DIXIT
EDITION 30 21st Sept 2018
The weekly newsletter for the Holyport College family
Lest We Forget This Wednesday, Holyport College became one of the venues around the country to become involved in the Oxford University led initiative, Lest We Forget. The day involved members of the public coming to the school with memorabilia from WW1, ready to be interviewed about their ancestor’s story and have their objects digitized. During the day nearly 40 interviews were conducted, over 100 artefacts were digitized and 500 photos taken. As part of the Centenary commemoration of the end of World War One, a vast archive - including what was recorded this Wednesday - will go live online in November 2018, and will be publically available.
Personally, the highlight of the event was observing how involved and interested everyone was during the day. There was such a happy ambience pervading the event, and a sense that ‘the right thing was being done’. It was an emotional day for some, and I loved how everyone seemed to be moved by the stories we were hearing. Mr McCarey commented at one point that there was a f eeling that visitors were ‘unburdening’ themselves with their family stories, and I feel that rang very true. There was a sense of real relief emanating from some visitors as they told their stories, and ensured their ancestors wouldn’t be forgotten.
I am really pleased that Holyport decided to undertake the project; I strongly feel it is so important for social history. Without what Lest We Forget is doing, so many important stories would be lost to history. By immortalising the WW1 memorabilia, it felt as though we were validating the lives of those who suffered and so often died before they had a chance at life. Furthermore, the preservation of this memorabilia is without a doubt invaluable to future historians studying the Great War. A big thank you to the student and teacher volunteers who helped make the day possible (some on their day off!), to the parents who wrote up the family stories and sent in the memorabilia and to the school, who have shown enthusiasm and support from the start. Juliette Salgado-Smith, Year 13
@holyportcollege
www.youtube.com/holyportal
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DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
More photos from the event
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DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
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IN THIS EDITION
From the Boarding Houses Recent boarder activities
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From the Staff Room Meet our new Welfare Team and Resident Fellows
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From the Music Rooms Music and Expressive Arts news
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From the Sports Field Match report
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From the Slopes Recent skiing success
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From the Scholars The first two scholars’ talks of the year
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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 BOARDING HOUSES
DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
Recent boarding activities It’s been a busy week in the boarding houses with lots of different activities going on!
Make your own pizza night
Weekend games
Year 9 Boarders’ DOfE Baking skills club
Capoeira at Eton College
Polo
Morning running club
@holy_board
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FROM THE BOARDING HOUSES
DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
Boarders’ hoodies Now available to order– Boarding/House hoodies and t-shirts for boarders! Performance fabric t-shirt - £14 (male and female sizes S-XXL) Hoodies—£24 (unisex) If you would like to purchase these for your son/daughter please email e.tabram@holyportcollege.org.uk by Friday 28th September with their name, house, whether you want t-shirt, hoodie or both and the size you need please. We will then add this to ParentPay.
@holy_board
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DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
FROM THE STAFF ROOM
Meet the new Welfare team This year we are delighted to welcome three new Student Welfare Officers to join Alex Jeffery and create our new Welfare Team. Alex Jeffery—Student Welfare Manager Now in her third year at the College, Alex Jeffery is the Student Welfare Manager. She is a member of the the College's safeguarding team and is designated teacher for looked-after students. Prior to joining, Alex worked with disadvantaged youth at The Princes Trust and on social action programmes for Children in Need, Sky Broadcasting and National Schools Partnership.
Sally-Ann Mays—Student Welfare Officer KS3
Sally-Ann started her career working in nurseries with children with SEN needs. After a break from work to raise her own children she then moved on to working in a primary school as part of their SEN team. Her role in the school allowed her to work closely with children with ADHD, ASD and Dyslexia. Getting to know and support the child behind the condition gave Sally-Ann a real passion for supporting the welfare and mental health of the children. She has really enjoyed getting to know some of the children over the past 2 weeks and looks forward to getting to know and supporting all of them.
Jess Boyden - Student Welfare Officer KS4 Jess brings to this role 13 years experience as a front line police officer in the Metropolitan police, where she specialised in dealing with vulnerable child victims and also dealing with children in gangs. She has extensive safeguarding training and is looking forward to getting to know the students at Holyport College .
Rachel Harding - Student Welfare Officer Sixth Form Rachel originally trained as a teacher after completing a degree in Psychology. Since then Rachel has taught in a variety of schools including Sir William Borlase, Newlands Girls' School and Wycombe Abbey. With an interest in mental health, she worked for two years in a CAMHS team at a specialist in-patient mental health hospital, working with children and adolescents with severe mental health problems and eating disorders. L-R: Alex, Rachel, Sally-Ann and Jess
@Holyport_Hums
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FROM THE STAFF ROOM
DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
Meet the Resident Fellows Each year we employ four recently graduated young people to work in our boarding houses. Here are this year’s new recruits. Edward Grimble After attending Westcliff High School for Boys where he took A Levels in English Literature, French, Philosophy and Ethics, and Maths, Mr Grimble read for a BA in English at the University of Bristol followed by an MSt in nineteenth-century literature at Balliol College, Oxford. In the future he would like to teach at a school or university, and write. He is a self-confessed jazz lover, a keen skier, and enjoys attending the theatre.
Shanice Redwood Miss Redwood studied BSc Social Sciences at the University of Kent and proceeded to teach English abroad for two years in Japan. She later studied MSc Psychology of Education and recently handed in her dissertation whilst adjusting to her new role as a Resident Fellow! Her hobbies and interests include eating, sleeping, reading and watching anime! She also enjoys playing badminton and video games. Miss Redwood hopes to either complete a doctorate in educational psychology or have a career in school counselling.
Abigail Sharp Miss Sharp joins us during her placement year as part of her English degree at Bournemouth University. Having been Head Girl at a boarding school, she understands the life and routine of a boarder. She is relishing the chance to find out what it is like to be on the 'other side' and is using the year to discover if teaching is the route for her.
Jacob Smith Mr Smith is a recent graduate of the University of Exeter where he received a degree in Biochemistry with Study Abroad. Looking to pursue a career in teaching Science, or the Science Communication field, Jacob was keen to join the team at Holyport College. He is a great fan of the theatre and recently performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Being a great fan of musical theatre, Mr Smith is also very excited to be helping with rehearsals for the upcoming school musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.
@HolyportExpArts
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DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
FROM THE MUSIC ROOMS
Music and Expressive Arts News Thoroughly Modern Millie Rehearsals for Thoroughly Modern Millie are going well but please be aware that we now only have 7 school weeks until the show itself and we have only just been able to get properly started. Therefore all cast members must ensure that they attend every rehearsal they are called for please, and put the show as top priority over other activities. We only just about have time to teach everything once, so attendance is key to our success. To this end, here is the rehearsal schedule until half term and parents are reminded that there will be mandatory Sunday rehearsals after half term. The Ensemble and minor principals will not be called every week and an exact schedule will be published before half term. Thank you.
Correction: Apologies to Deborah Oyewole - our entry in last week’s Dixit stated that she passed Grade 1 Piano. However, Deborah achieved a Pass with Merit - well done, Deborah!
Congratulations Belated congratulations to the following who have successfully auditioned for the Girls’ Chamber Choir: Martha Pearce, Jemima Jones, Giulia Moretti, Eszter Olah, Juliette White Update to Music Clubs Boys’ Choir restarts on Tuesday at 1:30 in the Music room with Mr Sieling - all welcome, no audition, just turn up! Please go to first lunch if you would like to attend. Unfortunately, we are not able to fit Orchestra in this term due to the tremendous amount going on this term. Therefore, orchestra will restart in January and perform at the Spring Concert in March. Private Instrumental & Singing Lessons All lessons have now started and timetables have been emailed to parents by the teacher and are also displayed on the music department timetable. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they remember to attend and they need to organise themselves. All students can collect a timetable card either from Mrs Bryant or their teacher to keep track of their lessons.
@HolyportExpArts
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FROM THE MUSIC ROOMS
DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
Anima on Tour! With only 14 days until elite vocal ensemble Anima go on their Paris Tour, excitement is reaching feverpitch in the Music department! Our final itinerary has been published and the students are thrilled at the prospect of open air concerts outside the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and on a boat trip, as well as visiting these places and other famous landmarks including the Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a bit of shopping too! Undoubtedly though, the highlights of the trip will be their concerts on stage at Disneyland Paris and at Notre Dame Cathedral, both of which involved the students having to pass a series of audition rounds. The students get to have the rest of the day to explore Disneyland after their concert as a reward for their hard work and even our 17 year olds are getting excited! The students are rehearsing every day as they need to prepare two different sets of music: you are only allowed to perform sacred vocal music at Notre Dame and Disneyland do not allow any religious music! The daily training is paying huge dividends: the students are sounding truly sublime and their musicianship is developing to a very high standard indeed.
Anima are flying the metaphorical Holyport flag for school music everywhere and everything that being a Holyportian stands for in Paris in a fortnight. The dedication and commitment these wonderful young ladies have demonstrated in all these preparations is an an example to us all of what hard work and determination can truly achieve. They are undoubtedly incredibly talented, but talent is only ever part of the story - true achievement takes strength of character, resilience, determination, dedication and personal sacrifice. Congratulations to Anima member Teagan for designing our tour hoody - she has done a simply beautiful job and we can’t wait to wear them!
Keep going, Anima! You are doing a superb job and I can’t wait to perform with you on an international platform! Mrs Bryant
@Holy_Sport
@HolyportExpArts
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DIXIT
FROM THE SPORTS FIELD
21st Sept 2018
Match report On Tuesday, the Year 9 girls hockey team had an amazing start to the season when playing against St Mary’s Ascot.The girls energy levels were exceptional and unbeatable. The U14 girls had a strong defence during their short corners and didn’t let St Mary’s past. However, during their attacking short corners, the girls had many chances to score but unfortunately couldn’t deliver. On the other hand, our girls delivered an outstanding level of effort and played a very intense game, unbelievably well! Amina Bundu -Year 10
Our senior girls netball team opened their campaign for the year with a win after being cheered on by Miss Blackwell and our newest and smallest fan Baby Sienna!
Notices for next Thursday: Selected students for the State Boarding School Festival on Thursday next week will be informed of their selection on Monday morning. Parents and carers, could you please ensure students bring waterproofs and a water bottle. Lunch will be provided on the day. @Holy_Sport
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FROM THE SLOPES
DIXIT 21st Sept 2018
More skiing success! On Sunday 16th September two Holyport College skiing teams went Gloucester for the ESSKIA qualifier race. Our girls team comprised Danielle, Lily, Zara Hawkins and Ellie Farrow. For the first time we also had a mixed team out which consisted of Jake Swainston, Jackson Brocklebank, Ellen Saunders and Havana Sale.
The girls team finished 2nd with Torquay winning and now we’re waiting to hear if the girls’ team has qualified for the finals. As for the mixed team, they all performed really well and have improved significantly over the first few weeks of term following some Friday night training sessions at Welwyn. As would be expected for their first time racing, there were a few falls and straddles and so lots of learning. But they’re all keen to come back for more and so on they move to the next race on the 1st October at Milton Keynes. We wish them well for their upcoming races and look forward to hearing how they get on!
@Holy_Sport
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DIXIT
FROM THE SCHOLARS
21st Sept 2018
First Scholars events of the year Tan Dhesi, MP visits Holyport Scholars The MP for Slough helped us to kick the Scholars' talks off in style this year. Interviewed by sixth formers, Juliette Salgado-Smith & Samiya Hassan, Tan covered a whole range of topics from Brexit to Boris and from Diversity in the Labour Party to the joys of his job. It was an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening. Scholars Talks are held every Thursday evening at 6.45pm. We have a wide variety of guests this term.
Parliamentary Gossip & Tales of Brexit at Second Scholars' talk of the term!
Holyport students attending this Thursday's Scholars' Talk were treated to an evening of amusing tales from the dark underbelly of parliament, as well as on the campaign front-line, in their encounter with Lloyd Mattingley. Lloyd, a former Politics student of Mr Carr, chose not to go to university after school, building an impressive career in parliament instead, and ending up as Chief of Staff for a prominent MP. Lloyd spoke engagingly about life in and outside Westminster and was a hit with the audience who stayed long after the talk had finished to catch up on parliamentary gossip and engage further with our most avuncular guest! Next week's guest is Mr Fergus Walsh, the BBC's Science Correspondent. All students, teachers and parents are most welcome to attend! @HPCSixth
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DIXIT
FROM THE REFECTORY
21st Sept 2018
Lunch menus for w/c 24th September Monday Jerk Chicken
Tuesday
BBQ Pulled Pork Bap
Tomato Pasta & Jackets
Spinach & Mushroom Pasta & Jackets
(v) Aubergine Parmagana
(v) Spicy Bean Burger
Rice & Peas Sautéed Greens Roast Squash
Wednesday
Thursday
Penne Bolognaise
Chicken Tikka Masala
Sweet Chilli Noodles & Jackets
Pesto Pasta & Jackets
(v) Quorn Bolognaise
(v) Sweet Potato & Chick Pea Balti Basmati Rice Naan Bread Onion Bhaji
Potato Wedges Sweetcorn Coleslaw
Garlic Bread Roast Mediterranean Vegetables
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Salads & Protein items
Strawberry Sponge
Choc Chip Shortbread
Crumble & Custard
Mousses
Friday
Saturday
Battered Pollock fillets Tortallini Mama Rosa Jackets
Sunday Brunch
Garlic Pizza Bread
(v) Red Onion & Goat’s Cheese Tart
Chips Garden peas Baked beans
Salads & Protein items Chocolate Brownie
Salad Counter
Sausage & Bacon Eggs, Mushrooms Beans & Hash Browns
Salads & protein items Pancakes
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
21st Sept 2018
Some Dates for Your Diaries Friday 21st September—Exeat weekend—boarders return at 7pm Sunday 23rd Tuesday 25th September—Open Evening—College day finishes at 2.15pm
Wednesday 10th October—Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 11th October—DofE Awards evening Friday 12th October—half term starts at 3.45pm Monday 29th October—Inset day/boarders return after half term
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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