Newsletter 20th February

Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance

Diary Dates

The Week Ahead

Half Term Begins

4:30pm, Friday 10th February

Half Term Ends

Sunday 19th February

Looking Further Forward

SLT Bake Sale

10:50am – 11:10am, Tuesday 21st February, Dining Room

Upper School Interhouse Hockey

8:45am – 11:10am, Wednesday 22nd February

Lower School Interhouse Hockey

2:25pm – 4:30pm, Wednesday 22nd February

Year 10 Parents’ Meeting

5:00pm – 7:30pm, Thursday 23rd February

Southern Schools Book Award

3:15pm – 9:15pm, Friday 24th February, Hurstpierpoint College

DofE Bronze Training (Year 9) 9:15am – 4:00pm, Saturday 25th February

Year 11 Scholarship Day

9:15am – 12:30pm, Saturday 25th February

World Book Day

Thursday 2nd March

Open Morning 9:30am – 1:00pm, Saturday 4th March

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, and Mr Kipling, along with his newly appointed Wellbeing and Anti-bullying lead Sabrina, Year 12, and deputies Martha and Henrietta, Year 10, have reopened the Wellbeing centre and have been running a range of activities every day to encourage positivity, raise awareness, and provide support to our students.

During Tuesday’s activity, Mr Kipling tasked the students with imagining a door and challenged them to open it. This was a straightforward task that the students completed in seconds. They were then challenged to open a heavy door that was difficult to move. They were also told that they could finish only if they could open it. Despite their efforts, they could not succeed. It was later revealed that Mr Kipling had altered their thought process by telling them that it was difficult to open the door. This demonstrated the impact that words can have on our thoughts and actions. Yoda's quote "Do or do not. There is no try," was cited to emphasise the importance of commitment and giving it your all. The Nike Slogan is not “Just Try It!”.

Next, students visualised a garden and dog, as described by Mr Kipling, and noticed how their perception changed with his description of the dog becoming snarly, angry, and protective. This exhibited how easily words can contaminate perception. Finally, the students learnt about the power of words by placing positive, negative, and neutral words on appropriate boards. This highlighted how words can impact our perception and their impact on self-belief.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance News

Saturday Enrichment Activities

Saturday 25th February at 9:15am:

Jewellery Workshop Knitting Workshop

Parents and Guardians: Please Take Note

Updated Policies:

Please note that several of our School Policies have been updated, including:

• Behaviour and Discipline Policy

• Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Pupils Policy

• Health and Safety Policy

• Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy

To see our updated policies, click on the following link:

https://www.cobhamhall.com/aboutus/school-policies-and-inspectionreports/

Fundraising for Breast Cancer

Riya, Year 9, has been Fundraising for Breast Cancer Research, selling wristbands, pens and badges at lunchtime this week.

Outside of School, Riya and her grandmother have raised a phenomenal £5,610. This is an amazing accomplishment and will have a major impact on this worthy cause. Keep up the hard work, Riya.

Inspirational Women

On Friday, we invited four inspirational women to Cobham Hall to speak to our Year 9 students as part of their Personal Development Framework lessons They offered our students expert knowledge about the working world and provided advice and tips for interviews.

Aimee Nicholas is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Clearcut Venues, where she supports a wide range of clients from all industries for a multitude of corporate event requirements throughout the year.

Naomi Gutierrez is one of two female Service Delivery Managers in the South-East region. She is in charge of suppliers delivering routine and reactive maintenance of civil and technology assets throughout the M25 area.

Joanne Cupid works in television, news, and current affairs; over the years, she has worked on many notable stories and programmes.

Katherine Davies specialises in Corporate Law, where she particularly enjoys buying and selling owner-managed businesses. Recently, Katherine has been learning SEN in education law and has become a governor of a local authority specialist school.

Earlier in the week, the Year 9 students prepared a cover letter and thought about how they could promote themselves in an interview setting.

On Friday, Aimee, Naomi, Joanne and Katherine conducted one-to-one job interviews with each of the students, asking them about their future career goals and what they could bring to that industry. Once the interviews were complete, the students were offered the opportunity to ask questions. In groups, they gathered around the inspirational women to find out more about the realities of the working world.

Although many of the students were nervous and found the experience daunting, they all approached the interview professionally and impressed our guests.

Well done to all our students who took part, and a huge thank you to our inspirational women for taking the time to come in and provide this valuable experience and knowledge to our Year 9s.

Please keep an eye out for more detail coming soon on our website.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A

Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance News

Wellbeing Hot Chocolate and Chat

Children’s Mental Health Week ended with a hot chocolate and chat in the Wellbeing Centre during Friday lunchtime. Students were invited to come along, enjoy some snacks, and sit down and chat with their friends and Mr Kipling.

This is a great way for students to come together and builds a sense of community around the School.

Wellbeing and Anti-Bullying Leads

Sabrina, Martha and Henrietta were selected for their roles as Wellbeing and Anti-bullying lead and deputies by Mr Kipling in early October. The were appointed after taking part in an interview where they answered the question: “When it comes to Anti-bullying, what would you like to have happen?”

They impressed Mr Kipling with numerous ideas for activities and training that could inspire positivity around the School. They then took on major roles in organising Anti-bullying week in November, such as ordering the Antibullying flag, handing out green ribbons and organising activities.

Mr Kipling says, "giving students this responsibility offers them autonomy and ownership. Everything is made by them and for them. Everyone can come together to make decisions, come up with ideas, and keep activities new and fresh.”

By having students take charge, Mr Kipling hopes that all students will have a familiar face to speak to and receive guidance from. He explains that, though he will help to guide them, this opportunity allows students to take ownership of the activities. He says, “we enable them to do the things they think are the most important.”

Going forward, Mr Kipling will be putting together a coaching course for Year 12 students to mentor and support students.

A Message from the NHS

The NHS Kent and Medway School Aged Immunisation Service recently visited Cobham Hall to administer the Flu vaccination. If your child missed their vaccine, there is a Flu-only drop-in clinic running on 11th February at Gravesham Community Hospital, Bath Street, Gravesend, DA11 0DG from 9:00am-2:00pm. If you would like your Reception to Year 9 child to receive the Flu vaccine, they welcome you to drop in. Alternatively, if you have a child who is 2 to 3 years old and has not had their Flu vaccine, you can also bring them along.

If you have any questions call 0300 123 5205 or text 07401320923 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A

Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance News Staff vs Sixth Form Netball

Wednesday lunchtime saw a fierce battle between Staff and Sixth Form in a spirited game of Netball. The tournament was intense, with skilful competitors on both sides of the court The AC was full of encouraging supporters, cheering on both Staff and Sixth Form players. The stakes were high, with everyone eager to earn the winning title.

At the end of the match, the Sixth Form players were victorious, winning 17-13. Congratulations Sixth Form, better luck next time Staff.

All the spectators and the players had a fantastic time at the match. Well done to everyone who joined in.

For more photos, see our News Article here: https://www.cobhamhall.com/2023/02/10/sixth-form-vs-staff-netballmatch/

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness,

Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance

STEM Academy: CSI Cobham

On Saturday 4th February, we welcomed students from a range of local primary schools, who, with help from our own students, used tools and experiments drawn from forensic science to track down the villain in the murder mystery: Who Murdered the Deputy Head?

Students were provided with a list of suspects and possible motives, then analysed evidence bags with samples found at the crime scene to figure out the culprit/s.

Keep an eye on our website for more detail and photos of the event coming soon.

News

Frosty Drive

Thank you to Mrs Thompson for this lovely photo of the early morning sunrise along our frosty driveway.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness, Trust,

Respect,

Honesty, Tolerance News

Year 13 Volunteering

On Wednesday afternoon, as part of their Personal Discovery Framework lesson, Year 13 volunteered at Leybourne Lakes Country Park. This week, the students finished a hedgerow they started planting last month. The students worked together to put wood chips around the base of each new plant, which reduces weeds and gives them extra nutrients. With plenty of watering in the first year and cutting back the year after, the hedge will take around five years to fully establish Once grown, the hedgerow will provide shelter and homes for a variety of wildlife, including hedgehogs, small nesting birds, dormice and other small mammals, as well as insects and butterflies.

For more, read our News Article here: https://www.cobhamhall.com/2023/02/09/yeah-13-volunteering/

Congratulations Bethany

Bethany, Year 7, is part of a Cheerleading club outside of School, at Kent Cheer Academy, and is competing at All-Star level for the first time this season

Her team ‘Chrome’ won their first competition of the season last weekend. The academy had 11 teams competing, and 8 came first in their division.

Well done, Bethany. We’re all cheering you on.

Boarding Activities

Our Boarders had a fun weekend full of lots of exciting trips and activities.

On Friday, Year 12 and 13 Boarders went on a restaurant trip and had some delicious pizzas.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A

Coming Up

Their Saturday activity was pizza making, where some very creative pizzas were cooked. Well done to everyone who took part, they all looked amazing.

On Sunday, Boarding visited the Tower of London. It was a fantastic day out, full of lots of history and interesting information.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance News

Round Square Exchange

What has been most memorable?

Anna: “I liked all the boarding trips; the Housemistresses are so nice. We visited the Tower of London, which was really cool.”

Macarena: “Bowling was my favourite, that was fun.”

What is the main difference between Cobham and your School?

Macarena: “You have to walk a lot to get to the lessons as this School is so big. The main difference is the weather though. I come from a desert, so I wasn’t prepared for it to be this cold. I didn’t even bring a coat.”

Anna: “I come from a co-educational school, so it’s different that there are only girls here. It is a lot smaller here than at my school too, which I like. It’s great how the teachers can help students individually.”

This term, we have welcomed Round Square students Anna, Year 10, Macarena, Year 10, and Ines, Year 12, into our School. They have been involved in lessons, various exciting Boarding activities, and have become truly immersed in life at Cobham Hall. Sadly, their visit has now come to an end, and they will be returning home at the end of the week. It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome such lovely students into our community.

We asked our two Bligh House boarders, Anna, from Canada, and Macarena, from Peru, to sit down with us so we could find out a bit more about their experience here

What were your first impressions of Cobham?

Anna: “The building is really cool. It’s really different to the School I go to; the timetable is different as we finish at a different time here and doing GCSEs is completely new to me.”

“It’s really welcoming, everyone here is so nice.”

Macarena: “I thought the building was amazing, when I first got here, I thought “Oh my God – Harry Potter!” The School grounds are really big, and different parts of the School are really different to each other; the main building is very historical and old, but T-Block is completely different.”

“There are students from a lot of different places, there is so much diversity.”

What helped you settle in?

Anna: “We are roommates so being new together has really helped to figure out everything.”

Macarena: “The teachers are really welcoming.”

Anna: “The teachers are so helpful.”

Macarena: “The small classes make it so much easier for the teachers to help you, they can answer questions really quickly. Back home I sometimes have my hand up for a whole lesson before the teacher can help me.”

What was your favourite part?

Anna: “The whole thing has been great.”

Macarena: “We’ve made really great friends, who I will miss.”

Anna: “There’s so much diversity.”

Macarena: “I love how everyone knows each other, there’s a lot of interaction between different year groups and everyone is so friendly.”

“People remember your name here.”

We later caught up with Sixth Former Ines, also from Peru, and she shared with us her impressions of Cobham Hall. (See following page)

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness, Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance News

What did you think when you first got here?

“I thought the School looked like a castle. I’ve seen pictures of the building, but I didn’t expect it to be as beautiful as it was in real life.”

“The people were really nice. I hadn’t heard a lot of good things about boarding schools, so I was pleasantly surprised when everyone was so nice and accommodating.”

What helped you to settle in?

“The first two days were really hard without my parents, but everyone was so warm and welcoming. All the other students and the Housemistress definitely helped me to feel settled.”

What’s different about Cobham to what you’re used to?

“Boarding is different because we don’t have it at my school. I really like it because you get to see all your friends all the time, and we are like a family. We don’t have our parents here; we have each other and that brings you closer.”

An Interview with George

In January, we welcomed George, Year 12, into our School. George’s arrival marked an exciting new phase for Cobham Hall as he became the first boy in our newly co-educational Sixth Form. We sat down with George to ask about the personal challenge of starting a new school, of making Cobham history, and about his experience so far:

What have you enjoyed the most?

“Meeting new people. It is so great seeing where everyone is from and learning about different cultures.”

“Although the School isn’t in London, there is really easy access to London. It’s such a beautiful city, so every week my friends and I have gone there to explore, which I really enjoyed.”

We would like to wish Anna, Macarena and Ines the very best in the rest of their studies and say thank you to them for choosing to stay at Cobham Hall. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time here and we hope you stay in touch.

If you would like to share your story in the Newsletter, please contact Miss Bilal or Mrs Ward Vine.

For more, see our News Article here: https://www.cobhamhall.com/2023/02/10/roundsquare-exchange/

What are your first impressions?

“Everyone has been really welcoming. They are just genuinely nice people. I was studying different subjects in my old school and the teachers have been really helpful and understanding with my subject changes.”

Has starting new subjects been difficult?

“A little bit, but I played sports already, so starting P.E. was quite an easy transition. I’m glad I chose it.”

How has it been, being the first boy in Sixth Form?

“It was a bit weird at the start, but I realised after a little while that it’s not a big deal. I feel settled now and everyone has been welcoming.”

What made you decide to join?

“I was really impressed by the small class sizes and the place is just incredible. The building and the scenery are like nothing else. As soon as I came here, I knew this would be a good choice.”

What’s the best part?

“The School has provided just what I needed at this point in my education.”

Check out our News Article here: https://www.cobhamhall.com/2023/02/10/an-interviewwith-george/

Valentine’s Hearts

In a Valentine’s Day-themed GCSE P.E. lesson, Year 10 students were tasked with creating heart diagrams using gym equipment.

Here are the best ones:

Holly K, Holly E, Anna A and Lamees Winners of the most accurate description of the pathway of blood through the heart

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A News

Alannah, Liz, Anna and Crystal Winners of the most accurate visual representation of the heart

Olivia G, Freya, Ishika and Eliza Winners of the most theatrical performance describing the heart.

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Kindness,

Trust, Respect, Honesty, Tolerance

Charity Events

Turkey-Syria Earthquake

News

Following the devastating earthquakes that affected Turkey and Syria on Monday morning, Cobham Hall held a Non-Uniform Day on Friday as part of a Mill Hill School Foundation-wide drive to help raise funds for the children impacted by the disaster. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragedy. If you would like to donate, please follow this link to our JustGiving page, or scan the QR code below.

Skipping for Cancer Research UK

Miss West has picked up a skipping rope and has been taking on 100 skips a day in February to help raise money for Cancer Research UK. If you would like to show your support, you can donate to her page here:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/julias-skipping-challenge-giving-page-110

Running for Prostate Cancer UK

Congratulations to Mr Kipling for hitting over £1,000 in donations for Prostate Cancer UK. This is such a fantastic outcome, and these donations will make a huge difference to this important charity.

If you would like to contribute, you can donate here:

His Late Majesty King Constantine

All at Cobham Hall were greatly saddened to hear, last month, of the death of His Majesty King Constantine of Greece. As Round Square’s Patron and President of the Board, His Majesty was an unparalleled champion of the organisation’s ideals and work. He was present at its birth in the 1960s and attended almost every Round Square conference over a period of 50 years.

He was also a friend to Cobham Hall, visiting a number of times, including in 1991, pictured below, when he was Guest of Honour at the School’s Festival Day and presented prizes to our students.

Tracey Balch, Cobham Hall Elder and Chair of the Cobham Hall Elders' Association worked closely with His Majesty King Constantine on the Round Square governing board and counted him among her friends. She recalls how passionate he was about the Round Square ethos; about giving students the opportunity to blossom, to see things differently and to meet with others from across the world.

Along with five other representatives of Round Square, Tracey was honoured to be invited to attend His Majesty’s funeral. “It was a great privilege to be there,” she says, “to say my farewells and to be part of Greek history.”

To read more from Tracey and to see the messages of condolences left by our Elders, please follow this link to our News Article: https://www.cobhamhall.com/2023/02/10/his-majesty-king-constantine-of-greece/

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 20th February |Week A Coming Up

The Unicorn Association Invites you to Gatsby Candlelit Ball

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends of Cobham Hall,

You are cordially invited to the 2023 Candlelit Ball. This year, the Unicorn Association is hosting a glorious Gatsbythemed evening, with music, casino and a delicious four-course dinner in the exquisite Gilt Hall. Cobham Hall students in Years 12 and 13 are invited to attend with parental/adult supervision. The dress code is Black Tie/Gatsby/1920s. Ticket price: £59.50. Click on the link below or go to Classlist for menu choices and ticket sales.

We look forward to seeing you at the party

The Unicorn Association

Click here for tickets: https://app.classlist.com/events/#/events/view/950861003

World Book Day: 2nd March

It’s time to start thinking creatively as World Book Day is right around the corner. On 2nd March, students are invited to dress up as their favourite book character; whether that be an interesting person, a mythical beast, or an extra-terrestrial species, all characters are welcome. Along with your costume, please bring a £2 donation to raise money for Book Aid.

Students are reminded that this is not a non-uniform day, but a book character dress-up day.

GCSE and A Level Revision Timetables

Cobham Hall News

Monday, 13th February |Week A

Coming Up

GCSE Week A

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

GCSE MusicComposition (JNW) Latin - GCSE - PMM EnglishGCSE - JM Geography (Mrs Keys) Latin - GCSE - mini

Lunch

History - AHW English GCSE KHB Drama Biology GCSE - MLT

After School Biology (SJR) - Triple Chemistry GCSE MusicComposition (JNW) EFL iGCSE

GCSE Week B

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

GCSE MusicComposition (JNW) Latin - GCSE - PMM EnglishGCSE - JM Geography (Mrs Kipling)

Lunch

History - AHW English GCSE KHB Drama Latin - GCSE - mini

After School Biology (SJR) - Triple Chemistry GCSE MusicComposition (JNW) EFL GCSE

Revision for GCSE Spanish takes place every other week as an extra timetabled lesson.

A Level

Week A

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Lunch Biology - SJR Film Studies - A Level

After School

Computer Science RCK

A Level Week B

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Lunch Biology - MLT Film Studies - A Level

After School

Computer Science RCK