Newsletter Established 1899
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Trinity 2013
Moving forwards... Due to the continued growth in student numbers at Sherborne Girls, a new Junior Boarding House is set to open in the Trinity Term. So far, as part of the five-year plan to invest in the future, the School has completed a £2.5 million Science Centre, created new classrooms for Humanities and launched a new Sixth Form, Higher Education and Careers Centre. The junior house has been under construction for the last year and is the first boarding house to have been built at the School since 1992, and has been specifically designed for younger students in mind.
lord coe to light up ball One of the highlights of the Trinity Term will be a major gala fundraiser, with London Olympic Chief and twotime Olympic champion, Lord Coe CH KBE. The Candlelight Ball will be held in marquees in the grounds of Sherborne Girls on Saturday 22 June; guests will enjoy a champagne reception before a threecourse dinner and entertainment, to include live jazz and swing bands, and silent and live auctions. The Development Office is still seeking support in the form of pledges for the auctions, as well as event sponsorship and gifts in kind. Full details can be found at www.sherborne.com/candlelight_ball Tickets cost £75 per person at tables of ten and all proceeds will go towards supporting the School’s Bursary Fund. For tickets or for further information please contact the Development Office: development@sherborne.com or 01935 818301.
It will accommodate 56 girls and features upgraded sleeping accommodation, a contemporary dining room, improved study space and a dedicated garden. “We are delighted with the new
house,” said Housemistress Hayley Vanstone. “The wonderful facilities will help us to provide the warm and nurturing environment we are known for.” Headmistress Jenny Dwyer explained, “We believe that girls joining us at the age of 11 benefit from the specialist curriculum which we are able to provide, alongside superb pastoral care and excellent facilities.” Firmly of the belief that the spirit of a house belongs with
the people and not the building, the name will move with the girls and the junior house will be known as Aldhelmsted West. Work will soon begin on the building vacated by the younger girls. It will be completely refurbished over the next few months and in the Michaelmas Term will become home to all the girls from Kenelm, as they move over the bridge and take up residence. Following the same principles, this building will be renamed Kenelm.
Strength in choice
AGAINST THE MACROCOSM OF national debate about what constitutes the best academic curriculum for schools, we at Sherborne Girls have quietly continued in our own evolution in this area; we greatly value the independence we have in reaching our own conclusions, allowing for flexibility, choice and continued academic stretch. Our Upper Fifth continue to be able to weigh up the respective strengths of A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma when thinking about their pathway into the Sixth Form; awaiting them there, whichever route they have followed, is another level of exciting decisions to be made in terms of their engagement with extended research, academic societies, inspirational speakers and academic trips. Further down the school, the Junior Diploma and the Mind Matters activity
programme continue to succeed in their aim to promote academic reflection and engagement away from the confines of the classroom. Linked to this, the Academic Hub has recently completed its review of the Lower Fifth Curriculum for September 2013. Gone is the requirement to study every subject possible in a packed curriculum. There will be greater choice of language options. In the creative area (Art, DT, Textiles, Music, Drama, Food Technology), pupils will
also be able to opt for those subjects which really capture their imagination, and will have more curriculum time devoted to those that they do choose, ensuring study to greater depth with like-minded peers. A ‘core’ element will also be introduced into the pupils’ weekly timetable, allowing time for proper focus on study skills and reflection about what constitutes effective learning, linking in with the philosophy of the Junior Diploma. We are now looking forward to examining in similar depth the curriculum offered to pupils in the Lower and Upper Fourth. What about the appropriate platforms for delivering all of this? Well, here too the research, reflection and debate continue apace…to iPad or not to iPad, that is the current question, and a fascinating and crucial one it is too. Thank goodness for flexibility and independence when it comes to making decisions! bill penty, acting head
Bringing books to life Local author Michael Malaghan will be visiting the School Library in the Trinity Term. With writing credits which range from short stories to children’s television, and from journalism to novels, Michael will be sharing the secrets of his trade with Lower and Upper Fourth girls, and signing copies of his books ‘Greek Ransom’ and new release ‘The Lost Prophecies’.
Follow the Library blog – http://sherbornegirlslibrary.wordpress.com
science stars Lower Fifth girls recently participated in a challenging science week, investigating a whole range of subjects, from ‘Fingerprinting Felons’ to ‘Plants on the March’. The week culminated with the girls giving presentations of their work to an audience which included a judging panel of former Head of Chemistry,
Dr West, retired Biology teacher, Mr Bygrave and current Science staff. The winning team of Sophie Dible, Serena Dwerryhouse, Almu Munoz Molto and Lucy Wright will be entered into the British Science Association Bronze Crest Awards.
Explosive lecture Over 100 pupils from neighbouring schools joined Sherborne Girls for a day of scientific talks and demonstrations on the theme of pyromania. Guest speaker Professor Roy Lowry of the Centre for Chemical Sciences at the University of Plymouth lectured on the chemistry of fire and fireworks, including how to produce the coloured flames and smoke curtains used in many pyrotechnic demonstrations on stage and television today. Gaye Nelson, Head of Chemistry at Sherborne Girls said, “This was an exciting and energetic lecture from one of the industry’s experts. We were delighted to hear that the visiting schools enjoyed the experience, and that it has made students think more about studying science at school and university, and how it can lead on to a broad range of careers.”
Scholarships and awards
Faith confirmed
2013-2014 Academic Alice Richardson (St Ives School), Ella Cunningham (Mount House), Amelia Fortescue (Chafyn Grove), Sophie West (Mount House), Emily Williams (King’s Hall Taunton), Georgina Luders (Kingshott), Celia McCormick (Hanford), Ottilie Mundy (Blundells)
Art Pandora Covell (Cheam), Grace Storrie (Perrott Hill), Alexandra Covill (Amport C of E Primary School)
Music Mia George (King’s Hall Taunton), Fenella May (Port Regis), Celia McCormick (Hanford), Annabel Harris (Sherborne Prep)
Sports Amelia Fortescue (Chafyn Grove), Sophie Hall (Sherborne Girls), Georgina Luders (Kingshott), Flora Toyne-Sewell (St Swithun’s)
All-Rounder Award Polly Usher (Chandlings Manor), Flora Ramsden (Sherborne Girls), Georgia Watson (Hazlegrove Prep), Eleanor Miller (Hazlegrove Prep)
Top of the class Lent was a very successful term in the Mathematics department. No fewer than five girls obtained Gold certificates in the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge. Kate Hon (M5), Lily Sun (M5), Julia Routledge (M5), Ella Penton-Voak (L5) and Frances Budd (L5). Kate, Lily and Julia were joined by Mairi Galbraith to claim joint first position in the Dorset heat of the Team Maths Challenge at Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester and now progress to the South West regional final in Exeter.
The Confirmation Service was held in Sherborne Abbey on Saturday 9 February. The Abbey was packed with family and friends wishing the 41 candidates well. The service was conducted by former Bishop of Shrewsbury, The Rt Revd David Hallatt. School Chaplain, Revd
novel achievement Upper Sixth girl Charley Robson has had a taste of fame and fortune with the publishing of her first novel, St. Mallory’s Forever!
Barrister and Governor of Sherborne Girls Robin Leach welcomed the audience and the evening took the format of round table style discussions with experts representing various law specialisms. Particularly interesting was advice on what legal recruiters look for in new entrants, and the evening ended with a lively question and answer session followed by supper.
The book, which Charley co-authored with three other writers, aims to revive the girls’ boarding school genre. Charley explains, “It starts with one of the characters getting the biggest culture shock of her life when she wins a scholarship to a girls’ boarding school and without giving too much away, a Nancy Drew style mystery develops. It’s aimed at young adults, so I’m delighted to see our own Library stocking it!”
Future events are likely to focus on careers in the media, property and finance.
Headmistress Jenny Dwyer added, “We are
Expert careers advice The Old Girls’ Careers Mentoring Service is now in its second year, providing support to those starting out on their careers, considering a change of direction or returning to the work place. The first careers event was held recently, hosted by global law firm Linklaters in their London office and attended by Old Girls, sixth formers and parents.
Rebecca Ayers-Harris said, “I am delighted that so many girls have been confirmed this year. Sherborne Girls is a Christian foundation and the Confirmation Service is a special event for us each year. We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to hold this service in the wonderful surroundings of Sherborne Abbey.”
incredibly proud of what Charley has managed to achieve. Charley hopes to study English Literature at university after her A levels and go on to
be a professional writer one day, so this is exactly the start she needs to set her on the path to future publishing success.”
The pursuit of happiness
IT’S OFTEN SAID IN SCHOOLS that a happy child will succeed more in the classroom, and we know that low self-esteem and general sadness in one’s personal life can have a detrimental effect upon one’s achievement. Happiness can certainly be an elusive feeling for teenagers who have a great deal to contend with. There has been concern expressed in the press recently about young people not being properly supported at university and indeed criticism that undergraduates can experience a lack of pastoral care. In my experience it is often students who have not lived away from home before who can feel this more acutely and may need that extra bit of TLC in their first year as they get to grips with developing independence. This is surely why boarding schools are such a wonderful invention! Sherborne Girls is proud of its full boarding ethos and traditions and is
often praised for its strong pastoral care. But we are not complacent – far from it. Developing happy and fulfilled young people is an ongoing task. It requires a holistic approach. I don’t believe one can teach happiness but you can create the right environment in which all girls have the opportunity to flourish and develop resilience and character and even take risks, knowing that this is a safe place in which to do so.
contribute to feeling happy. We are fortunate to have wonderful facilities for sport and recreation and all girls are encouraged to make full use of these, whether it’s attending early morning training sessions or perhaps participating in charity sports events, and this is of course in addition to their regular sporting commitments.
There has been lots of research into what makes people happy but top of the list is always the quality of family life and other relationships. Friendships are really important to girls. In a boarding community, pupils develop meaningful friendships and we place a great deal of emphasis on a sense of trust and belonging. This is a strong feature of all our Houses.
When things go wrong and a girl is struggling, the community steps in to help. Older girls can listen, friendship bonds are strengthened and staff have the skills to support and advise. Prospective parents frequently comment on the happy and purposeful atmosphere that exists here. Education is so much more than a set of results and we sincerely hope our girls leave here as happy, fulfilled and independent young women ready to lead successful lives.
Alongside companionship and community, being physically fit and healthy is also proved to
Emma Hattersley, Deputy Head Pastoral
lost in translation Joy and Marián are the School’s French and Spanish Assistants and provide conversation practice for the girls. Here they share their experiences of life at Sherborne Girls: J’ai reçu un très bon accueil de la part du personnel de l’école, qui m’a expliqué comment fonctionnait l’établissement. Le département de langues m’a fait une forte impression notamment, grâce à ses enseignants solidaires, avec qui j’ai eu l’honneur de travailler et de progresser. J’ai apprécié de travailler dans une atmosphère joviale où la richesse linguistique était au cœur de l’enseignement. Joy Nedu Nunca pensé que un internado pudiera encantarme tanto como lo ha hecho Sherborne Girls. Desde que me alojé en el ático de Dun Holme, una de las casas del colegio, hace ahora seis meses, he vivido una de mis mayores experiencias como profesora, asistente de conversación y como tutor residente en dicha casa. Sin duda, Sherborne marcará en mi corazón una huella imborrable para el resto de mi vida. Gracias a todos los que habéis hecho de este año una experiencia inolvidable. Marián López
EVERYBODY DANCE NOW... Twenty-eight budding Darcey Bussells, ranging in age from Lower Fourth to Upper Fifth, recently performed in the toetapping, foot-stomping ‘Everybody Dance’ at Yeovil’s Octagan Theatre. Head of Sport, Nicky Matthias said, “As well as performing in the grand opening and finale, our girls performed a ballet duet, a group ballet, and a lively jazz and hip hop group routine. Thanks to everyone who came along and congratulations to our dancers on their polished performances.”
Symphony Orchestra The Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestra performed in an afternoon concert at St John’s, Smith Square in London on Sunday 17 March. The 64 strong orchestra, drawn from musicians from all the Sherborne schools, played some particularly demanding works by Suppé, Khachaturian, Borodin and Mussorgsky. John Jenkins, Director of Music at Sherborne Girls said, “The wonderful venue and its generous acoustics inspired the orchestra to some of its best playing of the season, and there was some outstanding solo playing. There was also a most enthusiastic response from the audience, who clearly enjoyed it immensely.”
diary dates 22 May
Old Girls’ AGM at the Royal College of Defence Studies, London
1 June
Old Girls’ 20-Year Joint Reunion Dinner at Sherborne School
22 June Inter-house Athletics Competition 22 June Candlelight Ball 26 June Art Exhibition Private View 28 June Commemoration
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Fifth year of musical masterclass The Junior Production this year is a much loved story by Kenneth Grahame, a classic English tale of riverbank folk that has delighted generations of children over the past hundred years. With a cast of over forty girls, the show is packed full of exciting elements such as dance, puppetry, singing, music and stage combat, not to mention plenty of fun and lots of jokes. Performances are on Thursday 13 June at 7pm and Friday 14 June at 7pm. Tickets are available from the School Box Office sjw@sherborne.com
Distinguished conductor, harpsichordist and dancer, Dr Ricardo Barros, was this year’s director for the annual Harriet Tory masterclass.
Recently awarded the prestigious title Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his significant contribution to the music profession, Dr Barros
delivered a specialist class for the girls, focusing on music and dance of the Baroque period. The event culminated with an evening concert.
It’s all for charity... This term, Sherborne Girls have supported the following charities: Kids Company - Help for Heroes - Tiny Hands Orphanage - Multiple Sclerosis - Magic Bus - Epilepsy Action Michael J Fox Foundation - Fundación Estrela Brilhante - Sakhumzi Children’s Care Centre - Comic Relief - WWF Tildy’s Trust - Piers Simon Appeal - Streetlytes - Perspectives - Amnesty International
Highlights have included: A spectacular Fashion Show was organised by the girls in Aldhelmsted East, attracting an audience of over 400 people. Staff and students enjoyed tripping the light fantastic, and over £3000 was raised for the charities Magic Bus and Educaid. Comic Relief is an ever popular event on the fundraising calendar, and the girls held a series of money-making events including a Red Nose Day Tea Party which generated nearly £500. Dun Holme girls invited members of Sherborne’s Senior Citizens Lunch Club to join them for a recent Sunday lunch. The guests enjoyed a traditional roast dinner, which was followed by an informal musical recital given by the girls. On departure, each of the guests was given a bunch of daffodils. Head of External Relations and Community Coordinator, Amanda Mackintosh, said, “The afternoon was a great success for both pupils and senior citizens, with many stories being exchanged between the generations.” A group of 16 girls from the Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth staged a charity concert at the end of Lent Term and entertained everyone with song, dance and comedy. Their chosen charity was Tiny Hands Orphanage in Nepal, which the girls will be visiting this July. They will be able to present the charity with over £400 generously donated at the concert. Kenelm girls raised over £700 for the Piers Simon Appeal/School in a Bag initiative. The project delivers rucksacks full of stationery, learning resources and eating utensils to poor, orphaned, vulnerable and disaster affected children around the world, and the money raised by Kenelm funded a total of 49 bags.
Stories from Salamanca On arrival in Spain we were met by our very enthusiastic host families, who we were to stay with for the week. The daunting notion of speaking Spanish for seven days became a reality when we were plunged into fast speaking family life! We were fortunate enough to have a local Spaniard, Cristina, show us around the beautiful city of Salamanca, complete with breathtaking cathedrals, impressive universities and the renowned Plaza Mayor. We became experts at asking for
directions as we were given great independence to find our own way around. Our Spanish improved dramatically and quickly! The teachers kept us busy with flamenco and salsa lessons, a tapas tour, a trip to the magnificent Segovia, a treasure hunt around the confusing streets of Salamanca, a stunning walk around the picturesque countryside, suppers out at traditional Spanish restaurants and frequent trips to our favourite churros shop! alicia baines and rose patrick Upper Fifth
Artwork by Grace Berry, Upper sixth
Sketches of Berlin On Friday 15 February, 35 artists and art historians from the Lower and Upper Sixth and staff began a six day study tour of Berlin.
From imposing neoclassical buildings to the complex symbolism of the wonderful Jewish Museum - everywhere you turn in Berlin there are layers of time and stark contrasts. Indeed the Reichstag is the epitome of creating a dialogue between old and new, with its new glass and steel dome constructed on top of the remains of the old stone structure. The art galleries were full of amazing Old Masters and Modern Art. Highlights included a tour of the Sammlung Hoffmann, a cutting-
edge collection housed in a private apartment; the Bode Museum, full of fantastic sculptures (and empty of tourists); the poignancy of the Kathe Kollwitz Museum; and the approach to Modern Art offered by the Hamburger Bahnhof museum which really challenged our views of what art is and can do. We enjoyed the tourist sights too, and the hustle and bustle of the Ku’damm, the famous KaDeWe and the cafés and streets at night. Jenny newman, head of art and design
GOD POD ATTRACTS ATTENTION Girls explored the meaning of Lent in their very own God Pod – a wooden shed on wheels which moved mysteriously around the school grounds. Revd Rebecca Ayers-Harris explained, “The God Pod provided the girls with a chance to reflect on what a sacred space means to them, both personally and as a community. The girls also used the space to record their reflections on a video camera, which were then regularly made into mini-films, which were shared with the school community.” Middle Fifth, girl Grace Longman, added, “It’s been nice to have a cosy corner of the school where you have space to reflect. It’s not every school that has a mobile place of worship – and although it obviously looks fun and quirky as it travels around the grounds, it does fulfil a serious function in our lives.”
sport
100 years of Lacrosse
Olympic inspiration
Gorgs’ story of trying every sport she could, from riding to running, to identify what she was good at. She has shown that taking every opportunity you can to test your ability is the way to discover what you are truly great at and that you should never give up.”
visiting teams from south africa Sherborne Girls recently hosted hockey and netball teams from St John’s Diocesan School for Girls from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Competitive matches were played against our 1st Teams, with Sherborne Girls winning the hockey 5-0 while the hosts succumbed in the netball fixture by 28-18. Afterwards the SA Girls – who were coming to the end of an intensive ten day tour of the country – enjoyed a celebratory supper and retired early to bed in the boarding houses. They departed for Exeter via Bath the next morning, thankful for the hospitality of all at Sherborne Girls.
WHILE THE HISTORY OF LACROSSE at Sherborne dates back to 1910, it was in March 1913 that the Girls played their first ever competitive match. To commemorate this date, the School recently organised a day of games to which Old Girls were invited, followed by a match tea at Reader Harris. Lacrosse coach Ryan Garnsworthy said, “It was fantastic to mark this occasion with some competitive play, as well as the chance to see the School archives on display, with numerous photographs, match reports and even kit of years gone by. It was also the perfect opportunity to celebrate the recent success of our 1st Squad who won their division at the recent Nationals.” In other lacrosse news, U13s won Division 2 at the South West Rally for the second time in four years, and U15s made Division 1 at the South West Rally for the first time in six years, with strong results against some of the top lacrosse-playing schools.
County Representatives Hockey U14 Clementine Kerr, Frances Budd, Eliza Loyd, Poppy Bolton-Carter U15 Eliza Carr, Maddie Jannoe, Tilly Humphreys, Lucy Massey 4
Lacrosse U15 Lucy Hatherall, Allegra Lindblom U17B Flora Foreman
Netball Lexie Humphrey, Faye Aston-Rigby, Catherine Barber
Sherborne Girls, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset T. 01935 818224 E. enquiry@sherborne.com
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U17 TC Mackean, Flora Ritchie, Imogen Andrews, Alice Shelton-Agar, Lexie Humphrey
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Local Olympian and pistol shooter Georgina ‘Gorgs’ Geikie helped to inspire a generation of Sherborne Girls recently with a talk on her experience as a member of Team GB and her journey to get there. Head of Sport Nicky Matthias said, “The audience was inspired by