DIXIT
EDITION 39 7th Dec 2018
The weekly newsletter for the Holyport College family
D Company Eton College Combined Cadet Force Passing-Off Parade: 1515 Monday 3rd December 2018 On Monday 3rd December 2018, Holyport College cadets Katie Yung, Alice Calligaris, Zara Hawkins and Tabitha Clark made history by being the first female cadets in the passingoff parade at Eton College.
The introduction of females to CCF was approved by the old commanding officer Mike Wilcockson last year and we now have ten Holyport Cadets with 4 females joining Eton CCF. Major Jeremy Osborne was appointed Commanding Officer of the Eton College Combined Cadet Force at the start of September and has been working hard alongside Miss Loudoun and Miss Treacy to help integrate all the cadets into Eton CCF. A special thanks to Mr Walker for all his continued support over the last 3 years behind the scenes. On the day the parade was held at McCrum Yard, between the Jafar Hall and the Birley Language Schools. The parade marks the end of the basic training phase of the cadet syllabus during which they have learned drill, skill at arms, basic navigation and fieldcraft. Cadets swapped their jungle hats for the berets as part of the parade marking the transition. The short parade consisted of a demonstration of drill and an inspection and speech by the Llt Col James Gayner MBE- Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion The Rifles (@7RIFLES_CO).
@CcfHpc
www.youtube.com/holyportal
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
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IN THIS EDITION
From the Music Rooms News from Music and Expressive Arts
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From the Houses Results from Inter-House Debating
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From the Boarding Houses This week’s news from boarding
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From the Maths Department Advice for the festive season :-)
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From the Sixth Form Trips and events last week
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From the Sports Field Recent news and events
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From the Co-Curriculum A reminder about the proposed trip to Japan
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From the College Arrangements for the last week of term
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From the Refectory Next week’s lunch menus
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From the Calendar Upcoming events and dates for your diaries
@holyportcollege www.youtube.com/holyportal 2
FROM THE MUSIC ROOMS
DIXIT 7th December 2018
Music and Expressive Arts Department News CONGRATULATIONS! A massive congratulations and well done to Eloise White who has been awarded a place in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain! We are very proud of you! Eloise is the fifth Holyport student to achieve this honour.
BALLET & MODERN JAZZ LESSONS OPPORTUNITY We are very fortunate to welcome the Susan Handy School of Dance at Holyport College who deliver dance lessons on a Monday evening for us. These lessons are open to all and day students may stay for tea if attending dance class. There is an open invitation to come and watch the final classes of this term on Monday 10 December at the following times:
6:15pm Grade 5 Ballet 7:15pm Grade 4 Modern Jazz 8:15pm Grade 6 Ballet All are welcome - parents and students. It is an opportunity to see the progress your child has made as well as to come and see if dance may be for you. Please note that if you would like to do dance and are not at these standards, the dance school is happy to create new classes to cater for demand. There is also the possibility that we can create a street / contemporary or tap class if the demand is there. Lessons are fantastic value at around ÂŁ7-8 a week so please do email me at j.bryant@holyportcollege.org.uk if you would like more information. Hope to see you at Watch Week on Monday!
@HolyportExpArts
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE MUSIC ROOMS
Music Schedule—final week of term It’s a busy week for us next week as we have a lot of wonderful Christmas music to share! For ease of reference for parents of those involved, this is what we are doing: Monday 10th December 1:30 - 3:45pm Carol Service full rehearsal, readers & choirs to attend Tuesday 11th December 3:30pm Choirs & Readers depart school via coach to Eton College for Carol Service final run through. Very smart school uniform, jumpers must be worn and girls must wear tights please. 7pm - Carol Service starts at Eton College Chapel, all are welcome! 8pm approx - day students to be collected from Eton College Chapel please Wednesday 12th December 3pm KS3 Choir, Anima & selected Chamber Choir to walk to Foxleigh Grove Nursing Home to do Christmas Concert. Return in time for 4:45pm second co-curricular session Thursday 13th December 9am Both choirs to meet in Music room then depart via coach for Windsor Castle Concert. Very smart school uniform, jumpers must be worn and girls must wear tights please. 5:30pm - Return, normal departure Friday 14th December ENJOY the end of term festivities! A very big thank you to all our families and students for your tremendous support, good humour and hard work this term! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in January. Mrs Bryant Head of Expressive Arts
@HolyportExpArts 4
FROM THE HOUSES
DIXIT 7th December 2018
Double Delight for Milton in House Debating!
House Debating reached its denouement this week with three finals held on consecutive days in the Dudley Room. Milton got the week off to a great start by defeating Herschel in the Y10/11 debate on Tuesday. Their powerful free speech argument won the day on the motion that, 'This House would censor music lyrics'. On Wednesday it was the turn of our junior debaters (Years 7,8 & 9). This time Herschel prevailed over Milton in arguing that, yes, Christmas has become too commercialised! Although it must be said that there were plenty in the audience that didn't see too much of a problem with this! Finally, on Thursday it was the turn of our sixth form debaters. This was a clash between Milton and Fawcett which provided an opportunity to showcase some of the college's best debaters (pictured). Milton squeezed out their eloquent opposition by arguing that modern politics did, indeed, need more Marxism! Needless to say, there were plenty of tales close to home of student woes in the modern labour market. But it was a wide-ranging debate which also touched on the particular impact of capitalism on women, while the legacy of the Soviet Union's experiment with socialism had a good working over too! It was an impressive, passionate and well-informed debate and an excellent way to round off this year's competition. Well done to all the debaters that competed and also to those who supported and contributed from the floor. It's been a lot of fun!
This is the winning Milton team in the Y10/11 debate that argued that music lyrics should not be censored!
Despite being on the losing team, Jess from Herschel was judged to be the best speaker in the debate on censoring music lyrics! 5
DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE BOARDING HOUSES
CHRISTMAS FOODBANK COLLECTION The foodbank collection box in now in reception. Please donate if you are able to.
Year 9 Boarders’ Bronze DofE Baking skills club: This week we made delicious chewy choc-chip cookies - Mrs Belbin
@holy_board
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FROM THE MATHS DEPT
DIXIT 7th December 2018
Stocking filler ideas for Year 11 ď Š
Year 11 pupils will be sitting their mock GCSE examination during the first week back in January. The Maths and Science departments will not be lending out their equipment for these examinations so please make sure that your child has what they need. - black pens - pencils - a rubber - a 30cm ruler - a protractor - a pair of compasses
- a calculator (we recommend the Casio fx-85GT PLUS) All of the above need to be carried in a clear pencil-case or bag. Just imagine the joy on their faces when they realise Santa has brought them everything they need to succeed in their GCSE mocks!
@Holyport_Maths
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FROM THE SIXTH FORM
DIXIT 7th December 2018
Sixth Form trips this week On Friday a groups of Sixth Form Geographers attended the annual Hazards Conference in London to broaden their knowledge of recent developments in the impacts and management of tectonic hazards. During the day there were a variety of lectures delivered by university lecturers and chief examiners. A common theme discussed was that whilst there has not been an increase in tectonic events they are having far greater economic and social impacts due to the ever increasing global and urban population, with many mega cities being located in particularly exposed locations.
The highlight for Miss Lunney, and many of the students, was the lecture given by Professor Iain Stewart (he has made many TV documentaries about volcanoes and earthquakes). During his lecture he discussed the possible impacts of potential future earthquakes, explaining how geographers are now able to decipher the approximate location and magnitude of these events although it is still impossible to predict exactly when they will occur. Professor Stewart’s key message was that “If you’re not going to study Geography at university … you’d better hope people smarter than you will”.
Over the last 2 weeks the Upper Sixth Biology students have visited the Bayer Baylab in Reading. Whilst there they completed a workshop using PCR and electrophoresis to determine whether they had the gene which makes people dislike brussel sprouts! This practical was one of the required experiments for the ALevel course, which they need to complete to be awarded the practical endorsement.
@HPCSixth
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE SIXTH FORM
A Level Politics students enjoyed a great political day out on Monday at Westminster Central Hall. They heard a range of major politicians speak to a packed conference and then take questions from passionate teenagers. The roster included Nigel Farrage, Chuka Umunna, Emily Thornberry, Jacob Rees -Mogg and Jess Phillips amongst others.
Needless to say Brexit was the hot topic of the day but the speakers also covered issues ranging from anti-semitism in the Labour Party to sexual discrimination and from the cyber threat posed by Russia to the modernisation of the Commons. It was a thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable event and students returned buoyed about their studies and even more argumentative in their politics lessons! ďƒŞ
Wednesday Scholars The Chemistry department was excited to invite professor Matthew Almond from Reading University. He gave an insight into the practical uses of spectroscopy in a wide range of fields. He explained how light and matter interact in unique ways that allows us to identify the wallpaper in 500 year old huts in Turkey and the contents of stars 500 light years away. He showed how to catch the criminals of the future with a fingerprint left on clothing, which can be identified with super glue vapour and scanning with infrared light. Students asked some great questions about the state of matter required for spectroscopy and the colours of different stars. They were reminded that red-hot is not actually all that hot, white hot is the colour that warns of extreme heat.
Spectroscopy could be a field that our budding young chemists apply to new medicines and exploring new corners of the universe! ďƒ¨
Legal Academic holds Court! We were delighted to welcome Dr Rachel Horton, a lecturer in law from Reading University, to bring this term's visiting speaker programme to a close last night. She was another popular speaker with an audience of well over 50 students filling up the Dudley Room. Rachel was expertly interviewed by James Erridge & Nathali Gotora who had really done their homework on a vast number of legal cases in the news. These ranged from the 88 year old NHS worker who was claiming unfair dismissal on the basis of age discrimination to issues around the wearing of the headscarf in the workplace and sex discrimination. It was fascinating for students to hear Rachel's views on where the law stood on these issues at the moment and also the direction of travel. Why, one questioner asked, can age be a basis for discrimination whilst class cannot? What role would the mapping of the human genome and AI play in shaping the law in the future? And there were forays into the realms of free speech too. As UKIP flirts with Tommy Robinson where do we draw the line between free speech and hate speech, one student asked. It was a great opportunity for our students to play with some of these issues and also to benefit from helpful advice on how to break into the legal profession.
@HPCSixth
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DIXIT
FROM THE SPORTS FIELD
7th December 2018
Huge congratulations to Poppy Smith in Year 7 who competed in the Bucks County Three Piece Individual Apparatus Competition in Milton Keynes last Sunday. She won the gold medal for all three apparatus (floor, bar and beam).
This weekend saw our girls hockey teams brave the rain and the cold against Gordons School. Our U14’s played their best game yet, winning 3-0. Very well done ladies!
Unfortunately our U12’s suffered a defeat, but played very well.
Great to see the Holyport Hockey Family playing competitive hockey on the weekends outside of school. So much Hockey talent coming from Holyport College on display. @Holy_Sport
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE SPORTS FIELD
Congratulations to this seasons Rugby and Hockey Captains who were commended this morning for their efforts in representing the school!!
Good luck to this seasons Football and Netball Captains who were selected in this morning's assembly.
Also a very special mention to Havana Sale who has been selected to play for Berkshire Hockey! Really proud of these young men. 5 tries down at half time but scored 4 unanswered tries in second half. All against a big strong year 8 Trevelyan side.
@Holy_Sport
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE CO-CURRICULUM
Proposed trip to Japan 2019 Earlier in the term parents and carers of students currently in Year 9-12 were emailed about an exciting proposed trip to Japan in October 2019. There are still spaces available if anyone would like to sign up. Trip information This will be a 10 day/9 night adventure provisionally departing on Monday 15 October 2019 and returning on Thursday 25 October 2019. th
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We will be staying in hostels, and there will also be an opportunity to homestay arranged by our partner school in Japan, Sakura High School. As well as cultural exchange activities with Sakura High School, we will travel around Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, to see both the traditional and the hi-tech sides of the Japanese culture. Provisional Itinerary
Flying from Heathrow, we aim to visit and take part in the following activities:
An afternoon of traditional-modern contrast in the Harajuku area of Tokyo
See the famous Shibuya crossing
Sushi making class
Visit the Tokyo National Museum
Coach trip to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Explore Miyajima, with the iconic shrine in the sea
A peace talk by A-bomb legacy successor at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Walk through quaint streets of Kyoto to visit beautiful shrines and temples
See a show of traditional Japanese performances in the Gion district of Kyoto
Experience meditation class and tea ceremony at the Daisen-in Temple in Kyoto
Booking Details This trip is offered on a full board basis. The provisional cost of the trip is £2,720 per person including flights. (Unfortunately, due to the Rugby World Cup being held in Tokyo at the time of our trip, both accommodation and flight prices are expected to be much higher than normal.) This cost is provisional at present and will depend on the size of the group. Further confirmation and details will be sent. If you are interested for your son/daughter/ward to go on this trip or would like further information, please email Mrs Tabram on e.tabram@holyportcollege.org.uk
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DIXIT 7th December 2018
FROM THE COLLEGE
Arrangements for the last week of term Next Friday (14th December) is our annual Christmas fun day featuring the Great Holyport Christmas quiz, Christmas karaoke in the quad and Christmas lunch. Please bring in a pound to wear a Christmas jumper.
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DIXIT
FROM THE REFECTORY
7th December 2018
Next week’s lunch menus Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Tandoori Chicken
Bacon Chops
Lasagne
Roast Turkey
Pasta, Soup & Jackets
Pasta, Soup & Jackets
Pasta, soup & Jackets
Pasta, Soup & Jackets
(v) Vegetable Bhaji
(v) Cheese & Vegetable Country Bakes
(v) Butternut & Spinach Lasagne
Basmati Rice Saag Aloo Pittas & Dips
Lyonnaise New Potatoes Mixed Vegetables
Garlic Bread Roast Mediterranean Vegetables
Roast Potatoes Carrots & Peas Cauliflower Cheese
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Strawberry Jelly
Lemon Drizzle Cake
Marble Cake
Cheesecake
(v) Quorn Fillet
Friday it’s Christmas lunch!
If you suffer from a food allergy or intolerance you are advised to consult with the Sodexo manager or head chef.
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DIXIT
FROM THE CALENDAR
7th December 2018
Some Dates for Your Diaries Tuesday 11th December—Carol Service at Eton Chapel Friday 14th December—end of term, school finishes at 2.15pm
Sunday 6th January—boarders return at 6pm Monday 7th January—term starts
It’s panto time! Oh, no it isn’t! Oh, yes it is! Year 7 will be attending a performance of Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal in Windsor on Thursday 13th December. Parents and carers of students in Year 7 please check your emails for the details of this trip.
Friends News - your new Co-Chairs Kirsty Clark has done an outstanding job as Chair since the Friends of Holyport College was formed. We now welcome Martin and Jo who step into the role of Co-Chair for 2018 and beyond. We're sure they too will do great things!
Everyone is welcome at this event at Eton College on Sunday!
Parents’ Evening Dates 2018/19
Reporting Dates
Year 7 and 8 parents’ evening: Monday 5th November 2018
Sixth Form interim reports: Friday 12th October
Year 11 parents’ evening: Wednesday 5th December 2018
Year 7-11 interim reports: Friday 9th November
Year 10 parents’ evening: Wednesday 6th February 2019 Upper Sixth parents’ evening: Monday 25th February 2019 Year 9 parents’ evening and GCSE options presentation: Wednesday 24th April 2019 Lower Sixth parents’ evening: Wednesday 1st May 2019
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