St Marylebone School Newsletter: June 2014

The St Marylebone School Newsletter June 2014

Marvellous Marylebone “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

W.B. Yeats

By now I’m sure you know that OFSTED visited St Marylebone in April and has judged our school “outstanding” in all four categories. This is a terrific outcome, not least as the report communicates the spirit and inspiration of education we strive to deliver: “This school is an exceptional place, where students flourish both academically and personally within a strong spiritual ethos”.

It was a very thorough inspection which lasted two full days. Inspectors visited countless lessons in many subjects, had meetings with different groups of staff and pupils at all Key Stages and spent time at both school sites. They also interviewed me, many of our Senior Leadership Team and our Governors and reviewed folders full of records and evidence. As a result they were able to conclude that “The achievement of pupils is outstanding …

The quality of teaching is outstanding … The behaviour and safety of pupils is outstanding …

The leadership and management is outstanding.”

The report is a great acknowledgment of the dynamic hard work and high standards of our staff and the energy and aspiration of our students. You’ll be pleased to know that they looked very carefully at Parent View and our own parents’ surveys; stakeholders’ views were really important in the process.

While we felt confident in our aspiration – the pursuit of excellence - it is great to see it confirmed in writing! My thanks go to all the Governors, parents, staff and students for their commitment.

The full report can be found on our website.

Thank you to you all, Ms Pugh Headteacher

A View from the Bridge Years 10 and 11 went to a production of “A View from the Bridge” at the Young Vic theatre. Directed by Ian van Hove, the production sparked plentiful discussion from students and staff. All students agreed that the experience of seeing the play live enhanced their understanding of structure and dramatic effect, but opinions differ regarding directorial choices. Students’ comments included the following: “I really liked the way Catherine was played. She became a real character with her own journey, not just a plot device.”

“The music all the way through was distracting” “I really liked the relentlessness of the music—it reflected the inevitability of the plot” “The ending where they were all covered in blood was really good—it echoed Beatrice’s line where she said, ‘Whatever happened, we all done it” “I loved the acting, but they missed out the bit with the glowing phone booth, which is one of the best bits in the script” Miss Bletcher

The Merchant of Venice Theatre Review On Thursday 20th March, Year 8 waited outside the Globe Theatre for what we assumed would be a traditional production. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it was a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the characterisation. The actors showed this by the power and projection of their voices, especially with Portia’s soliloquies, and their strong gestures,which also displayed emotion. They mainly did this because the Globe is a big theatre and, in order for the audience to see and relate to what the actors are doing, they have to have bigger movements for people (especially the ones sitting at the back) to see their actions clearly.

Another contributing factor to the good performance was the actors’ interactions with the audience whilst staying in character as it really brought the show alive.

I really enjoyed the contrast of the language used and the plot being set over 100 years ago with the costumes and mannerisms which were associated with the present day. Despite the interesting contrast of these periods, it was still (to me) irritating that the setting (classical pillars, paintings and statues) was overcomplicated and was sometimes the cause of distraction throughout the play.

Another aspect that made the play more original was the change from the original characters that Shakespeare invented. One of the biggest changes was how the characters were so much more prejudiced against Shylock for being Jewish, but they didn’t turn a hair when any of the women took control. In this interpretation of the play, women were presented as more powerful than men. An example of this was Portia having tests to choose her husband rather than it being the other way around, as well as when Portia and Nerissa were cunning enough to dress up as men without being noticed.

Overall, I thought the interpretation of Shakespeare’s play was very open-minded and interesting, containing a good ratio of shocking violence to comedic enjoyment.

By Emily Year 8

History and German Trip to Berlin As a German and History student, the trip was doubly exciting for me, as I got the chance to practise my German whilst learning about a period of history that I find incredibly interesting. Berlin’s history of division has only made people even more open, friendly and welcoming.

Although we were only there for four days, the amount that we got to see meant that our overall impression of the city was as good as if we’d been staying there for at least a week. We were shepherded around the city from one historical site to the next, barely getting time to stuff away our postcards and museum leaflets before being whisked on to the next one. We visited fantastic museums like the Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam, the Stasi museum, the DDR museum, the German Historical museum and the Allied museum. We also visited many historical monuments, such as the East Side gallery, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and even Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp used by both the Nazis and Soviets. All of this meant that we gained so much knowledge about Berlin in the Nazi period and then the Cold War. This allowed us to see what had shaped Berlin into being what it is today: a city full of culture and history, determined not to forget its past as a divided state.

Jemima, Year 12

Model United Nations C At the start of the Easter holidays, six students travelled to Sassari, Sardinia to take part in a Model United Nations conference. For those of you who may not have heard of the MUN programme before, it is an opportunity for students to assume the role of foreign diplomats and engage in policy debates and simulations. Students must act in the interest of that nation, even if it is going against their own personal beliefs!

Working in pairs, our students represented China, South Africa and Italy.

The two topics chosen for debate were: The use of chemical weapons in Syria and LGBT rights around the world. Soon after the initial speeches, students dispersed into their committee rooms to start forming alliances and developing resolutions that would attempt to tackle these global issues.

All students spoke passionately of what they were doing, but they also spoke of the frustration trying to win over other nation states. There was particular friction between China (Natalie) and Russia.

Conference in Sardinia Alliances quickly formed, with more Liberal nations opting for a cooperative solution to the disposal of Chemical Weapons and promoting equality for LGBT persons around the world. However, conservative nations and supporters of the Assad regime encouraged the divorce of LGBT rights from the national agenda and encouraged of delegates to support a Russian led disposal of Syrian Chemical weapons.

The final General Assembly session was not without controversy, with the Chairs being held hostage by terrorists and vocal protestors interrupting the hall.

Of the four resolutions that were presented (two for each topic) one was retired, and one failed to pass. Each successive resolution was applauded and the work of each of the nations and delegates involved was recognised.

A special mention was given to South Africa and China. China, who asserted their position as a world super power by dominating the proceedings and South Africa, who played a major roles convincing more Conservative African nations so support specific pieces of legislation.

SMS students who took part (starting top-right, clockwise: Ethan, Michael, Karen, Lydia , Ela and Natalie.

The 6 students stayed with host families and all spoke of how friendly and welcoming they were.

They all felt they got a true experience of Sardinian culture and many of them have been invited back to visit them again in the Summer!

German Work Experience Trip 2014 Dear Diary, I was very excited for the first day of my work experience at the Kindergarten. Although, mixed with the excitement was also a sense of anxiety, as neither had I worked with children before and nor do I have any younger siblings. However, it went extremely well! Upon arriving at the Kindergarten, we were asked to help the children with art and I suddenly found the vocabulary in my textbook come to life.

I'm sure that the children must have been laughing as I asked them to repeat each word while I meticulously scribbled them into a vocabulary diary! I never believed it when it was said that being in a country improves your language skills immensely but today, I am left with no doubt about how true that statement is! It has been a wonderful experience and one that I am highly unlikely to forget!

Bis Morgan!

Wir der LeistungskursDeutsch haben unsere Schulferien im Februar in Deutschland verbracht, um einen Austauch und ein Praktikum zu machen damit wir unser Deutsch verbessern. Morgens haben wir in einer deutscher Grundschule gearbeitet aber Nachmittags sind wir mit unseren Austauschpartnerinnenin ihre Schule gegangen und dann haben wir die Abende mit ihren Familien verbracht. Alle unsere Austauschpartnerinnen und ihre Familien waren so freundlich und wir haben so viel Deutsch gelernt!

Ella Yr 12

Shirdi

Congratulations to Rachel in Year 11 and Stanley in Year 13 for being selected to represent London in the English Schools Cross Country Race. This is an amazing achievement and we are all very proud of them.

The London Mini Marathon Well done to the following students who were selected to run for their Boroughs in the London Mini Marathon on Sunday 13th April: Jessie Wilkinson Lola Awoderu Kitty Low

Milla McKenzie Rachel Seckl Congratulations to you all and we hope you enjoyed the race!

St Marylebone C.E. School Term dates 2014-15 Year Group Sept. 2014 – July 2015

Date of return for Term 1

Start time

September 2014 INSET 1st, 2nd, 3rd September 2014

7

Thursday 4th September

8.30am

8

Monday 8th September

8.30am

9

Monday 8th September

8.30am

10

Friday 5th September

8.30am

11

Monday 8th September

8.30am

12

Thursday 4th September

8.30am

13

Friday 5th September

8.30am

Term one ends

Friday 24th October

School ends at 12.30pm

Terms 2 to 6 2014-15

Start time first day back

End of term finish time

8.30am

12.30pm

8.30am

3.30pm

8.30am

12.30pm

Half-term holidays Saturday 25/10/14— Sunday 02/11/14 Term 2

Monday 3rd November – Friday 19th December 2014

Christmas Holidays: Saturday 20/12/14– Monday 05/01/15 Term 3

Tuesday 6th January 2015– Friday 13th February 15

Half-term holidays Saturday 14/02/15—Sunday 22/02/15 Term 4

Monday 23rd February – Wednesday 1st April 2015

INSET day Thursday 2nd April. Pupil Easter Holidays: Thursday 02/04/15—Sunday 19/04/15

Easter Sunday April 5th 2015

Term 5

Monday 20th April – Friday 22nd May 2015

8.30am

3.30pm

Public Holiday – May Day 4th May 2015

Half-term holidays Saturday 23/05/15—Sunday 31/05/15. (Bank Holiday 25/05/15) Term 6

Monday 1st June – Friday 17th July 2015

8.30am

Subject Please to change, check the please school check webthe siteschool termlyweb for any site updates. termly forVersion anyJan13 updates.

Version: 14 Feb 2014

12.30pm

DIARY DATES Term Dates 2013/14 Term 6 Monday 2nd June 2014 - Thursday 17th July 2014 Dates for your diary Thursday 12th June: Year 11 Art & Textiles Exhibition 4.00-6.30pm Main Site Thursday 19th June: Year 9 Celebration Evening 6.00-8.00pm Church Thursday 26th June: Dance Company Showcase 7.00pm Theatre, Main Site Monday 30th June –Friday 11th July: Year 10 Work Experience Saturday 4th July: Summer Fair 11.00-2.00pm Monday 7th July –Friday 11th July: Activity Week.

Wednesday 16th July: Sports Day Thursday 17th July: School finishes 12.30pm

St Marylebone CE School 64 Marylebone High Street London W1U 5BA Telephone: 020 7935 4704 Fax: 020 7935 4005 www.stmaryleboneschool.com