Francis Holland School Newsletter July 2013 Emma's work on display at the Royal Academy Congratulations to Emma Caro in the Lower Fourth on the selection of her lino-print Awakening for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. Her art will be displayed throughout the summer.
From the Headmistress Dear Parents, Earlier this week, it was a delight to welcome to school the Year 6 girls who will be joining us in September. They and their parents met Mr Chiverton and the Third Form teachers during the introductory afternoon. Volunteers to be “friendly Sixth Formers” will make contact with new Thirds during the summer holidays. The provision of extra-curricular activities continues to be an important feature of the school. In addition to more than sixty clubs on offer every week, fencing lessons will be available after school every week from September. Any pupil who missed the free “taster” session on 10th July, can attend a second trial fencing lesson in the gym on Friday 6th September 4 - 5:30pm. For further details about fencing classes or any other extracurricular activity, please contact the Director of Extra-curricular Activities, Ms Clare MacDonnell: clare.macdonnell@fhs-nw1.org.uk. Sincere thanks to those of you who have attended the many school events during the second half of this term. In particular, girls have enjoyed large audiences to support them at the Junior Concert, the Lower Fourth Science Fair, the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Evening and the three Junior Plays. The GCSE and A level Art exhibitions were also most enjoyable occasions, attended by staff, parents and governors. Mr Chiverton will lead this year’s FHS 2013 Summer Camp, the annual holiday activity week organised and sponsored for younger children in F r a n c i s
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“looked after care” in liaison with Westminster Social Services. We wish the volunteer team of teachers and senior pupils good weather and an excellent week at Sayers Croft, at the end of July. There will be several school trips during the summer holidays. Mr Clayton will take a History trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, accompanied by Miss Barton and Miss Senegas. In mid-July, Mr Gridelli will lead a Spanish language trip to Salamanca accompanied by Ms Conway. Good luck also to those Sixth Formers who will be undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in Derbyshire during July and August. During August, several areas of the school will undergo refurbishment, including the Physics laboratories,
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which will be totally refitted, thanks to a generous donation. The school website (www.fhs-nw1.org.uk) has details of the school office’s hours during July and August. Tickets for the School Prize-giving at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, SW1, at 6:30pm on Tuesday 1st October are still available, free of charge for FHS parents and relatives: please email sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk. All FHS pupils attend Prize-giving and many will be performing during the evening. With best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday,
Mrs Vivienne Durham
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Staff News
Effort, Achievement & Contribution to School
Congratulations to several members of staff who have been promoted to new positions of responsibility, with effect from September 2013. Mrs Alex Francisco, current Deputy Head of Sixth Form, will succeed Mrs Helen Forbes as Head of Sixth Form. Ms Amelia Slocombe, who teaches French and Italian, has been promoted to Director of Higher Education and University Applications and will be Deputy Head of Sixth Form. Ms Kirsty Gallagher has also been promoted to Co-ordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, assisted by Miss Kay Hotchkiss, Mrs Claire Wood and Miss Jo Hallett. Ms Gallagher will also be getting married over the summer and will be known as Mrs Lombard from September 2013. Mr Toks Oladuti has been appointed Director of IT for the Francis Holland Schools’ Trust, which incorporates both FHS schools and the Bursary. Mr Oladuti will be joining the Trust in September 2013. Mr Steve Andrews has also been promoted to Systems Manager in the IT department. We would also like to extend our congratulations to Miss Flora Barton on her marriage to Dylan which took place on Saturday 6th July.
Summer Term - 2013 Form Effort Achievement Contribution IIIJ Mina Guessous Lily Clarke Scarlett Field-Green IIIM Tabitha Walker Riana Modi Sophia Chitty IIIS Saga Kjallgren Ella Roeser Ariella Lahyani LIVJ Holly Anness-Bradshaw Tabitha Dickson Rae Farrow LIVM Maria Lemos Helena McBurney Danielle Dunkley LIVS Jesamine Weller Amy Hobson Rindala Douba UIVJ Nicole Chretien Lucy Morris Rose Brookfield UIVM Madeleine Harding Ruby MacGregor Lulu Renney UIVS Cara Heppell Grace Pulling Madeleine Dunbar LVC Valerie Ostroumova Seran Aksoy Elisabetta Quacquarelli LVL Natalia Fishman Rosie Ling Olivia Escudier LVW Eliza Scott Georgia Wright Ambre de Tourniel LVI Bea Kilgour Catriona Biggs Nina Gharbi LVI Kitty Miles Amy-Rose Kasfiner Rebecca Kent LVI Yasmin Robinow Chrissy Minasova Natasha Lucas LVI Zara Saeed Katie Rafter Jemma Mendoza
Lower Fifth trip to the Globe Theatre On Sunday 16th June, 27 girls accompanied by Mrs Foy, Miss Williams and Mrs Durham went to see The Tempest as Elizabethans would have experienced it. This meant standing as "groundlings", which ensured that we were close to the action on stage. Luckily, we arrived just as the weather cleared up, and we braved standing for two and a half hours.
Miss Flora Barton and her husband on their wedding day
And lastly, we offer our congratulations to Mrs Anna Hillier and her husband Nick on the birth of her new son Benjamin on Monday 27th May.
The adaptation of Shakespeare’s play was humorous and inventive, with a spinecovered Ariel who moved acrobatically across the stage and the cast were excellent at getting the audience involved as the actors popped up amongst the groundlings, keeping the audience on its toes! Roger Allam’s portrayal of Prospero brought much amusement as an over-protective father, as did the other characters, like Trinculo who often threw water onto members of the audience! The Lower Fifth are now looking forward to studying this play for IGCSE next year. Miss Emma Williams Head of English & Drama Department
Quondam News
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Congratulations to Mrs Forbes, current Head of the Sixth Form, who has succeeded Mrs Nadia Demetriou Ladas in taking over responsibility for Quondam. Helen would love to hear from any Quondam members (former FHS pupils) and can be contacted at Quondam@fhs-nw1.org.uk. Mrs Forbes’ new post coincides with her move to Moscow and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all her inspirational leadership of the Sixth Form over the last seven years.
Mrs Helen Forbes is the new Quondam administrator J u l y
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Summer Junior Concert
Middle School Choir
The Junior Concert was held in the School Hall on Tuesday 18th June. The concert opened with the Junior Orchestra’s robust rendition of two madrigals: The Silver Swan and Never WeatherBeaten Sail, arranged and conducted by Adrian Smith. The Junior Choir sang a beautiful version of the traditional English folk song, Waley Waley, conducted by Maggie Watson. The Flute Ensemble’s rendition of The Dancing Motmot from Animal Crackers by Amos was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, and the Junior Pink Ladies performed a spectacular version of Jeepers Creepers arranged by Keith Abbs. The various string groups, all coached by Cat Parker, were also out in force: the Junior String Orchestra gave an accomplished performance of the Tango by Albeniz, the Junior Quartet, (Sophie Yau, Gayatri Bhatt, Zoe Hamilton and Leora
Kate performing in the Junior String Orchestra
Browning), performed Handel’s Largo from Xerxes, while the Intermediate Quartet (Constance Polydor, Aditi Bhandari, Julia Casanova and Lulu Renney), gave a wonderful performance of the Gavotte from Bach’s Overture in D. Interspersed were stunning vocal performances from Scarlett Field-Green and Sophie McMeikan, sonorous ‘cello solos from Leora Browning and Lulu Renney, and exciting piano performances from Rindala Douba and Kate Silva. The audience were also regaled with Holly Anness-Bradshaw’s wonderful performance of a Haydn Minuet on the clarinet, and Sophia Charap’s charming flute performance of a movement from Handel’s Sonata in G. Mrs Liz Rolfe Johnson Director of Music Department
Maxine playing the harp
Gaya, Sophie and Zoe at the Junior Concert
Lulu sings her way to the top This year is the Britten Centenary year, and the Aldeburgh Festival has had an even higher profile than usual, and so we would like to congratulate Lulu Renney, who as a member of the New London Children’s Choir, was very honoured to take part. The NLCC, under their director Ronald Corp, performed in two concerts, Friday Afternoons by Britten and World Premieres of newly commissioned works by young composers and in Voices for Today together with the Aldeburgh Voices under Ben Parry. The concerts will broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in November during the Britten Centenary weekend. Lulu also fought off fierce competition and made it into the National Youth Choir of Great Britain! Ms Clare MacDonnell Director of Extra-curricular Activities F r a n c i s
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Lulu is now part of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain
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The Maths Society presents Think Maths On Wednesday 26th June the Maths Society hosted a presentation about Shape and Smoke Rings. Dr Florencia Tettamenti, who has a degree and a PhD in Mathematics from Imperial College where she is currently a researcher, came and told us about her specialist field of Topography. With a gradually ageing audience, first Thirds, then Lower Fourth and finally Upper Fourth and Lower Fifth, she deftly got us all to categorise shape in a new and different way by counting holes and sides. This meant that a doughnut was really the same as a mug and the number eight was just like a waistcoat, the stuff of science fiction and Futurama. The highpoint of every talk was when she "showed us" 3D airflow using smoke rings that we all now know is accurately described as a Torus. Staff and pupils all gasped in delight as she generated these ethereal shapes by mathematically re-creating the aperture of a volcano using her mother’s laundry basket and some sugar smoke. It was a different side of Mathematics for all of us to experience. Mrs Anjali Martin Head of Mathematics Department
UK Junior Mathematics Challenge 2013 The UK Junior Mathematics Challenge took place on Thursday 25th April and we have received the following results: Bronze certificates: Rae Farrow Eden Rose Cleverly Poppi Haynes Yasmeen Louis Eva Gimpel- Oxinalde Grace Crawley Lara Mayers Maxine Freeman Emily Jerjian Helena McBurney Shreya Chakraborty Giada Pipicelli Silver certificates: Amber Khan Amy Hobson Ellen Pallant Gold certificate: Holly Anness-Bradshaw who is also awarded the Certificate for Best in Year.
Dr Tettamenti giving her presentation on Smoke Rings
For the Thirds, Bronze certificates: Ella Roeser Bridget Hayes
Emma Monnikendam Larisa Soskin Lily Wolfson Rosie Holt Ella Goldschmied Eman Jahangir Emilia Franco Sophia Reina Annabelle Pelster Claudia Prettejohn Elizabeth Sinden Yasmin Morrell Antonia Burgess Celia Frith Silver certificates: Lily Clarke Ana- Maria Chiriac Anna Clayton Suzanna Meynell Gayatri Bhatt Gold certificate: Riana Modi who is also awarded the Certificate for Best in Year and the Certificate for Best in School. Miss Neermala Murugan Mathematics Department
Lower Fourth Geography Trip to the Thames Barrier
On Friday 14th June, the Geography Department took the Lower Fourth pupils to the Thames Barrier. We embarked on a boat trip at Westminster Pier, travelling east to the Thames Barrier. During the boat trip, the students had the opportunity to take in the sights of London and improve their sense of place by adding names of areas and landmarks on a sketch map. Once docking at the Thames Barrier, the girls enjoyed a tour of the Information Centre learning about why we need the barrier, how it works and the future of the scheme. They also walked along the long profile of the Thames, learning about changing river levels and getting a sense of scale as the river journeys from its source 4
to the mouth. We then went to view the Greenwich Meridian Line to experience standing on the east and west of the world and took in the breath-taking views of the London skyline in the sunshine. It was a great opportunity for the girls to visit the Thames Barrier and learn about some effects of climate change first hand. My thanks go to Ms Hack, Miss Green, Mrs Bexon, Miss Shah, Miss Hotchkiss, Miss Sanchez-Martin and Mrs Wood for accompanying me on this trip. Miss Jo Hallett Geography Department J u l y
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Miss Green finally leaves for home!
Former Head Mrs Par sonson, Miss Green and Mrs Durham at Miss Green’s Leavin g Party
e Mrs Ford illies and en, Mrs G arty P g n vi Miss Gre ea L ddinall’s at Miss A
Enjoying Sports Day!
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Preparin
Miss Joanne Green who will retire as Academic Deputy Head at the end of this term, has worked at Francis Holland School since 1977. A retirement party held in her honour on Friday 5th July was attended by over 250 friends, colleagues, governors, and former members of staff. In speeches made by Mrs Catherine Longworth, the Chair of the FHST Governing Council and Mrs Durham, Miss Green was thanked for her outstanding service and tribute was paid to her exceptional contribution to the academic success and strength of the school. She will be greatly missed and we wish her a long and supremely happy retirement. Ms Clare MacDonnell Director of Extra-curricular Activities
Miss Green at the sta
rt of her career
Singing with the staff at the Christmas Pantomime
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Junior Plays 2013
July 3rd and 4th saw the performance of a triple bill by girls in the Thirds and Lower Fourth, directed by Mrs BachleMorris and Mrs Oakley. The evening started with John Godber’s comedy Teechers, with FHS girls for once licensed to behave badly, as they recreated the atmosphere in an imaginary school, transformed by the arrival of an enthusiastic young Drama teacher played by Rindala Douba. The next play also featured school-aged children, only from the opposite end of the social scale and all boys, in scenes taken from an adaptation of Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies; this piece explored what happens when there are no adults, no rules and no means of enforcing discipline on a desert island, following a plane crash, with moving performances by Helena McBurney, Claudia Prettejohn and Tabbi Dickson as Ralph, Piggy and Jack. Finally we enjoyed an adaptation of Twelfth Night, in a riotous fifties style production, featuring leather-jacketed twins from Messaline played by Scarlett Field Green and Alexandra Stephenson. Congratulations to all of the girls involved. Miss Emma Williams Head of English & Drama Department
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
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Golding's Lord of the Flies
Golding's Lord of the Flies
Godber's Teechers
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2013 Upper Fourth Activity Week at Knapp House On Sunday 30th June the time had arrived for the current Upper Fourth cohort to board the coaches and travel to Appledore in North Devon for week of activities and fun at Knapp House. During the week the girls took part in a variety of fun yet challenging activities some of these included; surfing, canoeing, abseiling, water-skiing, climbing, tree hoist, boat rides and crabbing. A highlight of the week for many is the peddle cart races and this year was no exception. The group enjoyed a series of obstacle courses designed by the instructors with some girls proving to be better drivers than others. However, the most impressive driving skills were demonstrated by Mrs Durham who navigated the course with speed and ease. All sixty-six girls who attended the trip should be proud of themselves for stepping out of their comfort zone whilst participating in the activities and also for being courteous ‘polished corners’ for the entire week. The staff at Knapp House said they were the best group they had ever had! The week was a huge success and was enjoyed by everyone. A special thank you to Mrs Wood, Miss Hallett, Miss Lowes and Miss Langely for their fervour and encouragement of the group throughout the week. Miss Julie Laytham Head of Upper Fourth
The Upper Fourth and teachers at Knapp House
Chiara, Ella and Lucy enjoying their catch 8
Janet enjoying the 360 degree swing
Natalia and Ella rock wall climbing J u l y
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The boat ride at Appledore Wharf
Learning how to catch a wave
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Welcome back to the Lower Sixth Following the completion of their AS examinations, the Lower Sixth are back in school, starting their A2 courses. They are also beginning the process of applying for the next stage of their education. To help them make the crucial decision of what and where they want to study, Oxford and Cambridge Applications held a Head Start Day here for some students on June 6th, explaining about applying to highly selective universities. Also a UCAS Application Day was organised for all the Sixth Form on Monday 11th June. Outside speakers came to the school from Cambridge, Nottingham and Imperial Universities. They learned about the application process, and also about applying to US and European universities, and about Art Foundation courses. We wish all the Lower Sixth good luck, as they prepare their university applications! Mrs Helen Forbes Head of Sixth Form
Head Girl's Team 2013-2014
Congratulations to our new Head Girl's Team! Hannah El Gazzar, Kirsty Pym, Harriet Mallender, Sarah Mohammed, Sasha Khan, Rebecca Harding (Head Girl), Molly Carl, and Talia Glantz.
Upper Sixth Leavers’ Evening On Tuesday 25th June, all the Upper Sixth came back to school for one last time, after their very final A level examination was over. The evening was an opportunity to celebrate al their many achievements during their time in school, extra-curricular as well as academic. We wished our newest Polished Corners the very best for their future studies. Mrs Helen Forbes Head of Sixth Form
Mrs Alison Edelshain presents the Outstanding Contribution to the School prize to Olivia 1 0
Sophie makes the final speech
Mrs D: pink on pink J u l y
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GCSE and A level Art Exhibitions On 10th and 26th June, the Art Department proudly hosted the GCSE and A Level Art Exhibitions, attended by the girls and many of their friends and family who enjoy the outstanding array of talent on show. The work illustrated the diversity of the department featuring both two- and threedimensional work, drawing, photography, printmaking and painting. It certainly showcased the fantastic achievement and hard work of our art students – congratulations to all!
Students enjoying the exhibition
Ms Jane Orr Head of Art Department
Rosie with her fantastic paper cut out
Mrs Forbes enjoying the show Abstraction Expulsion by Tara Oberoi
Cecile and Ms Orr reviewing her work
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Lower Sixth Tutor Group Outings Trip to the Shard
Being London girls, VIKAH decided not to venture out of Zone 1 on our outing, choosing to relish the delights that are on offer just south of the river.
Trip to Greenwich
On Friday morning 7th June, eleven Sixth Formers with Mrs Oakley and Mrs RJ left Baker Street for the glamour of the tube to Tower Bridge and then on the DLR down through Canary Wharf to the River Thames. This gave us the opportunity to see London from a new perspective. Driving our own train, we saw many memorable sights such as the old London docks, the Shard and much of the new architectural developments in the City. At Island Gardens we descended in a lift down to the bed of the Thames, walked through the Victorian tunnel to emerge at the newly restored and beautiful tea clipper, the Cutty Sark.
We started the day on a high by visiting the Shard; two lift rides and an awkward photo preceded the most stunning view, and revealed that some were lacking in orientation skills. We eventually managed to pick out where FHS is situated, nestled on the boundaries of the leafy Regent’s Park. After Miss "everything in London is free" Hotchkiss taught the girls how to get a full stomach on no money in Borough Market by sampling all of the free tasters, our team wandered along the Southbank towards Waterloo, tipping our caps to the Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern and a great book store along the way. After a Wagamama lunch, our nerdy bunch headed to the Science Museum, where our inner children were truly embraced in the Launchpad area; teamwork and logic prevailed in bridge building and bouncing balls through hoops.
Our next stop was Greenwich Market which was full of colour and bustle. Katie and Kirsty decided to buy some authentic Brazilian churos, whilst Zehra and Zoe had a Dutch chocolate pancake. We were all fascinated by the exotic range of herbal teas. Mrs Oakley loved the old fashioned telephones. Ella wondered off to have a look around the Church and light a candle.We thoroughly enjoyed painting ceramic mugs in the biscuit café. It was fascinating how each mug reflected our individual personalities! The return boat ride from Greenwich to Embankment was a memorable experience and the perfect way to end a fun filled day!
A fun and interesting day was had by all; after all, every day is a school day. LVIKAH at the South Bank
Chrissy Minasova VIKAH
Trip to the South Bank and London Dungeons
Trip to Notting Hill On Friday 7th June Mr Gridelli’s and Miss Williams’ eager students joined forces and set off for an educational day of fun, which started with chocolate and ended with art. Buzzing with anticipation we took it in turns to make, taste and learn about chocolate in Melt. We were fascinated to learn the different ways dark, milk and white chocolate are manufactured and how white chocolate is not made from cocoa. Equally as interesting were the varying chocolates from Madagascar and Columbia, which we tasted.
On Friday 7th June, LVIAMC and LVIRLR walked along the South Bank on a lovely summer’s day to the Tate Modern. We looked around the exhibitions including works from Lawrence Weiner and Joseph Beuys. In true Francis Holland style we went to Wagamamas for noodles. Then we headed anxiously to the London Dungeons with a mixture of excitement to explore the gore of English history and anticipation of the horrors which awaited us inside. We clung on to each other, terrified of something jumping out from around a corner (of which it did on many occasions to equal effect!). In the midst of flashes of darkness and light along with the amazing performance of the actors, we all learnt something historical from the execution of Anne Boleyn to symptoms and cures of the plague. With frazzled nerves we head towards the exit but our escape was blocked by a terrifying ride which dropped us repeatedly into depths from a great height and at rapid speed.
After being educated about the making of the chocolate we had a go ourselves, each making large chocolate lollies with many delicious decorations. After which, we enjoyed a relaxing and social picnic in Kensington gardens before heading to the Victoria and Albert museum where we studied the various fashion eras and we learnt many fascinating facts. Sasha was particularly intrigued how by in 1920 Jersey was a mainstream material in fashion. We would like to thanks our form tutors for coming up with such brilliant ideas and taking us on this tasteful and tasty day out.
Looking back it was fun, educational and absolutely petrifying! Jemma Mendoza and Hannah El-Gazzar VIAMC
Ella Marshall VIERJ and Rebecca Kent VIKFO
LVIERJ and LVIKO at Greenwich
Izzy Schaw Miller VINIG and Sasha Khan VIEBW
LVISMC and LVIRLR at Tate Modern
Literary Day Trip After several long weeks of hard revision and AS examinations, our tutor group enjoyed a day exploring the magical world of literature. Our day started at Platform 9¾ of King’s Cross Station from where we first visited the British Library before arriving at the extraordinary world of Hogwarts. At the British Library the art historians among us were excited to be able to analyse the structure of the building while all of us were intrigued by the work undertaken to restore old recordings; we experimented with filtering and removing background sounds from the first and last recording of Florence Nightingale – only to realize the magic of the professionals! From here we rushed to Euston Station and to the world of Harry Potter. Who could fail to be excited about exploring this fantasy world which filled our childhoods? The adventure lived up to all our expectations and his will be a day that we will never forget since, in one day, we travelled back to ancestors and then onto our childhoods! Jade de Tourniel VIADM LVIADM relive a Harry Potter moment 1 2
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LVIEW and LVING hard at work F r a n c i s
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Upper Fourth Italian Cookery Master-class On Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th June several students from the Upper Fourth, who are studying Italian, went to La Cucina Caldesi for an "Italian Pizza master class." The group had learnt about food, Italian cuisine and eating habits as part of their syllabus so this was an excellent educational, as well as rewarding, experience to conclude the current academic year. The girls were taught about the origins of this dish and were shown how to prepare a delicious pizza, all in Italian. They then tried making their own pizzas using genuine Italian ingredients only. The fun was finally followed by a food-tasting session, in which the girls enjoyed their own dishes. Da leccarsi I baffi! Mr Nick Gridelli Head of Italian & Spanish Department
Alice and Connie applying their culinary skills
Lower Sixth and Upper Fourth German Trip to Berlin On 2nd April, seven girls accompanied by Frau Edwards and Herr Diesel went on a trip to Berlin. We arrived in Berlin in the evening, and went to a restaurant for dinner. We attempted to order in German, and learnt many new German words for foods. We went on a tour of Berlin, with a question sheet. We had a route to follow and many of the questions required us to go up to shopkeepers, policemen and citizens to ask in German for the answers. Other questions asked for us to recognise landmarks in Berlin, such as the Mayor’s office. I found this particularly interesting because we became more aware about the importance of Berlin, and we found out a lot more about its people and culture. We also visited the Brandenburg Gate,
which was a memorable landmark. Before this, we went to the East Side gallery, on the Berlin Wall. This was very interesting, because we saw what many people had written on the wall, including a German Flag with the Jewish religious symbol on it. Someone had written on it “Free”. I found this particularly moving, as it showed the joy and happiness of the people after the wall was knocked down. We all had an amazing time, and thank Herr Diesel and Frau Edwards very much for taking us. This trip improved our German massively and we are so grateful! India Owens UIVS
At the Brandenburg Gate 1 4
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Swimming Success for Olivia Willis and Charlotte Hogarth
Olivia "flies" to Team GB
Congratulations to Olivia Willis who has been selected to represent Great Britain to add to her selection for the English Schools Team. Olivia will be heading out to Portugal in July to train as part of an elite team of just 10 swimmers before competing in the World School Games to be held in Brasilia at the end of the year. Charlotte Hogarth has also qualified for an annual international swimming meet at Darmstadt in Germany. This is a big event in her calendar year with Olympians attending and generally viewed as the “warm up” for UK Nationals which are at the end of July. We wish both Olivia and Charlotte every success in their competitions. Ms Clare MacDonnell Head of Extra-curricular Activities
Charlotte prepares for her race
Summer Term Sports Report The change of sports plus the lead up and expectation of Sports Day and our Swimming gala is a reason to rejoice and get outside. We have also had sports team photographs taken this term, so if you haven’t ordered any yet, it would be best not to delay any further. In another wonderful year of sport, FHS has enjoyed and fully participated in a number of events, including the Inter-form Hockey, Thirds and Lower Fourth Dance workshop, Interform Netball, Middlesex Netball, Hockey and Gymnastics, our superb Gym and Dance Display, fixtures every Tuesday and Thursday and the latest inclusion and the Inter-form Football tournament! With never a dull moment, please do encourage your daughters to get involved in a team or club next year! If you would like to be a part of a sports team or club next year, make sure you sign up on the PE noticeboards at the start of the Autumn term. Girls must bring kit into school on the F r a n c i s
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first day to be prepared early, also they should take note of the times and dates for trials in their diaries. Sports trials dates are also available to view on the school website – please do click and view www.fhs-nw1.org.uk/sportsnews. The two year phase-in period for our new PE kit has just finished, as from September all students from the Thirds to the Upper Fifth are now all to wear the new PE kit. Schoolblazer, our online PE kit distributor, will be offering a free delivery service if orders are placed between 1st and 14th July, 2013. Please go online to www.schoolblazer.com for all of your PE kit orders. All orders should be placed before 19th July to guarantee delivery before the start of school. Have a wonderful summer’s break and I hope to see everyone raring to go in the autumn term. Miss Jane Tucker Head of PE Department
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Parents’ Association News
Congratulations to the following girls who received their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards in March: Olivia Escudier Lydia Hook Miranda Soskin Jean Watt Silver News At the start of the May half term, 19 Lower Fifth girls walked approximately 40km through the lovely countryside of Chelmsford as a part of their practice weekend for their Silver Award. The weather was glorious and the group enjoyed the new Mountainwise campsite. The weekend was certainly a challenging yet fun experience.
On behalf of the Parents’ Association Committee, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful summer holiday. There are two important dates for your diary in the Autumn term: The Annual Meeting Wednesday 6th November Following this year’s AGM, we will be joined by bestselling parenting expert Karen Doherty, who will share her Top Tips on simple ways to be a better parent. Whether you want to transform your child’s behaviour or simply want to be the best parent possible Karen’s Top Tips will help! Karen has lectured and appeared on radio, television and in the press throughout the UK. She has inspired thousands of parents internationally to find their natural strengths and to raise confident, cooperative, motivated happier children.
Miss Julie Laytham Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator
The FHS Christmas Fair Saturday 23rd November It is a fun afternoon and the perfect way to start the holiday season. More specific information about the day and on how to volunteer will be sent out early in the term. Mrs Laurel Rafter Chair of Parents’ Association
Lower Fifth on Silver Duke of Edinburgh
FHS becomes a member of the London Library
Sixth Form Induction Day Our annual Sixth Form Induction Day for the girls starting their A level courses at FHS this September began with a breakfast of hot chocolate and pastries in their new common room. After a welcome from Mrs Durham, the inductees had sessions on how to manage their new academic demands, the opportunities beyond their A levels such as Young Enterprise and the Extended Project Qualification, and the options offered for volunteering in the community. After lunch the girls took part in a workshop run by the Young Leaders' Consultancy on leadership and risk taking. The workshop got off to a terrific start with one lucky inductee winning a £20 note through bold participation — and yes she got to keep it! Before leaving to enjoy their summer break, the girls met with their new subject teachers and were given reading lists and summer work to prepare them for the start of their A level courses in the Autumn term. The girls left excited about their future as FHS Sixth Formers and becoming the new leaders of the school.
We are delighted that FHS is to become an institutional member of the London Library, based at St James’s Square, from September 2013. Our membership will enable access to an extensive collection of more than one million volumes and 750 current academic journals, with an archive of 2,500 titles. The collection covers more than 2,000 subjects in 50 languages, with 8,000 new books added annually. Our library provision will also be greatly enhanced by access to a wealth of electronic resources, from JSTOR to Who’s Who Online. Please see Miss Barlow, School Librarian, if you require any further details.
Mrs Alex Francisco Deputy Head of Sixth Form
Future Dates for your Diary
In order to meet demand, the Library will be stocking a number of additional e-book readers from the start of the Autumn term. These will be loaned to girls for a period of two weeks and can be returned to the library to be charged during the school day if required. Suggestions for titles to be downloaded are more than welcome! Miss Lindsey Barlow School Librarian 1 6
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A2 results available ............................................................................. 8:30am AS results available ................................................................................ 10am GCSE results available ........................................................................... 10am Induction Days for Thirds, Lower Fifth, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth ................................................... 8:45am-3pm Autumn term begins ............................................................................ 8:25am Social Evening for parents of Sixth Form .............................................. 6pm Social Evening for parents of Thirds ..................................................... 6pm 11+ Open Morning .............................................................................. 8:45am 11+ Open Evening ................................................................................ 5:30pm School Prize-giving at Queen Elizabeth Hall .................................. 6:30pm
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L O N D O N
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J u l y
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