DIXIT
EDITION 53 17th May 2019
The weekly newsletter for the Holyport College family
Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition Thirty six Year 10 students headed out on their practise Silver DofE expedition on Thursday with their bags packed with everything they should need to survive for camping 3 nights! The pouring rain on the motorway as we headed towards the Chiltern Hills should have warned us of what was to come! From boiling sunshine, to strong winds, to pouring and even hail we notched up almost a full house of British weather! Saturday night through to Sunday morning really did test us all though as the temperature dropped below zero and covered our tents and the ground in frost...brrr! Despite all this we returned safely back to College Sunday afternoon with all the students having successfully completed their practise & survived to tell the tale!
Year 10’s Zsófia and Natasha write: “When Mrs Day asked us to write this article for Dixit, we were stretched out soaking up the sunshine on the quad, drained from the past weekend. I think this pretty much sums up our feelings about DofE! When we arrived the rain had it in for us and the wind ushered us into the barn, at that moment “Town Farm” didn’t seem like the most inviting place. As we rushed to put up our tents, the rain came to an end and the camp already seemed like a nicer place to be. We quickly changed our opinion when the hail started punching against the tent and kept us shivering in our sleeping bags all night!
It was probably the adrenaline (or most likely the sunlight) that had us up at 4 AM. Toby- our instructor - quickly got us to our feet and had us walking up an almost vertical hill. As he let us go, we were soon to realise that our time-management wasn’t the best as the team that left 1 hour after us, caught up within 10 minutes! With very little energy left we resorted to eating Zak’s Kendal Mint Cake after which we became so hyper that we ran to camp! @holyportcollege
www.youtube.com/holyportal
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Silver DofE
DIXIT 17th May 2019
Each of the days mirrored each other apart from Saturday, where our day started off with us realising that it was the weekend and we would have much rather been at home. The day dragged on and we ended up halfway down a BMX track (we hadn’t realised what it was before). As you can probably tell the track was pretty much vertical, some of us ended up in positions that we haven’t ever been in before (lying on our backs with the bag weighing us down). Sunday morning, everyone was eager to get out of camp, we encouraged our blister-footed friends to keep going those extra kilometers. We had never felt so happy to see the Holyport College minibus as we entered Tring station! All in all, DofE was an experience to remember but we were so happy to see it end….. until we realised that we have to repeat it in July!
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DIXIT 17th May 2019
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IN THIS EDITION
From the Geography Dept Upcoming field trip information
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From the Academic Committee This week’s focus: History
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From the Sports Field Recent sporting events
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From the Sixth Form Mental Health First Aid training
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From the Head Master Introducing the Head Master’s Reading Club
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From the Art Rooms An invitation to the GCSE and A Level Art Exhibitions
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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 3
FROM THE GEOGRAPHY DEPT
DIXIT 17th May 2019
Year 10 Geography field trips next week Year 10 Geographers are out on fieldwork next Wednesday and Thursday (they should know which day they are going). They need to remember:
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather (they will be outside all day)
Waterproof jacket
A spare pair of socks
A pair of wellies (if they have them).
Pencil case
Water bottle
The groups will be aiming to leave College by 8:45am and returning in time for buses at the end of the day. The Geography Department are very grateful to all those parents who are able to contribute towards the cost of their son/daughter’s participation on this trip which can be done via ParentPay.
Boulter’s to Bray Swim Are you an open water swimmer? Have you ever fancied taking part in an open water swimming event? This years Boulter’s to Bray Swim is happening on Saturday 6th July, it is an annual charity swimming event downstream in the River Thames at Maidenhead with the option of either 1.4km or 2.8km. The event attracts a wide range of participants from those who’ve never raced in open water before and are doing it for fun to those who compete regularly and at a high level. Last year a number of staff took the plunge in addition to one of our students! For more information look at www.boulterstobrayswim.org If you’re not so much of a swimmer but fancy getting involved Miss Lunney organises the volunteer team that run the event and is always looking for more help! f.lunney@holyportcollege.org.uk
Music Huge congrats to Jamie Harris for achieving a Merit for Grade 1 Drums. @Holyport_Hums
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DIXIT 17th May 2019
FROM THE ACADEMIC COMMITEE
Academic Committee Corner The Holyport Academic Committee will from now onwards be writing an article for each Dixit based on growing the interests of students in their favourite subjects as well as displaying the limitless possibilities in each subject area.
This week’s subject of enquiry: History Recommended book : Years: 11-13 A Concise Companion to History by Ulinka Rublack Provides insight into the little known topic of the study of historical historians. It comprehensively describes the changes of academic opinion which allows you to question every other historian’s work you may read.
Years: 7-10 To War with Wellington by Peter Snow This is, in my opinion, the ultimate book on the Duke of Wellington's campaigns in Europe. It makes for an incredibly compelling reading as it provides information from every account possible.
Recommended Article: THE SHINSENGUMI: PATRIOTS OR ASSASSINS? It is a compelling piece Questioning the motives and tactics used by the last samurai ever to serve
the Shogun. https://www.guillaumeerard.com/life-in-japan/history-of-japan/the-shinsengumi-patriots-or-assassins/
Recommended watching : ‘Extra Credit’ are a YouTube channel dedicated to history and English videos, their content is incredibly in-depth and tackles remote parts of history such my personal favourite the South Sea bubble. https://m.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz
Note: a history society will be starting soon which will aim to develop people’s passion for the subject there will be historical debates over subjects that you choose (and thus would never cover in the school curriculums) and the opportunity to develop your research and presentation skills.
@Holyport_Hums
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FROM THE SPORTS FIELD
DIXIT 17th May 2019
News from the Sports field Lots of athletics events happened this week! The girls U14/15 came 5th in the area competition. U12/13 came 8th Boys U12/13 came 8th Boys U14/15 came 6th County cup cricket u14 had two games one against Eton—the score was 183-3 Holyport 80-10
Congratulations to Cate! Year 9 Cate Cowper had a big week of sports last week!
Berkshire U14 girls finished the season in second place just behind Surrey Lions with Cate as cocaptain.
She’s been put forward to try out for Performance Centre (England Hockey) – with a glowing note from her county coach
Last Saturday, she had her first England Rounders ‘festival’ in Worcester where she got Most Valuable Player (photos below) On Sunday, her Maidenhead U14 girls team won the England Hockey Tier II Western area finals, also with Cate as captain. Nice article below: http://www.maidenheadhc.org.uk/news/our-u14-girls -come-out-on-top-2425569.html Cate has lots to be proud of and we’re very proud of her too!
@Holy_Sport
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DIXIT 17th May 2019
FROM THE SIXTH FORM
Mental Health Awareness week A few weeks ago I had the idea of having a mental health first aid training day for senior students and so I proposed this idea to Mr McCarey. He very much agreed and so last Friday, the prefects had the pleasure of Jess Fisher from Ouch come in. She spoke to us about warning signs of self harm, a range of mental health disorders prevalent in young people nowadays and suicide. I think we could all agree that it was emotional but extremely useful, and we all feel a bit more prepared if a younger pupil, or even one of our own peers, came up to us with an issue or struggle. I hope the prefects in years to come will get the same opportunity as us and Jess will come back next year! Sophie Middleton, Year 12
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IDAHOBIT Day Holyport College celebrated IDAHOT day today. We hung the LGBT flag outside Winton House for the week, and staff celebrated the day with rainbow flags in our classrooms and rainbow cakes for tea at breaktime. The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. By 2016, the commemorations had taken place in 132 countries across the globe. @HPCSixth
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DIXIT 17th May 2019
FROM THE HEAD MASTER
Dear Parents and Carers I firmly believe that reading is a cornerstone of both personal fulfilment and of academic success. On a number of occasions, I have been asked by parents and carers to consider what else the College can do to promote reading to its students and help them to develop a lifelong love of reading. The College is at a disadvantage here as we do not currently have a library. This is something which I will be seeking to remedy over the coming years however I am acutely aware that this may come too late for some of your sons and daughters. With this in mind, we will be seeking to promote reading more regularly and actively over the coming academic year, both in lessons and outside of this time. As part of this strategy, I have today launched the Head Master’s Book Club. The list emailed to students and parents and carers yesterday details thirty of my own favourite books, organised by Key Stage. It’s an eclectic mix but I hope that everybody will find something there that they like. Next week, every student and every member of staff will be asked to choose one of these books and they will be given a copy of their chosen book shortly after half term. The book will be theirs to keep; there is no charge and no catch. All that we ask is that they read and enjoy the book. I would be delighted if you would be able to support this initiative by discussing the books on offer with your sons and daughters and by helping them to make their choice by Wednesday 22nd May (when their tutors will be asking them for their selection). I am genuinely excited at the prospect of discussing these books with your sons and daughters and hope that some of you might also take up one or two of the recommendations too! Yours sincerely
Ben McCarey
A selection of the books on the reading list:
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FROM THE ART ROOMS
@HolyportExpArts
DIXIT 17th May 2019
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DIXIT
FROM THE REFECTORY
17th May 2019
Next week’s lunch menus Monday
Penne Bolognaise
Tuesday
Peri Peri Chicken
Wednesday
Thursday
Lamb Rogan Josh
Honey Roast Gammon
(v) Ratatouille
(v) Open Halloumi Burger
(v) Vegetable Jalfrezi
(v) Brie & Leek Strudel
2nd Option –Jacket Bar
2nd Option – Pasta & Jacket Bar
2nd Option – Pasta & Jacket Bar
2nd Option – Pasta & Jacket Bar
Seasonal Vegetables Garlic Bread
Chips Corn Coleslaw
Rice Poppadums Dips
Sauté Potatoes Mixed Vegetables Parsley Sauce
Salad Counter
Salad Counter
Salad Counter
Salad Counter
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Pizza
Soup Build your own Caesar
Brunch Selection
(v) Pizza 2nd Option – Fish n Chips Bar
Wedges Seasonal Vegetables Salad Counter
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
17th May 2019
Some Dates for Your Diaries Friday 24th May—half term starts Saturday 15th June—Holyport Village Fair Friday 21st June—Exeat weekend Thursday 13th June—GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition Monday 15th July—Sports Day Tuesday 16th July—end of term
Road Closure We are aware the Forest Green Road will be closed between 9am and 4pm for resurfacing starting Monday 20th May. This is only expected to last 3 days and Fernhill are not expecting any disruption to the coach service.
Projector needed If anyone has an overhead projector that they can lend to the Art Department for the duration of the GCSE/A Level Exhibition please contact Miss Loudoun on k.loudoun@holyportcollege.org.uk Many thanks!
Parents’ Evening Dates 2018/19
Reporting Dates
Year 7 and 8 parents’ evening: Monday 5th November 2018
Year 7/8/10 interim reports—18th January 2019
Year 11 parents’ evening: Wednesday 5th December 2018
Year 9 full reports—25th January 2019
Year 10 parents’ evening: Wednesday 6th February 2019
Year 11 mock exam reports—30th January 2019
Upper Sixth parents’ evening: Monday 25th February 2019
Year 13 mock reports—15th February 2019
Year 9 parents’ evening and GCSE options presentation: Wednesday 24th April 2019
Year 7-10 interim reports—8th March 2019
Lower Sixth parents’ evening: Wednesday
1st
Year 11 full reports—29th March 2019
May 2019
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