHS. It was in Year 4 and our first science topic was the Human Body. Even as early as Year 4 Narin showed an interest in medicine – she could draw a body - and draw all the organs in the correct place. She told me she wanted to be a doctor and be a paediatrician. She was 8 years old! What an amazing young lady.“ During her time at King’s College, Narin took a year out to join University College London where she gained a first class Intercalated BSc honours degree in Clinical Sciences and was named on the Dean’s Lister for her outstanding performance. In her penultimate year of medical school she completed electives in Istanbul and New York, as a recipient of the Gershwin Hotel Special Humanitarian Prize. She graduated as a doctor in 2012 and completed her foundation training at the North Middlesex and Whittington Hospitals. From there
she moved to the Lister Hospital where she is currently a Core Surgical trainee. Most recently, she has been awarded Membership to the Royal College of Surgeons, England and as a consequence her title has gone from “Doctor” to “Miss”.
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Senior Prizegiving
During the relatively short time since she left PGHS in 2004 Miss Suleyman has certainly upheld our founder’s motto “By Love Serve One Another” by contributing to the wider medical and scientific community. Winning awards projects contributing to patient safety, she has presented her research work both nationally and internationally, and has published on topics as diverse as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and robotic surgery. Miss Suleyman has also undertaken training to teach medical students, acting as both a teacher and examiner. We often encourage our girls by saying: “Reach for the stars, follow your dreams,” well, one of Miss Suleyman’s real dreams came true for her when she saw her name on the front of a book in a high street bookshop: the title – “Cell Biology and Genetics” edited by Narin Suleyman and Matthew Stubbs. (Unsurprisingly it is now also available as an e-book!)
Drama Well done to Year 10 who performed ‘Madness and Pressure Cooker’ dealing with the pressures facing teenagers today.
Our Year 11 GCSE students successfully performed their exam piece ‘The Accordion Shop’ by Cush Jumbo.
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Whole School
Whole School Founder’s Day 2016 Palmers Green High School celebrated its 111th birthday today with a service at St. John’s Church followed by cake!
By Mr Brian Smith (Retired School Governor) By Love Serve One Another
Caroline Slatter, an Old Girl, David Orfeur and I, retired Governors, were invited with past staff, other Old Girls and parents to join the 270 pupils and the staff of Palmers Green High School at their 111th Founder’s Day Service which was held in St John’s Church on the 6th May. The vicar, the Reverend Stephen Leader, welcomed us and the address was given by the Right Reverand Robert Wickham, the Bishop of Edmonton. The theme of the service was ‘memories’ and every girl in the school had been encouraged to paint a special flower which contained a happy memory of their life at PGHS and these were displayed as garlands between the piers which separate the nave and the side aisles in the church. After the opening processional hymn the two Head Girls reminded us of the history of the school – which was founded by Alice Hum, a member of the Society of Friends and who is buried in the grounds of the Meeting
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House near Winchmore Hill Green and then led the opening prayer. As we think about our time here at PGHS we thank God for the vision of Alice Hum, our founder. We are grateful for the opportunities and challenges we enjoy both in the classroom and outside; for the friendship and guidance we receive from our friends, families and the staff who help and encourage us. May we always remember our school motto, and serve one another by love. The Prep Department sang the song ‘It’s a beautiful day in springtime, It’s a whistle a tune and sing time’, and Year 8 recited Thomas Hood’s ‘I remember, I remember the house where I was born’ and then while we sang ‘One more step along the world I go’, the Reception Class processed around the church showing us the heart shaped necklaces they had made. The Junior choir sang ‘Water’ by David Flatau, and Year 10 recited ‘Hide and Seek’ by Vernon Scannell. Year 1 then processed around the church showing us the 2D pictures they had made
Whole School questions about Grandmas and although the replies were not always audible he let us know what they were. He then expanded these ‘Memories’ to the message of Christ and its relevance in today’s world.
Do put a coat on,
By tradition, the Headmistress read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 1-7 & 13 ‘All gifts are nothing without love’ and this was followed by all joining in a prayer of thankfulness for God’s mercies, for all knowledge gained, for the joys of friendship and happiness and for the opportunities of serving one another. The whole school then sang Irving Burgess and Harry Belafonte’s song ‘Island in the Sun’ and then, before the Blessing, everyone sang the school hymn, the words of which were written by Senior 11 in 2004-2005 with music composed by Andrew Parnell then the organist at St Albans Abbey, and which ends –
And fasten that shoe. I’d take a sweater, If I were you… It’s chilly at night now, You’re bound to catch flu; I’d button up warmly If I were you… Please yourself if you must But I know what I’d do;
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of the earth while we sang ‘Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God’. After the choir had sung ‘Seasons of Love’ by Johnathan Larson, Years 3 and 4 delighted us all by reciting ‘Advice’ by Judith Nicholls –
Independence, Inspiration, Hopes and dreams and exploration,
I’d stay at home now,
Helping others from any nation,
If I were you…
Our guide is this motto so clear:
The nights have drawn in,
‘By Love Serve One Another’,
You never know who
‘By Love Serve One Another’.
Might be lurking out there Just waiting for you… I don’t know what the youth Of today’s coming to! They do what they like And like what they do! Now when I was young, It caused hullaballoo If I stayed out past nine And I never dared to. If I were young now, I know what I’d do… I’d enjoy every minute If I were you! While ‘Jerusalem’ was being sung, Year 2 processed around the church showing us brightly coloured landscapes they had made. Years 5 and 6 recited ‘You are old, Father William’ by Lewis Carroll and then Year 11 sang a traditional Manx song ‘Elian Vannin’. We all sang ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind and this was followed by the Chamber Choir singing magnificently an arrangement for female voices of Handel’s ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ from ‘The Messiah’. The Bishop of Edmonton in his address immediately engaged the whole congregation by asking all those with a Grandma to raise their hands. The response can be imagined. He walked up and down the aisle asking more
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2016
Whole School
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Celebrating World Book Day 2016 Staff and pupils had a wonderful World Book Day celebrating books and reading. Everyone enjoyed trying to guess which character everyone was dressed as, and how the teachers’ clues related to a character or book! Our DEAR (‘Drop Everything And Read’) activity was a huge success with everyone stopping what they were doing at two points in the day to just sit and read and relax. The girls also had great fun trying to see how many of the ‘opening lines’ of well-known books they knew, as they spotted them around the school!
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Exciting rare samples of moon rocks and a collection of impressive meteorites landed at PGHS for a visit during the summer term. Senior students were able to enjoy a unique, interactive experience of astronomy during their lessons and Preps and Juniors also had the opportunity to visit the science labs which were temporarily transformed into a ‘mini’ solar system. Highlights included handling some meteorites, enabling students to touch a real piece of space and a 1.2 billion year old piece of Mars and a 4.3 billion year old nickel meteorite – the oldest object you will ever hold in your hands! Our solar system is only 4.6 billion years old.
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Rare Moon Rocks Land at PGHS!
The lunar samples, provided by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) were collected in the late 1960s and early 1970s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the Moon. As part of this science outreach programme PGHS invited local schools and Firs Farm, Walker Primary School and St. Paul’s were able to join us and share this unique experience. A big thank you goes to Sophie, one of our recent Year 11 leavers, who assisted the Science Department in coordinating the school visits.
Living Eggs Science Project
Ski Trip to Alpe D’Huez Junior and Senior girls enjoyed a ski trip to Alpe D’Huez during the Easter holidays.
Pupils were very ‘eggcited’ when the chick eggs arrived as part of the ‘Living Eggs’ Science project and the first chick which hatched was named Humphrey!
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2016
Whole School
Charity Events London MoonWalk! Congratulations to four members of our Senior School staff - Mrs Doe, Senora Laratonda, Miss Newman and Madame Parry-Garnaud - for completing the London MoonWalk. Thank you to staff, pupils and parents who generously donated £581 to this very worthwhile cause. Congratulations to Sophia in Year 10 whose Disneythemed bra design (inspired by Minnie Mouse) was the overall winner for the trademark bras that the staff wore for this challenge; the Year 10 GCSE Art students were very busy in the week leading up to the walk sewing on sequins and bows under the close supervision of Miss Henry and Mrs Billingham!
Choral Competition Congratulations to all the girls who took part in the choral competition this week. Special mention goes to the winners, Blue House, with their theme of ‘travel’.
Walk the Walk Charity All girls from Reception to Y11 dressed in pink to raise funds for the breast cancer charity “Walk the Walk”.
Save the Children Girls from Reception to Y11 donned tinsel, snowflakes and sparkles for our Christmas mufti day raising money for ‘Save The Children’.
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The Lower School raised £2300 for the NSPCC
PFA Events The PFA have had another successful and sociable year running events to raise money for the school. Events this year have included a Christmas Fayre and a theatre trip in the summer to see ‘Matilda’. They also organised the Prep and Junior discos where all the pupils (and staff) had a great time!
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NSPCC
PFA Prep Disco
PFA Junior Disco
Staff News Baby Arrivals:
Leavers:
Congratulations to Mrs Deans and her family on the birth of their daughter Arianna on 26th April 2016
We said goodbye to the following members of staff during the academic year and we wish them well for the future:
Staff Joiners: At the start of the academic year we welcomed the following members of staff:
Mrs M Amankwah, Lower School Class Teacher Mrs J Billingham, Art
Miss R Begum, Head of English
Mr K Evans, Bursar
Miss TF Cho and Miss TF Cho, Science Teachers
Mrs S Worringham, Systems Manager
Mrs D Hadjicostas, Assistant Bursar Mr F McLoughlin, Playground Assistant Miss K Robinson, Lower School Class Teacher
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Palmers Green High School 104 Hoppers Road London N21 3LJ T 020 8886 1135 F 020 8882 9473 E office@pghs.co.uk W pghs.co.uk