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URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

inform

05/12 PERFORM INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HEADLINES SILVER SURFERS CARY MARSH SCIENCE FAIR THE GUARDIAN IN FOCUS THE INFORMATION www.ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk

URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

performance season

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URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

headlines Dear Parents & Friends, During assembly this week, Year 13 students asked students to:

aim high take

opportunities work hard

be passionate about you do

be determined As we approach the Easter many students have taken the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. A year 8 student gave this feedback: “I felt released and open to the presence of God”.

This sacrament frees us to start again and prevents failure from stopping us becoming our very best.

This spring half term, students from across all years have been busy practicing their talents ready to perform at a number of school concerts and events.

This Easter our parishes invite us to join in the Easter services. May this Easter bring you the joy of the Risen Christ.

Ms Julia Waters, BSc (Hons) MA

The season started with the ever popular Multicultural Evening which took place on 29th February. Guests started the evening feasting on delicacies from around the world, specially prepared by students and their families. As well as stalls representing Asia, Africa, USA and Europe, this year there also was a British stall - complete with cucumber sandwiches, straw berries and cream and a union jack coke! Having satisfied their taste buds, guests were treated to a varied showcase of dance and music from different cultures. New acts this year included ‘Sri Lankan medley’ a traditional folk dance, and martial arts display - in which the young black belts managed to break a piece of wood with one kick, and ‘Africa meets Latin America’ - the Year 7 and Year 8/9 choir as well as solo performances. At the end of . the evening, the entire audience joined in to

sing ‘Make you feel my love’. Another opportunity for students to display their talents was at the Key Stage 3 showcase.

The evening comprised an eclectic mix of acts from gymnastics to classical ballet and African drumming to contemporary dance. A dancing duet showed off their funky street dance moves and the evening ended with a lively performance by the Friday afternoon ‘Dance Bites’ group. Sixth formers have their chance to celebrate their talents at the Variety Night, held on Wednesday 28th March. All together it has been a spectacular season of performances. Congratulations to the participants and a big thank you to all staff and parents who supported the girls. above ballet performance at the Key Stage 3 Showcase. left violinist performsabove left year 7 flautist performance

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URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

cary on A former Ursuline student gave an insight into the world of technology and life as an entrepreneur, when she came in to talk to Year 1 Os and 11 s as part of the ‘Women into Science, Engineering and Clinical Careers’ event.

Students demonstrate the expanding marshmallows experiment.

fair deal Students in Years 7 and 8 showed how science can be both fun and fascinating, when they put on their very own science fair. Groups of students set up stalls and displays and performed live demonstrations showcasing a wide variety of scientific phenomenon. Visitors to the fair could see an exploding volcano; a ‘bouncy’ egg; ‘elephant’ toothpaste - complete with giant stripes; oven baked ice-cream and marshmallows which just kept getting bigger!

There were eye-catching displays showing the centre of the earth - complete with bubbling magma; the solar system and constellations of stars. You could also participate in activities such as testing your blind spot, looking through a pin-hole camera, viewing the night sky in a tent and getting your hands on some slime! Students at each stall were keen to share their knowledge of the science behind the weird and wonderful displays and demonstrations.

Bethany McAuliffe and Eryka Kritikos from 7

Cary Marsh is the CEO and founder of mydeo. com - which provides high quality streaming video and content delivery services to businesses worldwide from Hugo Boss and 02 to Kelloggs. Cary studied Manufacturing Engineering of university and got the idea for her business while on maternity leave with her first son. Following a successful pitch to a room of investors, Cary was able to raise half a million pounds to develop her business, She has since been awarded Cary Marsh, former student and CEC of mydeo.com a start-up award from HSBC, won ‘Red’ magazine’s ‘Hot Women Award’, been featured on the front cover of business magazine ‘The Sharp Edge’ - and become mother to two more sons! Cary still lives in Wimbledon, where her business is based. For those considering clinical careers, Kenton Lewis from Sf George’s University of London gave a talk about the-op opportunities available to them, It was an informative and inspiring afternoon which left everyone enthused about science and engineering. We look forward to seeing some current Ursuline girls at the forefront next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

Ursula.

guardian angels Thirteen Ursuline students studying English Language A-Level were recently given the opportunity to visit The Guardian newspaper near Kings Cross, London. As we were a~l working on our second piece of coursework - writing to inform, it was a great chance for us to learn how to write a feature article from a professional journalist, Patrick Kingsley. The building itself was picturesque both inside and out. “It reminds me of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’!” said c student Rianna. On the way we passed several offices packed with journalists typing away at computers and working intensely. The modern, sophisticated environment was perfect for the fast moving journalism work. Walking past all the busy offices gave us an insight into what being a journalist is like. The visit to the Guardian was truly an amazing experience and taught me how to structure my current and future coursework pieces.

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URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

Ursuline hosts International Women’s Day conference

Left to Right: Naomi Williams: Plan UK. Charlotte Moore: Deputy Editor Marie Claire and Krsna Harilela: Senior Editorial Producer CNN

On the 8th of March, Ursuline High School joined in worldwide celebrations to mark International Women’s Day, and hosted a conference on the theme ‘Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures’.

The event was attended by Ursuline student leaders from across all years, as well as girls from seven local schools. Its aim was for students to reflect on how they can support women, both globally and in their own schools. Four speakers, all of them successful women in their fields addressed the conference. The first, Krsna Harilela, Senior Editorial Producer at CNN International talked about how she participated in a project to build a school in Mali. For Krsna, this was a life changing experience, which inspired her to devote herself to raise awareness of the rights of children, especially girls. Krsna urged the students to ‘Have no fear in going after what you want - both in your own life and to help others.’ The next speaker, Naomi Williams, Plan UK’s Campaigns Manager talked about the issue of early marriage in countries such as Bangladesh, and how if usually leads to an end to a girl’s education and leaves them more vulnerable to violence and abuse. Her message was that fundamentally all

girls share the same aspirations, but for some, their choices are limited. Charlotte Moore, Deputy Editor of Marie Claire magazine talked about her passion for her job, and how she loved to have the opportunity to feature stories of women around the world. Her advice was to ‘find your passion’ and then ‘focus on success.’ The lost speaker, Becky Anderson, is a British journalist and one of CNN’s highest profile news presenters and correspondents. She talked about her experiences covering news stories in volatile and often dangerous situations and how she felt very privileged to do her job. Inspired by the passion and commitment of the speakers, students then got together to discuss and come up with their own action plans. All the proposals put forward will be considered by the Ursuline student council in forthcoming meetings, and circulated to participating schools. It was a thought provoking morning, which left everyone ready to take action for change!

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URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

rambling on Eight sixth formers were the first to take part in a new and innovative heritage and visitor resource for Wimbledon. They helped to create ‘The Wimbledon Way’ which will bring the story of Wimbledon clive through a website, leaflets and a marked walking route taking visitors through the town centre, Wimbledon Village and to the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The students researched Wimbledon’s heritage with the help of local historians and using resources at the Museum of Wimbledon. They learnt about how the introduction of Wimbledon Station transformed the area, Wimbledon’s long connection with sport, present and post, wildlife on Wimbledon Common and how a World War II bomb fell in the playing fields of Ursuline High School. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected walk The Wimbledon Way this summer and have the chance to learn more about Wimbledon. If you would like to get involved or have a story to tell about Wimbledon email Angela Browne at angela@merfonchamber.co.uk

silver surfers It is not just the younger generations who enjoy getting to grips with new technology. It would appear that of those who use the internet regularly in Britain, more than one in four is in the older age bracket, according to the Mail Online. In 2005, a study carried out by the BBC found that more than half of over-55s are online. However, due to the speed with which new gadgets and technology are launched and the multitude of tasks being more easily achieved online, it can be hard for anyone to keep up, particularly those least us and other local people to solve their IT problems. These sessions allow students to help with everything from texting and emails to buying theatre tickets online Faith Warde, a sixth former has been volunteering at the Silver Surfers sessions since 2011. Faith said, “I love sharing my knowledge and meeting older people. It really is s o heart-warming to be able to help.”

Jane West, Year 12 6

URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

in focus

photographs

Charlotte Moore Violinist

Boris Johnson

Cary Marsh MBE Ursuline Netball Team Sixth Form

Ursuline Athletic Team Siobhan Benita A Level Results Day 7

URSULINE INFORM 05/2012

the information olympics

diary

think

‘More than Gold’ is an organisation helping churches engage with the Olympics. It is looking for people to provide to family members of Olympians who might otherwise not be able to afford to come and watch. Catholic homes near Wimbledon are in particular demand.

For more details please look at the ‘More than Gold’ website or leave your name at the Sacred Heart Presbytery (020 8946 0305) and someone will contact you.

APRIL 2012 Mon 16 Weds 18 evening Mon 23 Tue 24 Forest Gate

MAY 2012 Mon 7 Tue 8 Mon 14 Fri 18 Tue 22

JUNE 2012 Mon 4 - 8 Mon 11

a thought for the day

contact Ursuline High School Crescent Road Wimbledon London SW20 8HA

Main Switchboard 020 8255 2688 Main Fax 020 8255 2687 www.ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk

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Start of term GCSE Music Performance Year 8 Parents Eve Year 7 visit to St Angela’s,

School Closed May Day Inset Day External exams start Year 12 Study Leave starts UPA Meeting

Half Term School returns

house points • MARGARET • ANGELA • BERNADETTE • TERESA • FRANCIS • URSULA • CATHERINE

5200

1st

5050

2nd

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3rd

4490

4th

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5th

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6th

4140

7th

Give a man a fish; feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime Lao Tzu founder of Taoism