Charters News Spring Term 2013 Co-Heads’ Comments It is now nearly sixth months since we became an academy and as we promised, despite the constantly shifting national education context, we have kept Charters true to its core values – Unity, Respect and Excellence – and maintained the strategies and direction that have helped us make such good progress over the last few years. Nevertheless, as we constantly reiterate, we are not complacent, and now that the Department for Education has abolished specialisms, it is vital that we continue to re-assess what we do at Charters and why, so that we can develop, not abandon and replace, our core activities. With that in mind, we are conducting small but important reviews of different areas of the school’s work, such as the consultation about girls’ uniform. At a more strategic level, we and the Governors intend to re-visit our vision with students, parents, staff and the local community to decide what we want the school to be like over the next 5-10 years. More details will follow about this process in the summer term. Central, of course, to our continuing development is the provision of excellent facilities and resources for our young people and the local community.
by Martyn Parker and Richard Pilgrim
With this in mind, as a result of some sterling work from our local Councillors, the Charters Leisure Centre Trustees are delighted to announce that £500,000 has been secured to improve and develop the existing facilities at the Centre. This includes
Charters Leisure Centre fitness suite and astro-turf which will be part of the refurbishment and extension of the work to the Leisure Centre for the wider community
a doubling in size of the current Bodyzone Gym facility with new allsinging-all-dancing equipment that will see the fitness facility transformed. This is in addition to a brand new male changing area being built, a new reception area and viewing areas for the sports hall, plus a new all-weather surface being laid to replace the tired old carpet on the
main Astroturf pitch. Key to making this all a great success is the increased use by our community, not least our parents and students. We really hope this is the first step to providing state-of-the-art sports facilities that we at Charters are truly proud of. Perhaps if we really throw ourselves behind being more active, getting the fitness ‘bug’, we might even convince the powers that be to support our local Councillors in persuading the Royal Borough to help fund the Indoor Tennis and Multi Sports facility planned for the Charters School site? So the more we use Charters Leisure Centre, the more we can argue the need for increasing and improving our facilities still further. Please click on the link for further information about the Leisure Centre. We are also waiting to hear whether our bid to the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund to help us build a new Mathematics Faculty building has been successful. We expect to hear at the end of April and although demand will be very high from schools across the country, we believe we have an excellent case! At the end of this term, we are saying farewell to Mr Dan Cowling, Geography teacher and Head of Year 13. Mr Cowling joined the school in 2007. He has been a tremendous help in strengthening our Sixth Form and we wish him every success as he sets up a new Sixth Form at a school in Richmond.
News from the Departments Dance - Off the Wall
‘Off the Wall’ was an extraordinary dance production which played homage to Michael Jackson’s unique and renowned dance moves and celebrated his well-known hits from 1970-1999. This created a buzzing atmosphere on and off stage. Over 170 students took part in this spectacular Michael Jackson tribute which was rounded off with a magnificent, surprise performance by the staff. The members of the cast described the production as “hard work but a lot of fun”, “a great tribute to Michael Jackson’s career” and “a brilliant experience”. A special thank you to Miss Sussex and all involved, we could not have done it without you! Shamone! By Ella Manning 11H
Charters Got to Dance Competition Charters ‘Got To Dance’ competition judged students on costume, dance choreography and overall performance. The 6th form judges and Miss Sussex were very impressed by the standard achieved, especially under the tension of performing for a large audience in the main hall. All dancers received a certificate and the winners a dance trophy! The final results were as follows: Years 7 and 8 1st Dorthea Flo and Neve Boyd 2nd Beth Allen and Hannah Heitplatz 3rd Rowena Winstone Years 9/10/11 1st Mathilda Taylor and Beth Cahill 2nd Ellen Jones 3rd Katie McKeever and Lauren Decent Years 12/13 1st Laura Webbe, Ella Augier, Isobel Walker. Joint 2nd: Emma Stafford (solo) and Michael Manley, Charlotte Daines, Susannah O'Shea. Written by Mathilda Taylor 9C
For term dates see www.chartersschool.org.uk/term-dates
Geography Year 12 Geography students braved the cold weather in February to visit East London to assess urban rebranding. We enjoyed a trip across the River Thames in the Emirates Cable Car and took in the views of the old docks and Olympic Park. Students conducted surveys in Cannon Town, Canary Wharf and Westfield in Stratford, information which they will use in their June exams. This was the last London trip for Mr Cowling who will be leaving Charters after 6 years. The geography department and students will miss him greatly. Good luck Mr Cowling!
New York, New York
After a week of frantic learning for the VocabExpress competition, we now have the final results. The fantastic news is that we appeared in the top 10 schools in the country for most languages and that includes Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Latin and Hebrew not to mention French and Spanish. All thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of our students. Congratulations to Kelsey English who was 12th in the country for French, Oliver Nursey who was 14th in the country for Spanish and Julie Fitzpatrick who was 23rd in the country for Spanish. What a fantastic achievement! Top 10 students at Charters: Oliver Nursey Julie Fitzpatrick Kelsey English Magdalene So Persia-Lili Moharerr Jake Reilly Hermione Lee Muna Gill William Wickham George Kay Well done and congratulations to everyone who took part.
In February, 30 drama and performing arts students set off to explore the wonders of NYC. We all arrived at school excited at the prospect of visiting a city that most of us had never been to before. The next day we set off on a water taxi around the Statue of Liberty and then had lunch at an amazing Italian restaurant which served us the best bread in the world! We had a very moving experience at the Ground Zero 9/11 memorial. After which we saw our first Broadway show of ‘Jersey Boys’ which was an awesome production and one of the best we’d ever seen! The next day we participated in a dancing and singing workshop with a cast member who we saw in the show. After a very windy experience at the top of the Empire State Building, we finally had time for shopping on 5th Avenue! The night was finished off with a standing ovation for ‘Mamma Mia’ where they got us on our feet dancing in the aisles. On our final day we had an acting workshop followed by a huge lunch in a typical American diner! We really weren’t ready to leave and could have stayed another week! It was a truly amazing trip. By Emma Stafford 12BF
For information about our online payment system see www.chartersschool.org.uk/parentpay
Charters Connect …
the alumni society of Charters School
Where are they now? We are pleased to be able to share with you news from some more recent alumni who have been in touch with Charters Connect. We would love to hear from others too. If you have photos or stories to share please email chartersconnect@rbwm.org
Charters Connect Drinks Reception Friday 19 July 7pm For the classes of 2003-2005 Did you leave Charters School between 2003-2005? If so this event is for you! A mailshot will be on its way to you shortly, but we recognize that some people will have moved address. Please contact us by emailing chartersconnect@rbwm.org if you would like to know more .
Aspiring High: climbing Kilimanjaro Roseanna Cheesman (Charters 2004—2011) After completing my 7 years as a student at Charters I have gone on to study geography at the University of Hull and I am currently in my second year, relishing student life! A few months ago I saw an advert on campus about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity Childreach International, a charity which has been set up by students. Childreach operates in less fortunate countries and its mission is to unlock a child’s potential through giving children access to an education, health care, protection and rights. The charity’s vision is that there should be a world where all children have the opportunity to unlock their full potential in life. When I found out what Childreach International stood for, I realised how lucky and privileged I have been. It felt like time to give something back so I am happy to take this amazing opportunity, not only to climb the tallest free standing mountain in the world, but also to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. In September I will be travelling to Tanzania with a group from the university. We will not only be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for these life changing projects, but will get to see one of the charity’s projects first hand. I cannot wait to see where the money I am raising is going and how many lives Childreach is changing for the better! It would mean so much if you were able to donate, no matter how much, to help me towards my target. You can do this at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/roseannaclimbskili2013 Or alternatively you can text UNLOCK 110566 to 70007 to donate just £3 Thank you for taking time to read this. If you want to find out more about the great work which Childreach International is doing please visit www.childreach.org.uk For an interactive tour of the school site see www.chartersschool.org.uk/interactive-school-tour
Reach for the Stars: Amy Whittow (Charters 1998—2005) After leaving Charters 6th Form, I took a gap year and spent 4 months in Canada qualifying as a ski instructor. From there I travelled to New Zealand to chase the snow. After some sun in Fiji I came back to start Uni. Bournemouth University was the place I played hard (party central – yes, really!) and worked hard for my Leisure Marketing Degree. I spent Year 3 as an Events Co-Ordinator at Harrods - organizing events from fashion shows to a ‘petting zoo’. Parading live donkeys through the store got loads of ‘eeyores’ and that was just from the customers. After graduating I banged on the doors of London PR agencies until Lesley Land, Entertainments Director at The Outside Organisation offered me the position of Media Assistant on the Channel 5 PR team. It was a fast learning curve and watching colleagues Lesley and Carly Coughlan was a master-class. Steve Guest – coolest boss ever – then invited me to join Guesty PR as a Music Publicist – a head spinning role. One day, Albert Hall with the Beach Boys, next in Swansea with Steps, the next back-to-back interviews with Donny and Marie and taking Donny shopping for a steam iron in Oxford Street! Crazy. Guesty not only has great clients but I’ve met some amazing people in ‘medialand’. What to expect – no two days the same, irregular hours, big egos, great fun. Advice: Keep smiling, go for it and never give up!
Classes of 1962-1963 Reunion Friday 7 June The reunion will include a tour of the school, afternoon tea and evening dinner.
23 former students have confirmed they are coming but if you know anyone who left Charters School in 1962 or 1963 who hasn’t received their invitation to this event please email ray@huttenmeister.com
To phone the school dial 01344 624826
News from the Departments History - Understanding the Holocaust
‘Tripping stones’ found outside the houses of deported Jews
‘Work brings freedom’, Sachenhausen Concentration Camp
25 Sixth Form history students visited Berlin, the heart of Nazi Germany, to understand more of the holocaust, its industrialisation of death and the heart warming stories of those who stood up against the horrors of the regime. Shivani Kapoor and Abi Thornton have written an interesting article about their experience which you can read on our website and view more of Mr Cook’s excellent photos: ‘Never Again’. Understanding the holocaust. Please click on the link.
Outside the 1936 Berlin Olympic Stadium
Horticulture Skills Things horticultural are getting off to a slow start this year because of the continuing cold weather. Despite this, our City and Guilds students are romping through their course, having achieved their Award and now well on the way to their Diploma in Horticulture Skills. We are really proud of them and their amazing progress. Gardening Club has restarted on a Wednesday after
school. The produce is either sold to raise money to keep the allotment sustainable; used in the canteen or used in a community dinner to say thank you to everyone who has supported us! We hope to run an activity in June to plant strawberries and would very much welcome parents to get involved with this project –
To find out about the Sixth Form see www.chartersschool.org.uk/6th-form
What do you want to do when you leave school? Charters Annual Careers Fair Aspiring Lawyers
Mark Courage, Encompass Financial Management
Over 30 employers, colleges, universities and training providers joined our annual Careers Fair to advise our students about the different options open to them. Mr Dhesi, Head of Economics and Careers, said ‘The day was a great success; students were talking to as many organisations as they possibly could. Year 11 and Year 9 are choosing their options for next year and are advised to think carefully about their career aspirations and how they are going to reach their goals. Students in years 11 and 13 are also at the stage when they are thinking about jobs, apprenticeships and further or higher education. This event really helped our students to make some important decisions about their future plans.’ To find out more about apprenticeships and online career resources, click on the links, or follow the ‘Academic’ tab on our website
Outside Reading Crown Court
Congratulations to the mock trial team, who won the first round of the national mock trial competition; this is an annual competition run by the citizenship foundation, which aims to increase the awareness of the judicial system in the UK. Both the prosecution team (Elizabeth Nicholls, Francesca Povey, William Taylor, Francesca Greenhow, Tom Lyons) and the defence team (Carly Ripley Owen Milner, Archie White, Hollie Reston, Pauline Wangunyu) won their case. Magistrates: Jordan Masters, Sophie Rose Seccombe, Jed Shrewsbury and Reeve Langston played an important part in both trials by leading the discussion on key issues in the case. Ben Blain will be entering a separate competition as the court reporter. Well done to all and good luck for the next round!
ParentPay In addition to paying for your child’s school lunch we are starting to roll out ParentPay for trips . If you need a re-advice of login details please email the school. Students explore gap year opportunities with Operation Raleigh
For Learning Gateway queries see www.chartersschool.org.uk/gateway
Sporting News Inter-County Cross Country success
50 Charters students competed in the Bracknell Schools Invitation Senior Cross Country Relays held at Lily Hill Park. Schools from across Berks, Bucks & Surrey competed in this prestigious event, with each athlete completing a 2-3k course for their teams. Congratulations to all students who took part: the Charters Girls A team of Morven Goodrum, Amelia Quirke, Niamh ReidSmith, Maisie Scott, Annie Wooldridge and Emily Read put in an excellent performance to come 2nd overall; and each of the other 4 girls' teams came 1st in their category. The Charters Boys A, B and C teams came 4th, 3rd and 2nd respectively in their categories. In addition to competing on the day, Ethan Tattersall (9E) did a wonderful job of coaching and encouraging Ascot Heath Junior School's teams to victory later the same afternoon.
Dance leaders in the community As part of the personal development of students at Charters we encourage students to plan and lead sporting sessions within local primary schools. Some of our Year 10 dance leaders recently went to a school in Bracknell to teach them how to participate successfully in a dance session and to also have fun, based all upon their chosen theme of Horrible Histories! Julie Fitzpatrick Y10M writes: we worked
as a team on our plans and practised in front of each other. Everyone was assigned different parts to concentrate on, including the pulse raiser, stretching phrase, the main dance, choreographic task and cool down. This was the structure for our lesson and all the children participated brilliantly and threw themselves into each activity!
Charters Tennis at Broomhall Park
The lesson itself was a huge success, the only problem was we didn’t have enough time, we wanted to stay longer! They all loved the chosen theme and were very good at listening and answering/asking any questions they/we had! The children were extremely enthusiastic and up for anything, we couldn’t have asked for better students! Each one of us came away from the experience with something to treasure and feel proud about! We would all definitely like to do it again sometime!
Charters Tennis courts at Broomhall Park, Sunningdale have recently been resurfaced and new floodlights installed. Please see the web site http:// www.charterstennis.co.uk/ for details on how to book a court and play on this great community facility.