DIXIT
EDITION 104 15th January 2021
The weekly newsletter for the Holyport College family
From the Head Master This has not been the start to term which any of us would have wanted. January is bleak enough without empty classrooms and young people trapped at home in front of computer screens when they should be in school, filling our corridors with joy and laughter. That said, I would like to thank our entire community: students, staff, parents and carers for their resilience and adaptability as we have all made those sacrifices which are so necessary for the national good at present whilst continuing with the important business of education as best we have been able. There has been much speculation in the press this week about how grades will be awarded to those students in Year 11 and Upper Sixth. My view remains that, at this time, this is no more than speculation and, until we see confirmed plans from the Department for Education, Ofqual and the exam boards, the best thing any young person in Year 11 or Upper Sixth can do is to continue to work to the best of their ability. I am aware of the extent to which the present uncertainty is driving anxiety within our community and I empathise greatly with this but, until we know the plan for certain, all we can do is continue on our current path. We have been delighted to welcome back those young people who are eligible to attend lessons in person. Your good humour and positivity really is a boon in these uncertain times. Likewise, we very much look forward to welcoming more of our boarders back safely next week. Our onsite Covid testing is now very much underway (with huge thanks to those who have volunteered to support it). More than 200 tests have so far been administered and one asymptomatic case of Covid-19 has been identified and confirmed (all close contacts have also been notified). This is hugely significant as, whatever the efficacy of the tests we are using or the politics surrounding them, the case we identified would otherwise have been circulating within their bubble with absolutely no knowledge that they may have been passing on infection. Personally, I’ve been doing very little actual teaching since March last year so it has been a great pleasure to take on a Year 11 English class and teach my first proper online lessons (thank you to my Year 11s for your patience as I navigate the technicalities of this). The reason I have taken on this teaching is to cover the absence of our Head of English, Mrs Sunner, who gave birth to her second son Navraj on the 28th December. I’m sure you will join me in sending my congratulations to the whole family. Finally, I would like to publicly offer my thanks to the staff team as a whole. Two weeks ago today, all of Year 11 and 13 were scheduled to return to school in just a few days with all others students due to come back the following week. Much has changed since then (and will, I’m sure, continue to change over the coming weeks) however the College’s staff (both teachers and those in supporting roles) have been simply incredible in adapting to the changes and ensuring the highest quality, happiest and most productive ongoing provision for our students. I cannot be fulsome enough in my praise for the team and ask that, if you share this sentiment, you do reach out to those staff who work with your son or daughter to thank them: I know they would appreciate it! Ben McCarey Head Master
@holyportcollege
www.youtube.com/holyportal
1
DIXIT 15th January 2021
P.3
IN THIS EDITION
From the Boarding Houses Lockdown activities in boarding
P.4
From the Music Rooms Music Department News
P.5
From the MFL Department Recent work by KS4 students
P.6
From the Sixth Form Some high profile speakers for Politics students
P.7
From the Careers Departments Work experience and apprenticeship opportunities
P.10
From the Calendar Upcoming events and items to note
@holyportcollege www.youtube.com/holyportal 2
FROM THE BOARDING HOUSES
DIXIT 15th January 2021
Boarding News Currently there are 7 girls and 16 boys in the boarding community, being looked after round the clock by the resident boarding staff. Lessons are being done online from the boarding houses and a busy activity programme has been followed in the evenings and over the first weekend. Despite strict protocols to ensure each bubble is kept separate, we have managed to have fun and get outside whatever the weather. Boarders have been baking, car racing, dog walking, cooking marshmallows round the fire, as well as having supervised access to the sports hall and gym for exercise. Board games have been a real feature of lockdown, and Ticket To Ride has become an instant favourite. After all the activity dies down, the girls have made it through the whole of Bridgerton, while the boys are cracking on with Merlin. Regular testing is keeping us all safe; thanks to all boarders and staff for making a tough situation a happy one.
3
DIXIT 15th January 2021
FROM THE MUSIC ROOMS
Music Department News Congratulations! Massive congratulations to Teagan Parry Williams in year 9 for passing ABRSM Grade 5 Clarinet with a Merit - we are all very proud of you!
Private Instrumental & Singing Lessons Just a reminder to all parents and carers that lessons this term are continuing remotely and your child’s teacher will have sent you a timetable for this term, along with meeting links for your child to log on from wherever they are studying. It’s vitally important that we keep opportunities like this available for the students particularly in these tricky times. Please do support us in ensuring that your child logs on at the correct times thank you. Online Music Co-curricular opportunities I am delighted to be able to offer some online opportunities for students to engage with much loved ensembles such as choirs and instrumental ensembles from next week. Invitations to these will be open to entire year groups and your child will be added to the relevant Google Classroom groups with an invitation to log on and attend. Of course, this is optional and they do not have to, but it would be lovely to keep as much music making going as possible during lockdown. Of course, making music online is not the same as everyone being together, but it is a chance to enjoy music in a wider context and be with others online. Please can parents and carers encourage their child to join in? Thank you. Mrs Bryant Director of Music
Congratulations to Charlotte Draper-Scott in Year 7! Charlotte has passed the ISTD Grade 3 Ballet and Modern Dance exams with Merit. Well done for her dedication and hard work during a year of mostly online classes. With the support of her teachers at The Hawthorn School of Dance she has proved goals can be achieved even in these challenging times! Your proud parents.
4
FROM THE MFL DEPARTMENT
DIXIT 15th January 2021
Great effort so far during online learning in French and Spanish lessons! We’ve loved seeing students collaborating and working together! Year 11 working in groups to write a paragraph together in French:
Year 10 were learning directions and enjoyed drawing what they heard in Spanish:
5
DIXIT 15th January 2021
FROM THE SIXTH FORM
Political talks from opposite sides of the spectrum Sixth Formers and Politics students were treated to a really exciting week, with access to two very high profile speakers. Wednesday night saw Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg give a talk to Eton’s Politics society. One of the benefits of being a Holyport College Sixth Former is that you have unparalleled access to some amazing speakers with our partner school Eton. Despite not being pushed on his opposition to gay rights and abortion, Rees-Mogg did speak eloquently about what makes him a conservative and I certainly know that my Upper Sixth Politics students were taking lots of notes as revision for the conservativism part of the A Level course. On Friday, we were able to host the reverse and invite some Eton Politics students virtually over to Holyport for a talk by Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown. Russell-Moyle is a well know Corbyn socialist who won his seat in the 2017 election. He spoke about his own personal politics and the life of a backbench MP. This was certainly fortuitous timing for the Lower Sixth as they are currently studying Parliament as part of the A level course. Students got to ask lots of questions. Both of these, of course, are the prelude to Wednesday 3rd February when Maidenhead MP and former Prime Minister Theresa May will be speaking to Sixth Formers – more details coming soon. Frank Hardee Subject Lead Politics, Master in charge of the Eton Relationship
6
DIXIT 15th January 2021
FROM THE CAREERS DEPT
7
FROM THE CAREERS DEPT
DIXIT 15th January 2021
HSBC Work Experience & M&S Opportunity HSBC Work Experience: We have some really exciting news to share, HSBC Work Experience is now live! Opportunities across the whole of the UK, in financial services, investment banking, marketing, digital, compliance and HR. The Work Experience opportunities will be available through June to August 2021 and will be 1week long. Open to all secondary school or college students in Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13 - applications close on 21st February! If you have any questions about applying, please get in contact! Application Link: https://bit.ly/3rjRjT2 Marks & Spencer's Webinar: 2020 has proven how much retail means to our communities, so why not be a part of transforming it at one of the UK’s most iconic brands. M&S are recruiting Retail Management and Fashion apprentices across the UK, giving you the ultimate fast track to managing your own department and looking after multi million pound budgets, all while being coached and mentored by their retail management experts. If you'd like to consider applying for a M&S apprenticeship program and are interested in Business, Retail, Management or Fashion then you can find your unique sign up application link below to this webinar!
Key Details: • • • •
Thursday 28th January, 5pm - 6pm Insight to M&S (one of the UK's most iconic brands) Open to all Y12 and Y13 students Great opportunity for students looking to get into business, management, retail or fashion!
Webinar Application Link: https://www.research.net/r/Marks-Spencer-Webinar
8
DIXIT 15th January 2021
FROM THE CAREERS DEPT
For details click here 9
DIXIT
FROM THE CALENDAR
15th January 2021
Some Dates for Your Diaries Friday 22nd January—Exeat weekend Friday 12th February—half term starts Friday 12th March—Exeat weekend
Now more than ever, anyone can sometimes feel down, worried or anxious because of a variety of situations like lockdown, school, family or friends. The #littlebluebookofsunshine explains some of the things teenagers can do right now to feel better, and who to turn to if things feel too much. The booklet is also now available in Apple Books and Google books too. Further information and download links are available on our website here: Mental wellbeing children and young people - East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Elevate Education deliver revision and study workshops for our Year 10 and 11 students. They are offering four free parent webinars and the first one is next week, focusing on student motivation, giving parents ways to help keep their children motivated during school closures. Managing Motivation: How to boost and sustain your child’s motivation during lockdown Date: Tuesday 19th January 2021
Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm Registration link: https://get.elevatecoaching.info/uk/register Parents’ Evening Dates 2020/21 Year 7 parents evening—Monday 16th November 2020 Year 9 parents evening—Tuesday 24th November 2020 Year 11 parents evening—Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Year 8 parents evening—Wednesday 10th February 2021 Year 13 parents evening—Tuesday 23rd February 2021 Year 10 parents evening—Thursday 11th March 2021
Year 12 parents evening—Wednesday 28th April 2021 10
